LEV Y INEQUIT Y
By CHRIS EARL
MONTHS out from the doubling of a State Government levy, concerns have emerged that Loddon communities are already being short-changed.
Investigations by the Loddon Herald found just an estimated 30 per cent of the compulsory fire services levy Loddon Shire is forced to collect has made its back to local brigades in the last decade.
Loddon has handed over almost $15 million to the State Revenue Office in 10 years. Most of the eight new trucks to replace an ageing fleet were delivered more than six years ago and it has been at least five years since any new stations have been built.
The State Government will almost double the hit on property owners to 17.3 per cent of property values from July 1 when the new emergency services and volunteers fund is introduced.
Home owners face an average increase in the levy of $60, for farmers the hit could be in the thousands.
Mayor Dan Straub said: “That’s a lot of money we’re sending off to Melbourne, not coming back to support local volunteer brigades.
“Surely, we’re more than a milking cow for a compulsory State Government levy.”
Powlett Fire Brigade captain Mal Isaac this week questioned the return and support for vol-
unteers. “We are going out putting our lives at risk but could be stung another $1000,” the local farmer and volunteer firie said.
“There’s not much coming back.”
The Country Fire Authority has not answered questions on infrastructure and equipment investment made in Loddon brigades over the last decade.
It did confirm the long-promised new Serpentine station will cost $3.2 million.
CFA active and life members and State Emergency Services volunteers will be exempt from paying the levy on the principal place of residence.
Loddon Shire says the exemption “has generated a lot of enquiries into council but there is currently no information as to how the exemption will be administered”.
Council, required to act as the State Government’s tax collector, includes the current fire
services levy on annual rate notices. “Council is awaiting State Government details on the emergency services volunteer fund, but it is currently proposed to be collected via council rate notices and transferred to the State Revenue Office using the same process as the ... fire services levy.”
Cr Gavan Holt flagged concerns council would be blamed for “increased rates” when the next notices were sent to property owners.
a massive jump
their tax hit
Levies collected are transferred to the Government each quarter when “levies held in ‘trust’ by council is reported and paid to the State Revenue Office ... being remitted at the end of March, June, September and December. “A further annual reconciliation report and audit is undertaken in August each year,” according to a council spokesman.
MORE REPORTS - PAGE 7
FARM MACHINERY, COLLECTABLES, ANTIQUES
Collectables including 4 x Furphy water tanks excellent condition dating pre 1895 to 1943 – all with lids & taps, Qty Furphy wheels, Furphy pig trough, Avery platform scales / weights, Swage block & molds, CI render tub missionary CI pot, Burgin ball friction wheels x 8, Burgin ball shearing grinder, 4 HP Southern Cross stationary engine, Qty Furphy wheel bearings & McKay butterfly hinges, large Anvil, Butter churn, Qty Sunshine gates (various models), Sunshine Wheels, Dawn drill, leg vices (3), Trawella jack, Robinson harrow leaf, Sandstone wheel, Jas Smith grain grister, old wagon chain, CI stovetops/ doors, Ajax wool box, MH sickle mower, Mulboard ploughs, 2 x Woden jacks, Sharmango manual blower, Smith Windmill air valve, old McKay plough, old Jenkins & Berger Scarifier, Broad axe, Bag trolley, Stillards, Qty Cast Iron post & Stone jars, Haymes, Lister O/H shearing plant (3), Vanguard wheel cover, Qty Blacksmiths tools
Contact Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166 or Vendor: Robert Coutts 03 5455 2129
Powlett volunteers Trevor Grigg, Mal Isaac and Aaron Lock fear
Loddon HERALD
Circulating in the communities and districts of Boort, Bridgewater, Dingee, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Laanecoorie, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.
Also available in Dunolly, Charlton, Wycheproof, Kerang, Marong, Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk.
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Phone 0419549743
Email loddonherald@gmail.com
Web www.loddonherald.com.au
WEEKEND FORECAST
Charles Woodman of Carlie’s Fashion and Accessories and customer Annette Smith promote local shopping. LH PHOTO
IN BRIEF
Sound proof WORK on sound proofing, heating and cooling, painting and light installation has almost been completed at Wedderburn College’s Korong Leisure Centre are nearing completion. Said principal Danny Forrest: “Hopefully by the end of Term 1 we may have the KLC back and operating.” Meanwhile other works part of the $12.9 million college upgrade are expected to be finished by June.
First centres
THE first four State Government-owned and operated childcare centres have opened at Sunshine Primary School, Murtoa College and Eaglehawk North Primary School and Moomba Park Primary School in Fawkner. Wedderburn is in the next tranche of centres with the Loddon Shire’s first childcare centre to open next year.
Water meetings
30 businesses join ‘local campaign’
RETAILERS in every part of the Loddon have signed up to the Shop Local campaign promoting local businesses and giving shoppers to chance to win one of five vouchers.
Among them is Charlie Woodman of Carlie Clothing and Accessories in Inglewood who says buying local benefits town economies.
“Loddon retailers have prod-
ucts at least equal in quality and price to bigger cities and Melbourne,” he said.
“We are kind of the Loddon Shire’s hidden secret ... the best in retail is collectively in our Loddon towns and we’re part of the fabric of great country shopping strips.
“The Shop Local campaign is a wonderful initiative, raising awareness that there are great
shops and encouraging more people, locals and those who see our towns as specialist retail destinations, to shop with all of us.”
Shop Loddon is a year-long campaign by the council to highlight local businesses’ fantastic products and services and celebrate the hard work and dedication of local businesses. The shopper competition or $50 shopping vouchers closes on February 28.
OUR article last week quoted Geoff Thomas saying “we were being told that there was only one hour for the meeting agenda and discussion on proposed price increases was always the last item” about Goulburn Murray Water advisory committee meetings. In fact, that was when Mr Thomas joined his local committee 34 years ago, not in the last 20 years. The Loddon Herald apologises for the confusion.
Tertiary pair aim to make future rural difference
TWO new Loddon university students hope they can return and contribute to making better country communities after completing their studies.
Isabelle Morrison and Cade Tuohey were last week named the 2025 recipients of Inglewood Community Bank tertiary scholarships ahead of starting their university courses.
Both completed VCE at East Loddon P12 College last year.
Isabella, from Tandarra, will study animal science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga.
“My goal to is become a large animal vet,” Isabelle said, “and come back to the country where there are not a lot of vets in that field and sometimes there can be a wait for them to come.”
She has grown up on the family’s farm that runs Charolais cattle, Australian white sheep and grows crops.
“When we have vets come out, I am always watching what they do to see what I can pick up.”
Cade will start his course in civil engineering at Deakin University, Geelong.
He had looked at study options at both Geelong and La Trobe University Bendigo, but the Bendigo course had been withdrawn last year.
Cade said his proficiency in mathematics and a desire for a hands-on career had led him to enrol in civil engineering.
“I hope to able to come back to the country and work in the roads area ... roads are pretty bad at the moment,” he said.
Cade was last year a member of the East Loddon Rams that won the Loddon Valley Football League under 18 premiership and also played with Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the reserves.
He also took the field for the senior team in one match but is undecided where he will play football this season.
Isabelle and Cade said the bank scholarship would assist with the added expenses moving to new cities for study.
“The scholarship will be a huge help,” Cade said.
You’re fired! Social media giant pulls down brigade’s page
META has blocked the official Bridgewater Fire Brigade facebook page, claiming it was impersonating a celebrity.
The brigade’s sudden disappearance from social media last Friday triggered appeals to the social media giant from captain Tim Ferguson. But they were met with a swift rejection and “no explanation”.
“Our original page was unfortunately taken down for ‘impersonating a celebrity or business we are not affiliated with‘.” he said. Mr Ferguson said a new page was quickly created to assist the brigade with community safety engagement.
“In country towns, the fire brigade is something of a celebrity but facebook doesn’t seem to agree with community sentiment.”
Pulling down of the brigade’s page comes as Meta’s plans to remove fact-checking services on content posted to its platforms and the Government’s decision to introduce age limits for access to social media that has brought a renewed focus on the importance of regional, rural and local news publishers.
““Country Press Australia is disappointed at Meta’s decision to abandon third-party fact checking on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in the US. Third-party fact checking has not yet been abandoned on Meta platforms in Australia, however the move in the US may be an indication of Meta’s intentions worldwide and is a worrying development regardless,” said president Andrew Schreyer.
Bank chairman Linda Younghusband said the community bank was pleased to continue assisting young people from the Loddon in their university studies.
“We congratulate both Isabelle and Cade and hope they are able to return to rural communities and make a future contribution.”
IN BRIEF
New water main COLIBAN Water has started replacing a 500-metre section of water main on Inglewood-Powlett Road. Coliban said replacement was due to the mains age and was part of our asset renewal program. “This water main connects the township to the Inglewood Treated Water Basin, which supplies drinking water to Inglewood,” Coliban said. It is expected that the works will be completed by early March. Residents will see our contractors on site (approximately 500 metres north of Inglewood) with traffic management in place during this time.”
Dingee phone upgrade
TELSTRA will upgrade the Dingee base station to 5G capacity from Tuesday. Between Tuesday and next Saturday there will be no Telstra mobile coverage from this site. On February 24, there will be interruptions to the Telstra mobile during the day as call testing and integration of the network are completed.
Voices return OPERA will return to the region next month when the Lyster Opera Company performs The Abduction from the Seraglio in Charlton. The company has previously performed in Tarnagulla and Inglewood
Cade Tuohey, Inglewood bank manager MIchael Prowse and Isabelle Morrison. LH PHOTO
Heritage bid: fix phones and roads
CALLS are growing for infrastructure investment in Loddon districts are part of the Goldfields bid for UNESCO World Heritage listing.
The Australian tentative list for the bid includes the Great Nuggets Landscape area from around Tarnagulla, Moliagul and Dunolly.
But Newbridge Hotel owner Matthew Mizzi said: “Hope our shire finally gets noticed by these politicians. How embarrassing will it be to have people come from all over the world to see some communities that still have the same infrastructure from the 1850s,” he said.
Bid proponents are predicting 2.2 million more people will visit the area within a decade if UNESCO listing is given the stamp.
And Loddon resident Catherine Dowden Gunston has backed up the call, saying “I hope they fix the roads around there first”.
Loddon Shire Council has already put Newbridge forward for Federal Government funding in the latest round of the mobile blackspot program.
“Residents of Newbridge and the surrounding areas are facing significant challenges with mobile connectivity, including blackspots, dropouts and unreliable data services,” council has
told the Government. Concerns have been raised about the inability to contact authorities during emergencies, delays in emergency response times and issues with receiving emergency phone alerts, especially in an area prone to natural disasters.
“The very limited availability of telecommunications is frustrating for residents, businesses and visitors alike, highlighting the critical need for reliable telecommunications. These challenges not only deter residential growth, limit business development but also deter tourism, a key economic driver for the region.”
Local, state and federal governments have been asked to “identify potential projects or locations that are impacted by, or are at risk of, a natural disaster and would benefit from improved mobile connectivity” ahead of blackspot grants being announced.
Federal Environment Minister
Tanya Pliberseck ducked making a commitment to local infrastructure investment this month when launching Australia’s bid for tentative sites.
Meanwhile, calls were made last week for Beechworth and Chiltern to be part of the final bid sites put to UNESCO.
Councillors air concerns with Walsh
Long-term financial sustainability is fast becoming the big challenge for Loddon Shire, and it was high on the agenda when Peter Walsh, the Member for Murray Plains, joined the council’s meeting on Tuesday.
Mayor Dan Straub and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald both said they were hanging out for the Government response to the Upper House inquiry into local government sustainability and what it might mean for the future.
Mr Fitzgerald said while Loddon Shire has Victoria’s cheapest annual rates that also has a significant impact on the services and programs it can deliver residents.
They also agreed with Mr Walsh the cost-shifting strategy of the government, which sees councils now responsible for collecting fees such as the fire services levy on its behalf, cre-
Portable long service leave that moves with you.
ates a new raft of problems. Mr Fitzgerald said when ratepayers get their annual rates bill, and their eyes go to the very bottom line for the total cost. “Not many accept this has nothing to do with us, they just assume it is the local council jacking up the charges – and we’re not.”“Next we understand we face greater costs in rubbish collection as we will be forced to have more bins for different waste, and that will also further increase the size of the number on that bottom line – but it is a charge beyond our control, we will just get the blame.”
Mr Walsh said reduced state and federal funding to local government has presented a challenge to most shires, but in the case of ones such as Loddon, with no major population hubs, they have proved a real problem. He said because of its smaller
rating potential, even a two or three or four per cent rise is not going to make a major difference in the shire’s investment potential.
“It is already a struggle for the shire to maintain its community’s assets – and Loddon does that better than many I have seen – but it is increasingly creating major challenges in how it manages things such as its road network,” Mr Walsh explained.
“I also spoke to the council about the urgent need for the Goulburn Murray Water channel at Boort to be converted to a pipe because of its enormous safety risks.” Another issue causing concern for both the shire and Mr Walsh was the future of harness racing in Wedderburn and Boort.
Mr Walsh said HRV has appointed a new chair who is now urgently investigating the way it conducts business.
If you work in community services, contract cleaning or the security industry, you may be eligible for portable long service leave.
It’s called portable long service because it moves with you, even when you change employers. About 400,000 Victorian workers are
Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh meets with Loddon Shire councillors on Tuesday
Make flashing speed signs a priority, urges ITDC chief
SAFE street campaigner and Inglewood Tourism Development Committee president Peter Moore has upped the push for flashing speed signs in Brooke Street.
He was last night taking community concerns about some vehicles ignoring the 40kmh speed limit to a Victoria Police neighbourhood policing forum in Maryborough.
“There is a major concern around town that some vehicles are definitely speeding along Brooke Street,” Mr Moore said.
“You can’t expect police to be on patrol in the street 24/7 but if there were flashing speed detection signs, people could look up and see what speed some of these trucks and cars are doing.”
Peter Moore
the council and also the member for Ripon Martha Haylett,” he said.
“We’ve been told that nothing can be done until the streetscape project is completed. That could be five years away depending if this very important project wins funding from state and federal governments.
“Transport Accident Commission has an annual community road safety grant program that councils can apply for.
VICTORIA
“We think there’s a good and compelling case for Brooke Street that surely could receive the money needed.”
Mr Moore praised Victoria Police for holding last night’s forum.
200-worker peak tip on VNI West
TRANSMISSION Company
Victoria has started the search for three 12-hectare sites to accommodate up to 200 workers building the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line.
TCV said it had meet with Loddon Shire and other councils on the route between Stawell and Kerang.
“We would welcome more of these, perhaps even one in the Loddon Shire,” he said.
The company also wants eight five-hectare construction laydown areas.
But Mr Moore said efforts for support of flashing speed signs as an added deterrent for motorists had been rebuffed.
“We have so far raised this with
It is more than two years after Mr Moore and other Brooke Street traders spearheaded a community campaign that saw the speed limit reduced from 60kmh to 40kmh in January 2024.
“In the meantime, Brooke Street remains a stetch of the Calder Highway where a few think it’s okay to exceed the speed limit. It’s not and hopefully we can gain support to raise even more awareness.”
Mr Moore said Brooke Street traders had welcomed the speed limit reduction.
“There’s more that can be done and we can’t be fobbed off.
“The next part of the solution would only cost $10,000 or $20,000.
“They give communities an opportunity to engage and support police in the important work they do.”
Topics discussed at the Goldfields area forum, covering the police areas of Central Goldfields Shire, Mount Alexander Shire and Loddon Shire, included crime trends and prevention, family violence, young people and road policing.
Ambulance response times improve by a minute
AMBULANCE Victoria is responding to Code
One incidents in Loddon communities a minute faster than a year ago, according to performance statistics released on Tuesday. They showed there were 157 Code One calls in Loddon communities in the December quarter.
In almost a third of incidents, the response was within the preferred 15-minute target and the average response time just over 24 minutes. Both statistics were one minute
below the response times for the December quarter 2023 when there were also 157 calls.
In the Loddon Mallee Region crews responded to 6175 Code One cases between October and December 2024.
In the Gannawarra LGA, paramedics attended 42.1 per cent within 15 minutes – up from 38.9 per cent a year earlier.
In Mildura, paramedics attended 87.3 per cent of Code One patients within 15 minutes – the second-best result in the state.
“We are committed to delivering long term housing benefits for local communities impacted by VNI West and our priority is to develop workforce accommodation that does not put any additional strain on existing local housing stock, services or infrastructure,” said TCV spokesperson Claire Cass.
“We understand that housing availability and affordability are challenges that many areas in the project area are facing.”
Ambulance Victoria’s Loddon Mallee Regional Director Matt McCrohan said, “We know there is more work to do. AV continues to work with hospitals to promptly transfer patients and ensure all Victorians receive the right care at the right time.
“More new paramedics have also hit the road to help meet demand. Since last November, we have welcomed 84 new graduate paramedics to our ranks and a further 15 new recruits will start soon.
TCV has called for expressions of interest from landowners to host the sites and selection criteria would include proximity to the preferred easement, main road connections, opportunities for legacy benefit creation, flood overlay and ecology, topography, bushfire risk and availability of services.
The Railway Hotel BOORT
Servo slated for demolition
THE site of Inglewood’s former community-owned service station will be demolished as plans progress for the proposed town streetscape project.
Tenders for demolition closed with Loddon Shire Council last week as plumbers turned off water connections to the building. Powercor is expected to remove remaining electrical connections this week.
Council operations director Steve Phillips said the tender was expected to be let shortly with demolition soon after.
The site on the corner of Brooke and
Heales Streets became a community co-operative service station in the early 1990s with local residents volunteering to keep the business open.
When the co-operative closed the business in the early 2000s, the land was handed over to Loddon Shire.
Sources have told the Loddon Herald that the service station’s location on a dangerous Calder Highway bend had limited options for the site. Draft streetscape concepts in recent years have included a garden on the corner.
BOLD plan close to control pesky corellas
PROPOSALS to control corellas invading the Loddon River at Bridgewater are close to being finalised.
Bridgewater on Loddon Development president Jill Hobbs said discussions with Loddon Shire and local residents in recent months had helped prepare options for council’s possible support.
Payment of rates - deadline 15 February
People choosing to pay their rates in full have until 15 February to make payments. For people making payments by Instalments, the nal quarterly payments are due by 28 February and 31 May.
If you think you may not be able to pay by the due date and you believe you will have di culties paying by instalments, please contact Council’s rates o ce on (03) 5494 1200 as soon as possible. We have a number of options available to assist those facing genuine nancial hardship and would be happy to discuss these with you in a con dential manner.
Payments can be made on the Council’s secure payment portal https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Forresidents/Your-home/Your-property-valuation-and-rates/Payment-of-rates.
Other payment options include by BPAY, in person at any post o ce or at the Council’s Wedderburn o ce where cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS options are available. Approved agencies for the payment of rates are Boort Resource and Information Centre, Bridgewater Post O ce, Dingee General Store, Dunolly Rural Transaction Centre, Community Bank Inglewood and Districts, Mitiamo General Store, Pyramid Hill Newsagency and Post O ce, Tarnagulla Post O ce.
If paying by instalments, interest is charged from the date the instalment was due. If paying in full, the interest is calculated from the rst instalment date 30 September for the rst instalment component of the outstanding charge, then from 30 November for both overdue instalment amounts.
She said the proposal would then be presented to State Government agencies to access funds to control the “next big arrival of the birds that takes place around November”.
BOLD and local residents have been campaigning for a decade for control measures.
Cr
The disused service station is prepared for demolition. LH PHOTOS
Station will take 18 months to build: CFA
CONSTRUCTION of Serpentine’s longawaited new fire station will start this month but work will not finish until August next year.
The Country Fire Authority on Monday confirmed the start date for work on a project first announced in the 2021 Victorian Budget. “Funding for the station is $3.2 million,” a spokesperson said.
It will be the first new station built in the Loddon since 2019. Powlett’s new headquarters was opened in September 2015 and cost $260,000 while the new Inglewood station opened in 2019 with a price tag of $1.5 million. Other new stations in the decade have included Yarrawalla and Berrimal.
According to multiple CFA sources, Inglewood brigade received one of the new heavy tankers, costing $460,000, in 2022 while Fentons Creek brigade took delivery of its new fire-fighting unit costing
$400,000 in 2013. Pyramid Hill, Boort, Murphys Creek and Tarnagulla have also had new tankers in the decade.
But while Powlett brigade members are tackling fire in a 1998 Hino, they are not expecting a replacement tanker any time soon. “The truck is fine for what we do but it doesn’t have the same safety features as modern trucks,” they said.
According to the CFA spokesperson: “The average age of the CFA fleet is 15.9 years and CFA replaces vehicles as, and when, it can within the budget available The CFA base budget for fleet vehicle replacement is around $12 million per year. The Northwest Region has received 23 heavy tankers and seven ultra heavy tankers with a further five to be delivered by the middle of this year.” The CFA did not provide details of truck or station upgrade plans for brigades in the Loddon Shire’s CFA groups - Loddon South, Wedderburn and Terrick.
Shire rates could soon harvest $5m for State Government
LODDON Shire ratepayers could be handing over $5 million a year to the State Government when the new emergency services and volunteers fund is introduced.
Council says it will collect $2.41 million this year, the final year of the fire services levy. The figure includes a basic charge total on properties of just over $1 million and a levy rate of $1.4 million. Deducted pensioner rebates are $48,300.
A decade ago the council collected $1.2 million in 2015-2016 for the State Government with the levy supporting CFA and the former Metropolitan Fire Brigade and later Fire Rescue Victoria following a reorganisation of fire services.
The new levy will generate money for the state’s emergency services - FRV, CFA, SES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
TCV is seeking input into the development of workforce accommodation for VNI West
We are undertaking a public Expression of Interest process to identify land available for lease, and we want to understand the interests, concerns and questions that communities have in relation to our workforce accommodation approach.
We want to hear from you!
The TCV workforce accommodation web portal will enable people to share feedback on our approach to developing accommodation, and how to reach our team for more information.
We understand that many areas in the VNI West project corridor face housing availability and affordability challenges. TCV is committed to delivering long term housing benefits for local communities impacted by VNI West.
The input we receive via the online portal will inform work underway with the VNI West Social Value Reference Group to understand how we can develop the project in a way that meets local needs and creates long term, permanent housing solutions.
Visit the workforce accommodation portal on the TCV website at: www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/about-vni-west/vni-west-workforceaccommodation
Expression of Interest
In parallel with determining permanent housing solutions, TCV is seeking sites suitable for:
• Temporary workforce accommodation – up to three sites of about 12 hectares each to accommodate between 200 and 300 people each at peak construction;
• Construction laydown areas – up to eight sites of about 5 hectares each; or
• Combined accommodation and laydown area sites.
We are committed to providing landholders with a fair and transparent leasing arrangement that reflects true value and opportunities for use.
Properties that express interest will be assessed as part of the VNI West EES and appropriate options for accommodation and laydowns identified by April 2025. This is an opportunity for landholders with properties they believe may be suitable to express their interest in their site being assessed, with a view to entering into a lease agreement for the site’s use.
Expression of Interest responses close 28 February.
The fire services levy was 8.7 per cent of property value, the new fund 17.3 per cent.
The State Government says the new fund will also be used for the Emergency Alert Program (automatic emergency warning SMSs), Emergency Management Operational Communication Program and Forest Fire Management Victoria and its support functions within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. The Government was asked about arrangements for CFA and SES volunteers to claim an exemption from paying the emergency services fund levy and when details of the levy will be confirmed with the volunteers and also with local councils who are to collect.
A response had not been received by this week’s Loddon Herald deadline.
Visit www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/aboutvni-west/vni-west-workforce-accommodation or scan the QR code to the right.
Web: transmissionvictoria.com.au
Free call: 1800 824 221
Email: enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au
Facebook: @TransmissionVictoria
Preps settle in the classroom
STRONG prep enrolments have been recorded across schools in the Loddon Shire.
Boort District School and St Mary’s Catholic School Inglewood have their largest intake in five years.
Among students starting their school journey at St Mary’s are twins Alex and Chantal Khalil.
“We have a total enrolment of 17 this year and expect that to continue growing in the next few years,” said principal Steve O’Shannessy.
St Mary’s is the only non-government school in the Loddon Shire after the closure of St Patrick’s Pyramid Hill last year.
There are again double-digit enrolments at East Loddon P12 College and Wedderburn College.
Wedderburn principal Danny Forrest said the school’s overall enrolment continued to climb, this year reaching 210. Four years ago it was 180.
New primary staff at the school include Grace Lockhart and Harry Campbell with Michael Watson and Anuska Mediwaththe in the secondary levels.
Bridgewater Primary School that three years ago had dropped to less than 10 students, continues to see enrolments increase with 17 students this year. The increase has seen teaching staff increase. Among them is Madeline Langley who was
in a support role last year but is now one of the school’s teachers.
Police and schools have urged Loddon residents to obey school speed zones and to slow down at crossings in towns.
Teacher Macey Martin reads to Inglewood Primary prep student Ashford Steel
St Mary’s principal Steve O’Shannessy with prep students Adonis Hywood, Noah Thompson Alex and Chantal Khalil after the school’s opening Mass. LH PHOTOS
Playground fun for Wedderburn’s 2025 prep intake
Jack Talbot, Clyde de Leon, Mariella Policarpio, Valerie Salas and Illiana Pantig are this year’s prep students at Pyamid Hill College
Bridgewater Primary School teacher Madeline Langley and prep students Patrick Penny and Albert Goodman make their mark on the playground blackboard
Wild animals roaming in the garden
THERE’S chooks and ducks waiting at the gate while in shady spots sit cows and calves, sheep and pigs.
And ready to spring a jungle surprise under the watch of medieval gargoyles are giraffes, gorillas and elephants.
These new additions to the stock at Loddon’s destination nursery has seen Bridgewater Nursery go totally wild.
Owner Bianca Rothacker says the statues and ornaments that make the nursery’s garden menagerie are wooing customers. “In the few weeks these farm animals and jungle inhabitants have taken up residence, they’ve heading out the door fast to their new homes.
“We’ve even had orders come from interstate ... our range is unique and quirky.”
Bianca says farm animals are the
most popular “and are giving a new personalised feel to the gardens of rural properties around the Loddon”.
“Some of the statues are life-size that add reality to landscaping the front yard or out the back,” she said.
“Jungle animal statues can add a sense of realism and whimsy to your garden, creating a space that feels like a miniature jungle. You can use them to celebrate nature’s diversity, add character, or evoke emotion.
“Larger pieces act as a focal point and draw the eye to an area. Abstract sculptures make great focal points because they can be seen from all angles.
“Whether standing outside our Main Street store or at home in your garden, our farm and jungle statues are a real talking point.”
Immersion day for rural scholars
YOUNG agricultural scholarship recipients had a day of career immersion in Boort last week.
Jack Gould (Pyramid Hill College), Fynn Clymo (East Loddon P-12 College) and Kathleen Hocking (Boort District School) were among students part of the North Central LLEN’s Nutirent scholar program.
The afternoon began with Boort branch manager Cam Mitchell taking students on a tour of the office and merchandise.
An nteractive careers panel included Cam, Teagen Welsh (Kerang manager), Sean Fitzpatrick (agronomist) and Eliza Perryman (past scholarship winner and now Nutrien trainee).
Each panelist had a diverse career journey but they highlighted the importance of being enthusiastic, asking questions and taking opportunities.
The day concluded with a formal ceremony where Claudia Cox (NCLLEN) and Sarah Mulligan (Nutrien) presented students with their award which included a monetary component to help them with
their future studies. Jack completed his Certificate 3 in Engineering Fabrication last year. Jack has exhibited his strong passion for ag in his attendance to the NCLLEN Longerenong College and BCG Main Field Day.
Fynn worked for Eade Contracting last year and completed his Certificate 3 in Agriculture. Fynn has a keen interest in ag particularly agronomy, he is extending his studies this year to make this possible. Fynn is from a dairy farm, and North Central LLEN and many students from East Loddon have had the privilege of experiencing Calmo Farms through the Broader Horizons program.
Kathleen has grown up on the family farm near Pyramid Hill. She has worked in shearing sheds and with feedlotted sheep. She has done work experience at a merino ram stud near Echuca and at the Nutrien Wool Store in Melbourne.
She hopes her future career will be in agriculture particularly the livestock industry.
New group will get straight to work
ENTHUSIASM has emerged from last week’s meeting to re-establish a Landcare group in Inglewood with volunteers already planning their first community project.
Members will have a focus on the Loddon Shire’s Inglewood Ward and have called themselves the Ingleward Landcare Group.
They will operate under the umbrella of Loddon Plains Landcare Network.
The volunteers have already put up their hands to be part of a Clean Up Australia Day effort on March 2.
Kate Gillett called last week’s meeting to re-establish a Landcare group in the town “to protect and restore our precious natural landscapes”.
LPLN facilitator Will Sanson had welcomed the formation of a new group.
“Landcare is based on volunteers becoming involved in tackling land management in a proactive way,” he said.
“The network is made up of many groups across the shire who combine to make a difference. “We’ll be helping Kate and other Ingleward group members to encourage more local people.”
Boort Grain Co-Op Prices on Tuesday for commodities sold through the locallyowned facility.
Wheat – H1 $344. H2 $329. APW1 $324. AUH2 $319. ASW1 $313. SFW1 $305. Barley – PL1 $313. MA1 $305. SP1 $310. COM1 $295. BAR1 $295. BAR2 $281. BAR3 $268. Canola – ISCC CAN1 $735. ISCC CANG $631. CANG $655. Faba Beans – FABA1 $612. FABA2 $597. FABA3 $552. Lentils – NIP1 $852.
Scholarship recipients Fynn Clymo, Jack Gould and Kathleen Hosking
WOOL REPORT
The Australian wool market has continued its positive start to the 2025 calendar year, recording further solid rises last week. The national quantity rose compared to last week, due in part to the higher prices on offer during the previous week, which encouraged more sellers to the market. There was a total of 37,650 bales available to the trade. The first day of selling was buoyant, from the opening lot it was apparent that the market was heading in a positive direction. By the end of the day, the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) across the country for merino fleece had risen by between 6 and 41 cents, only the 17-micron MPG in the North resisting the trend, falling by a solitary cent. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) added a healthy 15 cents for the day. On the second day only Sydney and Melbourne were in operation and the market generally continued to rise, predominantly in the medium to broad microns. In the South the 21.0-micron MPG climbed to 1,449 cents, this is its highest point since the 10th of May 2023. The EMI added another 8 cents, finishing the series 23 cents higher, closing at 1,215 cents. The EMI is now at its highest point since the 10th of January 2024. The EMI has now risen for four consecutive selling days. Minimal currency movement since the close of the previous week meant that the market gains were also realised in US dollar terms. The EMI added 18 US cents for the series, closing the week at 760 US cents. This was the highest weekly rise in US cents since April last year.
This week’s national offering is expected to increase, again buoyed by more sellers being attracted to the market. There are currently 41,243 bales rostered in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Source: AWEX
Adam Millard | Wool | 0400 499 064
Elders Bendigo | 03 5445 6333
Craig Sharam | Branch Manager/Senior
Agronomist | 0408 188 351
Anton Mannes | Agronomist | 0499 708 044
Nigel Starick | Livestock Manager | 0408 528 322
Chris Anderson Territory Sales Manager | 0408 921 540
Glenn Jackson | Merchandise Manager | 0429 076 459
SHEEP AND LAMBS
THERE were a few less lambs at 15,140 head but a better lead with more grain fed export weights starting to appear.
The usual orders attended but not all were active in a sale that opened soft before gaining some traction late.
The overall mood from the buying group was selective. Heaviest export lambs were $5 to $10/head easier.
Trade lambs were similar to a few dollars easier, while plainer light lambs were cheaper amid less restocker interest on the plain types. Store buyers showed more preference for lambs with enough size and frame to go onto feed.
Heaviest export lambs sold to $285 for an estimated 36kg cwt. The lead runs of heavy fed lambs mostly $230 to $270/head at a ballpark cost of 775c/kg cwt to processors. Once under 30kg cwt it started to become a two-speed market again for lambs depending on fat cover and skin presentation.
The neatest heavy trade and trade lambs tracked either side of 800c/kg cwt, but anything slightly off was pulled back to between 700c to 750c/kg cwt.
There were lambs which sold below 700c/kg at times. In dollars heavy crossbred lambs, 26-30kg cwt, $192 to $225/ head; heavy trades $174 to $205/head; general run of trades $160 to $193/head - the shandied average cost across all these categories was about 750c/kg cwt.
Only a few pens of well finished Merino lambs were available, the best heavy trades with fat cover and a nice skin to $223/head. Quality lines of store lambs were similar at $120 to $150/head; very light lambs including plainer MK types were cheaper at $50 to $115/head.
Sheep numbers lifted to 11,155 head and all weights and grades were represented.
Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report
The lamb and sheep market remained mostly steady except for lighter sheep which dropped by $2-5 per head.
Price results were mixed. Competition for very light sheep was weak at $23 to $50/ head in a cheaper result. Quality heavy mutton held its value better at $100 to a top of $152/head. The price guide for mutton was 330c to 400c/kg cwt.
EXOTIC LAMB
N & M Hocking Dingee (14) $196. D Thomas Farms Bridgewater (56) $168. Gardiner Farms Caldwell (45) $159.
CROSSBRED LAMBS
W & H Ladson Macorna (82) $285. CJ & KM Holt Logan (51) $283. BTC & NR Collins Fentons Creek (47) $269. N Cormican Yabba North (113) $269. AB Shields Cosgrove (23) $260. G & C McKinnon Pyramid Hill (86) $254. MJ Byrne Axedale (69) $254. Whinfield Farms Macorna (45) $253. SD & R Snelson Tongala (106) $242. D & M Barlow Wanalta (113) $239. DJ & SL Lloyd Stuart Mill (48) $225. WW & RG Farms Macorna (114) $225. Gredgewin Ridge Gredgewin (74) $217. D & H McKinley Leichardt (45) $215. D & J Pascoe Capels Crossing (52) $210. A K Collins P/L
To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.
Thomas Farms Bridgewater (58) $135. Gardiner Farms Caldwell (215) $123. C Chandler Strathallan (25) $104. Order of sales next week – Nevins, Nutrien, Nuttall, McKean McGregor, Elders.
Trial review spotlight on managing cost jumps
MANAGING the rising costs of production to still make a profit and summer weed control will be the focus of Birchip Cropping Group’s trial review day next week.
BCG members will have the opportunity to learn from Planfarm Advisory farm business consultant based in Western Australia, Peter Newman and BCG Research Agronomist Angus Butterfield and ICAN Rural Senior Consultant Mark Congreve.
Newman intends to share his extensive experience, working with both growers and industry, to share insights on how to grow a profitable crop and achieve long-term business sustainability.
Butterfield and Congreve will present the latest research and practical management strategies for summer weed control with a focus on fleabane.
Newman’s presentation will focus on the importance of making strategic decisions during good years to set up long- term success, managing costs and understanding operating efficiency. He will also provide practical strategies to manage variable costs like labour, chemicals, fertiliser and insurance. Additionally, Newman will
address the financial pressures many growers are facing, including the challenges of rising input costs and balancing debt repayments.
“Every season comes with its challenges, but there are always opportunities to improve business performance,” Newman said.
Butterfield and Congreve’s presentation will focus on the latest research and practical management strategies with support from their experiences with fleabane management.
Butterfield undertook two trials researching the weed near Birchip, Victoria in the summer of 2023-24, focussing on doubleknock control. The first trial in-
vestigated the effectiveness of different first pass options and the second trial, second pass treatments. “Fleabane becomes increasingly difficult to manage once it matures, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for total control. The most successful growers are those who take a planned approach, using a double-knock strategy and targeting the plants when they’re young to stay ahead of the problem,” says Butterfield.
Complimenting BCG’s local research, Congreve brings 40 years’ experience working with weeds and herbicides, including 15 years of practical field experience with fleabane in northern regions of Australia.
“There is no one strategy for controlling fleabane, but simple practices such as getting on top of it early and getting the product into the plant under the right spray conditions results in most effective control. Growers should consider the age of the plant relative to its root size when devising their control strategy.” Congreve said about his experiences.
BCG’s Trials Review Day is a members-only event, providing growers with tools and insights to improve productivity and profitability.
Session expands sheep knowledge
DOZENS of district farmers attended a sheep information morning in Pyramid Hill last week.
Heidi Sutherland from Miller’s Ag, who joined the team late last year, brought her animal health experience to the information presented, and was supported by Graincorp Animal Nutrition and Zoetis Animal Health.
Heidi presented key messages and industry information on sheep worms and lice, discussing use of the oral lice products and concluding with a short introduction to the newest registration for sheep drenching.
Anika Hatty from Graincorp Animal Nutrition presented the basics of sheep nutrition, and then addressed some com-
mon issues being seen on local farms.
Miller’s Ag proprietor Nev Miller said he was pleased to offer expanded animal health service and knowledge at Millers Ag.
“Heidi will be working fulltime until the end of April but then continuing to help and support the Millers Ag team and clients, particularly help and advice for sheep animal health programs.”
The session started with bacon and egg rolls, the morning flowed into presentations, with many producers staying on for cake, and the opportunity to ask questions.
A second sheep information session will be held next month.
Farmers at last week’s sheep information session
Peter Newman
CLEARING SALE
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2025 @ 10:00AM SHARP! FARM MACHINERY, COLLECTABLES, ANTIQUES
Tractors & Vehicles New holland 8970 4 WD Tractor 240 HP (3400 hrs.), Case IH JX 1090U with LSX F.E.L, FWA (3700 hrs.) bucket & forks, Inter Acco 2150 B Tray truck with 555 Cummins V8 (Reg’d, no RWC), 20’ tray & bulk bin, 20’ cattle crate, UD single axle prime mover with 30’Borcat aluminum tug bogie trailer (Reg’d, no RWC), 98 Suzuki stockman 2 door Ute with tray, (Reg’d no RWC), 87 Ford Courier XL 4WD Ute (Reg’d, no RWC) Farm Machinery Shearer 33 Tyne scarifier, Inter 511 28 run combine with SSB, Horwood Bagshaw 45’ harrows, Alfarm 40’ cultivator bar, 30’ Ackland bar, Farmall 10’ land grader, Daken 6’ slasher, 3PL channel crowder, 12’ rubber tyre roller, Vicon super spreader (3PL), Gibson 16’ Cultivator bar, UFO twin disc 3PL mower 6’ 9” cut, Rawlins cultipac roller, Goldacres Ute spray unit, 1000 Ltr portable fuel tank, 3PL jib, old Mitsubishi generator, 5” riverside pump, NH Bale loader Livestock, Grain holding & Seed Keogh 45’ x9” Auger w 20 HP Kohler motor, Keogh 35’ x 7” & Honda GX 90 motor, Bromar MF 36 multifeeder trailer (as new), Sherwell 15 bag grain feeder trailer, Bromar Superior stock feeders (8), Venning’s 14’ box grouper & Hobbs hoist, Lyco dominator electric wool press, hay ring, 22 panel portable yards / draft, mobile bagging bin, Oregon wool table 10’ x 5’, Cain wool baskets on wheels x 6, sheep cradle, 200 bags Spartacus barley & 200 bags Matika oats (cleaned w pickled), 2.5 Ton MD vetch, Qty bale hooks, Coutts cattle feeder on wheels, Sunbeam Dble end grinder
Fencing 3PL post hole digger, Qty 7’ x 8’ concrete strainer posts, Gal Iron stays, 240 new Gal Iron posts, 8 coils 7-line Ringlock, wire spinners (plain & barb), 550 steel droppers, 14’ & 12’ gates, Qty treated pine posts, fence strainers
Collectables 4 x Furphy water tanks excellent condition dating 1895 to 1943 – all with lids & taps, Qty Furphy wheels, Furphy pig trough, Avery platform scales / weights, Swage block & molds, CI render tub missionary CI pot, Burgin ball
friction wheels x 8, Burgin ball shearing grinder, 4 HP Southern Cross stationary engine, Qty Furphy wheel bearings & McKay butterfly hinges, large Anvil, Butter churn, Qty Sunshine gates (various models), Sunshine Wheels, Dawn drill, leg vices (3), Trawella jack, Robinson harrow leaf, Sandstone wheel, Jas Smith grain grister, old wagon chain, CI stovetops/ doors, Ajax wool box, MH sickle mower, Mulboard ploughs, 2 x Woden jacks, Sharmango manual blower, Smith Windmill air valve, old McKay plough, old Jenkins & Berger scarifier, Broad axe, Bag trolley, Stillards, Qty Cast Iron post & Stone jars, Haymes, Lister O/H shearing plant (3), Vanguard wheel cover, Qty Blacksmiths tools
Sundries Aluminum painter ladders & trestles, 3PL Ripper, Concrete mixer, Polymaster water trough, air compressor, Qty rubber mating, Qty ½” Rod & Flat Steel, 8” steel strap, 50mm tube, Qty sundry steel / iron, Bluestone slabs, large 21’ steel H iron plank, host of sundries to numerous to mention.
Terms Numbers system operating, ID required, cash / cheque/ EFTPOS available. GST applies. No buyers premium
Photos www.fpnevins.com.au
Further Particulars
Nevins: 0418 510 166
Robert Coutts 03 5455 2129
AUCTION
BURKES FLAT - CENTRAL VICTORIA
“Perry’s House” 148.35 Hectares / 366.59 Acres.
Thursday 13th February 2025 at 11am Sharp Onsite A/C Estate of Mrs Eileen Marie Perry
273 Burkes Flat-Wedderburn Road Burkes Flat
To be offered as a whole:
Sub- divided 3 Paddocks, 3 Dams
GWM Pipeline out front, not connected
85% Arable, gently undulating Mallee loams to clay base, some stone/ shale on rises
Excellent fencing
Suitable for all forms of agribusiness
Improvements:
1880’s Circa 3 B/Rm Miners Cottage
Machinery Shed 15m X 11m power connected
Shearing Shed with power (needs repair)
Sundry Shedding
Terms: 10% Deposit on signing, Balance 30/60 Days
Immediate working condition (T’s &; C’s Apply)
Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents
Inspection by appointment
Luke Nevins 0418 510 166
Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au www.fpnevins.com.au
FOR LEASE BY TENDER - “JACKEL’S”
16 paddocks approximately
Dams in all paddocks, GWM Pipeline connected
Some store, Ironstone, Buckshot
Self mulching grey loams
Undulating country
Improvements:
2
Gal Iron machinery shed 45m x 10m
3 x Macey silos totalling 600 bags each
GST applies
Tenders close:Thursday 20th February @ 3pm at iinglewood Office, 92 Brooke Street
Lease Commences: 1st March 2025
Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted
Suitable for cereal/Fodder, wool & sheep production Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents
Inspection by appointment
Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166
Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au www.fpnevins.com.au
Working together in thrive drive
New plan a chance for residents to share ideas, writes Nick Angelo
SUPPORTING the community that elected me as their Tarnagulla Ward representative is so important.
And likewise the community supporting me as the elected representative is important as well.
My commitment is to assist the Tarnagulla Ward to thrive and grow. I can only do this if my community is with me.
If community members – in any community - don’t think their elected representatives are doing a good job, then it is incumbent on the community to explain why, not just shut the person down or out.
My role as a councillor is to listen and understand what is important to my community.
I intend on doing that for the next four years – so there is plenty of time for us to get to know each other and work together.
Before Christmas I attended a
function at Kingower where the community put on a huge feast and the next evening I attended the carols in Eddington with the community who always put on a good show.
Little did I know that eating was such a large part of the councillors role!
On Australia Day I attended three Australia Day community celebrations in the Tarnagulla Ward of the Loddon Shire.
The first was the Eddington service where I had the honour to present Veronica Palmer with the Tarnagulla Ward Loddon Shire citizen of the year for all her hard work in the communitynot least, volunteering, coaching and establishing a community garden.
I got to enjoy some of the tasty treats Norm Morrison cooked up!
Next, I attended Newbridge and was honoured to raise the
flag at the start of the service and enjoying the top shelf feast the community provided and then I attended the Tarnagulla service where I was pleased to present some awards to the children of Tarnagulla Primary School as well as a great feed cooked up by the Tarnagulla Fire Brigade.
It was great to share Australia Day with so many Community members, young and old.
As councillors and a team, we are now working with our communities to develop our new council plan.
This is an exciting opportunity for community input into what we want to achieve over the next four years. Please let us know if you would like to provide input into the development process.
Nick Angelo is Loddon Shire’s Tarnaguila Ward councillor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Loddon Herald welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Preference will be given to letters of 300 words or less and must include your name with address and phone number provided for verification (not publicaton). We reserve the right to edit letters for legal reasons. Send your letters to loddonherald@gmail.com OPINION PIECES
1. Which country has the largest number of cactus species?
2. An armada is comprised of what sort of vehicle?
3. If something is gilded, it is covered with what?
4. The Sea Marmara is surrounded by which country?
5. Miguel is the Spanish form of which English name?
6. Which two countries have higher numbers of venomous animal species than Australia?
7. And how many species of venomous animals does Australia have?
8. Friday was a friend of which castaway?
9. Lego comes from which country?
10. K is the chemical symbol for which element?
11. Which religion is associated with the wearing of dreadlocks?
12. Mary Shelley wrote which wellknown horror novel?
13. If something is supersonic, it is travelling faster than what?
14. The purple McDonald’s character is called what?
THE recently-abdicated Northern Correspondent, aka Stinger, has been at the centre of multiple phone calls to OTF this last week. He and the good wife have sold up around Calivil and moved to retirement in the big smoke of Bendigo, peppered with weekend returns for bowls.
FIRST came The Oracle with a ‘factchecking’ comment that while the retirement patch is meant to be the selubrious environs of White Hills, the current abode is in Eaglehawk. “Injecting a bit of the borough into the boy ... could even defect in the bowls,” was how The Oracle put it.
THEN came Fabulous Phil with a great tale from Stingers clearing sale the other week. One neighbour bought a whole lot of baling twine. Good buy, apparently. So good, three bundles rolled off the back of the ute as the wind strung them along back country tracks.
AND just on Monday, another factchecker chimed in about the retirement plans. “How can this be so ... the caravan wasn’t up for sale so
15. What word meaning ‘beautiful’ in French is also the name of a Disney princess?
16. What ceremony is celebrated by Jewish boys when they turn 13?
17. The month of July is named after which historical figure?
18. In which year did former Australian airline Ansett finally cease operating?
19. If someone is “tickling the ivories” what are they doing?
20. What is the largest muscle in the human body?
a fair chance Stinger’s off to bowling greens near and far in search of fame and raffle fortune”.
BACK to that baling twine. Looked up a few jokes - An Egyptian mummy walks into a bar, barman says, ‘Long time, no see’. The mummy replies, ‘I was all tied up.’.
W hy did Houdini have trouble scheduling his public escapes? He was often tied up. Or what about this one? What do you call a dog that likes being tied up? A sub-woofer.
DID you know? The world’s longest rope was made in 2013 in The Netherlands, measuring 5440 metres.
Mexico
Warships
Gold 4. Turkey 5. Michael
Brazil and Mexico 7. 66 8. Robinson
Denmark
Potassium 11. Rasta-
The speed of sound
Grimace
Belle
Bar Mitzvah
Julias Caesar
2002
Playing the piano 20. Gluteus Maximus
buSHy TaLES BY IAN JONES
From paperboys to pulling beers, Darryl Gould reckons
Country people make best staff
FROM farm work at Woosang to selling newspapers and insurance and owning hotels, Darryl Gould has called time on a 50-year life in business.
Darryl and wife Jan have been a unique partnership in business and and the Wedderburn district community before later buying hotels in Bendigo.
Staff from those business ventures toasted the couple at a reunion retirement dinner last Saturday.
“Dad’s work life started young, out on the farm in Woosang and as a shearer, but as many of you know, drought sent him off to Melbourne, where he began driving trucks for Yellow Express,” daughter Cindy said.
“That move set him on a completely different path—one that eventually led him to become an insurance agent for AMP in 1971.
“From there, he and mum took a bold step into business, running the Wedderburn Newsagency in 1977, where he employed Janine Andrews and many paper boys in their first jobs.
“Of course, Janine wasn’t just working in the shop; she also did plenty of childcare, especially with Kane, who was only 18 months old at the time.
“And for a while, Old Grandpa even lived in the flat behind the shop in his 80s. Uncle Ken would come and work the shop when we had holidays which were mainly to Boort Lake.
“The shop was a bit small so he built another one so he could extend the range of stock the shop itself was something to behold—TAB, toys, clothes — it had everything!”
After eight years selling local and state newspapers, magazines toys, Darryl and Jan had a change - Darryl driving the Korong Vale school bus, still selling insurance and the couple starting a hire-drive bus business out of Lance and Wendy Ward’s produce store.
“Dad was always busy—not just with work, but also with the football club and Apex, even the trotting club often taking after-hours insurance calls, especially when the weather threatened the crops,”
Inglewood has a world of heritage
Sir, Inglewood cannot be left out of any World Heritage Gold Rush (World Heritage bid tentative Australian site list, Loddon Herald Feburary 6).
Inglewood was the last of the great gold rushes during the 1850s. The gold warden estimated nearly 44,000 people, newspaper reports said nearly 50,000 people from around the world flocked to Inglewood - Chinese, Greeks, Americans, joining many Australianborn and British gold miners.
Inglewood township was set up in the 1860s and is still the same now as it was then. Inglewood has never had a public building in the main street but they are scattered throughout the town as Inglewood was destined to be a regional centre.
With nearly 5000 miners working underground and surrounded by 50,000 acres of goldfield common land which is still there today.
Inglewood has a hotel, many cafes, fuel stop, motel, bank, large police station, post office, hospital, ambulance station, doctor’s surgery, two churches, two schools and large IGA shopping centre with a chemist that can already accommodate tourists.
It also has the 1860s Maxwell Mine, well fenced and near intact to attract visitors at
Cindy recalled at the weekend’s reunion dinner.
Doug and Jan bought the Queen’s Arms Hotel in Bendigo, running it for six years before switching to the The Old Boundary.
“Even on his days off from the Queen’s, Dad wasn’t one to sit still. Mondays were spent in Wychetella where mates had sheep,” according to Cindy.
“This journey hasn’t just been about Dad; it was about all of you,” guests were told.
“Along the way, he employed so many people and I hadn’t thought about how many when I started organising this, and you have all become part of our extended family.
“His hiring philosophy was simple: hire country people because they would be friendly and conscientious.
“Dad’s attention to detail isn’t for the faint-hearted, so if you’re here tonight, you obviously made the cut.
“Mum and Dad have worked together for most of their 53-year marriage—and honestly, I don’t know how they did it.”
ONLINE WORDS
the edge of town. Inglewood is a vibrant, still growing town, full of magnificent gold field housing and public buildings.
Inglewood must be included in the mapping along with Tarnagulla, Dunolly and Moliagul.
HowardRochester
Inglewood
City, country not much different
Sir, I read with a mild degree of bemusement
Chris Earl’s opinion piece (Loddon Herald, January 30) on the vandalism of statues and other heritage infrastructure around Melbourne.
It appears that he believes a year in a rural setting will cure all problems related to vandalism. That this is a simplistic view and has nothing to do with where one lives, another narrow perspective that promotes social division.
Using phrases such as “Looney Leftists” is nothing more than a smear on people who have a different point of view to the author, and there is no proof that the individuals who carried out the damage have left-of-centre political views.
As a city-educated individual now living in the country, I don’t find people to be much different. They have the same aspirations, desires, and willingness to be happy. Trying
to foster an “us vs. them” mentality will not work.
People who vandalise are nothing more than criminals, and they can be found in any part of the country and across the political divide.
I have seen many instances of vandalism in both rural and urban areas, carried out by people from both settings.
It’s time we stopped aspiring to divisive policies and came together as a community, rather than dividing ourselves.
PeterGoegan Wedderburn
Good Samaritans made street stroll possible
Sir, Most days Ruth and I take our outing to the Wedderburn main street.
Today was another of those days, however unloading at the senior citizens’ centre I got a flat tyre. What do we do? Along come two Good Samaritans from the shire office, without hesitation they took the wheel off her gopher, took it to be repaired, returned and gave Ruth back her repaired gopher.
Out sincere thanks to those staff members. There are still some caring people around.
Peter and Ruth Norman Wedderburn
EAST LODDON LIONS CLUB HEADS TO RECESS
Debra Jane Henderson wrote: This is devastating news. East Loddon Lions are a very active club and such an asset to the area. They will be missed.
Jill Hobbs wote: Like volunteering everywhere, hard to attract numbers.
Miki Wilson wrote: Very sad to see.
SHOOTER SAYS ROOS CULL WILL HELP FIRE LAND RECOVERY
Michelle Mead wrote: How awful. What a terrible, archaic solution. Kangaroos are native and deserve their place on this land, leave them be.
Mario Dinatale wrote: Yep it’s a win win. Land recovers and roos are sustainably harvested instead of starving to death.
MOLLIE STEPS UP TO SING
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Gail Mary Ahearn wrote: Great job Mollie. Country kids are known for stepping up
Darryl and the crew celebrate his retirement (above) in a career that has ranged from awardwinning insurance salesman to hotel owner
Coghill, Peter John
20.3.1952-7.2.2025
Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of Janice and Neville (Dec). Loved Uncle of Darren, Leanne, Dale and their families. Rest In Peace
Peter Coghill
20/3/1952- 07/02/2025
Brother to Geoff (dec) and brother-in-law to Valda
Loving uncle to Jacqui and Glenn, Dallas and Anne
Time to rest
We will miss you
DAY - Faye Jennifer (nee Andrews)
A Service to Celebrate the life of Mrs. Faye Jennifer Day will be held at the Korong Vale Mechanics Institute Hall, 8 Allen St., Korong Vale on THURSDAY (February 20) at 11 am, followed by a burial at the Korong Vale Cemetery, Borung Rd., Korong Vale.
MOVING SALE
Shelby’s international journey
FROM PAGE 24
Worse still was when sister Sam umpired a match in which Shelby played.
Big sister made a call on the field Shelby disagreed with, but she held herself back from sledging.
“I zipped it up because I knew we would have a bad ride home.”
Shelby made every junior state team from under 13 onwards and was picked in the national side that played in southeast Asia in January.
However, it wasn’t her first overseas experience with hockey, having toured the Netherlands as a 15-year-old in an Australian under 16 team.
There, one of the Dutch coaches made her an offer she could refuse – move to the Netherlands to play hockey.
The unexpected offer came because Shelby had mastered the “drag-flick”, a priceless skill in hockey, and unusual in someone so young.
Shelby said she watched players using the drag-flick at the Olympics, and taught herself the skill, which creates goalscoring opportunities from short corners.
Her talent with the drag-flick had already been noticed by her local coaches, and she went on to score seven goals – a tournament high – at the under 18 state championships, and five the following year.
Shelby now plays with Powerhouse St Kilda hockey club in Melbourne’s Premier League, where almost all her teammates are state representatives, and the standard is elite.
Her ambitions are sky high, but Shelby is smart enough to know she may not reach the pinnacle and play for the Hockeyroos.
“I want to take my hockey as far as possible, but if not, I’ll be really happy with what I’ve already done,” she said.
Even her study choices have been informed by a desire to remain part of the hockey family.
Shelby will soon begin a remedial mas-
sage TAFE course, and she hopes to turn that into a physiotherapy career.
If she can’t play for the Hockeyroos, perhaps she can work on their aches and pains.
But that is by no means the end of Shelby’s sporting story.
Her cricketing career began at 10 after father Steve unexpectedly bowled a ball at her while Shelby was wielding a hockey stick in the back yard – she met the ball with a cracking cover drive.
Steve was immediately on the phone to a cricket coach in Bendigo, and before she knew it, Shelby was playing for Strathdale Maristians.
“I didn’t even know what all the shots were called,” she said. “I just hated the idea of fielding so much because I knew I would get bored, so I became a wicketkeeper.”
That decision was confirmed when she first bowled in a match and almost hit herself in the face with the ball because she pitched it so short.
Shelby’s skills with the bat and behind the stumps have seen her named in the Bendigo league team of the year, and the Northern Rivers team of the year, which won a regional tournament last season.
She also shows plenty of courage.
Shelby broke a finger while keeping but strapped up her hand and subsequently made 55 runs batting through 25 overs.
She admits she can’t choose between hockey and cricket when it comes to a favourite sport.
“I didn’t think I would love cricket as much as I do, and I’m going to try to go as high as I can with it.”
The next step in cricket may be to the Premier League in Melbourne, with a Northern Rivers men’s coach suggesting she has the talent to thrive in the big smoke.
Whatever happens, this year-round sportswoman has the skills and determination to succeed at the elite level.
And there is always golf …
Shelby with the collage of her in action in Thailand. LH PHOTO
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Bringing you smarter healthcare
BDH is partnering with the Better@ Home and Bendigo Health to launch Remote Patient Monitoring Program (Virtual Care). is will bring smarter healthcare to Boort and surrounding communities and enhace the reach and serviceability of our Community Nursing Service.
e program provides suitable clients with easy-to-use monitoring devices. Health data is captured from home through a mobile app and reviewed by our clinical team. is program enhances con dence and convenience, empowers our clients to take control of their
health—all from the comfort of their own homes.
Stay tuned as we prepare to roll out this service!
We all need help sometimes
Asking for support is the rst step towards feeling better and getting the help you need. Remember, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If you need support, please reach out to one of the below support networks:
�� RFDS Wellbeing Service
Provided in Boort at Boort District Health and Boort Medical Clinic.
Book an appointment with an RFDS clinician by calling 03 8412 0480.
��Lifeline Loddon Mallee
Anytime 13 11 14
Or text 0477 13 11 14 OR visit www.lifeline.org.au for online chat service.
�� Headspace
Supporting young people aged 12–25.
Visit headspace.org.au or call 1800 650 890 to book a session.
�� HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies)
Focused on mental health support for tradies and their families.
Contact HALT via their website at halt.org.au or email info@halt.org.au
�� Loddon Healthy Minds Network (LMHN)
Promoting mental health and community wellbeing.
Connect with them through the LMHN website at www.loddonhealthyminds.com.au
Boort District Health now o ers 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring and Holter Monitoring services through our District Nursing Team. THANK YOU to our Ladies Auxiliary for generously purchasing this equipment for us Contact our District Nursing Team at 03 54515200 or email admin@bdh.vic.gov.au for more information.
Kiniry Street, Boort Victoria, 3537
Phone: (03) 5451 5200
Email: admin@bdh.vic.gov.au www. bdh.vic.gov.au
Roulston takes reins at helm of Rams
EAST Loddon Rams, the Loddon Valley’s under 18 football premiers in 2024, have a new coach.
Calivil’s Cameron Roulston has upgraded from team runner to coach after the departure of flag-winning Jade Clymo.
Clymo signalled before last season that he would pass on the mantle at the end of the finals, leaving on a high note after the Rams defeated Marong in the grand final in only their third year in the league.
“When Jade left, I saw the opportunity to get involved with the boys and the communities and to help them stay involved in footy,” Roulston said.
He has no grand expectations of going back-to-back, noting that eight members of the premiership team have graduated from the juniors.
“The stars aligned for the Rams last year, with the 18-year-olds coming through at the right time who combined to win the premiership,” Roulston said.
“I won’t be putting pressure on them to go back-to-back, when the main game is helping them to develop.”
Roulston said the Rams were keen to see more juniors make themselves available for the club given the turnover in players since last season.
Cameron Roulston
The Rams – formed from juniors from Calivil, Mitiamo and Bears Lagoon Serpentine – may play in an expanded league in 2025, with Maiden Gully expected to field a team and Newbridge exploring the possibility of having an under-18 side.
Roulston, 46, played most of his football as a defender for Calivil, and this year will coach his son Aidan at the Rams.
Call goes out for more umpires
THE BENDIGO Umpires Association is searching for recruits for the 2025 football season.
The BUA will hold an AFL Umpire Roadshow at Weeroona Oval on Thursday, February 27, with a “come’n’try” night featuring a coaching session with two senior AFL umpires.
The association supplies field, boundary and goal umpires for leagues including the Loddon Valley and North Central.
The game can’t be played without of-
ficials, and recruitment and retention of umpires is seen as a critical issue for community football to tackle.
Former footballers keen to stay involved with the game are encouraged to take part in the roadshow, which runs from 6-7pm, although the BUA says a playing background is not essential.
It especially hopes to attract prospective female umpires, to continue its history of developing female participation in the region.
David Grant rolls up for Bridgewater in Saturday’s lawn bowls. LH PHOTO
Maroochy takes house swim honours
team has taken out the Boort District School’s
The house
for
Individual age group winners were: Under 13 boys: Korbyn Trinchi (Gungaroo); girls: Victoria Lanyon (Gungaroo). Under 14 boys: Archer Lee (Maroochy); girls: Indi O’Flaherty (Maroochy). Under 15 boys: Chaise Hird (Maroochy); girls: Tia Lanyon
(Wakooka). Under 16 boys: Jake O’Flaherty and Owen Byrne (Maroochy); girls: Bella Quinn (Gungaroo). Under 17 boys: Luke Boyd (Maroochy); girls: Anna Lanyon (Gungaroo). Under 18 boys: Lachlan Hall and Sam Toose (Wakooka); girls: Chloe Hare (Maroochy).
LODDON VALLEY
Lake Meran 1-82 lost to Serpentine 4-90
Mens: J Sinclair C Chamberlain d C Tuohey J Addlem 7-2. J Sinclair E Moresi lost to C Tuohey J Gladman 6-7. C Chamberlain E Moresi d J Addlem J Gladman 7-4. B Moresi N Marlow lost to S Tuohey R Senior 4-7. B Moresi R Fawcett lost to S Tuohey N Cockerell 0-7. N Marlow R Fawcett lost to R Senior N Cockerell 1-7.
Ladies: C Downs B Zuidema d P Cockerell K Dimsmore 7-6. C Downs C Moresi lost to P Cockerell T Twigg 6-7. I Hosking T Pickering lost to N Rose G Addlem 2-7. C Moresi T Pickering d T Twigg G Addlem 7-6. B Zuidema I Hosking lost to K Dinsmore N Rose 6-7. Mixed: J Sinclair C Downs d J Gladman K Dinsmore 7-5. C Chamberlain B Zuidema d C Tuohey P Cockerell 7-1. E Moresi V Moresi d J Addlem T Twigg 7-5. B Moresi I Hosking d S Tuohey G Addlem 7-5. N Marlow T Pickering lost to N Cockerell K Addlem 1-7. Mincha West 5-109 d Dingee 0-63
Mens: D Mann B Wagner lost to A Hocking R Ellis 2-7. D Mann P Gargen d A Hocking B Duncan 7-6. B Wagner P Gargen lost to R Ellis B Duncan 3-7. D Stewart R Wagner d M Hocking D Condliffe 7-2. D Stewart T Wagner d M Hocking J Ravaneschi 7-0. R Wagner T Wagner d D Condliffe J Ravaneschi 7-3.
Ladies: E Prout J Wagner d B Baker E Laury
7-1. E Prout T Stewart d B Baker N Hocking
7-0. J Wagner T Stewart d E Laury N Hocking 7-3. M Stewart T Wagner d K Pay K Ellis
7-5. M Stewart C Gould d K Pay L Coyle 7-3. T Wagner C Gould d K Ellis L Coyle 7-1. Mixed: D Mann E Prout d A Hocking N Hocking 7-4. B Wagner J Wagner d B Duncan E Laury 7-3. P Gargen T Stewart lost to R Ellis B Baker 2-7. D Stewart T Wagner d M Hocking L Coyle 7-1. C Mann M Stewart lost to D Condliffe K Pay 4-7. R Wagner C Gould d J Ravenschi K Ellis 7-3. Calivil North 5-123 d Yarrawalla 0-61
Mens: L Maxted C Smith d M Scott H Emmerson 7-4. L Maxted J Smith d M Scott A Miller 7-1. C Smith J Smith d H Emmerson A Miller 7-2. O Balic L Strachan d B Moon T Stevens 7-1. O Balic J Smith d B Mann R
7-2. L Strachan J Smith d R Stevens R Stevens 7-4. Ladies: L Strachan K Maxted d C Emmerson C Broad 7-4. L Strachan G Maxted d C Emmerson L Driscoll 7-5. K Maxted G Maxted d C
Broad L Driscoll 7-5. H Vinnicombe A Lister
d G Scott M Schmidt 7-2. H Vinnicombe A
Maxted lost to G Scott T Broad 5-7. A
lost to R Wells B Beer 2-6. Mixed: R McCaig J McCraig d D Wells L Nixon 6-5. J Cornish L Frankel lost to A Wells Partner 3-6. G Turnbull Z Turnbull d R Coutts A Mclean 6-3. S Thompson N McCaig lost to K Mannix B Wells 4-6. M Frankel M Frankel d H Symes R Wells 6-4. S Turnbull K McCaig lost to C Shevlin B Beer 2-6. Derby 16-103 d Woodstock 2-42
Ladies: T Leerson H Guerra d J Lerversha K Punton 6-1. T Leerson L Naughton d J Leversha G Coles 6-3. H Guerra L Naughton d K Punton G Coles 6-4. D Normoyle F Dan-
Two-dayers will decide combatants in decider
KINGOWER and Boort Yando are favoured to meet in the Upper Loddon Cricket Association junior grand final on February 22 after the semi-final venues were announced.
Unbeaten Boort Yando will host Wedderburn Band in one semifinal, while Kingower will be at home to Bridgewater Bulls. Both matches are two-day affairs.
The Magpies dominated the competition with eight wins and no losses, and they are expected to easily dispense with Wedderburn, which finished last in the four-team league without a victory.
On form, Kingower, with five wins and three losses, should account for the Bulls (3-5), but as Arnold proved in the seniors last season by winning the title after finishing last in a four-team competition, there are no guarantees when every side makes the finals. If the results are as expected, Boort Yando and Kingower would meet in the one-day grand final at Bridgewater.
The Bridgey oval is in excellent knick, with a good covering of grass given the looming start of the football season.
Should Boort play Bridgewater in the final, the match would be played at Arnold, which would also host the game if Wedderburn and Bridgewater were to meet. Kingover versus Wedderburn would be played at Bridgewater.
Opening window
THE official football transfer windsow has been opened.
Players are able to transfer between clubs from February until the end of June.
Off-season signings are expected to appear on official club lists in coming weeks.
MAROOCHY
swimming sports title
2025.
in red scored 278 points to beat Gungaroo with 229 points and Wakooka on 168 points.
Brodie McPherson stars in water polo while the cheer squads assemble. LH PHOTOS
Collins takes crown
SERPENTINE’S Division 2 bowlers recorded their first win of the season, breaking through against Kangaroo Flat at home.
After getting close in recent weeks, the team defeated the Flat 88 to 78, winning three of the four rinks.
Dianne Walker, Ben Long and Rick Hasty’s rinks had wins, while Brian Gladman’s side came back from 21-4 down to get to 2118 before losing the last two ends.
It was great to see some smiling faces at the post-match celebrations.
With two matches to go Serp can still get off the bottom, with clashes to come against Bendigo and South Bendigo.
And congratulations go to club champion Ken Collins, who defeated Gordon Addlem in the final.
INGLEWOOD
Inglewood’ Division 5 pennant team came up against a strong and in-form Bendigo side.
It was a big loss on the day –54 shots (2 points) to 98 shots (16 points), but the team has surpassed all club expectations and is still sitting sixth on the ladder.
Best rink on the day were David Shay, Barry McNaught, Wendy Wilson and Ian Bradley(skip), who had a three-shot win.
The Division 1 team hosted Bendigo East, a team regarded as very consistent with its draw bowling and ability to build good heads that make it very difficult to score.
The day’s best rink was the team of Brett Jackson, Ian Chamberlain, Vicky Tierney and Grant Jackson(skip) with a 10-shot win.
The Division 5 midweek pennant side had another close call, but they keep finding a way to win, defeating Strathfieldsaye 44 shots (12 points) to 40 (2 points).
Best rink on the day were Wendy Wilson, Phyllis McEwan, Patsy Lyndon and Ian Bradley (skip) with a 20-shot win.
Bendigo
Division 1 Inglewood 69-2 lost to Bendigo East 77-16. B. Smyth, D. Whitehead, D. Wilson, L. Kelly (s) lost to J. Clough, S. O’Bree, D. Judge, R. Clough (s) 17-25. B. Jackson, I. Chamberlain, V. Tierney, G. Jackson (s) d R. Pearce, M. Fuller, M. Boyd, T. Fuller (s) 18-10. M. Chamberlain, R. Stranger, B. McClymont, G. Wilson (s) lost to A. Ellerton, M. Ridsdale, H. Clough, B. Griffin (s) 18-19. S. Laird, D. Vanston, D. Garrett, A. Harrison (s) lost to T. Carmody, J. McDermott, M. Findlay, B. Edwards (s) 16-23. Strathfieldsaye 91-16 d Castlemaine 68-2. Kangaroo Flat 106-18 d North Bendigo 520. Golden Square 93-16 d White Hills 63-2. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 172, Castlemaine 121, Bendigo East 116, Kangaroo Flat 100, Golden Square 98, Inglewood 95, North Bendigo 95, White Hills 67. Division 2 Serpentine 88-16 d Kangaroo Flat 78-2. M. Mathews, G. Addlem, S. Rudkins, B. Gladman (s) lost to G. Dickie, R. Pascoe, R. Morrall, D. Nicholls (s) 19-25. F. Maher, B. Tuohey, K. Collins, B. Long (s) d F. Nolan, G. Creedy, D. Densley, R. Short (s) 2518. L. James, L. Baber, N. Tonkin, W. Hasty (s) d M. O’Sullivan, J. Ritchie, K. Reed, B. Waegeli (s) 25-22. J. Addlem, K. Canfield, R. Gladman, D. Walker (s) d P. Burchell, R. Sparke, N. Harwood, G. Waegeli (s) 19-13. Harcourt 75-14 d Strathfieldsaye 70-4. Bendigo East 70-2 lost to Eaglehawk 95-16. South Bendigo 70-2 lost to Bendigo 96-16. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 151, Bendigo 148, South Bendigo 139, Harcourt 139, Eaglehawk 128, Bendigo East 60, Kangaroo Flat 58, Serpentine 41. Division 4 Dingee 68-2 lost to Bendigo East 76-16. K. Pollock, S. Cail, M. Grieves, F. Grieves (s) d J. Knott, G. Pithie, M. Rae, C. Findlay (s) 25-14. B. Cail, T. Kavanagh, L. Hocking, L. Demeo (s) lost to B. Collins, D. Grant, T. Costello, W. Schmidt (s) 17-19. A. Hay, B. West, R. Thompson, B. Lawry (s) lost to J. Dullard, T. King, R. Miller, L. Parker (s) 14-21. W. Wilson, J. Monaghan, K. Murphy, N. Lister (s) lost to K. Parker, R. Baetge, S. Ayson, D. Johnson (s) 12-22. Kangaroo Flat 89-14 d Calivil 87-4. R. Shippard, H. Hornstra, M. Collins, R. Storey (s) d W. Lourie, R. Lourie, M. Collett, G. Maxted (s) 26-15. B. Wigmore, B. Smith, D. Johnson, E. Caine (s) lost to N. Dennis, P. Hercus, J. Pickles, M. Dennis (s) 17-25. S. Teasdale, C. Wiegard, C. Moller, H. Crow (s) d K. Richards, A. Dennis, G. Ray, L. Gronow (s) 26-22. D. White, P. Wiegard, G. Teasdale, T. O’Brien (s) lost to R. Boyd, B. Meighan, W. Miles, A. Leech (s) 20-25. Bendigo 103-18 d Marong 54-0. White Hills 85-15 d Harcourt 69-3.
Division 1 came up against the top side and they were way too strong and had a comfortable win.
Best were Chris McEwan, David Whitehead, Lindsay Kelly and Laurie Witham (skip), who came away with a two-shot win.
BRIDGEWATER
The Division 5 side played at home to Golden Square, with quite a few changes due to player availability.
At the halfway mark the team had its nose in front, but it couldn’t maintain the pressure to end up losing by 20 shots.
The top rink comprised club stalwarts Nick Saunders and Vern Wilson with youngsters Lachlan Catto and Curtis Mangan, who salvaged a 20-all draw.
Final score was Bridgewater 74 shots (1 point) lost to Golden Square 94 shots (17 points).
The Goldfields side played at home to Maldon which made all the rinks full on our green and went down to the finals-bound opposition.
The best performing rink was Sue Miller, David Grant, Geoff Papworth and Ian Clutton, who went down by four shots.
The final score was Bridgewater 37 shots (0 points) to Maldon 94 shots (17 points).
PENNANT RESULTS
Ladder: Bendigo 159, Calivil 136, White Hills 128, Harcourt 104, Marong 90, Kangaroo Flat 89, Bendigo East 84, Dingee 74. Division 5 Inglewood 54-2 lost to Bendigo 98-16. B. Hopcott, K. McNaught, P. Lyndon, H. Leech (s) lost to D. Penfold, M. Kelly, S. Hamilton, P. McMaster-Smith (s) 12-22. D. Shay, B. McNaught, W. Wilson, I. Bradley (s) d B. Pontell, G. Herne, G. Dunn, B. Morrison (s) 22-19. B. Scoble, D. Roberts, C. McEwan, B. Taig (s) lost to S. Lawson, P. Dumont, A. Verbaan, T. White (s) 15-21. W. Concol, D. Shay, K. Stewart, J. McClymont (s) lost to H. Champion, M. Mitchell, M. Harris, A. Champion (s) 5-36. Bridgewater 74-1 lost to Golden Square 9417. B. Catto, G. Harrison, C. Payne, A. Harrison (s) lost to J. Holborn, J. Chapman, R. Bird, W. Banyard (s). C. Wattie, R. Brown, P. Short, M. Wright (s) lost to L. Eeles, B. Luke, M. Lea, G. Taylor (s) 21-25. P. Gath, G. Catto, T. Estrada, G. Mangan (s) lost to J. Watson, S. Hutchinson, E. Morley, W. Stammers (s) 1821. N. Saunders, V. Wilson, L. Catto, C. Mangan (s) drew A. Boyle, M. Muir, D. Hendy, H. Hendy (s) 21-21. Woodbury 89-16 d Campbell’s Creek 67-2. Strathfieldsaye 100-16 d South Bendigo 54-2. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 164, Bendigo 162, Campbell’s Creek 150, Golden Square 116, South Bendigo 79, Inglewood 76, Bridgewater 62, Woodbury 37.
Monday - Division 1 Golden Square 55-2 lost to Inglewood 58-14. C. Bird, Y. Robinson, S. Rogers, J. Ross (s) lost to S. Laird, C. McEwan, D. Whitehead, L. Kelly (s) 16-19. M. Cusack, R. Williams, L. Moloney, P. Gooch (s) lost to D. Vanston, B. Taig, B. McClymont, I. Chamberlain (s) 17-21. A. Collins, S. Egan, G. Fordham, N. Bowland (s) d M. Chamberlain, I. Bradley, D. Garrett, H. Leech (s) 22-18. White Hills 43-2 lost to South Bendigo 66-14. Kangaroo Flat 42-2 lost to Eaglehawk 78-14. Bendigo 68-14 d Bendigo East 48-2.
Ladder: Bendigo 158, South Bendigo 147, Eaglehawk 141, Bendigo East 136, Kangaroo Flat 118, Golden Square 94, Inglewood 62, White Hills 40.
Division 4 Calivil 59-14 d Bendigo East 44-2. K. Richards, P. Hercus, L. Dennis, C. Maxted (s) d A. Von Sierakowski, C. Butler, J. Hawkins, B. Hawkins (s) 26-12. R. Boyd, J. Wiltshire, H. Gronow, S. Hope (s) lost to J. Dullard, T. King, A. King, A. Bamkin (s) 1022. L. Lister, N. Ralphs, L. Gronow, C. Mitchell (s) d B. Collins, G. Vowles, W. Schmidt, D. Johnson (s) 23-10. Dingee 63-16 d Harcourt 49-0. K. Pollock, S. Lawry, B. Lawry, L. Demeo (s) d R. Maltby, R. Douglas, W. Walsh, J. Ewing (s) 21-16. B. Cail, N. Hocking, F. Grieves, M. Grieves (s) d D. Jeffries, C. Anderson, C. Foster, L. Hard-
ing (s) 20-14. W. Wilson, P. Plant, B. West, S. Cail (s) d V. Maltby, K. Harding, K. Tribe, H. Braid (s) 22-19.
South Bendigo 52-2 lost to Golden Square 59-14. Strathfieldsaye 57-12 d Bendigo 48-4.
Ladder: South Bendigo 167, Strathfieldsaye 165, Bendigo 142, Harcourt 106, Golden Square 106, Dingee 95, Bendigo East 75, Calivil 42.
Division 5 Woodbury forfeited to Inglewood. Campbell’s Creek 53-14 d Strathfieldsaye 28-0. White Hills 32-0 lost to Marong 44-14. Golden Square 26-1 lost to South Bendigo 46-13.
Ladder: Inglewood 151, South Bendigo 149, Marong 142, Campbell’s Creek 120, Strathfieldsaye 81, White Hills 53, Woodbury 50, Golden Square 38.
Division 6 Eaglehawk 44-7 drew Bridgewater 44-7. G. Rogers, C. Harrison, J. Doran, L. Morshead (s) d J. Hosking, C. Wattie, B. Catto, A. Harrison (s) 28-20. T. Stevens, S. Cole, R. Kirby, G. Trewartha (s) lost to R. O’Toole, H. Fagan, C. Mangan, M. Wright (s) 16-24.
Strathfieldsaye 46-14 d Castlemaine 280. South Bendigo 46-14 d White Hills 33-0. Harcourt 27-0 lost to Golden Square 39-14. Ladder: South Bendigo 145, Castlemaine 114, Golden Square 111, Bridgewater 105, Strathfieldsaye 104, Harcourt 94, Eaglehawk 65, White Hills 46.
Northern District
Division 2 Kerang 3 57-4 lost to Pyramid Hill 1 65-8. G. Morris, F. Schmidt, M. Sutherland, D. Sutherland (s) d I. Bartels, W. Boyd, J. Mann, N. McGann (s) 22-21. C. Adams, M. Tilley, B. Roche, I. Hastie (s) d C. Cauchi, M. Noelker, K. Wood, L. Mann (s) 21-20. B. Williams, Z. Burton, J. Harrison, H. McBain (s) lost to R. Harris, R. Price, J. Leed, T. Dzufer (s) 14-24. Kerang Golf 2 51-2 lost to Cohuna 2 52-10. Barham 4 65-12 d Cohuna Golf 3 48-0.
Ladder: Kerang Golf 2 113, Cohuna Golf 3 112, Cohuna 2 105, Pyramid Hill 1 81, Barham 4 55, Kerang 3 38.
Division 3 Kerang Golf 3 80-12 d Pyramid Hill 2 33-0. M. Rawson, R. Laughlin, R. Curtis, N. Robertson (s) d G. Godward, J. Dingfelder, A. Fidler, J. Cauchi (s) 32-10. T. Pearson, N. Paul, J. Anderson, H. McClelland (s) d R. Eckardt, A. Dzufer, A. Roberts, A. Bennett (s) 21-7. C. Hicks, T. Linton, J. McKerrow, D. Randell (s) d M. Mahoney, A. Harris, R. Fidler, L. Dingwall (s) 27-16. Cohuna 3 56-2 lost to Gunny Golf 1 63-10. Kerang 4 67-10 d Barham 5 55-2. Wakool 2 64-10 d Leitchville 2 56-2.
Ladder: Wakool 2 145, Kerang Golf 3 113, Kerang 4 105, Cohuna 3 80, Gunny Golf 1
73, Barham 5 67, Leitchville 2 62, Pyramid Hill 2 27.
Midweek - Division 1 Kerang 1 64-10 d Pyramid Hill 1 55-2. G. Fagg, P. Pascoe, L. Hein, B. Bowles (s) lost to H. Crichton, T. Stobaus, J. Leed, R. Opie (s) 16-25. M. Orr, C. Fisher, K. Watts, M. Hamon (s) d W. Boyd, J. Cauchi, K. Wood, M. Noelker (s) 26-16. B. Williams, T. Nolan, H. McBain, T. Pocock (s) d R. Harris, C. Cauchi, A. Cantwell, M. Scott (s) 22-14. Barham 1 69-10 d Kerang Golf 1 48-2. Cohuna 1 52-10 d Cohuna Golf 1 50-2.
Ladder: Cohuna 1 123, Kerang 1 111, Barham 1 96, Kerang Golf 1 69, Cohuna Golf 1 47, Pyramid Hill 1 22. Division 2 Pyramid Hill 2 35-0 lost to Kerang 2 48-8. M. Mahoney, A. Harris, A. Bennett, R. Price (s) lost to Y. Summers, G. Tate, J. Brown, G. Teasdale (s) 16-19. G. Godward, R. Fidler, A. Fidler, L. Dingwall (s) lost to K. Teasdale, J. Harrison, D. Monaghan, H. Pendlebury (s) 19-29. Barham 2 53-8 d Barham 3 24-0. Leitchville 1 57-6 d Kerang Golf 2 30-2.
Cohuna Golf 2 34-2 lost to Cohuna 3 39-6. Gunbower 1 52-8 d Barham 4 23-0. Cohuna 2 Bye.
Ladder: Barham 2 76, Gunbower 1 73, Leitchville 1 70, Kerang Golf 2 70, Cohuna 2 63, Barham 4 55, Cohuna 3 51, Barham 3 50, Cohuna Golf 2 49, Kerang 2 44, Pyramid Hill 2 19.
North Central
Division 1 Boort 60-0 lost to Donald Golf 72-12. K. Birt, D. Gibson, C. Newsome, S. Morris (s) lost to G. Stopps, B. Murray, S. Hollis, P. Hibberd (s) 21-23. S. Nelson, A. Matley, J. Gibson, L. Maxted (s) lost to W. Livingston, G. Geddes, A. Humphrey, D. Pettifer (s) 2122. K. Walton, G. Hudson, W. Keenan, K. Depiazza (s) lost to M. Frank, R. Reseigh, R. Adams, G. Rigby (s) 18-27. Wedderburn 70-12 d St Arnaud Country 55-0. R. Guelfo, B. Hargreaves, A. Caserta, D. Mason (s) d R. Guelfo, B. Hargreaves, A. Caserta, D. Mason (s) 26-16. M. Guelfo, A. Holt, N. Holt, A. Jackson (s) d D. Moulday, D. Mullins, M. Esmore, T. McDonald (s) 24-20. D. Stephenson, A. Roberts, B. Montebello, L. Witham (s) d F. Rodger, B. Medlyn, J. Nevill, J. Abbott (s) 20-19. Charlton 58-2 lost to Wycheproof 74-10. R. Porter, M. O’Brien, J. Cox, K. North (s) lost to A. Jones, J. McKay, N. Coles, J. Grylls (s) 18-25. M. Hamley, W. Southwell, D. McCallum, K. Willey (s) d P. Coles, A. Coatsworth, B. Macdonald, P. Allan (s) 24-18. R. Gahan, B. Laffin, J. Headon, S. Perry (s) lost to E. Rayes, J. McLean, D. Groves, A. Mead (s) 16-31. Donald 48-0 lost to St Arnaud 83-12. Ladder: St Arnaud 126, Donald Golf 126, Wedderburn 114, Wycheproof 94, St Arnaud
Country 69, Donald 65, Boort 62, Charlton 16. Division 2 Boort 65-4 lost to Donald Golf 748. I. Allison, C. Wood, J. Hampson, G. Smith (s) lost to J. Hollis, M. Raynes, P. Raynes, G. Wood (s) 7-36. J. Nelson, A. Gould, Y. Cashen, K. Ritchie (s) d D. Adams, J. Slater, A. Dionisopoulos, L. Borden (s) 28-24. L. Newsome, S. Polack, P. Waters, J. Earl (s) d G. Bowles, B. Brasier, B. Dixon, S. O’Shea (s) 30-14. Wedderburn 65-5 drew St Arnaud Country 65-7. R. Tonkin, A. Benaim, L. Holt, L. Standfield (s) lost to G. White, S. Atkinson, P. Mullins, P. Elliott (s) 18-27. R. Ashley, S. Steel, C. Mills, J. Grant (s) d K. Pole, G. Shaw, N. Robinson, A. Bond (s) 28-12. S. Lear, R. Hall, A. Noordennen, I. Hall (s) lost to L. Watkins, C. Webb, K. Meade, J. Needs (s) 19-26. Charlton 37-0 lost to Wycheproof 116-12. G. Wain, G. Barnard, S. Harper, D. Gretgrix (s) lost to L. Milburn, R. Coles, D. Denney, R. Grylls (s) 11-38. B. Chester, B. Patton, W. Roberts, G. Bateson (s) lost to D. Nicholls, S. Barratt, H. Grylls, P. Connolly (s) 13-40. E. Rosewall, G. Thomson, Z. Irwin, D. Finlay (s) lost to C. Jones, P. Bagley, G. Coatsworth, M. Nicholls (s) 13-38. Donald 66-4 lost to St Arnaud 81-8.
Ladder: Wycheproof 128, Wedderburn 112, St Arnaud 100, St Arnaud Country 98, Donald Golf 96, Boort 56, Donald 51, Charlton 31.
Midweek - Wedderburn 92-12 d St Arnaud 48-0. R. Little, S. Standfield, A. Roberts, L. Witham (s) d A. Tyler, D. Ostarcevic, J. Prendegast, P. McRae (s) 33-19. L. Standfield, J. Matthews, S. Steel, A. Jackson (s) d H. Stevenson, M. McIntyre, L. Goodwin, D. Goddard (s) 33-9. H. Stephenson, J. Murnane, R. Hall, A. Caserta (s) d A. McNally, M. McRae, P. Micallef, A. Welsh (s) 26-20. Wycheproof 62-0 lost to Donald Golf 73-12. Goldfields
Division 2 Bridgewater 37-0 lost to Maldon 89-16. Substitute, R. Simons, J. Hosking, D. Payne (s) lost to L. Briggs, M. Edwards, E. Cook, W. Honeyman (s) 11-29. T. Ryan, H. Fagan, D. Wilson, G. Mabon (s) lost to P. Best, M. James, G. Cobden, A. Gillham (s) 9-39. S. Miller, D. Grant, G. Papworth, I. Clutton (s) lost to E. Howell, T. Smith, P. Sedgwick, J. Brookshaw (s) 17-21. Dunolly Green 59-2 lost to Avoca 68-14. Maryborough Golf 65-14 lost to Dunolly Gold 41-2. Newstead Blue 65-14 d Talbot 56-2. Carisbrook 80-16 d Newstead
Ken Collins
Bridgewater’s Sue Miller. LH PHOTO
Another masterful innings from Arnold’s Heath Lock. LH PHOTO
Lock, stock and anchor
THE “NERVOUS nineties” may have claimed Arnold opener Heath Lock, but that didn’t stop the Redbacks from compiling a massive score against Bridgewater Bulls on the first Saturday of their two-day clash.
Lock anchored the side before he fell for 95 as Arnold pushed on to 7-361 from its 70 overs.
Youthful Bridgewater battled hard, but the strength of the Redbacks’ batting lineup prevailed as the Bulls bowlers and fieldsmen tired in the heat on the wide expanses of Bridgewater oval.
The Bulls struck early, with Oscar Horan bowling Cameron Dale for five with Arnold on 13, but that brought together Lock and veteran Phil Scholes in a punishing 104-run partnership.
Scholes made 70 of those runs, off 89 balls, and was particularly harsh on Toby Naughton’s bowling, taking 16 from his first over.
Lock was dropped early at backward square leg and made the Bulls bowlers pay as he faced 174 balls for his runs.
Scholes had some luck against Seth Hewett’s bowling, edging twice through the slips in the Bridgewater bowler’s first over.
Eventually he was caught behind by Harry McKinley off Horan, bringing Ryan Metelmann to the crease, who struck a wellmade 42 off 54 balls before he
batting averages
by garY walsH
fell to Tom McKinley. Despite the mounting score, Bridgewater maintained attacking fields all afternoon, with Hewett at times bowling to three slips and a gully.
Metelmann’s demise saw Campbell Hancock enter the fray, and he belted his way to 51 off 42 before falling to junior player Lewis Lonsdale.
Captain Henry McCullough continued the onslaught with 28 off 19 balls including five fours, but youngster Hunter Daldy deceived him with a looping spinner and he was clean bowled.
In the meantime, Lock was immovable.
His languid, unhurried batting style involves minimal footwork and, seemingly, relatively little effort, so it was a surprise to find he had struck 14 fours in his innings.
Visibly tiring and becoming frustrated – Steve Smith-style –when he missed balls he should have hit, Lock’s vigil came to an end when he snicked to the keeper off Nic Naughton’s bowling with the score on 301.
He narrowly failed to hit his second century for the season, and his composed batting will be a key to Arnold’s fate in the finals.
Lock, who won the man of the match award in the Redbacks’
premiership win last season, is the form batsman of the competition with 312 runs at 52.
Tom McKinley finished with 1-88 off 21 overs in which he mixed medium pace with leg spin and Horan took 1-61 from 14 overs.
A highlight for the Bulls was the bowling of its junior players –Lonsdale and the impressive Nate Harrison both took wickets.
Apart from a few spilled catches, the fielding was generally excellent until the players wilted late in the Arnold innings.
A mighty task faces Bridgewater batsmen on Saturday when the match resumes.
Boort Yando has a decent total to defend on the second day of the clash with Wedderburn Band.
The Magpies batted into the 70th over to make 195, with Marcus Ferguson outstanding in compiling 54 with five fours and a six.
He was well supported by Alex Cockerell (32), Josh Smith (30) and Jarrod Hodoros (23).
The indefatigable Adam Postle was resolute with the ball for Wedderburn, taking 3-52 from 25 overs including eight maidens.
James Van de Wetering impressed with 4-24 from his eight overs.
The Band, missing skipper Will
Holt, will have to bat well in their innings to overtake the Boort total on Saturday. Bridgewater v Arnold Arnold
H. Lock c H. McKinley b N. Naughton 95
C. Dale b O. Horan 5 P. Scholes c H. McKinley b J. Bowen ..... 70
R. Metelmann b T. McKinley 42
C. Hancock c T. McKinley b L. Lonsdale 51
H. McCullough b H. Daldy 28
F. Lock c T. Naughton b N. Harrison 17
M. Dale not out 16
K. Hewett not out 6
Extras 26
Total 7/360
Bowling: O. Horan 14-0-61-1, T. McKinley 21-1-88-1, T. Naughton 9-0-67-0, S. Hewett-Scull 7-1-28-0, J. Bowen 7-0-32-1, L. Lonsdale 2-0-15-1, N. Naughton 5-0-331, N. Harrison 2-0-9-1, H. Daldy 1-0-8-1, Z. Martin 1-0-9-0, H. McKinley 1-0-2-0. Boort Yando v Wedderburn
Boort Yando Innings
W. Gould not out 2
H. Weaver c&b J. Van de Wetering 4
G. Zanker c b J. Van de Wetering 0
D. Lehman b A. Postle 10
N. O’Brien c 0
J. Smith lbw A. Postle 30
F. Bear c A. Postle b J. Van de Wetering 19
B. Minogue b J. Van de Wetering 15
A. Cockerell c b A. Postle 32
M. Ferguson c b C. Steel 54
J. Hodoras c b I. Holt 23
Extras 6
Total 95
Bowling: A. Postle 25-8-52-3, I. Holt 14-242-1, F. Turnbull 5-0-22-0, J. Van de Wetering 8-1-24-4, D. Benaim 7-1-24-0, S. Giorlando 5-2-19-0, C. Steel 5-0-12-1, Fill in 0.2-0-0-1.
bowling averages
THAT RAREST of events – a Cooper Gooding dismissal with the bat – was a mere hiccup for the Magpies as they finished the junior home and away season with a big win over Bridgewater. The Bulls total of 36 was never going to be successfully defended against the strong Boort Yando batting lineup, and the Magpies were untroubled in making 7-200 off 54 overs.
Gooding, who was averaging 207.5 with the bat before the match, could manage only 22 off 39 deliveries, falling to the bowling of Connor Alexander.
It was a mere blip for Boort Yando, with Brodie McPherson, who retired not out on 51 from 50 balls and Finlay Arnold, who finished not out on 37, making the bulk of the score.
Opener Tyler Murphy hit an unbeaten century for Kingower as the Redbacks outclassed Wedderburn Band.
He made 106 of his side’s 9-230 from 63 overs, overwhelming the Band’s 75 all out from the previous SaTurday.
Boort Yando d Bridgewater Boort Yando O. Bryne b L. Lonsdale 1 L. Boyd c C. Alexander b N. Harrison 16 C. Gooding c J. Birthisel b C. Alexander 22 J.
Hird not out
17
7/200 Bowling: C. Alexander 8-1-28-2, L. Lonsdale
X. Power 5-1-18-2, N. Harrison 5-1-11-1, N. Wickham 5-0-21-0, I. Ferguson 5-1-9-0, H. Kilby 5-0-33-0, J. Birthisel 5-0-14-1, V. Harrison 4-0-24-0, N. Power 2-0-17-0. Wedderburn lost to Kingower Kingower M. Lonza c C. Gault b B. Hartnell 30 T. Murphy not out 106 R. Smith lbw B. Cramp 11 R. Murphy b B. Cramp 26 R. Leach c K.
Loddon HERALD sport
GIORL ANDO MAGIC
PUT a lacquered piece of wood in Shelby Giorlando’s hands and something magical will happen.
It always has, whether it be a hockey stick or a cricket bat, and now the Wedderburn teenager is making her mark on the international sports stage.
Shelby, 19, has recently returned from touring Malaysia and Thailand with the Wattles, the Australian Country Under 21s hockey team.
By GARY WALSH
It’s a long way from the hockey fields and cricket grounds of central Victoria to playing against the Thai national development team in the steamy heat of Bangkok, but Shelby took it all in her stride.
The team was drawn together from all over Australia, and while Shelby had played against most of them, she only trained with them once in Bangkok before fac-
Blues bring footy to local students
FOOTY is in focus at Bridgewater Primary School, with plans for its own Auskick program and a rare visit from three Carlton AFL stars.
Sam Docherty, Zac Williams and Hudson O’Keeffe were thrown some curly questions by students from Bridgewater, Inglewood Primary and St Mary’s Primary when they visited Bridgewater last week.
The youngsters learned that Docherty enjoys fried chicken as his ‘unhealthy’ treat after a game, while Williams enjoys indulging in chocolate chip cookies.
They also discovered that Docherty’s secret talent is juggling, Williams owns a 50 kg rottweiler and ruckman O’Keeffe is 203cm tall.
Docherty said visiting small schools in country areas was a particular pleasure for AFL players, given the children rarely had a chance to meet their heroes.
He enjoyed a game of keeping off on the oval with school captain Emily Bailey, 9, and vice-captain Hunter Ryan, 11.
Bridgewater Primary will launch its own NAB AFL Auskick sessions on Monday, February 24, for five weeks.
It gives children who may have other sporting commitments on Saturday mornings – the traditional time for Auskick programs – a chance to hone their footy skills in a familiar environment.
ing matches against a Thai side many of whose members had played in the junior World Cup. The Thai team lives together and trains together:
“We met at the hotel, then got to train for half an hour because it was way too hot.
“The first games we maybe lost 3-0 or 4-0, but we scored in the game after that, and we gelled together really quickly.
“It was good to play against strong teams. In Malaysia we played against one poor team and
our structures fell away.” Shelby has been involved in hockey since she was four, when the youngest of four children would follow her siblings to training: “I was their little practice person if they needed someone to have a hit with.”
By 12 she was in the Hockey Victoria academy, having been invited to a camp in Melbourne for what she thought was a training day.
It turned out to be a day on which coaches would choose the
best juniors in the state, and Shelby was one of them.
That began the regular trek from Wedderburn to Melbourne – she estimates she has spent 24 hours in the car every week for matches and training since that first academy tryout, with mum Kim at the wheel.
Those endless hours can be a little tense if Shelby’s team has lost, when Mum gets the silent treatment.
CONTINUED PAGE 19
Sam Docherty (right) has Hunter Ryan and Emily Bailey reaching high at the football clinic. LH PHOTO