Loddon Herald 21 September 2023

Loddon HERALD

PIES CLAIM PAIR OF NORTH CENTRAL FLAGS SPECIAL SOUVENIR POSTER - INSIDE

BIG MYSTERY

MYSTERY surrounds the identity of people appointed to raise community questions and concerns on the VNI West transmission line project.

Australian Energy Market Operator has struggled to fill 20 spots on its community reference group but called 13 people together for the first time last week.

But Loddon residents are no closer to knowing who will be “raising questions and concerns on behalf of the community” about the project tipped to have a corridor between Charlton and Boort.

Group members, according to project information, will provide local perspectives, feedback and input as the project progresses and local concerns.

“Once we receive permission from those individuals, we will

share details of the membership,” according to a TCV spokesperson.

They said: “The meeting took place in Charlton with 13 representatives from local communities along the proposed route for VNI West.

“It was a constructive meeting and will be an important forum for community members to raise questions and concerns about the project. The main focus of the first meeting was to welcome the group members, discuss how the

group will run and expectations moving forward.”

TCV wants 20 people on the reference group. It says all people applying for the group had been appointed.

Loddon Mayor Dan Straub: said “Our local residents want to have confidence that their questions and concerns will be heard by members of the community reference group. Knowing the members will help link our communities with project management.

“Any delays listing group members may fuel questions about the project processes and the integrity of people who TCV has appointed speak on behalf of our communities faced with VNI West in the backyard,” Cr Straub said.

The VNI West route corridor is expected to be released within days. Five public information sessions will be held by TCV next month, including Boort on October 12.

separate bath, shower and vanity.

laundry in the bathroom entry and external toilet. 1076m2 allotment with front and rear entry, single car garage and enclosed workshop. This fabulous property is ready for its next stage of life. With a full restump just completed now is the time to jump in.

Excellently positioned in the township centre, original picket fence, 3 big bedrooms with exposed timber floorboards throughout, spacious kitchen/dining area with beautiful ornate ceiling, slow combustion stove/oven and wood fire, Formal loungeroom with fireplace and large split system. Bathroom with

Separate

$325,000.00

BRADLEY of Boort is jumping around this week with his updated Treemdendous Tree signcould be a bit to do with success of the Pies in weekend grand finals or just the arrival of great outdoor weather with the mercury sitting constantly in the mid-20s for a few days.

JUST when we thought the olive livery umpires would disappear from this column as they head into summer hibernation, the Magpies of Boort may have put a trump card on the table to replenish netballing ranks next season. Grapevine has it that football umpire veteran The Oracle is being tempted to add the courted round ball game to his sporting CV after learning that the victorious Boort C Graders have established a tradition of celebrating wins with donuts. After being enthralled and engrossed with the cinnamon variety after umpiring footy finals, The Oracle has admitted to being tempted by the inducement on offer to swap whistle for netball.

IT’S also been reported, by numerous well-placed sources, that one umpire has seen his front fence colourfully adorned with multi-spectrum flags. However, perpetrators beware? Your said target

THE warm spring weather had many working up a morning thirst barracking at the North Central grand finals in Boort on Saturday. Many of them took up a position handy to pop-up bars around the trotting track ... waiting for the start of serving at midday. Kind of the reverse of the six o’clock swill that existed in Victoria until 1966. The six o’clock swill was an Australian and New Zealand slang term for the last-minute rush to buy drinks at a hotel bar before it closed. During a significant part of the 20th century, most Australian and New Zealand hotels shut their public bars at 6 pm.

BEFORE World War One, hotels in Victoria had been able to trade from 6am to midnight but fierce campaigning by The Temperance League of Victoria started to change that and during the war hours were progressively reduced

JUMPING back to the trampoline, 16-year-old George Nissen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attended the circus in 1930, and so started an idea in the young gymnast’s mind. It would take a number of years and a few failed prototypes, but Nissen finally found success. His invention, which he labeled a “tumbling device,” was granted a patent on March 6, 1945. He later received a registered trademark for “Trampoline,” which came from el trampolín, the Spanish word for “diving board.”

AND

In 1936, to market a new invention, Nissen

WEDDERBURN paramedic Kimberley van Bergen Henegouw was guest speaker at last week’s Kooyoora Women’s Network dinner at the Bridgewater Hotel. Kimberley (centre) is pictured with Judy Wilson and Kaye Graham demonstrating how to use a defibrillator and the call, push, shock method to more than 30 women who attended the dinner.

Enjoyfunofcircusandtheatre

DO YOU enjoy circus stunts, live music, and theatre? Then here’s your chance to win free tickets to be in the audience at Boort and Charlton when the Sparkle Society performs a rip-roaring and spirited story.

Sparkle Society has included local towns on its six-stop regional tour of Cab Suave that will transport audiences back in time to the golden age of film noir.

Sparkle Society and the Loddon Herald are giving away a double

pass for the Charlton Memorial Hall show on September 29 and another for the Boort Memorial Hall performance on October 1. Simply email loddon@gmail. com by September 24 telling us your favourite circus act.

End of an era for Peter

PETER Harris’ reputation for meticulously maintained farm equipment brought a large crowd to Friday’s clearing sale on the outskirts of Inglewood.

The sheep and cereal crop farmer and livestock carrier watched on as bidders keenly snapped up equipment he had used over more than four decades of farming.

Peter said selling the Inglewood property had been “one of the hardest things I have had to do”.

He had enlisted local company FP Nevins to conduct the clearing sale, continuing a connection that started before he bought the farm 44 years ago.

“My association with the Nevins started by carrying sheep when I was 22,” Peter said.

“Luke and James’ father helped me immensely when I first started on the farm and these boys have continued on.”

Peter said his first tractor was 18hp “that you would use now for digging the garden”.

He originally had a focus growing wheat and barley but that had shifted to canola in recent years.

Agent James Nevins said the sale had “passed our expectations on price structures”.

“The equipment offered was good and reliable gear and it had been well maintained,” he said. “That makes our job easier.”

Mr Nevins said the Harris’ had been renowned for owning meticulous equipment and that was matched by strong buyer inter-

Fashionable show

Teacher’s disco dampener

END-OF-TERM celebrations turned sour for Pyramid Hill College teacher Luke Roberts when his vehicle was stolen while supervising a school disco last Thursday.

The mathematics and physical education teacher had spent four hours running the disco for students when he went to head home soon after 9pm.

“I went out and the vehicle wasn’t there ... I was second guessing for a while thinking I had parked it in another spot,” Luke said.

“I was literally caught by surprise and the theft has shocked me. It’s (vehicle theft) not something I associate with Pyramid Hill.”

Luke’s 2013 beige coloured Isuzu D Max with the registration 1AZ1GF was last seen half hour before the first of two discos started at 5pm.

He said the theft was disappointing. “The frustrating thing is you work hard to pay off a vehicle and it can be taken so quickly.

“When I started teaching 10 years ago, it’s the vehicle I bought.”

Luke said the spirit of the Pyramid Hill community had shone through in the days since he reported the theft to police.

“There has been so much support in the community with people offering use of vehicles,” said Luke. “That’s been a shining light and I’m lucky to have that support.”

Luke said there had been no sightings of the vehicle since it was stolen from outside Pyramid Hill College.

People with any information on the theft can contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

est throughout the clearing sale.

The sale attracted buyers from across the region with strong interest in multiple lots of ploughing points.

Kevin Archbold, of Pyramid Hill, was able to win bids on several farm items that will be repurposed for his latest trailer project.

Inglewood Lions Club catered for the clearing sale that ran over several hours.

“The sale had some good results,” Mr Nevins said.

NEW-LOOK competitions for youngsters will be part of next month’s Boort Show. Traditional sections have been revamped as Boort Show Teenager for those aged 13 to 16 and Boort Show fashions on the field for show for patrons aged 17 to 20. The show teenager will be judged on personality, general knowledge, grooming and deportment, adaptability and dress sense. Tiny tot sections will be presented for boys and girls while the midi and junior events will be for all youngsters in the age groups.

El Nino declared BUREAU of Meteorology on Tuesday declared Australia was officially in an El Niño weather pattern, meaning warmer drier conditions are more likely for south-eastern Australia,

Auction goes private

PANORAMA Poll Merino Stud at Mysia has cancelled its scheduled on-property sale for tomorrow. “Instead we have decided to treat privately with 48 rams are still up for private selection,” said principal Mark Perryman.

Peter Harris (above) reflects on his 44 years as a farmer at Inglewood during Friday’s clearing sale with Luke and Chris Nevins (left) taking potential bidders through hundreds of lots ranging from gates and points to bins and trucks. LH PHOTO

Normal publication

YOUR Loddon Herald will be published as usual next Thursday ahead of Friday’s Grand Final Eve public holiday.

Gala Day - Tuesday 10th October

Boort Memorial Hall 12:00PM to 3:30PM

119 Godfrey St, Boort 3537

COST: FREE (Luncheon provided)

LONNIE LEE IN CONCERT Rockabilly’s Finest

Lonnie Lee is Rockabilly’s nest, o ering a show unlike any other. It’s Lee’s natural knack of transforming relatively staid songs into something spectacular with throats-a-rumblin’ and sharp shoulders twitchin’ to the rhythm that will see your body bop and boogie all afternoon.

It’s a gloriously comprehensive set, nodding to both the obvious staples and plenty of more obscure tracks, and comes packaged in Lee’s latest solo tour: Solid Gold.

Bookings essential: to book a seat please call Loddon Shire Council on 5494 1200.

Limited transport available call 5494 1200 to book a seat

RSVP: Monday 2nd October.

Enjoy good food with good friends

In celebration of the Victorian Seniors Festival, come enjoy a meal at one of the participating venues in Loddon Shire!

To register for a $25.00 meal voucher, call Loddon Shire during business hours on 5494 1200

Participating Venues

Boort: Railway Hotel

Bridgewater: Bridgewater Hotel

Inglewood: Empire State Hotel

Mitiamo: Mitiamo Store

Newbridge: Newbridge Hotel

Pyramid Hill: Victoria Hotel

Tarnagulla: Country Café

Wedderburn: Wedderburn Hotel

* Meal Voucher is valid from 2 October to 22 October 2023.

Welcome to the 2023 Loddon Victorian Seniors Festival

This year’s Loddon Victorian Seniors Festival has many fantastic opportunities for our senior citizens to get out and about with a range of activities.

One of the feature events for this year’s festival will be the free Gala Day on Tuesday, 10 October at the Boort Memorial Hall from 12.00pm to 3.30pm.

Luncheon will be o ered and entertainment by Lonnie Lee, who is sure to get you moving.

Loddon Victorian Seniors Festival celebrates ageing positively and recognising the important contribution older people make to our community. As we know, seniors are an integral part of

Events in your local communities

Sunday 1 October

Club Suave - 3pm Circus play space 4pm Performance

Boort Memorial Hall

A lm noir show that will have you laughing, clapping and yellow for more. Presented by BRIC.

Adults $25, Children $14 PG12+

More details www.sparklesociety.com.au/info

Monday 2 October 9:30am -12:00pm

Seniors painting class and morning tea Cost: FREE Wedderburn Community House, Wilson Street.

Please register on 5494 3489

Location: 24 Wilson Street Wedderburn

Website: https://wedderburnch.org.au/

Contact email: admin@wedderburnch.org.au

Thursday 5 October - 3.30pm

Plant and Produce Swap. Come and share cuttings, gardening tips and produce with your Neighbours!

Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House

5-8/43 Kelly St, Pyramid Hill

Phone: 5455 7129

Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 October - 10am - 4pm

Loddon Valley Arts Trail. The Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House joins the Loddon Valley Arts Trail featuring work from local artists Leanne Talbot and Anne Grogan. Come in for a relaxed cuppa, and participate in creating a mural over the weekend.

Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House

5-8/43 Kelly St, Pyramid Hill. Phone: 5455 7129

Tuesday 17 October 2023 - 10am

Local history talk and morning tea presented by Pyramid Hill and District Historical Society.

Location: Pyramid Hill Senior Citizens Centre

Contact Number: 0409 557 888

Contact Email: pyramidhill.hist.soc@gmail.com

Tuesday 24 October - 2pm

Mr Versatile Paul Hogan - The Born Entertainer

Performing a range of styles from jazz, pop, swing, rock ‘n’ roll and more.

Inglewood Town Hall. Tickets $10

Wednesday 25 October - 12.45pm-3.30pm

in this year’s festival including attending the Gala Day and other activities available across the Shire during this time.

Come and try croquet day – Boort. Gold coin donation

Loddon Shire’s story – this includes their highly valuable contribution to our community via a range of volunteering roles.

Additionally, this year’s festival provides a range of opportunities for reconnection among attendees and local service providers.

On behalf of Council, I encourage all our Loddon Seniors to get involved

For more information about this year’s Loddon Victorian Seniors Festival, please call Loddon Shire Council on 5494 1200 or visit Council’s website: www.loddon.vic.gov.au

The Seniors Festival is delivered in conjunction with the Victorian Government, through the O ce for Senior Victorians in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Cr Dan Straub Mayor, Loddon Shire Council

Come and try croquet with a welcoming and social group, enjoy a game or two with a “cuppa” provided afterwards. A croquet mallet will be supplied and help provided to get started. Tea, co ee and biscuits included.

15 Fire Brigade Track, Boort, VIC 3537

Event contact: Daryl Henderson. Phone: 0427 554 265

Email: daryljean1@bigpond.com

Every Tuesday - 12pm-3pm

East Loddon Historical Society Museum open every Tuesday 20 Haig Street, Mitiamo 3573. Cost $4

Contact Robyn - Phone 0428 368 208 Email: elhs@bigpond.com

For a complete listing of events across the Loddon Shire throughout October refer to the o cial Seniors’ Festival program or visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Events-directory

For more information, visit: www.loddon.vic.gov.au or www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au

Love sings for our towns

FLOOD recovery music tour Whole Loddon Love will raise funds for local communities next month.

The live music event will play in Pyramid Hill, Boort, Newbridge and Bridgewater over two weekends on the anniversary of last October’s flood emergency.

Event producer Fionna Allan said: “Each of the venues and communities have welcomed and embraced the idea, and there are a few little surprises being planned along the way as well”.

Money raised at each event in local hotels will go directly back into the local communities - fire brigades in Newbridge & Bridgewater, the progress association in Pyramid Hill and Boort District School.

“I am very excited to be working on this series of five events across the Loddon Valley, which brings together two of my great passions - music and community, and acknowledging the challenges faced, and still being experienced, by the flooding late last year,” Fionna said.

“It’s very rewarding working on events like this, meeting with people and hearing their stories, and I can’t wait to meet even more Loddon locals over the event weekends. I live regionally as well.

“Tickets are free for locals and kids, and only $15 for visitors. I also encourage everyone who can afford to purchase a ticket to do so, there is a ‘pay what you can’ option as well.

“I encourage folks to jump online and register for their free tickets - so we have an idea of how many people are coming, and we don’t run out of food or drinks!”

Among artists taking the tour stage will be guitarist Dan Kelly, who has played for the past 20 years in acclaimed uncle Paul Kelly’s band.

Dan said: “I like driving through the country from town to town, telling stories,

listening to other folks tell their own sto ries - fire and flood, dust and drought, per haps a tale of a family drama or car crash on a hot night .

“I like to drive nice and easy near dusk to dodge the roos. I don’t have the luxury of a bull bar on my city car. If I’m lucky there’s a swimming spot not far from town. I’ll get there in the morning. Mud on my boots. If I’m extra lucky there’s a bakery with a fa mous pie or snot block. I have a good job. No security in it but there’s not much of that anywhere. “

Dan has also toured as a guitarist with Bic Runga, Augie March, Kasey Chambers, Neil Finn, Lindy Morrison and Amanda Brown (Go Betweens), Spencer P Jones, Martin Frawley and Dan Brodie in his ca reer.

Fionna said Whole Loddon Love had been supported by Shedshaker Brewing donating kegs of beer to the venues. The music tour is funded by the Live Music for Flood Recovery Fund through Creative Victoria and Music Victoria - with additional support coming from Loddon Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire

Artists will have visitors on track

LODDON Valley artists and creatives will be taking over the shire for a weekend next.

More than 40 artists will exhibit at 20 venues for the the inaugural Loddon Valley Arts

There are children’s art activities and a live mural painting happening in Pyramid Hill, workshops and high tea experiences in Wedderburn, Devonshire teas and local picnic boxes in Inglewood and a huge array of fabulous art to discover across this amazing Shire.

Mayor Dan Straub said the event would bring visitors to the Loddon Valley from across Victoria.

“After previous attempts being thwarted due to COVID and flooding, it’s really

VNI West – October Information Sessions

The VNI West project is a major infrastructure project to build a vital new transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales.

Come along to one of our events to hear more about the project, including the draft corridor and ask questions of the project team. Each event will include a town hall presentation and panel Q&A from 5:00pm – 6:30pm followed by a drop-in information session from 6:30pm – 7:30pm

positive to see this event being staged in 2023 and having so many participants and businesses involved.

“Not only does the Loddon Valley Arts Trail support local creatives, businesses and our communities it showcases our Shire and townships to hundreds of visitors. Together with council, I thank and acknowledge the Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House for its leadership and collaboration on this event, ensuring the Loddon Valley Arts Trail brings maximum benefit to our local economy and communities across the shire.

Visit loddonvalleyartstrail.com.au for further details including participating artists, hospitality and event highlights, venue listing and trail map.

Tuesday 10 October Charlton Park Complex, Charlton

Wednesday 11 October Stewart and McDonald Hall, St Arnaud

Thursday 12 October Boort Memorial Hall, Boort

Monday 16 October Stawell Entertainment Centre, Stawell

Tuesday 17 October Kerang Memorial Hall, Kerang

Thursday 19 October Online information session and Q&A (4:00pm-5:30pm)

Please register via the QR code or TCV website

Where can I find more information?

W: www.transmissionvictoria.com.au

P: 1800 824 221

E: enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au

Dan Kelly

Cabins take up residence after 74km highway trip

NEW caravan park cabins have been installed at Wedderburn Caravan Park in one of the biggest transportation challenge faced by a Bendigo construction company.

The three cabins and a new park office wended their way along the Calder Highway for 74km on Friday in two trips from the Long Gully base of Fleetwood

The company’s Daniel Starkie said the cabins were transported as finished units, each requiring three pilot cars.

“These are 5.75 metres wide and the widest single units we have ever transported,” he said.

Cabins were lifted onto footings at the park in an operation that spread over most of the day.

The new cabins feature two bedrooms, kitchenette, separate living area, bathroom and verandah while the park’s new office has a reception area, additional office/storeroom, kitchenette and verandah.

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm  Dinner from 6.00pm  Social Darts Night

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm  Trivia Night  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 Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm

Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle

Saturday – Open Midday Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm

Sunday – Open Midday  All Day Pizza Menu  Close 11.00pm

Eat in our Lounge or Dining Room

WIN $1,000 in our monthly Cash Draw! Love your local pub!

Upgraded cabins were identified in a Loddon Shire revised masterplan in 2017 for improvements for the Boort, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn caravan parks.

Council says further works to Wedderburn in the short term will include an accessible ramp to the office, footpaths, and fencing around the park’s office and residence.

There are also plans for a workshop/ storage shed, which is anticipated to go out for tender later this year.

Mayor Dan Straub said the new cabins and office were a great addition to the caravan park.

“Caravan parks such as Wedderburn continue to play an important role in providing affordable tourism accommodation for families and travellers to our region,” Cr Straub said.

“These new facilities are a fantastic addition to the site, and will further enhance the caravan park’s family and travellerfriendly amenities, as well as its natural charm and characteristics.

“What’s more, these new facilities will complement our region’s visitor economy; particularly those looking to experience its wonderful nature-based tourism – especially as we head into the warmer months.”

Wedderburn Caravan Park lessee Kristy Hourigan, together with her partner Warrick, said they were thrilled with the new additions to the site.

“It is with great excitement that we share the news of our new cabins, a generous contribution from the shire,” Kristy said.

“These cabins mark a significant milestone in our journey to boost tourism in our region.

“We aim to offer travellers and families a warm and inviting space where they can create lasting memories amidst the charm of Wedderburn.

“We look forward to the positive impact

these cabins will have on our local tourism.”

The new cabins and office were constructed off-site in Bendigo by Fleetwood Australia with management and delivery overseen by Bendigo-based project management company RMG. Funding for the

new facilities was through the Federal Government, council and Wedderburn Development Association community planning contributions from 2016-2017 and 2018-2019.

Old cabins at the park were sold by tender by the shire council earlier this year.

INGLEWOOD and District Historical Society is planning a reprint of its Brief History of Inglewood booklet.

President Wendy Murphy has told the society’s annual general meeting that the booklet was one of the group’s popular publications.

Cr Murphy was re-elected president with vice-resident Des Lamprell, secretary Rebecca Luckman and treasurer Marlene Lamprell.

The society has received a $4000 grant from Inglewood Community Bank to digitise copies of the former Inglewood Advertiser newspaper.

Two in place, two to go ... Daniel Starkie and Daniel Penna midway through Friday’s arrival of new cabins at Wedderburn Caravan Park. LH PHOTO

Duck hunters have supporter in Haylett

OPPOSITION to plans to ban duck hunting in Victoria has emerged inside the State Government.

Ripon MP Martha Haylett is among Labor members pushing to retain recreational hunting despite a Legislative Council inquiry recommending its immediate abolition.

“I am and have always been a strong supporter of recreational duck hunting in Victoria,” Ms Haylett said.

“I appreciate that there are differing views on the matter but at the end of the day, I will always support country Victorians’ right to choose to recreationally hunt ducks sustainably into the future.”

According to Ms Haylett, there is still strong support internally in the Victorian Labor caucus for retaining peoples’ right to recreationally hunt ducks in Victoria.

“I have outlined my position directly to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation (Sonya Kilkenny), as well as my colleagues in the Victorian Government,” she said.

“I will continue to advocate for recreational hunting to be sustained in Victoria.”

The inquiry committee, which included Greens and Animal Justice Party, wants Victoria’s annual duck hunting season banned.

The Government has six months to respond to inquiry

Students share in faith learning

ST PATRICK’S Pyramid Hill Primary School students joined with Catholic schools from Kerang and Cohuna for a student spirituality day.

St Mary’s Cohuna hosted the day and it was led by Gen Bryant, a Melbourne-based faith lead, Catholic singer and songwriter.

Gen and her team come together to inspire young people to find hope, belonging and spirituality using music and song.

She recently performed in World Youth Day events in Portugal along with other musicians to Pope Francis and other members of the Catholic Faith World Community.

The special day was an example of her inspirational faith-led celebration as students participated in activities and songbased learning.

Firewood frustration

NO FIREWOOD collection sites in northern Victoria was forcing people to make long trips if they wanted to access wood this spring, said Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh.

“I am always pleased to see the spring firewood season open as it gives locals the opportunity to collect firewood and help utilise free heating – just not locals in my electorate. Again,” he says.

He said there were plenty of firewood collection locations in central Victoria and could not understand how such a severe line could be plastered across the state oleaving everything and everyone to the north with “absolutely nothing”.

“To force people to make these trips or one, or two or more hours to collection centres which might be empty is simply unacceptable,” Mr Walsh said.

recommendations and is facing pressure from some unions to reject the ban bid.

More than 10,000 submissions were received to the inquiry, including Loddon Shire which supports the duck hunting season on economic and mental health grounds.

Research last week showed there were 2220 games hunters in the Ripon electorate that includes Wedderburn, Inglewood and Bridgewater.

Ms Haylett won the seat last November with a margin of 1268 votes.

Victoria’s duck hunting season this year was five weeks, compared with nine weeks before the COVID years.

SIGNS have been placed on safety fencing around the former Inglewood ambulance station warning that plovers are nesting.

One sign outside the building destined by demolition by the State Government says no works are allowed on the site “until plovers have finished nesting”.

The semi-official looking tongue-in-cheek notice, signed by a Leila Brooke claiming to be senior wildlife manager for Loddon Mallee, says that will be around October 7.

Demolition of the 1980s brown brick building had been expected to start a fortnight ago amid fierce community opposition. The Government has said nesting plovers are not delaying demolition.

Local residents want the

building retained for com munity use or as additional administration space for Inglewood and District’s Health Service.

The Government has said building reports since 2016 has identified asbestos in the building.

A freedom of information request for copies of those reports has been lodged by the Loddon Herald.

Ize Pantig at Spirituality Day

50th wedding couple take tour ‘home’

CHRIS and Alex Brooshooft are home after returning to Britain to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends.

The now “true blue” Aussies have been in Australia since 1985 and were equally glad to be back in Bridgewater last week, wrapping up a special golden wedding tour.

“We were married at the registry office in Dover on August 4 50 years ago ... they even gave us a 21-gun salute from the nearby Dover Castle,” said Chris.

“Actually not for us - it was the Queen Mother’s birthday - but we were happy to say it was for us. The day really had it all with a fire engine racing past soon after, bells ringing, and then a thunderstorm.”

Chris’ father had been a school teacher in Kent and taught Alex, daughter of a coal miner, as a student.

Both worked in telecommunications before migrating to Australia to be with daughter Janey Cluton.

The Bridgewater couple were treated to special gatherings during their return visit to Britain and crew on their flight also wheeled out a golden anniversary cake that Alex said had helped make “a very memorable trip”.

“But we’re glad to be homewe love Bridgewater, we should have moved out here from Britain 20 years earlier,” Alex said.

Amelia’s work win popular award

YEAR 8 student Amelia Rose has been awarded the people’s choice prize in the Wedderburn College’s Bald Archy art competitions.

Students had studied portraiture and acrylic painting in term three with their works on display last term and winners announced as school was breaking for the holidays.

Amelia’s work was of the movie character Shrek. Most creative (best use of skill, technique and materials) was Kayla Cramp and most original (most interesting imagery and composition) Lucy Rollinson

Life and discovery wraps up term

TARNAGULLA Primary School students had a busy end of term last week with students taking part in sessions during the Life Education Victoria visit.

The Life Ed van was the base for sessions that included cybersafety.

Bendigo Science and Discovery Centre also ran a session on Friday while foundation-Year Two students had a Little Learners Love Literacy party.

Alex and Chris Brooshooft have returned to home to Bridgewater after a trip back to Britain to mark their golden wedding anniversary. LH PHOTO

Amelia’s popular artwork

The Railway Hotel

ENCOURAGEMENT from a friend to attend Wedderburn’s annual historical engine and machinery rally almost 30 years ago soon had John Little hooked.

He went looking for his first old engine, found it at the Inglewood rubbish tip and quickly had it again turning over the revs.

“I took it home, put in a new fuel line and started it,” said John after returning to Inglewood from this month’s Wedderburn rally.

He took a 1937 Ronaldson Tippett to Wedderburn this year, one of 10 he has collected since 1998 bearing the name of the famous Ballarat manufacturer that turned out thousands of small engines between 1905 and the early 1970s.

A tip find fuels good engines Walsh condemns

“They were pretty good engines ... another 52 companies bought Ronnies and put their name plate on them,” John said.

Last weekend, the small engine enthusiast was in Deniliquin for a rally and earlier in the year went to the national gathering in Mudgee.

And there are still a couple more rallies on his itinerary this year with the big Lake Goldsmith event, near Beaufort, in November bringing his touring to an end for 2023.

John said the small engines were well used on farms, running chaff cutters, water pumps and generating power for houses and even saw benches.

He is still restoring some of the 30 engines in his collection.

LOCAL MP Peter Walsh has condemned a letter received by landowners in parts of the Loddon Shire that has been referred to police.

The fake letter was dated September 12 and carried the name and signature of Dylan Clarke, a member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, saying the assembly was in the next phase of “reacquiring land” in the Loddon and Buloke shires.

Mr Walsh, who is also shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs, said: “The Liberals and Nationals strongly condemn the circulation of a fake letter, purporting to be written by a member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

“In recent days, some land owners in the state’s north-west have received the letter, which contains damaging mistruths on land re-acquisition.

“There will be no further comment, as

the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has referred the matter to police.”

Mr Clarke said: “I assure you that the information in the fake letter that some residents have received is false. The matter has been referred to the police.

“It appears that someone has gone to an extraordinary effort to scare people about all the positive things we can achieve together on the journey to Treaty,” he said.

The fake letters were received by several landholders early last week and follows the Lake Boort Cultural Landscape being recorded as an Aboriginal place on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.

Community activist organisation Billboard Battalion arrived in Boort a fortnight ago for a rally it said had “Aboriginal heritage information”. The Loddon Herald is not suggesting any links between that event and other recent activities.

John Little cranks up a 1937 Ronaldson Tippett engine. LH PHOTO

Bells tolls on bus run

THE bell is ringing change on the school bus run Kevin Sutton has driven for the past 40 years.

Never missing a day in four decades of collecting students and driving them to Boort District School, Kevin and wife Sheryl have sold their bus run to son Jamie and wife Jacinta.

It’s change that Kevin say might allow him a day off during school terms although he intends to stay behind the wheel a little longer travelling the Charlton and Wycheproof roads twice a day in a 22-seater to help Jamie.

“When I started, we had a Bedford 40-seater bus and carried 41 kids,” Kevin said.

“Then we changed over to a Mercedes ... worst decision I ever made. It was a lemon ... but we needed a bigger bus and it had 45 seats. A run of droughts saw cockies selling out and empty houses with no kids and that meant less students to travel on the bus.”

Three years ago Kevin changed over to a Toyota 22-seater that he says is “a very nice little rocket”.

Family surprised Kevin and Sheryl earlier this month with a dinner in Echuca where they presented a plaque recognising his 40 years ferrying Boort district students.

Daughter Kim said: “My dad was born and bred in the Loddon Shire and he rarely leaves it. He has given his heart and soul to the community over the years and even now, he is always first on the scene if someone around town needs a hand or a job needs doing.”

Kevin left school at 16 to go roustabouting on district farms where he would work for many years.

“When I left school at 16, the principal said I was brain dead - they were the words he used,” Kevin said.

He brought the bus run after its previous owner Jock Wright died.

“I had first been offered it two or three years earlier but we hadn’t finalised anything.”

Kevin eventually moved the bus to the former Lands Depart-

Roads are busy: plan ahead call during holidays

LODDON roads have been busy the past week with schools on holidays and local caravans parks reporting an increase in visitors.

And the arrival of temperatures in the mid-20s is encouraging people to spend time in local towns.

The start of school holidays last Friday came with a call from the State Government and Transport Accident Commission for care on roads.

They said 28 people were killed on Victoria’s roads in September last year – the highest number of fatalities recorded for the month in 16 years and the deadliest month for the year.

Earlier this month, there had already been 11 fatalities.

Their message is: “If you’re heading out on the roads this school holidays, don’t be complacent. There are steps everyone can take to keep yourself and others safe.”

ment site in Boort where he also set up a workshop doing repairs for district farmers that today doubles as a base for his machinery restoration projects. Among them, a Massey Ferguson tractor that, unlike an earlier bus, Kevin says is no lemon.

Motorists have been asked to take their time, drive to the conditions and stick to the posted speed limit, wear seatbelts and make sure everyone else in the vehicle is too.

Motorists have also been told not to use mobile phones while driving.

Veteran Boort bus driver Kevin Sutton has sold his school run after 40 years. LH PHOTO

A FAIR SHARE FOR REGIONAL NEWS

Regional Australian communities deserve local news as much as our big cities do.

Local independent newspapers still connect more than 80% of the country, but currently the commonwealth government invests close to 0% of its advertising budget here. The federal government could help secure the future of regional news with zero extra cost by simply allocating a fairer share of government advertising to local and regional news services.

One page per week of important government information in regional newspapers would be a great start. This shouldn’t be controversial. It’s a simple and fair solution for the future of regional news.

Authorised by A Schreyer, Country Press Australia, 163 Epsom Road Flemington 3031

Community joins as one

DOZENS attended a community barbecue in Inglewood last Thursday for RUOK Day?

A Loddon Shire flood recovery initiative, the barbecue also saw displays from Inglewood and Districts Health Service on the town hall lawns.

Flood recovery officer Josie McKinnon (pictured right) brought a smile to Peter Farmer’s face when handing out cupcakes.

ANd Dorothy Stevens, Tony Mathews, Lorna Mathews and Damien Bennetto (below) added their support to wellbeing.

Friends move headquarters

FRIENDS of Kooyoora will move its resource centre to the Loddon Plains Landcare Network headquarters in Inglewood.

Group convenor Robert Scholes said the move had been spurred to generate greater interest in the collection.

The centre had been based at Bridgewater for the past two years but Mr Scholes said there had been little interest accessing resources of the group.

He said the shift to Inglewood would be for a six-month trial and showed an increased level of engagement and support for the group’s activities by network facilitator Will Sanson.

Friends of Kooyoora will hold its annual meeting at Rheola on Sunday.

Seasonal allocations remain unchanged

SEASONAL determinations in the Murray, Goulburn, Loddon and Bullarook systems remain unchanged, Northern Victorian resource manager Mark Bailey said.

The systems each have 100 per cent high realiability water share. No low reliability share has been determined for the Loddon.

“The shortfall to announcing seasonal determinations for lowreliability water shares in the Goulburn and Loddon systems has reduced to about 100 gigalitres,” he said.

FOR SALE Meering West Vic

815.3 Hectares / 2014.6 Acres

Superb cropping country

‘Moresis’ 325 Meering West Road

 663.3ha/1639ac in four titles. Sown to wheat in two paddocks.

 Comfortable 4BR BV residence, Brick double garage, sheds, 2 silos. Asking price $3,200/acre.

‘Livingstons’ Meran Road

 152ha/375.6ac. Sown to canola in one paddock.

Asking Price $3,500/acre

Both Holdings:

 5kms* between blocks. Growing crops not included.

 Pipeline water to tanks and troughs

 Part of Meering West Wind Farm Project. Prospect of attractive returns.

Jason Telford 0447 533313

Peter Robertson 0417 636348

Elders Barham eldersrealestate.com.au/300P129629

TRIAL results are being collated from a crop test site planted at Bridgewater in April. Wheelhouse Agnvet’s Doug Clark, Beth Smith, Andrew Bissett and Chris Allitt have started checking samples of the vetch, oats, lucerne and sub-clover as they analyse growth at the site. LH PHOTO

grain

BOORT Grain Co-op prices as at Monday. Wheat - H1 $3404. H2 $379. APW1 $364. ASW $367.25. AGP1 $358.25. SFW1 $335.25. Barley - PL1 $345. SP1 $345. Bar1 $325. Bar2 $301. Bar3 $285. Bar4 $275.

Non-GM canola ISCC +/- AOF $654.50. +/- AOF $644.75. GM ISCC +/- AOF $629.75. +/- AOF **CANGS $618.75. Faba1 $415. Faba2 $415. New season - APW MG $384.25. ASW $342. Malt spread $20. Bar1 MG $340.25. Bar2 $315. ISCC non-GM canola $685. GM canola $645.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

With a significant jump in numbers, it was encouraging to see the market steady and remain firm on last week.

Monday, September 18th 2023 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 18,000 Sheep - 6,000

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.

Local buyers drive strong clearance

JUST two rams were left in the pens at Tuesday’s Kamarooka Park Poll Merinos stud on-property auction.

The clearance rate of 48 out of 50 was the highest of the Loddon’s annual ram sale season.

Despite the absence of several regular buyers, the sale average of $1234 was only down slightly on last year and saw Loddon farmers among volume buyers.

Equal top price was paid by Fentons Creek’s Steven Finch, bidding $2000 for a 17.9 micron Ridgway Advance-sired ram with a co-efficient variation of 17.9 and comfort factor of 99.6.

It was one of four purchases he made from Kamarooka Park and extends the

influence of Loddon Valley stud genetics after buying six rams at the recent Kedleston Park, Calivil, sale.

Steven aims to boost fleece cut and lambing percentages with the Loddon Valley rams in his 2500 Merino ewe flock.

Also paying top price was Seymour’s David Freeman, a first-time buyer at Kamarooka Park.

David was encouraged to add the Kamarooka genetics to his Merino flock for their frames and ability to handle wet weather.

Regular buyers, the Puntons from Woodstock, purchased six rams.

Stud principal Erroll Hay said he was pleased with the strong clearance at a time when the market was being challenged.

“The average is down but I’m very happy with the clearance,” he said.

“While prices are down in the industry, we cannot ever drop the guard.”

Auctioneer Alex Collins, of McKean McGregor, said there had been some trepidation ahead of the sale with the absence of regular buyers.

“For many buyers today, they have had exceptional value that will hold them in good stead,” he said.

And he predicted that interested would continue to grow in Kamarooka Park rams with the stud’s investment in artificial insemination.

Buyers came from across Victoria and interstate for Tuesday’s auction with the stud retaining 50 per cent semen rights in the rams.

Erroll Hay, Steven Finch and McKean McGregor’s Will Holt with the equal top price ram. LH PHOTO

Woodstock’s Nick Punton

CLEARING SALE - INGLEWOOD

14th October 2023 – 9am Sharp!

MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, SUNDRIES & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

A/C F &J CARBONE

Onsite: 32 Scholes Road, Inglewood VIC 3517 (property sold)

TRACTORS: “John Brown” tractor with Grader attachment, McCorm Deeline tractor with Grader attached, small disc plough, assorted antique farm implements, carry all, “Husqvarna” ride on mower, mower trailer &rake, 6’ x 4’ tipping trailer, “Catamaran” trailer, Elec grain mixer, platform scales, f/stand Baker 12sp drill press, “Cigweld” 170 inv port welder, G65 8 hp Honda motor, 8 hp “B&S” generator, large air compressor, “Tomahawk” rotary Hoe, Stihl Chainsaw, assorted car parts.

SUNDRY ITEMS: Assorted collectable tools, Drills, Grinders, Wire Spinner, Wire, complete pipe threader, assort A & B belts, Strainers, pipes, poly pipe, Besa bricks, shed trusses, Jerry fuel cans, guttering, corrugated iron, water tank, toolboxes, HD car ramps, Gold detector

Household: “Bosh” FL wash Mach, Fridges, Microwaves, Freezer, “Everhot” wood stoves / hotplates, grape/olive squeezer, quantity shelving/ lockers, small steam cleaner, fire screen, 22’ TV, dress maters model, HGPP Sew Machine, assorted crockery, ornaments, cookware, glassware, linen, table & 4 chairs & Host sundries too numerous to particularise

TERMS: Numbers system operating- I.D required. Cash, Cheque payment accepted & EFTPOS available.

REMARKS: Genuine sale as the property is sold.

DIRECTIONS: From Inglewood, turn into Tarnagulla Road from Calder Hwy, Left into Weeah Street and follow the road over the Railway line. Property is on the right in Scholes Lane. Signs will be a guide

FULL DETAILS & PHOTOS www.fpnevins.com.au

Agent: James Nevins 0407 302 900 Vendor: Frank Carbone 0417 577 741

SHEEP

NUMBERS lifted at Bendigo on Monday as the spring sell-off starts to build, with 19,000 lambs and 6000 sheep.

New season lambs made up half the lamb run and quality was very good. Prices did ease although the market generally held up better than most people had anticipated.

New season lambs eased $3 to $10, with fresh trades in the 20-23kg range holding their value the best. Best old season lambs eased $3 to $7/head.

Young lambs over 28kg cwt from $132 to a market top of $150/head. After this the sale consistently trended between $105 to $130 over all the main trade and heavy categories.

The price spread for young lambs was 450c to a peak of around 530c for ideal supermarket types, which meant most processing categories were holding averages of 470c to 495c/kg cwt.

Restocking activity is starting to improve with orders from Swan Hill, Ballarat and the local north-east active at $40 to $69 over the bigger lines of young crossbred store lambs. Small Merino lambs $26 to $50/head.

There was some very neat old season lambs presented in among rougher cleanup lots. Heaviest old lambs to $155 with most lambs with weight from $125 to $140/ head. There was some variance in trade weight lamb results depending on quality at $60 to $120/head. The better presented old lambs were estimated as costing from 400c to 460c/kg for most. Some meat buyers did not follow onto the mutton run amid reports they are booked-out.

Sheep prices were cheaper as rates were re-aligned to the lower rates evident at northern markets late last week.

The majority of the yarding sold from

Clearing Sale – Birchip/Curyo District

Farm Plant & Machinery

A/c K.W Rickard “Kenley” (Property Sold)

On property auction Friday 6th October 2023, Commencing at 10:30am

Comprising: International S Line semi bogie drive & 26ft steel bogie trailer, exc cond, registered; John Deere 8820 header, 30ft front; Horwood Bagshaw 26 row combine; 60ft Hardi boomspray; Allfarm 33ft bar; Ryan 24ft scarivator; Phoenix 40ft Harrows; Inter 1974 Acco prime mover (unreg); 40ft x 7in auger c/w 14HP Kohler Magnum elec start motor; Vennings grouper c/w 9HP B&S motor; Connor Shea 24ft seeder; Seeder & Co seed cleaner; super elevator; mobile fuel tank on turntable trailer; 4500 ltr portable water tank; 7ft 3PL mower; hay elevator; hay spreader c/w self loading forklift; bale loader; 300 bag Macey field bin (no wheels).

Livestock: Stevlyon Lyco elec woolpress; Thornton round wooltable; 2 x Paton 1T self feeders; small feed- out trailer c/w auger; 15ft x 2 deck stockcrate; 15ft single deck stockcrate; 2 x Ajax woolpress; 14ft x 7ft 6in trailer (ex truck); cattle mesh feeder; 12 x 8ft steel cattle yard panels; 4 x rolls plain wire.

Antique: Thames Fordson truck circa 1950s; timber wagon (structurally sound).

Miscellaneous: 1986 S Suzuki 2 Door Wagon 5 Speed (263000km), reg; Caribbean 80 HP speedboat (1960’s) exc cond, c/w trailer, reg; aluminium tinnie c/w 3 HP Evinrude motor and Trailer; Seagull 1.5 HP outboard motor; 4 x 152cm timber picket fence panels; mixed lengths timber; 1974 Honda Civic (not going); 1 x 110 Honda & 1 x 90 Honda motor bikes (parts only); asst lengths steel tubing, piping and 7in panels; asst scrap iron, corrugated iron, chains, tyres, collectable soft drink and milk bottles.

Directions: 2596 Wilkur-Watchupga Rd, Kinnabulla. 25km from Birchip on Sunraysia Hwy turn west onto Curyo West Rd for approx. 9.7km; or, from Birchip-Rainbow Road turn north onto Wilkur-Watchupga Road for approx. 10km; or, 1.6km west of Watchupga on Sunraysia Hwy turn south onto Wilkur-Watchupga Road for approx. 14km. Signs will be erected.

Conditions of sale: strictly cash/cheque/EFTPOS on day of sale; buyer registration system will operate, ID required; GST will apply.

Light luncheon available at sale.

Sale details & photos may be viewed at www.eldersrural.com.au

Vendor: Ken Rickard A.H: 5492 2242

Glenys Rickard: 0408 346 042

Agent: Shane McLoughlan: 0418 844 533

Elders Wycheproof 03 5493 6400

$20 to $40/head regardless of weight. There was a big line of 500 plus crossbred ewes which did attract restocking support but eventually sold to a meatwork at $54/ head.

On a carcass basis most sheep were estimated between 60c to 150c/kg cwt.

SUCKERS

AL & GL Lloyd Stuart Mill (24) $150. Elliott Farms Diggora (200) $146. ALB & R McIntosh Wanalta (164) $146. M & M Filmer Deniliquin (48) $146. A,B & C Mann Pyramid Hill (50) $145. P & B Meighan Mitiamo (59) $140. RE & SL Pedersen Kamarooka (66) $138. SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (30) $133. G & M Mottram Simson (24) $133. AB & KB Broom Neereman (60) $129. WJ Whatley Goornong (48) $127. C Graham Family Arnold (105) $126. GK & TA Turnbull Bridgewater (184) $125. R & N Comer P/L Drummartin (192) $124. Mrs R Bailey Leichardt (32) $123. G & W Collins Fentons Creek (131) $122. Freemantle & Bell Woodstock (49) $120. MJ Williams Drummartin (30) $118. ST & JA Cain Moama (60) $114.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

K & E Sait Narrewillock (43) $155. T & S Lockhart Berrimal (30) $154. K & E Sait Narrewillock (58) $149.

MERINO WETHERS

T & L Fitzpatrick Charlton (127) $42. Freemantle & Bell Woodstock (42) $38.

CROSSBRED EWES

O’Shannessy Bros Donald (26) $42. SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (36) $40. Brassey Downs Pyramid Hill (14) $30. Ballinode Rochester (3) $30. JJ Boyd Family Trust Boort (10) $28. D Kronk Shelbourne (7) $28. B & M Barlow Wanalta (53) $27.

MERINO EWES

LR McClelland P/L Bealiba (175) $49. Freemantle & Bell Woodstock (95) $43. Edward Park Past Moulamein (128) $35. Colvin Family Trust Eppalock (36) $34. Edward Park Past Moulamein (127) $34. O’Shannessy Bros Donald (91) $30. W & D Maxted Durham Ox (25) $28. L Gleeson & Sons Moormbool West (118) $27.

Order of sales next week: Nuttall, Nutrien, Nevins, Elders, McKean McGregor.

Hay Press Operators Bridgewater on Loddon Contract/Temp

$30-$35 p.h.

ABOUT THE ROLE AWX are currently seeking motivated individuals to join our client’s Hay Processing Team in Bridgewater, VIC, as Hay Press Operators. Our client is a hay export company with four sites across Western Australia, SA and Victoria. They process and export quality fodder to Japan, Taiwan, Korea and the Middle East. Our client prides itself on supplying high quality products to its customers around the world and maintaining relationships with growers locally in Australia. The company aims to process and export 160,000t annually to overseas markets.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TABLE To be considered for this role you will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

 Forklift License and High-Risk License. If not held, the successful applicant will receive the required training and tickets.

 Mechanically minded and the ability to problem solve.

 Previous experience operating a hay press, or a PLC controlled xed plant

 Self-Motivated and willingness to learn

 Physically t – need to pass paid medical.

 Able to work in a fast-paced environment.

 Able to work 12 hours shifts – rotating 2 weeks day and 2 weeks night

 Able to work weekends as required

 Pro-active work ethic.

 Good time management skills.

 Telehandler experience and CN High Risk License (Preferred but not essential)

 Drivers Licence.

ABOUT US We are a large Australian recruitment company who are proud of our company culture and truly believe our people are our biggest assets. AWX are well regarded across many industries and constantly have new and exciting roles available for the right people to grow within our business. Whether you are looking for short-term roles or to work on long term projects then joining the AWX Team is the right move for you.

Send through your resume and cover letter to melbourne@awx.com.au

For any other information please contact Kim Holloway on 0428055785

Historic shear collection rallies interest at shed

A SIGNIFICANT collection of historic hand shears and pieces has gone on display at Wedderburn’s Engine Park.

Members of the historical engine and machinery society displayed the collection dating back more than a century at its annual rally this month.

Barry Finch said the collection had been amassed by Charlton’s Charlie Sultana, a society member who died several years ago.

He said there were more than 40 handpieces, branding irons, drench guns and many more shearing blades.

“Charlie used to take his collection around to rallies and shows, displaying them from his trailer,” said Barry.

“We are glad to be able to now have his collection and put it on show.

“Charlie wasn’t a shearer just a great collector of pieces from our agricultural heritage.”

One of the oldest pieces is an 1888 Wolseley piece.

Frederick York Wolseley (1837–1899) was an Irish-born New South Wales inventor and woolgrower who invented and developed the first commercially successful sheep shearing machinery

Wolseley’s invention has been

By CHRIS EARL

credited with revolutionising the Australian wool industry.

There are also Burgon and Ball handpieces made in Britain by a firm still in business almost 300 years after setting up in Sheffield.

James Ball patented a manufacturing process for the production of solid steel sheep shears in 1865.

The company says his design used the best cast steel rather than the more usual iron blades of the time. At its peak, annual production of these shears would top 300,000 pairs.

By 1897, Burgon and Ball was a substantial international company exporting to regions including South America, North America, Australia, the West Indies and New Zealand.

A decade ago Burgon and Ball stainless tools were officially endorsed by Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society.

Shearing collector Peter Lott was among those to admire the Wedderburn display at the rally.

A member of the Port Philip Historic Machinery Society, Peter regularly attends events in Wedderburn and was among the

first to admire Charlie Sultana’s collection.

He said there was “fierce but supportive” competition among collectors looking for rare pieces from Australia’s shearing past.

“Burgon and Bolt is still making hand shears today with the same machinery used 150 years ago,” he said.

Peter said his small collection paled when put against the Sultana display in the Wedderburn society’s reconstructed shearing shed.

“Australia was built on the sheep industry and shearing and Charlie’s collection really does help tell the story of an industry,” said Barry.

Barry and Tom Chalmers said the display had added to interest in the rally’s shearing demonstrations and awareness of the district’s former wool expo, honour boards for the event not held this century adorning the wall.

“Charlie’s collection is one of the best displays I have ever seen,” said Barry.

Burgon and Hall estimates it has manufactured 25 million sets of shears in Sheffield in its 280-plus year history.

Some of those are now part of the Wedderburn collection of Charlie Sultana.

Barry Finch and Tom Chalmers try out the old shears. LH PHOTO

Society member Barry Woodward with part of the collection. LH PHOTO

Socially, Feds get it wrong on advertising spend

EDITORIAL

ALMOST 40 per cent of Australians are cutting back on their social media habits in a bid to improve their mental health.

That’s almost one in two people switching off or toning down their use of online platforms, according to research released last week for RU OK? Day.

The social media phenomenon has equally had its wings clipped around the world with research and analysis showing massive declines in the number of active facebook users. People may still have their facebook accounts but few are as frequent in using the platform.

These trends really highlight how far out of step the Federal Government is with communicating its messages across Australia.

Since its election in May 2023, the Federal Government has all but ignored rural and regional newspapers when it comes to an advertising spend. The big cities and social media platforms, in decline based on the new research, is where the Government puts its (our) advertising dollars.

Country Press Australia, of which the Loddon Herald is a member, has been in discussions for more than year to have a fair and equitable share of the Federal Government’s advertising spend placed with newspapers like your local Loddon Herald.

In the last fortnight, many of us have written to every member of the House of Representatives and the Senate - all 227 of them - pushing the case for the Government to rejig, not increase, its advertising spend allocations by including country newspapers serving and informing local communities where Deakin University research has shown 75 per cent of people want their news in their local newspaper. Every MP and senator received a copy of the Loddon Herald. Ironically our edition with the banner headline “Ramping Up”, for that’s what

country newspapers across the nation are doing, strengthening the call for change - a change that can be made without cost - by the Government.

CPA has long championed policies to help futureproof regional news services that would also be very popularly received by rural and regional Australians.

The ‘one page per week per paper’ advertising policy implemented by the Victorian Government in 2020 has proven to be extraordinarily successful. If the Commonwealth Government adopted a similar policy it would make an instant and very significant difference to the future of regional news services.

This policy could deliver significant community benefit without any increase in overall cost as funding could be directed from existing advertising programs and budgets in line with previous recommendations.

Research and the principal of keeping country people and communities connected should make the Federal Government’s decision a no-brainer.

1. Where can you find the oldest ancient wonder of the world?

2. What is the largest country in the world based on the land area?

3. What city is the capital of China?

4. What is the oldest inhabited city in the world?

5. What are the two US states who don’t observe the daylight saving time?

6. Which actor starred in a total of seven James Bond movies?

7. Which American comedy series has won a record 37 Emmy Awards?

8. How many The Simpsons episodes are there?

9. Which member of The Beatles had dyslexia?

10. What was the name of the debut album released by Spice Girls in 1996?

11. What is the title of Titanic’s theme song?

12. What is the name of Elvis Presley’s Memphis home?

13. What actor-comedian found fame on the TV show Mork and Mindy?

14. The Da Vinci Code” opens with a murder in which famous museum?

15. Which mystery writer holds the Guinness World Record for the most translated works?

16. What US president was a licensed bartender?

17. Which Disney princess has a Scottish accent?

18. What color is a giraffe’s tongue?

19. How many reindeer does Santa have?

20. What is a single strand of spaghetti called?

ANSWERS

Works have begun on upgrading the greens at the Calivil Bowls Club. Funded through the State Government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, Calivil Bowls Club and Loddon Shire Council the facility is being transformed from grass greens to synthetic greens.

The move to a synthetic surface will deliver a high-quality and accessible bowls facility for the Calivil community.

T: 5494 1200

F: 5494 3003

E: loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au

Monday to Friday 8.15am to 4.45pm

WHAT’S ON

Loddon Valley Arts Trail 2023

Saturday, 7 October to Sunday, 8 October 2023 | 10.00 AM – 4.00 PM

The Loddon Valley Arts Trail is open to all Loddon residents and will be a fantastic way to showcase the creative talents of our region, while also creating opportunities for artists to promote their work and connect with art lovers and adventurers from all around.

Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour - Boort

Friday, 13 October to Saturday, 14 October 2023 Boort Park, 35 Malone Street, Boort 3537

The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour is one of the most important initiatives of the Victoria Racing Club and since its inception in 2003, the threehandled Cup has travelled far and wide across Australia and the world, travelling over 900,000 kilometres, visiting more than 590 destinations, engaging with tens of thousands of people and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local fundraising initiatives.

1. The Great Pyramid of Giza is located in Egypt.

2. Russia. 3. Beijing. 4. Damascus. 5. Hawaii and Arizona. 6. Roger Moore. 7. Frasier. 8. 639. 9. John Lennon. 10. Spice. 11. My Heart Will Go On. 12. Graceland. 13. Robin Williams. 14. The Louvre.

Agatha Christie. 16. Abraham Lincoln.

Purple.

Eight.

Spaghetto.

Wendy Murphy Inglewood

Cr Linda Jungwirth Tarnagulla Ward

Country newspapers ramp up Canberra campaign

BRADEN BATTLES CANADIAN WILDFIRES

FIRE AND ICE

By CHRIS EARL

BRADEN Pearce has experienced the brunt of brutal bushfires in his almost 20 years with Forest Fire Management Victoria.

Fires ripping through fuel-powered eucalyptus trees that dot the countryside, prone to explode in the searing Australian summer.

The flaming menace visible to the eyes of firefighters equipped to quell its spread.

But fighting water with water? That was an experience new to the veteran firefighter who has just returned from a five-week deployment in the last of four Victorian contingents battling wildfires in Canada over the past four months.

““You can be walking in gum boots in water but it burns,” said Braden back home in Inglewood.

“The fire burns on the ground ... sometimes you can’t see any flames, just an ash pit. Then if it hits trees, there’s flames within minutes.

“Black spruce is that species that suddenly burns.”

The North American species of spruce tree in the pine family is widespread across Canada and dotted the rugged landscape beyond the old gold mining town of Keg River, more than 500km north of Alberta, that served as base camp for Braden’s Australian crew where accommodation was initially in tents

“There were Australians from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and then contingents from South Africa and Costa Rica - we were all working with Canada’s first nations people in tackling the fires,” he said.

“The South Africans would sing before a briefing, before breakfast, everywhere they would sing. They’re a happy people.”

Braden, who is FFMV’s senior forest and roading officer now based in Bendigo, said crews were choppered into remote areas north of Keg River to fight fires in “dead flat” remote country normally producing oil and gas “with no roads and no tracks”.

“We’ve be choppered in every day for shifts of up to 12 hours ... it would take half an hour to fly us to the fire ground,” he said. “There are dams all over the place and we’d be running hoses for up to 1km.”

Crews - each taskforce with 20 firefighters - worked 14 days on, two days for rest and then another 14 days, during Braden’s time in remote Canada.

He said machinery did not arrive until the third week he was there.

“And the machines would be working in groups of three or four. They could have sunk in the ice and water ... the country is unique and looks green but their snow is dry snow and the countryside is really dry,” he said.

FFMV sent 148 firefighters, Incident management and support personnel to Canada between May and August.

For Braden, it was quick action to get his first passport, only receiving it two days before spending fours days in air-

port lounges and on planes making his way to Canada.

Wildfires in Canada have burned more than 17.3 million hectares this season, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.

The agency says that is more than double the previous record of 7.1 million hectares in 1995 and likely to keep rising because wildfire season in Canada typically continues into October.

Fires have stretched beyond the deceptive land where Braden was deployed. Only a fortnight ago, the western province of British Columbia had 376 active fires, the Northwest Territories 237, 143 in Yukon and 66 in Ontario. There were still 88 fire burning across Alberta.

Now back on duty in Victoria, Braden is preparing for the summer fire season with FFMV ready to have its first intake of seasonal firefighters next week. Some will be based at the Inglewood depot, others attached to depots across the region ready to assist volunteer CFA brigades respond to fires in the danger period.

Braden spent 14 years based at Inglewood before promotion took him to Bendigo, having started his professional firefighting career in Cohuna.

The Canadian deployment was his first overseas posting.

Braden Pearce back home in Inglewood. LH PHOTO

Braden Pearce (second left) with other Australia firefighters in Canada and a map showing the spread of fires in that country last month.

GMW Reference No: BPTWE0014-23

Sawers Farms Pty Ltd of Loddon River Road APPIN SOUTH VIC 3579

Refer to VicRoads Map: 29 E2 (ed. 8)

Intend to make two (2) applications to Permanently Transfer Entitlement to our existing Licence to Take & Use Surface water and increase the licensed volume from 120.0ML/Year to 140.0ML/Year

The volume sought in the two applications is 10.0ML/Year x 2

The water will be used for the purpose of: Irrigation

To be used on lands described as

INGLEWOOD & DISTRICT AMBULANCE AUXILIARY

Inglewood and District Ambulance

Auxiliary AGM will be held on Tuesday 3rd October at 7.00pm sharp, CFA station Inglewood for the Election of Office Bearers, (President, Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer).

Interested parties are invited to attend.

Nominations for Office Bearers can be emailed to the Secretary inglewoodoppshop@gmail.com before 12 noon on 26/09/23.

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.

Visitor Information Centre

Administration O cer - ref.J/228

 Part-time, permanent position

 Based at the Loddon Visitor Information Centre

 Band 3 (Special Engagement) salary - $75,675.08 per annum pro rata plus employer superannuation

Applications for the position above will close on Monday 2 October 2023 at 5pm.

Administration Traineeships1x Corporate Services and 1x Works Department  Full-time, xed term opportunity (one year)

 Based at our Wedderburn O ce and Wedderburn Depot

 Gain a certi cate III quali cation

Applications for the positions above will close on Monday 25 September 2023 at 5pm

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 1200.

LINEWORKER APPRENTICESHIP

BASED OUT OF OUR CHARLTON DEPOT

Central Power P/L is a family-owned business (approx. 40 employees) managing the powerlines in regional Victoria for the last 24 years. Our main office is based in Maryborough but we have depots in Ararat and Charlton.

Any person able to demonstrate that their interests will be affected by the issuing of this Licence including any intended groundwater use, is invited to make a written submission (via post, email or fax) setting out the nature of the impact within 14 days of receipt of this written notification. Late submissions will not be considered. To make a submission please read the information available for download from https://www.g-mwater.com.au/ customer-services/forms refer to the Groundwater section (or contact GMW to arrange for a copy to be posted you). Submissions must be lodged in writing using the template available by either mail or email to Customer Support Co-ordinator, Licensing Administration, PO Box 165, TATURA VIC 3516 or email licensingadmin@gmwater.com.au

We are looking to put on an apprentice for 2024 to become a Distribution Lineworker.

Suitable candidates must;

z Be in good physical health

z Be disciplined and self-motivated

z Enjoy physical hands-on and outdoor work

z Have driving licence (minimum car)

z Not be afraid of heights!

Apply via Cover Letter and CV via email mro@centralpowervic.com.au

NORTH CENTRAL HOCKEY GRAND FINAL RESULTS

Under 12 - St Arnaud d Charlton 2-0. Goals - St Arnaud: Duncan Kirk 2. Best - St Arnaud: Duncan Kirk, Samuel Greenaway, Finn Wilson. Charlton: Rhys Gahan, Cooper McGrath, Darcy Olive.

Under 15 - Birchip Watchem d St Arnaud 1-0. Goals - Birchip

Watchem: Charles Barber. Best - Birchip: Beau Haslam, Charles Barber, Noah Dean. St Arnaud: Jack Batters, Hamish Tannock, Addison Wright. Best on ground: Beau Haslam, Jack Batters.

Women - Charlton d Birchip

Watchem 9-2. Goals - Charlton: Elise Fitzpatrick 5, Jessica White

2, Poppy Fitzpatrick, Xanthe

Fitzpatrick. Birchip Watchem: Zali Angel, Bridie Casey. Best - Charlton: Elise Fitzpatrick, Xanthe Fitzpatrick, Jessica

White. Birchip Watchem: Bridie Casey, Beau Haslam, Taina Brooks. Best on Ground: Elise Fitzpatrick.

Men - St Arnaud d Wycheproof

Narraport 4-2. Goals - St Arnaud: Harry Knights 2, Sam Male, Andrew Niblett. Wycheproof Narraport: Corey Harrison, Marcus Williamson. Best - St Arnaud: Ben Greenaway, Evan Douglas, Sam Male. Wycheproof Narraport: Corey Harrison, Marcus Williamson, Xavier McKersie.

Best on ground: Sam Male.

Boort’s Jack Potter found the ball first during one passage of play in the under 17 grand final. LH PHOTO

Vale bowlers call time

KORONG Vale Bowling Club has officially disbanded with members beginning to distribute donations to local organisations.

Long-time member John Gibson said donations of $2000 had already been made to Boort, Wedderburn and Charlton clubs where Korong Vale members had joined after going into pennant recess last year.

He said donations would also be made to health services in Inglewood, Boort and Charlton but the club’s memorabilia would remain in the Loddon Shire-owned clu-

Rogainers on point for bush

HUNDREDS of rogainers have taken to bushland around Kingower for their state championships.

Runners and walkers, who plot their course to collect point markers, competed in events over six or 24 hours.

They camped at Kingower cricket ground for the first Victorian Rogaining Association championships since COVID.

Course designer Rob Taylor said rogainers last compet-

success

ed around Kingower in 2014.

“There is a variety of terrain ... it’s a great course,” he said.

“There’s the rugged terrain with dense bush and granite rocks in Kooyoora State Park or relatively flat terrain where navigation is more subtle and the Rheola bushland with panoramic views of Bald Hills.”

Taylor said competitors were given their maps three hours before competition started with teams of two or three in age

groups from open to ultra veterans.

“All up there are 75 checkpoints. No one will cover every point but the aim is to get the most points and return to base in time.”

Merv Trease and Vic Sedunary covered more than 80km and visited 50 checkpoints over 24 hours to win the ultra veteran category with 2920 points.

Overall winner was Alaster Meehan with 3620 points.

brooms that are also used by the town’s tennis club.

Demise of the bowling club leaves tennis the only sporting group still operating in the town with the golf club remaining in recess.

Korong Vale had played in the North Central pennant bowls competition.

That competition is due to start its new season on October 14 although the opening clash between Boort and Wedderburn will be rescheduled to avoid the Boort Show on that day.

The midweek pennant will start on October 10.

Women shortage hits club

CALIVIL will stand out of Loddon Valley Tennis Association this season, unable to fill the complement of women players for the side.

The loss of Calivil will reduce the competition to seven teams - Calivil North, Serpentine, Dingee, Lake Meran, Raywood, Mincha and Yarrawalla.

Calivil’s Richard Hicks said: “We pretty much only had one lady available this season.

“We struggled last year and knew it would have taken a miracle to be able to field a team,” he said.

Hicks said injuries had also

taken a toll on players available for weekly competition.

Calivil was forced to cancel several matches during the 2022-2023 season when unable to cover player shortages.

Association officials are currently preparing the new season’s draw with an expected start mid-next month.

Competition is also expected to start in October for the eight-team hardcourt Marong and five-team lawn court Inglewood associations.

Preparation of the lawn courts at Boort has also started ahead of its new season.

BLUE RIBBON DAY

29

175 of our members have died in the line of duty. On Blue Ribbon Day, I’m so grateful for the Victorian community’s support in remembering our fallen of cers. Your donation will help build emergency medical centres named their in honour – facilities that serve each and every Victorian. September 29th is Blue Ribbon Day. Remember.

Shane Patton, Chief Commissioner Victoria Police

“Thank you for supporting your Victoria Police.”

KIngower course designer Rob Taylor with ultra veteran class winners Merv Trease and Vic Sedunary. LH PHOTO

Sweet swooping Pies

A CALM and collected Boort has won the North Central netball C Grade premiership.

The Pies completed an almost blemish-free season by defeating Nullawil by 13 goals on Saturday.

The Brooke Arnold-coached Boort had dropped just one game on its way to premiership glory.

That was against Nullawil in the second semi-final when the Maroons had Boort flat-footed for the first three quarters before storming home and falling one goal short of direct entry into the grand final.

And the Maroons were first to score on Saturday before the Pies asserted their confidence and dominance.

Arnold shot two consecutive goals and one from Mikalya Millar saw the Pies on the board.

Nullawil’s Amy Smith, Gracie Hum-

phreys and Verity Rafter, who came onto court in the final term as goalkeeper, certainly had a tough job defending Boort’s sharp shooters.

Nullawil had some great opportunities in the ring but couldn’t make them stick. Boort had a 17-goal lead at the final break but the Maroons still pushed hard.

Humphreys was moved to wing defence and would later be named best on court in the grand final.

The Maroons surged and outscored Boort for the term but the fresh legs of April Hatcher helped Boort push on and take the match by 14 goals.

Boort remained cool calm and collected all game to give them a convincing win.

Magpie veteran and C Grade captain

Kristen Gooding announced her retirement after the game.

Coach Brooke Chamberlain stirs her team at the three-quarter time break. LH PHOTO

Kristen Gooding outguns Nullawil’s Lizzy McGrath. LH PHOTO Bridie Doyle Mikayla Millar

Donuts all round ... Boort’s C Grade netballers celebrate after winning the premiership on Saturday. LH PHOTO

Final quarter charge gets A Grade flag

NULLAWIL came from behind to win a heart-stopping North Central A Grade netball grand final over Boort on Saturday.

The Pies had gone into the game slight favourites but momentum was with Nullawil who came from fourth position to snare the flag in its debut season.

Nullawil had won its first semifinal over Birchip Watchem by three goals and then snuck home by one goal over reigning premiers Wedderburn in the preliminary final.

Pies’ coach Georgia Sheahan, who had lifted Boort out of a late season slump that saw losses to three sides and among them Nullawil, later said she had always expected the Maroons to be the club standing between victory and defeat.

Nullawil was first to convert on Saturday before Boort came back with the calm shooting of Steph Wilson.

Boort defenders Roxy Train

and Emma Darker had a tough gig in the goals against the A class shooting of Jacki Watts and Gemma Fawcett.

Nullawil took advantage of Boort’s rushed passes through the centre, keeping the scores tight. Its defenders had to work tirelessly in the ring. Boort held a slight lead for three quarters.

There was not a clear indication which way this game was going to go. Every player could see victory on the horizon.

The fourth quarter had everyone on the edge of their seats. Starting two goals down, Nullawil worked the ball into the ring to close the deficit to one.

Nullawil gave it their all, and with only four minutes left, increased their lead to two goals.

The adrenaline was their experience, determination and accuracy to claim victory by five goals.

Nullawil’s A Grade flag was one of four for the club.

Frenetic end to junior decider

STRONG centre passes in the final minutes of the under 17 grand final were not enough for Boort to bridge the gap against Nullawil.

Boort’s Phoebe Malone was quick to foil Nullawil’s first attempt at goal. Boort were first on the board with Nullawil balancing scores and one up at the first break.

A great tap out in Boort’s goal ring by Gracie Humphreys was quickly picked up by Montana Kelly that allowed Nullawil to take a two-goal lead at half-time

Boort steadied play through the mid court in the third quarter, taking the ball to the ring allowing a cou-

ple of beautiful shots from captain Eliza Perryman at goal attack to close the gap.

Nullawil defenders were quick to pull in the rebounds and with the fast pace of Lily Humphreys, sent the ball to their end, extending their lead to four goals.

Nullawil in the fourth quarter stretched its lead out to seven with five minutes to go.

With both Nullawil defenders out of play, Boort’s Tayla Gooding shot an easy goal, which was quickly followed by another off their centre, only for Nullawil to settle and win by four.

SCOREBOARDS

PETER WALSH MP

YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.

on

For

Boort’s Emma Darker defends strongly around the ring. LH PHOTO

Boort’s Britney Sykes takes the pass from Eliza Perryman in the under 17 grand final. LH PHOTO

Hatcher’s heroes

BOORT under 17 footballers were the home-town heroes in North Central football on Saturday.

The Chris Hatcher-coached Pies asserted their dominance from one end of Boort Park to the other in the grand final showdown against St Arnaud.

Alex Cockerell was the general in defence, drifting forward and kicking a goal in the final term as the Pies scored a 40-point victory over the Saints.

Boort wasted no time displaying its hunger for flag success after faltering at the last hurdle in 2022.

Brodie Wagner had the first of his three goals on the board in the opening minutes.

Nicholas Scott followed soon after with an accurate kick sprinting towards goal.

Thomas Scarce, Chase Zander and Mason Thomas lifted for the Saints, their work capped off with a Jackson Needs goal.

Owen Lowe and Tyson Funston also fuelled a St Arnaud fightback that had the Saints just five points behind at the first break.

Lachlan Hall’s work across the midfield had helped the Pies keep their nose in front.

Boort upped the ante in the second term that had Liam Baker capping off good work by Hall early.

Riley Wagner was constantly putting himself into play and

IN BRIEF

THE gate at Saturday’s North Central league grand final in Boort was just short of $40,000.

League rules and event manager Lance Standfield said the large crowd paid $39,959, up more than $2000 on last year’s season finale.

Both the league and host club Boort were pleased with the estimated attendance of more than 6000 people. Wedderburn did not have any clubs in grand finals this year.

Gate figures for the series - first semi-final $15.237, second semi-final $18.840, preliminary final $17,636.

NORTH Central awarded two life memberships during grand final week.

Recently-retired Donald sports writer Shane O’Shea with the Bulloke Times was recognised for his contribution to promotion of the league at half-time in the senior grand final.

League officials including president Tim Lockart travelled to Birchip on Sunday to present life membership to former president Bryan Hogan.

ROOKIE of the Year winners were Logan Geddes from Donald and Will Marks from Birchip Watchem, Wedderburn’s Robert Whyman was among nine nominees for the award.

would prove invaluable in many forward lunges by the Pies for the next three quarters.

Scarce and Lowe were still dangerous for the Saints but Cockerell’s strength and leadership across the backline limited St Arnaud to a single behind for the term.

Brady Whykes showed the growing confidence of Boort when he marked, played straight on and goaled late in the term.

Boort’s tackling was intense for the quarter.

There was renewed energy from St Arnaud in the third quarter, uncharacteristic fumbles saw Boort add 1.6.

St Arnaud capitalised on errors and saw Needs kick his team’s only goal of the term.

Max Beattie put the ball straight to Hall early in the final term for an early goal.

Wagner was on top of opponents around the wing and found Harold Malone who kicked the Pies’ second and Cockerell for a third.

The Saints kept trying to the final siren, an Aidan Wickham goal late in the term adding respect on the scoreboard.

As the siren sounded, signs proclaiming Hashtag Hot Pies were waved into the air and Boort president Kane Arnold started handing out premiership caps to players. The young Pies had claimed the prize.

LEFT: Premiership coach Chris Hatcher (centre) with cocaptains Alex Cockerell and Alex Chamberlain.

RIGHT: Cockerell sports his best on ground medal after the grand final.

McKenzie, Jenkins goals prove difference

FIRST quarter goals off the boot of Sea Lake

Nandaly’s Tyson McKenzie and Josh Jenkins were the scoreboard difference as the Tigers ended the North Central senior season as premiers and champions.

Their early goals came after 10 minutes of behinds at both ends of the ground, Nullawil determined to make more than an impression in its first season in the league.

The Tigers’ defence was resolute in the opening 30 minutes, holding Nullawill to just four behinds, cutting off the work of Mitch Farmer who looked dangerous for the Maroons.

Sea Lake controlled most of the term, an edge across the midfield and had a 19-point lead at the first break.

That’s when the season’s script was ripped

up and Nullawil went onto outscore the Tigers for the next two quarters.

Nullawill had bridged the margin to just 12 points at the final change.

Again, it was McKenzie who bobbed up early in the last quarter to kick his third goal for the day.

An arm-wrestle then ensued before Austin Mertz bombed a 70-metre punt through goals and gave Sea Lake the space needed to stay ahead until the final siren.

McKenzie was awarded the Des Darcy Medal while teammate Jack Poulton won the AFL Vic Country Medal.

Sea Lake Nandaly also finished the reserves season as premiers and champions with Max Cahoon named best in the win over Nullawil.

SENIORS

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: J. Jenkins 4, T. McKenzie 3, A. Mertz C. Cox, M. Farrelly. Nullawil: M. Farmer 3, A. Thomson, B. Brennan 2, D. Isbister, J. Humphreys.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: T. McKenzie, J. Poulton, J. Summerhayes, K. Donnan, R. O’Sullivan, J. Jenkins. Nullawil: B. Brennan, D. Isbister, D. Smith, M. Quigley, J. Casey, D. Watts.

RESERVES

GOALS - Sea Lake Nandaly: N. Wight, M. Cahoon 3, B. Poulton 2, C. Noonan, R. McGarry, W. Simpson, D. Bailey. Nullawil: S. Goldsmith 3, W. Hogan, T. Fawcett, C. Fawcett, S. Kelly.

BEST - Sea Lake Nandaly: M. Cahoon, A. Collins, C. Michael, J. Donnan, C. Allan, C. Noonan. Nullawil: M. Barry, S. Barker, C. Fawcett, J. Vearing, S. Goldsmith, M. Hogan.

UNDER 17

Boort 3.0

St Arnaud 2.1

(73)

(33)

GOALS - Boort: B. Wagner 3, R. Wagner 2, B. Whykes, L. Baker, H. Malone, N. Scott, A. Cockerell, L. Hall. St Arnaud: J. Needs 2, B. Greenaway, F. Donald, A. Wickham.

BEST - Boort: A. Cockerell, L. Hall, B. Wagner, M. Beattie, A. Chamberlain, R. Wagner. St Arnaud: O. Lowe, M. Thomas, B. Greenaway, C. Zander, K. Torney, T. Funston.

UNDER 14

Donald 2.3 2.4 2.7 2.9 (21)

Sea Lake N 1.0 1.0 2.2 4.5 (29)

GOALS - Donald: L. Rice 2. Sea Lake Nandaly: H. Warne 2, C. Wight, T. Borlase.

BEST - Donald: H. Funcke, B. Donnellon, L. Rice, J. Lydom. Sea Lake Nandaly: S. Barbary, H. Warne, A. Renney, C. O’Sullivan, C. Winter-Goldman, R. Allan.

Sea Lake Nandaly’s Austin Mertz breaks clear from a tenacious Nullawil. LH PHOTO

Jett Hird outplays two opponents as Boort sweeps to a commanding victory over St Arnaud in Saturday’s North Central under 17 football grand final at Boort.

LH PHOTO

Accolades for best

HARDING Medalist Dylan Collis has added Pyramid Hill’s best and fairest to his season’s accolades.

The defender-midfielder was named winner of the club’s top award on Saturday.

Collis, who played 10 games for the season, took honours from joint runners-up Bryden Morison and Zach Alford.

The trio were among the Bulldogs’ best in the final series where they went down to Marong by 16 points in the Loddon Valley league grand final.

Brodie Carroll was named the Bulldogs’ best in the finals.

Club president Bruce Moon and fellow Bulldog stalwarts Debbie Dingwall and Barry Dingwall were surprised with life

Six-week journey to league clarity

HEATHCOTE Football League could meet within weeks to finally decide the fate of Loddon Valley leaguer premiers Marong.

The Panthers have asked Heathcote to review its decision not to accept its application for membership in season 2024.

Heathcote clubs last month voted to remain a nine-team competition, effectively scuttling bids by Marong, Maiden Gully and Cohuna to switch leagues. League president Peter Cole had confirmed Marong’s request to revisit the decision. He said any review would be after the Heathcote grand final - that match was played at the weekend.

There remains speculation that Maiden Gully, who finished the Loddon Valley season with three wins, is canvassing multiple options for senior and junior teams next year.

Loddon Valley league is expected to start talks on returning the under 18 competition to its charge after a season with AFL Central Victoria.

membership during Saturday’s presentations.

Club person of the year was presented to Geoff Hickmott. Other senior football awards

- Goal kicker: Will Perryman. W. “Bill Moss Memorial Trophy most determined: Gavin James.

Exceptional commitment: Tom McGregor.

Reserves - Best and fairest: Tom Walker. Runner-up: Dylan Lovell. Leading Goal kicker: Rowan Pollock. W. “Bill” Moss Memorial Trophy most determined: Matthew Moon. Most consistent: Greg Quinn. Most improved: Matthew Carroll. Coach’s award: David Mann. Best 1st year player: Tyler Aitken. Best in finals: Darcy Hetherington.

Under 18s - Bess and Bert

Wood Memorial Trophy best and fairest: Harrison Goodes. Runner-up: Xavier Emmerson.Goal kicker: Lewis Stubbs. Most consistent: Blake Gibson. Vaughan Herrick Memorial Trophy most improved: Jacobi Mitchell. W. “Bill” Moss Memorial Trophy most determined: James Correa. Dave Atkins Memorial Trophy exceptional commitment: Connor McCoy. Leadership award: Jacob Clough-Fidler. Best in finals: Harrison Goodes.

Milestones - 250 senior games

Gavin James. 150 senior games

Dylan Morison. 100 senior games Billy Micevski and Steven Gunther. 200 club games Nathan Moon. 100 club games Rowan Pollock

Netball 13 and under - Best and

fairest: Sophie Twigg 32 votes.

Runner-up: Jamison Walters 31.

Coach’s award: Laura Poole.

15 and under best and fairest: Shamica Castro 48. Runner-up: Eloise Walters 34. Coach’s award: Alina Gould. 17 and under best and fairest: Kaitlin Broad 43.

Runner-up: Carolyn Fergusson 40. Coach’s award: Mia Farrar.

C Reserve best and fairest: Olivia Turvey 48. Runner-up: Nicole Bushby 36.

C Grade - best and fairest: Jordann Broad 34. Runner-up: Erin Farrar and Lauren Driscoll 25.

B Grade best and fairest: Taylah Woodward 42. Runner-up: Simone Edgley 38.

A Grade best and fairest: Jesssica Holdstock 44. Runner-up: Abbey Dingwall 35.

Midfielder’s strong polling secures ‘Squirty’ Roberts Medal

MIDFIELDER Bregon Cotchett has won the Graham ‘Squirty’ Roberts Medal for Inglewood’s senior best and fairest.

Cotchett went one better than his runner-up effort in 2022, to win Saturday’s count with 77 votes.

Runner-up, four votes behind, was midfielder-forward Daniel Polack with ruckman Tom Kennedy third place (51) in front of fast-finishing winger Cody Wright (50).

Midfielder Sam Dorevitch (49) rounded out the top five.

The award was presented to Cotchett by four-time senior best and fairest winner Graham Roberts.

The Helen Ward Medal for A Grade netball best and fairest was won by mid-court player and captain of the side, Abbey Hayes on 45 votes Hayes finished strongly to win by seven votes from goal-attack Taya Bartram, with defender Grace Christiansen third (33).

A Grade co-coach Helen Ward presented the medal to Hayes.

The Brian ‘Nipper’ Dowling Medal for under 18s was won by Gabe Nevins on 82 votes, adding to his second consecutive Stephen Dowling Medal for best and fairest in the competition and the Central Victoria competition’s

best player at June’s interleague gala day.

Tyler Murphy on 56 votes was runner-up.

The award was presented to Nevins by Zelma Dowling.

The best club person award went to the Jeffrey/Matheson family who have all been fantastic contributors on and off the field this season. The President’s Award was given to Adam and Wendy Murphy for their efforts

with the Under 18s, as well as other volunteer work throughout the season.

Seniors - Most consistent: Tom Kennedy. Most improved: Gabe Nevins. Coach’s award: Sam Polack. Goal-kicking: Keelan Payne and Charlie McGaw (30 goals). Best In finals: Charlie Ingham. Reserves - Best and fairest: Deklen Gorrie. Runner-up: Jed Rouse. Most consistent: Dylan Connelly. Most dedicated: Mitch

Jeffrey. Goal-kicking: Kyle Simpson (20 goals). Best In Finals: Jas Phillips.

Under 18s - Most Disciplined: Jaspa Wendels. Ronald Bell Memorial most dedicated clubman: Ryder Smith. Coach’s awards: Kyle McClellan, Will Schepers, Evan McCoy. Goal-kicking: Lachlan Harris (57 goals). Best in finals: Jaspa Wendels.

NETBALL

A Grade - Best and fairest (Helen Ward Medal): Abbey Hayes. Runner-up: Taya Bartram. Coach’s Award: Emily Leach.

B Grade - Best and fairest: Kate Sleep. Runner-up: Shasta Maher. Coach’s award: Madeleine Arnel.

C Grade - Best and fairest: Abby Wicks. Runner-up: Brooklyn Reid. Coach’s Award: Whole Team. Donna Wayman Memorial Good Sports Award: Freya Dawe.

C Reserve - Best and fairest: Meaghan Perris. Runner-up: Rachel Matthews. Most Improved: Tayla Fenwick. Coach’s award: Chelsea Roberts.

15 and under - Best and fairest: Halle Birthisel. Runner-up: Sianna Thatcher. Coach’s award: Macey Scoble. 13 and underBest and fairest: Lucy Rollinson.

Runner-up: Giselle Noble. Coach’s Award: Rhiannon Murphy. Nanny Marj AAA Award: Gracie Noonan.

Jaspa Wendels was best in finals for Inglewood under 18s. LH PHOTO

Debbie Dingwall

Barry Dingwall

sport

Thursday September 21, 2023

Wilson, McClymont bowl Aussie gold

GEOFF Wilson and Bruce McClymont have returned from the Australian Arm Bowls Championships with gold medals.

The Inglewood club pair were members of the Victorian team that went undefeated in the championships at Devonport in defending its title.

“There were five new faces in the team and we ended up with a stronger line-up this year,” said Wilson, “Other states are getting better but it was our depth right down to the leads that made the difference.”

It was Wilson’s third time representing Victoria at the championships while for McClymont, he was on debut after illness forced his withdrawal last year.

McClymont made the trip to Devonport as team manager, only receiving the call-up from selectors at the last minute.

The championships were played on outdoor greens running at 10 seconds for the first two days before weather forced

play indoors and onto greens running at a better 18 seconds.

Wilson said: “The greens were slow at the start of the championships and the weather wet and cold.”

“It was wild weather throughout the week,” McClymont said.

“The Victorian team was great to be part of and the event was livestreamed that allowed our families at home the chance to see us play.”

Wilson said: “There had been a real community effort to in Victoria getting to Devonport. We didn’t have any sponsors until FP Nevins and Co came on board as one of the sponsors for our team tops.

“Inglewood bowler and regional president Vicki Tierney also sponsored our tops through her business.”

Victoria finished 62 points ahead of New South Wales who won two games and lost two along with host state Tasmania.

“It was a real privilege to be in the Victorian team,” said McClymont.

CRICKET SLUMP

ARNOLD is weighing up its options as Upper Loddon Cricket Association is reduced to a four-team competition this season.

The 125-year-old Redbacks are canvassing a move to Emu Valley or Maryborough competitions if the local competitions falters.

Secretary Ryan Metelmann said the Redbacks were commit-

ted to playing in Upper Loddon for 2023-2024.

“But we don’t want to be caught out if another team suddenly drops out next season,” he said.

“Five years or so ago there were eight teams playing in Upper Loddon.”

However, Bridgewater has pulled out of the senior competition expected to start on October 14 after challenges fielding a team last season.

Metelmann said the Redbacks had discussed the state of the association at its annual meeting.

“We haven’t made a decision (to leave) but we don’t want to get to a stage where at the last minute there are only three senior clubs and we have nowhere to go,” he said. “Our preference is to see one or two clubs come back in Upper Loddon.

“We have a whole season to discuss what happens.”

Metelmann said the Arnold club would prefer to see a mix of one-day, two-day and even 2020 matches for Upper Loddon.

However, association president Wendy Murphy said clubs had recently voted to retain the one-day format in senior competition this season that will also include Kingower, Wedderburn Band and Boort Yando.

She said the juniors would be strengthened with the return of

Boort Yando, making a five-team competition playing a mixture of one and two-day matches, Murphy said there had been informal talk of teams reforming at Newbridge and Moliagul but nothing had eventuated.

The association would continue to discuss ways to attract new clubs, Murphy said, acknowledging that a lower level of commitment had emerged for summer sport players in the region.

Arm bowlers Geoff Wilson and Bruce McClymont return to their Inglewood club as national champions. LH PHOTO