Loddon Herald 20 October 2022

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Bridgewater 7.45pm Friday LH PHOTO

Flood marker at Durham Ox

Gayle Richmond at Newbridge. LH PHOTO

Bridgewater Caravan Park under water. LH PHOTO

Rubbish bins ripped out along the Loddon. LH PHOTO The clean up begins at Bridgewater Bowling Club on Saturday morning. LH PHOTO

Ainsley McPherson mops up in Bridgewater. LH PHOTO Samuel Patterson, Josie Simmons Ella Gleisner.

LH PHOTO Sandbags at Bridgewater Post Office.

LH PHOTO

Long and slow wait

BOORT was yesterday afternoon preparing to be next in line for rapid waters wreaking havoc across the Loddon since last Fri day.

Residents have been told they may be isolated for a week as the Loddon River now rises in northern communities.

The flood struck in Newbridge and Bridgewater last Friday and has since left communties iso lated.

Major roads in southern ar eas are beginning to re-open although the Bridgewater-Ser pentine road officially remained closed yesterday.

The State Government has an nounced assistance packages for people and on Tuesday, Loddon Shire was included in eligibility for Federal Government emer gency relief funds.

Homes, businesses and sport ing organisations have been hit with massive clean-up bills.

The recovery in southern towns started Saturday morning as Serpentine was about to en dure the peak.

Waters have continued north where Dingee, Mitiamo and Pyr amid Hill remain on alert.

Sandbagging continues in those areas and volunteers have been called to assist with evacu ations, including at Yarrawalla.

Calivil, one of three emergen cy relief centres, has now been

described as being in a bubble. Other relief centres are at Pyra mid Hill Senior Citizens’ Centre and Boort Resource and Infor mation Centre.

The first community informa tion meeting was called by Pyra mid Hill CFA captain Steve Mann on Saturday and followed by one in Boort on Monday.

Meetings were not called in Bridgewater and Newbridge ahead of floods as water spilled over at Laanecoorie.

The State Government says assistance will be rolled out in phases as communities move from emergency to recovery and rebuild.

Boort’s Cr Neil Beattie said the flood would have a devastating impact on crops across the re gion.

Yesterday, Cr Beattie said lev els in Lake Boort were slowly dropping but other lakes were brimming.

There has been damage to sev eral homes in the nearby Yando district.

Risks at Dingee include back flow into the Waranga Western Channel.

Goulburn Murray Water said: “GMW has not diverted any wa ter into Waranga Western Chan nel. However, high water levels have caused water to overtop

Rubbish stations in action

PYRAMID Hill Landfill, Boort Landfill and Dingee Transfer Station will open from 8am to 5pm today, Loddon Shire said yes terday afternoon.

Other sites will operate to their normal operating hours until further notice: Manager tourism and economic de velopment David Stretch also said this weekend’s Loddon Arts Trail had been cancelled.

“The Loddon Valley Arts Trail regret fully announces the cancellation of its event this weekend due to impacts of the flood emergency in the Loddon Shire and region,” he said.

“With local communities focused on various stages of flood risk and recovery, as well as wide-ranging road closures, cancellation of the event is the only op tion at this time.

“We would like to thank all artists, par ticipants and supporters of the event and expect that all, including those intending to visit the Loddon Shire this weekend, understand our decision. We look for ward to working with stakeholders and friends very soon, to explore re-schedul ing the event.”

Mail was received in Boort yesterday for the first time in almost a week while some deliveries are being made to Serpen tine.

Bridgewater post office re-opened on Monday while the town’s hotel will be back in business from today.

Some towns are receiving limited news paper deliveries.

Last weekend’s clearing sale at King ower was postponed by agents FP Nevins and Co and new date will be set shortly.

into the Waranga Western Chan nel.

“Outflows from Laanecoorie Reservoir peaked at approxi mately 140,000ML/day on Fri day.”

The weekend forecast is for more rain that residents across the Loddon say will put more pressure on already full reser voirs and creeks, roadsides and water-logged paddocks.

Wet conditions may also com promise the integrity of some levee banks installed over the past week

THIS WEEK’S LODDON HERALD

YOUR Loddon Herald this week has aimed to provide latest coverage of the flood emergency rolling across our region.

The spirit and strength of local communities has been to the fore for the past week and continues to give inspiration and hope.

We thank readers for allow ing us to share their stories, on-the-ground information and photographs to augment our own articles.

Information is also being provided to us by the Loddon Shire with twice-daily brief ings that is included in this print edition and our regular live video updates daily.

The initial fast-moving na ture of the flood in southern communities has become a much slower wait for towns and districts in the north of the Loddon.

Our printers this week have allowed us a later deadline to assist with providing you with latest news and information in print. Page Three has been devoted to latest news.

Distribution of the edition may again be impacted by road access this week. We apologise if your local Lod don Herald is unable to be delivered to your town.

Monday’s community meeting in Boort as the town prepares for possible isolation of up to a week.

Preparing for the flood in Bridgewater on Friday.

PHOTO

Idiots by night and day

POLICE are investigating wheth er to make a driver pay for the cost of his rescue at Newbridge last Friday morning.

The Wimmera Highway opera tion saw members of the special ist swift water rescue response team based in Bendigo since the previous day and the air wing hovering overhead.

Witnesses said police had told the driver not to ignore “road closed” at the Tarnagulla end of the Loddon River bridge.

Police were called away from the roadblock to another call and

the driver rebuffed pleas from locals.

“People were yelling at him (the driver) not to go over the bridge,” said local publican Mat thew Mizzi.

Tarnagulla’s Leading Senior Constable Denis Farrell said:

“These were reckless endeav ours and put rescuers at risk by the driver’s stupidity.”

“We are investigating ways to redeem costs of the rescue.”

Witnesses said the man was able to cling to a pine tree at the town’s recreation reserve as the

vehicle was swept away by the rapid-flowing river.

Receding water on Saturday revealed the Landcruiser with South Australian registration plates near the football ground scoreboard, more than 400 me tres from the road.

And 12 hours later, about 10pm police were called to a second rescue involving the air wing on the same Wimmera Highway bend.

A new $100,000 Ford Raptor, displaying a P plate and withHungry Jack drink cap still sit

ting on the seat, was spun around in floodwaters and stopped be side trees lining the entrance to town.

State Emergency Service vol unteers, who assisted with the Newbridge rescues, have been involved in multiple incidents including the driver of a minibus stranded on the Loddon Val ley Highway near Serpentine on Saturday.

Between Wednesday and Sun day, the SES had been called to more than 500 flood rescues across Victoria.

Newlyweds Amelia and Trent Brister. LH PHOTO

Honeymoon ends with tractor ride

AMELIA and Trent Brister travelled the last 1km of the trip back from their honeymoon by tractor.

The Newbridge couple, mar ried the previous weekend, had left Halls Gaps just as roads in the Grampians were closing on Friday.

“We had planned a river wed ding but moved that to the hall,” Amelia said.

And within hours of being home, they were awakened by a rescue helicopter overhead in the second car rescue at Newbridge in about 12 hours.

“We left Halls Gap about 7.30 that morning ... we were con cerned about the sheep,” said Trent.

“It took us about eight hours to get home and we arranged for our tractor to be ready to make the last kilometre of the trip to our home on the Bendigo side of New bridge.”

Police rescuers complete the first of two callouts on the Wimmera Highway on Friday with vehicles ending on the football ground and against trees.

LH PHOTOS

Ron drags out clean-up book a second time

IT WAS deja vu for Ron Trimble at Newbridge Recreation Reserve on Sunday morning.

Armed with notebook, Ron was again marshalling volunteers af ter the Loddon River unleashed its fury at the home of the town’s football, netball and tennis clubs.

Just as he did after the 2011 floods, Ron had a plan to clean up, this time helped by more than 100 people from the district and football clubs in Bendigo and Marong.

And he had questions, again,. about the water management at Cairn Curran that sent massive inflows towards Laanecoorie re serve.

“Cairn Curran was built for flood mitigation. During the drought years it was at a low lev el and irrigators around here had a zero allocation,” he said.

“I don’t understand, however, the rationale of keeping it at a high level when there is a La Nina.

“That needs to be explained and a lot of farmers are asking the same thing. They (Goulburn Murray Water) had plenty of warning there was a La Nina and

a buffer would have taken a bit out of here and south.”

Concerns about warnings were echoed by football president An drew Friswell who said volun teers had shifted club equipment three days before the flood hit on Friday based on warnings of moderate flooding.

The warning changed and the recreation reserve lost equip ment that Mr Friswell said would have been taken from the ground.

Mr Trimle, who oversaw re building of the reserve in 2011, estimates the repair bill in 2022 will be at least $1 million.

While the clubrooms were re built to withstand future floods, they have been stripped in the cleanup.

“We have a shell to start with,” Mr Trimble said as water came within a metre of 2011 levels.

Tennis and netball court fenc ing was badly damaged, some football fencing knocked over and large branches came to rest in the playground.

“Everywhere you look, we will have to spend money.” Mr Trim ble said as Sunday’s working bee started.

GET ON OUR KIDS NEED TO THEIR

Hall has a close call

NEWBRIDGE Town Hall came within 30cm of being inundated with water last Friday.

Local community plan ning committee secretary Sue Horsley said the water height was about one metre lower than 2011.

“We were told (this flood) was going to be moderate,” she said.

While the hall that strad dles the banks of the Lod don River escaped damage, across the river, St John’s Anglican Church saw water gush into the 19th century building.

Long-time parishioners, including David Heather, said damage was not as great as 11 years ago.

They said while carpet had been ruined, all furni ture had been saved.

And while the commit tee had planned to hold a community luncheon next weekend, Sue said that would be postponed.

“We’ve a lot of equipment from the recreation reserve stored in the hall at the mo ment.

“And everyone is focused on the clean-up,” she said.

There was water damage to several homes both sides of the river at Newbridge

Twisted fences at Newbridge.

LH

PHOTO

Ron Trimble marshalls the army of helpers.

LH

PHOTO

24 hours of Bridgey spirit

ELEVEN years and nine months on, Bridgewater woke Friday morning to news that a speeding torrent now near proportions to the heartbreaking 2011 flood was gushing down the Loddon River.

The one load of sand dropped in town the previous day had al lowed residents in some lower areas of town and around the dis trict to take precautions, draw ing on their experiences of Janu ary 14 2011 to plan and sandbag homes and property.

The change of flood warning from moderate to major sud denly saw those preparations at high-octane levels. A peak just centimetres below the 2011 level was being predicted for October 14 2022.

Popular town businesses the Bridgewater Hotel and Bridgewa ter Bakehouse are closest to the normally idyllic river. Claire Har rison put out the call for the town to help hotel owners Virginia Hyland and Greg McKinley, an swered by an army of volunteers stripping the hotel of stock and equipment, removing even car pet tiles, loaded onto trucks and utes for a convoy to the town’s football ground.

Across the road at the bake house, friends and excess vol unteers from the hotel were as sisting owners Pat and Theresa O’Toole with the same task and joining the same convoy. The

By CHRIS EARL

O’Tooles were on the cusp of opening their now-Australian recognised bakery when the Lod don burst its banks in 2011, they knew from experience what to do this wet October.

Back at the hotel, now empty and locked, Virginia stood under the verandah watching waters spread towards the front door. “When I see the first water go in, I’ll leave,” she said.

The town army of volunteers had moved up to the sandbagging point beside Bridgewater Nurs ery where locals had also been joined by crews from Inglewood Fire Brigade and the Parks Victo ria team based in that town over the bridge spanning the Loddon, Fosterville Gold Mine until called back in to help around Bendigo.

Briefly Marong State Emergen cy Service unit was also on the sandbag line, I say briefly because its members were being called away to road rescues as some motorists thought they knew bet ter than road closed signs and the obvious rising levels over roads.

Over the bridge, where home blocks fall sharply to the river, residents were putting furniture out on the footpath. Glenn Catto had the previous day moved vintage tractors stored at sister Barb’s home to higher ground.

Andrew Ferguson, a neighbour nearby with an already elevated chook house, put in a levee of sandbags and plastic virtually to the level later reached that would have allowed his chickens to “dip their toes” in the water.

“I was here in 2011 and knew what I had to do,” he said on Sat urday morning. “It just kept com ing and we were pumpinging out quickly as we could.”

“Plastic was bulging in plac

es and I just kept putting more sandbags there,” said Andrew who this time won the overnight battle.

Back on the town side of the Loddon, still working frantically on Friday, the town’s fire brigade captain Tim Ferguson was calmly co-ordinating the distribution of sandbags. A small fleet of trac tors was dropping off pallets at every business and home in the block heading towards Bendigo

October is Mental Health Month

as water furtively, or would that be ominously, crept across the Calder Highway.

Trucks and crews that arrived at dawn to assist with the effort at the hotel and bakery, were now seconded to negotiate rising wa ters with distribution of sandbags. More sand kept arriving, people of all ages on the shovel, Tim Fergu son making the call that a delivery of sand also be sent to the oppo site side of the river.

It's vital to remember not just during October, but all year round to be looking after your mental health and well-being and knowing how to support others, is so important. Here are some tips to support good mental health and well-being: Exercise regularly, take a break from social media, eat healthy food, stay hydrated and stay connected, reach out to family and friends & get enough sleep. For more information go to the Loddon Healthy Minds Network Website- https://www.loddonhealthyminds.com.au/resources

Mental health and well-being mean different things to different people. Reach out to us to discover how we can support you in enhancing your mental health. Tanya, our Counsellor & Intake Worker is available for support in a range of issues such as Centrelink, housing and financial stress and referral to specialist community services. Maryam is our Mental Health Clinician & works with both adults and children. Joy our Mental Health Nurse can help clients understand their mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and grief. Natalie, our Alcohol and Other Drugs worker (AOD) can help you set goals and maintain change.

IDHS referral information- For counselling & mental health services the community can self-refer. Please email IDHS or call reception- at admin@idhs.vic.gov.au or phone 5431 7000. For immediate support call the 24-hour counsellor at Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636

IDHS Mental Health Team

Tanya

Joy Natalie

Maryam

Virginia Hyland ... waiting to leave the hotel on Friday morning. LH PHOTO

Focus was interspersed with levity and reflection. Main Street resident Julie Lythgo had sand bagged her old shop home on the corner, saying: “We got caught short in 2011 … got notified to evacuate three days later.”

By mid-afternoon Friday, local policeman Leading Senior Con stable Mick Balazs had closed the road. Bridgewater now split by the raging river, the bridge closed to all but pedestrians on the other side.

The bridge itself had featured in the unfolding drama of the day when earlier, the ski jump ramp snapped loose from its mooring near the caravan park, and was sent hurtling with an almighty thud into the 1958 river crossing. Receding water on Saturday re vealed one half wrapped around a bridge pylon, the other encas ing part of the railway bridge py lon several hundred metres fur ther downstream.

The caravan park, too, was well underwater, Wendy and Tim James and Rhonda and Dar ren Reilley’s sandbagging helping save the main reception building.

When the bridge closed, it was confirmation that for this Fri day night I would be a resident of Bridgewater – all roads out of town were now blocked.

While Loddon Shire had a relief centre in the town’s 99-year-old memorial hall, many locals were at the recreation reserve, con templating the rise of the river and drawing strength from be ing with friends, sausages cooked on the football club barbecue or tucking into a pie shifted from the bakery hours earlier.

They were far from dejected

and pitched in to carry sup plies flown in by two helicopters around 6pm, arrival tracked with flight apps on mobile phone.

As dusk approached, there was an eerie quiet over Main Street, the time Tim Ferguson would later be told the flood peak of October 14 2022 was 8.3 metres at about 7.30pm, below the pre dicted high of nine metres and a full metre under 2011.

Come dawn Saturday, Tim was back on Main Street putting his fleet of tractors and trucks back into service, the river level was dropping and water quickly re ceding with the community crew removing sandbags, starting the cleanup, preparing the hotel, post office and bakery and other busi nesses to eventually re-open.

Steve Sperling, owner of the old Globe Hotel right near the bridge, said: “The water was a foot lower this time. She’s still standing … that’s the best part.”

Andrew and Jenny Ritchie

moved into their new home next to the Bridgewater Hotel in Janu ary 2021, built to meet local flood standards – high foundations put the floor 1.3 metres up, the water on Friday reached 600mm.

“We put everything up, turned the power off and went and stayed without our daughter,” they said.

Around the corner at the bowls club, mud caking greens and club house carpets was being hosed off by familiar faces – the task roster simply updated for people like Laura and Wayne Naughton who spent the previous day dis tributing sandbags.

What about the sandbags re moved from around the club house that was restored after the 2011 floods, members asked. Leave them here, had been the call of Tim Ferguson. With the forecast of more late spring and summer rain, and now experi ences 11 years and nine months apart, they may be needed again.

Authorised by

Coffee time for Andrew Ferguson after beating rising waters (left) and bakery owner Pat O’Toole ponders another cleanup. LH PHOTO

Fire brigade captain Tim Ferguson receives an update. LH PHOTO

Larder raids keeping up town sustenance

WELL-STOCKED larders and pantries are helping Serpentine residents during the town’s flood isolation.

Major roads around the town have been closed for almost a week.

Local post office operator Di anne Walker said mail was still unable to be delivered and lim ited essential supplies and some newspaper had been delivered from Inglewood.

Those deliveries had been pos sible with emergency service personnel meeting a delivery driver mid-way to the Loddon Valley Highway town.

And Loddon Shire has also organised supplies of essential items to be delivered.

“There might be some people now running out of fruit and vegetables but we’re managing ... most people don’t shop from day to day and have lived with a supermarket (in town) for a long time,” Dianne said.

“We’ve been in this situation how many times, so we’re usu ally pretty well stocked and if we don’t having something, we’ll ask a neighbour.

“Some newer residents might not have experienced a flood be

fore and might have been caught out.”

Dianne said there had been some natural anxiety before the peak of Loddon River floods hit Serpentine late Saturday morn ing. “There were naturally some last-minute mercy dashes with more sandbags,” she said.

“They weren’t just dumped with delivery crews also helping to sandbag properties.”

Among those dashes since Sat urday, have been shoring up pro tective levees around homes at Bears Lagoon as flooding fluctu ates along the Waranga Western Channel.

Ebony Brown has been living in Serpentine for three years. After a frantic Friday filling bags, she

told the Loddon Herald: “We’re in Serp and it’s a very eerie feel ing here. Just waiting. The locals have pulled together all day with 100s if not 1000s of sand bags.

“We have had some men and women literally working around the clock. Our local policeman has been incredible.” Ebony said..

Town volunteers also recon nected the Serpentine levee bank to keep rising Loddon River wa ters away from homes.

Some residents did evacuate into Bendigo ahead of the peak.

“We have been here three years and the community rallying to gether has just been incredible to watch.”

The Loddon Valley Highway, on Tuesday still closed between

Myers Flat and Durham Ox, saw multiple vehicles abandoned af ter they were swamped by rising water.

One was a mini-bus that saw the driver rescued east of Serpen tine on Saturday.

Local residents have also re ported extensive road dam age along the Loddon Highway with whole sections of bitumen washed away and on the Bridge water-Serpentine road where large ripples and pot holes have appeared.

While residents wait for the highway to be repaired and reopen, Dianne said they were “sitting about, doing household chores and other tasks”.

“I don’t think it (re-opening) is going to be a quick thing because of damage to the roads,” she said.

“You wouldn’t want any traffic coming on these roads at the mo ment,” she said.

Flood waters from Serpentine also flowed into the Pompapiel Creek over the weekend.

“We’ve been in this situation many times before. Everyone worked fast to stop water coming into town,” Dianne said.

“The levee did its job.”

Danger days for stock and season

SIMON Coutts has spent the week keeping feed up to sheep.

The manager of Willera Merinos said four-fifths of the the stud’s land was un der water and his key aim was to keep the animals ru minating.

Simon said the 17,000 sheep were being managed as “best we can ... get them eating instead of standing there and shivering”.

Stock that at the peak of the floods were paddocked in smaller lots than usual, are now being moved to sandier soil land “and getting them quality feed”.

“The flood has made for a taxing season now. We had been three-quarters the way through shearing and now we can’t get shearers in to finish the job,” he said.

“Temperatures last week and then the heavy rain was not ideal.

“The backup of moisture in the paddocks was already a concern and then came the floods.”

Simon estimated the near by channel had been running three times faster than in peak irrigation season.

“But it was slowing the wrong way and bursting over on both banks.”

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Slow moving water extends wait

JILL Ramskill has been waiting for a rush of water through Mi tiamo for a week.

Jill; first went on alert last Thursday morning when water flowed under the town’s store.

Workers from Catalyst Met als helped Jill lift furniture off floorboards and sandbag around her shop as flash flooding gave a warning of what could be to come.

While warnings had the flood peak hitting Mitiamo earlier this week, Jill said yesterday: “In town it’s still dry ... it’s weird. It’s coming but it’s not here yet.”

CFA group captain Richard Hicks said the Bullock Creek still had a power of water.

“You can’t see it from the air because it is hidden in crops,” he said.

“The further it goes the more it seems to be flattening out and we’re not seeing the surges ex perienced in 2011.

“But we will see what hap pens with the rain expected this weekend.”

Waters flooded into Prairie West on Tuesday.

There have been anxious mo ments around Dingee over the

Levee in place, town calm

THE first town meeting in the Loddon’s 2022 flood emergency saw more than 150 people pack Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall on Saturday.

Fire brigade captain Steve Mann called the meeting where residents where briefed on prep arations and precautions ahead of a flood peak some time this week.

Residents had earlier started construction of a levee bank to protect the town.

Captain Mann told the meet ing: “Currently, four excavators are building a levee bank around the town higher than the levee in 2011

“In 2011 we didn’t know what to expect and were behind the eight ball to start with. This time it is a similar height but we are much more prepared and we don’t expect water to get into town,”

Yesterday, sandbagging efforts were continuing in the town and Captain Mann said: “It’s still too early to know what’s happening but we are prepared ... everyone is well and truly prepared.”

“The water is 5km (wide) near Mitiamo and if if comes to Pyr amid Hill, it’s funnelled into a five-metre channel,” he said.

“At the moment it (peak) still looks to be two or three days away.”

Initial warnings had the peak hitting Pyramid Hill on Monday with residents wanting to leave told they had until Sunday night.

The slow-moving water saw that leave advice eased.

Farm paddocks are now rivers

DISCARDED television sets and an old freezer are wedged against fences at Fernihurst.

Jude Hannah said water flowing along creeks in the district was ferocious on Satur day night as residents reinforced levees and sandbags.

“The paddocks are now slow rivers,” she said as the Kinypanial Creek continues to flood,” she said. “Around the district, we’re all putting up more levees because we don’t what what will come over the next week.”

Sandbagging at Jarklin has been in earnest all week with deliveries being made south to Bears Lagoon and north to Durham Ox. Limited food supplies have been delivered to the hotel at Jarklin. Heide Polkinghorne said: “The roads are a mess up past Bears Lagoon. The locals have put in amazing efforts.” At Durham Ox, the hall is surrounded by wa ter. Boort-Durham Ox road has been closed at Durham Ox since Sunday and yesterday the Loddon Valley Highway also remained closed.

past week as water north washed back into the Waranaga Western Channel but this township itself has not been threatened.

The area around East Loddon P12 College has also been im pacted by rising waters but have not reached levels recorded dur ing the 2011 floods.

At Calivil, where Loddon Shire has a relief centre in the sen ior citizens’ centre, there was a surge late Monday night.

A levee near the chicken farm at nearby Prairie is also keeping water away from some proper ties and homes.

‘Very clear impacts’

LODDON Shire says there are “very clear impacts” from the floods across local communities.

Council spokesman David Stretch said that while parts of the shire were still in the emergency phase, teams have started assessing dam age.

Mr Stretch said assess ments would be used for re covery phase plans.

He said the shire was working with waste con tractors to resume collec tions.

Normal waste collection has been suspended with contractors having limited access to the shire.

“As southern areas open up and are more accessible, they will be moving back in,” Mr Stretch said.

Transfer stations and landfills at Inglewood, Wed derburn and Newbridge have re-opened.

Bullock Creek flooding at Calivil.

A packed hall in Pyramid Hill at Saturday’s community meeting. LH PHOTO

Fernihurst post office

Did you hear about two Poms, a Yank and a Kiwi?

THE trip north could have gone very pear-shaped as four people arrived from overseas for a wedding in Barham.

Debbie and Steve Estlin were on their first visit to Australia from Liver pool, catching up with long-time friend Gaynor and bride daughter Amelia.

Lynn Hill had arrived from Illionois to be with Amelia’s father Kim and her brother, flying through New Zealand where she joined by mother Janet Cock lin in New Zealand.

Lynn and Janet had planned to travel north by train to Kerang, only for rail travel to be suspended on Thursday.

They joined Debbie and Steve in a car trip north, getting as far as Wedderburn when the Calder Highway was closed.

The quartet related how the owner of the town’s motel - already booked out

- found room for them, only to have a knock on the door at 2am when a flood evacuation warning was issued.

They made their way to Bridgewater on Friday, only to again be hemmed in by flood waters and where they spent the night at the town’s relief centre.

“The wedding has already been put off twice by COVID,” they said.

Lynn said: “We have been just lucky that we were not struck in the middle of the road.”

Debbie said: “We tried a few alterna tive routes, ended up back in Wedder burn (on Friday) and then got as far as Bridgewater.”

Lynn sent the Loddon Herald an email Saturday afternoon to say the quartet had made it to Barham with hours to spare before the wedding.

Big road bill expected

A MASSIVE road repair bill is ex perted across the Loddon as re ceding waters reveal damage to the transport network.

Tanya Canfield said sections of the Bridgewater-Serpentine road had high ripples and sections washed away.

Her photographs show large potholes more than 60cm deep.

There are also sections of the Loddon Valley Highway with sections completely lifted and carried to the verge.

Damaged roads are main tained both by the State Govern ment and Loddon Shire Council.

The Government on Monday announced $165 million for what it called an emergency road blitz. It said the blitz was “to re-con nect communities and get peo ple and freight moving quickly across the state.

The package will also cover larger-scale works for the re building of roads, bridges and culverts.

The road blitz is part of a $351 million package for flood-affect ed communities.

“To help Victorians worst-af fected by the flood event, up to $15 million will deliver support with housing, health and well being, financial and legal coun selling alongside practical assis

tance with accessing grants and completing paperwork, and ad vice for business owners whose livelihoods have been affected by the floods,” the Goverment said.

“An investment of $6 million will station community recov ery officers in affected LGAs to help identify the recovery needs of individuals and families –making sure communities are getting appropriate support for their unique requirements, and support government to identify

if any further support is needed. Up to a further $15 million will be dedicated to boosting the ca pability of Emergency Manage ment Victoria, the State Control Centre and Emergency Response Victoria – organisations that play a critical role in coordinat ing emergency responses and helping the recovery from disas ters like floods.

Loddon Shire said recon necting communities cut off by floodwaters and damaged roads was a priority.

Blazeaid brings fencing crews

BLAZEAID volunteers ex pect to start helping Loddon farmers replace damaged fences from Monday.

CEO Melanie Jones said Graeme Allen would co-or dinate the Loddon base at Bridgewater recreation re serve.

Blazeaid was part of re building following the 2011 floods and held talks on Sunday with Loddon Shire and the recreation reserve committee.

“They have both been wonderful,” Melissa said.

Equipment is being brought from Corowa this week and volunteer teams assembled.

Melanie said local people could also volunteer to be part of the rebuilding pro ject.

Farmers and property owners whose fences have been damaged in the flood emergency can register with Salisbury West’s Col leen Condliffe or Blazeaid.

Colleen said Blazeaid had played an important role as sisting farmers after 2011. “The moment they became aware of the impact 11 years later of floods, they quickly offered to help again.”

The Andrews Labor Government has announced a once-in-a-generation reform to Victoria’s kinder and childcare system to save local families money, get more parents back into work and give every Victorian child the best start in life.

From 2023, Victorian families with a three or four year old will pay nothing for kinder, saving up to $2,500 per child every year. We’re also establishing 50 new childcare centres across the state.

For further information on Best Start, Best Life

visit vic.gov.au/kinder for more details.

Damage on the Bridgewater-Serpentine road.

An unexpected adventure for visiting quartet.

LH PHOTO

Local MPs quick to see town damage

LOCAL members of Parliament have pledged to work with Lod don communities in the flood re covery and rebuild.

Ripon MP Louise Staley was part of the massive cleanup at Newbridge Recreation Reserve on Sunday. and held talks with community leaders.

Newbridge is part of the Ripon electorate

Deputy Premier and member for Bendigo Jacinta Allan and member for Bendigo West Ma

ree Edwards, both also repre senting parts of the Loddon in State Parliament, also met with Newbridge organisation officials on their visit to the reserve on Monday.

And federal Mallee MP visited Newbridge, Bridgewater and Bridgewater North on Tuesday with Mayor Dan Straub meeting community groups and busi nesses as part of her tour of af fected towns in the Loddon, Cen tral Goldfields and Buloke shire.

Better comms call in recovery period

RIPON MP Louise Staley wants mobile phone towers brought into Loddon com munities to ensure good connectivity during the recovery and rebuild of com munities.

“It’s never good enough that we don’t have mobile reception here but when you have an emergency, we do need to fix that,” Ms Staley said.

Ms Staley also called on the State Gov ernment to make a prompt request to the Federal Government for a natural disas ter declaration.

She said a declaration would see money became available faster for rebuilding and that Newbridge recreation reserve should be a priority for assistance.

Funding will come in phases: Deputy

COMMUNITIES were at the start of a long recovery and rebuild effort, Deputy Pre mier Jacinta Allan said in Newbridge on Monday.

“At Newbridge we are talking about re covery and rebuilding but for communi ties up further north ... they are still wait ing for the worst of the floodwaters to hit,” Ms Allan said.

“We will have to work (with funding) community by community through each of the challenges.”

Ms Allan said the Government would be announcing phases of support and assis tance for the recovery program, including business support.

“Packages are being looked at and is very much also going to rely on that ad vice on the ground,” she said.

Come and join us during our winter trading times. We will keep you warm with a range of specials and classic pub meals.

MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

NO DINNER

TUESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

PARMA NIGHT

EXTENDED PARMA MENU WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM DINNER FROM 6.00PM

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY - OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

LUNCHTIME SENIORS DAY DINNER FROM 5.30PM MEAT TRAY RAFFLE FULL MENU AVAILABLE

SATURDAY - OPEN 4.00PM DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

A fine pub with 100 years of trading – supplying you with friendly service, cold beer, spirits & wine, great meals, restaurant, accommodation & bottle shop.

Godfrey Street, BOORT

TUNE IN FOR REGULAR LIVE FLOOD EMERGENCY UPDATES EVERY DAY ON THE LODDON HERALD FACEBOOK

Jacinta Allan

Louise Staley

Theresa O’Toole with Anne Webster and Mayor Dan Straub. LH PHOTOSS

Come and join us at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill

We offer classic pub meals, ice cold drinks, clean accommodation and a stocked bottle shop.

Our winter trading hours are as follows

MONDAY • OPEN 3.00PM DINNER FROM 6.00PM SOCIAL DARTS NIGHT

TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM DINNER FROM 6.00PM

WEDNESDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00 POT’N’PARMA NIGHT DINNER FROM 6.00PM

THURSDAY • OPEN 11.00AM DINNER FROM 5.30PM STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00 HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30 DINNER FROM 5.30PM JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00 MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00 DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY ALL DAY PIZZA MENU

Early morning evacuations

THE wall at Skinners Flat Reservoir is be ing monitored daily after fears it would breach last week.

As rain continued to fall into Friday morning, an evacuation alert was issued for Wedderburn soon after 1am.

A relief centre was set up at the town’s hall while crews worked overnight to se cure the wall that Loddon Shire said had been lowered on specialist advice the pre vious day.

Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said on Friday: “With existing high water levels of Skinners Flat we sought specialist advice to prepare for it to spill.

“Advice was to lower the concrete spill way by approximately 1ft. The reason was to lower the freeboard of water (distance from the water to the top of the wall),” he said.

“Water topping the bank is very bad as it can scour the wall quickly creating fail ure as opposed to the spillway which is designed to carry water.

“In addition, yesterday afternoon (Thursday) a small army of staff under took sandbagging the lowest point of the wall to raise it by approximately 200mm and prevent water topping the wall. Ap proximately 20 per cent of the inflow to the reservoir was also diverted.

“This work was relatively successful with the water level being lowered ini tially, however with significant rainfall local falls yesterday this level went up very quickly.

“As a result of this rainfall, large vol umes went through the spillway.

“This large volume has made a very large hole in the side of the spillway where it meets the bank.

“Again, a specialist engineer was on site and identified that this poses a major risk

of failure and in consultation with the In cident Control Centre, other experts and Victoria Police the decision was made to evacuate.

“Our flood model allowed council staff, CFA and Victoria Police to evacuate ap proximately 65 people to Wedderburn Hall.”

Contractors and council staff were on on site overnight at Skinners Flat under taking repairs.

“The first hole has been repaired, how ever as the water reduced and spread, a second hole has been identified,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

“The second hole will be repaired throughout this morning and we hope

that this matter will be resolved around lunchtime allowing these community members to return home. I would like to thank Council staff, CFA members and Victoria Police for their assistance.

“I would also like to thank the commu nity members for their understanding during this difficult period.”

Wedderburn residents feared that wa ter would rush down the already-swelled Nardoo Creek and merge with Korong Creek if the reservoir wall was breached.

They have hailed the efforts of Brendan Reeves and his earthmoving crews in helping stabalise the wall.

Council said on Monday that the wall was safe.

Road closures started early

THE Calder Highway, 3km north of Wed derburn, was one of the first major Lod don roads to be closed when unrelenting rain started falling on Thursday.

By lunchtime,the Nardoo Creek had burst its banks on the northern outskirts of town and a patrolman was directing traffic.

The highway was officially closed soon after, joining a string of local roads around Laanecoorie.

As rain continued into the night, more read line road lines were added to the of ficial VicTraffic website.

However, some roads would not appear on the website until much later.

Providing for tomorrow

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Fire brigades assist with the evacuation.

Blocking the Calder. LH PHOTO

Early flooding at Laanecoorie.

Family keeps up show traditions

PREPARING entries for pavilion sections at the Boort Show is a family tradition for Gaye Sim and daughter Tamara Boyd.

Involvement in the show started when Gaye’s father Ron Whykes would display a latest model from his Holden dealership Jaron Motors and mother Glenyce entered knitting sections.

And for 50 years, Gaye has been a regu lar in the crochet and knitting sections.

“I taught myself to crochet and have been doing it ever since,” said Gaye who has again qualified for state finals.

“My grandmother was a beautiful with her crochet.”

Tamara won several prizes in this month’s photograpy sections at the 134th show.

“We grew up as kids putting entries to gether for the show. The morning of the show was always chaos - making biscuits and vegie masters were favourite for me in those younger years,” she said.

“Being involved is what makes country shows.”

Tamara and husband Greg are also in volved with dog trials that had to be can celled this year because of wet weather in the week leading up to show day.

Children Sienna, Luke, Jake and Alyssa also carry on the long family involvement.

Sienna and Luke enjoy success in the junior sections earlier this month as the family’s fourth generation does its bit to support the Loddon’s only agricultural show.

RESULTS

HANDCRAFT

3-5 years of age: Gaye Sim.

NDAS - Hand Knitted Article or Garment: Gaye Sim. Crochet article – any yarn: Merryn Rees 1, Gaye Sim 2. One article of craft or hobby – men only: Ricky Loader 1, David Rawlins 2. Cushion – any medium. Max size 50cm each side: Hannah Talbot 2. Handmade Greeting Card: Marceline Foot 1, Claire Butler 2. Any Crochet Article: Merryn Rees 1, Marj Potter 2. Novelty or Decorative Crochet Article –

Soft Toy - Handmade - Knitted, Sewn or Crochet: Claire Butler 1.

Any Article Not Scheduled - Open Craft: Jessica Mi nogue 1, Britany Sykes 2.

PHOTOGRAPHY

VAS Photography - Animals in Action – Open: Ta mara Boyd 1, Carleena Hughes 2. Under 18 - Animals in Action - (under 18 on day of Show): Sophie Barraclough 1, Charlie Chambers 2.

NDAS Photography - Building /s – Open: Tamara Boyd 1, Carleena Hughes 2. Under 18 - Insect/s: Alby Bear 1, Sienna Boyd 2.

Photography - Landscape - Under 18: Alby Bear 1, Sienna Boyd 2. Open: Leonie Gudgeon 1, Tamara Boyd 2. Flowers – Open: Vikki Moresi 1, Vikki Moresi 2. Pets

Life - Prep to Year 6: Charlie Chambers 1, Alisha Hen derson 2.

ART

Drawing - Any Medium – Open: Claire Butler 1, Aca cia Vernon 2.

Senior School Children - Any 3D Artwork: Sophie Barraclough 1, Sophie Barraclough 2. Prep To Grade 6Any 2 D Artwork: Annie Butler 1, Tia Lanyon 2. Pre School - Drawing, Colouring, Painting: Anna Sheldon 1, Sienna Adams 2. Junior and Middle School – Lego: Henry Hawkins 1, Keira Henderson 2. Prep to Grade 6 - Drawing or Painting / 2D: Eva Perryman 1, Mia Underwood 2. Senior School Artwork - 3D: Luke Boyd 1, Luke Boyd 2.

FRUIT AND FLOWERS

Lemons: Luke Boyd 1, Luke Boyd 2. One stem of Any Flower: Lynette Clark 1, Kelly Hen derson 2. Container of Mixed Succulents: Tanya Bu chanan 1, Marceline Foot 2. As I Like IT - Decorative Flowers: Alice Marsh 1, Narelle Vernon 2.

COOKING

VAS - Carrot Cake – Open: Charlotte Verley. Junior Boiled Fruit Cake: Bella Quinn 1, Madeleine Lanyon. Junior Carrot & Date Muffins: Lucy Malone 1. NDAS - Anzac Biscuits – Open: Tamara Boyd 1, Jake O’Flaherty 2. Chocolate Mud Cake – Open: Sherryn O’Flaherty 1. Junior Chocolate Cake - Year 7 to 12: Madeline Lanyon 1, Finlay Arnold 2. Anzac Biscuitsyear 7 to 12: Tristen Zanker 1, Luke Boyd 2. Three dec orated Cup Cakes - 12 years under: Tia Lanyon 1, Leah Henderson. Three Decorated Marie Biscuits - Prep to Grade 6: Tyla Hird 1, Alice Marsh 2.

Decorated Teddy Bear - Pre School: Sienna Adams. Three Decorated Teddy Bear Biscuits - Pre School: Daisy O’Flaherty 1, Pippa Nelson 2. Rum balls (6) - Prep to Grade 6: Emily Henderson 1, Tia Lanyon 2. Yo Yos (4) - Prep to Grade 6: Indi O’Flaherty 1, Indi Gooding 2. 4 Yo Yos (years 7 to 12): Amy Malone 1, Lauren Gawne 2. 3 Decorated Cup Cakes (years 7 to 12): Made line Lanyon 1, Sienna Boyd 2. Open: Guessey Ocaya 1,

2.

-2

Choc’s

SHEARING

TRUCKS

Nichol

Mawson’s

YOUNG FASHION

Pot stewing to make first batch

WEDDERURN’S new eucalyptus stewpot will officially make its first brew next month.

President of the town’s tourism com mittee Robyn Vella said the pot would be launched with a ceremony at Hard Hill Reserve.

“The eucalyptus stew pot is a major part

of tourism in Wedderburn and further more the Loddon Shire Tourism region.

“This stew pot is run by volunteers and demonstrations occur for group tours.

“The new stew pot has been funded by profits from the Wedderburn Detector

and

said.

of

Harry Wall and Jennifer Dean.

LH PHOTO

Gaye (top) and Tamara

A MID the hairy moments since the appearance of OTF a week ago, there have remained in the life of our Loddon communities some light-hearted moments. Bradley of Boort put on flippers and snorkel to wade towards his water-logged tree at a slow rate of knots to erect a new sign.

A S the pub was being cleared not at closing time but way before opening in Bridgewater on Saturday, there resting on the external window sill next to the closed sign was half a six-pack of VB. Seems like it was thirsty work at that hour of day for someone.

W HEN the rain started bucketing down on Thursday, OTF encountered in Inglewood two chaps determined to make it to Mildura. They had more then a few grunts when told the Calder Highway was closed and had been further north for a few

day. But OTF gave them a solution - there was a motel 1km further up the road on the right. Highly recommended that was as far as they ventured to get off the roads.

O VER at Newbridge, there was a massive “home game” crowd for Sunday’s clean up at the recreation reserve. The team tasked with clearing and cleaning the play ground had to remove weeds and grass matted and woven into the fence. One wag suggested you would have paid big money (perhaps 10 per cent less if you found it cheaper somewhere else) for the beachtheme fencing left by the turbid waters.

BACK in Bridgewater, you just had to feel a lift on Saturday morning with a black board advising the bakery would be closed, the hanging wire making the shape of a smile. Optimism for a re-opening already showing the spirit of the community would not be beaten. We’re sure there have been other nice, light-hearted moments over the past week. When those roads re-open, OTF will be off in search of them.

1. Before the Beatles were formed, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harri son were originally members of which group?

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

3. When Michael Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls, how many NBA Championships did he win?

4. What country won the very first FIFA World Cup in 1930?

5. In what year was the first ever Wimbledon Championship held?

6. What is often seen as the smallest unit of computer mem ory?

7. Which planet is the hottest in the solar system?

8. What is the common name for dried plums?

9. Which two countries share the longest international border?

10. What is the smallest country in the world?

11. Which bones are babies born without?

12. Which name is rapper Sean

ANSWERS

Combs better known by?

13. Which British girl group had a member by the name of Mel B 14. How many hearts does an octopus have?

15. How many eyes does a bee have?

16 What was the name of the rock band formed by Jimmy Page?

17. Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (1903)?

18. Which mammal has no vo cal cords?

19. What type of music has been shown to help plants grow better and faster?

20. Power outages in the US are mostly caused by what?

New laws hit farm trespassers

NEW laws have been introduced in Victo ria to allow livestock owners to voluntar ily establish extra biosecurity measures on their properties, to protect them from trespassers.

Changes to the Livestock Management Act 2010 and Livestock Management Reg ulations 2021 have introduced offences for non-compliance with prescribed bios ecurity measures, including entering agri cultural premises without consent.

Offenders will face on-the-spot fines of $1,294 for individuals and $8,321 for

SHEEP MARKET

MAJOR flooding across Victoria and southern NSW impacted the market by reducing the number of stock that could reach the Bendigo saleyard on Monday.

However, 9000 lambs and 2000 sheep still got through.

Quality was reasonable, although agents and buyers reported more plainer trade weight young lambs showing inconsistent fat cover and carcass finish.

The price quote was similar to slightly dearer for the best heavy lambs, while some of the plainer domestic weighted pens were just firm to a few dollars cheap er. Not all export or domestic processors operated. Buyers estimated a cost of 750c to 820c/kg across most young lambs.

The heaviest young lambs sold to $262, although there was only limited pens with enough weight and fat cover to sell above $240/head. The general run of young lambs were in a range of $150 to $220. The average for all young lambs sold was $183 per head, according to saleyard data. The smallest lambs sold down to $80. Old season lambs sold to $254 and av

organisations, the toughest fines in Aus tralia.

Further penalties of up to $11,095 for individuals and $55,476 for organisations could apply for more serious offending.

Agriculture Victoria Executive Director of Agriculture Regulatory Policy Angela Brierley says these new laws will help to deter people from trespassing on farms and better enable prosecutions of tres passers. “These new laws seek to deter be haviour that puts that hard work and the safety of their animals at risk.”

eraged $154, the final average reflecting how quality and numbers have dropped away with new season stock now domi nating.

In the sheep run a pen of heavy Merino ewes in full wool sold to $181, with most of the heavy crossbred ewes remaining in a range of $140 to $160/head. The price average for all sheep sold was $128/head, according to saleyard data.

SUCKERS

DJ & ED Lees Rochester (74) $260, RE & SL Pedersen Kamarooka (47) $250, DI & CL Palmer Bamawm (42) $236, LJ & PM Cooper Strathfield saye (32) $226, SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (37) $225, Colvin Family Trust Eppalock (110) $222, HBR Farming Woomboota (98) $222, The Active Corp Sutton Grange (84) $217, Tivey Past Metcalfe (124) $216, RL & KD Mountjoy Neilbor ough (60) $212, R Bailey Leichardt (63) $212, MN Isaac Powlett Plains (48) $210, M Hartland Goor nong (85) $208, N & G White Wedderburn Junc (32) $207, Sandy Ridge Farming Kerang (38) $205, Andshara Family Trust Wychitella (109) $202, G & W Collins Fentons Creek (46) $198.

MERINO EWES

G & W Collins Fentons Creek (41) $147.

Kilobyte.

Venus.

Prunes.

andUSA.

VaticanCity.

Kneecap.12.P.Diddy.13.SpiceGirls.14.Three.15.Five.16.LedZep

pelin.17.MarieCurie.18.Giraffe.19.Classical.20.Squirrels.

DEATH NOTICE

ROSS

James Donald “Jim”

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Bendigo Hospice after a long battle with cancer on October 16, 2022.

Aged 79 years

Beloved husband of Marjorie. Much loved father and father-in-law to Kim, Darren, Mark, Jodie, Shane, Dean and Danni.

Cherished Parps to Nikita, Cassius, Dominic, Evie and Hunter.

“See ya later Pal”

FUNERAL NOTICE

ROSS

A Thanksgiving Service for the life of Mr. James Donald “Jim” Ross will be held at Wedderburn Mechanics Institute Hall, corner of Reef and High Street, Wedderburn on MONDAY (October 24) at 1pm. At the conclusion the service, the cortege will leave for the Wedderburn Monumental Cemetery.

No flowers by request, in lieu donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia would be appreciated. Envelopes available at the service.

25 Brooke Street, Inglewood. 5438 3189

b EREA v EMENT THA N k S

CATTO

The family of the late Geoff Catto formerly of Rheola, late of Maryborough, wish to thank everyone for their support, messages of sympathy, cards, flowers, food and phone calls. Thank you also for attending Geoff’s funeral. Your support is greatly appreciated at this very sad time

MEETING S

CAREERS AT LODDON

Loddon Shire Council is seeking applications for the following positions from highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic and outcome focused individuals who want to make a di erence and help shape our future.

Management/Systems Accountant - ref.J/182

Full-time, permanent position

Based in Wedderburn o ce with exible work locations available

Band 7 salary range between $95,329.52 –$105,912.56 plus employer superannuation

Applications for the position above will close on Monday 24 October 2022 at 5pm.

Project Development Coordinator – ref.J/179

Full-time, xed-term position for two years

Based in Wedderburn o ce with exible work locations available

for Waiting and Kitchen

and quality

at Boort and

phone 0417 111 297

providing

to

becoming

Band 7 - $48.24 per hour plus employer superannuation

Municipal Building Surveyor – ref.J/99

Permanent, full-time position

Salary package negotiable

Community Care Workers – ref.J/102 and J/105

Casual and part-time positions

Band 3 - $28.64 per hour ($35.80 for casuals inclusive of loading)

Early Childhood Educator – ref.no J/123

Casual positions at all kindergartens

ECEC1.1 - $29.75 (inclusive of casual loading)

Early Childhood Teacher – ref.no J/124

Casual positions at all kindergartens

ECTC1.1 - $40.05 (inclusive of casual loading)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 27th October 2022 7:00pm in Inglewood Town Hall Hub Open to the general public

*Nominations are now open for 2022/23 Committee positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

*Only paid up IDTC members can nominate committee positions.

Please forward nominations in writing to Pauline Wellman, no later than 5:00pm on 26th October via email to: idtcsecretary@hotmail.com

Annual General Meeting Tuesday November 8th 2022 At the Mitiamo Clubrooms 7.30PM

We encourage all members to attend & invite you to put forward your ideas for the 2023 football & netball season. For further information contact: President Mick Draper on 0493268653 or drapes5@bigpond.com or Football secretary Tanya Pollock on 0438505473 or tanyap@hardwicks.com.au

Applications for the positions above will be assessed as they are received.

For further information, including a detailed position description and details on how to apply, please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic. gov.au or contact Council’s Organisation Development Unit on (03) 5494 1202.

LODDON

from the menu

McLean shines in day’s final shot

INGLEWOOD division one had a thrilling last bowl, one-shot, win against a very strong Golden Square team in Bendigo midweek bowls last week.

It was a strange game as one of Inglewood’s rinks, the team of Laurie Witham, Ian Chamberlain, Patsy Lyndon and Merilyn Cham berlain, had a huge 20-shot win.

Another rink came up against strong opposition and went down by 19 shots.

The third rink of Mal McLean, Lindsay Kelly, Bev Taig and Geoff Wilson had an enthralling 16 all draw.

The thrilling play of the day was the rink, led by Mal McLean, who were last to finish with the team one shot down overall and the last end to be played.

When Mal stepped up to the mat, Inglewood was two shots down and he proceeded to draw shot with his first bowl and sat his first bowl with the second bowl, last of the game, and it fell in for the second shot to give the club a one-shot win overall.

Sensational bowling, the results of which all happened within 15cm of the Kitty, as were Golden Square’s original shot bowls.

Final Result: Inglewood 55 shots (13pts) to Golden Square 54 shots (3 pts).

Inglewood’s division five also had to work hard for their threeshot win against Strathfieldsaye. The rink of Pam Kelly, Arthur Harrison, Dianne Andrew and Joan Roberts were in front all day in a tight contest and won by three shots.

The other rink of Vicky Tier ney, Daniel Garrett, Phyliss McE wan and Edna Patterson were 11 shots to zero down at the start, before staging a courageous fight back to draw their game.

Great effort by all to gain this win as they start the defence of their premiership from last year.

Final Result: Inglewood 40 shots (13 pts) to Strathfieldsaye 37 shots (1 pt).

This week Inglewood is hoping for fine weather as the club wel comes the strong Moama team in division one Division five tackles the expe rienced Kangaroo Flat team at Inglewood.

The first social function, on Saturday after the game, when a Thai Food extravaganza will be supplied by Noi Rochester.

Northern District rounds abandoned

NORTHERN District weekend and midweek pennant games have been abandoned for the next two rounds.

Pyramid Hill plays in that dis trict’s competition.

Bendigo playing group match es are continuing but where clubs are unable to play, match points will be split.

Clubs include Calivil, Serpen tine, Dingee and Bridgewater, North Central bowls were can celled last weekend and for mid week. No announcement has yet been made for this weekend but play is unlikely.

Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited Diocese of Sandhurst

Patsy Lyndon (above) and David Whitehead were members of the victorious Inglewood team who accounted for Bendigo in this week’s midweek pennant bowls division one match. The division five game against Bridgewater was not played, the two teams sharing points.

LH PHOTOS

St Mary’s Primary Inglewood Specialist Teacher - Performing Arts/Visual Arts

• Inspire our students with the Arts.

• One day per week during the 2023 year (0.2 FTE).

• Be a part of the St Mary’s Inglewood Primary School Community.

Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CES Ltd) is seeking applications for the role of Specialist Teacher to support our Primary School in Inglewood. The Specialist Teacher is a dynamic and interesting role as it works with our students to teach Performance Arts (Music/Dance/Drama), and Visual Arts (Visual Art/Media Arts) along with classroom release.

We invite you to join our close-knit school community in Inglewood. We are located a short 25 minute drive from Bendigo, Victoria.

If you are enthusiastic about Visual and Performing Arts and hold a current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration please apply now!

Closing Date for Applications:

pm

For more details about the role please download the position description from www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au

Please email your cover letter and resume addressing the key selection criteria to: principal@sminglewood.catholic.edu.au

CES Ltd embraces diversity and social inclusion and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply. We are committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children.

Loddon

sport

EUROPE WAITS

SHELBY TRAINS ON HOME

SOIL FIRST

EXCITING Wedderburn

hockey player Shelby Giorlando has teamed with top Australian coach Luke Doerner.

The Olympian now playing with Tassie Tigers has taken on Shelby after performances on the international and national circuits this year.

Shelby had been offered a training slot in Europe after rep resenting Australia against top European and and North Ameri can sides in the 16 and under mini-World Cup in Europe in Au gust.

Father Steve said: “Shelby was really pleased to be offered a spot in Europe where for some countries, hockey is the No 1 sport.”

“But Shelby decided not yet ... perhaps in a few years.”

“We went over to watch Shel by play and the Netherlands were the No 1 one team in the age group with players 6’ 1” tall.”

The Australian girls came sec ond in the international tourna ment and within weeks of re turning, Shelby was lining up for Victoria at the national schools’ event in Hobart.

That was where the link was made with Doerner, said Steve.

“Although another daughter

Chelsea had to sub for Shelby in the final three games when Shel by dislocated her thumb.”

Steve said Shelby was excited to be training with Doerner.

Doerner won a bronze medal for Australia in men’s hockey in 2008.

The Victorian defender was

a late bloomer in his sport, not making his international debut for the Kookaburras until he was 25. Doerner performed strongly at his Olympic debut in Beijing. As well as his energetic defence, Doerner scored twice from pen alty corners in the tournament. This included a goal in Aus

tralia’s 6-2 win over the Nether lands in the bronze medal final.

His other successes with the Kookaburras included a gold medal at the 2006 Common wealth Games and the 2005 Champions Trophy title.

Shelby has also been selected in the Melbourne Futures squad

after trialling with 120 girls for selection.

And continuing the Giorlando family’s participation in high level hockey, daughter Sam has just returned from umpiring the gold medal match in the Austral ian Masters tournament played in Cairns.

Local business courts national award success

LODDON-BASED sports court busi ness B&T Pool and Court Surfac ing has claimed a national industry award.

Tony and Brooke Bellenger, of Murphy’s Creek, have seen their business named winners of the sur facing: commercial sports courts – acrylic division at the Sports and Play Industry Association awards. They started the business surfac ing netball and tennis courts, toilets and swimming pools 12 years ago.

Using Plexipave and Rebound Ace sports surfacing products, the local business last year put a new surface on tennis courts at Woodstock after

the club received a Loddon Shire community grant.

Tony, who previously worked for the shire in sport and recreation, said the award was for work at Ben digo Tennis Centre.

“We’ll be out working seven days a week as soon as the sun is out. We’ve 40 courts to do and also swimming pools before summer.” Tony said he first saw the demand for court resurfacing when working for council.

“We still live on the farm but these days, with Andrew Perryman, we’re out on the road pretty much all the time,” said.

Shelby Giorlando attracting attention on the international hockey stage.

LH PHOTO

Durham Ox Hall

Back soon ... Bridgewater Bakehouse

Jeanette Miller sweeps up at Newbridge. LH PHOTO

Delivering sandbags in Bridgewater. LH PHOTO Removing debris from the Newbride tennis courts. LH PHOTO

Keeping out water in Boort. Constructing the levee bank in Pyramid Hill.

Spilling lakes in Boort. LH PHOTO Volunteers turn out in Newbridge. LH PHOTO