Loddon Herald 18 February 2021

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Loddon HERALD Vol 1 No 4 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021

WORKING THROUGH HARSH COUNTRY LOCKDOWN ...

WE KEEP SMILING LODDON communities quickly adapted to the snap state-wide lockdown that has lumped harsh COVID restrictions on country areas.

Supermarkets and other key businesses remained open across the region as police, including officers from Bendigo, patrolled local highways and roads at the weekend enforcing strict stay-at-home rules

By CHRIS EARL

that were due to end last night at 11.59pm.

The Loddon Herald understands infringements were issued Saturday although Victoria Police media unit said: “We won’t be releasing daily statistics at this stage.”

While some businesses have had close, others changed trading hours and customer contact, keeping a smile.

Loddon hotels swiched from

dine-in to takeaway. For Inglewood publican Steve Weavell, last Friday’s lockdown announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews after a Melbourne COVID-19 cluster continued to grow came as a blow on Valentine’s weekend.

He said the dining room had been fully booked for the romantic day.

“We’ve gone to takeaway food only for Saturday and Sunday and what is not used, we’ll put into the freezer,” he said.

TAKEAWAY WEEKEND: Licensee Steve Weavell switched bar meals to takeaway at Inglewood’s Star Empire Hotel (main picture) while Abby Benaim at Wedderburn’s 24 Karat Cafe offered coffee with a smile. LH PHOTOS

Steve used the last three days to take a break for the first time since the initial COVID restrictions almost a year ago.

Meanwhile, cafes and bakeries in Wedderburn and Bridgewater were kept busy on Saturday with local and travelling patronage.

One couple had moved their daughter from Mildura to Melbourne on Friday to start university. They had an overnight sleep before making the sixhour trek back north, stopping

in the Loddon for lunch and rest.

At Boort Lake Holiday Park, a fully-booked weekend turned to despair as campers quickly packed or had to cancel plans.

The State Government restrictions in force since 11.59pm last Friday are the harshest yet imposed on regional Victoria, most areas without cases of COVID-19 for more than 10 months.

MORE REPORTS - PAGE 5

2 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021

New partnership links residents with technology

- laugh whenever you can – we all still need a little humour in our lives”.

T

HE university is pretty good at sharing dad jokes, see here are a few of their academic contributions to the COVID world of fun and pun.

L

OCAL businesses have been lumped with another lockdown but at least they are keeping up great service and some even adding a good dose of humour as we spotted when travelling (work of course!) around the Loddon at the weekend.

O

NE medical organisation in the homeland of Uncle Sam, secret chicken spices and Golden Arches gets it right when saying humour is at the heart of getting us through this pandemic we know now as Wuhan flu, coronavirus, or COVID-19 that probably should be updated to COVID-21. University of Saskatchewan says COVID-19 is no laughing matter “We get that. We do think however, in times of stress in a disaster, that kindness, humour and civility will help us pull through.

There is light at the end of this COVID tunnel

W

HAT rock group has four men that don’t sing? Mount Rushmore.

W

HEN I was a kid, my mother told me I could be anyone I wanted to be. Turns out, identity theft is a crime.

W

HY couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was two tired!

W

HAT do sprinters eat before a race?

Nothing, they fast!

Have a funny story to share, email it to loddonherald@gmail.com

Do you need to protect the things that matter most?

It’s time to talk.

Will and Powers of Attorney Complex Estate Planning and Testamentary Trusts Estate administration Farm succession planning Disputed estates

A NEW partnership will see internet-connected Ipads on loan to local residents for up to six months.

Goldfields Libraries has partnered with Loddon Shire Council to help socially isolated residents of the Loddon Shire wanting to improve their digital connectivity.

Council says recipients will be “empowered with digital skills training to improve their connection to family, friends and the community during this challenging time”.

After initial training, ongoing support and advice will be provided to assist with learning.

Community grants open APPLICATONS for Loddon Shire Council’s community grants scheme open on March 1.

Grants up to $10,000 are available for not-for-profit clubs and organisations based in the Loddon Shire to deliver projects that directly benefit residents.

This includes enhancing the provision of activities, facili-

What is the difference between Succession Planning and Estate Planning?

For many people, conversations about their Will and succession planning are easy to put off, but many problems (costly legal disputes and tax bills, to name just two) can be minimised with disciplined forward planning.

Succession planning is the broad process of considering how your wealth will be transferred, either during your lifetime or after death.

Tax planning, your readiness to hand over control, the ability of the next generation to step up, and your possible pension entitlements, are all relevant factors.

Estate planning comprises:

Call us on 03 5434 6666 or visit us at robertsonhyetts.com.au

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ties or delivery of services to people in the community.

Successful grant applications are funded two-to-one - for every $2 provided by council, the successful applicants contribute a minimum of $1 in cash and kind.

Last year more than $187,000 was allocated to 33 groups across the shire.

The conversations around farm succession planning

Estate planning looks at your wealth and considers how control and ownership should pass on your death.

Far from being the simple life, farming is a complex mix of land, equipment, relationships and knowledge, all carefully and strategically managed for generations. Robertson Hyetts have the experience and knowledge to help secure your legacy now, and plan for the future with confidence.

The iPads will come with an in-built internet connection, useful apps installed and links to handy websites.

Council says: “If you, a family member, or a friend would benefit from a loan of one of these devices, the communitybased services team at Goldfield Libraries would love to hear from you.”

For more information and to register your interest, contact Goldfields Libraries.

This scheme is sponsored through the Community Activation and Social Isolation initiative of Department of Health and Human Services and Loddon Shire Council.

z a Will; z Powers of Attorney; z Death Benefit Nominations (for superannuation benefits).

It might also involve Deeds of Succession of Trustee or Appointor for family trusts, amendments to existing Trust Deeds or Partnership documents, and/or a Memorandum of Wishes or Family Agreement (being high level documents that bring all of the parts of the estate plan together).

Where do I start?

There are four key questions – what you own, what you control, who you want to leave it to, and how should they receive it.

This is the first in a series of six articles on farm succession planning that aim to help you start the process to ensure an efficient transition of your wealth to your intended beneficiaries.

For the full series, and other resources, visit our website at www.robertsonhyetts.com.au Trent McGregor Wills and Estate Planning Lawyer

Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021 | 3

We will still remember, pledge local veterans LODDON RSL sub-branches are determined that ANZAC Day will be observed in local communities this year.

They are preparing options that will maximise participation, although traditional marches may not be held as COVID restrictions continue to limit most public gatherings.

Wedderburn president Roger Paterson said: “We will be commemorating ANZAC Day in some way.

“We will be discussing the

format at length this week, whether we have a service that is ticketed as we must have a COVID-safe plan or some other form,” he said, Mr Paterson said that at the very least, he expected community commemorations to possibly repeat Light Up the Dawn that replaced traditional services locally and around Australia last year.

Inglewood-Bridgewater secretary Bill Concol said two alternatives were in place for

the sub-branch services. If strict state restrictions were in force, there would be no dawn services with residents encouraged to participate in Light Up the Dawn from their driveways or gateways.

An Inglewood service will go ahead with only the subbranch president in attendance.

Mr Concol said if relaxed state restrictions were in place, they would allow 100 people at an outside gathering. “This

would allow the Bridgewater dawn service at the Bridgewater Memorial Hall to go ahead.”

The Inglewood 11am service would go ahead preceded by the march.

Boort president Peter Haw said the town would commemorate ANZAC Day at the Boort Cenotaph with a restricted attendance service.

ANZAC Appeal tokens would be available from the local newsagency, post office and Rawlins’ Garage, he said.

IN BRIEF Algae alert active BLUE-GREEN algae samples were taken on Monday from the East Loddon storage dam and the Waranga Western Channel by GMW. “Due to the high levels of blue-green algae observed the last time the dam was sampled, it is not expected that the warning will be removed this week,” said GMW water quality coordinator Bianca Atley GMW issued a warning last week for the East Loddon Water District and all channels east of the Loddon River in the Loddon Valley Irrigation Area after monitoring detected high levels of blue-green algae.

The East Loddon storage dam is used to supply the East Loddon Water District; GMW has the ability to bypass the East Loddon Water District and supply directly from the Waranga Western Channel, however this is not possible due to the warning for the Loddon Valley irrigation channels east of the Loddon River.

Customers and the public should avoid direct contact with water in these areas.

Sleeper works THE Federal Government’s $200 million rescue package to kickstart Victoria’s Murray Basin Rail project will see thousands of sleepers replaces in the Loddon.

Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster said work would continue to remove bottlenecks and improve the network’s efficiency, a critical grain line in Victoria’s north-west.

An estimated 23,000 sleepers will be replaced between Inglewood and Korong Vale and nearly 28,000 between Dunolly and Inglewood.

Calder cars whiz by sentinels of timber times

Healthy network MOUNT Korong, the granite outcrop standing 364 metres above sea level, dominates the Calder Highway landscape for kilometres. But standing testament to the travels of time on the road where cars whiz between Melbourne and Mildura are these two rustic timber slab huts. How times have changed since they were built in the days of horse and carts connecting rural communities.

LH PHOTO

STOP PRESS

Back to work, school but the masks stay THE five-day snap state-wide lockdown officially ended at 11.59pm last night.

Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement mid-morning yesterday after a day of no new COVID-19 cases.

All new cases during the “circuit breaker” Lockdown 3.0 were recorded in metropolitan Melbourne. All exposure sites were also in metropolitan Melbourne.

Restrictions over the five days were the most severe imposed on regional Victoria since the pandemic hit.

The end of lockdown allows business-

es and schools to re-open. However, under new rules revealed by the Premier yesterday, masks are still required to be worn in workplaces, schools and all indoor venues. Masks are also required outdoors when unable to distance.

Public gatherings have been capped at 20 people and only five people can visit a home. Density limits will apply for accommodation, hospitality and retail while community sport can resume.

The latest restrictions will be in place until at least the end of next week.

LODDON Healthy Minds Network is seeking expressions of interest from residents across the Loddon Shire Council area to represent the community on the network.

4 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021

CWA branches meet at region conference DINGEE’S Robyn Brown was elected treasurer of the Country Women’s Association Bendigo Northern Group last week.

Delegates from the group’s six branches met in Campbells Forest Hall for the annual general meeting and group conference.

The evening was opened by Loddon Shire’s Inglewood Ward councillor Wendy Murphy.

Cr Murphy said it was appropriate the meeting was being held on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

She congratulated CWA for its support of women and families.

Also attending the conference was CWA state vice-president Viviane Chemali.

During the conference, Robyn said last year’s conference had passed a

Members of the the host branch Campbells Forest.

resolution supporting the culling of kangaroos and it was pleasing to see the State Government had increased the quota for 2021.

Delegates elected Marilyn Tangey (Bendigo branch) group president with Leanne Mooney (Golden Night branch) secretary, Norma Wright (Bendigo branch) craft leader and Bev Sutherland (Bendigo branch) publicity officer.

State vice-president Viviane Chemali

Dingee branch members at the conference.

Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021 | 5

Rapid response to snap call THE snap lockdown has caught out people across the Loddon.

Campers had already started arriving for a bumper booking weekend at Boort Lake Holiday Park when Friday’s announcement was made.

Owner Wendy James said lockdown had been “a horrible hit.”

“We’re not the only ones but there was just not enough time for people to know what was happening,” she said. “We were expecting lockdown to be for the metropolitan area only.”

“We had people already setting up who had to quickly return home, others were halfway to Boort.

“This lockdown caught us all a bit on the backfoot.”

Wendy estimated the lockdown had cost the park $14,000 in cancelled bookings at the weekend.

For Pyramid Hill florist Margaret Ritchie, there were still some smiles of joy as love was shared in the area for Valentine’s Day. Margaret said she had been able supply her outlets in Pyramid Hill and Boort with flowers for the special day.

At the town’s Victoria Hotel, closure allowed time for clean-

Police had a heavy presence across the Loddon at the weekend enforcing the stay-at-home restrictions for all Victorians under Lockdown 3.0

ing of carpets and seats while patrons reverted to ordering from the takeaway menu.

Meanwhile, schools across the Loddon quickly activated their remote learning plans for this week.

East Loddon P-12 College principal Steve Leed said: “Nobody wanted to be in this position again.

“It was thrust upon us quickly on Friday,” he said.

He said the school had returned to remote and flexible learning with minimal numbers of students and staff at school.

Mr Leed said learning programs were in place as much as possible, sub-school assemblies last Friday setting clear goals for students.

Among school activities cancelled have been the annual Pancake Tuesday fundraiser

at St Patrick’s Primary School, Pyramid Hill. Principal Colleen Hampson said a compassion box to raise funds for Caritas would now be at Pyramid Hill Newsagency and Post Office for the next fortnight.

Events cancelled across the Loddon have included last week’s Tarnagulla exhibition open day and reading time at local libraries. Loddon Shire pools have also been closed.

Restrictions wrong for country: poll LODDON residents are overwhelming against country Victoria enduring the same restrictions imposed in Melbourne.

A Loddon Herald online poll following introduction of harsh stage four lockdown restrictions shows more than 75 per cent of readers oppose the action.

Nick Marlow said: “What is there, 20 cases in Melbourne.

I don’t even think they should be restricted, let alone us.”

However, Amanda Amidzovski commented that “unfortunately people still travel between Melbourne and the country. I’ve been down to Melbourne regularly for the past month and quite close to some of the areas COVID has been traced to”.

Jemelle Powell suggested travellers should provide ID to buy petrol and goods to keep locals safe in the country Katie Gillett was straight to the point with her views of the Lockdown 3.0 restrictions applying to all Victoria “It’s a silly idea. Should lock down suburbs like New South Wales (did),” she said.

Businesses must receive compensation, says Walsh PETER Walsh will be using this week’s sitting of State Parliament to demand compensation for regional businesses impacted by the snap lockdown.

The Nationals leader and member for Murray Plains said the State Government had caused enormous and unnecessary damage to regional businesses. “(Premier Daniel) Andrews has been consistent in his destruction of regional Victorian business,” Mr Walsh said.

“This time he launched his next attack on the cusp of a

Valentine’s Day weekend – the first opportunity since Christmas-New Year was ruined for local business to have a big weekend.

“Florists had the red roses piled high, restaurants and accommodation were booked out and then ‘boom’ Daniel shut it all down without a second thought.

“I will be in Parliament this week demanding compensation for all of them.”

Mr Walsh said the area had been without COVID cases for months.

“Regional Victoria is paying too heavy a price for the hotel quarantine and contact tracing failures of the Andrews Government. A decision which still leaves regional Victoria paralysed – with businesses and jobs on the line,” he said.

Mr Walsh said regional Victoria should be exempted from any future shutdowns simply because of hotel quarantine and contact tracing failures in Melbourne.

“Those of us in the regions are paying the price for the staggering incompetence.”

ROBYN Jobe and Anne Elphinstone from Bendigo Health are part of the rapid response team visiting towns across the Loddon each week to conduct COVID-19 testing. The weekly visits include Tarnagulla, Newbridge, Bridgewater, Inglewood, Wedderburn, Serpentine, Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo. LH PHOTO

6 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021

ON THE LAND

Manure fight spreads FARM manure will be classed as industrial waste from July 1 by the State Government.

Ripon MP Louise Staley fears unwanted red tape while industry bodies have been left aghast by the Evironmental Protection Authority ruling.

The latest Government change for agriculture comes hot on the heels of it supporting the health rating demotion of fresh orange juice to the same level as diet soft drink.

Ms Staley says the industrial waste decision is another blow to farmers that “will impose

significant restrictions on how farmers can store, transport and use animal manure”.

“This move will whack farmers with another lot of red tape they don’t need, at a time when the burden of red tape needs to ease on farmers.

“Animal manure clearly is not industrial waste. The EPA has been told this time and again by farmers, but from their offices in the middle of Melbourne, the EPA has completely ignored them.”

“The re-use of animal manure has been part of farm-

ing for centuries and has been done without risk to farmers, communities and consumers.

This over-reach by Melbournebased public servants has to be stopped.

“For organic and biodynamic farmers, animal manure is their main source of fertiliser so to classify it as industrial waste has particular negative consequences for these farming systems.”

Victorian Farmers’ Federation says it is disappointed that farmer’s views have not been listened to by the EPA.

Key grain update goes hybrid AGRICULTURE Victoria researchers will be among speakers the the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s update event in the region next month.

The two-day Bendigo forum for agronomists, consultants, researchers and growers will showcase innovative thinking and the latest research outcomes relevant to modern farming systems.

Featured among the line up

of industry experts speaking at the forum will be Agriculture Victoria senior research scientists Jason Brand, Grant Hollaway, Mark McLean, Roger Armstrong and Josh Fanning.

Topics and speakers have been selected by an advisory committee of consultants and grains industry leaders.

Agriculture Victoria’s 2021 GRDC Grains Research Update presentation topics are: z Nitrogen fertiliser use ef-

ficiency rules of thumb put to the test and soil amelioration practices to alleviate subsoil constraints; z Cereal disease wrap up; z Faba bean agronomy update; and z Pulse disease update, Josh Fanning.

The 2021 GRDC Grains Research Update will be delivered as a hybrid event to a limited number in a live audience and as an interactive livestream.

From garden to kitchen ... students cooking up well INGLEWOOD Primary School students have started their cooking and gardening program.

Every second Wednesday, students will prepare a meal to share, or food items to take home, using a range of ingredients, many of which will be grown at school.

Over the next few weeks, the gardening group will be busy preparing garden beds for planting. Jed is pictured making a delivery of straw for the school’s chickens and for spreading on vegetable beds.

Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021 | 7

Happy to toast red with major show award THE wait for results has been worth its for Black Wallaby Wines.

The Bridgewater vineyard, featured in the Loddon Herald a fortnight ago, has just had exciting news out of the prestige Daylesford Wine Show.

David and Jayne Lawson picked up three major awards - Best Shiraz of the show, Best Red Wine of the show and best small winery making its down wine.

Announcement of the 2020 show results had been delayed

by COVID restrictions and came just days before the latest lockdown.

Jayne said: “Of the top five best Shiraz of that show, four

David Lawson of the wines produced came from our vineyard here at Bridgewater.

“This is great recognition for

the Bendigo Wine Region and the quality of fruit that we are able to produce here.

“Often the Bendigo Wine Region is overshadowed by others.

“But it is very evident that the wine producers within our region are steaming ahead and certainly up there with the best!”

Jayne said the fruit for Black Wallaby’s big-award grabbing 2018 Shiraz was hand picked from the oldest part of the vineyard.

“Every year we hold a picking party where we invite our local friends, neighbours and family to come along and help us pick the fruit that goes

into our Black Wallaby labels,” Jayne said.

“This is always a really fun day out, especially at the end of the pick when Dave and I cook woodfire pizzas for everyone and enjoy some of our past vintage wines.

“It has become a real event that people seem to look forward to every year and it keeps growing in numbers.“ The latest success builds on the 2019 Daylesford show where Black Wallaby’s 2017 Albino Blend collected the trophy for Best White Wine other than Chardonnay.

The blend had 70 per cent Viognier with 30 per cent Marsanne.

IN BRIEF

Opening Mass ST PATRICK’S Primary School Pyramid Hill held its opening year Mass last week.

It was attended by staff, students, parents and former staff.

Among them were 2021 school captains Gillian Pacala and Ivee Rian Pantig (pictured).

RSL leaders WEDDERBURN RSL subbranch held its annual general meeting last week.

Roger Paterson continues as president of the subbranch and Lyn Chapman secretary.

Roger said sub-branch members were looking forward to a better year for activities in 2021.

He said funds raised through the ANZAC token appeal and Poppy Appeal had been well down in 2020.

However, he said the cooperation of local businesses had been important in raising funds locally.

Roger said those businesses again had the thanks of all sub-branch members in the district.

Wicking beds

NO TIME TO BE IDLE: Bev West, a member of the CWA Dingee branch, keeps knitting away during last week’s group annual conference. Bev is a prolific knitter much appreciated for her efforts producing rug squares and clothing. LH PHOTO

MORE than 25 people took part in the wicking bed information workshop presented by Campbells Forest CWA. In a community without a secure water supply , participants were told wicking beds were a great waterefficient way to produce abundant crops of your favourite vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers.

8 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021

OPINIONS & QUIZ

By ANN-MARIE DAVIS CAMPBELLS Forest and District Community Action Planning Group has been campaigning for a secure water supply to the district for almost 20 years.

As a community we are solely reliant on rainfall or water carting for all agricultural, stock and residential needs and the CFDCAPG is seeking access to one of the three available pipelines that are within close proximity.

The area had access to shallow groundwater supplies up until about 30 years ago but as annual rainfall declined so did this precious resource.

Access to deeper ground water has been explored unsuccessfully by many local farmers, with the results yielded poor in water quality and untreatable for agricultural use.

Campbells Forest and neighbouring districts, including Yarraberb, were within the scope of initial feasibility and planning for the East Loddon Pipeline but a reduction in project budget saw the finished pipeline fall just 5km short of connecting the community to a stock and domestic supply.

Our community has adapted to the changing conditions and now focuses on cropping, wool and fat lamb production and the farm infrastructure that was once home to intensive agricultural production now lies idle as a secure water supply remains elusive.

Economic development and jobs creation is an important challenge for Loddon and with the agriculture industry as our largest employer, a thriving industry throughout the shire is pivotal.

Access to water will play an important role in the Campbell’s Forest districts ability to use existing farm infrastruc-

Local PERSPECTIVE ture to its full potential and explore opportunities for diversification, which will in turn lead to job creation and economic growth.

In recent years the CFDCAPG has been very active in its efforts to advocate for the community.

We have met with mayors, ward councillors and executive staff from local government and received in-principle support from Loddon Shire and City of Greater Bendigo.

We have also written too all relevant State and Federal MPs and met with many of them including the Deputy Prime Minister.

At the request of the state Minister for Water, we have met with Regional and divisional staff from Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and senior representatives from Goulbourn Murray Water (GMW) Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water and Coliban Water.

We also raised the issue of Loddon not being drought declared in 2019-20, discovering that rainfall for the Bureau of Meteorology calculations for our shire are sourced from Bendigo Airport.

We wrote to the federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, to highlight the urgent need

1. Name the legendary Benedictine monk who invented champagne?

2. What is the largest freshwater lake in the world?

3. Where is the Sea of Tranquility?

4. What is someone who shoes horses called?

5. What item of clothing was named after its Scottish inventor?

6. What kind of weapon is a falchion?

7. Which word can go before ‘vest’, ‘beans’ and ‘quartet’?

8. What is another word for lexicon?

9. What is the seventh planet from the sun?

for a weather station to be located in our shire.

We understand that plans are now underway for this.

The CFDCAPG has held several community forums to inform and consult with all residents and landowners.

We conducted a survey to assess need and interest in access to a secure water supply.

We received responses from 88 households in the surrounding area which showed that over 18,500 hectares of land would benefit from the supply. We have since had contact from intensive farming businesses to our south also keen to be involved.

The needs of the community have previously been assessed in a number of feasibility studies but DELWP have advised that this information needs to be revisited to build a current business case to support investment in infrastructure.

In our work with the water corporations, Coliban Water estimated that this would be at an approximate cost of $60,000.

The group had commenced work to identify a grant to fund the necessary research but this has been delayed due to the impact of COVID19.

The CFDCAPG will meet again in the coming weeks to finalise its action plan for 2021.

Residents have prioritised water security as the most important goal in their Community Plan 2018-28 and the CFDCAPG will continue to vigorously pursue a secure water supply on behalf of our community.

- Ann-Marie Davis is a local advocate for a water supply to Campbells Forest

10. Who invented the rabies vaccine?

11. Name the three primary colours?

12. In needlework, what does UFO refer to?

Vote would ban hunting tomorrow SIR, The article in the Cuts By Stealth (LH February 11) included comments from Victorian Duck Hunting Association.

I must mention that I used to be a duck shooter back in the 1960s and 70s, when the majority of shooters were locals.

Since then, duck shooting has changed, but not for the good! Most shooters now come from the cities and camp on the edge of the wetlands.

There have been four major bird massacres in recent years around Boort, only one, at Box Flat was officially reported, where, over 2000 birds of all descriptions floated ashore no-one was prosecuted for this crime.

Some shooters, once they get their bag full just keep on shooting and let the birds stay where they fall.

This sort of behaviour never happened in the past.

On duck opening eve 2017 I drove around Lake Boort and Lake Lyndger, counting 50 camp fires burning, destroying much habitat.

The officials present just turn a blind eye to this behaviour while local residents are not allowed to collect firewood from the wetlands throughout the year.

Some duck shooting campers even bring their chain saws and take wood home - is that conservation?

All wetlands in northern Victoria average an Aboriginal cooking mound every 150 metres on the perimeter where there was plenty of timber.

It is a disgrace to see many campers light fires, bury and leave rubbish on these sites, there is absolutely no respect for the First Australian’s history.

Shooters who enter wetlands should be trained to respect these important sites, Parks Victoria have failed in not identifying these sites with a sign. That would be true conservation!

Also, every duck opening we loose significant scarred trees to campfires, this is also a disgrace. I conduct environmental and Aboriginal tours on the wetlands and cannot operate in the duck shooting season.

In 20017-18 I was appalled at the amount of human excreter

13. Who was the famous ballet Russian dancer who changed the face of modern ballet?

14. What is the painting La Gioconda more usually known as?

15. What does the musical term ‘piano’ mean?

16. Who was the Spanish artist famous for co-founding the Cubist movement?

17. How many valves does a trumpet have?

18. Who painted How Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival were Fed with the Sanc Grael; But Sir Percival’s Sister Died by the Way?

and toilet paper around the edge of Lake Leaghur and Yando Swamp, I had to advise my participants to watch where they walked.

On one of these tours, at Lake Boort on the west side, I accidentally found a buried cache of shot birds, unfortunately, they were too decomposed to identify them accurately, other buried caches have been discovered around the Kerang Wetlands.

This is where Duck Shooters are hiding their sins.

Less than half of one per cent of the population are actually duck shooters, I think that it would be much better to aim for one or two per cent of the general population to visit northern Victoria, who will at least use caravan parks and m otels helping businesses to survive.

Whereas, duck shooters camp on the Wetlands and bring most of their own supplies.

During the school holidays I take some of my grand-children to the Wetlands after duck shooting season, cleaning up after the shooters, taking many loads of rubbish to the tip and recycling the beer bottles and cans in my bin!

Wetland birds are in a decline all around Australia and no one is exactly sure why.

In my opinion, duck shooting should end until at least the shooters show more towards the environment and Aboriginal Heritage.

Polls have shown that 87 per cent of the general public disapproved of duck shooting.

If we had a plebiscite on duck shooting, it would be banned tomorrow, as it has been already in other states!

Paul Haw Boort

NOTE: The Loddon Herald has received a large number of letters to the editor on the article and opinion piece published last week on duck hunting. We are committed to providing fair commentary from readers on all articles, however, preference will always be given to correspondents from within or adjoining our circulation area.

Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for reasons of space or legal requirements.

Ed LH.

19. If you were painting with tempera, what would you be using to bind together colour pigments?

20. What is John Leach famous for making?

ANSWERS 1. Dom Perignon. 2. Lake Superior. 3. The moon.

4. Farrier. 5. Mackintosh. 6. Sword. 7. String. 8.

Dictionary. 9. Uranus. 10. Louis Pasteur. Red, yellow and blue. 12. Unfinished object. 13.

Rudolf Nureyev. 14. The Mona Lisa. 15. To be played softly. 16. Pablo Picasso. 17. Three. 18.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti. 19. Egg yolk. 20. Pottery.

20 years and 5km - the water fight

Letter TO THE EDITOR

Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021 | 9

FEATURES Acclaimed local event proud to be bringing ...

COMMUNITY TOGETHER

By CHRIS EARL WE’RE not playing for sheep stations ... the first words you hear when entering the Bridgewater Bowling Club.

It’s a Wednesday evening and bowls of all colours are being rolled down the green by players is the most casual of attire.

Bright shirts, work shorts and shirts, hats and caps with as much character as a Steve Waugh baggy green.

Bare feet, thongs and runners walking on the greens, mixing with the customary flat-soled white or brown bowling shoes.

And these bowlers are all ages, from Bridgewater, Campbells Forest, Inglewood, Newbridge, Arnold and Serpentine.

This is the Loddon Shire’s event of the year. Bridgewater twilight bowls with 48 players in teams of four last week and at least half as many again sitting on the sidelines enjoying a community evening together.

Volunteers like Jan Broadbent, wife of club president Rae, making sure the barbecue and other eats are finding their way to bowlers, central Victorian sporting stalwart Barry McNaught dispensing cool, hydrating refreshments from the bar.

This year’s Australia Day award came a decade after twilight bowls started.

President Rae Broadbent says 70 per cent of the club’s current membership has been “recruited” through twilight bowls.

“It started when Ian Ball was president with the idea of financially helping the club but also to try and recruit new and younger members to an ageing and diminishing membership,” he said.

“The enjoyment and social interaction of the teams has seen a great injection of fun and communications across various businesses, social

Curtis Mangan ponders play in his Bridgewater twilight bowls match last week. LH PHOTO groups, families, neighbours and districts in and around Bridgewater, particularly in the drought and flood years.”

It has been only the 2011 flood that put a temporary stop to twilight bowls when water 1.5 metres deep went through the clubhouse and swamped the greens.

Support from Loddon Shire Council, State and Federal Governments and Inglewood Bendigo Community Bank saw club facilities return to use, improved and enhanced.

Rae says the weekly annual event running through February and March is a “great chance to talk and laugh and ease stress”.

When he accepted the award last month, Rae also thanked fellow twilight bowls committee members - wife Jan, Don Wilson, Fred Shea, Jenny Hosking and Glen Mangan.

Rae says there’s always laughter and chatter across the rinks.

“It’s an inclusive event giving all age groups a chance to be in-

volved and interact,” he said. “It provides a learning experience for non-bowlers ... and for our experienced bowlers to mentor these learners. It really is wonderful to see the grandchildren playing alongside their grandparents.”

That caring guidance permeated the atmosphere at Bridgewater last week.

A bit wide ... a bit more weight on your next bowl ... not so fast letting go ... yes, that’s pretty good.

Currently some bowls clubs

in the Loddon are a bit light on for numbers and combine to field pennant teams.

It’s about keeping communities and people connected.

As Rae Broadbent says, apart from netball and football, bowls is one of the only other gatherings of the size where local people can come together.

Lawn bowls, as an sport, is said to have been around since the 12th century.

The enthusiasm of the Loddon’s event of the year should see the game keep bowling on.

FROM LEFT: Roey Cornish, Nic Naughton and Leanne Edwards take to the Bridgedwater greens. LH PHOTOS

10 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021

Loddon HERALD CLASSIFIEDS Deadline - Tuesdays 5pm - loddonherald@gmail.com

CHUrCH NOTICES

MEETINGS

EMPLOYMENT

WEDDERBURN AND DISTRICT HARNESS RACING CLUB Inc. Annual General Meeting MONDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2021 7.00PM AT TROTTING PAVILION DONALDSON PARK Tom Nisbet Secretary W & D H R C Inc.

BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

School Bus Driver - Serpentine The Dyson Group of Companies is a family-owned organisation and industry leader, which provides quality coach and bus services across Australia.

Exciting opportunities have become available with a School Run based in the township of Serpentine.

Based in Serpentine and reporting to our Moama depot, the casual school bus drivers will do an AM and PM school run, Monday to Friday during school terms only. Good knowledge of Central Victoria and surrounding areas will be an advantage.

The successful applicant should have well developed customer service and communication skills, and previous experience in bus driving. A current heavy vehicle licence as well as a Victorian DC, and current Children Check as a mandatory requirements for the job role.

Please forward a resume with copies of the relevant licence’s to: Eric Rebillard Recruitment Advisor 121 McKimmies Road, Bundoora VIC 3083 Or email careers@dysongroup.com.au

FOr SALE

GARAGE SALE 9am to 5pm 20th February 2021 9am to 1pm 21st February 2021 151 High Street, CHARLTON PUBLIC NOTICES

Louise STALEY MP LIBERAL MEMBER FOR RIPON

Shadow Treasurer | Shadow Minister for Economic Development LouiseStaley.com.au

LouiseStaleyRipon

LouiseStaley Authorised by Louise Staley MP, 177 High Street, Maryborough 3465. Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

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Loddon HERALD Thursday 18 February 2021 | 11

Sports NOTEBOOK

Demons feel buzz, eye finals

Glen Scholtes

THERE’S a buzz around Calivil United heading into the final weeks of preparation for the 2021 Loddon Valley league season.

Coach Glen Sholtes said players were excited to be back on the park for training after the cancelled 2020 season.

“We’ve a good young bunch of players,” Sholtes said.

“There’s a real buzz around the team.”

Scholtes said the Demons had been back training for

Founded - 1997

(amalgamated Northern United)

Premierships - 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017 2018, the year after dropping just one match on their way to the premiership.

Making up the coaching panel with Scholtes this season are assistants Brady Childs and Evan Ritchie. Scholtes says key

a month and numbers were looking good. “We’re going out with the aim of playing finals,” he said.

The Demons have only missed the finals once since 2015 when they finished one spot outside the five in

Juniors sweat on green light to start play-offs UPPER Loddon Cricket Association juniors are waiting for the green light to play their semi-finals on Saturday.

The snap COVID lockdown saw the final home and away round cancelled last weekend.

If the State Government relaxes or removes restrictions for country areas, the first week of finals will be played.

Boort-Yando, who finished on top of the junior ladder, will be opposed by the fourthplaced Arnold at Boort.

The other semi-final will see second-placed Bridgewater at home to the thirdplaced Wedderburn.

Coincidently, this year’s semi-final match ups are identical to last season.

In the seniors, Boort-Yando will be most disappointed at not playing last week as they lost the chance to join Wedderburn on the same number of points and a super battle for fourth position.

A win again their Wedderburn rival would have guaranteed an exciting run to the

Centenary of the Cup BOORT Harness Racing Club is preparing for its 2021 Pacing Cup meeting this month.

And it’s a special one 100 years since the first cup run by the club.

Next week’s Loddon Herald will have a special feature on a century of trotting and pacing at Boort and some of the big moments in history, the horses, the people and the memories.

Look out for your copy of the Loddon Herald next Thursday.

By MICHAEL ROSE finals. But it was not to be and with only two rounds remaining in the home and away season, Boort-Yando will now need to defeat the top teams Bridgewater and Kingower to have any chance of playing finals.

The top three teams in Kingower, Bridgewater and Arnold have already qualified for finals.

Kingower’s dominance in the home and away season to date has been led by Braydon Welsh with the bat, having the top innings of 128 and sitting atop of the batting aggregate, and Nick Leach with the ball leading the bowling aggregate.

Jarrod Hodoras has been a key all-rounder throughout the season so far for Boort-Yando.

SENIORS Kingower ............................60 Bridgewater ........................54 Arnold .................................48

BATTING AVERAGES AND AGGREGATE HS 128 85 92 66 106*

Braydon Welsh (Kingower) Jarrod Hodoras (Boort-Yando) Phil Scholes (Arnold) Ryan Metelmann (Arnold) Tasman Fitzallen (Newbridge)

r

r

r

Runs 572 331 325 302 272

r

Av 63.56 33.10 36.11 33.56 27.20

STR 84.1 140.1 192.4

r

BOWLING AVERAGES AND AGGREGATE Nick Leach (Kingower) Eathan Collins (Newbridge) Lachlan Peters (Wedderburn) Ryan Metelmann (Arnold) Jarrod Hodoras (Boort-Yando)

Wedderburn ........................36 Boort-Yando .......................30 Newbridge ............................6 JUNIORS FINAL Boort-Yando .......................48

W 19 19 16 16 16

BBI 5/8 3/22 4/8 2/12 4/10

Av 9.47 16.11 9.75 12.00 8.87

STR 23.63 23.68 19.50 26.25 25.13

Bridgewater ........................45 Wedderburn ........................42 Arnold .................................24 Newbridge ..........................15 Kingower ..............................6 Venues for senior finals will be determined after the last round.

Redbacks bolster line-up WEDDERBURN Redbacks are strengthening forward and defence lines with the announcement of more recruits.

Leading the announcements is centre half-back Hamish Winter-Irving who will join the Redbacks from Seymour in the Goulburn Valley league.

Winter-Irving played in Nagambie’s 2016 Kyabram league senior premiership.

He has also earned a reputation in Victoria’s Premier Cricket with Footscray, particularly as a newball paceman.

Winter-Irving has represented VIctoria in cricket’s Futures League.

With the 2021 North Central league season now less than six weeks away, the Redbacks are promising more names to come as they aim to break back into finals action later in the year.

LEFT: Jordan Hargreaves on the training track as the Redbacks prepare for the season.

signings for 2021 include Childs, Thomas Dargaville, Tim Hall, Ben Baker, Mitch A’Vard and Baily Greenwood Childs is a former coach of Bendigo league’s South Bendigo, at the helm of the Bloods for three seasons before stepping down in 2018.

Calivil has announed its netball coaches.

They include Christie Rogers guiding the A Grade team, B Grade Kaz Pascoe, C Grade Nicole Rogers and C Reserve Shannon Hansford.

Bowlers go down to the wire PYRAMID Hill bowlers face a tricky end to the home and away season.

In the mid-week competition little separates the top five teams and Pyramid Hill is drawn to meet second-placed Kerang in the next round.

Likewise, only one round of play remains for Saturday’s match play to decide the final teams. Slipping to third, Pyramid Hill will need to beat fifthplaced Cohuna Golf Navy to secure a finals berth.

In Wednesday pennant, Division 1 went into the match knowing that a strong performance against Cohuna Golf was the best chance of progressing to the finals.

M. Scott (S), T. Cantwell, M. Noelker and G. Moon worked doggedly with a never-give-up attitude. They trailed for most of the game but made a desperate surge on the last few ends to finish just one shot short (18-19).

Meanwhile, R.Opie (S), F. Schmidt, T. Carmody and M. L’Huillier worked up a handy total of 24 shots to 13 with some good steady team work.

An even better result was notched up by J. Leed (S), I. Bartels, K. Wood and P. Coates who got off to a flier with six shots on their first end. They finished plus 21 (31-10) with all players contributing solidly.

The overall tally of 73 shots to 42 and wins on two of the three rinks catapulted Pyramid Hill into the four.

Division 2 had a fabulous match against Kerang. L. Dingwall (S), R. Fiddler, G. Miller and B. Boyd showed true grit and just lost on the final end by one shot (20-21). R. Harris, N. Newstead, P. Reynolds and A. Fidler held their nerve to complete their game four shots up (24-20).

The overall result (44-41) was cause for rejoicing as Kerang, being second on the ladder, were favoured to win. It was a fantastic effort by Division 2 to do so well against third-placed Cohuna Gold one week and then to back it up Kerang team the next.

Loddon HERALD

sport

Thursday February 18 2021

FILLING SPOTS

Founded - 1876 Premierships - 1903, 1908, 1910, 1912, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1930,1946, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1971, 1986

INGLEWOOD are confident they will have teams in all grades when the Loddon Valley season kicks off in six weeks.

Mighty Blues president Chris Cohalan predicts new players from Melbourne, Bendigo and other parts of regional Victoria will line up for the club.

The 144-year-old Mighty Blues are still calling for senior

and junior players to fill spots in 2021 and they hope to embark on an era of new fortunes, last winning the premiership in 1986.

“We’re recruiting hard to replace a few players we have lost and are confident we will be there when the season starts,” Cohalan said.

“We’re hoping to hold our sign-up day on Sunday, COVID permitting.”

Cohalan said any Melbourne players would be COVID tested

before training or games. “We have COVID marshalls already at training to make sure the protocols are followed,” he said.

Inglewood are one of several clubs AFL regional general manager Carol Cathcart last year expressed concerns for after the 2020 season was cancelled.

The Mighty Blues have been training twice a week in Eaglehawk since late January.

Cohalan said he expected a

few young local players to join the junior ranks.

“Many clubs struggle for juniors but we have a few young locals wanting to play,” he said.

He admitted it had been challenging putting a team together after last year’s season skip.

Cohalan reported strong sign-ups for the club’s netball sides.

“The netball is going very well and expect to name their sides very soon,” he said.

DEMONS SET - PAGE 11

REWARD COMES FROM FAYE’S FUN FOR BOWLS WHEN Faye Holt joined Wedderburn Bowls Club in 1983, she followed husband Edwin in discovering the fun and fellowship of the sport.

Rolling bowls down the green followed the end of duties driving their children to Saturday tennis matches.

Faye has been heavily involved in the club ever since and has just been made a life member.

Over almost 40 years, she has served as president and secretary of the women’s section, delegate the the regional association, tournament secretary and catering manager ... and other roles.

And on the green, Faye has been part of five pennant premiership teams as well as in pairs and fours club championship teams.

“The senior lady members took me under their wing when I joined. I like bowls, love the people and the exercise,” said the spritely nonagenarian.

LH PHOTO