Loddon Herald 17 November 2022

By CHRIS EARL

YOUNG mothers are pick ing up telephones de manding quick action on the Loddon’s child care crisis.

Emails and text messages to Labor’s Ripon candidate Martha Haylett have called for “action not advocacy”.

Ms Haylett told last week’s Ripon candidate forum that she would advocate for child care in the shire.

But Wedderburn mother and member of the town’s child care working group Tammy Martin said: “We don’t need Ms Haylett’s advocacy. The facts are there, the impact statements are there ... we have no child care.”

“We need a promise that a facil ity will be built,” Ms Martin said.

The Government has said it will have “more to say later” on its June promise to open 50 colocated centres in areas of de mand by 2025.

The Coalition has promised that the $1.9 million allocated for communications and consulta tion in the Wedderburn College $12.9 million upgrade would be used for a co-located centre.

Ms Martin said mothers were “a little upset” Ms Haylett had failed to meet with the local child care working group.

“As you are well aware, there is not one facility in Loddon and you tell us you are advocating but there has been no communi cation. Not I but all women have the right to work and feel a sense of worth but how are we meant to do that without some sort of

child care so we can return to the workforce,” she has told Ms Hay lett. “Council, the school and vari ous shops in town are already struggling with staff.

“There are capable and quali fied women in our community suited to these roles but they are unable to take them on.”

Ms Martin said: “We’ve had meetings with Louise Staley, fed eral MP Anne Webster and the Derryn Hinch Justice Party but have not heard from Ms Haylett. The ground is there (at Wedder burn College) so all we need is the money for the building.”

Ms Haylett told the Loddon Herald: ““The State Labor Gov ernment will roll out 50 staterun child care centres across Vic toria. While locations are yet to be announced, rest assured that I will continue to be a fierce repre sentative for the Loddon Shire on this issue going forward.

“I’m a doting aunt and watch ing my sister navigate child care has made me even more commit ted to this issue - it’s one I will continue to work to address in Wedderburn.”

Ms Martin said: “We need can didates to come forward and just say a child care centre will be built.”

Loddon Shire is the only 100 per cent child care desert in Vic toria, according to a Mitchell In stitute report earlier this year.

Set on 1012m2 block in the centre of Inglewood’s sports precinct, is this original gem of weatherboard construction. Comprising of 2 open and spacious bedrooms, a large hallway leading to Kitchen & Dining area –with all electric cooking by upright oven & hotplates, country style Kitchen cupboards & laminate benchtops. Double glass doors lead through to the formal lounge room with beautiful dome ceiling, open fireplace & small reverse cycle wall air conditioner. The home has a single central bathroom with bath & vanity. The shower along with sewered toilet is set at the rear of the home. A great asset is, the open allotment with single car garage and Zincalum shed for the garden equipment, and with rear lane access available. The potential to develop, is fantastic. While this 1930’s home needs some work and TLC, its potential is enormous!

IVEE Rian Pantig and members of Pyramid Hill’s Filipino community made an impressive sight as they processed from St Patrick’s Church to the memorial hall on Saturday night for Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio (Patronage of Our Lady) festival.

STORY,

LH PHOTO

W E’VE gone for the full length photo graph from Bradley of Boort this week ... his Treemendous tree showing how much water has receded on the Boort-Durham Ox road. Any lower, and the tree will need shoes to make it to the roads that Bradley reminds us have crumbled and cracked under the flow of recent flood waters and the return of traffic to the surfaces.

T HE Doc has chimed in again with a neighbourly report. “Up here on Woke Farm we’ve got a neighbour who boasts a wide range of skills. Panel beating isn’t one of them - which is surprising because he gives himself plenty of practice. Toyota advertises the Hilux as being ‘unbreakable’, a claim I won’t credit until they let this bloke have a crack at one. A sequence of photos

is self-explanatory (OTF has chosen to not the publish these snaps of a damaged ute to protect the guilty until proven innocent owner) as to latest inflicted damage. The poor dog is looking reigned and philo sophical about the whole thing, she’s old and has seen it all before. Can anything be done to help this man? It’s beyond me.”

DOING the right thing happens in times of emergency. A study released this week says Australians through history have reported wrongdoings. We might like to pride ourselves on being a country of mateship and an almost larrikin approach to authority, but research by UNSW Law and Justice Associate Professor Catherine Bond shows Crime Stopper data skyrocketed amid the COVID-19 pandemic as we dobbed in neighbours. “What we see, looking at the Crime Stopper data, is that when the gov ernment creates a state of emergency, it really starts to be enthusiastically policed, including by regular people,” she said. She drew parallels with one of Australia’s last major crises – the fear of Germany during World War One. “What we saw in World War One is in many ways the same cultural phenomenon. Australians were told, we are in a state of emergency, we are under threat. And emergency laws became quite restrictive.”

THE RIGHT MOVE A new name will be etched on the publican’s board at the Wedderburn Hotel with the arrival of Craig Fuller. Craig has swapped the life of promotions and marketing in Melbourne for owning and running the pub that has traded for almost 170 years. And just two weeks in, Craig has already welcomed families celebrating birthdays and a busload of visitors from Ballarat as locals also enjoy the hotel’s newly extended opening hours. Craig said he had been looking for a change from Melbourne “and everything fell into place here”.

Surplus beats budget

LODDON Shire Council’s budg eted cash surplus has increased. Councillors were told at their latest meeting that the adopted budget surplus $600,000 had in creased to an actual carried for ward surplus of $4.37 million and after adjustments to $5.5 million. The quarterly report showed

council had a cash total of $39.8 million with $6.6 million in gen eral accounts.

Sundry debtors totalled $720,000 with invoices out standing for 90 or more days relating to community wellbe ing debtors and local community groups totalling $87,000.

1 x Snooze Tencel Mattress and Pillow Protector Pack. Images for illustrative purposes only.

LH PHOTO

Top butcher Jye snags major industry awards

JYE and Kristy Arnold are off to the national finals in Adelaide after snagging Victorian titles for their sausages and bacon at the weekend.

The Boort butchers had quali fied for the Australian Meat In dustry Council’s Sausage King state finals after earlier this year, winning four prizes in the expanded northern regional competition.

And with son Brodie and daughter Akaisha attending their first award dinner, Jye and Kristy were in Melbourne on Saturday night to hear their shortcut bacon and Italian pork sausage named best in the state.

Third places were also award ed for Arnold Family Butcher’s English pork sausage and cheese kransky.

“We aim to be consistent and we were up against some pretty good competition,” said Kristy.

“One butcher in Melbourne has its own chef on staff ... but we’ve got Jye who comes up with these award-winning recipes that are popular with our customers and again with judges.”

Jye has been a butcher for more than 20 years and regular ly picks up industry awards

“We were up against regional winners from across the state so the results were pretty good and now we’re off to the national fi nals in February,” Kristy said.

Weather be right for summer dip

LODDON swimming pools will open for the summer season with free entry this weekend.

Pool manager Belgravia has significantly boosted its life guard pool and announced a calendar of special events at Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn.

Inglewood and District Health Service will also run aqua aerobics classes at Ingle wood and Wedderburn.

Belgravia’s seasonal pools manager Kai Nielsen said the calendar included fundraising barbecues, movie nights and

Kelsey Nisbet is among lifeguards returning in 2022

Christmas parties. He said the pool season would run until March.

“If the forecast is not looking good, (Loddon Shire) council’s weather policy is that pools do not open if the temperature is forecast to be below 24 degrees at 6pm the night prior,” he said.

There’s no butts about it, all lots are cleared

SPIRITED bidding by more than 300 people saw everything from a stuffed goat’s head to a skidsteer loader sold at a clearing sale in Bears Lagoon on Sunday.

The JCB loader was the big ticket item knocked down by auctioneer Graeme Hayes for $38,000.

The goat’s head was one of several taxidermy lots in the sale. Two deer heads each sold for more than $400, a pair of pheasants for $150 and the goat for $220.

Mr Hayes said other top price lots also sold were a Mazda ute for $30,500, ride-on mowers for up to $9000 and Polaris 4WD for $7000.

Collections of tools fetched up to $600 in the sell-out auction.

Mr Hayes said: “Bidders came from far and wide and for some of the bigger and heavier items, buyers were able to use our heavy-lifting service offered at clearing sales.”

Pyramid Hill Lions Club pro vided catering for the sale.

IN BRIEF

More pop-ups

BENDIGO Health has ex panded its series of outreach clinics for Japanese encepha litis, COVID and flu vaccines. Following a pop-up in Pyra mid Hill earlier this month, a team will be back at the town’s memorial hall this Sat urday and again next week. Bendigo Health pop-up clin ics have been the main form of vaccination services since its fixed site service ceased in early October, helping reach remote and vulnerable populations. “We are seeing increasing numbers of people seeking their COVID booster shots, plus we are offering JEV to eligible cohorts. We currently have a very limited supply of JEV vaccine which is reflective of broader sup ply in Victoria,” a spokesper son said.

Work threat

LABOR’S Fair Work Legisla tion threatened small to me dium sized businesses across the electorate, said Mallee MP Anne Webster. Dr Webster said new legislation would impose the most radical changes on workers in dec ades and further empowers unions into workplaces they previously had no control over. “Being coerced into bar gaining based on some vague ‘common interest’ test, which could simply be a small flow er retailer in the same com plex as Target, is fundamen tally unfair,” Dr Webster said.

New president

TAMMY Martin has been elected president of Wed derburn Development. Vicepresident is Julie Benaim, secretary Kylie Turnbull and treasurer Alan Mulraney.

Trains and buses

TRAINS have resumed on the Swan Hill line after be ing replaced by bus services last week and services not running to Raywood, Dingee, Pyramid and Kerang.

In fine voice

MELBOURNE Opera is now on the hunt for Loddon singers to join the chorus for Götterdämmerung, the fourth opera in Wagner’s Ring Cycle to be performed in Bendigo next March. Au ditions will be held on Satur day.

Jye, Kristy, Akaisha and Brodie Arnold with their trophies awarded to the Boort butchers at the Victorian finals in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Poppy appeal raised $3100

BOORT RSL sub-branch raised more than $3100 through the Poppy Appeal to sup port the ex-service community.

President Paul Haw said: “Poppy Day has always been very well supported by the Boort community.

“A special thanks go to Glenn Hud son and Jeanette Wagner for overseeing the Poppy Appeal this year that raised $3162.72 with a special thanks to all of the volunteers who made it possible by being on the roster for our Godfrey Street stall,” he said.

Friday’s Remembrance Day commemo ration included music from Boort Babblers.

The Last Post and Rouse were sounded by 97-year-old Alan Streader.

At Boort District Health, Ivan Stread er raised the flag at dawn and vet eran Richard Youren raised the flag at 11am. Director clini cal services Mubarak Meera Sahib conducted a Remembrance Day service followed by Di Cross laying a handmade wreath of poppies.

Special roles for school children

STUDENTS from local primary schools were part of Remembrance Day services in Inglewood and Bridgewater.

At Bridgewater, RSL sub-branch presi dent Michael Hobson was joined by stu dent Isaac Ferguson who recited the Ode after wreaths had been laid outside the memorial hall.

And in Inglewood, students from In

glewood Primary and St Mary’s Primary Schools also contributed to the commem oration on the 104th anniversary of the Armistice to end fighting in World War One. Naval veteran Mal Gilmour led the service in Inglewood.

Sub-branch volunteers had sold poppies at Inglewood IGA in the fortnight leading up to Friday’s commemoration.

Flag marshal Glenn Hudson, Alan Streader and Paul Haw after the commemorative service outside Boort Memorial Hall.

Michael Hobson and Isaac Ferguson

Kevin and Jan Stewart

Richard Youren

Descendants gather at tree

XAVIER Tweed and Olivia Twigg on Fri day unveiled a plaque at the base of a sugar gum planted a century ago at Bears Lagoon.

The tree was planted by George Mossop when he enlisted in 1916. He was killed 10 months later in Belgium.

The plaque honours the service of George Mossop and five other locals who served in World War One - Chap Adam, Alex Dalziel, Edward (Spud) Kerr, Fred Perry and Ted Tracey.

More than 80 descendants and local res idents attended the commemoration.

Eric Bogle’s The Diggers Legacy was read by Debra Carrigy, Eddie Kerr’s grand daughter, who travelled from Frankston with brothers Brett and Shane from Nyora.

“After decades of talking about erecting a plaque on the century-old sugar gum, descendants were pleased to finally install a granite rock and plaque with the story on it,” said East Loddon Historical Society secretary Robyn Brown.

“Organisers, Colin Twigg and John Dal ziel invited young descendants Xavier Tweed and Olivia Twigg to unveil the plaque and they have been charged with carrying on caring for the tree and replac ing it if it ever died.”

Eddie Kerr’s remarkable story of surival was also recalled last Friday. As a Lewis gun operator, Eddie had been issued with a pistol for protection. During the third battle of Ypres in October 1917, Eddie’s leg was shot off and he lay seri ously injured in a bomb crater for three

long days surrounded by death and de struction.

Nearby Allies had captured two German soldiers. They disarmed them and sent them to report to the Allies’ camp. Two German soldiers stumbled across Eddie in the trench and Eddie said he could only convince one of them to carry him back to safety.

On his return, Eddie was fitted with a prosthetic leg and worked as a rate collec tor for East Loddon Shire. He then moved to Frankston where he became a valuer with Frankston council for 30 years. Ed die died in 1970, aged 74

His prosthetic leg was donated to the historical society and displayed in its Mi tiamo museum where Robyn says it is “a serious, tangible reminder of the horrors of war for those that returned of both the physical and emotional post traumatic struggles suffered by men and women”.

Piper Hayden makes debut

FRIDAY’S East Loddon Remembrance Day service was a very special day for the Ray family when third generation piper Hayden made his public debut.

Playing the bagpipes of his late greatgrandfather John, Hayden joined grand father Glenn to play Amazing Grace while wreaths were layed at the Bears Lagoon commemorative service.

John was a foundation member of the Calivil Boys Pipe Band in 1941 while Glenn started playing the pipes in 1971.

Among those to see Hayden perform for the first time were 94-year-old greatgrandmother, grandmother, parents and his Year 9 class from East Loddon P12 College.

The Ray family has been synonymous for sharing Scottish music at community and commemorative events across the Loddon for the past 80 years and Glenn, who teaches Hayden, hopes the tradition will continue.

Hayden and Glenn Ray

The good Canberra drop

CARBON Tax and Leadership Spill were back on the agenda when federal MPs gathered at Canberra’s Parliament House last week.

Kingower’s Mark and Christine Gilmore raided their Both Banks’ vintage cellar to share rare drops of Loddon wine at the first post-COVID regional showcase.

They joined 24 other producers for fed eral MP Anne Webster’s Magnificent Mallee.

“We took some of our vintage wines and there was particular interest in the naming of Carbon Tax (2012 cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot) and The Leader’s Spill (2018),” Mark said. “We sold a few bot tles to MPs and staffers.”

Mark and Christine name their wines af ter significant events each vintage.

Among those to drop in on Magnificent Mallee was Opposition Leader Peter Dutton who triggered the Liberals’ 2018 leadership spill against then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“Changes to industrial relations laws had been debated in Parliament on the day of Magnificent Mallee and the MPs were genu inely interested in how we (as businesses) were going,” Mark said.

“The Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) was out of the country but I’m sure he would have loved our wine too.”

Dr Webster said: “It was a fantastic even ing where members and senators from across Australia got a taste of what makes Mallee so great.

“It was also a great opportunity for Mallee businesses to network and showcase their brands to a very receptive audience.”

Also sampling Mallee produce were Na tionals’ leader David Littleproud, AttorneyGeneral Mark Dreyfus and fellow minister Bill Shorten.

“I received so many compliments from parliamentary colleagues about the evening and the lovely produce on hand,” Dr Web ster said.

“Many told me they cannot wait for the next time we hold an event like this, some talked to me about coming to Mallee for a holiday instead of the Gold Coast.

“This is a proud moment for Mallee and all our producers. The House of Representa tives courtyard was teeming with activ

ity as politicians perused the various goods from producers from every corner of Mal lee,” Dr Webster said.

Premium red wines are crafted by winemaker Cameron Leith from grapes grown on the Gilmore family vineyard at Kingow er. The first vines were planted in 1985.

Fund switch to complete key projects

LODDON Shire Council has ad justed funding allocations to complete four projects.

The projects needed additional funding after exceeding initial cost estimates by more than 10 per cent.

They include sealing Nixon Street and Grant Street kerb and channel renewal, Inglewood, and Appin South Road box culvert re placement.

Staff told councillors at their last meeting: “The contract for (Grant Street) was awarded as a council resolution at the January 2022 council meeting. The con tract was later cancelled by mu tual agreement between Loddon Shire and the contractor and the tender was readvertised. A suita ble contractor has been identified but additional funding is required for the project to be delivered.”

Funds no longer needed for soil disposal at Wedderburn’s Don aldson Park will be used to com plete and upgrade of sewerage at Tarnagulla’s memorial park.

“Occasionally project esti mates need to be reviewed after tendering for projects or due to increased costs due to specific project requirements that were not accounted for as part of es timates.” said manager assets and infrastructure David South combe.

Details of contract and tender prices have not been released. Funds will come from existing al locations to council under Roads to Recovery Program and Local Roads and Community Infra structure Program Phase 3.

Managing local roads following oods

October storm and ood event, the subsequent damage to the road network, the redeployment of resources for clean-up, recovery and repairs to road infrastructure, Council has activated the Exceptional Circumstances clause in the Road Management Plan.

The Road Management Plan provides details of Council’s policies, service standards and actions relating to the management of its road and footpath network.

The Road Management Plan allows for temporary suspension of these standards during exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters (including oods) if Council resources are redeployed elsewhere to meet the needs of the community.

Council o cers and contractors will focus

on xing high-risk locations, with other o cers inspecting and prioritising works for the remainder of the road network.

Council has responsibility for 4800 kilometres of roads across the Shire, so inspections and repairs will take some time.

We thank you for your patience and please remember to drive with caution and follow warning signs that have been placed on roads.

Council will regularly monitor the progress of these works and allocation of resources to determine when services within the Road Management Plan can be reactivated.

For road information, including closures, please visit VicTra c at https://tra c. vicroads.vic.gov.au/

A reminder, that if you would like to report water over a road or general road issues for VicRoads roads call 13 11 70. For Council roads call (03) 5494 1200.

A list of VicRoads roads within Loddon Shire can be found on Council’s website at www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Services/ Footpaths-roads-and-drains/Roads

Council continues to work with the Federal and State Government regarding opportunities for funding for ood recovery e orts, including for our roads and other infrastructure.

Loddon Shire has also provided an initial submission for Disaster Recovery funding arrangements, which is a State and Federal program. Successful funding will further enable Council to continue infrastructure recovery e orts.

Visit the ood page on the Loddon Shire Council website for links to information and support, and a reminder the Flood Recovery Hotline is also available for support - 1800 560 760 www.loddon.vic.gov.au/For-residents/Floodupdates-October-2022

Mark and Christine Gilmore with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Dr Webster.

River clean-up starts

THE battered and mangled ski jump has been removed from the Loddon River at Bridgewater.

The metal jump snapped from its mooring near the caravan park mid-morning as floodwa ters rapidly rose on October 14.

Work cleaning the river comes as local businesses wait for news on whether the town’s caravan park will be open for the sum mer.

Loddon Shire works depart ment staff on Friday unwrapped two halves of the ramp twisted around the Calder Highway ve hicle and railway bridges.

Council’s operations director Steven Phillips said staff spent the day cleaning surface litter from the boating and swimming areas.

“There was about a truck load of rubbish that was taken away,” Mr Phillips said.

“They (staff) also replaced the navigation buoys at the same time.”

Mr Phillips said a scan of the river bed was planned for Tues day to check for submerged haz ards.

“Once the scan has been com pleted and any hazards either removed or marked with a buoy, we will be able to open the river back up again,” he said.

“All going well the river will be open by the end of the month.”

Maritime Safety Victoria has

made the river from Laaneco orie Reservoir wall to the Flour Mill Weir at Bridgewater an ex clusion zone for all activity until next Thursday.

Meanwhile, council says major work is underway at the cara van park that was submerged in

floods. Only the reception office, cafe and residence were not un der water last month.

Sewerage connections are be ing re-established and it is un derstood council is planning a phased re-opening of the park.

Announcements are expected

next week on progress of works and likely re-opening dates.

The caravan park was exten sively rebuilt following the 2011 floods and summer bookings have been traditionally high over the past decade and on long weekends.

More district roads re-open

MORE Loddon roads damaged by floodwaters have been re-opened in the past week.

They include Boort-Fernihurst Road, Boort-Yando Road, Bridge water-Raywood Road and BoortWycheproof Road, Wycheproof.

However, some closures re mained on Tuesday near Prairie and Dingee, according to the Vic Traffic site.

Department of Transport said it had inspected more than 780 bridges and structures across the state network and daily road in spections continued.

While initial repairs were made to many Loddon roads, some sur faces remain fragile with reports of new potholes and crumbled bitumen.

$50,000 to Blazeaid

INGLEWOOD and District Com munity Bank last Wednesday night announced it had made a $50,000 donation to Blazeaid.

“We’re very excited to an nounce a partnership with Blazeaid, backed up by a $50,000 grant to support their essential work in the flood affected areas of the Loddon region,” the bank said. “The grant is made possible by the customers of Community Bank Inglewood and Districts, with a percentage of profits from banking business being returned to the community in the form of grants, sponsorships and scholar ships.”

Loddon Shire workers remove part of the battered ski ramp at Bridgewater on Friday.

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

Raiden whipping up festive fare

CHRISTMAS is just 37 days away and the decorations are beginning to appear in shops across the Loddon.

So too is festive fare being prepared by apprentice pastrycook Raiden Forster and his mother Deb at Pyramid Hill’s Cof fee Bank cafe.

Plum puddings, cakes and dozens of Christmas balls have already been whipped up by Raiden using local pro duce.

Walnuts and salt have been sourced from Loddon producers along with apples and cherries.

Deb says there has been a lot of demand for the Christmas balls - mini-puddingsas customers prepare for Christmas.

And the Christmas balls are equally as popular in other Loddon communities. Orders fron Arnold Butchers in Boort and Bridgewater Farmhouse Kitchen are keeping Raiden busy each day using his mother’s recipes.

The Loddon Herald will next week pub lish a special Christmas gift ideas feature supporting local businesses in the 2022 #shoplocal #shoploddon campaign.

Popular cafe changes hands

Kathryn, who opened Audrey’s a year ago, said: “I can’t thank our outstanding staff enough - without them this venture would literally not have been possible.”

“Mark Klose (owner of the building) will oversee the operation whilst we find a new owner for Audrey’s,” she said.

“Mark has confirmed that all staff will be offered continuing employment, with all upcoming functions, bookings and cater ing to be honoured.”

Operation of the cafe changed hands from Monday. Mark is also a partner in moves to open a child care business in Boort that is working through govern ment approval processes.

MILKY WAYS Youngsters at Boort Pre-school will be enjoying healthy milk after a donation from Amity. Service club members Lynette Clark (left) and Kathy Lowrie (second right) presented pre-school committee president Trish Bird and treasurer Roxy Train with a cheque to fund the initiative after recent local fundraising efforts.

MARK Klose has taken on Audrey’s Cafe in Boort after the retirement from the busi ness of owner and creator of the popular eating venue Kathryn Lanyon.

Deb and Raiden with their latest festive offerings.

Candidates answer questions at forum

Last week’s Ripon candidate forum presented by the Loddon Herald was attended by major party candidates Louise Staley and Martha Haylett. Here are their answers to some audience questions

Loddon Mayor Dan Straub asked candidates their views on roads, freight and population growth.

Ms Haylett: Roads had been struggling before the floods and it was necessary to look at how roads were maintained longer term. Said she would advocate for ripping up road bases and starting again. On freight, said it would be to important look at having roads able to handle B-doubles. On population, said housing would be important, was passionate about meeting future needs and would meet with council to discuss its hous ing strategy for private rentals and social housing.

Ms Staley said: A Coalition government would invest $10 billion in roads over 10 years and return the country roads and bridges program with $1.5 million every year for local councils. Said condition of bridg

THE seat of Ripon will be con tested by nine candidates at the November 26 state election.

Louise Staley won Ripon for the Liberal Party in 2014 and retained the seat in 2018 by 15 votes - a 0.1 per cent margin.

A redistribution of bounda ries has made the seat notion ally Labor by 2.8 per cent.

Challenging Ms Staley are Luke Smith (Shooters, Fish

es and bridge loads was a pinch point for freight, would revisit the Murray Darling Rail project to work out “what is to be done” with the botched transforma tional project. On population growth, spoke of Coalition com mitment to connect Newbridge to water and sewerage.

VictorianFarmers’Federation Wedderburnbranchpresident GrahamNesbitalsoquestioned candidatesonthestateofthe freightnetworkwithrailfreight halvedsince2013,andtheeffortneededtocombatwheel

ers and Farmers), Wayne Rigg (independent), Earl James (Greens) Martha Haylett (La bor), Wren Louise Wilson (Der ryn Hinch’s Justice Party), Hol ly Sitters (Animal Justice Party, Craig George (Family First) and Bernard Quince (independent) Ripon includes Bridgewater, Inglewood, Wedderburn, Tar nagulla and Newbridge along with Dunolly and Bealiba.

cactusonpubliclandwiththe urgentneedforamanagement plan.

Ms Haylett: Spoke of programs for the supply chain created by the Government in partnership with VFF. Said the Government supported a range of initiatives and now had 300 biodiversity officers. Said more to be done on weed control.

Ms Staley: Again connected freight with need to revisit Mur ray Basin Rail project. Said had written to Government on wheel cactus and received unsatisfac

tory replies. Spoken with Na tionals leader Peter Walsh and if elected “will do something about it”.

OnbehalfofWedderburn Lions,candidateswereasked whethergovernmentshadstill toarriveattherightpoliciesto enableageingruralresidents somechoiceinremainingin theirlocaltown

Ms Staley: Said provision of aged care was a challenge still not solved in many small rural communities. Any model would need significant investment by state and federal governments. The right model would then be come a model for all rural areas.

Ms Haylett: Need to work on options that are viable and in volving all three levels of gov ernment. Had met with Wed derburn Lions and would take its business case to federal and state governments for what could be a pilot program for supported resi dential care.

MicheleMizziasked aboutplanstoimprove telecommunicationsinthe shire.

Ms Staley: Said Coalition had

promised an additional $150 mil lion to existing government pro grams for a mix of new towers and subsidies for boosters. Can not have economic development without connectivity.

Ms Haylett: Government has announced Connecting Victoria program that will include mul tiple new towers across the Lod don. Would be a game-changer for Newbridge and other towns.

Michele also asked about watermanagementleadingupto October’sfloodemergency

Ms Haylett: Said the Govern mented was currently focused on recovery. Needed to sit down soon with communities, water authorities and emergency ser vices to review.

Ms Staley: SES as lead agency in emergency management did not have right to communicate and instruct water authorities on management. A clear gap in framework to address.

The full recording of last week’s forum can be viewed on the Loddon Shire facebook page. The shire is thanked for making livestream facilities available for the forum.

NATIONALS leader and 20-year Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh will be challenged by six candi dates.

They include independent An drea Otto who stood in the seat of Nicholls at the federal election as a candidate for the Fusion Party.

Other candidates are Cameron

MacPherson (Family First), Katia Bish (Freedom Party of Victoria), Damien Hurrell (Labor), Glenys Leung (Animal Justice Party) and John Brownstein (Greens).

Mr Walsh holds Murray Plains that includes Boort and Pyram nid Hill with a margin of 24 per cent.

Premier commits to future of country newspapers

A RE-ELECTED Labor govern ment would strengthen and protect the future of regional media with guaranteed adver tising revenue, Premier Daniel Andrews told Friday’s Victorian Country Press Association an nual conference.

SEVEN candidates are contest ing Bendigo East that includes Serpentine and Dingee.

The seat is held by Labor candidate and Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan on a margin of 12.1 per cent.

At last Friday’s ballot draw fol lowing the close of nominations, Ms Allan, who has held the seat

since 1999, drew bottom spot on the paper.

Other candidates are Vyonne McLellan-Howe (Animal Justice Party), Darin Schade (Liberal), Ben Mihail (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation), Evelyn Keetelaar (Family First), Michael Tolhurst (Greens) and James Laurie (Inde pendent)

Mr Andrews said: “More than 1.5 million Victorians live in re gional Victoria, with more peo ple migrating to our beautiful regional cities and communities every year.

“We know regional newspa pers are the lifeblood of country communities, giving a voice to important local issues and deliv ering news that is dedicated to serving local communities,” he said.

“But with growing costs of pa

per and production, it’s becom ing harder and harder for news outlets to keep up.

“That’s why a re-elected Labor Government will guarantee one full page of Victorian Govern

ment advertising in every re gional newspaper per week.

“This guarantee builds on the unprecedented level of support the Labor Government delivered for regional media throughout the global pandemic.

“Labor is doing what matters –backing regional journalists and their newspapers to keep serv ing their communities.”

Mr Andrews told conference delegates: “Whether it’s a bush fire, a flood emergency or a global pandemic, time and time again we have seen regional newspapers step up and serve their communities in incredibly important ways.”

The Loddon Herald is a mem ber of Victorian Country Press Association.

Daniel Andrews

Low water share hits 77%

THE low-reliability water share for Loddon irrigators has jumped to 70 per cent.

Resource manager Northern Victoria Mark Bailey said the lift from seven per cent to 77 per cent followed record inflows to several storages this year.

Both the Goulburn and Loddon systems, that remain at 100 per cent high-reliability water share, have seen LRWS lift from seven per cent to 100 per cent.

The Murray system’s 40 per cent of low-reliability water shares also goes to 100 per cent following Tuesday’s announce ment.

The seasonal determinations in the Broken, Campaspe and Bul larook systems all remain at the

maximum availability of 100 per cent HRWS and 100 per cent LRWS.

Mr Bailey said the improved seasonal determinations came from continued high flows into Murray and Goulburn storages during the second half of October and early November.

“Controlled releases from Lake Hume and Lake Eildon have oc curred throughout October and November,” Dr Bailey said. “These releases signalled the availability of more resources for distribu tion.

“The releases from Lake Hume supported the availability of 100 per cent of low-reliability water shares.

“About 180 GL will be trans

ferred into Murray spillable wa ter accounts and all this will be deducted.”

“The releases from Lake Eildon will deduct about 490 gigalitres from Goulburn spillable water accounts.

That will be 100 per cent of the volume transferred into those ac counts. More water may go into Goulburn spillable accounts if further low-reliability seasonal determinations are made.”

Dr Bailey said there had been record inflows during October at several northern Victorian stor ages, including Lake Eildon, Lake Eppalock and Cairn Curran Res ervoir.

“Water use is about 80 per cent

lower than this time last year be cause of the wet conditions. Use is normally an important factor in determining availability and lowering commitments, but not this year.”

Dr Bailey said longer term Bu reau of Meteorology outlooks still favoured wetter conditions over the summer months, which was expected to contribute to further seasonal determination improve ments in the Goulburn system.

Allocation trade from New South Wales to Victoria is not currently possible because Vic toria’s shares of Lake Hume and Dartmouth Reservoir are full.

The next release of Goulburn to Murray trade opportunity will be in December.

Flood damage to 5500 farms: department

AGRICULTURE Victoria says 5500 farms have been impacted by the flood emergency in northern Victoria.

The department last week estimated they were among 12,230 agricultural properties including smaller lifestyle properties to bear the brunt of surging rivers and creeks.

And it said 10,000 telephone calls have been made to farmers impacted by flooding to assess flood damage and address any ani mal welfare issues.

The loss of livestock has been put at more than 5000, 73,300 tonnes of hay and silage destroyed and 1386 tonnes of stored grain lost.

Pasture loss has been put at 58,705 hec

tares, field crops 64,466 hectares while fenc ing damage stretches more than 8000km. The department says total farm area af fected was 181,243 hectares.

Agriculture Victoria’s incident manage ment team continues to identify, report and respond to agricultural relief needs across the state.

Farmers have been urged to report dam age to the department.

Current assistance available:

z Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 to cover the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again. This re places the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grants. Producers that have

received a Primary Producer Flood Clean–Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Pri mary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000.

z Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to cover the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.

z Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace dam aged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover the short-term business expenses.

z Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

Bogged? Don’t get bogged

MORE than 550 farmers and industry representatives attended Birchip Cropping Group’s safely recovering machinery Field Day.

Senior manager of exten sion and communication Kelly Angel, who organised and facilitated the event said: “Having a good plan was imperative and remem bering: the best way to get out of a bog is not to get bogged!

“Using chains was also not recommended as they have a high risk to safety with lots of moving parts.

“Understand the rat ings of straps and shackles, the working load limit and break-strength and how to interpret these when using for recovery.”

g RA in

BOORT Grain Co-op prices this week.

Wheat - HL1 $452. HL2 $442. APW $423. ASW $357. GP1 $308. SFW1 $308.

Barley - PL1 $380. SP1 $380. Bar1 $310. Bar 2 $290.

Pulses - Non-GM canola $799 +/ AOF. GM Canola $757 +/- AOF. Faba1 $380. Faba2 $380.

FOR LEASE BY TENDER

THERE was a slight dip in numbers to 20,080 lambs and 8600 sheep at Bendigo on Monday.

Prices were cheaper but the market was not as harshly discounted as northern sales late last week.

More widespread rain helped sustain some energy in the market, particularly on any quality lambs weighing above 26kg cwt.

Prices across the yarding were gener ally $10 to $20 easier in a market that was quality driven.

It was the plainer shaped and rougher presented types that lost the most value on a week ago.

Most of the regular buying group par ticipated but some orders only purchased limited numbers.

Heavy lambs were scarce with the best 26-30kg cwt young lambs from $217 to a top of $250 at an estimated 750c to 800c/ kg.

Shorn lambs to $205. Where the market showed a big variance was on the general run of trade lambs 22-24kg cwt at $156 to $197, and the size down at 20-22kg from $138 to $172.

These lambs fluctuated from around 700c to 780c/kg cwt depending on breed type and finish.

Much bigger supply of light store lambs this week which drew in buyers from Horsham, Swan Hill, Wycheproof, Albury, Bendigo and Echuca.

Store lambs with frame 18-20kg cwt $121 to $145 to av $137 to the paddock; the 16-18kg $112 to $138 to av $127; and the smaller 12-16kg $83 to $120 to av $104. Sheep also $10 to $20 cheaper.

Big crossbred ewes $130 to $156; Me rino ewes to $156; general run of mutton $110 to $130 with very light ewes down to $70.

SUCKERS

WJ Whatley Goornong (42) $250, DJ & SL

Lloyd Stuart Mill (38) $248, Verge Past Co P/L Euroa (53) $248, JF & DL Gibson & Son Borung (41) $231, T Myers Stuart Mill (59) $225, GF & CM

Rathjen Colbinabbin (64) $222, FS Cockroft & Sons Myall (75) $218, AB & KB Broom Neereman (68) $217, WF & SG Thomas Mitiamo (49) $215, DI Gitsham & Sons Kerang (41) $215, Lyndoch

Farming Macorna (63) $212, A & C Dalrymple

Narrewillock (50) $198, WB Bennett Moulamein (50) $195, LJ & PM Cooper Strathfieldsaye (24) $186, C McGillivray Mangalore (25) $186, P & J

McRobert Toolleen (98) $185, S & K Fitzpatrick Charlton (30) $185, E & Z Stone Shelbourne (15) $181.

SHORN LAMBS

B & F Moon Pyramid Hill (50) $203.

MERINO WETHERS

Lorbru P/L Limestone (76) $136.

CROSSBRED EWES

Verge Past Co P/L Euroa (86) $156, RF & CM Carter, Kilmore (120) $142.

MERINO EWES

JF & DL Gibson & Sons Borung (70) $135.

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

Graincorp has hold on harvest updates

GRAINCORP’S annual harvest up dates have been delayed by inclement weather on the east coast of Australia impacting regional towns and on-farm harvest activity.

Manager corporate affairs and gov ernment relations Jess Simons said: “While I’m pleased to note the Grain

Corp network has received more than 330,000 tonnes into some sites across Queensland and northern NSW inter mittently, the bulk of the harvest activ ity has not yet commenced.

“We expect the activity to ramp up over the next few weeks.” Weekly up dates are expected from next week.

4394 Acres - 1778.23 Hectares 3 Year Lease, Commencing 1st February 2023

Lot 1: ”Egans - Home Block” 1491.4 Acres equalling 603.56 Hectares. 13 paddocks, water to all paddocks by bore/ trough & dam. 98% Arable, balance in shelter belts.

Lot 2: ”Harrisons” 1111 Acres equalling 449.61 Hectares. 8 paddocks, water by bore, pipeline and 1 dam. 210 Acres Fallow. 98% Arable, balance in shelter belts

Lot 3: “Davies” 818 Acres equalling 331.04 Hectares. Adjoins home block, 4 paddocks. Established lucerne 160 Acres. Watered by pipeline and trough. 90% Arable with balance in shelter belts and water course.

Lot 4: “Collins” 433 Acres equalling 175.2 Hectare. Adjoins “Davies” Allotment, 3 paddocks, water by bore to tank. 99% Arable.

Lot 5: “Turnbulls & Nicholsons” 540 Acres equalling 218.5 Hectares. In 2 paddocks, water by bore to tank/ trough. 360 Acres in Canola (2022), excellent allotment.

Remarks: Fantastic opportunity to acquire by lease substantial allotments and body of land. Excellent rich red

92 Brooke Street, Inglewood

Office: 03 5438 3041 James Nevins: 0407 302 900 www.fpnevins.com.au

From here and there they stand

WHEN you go to vote any time between now and election day, November 26, there will be one very long ballot paper for the Legislative Council.

Long, because vying for five positions to repre sent Northern Victoria Region are 55 candidates and in Western Victoria Region there are 57. We will be lucky to see a handful of these 100plus political hopefuls make their way into Loddon communities.

Two reasons - these regions are so large they ex tend to all areas of Victoria apart from deep met ropolitan Melbourne, Gippsland and the La Trobe Valley; candidates are from every party under the sun ranging from the main stream outfits to more recent political activist groupings like the New De mocracy, Sack Dan Andrews Restore Democracy, Sustainable Australia Party Stop Overdevelopment and Corruption, Legalise Cannabis Victoria and Health Australia Party.

They will be looking to “game” the process by harvesting and swapping preferences that can see candidates elected with a very small percent age of the vote. Animal Justice Party’s Andy Med dick was elected at the 2018 election with 2.71 per cent of the vote and to the best of our knowledge, has not once ventured physically into the Loddon communities he is meant to represent although he did chime in from afar on plans to process har vested kangaroos for pet meat in Inglewood with petitions and activism that sought to influence a decision, even if that decision by Loddon Shire to refuse a planning permit was based purely on plan ning legislation.

Stuart Grimley, Derryn Hinch’s Justice Par ty was elected with 4.4 per cent and at least has

made visits to this area advocating solutions to the child care crisis. And the Northern Region MPs from smaller parties have made some visits to our patches too.

It is almost 20 years since the multi-member proportional representation model was imple mented to elect Legislative Council members. But when these members of Parliament at best make a once a year “tick a box” visit, we are right to ques tion whether proportional representation equates to diversity in community representation of the people elected to sit in the parliamentary house of review.

Not seeing much of these Upper House MPs is a, perhaps, natural extension of seeing nothing of them in an election campaign. Are they truly motivated to be a voice of local communities? Do they even know where our Loddon communities are and anything about our issues and aspirations? And yet they want our vote!

In fairness, the geographical spread of these two electoral regions makes for a daunting prospect for hopefuls to engage and connect. One could almost say, impossible. If that is the reality, then the cur rent structure for the Legislative Council may be in need of review. Almost two decades has been am ple time to trial a representative framework. The robustness of scrutiny of candidates has been re duced if they don’t, won’t or can’t engage with the communities they claim they want to represent ... some are not even residents of the (large) areas.

1. Which vitamin is present in citrus fruits?

2. What is the capital of Can ada?

3. How many bones are there in the human body? 4. What year was gold discov ered in Bendigo?

5. In a website browser ad dress bar, what does “www” stand for?

6. In which European city would you find Orly airport?

7. What are the only two mam mals known to lay eggs?

8. Which author wrote the Win nie the Pooh books?

9. Which country consumes the most chocolate per capita?

10. What is the loudest animal on Earth?

11. What is the tallest breed of dog in the world?

12. Who was the first female Prime Minister of Great Brit ain?

13. Which animal is known to spend 90% of its day sleep ing?

14. Which Disney film features

ANSWERS

the song “When You Wish Upon a Star”?

15. What is the name of the Earth’s largest ocean?

16. In what year was the first ever Wimbledon Champion ship held?

17. Which animal’s stripes are on their skin as well as their fur?

18. Which country produces the most coffee in the world?

19. How many eyes does a bee have?

20. Which chess piece can only move diagonally?

Your stories are tops

Major awards at newspaper showcase

By CHRIS EARL

THANK YOU! Every week, your Loddon Herald is honoured and humbled to share your local sto ries, capturing life in our local communities.

To us, every story and every photograph is important and contributing to recording tomor row’s history today.

On Friday, the Victorian Coun try Press Association held its an nual conference and awards din ner in Melbourne.

We were thrilled for every reader, every community, every advertiser of the local newspaper you support and hopefully enjoy, was recognised with three major awards and commended in other sections.

These awards were for just a few stories - to us every story you allow the Loddon Herald to share is a winner.

Our industry awards and the recent Rural Press Club Media Outlet of the Year honour are recognition not of the Loddon Herald but of, and for, the Loddon communities.

BEST COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN

Pools in Crisis

The judge said: The Loddon Herald has captured well com munity frustration around inad equate access to local pools over the summer season. The paper stayed in touch with pool users, and with the council-appointed contractor, to highlight the inad quacy of current arrangements. This was no doubt an issue close to the five communities affected and the Herald’s coverage dem onstrated its alignment to its readers.

BEST SPORTS STORY

Footy’s Next Gen

The judge said: It was interest ing that the topics – hard news, personal drama and profileshighlighted the great diversity of stories to be found in the sports pages. Plenty of names and pho tos gave the winner the slight edge. Full marks to Chris Earl for his “Footy’s Next Gen” threepage feature in the Loddon Her ald highlighting the promising next generation of young local footballers and moves by Loddon Valley to re-establish third tier sides. Excellent interviews with a number of coaches highlighted the contribution youngsters are making, and the development opportunities provided with ap pearances in the senior grades. The well-researched article was complemented by relevant action and profile photographs.

BEST PHOTO STUDY

Shearing Shed Alf

The judge said: The section was won by a situational por trait which was beautifully shot taking advantage of the warm, natural light in an old shearing

shed. Sometimes photographs can be elegant in their simplicity.

This Loddon Herald photo study remembers a big day in history - the October 1957 day Kevin Sarre set a new one day shearing record. Some 64 years later Alf Parsons who was there in 1957 to witness the great feat visited the shearing shed before it was (shearing equipment) dismantled to be moved to a display and re placed by a more modern facil ity. Photographer Chris Earl’s simple photograph captures late morning light highlighting the textures and colours of the shed with Alf proudly in front of property owners and family.

HIGHLY COMMENDEDBEST NEWS STORY

Picky Whacks

The judge said: Journalist, Chris Earl localised a common flaw in the previously-mandated COV ID-safe plans. Importantly, Chris took a proactive approach to make the situation better by us

ing constructive criticism. Fan tastic headline.

COMMENDED - BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPH

Our Active Crew

The judge said: Loddon Herald Chris Earl photographer adds some action to what could have been a mundane photograph of organisers of a local Active Farm ers’ Run for Resilience launch. The addition of perfectly framed hats in the air adds interest to the image in another example of the necessary skill of regional news paper photographers to turn everyday photos into an opportu nity to make an image “less ordi nary”.

COMMENDED - BEST EDITORIAL VIDEO

Federal Election Night 2022

The judge said: A solid entry. The key to this video was the live delivery when events were still unfolding. Some good insights and stories from across the day.

Representative of sponsors

APS Tanya Gordon presents the best sports story award to Loddon Herald managing editor Chris Earl.

Alf Parsons at the Hopefield shearing shed with family and members of the Harrison family

DOBBIE, Leigh

Passed away suddenly at Geelong Formerly of Prairie Nursery. Aged 48 years

Loved nephew of Pat & Brian Wheelhouse, Dorothy & Trevor Clark and Mary and Michael Nally Our love and sympathy to Dawn, Katrina, Geoff & David and their families

KRUSEL, Claus Dieter 29.9.1942-13.11.2022 Much loved husband of Ute, father of Michael and Noreen and their families.

Died peacefully Thank you for the care from IDHS A private cremation will be held

MEETINGS

WEDDERBURN PATCHWORK GROUP INC

WEDDERBURN COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS & ARTS FESTIVAL

Mechanics Institute Hall, High Street, Wedderburn

Friday November 25, 2022 10.30am – 7pm

Saturday November 26, 2022 10am – 3pm

Entries to be received at the hall Thursday, November 24: 2.00pm – 6.00pm. (Note change of day) Stallholders most welcome. For more information, please contact Carol McSwain,Secretary (Ph. 0407 843586) or Irene Finch, Treasurer (Ph. 0458 073080).

Proudly sponsored by

Appointments to the Board of Directors of Inglewood and Districts Health Service

The Department of Health is pleased to invite applications for part time board director positions of Inglewood and Districts Health Service with terms of office commencing from 1 July 2023.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity for members of the Victorian public to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional attributes, skills, knowledge, and experience that contribute to the strategic leadership of public health care for the Victorian community.

Safe and high quality healthcare for all Victorians is a priority of the Department of Health. Applicants must be able to demonstrate and provide evidence in support of the capabilities they identify in their applications.

The Department of Health is committed to ensuring boards, and committees, reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people.

Further information including how to apply, please visit www.health.vic.gov.au/boardapplications

To apply for the Inglewood and Districts Health Service Board of Directors please visit: www.boards.vic.gov.au/search-boardvacancies/inglewood-and-districts-healthservice-board-directors-vgb/lmidhs23

Applications close at Midnight Monday 21 November 2022.

For all enquiries regarding the Board, please contact Sharon Williams by telephone on (03) 5431 7001 or email ea@idhs.vic.gov.au

CWA Shopping Night Extravaganza

Friday 2nd of December

$5 students $10 adults

Complementary drink on arrival Raffles during the night 30 stallholders

KLC at Wedderburn College Hospital St Wedderburn 6.30pm to 9 pm

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

VICTORIA -HOTEL -

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

Unified and united for first function

EX-PAT Filipinos from across Victoria gathered in Pyramid Hill on Saturday night for the Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio (Pa tronage of Our Lady) festival.

Organiser Imelda Ross said it was the first function for the local Unified Filipino Australian Association after a change of name from United Filipino Organisation.

A new logo designed by Pyramid Hill College’s Josephine Marie Ceballos was unveiled before members and visitors from Melbourne, Ballarat and Mildura.

A service at St Patrick’s Church pre ceded the procession to the memorial hall where entertainment and traditional food was enjoyed.

The festival queens were presented to parish priest Fr Dean Bongat on the fest day of Our Lady of Protection held as part of this year’s Marian Festival.

A welcome to country was given by parish secetary Rachel Cain and Carmen Cauchi delivered the message of grati tude.

Feast day organiser Imelda Ross

Myla Ceballos ... Marian Queen 2022

Julius Domingo and Jeff Lloyd Pacala lead the procession from St Patrick’s Church. LH PHOTOS

Jess Bermosa, Ronald Ocampo, Brian Calamcam and Denber Reyes

Trisha Andrea De Guzman

Heat on top side to chalk up wins

EAGLEHAWK proved too strong in what turned out to be a onesided contest against Inglewood in Bendigo midweek pennant bowls last week.

The rink of Merilyn Chamber lain, Patsy Lyndon, Ian Chamber lain and Laurie Witham were the shining light and continued their strong form with a three-shot win for Inglewood

Inglewood slipped to fifth spot on the ladder after the loss and will need a couple of wins soon to take the heat off the possibil ity of relegation.

Final scores: Inglewood 45 shots (2pts) defeated by Eagle hawk 62 shots (14pts).

The Inglewood division five team once again showed the way with a good overall performance to continue their winning ways against White Hills.

The rink of Edna Patterson, Phyliss McEwan, Daniel Garrett and David Whitehead had a huge 21-shot win to propel the team to a win as they continue their un beaten run and still hold onto top spot on the ladder.

Final Result: Inglewood 48 shots (12pts) defeated White Hills 34 shots (2pts).

In division one Saturday pen nant, it was so close, in an im proved performance by the In glewood team against Bendigo.

Eventually going down by only two shots overall which gives us all encouragement to look for ward to games after this week’s Victorian Open bye.

Keep up the practise, stick together and get ready for the double header when Inglewood tackles South Bendigo at home on November 26 and Eaglehawk on November 27. Final Result: Inglewood 75 shots (4 pts) lost to Bendigo 77 shots (14 pts)

Division five continues to im press everyone, at the club, with another fighting win. Some new players, an injection of commit ment and determination are car rying them forward.

The best winning rink award, donated by Jaqui and Mal McLean, went to the rink of Rob Stranger, Tim Birthisel, Tony Noonan and Arthur Harrison with a 13-shot win.

Congratulations to Rob Stran ger on his first game of pennant bowls after only one week of

practise and being part of the best winning rink of the week.

Final Result: Inglewood 84 shots (114 pts) defeated Campbells Creek 79 shots (4 pts).

Inglewood will holds its skins tomorrow night.

BRIDGEWATER

Full credit to Marong for field ing a side last Saturday. They were missing 12 players, so the team in the bottom division suf fers most.

It was also interesting to line up alongside their division one

PENNANT RESULTS

combination, especially with their loudspeaker system blast ing out music, well into their match!

This was ultimately “drowned out” when the sprinkler system on rink one, decided enough was enough.

At the break, Bridgewater was only leading 41/31. In the sec ond half, Barry Barnett kept Bob Smith’s team on a short lead, to eventually win by two shots. Bri an Oughtred’s four were three shots behind, but outscored John Rathbones team to finish nine

clear. Glenn Mangan’s combina tion had their first win and Al lan Harrison’s side won well and took the Inglewood IGA Incen tive vouchers.

Kathleen McNaught’s four won those vouchers at Strath fieldsaye, when the midweek team only went down by four shots, before venturing on to White Hills in the next round.

The Bridgewater green should be back to a good surface, by the match on November 26 and the midweek clash on November 28, both against South Bendigo.

BENDIGO

Division 1 – Inglewood 75-4 lost to Bendigo 77-14. V Tierney J Jackman L Kelly J Nevins (s) lost to B Morley L Man ning I Ross Brayden Byrne 16-26. B Jack son D Vanston W Roberts G Jackson (s) d J Jennings M Jennings G Woodward R Murray (s) 24-14. D Garrett S McLean G Wilson R Day (s) d S Priest J Matthews T Arnold A Brown (s) 20-19. M Chamberlain D Wilson I Chamberlain M McLean (s) lost to T Magnusson S Koch M Hocking L Hoskin (s) 15-21.

Ladder: South Bendigo 73, Golden Square 72, Bendigo 72, Moama 68, Bendi go East 63, Eaglehawk 46, Inglewood 38, Kangaroo Flat 37, Castlemaine 36.

Division 3 – Serpentine 64-3 lost to Bendigo 93-15. J Collinson, R Hasty, D Walker, D Anset (s) lost to B Pontell, J Beecham, T White, V Greenwood (s) 9-38. P Britton, G Addlem, A Bish, R Gladman (s) lost to R Carpenter, G Herne, B Bendow, F Byrne (s) 13-20. S Rollinson, B Catto, S Rudkins, B Gladman (s) drew M Foord, R Morrighan, A Gillies, R Angrove (s) 19-19. K Collins, B Tuohey, J Stuart, N Tonkin (s) d D Bennet, R Painter, M Bennet, C Run nalls (s) 23-16.

Ladder: South Bendigo 51, Strathfield saye 49, Kangaroo Flat 44, North Bendigo 40, Heathcote 40, Serpentine 23, Bendigo 22, Bendigo East 19.

Division 5 – Inglewood 84-14 d Camp bells Creek 79-4. K Stewart, P Kelly, C

McEwan,

Kavanagh,

Ladder: Marong 62, Inglewood 60, Kangaroo Flat 52, Calivil 45, Strath fieldsaye 29, Dingee 17, Castlemaine 13, Campbells Creek 10.

Division 6 – Marong 50-2 lost to Bridgewater 89-16. J Whatley, K Fry, A Gordon, P Williams (s) lost to P Gath, D Futter, B McNaught, A Harrison (s) 7-29. G Gretgrix, J Scott, J Rathbone lost to B Ba jada, F Shea, J Fagam, B Oughtred 15-24. R Pyle, L Mitchell, G Dunbar (s) lost to C Mangan, D Grant, R Broadbent, G Mangan (s) 10-21. C Pyle, H Adams, V Nemeth, B Barnett (s) d V Wilson, I Clutton, N Saun ders, R Smith (s) 18-15.

Ladder: Harcourt 52, South Bendigo 50, Kangaroo Flat 46, Bendigo 35, Wood bury 34, White Hills 33, Bridgewater 26, Marong 12.

Ladder: Inglewood 66, South Bendigo 57, Strathfieldsaye 53, White Hills 44, Bridgewater 37, Bendigo 34, Bendigo east 34, Eaglehawk 11.

NORTH CENTRAL

Division 2 – Wedderburn 90-10 d St Ar naud 57-2. G Hunter, K Griffiths, N White, I Hall; (s) d T Robertson, G Smith, G Shin ners, C Coates (s) 26-18. R Ashley, B Green, R Hall, J Murnane (s) d P Duncan, F James, J Prendegast, B Eccles (s) 47-14. H Stephen son, A Benaim, L Holt, L Standfield (s) lost to M McRae, D Ostarcevic, C CHeesman, W Rourke (s) 17-25.

Donald 76-10 d Boort 60-2. C Perry, F McConville, J Howley, D Romeo (s) d J Nel son, M Nelson, G Hudson (s) 27-17. J Sub prom, M Hollis, M Quick, T Farrer (s) lost to G Moresi, L Gardner, A Matley, T Noles (s) 17-24. J Wood, K Wylie, M McEwen, G Davidson (s) d J Hampson, J Earl, K Birt (s) 32-19.

D Whitehead (s) lost to B El lis, J Hall, V Ellis, I Brooks (s) 15-25.

Dingee 66-2 lost to Calivil 86-10. G Clarke, V Sproull, M Grieves, F Grieves (s) lost to I Mansbridge, H Miles, A Dennis, N Dennis (s) 14-24. A Hay, J Monaghan, K Pollock, B Lawry (s) lost to K Richards, G Lourie, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) 17-27. T

Midweek - Division 1 – Inglewood 5412 d South Bendigo 50-4. M Chamber lain, P Lyndon, I Chamberlain, L Witham (s) lost to I Murrell, A Howe, D Conley, D White (s) 13-19. C McEwan, H Leech, A Caserta, R Day (s) d J Adams, J Rooke, M Houghton, M Robertson (s) 24-13. D Van ston, B Taig, V Tierney, L Kelly (s) lost to L Robertson, L Rowley, G Ryan, D Rowley (s) 17-18.

Ladder: Golden Square 60, Eagle hawk 57, Kangaroo Flat 546, Inglewood

Division 1 – Wedderburn 96-10 d St Arnaud 55-2. G Guelfo, D Stephenson, G Burnside, L Witham (s) lost to G McNally, D Shepherd, T McSwain, S Zsigmond (s) 19-24. A Noordennen, B Hargreaves, A Caserta, N Holt (s) d G McIntyre, T Amos, C March ment, P McRae (s) 38-11. A Holt, C Mills, B Montebello, A Jackson (s) d D PetrieK Dyke, M Wood, G Hancock (s) 39-20.

Donald 70-4 lost to Boort 75-8. P Wyllie, B Milne, N Barber, N Hollis (s) d K Walton, G Gardner, T Moresi, K Ritchie (s) 24-19. H Wingfield, J Atkin, R Collins, W Hergarty (s) lost to P Waters, J Maxted, L Maxted, S Morris (s) 19-30. W Meyer, M Harris, I McE wen, K Adamson (s) d D Gibson, J Gibson, K de Piazza, I Merce (s) 27-26.

Ladder: Wycheproof 66, Donald Golf 60, Wedderburn 54, St Arnaud Country 50, Donald 20, Charlton 20, Boort 16.

Ladder: Donald Golf 60, Wycheproof 56, St Arnaud Country 53, St Arnaud 47, Wed derburn 42, Boort 39, Donald 28, Charlton 11.

Midweek - Wedderburn 80-20 d Boort 63-2. H Stephenson, S Steel, N Holt, A Jack son (s) d J Maxted, L Gardner, J Gibson, L Maxted (s) 31-17. R Hall, S Standfield, I Hall, A Roberts (s) d Y Cashen, G Tweddle, T No les, I Mercer (s) 32-19. J Murnane, G Hunter, L Standfield, L Witham (s) lost to P Gould, M Nelson, D Gibson, T Moresi (s) 17-27.

Ladder: Boort 48, Wedderburn 42, Charlton 40, St Arnaud 40, Donald Golf 36, Wycheproof 33, Donald 29, St Arnaud Country 20.

Northern District midweek and Sat urday matches against not played due to floods

D Rowe (s) lost to C Gallagher, B Van der Horst, T Woodman, D Gould ing (s) 20-22. R Stranger, T Birthisel, A Noonan, A Harrison (s) d K Gallagher, C Bull, M Holland, J McMennemin (s) 27-14. P Lyndon, T Schill, H Leech, I Bradley (s) d P McKendry, L Leanne, M Rhodes, R Droney (s) 22-18. G Sommers, B Taig, J McClymont,

L Hocking, B West, N Lister (s) lost to R Lourie, S Hope, G Ray, G Maxted (s) 14-22. P Plant, A Sproull, R Thomp son, L Demeo (s) d C Maxted, R Boyd, B Meighan, A Leech (s) 21-13.

Wedderburn’s Tony Benaim (left) waits his turn in Saturday’s pennant while Geoff Burnside sends down his bowl. LH PHOTOS

Wedderburn’s Alan Noordennen

Serp surge in big way

LODDON VALLEY

SERPENTINE has surged up the Loddon Valley ladder with 38game win over Lake Meran on Saturday.

Sharing top billing with Din gee, the two teams have opened a handy break just a few games into the season.

Last season’s premiers Calivil North head other teams in the competition.

A full match of junior tennis was played by Calivil North and Yarrawalla on Saturday.

Raywood 4 (95) d Calivil 1 (62)

MENS: M. Collins J. Sinclair d J. Clymo R. Hicks 7-2. M. Collins A. Demeo d J. Clymo N. Marlow 7-3. J. Sinclair A. Wall d R. Hicks F. Clymo 7-0. A. Wall T. Zahle d F. Clymo S. Hicks 7-0. A. Demeo T. Zahle d N. Marlow S. Hicks 7-1

LADIES: S. Demeo P. Wall d L. Clymo C. Hicks 7-3. S. Demeo T. Diss d L. Clymo B. Clymo 7-6. P. Wall T. Diss d C. Hicks B. Clymo 7-6. M. Ludeman C. Sinclair lost to J. Hicks L. Demeo 2-7. M. Ludeman H. Vin nicomb lost to J. Hicks R. Demoe 2-7. C. Sinclair H. Vinnicomb lost to L. Demeo R. Demeo 4-7.

MIXED: M. Collins S. Demeo d J. Clymo L. Clymo 7-3. J. Sinclair T. Diss d R. Hicks C. Hicks 7-6. A. Demeo P. Wall d N. Marlow B. Clymo 7-3. A. Wall M. Ludeman d F. Clymo J. Hicks 7-1. T. Zahle C. Sinclair lost to R. Demeo L. Demeo 3-7

Calivil North 4 (107) d Yarrawalla 1 (66)

MEN: R. Maxted C. Smith lost to L. For ster M. Scott 4-7. R. Maxted J. Smith lost to L. Forster H. Emmerson 4-7. C. Smith J. Smith d M. Scott H. Emmerson 7-3. O. Balic C. Roulston lost to R. Wilkinson C. Emmer son 1-7. O. Balic A. Roulston d R. Wilkinson X. Emmerson 7-5. C. Roulston A. Roulston lost to C. Emmerson X. Emmerson 1-7.

LADIES: M. Balic J. O'Brien d I. Broad C. Broad 7-1. M. Balic K. Lawry d I. Broad L. Driscoll 7-0. J. O'Brien K. Lawry d C. Broad L. Driscoll 7-0. G. Max ted K. Maxted d M. Schmidt K. Broad 7-5. G. Maxted A. Maxted d M. Schmidt K. An gus 7-3. K. Maxted A. Maxted d K. Broad K. Angus 7-0.

MIXED: C. Smith M. Balic d L. Forster I. Broad 7-1. J. Smith J. O'Brien d M. Scott C. Broad 7-6. R. Maxted K. Lawry d H. Emmerson L. Driscoll 7-4. O. Balic G. Max ted d R. Wilkinson K. Broad 7-2. A. Roulston K. Maxted lost to C. Emmerson M. Schmidt 6-7. C. Roulston A. Maxted d X. Emmerson K. Angus 7-1.

JUNIORS J. Smith P. Balic lost to R. Chis let T. Broad 5-6. A. Smith T. Smith lost to K. Manton L. Broad 1-4. Balic T. Smith d C.

BOORT

Draw comes from thriller

RAIN held off long enough on Saturday to get all sets completed at Boort.

The tennis was red hot and results were tighter than Adam Potter’s ham strings.

In the end Mysia and Lea ghur play out a thrilling draw that couldn’t even be separated on a countback; both teams with 96 games and 11 sets each.

The Marmal and Barra port contest was fierce all day, with Barraport coming out on top 106 to 92.

Emmerson T. Manton 6-1. J. Smith A. Smith lost to R. Chislett K. Manton 1-6. T. Smith D. Balic lost to T. Broad C. Emmerson 4-6. P. Balic A. Smith lost to T. Manton L. Broad 5-6.

Lake Meran 0 (67) lost to Serpentine 5 (105)

MEN: C. Chamberlain A. Chamber lain lost to J. Gladman J. Addlem 3-7. C. Chamberlain E. Moresi lost to J. Gladman N.Cockerell 5-7. A. Chamberlain E. Moresi lost to J. Addlem N. Cockerell 1-7 B. Moresi J. Mulquinny lost to A. Addlem G. Catto 3-7. B. Moresi N. Pickering lost to A. Mountjoy A. Addlem 1-7. J. Mulquinny N. Pickering lost to G. Catto A. Mountjoy 5-7.

LADIES: C. Moresi L. Hosking lost to C. Tuohey P. Cockerell 1-7. C. Moresi V. Moresi lost to C. Tuohey K. Addlem 2-7. L. Hosking V. Moresi d P. Cockerell K. Addlem 7-2. C. Downs I. Hosking d N. Rose J. Cockerell 7-4. C. Downs T. Pickering d N. Rose S.McNally 7-2. I. Hosking T. Pickering lost to J. Cock erell S. McNally 4-7.

MIXED: C. Chamberlain C. Moresi lost to J. Gladman P. Cockerell 2-7. A. Chamberlain L. Hosking lost to J. Addlem C. Tuohey 2-7. E. Moresi V. Moresi lost to N. Cockerell K. Addlem 3-7. B. Moresi C. Downs d A. Ad dlem J. Cockerell 7-6. N. Pickering T. Pick ering lost to A. Mountjoy S. McNally 0-7. J. Mulquinny I. Hosking d G. Catto N. Rose 7-0.

Dingee 5 (110) d Mincha West 0 (69)

MEN: A. Hocking M. Lister d D. Mann C. Mann 7-3. A. Hocking B. Duncan d D. Mann D. Stewart 7-4. M. Lister B. Duncan lost to C. Mann D. Stewart 3-7. O. Hocking M. Hocking d V. Herrick R. Wagner 7-6. O. Hocking J. Diss d V. Herrick J. Gray 7-2. M. Hocking J. Diss d R. Wagner J. Gray 7-0.

LADIES: J. Condliffe A. Hay lost to E. Prout E. Hoare 6-7. J. Condliffe C. Whitfield d E. Prout T. Wagner 7-6. A. Hay C. Whit field d E. Hoare T. Wagner 7-2. E. Lawry S. Hay d Z Stewart C. Pickles 7-4. E. Lawry K. Ellis d Z. Stewart E. Farrar 7-0. S. Hay K. Ellis d C. Pickles E. Farrar 7-4.

MIXED: A. Hocking J. Condliffe lost to D. Mann E. Prout 3-7. M. Lister A. Hay d E. Hoare C. Mann 7-2. B. Duncan C. Hay lost to D. Stewart M. Stewart 6-7. S. Hay O. Hock

lost to V. Herrick C. Pickles 1- 7. T. Diss M. Hocking d J. Gray Z. Stewart 7-1. K. Ellis J. Diss d R. Wagner E. Farrar 7-0.

Van Huemen lost to S. Keller J. Turnbull 6-8. P. Van Huemen K. Bainbridge lost to J. Turnbull T. Gibson 3-8. S. Turnbull K. Bainbridge d S. Keller T. Gibson 8-2. J. Polkinghorne S. Keller d B. Turnbull D. Willaims 8-5. J. Polkinghorne S. Keller d B. Turnbull A. Gibson 8-5.

MIXED: L. Holt K. Bainbridge lost to J. Turnbull J. Turnbull 7-8. A. Brett S. Turn

MARONG TENNIS RESULTS

A

B LADIES: T. Higgs A. Broom lost to D. Normoyle T. Hayes 2-6. T. Higgs N. Whi teside lost to D. Normoyle H. Hogan 2-6. A. Broom N. Whiteside lost to T. Hayes H. Hogan 2-6.

A MEN: D. Graham A. Broom d S. Crane N. Pollock 6-5. D. Graham J. Sutherland lost to S. Crane S. Bruce 3-6. A. Broom J. Suther land d N. Pollock S. Bruce 6-2.

B MEN: D. White A. Waller d N. Naughton J. Naughton 6-5. D. White N. Jenkyn lost to N. Naughton D. Daldy 1-6. A. Waller N. Jen kyn d J. Naughton D. Daldy 6-2.

d H. Turnbull S. Pickering 6-2. A. Wells T. Gloury lost to S. Turnbull M. Mc Caig 1-6. C. Shevlin C. Dixon d A. Pickering P. Gretrix 6-2.

Wilsons Reed 1284 d Harcourt 6-67

A LADIES: G. Thompson J. Fitzgibbon d

MIXED: D. Graham A. Jenkyn d S. Crane L. Naughton 6-5. A. Broom S. Wallace lost to S. Bruce D. Normoyle 5-6. J. Sutherland A. Price d N. Pollock M. Simons 6-4. D. White

A. Broom lost to J. Naughton P. Normoyle 3-6. A. Waller T. Higgs lost to N. Naughton H. Hogan 4-6. N. Jenkyn N. Whiteside lost to D. Daldy T. Hayes 1-6 . Woodvale forfeited to Woodstock

W. Kelly M. Atkin 6-5. G. Thompson J. Taylor lost to

Kelly K. Walters 0-6. J. Fitzgibbon J. Taylor lostr to M.

KINGOWER’S big-hitting Bray don Welsh set up a target too high for Arnold in Saturday’s Up per Loddon cricket.

Welsh’s 80 came off just 51 balls as he constantly found the boundary.

But another enthusiastic swing on the ball after a six saw the KIngower skipper out, caught by Anderson off the bowling of Cam Hancock in the first of two scalps for the day.

Welsh, Jaydon Leach and Will Deason were key to the highest score of the season as they over came an early scare when Matt Rowe was dismissed for five by Jaspa Wendels.

Arnold was dealt a blow when opening bowler Henry Mc Cullough pulled up with a sore back in his second over.

The Redbacks were also with out Ryan Metelmann on Satur day. Skipper Cam Dale, himself recovering from injury, made the highest knock of 39 before Arnold was all out in under 24 overs.

Wedderburn finally hit the ground this season after byes and washouts and surpassed Bridge water’s total of 87 in 25 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

Although without several sen iors, Wedderburn saw Luke Holt and Tim Kirk in an 89-run part nership.

lost to Wedderburn

Wedderburn

Kingower

Arnold Kingower

ROUND three of Upper Loddon junior cricket was completed on Saturday with Kingower taking the points over Bridgewater.

The highlight of Kingower’s in nings was the 76-run fifth wick et partnership between Jackson Luckman and Riley Murphy.

After seeing Kingower safely to victory, Luckman was joined by Murphy and together they batted for 15 overs before Luck man had his stumps uprooted by Louis Lonsdale, just one run shy of what would have been his maiden 50.

Murphy was more fortunate and he was able to reach his first 50 before retiring.

Evan McCoy was the other ma jor contributor to Kingower’s fi nal total of 7-186, cracking seven boundaries in his score of 22.

McCoy was dismissed by an excellent catch taken by Emma O’Toole who judged the ball to perfection.

The Bridgewater bowlers toiled hard throughout the day with Louis Lonsdale taking the spoils with three wickets. Nate Harrison bowled an economi cal spell while Isaac Ferguson

took his first career wicket in unusual circumstances, when Jayden Soulsby flattened his own stumps whilst attempting to play his shot.

Kingower d Bridgewater Bridgewater 55 Kingower resumed 2/18 I. Johnson-McCloud b D. Stringer 4 J. Luckman b L. Lonsdale 49 E. McCoy c E. O’Toole b N. Wickham 22

R. Murphy retired 50 R. Smith retired 6 M. Lonza not out 10 X. Wilson not out 4

J. Soulsby hit wicket b I. Ferguson 0 R. Leach run out ( X. Power ) 0 Extras 41 Total 7/186

Bowling L. Lonsdale 10-1-3-33, D. Stringer 10-2-1-26, N. Wickham 5-1-1-21, N. Harrison 5-1-0-8, B. Smyth 5-1-0-15, I. Ferguson 5-11-15, H. Kilby 4-0-0-27, E. O’Toole 4-0-0-17, X. Power 4-0-0-22, V. Harrison 1-1-0-0.

Vital set in tight match

DERBY’S Donna Normoyle had a crucial victory with Sam Bruce in their Marong Tennis Associa tion match against Newbridge on Saturday.

The scheduled home game for Newbridge was instead played at Derby’s Bridgewater base with Newbridge courts out of action after the floods and the two sides battled for honours all afternoon.

The win by Normoyle and Bruce over Andrew Broom and Sharon Wallace came down to a tie-breaker in the final game.

Derby ended taking the hon ours 10 sets to eight, Normoyle winning her three sets of the match.

HOP TO CHANGE

MITIAMO will look closer to home as it recruits play ers for the 2023 Loddon Valley football league.

Re-elected Superoos’ president Mick Draper said the club was committed to a sustainable fu ture.

Draper said players from Queensland, Melbourne and Gee long this season had made it dif ficult for the side to gel.

“All of a sudden there was no

one out on the training track,” said Draper who was re-elected Superoos’ president at last week’s annual meeting.

Among the interstate contin gent had been ruckman Michael I’Anson, star on-baller Lee Dale and midfielder Carl Nicholson.

“Everyone wants the club to survive,” Draper said. “We are financially healthy and have been interviewing a prospective coach.

“We are short of players (at

the moment) but with a number of potential recruits and looking closer to home around Bendigo and Echuca, we are confident of keeping the club sustainable and we can built up over the next few years.”

Draper said the annual meet ing had been attended by 35 peo ple with a strong representation from the local community.

“Everyone is committed to the future,” he said.

The Superoos were premiers

in 2019 and went through the shortened and aborted 2020 sea son undefeated.

The departure of premiership coaches Andy Grant and Tyrone Downie saw Marcus McKern ap pointed this season.

Despite finishing third after the home and away season, the Superoos were bundled out of the 2022 finals race in straight matches, suffering huge losses to Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater.

Draper said the club expected

to announce a new coach within weeks.

Meanwhile, Darrell Billett will again coach Inglewood seniors with Shaun Morgan and Shay Hare taking charge of the twos and Leigh Lamprell the under 18s.

And Newbridge has acted quickly after illness forced Shane Rayment to withdraw as new coach. Within days, the Maroons have announced Harcourt duo Daniel Smith and Sam Gale as joint coaches for 2023.

LH PHOTO