Loddon Herald 18 July 2024

TRAVEL GAZERS

TRAIN travel promotions have been flagged to grow Loddon’s destination tourism numbers.

Pyramid Hill’s Terry Wood and Paul Carter want to use last weekend’s visit by 28 members of the RMIT Astronomy Society as a springboard to attract visitors from Melbourne.

“We’re on the MelbourneSwan Hill line, the station is in the centre of town overlooked by our famous hill,” they said as the 7.40am train from Southern Cross arrived carrying the stargazers.

Mr Carter, owner of the Victoria Hotel and manager of the town’s caravan park, said: “Society leaders first started looking at Pyramid Hill six months ago. The members are staying at the hotel, in cabins and some in tents in swags.”

“We see this as the start of promoting train travel as a convenient way to experience the natural and historic attractions of Pyramid Hill,” he said.

Mr Wood is a key organiser of Pyramid Hill’s annual Major’s Vision Art Show and hopes V/Line can be convinced to run a special destination promotion for next February’s third exhibition in

By CHRIS EARL

the memorial hall. “There have already been preliminary discussions with Loddon Shire’s tourism unit and I am hopeful that we can have constructive talks with V/Line in the next few months,” he said.

“Convenient train travel for Melburnians to Pyramid Hill is something we are keen to promote. It would encourage more people to have a real country town experience.”

For most members of the astronomy society, the weekend’s visit was either their first to country Victoria or beyond Bendigo or Ballarat.

Society leader Ashar Husain said: “Travelling by train is affordable and convenient. Many of the students have not ventured out of Melbourne before.”

Mr Husain said Pyramid Hill was chosen as an ideal spot for stargazing because of its low light pollution and altitude.

“When it’s a clear night, Pyramid Hill is a beautiful place to observe the sky.”

The 210-minute train trip to Pyramid Hill also increased business in the V/Line cafe carriage.

“We bought every sandwich and wrap that was available. Staff

said they would have extra food in the carriage for our return journey,” Mr Husain said.

Mr Wood said the Pyramid Hill community was pleased to host visiting groups.

“This weekend, the museum has opened especially for the society and Whitmore’s Buslines assisted with a mini-bus to transport our visitors.

“There is a golden opportunity for V/Line to promote the real country travel experience to Pyramid Hill,” Mr Wood said.

Loddon HERALD

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WEEKEND FORECAST

Golden hunters set big target

ORGANISERS of the annual Laannecoorie Gold Bash have set a fundraising target of $36,000 for this year’s event.

It will be the 12th year of raising funds for research with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre the major beneficiary.

Bash co-ordinator Amanda Downing said October’s event would for the first time also sell gold ribbons to assist The Kids’ Cancer Project. Mrs Downing said: “We’re very

excited at the prospect of growth in our gold bash, the boost for local businesses and support for our community projects.

“We’re also reminding our prospecting community groups that the bash is a great opportunity to showcase their services to prospectors young or young at heart,” she said.

Hundreds of gold detecting enthusiasts will descend on Laanecoorie Caravan Park for token hunts and activities. Andrew

Bales from the television show The Weekend Prospector and Raw Gold will give on one a talk on prospecting.

“Saturday’s fundraising will be finalised with a gold bash auction with our auctioneer Brent Shannon from Discovery Channel Aussie Gold Hunters,” Mrs Downing said.

“The committee honestly cannot fit another activity into this well-structured and run event,” she said.

Seasonal increase

LODDON irrigation district has seen its high-reliability water share jump four per cent to 73 per cent. Resource Manager Andrew Shields said the updated carryover data contributed to most of the seasonal determination increases announced this week. Campaspe system increases from 100 per cent HRWS to 100 per cent HRWS and 10 per cent of low-reliability water shares.

Heritage video

GOLDFIELDS World Heritage Bid has launched a short animation video it says is designed to provide an overview of the bid process and inspire audiences to get involved. Loddon Shire is one of 15 Victorian councils in the bid consortium.

Bus review

BUS services to Marong will be reviewed after Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad raised the issue in Parliament. Ms Broad said the move was a win for local residents who had campaigned for extra public transport services.

CFA commendation

KERANG Fire Brigade Captain Ramon Steel has officially been commended for his leadership throughout various flood events. He was last week presented with received the Chief Officer’s Commendation certificate.

The Loddon Herald is published by Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, PO Box 1188, Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers

RHEOLA Junior Fire Brigade members had a training session in connecting hoses and pumper use when they visited Inglewood brigade on Monday night. New captain John Leach is pictured leading the session and was assisted by Inglewood captain Andrew Smith and members of the two brigades. LH PHOTO

Weaver in council tilt

FIFTH generation Boort farmer

David Weaver will contest October’s Loddon Shire election with a focus on community and infrastruture.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority board member this week announced he would stand in Boort Ward.

Sitting councillor and former mayor Neil Beattie will retire from council after representing the Boort district since 2005.

“Our road infrastructure is under greater pressure with the volume of grain being carted not only on our local roads but across the state,” the livestock, cropping and irrigation farmer said.

“People have been approaching me in recent months about the challenges of road maintenance and also drainage, the same people who have encouraged me to nominate to be the next Boort Ward representative in Loddon Shire.

“Boort and all our towns have always had a make-it-happen attitude and if elected, I would like to be part of the team that puts a focus on local projects and boosting our future.”

Mr Weaver said the COVID years had proven that professional people could work remotely.

“That change makes the Boort district an attractive location for young families to live ... and that can only help the community, the school, the sporting clubs,” he said.

Mr Weaver said agriculture was at the heart of the Boort Wards economy. “We are a very

strong agricultural area ... it’s our most valuable and dominant sector. But the best crop the district can grow is the next generation”.

“Boort was a fantastic place for me to grow up in, raise a family and now see grandchildren being part of the community.” he said.

The grandson of a former Gordon Shire councillor, Mr Weaver has been on the committee of numerous groups including

football with Boort and cricket with Durham Ox and Boort Yando and has previously coached junior football and cricket.

“I have always had a love for our district and I guess there has been a thought in the back of the mind that I would like to contribute more one day as a council-

lor,” he said. “Approaches from a number of people convinced me to stand this election.”

Nominations for the five Loddon Shire wards open early September with postal voting in October. Cr Dan Straub (Terrick) and Cr Linda Jungwirth (Tarnagulla) have said they will recontest their wards. No candidates have emerged in Inglewood and Wedderburn Wards.

Bird sighting

BIRD-WATCHER and former Boort school teacher Malcolm Cousland has sighted 11 swift parrots feeding on Black Box trees along Darker Lane near Bora Swamp. He says this is the only known sighting around Boort in recent years. The swift parrot, classified as endangered, is only found in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.

Pilot teachers

THE State Government has launched a new pilot program to enable rural and regional education support staff are employed in various roles such as teaching assistants, integration aides, and cultural liaison officers to pursue a full teaching qualification and help combat the Australia-wide issue of teacher shortages.

Diabetes Week

INGLEWOOD and Districts Health Service yesterday held an interactive pop-up session at the IGA supermarket exploring “hidden sugars” in grocery items as part of National Diabetes Week.

Poultry alert

AGRICULTURE Victoria wants bird owners to remain vigilant as staff tackle the avian flu outbreak in the Western Districts. It wants owners to look out for symptoms and report any unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

Boort Football Club, Boort Park, the clay target club and primary school council. He played

Boort Ward candidate David Weaver barracking for his local football team on Saturday. LH PHOTO

2024 Local Council Elections

Every four years, Loddon Shire residents and ratepayers vote to elect five Councillors to represent our community for a four year term. The last Loddon Shire Council election was held in October 2020.

The next council elections will be held by postal ballot in October 2024 and will be administered by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).

For information about the voting process and key dates, visit the VEC website https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/types-ofelections/local-council-elections

Close of voters’ roll

It is important that you are correctly enrolled, so you receive a postal ballot pack at your correct address.

The voters’ roll closes at 4pm on Wednesday 7 August 2024. If you haven’t recently changed your postal address, residential address or name, there is no need to do anything.

You can check your details on the VEC’s

Check my Enrolment portal https://enrolment.vec.vic.gov.au/ or by scanning the QR code.

Nominations for the 2024 council elections open Monday 9 September 2024

The VEC publishes a range of guidance materials for candidates in the Local Government elections, including advice on eligibility, the nomination process and campaigning www.vec.vic.gov.au/candidates-and-parties/ becoming-a-local-mcouncil-candidate

Reminder The deadline for candidate nominations is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 17 September 2024. Late nominations cannot be accepted.

Local Government Candidate Training

The Victorian Government provides this mandatory training for all Victorians who wish to nominate as a candidate in any council elections. This training will help you understand the role and responsibilities of being a councillor.

Under the Local Government Act 2020 you will not be able to nominate as a candidate unless you have completed the training.

To access the online training, scan the QR code or click on the link provided. https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/councilgovernance/candidate-training

Upcoming candidate sessions

Community and Candidate Information Session –hosted by the Municipal Association of Victoria. Wednesday 7 August 2024

53-57 McCallum Street, Swan Hill In-person check in 6.00pm to 6.30pm Session 6.30pm to 8.30pm Virtual option is also available

Scan the QR code or visit https://mavevents.cventevents. com/event/2b17085d-a5b84472-82c1- b38868e26d24/ websitePage:4908a84c-9a5a42e1-9fc0-81de42960b35

You can stay informed about upcoming events by visiting Council’s website https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/ Council/Council-elections

Key dates

Close of voters roll

4:00pm Wednesday 7 August 2024

To be eligible to vote in this election, people must be on the voters’ roll by this date.

Candidate nominations open Monday 9 September 2024

Candidate nominations close 12pm noon Tuesday 17 September 2024

Mail out of ballot packs

Monday 7 to Thursday 10 October 2024

VEC sends postal voting packs to enrolled voters.

Close of voting

6:00pm Friday 25 October 2024

Your ballot paper must be with the Returning Officer or in the mail by this time. Only votes posted before the close of voting can be accepted.

Election Day (No in person voting) Saturday 26 October 2024

WATER BUYBACK FALLOUT

Taskforce seeks details

IRRIGATORS want to know the size of future water entitlement pools if the Federal Government succeeds in buying back 70 gigalitres in the southern Murray Darling Basin.

Major players from the Boort and Pyramid Hill districts met last Wednesday ahead of this week’s opening of buyback tenders.

“We’re expected to keep farming when what water we did have has been cut in half before the buybacks,” said Laurie Maxted, a member of the informal taskforce formed at the meeting in Boort.

“They (the Government) keep talking about the consumptive water pool but they don’t say how much less there will be for irrigators.

“Our biggest concern is for the lean years ... there will be people going belly up, selling or just giving the (farming) game away.

identify further rationalisation of water. Mr Maxted said: “They have already done that. We have done the heavy work when it comes to taking water out of the area.”

Water entitlements in the Boort and Pyramid Hill districts have dropped from a peak 243,000 megalitres to 100,000 mega-litres a year before the latest phase of buybacks.

“Now they are wanting to do it

in taking up buyback offers from the Government.

“Everyone still needs a supply of water.”

Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald attended the Boort talks that were called within days of Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s decision to began buybacks.

Cr Holt said the impact on Loddon communities would be discussed by councillors at their July meeting next week.

“That’s not what the Government is taking into account.”

The group of local irrigators say they had been told the Victorian Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action would revisit water areas and make assessments “channel by channel and pod by pod” to

again,” Mr Maxted said. “We’ve only got the dinky-di long-haul irrigators left.”

With channels servicing Pyramid Hill, Boort, Durham Ox and Calivil still needed, Mr Maxted said it would be difficult to close any areas.

And he said he had not heard of any Loddon irrigators interested

“It is vitally important for us to seek the best outcomes for all our communities,’ Cr Holt said.

Loddon Shire representatives at the Australian Local Government Association conference in Canberra earlier this month called on the Government to reject open market buy backs and put communities at the heart of any water recovery plans. Murray River Group of Councils also gained conference support to tell the Australian Government to revise the proposed compensation package for communities, labelling current offers as “grossly inadequate”.

Loddon irrigators have said they fear for local communities and economies when drought next hits.

Risks of ‘carefree spin’

BUYBACKS would shut down parts of the regional economy, said Mallee MP Anne Webster.

“Minister Plibersek claims she has considered the social and economic impacts of the buyback program despite the Government having no idea where it will be buying water from,” she said.

“Labor’s carefree spin is the consequence of the Albanese Government ripping up bipartisanship on the Basin Plan, teaming up with their fellow innercity ideologues, the Greens, to remove the socio-economic impact test.

“That test had been a bipartisan measure introduced when Labor was in government, to shield communities from adverse impacts. Now, the safety barrier has been removed and economic and social damage can wreak carnage through Basin communities.

“Farmers have been selling water for a long time, but the insidious aspect that water buybacks bring is that water leaves irrigation communities and is stock-

What has been happening at IDHS

Red

Apple Day & Diabetes Week

Thank you to Moore’s Inglewood IGA for donating fruit for our staff for Red Apple Day as part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month Bowel cancer claims the lives of 103 Australians every week (5,350 people a year) - but it's one of the most treatable types of cancer when detected early. While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn't discriminate, affecting people of all ages. 299 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer this week (15,531 people a year). For more information, visit Bowel Cancer Australia.

National Diabetes Week 14- 20 th July

IDHS has two Diabetes Educators that you can self-refer to by calling reception. Diabetes Australia is shining a light on the impact of diabetes tech and what needs to be done to improve access to Active Script Lists and Automated Insulin Delivery. For more information on National Diabetes Week go to https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/nationaldiabetes-week/

A big thank you to Acting CEO Donna Doyle and Traditional Owner Sharnie Hamilton for conducting a powerful Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony for us IDHS. This year's theme, "Keep the Fire Burning," calls on us to uphold the flame of our heritage, stand boldly in our identity, and celebrate the vibrancy of our cultures.

piled by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, who have been regularly carrying over substantial volumes of water because they have more than they need.

“Buybacks reduce the number of irrigators in a district, culling economic activity and leaving the remaining farmers with even higher costs to maintain irrigation district infrastructure.”

Gannawarra Shire Mayor Ross Stanton said the last time the Commonwealth did open-tender water buybacks in their region, the region lost around 1600 jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in production, and the price of water for agriculture went up $72 per megalitre.

A 2022 Victorian Government report suggested that if 372.3 gigalitres was bought back from the southern basin, it could risk 8700 hectares of plantings and could lead to a $400 million decrease in the value of local farm production, according to Dr Webster.

VNI West Environment Effects Statement underway

Local communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback on VNI West as the project goes through a comprehensive Environment Effects Statement (EES) process over the next two years.

The EES is a rigorous process to assess the potential impacts of major projects in Victoria, overseen by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

As part of the EES process, DTP has established a Technical Reference Group (TRG) to provide oversight and advice on the extensive technical and environmental studies which will be completed.

Studies will be wide-ranging, and will assess areas such as:

and

Snapping at rural landscapes

LANDSCAPE photographs captured through the lens by Charlton’s Julie Jenkins have been on display at Wedderburn Coach House Gallery this week.

Julie’s work has scenes from across the Loddon and other parts of rural Australia. Among dramatic shots are images of floods in the region.

The gallery’s Margaret Bentley said there had been a quick changeover of exhibitions this month.

“Ann Pentreath’s paintings were very popular with visitors and several sales were made,” Margaret said.

“The gallery now has just one exhibition slot left for the year after artists from Mildura called in to see Ann’s exhibition.

“We very quickly booked them into our schedule for December.”

Margaret said visitors numbers at the gallery had been good during the mid-year school holidays.

Soft foods bringing people together

CULINARY creator Anna Deacon shared her secrets of soft food with members of Kooyoora Women’s network last week.

Anna said the recipes helped people with chewing and swallowing difficulties who had a soft food diet.

The full range of matters to be investigated will be developed by DTP in a document known as the “draft scoping requirements”. DTP will release the draft scoping requirements for public comment, providing the community with the opportunity to provide feedback before the scoping requirements are finalised and issued by the Minister for Planning.

Further information regarding the VNI West EES process can be found in our fact sheet on the TCV website and on the DTP website at www.planning.vic.gov.au

To register for regular VNI West project updates, visit the TCV website or email enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au

Freecall: 1800 824 221

Email: enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au

Website: transmissionvictoria.com.au

Author of the soft food recipe book Scrumptious and founder of Easy Eating Solutions, Anna gave her take on “fresh, approachable and utterly delicious” foods.

“Seventy-five scrumptious soft food recipes that are perfect for anyone and everyone to enjoy together,” she told the network at its dinner in Bridgewater.

Margaret Bentley

Hillary McKay prepare to hang the gallery’s latest exhibition. LH PHOTO

Sue Brown, Anna Deacon, Aileen Lakey and Cindy Gould at the network dinner

Duck activists misfire with scar tree claim

AN ANTI-DUCK hunting group may have been left with egg on its face after the Game Management Authority blew their Aboriginal scar tree damage claim out of the water.

Geelong Duck Rescue catalogued their claims of bad shooter behaviour in the Boort wetlands when releasing a report at Lake Boort on Saturday.

But the key plank was quickly dismissed by GMA.

“This tree was independently assessed by a traditional owner authorised officer and it was determined that it was not a scar tree,” said CEO Graeme Ford.

“During the 2024 duck season, one infringement was issued to a person for illegally cutting down a tree at Lake Boort State Game Reserve.”

Field and Game Australia chairman Danny Ryan also refuted the group’s claims that shooters had damaged indigenous heritage sites across the Boort wetlands.

“We ran cultural awareness sessions before the season started.”

Protesters were among people booked by GMA officers for contravening hunt area regulations during the season that ran from April to mid-June.

Mr Ryan claimed they were “willy-nilly breaking the law, dressed in flouro and white clothing”.

“Protesters were more cavalier and more confrontational. It’s not as though they are going out with nets or other equipment to rescue or rehabilitate birds.

“They are no longer rescuers, they are pure and simple activists.”

The group, when asked how many of its members were given infringement notices, said: “I don’t have such information and it doesn’t seem relevant.”

“This year GMA regulating officers focused primarily on issuing banning notices to volunteer rescuers in an attempt to keep

them off the wetlands for the whole of the duck shooting season and issuing them with heavy fines of $1154,” said spokesperson Natalie Kopas.

“(Our) report exposes the shooters’ desecration and damage to sacred Indigenous scar trees at Lake Boort, Lake Lyndger and Lake Marmal which took place on multiple occasions this year, even while GMA officers had a strong presence at those wetlands, an area that boasts the largest number of indigenous scar trees in the world.

“Shooters also illegally chopped down hundreds of living and/or dead trees and fallen branches to burn in their camp fires, severely impacting wildlife habitat.

“This widespread, environmental destruction by duck shooters has gone unreported for decades. We put this report together to prove the narrative being pedalled by the Game Management Authority and the Victorian Gov-

ernment is absolutely false ... we also call for the Victorian government to reconsider its decision to continue duck shooting, based on the findings of this report and the issues we highlight

“Duck shooters are not well behaved, they are wildly out of control.”

The report includes photographs of Boort areas claimed to have been damaged by shooters.

During the 2024 season, GMA says it conducted 511 waterway and wetland patrols on private and public land across Victoria.

Authorised Officers checked more than 1550 Game Licences and inspected more than 1200 hunter bags. A total of 56 breaches were detected during the 2024 duck season.

The GMA said it issued 22 infringement notices and commenced 32 investigations. “(We) takes all allegations of irresponsible and illegal behaviour seriously,” Mr Ford said.

Three areas put on miner’s drilling season priority list

NEW exploration drilling by Falcon Metals will focus on its prospecting areas across the Loddon Shire from September.

The company told the Australian Stock Exchange on Tuesday that follow up drilling would be at its Eddington and Pyramid Hill prospects.

Reconnaissance drilling as a part of the re-

gional screening program will generate new targets, including the Loddon Vale prospect 20km north-west of Pyramid Hill.

“(Loddon Vale) was initially flagged as an area of interest from the regional screening program in 2023 which returned anomalous results in several holes,” the company said.

Falcon said its completed screening pro-

gram had included areas north Wedderburn and south of Inglewood with “several lowlevel gold anomalies were identified but multi-element assays remains outstanding”.

“Once these results are available a detailed interpretation will be undertaken to assess next steps for these areas,” Falcon said in its announcement.

Lambs top $300 in demand surge

LAMBS are back selling above $300 for the first time in more than a year.

Calivil’s John Humbert averaged $309 to top the Bendigo markets on Monday with his draft of 49 lambs from last spring’s drop.

“Prices have powered along in the last two weeks and we have been able to take advantage of the rise,” Mr Humbert said.

“They were pretty big crossbred lambs. They needed to be to get that price.

“The price bounce has been surprising. Only a few weeks ago there was an over supply and now there is demand again.”

It was the second week local producers had topped the Bendigo market. Raywood’s Andy Cole averaged $310 for crossbred lambs last week.

Stock agent Chris Nevins said prices had been high at markets for the last week.

“Wagga had $320, Ballarat $315 and and Bendigo for two weeks has been consistent around the $310 mark,” Mr Nevins said.

“It’s the first time this year that producers have been seeing prices above $300 for their good, big lambs.

“Buyers have found it hard to find lambs of late and it will be interesting to see what happens at markets over the next few weeks.”

MARKET PRICES - PAGE 12

Tackle pesky corellas: BOLD launches petition

AGRICULTURE Minister Ros Spence will be asked to step in with help to tackle Bridgewater’s pesky corella invasion.

Bridgewater on Loddon Development last week launched a petition to State Parliament in the decade-long battle to reduce corella numbers along the Loddon River.

They will have the support of Northern Victoria Region MP Gaelle Broad who will table the petition in the Legislative Council.

Ms Broad last Thursday met with BOLD representatives and inspected trees either side of the Calder Highway bridge stripped by the birds that have returned in bigger numbers.

Graham Morse, a long-time advocate for reducing bird numbers, told Ms Broad that

corellas were damaging trees and continued to a blight on the popular town.

“There has been significant damage to trees and corellas are having an impact on tourism and the mental health of residents,” Ms Broad said.

The petition says: “Thousands of corellas are causing irreparable damage to the local community, destroying native river redgums and local crops, and extensive damage to street lighting, powerline infrastructure and local homes.

“The Bridgewater community is still recovering from recent flooding events, and the constant screeching of thousands of corellas is causing angst amongst residents and driving tourists and residents away from the region.”

Doors open for next artistic weekend

THE call has gone out for Loddon creatives to be part of a weekend of artist travels in October.

The second Loddon Valley Arts Trail will showcase the local arts community.

“We were delighted with the way the first arts trail came together last year, creating a map of creative spaces and a network of artists across the Loddon Valley,” said Loddon Shire’s tourism and economic development David Stretch.

“It’s given us a strong start, which we are keen to build on, so we invite artists who might like to open their studio, as well as venues interested in hosting an exhibition, to get in touch. he feedback from visitors was that it’s a great way to experience what’s special about our shire, and that supports our local businesses and accommodation providers.”

Mr Stretch said that, this year, the focus

would be on enriching the experience for locals and visitors, to showcase the places and people that make Loddon special.

Tenar Dwyer, of Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House, said the response to the first arts trail had been positive.

“We had art on show in our gallery, and on walls throughout the centre, and there were workshops in other Neighbourhood Houses that were booked out,” she said.

“It’s a lot of hard work for artists and those who run the venues but we know from the feedback that it was certainly worth it. We look forward to seeing what goes on show this year.”

Last year’s trail incuded artists’ studios opening for visits throughout the weekend, as well as exhibitions in galleries, cafes and halls across the shire.

The trail will be on the first weekend of October.

Gaelle Broad, Graham Morse, Rob Bray, Chris Girvan-Brown and Colleen Condliffe on the banks of the Loddon River last Thursday. LH PHOTO

First taste of vintage stunner

A RED wine described as one of the region’s best balanced vintages in memory had its release in Bridgewater on Friday night.

Turner’s Crossing Vineyard unveiled its 2021 The Frederick shiraz cabernet at a dinner that saw its wines matches with a three-course meal prepared by Bridgewater Hotel head chef Nathan Egan.

Wayne Leicht, national sales manager for the Serpentine vineyard, said 2021 had been a stunning vintage.

“The 2021 vintage in Bendigo (wine region) will go down as one of the greats,” he said.

“With La Nina in full effect we basically skipped any real heat of summer. Straight from spring to autumn. The milder weather helped maintain fresh and vibrant characters, yet it wasn’t so cool that tannins and flavour could not develop fully.”

“Shiraz and cabernet grapes were processed to Italian Defrancesci auto fermenters for five days and cold soaked before inoculation and fermentation.

“Once fermentation began we plunged and pumped (grapes) over two times a day until midferment, with optimum extraction happening at the beginning of fermentation before the presence of alcohol which extracts the harsher tannins from the skins.”

The vineyard’s shiraz and cab-

ernet vines were planted in 1999 and are harvested each March and April.

Friday night’s dinner was the latest seasonal cuisine dinner at the Bridgewater Hotel that Wayne said was the “closest we have to a cellar door”.

“We don’t have a cellar door but our wines are sold at the Bridgewater Hotel,” he said.

Turner’s Crossing’s 2017 cabernet sauvignon was awarded a double gold medal at the 2023 Intercontinental Wine Challenge.

FAMILY MATTERS

Deb banks on retirement

AFTER brewing thousands of cups of coffee and baking as many cakes, slices and savouries, Deb Forster is about to retire from Pyramid Hill’s Coffee Bank.

Deb has owned the popular Kelly Street cafe for 13 years. She has sold the business to Janine Worth with a handover later this month.

PYRAMID HILL

“It’s time to hang up my Coffee Bank apron, with both sadness and excitement and move onto the next chapter of our lives,” she said.

“It’s time for someone else to take the reins and put their spin on it.”

VICTORIA HOTEL

Among the Coffee Bank’s staff has been Deb’s son Raidan who completed his pastrycook apprenticeship under her watchful eye.

“We would like to thank all our wonderful staff and customers along the way it has been an amazing ride.” Deb said.

 ELDER ABUSE

CAROLINE GRANGER BA LLB

BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR

PH/0497 783 917

APPOINTMENTS IN INGLEWOOD, WEDDERBURN AND CHARLTON

HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED FOR OVER 13 YEARS

The friendly pub open for meals every day with Friday happy hour, trivia, raffles and a chance to win $1,000

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Pot’n’Parma Night

Thursday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm

Steak’n’Pot Night

Friday – Open Midday

Jen Crane and Sharron Neunhoffer toast the new release wine

Wayne Leicht ready to pour the first drops of Turner’s Crossing The Frederick. LH PHOTO

Deb Forster

CARLIE’S INGLEWOOD OPENING NIGHT

LOOKING for something fun and free to do!

 Walk This Way in Inglewood and Pyramid Hill

Follow the footpath stickers on a walking loop around Inglewood township. The kids will love the activity stickers along the way! There’s also some fun footpath stickers in Pyramid Hill too!

https://www. healthyloddoncampaspe.au/ walkthisway

 StoryWalk in Wedderburn

Start at the Soldier’s Memorial Park in Wedderburn and follow the StoryWalk trail, stopping to read the pages of the book along the way.

https://www.

healthyloddoncampaspe.au/ storywalks

Carlie Clothing and Accessories celebrated the opening of its new Brooke Street Inglewood store on Friday night. Owners Charlie and Carol Woodman toasted the opening with Pauline and Gerry Wellman. LH PHOTOS

Jill Burdett and Shirley Geyer

Dorothy Silk and Marie Ralph

Steve Gartside, Maryanne Murdoch and Kevin Poyser

Rebecca Torney Kyle, Khonnor and Shelbie Jackson

Giant rock crusher will trample Loddon lands Safety week: start culture change talks

A GROUND-BREAKING Australian invention aimed at increasing primary production and land use will go on show in the Loddon next week.

The rock-crushing H4 Reefinator is being brought from Western Australia for the demonstration at Berrimal.

Developed by Rocks Gone founder and former farmer Tim Pannell, the three-metre wide H4 Reefinator comprises a levelling blade, four front row and five rear row hydraulic tines, and a following ribbed drum, all weighing 28-tonne when filled with water and digging up to 600 millimetres deep.

Pulled by 400-horsepower plus tractors, the rig travels at about 10kmh and operators have had to perform on-the-go depth adjustments according to changes in land and rock conditions, however new automated technology has largely removed that pressure and also added other key benefits.

“The laterite rock gets crushed up into silt-like particles and this appears to be really valuable, in addition to reducing the impact on seeding machinery,” Tim said.

“Of course, there is better rooting depth and development, and soil moisture and nutrient retention improves.

“Growers generally spread a couple of tonnes of lime in front of their machines.

“In dirty grass paddocks, they are also improving weed control by ‘reefinating’ during summer, later seeding the rest of their program, and then doing another pass to get a massive weed germination to hit before seeding it last. It is giving them the best, cleanest result.

“The machines are improving saline land as well by increasing soil penetration in land rises.”

The Rocks Gone ‘Depth Master’ auto depth and slip control sys-

tem calculates speed over ground and tractor load or wheel slip to adjust machine depth up to 50 times per second, as well as the level of its blade.

Operators set the depth and only make a manual adjustment if desired, thereby better optimising machine and tractor performance and resulting in improved crushing results and operational efficiency.

“Before the automation, a lot of input was required and it was quite onerous for operators,” Tim said. “Now with the Depth Master, they just set the depth and then it’s hands-off.

“You can see everything moving – and the levelling, with the blade going up and down to fol-

low undulating country, is amazing as well.”

On-the-go manual adjustment can still be performed, however full manual use previously could result in operators digging too shallow and limiting optimum tractor and crushing performance.

“It was understandable, because rocky country can be so variable,” Tim said.

“With the Depth Master, you calibrate the system for a start and give it eight to 10 slip scenarios – and you can engage it with the rock more aggressively.

“It better utilises your tractor power because it always senses how hard it is working. It saves time because the rig is not stopping occasionally. It is mobile all the time and it is crushing much more rock.”

Tim said the system reduced tractor tyre wear considerably.

“Wheels can already be spinning with manual operation, whereas the Depth Master senses the load and lifts the machine earlier. It might only move 1-2 centimetres, but that makes a big difference with the load. This can double the life of tyres.”

NATIONAL Farm Safety Week is the right time to conversations around rural mental health.

Victorian Farmers’ Federation is using the national awareness week that started on Sunday to promote its new Making our Farms Safer mental health guidebook as a critical tool for farmer health.

Vice-president Danyel Cucinotta said statistics showed just under half of Australia’s farmers reported feeling depressed at some stage in recent years and that was the catalyst for change.

“There’s a real stigma around mental health, especially in farming communities and people not wanting to burden their family of friends with their problems and the result can sadly be devastating,” she said.

“We’re working towards a shift in farm safety culture and a big part of that is realising mental health plays a huge part in overall farm safety.

“National Farm Safety Week is a fantastic opportunity to start the conversation, but this is a long term focus to help shift the dial towards improving mental health practices in our communities. This guidebook will be a unique resource ... for farmers and tackling the unique issues that we face with life on the land.”

Tim Pannell

The Australian wool market has continued to retract, falling for the fourth consecutive selling series. The national offering was 31,147 bales, this was 12,550 bales less than Week 2 of the previous season. Buyer activity would be best described as cautious from the outset. Wool possessing favourable additional measurement (AM) results continued to be well supported and were least affected by the falling market. Lots containing less favourable AM results and lower yielding types did not receive the same level of buyer support and generally recorded the largest falls. The individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) for merino fleece fell by between 6 and 50 cents. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) fell by 18 cents for the series, closing at 1,107 cents. The EMI has now fallen for the last 8 consecutive selling days, losing 63 cents across this downward run. The EMI is now at its lowest point since the 13th of October 2020 when the EMI was 1,066 cents. The EMI opened the calendar year at 1,213 cents and has lost 106 cents year to date, a drop of 8.7%. As the finer microns have been falling at a greater rate than their broader cousins over recent weeks and months, the differential between microns has been slowly retracting. This is best highlighted viewing the 17.0-micron and 21.0-micron MPGs in the South. The current difference between these two MPGs is 336 cents.

This time last year the MPGs were 1,897 and 1,381 cents respectively, a difference of 516 cents. Fremantle originally had a sale gazetted for next week, but due to lack of shearing in July, it was decided that there was not enough quantity to support this sale. Despite there being no Fremantle sale, the national offering is only expected to fall slightly. Currently, there is 30,518 bales on offer, with only Sydney and Melbourne in operation.

Source: AWEX

Branch Manager & Senior Agronomist Craig Sharam 0408 188 351 Wool - Adam Millard 0400 499 064

Livestock - Nigel Starick 0408 528 322

Wade Broadstock 0427 337 231

Lachie McAlister 0428 717 403

Chris Anderson 0408 921 540

Merchandise - Glenn Jackson 0429 076 459

Agronomy - Anton Mannes 0499 708 044 Josh Mcleod 0447 678 609

SHEEP AND LAMBS

THE winter market for lambs and sheep kept improving at Bendigo on Monday.

Further price gains of $10 to $20/head were evident across most of the yarding which comprised 13400 lambs and 5160 sheep.

This was the biggest offering at Bendigo for about a month, the stronger market drawing out more stock, particularly in the sheep run.

All the regular buyers attended and there was genuine bidding duals on the best stock which carried the this market to new price highs.

Five pens of heavy export lambs in the 33-36kg cwt range sold above $300 to a top of $309, with most export lambs selling above $260/hd at a ballpark cost of 880c/ kg cwt to processors.

The hot spot of the market was lambs in the 24-30kg cwt range which took in supermarket and lead domestic competition, the crossbreds selling from $200 to $270 to average over 900c/kg and with some of the neatest heavy trades estimated above 950c/kg cwt at times.

The average run of medium trade lambs mostly $155 to $185/hd. Decent light lambs to processors mostly $90 to $140/hd. Rates for Merino lambs also rallied with the best fed types with consistent fat cover selling above 800c/kg cwt.

The heaviest Merinos $220 to a top of $275, with decent tradeweights from $160 to $193/hd. There was some lines of very light little Merino lambs in wool which sold from $45 to $113/hd.

Sheep sold to very strong demand with only a few pens of very light ewes under $100/hd in this market. The heaviest Merino ewes from $140 to a top of $194/hd; big crossbred ewes to $165; and Merino wethers to $179/hd.

Good lines of mutton were estimated as costing processors over 500c/kg cwt. CROSSBRED LAMBS JD & RE Humbert Calivil (49) $309. WE Rodger Burkes Flat (55) $308. RJ

Brown Colbinabbin (49) $288. A Badean Lockington (134) $285. Douglas Payne Kilmore (58) $276. Sandyridge Farming Kerang (17) $270. JM Hiscock & Sons Kilmore (59) $270.

Lamb dressed for show

LODDON lamb will on the menu for Australia’s biggest sheep show.

Inglewood’s The Fat Butcher will make its debut among artisan and gourmet food providores at this weekend’s national sheep and will show in Bendigo.

“This will be the first time we have been part of what is regarded as the biggest sheep industry event in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Deb Hancock.

“We have spent the past few weeks preparing lambs from our

Murphys Creek farm, dressing them at the Inglewood shop and loading the van ready to promote the great local lamb and sheep industry.”

The Hancock sheep have a strong influence of genetics from Willera Merinos at Serpentine. Debbie and husband Daryl are regular buyers at the stud’s ram sales. “People come from far and wide to purchase our lamb cuts and when the opportunity came up to be at the show, we thought why not! Good Loddon lamb cuts

should be front and centre,” Deb said.

Bridgewater’s Jenny Hosking will also be displaying her wool berets at the the show.

Loddon Merino studs have spent the past few weeks fine tuning their selection of rams and ewes for prestigIous competitions and displays.

Terrick West Stud has been among highly-praised studs in recent years with multiple successes for its March-shorn rams and ewes.

Nick back on home soil

NICK Hall is back in Bridgewater as manager of Wheelhouse AGnVET.

He started in the role last week after a career that has seen him work in real estate, logistics and property services.

The four-time Bridgewater premiership footballer said he was looking forward to working with farmers across the Loddon.

“Wheelhouse AGnVET is a long-

standing local business in Bridgewater and the region and it’s great to be here,” he said.

The Bridgewater-based Wheelhouse group merged with AGnVET in 2015.

AGnVET was started in 1915 by Harry Walker in Forbes NSW. It has evolved over the past 100 years to a network of businesses in the broadacre cropping, irrigation and mixed farming areas.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Producers were rewarded with increased prices across all categories in a better quality yarding.

New manager at Bridgewater ... Nick Hall. LH PHOTO

The Fat Butcher’s Cole Hendy with lamb dressed for the show. LH PHOTO

Leadership and decision making

By Cr DAN STRAUB

THIS month, I am again very fortunate to have the opportunity to write this article and share some of my views on the state of play at this point in time across the Loddon Shire and our wider region.

Many residents would be aware that last month council adopted the 2024-2025 Loddon Shire Council budget, this document is the most important document a council will deliver in any one year.

This year the budget has a total rates and charges revenue of $13.1 million and allocates a capital expenditure program of $6.96 million, community planning of $750,000 and flood restoration works of $20 million, which is in addition to the $20 million budgeted in last year’s 2023-2024. Flood restoration works are funded by the Federal DRFA funding arrangements and then administered by the State Government, this has proven to be a challenging process and many residents would have heard me talking about this in the past.

The funding is like for like and the arrangement is for councils to pay the flood restoration works forward and then apply for the reimbursement by the State Government and hold our breath and hope we might get a high percentage of the reimbursement in a timely manner. I do take my hat off to the Loddon Shire staff that are working hard to complete the flood recovery works as quick as possible.

I make light of this to outline the continued future budgetary pressure that small rural councils like Loddon face to provide the current levels serves we experience.

With the inability at this point to generate higher revenue, we rely heavily on grants. These

lOCAl PERSPECTIVE

grants are also becoming more restrictive and more strenuous application proses to apply.

How do we combat ever increasing costs and demand?

Well big budgets are not unlike our smaller household budgets, whether you budget weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly, you effectively prioritise expenses against income.

The difference lies with service delivery organisations like local governments allocating public money for the overall benefit of all constituents, to make day to day life in community the best it can be.

I don’t have to tell you that rural communities are unique, we achieve a lot with a little, we get the jobs done, we improvise where needed and stand proud, but expectations against reality can be challenging on all levels.

Questions of adequate service delivery are something we all continually discus, and as a councillor it is my responsibility to represent the key strategic direction of policy creation lead by the voice of the community at the grassroots level, to network ideas of economic stimulus, population retention and growth, community planning, I also put a big emphasis on rolling up the sleeves and doing the hard yards standing alongside our dedicated communities.

We all are facing hard times in one way or another at the moment, I take comfort that we all have each other for support and to lean on in times of need and times of tough decisions that need to be made by us all, tough decisions can be defining. Local governments across the state have to make defining decisions on behalf of all communities,

yOUR ONlINE WORDS

CARLIE’S CLOTHING OPENS IN INGLEWOOD

Maryanne Murdoch wrote: It was a great opening. Lovely gifts, shoes, clothing etc.

COST OF WEDDERBURN CROSSING

Lynn Gane wrote: It’s terrible that all this gets done at these ridiculous amounts of money and everyone thinks it’s okay. I just don’t get it.

Loddon Shire is no different and hard decision are not always popular.

As Theodore Roosevelt said: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing”.

Leadership and decision making go hand-in-hand and leadership must be adaptable, respectful and dignified and once a decision is made, one must stand by that decision.

For the most part I endeavour to lead by example and enabling others the confidence to take control and lead in their own right to make respectful decision in their communities whilst holding on to core country values and beliefs.

Times are always changing and as a society, hard decision making and strong leadership guaranties our ability to thrive through change as a rural community and set a prosperous future for our next generation.

In the coming months there will be council elections held across the state. This is our chance as individuals to make the decision on who will represent our voice in the community at the local government level and form council over the next four years. Our votes do count.

In conclusion, the continuation of strong country values and traditions has proven to be a great community attribute in the way we live our lives and the attraction of what Loddon is. I look forward to the future and opportunity to represent you all again as a councillor at the upcoming election.

*CrStraubisLoddonShire’s TerrickWardcouncillor

TWO TOWNS ON WATER MAIN RENEWAL LIST

Darren Quigley wrote: You’d think Wedderburn would have been added to the water main renewal It’s Highly needed suprised the Loddon Shire hasn’t pushed the issue in the area.

FROM THE LODDON HERALD FACEBOOK PAGE

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1.Complete this song lyric –Who you gonna call? ____

2.How many AFL clubs do not have an animal as their mascot?

3.Name the traditional Greek dish that is made with grilled meat cooked on a skewer.

4.Which blood type is the second most common?

5.From which country did karaoke originate?

6.What does the prefix ‘haemo-‘ mean?

7.Which author wrote the ‘Secret Seven’ series of books?

8. In Banjo Paterson’s poem ‘Waltzing Matilda’, where does the jolly swagman camp?

9.If two shapes are congruent, what are they?

10.Name the island where the Statue of Liberty is situated.

11.What colour is the

number one on a roulette wheel?

12.Trapdoor and golden orb are types of which creature?

13.What does an altimeter measure?

14.If you are a funambulist, what do you do?

15.On a standard Monopoly board, what colour are the properties Park Lane and Mayfair?

16.The Kluger is a car model made by which manufacturer?

17.The Blue Mountains are located in which Australian state or territory?

18.A score is a group or set of what number?

19.The Battle of Tannenberg was fought in World War One by which two countries?

20. A cello has four strings, what notes are each of the strings tuned to?

ANSWERS

GOOD WORKERS are certainly hard to find, says Bradley of Boort with his latest Treemendous Sign. As many across the Loddon know, the challenge of recruiting staff is ever present as many local stores and dining establishments grow in popularity with locals and visitors.

OTF found one very good worker the other night when attending a function in Bridgewater. He was diligently placing plates for the next course on tables. Got the the last table and ... one plate short. “I thought I counted out the right number,” said young waiter. Come the next course, he had the correct number. That’s a good worker.

F UNNY things happen in cafes. Like this inter-

action - “Do you need anything explained about our dishes?” Customer: “Yes, can you tell me about your chili, please?” Waitress: “Of course. It’s entirely homemade; we slow-cook it for about five hours.” Customer: “Oh, I don’t think I can wait that long; I’ve got places to be this evening.”

WHAT’S the opposite of coffee? Sneezy. What’s a coffee’s favourite spell? Espresso Patronum! What’s a barista’s favourite exercise at the gym? The French press. What’s it called when you steal someone’s coffee? A mugging!

FINALLY this week, shout out to Brooke of Boort for boosting donut sales while hubby has been fending off requests for eggs. As he says, he’s in the poultry meat business not eggs. No yoke!

1. Ghost Busters 2. Eight 3. Souvlaki 4. A positive 5. Japan 6. Blood 7. Enid Blyton 8. By a billabong 9.

Liberty Island

Red

Spider

Tightrope walking

Dark blue 16. Toyota 17. New South Wales 18. Twenty 19. Germany and Russia 20. C, G, D, A.

BUShy TAlES By IAN jONES

Brewing sweet water

THE history of the Whittaker family that became famous on the goldfields making aerated water - soft drink it’s called now - can be traced back to 1797 when Thomas Whittaker was born at Greasly in Nottinghamshire, England.

Whittaker married Francis Stirland at Greasly in 1817 and they had a son Robert, born on March 29, 1818, who married Elizabeth Darbyshire, aged 25, during 1835. They had at least six children: Thomas (May 28, 1837), Joseph (August 6, 1839), William (April 20, 1842-April 30, 1923), Mary Ann (1844-71), Frances Alice (184753 and John (c1853-November 6, 1874.

Robert Whittaker worked in a button factory before learning brick laying from his father. As he found work scarce the family emigrated from Stoke on Trent, at Swan River in Perth on April 28, 1853.

The family moved to Adelaide and then on to Melbourne before prospecting at Alma, Ararat and Inglewood, where William Whittaker also had a restaurant.

The family next moved to Burnt Creek

By KEN ARNOLD

(now Dunolly) settling in Short Street by 1862.

Robert Whittaker continued to follow his trade at Dunolly while his sons Thomas, Joseph and William built a long low slab shed in which they established a brewery and an aerated water and cordial business, they trading as Whittaker Brothers.

Close by to the bridge Robert Whittaker built a red and cream brick house which was demolished several years ago; the underground brick lined tanks are still visible to this day.

A hurricane passed through Dunolly in late March 1868, completely flattening the Whittaker (& Co) Brewery. Joseph Whittaker established a branch factory in Commercial Road, Tarnagulla, around 1872 whilst Thomas did likewise in Argyle Street, Maryborough around 1878, while William continued to run the Dunolly branch.

As Elizabeth Whittaker had died on Oc-

tober 24,1884, it would seem that Robert Whittaker moved to Windsor in Melbourne.

Robert died on December 3, 1896. It is not known when William Whittaker admitted his sons into his business, trading as W (Wm.). Whittaker & Sons, however it would appear it was shortly after April 1886.

As Joseph Whittaker, of Tarnagulla, wanted to retire he sold his business to Wm. Whittaker & Sons, in June 1898, however the factory and shop on site were not offered for lease until February 18, 1905, and then for auction in June 1911.

The Dunolly business was fined 10/with £3 costs for filling syphons belonging to Bruce & Sons and G. Pritchard of Bendigo in November 1901. Joseph Robert Whittaker was recorded as an aerated water manufacturer at Dunolly in 19031904 and 1915-16. Wm. Whittaker & Sons, Dunolly, ordered 432 cork seal ginger beer bottles from the Bendigo Pottery in June 1923, some 448 being delivered.

William Whittaker married Hannah Maria, daughter of farmers John and Hannah Maria Daly, nee Maloney, a native of Limerick, Ireland, who landed at Melbourne on January 15, 1865, during 1868. They had at least four children: Joseph Robert (c18681942), Samuel William (c1870-1935), Theresa Elizabeth (c1875-1955) and Thomas John (1882-1966).

William Whittaker, a keen supporter of football, cricket and other sports, died on April 30, 1923, leaving an estate of £1796 and property to the value of £29,972. He was survived by his widow, Hannah, four sons and three daughters. Hannah died just seventeen days later, aged 81 years. The business was next run by Joseph R. and Thomas. During World War One the loan by Dunolly residents was £3000 of which the Whittaker family contributed £2100. Joseph Robert and Thomas John Whittaker were both recorded as retired cordial makers in the will of the former dated, September 13, 1929, so the factory must have closed around 1928.

DEATH NOTICES

CHAMBERLAIN Colin

The Chairman, Board, Management, members of CFA North West Region and District 20 regret the passing of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.

GARDNER - Graeme Conrad 31/3/1938 – 8/7/2024

Loving husband of Lorna.

Loving father of Neil and Garry and father-in-law of June and Pauline.

Devoted poppy of Melissa, Kaitlin, Georgia; Kyrstal, Emma and Sean and great poppy to Jett, Chase, Quinn, Kennedy and Eric (dec),

OSWALD

Cliffton Graham “Cliff”

A Service to Celebrate the life of Mr. Cliffton Graham “Cliff” Oswald will be held at the William Farmer Victoria Street Chapel, 12 Victoria St., Eaglehawk, on TUESDAY (July 23) at 2 pm, followed by a burial at the Eaglehawk Lawn Cemetery.

No flowers by request, in lieu donations to Cancer Council Victoria would be appreciated.

Envelopes available at the service.

NOTICES

OSWALD

Cliffton Graham “Cliff”

A Service to Celebrate the life of Mr. Cliffton Graham “Cliff” Oswald will be held at the William Farmer Victoria Street Chapel, 12 Victoria St., Eaglehawk, on TUESDAY (July 23) at 2 pm, followed by a burial at the Eaglehawk Lawn Cemetery.

No flowers by request, in lieu donations to Cancer Council Victoria would be appreciated. Envelopes available at the service.

A Graveside Funeral Service for Mr Graeme Conrad Gardner will be held at the Boort Lawn Cemetery on Monday 22 July commencing at 2.00 PM.

Livestreaming will be available via: www.adamsfunerals.com.au

WEDDERBURN GOLF CLUB

Annual Tournament - 25th July-28th July

NEW $1000 HOLE-IN-ONE COMPETITION

Sponsored by Hannaford Seed Cleaning

Thursday 25th - Women’s 4BBB stableford 10am - $30 per pair

Friday 26th - Men’s 4BBB stableford 10.30am - $30 per pair

Saturday 27th - Men’s and Women’s Day 27-hole stroke 9am - $30 per player. 18 holes - 12 noon. $20 ($25 with lunch). Entries close 7pm 21st July

Sunday 28th - 3-person Ambrose 10.30am - $45 per team

Text entries to - Owen Bailey 0491155108

Susan Lockhart 0428944258 Tony Holt 0427943757

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Andrew Perryman’s selection of sports shots from Saturday’s big matches - Bridgewater against Pyramid Hill and and Newbridge meeting Inglewood

Johnston wins region’s top division title

BOORT’S Di Johnston has taken out the main title at the Kara Kara women’s Champion of Champions tournament held at Wedderburn Golf Club last week.

Johnston’s 79 was good enough to win the Silver Division title ahead of St Arnaud’s Brenda Proctor on 82. Donald’s Kerry Raven finished on 83 and Heather Hogan from Birchip scored 84 in a hard-fought contest.

Julie McLennan from Wycheproof won the Bronze Division with 91, with Wedderburn’s Karen Weston (103) and Eve Adams from Donald finishing on 104.

The day attracted 53 players, with a Wedderburn team of Suzie Lockhart, Carolyn McHugh, Glenda Bird, Sandra Steel and Jill Millie taking out the Scratch Shield on 453, and another Wedderburn combination (Carolyn McHugh, Jill Millie, Sandra Steel, Wendy Smith and Susie Lockhart) winning the Handicap Sheild on 368. Association winners: Scratch A Grade: Di Johnston (Boort) 79, B Grade Carolyn McHugh (Wedderburn) 90, C Grade Vicki Orchard (Wycheproof) 101. Handicap A Grade: Brenda Proctor (St Arnaud) 70 nett, B Grade Kate Perryman (Boort) 73 nett, C Grade Di Roberts (Charlton) 74 nett.

Chic Morgan Memorial Teams

Event: Jill Millie, Wendy Smith, Carolyn McHugh (Wedderburn), veteran winner

Carolyn McHugh (Wedderburn) 71 nett. NTPs: 5th Wendy Laffin (Charlton), 7th Anne Kenny (Charlton), 13th Jenny Lanyon (St Arnaud), 17th Heather Hogan (Birchip)

Boort

Boort golf club’s last-minute decision to swap from a Sunday event back to Saturday saw the season’s largest field of 16 players take to the course for a stableford competition.

In A Grade, Craig Allison returned to form to post 38 points to win by one from David Hellsten, while in B Grade, Grant Tooth had the best score of the day with 40 points to also claim July’s Privilege Cup.

This left Damien Lanyon, Shayne Morris and Doug Couper as winners in the ball run, while nearest-the-pin prizes went to Karen Allison, Hamish Lanyon, Robert Johnston, Doug and Damien.

This week is Boort’s annual tournament, with Ladies Day kicking off today, followed by the Men’s four-ball on Friday, the 27-hole event in Saturday, and a three-person ambrose on Sunday.

Results A Grade: Craig Allison

(6) 38, David Hellsten (12) 37, Damian Lanyon (8) 33, Shayne Morris (10) 30, Robert Johnston (10) 30, Tim Lanyon (9) 28, Andrew Kane (-4) 27, Stuart Tweddle (3) 27.

B Grade: Grant Tooth (23) 40, Doug Couper (16) 34, Hamish Lanyon (15) 30. Peter Eicher (20) 29, Jarrod Nuttall (16) 26, Karen Allison (13) 25, Jamie Sutton (16) 25, Scott Rollinson (30) 21.

NTPs: !st Karen Allison, 8th Hamish Lanyon, 9th Robert Johnston, 15th Damien Lanyon, 18th Doug Couper.

Wedderburn

Saturday’s stableford event was taken out on a countback by Byron Bird ahead of fellow sixhandicapper Owen Bailey after both finished on 36 points. Bird

also took out the nearest-the-pin prize on the 13th hole. Results: Byron Bird (6) 36, Keith Bird (12) 24, Jon Chandler (15) 30, Glenda Bird (10) 35, Tony Holt (11) 33, Owen Bailey (6) 36, John Donaldson (14) 29, Geoff Weston (28) 27, Graham Nesbit (8) 29.

Mitiamo

The club’s A Grade winner for the weekend was Brad Duncan, who finished with a nett 68 off a 10 handicap. Runner up was Adam Gould (82-12-70).

B Grade was taken out by Phil Harrison with a nett 66 on his 27 handicap. Ray Boyd finished as runner up (87-21-66.

NTP No.2 was Noah Condliffe. Count the putts was Matt Miles with 21.

Defenders keep scores locked tight

THE North Central hockey Loddon Derby between Wedderburn and Boort women’s teams ended in a 2-2 draw last Saturday.

The Redbacks, who drew 3-3 with ladderleaders Charlton a week earlier, scored first in the opening quarter. The second term was end-to-end play, with both sides unable to hit the net despite numerous goal attempts, until Boort scored from a short corner just before the main break.

Wedderburn took control in the third quarter, but great defence from the Magpies kept the scored tied entering the last term.

Boort hit the lead early in the quarter, but the Redbacks’ midfield began to dominate, and the levelling goal came with nine minutes on the clock. Wedderburn threw everything

at their opponents for the rest of the game, but despite a string of short corners were unable to score again.

Best on ground for Wedderburn was Neve Nisbet, while the encouragement award went to Jade Cramp. Coach’s award went to Carlie Turnbull and junior player Chanelle Badenhorst.

Wedderburn’s underage team were helped out by Boort lending players in a 1-4 loss. Best for the Redbacks was Flynn Lonza, with the encouragement award going to Dakota Martin.

RESULTS

Donald 78, Sea Lake Nandaly 73, Charlton 63, Boort 43, Birchip Watchem 41, Wycheproof-Narraport 10, Wedderburn 0.

Women: Boort 2

with Wedderburn 2. Charlton 0 d Wycheproof-Narraport

Sea

Harness push gathers pace

THE campaign for Loddon harness racing clubs to retain two meetings a year has been backed by Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh.

Mr Walsh said the Harness Racing Victoria decision to strip one meeting from the Boort and Wedderburn clubs was “short-sighted stupidity”.

The Nationals leader said he was incredulous that other clubs which escaped the axe had been outperformed by Boort’s summer meeting by crowds and as a tote drawcard.

“In early January, Boort is packed to the gills with holidaymakers and because most people are still on annual Christmas holidays, they are also prepared to make a long-haul trip to experience the charm of a country race meeting,” Mr Walsh said.

“This event puts a massive financial injection into the local economy each year, and for now that opportunity has disappeared.

“At the same time Wedderburn also lost one of its meetings along with St Arnaud, Ouyen, Cohuna and Wangaratta,” Mr Walsh said.

“These tracks were all closed down in 2005 and the Liberals Nationals revived them in 2015 – and now the razor gangs are back again.”

Under 12: Charlton 2 drew with Wycheproof-Narraport 2. Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers 0 lost to Birchip

Watchem 3. Ladder: St Arnaud 100, Charlton 79, Birchip Watchem 63, Wycheproof-Narraport 59, Donald 25, Sea Lake Nandaly 15, Boort 4.

Underage: Boort 4 d Wedderburn 1. Charlton 3 d Wycheproof-Narraport 0. Sea Lake Nandaly 2 d Birchip Watchem 0. Ladder: St Arnaud 90,

drew

0.

Lake Nandaly 2 d Birchip Watchem 0. Ladder: Charlton 78, WycheproofNarraport 74, Sea Lake Nandaly 73, St Arnaud 70, Boort 37, Wedderburn 27, Donald 11, Birchip Watchem 11.

Men 2024: Charlton 0 lost to Wycheproof-Narraport

Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers d Birchip Watchem 1. Donald 3 d Boort 2. Ladder: Donald 88, Boort 79, Wycheproof-Narraport 78, St Arnaud 43, Charlton 29, Sea Lake Nandaly 26, Birchip Watchem 0.

It’s a draw ... Wedderburn and Boort women’s hockey teams

Wedderburn’s wnning handicap team of Sandra Steel, Susie Lockhart, Jill Millie, Wendy Smith and Carolyn McHugh

Di Johnston and Julie McLennan win the top division awards

Wycheproof N

seniors

BL Serpentine 0.0 2.6 4.7 7.10 (52) Marong 3.7 4.8 6.13 8.14 (62)

GOALS - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: F. Priest 2, A. Gladman, B. Roy-Clements, J. Podosky, J. Addlem, N. Twigg. Marong: K. Robins 2, L. Frankel, R. Tibbett, L. Lee, R. Wellington, B. Gregg, R. Taylor.

BEST - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: F. Priest, T. Miles, J. Laird, J. Taig, J. Addlem, D. Hawker. Marong: M. Willox, M. Riordan, J. McCaig, B. Hartland, R. Tibbett, R. Taylor. Newbridge 4.2 8.5 14.7 19.12 (126) Inglewood 1.1 3.5 4.6 7.6 (48)

GOALS - Newbridge: C. Dixon 6, M. McArthur 4, C. Sanders 3, T. Hobson 2, T. McLeod, A. Padbury, S. Gale. Inglewood: C. Love, J. Nevins 2, T. Kilcullen, D. Gorrie, F. Payne. BEST - Newbridge: T. McLeod, E. Aujard, B. McKinley, K. Friswell, R. Cathie, M. McArthur. Inglewood: C. Stobaus, L. Ford, F. Payne, L. Matheson, L. Harris, M. Conlan. Mitiamo 0.3 2.4 4.5 6.7 (43) Calivil 3.3 5.4 12.8 14.9 (93)

GOALS - Mitiamo: K. Galvin 3, B. Baines 2, A. Cussen. Calivil: B. Baker 3, A. Dennis 3, M. Stephens, J. Mulquiny 2, J. Hinds, C. Thompson, H. McGregor, D. Thompson. BEST - Mitiamo: D. Walters, Z. Morrison, L. Lougoon, L. Shiell, J. Matthews, R. Duncan. Calivil: S. Maher, L. Stephens, J. Hinds, L. Fisher, J. Maher, J. Mulquiny. Bridgewater 2.4 6.8 8.10 8.12 (60)

Pyramid Hill 1.3 6.4 11.7 16.11 (107)

GOALS - Bridgewater: L. Sharp 3, J. Neylon, J. Martyn, J. Coghlan, L. Coghlan, Z. Hoiles. Pyramid Hill: S. Relouw, J. Burns 4, T. Brennan 2, B. Scott, L. Sidebottom, B. Ladson, Z. Alford, B. Dickens, T. McGregor.

BEST - Bridgewater: H. McKinley, B. Alexander, L. Coghlan, E. Pavlich, T. Estrada, J. Coghlan. Pyramid Hill: B. Knight, T. McGregor, S. Relouw, L. Sidebottom, J. Burns, J. Timmins.

44

UnDer 18

GOALS - Bridgewater: M. Brown 4, F. Ferguson 2, O Clapp, C. Orton. Pyramid Hill: H. Goodes 5, L. Stubbs 2, O. Emmerson, J Hercott, R. Sutton. BEST - Bridgewater: Ollie Clapp, Ashton Frankling, Mitchell Brown, Ryan Smith, Corey Larson, Flynn Ferguson. Pyramid Hill: Harrison Goodes, Riley Hutton, Blake Gibson, James Hercott, Lewis Stubbs.

East Loddon v Marong NO RESULTS PROVIDED

seniors

GOALS - Wedderburn: T. Campbell 5, J. Miller, O. Holt 4, J. McEwen, N. Furlong. Boort: J. Keeble 4, K. Jaksic 2, T. Potter, J. Baddeley-Kelly, E. Coleman.

BEST - Wedderburn: T. Campbell, J. McEwen, M. Mc-Ewen, O. Holt, N. Furlong, J. Miller. Boort: T. Potter, J. Keeble, J. Wilson, J. Smith, A. Chamberlain, J. Coleman. Sea Lake Nandaly

BL Serpentine 0.0 3.0 4.0 4.3 (27)

Marong 4.2 5.2 9.6 11.7 (73)

GOALS - Bears Lagoon Serpentine: D. Niemann 3, C. Anstee. Marong: Z. Turnbull 3, N. Matthews, B. Matthews 2, K. Manley, M. Grant, R. Wakefield, T. Grant.

BEST - Beras Lagoon Serpentine: O. Downing, L. Murley, J. Gladman, C. Anstee, D. Niemann, O. Amy. Marong Reserves: B. Stewart, B. Matthews, M. Grant, K. Manley, A. Collins, F. Stewart.

Newbridge 0.3 3.7 5.8 5.8 (38) Inglewood 3.4 5.6 7.8 8.9 (57)

GOALS - Newbridge: B. Carr, B. Pearce, R. Hipworth, C. Grant, S. Brynhildsen. Inglewood: S. Erharter 6, J. Rouse, J. Lovett.

BEST - Newbridge: A. Moore, B. Carr, R. Hipworth, T. Wilson, J. Dawkins, B. Treacy. Inglewood: S. Erharter, J. Lovett, K. Wicks, J. Phillips, T. Kendal, P. Ingamells.

Bridgewater 2.3 5.4

Pyramid Hill 2.0

(60)

(44)

GOALS - Bridgewater: H. Terry, J. McKenzie, J. Campbell 2, M. Brooks, A. McDowell, A. Gauci. Pyramid Hill: M. Dundon 2, P. Walker, D. Reid, M. Dingwall.

BEST - Bridgewater: J. McKenzie, S. Dewar, J. McKinley, J. Naughton, P. Wardell, A. McDowell. Pyramid Hill: K. Quinn, A. Holland, B. Moon, M. Moon, G. James, B. Driscoll. Mitiamo 2.3

(54)

GOALS - Charlton: J. McGrath 5, A. Judd 2, T. Bates, R. Welch. Wycheproof Narraport: K. Kennedy, B. Brennan, J. Harrison 2, H. Senior, R. Jones.

BEST - Charlton: J. McGrath, P. Sait, B. Roberts, T. Hill, R. Welch, T. Bates. Wycheproof Narraport: K. Kennedy, R. Jones, K. Butcher, H. Senior, W. Ison, J. Ison.

(18)

(100)

- St Ar naud : T. Petrie, C. Snell, T. Funston. Nullawil: S. Goldsmith 6, Z. Kelly 3, J. Perry 2, M. Poyner, T. Bickley, M. Fawcett.

BEST - St Arnaud: M. MacTaggart, S. Elliott, B. Williams, H. McNally, J. Neville, J. Reyne. Nullawil: Z. Kelly, S. Goldsmith, J. Vearing, S. Hogan, J. Barry, J. Box.

UnDer 17

J. Bird, S. Toose, H. Malone.

(58)

(90) Birchip Watchem

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: J. Jenkins 5, T. McKenzie 2, M. Cahoon, W. Donnan, B. Weir, A. Pattison, L. McClellan d, T. Cox. Birchip Watchem: B. Edwards 5, N. Rippon, L. Sirett, P. Veszpremi, T. Colbert.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: K. Donnan, J. Poulton, L. Martin, W. Donnan, C. Cox, B. McInnes. Birchip Watchem: J. Noonan, H. Hosking, D. Reid, J. Reid, A. Butterfield, T. Colbert. St Arnaud 0.3 0.3 2.5 4.6 (30) Nullawil 4.2 8.5

(100)

GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Hicks 2, K. Torney, B. Nicholas. Nullawil: M. Farmer 5, T. Vearing, M. Wade, R. Smith 2, D. Putt, D. Isbister, D. Smith, S. Kelly.

BEST - St Arnaud: D. Gifford, J. Male, M. Egan, B. Nicholas, Z. Phillips, K. Torney. Nullawil: D. Putt, B. Brennan, K. Doran, A. Thomson, M. Farmer, D. Isbister. Charlton 4.3

BEST - St Arnaud: H. Darby, A. Wickham, S. Bridgeman, O. Lowe, J. Batters, A. Lowe. Nullawil: T. Vearing, M. Fawcett, T. Perry, R. Hogan.

Nandaly

- Sea Lake Nandaly: N. McClelland, C. O’Sullivan, C. O’Sullivan, A. Renney, T. Borlase, A. Alday. Birchip Watchem: R. Hogan, J. Daniel, C. Barber, L. Saggers.

(88) Wycheproof N

13.10 (88)

GOALS - Charlton: K. Clifford 4, B. Kemp 3, M. Collins, C. Gavaghan, B. Lanyon, H. Taylor, K. Blow, J. Taylor. Wycheproof Narraport: J. Grabowski, M. Murgov, W. Mitrovic, R. Allan 2, M. Trzeciak, J. Marlais, G. Turner, M. Fawcett, K. Hommelhoff. BEST - Charlton: T. Finlay, B. Lanyon, S. Woods, P. Soulsby, R. Woods, J. Taylor. Wycheproof Narraport: K. Hommelhoff, R. Fawcett, M. Fawcett, J. Grabowski, C. Green, D. McLennan.

Sea Lake Nandaly

Birchip Watchem

reserVes

UnDer 14

- Charlton: Darcy Olive, Cooper Phillips, Jackson Nisbet, Toby Bourke, Henry Lanyon, Jordan Chamberlain. Wycheproof Narraport: Desmond Polzin, Mitchell Coatsworth, Ryder Harrison, Billy White.

- Sea Lake Nandaly Tom McClelland, Randy Bailey, Kaiden Wight, Max Conlan, Jack Hodgson, Judd O’Sullivan. Birchip Watchem: Bayley Kemp, Archie Tyler, Private player, Jackson Goss.

(0)

(24) Calivil

(115)

GOALS - Mitiamo: M. Storey, C. Collins, N. Ramskill. Calivil: T. Harcourt 6, J. Manderson 3, T. Piazza, D. Ryan 2, M. Gray, B. Masson, C. Dickins, E. Ritchie, J. Bonanno.

BEST - Mitiamo: J. Rafaeles, E. Hocking, D. Mitchell, L. Shiell, A. Smith, C. Milne. Calivil: T. Harcourt, T. Rial, E. Ritchie, J. Manderson, C. Dickins, J. Bonanno. Marong 12 11 1 0 1 362.39 44

11

GOALS - Boort: C. O’Rourke 7, K. Streader 6, P. O’Rourke 4, F. Holland 3, M. Beattie, N. Scott, H. Weaver. BEST - Wedderburn: F. Turnbull, L. Last, L. Sims, M. Woods, M. Punguika, J. Turnbull. Boort: K. Streader, H. Weaver, C. ORourke, M. Beattie, F. Holland, S. Toose, Sea Lake Nandaly

Birchip Watchem

(120)

(34)

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: Z. Wemyss 4, H. Harcourt, B. Poulton 3, N. Wight 2, E. Ellis, I. Durie, T. Considine, J. Clohesy, C. Elliott, C. Allan. Birchip Watchem: C. Goode, C. Chase, J. Randall, L. Randall, M. Berry.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: Z. Wemyss, C. Allan, H. Harcourt, C. Noonan, N. Barbary, T. Considine. Birchip Watchem: M. Rickard, J. Randall, L. Randall, C. Lee, J. Goldsmith, M. Ryan.

Charlton

(65)

BEST - St Ar naud: Archer Reyne, Finn Wilson, Finn Evans, Patrick Zsigmond, Jack Wait, Charlie Baldwin. Nullawil: Harry Humphreys, Cooper Kelly, Logan Higgins, Van Harrison, Smith Morrison, Nate Harrison.

Wedderburn v Boort

norTH CenTrAL

LoDDon VALLeY

Gleeson defence switch works

WEDDERBURN goes into its second bye for the season sitting comfortably in top spot on the North Central netball ladder after a strong win over Boort last Saturday.

The 49-32 victory puts the Redbacks six points ahead of their rivals in Senior A Grade, although third-placed Nullawil can close to within two points if it can overcome Sea Lake Nandaly this week.

Redbacks coach Emma Lockhart described the win as “a good one in the end” but acknowledged that the Magpies were missing some key players “and will come out stronger next time”.

Lockhart said it was always hard to know how a team would return after a bye.

“We will have the week off training, and hope a few injuries that people have will come good. We have some big games coming up, so hopefully everyone will come back fresh and ready to go,” she said.

A positional switch by Courtney Gleeson from goal keeper to wing defence was crucial to Wedderburn’s win, but Lockhart was unsure whether the change would become permanent.

Like many clubs, the Redbacks are

It’s a certainty! One contender will break clear

PYRAMID Hill goes into its topof-the-ladder Loddon Valley netball clash with Mitiamo this Saturday full of confidence.

The Superoos’ only loss this season was by five goals to the Bulldogs in round five, and Pyramid Hill coach Chelsea Emmerson says her team is ready for another big challenge.

Both sides sit on 40 points, with Mitiamo having played one fewer game than their rivals. A win for the Bulldogs would see them go top before their bye next week.

“We’re well prepared for it,” Emmerson said. “We’re training a lot more together this season. We still have a couple of players in Geelong, but we have one training session a month in Bendigo, and we also have more locals playing for us.

“And we’re lucky with our depth across all four senior grades.” All of Pyramid Hill’s senior teams are entrenched in the top four. We’ve got a good mix in A Grade of experienced older players and youth, and that’s replicated across all grades.”

Emmerson has scheduled a practice match to keep the team sharp over the bye weekend.

“I did allow them a week off last time we had a bye, and we were flat when we came back and lost to Newbridge, so this time we’ll have a practice match.”

Mitiamo coach Jen Wilson has been in Canada for the past three weeks, during which time the Superoos’ two games brought a 52-goal win over Calivil and a 21goal win against Maiden Gully.

She said she would welcome a tight-fought game as the team headed towards the finals. “For the competition you want games to be close – not to take anything away from the girls in the past couple of weeks.”

struggling for numbers at this stage of the season, with some regular B Grade players becoming ineligible to play finals in that competition after playing too many A Grade matches.

Boort has a chance to make up ground on Wedderburn this week with a clash against strugglers Wycheproof Narraport, which sits in eighth spot on the ladder with just two wins for the season.

The Magpies, now fourth after their loss to the Redbacks, could even rise to second place if other results go their way.

Boort coach Georgia Haw said the loss of goal shooter Amy Driden, who remains on holiday in Europe and will miss another week, was crucial in the defeat to Wedderburn.

“We just didn’t play that well, and a few rotations we tried really didn’t go our way,” she said.

Replacing Driden’s height with shorter players had not worked out. “We didn’t have that target in the forward line, and we are so used to having a tall goaler,” Haw said.

Boort comfortably defeated Wycheproof Narraport when they met earlier in the season but Haw expected a tough battle against physical opponents.

LODDON VALLEY

A Grade

Newbridge 16, 31, 48, 65, (65) d Inglewood 6, 15, 22, 30, (30). Mitiamo 21, 39, 62, 89, (89) d Calivil 9, 22, 27, 37, (37). Bridgewater 10, 21, 25, 31, (31) lost to Pyramid Hill 11, 28, 40, 53, (53). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 14, 31, 48, 69, (69) d Marong 12, 20, 29, 38, (38).

Mitiamo 182.52 40

Pyramid Hill 154.32 40

Newbridge 114.04 34

Bridgewater 125.71 32

BL Serpentine 116.77 28

Marong 87.52 18

Maiden Gully 91.17 12

Calivil 52.32 4

Inglewood 41.64 0

B Grade

Newbridge 18, 36, 54, 74, (74) d Inglewood 6, 9, 15, 23, (23). Bridgewater 9, 17, 32, 41, (41) lost to Pyramid Hill 12, 24, 35, 46, (46). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 10, 13, 18, 26, (26) lost to Marong 12, 24, 35, 47, (47). Mitiamo 14, 33, 48, 60, (60) d Calivil 14, 26, 35, 41, (41).

Newbridge 170.86 44

Marong 139.07 40

Pyramid Hill 138.94 40

Bridgewater 113.24 26

Maiden Gully 108.57 20

Mitiamo 93.72 18

BL Serpentine 72.73 12

Calivil 64.09 8

Inglewood 43.65 0

C Grade

Mitiamo 11, 26, 37, 48, (48) d Calivil 8, 16, 29, 40, (40). Bridgewater 10, 17, 27, 35, (35) lost to Pyramid Hill 11, 21, 32, 46, (46). Newbridge 17, 30, 41, 57, (57) d Inglewood 10, 21, 30, 41, (41). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 17, 23, 32, 41, (41) lost to Marong 6, 19, 32, 49, (49).

Pyramid Hill 137.31 42

Newbridge 128.87 36

Marong 113.89 32

Bridgewater 118.99 28

Maiden Gully 103.26 26

BL Serpentine 102.52 20

Mitiamo 94.37 16

Calivil 64.47 4

Inglewood 54.64 4 C Reserve

Newbridge 8, 17, 27, 37, (37) d Inglewood 9, 17, 24, 30, (30). Bridgewater 11, 22, 32, 39, (39) d Pyramid Hill 8, 15, 24, 34, (34). Mitia-

NETBALL SCOREBOARDS

mo 13, 29, 43, 55, (55) d Calivil 7, 12, 21, 29, (29). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 6, 14, 20, 25, (25) lost to Marong 15, 28, 43, 51, (51). Marong 177.94 44 Maiden Gully

17 & Under

Bridgewater 12, 26, 34, 45, (45) d Pyramid Hill 6, 10, 23, 31, (31). Newbridge 12, 23, 35, 41, (41) d Inglewood 9, 19, 25, 35, (35). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 5, 10, 16, 26, (26) lost to Marong 12, 25, 37, 50, (50).

NORTH CENTRAL

A Grade

Sea Lake Nandaly 9, 23, 30, 40, (40) d Birchip Watchem 8, 13, 22, 36, (36). Wedderburn 11, 23, 35, 49, (49) d Boort 5, 15, 22, 32, (32). Charlton 13, 31, 52, 74, (74) d Wycheproof Narraport 3, 6, 9, 11, (11). St Arnaud 10, 16, 25, 32, (32) lost to Nullawil 14, 32, 46, 58, (58).

Wedderburn 148.37 38

Birchip Watchem 121.67 32

Nullawil 109.42 32

Boort 124.88 30

Charlton 123.94 24

Sea Lake Nandaly 96.32 24

Donald 103.96 16

Wycheproof N 49.52 8

St Arnaud 62.62 4

B

Grade

15 & Under

Bridgewater 8, 21, 31, 44, (44) d Pyramid Hill 6, 8, 11, 14, (14). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 4, 10, 17, 23, (23) lost to Marong 5, 12, 22, 31, (31). Mitiamo 4, 12, 14, 19, (19) lost to Calivil 16, 41, 48, 65, (65).

Sea Lake Nandaly 9, 15, 20, 36, (36) lost to Birchip Watchem 10, 19, 30, 38, (38). Charlton 10, 17, 29, 42, (42) d Wycheproof Narraport 8, 13, 17, 23, (23). Wedderburn 14, 24, 36, 45, (45) d Boort 11, 24, 33, 44, (44). St Arnaud 5, 9, 14, 17, (17) lost to Nullawil 18, 38, 51, 72, (72).

Wedderburn 202.05 48

Birchip Watchem 164.59 42

Nullawil 146.86 28

Boort 119.82 24

Sea Lake Nandaly 116.36 24

Donald 124.00 22

Charlton 64.10 12

St Arnaud 44.76 8

Wycheproof N 31.02 0

C Grade

13 & Under

Bridgewater 7, 14, 17, 22, (22) lost to Pyramid Hill 6, 16, 23, 31, (31). Bears Lagoon Serpentine 2, 3, 3, 5, (5) lost to Marong 15, 19, 28, 40, (40). Mitiamo 3, 4, 6, 6, (6) lost to Calivil 15, 26, 35, 49, (49).

Marong 460.22 44

Calivil 379.38

Sea Lake Nandaly 8, 24, 36, 54, (54) d Birchip Watchem 9, 19, 31, 44, (44). Charlton 8, 16, 20, 28, (28) lost to Wycheproof Narraport 12, 21, 37, 44, (44). Wedderburn 8, 14, 20, 30, (30) lost to Boort 7, 19, 32, 43, (43). St Arnaud 6, 8, 17, 24, (24) lost to Nullawil 10, 21, 30, 41, (41).

Nullawil 207.98 36

Birchip Watchem 151.38 36

n 135.10 34 Boort 172.07 32 Sea Lake Nandaly 144.82 30 St Arnaud 67.46 16 Donald 52.29 8 Wycheproof N 42.69 8 Charlton 45.42 4

C Reserve

Sea Lake Nandaly 18, 28, 45, 55, (55) d Birchip Watchem 12, 20, 26, 30, (30). St Arnaud

14 & Under A Charlton 5, 11, 17, 19, (19) drew with Wycheproof Narraport 7, 12, 16, 19, (19).

Boort’s Roxy Train attempts to intercept play against the Redbacks. LH PHOTO

GOALKICKING

LODDON

103 - (3) - Lachlan Sharp - Bridgewater

93 - (0) - Josh Mellington - BL Serpentine

45 - (2) - Kain Robins - Marong

37 - (1) - Zach Alford - Pyramid Hill

37 - (0) - Jesse Sheahan - Pyramid Hill

31 - (1) - Ryan Wellington - Marong

23 - (1) - Joshua Martyn - Bridgewater

23 - (0) - Noah McCaig - Marong 23 - (6) - Christopher Dixon - Newbridge

- (3) - Ben Baker - Calivil

- (1) - Ryley Taylor - Marong 22 - (2) - Farran Priest - BL Serpentine

Oscar performance and terrific Miller magic

By CHRIS EARL

MILLER magic, a terrific second-half five-goal haul by Tom Campbell and a rare moment in Wedderburn history saw the Redbacks outplay Boort at Donaldson Park on Saturday.

Louis, Oscar and Isaac Holt lined up in the same team for the first time.

Oscar at half-forward would play a starring role in a match the Redbacks had to win for a chance at action in the North Central final series.

- Seb Erharter - Inglewood

NORTH CENTRAL SENIORS

76 - (5) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem

38 - (5) - Tom Campbell - Wedderburn

38 - (5) - Joshua Jenkins - Sea Lake Nandaly

35 - (5) - Mitch Farmer - Nullawil

- Billy Mcinnes - Sea Lake Nandaly

21 - (4) - Oscar Holt - Wedderburn

21 - (0) - Jack Exell - Nullawil RESERVES

30 - (7) - Chris O’Rourke - Boort

30 - (3) - Billy Poulton - Sea Lake Nandaly 30 - (6) - Sam Goldsmith - Nullawil

22 - (0) - Andrew Oberdorfer - Nullawil

21 - (1) - Matthew Berry - Birchip-Watchem

21 - (3) - Harry Harcourt - Sea Lake Nandaly

20 - (2) - Anthony Judd - Charlton

19 - (5) - Joseph McGrath - Charlton

18 - (0) - Chris Hargreaves - Wedderburn

16 - (4) - Zachary Wemyss - Sea Lake Nandaly

15 - (0) - Adam Thomson - Nullawil

14 - (4) - Patrick O’Rourke - Boort

Intensity on the ground, hinted in the rooms before players ran out when coach Tom Metherell had no time for nostalgic photographs of the Holt brothers, was on show from the first bounce.

Boort, missing key players Will Perryman and Nat McLaren, made all the running in the opening minutes.

Oscar Holt literally stepped up with an early behind and the Redbacks’ first goal a minute later.

While both sides had equal scoring shots in that opening term, the work of Benaim in defence, Junior Miller and Tommy Campbell and plenty of play created by Osar Holt set the scene for a Wedderburn victory.

Miller was electric in the second term. Buzzing around the crumbs, picking up lose balls and snapping three goals from all angles.

Boort had its share of the action - goals to Baddelly Kelly who surprisingly was not named in the club best and Keeble helped the Pies keep some touch on the scoreboard.

But again it was Oscar Holt scoring from a free kick 15 metres out seconds before the halftime siren who made sure Wedderburn had the tails up at the main break.

Boort actually lifted a bit in the third term. Tom Potter lifted from a steady first half and Keeble had support from James Wilson in the ruck.

Wilson shared honours. Jordy Hargreaves and a rotating Adam Postle made Wilson work for every knock out and at the boundary thrown-ins.

Jack Smith was among the better defenders for Boort, his work cut out as the Redbacks were able to constantly stream down the ground.

The McEwen brothers Mitchell and Jackson were key drivers of play as Wedderburn tackled hard, played smarter and found the man for better ball delivery.

Rover Noah Furlong was also bobbing up across four quarters, his energy matched by strong leading around goals by Campbell.

The difference between Saturday’s combatants was that Wedderburn was more committed and ultimately more confident.

Miller’s performance, clearly

his best game of the season, was full of mercurial magic that put excitement into the game.

The Redbacks have a tough run home. Saturday’s win showed they can cause more than a bit of havoc with strong tackling and direct play. For Boort, the Pies sit two games outside the four and unlikely to figure in finals action.

LODDON VALLEY

Inglewood v Maiden Gully

Pyramid Hill v Mitiamo Marong v Calivil

Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Bridgewater Newbridge bye

NORTH CENTRAL

Birchip Watchem v Charlton

Nullawil v Sea Lake Nandaly

Donald v St Arnaud

Wycheproof Narraport v Boort Wedderburn bye THIS WEEK

League teams available on Thursday nights at www.loddonherald.com.au

Flags unfluttered in a dominant Magpie show

BOORT dominated the reserves clash again Wedderburn.

The youthful team sprinkled with a few seasoned players recorded a massive 157-point victory.

The Red and Black didn’t give the goal umpires something to wave about although plenty of Redbacks put their hand up and had a crack. They could could get the ball forward but found the gap between the big sticks was a huge hurdle.

Defenders Finn Turnbull, Cobi Cunningham, Maikia Punguika and Sam Carroll fought valiantly against a tsunami of opportunities the Magpies forwards en-

joyed. The O’Rourkes, Chris and Pat kicked seven and four goals respectively while Kobie Streader with six also made the most of his chances.

Luke Last, Levi Sims and Mitch Woods on ball and across the centre found plenty of ball for the Redbacks and Josh Turnbull and Andrew Roberts were in for every contest up forward but tono avail.

Apart from the main goal kickers Harry Weaver, Max Beattie, Frasier Holland and Sam Toose were big contributors to the Magpie cause.

Finals await the Magpies and with their spread of height, experience and youth they should

move deep into September action.

„ A talented under 17 Magpies outfit was too well equipped for the Redbacks but in saying that a very watchable game all the same. The Redbacks down on numbers of their own had handy inclusions loaned by Boort and it was a good workout for both teams..

Jye Dingfelder in the centre

Jamie Penrose on a wing Cree Ward ruck, Noah Winslett on ball and Ollie Huismann forward were good contributors for the Redbacks while Boort were well served by Riley Wagner, Lachie Hall, Jackson Bird, Sam Toose and Harry Malone. The Magpies

are well positioned on top of ladder to feature again on grand final day.

In the under 14, it was a comfortable win for the Magpies over the Redbacks.

Despite the score differential a good spectacle for spectators. The availability of Hale McIntosh, Max Gould and Ollie Bird for another outing in the Redbacks jumper gave the Wedderburn boys a lift as they featured in much of the play all day.

As the season has progressed the Redbacks have been able to put good passages of ball movement together and the marking and foot skills of players has progressed positively.

Marong’s Kain Robins

An Oscar performance ... Oscar Holt soars for Wedderburn. LH PHOTO

Heavy field fells Bears

A SLUGGISH start has trampled Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s hopes for a second big Loddon Valley league upset in a week.

The Bears were at home to reigning premiers Marong - the Panthers licking wounds inflicted by Pyramid Hill in ending their unbeaten 42-game run.

But the home ground was slippery, sloppy and boggy - 25mm of rain had fallen during the week.

The Panthers adapted to the heavy conditions first and best. They held Serpentine goalless in the opening term and took a 25-point lead to the first break, even if 70 per cent of scores had been behinds.

Serpentine spent the next three quarters playing catch-up football on a ground that churned up with a ball becoming heavier by the kick and legs reduced to occasional spurts of speed.

Tyler Myles was the muddied workhorse in defence for the Bears. He repelled many a Panther lunge only to see Marong’s stylebook turnovers unleashed across the midfield.

A late goal to Marong in the third term pushed the margin back out to three goals.

Matthew Willox, Matthew Ri-

ordan, Jack McCaig and the consistent Richard Tibbett held sway in the hard slog

Serpentine had its chance in the final term with play constantly being sent deep forward.

Laird, Priest and youngster Jaxon Addlem were leading the Bears in a desperate battle.

But two fourth term goals from the boot of Kain Robins proved the difference.

One came after Robins out marked Bears’ coach Jake Wilkson in the square, the next minutes later when Marong came

streaming out of defence and found his strong hands.

Serpentine had the better deal on the scoreboard in that final 30 minutes of play.

Three goals, including an almighty 40-metre roost from Farran Priest gave the Bears hope mid-way through the term.

Serpentine was tackling with a ferocity that may have reminded Marong of the intense pressure applied the previous week by Pyramid Hill.

Draper Jean-Miguel Podosky and Miles were key cogs in frus-

Machine percentage takes a hit

PYRAMID Hill stamped its premiership credentials with a 47-point win over Bridgewater in round 13 of the Loddon Valley league.

A week after inflicting Marong’s first defeat in 42 games, the Bulldogs took on the Mean Machine and gave them a hiding, leaping from fourth spot on the ladder to second.

Bridgewater, which was on a high after gun full-forward Lachlan Sharp brought up his century of goals for the season in the previous round, dropped to third and copped a big hit to its percentage in the jockeying for position in the top four.

Sharp was held to three goals by Bulldogs defender Dylan Mor-

rison, and despite Bridgewater leading narrowly at half-time the second half was a blowout with Pyramid Hill kicking 10 goals to two.

It was the first of three big tests for the Mean Machine, who now face fourth-placed Bears Lagoon Serpentine and ladder-leaders Marong in successive weeks. With Sharp’s contribution down on its usual high standard, no other Bridgewater player was able to take up the slack, with five others managing a single goal each.

Pyramid Hill, on the other hand, had Sebastian Relouw and Jack Burns each kick four goals. Burns began in defence but proved crucial when shifted into

the forward line by coach Nathan Fitzpatrick after half-time.

Bridgewater’s best were Harry McKinley, nuggety onballer Bo Alexander and Lee Coghlan, while the Bulldogs were best served by defender Tom McGregor, who is having a fine season, midfielder Ben Knight, Relouw and Burns.

The Bulldogs, with three strong wins after a surprised loss at home to Serp, play cellar-dweller Mitiamo on Saturday, while Bridgewater takes on the Bears in a crucial match for its top-two aspirations.

Calivil remains firmly in the finals mix after a 50-point triumph over Mitiamo, which is winless for the season.

- GARY WALSH

Special moment as Cooper gets call-up for reserves

BOORT junior footballer Cooper Gooding capped off an impressive few weeks by getting the call-up for the Pies’ reserves match against Wedderburn on Saturday.

And he was joined on the field by Magpie legend and life member Nathan who came out of retirement for a cameo match.

Cooper and Charlton’s Seb Zagame have been participating in stage three of the AFL’s development pathways program.

“these boys participated in the South VERSUS North Pioneers Match and over the past few weeks AND have had the opportunity to further develop their football skills and knowledge as well as receiving advice and support around fitness and nutrition,” said Pies’ secretary Brooke Arnold.

THIS WEEK’S LODDON VALLEY PREDICTIONS

Gary Walsh

Inglewood

Pyramid Hill

Marong

Bears Lagoon Serpentine

Glenn Catto

Inglewood

Pyramid Hill

Marong

Bears Lagoon Serpentine

trating Marong as the clock ticked down.

Laird’s goal minutes before the siren would be the last score of the day.

Serpentine reduced its losing margin from 38 points in round four when Josh Mellington kicked six goals, to 10 points on Saturday.

The scoreboard showed Serpentine had the better of Marong for three quarters.

That one-quarter flaw remains a niggle for the Bears trying to secure a double chance in 2024.

MEGA Saturday went pretty good for some mug punters watching on from the boundary.

The Oracle, though, perhaps I went with heart in picking Bears Lagoon Serpentine to add further hurt to a Marong outfit lacerated by a biting Pyramid Hill only a week earlier at Mitchell Park.

Once bitten twice shy they say but I’m sticking with the lot from Janiember Park and picking them to virtually secure the double chance by downing Bridgewater on Saturday.

The Mean Machine makes the trek over the Salisbury West Plains and that home ground advantage will mean something for the Bears.

A bit more rain this week and the surface will surely see another muddy encounter.

The key for a Bears’ victory must surely be Nathan Twigg. He will roam the ground with an eye constantly on pushing play deep into the 50.

That’s where Serpentine will either flourish or flounder. Farran Priest and Andy Gladman can kick goals.

But not every quarter, every week can they do it and the Bears have still to fully cover the loss of the potent gun Josh Mellington.

The other factor to watch will be how Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp is used. Will he head into the midfield or Bridgewater with luxury of

Chris Earl

Inglewood

Pyramid Hill

Marong

Bridgewater

playing in the natural hunting ground around goals.

This will be close, 10 points or less. Bears to sneak home. There’s not been a lot to crow about for Inglewood. This week the Blues will need to stand up against Maiden Gully to have any chance.

I’m not confident but let’s see what Inglewood can do.

In the Battle of Mologa Plains, Pyramid Hill will street home by a country mile against Mitiamo.

And in the other match, expect Calivil to be thereabouts for the first quarter against Marong.

Then the Panthers will unleash and have one of the whopping margins that epitomised dominance of the Malone Park mob last season. Newbridge is sitting in the box seat to claim fifth spot. The Maroons, however, have the bye this week and ultimate fate rests with what Inglewood and Calivil do in the next couple of rounds.

- GLENN CATTO

Out of the mud ... Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s Tyler Miles. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD sport

Thursday JULY 18, 2024

Nevins hurt in ‘rough play’ - out two weeks

HORROR RUN HITS BLUES

By GARY WALSH

INGLEWOOD young star

Gabe Nevins will miss another two matches in his horror season, dealing a blow to the Blues’ slim hopes of playing Loddon Valley football finals.

Nevins was concussed last Saturday in a clash that saw Newbridge co-coach Sam Gale quickly yellow carded.

Gale was booked by umpires for engaging in rough conduct and took an early guilty plea, copping a two-match suspension.

The dashing Nevins had lined up for just his third game back after suffering a serious leg injury that had left him on the sidelines since round three.

Inglewood has missed the agility and tenacity of two-time league under18 best-and-fairest winner Nevins, a regular in the senior side that broke the Blues’ 20-year finals drought last year,

Nevins’ enforced absence comes at a critical time in Inglewood’s season, with three winnable matches in a row against

drop another game if they are to sneak into fifth place, and also need to rely on other results to go their way.

Matches against the top two teams in the competition, Pyramid Hill and Marong, round out the season for Inglewood.

With just three wins from 11 matches, the Blues sit seventh on the ladder, a game and percentage behind Newbridge and Calivil, but with a game in hand over the Maroons, who have a bye this

we want a shot at playing finals, we have to win.”

Maiden Gully, which began the season with a 12-point deduction for not fielding an under-18 team, has won three games, but lost to Inglewood by 56 points in round five at its home ground in Bendigo.

Netball rebirth grows at night

MONDAY night mixed net-

ball at Pyramid Hill was one of the many sporting victims of the COVID pandemic, but it is set to return in the next couple of weeks.

Prospective players have been asked to name their first and second preferences from Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night options.

Organiser Leanne Gibson already has sufficient players to fill four teams but aims to have a six-team competition.

The plan is for two backto-back eight- or nine-week seasons – with one important caveat.

The seasons need to be done and dusted before harvest time in November strips the competition of players.

Inglewood’s Campbel lLove in the thick of Saturday’s battle. Insert: Gabe Nevins

Inglewood’s senior side is young, and rising up the ladder is a long-term project, but the Blues will be aiming for a trio of wins followed by competitive efforts against league powerhouses, Pyramid Hill and Marong.

Netballers from as far afield as Macorna and Cohuna were part of the thriving competition before COVID struck, and they are expected to be part of the new league.

“It’s very early days, but we really want to get it started.” Gibson said.

“I’d like it to start the week after next if I can get it going. It’s a fun competition, and we keep it light and safe.”

“It’s out of our hands now,”

coach Fergus Payne said. “We have a massive three weeks. If

Mitiamo has not won a match this year, but only lost by 21 points against the Blues earlier in the season.

Calivil, which itself has designs on finishing in fifth place and snaring the last spot in the finals, defeated Inglewood by 55 points in round seven.

The club is using metrics top map intent and pressure applied by players on opponents, a gauge of how well Inglewood emerges from the daunting finish to its home-and-away season.

„ Bridgewater forward Ben Irvine was reprimanded for striking in the match against Pyramid Hill. Irvine entered an early guilty plea.

At least another 14 players were needed to complete the teams when the London Herald went to press.

Anyone interested in joining the Pyramid Hill Monday Night Netball can contact Leanne on the group’s Facebook page.

- GARY WALSH