FRED Nevins was known in hundreds of towns that dotted the path of expanding railway lines in country Victoria.
The one-third owner of auctioneers Thomas Morrow and Co in his home town of Inglewood would travel the train tracks conducting auctions as new lines opened business opportunities.
The reputation of the young and enthusiastic Fred was quickly forged after he returned to the family’s Sullivan Street home after a year at St Patrick’s College in Ballarat.
An ability to “sell sand to the Arabs” made him the star of Morrows and built up networks that a young Fred would immediately activate when he went solo on April 1, 1923, from a room at Inglewood’s Royal Hotel.
With him was clerk Bob Coutts who had also been at Morrows, established in 1879 by the Irishman from County Tyrone, Ireland, who had seen earlier fortunes lost as a goldminer and speculator or furniture store owner watching his stock engulfed in the great fire of Brooke Street of 1876.
Luck, however, changed for Morrow as an auction house owner, merging with McPherson, Steinberg and Co in Bendigo in 1891.
Young Fred’s gift as an auctioneer of livestock, property and goods was immediately in demand across the region - Frederick Patrick Nevins’ fledgling business was soon popping up across the Loddon, north to Boort, Charlton, Quambatook and beyond, in the Bendigo district and south further than Newstead.
Just as his office at the Royal Hotel was a hive of activity accepting new business and cultivating loyal customers, so too was his presence in those towns where a room was designated the FP Nevins branch office.
After the tough years of the Great Depression, it was recalled at Fred’s funeral in February 1966, he generated a second income stream to support a young family.
He was Inglewood’s SP bookmaker for more than a decade and continued to offer odds on horse races across Victoria until the arrival of the State Governmentowned Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) across Victoria from 1961.
Fred’s knowledge of stock and rural properties has been the strong foundation of the company he founded and now is the oldest family-owned business in the Lod-
don Shire. His sons Jack and Jim became the second generation in the 1940s. Jim was at St Patrick’s College in 1937, went to Melbourne working with woolbrokers and stock and station agents Younghusbands before joining father Fred back in Inglewood in 1941.
Jack also had his year at St Patrick’s and gained invaluable industry experience with stock agents Sims Cooper that included two days a week at Melbourne’s Newmarket saleyards.
However, Jack’s entry into the family business life was delayed by World War Two when he served in the Royal Australian Air Force. training in Canada and flying bombing raids over Europe.
Immediately Jack was demobilised, it was back to Inglewood and work in the family firm and when father Fred decided would have a new name reflecting the arrival of the second generation - FP Nevins
and Sons stock and station agents was registered.
A further name change would come when patriarch Fred died in 1966 - FP Nevins and Company, stock and station agents.
FP Nevins continued being supported by loyal customers, and like the business, was now selling and buying stock and property for a second generation of farmers and graziers.
In the early 1970s, the Inglewood business was joined by Gerald Kavanagh, who had previously worked with Gippsland and Northern, Warrnambool/Bendigo, and then John McDonald Stockmasters, Sydney, as manager of its Bendigo office.
Meanwhile, back in Inglewood the move was being made from the Royal Hotel offices to premises on the opposite side of Brooke Street.
Chris, James and Luke Nevins - the third
generation in the business established by their grandfather 100 years ago - recall the family story of the move stopping traffic while the heavy safe was wheeled on a bag trolley down the centre of Brooke Street by their fathers and staff.
The move across the street would signal investment in construction of new premises in the 1970s that today remains the home of the FP Nevins and Co.
Three generations of Nevins across a century have worked alongside farmers of the Loddon, Victoria and into southern New South Wales.
From the stock market rings to clearing sales, auctions and real estate, the energy and knowledge that Fred Nevins harnessed 100 years ago continues through grandsons Chris, Luke and James and their loyal long-serving staff supporting valued and loyal customers, many also for a third generation.
THREE generations of the Nevins family have stepped into the selling ring on market days across Victoria getting the best prices for local farmers.
Fred Nevins was an astute judge of stock, a skill he passed on to sons Jack and Jim and grandsons Chris, James and Luke.
Thursdays in Inglewood saw FP Nevins and Co offering up to 10,000 sheep at saleyards in Southey Street for decades until the final sale there in 1969.
The local stock agents have been part of the weekly selling action in Bendigo
since 1927 - the window of FP Nevins and Co in Brooke Street still showing that lambs and sheep were once sold on Mondays, cattle on Tuesday and pigs and calves on Thursday in Bendigo before the market moved from Strickland Road to Epsom.
Today’s focus of selling in Bendigo is sheep and lambs every Monday where FP Nevins and Co puts prime local stock under the hammer to domestic and export buyers.
FP Nevins and Co sells cattle through regular sales at Echuca where it has
been operating since 1995. And the 100-year-old Inglewood business has also embraced modern selling platforms. AuctionPlus has provided Loddon producers with more options to seek competitive prices for sheep and cattle.
“We provide the latest market trends to our loyal customers and help them select the best selling platform for sheep and cattle - we want them to get the best prices for quality local stock,” said FP Nevins and Co directors Chris, Luke and James Nevins.
AUSTRALIAN Energy Market Operator has copped a spray from Loddon Shire councillors for poor consultation on transmission line plans.
Mayor Dan Straub told Tuesday’s council meeting the proposal for a 500 kiloVolt line through the shire was “working with shadows” until there was more detail.
Councillors backed Cr Straub and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald making a submission for a single alignment of the VNI (West) line through the shire.
They will tell AEMO consultation has not met “the expectations of our community ... we expect people to be meaningfully engaged and informed of issues which may impact upon them”.
Mr Fitzgerald said residents wanted clarity about the project and a strategically-placed route on one alignment rather than a “spider web” of lines in the future.
Council will also tell AEMO before consultation ends next week that the line should have the “highest capacity transmission to enable additional power generation and therefore value sharing to our community”.
Mr Fitzgerald said: “There is a risk that if additional solar farms are not possible as a result of low capacity within the transmission
By CHRIS EARLnetwork, there will be no benefit share for the Loddon community as a result of the transmission infrastructure.”
Cr Wendy Murphy said the proposed route, which she described as currently “just a blob on a map“, would have significant impacts on farmland across the shire, particularly if graziers wanted to expand cropping ventures.
Cr Linda Jungwirth pushed for better consultation in future on a “great project that needs to happen”. She said farmers were looking forward to the project but wanted better engagement.
Cr Gavan Holt said the project was massive and would have an impact on Loddon regardless of final alignment of towers.
He said Loddon was in a renewable energy zone and could acrue benefits if the line had capacity to absord energy generated locally.
But he said there were downsides and no level of compensation would be adequate for landowners. The proportion of compensation compared with the total cost of the project was almost zero, Cr Holt said.
Mr Fitzgerald told councillors AEMO had missed an opportunity to proactively answer farmer questions.
MORE REPORTS - PAGE 9
THE challenge is out! Be exercise active for 30 minutes a day in April.
Inglewood and Districts Health Service clinical and community services director April McKenzie is leading the local Active April campaign
“Active April is a great opportunity to either get active again or discover a new exercise in your daily routine with exercise as a fun and social
activity,” she said at the campaign’s launch last week.
“I’m challenging all IDHS staff and the community to step up this April and get involved no matter your age, ability or fitness level.
“There are free classes at the Healthy Loddon Campaspe outdoor exercise equipment in Inglewood as well as boot camp classes run by IDHS as part of our 30-day Active April calen-
dar. You can also try something new online such as Thai Chi, yoga and pilates.”
And on Tuesday, the IDHS team is running a healthy community lunch at the Lions Park in Inglewood.
April said the active challenge included a special April calendar with events and activities.
Your Active April Calendar - Page 14
F
OOTBALL is pumped bigger than ever with wild and rash predictions leaving many a devoted AFL fan open for personally delivered messages from, we shall say friends, about the fortunes of several teams. Quick out of the pack has been none other veteran walloper Ray Stoman up in Boort. Taking a wee break from preserving law and order, Ray has kept his investigative skills up to par when it comes to the interesting fortunes of the town’s resident Big Cat Alister. Ray was concerned that news of Geelong’s early season demise may not have reached the columns of big city newspapers being dispatched by Alister to local homes early in the morning after there was another torrent of tears flooding the Princes Highway from Melbourne back to Sleepy Hollow. Ray put out the call: “In Geelong today. Shops closed, GMHBA stadium closed, people grumpy, no cars, Spirit of Tasmania not operating, generally not a happy town. As Alister not receiving any messages. I ask the Boort community to inquire with Alister as to the problem in Geelong today. True Blue — feeling fantastic.” Alister was soon inundated with friendly phone calls from around the district inquiring as to his wellbeing and that of the Handbaggers. And we’re reliably informed that the defeat of Geelong has already cost him one Tattslotto ticket this season.
FOOTBALL has its tragics and it has it’s real tragics. The Oracle is thumbing through his brittle, faded and dog-eared copy of the 1966 Grand Final Record - fired in a text message claiming that his beloved Saints of 2023 have a hint of 1966 about them after starting the season 2-0. Here at OTF, we love champions in March, a measure of some success for those long starved of ultimate football enjoyment.
AS summer sport wrapped up at the weekend, we reckon there’s only one group friendlier than Alister friends overloading the mobile phone network after a(nother) Geelong loss. Those flies at Dingee were in buzzing premiership form when tennis grand finals were played on Saturday. As John McEnroe would have said, seriously how can there be some many flitting around.
POPPING into the BABBA concert on Saturday night, couldn’t help notice the attire of one leading Inglewood citizen. Forget the frizzy wigs and platform shoes, said person wore a ripper Hawaiian shirt instead. Adds to speculation the Swedish pop stars don’t mind pineapple on their pizza.
WE FOUND a whole lot of ABBA jokes out there on the internet. Every now and then I’ll get ABBA stuck in my head... and I’ll think to myself, Mama Mia, here I go again. What did the dancing queen use to solve her math problems? An ABBAcus. Yesterday, a mate asked if I’d take ABBA out for lunch I replied, “I would, my friend. For Nando’s”.
WINTER devotees of OTF know that we like to assist in the promotion of worthy causes. And football wise, the unique fundraising formula of the Redbacks for their end-of-season trip includes special contributions from players who have their mug in the Loddon Herald is a favourite cause. When chief fundraiser was advised we might just go easy on any player about to become a dad (first or repeat) this season, there were frowns and grimaces. “They’re our best donors ... you can’t do that,” came the fiscally responsible response.
FINALLY this week, the 40th annual World Clown Association convention has just finished in Orlando, Florida. Their mission: Bring happiness, joy, fun and comic relief to children of all ages.” We reckon script ideas abound in OTF.
MAIN STREET COVER UP The old butcher’s shop in Brooke Street Inglewood has been boarded up ready to be temporarily adorned by a bright mural while restoration and renovation works of Porter’s Corner continue. New building owners Jerry (pictured) and Pauline Wellman have spent the first months of 2023 tidying the external appearance of shops and vacant land and are now ready to tackle the interiors. The temporary mural is expected to emerge in coming weeks. LH PHOTO
AUSTRALIA Post boxes at Jarklin have been given a makeover and moved to a new position.
Boxes were shifted from outside the long-disused service station and roadhouse to the nearby hotel. The move followed requests from residents to Australia Post for the new location
that has also seen parcel delivery storage lockers added to the 27 mail boxes, allowing local deliveries instead of residents travelling to a post office or agency. Locals arranged for a concrete base and roof over the boxes at their new location and a coat of paint.
NEW septic tanks are being installed at Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve.
Work started last week, almost two years after the reserve’s system failed and limits were put on
camping numbers days out from Easter. Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning in January confirmed a $120,576 grant to replace the reserve’s septic treatment system
apply.
LODDON Shire Council has been taken to Victorian Administrative Appeals Tribunal by a Newbridge couple wanting to build a home on their farm.
Darren and Michelle Phinn will have their case heard by VCAT at a two-day hearing next month.
“We feel council has not made the right decision and we have made every attempt to try and answer all queries of us,” Mr Phinn said.
“We are farmers who bought a block in a farming zone. We just want to farm and live on the block to run the farm.”
Council last July knocked back the Phinn’s planning application, saying the proposal was contrary to state and local planning frameworks to protect agricultural land.
Refusal was also based on:
z The use and development of a dwelling on a site less than 100 hectares is contrary to the purpose and decision guidelines of the farming zone.
z The proposal would not support and enhance agricultural production and result in fragmentation of productive agricultural land.
z The use and development of a dwelling on the land is not compatible with the adjoining uses in this area.
Shire statutory planning coordinator Louise Johnston told councillors at their monthly meeting on Tuesday: “The applicant has advised VCAT and all parties to the appeal that they wish to amend the application currently being considered at VCAT by substituting amended plans that essentially change the location of the dwelling, sheds and waste water disposal field to within the south western cor-
ner of the site, approximately a further 600 metres south from where they were originally proposed.
“It is the officers’ view that the change in the location of the dwelling and associated buildings and works on the land does not address any of council’s grounds of refusal, therefore council should advise the tribunal that council’s position on the application does not change as a result of the amended plans.”
Councillors accepted Ms Johnston’s recommendation to rely on the original grounds for refusal.
RESIDENTIAL land development
in Wedderburn is expected on Loddon Shire Council’s agenda within months.
Councillors on Tuesday adopted a land and building development project policy ahead of discussing plans for a sub-division in Ridge Street.
“This policy aims to provide a clear, consistent and merit based approach to considering council land development,” councillors were told in a report.
“The policy supports council’s desire for balanced population growth across the municipality by prioritising development where the private market is not
driving growth.” Council could be responsible for market and feasibility analysis, community engagement, rezoning, sub-division, obtaining statutory permits and licences, preparing specifications for services and infrastructure, managing capital works and land sales.
“In the coming months council will be asked to make a decision on the Ridge Street housing development proposal being driven by a local development committee,” the report said.
“Council has been discussing the relative merits of undertaking housing development in areas which do not have private
development growth. As a result of community feedback, market pressures and council’s objective to grow the population, Council has discussed undertaking a housing development at Ridge Street, Wedderburn.”
Cr Gavan Holt said: “In some instances there is no appetite from developers in Loddon.”
Cr Holt said accessible housing had been an issue for the shire with its large area, small population and scarce or limited resources.
He said discussions on stage two of the Ridge Street development were at a point where the project could proceed but needed
a clear policy that could be applied across the shire.
Cr Holt said council’s policy would not require additional council funds, ward allocations applied to a housing development project if that was the decision of local committees.
Cr Neil Beattie said the new policy was sound and “gives the opportunity to develop housing maybe in a small way but will help our growth”.
The policy says: “Council will treat housing development as an entrepreneurial activity although in some circumstances it may be a direct loss-making activity that has other tangible benefits.”
FIRE restrictions will be lifted in the Loddon Shire from 1am Monday, the CFA said on Tuesday. Restrictions have been progressively lifted across CFA District 20 over the past fortnight with Loddon and Campaspe Shire now being added to the list.
Response on pools
LODDON Shire wellbeing director Wendy Gladman said opening pools on the hottest day after the season had ended “was not deemed a viable option”. She said on Tuesday council had been aware March 19 was going to be a hot day but “was a single hot day in isolation, and in consideration of the work that would be involved to facilitate opening for a single day, this was not deemed a viable option”.
WEDDERBURN College council has re-elected president Carolyn Stevenson and vicepresident Deanne Caserta. New student representatives are Eliza Turnbull ad Pippi Hartnell.
With interest rates on the rise, there’s never been a better time to review your home loan. We’ll look at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs. Enquire online at bendigobank.com.au/healthcheck or call your nearest branch on 5438 3500.
TRADITIONAL hot cross buns are being snapped up as soon as they leave the oven at Pyramid Hill’s Coffee Bank.
Apprentice baker Raidan Forster, under the guidance of mother and Coffee Bank owner Debbie, is baking some of the finest hot cross buns around.
Using the traditional recipe with brandy-infused fruit, Raidan’s delights are daily finding favour with customers.
“We’re selling out every day and certainly keeping Raidan busy preparing the next batch of mixture ready to shape into the Easter buns ready for baking,” said Debbie.
“They smell and look delicious.”
Raidan and Debbie started making their hot cross buns three weeks ago as Easter approaches.
Raidan is nearing the end of of the first year of his apprenticeship and attends Bendigo TAFE every Wednesday for trade classes.
On other days of the week, he’s in the kitchen at Pyramid Hill’s Coffee Bank where delicious homemade food is prepared and served with wonderful cups of tea or coffee.
Raidan has also been baking and icing special occasion cakes and massive muffins that have added to the delicious home-made food available at the Coffee Bank every week from Monday through to Friday.
CRIME in the Loddon Shire has dropped to the lowest level in five years.
Annual statistics recorded a 15.2 per cent decrease in 2022 criminal incidents, the lowest since 2017 and the second lowest in a decade.
Crime Statistics Agency said arrests were made and charges laid in 49 per cent of the 457 incidents reported in 2022 with 35.7 per cent of cases unsolved.
Most offences were reported in Wedder-
LEADING Loddon volunteer fireman
Steve Mann has been awarded life membership of the Pyramid Hill brigade.
Members had planned to make the presentation to their captain last year but plans were scuppered by October’s floods where Steve again showed his leadership skills.
He served as captain for a decade until 2010 when the town’s urban and rural brigades merged and has been in the role again since 2014.
Captain Mann, who joined Pyramid Hill brigade in 1996, is also a longtime deputy group officer with the Terrick group. Group officer Richard Hicks said: “Working alongside Steve at group level has allowed our group to function as all groups should, as a support network to brigades and the conduit between staff and our general members.”
The life membership presentation was made by former Pyramid Hill captain Tony Mullins.
burn (79) followed by Inglewood (71), Pyramid Hill (44), Tarnagulla (21), Bridgewater (21). There were 15 reported incidents in Boort.
Offences were reported in homes (136) followed by street/footpath (72), farm house (31), service stations (18) and farms (18). with theft, family violence order breaches and criminal damage the main offences.
Assaults, property damage and burglaries were up for the year.
BRIDGEWATER Primary School students had added excitement last week when construction of a new playground area started.
They gave a thumbs up to crews arriving
to work on the $499,125 project first announced more than three years ago.
Synthetic turf for student comfort and safety will be installed as part of the project expected to be finished within months.
Agency chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said: “The majority of offence types increased in the last 12 months, with notable increases in breach of bail offences and acquisitive crime types such as thefts.”
Family incidents in Victoria increased 1.3 per cent in the last 12 months, with 92,296 incidents recorded across Victoria. In Loddon family violence was down 10,3 per cent.
Loddon crime figures remain below the Victoria average.
ADVENTURE Bingo – an initiative from Healthy Loddon Campaspe - will be launched in Boort this morning.
An announcement by Loddon Shire Council yesterday morning said students from Boort District P12 School would be walking the Little Lake Boort Adventure Bingo trail from 10am.
Boort is one of six trails across the Loddon Campaspe region part of the initiative where participants spot points of interest listed on a grid during their walk and once they’ve spotted three items in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line, they’ve got bingo.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe co-ordinator Alicia O’Brien said Adventure Bingo encouraged physical activity, especially for children and families, in the local region in a fun and simple way. Dunolly was announced as an Adventure Bingo location last week.
FIRST bids to run Bridgewater and Wedderburn caravan parks under 25-year leases close today. Loddon Shire Council has put the parks out for tender through Benalla’s Tower Real Estate. Tenderers have been asked to submit plans to grow visitation at the the two parks.
I’ll be at the Inglewood Community Hub on Wednesday 5 April from 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Have a local issue you'd like to discuss? Need help applying for your $250 Power Saving Bonus?
I can help. Call my office to book a meeting time on 5461 1255 Looking forward to seeing you.
Ripon for
THEY met their Waterloo and had the time of their lives in Inglewood Town Hall on Saturday when the town was dancing and signing to the songs of Swedish pop sensations ABBA.
Australian cover version BABBA attracted a capacity crowd to the dance floor and more in the history hall balcony raising funds for the next stage of work at the town hall hub.
Many dusted off 70s attire and wigs to pay homage to the Swedish quartet including (clockwise,
from above) Matt Rowe, Holly Martin and Jayden Leach; Kath Burke, Fiona Nevins and Tanya Leach; Jan Sherwell, Michelle Hargreaves and Vicki Bainbridge; Matt Vitiritta and Bridie Rodwell; and Macey Martin and Julie Luks.
Hub president Enzo Scafati expected the night to have raised about $4000 and he thanked Pauline and Jerry Wellman, Kristen Ward and Brian Rodwell for their assistance.
Buloke and Loddon L2P Learner Driver Mentor
Program is a state wide initiative funded by the State Government and managed by VicRoads. This program provides young people the opportunity to complete their 120 hours of driving experience that they may otherwise be unable to achieve.
L2P is free for eligible young people
Be between 16 and 20 years of age
Hold a current learner’s permit, and Not have access to a vehicle, a supervising driver or both.
The program encourages Loddon residents to act as mentors to young people gaining their experience on the roads.
To become a volunteering mentor in the L2P program, you need to be over 21 years of age, hold a current full Victorian driver’s licence, and meet requirements of the L2P program
If you are interested in assisting the program, contact North Central LLEN on 03 5491 1144 or email l2p@ncllen.org.au
THE Vietnam War will be in focus at next month’s ANZAC Day commemoration in Boort.
Vietnam veteran David Wagner, who grew up in Boort, will be guest speaker and photographs by fellow veteran and Boort RSL sub-president Paul Haw will be displayed in the memorial hall.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in the war ending.
Commemorations will include a march from the resource centre, wreath laying and a service.
Members and supporters of Boort RSL will begin selling ANZAC tokens in Godfrey Street after Easter.
Mr Haw said: “Every year on April 25, Australians are given the opportunity to pause, reflect and to remember the incredible brave Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in conflict which includes the 65 soldiers from the Boort District”.
STRONG bidding for agricultural machinery and equipment at a Boort clearing sale reflected supply chain challenges for the sector, said auctioneer Nick Byrne.
Mr Byrne, of Nutrien Harcourts Boort, said there were more than 200 registered bidders at the Glenmore farm clearing sale with a front-end loader selling for $65,000 and strong demand for field bins.
Mark Lanyon previously sold his Glenmore property.
Cat and dog registration time has rolled around again, and renewal notices will be arriving in pet owners’ mail boxes in the coming weeks.
If a cat or dog isn’t micro-chipped and registered they cannot be identi ed and reunited with their owner. In the best interests of your pet, your family and the community, please ensure your registration renewal is paid by the due date. Every dog and cat over the age of three months must be registered. Owners of dogs and cats being registered for the rst time with Council are required to provide evidence that they have a microchip.
If you have an unregistered pet in your care, please take this opportunity to contact Council and rectify the situation as soon as possible, without fear of penalty. Further information, contact Council’s Local Laws team on 5494 1200.
TRANSMISSION line towers higher than lights at the MCG will be dotted through the Loddon under Australia Energy Market Operator’s new preference for a route connecting Victoria and New South Wales.
Landowners across the region have been calling for detail on what the landscape will look like if the project proceeds.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn branch Graham Nesbit said it was believed 85-metre high towers would be no more than 450 metres apart on the 220km route.
Mr Nesbit and other local landowners have questioned whether the lines would have capacity for locally-generated wind and solar energy to be fed into the grid.
“It looks like the line will see off-shore wind energy sent to New South Wales and power from the Snowy come to Victoria.”
AEMO has said capacity on the proposed 500 kiloVolt line could later be increased.
LESS than a week remains for what AEMO says is ‘’additional consultation” on its new preferred option five through the Loddon Shire.
An information sheet distributed by AEMO at last week’s forum in St Arnaud had the February 23 release of its consultation report listed for mid-February.
Its general manager Victoria planning Nicola Falcon later told the Loddon Herald that the consultation period was the mandated minimum six weeks.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation Wedderburn president Graham Nesbit, one of dozens from the Loddon at the St Arnaud forum, said local farmers were at the point of making formal submissions before consultation ends next Wednesday.
“It doesn’t matter how simple the submission, we need to get our views on potential impacts across and have our voices heard,” he said.
LANDOWNERS have grilled AEMO over the lack of detail with its preferred route for the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project.
One of two last-minute consultation pop-ups saw five AEMO representatives in the main street of Wedderburn on Friday.
Consultation sessions in Wedderburn and Kerang were added to the AEMO website after calls for better engagement from local government leaders including Loddon Mayor Dan Straub and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald.
Borung farmers Amber and Peter Gib-
son told AEMO representatives the consultation process was poor.
“They weren’t there to give answers, only take questions,” Amber said.
Peter said the consultation process had lacked transparency. And he said limitations on using farm machinery under transmission lines was at risk. “They said up to 4.5 metres ... the majority of our equipment is taller than that.”
Ripon MP Martha Haylett said: “I’ve been speaking to many locals about the VNI West project and encourage them to have their say as part of the consultation process.”
Come and join us during our winter trading times. We will keep you warm with a range of specials and classic pub meals.
MONDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER
TUESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM
DINNER FROM 6.00PM
PARMA NIGHT
EXTENDED PARMA MENU
WEDNESDAY - OPEN 4.00PM
DINNER FROM 6.00PM
FULL MENU AVAILABLE
THURSDAY - OPEN 4.00PM
DINNER FROM 6.00PM
STEAK’N’POT NIGHT
FRIDAY - OPEN MIDDAY
LUNCH FROM 12.00 LUNCHTIME SENIORS DAY
“We are still unhappy with the whole consultation process. Basically the popups have just been a document handout.
“The project looks like it is going to start pretty quickly and we need to have dialogue (with AEMO) pronto.”
INCREASED activity has been reported in air space over the Loddon Shire in the past fortnight.
Some residents have speculated that helicopters could be surveying possible defined routes within AEMO’s preferred option five transmission line path.
The Loddon Herald contacted AEMO asking whether it had started aerial surveying. No response has been received.
A TASKFORCE to lead advocacy on renewable energy and transmission infrastructure development across Victoria and help give farmers a say has been confirmed by Victorian Farmers’ Federation.
VFF policy council formally established the group last Wednesday to focus on providing a united advocacy for farming communities battling proposed developments.
President Emma Germano said it was important that farmers directly impacted by these developments lead the VFF’s advocacy efforts on the issues affecting their communities.
“Ironically, this taskforce is about giving power to the people to have their say,” she said.
“Farmers need to be the ones at the centre of this. It’s their livelihoods at risk and
it’s their communities that are being torn apart.”
“It’s vital that the VFF’s advocacy is directly connected to the communities that are set to be impacted. It’s also important that these communities are connected to one another,” Ms Germano said.
The taskforce will be led by the VFF’s planning, environment and climate change committee chair Gerald Leach who will work with horticulture vice-president, Katherine Myers, water councillor Kain Richardson and Gippsland branch president Hamilton Gerrand.
“The work done by farmer advocates to date has been incredible. I’m pleased that we will have people like Gerald, Katherine, Kain and Hamilton sharing their local experience with farmers from other parts
of the state, who are just starting to learn about the significant impact these developments pose for their own farm businesses,” Ms Germano said.
Ms Germano said the taskforce’s focus would be on critical issues involving land access and compensation for farmers, whilst also looking at alternatives to overhead powerlines over farms.
“The Victorian Government’s announcement of $8000 additional per km of easement was truly a slap in the face for farmers, when we haven’t even had the discussion about what fair compensation looks like,” she said. “We need to solve that issue, whilst also looking to alternatives to build transmission towers over farms. Using existing easements and undergrounding powerlines must be explored.”
DINNER FROM 5.30PM
MEAT TRAY RAFFLE
FULL MENU AVAILABLE
SATURDAY - OPEN 4.00PM
DINNER FROM 5.30PM
SUNDAY - OPEN 4.00PM NO DINNER
A fine pub with 100 years of trading – supplying you with friendly service, cold beer, spirits & wine, great meals, restaurant, accommodation & bottle shop.
84 Godfrey Street, BOORT 03 5400 9650 railwayhotelboort
BENEFITS of cheaper electricity have been questioned if food prices tripled.
‘Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Emma Germano made the comment at a Rural Press Club of Victoria breakfast on Friday discussing the supply chain’s role in Australia’s food security.
Ms Germano said plans for transmission ljnes through prime agricultural land would be a major mistake.
Ms Germano, Bayer Crop Science managing director Warren Inwood international agricultural researcher Dr Leigh Vial also spoke on the supply chain’s role in Australian food security.
Mr Inwood said innovation and technology were reliable tools for Australian farmers to remain competitive.
He said Australia needed to improve its access to skills and staff to be a reliable export partner.
“Innovation and technology are core to producing more,” he said.
Mr Inwood said it had become harder to find safe and affordable products within regulatory
frameworks. “One of the limitations is the cost of research and development,” he said.
Ms Germano said Australia had been bouncing from one disaster to another - COVID, drought, floods - without thinking about the future of agriculture. And she said the political cycle had not helped agricultural planning.
“Food security doesn’t win too many votes,” Ms Germano said.
The role of supermarkets in the supply chain came under scrutiny during the panel discussion with Ms Germano saying they had taken the narrative away from farmers.
Panel members also spoke how inflation, the pandemic and climate can impact the supply chain. Speakers said an efficient supply chain in Australia was important.
Mr Inwood said Australian growers were currently not operating on the same level playing field.Farmers were in a highly competitive environment without the subsidies of some countries.
To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.
In a wet Bendigo market the yarding was broadly firm across the board with light sheep prices easing in places.
ASSISTING farmers and rural small business holders through natural disasters is something that the Rural Financial Counselling Service has done for more than 35 years.
Last year, as soon as the local risk of flood was identified the team of financial counsellors were ready to assist farmers and small business owners and they haven’t stopped since.
RFCS says the Loddon Shire was one of the most heavily impacted by October’s flood emergency. As a result the team servicing the area from Bendigo to Swan Hill doubled in number to meet demand.
It says that normally the team meets clients on their farm or at their business, however with many properties inaccessible, or closed, they attended community relief centres.
RFCS said one was example was the area around Jarklin and a phone call from Heidi Polkinghorne at the Four Posts Hotel, offering a table and coffee! to meet those impacted, was accepted by our team.
“Heidi had told us there was demand, however we did not expect the level of enquiry,” said local counsellor Anna McGree.
“We were attending weekly prior to Christmas and at least
fortnightly after that. We met with farmers from Serpentine to Kerang, from Boort to Pyramid Hill.
“Having somewhere central meant we could assist more clients, however it also provided them a chance to socialise and get away from the damage.”
The Kooyora Women’s Network has also provided RFCS with space at the Bridgewater Railway Station each Tuesday as did the Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House and Boort Resource and Information Centre when required.
“While the drop-in centres have been incredibly valuable it has been wonderful to get back out on farms, it is a part of the role I love the most,” Anna said.
To paint a picture in October 2022 when the extent of damages was beginning to be realised Anna find people’s closest evacuation centres and was simply being an ear to those waiting for floodwaters to reach their farms.
She remembers assisting one client with cleanup and recovery, another client was surrounded by floodwater unable to leave while a third was anxiously waiting for the waters to reach them.
“Looking back that set the scene for the next six months. Every farm and business is dif-
A FEW less lambs at Bendigo on Monday with 11,700 yarded, but more sheep at 6500 head.
Lamb quality remained very mixed, with some good fed heavy lambs but a lot of plain stock \under 24kg cwt.
Three domestic buyers were still absent and support from other processors tended to be sporadic.
Lamb prices fluctuated. There was some dearer patches over the very best bred and fed lambs, but the market tended to drift down on the plainer trade and light lambs which lacked buying depth.
Overall there wasn’t a lot of change to estimated cents per kilogram costs compared to last week. The lead pens of processing lambs trended at 700c to 740c/ kg, while the general run still varied from 610c to 680c/kg.
Export lambs over 30kg cwt from $215 to a top of $245 at a ballpark cost of 715c/ kg cwt. There was mixed outcomes for heavy lambs, 26-30kg cwt, as evidenced by the price spread of $182 to $224. - there was lambs around 27-28kg cwt which were cheaper in this category. Heavy trades $160 to $196/head.
Where the market lacked momentum was on medium trades lacking fat cover at $139 to $172 and plainer light trades at $120 to $146. A couple of decent lines of young shorn store lambs sold dearer at $96 to $112, but any secondary small lambs were often cheaper.
Competition for mutton improved, heavy ewes up $5 to $15 at $97 to a top of $143 to trend around 350c/kg cwt. But light and secondary sheep remained
ferent, their stories are different and their recovery will be different as well,” she said.
“While we assist farming and small business families access grants and assistance, we listen to each and work out a way to assist based on their individual circumstances.
“We also understand that the flood recovery is not short term, often referring to it as a marathon, not a sprint. We are there to support them and the community during that time, and for as long as needed during the recovery.”
Another benefit has been the RFCS wellbeing program. The team has grown to include four wellbeing counsellors locally who see clients in the Loddon Shire, providing that extra level of support to clients and their families.
“We recognise there is a link between financial pressures and emotional stress and the importance of accessing assistance early,” Anna said.
“As with the financial counselling, the wellbeing program is a free service for farmers and small business owners and their family and they are able to visit you on farm, at your business, at your home or elsewhere if required.
”You do not need a referral from your GP and if you do need a higher level of care we will sup-
capped at $20 to $70 at less than 300c/ kg cwt.
O’Rourke Nom Boort (37) $245, J,S & W Brown Colbinabbin (63) $240, SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (51) $237, DJ & ED Lees Rochester(127)
$235, RJ & DM Johnston Family Trust Boort (35)
$235, DW & RJ Martin Durham Ox (48) $234, ALBR McIntosh Wanalta (106) $230, GR & H Nankivell Raywood (70) $230, BC & AM Martin Barham (25) $230, Slater Farming Corack East (84) $228, JA Ison Wycheproof (48) $220, Ian Angove Echuca (18) $218, B & M Barlow Wanalta (71) $212, MG & SE Martin Caldwell (48) $201, F Stewart Colbinabbin (41) $196.
CROSSBRED EWES
JR & AM Brennan Corack East (11) $142, K & M Warren Picola (44) $136, D & DH Scott Bunnaloo (12) $130, Mainie Family Trust Balranald (99) $124, F Shea Campbells Forest (20) $122, Moorilim Past Co Miepoll (55) $115.
MERINO EWES
AJ Sands Corack East (176) $135, WD & BJ Jones Donald (63) $134, K & M Warren Picola (82) $130, D Chisholm & Sons Seymour (71) $106, SN & DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (38) $95, RG Barnes Shelbourne (30) $94.
G ra IN
Boort Grain Co-op prices Tuesday.
Wheat - H1 $370 FIS. H2 $366 FIS. APW1 $356 FIS. ASW $346 FIS. AGP1 $350 FIS. SFW 1 $336 FIS. FED1 $325 FIS. Barley - PL1 $333 FIS. PL1 $333 FIS. Bar1 $292 FIS. Bar 2 $271 FIS. Bar3 $245 FIS. Bar4 $225 FIS. Faba1 $381 FIS. Faba2 $381 FIS. Non GM canola $605 FIS, GM Canola CANGS $595 FIS.
SELLING will start at 9.30am from next Monday at Bendigo livestock exchange.
The new time follows the end of day
light savings at the weekend. Sales will
resume at 8.30am when daylight saving resumes in October. Order of draw for Monday: Nuttall, Nutrien, Nevins, Elders. McKean McGregor,
Heide Polkinghorne has provided a central point for RFCS. LH PHOTO
port you until you are able to access it.”
“It is based on what the individual needs. It can be simply someone to listen to, assistance accessing health services or aged care, help when kids find it tough getting back into school following COVID right through to supporting those experiencing more serious mental health concerns including anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide.”
The Rural Finance Flood Recovery Package is open until the
April 30 and the team is ready to answer your questions and assist with the applications.
“We encourage anyone who may have been impacted by the floods, or any other impact to their farm or business, to call us. If there is assistance you are entitled to we will help you access it.,” Anna said.
“It can sometimes be daunting looking at all the forms to fill in or hurdles to jump, and people who might be eligible do not apply. Let us help you.”
Plant & Equipment: CASE Maxxum 5150 Tractor, 6,481 Hrs, JNR F.E.L, 4 in 1 bucket, hay forks, platform to suit, pallet fork, 250kg cap. wood cage; IH 574 HYDRO Tractor, 5277 Hrs, belt pulley; round bale roller; Ballarat 12’x6’ tandem trailer, stock crate; 10’x5’ tandem trailer; Honda TRX420FPA 4x4 motor bike, just serviced; Miller Falls 30T log splitter; range of 3pl equipment, large compliment of workshop tools, parts, cabinets, nuts and bolts; 400 pack new steel posts; qty fencing materials and much more.
Vintage: Inter C-1500 Fire Truck, 27,433 original miles; Blacksmith’s Forge & Buffalo Blower; qty of blacksmith’s tools; large anvil and fittings; Servex air compressor, power hacksaw, press drill; Clisby air compressor; oil bottles and carriers and much more.
Terms: No GST. Buyer registration, photo ID required. Extensive sale list on Elders website and Facebook.
Directions: Take Kerang-Boort Road, 26 kms from Kerang or 25 kms from Boort. Take Meering West Road for 5 kms. Left onto Lester Smith Road. Sale 2 kms on right. Signs erected on the day. Catering available.
Vendor: Allan 0427 557 259
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/meeringwest
Elders Web ID: CS001172
THE head of Australia’s largest independent newspaper association has welcomed the release of a landmark Deakin University report into the future of country papers.
Country Press Australia president Andrew Manuel said the Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press report should be seen as a beginning and not an end, and that the report highlighted the essential role local papers play in serving their communities and delivering civic journalism.
“This is arguably the most comprehensive study of our industry ever undertaken and the report stands as a beacon for government, for policymakers and for the community to take the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure newspapers can continue to play such a vital role,” he said following the study’s release on Thursday.
“The study was done across the most tumultuous time the media industry has experienced, and local papers remain such an integral cog in regional and rural Australia, despite the hardships we’ve all endured.
“The report defines regional and rural papers as essential services to the community, and better support from government, and a better understanding from government around this is an important next step,” Mr Manuel said.
The Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press report launched last Thursday has been a threeyear Australian Research Council project, led by Deakin University, in partnership with Country Press Australia and RMIT University.
The report reiterates a parliamentary inquiry recommendation for 20 per cent of all federal government advertising expenditure to be allocated to regional and rural news organisations and highlights the need for a better understanding of the role regional and rural newspapers play as well as the need to provide more support.
The study included a survey into attitudes towards local papers and the respondents’ likes and dislikes, as well as interviews and interpretive focus groups with news editors, proprietors and key staff within the Country Press Australia network of more than 200 mastheads located at sites across Australia.
The report calls for a review of the focus
Sir, Thanks to the Loddon Herald for approaching the Loddon Shire regarding extending the pool season (Pools closed before hot day, March 23 edition).
A pity you didn’t get an answer.
on digital reach in regional areas and the accompanying rationale, with questions about the effectiveness of digital over local media when it comes to engagement with regional and rural Australians.
It questions an obsession with digital reach among major advertisers and government and explains how local papers are not designed to individually engage with millions of people, but that their strength lies in their rich levels of engagement with the distinct local communities they are an essential part of.
Mr Manuel said people living in country areas remain passionate and engaged with their local mastheads, and the report highlights the need to better support local news, and equally, the pivotal role and re-
‘The report defines regional and rural papers as essential services to the community, and better support from government, and a better understanding from government around this is an important next step’
sponsibility of country papers to communities scattered across the continent.
“Our members continue to provide the local and civic news that readers crave more than ever, often as the only local media outlet serving a particular region. Coming out of the pandemic, many publishers have reported a strong revival in their readership, underpinned by a focus on hyper-local and unique news that has been a common denominator of country papers since their inception.
“We urgently need government to recognise the importance of our members in the local community and for government to adapt the way they seek to engage our readerships, just as we have adapted our businesses during particularly the past few years.
“Acting on the recommendation for 20 per cent of the federal government’s advertising expenditure to be allocated to
We can never understand why the pool is closed when hot weather is still forecast - it makes up for the days when the pool is closed due to being too cold!
It would be fantastic if the pool stayed open until after the Easter weekend when the town is inundated with holiday mak-
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.
regional and rural news organisations, but in a way that reflects the Deakin University led research findings, would be a welcome first step.”
The report suggests government policies and advertising spend remains the most influential factor in providing baseline surety to the long-term sustainability of small, independently owned news outlets across Australia, but questions whether taxpayer funds to support media might have been misdirected.
It claims the shift a way from traditional media and towards social media and larger metropolitan news outlets with greater digital reach has led to a decline in engagement with regional and rural audiences, as well as a financial strain upon publishers in these areas.
The report describes a ‘digital shiny things bias’ towards digital innovation at the expense of supporting initiatives that may be most beneficial to rural and regional audiences.
A greater appreciation for place-based public interest journalism and the need for collaboration among publishers were other key findings. The report also calls for more research on the value and impact of artificial intelligence in regional and rural news, and for a national campaign to recruit more journalists and address perceptions about careers outside of metropolitan areas.
“Newsrooms in regional and rural areas can offer some of the most varied, fulfilling and interesting work to journalists, and it should never just be about country papers being seen as merely a stepping stone to a job elsewhere in the city,” Mr Manuel said.
“The attractions and affordability of a regional lifestyle are well known to those of us who live in regional and rural Australia, and we should never accept our way of life, or our careers as being in any way inferior or less deserving.”
Mr Manuel said Country Press Australia members would continue to innovate and adapt their businesses, and to seek ways to work together for a better media industry, but the need for more effective government support and understanding would be crucial to the long-term sustainability of country papers. He also thanked Deakin University, RMIT and the Australian Research Council for the work that had gone into developing the report.
ers and tennis tournament players. Some visitors to the town even camp next to the pool and are unable to utilise it, surely the shire could see this as potential revenue by those who don’t have a season pass!
TamaraBoyd Boort1. What is tattooed on Popeye’s arm?
2. Who wrote the Da Vinci Code?
3. In what decade was the Korean War?
4. What type of legal defence is derived from the Latin word meaning “elsewhere”?
5. Which is the most frequently crossed international land border in the world?
6. What colour are the G’s in the Google logo?
7. Which singer’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta?
8. Who wrote Oliver Twist?
9. In which ocean would you find the countries Mauritius and Madagascar?
10. What is the medical term for your kneecap?
11. In Home Alone 1 where did the McAllister family go on holiday leaving Kevin behind?
12. What is the currency of South Africa?
13. What planet has The Great Red Spot?
14. In Roman mythology who was the God of war
15. Which part of the body would be covered if you were wearing spats?
16. What city was once known as Batmania?
17. Niue is a self-governing coral island in free association with what larger country?
18. What beer company claims their name is “Australian for beer?”
19. In 1962, Dawn Fraser became the first woman to swim what distance freestyle in less than one minute?
20. What British fashion company was founded in 1856?
If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.
WHEN crowds arrived at the the 106th Rheola Charity Carnival they headed to the booths and stalls that included a bazaar and food offerings.
Dunolly Brass Band entertained the patrons in favourable weather that ensured the parachute jump demonstration could proceed as planned in 1976.
IN 2018, I first travelled to Kolkata with Bruce Claridge and his team who were helping to run AFL football championships in India.
While Bruce and his team taught footy, I introduced the concept of Indian women and girls playing netball and the benefits that it provided to a group of leaders who were working in organisations aiming to prevent trafficking of girls into forced child labour or sex trafficking.
I talked about my experience of playing netball for over 40 years within a small rural community and although it can be considered as just a game, it has the capacity to create a safe, encouraging and empowering environment where women can flourish, develop self-confidence, personal power and celebrate each other’s differences.
Although the game of netball is not known in India, the leaders were inspired by what netball could bring to the communities that they were working with. They especially liked the following ideas:
z Fun: netball provided an opportunity to laugh and have fun with others. Opportunity to forget about their worries for a while;
z Feeling special: highlighting the fact that netball is normally played by women. It is celebrated as a women’s game. With many women in India considered a second priority under men, this concept was also very important to the leaders.
z Belonging and trust: the opportunity to build a team environment, where people look out for each other and learn to work together was also an important facet. It allows a bond to develop with the girls and provide opportunity for women to share any issues that may be going on outside netball
z Acceptance: accept each other’s different strengths and are celebrated as individuals within the team. Each netball position on the court has a different role and so we need women of different abilities to match these positions. And to win a game of netball we need each roles played well.
z Confidence - learning to work towards a common team goal. Reaching these goals shows the value of hard work, collaboration and commitment. All skills that can be taken out into life to assist women with education and careers.
z Tool for springboarding - the leaders also liked the idea that by building a team of girls they could encourage the girls to undertake other empowering skills - namely attending school, learning English, women’s health, child rights
With rural communities in India being targeted for trafficking and exploitation, the community leaders could see that having netball teams developed within rural communities of India, could assist them make stronger connections to the girls and hence provide a “fun” way of helping girls.
In early February, from Perth I travelled to India to once again build the netball program again that she had first started in 2018. The main purpose of the trip was to build some concrete plans about how to move forward with the project.
Questions were taken over: Is netball still relevant to the girls and women? Can netball still be used as a crucial tool in building self-confidence and personal power to the women in the villages? Can we connect women from Australia and India to achieve positive wellbeing outcomes for both parties?
After a three-year delay due to COVID we were amazed and inspired that the local community leaders within the tea garden villages had continued to build the netball program.
There is now four villages playing netball, each with two junior teams. The mothers and adult women are also looking to start up teams. In 2023, the leaders are planning to introduce netball to another two villages.
The villages are based in the tea gardens of the northern part of West Bengal state; an area of India in between Nepal and Bhutan and situated in the Himalaya foothills.. The villages are within the tea gardens and as such the people who live in the villages are dependent on the tea company for their work and wages, accommodation and life quality.
Most workers only receive $9 for a 12-hour day, the village children are at high risk of being exploited. Over 80 per cent of the children in these villages are at risk of being trafficked, employed as child labour or assaulted within their homes.
During the recent visit, the teams from all the villages came together to compete in a netball tournament with both an under 14 and under 21 competition being played between the four villages.
Appreciating these girls have only been learning netball since 2019 and had no knowledge of the netball game prior to this, I was amazed how skilled and competitive they were. And they loved it.
We were also embraced by the mothers of the girls who performed a tribal dance to both welcome us at the beginning of the day and then to thank us at the end. This was especially moving and empowering for the Australian group - it provided a positive sign that the families were happy with what we were doing for their children.
We met with the community leaders who are keen to continue our project and can see many new women’s empowerment pathways that can open up. As a group, we discussed introducing career advice, education assistance, women’s health and introduction of Days For Girls project in the area.
The leaders are also planning to introduce netball to another two villages in 2023. We left India with a plan in place. In October and November, we are planning to travel back over for a weekend expo/ camp in the Dooars region.
All the girls that are currently playing netball will be invited. At the expo, there will be a netball tournament and then workshops on careers, women’s health, children’s rights, education and leadership.
Before the expo, we will spend a few days going to the villages to undertake netball skills training for each team.
With the focus on grassroots community netball and its importance, we will be asking local people who have a deep appreciation for country netball to be involved in the trip.
Three jumpers from Melbourne jumped from a height of about 6000 feet above the carnival grounds.
The following year saw the addition of events by the Inglewood Pony Club on offer alongside the usual mix of events including wood chop, foot running, tennis, gallops, Miss Carnival Girl and a polocrosse match exhibition took place.
Bendigo Imperial Marching Girls provided a demonstration of their skills in 1979 and the St. Arnaud Norman Simpson Memorial Pipe Band provided music entertainment to patrons.
Admission for the 109th carnival was adults $1 and children under 14 free.
On the day of the 113th carnival in 1983 heavy rain fell and this resulted in crowd numbers down and the volunteers having extra work to do - $500 was received under Insurance against rain after 5.5 mm fell between 11am and 1pm. Despite this, only the tennis tournament was cancelled.
At 2pm, the rain passed and the crowd enjoyed the afternoon of mixed sports of gallops, footraces, wood chop, carnival girl, sheep judging, bowling at the wicket and clay shoot.
The vintage tractor pull was added to the sports program in 1990. The Walmer Gun Club, Inglewood Pony Club and Wimmera Axemen’s Association conducted their events for the enjoyment of the crowd.
Alongside these popular events were foot racing, novelty events, horse gallops and tennis. The crowd also enjoyed playing hoopla, lucky envelopes, spinning wheel, under and over and lucky dip.
For the 123rd carnival in 1993, past popular events were included again on the program- vintage tractor pull, Walmer Gun Club, Wimmera Axeman’s Associ-
ation, Central Zone Pony Club, Airports Skydivers display.
This was also the last year that horse gallops were held at a Rheola Carnival. After 123 years of horse events in some form- trots, gallops it had become too dangerous to hold amongst the other events of the day and the decision was made not to hold horse gallops from 1994 onwards.
The 125th Rheola Charity Carnival saw many former residents return to the district as part of the celebrations as an informal “back to”.
The day was run along the same lines as previous years including the vintage tractor pull, Wimmera Axeman’s Association, Walmer Gun Club, Pony Club, Maryborough District Historic Vehicle Club to display cars. The Dunolly Brass band entertained the Carnival patrons.
Yard dog trials were introduced as a new event the next year and the night entertainment in the Rheola Hall was presented by the Southern Country Boot Scooters which combined old time dancing and line dancing.
This was to be the last year of night entertainment as part of the Rheola Charity Carnival.
Passed away suddenly at home, Pompapiel.
Devoted and loving wife of Darryl. Mother of Bree, Harry, Tom, Campbell and family of Chloe and Nathan. I know you’re watching over us, Until we meet again.
The Museum is situated on the property of Paul & Cathie Haw.
Well worth a visit to see the amazing Artefacts collected from the Boort Region.
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
A SEVEN-HOLE greenskeeper’s games was played at Tarnagulla Golf Club on Saturday.
Women’s winner was Meredith Harwood, men Shaun Maver and nearest the pin Garry Harwood.
The club’s next event is its Easter Cup, a nine-hole threeball ambrose.
Club president this year is Liam Radich, vice-president Sean Raich, treasurer Jan Sharman and secretary Mary McNamee.
INGLEWOOD Golf Club members have prepared their course ready for the new season. A working bee was held on Sunday.
SEND YOUR SPORTS NEWS AND RESULTS TO YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER - THE LODDON HERALD - BY 4PM MONDAYS
ARNOLD Cricket Club skipper
Cam Dale has shared the 20222023 best player award and received life membership of the club.
Cam and brother Mike each finished with 12 votes in senior vote count.
Ryan Metelmann and Jaspa Wendels were runners-up on 10 votes followed by Phil Scholes eight and Phil Davies six.
Cam overcome an off-season injury to be one of the Redback’s consistent performers this year, knocking up 222 runs while Mike was also in the runs with 232.
With the ball, Cam claimed 10 wickets with a best return of 2-22 while Mike chipped in with six and a season best of 3-15. Arnold was eliminated from
the finals by a dominant minor premier Wedderburn when they clashed in the semi-final.
Cam skippered Arnold to last season’s Upper Loddon association premiership and also played in the 2018-2019 flag side. He has made a total of 5334 runs in 180 innings with the club and has an average of 32.93. Dale’s career high score is 130. In the field, he has 102 catches to his name.
Ben Metelmann, who has been club president since 2019, was also awarded life membershop. He played in the 2018-2019 premiership after joining the Redbacks as a junior in 1995. He has hit 1301 runs in his 115 innings, taken 63 wickets and 43 catches.
We offer classic pub meals, ice cold drinks, clean accommodation and a stocked bottle shop.
Our winter trading hours are as follows
MONDAY • OPEN 3.00PM
DINNER FROM 6.00PM SOCIAL DARTS NIGHT
TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM
DINNER FROM 6.00PM
WEDNESDAY • OPEN MIDDAY
LUNCH FROM 12.00
POT’N’PARMA NIGHT
DINNER FROM 6.00PM
THURSDAY • OPEN 11.00AM
DINNER FROM 5.30PM
STEAK’N’POT NIGHT
FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY
LUNCH FROM 12.00
HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30
DINNER FROM 5.30PM
JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00
MEAT TRAY RAFFLE
SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY
LUNCH FROM 12.00
DINNER FROM 5.30PM
SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY
ALL DAY PIZZA MENU
PYRAMID Hill hosted its third Community Practice Match Day on Saturday and the size of the crowd was a firm indication that communities are eager for the 2023 season to kick off.
A massive crowd that contributed more than $1500 in gold coin entry for the local fire brigade.
Nine football and netball teams, from five leagues were able to fine tune theirpreparations for a season that is for most clubs just one week away.
On the Mitchell Park oval umpires from the Central Rivers and Loddon Valley leagues ensured that all contests were free flowing and entertaining for the hundreds who watched on.
It was also a similar scenario on the netball courts. Participating clubs were able to utilise two courts and ensure that plenty of game time was given to those who were closing out pre-season preparations. A highlight for the netballers was the
presence of Netball Victoria officials who were able to observe, give advice and positive feedback to the junior badged club umpires who took the opportunity to develop their officiating skills.
Off field, Northern District Health provided information to all who attended on the importance of “looking after yourself, your friends and community”.
On the football field Nyah United was able to pull aw ay in the latter stages if the opening game and win comfortably over Wandella
Ultima eventually got the better of Newbridge in a tight and entertaining tussle in game two. Leitchville/ Gunbower, who have recruited strongly, proved to strong for Moulamein.
In the final game, in which clubs rotated and rested players in the second half, Pyramid Hill came from behind to defeat a vastly improved Boort line-up.
- GEOFF HICKMOTTNEW recruits will create interest when Loddon Valley football kicks off its 2023 season on Saturday.
Inglewood had a bolter from the blocks in last year’s opener and with handy recruits creating more selection and onfield options, the Blues can expect to again make their mark early.
Cam Martin back from Darwin and Dimboola’s Daniel and Sam Polack increase the rotation options for coach Darrell Billett that have been tested in practice matches.
Against North Central club Wedderburn, the Blues gave a glimpse of what could face Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the opening round.
Bears have new names in Callum Draper from Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat’s Louis Mott.
On home patch, the Blues should have the edge and skill to gain the points.
There will be lots of interest in the clash between Mitiamo and Bridgewater. The last two meetings have seen Bridgewater snag the points.
Both sides have lost players and found replacements in the off season. Mitiamo put out the SOS call before appointing new coach Jon Varcoe and gathering numbers for seniors and reserves.
Mean Machine coach Rick Ladson will try every playing trick to keep his team in front on the scoreboard.
Calivil under returning premiership coach Anthony Dennis should take the points against Newbridge.
The Demons have put in a solid summer as Dennis drills players to put the menacing culture back into play, something that was missing last season when they won just two games and another handful by just a couple or kicks or less.
Newbridge has recruited heavily from
Maryborough Castlemaine league clubs and has new co-coaches Sam Gale (playing) and Daniel Smith (non-playing).
With all games on the road for at least the first eight rounds, the Maroons may have a tough time ahead and against a revitalised Calivil come up short in the opening round.
Premiers Marong take a short trip towards Bendigo for its opening encounter against Maiden Gully.
The Panthers were too polished throughout 2022 and retaining their formidable key forwards Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins, captain Corey Gregg, Richard Tibbett, Cory Jacobs, Jimmy Gadsden and Ben Gregg, are again the team to beat.
Calivil v Newbridge
Inglewood v BL Serpentine
Mitiamo v Bridgewater Maiden Gully v Marong
MINCHA West has snapped a grand final losing streak by de feating Loddon Valley Tennis Association powerhouse Calivil North in Saturday’s final.
The two had clashed every year since 2019 but fortune changed for Mincha West when it took out the final mixed set at Dingee
Meg Stewart, Pete Gargen (Mincha West), Daniel Rogers and Ava Maxted (Calivil North) were unaware of the margin when they went out, but once all the other mixed sets had finished, it was calculated that Mincha needed a score of four to draw and five to win. The crowd was silent during the set and the Mincha West duo won 7-3.
Earlier in the day, Mincha men came out firing and won all of their sets 42 to 26.
In past grand final meetings, it had been the Mincha women who struggled to win games against duos Michelle Balic and Christie Rogers, who are just usually way too strong and dominating.
However, this year the Min cha women won two sets and 30 games total to Calivil North’s 37.
Mincha was nine games up be fore the mixed sets where both teams had wins.
The new premiers had a very different line-up to previous years with player injuries, retirements and players leaving the district.
Captina Jeannie Wagner said: “No one from the Mincha team thought winning was going to be an option, so instead of strategising and working out how they were going to win, the at-
would each Saturday, have fun, and then enjoy the after party together with good food and good company.”
“Mincha suffered some losses of strong players from last year’s grand final with Chelsea Mann and Tom Walker (moved away), Tim Wagner and Brodie Wagner (ankle & knee surgery).
“On top of this, Mincha West also had losses this year, with
the finals, Trista Wagner off to universirty in South Australia, Riley Wagner on a leadership program & Chris Mann having a foot operation.
“This left Mincha with the bare minimum number in the ladies, with no emergencies to call upon.
As well as this, on grandfinal day our top lady, Em Prout was playing at 30 weeks pregnant,
ALL season Marmal had cemented themselves on the bottom of the Boort tennis ladder.
With a convincing semi- final win over Barraport- the cellar dwellers were keen to take on in form Mysia in Saturday’s grand final.
Marmals top seeds had strong wins over Mysia, in the first half of the day. Mysia had a 22-game lead at the half-way point. Marmal’s captain Craig Scott got called away for work which left his team to fend for themselves. The team went up a gear in his absence. The second half saw Mysia winning set
after set - the crowd and players knowing it was going to be a nail biting finish.
The last match of the day saw a tie breaker being played which evened the scores before Marmal’s Dylan Hatcher and Tayla Gooding snuck home with the tiebreak win over Kathryn Lanyon and Finn Poxon.
The thriller settled the season by one-gameMarmal 96 games to Mysia 95.
Edna Boyle presented the premiership shield to Marmal’s captain Kellie Hare.
age who was filling in as a lady also had a tooth abscess and would have pulled out had there been any emergencies to call upon.” Jeannie said.
Calivil North 93 lost to Mincha West 100
MEN: R. Maxted C. Smith lost to D. Mann
J. Ritchie 4-7. R. Maxted J. Smith lost to D. Mann D. Stewart 5-7. C. Smith J. Smith lost to J. Ritchie D. Stewart 6-7. D. Rogers L. Strachan lost to C. Mann V. Herrick 3-7. D. Rogers
chan O. Balic lost to V. Herrick P. Gargen 6-7. LADIES: M. Balic J. O’Brien d E. Prout J. Wagner 7-3. M. Balic L. Strachan d E. Prout T. Prout 7-6. J. O’Brien L. Strachan lost to
HOPES for a sixth football team in the new AFL under 18 competition have been scuttled.
AFL Central Victoria confirmed on Friday that the Dockers combination that was to pick up excess Loddon Valley and Bendigo youngsters is off the drawing board.
A new draft draw is with the competition’s foundation clubs Inglewood, East Loddon Rams, Bridgewater and Marong with the season scheduled to start on April 15.
It includes a blockbuster Sunday feature round at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Clubs are still locking in recruits for their teams. at least one practice match organised for the Loddon Valley league opening round this Saturday. The Leigh Lamprell-coached Inglewood
By CHRIS EARLwill provide curtain-raiser action with a match against East Loddon Rams coached by Jade Clymo.
Loddon Valley president Simon Tuohey said this week: “For 2023
AFL Central Victoria will run our Under 18 football competition.
“All games, including finals, will be in the Loddon Valley league this year.
“Plenty of challenges remain to be had, especially with restructuring this competition in the region.
“However, the league will do everything possible to ensure a competition, as we all want our kids to play sport locally where possible.”
AFL Central Victoria had thrown the new competition open to Bendigo and Heathcote league clubs after last year’s junior review but received no takers.
SIMON Tuohey wants Loddon Valley Football Netball League to remain a well-supported familyorientated league.
He has made the call for a continued positive culture in the first president’s message to clubs and supporters ahead of Saturday’s season start.
“For 2023, let us keep the Loddon Valley in everyone’s mind.
The LVFNL is a well-supported family-orientated league,” Tuo-
hey said. “Do not let rumours ruin the positivity of the LVFNL. So many significant positive, uplifting stories and works are happening in and around our clubs.”
Off-season speculation has seen murmurings in some nonLoddon quarters on the state of play with the league’s nine clubs. However, every club has been reporting the arrival of new players in a sign of confidence for Loddon Valley football.
Tuohey’s season start message also singles out Newbridge for its work since clubrooms were damaged in October’s floods.
“It is a credit to Newbridge for their work so far. However, like always, there is plenty of support within the Loddon Valley community,” Tuohey said.
Newbridge will be playing away games until at least June while facilities are restored and replaced.
See more Page 16
NORTH Central league launched its season in Charlton on Sunday with a welcome to new club Nullawil.
The football, netball and hockey season starts on April 15.
Boort plays Sea Lake Nandaly in the opening round, encounters expected to be played under lights.
THE books of history show the longevity of FP Nevins and Co has been forged through loyalty of clients and staff through the generations.
Old leather-bound ledgers inked in the purist hand of calligraphy 100 years ago recorded the first years of Fred Nevins’ stock and station and auctioneer business.
Bob Coutts joined enterprising Fred as clerk and through the generations, Bob’s descendants are among many Loddon families still loyal and valued clients of FP Nevins and Co.
Fred Nevins’ grandsons are helping a third generation of farmers and landowners every week at sheep and cattle markets, entrusted with property sales and clearing sales.
It is estimated that more than 5000 clients have been on the books of FP Nevins at different times over the last 10 decades - from the years soon after the end of World War One, through the Great Depression, World War Two and the eras of rapid change in primary production.
FP Nevins and Co has always been the farmer’s friend, the oldest family-owned local business where loyal clients on the land and in town are given service that comes from a century of experience and membership of peak industry groups. The
company was a foundation member of Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association formed in 2004 and is also a member of the RMA network of Independent Agents.
Equal to customer loyalty is that of the staff that have supported three generations of the Nevins family in the business. Stock agent Doug Finlay has been part of the team since 2009 while young stock agent and up and coming auctioneer Johno Lacey joined in 2020.
FP Nevins and Co also has a branch office at Rochester, established in 2012 when real estate and livestock agent and auctioneer Tony Hooppell joined the company. Today, Tony’s son Hamish is also part of the Rochester team as livestock agent and auctioneer at the Echuca cattle markets.
The strong relationships between staff and clients have been a hallmark of FP Nevins and Co since the days when Fred Nevins travelled the railway lines auctioning livestock and goods. And it continues every day in local communities with FP Nevins and Co sponsoring and supporting clubs and events.
Clients will join the current directors of FP Nevins and Co, Chris, Luke and James, and staff at a centennial celebration this month where their loyalty and support will be recognised.
TODAY’S directors of FP Nevins and Co are Chris, Luke and James Nevins, grandsons of founder Fred.
Chris, son of Jack who died in 2011 aged 89, joined the sales team of the company in 1979 and today specialises in livestock and as an auctioneer.
Luke and James, twin sons of Jim Nevins, who passed away aged 72 years in 1996, joined the family business in 1984. James specialises in real estate and stock and Luke is auctioneer and the designated licensed agent.
Together with their experienced and loyal staff, Chris, Luke and James continue the traditions of service and advice started a century ago by Fred Nevins.
