Loddon Herald 24 October 2024 by Loddon

Loddon HERALD

HERO SNUB

By CHRIS EARL

SUMMER storm heroes who helped rescue a driver trapped in the swollen Nardoo Creek have been shunned at the National Search and Rescue Awards.

Credit for the dramatic Wedderburn rescue on January 2 was last week given to five State Emergency Service volunteers from Bendigo and Marong.

The Federal Government’s Australian Maritime Safety Authority presented the National Search and Rescue Council’s professional volunteer award to the SES, saying members had saved a life.

Wedderburn residents, including members of the rejuvenated local SES unit, have been quick to vent anger that their local heroes have been whitewashed from the dramatic rescue of Paul Winter from his vehicle.

Mr Winter’s traumatic ordeal started at Tantalla Street when his vehicle was caught by rising floodwaters and ended several hundred metres downstream with the rescue by five locals and a sole SES volunteer wading into the creek and using a rope to pull him home to safety.

Daughter Emma Winter said last week: “I credit each and every one of you daily for your handwork and dedication on that day. Credit definitely deserved by you all. And a few other locals as well.

And to that, Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Ms Winter told the Loddon Herald on Sunday that her father died four weeks ago and she did not wish to speak further on the incident.

Rescuer Andrew Roberts said the SES accolade was disappointing when with one exception “they were standing around doing nothing, We don’t want the recognition, but when others are claiming to be heroes, that’s very strange.”

“Someone had to step up, we

did. If things had continued as they were, he would have died,” Mr Roberts said.

“Don’t take the p... and claim to have done something you clearly have not done.

“It’s like claiming you got beston-ground in a grand final and you didn’t even play.”

Witnesses to the dramatic rescue have backed the role played by Mr Roberts, off-duty police sergeant Ben Huisman, Matthew Tansley, Scott Cunningham and his 15-year-old son Will.

The authority has confirmed

that the award nomination was made by an SES volunteer.

“Nominations undergo a thorough vetting process by relevant jurisdictions, as represented on NATSAR Council,” said an AMSA spokesperson.

“NATSAR Council then evaluates nominations based on the nominee’s impact, professionalism, and overall contribution to search and rescue efforts, before voting.”

Video footage of the rescue shows local rescuers and just one SES volunteer in the water as Mr

Winter was pulled to safety. The SES has claimed: “With one patient and their dog trapped inside the vehicle, (deputy controller) James (Plowright) sprinted along the bank with a personal floatation device and assisted others who had become trapped in the waist-deep water, while a crew of volunteers in a utility raced to get ahead of the vehicle.”

Witnesses, including former Wedderburn SES chiefs Paul Gordon Cooke and Reg Holt, say inaction by SES volunteers hampered by bureaucracy and approval protocols had delayed the rescue.

“The real heroes that evening were locals who took decisive action to rescue the trapped man.”

Mr Holt said: “For almost an hour, the SES had prevented a full-weight fire truck backing into the Tantalla Street causeway to hook the vehicle and then a large semi-trailer doing the same.

“They said they were trying to get a helicopter or boat for the rescue,” according to Mr Holt.

“The locals were the ones who went in and saved a life ... the SES was standing on the side lines, unable to make a decision without clearance from someone in an office in Bendigo or Melbourne,

“Continued pontification by the SES that night could have been deadly if not for the real heroes, the locals who acted before it was too late.”

CFA volunteers at the rescue have backed his claim.

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FORECAST

VOLUNTEERS from district fire brigades formed a guard of honour to farewell long-serving Inglewood Brigade member David Dowler on Monday. David died suddenly earlier this month and the funeral service was held at the Inglewood fire station.

Chook farm site under offer

AGENTS have put an “under offer” sign on the former Bridgewater Poultry Farm.

The possible sale comes more than two years after some buildings on the troubled site were demolished.

Company directors in a June 2022 statement through the Bozzo Group, a privately held family business with interests in land development, hospitality and agriculture, said: “We are currently in the process of demolishing those sheds on our Fantasy Road

site which are past their effective commercial use-by date.

“Since the salmonella enteritidis was imported from New South Wales to our site we commenced at the time of infection and continue to this day the clean-up of the site with the view to the property being prepared for sale.”

Bridgewater Poultry Farm was purchased in 2005 by a group of egg farmers that had originally operated their own individual farms. According to the Loddon Valley Eggs website, after an

ambitious building program, the original venture had grown and developed to a level where the Loddon Valley, Victorian Fresh and Country Fresh brands were well respected in the box market.

Coles and Woolworths stopped stocking Bridgewater Poultry eggs in March 2018 when a product recall was issued after a salmonella outbreak at the farm.

Soon after, Animal Liberation released a video of alleged animal maltreatment practices at the factory and production stopped.

IN BRIEF

More wind talks

SPANISH-OWNED Acciona Energia says it remains in the early stages of developing wind farm proposals in the Boort district. After a meeting with landowners last Friday, a spokesperson said: “We continue to conduct early investigations in the area and assess its potential suitability for a renewable energy project. Following these investigations we hope to have a clearer indication about a project and something to share with the broader community.”

Fire restrictions

THE fire danger period will start in Loddon Shire on November 4. Restrictions will also come into force that day in the Gannawarra and Campaspe Shires. Permits will be required for burn-offs. Restrictions will remain until May 1.

Federal backing

THE Federal Government on Tuesday said it would deliver its commitment to bolster public interest journalism with $15 million in fund for regional and community newspapers.

Parade revival

THE traditional town parade will be revived as part of Dunolly’s inaugural Vibes on Broadway festival on Sunday.

Run of brotherly love

COMMUNITY is rallying around Dylan Hatcher in his battle with cancer with plans for a 240km run from Melbourne to Boort.

The Boort District Hospital administration officer and Magpie footballer is mid-way through chemotherapy after a shock nonHodgkin lymphoma diagnosis that cut short his football season last month.

Brother Chris and five mates will make the 24-hour run on December 28. Plans for Do It for Dylan - limp4lymphoma have already seen what Dylan and Chris have described as amazing community support.

“After the initial bad news - no one wants to hear they have cancer - there’s been good news and I’m feeling optimistic,” said Dyland.

“The run and the support I have already had from the community is awesome.

“You hear about wonderful community support and I am experiencing that now first-hand and seeing people come together to help.”

Chris said the idea for December’s run started as “I just wanted to do something myself and support Dylan” and raise awareness.

“Then I got chatting to a close group of friends, we started spitballing crazy ideas and then came up with the 24-hour run from Melbourne to Boort,” he said.

“We’ve now picked up sponsors and a great team of runners. Some of them, Jordan Bell, did this year’s Melbourne Marathon.”

Dylan, 26, said: “It’s all a bit

overwhelming ... it will be a big effort by the boys and I’m glad it’s not me.”

He had been playing full games of football until weeks before the diagnosis. “In the first semi-final, I only played half a game when normally I would have been on the ground all day,” he said.

“Over a few weeks I had been feeling less fit than I should have been at the end of the season.

Things got worse pretty quickly and I realised something serious was going on.”

Chris said: “We have set up a GoFundMe page to ask people to donate their money to support my brother by covering financial costs during this time, with any excess money being donated to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.”

The run will include a final

5km leg on December 29 open to anyone who wishes to finish the Do It For Dylan Crew and want to support Dylan, and other people affected by cancer.

More than $22,000 has already been raised for Do It 4 Dylan.

People wanting to donate to the fundraiser can visit https:// www.gofundme.com/f/donateto-help-dylan-and-the-cancerresearch-foundation

IN BRIEF

Information

‘deficiency’

THE State Government’s pledge to improve mobile phone services had been made on coverage maps that had proven inaccurate, said Ripon MP Martha Haylett. A week after confirming the plan had been ditched, Ms Haylett said on Tuesday: “While the Commonwealth Government is responsible for telecommunications services in Australia, the Victorian Government has stepped in and partnered with telecommunications providers to invest in mobile towers so rural and regional communities can stay connected. Public mobile coverage maps created by telecommunications providers do not always provide an accurate indication of quality – this has unfortunately occurred in the case of Newbridge, despite previous reports given to me. I will continue to advocate to the Commonwealth to lift their game and do more to connect rural Victoria to better mobile coverage, while also continuing our work to deliver more than 1,200 mobile projects and 150 broadband projects across the state.

Extended date

LODDON SHIRE Council has extended the closing for Australia Day citizen and event awards to November 4.

Dylan and Chris Hatcher on the shores of Little Lake Boort. LH PHOTO

A Project Update from VNI West

Conversations with landholders key to reducing impacts and fair compensation

A message from Program Director Tony Hedley

In recent weeks, we have been reaching out to landholders and neighbours to discuss the refined route for the new VNI West transmission line, which is now 70m wide along most of the route. We have shared details and individual maps with landholders and met wherever possible to listen to their concerns, answer questions and discuss the next steps. For some people these have been difficult conversations, and we respect and appreciate the time taken to engage with us.

I would like to encourage landholders to talk with us about your land, farming operations, businesses and lifestyle. These discussions are critical to ensure all landholders receive fair and reasonable compensation, that accounts for the unique circumstances of each property, including the impact on your farms, business operations and property value.

Conversations with landholders are also important to identify how we can minimise the impact to your farm operations, day-to-day movements, and plans for future improvements. We hope to work together in the next phase as we confirm the easement location and finalise the design for the project, including the location of infrastructure such as transmission towers.

The preferred easement is subject to assessment under a regulated Environment Effects Statement (EES) process, and a series of specialist technical studies will take place over the next 12 months to assess potential impacts. Feedback from the local community is an important part of the EES process, to help us understand how best to reduce impacts of the project at every stage on farming, the environment, cultural heritage and communities.

I understand how important it is to make sure the project team are available and accessible to communities consistently. We’re here and we’re listening. As the project progresses, TCV will maintain a regular presence in community, with the hope that people will be generous enough to continue sharing local knowledge and experience. These conversations help us better understand the area and will play an important role in assessing the impact of the project.

In the meantime, I invite you to visit our website for more information, or to call the TCV team with your questions.

Next generations make entries in family history

NEW generations of Pollock descendants attended their first family reunion on Sunday.

Younger members of the Pollock, Kirk, Coghill, Holden families, all descendants of David and Margaret Pollock who arrived in the Derby district in the 1860s were at nearby Marong hall.

Reunion organiser Rob Pollock said: David and Margaret settled in Derby in 1869 when land selections were opened up.

“David had been a farm worker in Scotland, the family moved around after coming to Australia to work on farms here.”

Rob, a fifth generation Pollock in the district, said he hoped the reunion would lead to greater interest in the family’s history

from younger generations. “I’ve got sixth and seventh generations now.”

He said the family history book From Drumblane to Derby was compiled and published in 2003.

“It probably needs updating ... we’re a big family and are spread far and wide,” Rob said.

However, Rob is quick to point out that many of his family continue to be active in the distric and provide many of the Derby Tennis Club players.

More than 50 people came from across country Victoria for Sunday’s reunion where family members had displayed old photographs and records to trigger discovery and sharing of history gathered since the 1860s.

Last hours to lodge vote in council ward elections

LODDON Shire voters have until tomorrow evening to return ballot papers in elections to decide councillors in the Inglewood and Tarnagulla Wards.

Victorian Electoral Commission said ballot packs must be completed and mailed before 6 pm tomorrow.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said voters could also deliver their pack to the Loddon Shire election office.

The office will be open from 9am to 8pm today and 9am to 6pm tomorrow.

Mr Bluemmel said voting was compulsory for residents who were on the state or council roll for this election at 4 pm on August 7. Enrolled voters who did not vote might be fined, he said.

Inglewood Ward is being contested by first-term councillor Wendy Murphy, Colleen Condliffe who represented the ward

for 16 years until 2022 and Serpentine’s Miki Wilson who has previously held governance management positions in local government.

In Tarnagulla Ward, it is a four-way contest. Linda Jungwirth is seeking her second term on council but is being challenged by Laanecoorie’s Nick Angelo who lost on preferences in 2022, Arnold farmer Carly Noble and Moliagul’s Charmain Shepherd. Wedderburn Ward’s Gavan Holt was returned unopposed as was Terrick Ward’s Dan Straub. David Weaver was the only nomination to succeed Neil Beattie in Boort Ward.

Councillors held their final meeting of the four-year council term on Tuesday. For Cr Beattie, it brought to an end his 19-year council career. Next week’s Loddon Herald will feature tributes to Cr Beattie.

Webster chats with King, Queen

KING Charles and Queen Camilla have chatted with Mallee MP Anne Webster during a reception in Canberra on Monday.

It was the first visit to Australian since King Charles ascended the throne in 2022.

Contact the TCV team

Freecall: 1800 824 221

Email: enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au

Website: transmissionvictoria.com.au

“His Majesty demonstrated his commitment to Australia by postponing his cancer treatment to meet the public and politicians in Canberra today,” Dr Webster said after MPs were introduced to the King.

“The relatively brief tour is understandable, being His Majesty’s first royal visit to another nation since his cancer diagnosis. His Majesty told the gathered audience in Canberra how sad he was that the visit

was so short. Their Majesties the King and Queen’s dedication to Australia and civic duty stands in stark contrast to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan rebuffing the invitation to be in Canberra today for a reception.

“Most of the Premiers have snubbed our reigning head of state, which I consider to be callous given they are Ministers of the Crown. It is disappointing that when Their Majesties have flown from the other side of the world to make their first visit to our wonderful country as King and Queen, Premiers and parliamentarians alike were too busy politicking.”

Bruce Pollock, Catherine Symons, Myrtle Shay, Eunice Collins and Rob Pollock at Sunday’s family reunion. LH PHOTO

Tree grows at Leach reunion

DESCENDANTS of Jonathan and Jane Leach returned to Rheola on Sunday.

The family reunion, more than 160 years after Jonathan and Jane settled in the area, was attended by 50 people.

They travelled from Melbourne, Bendigo, Geelong and St Arnaud to join family members still living in the district, sharing family history over afternoon tea in the Rheola hall.

Organiser Julie Piening said Rheola was the central place for Leach family history.

“Stories and photographs were shared as people wandered around the displays,” she said.

“We all had fun adding ourselves and each other on the branches of the family tree mapped out over several large tables in the middle of the hall.”

Jonathan and Jane Leach and their family arrived in Rheola in the 1860s.

Jonathan came in the search for gold. Jane, a school teacher from Scotland, set up her own private school before the Rheola State School opened in 1870.

Julie said the eldest of the four children, Priscilla had married Josiah Austin and settled in Maldon before the rest of the family moved to Rheola.

“The youngest child Sarah Jane, worked at Tyler’s Halfway House in Rheola before moving to the Western District to work at the Barunah Plains station be-

fore marrying Jabez Button and settling in the Ballarat area.

“The middle two brothers, William and Thomas married the two Bell sisters from Rheola, Sarah and Mary.

“After leasing and working at Kingower Station they pur-

RESTORING OUR RIVERS 2024 EXPRESSIONS OF INTERESTS

NOW OPEN

REFERENCE: EOI 1: ATM_2024_2749

EOI 2: ATM_2024_2750

HOW TO REGISTER:

Opened: 30 September 2024

Closing date: 12 midday AEDT, 27 Nov 2024

• Visit www.tenders.gov.au/atm and search for Restoring our Rivers

• Download and read the Request for Expression of Interest documents

• Login or Register as a new user

• Complete the expression of interest response form and submit your response.

chased portions of the land when it was opened up for selection.

“This has led to many generations of farmers and land owners in the Rheola district with the original Kingower Station land still in the family “ Julie and present-day descend-

ants remain active in the Rheola community.

Julie earlier this year released a book on the 150 years of Rheola Charity Carnival. She continues to research both family and district history chronicling more than a century.

Early learning gets the tick

WEDDERBURN kindergarten has passed its national quality standards assessment in all seven areas.

Loddon Shire wellbeing director Wendy Gladman told councillors of assessment results at their meeting on Tuesday.

“This assessment indicates that children attending the Loddon Cluster Kindergarten at Wedderburn receive a quality program which enhances their learning in the two years prior to primary school. Research shows quality education and care early in life leads to better health, education and employment outcomes later in life,” Mrs Gladman said.

“The early years are critical for establishing self-esteem, resilience, healthy growth and capacity to learn. Quality education and care shapes every child’s future and lays the foundation for development and learning.”

Witches carving out their pumpkins

PREPARATIONS have started for Halloween celebrations next week in Loddon communities.

A group of Inglewood parents will stage a “dress to scare” treasure hunt at the recreation reserve on Thursday. They have received donations from businesses and residents for the third annual event.

And in Wedderburn, members of the Country Women’s Association branch will be out on High Street with tricks and treats for youngsters.

The Australian Government, represented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, is inviting Expressions of Interests (EOIs) from water right owners across the Southern Connected Murray-Darling Basin who may want to sell their water in 2025.

EOI 1 invites responses from single water rights owners who were not eligible for the Restoring Our Rivers: 2024 Selected Catchments Open Tender. This includes water right owners from within Irrigation Infrastructure Operator areas.

EOI 2 invites responses from entities interested in selling a large portfolio of water of around 20 GL (or greater) across the southern connected Basin.

LIST OF CATCHMENTS:

NEW SOUTH WALES

Murray River

Murrumbidgee

Lower Darling

VICTORIA

Broken Kiewa

Goulburn

Ovens & King Victorian Murray

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australian Murray

Responses to the EOIs are not considered binding offers. However, only respondents who submit an EOI will be able to proceed to subsequent purchase program. Owners of eligible water rights in the catchments listed in the table, including unregulated entitlements and section 51 licences, are invited to express their interest stating the proposed volume and price at which they want to sell their permanent water rights to the department.

The decision to participate is completely voluntary. To read the Request for Expression of Interest and register your interest, please visit AusTender www.tenders.gov.au - and search for Restoring our Rivers.

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on voluntary water purchasing, visit www.dcceew.gov.au/watertender

ASSISTANCE:

For help with using AusTender, visit help.tenders.gov.au If you can’t access AusTender or have questions about the expression of interest process, please email watertenders@dcceew.gov.au

Mitta Mitta

Julie Piening, Amy Szekeres and Trevor Leach fill in the family tree. LH PHOTO

Rescue version may differ

LOCAL rescue heroes Andrew Roberts and Scott Cunningham say they still vividly recall the Nardoo Creek rescue.

Both are adamant they were part of the effort that saw Paul Winter plucked from floodwaters. A video backs up up their memories of the evening.

Mr Roberts’ father, Gary, is in the chorus of Wedderburn people backing their local heroes.

“These young blokes are not looking for rewards but to see the Marong SES go to Sydney ... on taxpayer dollars ... to get an award for having done nothing is a disgrace. I am absolutely disgusted,” he told the Loddon Herald on Monday.

“This is the story of Wedderburn locals not the SES, apart from one volunteer.”

However, their versions are at odds with the official State Emergency Service stance on the rescue that came as the local SES unit had been stood down - member resignations and conflict between some unit members and SES heirarchy where operational disagreements had made the unit unviable.

“Recollections may vary,” was the response of one senior SES officer in the hours after a national award was accepted by the Marong SES unit. The January 2 rescue was one of five in Wedderburn during the first week of summer storm rescues.

The next day, after breaking news online reports by the Loddon Herald followed by national news coverage and a Victoria Police media conference outside Wedderburn police station with

THECITATION

On 2 January 2024, the Marong State Emergency Services (SES), with support from one member of the Bendigo SES, responded to a high-priority Inland water rescue during a major storm in Wedderburn, near Bendigo.

The SES crew arrived at what was described as ‘a chaotic scene’. Conditions were dangerous - waters were flooding and fast flowing, there were dangerous conditions overhead, and the noise of the creek was deafening. minutes after arriving, the scene continued to escalate with an occupied vehicle being washed off the causeway and swept down the flooded creek. One SES member followed the vehicle on foot and others followed in the SES vehicles.

Unfortunately, overhead assistance via helicopter was not possible due to the storm and lightning. Despite the fast-moving water, the SES crew acted swiftly to secure the vehicle. Noting the unpredictable nature of flood waters, the crew knew they only had one opportunity to attempt a rescue. A successful rescue was made just seconds before the vehicle was fully submerged and washed further down the creek.

Although the rescue crew knew luck and good timing were factors in this rescue, the crew’s training, planning and ability to act quickly under a high stress environment enabled a successful rescue. In learning from the incident, the Victorian SES has since updated its training package to include land-based swift water rescue, acknowledging the Marong and Bendigo crew’s actions and commitment.

Sgt Ben Huisman, SES operations manager Brad Dalgleish said:

“The most recent (rescue was) on January 2 where a car was swept off the road resulting in specially trained land based swift water rescue operators effecting a rescue and potentially saving the life of a male as his car was swept from the road.”

Last week, the SES said: “With one patient and their dog trapped inside the vehicle, James (Plowwright) sprinted along the bank with a personal floatation device and assisted others who had become trapped in the waist-deep water, while a crew of volunteers in a utility raced to get ahead of the vehicle. Knowing the vol-

unteer responders would likely only have one opportunity to access the patient with a rescue line, when the submerged vehicle briefly became snagged on debris in the creek, James tossed a line with precision into the flowing water, and successfully helped the driver to shore.

“The patient’s dog was also able to free itself from the vehicle and safely swim from the creek, when it was reunited with its owner.

“Both were safely brought to shore moments before the vehicle became fully submerged and washed further down the flooded creek.

“The success of this rescue highlights the teamwork, train-

We

ing and courage in the face of adversity of VICSES volunteers, and acknowledges their capacity to efficiently and effectively respond in high-stress and lifethreatening situations.”

An Australia Maritime and Safety Authority spokesperson said: “Each year, the NATSAR Council relies on nominations that identify individuals and groups that may be considered for a search and rescue award or commendation.” The professional volunteer category is a new section for “an individual or organisation ... trained within the search and rescue field or works in a search and rescue role”.

- CHRIS EARL

Double length video shows more action

AN EXTRA minute makes a difference - those 60 seconds captured on video community heroes and a lone SES volunteer winching Paul Winter to safety after his car was swamped by a rising Nardoo Creek.

A low-quality video used by the State Emergency Service to back its claims the rescue was by the “effected” by its volunteers was seen last Saturday. All one minute and 14 seconds - a CFA volunteer on the opposite bank, briefly two SES volunteers then a sole member holding a rope.

By Sunday night, the Loddon Herald had been given a better quality, two minutes and 10 seconds of footage. The longer version, now on social media, shows non-SES members clearly part of the frantic rescue effort.

Sgt Huisman said after the rescue that the creek level was steadily rising when he arrived.

He said the community kicked in. His wife Gabby was on the creek bank, encouraging the driver to climb on the roof of his Ford Territory. “I kept telling him to hold on and to keep breathing,” she said.

The man’s dog swam to the creek bank where Sgt Huisman, and Andrew Roberts were being fitted with safety equipment, the ropes gripped firmly by Matthew Tansley, Scott Cunningham and his 15-year-old son Will.

Sgt Huisman and Mr Roberts were waist-deep in water. “And it was flowing,” Sgt Huisman said. “Andrew and I carried the man out of the water.”

threw in the rope: SES now acknowledges locals

VICTORIA’S State Emergency Service on Tuesday acknowledged for the first time Wedderburn people had been part of the Nardoo Creek rescue 10 months ago.

The SES said its crew had been “integral in getting a rope” out to the man trapped in his vehicle.

As the national award furore continued, a spokesperson said: “We understand that the award issued to VICSES volunteers as part of the Australian Search and Rescue Awards has triggered a range of emotions and discussion in the local community.

“VICSES wants to acknowledge the significant role that several local members of the public also played in the rescue. We thank them for their response at a difficult and dangerous scene.

“The award-class in which our volunteers were nominated, was within the Professional Volunteer Award category for volunteers from a trained rescue organisation.

“The intervention of the SES land-based swift water rescue crew was integral in getting the rope to the individual and saving the man’s life.”

Witness and former Wedderburn SES unit deputy controller Reg Holt said he remained disgusted with the SES’s response on January 2 and its promotion of the award without acknowledgement of local heroes.

“They (SES) created the danger and do not deserve the award,” he said. “The man could have been rescued within 10 minutes of the man driving his vehicle into the creek. But the SES stopped people from taking swift action.

“They put other people in danger. SES command stopped an earlier rescue and belatedly acknowledge that all they did was throw in a rope after the man’s vehicle was swept down the creek.”

Mr Holt said the national award raised

questions about a Federal Government authority administering and checking nominations “that came from a first party”.

“They need to have better practices for verifying information in a nomination when deciding these awards that carry so much kudos,” Mr Holt said.

“There’s more to what is on a nomination form. Talk to people who saw what was happening and they will either back up a nomination or not.

“At the end of the day, local people did the rescue and in the community, we know they are the real heroes.”

Images from a video of the rescue showing locals and one SES volunteer

Hundreds back in classroom for 150th

HUNDREDS of former students and teachers were back in the classroom at Tarnagulla Primary School on Saturday.

Ellise Chapman and Elissa Wilson once more tried their hand at ringing the school bell for former principal Garry Larvas as the 150th anniversary celebrations were in full swing.

Mary Dridan, 97, was the oldest ex-student to return. She spent many hours in conversation with former class friends and today’s Tarnagulla students.

“I started here in 1933. I was only five although I did attend school for a few days the previous year,” Mary said.

“They were good days and I always liked school. The teachers were very strict and there was one who had a strap that he used fairly often and some of the boys used to have some good fisticuffs ... that kept things lively.”

Mary completed her schooling at Tarnagulla before working in the office at Maryborough Knitting Mill. She married and has now lived at Amphitheatre for more than 50 years.

“My mum and family still lived here, so I have always kept in touch,” she said.

“It’s good to come back today

and also spend time with a few of the family. “

Mary was given the honour of cutting the anniversary cake.

Jack Harwood, now 92, was the oldest ex-boy to attend Saturday’s big reunion assembly at the school and luncheon at the town’s hall.

He had attended school as a youngster before spending 52 years as a plasterer in Maryborough and Bendigo.

Another of the famous old boys back in the school yard was champion cyclist from the 1960s Terry Stone.

Among younger generations was Sam Wright who picked up a reprint copy of the school’s Tarnagulla Times newsletter from the 1990s, an edition that included a story of one of his school excursions.

Class photographs through the decades were on display at the school along with students’ work and their class books

Principal Leigh Mellberg and teacher Brianne Gleisner were assisted by staff and parents in organising the day. Inglewood Lions Club cooked the barbecue lunch.

Tarnagulla Primary School has an enrolment of 25 this year.

Oldest former student Mary Dridan and current student Skylah Long

Jack Harwood (right) with his son at the anniversary luncheon

Sam and John Wright

Barry Condick, Leigh Mellberg and Terry Stone

Garry Larvas, Ellise Chapman and Ellisa Wilson ring the bell. LH PHOTOS

Bill’s back for peak inside cave

BILL Toomer was so impressed with the evolution of the “cave house” and garden he built on the outskirts of Wedderburn 40 years ago, he would be happy to make it home again.

The self-described jack-of-all trades is about to turn 89 and on Sunday made his first visit to the home in 15 years when it was open for the town’s annual open gardens day.

Bill went to live on a river boat on the Murray at Barham before finally retiring to Bendigo.

Daughter-in-law Michelle Kipping said: “When we heard that the house was part of the open gardens, it was a sure decision to pay a visit.”

Bill and Michelle were taken on a special tour by current owners Kain and Michelle Murray and daughter Crystal.

“They’ve done a good job ... I might move back in,” Bill said.

“I started to build the house in 1983 and lost a bulldozer in the floods of 1984.”

The house covered in earth and surrounded by a garden of natives and succulents is part of the Murray’s self-sustainable lifestyle. property.

“There’s been 10 years of learning and five years of success,” said Kain. “We try to learn what to grow. It’s hard soil that’s not easy to plant in.”

“Crystal looks up and sources plants for the garden and now Michelle and I are also addicted

to the evolution and growth of the garden.” And in tribute to the unique home’s original designer Bill, Kain has named the refreshment area Bill’s Bar.

The Crystal Cave Garden was one of five private gardens open on Sunday.

Australia Day Awards 2025 – Nominations Are Closing Soon

Nominations are closing soon for a range of Australia Day awards recognising outstanding Australians and community groups within the Loddon Shire.

Ward Citizen of the Year (previously Community Service Awards) nominations are open to those living, or operationally based within the Loddon Shire who have made an outstanding contribution to the local community during 2024, or have given noteworthy service to the local community over a number of years. Ward Citizen of the Year nominations are open for each of the ve Loddon Shire wards (Boort, Inglewood, Tarnagulla, Terrick and Wedderburn).

The 2025 Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year will be selected from Ward Citizen of the Year nominations.

Young Citizen of the Year nominations are open to Loddon Shire residents aged up to 26 years at 26 January 2025 who have made a noteworthy contribution to the local community during 2024, or over a number of previous years.

Community Group/Event of the Year nominations are open to groups or events operating within the Loddon Shire. This award aims to recognise and encourage signi cant contributions to community life within the Loddon Shire and to promote national pride and community responsibility.

Organised by Wedderburn Community House, more than 100 people registered to visit the gardens.

Pam and Bruce Turnbull took visitors around their garden showcasing a playful spirit and whimsical features and an area

dedicated to the ANZACs and Michelle and Bruce Hargreaves opened the gardens at their accommodation venue Kurracaburn, the former Korong Bush Nursing Hospital. Activities and produce stalls were popular at the community house.

Further information on each Award category is contained within nomination forms available from Council’s website, www.loddon.vic.gov.au, or upon email request to australiaday@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Note: The closing date for receipt of nominations has extended. Nominations for all awards will now close at 4pm on Monday 4 November 2024.

Locked Lyndger fears raised

THE State Government has been asked whether gates at Lake Lyndger will be locked after concerns the game hunting reserve could be closed.

Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh raised the lake’s future with Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos in Parliament last week.

“Parks Victoria have installed a gate on the access track at the south-east corner of Lake Lyndger. Hunters are concerned that Parks Vic will lock this gate in future, excluding them from vehicle access to this part of Lake Lyndger,” he said.

Parks Victoria area chief ranger Karen Doyle said on Monday: “Lake Lyndger remains open to the public and we’re investing $20,000 towards tackling pest animals and plants, as well as new signage – making the lake an even better place for outdoor recreation.”

“We’ve installed some new fencing and a gate in one small area to protect recently identified Aboriginal cultural heritage from damage by vehicles. “Visitors, including hunters, can still access that part of the reserve on foot. The rest of the reserve is open for vehicles.”

Lake Boort, Lake Lyndger and Little Lake Boort were last year added to the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.

Michelle Murray, Bill Toomer, Crystal and Kain Murray (top) in the garden while above Kain and Bill check out the bar while Dede Williams, Chelsea and Tahlia Hargreaves tour the garden. LH PHOTOS

Rust buckets hit the road

HUNDREDS OF cars worth less than $1500 scooted up the Loddon Valley Highway on Saturday.

They were being driven in the annual Shitbox Rally, flagged off from Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showgrounds that morning at the start of a 2400km trek to Townsville.

Rheola’s Matt Catto and Avoca’s Todd Downie were in one of the early groups to make a pitstop in Serpentine where locals were cheering their drive raising funds for the Cancer Council.

The rally debutantes have since spent the week alternating behind the wheel of a VI Commodore that has more than 285,000km on the clock.

Matt said he had been inspired to join the rally after the loss of a friend, Paul Metcalf, with testicular cancer.

“Life’s too short and the passing of Paul touched me ... everyone is touched by the loss of a person with cancer,

“The car we are driving was donated by a survivor. It wouldn’t start when we first got it, there’s no radio. It’s a real shitbox.”

Matt said that’s when Todd stepped up. “If we didn’t have enough work to do Monday to Friday, we set about getting the car running and ready for the rally.”

“We love it that the Shitbox Rally is not a race, rather a challenge to achieve the unthink-

able… To drive cars worth just $1500 across Australia on some of its most formidable roads, all in the name of charity is a great way to help others,” Matt said.

“Like everyone else in this rally we want to have an adventure, have fun, who crave something different.

“And we’re making new lifelong friends, take part in something memorable but most importantly, raising much needed money for charity.”

Shitbox rallies have been held for 14 years with more than $47 million donated to the Cancer Council.

- CHRIS EARL

Auction cheapie fires Trevor and Aaron

TREVOR Collins and work mate Aaron Ficheroux picked up a bargain for their trek to Queensland in this week’s Shitbox Rally.

They headed to an auction house and walked out with a Holden VE Commodore for $380.

Trev lives in Newbridge and works as firefighters in Sunbury.

“We are both professional firefighters. That’s how we met and became best mates,” they said.

“We are sick and tired of losing our friends, family and colleagues to the horrific disease cancer, in all its forms.

Trev said being a firefighter was a high-risk occupation for cancer “and being in the rally is a way of raising awareness”.

“Aaron and I have worked together for 10 years and thought the rally was a good thing to do.”

Trev picked up sponsorship from Newbridge businesses for the rally, their signs on the Commodore as a way to promote the Loddon on the rally. The pair has already raised $6000 and hopes to finish the rally with more than $8000 in the kitty.

“This rally is a chance for us to raise funds which will contribute directly to the Cancer Council, for essential research to stop our loved ones suffering the effects of cancer.”

SOLDIERS’ Memorial Park in Wedderburn was the perfect setting on Sunday when Bella Derks invited friends to her tea party themed 9th birthday.

Serpentine pitstop for Matt and Todd on Saturday. LH PHOTO

Aaron and Trevor driving for a cause

OBITUARY

Life of community service

MARJORIE SMITH 1929-2024

MARJ Smith, who lived in the Loddon Shire for the majority of her life, was born in Durham Ox and moved to a farm in Yarrawalla after marrying Russell, has died aged 95.

VICTORIA HOTEL

During her time in Yarrawalla, she was an active member of the community, helping others in any way she could.

Marj was recognised for work throughout her life with various accolades and awards. She received the first Loddon Valley Netball Association life membership in 1984 and was a Yarrawalla South Tennis Club life member and Citizen of the Year 1996.

She was a recipient of the Centenary Medal awarded for service to the community through sport particularly junior tennis and netball in 2001.

Marj was awarded a Laurel Wreath Award acknowledging 50 years of service to the Red Cross, that was presented at Government House.

While doing the mail run Marj also worked in Pyramid Hill at a café during lunchtime, before returning to Durham Ox after taking the mail to Pyramid Hill, picking up groceries as requested and would then dis-

tribute mail and groceries. She also assisted various members of the community however she could, including caring for other children when families needed assistance, driving people to appointments, doing meals on wheels, working in the local hostel and volunteering in various ways around the district.

and she held a highland dancing exhibition for the folk in the Pyramid Hostel in her 70s.

As well as an active member in her local community Marj was a strong supporter of the Loddon Valley Netball Association.

Despite not having any daughters she helped within the club including with netball umpiring until well into her fifties and supplying a huge spread of goods for afternoon tea or any other occasion.

Two of her granddaughters, Jeannie and Kellie have had lengthy and successful careers within the association with Kellie celebrating 500 senior games for Calivil this year.

PYRAMID HILL

Their love of the game was kickstarted by their grandma who drove them to and from training and games.

VICTORIA HOTEL

Marj directed several concerts involving just locals in the Yarrawalla Hall, in the galvanised building preceding the current hall.

EST. 1874

Even after moving to Bendigo, Marj was no more than a phone call away and was more than happy to provide a listening ear for anyone who needed it. Her presence in the Loddon Shire community will be missed.

PYRAMID HILL

They were mostly musicals with Doug and Hedley Miles leading the charge with the vocals. Her theatrical talents continued to shine through her life,

VICTORIA HOTEL

Family and friends farewelled Marj at a service held in the Yarrawalla Hall.

She is survived by sons Tom, Brian, Gary, Paul, Michael and their families.

EST. 1874

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

Love our local!

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm

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

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

Sand drilling set to resume

FALCON Metals will re-start exploratory roadside drilling before Christmas for their mineral sand project at Mysia.

The update was given to the Australian Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

Falcon said preliminary testing in the Farrelly prospect, 12km south of Boort, had returned a positive result for high-grade minerals and found no notable issues during the processing procedure.

“Landowners in the area have not provided consent for the company to access or drill their

paddocks, however Falcon intends to remain in contact with the landowners with the aim of resolving the matter amicably,” the announcement said.

According to Falcon, roadside drilling this year will explore new zones of mineralisation.

And the company is pushing ahead with its gold programs in the Loddon.

It says gold exploration drilling for the Pyramid Hill Gold project will resume early next year.

Op-shop donation will pay to replace stolen plaque

A HISTORIC township plaque stolen last month will be replaced.

Pyramid Hill Op-shop has donated almost $2000 to the Mologa and District Landcare Group for the cost of a new plaque.

The brass plaque, which included a map and former locations of Mologa businesses, disappeared from the railway reserve where it had been since a back-to in 1997.

Landcare group member Guido Assmann approached the opshop for assistance in raising funds for a new plaque.

Lunch from 12.00pm

Trading hours

Dinner from 6.00pm

Monday – Open 3.00pm

Pot’n’Parma Night

Dinner from 6.00pm

Thursday – Open Midday

Social Darts Night

Dinner from 5.30pm

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Steak’n’Pot Night

Friday – Open Midday

Dinner from 6.00pm Trivia Night

Lunch from 12.00pm

Wednesday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm

Lunch from 12.00pm

Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Pot’n’Parma Night

With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle

Thursday – Open Midday

Saturday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm

Lunch from 12.00pm

Steak’n’Pot Night

Dinner from 5.30pm

Friday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 5.30pm Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Sunday – Open Midday All Day Pizza Menu Close 11.00pm

Max Gamble, who was secretary of the back-to committee, said the op-shop donation would ensure the memory of early Mologa settlers and ensured later generations continued to be honoured.

He said the work of the Landcare group and particularly Guido and his wife Christl and president Bill Boyd had been important in the quest to raising funds.

Guido said: “We are so pleased that the local history will be recorded once more.”

He said the order with Kyabram firm DP Jones and Co (had now been placed and a plaque would be reinstalled next month.

The program will include the Eddington, Karri, Pyramid Hill, Mead and Loddon Vale Prospects. 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

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

Peter

Ken hooked on real shades of grey

have tempted Ken Holland to walk away from farming over the years but an attachment to what he calls Australia’s own cattle breed has kept him on the land at Fernihurst.

The former nurse and third generation district farmer remains as committed to the Murray grey breed as was his father Frank who first purchased a stud bull almost 60 years ago.

Among successful exhibitors at last month’s Royal Melbourne Show, Ken has stayed with the breed with 50 shades of grey in the decades since the industry became wrapped in Angus “black cows” and the Waghu push by the markets.

“Everyone became convinced that would be best and that the colour (of the cow) had to be black to be any good,” Ken said last week as he put out feed for his 60 breeders.

“Murray greys are quiet, playful and good milkers ... and butchers tell me have the most tender meat to cut.”

Ken, said the Murray greys were still tops in the show ring early this century, being awarded the supreme exhibit at Sydney’s Royal Show.

And Ken’s attachment to the Murray greys is strengthened when he says it Australia’s breed for Australian conditions.

Ken said that according to the Australian legend, the first Murray Grey was born on the Thologolong property of Peter Sutherland in New South Wales in 1905, to a light roan shorthorn cow and an Aberdeen angus bull.

The Australian breed, he said, had faced competition this century from European breeds but nothing could beat the “50 shades of grey” with breeders in North America also using the Australian genetics.

Secretary of Murray Grey Association Australia, Ken said: “We are aiming to keep the purity of the breed because of its great traits.”

“The judge in Melbourne this year said it was good to see us staying true to the colours of the Murray greys instead of trying to become another black breed,” he said.

This year’s Royal Melbourne Show had seven studs showing 26 cattle. Numbers are still to reach pre-COVID levels when South Australian breeders would pop over the border.

But exhibitor numbers also reflect changes in the industry. “We run 60 breeders today whereas 20 years ago we had 200 but that was before dairy farmers went away from Murray greys,” he said.

“I’m still breaking in 10 heifers a year, keep four or five bulls and then meet advance orders from dairy farmers and those chasing a good animal for dairy and meat mix.

“And people buying bulls are keeping them for double the time they once did.”

Ken spent several decades as a nurse. He met wife Michelle while training in Melbourne. He returned full-time to the farm when his father retired.

“Dad loved cattle and started taking them to shows soon after buying his first Murray grey bull. That was 1967 and he had saved the money to buy it” he said.

“He was originally breeding Murray Greys via Angus. He really liked the tem-

perament, they calved easy and fattened well. If one didn’t behave, it was quickly sold.”

Ken said popularity of the breed extended to Western Australia where there were two large studs.

“We aim to keep the breed going, keeping it as it was meant to be - shades of grey.”

- CHRIS EARL

Fernihurst’s Ken Holland ... champion of the Australian breed. LH PHOTO

WOOL REPORT

The Australian wool market generally recorded modest falls last week, the market best described as subdued after the sharp rises recorded during the previous selling weeks. The previous week’s price increases encouraged more sellers to the market, pushing the national offering up to 41,065 bales, this was the largest sale since Week 8, which was after the annual threeweek mid-year recess. Although this sale was relatively large, the season to date offering continues to trend lower. So far this year there has been 432,254 bales put through the auction system, this is 109,999 fewer bales than the previous season, a drop of 20.3%. High yielding (higher than 66% dry in particular) merino fleece lots containing favourable additional measurement results (AM), continued to attract strong buyer interest, the prices on offer for these types were at very similar levels to those of the previous week. Lower yielding wool and wool with less favourable AM results did receive the same level of support, as buyers became more selective with their purchases, these types were the driving factor in the overall downward trend in the merino fleece Micron Price Guides (MPGs). Across the country the merino fleece MPG movements ranged between plus 11 and minus 30 cents. The softer market pushed the passed in rate up to 8.3%, this was 6.5% higher than the previous series, the 1.8% passed in rate last week was the lowest passed in figure since August 2018. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) added 1 cent on the first selling day, pushing the run of positive daily EMI movements to six. On the second day the EMI dropped by 2 cents, meaning the EMI fell by the barest of margins, closing the week 1 cent lower at 1,138 cents.

This week’s oﬀering is expected to fall. There are currently 36,553 bales rostered for sale in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.

Source: AWEX

109 MIDLAND HIGHWAY, EPSOM

Phone 03 5455 6333 Fax 03 5448 3936

Branch Manager & Senior Agronomist

Craig Sharam 0408 188 351

Wool - Adam Millard 0400 499 064

Livestock - Nigel Starick 0408 528 322

Wade Broadstock 0427 337 231

Lachie McAlister 0428 717 403

Chris Anderson 0408 921 540

Merchandise - Glenn Jackson 0429 076 459

Agronomy - Anton Mannes 0499 708 044

Josh Mcleod 0447 678 609

SHEEP AND LAMBS

THERE was a slight decline in numbers at Bendigo on Monday down to 19,750 lambs and 9100 sheep following widespread rain across the region late last week.

It was a better quality yarding with the young lambs handling more consistently this week and the top runs showing more weight. A couple of processors which have been absent or quite recently were more active in this sale and the general tone of the buying group was more urgent, some loading trucks out early in the auction. Prices for export and heavy trade lambs were $5 to $10 dearer. Once under 24kg cwt the market fluctuated more around quality to average $3 to $8 stronger. Buyers did give better support to the southern lambs from the likes of Kilmore which are starting to come in and are still showing a lot of freshness.

There were less restocking orders with no Ballarat agents or buyers from Swan HIll or Albury. More light lambs under 21kg cwt did sell to MK processing orders rather than to restockers. Any well-bred lines of store lambs with frame sold at similar rates, while some of the smallest store lambs were cheaper. There was more firstcross Border Leicester wether lambs in this yarding. A few pens of export weight young lambs $262 to a top of $288/head. Most of he lead pens of crossbreds were in the 26-30kg cwt range and sold from $213 to $252 to average $238/head. Heavy trade young lambs $196 to $224, and medium trades $165 to $218/head. On a carcass basis the main export and heavy trade categories were trending at 820c to 840c/ kg cwt, with the neatest supermarket style pens out to a top of 880c/kg at times. Once under 24kg cwt the rate was more like 760c to 800c/kg cwt. In the store lambs crossbreds showing good breed type and

some frame size sold from $125 to $158/ head, while smaller lambs to the paddock varied from $55 to $122/head. The mutton sale was modestly dearer by $2 to $8/head with most sheep estimated as costing processors from 280c to 340c/kg cwt. Big crossbred ewes $95 to $115/head; the lead pens of Merino ewes with weight and skin values $92 to $119/head; general run of trade sheep $55 to $88/head.

SUCKERS

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Alex Collins - 0408 314 768

Stratton - 0414 576 371

Broadbent - 0447 002 844

Holt - 0417 686 814

BENDIGO

Machinery, Tractors

2024 BOORT SHOW RESULTS

Molly Meadows 1, Sherryn O’Flaherty 2. Plate of cooked slices: Sherryn O’Flaherty 1. Muffins (not savoury): Sherry O’Flaherty 1, Kate Nelson 2. Decorated cupcakes: Merryn Rees 1, Kelly Henderson 2. AWW Children’s Birthday Cake: Kelly Henderson 1, Molly Meadows 2. Rich Fruit Cake: Michelle Edwards 1. Junior Boiled Fruit Cake: Alice Marsh 1, Bella Quinn 2. Jams, Jellies and Sauces

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Amber Coleman

2. AOV Waterfowl Male: Chloe Brown 1.

‘Farm Produce and Vegetables

Most Outstanding Exhibits Paul Haw Beau Kane

6 Brown Chook Eggs: Jacinta Sutton 1, Zoe Gooding 2. Best 5 Lemons: Paul Haw 1, Abby Potter 2. Any unscheduled fruit: Abby Potter 2. 3 Oranges & 3 Lemons: Abby Potter 1, Carrie Byrne 2. Rhubarb, 1 bunch: Paul Haw 1. 3 Carrots: Paul Haw 1. Best Silver Beet, 1 bunch: John Vernon 1, Paul Haw 2. 3-6 Herbs: Sue Gould 1. Any other vegetable: Paul Haw 1, Sue Gould 2. Sheaf of growing wheat in head, dry farming: H. Weaver & Son 1 Stuart Gould 2. Sheaf of growing wheat in head, irrigated: Beau Kane 1 Ash Gawne 2. Sheaf of growing barley, dry farming: Josh Rothacker 1 Harry Weaver 2. Sheaf of growing barley, irrigated: Hunter and Pippa Nelson 1 Harry Weaver 2. Sheaf of growing Canola: Beau Kane 1 Alister Knight 2. Cookery

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Kelly Henderson

Decorated Novelty Cake: Sienna Boyd 1, Claire Butler 2. Sponge Sandwich: Roma Cain 1, Tanya Buchannan 2. Chocolate Cake with plain icing: Tanya Buchannan 1. VAS Carrot Cake: Madeleine Lanyon 1, Kath Lanyon. Plain Scones: Kim Potter 1, Ros Gawne 2. Hedgehog Cake: Kelly Henderson 1, Tanya Buchannan 2. Yoyos: Abby Potter 1, Suzanne Patterson 2. Rum Balls: Kelly Henderson 1, Emily Henderson 2. NDAS Anzacs: Laci Streader 1, Sherryn O’Flaherty 2. NDAS Chocolate Mud Cake: Madeleine Lanyon 1, Sienna Boyd 2. Plate of uncooked slices:

Collection of jams other than marmalade: Amber Coleman 1. Any jam: Di Walsh 1, Sarah Soon 2. Any variety of jelly: Amber Coleman 1. Bottle of Tomato Sauce: Ken Birt 1, Merryn Rees 2. Tomato Relish: Ken Birt 1, Di Walsh 2. Bottle of Sauce not scheduled: Amber Coleman 1. Bottle of cordial any variety: Susan Gould 1. Lemon Butter: Jeannine McNabb 1, Michelle Edwards 2. Microwave Lemon Butter: Merryn Rees 1. Needlework

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Gaye Sim

NDAS Crochet Article: Gaye Sim 1, Mica

Mustapich 2. NDAS Handknitted article: Marlies Eicher 1, Narelle Vernon 2. Article Cross Stitch: Thelma Moresi 1. Any article made by a person 70 years and over: Gaye Sim 1, Margaret Bennett 2. Any crochet article or garment: Gaye Sim 1, Merryn Rees 2. Pincushion: Chloe MacIntosh 1, Jenny Buchanan 2. Any handknitted garment or article: Margaret Bennett 1. Most attractive hand knitted garment: Margaret Bennett 1. Knitted or crochet toy: Mica Mustapich 1, Margaret Bennett 2. Knitted accessory: Janine Harvey 1. Crochet accessory: Merryn Rees 1. Baby’s matinee jacket: Gaye Sim 1, Margaret Bennett 2. Knee Rug- any medium: Gaye Sim 1, Gaye Sim 2. Table runner- any medium: Michelle Henderson 1, Michelle Henderson 2. Tea cosy: Janine Harvey 1. Decorated Tote Bag (front only): Mica Mustapich 1. Set of matching accessories: Margaret Bennett 1, Marlies Eicher 2. VAS Hand embroidery: Jenny Buchanan 1, Jenny Buchanan 2. VAS Crochet Comp: Gaye Sim 1. Flowers

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Suzanne Patterson

Cut flowers: Kim Potter 1. Collection of Marguerites: Thelma Moresi 1. Stem of Bearded Iris: Kathy Pink 1, Kathy Pink 2. Collection of Bearded Iris: Kathy Pink 1. Stem of Iris other than bearded: Isabelle Moon 1. Container of Snapdragons: Suzanne Patterson 1. One stem of flower: Suzanne Patterson 1, Loddon Place 2. Collection of Ranunculi: Emma Moon 1, Isabelle Moon 2. Collection of Australian Natives: Cathie Haw 1, Susan Gould 2. Collection of Nasturtiums: Ros Gawne 1, Lynette Clark 2. Collection of Geraniums: Dorothy Wellard 1. Three stems of Geranium: Lauren Gawne 2. Collection of Pansies: Narelle Vernon 1, Kim Potter 2. One stem of flowering shrub: Lynette Clark 1, Lynette Clark 2. One stem of Hippeastrums: Ken Birt 1. Spike of any Orchid: Sandra Poyner 1, Sandra Poyner 2. Three distinct flowers: Thelma Moresi 1. Display of any variety of flower: Kim Potter 1, Lynette Clark 2. One Rose of any colour: Sienna Boyd 1, Emma Moon 2. Three full bloom roses: Sienna Boyd 1, Trish Bird 2. One variety rose, 3 stages: Sienna Boyd 1, Lynette Clark 2. One stem red rose: Lynette Clark 1, Trish Bird 2. One stem pink rose: Emma Moon 1, Lynette Clark 2. One stem rose unspecified: Sienna Boyd 1, Brooke Chamberlain 2. Succulent or cactus in novelty container: Sandra Poyner 1. Succulent or cactus – small: Sandra Poyner 1, Lynette

Clark 2. Succulent or cactus – large: Sandra Poyner 1, Sandra Poyner 2. Floating flowers in bowl: Thelma Moresi 1, Sandra Poyner 2. Look, NO flowers: Brooke Chamberlain 1, Sandra Poyner 2. Daintiest miniature arrangement: Ros Gawne 1, Narelle Vernon 2.

As I like it: Sandra Poyner 1, Kath Lanyon 2. Arrangement using foliage and succulents: Sandra Poyner 1, Brooke Chamberlain 2. Table centre arrangement: Sandra Poyner 1. Christmas arrangement, any material: Narelle Vernon 1. Arrangement using three different geraniums: Kath Lanyon 1. Living Boot: Sandra Poyner 1, Suzanne Patterson 2. Afternoon Tea Tray: Narelle Vernon 1.

Patchwork

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Michelle Henderson

Encouragement Award

Linda O’Keefe

Patchwork Bag: Jenny Buchanan 1, Karen Rothacker 2. Article, machine pieced and quilted by entrant, over 160cm: Karen Rothacker 1, Fiona Cockerell 2. Applique article: Linda O’Keefe 1, Linda O’Keefe 2. Combination technique article: Michelle Henderson 1, Linda O’Keefe 2. Two person quilt: Jenny Buchanan 1, Tamara Boyd 2. Quilt including stitchery or embroidery: Michelle Henderson 1.

Creative Crafts

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Rick Loader

Encouragement Award

Pippa Rodgers

Most original/attractive article of craftwork: Janine Harvey 1, Jenny Buchanan 2. Framed picture: Amber Coleman 1. Unframed picture: Claire Butler 1, Grace Binu 2. Adult colouring in: Trish Bird 1, Janine Harvey 2. Handmade toy: Mica Mustapich 1, Claire Butler 2. Contemporary art: Janine Harvey 1, Janine Harvey 2. NDAS Handmade Greeting Card: Amber Coleman 1, Janine Harvey 2. Decorated household item: Janine Harvey 1, Janine Harvey 2. Hand beaded jewellery: Amber Coleman 1, Emily Henderson 2. Recycled or upcycled item: Janine Harvey 1, Janine Harvey 2. Article of macrame: Tamara Boyd 1. Item suitable for a seasonal or celebratory theme: Emmy Moon 1, Janine Harvey 2. NDAS One article of craft or hobby- men only: Rick Loader 1, David Rawlins 2. Any article not scheduled: Sebastian Herman 1, Amber Coleman 2. School Children Preschool Archie Viergever. Four decorated Milk Arrowroot Biscuits: Molly Sutton 1, Archie Pink 2. Drawing/ colouring/painting: Macks Cain 1. Animal made from play dough: Alexander Chalmers 1. Decorated disposable plate: Archie Viergever 1, Emma Chalmers 2. Amity Writing Competition

Foundation: Pippa Nelson 1, Frankie Bird 2. Years 1/2: Keira Henderson 1, Sienna Adams 2. Years 3/4: Becky Stringer 1, Ava Davidson 2. Years 5/6: Hayley Stringer 1, Victoria Lanyon 2. Years 7-9: Emily Henderson 1. JUNIOR

School Children Junior (Prep2) and Middle (Year 3-6)

Most Outstanding Exhibit (Middle)

Alisha Henderson

NDAS 3 decorated Marie Biscuits Junior: Isa-

bel Crilly 1, Keira Henderson 2. NDAS 3 decorated Marie Biscuits Middle: Zoey Gooding 1, Ava Davidson Train 2. NDAS Chocolate Cake: Ava Davidson Train 1. NDAS 4 Anzac biscuits: Carrie Byrne 1, Zoey Gooding 2. NDAS 3 decorated cupcakes: Becky Stringer 1, Alisha Henderson 2. Four Yoyos: Zoey Gooding 1. Hedgehog slice: Alisha Henderson 1, Victoria Lanyon 2. Chocolate packet cake, no icing: Keira Henderson 1, Alisha Henderson 2. Four decorated patty cakes: Pippa Nelson 1, Hunter Nelson 2. Decorated cake: Alisha Henderson 1, Keira Henderson 2. Scones: Ava Davidson Train 1. Rum Balls: Ava Davidson Train 1, Alisha Henderson 2. Edible necklace (threading material allowed): Keira Henderson 1. Edible necklace (threading material not allowed): Carrie Byrne 1. Arrangement of flowers, up to 25cm high: Carrie Byrne 1, Sienna Adams 2. Hobby exhibit, LEGO, no kits- Junior: Isabel Crilly 1, Whyatt Brooks 2. Hobby exhibit, LEGO, no kits- Middle: Ava Davidson Train 1, Alisha Henderson 2. Hobby exhibit, My Farm: Carrie Byrne 1, Juliette Lanyon 2. Any 2D artwork, Prep to Year 2: Pippa Nelson 1, Xander Train 2. Any 2D artwork, Years 3-4: Becky Stringer 1, Tasma Toby 2. Any 2D artwork, Years 5-6: Alisha Henderson 1, Hayley Stringer 2. Piece of hand beaded jewellery: Keira Henderson 1, Floss Rogers 2. Woollen Pom Pom: Floss Rogers 1, Hannah Talbot 2. Craft article, any medium: Alisha Henderson 1, Sienna Adams 2. Growing plant in novelty container: Hunter Nelson 1, Whyatt Brooks 2.

School Children Senior

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Sienna Boyd

Hedgehog cake: Bella Quinn 1, Alice Marsh

2. 6 Muffins: Victoria Lanyon 1, Archer Lee 2. 4 Yoyos: Abby Potter 1 Indie Gooding 2. Chocolate cake, iced and decorated: Sienna Boyd 1 Jonas Haw 2. NDAS Anzacs: Cleo Vellely 1 Laci Streader 2. 4 pieces of uncooked slice, one variety: Emily Henderson 1 Alice Marsh 2. 6 scones: Tia Lanyon 1 Liam King 2. Decorated cupcakes: Sienna Boyd 1 Emily Henderson 2. Marble cake, no icing: Amelia Hosking 1 Liam King 2. Orange cake: Henry Hawken 1 Alice Marsh 2. Tea cake: Cleo Vellely 1. VAS Junior Carrot and Date Muffins: Emily Henderson 1 Madeleine Lanyon 2. NDAS Chocolate Cake: Madeleine Lanyon 1 Anna Lanyon 2. Craft article, any medium: Grace Binu 1 Emily Henderson 2. Handmade toy any medium: Desiree Leersen 1. Any 2D Artwork: Scarlett McNabb 1 Emily Henderson 2. Hobby/construction, no kits: Alice Marsh 1. NDAS Cushion: Alice Marsh 1.

Photography

Most Outstanding Exhibit

Kerry McFarlane

VAS Comp- Architecture (Junior): Beau Kane 1. NDAS Junior- Storm: Beau Kane 1 Ivy Streak 2. Prep to Year 6: My Pet: Ivy Streak 1 Beau Kane 2. Nature: Ivy Streak 1 Ivy Streak 2. Under 17: Sunset/Sunrise: Ivy Streak 1 Beau Kane 2. Action/Sport: Victoria Lanyon 1 Victoria Lanyon 2. Landscape: Beau Kane 1. Shadows: Kerry McFarlane 1. Open: Landscape: Kevin Walton 1 Kerry McFarlane 2. Portrait: Kerry McFarlane 1 Kerry McFarlane 2. Local Subject: Kerry McFarlane 1 Nikki Barraclough 2. Person/People at Work: Kerry McFarlane 1 Kerry McFarlane 2. Architecture: Nikki Barraclough 1 Nikki Barraclough 2. Wet/Reflection: Kerry McFarlane 1 Kevin Walton 2. After Dark: Kerry McFarlane 1 Sophie Barraclough 2. Family or Gathering: Amber Coleman 1 Isabelle Loader

Darcy Steel, 7, of Kerang Alannah Burns

Sharon O’Flaherty, Daisy O’Flaherty, Milla Buchanan and Chris O’Flaherty Zoey Gooding, Ava Train and Juliet Lanyon in the prizes. LH PHOTO

670 Acres approx. (8 titles)

Buying No/ID equired

Cash or E�pos –

Account D. Gilmore

On site Parking

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – CLOSE 4pm 28.11.24

Hobby farm equipment, large quan�ty of an�que and reproduc�on furniture, kitchen cabinets, sideboards, lots of chairs, pain�ngs, 30 boxes of tools and sundries, quan�ty of spare furniture parts, poly and water hoses.

Principally grey loam adjacent to the Serpentine Creek. Bounded by Loddon Park Road on the West, Serpentine Creek on the East and the main Boort Road on the South. Network of internal channels. Majority of land has been watered in the past. Approx 8 paddocks, fencing fair, land in good heart. House block of 8 acres has a solid 4 bed mudbrick homestead substantially remodelled large hay shed 14mx20m, silos, stables and outbuildings, water tanks, 2 machinery sheds 14mx8m and 15mx22m, cattle yards, frontage to the Serpentine Billabong, crown land lease along the extensive river frontage. A conservationists/ family haven. The home block could be excluded from the sale of the land by agreement.

Child’s 4w motorbike, swing set, 6 Jerry cans, fencing tools, Yamaha touring motorbike, Jac front-end loader, mul�ple bucket a�achments, 5000 L Goldacres water tanker/ﬁreﬁghter trailer, ditchwitch (needs work).

4 bed mudbrick homestead substantially remodelled large hay shed 14mx20m, silos, stables and outbuildings, water tanks, 2 machinery sheds 14mx8m and 15mx22m, cattle yards, frontage to the Serpentine Billabong, crown land lease along the extensive river frontage. A conservationists/ family haven. The home block could be excluded from the sale of the land by agreement.

Large quan�ty of Besser bricks, 3 wood piles, compressor FOODVAN – COFFEE ONSITE

Further information: greg@propertyplusre.com.au

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Licensed Real Estate Agent

0477 000 561

148-152 High Street, Kangaroo Flat

Further information: greg@propertyplusre.com.au

FEATURES | OPINION AND QUIZ

Heroes: humble and forgotten

By CHRIS EARL

WHAT’S the saying? Times of adversity bring out the best in people.

That is certainly true in country Victoria in times of flood, fire and drought - people unselfishly chipping in to help friends, neighbours and other people they do not even know.

There have been countless acts across Loddon communities over the last two years. Our local heroes have not looked for accolades, tributes or reward for performing deeds that have been described as heroic.

Why not? Country people are inherently humble. It is not a sign of rural naivety waiting to be exploited by the “superior cultures” that can at times be perceived to be imposed by government and bureaucracy on the way of life that is cherished in rural lands. But these same local people are now angry that national recognition has been given to the State Emergency Service for a dramatic flood rescue at Wedderburn in January.

Angry, because whitewashed from the National Safety and Rescue Council citation has been the part played by five Wedderburn residents in saving a man from near-certain death as he was roped to the bank of the raging Nardoo Creek.

Angry, because these locals were left shunned and unacknowledged by the SES in a media release proclaiming the

award and in regional interviews over the past week.

Angry, they say, that the community may have been a pawn in a power game between SES bureaucracy and a town where there has been a collision of cultures and attitudes in recent years.

A cultural crash that had seen the SES unit in Wedderburn become non-operational in the weeks of the summer storms.

A unit, ironically, that had new life weeks later. A new group of local volunteers stepping up to wear the orange overalls in a response triggered by experiencing those summer storms and yes, even inspired by the local quintet of heroes who stepped in when urgent action was needed to save a man.

The national award citation, drawn from a nomination that came from, yes, the SES itself, has rightly drawn condemnation from Wedderburn people who witnessed the rescue. Inaccurate, incomplete, and insulting, they have said. Their anger has, and is, being vented. They want to correct an error, whether intentional or otherwise. Countless people have told the Loddon Herald they want recognition where it is due. The local heroes, amid the storm that has erupted, continue to exhibit humility - they don’t want awards but certainly are disappointed the whole focus has been put on the SES. And, as we

Information only comes by being at table

Sir, I would like to remind Ms Miki Wilson and Mr Ken Pattison that an abstention from voting is not a “NO” vote (Loddon Herald letters to the editor August 15 and October 17).

There are a number of reasons for abstaining from voting, one of which may be that the voters have had insufficient time to research or knowledge of the issue to make an informed decision. The lack of knowledge of the issues related to the water buybacks was the claim made by Councillors Murphy and Jungwirth.

The Murray River Group of Councils discusses issues related to water use in irrigation and envi-

have reported this week, there remains varying recollections of what the SES did actually do that night.

As seen from the eyes of witnesses of January 2 as well as by viewing a video that captured a short part of the rescue of a man and his dog, the role played by five non-SES members should not be diminished. Nor should it be ignored and removed from the official records of recognition.

There are questions that must be answered by the Australian Maritime and Safety Authority, the National Safety and Rescue Council and the SES itself if these national awards are to have genuine integrity. When a citation is, at the minimum incomplete, a reasonable person may question the veracity of the nomination and the vetting process itself.

We can also point out that in the days and weeks after the Loddon Herald published articles about the heroics of the five Wedderburn people, the only contact from the SES was to tell us that SES volunteers “effected” the rescue. Not that the reports were wrong.

Amid the furore over the award, it is evident that a review of the national authority’s processes must be urgently undertaken. And the SES to show maturity by fully acknowledging it needed local help at a time it was struggling in the Wedderburn community.

ronmental support. The representatives from each council on this group are the mayor of the council and the chief executive efficer.

Councillors Holt, Straub and Beattie have all participated in group meetings and gained information on water issues as a result.

Councillors Murphy and Jungwirth have never been Mayors and have never participated in group meetings. It makes for a difference in knowledge.

GeorgeWyatt Newbridge

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Preference is given to letters of 300 words or less.

Letters should include name and (for verification purposes) address and phone number. Letters can be sent to loddonherald@gmail.com

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. Is a bongo a fish, a bird, or an antelope?

2. Osculation is the act of what?

3. The world’s tallest building is located in which city?

4. Dendrology is the study of what?

5. Complete this famous sentence “To be ___”

6. The 1980 eruption of which volcano caused its north face to slide away?

7. The Italian bread ‘ciabatta’ translates to what in English?

8. True or false: pheasants can fly.

9. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne was opened by which Prime Minister?

10. And in which year was it opened?

11. What was the first name of the Antarctic explorer Mawson?

12. Baleen is known by what other name?

13. The JackJumpers are a Tasmanian sports team competing in which sport?

14. Who is Australia’s current Governor General?

15. Which is the only country whose name can be typed on one row of a standard keyboard?

16. Name the two primary colours that combine to make green?

17. As the saying goes, what is the mother of invention?

18. Generally colour blindness involves the inability to distinguish between shades of red and which other colour?

19. In croquet when a ball is hit with a mallet it must pass through what?

20. HTML is computing stands for what Hypertext Markup ___?

THERE’S been a major catastrophe in prime dairy country. The flow of of the supply chain providing hydrating liquids for bowlers after a spell in the balmy spring sun at Calivil has frozen. That’s right, their favoured Great Northern brew has become an alcoholic slurpee, the product of yeast and hops nothing but crunchy ice. We’re told the club president is far from impressed with the state of affairs in the club fridge.

THE introduction of T20 cricket in the Loddon last Saturday also presented another challenge. Wedderburn had gone past the target but batted on ... the convivial crew cooking the barbecue needed a couple more turns of the snags before post-match cuisine was ready. So bat on a few more overs, was the call from the chefs.

STUMBLED across the advice from chef Adrian Richardson on cooking barbecue sausages. Whether you’re a staunch sausage pricker or anti

hole puncher, Adrian says there’s nothing wrong with a little prick. “Some people like to put a couple of small holes in their snags to stop them from exploding. This is because back in the day, butchers used to add water to their sausages, so they’d often pop if you didn’t prick them, which is why they’re called bangers,” he says. “It all depends on the fat content of the sausage.” His pro tip: When you have cheap sausages there’s no need to prick them as they can become dry and shrivelled if they lose too much moisture. We say: Sounds likes the butcher snags are best!

WITH more nights on the horizon blending Great Northern brews (or slurpees and sausages, the race is one to see who can cook a better snag than a Lions barbie.

1. An antelope 2. Kissing 3. Dubai 4. Trees and shrubs 5. “or not to be” 6. Mount St Helens 7. Slipper 8. True 9. Sir Robert Menzies 10. 1959 11. Douglas 12. Whalebone 13. Basketball 14. Sam Mostyn 15. Peru 16. Blue and yellow 17. Necessity 18. Green 19. Hoops 20.

Ken Arnold goes travelling in history to discover

CAUSES OF DEATH

A MURDER, an animal attack and natural causes. Three very different causes for the deaths of those buried in the Pioneers Memorial Grave.

Laid to rest in a place known by many names throughout history, Glengower, has a mysterious and bloody past.

Memorialised by the plaque at the grave site, three unnamed men, a cook, a traveller and a young worker.

The history of Glengower begins with Dugald McLachlan, 1801 - January 31, 1855, a retired army captain, who emigrated with his nephew Donald Cameron, born 1819, to Campbelltown and purchased the Glengower station around 1838-1839. He built on the east side of the creek, known then as Joyce’s Creek or Deep Creek and it was here that what is thought to be the first hand made brick building in central Victoria was erected.

Dugald McLachlan sold his property to Hugh Glass in March 1854. Glass employed Donald Campbell, 1813 - 1868, to manage the property.

It was not long before gold was found in the area hence a small town soon sprung up. Joyces Creek was renamed Campbelltown, after Duncan Campbell, by surveyor Mackintosh in 1861.

At that time the Glengower - Donald Campbell, the Rock and the Caledonian hotels were operating. During April 1921 part of the original run was sold for soldier settlement, this area becoming known as Strathlea. Joyce’s creek emanates from the Blampied area.

The Joyces Creek cemetery, Rodborough Road, also recorded as Glengower Road, Strathlea is some distance from Campbelltown towards Newstead whilst the Glengower (Campbelltown) cemetery is about 2kms out, it being towards Smeaton.

The general area of Glengower is around 7kms out of Campbelltown, on the road to Clunes. At one stage Glengower had three hotels, a Bible Christian church, hall, post office and school No. 927, which operated from 1867 - 1936. A grass fire in 1969 destroyed the remaining timber buildings however some ruins of stone buildings can still be seen today.

George and Alfred Joyce purchased the Plaistow run and improvements, these being two very primitive huts, a log sheep yard, fifty hurdles and a watch-box for £50 in 1844. The Plaistow homestead is in Rodborough Road.

The Maryborough - Castlemaine railway line had to be realigned to the south of the old bridge over Joyces Creek whilst a new much higher bridge was built nearby for road traffic. Close by to the old low level timber bridge there was a mineral spring. Whilst the old bridge is under water when the reservoir is full, the steps down to the

old spring can still be seen. The old mineral springs are upstream from the road bridge.

If you turn into Joyces Creek-Baringhup Road you pass by the old railway site. Continue for some distance until you reach Picnic Point Road where you turn right and travel down to a small picnic ground. No facilities except a ramp for unloading boats.

Donald Cameron settled on part of Alexander Irvine’s Seven Hills Run, renaming it Clunes. It was on this run that James Esmond, born 1822, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, found payable gold in what was then known as Port Phillip, now Victoria, on July 1, 1851.

It is thought that the cook at the station was killed by a group of Indigenous people, who were returning to the Grampians, after obtaining green stone from Mt. William, near Lancefield. Incidentally the Indigenous people used greenstone blanks to make stone axes.

Why was the cook murdered? Well, the answer died with the cook and the Indigenous People, but it has been suggested that the cook added Plaster of Paris to damper which would swell inside the stomach thus causing a horrible death but if this was the case the cook would have only been signing his own death warrant.

It would appear that the Indigenous

Australians had called at the station requesting food whilst McLachlan and his stockmen were away mustering sheep for shearing during the winter of 1840. On returning the men found the murdered cook hanging on a meat hook in the kitchen. As the Indigenous people had camped in the area, they were suspected of the murder and an expedition comprising men from the Glengower station and stockmen from the neighbouring Smeaton Hill Run of Captain John Hepburn, with their dogs, set off after them finally sighting the tribe at Middle Creek, a small creek about five miles roughly west of the Glengower station.

On seeing the approaching men on horseback, with guns drawn, the Indigenous people jumped into the creek and tried to swim to the other side or hide under the water, some had hollow reeds to breathe through while submerged. The mounted men began to fire into the water, by the time the firing had stopped at least twelve men were dead, some floating in the red tinged water.

As a result, this place became known as ‘The Blood Hole’ or ‘Slaughter hole’. On returning to the Glengower, McLachlan buried the cook, a convict whose name is not known, about 800 yards north-east of the homestead.

In expectation of a reprisal raid, McLa-

chlan kept savage dogs that he released onto the station grounds at nightfall. About a year later a visiting itinerant traveller, who may have been seeking food or shelter, was savaged to death by the dogs, and was buried alongside the cook.

The third grave is of George McDonnell (McDonald), the son of shepherd Donald McDonnell, who died of natural causes in 1841. No further graves were added.

The graves were originally enclosed with a post-and-rail and brush fence but as this rotted away it was replaced by the current fence, the initiative of Colonel Tom Anderson, of Ballarat, and Alec. Cumming, of Campbelltown.

To the fence is attached a plaque that reads:

HERE LIE THREE UNKNOWN PIONEERS OF THIS DISTRICT

A cook on Glengower station, killed by the Aborigines in 1840. A traveller killed by misadventure by the station dogs in 1841 and a young employee who died from natural causes in 1841 . May they rest in peace Erected by T. Anderson & A. Cumming 1949.” This plaque was donated by a Captain Baldwin. This grave site, on private property, in Strathlea Road, about one km from the old Black Duck hotel at Campbelltown, on the east side of the road.

Glengower homestead and its pine trees

BRIDGEWATER

BRIDGEWATER NURSERY

BRIDGEWATER

DINGEE

FOUR

INGLEWOOD

STEVE’S

INGLEWOOD

PYRAMID

VICTORIA

TARNAGULLA

DECLARATION

The Chief Officer of CFA will be introducing the Fire Danger Period for all land within the municipalities listed below.

The Fire Danger Period will commence at 0100 hours on the date shown and unless varied by a subsequent declaration, will end at 0100 hours on 1st May 2025.

Municipality - Date of Commencement

Municipality Date of Commencement

Campaspe Shire Council - 4 November 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council - 4 November 2024

Loddon Shire Council - 4 November 2024

Swan Hill Rural City Council 4 November 2024

Certain restrictions on the lighting of fires are in force during the Fire Danger Period.

Information about fire restrictions within the Country Area of Victoria can be obtained from www.cfa.vic.gov.au, your local CFA District Office or Municipal Fire Prevention Officer.

Jason Heffernan Chief Officer, CFA

Australia Day Awards 2025 –Nominations Closing Soon

Nominations are closing soon for a range of Australia Day awards recognising outstanding Australians and community groups within the Loddon Shire.

The 2025 Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year will be selected from Ward Citizen of the Year nominations.

Further information on each Award category is contained within nomination forms available from Council’s website, www.loddon.vic.gov.au, or upon email request to australiaday@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Note: The closing date for receipt of nominations has extended. Nominations for all awards will now close at 4pm on Monday 4 November 2024.

Pyramid Hill Senior Citizens

Pyramid Hill Senior Citizens have not been active in recent times. A new committee has been elected and will welcome anyone interested in becoming a member

The Club has activities planned from 1pm on the second Friday of each month in the supper room at the Memorial Hall. On the fourth Friday of each month, a light meal will be available costing $10 -00. Again in the supper room at the Memorial Hall. You are welcome to pop in even if you would prefer just a cup of tea/coffee and a chat. There is no pressure to participate in the available activities.

Membership fee is $5-00 annually.

The above will be in place until the Club moves to the new building currently being constructed in McKay St. Terry Wood email tp.wood@bigpond.com Ph 0429843479

MEETINGS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

31st October 2024 - 7:00 pm at the Inglewood Town Hall Hub

Nominations are now open for 2024/25 Oﬃce Bearer positions - President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer

Nomination forms, and membership application forms, are available from the IDTC Secretary. Nomination forms must be received no later than 5:00pm, 7 days prior to the AGM, 24th October 2024.

Email to idtcsecretary@hotmail.com or mail to IDTC Secretary, PO Box 102, Inglewood, 3517

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted - approx 1000 old red bricks Phone 54383286

Chislett rides to title double

TEENAGE Pyramid Hill motocross rider Judd Chislett has won two titles in his first year competing in the Victorian Senior motocross titles.

The 16-year-old dominated all four rounds of the Senior Victorian Titles (C Grade) held at Portland, Shepparton, Albury and Blue Rock near Moe.

Despite facing challenging conditions, including gale-force winds that tested the mettle of even the most seasoned riders, Chislett prevailed.

In addition to his success at the Victorian titles, Chislett also won the last two rounds of the Northern Regional Series. Going into the weekend he was 15 points down on first place in the eightround championship, having missed the first round because of a shoulder injury. He needed maximum points to tie for first place.

“Saturday was all right, but could have been better effort-wise,” Chislett said.

“I didn’t make pass attempts happen when I should have. But plenty of positives otherwise – first in class and second in all grades.”

Despite a poor start in Sunday’s first race, he quickly made his way to the front, so the championship came down to the last race.

“As my luck would have it, the guy I was chasing in points got a great start and was gone from sight out front,” Chislett said.

“I gave it my all and sprinted hard and started reeling in first. A couple of laps to go, I had an aggressive pass, and grabbed the lead.

“I seriously didn’t think I’d be able to catch up and make moves as fast as I did.”

Chislett finished with the overall in MX2, which he hadn’t achieved all year, and went undefeated in his grade.

With his sights set on higher grades and more titles, the future looks bright for this local star.

Chislett rides to success

Old Hughie: Race honours a trotting legend

BACK in 1980 a group of trotting enthusiasts got together to form the Victorian Square Trotters Association as a way of raising the profile of the ugly ducklings of the industry, the “square-gaiters”.

Pacing was all the rage, and while not moribund, trots racing was lucky to get a couple of events at any meeting.

Bridgewater’s Hugh Redwood was elected VSTA president after the Maryborough meeting, and the group worked on ways to make trotting better known and more popular.

Inglewood trotting trainer Trevor Ralph joined as treasurer and then secretary in 1982, back when he had an impressive dark head of hair and trotters “were considered distant second cousins” to pacing horses.

The association had yet to decide how best to breathe life into trotting.

“It was stagnant,” Ralph said. “A lot in the industry didn’t like trotters – they galloped, they were headstrong, they were unreliable.”

Eventually, it was decided to create a feature race for trotters as part of a race day only for square-gaiters. The template was an American race called the Hambletonian Stakes, a major event for three-year-old trotting horses named after a 19th-century stallion known as “the father of the American trotter”.

The VSTA decided to establish a classic event for two-year-old trotters. But what to call it?

Hugh Redwood was gravely ill and in Inglewood Hospital, having handed over the presidency to Dick Lee. “I had the privilege of going up to the hospital to tell Hughie we were naming it after him,” Ralph said. “We had a meeting on the Sunday and on Monday the committee said you can go and tell him. Old Hughie was that thrilled, he was in tears.”

The first Redwood, with prize-

money of $3500, was held at Maryborough Harness Racing Club in 1986, shortly after Hugh’s death.

On Sunday, the latest edition will be run, with trotters racing for $75,000 in stakes in the group one event.

The day is a feast for squaregaiter fans, with 10 events to be run, all for trotters, including the Victorian Trotters Derby, also with $75,000 prizemoney.

Ralph said the Redwood, run over 2200 metres from a standing start, now had legendary status among trots trainers.

Three-year-olds had the Derby, and there were many feature races for four-year-old trotters.

“We thought it would be a point of difference, as there were only a few races for two-year-olds,”

Ralph said.

“We hoped they would then grow into Inter-Dominion horses. It was something we could hang our hats on.”

The first Redwood was taken out by Young Trouper. Ralph reckons the best horse to have won the race was Wagon Apollo in 1993, which went on to run second in an Inter-Dominion.

The Redwood is now a carnival over three days, with races on Friday, a dinner dance on Saturday, and the main event on Sunday. From the days of struggling to get a single trotting event on a race card, by 2002 the Maryborough meeting had two full days of square-gaiters on the track –eight races on Friday and 10 on Sunday.

Ralph, now 72, spent 13 years as secretary-treasurer of the VSTA, all the while trying to get hold of a potential Redwood winner himself. “For people with trotters, I would say, the Redwood is their first choice. It’s got history, prestige – people just want to win it.”

Ralph has never had a runner in the Redwood. He has hopes with a yearling next year.

Six in the wickets for Boort juniors

BOORT Yando comfortably defeated Wedderburn Band in their junior cricket clash on Saturday, with Wedderburn struggling to 9-35 off 25.3 overs chasing 92 for victory.

Six Boort bowlers took wickets, with Owen Byrne claiming 2-3 off three overs, and Tristen Zanker 2-4 off two.

Opener Beau Hartnell, who backed up in the seniors later, was Wedderburn’s best with 14 off 42 balls.

The Band’s struggle with the bat was highlighted by Eli Clarke, who faced 23 balls without scoring before being bowled.

For Boort, three of the top four batsmen retired not out, with opener Owen Byrne making 23, Cooper Gooding 13 and Jacob Malone 16.

Zane Polkinghorne took 2-11 off three overs for Wedderburn.

BRIDGEWATER Bulls’ 4-83 off 30 overs wasn’t enough to hold on against a strong Kingower

team, which made 5-110 in response.

Opener Lewis Lonsdale followed up his 50 retired not out last week with 33 retired not out for the Bulls, but only Nate Harrison (13 not out) was also able to make it into double figures.

Ten Kingower juniors had a bowl, with four taking a wicket each. Matilda Rose took 1-1 from her single over, clean bowling Isaac Ferguson.

Kingower openers Tyler Murphy (33 retired not out) and Morgan Lonza (29) put on 89 to pass the Bulls’ total without loss.

Emma Kilby took two of the four wickets to fall to bowlers, finishing with 2-3 off two overs.

Boort Yando v Wedderburn

Yando O. Byrne retired not out

Fill-in 5-0-12-0, B. Cramp 5-017-1, K. Cramp 3-0-10-1, Z. Polkinghorne 3-0-11-2. Wedderburn B. Hartnell c S. McClelland

N. Wickham c T. Murphy b H. Leach 0 X. Power retired not out ............................ 4 I. Ferguson b M. Rose 0 H. Kilby retired not out 2 J. Birthisel not out 2 E. Kilby b F. Lonza 0 G. Kilby not out 0 Extras 27

Total 4/83

Bowling T. Murphy 6-0-15-1, R. Leach 4-09-0, X. Wilson 5-0-10-0, M. Lonza 4-0-7-0, J. Penrose 2-0-13-0, F. Lonza 3-0-11-1, H. Leach 3-0-7-1, M. Rose 1-0-1-1, A. Wilson 1-0-2-0, E. Wilson 1-0-3-0. Kingower T. Murphy retired not out 33 M. Lonza c N. Wickham b J. Birthisel 29 R. Leach retired not out 2 X. Wilson retired not out 5 J. Penrose b J. Birthisel

IN BRIEF

PERFECT weather greeted players on Tarnagulla Golf Club’s final day for the season.

The longest drive prize was taken out by former women’s club champion Faye Newlan.

Nearest the pin was a closerun thing, with Peter Sanderson winning the prize by a mere five centimetres.

The overall women’s winner on the day was Faye Newlan, with Robyn Ravenhall finishing as runner up.

In the men’s competition, club stalwart Dave Shay won by a single stroke. In second, by a count back, was junior player Jeremy Cassar. Close behind in third was Leo McCartin.

C. Hird 4-3-2-0, D. King 2-0-3-1, J. Malone 2-0-8-0, F. Arnold 2-0-4-1, L. King 4-2-3-0, T. Zanker 2-1-4-2, B. McPherson 2.3-2-0-1, S. McClelland 2-04-1, O. Byrne 3-2-3-2. Kingower v Bridgewater Bridgewater

L. Lonsdale retired not out 33 C. Alexander b T. Murphy 2 N. Harrison not out 13

PYRAMID Hill and District Lawn Tennis Club is gearing up for its annual junior doubles tournament.

The matches will be played on November 10, with all juniors welcome.

Trevor Ralph holds a photograph of Dick Lee and himself with the famous Redwood trophy. LH PHOTO

Derby

FOR

THE second week in a row, Derby has been pipped at the post in the Marong Tennis pennant season.

In round one against Harcourt, Derby won more sets but lost the tie on the number of games won, 89 to 85.

On Saturday, against Marong, the teams ended on 76 games each, with Derby losing on a countback after winning eight sets to 10.

Newbridge beat Woodstock on Loddon 14-95 to 4-48, while Wilsons Reef (5-67) lost to Lockwood (13-93).

Wilsons Reef 5-67 lost to Lockwood 13-93

Ladies: M. Wardell H. Dudley lost to D. Wells A. Wells 3-6. M. Wardell J. Fitzgibbon d D. Wells T. Miller 6-1. H. Dudley J. Fitzgibbon lost to A. Wells T. Miller 2-6. B. McKimmie J. Taylor d H. Symes C. Shevlin 6-3. B. McKimmie F. Lucas lost to H. Symes K. Mannix 4-6. J. Taylor F. Lucas d C. Shevlin K. Mannix 6-1.

Mens: B. Taylor Partner lost to L. Nixon Partner

3-6. B. Taylor A. Evans lost to L. Nixon B. Wells

3-6. A. Evans Partner lost to B. Wells Partner 4-6. J. Taylor S. Taylor lost to R. Wells Partner 1-6. J. Taylor J. Taylor lost to T. Jensen Partner 3-6. S. Taylor J. Taylor lost to R. Wells T. Jensen 4-6.

Mixed: M. Wardell B. Taylor d D. Wells L. Nixon

6-5. H. Dudley A. Evans lost to T. Miller Partner

0-6. J. Fitzgibbon Partner lost to A. Wells Partner 2-6. B. McKimmie S. Taylor lost to H. Symes R. Wells 5-6. J. Taylor J. Taylor lost to K. Mannix B. Wells 3-6. F. Lucas J. Taylor d C. Shevlin T. Jensen 6-5.

Derby 8-76 lost to Marong 10-76

Ladies: P. Normoyle T. Leader d S. Hardingham G. Turnbull 6-1. P. Normoyle L. Naughton d S. Hardingham J. Cornish 6-1. T. Leader L. Naughton d G. Turnbull J. Cornish 6-0. D. Normoyle F. Dangerfield d H. Turnbull S. Thompson 6-2. D. Normoyle E. Farrar lost to H. Turnbull S. Thompson 5-6. F. Dangerfield E. Farrar lost to S. Thompson S. Turnbull 2-6.

Mens: M. Dineen S. Bruce lost to Z. Turnbull J. McCraig 3-6. M. Dineen N. Pollock lost to Z. Turnbull L. Frankel 2-6. S. Bruce N. Pollock lost to J. McCraig L. Frankel 3-6. N. Naughton H. McKinley lost to N. McCaig M. Frankel 5-6. N. Naughton T. Naughton d N. McCaig Partner 6-5. H. McKinley T. Naughton d M. Frankel Partner 6-1.

Mixed: N. Pollock D. Normoyle lost to L. Frankel S. Hardingham 3-6. S. Bruce P. Normoyle lost to Z. Turnbull C. Turnbull 3-6. M. Dineen L. Naughton d J. McCraig J. Cornish 6-4. H. McKinley T. Leader lost to N. McCaig H. Turnbull 2-6. N. Naughton F. Dangerfield d M. Frankel S. Turnbull 6-2. T. Naughton E. Farrar lost to S. Thompson Partner 0-6.

Newbridge 14-95 d Woodstock 4-48

Ladies: E. Jenkyn S. Wallace lost to F. Curnow J. Leversha 2-6. E. Jenkyn C. Smith d F. Curnow N. Earl 6-2. S. Wallace C. Smith d J. Leversha N. Earl 6-0. T. Higgs D. Bowmester d A. Andrews-

Stone P. Morris 6-0. T. Higgs A. Jenkyn d A. Andrews-Stone E. Ruthledge 6-4. A. Sherlock D. Bowmester d P. Morris E. Ruthledge 6-0.

Mens: D. Graham D. Stewart d G. Leach D. Tolly

6-4. D. Graham A. Broom d G. Leach N. Punton

6-1. A. Broom D. Stewart d D. Tolly N. Punton

6-3. N. Jenkyn A. Broom lost to L. McKinley C. Hercus 2-6. N. Jenkyn D. Jenkyn d L. McKinley A. Curnow 6-2. A. Broom D. Jenkyn d C. Hercus A. Curnow 6-3.

Mixed: E. Jenkyn D. Graham d F. Curnow G. Leach 6-1. S. Wallace D. Stewart lost to J. Leversha N. Punton 2-6. A. Broom C. Smith d N. Earl D. Tolly 6-0. N. Jenkyn D. Bowmester lost to A. Andrew-Stone L. McKinley 5-6. T. Higgs A. Broom d P. Morris D. Heather 6-1. A. Sherlock D. Jenkyn d E. Ruthledge A. Curnow 6-1.

LODDON VALLEY

MINCHA West sits top of the Loddon Valley tennis ladder after beating Serpentine 115-90 on Saturday.

In the closest match of the round, Dingee lost at home to Calivil North 86-97.

Lake Meran also failed to take advantage of playing on home courts, falling 75-108 to Raywood North. Yarrawalla had the bye., Lake Meran lost to Raywood 75-108 Mens: C. Chamberlain A. Chamberlain lost to A.

Ladies: P. Cockerell H. Addlem lost to E. Proot J. Wagner 3-7. P. Cockerell M. McKinlay d E. Proot T. Stewart 7-5. H. Addlem M. McKinlay d J. Wagner T. Stewart 7-6. A. Johns N. Rose lost to C. Mann M. Stewart 6-7. A. Johns T. Twigs lost to C. Mann C. Pickles 1-7. N. Rose T. Twigs d M. Stewart C. Pickles 7-3.

Mixed: S. Tuohey H. Addlem lost to D. Mann E. Porrot 5-7. S. Howard P. Cockerell d B. Wagner J. Wagner 7-6. C. Tuohey M. McKinlay lost to P. Gorgan T. Stewart 6-7. N. Cokerell A. Johns lost to T. Wagner C. Pickles 3-7. D. Addlem N. Rose lost to R. Wagner C, Mann 6-7. J. Ketterer T. Twigs lost to J. Pepperell M. Stewart 2-7. Dingee lost to Calivil North 86-97

Mens: A. Hocking M. Harvey lost to L. Maxted C. Smith 5-7. A. Hocking N. Condliffe lost to L. Maxted J. Smith 5-7. M. Harvey N. Condliffe lost to C. Smith J, Smith 2-7. B. Duncan M. Hocking lost to O. Balic K. Maxted 6-7. B. Duncan E. Hocking d O. Balic J. Smith 7-6. M. Hocking E. Hocking lost to K. Maxted J. Smith 2-7.

Demeo P. Harris 5-7. C. Chamberlain E. Moresi d A. Demeo R. Haw 7-3. A. Chamberlain E. Moresi lost to P. Harris R. Haw 2-7. J. Dowling R. Fawcett lost to D. Pascoe B. Moresi 1-7. J. Dowling K. Czuczman lost to D. Pascoe Z. Ralphs 0-7. R. Fawcett K. Czuczman lost to B. Moresi Z, Ralphs 2-7.

Ladies: C. Downs C. Moresi lost to C. Haw S. Domeo 5-7. C. Downs V, Moresi d C. Haw K. Pascoe 7-4. C. Moresi V. Moresi d S. Demeo K. Pascoe 7-2. L. Hosking I. Hosking lost to R. Demeo M. Haw 6-7. L. Hosking T. Pickering lost to R. Demeo T. Ralphs 5-7. I. Hosking T. Pickering lost to M. Haw T. Ralphs 3-7.

Mixed: C. Chamberlain C. Downs d A. Demeo C. Haw 7-3. A. Chamberlain C. Moresi lost to P. Harris S. Demeo 5-7. E. Moresi V. Moresi lost to R. Haw K. Pascoe 1-7. J. Dowling I. Hosking d D. Pascoe R. Demeo 7-5. K. Czuczman L. Hosking lost to B. Moresi M. Haw 2-7. R. Fawcett T. Pickering lost to Z. Ralphs T. Ralphs 3-7. Serpentine lost to Mincha West 90-115

Mens: S. Tuohey S. Howard d D. Mann and B. Wagner 7-1. S. Tuohey C. Touhey lost to D. Mann P. Gatgen 6-7. S. Howard C. Tuohey lost to B. Wagner P. Gatgen 6-7. N. Cockerell D. Addlem lost to R. Wagner T. Wagner 4-7. N. Cockerell J. Ketterner lost to R. Wagner J. Pepperall 6-7. D. Addllem J. Ketterner lost to T. Wagner J. Pepperall 1-7.

Ladies: C. Whitfield A. Hay lost to M. Balic C. Rogers 0-7. C. Whitfield D. Condliffe lost to M. Balic H. Vinnicombe 2-7. A. Hay D. Condliffe lost to C. Rogers H. Vinnicombe 5-7. B. Baker S. Hay d A. Lister T. Smith 7-1. B. Baker K. Pay d A. Lister T. Vinnicombe 7-1. S. Hay K. Pay d T. Smith T. Vinnicombe 7-2.

Mixed: A. Hocking A. Hay lost to L. Maxted C. Rogers 2-7. M. Harvey B. Baker lost to O. Balic M. Balic 1-7. N. Condliffe C. Whitfield d C. Smith H. Vinnicombe 7-2. B. Duncan D. Condliffe d J. Smith A. Lister 7-5. M. Hocking S. Hay d K. Maxted T. Smith 7-4. E. Hocking K. Pay d J. Smith T. Vinniecombe 7-6. LADDER

No matches were played in Inglewood and District Tennis Association on Saturday. The round had been scheduled for the Inglewood courts but Friday’s rain made the court surface unsuitable for play.

Woodstock’s Fiona Curnow in action against Newbridge. LH PHOTO

Mincha West’s David Man

Elsie Rutledge has returned to playing with Woodstock this season

Four will make premier debut

AFTER winning a premiership last year, Serpentine bowls club will step up to play its first match in division two of the Bendigo weekend pennant competition on Saturday.

Serp will debut four new players when it faces Eaglehawk.

Father and son combination Adam and Lachie James, Piper Long and Murray Matthews will all play their first pennant matches.

“None of them have played comp,” club president Brian Gladman said.

“But they’ve come down for a roll and shaped up all right.”

He said while playing numbers were strong, inexperience would be a factor.

“We’re down in experience, but we have got by in the past, so I’m not overly concerned,” he said ahead of the opening match, Gladman said the team would be missing two skippers from last year’s winning division three side.

Sadly, former club treasurer Alan Bish passed away in May, while Darren Anset decided to step away from pennant bowls.

Serpentine plays away at Eaglehawk before its first home clash against Bendigo East on November 2.

The club held a practice match

Northern District

Midweek - Division 1 Pyramid Hill 50-2 lost to Barham 1 74-10. W. Boyd, K. Wood, T. Dzufer, R. Opie (s) lost to S. Baker, W. Bourke, M. Laursen, R. Maud (s) 14-24. R. Harris, H. Crichton, J. Leed, M. Scott (s) defeated J. Laursen, L. McNaul, I. Fasham, P. Clear (s) 23-20. C. Cauchi, M. Noelker, R. Price, A. Cantwell (s) lost to M. Hallam, N. Jarman, L. Ashton, J. Fairchild (s) 1330.

Kerang Golf 1 51-1 lost to Cohuna 1 72-11. Kerang 1 71-12 defeated Cohuna Golf 1 43-0.

Division 2 Kerang 2 60-8 defeated Pyramid Hill 2 21-0. H. Pendlebury, J. Harrison, D. Monaghan, L. Frantz (s) defeated G. Godward, R. Fidler, L. Dingwall (s) 41-7. R. Hipwell, T. Nolan, S. Maddox, J. Adams (s) defeated D. Kaye, A. Fidler, J. Cauchi (s) 19-14. Barham 3 31-0 lost to Barham 2 428. Kerang Golf 2 43-8 defeated Leitchville 1 30-0. Cohuna 3 26-0 lost to Cohuna Golf 2 48-8. Barham 4 35-2 lost to Gunbower 1 50-6. Cohuna 2 bye. Weekend - Division 2 Cohuna Golf 3 59-12 defeated Pyramid Hill 1 47-0. S. Brown, J. Brown, C. Baker, G. Mathers (s) defeated R. Harris, C. Cauchi, M. Scott, J. Leed (s) 20-13. A. Dunne, B. McLoughlan, J. Sutherland, I. Morrison (s) defeated D. Demaine, M. Noelker, N. McGann, L. Mann (s) 21-19. B. Waters, M. Rodwell, L. McManus, D. Keely (s) defeated T. Stobaus, K. Wood, J. Mann, R. Price (s) 18-15. Barham 4 39-0 lost to Kerang Golf 2 68-12. Cohuna 2 63-11 defeated Kerang 3 50-1.

last Saturday with leading division four club Calivil.

BRIDGEWATER

Midweek pennant started last Monday with the side going down to South Bendigo, Barbara Catto`s rink narrowly going down by one shot 22-23. The Goldfields competition side went down narrowly to Newstead White by only four shots in the end in a very even contest all day. Ron Brown’s rink was Bridgewater’s best of the day winning 28 shots to 12 to secure the club’s first points in Goldfields pennant. Club bowls notes can be sent to loddonherald@gmail.com

Division 3 Pyramid Hill 2 38-1 lost to Gunny Golf 1 67-11. M. Mahoney, A. Harris, A. Roberts, L. Dingwall (s) drew J. Melbourne, J. Pearson, D. Miller, M. L’Huillier (s) 17-17. R. Boyd, J. Dingfelder, W. Boyd, J. Cauchi (s) lost to J. Doyle, V. Dillon, M. Henty, L. Baker (s) 10-17. G. Godward, R. Fidler, A. Fidler, A. Bennett (s) lost to R. Ladson, D. Ladson, S. Henty, J. Henty (s) 11-33. Barham 5 56-2 lost to Cohuna 3 5810. Wakool 2 58-10 defeated Kerang Golf 3 54-2. Leitchville 2 48-2 lost to Kerang 4 76-10.

Goldfields

Division 2 Bridgewater 59-2 lost to Newstead White 63-14. L. Catto, R. Simons, R. Broadbent, J. Fagan (s) lost to J. Garsed, B. Jarvis, G. Lipback (s) 12-23. V. Wilson, G. Catto, P. Short, R. Brown (s) defeated S. Cochrane, R. Jackson (s) 28-12. D. Grant, C. Brooshooft, D. Wilson, C. Mangan (s) lost to C. Leckey, R. Sewell, P. Tangey (s) 19-28.

Dunolly Green 52-8 drew Maldon 52-8. Carisbrook 83-14 defeated Talbot 50-2. Newstead Blue 70-14 defeated Dunolly Gold 50-2. Maryborough Golf 71-16 defeated Maryborough Highland 43-0. Avoca bye. North Central

Weekend - Division 1 Charlton 52-2 lost to Boort 81-10. R. Porter, J. Cox, D. Gretgrix, K. North (s) lost to K. Birt, D. Gibson, C. Newsome, S. Morris (s) 8-32. D. Beaty, W. Southwell, D. McCallum, K. Willey (s) defeated P. Waters, A. Matley, K. Ritchie, K. Depiazza (s) 22-21. S. Perry, P. Watts, L. Southwell, W. Keenan (s) lost to G. Carrall, J.

Maxted, J. Gibson, L. Maxted (s) 22-28. Wycheproof 60-4 lost to Wedderburn 62-8. A. Jones, B. Macdonald, A. Mead, P. Wellington (s) lost to G. Burnside, B. Hargreaves, N. Holt, D. Mason (s) 16-22. P. Coles, A. Coatsworth, D. Groves, P. Allan (s) defeated D. Stephenson, C. Mills, A. Caserta, A. Jackson (s) 23-20. M. Nicholls, P. Connolly, N. Coles, J. Grylls (s) defeated A. Roberts, R. Guelfo, B. Montebello, L. Witham (s) 21-20.

St Arnaud Country 73-10 defeated Donald 71-2. Donald Golf 75-10 defeated St Arnaud 57-2.

Division 2 Charlton 69-2 lost to Boort 82-10. Z. Irwin, S. Harper, G. Bateson (s) defeated I. Allison, J. Nelson, A. Gould, G. Hudson (s) 34-19. B. Chester, B. Catherine, M. Hamley, C. Brien (s) lost to G. Charles, L. Newsome, Y. Cashen, J. Earl (s) 17-33. B. Patton, E. Rosewall, G. Wain (s) lost to L. Carrall, S. Polack, J. Hampson, G. Smith (s) 18-30.

Wycheproof 65-4 lost to Wedderburn 67-8. S. Wellington, P. Bagley, D. Nicholls, R. Grylls (s) lost to R. Ashley, M. Guelfo, A. Noordennen, A. Holt (s) 14-26. C. Rayes, V. Grant, S. Barratt, J. McKay (s) defeated S. Lear, N. White, R. Hall, I. Hall (s) 28-19. L. Nicholls, J. McLean, H. Grylls, D. Denney (s) defeated R. Tonkin, A. Benaim, L. Standfield, J. Grant (s) 23-22. Donald Golf 47-0 lost to St Arnaud 89-12. St Arnaud Country 79-10 defeated Donald 63-2. Midweek - Boort 74-10 defeated Donald 54-2. L. Carrall, P. Baker, D. Gibson, J. Gibson (s) lost to J. Wood, B. Brennan, H. Wingfield, B. Milne (s) 21-

32. Y. Cashen, T. Noles, J. Maxted, L. Maxted (s) defeated M. Quick, M. McEwen, A. McEwen, M. Kelly (s) 29-10. G. Charles, P. Gould, J. Earl, K. Depiazza (s) defeated D. Knight, M. Hollis, W. Hegarty, L. Morgan (s) 24-12. Wedderburn 71-4 lost to Wycheproof 75-8. J. Murnane, S. Standfield, N. Holt, A. Caserta (s) lost to C. Jones, E. Taylor, H. Grylls, J. McKay (s) 1829. R. Little, J. Matthews, A. Roberts, L. Witham (s) defeated D. Nicholls, S. McKenna, M. Nicholls, A. Mead (s) 2621. H. Stephenson, S. Steel, R. Hall, A. Jackson (s) defeated C. Rayes, L. Nicholls, A. Jones, D. Groves (s) 27-25. St Arnaud 68-8 defeated Charlton 66-4. A. McNally, M. McRae, P. Micallef, A. Welsh (s) lost to G. Bateson, R. Porter, K. North, L. Southwell (s) 2324. A. Tyler, M. McIntyre, M. Hufer, P. McRae (s) lost to S. Nelson, J. Cox, D. McCallum, W. Keenan (s) 15-24. H. Stevenson, J. Prendegast, L. Goodwin, D. Goddard (s) defeated C. Brien, E. Rosewall, J. Headon, K. Willey (s) 30-18. Donald Golf 68-4 lost to St Arnaud Country 76-8.

Bendigo

MIdweek: Division 1 Kangaroo Flat 57-13 defeated Inglewood 56-3. S. Howard, G. Howes, T. Babitsch, J. Weymouth (s) lost to S. Laird, C. McEwan, L. Kelly, L. Witham (s) 18-24. B. Langley, B. Waegeli, G. Boyd, P. Moller (s) drew H. Leech, R. Gallagher, P. Schram, G. Wilson (s) 17-17. M. Verbeek, R. Payne, S. Howes, E. White (s) defeated M. Chamberlain, B. Taig, B. McClymont, I. Chamberlain (s) 22-15. White Hills 47-0 lost to Bendigo 73-16. Golden Square 52-13 defeated Bendigo East 51-3. Eaglehawk 70-14 defeated South Bendigo 57-2. Division 4 Calivil 48-2 lost to Dingee 67-14. L. Dennis, N. Ralphs, L. Lister, C. Mitchell (s) defeated B. Cail, S. Lawry, L. Demeo, L. Demeo (s) 21-17. J. Clymo, M. Boyd, M. Collett, S. Hope (s) lost to J. Monaghan, T. Kavanagh, F. Grieves, M. Grieves (s) 12-22. W. Lourie, J. Wiltshire, K. Richards, C. Maxted (s) lost to K. Pollock, P. Plant, B. West, S. Cail (s) 15-28. Bendigo 50-0 lost to Bendigo East 63-16. South Bendigo 74-14 defeated Harcourt 52-2. Strathfieldsaye 65-14 defeated Golden Square 44-2. Division 5 Inglewood 55-14 defeated South Bendigo 27-0. J. Roberts, D. Roberts, P. Lyndon, P. Kelly (s) defeated P. Doherty, M. Grogan, T. Gretgrix, J. Griffin (s) 24-21. E. Patterson, W. Wilson, D. Whitehead, D. Wilson (s) defeated R. Morrighan, S. Gill, B. Jennings, E. Bullow (s) 31-6. White Hills 30-1 lost to Campbell’s Creek 40-13. Golden Square 35-7 drew Strathfieldsaye 35-7. Woodbury 38-2 lost to Marong 44-12. Division 6 Harcourt 25-0 lost to Bridgewater 57-14. I. McGibbon, F. Collins, J. Starbuck, D. Jeffries (s) lost to J. Hosking, G. Harrison, C. Wattie, A. Harrison (s) 16-22. F. Harman, M. Frankling, S. Oxley, I. McMillan (s) lost to B. Catto, R. O’Toole, J. Fagan, M. Wright (s) 9-35. Castlemaine 64-14 defeated White Hills 30-0. Strathfieldsaye 40-12 defeated Golden Square 35-2. South Bendigo 57-14 defeated Eaglehawk 39-0.

PENNANT BOWLS RESULTS

Murray Matthews, Piper Long, Lachie James and Aaron James (above) will make their pennant bowls debut with Serpentine in division two when the Bendigo competition starts on Saturday. They were part of last Saturday’s practice match against Calivil. Keith Richards and Walter Lourie (left) will again be among the Demons’ division four team this season.

LH PHOTOS

Target’s hit in fast time

ARNOLD’S 6-73 off its 20 overs in the T20 match up with Wedderburn Band never looked like being enough for victory.

And Wedderburn openers Brad Holt and Cameron Steel made sure there were no nervous moments for the home side with a partnership of 63. Both fell on that score – Steel for 38 off 37 balls with three sixes, and Holt for 25 off 18 with four boundaries – but Wedderburn eased to victory in the 12th over before batting on to 4-91 off 16 overs.

Phil Scholes played a lone hand for Arnold with the bat, making 27 off 32 balls, including two boundaries.

His partnership of 27 with Michael Dale (11 off 22) stabilised the innings after the Redbacks tumbled to 4-37 off 10 overs.

All five Wedderburn bowlers were among the wickets, with Isaac Holt taking 2-17.

When the home team batted, Arnold captain Henry McCullough was his team’s best with the ball, taking 2-14 from his four

overs. Wedderburn is at home again this week against Kingower in the battle of the competition’s unbeaten teams, while winless Arnold has the bye. Wedderburn v Arnold Wedderburn

B. Holt c A. Taylor b H.

Brett b F. Lock

Bowling: R. Metelmann 3-0-24-0, R. Balsley

2-0-18-0, H. McCullough 4-0-14-2, C. Dale 3-0-19-1, F. Lock 1-0-7-1, C. Hancock 1-02-0, K. Hewitt 1-0-3-0, A. Davies 1-0-4-0. Arnold

R. Metelmann c M. Lockhart b I.

c I. Holt b J. Van de Wetering

H. McCullough c D. Benaim b W. Holt 6 C. Hancock c&b S. Giorlando 4

P. Scholes b I. Holt 27 M. Dale b F. Turnbull 11 R. Balsley not out

Bowling: I. Holt 4-0-17-2, W. Holt 4-0-12-1, J. Van de Wetering 4-2-8-1, S. Giorlando 4-0-19-1, F. Turnbull 4-1-17-1.

Maiden woes take early toll

AFTER nine overs of the T20 clash at Kingower on Saturday, Boort Yando was a woeful 4-13.

Three wickets had fallen with the total on 13 – from three maidens in a row – and it seemed unlikely the team could bat out 20 overs, let alone post a competitive tally.

Kingower’s bowlers looked likely to take a wicket with every ball.

Matt Rowe was on fire, having taken two wickets in one of those maiden overs – first an excellent caught-and-bowled of Will Gould, and then knocking over Brian Minogue’s leg stump.

It looked dire for Boort Yando, but a revival came in the forms of young gun Cooper Gooding and Daniel Lehman.

The two put on a partnership of 47 in eight overs, helping their side to a total of 7-73 off their 20 overs.

Both made 24, with Gooding

JaydenLeach(Kingower) 2 2 85 107 53.5

KyleSimpson(Kingower) 2 2 58 90 90

WillDeason(Kingower) 2 2 48 78 39

RyanMetelmann(Ar nold) 2 3 57 67 22.33

BlakePickles(Kingower) 1 1 63 63

DannyBenaim(Wedderburn) 2 2 44 49 49

JamesVandeWetering(Wedderburn)2 2 35 40 40

CampbellHancock(Ar nold) 2 3 35 39 19.5

CamSteel(Wedderburn) 1 1 38 38 38

BradHolt(Wedderburn) 2 2 25 34 17

By GARY WALSH

striking five fours, and Lehman adding a mighty clubbed six to his one boundary before being run out.

They took particular toll of Will Deason, whose two overs cost 22 runs, and Lachlan de Jong, who took 1-27 off four overs.

Rowe ended with 2-0 from four maidens, in a remarkable bowling effort.

Kingower’s batsmen made short work of the chase, passing Boort Yando’s total in the 10th over, before batting on to make 4-168.

Deason made a well compiled 30 with five fours, while captain Jayden Leach managed 20.

Kyle Simpson finished with 56 not out, and Alex Cockerell took 2-27.

Boort hosts Bridgewater in another T20 this week. Kingower travels to face Wedderburn Band

JaydenLeach(Kingower)2 62 78.86 22.71 2.34

KyleSimpson(Kingower)2 33 4 8.25 30 1.65

RyanMetelmann(Ar nold)2 71 4 17.75 22.5 4.73

WillHolt(Wedderburn)2 19 3 6.33 14 2.71

MattRowe(Kingower)2 37 3 12.33 42 1.76

on the turf wicket of Market Square.

Kingower v Boort Yando

James Van de Wetering was among Wedderburn’s unbeaten bats at Market Square. LH PHOTO

Boort’s Alex Cockerell is clean bowled. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD sport

CLUBS STUMPED

Winning teams bat out full 20 overs

THE FIRST ever round of T20 cricket in the Upper Loddon competition has left club officials and scorers stumped.

Confusion about the format’s rules reigned, with clubs unsure whether matches should be called once the chasing teams passed their opponents’ scores.

In both cases – Kingower versus Boort Yando and Wedderburn Band versus Arnold – the teams that had already gone ahead on the scoreboard continued to bat on.

With run rate potentially critical in deciding the T20 grand finalists, who will be playing for the Loddon Herald Cup, uncertainty about when the matches officially ended was widespread.

At Kingower, scorers effectively had two scorebooks – one which recorded the tally after the home side passed Boort’s total of 7-73 in the 10th over, and another which counted all 20 overs that Kingower faced, finishing with 4-168.

Officials admitted neither team knew when the match officially ended.

Kingower’s run rate when it passed Boort’s score was just over seven per over but reached 8.4 after batting the full 20 overs.

Kyle Simpson was on 11 when the match officially ended, but was 58 not out after 20 overs, putting a question mark over the league’s individual statistics as well as overall results.

At Wedderburn, the home side overtook Arnold’s total of 6-75 in the 12th over.

The Band played on, however,

By GARY WALSH

asking their opponents if they could bowl a couple of extra overs so James Van de Wetering could have a hit – and because the barbecue wasn’t ready.

“It’s not cooked yet,” came the call from the barbie master as Wedderburn batted on turf wicket at Market Square until the end of the 16th over.

Wedderburn’s run rate was 6.25 per over when it “won” the game but had fallen to 5.68 after batting on.

Points from the T20 competition will count towards clubs’ overall tallies at the end of the season, but there will also be a separate T20 ladder to decide the grand finalists.

Upper Loddon Cricket Association president John Daldy told the Loddon Herald that competition officials accepted there would be “a bit of confusion to start off with until we get the format settled”.

It was “a learning process for the association”, he said, and “tweaks” would be made before this weekend’s fixture, which sees another T20 round.

“Something new is always going to be hard to implement,”

Daldy said.

“It’s a matter of getting everyone on the same scorebook, so to speak.”

On Saturday Boort Yando will host Bridgewater, with Wedderburn at home to Kingower in the next round of the T20. Arnold has the bye.

The T20 cup final will be played in December.

AVA Holland is back in the swing of competitve show horse riding and was among the prizes at the 136th Boort Show. The 15-year-old from Newbridge is pictured with mother Nadine and her horse Shalida Park Faantasi. “I’ve only just got back into the ring after a few years off and I am really enjoying riding Shalida Park,” Ava said after finishing competition at Boort Park. LH PHOTO