Deadly highway dog find

POLICE have appealed for public assistance after two dogs were stolen in Moliagul this weekend and later found dead.

Police said two Jack Russells - three-year-old Sassy and sixmonth-old Buzzy - were outside a property with their owner on Moliagul Drive on Sunday.

A photograph of Sassy and Buzzy was released by police yesterday as well as an image of a utility similar to the one believed used in the incident.

It is understood the tray of the utility was damaged.

Police understand a white utility pulled up at the property about 11.30am.

Police were told the driver opened the door, stole the two dogs then fled the scene in the vehicle.

“Both dogs were located by a member of the public along the side of Wimmera Highway on Monday, around 6km away from where they were stolen,” police said.

Police say they are continuing to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and investigations are ongoing.

People with information have been asked to contact Leading Senior Constable Mick Balazs at Bridgewater police on 5437 3232 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

Community’s double celebration

NEW partnerships in community connection and engagement were celebrated in Bridgewater on Thursday.

Spotzrulz opened its Loddon Inclusive Precinct that will operate across three locations in the shire and the town’s community garden was unveiled after months of working bees by volunteers.

The inclusion program will operate from the old railway station and Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Bridgewater with activities starting in Tarnagulla in coming weeks.

Sportzrulz’s Pam Dawkins said: “Our aim here is to have spaces for like-minded people, to create spaces for the community and help the community. It’s about bringing people together.”

She said connectivity would allow activity participants to engage in sessions held simultaneously in Bridgewater and Tarnagulla.

“We see ourselves being here for a long time with local staff,” she said.

Loddon Mayor Dan Straub officially cut the ribbon at the ceremony attended by residents and students from Bridgewater Primary School.

“Community will be the biggest aspect of a precinct like this,” he said.

Cr Straub praised the collaboration

Youth shape health recruitment message

RECRUITMENT brochures with a youthful message will be launched by Boort District Health next month.

The information packs were developed during an eight-week Youth Take Over Loddon Campaspe project.

Six Boort District School students worked at Boort District Health on solving challenges of recruiting and sustaining a diverse local health workforce. The students investigated the many different jobs at the hospital and shined a light on the roles and lives of six BDH staff.

BDH and North Central LLEN will release recruitment material developed by students for the Health Heroes of Boort pitch on August 2.

between old railway station operators Kooyoora Women’s Network, Sportzrulz, the school and Loddon Plains Landcare Network.

KWN president Colleen Condliffe said the community garden would increase activity around the precinct.

“We have had amazing volunteers, a few setbacks when sleepers were stolen, to bring the project to this point,” she said.

“The involvement of the school is important as is the partnership with Loddon Plains Landcare Network and the community.”

Creatives in third arts trail pitch

AFTER a pandemic and floods, Loddon creatives are going for third time lucky to launch the shire’s first arts trail weekend.

Tenar Dwyer has stepped up to encourage local artists to be part of the weekend arts showcase on October 7 and 8.

“We had 22 artists wanting to be part of the trail before it was cancelled last year because of the floods. In 2023, we’re looking for even more to be part of an amazing weekend sharing creations in Loddon communities and attracting visitors to the region,” she said.

“We are looking at artists who have their own studio, collectives who can come together to create impressive displays in community spaces and even businesses and cafes who could host pop-up galleries for the Loddon Valley Arts Trail.

“Traditional and unique display spaces will make our Loddon trail weekend engaging, inviting and a success.”

Tenar has contacted local artists who previously wanted to be part of the aborted weekends and has had enthusiastic responses.

“I’ve been part of the organising team for Tiny Towns Arts Trails and now looking forward to creating the new event in our Loddon Valley,” she said.