STATE Government funding of libraries has fallen to less than a quarter of operating costs.
The new low in fundng copped the ire of Tarnagulla Ward councillor Nick Angelo at Tuesday’s Loddon Shire meeting.
Cr Angelo said less funding for the important library services from the Government meant councils were dipping into funds that they could use in other areas.
Mayor Dan Straub said the decline in the percentage of library
funding was State Government cost-shifing that meant councls “pick up the slack”.
Latest statistics for Loddon’s five library agencies showed a spike in borrowings and visits for the last three months of 20242025 compared with the previous year.
Book loans were almost 12,000
(7110 in 2023-2024) and visits jumped from 3068 to 4377.
CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald told councillors: “A review of Victorian public library funding trends shows the library funding per capita has steadily declined over the past decade.
“This drop in funding reflects the increasing financial strain
placed on councils and raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of equitable library services statewide.
“For the past three years, the Victorian Government has not increased their public libraries funding in line with CPI which is placing financial strain on the service and transferring the cost to local government who have increased their contribution in line with the State Government rate cap.”
A Parliamentary inquiry had called on the State Government
to restore a 50-50 shared funding agreement with local councils for the operation of public libraries. But the recommendation was rejected by the Government.
According to the Government: “Libraries have had a changing role over time and now not only provide the community with information and technology but access to a broad range of local and Victorian Government information and services, offer a range of wellness programs, mental health resources and community services.”
TARNAGULLA is calling dstrict residents together for a day of community safety awareness and being friends.
The town’s neighbourhood watch committee, the only watch group in the Loddon Shire, will run a day of activities the day before Father’s Day next weekend.
Secretary Sue Bordon said safety and crime prevention would be a focus of the day with police, ambulance, fire brigade and State Emergency Service displays.
“We also want to bring people together, partcularly new people in the district, and show them what groups and activities there are,” she said.
“We’ll be starting with breakfast at the community centre followed by events in the park and the CFA is putting together special informaton bags.”
The neighbourhood watch interactive house will teach people about home safety and crime prevention. “And our annual Neighbourhood Watch raffle will also be drawn,” Sue said.
Circulating in the communities and districts of Boort, Bridgewater, Dingee, Inglewood, Korong Vale, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Laanecoorie, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn.
Also available in Dunolly, Charlton, Wycheproof, Kerang, Marong, Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square and Eaglehawk.
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THE president of Inglewood Senior Citizens committee has stepped down after more than 11 years in the position.
Committee positions were decided at their annual meeting last week.
Rosetta Stevens who had been president for more than a decade decided to retire from the position and nominated Brenda Woodfield as her replacement.
Brenda, who is also a part of the catering team as head cook, has taken on the role with Rosetta as her vice president.
Samantha Muscat and Lyn Hecker have remained in their roles as secretary and treasurer respectively.
“Over the past two years we’ve had an increase in numbers, it’s more of a social group now which people enjoy,” Samantha said.
“We do still organise some day trips for people to go on as well. Earlier this year we went to Kyabram with some of the members of the Wedderburn Senior Citizens group which was lovely,” she said.
Inglewood Senior Citizens meets weekly at its Grant Street hall with regular activities organised for members and prospective members.
The cup’s coming THEMelbourne Cup will land in Bridgewater on Tuesday as part of its national and international tour.Bridgewater on Loddon Development has put together a program of activities at the recreation reserve where the cup will arrive at middy and arranged for the cup to be taken to Inglewood and Districts Health Service hostel during the day. A dinner on Tuesday night is booked out. This year’s tour started in New York and the cup will head to the Gold Coast after Bridgewater.
Not connected
LATEST State Government projects to improve connectivity in country Victoria did not include Loddon towns. Towers have been delivered in partnership with NBN Co in Merino, Casterton, Maryborough East and West, Skipton and Lexton. The Connecting Victoria program aims to deliver more than 1300 mobile and broadband projects across the state, with over 900 of these in regional areas. Clunes, Castella, Warne, Cann River and Bright are to be completed this year and Daisy Hill, Talbot and Waterloo in 2026. Better connectivity had been promised for Newbridge but the Government last year said outer Bendigo works would now not benefit the town.
MATT and Priscilla Wernert are gearing up to raise money for cancer research and crisis support by participating in the 12th annual Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb next week.
The Bridgewater Fire Brigade duo has been in training ahead of climbing 28 flights of stairs in Crown Metropol on September 6.
They will be in full firefighter turnout gear and carrying breathing apparatus to symbolise the burden of significant health and wellbeing issues faced by first responders and their families daily.
“We’ve been working on our fitness and cardio over the past few weeks, it’ll be a huge physical challenge but we’re raising money for a good cause,” Matt said.
Matt and Priscilla are aiming to raise $1000 each before they make their ascent.
The event has been capped at 1000 first responders, with people from Australia and overseas travelling to Melbourne to participate.
“We’re already planning to do it again next year and hopefully we’ll have a few more people from the brigade join us too,” Matt said.
This year’s climb aims to raise $1 million for Peter Mac Cancer Foundation, Lifeline, and 000Foundation to fight cancer, depression, and suicide. A week out, the total is nearing $700,000.
LODDON Shire’s local laws officers were called to 544 animal management issues during 2024-2025. There were 124 cases of wandering livestock, 78 of trespassing livestock, 24 dog attacks, 55 domestic animals at large, 38 cat traps distributed and 225 other complaints. During that time 383 animals were impounded – 233 head of livestock, 80 dogs, 32 cats and 38 feral animals. Of nonferal animals, 126 were returned to their owners and 244 were rehomed. Laws officers are also responsible for fire prevention, investigating illegal dumping on council-managed land, unsightly properties and planning compliance.
DEMOLITION signs have been erected on safety fencing erected after fire destroyed the historic Jennings Store last August.
Staff from Bendigo demolition company Hopleys put up the warning signs and a copy of a demolition permit on Thursday.
the remaining rear section of the 1866 building to be demolished. The facade was demolished on the night of the fire.
Loddon Shire has ordered the Brooke Street, Inglewood, site be cleared with
Owner David Oakley continues to trade from the site and said earlier this year that he had ordered a new shed to house his business selling chickens and supplies that expected would be erected later this year and gaining necessary permits.
RACV is urging Victorian motorists to stay alert behind the wheel as its latest claims data shows thousands of collisions involving kangaroos have been reported across the state in recent years. Between 2021 and June 2025, RACV Insurance received over 23,000 claims for kangaroo-related collisions, with 2024 recording the highest number of claims (5883). The average RACV claim total following collision with an animal in the 2025 financial year was $8984. Bendigo is listed as one of the top 10 hot spots for kangaroo hits.
The
We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours
We
The coronavirus pandemic has
is
It is
Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on — but most of all we are a community. We are in this together, and together we will get through.
a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental
For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on We are in this together, and together we will get through.
to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of
If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.
The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.
If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.
Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au
HUGE increases to the emergency services tax and crumbling roads have emerged as big pinch points in a survey of farmers.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation’s first State of the State: Victorian Farmer Priorities Survey also found biosecurity and forcing renewable energy infrastructure developments on communities at the top of a list of concerns.
More than 700 Victorian farmers also outlined their lack of trust in the Victorian Government, with nine in ten saying they don’t believe the state government understands their issues or has a positive plan to grow the $20 billion dollar industry.
VFF president Brett Hosking said the frank results should ring alarm bells for the Victorian Government and be a ‘wake up’ call for genuine engagement and discussion with farmers and rural communities.
“Farmers and our regional communities have sent a blunt message that they aren’t being listened to and have lost faith that our Victorian Government has their back.
“From massive increases to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, roads literally falling apart and communities being steamrolled in the face of renewable energy infrastructure, farmers have a lot to worry about.
“More than 92 per cent of farm-
ers don’t believe the Victorian Government understands or is even listening to the concerns of farming communities.
“That’s a massive indictment and it must change, because they’ve lost the trust of these farming communities,” Mr Hosking said.
Despite the blunt results of the survey, Mr Hosking said there remained considerable opportunity and a bright outlook for Victorian agriculture.
“Victorian farmers are the best in the nation at what they do. We produce 25 per cent of Australia’s food and fibre value using
just three per cent of Australia’s farmland. We employ more than 150 thousand people and contribute more than $20 billion to Victoria’s and Australia’s economy.
“When we have the nation’s best farmers working on the nation’s best farmland, imagine what we could achieve if our Victorian and Australian govern ments supported our farmers to achieve even more.
“We’re just over 12 months from the next state election. We want to support all sides of poli tics to get solutions to these is sues and grow Victoria’s farming future,” Mr Hosking said.
THE Education Department is confident Wedderburn’s early learning centre will be ready for the 2026 school year.
But the department this week would not confirm the centre’s name.
The department is continuing to list Wedderburn as the centre’s interim name.
It says Early Learning Victoria names are chosen following consultation.
The State Government is rolling out its policy of giv-
across Victoria by 2032 for young Victorians to get the best educational start in life.”
“Wedderburn Early Learning Centre is on track to open in 2026, helping families in Victoria’s north-west access high-quality, convenient and affordable long day care and kinder close to home.”
The 50 early learning and childcare centres are part of the Victorian Government’s $14 billion Best Start, Best Life program.
LODDON Shire says it has taken a positive step to improving its commitment to protecting, improving and promoting environmental and public health.
Councillors on Tuesday adopted the onsite wastewater management plan 2025-2030 (OWMP), which replaces the domestic wastewater management plan and focuses on the risks that onsite wastewater management systems including septic tanks present in Loddon Shire.
The draft OWMP was released for public comment in July and attracted one submission which focused on operational matters and did not require any change to the plan.
Mayor Dan Straub said updating the plan was critical to ensure council met its legislative responsibilities.
“The plan focuses on our understanding of the risks that onsite wastewater management systems present in the shire and how we might manage those risks now and into the future,” he said.
“This is an important plan, it supports decisions that helps our community stay healthy, keeps our waterways clean and ensures new development is safe and sustainable.”
The plan covers the municipality but excludes premises with sewage flow rates above 5,000 litres per day and properties connected to reticulated sewerage (Wedderburn, Inglewood, Bridgewater, Boort and Pyramid Hill).
Townships within the scope of the plan include Dingee, Eddington, Korong Vale, Laanecoorie, Mitiamo, Newbridge, Serpentine and Tarnagulla.
Properties outside of these towns are considered rural and do not form part of the risk assessment process used to develop the plan.
They are considered lower risk and applications for onsite wastewater management are dealt with on an individual basis, council said..
THE annual road management plan for Loddon Shire will give residents condifence council will manage maintenance, Mayor Dan Straub said after the plan’s adoption by councillors on Tuesday.
Local roads are a major priority for Loddon Shire ratepayers and the overarching document to guide their safe, efficient and sustainable operation has been updated.
“Time and time again community surveys show that roads are the top concern for our ratepayers,” Cr Straub said.
“The road management plan should reassure the community that we take those concerns seriously and we maintain our roads to the highest possible standard.”
He said that was confirmed by the latest report on the previous road management plan.
The quarterly road management plan
defect rectification compliance report, tabled on Tuesday showed all 45 scheduled inspections for the quarter were carried out, while 98.9 per cent of all defects (1269 out of 1283) were fixed.
A further 209 out of 210 lots of grading work were completed.
The local road maintenance program cost $8.74 million in the 2024-2025 financial year, about 80 per cent of what Council collects in rates.
Roads and related infrastructure also make up a large part of the $9.4 million annual infrastructure program, and the quarterly report for April-June 2025 period shows 90 per cent of work (65 out of 72 projects) was completed for the year.
Six of the remaining seven projects were in progress at 30 June and have since been completed or are substantially completed.
TOTAL economic output of Loddon Shire in 2024 was $1.256 billion, according to data released this week by the council.
This was $69 million higher than the previous year and continues a trend of steady growth over the past four years.
The value of building approvals has also grown steadily in recent years. In 2024, $16.5 million of residential work was approved, this figure more than double that of 10 years previously.
Council says that while the graph for residential building approvals fluctuates, as can be expected in rural areas, the annual growth over the past 10 years averages out at 7.99 per cent a year.
Non-residential approvals, which can be affected in any given year by large one-off projects, totalled $21 million in 2024, down from $38 million the year before but also continuing a steady trend upwards since the lows of the mid-2010s.
Continuing the theme of steady growth, the data also shows the resident popula-
tion of Loddon Shire in 2024 was 7755, a handful more than the previous year and an increase of 242 on 10 years earlier.
Monthly total spending by consumers in the shire also increased for each of April, May and June compared to the previous year.
Much of this was driven by visitors to the Shire, though resident spending online also increased substantially in each of the months.
New visitor measurement data from the Wedderburn Visitor Information Centre also provided some interesting insights.
It showed the majority of those visitors stayed for two to four nights, nature/outdoor recreation and gold prospecting were the main reasons for visiting and greater Melbourne and regional victoria were the most popular places to visit Loddon Shire from.
Mayor Dan Straub said the data showed the importance of Council investing in economic development and tourism.
busiest Loddon kitchen every Easter Monday is being readied for an upgrade.
The scene of sandwiches being made and slices
Rheola Public Hall committee of management is putting together plans with members Igor Grattan, Zandra GrattanLynch and Leesa Catto asking for ideas on
what the new kitchen should include for future use.
“We want to hear from people who have used the hall’s kitchen in the past and their ideas to make it more functional, modern and user-friendly,” they said.
They are receiving feeback until the end of September before drawing up plans to modernise the kitchen used for the Loddon Shire’s longest-running and oldest event.
OLD fading photographs, blotched with time. That handsewn toy, falling apart but impossible to throw away.
The Bible handed down through generations, its spine broken, the names written in spidery ink on the front page fading almost beyond recognition.
If you’ve got a treasured item and would love to know if there’s a way to conserve it, here’s an opportunity to ask an expert.
Debra Parry is the experienced and respected conservator at Melbourne Art Conservation Services and will be heading to Wedderburn, for Loddon Valley Arts Trail in October.
She will present a series of talks at the Wedderburn Historical Records Museum that has relocated from the original Shire of Korong offices in High Street to its new base in the town’s old court house.
Debra has worked for both the National Archives and Heritage Victoria, repairing documents, maps, photographs, books and many other objects.
The photograph of John Monash in the Mysia War Memorial School was restored by Debra, and was the connection that brought her to the attention of Loddon Valley Arts organisers.
Her presentations are popular with history societies and heritage groups, and she will be talking about how to care for collections and preserving pho-
tographs. Arts trail co-ordinator Rosemary Sorensen said that following each session, Debra would be giving restoration advice on items people brought along.
Museum secretary Alan Mulraney, who will also do a presentation about Wedderburn’s history in photographs on the Saturday, says Debra whose visit is an opportunity for people to see the new premises.
“Here at the museum we are constantly digitising many of the records to make sure they are preserved for the future,” Mr Mulraney said.
“The museum is pleased to be part of this Loddon Valley Arts weekend, and to welcome such an experienced conservator.
“We look forward to seeing what photographs and objects people might bring in to ask for Debra’s advice about.
“It’s always surprising and exciting to hear people’s stories and memories.”
NEW faces are needed to help organise central Victoria’s largest street party - Inglewood Alive! - in November.
Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee treasurer Pauline Wellman said several members of the organising sub-committee were unavailable this year.
“We need a few new faces to be part of the team putting together this great day that attracts thousands of people to Inglewood,” she said.
IDTC is meeting tonight to review planning for Inglewood Alive!
The festival had previously seen Brooke Street closed for events. Permits and traffic management costs last year were more than $5000.
Pauline said plans for 2025 were for most activities to be in the town hall precinct in Verdon and Market Streets while using Brooke Street footpaths.
“Inglewood Alive! is our big day and we’d love to see some new faces hop on board.”
LONG-TERM rectification of the Skinners Flat Reservoir wall and spillway is not eligible for funding for flood recovery funding.
Loddon Shire’s manager assets and infrastructure David Southcoimbe told councillors at their meetng on Tuesday that work was also likely to be beyond the financial capacity of council without significant financial as-
sistance from state and Federal governments.
He said council had approval to use the Local Government Victoria council flood support fund for detailed design and costing.
“In the interim, a range of risk management and monitoring processes are in place to minimise risk.”
An evacuation warning was issued during
the October 2022 floods and more than 1600 tonnes of rock were used to strengthen the spillway.
Mr Southcombe said that to date council had spent $6,187,694 with $5,436,134 reimbursed through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements program and claims totalling $19,924 had been rejected by the government.
WHEN Loddon Shire Council’s newest school-based apprentice began on the job recently, he was following some well-worn family footsteps.
Harry Noble, a Year 11 student at East Loddon P12 College, is the fourth generation of his family to work in local government, with earthmoving playing a major part in that remarkable achievement.
Harry, who is undertaking a Certificate III in Civil Construction while completing his Year 11 studies, has a long time interest in earthmoving, not surprising as his dad Darren, council’s works co-ordinator, has always had his own equipment at home.
But the story goes back to Harry’s great-grandfather Walter Noble who began driving a horse-drawn grader at the former Wattle Glen and Heidelberg City Council in the 1930s, graduating to a motorised grader when they were introduced, and then worked at the former Eltham City Council until he retired.
In Walter’s spare time he built dams using a team of horses.
Walter’s son John, Harry’s grandfather, followed in his father’s footsteps, initially in the private sector but then at Eltham and Camberwell City Councils as a backhoe and grader operator.
John was one of seven boys in the family (he had six sisters as well) and five of the boys worked in the same field.
He then moved to the country and a similar position at the former Newstead Shire Council, now part of Mount Alexander Shire.
John’s wife, Harry’s grand-
mother Kayleen, also worked in local government, in home and community care at neighbouring Central Goldfields Shire.
Harry’s dad Darren started off in earthmoving in the private sector in 1995, before joining Macedon Ranges Shire Council in 2000 as a backhoe and grader operator.
In 2016 he joined Loddon Shire Council in a similar role before being appointed works co-ordinator in 2020.
But while Harry was aware of the family history in local government, that wasn’t the main reason for joining council. After
initially doing a work experience placement with council, Harry jumped at the chance for the apprenticeship, which sees him out and about two days a week doing tasks such as general road maintenance and civil construction work such as road building, drainage and culvert installation as well as traffic management and control.
“I’ve been interested in earthmoving since day one and I’m 100 per cent keen to make a career out of it,” Harry said.
While Darren will be keeping an eye on his son, he said there were many others who would
help him out. “There’s plenty here who will teach him and tell him,” Darren said.
“It’s a good starting point for him.”
Darren said council was an ideal environment for a schoolbased apprenticeship such as Harry was doing.
“There are private companies around but it’s hard to get in when you’re only doing two days a week,” he said.
“This is a good pathway to be able to finish school and start something at the same time, it helps them get the best of both worlds.”
THE Wedderburn community is backing fundraising efforts to support the Derks family whose home was destroyed by fire earlier this month.
The Lions club has donated $2000 raised from its wood raffle to help Evie and Steve Derks and their five children.
Wedderburn Redbacks donated proceeds from their gate raffle at the final home game in the North Central league season. The family are involved as players and officials with the club.
A community dance will be held on Saturday night at the Mechanics’ Institute Hall.
Dede Williams will be teaching fun dances with money raised being donated to the Derks and a second district family who recently lost their home in a fire.
Raffles and prizes will be part of the evening with people asked to bring a plate of supper to share.
The Derks family home for almost a decade was destroyed in the morning fire that was tackled by CFA united from across the district.
The family had extensively renovated the weatherboard home.
Steve said after the tragedy that the community had been wonderful with support and comfort.
The Australian wool market has returned from the annual three-week midyear strongly, rises in the merino fleece sector pushing the market higher. Although shearing activity is slow in some areas, as growers continue with their yearly cropping programs and wet weather preventing shearing in other parts, some wool growing regions are in full swing. With this the first selling opportunity in nearly a month, this is traditionally one of the larger sales of the season. There were 41,303 bales available to the trade. This was the largest sale since Week 42 last season, this was in April just before the Easter Recess. The benchmark Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) added 8 cents for the series, closing the week at 1,247 cents, the rise largely on the back of merino fleece types. The EMI has continued its upward run, the 2-cent rise recorded on the second day of this series was the eighth consecutive daily rises in the EMI. The run started on the 8th of July, the EMI rising by 39 cents across this period, an increase of 3.2%. The EMI is now at its highest point since April. We cannot escape this week without talking about currency. Much of the positive movement this series can be attributed to the weakening of the Australian dollar (AUD) compared to the US dollar (USD), since the close of the previous series. The AUD has dropped 1.24 cents since the 23rd of July, giving exporters more buying power in USD, which in turn led to higher prices. The news was not so positive when viewed in USD terms. The EMI fell by 10 US cents for the week, closing at 804 cents.
This week’s offering falls dramatically, as the backlog of wool accumulated during the recess, was mostly offered in this week’s sale. There is currently a total of 30,596 bales on offer nationally.
Source: AWEX
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
A Flood Management Plan is being prepared for Wedderburn.
The consultants for the project, HARC, would like to hear about your experience and knowledge of flooding in Wedderburn. A drop-in session will be held at the Council Chamber, Wedderburn, between 2pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, 2 September.
Council is also seeking up to three community members who wish to be included on the Project Reference Committee (PRC) for the Wedderburn Flood Management Plan.
The PRC will oversee the governance and management of the project. Inclusion on the PRC will involve attending up to six meetings during a work day over the life of the project (18 months), review of reports and representing the views of other community members. To nominate for the PRC, please send your name, phone number and the reason for your interest to planning@loddon.vic.gov.au before 5pm Monday, 25 August.
For more information please email the above address.
COBRAM Estate Olives has recorded a $49.6 million after-tax profit spurred by doubling in its US sales and increases in its Australian market success.
The company on Friday said there had been 16.6 per cent growth in Australian branded sales to $141.4 million before tax, up on the previous year’s $121.3 million.
Total olive oil production from the 2025 Australian harvest was 14.2 million litres.
There was a 101 per cent growth in Cobram Estate branded US sales to $42.3 million.
“In Australia, we completed several major capital projects, including the Boort olive mill expansion, positioning the business to handle increased volumes from our maturing groves and third-party growers,” joint-CEOs Sam Beaton and Leandro Ravetti told shareholders.
“Meanwhile, we accelerated our USA growth strategy – increasing branded sales, planting more groves, acquiring more land and progressing bottling and warehousing infrastructure upgrades to support future growth.
“With continued strong demand for CBO’s branded products, and increasing production capacity, the company is well-positioned for future growth in both core markets.”
They said Cobram Estate was continuing to expand its network of long-term contracted third-party growers in Australia.
A Special Meeting of the Loddon Shire Council will be held on Tuesday 9 September 2025, commencing at 3pm, in the Loddon Shire Council Chambers, Wedderburn to consider:
• Release of the Draft Community Vision 2035 and Council Plan 2025-2029 for community feedback and;
• Release of the Draft Financial Plan 2025/26-2034/35 for community feedback. Council offers live stream and on-demand access to Council Meetings, enabling members of the public to view proceedings via the internet as an alternative to attending in person.
To obtain the link and up-to-date details visit Council’s website or scan the QR code below.
236 399
“Under these contract arrangements, CBO receives olives for milling and markets the resulting olive oil. As at June 30, 2025, the company had 2000 hectares of third-party Australian groves under contract including 1,000 hectares expected to be planted in 2026-207.
“The recently upgraded Boort olive mill has sufficient capacity to meet the milling requirements of both company-owned and third-party groves.”
The board said it remained highly optimistic about the future of the company and was committed to driving sustainable growth and delivering long-term value for shareholders.
“As our groves in both Australia and California mature, we anticipate a meaningful uplift in olive oil production over the coming years. With trusted brands and continued momentum in our USA operations, the company is well-positioned for future success.”
The company’s Boort grove now has 1.25 million trees.
It reported total available cash and undrawn debt facilities of $41.5 million at 30 June compared with $42.8 million last year. ”Cashflow from operations is expected to remain strong, driven by the maturing grove profile from CBO owned olive groves both in Australia and the USA.
Cobram Estate has declared an annual dividend of 3.3 cents a share to be distributed in November.
Council has opened up entries for both the 2026 Australia Day awards as well as the three competitions run to mark the day. Australia Day Awards - These recognise outstanding Australians and community groups within Loddon Shire: Citizen and Ward Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group/Event of the Year.
Australia Day Competitions - Based on the theme ‘Australian Vegetation’ Council is conducting Colouring, Photographic and Literature competitions. Nominations and entry forms are available from Council’s website, or by emailing australiaday@loddon.vic.gov.au. Nominations and entries must be received by 4pm on Friday, 24 October.
Rates notices for 2025-26 will soon be mailed out to Loddon Shire ratepayers.
Along with the notice there will be included an information leaflet on the Victorian Government's Emergency Services Volunteer Fund levy, while the notice itself will also mark out the differences between Council and State Government charges. Notices also contain information on how to lodge an objection should you disagree with your property's valuation.
LODDON farmers led the way at last Friday’s annual ram sale at Kedleston Park that had a nearfull clearance as 40 rams went under the hammer.
Raywood farmer Garry Griffin was one of two buyers to pay the top auction price of $4000.
Auctioneers sold 33 of 40 rams under the hammer and another three privately within minutes of the Calivil sale ending. The sale average was $2371, just $400 below the 2024 average when lot one sold for $20,000.
Mr Griffin made just one purchase at this year’s sale. “He filled the pen ... good body weight, stocky and heavier than average,” Mr Griffin said of the 18.4 micron ram.
He will use the ram in his selfreplacing Merino flock program at Raywood where he runs 2000 ewes.
A committed Merino farmer, Mr Griffin said the current number of sheep in Australia needed to more than double to 160 million.
“There are results out there at the moment ... I sold ewes for $240 at Bendigo a few weeks
THE first sale of Kedleston Park’s new prime line of rams has found instant success.
Stock agent Rex Bennett took early bidding on 10 rams to sale highs with his purchase for repeat buyers G. and M. Heywood, of Everton. The 18.4 micron ram sold for $4000 with what Mr Patterson said were its wool quality and good eye muscle and fat data.
Kedleston Park’s John Humbert said: ““This year we offered a line of rams from Kedleston Park Prime - a new meat Merino
family we have established with great success with genomic ASBVs average figures of this sale group being YWT 11.05, YEMD 2.34, YFAT 0.97, YCFW 34.24 and SL 13.71.”
Other prime rams in the offering sold between $1500 and $3500 with the line’s average $2450.
While the final lots in Friday’s catalogue, the prime line rams were offered after the opening lots before returning to catalogue order and opportunities still available for buyers.
ago and I like to be growing good wool too,” said Mr Griffin. “I was a shearer for 40 years and wool prices are lifting, even if a bit slowly.”
Among volume buyers were John Tonkin of Wedderburn, the Isaacs of Powlett and Tanwood Park of Avoca.
“We have had a few new buyers this year, joining many returning bidders from across central Victoria,” Mr Humbert said.
“The average price was pretty close to last year and considering the challenges of the season, that is a good outcome.”
Mr Humber said he was pleased with the clearance rate at the sale.
NORM Weir aims to breed big framed, fertile sheep with as much quality wool as possible at his Kerrilyn Merino and Poll Merino Stud.
The Dunluce stud, founded in 1994 based on Belbourie and Wonga bloodlines, does this by using top Artificial Insemination sires.
Norm says all rams are tested and ranked for wool and body traits.
“We test the quality of our stud and effectiveness of the flock by entering wether trials,” he said.
“Both our flocks and clients’ flocks have been very successful in this venture.
“We are predominately a medium wool stud with microns ranging between 16.5 to 21.5.”
Norm said Kerrilyn had a history of breeding heavy-cutting productive sheep.
“We have won four most valuable fleece awards at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show Bendigo as well as a champion strong wool fleece and reserve champion me-
dium and fine-medium fleece awards.”
Benchmarking of Merino and poll Merinos - the poll stud was established with the purchase of 50 ewes and a ram at the Lewisdale dispersal sale rams and ewes in Western Australia in 2011has seen Kerrilyn awarded major prizes.
At last years’s Australian Sheep and Wool Show, had three big days being named reserve Champion strong August shorn ewe, most successful stud exhibitor in fleece show, Reserve Champion fine medium fleece, Reserve Champion strong fleece and most valuable fleece in group four.
This year, there was more success - two broad ribbons, seven first ribbons, seven seconds, six thirds. “Our second placed medium wool rams fleece was the heaviest in the show which is our aim to have quality and quantity and our all purpose ram with a 42 muscle is representing our duel purpose aims,” Norm said. And there was more success at
last month’s Hamilton Sheepvention and Expo - Champion and reserve Champion medium Merino ram. Champion and reserve Champion strong Merino ram. Reserve Champion strong poll ram. Champion strong Merino ewe. Champion medium Merino ewe.
Norm Weir strives for consistency coming out of his stud. The 2024 showing backed up last year’s successes that included Medium Wool Champion Merino Ewe and then went on to win Grand Champion Medium Wool Ewe, Champion Fine Medium Poll Merino Ewe and went on to become Reserve Grand Champion Fine Medium Ewe. The same sheep were also awarded the Fine Medium Wool and Medium Wool Ewe Victorian Champions. The Medium Wool Ewe then won the Victorian Bred Champion Wool Ewe of the Show Kerrilyn’s fleeces have also received honours over the years including at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show winning the champion Victorian fleece in 2021
Kerrilyn also won the Stoeleigh Perpetual Challenge Cup (highest aggregate medium wool classes) with champion ribbons, four reserve champion ribbons, 10 firsts, three second ribbons, three thirds and a fourth
At the 2025 show, Kerrilyn won won the medium wool aggregate and Reserve Champion medium wool Merino ram also champion March shorn strong Merino ram and 5 reserve Champions
LAMB supply dropped back to 10,075 head, made up of about 3000 new season lambs and the balance old season at Bendigo on Monday.
It was a two class offering of old lambs, they were either good off grain or ordinary clean-up lots and the plainer types in rough skins did out number better the better quality lambs in this sale. This fed into price results which were mixed.
The best lambs were similar to a week ago to track either side of 1100c/kg cwt with the best still pens still hitting an estimated 1200c/kg at times while plainer lots averaged cheaper at between 950 to 1050c/kg for most.
Showing how quality determined outcomes, a pen of new season lambs off irrigation and estimated at 32-34kg cwt topped the market at $396 to be the highest priced young lambs sold at Bendigo so far.
There was a definite cheaper trend over secondary light lambs under 20kg cwt to processors, with light Merino lambs lacking fat cover and weight the most affected. But any lightweight young store lambs in big lines continued to sell strongly to restockers with costs still tracking over an estimated 1000c/kg in carcass weight terms.
In the young lambs the one pen of export weights topped at $396/ head with the second draft of this line off irrigation making $350/ head.
After this the lead pens were mostly heavy trades at $270 to $330/head and the main grades averaged over 1100c/kg to processors based on a $4 skin. Restockers paid from $180 to 240/head for young light trade lambs to fed-on, while the more genuine sized small store lambs sold from $128 to $180/head, noting the sale didn’t have the big one-mark lines of little store lambs out of the north this week.
The old season lambs sold to a top of $324/head, and most of the export weighted pens only had a few head in each draft which did impact results. The main run of heavy 26-30kg cwt lambs $272 to $324/head to still hold averages above 1100c/kg cwt. Mixed trades and heavier lambs in oddlots and untidy skins from $220 to $265/head for most, and it was these lambs which tended to average cheaper.
Sucker
Fed Merino trade ambs with fat cover and reasonable skins from $220 to $255/head at 1000c/kg plus.
But plainer Merino lambs lacking fat cover and weight were cheaper at $163 to $224/head for those with frame, and from $137 to $160/head for smaller types to processors. Smallest and plainest Merino lambs $20 to $120/head.
\Old season light lambs in the crossbred and Dorper sections were also cheaper, but often on plain quality as tail-end winter drafts are cleared out.
Sheep supply remained consistent at 7450 head. Mutton averaged cheaper, although there wasn’t a lot of price change on the main runs of quality heavy sheep with good fat cover. The best processing sheep averaged either side of 700c/kg cwt and up to about 760c/kg cwt. Most leaner trade and lighter sheep from 630c to 700c/kg cwt.
In dollars big crossbred ewes $200 to a top of $274/head, and Merino ewes with skin returns from $190 to $280/head. General run of leaner trade sheep $140 to $200/head, and light sheep $60 to $140/head.
DORPER LAMBS
Nathan Johns Bridgewater (12) $208. Barberosa Echuca (42) $200.
SUCKERS
John Conallin Deniliquin (52) $394. B & M Barlow Wanalta (37) $330. O Toose Boort (25) $330. S & R Snelson Tongala (72) $328. IB & S McVicar Underbool (67) $326. D & DH Scott Bunnaloo (60) $310.
$300. D & F Graham Moama (37) $297. WL & PJ Johnson Myola East (42) $276.
CROSSBRED LAMBS
Lexington Loddon Vale (23) $324. D English Muskerry (100) $317. P Webb Bridgewater (29) $310. West Pastoral Echuca (60) $300. Kellalac Pastoral Newbridge (65) $300. B & S McCahon Terrick Terrick East (68) $281. R & D Trewick Elmore (25) $274. Bungle
WITH footy finals well underway, I want to congratulate all players, volunteers, and officials across the Loddon Shire on a great year and some terrific results.
You have all worked so hard to get to this stage and you should all be very proud of your achievements. Good luck to all readers playing in the coming weeks.
Now that we’re almost in the third quarter of the year, I wanted to update readers on a few projects the State Labor Government is delivering throughout the shire.
I know a lot of Wedderburn residents have been keen for news on when the new pedestrian crossing will be completed.
The Department of Transport and Planning has been meeting with the Loddon Shire Council to get their input on designs.
The full design and plans will be completed over the next six months, with works to kick off on the crossing in early 2026.
Works on the $5.1 million upgrade to the Inglewood Hospital’s acute and urgent care wards are progressing well too.
Once complete, there will be more comfortable spaces for patient recovery, including a refurbished facility with isolation bays and eight single acute care rooms.
New staff areas, including a new clinical workstation will also be delivered, providing a more efficient working environment for our incredible health care workers.
RATE NOTICES HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNMENT TAX GRAB
Leanne Talbot wrote: So what are our options?: submit and pay or don’t pay and get charged interest on amount owed. (Premier Allan) and council have us in a corner with no options. What are others planning to do?
Bernard Bracken wrote: Wondering, if I do pay. will the opposition reimburse? Doubt it.
Nick Marlow wrote: Bernard Bracken to reimburse, they would first have to win the election, and it appears they
In more good news, a speed reduction has been approved for Tarnagulla to increase safety and reduce road noise.
I have been working with Tarnagulla Neighbourhood Watch volunteers, who have been advocating for the 60kmh zone to be moved within the township boundary.
I’m so pleased our advocacy to the Minister for Transport has seen this change approved, with signs to be installed towards the end of the year.
Loddon Shire residents have also been taking advantage of the State Labor Government’s Container Deposit Scheme with more than one million containers deposited at the Inglewood and Wedderburn sites to date.
This equals over $100,000 refunded back into the community, and more than $3000 donated to local charities.
Returned drink containers have been transformed into all kinds of new things, including material for roads, furniture, construction, textiles and more – creating new economic opportunities and more than 600 jobs across the state.
I also wanted to let readers with a concession card know that the new $100 Power Saving Bonus is now available.
The new Power Saving Bonus will help ease some cost-of-living pressures and make everyday expenses that bit more manageable. Eligible households with a con-
have no interest in even trying to do that. They aren’t coming to save us, they are liars and are totally committed to the Government’s War on Farmers.
INGLEWOOD THROUGH TO LVFL PRELIMINARY FINAL
Michael Ross wrote: Congratulations, inglewood, from a Pyramid Hill supporter.
Jenny Hosking wrote: Well done Inglewood this is good for footy.
Trav Parker wrote: Inglewood beating Pyramid Hill in a semi final would
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
cession card can apply through the Victorian Energy Compare website at compare.energy.vic. gov.au or by calling 1800 000 832.
The Wedderburn and Inglewood Neighbourhood Houses are also offering in-person support for those without internet access, or who require some extra help to apply.
When applying, readers will need a recent electricity bill and their health care, pensioner concession, veterans’ affairs pensioner concession or veterans’ affairs gold card.
The $100 Power Saving Bonus is in addition to the $150 Energy Bill Relief Fund all households will automatically receive off their energy bills from the Albanese Labor Government.
Any readers who are struggling with their energy bills can also access the Energy Assistance Program by calling 1800 161 215. This is a free over-the-phone support service delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria and cohealth for anyone having trouble paying their energy bills.
I encourage readers to check they’re on the best deal possible by using the free and independent Energy Compare website to shop around for a lower price. Last year, users typically saved $240 per year on their energy bills by switching providers.
Martha Haylett is the member for Ripon
have been crazy talk 5-10 years ago. Great achievement
HOCKEY LEGEND WENDY
SMITH BACK AT WEDDERBURN
Bernadette Reeves wrote: Good on you Wendy what a stayer, a fantastic history in hockey.
MACORNA FOOTBALL CLUB HEADS TO LVFL
Antoinette Coobs wrote: A fabulous club that always puts family’s firstgreat option! Hope it happens.
James Nevins wrote: Welcome aboard peoples from the far north!
1. Frogs legs are a traditional dish in which European country?
2. What are the 4 main voice types in singing?
3. 1 metre is equal to how many feet?
4. Who is the current Australian Governor General?
5. The ancient Saxon people came from which modern-day country?
6. In Norse Mythology, who is the wife of Thor?
7. Australian poet Banjo Paterson was born in which Australian city?
8. Acrophobia is the fear of what?
9. What word is used to refer to a small cut, and is also a boys name?
10. The unicorn is the national animal of which country?
11. As the saying goes, two of what don’t make a right?
12. In ballet if you were to perform a plié what would you be doing?
13. Which famous city is often referred to as “The Eternal City”?
FOR A bloke who readily admits he’s not the best sporty type, looks like Bradley of Boort has put on the Dunlop Volleys and decided running is not too bad ... just kidding, knowing our Bradley, he will face the problem with usual aplomb.
I N FACT, we hear Bradley and friends did just that the other week. Answered the family call for assistance. OTF sends best wishes to Cynthia in her recovery from a fall.
T HERE was one Boort netballer pleased to knock off work a bit earlier on Friday. After counting sheep up for auction, she probably did the same thing that night before being on the road early to Birchip where the footballers and netballers were on 7am gate duty for
14. Chartreuse is a colour that sits in-between which two colours?
15. Frank Baum wrote which novel which later went on to become a musical movie?
16. In which year did Australia make the change to a decimal currency system?
17. Chalk is a form of what type of rock?
18. Winnie the Pooh loves what sweet foodstuff?
19. And what colour is his top?
20. Architectural firm Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorpe was announced in 1980 as the architect for which famous Australian building?
the opening week of North Central league finals in Birchip.
OTF in its travel to Bull territory for those games couldn’t help but notice the vehicles outside the ground emblazoned with placards protesting wind turbines, power lines and mineral sands mining.
AND the footy club raffle had an added extra - a dozen of Birchip’s “best vanilla slices in Australia”. We’re more than a little biased, perhaps, but down south we certainly prefer the delicacy put out by Pat and the crew at Bridgewater Bakery.
ONE THING for certain. We’re looking forward to the North Central grand final in Wedderburn and Cam’s fantastic butcher’s savs.
A recent Loddon Herald feature on the glory days of trains stopping in Korong Vale stirried the memories of reader Murray Keller.
The district history buff has now shared some photographs from his collection and memories as a youngster heading to the Vale.
“As a young kid growing up in Wedderbur, I would spend a lot of time in Korong Vale on my grandparents’ farm which is on the northern side of where the railway yards and station were located.
“My father Vic Keller worked as a signalman in both A and B signal boxes in Korong Vale for around 40years.
“So I got to see the rise a fall of the railways at the Vale.
“The railways shutting down in Korong Vale was the death of the Vale with the local shops, bank, butcher, garage, school, cafe,
post office, churches and sporting clubs etc all closing due to railway families having to move away to find work elsewhere.
“The tennis club, Scully’s hotel and the hall are a few of the survivors.
“I have many fond memories of the Saturday night dances held in the hall and the big celebrations had when Korong Vale won the Loddon Valley Football League grand final - what a weekend that was!”
“There were also many a saturday night had in the pub when more than 200 people would party on till all hours.
Sadly time moves on and these little towns are left to battle on as best they can.”
In its heyday, Korong Val had two hotels, two bakers, two butchers, The Paragon Cafe, two general stories, three blacksmiths and its own newspaper, The Lance.
PERRY - Ernest James (Ernie) 6/11/1928 - 17/8/2025
Son of Duncan and Alma and brother to Duncan, Kenneth, Evelyn and Ailsa (all dec.).
Uncle to Lynette, Perry, Brenda and Jeffrey.
Now reunited with his Family. Rest In Peace
PERRY - Ernest James (Ernie)
A Service to Celebrate the life of
Mr. Ernest James (Ernie) Perry will be held by the graveside at the Wychitella Cemetery on WEDNESDAY (September 3) at 11.30 am.
Intention to Apply for the Permanent Transfer of a Licence to Take and Use Groundwater
GMW Reference No: BPTWE0016-25
We Willera Ag Pty Ltd of 200 Nixons Road BEARS LAGOON VIC 3517
Refer to Vic Roads Map 30 B7
Intend to make application to Permanently Transfer Entitlement to our existing Licence to Take and Use Groundwater and increase the licensed volume from 789.0ML/Year to 989.0ML/Year.
The volume sought in this application is 200.0ML/Year
The water will be used for the purpose of: Irrigation
To be used on lands described as:
VVolume Folio
& 109
Janiember East
Janiember East
Janiember East
Any person able to demonstrate that their interests will be affected by the transfer of this Licence including any intended Surface Water use, is invited to make a formal submission setting out the nature of the impact within 14 days of receipt of this written notification.
To make a submission please read the information available to download from Make a submission about a licence application - Goulburn Murray Water (g-mwater.com.au) or contact GMW to arrange a copy to be posted to you. Submissions must be lodged using the GMW template available by either mail or email to, licensingadmin@gmwater.com.au or PO Box 165, TATURA VIC 3616.
Rheola Pioneers Memorial Park Reserve
Notice is given of a Public Meeting to be held at the Rheola Hall on Wednesday 24th September 2025 at 5pm.
The purpose of this meeting is to nominate no less than three (3) or more than nine (9) persons as the Committee of Management for the Rheola Pioneers Memorial Park Reserve for a term of three (3) years. The current committee’s terms will expire.
All positions will be declared open and nominations will be accepted prior to and on the night.
Further information, nomination forms and nominee declaration forms may be obtained by contacting your local Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning office or at the meeting. For further enquires please contact the Secretary, Sara Looby on 0410681146.
Boort District Health is seeking a dedicated and experienced Support Services Team Leader to lead our Food Services and Cleaning Services teams in a full-time capacity. This is a key leadership role that ensures the smooth operation of essential support functions across the organisation.
About the Role
The Support Services Team Leader is responsible for the oversight and coordination of Boort District Health’s food and cleaning services. This role plays a vital part in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, and infection control across all areas of the health service, while ensuring the efficient and safe delivery of kitchen operations.
You will lead by example, actively supporting your team to meet Boort District Health’s values of Respect, Quality, Equity, and Collaboration, and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and high- performing workplace culture.
Full position description available at bdh.vic.gov.au/careers/available-positions
Applications close: 5pm 8 September 2025
To apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the key responsibilities to employment@bdh.vic.gov.au
For further information, contact Kathryn Durie at Kathryn.Durie@bdh.vic.gov.au or (03) 5451 5200
Shape the nancial future of a proud regional community. Lead budgeting, reporting, compliance, and strategic planning, while guiding a capable team to deliver excellence in governance and service.
We’re seeking a strategic leader with strong nancial expertise, proven people skills, and a commitment to integrity. Join a values-driven Council making a real di erence in the Loddon region. Contact Ashley Wilkes, W&Co Search –0448 007 653 or ashley@wcosearch.com.
Applications considered as received –apply early.
Garden maintenance Boort Area
Light Duties – Pruning Spraying Weeding Mowing
Flexible days and hours
20 – 25 hours per week
Please send some details to tsawers@sawersfarms.com
Careers at Loddon Loddon Shire Council is seeking applications for the following positions from highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic and outcome focused individuals who want to make a di erence and help shape our future.
Customer Service O cer
Fixed-term, part-time role for 2 days a week (Monday and Tuesday, 9am–3pm), to 23 December 2025
An attractive hourly rate of $34.33$36.72
Based at our Wedderburn O ce
Applications for the position above will close on Monday 8 September 2025 at 5pm
Civil Maintenance Worker
Permanent Full-Time position
An attractive salary range of $64,319.12$66,655.86 per annum plus employer superannuation
Based in our Loddon Plains team
Applications for the position above will close on Monday 1 September 2025 at 5pm.
Early Childhood Educator
Casual position
An attractive hourly rate of $33.96
Work across one, some or all of Council’s ve sessional kindergartens
Maternal and Child Health Nurse
Casual position
An attractive hourly rate of $73.15$78.84
Based at our Wedderburn O ce with carpooling services available between Marong and Wedderburn
Applications for the positions above will be considered 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 OrganisationDevelopment Unit on (03) 5494 1200.
NORTH Central Hockey Associa-
tion’s first semi-final was hosted at Birchip-Watchem on Saturday, with a big crowd enjoying a thrilling day of hockey.
From juniors to seniors, each game brought spirit, skill and the intensity of finals pressure.
The underage first semi saw Donald up against Boort.
Donald’s Oakley Brennan was the star, netting twice in the opening minutes — first with a solo run through defenders, then with a built-up play from the half line from team mates, which he finished with a authoritative tomahawk.
Boort quickly answered through Chaise Hird muscling the ball past the keeper with a calculated flick, but Oakley struck again with a third before halftime.
The second half was frenzied with both teams not letting up on the gas. Boort pulled one back through Jacob Malone to make it 3–2, only for Oakley to immediately reply with his fourth goal of the game. A late surge from Boort, capped by Jonas Haw’s goal, set up a tense finish.
Despite frantic attempts in the dying minutes by Boort, Donald held firm to win 4–3.
Long-time rivals Wedderburn and Charlton lined up over the white line for the women’s first semi-final.
Despite Charlton’s danger-
ous attacks coming from Elise Fitzpatrick down the centre, Wedderburn hit the scoreboard first when Shelby Giorlando’s overhead ball found sister Chelsea, who finished coolly.
Wedderburn managed to score a second goal when a short corner spilled into normal play, after Charlton’s Naomi Fitzpatrick made some miraculous saves.
Chelsea Giorlando took the loose ball, beating defenders and slotting in an aerial hit on a sharp angle. A third goal for Wedderburn by Shelby saw a commanding lead for Wedderburn going into the final quarter.
A knee injury for Chelsea gave Charlton the breathing room they needed, allowing Brooke Thompson to get Charlton on the scoreboard with some connecting play by Neve Nisbet.
With the momentum back in their favour Charlton followed up with another quick goal from a brilliant run from Elise to make the score 3–2. The closing minutes were frantic, with big attacks from both teams, but Wedderburn’s defence held firm for the win, 3-2.
There was frantic play from both Donald and Boort in the men’s final that saw the first quarter nearly coming to a close with no score.
However, with five minutes to go, a fresh legged Brent Barber for Donald dashed onto the field
BOORT’S Andrew Kane has done it again, winning his fifth Victorian Sand Greens Championship at Charlton Golf Club on the weekend.
He hit a pair of 70s to win by two strokes from Euroa’s Ed Carracher. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Kane was playing with Carracher and knew he was four strokes ahead coming to the last of the 72 holes, a 470m par five.
“I tried to take it easy – and hit probably the worst shot I’ve hit
in my life,” he said. “It went into the trees, and I could have been stuck there.”
Carracher was close to the green and his chip for an eagle lipped the cup before Kane scrambled home with a bogey and his opponent putted out for a birdie.
The comfortable four-shot cushion became a nerve-wracking two-shot win for the Boort legend.
Kane won his first Victorian sand greens title way back in
1987 and also took out the prize in 1990.
Thirty-two years later he won it again and followed up in 2023 before, in his own words, “bombing out at Dimboola” last year.
This year’s win adds yet another prize to his bulging trophy cabinet.
Next up is a pro-am at Barham in two weeks’ time, before maths teacher Kane moves into largely non-competitive mode, playing in Thursday club events at Barham during the school holidays.
and scored with a deft deflection.
A fast break by Boort in the second quarter saw them earning a short corner. Harry Malone sent it on a dangerous angle at spot where it was deflected back to top for Alex Cockerell to slam it into the backboard and equalise the scores. Boort continued to apply pressure to Donald’s
backline, earning another short corner with two minutes before halftime where Luke Slatter pounced on a loose ball to put them up at halftime.
Donald pressed hard after the break but couldn’t convert, with scores remaining static in the third quarter and fourth until a slick short corner saw Donald’s Lincoln Westerland’s pass
get deflected in by Glenn Pearse during a short corner, bringing the score back to even. Minutes later Pearse struck again, finishing the ball off from a cross-goal pass to put Donald ahead 3–2. Boort pushed desperately late with attacks but were unable to find purchase against Donald’s defence who secured the win 3-2.
KANE Arnold has been elected Upper Loddon Cricket Association president ahead of the new season expected to start on October 12.
The former Wedderburn Band player has been associated with the Boort Yando club for several years.
He succeeds John Daldy who did not seek re-election at Monday night’s annual general meeting.
Arnold said the 2025-2026 season would see five senior clubs - Arnold, Boort Yando, Bridgewater, Kingower and Wedderburn.
All clubs except Arnold will field junior sides this season.
For the Boort club, special celebrations are planned for its 40th year.
Arnold said assocation delegates had discussed future expansion of the association and options would be canvassed throughout the season.
Three sides - Donald Jeffcott and Waracknabeal’s St Mary’s - have left the Wimmera Mallee association and jumped to Horsham district this season while the Grampians association has disbanded. Charlton and St Arnaud will be part of the reduced six-team Wimmera Mallee association.
Elected Upper Loddon vice-president has been Will Holt wth Claire Harrison re-elected secretary-treasurer.
Upper Loddon’s season will again include a T20 competiton. Clubs last season contested the Loddon Herald cup.
ONLY a lacklustre third term diminished the enormity of Sea Lake Nandaly’s 54-point win over Boort in Saturday’s North Central Football League first semi-final at Boort.
The reigning premiers lost the toss but outscored Boort in the opening term.
Ryan O’Sullivan’s aerial strength was creating constant opportunities once both sides worked out their finals nerves.
Sea Lake defended better in that opening term and limited Boort’s entries into its forward arc.
The Tigers worked hard to limit the influence of Jhye Baddeley-Kelly but when JBK was being bookended, Tom Potter was bobbing around the midfield and up forward. Matt Austin was also dogged in the second term.
Boort’s breakthrough on the scoreboard came early after the first break when Baddeley-Kelly handballed to Ethan Coleman who kicked one of the side’s three goals for the term. Youngster Lachie Hal’s goal came through staying cool as the Tigers tried to swamp him.
The Pies showed more spirit for most of the third term and for 10 minutes, it looked like Sea Lake had cut its work rate to a canter. James Keeble gave Boort some spark with a goal, only to see Sea Lake switch back into gear and answer the challenge.
The final term had Baddeley-Kelly kicking his only goal for the match while Sea Lake’s Josh Jenkins was the magnet at the other end of the ground. the magnet at the other end of the ground.
- CHRIS EARL
Round 1 - Sea Lake Nandaly v Wedderburn: 1 - Zac Wemyss (SLNT) 2 - Joel Clohesy (SLNT) 3 - Brody Weir (SLNT). Donald v Calder United: 1 - George Forrester (CU) 2 - Angus Forrester (CU) 3 - Zac Kelly (CU). Charlton v Birchip Watchem: 1 - Jack Lee (BWFC) (x) 2 - Connor Lee (BWFC) 3 - Tom Gibson (BWFC). St Arnaud v Boort: 1 - Luke Jackson (STA) 2 - Harry Weaver (BFC) 3 - Alex Cockerell (BFC).
Round 2 - Calder United v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Joel Clohesy (SLNT) 2 - Samuel Hogan (CU) 3 - Hunter Connolly (CU). Birchip Watchem v Donald: 1 - Bodie Colbert (BWFC) 2 - Jack Lee (BWFC) (x) 3 - Austin Dean (BWFC). Boort v Charlton: 1 - Jack Weaver (BFC) 2 - Brodie Arnold (BFC) 3 - Harry Weaver (BFC). Wedderburn v St Arnaud: 1 - Ashley Younghusband (WFC) 2James McKenny (STA) 3 - Jake Hayes (WFC).
Round 3 - Charlton v St Arnaud: 1 - Jackson Needs (STA) 2Ben Roberts (CFC) 3 - Scott Driscoll (STA). Sea Lake Nandaly v Birchip Watchem: 1 - Callan Noonan (SLNT) 2 - Alexander Hay (BWFC) 3 - Jack Lee (BWFC) (x). Donald v Boort: 1 - Patrick O’Rourke (BFC) 2 - Angus Trethowan (BFC) 3 - Harry Weaver (BFC). Calder United v Wedderburn: 1 - Sol Kelly (CU) 2 - Hunter Connolly (CU) 3 - David Isbister (CU). Round 4 - Boort v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Alex Chamberlain (BFC) 2 - Max Beattie (BFC) 3 - Cameron Ross (BFC). St Arnaud v Donald: 1 - James McKenny (STA) 2 - Joshua Hicks (STA) 3 - Jarryd Kell (STA). Wedderburn v Charlton: 1 - Jackson Zagame (CFC)
2 - Ben Roberts (CFC) 3 - Ashley Younghusband (WFC). Birchip Watchem v Calder United: 1 - Heath Senior (CU) 2 - Angus Forrester (CU) 3 - Billy Forrester (CU).
Round 5 - Sea Lake Nandaly v St Arnaud: 1 - Ben Greenaway (STA) 2 - Codey Elliott (SLNT) 3 - Joel Clohesy (SLNT). Donald v Charlton: 1 - Patrick Sait (CFC) 2 - Ben Roberts (CFC) 3 - Fergus Bourke (CFC). Birchip Watchem v Wedderburn: 1 - Matthew Rickard (BWFC) 2 - Riley James Hogan (BWFC) 3 - Alexander Hay (BWFC). Calder United v Boort: 1 - Jordan Sheahan (CU)
2 - Thomas Trewin (CU) 3 - Angus Forrester (CU).
Round 6 - Charlton v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Ben Roberts (CFC)
2 - Brody Weir (SLNT) 3 - Joel Clohesy (SLNT). Donald v Wedderburn: 1 - Ashley Younghusband (WFC) 2 - Robert Tonkin (WFC) 3 - Andrew Chalkley (WFC). St Arnaud v Calder United: 1 - Harrison Saunders (STA) 2 - James McNamee (STA) 3 - Dane McLennan (CU). Boort v Birchip Watchem: 1 - Patrick O’Rourke (BFC) 2Jack Lee (BWFC) (x) 3 - Harry Weaver (BFC).
Round 7 - Sea Lake Nandaly v Donald: 1 - Ryan Leeder (DFC)
2 - Jordan Bath (SLNT) 3 - Brody Weir (SLNT). Calder United v Charlton: 1 - Sol Kelly (CU) 2 - Dude Kelly (CU) 3 - Heath Senior (CU). Birchip Watchem v St Arnaud: 1 - Simon Elliott (STA) 2 - Tom Gibson (BWFC) 3 - Jack Lee (x) (BWFC). Wedderburn v Boort: 1 - Cooper Gooding (BFC) 2 - Cameron Ross (BFC) 3 - Alex Cockerell (BFC).
Round 8 - Wedderburn v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Zac Wemyss (SLNT) 2 - Connor Michael (x) (SLNT) 3 - John Summerhayes (SLNT). Calder United v Donald: 1 - Daniel Murray (CU) 2 - Angus Forrester (CU) 3 - Zac Kelly (CU). Birchip Watchem v Charlton: 1 - Luke Dunne (CFC) 2 - Matthew Rickard (BWFC) 3 - Tom Gibson (BWFC).
(CU)
2 - Brandon Stadon (SLNT) 3 - Joel Turner (CU). Donald v Birchip Watchem: 1 - Riley James Hogan (BWFC) 2 - Matt Berry (BWFC)
3 - Sam Simmons (BWFC). Charlton v Boort: 1 - Willem Toose (BFC) 2 - Max Beattie (BFC) 3 - Alex Cockerell (BFC). St Arnaud v Wedderburn: 1 - James McKenny (STA) 2 - Jake Hicks (STA)
3 - Ben Greenaway (STA).
Round 10 - Birchip Watchem v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Ty Colbert (BWFC) 2 - Ben Hogan (BWFC) 3 - Jack Ryan (BWFC). Boort
v Donald: 1 - Willem Toose (BFC) 2 - Alex Cockerell (BFC) 3Fraser Millar (BFC). St Arnaud v Charlton: 1 - Joshua Hicks (STA)
2 - Ben Greenaway (STA) 3 - Jake Hicks (STA). Wedderburn v Calder United: 1 - Robert Tonkin (WFC) 2 - Daniel Murray (CU)
3 - Joel Turner (CU).
Round 11 - Sea Lake Nandaly v Boort: 1 - Cameron Ross (BFC) 2
- Sam Toose (BFC) 3 - Alex Cockerell (BFC). Donald v St Arnaud:
1 - Simon Elliott (STA) 2 - Zach Notting (STA) 3 - Jarryd Kell (STA). Charlton v Wedderburn: 1 - Angus Johnstone (CFC) 2Kris Clifford (CFC) 3 - Luke Dunne (CFC). Calder United v Birchip
Watchem: 1 - Sam Simmons (BWFC) 2 - Harry Cook (BWFC)
3 - Stefan Pye (BWFC).
Round 12 - St Arnaud v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Jarryd Kell (STA)
2 - Isaac Durie (SLNT) 3 - Brody Weir (SLNT). Charlton v Donald:
1 - Glenn Meuledyks (x) (DFC) 2 - Darcy McCallum (CFC) 3Luke Dunne (CFC). Wedderburn v Birchip Watchem: 1 - George Addis (BWFC) 2 - Alexander Hay (BWFC) 3 - Stefan Pye (BWFC).
Boort v Calder United: 1 - Joel Turner (CU) 2 - Angus Trethowan (BFC) 3 - Charlie Fawcett (CU). Round 13 - Sea Lake Nandaly v Charlton: 1 - Matt Elliott (SLNT)
2 - Joel Clohesy (SLNT) 3 - Brody Weir (SLNT). Wedderburn v Donald: 1 - Kalon Green (DFC) 2 - Jayden Hall (WFC) 3 - Jesse Lopes (DFC). Calder United v St Arnaud: 1 - Kaleb Kennedy (CU) 2 - Charlie Fawcett (CU) 3 - Ben Greenaway (STA). Birchip Watchem v Boort: 1 - Ty Colbert (BWFC) 2 - Cameron Ross (BFC)
3 - Fraser Millar (BFC).
Round 14 - Donald v Sea Lake Nandaly: 1 - Connor Michael (x) (SLNT) 2 - Joel Clohesy (SLNT) 3 - Codey Elliott (SLNT). Charlton v Calder United 1 - Joe Durie (CFC) 2 - Charlie Fawcett (CU)
3 - Dude Kelly (CU). St Arnaud v Birchip Watchem: 1 - Ty Colbert (BWFC) 2 - Ben Greenaway (STA) 3 - Joshua Hicks (STA). Boort v Wedderburn: 1 - Ashley Younghusband (WFC) 2 - Jack Dowling (BFC) 3 - Fraser Millar (BFC).
Round 15 - Sea Lake Nandaly v Wedderburn: 1 - Brody Weir (SLNT) 2 - Connor Michael (x) (SLNT) 3 - Chase Tait (SLNT). Donald v Calder United: 1 - Dude Kelly (CU) 2 - Zac Kelly (CU) 3 - Cody Green (CU). Charlton v Birchip Watchem: 1 - Luke Dunne (CFC) 2 - Matthew Rickard (BWFC) 3 - Stefan Pye (BWFC). St
SETH Muller has played a key role in Boort’s two junior football teams advancing to the North Central preliminary finals. He was named best on ground in the commanding under 14 victory over Donald.
And Seth was part of the victorious under 17 outfit that came from behind to defeat Calder United by 17 points.
Seth was the leading goalkicker with two majors, joining with Luke Boyd and Riley Wagner to register vital scores in the second half.
Calder had led by 16 points at the main break and held Boort to just two behinds.
But better tackling from the young Pies steadily whittled down the difference, holding Calder scoreless in the third term and conceding just a behind in the last quarter.
Pyramid Hill 5.3 6.6 9.11 10.11 (71)
Inglewood 3.3 6.7 11.8 17.11 (113)
GOALS – Pyramid Hill: R. Semmel 4, K. Daniels 2, Z. Alford, B. Knight, B. Bisset, B. Carroll. Inglewood: L. Marciano 4, S. Erharter 3, B. Cotchett, F. Payne, K. Cavallaro 2, K. Payne, C. March, T. Hywood, H. Veitch.
BEST – Pyramid Hill: B. Carroll, L. Sidebottom, L. Moss, J. Budarick, S. Mann, K. Daniels. Inglewood: B. Cotchett, H. Veitch, F. Payne, K. Cavallaro, J. Hood, L. Marciano.
Marong 3.3 8.7 12.9 12.12 (84)
Bridgewater 4.1 6.3 11.7 14.8 (92)
GOALS – Marong: K. Robins 7, S. Knott, N. Devanny, B. Gregg,
R. Taylor, M. Bradbury. Bridgewater: L. Sharp 5, O. McKinley 3, N. Naughton 2, H. McKinley, J. Ellings, J. Roberts, T. Estrada. BEST – Marong: M. Willox, N. McCaig, K. Robins, N. Devanny, J. Gretgrix. Bridgewater: L. Sharp, A. Powell, J. Mayes, L. Ellings, D. Ferguson, B. Derrick.
Inglewood
BL Serpentine
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GOALS – Inglewood: J. Essex 2, A. Bennett, J. Lovett, T. Kilcullen, K. Simpson, R. Tresize. BL Serpentine: D. Tineo 3, C. Anstee, J. Podosky 2, C. Davies, D. Poulter, T. Hawker. BEST – Inglewood: H. Bogaski, J. Essex, C. Love, C. Martin, C. Cohalan, J. Barnett. BL Serpentine: C. Davies, D. Poulter, T. Clarke, K. Paxton, M. Frecker, D. Tineo.
Marong
Bridgewater
GOALS – Marong: M. Lowery, D. Blume 2, M. Grant, L. Frankel, T. Grant. Bridgewater: O. Watt, O. Muggleton.
BEST – Marong: J. Toomey, M. Grant, D. Highgate, G. Reade, Z. Turnbull, M. Lowery. Bridgewater: J. Naughton, J. Bowen, J. Higgins, O. Muggleton, C. Hindle.
Maiden Gully
GOALS – Marong: J. Gribble 4, C. Murphy 2, C. Dudderidge, L. Thomas, B. Hale. Maiden Gully: S. Neervoort 4, L. Hancock, L. Budge, N. Hadden 2.
BEST – Marong: W. Thomson, C. Quinlan, H. Roberts, C. Dudderidge, B. Hale. Maiden Gully: T. Brook, S. Neervoort, Z. Turner, N. Hadden, H. Healey, J. Ladner.
Inglewood
GOALS – Inglewood: E. McCoy, T. Murphy 3, R. Smith 2, M. Pickering. East Loddon: A. Addlem, A. Roulston 3, K. Maxted, F. Clymo, L. James.
BEST – Inglewood: K. McClellan, T. Murphy, W. Schepers, E. McCoy, R. Murphy, J. Penrose. East Loddon: T. Rasmussen, A. Roulston, F. Clymo, K. Maxted, J. Ketterer, J. Verley.
Sea Lake Nandaly
GOALS – Sea Lake Nandaly: J. Jenkins 5, J. Summerhayes, L. McClelland 2, A. Pattison, T. McKenzie, C. O’Sullivan, A. Mertz, J. Keogh, M. Cahoon. Boort: H. Weaver, L. Hall, K. Jaksic, J. Keeble, J. Baddeley-Kelly, W. Perryman, E. Coleman.
BEST – Sea Lake Nandaly: M. Cahoon, W. Donnan, T. McKenzie, L. McClelland, J. Poulton, R. O’Sullivan. Boort: M. Austin, J. Keeble, T. Potter, J. Wilson, J. Byrne, A. Chamberlain.
Lake Nandaly
3 - Sarah Perry (BLS). Newbridge v Pyramid Hill: 1 - Morgan Dingwall (PH) 2 - Kymberly Childs (NB) 3 - Abbey Dingwall (PH). Round 2 - Maiden Gully v Bridgewater: 1 - Rachel Gray (MGYC) 2 - Rachel Johnson (BW) 3 - Olivia Hoiles (BW). Marong v Pyramid Hill 1 - Morgan Dingwall (PH) 2 - Erin Stewart (MAR) 3 - Jessica Holdstock (PH). BL Serpentine v Inglewood: 1 - Ava Francis (BLS) 2Cayley Stanford (IW)
- Sarah Perry (BLS). Mitiamo v Calivil United:
- Abbey Battersby (MITI)
- Laura Hicks (MITI) 3 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI).
3 - Inglewood v Bridgewater: 1 - Carly Wild (BW) 2 - Danielle Flood (BW) 3 - Olivia Hoiles (BW). Maiden Gully v Newbridge: 1Kymberly Childs (NB) 2 - Leah Oxford (NB) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). Calivil United v Marong 1 - Paige Gordon (MAR) 2 - Bianca Garton (MAR) 3 - Asela Finch (MAR). Pyramid Hill v Mitiamo: 1 - Alicia Hay (MITI) 2 - Abbey Dingwall (PH) 3 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI). Round 4 - Bridgewater v Marong: 1 - Bianca Garton (MAR) 2 - Carolyn Wood (BW) 3 - Olivia Hoiles (BW). Mitiamo v Maiden Gully: 1 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI) 2 - Alicia Hay (MITI) 3 - Carly Scholes (MITI). Newbridge v Inglewood: 1 - Kymberly Childs (NB) 2 - Lauren Knight (NB) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). BL Serpentine v Pyramid Hill: 1 - Jessica Holdstock (PH) 2 - Abbey Dingwall (PH) 3 - Morgan Dingwall (PH). Round 5 - Calivil United v Newbridge: 1 - Kymberly Childs (NB) 2 - Leah Oxford (NB) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). Marong v BL Serpentine: 1 - Erin Stewart (MAR) 2 - Ali Davies (MAR) 3 - Paige Gordon
(MAR). Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater: 1 - Olivia Hoiles (BW) 2 - Aleesha Flanagan (PH) 3 - Abbey Dingwall (PH). Inglewood v Mitiamo: 1Teresa Fitzpatrick (IW) 2 - Laura Hicks (MITI) 3 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI). Round 6 - Bridgewater v Calivil United: 1 - Lou Dupuy (BW) 2 - Olivia Hoiles (BW) 3 - Rachel Johnson (BW). Pyramid Hill v Inglewood: 1Danica Wedlick (PH) 2 - Morgan Dingwall (PH) 3 - Gemma Scott (PH).
Maiden Gully v BL Serpentine: 1 - Courtney Matthews (MGYC) 2 - Ava
Francis (BLS) 3 - Casey Zass (BLS). Mitiamo v Newbridge: 1 - Sarah Bateman (MITI) 2 - Kymberly Childs (NB) 3 - Alicia Hay (MITI).
Round 7 - BL Serpentine v Mitiamo: 1 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI) 2 - Alicia Hay (MITI) 3 - Laura Hicks (MITI). Marong v Maiden Gully: 1 - Olivia McCartney (MGYC) 2 - Asela Finch (MAR) 3 - Paige Gordon (MAR). Newbridge v Bridgewater: 1 - Abbi Wells (NB) 2 - Olivia Hoiles (BW) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). Calivil United v Inglewood: 1 - Lily
Wynne (IW) 2 - Molly Maher (CU) 3 - Jemma McNair (CU).
Round 8 - Pyramid Hill v Calivil United: 1 - Jessica Holdstock (PH) 2 - Amber Dingwall (PH) 3 - Morgan Dingwall (PH). Mitiamo v Marong:
1 - Brittany Hercus (MAR) 2 - Laura Hicks (MITI) 3 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI). Newbridge v BL Serpentine: 1 - Danielle O’Toole (BLS) 2 - Jorja Hufer (NB) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). Inglewood v Maiden Gully: 1 - Maddi Dobeli (MGYC) 2 - Paige Barry (MGYC) 3 - Laura Suckling (MGYC). Round 9 - Maiden Gully v Pyramid Hill: 1 - Gemma Scott (PH) 2 - Abbey Dingwall (PH) 3 - Jessica Holdstock (PH). BL Serpentine v Calivil United: 1 - Marley Addlem (BLS) 2 - Shae-Anna Cairns (CU) 3 - Jemma McNair (CU). Marong v Newbridge: 1 - Hayley Martiniello (NB) 2 - Paige Gordon (MAR) 3 - Leah Oxford (NB). Bridgewater v Mitiamo: 1 - Danielle Flood (BW) 2 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI) 3 - Alicia Hay (MITI).
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GOALS – Birchip Watchem: C. Goode 2, L. Sirett, R. Doran, S. Pye, T. Wiantara, C. Lee. Sea Lake Nandaly: C. Tait 2, R. McGarry, I. Durie, B. Weir.
BEST – Birchip Watchem: T. Colbert, B. Colbert, H. Cook, G. Addis, C. Boyle. Sea Lake Nandaly: C. Michael, C. Tait, B. Poulton, J. Stacey, H. Pitchford, C. Roberts.
UNDER 17
BEST – Boort: L. Boyd, R. Wagner, B. McPherson, R. Chislett, C. Gooding, D. Perryman. Calder United: T. Vearing, R. Hogan, M. Fawcett, B. Chapman, D. Poyner.
UNDER 14
– Donald: S. Mortlock, N. Michael, N. Clapham, J. Embate, E. Geddes, L. Hitihamillage. Boort: S. Muller, A. Lee, N. Howe, L. King, T. Stringer, J. Perryman.
Round 10 - Calivil United v Maiden Gully: 1 - Paige Barry (MGYC) 2Ava Maxted (CU) 3 - Olivia McCartney (MGYC). Inglewood v Marong: 1 - Ashleigh Medhurst (MAR) 2 - Bianca Garton (MAR) 3 - Asela Finch (MAR). Bridgewater v BL Serpentine: 1 - Lucinda Sharp (BW) 2Paige Allison (BLS) 3 - Rachel Johnson (BW). Newbridge v Pyramid Hill: 1 - Amber Dingwall (PH) 2 - Hayley Martiniello (NB) 3 - Abbey Dingwall (PH).
Round 11 - Calivil United v Mitiamo: 1 - Carly Scholes (MITI) 2 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI) 3 - Laura Hicks (MITI). BL Serpentine v Inglewood: 1 - Danielle O’Toole (BLS) 2 - Georgia Harrison (IW) 3 - Hannah Ilsley (BLS). Bridgewater v Maiden Gully: 1 - Lou Dupuy (BW) 2 - Piper Normoyle (BW) 3 - Kirsten Galea (BW). Pyramid Hill v Marong: 1 - Amber Dingwall (PH) 2 - Morgan Dingwall (PH) 3 - Jessica Holdstock (PH). Round 12 - Inglewood v Bridgewater: 1 - Teresa Fitzpatrick (IW) 2 - Rachel Johnson (BW) 3 - Olivia Hoiles (BW). Maiden Gully v Newbridge: 1 - Kymberly Childs (NB) 2 - Leah Oxford (NB) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). Calivil United v Marong: 1 - Ali Davies (MAR) 2Paige Gordon (MAR) 3 - Erin Stewart (MAR). Pyramid Hill v Mitiamo: 1 - Alicia Hay (MITI) 2 - Laura Hicks (MITI) 3 - Morgan Dingwall (PH). Round 13 - Bridgewater v Marong: 1 - Bianca Garton (MAR) 2 - Kirsty Hamilton (MAR) 3 - Rachel Johnson (BW). Mitiamo v Maiden Gully: 1 - Laura Hicks (MITI) 2 - Abbey Battersby (MITI) 3 - Amelia Ludeman (MITI). Newbridge v Inglewood: 1 - Lauren Knight (NB) 2 - Kymberly Childs (NB) 3 - Hayley Martiniello (NB). BL Serpentine v Pyramid Hill: 1 - Sarah Perry (BLS) 2 - Abbey Dingwall (PH) 3 - Morgan Dingwall (PH). Round 14 - Calivil United v Newbridge: 1 - Ava Maxted (CU) 2 - Rachel Pettifer (NB) 3 - Kymberly Childs (NB). Marong v BL Serpentine: 1 - Bianca Garton (MAR) 2 - Brittany Shannon (MAR) 3 - Sarah Perry (BLS). Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater: 1 - Lou Dupuy (BW) 2 - Abbey
BOORT has moved into the North Central under 17 netball preliminary final after a tough battle at Birchip on Saturday.
The first quarter began goal for goal with Boort edging a few ahead at the break.
It was a very even second quarter with only three goals between it. be a great battle.
St Arnaud scored a few additional goals early in the third, with Boort making several positional changes via the rolling subs scores continued to be very tight throughout the quarter.
Boort settled in the final quarter to extend their lead slightly. With tall shooters at both ends of the court the goal spree continued for both sides. Boort held on to win by six goals following
a competitive and fast game to watch
In C Grade won out in a highintensity match against Sea Lake Nandaly.
The match started with the ball going from end to end. Both midcourt’s worked tirelessly through the center working the ball into the ring.
Only one goal separated the teams at the end of the first.
Boort started the second strong with an early break and Sea Lake found it difficult to breakthrough the Magpies defense. Very accurate shooting from Boort’s shooters saw them break away with a 10-goal lead at half-time.
Sea Lake defensive pressure over the shot stepped up. Boort found it hard to penetrate
through the hands over from the Tigers. The quarter was almost a mirror of the first with a very even contest.
Both teams utilized the rolling subs throughout the match, bringing on fresh legs when needed.
The fourth quarter was again was an even battle with the Tigers throwing all they had at the Magpies. However Boort held onto the lead that they had created for themselves in the second and came away with an 11-goal win.
Best Boort Annie Perryman and Sea Lake Jordan Gravestock.
Birchip Watchem burst out of the blocks in the B Grade first semi-final with eight goals before Boort found the ring.
BRIDGEWATER’S A Grade netball coach Caz Wood hopes a successful juggling act will get the team into a grand final against Pyramid Hill.
Bridgey’s hard-fought semifinal win over Newbridge set up a tough clash against Mitiamo in Saturday’s Loddon Valley preliminary final.
The Superoos are coming off their first loss for the season and have two wins over Bridgewater in 2025.
Bridgey’s A Reserves team is also playing for a spot in the grand final, which means some tough selection decisions for Wood.
In the win over Newbridge, reserves goal shooter Natalie Flood was brought into the game for the last quarter despite having already played a full game in the loss to Maiden Gully a day earlier.
Loddon Valley rules limit a player to no more than five quarters in a weekend, and league officials denied Bridgewater’s request to allow Flood an exemption to play six terms.
Carly Wild, who has been shooter since Lou Dupuy’s broken hand in round 16, shifted back to her normal position as goal defence.
“It’s a juggling act for A Reserve and A Grade,” Wood said.
“We’re looking at different combinations, with two reserves players who can step up.”
Dupuy is consulting a specialist this week, with hopes of a return against Mitiamo, or in the grand final if the team progresses.
“We’ve got nothing to lose,” Wood said of the team’s task against the Superoos.
“We’re going to come out and attack everything we can, and try to slow them down.
“We’ve got faith in the whole squad.”
A 16-8 third quarter set up Bridgewater’s win over Newbridge after the sides were separated by only a goal at half-time, with wing attack Olivia Hoiles’ speed and great hands pivotal as she constantly fed Wild and goal attack Danielle Flood.
The Maroons battled hard and outscored Bridgey in the last quarter 12-10 but the five-goal
defeat saw Newbridge out of the finals in straight sets after finishing third on the ladder.
IT HAD been a difficult week for Mitiamo.
The tragic loss of Raquel Spence – sister of A Grade netball captain and star goal attack Laura Hicks – at the age of just 33 had rocked the club.
With a second semi-final against perennial rivals Pyramid Hill on Saturday it was difficult to focus, despite being unbeaten in 2025.
As well, the Superoos, by their own admission, don’t handle having a rest, and they faced a Bulldogs side in good form.
“It was a tough week,” said coach Abbey Battersby.
“The week off (for finishing on top) didn’t help, we just don’t seem to like a break.”
In a repeat of last season, Pyramid Hill went straight into the grand final by defeating Mitiamo.
In 2024 the margin was nine goals but this year it was a proper thumping, with the Bulldogs ahead all game to win by 17 goals, 66-49.
“We just couldn’t execute our defence well,” Battersby said.
“We didn’t gel as much as we would have liked.”
She admitted that the pressure built with each victory during the season but said her players thrived on the momentum of playing every week.
Pyramid Hill coach Chelsea Emmerson is in the familiar position of winning straight through to the decider.
Last year, Mitiamo was able to regroup, win the preliminary final and then take out the premiership on its home court.
“We’ve obviously played them a fair few times, and learned where we went wrong,” Emmerson said.
“It was important that we came out well and didn’t let them get the jump.”
Pyramid Hill will try to arrange a practice match this Saturday, and if that was not possible, the Bulldogs will have an internal hit out.
Emmerson said her goalers Jess Holdstock and Morgan Dingwall were critical in the win, with shooter Holdstock’s accuracy and goal attack Dingwall’s ability to work up the court and back again both keys to the victory.
Mitiamo now must rebound against Bridgewater to earn another crack at Pyramid Hill.
Battersby is confident the Superoos can turn get back on track, with the team having beaten Bridgey by 29 goals in the final home and away round.
A solid second quarter from both teams with a see-sawing of scores. Birchip came out on top in the end, with them leading the half time score by seven.
Birchip were relentless with their pressure down the court, forcing Boort to make mistakes with the Bulls capitalising on the turnovers.
Positional changes by Boort were unable to stem the flow and BW held a handy lead of 9 going into the final quarter.
Accurate shooting from Birchip, alongside terrific defensive pressure and attacking midcourt work saw the score increase further in the fourth quarter.
Boort appeared tired and had multiple players backing up after playing in C Grade.
A Grade Mitiamo 13 24 37 49(49)
Pyramid Hill 17 34 48 6 6(66)
Player of the match: Jess Holdstock (Pyramid Hill)
Newbridge 11 24 32 44(44)
Bridgewater 13 23 39 49(49)
Player of the match: Carly Wild (Bridgewater)
A Reserve
Bridgewater 18 28 38 54(54)
Maiden Gully 15 31 49 6 6(66)
Player of the match: Tammy Russell (Maiden Gully)
Marong 8 19 33 49 (49)
Newbridge 8 18 28 34 (34)
Player of the match: Laurel Prowse (Marong)
B Grade
Bridgewater 11 23 33 41(41)
Marong 10 14 26 36(36)
Player of the match: Tamara Hayes (Bridgewater)
Newbridge 5 9 19 25 (25)
Pyramid Hill 14 24 36 51(51)
Player of the match: Rebecca Cladingboel (Pyramid Hill)
B Reserve
Bridgewater 6 14 20 26(26)
Maiden Gully 8 18 27 36(36)
Player of the match: Hannah Flood (Maiden Gully)
Pyramid Hill 11 26 38 52(52)
Newbridge 7 18 26 31(31)
Player of the match: Erin Farrar (Pyramid Hill)
Under 17
Calivil 10 29 36 42(42) Bridgewater 13 21 38 52(52)
Player of the match: Elodie Sharman
AFTER an unexpected road bump last week, Mitiamo is hot favourite to head into the Loddon Valley A Grade netball grand final when it meets Bridgewater on Saturday.
Previously unbeaten Mitiamo tumbled to a shock 17-goal defeat against Pyramid Hill, repeating the result from 2024.
The Superoos now must beat Bridgey to have another crack at the Bulldogs, whom they beat last season in the grand final after losing the second semi.
Having lost to Mitiamo by 29 goals in the last round of the season, Bridgewater knows it is up against it, facing a talented side on
the rebound. However, coach Caz Wood said the first clash this year, which Mitiamo won by eight goals, proved Bridgey could match it with the Superoos.
Mitiamo’s Helen Ward medallist Amelia Ludeman will have a huge say in the result, with her consistent constructive play in the centre having been rewarded by the umpires.
Goaler Laura Hicks has had another fine season, taking fourth place in voting, and will provide a strong presence up forward.
Bridgewater’s speedy wing attack Olivia Hoiles finished fifth in the league award,
of the match: Ashleigh Medhurst (Marong)
and she offers a real conduit between defence and attack. An uncertain element is the weather. Calivil, which will host the preliminary final, can be a challenging place to play netball if it’s windy, so both teams will need to adapt to the conditions, which can tend to even out any skill imbalance.
Miti has a similarly open-to-the-elements netball complex, so the Superoos are less likely to be impacted if gales are roaring across the plains.
But Bridgey has nothing to lose and will throw everything at the reigning premiers in what shapes as a fascinating contest.
ON MONDAY the Loddon Herald asked Bridgewater’s coach and star goalkicker Lachlan Sharp how he thought the Loddon Valley League’s best-and-fairest count would go that night.
He didn’t know it was on, but quipped, “At least I’ve got something to watch tonight.”
A few hours later he was named as the Frank Harding Medal winner for 2025, adding the accolade to his Bendigo League Michelsen Medal in 2017.
“I listened in to see how Jack Neylon went, Harry and Oscar McKinley, Luke Ellings,” Sharp said on Tuesday morning.
They all polled well but Sharp’s 17 votes were enough to win by one over Marong rover Jimmy Gadsden.
“Jimmy would have run away with it if he hadn’t missed the last few games,” Sharp said.
“It’s one of those things.
“I’ll be more proud of a grand final win in two weeks.
“If you get to my age, what really matters is team success, although these things are nice to have along the way.”
Sharp’s impact on the Loddon Valley league is hard to overstate.
He finished equal second in the Harding vote last season and has kicked 257 goals in 37 games for the Mean Machine, taking the side into the grand final in his first season as solo coach.
Sharp did not win a vote until round five but polled three votes in rounds 11, 12 and 16 – remarkably not getting a vote in the final round when he kicked 11 goals against Mitiamo.
Gadsden did not play after round 13, by which time he had polled 16 votes, including five best-afield votes.
Inglewood’s Bregon Cotchett and Pyramid Hill’s Kai Daniels shared third place on 15, with another four players on 14 votes, highlighting how tight the count was.
Bridgewater had four players in the top 10 – Sharp, Harry McKinley (14), Luke Ellings (14) and Jack Neylon (12) – but Marong’s next best after Gadsden were Michael Bradbury and the ineligible Nathan Devanny on nine.
Marong’s Cooper Hale was a runaway winner of the John Forbes Medal for the reserves competition on 30 votes, 10 ahead of Calivil’s stalwart Evan Ritchie.
Riley Doorty of Marong took out the Stephen Dowling Award for the under-18s with 24 votes, with Tyler Rasmussen of the East Loddon Rams second on 20.
Pyramid Hill’s Harrison Goodes was named as the Rising Star. He played 17 senior games, kicking 30 goals for the Bulldogs, along with four matches in the under-18 comp.
MARONG is treading a familiar path as it readies for a must-win preliminary final against Inglewood at Calivil on Saturday.
For the second season in a row, the Panthers topped the ladder but lost their first final, this time to Bridgewater.
In 2024 they got revenge against Pyramid Hill in the grand final and this year first need to overcome a surging Inglewood team that is full of confidence and feels like it has nothing to lose after finishing fifth on the ladder.
The Woodies are now deeper into the finals than they have been for more than 20 years, but they face a Marong side oozing with finals experience.
Searching for their fourth Loddon Valley flag in a row, the Panthers will be wary of a young side running on adrenaline and enthusiasm.
Does Marong still have the fierce desire to win another premiership or has sustained success bred complacency or a lack of passion?
Co-coach Kain Robins said despite two wins over the Woodies this season – by seven points in the opening round and 27 points in round 10 – the Panthers were taking nothing for granted.
Inglewood is on a seven-game winning streak, and Robins was impressed by what he saw against
Frank Harding Medal Votes by round
Round 1 - Calivil United v Maiden Gully: 3 - Josh Worsley (MGYC) 2 - Cody Thompson (CU) 1 - Jayden Magnusson (MGYC). Inglewood v Marong: 3 - Jimmy Gadsden (MAR) 2 - Corey Gregg (MAR) 1 - Jack Nevins (IW). Bridgewater v BL Serpentine: 3 - Joseph Mayes (BW) 2 - Luke Ellings (BW) 1 - Farran Priest (BLS). Newbridge v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Ryan Semmel (PH) 2 - Archie Hildebrandt (PH) 1 - Sebastian Relouw (PH).
Round 2 - Maiden Gully v Bridgewater: 3 - Jack Neylon (BW) 2 - Xavier Walsh (BW) 1 - Daniel Russell (MGYC). Marong v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Michael Bradbury (MAR) 2 - Kain Robins (MAR) 1 - Ryan Semmel (PH). BL Serpentine v Inglewood: 3 - Farran Priest (BLS) 2 - Liam Marciano (IW) 1 - Justin Laird* (BLS). Mitiamo v Calivil United: 3Douglas Thomas (MITI) 2 - Liam Shiell (MITI) 1 - Justin Hynes (CU).
Round 3 - Inglewood v Bridgewater: 3
- Jack Neylon (BW) 2 - Liam Marciano (IW) 1 - Luke Ellings (BW). Maiden Gully v Newbridge: 3 - Mathew Crooks (MGYC) 2 - Josiah Farrer (MGYC) 1Andrew Willett (NB). Calivil United v Marong: 3 - Matthew Willox (MAR) 2 - Lachlan Lee (MAR) 1 - Cody Thompson (CU). Pyramid Hill v Mitiamo: 3Kai Daniels (PH) 2 - Ben Knight (PH) 1 - Liam Shiell (MITI).
Round 4 - Bridgewater v Marong: 3Ben Gregg (MAR) 2 - Jonty Davis (MAR)
1 - Jimmy Gadsden (MAR). Mitiamo v
Maiden Gully: 3 - Luke Lougoon (MITI) 2 - Anthony Robins (MGYC) 1 - Douglas Thomas (MITI). Newbridge v Inglewood: 3 - Liam Marciano (IW) 2 - Fergus Payne (IW) 1 - Lachlan Ford (IW). BL Serpentine v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Brodie Carroll (PH) 2 - Archie Hildebrandt (PH) 1 - Lachlan Sidebottom (PH). Round 5 - Calivil United v Newbridge: 3 - Jed Zimmer (NB) 2 - Caleb Sanders (NB) 1 - Billy Schilling (NB). Marong v BL Serpentine: 3 - Noah McCaig (MAR) 2 - Ryley Taylor (MAR) 1 - Charlie Gadsden (BLS). Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater: 3 - Lachlan Sidebottom (PH) 2 - Kai Daniels (PH) 1 - Lachlan Sharp (BW). Inglewood v Mitiamo: 3 - Bregon Cotchett (IW) 2 - Seb Erharter (IW) 1Gabe Nevins (IW).
Round 6 - Bridgewater v Calivil United: 3 - Luke Ellings (BW) 2 - Lachlan Sharp (BW) 1 - Cody Thompson (CU). Pyramid Hill v Inglewood: 3 - Ryan Semmel (PH) 2 - Ben Knight (PH) 1Brodie Carroll (PH). Maiden Gully v BL Serpentine: 3 - Nash Kemp (BLS) 2Doolan Nihill* (BLS) 1 - Nathan Twigg (BLS). Mitiamo v Newbridge: 3 - William Copland (NB) 2 - Luke Lougoon (MITI) 1 - Sam Gale (NB).
Round 7 - BL Serpentine v Mitiamo: 3 - Callum Draper (BLS) 2 - Josh Taig (BLS) 1 - Justin Laird* (BLS). Marong v Maiden Gully: 3 - Jimmy Gadsden (MAR) 2 - Nathan Devanny* (MAR) 1 - David Johnstone (MAR). Newbridge v Bridgewater: 3 - Jack Neylon (BW) 2 - Harry Symons* (BW) 1 - Lachlan Sharp (BW). Calivil United v Inglewood: 3 - Daniel Polack (IW) 2 - Liam Marciano (IW) 1 - Fergus Payne (IW).
Round 8 - Pyramid Hill v Calivil United: 3 - Kai Daniels (PH) 2 - Ben Knight (PH) 1 - Levi Moss (PH). Mitiamo v Marong: 3 - Jimmy Gadsden (MAR) 2 - Nathan Devanny* (MAR) 1 - Corey Gregg (MAR). Newbridge v BL Serpentine: 3 - Callum Draper (BLS) 2 - Josh Mellington (BLS) 1 - Thomas Hobson (NB). Inglewood v Maiden Gully: 3 - Liam Marciano (IW) 2 - Daniel Russell (MGYC) 1 - Nathan Murley* (MGYC). Round 9 - Maiden Gully v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Ben Knight (PH) 2 - Kai Daniels (PH) 1 - Stacy Fiske (MGYC). BL Serpentine v Calivil United: 3 - Nathan Twigg (BLS) 2 - Jarrod Starr (BLS) 1 - Rhys Lourie (CU). Marong v Newbridge: 3Kain Robins (MAR) 2 - Matthew Willox (MAR) 1 - Corey Gregg (MAR). Bridgewater v Mitiamo: 3 - Jack Neylon (BW) 2 - Lachlan Sharp (BW) 1 - Harry McKinley (BW) Round 10 - Maiden Gully v Calivil United: 3 - Josh Worsley (MGYC) 2 - Daniel Russell (MGYC) 1 - Samuel Green (CU). Marong v Inglewood: 3 - David Johnstone (MAR) 2 - Liam Marciano (IW) 1 - Daniel Polack (IW). BL Serpentine v Bridgewater: 3 - Luke Ellings (BW) 2 - Nathan Twigg (BLS) 1 - Harry McKinley (BW). Pyramid Hill v Newbridge: 3 - Kai Daniels (PH) 2 - Ben Knight (PH) 1 - Benjamin Bissett (PH). Round 11 - Mitiamo v Calivil United: 3 - Jayden Leach (CU) 2 - Luke Lougoon (MITI) 1 - Zachary Morrison (MITI). Inglewood v BL Serpentine: 3 - Justin Laird* (BLS) 2 - Farran Priest (BLS) 1 - Bregon Cotchett (IW). Maiden Gully v Bridgewater: 3 - Lachlan Sharp (BW) 2 - Harry McKinley (BW) 1 - Josh
Pyramid Hill on Sunday, noting that nothing will come easily against the Woodies.
Coach Fergus Payne said Inglewood’s players would do a lot of recovery work this week “and make sure we are all on the same page”.
Both teams have potent forward lines, with four Woodies players and three from Marong in the competition’s top 20 goalkickers.
In particular, Robins’ strength and accurate kicking will test whoever gets the job on him, although at 41, and coming off a seven-goal haul against Bridgewater, the Panther legend admits recovery after a match doesn’t come easily.
Ruck contests will be critical, with Marong’s Michael Bradbury, who is equally adept as a tall forward, and Matt Willox up against the indefatigable Tom Kennedy.
Midfield groups are led by the second and third placegetters in the competition best-and-fairest, Marong’s Jimmy Gadsden and Inglewood’s Bregon Cotchett respectively.
It promises to be a classic, with experienced hardnuts up against youthful verve, with Bridgewater looking on hoping for a torrid affair in cold and possibly rainy conditions.
- GARY WALSH
Worsley (MGYC). Marong v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Jimmy Gadsden (MAR) 2 - Michael Bradbury (MAR) 1 - Corey Gregg (MAR). Round 12 - Bridgewater v Inglewood: 3 - Lachlan Sharp (BW) 2 - Luke Ellings (BW) 1 - Harry McKinley (BW). Newbridge v Maiden Gully: 3 - Leo Bosley (MGYC) 2 - Josh Worsley (MGYC) 1 - Ben McKinley (NB). Marong v Calivil United: 3 - Jimmy Gadsden (MAR) 2 - Corey Gregg (MAR) 1 - Ben Gregg (MAR). Mitiamo v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Ben Knight (PH) 2 - Lachlan Sidebottom (PH) 1 - Blake Gibson (PH). Round 13 - Marong v Bridgewater: 3Alex Powell (BW) 2 - Jack Milligan (BW) 1 - Kain Robins (MAR). Maiden Gully v Mitiamo: 3 - Mathew Crooks (MGYC) 2 - Luke Lougoon (MITI) 1 - Angus Monfries (MGYC). Inglewood v Newbridge: 3 - Bregon Cotchett (IW) 2 - Thomas Kennedy (IW) 1 - Callum March* (IW).
Pyramid Hill v BL Serpentine: 3 - Archie Hildebrandt (PH) 2 - Ryan Semmel (PH) 1 - Ross Turner* (BLS). Round 14 - Newbridge v Calivil United: 3 - Brandon Dimech (NB) 2 - Billy Schilling (NB) 1 - Andrew Willett (NB). BL Serpentine v Marong: 3 - Tyler Miles (BLS) 2 - James Bailey (BLS) 1 - Justin Laird* (BLS). Bridgewater v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Harry McKinley (BW) 2 - Archie Hildebrandt (PH) 1 - Oscar McKinley (BW). Mitiamo v Inglewood: 3 - Harry Veitch (IW) 2 - Keelan Payne (IW) 1Bregon Cotchett (IW). Round 15 - Calivil United v Bridgewater: 3 - Harry McKinley (BW) 2 - Lachlan Sharp (BW) 1 - Alex Powell (BW). Inglewood v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Harry Veitch (IW) 2 - Bregon Cotchett (IW) 1 - Thomas Kennedy (IW). BL Serpentine v Maiden Gully: 3 - Charlie Gadsden (BLS) 2 - Justin Laird* (BLS) 1 - Tyler Miles (BLS). Newbridge v Mitiamo: 3 - Luke Lougoon (MITI) 2 - Kia Coatsworth (MITI) 1 - Brayden Baines (MITI). Round 16 - itiamo v BL Serpentine: 3Josh Mellington (BLS) 2 - Nash Kemp (BLS) 1 - Nathan Twigg (BLS). Maiden Gully v Marong: 3 - Nathan Devanny* (MAR) 2 - Matthew Willox (MAR) 1Daniel Russell (MGYC). Bridgewater v Newbridge: 3 - Lachlan Sharp (BW) 2 - Jack Merrin (BW) 1 - Harry McKinley (BW). Inglewood v Calivil United: 3Lachlan Ford (IW) 2 - Bregon Cotchett (IW) 1 - Daniel Polack (IW). Round 17 - Calivil United v Pyramid Hill: 3 - Archie Hildebrandt (PH) 2 - Kai Daniels (PH) 1 - Bailey George (PH). Marong v Mitiamo: 3 - Michael Bradbury (MAR) 2 - Nathan Devanny* (MAR) 1 - Kain Robins (MAR). BL Serpentine v Newbridge: 3 - Nathan Twigg (BLS) 2 - Nash Kemp (BLS) 1 - Josh Mellington (BLS). Maiden Gully v Inglewood: 3Bregon Cotchett (IW) 2 - Daniel Russell (MGYC) 1 - Seb Erharter (IW). Round 18 - Pyramid Hill v Maiden Gully: 3 - Bailey George (PH) 2 - Benjamin Bissett (PH) 1 - Brodie Carroll (PH). Calivil United v BL Serpentine: 3 - Farran Priest (BLS) 2 - Josh Mellington (BLS) 1 - Tyler Miles (BLS). Newbridge v Marong: 3 - Jack McCaig (MAR)
TOO YOUNG. Too inexperienced. Bridgewater coach Lachlan Sharp has heard all the comments, the criticisms and the backhanded compliments this season.
But as he said after the Mean Machine sealed their grand final berth last Saturday, “The kids have delivered.”
You can add underestimated to the list of descriptions of the senior team.
The second half of Bridgey’s win over Marong at Serpentine was as tough and as thrilling as footy gets.
The match was in the balance until the last minute, with Bridgewater leading by just two points as the clock ran down.
It was a topsy-turvy game, with first one team and then the other carving out a narrow lead.
Bridgewater, with Sharp in ominous form, kicked the first two goals of the match and got out to a 16-point lead before Panthers co-coach Kane Robins kicked a pair of his own.
The Mean Machine led by four points but can thank Joe Mayes for that margin, as the key defender took a string of defensive marks late in the quarter.
Marong gained control in the second term as Bridgey looked rattled.
Harry McKinley gave away a silly free to gift the Panthers a goal and when the Marong lead got out to 15 points, with danger
Hill coach
Fitzpatrick is looking forward to six weeks in Europe next year after stepping down following the Bulldogs’ straight-sets finals exit.
In his four years as senior coach his side made two grand finals, a preliminary final and a first semifinal but was unable to snare an elusive premiership.
After 75 fruitless years, Pyramid Hill’s wait goes on.
Fitzpatrick said he was proud of his team’s achievements, but only “in a sense”.
“We’re here for one reason, to win a flag, and we haven’t done that.”
Fitzpatrick is determined to coach again but first wants to take a year off.
“I’ve made some friendships that will last a lifetime and met some quality people,” he said of his time at Mitchell Park.
signs flashing, Sharp took himself into the centre.
Afterwards he explained his decision: “I don’t think that made a big difference – it was to get myself into the game.”
Sharp was too modest.
Apart from giving away a goal with a late bump in the third term, the Bridgewater coach helped to turn the tide of centre clearances and momentum, and the Mean Machine headed for home eight points adrift.
Sharp did so on one leg, with his troublesome left knee giving him grief, while at the other end, Robins had kicked seven of Marong’s 12 goals and looked as if he might win the match off his own boot. However, the last quarter was an arm-wrestle of epic proportions.
Bridgey commanded most of the play but struggled to score until Josh Roberts marked and goaled deep into the term, putting his team three points behind.
Marong found it impossible to penetrate the Mean Machine’s defence, and when Jacob Ellings hit the target from a tight angle in front of the scoreboard, Bridgey had taken the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter.
A goal after the siren to Nic Naughton was icing on the cake, with three goals to none in the last quarter proving the difference as Bridgey kept their nerve to move into the season-decider.
ANYONE who paid $12 and sat or stood at the northern end of Malone Park on Sunday might be excused for asking for some of their money back.
For probably 95 per cent of the last quarter of the Inglewood versus Pyramid Hill first semi-final, the ball lived far away, deep inside the Woodies’ forward line.
Trailing by nine points at the last change, the Bulldogs initially were shaky in defence, with two errant kicks ending up in the hands of Inglewood players.
Fortunately for Pyramid, there was little damage from the poor kicks – one from a mark on the goal line and the other from a kick out – with Daniel Polack and Kai Cavallaro both scoring behinds.
When the ball was swept up the other end, full-forward Ben Bissett goaled from a snap after a marking contest.
The margin was less than a goal, and there was a hint that the Bulldogs were going to storm home.
However, the Woodies had different ideas and poured on seven goals to nothing for the rest of the quarter.
Centre breaks went virtually all one way – usually thanks to Bregon Cotchett and Harry Veitch’s clearance skills – and rare Bulldog attacks were quickly snuffed out.
Inglewood coach Fergus Payne
said he had confidence in his team given their history of strong finishes.
“I told the boys at three-quarter time to enjoy themselves and give it everything they had.”
They delivered in spades.
Payne said that three years ago when the Woodies last made the finals only three players were aged 26 or over, with the rest mostly aged from 18-21.
“Now we have guys who are 24, 25,” he said, players who were experienced and at the peak of their careers.
The Bulldogs kicked the first three goals of the match and looked too sharp for their opponents.
SITTING with some of the diehard Inglewood supporters during the last quarter of Sunday’s first semi-final, the boundary excitement was more that of enthusiastic teenagers than seasoned fans.
Even the octogenarians had more bubble than a bottle of Black Wallaby sparkling shiraz.
The Woodies were playing like never before, well, for anyone born after The Oracle.
The old-timers had seen glory days but their eyes were on the future and dreaming, dreaming of what more this exciting Inglewood team can do.
They’ve knocked off three sides above them on the ladder and have another crack at Marong in this Saturday’s preliminary final.
Zelma, Bev and even Howard will be there again. It will be a great game, perhaps as good as how Inglewood has played against Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Pyramid Hill so far.
The spot for the grand final is up for grabs. As much it would be good to see Inglewood in the big dance - imagine, Inglewood versus Bridgewater at Newbridge, the Holland boys would have their biggest gate in history.
I’m hoping Inglewood wins but you still can’t put the pencil through Marong.
But Inglewood fought back and the teams traded goals for the rest of the first term, with Pyramid Hill leading by 12 points.
Three goals to one saw the Woodies in front by a point at halftime, and when Liam Marciano goaled, Payne booted two goals and handballed to Seb Erharter for another, they were 24 points to the good early in the third.
The Bulldogs had to respond –and they did with three goals in three minutes, including a kick from beyond 50m by Kai Daniels.
It took a fine contested mark from Tynan Hywood to get Inglewood back on track, and for the rest of the quarter the Woodies were under siege, but Pyramid Hill missed a string of gettable chances.
It was the last gasp for the Dogs, who exit the season in straight sets.
Coach Nathan Fitzpatrick, who stepped down after the loss, said the final quarter was a microcosm of the team’s season.
“We were unable to halt the momentum when it was against us,” he said.
“Ultimately our downfall was not personnel – it was all about connection, without being able to train together.”
Fitzpatrick said the tyranny of distance would always be a problem for the Bulldogs.
- GARY WALSH
The Panthers are still in the hunt for a fourth successive flag and they will not surrender hope lightly. They’re still good but a bit older than Inglewood who have shown real momentum in the back half of the season and claimed big scalps.
You have to give full credit to the crew from Malone Park for being at the top of Loddon Valley football for four years. That will count for something in the preliminary final up there at Rodeo Park where Zelma, Bev and Howard will arrive early to secure a parking spot around the fence. It will be a cracking game, probably not much in it
- GLENN CATTO
Thursday AUGUST 28, 2025
with such a strong team, but you are taking votes off each other.”
Another Redbacks star in Maddi Postle finished third in the count, with Calder United’s Meg Hogan separating the two Wedderburn players, 14 votes behind Pallpratt.
Palpratt won the award – the first individual prize of her career – in her first season with Wedderburn, having moved from Sandhurst in the strong Bendigo competition.
playing for Wedderburn. She and partner Mitch travel from Echuca to train and play – a 90-minute drive each way. And Pallpratt hopes the partnership will continue next year, although much will depend on farmer Mitch’s commitments on the land. Wedderburn’s Tess Jackson won the B Grade award with 22 votes, with teammate Aliza Lockhart, who has returned this season from a knee reconstruction, in second place on 17 votes.
MITIAMO centre Amelia Ludeman has written herself a unique entry in Loddon Valley netball’s history book.
The 2025 Helen Ward Medal for the competition’s A Grade best and fairest will sit alongside her 2015 B Grade league award.
That was the only season Ludeman played before full-time promotion to A Grade at the club where she started her netball journey aged seven
I have basically been playing A Grade for the last 13 years ... 2015 was my only year in B Grade al-
though I had a couple of call-ups for the A Grade side that year,” Ludeman said.
Monday night’s vote count saw Ludeman win the top award with 32 votes, five ahead of Newbridge’s Hayley Martiniello with Pyramid Hill’s Morgan Dingwall one behind on 26 and Mitiamo’s Lauren Hicks on 25.
The win came four years after Hicks won the medal and Ludeman finished third.
Ludeman has played all her netball with Mitiamo, often alongside sister Sarah.
“Lauren, Sarah and I have pret ty much played our junior and senior netball together,” Lude man said. “We’ve stayed together. Many of the players at Mitiamo have been friends since school. I’ve always been drawn to the club and the people.”
Ludeman said she enjoyed playing centre “where you can really set the tempo ... I find it better than being in defence or attack,” she said.
Of her win, Ludeman said: “I’m a bit surprised and shocked.”
