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Vol 2 No 9 THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022 ISSN 2653-1550

FIRST A LATE OPENING, NOW SWIM SEASON ENDS EARLY

SHORT CHANGED THE horror run for Loddon’s five community swimming pools has continued to season’s end.

Despite assurances a fortnight ago by manager Belgravia Leisure that normal hours would be achieved, all pools closed before Monday’s official March public holiday scheduled last day. And local communities have been left flabbergasted that some pools were closed on the final days of the season with little or no advice. Parents taking their children to Inglewood pool on Saturday were faced with locked gates blocking access to a scheduled opening day. “It’s not good enough, Not even a sign on the gate,” one parent said after walking back to the main street. The erratic opening of pools in the final fortnight continued a trend since the season started two weeks late in December and came as Belgravia Leisure asked its central Victorian lifeguards to volunteer for duty in Sydney, flights and accommodation provided by the Melbourne-based company. Belgravia gave free entry to pools at Inglewood, Wedderburn, Boort, Pyramid Hill and

By CHRIS EARL

Mitiamo on Saturday or Sunday for pool parties for what they billed as final days of the season and promoted to 617 people following the pools on social media. Mitiamo swimmer Pauline Smith was one of a dozen people at Sunday’s pool party. She said there was still community concern for the pool’s future after a season with irregular opening days. “We are still questioning whether we will remain open or if they are looking to shut us down,” she said Belgravia Leisure regional manager Kara Monaghan said positive COVID cases had impacted staff availability in the final fortnight and end-of-season parties were prioritised at the five Loddon pools. She said Loddon lifeguards had not been diverted interstate “however, we have pulled staff from Bendigo, Swan Hill and Melbourne to serve Loddon”. Ms Monaghan said Belgravia believed it had the resources and understanding to manage Loddon pools and was preparing for the 2022-2023 season.

FINAL DAY - PAGE 4

NEXT GENERATION: There’s more to being in a local Country Fire Authority brigade than driving a truck as Jayden Soulsby is learning. Jayden is in a group of Loddon youngsters who have become the vanguard forming a new volunteer base for future firefighters. FULL STORY: PAGE 7

PUMP PRICES PLOUGH THROUGH $2 A LITRE MALLEE MP Anne Webster asked the question and received an answer: the Federal Government has no plans to cut and freeze its tax take for petrol and diesel. Dr Webster said she had contacted the office of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg as petrol pump prices across the Loddon ploughed to $2.05 litre and more. “They indicated to me there is no plan at

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this stage,” Dr Webster said, saying Australia had a secure fuel supply with only 1.5 per cent of crude coming from Russia. “Fuel excise needs to be considered in the bigger picture of cost of living issues.” Dr Webster said there were concerns for local road construction and maintenance “critical to people who live in regional centres” if the 44 cents a litre ex-

cise was cut in the Budget to be handed down on March 29. Independent Mallee candidate Sophie Baldwin said a short-term cut to fuel excise was critical for rural people. “Cost of living is out of control. People in the country have huge distances to travel just to get to work and farmers about to sow are now facing huge fuel bills.”

2 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

UESS there was a bit of relaxation catchup happening on Monday - the Labor Day holiday. The day was officially declared a public holiday way back in 1879 and for decades the Eight Hour Day marches were the largest public celebrations that Victoria saw attracting tens of thousands of people with parades held in Melbourne and country towns, says our bit of OTF research. In 1934 the Eight Hour Day was renamed Labour Day with the final march held in Melbourne in 1951. Ever since, Labor Day holiday has been a three-day weekend for events and community gatherings across the state.

HILE, the whole idea was about eight hours work, eight hours play and eight hours sleep, we wonder if Bradley up Boort way had much of that. The man behind the Treemendous sign was out putting up a new little ditty, as he says, inspired by the holiday.

E hope Brad gets through his eight hours of work okay - the way things are with petrol prices he might be looking for a raise before next driving out to put up a new sign.

We saw, posted on one of the local Loddon noticeboards, this ironic (could even be iconic) observation about skyrocketing prices: Getting petrol this morning, I noticed the person before me on pump three bought $10 worth. Where the hell were they going? To pump number four?

T would probably take a bit more than $10 to get the large tractor collection held by The Oracle travelling around the corner. We spotted him at the Curnick clearing sale eyeing off a few of the agricultural workhorses (they often do more than eight hours a day). Sadly, he informed us, the good wife confiscated his chequebook that morning. Very wise!

EANWHILE , Simon from Serpentine was eager for news the other day of the latest in The Oracle’s contributions to life’s collection of anecdotes. Simon was keen to know how he pulled up in a practice run umpiring a footy match. To date, no reports have been received from hospital emergency departments.

PEAKING of sport, we were cheering on the Dingee bowlers but they sadly lost in the semi-finals. But as one said, in friendly banter, they made the finals and finished higher than Stinger’s Calivil who had raised the interest of stewards.

Elissa Wilson and Joe Watts raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. LH PHOTO

Appeal efforts stepping up FUNDRAISING activities for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal are increasing across the Loddon with Easter just a month away. Members of Inglewood Fire Brigade were out selling raffle tickets for one of their wood raffles on Saturday. Veteran fireman Joe Watts has been at the forefront of local RCH fundraising for decades and

enlisted the help of Elissa Wilson for the raffle conducted as part of the Lions club market day in Brooke Street. Joe said the brigade planned a second wood raffle next month in a bid to lift the town’s standing on the appeal tally board. Fire brigades in the region will be part of the tin-rattling efforts on Good Friday raising funds for the appeal.

Child vaccination rates rising MORE than half Loddon Shire youngsters aged five to 11 have now had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the Wedderburn district postcode is only sitting at between 35 and 40 per cent vaccination and the Mitiamo-Calivil

district postcode between 25 and 30 per cent of children while the postcode has more than 85 per cent of residents receiving a third dose. Nine new cases were reported in the Loddon on Tuesday. There were 33 active cases.

HURRY, ENDS 27 MARCH 2022

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Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 3

Top volunteer award to Bev

BEV Taig has been presented with this year’s Kooyoora Women’s Network community volunteer award. Network president Colleen Condliffe announced Bev as the recipient at last week’s International Women’s Day dinner. Bev has been involved over many years with district sporting clubs and was made a life member of Inglewood Golf Club in 2011. At the Inglewood bowls and golf clubs, she has been part of committees responsible for extending clubrooms three times since 1989. “Back in the day, it was quite confronting for some of the male club members to see Bev on site, with architect’s plans in hand or up the top of a ladder painting,” the citation said. She has been involved with the Arnold Hall committee and

IN BRIEF Verandah case THE FATE of work to make the Royal Hotel Inglewood verandah safe is expected to return to the Magistrates’ Court next week. Owners were issued a building notice and a court hearing last year was adjourned to this month. Loddon Shire Council last March also issued a planning permit to remove the verandah but retain the historic grapevine. Council was told the community accepted the verandah would have to be taken down. Protective fencing surrounds the unsafe verandah.

was a strong contributor at Tarnagulla Primary School when her children were students and now at St Mary’s Primary School Inglewood where her grandchildren are students. Colleen said Bev’s contributions to the district had also included raising pledges to establish Inglewood and Districts Community Bank. “One of Bev’s greatest assets is her ability to connect with people. She’s inclusive and happy to take a leadership role. “A welcoming smile, a can-do attitude and a desire for everyone to get along, Bev’s love of volunteering and the community is clear.” Guest at the dinner was Kerry Anderson, author and leader of the Startup Central Victoria project.

KERRY’S PERSPECTIVE - PAGE 12

Travel vouchers

Bev Taig and Kerry Anderson at the network dinner.

LH PHOTO

Search goes on as shire looks to fill positions FROM grader drivers to managers, Loddon Shire Council is looking outside the shire to fill job vacancies. Council has advertised dozens of jobs since January, joining many local businesses in the hunt for staff. Among the positions, council is still on the hunt for is a child-

care project officer first advertised last year. Council wants to engage a person for 12 months to advocate and advance childcare options for local communities. A council spokesperson said: “In relation to the childcare project officer position, we are currently considering our options

going forward as we have been unable to fill this position to allow progression of the project.” The tourism and marketing co-ordinator position was also advertised outside the shire earlier this year with Shelby Hutchinson now appointed to the role. Latest employment openings advertised by council in other

areas have included a grader operator, information technology manager and casual early childhood positions. Loddon Shire is also working through the appointment of a new director corporate. Previous director Sharon Morrison concluded her contract at the end of February.

A NEW round of travel vouchers has been announced by the State Government under a business recovery scheme. An initial 10,000 vouchers are available exclusively to seniors with a further 140,000 vouchers open to other Victorians from next Wednesday.

Farm award EAST Loddon Merinos has been named 2021 Sheep Farmer of the Year. The stud of Tom and Marcus Hooke under the guidance of the founders Bill and Diane Hooke was first established at Serpentine before moving to southern New South Wales in 2010.

4 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

Pilots primed for centenary race

ROYAL Australian Air Force 100 Squadron commanding officer, Wing Commander Philip Beanland, says it will be a privilege flying into Serpentine on Sunday for the centenary of Australia’s first official air race. The RAAF will have a strong presence in celebrations with an appearance in the sky by the Roulettes display team and a 100 Squadron Tiger Moth plane taking part in the re-enactment race flying over Boort and Mitiamo before pilots land their planes back at Serpentine. Wing Cdr Beanland said the race entry plane was originally built for Rhodesia and then transferred to the RAAF when World War Two came to the Pacific. It was used as a training plane and finished service in 1953 and assigned to 100 Squadron as one of its air-worthy assets when the squadron re-formed in 2021 for the RAAF centenary. Wing Cdr Beanland said the squadron had 21 heritage aircraft in its fleet. Two members of the squadron will be assigned to fly the Tiger Moth in Sunday’s race, leaving RAAF Base Point Cook for the flight to Serpentine. “The Tiger Moth is in original

condition although some modifications have been made,” he said of the plane with a camouflage livery and distinctive bright yellow nose with a tail skid instead of a wheel. Wing Cdr Beanland said Sunday’s celebrations allowed event organisers and the RAAF to share “something and engage with the community”. “Our mission (as 100 Squadron) is to connect to the past and present the now,” he said. “It’s a privilege to fly these aircraft of the past and breathe life into them.” Before the re-launch of 100SQN, RAAF recognised the need to appropriately acknowledge its heritage aircraft and the men and women who have served Australia in flying squadrons.

All 100 Squadron aircraft are on the civilian register and are operated primarily under the civilian aviation regulatory framework, with the additional overlay of Air Force aviation safety oversight under its existing frameworks. A mixture of fulltime and reservist Air Force and civilian personnel make up the 100 Squadron pilots and maintenance teams. Reservist specialist capability officers provide experience in operating heritage aircraft within a civilian environment. “100 Squadron is trusted to maintain the priceless artefacts of our national heritage in airworthy condition to professionally conduct flying displays in order to commemorate those who have fallen in service of this country, to promote today’s Royal Australian Air Force and inspire future generations. Then, Now and Always,” said Wing Cdr Beanland. Sunday’s centenary celebrations start from 9am with the air race honouring the original pilots, all veterans of World War One, at 11am. Planes from all ages will be on the ground and in the sky throughout the day.

Louise

STALEY MP STATE MEMBER FOR RIPON

177 High Street, Maryborough VIC 3465 5461 1255 or 1300 STALEY (free call) Louise.Staley@parliament.vic.gov.au LouiseStaleyRipon LouiseStaley.com.au Authorised by Louise Staley MP, 177 High Street, Maryborough.

Families made the most of the final opening day at Mitiamo swimming pool for the season on Sunday. Local 10-yearold Lucas Smith enjoyed the water (above) while ice-creams were the favourite with Sophie, 7, and Charlotte Pickles, 10, of Pyramid Hill. LH PHOTOS

WARTS and all, thespians get stage comeback call WEDDERBURN’S theatre group is hoping new residents across the Loddon will step up to tread the boards and bring amateur productions back to the community. Robina Little said Wedderburn and Regional Theatre Society was founded in 2000 by a group of local people who had a love of the stage and theatre. “In the early days there was a membership of over 20,” she said “The group put on some fantastic shows featuring fun laughter music and entertainment. The very first production was Dimboola which was a take on the classic movie. “Over the years WARTS and ALL has put on many productions.” She said productions had ranged from

classics like Macbeth, Shampoo, the melodrama Love Rides the Rails and an old time music hall. “Over the years the company has dwindled due people retiring and passing on. Due to COVID-19 we have been unable to put on any productions for two years. “The community often ask me when we will be putting on another production, this is difficult to do with the dwindling and ageing members we currently have. Who by the way are mainly female. We would love to see some male members join us. With many new families in the town we are hoping that some of you would like to be part of our theatre group.” WARTS is meeting next Monday night to get the show back on the road.

Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 5

Here's how you can stay COVIDSafe every day

Wear a mask when required.

Keep windows and doors open.

And get tested if you have any symptoms.

Get your third dose now, to protect yourself and everyone you love.

STAY

COVIDSAFE EVERY DAY CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

6 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

Piggery surveillance: encephalitis spreads

AGRICULTURE Victoria is working closely with piggeries in the Loddon Shire as the outbreak of Japanese encephalitis spreads. A department spokesperson said yesterday: “We are conducting surveillance and providing information to livestock producers and horse owners.” “Our incident response team is working with industry groups including veterinarians working in the pig and horse industries to increase awareness and understanding of the disease,” the spokesperson said “Agriculture Victoria is working closely with the Department of Health to understand the implications for human health in

Victoria and reducing the risks of human exposure.” Japanese encephalitis has been reported at several sites in the Loddon Shire in the past week and has also been detected in Campaspe, Wangaratta, Gannawarra, Greater Shepparton, Greater Bendigo and Northern Grampians areas. One Tuesday, Agriculture Victoria confirmed further positive detections of Japanese encephalitis virus at four new Victorian piggeries, including in Loddon. Japanese encephalitis virus has also been confirmed in piggeries in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Agriculture Victoria says the

virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes feeding on infected animals and does not usually spread directly from animal to animal. It is not considered contagious). “Infection is not spread directly from pigs to people, and there is no risk to humans from eating pig meat,” it says “In general, spread is through the movement of migratory water birds and through the movement of infected mosquitoes, often over long distances. “Victorians are being reminded to protect themselves from mosquito bites particularly when we are spending time outdoors,” the department says in its latest advice.

Businesses gather LODDON Business Network held its first function for 2022 on Tuesday night at Newbridge. Business owners came from across the shire to hear updates on tourism initiatives and engagement. Speakers included Alex Dekker, owner of Alex Makes Meals, and Bradd Worrell from Bendigo and Region City of Gastronomy. Businesses also heard about opportunities for La Trobe University student placements.

Andrew and Kay Simpson with Keith Turner (centre). LH PHOTO

AWARDS KEEP COMING: Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club on Tuesday received the 2021 National Good Sports Safe Transport Club of the Year at the Good Sports Awards presentations in Melbourne. The club’s Lauren Driscoll and Bruce Moon accepted the award that follows the club taking out the Loddon Shire event of the year award on Australia Day for its community football-netball day.

2021 the Best in Show winner Samantha Arnup

Loddon Healthy Minds Network Art In an effort to continue to raise awareness of mental health within the Loddon community, the Loddon Healthy Minds Network will be conducting their art competition again in 2022. Categories include an Open Age section, Senior Students (years 9 to 12) and middle school students (grades 5 to Year 8). There are also two junior students’ categories – grades 3 and 4 and grades Prep to 2. The two themes for the Open Age section and Senior Students categories are Find the joy in the ordinary and Tune into your mental wellbeing. Entrants in these categories may instead choose to submit a literary entry in essay form using one of the two themes. The essay must be between 500 to 1000 words. Themes for the middle school students’ category are: Find the joy in the ordinary and Thinking healthy thoughts.

The junior students’ categories will be a colouring competition (poster provided to the region’s schools), with the theme Find the joy in the ordinary (grades 3 and 4) and Thinking healthy thoughts (grades Prep to 2). All entries are to be completed and delivered to the Loddon Shire office at Wedderburn by 1 August 2022. To find out more visit www. loddonhealthyminds.com.au/events-2/2022art-competition

Someone nearby might need CPR. Could you help?

Nurturing youngsters

Ambulance Victoria’s GoodSAM (Smartphone Activated Medic) connects trusted responders to patients in the critical minutes before an ambulance arrives. Responders receive an alert when a cardiac arrest is happening nearby – and will also be notified of their nearest Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Nurture your child’s listening, language and learning skills in fun filled sessions of stories, songs and rhymes, running each week at playgroups during school terms.

Any adult over the age of 18 who is willing and able to provide CPR, and is familiar with the use of an AED, can become a GoodSAM Responder.

Playgroups are run at Bridgewater, Boort, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine and Wedderburn. For more information visit www.loddon.vic.gov. au/Our-Services/Services-for-our-younger-residents/Playgroups

COUNCIL OFFICE T: 5494 1200 F: 5494 3003 Cr Dan Straub Mayor Terrick Ward 0429 236 399

Cr Neil Beattie Boort Ward 0427 552 468

Cr Wendy Murphy Inglewood Ward 0436 457 170

Cr Linda Jungwirth Tarnagulla Ward 0428 259 082

Cr Gavan Holt Wedderburn Ward 0408 943 008

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

CONTACT COUNCIL

41 High Street Wedderburn 3518

Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 7

Brigade brings in youngsters

RHEOLA Fire Brigade has enlisted junior members and adult junior leaders in a program to form its next group of local firefighters. Youngsters aged between 11 and 15 years have been enrolled in the CFA junior volunteer development program. The program will involve training and skill development to grow these young members as firefighters and leaders of tomorrow. It will cover teamwork and leadership as well as firefighter skills, first aid and community education skills. Rheola captain Phil Vernon said it had long been an aim of the brigade to reform a junior brigade to develop local children. “None of us are getting any younger”, Captain Vernon said. “The management team decided to proceed with the program and there has been a bit of background work like enrolling these new members and completing Working with Children police checks for our members but I am sure the extra work will be worth it. “I am particularly pleased that the parents are actively sup-

Brigade captain Phil Vernon with young volunteers Heath Leach, Riley Leach, Jayden Soulsby and Charmain Soulsby. LH PHOTO porting this program and coming along also. Some of these children have CFA involvement which goes back several generations. “I am sure the grandparents who have been firefighters themselves will love to see their grandchildren in CFA uniform”

The Rheola brigade has produced several outstanding firefighters and emergency managers over the years including the current Queensland Fire and Emergency Commissioner Mr Greg Leach. Mr Leach credits his time as a junior firefighter as being vital

in his personal development. “Involvement in CFA at a young age helped me develop teamwork and leadership skills I have used throughout my career” he said. Captain Vernon said there was room for more young volunteers. He can be contacted on 0407528174.

Ecological burns planned for national park FIVE ecological burns have been confirmed for Terrick Terrick National Park. Forest Fire Management Victoria regional fuel management co-ordinator Ben Matthews said the burns aimed to modify the vegetation structure across the planned area to assist the pro-

motion of northern plains grasslands and the habitat of plainswanderer birds. A fuel reduction burn is planned near Powlett Road, Inglewood. “This burn aims to reduce the overall amount of fuel in the landscape, which will help pro-

tect Inglewood from bushfires coming from the north,” he said Deputy chief fire officer Scott Falconer said: “Our strategic fuel management approach gives our firefighters a better chance of controlling fires when they do occur – reducing impacts on people, property and the environment.

‘We will conduct asset protection burns to reduce fire risk near communities, ecological burns to help protect our environment and allow rare and often protected flora to regenerate, and support cultural burns led by traditional owners,” Mr Falconer said.

We’re backing you. If you’re looking for work, or you need staff, Jobs Victoria is ready to back you with personalised support, wage subsidies, job search and more. Learn more at jobs.vic.gov.au or call 1300 208 575.

Backing Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. Check coronavirus.vic.gov.au for the latest COVIDSafe Settings.

Local low water share unlikely A LOW-RELIABILITY water share was unlikely for the Loddon this season, Northern Victorian Resource Manager Mark Bailey said on Tuesday. “February rainfall was below average across the northern Victorian catchments,” Dr Bailey said. “But inflows continued despite the drier conditions. At this point, the Goulburn system needs another 430 gigalitres of water to ensure full allocations to high-reliability water shares in 2022/23. “With only one further update this season on April 1, it is very unlikely that any of the Goulburn, Campaspe or Loddon systems will receive an allocation against LRWS.”

Resourceful work finds new venue WHEN Services Australia staff were suddenly diverted to assist flood communities in Queensland and New South Wales, Jobs Victoria was left without a venue for the joint visit to Bridgewater. But resourceful work and connection made with Kooyoora Women’s Network saw Jobs Victoria’s Antionette Sampson quickly find a venue at the town’s old railway station. Antionette said the Bridgewater visit had been able to proceed thanks to the assistance of locals. Services Australia and Jobs Victoria bus has planned visits to Loddon towns this month.

8 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

Taking stand against bullying ST MARY’S Primary School Inglewood students will be wearing organge tomorrow for National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Students will also create a “Kindness Wall” to remind them how to build a “Kindness Culture” at St Mary’s. Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative this year celebrates 12 years of action, connecting schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.

Park hint of excitement

THERE was a hint of excitement as plans for redevelopment of Kooyora State Park were on the cusp of coming off the drawing board and being reality. That’s the view of DJAARA corporation chief executive officer Rodney Carter who last week spoke about the journey to this month’s release of concept plans. Mr Carter said delays in finalising plans had been compounded by COVID “And we wanted to have more detailed discussions around the design and particularly Catto Lodge,” Mr Carter said. Catto Lodge was erected by the community at Melville Caves

in the 1950s and its retention has been welcomed by the Catto family and district residents. Mr Carter said the process had also taken longer as DJAARA worked to keep overheads for the project down and consider how to overcome issues of supply and material costs that had provided background challenges. He said redevelopment, that could have a cost of about $2 million, was going through statutory approval processes. “But there is a hint of excitement that it is going ahead ... promoting tourism and we genuinely hope that it will help in this part of the region to have a

different type of visitor experience, adding a different degree of quality,” Mr Carter said. “We see there will be greater attendance at the park over a longer period. “We are trying to better understand intrastate tourism and with re-visitation will bring stability.” Mr Carter said strategies were also being developed for the management of camping overflow at the park. He said an area on the north side of the mountain could be used for camping. “Campers will see a very different perspective ... looking into the forest,” Mr Carter said.

Under plans, the park picnic area will see the addition of a ceremonial welcome fire pit, picnic tables, cooking fire pits, a new toilet block and an additional gathering shelter. A group walk-in camping area, will also be reinstated at the back of the picnic area, providing an opportunity to cater to school groups and Dja Dja Wurrung cultural gatherings. DJAARA says a landscape-sensitive approach will be taken for picnic area upgrades to incorporate the natural landscape and Catto Lodge shelter into designs. Work is expected to start midyear with construction in two stages.

Walsh’s push to double trespass fine

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Australia’s Economic Plan has helped us through the last two years. There are 260,000 more people in work than before COVID. Australia has performed better than major advanced economies through the pandemic. That’s why we’re taking the next step.

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AMENDMENTS to strengthen the consequences for law-breaking activists caught trespassing on Victorian farms have been sought in the Victorian Parliament. The Nationals want to double the maximum fine for individuals to $21,809 and to reverse the State Government’s plan to exclude farmer’s river frontage licensed land from protection under the law. Leader and member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the laws were long overdue and must get it right to act as a strong deterrent against militant extreme activists. “Farmers and their families deserve to feel safe in their own home, but the Labor Government has proposed laws that don’t go far enough to stop illegal invasions and biosecurity breaches,” Mr Walsh said. “The Liberals and Nationals have heard the call from farmers and peak farming bodies loud and clear: these laws must be tougher. “Our amendments will double the maximum fine for individuals, from Labor’s proposed $10,904 – the lowest in the nation – up to $21,809, bringing Victoria into line with tough laws in New South Wales “Our amendments will also fix Labor’s plan to exclude a farmer’s river frontage licenced land from protection. “These farms are far more than businesses or even livelihoods, they are people’s homes.” Mr Walsh said after dragging its feet on the legislation, the Labor Government had still got it wrong. “There is no justification for why the penalties in Victoria should be significantly less than other states or why river frontage land should be excluded,” Mr Walsh said. “Labor MPs and Independents in Parliament’s lower house turned their back on our farmers by blocking the Liberals and Nationals’ move to better protect farmers.”

Students elect SRC co-leaders STUDENTS at Boort District School have elected co-presidents for their student representative council this year. The co-presidents are Imogen Broad and Macy Grogan. Also elected were - Year 11: Alyssa Boyd and Carissa Haw. Year 10: Dylan Leersen and Lucy Malone. Year 9: James Allison. Year 8: Sidney Caine and Madeleine Lanyon. Year 7: Owen Byrne and Charlotte Junor. Year 6: Jacob Malone and Abby Potter. Year 5: Henry Hawken and Cleo Velleley. Year 4: Eva Perryman and Tarlin Trinchi. Year 3: Connor McNally and Ella Howe.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

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Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 9

A LODDON HERALD SPECIAL FEATURE

All about great coffee

COFFEE culture in the Loddon has gone top tier with the opening of Cafe 3517 in Inglewood. From barista-manager Taylor Fitton’s passion and love of the brew to confidence of owners Brooke and David Smyth, Cafe 3517, conversations are brimming with each cup in the historic Deeble building on Brooke Street. Honouring the town’s past and projecting an enthusiasm for the future, Cafe 3517 opened a fortnight ago and has been embraced by locals and visitors driving the Calder Highway to experience great coffee and conversation in the heart of the Goldfields. “I’m very passionate about coffee and growing our community in Inglewood,” said Taylor who has made her home on the same block of land where one of the town’s most famous residents, aviation legend Sir Reginald Ansett, grew up a century ago. “Seeing the enjoyment of people coming in every day for coffee and our range of light meals, snacks and ice-creams has been wonderful. And, they keep returning ... they just love our coffee. Afterall, it really is all about the coffee.” Taylor honed her barista and customer service skills at the award-winning Brewhouse in Bendigo. David said Taylor’s love for a great coffee was a huge part of Cafe 3517’s top tier drink and food culture and the confidence he and wife Brooke had in the town. “We brought the building to have an investment in the community, knowing there is growth and opportunity in our town, and to cater for the increasing number of people who

GREAT COFFEE: Inglewood’s Cafe 3517 barista-manager Taylor Fitton with owners Brooke and David Smyth. come here to live and also for the visitors and travellers,” David said. “We’ve certainly confidence in the future.” The Deeble building was home to auctioneer Samuel Deeble from the 1860s until pharmacist Arthur Jones moved his chemist shop into the building in 1924 and continued serving the town until 1986. “There were extensive renovations but we made sure anything we did was sympathetic to the building’s historic features,” David said. “Along the way we had a lot of encourage-

ment from the local community ... they have been among our first customers since opening two weeks ago. And like us, they are loving a great coffee and conversation.” Between sips of great coffee, there’s time to talk about the replica Ansett Airline’s hostess uniform or the iron pressed-ceiling repurposed as the counter facade, topped by locallysourced ironbark timber. And the impressive barn door has been made from timber originally from the old Bank of NSW building that once stood on the

corner of Brooke and Verdon Streets. David said the timber had been used as floorboards in a local shearing shed before Cafe 3517. Adorning the walls, are historic photographs of Brooke Street, linking Inglewood’s prosperous past with the exciting future Cafe 3517 is part of creating for the town. “We want people to Google the postcode, see where we are and come, visit and have a great coffee while discovering how wonderful Cafe 3517 and Inglewood is,” said David and Brooke, who were both born at Inglewood Hospital.

10 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES AND VISITORS

Goods new and old

WHILE hundreds of people were hunting for gold in Wedderburn on Saturday, many more were in town looking for something different or a garage bargain. Stalls filled the town’s Soldiers’ Memorial Park while enterainers played from the Oldertimers’ Orchestra Bandstand and visitors

mingled, looking at arts, crafts and home-made goods. The town’s garage sale day had 19 locations, including a local Lions Club storage shed. Club members had decided to participate in the garage sale instead of holding an annual fundraising auction of donated goods.

Young Wedderburn resin artist Sam Arnup was among craft and produce stallholders in Soldiers’ Memorial Park for Saturday’s market. LH PHOTO

TOWN garage sales in Wedderburn on Saturday saw bargain hunters visiting 19 locations. Among sellers were Mark Stephens and Allan Mitchelson. LH PHOTO

FORMER Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh was a late afternoon visitor to Kingower cricket ground on Saturday - a ground club members claim is the most picturesque in Australia. Waugh’s visit was for his next photography project The Spirit of Cricket - Australia discovering the stories, myths, locations and characters that make cricket in Australia part of the cultural DNA. He later signed autographs for youngsters at the game.

New partnership for aged care mental health service

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A NEW collaboation providing mental care to Loddon aged care residents has been announced. Boort’s A Life Simply Lived Psychology and Murray Primary Health Network will deliver the service. Naomi Malone said it was “an honour to provide mental health care to the residents of the wonderful aged care facilities in our region, including Gannawarra Loddon, Buloke and Swan Hill‘. “This project is being led by our mental health nurse, Madeleine Scott, who will be closely collaborating with the staff at each facility to provide the quality psychological support that our older clients deserve. Madeleine will be in touch with each facility individually over the coming weeks

to discuss how we can work together to support the unique needs of each,” Naomi said. Naomi was last year recognised by Rural Workforce Agency Victoria for outstanding contribution by a rural allied health professional. At the time, Naomi said the award put the focus on mental health “and as a practice, underpins the integrity of what we do”. “We are working really hard here so that people know they can rely on us to be professional and give quality care,” she said. “RWAV is about creating greater professional networks between GPs and other allied health professionals. Her practice is based in Boort with offices now across northern Victoria.

Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 11

WEDDERBURN DETECTOR JAMBOREE

Welcome strangers strike friendships

PEOPLE flocked to Wedderburn’s Detector Jamboree at the weekend in the greatest numbers since the event was first held in the 1990s. More than 250 registered detectorists took to the hills and gullies of Hard Hill Reserve and hundreds more were in town for activities that also included gold panning and Saturday night’s live music. Organiser Karen Fazzani said: “We’ve never had so many people at the jamboree before.” “The team has been wonderful and made everyone welcome. A lot were here for the first time, coming as strangers and striking up new friendships.”

People travelled from across Victoria, New South Wales, ACT and South Australia for the jamboree. Among them was 15-year-old Ryan Rumbold from South Australia’s Barossa Valley. It was Ryan’s first solo detector event and he also unearthed a piece of local history. Ryan found a commemorative victory medal issued after World War One. The medal was about 10cm from one of seven tokens Ryan found in the junior detector competition. He quickly showed it to jamboree organisers and members of the local historical society took a photograph for

display in the town’s museum. The junior detecting competition was won by Heathcote’s Sophia Scoble while Bendigo’s Tony Downing took senior honours. Tony said it was only his second time competing at the jamboree. “Even though it wasn’t held last year, a few of us turned up anyway.” Karen said amazing sponsors, including Inglewood and District Community Bank, had helped make the weekend a success. “To have so many for our first jamboree after COVID-19 restrictions was wonderful. We’ll do it all again next year,” Karen said.

Junior gold panning prizewinners (back) Shenae and Monique Scoble, of Heathcote, and (front) Brax, Spartan and Bastian Nordennen, of Wedderburn. LH PHOTO

Wedderburn detectorist Trevor Pleydell. LH PHOTO

Trevor’s chipping claim for elusive major prize TREVOR Playdell has been digging for gold in the Wedderburn bush for the best part of 40 years. For half that time, Trevor has called the town home after checking out other destinations where he could strike it lucky in the search for gold. On Saturday, he was among the 250-plus detectorists out in bushland, hoping for a beep that would signal detector down and pick in hand to scratch below a surface that has revealed gold since at least the 1850s. He was also hoping to find one of the jamboree competition keys buried around Hard Hill that would give him entries in the major prize draw. “I usually manage to find two or three (keys) every year. Six was my best year though,” he said. This year, Trevor was on par with two keys added to the major prize draw. And again, no luck picking up the new detector prize for the local. “I’ll keep trying,” he said with a

glint glistening almost as brightly as the gold he and fellow detectorists chase in the local bush. “The jamboree is a wonderful event, very well organised, good prizes and well catered for,” he said. “Perhaps after COVID, it explains the exceptional turn out this year with everyone just pleased to be out and about. “Everyone I’ve spoken to will be back next year.” Until then, Trevor says he’ll keep scouring bushland across the Loddon trying to find gold. “The best year I ever had was about 15 ounces for the year. That was around the time I was touring around and stopped here ... and stayed here,” he said. “It’s getting harder to find gold I reckon but it’s out there.” Trevor did take some time out at the weekend from his gold hunt. He swapped detector and pick for stick and shovel to keep the eucalyptus pot burning and scent of gum leaves wafting across Hard Hill reserve. - CHRIS EARL

Victory medal find: Ryan Rumbold. LH PHOTO

Karen Fazzani and Michelle Dahlston. LH PHOTO

Raffle tickets: Murray Smyth and Wendy Luttgens. LH PHOTO

Senior winner Tony Downing. LH PHOTO

Greg Canfield stirs the eucy pot. LH PHOTO

Junior winner Sophia Scoble. LH PHOTO

12 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

FEATURES OPINION | QUIZ

Give the choice to be who you want to be By KERRY ANDERSON

1. Who named the Pacific Ocean 2. True or false - traditionally, Japanese is written vertically. 3. The technology company Samsung comes from which country? 4. What tool used on hair is also the name of a chicken’s body part? 5. The Richter scale measures what natural disaster? 6. The music for West Side Story was written by which American composer and conductor? 7. Where in the world would you find the Spanish Steps? 8. Which disease is caused by having a lack of vitamin C? 9. Which actor portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the 2009 film of the same name? 10. Who developed the recipe for Victoria Bitter in 1854? 11. According to NASA, which planet in our solar system has the most moons? 12. And how many moons does that planet have? 13. What is the collective noun for a group of pandas? 14. Which part of the human body has just three bones? 15. Name the highway that runs from Darwin to Adelaide. 16. How many colours are there on the South African flag? 17. Which body part is the only one fully grown at birth? 18. How many faces does a dodecahedron have? 19. Which country lays claim to the second tallest building in the world? 20. In 1883 the oldest car manufacturer was founded, name that manufacturer. ANSWERS

WHEN researching some Australian history for my latest book I was reminded of how hard women fought to ensure that we have equal rights. I’ve read the stories of how they fought fiercely for the vote, but I had no idea that until 1912 when the law was repealed in Parliament, guardianship of a widow’s children legally went to the closest male relative. In comparison it seems that the modern-day woman has little to complain about. And yet every day we still struggle when it comes to gender equality. Thinking back on my life experiences, I know firsthand that stereotyping has been rife particularly in rural and regional Australia. Coming of age in the late 1970s the sons would get offered a partnership in the family business while the girls were expected to get married and have children. As wives they worked just as hard in the business but without the credit. When I began serving on committees it was always the Secretary role offered and when it came to catering, ‘ladies please bring a plate!’ For a while I worked in the health sector which is predominantly a female workforce and yet it was always the men in the well-paid management positions. When a female CEO was employed in the 1990s, everyone demanded to know what her qualifications were. I don’t recall that question being asked of her predecessors. We are so much better off in 2022. At least I thought so. It was a shock to learn that the fastest growing group of homeless people is women aged over 55. A male friend was even more shocked. He couldn’t understand how this could happen with property settlement laws in place. What he hadn’t considered is that a woman’s career is often compromised as

PERSPECTIVE a caregiver. While the division of property may be equal, the income earning capacity of a mature aged woman is limited even before taking into consideration the well documented pay gap. Observing the young women in my family circle I’d like to say that they don’t experience disadvantage. And yet they do. Every day. In subtle ways. Let me make it clear. We love our men. They are fabulous parents and can cook much better than I ever will. This is about all of us taking responsibility. So, what is holding us back? Bias is passed on from generation to generation. And both women and men unconsciously enable it. Yes, I am guilty. At a recent Board meeting held in a borrowed venue, we were asked to clear the tables before leaving. As we women automatically jumped in to clear the dishes and stack the dishwasher, I observed that the men stood chatting to each other. As chair I could have spent my time more productively with our executive officer before he travelled back to Melbourne. Dr. Elizabeth Jens, a NASA engineer working on the expedition to Mars, told me that her mother asked her husband to fix a window when they came home to Australia for a visit. Without a word he handed the tools over to his engineer wife. The five-yearold girls in my family now receive a toolbox for their birthday (NB: it is also recommended that you remove the Stanley knife before they take it to Show and Tell at school.) Confidence is another inhibitor. Unlike men who just ‘give it a go’, women are more cautious. Apart from the entrepreneurs that don’t let anything stand in their way, many women seek endorsement of their capa-

bilities before taking a leap of faith into leadership or business. I’ve seen the evidence of this in the high ratio of women applying for the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program and, more recently, the Startup Central Victoria Accelerator Program. A timely reminder that our support can empower more women. I am so grateful that in Australia we do not have to face the injustices that our female ancestors faced. My daughter has chosen to structure her manufacturing business around her family commitments. One of my talented nieces is a lieutenant in the Australian Defence Force leading a brigade to assist with the flood cleanup in Queensland. She commands tanks! And let’s not forget the blokes. A big thank you to the men who resist stereo type roles in their homes and workplaces. Previously they missed out on so much. My son and son-in-law are active parents and I know who cooks the best Sunday roast in our family. It isn’t me! It is thanks to those that have gone before us that we have come so far. But we still have a way to go. We only ask that women have the choice to be who they want to be. Just the same as men. Let’s keep working on it.

handling of the first six months of a threeyear contract to manage local pools and poor communication with at least some local communities. That has certainly been so for the Loddon Herald in trying to report on what’s happening with these vital local facilities. Over coming months, Loddon Shire

Council begins work on a new outdoor space and swimming pool strategy. The discontent of community members and their comments must now be channelled into dialogue on the best model for management and maintenance of local swimming pools. That includes whether communities again step up for the role.

* Kerry Anderson OAM is author of Australian Rural Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship: It’s Everybody’s Business (2016), Kerry Anderson is a strong voice for rural Australia, a champion for small business and entrepreneurs, and passionate about changing the conversation from job seeking to job creation. Kerry was guest speaker at last week’s Kooyoora Women’s Network dinner for International Women’s Day.

EDITORIAL IT HAS been a summer of discontent for Loddon swimming pools: a lack of lifeguards from start to finish, a late start to the season and an early finish, unpredictable opening days despite weekly hours being set. New pool manager Belgravia has been, we believe quite rightly, criticised for its

1. Ferdinand Magellan 2. True 3. South Korea 4. Comb 5. Earthquake 6. Leonard Bernstein 7. Rome, Italy 8. Scurvy 9. Robert Downey Jnr 10. Thomas Aitken 11. Saturn 12. 82 (53 confirmed, 29 provisional) 13. An embarrassment 14. The ear 15. Stuart Highway 16. 6 17. The eyes 18. 12 19. China (Shanghai Tower) 20. Mercedes Benz

Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 13

FEATURES Ken Arnold continues exploring the path of the Loddon River

Stones, weirs and flumes

THERE is a nice little park at the base of the Laanecoorie weir wall, accessed by Brownbill Reserve road. The river next flows by a natural amphitheatre at Poseidon, so named after the winner of the Melbourne Cup of days gone by, this being the racecourse for the Tarnagulla-Newbridge Racing Club. On through Newbridge, the recreational reserve there being a popular camping area, on past what is known as the Brewery Hole, so named after the Albion Brewery that once stood high on the western bank. It next flows through Bridgewater On Loddon, where water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular recreational pursuits, on under the railway line and over a weir, built on basaltic rock which runs across the river, the wall being about nine feet high and about 600 feet long, it consisting of about 700 cubic yards of concrete, cost £6,547 10s. The keystone of the weir was layed on February 12, 1884. It is worth the effort of driving north west down Brougham Steet, Bridgewater where you will be able to view the efforts of Messrs. Gorden and Black’s scheme in building the weir for the Loddon United Water Trust, cutting a channel to the water wheel powered flour mill and another channel six miles in length, this being in some places 20 feet deep and up to 60 feet wide and the bluestone sluice. This was intended to send water down the latter channel, out towards the Bullock creek and Pyramid watercourses so to assist the conservation of water on the northern plains towards Kerang and the Murray River, for about four weeks each year. It was reported that good progress was being made on the channel at the end of May 1884, there being three contractors at work. It is thought that the works finally cost £30,0000. There is nothing of importance until we get to the Serpentine weir which is difficult to find, it being off Creek View road. The Shire Council of Swan Hill wanted to build a wall across the river just below the Serpentine creek as early as 1881. After much agitating the Tragowel Plains Irrigation Trust had a timber structure built by Reilly Bros., of Bagshot, at a cost of £4800, in 1887. However, it was soon washed away. The weir is now a concrete structure. A tangle of dead trees crowd the Loddon weir, once known as the Fernihurst weir, it being a very popular picnic area. Water is also supplied to and from the weir by the Waranga Western channel.

Building Bullock Creek channel

The old Serpentine weir The road in off Loddon Weir road is often in poor condition, however if you make the effort to go in you will be rewarded. Turn in at the Waranga Western channel bridge. This weir was built as a result of the continual lobbying of the Loddon Valley Water League, formed by the Inglewood branch of Australian Natives Association, who had branches in most of the towns in the area. A picnic was held at the weir in January 1929, to celebrate the opening of the weir,

the extension of the Waranga Western channel to the weir and to raise money for the Inglewood hospital. A temporary weir that had been built across the Loddon River, about 3km south east of the township of Fernihurst, so as to send water down the Kinypanial creek towards Boort, was wrecked in the May 1883 flood. As a result “Blackfellows Creek” was excavated so as to connect the Loddon River to the Kinypanial creek anabranch. The Loddon River then meandered on

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to McRavey’s weir, about seven miles upstream from Kerang. Swan Hill Waterworks Trust had H.E. Kempson, engineer, oversee contactor Jas. Parker, build McRavey’s weir upstream from Old Kerang, the contract to start around October 1884, cost £1655/1/8. A flume was built over Loddon River, just above McRavey’s weir, in 1889, cost £5000. This is the area where water, which flows from the Torrumbarry weir and Kow Swamp, comes the Macorna channel and enters the Loddon river, which then flows through Kerang until it reaches the Kerang weir, near junction of Pyramid Creek and Loddon River, which can be found by turning into Weir Road off Lower Loddon Road. Make sure you check the now historically important all timber bridge that was built in 1927. A weir had been built at the junction of the Loddon River with Barr creek, near Murrabit West, by March 1888. The river from then on is often a shallow, winding gutter strewn with dead trees, it passing through the saltbush and Black Box forest eventually reaching the Little Murray River near Benjeroop where it becomes a flood plain.

NEXT WEEK: PART THREE - THE ANABRANCHES

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14 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

Soil regeneration field day

Fox bounty collections start VICTORIA’S 2022 fox bounty scheme has started with collection centres across central and northern Victoria open from this week. Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager Jason Wishart said eligible participants had to submit entire fox scalps for

a $10 reward and entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward on scheduled collection days at Bendigo, Swan Hill and St Arnaud. More than 940,000 fox scalps and 4200 wild dogs have been collected in Victoria since the bounty started in 2011.

GRAIN WHEAT - H1 $395.75 FIS. H2 $390 FIS. APW $375 FIS. ASW $330 FIS. GP 1 $330 FIS. BARLEY - PL1 ISCC $327 FIS. SP1 ISCC

$327 FIS. BAR1 $315 FIS. BAR2 $270.50 FIS. PULSES - Non-GM canola $920 FIS +/AOF. Non-ISCC $918.50 FIS +/- AOF. Faba1 $438 FIS. Faba2 $423 FIS.

SOIL specialists will bring their experience across central Victoria to a Loddon Plains Landcare Network field day next week. Loddon Plains Future Farmers Regenerative Agriculture Group will hold the on-property field day on Tuesday at Salisbury West, Landcare’s regenerative and sustainable agriculture officer Danny Pettingill said the Know Your Soils field day would share in-depth practical knowledge with landholders. “This event will provide presentations and interactions with soil specialists Rebecca Mitchell from Agriculture Victoria and Christian Bannan from South East Soil and Water, both of whom have worked extensively in the central Victorian region,” Mr Pettingill said.

“The event will provide an in-depth field day packed full of practical knowledge.” The field day will include a soil pit demonstration and sessions on: z Methods to better understanding and manage your soils for improved farm and biodiversity benefits; z Assessing soils and soil profiles on your farm; z Demonstrating how to take a comprehensive soil testing sample for assessment and analysis; and z An introduction concepts in soil biology. Mr Pettingill said a soils testing program with local landholders would be conducted parallel to the field day events. Further days are planned for April and May.

For Sale by Expression of Interest

Choice cropping country 314 Acres approx. 127 Hectares

Corner Old Charlton Boort, Hampsons and Greenﬁeld Roads Wychitella

Wool export store manager Charlie Barnes.

Exporters expand into region

 Fronts gravel road  Sound fertilizer history  Regular weed control  Permanent pipe line with tank and trough  Clean Canola Stubble  Approx. 18 km from Boort Township  Remarks unique parcel of choice “Wychitella North District” cropping country located in a renowned district known for its high yields.  Working access on signing contract of sale and payment of 10 per cent deposit. Expression of interest close with the selling agents on Monday 28th March at 12pm. Highest price may not necessary be accepted. (Expression of interest document on request)

Graeme Hayes - Principal, Licensed Real Estate Agent VIC 065250 & NSW 330444 69 Wellington Street, Kerang Vic 3579 Ofﬁce: 03 5450 3792 Mob: 0411 338 649 graeme@ghrealestate.com.au www.ghrealestate.com.au

ONE of Australia’s largest wool export businesses has expanded into the Loddon. AME Direct offers an introduction for woolgrowers to international clients through the affiliated Australian Merino Exports servicing a worldwide network of manufacturers consuming both greasy and processed wools. Wool purchased by AME Direct including crossbred types, is not only sold directly to overseas mills, but also supplies Australian Merino Exports with fibre for their top making and early stage processing operations. “Along with large volume greasy wool trading, we supply processed wools including specialty wool tops for our international clients so in that way, the grower is directly accessing overseas markets” said director James Thomson. “The aim of this direct approach is higher prices, lower selling costs and more feedback between customers and growers, allowing wool growers to access good advice on the strength of markets internationally and the best selling option for

their wool.” AME Direct is operating from stores in Ararat, Ballarat, Kilmore, Laverton North and has now opened a store in Bendigo to service the region, including across the Loddon. “The AME Direct team focus on customer service and pride themselves on their wool expertise and strong wool market knowledge,” said Mr Thomson. Charlie Barnes will be managing the Bendigo store, along with Michael Cornish who has been a long-time wool buyer in the area. “We look forward to establishing a good client base locally,” Mr Barnes said. “With the aim to increase overall volumes, AME Direct’s pricing is competitive. “We work with our farmers to help them maximise their returns. We offer top prices, prompt payments and if preferred a full auction service.” AME Direct stores are open throughout the week, offering on the spot payments for large and small lines, along with onfarm consultations by appointment.

Optimise the price for your clip — AME Direct is now buying all types and quantities of raw wool.

Sell your wool direct to global export markets.

• Direct to export on farm quotes • Grid pricing on AWTA test – price guaranteed on result • Forward prices • Cash paid for shed clean ups and in store • Full auction service available • Specialists in certified and traceable supply Charlie Barnes 92 Rowena Street, East Bendigo 0491 985 452

Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 15

Loddon HERALD CLASSIFIEDS Deadline - Tuesdays 4pm - Phone 0419 549 743 email loddonherald@gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT

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Circulating throughout communities in the Loddon Shire loddonherald@gmail.com or Phone 0419549743 Managing Editor - Chris Earl www.loddonherald.com.au The Loddon Herald is published by Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, PO Box 1188, Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers by Newsprinters Pty Ltd McKoy Street, West Wodonga, VIC 3690

SOUS CHEF or CHEF DE PARTIE We are seeking a creative, passionate and driven person to join our growing business in the role of Sous Chef. Working along side the Head Chef you will have the opportunity to help shape the direction of the menu by introducing your own creativity and experience. This role requires a sound knowledge of kitchen operations, passion for good quality food and leadership experience. The position will be full time, with availability weeknights and weekends a must. We can offer a great work/life balance, set days off, duty meals and additional perks when they arise. A negotiable & attractive salary package is on offer for the right applicant.

SENIOR BAR STAFF We have multiple positions available for Senior Bar & Floor Staff, the positions are Part Time ranging from 15 to 30 hours per week. A current RSA Certiﬁcate & previous experience in the industry will be a positive. Availability on weekends is a must. APPLY IN PERSON OR SEND YOUR CV, ATTENTIONED TO VIRGINIA, TO thebridgewater.hotel@gmail.com BRIDGEWATER HOTEL LODDON RIVER 2 MAIN ST, BRIDGEWATER ON LODDON, VIC, 3516 Ph: 5437 3576 E: thebridgewater.hotel@gmail.com

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16 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17 2022

SPORT IN BRIEF

Swimming winners ALIZA Lockhart (pictured) has won her age group championship at the North Central District Schools’ Swimming Carnival. Aliza, from Wedderburn College, was placed first in the senior 50-metre freestyle, second in 50-metre breaststroke and second in 50-metre backstroke. Pyramid Hill College’s Alina Gould was first in the 13 years girls’ 50-metre freestyle. Boort District School was the highest placed of Loddon schools in the championship, finishing third in the junior section with 243 points and third overall.

Hotel darts Gracie Noonan takes to the training court at Inglewood last week. LH PHOTO

Young netballers take to court YOUNG netballers across the Loddon are preparing for the season opening in under three weeks. At Inglewood, netball operations manager Shasta Maher has been part of the team training under 13 and under 15 girls. “The girls have returned eager to pick up from where they left off last season,” Shasta said. “With new coaches across the three junior grades, they are keen to learn new skills and drills and have a successful season in 2022.”

VICTORIA Hotel Pyramid Hill darts competition on Monday night was contested by Cathy Brodie, Hafyq Nasharuddin, Leigh Manton, Janine Worth, Steve Roberts, Genevieve Trice, Annie Gibson, Tammy Peter and Rob Peter. Eliminated to a final of were rounds of 301 were Leigh Manton, Janine Worth, Genevieve Trice, Steve Roberts which Janine and Leigh won.

Under 18 draw

Lucy Rollinson and Pheobe Skinner in ball drills at training. LH PHOTOS

LODDON Valley league board was meeting Tuesday night to approve the season’s under 18 football draw. New club East Loddon will join Bridgewater, Inglewood and Marong in the four-team competition. Maiden Gully has withdrawn its junior side. The league is aiming to match junior games with senior clubs where possible.

It will be third time lucky!

THE Loddon’s Active Farmers group is set to finally holds its Run for Resilience. Postponed twice by COVID restrictions and lockdowns in 2021, the event with courses over three distances will be held on May 15. Organiser Claire Harrison said while there had been some disappointment with earlier postponements, true rural resilience had prevailed to stage the important community connection event. “Last year, we had hundreds of people from right across the Loddon and beyond who were registered to join together in support of rural communities and they all said, no matter when the run is on, they were still coming,” she said. “Now we’re just weeks away from finally bringing the wonderful people of our rural communities together and that means it’s time to start training. “People can chose the shorter courses or train up for the more ambitious 21km run or walk from Inglewood to Bridgewater.“ In memory of Lesley Morrison, a passionate member of Active Farmers Bridgewater and Inglewood communities, the 5km route has been named Fitty’s 5, The Loddon Herald is a sponsor of Run for Resilience and every week, we will be publishing a special training schedule to assist in preparation of participants for the May 15 event.

17 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022

SPORT

Woodies’ flag bid today INGLEWOOD is playing Harcourt in today’s Bendigo midweek pennant Division 5 grand final. Harcourt finished the home and away season fourth on the ladder and returned upset results against White Hills and Castlemaine to meet Inglewood, who finished on top of the ladder. Inglewood had a great hardfought win against Castlemaine in the semi-final last week. The final score being Inglewood 37 shots to Castlemaine 29 shots. The rink of Pam Kelly, Arthur Harrison, Zelma Dowling and Joan Roberts won by eight shots after a very tight contest early. The other rink of Chris McEwan, David Whitehead, Phyliss McEwan and Edna Patterson hung on for a draw when their opposition came home strongly. Division 1 Weekend Pennant season came to an end on Saturday for Inglewood with a good win over Golden Square. Made even more impressive as the selectors brought in two people from the Division 5 team and promoted our younger brigade into more prominent playing positions. They all acquitted themselves well which makes the future of our club look bright. The final scores were Inglewood 94 shots (16 points) to Golden Square 75 shots (two pts). The The Fat Butcher award for

Inglewood Division 1 bowler Steve McLean during the Woodies’ final home and away game of the season. LH PHOTOS

lost to Marong 58-111. N. Lister 16 lost to J. Rathbone 21, C. Koch 10 lost to A. Corry 29, B. Lawry 22 d R. Wearne 19, F. Grieves 10 lost to R. Williams 42. Full results not available not available for the match.

BOORT VICTORS: The North Central midweek pennant victors Graeme Gardner, Pam Gould, AlanGould, Margaret Nelson, Thelma Moresi, Tania Noles, Kevin De Piazza, Gill Tweddle, Ian Mercer, Lorna Gardner, Laurie Maxted, Lynette Cameron, Jo Maxted and Phyl. Baker. the best performed rink for this week went to the rink skippered by Mal McLean. Nearly the end of a good season and some promising results to build on. Many people have contributed to club over the sea-

The final was close all day and after 50 ends there was two shots difference, Boort winning 71 shots to Wycheproof 61 shots. The Boort team travelled to Stawell to play at regional level last Friday where honours went to Horsham City.

son and their efforts are greatly appreciated. DIVISION 1: Inglewood d Golden Square 94-75. A Ellerton D Rowe G Jackson M McLean (s) d Golden Square 31-15. B McClymont M Roberts S McLean C

Kelly (s) lost to Golden Square 20-25. M Chamberlain D Wilson I Chamberlain R Day (s) d Golden Square 27-21. B Jackson W Roberts G Wilson J Nevins (s) d Golden Square 16-14. DIVISION 5 semi-final: Dingee

One shot in pairs title RUTH Hall and Sandra Standfield have won the Wedderburn club ladies’ pairs championship. Sandra Steel and Helen Stephenson were down 3-10. But they fought back to be 1712 up going into the last end of the title. However, Sandra and Ruth both put down some great bowls to give them six shots and win the championship by one shot 18-17.

Dominant display ends Dingee’s final play DINGEE’S push for the Bendigo bowls Division 5 flag has ended after a encountering an in-form Marong in Saturday’s semi-final. While Dingee had gained match honours in the previous week’s final home and away season match, Marong came out in the final a completely different side and recorded a 43-shot win.

Bruce Lawry’s rink was the best performed for Dingee, winning by three shots while Neil Lister’s rink went down by five shots. Dingee had finished 12 points ahead of Marong on the ladder with wins against higher sides during the season. Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk are flag favourites.

Newbridge in season decider

Members of the Dingee team after their semi-final on Saturday. LH PHOTO

NEWBRIDGE plays in the Marong Tennis Association grand final on Saturday. Up against Harcourt, Newbridge will contest the flag at Marong court.

After only securing a finals’ spot in the last home and away round, Newbridge upset top side Lockwood in the semi-finals. Newbridge women are expected to be key in the flag hopes.

18 | Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17 2022

SPORT SCOREBOARD Boort-Yando v Arnold Arnold G. Nevins retired ................................... 50 J. Wendels c&b J. Potter ...................... 35 C. Hancock c T. Potter b F. Holland ..... 15 F. Lock c J. Potter b J. Hird .....................9 K. Hewett c T. Potter b N. Scott ............. 2 B. Coffey not out .................................... 0 M. Whitton b J. Hird ............................... 2 Extras ................................................... 25 Total ................................................ 5/138 Bowling T. Potter 10-4-0-24, W. Toose 10-10-32, A. Cockerell 8-2-0-28, L. Hall 2-0-0-11, J. Mulquiny 4-1-0-8, F. Holland 7-0-1-14, J. Potter 6-0-1-8, B. Arnold 2-0-0-2, N. Scott 2-1-1-3, J. Hird 1-0-2-5.

Boort-Yando F. Holland c F. Lock b G. Nevins ............. 1 A. Cockerell b G. Nevins ........................ 4 W. Toose c&b C. Hancock ...................... 5 J. Mulquiny c F. Lock b K. Hewett ........ 16 T. Potter c&b G. Nevins ........................ 58 B. Arnold b F. Lock ................................. 5 L. Hall lbw C. Hancock ........................... 1 J. Potter b C. Hancock ........................... 0 J. Hird c C. Hancock b K. Hewett ........ 13 S. Toose not out ................................... 17 N. Scott c G. Nevins b F. Lock ............... 0 Extras ..................................................... 8 Total ................................................... 128

2022 Upper Loddon junior cricket premiers Arnold after Sunday’s victory. LH PHOTO

Spectacular Nevins ball delivers cup victory By MICHAEL ROSE

IN A nail-biting finish, Arnold just hung on to win their fourth Upper Loddon junior Premiership on the weekend. Gabe Nevins spectacularly caught and bowled Boort-Yando’s Tom Potter to give Arnold the premiership by just 10 runs. A close finish seemed unlikely on Sunday as Nevins had two of Boort-Yando’s prolific run scorers, Fraser Holland and Alex Cockerell back in the pavilion with just five runs on the board and chasing a total of 138. Jacob Mulquiny and Tom Potter then batted patiently before Mulquiny lost his wicket for 16. Potter then attacked the bowling but just after his retirement for 51, Boort-Yando lost another three wickets with the score on eighty seven. Jett Hird and Sam Toose joined forces to enjoy a 25-run partnership to even up the game again. When Potter returned to the crease, Boort-Yando still needed 20 runs for victory but with plenty of overs in hand. Potter added another seven

Inglewood Community Bank chair Linda Younghusband presents the premiership cup to Arnold captains Gabe Nevins (left) and Jaspa Wendels. LH PHOTO runs to his score before Nevins’ brilliant catch ended the match. Toose remained unbeaten on 17. Nevins took bowling honours removing all three of Boort-Yando’s major batsmen, while Campbell Hancock also chimed in with three wickets.

Kale Hewett and Flynn Lock lent good supportwith two wickets apiece . This all took place after Arnold had earlier scored 5-138 on the Saturday. Nevins who was unusually subdued early in his innings

eventually got going to retire on 50. Jaspa Wendels and Campbell Hancock with 35 and 15 respectively, both made solid contributions to Arnold’s total. Jett Hird was the only multiple wicket taker for Boort-Yando taking both wickets in the last over of the day. The Potter brothers both took two catches in the field. For Boort-Yando the disappointment continues as this was their third grand final loss in a row but congratulations go to Arnold, who immediately following the game were presented with the Les and Margaret Miller Premiership Shield. It was no surprise that Nevins and Potter were joint winners of the Inglewood and Districts Community Bank medallion for player of the finals. Toby Naughton was the recipient of the Inglewood and Districts Community Bank‘s player of the year and batting awards while the Inglewood and Districts Community Bank bowling award was won for the second time by Campbell Hancock.

Bowling G. Nevins 9.4-4-3-13, J. Wendels 9-3-0-11, K. Hewett 8-1-2-25, C. Hancock 10-2-3-21 M. Pickering 3-0-0-28, F. Lock 7-1-29.

PLAYER OF THE FINALS Gabe Nevins: 94 runs, 4 wickets, 2 catches Tom Potter: 113 runs, 2 wickets, 5 catches * Award shared

Aaron Lock

Overtaking a benchmark ARNOLD junior coach Aaron Lock has praised his young charges for matching and overtaking Boort-Yando in the 2021-2022 season. Lock said Boort had again set the benchmark in the competition. He said Arnold players had striven throughout the season to win the final game of the season. Sunday’s flag bookended a bitter-sweet week for Lock. He was a member of the flagwinning Powlett in the previous weekend’s Inglewood tennis grand final while his father passed away during the week.

Season trophies to Naughton, Hancock BRIDGEWATER’S Toby Naughton has been named Upper Loddon Cricket Association junior player of the year. Naughton received 429 points to take the top award and also picked up batting honours accumulating 284 runs for the season. He was a key player in guiding the very young Bridgewater side. Arnold’s Campbell Hancock has taken out the bowling award for a second time. Hancock took 11 wickets for the season with an average of 8.09. He also collected three wickets in Arnold’s grand final win.

Upper Loddon junior cricket season award winners Campbell Hancock (left) and Toby Naughton. LH PHOTOS

Loddon HERALD Thursday March 17, 2022 | 19

SPORT

Redbacks waste little time on way to decider ARNOLD took just 26 overs to book its spot in the Upper Loddon cricket senior grand final. Wedderburn thought it may have had a sniff of making a successive season decider when Arnold opener Phil Scholes was out for just six and the Redbacks on nine, Scholes was caught beautifully by Matt Lockhart off Will Holt’s first delivery of the day. Matt Giri was joined by Mason at the crease and settled play until Giri was caught by Isaac Holt off Adam Postle’s bowling and Arnold was 2-55 - almost half way towards the 107 target Wedderburn had set, While Wedderburn had hope, Mason and Cam Dale put that to bed as they batted into the 30s and reached the target with 14 overs to spare. Postle had earlier held up the tail for Wedderburn, hitting a top-scoring 27, supported by Steve Giorlando and James VanderWetering. They had earlier seen the higher order bats dismissed in quick succession, with Ryan Metelman doing the real damage with his five wickets. But the real setback to Wedderburn’s hopes had come in the first over when openers Brad and Will Holt were dismissed and the score just six. Only Luke and Isaac Holt man-

Will Holt aged to add some early respect to the scoreboard before they fell to Metelmann’s bowling.

ARNOLD V WEDDERBURN WEDDERBURN B Holt b J McHale ................................... 6 W Holt c P Scholes b B Power ................ 0 L Holt c J Wendels b R Metelmann ........ 21 I Holt c B Power b R Metelmann ........... 12 M Lockhart c C Anderson b R Metelmann ..... 7 S Giorlando c J McHale b C Dale ......... 19 S Carroll b R Metelmann .......................... 0 N Holt c J Wendels b R Metelmann ........ 0 F Turnbull c P Scholes b J McHale ......... 3 A Postle not out ..................................... 27 J Vander-Wetering not out ....................... 9 Extras ....................................................... 2 Total ................................... 9/106 (cc) Bowling: J McHale 8.0-1-2-22, B Power 8.05-1-11, R Metelmann 8.0-3-5-20, M Dale 4.0-1-0-10, C Dale 8.0-4-1-28, J Wendels 4.0-0-0-14.

ARNOLD P Scholes c M Lockhart b W Holt ........... 6 MW Giri c I Holt b A Postle .................... 33 D Mason not out .................................... 33 C Dale not out ....................................... 32 Extras ......................................................... 3................................................................... Total .......................................... 2/107 Bowling: A Postle 8.0-1-1-41, W Holt 8.0-11-23, I Holt 7.0-1-0-28, S Giorlando 1.0-0-04, J Vander-Wetering 2.0-1-0-8.

Arnold’s Cam Dale bats towards 32 not out in Saturday’s semi-final. LH PHOTO

Crilly’s spectacular spell puts Boort into its first grand final By MICHAEL ROSE

BOORT-YANDO will contest their first-ever Upper Loddon Senior Grand Final next Saturday after they outplayed a disappointing Kingower in the semi-final played at Kingower. Kingower had no answer to the line and length bowling of Drew Crilly who finished with the remarkable figures of eight overs, seven maidens, three wickets for one run which was scored off his last over. After a promising opening partnership of 45 between Matt Rowe and Jayden Leach, Crilly made the breakthough in his third over and through the remainder of his spell. Kingower lost six wickets for just 18 runs. Fergus Bear also had a fair influence on Kingower’s innings by claiming two wickets as well four catches in the field. Kingower’s final total of 114 fell well short of Boort-Yando’s earlier total of eight for 170. In a consistent display of batting, only three batsmen failed to make double figures for BoortYando who were asked to bat by Kingower. Bear was also to the fore in the

Nick Leach (left) was economical for Kingower while Jarrod Hodoras again hit well for Boort. LH PHOTO batting scoring 30 while Brian Minogue top scored with 31. Captain, Jarrod Hodoras also bumped the scoring rate with a quick fire twenty nine. Nick Leach was Kingower’s best bowler although brother Jayden was more successful with three wickets.

Kingower v Boort-Yando Boort-Yando A. Knight c B. Rose b J. Leach ............... 4 J. Smith c M. Rowe b K. Simpson ........ 15 F. Bear c K. Simpson b L. De Jong ....... 30

J. Hodoras b N. Leach .......................... 29 A. Cockerell c J. Leach b B. Rose ......... 14 B. Minogue b J. Leach .......................... 31 W. Gould b J. Leach .............................. 13 H. Weaver c J. Leach b K.Simpson .......... 5 D. Crilly not out ....................................... 14 G. Zanker not out .................................... 1 Extras ..................................................... 14 Total ...........................................8/170 Bowling J. Leach 8-2-3-40, N. Leach 8-5-112, K. Simpson 7-3-2-31, L. De Jong 6-1-120, B. Rose 4-0-1-12, B. Pickles 3-0-0-26, M. Rowe 4-0-0-16

Kingower M. Rowe c F. Bear b D. Crilly ................. 22 J. Leach b J. Hodoras ........................... 24

K. Simpson b D. Crilly ............................. 0 N. Leach lbw b D. Crilly ........................... 5 W. Deason stpd. J. Smith b F. Bear ......... 4 J. Vinnicombe caught & b F. Bear ... 0 B. Rose c J. Smith b A. Cockerell ......... 16 B. Pickles c F. Bear b B. Minogue ........... 9 L. DeJong c A. Cockerell b H. Weaver .. 18 T. Nunn c F. Bear b A. Cockerell .............. 2 L. McNeil not out ..................................... 5 Extras ...................................................... 9 Total .............................................. 114 Bowling H. Weaver 7-2-1-25, J. Hodoras 7-2-1-20, D. Crilly 8-7-3-1, F. Bear 8-1-2-35, B. Minogue 3-0-1-13, A. Knight 1-0-0-2, A. Cockerell 4-0-1-13.

GRAND FINAL PREDICTIONS WEDDERBURN opening bowler Adam Postle says: “It’s Arnold’s to lose, but handy players on both sides. Arnold have great batting depth, but anything can happen ... I’ve seen Wedderburn go undefeated all season and then be skittled for 70 in a granny. Good luck to both teams, both put on some great performances this season. Final prediction: Arnold KINGOWER president Mark Gilmore, however, is hedging his bets on who will hold aloft the FP Nevins and Co premiership trophy come late Saturday afternoon. “Stay as calm as you can and keep muttering to yourself ‘watch the ball’. The final will be won by the side that holds its catches and gets bat on ball,” was his assessment.

SEMI STATS BATTING Matt Geri (Arnold) ................................... 33 D Mason (Arnold) .................................... 33 Cam Dale (Arnold) ................................... 32 Fergus Bear (Boort-Yando) ...................... 30

BOWLING Ryan Metelmann (Arnold) ................... 5-20 Drew Crilly (Boort-Yando) ...................... 3-1 Jayden Leech (Kingower) ................... 3-40

Loddon HERALD

sport

Thursday March 17, 2022

INSIDE - ARNOLD CLINCHES JUNIOR FLAG: POTTER, NEVINS SHARE FINAL HONOURS

TURF TIMES SATURDAY’S Upper Loddon cricket grand final pitches early-season dominator Arnold against a buoyed Boort-Yando making its first-ever tilt for a flag. And for the first time in decades, the premiership will be decided on a turf wicket. Scott Dwyer last week started preparing the Wedderburn pitch in anticipation of hosting the final. He has spent this week “nursing the pitch through” for the clash between Cam Dale’s Arnold and Jarrod Hodoras’ Boort-Yando. Dwyer wants to have the South African couch wicket in top condition and offering good pace. “As the only turf wicket in the competition, I think it will probably favour the bowlers in Saturday’s grand final,” he said. “Batsmen are more used to the synthetic pitches found at other

grounds in the association and scoring runs off that surface. And the Wedderburn pitch has the widest wicket in the competition.” Boort won two home and away season games against Wedderburn on the turf wicket, Arnold went down in its match there when play resumed after the Christmas-New Year break and a fortnight later also lowered colours to Boort-Yando - both defeats part of a horror mid-season slump before a strong recovery in the final five rounds. When Arnold and Boort met in that last round, rain saw play abandoned and the scorecard show a draw. Boort-Yando will be hoping for a fairytale finish to the season. The Redbacks will have other ideas. If Scott Dywer’s prediction is right, the best bowlers will propel their team to a flag on Saturday.

Wedderburn wicket curator Scott Dwyer ... predicting a good day for bowlers. LH PHOTO

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