Loddon Herald Thursday 16 March 2023

Campbell loves his GOLDEN GIRLS

THE chooks are clucking for enterprising Campbell Harcourt, already growing his booming poultry empire to more than 200 hens in 12 months.

The Year 6 student at East Loddon P12 College has assumed the role of poultry manager on the family’s Pompapiel farm and seen his distribution network expand from family and teachers to now include cafes in the Loddon.

Campbell’s developed a logo for his Golden Girls Egg Co, ticked the regulation boxes with Agriculture Victoria and Loddon Shire and with help from his parents had special egg cartons manufactured “I just love our chooks and love our eggs,” said Campbell.

FULL STORY - PAGE 13

LAST-MINUTE POP-UP CALL

final

held

consultation on plans for a 500kV transmission line through the Loddon.

Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald on Friday received notification from the Australian Energy Market Operator of sessions in Wedderburn and Kerang.

Details of extra pop-up sessions

appeared overnight Tuesday on AEMO’s website.

A two-hour pop up in Boort last Thursday saw five people receive pamphlets with VNI West project information announced three weeks ago when the new preferred route was announced.

AEMO will now hold 12 pop-up sessions amid calls for an extension to consultation that closes on April 5.

CONTINUED PAGE 7

OTF this week takes inspiration from Bradley of Boort, kinda. This light-hearted little column to break down the local hard news every week with a couple of laughs has a bit of a following. Over the summer months it’s been amazing the number of lawn bowlers trotting up to us with their interpretation of the reportage of antics of some of the Loddon’s more colourful characters - even if the said subjects have tried their very best (and failed!) to avoid a mention in the column.

WE like to think the said dirty half-dozen are connected to Bradley’s sticking to a good thing message. But we have been approached by one lawn bowler, not of the T-bone steak liking, who always says he will stop buying the Loddon Herald if The Oracle cracks a mention. Only to recant the threat, realising that your local newspaper is free, by saying: “I’ll stick to picking up a copy ... it’s good to know what The Oracle is up to when not under performing on the bowls rink”.

THE other week we were in Brooke Street Inglewood watching many vehicles traverse the Calder Highway (can’t tell you the speed as no speed check signs in place ... yet). Bloke at speed more sedate that his cricket deliveries gives a big wave. Ten minutes later in comes a text message asking why there was not a reciprocal gesture. As quick as the old thumb could punch the keys, we replied: “Geez, you were at the railway line before we knew who it was.” Some of his victims on the

cricket field have been back in the pavilion before they had realised his ball had hit the wickets of late!

SPECIAL call goes out this week to Raffle Ronnie who’s back on the job, this time rustling the raffle tickets for the Rheola Charity Carnival. He’s out to get the dosh needed for the Rheola Gift sprint on Easter Monday. If he doesn’t, will Ronnie show the pins and take part himself? Surely that can be the topic of banter and ruffle a few feathers.

WE do hope that the Rheola Gift will not be a copy of the Olympic torch relay that had its fair share of mishaps when one local showed some barefaced cheek as he carried the flame through Rio back in 2016. Initially, it was all going well. Navy seamen in white uniforms rowed one of Brazil’s Olympic sailing heroes ashore to hand the flame to Mayor Eduardo Paes, who ran a short way with the torch and danced to live samba music. But then the torch was passed on and the deeper the relay penetrated into the city the wilder things became. Ahead of the torch itself the crowds were greeted at first by two large Coca-Cola trucks and then, dampening the mood somewhat, car loads of police rifles poking out the windows. Then they came in long lines on foot, wearing helmets and black armour as if headed to a riot. When musician Tarcisio Cisao, dressed in the regulation Olympic yellow and white shorts and shirt for relay runners, took the torch a band of trumpet, trombone and drum players appeared then he pulled down his shorts in protest at the country’s president. Can’t see Ronnie doing that!

RACV MEMBERS

SAUCY MOMENTS Jane Rowley has spent more than two hours slaving over a hot stove preparing the latest batch of tomato relish at Wedderburn Community House. Using an original recipe “with a few variations” before adding the famous Ezy-sauce, Jane ended bottling several dozen jars that have now taken their place with other local produce in the shop pantry. LH PHOTO

Show society’s appeal: success needs secretary

BOORT Pastoral Society is banking on finding a volunteer to become secretary to guarantee success of the town’s annual show.

President Madeleine Scott said this month’s annual general meeting had filled most committee positions.

“But we need a secretary to take on some tasks, particularly the pavilion section of the show,” she said.

“Many of the show’s events

have individual co-ordinators that has lessened the work of anyone who takes on the important role of secretary.

“The show came back last year after COVID and it was a great success for the community.

“We want the show to have a sustainable future and for that, filling the secretary’s position is crucial.”

The society will meet again on April 5 to discuss the show’s future.

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Bumper auction crowd

BRETT Collins snapped up antique farm machinery at a Powlett Plains clearing auction on Friday that saw hundreds of bidders travel from across the state.

The Bridgewater and Jarklin farmer and hay contractor’s major buy was a 1937 Sunshine harvester that had been used on the Grigg property until just two years ago.

“I didn’t intend to buy the harvester but after seeing it was in good order, decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Brett who paid $2000 for the addition to his collection.

He also picked up a tractor, an auger and a Furphy tank as more than 600 people, including 240 registrered bidders, followed auctioneer Luke Nevins around the auction lots.

With Brett was his father-inlaw Rod Holland, who recently moved to Bears Lagoon after running the hotel in Brim, to consult before making bids in the spirited auction.

Property owner Daryl Grigg, who has now leased the property in his family since 1932, said his father had bought the harvester new for £800.

“Until a few years ago, we’d still be using it to clean grainswheat, oats, barley,” he said. “It was probably last used in the paddocks 30 years ago.”

Jamie Nevins, of FP Nevins and Co Inglewood, said bidding had been solid at the clearing sale.

“There was a lot of interest and a lot of people present from out-

side the district,” he said. “The vendor was renowned for having good, well-maintained and reliable gear that’s still useful for agricultural methods today.”

The large crowd also caught out experienced caterers, Inglewood Lions Club.

Volunteers had to make two

trips back into Inglewood for more hamburgers, bacon, eggs and bread.

“We’ve been run off our feet since the first people started arriving,” said club president Robert Condliffe as the last cooked sausages and bacon were sold to bidders preparing to take their

Speeding driver’s ‘cold feet’

A DRIVER caught speeding on Loddon roads over the long weekend blamed his cold feet for exceeding the limit.

It was one of the excuses given to police who issued 30 fines during the holiday weekend blitz in the Bridgewater and Inglewood districts.

“The majority were for exceeding the posted speed limits, the highest speed was 141kmh, there were a couple in the 130s and a lot in between 110kmh and 120kmh,” said Sgt Sean Dixon..

And their reasons, according to Sgt Dixon, included:

z Didn’t realise, where can I get my speedo checked?;

z I was just rolling along, didn’t think I was going that fast;

z I’ve been driving for four hours, going to a music festival;

IN BRIEF

School work to start

THE upgrade of Tarnagulla

Primary School is about to start. “After so many delays and issues with the allocated budget, a Bendigo-based company has been awarded the contract and I understand that works will commence within weeks,” said principal Leigh Mellberg. The project will replace floors and create a designated sick bay. Meanwhile, work is also expected to start on the Bridgewater Primary School outdoor area that had originally been due for completion more than two years ago.

Third death

z Dog was jumping around and I tried to stop it my foot must have went down on the pedal;

z Don’t know how fast I was going, don’t know the limit here;

z Just bought the car;

z Thought it was 110; and

z My feet were cold.

Sgt Dixon said a learner driver was intercepted driving at more than 130kmh and both the man and the supervising driver would be issued penalty notices.

“There was one mobile phone offence and three unregistered vehicles intercepted over the long weekend,” said Sgt Dixon.

“Happily there was no one detected driving under the influence of alcohol.”

Across Victoria, police said there were more than 3200 offences for the weekend.

day’s auction purchases to new homes.

Mr Nevins said the large crowd had been matched by strong bidding for lots that included field bins, blacksmith bellows, a 1935 timber wool table, shearing equipment, wool presses, horse collars and mowers.

THE HEALTH Department this week confirmed a third death of Murray Valley encephalitis virus. The man in his 70s was potentially exposed to infected mosquitoes in the Shire of Campaspe. “The department provides funding and support to councils in high-risk areas for mosquito-borne diseases to undertake mosquito surveillance and control activities. Local councils in northern Victoria are continuing their vector control activities to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.”

Grave grant

EDDINGTON Cemetery Trust has been given a $7252 grant for grave shoring and safety lid works, Ripon MP Martha Haylett said.

Rod Holland, Daryl Grigg and new owner of the 1937 harvester Brett Collins. LH PHOTO

All ages try their luck at finding fortune, success

WEDDERBURN’S annual Detector

Jamboree has been hailed a success.

President of the town’s tourism committee Robyn Vella said entries in most events over the weekend were up on last year.

Many competitors made their annual pilgrimage to Hard Hill Reserve while for Minelab’s technical sales representative, Brad Corrie, it was his first time at the jamboree representing the event’s major sponsor.

“This is my first time and I’m loving it,” he said.

Praise for the weekend was echoed by Melbourne’s Guy Edgar,

making the trip north for an eighth time.

“I love the country around here and the fantastic goldfields and how the town is involved in the event,” he said.

“And it’s great to see big family groups and kids taking part.”

The senior token hunt was won by South Australia’s Neil Colston.

In the junior detector hunt there was 26 participants (up five on last year). Winners were: Shanae Scoble

1, Sparton Noordennen 2, Jacob Kryger 3.

Robyn said there had been a big jump in junior gold panning entries

sponsored by Inglewood and District Community Bank.

Results - 3-7 years: Sahara Edwards 1, Patrick Finch 2, Sparton Noordennen 3. 8-10 years: Charlie Finch 1, Levi Liddell 2, Hattie Liddell 3. 11-13 years: Lily Finch 1, Jamazon Higgins-Pool 2, Jai-Lee Colvert 3. 14-16 years: Jayde Cramp 1, Aiden Wingfield 2, Sophie Scoble 3.

Senior gold panning: Lester Fisher 1, Mathew Willis 2, Gerard Scoble 3.

The historic gold battery also operated over the weekend and more than 20 garage sales were held across the town.

Garage sale vendor Morgan Ferguson and Susie LeggettJambouree organiser Karen Fazzani and Linda Younghusband

Dylan Calvert and Charlee Moore

Guy Edgar and Minelab’s Brad Corrie

Chloe Calvert shares the excitement of young gold panner Kason Mannix. LH PHOTOS

Lions catering team (from left) Joan Bartlett, Barry Finch, Gerard Dehne, Jon Chandler and Barry Woodward

Abbey Elliott guides Harvey Moore in the art of gold panning.

Community meeting hears pondage upkeep concerns

RESIDENTS have told Coliban Water they want better cleaning and maintenance of Mitiamo’s pondage system.

Progress association president Jill Ramskill aired concerns at a community meeting with Coliban last week.

“(Non-potable) water is being pumped into the dirty old dam that’s still exposed to animals that could die and end up in the pond,” she said.

Ms Ramskill said residents would prefer a tank storage system on the poundage site or improved town pipe system to cater for direct water pressures from pumps, disposing of gravitational system.

Residents said Coliban told the meeting it was establishing new infrastructure

with a raw water pipeline and raw water tank storage system for the Mitiamo township. The piped water and tank storage would replace channel and reservoir system, reducing chances of blue green algae blooms.

Blue green algae blooms triggered Coliban Water’s risk management plan at Mitiamo and Dingee in January.

The water authority is carting water several times a week to boost supplies of non-potable water. Coliban said last month it had also increased water quality testing to monitor the situation.

The meeting was also told that residents wanted more frequent town pipe cleaning.

THE RAILWAY HOTEL

Residents raised the requirement for household tank water in Mitiamo and said Coliban Water would investigate some financial assistance for residents requiring better tank systems.

The meeting was told that a weed cleanup around the reservoir area had commenced with box thorn spraying.

Coliban says raw water was delivered to its storage basin through enclosed pressurised pipelines managed by Goulburn Murray Water, rather than open channels.

Coliban Water continues to regularly sample and test the water held in Mitiamo storage basin for blue-green algae and e.coli. Water is then pumped through the Mitiamo network to a smaller basin.

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Super changes ‘raise farmer fears’

FARMERS were right to be concerned with the fallout from the Federal Government’s superannuation reform, said Mallee MP Anne Webster.

She said the Government’s decision to levy a tax of 30 per cent on earnings from Superannuation funds with balances more than $3 million from 2025, could have significant ramifications for farmers.

“Taxation in farming was built on in-

come averaging that recognises changes in year to year income, but Labor’s proposed changes don’t account for this and potentially farmers will suffer with tax on paper-based unrealised gains,” she said.

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones in Parliament last week said the Government would need to further consult with the farming sector.

“Labor broke their election promise to make no changes to Super, now they are

conducting policy on the run,” Dr Webster said. “Why wasn’t this consultation done before the Government decided to interfere with people’s livelihoods?”

Dr Webster said the Coalition committed to ensuring that today’s employees were able to manage their super and realise the benefits of doing so over time.

“This is not a Government honeypot, it is money that belongs to people who invest in their future retirement,” she said.

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WORK crews

from Loddon Shire

are making their way around local towns for the annual collection of hard waste. Scott Cunningham was with the crew in Inglewood last Friday where discarded furniture and other unwanted household goods were being loaded in trucks to be taken to local rubbish tips.

FRIENDS of Kooyoora held a planning session at its Bridgewater resource centre on Sunday discussing compilation and production of new field guides for the state park. Among those present were Roberta Foster, covenor Robert Scholes, Michael Barkla, Dale and Peter Little. LH PHOTO

Minister snubs meeting call

A CALL by Loddon farmers for a meeting with Energy and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has gone unanswered.

The minister was asked last week whether she would meet with local farmers to discuss VNI West amid their calls for an extension to the project consultation that ends in three weeks.

A Government spokesperson replied: “New transmission is vital for securing clean affordable power for every Victorian town and enabling the development of our renewable energy industry as we work towards net-zero emissions by 2045.

“A six-week public consultation is currently underway on the location of the terminal station for VNI west ensuring local communities, stakeholders and tradi-

tional owners can have their say on the project.

“We are providing additional compensation payments to ensure that we strike a balance between fairly compensating private landholders who host transmission infrastructure, and minimising the impacts on power bills”

The Government said VNI West transmission project would boost Victoria’s import and export capacity with New South Wales by more than 1800 megawatts (MW) and unlock thousands of megawatts of new renewable projects across Victoria.

“Payments will reflect the impact of the infrastructure on the landholders who host it, with payments for a typical easement at a standard rate of $8000 per year per kilometre of trans-

mission easement for 25 years. These payments will be in addition to any payments that landholders are eligible for under existing arrangements for transmission easements under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986.

“As part of the development of the Victorian Transmission Investment Framework, new benefit sharing arrangements are being considered to ensure that local communities benefit directly from hosting transmission infrastructure.”

At the weekend, it was reported that the Government’s tax on transmission line land was adding tens of millions of dollars to its coffers every year.

In 2004, the Government introduced a tax on land near highvoltage power lines.

Route of least resistance, claims MP

LODDON communities had been given minimal detail on the new preferred VNI West route, Northern Victoria MP Gaelle Broad has told State Parliament.

Ms Broad said the the last-minute change to the planned route had left a swathe of rural communities in limbo.

“I have asked the Government to commit to establishing a proper consultation process on the proposed new route,” she said.

“Some locals believe the Government has simply taken the route of least resistance on this

issue. Last August, it was announced that the Kerang Link was the preferred option but now we find a completely new option has been thrown into the mix, with minimal consultation with councils and residents.”

The new preferred route runs from St Arnaud, between Wedderburn and Charlton through to Boort, Pyramid Hill and Echuca.

The Government claimed it had enabled the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to start work early on the project, known as VNI West. The scheme would

Farm body tell AEMO: six weeks not enough

VICTORIAN Farmers Federation on Friday officially called for an extension to the consultation period for the proposed VNI West transmission project.

The state’s peak agriculture organisation said farmers across North Central Victoria had been given no time to have their say.

President Emma Germano has written to CEO of the Australian Energy Market Operator, Daniel Westermann calling for the sixweek consultation period to be extended.

“Farming communities have been blindsided by the decision to change the route of the VNI West project,” she said.

“What was previously known as the KerangLink is now going nowhere near Kerang.

Link project, is being replicated again with the VNI West Project.”

Ms Germano said farmers were not being given basic information about how the transmission project would impact farming operations, giving farmers little to no chance to provide feedback.

“Farmers want very simple questions answered. How will these transmission lines impact farming operations? How will they impact irrigation districts?

“How can anyone expect genuine consultation to happen if farmers are denied basic information?”

Ms Germano said the Victorian Government must step in and provide information to farming communities.

see a high-capacity overhead line connecting the Western Renewables Link at Ballarat with a new terminal station at Dinawan, near Jerilderie.

The original preferred route would have seen the project follow the existing powerline easement from Bendigo, through Prairie to Kerang.

“This is a complete change of direction for this multi-billion dollar project,” Ms Broad said.

“There is no detail and only a few short weeks for consultation.”

“In the dead of the night, AEMO and the Victorian Government have changed the project and have given farmers no time to respond.”

The VFF call comes after Loddon farmers met at Woosang within days of the new preferred route announcement that has “identified land of interest” but no definite route.

Farmers at that meeting called for more detail on the project.

Ms Germano said: “It is bitterly disappointing to see the lack of respect that was shown to farmers in the Western Renewables

“The Victorian Government is not off the hook here. Minister D’Ambrossio has declared the Government’s hand by taking action to effectively alter the route and accelerate the project,” she said.

“It is not good enough for the government to pass the buck onto AEMO.

“The Government has a clear responsibility to ensure that farming communities are listened to and that the impacts on farm operations are well understood before a single powerline gets installed,” Ms Germano said.

Pet registration time

Cat and dog registration time has rolled around again, and renewal notices will be arriving in pet owners’ mail boxes in the coming weeks. If a cat or dog isn’t micro-chipped and registered they cannot be identi ed and reunited with their owner. In the best interests of your pet, your family and the community, please ensure your registration renewal is paid by the due date. Every dog and cat over the age of three months must be registered. Owners of dogs and cats being registered for the rst time with Council are required to provide evidence that they have a microchip. If you have an unregistered pet in your care, please take this opportunity to contact Council and rectify the situation as soon as possible, without fear of penalty. Further information, contact Council’s Local Laws team on 5494 1200.

Make ‘your voices heard’

OPINIONS needed to be voiced that more detail was required for Loddon farmers to make informed comments on AEMO’s transmission line plans.

Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch president Graham Nesbit made the call after more than 50 people attended a branch meeting on Tuesday night.

Mr Nesbit said landowners would be encouraged to raise concerns with Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer.

The commissioner’s role is to help “community members address their concerns about wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects”.

“We need people to voice their opinion about not being given access to enough information to make informed decisions,” Mr

Nesbit said. “At the very minimum, there needs to be an extension to the consultation period to allow that information to be provided and considered.”

Mr Nesbit said landowners also needed to make submissions to AEMO “no matter how major or minor” despite the lack of detail around the new preferred Option 5.

“We still need to be brought up to speed to know what’s really going on,” he said. “Everyone is being kept in the dark.”

Tuesday’s VFF branch meeting had RSVPs from 24 members but numbers more than doubled with farmers also attending from the Laanecoorie and Charlton branches.

“It’s a hot topic. Laanecoorie members are of the opinion they could still get a line through their area too, hooking supplies into Bendigo,” Mr Nesbit said.

Late addition to AEMO consultation schedule

FROM PAGE 1

A two-hour community consultation in Boort last Thursday morning saw no more than half a dozen people speak with AEMO representatives, according to Ken Pattison and Reg Holt who attended.

They said the information provided was only what had already been made available on the AEMO website.

Mr Holt and Mr Pattison are pushing AEMO

provide a community benefit from running the new transmission line from St Arnaud through the Loddon Shire.

Mr Pattison said AEMO representatives in Boort told him there would be a pop-up consultation in Wedderburn.

Meanwhile, Northern Grampians Shire and St Arnaud’s Victorian Farmers’ Federation branch have organised a forum for next Tuesday evening.

VFF head of policy Charles Everest and

VicGrid chief executive officer Alistair Parker, will speak at the forum, VicGrid is the State Government authority responsible for co-ordinating planning and development of the energy grid.

AEMO says VNI West is a proposed new 500 kilovolt overhead transmission line connecting WRL in Victoria to New South Wales to harness cleaner, low-cost electricity from renewable energy zones and strengthen Victoria’s connection to Snowy 2.0.

COMMENT

WORDS like blindsided have been brandished about with increasing regularity since AEMO announced a change of direction on its preferred route to have high-voltage transmission lines connecting Victoria and New South Wales.

There have been many questions from landholders in a broad area of “land of identified interest”, often farmers of highly productive broad-acre land, mostly around how it will impact their operations.

And there has been criticism of AEMO for repeating what landowners in western parts of Victoria claim have been mistakes and errors in consultation, or lack of, on projects the other side of the Great Dividing Range.

That AEMO has been reluctant or unable to promote community consultation across the Loddon in a direct manner - just tucked away down a website screen and behind a drop down - is disappointing. Loddon Herald requests for confirmation Wedderburn has been added to the pop-up schedule have gone unanswered for a week. We have been asking your questions and will continue to give readers their voice on a project that can bring benefits to our region but requires more detail.

Chris Earl Loddon Herald editor

VFF branch president Graham Nesbit

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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Weekend back for seventh edition

LODDON artists will be part of the seventh running of the Tiny Towns Arts Trail next month.

Creatives in Tarnagulla, Eddiginton, Dunolly and Bealiba will join with artists across the goldfields opening their studios.

A special exhibition is also planned at Tarnagulla Community Centre for the ANZAC Day weekend.

Tarnagulla quilt maker Mel Young is among those taking part and said: “Now in its seventh year, this unique and quirky weekend of art, food and fun has grown from a small local arts trail to an

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incredible adventure that winds its way through more than 10 historic towns and spans five shires across the central Victorian goldfields.

“Every year, over three extraordinary days on the ANZAC long weekend, regional Victorian towns come to life as artists open their studios, galleries throw open their doors, and pop-up exhibitions take over local spaces.

“With new artists coming on board and others moving away, no two trails are ever the same. Even seasoned Arts Trail visitors will find something new.

“But one thing remains the same: the

wonderful diversity of creative expression on show.”

The arts trail stretches over 240km, the spirit of the trail is one of discovery and the journey between towns part of the whole experience.

“Cruise along ribbons of asphalt edged by golden farmland, wind your way through ironbark forests and emerge into historic streets lined with gold-rush architecture,” she saiud.

“The Tiny Towns Art Trail is a smorgasbord of creativity and a wonderful excuse to explore the lesser-known corners of the central Goldfields.”

Greg revs creation with high-tech linocuts

GREG Holland pops up wherever there are people, armed with sketch pad and pencil taking inspiration from time, events and people.

His sketches have been charting life since sitting on the floor as a five-yearold sitting drawing motorcycles.

That fascination with two-wheeled transport continues in the high-tech age producing laser-engraved linocuts of classic motorcycles.

“I started just like everyone else ... just never stopped or gave up,” Greg said when recently having a pop-up shop outside his Inglewood home.

Greg has installed special engraving equipment to give his limited edition linocuts the modern treatment.

“Rather than cutting lino using knives, I create the artworks on the computer and use a laser engraver to burn the printing block,” he said.

“They can be single colour works or three-colour. I’ve been using this process

for my art for the last couple of years and it’s quite efficient.

“I can reproduce sketches or photographs and make the separations for printing.”

He calls the process laslogramme, a term coined by Greg for the method which involves burning with a computer controller laser to create the printing blocks He also does linocuts of farm machinery but his artistic pursuits are still broader.

When not conducting art classes at the town hall once a week, Greg also paints and takes photographs.

Greg has been a regular exhibitor at Tiny Towns Arts Trail events and continues to capture the character through his works of people attending activities across the Loddon.

“I’m a man of many different artistic ways,” Greg said as he finished arranging a display of his works ready for visitors stopping in Brooke Street.

Jemima and Jeannine McNab (above) were in the audience when amateur actors from BBAC (Boort Buckrabanyule and Community) made their return to the stage in a two-night season God Goes to a Shrink at Yando Hall on the weekend.

They laughed along to the antics of Bradley Haw, Fiona Hall and Karen Haw (below) who played the role of Jasmine, God disguised as a supermarket delicatessen worker, taking advice from an antheist psychologist.

LH PHOTOS

Greg Holland

LH PHOTO

CWA latest to help reserve recovery

NEWBRIDGE Country Women’s Association branch has become the latest group to support rebuilding of the town’s recreation reserve after last October’s floods.

President Julie Ramsay on Sunday presented a cheque for $750 to reserve committee treasurer Kaye Graham.

Julie said the amount donated included $250 received from the Sutton Grange CWA branch for the recovery effort.

Kaye said the committee con-

tinued to receive support as the massive recovery effort continued.

Inglewood and District Community Bank had met the cost of a new defibrillator and contributed to January’s Rock on Loddon concert while a donation had also been received from Kangaroo Flat Y Service Women.

Kaye said volunteers Phil Latter, Colleen Young and Graeme Daly had already contributed many hours to the cleanup.

Holiday scene changers lap up lake experience

VISITORS choosing a holiday destination away from the Murray River helped put Loddon caravan parks at capacity of the long weekend.

Boort Lakes’ Wendy James said the park had several new holidaymakers opting for the experience beside Little Lake Boort.

Wendy said some had previously camped along the Murray River but those spots had yet to re-open after the October floods.

“We were at capacity and turning people away who were looking for a powered site,.” she said.

“We had lots of regulars who saw that the weather forecast was for a good weekend and those who wanted to try something different with their normal destinations unavailable.”

However, Wendy said there was yet to be the return to pre-COVID levels of grey nomads touring the area.

“We used to see 20 or 30 in a week in off-peak times but the level remains a trickle compared with three years ago,” she said.

Similar bookings for the long weekend were also reported at Wedderburn and Bridgewater.

And while the campground at Newbridge remains closed, more than a dozen camp sites were set up either side of the Loddon River bridge at Newbridge and large numbers were again on site at Laanecoorie.

However, while those two Loddon River sites were popular, no activity was seen at more than 20 camp sites on Crown land along the river and nearby creeks.

Hundreds will descend on town raising money

MORE than 150 caravans will arrive in Bridgewater for this weekend’s Essential Caravan Owners Meet.

And organiser Duane Pendlebury said local organisations would benefit from the visit by hundreds of people.

Old wares cash for next stage

INGLEWOOD is stepping up its efforts to raise funds for the long-awaited second stage of the town hall redevelopment project.

Hub committee president Enzo Scafati says March will be a big month for the hub committee.

He said local antique store owners had banded together for a two-day fair in the hall this weekend.

And ticket sales were pushing the live-music BABBA concert next week towards being a sellout.

Mr Scafati said both events were attracting interest.

“We are running a raffle and auctioning items donated from industry-related businesss and expected $4000 will be donated to local groups,” he said.

The group’s visit to Bridgewater is an annual event.

River camping beside the bridge at Newbridge at the weekend. LH PHOTO

Kaye Graham and Julie Ramsay at the reserve. LH PHOTO

Providing for tomorrow

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9 Park Street, Bridgewater on Loddon VIC

Bridgewater is located on the Calder Highway, 35km northwest of Bendigo, with the Caravan Park situated on the banks of the Loddon River, covering an area of 3.88 hectares and within walking distance to the town precinct.

Soil care experts talk variable climate plan

FOR Northern Victorian farmers, one of the biggest threats to the health of their soils came lapping at their doorsteps last October.

North Central Catchment Management Authority says more frequent floods and droughts driven by climate change accelerate the depletion of oxygen available for plant growth, increase the threat of wind and water erosion, the loss of soil structure, and the loss of organic carbon, on top of the obvious financial impacts.

With the 2022 floods still at the forefront of their minds, farmers, soil experts, policy makers, and industry leaders will speak at the 2023 Sustainable Soils Forum in Bendigo this month.

The forum will explore new perspectives to grow the future of agriculture in the region, and help farmers manage the impacts of a variable climate.

NCCMA sustainable agriculture program manager Mandy Coulson said the event would be the perfect mix between scientists, local farmers, and politicians.

“With a changing climate, we need to explore and plan for the best methods to help farmers adapt,” she said.

“We need to be able to hear solutions and showcase the amazing work farmers from across our region are doing to improve their soil, and the productivity and integrity of the land.

“This Forum will showcase the regenerative practices our farmers are undertak-

ing, and how they can be applied locally and further afield.”

Among speakers will be former Loddon Plains Landcare Network facilitator Danny Pettingill.

Danny is the owner of Firetail Environments, providing consultation and field services in land stewardship, carbon projects and drone services including surveys, analysis, GIS mapping and on ground works at landscape scale. He is the lead landscape agronomist in Victoria for Regen Farmers Mutual and a director of Landcare Victoria.

Australia’s National Soils Advocate Penelope Wensley will be the key speaker at the event, discussing the importance of conserving and improving the health of Australia’s soils.

Federation University Centre for eResearch and digital innovation principal research fellow Associate Professor Dr Peter Dahlhaus will critically examine the local and global status of soils and discuss what will happen if the status quo continues.

Attendees will also hear from local regenerative agriculture groups about onground projects improving soil health.

“These local groups have a focus on enhancing ecosystem services which increases their communities’ resilience to a changing climate,” Ms Coulson said.

“Such insights showcase great practical examples and give farmers a lot to think about and help plan for the future.”

63 Hospital Street, Wedderburn VIC

The Park is located in the township of Wedderburn, approximately 2.5 hours ‘drive north-west of Melbourne. It’s primary trade is from overnight travellers passing through the area on route to a secondary destination and attracts a large number of patrons each year.

The Wedderburn Pioneer Caravan Park offers the following facilities:

• 52 Powered Sites

• 3 Annual Site Holders

• 5 Permanent Site Holders

• 4 Tourist Cabins (3 to be replaced by council and 1 to become managers residence)

• Camp Kitchen with Undercover BBQ Area

• Amenities Block

More than 500 people attended the Grigg property clearing sale at Powlett Plains on Friday. Agent James Nevins said there was strong interest in agricultural machinery lots at the sale. LH PHOTO Products are issued by Rural Bank – A Division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879. All applications for loans or credit are subject to lending criteria. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply and are available at www.ruralbank.com.au or by phoning 1300 660 115. (1569146–1569145) (OUT_2347214) (07/09/2021)

Fodder relief trucked in

MORE than 60 tonnes of fodder was delivered to Loddon farms at the weekend to boost feed supplies reduced by last October’s flood emergency.

It was the second delivery into the area this year by Need for Feed, a national farmer assistance charity established during the Millennium drought in the mid-2000s.

Co-ordinator Graham Cockerell said hay and silage in the weekend’s delivery had been mostly donated by farmers in Gippsland.

Supplies were also dropped at farms around Kerang and Rochester over the long weekend.

“We run pretty much on public and service club donations, reimbursing drivers for their fuel ... drivers who put in some pretty long hours at times,” Mr Cockerell said.

Need For Feed has been a Lions Club national project for two years after starting in 2006 when Mr Cockerell made a small delivery of hay to Gippsland during the drought.

“I came back, rounded up a few mates and the local Lions club and we have kept going,” he said.

“We were just coming to an end with the Lismore floods last year when our work returned to Victoria and now we are also doing deliveries into NSW around Burke, Condobolin and Forbes.

“We have done two runs into

the Loddon and the fodder comes from where ever it is offered. We have donations from areas of northern Victoria not impacted by floods.”

Mr Cockerell said farmers in the region had either lost feed or had crops that could have been cut for feed destroyed by floods.

“Our deliveries also include personal care packs and a supply of dog food ... every farm has a dog either working or as a pet,” he said.

One of the next stops on Need for Feed’s delivery run will be in areas near Bathurst after recent bushfires destroyed some prop-

erties. “We go where there is a need,” he said.

“We are now recognised as the leading provider of emergency fodder at a state and national level by governments and other agencies.

“That is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of our band of Lions members and other volunteers. The total value of aid delivered over the life of the project to date would be in excess of $30 million.”

“Now in our 16th year, we at Need for Feed take great pride not only in being managed 100 per cent by volunteers but also

Extra care will re-establish good pastures

PASTURES affected by flooding and severe waterlogging will need some extra care this season to re-establish healthy productive pastures.

Agriculture Victoria’s regional dairy manager (northern) Brett Davidson said focusing on soil testing, soil temperatures, seed depth, irrigation, weed control and grazing management would help with pasture re-establishment.

“Soil testing is highly recommended. After flooding sandy soils can have issues with leaching of various nutrients, such as sulphur, potassium and nitrogen. Heavy soils that have been inundated for prolonged periods; denitrification can occur.

two years ago being adopted as a national project of Lions Australia.”

Mr Cockerell said farmers needing feed could register at www.needforfeed.org.

“From quite humble beginnings, as an organisation our Lions club project Need for Feed has grown and grown to the point where we could now be considered the leading volunteer organisation providing hope and help for farmers and rural communities across most of the country,” Mr Cockerell said after completing the weekend’s Loddon run.

“Previously planned fertiliser applications may need to be adjusted to suit. The soil test may also indicate the need for gypsum application to help build and protect soil structure,” he said.

GRAIN

Boort Grain Co-op prices Tuesday. Wheat - H1 $380 FIS. H2 $373 FIS. APW1 $363 FIS. ASW $353 FIS. AGP1 $348 FIS. SFW 1 $348 FIS. fED1 $315 FIS. Barley - PL1 $348 FIS. SP1 $348 FIS. PLX $300FIS. SPX $300.FIS. Bar1 $298 FIS. Bar 2 $276 FIS. Bar3 $255 FIS. Bar4 $235 FIS.

FOR LEASE BY TENDER

FENTONS CREEK – WEHLA DISTRICT

323.75 Hectares – 800 Acres

To be offered in 2 Lots

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

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

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

Lot 2: ”Wehla”

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

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

Lease document and inspection by appointment

HIGHEST OR ANY

TENDER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED

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

Further Particulars:

www.fpnevins.com.au

Inglewood Lions president Robert Condlifee with Need for Feed co-ordinator Graham Cockerell at the weekend.

Loud speakers amplify all action of carnival

By JULIE PIENING

LIFE became easier for woodchoppers competiting at the 57th Rheola Charity Carnival in 1927.

In the lead up preparation for the event Mr. H. Mustoe was asked to cart the logs for the woodchop. This made a change from the early days of the wood chopping event in which competitors were asked to supply their own logs.

The following year, new events such as throwing the weight, kicking the football through the hoop and motor driving between the pegs were added to the program alongside the traditional events of foot, cycle and horse racing (gallop and trots).

For the 64th carnival in 1934, Mr. H. Wemyss offered to provide loudspeakers at a charge of £3 for the day.

The offer was accepted and he was asked to bring the wireless as well. As far as can be gathered, this was the first occasion on which an amplifier had been used at the Rheola Carnival Carnival.

Three years later a tournament was organised by the tennis club and was added to the list

of events on offer at the Carnival Sports day. Working bees prior to the day were held to get the tennis court prepared for the tournament.

Due to the ongoing war effort, Easter Monday, April 6, 1942, saw the Rheola Charity Carnival sports day cancelled.

The announcement was hard to make but considering the very serious war position, the committee’s decision was considered wise and unavoidable.

It was hard to arrive at this conclusion but with petrol rationing, departure of workers and the ban of the public holiday gave the committee little choice in the matter.

Although the sports day was not going ahead on Easter Monday, the district still had the opportunity to help the local hospitals as the committee decided to make the usual collections over a wide area.

A ball was still held in the Rhe-

ola Hall on Easter Monday night in aid of the hall funds and many improvements were carried out at the grounds including making of a cycle track and preparing for the extension of four tennis courts.

As these works are of a permanent nature, they were appreciated in years to come for the Rheola Charity Carnival.

There was good attendance at local carnival meetings in the lead up to Easter in 1943.

But it was decided to discontinue the holding of the sports again due to the ongoing war, but it was agreed to continue the local collections for the hospitals as well as hold a ball in the evening.

Collections have always proved an important addition to the carnival and helped the financial result of the carnival in aid of the Inglewood and Dunolly hospitals.

The ball held in the evening was held in aid of the local hall. The hall committee’s financial position was such that it was necessary to hold an effort once a year.

Just before the outbreak of World War Two, a splendid supper room with all conveniences had been erected.

1. From which language is the word ‘ketchup’ derived?

2. Which is the country with the biggest population in Europe?

3. Who portrayed Edward Scissorhands?

4. What are made and repaired by a cobbler?

5. What is an endoscope used to examine?

6. Apart from womanizing and producing films, what was the other passion of Howard Hughes?

7. What colour are the four stars on the flag of New Zealand?

8. How many states make up the United States of America?

9. Which AFL (VFL) team was \ first co-tenant at the MCG?

10. Mr. Carson is the name of the butler in which popular TV costume drama?

11. Comedy duo Ant and Dec are originally from which English city?

12. In the medical profession, what do the initials ‘GP’ stand for?

Bear Grylls.

13. Who was Australia’s second prime minister?

14. Maris Piper and King Edward are varieties of what?

15. H2O is the chemical formula for what?

16. What Wimmera town was the setting for TV’s Flying Doctors?

17. What is the floral emblem of NSW?

18. Blandenburg, Bremen and Lower Saxony are states in which European country?

19. Complete the title of the play by Shakespeare – ‘The Merchant of …’?

20. By what name is the TV adventurer Edward Michael Grylls more commonly known?

ANSWERS

Good engagement needed to ensure good consultation

By Cr LINDA JUNGWIRTH

EARLIER this month, councillors received the consultation report for the Victoria–New South Wales Interconnector (VNI) West.

The VNI West will ultimately be a great outcome as it will provide the infrastructure needed to carry renewable energy produced in Victoria including here in Loddon. This will provide a benefit to all of us and help us achieve a clean energy source.

My concerns lie in the consultation side of the project. I’m still uncertain exactly how the consultation will be offered. The report I received is called the VNI West Consultation Report – Options Assessment. There are seven options listed. Prior to receiving the report, I was unaware of all the options. After reading the report I know the options but not the details. The

paper is large and a heavy read for anyone not familiar with the technology involved. The options are shown as a basic line travelling from place to place without a detailed path. I note written submissions are invited and can be emailed to VNIWestRITT@aemo.com.au and I encourage you to submit if you are concerned about a particular route.

AEMO and Transgrid will be holding webinars, briefings and community drop-in sessions I hope the sessions are well advertised and are informative. Please attend if you see a session near you.

The plans are important as we need this infrastructure to be able to transition to net zero emissions.

The infrastructure must go somewhere. Let’s work with AEMO and Transgrid to

For help with State Government issues please phone my office on 5461 1255

177 High Street, Maryborough VIC 3465

(03) 5461 1255 martha.haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au marthahaylett.com.au MarthaHaylett4Ripon

find a suitable route which doesn’t negatively impact homes, businesses and farming. I hope the consultation process is good but even good consultation will only be effective if people choose to engage. Please get involved if possible.

This program is designed to ensure a secure energy future.

Another issue of note recently has been discussion relating to our indigenous Australians. I believe this has come about due to a review of our current Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country Policy.

I was surprised when I discovered we had a policy regarding this. I thought acknowledgements were simply a courtesy people would want to show. I didn’t expect to need rules around the issue.

I strongly believe all people are people

and therefore worthy of respect. Further, I believe minority groups often need the understanding and support of the majority to be able to achieve an equitable life.

In the case of First Nations People, not only are they a minority but there is a dark history which has caused them terrible harm. The statistics show that this is a generational problem with disadvantage being obvious in employment, health, life expectancy, imprisonment and more.

While an acknowledgement of country is a sign of respect, I also see it as way to say we understand, care and are working alongside you to see equity achieved.

Self-determination is an important part of this process. I think it is well and truly time we stop thinking we ought to be in charge of other people and work with them to see all Australians thrive.

*CrJungwirthistheLoddonShire’s TarnagullaWardcouncillor

1. Chinese.

Russia. 3. Johnny Depp. 4. Shoes. 5. The inside of the body.

Red.

50 states.

Richmond. 10. Downton Abbey. 11. Newcastle upon Tyne.

General practitioner.

Alfred Deakin. 14. Potato. 15. Water. 16. Minyip.

A good diet of mulberries, grain and loving care

Girls lay golden eggs

By CHRIS EARL

THERE’S more than 200 chickens laying eggs every day for Campbell Harcourt.

The East Loddon P12 College Year 6 student has built his poultry empire in less than 12 months at the family’s Pompapiel farm,

“Mum (Sharon) asked if I wanted to be the farm poultry manager. We started with five, a few months later another five and now we have more than 200,” said Campbell who loves the personality of the ISA brown chickens and the eggs they lay.

“The first 10 I still know well ... the first I named Tinker. All the chickens in the world even have their own personality.

“Some are crazy running around, some are nice and calm and gentle and there are a few who are the noisy bunch.

“One chicken thinks she is a rooster and tries to crow.”

Campbell said some of the cheeky chickens had flown into the orchard to munch on mulberries, fancying a dessert after their usual nourishment of grains and lucerne.

He says the nutritious diet is now producing eggs with a rich golden orange yoke favoured by a growing clientele of family, school teachers and even being added to the menu at Inglewood’s Cafe 3517.

The rapid expansion of Campbell’s egg production at Pompapiel has been given the tick of approval by Agriculture Victoria and Loddon Shire.

With help from his parents and older brother Tom, a family kitchen table meeting refined Campbell’s company logo and then set about ordering egg cartons for order deliveries.

Campbell said he wanted a carton design and logo that was ”very eye-catching but with not too much detail”.

With the colours and key words, he signed off on the Golden Girls logo that now emblazons dozens of full cartons sold around the district every week.

“I check the eggs to make sure there are no cracks and stamp them with the date they are layed,” Campbell said.

“You have to fit in with the regulations and you have to make sure an egg can be traced.

“We love our chooks and the eggs and that’s how we came up with the slogan

for Golden Girls Egg Co - loved chooks, loved eggs.”

Among the enthusiastic early customers has been Cafe 3517 co-owner and teacher Brooke Smyth who was introduced to Campbell’s eggs last year.

“In the end I couldn’t keep up with demand from teachers and started to increase the number of chickens,” the young entrepreneur said.

Campbell does keep some eggs back for his own use - a double-period of home economics at school every Wednesday has him whipping up culinary delights while in the family kitchen chocolate brownies - using two eggs - is a favourite but perhaps beaten by a mud cake

straight out of the oven topped with whipped, thick cream.

His enthusiasm for eggs and growing the poultry business beyond the current 200 birds is matched by the fun of learning at school where he did Year 7 mathematics last year, has just auditioned for a role in the school’s 2023 production of Matilda and again is taking mathematics as a specialist subject.

Mum Sharon says that between feeding, collecting, stamping and packaging eggs for customers, Campbell researches the bird and cooking on the internet.

“I’d like to do a course in poultry,” Campbell quickly adds.

“The birds can be smart and funny

some times and then at other times they can be dumb as well.”

Campbell and elder brother Tom, into the second year of a farm traineeship, have their areas of responsibility. Sharon says Tom is the sheep manager. Campbell agrees with his mother that the original chickens that set up the burgeoning empire will be sold in another nine months, still good for laying eggs but off the boil for full-scale production after 18 months on the roost.

“When I started in term two last year, the goal was to have enough eggs for my family and grandparents. The demand has just taken off and we keep getting more chooks,” he said.

Feeding time ... Campbell Harcourt feeds his 200 chickens a balance diet of grains and lucerne. LH PHOTO

Plenty of play and work for Campbell Harcourt who is now running an expanding poultry business at the family’s Pompapiel farm. LH PHOTOS

EMPLOYMENT

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Loddon Shire Council as the declared waterway manager for Loddon River (at Bridgewater between Flour Mill Weir and Sweeneys Lane), makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic). For the purposes of boating activity conducted by the Bridgewater Water Ski Club Inc, persons and vessels involved in the 2023 Victorian Water Ski State Titles are exempt from the following requirements:

State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988

1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water.

2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel.

Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010 / Marine Act 1988

3. Clause 62.2 of Schedule 62 – 5 knot speed restriction within waters not speci ed as Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Areas between Flour Mill Weir and Sweeneys Lane.

4. Clause 62.6(a) of Schedule 62 – Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Area for Slalom and Ski Jumping - modi ed to allow for trick skiing.

5. Clause 62.7(d) of Schedule 62 – Operating times for the Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Area for ‘Water Skiing’.

Marine Safety Regulations 2012

6. Regulation 100(3) – Persons on vessels must wear a PFD of type speci ed at all times when underway on inland waters

7. Regulation 103 – A person being towed must wear a PFD.

8. Regulation 104(1) – Master must ensure all occupants of vessel wear a PFD.

9. Regulation 104(2) – Master of a vessel must not operate the vessel unless persons onboard when underway or being towed wear a PFD.

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

 Masters of participating vessels are only exempt from items 1 & 2 when undertaking rescue responsibilities to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore.

 Masters of participating vessels are only exempt from items 3 to 5 for the duration of the events.

 ‘Trick’ skiers being towed are only exempt from items 6 & 7 provided they wear a bright coloured top.

 Masters of participating vessels are only exempt from items 8 & 9 when towing water skiers who are participating in trick events, and when retrieving waters skiers who are participating in trick events and exempt from wearing a PFD.

 All persons on vessels and skiers associated with the event must wear a PFD (unless exempt from item 7 in accordance with these conditions), and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment, including rescue vessels.

 Should vessels or persons not involved in the event enter the exclusion zone, the event must be stopped until the unauthorised vessel or person has moved outside of the zone.

 The exemptions apply from 7:00am to 7:00pm on 25 – 26 March 2023 within the exclusion zone waters of the Loddon Riverbetween the Calder Highway Bridge and the boat ramp at Sweeneys Lane.

 The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.

BY ORDER OF LODDON SHIRE COUNCIL

2 March 2023

NOTICE OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXCLUSION ZONE

Marine Safety Act 2010

Loddon Shire Council as the declared waterway manager for the Loddon River at Bridgewater between Flour Mill Weir and Sweeneys Lane, hereby gives notice under section 208(2) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) that the waters of the Loddon River between the Calder Highway bridge and the boat ramp at Sweeneys Lane are prohibited to all persons and vessels not registered to take part in the 2023 Victorian Water Ski State Titles. The exclusion zone takes e ect between 7:00am and 7:00pm from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 March 2023.

BY ORDER OF LODDON SHIRE COUNCIL 2 March 2023

SALES POSITION - FULL TIME

Miller Ag Supplies - Pyramid Hill

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

Miller Ag Supplies is an independent locally owned business, committed to providing great products and service to our customers. This position would suit someone looking to commence or continue their career in Agricultural retail. This position is full time, and you will be required to work some Saturday mornings on a roster.

For a full job description please check our website millerag.com.au/job-opportunities/ Applications close on Monday March 20, 2023.

WANTED WANTED

AGISTMENT WANTED

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

Salisbury West area

Phone Neil 0417353929

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

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

Send us your resume by March 31 2023

Inquiries to Chris Earl

Managing Editor Loddon Herald

Phone 0419549743 email loddonherald@gmail.com

SPORT

Swim records fall

TWO new records were set at Wedderburn College’s swimming carnival.

Dylan Caruana who broke the 50-metre freestyle record held by M Troy (46.10, 2015) with a time of 43.91. and Junior Whyman who broke the 50-metre backstroke by 0.03 seconds. This record was held by J McNamara (1.00.69).

Age group champions wsere - 9-year-old: Mia Clarke, Brax Noordennen and Jye LavertySmith. 10: Floss Rogers and Kain-

LODDON HERALD BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

an Chalmers. 11: Destiny Donald and Heath Leach. 12: Bianca Mansell and Bastian Noordennen.

13: Violet Stephenson and Ben Cunningham. 14: Chloe Looby and Aidan Wingfield. 15: Amelia Buschmann and Tyson Blair. 16: Lillian Stephenson and Travis Lowe. 1: Neve Nisbet and Dylan Caruana. Open: Brianna Sanderson and Zen Joyner.

Meanwhile, Wedderburn joined other schools in Boort last Thursday for the North Central District triathlon.

Wool buyer

Cash payments

On-farm appraisals

92 Rowena Street, East Bendigo Ph 5406 0629

Competitors prepare for the schools’ triathlon in Boort last week.

Hockey stocks on the rise for Redbacks

FORTUNES are turning for hockey in Wedderburn with the Redbacks ready to field four teams in North Central competition this season.

The Redbacks’ involvement came to a halt last season when player numbers dropped but hockey manager Tom Nisbet said women’s, under 15, under 12 and minki teams would take the field in red and black colours in 2023.

While the club has been unable to recruit a committed team for the men’s competition, Nisbet said there were positive signs for juniors and women.

“The minki roadshow visited the school last week and within hours we had calls from two parents that their children wanted to play,” he said.

“We have more than 40 players available for the four sides and some will be able to play up a level as well.

Badge night recognises swim achievements

BOORT Swimming Club held its annual badge night last week.

The club’s 37 swimmers who braved the cooler weather and jumped in to challenge themselves and see how far they could swim without stopping were presented with their badges.

Some younger swimmers were in their first year of lessons and

showed how much they had learnt throughout the season with some fantastic results on the night.

The club’s volunteer swimming instructors were thanked for giving their time at lessons twice a week to teach children vital skills in and around water.

Badge night results - Hunter Nel-

son, Sienna Adams, Levi Melville 25 metres; Izzy Melville, Tyler Stringer, Juliette Lanyon, Keira Henderson 50 metres, Whyatt Brooks, Sebastian Hermann, Hayley Meville 100 metres.

Daisy O’Flaherty 200 metres. Luca Lanyon 300 metres, Bella Quinn 400 metres, Millie Pink 500 metres, Hannah Talbot 550 metres, Shelby Henderson 600 metres, Mae McNally

650 metres, Eva Perryman, Pearl Muller 700 metres.

Lucy Lanyon 1km, Scarlett Crilly, Alisha Henderson 1.05km, Hayley Stringer 1.1km. Mareceline Foot, Elke Perryman, ALice Marsh 1.5km. Seth Muller, Connor McNally, Carrie Byrne 2km. Brodie McPherson 2.1km, Owen Byrne 2.4km, Archer Lee 2.5km. Victoria Lanyon, Indi O’Flaherty, Emily Henderson 3km, Finlay Arnold 5km.

“The minki program last year has helped create a new base for hockey in the area.”

Wedderburn has appointed Chelsea Hargreaves as coach of the women’s team.

Hargreaves had been living in Swan Hill and played with Sea Lake Nandaly where she won the best and fairest last season.

She has relocated to Bendigo and would drive rebirth of the club’s top team.

North Central hockey starts on April 15 along with netball and football

Cut-throat semi-finals loom in LV association

LODDON Valley and Boort tennis competitions start their semi-finals this weekend.

After the long weekend bye, top side Calivil North will play Serpentine and Mincha West meets Dingee.

Both finals will be played at Dingee with much interest in the clash between the home side and Mincha West.

Mincha West finished the home and away season in second spot, just a point ahead of Saturday’s opponent but with a slightly inferior percentage.

This should be the pick of the two matches while Calivil North can not expect as easy ride against Serpentine who

were challenging for top spot on the ladder until the last month of the season when player availability threatened hopes of even playing finals.

A more settled line-up in the finals could put Serpentine back into contention.

Boort starts its semi finals, again after a long weekend break while it will be grand final day in Marong association on Saturday.

Wilsons Reef is favoured for the flag despite falling over the line by one game in the semi-final against Lockwood.

Its opponent Harcourt is expected to adopt a tenacious game plan.

Inglewood association runners-up Loddon Eagles. LH PHOTO

Inglewood association finalists Fentons Creek. LH PHOTO

Inglewood association finalists Korong Vale. LH PHOTO

Sienna Adams Finlay Arnold

Marceline Foot

Scarlett Crilly Juliette Lanyon

Alice Marsh

Flat jumps over Calivil

KANGAROO Flat has snatched the Bendigo bowls playing area division five flag from Calivil.

After finishing the home and away season third on the ladder, Kangaroo Flat steamed to victory in Saturday’s grand final at Bendigo.

Minor premiers Calivil, after booking its spot in the final with a semi win over Inglewood, was unable to avenge the losing result

in its last grand final appearance two seasons ago. Alan Leech’s rink was the only bright spot for Calivil as he steered his quartet to a five-shot win.

Lindsay Gronow and Allan Dennis saw their rinks go down by five shots or less.

Kangaroo Flat made sure of pennant success with a 15-shot win over Graham Maxted’s rink.

It was only Calivil’s fourth de-

feat of the season that marked a reversal of a disappointing 20212022 when its missed the finals despite a late surge.

Calivil had finished top of the ladder equal on 177 points with Inglewood but with a better percentage.

Division 5: Calivil 65-2 lost to Kangaroo Flat 84-16. Keith Richards, Robert Boyd, John Pickles, Lindsay Gronow (s) lost to R Sparke, T Hurford, J Friswell, J Grant (s) 17-21. Ian Mansbridge, Matthew Dennis,

Club stages major fours tournament

COMPEITITION bowls returns to the Inglewood greens on Saturday for the first time this year when the Charlie Catto memorial fours will be played.

Inglewood’s greens have been out of action while resurfacing works have been completed.

The club says the Catto Fours is its ‘gold letter event” with more than $1000 in prizemoney and is again expected to attract bowlers from across regional Victoria.

Inglewood bowlers practiced at Bridgewater while green renovation work was completed.

Wedderburn’s round robin ladies’ triples championship has been won by Amy Roberts, Robina Little and first year player Colleen Roberts. The men’s title was won by Neale Holt’s team. Meanwhile, entries are being received for the Wedderburn club’s annual Easter tournament. Events over three days from Maundy Thursday will include two-bowl triples, three-bowl pairs and the Con Jackson Memorial fours on Easter Saturday. At Bridgewater, the twilight bowls wrapped up this week. The club singles champship is still to be decided for the women’s title.

Pennant playoffs

Nathan Dennis, Allan Dennis (s) lost to G Creedy, B Cullen, D Martin, D Densley (s) 17-22. Ron Lourie, Howard Miles, Glenn Ray, Graham Maxted (s) lost to Verbeek, J Ritchie, J Griffiths, B Duncan (s) 9-24. Barry Meighan, Geoff Lourie, Warren Miles, Alan Leech (s) d M Verbeek, B Hansen, N Davies, K Packer (s) 22-17.

Other results - Division 1: Bendigo d Bendigo East 74-73. Division 2: Eaglehawk d Strathfieldsaye 87-82. Division 3: North Bendigo d South Bendigo 87-63. Division 4: Marong d Eaglehawk 77-69. Division 6: Bendigo d Harcourt 104-72. Division 7: Kangaroo Flat d Bendigo VRI 69-48. Division 8: Eaglehawk d Kangaroo Flat 57-47.

BENDIGO bowls playing area pennant playoffs are scheduled to start from this weekend.

Under the new relegation system, top and bottom sides are not automatically moved to a new division where a club already has a side in the higher division. The cap on 10 division one teams means Inglewood, that finished eighth, could still face a playoff relegation.

Members of division five minor premiership team Calivil before Saturday’s grand final. LH PHOTO

WEDDERBURN opening bowlers

Adam Postle and Will Holt were merciless against Arnold in Saturday’s semi-final.

Band goes in as favourites Dynamic duo busts Redbacks

THE 2022-2023 Upper Loddon season was almost two months old when Wedderburn played its first match.

Washouts, floods and byes meant the Band’s first match was not until round seven when it defeated Bridgewater.

Its path to the grand final has seen just two losses recorded, the last against Saturday’s grand final opponent Kingower when play resumed after the Christmas break.

But when the combatants last meet in round 18, Wedderurn won at home by four runs with four balls to spare.

Kingower has been the highest run-scoring side in the competition with 1783 for the season although Wedderburn has had the more convincing wins and less time at the crease.

Wedderburn has fielded a more consistent line-up in recent weeks where its dominance and thirst for victory has been on show.

Kingower had a stumble

when skipper Braydon Welsh was restricted after a football training injury.

Welsh has recovered to be directing Kingower tactics but is perhaps without the mobility that saw him hit a career best 154 not out earlier in the season.

Key for Kingower in the grand final on Saturday will be young opener Will Deason and bowlers Blake Pickles, Kyle Simpson and Jayden Leech.

Wedderburn has bowling power to burn led by Adam Postle and Will Holt. Shelton and Kirk are more than handy additions to the Band batting depth, while not put to the test often this season, cannot be under estimated.

Wedderburn has favouritism to avenge the washout disappointment of 2021, Kingower cannot be discounted - a ripper final awaits at Arnold.

- CHRIS EARL

The pair combined on home turf to have the reigning premiers at 4-15.

Arnold’s Phil Scholes was out for a golden duck in the second over when snicking a well-timed Postle delivery that was caught by Luke Holt.

Will Holt came back in his second spell to snare the crucial mid-order wicket of Cam Dale who topped scored with 23 for Arnold.

With Arnold on 8-64, Postle came back with the ball to wipe out the tail with just 65 runs scored, a mere two coming in the final four overs with two maidens.

Brad Holt and Luke Holt each took two wickets in the field as Wedderburn asserted its superiority.

Postle and Will Holt returned their best bowling figures of the season, Postle menacing for much of the last month although finding wickets hard to claim at times.

Wedderburn wasted little time chasing what was Arnold’s lowest score with the bat in years.

Lochie Shelton belted a Jaspa Wendels delivery straight to

Parents full of praise for Bob

JUNIOR coaches have been praised by parents for their guidance throughout the Upper Loddon junior season and none more than Wedderburn’s Bob Steel.

The Band was unable to raise a team at the start of the season that saw the competition with just three teams - eventual premiers Arnold, Kingower and Bridgewater.

In stepped Bob Steel, first with seven players deciding to play cricket for the season and with those youngsters drawing in friends, Wedderburn was able to rejoin competition mid-season.

“Bob did the hard lifting to get a team again,” said parent Macabe Turner who had three sons in the Wedderburn juniors. He was there every week helping

the players and making sure we had a team ... it’s all been thanks to Bob.”

However, Bob says the credit for assembling a team was due to the support of players and their parents.

He said involvement of parents had been at the heart of the junior club with many volunteering for match day tasks.

Upper Loddon association is hopeful that Boort will rejoin the junior competition next season.

Boort had been unable to raise an under 17 team for 2022-2023 but its under 13 team was victorious in the Northern Rivers competition, going through the season undefeated.

Senior clubs have also given opportunities to its juniors throughout the season.

the boundary of the first ball of Band’s innings.

There was a minor hiccup when opener Brad Holt was bowled by Phil Davies for a single run when facing just his third ball in the first delivery of the second over. And Wendels had a minor breakthrough removing Tom Kirk three overs later.

But Shelton and Luke Holt were clinical as they found gaps and opportunities.

A change of Arnold attack to

Ryan Metelmann could not stem the tide and Wedderburn was almost half way to booking a grand final birth after just 13 overs, the scoreboard ticking to 2-31. Runs were a bit harder in the middle for the next few overs before Wedderburn overtook the 65-run target in just 25 of the allotted 40 overs.

Cam Dale returned the best bowling figures for Arnold in his four overs, including a maiden and a wicket.

Bob Steel (back left) with the Wedderburn juniors. LH PHOTO Bridgewater after its semi-final appearance. LH PHOTO

Upper Loddon junior runners-up KIngower. LH PHOTO

Adam Postle and Will Holt. LH PHOTO

WEDDERBURN

SPORT

ARTHUR Deason (centre) was among the first to congratulate Kingower top-scorers Matt Rowe and grandson Will during the afternoon tea break in Saturday’s semi-final. Arthur was a star player in the old Moliagul side and made the trip to Kingower to see Will in action. “He had a good innings,” the proud grandfather said of Deason’s knock of 44 with the bat. LH PHOTO

Rapid capitulation ends Bulls’ season

By MICHAEL ROSE

KINGOWER has qualified for its first Upper Loddon Cricket Grand Final in three years after scoring a 122-run victory at home over Bridgewater in Saturday’s semi-final.

Both sides had wickets in hand leading into the second half of their innings but whereas Kingower’s last half of their innings yielded 118 runs, Bridgewater lost their way and only managed a further 21 runs, 19 of which were scored in the first two overs after drinks.

Kingower called the toss correctly and elected to bat with Matt Rowe and Will Deason putting on a game high partnership of 66. Deason was the aggressor crunching ten fours in his knock of 44 before being bowled in Pat Murphy’s first over.

Murphy bowled a terrific spell for Bridgewater considering the fast Kingower outfield.

He tied up the one end conceding just sixteen runs of his eight overs.

Forced to attack the bowling at the other end, Rowe ( 40 ), Jayden Leach (37) and Kyle

Simpson (33), all made useful contributions to Kingower’s final total of five for 193. Harry McKinley was Bridgewater’s only multiple wicket taker with two while Tom McKinley and Darcy Wood joined Murphy with a wicket apiece.

Grand final tips

Although losing Murphy in the second over of the innings, Bridgewater was tracking along cautiously with the McKinley brothers at the crease. Tom lost his wicket with the score on 31, however Harry together with Tom Staniforth, then enjoyed the best partnership of the innings, taking the score along to 69 and were starting to push the scoring rate along.

There was little to indicate the carnage that was about to take place as upon the dismissal of McKinley for 39, Bridgewater lost their last eight wickets for just two runs to be bowled out for 71.

Blake Pickles was the destroyer for Kingower and after having figures of none for eleven off his first two overs, proceeded to take five wickets for the cost of a further run.

Liam McNeill and Kyle Simpson lent good support picking up a couple of wickets each, while keeper Braydon Welsh enjoyed a fruitful day behind the stumps by taking three catches and effecting a stumping which ended the game.

Bowling averages

O M R W B Av Str

Kyle Simpson (Kingower) 93.2 20 298 28 4/6 10.64 20.00

Jayden Leach (Kingower) 89.5 31 165 23 4/13 7.17 23.43

Tom McKinley (Bridgewater) 88 11 296 23 5/22 12.87 22.96

Blake Pickles (Kingower) 78 10 331 20 5/12 16.55 23.40

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

Batting averages

M NO HS Runs Av

Braydon Welsh (Kingower) 11 2 133* 434 54.25

Harry McKinley (Bridgewater) 13 3 110 423 42.30

Will Deason (Kingower) 13 1 67 315 26.25

Matthew Rowe (Kingower) 13 0 54 301 23.15

Luke Holt (Wedderburn) 13 2 53* 271 24.64

Jarrad Hodoras (Boort captain) Wedderburn. Match winner: Lochie Shelton Harry McKinley (Bridgewater captain) Wedderburn. Match winner: Will Holt Cam Dale (Arnold captain) Wedderburn. Match winner: Tom Kirk

SEASON ENDS: Bridgewater’s Toby Naughton swings outside the crease before stumped by Kingower skipper Braydon Welsh. LH PHOTO

Tom McKinley

A NEW cup meeting date could be gold for Wedderburn Harness Racing Club.

Harness Racing Victoria last week told the club the 2024 calendar will see the cup raced on the Friday of the March long weekend.

The club had been in talks with Harness Racing Victoria for a return of its traditional January .

sport

MINOR premiers Wedderburn has its crack at ending a nine-year premiership drought in Saturday’s Upper Loddon Cricket Association grand final.

The Luke Holt-skippered Band has bolted to dominance since the Christmas break and showed no mercy in the home turf semi-final

Thursday March 16, 2023

dispensing reigning premiers Arnold.

Wedderburn has not claimed a flag since defeating Kingower in 2014 after also knocking off Arnold the previous season - back when the association was in two-day mode.

Braydon Welsh will lead KIngower into yet another grand final, confirming the club’s status as the decade’s most consistent outfit.

This Saturday’s one-day final will be at Arnold.

STORIES, SCOREBOARDS, PHOTOS - PAGES 18 & 19

CUP DATE GOLD

“We’re very pleased with the new date,” said club secretary Tom Nisbet.

“With people already in town for the detector jamboree, we could have a great crowd at the cup meeting.

“We’ll also look at perhaps having a special gold nugget race to link in with the weekend celebrations.”

Nisbet said the proposed cal-

endar meant the club’s premier event would not be run in 2023.

“For the last two years, our cup meeting has been in September and the weather on both days was quite overcast and not great for a crowd,” he said.

“A March date for our cup meeting should have both great weather and a great crowd.

“The timing will be magnificent,” Nisbet said.

Talks with HRV has originally centred on finding a date in warmer months.

Nisbet said the club had wanted to avoid a mid-week meeting but a long weekend Friday was a good outcome from talks.

Wedderburn club is currently racing at Maryborough’s Carisbrook track while Donaldson Park is redeveloped under a $5 million project funded by the

Federal and State Governments, Loddon Shire and the community. Construction of new buildings is expected to be finished this year.

Wedderburn will also have a January race meeting in 2024.

Nisbet, who is also secretary of Boort Trotting Club, said that club had been again allocated race dates in January and March next year.

Braydon Welsh Luke Holt