Loddon Herald 14 December 2023

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Loddon HERALD Vol 3 No 48, THURSDAY DECEMBER 14, 2023 ISSN 2653-1550

HARVEST BLITZ

DOZENS of grain trucks have been caught in a Loddon blitz by National Heavy Vehicle Regulator officers last week.

Some farmers dodging rains to strip crops have been given seven days to fix what they claim are minor faults and have new roadworthy certificates issued.

“That’s putting a truck off the road for at least a day, provided we can get the trucks booked in for a roadworthy,” one said.

Among faults allegedly detected by NHVR compliance officers patrolling the Bridgwater-

‘Canaries’ slapped on trucks in roadworthy crackdown

Serpentine Road were crumpled number plates and bolt thread clearance.

The crackdown is part of Operation Forager that an NHVR spokesperson said was “as an educational on-road safety campaign rather than as a ‘blitz’”.

“Our focus is on improving heavy vehicle road safety through an educational and informative approach” they said.

“NHVR safety and compliance officers will conduct targeted operations to ensure we maintain a safe, efficient and productive heavy vehicle industry serving the needs of Victoria and the wider country.”

Operation Forager has involvement from police, WorkSafe and the Environment Protection Authority.”

NHVR says the number of in-

fringement notices issued will not be released until early next year.

“The majority of operators have been doing the right thing and remain compliant. We have seen some mechanical and fatigue related non-compliance but the majority of these have provided ... officers the opportunity to inform and educate the operator,” the spokesperson said.

“NHVR takes a data-led, intelligence driven approach to compliance and conducts operations at a local, state and national level across different industry sectors.

“Our aim for this operation is

to have a strong engagement and education presence – with a focus on promoting safe industry behaviour. We want to reduce the impact of road trauma to keep all road users safe, particularly as the roads get busier in the lead up to Christmas.”

They said NHVR strived to ensure the business impact for the industry was minimal “We regularly interact directly with operators to discuss ways to improve safety and compliance and we use our social media channels and external publications to promote heavy vehicle safety and educate industry.”

Poly pipes and winds fuel farm night blaze

Alan Scholes, Elissa Wilson, Trent Blister and Tim Ferguson review heat sensor readings. LH PHOTO

FIREFIGHTERS took more than two hours to control a farmyard fire on Friday night.

Brigades from across the district sent 15 units to the Newbridge fire soon after 8.30pm as strong storm winds that were toppling trees in Loddon communities were fanning flames.

“I was in bed when the fire started ... it was a dreadful shock,” said farm owner Alan Scholes who lives in an adjoining property.

“The wind was frightening. and I reckon around 80-90kmh.

“Thankfully, we had already taken off the crops,” said Alan who has farmed in the district for more than 50 years.

Crews spent almost four hours tackling and extinguishing the fire, pumping tank after tank of water onto stockpiled supplies of poly pipe melting into the ground.

Newbridge volunteer Harry Moyle Newbridge and Bridgewater brigades were called back to the fire scene Saturday afternoon to douse hot spots detected by sensors.

The fire burnt about two hectares but no buildings were damaged. Mr Scholes praised the efforts of CFA volunteers in containing the fire.

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2 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

IN BRIEF

Loddon HERALD

Pool remains shut PYRAMID Hill swimming pool has been closed since last Wednesday while emergency work is completed on the pool’s pipes. A Loddon Shire spokesperson said: “At this stage, we do not have an estimated re-opening date.

We will provide an update to the community once we have confirmation of a re-opening date.”

Free every Thursday

Circulating in the communities and districts of Boort, Bridgewater, Dingee, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Laanecoorie, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.

Also available in Dunolly, Charlton, Wycheproof, Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk.

Car impounded

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PO Box 1188 Kangaroo Flat 3555

A WEDDERBURN man, 58, has had his vehicle impounded and been bailed to appear in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court after an incident on Saturday.

Police were called to the High Street property and allege the driver intentionally lost traction when leaving the address. Police impounded the vehicle for 30 days and a cost of $2375.

The Loddon Herald is published by Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, PO Box 1188, Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers by Newsprinters Pty Ltd McKoy Street, West Wodonga, VIC 3690.

Town of sales Amande Divola, Anne-Marie Davis, Genevieve Trice and Dianne Gordon-Cook are popping up at Loddon community celebrations. LH PHOTO

Pop-ups a taste of festive flavours WEEKEND FORECAST Partly cloudy, some rain Sunday Boort Inglewood Pyramid Hill Wedderburn Dunolly Charlton

Saturday 29, Sunday 33 Saturday 29, Sunday 33 Saturday 30, Sunday 34 Saturday 29, Sunday 33 Saturday 27, Sunday 31 Saturday 28, Sunday 33

POP-UP stalls have hit the sweet spot with festive party goers as Flavours of Loddon food vans hit the roads at local events.

Just a month after the concept was launched, Amande Divole, Anne-Maree Davis, Genevieve Trice and Dianne Gordon-Cook were among the star attractions at Wedderburn’s Christmas on High on Thursday.

“From our launch at Inglewood

Alive to Christmas on High, the response to our vans has been fantastic,” said Anne-Marie.

“We’re showing another face of small business in the Loddon Shire ... there’s great small businesses with a shopfront and then there are our vans wheeling in to enhance events.”

“We’re all local and we buy local. Every small business is contributing to the economy and

we’re so grateful for the support from Loddon Shire for the Flavours of Loddon concept.”

Anne-Marie said fantastic hosts and warm welcomes had characterised the first appearances of foods from local pop-up vans.

And she said a special Flavours of Loddon pop-up was planned for Boort in January as part of Australia Day weekend celebrations.

MORE than 20 locations have been part of the Tarnagulla town garage sale. One of the organisers, Kelly Whitton, said the event was born from conversations among residents with a large number wanting to hold sales to sell unwanted items.

Trees down LODDON Shire crews were called to removed fallen trees after storms whipped through the region on Friday night. Two calls were to Old St Arnaud Road, Berrimul, and one in Holloway Road, Wedderburn.

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Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 3

Aquatic plants give up ghost before Christmas AQUATIC plants at Little Lake Boort are collapsing like clockwork ahead of the summer holiday season.

The curly pond weed blooms in late spring and early summer.

But according to Paul Haw, while they are an annoyance for lake users early in summer, the plants naturally collapse.

“The flower heads of curly pond weed are just above the water at the moment, they are flowering and already starting to collapse,” he said.

“The plants do the same thing every year and after they col-

lapse, the lake becomes a summer haven for thousands of people who flock to the town.”

Flowering curly pond weed has been dominating lake in recent weeks.

“Once it finishes flowering the plant then collapses. This usually happens around two weeks before Christmas, leaving the lake in good order for water skiing over summer. Just before Christmas the lake will be filled to capacity.

And he said it would not be just visitors lapping up the cool lake waters in summer months,

“Little Lake Boort at the moment has numerous birds of all descriptions.” he said.

“Earlier this week there was an estimated 350 pelicans and 200 swans making the lake their home.

“The pelicans mainly feed on the fish in Lake Boort and Lake Lyndger through the night and early morning, many come and rest on Little Lake Boort during the day.

“At the moment there are plenty of aquatic plants in the lake which is attracting the swans as they are vegetarian.

“Most years when the boating season starts the swans fly back to Lake Elizabeth near Kerang to avoid the boats during the day and return to Little Lake Boort during the night to continue feeding.

“It is a great time to visit Boort just to see the birds.”

Canoe launching sites across the Loddon, including on the Loddon River and Serpentine Creek, have been replaced or repaired after the 2022 October floods and are already being well-used by enthusiasts who have been visiting the region.

IN BRIEF Flood fix expensive FLOOD mitigation in Korong Vale would be difficult to resolve, Mayor Gavan Holt told Tuesday’s Loddon Shire Council meeting. Cr Holt said he had attended a presentation of the town flood study last month. He said described the project as “certainly an expensive one”.

Community centre talks WORK on the new Pyramid Hill community centre was expected to start early next year. Tandarra Ward councillor Dan Straub told Tuesday’s Loddon Shire Council meeting that talks had been held between council and the community last week.

Gold seekers LOCAL gold seekers could be the stars of the next series of TV show Aussie Gold Hunters. A Cast of Thousands casting director Graeme de Vallance wants passionate and highly skilled gold hunters with compelling stories to share to be featured on the show that stars local gold miners Brent Shannon and Ethan West.

Three at meeting THREE councillors attended in-person at Loddon Shire’s final meeting for 2023 on Tuesday. Cr Linda Jungwirth attended the meeting by online link while Cr Wendy Murphy was an apology.

Kindergarten teachers Deanne Storey, Vikki Moresi, Jodie Lock, Mel Douton and Mel Phillips with their accreditation certificates. LH PHOTO

Good teeth put smiles on kindergarten faces LODDON kindergartens are smiling after getting the accreditation tick under Dental Health Services Victoria’s Smiles 4 Miles oral health promotion and prevention program.

Kindergarten leaders from Pyramid Hill, Wedderburn, Dingee, Boort and Inglewood received their certificates at the Loddon Kindergarten Cluster meeting in Bridgewater last Thursday.

Smiles 4 Miles Program state manager Fiona Gallagher, shire wellbeing director

Wendy Gladman and Crs Linda Jungwirth and Wendy Murphy made the presentations.

Helping bring kindergartens to accreditation were Nicole Fuller of Boort Dental Clinic and Northern District Community Health Service.

NDCH’s Tanya Maher-Toose said: “This program works with the kinder children and their families to support and increase the uptake of evidenced based oral health care under three themes: Eat Well, Drink Well and Clean Well.

“Smiles 4 Miles is an initiative of Dental Health Services Victoria which aims to improve the oral health of children and their families in high risk areas across Victoria.

“Tooth decay is Australia’s most common health problem.

“Smiles 4 Miles assists early childhood services to encourage and promote good oral health habits and healthy eating among children in their care,” Tanya said after the presentations.

4 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Positive words and hard work inspired by Korean pop songs

WEDDERBURN College dux Ella Bailey has spent the past two years immersed in study and a growing love of Korean music.

She now has her sights on a business-arts double at Monash University and learning the Korean language, hoping to become a translator and interpreter.

“I got into the culture of South Korean music, my interest was piqued first by one pop music group and then other groups,” said Ella.

“Their music is upbeat and spreads a lot of positive words about loving yourself, enjoying life ... meaningful words, of dancing and singing.”

Ella said she was surprised to be the college’s top VCE student when results were received on Monday morning.

“I really didn’t think I would be the dux. All I wanted was to do the best I could and this is just a bonus,” she said.

“I had to step up in the VCE years and make more of a commitment to study.

“The results were pretty good overall and shows that if you put in the hours and do the work, what can be achieved.”

Ella’s final years of secondary school also saw her working at 24 Karat Cafe and joining the kitchen staff at the Wedderburn Hotel in July.

Three 40-plus scores make Steph the dux STEPH Demo is the 2023 East Loddon P12 College dux with an ATAR of 94.7 The result caps off her VCE years that saw a study score of 48 in 2022 in health and Human development and this year a 43 in psychology and a 40 in physical education “It was a fun year and I came out the other side with a good score,” she said.

Steph is looking to do a double degree of a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Secondary Education at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.

“We are extremely proud of Steph, she is an incredibly dedicated student, hardworking, talented and amazing young women who has had a significant positive impact on our college community,” said senior sub-school Sarah Krahe.

Other top students at East Loddon were Charlize Sinclair with 40 for health and human development and Jade Cockerell achieving a 40 in generals maths.

Ella Bailey (left) is congratulated by Charleern Cooper after Ella was named college dux. LH PHOTO Ella studied English, business management, biology, health and human development and physical education.

Principal Danny Forrest said Ella’s achievements reflected

the strong ethos of the college’s 2023 VCE cohort.

“It’s a credit to Ella to have earned the mantle of this year’s dux and an inspiration to all students who will follow in her

footsteps in coming years,” said Mr Forrest.

The school’s vocational major dux was Conrad Sudgen who has already started an apprentice ship.

Steph Demo

Phoebe region’s top VCE student PHOEBE Malone found the balance between study, sport and social life on her way to becoming the Loddon’s top VCE student of 2023.

The Boort District School dux earned an ATAR of 95.80 with a 44 study score in business management this year to go with a 47 in outdoor environment when completing the final units of that subject in 2022.

“It was a good year and I was still able to study, play sport and balance things for a social life,” said the school captain.

“The secret was being organised, to keep going and to stay on top of assignments and study.

“To be consistent ... that helps.”

Phoebe also studied English, maths methods, physics and geography this year with a career in medical imaging next for study.

She hopes to be part of the course at Deakin University Geelong.

“At the start of the year, I wasn’t too sure and talking to a friend, the suggestion of medical imaging came up. I looked into this and I was really interested,” Phoebe said.

“And there is a shortage of medical imagers in rural areas.

Eventually, I would like to come back to the country.”

Principal Lee-Anne Sherwell

Boort District School dux Phoebe Malone said: “Phoebe was one of our school captains this year and has been a hard worker throughout her time at school and is very goal driven. She is a fantastic role model and a wonderful person.”

Phoebe was a member of Boort’s C Grade netball premier-

ship side in the North Central league this season and also played in the under 17 team.

Other top students at Boort included Lucy Malone who received a score of 45 for health and human development and Zak MacIntosh with 48 for general maths.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 5

Stellar results cap principal’s career THERE was excitement and enthusiasm in Lee-Anne Sherwell’s voice when relaying the VCE results of Boort District School students on Monday.

In her final days behind the principal’s desk, Lee-Anne said students had again performed well in their Year 12 examinations.

“In 2021, we got the school’s ATAR up and last year we had three students within 0.3 of each other,” she said.

Successes for students who have been through COVID and flood years were pleasing too as Lee-Anne ends her eightyear appointment at Boort next week before official retirement in April.

Lee-Anne came to Boort after being assistant principal and acting principal at Sea Lake’s Tyrrell College, a rural school that had earned a reputation for high achieving students.

While specialising in the classroom teaching Year 11 English for the past four years, Lee-Anne said she even taught drama, French, Spanish and accounting in a career that started at Ararat High School in the 1980s.

One of the first students in her English and humanities classes was Todd Woodfine. “It was about my first year out and Todd was in Year 7,” she said.

They met again when Lee-

Lee-Anne Sherwell Anne was visiting Rochester school several years ago . Acting principal at Rushworth this year, Todd will be Lee-Anne’s successor in Boort when the 2024 school year starts in late January.

Lee-Anne and husband Darren are moving to Ballarat for retirement to be close to family living there and in Ararat and getting to better know their grandchildren, including one who was born during COVID lockdowns.

“I won’t stop working ... I hope to do some emergency teaching and see what other options there are for ex-principals,” she said.

Lee-Anne has been a member of Boort District Health board during her time in Boort and involved in all activities of the school.

- CHRIS EARL

6 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Training support backs local staff

BOORT District had supported more than half its staff with further training and education in the past year.

Board chair Wendy Gladman told Monday’s annual general meeting that staff had been part of the Clinician to Manager accelerated learning program, responding to Unwanted Behaviour and Occupational Violence and Aggression Training, Leadership Training with On Track, certificate and diploma courses.

She said Boort Health had increased its services in 20222023.

“Our year finished up with transition to delivery of community home based services,” she said.

“New recruits have been employed to compliment the current team to deliver home care, personal care, flexible respite, meals on wheels, social support groups and individual activities and property maintenance.”

Mrs Gladman and CEO Donna Doyle also highlighted the importance of partnerships with other health and allied health services.

“The close working relationship with Ambulance Victoria has continued and weekly inhouse training and education sessions relevant to our urgent

care presentations are now well established and continue to be streamed via Teams to enable staff who are off duty to attend,” they said.

“There has been a significant increase in partnerships with tertiary education facilities to offer placement to 46 enrolled nursing students. “(We) continue to offer placements for secondary school students for their years 10 and 11 work experience programs.

“In collaboration with the North Central LLEN and Boort District School, we have hosted a number of structured workplace learning placements for students studying a VET Certificate in fields such as allied health and assistant in nursing. “... it is now time for us as the rural health providers in the region to start thinking innovatively and outside the square in regard to how we can recruit, retain and sustain our workforce.

Attracting health professionals to rural areas has long been an ongoing challenge and it is becoming even more critical to look deeper for these individuals “The development of the junior staff program has progressed and now host a junior employee across seven days of the week.”

SANDRA Poyner and Judy Perryman have received certificates marking 35 years on the staff at Boort District Health.

Carmen Cauchi has been recognised for 25 years with 20year awards for Margaret Lanyon and Dorothy Wellard.

Long service recognised with certificates

ABOVE: Judy Perryman, Carmen Cauchi and Sandra Poyner were presented with staff service certificates at Monday’s annual general meeting of Boort District Health.

LEFT: Boort District Health CEO Donna Doyle, board chair Wendy Gladman and guest speaker Tricia Currie, CEO of Women’s Health Loddon Mallee.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 7

VNI WEST LATEST

Environmental study call on agenda within weeks

Statewide renewable energy grid plan VICGRID has unveiled plans for its first Victorian Transmission Plan to shape future renewable energy zones.

A land assessment will identify REZ priority areas “which are broad geographical areas across Victoria that are most appropriate to further investigate and plan for the future development of renewable energy generation, storage and transmission infrastructure”.

Loddon Shire is in an existing renewable zone with permits already granted for three solar farms in the region.

VicGrid said: “Once we know the priority areas for renewable energy generation we will work with communities to investigate where possible transmission could go.

Community needs to be at the heart of our planning process.

“In 2024, VicGrid will share outcomes of this engagement, and let you know how we have used your input in assessing land for renewable energy development. There will also be opportunities to provide feedback on draft plans. Over the next two years, VicGrid will narrow down the areas for REZ development,” the state government body said about a survey it has launched.

Proposed offshore wind transmission in Gippsland and Portland are part of the study.

By CHRIS EARL tural and social impacts of the project.

This process will take place over 12 to 18 months and includes opportunities for consultation and input by community and technical experts during the development of the technical studies that are prepared in connection with the EES.” The spokesperson also confirmed five more members on the VNI West community reference group.

They are Jon Whykes,, of Jeffcott, Daniel Bryce, of Traynors Lagoon, Miles Parry, of Barraport West, Bryan Pederson, of Teddywaddy West and Colin Coates, of St

Arnaud, who had previously been named as a member of that group to have 20 members.

A second meeting of the group was held last month but AEMO has made no statement on items raised by group members.

“The group is another important, regular forum for sharing information and responding to community concerns,” the spokesperson said.

“The group will assist the project team by providing local perspectives, providing feedback and input as the project progresses, raising questions and concerns on behalf of the community and identifying opportunities for community benefits sharing.”

NO ONE has been charged after AEMO aborted its first draft corridor consultation meeting in St Arnaud in October.

VNI West manager Sam Magee said TCV staff would make statements to police “with a view to pressing charges”. after the rowdy meeting.

Police said last week: “Police are investigating a reported assault at St Arnaud on October 10.

“A man has been interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

“Police were called to the venue, but did not call off the community meeting. The investigation remains ongoing.”

TCV told the Loddon Herald last week: “Two TCV personnel have made statements to Victoria Police in relation to the incident at St Arnaud, which are now under investigation.”

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THE VNI West transmission line project’s draft corridor will land on Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny’s within weeks.

Ms Kilkenny will decide whether to order an environmental effects statement on the controversial project.

Australian Energy Market Operator’s Transmission Company Victoria has been meeting landholders along the route between Stawell and Kerang, including through northern areas of the Loddon Shire.

However, AEMO said an EES would be its focus over the next year.

The VNI West draft corridor was released in early October, reducing the area in the sights of TCV to 1.5km in many areas.

The draft corridor was a reduction in the footprint of Option 5 and Option 5A released early this year with AEMO criticised for its consultation model after the sudden change from original plans to string renewable energy transmissions lines from Bendigo to Kerang.

A VNI West spokesperson said: “An important focus for consultation over the next 12 months will be the environment effects statement and the studies that we expect to conduct as part of that process.

“We intend to hold further information sessions for local communities, and the details will be finalised once we have more certainty about the EES process and timing of studies,” they said.

“Consultation is ongoing as we continue to talk directly with landowners and traditional owners, and engage with local councils and other community representatives including through regular roundtable forums.”

The spokesperson said TCV would refer the draft corridor to Ms Kilkenny to consider whether an environment effects statement would be be required for the project.

“The EES is a rigorous and consultative regulatory process to comprehensively assess the potential environmental, cul-

AEMO aborted ‘rowdy meeting’

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8 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Webster puts up hand again

ANNE Webster wants a third term in Federal Parliament as the member for Mallee, on Tuesday confirming she will seek Nationals pre-selection for the seat.

The Nationals this week opened pre-selection for its Victorian seats as the party prepares for the next federal election due before May 2025.

Dr Webster has held Mallee since 2019 and was made the Coalition’s shadow assistant minister for regional health after last year’s election loss.

In that election, Dr Webster increased the two-party preferred vote by 3.31 per cent and holds the seat by 19 per cent, the third safest Coalition-held electorate in Australia.

Nominations for pre-selection close on January 10.

Meanwhile, the Australian Electoral Commission’s redistribution committee has started reviewing submissions on new boundaries for federal seats in Victoria.

The state will lose one seat before the 2024 election under the current redistribution.

Mallee MP Anne Webster wants another three years in Canberra. LH PHOTO

Santa has big week ahead FESTIVE celebrations will hit a crescendo across the Loddon this weekend.

Boort’s annual Christmas street party kicks of community cheer tomorrow night with the Amity Club also conducting a lights competition.

Santa will juggle appearances in Boort with also popping down to Serpentine for the town’s Christmas tree.

Mysia’s Christmas Wonderland will have a visit from Santa on Saturday night. Alison Dean’s annual creation is expected to again attract visitors from across the region and raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Community Christmas carols are planned for Boort on Sunday night while Durham Ox will gold its community Christmas tree, one of the events to receive a Loddon Shire flood recovery grant.

Council makes bid for money to light up courts LODDON Shire Council yesterday lodged its bid for a State Government grant of up to $250,000 to install lights on tennis courts at Little Lake Boort.

The application under Sport and Recreation Victoria’s local sports infrastructure fund was backed by councillors at their meeting on Tuesday.

Cr Neil Beattie said the project would con-

tinue development of the Little Lake Boort precinct that had already seen a synthetic green at the bowling club funded and completed.

Community partnerships manager Paul Scullie told councillors the project would see installation of six lighting poles with LED lighting to have two courts at competition standard.

“The aspirations of the ... club to install LED lighting to two of the courts, forms part of the larger Little Lake Boort Recreation Precinct project, identified as a priority project in the council plan 2021-2025,” he said.

The project would have financial contributions from council and the club.

Applications for the grant program closed yesterday.

Christmas in Mysia last year

Campaign out to bust drink and drive myths

A NEW safety campaign has been launched as the Loddon Shire heads to its highest road toll in four years.

Three lives have been lost on local roads so far this year, the same number killed in 2021 compared with two the previous year and four in 2019.

Only Central Goldfields and Mount Alexander Shires in the Loddon Mallee region have had no fatalities up to last week.

The campaign is highlighting the dangers of low-level drinking and driving and wants to bust the myths people believe on how to stay under .05 when drinking alcohol and ultimately says don’t drink and drive.

It comes as a new Transport Accident Commission report reveals a concerning 48 per cent of Victorians would still consider driving after two or more alcoholic drinks The TAC and Victoria Police advertising campaign - Stop Kidding Yourself If you drink, don’t drive - says it’s time to remove the guesswork and don’t risk drinking and driving.

TAC CEO Tracey Slatter said: “As we head into summer and the festive season, this campaign is a timely reminder to Victorians that drinking and driving don’t mix. We want to embrace a culture where driving after drinking any alcohol is not considered normal.

“Many people think they can manage their blood-alcohol level by following a set of vague rules handed down through generations, but the only way to avoid the risk entirely is to completely separate drinking and driving.”

The TAC says its impactful new campaign combats key myths on the speed at which people drink, how many standard drinks are appropriate per hour, if people have had enough water, how much

TAC and police launch new road safety program people have eaten and even body size.

The campaign also emphasises one of the mandatory penalties for all drink drivers caught in Victoria – having an interlock device installed.

“Of all the substances that are tested roadside, alcohol remains the most represented drug in fatally injured drivers – with close to one in five drivers and riders killed being over the legal limit,” the TAC said.

The campaign is being rolled out across Victoria through regional newspapers, television radio, outdoor advertising and online platforms.

There have been 23 fatalities on Loddon Mallee roads so far this year, down from 27 in 2022 and the equal lowest since 2019 when there were 38 deaths.

School upgrade tender awarded DEMOLITION of buildings at East Loddon P12 College will start next week ahead of a $12.75 million redevelopment of the school.

The upgrade was announced in last year’s State Budget and principal Steve Leed said the contract had been awarded to AW Nicholson..

Mr Leed said construction work would start following the end of demolition late

next month. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2025.

Work is also expected to start next year on the $12.9 million redevelopment at Wedderburn College.

That project was announced in last year’s State Budget.

Construction of the Loddon’s first child care centre, to be co-located at Wedderburn College, is expected to start in 2025.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 9

10 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 11

Historical society member Peter Reynolds with Paul Carter from the Victoria Hotel after the latest plaque is installed.

Plaques chart town’s legends and history

THE last of 32 plaques telling the history of Pyramid Hill and its buildings has been installed.

Pyramid Hill and District Historical Society members completed the project after receiving funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the Pyramid Community Opportunity Shop.

Assistant secretary Michael Gregory said: “A sign displaying a map of the town and location of each plaque has been erected near the entrance to Kelly Park. Each plaque is numbered and a legend showing all plaque numbers and headings is on the sign.

“A plaque was initially installed at the front of Millers Ag detailing the history of the Mechanics’ Institute which was once at that site.

“The positive feedback about that sign

encouraged the society to develop a project for many more plaques at historical sites around the town.”

He said Pyramid Hill had a rich and vibrant history which can be viewed in the local museum. “The plaques bring history out of the museum by providing a snapshot of history at each site.”

Michael said the society was grateful to local residents who provided historical details, included names and dates.

“Dedicated society members spent many hours researching, collating, writing and installing the plaques,” he said.

“The society has future projects in mind,” Michael said.

“QR codes can be added to each plaque to add more detail and photographs to the limited amount of information that can be written on a plaque.”

Clarity aim of centre masterplan A MASTERPAN for Inglewood Sports Centre will identify and clarify the opportunities, challenges and limitations at the centre, according to Loddon Shire Council.

The council last week said community input on a strategy survey would close next Monday.

It says the masterplan will provide direction to council and user groups for its future development for the next 10 years.

“The masterplan will focus on the sport and recreation reserve, including the main complex, oval, lawn and hard courts, cricket nets and the adjacent riding, car and bike club,” the council said in last week’s statement.

“The masterplan will be responsive to community expectations, as well as being achievable, realistic and attainable within the Council’s budgetary framework.”

12 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Hot days will slow speed of trains

Trailblazers prepare to retire MARILYN and Ian Lanyon are preparing to step back from more than two decades of business innovation.

The Boort couple behind Simply Tomatoes, Woolly Warmers and Aussie Wool Quilts this week announced they would retire early next year.

Son Damien has taken over the tomato branch of the rural business with the couple putting their Country Wool Bedding, the 21st century incarnation of the popular quilt line, up for sale.

Ian says there is already interest in the Woolly Warmers lines.

“We’re finally going to retire but we’ll always be doing something,” he said.

Marilyn, who for three years had an entry in Who’s Who and collected rural and industry awards at state and national level, said the rural enterprises had brought tourists by the busload to their property since opening Simply Tomatoes in 2002.

Aussie Wool Quilts was acquired in 2012 and Marilyn later designed and patented the Woolly warmers.

“It has not been me or Ian ... the whole family and our workers have been the amazing ones,” Marilyn said.

TRAIN travellers have been told to prepare for slower travel times on hot days this summer.

The heat timetable was in place on the Swan Hill line on Tuesday for trains stopping at Pyramid Hill and Dingee.

“Extreme heat speed restrictions are enforced when temperatures exceed 36 degrees in order to reduce the likelihood of train and track faults, while also keeping passengers safe,” V/Line said.

“When an extreme heat timetable is in place, journey times may be extended by a few minutes as we reduce the speed of our trains.

There will be drinking water on board trains and passengers are also encouraged to travel with bottled water and wear cool clothing. Temperatures are forecast to hit the high 30s this weekend.

Housing estate talks Marilyn and Ian Lanyon in the Country Shop. LH PHOTO “Family has been the backbone and that’s pretty important.”

Ian said: “Marilyn started all this and she became very well known.”

“Everything was made at the farm until we opened the shop in Godfrey Street a couple of years ago. “We had tourist busses coming and we started an RV camp site. People liked

coming to the farm.” The shop opening was a response to COVID restrictions. “We couldn’t have visitors so we opened the shop to keep bringing people to Boort,” he said.

Ian said the growth of Aussie Wool Quilts has seen Boortmade products sent around Australia.

“The arrival of online web-

sites for sales certainly helped that,” he said.

With Ian and Marilyn handing the Simply Tomatoes reigns to Damien, he now oversee the hand-picking of green tomatoes ready for a four-day process of being preserved in a salt and vinegar brine and finished off in extra virgin olive oil, oregano and garlic.

LODDON Shire councillors have held confidential talks on a second stage of the Wedderburn housing estate in Ridge Street.

The December meeting went ‘in camera” to discuss the item.

Council’s 2021-2025 plan lists starting a detailed assessment and costing of the proposal to maximise “opportunities to grow our population by taking advantage of all available development opportunities to expand the existing urban footprint”.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 13

Screen shot for chilling tales AUTHOR Mickey Martin added Inglewood to her celebration of towns on Saturday.

The third in her Victorian series of novels, A Chilling Summer in Inglewood, was launched before more than 50 people.

And the audience could grow with Mickey in talks with Queensland screenwriter Michelle Worthington. to turn the books into movies or a television series.

Her first novel, Soul Keepers of Glenormiston South was based in Glenormiston South where she grew up, followed by Obsidian Soul and now A Chilling Summer in Inglewood, set in the town her family has lived for five generations.

“My books are my way of celebrating the towns I have lived in,” said the Frankston-based author.

“We know it’s never chilly

in Inglewood in summer ... but there’s the spine-tingling paranormal.

“I feel blessed to write these stories - eight titles in four years.”

The latest novel centres on the Harper family moving to the quiet town of Inglewood, Victoria, living in the ancestral home and looking forward to the year ahead.

Mickey said she had started pitching Soul Keepers to a production company, only for creatives to take additional interest in Chilling Summer. “Inglewood will be connected to the screenplay. There’s a lot of work coming up next year.”

Mickey’s sister Leah compared Saturday’s launch where sales of the new book were brisk.

Members of the Mornington Writers’ Society also travelled to Inglewood for the launch.

Family support from Thomas Angus and Leah Martin

YOUR Loddon Herald has a special Christmas competition where our readers have the chance to win a signed copy of Mickey Martin’s A Chilling Summer in Inglewood.

Simply send an email to loddonherald@gmail.com or pop us a line at PO Box 1188 Kangaroo Flat 3555 and share your chilling Christmas yarn in 50 words or less.

We’ll select the most entertaining entry at 5pm next Tuesday and announce the winner in the Loddon Herald on Thursday.

The lucky winner will have a great read over the Christmas-New Year break, devouring the words and twists in Mickey’s latest novel, part of her Victorian series.

Scary or cooling, get the Christmas crackers cracking with your favourite chilling yarn.

Tanya Leach (left) was among the first to snap up a copy of Mickey’s new book complete with autograph on Saturday. LH PHOTO

Anne Barker, Pauline Wellman and Deb Finlay

Hannah Hecker with Kirallee and Braden Gray

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14 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Pelican’s back in the shade

Shire makes date with hard waste HARD WASTE collection dates in Loddon towns next year has been set by the shire council.

It says crews will start collections from March 4, coinciding with Clean Up Australia Day the previous day.

However, council says property owners can only put items for collection on their footpath on that day.

Collections will be made from properties with a mandatory kerbside waste bin and recycling bin collection service located in township, low density residential and living zones.

Outside of these zones, the kerbside bin collection service is optional and a kerbside hard waste collection is not provided, according to council.

RESTORATION work on the Pelican Hotel verandah has closely followed plans for the historic Inglewood building that former owner Scott Whitehead did not live to see finished.

Debbie and Barry Pitman, who also own the adjoining former Adelphi Hotel, bought the Pelican after Scott’s death more than two years ago and have seen completion of the major verandah project in the last month.

They used the skills of Scott’s builder friends who knew the intimate details of what he had planned for the building erected in 1907.

“One builder, Gavin Bake had helped tidy the place after Scott died and he knew the work that was needed,” said Debbie.

“This made things much easier for us - people who knew the building already.”

Retired builder Barry and Debbie are carrying on restoration of the hotel delicensed in 1969 inside the brick walls.

The old bar has been finished with plans for it to be leased as a cafe.

The Pelican Hotel first opened in 1860 and was also the Cobb and Co coach office for Inglewood.

Barry and Debbie said the verandah restoration was the first step in bringing the Brooke Street building back to life with a 21st century feel.

- CHRIS EARL

Leader recognition in high education

The Railway Hotel BOORT

Debbie and Barry Pitman in front of the restored Pelican Hotel verandah. LH PHOTO

Time for a home loan health check!

With interest rates on the rise, there’s never been a better time to review your home loan.

We’ll look at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs.

Enquire online at bendigobank.com.au/healthcheck or call your nearest branch on 5438 3500.

Community Bank ¥ Inglewood

*Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, March 2022. All loans are subject to the bank’s normal lending criteria. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Please consider your situation and read the Terms and Conditions, available online at ww.bendigobank.com.au or upon request from any Bendigo Bank branch, before making a decision. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879 (1676698-1734981) (05/22) OUT_25647631, 11/09/2022

LEAD Loddon Murray leadership graduate will have a head start if they undertake a master in business administration course at La Trobe Business School.

They will receive credit for prior leaning for the responsible leadership under the new arrangement announced this week by the leadership program.

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Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 15

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Peter Walsh dons the Soaring Energy Costs caps with Bridgewater locals after taking about electricity price concerns. LH PHOTO

Soaring energy costs resurrection hoax, Walsh says of new look SEC THE State Government’s rebirth of the State Electricity Commission has been rebadged “soaring energy costs” by local MP Peter Walsh.

Leader of The Nationals and member for Murray Plains, Mr Walsh says the proposed resurrection of the SEC is little more than a State Government hoax to try and distract attention from soaring energy costs.

“SEC actually stands for soaring energy costs – and that’s what the Allan government is already delivering,” Mr Walsh said.

“The tragedy is that massive part of the average family budget is only going one way – and that’s up.

“We have taken this argument to the floor of the Parliament, I have crisscrossed my electorate and the state to see and hear how hard this is hitting the ordinary family and I can tell you it is hitting the very hard.”

Mr Walsh said the SEC was “just a hoax for Victorian consumers” and they should not let a Labor government try and fool them again. He said there was “there’s no

way known we’re going to see costs for electricity come down under the Allan Labor Government”.

“We’re going to call them out on it. Every chance we get.

“Just remember, as I said previously, the SEC stands for nothing but soaring energy costs these days,” Ms Benham says.

Mr Walsh travelled to Bridgewater recently to meet concerned regional and rural residents who have no access to all the much-hyped inner city suite of electric trains, electric cars (and recharge stations), bicycle lanes “and everything else the Greens driven Labor government bows down to”.

He says people realise everything has its price, but when you are caught in a cost-of-living squeeze as bad as the current one, “the last thing you need are charges for your basic services going through the roof”.

“People in rural and regional Victoria should not have to choose between air conditioning in our summer and putting food on the table,” Mr Walsh said.

“Instead of coming up with its gim-

PETER PETER WALSH WALSH MP PETER PETER WALSH WALSH MP PETER PETER WALSH MP YOUR VOICE YOURWALSH VOICE IN IN GOVERNMENT PARLIAMENT

YOUR VOICE IN GOVERNMENT YOUR VOICE VOICE IN IN GOVERNMENT PARLIAMENT YOUR YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

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The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of or in your general day-to-day life, feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus. please contact my offi ce on the details Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you Australians we need face the challenges the pandemic; goanxiety to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like please you as might some additionalof help coping with and worry about Coronavirus. contact my offi ce on the details feel like please you might needcontact some additionalmy help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus. offi ce on the details below and we information will dogo toour best toor follow help For the latest Coronavirus peterwalsh.org.au us onyou.

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Peter Walsh MP We are in this together, and together we will get through.

496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

We are in this together, and together we will get through.

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

micks, the Allan Labor government should be coming down on the soaring energy costs it has created with its determination to shutdown gas and coal powered energy production and make some realistic decisions which will benefit all Victorians.”

The Government says it new SEC will investing in renewable energy and storage projects that accelerate the transition and deliver commercial returns, support households to go all-electric to reduce their energy bills and emissions and building the renewable energy workforce our energy transition requires.

“We’ll play an important role in helping Victorian households to reduce their energy bills and emissions by offering simple and practical solutions to help them switch to all-electric. The energy transformation will create thousands of jobs,” the SEC says.

The original SEC was established in It was set up in 1918, and by 1972 it was the sole agency in the state for electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply until privatised in the 1990s.

Grass grows in an instant INSTANT turf has been laid on the site of Inglewood’s old ambulance station as contractors continue landscaping on the block adjoining the town’s new station.

The fenced landscaped area will be for use by paramedics stationed at Inglewood.

The old building in Hospital Street was demolished in September amid community anger that locals calls to make it available for use by Inglewood and Districts Health Service or the community had been ignored by the State Government.

The Government said the old building was not fit for purpose.

“It was demolished to make way for new and improved vehicle access to help our paramedics do what they do best, save lives,” the Government said.

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16 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Sue’s message of care

REGISTERED nurse Sue Vander Bosch talked about the importance self-love and self-care at last week’s Kooyoora Women’s Network dinner for 16 Days of Activism.

Sue, a nurse for more than 35 years, spoke about her journey including continuous learning and exploration.

She highlighted a dedication

to education and empowerment with the mission to foster selfawareness and healing in individuals.

Sue recently returning from India where she completed yoga teacher training, bringing back a myriad of tools and insights for her work in the community.

KWN member Cindy Gould said: “Sue’s journey serves as an

inspiration for us all, demonstrating the impact one person can have on the well-being of others.

“Her commitment to holistic health aligns seamlessly with our mission at Kooyoora Women’s Network, and we are immensely grateful for the wisdom she shared.

“Let’s carry the spirit of em-

powerment forward into the new year, armed with the knowledge and inspiration gained during these 16 Days of Activism.

“Together, we can continue to create positive change and support each other on the journey to self-love and well-being.

Cindy presented Sue with a gift from Bev Taig and the Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company.

Pam King, Cindy Gould, Sue Vander Bosch, Sue Turnbull and Sue Campbell at the Kooyoora Women’s Network dinner. LH PHOTO

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S NEW

TINY TOWNS FUND It supports projects in communities with a population of less than 5,000 people.

Grants between $5,000 and $50,000 are available for community groups.

To learn more and apply, visit rdv.vic.gov.au Applications close 5pm, Sunday 25 February 2024.

177 High Street, Maryborough VIC 3465 P: (03) 5461 1255 E: martha.haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au marthahaylett.com.au MarthaHaylett4Ripon MarthaHaylettMP

Burden will hamper business: MP MALLEE farmers, builders and other businesses will bear the cost of Same Job, Same Pay Laws requiring employers to pay more for labour hire that passed in Federal Parliament last week, said MP Anne Webster.

Dr Webster said: “As National Farmers Federation President David Jochinke says, farmers are now left to grapple with how they engage employees through labour hire in the context of this new legislation during the busiest time of the year.

“Minister Burke has got his way and will be getting a pat on the back from his union masters, but Mallee farmers will now struggle to get fruit off the tree or vine to feed the nation.”

“Combine this legislation with the reintroduction of water buybacks that devastated our Victorian Murray region the last time they occurred and not only will our potential horticulture boom fail to launch, our local economies could contract.

“When you are next at the checkout trying to put food on the table or in your child’s lunchbox, think how expensive Labor is making it for the farmers to produce the food you buy,” Dr Webster said.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 17

Ben McGrath, Steve McGrath, Neil Wheelan and Eddie Richards were among Kyneton Angling Club members on the banks of the Loddon River. LH PHOTO

Anglers bank good catches on cod opening weekend ANGLERS have taken to the banks of the Loddon River for the opening of the Murray cod season.

Members of the Kyneton club camped at Salisbury West where bait and spinners helped anglers hook dozens of yellow bellies.

“There were a few Murray cod but they were too heavy for our members to pull in as we were using gear best for landing redfin and trout not the bigger cod,” said

John Condliffe. He said more than 50mm of rain leading up to the season opening had put additional life into the Loddon River.

“The rain was just enough to get the fish moving,” he said.

“The water has been a bit darker this weekend and that meant having to use darker lures.”

John also said weekend catches had been good weights.

18 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

INGLEWOOD’S FESTIVAL AND CAROLS

Games on the lawn and carols in the hall were part of Christmas celebrations organised by Inglewood Lions Club on Sunday night.

ABOVE: Jamie, Jaxon, Haylee and Chris Lawson came dressed for the occasion in their colourful festive attire.

TOP RIGHT: Jeanette Nixon was among the many people who picked up the carol booklet and sang in fine voice.

RIGHT: Father Christmas had the bells ringing on his arrival.

LEFT: Jade Berbaan AND Deakin Pitchie and enjoy the evening’s celebrations. LH PHOTOS

PYRAMID HILL’S MARKET Pyramid Hill’s annual Christmas market with more than 20 stallholders was held on Saturday and included entertainment from Jimmy Johnson and Marist Brass.

Among the many people who attended the evening Sarah and Zanda Gilvear and Sophie and Brady Gilmore (left), Cooper and Kelly Gould (right) and Yvonne Poole, Michelle Miller and Emma Moon (below). LH PHOTOS

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 19

WEDDERBURN’S CHRISTMAS ON HIGH

Melissa Turner was Santa’s official helper

Winnie and Jake Hayes

School children at the rotunda ready to sing Christmas carols. LH PHOTOS

Annalise Tate with Lucy and Alice Turnbull

Youngsters greet Santa after his arrival by fire truck on Thursday night.

Aliana Zeini and Nate Farnsworth

Belinda and Izabell Baker

20 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Fire caution plea from police

Amy Tomic third left with other finalists in East Loddon Lions’ Youth of the Year last week.

Amy named Lions’ Youth of the Year AMY Tomic has been selected as East Loddon Lions Club Youth of the Year.

The East Loddon P12 College student will represent the club at district finals next year.

Amy was also awarded the best public speaking prize in last week’s final for her address on mental health and suicide.

Other students in the club final were Mason Hocking, Ned

Cartwright, Isabelle Morrison, Brodie Wagner, Isaac JohnstoneMcCloud, Daisy Stringer and Jackson Luckman who gave presentations to judges Robert and Colleen Condliffe. Robert is a long-standing member of the Inglewood Lions Club.

Selection of Youth of the Year saw the students interviewed by the judges followed by presentation of prepared speeches and

answering two impromptu questions.

Impromptu questions this year were: “Volunteering, in general, is on the decline, how would you promote volunteering to your peers?” and “We have had two significant flood events in your lifetime. What do you think are contributing factors?”

Club member and an organiser of the final Dan Straub said: “All

the students did a fantastic job of answering the impromptu questions and their prepared speeches, in fact they did such a great job that the judges deliberated for over an hour, finally coming out with our winner and runner up.”

Runner-up in Youth of the Year was Jackson Luckman.

East Loddon P12 College was thanked for ongoing support of the youth initiative.

LODDON police want people to consider the consequences in a campaign to prevent potential bushfires over summer.

Police and Crimestoppers launched the campaign last week on the back of Operation Safeguard—the annual police operation to deter or reduce the impact of fires across Victoria.

Local sergeants Ben Huismann and Sean Dixon backed the message from Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith who said for Victorians “to stop and think before their actions cause a fire this summer.”

Detective Inspector, Chris Murray, of the arson and explosives squad, said: “Preventing bushfires is everyone’s responsibility.”

“Accidental and recklessly lit fires are just as devastating as those fires deliberately lit. The consequences and outcomes to the community are the same,” he said.

“If you’re responsible for a fire that gets out of control, you will be investigated, with penalties ranging up to 15 years jail. The maximum penalty for arson causing death in Victoria is 25 years imprisonment,” said Inspector Murray.

Update on works around the Shire Council has been undertaking a number of works around our Shire.

These included the completion of footpath construction and drainage works at Sloan Park in Inglewood, and footpath works on McMillan Road and Armstrong Street in Boort.

Upgrades on floodways at Brenanah Whela Road and Wedderburn Junction East are nearing completion, while the culvert replacement on Appin South Road at Sheepwash Creek is finished.

Construction works on Echuca Serpentine Road are underway, while from 1 July to 30 September this year, 98.9 per cent of all maintenance inspections were completed before their due date of the 1,410 defects raised.

In terms of maintenance defect rectifications during this same period – 97.2 per cent of the 1,646 defects were rectified before their due date.

Council’s maintenance grading program for 1 July to 30 September saw the completion of 247 grading work actions. This has resulted in 574km of grading and 1,012km of inspections.

Finally, the parks and townships crews completed 1,008 programmed maintenance and defects from the July to September period.

This included maintenance on footpaths, street and park trees, garden beds, grass mowing and playgrounds – with a little over 86 per cent of these completed before their due date (871 in total).

Office and service arrangements The Council office in Wedderburn will be closed from 12pm Friday 22 December 2023 and will reopen at 8.15am on Tuesday 2 January 2024.

The Loddon Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day, Monday 25 December 2023 but is otherwise open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and from 10am to 2pm on public holidays.

For enquiries phone (03) 5494 3489 or email loddonvisitorinformation@ loddon.vic.gov.au Kerbside collections scheduled for Christmas Day (Monday 25 December) will instead take place on Saturday 23 December.

Kerbside collections scheduled for New Year’s Day (Monday 1 January 2024) will instead take place on Saturday 30 December 2023.

All other collections will continue as normal. All waste facilities across the Shire will be closed on public holidays.

COUNCIL OFFICE T: 5494 1200 F: 5494 3003 Cr Gavan Holt Mayor Wedderburn Ward 0408 943 008

Cr Neil Beattie Boort Ward 0427 552 468

Cr Wendy Murphy Inglewood Ward 0436 457 170

Cr Linda Jungwirth Tarnagulla Ward 0428 259 082

Cr Dan Straub Terrick Ward 0429 236 399

E: loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au Monday to Friday 8.15am to 4.45pm

CONTACT COUNCIL

41 High Street Wedderburn 3518

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 21

Farmers circle cycle of crop harvest hope FARMERS are juggling their harvesting cycles as weather across the Loddon makes rapid contrasting temperature switches.

Boort Grain Co-op manager John Bucknall said many farmers had switched their harvest attention to wheat after rains in the past fortnight.

“They’ll then switch the circle back to barley and oats,” he said.

Mr Bucknall said the co-op was now averaging receivals of 12,000 tonnes a day.

“We’ve already taken in more than 135,000 tonnes and we’re now on standby to open up extra bunkers,” Mr Bucknall said.

The co-op had predicted matching its 200,000-tonne record this harvest but Mr Bucknall said that could be exceeded.

Meanwhile, Graincorp on Monday said its Victorian network last week recorded its biggest day of receivals for the season, with a record 230,000 tonnes of grain delivered in one day across the state.

“Southern New South Wales and Victoria experienced a re-

Jon Bucknall surgence of activity with clear and drier weather conditions across the state. Despite a slowdown in activity due to weekend rain, growers are hoping to build momentum back up in the coming days,” the grain company said in its weekly report.

Just under one million tonnes had been delivered to Graincorp’s Victorian silos, including Mitiamo, Dunolly and Tandarra, in the past week taking the state total to 2,862,800 tonnes. The company does not release individual silo receivals.

SHEEP AND LAMBS BENDIGO had a bigger yarding of 24,200 lambs on Monday although much of the increase was across light and store categories.

A property from near Yea sent in 4500 young composite style unshorn lambs.

It was a dearer lamb market, particularly across any heavy weights which gained $20 to $30 and bidding went above $200 for the first time in some months.

There was also some much dearer sales of heavy trade lambs.

The stronger results were achieved despite a lot of lambs being borderline for fat cover and carcass finish.

Some southern meatworks which had been quiet steppedup today for more numbers.

Store and light lambs were firm to a $8 dearer with processing orders for MK ‘bag lambs’ competing against restockers.

Despite the dearer rates on offer for heavy lambs there was only a few hundred lambs which weighed over 30kg cwt in this sale working out to less than 2pc of the yarding.

Heaviest shorn lambs $200 to a top of $220. Main run of heavy 26-30kg shorn lambs $167 to $207 to average $188.

The neat heavy trades, 2426kg cwt, $151 to $174 to average $165/head.

Heaviest woolly unshorn lambs $166 to $192, with the

lead trade run from $132 to $170/head.

The market did touch on 700c/kg cwt at times, but the average cost of a run of good slaughter lambs was between 620c to 670c/kg cwt.

There was plainer trade lambs under 620c at $115 to $137, and the category that struggled to build momentum was the inbetween 20-22kg lambs which lacked fat cover.

There was still strong support for MK processing lambs, and most light lambs sold between $60 and $100/head.

The main run of small store lambs to the paddock averaged $62 to be similar to a week ago.

Agents reported the 4500 composite lambs averaged $67 after selling to a mix of processing and restocking orders.

Few less sheep at 9150 head and export demand was flat for heavy sheep with one buyer dominating and not really pushed by other meatworks.

Heavy sheep were $4 to $8 cheaper. In contrast light and trade mutton was firm to $5 dearer.

Heavy sheep $50 to $65, light sheep mostly $37 to $60. The ballpark cost for mutton was 160c to 220c/kg cwt.

SUCKERS Monmore P/L Echuca (25) $220. JM & PJ Darker Boort (67) $211. DJ Fatt & JA Gallagher Raywood (48) $200. Ettrick Farms Serpentine (65) $194. T & M Kelly Kilmore (16) $192. Burnewang Nth Past Rochester

MM | LIVESTOCK

(160) $190. JA & KL Head Moama (47) $183.

D & C Gunther Pyramid Hill (56) $175. G & W Collins Fentons Creek (66) $174. DC & RW Poxon Echuca (16) $170. Woodthorpe Past Metcalfe (66) $170. J & B Wright Terrapee (48) $170. L Considine Berriwillock (26) $167. GH Cocking Donald (12) $166.

Davidsons Pompapiel (16) $162. Jen Wilson Tandarra (23) $161

WOOLLY SUCKERS J,S & W Brown Colbinabbin (54) $148.

CROSSBRED EWES Theaden Past Bayton (52) $65. T & M Roulston Yarrawalla (48) $64. Black on Green Maindample (96) $60. R Lockhart Speewa (45) $60. G & C Canfield Powlett Plains (41) $57. GE & LJ Broad Durham Ox (33) $57.

MERINO EWES M McKenzie Kilfera (116) $67. McKay Farms Drummartin (125) $65. M Warr Arnold (84) $65. Gosling Farms Yapeet (57) $65. A & J Lock Powlett Plains (37) $63. DJ Basset Glenhope (56) $60. Hacon Wanganella (259) $56. Sleigh Past Co Ruffy (37) $56.

Order of sales next Monday: Nutrien, Nevins, Elders, McKean McGregor, Nuttall.

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

grain BOORT Grain Co-op prizes on Monday.

Maximus malt1 $320. Planet malt1 $340. Spatacus malt1 $320. Bar1 $308.

Bar2 $290.

Wheat - H1 $405. H2 $380. APW $360. ASW $325. GP1 $320.

Faba1 $435. Faba2 $431. Nipper1 $855. Field pea $468. Oats1 $352. Oat2 $316.

ISCC non-GM canola $585. Non-GM canola $585. ISCC GM canola $577. GM canola $577.

EST. 1911

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report The market firmed another $8-10 on best presented shorn lambs with weight. Mutton was firm to slightly cheaper.

Monday, December 11th 2023 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 22,000 Sheep - 8,000 $ Per Head

$ Per Kg

Trend ($ Per Head)

Heavy Lambs

180-220

6.60-7.20

+ 8-10

Trade Lambs

150-175

6.40-6.80

+ 5-8

Heavy Suckers

160-190

6.50-7

+ 5-8

Trade Suckers

138-160

6.20-6.80

+ 5-8

Store Lambs

50-85

(liveweight)

+4

Heavy Sheep

50-70

1.80-2

Firm

Trade Sheep

40-60

1.80-2.20

-2

Light Sheep

20-35

1.60-1.80

-2

Sign up to receive weekly market reports

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

Alex Collins - 0408 314 768

Drew Stratton - 0414 576 371

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

Alex Pollock - 0409 145 832

Henry Bugge - 0403 671 917

MCKEANMCGREGOR.COM.AU |

Will Lowe - 0498 381 584

22 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

Rural home help need

MP Gaelle Broad (fourth left) hears concerns from real estate agents including Greg Fathers (right) during roundtable discussions on housing issues last week.

A LACK of State Government funding for new housing in rural communities was hampering access to affordable accommodation, according to real estate agent Greg Fathers.

Mr Fathers was among a of group of agents who met Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad last week discussing their concerns about the impact of government policy on rural and regional housing.

He said the budget for new housing was being directed to larger centres and changes to legislation had many landlords reassessing their future as property owners.

“The rural rental market is drying up because of the economic pressures being put on landlords,” Mr Fathers said.

“Small towns are getting a double whammy and a lot of owners are deciding they don’t want to be landlords.”

Ms Broad said a raft of new State Government taxes, red tape and regulations had sparked major problems in the housing market.

“This is an unfolding disaster.

Labor State Government policies are destroying Victoria’s housing market.” Ms Broad said.

“The conversation with local real estate agents revealed major problems in the housing market.

“Labor’s policies are driving up

fordability issues. Ms Broad also raised concerns about the State Government’s soaring state debt, and dependence on property taxes.

Around 60 per cent of the State Government’s revenue comes from property.

“The State debt is so enormous under Labor that we are paying $15 million a day in interest. ... stamp duty on property has been a huge revenue raiser for the Government, but what happens when they are driving the property market into the ground?

“Labor has introduced more than 50 new or increased taxes and charges,” Ms Broad said.

the social housing waiting list, as property owners are selling their properties in droves.

“The Labor State Government is pushing people out of rental properties onto the social housing waitlist. People who never sought social housing are now being forced into it.

“Agents told me that landlords felt they had been ‘bashed over the head’ with new State Government taxes and regulations, and rising interest rates are adding to the burden.”

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has found the total number of properties available for rent across Victoria in May 2023

was 21.8 per cent less than March 2020.

“A massive number of rental properties have disappeared from the market, which is reducing the number of houses available to rent, and driving up rents,” Ms Broad said.

“As landlords leave the industry, these homes are often sold to first home buyers who can no longer afford to build a new house.

“It’s a vicious cycle, and the agents reported that both landlords and tenants are suffering.

“They told me that this issue is often portrayed as landlord versus tenant, but in reality the vast

COUNTRY wool bedding

Love our

BUSINESS FOR SALE

majority of landlords and tenants look after each other,” Ms Broad said.

She said the Government’s new land taxes had also made it very hard for property developers who wished to subdivide and build new homes – further reducing the number of new houses available.

Increased Payroll Tax and WorkCover charges have also impacted the agents’ ability to run their own businesses.

Ms Broad said she was concerned that the Government was attacking the housing market at a time when the state was facing major housing supply and af-

GRAEME HAYES R E A L

E S T A T E

6 SAITS ROAD, CHARLTON

Country Wool Bedding products?

3 BED . 1 BATH . 6 CAR . 320 ACRES

Why not buy the business instead!

We are retiring and our Country Wool Bedding business is for sale.

Email contact@countrywoolbedding.com.au or phone Ian on 0428 554 237 countrywoolbedding.com.au

FOR SALE BY EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Property situated on the corner of Saits and Finlays Road – Fronts gravel road 320 Acres - 129.5 Hectares - Quality Cropping Country or Lifestyle • Sprayed fallow ready for sowing • 5th generation of farming since late 1800’s • Sound 3BR timber home including dining room • Majority good fencing • 2 Dams with character • 10 minutes’ drive to major grain handling • Underground power recently renewed facilities and 8 minutes to town • Connected Wimmera Mallee Pipe Line • Large lock up shed, cement floor, sliding doors • Scattered box and sugar gum trees • Smaller shed with concrete floor and barn • Quiet area - local traffic only • Drone shots to follow doors • Majority heavy self-mulching black country with some red loam Expression of Interest close with the Selling Agents on Thursday 18th January 2024 @ 4.00pm For Inspections and documentation contact the Selling Agents Kerang 69 Wellington Street, Kerang VIC 3579 (03) 5450 3792 admin@ghrealestate.com.au

Swan Hill 34 McCallum Street, Swan Hill VIC 3585 (03) 4016 2005 info@ghrealestate.com.au

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 23

For Sale by Tender Charlton-Borung Road, Charlton Off-Grid Rural Lifestyle with Income Potential

FOR LEASE BY TENDER YARRAWALLA – CENTRAL VICTORIA

STEPHENS

 Off-grid property, completely self sufficient and relies on solar power.

Sustainable and eco-friendly living.

332 YARRAWALLA SOUTH ROAD 117.35 Hectares or 290 Acres Approx.

Subdivided 7 Paddocks, 3 Dams, 6 Troughs

 5km from township of Charlton

Suitable for Cereal and Livestock Production

 Stunning historic 4BR 2 bathroom home with cellar and shedding on 316 acres

 Versatile pursuits with potential to lease land for income or develop business opportunities suitable to events, accommodation, vineyard/winery or olives.  316 acres farmland suitable for cropping &grazing.  Soil types grey loams, Wimmera Mallee pipeline connected.

This mud brick home on 316 acres of rural land is perfect for those seeking a peaceful, off-grid lifestyle with potential for income. Properties of this condition and character are a rare find.

No improvements or Water Included Terms: 3 Year plus 2-year option GST & Rates including Water rates and charges will be on top of Tender Tenders Close Thursday 11th January 2024 @ 3pm Lease commences 1st February 2024 HIGHEST OR ANY TENDER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED

Inspections and Further particulars Phone: 03 5438 3041 Luke Nevins: 0418 510 911 * FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE

Tenders close Wednesday 31st January at 11.00am, tender forms available from the selling agents.

Inspection by appointment only.

Lee-Anne White 0408 356 717 Noel Bennett 0417 562 691 Sam Crow 0455 506 622 Elders Wycheproof

FOR SALE BY TENDER Prime Loddon Mallee Farming Land 585.98 Ha / 1448 acres Charlton – Narrewillock district, A/c K J & D K Blair

Offered as a whole or in 4 separate lots: Lot 1: “House Block” 257 acres, improvements include 3BR weatherboard home, 2 x steel machinery sheds (60ft x 30ft & 40ft x 75ft), hay shed 75ft x 33ft, 5 x 50T Macey silos.

Lot 2: “Laffin’s” 713 acres.

Lot 3: “Jack’s” 320 acres.

Lot 4: “Dunne’s” 158 acres.

Situated 13km NE of Charlton township in prime Loddon Mallee cropping area featuring fertile soils of red and grey loams, predominantly arable. All lots have excellent fencing and Wimmera Mallee pipeline connected for reliable water supply.

Settlement 1 st March 2024.

Tenders close 12 noon Friday 9th February 2024.

Tender forms available from the selling agent.

Elders Wycheproof 03 5493 6400 Noel Bennett 0417 562 691 Sam Crow 0455 506 622f

24 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

The art of staying course with focus and determination

By CHRIS EARL VISION and determination have emerged as the genuine hallmarks of community advocacy that will bring an end to the Loddon Shire being lumped with the tag of Victoria’s only child care desert.

Last week’s announcement of a co-located early childhood centre to be built by the State Government in Wedderburn and open in 2026 is because a group of young mothers and school leaders saw a problem, identified a solution and remained resolute in pursuing the appropriate response.

Over three years they knocked on doors, picked up telephones and provided evidence to back up their belief, and knowledge, that the absence of child care in Loddon communities was detrimental to the social, educational and wellbeing of current and future families chosing to live in the shire.

The Loddon Herald put its full support behind the campaign and has charted progress, hurdles and opportunities since Keep Families Local was launched almost three years ago.

The model pursued by mothers in Wedderburn, young professional people who chose to live in the shire and hope that the future will give their children that same course, was for co-location of a centre at Wedderburn College. They demonstrated the art of staying a course with focus and determination.

Elsehwere in the shire over the past three years, other models have been on the table. In Boort, a private investor had plans to open a child care centre, took them to an advanced stage in being processed by government authorities, only to decide that the hurdles to deliver an economically viable enterprise were too much in a rural community. In 2021, there were attempts to form a working group in Inglewood that would have had one mother sitting around the table with other members selected for their skills and experience in a more bureaucratic style of planning and advocacy - one meeting was called, very poorly attended and the move faltered as quickly as the idea had popped out.

Access to child care and housing in Loddon communities are pivotal to growth in our towns without it not only planning and delivery headaches but migraines in coming years.

Our story last week called the Wedderburn child care announcement the “first child care centre”. Any crystal ball will show that population growth in the next five to 10 years all but locks in the need for another child care centre, probably in another Calder Highway corridor town and also in the north of the shire. Different demands in different areas may well create the opportunity for other models to have practical delivery.

Advocacy will be vital in expanding access to child care across the Loddon Shire. Just as advocacy was crucial in the announcement a week earlier that the Calder Highway through Inglewood and Wedderburn would have 40kmh speed limits following almost a year of campaigning in the community and, yes, knocking on doors and picking up telephones - another campaign strongly backed by the Loddon Herald.

The weird thing about the speed reduction is that the more dangerous section of the Calder Highway - Inglewood - waits until next year, Wedderburn was done within 48 hours of the announcement.

And then there’s a matter of consistency. Bridgewater remains with a higher speed limit through town, surely creating confusion for motorists travelling north. Is it 60, 50 or 40kmh - make all towns the same and drivers have mental clarity and therefore the capacity to comprehend the requirements when travelling through our towns along one of the state’s busiest highways.

Whether speed limits or child care, roads and transport, health or education or housing, our communities will have emerging growing pains over the next decade as the population projections continue to trend upwards.

Advocacy and campaigning now will make those pains a niggle. Sitting on hands and not acting with vision and focus - sprinkled, peppered and infused with volumes of hard work - will mean multiple and expensive trips to the operating table for major surgery. Government - local and state - now takes a greater regional approach to planning, development and service delivery, as former Loddon CEO Craig Niemann recalled last week. Every community, every resident and every local representative is charged with the task of making sure they campaign for our fair share over the next 10 years ... it will take hard work. The future will make everything worthwhile.

Our communities will have emerging growing pains over the next decade as the population projections continue to trend upwards

T

HE Christmas carols are being belted out across the Loddon as Christmas rapidly nears - just 11 days left to get the prezzies for those leaving it to the last minute - and Bradley of Boort is obviously in a joyous mood for the music of the season. We absolutely agree with his well-rehearsed and performed gem that life wouldn’t be the same ... without music.

C

HRISTMAS carols came about some time in the 14th century. According

to English Heritage, their evolution dates back even further and Even before Christianity, it is thought that midwinter songs existed to keep up people’s spirits, along with dances, plays and feasts.

T

HAT would have been in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter when snow flurries and rain come down between the grey clouds. As we know, these customs have permeated

20

QUESTION QUIZ

1. What island do lemurs come from?

2. Who conquered England in 1066?

3. Espresso coffee was invented in which country?

4. What is the heaviest internal human organ?

5. Name the term for the top floor of a tall building?

6. Which two animals feature on the Australian coat of arms?

7. What is Alcatraz most known for?

8. Before the Jurassic period what was the period?

9. The ‘fax’ in fax machine is short for what?

10. A marvel superhero whose name has a chemical element in it is ___ man?

11. What makes bread rise?

12. A bandolier is designed to hold what?

13. In which country would you find Mount Ararat?

14. What weapon does Thor carry?

15. What is the southernmost point of mainland Australia?

16. Which movie character says “no, I am your Father”?

17. On a boat, what is opposite the port?

18. A group of unicorns is called a what?

19. The phrase “Hakuna Matata” made famous by The Lion King movie is from what language?

20. And what does that phrase mean?

Clue Q2

ANSWERS 1. Madagascar 2. The Normans 3. Italy 4. Liver 5. Penthouse 6. Kangaroo and emu 7. Its prison 8. Triassic 9. Facsimile 10. Iron 11. Yeast 12. Ammunition 13. Turkey 14. Hammer 15. South Point 16. Darth Vader 17. Starboard 18. A blessing 19. Swahili 20. No worries/no trouble

FEATURES | OPINION AND QUIZ

YOUR ONLINE WORDS MONEY ON TABLE FOR INGLEWOOD STREETSCAPE

doesn’t take a long time like Pyramid Hill.

Anne Maree Fiscalini Hansen wrote: Is there any reason why Aboriginal heritage being made a priority in Inglewood and not Wedderburn or Boort?

Tania Quinn wrote: Hope it

WEDDERURN CHRISTMAS ON HIGH Diane Gordon-Cooke wrote: We had an absolutely fantastic turnout! So many were out enjoying themselves.

the world and carols are sung everywhere at Yuletide.

situated near that other bush outback building, the outhouse.

W

N

HILE we are talking about wet and dreary days, the picture of country cricket grounds, Kingower, resembled more of a football field at times on Saturday. On a surface that often in summer leads to a bad case of gravel rash for fielders diving for the catch, rain these past few weeks made the infield and outfield damp and spongey under foot. Prize for the best football imitation on the day clearly went to Buster who had more mud scrapes on his whites than a bush bash beat-up car. Reckon he would have gone through a few bars of Velvet soap getting them clean.

V

ELVET soap has been around since Velvet soap 1906, an Aussie cleaning invention that found favour in plenty of outback laundries, usually

OW back to those Christmas carols.

OTF did a bit of research and found the greatest is said to be O Come All Ye Faithful, the most popular Silent Night.

But what about While Shepherds Washed their Socks by Night? Bet they would have used Velvet soap!

O

UR research discovered that Yanks have a different take on the top carol. They go for the bright, boppy glitz of Jingle Bells.

N

EW Christmas songs pop up every year in the UK. The 2022 top of the charts was called Food Aid! Guess that means more ham, turkey and seafood while listening to music.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 25

FEATURES

Community values Craig Niemann’s journey from Yarrawalla dairy farm to Victoria’s biggest inland city

FAMILY life on a Yarrawalla dairy farm was all about community for a young Craig Niemann.

His parents were on local committees and he would pull on the boots with the Yarrawalla Football Club.

There was also the early ethic of doing well at school and on the football field. He would win a best and fairest and complete Year 12 at East Loddon P12 College after starting school 13 years earlier in Pyramid Hill.

But another six months in the classroom at Bendigo College of Advanced Education, now Bendigo TAFE, expanding his knowledge in an accounting course was too much.

“I wasn’t enjoying it all the theory and no practice,” Craig said last week on the eve of stepping down after 16 years as chief executive of the City of Greater Bendigo.

That decision back in the middle of 1983 saw him win the job as junior clerk with the Borough of Eaglehawk and the start of more than 40 years in local government.

“I found the right place for me ... there was an element of accounting, I wanted to learn on the job and there was also the element of community,” he said.

At the time there were 210 councils in Victoria - a decade before a local government restructure slashed the number to 79. He worked towards gaining the municipal clerk’s certificate, a prerequisite to become a shire secretary or town clerk along the way landing the job of assistant shire secretary with one of the councils that would be abolished, East Loddon.

“That would be a stepping stone to finding the way up the municipal ladder,” Craig said.

“Money was tight (in East Loddon), the population 1350 people, but I got to do everything in local government.”

He spent 14 years living in Serpentine where East Loddon was based, played with the local football club after earlier lining up with brother Scott who coached Mitiamo before the pair donned Serp’s jumpers.

When amalgamation came in 1994, Craig was appointed director of corporate services with the new Loddon Shire. By now a qualified municipal clerk, he was on the ground floor of a new era in local government, meeting the challenges and making the new shire structure work.

The community ethos was again in demand, as the new council’s executive and

By CHRIS EARL later councillors visited towns drawn from four former municipalities.

“We had people who wanted to have a go ... people (still) wanted their own identity,” he said.

“And there were challenges around making the administration base in Wedderburn work. Some people thought they had lost the local in local government.”

Craig said a key legacy from the early days of amalgamation had been the exercise of setting up community plans and council helping to deliver projects while still having ownership in local communities. “The plans helped communities understand and prioritise with limited resources.”

Within two years, Craig was CEO of Loddon Shire, continuing that work of strengthening communities.

It was only in 2005, with a young family now at school in Bendigo that he made the decision was made to make the move. He was recruited in a restructure of the city’s executive team.

“I needed to try a bigger municipality, to bring rural local thinking to an urban area and learn,” he said.

Again within two years, he was the CEO of Bendigo with the city on its way to becoming Victoria’s largest inland city.

“I still pinch myself and have pride in the role.”

Craig once more talks about community and making sure the staff he has had in the role “understand we are here for the community”.

“You can’t make everyone happy but you make decisions on what you think is right and for the greater good.”

He says the approach of local government to decisions has changed. There is a broader regional view of decisions. “Over time local government has changed a lot.

People move much more across municipal boundaries these days.”

Craig said the regional approach applied to projects, policies and resources.

“It’s a two-way street,” he says of movement between council areas and the links between city and rural communities where he grew up and later became the council CEO. He says there will be investment in the future of the region and that required proper planning. “Things change over time and for that you have to plan”.

Craig Niemann steps down from the top local government role His grounding across the Loddon Shire came from parents Bill and Evelyn who now live in Eaglehawk - Bill turned 87 a fortnight ago - and he recalls the words of astute farmers including Don Pickles and Jack Vinnicombe or councillors who served in the early days after amalgamation like Frank Maher and John Donaldson.

Craig says those early years at East Loddon and support from then shire secretary Mark Johnson helped nurture his local government career.

“I have seen a lot of great people come through executive teams in the councils. It is a team effort,” he said.

Craig said it was time for a break in a lo-

Craig (left) and brother Scott ... winner and runner-up in Yarrawalla Football Club’s 1981 junior best and fairest

cal government career where he has spent more than half the time as a CEO. He has no plans at the moment although a return to milking cows for pocket money is unlikely to tempt a return to dairying for the local government veteran.

And again, he takes the conversation back to community and family.

“Mum and dad worked hard to make sure we had a good start in life,” he said.

“And we were involved in everything in the community - the church, footy, tennis.”

Veteran Loddon Shire councillors have often remarked: “We helped train some very good CEOs.” Maybe said in jest, but spot on for the boy from Yarrawalla.

Soon after becoming Loddon Shire CEO.

26 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

death notice

public noticeS

GRAHAM (nee Davies) Elvie Jean In loving memory of Elvie Jean Graham.

Born: 20 June, 1933 Passed away peacefully: 11 December, 2023

Temporary Street Closure The following street in Boort will be closed to through traffic from 5pm to 9pm on Friday 15 December 2023 as part of the Boort Christmas Festival 2023:

Daughter of Fred and Ethel Davies Beloved Wife of Ken for 70 wonderful years.

Cherished Mother and Mother-in-law of Julie (dec.) and Bruce Perry, Leigh and Anthony (Tony) and Theresa.

Yung Balug Keeping Place

Adored Gran of Kaine and Roberta, Sarah, Emma, Adrian and Antonio, and Andrea and Allen

The Museum is situated on the property of Paul & Cathie Haw.

Treasured Gran to five great grandkids May her kindness, warmth and generosity live on in the hearts of those who loved and knew her.

Well worth a visit to see the amazing Artefacts collected from the Boort Region.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A recent addition is 34 photos taken by John Hunter Kerr in the 1850s. This was made possible by the State Library of Victoria.

Rest in peace.

funeral notice

Everyone is welcome. but please call or Email before visiting.

GRAHAM (nee Davies) Elvie Jean

Inglewood-Bridgewater Sub Branch

The Funeral Service to celebrate Elvie’s life will be held in the Napier Park Chapel, 420 Napier Street, Bendigo, on WEDNESDAY (December 20th) at 11:00am.

At the conclusion of the Service, refreshments will be held in the Napier Park Function Centre.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Phone - 0417 333 171 Email - paulcathiehaw@gmail.com

For your card to remain current can you please renew before 20th December 2023.

A day will be set for early February for grading of players. All new and previous players welcome.

WANTED The Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve Committee of Management is looking for the services of a BUILDER to fill a position to do ongoing maintenance on the Historic Pavilion located at the reserve.

This position requires you to have current $20,000,000.00 public liability insurance cover, and an ABN. For all enquires, please contact the secretary, Louise, on 0427202350

2019 Franklin Arrow 19’6” Caravan - $63,990

Private Burial.

BLSFNC are excited to invite all juniors interested in playing under 17, under 15, under 13 or Minis Netball to register their full name, date of birth and playing position to our Junior Development Co-ordinator Amber Gibson.

Message her on 0438947433 by Wednesday 13th December please.

Malone Street from Boort-Kerang Road to Boort-Wycheproof Road to Boort-Charlton Road will be used to detour vehicles and heavy/or oversize vehicles.

FOR SALE

Memberships for 2024 are now due.

Service Members $10.00 Affiliate Members $10.00 Social Members $10:00

To renew your membership please contact our Membership Officer Stephen Gartside at the Inglewood Emporium.

LODDON HERALD CLASSIFIEDS CONNECT WITH READERS ACROSS THE REGION

Godfrey Street (Boort Pyramid Rd) between Lake View Street and Railway Crescent.

#shoplocal #shoploddon THIS CHRISTMAS

As new condition. Includes café seating, full oven and cooktop, Dometic three-way fridge and filtered water tap. Full ensuite with large shower, toilet and top load washing machine. Queen bed with under bed storage, wardrobes with drawers, Ibis Mk3 reverse cycle air conditioner, two 12-volt fans, LED lighting throughout, Winegard TV antenna. Full battery management system with two 170w solar panels. Gas heating, full annex with extra-large windows, anti-flap kit, custom made privacy screens. Factory extended chassis with toolbox on front, gas bayonet, full front tunnel, rear generator hatch, reversing camera and wiring harness. Two 95lt water tanks, one 95lt grey water tank. Always shedded.

Available April 4th, 2024.

Location -Charlton Ph 0418 323 940

PICK UP YOUR FREE LODDON HERALD HERE BOORT NEWSAGENCY

INGLEWOOD IGA

NEWBRIDGE HOTEL

WEDDERBURN COMMUNITY

BRIDGEWATER BAKEHOUSE

INGLEWOOD MOTEL

PYRAMID HILL POST OFFICE

CENTRE

BRIDGEWATER CARAVAN PARK CAFE

INGLEWOOD POST OFFICE

PYRAMID HILL BAKERY

STEVE’S EMPIRE HOTEL

COFFEE BANK PYRAMID HILL

COUSIN JACK’S CAFE

VICTORIA HOTEL PYRAMID HILL

CAFE 3517

TARNAGULLA POST OFFICE

BRIDGEWATER POST OFFICE

KANGAROO FLAT POST OFFICE

TARNAGULLA SUPPLY STORE

BRIDGEWATER SERVICE STATION

KORONG VALE HOTEL

SERPENTINE POST OFFICE

CHARLTON NEWSAGENCY

MARONG GENERAL STORE

SERPENTINE SERVICE STATION

DINGEE STORE

MITIAMO STORE

RAYWOOD MOTORS

FOUR POSTS JARKLIN

NEWBRIDGE STORE

WEDDERBURN NEWSAGENCY

BRIDGEWATER HOTEL BRIDGEWATER NURSERY

wanted to buy

WEDDERBURN FISH AND CHIPS

WANTED TO BUY

24 KARAT CAFE WEDDERBURN

Old bottles with town or company names.

BENDIGO CENTRE NEWSAGENCY DUNOLLY FRIENDLY GROCER GOLDEN SQUARE NEWSAGENCY EAGLEHAWK NEWSAGENCY

Marble bottles, Ginger Beer, Milk Bottles, Soda Syphons Any old bottles - single items or box lots CASH PAID ON DAY Phone 0452 264 661

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 27

SPORT

League adds ‘reconciliation round’ Wool buyer Cash payments On-farm appraisals 92 Rowena Street, East Bendigo Ph 5406 0629

LODDON Valley Football League has formally included a reconciliation round in its2024 season draw released this week.

The May 25 clashes will be a month after the league’s only other designated round of the season, the traditional Anzac weekend clashes on April 27 when last

year’s grand finalists Marong and Pyramid Hill will clash at Malone Park.

Inglewood will have a bye in the opening round on April 13 while Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the week off in the final home and away round. No matches will be played on the King’s Birthday weekend.

APRIL 13 Calivil v Maiden Gully (Raywood) Bridgewater v Newbridge Marong v Mitiamo Bears Lagoon Seprentine v Pyramid Hill BYE Inglewood

JUNE 22 Maiden Gully v Calivil Newbridge v Bridgewater Mitiamo v Marong Pyramid Hill v Bears Lagoon Serpentine BYE Inglewood

APRIL 20 Newbridge v Marong Pyramid Hill v Calivil Inglewood v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Maiden Gully v Bridgewater (Night) BYE Mitiamo

JUNE 29 Bridgewater v Maiden Gully Marong v Newbridge Calivil v Pyramid Hill Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Inglewood BYE Mitiamo

APRIL 27 Bridgewater v Inglewood Marong v Pyramid Hill Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Newbridge Mitiamo v Maiden Gully BYE Calivil

JULY 6 Inglewood v Bridgewater Pyramid Hill v Marong Newbridge v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Maiden Gully v Mitiamo BYE Calivil

MAY 4 Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater Marong v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Inglewood v Newbridge Calivil v Mitiamo BYE Maiden Gully

JULY 13 Bridgewater v Pyramid Hill Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Marong Newbridge v Inglewood Mitiamo v Calivil BYE Maiden Gully

MAY 11 Maiden Gully v Inglewood Mitiamo v Pyramid Hill Calivil v Marong Bridgewater v Bears Lagoon Serpentine BYE Newbridge

JULY 20 Inglewood v Maiden Gully Pyramid Hill v Mitiamo Marong v Calivil Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Bridgewater BYE Newbridge

MAY 18 Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Calivil Newbridge v Maiden Gully Marong v Bridgewater Inglewood v Mitiamo BYE Pyramid Hill

JULY 27 Calivil v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Maiden Gully v Newbridge Bridgewater v Marong Mitiamo v Inglewood BYE Pyramid Hill

MAY 25 Maiden Gully v Marong Mitiamo v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Calivil v Inglewood Pyramid Hill v Newbridge BYE Bridgewater

AUGUST 3 Marong v Maiden Gully Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Mitiamo Inglewood v Calivil Newbridge v Pyramid Hill BYE Bridgewater

JUNE 1 Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Maiden Gully Bridgewater v Mitiamo Newbridge v Calivil Inglewood v Pyramid Hill BYE Marong

AUGUST 10 Maiden Gully v Bears Lagoon Serpentine Mitiamo v Bridgewater Calivil v Newbridge Pyramid Hill v Inglewood BYE Marong

JUNE 8 KING’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND BYE

AUGUST 17 Inglewood v Marong Newbridge v Mitiamo Pyramid Hill v Maiden Gully Bridgewater v Calivil BYE Bears Lagoon Serpentine

JUNE 15 Marong v Inglewood Mitiamo v Newbridge Maiden Gully v Pyramid Hill Calivil v Bridgewater BYE Bears Lagoon Serpentine

ADVERTISER HERE - $66 A MONTH

FINALS August 24-25, August 31-September 1, September 7, September 14

28 | Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023

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

Make sure you pop your entry in to us by January 11 for the chance to win great prizes from Bluey and add to the holiday enjoyment.

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

Kangaroo Flat 3555 or email loddonherald@gmail.com And remember to include your name, age and address so Bluey can pick the right prizes for our lucky winners of the colouring competition.

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 29

SPORT

Smyth makes premier debut TEENAGER Blake Smyth made his Bendigo bowls playing area premier league debut on Saturday.

Smyth, who took up the sport last season and continues to play junior cricket with Bridgewater, was selected in Inglewood’s team for the clash at home against Eaglehawk.

The Woodies put in a reasonable performance to lose by 21 shots.

The good news for Inglewood was that changes were made with Craig Kelly putting in his second encouraging performance as a skipper.

And Smyth’s rink went down by just two shots.

Best performed rink was Daniel Garrett, David Whitehead, John Jackman and Rob Day with an 11 shot win.

The Division 6 team had quite a few players unavailable this week as they made the long trip to Heathcote.

They are all to be congratulated for what they do to keep this team going and making the club proud every week.

A big welcome to Jack Palfreyman who played his first game for the club.

This team is at home on Saturday against Kangaroo Flat in a crucial game as there are only 10 points, half a game, separating the top six teams.

Best rink was Simon Laird, Jack Palfreyman, Bev Taig and Helen Leach with a one-shot loss.

In Monday pennant last week, the Division 5 team bounced back with a wonderful 33-shot win over Golden Square at home.

Another good performance this week, against Campbells Creek who are always difficult at home, will put them in a great position going into the Christmas break by having a firm hold on third spot.

Best preformed rink last week were Daniel Garrett, Coral Leach, Patsy Lyndon and David Whitehead with a 17-shot win.

Just when the Division 1 team needed a good result, they turned it on against Woodbury to gain revenge for a loss to the them in the opening round of the season.

Another good result is required this week, against the bottom side Bendigo East who are a better team than their position suggests.

Best performed rink was John Jackman, Chris McEwan, Lindsay Kelly and Rob Day with a 15 shot win.

BRIDGEWATER

Lindsay Kelly and Inglewood’s premier league debutante Blake Smyth. LH PHOTO

The Division 5 side played North Bendigo away once again in overcast conditions and heavy greens from overnight rain.

All rinks took time to adjust to the greens and by the end of the day fell short by 12 shots overall.

Bob Smith’s rink was our leading rink of the day with John Fagan’s rink sneaking home by two shots in a very close game.

Division 7 played at home against South Bendigo in a very even game and at the end of the day came away with a draw. Ian Clutton’s rink was the leading rink on the day

CHARITY ROUND A regional charity round raising funds for cancer research will be played across all competitions in the Bendigo, Campaspe,

Goldfields playing area when play resumes after the Christmas break, said regional president Vicki Tierney.

She said all premier league matches for the resumption round would be played at South Bendigo on January 22 with other divisions playing their pennant encounters the previous day.

She said special awards would

be given to the best performing rinks across competitions in each of the three playing areas.

And the regional president said players would be encouraged to wear cancer-awareness colours for their matches, “It’s a new initiative, an important one, that brings all playing areas in the region to the rinks for a common fundraising cause,” Tierney said.

PENNANT BOWLS RESULTS BENDIGO Premier – Inglewood 67-2 lost to Eaglehawk 88-16. V Tierney, B Smyth, L Kelly, C Kelly (s) lost to W Wilkins, M Ellis, K Rusbridge, A Ellis (s) 17-19. D Garrett, D Whitehead, J Jackman, R Dasy (s) d L Thurwood, J Carter, W Roberts, L Bowland (s) 27-16. R Stranger, D Vanston, B McClymont, G Wilson (s) lost to P Harrison, F Byrne, K Schumacher (s) 13-29. M Chamberlain, T Birthisel, D Wilson, I Chamberlain (s) lost to C O’Shea, R Rowe, R Evans, S Carter (s) 10-24.

Division 3 – Golden Square 102-16 d Serpentine 68-2.

S Benney, E Hocking, D Bird, W Stammers (s) d F Maher, J Collinson, R Gladman, B Long (s) 33-9. G Fry, J Brown, C Bird, D Kent (s) d W Gladman, L Baber, R Hasty, A Bish (s) 22-17. J Holborn, B Marshall, J Chapman, W Banyard (s) d J Addlem, B Tuohey, D Walker, D Anset (s) 26-18. R Fyffe, G Cronk, L Power, C Murphy (s) lost to K Canfield, G Addlem, J Stuart, B Gladman (s) 21-24.

Ladder: Kangaroo Flat 86, Heathcote 83, Serpentine 78, Castlemaine 76, South Bendigo 73, Bendigo 72, Golden Square 58, Eaglehawk 50.

Division 4 – Calivil 93-17 d Marong 50-1. A Dennis, B Meighan, W Miles, A Leech (s) d A Puyo, A Gordon, M Muir, R Wearne (s) 29-13. R Boyd, R Lourie, M Collett, G Maxted (s) d L Williams, M McCaig, L Williams, B Barnett (s) 17-23. I Mansbridge, G Lourie, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) drew G Gretgrix, E Gretgrix, P Williams, W Bramley (s) 16-16. M Dennis, W Lourie, G Ray, N Dennis (s) d J Adams, H Adams, R Dangerfield, R Williams (s) 31-9.

Bendigo 58-0 lost to Dingee 92-18. B Murray, M Murray, P Keil, J Wells (s) lost to K Pollock, S Cail, R Robertson, F Grieves (s) 16-25. R Capener, K Obudzinski, D Penfold, A Champion (s) lost to G Clarke, G Devanny, B Lawry, Leo Demeo (s) 15-20. M Kelly, J Penfold, J Lydiate, P McMaster-Smith lost to A Hay, Lyn Demeo, R Thompson, K Murphy (s) 12-25. L Thiele, M Mitchell, T White, H Champion (s) lost to T Kavanagh, L Hocking, B West, N Lister (s) 15-22.

Ladder: Dingee 102, Calivil 99, White Hills 92, Woodbury 88, Marong 51, Bendigo East 51, Harcourt 48, Bendigo 45.

Division 5 – North Bendigo 84-14 d Bridgewater 724. R Pettit, V Lisle, J Cashen, S Bryan (s) lost to B Catto, G Catto, A Harrison, R Smith (s) 13-25. B Power, A Franklin, J Warde, P Simmons (s) d B McNaught, T Bryer, B Oughtred, C Mangan (s) 19-17. C Geary, T Cogan, W Pell, D Henson (s) d L Catto, C Payne, R Broadbent, G Mangan (s) 33-9. W Ferguson, J Smith, K Shields, D Murphy (s) lost to V Wilson, P Short, N Saunders, J Fagan (s) 19-21.

Division 6 – Heathcote d Inglewood 78-55. D Dedman, G McDowell, A Leahy, G Baker (s) d C Leach, W Wilson, P Kelly, C McEwan (s) 27-17. J Hutson, D Mc-

Division 4 – Calivil-Serpentine 36-0 lost to South Bendigo 81-16. L Lister, J Wiltshire, H Gronow, D Walker (s) lost to R McCumber, I Murrell, M Kirkpatrick, J Hayes (s) 12-25. R Boyd, J Clymo, C Maxted, S Hope (s) lost to S Driesen, M Rowley, T Gretgrix (s) 13-21. L Dennis, L Gronow, N Ralphs, C Mitchell (s) lost to J Ryan, S Howe, E Bowland, L Doolan (s) 11-35.

Dingee 71-16 d Golden Square 45-0. K Pollock, V Sproull, F Grieves, M Grieves (s) d J Rogers, J Brennan, B Banyard, L Eeles (s) 28-11. K Murphy, P Plant, B West, S Cail (s) d J Watson, L Bell, J Holcombe, M Bayliss (s) 19-15. T Kavanagh, S Lawry, Leo Demeo, Lyn Demeo (s) d S Grant, C Hutchinson, K Dullard, K Watson (s) 24-19.

Ladder: South Bendigo 126, North Bendigo 109, Kangaroo Flat 94, Dingee 80, Harcourt 61, Strathfieldsaye 39, Calivil-Serpentine 34, Golden Square 33.

Division 5 – Campbells Creek 40-12 d Inglewood 332. M Matheson, J Hall, M Holland, T Woodman (s) lost to E Patterson, P McEwan, P Lyndon, D Whitehead (s) 13-20. D Stevens, H Wilson, V Ellis, J Harding (s) d J Roberts, D Roberts, A Harrison, P Kelly (s) 27-13.

Ladder: South Bendigo 102, Bendigo 101, Inglewood 71, Bendigo East 53, White Hills 50, Campbells Creek 46, Golden Square 42, Harcourt 39.

Inglewood’s David Vanston. LH PHOTO Gann, M Alpert, B Taylor (s) d K Stewart, W Concol, P Lyndon, J McClymont (s) 26-14. L Morante, D Fitton, L Speirs, B Berger (s) d S Laird, J Palfreyman, B Taig, H Leech (s) 25-24.

Ladder: Castlemaine 79, Inglewood 78, Golden Square 78, Heathcote 76, Eaglehawk 74, Kangaroo Flat 69, Marong 36.

Division 7 – Bridgewater 36-7 drew South Bendigo 36-7. J Hosking, D Payne, G Papworth, D Wilson (s) lost to P Griffin, M Burgess, L Fraser, D Campbell (s) 10-20.

P Gath, G Mabon, R Brown, I Clutton (s) d W Grogan, K Doolan, J Freeman, R Poulter (s) 26-16.

Monday pennant - Division 1: Bendigo East 61-14 d Inglewood 56-2. F Pekjarsky, R Pearce, P Huggard, M Smith (s) d L Kelly, C McEwan, P Schram, R Day (s) 2216. S Fuller, J Clough, H Clough, S O’Bree (s) d B McClymont, H Leech, G Wilson, L Witham (s) 23-20. J Davey, J O’Bree, B Perryman, R Clough (s) lost to M Chamberlain, B Taig, A Caserta, I Chamberlain (s) 16-20.

Ladder: South Bendigo 106, Kangaroo Flat 102, Inglewood 88, Eaglehawk 72, Golden Square 61, Bendigo East 45, Woodbury 38.

Smith, P Duncan, G Shinners (s) 29-11. R Hall, A Benaim, G Burnside, L Holt (s) d J Barron, M McRae, T Robertson, B Eccles (s) 28-18. N white, M Guelfo, L Standfield, B Hargreaves (s) d F James, A McNally, K Dyke, L Goddard (s) 26-15.

Ladder: Wycheproof 86, Charlton 75, Donald Golf 72, Wedderburn 70, St Arnaud Country 46, St Arnaud 42, Boort 30, Donald 11.

Midweek – Boort 73-10 d Donald 56-2. P Baker, T Noles, J Maxted, K Depiazza (s) d A McEwen, J Wood, E Adams, L Kelly (s) 33-17. Y Cashen, K Walton, K Birt, D Gibson (s) d M Quick, I McEwen, B Brennan, B Milne (s) 26-19. J Earl, A Matley, G Tweddle, T Moresi (s) lost to L Morgan, M Hollis, R Collins, D Knight (s) 14-20.

Wedderburn 69-10 d St Arnaud 59-2. R Little, J Matthews, A Roberts, L Witham (s) d A Tyler, M McRae, S McIntyre, T Amos (s) 20-19. J Murnane, S Standfield, R Hall, A Caserta (s) lost to H Stevenson, M Hufer, D Goddard, P McRae (s) 17-32. H Stephenson, S Steel, N Holt, A Jackson (s) d A McNally, M McIntyre, G Shinners, C Marchment (s) 32-8.

Ladder: Wedderburn 70, Donald Golf 67, Charlton 60, Wycheproof 57, Boort 50, St Arnaud 48, Donald 28, St Arnaud Country 4..

. NORTH CENTRAL

NORTHERN

Division 1 – Donald Golf 58-8 d Boort 56-4. D Peake, G Bowles, D Pettifer, R Reseigh (s) d J Gibson, J Maxted, P Waters, L Maxted (s) 25-15. R Adams, A Bayles, S Hollis, P Hibberd (s) lost to K Walton, D Gibson, K Ritchie, K Depiazza (s) 16-22. W Livingston, A Humphrey, G Geddes, G Rigby (s) lost to S Roberts, G Gardner, K Birt, S Morris (s) 17-19.

Wedderburn 71-10 d St Arnaud 63-2. C Mills, A Holt, A Caserta, A Jackson (s) d T Amos, G McNally, G Hancock, S Zsigmond (s) 21-20. A Roberts, D Stephenson, R Montebello, L Witham (s) d D Shepherd, G Simpson, C Marchment, P McRae (s) 32-18. R Guelfo, W Roberts, N Holt, D Mason (s) lost to A Marland, M Wood, A Dyke, T McSwain (s) 18-25.

Ladder: St Arnaud 76, Wycheproof 67, Wedderburn 66, Donald Golf 61, St Arnaud Country 52, Boort 49, Charlton 36, Donald 25.

Division 2 – Donald Golf 61-23 d Boort 29-0. A Dionisopoulos, M Frank, S O’Shea, G Wood (s) d I Allison, G Charles, C Newsome, G Smith (s) 22-7. B Bayles, M Raynes, B Dixon, L Borden (s) d C Wood, D Brunt, A Gould, G Hudson (s) 20-9. S Evans, B Brasier, J Slater, P Raynes (s) d J Nelson, C Roberts, J Earl, A Matley (s) 19-13.

Wedderburn 83-12 d St Arnaud 44-0. S Lear, A Noordennen, J Matthews, I Hall (s) d C Cheesman, G

Division 2 – Pyramid Hill 80-12 d Cohuna 2 43-0. R Harris, I Bartels, M Noelker, J Leed (s) d R Bannister, B Keely, J Hipwell, K Peace (s) 31-11. C Cauchi, R Price, J Mann, L Mann (s) d L Kerr, K Hocking, B Main, V Meredith (s) 23-15. W Boyd, C Cauchi, E Carmody, M Scott (s) d K Foreman, G Hird, M Southern, N McGann (s) 27-17.

Ladder: Barham 100, Cohuna Golf 75, Kerang 73, Barham 55, Kerang Golf 53, Pyramid Hill 43, Cohuna Golf 3 41, Cohuna 2 40.

Division 3 – Leitchville 65-2 lost to Pyramid Hill 7110. B Fehring, L Verhey, K Degne (s) lost to D Kaye, R Boyd, A Fidler (s) 21-27. D O’Mahony, G Brown, J Walters (s) d R Fidler, T Dzufer (s) 22-15. T O’Mahony, H Crichton, G Wilson (s) lost to M Mahoney, A Roberts (s) 22-29.

Midweek - Division 1: Pyramid Hill 54-0 lost to Barham 99-12. C Cauchi, J Cauchi, M L’Hullier, A Cantwell (s) lost to J Orr, W Bourke, M Laursen, N Jarman (s) 22-29. T Stobaus, J Leed, P Coates, R Opie (s) lost to E Fasham, V Kendall, I Fasham, J Fairchild (s) 13-42. W Boyd, M Noelker, E Carmody, M Scott (s) lost to J Laursen, L McNaul, L Ashton, P Clear (s) 19-28. Division 2 – Barham 40-2 lost to Pyramid Hill 44-6. E Schelbert, F Graco, L Mures, C Gent (s) d A Fidlers, D Kaye, I Bartels, D Miller (s) 20-18.

S Slingo, H Bray, A Larpent, L Durbridge (s) lost to R Harris, R Fidler, G Miller, L Dingwall (s) 20-26.

30 | Loddon HERALD December 14, 2023

SPORT

Shuffle at top of ladder RAIN has played havoc with Loddon tennis for a second week sending sides up and down on association ladders.

Newbridge’s brief early season reign ended when its match Marong association against Lockwood was abandoned while Derby won nine of the 12 sets played at Woodstock after opening men’s and women’s sets were both decided by tiebreakers.

Marong and Harcourt played the only completed full match with Marong now back on top.

In Loddon Valley association, just one match was played for the round with Calivil North convincing victors over Yarrawalla.

Powlett’s Jessie Martin. LH PHOTO

INGLEWOOD

MARONG

Wedderburn Junction d Korong Vale 22–2

Woodstock 3-38 lost Derby 9-63

MEN: P. Turnbull P. McHugh lost to J. Turnbull B. Keller 6-8. P. McHugh C. Holt d B. Keller J. Keller 8-2. P. Turnbull C. Holt d J. Turnbull J. Keller 8-4. J. Hayes R. Carroll d K. Walton B. McDonald 8-7. R. Carroll L. Monaco d B. McDonald C. Weston 8-5. J. Hayes L. Monaco d K. Walton C. Weston 9-6.

LADIES: S. Lockhart M. Postle d S. Keller B. Turnbull 8-1. M. Postle S. Turnbull d B. Turnbull E. Turnbull 8-1. S. Lockhart S. Turnbull d S. Keller E. Turnbull 8-2. G. Bird R. Ellsmore d T. Gibson A. Hartnell 8-0. R. Ellsmore K. Weston d A. Hartnell T. Gibson 8-1. G. Bird K. Weston d T. Gibson E. Turnbull 8-1.

MIXED: P. Turnbull S. Turnbull d J. Turnbull E. Turnbull 8-0. C. Holt S. Lockhart d B. Keller S. Keller 8-2. P. McHugh M. Postle d J. Keller B. Turnbull 8-2. L. Monaco K. Weston lost to T. Gibson C. Weston 1-8. G. Bird R. Carroll d K. Walton A. Hartnell 8-1. J. Hayes R. Ellsmore d B. McDonald A. Hartnell 8-6.

A LADIES: H. Robbins N. Earl lost to L. Naughton P. Normoyle 5-6. N. Earl F. Curnow lost to L. Naughton F. Dangerfield 2-6. H. Robbins J. Leversha d P. Normoyle F. Dangerfield 6-0.

B LADIES: H. Stone K. Punton lost to D. Normoyle K. Galea 1-6. H. Stone P. Morris lost to D. Normoyle T. Hayes 0-6. P. Morris A. Andrews-Stone lost to K. Galea T. Hayes 2-6.

A MEN: M. Mulgrew G. Leach d L. McCullagh S. Bruce 6-5. M. Mulgrew N. Punton d L. McCullagh N. Pollock 6-4. G. Leach N. Punton lost to S. Bruce N. Pollock 3-6.

B MEN: D. Heather D. Tolly lost to S. Crane B. Galea 2-6. D. Tolly A. Curnow lost to S. Crane D. Daldy 1-6. D. Heather A. Curnow lost to B. Galea D. Daldy 4-6.

Mixed - Washed out.

Marong 12-81 d Harcourt 6-67 A LADIES: R. McCaig partner d E. Landy J. Teague 6-4. J. Cornish partner lost to E. Landy S. Blake 2-6. R. McCaig J. Cornish lost to J. Teague S. Blake 1-6.

B LADIES: G. Turnball S. Thompson d H. Brane partner 6-2. G. Turnball H. Turnball d Harcourt 6-0. S. Thompson H. Turnball d H. Brane partner 6-0.

A MEN: L. Frankel Z. Turnball d S. Gearing C. Green 6-5. L. Frankel J. McCraig lost to S. Gearing L. Tunn 1-6.

Z. Turnball J. McCraig d C. GREEN L. Tunn 6-5.

B MEN: Marong d B. Bickford partner 6-5. Marong lost to B. Bickford D. Gearing 2-6. Marong d D. Gearing partner 6-4.

MIXED: L. Frankel partner lost to E. Landy S. Gearing 1-6. R. McCaig Z. Turnball d J. Teague C. Green 6-1.

J. Cornish J. McCraig lost to S. Blake L. Tunn 2-6. G. Turnball partner d B. Bickford partner 6-1. H. Turnball partner d H. Brane partner 6-4. S. Thompson partner d S. Bickford D. Gearing 6-0.

Lockwood v Newbridge - match abandonded

LADDER Marong 93 Derby 85 Newbridge 82 Harcourt 79

Powlett d Loddon Eagles 19.5-4.5

Joe Lockhart on the court recently in the Inglewood association. LH PHOTO Lockwood Wilsons Reef Woodstock

70 60 51

LODDON VALLEY Yarrawalla lost to Calivil North 64-121 MEN: L. Forster L. Roberts lost to C. Smith J. Smith 6-7.

L. Forster H. Emmerson lost to C. Smith L. Strachan 5-7.

L. Roberts H. Emmerson lost to J. Smith L. Strachan 4-7.

R. Forster X. Emmerson lost to O. Balic K. Maxted 5-7. R. Forster T. Stevens d O. Balic J. Smith 7-5. X. Emmerson T. Stevens lost to K. Maxted J. Smith 3-7.

LADIES: C. Emmerson C. Challis Broad 1-7. C. Emmerson K. Broad lost to M. Balic G. Maxted 1-7. C. Challis Broad K. Broad lost to C. Rogers G. Maxted 0-7. M. Schmidt E. Scott d L. Strachan H. Vinnicombe 7-6. M. Schmidt T. Broad lost to L. Strachan A. Lister 4-7. G. Scott T. Broad lost to H. Vinnicombe A. Lister 5-7.

MIXED: L. Forster C. Challis Broad lost to C. Smith M. Balic 0-7. L. Roberts C. Emmerson lost to L. Strachan C. Rogers 6-7. H. Emmerson K. Broad lost to J. Smith E. Maxted 0-7.

R. Forster M. Schmidt lost to O. Balic L. Strachan 0-7. T. Stevens G. Scott d K. Maxted H. Vinnicombe 7-5. X. Emmerson T. Broad lost to J. Smith A. Lister 3-7.

Dingee forfeit to Mincha West Lake Meran forfeit to Serpentine

Mincha West Calivil North Raywood Dingee Serpentine Yarrawalla Lake Meran

LADDER 4.38 3.69 2.71 2.56 2.25 1.38 0.29

167.2 113.29 96.00 112.84 88.73 8.96 62.98

MEN: B. Isaac L. Last d S. Smith R. Senior 8-5. L. Last B. Leech d R. Senior M. Senior 8-2. B. Isaac B. Leech d S. Smith M. Senior 8-2. L. Lamprell M. Livingstone d R. Senior M. Higgs 8-6. M. Livingstone B. Lock d M. Higgs G. Maddeen 8-6. L. Lamprell B. Lock lost to R. Senior G. Madden 7-8.

LADIES: A. Leech I. Smith d C. Smith D. Collins 8-5. I. Smith J. Mathews d D. Collins A. Higgs 8-4. A. Leech J. Mathews d C. Smith A. Higgs 8-2. H. Martin C. Gilmore d T. Alexander D. Bouwmester 8-3. C. Gilmore C. Ugle lost to D. Bouwmester R. Madden 4-8. H. Martin C. Ugle d T. Alexander R. Madden 8-5.

MIXED: L. Last I. Smith d S. Smith C. Smith 8-4. B. Isaac J. Mathews d R. Senior A. Higgs 8-3. B. Leech A. Leech lost to M.Senior D. Collins 6-8.

LADDER Fentons Creek 180.0 Powlett 168.5 141.7 Loddon Eagles Wedderburn Junction 100.0 Korong Vale 14.9

Trio named in first Strikers’ youth squad THREE Loddon netballers have been selected in the inaugural Bendigo Strikers development squad.

Isabel Coutts (Boort), Keira Lawry (Calivil) and former Bridgewater player Daisy Stringer, now with Golden Square, had their first training run on Saturday.

Bendigo Strikers will make its debut in the Victorian Netball League next season.

The 19-member development squad is being coached by Jody Richards.

The new club has also named an under 23 squad.

Trials were held in October ahead of selection of the squads.

Strikers is regional Victoria’s representative team in the state netball competition

WATER ski action has returned to the Loddon River at Bridgewater with the first club event of the season. The town will host the Australian Masters tournamement next month. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD Thursday December 14, 2023 | 31

Skipper Smith steers a breakthrough win SKIPPER Joshua Smith and Alex Cockerell have guided Boort Yando to its first win of the season.

The opening pair gave their side a fighting chance in the run chase against Arnold.

Smith knocked out just four boundaries in his 35 runs, including two hard-run threes.

But that final boundary in Flynn Lock’s first over was to prove his undoing. Lock came back for his second over that saw the ball hit into the hands of Harry McCullough.

Lock struck again next ball with the dismissal for Cockerell for 40 when caught by Cam Dale.

A dot ball was followed by Lock and Dale combining again to dismiss Fergus Bear for a golden duck and the home team was sitting on 3/79.

Lock’s maiden over and three wickets was the start of an unsettling time at the crease for Boort Yando.

He was soon after to dismiss Minogue.

However, Jarod Hodoras and Will Gould steadied the Boort Yando ship - Gould striking a super six - in a partnership that took the home side to within five runs of the Arnold target of 129.

The loss of Gould, again thanks to Lock, was a temporary setback as Hodoras and Harry Malone knocked up the needed runs.

Malone scored a boundary before he was dismissed - this time caught by Lock off the bowling of Ryan Metalmann.

It was the second week that one of Arnold’s young guns had taken five wickets. The previous round saw Cam Hancock with the same feat. Hancock did not

play against Boort Yando. Earlier, Phil Scholes gave Arnold a good start with his knock of 38 that included three fours and a six.

He was eventually out off the bowling of Minogue with the score 4/90.

Cam Dale and Metelmann also had handy a innings with more than their share of boundaries.

Bear was the best of Boort’s bowlers with two wickets.

Kingower v Wedderburn Kingower M. Rowe c B. Holt b W. Holt ..................... 6 W. Deason c S. Giorlando b O. Lockhart ....51 K. Simpson c S. Lockhart b Van de Wettering .. 9 B. Pickles c W. Holt b S. Giorlando . ....... 15 L. DeJong lbw b S. Giorlando .................. 1 D. Rose c H. Woods b F. Turnbull . .......... 23 I. Johnson-McCloud run out ( F. Turnbull ) ....2 N. Leach b F. Turnbull . ............................. 3 B. Rose c O. Holt b F. Turnbull ................. 2 R. Murphy not out .................................... 8 R. Smith not out ....................................... 1 Extras ....................................................... 9 Total ........................................... 9/130 Bowling A. Postle 7-4-0-12, W. Holt 7-1-124, F. Turnbull 4-1-3-24, J. Van de Wettering 3-0-1-12, S. Giorlando 7-0-2-26, O. Lockhart 7-1-1-24.

Wedderburn W. Holt not out ....................................... 58 J. Van.de Wettering c R. Smith b K. Simpson ..... 6 O. Lockhart lbw K. Simpson .................... 2 B. Holt not out ........................................ 28 Extras ....................................................... 8 Total ........................................... 2/102 Bowling K. Simpson 6-1-2-15, M. Rowe 5-00-30, L. DeJong 3.3-0-0-20, B. Rose 4-1-014, B. Pickles 5-0-0-19.

Match drawn

Boort Yando v Arnold Arnold H McCullough b A Cockerell .................... 5 P Scholes c J Hodoras b B Minogue ..... 38 M Dale run out (T Flick) ............................ 9 C Dale b H Malone .................................. 24 R Metelmann c T Flick b B Minogue ...... 27 K Hewett c J Smith b F Bear . ................... 1 F Lock c J Smith b F Bear . ...................... 0 N Drew b B Minogue ................................ 3 M Lewis b J Hodoras ............................... 1

Legend Lionel returns to his favourite ground

LODDON cricket and football legend Lionel Learmonth was back at Kingower on Saturday watching combat between teams from two towns where he achieved almost folklore status.

Learmonth, who now lives in Cohuna, made his name as one of the Upper Loddon’s fastest bowlers in Kingower’s droughtbreaking 1974-75 premiership side.

He had earlier been part of Wedderburn’s North Central Football League flag side of 1970.

Veteran Upper Loddon secretary Michael Rose and Learmonth shared stories with today’s players from Kingower and Wedderburn during the afternoon tea break on Saturday.

“The fastest bowler the association has seen,” said Rose.

“We won the premiership over Bridgewater and Lionel took 12 wickets for the match.

“We also had Peter Lovell in the team who was regarded as the best bowler so with the fastest and the best, we didn’t need too many other bowlers to win the first flag since 1947-48.”

Learmonth had earlier been a star with Golden Square in a 200-game football career in the Bendigo league.

Learmonth said he spent eight seasons with Kingower before moving to Cohuna where he played for another decade until retiring from cricket.

“I thought I would come down today and see the boys in action on the ground. It’s always been one of my favourites,” Learmonth said.

A Davis c N Scott b B Minogue ............... 2 B Metelmann not out . .............................. 5 Extras ..................................................... 14 Total .............................................. 129 Bowling: A Cockerell 7-1-1-19, N Scott 5-00-30, F Bear 7-1-2-20, J Hodoras 5.2-1-118, B Minogue 7-0-4-34, H Malone 1-0-1-6.

Boort J Smith c H McCullough b F Lock ......... 35 A Cockerell c C Dale b F Lock ............... 40 J Hodoras not out .................................. 25 F Bear c C Dale b F Lock ......................... 0 B Minogue c M Daler b F Lock ................ 1 W Gould c C Dale b F Lock . .................. 16 H Malone c F Lock b R Metelmann . ........ 4 Extras ........................................................ 8 Total .............................................. 130 Bowling: R Metelmann 5.3-1-1-16, M Dale 7-1-0-23, H McCullough 4-0-0-13, C Dale 7-0-0-13, M Lewis 2-0-0-10, F Lock 6-1-528.

Won by Boort

THIS WEEK Kingower v Boort Yando Wedderburn v Arnold

Wedderburn’s Will Holt has a good day with bat and ball. LH PHOTO

Third wicket pair establish lead THE weather, as in the previous round of Upper Loddon junior cricket, caused the first day’s play of one of the games to be called off.

The Wedderburn-Bridgewater game will now be played as a one day fixture this Saturday.

The Boort Yando-Kingower game, however, was able to proceed with Boort-Yando batting themselves into a commanding position after winning the toss.

Boort Yando’s stumps score of 7/174 was set up by an 82-run third wicket partnership between Cooper Gooding and Lachie Hall.

This pair came together in the eighth over with Boort Yando in a spot of trouble with the score at 2/16.

By MICHAEL ROSE

Gooding and Hall firstly got the innings back on track and then got on top of the bowling before Hall was run out shortly after the lunch break for 41.

Gooding, who enjoyed his fair share of luck along the way, persevered ,and eventually reached his second fifty of the season.

Tristan Zanker and Frederik Gjorup also made useful contributions of 14 and 19 respectively before retiring.

Six Kingower bowlers shared the wickets with Tyler Murphy the pick of them proving hard to get away as well as making the initial breakthrough. Xander Wilson took a good catch in the

field while Jackson Luckman’s good return from the outfield was responsible for Hall’s demise.

Boort Yando v Kingower Boort Yando

O. Byrne b T. Murphy ................................ 2 C. Gooding retired . ................................. 53 H. Malone c X. Wilson b J. Luckman ....... 6 L. Hall run out (J. Luckman) ................... 41 L. Boyd ` b M. Lonza ................................ 7 T. Zanker retired ..................................... 14 F. Gjorup retired ...................................... 19 D. Perryman not out ................................. 6 F. Arnold c R. Smith b R. Leach ............... 0 D. King c M. Lonza b H. Leach ................ 4 J. Malone stpd. R. Smith b F. Lonza ........ 4 Extras ..................................................... 18 Total ........................................... 7/174 Bowling T. Murphy 10-3-1-18, J. Luckman 10-1-1-38, R. Murphy 10-2-0-23, M. Lonza 6-0-1-33, X. Wilson 4-1-0-10, J. Soulsby 2-0-0-13, R. Leach 3-0-1-13, F. Lonza 3-01-8, H. Leach 2-0-1-8, T. Cook 1-0-0-7

A pair of legends ... Lionel Learmonth and Ben Rose swap stories at Kingower on Saturday. LH PHOTO

sport OUT BUT BACK Loddon HERALD

Thursday December 14, 2023

Nick’s road to recovery hits home

By CHRIS EARL

LOUD cheers came from the pavilion at Kingower cricket ground on Saturday when Nick Leach made his first score in almost two seasons.

The Kingower batsman had a huge smile on his face as an irregular gait took him between the wickets.

Leach’s grin widened with two more runs and not even a dismissal could diminish the achievement on his Upper Loddon Cricket Association return.

More than 18 months after being seriously injured in a car accident, Leach said: “I’m loving it.

This is better than anything.”

Leach had spent more than three months in hospital after the May 18, 2022, accident on the Bridgewater-Raywood Road that left him paralysed down the right side for three weeks.

“There’s still lots of challenges ... running and hand-eye co-ordination still have a way to go,” said Leach who continues intensive rehabilitation session.

“I’ve still got to get my right side up to speed. There’s a long way to go.”

Leach had taken the field the previous week in Kingower’s clash with Boort Yando but was not required to bat.

Last weekend’s match against Wedderburn had Leach batting at No 8 in the order on Kingower’s home ground.

Leach’s dismissal was the third

by Wedderburn Band’s Finn

Plenty of reasons to smile ... Nick Leach makes his return to the Upper Loddon crease 18 months after a serious car accident left him paralysed down the right side of his body. A late innings dismissal all part of the challenges he is meeting in game Leach says he loves. LH PHOTOS Turnbull and came as he pushed for a quick single only to have the ball head straight to middle stump.

More cheers came from team mates and opponents as Leach headed back to the pavilion with another round of congratulations from players and club supporters.

An over later, Kingower’s innings was over with youngsters Riley Murphy and Ryder Smith unbeaten at the wicket.

Will Deason had top-scored for the home side making 51 while Adam Postle was the unluckiest of Wedderburn’s bowlers, with four maidens in his seven-over spell but several dropped catches

in the field. Jimmy Van de Wetering claimed a wicket and conceded 12 runs in his three-over patch.

Wedderburn was well on the way to victory thanks to an unbeaten 51 from opening bat Will Holt when rain forced the match to be declared a draw.

The Band had been 2/20 until

Will and Brad Holt teamed up for a 82-run partnership.

Kyle Simpson had the most impact with the ball for Kingower, dismissing Van de Wetering and Oscar Lockhart cheaply.

And despite the rain, it was Nick Leach who kept the biggest smile all day - he had been out but is now back.