Loddon Herald 2 October 2025

ARTISTIC MECCA

LODDON communities will be a magnet for artistic discovery this weekend.

The annual Loddon Valley Arts Trail has slotted exhibitions into traditional, contemporary and quirky spaces in local towns.

Organisers are expecting the threeday festival will boost the economy of every town in the shire, engaging Loddon residents and attracting visitors from across the region.

There was a sneak peak in Wedderburn on Sunday afternoon with a preview opening of The Unknown Widow and Our Forgotten Dead, an exhibition from the Australian National Veterans’ Arts Museum while the inaugural Blue

Eucy Art Show will be launched in Inglewood this evening.

Trail co-ordinator Rosemary Sorensen has assembled a blend of local artists and creatives from Bendigo and other parts of Victoria for the weekend festival.

“Artists are heading to all the venues right across the shire, installing everything from big sculptures to embroideries,” she said.

“Community groups will be selling barbeque snags and chops outside the halls and the cafes in the bigger towns are geared up for a busy weekend.

“In every community there is surging enthusiasm to be part of the trail, promote their towns and celebrate art and local artists.”

Small groups please, says wind farmer

EUROPEAN Energy has capped attendance at proposed landowner meetings as it prepares to release details of a proposed wind farm at Mincha.

The Danish-owned company has sent letters saying it wants no more than six people at meetings this month.

“Small groups often allow for more focused and meaningful discussion,” said the company letter received by neighbouring landowners on Thursday.

“We respectfully request that attendance be limited to a maximum of six people, excluding European Energy staff.

“We will then hold additional community drop-in sessions and meetings with other local groups within three weeks of our neighbour meetings.”

Neighbouring landowners have to book their one-hour meetings for one of nine days at the end of October.

European Energy has sent letters to landowners within 3km of the proposed wind farm site.

Some Pyramid Hill district residents have already erected “no turbine” banners on roadsides and attended a forum organised by the newly-formed Loddon Valley Renewables Awareness Group where agriculture and rural community advocates called on landowners not to sign any agreements with wind and solar farm speculators.

The European Energy letters came the same day VicGrid released draft community engagement guidelines for renewable energy companies.

Loddon Mayor Dan Straub and Australian National Veterans’ Arts Museum board member Tom Salom at the exhibition opening.

Roger Paterson and Rosemary Sorensen on the weekend trail discovering great art. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD

Free every Thursday

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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Phone 0419549743

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WEEKEND FORECAST

Cloudy

Boort Saturday 23, Sunday 27

Inglewood Saturday 23, Sunday 27

Pyramid Hill Saturday 26, Sunday 31

Wedderburn Saturday 23, Sunday 27 Dunolly Saturday 22, Sunday 24

Saturday 23, Sunday 27

Historic funeral

MONTHS of redevelopment has been capped off with new signage and external restoration of Appleby Funerals.

The historic Brooke Street business is ushering in a new era that will see the office opening three days a week after renovations and restoration. New signage was installed last week.

“We wanted to provide a space to better serve the community, and a warm and welcoming environment to allow families the

home has makeover

space to organised loved ones funerals and save families the worry from having to travel into Bendigo to arrange funerals or spend time with their loved one,” said Appleby’s owner and director Jesse Cattell.

“The facility has an arrangement room, viewing room for families to spend time with their loved ones, together with offices and a mortuary care centre.

“In the coming months, the office will open from 3 days a week,

10am - 4pm, to allow families to visit at their convenience to preplan, arrange funerals if needed and ask any questions they may have. This is only stage one of the development, and over the coming months, we will continue to work on further areas.

“Our family is committed to remaining locally owned and operated, and consider our funeral home so much more than just a business, but a legacy and a partnership with our community.”

IN BRIEF

Leadership program APPLICATIONS have open ed for the 2026 Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program for Loddon Shire residents. The programs aims to empower those everyday leaders who are working every day to make their communities stronger, more connected, and more resilient.

Photography show CHARLTON Art and Photography Exhibition will showcase the incredible creativity within the region, from breathtaking landscapes to striking portraits and expressive photography. The exhibition will begin with the official opening on October 10 and be open to the public for the weekend. Among exhibiting artists will be Jenny Pollard, David Beaty and Marie Perger.

Remember to put your clocks forward on Saturday night. Daylight saving time starts at 3am Sunday

Steve Liddal puts finishing touches to an external makeover at Appleby Funerals. LH PHOTO

Big jump in crime rate

CRIME has jumped in Loddon communities, according to data released by the Crime Statistics Agency last Thursday.

More than half of the local 408 incidents in the 12 months to June remain unsolved.

Loddon’s 22.2 per cent increase is more than two per cent above the state rise.

Most incidents were in Wedderburn (62) with thefts the biggest category.

The largest jumps in incidents were Pyramid Hill up 14 to 37, Korong Vale rising from 17 to 32 and Bridgewater up 10 to 31. Family violence incidents have jumped to their highest level in Loddon communities in more than five years.

The 27.4 per cent rise in the 12 months to June took the yearly figure to 144 incidents compared with 113 for the previous 12-month period.

Across Victoria, family incidents increased by 10.7 per cent in the last 12 months, with 106,247 incidents recorded across Victoria.

State-wide figures showed the number of criminal incidents increased, up 20.1 per cent or 79,624 to 474,937 incidents.

The rate also increased, up 18.1 per cent to 6692.2 per 100,000 Victorians. Criminal incidents have reached their highest recorded figures since the commencement of CSA reporting in 2004-2005.

Alleged offender incidents increased 19.4 per cent to 193,565 in the last 12 months, as did the

rate up 17.3 per cent to 3,077.4 per 100,000. Theft incidents increased by 38.5 per cent or 12,343 to 44,398 alleged offender incidents. The victimisation rate increased by 18.1 per cent to 3887.8 reports per 100,000 Victorians. The number of person-related victim reports was up 20.1 per cent to 275,909 and organisation reports was up 31.4 per cent to 115,705.

The rise in person victim re-

ports was primarily driven by theft (up 31.1 per cent to 127,680).

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said” “Theft offences have continued to rise sharply, with nearly a quarter of a million offences recorded in the last year.

“Increases were largest for thefts from motor vehicles and retail stores, with many of these offences linked to repeat offending,” she said.

“Family incidents increased

over the last 12 months also, reaching 106,247, with growth seen in breaches of family violence orders and assaults related to family incidents.”

Nationals’ MP Gaelle Broad said: “Rising crime is a serious statewide issue, and the statistics show that regional and rural communities are not immune to Labor’s soft-on-crime approach ... once again regional Victorians are paying the price.”

IN BRIEF

Doors are open

NORTHERN District Community Health officially moved its services into the new Pyramid Hill Community Centre on Monday. NDCH said the move had been possible with incredible community support.

Seniors’ gala

LODDON Shire’s major event for the 2026 Victorian Seniors’ Festival will be the gala concert in Wedderburn next Wednesday.

Power debt

CHANGES to Victora’s Energy Retail Code of Practice from ths month will see the minimum debt a consumer can be disconnected for increases from $300 to $1000.

It’s show time

THE Loddon’s only agricultural show is close ... Boort’s 137th annual show is on October 11 and your local Loddon Herald today has a special feature on this great event. Check out your guide to family fun starting on Page 13.

3-5 October 10am-4pm

Peter peddles good juice

PETER Norton has sprung into new life since moving to Inglewood six months ago.

The 25-year veteran of making worm juice that he describes as the best organic garden fertiliser was among local stallholders at last Friday’s spring market.

Peter and other Loddon small businesses took their place with traders from other parts of central Victoria for what the neighbourhood centre hopes will be a seasonal feature on the town’s calendar.

With his table set up alongside eucalyptus oil from Huntly and others with home-crafted clothing, jewellery and knickknacks, Peter was making sales of his worm juice and talking up its benefits to people who had just purchased plants from other stalls at the market.

“I was born on a dairy farm in the Riverina and my father very early was into organics ... that’s how my interest in making worm juice started,” Peter said.

“It’s an organic fertiliser with a good dilution rate for use in seedlings.

“The juice is also good for moisture retention increases and has all the nutrients needed.”

Peter said his move followed the quick sale of his home and another block of land in the La Trobe Valley.

“I looked at five houses in Bendigo and then decided to have a look at one in Inglewood ... just one ... I immediately said that’s mine and bought it,” Peter said.

With his worm juice production now flowing in Inglewood, Peter

said he hoped to speak with local clubs and schools about his interest in organics and the benefits of the juice. “That’s something I a m really keen to do ... sharing what I know and do,” he said.

Last Friday’s market also had an information stand from Inglewood and Districts Health Service.

Worm juice maker and salesman Peter Norton (above) while Cathy Pollock and Lou Lamprell enjoyed a Devonshire Tea at the spring market. LH PHOTOS

Public tender price drop

LODDON Shire Council has lowered the threshold for works to be put out to public tender by a third.

Under a new procurement policy adopted last week, public tenders will only be called for projects valued at more than $330,000.

The policy also includes updated requirements for panel contract procurement and the procurement team’s role particularly in processes for obtaining goods, services or works between the values of $50,000 and $199,999.

Expanded detail on exemption to procurement in periods of emergency have been included in the new policy.

Pouring out your feeback

COLIBAN Water is asking customers to share their feedback as part of its annual customer satisfaction survey.

“Gaining insight into the customer experience allows us to identify whether we are meeting customer expectations,” ,” said Coliban’s Lauren McLean.

“The survey is one of the most important ways we learn from our customers and improve the services we provide.”

LODDON’S EARLY LEARNING LANDSCAPE

Priority care push anger

A NORTHERN focus pledge for the Loddon Shire’s next child care centre has stirred southern anger.

Inglewood Development and Tourism says it will write to Mayor Dan Straub and the council to push the case for child care in the shire’s south.

“We made our disappointment known to Inglewood Ward councillor Miki Wilson that the Loddon Shire Mayor was in Canberra recently meeting with the Minister for Early Childhood Education’s office pushing for child care specifically in the north of the shire because the south of the shire will be serviced by the new Wedderburn Early Learning Centre,” the committee said in a statement after its meeting last week

“We all know the Wedderburn facility is not an option for residents in Inglewood, Serpentine, Bridgewater and other areas further south.”

Cr Wilson said on Monday that she was organising a meeting with the committee and Cr Straub.

A community campaign by mothers and Wedderburn College saw the State Government commit to ending the shire’s child care desert status during the 2022 election campaign. An early learning centre will open in Wedderburn next year.

The Federal Government made an election eve commitment in May of $5 million towards child care in the Loddon Shire.

Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh later confirmed funding would

be honoured and her office repeated the commitment during a meeting with Cr Straub in Canberra last month.

“During the meeting with the Minister’s advisors, we’ve confirmed that we have that $5 million to spend on child care in Loddon and we’ll keep working with the department and the ministers to make sure something’s delivered for our community,” Cr Straub said.

“We’ve promoted our position that we’re looking for child care in the north of the shire, that’s been a position of Loddon in recent years, the studies show we need child care in the north which is a child care desert.”

However, Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee wants care services for Loddon families who may travel to Bendigo for employment.

“.(The community bank) have put up $250,000 to show how serious they are about getting a child care option in Inglewood or Bridgewater,” the committee said.

The bank has commissioned consultant Wendy Holland to complete a feasibility study.

Part of her work includes a survey of families in Inglewood, Bridgewater, Serpentine and Tarnagulla districts that officially closed on Tuesday.

“ Even if you no longer have kids in that age range, or if you are a grandparent supporting your children to work by looking after grandkids, or you are not currently

Learning centre opening triggers kinder review

THE future of local kindergartens will be reviewed by Loddon Shire with the opening of Wedderburn’s early learning centre next year and closure of council’s 50-year-old pre-school in the town.

Council chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald said the shire saw changes “as the opportunity to review kindergarten early years management to ensure we are delivering the service in the most efficient and effective way”.

Asked whether council would ease out of its kindergarten management role over the next five years, Mr Fitzgerald said: “Council has not been provided with any recommendation or discussed a variation from the current service provision with the exception of Wedderburn where council has resolved to close the kindergarten at the end of 2025.” Kindergarten sessions in Wedderburn will be at Wedderburn Early Learning Centre while council will continue to run sessions at Boort, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill

and Dingee. The review of kindergarten services in Loddon comes as Yarriambiack Shire moves out of the early childhood space.

The council will tranbsfer Minyip, Rupanyup and Warracknabeal kindergarten services to Emerge Early Years Services. Kindergartens in Beulah and Hopetoun are already operated by Emerge while the shire’s Murtoa kindergarten has been replaced by a State Government early learning centre.

Shire chief executive Tammy Smith said council had partnered with Emerge to oversee early years operations since October last year.

“This has resulted in positive outcomes for staff and families,” she said. “Emerge efficiently managed Yarriambiack Shire Council enrolments for next year.

“The aim will be for all centres to be transitioned by the end of this year,” Mrs Smith said as council made the exit call at its meeting last month.

working because you are looking after young kids, fill in the survey,” the development committee urged.

Shire chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald said: “Loddon Shire Council’s adopted priorities document outlines that council is advocating for long day care in the northern part of the municipality where there is currently no provision.

“Council continues to advocate for a rural funding model which recognises lower density of population in rural areas and creates a sustainable delivery model,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

How enrolments compare

KINDERGARTEN enrolments at Loddon centres will have a slight rise in 2026. This year’s figures saw 20 youngsters at Boort, Dingee 15, Inglewood 17, Pyramid Hill 12, Wedderburn 18 for a total of 82.

Loddon Shire says 26 children have been enrolled at Boort next year, Dingee 21, Inglewood 15, Pyramid Hill 11, Wedderburn 18 for a total of 86.

Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald said: “In terms of future projections, we know that birth rates have been steady, although the enrolment numbers can be influenced by movement in and out of the shire.”

Potentia Energy is proposing to develop, construct and operate a Solar Hybrid project in Mologa, Victoria.

The proposed Solar Hybrid will generate up to 662,000 MWh per year of clean energy –enough to power around 109,500 homes in Victoria.

Community engagement is an important part of development application and allows us to understand any concerns the community may have. Your feedback will help us to shape the proposal.

We are inviting the community to attend either of the upcoming community drop-in sessions to find out more about the proposal and share your feedback. You can provide your feedback by:

Attending a community drop-in session

• Wednesday 8 October 2025 4pm – 7pm at Mitiamo Football & Netball Clubs social rooms

• Thursday 9 October 2025 10am – 1pm at Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall

About Potentia Energy

Potentia Energy is a leading Australian renewable energy developer and asset owner, dedicated to supporting the nation’s transition to clean energy. With a growing portfolio of utility-scale wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including local projects Cohuna Solar Farm and Girgarre Solar Farm.

Completing

our survey

Provide your feedback by completing a short survey to share your feedback on the proposal.

To find out more and access the survey on our website, scan the QR code.

mologahybrid@

GoodSAM recruits aim of Shocktober session

WITH more cardiac arrests in Victoria than ever before, Ambulance Victoria is encouraging Boort residents to learn or refresh their CPR skills in October.

Ambulance Victoria will run a Call, Push, Shock session at the Boort Show on October 11 as part of its Shocktober campaign.

Paramedics want more people with cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and have them signing up to be a GoodSAM responder.

A cardiac arrest occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively around the body.

This month marks the sixth year of Ambulance Victoria’s state-wide Shocktober campaign, dedicated to improving cardiac arrest survival rates.

Loddon Mallee regional director Matt McCrohan encouraged locals to learn CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and know where their closest defibrillator is located.

“Shocktober is about giving Victorians who have a cardiac arrest a better chance of returning to their loved ones,” he said.

“CPR and defibrillation are critical. Every day, around 21 Victorians suffer the medical emergency but only one in 10 survive.

For every minute CPR is delayed, survival decreases by 10 per cent.

“Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any age, health or fitness level, and often without symptoms.

“Our message is simple – you don’t need to be a paramedic to

save a life, just remember to Call (Triple Zero 000), Push (Perform CPR) and Shock (use an AED).”

Matt also encouraged locals to sign up to be a GoodSAM responder.

GoodSAM is a mobile app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with a nearby volunteer who is willing to start hands-only CPR while paramedics are on their way. There are currently more than 17,300 GoodSAM responders across Victoria – but Matt says more are needed.

Last year, AV paramedics and first responders were called to 7,545 cardiac arrest patients.

Victoria has the best cardiac survival rates in Australia and the third best anywhere in the world.

Baling twine strings up discontent declarations

BALING twine has been repurposed to string up signs around Bridgewater protesting State and Federal Government policies.

The protest placards appeared overnight Sunday on the Calder Highway.

Signs with messages scrawled on both sides were placed on a town entrance sign near the recreation reserve and between Bridgewater and Inglewood.

Messages expressed the writer’s discontent with Premier Jacinta Allan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Energy

and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, taking aim at renewable energy policies and the state of Victoria’s roads.

The latest roadside protests follow farmers hanging their CFA yellow overalls on fences across the Loddon in protest at the State Government’s new emergency services tax that they say will leave them with a bill $50,000 up on the old fire services levy.

Loddon farmers and CFA volunteers also made up protest signs for the anti-tax rally in Bendigo last month attended by more than 1000 people.

The free Gala Day event is always a highlight of the Loddon Seniors Festival and this year it will be held at the Wedderburn Mechanics and Literary Institute Hall on Wednesday, 8 October, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

A feature will be The Stiletto Groove (right), a sensational four-piece band serving up all your favourite hits from the 60s and 70s - you can get a taste of what they'll be like at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n58MRfdt3c4

With timeless tunes and plenty of energy they'll have you grooving either in or out of your seat.

Following the concert you can enjoy a complimentary afternoon tea.

While it is a free event, bookings are required for catering purposes - to do so either call Council on (03) 5494 1200 or visit our website.

Another highlight are the free cafe vouchers, which enables recipients to have a taste of the wonderful local cafes and coffee shops in our shire.

To get a cafe voucher you must be a Loddon Shire resident - and the number of vouchers is limited.

Either call us on (03) 5494 1200 between 8.15am and 4.45pm weekdays or scan the QR code on the right.

A reminder too that the Seniors Festival bookletwhich contains all the information about the Festival is available from our website and the Council office as well as local post offices, Senior Citizens Centres and Community/Neighbourhood Houses.

Entries are still open for 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.

Special Council Meeting

Loddon Shire Council will hold a Special Council Meeting at 3pm on Monday, 6 October 2025 at the Council Chambers, Wedderburn, to consider Council's Financial and Performance Statements for the 2024/25 year. The public is welcome to attend this meetingalternatively it will be livestreamed via the Council website, from where the agenda is also available.

Cr Dan Straub - Mayor

Ambulance Victoria paramedics will be recruiting GoodSAMs during CPR sessions at the Boort Show

‘The behaviour we want’

WIND and solar farm speculators could have to meet new standards under new draft community engagement guidelines.

VicGrid last Thursday released a list of 48 expectations that chief executive officer Alistair Parker said were “about setting the standards of behaviour we want to see from solar, wind and battery developers in Victoria”.

Renewable energy project promoters have been criticised by councils, farmers and communities for what has been labelled poor community engagement.

Australian Energy Market Operator was under fire for its consultation on the route of the proposed VNI West renewable transmission line through the Loddon Shire.

And opponents of wind and solar proposals in the Pyramid Hill district were told last month that the wind and solar companies current approach to engagement risked dividing communities.

Under Mr Parker’s plan, guidelines will set out how companies wanting to operate in renewable energy zones must engage communities and ensure there is local awareness of their proposals.

“Developers who want to access the grid will need to show they are doing the right thing by regional communities and meeting government standards for community engagement and benefits,” Mr Parker said.

“Developers will need to demonstrate how they will meet these expectations as a condition of be-

ing granted access to the grid in Victoria.

“These expectations cover a lot of the things communities have been telling us are of concern to them including impacts on neighbours, non-disclosure agreements, insurance, and decommissioning.”

VicGrid last week also released for community and industry feedback proposed new rules that will manage how renewable energy projects gain access to the state’s transmission network: „ Access and Connections Consultation Paper: an overview of the proposed new network access arrangements including proposed transitional arrangements for projects under development.

„ Draft Grid Impact Assess-

ment (GIA) Guidelines: details of the assessment that will apply to projects outside renewable energy zones.

“These reforms are all part of the Victorian Access Regime and aim to encourage development in renewable energy zones and increase transparency about what projects must do to gain access,”

Mr Parker said.

Multiple companies have had some engagement with landowners in the Boort and Pyramid Hill districts on plans for wind and solar farms.

A company wanting to erected an estimated 200 turbines at Merring West has met with some landowners and is sponsoring sporting groups in Boort and Kerang.

Unreal: MP blows against benefit plan

A PROPOSED deal for community benefits from renewable projects has been branded “regional exploitation for political gain”.

Regional Australia Institute last Thursday launched Regional Energy and Legacy Deal alongside a report, ‘Towards Net Zero: Building a Legacy.

The proposal suggests ‘social benefit’ payments from energy project developers be required to ensure genuine negotiations to communities.

But Mallee MP Anne Webster was swift in her criticsm of the plan.

“I am very sceptical about ... (it) aims to also provide certainty to investors,” she said “Of course Australia wants to eliminate sovereign risk, but there is also a bigger risk to Australian taxpayers in picking winners. Wind projects are not progressing in Australia for at least two very sound reasons.

“Local councils like many in my electorate – and I commend them wholeheartedly for it – have spoken up for their communities saying they are not getting a good deal. It is obscene that farmers and landowners now face fines of up to $12,000 for refusing access for the Victorian government’s transmission line.

“That is bad model corporate behaviour by the government, and the Albanese Labor Government are cheering Victorian Labor on.” Dr Webster said Regional Australia Institute needed to go back to regional communities and ask them whether any amount of money would be an acceptable payoff for “blighting their landscapes and turning regions into industrial wastelands of mines, lines and turbines on what will be former prime agricultural land”.

The intitute says its REAL Deal would see:

THE Danish-based company wanting to erect wind turbines at Mincha last week told neighbours that a solar farm could also be part of its plans.

Neighbours to the proposed renewable energy generation site received letters last Thursday from European Energy.

“The proposed project is within 3km of a house that you own and as a near neighbour you are among the first we are seeking to consult with and gain feedback from,” the

letter said. “We are investigating a project ... that has potential for wind and solar energy generation.

“The project is currently in the very early stages of development.”

European Energy wants to meet neighbours and talk about sharing benefits of the energy farms with them.

But if neighbours want more information, they must sign up for a meeting in October with the company’s development manager

Ahliah McKenna with European Energy saying it has allocated one hour to meet with each neighbouring landowner who may bring family members “and any other individuals” but capped at six people.

According to the letter sent by Ms McKenna, community drop-in sessions and meetings with other groups will be held in November. European Energy has told landowners it is a reputable and established wind and solar development company.

„ Regional communities funded to develop regional plans and then prioritise the execution and funding to realise their regions aspirations.

„ Industry contribute to agreed amounts in pooled regional benefit funds – Local Legacy Funds.

„ Governments make strategic funding contributions to local investments.

The

Loddon Mayor Dan Straub and Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh at a public meeting in Pyramid Hill seeking answers on renewable energy projects proposed for Mologa and Mincha. LH PHOTO

Job expo opens new pathways

CAREER pathways and showcasing employment opportunities in the Loddon Shire will be in the spotlight this month.

Workforce Australia Local Jobs Bendigo and Loddon Shire are behind the push to strengthen employment in Loddon communities.

North Central LLEN and Head Start are also part of the local employment pathway initiative.

They say the expo in Pyramid Hill is aimed at job seekers, students and people interested in working in the Loddon Shire.

The free event will host exhibitors with jobs available in health, Agriculture, emergency services, mining, work from home, self-employment opportunities and much more.

The Loddon Workforce Showcase jobs expo is open to the public from 12:30pm to 2:30pm on October 14 at the Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall.

The shire’s manager tourism and economic development, David Stretch, said the event “brings businesses with a wide variety of jobs together with training organisations to help people find meaningful work here or a pathway into employment.

“Twenty exhibitors will showcase the opportunities available in the Loddon Shire and provide connections that will result in a stronger labour market,” Mr Stretch said.

The careers day will also aim to engage with Loddon employers through an appreciative inquiry workshop to unlock solutions for a thriving labour market.

The workshop has been funded by the Australian Government and is a collaboration between the Loddon Shire Council and the Workforce Australia Local Jobs Program.

Mr Stretch said businesses were invited to join expert facilitator, Kelly Mason, CEO of Bounce Global who will lead the workshop to identify actions for building and attracting a skilled workforce in the Loddon Shire.

Data shows that Loddon’s workforce grew by 256 to 3249 in the five years to 2021 with 95 per cent of people in fulltime employment.

Loddon businesses are regularly seeking to fill positions in a range of sectors and also attract new employees to the region to enjoy the lifestyle offered in local communities.

Young debutantes are in training

TEN Boort youngsters are preparing to make their debut at the town’s annual debutante ball.

Sherryn and Chris O’Flaherty are training this year’s debutante set for presentation at the ball on October 24.

Debutantes and their partners are Milly Scott (Flynn O’Rourke), Eliana Haw (Jake

O’Flaherty), Chloe MacIntosh (Deacon Hird), Anna Lanyon (Cooper Gooding), Laci Streader (Finlay Arnold), Natalie Hall (Owen Byrne), Isabella Quinn (Deklan King), Emma Young (Fergus Herrington), Emma Malone (Luke Boyd) and Charlotte Junor (Tristen Zanker). They will be accompanied by flower girls and paige boys.

Amy joins trail buzz with charm

THE Loddon Valley Arts Trail is buzzing this weekend and Mitiamo has jumped on board for the celebration.

Jill Ramskill at the Mitiamo Store asked local artist Amy Dzufer, also known as Spoonyjoe, to show her charming small artworks inspired by nature, birds and folk art.

“We thought, let’s have a go,” Jill says. “We’ve got the old horse and cart, which we’ll use for kids

to have photographs taken, and we’ve also got the old lolly cart where Amy will show her work.

“We’ll take pot luck, if people come, all good, they can have a bite to eat and enjoy the art.”

Arts trail organiser Rosemary Sorensen says this last-minute addition to the program is a wonderful surprise.

“I was really disappointed when Jill rang me a while back to ask why Mitiamo wasn’t on the Trail,

and I had to confess I’d sort of run out of puff at Dingee and Calivil.

“Having someone who cares, and who wants to see good things happen, makes all the difference.

“I love the look of Amy’s little artworks, so it’s thanks to the Mitiamo people for joining in.”

Victorian Veterans’ Council member Peter Swandale opened the first trail exhibition in Wedderburn last Sunday featuring art works of veterans.

Swoopers are busy darting way around

BIKE helmets have come in handy for walkers and golfers in Loddon communities as swooping magpies dart through the air picking their next targets.

Several magpies have taken to Inglewood golf course in the last month where golfers have had to duck for cover.

Manager statewide wildlife advisory services at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Lachlan Clarke said: “Swooping is a normal, temporary behaviour for native birds like magpies, butcherbirds and masked lapwings to defend their eggs and chicks for a short time while their young are most vulnerable.”

“Think of it as a warning sign. They’re telling you to keep your distance. While it can be a bit unsettling, it’s rare for them to make contact.”

Swooping can occur in both urban and rural areas, including parks, gardens, and along bike paths.

“Not all birds swoop during the breeding season, so the presence of magpies or other common swooping birds does not necessarily mean you will be swooped”, Mr Clarke said.

This behaviour only lasts a short time, usually ending once the young have left the nest.

Peter Swandale (above) opened the veterans’ art exhibition in Wedderburn on Sunday where local college students and RSL scholarship recipients Indi Simpson, Dakota Martin and Tyson Blair spoke about their experiences walking the the Kokoda Track earlier this year.

LH PHOTOS

Amy’s art will be on show at Mitiamo

WOOL REPORT

The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (AWEX-EMI) surged 109 cents higher last week as the wool market’s momentum continued to build. The EMI broke through the 1400-cent mark to close at 1453 cents, its highest point since June 2022. The weekly rise was the largest in six years and extended the rally to 10 straight weeks, equalling the longest unbeaten run (weekly) since 1987. National offerings remained steady with 29,773 bales put to auction. Prices lifted sharply from the opening lot on Tuesday and continued to climb as buyers chased quantity. By the close of the day, the market was generally 100 cents stronger than the previous week, driving the EMI 72 cents higher in its biggest single-day gain since January 2021.

Wednesday’s sale followed the same pattern, beginning firmly and strengthening further as the day wore on. By the end of trade it marked the 18th consecutive day of increases, with Merino fleece adding another 50 cents. The results of the week now have Fine Merino types (19 microns and finer) sitting at 2-year highs, while broader Merinos are at 5-year highs. Skirtings followed suit, lifting between 100 and 150 cents clean for the series. Crossbreds also enjoyed a strong week, closing 60 to 80 cents higher across both days to reach 5-year highs.

Merino Cardings were more subdued, edging 10 cents higher. Sellers were keen to meet the rally, pushing the clearance rate to its strongest level in seven years.

Looking ahead, offerings are forecast to lift to 35,260 bales across Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle this week..

Source: AWEX

109 MIDLAND HIGHWAY, EPSOM

Phone 03 5455

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

Katie’s branching out

KATIE GILLETT’ will put a permanent bush shop front to her wildflower and native plant business from this weekend.

The retail doors of Inglewood Wildflowers will open the first time and mark the latest expansion of the business established by Katie Gillett.

She purchased the property, between Inglewood and Kingower last year and said “it’s the ideal property for a retail nursery.”

“We decided this weekend would be the perfect time to open as the Loddon Arts Trail is on and has events in both Inglewood and Kingower so people can stop in on their way between them,” Katie said.

The nursery has been selling native plants wholesale and at markets for the

past three years but will now have dedicated opening days for the public.

Inglewood Wildflowers had a stall at the Inglewood Spring Market last Friday and at the Australian Native Flower Show in Bendigo over the weekend.

“It was great timing because we were able to promote the opening at both events and had a lot of people saying they were interested already, both from local people and from people outside of the area,” Katie said.

Katie has worked in the horticulture sector for almost 30 years and has been able to use that experience to develop the nursery. “I figured I might as well just give it a go,” she said.

Katie Gillett

CFA’s hay season warning

WITH hay season beginning in the west and north west parts of the state, farmers are being urged to take extra care in preventing haystack fires.

Between June 30, 2024, and July 1, 2025, CFA responded to 73 haystack and hay shed fires in regional areas, with 53 per cent occurring in the west and north-west of the state.

Haystack fires are often caused by spontaneous combustion when hay is baled with excess moisture.

High moisture levels, combined with the compact nature of hay bales, can create internal heat, leading to ignition.

David Manifold, Buloke West Group Officer, third lieutenant of Jeffcott Fire Brigade, and a local farmer said there were many factors which can lead to a haystack fire.

“What goes wrong is essentially hay is baled at a high moisture or what we have learned in recent times is leaving the hay out for longer to dry can actually increase the growth of yeast and moulds on the hay,” he said.

“The yeast and mould levels can get so high that any ingression of water is as good as throwing a match on it.”

Mr Manifold said he is utilising both new

and old technologies to reduce the risk of haystack fires at his farm.

“We are using new techniques on the machinery side to get our window shorter for bailing in sub seven days which is the key to keeping the yeasts and moulds lower,” he said.

“We run plastic over the flooring which stops moisture from coming up into the hay which prevents damage to the hay but also prevents

the risk of water ingression, particularly in heavy rainfall periods during summer.

“The spouts on the shed are well maintained, and the downpipes are key.

“Bunched up stacks are pretty volatile, keeping stacks well-ventilated is important,” he said.

Mr Manifold said he also uses a new type of temperature probe that sends temperature data to a central bay station on the farm.

“I can check the temperature on an app on my phone at any given moment,” he said.

“I can also get it to send me alerts so I have it set to alert me if we reach 40 and 50 degrees.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan reinforced that early preparation and proper storage are essential in reducing the risk of haystack fires. “Make sure you store your hay in separate stacks or in sheds away from farm equipment and other buildings to prevent the spread of fire,” he said.

“Farmers need to ensure they’re well-prepared – regular monitoring can prevent a small issue from becoming a much larger one.”

For more information, visit CFA’s website or contact your local CFA brigade for advice.

Campaign pushes preparedness ahead of challenging summer

THE CFA has launched its Get Fire Ready initiative across Victoria in anticipation of a potentially challenging fire season.

More than 530 CFA brigades will host events at fire stations and within local communities across Victoria during October.

This is the largest statewide community engagement initiative CFA has ever run, reaching

metro, regional and rural communities alike.

These events are designed to engage residents directly, offering practical advice and resources to help them understand their fire risk, develop a fire plan, and know where to access emergency information.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said Mount Dandenong was

chosen for the launch because, despite not experiencing a major fire since 1997, the region remains one of Victoria’s most fireprone areas, a reminder that long periods without fire can lead to complacency and increased risk.

“The Get Fire Ready initiative is about making sure Victorians understand their fire risk, have a fire plan and know where to get

emergency information from,” Jason said.

“Preparedness saves lives. By getting fire ready now, communities can reduce their risk and respond quickly if fire threatens.

“Our most recent bushfire survey shows that an alarming number of Victorians living in highrisk bushfire prone areas do not perceive bushfire to be a threat.”

Grain options have showing

ALMOST 50 wheat varieties were on display in the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s funded wheat National Variety Trial at Birchip Cropping Group’s Main Field Day.

During the session, growers reported they are considering varieties such as Shotgun, Matador, Calibre, Rockstar and Tomahawk CL next year and keeping a portion of Scepter due to its high and reliable yield returns.

Due to a late start in many regions this year, the nine-month plantback period requirement for some residual chemicals applied this year may cause damage to emerging crops next year.

“If you’re looking for a Clearfield variety, Tomahawk might be a good option,” said BCG Agronomist Anna Marcus. “It has high yielding APW quality and a similar disease package to Scepter.”

Some of the highlighted varieties and their characteristics:

„ Murray: has one year’s worth of data but showing promising yield results cross the Wimmera, Mallee and North Central. APW quality.

„ Matador: a few growers have already made the switch in the North Central. It’s high yielding and has a slightly better disease rating than Scepter.

„ Shotgun: a high yielding alternative to Scepter for the Wimmera.

„ Rockstar: a high yielding alternative to Scepter for the North Central.

Fires are caused by spontaneous combustion when hay is baled with excess moisture.

SHEEP AND LAMBS

NUMBERS were similar at Bendigo on Monday with 13,500 lambs being offered, about 9000 of these being new season.

Quality remained very good although a lot of young lambs are now showing signs of having dried off.

This is starting to play out in price outcomes with a bigger spread in terms of cents per kilogram rates opening up across the sale.

Overall the market showed a firm to drifting lower price trend, the main runs of trade lambs about $5/head off the pace of last week, while the heaviest young lambs were $10 to $20 cheaper in places with not as much competition for weight.

The ‘sweet spot’ of the sale was nicely presented supermarket style lambs.

To illustrate how young lamb presentation and freshness is now having a bigger impact on price outcomes, the lead-run of 2426kg cwt lambs sold from $260 to $320/head at estimated costs of 1040c to over $12kg cwt a the top end – the shandied average working out at about 1130c/kg cwt to processors.

Competition for young store and feeder lambs remained very strong but with c/kg costs starting to ease and averaged under $12kg cwt equivalent in this market.

Old season lambs were cheaper on very mixed quality.

The heaviest young lambs $330 to a top of $378/head, and one

agency did pass-in some when the market hit a flat spot mid sale.

The bulk of the young lambs were medium to heavy trades at $235 to $320/head, restockers again active on lines under 24kg cwt to feed on at $230 to $251/ head. The main lines of smaller store crossbred store lambs from $160 to $230/head.

Quality was very mixed in the old season lamb run, and prices were cheaper with not all processors active as some have shifted to purchasing new season stock only.

There was a wide spread spread of 950c to 1200c/kg cwt of a lot of the old lambs, depending on skin presentation, breed quality and number in a pen. Any lines of plain and light old season Merino lambs were noticeably cheaper.

Sheep remained the highlight, with price trends mostly firm to dearer, some of the light ewes gaining $20.

This put most averages in a range of 770c to 850c/kg cwt and this money was paid for sheep that often showed plenty of weight and condition.

Big crossbred ewes $250 to $302/head; big Merinos $230 to $293/head; and decent light and trade sheep $150 to $230/head.

SUCKER LAMBS

WL & LG & RK Boyd Pyramid Hill (66) $398. N & M Miller Pyramid Hill (106) $382. DJ & ED Lees Rochester (80) $380. N & D Bradford Deniliquin (48) $348. S & R Snelson Tongala (88) $345. WW & RG Farming Macorna

At McKean McGregor, we take pride in delivering professional and innovative services to our valued clients, helping them market their livestock and property with confidence.

Alex Collins - 0408 314 768

Zeb Broadbent - 0447 002 844

Alex Pollock - 0409 145 832

Will Lowe - 0498 381 584

Drew Stratton - 0414 576 371

Henry Bugge - 0403 671 917

Will Holt - 0417 686 814

Lachie McAllister - 0459 310 797

Mitch A’Vard - 0429 966 572

(26) $340. DI Gitsham & Sons Kerang (52) $338. Restdown Farms Echuca (101) $335. WF & SG Thomas Mitiamo (40) $333. PT & KF Howard Goornong (64) $333. BJ & CM Anderson Heathcote South (14) $330. Mark Seers

Appin South (54) $330. Lislea Lodge Picola (120) $322. Bennett & McElroy

Moulamein (97) $316. DL & TM Jensen

Diggora West (55) $299. RE & SL Pedersen Kamarooka (41) $285. Mirnee Partnership Hunter (21) $269. Merran Park Pastoral Barham (39) $267. JF & DL Gibson & Sons Borung (72) $265.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

Steel Kids Newbridge (6) $384. PJ & CJ Eade Lockington (16) $384. Martin J Borger Colbinabbin (22) $379. C Stirling Rochester (10) $370. Sudholz Farm Taminick (60) $348. J & K Kennedy Pyramid Hill (13) $340. JK & KA

O’Callaghan Echuca (11) $300. T & C Maher Goornong (9) $295. Curnow Family Trust Thule (23) $285. Ram J Knowsley (20) $277.

CROSSBRED OLD LAMBS

DL & TM Jensen Diggora West (14) $340. JL McCarthy & Co Lancefield (22) $295.

MERINO LAMBS

Ettershank Pastoral Cobramunga (100) $180. RA & SJ Laws Family Trust Pine Lodge (80) $156.

MERINO WETHERS

N Borger Colbinabbin (183) $275. JF & DL Gibson & Sons Borung (120) $250. Woodside Moliagul Moliagul (25) $214. A & V Draper Glenalbyn (82) $203.

CROSSBRED EWES

WJ Whatley Goornong (47) $295.

Tyquin Canary Island (63) $294. K & J Keating Campbells Forest (47) $271. Hazelwynde Farms Beveridge (87) $266. N & M Miller Pyramid Hill (9) $256. G Moore Swan Hill (11) $246. Mark Seers Appin South (30) $240. M Hartland Huntly North (17) $236. C McGillivray Mangalore (14) $236. Martin Knight Tylden (15) $224.

MERINO EWES

Wanbi Plains Raywood (147) $292. W Gould & Sons Richmond Plains (40) $266. DJ & RJ Cullen Pompapiel (110) $265. J & K Kennedy Pyramid Hill (6) $242. DN & MJ Curnow Thule (108) $236. Bernard Mulquiny Wooroonook (62) $226. Mitak Farms St Arnaud (95) $209.

ORDER OF SALES NEXT WEEK:

Elders, Nevins, Nutrien, Nuttall, McKean McGregor

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

GRAIN

BOORT Grain Prices on Monday. Wheat – H1 $322. H2 $311.50. APW1 $308.50. AUH2 $304. ASW1 $306.50. SFW1 $300. Barley – PL1 $300. MA1 $275. SP1

$275. COM1 $275. BAR1 $275. BAR2 $270. BAR3 $255. Canola – ISCC CAN1 $742. ISSC CANG $672. Oats – OAT1 $330. OAT2 $320. New Season – APW MG $310. BAR1 MG $275. ISCC CAN1 $757. ISCC CANG $684. Non ISCC CAN1 $738. Non ISCC CANG $673. Lentils NIP1 $518.

Walsh joins water group

MURRAY Plains, Peter Walsh, has been appointed to a water security taskforce to advise the Victorian Government on the state’s long-term water security.

“My understanding is the taskforce will review the potential future water supply options and consult with the community before reporting back to the incoming government after the November 2026 election,” Mr Walsh says.

“I was happy to accept the Minister’s invitation to join this bipartisan group because our water supply is crucial and goes way beyond party politics – this is about the future of every Victorian.

“And projects on the scale of major water supply, such as recycled water and stormwater harvesting, for example, can take years to plan and deliver – so we need to start looking at them now as our decisions will impact Victorians for generations.

“While our state has permanent water saving rules in place to help Victorians use water more efficiently, and help prevent water restrictions, given the current dry conditions across Victoria –which I saw in particular across southwestern Victoria while working with the drought taskforce – it is appropriate a review of our permanent water savings rules.”

Spotlight shines on rural life

THE stage is set for Loddon communities to pay homage to the region’s rich agricultural heritage and its 21st century contribution to the strength of the region.

The 137th Boort Show on Saturday October 11 will put the spotlight on the cherished country lifestyle and bring communities together in celebration.

“Agriculture is the greatest driver in the strength of our Loddon communities and our economic fortunes,” said Loddon Shire’s Boort ward councillor and fifth generation district farmer David Weaver.

“Our communities have been built on the foundations put down by pioneers more than 150 years ago and from the beginning, the Boort Show has been a real showcase of rural crafts and ingenuity.

“The Boort Show is the Loddon Shire’s only agricultural show in the 21st century so as a gathering of rural people, it is only right this great event is a focus for farmers and com-

munities in every part of our shire. The show is both a way to acknowledge the importance of our people working the land and also say thanks for the important role they play in keeping our communities vibrant.”

Cr Weaver encouraged residents to be part of the show day activities at Boort Park and also had praise for agricultural and pastoral society president Madeleine Scott and her team of volunteers.

“They do a wonderful job keeping alive the great event that brings people together,” he said.

Mrs Scott also had special praise for her team as the final countdown begins for the 2025 show.

“The countless hours put in by everyone in organising the show is driven by our wish that the communities of the Loddon Shire are together in celebrating rural life,” she said. “We can promise one thing ... show day will be full of fun for families.”

Shearing and yard dogs will mix with amusements, showbags and country crafts at the

2026 Boort Show

Gleaming trucks, dusty utes

WORKHORSES of the 21st Century will ring Boort Park for the 137th Boort Show on October 11.

Big rigs that traverse the highways and roads of Australia will be polished and gleaming for the truck show that has become one of the No 1 attractions of the agricultural show.

Truck-driving owners will be chasing big prizes and the coveted best truck in show sash.

Heath Saunders, the Boort signwriter who specialises in adding artistic dimensions to the big rigs, has again put together a schedule of sections that has attracted the interest of truckies.

And after the success of last year’s inclusion of ute sections in the agricultural show program, Kobie Streader, Jett Hird and Nick Scott have teamed again to feature the smaller contemporary workhorses. Many will come straight from the

farm paddocks where they have been used shifting feed and checking spring growth of crops, others will still have on board the tools of their young tradie owners.

The young trio has quickly spread the word among friends and are expecting a strong turnout of utes from across Loddon communities.

Beside the modern workhorses will be pioneering horsepower vehicles and engines from more than a century ago.

Ferrets faster than a bunny

RABBITS have been warned: Stay away from the 2025 Boort Show.

Yes, ferret racing is making its debut at the Boort Show. The agricultural society reckons it wll be the most exciting (and cheeky!) event of the day.

“Bring your friends, place your bets or just cheer loudly, and join in the fun as these speedy little competitors race for glory,” urges president Madeleine Scott.

“The atmosphere will be electric, and the stakes are high.” Indeed, first prize is $1000 with heat winners picking up $100.”

Ferret racing has long been regarded as a fun, community-focused event often held at local festivals and sporting clubs, primarily in Australia and in Britain,

These nipping fast little animals have been used over the decades to scurry down burrows and bring back rabbits.

Ferrets are curious, playful carnivores descended from European polecats, known for their deep sleep habits (up to 18 hours daily) and social nature. Male ferrets are called hobs, females are jills, and babies are kits; a group of ferrets is called a business.

Eyes on success: Show officials Sharon Pickering, Marj Potter and Madeleine Scott

Get on board for award top billing

ONE of the biggest competitions for Boort Agricultural and Pastoral Society will happen months after the closing fireworks at this year’s show.

Boort Show is chasing the crown for Victoria’s top agricultural show after finishing fourth in the people’s choice award this year.

“Call it a bit of a North Central sport rivally, but we finished just behind Donald this year,” said president Madeleine Scott.

“We hope the thousands who attend will have a great time and put a big tick next to Boort when voting opens.”

Big prizes on offer in truck show

Stage centre - rides and lots of fun

DOGS will be barking early when the gates open at Boort Park for the 137th agricultural and pastoral society show.

Yard dog trials will start the day’s competitions at 7.30am with equestrian events seeing horses in the show ring soon after..

Promising a celebration of agricultural life and skills and the spirit of country communities, the Boort Show will again attract people from across the Loddon Shire and beyond.

A plethora of food vendors will be catering for the large crowd including OMG BBQ, Cleo’s Kitchen, Little Sangria, Central Vic Baked Potatoes, Deja Brew, Tiamo Twin Flame and Sweets and Treats.

There will be classic show food - fairy floss and Dagwood dogswhile local sporting groups will have their famous barbecue and Boort District School parents will be selling show bags, always a favourite with youngsters and young at heart.

Sideshow alley will have some of the latest amusement rides, whether merry-go-rounds or the machines where thrill pumping adrenalin flows fast.

The tiny tots and junior show kids’ events as well as Boort Show Teenager will be judged during the afternoon.

A licensed bar will operate during the show. Live music and the fireworks display highlight the evening once the sun goes down.

Mural makeover at busy pavilion

WHEN the judging is finished and the doors are opened for exhibitors to see how their cooking, handiwork and produce fared in the 2025 Boort Show, they will be greeted by two stunning murals on the pavilion facade.

The artworks by students in Years 8, 9 and 10 at Boort District School have had the finishing touches applied in the last week.

Art teacher Nathan Sims has co-ordinated the

two murals - one depicting sheep grazing in a paddock, the other two black swans on Little Lake Boort with the grain silos in the background.

Boort Agricultural and Pastoral Society hopes the murals are the first in a series to be painted by students on the pavilion walls.

The pavilion will be full of entries received from district residents, from school students

YOUR GUIDE TO SHOW DAY

7.30am

Shearers on board with speed

THE clock is ticking for shearers: How many Merinos can they shear in quick time?

The answer will be known at the Boort Show when some of the best around will hit the boards for the show’s shearing competition.

Thanks to the hard work of Jacqui Challis, the show has built on the success of last year’s sports shear event with the addition of wool handling this year.

The show society says it its excited to present this sports shear event to the community.

“It is a terrific opportunity to see some of our country’s best shearers in action. And our shearing and wool handling competitions are affiliated with AWI Sports Shear,” said Jacqui.

to veterans of the cooking, baking and floral sections.

For some, a win at the Boort Show will qualify them for the Northern District final and possibly a spot in the Victorian titles in 2026.

The mural project is part of ongoing improvements at Boort Park by the society. A concrete apron has also been poured in front of the shearing stand.

The show society has again received sponsorship from the sheep industry and Loddon Valley Merino studs for the showcase agricultural competition. Sports Shear Victoria now runs more than a dozen events at country agricultural shows and major industry events each year competitors vying for a spot in Northern Shears and the state final next July.

SALE

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Lot 1 - “Curleys” 128.607 ha –

Fertile mixed farming land offered in 3 paddocks. Water from 4 Dams and 1 spring with 2 GWM Pipeline connection points available and seasonal flow from Hope Creek. Red loam soils with established timber shelter belts. Power available within 1 km. Substantial agricultural allotment suitable for all facets within the agricultural sector. 85% Arable Lot 2 - “Rogers” 51.212 Ha – 126.54 Ac Brenanah Kurting Road, Kurting, in two Titles but offering in 1 paddock. 95% Arable. With water course pathway throughout the block with old growth gyms providing excellent shelter belts for livestock. Sandy Kurting loam with a Mallee Clay base. Fencing is stock proof. Water by GWM Pipeline connection and Dam

Lot 3 - “Morses” 50.25 Ha – 124.17

Brenanah Kurting Road, Kurting - 1 Title 1 paddock. 100% Arable. Open land parcel suitable to all facets of livestock and grain production. Sandy Kurting loam with Mallee Clay base.

Located 800m from Lot 2. Fencing is stock proof

EOI opens: 25 th September 2025

EOI closing: 30th October 2025 4:30pm sharp at the agents offices

Terms: 10% deposit on the signing of the document, balance in 60 days. Working rights apply upon payment of deposits

Further Particulars/Inspections: Contact Selling Agents

Inspection by appointment

James Nevins 0407 302 900 Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au Web: www.fpnevins.com.au

EDDINGTON / WAANYARRA DISTRICT TO BE OFFERED IN 2 ALLOTMENTS

Lot 1: “457 Scenic Road

 In 4 paddocks plus house yards

 Includes old homestead of solid brick in disrepair and sundry

 Machinery shed

 Water by 4 dams

 Excellent mix of red loams on flats and rising Mallee Clay mix

 on the rise, in good heart

 Fencing fair to good

 Suited to all facets of agriculture

Lot 2: “Tarnagulla Eddington Road

 In 3 paddocks with 3 dams

 60% arable with balance timber shelter belt/ wood block

 Arable portion Mallee base soil type with red topsoil to clay base

Terms: 10% deposit on signing, balance 60 days or earlier by agreement

Expression Of Interest opens 2nd October 2025, closes 31st October 2025

Inspection by appointment only

Further particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents

Office: 03 5438 3041 James Nevins: 0407 302 900 Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166 www.fpnevins.com.au

AUCTION - TURNERS CROSSING

lasered irrigation

 120 Acres - reclaimed from farm land – underground water infrastructure still in

 44 Acres dry land – dams – improvements

 Approx 1000m river access

 Irrigation both Bore & River

 2.5 mg ltr dam

Extensive irrigation infrastructure Including: 3 x Filtomal self-filtering high-volume irrigation pumps, 1 x Filtaworx self-filtering high-volume irrigation pump, attached to the bore.40 HP Kelly and Lewis pump attached to a 10-inch pipe. *Poly tank water storage totalling 36,100 litres.

Other Improvements: *15m x 9m all-steel and aluminium lockup workshop/storage shed with power, water, concrete flooring, and attached 8m x 5m chemical shed

with power and water. *15m x 8m pump shed with double door entry plus a single door, power, concrete floor, plus attached 420kw transformer power box. *15m x 9m zinc-aluminium, 4 bay Machinery shed with all steel construction, power, water, and earthen floor. *6m x 3m site office with 2 rooms, air conditioning, Single and 3-phase power are both available, with all power running underground.

Soil Types: Outstanding North Bridgewater sandy loam river flats with approximately 1km of river access. A Bore water license is still attached (water sold), as well as an irrigation license from the Loddon River (water not included)

Agent’s Comments: Previously home of the renowned vineyard Turners Crossing, 219 Acres of the district’s best quality soils, with position on the Loddon River, with serious underground watering infrastructure still available, it just doesn’t get any better!!

Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents Inspection by appointment

Luke Nevins 0418 510 166 Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au Web: www.fpnevins.com.au

Modern country living at its best!

4 Boundary Street, Wedderburn

4 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

Agent: Luke Nevins 0418 510 166

COMBINING modern design with a relaxed rural feel, this home delivers low-maintenance comfort just moments from the heart of Wedderburn.

Built by Dennis Family Homes in 2016, this beautifully maintained four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence offers contemporary family living on a spacious 1,027m² (approx.) block.

Step inside to discover a thoughtfully designed floorplan, featuring a generous master suite at the front of the home with walk-in robe and stylish ensuite, complete with dual vanities and a large walkin shower. Three additional bedrooms are tucked away at the rear, perfect for kids, guests, or a home office setup.

The open plan living and dining area flows effortlessly into the outdoor undercover entertaining space, while a separate theatre room provides a second living zone.

The sleek kitchen is the heart of the home, equipped with stainless steel appliances, a breakfast bar, and ample storage.

Year-round comfort is guaranteed with ducted heating and cooling, and energy efficiency is taken care of with a 5.4kW solar system paired with a 10.4kW battery bank.

Outside, enjoy the benefits of a secure, low-maintenance yard featuring a massive Colourbond shed, ideal for boats, caravans, or extra storage, a separate garden shed and a double garage with power and concrete.

Located within walking distance of the local school (Prep–12), main street shops, and sports facilities, this property offers exceptional value in a welcoming community.

KURTING - FOR LEASE BY TENDER “Rollinsons”

Brenanah - Kurting Road

326.99 Hectares – 808 Acres. To be offered as a whole in 7 paddocks

 Water by 5 dams – 1 spring

 Fencing fair to good

 Also included are sheep yards, 2 x 600 bag silos, raised barn 35’ x 20’

 95% Arable, 100% cropping rights apply

 Soil is strong loam soil with a claybase, scattered shelter belts for livestock

 Lovely large parcel, never offered to the market previously

Terms:

3 years with a further 2 year option

Payments to be made quarter yearly in advance rates & water charges will apply & billed seperately GST applies

Lease commencing: 1st January 2026

Lease concluding: 31st December 2028

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted

Tenders Open: 1st October 2025

Tenders Close: 31st October 2025 at the office of Agent

Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents Inspection by appointment James Nevins: 0407 302 900 Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au www.fpnevins.com.au

FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE

DUNLUCE FARM LEASE

LEASE BY TENDER TENDER FINISHES NOVEMBER 3RD AT 12PM

Lot 1 - as a whole 1253 hectares*

Lot 2 - Grants & Lane 767 hectares*

Lot 3 - Keoghs 128 hectares*

Lot 4 - Kellys 169 hectares*

Lot 5 - Males 189 hectares*

Highly productive cropping and grazing land. Natural water catchment across the allotments. Excellent fencing. Highly arable. Excellent fertiliser and soil ameliorant history. Lease commencing 15th March 2026.

For more information and tender forms contact: Agent Brett Douglas0447 162 455 / brett@driscollag.com.au

& QUIZ

Tax talks with vital voices are needed FEATURES | OPINION

By CARLY NOBLE

I AM concerned by the Federal Treasurer’s economic reform roundtable discussions which occurred recently.

It lacked inclusivity and diversity of perspectives, particularly from lower-income Australians and local government.

Every local government council around Australia advocates for the voices of small businesses and local industries within their communities, helping to drive regional innovation through partnerships and place-based strategies. This omission risks creating policies that are disconnected from local realities and implementing challenges.

We need more inclusive, equitable, and locally grounded economic policymaking if Australia is to remain competitive with overseas markets.

More emphasis on productivity, business resilience, and budget sustainability is needed.

If national economic reforms focus primarily on large corporations or capital-intensive solutions (like AI), local governments may struggle to retain talent, attract investment, and support inclusive economic growth in their communities.

The Federal Government must clarify who will be included or excluded from national economic reform discussions in the future. Polices must reflect local realities, especially in regional or disadvantaged communities.

Without it, every local government risks missing out on opportunities to leverage their “grassroots and/or boots-on-theground knowledge” in areas like housing, asset infrastructure, and social services.

Without a seat at the table, they may be expected to implement or respond to national policies such as the housing crisis with little or no support.

Investor-driven purchases, vacant homes and planning permits may not be acted upon.

Obtaining adequate funding or support could become a longterm issue and implementing housing affordability measures may continue.

Unfortunately, the current proposal doesn’t appear to address existing local planning bottlenecks or land use issues.

This lack of “local government” input and/or investment is a real

concern. Subsidies are currently inflating prices rather than addressing root causes. More discussion is needed.

Without it, it will place increased pressure on local infrastructure assets such as roads and public transport.

I was also surprised to learn that the Treasurer excluded tax reform from the agenda, despite its central role in addressing inequality, funding public services and ensuring fair contributions from high-income earners and corporations.

Furthermore, the Treasurer proposed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act surrounding environmental legislation and infrastructure funding models but does not explain how this will occur.

Without further information, it could undermine local planning authority if federal reforms override local environmental protections and shift existing costs such as road user charges onto local governments without addressing emissions or sustainability goals.

While the recent roundtable discussion was dominated by

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Loddon Herald welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Preference will be given to letters of 300 words or less and must include your name with address and phone number provided for verification (not publicaton). We reserve the right to edit letters for legal reasons. Send your letters to loddonherald@gmail.com

OPINION PIECES

The Loddon Herald welcomes receiving opinion pieces for consideration of publication. These pieces should be no more than 800 words and should be discussed with the editor before submission.

1. ‘Boom’ and ‘woof’ are examples of what type of word?

2. What is the smallest breed of dog?

3. What type of cheese originates from the English county of Somerset?

4. Rosiland Park is found in which Victorian city?

5. True or False – In Japan there are more pets than children.

6. What is the name of Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’?

7. A popular colloquial phrase used when someone is correct is ‘you’ve hit the ____ on the head’.

8. Who was the creator of several superheroes such as Iron Man, SpiderMan, and Doctor Strange?

9. What is the first name of famous escape artist and illusionist Mr Houdini?

10. Name the famous tomb that was built for the Egyptian pharoah Khufu.

11. Italy was led by which dictator during World War Two?

12. What ability does Dr Dolittle have?

13. Who is ‘smarter than the average bear’?

14. The liver produces what liquid?

15. What is a palindrome?

16. What language has the highest number of native speakers?

17. Terry Gene Bollea is better known by what name?

18. In electronics what does LED stand for?

19. According to Roman mythology, who is the goddess of wisdom?

20. And which character in the Harry Potter franchise shares that first name?

“the big end of town”, it failed to include vital voices from local governments, community sectors, and those most affected by economic inequality.

Opportunities for improvements do exist but must focus on “Made in Australia” themes, including design and marketing.

Since the federal election on May 3, the Government has failed to champion the voices of the people in the manner promised at the election.

Clearly, they do not value every voice as they once said they would. Actions such as this could erode or disconnected public trust in federal institutions, further fuelling political disengagement, or increase support for alternative parties and movements, who strongly advocate for equity and inclusion.

Moving forward, our Federal Government must invest in diverse, place-based economic strategies if we are to survive.

Without it, Australia risks becoming less competitive globally.

ANY excuse! Up there with the dog ate my homework line, Bradley of Boort has come up with a variation to avoid a trip to the supermarket. His latest Treemendous sign is spreading the blame to his children for smearing the shopping list with Australia’s favourite breakfast spread, Vegemite.

AT least he has good taste using the dark yeast-based spread to blot out more of those mundane entries. Much better that “international” origin delicacies like tahini, peanut butter, coconut oil, cream or goat cheese, ricotta, mascarpone cheese, brie, cottage cheese, honey, jam, chia jam, Greek yogurt, labneh, and of course chocolate hazelnut spreads like Nutella.

BUSHY TALES BY IAN JONES

HAVE you noticed how the fast food chain breakfasts have become bigger and bigger. Even cafes are putting more into the traditional egg and bacon roll. Guess hash browns soak up more of the egg so that it doesn’t drip on your shirt. But the sauce? Should it be tomato or the tangier barbecue flavour?

O VER in the land of Uncle Sam and The Donald, it’s a creamier version.. Dubbed a copycat McDonald’s breakfast sauce, it’s made by combining mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, and steak sauce, often with dill and salt and pepper to taste.

AND in the Old Dart, who needs sauce when massive ladels of baked beans are piled over sausages and bacon? Talk about a taste killjoy. All those beans means a crowded palate.

1. Onomatopoeia 2. Chihuahua 3. Cheddar 4. Bendigo 5. True 6. Aurora 7. Nail 8. Stan Lee 9. Harry 10. Great Pyramid of Giza 11. Benito Mussolini 12. Talking to animals 13. Yogi Bear

Bile

word spelled the same backwards and forwards 16. Chinese (Mandarin)

Hulk Hogan 18. Light emitting diode 19. Minerva 20. Professor McGonagall

Carly Noble is a Loddon Herald reader from Arnold

PART 1:

Andrew Mole discovers that from judges and bushrangers to authors and explorers, Mount Hope station has a history of welcoming

BIG WIG VISITORS

DRY and windswept, a landscape where the occasional rabbit has largely replaced the roos and the sheep, Mt Hope Station is slowly, patiently and, at times painstakingly, being coaxed back into life.

Because, in its heyday, this forgotten corner of regional Victoria sat at the crossroads of colonial history.

Today Cohuna doctor Peter Barker owns Mt Hope, and says he is responsible for the next chapter in this distinctly Australian story.

And occasionally he lets friends, and the odd paying customers, immerse themselves in an experience right out of the history books.

Such as Burke and Wills staying in the homestead on their way to what would be a fatal journey of northern discovery – and leaving behind a bullet-shattered window as a memento of the visit. The bullet hole is still there, and you can sleep in the same room they used.

“Apparently some of the camels Burke and Wills brought with them scared the horses, which fled into the wilderness and they offered local shepherds some rum to round them up,” Peter says.

“Which they duly did, at some effort, and then decided they didn’t want a bit of rum, they wanted a whole keg,” he says.

“The ensuing debate ended up with a shot being fired – the one which legend says went through the window, before the dispute was settled, and no one was harmed.”

Bushranger Ned Kelly and Sir Barry Redmond, the judge who would sentence him to death in 1880, were both at the property at the same time, but would not meet until that fateful trial in Melbourne.

High level talks surrounding the discovery of gold and the introduction of miners’ licenses, leading to the Eureka Rebellion, took place there behind closed doors, with luminaries such as Sir William Stawell –the first Attorney general of Victoria, and Governor La Trobe both regulars at Mt Hope.

Rolf Boldrewood, author of Robbery Under Arms, married the owner’s sister and may well have drawn inspiration for his writing from his time in the area as the station was also on the Cobb & Co coach run. Boldrewood eventually purchased a station of his own, called Murrabit Run, closer to Lake Boga.

Henry Lawson, on viewing a series of paintings of Mt Hope Station would refer to them as “portraits of wealth”.

And while there is no record of Banjo Paterson ever visiting, local wits suggest

his Man from Snowy River could well have been based on the great kangaroo hunt there, staged for Governor George Bowen in the 1870s.

According to the Pyramid Hill Historical Society, a Robert Irvine recorded the hunt, and its story was first published in the Inglewood Advertiser:

“All the bosses from the adjoining stations, as well as their boundary riders turned up. What a splendid class of men they were. Richard Goldsborough, a giant of a man, some six feet four inches tall, James Booth, over six feet, and a powerful man; McCormack of Gannawarra, another giant well over six feet with tremendous shoulders; Walsh of Torrumbarry, a man over six feet also; McPherson of Gunbower, a very tall man with a magnificent beard, which parted in the middle and streamed over each shoulder like a horse’s mane when he rode against the wind. Another big man I must mention was big Bill Dunn, a Mt. Hope boundary rider, and an old English gamekeeper, who had spent much time hunting roos with five or six dogs. He used to ride a brown pony, and his feet nearly touched the ground. He was all legs, like a Queensland cornstalk”.

It could be straight from Paterson’s own pen.

Irvine recorded there were about 100,000 sheep on the Mt Hope run – and an estimated 200,000 kangaroos.

“We started to cut the timber for the yard and fence, and with the aid of a good bullock team we had them finished in a week. The yard, made from treetops, was about 12 feet high, and the wings five or six feet high and a quarter of a mile long, the fence forming the other side,” he recounted.

“Some 20 men and boys turned up and on Saturday we were called by the cook at daylight, horses were saddled … breakfast was swallowed hurriedly, and all was in readiness when the final orders were issued. [We were] instructed to go west and after travelling a certain distance to turn in towards the swamp.

“All went well for a while and the roos we saw hopped in the right direction. As we neared the scrub, they became more numerous, and we began to crack our whips and yell. We had ridden into the roo camping ground, and they were there in the thousands. We all went stark mad, yelling and shouting, and the further we went the more roos we could see ahead of us”.

“At last we left the scrub, and what a sight met our eyes! Thousands of hopping creatures, all sizes, all ages. It seemed good progress was being made but our hopes were doomed to failure as presently a solid mass of kangaroos on a front a mile wide swerved away from the yard and raced straight for the other side where the boss and his men were stationed. The roos were maddened with excitement and resembled a tornado.

“Nothing but a 20-foot wall would have stopped them, and presently the order was given to get out of their path. Some of those who tried to stop the break away, including the boss, estimated their number at 50,000, consequently the impossibility of dealing them will be realised.

“Thus ended one of the greatest kangaroo drives the world has ever witnessed. Not one went near the yard. Things done in too great a hurry are rarely successful; we should have had a drive before we built the yard, and the boss agreed it should have been built in the scrub on the edge of the swamp where it could not be seen.”

NEXT WEEK: Peter’s stories and optimism at Mt Hope

Peter Barker crouches with his mural of famous visitors

Peter Barker relishing the history of Mt Hope ... from the glass pane that a bullet shot through to the old kitchen

DINGWALL, LORRAINE (nee HAMPSON)

19/12/1952 - 29/9/2025

Aged 72 years. Passed away too soon.

Beloved wife to Pat.

Cherished mum to Christian, Sharynne, Barry and Deb.

Adored Nana ‘Raine to Mitchell, Abbey, Zac, Ellie, Caiden, Ella and Cooper. A valued community member whom has worked tirelessly.

DINGWALL, Lorraine

Passed away at Boort Hospital

Loved niece of June and Eddie (dec) Ballis and cousin of Graham, Paul, Tracie, Debra, Robyn, Jenni and their families I will miss our games of crib

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of LORRAINE DINGWALL (nee HAMPSON)

to be held on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at 11am at Mitchell Park, Pyramid Hill followed by a burial at Pyramid Hill Cemetery.

BROWN - Joy

10.03.1943 – 24.09.2025

An informal gathering to celebrate the life of Joy will be held at the William Farmer Reception Room, 12 Victoria St., Eaglehawk on TUESDAY (October 7) at 2 pm. Light refreshments will be held whilst sharing stories of Joy.

PUBLIC NOTICES

Yung Balug Keeping Place

The Museum is situated on the property of Paul & Cathie Haw.

Wedderburn

Well worth a visit to see the amazing Artefacts collected from the Boort Region.

OpenGardens

SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER, 10AM TO 5PM

Discover the unique charm, creativity, and character of six beautiful gardens in Wedderburn and surrounding areas.

● Adults (over 18yrs): $20 each ● Children: Free WHAT IS INCLUDED:

● A self-guided tour of six charming gardens in the Wedderburn district

● A map highlighting each of the gardens

● Devonshire tea (scones and a cuppa)

– included with your ticket.

CHARLTON OPEN GARDEN DAY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 11am - 4pm

$20 includes 6 gardens & afternoon tea Registration at Uniting Church Hall, Halliday Street, Charlton

Enquires to Lynne McRae 0408 113104

A recent addition is 34 photos taken by John Hunter Kerr in the 1850s. This was made possible by the State Library of Victoria.

Everyone is welcome. but please call or Email before visiting.

Phone - 0417 333 171

Email - paulcathiehaw@gmail.com

CHARLTON Art & Photography Exhibition

New Venue: Charlton Park Calder Highway, Charlton Friday 10th – Monday 13th October 2025

Friday: 6.30pm (Official Opening) Saturday: 10am – 4pm Sunday: 10am – 4pm Monday 10am-1pm Admission

Official Opening $25 at the door

Early Bird tickets from CNH $20

General Entry Saturday & Sunday $5

Children Under 18 Free

Email: charltonartexhibition@gmail.com

Phone: 0404850961

Facebook: Charlton Art & Photography Exhibition

Bridgewater’s Piper Normoyle (right) and Boort’s Annie Perryman were part of September’s action. NCN PHOTOS

Local umpires Max Higgs and Mal Burge had charge of the North Central junior grand final. Newbridge’s Jorja Hufer during the Loddon Valley netball finals

Inglewood’s Tom Kennedy was a key cog in the Blues’ best finals series in two decades

Inglewood’s Josh Whittle spoils Bears’ Josh Mellington in the elimination final

Club award caps off stunning season

KELSEY Pallpratt has capped a brilliant first A Grade netball season in the North Central association with a win in the Redbacks’ best-and-fairest award.

Pallpratt, who also took out the competition’s B&F, won the club trophy ahead of veteran Maddison Postle.

Olivia Lockhart took out the coach’s award in an undefeated season for the back-to-back premiers, while Holly Lockhart was named best in finals.

B Grade also was unbeaten on the way to a premiership, with Tess Jackson winning the best and fairest.

Co-coach Aliza Lockhart was runner-up after returning mid-season from a year out with an ACL reconstruction, and she won the best in finals award.

Mid-courter Ingrid Gould was given the B Grade coach’s award.

The C Grade netballers lost their grand final, with Sarah Turnbull voted best-and-fairest for the season.

Charlotte Smith was runner-up, Ashleigh Woods won the coach’s award, and veteran Meg Lowry was best in finals.

Jackson McEwen won the senior football B&F ahead of forward Mitch Jensen, who was named in the North Central Team of the Year.

Jye Mortlock, another Redback named in the Team of the Year, won the coach’s award, with Josh Hall named best first-year player.

Robert Tonkin won the reserves best-and-fairest award ahead of Ash Younghusband.

„ RUCKMAN Mick Bradbury was awarded Marong’s best as the Panthers completed four premierships in a row.

The senior coach award was presented to Jai

Gretgrix, with full-back Brodie Hartland named most consistent player.

Matthew Willox, last season’s B&F winner, was given the prestigious Michael Herrick Award.

Cooper Hale added the reserves best-and-fairest prize to his league B&F win.

Paige Gordon won the A Grade netball best-andfairest ahead of Bianca Garton, with the coaches’ award going to Erin Stewart.

+ MAIDEN Gully’s senior football B&F went to Dan Russell.

Runner-up was Mitch Hill, who was a member of the Loddon Valley league’s Team of the Year.

Grayson Brown was named most consistent, while Mitch Whitham won the best utility award.

The best-and-fairest award for the flag-winning U18 team was shared by three players: Liam Budge, Harry Carter and Joel Wittingslow.

Laura Suckling took out the A Grade netball bestand-fairest, with Paige Barry runner-up.

Suckling also won the most consistent award, with Rachael Gray named as Coaches MVP.

P rofesss ional an d Compassionate Fun eral Care

Old face takes Navies’ reins

CHARLTON has looked to the past and a familiar face in choosing its next senior football coach.

Carl Thiesz, who last pulled on the Navies jumper in 2013, will replace Mitch Collins as coach for 2026.

Thiesz, 36, coached Harcourt to the Maryborough Castlemaine District finals in the past two seasons after leading Marong reserves to a premiership in 2023.

He faces a big task to make Charlton competitive with the better teams in the North Central league after years in the doldrums.

“Back when I was playing with the Navies we were in the finals a fair bit, and that is the aim – to get the team back into finals contention,” he told the NCN Herald.

“It will be nice to finish my senior playing career back with Charlton.”

Thiesz said that strong recruiting would be the key to improvement. “The aim is to get in a couple of very good players,” he said, noting that there was little happening on the recruitment front so soon after the end of the season.

“We’re working on a few

names, but it’s early days and people want a bit of time off before making any decisions,” Thiesz said.

He signed to play with Charlton in 2020, but that season was abandoned due to the COVID pandemic. When country football returned properly in 2022, he joined Marong, and the following year coached the Panthers reserves to a flag.

“We had some very, very talented players in that side – the reserves were pretty stacked that year,” Thiesz said.

“There were seven or eight players who could have been in the senior side, and it was such a well-built system at Marong.”

Thiesz said the chance then arose to coach Harcourt seniors, and it was too good an opportunity to let pass. Now comes the challenge to rebuild the Navies.

“All the young senior players now were probably back in the under-14s when I was last there –I would have played with plenty of their fathers,” Thiesz quipped. “I’ll bring a well-structured game plan, and we’ll have a tight-knit group playing team footy.”

Flag-winning Wilson steps down

CALDER United co-coach Darryl Wilson has stepped down from after the Lions winning the North Central football premiership in their first season.

Wilson shared duties with Jordy Humphreys after Wycheproof Narraport merged with Nullawil to create the new club in 2025. Humphreys will be joined as coach by Tom ‘Chooka’ Bickley, who led the Calder reserves to a flag this season.

Wilson coached Nullawil in 2024 before the merger, said: “The chance to coach in a new league that I was unfamiliar with was exciting.

Kelsey Pallpratt

Northern three earn monthly nominations

THE field is set for the 2024-2025 Loddon Herald Sports Star of the Year Award.

Monthly award winners for July, August and September have been announced this week in what has been domination for the quarter for Boort sports achievers.

The July monthly award went to Boort golfer Di Johnston who won Kara Kara Golf Association’s top women’s section championship.

Andrew Kane secured the August award by winning his fifth Victorian Sand Greens Championship at Charlton Golf Club.

And September, for a second year, has gone to Carly Isaac in achieving a triple in tackling Mount Wycheproof where among her successes last weekend was a third Queen of the Mountan,

Also in contention for the yearly award to be announced at a special dinner later this year will be:.

October – Haley Smith: Wedderburn’s Haley Smith has mastered an “opinionated horse” to claim a Ranch Horse Association of Australia national title.

November – Luke Boyd:

Boort basketballer Luke Boyd, a member of the winning team in the Boort Basketball Association’s summer mixed competition, the Kings. Luke led the team to the grand final with his spec-

54 contest annual FARA Day

WEDDERBURN Golf Club’s FARA Day event drew a field of 54 players on Friday.

In the men’s A Grade, D Hendy and D Clapp took out the top spot with 41 points, followed closely by O Bailey and M Hamley on 40.

B Grade result was even closer with both P Hamley and J Landay, and G and C Weston, finishing on 39 points. P Hamley and J Landay received first place on countback. In the ladies and mixed event, Jill and Rachell finished on top with 43 points with runners up Di Roberts and A Tormey just behind on 42 points.

The nearest the pins were Jake Hayes on the 13th hole and Jenny Lanyon on the 17th The 2 on 2 went to Deb Bish. Long drive awards went to P Sanderson for A Grade, G

Smith for B Grade and G Bird in the Ladies category.

TARNAGULLA

Tarnagulla its last organised event for the year, a Three Club Monte.

The men’s winner was Peter Sanderson, with Peter Sanderson coming in behind. In the women’s Jill Sharp took first place with Jenny Honeyman in second place. Nearest the pin was Mary McNamee.

INGLEWOOD

THE school holiday clinic at Inglewood last week was attended by more than 20 youngsters.

Coach Paul Condliffee ran the club clinic that was again sponsored by Inglewood IGA.

NEW Boort football coach Andrew Rutley is looking to Essendon league players languishing in the seconds to keep the Magpies in contention for North Central finals in 2026.

The Magpies have lost Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, who finished top three in the North Central best-and-fairest award in his two seasons with the club, veteran defender Ryan McGhie and last season’s captain Jarrod Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick has been appointed senior coach of Loddon Valley club Pyramid Hill and has taken the two players with him.

“Jhye is a big loss obviously … McGhie … but these boys are a bit older and they’re not getting any quicker,” Rutley said.

“It’s a good opportunity to start again with the kids we have.

There’s a lot of young talent.” Rutley was senior assistant to coach Dale Cameron in 2025 and filled in for an unwell Cameron when the Magpies had their biggest win in several years against reigning premiers Sea Lake Nandaly.

“It was a fantastic result, and our best win for the season,” he said. “After that we dropped off a bit and went back to the pack, but we still deserved our place in the finals.”

Rutley said he joined Boort for the 2025 season on the understanding that he would take over from Cameron.

Living in Melbourne, he plans to recruit heavily from the Division One Essendon District league, taking advantage of his long connection with that competition through the Doutta Stars club.

tacular goals and earned them the win.

December – Rachel Flood: Bridgewater junior netballer Rachael Flood was chosen for the elite Netball Victoria Talent Academy. She usually plays as goalkeeper or goal defence.

January – Cooper Gooding: Boort cricketer Cooper Gooding put in a stunning month with bat and ball in January. The Boort Yando junior star compiled 415 runs across the season by the end of January at an average of 207.5.

February – Ruth Hall: Wedderburn’s Ruth Hall won the North Central bowls Champion of Champions – at the young age of 83.

March – Shelby Giorlando and Jayden Leach: March honours for the Loddon Herald Sports Star of the Year award have been shared by Wedderburn hockey player Shelby Giolando and Kingower cricket captain Jayden Leach. Shelby, 19, toured Malaysia and Thailand with

the Wattles, the Australian Country Under 21s hockey team. Leach dominated Upper Loddon cricket with bat and ball last season. He returned 7-26 from 16.3 overs, an impressive feat which also included nine maidens. Kingower went on to win the two-day match by three wickets the following week with Leach hitting 85 runs, leading his team to victory.

April – John Coffey Jnr: Collected trophies instead of eggs at the Sydney Easter Royal Show, to be selected for the April award. With his father John Coffey senior, the Inglewood youngster took out first place at in the parent and child relay event.

May – Mitchell Pickering: Mitchell Pickering’s first year with Inglewood Football Club juniors is off to a cracking start. At the halfway mark of the season Mitchell had kicked 35 goals including a smashing 12-goal haul in round six.

June - No Award.

Rutley said he would take training with Melbourne-based players on Tuesday or Wednesday before travelling to Boort on Thursday for a session with the local contingent.

Having played all his football with Doutta Stars and Boort, where he won the club best-andfairest in 2004, Rutley said the travel didn’t trouble him.

Indeed, he believed it was a good bonding experience for outof-town players to travel together to matches.

“I think it’s good for the Melbourne boys to jump into a car together – it’s a lot of fun.”

Rutley has already signed a former Vic Metro player for next season, a hybrid forward-midfielder “with a good set of hands” whom he was not prepared to name yet.

“There are a few disgruntled players in the Essendon league who are playing in the seconds – blokes with a lot of talent who could hold their own in the North Central league,” he said.

The player points system is one issue Rutley will confront.

Boort will play with 43 points next season, down from 44 after the Magpies’ first finals appearance in a decade.

Players are rated from one to five points, largely depending on experience, and clubs must not field a team whose total player points surpass the league-imposed cap.

Rutley said he would speak to the league to try to have the decision reversed and admitted losing a player point made recruiting harder.

- GARY WALSH

Marong ditches local competition

MARONG has dropped out of the tennis association carrying the suburb’s name.

The club’s withdrawal reduces the assocation to six teams and will force a new draw to be made before the season starts on October 11.

Marong’s move was announced Tuesday night, the club saying it could not muster numbers to field a team.

The association has also said team sizes will be reduced for the season - five men and five women. The new draw will saw clubs playing each other three times.

Juniors take part in Inglewood’s school holiday clinic. LH PHOTO

Peter and Carolyn McHugh at Wedderburn’s FARA Day event. LH PHOTO

Woodies primed for a home turf start

LODDON bowlers have completed practice matches and early tournaments in their preparation for the start of the 20252026 pennant season.

Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region’s starts on Saturday with both of Inglewood’s weekend pennant teams playing at home.

Division 1 will meet North Bendigo while Division 5 is playing Kangaroo Flat.

Midweek Pennant starts on Monday with Inglewood’s Division 1 side hosting Eaglehawk and newly promoted team, now in Division 4, playing at Dingee.

The club has had a sensational build up to the season with much work done in the clubhouse and with the kitchen nearly completed with thanks to a grant

from the Inglewood and District Community Enterprise.

Late last month, Inglewood hosted Wedderburn in the third Annual practice/social/grudge match with Wedderburn being successful and taking home the much sort after secondhand trophy. Last Thursday, an evening Practise Match was held against Marong with some members from Serpentine participating.

The weather turned a bit cold but a great time was had by all.

The ladies held a successful tournament last Friday with 16 teams entered and participants coming from Pyramid Hill, Calivil, Boort, Maryborough, Castlemaine and many other Bendigo area clubs.

Two teams from Kangaroo Flat had a great day by cleaning up

with the winners and runnersup trophies

And on Sunday Inglewood played a practice match against Dunolly.

These matches against Dunolly had been a fixture many years ago and it was great to rekindle that again as they are a very good club doing well.

BRIDGEWATER

BOWLERS are planning a bit year on and off the rink at Bridgewater.

The club is entering teams in the Bendigo and Goldfields competitions.

And in December, a function will be held to mark the club’s 90th year. A display of photographs through the decades will be a feature.

Inglewood Tennis Association Draw 2025-2026

OCTOBER 11

Korong Vale v Fentons Creek

Powlett v Wedderburn Junction

OCTOBER 18

Powlett v Fentons Creek

Korong Vale v Wedderburn Junction

OCTOBER 25

Wedderburn Junction v Fentons Creek

Powlett v Korong Vale

NOVEMBER 1 Bye

NOVEMBER 8

Korong Vale v Fentons Creek

Powlett v Wedderburn Junction

NOVEMBER 15

Powlett v Fentons Creek

Korong Vale v Wedderburn Junction

NOVEMBER 22

Fentons Creek v Wedderburn Junction

Powlett v Korong Vale

NOVEMBER 29 Bye

DECEMBER 6

Fentons Creek v Korong Vale

Wedderburn Junction v Powlett

DECEMBER 13

Fentons Creek v Powlett

Wedderburn Junction v Korong Vale

DECEMBER 20

Christmas tournament

– Wedderburn courts Details to follow

JANUARY 31

Wedderburn Junction v Fentons Creek

Korong Vale v Powlett

FEBRUARY 7

Fentons Creek v Korong Vale

Wedderburn Junction v Powlett

FEBRUARY 14

Fentons Creek v Powlett

Wedderburn Junction v Korong Vale

FEBRUARY 21

Fentons Creek v Wedderburn Junction

Korong Vale v Powlett

FEBRUARY 28 at Wedderburn

1st v 2nd (Playoff for 1st)

3rd v 4th (Playoff for 3rd)

Starting time 10am, other times to suit weather etc. by arrangement between captains. • Adverse weather to be taken from the forecast temperature for Bendigo (as per BOM) reported on the Friday 5pm, prior to the game is 38 degrees or above.

colleagues and neighbours

Tim Johns prepares the courts at Inglewood on Sunday during a club working bee ahead of the new

LH PHOTO

Dave Whitehead and Alan Noordennen take a break during the annual Inglewood versus Wedderburn pre-season practice match. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD sport

TRIPLE QUEEN

ISAAC BLITZES BEST TIME

BOORT’S Carly Isaac has won Wycheproof’s iconic Queen of the Mountain race for the third successive year – this time setting a new course record.

The new time came after she convinced organisers to make a change to the 20kg wheat bag competitors have to haul on a one-kilometre course up the world’s smallest mountain.

Instead of padding out the bag of wheat with wool, this year wood chips were added to make the contents more stable.

“The organisers like feedback and I suggested the change,” Isaac

said. “The bag is more solid and doesn’t hug your neck as much and sits really nice and high.”

Isaac finished the race in 4 minutes 42 seconds, winning by 35 seconds.

Last year she ran 5.24, and the year before that 5.04.

Isaac’s goal was to break five minutes, and she was surprised to beat her target so comprehensively.

“I haven’t done any more training than usual, but I’m focusing on the Melbourne half-marathon in two weeks and have been doing more speed work,” she said.

Isaac also took out the wheelbarrow race with fellow Boort netballers Isabelle Hosk-

ing, Emma Darker and Nicola Lehmann, and for good measure was the fastest woman in the mixed 5km event.

Race organisers have persuaded her not to call it quits after her hat-trick.

“If I keep racing more people will keep coming to try to beat me,” Isaac said.

“Someone will get me some day, and the girls are getting a lot quicker so I don’t reckon it will be too long.”

Keegan Donovan from Shepparton took out the King of the Mountain event carrying a 41kg bag ahead of Berriwillock’s Matt Hall, who was runner-up for the third year in a row.

Stocks boosted as recruits pad up

CRICKET is back for a new Upper Loddon association season, with a two-day clash between Boort Yando and Arnold kicking off the senior competition on Saturday.

The Magpies will host the match at Boort Secondary School, with fine and warm weather in prospect.

Boort Yando president David Rees said player numbers were “reasonably healthy”, with 14 senior players on the books.

He said junior players would still sometimes be required to turn out for the senior side, which he believed was not a bad thing.

Boort Yando’s juniors did not lose a match in winning the premiership last season, and Rees said, “It does them good to play in a more competitive game at a higher standard.”

James Byrne will captain the

seniors this season, which Rees said was a deliberate appointment aimed at encouraging younger players.

He said Byrne had shown his leadership qualities at St Kevin’s College in Melbourne.

Former player Matt Hodoras is expected to return to the club for some games in a major boost to the senior team, along with Jack Weaver, who has been playing in Geelong.

Young star Cooper Gooding is still eligible for juniors, but Rees said he would certainly see some senior action as well.

The club will celebrate its 40th season this year and plans a major celebration on Valentine’s Day in February, with former players invited back for the occasion.

The teams were closely matched last season, with Boort Yando finishing third on the

ladder and the Redbacks fourth. Both teams were knocked out in the first week of finals by Wedderburn Band and Kingower respectively, who went on to fight out the grand final.

The five-team competition was won by Kingower, but the team has lost its captain and best player Jayden Leach for this season.

Leach, who won both the batting and bowling averages for the association in 2024-25, will switch to lawn bowls with Bridgewater this summer as he deals with a lower back problem.

The four-team junior competition begins this week with two-day matches that see Boort Yando facing Bridgewater, and Kingower versus Wedderburn Band.

- GARY WALSH

Three times a winner ... Carly Isaac