Dianne and her ‘China plate’ enjoying great outdoor life

By CHRIS EARL

THE shade of gum trees and buckets of water were the tonic for Dianne Looker beating soaring temperatures on Saturday.

Dianne had taken refuge at Inglewood Recreation Reserve just days into her trek towards Boort.

The retired outback station cook and fruit picker is spending three weeks travelling in her 1929 drover’s wagon pulled by 10-year-old Clydesdale horse Harry.

At Dianne’s side is fox terrier China. “He my China plate (mate) and navigator,” she said.

Dianne had set off from her Lockwood home last week, travelling the Loddon River before arriving at Inglewood on Friday.

“There was the football match here that night and a group of residents from the hospital came up and had a great chat and telling their memories of growing up with horses,” Dianne said.

“I’ve travelled all over the country to Queensland and back in my life and always been around horses.

“I was looking to squeeze in another trip with Harry and didn’t think it would be as warm as it has turned out.

“So we headed into Inglewood to rest for a couple of days.

“Having enough water for Harry has been my main concern.

Pools

“I’ve always been a traveller and you could always find jobs. Every second roadhouse would be looking for a cook or kitchen hand,” she said.

Dianne has been enjoying her stints travelling the country with horse and wagon for 50 years.

She averages 10km a day “but can do 20km if we crank it up a bit”.

“Because we haven’t been travelling as far the last few days, Harry has got fat,” said Dianne. The wagon is equipped with a bed and kitchen powered by a solar panel.

Dianne, Harry and China departed Inglewood on Sunday morning, making their way back towards the Loddon River they will follow to Loddon Weir and Fernihurst Weir, setting off after dawn each day at an estimated 5kmh.

She hopes they will arrive at Boort in about a fortnight.

“We’re in no hurry,” she said “I’m retired now and do whatever I want to do.”

In Brief

Power bonus

LODDON residents still to claim their first $250 power saving bonus from the State Government have until midnight to apply. And Ripon MP Martha Haylett said applications for a second bonus would open tomorrow. “That’s potentially an extra $500 in your bank account. All you need to do is visit the bill-busting Victorian Energy Compare website www.compare.energy.vic. gov.au, where customers can quickly and easily find the best energy offers for their home.”

Passing of Goff Letts

FORMER Loddon Shire chief commissioner Goff Letts has died, aged 95, in Stawell. Mr Letts was chief commissioner of the new shire following local government amalgamations before councillors were elected.

Breaking ground

WORK crews on Tuesday began the $499,125 project to upgrade the playground and sports area at Bridgewater Primary School, ending a three-year wait for construction to start.

“We were at the old Brewery Hole swimming spot before coming into Inglerwood and I was carrying water in buckets up from the dam.

“I like Inglewood but it’s a bit busy with all the trucks in the main street.

“The street reminds me of another heritage town Chiltern,.”

Dianne also shared her story of life with local residents who stopped to say hello.

“I was brought up at Corryong and around the Snowy ... always had a horse and cart,” she said.