OVERSIZED organic heaps are at the centre of a Newbridge fire probe and rising community disquiet.
Environmental Protection Authority says it will order South Australian-owned BioGro to produce a plan to “process and remove the oversized material currently stockpiled onsite”.
Volunteer firefighters from across the Loddon and Bendigo battled a fire that jumped Yorkshire Road and raced through 85 hectares of farmland, destroying fences and grain stored in a paddock. Strong late afternoon winds fanned flames from a fire the company later said had started in one of its maturation blocks.
Organic waste piled several metres high and within metres of an electrical transformer pole were doused with water by firefighters and smouldered into last week.
Energy Safe Victoria has been contacted about the incident and regulations on storage of flammable material around power poles. Regulations prohibit material under lines on public land “that alters the level of the ground”.
Firefighters say the February 15 fire was the third time this year that they had been called to BioGro’s 160-hectare site. They claim there have been other fires not reported to the CFA.
BioGro yesterday morning was preparing a statement for the Loddon Herald.
EPA north west regional man-
ager Paul Rataczyk said: “We’re investigating the circumstances of a fire at a Newbridge composting facility.”
Mr Ratacyzk said the EPA intended to issue two legal notices to the company that requires:
An analysis of the fire event and identification of the cause for
the fire and actions required to prevent future occurrences, and A plan to process and remove the oversized material currently stockpiled onsite.
“We expect licence holders to comply with the conditions of their licence, including that waste does not burn at premise.”
Police have confirmed they are also investigating the latest fire.
Loddon Shire’s Tarnagulla ward councillor Nick Angelo said residents had raised concerns about litter and odour in the area.
Cr Angelo said he had met with several residents in recent months and discussed their con-
cerns with council staff, asking for further information.
Plastic and paper has been seen on fencelines and in paddocks adjoining to the facility taken over by Mount Gambier-based BioGro in 2022.
A $1.69 million State Government grant has been used by BioGro to expand operations at Newbridge, shown off to Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Sustainability Victoria, and Recycling Victoria last November.
A month later the EPA approved a development licence to more than double production from 60,000 tonnes to 150,000 tonnes a year at the site of the former Scato Plus mushroom composting business.
BioGro is licenced to handle municipal green waste, manures, commercial garden and landscaping organics free of contamination and animal effluent and residues, including abattoir waste. The 2023 application said there had been just a single complaint about odour outside the Newbridge site boundary and it had improved processes for storage of animal manure.
BioGro said the fire risks in compost piles would be managed by onsite controls and “risk of uncontrolled fire is considered low”. It said piles would be less than 2.2 metres.
While Loddon communities are covered by CFA volunteer brigades, BioGro’s licence application listed only Fire Rescue Victoria as a key stakeholder at Newbridge.
CONTINUED PAGE 6
A Government agency showcase promotional photograph last November and ((inset) on the night of the February 15 fire that jumped Yorkshire Road
Loddon HERALD
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Also available in Dunolly, Charlton, Wycheproof, Kerang, Marong, Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk.
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Phone 0419549743
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WEEKEND FORECAST
THE entrance to Inglewood Recreation Reserve will remain under the watchful eye of Chris Nevins who died suddenly last month, aged 65. The reserve committee at the weekend installed a memorial plaque honouring the stock agent and football club life member who had acted as gatekeeper for more than 30 years. His son Jack and committee president Tim Birthisel are pictured in the front of the plaque that will see Chris continue to greet people with a customary smile.
Flavour team plan twilight riparian repast
FLAVOURS of Loddon will bring award-winning local produce to Bridgewater for the first time on the March long weekend. Fresh from success in Boort last month, the ingredients of artisan food and beverage makers will be showcased on the banks of the Loddon River for a holiday weekend treat.
Event organiser Ann-Maree Davis said the Flavours of Loddon team was looking forward to bringing the event to Bridgewater for the first time. “The event was a wonderful success in Boort this year, and we received fantas-
tic feedback from locals and visitors,” she said.
“Many of our vendors live in and around the Bridgewater area so they are looking forward to showcasing our region in their hometown.
“The Loddon River Foreshore reserve is the a beautiful location, and the perfect setting to enjoy some local food and wine while listening to live music.
The long weekend is such a busy time in central Victoria and some of our regular vendors are attending other events but we have had some new local Loddon
businesses joining us, so even if you have been to a Flavours of Loddon event before there will be something new for you to try!”
Making their Flavours debut are Asian Desserts (Eddington), Crazy Floss (Murphy’s Creek), Margot’s Catering/Spuds on the Run (Moliagul) and Bella and Co Coffee Van (Salisbury West).
The free twilight community event on Saturday, March 9, is supported by Loddon Shire and will be held on the Loddon River Foreshore Reserve along the Bridgewater Walking Track next to the Caravan Park.
IN BRIEF
Solar fire
TEN CFA units from Bridgewater, Campbells Forest, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Raywood and Woodvale were called to a Raywood solar farm fire last Thursday. The CFA said one of the invertors had caught fire in a moderate-sized commercial solar farm and crews used foam to extinguish it once the power was isolated. The invertor transfers power from the solar farm to the high voltage lines and batteries.
Norma’s Way
GANNAWARRA Shire Council approved a request from the Quambatook Community Development Association to name a track on the VICNAMES-registered Quambatook Recreation Reserve site “Norma Way” in recognition of Norma Bennett’s contribution to the Quambatook community who died in 2021.
Weed initiative
A NEW $47 million weed management investment led by the Grains Research and Development Corporation has been unveiled to support Australian grain growers to manage one of the most persistent and costly challenges facing farming businesses. The program aims to provide sustainable and effective weed management strategies.
Coalition fires funding gun with $950k for lake
THE Coalition’s first election campaign funding pledge for Mallee has been made in Boort.
Sitting Nationals’ MP Anne Webster last Wednesday committed a Coalition government to $950,000 for the Little Lake Boort precinct development.
A federal election is due by May and latest opinion polls are predicting a hung parliament or a change of government.
Dr Webster said she hoped the Little Lake Boort commitment would be where a “Coalition government will be able to look back ... as where Mallee’s funding drought turned around”.
Loddon Shire’s Boort ward councillor David Weaver said the precinct project when finished would enhance Little Lake Boort and expand engagement with residents and visitors.
“The Coalition’s commitment is welcomed and the shire will continue its advocacy of the project to all political parties and candidates and seek similar backing to make sure we advance this important project,” Cr Weaver said.
“I am absolutely thrilled to back the Boort community in improving the appeal and connectivity of the tennis club, bowls club, historic park, croquet club and swimming pool,” Dr Webster said.
“I am announcing $950,000 if
a Dutton-Littleproud Coalition Government is elected this upcoming election, to activate and reconnect the parklands at Little Lake Boort with community facilities.”
The Loddon Shire project has an estimated total cost of $1.4 million for the Little Lake Boort foreshore precinct, with the project masterplan including a skate
3-on-3 basketball court, picnic areas, seating and shade areas. A new eastern entrance and water play features will feature at the swimming pool.
Two synthetic courts and new fencing will be part of the tennis club upgrade while storage and toilet facilities are part of plans for the croquet club.
“I can only make this funding
Department promises end to long wait on highway overtaking lanes
CALDER Highway motorists can expect to see crews constructing overtaking lanes at Derby this year ... five years after the project’s promised finish date.
Department of Transport and Planning executive director Anthony Judd has confirmed the start time.
The first overtaking lanes on the highway north of Bendigo were put on the backburner when the Federal Government started a protracted review of infrastructure projects.
Funding of the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative is being funded by the Federal and State Government.
And Mr Judd said a new pedestrian crossing will be built in the centre of Wedderburn this year after a $2.5 million commitment in last year’s Victorian Budget.
A community campaign petitioned the Government for pedestrian lights to improve safety on the Calder Highway through Wedderburn travelled by an estimated 3800 vehicles each day.
According to the department, this level of traffic, which includes a high number of trucks and other heavy vehicles, means that pedestrians often struggle to choose gaps in traffic and cross safely, with nearmisses often reported. “A new pedestrianoperated signal crossing will provide a clearer and safer pathway across this highway for the many people using businesses in the town’s centre,” the department said.
a reality if the Coalition wins the upcoming election. “The Albanese Labor Government has reduced spending in Mallee by a factor of 20 to 1 compared to my first term in office under a Coalition government,” Dr Webster said.
“My hope is that Little Lake Boort will be the beginning of Mallee getting back its fair share of federal spending.”
IN BRIEF
Clean-up day
THE Loddon’s newest Landcare group will be part of this Sunday’s Clean Up Australia Day. It will be the Ingleward group’s first activity with members focusing on the old Morning Star mine site. Group leader Katie Gillett said the community was welcome to join tidying the area from 9.30am, meeting at the Loddon Plains Landcare Network in Station Street. Tomorrow, students from Inglewood Primary School will be part of the national schools’ day spending the morning cleaning at the town’s cemetery.
Headhunting
MELBOURNE recruiters
Gem Executive has been appointed to find Loddon Shire’s next operations director. The position will be vacated this month by Steve Phillips. According to the recruiter’s website, applications close next week.
Kokoda talk
WEDDERBURN
College’s Peter Zubov and Wedderburn-Korong Vale RSL representatives Roger Patterson, Owen Rule and Diane Henderson have spoken to Year 11 students about scholarship plans for two students to walk the historic Kokoda Track this year. Students will be asked to write an essay as part of the scholarship application.
Mr Judd said: “Works on both of these projects are set to begin this year and we will let the community know when they can expect to see crews in their areas.”
park,
Mayor Dan Straub, Anne Webster and Cr David Weaver at the funding pledge announcement
Community members can meet the TCV team in towns across the region in February and March, as the regional pop-ups program resumes.
TCV will rotate between Charlton, Kerang, Boort, Donald and Stawell each week, hearing from community members directly, responding to questions and sharing project information.
Drop in for a casual chat, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the project with our engagement team.
Please note that these dates are subject to change, please check the TCV website for more details.
All welcome!
Boort
Date
Wednesday, February 19
Wednesday, February 26
Wednesday, March 5
Wednesday, March 12
Wednesday, March 19
TimeLocation
10amOutside IGA, 96 Godfrey St, Boort
Visit www.transmissionvictoria.com.au/ landholders-community/community-events or scan the QR code to the right for more information about the regional pop-up events.
Rationing sends farmers on vital water scramble
IRRIGATORS are rejigging vital watering plans after Goulburn Murray Water hit them with rationing from next week.
Farmers in the Calivil, Dingee and Boort districts will be hit with 10-day cycle rations ahead of projected peak autumn demand for water out of local channels.
Dingee’s Keith Lawry said a great danger would be if rationing was severe when the vital second watering of autumn crops were needed.
“There’s the strike watering and then the growth watering eight days later,” he said.
“Depending on how long rationing lasts, this could effect things through to next spring.”
Mr Lawry said his family farm, that includes son Michael and grandson Jacob, had switched from perennial to annual crops on the advice of agronomists to improve water efficiency.
“It could mean we will not be able to start many autumn crops,” he said.
The six-decade veteran of the dairy industry said: ”We have to try and make the best of it. We don’t have a choice to a point.”
Mr Lawry said summer fodder crops should have first preference for any available water and that rationing be administered equally by Goulburn Murray Water.
“We are at the very end of the Waranga system,” he said.
He said that while summer crops were close to maturing, there were some paddocks in the district that required a final watering.
“Of course, everything could change with a decent rain.”
Michael Hocking said he had been trying to order irrigation water to avoid reduced yield of his maize crop expected to be harvested late next month.
“There will be an impact on the grain yield if we can’t get water before March 1,” Mr Hosking said.
“For our maize, getting this last water will be the most important.”
Mr Hocking was also critical of GMW for what he said was little communication before last Friday’s announcement of rationing.
“I got a text message last week and an email this morning,” he said.
The 10-day ration cycle comes as agronomists told farmers at a VFF forum in St Arnaud this month that orders for fertilisers used in production were now having to be made at least six months before they would be used.
Members of the Loddon Valley water services committee were due to meet GMW yesterday morning with concerns about the ration decision process expected to be raised.
Decision impacts hundreds
ALMOST 400 farmers have been caught in the GMW rationing decision announced on Friday.
GMW had flagged rationing for Boort a fortnight ago but the final decision also includes Dingee and Calivil.
It says rationing is introduced when irrigation demand is expected to exceed channel capacity for several weeks.
It ensures customers continue to have access to water during this time by limiting the amount of water they can use, based on their delivery shares.
Water delivery services general manager Warren Blyth said rationing was the best and fairest solution under the current circumstances. “There has been very little rain throughout summer, which has contributed to irrigation demand being exceptionally high,” he said.
“Demand has now reached the point where a rationing cycle is needed to prevent irrigators from facing considerable delays in receiving their water.
“Rationing is a tool we look to only when other options have been exhausted, but in
situations like these it is the best way to ensure fairness.”
In a rationing cycle, while irrigators may have water in their accounts, they will be limited to taking a percentage of their delivery share to ensure they receive their fair share of the available capacity in the channel supplying their property.
Affected customers have been notified they will be entering a rationing cycle. During the cycle, customers will be entitled to 150 per cent of their delivery shares at each service point per 10-day cycle.
GMW said it continued to monitor all systems daily, including the Pyramid Hill area, via its rationing response team. “The team considers all factors within GMW’s control and provides timely advice to support proactive decision-making on rationing options,” it said.
“From customer orders last autumn and spring, GMW has calculated that a ration of 150 per cent will reduce demand enough to ensure orders are able to be delivered and the capacity of the network is not exceeded
Paddocks prepared for autumn crops but now waiting on water ... Keith Lawry. LH PHOTO
Three calls in a week
FIRE damaged a former school portable building in Korong Vale on Friday.
Eight units were called to the fire that also spread into an adjoining paddock, damaging a glasshouse.
Korong Vale, Mysia, Wedderburn and Inglewood brigades attended. Neighbours also assisted on Friday night.
It is believed Friday’s fire was a flare-up from an incident the previous Sunday.
Brigades were called a third time to the Vernon Street again at the weekend when fire flared in the old school room.
Pre-tax profit jumps 75%
COBRAM Estate Olive’s pre-tax profit has jumped 75 per cent in the half-year to December compared with the previous year.
Investors were told on Friday the profit in the six-month trading period was $14.5 million with sales of Australian packaged goods up 20.4 per cent to $86.4 million and United States sales rising 18.5 per cent to $23.9 million.
CEOs Sam Beaton and Leandro Ravetti said sustained demand for the company’s extra virgin olive oil and marketing initiatives led to robust sales growth and improved trading results.
They said the company anticipated continued growth in olive oil sales in the second half of this financial year.
“The growth in Australian packaged goods sales has been driven by improved product mix and higher margins across all packaged goods ranges, supported by continued strong customer demand,” they said.
This year is an “on” year for Cobram Estate’s Australian groves, including Boort, with latest assessment saying they will be harvested between April and June “expected to be materially larger than the 2024 Australian crop, subject to the uncertainties associated with farming”.
Cobram Estate’s Australian olive grove area will increase by 53 per cent over the next eight years. “Currently 35 per cent of the company’s total Australian plantings are not fully mature including 10 per cent of total Australian plantings yet to produce a harvestable crop
A dividend of 3.3 cents will be paid, fully franked, compared with 70 per cent franking on last year’s final dividend.
Report incidents to Crime Stoppers
ALLEGED incidents should be reported to police or Crime Stoppers, Inglewood Tourism and Development president Peter Moore said after attending last week’s Goldfields community crime forum.
Mr Moore said: “People posting on social media and not reporting it to police means a crime goes unrecorded and can put the people posting in danger., with people urged to report them to local police or Crime Stoppers.
He said the forum was a great opportunity to meet with the heads of policing in the region and for people to raise concerns.
Top responses identified in a survey last year were safety in public places, drugs and alcohol, safety of property. Other topics were family violence, road policing, youth offending, crime and drugs.
“The discussions on these topics made me feel that we are very fortunate to have the Policing we have in Inglewood,” he said.
“Some towns have not had police stations manned for a number of years for various reasons. Inglewood police have to cover a very large area.”
THE Wedderburn community has raised almost $3000 to support the family of the toddler who died in a tragic New Year caravan fire in Boort. This month’s community event raised $2969.55 to support Ben and Lori Keeble and add to the $72,000 donated in a public appeal in January after son Carter died. Lori is a hairdresser at Wedderburn’s community enterprise Rejoov Salon.
Organisers Robyn Vella said the community had been generous in their support and response to support Lori.
The Mysia brigade crew tackle Friday’s fire. LH PHOTO
Councils chat VNI issues
LODDON Shire wants to talk with landholders in the path of the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line before committing to a public statement.
Mayor Dan Straub told Tuesday’s council meeting that he had agreed to the shire’s name in a media statement to be released after Loddon, Buloke, Gannawarra, Northern Grampians and Yarriambiack Shires met last week to discuss “common issues seen with the rollout of VNI West”.
Cr Straub said he wanted to hear from landowners in the northern shire area on what “the project looks like to them ... what the community is telling us”.
Last week’s multi-council meeting came after Australian Energy Market Operator’s VNI West project arm Transmission Company Victoria was granted a transmission licence that will allow it to enter properties.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking said the licence must not be used to steamroll landholders in the path of planned renewable energy projects.
The licence enables TCV workers to legally enter farms and carry out preparatory works for the VNI West powerline without the need to obtain landholder consent.
Mr Hosking said landholders and farmers had reacted with trepidation to the announcement and TCV had a duty to act respectfully and in good faith with impacted landholders and communities.
“TCV’s newly minted electricity transmission license doesn’t trump their social license obligations,” he said.
“There is a genuine sense of uneasiness around this decision and it boils down to a deplorable track record when it comes to these companies treating landholders and communities with respect.
“We absolutely cannot lose focus that those impacted are generational farming families and not ‘soft targets’ for compulsory access. These people are the glue of our regional communities and they deserve to be treated with dignity.
“The VFF is continuing to call on the Victorian Government to pause the VNI West project immediately until they get the community and landholder engagement right. We can’t stand idle and watch as prime agriculture land is irreversibly destroyed without consideration to the agriculture industry and the farming livelihoods at stake.
“Once destroyed, these landscapes can never be restored,” Mr Hosking said.
RITA’S WEEK OF REUNIONS: Rita Hayes is making a week of catching up with family and friends. Living in Werribee since moving there with husband Max in 1976, Rita last Sunday attended the centenary Wedderburn Reunion in Bendigo. Max had attended school in Wedderburn before courting Rita in her home town of Pyramid Hill. They later ran a superphosphate business in Boort until the move to Werribee. While Max passed away two years ago, Rita has continued to attend Wedderburn reunions and has spent this week with family in Bendigo before attending the annual Pyramid Hill reunion this Sunday. LH PHOTO
Compost plant fire under investigation
Under
February 15 fire, business relations manager Patricia Smith
said: “The fire was extinguished ... using water and turn-in methods and while no injuries were reported, a BioGro excavator was damaged along with minor damage to neighbouring paddocks and fence lines. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but please be assured that all actions were swiftly handled as per BioGro’s fire emergency protocols. There are no further comments at this stage.”
Student link goes global
By RUBY HYLAND
INGLEWOOD Primary School students will become global citizens supporting its new sister school in Uganda.
Students will partner with Inglewood residents Brian and Jan Hodge with donations of learning resources.
The Ugandan school, supported by Brian and Jan, teaches 19 students aged three to 13 English as well as life skills and educational foundations.
Principal Rebecca Luckman said: “This partnership fosters a sense of global citizenship, empathy, and social responsibility and helps our students develop a deeper understanding of diverse communities, encouraging them to appreciate the importance of giving and making a positive impact in the world.”
“We’re all so excited for this, the letter exchange gives the students a personal connection to the partnership, and they can’t wait to get involved,” said Mrs Luckman.
The junior school council is now looking for donations of sporting equipment, books, and essential items like underwear, soap, face washers.
Students will also be writing letters to the children at the Blue Kangaroo to share experiences and learn from each other and a fundraising event is planned.
The school will buy 10 soccer balls as well as donating books and creating and supplying decodable readers to support their literacy development.
“We also have a community initiative that we’re inviting everyone to support, creating 200 reusable feminine hygiene packs by the end of May.” Mrs Luckman added.
The community initiative is run by Brian and Jan and provides young girls with essential kits to manage their menstrual health. The community can become involved by donating underwear, new or gently used face washers and soap, donating funds directly or helping with the sewing required to make the packs.
Slither safely through summer
NO NEED to get hiss-terical ... but snakes are sticking their fangs out in all types of places.
Last Friday evening in Wedderburn, a tennis club volunteer went off to hospital after a suspected bite when putting her hand into a water plug hole at the lawn courts.
And at Mologa last week, Guido Assmann found a snake beaten by a webweaving spider.
Ambulance Victoria say it has responded to 129 suspected snake bites so far this summer - 24 in the Loddon Mallee region.
Director emergency management Dale Armstrong said: “With hot weather continuing, the snakes are out, which means we need to be vigilant.”
“Bites can often be avoided simply by being observant in areas that are likely to attract snakes, such as near rivers, long grass or sheds.”
All donations and funds raised will go to The Blue Kangaroo School when Brian travels to Uganda in June.
“Through these efforts, we aim to build a lasting connection with the Blue Kangaroo School and demonstrate the power of community support in improving the lives of less advantaged students,” Mrs Luckman said.
Brian and Jan Hodge with students Adele Sheahan, Jed Paton, Skylah Noonan and Ruby Lawson. LH PHOTO
Guido’s Mologa find
Day bridge came crashing down
TWO support posts are all that remain of the bridge that once straddled the Wehla Creek.
Farmer Barry Finch last week recalled the day when the crossing crumbled.
He recounted the day to the Loddon Herald during what Barry described as “some crosscountry rally driving with the editor ... taking him on a short cut from Burkes Flat to Wedderburn, as we were both running late for an appointment”.
“I told the story of the missing bridge over the creek. In midSeptember 1978 a heavy vehicle crashed through the bridge over the Wehla Creek near Dale Stephenson’s house at Fentons Creek,” Barry has recalled. “I believe it was a heavy Weights and Measures vehicle, used to check the accuracy of weigh bridge scales.
“The timber construction bridge had wooden running rails. The vehicle appeared to miss the running rails and hurtled through the side of the bridge.
A crane was needed to lift the
vehicle from its resting place on one of the pylons near the bottom of the creek.
“So, what went wrong? The heavy vehicle was coming from Logan, but halfway up the Big Hill at Wehla, the truck lost power and could go no further.
The driver reversed the vehicle down the hill and headed down the Fentons Creek – Wehla Road, turning onto the Burkes Flat -Wedderburn Road near Stephenson’s. The rest is history, as they say. The bridge was beyond repair and was subsequently demolished.”
Barry says that according to the district old-timers, the bridge had been there for “a very long time”.
“The sides of the creek were pushed in, so road traffic could still cross the creek. When the remains of the bridge were removed, the road was re-routed across the Wehla Creek.
“The bridge was never rebuilt. Forty years later, the road remains impassable when the creek is up.”
GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO FLOOD INQUIRY
Full support to just 16 points
THE State Government has given full backing to just 16 of 73 recommendations into the October 2022 floods.
Another 43 recommendations have been supported principle, six in part and another six put under review.
The Government’s response this month came near the sixmonth deadline since the Legislative Council handed down its report last July.
It scuttled a recommendation that would have seen the independent inspector-general for emergency management conduct future reviews after major disasters to “provide feedback for continuous improvement”.
However, those reviews on self-referral have been endorsed.
In-principle backing has been given to the Government ensuring all local government flood studies are fully funded and completed.
PYRAMID HILL
Similar support was given to
VICTORIA HOTEL
1874
Bridgewater’s main street flooded in October 2022. LH PHOTO
the recommendation that regional catchment management authorities, with local councils, are funded and resourced to conduct and implement up to date flood studies on a regular basis.
The Government says it will review calls for improved individual and community awareness about their own roles and
responsibilities in emergency management, and make available information resources for preparing for flood and other emergencies and making information appropriately accessible to people with additional needs, including people with disability.
Early warning systems to include consideration of a voluntary register of people in need of additional support to receive early warning and support during natural disasters will also be reviewed.
The Government said it was working with the Federal Government to addresses digital connectivity gaps and ensure telecommunication infrastructure can provide resilient and reliable communications during emergencies.
The inquiry called for • enhanced infrastructure investment, geographically based coverage and rapid deployment of temporary satellite vans.
Response labelled ‘woefully inadequate’
NORTHERN Victoria had been let down by Labor Government’s response to the 2022 flood inquiry, said MP Gaelle Broad.
PYRAMID HILL
VICTORIA
She said the response was “woefully inadequate”. Ms Broad, a member of the committee that conducted the inquiry, heard first-hand the stories of the flood affected residents.
HOTEL
“Their stories were heart-
The friendly pub open for meals every day with Friday happy hour, trivia, raffles and a chance to win $1,000
Trading hours
Monday – Open 3.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm
Tuesday – Open 2.00pm
from 6.00pm
Wednesday – Open Midday
Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm
breaking and traumatic and there are still 200 residents in Rochester whose homes are uninhabitable,” Ms Broad said.
“The inquiry was extensive, and we expected the Government to take swift action on the committee’s recommendations.
“Instead, the report reflects further delays, with excuses ranging from further reviews, ‘exploring options’, new plans
‘being developed’, a ‘multifaceted approach’ and ‘assessment of options’. Communities devastated by floods have waited long enough and deserve action.”
Ms Broad said key areas of concern included the government’s failure to commit to repairing and upgrading levee banks, and the fact that the Government won’t pay to retrofit or raise houses in flood-prone areas.
Monday – Open 3.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm
Pot’n’Parma Night
Thursday – Open Midday
Darts Night
Dinner from 5.30pm
Steak’n’Pot Night
– Open 2.00pm
from 6.00pm
Friday – Open Midday
Wednesday – Open Midday Lunch from 12.00pm
Lunch from 12.00pm Dinner from 5.30pm
– 6.30pm
Thursday – Open Midday
Dinner from 5.30pm Steak’n’Pot Night
Saturday – Open Midday Lunch from 12.00pm
from 5.30pm
Friday – Open Midday Lunch from
– Open Midday
The day the bridge was damaged at Wehla
Local touch wins public art voting
PYRAMID Hill Art Show patrons have “voted local” for the Major’s Vision people’s choice awards.
An estimated 700 people viewed a record 300 entries in the third annual show that closed last Thursday in the town’s memorial hall.
Newbridge artist Teresa Siesmaa, a winner in the show’s landscape, seascape, urbanscape section, saw another work Kalbarri Rapsody share the popular vote award with Harold Beck’s painting of Inglewood’s historic Nimmitabel, titled Inglewood Mansionthe Past Restored.
A show organiser Terry Wood said attendance had been amazing this year.
“Visitors came from a wide area of Victoria and interstate. Melbourne, Geelong, Castlemaine, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Echuca, Denilquin, Merimbula and other places.
“We even had 40 people travelled by train one day and this is an area that can be expanded with a bit more promotion. This year’s Art show was double last year and has grown amazingly since our first one staged three years ago.
“We have already commenced planning next years event ,and hope for it to be even more successful based on this year’s outcome,” he said.
Grant programs helping strengthewn communities
Loddon Shire Council assists community groups, organisations and other not for pro t agencies through annual grant programs that support the development of projects, activities and services that contribute to the wellbeing and quality of life of our residents.
Community Grants Program
Community grants are available for projects that:
ful l a demonstrated community need
develop or improve upon existing facilities
fund programs or purchase equipment that will maintain and/or increase opportunities for participation
funding can also be used as a cocontribution as part of an organisation’s nancial contribution for an external funding application
Applications are now open all year round.
Event Promotion Scheme
Council’s event promotion scheme assists community groups organising events by providing sponsorship for events held within the municipality.
Applications from community groups can be made under one of the two following categories:
Major Event Category: $1,000 for events of regional or state signi cance i.e. state sporting events and/or major festivals, and that attract a signi cant number of visitors from outside the region.
Minor Event Category: $400 for events of local and sub-regional signi cance i.e. annual sporting tournaments or local community festivals.
Applications must be received at least 30
days prior to the event to be considered for funding. Applications can be made via Council’s SmartyGrants program. Welcome to Country funding
The Loddon Shire Council has allocated funding through their Event Promotion Scheme for community groups or event organisers to apply for up to $500 to engage a Dja Dja Wurrung or Barapa Barapa representative to perform a Welcome to Country at public events.
For a map of formally recognised Traditional Owners in Victoria, including those covering the area of Loddon Shire Council, please refer to the Victorian Government’s Welcome to Country and Acknowledgements Map. Applications can be made via Council’s SmartyGrants program.
Easter hot rod cross into history
AUSTRALIA’S biggest hot road show will zoom into Inglewood at Easter.
Organisers on Monday locked in plans for more than 100 hot rods to zip up the Calder Highway on Easter Monday.
Jadis Rod and Custom Club’s Ron Hayes said hot rods from across Australia would be on display in Bendigo for 26th Australian Street Rod Federation Nationals.
“It’s the first time the national show has been in Bendigo since 2017 - we had a record of more than 1200 entries then and pretty close to that again,” he said.
“While many head home on the Sunday, quite a few use the show for an extended holiday and we chose Inglewood for the Easter Monday cruise because of its history and proximity to Bendigo.”
Mr Hayes said more than 100 hot rod owners had already registered for the Inglewood cruise.
“We were looking at an old gold mining town with shops and cafes ... Inglewood has been the choice,” he said.
The Bendigo-based Jadis club was formed in 1974 to Jadis to promote the hot rodding hobby and lifestyle.
The hot rod cruise will be part of a bumper Easter in the southern Loddon with the 152nd Rheola Charity Carnival on Easter Monday and hundreds of orienteers competing in national events around Inglewood over Easter and the following Anzac Day long weekend.
Cr Dan Straub - Mayor
Tim Vellacott surveys the record entries at this year’s show. LH PHOTO
Winners of the people’s choice awards by Teresa Siesmaa (left) and Harold Beck (right)
Cuttings and phones trigger great memories
FROM the Class of 1964 to those sharing of old family and sporting links, more than 150 people have shared memories and stories at the centenary Wedderburn Reunion on Sunday.
The switch from Melbourne to Bendigo was hailed a success by organisers and cemented the botanical gardens as the annual reunion’s permanent home heading into the second century.
Key organisers Doug Steel and Frank Millen said they were pleased with the attendance, one that mirrored the turnout when Wedderburn’s Old Boys and Old Girls held the first reunion.
Harvey and Gail Cove travelled from Queensland. They were married in Wedderburn in 1978 where Gail’s father Charlie Rob-
inson was a prominent businessman.
Many in Bendigo on Sunday poured over old photographs and newspapers that triggered more stories.
For the Wedderburn Elementary School class of 1964, old classmates showed they had kept pace with technology, looking at photographs stored on mobile phones.
Ian Andrews added a touch of humour to the luncheon by wearing a “Wedderburn Triathlon” Tshirt from the 1970s.
Ian said while there was never an athletic event, the marathon legs referred to hotels in Wychitella, Wedderburn and Korong Vale.
The oldest expat at Sunday’s
Doug Steel said organisers had been unsure how many would travel to Bendigo for the first reunion out of Melbourne.
But he said the response had been amazing. Many of the regular attendees still came, some missed this year but promised to be there in 2026.
Helping bolster the crowd that in recent years had been just 20 or 30 people gathering in Melbourne’s Flagstaff Gardens, were family and friends still living in the Wedderburn district.
Organisers said Sunday was a strong start for a second century.
reunion was Margaret Curnick, 91, who spent time chatting with Maria Nasi, daughter of Giovoni mill manager Rita who died earlier this year.
Margaret Curnick and Maria Nasi Ian Andrews
Reunion organisers Frank Millen, Alison Oliver, Trevor Kirk, Neville Taylor, Graeme Toomey and Doug Steel. LH PHOTOS
Class of ’64
Cheryl Rodgers, Lavine Robertson, Vivien Turner, Van Stephenson, Geoff and Cheryl Burnside and Janice Millen
Donna Stewart, Bernadette Reeves and Maxine Maher
Trevor Bailey and Ruth Maxwell
Jeff Mills and Lorraine Taylor
Dean Cove and Loran Stephenson
Bronwyn Morley and Pam Camm
Harvey and Gail Cove
WOOL REPORT
The Australian wool market has recorded another overall fall last week, adding to the large losses experienced during last week’s sales. The bulk of the reductions were felt on the first day. The movements in the merino fleece Micron Price Guides (MPGs) ranged between plus 11 cents (18 micron in the West) to minus 31 cents (17.5 micron in the South). The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) dropped 12 cents for the day. This was the third successive daily double-digit fall in the EMI, losing 35 cents across these three sales. The last time this occurred was back in June 2023, when the EMI had five successive double-digit falls. In a positive sign, Fremantle selling last in the day, posted a 3 cent rise in the Western Indicator, driven by increases in the finer microns. This positive tone carried into the second selling day, resulting in price increases across all regional indicators. The EMI rose by 4 cents for the day. The EMI finished the series 8 cents lower, closing at 1,184 cents. A recent trend has seen a reduction in the price differentials between microns. This has been a result of larger price increases in the medium/broad microns in positive series compared to the finer microns, combined with smaller losses in the same microns when the market has retracted. This is best highlighted by comparing the difference between the 18.5 and 20.0 MPGs in the South. These two MPGs currently sit at 1,484 and 1,428 respectively, a difference of just 56 cents. At the start of the calendar year the MPGs were 1,529 and 1,426 a difference of 103 cents. At the start of the 2024/24 season (July 10th, 2024) the MPGs were 1,502 and 1,325 a difference of 177 cents. Next week there are currently 41,029 bales rostered nationally, with Sydney a designated Superfine sale.
109 MIDLAND HIGHWAY, EPSOM
Phone 03 5455 6333 Fax 03 8648 5816
Adam Millard | Wool | 0400 499 064
Elders Bendigo | 03 5445 6333
Craig Sharam | Branch Manager/Senior
Agronomist | 0408 188 351
Anton Mannes | Agronomist | 0499 708 044
Nigel Starick | Livestock Manager | 0408 528 322
Chris Anderson Territory Sales Manager | 0408 921 540
Glenn Jackson | Merchandise Manager | 0429 076 459
SHEEP AND LAMBS
THERE was a modest lift in supply at Bendigo on Monday with both the lamb and sheep yardings lifting by about 2000 head each for a total offering of 25,587.
Stock quality again varied, ranging from a small lead of hard-fed lambs before a rather quick decline into mixed conditioned types off grass.
Demand from the buying group was weaker than last Monday, with no company really stepping up to drive the market. Prices were generally $5 to $10/head easier in a fluctuating sale.
Buyers did favour shorter skinned lambs over early spring shorn types which are now coming through with longer and sometimes untidy skins. Heavy export lambs sold from $233 to a top of $282/ head and held their value reasonably well with not a lot of 30kg plus lambs across the yarding. Where the market became more fickle was on lambs weighing from 2230kg cwt, with rates varying from 710c to 780c/kg over the general run, improving to 780c to 840c/kg on the pick of the neat pens in each size category.
In dollars the heavy 26-30kg cwt crossbred lambs varied from $200 to $246/ head; the heavy trades $190 to $215/head; and the medium trades, 22-24kg cwt, from $160 to $193/head.
Well presented tradeweight Merino lambs in reasonable skins received solid support at $150 to $198/head. In the lighter lambs crossbred feeder types with frame from $150 to $160 with agents stepping into some of the leaner trade sized lambs; general run of decent small lambs $80 to $135/head. Sheep numbers lifted to 8100 yarded and included a lot of smaller lots rather than big lines.
The mutton sale generally tracked under 400c/kg, a lot of sheep estimated at 320c
Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report
to 390c/kg. Some younger Merino wethers still sold above 400c/kg cwt. Heavy Merino ewes in a skin topped at $145, Merino wethers sold to $136 and big crossbred ewes to $138. General run of light to heavy trade sheep from $55 to $110/head. Most secondary ewes lacking frame and weight down to $2/head.
CROSSBRED
BENDIGO
New supply link emerges
MORE grain could be leaving Boort by train next year with a rail siding upgrade expected to be finished within weeks.
Boort Grain Co-op has been in talks with V/Line for two years on track improvements and access to the line.
The co-op of district farmers is now assessing logistics to load grain onto trains.
Board chairman Neil Beattie said: “How much use will depend on logistics and cost benefits.”
“There could be between 2.5
and three tonnes a train ... that would take a lot of truck movements at the co-op out of play,” he said.
V/Line said crews were working on the $2.6 million upgrade to extend the Boort Grain Co-Op siding length to 840 metres and to build a new 400 metre siding, which will allow access and storage for longer and heavier 50wagon freight trains.
Along with the siding works, V/Line is also upgrading three culverts under the tracks as part
of annual program maintenance works on key freight lines in north-west Victoria.
A spokesperson said: “Work is progressing to upgrade and lengthen the siding at Boort Grain Co-Op, with the project expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
“This upgrade will increase freight capacity, allowing longer trains and more grain wagons to be loaded and carried to the port for export.”
Mr Beattie said receivals at the
Hosking ups ante in fight to end fire ‘levy inequity’
THE STATE Government was insulting farmers and burdening them with potential a 400 per cent tax hike with its new emergency services levy.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking said the Government needed to find a better solution to the levy it will introduce on July 1.
The new levy has already been criticised by Loddon farmers and raised concerns with the shire council who fear it will be blamed for the higher fees included in rate notices.
Mr Hosking said some farmers would be forced to pay up to 400 per cent more than the current fire services levy.
He said the new levy would place an enormous and unfair financial burden on “those already struggling and farmers who are facing volatile prices, ever-decreasing profit margins and increasing extreme weather events”.
“This tax hike is just another cost farm businesses will be forced to pay and it’s time to go back to the drawing board and find a better solution,” he said.
“A one-size-fits-all approach clearly doesn’t work when you’ve got some farm-
ers facing a hike of up to 400 per cent. There’s no way a rise of that much can be justified and for some, it could be the nail in the coffin for their farm businesses.’
Mr Hosking added that while levies which fund fire services were critical, the current broad-based tax was unfit for use and the Victorian Government must urgently consider an alternative.
“Instead of placing a blanket levy on all property owners, the government should consider a more targeted approach that ensures the funds are distributed where they’re needed most,” he said.
“Rural Victorians are already bearing the brunt of many challenges, from droughts to fires. This levy will add insult to injury, making it even harder for farmers to recover and thrive.
“The current approach certainly isn’t a solution that supports the needs of country Victorians and we’re urging the government to reassess its approach and explore more equitable solutions,” Mr Hosking said.
More than 100 farmers at a VFF regional forum in St Arnaud earlier this month voted for change to the emergency services tax.
co-op this season had been a record 240,000 tonnes.
“When we started 12 years ago it was 35,000 tonnes to make the venture viable,” he said.
Mr Beattie said new crop varieties and methods had helped drive harvest growth in the region. ‘The last six seasons have been unbelievable,” he said.
Boort Grain Co-op was established in 2011 by 35 local producers. Today, there are 40 shareholders and more than 100 grower entities delivering to the site.
CLEARING SALE
Tractors & Vehicles New holland 8970 4 WD Tractor 240 HP (3400 hrs.), Case IH JX 1090U with LSX F.E.L, FWA (3700 hrs.) bucket & forks, Inter Acco 2150 B Tray truck with 555 Cummins V8 (Reg’d, no RWC), 20’ tray & bulk bin, 20’ cattle crate, UD single axle prime mover with 30’Borcat aluminum tug bogie trailer (Reg’d, no RWC), 98 Suzuki stockman 2 door Ute with tray, (Reg’d no RWC), 87 Ford Courier XL 4WD Ute (Reg’d, no RWC) Farm Machinery Shearer 33 Tyne scarifier, Inter 511 28 run combine with SSB, Horwood Bagshaw 45’ harrows, Alfarm 40’ cultivator bar, 30’ Ackland bar, Farmall 10’ land grader, Daken 6’ slasher, 3PL channel crowder, 12’ rubber tyre roller, Vicon super spreader (3PL), Gibson 16’ Cultivator bar, UFO twin disc 3PL mower 6’ 9” cut, Rawlins cultipac roller, Goldacres Ute spray unit, 1000 Ltr portable fuel tank, 3PL jib, old Mitsubishi generator, 5” riverside pump, NH Bale loader Livestock, Grain holding & Seed Keogh 45’ x9” Auger w 20 HP Kohler motor, Keogh 35’ x 7” & Honda GX 90 motor, Bromar MF 36 multifeeder trailer (as new), Sherwell 15 bag grain feeder trailer, Bromar Superior stock feeders (8), Venning’s 14’ box grouper & Hobbs hoist, Lyco dominator electric wool press, hay ring, 22 panel portable yards / draft, mobile bagging bin, Oregon wool table 10’ x 5’, Cain wool baskets on wheels x 6, sheep cradle, 200 bags Spartacus barley & 200 bags Matika oats (cleaned w pickled), 2.5 Ton MD vetch, Qty bale hooks, Coutts cattle feeder on wheels, Sunbeam Dble end grinder
Fencing 3PL post hole digger, Qty 7’ x 8’ concrete strainer posts, Gal Iron stays, 240 new Gal Iron posts, 8 coils 7-line Ringlock, wire spinners (plain & barb), 550 steel droppers, 14’ & 12’ gates, Qty treated pine posts, fence strainers
Collectables 4 x Furphy water tanks excellent condition dating 1895 to 1943 – all with lids & taps, Qty Furphy wheels, Furphy pig trough, Avery platform scales / weights, Swage block & molds, CI render tub missionary CI pot, Burgin ball friction wheels x 8, Burgin ball shearing grinder, 4 HP Southern Cross stationary engine, Qty Furphy wheel bearings & McKay butterfly hinges, large Anvil, Butter churn, Qty Sunshine gates (various models), Sunshine Wheels, Dawn drill, leg vices (3), Trawella jack, Robinson harrow leaf, Sandstone wheel, Jas Smith grain grister, old wagon chain, CI stovetops/ doors, Ajax wool box, MH sickle mower, Mulboard ploughs, 2 x Woden jacks, Sharmango manual blower, Smith Windmill air valve, old McKay plough, old Jenkins & Berger scarifier, Broad axe, Bag trolley, Stillards, Qty Cast Iron post & Stone jars, Haymes, Lister O/H shearing plant (3), Vanguard wheel cover, Qty Blacksmiths tools
Sundries Aluminum painter ladders & trestles, 3PL Ripper, Concrete mixer, Polymaster water trough, air compressor, Qty rubber mating, Qty ½” Rod & Flat Steel, 8” steel strap, 50mm tube, Qty sundry steel / iron, Bluestone slabs, large 21’ steel H iron plank, host of sundries to numerous to mention.
Terms Numbers system operating, ID required, cash / cheque/ EFTPOS available. GST applies. No buyers premium
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT 2012 Jeantil Eva 15-12 manure spreader, Leith spreader 8T, 2 X Cat 920 Artic F.E.L, 7’ X 8’ Buckets (1 working, 1 blown motor), 04 Holden Rodeo 4X4 Ute with 7’ X 6’ steel tray & 2 tool boxes, 77 Acco 1810A twin axel truck tray with 18’ X 7’ steel tray & hoist, old comer truck & tray frame, 52 Dodge tray truck (Parts), 18’ X 7’ grain bin, Tri- Axle plant trailer 25.5’ X 8’ with Hydraulic Ramps (Not Registered), Single axle plant trailer (21’ X 7’ Not Registered), Major 8’ X 5’ tandem trailer, Inter 711 Harvester with 16’ comb front, 18’ Inter Comb front, Inter 711 Header (parts only), 65 MF Tractor with F.E.L, Chamberlain C6100 tractor with Gason cab (not going), Hyd remotes & PTO, Class 630 4X4 Tractor with remotes/ PTO, Chamberlain 9G Tractor (Not running), 30Ft 13 Leaf harrow bar, Ryan 30’ folding cultivator bar, Chamberlain 24 & 28 row combines with SSB, Sunshine 10 plate offset disc, Hardi 2000 Lt 35’ boom spray, HB 25 spring tyne scarifier, Rear loading “Grainline” tipper Auger with 6.5 HP Honda motor (new), HB clover harvester, 6’ Howard slasher, 3PL Lely 328 disc mower, 3pl 7’ Grader Blade, 3PL 6 wheel hay rake, 2 X Sunbeam Shearing plants, Ajax wool press (2), Morton baker wool press, Quantity rear tractor tyres.
SUNDRIES Quintex boat with 7 HP mercury motor, Murray’s double camper unit (Fits rodeo), Mobilco swing saw/ Tungsten Tip black & Wisconsin, 8HP motor, belt driver saw bench/ Tungsten tip black, concrete pipes 8’ (4), DH Fuel tank, 4-wheel Mulholland plough (Parts), dune buggy with VW motor, 6 X railway line sleepers, 2 X stone wheels, quantity steel wheels/ rims. “Silvan” Elec 400 Ltr fuel jack with new pump. Host sundries too numerous to particularize.
Terms Numbers system operating, ID required, cash / cheque/ EFTPOS if available. GST applies. No buyers premium
Directions Turn off Loddon Valley Highway into Chambers Road, first house on the right
Photos www.fpnevins.com.au
Further Particulars
Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166
Vendor: Mal Chambers 0427 375 263
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Magnifying turning point in learning
Initiative goes beyond traditional delivery of curriculum, writes Stephen O’Shannessy
IN 2025, Catholic Education
embarked on the largest multi-organisational school initiate in Australia. The introduction of Magnify across schools in the Sandhurst Diocese, including St Mary’s, Inglewood marks a turning point in education. This evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative is designed to equip students with the tools they need to become confident, capable learners across all subject areas. Grounded in evidencebased practices, Magnify goes beyond traditional curriculum delivery, offering a high level of instructional coaching and a calm classroom approach to ensure teachers can deliver the highest quality learning experiences.
The foundation of Magnify is built upon rigorous, researchbacked programs, including MultiLit, Steplab, OCHRE, and Knowledge Society. Each of these components plays a vital role in reshaping education:
MultiLit (Making Up Lost Time in Literacy) is an evidencebased literacy curriculum and intervention program that supports readers with explicit, systematic instruction in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Steplab provides structured professional learning for teachers through incremental, practice-based coaching, ensuring continuous skill development and refinement across all subject areas.
OCHRE focuses on a low variance curriculum, reducing the cognitive load of educators so they can target their teaching practices and ensure an inclusive and meaningful approach for all students.
Knowledge Society brings expertise in educational behaviours, assisting schools in implementing best-practice strategies at scale.
While schools have adopted evidence-based approaches in specific subjects, Catholic Education Sandhurst is investing heavily in ensuring that teachers at St Mary’s receive direct, ongoing coaching from internationally recognised experts across the curriculum. This hands-on ap-
proach empowers our educators to master best-practice teaching strategies and effectively apply them in the classroom, significantly improving student outcomes in literacy, numeracy, and beyond.
Additionally, Magnify provides a low-variance, knowledge-rich curriculum, allowing teachers to focus their cognitive load on lesson delivery and identifying gaps in student knowledge. Research embedded in the Science of Learning emphasises that a wellsequenced, structured curriculum supports long-term knowledge retention by aligning with how the brain learns best. By reducing variability in content and instructional methods, educators can dedicate more attention to individual student progress.
At St Mary’s, students will benefit immensely from Magnify’s structured and research-based approach. The programs place a high emphasis on explicit teaching, positive classroom environments, and targets intervention so that every student, every teacher, every school, is supported in their learning journey every day. With a smaller staff-to-student ratio, St Mary’s is well-positioned to maximise the impact of Magnify, offering more personalised instruction and timely support for students who need it most.
The importance of high-quality instruction across all subjects cannot be overstated. Research shows that explicit, systematic teaching within a knowledgerich curriculum leads to stronger academic outcomes and reduces educational inequities. By prioritising instructional coaching, Magnify ensures that every
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Loddon Herald welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Preference will be given to letters of 300 words or less and must include your name with address and phone number provided for verification (not publicaton). We reserve the right to edit letters for legal reasons. Send your letters to loddonherald@gmail.com
OPINION PIECES
The
1. Words that imitate sounds are called what?
2. “The Tortoise and the Hare” is a story written by which Greek fabulist?
3. What shape are the cells of a honeycomb?
4. Which Pope’s real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?
5. Blue, red, and yellow are collectively known as what?
6. What is the capital city of Russia?
7. If you had a “close encounter of the third kind”, what do you have an encounter with?
8. The colossal squid is believed to have the largest what of any animal?
teacher can confidently deliver world-class education while fostering positive and engaging classrooms that support student wellbeing and motivation.
A holistic education must extend beyond academics. At St Mary’s, we recognise the importance of fostering not only cognitive growth but also the social and emotional wellbeing of our students. That is why we are committed to staff training in The Resilience Project and have appointed a Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) leader. These programs equip educators with the skills to support students’ emotional resilience, mental wellbeing, and overall development. By embedding strategies that promote gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness, St Mary’s ensures that students are not only achieving academically but also growing as well-rounded individuals who can navigate challenges with confidence.
As a principal in a rural community, I know firsthand the importance of providing students with the best possible education while ensuring families have access to quality schooling at an affordable cost. With the introduction of Catholic Education Sandhurst new Health Care Cards payment scheme, all HCC families in our community can now access highquality education for just $10 per week. This initiative ensures that financial barriers do not stand in the way of students receiving the support, knowledge, and opportunities they deserve if families wish to choose Catholic education for their child.
Steven O’Shannessy is principal of St Mary’s Inglewood
9. “You’ve got a friend in me” is a Randy Newman song featured in which film?
10. Which country produces more mangoes than any other country?
11. The name of which prescription drug starts and begins with ‘x’?
12. Amethyst is a violet variety of
LOOKS like Bradley of Boort has headed back to the drawing board for his latest Treemendous Sign ... and keeping abreast of what he is drafting in the draught. Can’t wait to see what blows in next!
PERHAPS he needs a boost in sustinance. For while Bradley is one of the first to admit to limited sporting abilities, he could have been barracking for junior cricketers at the weekend where morning tea was a splendid spread. The highlight was a batch of fresh out of the oven mini sausage rolls. The cook tells OTF that the secret ingredients included some sweet chilli sauce and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
buSHy TaLES BY IAN JONES
which hard mineral substance
13. In Greek mythology, what is the name of the winged horse?
14. The god Osiris was worshipped in which country?
15. Nitrous Oxide is more commonly known as what?
16. The flag of which country is a white St Andrew’s cross on a field of blue?
17. Which bear lives in the Hundred Acre Wood?
18. What rhymes with ‘soon’ and is made of sand?
19. The Iron Cross medal was once awarded in which country?
20. What is geocentrism?
THEY went off fast. A concept that must have challenged the good people at V/Line. Last week OTF received a letter from the train and bus people apologising for service issues. The complaint was from March 2021 when OTF headed to Melbourne town to see the mighty roaring Tigers account for Collingwood in a pre-season match. The letter? It was dated March 2021. Classic slow coach response.
GUINNESS Book of Records says The longest time elapsed between a letter being posted and its delivery is 89 years. In 2008, Janet Barrett, a guest-house owner in Weymouth, Dorset, UK, received the letter – an RSVP to a Boxing Day party invitation, which had been posted on November 29, 1919. Guess V/Line has a way to go before it can claim a record.
Sandhurst
splashing summer in Aussie bush
FOR many people a fallen tree or a stump is nothing more than that but for Wedderburn artist Ross Currie, it’s a source of inspiration.
A log in Marong has become a shark, a stump near St Arnaud transformed into a dog and plain concrete poles brightened with nature themed art on the road to Dunolly.
“I see things when I’m driving around going about my day and a form starts taking shape, so I just go with it.” Ross said.
Ross has been turning nature into works of art for about 15 years.
Along with his roadside art he works with wood sculpting and has created a large vine snake made from one piece of wood found wrapped around a peppercorn tree in Wedderburn.
The snake lives in his studio along with many of his pyrography and charcoal landscapes.
Bin nights in Wedderburn feature a display of Ross’ artwork as residents put their decorated wheelie bins out for collection.
Ross’ wheelie bin art began during the
COVID-19 pandemic when he painted his own bins and has taken on a life of its own years later with many requests for decorated bins coming in.
The painted power poles on the road to Dunolly were started as something to fill in Ross’ time and it wasn’t until he began work on the sixth piece that he realised how much people loved them.
“I had no idea people loved them so much until someone pulled over when I was painting one to tell me how much they loved to see them on their drive.” Ross said.
“It was just something I did for fun, and the town loved it”
Ross finished the final pole of his own art trail in October and has had plenty of good feedback and “fortunately no complaints yet”.
“I do the art for the joy of it” Ross says, “it breaks up a boring drive and gives people something fun to lookout for.”
Ross is responsible for starting the Wed-
Your online words
derburn Open Air Gallery, a series of six murals throughout the town. The theme of the murals is Birds Eye View as Wedderburn is considered a mecca for birdlife.
Ross learnt the art of spray painting from the artists working on the mural and has adapted that knowledge into his roadside art. “It’s very different to anything else I’ve used and I’m still learning but it’s working well.” He said.
“People often ask me where my next project will be, but the answer is usually I don’t know. If I go looking, I won’t find anything, so I just wait and see what finds me.”
One of the pieces that found Ross was the stump he turned into a tribute for his dog Basil. After he lost Basil, Ross hadn’t planned on doing a tribute for him, but he saw the stump on his way home and immediately saw the form of an ear and took it as a sign it was something he needed to do.
“It was a meant to be one, found the stump by pure accident, even the head pose was there as he always looked to-
inGlewood CoMMuniTY BAnK
PuTs $250K on TABle For Town CHild CAre
Christine Elliott wrote: Thank you Inglewood Community Bank for responding to the evidence-based Childcare Feasibility Study Business Case provided by Projectura Consultants to the Loddon Shire in 2020. This far reaching and expensive report recommended that
child care centres be built in Inglewood and Boort.
Carmel Twyford-White wrote: Long over due for this community ... good news! ‘This far reaching and expensive report recommended’ was a no brainer ....surely that money could have gone into the child care facilities required ... it’s not rocket science = commonsense is free my friends! Inglewood Com-
wards the sky for those pesky jets who he thought were trying to pinch his bone” Ross said.
Often Ross’ ideas start with just one feature like an ear or some lips. One of his well-loved pieces of art known as the “Mick Jagger Tree”, came about from “I saw the gap in the tree, and it looked like a pair of big lips and when I thought big lips Mick Jagger came to mind” Ross said.
The Mick Jagger tree is one Ross touches up every now and then as the tree sheds its bark to make sure its looking bright for visitors.
While he does use a protective coating on all his roadside art, being exposed to the elements can cause them to fade faster than other work so he keeps an eye on all of them, doing touch ups as needed.
What started as a project to fill in some time has now become an attraction to the area for both locals and tourists.
“My art became so much more popular than I ever expected. It’s something I do for the joy of it and I’m glad it brings other people joy.” Ross said.
munity Bank well done and greatly appreciated.
wATer rATioninG For irriGATors
Tania Quinn wrote: This is so sad so will the farmers have to pay for water they canit use.
sHoP loddon CAMPAiGn in sHire Towns
Paul Woodman wrote: If people don’t get the message they won’t
have a high street and will finish up with a very sad town. Then they’ll regret it but it’s too late once it’s gone.
FiX PHones, roAd BeFore HeriTAGe Bid
Jennifer Pettit wrote: Fix the phone to call about fixing the road. Marilyn Cumming wrote: Fix the roads.
Summer creations of Ross Currie are popping up in local bushland and beside country
DEATH NOTICE
Colleen Eileen Mary Frank (nee Rose) Aged 86 years
Late of Regents Park, Brisbane and formerly of Melbourne.
Colleen passed away peacefully at Greenslopes Private Hospital Brisbane on the 17th of January 2025 after a short illness. Devoted wife of John. Adored mother of Elizabeth and Timothy. Much loved mother in-law of Michael and Kim.
Cherished Grandmother of Jacob, Sophie, Rachel and Oliver and Loving Great Grandmother of Micah. Forever loved Forever missed.
A private family Requiem Mass was held on the 28th of January at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Sunnybank.
The family of Bill Fitzpatrick would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love and support following Bill’s passing. Your kindness has provided great comfort during this difficult time. We deeply appreciate the many cards, flowers, meals and offers of help. Your presence at the service, phone calls and shared stories have meant so much. Bill would have been truly touched by the warmth and compassion shown by all.
A fitting tribute was made to Bill as he travelled his final journey on the back of a truck reflecting his legendary life in the trucking world. The generosity and thoughtfulness has been overwhelming and a true testament to the impact he had on everyone who knew him. With sincerest thanks Marie, Billy, Paul, Leanne, Julie and families.
#SHOPLODDON #SHOPLOCAL
EMPLOYMENT
WANTED
INGLEWOOD will get a rare visit from the Central Victorian Veterans Cycling Club on Sunday with more than 20 riders setting off on a 54-km route through the local region.
Beginning and ending outside the Town Hall, the handicap race will go through Kingower, Rheola and Arnold.
Club president Wendy Bennett said most of the cyclists taking part come from Bendigo, but others hail from as far afield as Swan Hill.
The club is based at Woodstock-on-Loddon and holds races every week, with most
“We don’t come out to Inglewood very often,” Bennett said, so it is a chance for locals
Location:The Bridgewater Hotel
RSVP: 1/ 3/ 25 to Sue Brown at 0409 198 974 The theme this year is March Forward Kate Mannix, AFS CEO will speak about Marching Forward………. BEREAVEMENT THANKS
Kate was appointed CEO of AFS in 2017 after a decade with the firm, working in audit, establishing the share registry department, and serving as General Manager Corporate Services. She previously gained experience at PwC and Blockbuster Australia. Kate is dedicated to making AFS the preferred accounting firm for clients and an employer of choice, while also advocating for business growth in Central Victoria. Beyond work, she supports her three children and volunteers as Secretary at Lockwood Tennis Club and with the Marong Football Netball Club. Professional Involvement:
Australian
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand You are invited to to the KWN International on Wednesday the 5th of March Time: 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm arrival
of
Club members race the Bridgewater circuit last Sunday. LH PHOTO
Blues hit track as ‘injury pair’ impress coach
THE HEAT was on for Inglewood’s footballers and netballers at the club’s season launch last Sunday.
Open training sessions brought out plenty of fans keen to get a look at the new squads for 2025.
Football coach Fergus Payne said pre-season training had been “really impressive, and numbers at training have been awesome”.
Payne named talented youngster Gabe Nevins as a standout during the summer as he looks to put together a full season after injury woes in 2024.
“He’s been doing some great
things at training, and it’s awesome to have him at full strength.”
Mid-forward Liam Marciano, another player who had injury concerns last season, has impressed the coach as well, having not missed a training session during pre-season.
Payne tipped Heathcote recruit Kai Cavallaro to have a big impact this season.
“He’s a key forward who has been training really well, and he’s looking like a great target for us.”
Inglewood plays Marong, premiers for the past three seasons, in round one on April 5.
Bulldogs sign star tall timber
HIS YOUNGER brother might be earning $US6 million a year in the NBA, but Kai Daniels’ sporting aspirations for 2025 are a little more modest.
Bendigo-born Daniels, 24, has signed with Pyramid Hill in the Loddon Valley league in a major coup for the Bulldogs.
The only potential hiccup is that Daniels, who now lives in Melbourne, is training with Richmond’s VFL team, and his availability for Pyramid Hill will depend on whether he is offered a contract by the Tigers.
At 193cm and with a strong basketball background, Daniels is set for a ruck-forward role with the Bulldogs after a season with Golden Square in the Bendigo league. Coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said discussions with Daniels began well before Christmas. Fitzpatrick had a head start in negotiations given that he coached Daniels in the Pyramid Hill under-18 premiership side in 2019.
He was named best afield in the grand final win. “Kai has the capabilities to be
a very good player,” Fitpatrick said. “He can play forward and in the ruck, so we’ll use him in a couple of different positions. He’s also good when the ball hits the ground.”
Daniels’ athletic ability makes him a potential standout in the Loddon Valley competition.
He spent two years in the US on a basketball scholarship after leaving secondary school in Bendigo, then played basketball in Western Australia before returning home and playing football for Golden Square.
He appeared 18 times for Golden Square last season and was named in the best players on eight occasions.
Daniels’ younger brother Dyson plays with the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA after being drafted at No.8 in 2022 and represented Australia at the Paris Olympics.
At 17, the youngest Daniels brother will play basketball for Melbourne United this year and is eligible for the NBA draft in 2026, having appeared for Australia in under-age teams.
- GARY WALSH
Five matches in practice series
TEN clubs will be part of the pre-season community practice match series in Pyramid Hill next month. Pyramid Hill will take the field in football and netball against Kerang.
Newbridge will be up against Wandella, Boort plays Ultima and Koondrook Barham will play Lake Boga. The first match at 11am will see Leitchville Gunbower against Macorna.
Blues’ coach Fergus Payne directs Sunday’s training run. LH PHOTOS
Operations manager Gary Scanlon and senior assistant Jackson Head
Ty Beriman
Gabe Nevins
Seb Erharter
Trent Stevenson
’Burn earns shot at redemption
WEDDERBURN is into the grand final of the North Central bowls competition after a runaway win over St Arnaud Country Club last Saturday.
All three rinks were victorious, giving Wedderburn the chance for revenge when it meets Wycheproof in the Division 2 decider on Saturday.
Wedderburn lost narrowly to Wyche in their semi-final match a week earlier but hit back strongly against the St Arnaud CC team.
The biggest winners on the day were the team of Lance Standfield (skip), Leon Holt, Tony Benaim and Robert Tonkin, who thumped their opponents 33-12.
John Grant’s rink (with Colin Mills, Ruth Hall and Robert Ashley) came from behind to win 29-23.
And the four of Ian Hall (skip), Allan Noordennen, Neville White and Stephen Lear won 30-27.
INGLEWOOD
Inglewood’s Bendigo midweek Division 5 team is through to the grand final on Monday after a thrilling win over South Bendigo. The Woodies will face South Bendigo again in the decider, with home advantage, after the two teams finished first and second on the ladder.
Last Monday’s win had some tense moments in the finishing stages.
One rink was 10 shots up, only to hit a rough patch by losing the last five ends to get up by just one shot.
And the other rink, after being two shots down, won its last three ends to win by two shots.
The team of Wendy Wilson, Dionne Roberts, Kath McNaught and Arthur Harrison (skip) managed the two-shot win, while Edna Patterson, Phyllis McEwan, Patsy Lyndon and David Whitehead (skip) was the rink to hold on by a single shot.
The Division 5 weekend pennant team found Golden Square too good on Saturday in hot and windy conditions.
This team finished the season with three wins, two draws and nine losses.
Best rink on the day was the team of Ben Scoble, Dionne Roberts, Kath McNaught and Bev Taig (skip) with an eight-shot win.
Division 1 lost narrowly to Kangaroo
Flat 66-76, with the rebuilding team ending an encouraging season with five wins, a draw and eight losses to finish seventh on the ladder. Best rink on the day was the team of Brett Jackson, Ian Chamberlain, Vicky Tierney and Grant Jackson with a nine-shot win.
Bridgewater
The Division 5 side played its final game of the season away to Woodbury on Saturday in hot and blustery conditions and got away to a good start holding around a 20 -shot margin at the half way mark.
Things tightened up in the second half but managed to hold on for a 14 shot win.
The best winning rink was Dad’s Army rink once again with Peter Short, Nick Saunders, Bob Smith and John Fagan.
The club’s twilight competition started last night.
Serpentine
Serpentine finished their Bendigo Division 2 season with a win over finalist South Bendigo at home 78/14 to 71/4 winning two of the 4 rinks. Murray Matthews in his first season defeated Dianne Walker in the final of the 100 up. Murray was also a joint winner of the most valuable pennant player, as voted by opposition teams, sharing the award with Brian Tuohey, Neville Tonkin and Russell Gladman.
While not successful in winning a lot of games this year it was great to see new bowlers. joining the pennant team this season.
PENNANT BOWLS RESULTS
Bendigo
Division 1 Donald Golf 85-10 d Wycheproof 65-2. Division 2 Wedderburn 92-12 d St Arnaud Country 620. S. Lear, N. White, A. Noordennen, I. Hall (s) d B. Medlyn, K. Pole, N. Robinson, A. Bond (s) 30-27. R. Ashley, R. Hall, C. Mills, J. Grant (s) d D. McAllister, C. Webb, K. Meade, J. Needs (s) 29-23. R. Tonkin, A. Benaim, L. Holt, L. Standfield (s) d G. White, S. Atkinson, P. Mullins, P. Elliott (s) 33-12. Midweek grand final at Boort: Donald Golf 71-10 d Wycheproof 70-2.
Division 1 Kangaroo Flat 76-15 d Inglewood 66-3. J. Lynch, D. Allison, R. Payne, L. Hardingham (s) d B. Hopcott, S. Laird, D. Garrett, A. Harrison (s) 26-10. L. Troy, R. Baxter, J. Schultz, P. Beveridge (s) drew B. Smyth, D. Whitehead, D. Wilson, L. Kelly (s) 19-19. B. Langley, D. Howarth, M. Moller, P. Jennings (s) d M. Chamberlain, R. Stranger, B. McClymont, G. Wilson (s) 21-18. K. Rooke, S. Howard, D. Martin, J. Weymouth (s) lost to B. Jackson, I. Chamberlain, V. Tierney, G. Jackson (s) 10-19. Strathfieldsaye 77-11 drew Bendigo East 77-11. White Hills 82-16 d North Bendigo 73-2. Golden Square 70-3 lost to Castlemaine 92-15. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 199, Castlemaine 150, Bendigo East 132, Kangaroo Flat 124, North Bendigo 112, Golden Square 104, Inglewood 100, White Hills 87. Division 2 Serpentine 78-14 d South Bendigo 71-4. M. Mathews, G. Addlem, K. Canfield, B. Gladman (s) lost to M. Poulter, J. Rooke, M. Houghton, J. Pasternak (s) 1726. J. Addlem, J. Collinson, R. Gladman, D. Walker (s) d T. Bradley, J. Borham, D. Roberts, C. Adams (s) 23-14. A. James, B. Tuohey, K. Collins, B. Long (s) lost to P. Milburn, R. Wishart, J. Hayes, L. Doolan (s) 15-17. L. James, L. Baber, W. Hasty, N. Tonkin (s) d S. Driesen, G. Bryan, L. Wilkinson, R. Mc Cumber (s) 23-14. Strathfieldsaye 108-18 d Bendigo East 62-0. Eaglehawk 102-14 d Kangaroo Flat 63-4. Harcourt 66-2 lost to Bendigo 68-16. Ladder: Bendigo 182, Strathfieldsaye 171, South Bendigo 159, Eaglehawk 158, Harcourt 143, Kangaroo Flat 80, Bendigo East 60, Serpentine 55. Division 4 Dingee 60-0 lost to White Hills 107-18. K. Pollock, J. Monaghan, M. Grieves, F. Grieves (s) lost to B. Sheen, B. Langley, G. Austin, M. Kelly (s) 20-28. B. Cail, T. Kavanagh, L. Hocking, L. Demeo (s) lost to M. Carter, C. Jansen, P. Fogliani, A. Charlton (s) 15-23. A. Hay, B. West, R. Thompson, B. Lawry (s) lost to R. Parmenter, W. McCurdy, D. Ahdore, G. Gardner (s) 11-24. W. Wilson, S. Cail, K. Murphy, N. Lister (s) lost to M. Zadow, P. McGuire, B. Colbert, G. Baldwin (s) 14-32. Calivil 91-16 d Bendigo East 53-2. W. Lourie, R. Lourie, M. Collett, G. Maxted (s) d J. Dullard, C. Findlay, R. Miller, L. Parker (s) 28-11. K. Richards, A. Dennis, G. Ray, L. Gronow (s) d D. Grant, G. Washington, T. Costello, J. Knott (s) 33-9. N. Dennis, P. Hercus, J. Pickles, M. Dennis (s) lost to K. Parker, G. O’Connell, S. Ayson, D. Johnson (s) 13-20. R. Boyd, B. Meighan, W. Miles, A. Leech (s) d J. Hawkins, M. Pysing, T. King, S. Hocking (s) 17-13. Kangaroo Flat 97-18 d Marong 62-0. Bendigo 105-18 d Harcourt 64-0. Ladder: Bendigo 191, Calivil 154, White Hills 150, Harcourt 120, Kangaroo Flat 107, Marong 106, Bendigo East 104, Dingee 76. Division 5 Inglewood 73-4 lost to Golden Square 85-14. E. Patterson, P. Kelly, P. Lyndon, C. McEwan (s) lost to J. Holborn, J. Chapman, R. Bird, W. Banyard (s) 20-24. D. Shay, B. McNaught, D. Smyth, W. Wilson (s) d K. Skinner, M. Muir, D. Hendy, H. Hendy (s) 20-19. B. Scoble, D. Roberts, K. McNaught, B. Taig (s) d R. Gould, B. Luke, M. Lea, G. Taylor (s) 22-20. W. Concol, D. Shay, K. Stewart, H. Leech (s) lost to A. Boyle, S. Hutchinson, R. Fyffe, W. Stammers (s) 11-22. Woodbury 74-2 lost to Bridgewater 88-16. M. Derham, N. Upton, I. Ross, C. Edwards (s) d G. Mabon, D. Wilson, G. Catto, T. Estrada (s) 25-16. J. Wee Hee, M. Weeks, S. Treloar, G. Pritchard (s) lost to G. Papworth, R. Brown, C. Payne, G. Mangan (s) 24-28. D. Tarr, M. Shay, J. Bath, B. Shay (s) lost to P. Short, N. Saunders, R. Smith, J. Fagan (s) 12-22. C. Gosden, B. Cozens, M. Green, L. Basile (s) lost to L. Catto, V. Wilson, B. Catto, C. Mangan (s) 13-22. South Bendigo 66-2 lost to Campbell’s Creek 100-16. Strathfieldsaye 105-18 d Bendigo 71-0. Ladder: Strathfieldsaye 196, Bendigo 178, Campbell’s Creek 170, Golden Square 148, Bridgewater 92, Inglewood 84, South Bendigo 83, Woodbury 39. Monday - Division 1 Bendigo 51-1 lost to Bendigo East 64-15. Division 4 Strathfieldsaye 56-2 lost to Harcourt 63-14. Division 5 South Bendigo 43-14 d Marong 33-0. Division 6 South Bendigo 44-12 d Golden Square 40-2. North Central
Donald skipper Peter Herbert (centre) receives the premiership shield from North Central playing area’s Lance Standfield and Sandra Steel
Stunning draw and late charge
By GARY WALSH
A THRILLING final round of Upper Loddon cricket has upended the ladder and set up an exciting first round of finals.
Top team Kingower sensationally tied with bottom side Bridgewater, which would have won had it not been for a familiar lateorder collapse.
And in-form Boort Yando thrashed Arnold, with the Magpies leapfrogging the Redbacks into third place.
At Kingower, the Bulls – with only one win for the season in their return to the competition – restricted the powerful Gower batting lineup to 6-187.
Star batsmen Will Deason (0), captain Jayden Leach (10) and Kyle Simpson (16) all fell cheaply, leaving dependable opener Matt Rowe (64 off 80 balls) to shoulder most of the load.
David Rose, with 29 off 34 balls, and Lachlan Dejong (31 not out off 29) gave the innings some late impetus.
Bridgewater shared the wickets around, with Tom McKinley taking 2-22 from his seven overs.
Harry McKinley then dominated with the bat, striking a magnificent 101 from 97 balls, taking the Bulls to 3-178 with help from brother Tom (17), Sam Harrison (26) and Toby Naughton (19).
McKinley’s knock included 14 fours and three sixes, but he crept to his century with six singles.
After his dismissal Bridgewater needed only 10 runs for a stunning victory, but unfortunately for the Bulls their lower order was not up to the task.
Naughton fell with the score on 183, with just five runs needed and five wickets in hand.
Seth Hewett was run out for three, as the Bulls hit the panic button.
Worse was to follow with Hunter Daldy also run out for a
Powlett, Junction to meet in final
LODDON region teams will be well represented in area tennis finals this weekend.
Powlett and Wedderburn Junction will meet in the grand final of the Inglewood and District association on Saturday.
The teams will clash at Inglewood’s courts, having been dominant in the competition all season. It will be a repeat of last season’s decider when Junction pulled off an upset.
Powlett defeated Korong Vale in their semi-final on Saturday, while Wedderburn Junction beat Fentons Creek.
The latter clash was played on Friday night due to weekend weather conditions.
Derby and Newbridge will meet on Saturday in a semi-final of the Marong and District Tennis Assocation. to be played at xxxxxxxxxx.
The teams met a fortnight ago, with Newbridge coming out on top.
The winner will progress to the grand final against the winner of Lockwood versus Marong.
Marong leapt from sixth on the ladder to fourth and into the finals when it thrashed bottom team Woodstock in the final home and away round.
diamond duck, followed by his brother Daniel, also out for no score.
With one over left, Bridgewater needed just one run to win, and Dejong somehow conjured a maiden with Zac Martin unable to manage the single for victory.
Rowe took 2-18 and Ben Rose finished with 2-37. Deason’s dirty day continued with 23 runs from his only over.
Boort Yando’s post-Christmas revival continued with a big win away from home over Arnold.
The Magpies batted first and compiled an imposing 205 from their 35 overs.
The end of harvest has brought an influx of experienced players into the Boort Yando team, and it now shapes as a genuine premiership threat.
The Magpies batted steadily to reach 4-102 in 22 overs, and then more than doubled their score in the last 13 overs.
Daniel Lehman (43 off 29 balls) and Harry Weaver (41 off 31) did most of the late damage, with Blake Slatter adding a cameo in hitting 23 from 190 deliveries.
The competition’s most in-form batsman Heath Lock opened for Arnold with veteran Phil Scholes, but word was that he was suffering leg and back soreness after his 95 last round.
And this time he lasted just
two balls, for one run, before he smacked a catch directly to Magpies skipper Brian Minogue off Alex Cockerell.
Scholes, too, fell cheaply, and number three Tim Wright was smacked on the helmet by a fierce Weaver bouncer before being dismissed by Cockerell for 2.
At 3-32, Arnold’s chase looked unlikely, and despite captain Ryan Metelmann’s 22 off 27 balls and Campbell Hancock’s patient 18 off 46 deliveries, the Redbacks were all out for 93 in 23.2 overs.
A late flourish from Isaac McLean, with four fours from just six deliveries faced, was to no avail.
The Magpies’ fielding and catching was exceptional, in contrast to Arnold which spilled a number of catches.
A stunning left-hand grab by Fergus Bear at cover to end the innings was a highlight.
Cockerell finished with 5-24 from seven tight overs and Lehman took 3-28.
The win means Boort Yando will face Wedderburn Band on the competition’s only turf wicket on Saturday for a place in the grand final, while Kingower will host Arnold.
Kingower drew Bridgewater Kingower M. Rowe c H. McKinley b L. Lonsdale 64 W. Deason b T. McKinley 0
MARONG
Woodstock 2-35 lost to Marong 16-101
Ladies: N Earl J Leversha lost to P Franklin J Cornish 0-6. N Earl K Punton lost to P Franklin G Turnbull 0-6. J Leversha K Punton lost to J Cornish G Turnbull 2-6. H Stone A Andrews-Stone lost to S Thompson H Turnbull 1-6. P Morris A Andrews-Stone lost to S Thompson G Clarke 1-6. H Stone P Morris lost to H Turnbull G Clarke 0-6. Mens: D Tolly G Leach lost to L Frankel Z Turnball 2-6. D Tolly N Punton lost to L Frankel D Turnball 2-6. G Leach N Punton lost to Z Turnball D Turnball 1-6. T Heather D Heather lost to M Frankel K McCaig 5-6. T Heather L McKinley lost to M Frankel Partner 3-6. D Heather L McKinley d K McCaig Partner 6-1.
Mixed: G Leach J Leversha lost to P Franklin L Frankel 0-6. N Punton N Earl lost to G Turnball Z Turnball 1-6. K Punton D Tolly lost to J Cornish D Turnball 0-6. L McKinley A Andrews-Stone lost to H Turnball M Frankel 5-6. H Stone D Heather d S Thompson K McCaig 6-4. T Heather P Morris lost to G Clarke Partner 0-6. Newbridge 11-86 d Harcourt 74-7
J. Leach c H. McKinley b T. McKinley 10
K. Simpson c H. McKinley b J. Bowen 15
D. Rose c H. McKinley b S. Hewett-Scull 29
L. Dejong not out 31
Z. Gray b H. McKinley 10
T. Hywood not out 3
Extras 25
Total 6/187
Bowling: T. McKinley 7-1-22-2, T. Naughton 7-1-40-0, S. Hewett-Scull 5-0-46-1, J. Bowen 7-0-31-1, L. Lonsdale 5-1-11-1, H. McKinley 4-0-25-1. Bridgewater
T. McKinley c T. Hywood b M. Rowe 17
J. Bowen lbw J. Leach 1
H. McKinley b B. Rose 101
S. Harrison b B. Rose 26
T. Naughton c J. Leach b M. Rowe 19
L. Lonsdale not out 0
S. Hewett-Scull run out T. Hywood 3
H. Daldy run out M. Rowe 0
D. Daldy c Z. Gray b L. Dejong ................0
Z. Martin not out 1
Extras 19
Total 8/187
Bowling: J. Leach 7-0-24-1, K. Simpson
7-0-37-0, M. Rowe 5-0-18-2, L. Dejong
6-2-32-1, B. Rose 7-0-37-2, W. Deason 1-0-23-0, T. Hywood 2-0-9-0. Arnold lost to Boort Yando Boort Yando
A. Cockerell lbw M. Dale 8
F. Bear c F. Lock b K. Hewett 41
J. Byrne c A. Davies b F. Lock 29
J. Hodoras c P. Scholes b F. Lock 10
D. Lehman c I. McLean b A. Davies 43
H. Weaver c F. Lock b R. Metelmann 41
B. Minogue c H. Lock b C. Hancock 3
B. Slatter run out C. Hancock 23
H. Malone lbw M. Dale 0
W. Gould b M. Dale 0
G. Zanker not out 1
Extras 6
Total 10/205
Bowling: R. Metelmann 7-0-29-1, M. Dale
7-1-32-3, C. Hancock 7-0-51-1, H. Lock
4-0-8-0, F. Lock 7-0-45-2, K. Hewett 1-017-1, A. Davies 2-0-21-1. Arnold
H. Lock c B. Minogue b A. Cockerell 1
P. Scholes c B. Minogue b J. Hodoras 15
T. Wright c F. Bear b. A. Cockerell 2
R. Metelmann c H. Weaver b D. Lehman 22
C. Hancock b H. Weaver 18
K. Hewett c J. Byrne b A. Cockerell 0
F. Lock c H. Malone b A. Cockerell 1
M. Dale c J. Byrne b A. Cockerell 1 I. McLean c&b D. Lehman 16
A. Davies not out 5
H. Lakey c F. Bear b D. Lehman 1
Extras 11
Total 10/93
Bowling: H. Weaver 7-3-18-1, A. Cockerell
7-1-24-5, J. Hodoras 4-1-11-1, D. Lehman
4.2-0-28-3, B. Minogue 1-0-6-0.
TENNIS RESULTS
Borrowing bats, balls with town libraries
PYRAMID Hill and Tarnagulla are to get free sports equipment libraries to encourage communities – especially children – to be more active, more often.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe, a Victorian State Government-funded initiative aimed at improving health outcomes in the region, is behind the venture. Equipment will vary between the libraries, based on local feedback, and will include basketballs, volleyballs, badminton sets, cricket sets, croquet sets, soccer balls, kids’ parachutes and grip balls.
Residents of all ages and abilities are encouraged to use the new facilities.
To borrow from the libraries, residents simply choose the equipment they want to use, take it to use at home or in a local outdoor space, then return it in the same condition for others to enjoy.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe co-ordinator, Alicia O’Brien said: “Almost 150 survey responses were received from the Pyramid Hill and Tarnagulla communities telling us the types of equipment they would like to see in the free sports equipment libraries.”
The Pyramid Hill launch was yesterday at Kelly Park while the Tarnagulla launch will be next Wednesday.
Junction’s Rachel Ellsmore. LH PHOTO
Arnold’s Campbell Hancock. LH PHOTO
Sweet 16 ... Gooding stars in flag victory
COOPER Gooding has capped off a stunning Upper Loddon junior season with a premiership and being named player of the finals.
It was Gooding’s third successive junior flag as Boort Yando went through the season undefeated.
Gooding, Finlay Arnold, Deklan King and Owen Byrne had been part of last season’s victorious Upper Loddon side and were in the team that took Northern Rivers under 13 honours in 20222023.
His not out 51 on Saturday when Boort overcame a shaky start that saw Owen Byrne and skipper Luke Boyd back in the pavilion early helped drive the premiers to a commanding 141.
Tyler Murphy, Morgan Lonza and Xavier Wilson shared the wickets.
In the second day of play at Bridgewater on Sunday - Gooding’s 16th birthday - he chipped in with two wickets as Kingower rapidly collapsed after losing top order bats.
Lonza, Smith and Riley Murphy were impressive in tackling the high Boort target.
But Perryman, Arnold and King found good length to put Boort on track to a successful title defence.
After the dismissal of Murphy, Kingower could only add another 17 runs before being all out.
Perryman’s five wickets was the best of Boort’s bowlers.
The premiership shield and cup
were presented to Boort skipper Boyd and coach Tim Byrne by Ian Gould while Inglewood Community Bank chairman Linda Younghusband presented season awards and premiership medallions.
Association president John Daldy congratulated the four teams that made up the association’s competition for the season.
Gooding’s performance for the season also saw him named player of the year and top the batting award with 457 runs.
Until round seven, Gooding had not been dismissed in his time at the crease when his lowest score had been 30 retired not out. In the two matches that followed, he had been dismissed – but not before making 89 and 86 respectively against Kingower and Wedderburn Band.
As wicketkeeper for Boort, he had a good season with the glove with eight catches.
Boort Yando d Kingower
Inglewood Community Bank chairman Linda Younghusband and Flynn Lonza
Cooper Gooding has a stellar season
Back-to-back junior flags for the Tim Byrne-coached Boort Yando. LH PHOTOS
Boort’s Deklan King in full flight. LH PHOTO
Loddon HERALD sport
DAY OF THE YEAR
HARNESS racing will make its final appearance of the year in the Loddon Shire at Boort on Sunday.
Hundreds of people are expected for the cup meeting and what trotting club president Tim Byrne says will be a huge community celebration.
“We’ve only one meeting a year since the restructure of Harness Racing Victoria and we’re determined to make it a winner,” he said. “Our community is abso-
lutely committed to keeping the sport and the social engagement of the cup meeting alive, full of enthusiasm that matches the support we have received from sponsors and the harness racing industry.”
Byrne said the meeting would feature cup races for pacers and trotters and roll in the Northern Oasis feature events of the now scrapped early January meeting.
“Owners, trainers and drivers have been supportive of our club for many years ... they wanted to
keep these feature races,” Byrne said.
“Our club is also pleased to again be part of the Team Teal initiative for women drivers raising funds for ovarian cancer research.”
Byrne said fashions on the field headlined the off-track activities with $500 for the Lady of the Day section winner.
“The family focus of our cup meeting will see junior sections in fashions on the field and we’re also hoping to have pony trot
Plucky Zayde targets championship success
ON HIS first day at Little Athletics Bendigo in 2023, aged 10, Zayde Williams threw a javelin more than 21 metres.
“I picked it up and wanted to see how far I could throw it,” Zayde said. “I just threw it like a tennis ball.”
With an unconventional grip, and with no training whatsoever, the Inglewood youngster hurled the javelin further than anyone his age had ever done at the centre.
Now, he’s preparing for his second appearance at the March state championships in Melbourne, entered in the javelin and high jump.
All this with an auto-immune disease that has restricted his growth, and a history of asthma.
Zayde, now 11, has eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an allergic condition that causes inflammation of the oesophagus, with symptoms including difficulty swallowing, chest pain and heartburn.
Zayde’s mother, Amanda Divola, said he had been unwell a lot when he was younger but since taking up athletics had seen a major reduction in his asthma symptoms.
He joined Little Athletics because he was fast, but also because his small stature made it hard to play contact sports such as football.
Javelin became a passion after that first
By GARY WALSH
throw, and high jump followed soon after.
At 10, Zayde cleared 1.23 metres – despite being only 130cm tall.
This year he has cleared 1.36 metres, just three centimetres less than his current height.
The Marong Primary School student was selected for the state titles in his first year of Little Aths after throwing 22.93 metres in the javelin at the Northern Central Region championships and winning a medal in high jump.
Zayde finished 15th in the state in high jump last year, clearing 1.20 metres, but fouled out in the javelin.
He admitted to being overawed to be competing at state level, with more than 500 other children.
But this year, having trained specifically for his two events, Zayde has higher expectations, and even has his eye on nationals when he becomes eligible next year.
For the moment he has a borrowed javelin at home and is throwing it around the family property and guessing at the distances.
“I’m going to get a tape measure,” he said, ever the perfectionist.
races as part of the program,” he said.
“There’s also yabby races, music from our own Elias Lanyon and other activities for youngsters.”
Byrne said the Boort club was aiming to grow its strong membership base.
“Entry to the cup meeting is free but we are really encouraging people to buy a $10 membership ticket. This will not only put them in the draw for $500 but reinforce our club as one with
lots of supporters who are equally committed and passionate about retaining harness racing at Boort.”
Both Boort and Wedderburn clubs had raced twice a year until they were among clubs to lose half their allocated meetings in reforms of HRV last year.
January’s Australia Day Wedderburn Cup meeting was the first at Donaldson Park since completion of the new $5 million project and had one of its biggest crowds in many years.
