Loddon Herald 30 May 2024

FUTURE HOOKS IN HUBS

THE first of two major new community hubs for Loddon communities will be officially opened on Saturday.

The $7 million Donaldson Park facility will bounce to life when winter sports are played at the ground for the first time this season and the centre’s ribbon is cut.

The Donaldson Park opening comes as stage one of the $2.9 million Pyramid Hill Community Centre redevelopment is on track for a December finish.

Federal and State Government representatives are expected to attend Saturday’s opening and join with the community in celebrating the next phase of evolution at Donaldson Park that 70 years ago was wasteland.

Loddon Mayor Gavan Holt said council continued to invest in infrastructure that would be a “hook for liveability in our country communities”.

Cr Holt said Donaldson Park and the Pyramid Hill centre were part of a strategy for the future.

“Whether sporting centres or community complexes, we want our towns to be places where people can live, work and play - where people continue to live or are attracted to the area,” Cr Holt said. “For the same reasons,

we are currently investing in the scoping of streetscape development works at Inglewood.”

“People are getting frustrated with big city life and its congestion, cost and safety. These new facilities in Loddon Shire will present our towns as great places to live.

“When there was population decline in north-west Victoria, council resolved to invest in local communities to boost their liveability. Donaldson Park and Pyramid Hill are two examples of that investment.”

The Donaldson Park project started with early community fundraising and donations that helped secure government funding.

Redevelopment of the Pyramid Hill Centre has seen construction work start in the past month. The centre will include an allied health wing to house Northern District Community Health and maternal child health service and a senior citizen’s room.

Later stages propose extension to the building for Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House, including library facilities and other services, a community gym and additional storage and spaces for community groups.

COMMUNITY VISION BEHIND PARK’S EVOLUTION- PAGES 13-16

Runners crunch frost

THE vibe of volunteers and community pounded tracks and paths on Sunday when more than 300 people kicked a heavy frost off the grass in Active Farmers Bridgewater’s third Run for Resilience.

Almost 60 eager starters tackled the half-marathon course starting in Inglewood before shorter distance entrants took off from Bridgewater raising awareness for community fitness and wellbeing.

Among them was Clunes’ Michael Succo who donned a plastic cow outfit for the 10km run. “I always run in a costume ... should have only been 5km with this one,” said Michael crossing the Loddon River bridge, the heat of sweat beating the cool 4-degree morning.

Connie Lafranchi (above) and Ilah Penny take part in Sunday’s run. LH PHOTOS

Free every Thursday

Pyramid Hill, Serpentine, Tarnagulla and Wedderburn. Also available in Dunolly, Charlton, Wycheproof, Bendigo, Kangaroo

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New supermarket faces

BHIM Chouhan is bringing more than 25 years’ experience managing and owning supermarkets to Boort.

With wife Krishna, they have taken over the Boort IGA after this month’s retirement of longtime owner Delip Kumar.

Purchase of the Boort supermarket is an expansion of their involvement with the IGA. Bhim and Krishna have owned the Barooga supermarket for

seven years and will continue to operate that business.

He said they were pleased to have a greater role in the IGA group that was known for good delivery and service in rural and regional areas.

“Boort people have been very welcoming and friendly since we arrived and have been understanding as we work through the transition of ownership and making sure we are well stocked on

all lines of grocery and liquor,” Bhim said.

“We have been made to feel at home.”

Bhim, who started in supermarkets in Sydney, said the focus was on a family bnusiness that was part of the community.

“We have retained all staff who were here with Delip and also put on two new staff,” he said.

“We want to make sure there is good customer service.”

Books in school

AUTHOR Geoff Arnott, an ex-student and teacher at Wedderburn College, visited the school during Education Week and spoke on his latest book War Veterans from Wedderburn and District. Wedderburn Historical Record Society president Daryl Arnott presented copies of the book to the school library.

Council anniversary

LODDON Shire Council has started discussions on how to mark the 30th anniversary of the shire’s formation. Chief executive officer Lincoln Fitzgerald said initial discussions were held with councillors this month. The shire was created in January 1995 from parts of former shires including Korong, East Loddon and Gordon.

Call for women’s stories

WOMEN’S Health Loddon

Mallee is seeking real-life experiences from women and girls around pain and pain management to include in its submission to a Victorian Government inquiry into women’s pain to address some of the challenges women and girls face when accessing care.

Reading day

NATIONAL Simultaneous

Reading Day last week saw East Loddon P12 College junior students read this year’s selected book Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker.

New supermarket owners Bhim and Krishna Chouhan with staff Charlene Nash (left) and Louraine Hird. LH PHOTO

Bridge access denied

SUDDEN closure of a bridge on Tuesday morning has left residents with an unplanned 6.5km detour.

They had no warning that Chamberlains Road bridge off the Calder Highway, between Inglewood and Bridgewater, would be cut by Loddon Shire Council.

Residents are also annoyed that emergency services had not been told of access changes.

“We’ve not been told. The bridge closure will add five minutes to our response times,” said Inglewood Fire Brigade captain Andrew Smith.

Cattle farmer Col Pickering said his business had been affected by load restrictions on the bridge since the 2022 floods.

“This closure is a headache for deliveries to our property, I’ve now got an extra 6.6km to travel at the start of the day taking my son into Bridgewater to catch the school bus and the same at the end of the day,” he said.

Mr Pickering said council last month installed guide posts to restrict the size of vehicles using the flood-damaged bridge.

“But I’ve still seen the garbage truck and the shire grader travel over the bridge,” he said.

“Then today (Tuesday) council was there installing barriers and closing the bridge. We were not even warned. There was no consultation.”

Mr Pickering’s neighbours voiced frustration that the bridge had gone unrepaired.

“Anything that has been done has only been a Band-Aid,” one said at an impromptu protest.

Residents also pointed to the poorly maintained gully that takes storm water from Inglewood, saying it had not been maintained.

Council’s manager Assets and Infrastructure David Southcombe blamed closure on a rejected State Government flood recovery funding application.

“This bridge has been regularly inspected since sustaining damage in the October 2022 flood event,”

“The most recent inspection identified additional damage and displacement to the cells at the base of the bridge.

“As a result, in the interests of public safety, the bridge was closed immediately. We appreciate this may cause inconvenience to landowners in the area.

“In the interim, gravel road access is provided to all landowners in the area via Weeah Street.

“Council submitted the bridge to the Disaster Recovery Funding

Arrangements to fund the remediation of the bridge as part of the October 2022 flood recovery effort however, this claim was rejected.

“

A proposal to fund the bridge remediation would be part of council’s annual infrastructure program presented at the June council meeting, he said.

Mr Southcombe did not reply to questions on why residents were not warned of Tuesday’s sudden closure.

Stickers at Hill

WALK This Way footpath stickers have been installed in Pyramid Hill outside St Patrick’s Primary School Pyramid Hill and the town’s kindergarten. Healthy Loddon Campaspe’s Megan Goode joined students in fun activities to signal the initiative’s introduction to Pyramid Hill last week following the Walk this Way launch in Inglewood.

Housing expo

A housing expo for Loddon Shire to unlock its residential development potential will be held in Bridgewater in September. Councillors were told on Tuesday the expo would engage with communities and potential developers. Cat traps

TWENTY cat traps have been distributed to residents by Loddon Shire in the first quarter of 2024. Council staff were called to five reports of wandering livestock and nine of trespassing livestock.

Cup coming back

THE Melbourne Cup is on its way back to northern Victoria. A year after Boort hosted the cup tour, the world’s famous horse racing trophy will visit Wycheproof on its 2024 tour. Mt. Wycheproof and District Racing Club committee member Jackie Noonan said the community was looking forward to being part of this year’s tour on August 30.

Chamberlains Road residents were faced with the sudden bridge closure on Tuesday. LH PHOTO

Emma takes rural shift

PARAMEDIC Emma Jenkyn has swapped a busy regional hospital for the Inglewood ambulance station in her new career challenge.

Emma was one of 15 paramedics to graduate with Ambulance Victoria this month.

Now stationed at Inglewood, Emma said working in a country station required self-trust in clinical ability.

“You also get to use all of your clinical skills being stationed at Inglewood,” she said.

Emma had completed a double degree in nursing and paramedicine at Australian Catholic University and was on the staff at Bendigo Health for four years.

In 2022, she made a career change to Ambulance Victoria and spent 18 months training in Bendigo.

“I wanted to challenge myself and get wider experience in the world of health care beyond the walls of a hospital,” she said.

“As a paramedic, I now also understand how and why patients are taken to hospitals and seen by nurses on admission.”

The latest cohort of Ambulance Victoria paramedics completed a structured, on-road supervision and learning program

for at least 12 months after completing their university degrees, before becoming fully qualified.

The program helps graduates transition from the classroom to the ‘real world’, integrating into day-to-day team responsibilities and activities.

Other members of Emma’s group have been stationed at

Belgrave, Seymour, Clyde North, Dallas, Sydenham, Hillside, Morwell, Tarneit, Winchelsea and Point Cook.

Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller said: “This group have already spent significant time on-road making a positive impact to patients across the state, so they understand

what an honour it is to provide best care to all Victorians, and we’re excited to have them join us in delivering that.”

Meanwhile, new volunteers at the State Emergency Service’s Wedderburn unit at the weekend completed their crew level two training in a milestone to having the unit fully operational.

Houses, shed approved in rural zone

TWO houses and other buildings have been approved for construction in a Loddon Shire rural living zone.

Councillors on Tuesday agreed to issue the permit to Karanjit Singh Goraya despite an objection to building on the Calder Highway block near Wedderburn.

The objector told council future floods would place emergency services at risk.

They said the area had flooded last Christmas and “the idea of a dwelling being in direct line of what we witnessed seems inconceivable”.

Council officers wrote in their report to council:

“The Nardoo Creek runs through the middle of the property splitting the site in two and inundating the property during flood events.

New permits come with big value

BUILDING permits approved by Loddon Shire in the first three months of 2024 were for works worth more than $14 million.

Councillors were told on Tuesday that 30 permits had been issued for the quarter.

Total value of permits so far in the financial year is more than $30 million.

Among applications still to be approved are relocation by Goulburn Murray Water of the boat ramp at Laanecoorie Reservoir and native vegetation removal.

Emma Jenkyn (front left) and other graduating paramedics

Fair access: gender will be mandated

SPORTING clubs wanting State Government grants will need to meet copmmittee gender quotas from next July if a draft Loddon Shire policy is adopted.

Councillors on Tuesday voted to put the fair access policy out for public feedback.

But Cr Dan Straub raised fears about community groups meeting the gender quota that will be set at 20 per cent.

Committees managing council or government land would be ineligible for State Government funds if the quota is not met.

Cr Straub said Loddon groups were “already leading the way” for female participation.

He said there were concerns about mandating gender balance where challenges existed to find volunteers.

Cr Straub said the principles of fair access were embraced but quotas should not be mandated.

Cr Neil Beattie said Bridgewater and Wedderburn were examples of fair and good access with plans top of the list for improved facilities for netballers at Boort Park.

Cr Wendy Murphy said improvements to facilities would

encourage more women to be part of sport and continue participation.

Community partnerships manager Orrin Hogan told councillors: “The Victorian Government developed a reform agenda to address gender inequality in sport to occur over a period of time. An inquiry into Women and Girls in Sport and Recreation completed in 2015, included recommendations to ensure fair access and inclusion at all times for women and girls in sport.

The Fair Access Policy Roadmap (the Roadmap) ... has been designed to establish a state wide commitment to improve the access to, and use of, community sports infrastructure for women and girls.

“The Roadmap is being delivered through the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria and Vic Health and aligns with Victoria’s Gender Equality Act 2020.

“... all Victorian Councils will need to have gender equitable access and use policies in place to be considered eligible to receive infrastructure funding.”

DJAARA pushes cultural burn agenda

DJAARA wants more cultural burns to “heal country” with a 10-year strategy launched at Dingee last week.

Leaders of the Bendigo-based Aboriginal corporation told more than 100 people at Tan Tan Swamp they wanted to conduct burns in a “more culturally productive way”.

Corporation members and government department and agency representatives were told the burns were a continuation of Aboriginal culture but there remained challenges ahead.

DJAARA chair Rebecca Phil-

lips launched the Djandak Wi (country fire) strategy.

CEO Rodney Carter said:

“Djandak Wi is about using the right fire in the right place at the right time.”

“Dja Dja Wurrung people have been using fire to actively shape and manage the landscape for tens of thousands of years.

Country has evolved over millennia to depend on Djandak Wi.

“But for several generations, this cultural practice was interrupted as Dja Dja Wurrung people were unable to access and carry out cultural practices on many parts of Dja Dja Wurrung

Country because of colonisation,” he said.

“For us, Djandak Wi is important on many different levels: it’s a spiritual practice, it’s a social practice, we use it for ceremony – and it’s important in caring for country, which in turn cares for us.”

DJAARA and its enterprise DJANDAK have been re-introducing Djandak Wi to Djandak since 2017, supported by Forest Fire Management Victoria.

DJAARA’s season of cultural burns is about to end with several in the Dingee district over the past week.

Rebecca Phillips launches DJAARA’s fire strategy in Dingee. LH PHOTO

Good plates to share

FATE saw Claire Butler open The Shared Table in Godfrey Street Boort and ever since, customers have kept returning to enjoy a menu always evolving.

Claire and her team, including new cook Kim Macraild, have just introduced shared plates - mini-burgers of Angus beef, chicken and other grazing delights to enoy with family and friends.

There’s the burger board and

the international food boards with Greek and Asian cuisine as well as seaford.

And if that’s not enough, the Shared Table also has cheese boards and dessert boards.

The Shared Table has just introduced roasts for seniors on Sundays with special prices for one or two courses.

Open from breakfast through to dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and until 2pm on Sundays,

the Shared Table has indoor and outdoor dining areas to sit back, relax and make a selection from the boards and match with winter-warming beverages.

As Claire says, the Shared Plate is a place where people connect, communities are strengthened and people come to celebrate.

It’s a place to share good food and good company.

‘Significant high grade’ mineral sands testing

CONTINUOUS high-quality mineral sand deposits have been discovered south-west of Boort.

Gold miner and explorer Falcon Metals is now planning further testing of drilling samples from its Farrelly mineral sands prospect

Falcon said analysis of the site, 17km from Boort, would be in parallel to prospecting at the adjoining Pyramid Hill gold site where latest aircore drilling is expected to finish within weeks.

Falcon Metals managing director Tim Markwell said: “The results at Farrelly are quite outstanding and define what appears to be a discovery of a continuous zone of high-grade heavy mineral sands over a sizable area, which remains open.

“While it is early days in our understanding of Farrelly, with more drilling and test work required, it is shaping up to become a significant mineral sands deposit, in proximity to other major deposits, but at far higher grades.

“We need to assess the heavy mineral assemblage, and further work is needed on the sizing, clay content and recovery, which are all important factors in progressing mineral sands projects.

“There is also an opportunity to look at the critical minerals content with the potential for Monazite and Xenotime, containing important rare-earth-elements.

“Importantly, we have not yet defined the limits of the high-grade zone and drilling to test this is expected to recommence in the summer once harvesting is completed, in parallel with our gold exploration at Pyramid Hill.”

Mr Markwell said samples from the recent drilling would be used for metallurgical testing over the next three months.

Falcon will also look at the sizing of the heavy minerals and their potential recovery through conventional wet and dry separation techniques.

Falcon said Victoria’s Murray Basin hosted several major mineral sands projects with associated rare earth elements at advanced stages of development and it had conducted follow-up drilling after announcing initial results in March.

Falcon has also announced taking up four new options across central and northern Victoria.

Mineral sands samples are taken on the Farrelly propsect this year

gregate meterage of 6250 metres and a minimum combined 750 metres of drilling through bedrock at the Macorna Gold Project.

The company said: “Falcon has a dominant ground position to the west of the Whitelaw Fault at its interpreted northern extension, and this area will be a focus for the remainder of the current drill season which is expected to finish in early June, weather dependent.

“Further results for aircore drilling from the Pyramid Hill gold project are now expected in the next three to four weeks,” Falcon said.

It will have 20 months to complete 50 aircore drill holes with a minimum ag-

The Pyramid Hill project is next to Catalyst Metals’ Four Eagles project, a joint venture with Hancock Prospecting.

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Hunters allowed back at lake

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LAKE Boort has been re-opened to duck shooting ahead of the season’s end next week.

Hunters had been banned days before the season started last month but the Game Management Authority last week said monitoring has shown that bats - the threatened grey-headed flying-foxes previously at Lake Boort have relocated. Lake Boort was one of three locations re-opened.

Shooters had criticised the Government for last-minute closure of Lake Boort.

Game Management Authority and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action monitor the wetlands.

Victoria’s duck hunting season ends next Wednesday, 30 minutes after sunset.

Shooters have made been making final weekend trips to the Loddon Shire with regular hunter Gus Pagliaro had a group of 12 along the Loddon River at the weekend, the second trip into the region this season.

He said ducks were plentiful and all shooters met their daily bag limits.

Gus and Denise Pagliaro arrive for another weekend of hunting on the Loddon River. LH PHOTO

VNI West planes take to skies in week of route mapping

AERIAL surveys along the proposed VNI West renewable energy transmission line corridor started on Tuesday.

Australia Energy Market Operator said the aerial surveys would run for a week in northern areas of Loddon Shire.

“Given they are aerial surveys only, we don’t not expect any public disruptions or impacts,” they said.

“The surveys will capture high resolution elevation and geographic data, important input to TCV’s ongoing work to assess potential environmental and cultural heritage impacts as we continue to refine the route for VNI West.”

Meanwhile, TCV said it had not commenced discussions with landholders

around compensation for the easement.

“Once we have narrowed down the draft corridor to a preferred easement, expected to be by the end of September, we will commence conversations regarding an ‘option for easement’ with landholders who are directly impacted - where the preferred easement crosses their land.

“An independent qualified valuer with experience in compensation will assess the compensation for the easement on a property-by-property basis.

“In preparation for this phase of the project, valuers working on behalf of TCV may be spotted as they drive around the area carrying out background research on property.”

Wedderburn College students Kaitlyn Coughlan, Aidan Winfield, Kyeishia Chapman, Olivia Walker and Hannah Coughlan serve cup cakes at the town’s Biggest Morning Tea in Jacka Park where more than $800 was raised for the Cancer Council. LH PHOTO

Lindsay Taylor (left) and Aileen Lakey and Tara Wheelan at the Wedderburn fundraiser last Thursday. LH PHOTO Ray and Mabel Leed with Kosa Vulic at Pyramid Hill

Matilda Pickles at last Thursday’s Biggest Morning Tea in Pyramid Hill where more than $800 was raised.

Putting a new roof on historic buildings

THE first of two roof replacements on historic Loddon Shire buildings has started, Contractors Duobuild Pty Ltd are working on the old Boort Court House.

The 1890 building still retains its magistrate’s bench and witness box and was last used in court proceedings in 1983.

It is used as the Boort Historical Society museum and secretary Gayle Huggett said members were looking forward to reopening the doors when work was completed in August.

She said the museum was well visited,

Final days for police survey

LODDON residents have until tomorrow to have their say on what more Victoria Police can do to improve local community safety.

The annual community sentiment survey closes at midnight tomorrow.

More than 10,000 people across Victoria have already completed the survey.

Police said the survey aims to ensure the force remains agile, responsive and visible in addressing local community safety needs.

Results will be used as part of Victoria Police’s back-to-basics Neighbourhood Policing initiative to help police develop local responses to key community safety issues.

When issues were more complex police work with local councils, community groups and government agencies, police said.

Survey results will be released later this year.

Loddon Shire Council staff engaged with residents at events in Pyramid Hill, Boort and Wedderburn last week as they develop an inclusive communities plan. Among the shire team taking resident feedback was Nicole Taylor. The plan will include recommendations and actions to help Loddon Shire be a more inclusive place.

Contract extension

EXTENSION to the contract with Belgravia Leisure to manage Loddon Shire’s five swimming pools was discussed by councillors at their monthly meeting on Tuesday. Belgravia has managed pools at Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn for the last three summers.

Councillors went “in camera” to make a decision on contract extension that was also discussed at their forum a fortnight ago.

particularly by people researching family and local history.

Contractors will move to Inglewood after completing the Boort project to replace the roof of the Inglewood Town Hall.

In 1892, noted goldfields architect William Vahland oversaw replacement of the roof at the hall that had been built a decade earlier.

Work is being funded through Loddon Shire Council’s annual infrastructure program and the projects have a total cost of $453,677.

Scaffolding surrounds the old Boort Court House as the roof is replaced. LH PHOTO

Businesses get screen time

STORIES of Inglewood businesses adapting and overcoming connectivity challenges have been made into a short film.

Welcome to Inglewood was launched last week after the idea emerged from a long weekend visit to the town by a staff member of a Melbourne-based fintech “re-imagining business banking”.

“The motivation, grit, and determination that each of the business owners in Inglewood demonstrated inspired us to dive further into their stories, leading us to produce this short film to promote the regional town of Inglewood, and the stories of each of these business owners,” said director of growth with Zeller, Joshua McNicol, after last week’s launch in Melbourne.

Among businesses featured is The Fat Butcher.

Owner Deb Hancock says: “You have to be able to change and adapt your business… it’s the only way to survive.”

Welcome to Inglewood shares the story of when Deb and husband Daryl’s pork farming business was threatened by drought and the search for ways of driving revenue:

“We bought a refrigeration truck and just started travelling Victoria, knocking on local butcher shop doors,” Deb explains,

“That’s how we saved our farm… by marketing our own pigs.”

When the butcher shop in Inglewood came up for sale, Deb saw this as another opportunity to diversify the business and maintain a steadier income, selling their own produce – pork, as

well as lamb and beef – in a ‘paddock to plate’ model. She also shares frustrations with connectivity that had hampered the butcher business and its growth and solutions for eCommerce.

Mr McNicol said Australia’s rural towns played a vital role in the nation’s economy, contributing about 40 per cent of the total

economic output and serving as a stabilising force.

“Inglewood, once a major hub during the mid-19th century gold rush, is among the many rural towns where business owners are adapting their business model to thrive in a more challenging economic environment,”

Also featured in the short film are Loddon Shire’s Inglewood

Ward councillor Wendy Murpphy, Eucalyptus Museum manager Nicole Upton and antique shop owner Catherine Norman.

The launch coincided with Zeller’s announcement of a regional small businesses grant program with “the goal of equipping them with technology, resources, and funding needed to succeed in a changing economic landscape”.

Police, councils united in tobacco watch

VICTORIA Police has enlisted the help of councils in its crackdown on organised crime and illicit tobacco.

It says Loddon Shire Council will send letters over the next fortnight to property owners of all stores where tobacco is sold.

Acting Commander Jason Kelly said: “We’ve always been clear that police alone cannot solve these issues around organised crime and illicit tobacco.

“More than ever, assistance and information from store owners, staff, other shop owners and members of the community is crucial. The intelligence they can provide may be crucial in preventing an arson attack or holding those involved in serious criminality to account.

“We encourage anyone with information to speak to police, or information can also be provided to police anonymously via Crime Stoppers.”

Help bus coming

THE Australian Government’s mobile service centre will be in Inglewood next month. Staff from Services Australia travel will assist with Centrelink and Medicare payments and services on June 13 and provide Department of Veterans’ Affairs information.

The Fat Butcher proprietor Deb Hanock appearing in the new video about Inglewood

The time is now for you to take action.

Farm disease plans gets a makeover

A NEW animal disease response plan aims to strengthen biosecurity practices and preparedness to quickly and effectively respond to emerging animal diseases.

The State Government has updated its 2022 state ermergency animal disease response plan setting out how it will respond to any threats.

According to the Government, Australia faces heightened risk of biosecurity incursions due to detections of emerging animal diseases in neighbouring countries.

“The emergency animal diseases response plan will help to eradicate a disease outbreak in the shortest time possible while minimising the social, environmental, welfare and economic impacts on the Victorian community,” it says.

The updated plan builds on ongoing work to prepare for an emergency animal disease outbreak by setting out how the government and agencies will respond to an emergency and outlining the action required to

protect the agriculture industry.

The plan outlines mitigation, preparedness, response, relief and recovery arrangements for a large-scale emergency animal disease outbreak.

The updates include improving and streamlining emergency response structures and clarifying roles and responsibilities – to ensure a quick and strong response to any outbreaks. It also creates a more robust overview of relief and recovery – outlining agency responsibilities across government and ensuring all agencies have clear emergency responsibilities that can be activated quickly and seamlessly when required.

The Government says its plan builds on the work to train staff with more than 750 people completing training required to be deployed in an animal disease emergency.

The plan comes as the Victorian Farmers; Federation works with the Government after the detection of Avian Influenza at an egg farm in the Western District last week.

sheep ANd lAmbs

THERE was a slight reduction in lamb numbers down to 11,870 head, while sheep supply showed a bigger cut dropping back to just 4320 head at Bendigo on Monday

Lamb quality continues to decline with less hard finished export and neat trade weights in the yarding.

Competition intensified for the best lambs which moved up into averages of 680c to 720c/kg cwt.

However buyers were still not chasing off bred or untidy skinned lambs and these were still selling in the 630c to 660c/ kg range, particularly in the tradeweight categories.

Recording some of the best price gains today were feeder and store lambs, particularly later drop types which can be safely fed into winter before definition becomes an issue.

These lambs were $10 to $20 dearer in places. One pen of stand-out extra heavy lambs topped at $270 on a weight of 3638kg cwt, but overall less than 8 pens made over $250/head.

Most 30kg plus lambs sold from $210 to $240 on less weight and hard carcass finish compared to recent weeks to be trending just over 700c/kg cwt.

There was some much dearer sales of neat 26-28kg cwt lambs which sold into the $190 price bracket, but plainer types were still down at $170/head.

The price spread for the heavy 26-30kg lambs was $171 to $219 to average a ballpark 680c/kg

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Positive signs on the lamb and sheep front with quality getting the most reward.

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team. Monday, May 27th 2024 - Bendigo Yarding: Lambs - 13,000 | Sheep - 4,300

cwt. There was also a wide price spread in the trade lambs, some neat short-skinned types much dearer at up to $170 but the general run still mostly $135 to $160/ head.

While select trade lambs made over 700c/kg the majority were still under 680c/kg cwt amid a very mixed run in terms of breed quality, type and number in a pen with a lot of smaller clean-up lots on offer.

More store buyers were keen for later drop lambs and prices were considerably dearer on neat lines.

Small lambs mostly $60 to $126, with feeders paying to $144 for bigger framed lambs. In the sheep yarding export demand was weaker on heavy mutton which was $5 to $10/head easier.

Heavy ewes from $85 to a top of $118 for crossbreds and $125/ head for Merinos in a skin.

Trade sheep were firm at $50 to $85 and there was still some market peaks well above 300c/ kg for light sheep at times.

Rams sold at much dearer levels amid friction from two buyers.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

RW & AL Baker Dingee (170) $270. Lislea Lodge Picola (104) $250. Nedna P/L Willangie (12) $250. Ian Angove Echuca (11) $247. Peter F Schlitz Quambatook (36) $244. B & M Barlow Wanalta (55) $240. Blencowe Farm Massey (63) $235. Matt Nicholas Eppalock (42) $235. BJ & TA Phillips Mitiamo (72) $234. RJ & DM Johnson Boort (26) $231. WH Bacon Echuca West (48) $230. H & P Bennett Spring Plains (68) $224. GF & CM Rathjen Colbinabbin (40) $222. Elysian

Downs Raywood (56) $219. RAMJ, Knowsley (27) $204. C Graham Family Arnold (33) $193. K & S Canfield Salisbury West (62) $192. Andshara Family Trust Berrimal (70) $191. RL Turner Spring Hill (78) $187. MERINO LAMBS

T & G O’Neill Canary Island (30) $150. Bruce West Raywood (140) $144. M & E Tobin Costerfield (58) $104. TB & JL Demeo Raywood (27) $100. P Weeks Elmore (25) $90.

MERINO WETHERS

JF & DL Gibson Borung (55) $150. D Colvin Axedale (65) $100. D & D Hancock Murphy’s Creek (106) $92. CROSSBRED EWES MA & TK Treweek Wakool (42) $106. GA & ML Treweek Wakool (39)

Where cows once roamed

ALMOST 80 years ago, after World War Two, there was debate as to what should be done with 25 acres of wasteland in the centre of Wedderburn.

It consisted of both Crown and private land, a creek, disused roads, some shacks, gold mining mullock heaps and wandering house cows.

Two prominent community leaders at that time were Richard ‘Dick’ Donaldson, Korong Shire Councillor and five time president and Arthur Cooper, Korong Shire secretary. They were both members of the Wedderburn Progress Association.

From the association. meeting of 1946 emanated a vision, the wasteland should become a community centre where multiple sports would be played.

The Wedderburn community rolled up its sleeves and with fund raisers and working beesno government funding for community infrastructure in those years - they began to realise the vision.

Generations later, that same community vision and spirit has been behind the transformation of Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park

into a new $7 million community hub that will be officially opened on Saturday.

It was nine years ago the Donaldson Park Committee of Management had a vision of what could be done to revitalise the park. Existing buildings would need to be demolished and one super complex built.

The project grew into the biggest community infrastructure development in Loddon Shire’s history, Alan Holt, Bruce Hargreaves, John Chandler, Alex Holt, Michelle Hargreaves, Danny Fowles and current Loddon

Mayor Gavan Holt became the project’s steering committee, scoping and designing the hub.

The group was part of Donaldson Park committee of management that secured initial support from the community and Loddon Shire.

As it had done in the beginning, today’s equivalent of the progress association, Wedderburn Development, was an early financial contributor to the new vision for Donaldson Park that is home to football, netball, hockey and harness racing.

The $7 million community hub

is, however, much more than sporting club rooms.

A major function centre has appeared at the top of the amphitheatre overlooking land where the cows had roamed.

Cr Holt says he hopes the new

Donaldson Park complex will help the community to grow.

These 21st century visionaries have built on the dreams of Dick Donaldson and Arthur Cooper eight decades ago to deliver a new community facility.

ABOVE:

Members of the project steering committee Alex Holt, Jon Chandler, Gavan Holt, Alan Holt, Michelle Hargreaves and Bruce Hargreaves. Absent: Danny Fowles

Community to fore in precinct creation

IN THE mind of the Korong Shire Secretary, Arthur ER Cooper, there germinated a plan for the development of the wilderness of old diggings, disused roads, Crown land and land within the township into a community centre where all, or most, sports could be played.

The first public intimation of this plan stemmed from the meeting of the Wedderburn Progress Association of which Dick Donaldson was the president on August 12 1946, and from that date was the beginning of much community involvement, particularly fundraising and working bees.

Stock and land agent Richard Walter Donaldson was a shire councillor (president on five occasions, president of the trotting

club, the bowls club, the hospital and other committees. When the planned sporting project ran short of cash, Dick Donaldson produced his cheque book on several occasions and never once claimed to recoup his outlay.

Football was first played on Saturday May 12 1951 and the first trotting races during a Back To on Saturday April 4 1953. The memorial gate was opened on Tuesday April 7 1953 also during the Back To. The name change from community centre was approved by the shire on May 15 1951 and Richard Walter Donaldson received a perpetual memorial during his lifetime that will serve the community as a whole for many years.

-

WedderburnTributeBooklet 1967

ABOVE: Richard “Dick” Donaldson standing at the park gates after they were opened in 1953.

BELOW LEFT: What the park looked like in 1908 - it was then a gold dredge site. The chimney stack of the Wedderburn Flour Mill is in the backround, the mill burning down in 1919.

BELOW RIGHT: The first harness racing meeting

Pace of change sees park evolve into new era

HARNESS racing, football, tennis and bowls in 2024 share the area around Donaldson Park that emerged and grew from the vision of Arthur Cooper and Dick Donaldson.

The harness racing club and its antecedents - Korong Turf Club and Wedderburn Racing Clubhad been based at what is now the golf club before making the shift to the new Donaldson Park.

Galloping had cOme to an end in 1922 at Wedderburn and harness racing continued on a then reduced six furlong track to enable better spectator viewing.

Unlike many Victorian clubs, Wedderburn’s Trotting Club continued racing through the depression years and held unregistered meetings during World War Two.

Plans for a purpose built trotting track in the early 1950s led to the closure of the grass track and becoming a granite based motorcycle track which now makes up part of the 13th hole of the Wedderburn Golf Course. Over the next 50 years, facilities at Donaldson Park were expanded, including the pavilion.

“It was very much a versatile building. School exams were also

held there along with the trots club annual break-up. We used to hire it out a fair bit,” said harness racing club president Bruce Hargreaves.

“My late father Ted, who was a building contractor, did a lot of the old work including digging the foundations out by hand for the grandstand. Money for this came from a drought relief scheme.

“The grandstand was built around 1961-63 and it was iconic. We’d been wondering for a fair while what we were going to do to improve the seating, but it’s

now gone along with the tote building and pavilion.”

Mr Hargreaves said the Donaldson Park Community Hub provided the club with modern facilities to host its two race meetings each year.

“The facilities for judges and officials are now the equal and better of any harness racing track around Victoria,” he said.

“Spectactors have not been forgotten in the design of facilities and amenity of the terraced area trackside.

“The new Donaldson Park will be a home of showcase events.”

Market switch flagged new league success

THE opening of Donaldson Park 73 years ago was a momentous time for the Wedderburn Football Club.

The Redbacks were into their second season competing in the North Central league after the demise of the former Korong association.

Football was switched from Market Square to Donaldson Park, the Redbacks relished the new home and took out the North Central flag.

In the early years, players would change before the game in a tin shed, hessian bags hung from the rafters to separate the home team from opposition players. That shed fell out of use when the pavilion was built in the 1970s.

With the advent of the netball competition, women would change in their cars.

Redbacks’ president Chris Hargreaves said player and spectator facilities in the new $7 million community complex were a far cry from what existed seven decades ago.

“We have inclusive facilities, designated change rooms and a first aid station and versatile areas for club and community events throughout the year.”

Funds come from all areas for complex

BUILDING of the new Donaldson Park hub has been achieved through community determination and support from government.

The park’s own management committee worked with sporting groups based at Donaldson Park to raise $310,000.

Loddon Shire Council partnered with the community with a $600,000 contribution.

Council’s backing on the project and close work with the steering committee, also involved council officers, commencing with Alan Stobaus, contributing hundreds of working hours.

That local support paved the way for successful applications for funding from the Australian Government for $4.53 million and the Victorian Government put in $1.38 million.

Federal funding came in two tranches, first from the Coalition Morrison Government and a second from the Albanese Government.

Inglewood and Districts Community Enterprises Limited rec-

ognised the importance of Donaldson Park with $100,000 while Harness Racing Victoria also allocated $100,000 towards the new infrastructure that includes broadcast facilities to take local race meetings to viewers around the world.

Donaldson Park steering committee chair Gavan Holt said: “As Mayor, a councillor and community member seeing this project come to fruition, from the vision to now, is very special to me.”

Celebrations will mark park’s red letter day

SATURDAY will be a day of community pride and celebration with the official opening of the $7 million Donaldson Park community hub.

The formal opening ceremony will take place at 2.30pm before umpires bounce the ball in the senior North Central Football League clash between Wedderburn and Birchip Watchem.

Under age and reserves teams will have played earlier in the day and netball and hockey matches are also scheduled for the Redbacks’ first home games of the season.

Wedderburn had co-operation of the league and other clubs to switch its originally scheduled home games to away venues while finishing touches were put

on the new facilities at Donaldson Park.

A Grand Opening Gala Night on Saturday will be the first official community function in the new facility.

Organised by the Redbacks, the cocktail function will include live music from 7pm.

The club will be serving meals and drinks on the evening.

Grand final day at Donaldson Park in 1991. Historical photographs supplied by Wedderburn Historical Records Museum

T op builders bring design to life

FOURTH generation family builders Searle Bros has taken architectural designs to reality in completing the Donaldson Park Community Hub.

Winners of a 2023 Master Builders’ Victoria excellence in construction award, the Bendigo company has completed major community and civic projects across Victoria.

That expertise was to the fore at Donaldson Park where years of planning and community engagement has delivered a multi-purpose building catering for current sport clubs while providing a suitable venue for public hire.

A feasibility study was completed in 2016 and adopted by Loddon Shire Council, enabling the shire to secure grant funding from both the Federal and State Governments.

The new complex replaces the facility’s three ageing pavilions and includes:

„ social rooms (with seating for up to 150 people)

„ new kitchen

„ meeting room

„ kiosk

„ bar

„ office

„ change rooms

„ trainers’ and first aid room

The building meets sustainability guidelines, including installation of solar panels

and battery storage (reducing future running costs) as well as sustainable water practices.

Final detailed plans were developed in 2022 and the old grandstand, toilet block, harness racing judges tower, tote building and harness racing pavilion were demolished to make way for the new Community Hub building, car park and landscaping. The facility is multi-sport and community-focused.

New facilities are aimed to attract players to sports clubs and increase sport participation

The new social function room, kitchen and bar will support game day events and to attract other community and public events

New toilet facilities will support large events while two new home and away change rooms will support both football and netball on game days.

The new Donaldson Park community hub also includes umpire change rooms, offices for harness racing officials and stewards room and new broadcast and judges room for harness racing

The redevelopment of Donaldson Park

will encourage an increase in community use at the reserve and provide children with a place to play during functions and sport events.

Donaldson Park is a key sport, recreation and community space for Wedderburn, and is home to the town’s football, netball, hockey and harness racing clubs.

“The completion of the Donaldson Park Community Hub will also see Wedderburn able to host more community and regional events, further highlighting our shire and all its positive qualities,” said Mayor Gavan Holt.

Stud sheep part of first school wether contest

SHEEP from a Loddon-based Merino stud are being used in the first Victorian Schools’ Wether Challenge.

Norm Weir’s Kerrilyn stud has put up 66 wethers now at 11 schools across Victoria.

The Australian Wool Innovation initiative gives students a hands-on experience covering a broad range of sheep and wool production skills.

Each school team is looking after the several wethers for six months.

Norm said he had wanted to see the challenge started in Victoria.

“I was amazed that Victoria did not have the competition that is popular in other

states,” he said. “We had been left behind a bit until now.”

Norm and the Victorian Stud Merino Breeders’ Association are backing the challenge’s start in the state.

It provides a unique and practical experience for the students, much different from classroom learning. Each school team will show their wethers during a competition final in Clunes in August where stock will be judged on meat and wool quality.

“The challenge is also a way of opening the eyes of young people to the wide range of careers that exist in the agricultural sector,” Norm said.

MILLETT STREET ST ARNAUD SATURDAY 22ND JUNE 2024 11:30am Sharp On site

As original is this 1880’s Miners Cottage renovate or detonate, on 966m2 allotment and only 550m from the main street. Offering all the lovely township of St Arnaud has to offer from shopping to professional services.

With 4 main rooms and set deep on the block with rear access available from a back laneway this cottage is a on bedroom, living room with solid – fuel heating – open fireplace, Kitchen/Dining area, bathroom with shower and vanity and separate sewered toilet.

Single carport and 2 sundry pre 1900’s sheds in need of repair.

An excellent opportunity to acquire a sizable allotment of land just 550m from the bustling main street.

Genuine seller

Further Particulars/ Inspections: James Nevins 0407 302 900 Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au

The Australian wool market has fallen again this series, although the reduction was marginal and there were positive movements within certain pockets of the market. The national offering rose slightly, there was a total of 35,518 bales on offer, down from the originally transmitted total, after 6.1% was withdrawn prior to sale. In the merino fleece the market movements were varied, the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) in this sector ranged between plus 4 and minus 29 cents. Mixed results in the oddments, skirtings and crossbreds had the net result of a 5-cent fall in the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) for the series. The stagnant nature of the market for the 2024 calendar year is best highlighted when looking at the average daily movements of the EMI, with both positive and negative movements combined. There have been 44 selling days, calendar year to date. When the positive and negative movements are combined, there has been a total of 236 cents of movements, a daily average of just 5.4 cents. Although the daily market movements have been small, the market is trending lower. The EMI opened the 2024 calendar year at 1,212 cents, the EMI is now trading at 1,130 cents, a fall of 82 cents, this equates to a 6.8% reduction. That said, the EMI is now sitting marginally higher than the beginning of the season. The EMI opened the 2023/24 season (beginning of July 2023) at 1,126 cents. Interestingly, year on year comparison is almost identical to the start of the calendar year. At the corresponding sale last year, the EMI was 1,214 cents. This week’s offering is forecast to fall below 35,000 bales. There are currently 33,164 bales expected to be on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. Even if this full quantity is realised, it will be the smallest sale since January.

Source: AWEX

Wethers are shorn for the start of Victoria’s first school challenge

FEATURES | OPINION AND QUIZ

CFA state’s largest volunteer group

By GARRY COOK

IN National Volunteer Week, the CFA and our partner emergency service volunteer organisations have been able to acknowledge and thank the tens of thousands of Victorians for their unpaid contributions to their communities.

This year’s NVW theme “Something for Everyone” is particularly relevant to CFA, the state’s largest volunteer organisation, where we provide many opportunities for our members to play a role which suits them, gain skills, qualifications and reach their potential.

Our organisation is unique; not only are we a core part of Victoria’s emergency service network, but members also gain social connections and build a greater sense of inclusion within their local town.

We thank each and every one of our 52,000 members for their efforts in supporting the Victorian community day in and day out.

The CFA brand is widely recognised and respected and our volunteers are always there for their community in their hour of need - not just locally but whenever required to support other areas across the state.

You can travel through any town in Victoria and while there may not be a school, or even a pub, you can be sure that there is a CFA brigade which is ready to turn out at a moments’ notice.

We have 1,200 brigades stretching from the border of

YOUR ONlINE WORDS

CORELLAS ‘KILLING TREES’ ON LODDON RIVER AT BRIDGEWATER

Chris Girvan-Brown wrote: Yes, this is a critical issue, there needs to be some serious action or we will lose the trees along the river. The corellas need to be removed!

PERSPECtIVE

South Australia, north to the Murray River in New South Wales, east to Mallacoota and south to the South Australian border –protecting millions of kilometres of Victoria. Our members also respond right across the Greater Melbourne area.

We are not just a fire service, although that is our primary mission; we also undertake planning and preparedness activities to help Victorians prepare for fire and other emergencies.

Our response operations include flood, motor vehicle accidents and complex rescues such as our specialised mine team. We also support important community activities such as the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal where our brigades have raised more than $37 million over more than 70 years.

Last year we called on Victorians to “Give us a Hand” and consider joining their local CFA brigade as part of our volunteer recruitment campaign.

Since then, we’ve proudly welcomed 1844 new members who are already making a difference in their communities.

But, like all volunteer organisations, we continue to need more people to join our great organisation.

Importantly, we can tailor a role which will suit those who want to join our ranks. In particular, brigades are looking for people who can respond during the day.

Whether you want to be an operational firefighter holding a hose or take on the important position in community education or administration, there really is something for everyone.

You may know a neighbour, friend or colleague who is already part of CFA and brings a wide range of diverse skills and experience to the organisation.

Our volunteers are working professionals, from trades, local business owners, farmers, stay at home parents to teachers, students, nurses, paramedics, or lawyers.

If you don’t think you have time to commit to volunteering, look at the options available on the CFA website as there are many other people like you and we want to you to find a role that suits you.

Being a CFA volunteer is incredibly rewarding, and our members make a real difference in their communities. We’re eager for you to become part of it.

To ‘Give Us a Hand’, express your interest on our website. Once you’ve submitted your expression of interest online, your local brigade will contact you regarding the next steps.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of their communities. Thank you again to all those who give up their time to help others.

*GarryCookistheCountry FireAuthority’sActingChief Officer

The peasants in the far reaches (beyond Gisborne) miss out.

DANIEL’S TOP SERVICE

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. Who is Australia’s current Deputy Prime Minister?

2. What name is given to the highest spiritual leader of Tibet?

3. Name the three colours that make up the flag of Lithuania?

4. What is often referred to as the happiest place on Earth?

5. Vodka is typically made from which vegetable?

6. Which author wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four?

7. Which tennis grand slam is played on a clay court?

8. The chocolate bar ‘Snickers’ was once called what name?

9. And in which year was the name changed?

10. Meatloaf performed at which AFL Grand Final?

11. How many items make up a baker’s dozen?

12. What is the national flower of Wales?

13. What is the largest species of flat fish?

14. Apart from the battle, what else did Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson lose at Tenerife in 1797?

15. In architecture, what is a lancet?

16. A cartophilist is someone who collects what?

17. How many labours were performed by Hercules?

18. Who invented the jet engine in 1930?

19. Vexillology is the study of what?

20. What does NATO stand for?

ANSWERS

THERE

Kelly Smith wrote: The Corellas are simply out of control. How is it possible that it’s been allowed to get to this point? Complete lack of leadership and decision making by a bunch of incompetents whose “strategy” has been an epic fail! Get out from behind your desks & throw-away words and go and have a look at the reality of what’s actually going on at Bridgewater. NO PERMANENT POLICE AT PYRAMID HILL

BUShY tAlES BY IAN jONES

Bruce McCahon wrote: The bankrupt state of Dankhakistan.

Becky Prewett wrote: Well done to Newbridge for being super inclusive and giving Daniel a go I can see him going far in life. Peter Bell wrote: Go Daniel. There are lots of people out there who just will not work. You are an inspiration to the younger generation showing nothing can or will hold you back in life. Congratulations to the Newbridge Hotel for giving you a go in life. Everyone is so Proud of you, Daniel.

was a buzz when Bradley of Boort set about erecting his latest Treemendous Sign this week. All timed, belatedly he says, for World Bee Day that was held last week. The day coincides with the birthday of Anton Janša, who in the 18th century pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in his native Slovenia and praised the bees for their ability to work so hard, while needing so little attention, the United Nations tells us.

IT WAS Slovenia who pushed to have some sting in recognition of the bees back 2017. Slovenia says it is a nation of beekeepers, and beekeeping enjoys a status equal to that of other types of agricultural activity.

JANSA himself was a bit of a favourite with the royal court. The Austrian Empress Maria Theresa appointed

him to the post of permanent teacher of apiculture at the new School of Beekeeping in Vienna. He became well known even before his death in 1773. After 1775, all state beekeeping teachers had to teach the subject in accordance with his teachings and methods.

FOOTBALL is of course giving a buzz once more. But some of the buzz weas confounding at Calivil on Saturday. Sausage roll purchaser was perplexed when opening bag to take a bite. “Who puts sauce on the bottom.” said he who picked the bag up the wrong way. Or was it a mirror image of onions underneath as decreed by one big hardware mob?

SUNDAY morning’s chill had one Run for Relience participant in a huge hurry ... to down a mug of coffee. In her haste CB, the mocca gave the freshly-preened top a colour makeover.

1. Richard Marles 2. Dalai Lama

George Orwell

Thirteen

Daffodil

Halibut

His right arm

Tall, narrow, and pointed window

Neutral waters

Victorians and the American Civil War

By JOHN BARRY

IN JANUARY 1865, Confederate sloop-of-war Shenandoah moored at the Yarra’s mouth IN Melbourne.

In the American Civil War, the British Empire, including the Colony of Victoria, was neutral.

By law, ships of both sides could be victualled and repaired. However, a neutral could not provide warlike supplies or crew.

Shenandoah was a merchantman that had been armed to prey on Union shipping.

For reasons that are not clear today, the Colony seemed to lose its collective head over the Confederate raider.

Almost every newspaper in Victoria carried a procession of articles that gushed over the handsome lines of the ship, her armament, her speed and her dashing crew.

Even her flag called for comment and praise.

Her commander, James Waddell, allowed 40,000 members of the Victorian public to inspect Shenandoah during the ship’s time in Victoria.

The crew’s stories of Shenandoah’s adventures entranced Melburnians. Her dress-uniformed officers and crew attended dinners and balls given in their honour.

Churchill Island off Philip Island still holds a signal cannon from Shenandoah presented to the island’s former owners by Captain Waddell as thanks for a formal dinner hosted by them.

In truth, Shenandoah had hurriedly set sail from Britain with barely enough crew to work her.

She was then purchased at sea by the Confederacy for $90,000. She was crewed initially by young men who had been travelling on board nearby ships.

In Melbourne, 19 of the crew

Such was Victoria’s enthusiam for the Southern cause, that Victorians by the dozens signed on to fight for the Confederacy.

Once it left Melbourne, Shenandoah preyed on Union shipping, mainly whaling and fishing vessels, for the rest of the War. She sank 38 merchant vessels.

Six months after the Confederacy surrendered, Shenandoah fired the last shot of the American Civil War across the bows of a whaler off the Aleutian Islands.

With her war over,

Shenandoah faced a difficult decision. To surrender in a US port could mean piracy charges.

Confederate raiders were not covered by the surrender amnesty.

To surrender to the British meant its Victorian crew could face treason or armed rebellion charges.

Before a crowd, CSS Shenandoah surrendered in Liverpool in Britain in November 1865, flying a defunct state’s last sovereign flag.

Many Victorian crew members swam ashore to avoid criminal charges.

A judicial inquiry was held. It decided that all crew members who acknowledged the United States of America, even the southern States, would be freed.

Each member of the crew was asked what country they acknowledged.

All answered they were ‘southern citizens’. They were freed.

Nothing further is known of the crew or its Victorians.

Shenandoah was returned to the Union. It was the Confederacy’s successor.

The United States government later won $15.5 million in damages against Britain.

The British Empire had violated neutrality. All Confederate raiders had been built in British

James Iredell Waddell and his command, the CSS Shenandoah

public

NOT ic Es

STRINGER Peter

The Chairman, Board, Management, members of CFA North West Region and District 20 regret the passing of their colleague and offer their deepest sympathy to his family.

Yung Balug Keeping Place

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

TO

Old bottles with town or company names.

Marble bottles, Ginger Beer, Milk Bottles, Soda Syphons Any old bottles - single items or box lots CASH PAID ON DAY Phone 0452 264 661

Notice of an Application for Planning Approval

The land a ected by the application is located at: 11 Park Street, Bridgewater on Loddon VIC 3516

The application is for a permit to: Variation of a restrictive covenant on title to allow the construction of a solid fence

The applicant for the permit is: Andrew Ferguson

The application reference number is: 5961 You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the o ce of the Responsible Authority.

Loddon Shire Council O ces – 41 High Street Wedderburn VIC 3518

This can be done during o ce hours and is free of charge.

Please direct any queries to the Planning Department by calling (03) 5494 1200 or emailing planning@loddon.vic.gov.au.

Any person who may be a ected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority.

An objection must: - be in writing

- state how you will be a ected by the granting of the permit - be sent to the Responsible Authority at PO Box 21 Wedderburn 3518 or planning@loddon.vic.gov.au

The Responsible Authority will not decide on this application before the 31 May 2024.

If you object, the Responsible Authority will inform you of its decision.

CAREERS AT LODDON SHIRE

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

Early Childhood Teacher & Educational Leader – ref.J/268

 Part-time, Permanent position working Thursdays and Fridays

 ECT Level 1.1-3.6 $67,447-$116,906 per annum pro rata

 Based at our Inglewood service

Environmental Health O cer- ref.J/267

 Full-time, permanent position

 Band 7 salary range $97,998.75$108,878.11 per annum plus employer superannuation

 Based at Council’s Wedderburn O ce Ranger – ref.J/266

 Casual position

 Band 1 salary- $34.54 per hour plus applicable allowances

 Based at our Wedderburn O ce Applications for the positions above will close Tuesday 11 June 2024 at 5pm. Tractor Operator- Loddon Gold elds –ref.J/265

 Full-time, permanent position, working a 9-day fortnight

 TOCOM $66,707.21 - $69,010.09 per annum plus employer superannuation

 Loddon Gold elds team based in the south end of the Shire

Applications for the position above will close Monday 3 June 2024 at 5pm

Casual Early Childhood Teacher –ref.J/124

 Casual position with exibility to choose your own days

 Early Childhood Teacher 1.1- $42.10 per hour (inclusive of casual loading)

 Positions available at all of our services

Applications for the position above will be considered as they are received.

For further information, including a detailed position description and details on how to apply, please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Organisation Development Unit on (03) 5494 1200.

LOOKING FOR A JOB? SEARCHING FOR A HOME? PROMOTING AN EVENT?

The first place your audiences look is the local newspaper

Oakley Meyer Vince Curtis leads a bunch of walkers along the river Bree Isaacs completes the 10km run

Kathryn Paton adjusts Jack Boadle’s running bib before the event on Sunday.

Michael Succo in custume for the third annual run

Scott Morrison (right) and some of the Fitty’s Five crew

Rugged up and ready ... runners countdown to start time

Katherine Taylor and Karina Taylor run the 21km event

Saints supreme in defending honour

ST ARNAUD has retained the Kara Kara Golf Association weekend pennant flag.

Clubs played off for honours at Birchip on Sunday.

In Section 1, Berriwillock were undefeated with wins over Boort, Donald and Charlton to comfortably progress to the final.

Section 2 was dominated by St Arnaud with impressive wins over Wycheproof, Wedderburn and Birchip.

The final, played against the previous two pennant winners saw St. Arnaud victorious over Berriwillock 3-2.

The St. Arnaud team was Scott Wright, Bill Rodger, David Lanyon, Will Jackson and Leigh Hines.

The Monday pennant final was hosted by Charlton last week with Donald winning the day with six wins and a draw.

Results - Donald drew with Sea Lake 1.5-1.5, Boort d Charlton 2-1, Wycheproof d St Arnaud 3-0, Birchip d Wedderburn 2-1.

Ladder: Donald 13 points, Birchip 10, Charlton 8, Boort, Sea Lake 6, St Arnaud 6, Wycheproof 5, Wedderburn 2.

INGLEWOOD

A small field of ladies contested a nine-hole event last week in perfect weather.

Winner was Dianne Wayman with 38.5 nett and the winner of 2nd shot on the 9th was Helen Ward.

Ideal conditions on Sunday saw a small field in attendance for the stableford event.

Nathan Joyner roared back to form after a few lean weeks and will be hiding from the handicapper after scoring 40 points. In the putting counts Nathan and David Vanston tied with 27 putts each over the 18 holes.

The nearest the pin 9th jackpots again after the course claimed it for a fourth week in a row.

MITIAMO

Winner of A Grade was Simon

Ray with 30 points from Brett Holmes with 29. In B Grade, Phil Hamley finished with 33 points to take honours.

BOORT

Under blue skies and hardly a breath of wind, nine players enjoyed basking in this week’s idyllic conditions.

Returning after nearly a twoyear absence, it was David Hellsten who greeted the winner’s circle with his fine 39 stableford points, including a remarkable 25 points around the front nine.

Runner up was Damien Lanyon on 37 points, who also picked up 3 nearest the pin prizes, plus a bonus prize for knocking his tee shot onto the difficult 1 st hole.

Rounding out the ball pool was Grant Tooth and Andrew Kane, with Kevin Linehan and Stuart Tweddle unlucky losers in the countback.

This week will be a stroke event on Sunday, with tee off from 11am.

Potter joins list of monthly Sports Star winners

Blues’ combo makes semis

INGLEWOOD lawn bowls pair

Lindsay Kelly and Geoff Wilson come close to a fairytale finish at the State 60 and Over Carnival last week.

Sectional play was held at Leitchville, on tricky greens, and after losing the first game they came home strongly.

The pair won their section by the barest of margins as at the end two teams were level on six points and plus 17 shots each.

The final result went down to percentage and Inglewood got home by three per cent.

The next day’s knockout Rounds were Cohuna on greens that were very good where Inglewood’s duo had two wins and progressed to the quarter finals at Barham.

Scores were level at the end of 15 ends which meant one extra end had to be played. The Inglewood pair got home after some quality play by Wilson.

The Fairytale ended in the semi-finals as the opposition were too good.

In the singles competition, Inglewood was represented by Kelly and Arthur Harrison.

Allocated Murray Downs and Gunbower for their Sectional play success was not to be had and both bombed out in the sectionals.

Inglewood club has its annual meeting this week.

Kelly, who is the club’s secretary, said Inglewood had “a hard time fielding all teams last season and we are in urgent need of more members, especially so our Division 6 team, that won the premiership last season, can be promoted”.

Inglewood also wants to maintain two Monday pennant teams

area.

croquet player Ian Potter has been named April’s Loddon Herald Sports Star of the Month.

(marathon),

Harry Malone (cricket)

Heath Lock (cricket).

Jon Vercoe, Winmar, Nathan Twigg and Josh Diss

Jordan Hynes, Travis Pepper and Allan Edwards

St Kilda great Nicky Winmar was guest at the Reconciliation Round between Mitiamo and Bears Lagoon Serpentine on Saturday. LH PHOTOS

Kara Kara golf pennant champions for 2024

seniors

Mitiamo 2.0 4.1 4.2 8.4 (52)

BL Serpentine 2.5 7.11 13.13 19.17 (131)

GOALS - Mitiamo: B. Baines 4, A. Lloyd, A. Cussen, L. Shiell, S. Wright. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Mellington 13, F. Priest 2, J. Podosky, J. Laird, C. Gadsden, R. Turner. BEST - Mitiamo: B. Baines, Z. Morrison, W. Draper, L. Shiell, R. Duncan, R. Byrne. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Laird, F. Priest, N. Twigg, J. Mellington, J. Addlem, T. Miles

Maiden Gully

0.0 0.0 0.2 1.2 (8) Marong 6.7 12.14 17.19 24.22 (166)

GOALS - Maiden Gully: B. Franzini. Marong: R. Taylor 4, K. Manley 3, C. Hale, J. McCaig, D. Johnstone, N. Devanny, N. McCaig 2, M. Grant, J. Gadsden, S. Knott, K. Robins, R. Wellington, C. Gregg, R. Tibbett.

BEST - Not supplied. Marong: S. Dean, T. Davies, M. Grant, M. Willox, J. McCaig, R. Taylor

Calivil

4.2 11.7 12.9 16.12 (108) Inglewood 2.3 2.4 5.5 8.5 (53)

GOALS - Calivil: B. Baker 4, A. Dennis 3, R. Lourie 2, C. Ilett, J. Souter, J. Mulquiny, L. Fisher, D. Thompson, M. Stephens, B. Wagner. Inglewood: M. Conlan 3, T. Kilcullen 2, D. Polack, K. Payne, B. Cauchi.

BEST - Calivil: S. Maher, A. Dennis, J. Maher, D. Thompson, H. Wall, C. Ilett. Inglewood: D. Polack, M. Conlan, T. Kennedy, L. Marciano, M. Rowe, T. Kilcullen.

Pyramid Hill 5.6 7.13 10.17 16.22 (118)

Newbridge 1.0 5.0 5.0 5.3 (33)

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: Z. Alford 5, J. Sheahan 4, B. Scott 2, H. Goodes, B. George, S. Relouw, S. Gunther, B. Morison. Newbridge: C. Van Aken, J. Barras, W. Daly, A. Padbury, T. McLeod.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: Z. Alford, T. Mcgregor, S. Gunther, B. George, J. Sheahan, S. Relouw. Newbridge: C. Sanders, W. Copland, T. Constable, T. McLeod, C. Argus, J. Teasdale.

Marong 7 7 0 0 0 338.63 28

20

reserVes

Mitiamo 1.1 2.4 2.4 3.4 (22)

BL Serpentine 3.2 7.3 11.7 13.12 (90)

GOALS - Mitiamo: H. Danziger, B. Lloyd, J. Hynes. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Gladman 3, M. Frecker, O. Amy, B. Epworth 2, A. Brown, A. Edwards, Z. Hollis, L. Murley. BEST - Mitiamo: T. Morphett, D. Cini, J. Pianto, C. Cox, J. Price, J. Cassells. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: Z. Hollis, Z. Stone, O. Amy, M. Addlem, B. Epworth, A. Edwards. Maiden Gully 1.0 2.1 2.1 4.1 (25) Marong 6.4 16.7 23.10 33.10 (208)

GOALS - Maiden Gully: N. Hadden, J. Cardinal, C. Sungalis, T. Baker. Marong: D. Blume 10, Z. Turnbull, J. Evenden, K. McCaig 4, F. Stewart, T. Grant 2, R. Gretgrix, L. Rielley, S. Taylor, Z. Justice, L. Hale, A. Collins, S. Bell.

BEST - Maiden Gully: J. Brown, H. Devanny, C. Hogan, K. Kerrison, B. Jones, P. Delahenty. Marong: F. Stewart, H. Baker, D. Bourke, S. Bell, L. Jongebloed, D. Blume. Calivil 3.0 4.1 5.1 7.3 (45) Inglewood 3.1 4.2 10.4 12.6 (78)

GOALS - Calivil: M. Hore 3, B. Masson 2, J. Manderson, T. Wakefield. Inglewood: D. Hogan 5, T. Kendal 3, M. Jeffrey, J. Sleep, J. Rouse, J. Tatti.

BEST - Calivil: M. Hore, C. Anderson, D. Canfield, E. Ritchie, B. Masson, X. Maher. Inglewood: J. Sleep, T. Kendal, D. Hogan, J. Rouse, H. Bogaski, J. Lovett.

Pyramid Hill 4.4 8.7 11.12 15.17 (107)

Newbridge 1.0 2.2 5.3 6.4 (40)

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: M. Swiney 4, E. Caburnay 3, D. Lovell 2, P. Monaghan, P. Walker, D. Reid, N. Moon, M. Dingwall, A. Holland. Newbridge: D. Boucher, M. Van Poppel, M. Harris, O. Friswell, T. Wilson, N. Gray.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: D. Lovell, T. Walker, M. Moon, B. Driscoll, M. Swiney, B. Delamare. Newbridge: H. McGillivray, O. Friswell, J. Dawkins, T. Wilson, N. Dempster, O. Gordon.

UnDer 18

East Loddon

Bridgewater

GOALS - East Loddon: M. Hocking, B. Dowton 2, B. Wagner, J. Ketterer, L. James, M. Gray, M. Green, F. Clymo. Bridgewater: C. Poyser, M. Brown, S. McMahon, H. Daldy, J. Friswell, L. Lonsdale. BEST - East Loddon: C. Tuohey, T. Rasmussen, M. Hocking, M. Hancock, A. Roulston, J. Smith. Bridgewater: S. McMahon, C. Orton, C. Poyser, M. Brown, M. Armstrong, K. Hewett.

Pyramid 0.0

Marong

GOALS - Marong: C. Murphy 4, R. Doorty

(3)

(133)

J. McMurray, L. Bowen, J. Curnow, J. Bird 2, C. Quinlan, D. Thomson, M. Lowery, H. Cruise, R. Hayden.

BEST - Pyramid Hill: B. Gibson, H. Goodes, L. Stubbs. Marong: H. Mannix, T. Jennings, K. Harris, M. Lowery, J. McMurray. Marong

seniors

Nullawil

Charlton

GOALS - Nullawil: J. Exell 6, M. Farmer, A. Casey 3, D. Kelly, M. Wade, D. Isbister, R. Smith. Charlton: T. Finlay, K. Blow 2, B. Kemp, R. Woods, J. Taylor, B. Lanyon, B. Dixon. BEST - Nullawil: H. Lawrence, D. Putt, M. Farmer, J. Exell, D. Kelly, M. Quigley. Charlton: H. Taylor, T. Fehsler, M. Collins, S. Woods, E. Fitzpatrick, J. Thompson.

Donald 1.2 4.4

Sea Lake Nandaly 3.3

(41)

(63)

GOALS - Donald: N. Berry 2, A. Brown, P. Morgan, R. Hards, J. Potter. Sea Lake Nandaly: A. Pattison 2, J. Jenkins, R. Osullivan, T. McKenzie, J. McMahon, L. McClelland, T. Cox. BEST - Donald: R. Barrack, A. Browne, J. Wallin, D. Pearce, T. Heuston, R. Young. Sea Lake Nandaly: T. Cox, A. Pattison, W. Donnan, R. Osullivan, T. McKenzie, K. Donnan.

Birchip Watchem 4.3 12.9 19.14 24.17 (161)

Boort 3.1 5.1 6.2 7.3 (45)

GOALS - Birchip Watchem: B. Edwards 7, N. Rippon, J. Reid 4, H. Hosking 2, M. Buchanan, D. Hinkley, L. Foott, M. Rippon, L. Sirett, D. Bell, T. Colbert. Boort: N. McLaren 2, W. Perryman, E. Coleman, N. Whyte, J. Fitzpatrick, J. Keeble. BEST - Birchip Watchem: N. Rippon, D. Reid, H. Hosking, B. Edwards, J. Reid, M. Rippon. Boort: R. McGhie, N. McLaren, J. Fitzpatrick, J. Keeble, J. Baddeley-Kelly, J. Byrne.

Wycheproof N

(67)

(60)

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: J. Grabowski 4, S. Kennedy 2, J. Marlais, M. Fawcett, C. Green, R. Allan. Wedderburn: T. Campbell 5, A. Zelencich, D. Benaim, O. Holt. BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: S. Kennedy, S. Allan, J. Walsh, J. Kenny, T. Trewin, J. Grabowski. Wedderburn: Not supplied.

Watchem

GOALS - Birchip Watchem: B. Colbert 2, B. Baxter, J. Ryan, A. Noonan. Boort: C. O’Rourke 4, P. O’Rourke, M. O’Donoghue 3, D. Hatcher 2, S. Barraclough, E. Lanyon.

BEST - Birchip Watchem: J. Woods, A. Noonan, B. Colbert, A. Dean, S. Milne. Boort: J. Coleman, S. Barraclough, F. Millar, A. Chamberlain, M. O’Donoghue.

(25)

(55)

GOALS - Donald: D. Gowlett 3. Sea Lake Nandaly: N. Wight 3, H. Harcourt 2, E. Ellis, B. Poulton.

BEST - Donald: D. Gowlett, J. Adams, L. Geddes, B. Griffiths, E. Landwehr, W. Noble. Sea Lake Nandaly: I. Durie, Z. Martin, J. Stacey, Z. Wemyss, J. Humphrey, R. McGarry. Nullawil

(14)

(94) Charlton

GOALS - Nullawil: A. Thomson 5, Z. Kelly, N. Grigg 2, S. Nicholls, T. Fawcett, M. Poyner, G. Forrester. Charlton: T. Bates, A. Judd.

BEST - Nullawil: B. Forrester, Z. Kelly, A. Thomson, S. Hogan, M. Hogan, J. Coghlan. Charlton: P. Sait, L. HolmesBrown, T. Bates, M. Campbell, T. Salmon, J. Durie. Wycheproof N

(85)

(68)

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: A. Hogan, B. Brennan 3, H. Connolly 2, S. Rodda, T. Martin, L. Catto, D. Murray, H. Senior. Wedderburn: C. Hargreaves 3, A. Roberts 2, D. Price, B. Huismann, C. Lang, J. Hayes, M. Chapman. BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: H. Senior, A. Hogan, D. Murray, L. Ezard, H. Connolly, K. Butcher. Wedderburn: Not supplied.

GOALS - Nullawil: C. Poyner 3, T. Perry, R. Hogan, M. Fawcett 2, L. Coles. Charlton: J. Needs 7, M. Fitzpatrick 2, K. Henson, I. Bourke, S. Olive, J. Roberts. BEST - Nullawil: T. Vearing, M. Fawcett, T. Perry, B. Kelly, C. Poyner, D. Coles. Charlton: K. Henson, J. Needs, L. Van Boven, J. Roberts, S. Zagame, M. McGeown.

(110)

GOALS - Birchip Watchem: C. Frank 2, A. Dean. Boort: L. Hall 4, M. Beattie 3, J. Bird, Z. Whalen 2, B. Arnold. BEST - Birchip Watchem: C. Frank, L. Saggers, A. Dean, R. Hogan. Boort: Not

UnDer 14

GOALS - Wycheproof Narraport: R. Harrison 2. Wedderburn: C. Gault 4, B. Cramp 2, W. Huismann 2, M. Gould, T. Clarke.

BEST - Wycheproof Narraport: Not supplied. Wedderburn: B. Cunningham, W. Huismann, O. Bird, B. Cramp, B. Turnbull.

GOALS - Not supplied.

BEST - Nullawil: D. Poyner, H. Kilby, C. Smith, T. Kemp, M. Seddon, H. Humphreys. Charlton: J. Chamberlain, M. Fitzpatrick, J. Fitzpatrick, C. Zagame, T. McGurk, H. McGrath.

GOALS - Birchip Watchem: G. Kilroy. Boort: C. McNally 3, D. Perryman, S. Muller, B. McPherson 2, T. Bennett, N. Howe .

BEST - Not supplied.

Donald

Sea

Nandaly

GOALS - No t supplied.

(0)

(53)

BEST - Donald: O. Brennan, J. Italia, D. Cooper, L. Holland. Sea Lake Nandaly: R. Allan, R. Newick, H. Warne, H. Cox, H. Wight, C. Symes

LoDDon VALLeY

norTH CenTrAL

Redbacks’ star hobbles from court before siren

WEDDERBURN has been dealt an injury blow with star centre Aliza Lockhart hobbling from the court late in Saturday’s commanding victory for the Redbacks over Wycheproof Narraport.

Lockhart had played a starring role until hurting her knee late in the final term.

Holly Lockhart and Maddi Postle were again key to the Redbacks asserting dominance on the court.

The win has Wedderburn on still on top of the ladder with a greatly superior percentage to reigning premiers Nullawil who survived a scare against Charlton.

Four clubs are battling for third and fourth spots on the ladder. Boort, fell four goals short against Birchip Watchem who drew level

on points along with Donald and Sea Lake Nandaly. Georgia Sheahan was the best for the Pies.

Boort also dropped its C Grade game, the reigning premiers without coach Brooke Arnold, with the loss seeing Birchip Watchem take top spot on the ladder.

In Loddon Valley netball, Newbridge has thrown the premiership race wide open with a last gasp two-goal win over Pyramid Hill.

It was the Bulldogs’ first defeat of the season and saw Mitiamo elevated to top spot. The three sides are separated on percentage.

And in a day of upsets, the Maroons also took honours in B Grade to go one game clear in top spot.

LODDON VALLEY

A Grade

Mitiamo 17, 38, 52, 66, (66) d Bears Lagoon Serpentine 9, 19, 30, 43, (43). Calivil 14, 27, 35, 48, (48) d Inglewood 12, 20, 31, 36, (36). Pyramid Hill 11, 18, 28, 38, (38) lost to Newbridge 13, 20, 31, 40, (40). Maiden Gully 13, 20, 28, 41, (41) lost to Marong 11, 25, 36, 46, (46).

Mitiamo

B Grade

Mitiamo 12, 27, 41, 55, (55) d Bears Lagoon Serpentine 10, 14, 26, 34, (34). Maiden Gully 10, 20, 33, 46, (46) lost to Marong 17, 27, 40, 53, (53). Pyramid Hill 11, 19, 29, 35, (35) lost to Newbridge 10, 26, 39, 47, (47). Calivil 8, 17, 33, 45, (45) d Inglewood 11, 16, 25, 35, (35).

Inglewood 51.58 8

Pyramid Hill 37.95 4 13 & Under

Mitiamo 9, 15, 18, 25, (25) lost to Bears Lagoon Serpentine 10, 21, 32, 38, (38). Calivil 8, 17, 21, 30, (30) d Inglewood 6, 12, 19, 26, (26). Maiden Gully 0, 2, 4, 6, (6) lost to Marong 12, 26, 35, 43, (43).

Marong 492.31 24

Calivil 321.54 24

Inglewood 218.07 20 BL Serpentine 55.31 16

Hill 47.83 12

48.48 8 Mitiamo 38.10 4 Maiden Gully 36.67 4

NORTH CENTRAL

A Grade

Nullawil 17, 26, 39, 50, (50) d Charlton 12, 23, 33, 42, (42). Donald 9, 21, 34, 47, (47) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 14, 24, 36, 48, (48).

Wycheproof Narraport 5, 11, 13, 17, (17) lost to Wedderburn 21, 46, 67, 82, (82). Birchip Watchem 13, 27, 42, 48, (48) d Boort 11, 25, 37, 44, (44).

Wedderburn 179.01 16

Nullawil 116.58 16

Boort 141.18 12

Donald 116.33 12

C Grade

Mitiamo 15, 27, 40, 48, (48) lost to Bears Lagoon Serpentine 12, 23, 34, 51, (51). Pyramid Hill 8, 19, 27, 38, (38) d Newbridge 8, 17, 24, 31, (31). Calivil 6, 17, 29, 45, (45) d Inglewood 4, 12, 17, 26, (26). Maiden Gully 10, 16, 25, 44, (44) d Marong 11, 24, 37, 43, (43).

C Reserve

Mitiamo 6, 12, 19, 25, (25) lost to Bears Lagoon Serpentine 6, 14, 27, 35, (35). Pyramid Hill 7, 17, 26, 33, (33) lost to Newbridge 12, 18, 27, 35, (35). Maiden Gully 6, 13, 18, 20, (20) lost to Marong 10, 22, 34, 48, (48). Calivil 9, 17, 27, 38, (38) lost to Inglewood 10, 23, 31, 40, (40).

Marong 180.98 24

Maiden Gully 132.12 20

126.92 16

Hill 118.88 16

103.64 12 BL Serpentine 83.02 12 Mitiamo 69.55 8 Inglewood 72.54

Pyramid Hill 14, 28, 44, 57, (57) d Newbridge 8, 17, 21, 28, (28). Maiden Gully 11, 24, 35, 42, (42) lost to Marong 22, 30, 46, (46). Calivil 18, 34, 50, 67, (67) d Inglewood 5, 7, 13, 18, (18). Marong

15 & Under

Mitiamo 4, 14, 25, 32, (32) lost to Bears Lagoon Serpentine 7, 24, 32, 43, (43). Maiden Gully 7, 13, 27, 33, (33) lost to Marong 5, 12, 26, 36, (36). Calivil 20, 38, 57, 76, (76) d Inglewood 3, 7, 10, 14, (14).

C Grade

Nullawil d Charlton 74-16. Donald 6, 10, 16, 22, (22) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 14, 24, 39, 60, (60). Wycheproof Narraport 4, 7, 10, 20, (20) lost to Wedderburn 16, 31, 53, 65, (65).

Birchip Watchem 11, 20, 30, 42, (42) d Boort 2, 15, 23, 32, (32).

Birchip Watchem 163.38 20

Birchip Watchem 112.94 12

Sea Lake Nandaly 80.93 12

Wycheproof N 60.84 8

Charlton 89.30 4

St Arnaud 62.66 0

B Grade

Nullawil 17, 32, 41, 54, (54) d Charlton B

Grade 3, 7, 16, 19, (19). Donald 7, 13, 29, 40, (40) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 12, 30, 42, 55, (55). Wycheproof Narraport 5, 7, 11, 17, (17) lost to Wedderburn 22, 49, 66, 89, (89).

Birchip Watchem 11, 25, 35, 47, (47) d Boort 10, 20, 30, 42, (42).

Birchip Watchem 181.76 22

Wedderbur n 255.63 20

Nullawil 157.24 16

Sea Lake Nandaly 103.76 12

Donald 123.32 10

Boort 120.77 8

Charlton 51.56 4

St Arnaud 43.77

Dakota Martin and Melinda Springthorpe prepare Wedderburn’s hockey shed ahead of Saturday’s return of sport to Donaldson Park. LH PHOTO Under

Birchip Watchem

Birchip Watchem

drew with Boort (Tristan Broad, Abby Potter)

Mitiamo’s Amelia Ludeman. LH PHOTO

Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s Ellen Gladman. LH PHOTO

Bears break free

GOAL gun Josh Mellington was like an angry genie locked in the bottle for the first quarter of Saturday’s Loddon Valley clash between Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Mitiamo.

The Bears’ star was tagged by not one but at times three Mitiamo players and unable to escape and kick majors.

Mitiamo was repeating its opening term efforts against Inglewood the previous week.

Playing tight, turning over forward moves by opponents and leading on the scoreboard.

Brayden Baines had two early goals while Serpentine worked out the best avenues to Mellington.

Nathan Twigg and Justin Laird were standing up against the incessant application of Mitiamo pressure. It was that close checking pressure that had the Bears registering behind after behind.

It took the Bears until midterm to score a goal. Farran Priest punished a poorly-timed kick from Mitiamo and then late in the quarter Mellington kicked his first for the day.

Three early behinds in the second term came as Serpentine started to stamp real authority.

Mellington picked up a free metres from the goal line and scored. Mitiamo’s Liam Shiell immediately replied with a Superoo goal before Mellington was starting to dictate for the Bears - a rare poster and then two quick goals.

Mellington went on to finish

the game with 13 goals in another masterclass display in front of goals, He shrugged off the taggers, darted to position and kicked goals from every angle possible at John Forbes Oval. Baines was clearly best for the Superoos and received support from Waylon Draper, Liam Shiell, Ryan Duncan and Ryan Byrne. For the Bears, the big names of Mellington, Twigg and Laird

Long break Redbacks off their return game

THREE weekends between games did Wedderburn no favours against Wycheproof Narraport in Saturday’s North Central clash.

A club bye followed by a league bye had the Redbacks underdone for the trip north that has claimed many more credentialled sides over the years.

Wedderburn was without Mitch Mc-Ewen - rested as a precaution after a heavy knock three weeks back and concussion last season - and Danny Benaim (ribs)

The pace and astuteness was missing from Wedderburn and unable to break down the flooding tactics of the Demons apart from a flurry in the second term when the Redbacks were up by

eight points going into the main break. By three quarter time that lead was halved.

Tom Campbell had kicked another five goals but would not add to his match tally. Adam Postle, weeks away from playing senior game 300, was again more than solid in defence.

Jackson and Oscar Holt were handy across the half-forward line.

Joshua Grabowski with four goals was among the best for the Demons.

Wedderburn’s long stretch of away games ends on Saturday when Donaldson Park bounces back into use for the clash against league yardstick Birchip Watchem.

were key to the win. But there’s another success story at Janiember Park this season.

Jaxon Addlem, in his first year out of the under 18 competition, was named in the best for the second time this season.

Addlem played a handful of senior games in 2023.

This year, he is proving a key cog on the wing and has been in the Bears’ best twice.

Serpentine finishes the first

half of the season with the match against Maiden Gully on Saturday before the King’s Birthday weekend bye. Mitiamo comes up against Bridgewater, coming off the bye. The Mean Machine could have several players right for selection after the week off to get on top of injuries.

Marong and Pyramid Hill were little troubled on the way to recording big wins over Newbridge and Maiden Gully.

Raging Bulls! Match of good and bad extremes

THEY’RE ruthless and unforgiving to clubs falling short of playing an A game.

Birchip Watchem punished and bruised an insipid Boort on Saturday for that very reason and propelled itself to premiership favouritism.

Pies coach Dale Cameron was realistic after the match: “Raging favourites for sure. It’s probably the best Birchip has played this season and for us the worst.”

“I can’t see too many weaknesses in the Bulls’ game. They are pretty good.”

Birchip started with early goals before the Pies fought back to be only eight points down at the first break.

Ryan McGhie, Natnael McLar-

en, Jarrod Fitzpatrick, James Keeble and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly again worked to keep Boort in the game.

But an eight-goal second quarter and forward 50 dominance had the Bulls at half-time well on their way to what would be a 116-point victory.

Top point player Ben Edwards had seven goals for the match.

Nicholas Rippon and Joseph Reid each finished with four and the trio were among the Bulls’ best.

Boort faces last year’s runnersup Nullawil this Saturday.

Both have two wins for the season. The Pies will be hoping for a third as it welcomes former players back for their club’s annual reunion day.

Quick inside 50s in good standard reserves clash

THE Redbacks and Demons put on a very watchable exhibition of reserves football at the Wycheproof Recreation Reserve. With a little more efficiency around the ball, the Demons were able to build a small lead by quarter time and maintain their form until three quarter time.

The game was up for grabs in the final term with the Redbacks hoping for early goals. They attacked solidly during the first minutes of the quarter, had opportunities but three getable goals were missed, the Demons rallied, went forward, scored the maximum with a quick inside 50

and went on to score a further three goals to the Redbacks two and ran out 17-point winners in a very entertaining contest.

Many good contributors on both sides. For the Demons, Alexander Hogan rucked well at ballups and around the ground; Hunter Connolly on ball where his pace and skilled foot passing tested the Redbacks throughout. Both players hit the scoreboard with good support from Ben Brennan who scored three majors. Heath Senior, Daniel Murray, Lachlan Ezard and Kane Butcher were other good contributors to the Demon cause.

The Redbacks were well served by Finn Turnbull in the ruck who had a sterling duel with the Demons’ Hogan.

Chris Hargreaves at full forward marked strongly all day and finished with three goals. Coach Ash Younghusband continued his consistent form with another sound performance on ball.

Jake Hayes, Robbie Tonkin and Cam Lang all worked hard throughout to keep the Redbacks in the game while Andrew Roberts chipped in with two handy goals.

„ With the sharing of players in the under age teams becoming

somewhat of an art form due to the number of players clubs have available, the Redbacks and Demons provided great entertainment for spectators.

Both teams have a mosquito fleet and while the scoreboard may not indicate as much there were some good skills displayed by youngsters on both sides.

Little tackers get better by the week. The more they play the more confident they become which equates to improving skills overall.

There were many instances of effective ball delivery by both hand and foot from both sides.

Battle of the Twiggs ... Nathan (Mitiamo) and Nathan (Bears) duel on Saturday, LH PHOTO

Reunion day stumps Blues

A BOLSTERED Calivil has proven pundits right - the Demons are only a couple of key players short of shaking the top sides in Loddon Valley football.

Coach Ant Dennis created his own on-field reunion on Saturday as Demons legends celebrated their 1964 flag.

Dennis had two former Tongala team mates in the lineup against Inglewood - Northern Territory all-star Cam Ilett and Jordan Souter.

The Ant and Cam show wasted no time establishing a game style that left Inglewood floundering and heading to a 55-point win at their home ground on Saturday.

Ilett had touches by the dozen, many passes finding their way to Dennis who ended the game with three goals.

But Ilett had vision to bring other players into the game.

Samuel Maher, Jack Maher, Darcy Thompson and Hamish Wall part of passages created by Ilett’s wizardry.

Souter made his presence felt across the midfield, his frame buffering opponents away from play as the Demons constantly pushed into the forward 50.

Inglewood had just two goals on the board at half time. There was a bit of spirit early in the third quarter when Dan Polack and Bowen Cauchi had breakthroughs.

That momentary lapse by Calivil saw Inglewood double its score in a matter of minutes. The Blues had bustled and bottled the game on the way to momentary ascendency.

But the confidence of Calivil was not going to be dented with seven scoring shots to three in the final term.

Calivil’s presure and tackling was ferocious across the halfback line.

Dennis set up goals for Rhys Lourie and Darcy Thompson before marking an Ilett ball himself and kicking truly.

Moments later, it was Dennis who again brought Lourie into play deep inside the square for another goal.

Inglewood had skipper Polack in the middle of every contest

from one end of the ground to the other.

His efforts had some reward mid-term in a passage that saw Keelan Payne goal from the square.

The Blues were kicking long in attempts to bypass Calivil’s confidence and system across the centre.

But Ilett was the everywhere player encouraging the young Demons.

It was the best performance of Calivil since former premiership coach Ant Dennis returned last season for his second stint.

ABOVE: Dennis Lea and his 1964 Demons’ premiership side were celebrated when Calivil welcomed players back for a 60-year reunion its marking 44-point victory over Bridgewater.

LEFT: Calivil supporters were in strong voice as the Demons notched up a win.

THIS WEEK’S LODDON VALLEY PREDICTIONS

He wanted the game played on Calivil’s terms and later said that apart from those 10 or 15 minutes in the third quarter, the team with only five players aged over 24, did just that, Dennis said the win put Calivil’s season on track and had his young side primed for Newbridge and the chance to push claims to knock Inglewood out of fifth spot on the ladder.

Inglewood big man Thomas Kennedy took some telling marks in defence in the second half and Mitchell Conlan finished the game with three goals.

THEY’RE big on donuts down at Riverside Oval in Newbridge this season.

Even the great Peter Lakey has been seen to swap his favoured sausage roll for one, enough to make His Emminence of Umpiring Mal Burg want to blow the whistle.

Whether it’s the Holland boys snacking at half time or Ron Trimble serving up another tray, the Maroons on the ground will run a few rings around the confidencecharged Calivil on Saturday.

A Maroons win - that’s what I am tipping - will take all the interest off the top teams in Loddon Valley football.

Suddenly, the race will be on for fifth spot. Newbridge, Calivil and Inglewood in a threeway tussle.

It would be easy to say Calivil can win. Yes they can, but only with the infusion of a couple of key players.

For this Saturday, I reckon it’s an each way bet.

As a lover of donuts (jam filled and cinnamon), it’s the Maroons ... just.

Been watching with interest the form in front of sticks of Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s Josh Mellington.

Another 13 at the weekend against Mitiamo. How many will he snag this weekend against the hapless Maiden Gully? Sure to be at least a bag, could even be two but the

For Calivil, it was the second win of the season. The Demons lost by eight points in the opening round against Maiden Gully. Three weeks away from the return clash, the Demons have lifted since that April encounter. Two key players they may not have again this season but the confidence of one week with Ilett in the side shows what the team could do.

Inglewood has a torrid draw over the next month - Pyramid Hill, Marong, the bye and then the return meeting with Bears Lagoon Serpentine.

crystal ball says he will not kick 80 or 90 goals in the second half of the season.

Good that he is, coaches will be adjusting game plans for return meetings and he might find the going a little bit tougher. Some clubs have worked out how to contain him for one quarter, even almost two, so it’s a sure bet schemes are becoming as clear as my crystal ball to turn that into three or four.

The crystal ball took me back to the days when I coached Loddon Valley juniors. That was when we more than ruled the roost I must say.

This weekend, the latest group of youngsters - and there are some rippers in all five clubs - are off to the annual gala day being played at The Dome.

Great opportunity for the young fellas to proudly wear the LV against teams representing neighbouring leagues. Well done to Loddon Valley league for continuing to put a junior representative side together.

What a difference they made ... Cam Ilett and Jordan Souter lifted Calivil to victory on Saturday. LH PHOTOS

WINTER IN THE LODDON VALLEY

Create your own adventure in the Loddon Valley during Winter

your adventure awaits

From enriching cultural experiences, to iconic views in National Parks, from treasure hunting that must-have vintage piece or sipping delicious reds visiting cellar doors, your adventure awaits in the Loddon Valley this Winter.

WINTER MUST DO’S

Cultural heartbeat:

Participate in a Djaara cultural tour at Kooyoora State Park, or learn more of the regions rich history at the Wedderburn Coach House Gallery and the Inglewood Eucalyptus Distillery.

Spectacular views:

Take in the breathtaking views of the northern Loddon region at Mount Hope, Terrick Terrick National Park or Pyramid Hill.

Must visit events:

Attend one of the regions Winter events such as the Tarnagulla Winter Solstice where you can enjoy heartwarming food, music and activities to celebrate the shortest day.

Adventure time:

Hire a canoe and paddle Little Lake Boort, or bring your own bike and ride the loop trail around the stunning lake.

Vintage treasure hunting: Visit the vintage and collectables precinct in Inglewood to unearth your own treasure.

For a full list of events and experiences: www.visitloddonvalley.com.au

Heart-warming winter reds:

Visit local cellar doors for a wine tasting at Water Wheel Vineyard, Both Banks Vineyard, Old Kingower Vineyard and Connor Park Winery.

Unearth a golden gem: Fossick for gold in Wedderburn or Inglewood on a personalised tour with the Gold Nugget Hunter.