Loddon Herald 27 October 2022

I WOULD like to congratulate the communities in all affected areas for their tremendous effort in banding together and supporting each other during these tough times.

All our communities have been there for each other. This includes the large number of volunteers who came together and provided amazing support, including tireless efforts to help wherever they were needed – be it helping set up relief centres, sandbagging, building levees, and much more. These volunteers provided hours of support.

We should all feel proud to be part of such a wonderful Loddon community, a community who is there for each other, that knew what needed to be done and made sure it happened. I’d also like to acknowledge and congratulate Loddon Shire staff, as well as the emergency services response that we’ve seen enact the preparedness throughout the shire.

The emergency response effort here in Loddon Shire has been outstanding. Council has been co-ordinating through a chain of command via the Incident Control Centre (ICC), through to our emergency services such as SES and CFA groups, too.

They’ve really done a fantastic job in co-ordinating that effort for our communities and really directing priorities in saving a lot of homes and businesses through the area.

Cr Dan Straub Mayor Loddon Shire

WITH the unfolding floods, the risk of mosquito breeding is high.

By following a few simple steps you can reduce your risk of being bitten and getting sick:

z Cover up – wear long, loose-fitting clothing. Mozzies can bite through tight clothing.

z Use repellents that contain picaridin or DEET on all exposed skin.

z Use mosquito nets or insect screens.

z Use ’knockdown’ fly spray, mosquito coils or plug-in repellent where you gather to sit or eat.

z Limit activity outdoors and move indoors if possible.

z Mozzie repellents are your best defence against mosquito bites Learn more about how to protect yourself and your family at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/ beat-the-bite

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

COMMUNITIES across the Loddon are preparing for the journey of recovery and rebuilding from floods that are rolling across Victoria.

Southern communities have already started, our towns and districts in the north are still on alert as floodwaters raise levels of creeks.

Every local community remains on watch with more rain predicted.

The Federal and Victorian Governments have announced a range of assistance measures for our communities and residents that started with initial relief efforts.

Loddon Shire Council has been able to restore its key services in many towns and districts, including regular waste collections and has started an audit of damage across the shire.

Initial government assistance for the Loddon Shire has allowed council to begin assembly of a flood recovery team, advertising multiple positions to assist

with the task ahead. And re-connecting communities is a priority as road damage is assessed and important routes prepared for repair. Our grateful communities have seen offers

Blazeaid establishes assistance camp in the Loddon

of assistance and support from friends, neighbours and people who have already become friends.

The journey has begun with spirit of community and resilience to the fore.

Disaster recovery organisation Blazeaid has established its base at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve. Loddon farmers and property owners can register for recovery and rebuilding help from volunteers. Local residents are also encouraged to volunteer in recovery and rebuilding teams. Phone Debbie (0418990267) or Melissa (0436316955)

REFLECTIONS - Main Street Bridgewater as the flood peaked on October 14. LH PHOTO

A PLANNED levee bank would have saved thou sands of dollars and many volunteer hours as Boort battled floodwaters last week

Cr Neil Beattie told Tuesday’s Loddon Shire Council meeting the town had twice experienced the impact of floods.

“We can’t have a third strike ... we are still managing flooding 15km north of Boort,” he said.

“(The levee bank) must be a pri ority to get built.

Cr Beattie said money was al located for the levee but “we are having trouble get that ticked off from the authorities”.

His comments came as coun cillors reported on the impact of floods and the current threat in northern areas of the shire.

Yando has been one of the harder hit districts in the shire with several homes damaged.

Residents spent most of last week reinforcing and checking sandbag levees as Boort’s lake network spilled over and closed roads.

Among them have been Brad ley Haw and Ash Gawne who say they have become experts at us ing corrugated iron to halt flood waters.

“They practically used every spare sheet in Yando, they are al ready requesting spare corrugat ed iron ready for the next flood,”

By CHRIS EARL

said Bradley’s father Paul of the flood that in some parts of Yando has been higher than 2011 levels.

While the threat has eased in the Calivil district, Mitiamo and Pyramid Hill continue to be on alert as water slowly creeps through crops and creeks.

Pyramid Fire Brigade captain Steve Mann said pumps and a levee bank were still protecting the town as water slowly rose along the Bullock Creek.

Captain Mann said the town ship had been hammered by weekend rain.

“I’ve never seen water laying around the town like this,” he said.

“We’ve had a few anxious mo ments but at the moment the rain is causing more hassles than the floodwaters ... almost 90mm in 48 hours.”

Localised flooding also created anxious moments again earlier this week at Dingee where wa ters lay on roads and around the recently re-opened hotel.

Mitiamo store owner Jill Ram skill said the wait in town was eerily slow.

Deliveries of essential goods have been sporadic for more than a week and Mitiamo was without unleaded petrol on Monday.

Weekend rain brought more flash flooding across the Loddon and SES crews were also called to

remove fallen trees from roads. Meanwhile, Loddon Shire has started its audit of damage across the region.

Mayor Dan Straub told Tues day’s council meeting that staff from East Gippsland Shire had been shuttled to the area after an offer was made by that council.

Cr Straub said there had also been discussions with members of Parliament on future assis tance in the recovery and re

building of local communities. The Mayor said he had also com municated with the Australian Defence Force “making sure Lod don is not forgotten” but did not say whether any specific requests for assistance had been made.

Army top-brass had contacted Cr Straub offering assistance and soldiers have assisted with initial recovery efforts in some parts of the shire.

Councillors praised community

efforts in meeting flood challeng es. Cr Beattie said improvements in Lake Boort water management since 2011 had assisted.

Cr Gavan Holt said unprece dented concern for the Skinners Flat Reservoir wall near Wed derburn had been the result of “alarmism from outside the com munity”.

16.63 Hectares, 3 small paddocks,

Mallee soil, Dam water along with tank storage Large 4 BDRM W/B home Reno Kitchen / dining with ELEC cooking, timber cupboards & benchtops, lovely living room with inbuilt solid fuel heating, ceiling fan, 2nd living area with ceiling

Bradley Haw, Ash Gawne and Emma Gawne standing guard on Boort-Yando road.

H AND sanitiser is now so ... well, 2020 and 2021. Over the weekend, we noticed that where there had once been a self-help dispenser to aid good hygiene and ward off COVID-19, there is now sitting a blue can of aerosol - yes, Mortein has been given health frontrunning by many shops around the Loddon to zap mozzies trying to feast on blood in our flesh since the floods. Even Bradley of Boort has put out the reminder with his latest Treemendous sign, the Hum phrey B Bear-style waistcoast now more exposed to the element of sun than water as it was a week ago.

W ITH the buzz all around, we just had to find out more about Mortein. It’s called a true Aussie success story and dates back to the 1870s when J. Hagemann, a German immigrant to Australia, became fed up with our menagerie of insects. He used crushed chrysanthemum flowers to produce a pyrethrum extract and created an insec ticidal powder. The name, believed to have been devised by Hagemann and his French wife, is a combination of the French word mort (dead) and the German ein (one). Dead

one? Nice one! The company says inno vation has always been part of Mortein’s DNA. The powder was originally sprinkled about as needed and in the 1920s a squeeze puffer was developed. In 1928, Hagemann introduced a liquid version. He combined this with kerosene and had a pump pack designed (the traditional ‘flit gun’), which allowed the insecticide to be sprayed into the air or onto the pests themselves. The can, pretty as we know it today, was the first commercially produced aerosol in Aus tralia back in the 1950s.

Y

OU’D think the Cockerell might have gone easy on The Oracle but no ... in comes a phone call full of speculation. Will The Oracle’s tenure as acting chairman of selectors at Bridgewater bowls club last longer than the now-departed British Prime Minister Liz Truss (she all of 45 days at No 10). Perhaps the fruit and vegie stall out the front could have a lettuce to see who lasts longer. One British newspaper tried the trial on Liz and the lettuce won!

SPEAKING of bowlers, one of the few sports played at the weekend, fanatics at Serpentine sent a message that play was on ... the Australian flag flying from early morning was a sure sign.

FRONTLINE VOLUNTEER There was no rest at the weekend for Boort Fire Brigade volunteer David Meadows. After being part of the mammoth community effort keeping floodwaters at bay, on Sunday he was refilling fire extinguishers for local businesses, halls and churches. Extinguisher checks are made by the brigade every October and April.

Network delays annual meeting

LODDON Plains Landcare Net work has postponed its annual general meeting.

Landcare facilitator Will San son said the meeting, originally scheduled for tomorrow night, would be held next month.

“Like many across northern and central Victoria, Loddon Plains Landcare Network has been impacted substantially by the recent and current flooding,” he said. The meeting will be on November 24.

LH PHOTO

Child centre pledge: no word on site

A POSSIBLE Loddon location for one of 50 co-located State Gov ernment child care centres is still waiting to hear if it will be part of the rollout announced in June.

Wedderburn has been touted as a possible site with the Lod don Shire Victoria’s only 100 per cent child care desert.

The Government said centres would be located in areas with the greatest unmet demand and informed by the “child care de serts” work from the Mitchell Institute, with the first centres opening from 2025.

Co-location with schools was suggested when Premier Daniel Andrews made the announce ment but Wedderburn College principal Danny Forrest said there had been no contact with the school.

“Our community and every community in Loddon is still without any child care options. The problem has not gone away and we’re all still wanting solu tions almost 18 months after our campaign for action started,” he said.

Ripon MP and Liberal candi

date at next month’s state Louise Staley has already announced a Coalition government would find funds for a co-located child care centre in the $12.9 million allocated in this year’s Budget to upgrade Wedderburn College.

“Loddon communities have been waiting long enough for so lutions and access to child care” she said.

“Why make them wait another three years when there is a way now to begin helping local fami lies.”

Loddon Shire has also been advocating for Federal Govern ment assistance to subsidise businesses to open and operate child care centres.

Mr Forrest said: “All the talk about better rebates for rural families to access child care is of virtually no benefit to families around here unless there are ac tually child care places available.

“We keep saying that Wedder burn College would be pleased to host a co-located child care cen tre,” he said.

“Then families will be able to access the rebates.”

The art show must go on

MAL Gilmour’s art class still gathered at the weekend, celebrating their love of painting Aus tralian landscapes.

Class members were to be part of the inau gural Loddon Arts Trail that was cancelled after floods across the region.

However, internationally-recognised Mal said

Numbers ‘too light to hold’ suicide prevention forum

LODDON Healthy Minds Network suicidce prevention forum was cancelled after only 36 people registered.

The forum was to have been held in In glewood last Friday but was cancelled be fore the close of registrations.

Loddon Shire community wellbeing di rector Wendy Gladman said: “Based on at tendance at the two previous forums we were hoping to attract 100-plus people, and at the time of cancelling had only re ceived 36 registrations.

“The focus and key aim of the event is to provide information on suicide prevention strategies that work or can be translated into rural areas, so we believe the title of the forum is suitable,” Mrs Gladman said.

“I’d like to thank all of the experts and

speakers who had planned on being part of the forum, including our keynote speaker Craig Hamilton,” Mrs Gladman added.

“I’d also like to thank those who regis tered for the forum.

“The Loddon Healthy Minds Network will now look at options around holding the forum in 2023 and what that may look like.”

The Loddon Healthy Minds Network 2022 Suicide Prevention Forum was going to focus on suicide prevention strategies that work in rural areas. The forum was to include a number of experts and speakers providing insights into solutions and strat egies to address rural mental health, in cluding the mental health of young people.

students were adamant they would still gather at his Inglewood studio gallery.

They were joined by visitors to the town who popped in to see the display of works painted by students this year as well as Mal’s popular landscape works and miniatures. “It was good to still be able to share our art,” he said.

Mal Gilmour, Jodi Lea, Geoff Drummond and Julia Jones embrace the open weekend.

LH PHOTO

New vintage launched

LODDON winery Black Wallaby last week gave its new release wines an official launch.

The latest vintage releases have been made from fruit grown in a cooler season.

“This has given us the ability to make wines showing more of their true characteristics and better expression across the va rieties,” said winemaker Dave Lawson.

“The cooler ripening season - February, March, April - al lowed the grapes to hang on the vine longer and this has helped with better flavours in these wines.”

Black Wallaby’s flagship 2021 vintage shiraz The Joey was produced using the French method of carbonic maceration.

“We handpicked the fruit, fer mented the whole bunches in bins and removed stems after three weeks,” Dave said.

“The Joey for this vintage is more a style of bright popping fruit, vibrant and with less tan nins.

“Punch pops out with the lighter Joey style compared with our other, older shiraz that was more typical of the central Victorian shiraz style with an oak influence.

“The year was warmer, the wine was more concentrated and darker fruit.”

Last week’s vintage launch in Bendigo was the first time Black Wallaby had officially unveiled its new releases.

“We had been looking to have a launch a few years back but

then COVID came along,” Dave said.

Black Wallaby last week start ed bottling its 2022 vintage.

First into bottles has been the rose while this week shiraz, san giovese and grenache varietals are moving from barrel to bot tle.

And the winery’s 2020 spar kling rose will be released be fore Christmas.

Dave is also keeping a close

eye on his vineyards as tiny bunches of fruit emerge.

He said particular attention was on preventing shoots in the vine canopies and protecting young fruit as rains continue to fall.

Dave expects that weather conditions might decrease over all production this year.

While there remains de creased demand from China for Australian wine with companies

loosing contracts, he said there was demand for local grapes from other regional winemak ers,

Dave said Black Wallaby should have a good vintage in 2023 in another cool La Nina season.

“Provided we keep (vine and fruit) disease at bay, it should be another good season for qual ity,” Dave said as he prepared for bottling.

Rain changes sale format of old hotel

THE Old Bridge Hotel King ower has been listed for sale at $500.000.

The historic 1910 building was to have been auctioned on Oc tober 15 but was cancelled after floods in the district.

Agents FP Nevins and Co In glewood has now listed the old hotel as being on the market at $500,000 while new details of the postponed clearing sale are to be finalised.

The Old Bridge Hotel has been owned by the Gilmore family for a century and was also previ ously the town’s post office until 1970.

The historic building has been used as a private residence and includes four bedrooms and a cellar.

Empty pub will go to auction

THE empty Serpentine Hotel will be auctioned next month.

Closed during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, agents are billing the Peppercorn Way premises as “the only hotel in a popular farming town located in the peaceful countryside of re gional Victoria”.

Owner Raj Sathia told the Lod don Herald in May that a new leaseholder was securing staff to re-open the hotel within weeks, however, the business has re mained closed.

Meanwhile, the Wedderburn Hotel will change hands next month when the Crawleys retire.

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Black Wallaby’s Dave Lawson after launching the winery’s latest releases.

LH PHOTO

Summer fire force ready

SEASONAL firefighters will be based at Inglewood this summer after completing their training course last week.

Twenty-five new Forest Fire Management Victoria recruits were put through their paces in Mildura this week in what FFMV said was a rigorous training course to learn skills needed to protect communities and the environment from bushfires.

Mallee workcentre operations co-ordinator Robert Tucker said the course covered the essential elements of firefighting including fire behaviour, fire suppression, planned burning, emergency safety and survival techniques.

“These recruits will not only respond to bushfires and other emergencies, including floods, they’ll also be conducting planned burns, slashing, track clearing and other land management activities,” Mr Tucker said.

“Our recruits are being trained in how to use a rakehoe to construct mineral earth control lines as well as other skills such as four-wheel driving, water pumps, hand tool maintenance, which are essential for forest firefighting.

“Once they’ve successfully completed the course, the trainees will work alongside FFMVic’s permanent staff where they’ll continue with on-the-job learning from experienced firefighters on potential deployments to assist with flood response.

“Later in the year, when things dry up, they will continue to work alongside our permanent firefighters to complete fire protection work, respond to bushfires or other emergencies.”

Mr Tucker said FFMVic had recruited 92 firefighters in the Loddon Mallee Region to help keep communities safe with “67 of our firefighters having worked with us during previous fire seasons so have gone straight to work to helping with the floods

Next next batch of seasonal firefighters in training.

in Bendigo and other parts of the state as well as bushfire reduction activities ahead of the fire season. All 92 seasonal firefight ers in the Loddon Mallee will be on board by mid-November.

The region’s firefighers will be also be

based at depots in Bendigo, Echuca, Castle maine, Cohuna, Heathcote, Maryborough, Rushworth, Macedon, Avoca, St Arnaud, Hattah, Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Speed, Underbool, Werrimull and Rain bow.

Council ‘yes’ to rainbow flag

LOBBYISTS have won their bid to have Loddon Shire Council fly the rainbow flag.

Victorian Pride Lobby submitted its 33-signature petition to council on Tues day and councillors decided to consider the bid as an urgent business item.

Earlier, lobby co-convenor Nevena Spirovska said Loddon was one of eight councils that had not committed to fly ing the rainbow flag on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination and Transphobia.

“Visibility is important, especially for LGBTIQA+ people who might feel isolated or disconnected from their community,” she said.

“Councils can play (a role) in helping their residents feel safe and supported. Councils raising the rainbow flag send an important message to their local LGBTIQA+ commu nities about diversity and inclusion: that you are seen and you are included.”

The pride lobby said it advances the hu man rights for lesbian, gay, queer, bisexual and same-sex attracted Victorians.

Loddon Shire received two letters at its June council meeting asking why the rainbow flag was not flown and wanting councillors to march in Melbourne’s pride parade. Council replied: “Marching in soli darity for any social issue is a decision for individual councillors to consider and any councillors wishing to attend will be sup ported by council.”

BABBA be back soon

MAJOR fundraising plans for Inglewood Town Hall Hub committee have been put on hold by the floods. President Enzo Scafati said the performance of ABBA tribute band BABBA would now be held in 2023. “Our area has been impacted by the floods and to proceed at the moment would not be right while people are beginning recovery and rebuilding,” he said.

VICTORIA - HOTEL -

Come and join us at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill

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

Our winter trading hours are as follows

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

TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM DINNER FROM 6.00PM

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

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

FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00 HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30 DINNER FROM 5.30PM

JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00 MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00 DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY ALL DAY PIZZA MENU

Contact

today

Golden tour for opera minstrels

OPERA is back touring the gold fields this Saturday.

Lyster Opera will perform Rossini’s hilarious take on the Cinderella story, La Cenerentola, in Tarnagulla.

Director Jamie Moffaat said: “Lyster Opera presents this opera in the style of the great touring companies that roamed Australia in the gold rush era.

“Singers of note would travel from town to town to perform to audiences in local venues, often providing linking narration to break through any language bar rier.

“It’s a remarkably resilient for mat. It has great appeal for all audiences, from opera buffs to those new to the art form.”

Lyster Opera is named for Wil

liam Saurin Lyster, the great 19th century entrepreneur, and shares his vision of celebrating the art of opera with new audiences, at an affordable price.

Jamie said that in the latest emerging mezzo-soprano Alex andra Mathew takes the title role of Cinderella, with acclaimed ten or Hew Wagner as her handsome prince, Ramiro.

Vying for his attention are Cin derella’s evil step sisters, sung by Helen Koehne and Angelique Tot.

A plot by Ramiro’s tutor, Alidoro (Angus Grant) involves the valet Dandini, sung by Michael Lam pard

“Mistaken identities and re worked characters are woven into the narrative before the in evitable happy ending,” he said.

Energy price pain fears

A PROPOSED revival of a State-run power supply in Victoria will continue to drive up the cost of living and put the rergion at risk of living in the dark, said Mallee MP Anne Webster.

Premier Daniel Andrews has promised to bring back the State Electricity Com mission as an active energy market participant to build new renewable energy pro jects should he be re-elected in November.

“The new SEC would be completely reliant on re newable energy but with no guarantee it can keep the lights on – all while charg ing the taxpayer for the privilege,” Dr Webster said on Monday.

Bridge will host finance session

THE Bridge community hub will be running a financial counselling session next month.

The Bridgewater initia tive of Holy Trinity Angli can Church will have a spe cial event with counsellor Geraldine Jackson who has more than 15 years’ experi ence working in rural and regional areas.

She will explain the role of a financial counsellor at the session on November 8.

The story of Cinderella coming to Tarnagulla ...evoking touring shows of the guld rush.

The cutest cupcakes

YOU can bank on Deb Forster’s cute cupcakes and other home-made won ders at the Coffee Bank in Pyramid Hill.

Deb has owned and operated the coffee shop for many than 10 years, sharing her gastronomic creations with customers from across the Loddon and much further.

A qualified baker, Deb uses recipes researched and refined and is now pre paring to hand them on to son Raidan who has doing his apprenticeship with

his mother. “Everything is home-made ... I like home-made food and it’s a fa vourite with our customers,” Deb said.

She rates the Coffee Bank’s carrot cake and cupcakes as among the fa vourites.

The Coffee Bank says its cupcakes are in fact the sweetest and the cutest “sprinkled just right” with hundreds and thousands.

The Coffee Bank was established in 2008 in the town’s former National Aus

tralia Bank building, right on the main street.

As soon as you step in the door, the 1960s’ decor and quirky little touches greet you.

“We pride ourselves on homemade cooking, great coffee and friendly service,” Deb said.

“Our outdoor area is always popu lar in the warmer weather.

“The Coffee Bank is truly an oa sis,” Deb said.

Road repair cost will be in millions

LODDON Shire is facing a po tential repair bill totalling tens of millions of dollars as it begins assessing damage to roads and other infrastructure.

The council, that had a bill of more than $40 million after the 2011 floods, said repairs to the sealed road network would be a priority.

Bridgewater-Serpentine road was among the first to re-open last Friday evening.

Sections that had been dotted with deep holes or bitumen rip pled or washed away have been temporarily repaired and 40kmh speed limits put in place.

Council operations director Steven Phillips said: “We will work through the sealed network making them safe and getting them open as soon as possible.

“Making safe involves placing appropriate traffic warning signs and temporary repairs where re quired. We will then move to our unsealed road network.

“Through our maintenance contract with Department of Transport we will also make safe and open the arterial road net work as soon as possible.”

Mr Phillips said a team was be ing assembled to conduct an ini tial audit of the flood damage to the road network, commencing this week.

“The task will take several weeks and ongoing rain will hamper efforts.

“The information from the au dit will feed into the Common wealth Disaster Recovery Fund ing Arrangements and support our claim for funding assistance.

“Permanent repairs may take some time as council will need to rely on the support of the Com monwealth and State Govern ments. We cannot afford to cover the cost alone for the damage to our road network.

“Once the initial network audit has been completed we will be in a better position to appreciate the

potential costs and scale of the damage,” Mr Phillips said.

Other roads badly damaged include Borung-Hurstwood road near the Loddon River and Ingle wood-Korong Vale road.

Meanwhile, Department of Transport crews last Thursday started repairs on heavily dam aged sections of the Loddon Val ley Highway near Serpentine.

The department said the road was expected to re-open for use by the community near the end of this week, weather-permitting.

Crews are also conducting fur ther inspections, scoping and planning works for critical re pairs along the highway.

A spokesperson said: “Our team of over 500 people across the state is conducting inspections and fixing the damage caused by these devastating floods, so we can keep our communities con nected.”

“Once conditions have im proved and are better suited to the type of repairs that will last in the long-term, we’ll continue the job of rebuilding the road net work, including the Loddon Val ley Highway.”

“In just a few days, hundreds of crews have already undertaken more than 1,350 individual in spections, found and fixed more than 39,000 potholes and at

tended more than 65 landslips right across the state.

“Since the beginning of the flood emergency, more than 580 roads have been closed, with more than 350 still closed across the state. More than 85 of these are arterial roads.

“Periods of heavy rainfall like we are currently experiencing with La Niña can cause greater damage to our roads and make it harder for crews to undertake work to undertake road repairs.”

The State Government has al located $165 million for an emer gency response across the state, so crews can undertake critical repair works on roads.

Popular pub back in business

SPIRITS were high when the Bridgewater Hotel re-opened on Thursday night.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Wedderburn College VCAL students were fortunate to receive the opportunity to work in the new Peppercorn Op Shop. Thanks to the Community House for supporting the VCAL program.

Our senior students had their last day on Tuesday last week and we wish those students sitting exams all the best!

A week after the community rallied to remove stock and furniture ahead of the Loddon River peaking, the hotel was back in business.

About 3cm of water went through the historic Art Deco building and when levels receded, the hotel clean-up be gan.

Several hundred people turned out to celebrate the re-opening with own ers Virginia Hyland and Greg McKinley.

Among them were owners of neigh bouring Bridgewater Bakehouse, Pat and Theresa O’Toole who re-opened on Monday after cleaning up flood damage to their building.

And in another touch of good news, Bendigo’s OMG BBQ catered for the reopening. Food ordered for the cancelled Bendigo Show able to be served.

More places at Victorian TAFE!

The Andrews Labor Government is giving more Victorians access to Free TAFE, funding an extra 10,000 places across the state.

More than 100,000 Victorians have already signed up to our Free TAFE program since it was introduced in 2019. To find out more about Free TAFE, visit www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe

A damaged section of the Loddon Valley highway is being repaired. LH PHOTO

Bar manager Rich Burns.

LH PHOTO

Volunteers make start on clean-up

KORONG Vale Tennis Club members were among the first at the weekend to help farmers as they recover from floods.

Drawn to have a bye in Inglewood associa tion competition, the team spent Saturday re moving debris from fences around Salisbury West properties along the Loddon River.

A boat wedged in tree branches was also re moved by ADF personnel travelling to floodaffected towns.

Work by Korong Vale tennis players will speed up fence rebuilding with the first Blazeaid volunteers arriving in Bridgewater at the weekend.

Chief executive Melissa Jones said more than 50 volunteers had already committed to be part of the recovery and rebuilding of farms and properties in the Loddon.

They were briefed on Monday night at the charity’s temporary Loddon base, Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.

Local farmers have already started register ing for assistance in replacing fences.

While the official flood level at Bridgewater on October 14 was recorded at 8.3 metres - a metre below 2011 levels - areas to the north of town came within millimetres of the earlier mark and significant damage caused to some homes and farms.

Blazeaid was part of rebuilding following the 2011 floods and held talks with Loddon Shire and the recreation reserve committee to return. The 2022 Blazeaid effort is being coordinated by Graeme Allan and property owners can register for help at the Bridgewater base.

KIDS

GET ON

THEIR

How one town stepped up with help

AS FLOODWATERS receded at the southern end of the Loddon more than a week ago, admira tion emerged for the role offer ing relief in Inglewood.

The town that had been mostly spared flooding overnight on Oc tober 14 still stepped up as roads out in all directions were cut.

Residents on the north side of Bridgewater were unable to ac cess the official relief centre in town and visitors were stranded between Inglewood and Wed derburn.

Locals have since praised In glewood Motel and Caravan Park owner Pauline Wellman who provided a safe place for people caught between flooded roads.

The motel was already booked out but people were able to “camp” at the moment.

Loddon Shire said council was ready to open a relief centre in Inglewood but it did not receive a request to activate the centre.

Warning on snakes and molzzies

HEALTH warnings have been is sued following floods to protect against mosquito bites.

People in flooded areas are urged to wear long, loose-fitting clothes if possible, amid warnings mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing and spread disease.

Warnings have also been issued as snakes emerge from the floods.

by

Melissa Jones (second) left with the first Blazeaid volunteers.

LH

PHOTO

Brad McDonald and Stacey Keller begin recovery efforts at Salisbury West.

LH

PHOTO

Reservoir wall ‘rock solid’

MORE than 1600 tonnes of rock have been used to strengthen Wedderburn’s Skinners Flat Reservoir spillway.

The spillway threatened as heavy rain fell two weeks ago and saw the overnight evacuation order issued for the town.

Loddon Shire had taken specialist advice to low er the spillway by about 300mm to prevent scour ing. Hours before the evacuation, staff sandbagged the lowest point of the wall to raise it by about 200mm and prevent water topping the wall Council on Saturday said: “Works on the spillway

at Skinners Flat Reservoir have been accelerated this week and completed ahead of schedule by council contractors and staff.

“Contracted engineers inspected the works at completion and are satisfied that the risk level as sociated with future rainfall events and spillway flows has been greatly reduced.

“The works include widening of the spillway and installation of 1100 tonnes of rock beaching. This is in addition to previous works undertaken, in cluding lowering the spillway wall and installation of 500 tonnes of rock beaching.”

Damage bill mounts for rural producers

FARMERS across the Loddon are beginning to assess damage to crops and stock.

As waters gradually recede, the impact of floods and rain over the past fortnight is being revealed.

“It’s going to be difficult for a lot of people,” said Loddon Shire’s Boort Ward councillor Neil Beat tie.

“There have been three good seasons but the costs of putting a crop in the ground are enormous. Farmers cannot afford to lose (money),” he said.

Across the Loddon, many crops were flattened and drowned.

Cr Beattie said it would be pos sible to harvest some crops with the next challenge to combat dis ease and grain damage as they ripened.

“Real damage has been on the east side (of Boort) through to the Loddon River ... there’s hundreds of hectares and massive crop damage and they won’t survive,” he said.

Vineyards have also be impact ed by floods, one of the hardest

hit has been Turner’s Crossing at Serpentine.

At Terrick West Poll Merino Stud, the McGauchies have had minimal losses but flooded plains have made tending stock diffi cult.

“Riding a horse (through water) is about the only way we can get out to the sheep at the moment,” said Ross McGauchie.

“I can’t remember a period of such constant rain in my lifetime. It’s relentless at the moment.”

Mr McGauchie said sheep were currently feeding on much small er areas of land.

The State Government has announced a primary produc er flood relief program with $10,000 payments to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, reestablish their properties.

Australian Fodder Industry As sociation said the loss of vetch hay crops, reduction in expected quality and quantity of other high protein hay options would lead to high protein hay shortages.

Relief assistance still available

EMERGENCY relief centres in the Loddon Shire have been closed over the past week.

Calivil, Pyramid Hill and Boort were the final centres to close.

The Loddon Herald under

stands some people were taken to the regional relief centre in Bendigo.

Relief assistance remains available by calling council’s on-duty emergency relief of ficer on 0456 605 887

Relief and recovery a Shire-wide collaboration

Relief and recovery e orts within Loddon Shire are continuing, with Council working together with emergency services and government agencies to support our a ected communities.

We are now seeing clean-up e orts underway in towns like Newbridge and Bridgewater, and a ected businesses start to reopen.

All Loddon communities have been impacted in some form or another, and as we know, there has been a signi cant impact on our agricultural sector.

At the time of writing, our communities in the north were also still responding to signi cant water ows.

A relief centre will be set up as the need arises at the Pyramid Hill Senior Citizen Centre, McKay Street, Pyramid Hill.

Emergency relief is available as required – this can be accessed by calling Council on 5494 1200.

Council has also been working with both Federal and State members with regard to community support with relief funding.

For more information on Council services, health advice, support and recovery information please visit the dedicated ood information page on Council’s website at www.loddon.vic. gov.au/For-residents/Flood-updatesOctober-2022

ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

There are still a number of road closures in e ect, so please follow the appropriate signage and information.

Council sta are continuing to work hard to get roads safe to reopen. Crews are assessing our sealed roads, putting up tra c warning signs, carrying out temporary repairs if needed and will open roads as soon as possible to get people and freight moving again.

Permanent repairs will take some time and we ask the community be patient as we work through the required claims for funding assistance.

For a full list of road closures, please visit https://tra c.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

Boulders in place at Skinners Flat Reservoir.

Students adjusting to new bouts of remote learning

VCE students across the Loddon were to sit their English exami nation yesterday.

Local schools, students and parents impacted by the flood emergency have worked to see examinations taken on schedule.

On Tuesday, East Loddon P12 College remained closed as did Pyramid Hill College and St Pat rick’s Primary School Pyramid Hill and remote is learning back.

Boort District School has re mained open during the emer gency with adjusted timetables.

East Loddon senior sub-school leader Sarah Krahe said Year 12 students had been meeting at Serpentine Recreation Reserve as they prepared for examina tions.

“The rec reserve has kindly donated the space for us to study and work together,” she said.

“As you can imagine the Year 12 students and staff are keen to ensure our students achieve their best results.

“The VCAA have been ex tremely understanding in ensur ing provisions are in place for students such as, the irregular Derived Exam Score (DES) appli cations.

“However, the timing of flood ing in regional areas has been

very unfortunate. Our students are so dedicated and when I asked if they would like to meet in Serpentine the majority of students were a definite yes, or their parents were.

“Being face to face is much easier to provide feedback and assist students.

“The experience of remote learning has slightly scared some students and is making those on line classes more challenging to

participate in. We are certainly fortunate to have a committed group of students and staff to make this happen,” Sarah said this week.

Principal Steve Leed said while the school remained closed, per mission had been received for examinations to be taken in the nearby Lions Den.

Mr Leed said water had sur rounded the school but buildings had not been damaged.

Boort principal Lee-Anne Sher well said students and parents were “doing whatever they can for students to do the exams”.

She said some parents had made plans for their children to stay in Boort during examinations.

Last week, year levels attend ing school each day were alter nated with students in Years 1 to 6 attending this week

Years 10 and 11 students have continued attending school.

Ms Sherwell said bus routes were assessed daily with three of six still not operating on Mon day.

At Pyramid Hill College, prin cipal Fiona Moon said the P-10 school remained closed with most bus routes were unacces sible.

And not only are many stu dents unable to travel to school.

Mrs Moon said schools also faced challenges for staff to ac cess local communities.

Pyramid Hill staff includes teachers who travel from Ben digo, Cohuna, Kerang and Boort.

Mrs Moon said that while the school had not been damaged, a pump in the ground is pump ing out water coming from the Bullock Creek back over the levy bank.

Pitching in for towns

THE flood emergency effort across the Loddon has seen assistance come from vari ous parts of Victoria.

Mine company employ ees from Fosterville were part of sandbagging teams in Bridgewater as was staff from Forest Fire Manage ment Victoria and Parks Vic toria.

Catalyst Metals employees have been part of efforts in northern communities, in cluding Mitiamo and Dingee.

There remains a strong po lice presence across the Lod don.

Relief shifts have been chopped into some towns over the past fortnight while public order response units have been patrolling road closures in the Loddon.

While control of the flood emergency is the responsi bility of the State Emergency Service, in Loddon commu nities local CFA brigades are giving leadership.

Pyramid Hill brigade cap tain Steve Mann, who called that town’s community meeting more than a week ago as preparations started to hold off rising waters, has continued to provide regular briefings in between patrol ling the town levee bank and pumps.

Pyramid Hill College principal Fiona Moon

ALMOST 11 YEARS Bridgewater’s William Lythgo briefly ducked inside when sandbagging properties in Main Street ahead of the town’s flood peak to bring out a framed collection of photographs of the street taken during the devastating January 2011 floods.

LH PHOTO

Bank pulls plug on ATM

BOORT will be without 24-hour access to banking with the Commonwealth Bank about to remove the town’s only ATM.

Three years after the bank approached hardware store owner George Tallis for space to install an ATM, Commonwealth has confirmed the lease will not be re newed.

A bank spokesperson said: “CBA con tinues to operate the largest and fee-free bank ATM network in Australia, the ma jority of which are available 24/7.”

“ATM withdrawal volumes across the industry continue to decrease each year as more people adopt digital and card payment options, and over time we make changes to our network to reflect custom er preferences.

The CBA ATM at Boort has had a signifi cant decline in usage and with the lease due to expire on 8 November 2022, we have made the decision to remove the ATM.”

“There are a number of fee-free options

for customers to access cash, including via Australia Post’s Bank@Post service which is available at the Boort LPO, and using EFTPOS at the IGA Boort.”

Mr Tallis said the machine was due to have been removed this week but that was likely to be delayed by the flood emergency.

He said efforts to find another bank or company to install an ATM had been un successful.

Mr Tallis said he had been approached by Commonwealth following closure of its branch in 2017 and the town’s NAB branch 12 months later.

“They approached me asking if I had a space they could put the ATM in,” he said.

“About a month ago, they contacted me to say the (three-year) lease would not be renewed.

“It has been used every day and at night ... you see people withdrawing cash after businesses have closed for the day,” Mr Tallis said.

No more cash ... Boort machine will be removed.

IMAGES FROM BOORT One of several pumps keeping the town ship safe during the flood emergency; a local resident walks his dog on the outskirts of town after water that had spilled from the town’s network of lakes receded; reflections at the old Boort Clay Target Club grounds; another car caught in floodwaters, this one at Sutton’s bend on the Boort-Wedderburn road.

LH PHOTOS

Wendy claims top prize on show debut

FIRST-TIME exhibitor Wendy Edwards won the bird of show rosette at this month’s Boort Show.

It was the first time Wendy, of Swan Hill, had entered poultry sections at the local show.

Judges awarded the top prize to Wendy for her Old English bantam brown red hen.

Wendy has been exhibiting at country shows for 15 years after following her children into the rural hobby

Standard Heavy - Indian Game Male: Gunyado Poultry 1. Female: Gunyado Poultry 1. Plymouth Rock Male: Gunyado Poultry. Female: Gunyado Poultry 1. Rhode Island Red Male: Ollie Toose 1, Ollie Toose 2. Female: Ollie Toose 1, Ollie Toose 2. Sus sex Male: Sheldon Family. Female: Sheldon Family 1. Malay Game Male: Rob Masters 1, Gunyado Poultry 2. Female: Rob Masters 1, Rob Masters 2, Gnuyado Poultry 3. AOV Standard Heavy Male: Rob Masters 1, Gunyado Poul try 2. Female: Rob Masters 1, Gunyado Poultry 2. Plymouth Rock Male Reserve Standard Heavy: Rob Masters.

Standard Light - OEG Black Red Male: Rob Masters 1, Rob Masters 2. Female: Rob Masters 1. OEG Blue Red Female: Rob Mas ters 1. Female: Rob Masters 1, Rob Masters. AC Duckwing Male: Rob Masters 1, Rob Masters 2. Female: Rob Masters 1, Rob Mas ters 2. OEG AOC Female:

Gunyado Poultry 1. Champion Standard Light: Rob Masters.

Hard Feather Bantam - Indian Game Male: Gunyado Poultry 1. Female: Gunyado Poultry 1. Modern Game Duckwing Male: Harrison Gurnett 1. Female: Harrison Gur nett 1. Modern Game AC Male: Harrison Gurnett 1, Harrison Gurnett 2. Female: Har rison Gurnett 1, Harrison Gurnett 2. OEG Black Red L/Leg Male: Wendy Edwards 1m

sheep market

Gunyado Poultry 2. OEG Clay, Wheaton or Partridge Female Placings: Wendy Ed wards 1, Wendy Edwards 2. OEG Black Red D/Leg Female: Gunyado Poultry 1, Wendy Edwards 2. OEG Duckwing L/Leg Male: Gu nyado Poultry 1. Female: Wendy Edwards 1. OEG Duckwing AC Female: Wendy Ed wards 1. OEG Brown Red Male: Gunyado Poultry 1. Female: Wendy Edwards 1. OEG AOC Male: Gunyado Poultry 1, Wendy Ed wards 2, Female: Wendy Edwards 1, Wen dy Edwards 2. AOV Hard Feather Bantam

THERE was a huch bigger yarding of 30,000 lambs and sheep at Bendigo on Monday as flooded roads start to re-open.

Quality and weight in the young lambs improved on a week ago and buyer de mand also stepped up as the wet weath er continues to disrupt the usual flow of stock.

Good processing young lambs were $5 to $10 dearer with the strongest demand shown for pens weighing above 24kg cwt.

However competition for the middle run of trade lambs remained selective and prices for these fluctuated to be just simi lar to last Monday.

A lot of trade lambs in the 20-24kg range didn’t handle well, lacking consist ent finish and fat cover. Restocking or ders were active from Ballarat, Horsham and the local north-east area.

There was a large price spread in dollar per head terms for lambs to the paddock, ranging from $100 for small types to up to $195 for trade weights to shear.

Buyers were keen for lambs with weight today the heaviest young lambs over 30kg cwt from $250 to $272 to aver age $261/hd.

The 26-30kg cwt types recorded some strong outcomes with the major domes tic buyers also operating in this section at $220 to $261 to average $237.

The best 24-26kg cwt young lambs $196 to $217. This was followed by the general run of trade weighted lambs at $155 to $190.

The estimate for the best young lambs with weight was 800c to 850c/kg cwt, while plainer trade lambs were at 760c to 800c.

In the store run the volume purchases were in the 18-20kg cwt lambs at $130 to $158 to av $140.

SUCKERS

A & C Branson Colbinabbin (93) $272, AL & G Lloyd Stuart Mill (57) $269, BW, JR & RA Barker & VC Wall Sutton Grange (44) $268, GJ & GM Bremner P/L Quam batook (57) $266, DJ & ED Lees Rochester (100) $265, RE & SF Coatsworth & B Pederson Teddywaddy (52)

Cactus ‘super cell’ risk to farm land

FARMERS fear wheel cactus cells near Maldon and Mount Buckra banyule could join, risking pro ductivity of more Loddon farm land.

Victorian Farmers’ Federa tion Wedderburn branch presi dent Graham Nesbit said Sunday Morning Hills in Kooyoora State Park would become “the next hot spot for wheel cactus without an appropriate level of funding and control plan”.

“There’s now so much in Sun day Hills and there’s a lot of country there that people prob ably don’t know how much it has spread,” Mr Nesbit said.

super cell and the damage will be immense across currently pro ductive land.”

Mr Nesbit said that without proper funding and resources, the potential for disaster was greater.

“At the moment, we’ve still heard nothing about any grand plan to fund control programs,” he said.

“It just seems to be off the ra dar of the State Government and Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning.”

Male: Gunyado Poultry 1, Gunyado Poultry 2. Female: Gunyado Poultry 1. Champion Hard Feather Bat Wendy Ed wards. Reserve Hard Feather: Bat Gunya do. Champion Soft Waterfowl - Indian Runner Male: Guny ado Poultry 1. AOV Male: Gunyado Poultry 1. Female: Gunyado Poultry 1. Champion Waterfowl: Gunyado Poultry. Champion Bird in Show: Wendy Ed wards. Reserve Champion Bird: Gunyado Poultry.

$265, WJ Whatley Goornong (32) $258, DJ & SL Lloyd Stuart Mill (27) $258, Colin McGillivray Mangalore (25) $257, ALB & R McIntosh Wanalta (42) $256, EJ , GH & JH Chambers Leichardt (46) $256, OR & BE Osborne Neilborough (34) $255, Burnewang Nth Past Rochester (98) $255, Robert Niven Elmore (16) $252, DD & L Col cbugh Euroa (23) $246, G &K Pink Boort (49) $243, R & N Comer Drummartin (90) $242, RE & SF Coatsworth & B Pederson Teddywaddy (69) $242, RJ & DM John ston Family Trust (90) $241, Farley Family Trust Der rinal (27) $241, D & H McKinley Leichardt (61) $240, F Stewart Colbinabbin (46) $240, LJ & PM Cooper Strath fieldsaye (64) $239, R & E Verley Boort (73) $236, H B R Farming Woomboota (29) $235, E & Z Stone Shelbourne (16) $234, W Gould & Sons Richmond Plains (27) $234, C& L Oliver Echuca (25) $234, WL,LG & RK Boyd Pyra mid Hill (166) $234, T & K Loft Mangalore (30) $234, CN & DW Slatter Boort (81) $233, DJ & BA Kealey Tam leugh (49) $230, MR & HE Dohnt Neereman (43) $230, EJ Chambers & LN Bradley Newbridge (45) $228, N & M Miller Pyramid Hill (51) $226, O’Sullivan Farms P/L Goornong (66) $223, C Graham Family Arnold (59) $223, DL & TM Jensen Diggora West (46) $222, E K A & K Clarke Rushworth (85) $215, Nutbyrne P/L, Knowsley (64) $212, Tivey Past Metcalfe (133) $212, AA Jensen & Son Raywood (96) $210, GK & TA Turnbull Bridgewater (96) $199, Mrs L Dingwall Pyramid Hill (33) $195, R & B McKenzie Elmore (74) $194, B & E Kerlin Corop (49) $194.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

IM & PE Ralsten Riggs Creek (13) $256, DJ & EN McIntyre Marnoo (7) $256, Mrs L Dingwall Pyramid Hill (31) $240, Pitsons Bagshot (27) $200, Crofton Park Barfold (27) $147.

MERINO WETHERS

B & L Baker Laanecoorie (57) $150, Jarrah Wood Yarra Junction (135) $149, M & A Brown, Glenaroua (275) $137, Jarrah Wood Yarra Junction (70) $122, M & A Brown Glenaroua (150) $120, Jarrah Wood Yarra Junc tion (94) $118.

CROSSBRED EWES

Robert Niven Elmore (12) $155, Charles Leone Moo rilim (46) $154, Burnewang Nth Past Rochester (80) $150, RE & SF Coatsworth Teddywaddy (99) $150, O’Sullivan Farms P/L Goornong (60) $145, Havelock Springfield (4) $140, TJ & LA Tobin Costerfield (4) $140, I & M Palmer East Boort (30) $140, Phillip Cain Caris brook (41) $140, Croften Park Barfold (128) $138.

MERINO EWES

Mrs R Bailey Leichardt (46) $160, Meadow Valley Mia Mia (103) $159, BJ & TA Phillips Prairie (214) $155, A Kuebil Boho (97) $151, DJ & EN McIntyre Marnoo (15) $151, AK Collins P/L Bridgewater (62) $144, R & G Stone Woodstock West (64) $140, R & G Stone Wood stock West (59) $136, Meadow Valley Mia Mia (57) $136, Phillip Cain Carisbrook (59) $118, Pitson Family Trust Bagshot (14) $118.

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

“There are hectares and hec tares and it’s wild country. Most won’t see the wheel cactus until it is too late.

“Guys on the ground (trying to control) know what’s there but I don’t know if further up the chain appreciates that we are facing losing the battle.

“If the cell at Maldon joins with Buckranbanyule, there will be a

Wedderburn branch has been vocal for more than 12 months with calls for funding to control increasing infestation of wheel cactus across the Loddon.

Mr Nesbit said some teams had been working the area over the last month stabbing plants “but without an adequate program we will lose the battle”.,

“The risk of a super cell de veloping backs up the need for urgent and concerted action to protect land,” he said.

ON-SITE CLEARING SALE

VEHICLES, FURNITURE AND MEMORABILIA

shelving

3 x 10-ton Silos, with blower shoots. As new

2 portable Pencil Augers 10.5’

5’ steel Gate posts

Large quantity of Bird Feeders and Drinkers of various sizes

Plumbing and piping materials

12 large raring cages. 10’ by 2.5’ by 1.5’ with drinkers and feeders suit Chooks to Rabbits.

second-hand timber

2 Large Industrial steel Shed fans

Large quantity of Delivery cages, Regulation suited for bird deliveries.

Second-hand colour-bond and corrugated

INQUIRIES

Boort Show poultry champion Wendy Edwards. LH PHOTO

What will next month deliver?

IN A few days, the Victorian Government enters caretaker mode and the campaign to secure a man date from the state to govern for the next four years will be on in earnest.

Until now, local Loddon communities have been mostly humoured with well-used political phrases like “good news” when major announcements have been made by the current government and oppo sition. The one exception has been a promise by sitting Ripon MP Louise Staley to fit a child care centre into the budget allocation to upgrade Wed derburn College.

Details and specifics are missing in announce ments made by political parties as they seek to con vince voters to put them first on the ballot paper.

Over the next month, the Loddon Herald will be putting questions on local needs to candidates.

Needs that have been well documented not only in this newspaper but also advanced by Loddon Shire Council in its election year wishlist.

From pools to streetscape projects, what this part of Victoria needs going into the future have

ONLINE WORDS

Two rescues on the same stretch of the Wimmera Highway within 12 hours during the floods angered Loddon Herald readers

Sharyn Strong wrote: Anyone doing this should be made pay for the rescue. They are just smart arses.

Teresa Kemp wrote: Make him pay. Every penny. How much is the hourly rate for a helicopter these days?

Helen Leech wrote: These idiots most definitely need to pay for their rescue, fined and their insurance not paid.

Bill Pearson wrote: Squirt of WD40 “she’ll be right mate!”

EDITORIAL

been well and truly articulated. As a result of the flood emergency, one critical area of desperately needed funding from government - state and fed eral - has been given an even sharper focus - roads.

These carriageways that were already struggling with daily traffic - potholed and crumbling - are now in a worse state.

The Government of Premier Andrews has an nounced an initial $167 million blitz to repair flooddamaged roads. The Loddon Shire alone could im mediately use that amount of money.

The Coalition has promised 25 per cent of any in frastructure spend will be in regional Victoria. But there will still be years of catch up.

Roads will feature highly in questions we put to candidates across the three seats that representing the Loddon. Let’s hope the answers are more than just lip service.

Coverage of the floods by the Loddon Herald in print and online has also been engaging readers each day

Peter Fensham wrote: Realistically, all of our minds are so overwhelmed with floods etc it is hard to know what day it is.

Jacqueline Roberts wrote: Please be careful of the snakes.

Rosemary Chesney wrote: I live in Melbourne and find your updates from Loddon Herald very in teresting. Stay safe everyone.

From the Loddon Herald facebook page

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Who discovered America?

Jack and Jill were going up what?

How many continents are there in the world?

What is the name of Harry Potter’s father?

Who is the evil woman who wanted to steal all the Dalma tians?

Who is the God of Thunder?

Who started his speech with “I had a dream…”?

What are the three states of matter?

Who painted “The Starry Night”?

What is the name for “a fear of spiders”?

Who played Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Fac tory?

Who founded the Ford Mo tor Company?

Which dinosaur could fly?

ANSWERS

Which mythical creature is half an eagle and half a lion?

What is the name of the dog that always chased Tom in Tom & Jerry?

In which US city did Jazz start?

What does the acronym TTYL stand for?

Who is the messenger of the Greek Gods?

What river runs through Perth?

Reality eroded by wishful thinking ‘policies of madness’

Time for a re-set

THERE is nothing glamorous about being a councillor and governing at a municipal level.

Councillors operate within a very lim ited sphere of influence due to the regula tory regime placed upon them.

The Councillor’s role is threefold. First, set the policies, plans and strategies of the Council. If you visit the Loddon Shire Council’s website you will see 114 of them.

Second, with the executive manage ment team, establish the culture of the or ganisation, especially fostering a collegial environment.

Third, ensure sound financial manage ment, which is primarily about the annual budget.

Bob Hawke used to say: “Get the policies right and the politics will look after itself.”

It is the third of these roles that I will focus on in this article.

There is a limited financial pie to be carved up, unless you are the Federal Government and own a money printing press, today fancifully termed quantita tive easing.

At Loddon there are scores of servic es to be delivered, 4500km of roads to maintain, numerous towns requiring du plicated infrastructure and complex stat utory laws to be administered.

The Social and Economic Index for Ar eas measures the relative social and eco nomic disadvantage/advantage of areas.

Loddon Shire registers in the poorest 10 per cent of municipalities in Victoria.

We are a relatively poor community. This results in a low rate base for the Shire and a rate income of around $10 million annually with which to service the expectations of our residents. This is around one third of our income.

The rest we have to find externally, primarily from the State and Federal gov ernments.

We have always been financially pru dent at Loddon, which has stood our com munity in good stead.

We have always delivered balanced budgets which have usually delivered small surpluses that are carried forward for use the following year. We have zero debt.

This is not the case with other govern ments in Australia, and this could be a pending problem for us.

The Federal Government has a gross debt of $940 billion and rising, which is around 44 per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product.

Gough Whitlam’s government was con sidered a poor financial manager and was thus routed in the 1975 Fraser landslide election victory. Admittedly it was un fortunate to encounter the 1973 Arab oil embargo that triggered a 200 per cent increase in oil process and inflation in Australia topping 13 per cent. Its debt was only 20 per cent of GDP. How times change.

The Victorian Government is carrying the largest debt of all Australian states of around $100 billion and rising, with an annual budget revenue of $80 billion.

As interest rates rise these govern ments are going to have large and grow

By Cr GAVAN HOLT

ing debt servicing costs. As inflation races ahead of the target range of two to three per cent, in addition to tighter monetary policy, the Federal Government is also going to have to reign in its spending to counter it.

Prices had started rising before the Rus sians invaded Ukraine and put upward pressure on global fuel prices and caused further cost/push inflation.

The huge amount of government-print ed and borrowed money flooding through the economy is a major cause of the prob lem.

Despite these financial issues, there is bipartisan support, due to changed geopo litical circumstances, for a large increase in our defence spending.

Meanwhile, we have a National Disabil ity Insurance Scheme, which while doing great things for many people, is out of control and rising in cost by an unsustain able 12 per cent a year.

We also have problems with our hos pitals and aged care services. We have the proposal to give child care subsi dies to households with incomes above $500,000 per annum.

That’s more than middle class welfare, that’s rich class welfare.

Seventeen of the 20 wealthiest elector ates federally are held by the current gov ernment.

Then there is the cost and the madness that is the net zero carbon emissions tar get. Energy policy needs to be based on reality, not wishful thinking.

A paper titled The “Energy Transition” Delusion: A Reality Reset, by the Manhat tan Institute’s Mark Mills is a must read.

Despite the trillions of dollars spent globally on renewables, the world’s reli ance on hydrocarbons has hardly shifted. Just put a tax on the flatulence of our sheep and cows and that will fix global warming, won’t it(?).

We are being saved in this country by our miners and our farmers who enable us to buy the overseas products we want: cars, furniture, televisions, clothes, wind turbines, solar panels and devices etc.

Be patient, I am getting to why all of this is important to Loddon Shire.

Basically it is because of our reliance on these governments for a majority of our income.

We have been assured that the indexed Federal Financial Assistance grants and the Federal Roads to Recovery program are to be continued and we rely heavily on them. That could change quickly.

The Federal Community Roads and In frastructure fund is to be discontinued. State Government funding for special projects is almost certainly going to be more difficult to obtain.

Then there are the challenges on the cost side. First, from around 2008 on wards, the global financial crisis delivered the so called ‘Rudd money’ which with ad ditional money from other sources, has enabled us to embark on a significant community infrastructure build.

Think halls, community centres and sports facilities. As these facilities age they are going to require significant maintenance.

Second, the 2011 flood disaster saw us receive millions of dollars to repair our roads and get them into an excellent con dition.

and building compliance services and planning permits which all operate at a loss? We are told they are too expensive now.

We subsidise our libraries and senior citizens centres, but they are valued ser vices.

Our swimming pools are money munch ers, subsidised by the ratepayer by about $20 per visit. They are also 60 years old and would cost millions of dollars to re place.

We charge our waste and recycling ser vices at cost recovery level. Could that change?

Our community grants scheme is pop ular and costly. We recognise the social, physical and mental benefits of sport and significantly support these facilities. Then we have the challenges of the new fund ing model for home care services.

CR GAVAN HOLT

As these roads age and deteriorate they are going to take millions of dollars to maintain to that standard. Meanwhile, our operating costs are rising faster than our operating income.

We need to start a conversation with our community about how we tackle our pending problems.

What are our most important services? Are there services that can be reduced or eliminated? Try making a list of the things that the shire delivers you think are essential and others you think could be modified.

Do you think the council should go into debt to finance its community infrastruc ture construction?

If ratecapping was removed we could raise the rates charged, but I don’t think the community would accept that. Could we try co-contributions from the com munity for roads and footpaths? Probably unacceptable.

Could we charge more for our health

We have an ageing workforce with many of our staff approaching retirement and soon to be replaced.

We have the challenge of attracting and retaining skilled workers, which is becoming increasingly difficult in a tight labour market.

Everyone is competing for a relatively small pool of workers. Our staffing prob lems are exacerbated by a shortage of quality housing stock in our communities. Should council get involved in this space? There is obviously a cost.

For 27 years Loddon Shire has adapted to circumstances and continued to im prove our communities and maintain our services.

Often when difficult decisions are made you have to choose the least worst option. That time may be approaching.

Opinions expressed here are mine and not those of Loddon Shire Council.

*CrHoltisLoddonShire’sWedderburn Wardrepresentative

Despite the trillions of dollars spent globally on renewables, the world’s reliance on hydrocarbons has hardly shifted.

PICKLES

Ronald Frederick “Ron”

Peacefully at St John of God Hospital, Bendigo on October 18, 2022.

Aged 91 years

Beloved husband of 62 years to Lorna (dec.). Loving father of Jeanette and Ken, Heather, Sharon and Wayne. Adoring grandpa of Laura, Claire and Isabel.

Resting In Peace With Mum

WILSON (nee Collins)

Estelle

At Inglewood Hostel on October 19th, 2022. Aged 95 years.

Dearly loved Wife of Alan (dec.).

Loving Mum and Nan to Rosalie and Len (Drill), Geoff and Wendy and their families. Mum and Dad reunited.

Loving Mum of Rosalie and Len Drill.

Devoted Nan and Great Nan of Mathew (dec.), Kirsty, Andrew, Jack and Ollie O’Loughlin; Mindy, Matt, Lily, Harry and Charlie Dunham. So dearly loved.

Loving Mum of Geoff and Wendy.

Treasured Little Nan and Great Nan to Breeanna, Nick, Henry and Will Isaacs; Brett, Elissa, Xander, Abby, Edmund and Mason Wilson; Megan, Nathan, Connor, Indi and Maverick Grumley; Casey, Thomas and Lila Kairn.

Forever in our hearts.

FUNERAL NOTICE

PICKLES

Service to Celebrate the life of Mr. Ronald Frederick (Ron) Pickles will be held at the William Farmer Victoria Street Chapel, 12 Victoria Street, Eaglehawk on FRIDAY (October 28) at 2.30 pm.

Burial

2023 Loddon Shire Council Meetings

Loddon Shire Council Meetings for 2023 will be held in the Council Chambers, o Peters Street, Wedderburn, commencing at 3.00 pm on the following dates:

Tuesday 24 January Tuesday 28 February

Tuesday 28 March Wednesday 26 April

Tuesday 23 May Tuesday 27 June

Tuesday 25 July Tuesday 22 August

Tuesday 26 September Tuesday 24 October Tuesday 28 November Tuesday 12 December

On-demand access to Council meetings is also available, enabling members of the public to view proceedings via the Internet as an alternative to attending in person.

For links and up-to-date details, check the Council website closer to each meeting date, https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/ Council/Council-Meetings .

Lincoln Fitzgerald CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Kingower Cemetery Trust will hold their Annual General Meeting, on Sunday 13th November, 4pm at St Mary’s Church, Kingower.

Election of all office bearers. Applications sought for new Trust members. General business. All welcome.

Arleen Reimers Secretary Mobile: 0400 447 058

Careers at Loddon Shire –Flood Positions

Loddon Shire Council is seeking enthusiastic people to help the Shire recover from the recent oods. Be an integral part of helping the community and rebuilding our beautiful Shire to be better than ever.

Roles available include:

Flood Recovery Manager

Community Recovery Manager

Senior Project Engineer

Project O cer/Engineer

Road Network Auditors

Contract Surveillance O cers

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

27th October 2022

7:00pm in Inglewood Town Hall Hub Open to the general public

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

*Only paid up IDTC members can nominate committee positions.

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

Further information about all of the above listed positions can be found on Council’s website via the ‘current vacancies’ page. Alternatively, you can call Council’s Organisation Development unit on 03 5494 1202.

All positions are full-time, maximum-term unless otherwise stated.

CAREERS AT LODDON

Truck Driver Full Time Position

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

HR Support O cer – ref.J/190

Full-time, permanent position

Based in Wedderburn o ce with exible work locations available

Band 4 - $64,566.32 per annum plus employer superannuation

Governance Coordinator – ref.J/183

Full-time, permanent position

Based in Wedderburn o ce with exible work locations available

Band 6 - $85,590.96 – 92,720.68 per annum plus employer superannuation

Applications for the positions above will close on Monday 7 November 2022 at 5pm.

Project Development Coordinator – ref.J/179

Full-time, xed-term position for two years

Based in Wedderburn o ce with exible work locations available

Band 7 - $48.24 per hour plus employer superannuation

Municipal Building Surveyor – ref.J/99

Permanent, full-time position

Salary package negotiable

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

Casual and part-time positions

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

Early Childhood Educator – ref.no J/123

Casual positions at all kindergartens

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

Early Childhood Teacher – ref.no J/124

Casual positions at all kindergartens

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

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

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

Maroons open account in strong fashion

lost to D. Jenkyn A. Sherlock 0-6. E Earl, N. Earl lost to N. Jenkyn, partner 2-6

WOODVALE 4-46 lost to LOCKWOOD 14-94

A LADIES: K. Greives K. Pickering lost to D. Wells L. Knight 2-6. J. Pearse K. Picker ing lost to D. Wells A. Wells 3-6. J. Pearse K. Greives lost to L. Knight A. Wells 1-6.

B WOMEN: R. McDonald V. Battersby lost to R. Coutts C. Shevlin 1-6. V. Mitch ell T. Strybosch lost to R. Coutts R. Pettifer 0-6. R. McDonald T. Strybosch lost to C. Shevlin R. Pettifer 2-6.

A MEN: M. Trew M. Gallagher lost to J. Coutts A. Doyle 2-6. M. Trew, partner lost to J. Coutts R. Wells 0-6. M. Gallagher, partner lost to A. Doyle R. Wells 2-6.

B MEN: C. Nanere, partner d B. Wells. partner 6-4. C. Nanere G. Yoong d B. Wells H. Mannix 6-1. G. Yoong, partner d H. Man nix 6-0.

Jenkyn 1-6. A. Andrews-Stone K. Punton lost to T. Higgs N. Jenkyn 5-6.

A MEN: D. Heather G. Leach lost to D. Graham A. Broom 2-6. D. Heather N. Pun ton lost to D. Graham J. Sutherland 0-6. G. Leach N. Punton lost to A. Broom J. Suther land 1-6. A. Curnow, partner lost to D. Jen kyn D. White 1-6. A. Curnow L. McKinley lost to D. Jenkyn, partner 0-6. L. McKinley, E Earl lost to D. White, partner 5-6.

MIXED: F. Curnow D. Heather lost to E. Jenkyn D. Graham 4-6. J. Leversha G. Leach lost to A. Price A. Broom 0-6. K. Pun ton N. Punton d S. Wallace J. Sutherland 6-4. H. Stone, partner lost to D. White T. Higgs 5-6. A. Andrews-Stone L. McKinley

MIXED: K. Pickering M. Trew lost to D. Wells J. Coutts 0-6. J. Pearse, partner lost to L. Knight A. Doyle 0-6. R. McDonald M. Gallagher lost to R. Coutts R. Wells 1-6. K. Greives, partner d A. Wells B. Wells 6-5. G. Yoong T. Strybosch lost to C. Shevlin, part ner 0-6, C. Nanere V. Battersby lost to R. Pettifer H. Mannix 4-6.

HARCOURT v DERBY Washed out

MARONG v WILSONS REEF Washed out

Loddon Valley and Iglewood associations cancelled their round.

Now it’s a hat-trick of washouts

UPPER Loddon Cricket Association’s jun ior season is still to see a ball bowled after another weekend of washouts.

The Wedderburn-Kingower game had already be reduced to a one-day encoun ter this Saturday.

In a swap of home venue, Bridgewater will host reigning premiers Arnold in a reduced game.

Just one game has been played in the senior season when Boort Yando defeated Kingower and Arnold finished ahead of Bridgewater at the start of October.

Wedderburn Band is yet to play a game this season but is sitting fourth on the ladder with points split for abandoned games.

Boort Yando’s Joshua Smith sits on top

of the batting average with his 41 runs in the opening round. Tom McKinley (Bridge water) and Kyle Simpson (Kingower) each took four wickets that day.

Wedderburn is drawn to play Arnold on its turf wicket if play is possible this Saturday in a clash that will give an early season indication of likely fortunes of the two sides.

Arnold, the reigning premiers, has lost several key players while Wedderburn is aiming to field a more regularly consist ent outfit this season. Bridgewater will be at home to Boort Yando.

Whatever the results on Saturday, the stop-start season will continue for Wed derburn who have been handed another bye the following week.

Woodstock’s Katherine Punton returns service on Saturday.

LH PHOTO

Newbridge’s Sharon Wallace in Saturday’s opening round match.

LH PHOTO

Woodies stamp ground with impressive win

INGLEWOOD division one had a sur prisingly big win against Bendigo in last week’s Bendigo midweek pennant bowls.

Bendigo has been competitive for many years but Inglewood had two rinks re cording wins.

Lindsay Kelly, Arthur Harrison, Bev Taig and David Whitehead returned a 15shot win and the rink of Laurie Witham, Ian Chamberlain, Patsy Lyndon and Meri lyn Chamberlain with an impressive 14shot win.

The rink of Geoff Wilson, Helen Leech, Chris McEwan and Andrew Caserta fought back hard, after being down eight shots at the break, to win by two shots.

Final Result: Inglewood 68 shots (16pts) to Bendigo 37 shots (0 pts).

Inglewood’s Midweek Div. 5 had to play Bridgewater, but this game was declared a washout after the devastating flood that went through Bridgewater. It cov ered their bowling green in putrid mud and it also went through their Clubhouse.

Division one weekend pennant on Sat urday was again cancelled due to the ex treme rain event that has caused massive flooding in the Echuca-Moama area mak ing it too risky to attempt any travel.

Inglewood division five game went ahead with them tackling the experi enced Kangaroo Flat team at Inglewood. It was an enthralling contest with Kan garoo Flat coming back hard at the finish to be only five shots behind Inglewood at one stage.

Then, the rink of Vicky Tierney, John Jackman, Pam Kelly and Daniel Garrett scored a miraculous eight shots on the last end of their match, sealing a great win.

The best winning rink of the day, that won the Café 3517 award, was the team of Arthur Harrison, Chris McEwan, Tim Birthisel and Tony Noonan with a 21-shot win.

Final Result: Inglewood 92 shots (14 pts) to Kangaroo Flat 77 shots (4 pts).

The Thai Food extravaganza after the game was a resounding success, thanks to Noi Rochester for the wonderful meal.

BRIDGEWATER

The green is recovering and should be ready for bowling there again by midNovember.

Inglewood are allowing us to practise there on Wednesdays and also to play against Bendigo East last Monday. North Bendigo will be the “Home” venue this Saturday, to host Harcourt.

The first weekend pennant match brought success to newest Skip, Brian Oughtred and his team. That victory by five shots, had them score the Inglewood IGA incentive vouchers. Allan Harrison’s team had not lead all day, but managed that on the last end, to win by two shots. Kangaroo Flat were too good overall.

NORTH CENTRAL

Division 1: Boort 57-2 lost to Wedderburn 66-10.K Walton, G Gardner, K Burt, T Moresi (s) d R Guelfo, D Stephenson, B Hargreaves, L Witham (s) 29-15. I Merce, J Maxted, K Ritchie, S Morris (s) lost to A Holt, C Mills, R Montebello, A Jackson (s) 17-21, D Gibson, A Matley, J Gibson, K De Piazza (s) lost to L Standfield, A Noordennen, G Burnside, N Holt (s) 11-30..

Division 2: Boort 82-10 d Wedderburn 60-2. R Tay lor, J Nelson, A Gould, G Hudson (s) d R Little, K Grif fiths, N White, J Murnane (s) 33-16. P Gould, G Moresi, J Earl, G Tweddle (s) lost to H Stephenson, A Benaim, L Holt, G Hunter (s) 22-31. T Noles, J Hampson, P Waters, L Maxted (s) d S Steeel, B Green, S Standfield, A Roberts (s) 27-13.

Midweek – round abandoned.

BENDIGO

Division 3 – Serpentine 75-4 lost to South Bendigo 78-14. K Collins, R Hasty, D Walker, D Anset (s) lost to P McCaskill, I Aitken, D Roberts, C Adams (s) 14-26. S Rollinson, F Maher, S Rudkins, B Gladman (s) lost to I Murrell, J Rooke, R Wishart, J Knight (s) 17-24. J Col linson, G Addlemn, B Long, R Gladman (s) d G Bryan, L Freeman, L Wilkinson, D Conley (s) 20-17. K Canfield, B Tuohey, A Bish, N Tonkin (s) d J Adams, S Driesen, J Hayes, T Marsili 24.11

Division 5 – Calivil v Strathfieldsaye shared points. Dingee v Castlemaine shared points. Inglewoo d 92114 d Kangaroo Flat 77-4. D Garrett, P Kelly, J Jack man, V Tierney (s) d M Crow, G Bysouth, J Ritchie, K Packer (s) 26-20. A Noonan, T Birthisel, C McEwan, A

Harrison (s) d R Sparke, T Hurford, J Friswell, J Grant (s)32-11. D Wilson, T Schill, P Lyndon, I Bradley (s) lost to B White, B Hansen, J Griffiths, B Duncan (s) 20-17. G Sommers, H Leech, J McClymont, D Whitehead (s) lost to W Wigmore, B Cullen, D Martin, D Densley (s) 14-19. Division 6 – Kangaroo Flat 102-14 d Bridgewater 60-4. W Conboy, C Saari, C Moller, D Johnson (s) lost to B Bajada, D Wilson, N Saunders, B Oughtred (s) 1520. M Bickley, A Cooper, P Du Kuyper, P Beveridge (s) d D Grantg, F Sheas, R Brown, R Broadbent (s) 37-6. C Canny, P Weigard, R Storey, G Walsh (s) lost to P Gath, D Futter, J Fagan, A Harrison (s) 17-19. R Burns, K Lawlor, A Ferguson, R Clark (s) d G Catto, R Shea, B McNaught, R Smith (s) 33-15.

Midweek – Division 1: Inglewood 68-16 d Bendigo 37-0. M Chamberlain, P Lyndon, I Chamberlain, L Witham (s) d V White, M Bennet, J Weymouth, S Koch (s) 23-9. D Whitehead, B Taig, A Harrison, L Kelly (s) d K Meadows, M Jennings, J Jennings, V Greenwood (s) 28-13. A Caserta, C McEwan, H Leech, G Wilson (s) d M McQualter, G McQualter, B Morley, L Harris (s).

Division 4 - White Hills 40-0 lost to Dingee 76-16. M Carter, J Austin, M Baldwin, G Austin (s) lost to K Pollock, V Sproull, F Grieves, M Grieves (s) 17-27. E Bell, N Attrill, A Churchill, F Gargiulo (s) lost to L De meo, P Plant, B West, S Cail (s) 15-25. M Shawyer, G Hogan, G Gardner, A Fielder (s) lost to N Thomas, S Lawry, G Devanny, L Demeo (s) 8-24.

Bendigo VRI v Calivil-Serpentine points shared Division 5 – Inglewood v Bridgewater

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

MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

NO DINNER

TUESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM PARMA NIGHT

EXTENDED PARMA MENU

WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM

FULL MENU AVAILABLE

THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM

DINNER FROM 6.00PM STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY - OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

LUNCHTIME SENIORS DAY

DINNER FROM 5.30PM MEAT TRAY RAFFLE FULL MENU AVAILABLE

SATURDAY - OPEN 4.00PM DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER

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

Godfrey Street, BOORT 03 5400 9650

Tony Noonan ponders his next shot for Inglewood.

LH PHOTO

Serpentine’s Scott Rollinson.

PHOTOInglewood’s Dave Whitehead.

MAGPIES FEATHER THE NEST

BOORT has wasted no time boosting its stocks for the 2023 North Central foot ball season.

Weeks after announcing the re turn to Magpie land of Dale Cam eron as coach, Boort has started revealing some big signings.

Former Bendigo inter-league representative and home-grown talent Jono Lanyon headlines the recruits heading to Boort Park.

The talented midfielder has been playing in the Northern Ter ritory Football League and won the best and fairest in 2021.

Lanyon made a cameo appear ance with Loddon Valley league club Maiden Gully when back in the region last season.

Before heading north, Lanyon had been lining up with Kanga roo Flat.

Also returning to the nest is Jarrod Fitzpatrick who was with Bridgewater before switching to Golden Square where he was

named in its best multiple times this season and also finished with 18 goals.

Two other recruits are heading north with Maiden Gully experi ence.

Brayden Aitken has been signed by the Pies along with Nate McLaren who played with Leopold in the Geelong league while studying at university.

Boort president Kane Arnold said: “Coach Dale Cameron has wasted no time in building his team for season 2023 and be yond. Jarrod has played in sev eral very strong competitions since leaving and his football has excelled winning multiple best and fairests.”

Boort broke an extended los ing stretch this season but after a promising start, faltered in the second half of the year.

The club has also announced the re-signing 2022 best and fair est Nathan Twigg, Levi Moss and Jesse Muscatello.

$200,000 synthetic green grant

CALIVIL Bowling Club and Loddon Shire have scored a $200,000 State Government grant for the club’s new synthetic green.

The project will include instal lation of a new drainage system and new synthetic grass layer

(pro-master ultra-cool plus). Member for Northern Victoria Region Mark Gepp said: “This boost will go a long way to sup port the growing number of peo ple in the community keen to get involved in local sport and rec reation.”

Flag signals action on local rinks

WHEN the flag is flying, bowls will be played and at the weekend across the Loddon, play ers were back in action after floods and rains had hampered play for more than a week.

Among them were Rick Hasty and Neville Tonkin wearing the Serpentine colours in their

Bendigo playing area division three encounter with South Bendigo. Serpentine went down by just four shots but 10 points.

There was also play in North Central while Northern area matches were again cancelled.

Help navigating the challenges

RURAL Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) has operated nationwide for over 35 years, providing free business support to primary producers and now regional small business owners navigating the challenges of financial stress or uncertainty, such as the current flooding events.

RFCS Victoria West is your local provider, and with the announcement of a range of flood relief grants and government support, our financial counsellors can assist from be ginning to end of the application process. We are here to walk alongside you for as little or as long as you need us.

Rural financial counsellors and small busi

Support available to primary producers

Concessional loans

Who is eligible?-Primary producers

To register your interest, go to Rural Finance website www.ruralfinance.com.au.

Transport subsidy

Who is eligible?-Primary Producers

To register your interest, go to Rural Finance website www.ruralfinance.com.au

Primary Producer Grant

Who is eligible?-Primary Producers

To register your interest, go to Rural Finance website www.ruralfinance.com.au.

Mental health assistance

THE Victorian Government has an nounced a $4.4 million initial package that will support any extra mental health care flood-affected Victorians need. This includes $500,000 for specialist agricul ture organisations, including the National Centre for Farmer Health, to provide ded icated mental health support to primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were lost in the floods.

It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event. Lifeline Central Victoria and Mallee has a 24/7 Crisis Support line, call 13 11 14.

Avoid swimming in floodwater

DO NOT swim or allow children to swim or play in floodwater. Risks include:

z The risk of drowning, or injury from sharp objects and other physical hazards

z The risk of electrical shock from downed power lines

z Illness if floodwaters contain faecal material from overflowing sewage systems and agricultural waste, or chemicals from industrial wastes

z Skin infections from contact of open wounds with contaminated floodwaters

z Tetanus from tetanus bacteria in soil, dust or manure entering through a break in the skin

ness financial counsellors are a great re source for your farm or small business op eration. They’re based in the regions they work in and understand local conditions and communities. We can come to you, in your home, on your farm, in your small business, wherever you feel most comfortable.

Financial counsellors can help with:

- Accessing grants and government support

- Understanding your financial position

- Identifying and exploring options and op portunities

- Negotiating with banks, creditors or insur ance providers

- Planning for the next months and for the future

During times of crisis, we know that mental health and wellbeing issues can also be come a concern.

Feeling of stress, anxiety and loss can all make the rebuilding journey that much more difficult. At RFCS Victoria West, we have a team of qualified wellbeing counsellors avail able to ensure anyone working with a finan cial counsellor is fully supported.

Appointments are always FREE of charge. Reach out when you’re ready. Call 1300 735 578 or visit www.RFCSVictoriaWest.com.au.

LOCALS HELPING LOCALS

Dede-jo Williams was part of the Korong Vale Tennis Club contingent lending a hand at the weekend as the Loddon recovery and rebuild starts in local districts.

FLOOD RECOVERY