Loddon Herald 16 February 2023

GROVE GROWTH

$25m INVESTMENT BUILDS BIGGEST MILL

COBRAM Estate’s Boort olive processing mill be will be largest in the Southern Hemisphere when harvest starts in April.

The listed company is investing $25 million and installing new machinery from Italy as its Boundary Bend Boort grove footprint grows to more than 3500 hectares.

Joint chief executive officer Leandro Ravetti: “At Boort over the past five or six years we have been investing quite heavily in new plantings and replacing of old groves.

“With better performance in growing, this year we come (for investment) to production to have a milling capacity sufficient to cope with the increase in yield,” he said.

Full vertical integration production capacity at Boort is being increased from 30 tonnes of fruit an hour to 80 tonnes.

“This will be the largest mill in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world,” said Mr Ravetti. “It’s big .... a

By CHRIS EARL

significant investment that will see the mill and groves fully expanded in the next few years for production.”

New processing equipment for the mill will be more energy efficient. Mr Ravetti said that would contribute to a lower carbon footprint for each litre produced.

Another 415 hectares is being planted with olive trees over the next six weeks and continues a planting program started six years ago.

“The area has a great climate for growing olives. The yield and quality from the farm is clear proof and has given us confidence to keep investing in the farm and the mill,” he said.

“It’s quite exciting and it’s a great sign of a lot of oil to come.”

Olive oil consumption in Australia has more than doubled in the past 20 years to an average of two litres a person.

Mr Ravetti said that more than 40 per cent of extra virgin oil was now produced in Australia and “there’s still scope to grow”.

“We have been barely keeping up with demand and the additional growing and production capacity will be important,” he said. “There’s also potential for export growth into the US and Asia.”

Mr Ravetti said the $25 million investment was the “cherry on

the cake” that capitalised on the learning curve of the company.

“We’re not only producing a healthy and delicious product but a sustainable product,” he said.

General manager horticulture

Ruth Sutherland said despite a cold and wet spring that had de-

layed flowering on trees, recent conditions had created good growing conditions ahead of the April harvest.

Cobram Estate listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in August 2021. The company shares opened trading at $1.36 yesterday.

Grove manager Dale Smythe and Stefan Farkas outside what will be the largest olive oil processing mill in the Southern Hemisphere. LH PHOTO

DETENTION deserved? We think Bradley of Boort would have fallen foul of the headmaster for being late ... with his latest sign. And writing out 100 times the correct spelling of geometry could have been meted out in an old-fashioned classroom without air-conditioning and the outdoor playing area covered in coarse gravel. However, we think Bradley would have earned a reprieve for giving us the theme and flow of OTF this week.

WE’LL start with maths. As recorded last week, The Oracle of Maryborough High School fame was recruiting players for his twilight bowls outing at Bridgewater. Accepting the call up much earlier than anticipated, OTF enjoyed the pre-game hamburger and surveyed the Janey-arranged raffle prize table. In the main event, let the history books records, OTF contributed three shots in first game win, The Oracle zip.

NEXT on the timetable is home economics. The Good Doctor and his equally good wife took their place too in the teams rolling the Henselite down what was rated a very fast twilight green. They did very well in post-match activitiesclaimed first prize in the raffle of a meat pack and followed up with second prize of two bottles of fine local beverages of the grape variety. While that had main course covered, the Good Doc bombed when it came to dessert - he missed out on third prize

that was a dozen of the finest local eggs. No sponges being whipped up to finish lunch!

BACK in class, it’s time for geography. The terrible news last week of tragic earthquakes had one octogenarian confused. He spoke about the bad news coming out of Tokyo. The dear old ABC had confused chap with newsreaders’ pronunciation of the country still to most of us known as Turkey. Seems Auntie has decided, after a consultation period and appropriate committee meetings, to tell us that Turkey is now Türkiye (TUR-kee-ah) after the country decided, maybe, to disassociate itself from the big cooked bird on tables at American Thanksgiving. Turkey began a push for the rest of the world to adopt the native land spelling and pronunciation in 2021. Does this now mean Rome becomes Roma (not tomatoes - mind you, they would go well with turkey).

TO FINISH the school day, let’s look at English with a nice little segue from the geography lesson. Some foreign place names are commonly Anglicised in English. Examples include the Danish city København (Copenhagen), the Russian city Moskva (Moscow), the Swedish city Göteborg (Gothenburg), the Dutch city Den Haag (The Hague), the Spanish city of Sevilla (Seville), the Egyptian city of Al-Q hira (Cairo), and the Italian city of Firenze (Florence).

AFTER all those classes, Bradley must surely be off to complete those 100 lines while The

WORK has started on the delayed $1.58 million Pyramid Hill streetscape revitalisation project. Crews have spent the last fortnight preparing Kelly Park and Lions Park for design works. Originally slated for completion last year, Loddon Shire in May appointed Echuca-based construction firm Capeng Pty Ltd to deliver the project with works starting in July. However, it was further delayed by the October flood emergency and sub-contractor availability. When completed, a pedestrian crossing will link the two parks.

Snags out door in quick time

CHAMPION sausage makers Jye and Kristy Arnold have battled to keep up with demand for the prize-winning snags.

No 1 on shoppers’ lists last week was the Italian Casalinga variety that took out the National Sausage Award.

Jye made up a larger quantity in anticipation of customer

demand. But he couldn’t keep up ... more than 80 dozen (960) sausages were sold at the Boort butchers in four days last week.

Jye said the award had encouraged customers to stock up on what was now the nation’s favourite sausage. The national award-winning short cut bacon was also popular last week.

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‘Golden Iris’ visible in drilling breakthrough

A NEW high-grade zone has shown eight visible gold samples across what could be a continuous zone of mineralisation near Mitiamo.

Catalyst Metals says Iris Zone presents the “first clear proof of concept that Four Eagles contains the same structural style as the 22-million-ounce Bendigo Goldfield, where high-grade mineralised zones repeat at depth”.

“Iris adds to the number of high-grade zones close to the proposed exploration tunnel, potentially changing project economics,” Catalyst told the Australian Stock Exchange last week.

Chief executive officer John McKinstry told the Loddon Herald this week that local drilling was about to end for the season.

Mr McKinstry said the company had responded to queries from the State Government regulators on its application to construct a $20 million exploration tunnel as part of the Four Eagles project.

“We are limited in how far we can explore from the surface,” he said.

Catalyst technical director Bruce Kay said the new visible samples were “a pivotal breakthrough in our hunt for the extension of the Bendigo Goldfield”.

Drilling returned multiple occurrences of visible gold in eight diamond drill cores from the Boyd’s Dam prospect.

“We have always suspected that there would be stacked gold zones below the shallow Boyd’s Dam mineralisation but previous drilling has not been done with the optimal orientation.

“The Iris Zone appears to be very consistent and visible gold is always exciting. Catalyst has

identified a number of highgrade areas of mineralisation within close proximity to one another - Boyd’s Dam, Hayanmi, Pickles, Cunneens, Eagle 5, Bullock and Iris Zone. These areas of stacked, repetitive mineralisation have the potential to change the project’s economics and could

IN BRIEF

Listed for sale

BRIDGEWATER Post Office has been put on the market. Owned by a local consortium, its sale was first flagged last year. The business was advertised in regional media at the weekend and is the fourth Loddon post office agency to hit the market in three years. Inglewood and Tarnagulla post offices were sold last year and there has been strong interest in the Newbridge agency part of the town’s store that is listed for sale.

Donut week

LODDON has recorded its first COVID donut week since early September. No new cases were reported in local communities last week and there were no active cases. There were 2941 COVID-19 cases reported in Victoria for the week.

Computer books

SENIORS needing help to navigate the ever-changing digital world will soon be able to access free training through their local library under a State Government initiative. Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne has announced the $2 million Digital Literacy for Seniors Program, supporting public libraries to conduct hands-on digital training programs for Victorian seniors in 2023.

Popular exchange

eventually all be mined from the one access tunnel.”

Catalyst said the newly-discovered Iris Zone was on a steep western shear zone and seemed to mostly occupy the western limb of the Boyd’s Dam anticline.

“Drilling results continue to show that Four Eagles is a strong-

ly mineralised area and further drilling is likely to define new gold bearing structures,” the company said.

Catalyst said discovery of the Iris Zone provided a significant, highly sought-after element to the prospectivity of the Whitelaw Gold Belt north of Bendigo.

Nation’s roots are firmly planted

LODDON Shire’s Citizen of the Year Howard Rochester has planted a special tree at Inglewood’s Botanical Gardens.

He was joined by family members to plant the Ned Kelly grevillia presented to him by Mayor Dan Straub on Australia Day.

Mr Rochester has previously planted new trees at the gardens.

He said he wanted to share the award tree

for future generations of Loddon residents and the gardens were a logical location.

The Ned Kelly has the scientific name Grevillea banksii bipinnatifida .

It is a medium dense evergreen native shrub with green fern-like foliage and large bright brush-like orange-red flowers that show all year round. The species is said to be great native bird and bee attractor.

NEIGHBOURS of Morgan and Flynn Lonza have helped populate their frontyard book exchange with new titles after last month’s story in the Loddon Herald. Mother Simone said the family had been amazed with the response of Inglewood residents dropping off books for the Tarnagulla Road exchange.

Farmer survey

NATIONAL Farmers’ Federation has commissioned the first-ever National Farmer Wellbeing Survey that aims to better understand some of the key issues facing Australian farmers, particularly after recent natural disasters, and compare and contrast perspectives and experiences across sectors, regions, and demographics.

Catalyst’s Victorian operations general manager Adam Place and senior geologist Mike Kellow examine samples from the Four Eagles project. LH PHOTO

Howard Rochester and his grandchildren plant the Australia Day tree.

Know the COLOURS TAKE THE ACTIONS TO SURVIVE

Across Australia, the Fire Danger Rating system has changed. Using real-time scientific data, it now gives you a more accurate rating of the risk level if a fire was to start in your area. Each colour represents the actions you need to take to stay safe. If it’s red, the fire risk is Catastrophic, so you need to pack your bags and leave immediately. Don’t wait around to see if the conditions improve.

Plan. Act. Survive. Go to vic.gov.au/knowfire

For more information on the new simpler and smarter Fire Danger Ratings, search Fire Danger Ratings

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Govt wants council talks

“A further 26 locations for our new government-owned and affordable child care centres have also been announced, including the Loddon Shire.

Trains, vans on the plains

HERITAGE caravans and trains will be in the Loddon this weekend.

UNCERTAINTY continues on the location of a Loddon child care centre promised by the State Government.

The Government says it is in the planning stage to determine options for the centre in rural Victoria’s only child care desert. While the Government last week said it would work closely with local government ahead of the 2026 promised opening, Loddon Shire is yet to be contacted.

Council has steered clear of the child care space but advocated for greater support and subsidy for business to establish centres in the shire.

A council spokesperson on Monday said: “We are unsure what role council will play in the State Government selection of a town.

“Council has not had any contact with the State Government at this time and therefore it is too early to speculate on details such as location.”

The Government last June announced it would open child care centres in areas of most need and during the November election campaign said Loddon Shire

would be one of 26 centres in the second tranche to open in 2026.

Ripon MP Martha Haylett last week said: “Last year the State Labor Government announced 50 new government-owned and affordable child care centres to be built across Victoria. They will be in locations with the greatest need to make it easier for families to access education and care close to home.

“I’m really excited that Loddon Shire has been announced

as a location for a governmentowned centre, so that locals can access high-quality and affordable child care and kinder services for their little ones.

“Communities across the shire will be consulted extensively to make sure the new centre meets the needs of local families.”

The Government said: “Planning is underway for the four child care centres announced to open in 2025, including consultation with stakeholders.

Road works in planning stage

DEPARTMENT of Transport has multiple maintenance projects across the Loddon in the planning stages.

A 4.59km section of the Calder Highway at Woosang has been listed for attention by the department as has 1km at Wedderburn, 1.43km at Kurting and 3.16km at Derby.

The Derby section is near where the department wants to construct south-bound passing lanes, the first on the Calder Highway north of Bendigo.

A planning application to remove trees on the Calder Highway for a passing lane is before Loddon Shire Council.

Future plans include a north-bound passing lane.

The department says its planned maintenance works will provide a “smoother, safer and more reliable journey for road users”.

Similar work is in planning stages for a 2.34km section of the Loddon Valley Highway at Jarklin and 3.32km at Durham Ox with a small section at Gladfield to be have maintenance treatment.

Maintenance is also being planned for Durham Ox-Boort Road and Boort-Kerang Road and two sections of the Loddon Valley Highway at Loddon Vale.

A 2.28km stretch of the BridgewaterSerpentine Road also appears on the planning list.

Wimmera Highway works have started realigning the intersection at Newbridge while works are also planned at Cochranes Creek and Kooreh.

Sections of Glossop Street, Mitiamo, also appear on the latest planning information from the department.

No timelines have been released for the maintenance projects.

“The department is also in the planning phase to determine options for the 26 announced locations and to identify the remaining 20 locations, and will work closely with local government, service providers and other stakeholders to deliver these new facilities,” the Government said.

A strong community campaign for child care in Loddon has been running across the shire since 2021.

Wedderburn College has cited issues with staff recruitment and retention because of the lack of child care.

Principal Danny Forrest has said the college was ready to have a co-located child care centre under the Government’s new policy.

And parents, including Wedderburn’s Tammi Martin have continued to call for action.

Hundreds of signatures were on a petition for action presented to State Parliament by then Ripon MP Louise Staley in 2022.

The 2026 rollout of child care in Loddon would coincide with the State Government’s introduction of pre-prep classes at shire-managed kindergartens in Dingee, Pyramid Hill, Boort, Inglewood and Wedderburn.

- CHRIS EARL

The eighth vintage caravan gathering at Bridgewater has again seen sites at the town’s caravan park booked by holidaying nostalgia buffs.

Vans and vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s will make up most of the campers in town while many will also bring vehicles from the same era.

Meanwhile, heritage steam and diesel locomotives will head north from Melbourne to Nullawil.

The train will pass through Dunolly, Inglewood and Korong Vale on Saturday morning with passengers alighting in Boort for a tour of the Spannerman gardens.

The Grainlander train makes its return trip through the Loddon on Sunday morning.

Extensive consultation promised by Ripon MP Martha Haylett

Vintage camping at Bridgewater

IDHS would like to introduce some new staff members and roles, we're growing our services to meet your needs.

IDHS Services

Mental Health

Alcohol and Other Drugs Worker

Counsellor

Youth Mental Health Worker

Mental Health Nurse

Community Health

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation

District Nursing Service (DNS)

Family Violence (Orange Door)

Diabetes Educator & Prevention Program

Community Health

Community Transport

Social Support Groups

Chronic Disease Nurse

Allied Health

Occupational Therapist

Physiotherapist Dietitian

Exercise Physiologist

Speech Pathologist

Strength Training

Dietitian

Referral informationFor counselling & mental health services the community can self-refer. For other services, IDHS require a doctor’s referral or a chronic disease management plan. Please email IDHS at admin@idhs.vic.gov.au or phone 5431 7000

"I’m 83 it’s the best corner I’ve ever been in of my life. The volunteers are great. Leeanne and Roger bring the outside in and I enjoy their conversation, they are always happy and they create a wonderful atmosphere” Henry.

"We wouldn’t be able to offer a wide variety of activities or outings without the help from our volunteers”

Leisure

Maddy

& Lifestyle

Volunteers Leeanne, Roger & IDHS Staff

Henry currently lives in the Inglewood Hostel. He likes to be involved in many of the Leisure and Lifestyle activities, especially cards and watering the garden. Henry enjoys helping out in the community too, through the Men's Shed and the Inglewood Community Kitchen. It would be great if people could volunteer to support Henry's activities. If you would like more information please contact Cindy at cgould@idhs.vic.gov.au or phone

54 317 000

Tara Occupational Therapist

Shanaye Exercise Physiologist

Michaela Cardiac Rehabilitation

Michelle Chronic Disease Nurse

Talk to town on speed review

A REVIEW of Inglewood speed limits by the Department of Transport must include proper community consultation.

President of the town’s development and tourism committee Peter Moore said he would be seeking endorsement of the group to lodge a fresh request to review the current 50kmh speed limit in Brooke Street.

Mr Moore said the last review more than two years ago during COVID lockdowns and restrictions pointed to the need for a fresh look.

“And this time I would hope there is proper consultation with the community to understand the daily challenges pedestrians and motorists face sharing the shopping section of the Calder Highway through town with large trucks,” Mr Moore said.

The department’s guidelines for speed review include community sentiment.

Mr Moore said he expected a 2023 traffic count would point to a greater number of vehicles travelling the Calder through Inglewood.

“There’s not a day goes by when you don’t see trucks quickly on the tail of a car, people about to get out of the car to go

shopping who either wait until the truck passes or the truck straddles the centre white line,” he said.

“It would be important for any review to look at the amenity of the town.”

Inglewood residents have been waging a community campaign for a 40kmh speed limit and flashing speed check signs since multiple accidents in the New Year period.

Loddon Shire operations director Steve Phillips said: “The responsible road au-

- HOTEL -

thority for Brooke Street Inglewood is the Department of Transport. Council has engaged with Department of Transport over traffic in Brooke Street on numerous occasions over the years. Brooke Street is the Calder Highway and has significant traffic including trucks.

“The speed limit and related signage is regulated by Department of Transport, Council has not received a formal proposal for its consideration,” he said.

How department assesses change

WHEN concern is raised about a speed limit, or requests made to review of a speed limit, traffic and road safety engineers at the Department of Transport regional office will consider a request.

According to the department, suggestions or comments regarding speed limits can be made by contacting the regional office in Bendigo.

It says changes to speed limits are considered on a case by case basis, with detailed guidance on the appropriate speed limits for different road environments provided by the Traffic Engineering Manual Volume 3: Part 2.11 Speed Zoning Technical Guidelines.

The assessment includes a site-specific investigation, which has a review of road crash history, the number and types of vehicles using the road, the level of pedestrian activity and the primary function of the road.

Community engagement is also conducted to understand the community’s views and explain the reasoning behind speed limit change decisions, the department says.

Make your phone calls at another time, please

INGLEWOOD businessman Steve Weavell at the weekend said he continued to be flabbergasted with the etiquette of truck drivers as they travelled Brooke Street.

Mr Weavell, publican of the Empire State Hotel, said: “Only this week there was a BDouble coming around the bend at speed with a mobile phone in his hand.”

“We all respect our main street but some truck drivers clearly do not,” he said.

Meanwhile, safety signs wiped out in the New Year’s Eve rollover in Brooke Street are still to be replaced despite the department saying it would happen a fortnight ago.

Come and join us at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill

We offer classic pub meals, ice cold drinks, clean accommodation and a stocked bottle shop.

Our winter trading hours are as follows

MONDAY • OPEN 3.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

SOCIAL DARTS NIGHT

TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

WEDNESDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

POT’N’PARMA NIGHT

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

THURSDAY • OPEN 11.00AM

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

LUNCH FROM 12.00

HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

LUNCH FROM 12.00

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

ALL DAY PIZZA MENU

Catherine and Barry Norman add their support for speed changes in Brooke Street. LH PHOTO

Inquiry call on rural telehealth

MALLEE MP Anne Webster has called for a public inquiry into the future of digital healthcare.

The shadow assistant minister for regional health said that in the middle of Australia’s healthcare crisis, solutions were needed to help provide Australians, particularly in regional centres, with timely access to primary healthcare.

“Digital healthcare is a crucial tool that fills an important gap for all Australians, but particularly for those in the regions who are hit the hardest by health workforce shortages,” she said.

“The primary healthcare system is being stretched thin, telehealth alleviates the risk for patients ... Regional communities often do not have reasonable access to healthcare, which highlights the need for telehealth.”

Trees, seats make street vision

A COMMUNITY vision for redevelopment of Inglewood’s streetscape aims to cool and green the town.

Inglewood Development and Tourism this week released concept plans presented to Loddon Shire Council last year.

Council had included streetscape works at Inglewood and Bridgewater in the 2022 election wishlist. No commitments were made by the Government or Opposition to support the projects.

IDT secretary Pauline Wellman said: “The concept plans are all about greening and cooling down Inglewood, making it nicer for the community and visitors and at the same

time keeping Brooke Street’s authentic historical vibe”.

Masterplan concepts listed aspirations as reliable pedestrian networks for all ages and abilities, visual sense of the town centre· through recognisable tree planting hierarchy and other landscape measures, holistic approach to landscaping renewal in the town centre, connections between key public open spaces favouring pedestrian and bicycle users, range of quality public places in and around existing buildings and to expand an the existing meandering nature of Inglewood and the attractions within its town centre.

“Building on Inglewood’s pride in its street presence, the masterplan proposals aim to enhance this character. While the highway is Inglewood’s trading spine, the secondary streets support existing and emerging businesses and facilities as well as offering a reprieve from through traffic,” the plan says. The masterplan also proposes development of the old fuel co-op corner as a flexible public space, making Verdon Street oneway between Brooke and Grant Streets and underground powerlines between the co-op and Houston Street. Concepts have been included for a walking path from the eucalyptus museum to Grant Street.

Cemetery trust calls for bees

INGLEWOOD Cemetery Trust wants community helpers to turn out at two Sunday working bees.

Secretary Kim Doherty said: “With only seven members that either work full time or are farmers, its very hard for us to keep up with the maintenance.”

“We need people with mowers, whipper snippers and sprayers and if you don’t have those there are lots of weeds to be pulled out and sticks to be picked up. Any help would be greatly appreciated,” she said.

Working bees will be on February 26 and March 5 from 9.30am.

Free RAT kits available from post o ces

Loddon Shire Council is part of the Victorian Government’s Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) Program with FREE RATs now available to all community members. These tests, which are quick and easy to administer, will help identify those who may be carrying the virus without displaying symptoms.

Collection of the RATs can be collected from the following local post o ces:

 Boort Post O ce – 75 Godfrey Street, Boort

 Bridgewater Post O ce – 4 Main Street, Bridgewater

 Dingee Post O ce – 18 Mack Street, Dingee

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

 Inglewood Post O ce – 85 Grant Street North, Inglewood

 Mitiamo General Store – 5 Jo re Street, Mitiamo

 Newbridge Post O ce – 36 Lyons Street, Newbridge

 Pyramid Hill Post O ce – 12-14 Kelly Street, Pyramid Hill

 Serpentine Post O ce – 15 Peppercorn Way, Serpentine

 Tarnagulla Post O ce - 101 Commercial Road, Tarnagulla

 Wedderburn Post O ce – 70 High Street, Wedderburn

Who can get free RATs? Available to all community members, you do not need a Medicare card.

How many RATs can be collected? Everyone can get up to 2 packs of 5 RATs (10 tests) per person at a time. People with disability and their carers can get 20 free tests at a time.

For more FAQs scan QR code

Masterplan concept drawing show more trees in Brooke Street.

Air race story booked in for national show

THE story of Serpentine’s Centenary Air Race will be featured at next month’s Australian International Air Show.

East Loddon Historical Society has been invited to share the story in a special historical exhibition at the show at Avalon Airport between March 3 and 5.

The Serpentine Centenary air race winning Tiger Moth VH-GAV will be one of the biplanes on display that will also feature the winning cup from the race in 1920..

Putting together 150th show with enthusiasm

PETER Mason and Debbie Hancock are determined the 150th Rheola Charity Carnival will be a success.

Back on Easter Monday for the first time in four years, the organising committee president and secretary were joined by enthusiastic committee members for a meeting on Sunday.

Mr Mason said projects to replace the hall floor and new toilets should be finished in time for the event’s sesquicentennial running.

“We’ve had a good number of volunteers step out and that’s giving us confidence that Easter Monday

in Rheola will be a very special time,” Mr Mason said. “We’re still on the lookout for more helpers though. The more we have the better.”

And committee member Julie Piening cannot wait for this year’s event. That night she will be able to start writing the final chapter of a book already at 300 pages charting the charity carnival’s history bringing the community together and raising funds for district hospitals.

“Once we’ve conducted the 150th, it will be to work on the last chapter,” she said.

Historical society president John Davidson, said members were excited to showcase the community and the Serpentine Centenary Air Race to an expected 40,000 patrons from around the world at the show.

An estimated 5000 people

www.serpentineairrace.com.au Loddon HERALD FREE EVERY THURSDAY www.loddonherald.com.au Vol AUSTRALIA’S FIRST OFFICIAL AIR RACE SERPENTINE CENTENARY COMMEMORATIVE SOUVENIR

flocked to a paddock on the outskirts of Serpentine last March for the centenary of the first official air race in Australia.

Caves could open at Easter

KOOYOORA State Park could re-open by Easter.

Parks Victoria said this week it was prioritising recovery works at Kooyoora State Park following a “severe storm event and expected the park to re-open in April”.

The road to Melville Caves and camp area has been closed since October with barricades blocking access.

“Following a Victorian Government funding commitment, planning to reinstate access to Melville Caves Road is underway,” a Parks Victoria spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Mountt Korong Nature Conservation Reserve picnic area has been re-opened.

“However the Mt Korong Firebreak Track remains closed due to storm damage.”

Peter Mason, Debbie Hancock and members of the organising committee on Sunday. LH PHOTO

THE RAILWAY HOTEL

Bottles, green and all, on the wall

JED Paton is fast running out of wall space for his growing collection of bottles.

The nine-year-old has already displayed more than 450 bottles of all shapes, sizes and colours since getting the collector’s bug and searching bushland around the family’s home at Inglewood.

He is even venturing to clearing sales across the district hoping to pick up a bargain.

Jed has a reputation for determination to win at auction. “They don’t seem to bid against me,” he said.

The pride and joy of Jed’s expanding collection quickly filling a garage wall is find No 1.

Jed said he was looking for bottles in Old Inglewood bushland when he discovered a blue castor oil bottle, possibly from the turn of the previous century.

“I have found bottles as old as the 1850s,” he said. Among the more unique is one stamped EP Johns Inglewood.

But there are risks associated with Jed’s bushland bottle hunts, once being bitten by a bullant.

MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

TUESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM PARMA NIGHT

EXTENDED PARMA MENU

WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY - OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

LUNCHTIME SENIORS DAY

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

SATURDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

Parts of Jed’s collection is being displayed in a tobacco cabinet that was at Inglewood’s Adelphi Hotel that last served thirsty patrons in 1914.

Jed’s fascination with bottles and history has already seen him as a guest speaker at the town’s historical society.

“It’s fun finding bottles and going to auctions and sales to try and buy more

Recovery specialist heads speakers

EMERGENCY recovery specialist Rob Gordon will be guest speaker at a Loddon Shire community dinner next month.

Dr Gordon has worked with communities recovering from fire and floods since the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires.

He will speak in Boort on different ways people may be thinking and feeling following the October flood emergency in the Loddon.

Dr Gordon will be joined by Sally Cunningham from the National Centre for Farmer Health and Anna McGee from Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West.

RFCS was among the first assistance agencies on the ground in Loddon communities after waters receded and the team continues to make weekly visits to local communities.

A shire spokesperson said the flood recovery team was also in the early stages of planning for future events.

“Future events will be based on community needs identified over the coming weeks and months,” they said.

“This (first) event is for all shire residents, we encourage everyone to attend and get the benefit of renowned speaker, Rob Gordon, and our other guest speakers.

“Council is working with State and Federal Government colleagues to source funding for this event.”

New teachers start

WEDDERBURN College has three new teachers in its primary classes this year.

Hannah Douglas (Year 6), Mel Anderson (Year 4) and Rebbecca Torney (Year 3) have been welcomed by principal Danny Forrest. Wedderburn is still to apppoint a teacher of Indonesian for the year.

Meanwhile, tutor Meredith Thompson is the new member of staff at Boort District School.

for the collection,” Jed said. Grandfather Howard Rochester is also encouraging Jed’s interest in bottle collecting and regularly drives him to auctions.

And as for the family’s collection of

mining memorabilia from the 19th century, Jed thinks he may need to take over some of the space its uses to store bottles in boxes found on a recent scout of local bushland.

Jed Paton with his first bottle discovery. LH PHOTO

Paynter has his marking pen out

GEOFF Paynter will spend tomorrow morning wandering Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall making mental notes on more than 200 arts works on display.

The Bendigo artist will then take a break before embarking again through the display stands selecting winners in the town’s first Major’s Vision art show.

Paynter says he will be looking for the capability of artists and innovative work as he judges the competition with more than $4000 prizemoney.

“I look for a creative work,” Paynter said this week.

He praised the endeavours of Pyramid Hill Progress Association to establish the show.

“Over the years I have been responsible for running many shows and understand the importance of them for artists to gain respect and hopefully sales,” Paynter said.

““There’s a cost to enter shows and potential sales is a motivation for artists.

“And for amateur artists, it’s the chance to exhibit their works.”

Paynter has also entered art shows across the state with acclaim and has special memories of shows in Charlton and Donald.

The artist was educated in Bendigo, has

had his own studio since the 1950s and was the first education officer at Bendigo Art Gallery before teaching in district schools.

Major’s Vision art show opens with a special function tonight when winners will be announced.

Dashing kilts will sprint along to foot-tapping Celtic tunes

THE more energetic at Bridgewater’s Scots Day Out and Celtic Connections next month are being encouraged to rock up for the kilt races.

Organiser Jenny Hosking said races kilted for men and woman would be one of the highlights of a day full of Scottish and Irish music in the old railway station precinct.

“We’re putting the challenge out to clubs and groups across the district to be part of the kilt challenge,” she said.

“The only condition of entry is that you wear a kilt or are wrapped in a colourful piece of tartan material.

“The kilt dashes will be held around midday in between the many musical performances throughout the day.”

Jenny said pipe bands from central Victoria and Celtic folk groups would entertain the crowd.

Among them will be musicians from the Central Victorian Irish Association.

“We also have many Scottish clan organisations coming to Bridgewater for

the reboot of Scots Day Out and there’s also going to be activities presented for crowd participation by Bendigo Swordcraft,” she said.

“Swordcraft is Australia’s largest medieval battle game and live action roleplay event.

“We are expecting a good crowd of people looking for their fix of Scottish and Irish culture and entertainment.”

Jenny said the event had received support from Loddon Shire Council and Victoria’s Multicultural Commission.

Scots Day Out was first held a decade ago, and is being rebooted in 2023 after COVID interruptions the previous two years.

The event has moved to Bridgewater and teamed with Kooyora Women’s Network’s Celtic Connection day to help flood-hit communities in their economic recovery after the emergency last October.

Scots Day Out and Celtic Connections is on March 4.

Silo projections create serious sense of movie excitement

WHILE other rural towns have put themselves on the map by painting their silos, Quambatook is renowned for lighting up its silos to screen Australian movies.

Now a firm favourite on the bucket list, attendees travel from all over Australia to attend the twice yearly screenings under a magnificent Mallee night sky.

This Saturday Quambatook Silo Cinema will be screening the new Australian movie Seriously Red.

Starring Krew Boylan, Rose Byrne, Celeste Barber and directed by Gracie Otto, Seriously Red revolves around unemployed real estate agent, Red, who pursues her dream of becoming the world’s greatest Dolly Parton impersonator.

When her act attracts the attention of an amorous Elvis impersonator and a

WOMEN'S DAY

TheKooyoora Women's Network invite you to the 7th

International Women's Day Dinner

On Wednesday the 1st of March

@6.30- 7 pm at the Bridgewater Hotel Function Room.

IWD 2023 theme- Embrace Equity

Guest Speaker- Kaye Nankervis

Kaye will speak about living and working in collaboration with Indigenous women in East Arnhemland in NT and in the Great Sandy Desert of WA

All Welcome.

RSVP BY 22.2.23 to Sue Brown Phone 040 919 8974

powerful booking agent, she soon gets catapulted into the top tier of copycat performers, becoming the onstage and romantic partner of the top Kenny Rogers impersonator.

“We are really excited to be able to screen a recently released movie that most of our fans won’t have seen yet,” says silo cinema Projectionist and organiser Laura O’Dwyer.

“My favourite part of the cinema is the atmosphere and excitement from the crowd before the movie,” Laura said.

“We encourage our visitors to frock up and rock up in the theme of the movie.

“Seriously Red presents so many options to impersonate anyone famous and I’ve been planning my costume for a while,” she said.

Geoff Paynter

Block sale will end family circle

A FAMILY connection with the town of its name is about to end.

Ken Arnold is selling the block of land in Arnold that went full circle in family ownership over more than 150 years.

“The centre block of the now consolidated title was originally occupied by David Arnold,” says Ken, a regular contributor of history stories in the Loddon Herald.

“David Arnold and his family emigrated from Gamlingay, England, during 1857, they briefly lived in the Eaglehawk area before moving to Tarnagulla where he had a milk round and a restaurant but in 1859 the family moved to allotment 28B a pre emptive right block at Kangderaar, now Arnold.

“Arnold built a simple fourroomed weatherboard cottage near to where the two fig trees grow.

“As the gold bearing ore that was being mined at Inglewood had to be crushed at Tarnagulla, Arnold and his two eldest sons, namely William John and David Russell, blazed a track from Inglewood to Kangderaar thus shortening the journey of the bullock drays by several miles as the drays had to go towards Bridgewater where they crossed the Bulabul creek before turning south down what is now Wilson’s lane then heading south to Tarnagulla.

“Arnold built a low-level log bridge just upstream of his house, over the Bulabul creek.”

Ken says folklore has it that

a toll was charged to cross the bridge with a shanty on the east side of the shallow crossing, a waggon loaded with wool being the first to cross the bridge.

“It was not long before the crossing became known as Arnold’s Bridge,” he said.

“As the Kangderaar creek, which flows from out around Rheola, joins the Bulabul creek just upstream from Arnold’s bridge the first decent flood that came washed his bridge away.

“David Arnold apparently built a more substantial bridge that was eventually replaced by a high-level bridge some 80 metres upstream.

“This bridge provided a good crossing point until around the end of World War Two when it was replaced by another bridge. The latter bridge was burnt out in the 1965 bushfire. Eventually

the two current concrete bridges were erected, a little further upstream.

“In the meantime a small township sprang up east of the Bulabul creek, there being the Junction Hotel, a store, school, hall, church, a cheese factory and another hotel called the Halfway, the latter two standing at the corner of the Arnold West-

16th FEBRUARY 2023 @ 1PM SHARP ON SITE

36.422 Hectares – 90 Acres

Kingower road.” Ken said the Arnold family eventually had land east of the railway line, midway between the Bulabul Creek and the fiveway junction on the Rheola-Arnold road, at Arnold West, and at that junction.

“The pre-emptive right passed down through William John and then to his son William who purchased the land around 1909.

“William Arnold sold the land in 1919 as he was relocating to Bamawm where he had an orchard.

“It was around this time that the name of the little township was shortened to Arnold.

“Eventually the block was purchased by Albert Henry Bramley, my grandfather.

“My mother Edna Bramley remembers the two fig trees being there when she was a little girl, they still offer a welcome site on a hot day. Oh, by the way you can still get a good feed a figs to this day, if the birds don’t beat you.

“Eventually the house was moved to Daly Street, Maryborough where it still stands to this day.”

Ken said the land passed from Bert Bramley to his youngest son George who in turn sold it to him, thus the ownership ‘has gone the full circle’.

“However. all good things have to come to an end.”

z The 2.85 ha of land on the sealed Dunolly-Inglewood Road, Arnold is being sold by FP Nevins & Co, Inglewood.

The land is described as: “A lifestyle getaway block it is a lovely rural allotment, with excellent grass cover as it is bold loam soil. The WM pipeline passes through the block (not connected) and power is overhead. The block backs onto the Bulabul creek whilst the recreation reserve is across the creek. Fully fenced on the bank of the creek and the road frontage.”

Inspection is by appointment.

Including shearing shed – 3 stand with attached sheep yards and spray dip. In 4 paddocks.

Machinery Shed 19m x 6.5 m Zinc alum & steel construction with earth floor.

2nd Machinery Shed 29m x 8m Gal Iron construction with earth floor.

Raised barn 8m x 12m with Plastank & hay shed.

Land – Loam top to a clay base with lovely arable flats, excellent grazing or cropping allotment.

Terms: 10% deposit required upon signing

Ken Arnold

The marble clock that was given by the residents of Arnold to William Arnold on his marriage to Isabella Keillor Scott on September 13, 1911.

Studs vie for new field day prize

LODDON Valley Merino studs have a new competition to enter when they stage Victoria’s first major field day of the year at Serpentine next week.

Competition for the best pen of three paddock run ewe lambs will honour Doug Todd of Ninuenook Stud, Jeruk, who passed away last year aged 91.

Doug had first registered the Ninuenook Merino Stud, on the Avoca River flood plain between Boort and Wycheproof in 1969.

The new prize will be judged

by Elizabeth Todd and Doug’s daughter Lou Hanmer.

Ninuenook stud has been part of the Loddon Valley field day since it was first held in 1981.

Loddon Valley studs will also vie for the pen of three rams that was last year won by Erroll Hay of Kamarooka Park stud.

Field day president Kevin Hynam said: “With 2022 being a challenging year due to flooding and an extremely wet spring, it has highlighted the need for sheep with good constitution,

correct sound feet and the need for high quality white weather proof wool.

“Our field day offers the opportunity to view a range of merino types bred selectively by each stud breeder to suit their goals and environments.

“Although 2023 has shown a correction in the lamb and mutton markets, Merino wool prices have increased closer to a sustainable level.”

The field day at Serpentine Recreation Reserve will see 11

studs displaying their sheep while there will be on-property displays at Terrick West, Kamarooka Park, Kedleston Park and Willera studs.

Kedleston Park, the most successful exhibitor in the history of the pen of three ram competition, has returned to an onproperty display after last year exhibiting at Serpentine.

Trade displays will also be open at Serpentine throughout the day with competition winniners announced late afternoon.

SIMILAR lamb numbers but a step back in quality again with less weight and finish evident across the yarding at Bendigo on Monday.

One exporter and one major domestic processor didn’t operate, and overall the buying group showed less intensity and demand for numbers compared to a week ago.

The market tended to drift down, with lamb prices from firm to $3 to $10 easier, although there was bigger falls over some of the plainest store lambs which only received subdued restocking interest.

Heaviest export lambs over 30kg cwt from $235 to a top of $254; the heavy 2630kg pens varied from $201 to $234; best heavy trades, 24-26kg, $186 to $206; general run of domestic lambs $155 to $190.

The sale did show a wide carcass price spread at times, most of the better style crossbred lambs estimated as costing processors 750 to 790c/kg cwt.

Crossbred store lambs showing reasonable breeding and frame $110 to $150, but there was several large lines of very small unshorn lambs at $34 to $48 to the paddock.

The sheep market opened dearer in the morning session but showed a much cheaper trend when agents returned to the mutton run after the lambs had been sold. Not all the regular buyers were fully active.

Heavy crossbred ewes $98 to $151 and best Merino ewes in wool to $144. Lot of trade and light sheep from $40 to $90.

The change in price mid-way through the sheep market created mutton rates which stretched from 200c to over 380c/ kg cwt.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

WJ Whatley Goornong (20) $248, P Webb Bridgewater (50) $245, SN & DA Turnbull Bridgewater Nth (40) $238, AK Collins Bridgewater (77) $235, Burnewang Nth Past Rochester (85) $233, TJ & AB Dixon Echuca (8) $230, D & C Gunther Pyramid Hill (62) $230, Raleigh Estate Rochester (71) $228, Wokanmel Past Co Roch-

ester (31) $225, D & H McKinley Leichardt (47) $224, P & T Colvin Powlett Plains (34) $224, Wattleton P/L Traynors Lagoon (47) $224, G & L Langley Newbridge (60) $224, DJ & AL Hughes Rochester (18) $215, GK & TA Turnbull Bridgewater (138) $205.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

L McClelland & Son Lake Marmal (48) $252, Peter Schlitz Quambatook (45) $248.50, Nelson Farms Boort (63) $248.50, Elysian Downs Raywood (65) $240, Fairfield @ Myola Myola (66) $238, T & K Campbell Macorna (65) $230, G & K Pink Boort (47) $225, DL & TM Jensen Diggora West (73) $224, Mirnee P/Ship Hunter (31) $220, WL & PJ Johnson Myola East (156) $220, N & G White Wedderburn Junction (24) $218, Gredgwin Ridge Boort (55) $217, DL & CL Palmer Bamawm (63) $213, R & E Verley Jarklin (48) $211, Elliott Farms Diggora (56) $206, MD Connors Moama (71) $205, GJ & ME Perryman Woodvale (40) $205, J McDonald Woodstock (50) $203, ID & PM Durie Wycheproof (55) $199.

MERINO LAMBS

T & G O’Neill Canary Island (38) $160, R & E Verley Jarklin (83) $158.

MERINO HOGGETS

D & S Twigg Pyramid Hill (122) $200.

CROSSBRED EWES

PT & KF Howard Goornong (150) $150, BW,JR & RA Baker & VC Wall Sutton Grange (65) $138, Cresswell Trading Beazleys Bridge (36) $131.

MERINO EWES

JD Cox Charlton (48) $144, GJ Chandler Barham (58) $123, JP Donaldson Buckrabanyule (33) $112.

Next week’s order: Nevins, Elders, McKean McGregor, Nuttall, Nutrien SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

GRAIN

Boort Grain Co-op prices on Tuesday. Wheat - ASW $347 FIS. GP1 $347 FIS. SFW1 $347 FIS.

Barley: PL1 $365 FIS. SP1 $345 FIS. PLX $365 FIS. SPX $345 FIS. Bar1 $306 FIS. Bar 2$286 FIS.

Faba $368 FIS. Faba2 $368 FIS.

SHEEP MARKET

The late Doug Todd

Hocking wins third term with top VFF grain group

THE condition of country roads remained a constant thorn for Victorian Farmers’ Federation grains group, said re-elected Bendigo region member Russell Hocking.

The Prairie farmer was reelected unopposed for a third two-year term on the council.

Mr Hocking said major achievements in his first four years on the group had been shortening payment terms for growers and the impending introduction of high-risk telehandler licences.

“Most growers were on 30-day terms end of month and now the average is under 14 days. Many are now being paid by the end of the week,” he said.

“The changes came after some insolvencies in the trade ... a lot of locals were burnt by that.

“With shorter payment terms, everyone benefits.”

The State Government last year approved developing a highrisk work licence specifically for telehandlers, encompassed in the existing non-slewing mobile crane licence (CN licence).

This will provide telehandler operators with the flexibility to choose between obtaining a new

telehandler HRWL by completing a new telehandler specific unit of competency or maintain the existing CN licence requirement. Telehandler operators would not be required to hold both licences.

Mr Hocking said the training would be relevant for farmers.

“We’re now going through the work-safe channels to see what training will involve,” he said.

Mr Hocking said grains group played a key role in the annual

review with government of primary production legislation.

“If we weren’t at the table with explanations on why parts of legislation were needed, they could disappear,” he said.

Craig Henderson was last week announced president of the grains group with Ryan Milgate vice-president.

Re-elected Charlton region member was Jason Mellings.

Meanwhile, Mr Hocking said while some growers had been

Fuel tax bid risks empty farm tank

VICTORIAN Farmers’ Federation says proposed changes to the fuel tax credits scheme flagged by the Grattan Institute would further increase the already sky-high cost of living pressures on consumers and further financially strain farmers.

President Emma Germano joined calls by the National Farmers’ Federation for Treasurer Jim Chalmers to urgently rule out changes to the scheme ahead of the Federal Budget.

hit by October’s floods, including himself, most had achieved a reasonable season.

“Some made the same amount of money but they also had to invest much more too,” said Mr Hocking on input prices for crop production. He said there was a widespread switch to grain and canola crops over hay in the region.

“It’s been a long drawn-out harvest. The industry is a bit exhausted at the moment.”

“Farmers are already feeling the pinch with high input costs on a number of fronts, which inevitably get passed through our food supply chain and onto consumers at the supermarket checkout,” Ms Germano said. “It’s essentially a tax on food at the worst possible time and an unnecessary cost farmers can’t burden.

“A ninth successive interest rate hike is the latest attempt to control the spiralling cost of living. This tax does the opposite and has the potential to send food costs soaring.”

Ms Germano said the flawed proposal to extend the fuel excise to off-road vehicles had not been thought through properly.

“A road tax on vehicles that don’t use the roads doesn’t pass the pub test.”

Russell Hocking Craig Henderson

Ryan Milgate

1. In what year was the first-ever Wimbledon Championship held?

2. Hg is the chemical symbol of which element?

3. Which email service is owned by Microsoft?

4. About how many taste buds does the average human tongue have?

5. What colors are the Norwegian flag?

6. Where would you find the world’s most ancient forest?

7. Globe and Jerusalem are types of what?

8. Which is the highest waterfall in the world?

9. Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in 1770 in which city?

10. What is the third sign of the zodiac?

11. Pure water has a pH level of around what?

12. Who starts first in chess?

13. What was Britney Spears’ first song?

14. What language has the most words?

15 How long does it take to hard boil an egg?

16. What nationality was Marco Polo?

17. Which scientist was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics?

18. What did the Crocodile swallow in Peter Pan?

19. How many phases of the moon are there?

20. What color is a Himalayan poppy flower?

ANSWERS

Time to let funds flow

CONFIRMATION last week that Loddon Shire has a $60 million bill from the October flood emergency came as no surprise.

Our region is facing a rebuilding process for the second time in a generation. Been there before, doing it again.

When the parade of politicians came through flood-affected areas in the immediate days after waters had subsided, there were strong words of support in what Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said would be a phased recovery.

There were many announcements in the ensuing few weeks of funding for immediate repairs of roads, some that had been in appalling condition before the floods anyway.

But four months later, the focus needs to be put firmly on the rebuild. Roads and infrastructure that connect and bind communities are waiting for attention.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Put down megaphone

Sir, I usually ignore loud, boorish voices, but found some of the views expressed by Cr Gavan Holt on Aboriginals and the proposed ‘Voice’ to parliament (Diversity without dissent - Loddon Herald February 2) too disturbing to leave unchallenged.

In reference to the consequences for Aboriginal people of the European invasion of Australia, Gavan proves himself the master of disrespectful understatement by magnanimously conceding that “all was not perfect with what happened to them after Europeans arrived”.

Far from perfect Gavan. The hostile invasion of another country always includes the murder, rape and subjugation of the dispossessed.

It’s happening in the Ukraine now and the uncomfortable truth is that it happened here – on the banks of the Loddon where I Iive and on the land that you farm.

To go on and say that “The vast majority of the descendants of the Aboriginal people that were here when white people arrived have benefited from that arrival” is breathtakingly ignorant, brutally condescending and implies a belief in white supremacy that I find racist.

Gavan cites Henry Ergas in support of his views, believing that he is “one of the great writers and thinkers of our time”. I beg to differ, Ergas is an economist and newspaper columnist (The Australian).

Don’t fall into the trap of confirmation bias and only read what you already believe Gavan, broaden your palette. Noel Pearson’s 2022 Boyer lectures might give you a better, real-world perspective.

Bess and Jacinta Price are loud and proud party-political Aboriginal voices.

EDITORIAL

There are what in bureaucratic talk are assets still needing attention. Kooyoora State Park remains closed, barricades at the entrance to Melville Caves.

Parks Victoria has already said an assessment has been made of works rtequired. Sharing information on what those works are and when the might reopen would be a step in bringing local communities along the road to rebuilding.

The State Government has announced there will be recovery concerts in some flood-affected areas with big name music groups taking the stage. As often the case, one Loddon community has already done that ... Newbridge’s Rock on Loddon last month raised money for the rebuild at its

Cr Gavan Holt has a loud and powerful voice in the Loddon shire. On the question of the referendum for an Aboriginal ‘Voice’ to parliament, not all Aboriginals agree with the Prices’; as a long-term Loddon resident, I can assure you that Gavan Holt’s voice does not represent me.

Forty years in medicine have taught me that the best way to find out what is really wrong with, or troubling, someone is to sit down, be quiet and listen to them.

Many Aboriginal people face enormous problems – including high rates of self-harm and suicide, decreased life expectancy, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, shortage of housing, high rates of incarceration and deaths in custody……..

The sad fact that all government attempts to solve these problems have failed tells us that we have to find a better way.

Maybe if we make the effort to sit down and pay attention to a voice representing those with real skin in the game, we might find some answers.

Time to get off the soap box, put down the megaphone and listen. That’s all that the ‘Voice’ is asking of us. Don’t be scared, it won’t hurt you. You might even learn something.

Did you know that the Wandjina creation spirit depicted in Kimberly indigenous rock art has no mouth because it would make him too powerful?.

MaxHiggs Arnold

Slow down scooting

Sir, I write this letter from the perspective of a concerned senior citizen and not that of a member of the fun police.

recreation reserve, a community-driven initiative without government financial backing or direction.

The wheels of bureaucracy can, and usually do, move at a considerably slower pace than real-time on the ground.

Loddon Shire says rebuilding, replacing and repairs to its damaged assets will take another two years.

And therein lays a danger. Without government stepping up to the plate in a somewhat more timely manner, that expected timeline could in the near future be blown out of the water.

The State Budget is under three months away. It’s time to push for vital funds in local flood recovery and rebuilding.

I am genuinely concerned that a major tragedy is not far from us with the numbers of children now taking scooters to and from school in particular.

The school crossing in hospital street is very rarely attended by a responsible adult and it is even sometimes unflagged. Some School children take enormous risks getting onto the crossing , one assumes because they are aware of the road rule relative to drivers giving way.

On several occasions I have had scooter riders leap onto the crossing in front of me and they haven’t even looked to see if drivers are aware of their presence beforehand.

All fine until the inevitable occurs, at which point it matters little about the road rules as a tragedy unfolds.

I can count on one hand the number of helmets being worn and even the most daring of people know how a helmet can help protect against head trauma in the event of a fall or a collision with a vehicle.

As a person who has experienced much of life’s lessons of sadness and misery, perhaps readers should think for a moment about the safety of their children to and from school.

I find it difficult to understand why the school does not bother with a “lolly pop” person any more but it would be worth considering a reintroduction of the practice.

I’ll probably be pilloried for suggesting such an imposition on “rights” but rights themselves carry “responsibility “, both to ourselves and others.

Take care on the roads please

StephenColbert Wedderburn

1. 1887. 2. Mercury. 3. Hotmail. 4. 10,000.

5. Red, white and blue. 6. Daintree Forest north of Cairns. 7. Artichoke. 8. Angel Falls, Venezuela.

9. Berlin. 10. Gemini. 11. Seven. 12. White. 13. Baby One More Time. 14. English. 15. Seven minutes. 16. Venetian. 17. Albert Einstein. 18. Alarm clock. 19. Eight. 20. Blue.

Reaping show success

JOHN Monkhouse Bousfield was born in Stockton, Durham, England emigrated to Australia with his parents Hodgson and Elizabeth around 1857.

By 1874 H. Bousfield & Son were conducting the Laanecoorie Iron Works and at Laanecoorie Bridge and would enjoy success at competitions in the next few years. The business exhibited a reaper and mower at the Sandhurst show in November 1875.

A Bousfield plough had to be retired at the North Western Agricultural Society ploughing match, held midway between Bridgewater and Inglewood, in July 1877.

J Bousfield, also recorded as Bousfield & Co., Laanecoorie had a combined reaper and mower that was second the next year at Sandhurst and also Inglewood whilst at the Bendigo show they exhibited three reapers and double furrow plough.

Bousfield’s double furrow ploughs used at the Central Loddon Ploughing Club match in August 1878 and again the following year when it was second in class E, first class D and at both the Bridgewater and Marong Ploughing matches.

Bousfield’s stump and tree extractor was exhibited in August 1883. Mrs. Grissold of Laanecoorie also exhibited one at the ploughing match held at Woodstock on Loddon.

Bousefild & Co, was about to erect a new foundry at corner of Victoria and Panton streets, Eaglehawk in January 1891, however at that time it was only doing work associated with mining although undertaking work at the Laaanecoorie weir.

Bousefield, local foundry Eaglehawk, made a road roller for that borough council in November 1895.

John married Mary Elizabeth Robertson during 1876 and to them were born 13 sons. Bousfield sold his business soon after the death of his wife in 1908. He moved to Western Australia during 1915 where he died on September 1, 1924.

JAMES Leslie established his blacksmith in Marong during 1873. Leslie discovered water at a depth of five feet close by to his blacksmith shop at Marong in February

By KEN ARNOLD

1875. Several Leslie manufactured ploughs were used at the Raywood and Sebastian ploughing match held on the O’Connor property at Campbells Forest and at the North Western Agricultural Society’s match on Dr Crosland’s farm near the Inglewood racecourse both in August 1876. Leslie ploughs were often used at a number of ploughing matches.

Although the blacksmith shop was a hive of activity in December 1875 a snake decided to pay a visit. Mr. Leslie chanced to see the snake just as Henry Winzar was about to step on it.

An improved roller for crushing clods was manufactured by Leslie, described as our local Vulcan, for Mr. Tassel, the station

bell’s Forest ploughing match held on Mr Simmon’s paddock in August 1879 however the Leslie plough was found not suitable for the land of Edward Stone, at Laanecoorie, when the sixth annual Central Loddon Farmers’ Club ploughing match was held, however the luncheon provided by George Cousins, of Cousin’s hotel, Woodstock was appreciated by many of 1000 people in attendance.

Leslie was awarded second prize for a set of harrows whilst his two ploughs got a worthy mention at the North Western Agricultural Show held at Inglewood in October 1878 whilst the following year he was awarded first prize for his swing plough and drag harrows along with best collection of farming implements.

It was also during that month that Leslie exhibited at the Bendigo Agricultural and

of Leslie manufactured their own model ploughs for the Melbourne Juvenile Exhibition, viz: James Nicholls built a single furrow plough whilst George Parkinson built a double furrow plough.

Both models, being fitted with the most recent improvements, were described as perfect models as it is possible to conceive or execute.

The cases or frames in which they were exhibited were also of local construction having been made by Mr. John Thompson in December 1879.

The following month Leslie was awarded a silver medal for the best collection of farm implements and for his plough shares at the Sandhurst Exhibition.

Leslie won more than his fair share of prizes during the 1880s including two silver medals for his horse hoe and drill and in total 15 gold, 22 silver and two bronze medals whilst in business at Marong.

The Leslie manufactured ploughs were quickly making a name for themselves they being used as far afield as Barnadown and at the Bungaree, Dean and Warrenheip ploughing match.

Leslie ploughs were used at the North Western Agricultural Society plough match at Bridgewater in July 1880 and then at the paddock of H Wilson, Marong in August when six Marong made ploughs were used.

manager of Finlay Campbell’s, Auchmore, in May 1877.

The following month Leslie was fitting the new Lennon patent “bush” to the wheel of ploughs. Leslie sought permission from the Marong Shire Council to sink a well in High street, Marong in July 1878 he having built a boring drill that was capable of boring down twenty feet ,it making a hole more than seven inches in diameter.

The annual Bendigo Champion Ploughing Match was held in Holme’s paddock, Strathfieldsaye, on August 14, 1878, T. E. Poynting winning, he using a Leslie plough. Poynting, of Melbourne also used a Leslie plough when he won the Champions Cup at the Sebastian, Raywood and Camp-

Horticultural Society show where he was awarded second prize for his swing plough.

James Leslie, Marong Iron Works, was awarded first prize plough shares off the hammer at the Bendigo show in April 1879.

During their leisure hours the apprentices at the works were manufacturing their own plough for competition, it to be used by Arthur Wallis at a forthcoming friendly ploughing match.

Arthur Wallis soon left Marong bound for Yanipy where he established his own blacksmith.

Leslie won a silver medal for the best collection of agricultural implements at the Sandhurst Industrial Exhibition in 1879.

Two apprentices in the employment

Leslie was awarded first prize for his combined double furrow plough with sub soiler, a horse hay rake and best collection of implements at the North Western Agricultural Society held in Inglewood in October 1880. The following year he took all the prizes for single and double furrow ploughs along with harrows.

A number of Leslie ploughs were used, along with Hugh Lennon (Melbourne), Gardner & Co (Kyneton), McCalman & Garde (Melbourne) at the Bendigo Agricultural and Horticultural Society 20th ploughing match held on the property of T. Woods in August 1881.

Leslie later ran his business in Bendigo and later to moved to Western Australia where he died in 1903.

World Day of Prayer 2023 - Taiwan

Member vacancies - Victorian Class B cemetery trusts

The following Class B cemetery trusts are seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the community who are interested in becoming honorary trust members. Women and those from a diverse background are actively encouraged to seek appointment:

THE RHEOLA CEMETERY TRUST

THE BOORT CEMETERY TRUST

Friday 3rd March

Boort Baptist Church

21 Armstrong St Boort

Contact: Val 5492 9201

Yung Balug Keeping Place

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

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

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

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

Phone - 0417 333 171

Email - paulcathiehaw@gmail.com

Cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years on the recommendation of the Minister for Health. Cemetery trusts are responsible for the proper and efficient management of the public cemeteries under their control, including planning for future cemeteries services and the preservation of local history.

Being appointed to a cemetery trust provides successful applicants with a unique opportunity to develop their competencies as a board member. The Department of Health provides free governance training to all trust members.

Current members whose terms of office are due to expire may apply for reappointment as part of a competitive selection process.

More information about the role of cemetery trust members is available at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/class-b-cemetery-trust-appointments

To register your interest please refer to the trust contact details below and provide your expression of interest to the applicable trust within two weeks of the date of this advertisement:

Contact details

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Monday 27 February 2023 at 5:30pm Inglewood Town Hall 25 Verdon Street Inglewood

Please join us, RSVP essential by Friday 24 February to:

Sharon Williams - ea@idhs.vic.gov.au or telephone 03 5431 7000

WANTED TO BUY

Victorian Class B cemetery trust

The Rheola Cemetery Trust 0409 709 197

The Boort Cemetery Trust 0428 543 202

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people. The trust will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

Hard Waste Collection 2023

Loddon Shire Council will be conducting its annual kerbside hard waste collection of metals, ewaste, furniture and white goods during March 2023 to coincide with Clean Up Australia Day on the rst Sunday in March.

Residents within the township boundaries of Boort, Pyramid Hill, Mitiamo, Dingee, Serpentine, Borung, Wychitella, Korong Vale, Wedderburn, Inglewood, Bridgewater, Newbridge, Tarnagulla, Laanecoorie and Eddington may place items up to a total of one cubic metre out on the nature strip on Sunday 5 March 2023 (not before or after) and Council sta will collect these items commencing Monday 6 March 2023.

Items are to be sorted into piles, i.e. metal items, furniture, recyclable items, e-waste and white goods. Total volume is not to exceed 1m 3 in size. Excessive or unsorted piles will not be collected.

Please note that general waste, perishables, tyres, oils, batteries, paints and chemicals, car parts and mattresses will not be picked up. Any unsuitable items left behind after collections are to be removed from the nature strip immediately.

See: https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Forresidents/Your-home/Garbage-and-recycling/ Hard-waste-collection

Friday

Farm Machinery, Equipment & Sundries

A/C Jeff D Cox

Onsite: 159 Cox’s Road, Wooroonook, Charlton

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT: Cougar Steiger ST 280 Tractor (13064Hrs), 325 HP, 1982 “Snoopy” 3388 Case Tractor (9000Hrs), 2008 Case Puma 140 tractor with Howard Q65 FEL (5750Hrs) FWA, complete with Trimble Ez Pilot auto steer &1050 screen, 1970 Chamberlain MK4 FEL 236 Perkins MTR, 1971 686 International tractor (not going), 2003 Case 2388 exclusive Axial Flow Header with Case 1042 36’ front, 2009 Goldacres Prairie 4500 Ltr Tritech Boom Spray (100 ft) with controller, Ellsworth 12 Wheel V Rake, Goldacres 2000 Ltr 42 ft Boom Spray Shearer 5-160 scari bar (72 tyne), Connor Shea + 8 33 tyne Scarifier with roller Harrows, Simplicity 4500 Ltr Bin/ Howard Bagshaw 31ft seeder bar (41 tyne), New Holland 1431 mower conditioner 13ft, Shearer 33’ Springtyne Fieldspan Cultivator bar, Horwood Bagshaw 42’ Harrows, Leith hydraulic 30’ Pea Plucker, Melway 15’ stubble mulcher, John Berends 6’PTO Slasher, 4 wheel fowler trailer, 28 plate offset disc. Hurschfeld Drain Former, 3PL post hole digger, Hardi 30’ Boom Spray, Roller Bar Hay Rake, Bates portable 800 Ltr fuel tank, 2 X o’head fuel tanks Swingsaw BSA motor, Peerless Air Compressor, 5HP B-S reduction motor.

GRAIN HANDLING & EQUIPMENT: Sherwell 42 ft PTO Auger 9.5”, GBH Grouper 14 ft, 10 ton, with roll over tarp & 6HP motor, 3 X Sherwell 28 ton Field Bins with Augers, Ackland 28 ton Field Bin with Auger, Sherwell 240 bag Field Bin, 20’ 4” Pencil Auger with electric motor, Jachmann portable grain cleaner with 5HP Mitsubishi motor, 1973 2050A Acco Tray Truck with 18’ tipper (Hoist- Not going) & 120 bag bulk bin. 1964 Bedford (44,000 Miles) with 14’ tray (telescopic hoist), silo sprayer, QTY crop lifters. QTY lentil lifters, Bottom Riddle (Case 2388), Cowra stock feeder, Addlem stock feeder, Peerless 240AMP arc welder.

COLLECTABLES & SUNDRY: Sunshine McKay 8’ Header, old bag loader, Dray swivel arms, 2 X Trewella jacks, old grain thrower, leg vice, old heavy duty vice, bag truck, Qty Jute bags, Qty garden tools, roll out irrigation flume, Qty farm gates, tow cable, Harland 6” pump, poly tank (13,500 Ltr), 2 x Lister Shearing Plants, Ajax single box wool press, Hay Caps (25), fire lighter, 6 x electric fence coils & energiser, oversize safety signs, jerry cans, Qty rubber belting, assorted il filters, lamb feeder (5 nip), 2 X RHS steel (8m), water pods, redgum stumps, pellet solid bricks, Polymaster water troughs (2), Qty gal iron & host of sundries.

TERMS Numbers system operating - I.D required. Cash, Cheque payment accepted & EFTPOS available. Light luncheon available.

DIRECTIONS: 159 Cox’s Rd, WOOROONOOK.

Take Donald Rd, 10km turn right onto Cox’s Rd - Follow signs.

FULL

KINGOWER will meet Bridgewater at Kingower in this weekend’s two-day Upper Loddon junior cricket semi-final.

The winner will progress to meet top of ladder side and reigning premiers Arnold in the grand final.

The conclusion to the home and away season on Saturday, again saw Arnold leading the way.

Bridgewater was attempting to chase down Kingower’s total of 158. They were in early strife when Jayden Soulsby held a sharp chance to dismiss Daisy Stringer and Riley Murphy took two wickets shortly after.

Lewis Lonsdale and Shayla Lister then settled the innings going to lunch at three for 37.

Murphy took his third wicket immediately following the break, when top scorer Lonsdale skied a catch to Evan McCoy.

Nate Harrison took advantage

of some leg side bowling to retire on 14 and help Bridgewater to a final total of 6-81.

Murphy was the pick of the Kingower bowlers with Xander Wilson claiming two late wickets.

At Wedderburn, in reply to Arnold’s total of 222, the locals had two hits after Arnold bowled them out foe 69 in their first dig.

They fared a whole lot better in their second innings, finishing at 5-80 at stumps.

Edwin Sellick led the way in both innings, top scoring with nineteen and 36 retired respectively. Brother Lannon helped him out in the second innings scoring 11.

It was pleasing to see all the young lower order Wedderburn players score at least one run in the second innings as Georgia Hancock wreaked havoc in the first taking three wickets in four balls.

Brother Campbell claimed two wickets in the first, while Flynn Lock did likewise in the second.

LODDON HERALD BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

THE Loddon-based Dunolly and District Field and Game Club elected its new committee at last Sunday’s annual general meeting.

President is Terry Deason. vice-president Gordon Chalmers, secretary Pauline Holland, and treasurer Scott Crombie. Retiring secretary Nigel Elston said there was a good turn up for the meeting.

“It was good to see younger members put their hand up to keep the club running,” he said. Elston did not seek re-election but continues as a member of the club.

Wool buyer

Rotating with confidence

MIDFIELD depth and more options has Inglewood showing greater confidence it will take games up to Loddon Valley football opponents for a full four quarters this season.

Coach Darrell Billett says the club has recruited well over the off-season and would have greater options for rotations, a luxury the Blues were without last season when they challenged most sides in the league up to half-time.

Among recruits are Cam Martin, a lo-

cal returning to club after playing in Darwin, and Dimboola’s Daniel and Sam Polack.

The brothers trained with Inglewood throughout last season but returned home at weekends and were part of Dimboola’s brief Wimmera league finals campaign, the Roos’ first in more than two decades.

“Martin has good hands and is a good kick ... wherever we play him, he will give 100 per cent,” said Billett.

“Cam, Daniel, Sam will all add to our versatility and depth as we hope to go better this season.

“We’re still coming from a long way back but the gap will be much closer because we now have options and multiple forwards we know can kick goals.”

And Billett said the club’s stock of younger local players would be led by Jaspa Wendels and Gabe Nevins.

“We’re a young side and last season we had good first halves. Now there will

be the ability for players to have a fiveminute breather so we’re not cooked by half-time,” he said.

Blues’ president Chris Cohalan said there was a positive attitude around the club as it continued to engage with the community and encourage youngsters to play football and netball.

Junior football coach Leigh Lamprell said 18 players were already on the books for the Blues side in the new AFL under 18 competition.

Cam Martin

Daniel Polack

Sam Polack

Jack Nevins

Coby Strobaus

Callum MacKinnon

LH PHOTOS

Eagles swoop in ominious sign

inGLeWOOD

LODDON Eagles has taken top position on the Inglewood association ladder with one round before finals to go following strong win over Powlett.

And Korong Vale is closer to locking in an appearance in the finals.

The Vale won the early battle for fourth spot over Wedderburn Junction, but it remains mathematically possible for Junction to make the four if it pulls off an upset over Loddon Eagles this Saturday.

Loddon Eagles 17 d Powlett 7

MEN: S. Smith H. Higgs lost to B. Isaac L. Last 5-8. H. Higgs R. Senior d L. Last H. Lock 8-4. S. Smith R. Senior lost to B. Isaac

H. Lock 7-8. M. Senior R. Senior d T. Johns

B. Lock 8-5. R. Senior G. Madden d B. Lock

F. Lock 8-5. M.Senior G. Madden lost to T. Johns F. Lock 6-8.

LADIES: M. Higgs C. Smith d D. Wayman

H. Martin 8-4. C.Smith A. Higgs d H. Martin J. Matthews 8-4. M. Higgs A. Higgs lost to D. Wayman J. Matthews 4-8. D. Collins

D. Bouwmester d C. Ugle C. Gilmore 8-1.

D.

Madden d B. Lock D. Nevins 8-3. M Senior D. Collins lost to T. Johns C. Ugle 4-8. Korong Vale 13 d Wedderburn Junction 7

MEN: J. Turnbull B. Keller lost to S. Lockhart C. Holt 5-8. B. Keller P. Gibson lost to

C. Holt P. McHugh 5-8. J. Turnbull P. Gibson d S. Lockhart P. McHugh 8-4. J. Keller

G. Dehne lost to G. Lockhart M. Burge 5-8.

G. Dehne B. McDonald d M. Burge O. Lockhart 8-7. J. Keller B. McDonald d G. Lockhart O. Lockhart 8-6.

LADIES: J. Turnbull S. Keller d J. Millie S. Keller 8-4. S. Keller D. Williams lost to S. Keller K. Fazzani 6-8. J. Turnbull D. Williams J. Millie K. Fazzani 8-7.

MIXED: J. Turnbull J. Turnbull d S. Lockhart

J. Millie 8-5. B. Keller S. Keller d P. McHugh

J. Millie 8-6. P. Gibson D. Williams d C. Holt

S. Keller 8-0. G. Dehne D. Williams lost to

M. Burge K. Fazzani 3-8. J. Keller B. McDonald lost to G. Lockhart O. Lockhart 5-8.

LADDER

Loddon Eagles 161 Powlett 158

Fentons Creek 131.5 Korong Vale 110.5 Wedderburn Junction 93

LODDOn VALLeY

Yarrawalla 5-121 d Calivil 0-56

MEN: L. Forster L. Roberts d R. Hicks J.

Addlem 7-4. L. Forster M. Scott d R. Hicks

N. Marlow 7-3. L. Roberts M. Scott d J. Addlem N. Marlow 7-3. R. Broad X. Emmerson lost to N. Verley F. Clymo 5-7. R. Broad R. Forster d N. Verley W. Perryman 7-3. X. Emmerson R. Forster d F.

B. Moresi A. Chamberlain 7-6. LADIES: S. Demeo M. Ludeman lost to C. Moresi V. Moresi 4-7. S. Demeo C. Sinclair lost to C. Moresi C. Downs 1-7. H. Vinnicomb C. Sinclair lost to T. Pickering C. Downs 1-7. L. Hosking H. Vinnicomb lost to I Hosking T. Pickering 6-7. L. Hosking M. Ludeman lost to I. Hosking V. Moresi 3-7.

MIXED: M. Collins S. Demeo lost to C. Chamberlain C. Moresi 6-7. J. Sinclair M. Ludeman d E. Moresi V. Moresi 7-1. A. Demeo C. Sinclair lost to A. Chamberlain C. Downs 1-7. T. Zahle L. Hosking d R. Fawcett T. Pickering 7-1. R. Demeo H. Vinnicomb lost to N. Pickering I. Hosking 0-7. Dingee 0-77 lost to Calivil North 5-110

MEN: A. Hocking M. Harvey lost to R. Maxted C. Smith 4-7. A. Hocking B. Duncan d R. Maxted L. Strahan 7-5. M. Harvey B. Duncan lost to C. Smith L. Strahan 3-7. M. Lister J. Diss lost to J. Smith O. Balic 5-7.

M. Lister M. Hocking d J. Smith K. Maxted

7-4. J. Diss M. Hocking lost to O. Balic K. Maxted 6-7.

LADIES: C. Whitfield E. Lawry lost to M. Balic J. O’Brien 1-7. C. Whitfield N. Hocking lost to M. Balic L. Strahan 1-7. E. Lawry

N. Hocking lost to J. O’Brien L. Strahan 2-7.

T. Diss K. Ellis d G. Maxted A. Roulston7-4.

T. Diss M. Diss d G. Maxted C. Fitzgibbon

7-4. K. Ellis M. Diss lost to A. Roulston C.

Fitzgibbon 4-7.

MIXED: A. Hocking C. Whitfield lost to C. Smith M. Balic 1-7. M. Harvey E. Lawry lost to R. Maxted L. Strahan 0-7. B. Duncan

N. Hocking d C. Strahan J. O’Brien 7-3. M.

Lister T. Diss lost to J. Smith G. Maxted 3-7.

J. Diss K. Ellis d O’Balic A. Roulston 7-6. M.

Hocking M. Diss lost to K. Maxted C. Fitzgibbon 6-7.

Mincha

Frankel J. McCaig 1-6. R. Trew M. Trew lost to L. Frankel D. Turnbull 0-6. C. Nanere M. Trew lost to J. McCaig D. Turnbull 1-6.

B MEN: B. Bruns T. Strybosch lost to N. McCaig M. McCaig 2-6. B. Bruns G. Yoong lost N. McCaig K. McCaig 1-6. T. Strybosch

MAROnG

Woodvale 0-12 lost Marong 18-108

A LADIES: K. Pickering J. Pearse lost to R. McCaig H. Turnbull 2-6. K. Pickering V. Battersby lost to R. McCaig J. Cornish 0-6. J. Pearse V. Battersby lost to H. Turnbull J. Cornish 2-6. B LADIES: M. Amory partner lost to S. Thompson S. Turnbull 0-6. Woodvale lost to S. Thompson A. Pickering 0-6. M. Amory partner lost to S. Turnbull A. Pickering 0-6.

A MEN: R. Trew C. Nanere lost to L.

League’s junior team push

YOUNG footballers from Loddon communities could be playing in the Bendigo Junior Football League this season.

Loddon Valley league has backed the formation of composite sides to line up in the under nine, 10 and 12 competitions.

A group of parents approached Loddon Valley for support in creating sides using a similar model to East Loddon Rams that draws players from Mitiamo, Serpentine and Calivil in the under 18 competition that this season

G. Yoong lost to M. McCaig K. McCaig 0-6. MIXED: J. Pearse M. Trew lost to R. McCaig L. Frankel 2-6. K. Pickering B. Bruns lost to H. Turnbull J. McCaig 1-6. M. Amory C. Nanere lost to J. Cornish D. Turnbull 0-6. T. Strybosch V. Battersby lost to S. Thompson K. McCaig 0-6. R. Trew partner lost to S. Turnbull M. McCaig 0-6. G. Yoong partner lost to A. Pickering N. McCaig 0-6. Wilson Reef 9-86 d Derby 9-81

A LADIES: G. Thompson B. McKimmie lost to M. Simons P. Normoyle 3-6. G. Thompson K. Bingham lost to M. Simons F. Dangerfield 5-6. B. McKimmie K. Bingham d P. Normoyle F. Dangerfield 6-3.

B LADIES: E. Molenaar F. Lucas lost to D. Normoyle K. Galea 1-6. E. Molenaar C. McK-

switches from Loddon Valley to AFL Central Victoria administration.

They told Loddon Valley chiefs composite junior sides would keep youngsters in local clubs and develop pathways for them to advance to senior teams.

Players and their families currently have to sign up with Bendigo-based clubs for entry level junior football.

Players have been asked to register their interest with the league by February 28.

instry d D. Normoyle P. Lonsdale 6-3. F. Lucas C. McKinstry d K. Galea P. Lonsdale 6-5.

A MEN: J. Taylor B. Taylor d N. Pollock S. Saunderson 6-5. J. Taylor H. Taylor lost to

N. Pollock S. Bruce 4-6. B. Taylor H. Taylor

d S. Saunderson S. Bruce 6-4.

B MEN: S. Taylor Z. Porlai lost to B. Galea

N. Naughton 5-6. S. Taylor J. Wilkinson d B. Galea D. Daldy 6-0. Z. Porlai J. Wilkinson d

N. Naughton D. Daldy 6-3.

MIXED: G. Thompson S. Taylor lost to P. Normoyle S. Bruce 3-6. K. Bingham B. Taylor d D. Normoyle S. Saunderson 6-2. B. Mc-

Kimmie H. Taylor lost to F. Dangerfield N. Naughton 4-6. E. Molenaar Z. Porlai lost to M. Simons N. Pollock 3-6. F. Lucas J. Taylor lost to K. Galea B. Galea 4-6. C. McKinstry J. Wilkinson d P. Lonsdale D. Daldy 6-2. Harcourt 14-92 d Woodstock 4-53

A LADIES: E. Landy J. CCox d J. Leversha N. Earl 6-0. E. Landy A. Manning d J. Leversha K. Punton 6-0. J. Cox A. Manning d N. Earl K. Punton 6-0.

B LADIES: N. Trethowan P. Erny lost to K. Punton H. Stone 4-6. N. Trethowan B. Trethowan lost to K. Punton F. Curnow 0-6. P. Erny B. Trethowan lost to H. Stone F. Curnow 2-6.

A MEN: S. Gearing L. Tunn d D. Heather N. Punton 6-0. S. Gearing L. O’Brian d D. Heather D. Tolley 6-5. L. Tunn L. O’Brian d N. Punton D. Tolley 6-4.

B MEN: M. Blake D. Gearing d A. Curnow L. Ralton 6-2. M. Blake S. Blake d A. Andrews-Stone L Ralton 6-0. D. Gearing S. Blake d A. Curnow A. Andrews-Stone 6-4.

MIXED: A. Manning L. Tunn d N. Earl D. Heather 6-2. E. Landy L. O’Brian d J. Leversha N. Punton 6-2. B. Trethowan S. Gearing d H. Stone D. Tolley 6-2. J. Cox M. Blake d

Punton L Ralton 6-4. N. Trethowan D. Gearing lost to F. Curnow A. Curnow 2-6.

Erny S. Blake d K. Punton A. AndrewsStone 6-4. Newbridge 7-69 lost to Lockwood

A LADIES: A. Sherlock S. Wallace d D. Wells R.

Flood recovery round talks

LODDON Valley Football Netball League could designate a flood recovery round this season.

President Simon Tuohey said the league and Loddon Shire’s flood recovery team were in talks for the special round.

Tuohey said the round could be as early as May. He said talks were at preliminary stages but the league supported the idea of a flood recovery round.

Loddon Shire said there had been initial discussions with the league for a flood recovery

round, particularly focusing on the Newbridge which was severely impacted by the October floods.

Newbridge Recreation Reserve could be ready for play as early as round six of the season. Reserve committee and the football club continue to repair damage to the clubrooms. Water went through the building on October 14 and floods also damaged fencing around the oval and netball courts. The Loddon Valley season starts on April 1.

Harry Higgs was part of the charge by Loddon Eaglers to top spot on the ladder. AP PHOTO

Holly Martin stretches to keep the point alive for Loddon Eagles. AP PHOTO

Simon Tuohey

Woodies fight can avoid

bottom finish

INGLEWOOD’S division one

Bendigo bowls area team put up a good fight on Saturday but found Eaglehawk too strong on the day.

Two rink wins keeps Inglewood in the hunt to avoid the wooden spoon.

A big performance is required this week as the bottom section of the ladder is very interesting with Castlemaine on 91 points, Inglewood 92 and Marong 93.

Div. 5 found the opposition too good and now have to find their determination and desire to do well as a win, this week, is required to ensure they stay in the top two on the ladder playing Dingee this week at North Bendigo.

Meanwhile, Inglewood’s loss and another good win to Calivil has seen the Demons take top spot on the division five ladder.

In last week’s midweek bowls, Inglewood division one found out that they are not playing well enough to trouble the top four sides this season.

Currently sitting in sixth spot on the ladder it’s still been an enjoyable season and the club thanks Laurie Witham and Andrew Caserta, both from Wedderburn, and Rhonda Gallagher (Echuca) playing on permits.

Inglewood division five

convincing win, against Bendigo East, which ensures they will play finals.

This team have had a good season with the “Queens of the Greens” still performing well.

BRIDGEWATER

Midweek Pennant concluded their season on Monday, Their efforts have been hampered throughout by player availabili

White Hills, Marg Wright’s team took the Inglewood IGA Incentive vouchers, by one shot, ahead of Ron Brown’s combination.

On Saturday visitors Woodbury had thrilling matches right across the green.

Nick Saunders had his first game as Skip this season, to nail a 15-shot win.

The other three teams, though all beaten, were close. It came down to the last end played, to

Quick exit for Wedderburn

WEDDERBURN has been bundled out of the North Central division one bowls finals.

For the second week, Wedderburn went down to St Arnaud on Saturday.

Laurie Witham’s rink was the best for Wedderburn, achieving a 24-24 draw.

However, it was a better result for Wedderburn in division two with a five-shot win over Donald and advancement to this Saturday’s preliminary final against St Arnaud Country. Victory was set up by Amy Roberts’ rink that returned an 32-14 score.

Meanwhile, Ruth Hall (Wedderburn) and Gillian Tweddle (Boort) made the North Central playing area ladies’ champion of champions.

Watch on final round results

Time for a home loan health check!

get a decision.

Bob Smith’s team won that end, for a narrow three-shot overall victory.

Winners of the incentive vouchers – Nick Saunders’ team.

An amazing evening at the Napier Park Funerals Competition. Team Zero took both matches to take victory on the night, from a related combination, Derby Dashers.

BENDIGO

BRIDGEWATER has avoided relegation from Bendigo bowls division six but results from this weekend’s final round will be of great interest to Loddon clubs.

Inglewood remains in the danger zone for relegation from division one.

In division five, the tussle for top two positions will come down to the wire with Calivil and Inglewood in contention.

And Dingee, while missing the action this season, could have a say with its match against Inglewood.

PENNANT RESULTS

BENDIGO – Division 1: Inglewood 74-4 lost to Eaglehawk 87-14. V Tierney, J Nevins, W Roberts, M McLean (s) lost to P Francis, J Carter, K Schumacher, D Carter (s) 16-32. D Garrett, J Jackman, D Vanston, L. Kelly (s) d C O’Shea, P Shanahan, L Thurwood, S Carter (s) 19-16. B McClymont, T Birthisel, G Jackson, R Day (s) d S McNaughton, P Harrison, P Gokin, L Bowland (s) 21-19. M Chamberlain, D Wilson, G Wilson, I Chamberlain (s) lost to W Wilkins, M Ellis, R Simmonds, T Ellis (s) 18-19.

Ladder: Moama 218, Bendigo 202, Bendigo East 183, South Bendigo 176, Eaglehawk 175, Golden Square 172, Kangaroo Flat 128, Marong 93, Inglewood 92, Castlemaine 91.

This week: Castlemaine v Moama, Marong v Bendigo East, Eaglehawk v Bendigo, Golden Square v Inglewood, South Bendigo v Kangaroo Flat.

Division 3 – Serpentine 81-15 d North Bendigo 77-3. S Rollison, R Hasty, D Walker, D Anset (s) lost to N Zimmer, M Kelly, I Hammond, D Taig (s) 14-26. B Catto, F Maher, R Gladman, B Long (s) d G Gilmore, Z Hasty, D Hasty, J Hasty (s) 23-13. J Collinson, G Addlem, A Bish, N Tonkin (s) drew D Murphy. E Staff, A Hall, P Arscott (s) 22-22. P Britton, K Canfield, S Rudkins, L Cadzow (s) d C Geary, G Godsell, J Emerson, J Rorke (s) 22-16.

Ladder: North Bendigo 158, Strathfieldsaye 153, South Bendigo 148, Kangaroo Flat 125, Bendigo East 122, Heathcote 89, Serpentine 83, Bendigo 58.

Division 5 – Dingee 107-18 d Strathfieldsaye 55-0. K Pollock, A Sproull, K Murphy, F Grieves (s) d B Toomey, D Curnow, R Rogister, S Curnow (s) 22-13. A Hay, J Monaghan, R Robertson, B Lawry (s) d W Henderson, A Hingston, C Rogister, K Toomey (s) 23-15. T Kavanagh, L Hocking, B West, N Lister (s) d R Clemson, S Hendry, I Ball, M Filan (s) 33-9. G Clarke, R Thompson, Lyn Demeo, Leo Demeo (s) d P Schultz, J Dole, P Hingston, Vik Sabaliauskas (s) 29-18. Marong 87-14 d Inglewood 70-4. A Puyo, L Williams, W Cason, M Corry (s) d P Kelly, K Stewart, C McEwan, D Rowe (s) 28-13. J Adams, B Hayes, M Kelly, N Tate (s) d B Smyth, R Stranger, A Noonan, A Harrison (s) 28-14. W Bramley, C Coghill, J Farrell, R Williams (s) lost to G Sommers, B Moffat, D Whitehead, J McClymont (s) 17-19. P Collier, J Balkin, B Rumbold, R Wearne (s) lost to P Lyndon, D Smyth, H Leech, I Bradley (s) 14-24. Calivil 104-17 d Kangaroo Flat 57-1. R Lourie, H Miles, G Ray, G Maxted (s) d R Sparke, T Hurford, J Friswell, J Gant (s) 34-14. I Mansbridge, M Dennis, N Dennis, A Dennis (s) drew W Caine, M Verbeek, N Davies, K Packer (s) 21-21. K Richards, R Boyd, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) d W Wigmore, B Cullen, D Martin, D Densley (s) 29-10.B Meighan, G Lourie, W Miles, A Leech (s) d G Creedy, V Webster, C Verbeek, B Duncan (s) 20-11. Ladder: Calivil 162, Inglewood 161, Kangaroo Flat 152, Marong 150, Dingee 95, Castlemaine 87, Campbells Creek 68, Strathfieldsaye 61. Division 6 – Bridgewater 81-12 d Woodbury 78-6. G Catto, F Shea, R Brown, G Mangan (s) lost to K Geyer, M Weeks, W Waldron, J Davidson (s) 16-18. B Bajada, C Mangan, B Oughtred, N Saunders (s) d I Ross, D Adie, N Upton, B Shay (s) 30-15. C Brooshooft, P Gath, B McNaught, R Smith (s) lost to J Ryan, D Ancrum, K West, D Anderson (s) 17-21. D Wilson, D Grant, R Broadbent, A Harrison (s) lost to L Grainger, S Treloar, C Halpin, J Grainger (s) 18-24

Midweek - Division 1: White Hills 58-12 d Inglewoodf 53-4. K Chiu, R Sheen, W O’Connor, J O’Bree (s) d M Chamberlain, P Lyndon, I Chamberlain L Witham (s) 2111. E Tangey, H Jansen, S Arbuckle, J Brennan (s) lost to C McEwan, H Leech, R Day, A Caserta (s) 17-19. J McCurry, C Jansen, J McCurry, S O’Bree (s) lost to B McClymont, B Taig, G Wilson, L Kelly (s) 20-23.

Division 4 – White Hills 61-12 d Calivil Serpentine 544. E Bell, N Atrill, A Churchill, F Gargiulo (s) lost to L Dennis, L Lister, L Gronow, C Mitchell (s) 17-20. M Carter, M Shawyer, A Fiedler, D Fiedler (s) d J Wiltshire, N Ralphs, K Richards, D Walker (s) 32-13. G Gardner, H Liddell, L Aiello, H Walklate (s) lost to I Mansbridge, H Miles, C Maxted, S Hope (s) 12-21.

Campbells Creek 55-2 lost to Dingee 64-14. H Harding, J Harding, H Wilson, T Woodman (s) lost to T Kavanagh, P Plant, B West, F Grieves (s) 18-21. M Matheson, M Harding, J Leech, J Hall (s) lost to N Thomas, S Lawry, Leo Demeo, Lyn Demeo (s) 11-23. K Gallagher, C Gallagher, P McKendry, M Holland (s) d A Hay, V Sproull, K Pollock, M Grieves (s) 26-20.

Ladder: South Bendigo 197, White Hills 136, Dingee 115, Golden Square 108, Calivil Serpentine 91, Bendigo VRI 91, Harcourt 84, Campbells Creek 74.

Division 5 – South Bendigo 32-0 lost to Bridgewater 42-14. S Doull, K Presley, B Fayers, G Pinniger (s) lost to J Oughtred, C Wattie, J Hosking, B Oughtred (s) 19-20. J Ryan, J Burtonclay, T Gretgrix, A Borham (s) lost to D Smith, B Catto, R Shea, M Wright (s) 13-22.

NORTH CENTRAL

Division 1 - Wedderburn 67-3 lost to St Arnaud 71-9. L Holt, B Hargreaves, A Caserta, N Holt (s) d T Amos, K Dyke, M Wood, G Hancock (s) 26-21. A Holt, C Mills, B Montebello, A Jackson (s) lost to G McNally, D Shepherd, S Zsigmond, A Dyke (s) 17-26. R Guelfo, D Stephenson, I Hall, L Witham (s) drew J Prendergast, T McSwain, C Marchment, P McRae (s) 24-24.

Wycheproof 78-12 d Donald Golf 59-0.

Division 2 – Donald Golf 61-4 lost to Wedderburn 668. M Livingston, M Flagg, A Frank, S O’Shera (s) lost to R Ashley, K Griffiths, W Roberts, A Roberts (s) 14-32. A Humphrey, M Raynes, J Slater, L Borden (s) d S Standfield, N White, S Steel, L Standfield (s) 23-13. R Adams, B Brasier, P Raynes, G Wood (s) d H Stephenson, G Hunter, J Murnane, R Hall (s) 24-21.

Wycheproof 88-10 d St Arnaud Country 80-2.

Preliminary final: St Arnaud Country v Wedderburn

Midweek - Donald Golf 85-10 d Boort 62-2. Wedderburn 54-2 lost to Wycheproof 59-10.

Ladies champion of champions - semi-finals: L Southwell (Charlton) d R Hall (Wedderburn) 25-22. M Frank (Donald Golf) d G Tweddle G (Boort) 25-18. Final: L Southwell (Charlton) d M Frank (Donald Golf) 25-10. ‘NORTHERN

Midweek – Division 1: Cohuna 84-12 d Pyramid Hill 47-0. W Brooks, M Reade, M Meredith, B Bowles (s) d R Harris, J Leed, I Bartels, A Cantwell (s) 26-15. K Peace, J Hipwell, J Reade, R Parr (s) d P Coates, M Noelker, M Scott, R Opie (s) 30-14. A Ainger, M Hofman, R Ballard, F Tonn

Skippers Darren Anset (Serpentine) and Daniel Taig (North Bendigo) direct their rinks on Saturday. AP PHOTO

Brothers Bullish at crease

BRIDGEWATER batted out the full 35 overs on Saturday for the first time in two months.

Brothers Tom and Harry McKinley also propelled the Bulls to their highest score in a month.

But up against ladder leader Wedderburn, the very side the Bulls last saw out a full innings against back in December, setting a target of 99 would prove too hard to defend.

The Bulls had a stumble early, batting first and seeing opener Pat Murphy run out for a duck after facing just seven balls.

Co-opener Tom McKinley was joined by brother Harry and pair set about creating a 30-run partnership before Tom was bowled for 22 by Isaac Holt.

Darcy Wood was dismissed next ball for a golden duck and

the home side was in a bit of trouble at 3-38.

While not claiming any wickets, Wedderburn’s Adam Postle was giving little away and in his seven overs had three maidens while the Bulls could only snatch nine runs off his deliveries.

Harry McKinley went to record another unbeaten stint at the crease this season with 48 runs while last man in Toby Naughton contributed 10.

Disappointly for Wedderburn, four no balls, six byes and two legs byes were added by bowlers to the Bridgewater score.

Bridgewater, setting Wedderburn a target higher than the previous week again Arnold, was soon to experience the hunger of Wedderburn’s drive to keep top spot.

It took just 27 overs for Wedderburn to overtake the target.

The Band was almost half-way there when the McKinley brothers combined to send opener Brad Holt from the field with 22 runs to his name.

Tom Kirk barely faced a handful of deliveries when he was caught and bowled by Tom McKinley and Wedderburn was 2-47.

But standing in the way of Bridgewater’s hopes was Lance Shelton who having lost two partners, was not in a hurry depart the action.

Luke Holt was dismissed cheaply with Wedderburn on 71 and finally Bridgewater had something of a breakthrough 17 runs later with Tom McKinley taking his second catch for the

Deason delivers solid innings

WILL Deason batted out the innings for Kingower in its victory over Arnold.,

Deason top scored with 67 runs before he was stumped by Phil Scholes.

With Kingower already securing victory, the home side declared after a whisker more than 33 overs.

Deason had faced 109 deliveries in his stint at the crease.

Opening partner Matt Rowe contributed 32 runs before caught by wicketkeeper Scholes

SPORT

off a Wendels delivery. Wendels was one of eight bowlers used by Arnold for the afternoon and returned the best figures of four maidens, a wicket and nine runs.

Rowe’s dismissal brought Blake Pickles as sidekick to Deason. But Pickles went chasing his share of the action, knocking up 15 runs off just 12 deliveries before caught by Phil Davies off a Cam Hancock delivery.

Kingower was 2-106 and Jayden Leach teamed with Deason in the final drive to victory.

Arnold had earlier made 109 including a solid 40 off 49 balls by skipper Cam Dale.

Opener Scholes was dismissed for a duck second ball while Metelmann and McCullough went in consecutive balls sent down the wicket by McNeill.

At 4-43, the woes continued straight after when Pickles came in with a targeted delivery and had Anderson out for six.

When Dale was dismissed, Arnold was 6-96 with the tail adding another 13 runs.

day when Shelton put bat to a Darcy Wood delivery.

It was left to Will Holt to seal the win as he added 13 runs to the score before caught by Harry McKinley off a delivery by youngster Lonsdale lining up for his second game of the day.

Wedderburn remains half a game clear as ladder leaders while Bridgewater, sitting in third spot, is one game clear of last season’s premiers Arnold.

The Bulls have the bye this weekend with key games making ladder changes possible.

Boort plays its first game at home for the season against Arnold - a home win will all but seal a finals appearance.

And Wedderburn is at home to Kingower. The winner taking top spot.

Bowling averages

LADDER

THIS WEEK

Wedderburn v Kingower Boort Yando v Arnold Bridgewater

O M R W B Av Str

Tom McKinley (Bridgewater) 68 10 215 20 5/22 10.75 20.40

Kyle Simpson (Kingower) 75 14 267 20 4/10 13.35 22.50

Fergus Bear (Boort Yando) 69 4 326 19 5/49 17.16 21.79

Jayden Leach (Kingower) 69.5 25 130 18 3/17 7.22 23.28

Blake Pickles (Kingower) 64.2 7 265 15 3/34 17.67 25.73

Batting averages

M NO HS Runs Av

Braydon Welsh (Kingower) 9 2 133* 413 68.83

Harry McKinley (Bridgewater) 10 2 110 348 43.50

Will Deason (KIngower) 10 1 67 235 26.11

Matthew Rowe (Kingower) 10 0 54 230 23.00

Tom Kirk (Wedderburn) 6 3 112* 230 76.67

Another top score from Bridgewater skipper Harry McKinley on Saturday. AP PHOTO

Buoyed Blues creating options

DARREL BILLETT watched over a totally blue horizon when Inglewood officially launched its 2023 Loddon Valley football and netball season on Sunday.

The senior football coach was talking options to boost the midfield, defence and forward following the signing of new players with the Mighty Blues.

“We’ll have more versatility and depth will

be better,” he said. “We’re coming from a long way back but the gap is closing. We will have more options.”

Among recruits are local Cam Martin returning from a stint in the Northern Territory and the Polack brothers Sam and Daniel from Wimmera league 2022 finalists Dimboola.

REPORT, PHOTOS - PAGE 20

RALLY RETURN

RALLY ace Rhianon Gelsomino will next month have her first Australian drive in seven years.

The US-based Rhianon and brother Brendan Reeves will mentor Indonesia’s Gandewa Dalbo in the opening round of the Australian Rally Championship.

The 2021 American title winner with Travis Pastrana will arrive back home in Australia straight from competing in a US rally.

“Brendan and I will mentor and train Gande in this first round and I look forward to the opportunity to work with a young up and coming driver,” Rhianon said.

She said university student Dalbo was studying in Melbourne this year and would compete in the championship series driving a Rally3 Ford Fiesta.

“I can’t wait to get back to Australia and compete in a round of the Australian Rally Championship for the first time since 2016,

where Brendan and I won two rounds out of the three we competed in,” said Rhianon.

“When the opportunity arose to mentor and train Gande, while co-driving in Tasmania, I jumped at the opportunity.

“We are both very much looking forward to helping him progress in his rallying career.”

The opportunity for Rhianon to mentor and co-drive with Dalbo came after an approach to her brother on social media.

“Brendan knew I would be

available and everything went from there,” she said.

Rhiannon lands in Australia on March 21 and heads straight to Tasmania before back to Wedderburn for 10 days followed by running her OzRally Pro training courses in Sydney.

Two days ago, Rhianon had other reasons to be excited. Her father Mike was landing in the US for the first time since 2017.

On the list during his visit is attending the famous Daytona 500 with Rhianon and husband Alex.

Rhianon Gelsomino