Loddon Herald 3 November 2022

Loddon

THE official state election campaign kicked off on Tuesday with the Coali tion’s multi-million dollar pledge to connect water and sewerage to Newbridge.

Ripon MP and Liberal candidate Louise Staley said Newbridge would boom under a Coalition government’s small towns water and sewerage fund for the town.

“This will be transformational for this part of the (Loddon Shire). Newbridge is a key town because of its proximity to Bendigo,” Ms Staley said.

The announcement was wel comed by Loddon Mayor Dan Straub and Tarnagulla Ward councillor Linda Jungwirth.

“Connecting Newbridge to wa ter and sewerage fits with our vi sion for population and economic growth,” said Cr Straub.

Cr Jungwirth said: “Sewerage is very important for Newbridge. There is so much potential (for growth) that hasn’t been real ised.”

She said the project was part of council’s strategy and called on Labor to match the Coalition’s commitment.

Ms Staley said a lack of services had held Newbridge back.

Local store owner Darryl Pe ters: “It’s cheaper to build here than in Bendigo. More houses here will be more rates for coun cil and take pressure off farmers too.”

Mr Peters had plans to oper ate a bed and breakfast business in town but abandoned them be

cause of the land area currently needed for a septic tank.

Ms Staley said the Coalition had $40 million for small town water and sewerage. In Newbridge, res idents would pay a total of $5000 over 10 years to connect to the new water and sewerage service.

She said most Newbridge

homes were on double blocks, one currently required for a sep tic tank.

“People will be able to realise an asset ... this will drive population growth for Newbridge and other parts of Loddon Shire,” she said.

Ms Staley said investment in water and sewerage would con

tribute to wealth and opportunity for the district.

She said Coliban Water would receive dollar-for-dollar funding under the Coalition’s plan.

Ms Staley said the lack of water and sewerage infrastructure had been a significant local issue for the Newbridge community for years.

“Small regional towns, like Newbridge, are being held back by the lack of potable water and sewerage infrastructure,” Ms Sta ley said.

“Coliban Water and Loddon Shire have undertaken an exten sive business case for this project - it is costed, scoped and ready to go,” Ms Staley said.

The first campaign period pledge followed 96 hours of lastminute government announce ments before going into caretak er mode.

Inglewood and District Health Service will receive $240,000 to plan for the redevelopment of its acute services area while Boort District Health received $95,685.70 to upgrade parking and $142,000 for asbestos re moval and minor refurbishment of existing buildings.

A further $100,000 was an nounced on Tuesday for redevel opment of Wedderburn’s Donald son Park.

www.fpnevins.com.au

And Western Victoria Region MP and senior Labor minister Jaala Pulford last Friday said she would not contest the November 26 election.

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Mayor Dan Straub, Darryl Peters, Louise Staley and Cr Linda Jungwirth at Tuesday’s announcement in Newbridge. LH PHOTO

S PIDER webs, creepy crawlies and spooky howls were heard across local towns on Monday night ... yep, youngsters were out trick or treating for Halloween. Up in Boort, Bradley’s Treemendous sign captured one part of the eerie side of Halloween with his reference to spiders and snakes, the latter along with lizards popping their heads up from the long roadside grass in greater numbers since the floods.

O TF reckons dozens of stumpy tailed lizards have been sent scurrying by the LH vehicle alone. Some have moved fast at the immediate sensing of tread, others well, as they say, it’s the quick and the dead.

W HILE we’re talking about the floods, big shout out to all emergency service personnel and volunteers. We stumbled across a busload of police in Bridgewater on Saturday morning, tucking into coffees and vanilla slices as they made their way back to Melbourne after deployment in river communities. Couldn’t help but have a wry smile with the choice of carriage chosen to

ferry some of Victoria Police’s finest. They were travelling in a coach of the Lakes Bus lines livery with some tail-end advertising for Barham saying: Take me to the river. In this case, it was taking the wallopers away from the rivers.

B ACK to Halloween. The word “Hal loween” comes from All Hallows’ Eve and means “hallowed evening.” The history of Halloween dates back to a Pagan festival called Samhain. Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went doorto-door, which is the origin of Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating. The ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, which occurred on November 1 but kicked off the evening before, is considered the earliest known root of some of our secular Halloween tradi tions. It marked a pivotal time of year when seasons changed, but more importantly, observers also believed the boundary between this world and the next became especially thin, enabling them to connect with the dead. This is also where Halloween gains its “haunted” connotations.

T he current English name Halloween traces back to medieval Christianity. The word hallow is derived from the Middle and Old English words for holy.

Mayoral vote date set

LODDON councillors will for mally elect the shire’s next may or at a special meeting on Tues day.

The date was set last week when councillors went “in cam era” to discuss election of the 2022-2023 mayor.

The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting also includes election of a deputy mayor by the shire’s

five councillors although Lod don has not had the position pre viously.

Cr Dan Straub was elected for his first term as mayor 12 months ago. Along with Cr Wendy Mur phy and Cr Linda Jungwirth, Cr Straub was first elected to coun cil in 2020.

Cr Gavan Holt and Cr Neil Be attie are both former mayors.

ON THE MENU Fish and chips are on the takeaway menu again in Inglewood after extensive renovations to the Brooke Street prem ises by Alan Davies and Leah Martin. The local couple’s shop has proven an early hit with customers where Alan was pictured last week with their front-of-house manager Jean McNish. LH PHOTO

Carnival up ‘for big ask’

PETER Mason is ready to pull out stops to resurrect the iconic Rhe ola Charity Carnival next Easter.

The committee president said it would be a big ask after the event’s 150th running had been delayed for three years by COV ID lockdowns and restrictions.

“It will be a massive job to get it up again but I believe we can get the number of volunteers needed to make the carnival happen in 2023,” Mr Mason said this week.

“We’re all going to be three or four years older so the commit tee really needs more people to join and be part of staging what is a big day not only for Rheola

but right across the Loddon Shire and beyond.”

Mr Mason said several meeting dates in the past month had been cancelled because of floods but he was confident a meeting can be held this month.

“We will have a fair bit of work to bring the grounds and hall back up to standard to stage the carnival. Much of the grounds haven’t been touched since our last carnival in 2019,” he said.

“The restrictions and require ments that had been in place for events like ours had made it im possible to run the carnival.

“Now, we can start planning the return and, finally, staging

our 150th charity carnival.” Mr Mason said that besides assem bling a team of local volunteers, the committee would also check that helpers from outside the district were willing to return.

“We rely on these people just as much to run the various events that make up the carnival,” he said. “Without them our carnival would be impossible to run.

“Unlike some agricultural shows in larger communities that have disappeared over the last few years, we’re absolutely looking to be at Rheola in 2023.”

Rheola Charity Carnival was first held in 1871 and raises funds for district institutions in

cluding Inglewood and Districts Health Service.

Highlights of the traditional Easter Monday celebrations have been a vintage tractor pull, woodchop, farm yard dog trials and horse showjumping.

Mr Mason said: “We are look ing for people to be part of the running the carnival and contin uing it for many years into the future.

“It’s been a long wait to pre sent the 150th carnival but with a community effort, we can year bring the carnival back next year,” Mr Mason said ahead of a meeting to begining carnival planning

IN BRIEF Lifeline workshop

LIFELINE Loddon Malle has announced a workshop for accidental counsellors to be held in Inglewood this month. It says the workshop offers a set of toolbox skills for those moments when people might least expect to be called upon in a coun selling or caring capacity. This workshop will provide skills and tools for people to step into the shoes of an accidental counsellor when professional help is not im mediately available. Lifeline Central Victoria and Mal lee has changed its name to Loddon Mallee to better identify the region and the communities it supports.

Bright thoughts

SWINBURNE University students have been working with senior students at Tar nagulla Primary School to document their understand ings of electricity; what it is, how it is produced, how it is transmitted, what we do with it, and what consid erations might there be for future energy use. tudents worked in small groups with iPads to photograph, video, and record their ideas. The Swinburne team has taken this raw material and are going to edit it into a pres entation that contributes to the broader discussionabout the Donald and Tarnagulla microgrid feasibility study.

Goldfields bid

1900 COVID cases

A TOTAL of 1922 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the Loddon Shire since the pandemic was declared.

Figures released last Friday also showed there were five active cases in local com munities compared with one the previous week and down from a recent high of 30.

Rollout of Japanese encephalitis vaccine

A SPECIAL Japanese encephalitis vaccine clinic will run in Pyramid Hill on Sunday.

The town’s community neigh bourhood house asked Bendigo Health to set up the pop-up clinic after Loddon Shire was included in eligibility for the vaccine.

Co-ordinator Kim Bennett said the house had earlier collaborat

ed with Bendigo Health to oper ate pop-up COVID-19 clinics.

Pyramid Hill had been the only major Loddon town where vac cinations against Japanese en cephalitis were unavailable. In other towns, the vaccinations are being offered by health ser vices, doctors or pharmacists. “We approached Bendigo Health

and they have agreed to return to provide vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis,” Kim said.

Sunday’s pop-up clinic will also offer vaccinations for COVID-19 and influenza. Loddon Shire resi dents aged over 50 who spend multiple hours outdoors each day can receive a Japanese encephali tis virus vaccine.

A $500,000 grant to the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Masterplan that will support the de velopment of a bid for the region to bid for a World Heritage Listing. The State Govcernment masterplan grant will fund the planning, PR and marketing required to build a business case for this site to become a World Heritage List. Loddon Shire council is one of 13 councils involved in the World Herit age bid.

Show grant

BOORT Agricultural and Pastoral Society has re ceived a $5000 grant through the Nutrien Ag So lutions 2022 Community Grants Program to buy new marquees.

Nevaeh Donald, Alexis Tansley, Aysha Sullivan, Destiny Donald, Chelsea Tansley and Lashae Donald go trick or treating for Halloween in Inglewood on Monday night. See more PAGE 16

Event tourism revival vision as Moore elected president

PETER Moore wants to build community spirit and revive event tourism after his election last week as Inglewood Devel opment and Tourism president.

Mr Moore returns to the role 15 years after last leading the committee.

“We want everyone to have a voice on what’s happening in town,” Mr Moore said.

“I want IDTC to be working with all local organisations ... whether it’s the hospital, the schools, the sporting clubs ... achieving combined efforts to help the town grow and make things happen.

“Let’s grow more community spirit and hopefully revive a strong tourism event calendar.”

Mr Moore said he hoped IDTC could work with the Inglewood Alive committee to bring back that major event unable to be held for several years.

He said there were key is sues up for discussion including plans for the streetscape and managing speed and parking in Brooke Street.

Mr Moore has been an advo cate for Queensland-style speed warning and check signs in Brooke Street.

Forming part of the Calder Highway linking Melbourne and Mildura, Brooke Street is also a heavy vehicle route.

Some traders have expressed concerns about large vehicles

and caravans parking near her itage shop verandahs after sev eral recent reports of damage.

Mr Moore also said an ear ly aim of the new committee would be to increase member ship.

He said the group had a mem bership of more than 40 at its peak but had dwindled below 10. “If we can get it up to 20, that will be a start.” “We want the community to be engaged and discussing our town future.”

Lynette Rose was elected vice-president at last week’s an nual meeting and Pauline Well man secretary.

Outgoing president Carey Imms was thanked for her con tributions to IDTC.

Poppies in time of remembrance

RSL volunteers are seling pop pies in Loddon towns ahead of Remembrance Day on next Fri day, November 11.

Services will be held at Boort, Bridgewater, Inglewood and Wedderburn before a minute si lence at 11am.

Boort sub-branch president Paul Haw said: “Remembrance Day has been observed since the end of World War One to remem ber armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. In most countries

“Remembrance Day recalls the end of hostilities at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.”

The Boort RSL will hold a brief ceremony at the RSL clubrooms remembrance wall at 10.40am. The public is welcome to attend. This is the day to remember all the fallen from the Boort Region and the sacrifice they paid.

Wedderburn’s service will be in the sub-branch memorial gar den, Inglewood at the centuryold war memorial and Bridgewater at the memorial hall.

Mr Haw said proceeds from sales of the traditional red poppy were used by the RSL to assist in its welfare work.

Councillor wants ‘safe place’ found for ward

TARNAGULLA Ward should have a neigh bourhood safer place for the high bush fire-risk area, Cr Linda Jungwirth told last week’s Loddon Shire Council meeting.

Cr Jungwirth said it was a concern that a “place of last resort” had not been iden tified in the district.

“I look forward to getting to work on this (finding a place),” Cr Jungwirth said.

Her comments came as councillors confirmed neighbourhood safer places in Boort, Bridgewater, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill, Serpentine and Wedderburn.

Cr Gavan Holt said it was unfortunate some towns did not have a designated place due to the challenges of rules.

Councillors were told the CFA con ducted annual inspections of the current

designated places in Boort, Pyramid Hill, Bridgewater, Inglewood, Wedderburn and Serpentine, confirming they were compli ant with the CFA Act. Council’s OHS, risk management and fire prevention officer’s assessment confirmed compliance with council guidelines.

Approved safer places are Boort Park, Mitchell Park Pyramid Hill, Serpentine Recreation Reserve, Bridgewater Memo rial Hall, Sloan Park Inglewood and Don ldson Park Wedderburn.

“No new or additional sites have been nominated by council staff, the local com munity, or the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee,” said manager organisation development Ja nine Jackson.

New president Peter Moore with Inglewood Pharmacy’s Khaled Selwanes. LH PHOTO

Paul, Julie sign off

PAUL and Julie Davis waved goodbye to the Tarnagulla Post Office last week.

Their handover of the busi ness to Mary Wollmering brought a close to almost 28 years in the town.

They have moved to Bendigo where Paul will continue his in volvement with the ex-service community assisting veterans and Julie has already volun teered at a community house and op-shop.

Grandchildren duties and overseas travel are also on the list for Julie and Paul who had been actively involved in Tar nagulla orgisanisations.

Both were members of the town’s fire brigade, Paul also serving nine years as secretary.

Paul had terms as president with the school council and Loddon Tourism and was a pro ject leadership group member of resilience action plan project completed in 2020.

The group defined the com munity vision as: “The Tarna gulla community of the future will be different. Together we will work towards developing and sustaining a thriving town.

“We will have a strong social culture built on a diverse and connected population repre senting and welcoming peoples of all ages, status, ethnicities and interests.

“We will have a beautiful town with a sustainable econ omy built on local agriculture, businesses, clubs, organisations and tourism. To be resilient we will have developed the neces sary capabilities to confidently address our future.”

Julie and Paul were also mem bers of Inglewood Lions, Paul serving as president and secre tary and Julie as treasurer.

And Paul has been a mem ber of Inglewood and Districts Health Services community ad visory committee.

In the 1990s, they hosted Li ons exchange students for short visits from Japan.

Through the Southern Cross Student Exchange program, they hosted Jan Angerstein from Germany and Asbjorn Neilsen from the Netherlands each for 12 months who would travel daily to Maryborough for school.

Paul said they remained in

regular contact Jan and Asbjorn who had enjoyed their time in Tarnagulla as teenagers.

In recent years Paul has been part of lobbying for improved mobile phone reception and NBN connections in the town.

And this year, he organised the town’s first ANZAC Day

First resource estimates are expected this year

CATALYST Metals aims to have multiple maiden resource estimates from its flag ship Four Eagles Gold Project over the next 12 months.

The company told the Australian Stock Exchange on Monday the estimate for Boyd’s Dam exploration near Mitiamo was expected this year.

“Nearby prospects – such as Hayanmi –are targeting completion of resource esti mate in 2023,” Catalyst’s quarterly report said.

“These planned resources all lie in close proximity to the proposed exploration tunnel

“These potential resources surrounding the proposed exploration tunnel are im portant to the ultimate investment deci

sion of the merits of proceeding with de velopment of the tunnel itself.”

Catalyst said the exploration tunnel’s works plan submission to the Victorian Government was expected later this year.

“Drilling during the quarter was encour aging. It extended the mineralised system around the proposed tunnel area ... from the first deep hole at Hayanmi thereby in dicating repeated mineralisation at depth now at both Hayanmi and Boyd’s Dam,” Catalyst said.

“Boyd East is a new prospect lying 300 metres from Boyd’s Dam. Further inves tigations are underway as to its potential however early signs are encouraging with significant and consistent fault develop ment.”

dawn services, something Paul says he will continue to assist with in coming years.

As Paul and Julie headed to retirement last week, there was another changing of the guard - there’s also a new post office dog.

Chase is heading to new digs

with Julie and Paul while Bean has made the trip from Drum mond North with Mary who had owned a nursery in Kyneton for six years before coming to Tar nagulla.

“I found this place and fell in love with it,” said the new post office owner.

Julie and Paul Davis with Mary Wollmerring and their post office pooches. LH OFFICE

Food comes in for an army of volunteers

FLOOD-DAMAGED fences are being cleaned, cleared and re placed by the army of Blazeaid volunteers based at Bridgewater.

Teams have been working for more than a week on proper ties at Newbridge, Bridgewater, Marong, Salisbury West and Ser pentine.

More than 50 volunteers are part of the initial effort as Blazeaid returns to the Loddon for the second time in 11 years.

Co-ordinating the care of volunteers and support for residents impacted by floods is Bridgewater’s Jany Clutton.

She said Inglewood Kinder garten had donated $500 to buy ingredients for daily meals while Bendigo’s Creek Street Christian College had delivered care pack ages in the past week.

The Blazeaid camp had also received care packages from the Sikh community while Steve’s Empire State Hotel had provided pizzas.

Kyneton Angling Club mem bers at the weekend brought a $500 donation from Kyneton RSL.

The club’s John Condliffe said the money was used to purchase

hampers from Loddon business es that were distributed to peo ple hit by the October 14 floods.

“It also enabled us to buy some barbecue sausages for volun teers helping in the recovery,” he said.

The angling club normally conducts a cod season opening event at Bridgewater in Decem ber but that is in doubt this year.

Water sitting in soggy paddocks

CROPS and stock paddocks across the Loddon remain home to floodwaters, a fortnight after record-breaking deluges hit the region.

Water also remains across some minor roads and tracks and streaming from hills into roadside gullies. Most water is still held up in crops around northern communities.

However, all schools have been able to open this week and Pyramid Hill will tonight have a community barbecue to recog nise the contribution of volun teers in preparing to keep flood waters out of the town.

Community efforts led by fire brigade captain Steve Mann saw a levee bank constructed and pumps installed at key locations.

Meanwhile, Dingee Bush Nurs ing Centre has re-opened after flood and road conditions lim ited its services for almost two weeks.

The Loddon Valley Highway between Bendigo and Durham Ox re-opened last Friday night, Department of Transport di rector Loddon Mallee region Melanie Hotton said: “Crews have worked around the clock to re-open the Loddon Valley High way since it was damaged by recent floods – re-opening this section of the highway ensures that we’re keeping local com munities connected to essential supplies and services.”

Jany Cutton and Sherri-Jo Wilkins prepare meals while (inset) John Condliffe prepares to deliver hampers.

New assistance measures

AN $877 million recovery sup port package for businesses, farmers, and community groups has been unveiled by the Federal and State Governments.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible businesses and not-for-profit organisations to support recovery efforts in cluding rebuilding damaged in frastructure and replacing dam aged assets.

And $22 million has been made available for business support services in development of re covery plans, mental health sup port and assistance in grant ap plications.

In addition, Business Chamber and Trader Groups Programs will be established to enable locally led solutions for business activa tion.

Primary producers and rural landholders will have access to , grants of up to $75,000 on top of a primary producer conces sional loan program announced last week.

The joint government package released on Tuesday has $5000 for sporting and recreational clubs impacted by the floods to assist them with their recovery.

Any grant received through the existing $5000 small busi ness immediate flood relief and $10,000 primary producer flood relief programs will be included in the maximum amounts avail able through the recovery grant Minister for Emergency Man

agement Murray Watt said: “Giv en the importance of regional Victoria to our nation’s food production, it’s great to see the ... governments coming together to support farmers, as well as small businesses get back on their feet.”

Meanwhile, the Victorian Gov ernment on Tuesday also said there would be more than $152 million in further funding to help with housing, household bills, legal support and access to local services.

More than $15 million will help people who have complex needs and were displaced by floodsswa ters to avoid becoming homeless through securing alternative ac commodation and new tenancies.

It will also provide extra counsel ling and more family violence and case management services.

Victorians whose uninsured houses have been severely dam aged by floodwaters will get help to make their place safer.

A funding package of more than $20 million will help coun cils assess the damage to houses and businesses and expand the state-wide clean up program.

The flood recovery program will get an $11 million boost, help ing people to get support with housing, health and wellbeing, fi nancial and legal counselling and assistance with accessing grants and completing paperwork, and advice for business owners whose livelihoods have been af fected by the floods.

A month of rain records

RAINFALL records for October were smashed across the Lod don as much of the region experi enced floods last month.

The highest rainfall was re corded in Wedderburn where 228.2mm fell, way above the pre vious October record of 179.8mm in 1975.

A new record was measured in the official Bureau of Meteorol ogy gauge at Mincha - 173.2mm, beating the 144.7mm recorded in October 1975. Dunolly’s monthly total was 209.6mm, beating the previous record by 5mm.

Inglewood and Bridgewater re corded 173.9mm, less than a mil limetre below the record set in 1975.

At Canary Island, 120.4mm fell last month compared with the 1973 record of 147.5mm while at Prairie West where official re cords have only been kept for the past decade, the measurement was 188.5mm.

On Tuesday, minor flooding was continuing on the Loddon River downstream of Laaneco orie where the river was 2.46 metres and falling. Downstream Cairn Curran was at 1.05 metres and steady, below the minor flood level, and downstream of Loddon Weir, the river was 6.02 metres and steady.

Mt Hope Creek at Mitiamo was steady at 1.37 metres.

Robert Scott and Andy Taylor help Nick Hall clear debris from Bridgewater vineyard and (left) David Cunningham and Tony Davis set about repairing fences. LH PHOTO

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Bank opens applications for university, TAFE scholarships

INGLEWOOD and District Community Bank has opened applications for its an nual tertiary scholarships.

Chairman Linda Younghusband said the bank was offering four scholarships to local students - two for bachelor degree study, one for mature age and one for TAFE.

“The scholarships are a very important way for our community bank to support local young people and also invest in growing skills for the future in rural com munities,” Linda said.

“Over the 15 years that the community bank has been part of district, the schol arships have assisted many young people

start their tertiary education and prepare for careers in a range of professions and vocations.

A recent recipient was Hamish Catto who said: “A few years on, and the sup port received from the bank scholar ship has continued to put me in good stead in a variety of ways.

“At the time, it helped me to pursue an opportunity that, in the time since, has had a significant influence on me as a person and my current circumstanc es. In honest and simple terms, I would not be the person I am and as content as I am, had I not been provided the op

Actors stage return with a touch of TV nostalgia

SCRIPTS have been dusted off and lines rehearsed ahead of a four-night season starting this weekend for Wedderburn and Regional Theatre Society’s latest production.

Members of Warts’n’all were busy go ing through the show last Sunday in the local hall.

The collection of skits drawing inspi ration from television and movies of the 1980s and 1990s will be compared by Helen Chandler.

Among leading lights in the show will be Robina Little who will entertain with her take on Australian TV comedy

Belle’s ring for Cinderella role

LUKE Belle was the star of Saturday’s per formance of the opera La Cenerentola be fore a capacity crowd in Tarnagulla.

The show’s assistant director stepped in at the last minute to play the role of Alidoro, a cavalier and confidante to the the prince in in the Rossini opera based on Cinderella.

Director Jamie Moffat said: “Luke stepped into the role at short notice and saved the day!”

La Cenerentola was presented by Lyster Opera with next year’s productions to in clude The Coronation of Poppea and Cosi Fan Tutte.

show character Kylie Mole. The return of live amateur theatre comes after almost three years with COVID lock downs scuppering plans for members to appear on stage.

And the television theme is fitting with one of the final shows by the local stage enthusiasts before COVID looking at the early years of Australian televi sion.

Members said their new show would have more than a few laughs and they were pleased to be back performing for local audiences after the enforced break.

I’m Martha Haylett, your Labor candidate for Ripon, covering towns in the Loddon Shire including Inglewood, Wedderburn, Newbridge, Bridgewater on Loddon andsurrounds.

I’m standing for Parliament because I believe our community deserves a strong, no-nonsense voice. I understand the importance of reliable healthcare, affordable housing, education and roads. FollowmyFacebookpageto stayuptodatewithnewsabout theRiponelectorate.

portunity to experience life at univer sity in Melbourne.

“Currently, I am working at a civil engineering company in Bendigo while at the same time farming at home in Bridgewater.”

The 2022 recipient was Zekie Johns, now studying medicine at Monash Uni versity after completing VCE at East Loddon P12 College where she was dux last year.

Linda said applications for the schol arships closed in January.

“We encourage all young people to consider an application,” she said.

Martha Haylett

Luke Belle

Robina Little in rehearsal. LH PHOTO

Aged care study looks to plug fund shortfall

A NEW business case has recom mended pension and rental as sistance increases be advocated to make a proposed Wedderburn aged care facility viable.

Wedderburn Lions Club com missioned Bendigo-based consul tancy Sorted to prepare the plan in a bid to have a 30-bed support ed residential aged care accom modation in the town.

The club has received pledges totalling more than $450,000 over the past decade for the project. However, the Sorted re port found a weekly shortfall of $62.10 a week for each resident.

Financial modelling in the re port is based on 75 per cent oc cupancy.

Sorted’s Claire Fountain has recommended advocacy to gov ernment for a special supported residential service allowance to bridge the shortfall.

She also said there should be advocacy to government for care residents to retain and transfer their home care package from a residential to a care setting.

Lions’ Jude Raftis said the club’s aged care sub-committee had started advocacy and met on Monday with Labor candidate for Ripon Martha Haylett. Ms Hay lett said she would advocate for a supported residential service in the town.

Mrs Raftis said the community had been working towards a local aged care facility for more than a decade.

She said the new business case showed how a local model could be viable but that would require changes in government policies and frameworks.

A Wedderburn facility would improve the town’s liveability for all ages, Mrs Raftis said.

In her report, Ms Fountain said: “Research conducted by the Lions group established that Wedder burn compared to other Victori an regional towns is currently as a disadvantage - at 941 residents it has the third largest population with zero beds. In comparison, the fourth largest town with a population of 893 has access to 19 beds.

“The concept of establishing a community-funded facility is inspiring and has the potential to provide a high quality, col laborative, community-led solu tion to the provision of safe lo cal elder care and for the model to address social and economic challenges being faced in small regional towns across Australia,” she wrote.

“Modelling shows that a 30-bed SRS with residents paying rent based on 85 per cent of the cur rent government pension rate plus the current rental assistance funding is not enough on its own to cover the operational costs ... a $62.10 weekly shortfall per unit.”

Ms Fountain said potential ways to build financial viability into the model included a “unique pilot project focused on building

a replicable community-driven and operated care for people no longer able, or wishing, to live in their own homes but wanting to remain connected to their friends and families”.

She said the model would free up housing stock, address loneli ness and isolation, build employ ment in rural towns and improve their economies.

Ms Fountain said the model could explore potential for com munity-based social enterprises that work to add value to sup ported residential services and other partnerships.

The model would employ “wellresearched benefits of intergen erational connections between the aged and youth in communi ties, re-ignite a level of awareness that communities are respon sible for caring for all residents from cradle to grave and provide short-term respite for carers al lowing for a holiday, short break or to recover from illness”.

Land in Wilson Street has been set aside for construction of an aged care facility if the Lions pro ject was given the green light.

Ms Fountain said her report’s recommendations were “a place to start the discussions and a move towards the vision becom ing a reality”.

Edging closer to centre tick

PLANS for a private child care centre in Boort have been given a boost with Federal Government pro vider aproval received.

Mark Klose said he and partner Amy Sturman were now progressing service approval before beginning to seek Loddon Shire per mits.

Mr Klose said it was hoped all approvals could be gained to allow the cen tre to open next year.

“We’ve been working through all the processes for more than 11 months,” Mr Klose said.

“We are working incred ibly hard behind the scenes to provide such a needed and valuable service to Boort,” he said.

More to say soon: Govt

THE State Government last week said it would will “have more to say soon” on 50 new co-located child care centre sites.

Wedderburn College has said it would welcome a centre at the school but had not been contacted by the Government.

The centres would be in areas of unmet demand, the Government said in June.

A Mitchell Institute report said the Loddon Shirre had the highest unmet demand in Victoria.

Priority area for vaccination

It has been a challenging few weeks for our children and young people with school closures, exams commencing and oodwater impacting their homes and communities.

Emerging Minds Australia have developed a resource to help families support children in areas that are experiencing and/ or at risk of ooding.

Access the full resource and printable fact sheet here: https://bit.ly/3ySVPx6

If a young person you know needs support contact headspace Swan Hill on (03) 4010 7100, headspace Echuca on (03) 5485 5048 or headspace Bendigo (03) 5406 1400

Infrastructure, growth and services

THREE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES

z What is the commitment of you and your party for investment in infrastructure and services to enable population and economic growth in Loddon communities?

z What specific projects have you identified as priorities to sup port and achieve economic and population growth in Loddon communities?

z Do you believe these com munities, particularly in the Cal der Highway corridor, can be included in a central Victorian population growth strategy?

MARTHA HAYLETT (LABOR)

A huge part of securing eco nomic development for our towns rests on mobile connectiv ity. Which is why the State Labor Government is delivering Con necting Victoria - a $550 million project to boost connectivity at over 700 rural and regional sites. This project will unlock economic growth for our region by improv

ing mobile connection and inter net speeds in Inglewood, Wed derburn, Bridgewater, and many more areas across the Loddon Shire.

Labor has a strong plan for population and economic growth in our Loddon communities through school upgrades, health investments, more paramed ics and new ambulance stations, street scaping, job creation and more.

Safe and well-maintained roads are essential to our rural commu nities and I continue to advocate for investment in the infrastruc ture the Loddon Shire needs to grow. Labor established a dedi cated country roads authority, Regional Roads Victoria, with record investment - in the past year 392km of road in the Lod don Mallee have been upgraded.

Access to quality healthcare close to home is also essen

Just two in race so far

TWENTY-YEAR political veteran Peter Walsh has just one chal lenger so far in the safe National Party seat of Murray Plains.

John Brownstein has been an nounced as the Greens’ candi date. John is a secondary school teacher and former mayor of the Benalla Rural City Council. He is a former manager of operations and emergency management for the North Western Region of the Department of Education and Training. He lives near Swan Hill and is married with three adult children.

“We need to tackle the climate

crisis with an urgency that our local political representatives have ignored, which has con tributed to the increased sever ity and frequency of droughts, bushfires and major floods in our region.

“The Greens want to replace coal and gas with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, while protecting workers, creat ing jobs, boosting uptake of re newables and protecting nation al parks,” Mr Brownstrein said.

Labor is yet to announce its candidate. Nominations close on November 11.

tial to growth in the Loddon Shire. Labor recently announced $240,000 for the Inglewood and District Health Service to plan for the redevelopment of the acute services area - an important piece of work which will improve our region.

I want to work hand-in-hand with every community across the Loddon Shire to make our towns even better and stronger.

I know first-hand that rural Victoria is a great place to live and work, and I’m committed to making sure we secure the investment necessary to drive economic growth and support in dustries like tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing while grow ing our population sustainably.

We’ve made great progressunemployment across rural and regional Victoria is at the record low of 2.9 per cent, the lowest in the nation. Labor has a record of

doing what matters but there’s always more to be done.

LOUISE STALEY (LIBERAL)

As a first step, we will ensure that flood recovery funds flow quickly and efficiently to rebuild community assets. We will build a childcare centre at the school in Wedderburn. Child care is the number one barrier for families, particularly women, wanting to work more. The availability of childcare will help individu al families and drive economic growth. We will also help Loddon families with school-age chil dren by introducing free healthy school lunches five days a week. This policy is also a local business support measure, as local cafes and bakeries will be first in line to provide the meals.

We will sewer Newbridge via our $40 million Small Towns Water and Sewerage Fund. Prop erty owners will pay $5,000 for sewerage which can be paid off over ten years. This will unlock the growth potential of New bridge. Labor has underfunded

road maintenance for years. Over ten years, we will invest $10 bil lion in maintenance on VicRoads roads. That’s about a fifty per cent increase on what Labor is spending. We will also bring back the popular Country Roads and Bridges program that will deliver an additional $1.5 million to Lod don Shire every year to assist it in maintaining local roads.

The proximity of towns like Bridgewater on Loddon and In glewood to Bendigo should make population growth occur natural ly, and to some extent, it is. More can be done, including dramati cally improving mobile phone coverage. That’s why a Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $150 million in rural con nectivity, including more towers and subsidising booster technol ogy. I can report from personal experience that can make a huge difference in reception. Getting that basic infrastructure right, including roads, mobile and in ternet reception, and sewerage, will create the stage for further strong population growth.

Maintenance of local roads

THREE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES

z Road maintenance has been listed as a major issue by Loddon Shire Council. What is the com mitment of you and your party to address road maintenance in the Loddon Shire?

z The Dingee-Raywood road has been highlighted as one of the worst Loddon roads in the Bendigo East electorate (pre and post floods). Will this road be a priority for attention?

z There has also been concern about roadside fuel reduction. Will you and your party back allo cation of greater resources to De partment of Transport and also,

DARIN SHADE (LIBERAL)

Country roads move our fami lies and freight around the state. The quality of these roads af fect lives and livelihoods. A Liberal National government has pledged $10bn to repair the Victoria’s regional roads. This commitment to rural transport routes will be backed up by longer more secure contracts for maintenance providers to enable them to invest in better equip ment, however they will be held

to a higher standard for the qual ity of their repairs.

Once elected, the first step will be to prioritise the projects, en suring that the most urgent re pairs are completed first, so it is still a little early for commit ments on individual routes.

The Liberal party are com mitted to ensuring the safety of country roads, including reduc tion of roadside fuel. Increased resources have been pledged to the Department of Transport upon the election of a Liberal National government.

VICTORIAN Electoral Commis sion at the weekend said eligibil ity for telephone-assisted voting in this year’s State election has been extended to people affected by recent floods in Victoria.

Voters in areas impacted by

floods on or after October 13 and who are unable to access a voting centre from November 19 to 6pm on election day November 26 can register and vote.

The VEC said it wass continuing to monitor disruptions caused by

the floods and will consult with Emergency Management Victoria to identify areas that would re main affected as election day ap proached.

The areas of Victoria that will be able to access the service will

be published by the VEC in the coming weeks. Voters will need to make a declaration that they are residing in a place that has been impacted by the floods and are unable to travel to or access a vot ing centre.

Each week, the Loddon Herald is putting a series of questions to candidates.

All responses received to this week’s questions of candidates in Bendigo East and Ripon have been published.

return C class roads contracts to local councils?

Secret water money could ‘ruin industry’

THE water industry in northern Victoria would become unvi able if the Federal Government pushed ahead with new buyback plans.

That’s the warning of Ferni hurst irrigator Ken Pattison af ter last week’s Budget allocated an unspecified amount to meet the environmental water targets in the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Mr Pattison said expected wa ter buybacks would be a triple whammy for farmers.

“Our farms still have to be vi able ... we’re seeing increased costs for gas and electricity and now water needed for produc tive irrigated agriculture is un der threat,” he said.

“They are destroying produc tive irrigated agriculture in northern Victoria.

“It’s not very smart. Stupidity is reigning supreme.”

Mr Pattison said Goulburn Murray Water was once the larg est water business in Australia but had become the smallest.

“They’re losing three per cent of high-security water (available) a year and the water industry in northern Victoria will become unviable.

“The viability of agriculture

businesses is being ruined,” he said.

Water ministers from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and South Australia –met with federal minister Tanya Plibersek last month with Victo ria and NSW saying they would fail to meet their water savings commitments by 2024.

Murray Darling Basin Author ity said the meeting decided “as a matter of priority, the Common wealth will work with relevant communities and basin states on options to bridge the remaining gap in water recovery, including through strategic purchase, and to consider carefully opportuni ties to achieve the 450 GL (of en vironmental flows).

“It was noted that the Austral ian Government was carefully and consultatively considering all options to meet the water re covery targets. Ministers noted the Australian Government’s early engagement with industry on opportunities for improved water use efficiency.”

A spokesperson for Ms Pliber sek has said all options were on the table to deliver the plan, not just voluntary water buybacks.

The Albanese Government’s

THERE was a modest decline with lamb numbers down to 22,200 head at, Bendigo on Monday.

While there is some very good young lambs coming through, a lot were only borderline for carcass finish and fat cover particularly in the trade weight categories. Buyers gave the best support to heavy lambs over 26kg cwt that were properly fat. Bidding was very selective over trade lambs.

The best heavy lambs held their value while the general yarding of processing lambs lost $5 to $15 head, some pens drop ping up to $20 on a week ago as the mar ket lost momentum late in the auction.

Export young lambs over 30kg cwt $232 to a top of $266. The majority of the 2630kg cwt pens $206 to $240, followed by the best 24-26kg unshorn lots at $190 to $217/head. As a rule it took a good 26kg plus lamb to make over $200/head in

first budget showed funding for environmental water-saving targets.

But the figure was not released “due to commercial sensitivities”.

Mr Pattison said: “The buyback is not precise. Plibersek has said everything is on the table and the’ve set aside an undisclosed amount of money.”

He fears there could be a re peat of the Millennium drought “willing sellers” if the Govern ment plans are not stopped.

“We saw ‘willing sellers’ with a knife in their backs from the banks during the Millennium drought and this time, it could tragically as a result of floods across so much of northern Vic toria,” he said. “It will be local farmers and local communities who are going to lose.

“People elsewhere will not wake up until they are hungry.”

Mr Pattison said he believed high-security water right buy backs would be targeted under the Budget’s undisclosed alloca tion.

Since the Murray Darling Ba sin Plan was legislated in 2012, there’s been 1,200 gigalitres of water reallocated from farming to the environment.

this sale. The category of stock to strug gle were the washed out trades at 22-24kg cwt which made from $160 to $188/head. Unlike last week there was no Ballarat re stocking support for some of these trade lambs to shear.

Lighter trade lambs 18-21 cwt $135 to $160/head. Most processing lambs were estimated to be costing from 760c to 800c/kg cwt. Store lambs to the paddock $104 to $140/head and there was still some strong sales of very small lambs at times.

Heavy sheep gained $5 to $10 as an ex tra processor stepped into heavier mutton. Big crossbred ewes $140 to $165; heavy Merino ewes $135 to $158.

Light sheep $105 to $128 with the plain est pens down to $84/head.

PRICES UNABLE TO BE SUPPLIED

Silo-ready farms will give harvest options

RECENT heavy downpours and more rain forecast has eastern Australian grain growers brac ing for another wet harvest, with logistical and grain quality issues front of mind.

Grains Research and Develop ment Corporation national grain storage extension project coor dinator Chris Warrick said while some growers might choose to delay harvest, giving crops the chance to dry out and get back to the desired deliverable moisture content, others might have to harvest wet grain to avoid future rainfall.

“Preparing silos so growers have the option to take grain off the above deliverable moisture content is a tool they can use to manage the difficult logistics of a wet harvest,” he said.

“The ideal setup at a time like this is having drying facilities available; however, that won’t be the case for a lot of growers, and it may not be possible for them to access this equipment so close to harvest.

“The second most common management option, and one that can be underutilised by the industry, is aeration cooling. Growers can use aeration cooling to hold grain, preventing it from moulding, until it can be dried or blended with dry grain to sell.”

Mr Warrick said the most im portant factor to consider when

using aeration cooling to store wet grain is ensuring the system is set up to match what growers want to do with it.

“Drying with aeration requires really high airflow. Growers will need 15 litres of air per second per tonne or more to carry the moisture out of the grain,” he said.

“Aeration cooling only requires 2-4 litres of air per second per tonne and can be retro-fitted to cone bottom silos, sheds or bun ker sites.

“If you are going to store grain with higher moisture, make sure you’re monitoring it regularly. Smell the air, check the temper atures, and ensure it’s cooling down, not heating up.

“When using aeration cool ing fans to hold higher moisture grain, growers will need to run fans continuously whenever am bient conditions are under 85 per cent relative humidity, regard less of temperature. Without con stant air-flow, higher moisture grain is likely to heat, sweat and turn mouldy.”

Mr Warrick said if growers were planning to retain seed from this harvest, they should be prioritising these crops to main tain the seed’s quality. “Give pri ority to retaining seed, get it in the silo and store it at a low mois ture content and in cool tempera tures,” he said.

INQUIRIES

Pumping our towns’ heartbeats

EARLIER this year, we wrote an editorial on the value and importance of staging local events. We had seen the start of a revival after lockdowns of the COVID years took away famed and celebrated occasions and activities.

The tentative nature associated with reinvigorat ing momentum needed to drive community cohe sion and passion has made several appearances in the form of major events this year, wonderful occa sions that put smiles on faces whether the Serpen tine Centenary Air Race or the Boort Show and on Sunday there will be the Wedderburn Garden Expo. This week’s Loddon Herald has an article on ef forts to bring back to life the iconic Rheola Charity Carnival.

For the past three years, this annual gathering has been stuck waiting to make its 150th appear ance. A small committee is ready and hopefully able but as president Peter Mason says, more volunteers are needed - the grounds have missed their annual spruce and there’s a power of work to be done.

Rheola’s carnival has the aura of country events that some of our city cousins may find quaint and interesting. That alone is a selling point.

We urge all our readers to consider putting the

YOUR ONLINE WORDS

Last weekend’s moderate flood warning for the Loddon River

Leonie Baker wrote: Floods in the Loddon River depend on where in our Loddon catchment it rains, and how much.

If it rains in some of these areas and not others, or if it rains in all of them at once including how much and for how long. Some of these streams cannot be

hand up to bring life back into this wonderful car nival - a heartbeat of the district that brings people together and also raises funds for, among others, Inglewood and Districts Health Service.

This week’s edition of your Loddon Herald also talks with new Inglewood Development and Tour ism committee president Peter Moore. He has iden tified creation of a calendar of events to bring more people to the town and indeed the Loddon.

Businesses have soldiered through COVID and now floods. Their generosity to support local com munities , however, remains undiminished.

An full event calendar will keep the heartbeats of all our Loddon communities pumping regularly, giving reason for people from further afield to come into our part of the world, spending a dollar here and a dollar there.

In the rush to Christmas, let’s re-create the mo mentum for a bumper 2023 of local celebrations in our towns and strengthen our spirit and bonds, plus the local economy.

controlled. BOM has data on rain fall and river heights.

If mother nature decides to dump rain in all these catchment areas at once, the only thing we can do is to keep updated, prepare what we can to stay safe.

Loddon Valley Highway re-opens between Bendigo and Durham Ox

Tadpole Nae wrote: A huge thank

you to everyone who worked around the clock to do the re pairs.

Loddon Shire votes to fly rainbow flag Leanne Talbot wrote: Probably far more important issues than flags to be addressing right at this moment in time!

From the Loddon Herald facebook page

1. In a bingo game, which number is represented by the phrase “two little ducks”?

2. According to Greek mythol ogy, who was the first woman on earth?

3. Which African country was formerly known as Abyssinia?

4. Which singer’s real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Ger manotta?

5. What is the tiny piece at the end of a shoelace called?

6. Which of Shakespeare’s plays is the longest?

7. Outside which New York building was John Lennon killed?

8. How many of Snow White’s seven dwarfs have names ending in the letter Y?

9. Lateral Epicondylitis is a condition commonly known by what name?

10. Which young girl helped drive the English from French soil in the 15th century?

Answer: Joan of Arc

11. What U.S. President coined the phrase “Good to the last drop,” referring to coffee?

12. Sarah Josepha Hale, who campaigned for US Thanks

ANSWERS

giving to be a national holiday, wrote what nursery rhyme song?

13. Where was Pizza Hut’s first restaurant built?

14. A “screwdriver” drink con sists of what?

15. Which spirit is known to be made from fermented rice?

16. What’s the largest selling vodka brand in the world?

17. Jack Daniels whiskey is made in which US state?

18. What are the four main in gredients in ice cream?

19. Which chocolate bar is named after the Mars’ family horse?

20. What is the culinary term for “according to the menu”?

idhs Delivering better

Inglewood & Districts Health Service would like to thank all our fantastic staff for their outstanding work towards continuing the care of our community during the recent weather event. Many of our staff did extra and extended shifts and we thank you for your dedication.

IDHS would like to acknowledge Dr Shaq Issa for his availability and care during this time. All residents and patients stayed safe during this time. We also thank and acknowledge all the volunteers around the region for keeping our communities safe. If anyone from the community needs any support during this time please contact us at 54317000. Here are some tips to support good mental health and well-being: Exercise regularly, take a break from social media, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, stay connected, reach out to family and friends & get enough sleep. For more information go to the Loddon Healthy Minds Network Websitehttps://www.loddonhealthyminds.com.au/resources

Good mental health and well-being mean different things to different people. Reach out to us to discover how we can support you in enhancing your mental health. You can selfrefer to our service by emailing admin@idhs.vic.gov.au

The Loddon Shire has sent a Community Newsletter today for distribution. It provides an update about the flood recovery and support. Go to our website at the link below for this information- https://www.idhs.vic.gov.au/

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

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Snickers.20.Alacarte.

Tipped from the bunk

By CHRIS EARL

JIM WATSON had gone to his bunk in the stern of HMAS Voy ager while other sailors were in the mess playing tambola.

He was filling in as an ordi nary season, already three years in the senior service, the Royal Australia Navy, waiting for an other crack to become a quali fied diver.

The 120-metre long Australi an-built Daring-class destroyer was 37km south-east of Jarvis Bay.

So, too was HMAS Melbourne, the lead ship of the Majesticclass of light fleet aircraft car riers performing night flying exercises.

Jim remembers what hap pened just before 9pm that Feb ruary 1964 night. He was tipped from his bunk when Melbourne and Voyager collided.

The service veteran, who has lived in Wedderburn since com ing to work on a house 20 years ago, remembers there was a big swell in the sea and oil every where.

He was picked up by one of the rescue craft and bussed to Sydney “cooling heels at the base and doing odd jobs”.

Fourteen officers and 67 sail ors were killed on the Voyager on February 10, 1964.

HMAS Melbourne was put into dock for a new bow. Ironically, that ship would be Jim’s next posting. Jim says he was later petrified of the sea and would al ways stay on the upper deck of ships.

Eventually, on his third at tempt, Jim passed the strenuous nine-month shallow water div ing course that had sailors duck walking on a jetty and clothed in heavy overalls, jumping into water.

He was sent to the Pacific Is lands and Vietnam working as a diver and assisting with clearing rivers.

“It was pretty hectic ... we were at an American base and

they had Australian beer flown up to us. We also had two poker machines brought in,” he said.

Working below the surface fol lowed Jim into the navy. He had left school at 14 and spent three years underground in the mines at Kalgoorlie.

“I was always interested in the sea. I used to get the train to Fre mantle to look around the ships ... so eventually I just joined the navy.

“My grandfather signed my (enlistment) papers. My father was ex-army and wouldn’t sign.”

Jim’s mining background soon had him earmarked by an early commanding officer.

“I had experience handling

explosives and the lieutenantcommander said the navy would teach me to swim,” he said. “It took me three attempts to get my clearance diver’s ticket.

“When I got out of the navy af ter 15 years, I went working on oil rigs and then as a shot firer in the mines - coal in Queensland and gold in northern Queensland and Western Australia.

“I was working in the superpit at Kalgoorlie from 1991 to 1998 as drill and blast foreman.

“Drove over there in the mid dle of summer from Queens land,” Jim said.

The decorated veteran then headed off touring Australia with his wife and got as far as Rockhampton.

When his wife died soon after, Jim came south to Melbourne to work with his brother and then ended up in Wedderburn when an offer of work came along, al ways living in his motorhome.

“Gavan Holt also had some work for me to do at the hotel and I lived out the back for 10 years,” Jim said.

In recent years he has lived in a unit, happily settled in one place and above ground.

“The people in town are really good,” he said.

Next week, Jim will be in the Wedderburn-Korong Vale subbranch’s memorial garden for

the Remembrance Day com memoration.

“I’ve always gone to com memorations since I was a kid in Kalgoorlie,” he said.

He’ll probably act as flag mar shal again, lowering and raising the Australian flag that he served under during those 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy.

It will be a time for reflection on his service career and the “pretty full” life he had above and below ground, running a ho tel and touring Australia.

And, of course, reflection on his place in history. The MelbourneVoyager collision is one of the na vy’s most devastating disasters.

The Naval Historical Society of Australia says: “For so many men to be killed in a training exercise severely damaged the RAN’s standing with the Austral ian Government and public.

“The collision also spurred the inertial RAN through signifi cant cultural change with an in creased focus on safety and the correct following of procedures.

“Whilst the collision itself is one of the service’s most damag ing events, it and the resulting alterations laid the foundations for many practices of the modern RAN.”

Wedderburn’s Jim Watson was there that night in history. Sixty years on he still remembers.

I had experience handling explosives ... and the lieutenantcommander said the navy would teach me to swim

The damaged bow of HMAS Melbourne

Jim Watson

PUBLIC NOTICES

Inglewood/Bridgewater RSL Sub–Branch

Annual Subscriptions Notice

Inglewood /Bridgewater RSL wishes to advise all Annual memberships will be due for renewal on Dec 1st 2022.

Please pay by January 1st 2023 $10 for 12 months (Jan to Dec 2023) or $30 for 3 yrs (Jan 2023 to Dec 2025)

Payable at Inglewood Emporium Monday, Thursday or Friday 10am-4pm phone 54383 287.

Appointments to the boards of directors of public hospitals, multi purpose services and early parenting centres

The Department of Health is pleased to invite applications for part time board director positions of public hospitals (including early parenting centres) and multi purpose services with terms of office commencing from 1 July 2023.

These positions provide an exciting opportunity for members of the Victorian public to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our communities. Applicants are selected for their capabilities, including personal and professional attributes, skills, knowledge, and experience that contribute to the strategic leadership of public health care for the Victorian community.

Safe and high quality healthcare for all Victorians is a priority of the Department of Health. Applicants must be 6able to demonstrate and provide evidence in support of the capabilities they identify in their applications.

The Department of Health is committed to ensuring boards, and committees, reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people.

Applications close at Midnight Monday 21 November 2022.

Further information including how to apply, please visit www.health.vic.gov.au/boardapplications

Yung

WEDDERBURN PATCHWORK GROUP

WEDDERBURN COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS & ARTS FESTIVAL

Mechanics Institute Hall, High Street, Wedderburn

Friday November 25, 2022 10.30am – 7pm Saturday November 26, 2022 10am – 3pm

Entries to be received at the hall Thursday, November 24: 2.00pm – 6.00pm. (Note change of day) Stallholders most welcome.

For more information, please contact Carol McSwain,Secretary (Ph. 0407 843586) or Irene Finch, Treasurer (Ph. 0458 073080).

Proudly sponsored by

Special Meeting

A Special Meeting of the Loddon Shire Council will be held on Tuesday 8 November 2022, commencing at 3.00pm.

The Special Meeting will be held in the Loddon Shire Council Chambers, Peters Street, Wedderburn and will deal with:

 The term and Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2022/23



Appointments to Committees

To obtain the link and up-to-date details visit Council’s website at www.loddon. vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Council/CouncilMeetings.

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

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

Arleen Reimers Secretary Mobile: 0400 447 058

PRIMARY school and kindergarten students and parents students took to Inglewood’s Sloan Park trick or treating for Halloween on Monday night. LH PHOTOS

Country club pair chase 60-plus title

WEDDERURN’S Neil Holt on Sunday made the semi-finals of North Central playing area’s 60 and over state singles.

Holt went down to St Arnaud Country Club’s Bob McGregor 12-22. McGregor will meet fel low club member Bill Rodger in the grand final.

In matches played at Wedder burn, local Bob Montebello was eliminated in the quarter finals. Several other Wedderburn play ers were eliminated in morning play.

In the pairs competition, Holt teamed with Lance Standfield to win two of three matches however, they did not qualify for today’s final.

Meanwhile, Boort pair Thelma Moresi and Amy Roberts have qualified for the final of North Central’s ladies’ 60 and over pairs tomorrow against the pair to be skippered by Lynne Southwell.

Thelma and Army went through preliminary rounds un defeated.

Wow factor propels all rinks to victory

IT WAS a disappointing day for the Inglewood division one team against Bendigo East on Saturday.

However, the rink of Mal McLean, Jack Nevins, Steve McLean and Daniel Garrett can hold their heads high after a fighting one-shot win.

This week the Woodies come up against a desperate Kangaroo Flat team and will require plenty of determination to gain a muchneeded win.

Final Result: Inglewood 65 shots (2 pts) lost to Bendigo East 83 shots (16 pts)

Wow! Even though the opposi tion were missing a few players, Inglewood’s division five team put in a commanding perfor mance to have a resounding win.

Every rink had a win to give the club a big boost.

Every rink deserve recognition as below:

Bev Taig, Kevin Stewart, Dar ren Rowe and Vicky Tierney (skip) won 23 to 16, Tony Noonan, Tim Birthisel, Chris McEwan and Arthur Harrison (skip) won 22 to 11, Greg Sommers, Chris Ward, John McClymont and David Whitehead (skip) won 27 to 16.

And the best winning rink of the day, that won the Mal and Jaqui McLean award was the team of Patsy Lyndon, Trevor Schill, Helen Leech and Ian Brad ley who won 33 to 7.

This week, division five team comes up against the strong Cal ivil team at home.

Final Result: Inglewood 105 shots (18 pts) beat Castlemaine 50 shots (0 pts).

The club championship draws are on the noticeboard and all matches are to b \\e played by December 5 due to the green ren ovation.

Get your names in for the three-bowl pairs Skins Tourna ment on November 18.

BRIDGEWATER

The midweek team, hav ing missed two rounds through floods and wet weather, made it to the greens last week.

Thanks to Eaglehawk for swap ping venues. Weekend pennant is a continuing challenge. Har

court met Bridgewater at North Bendigo, for the “home” game.

Thanks to all who co-operated with that move.

The green was good, but only Brian Oughtred’s team came through unscathed.

Like everyone else, they trailed at the break, but fought on, to again take the Inglewood IGA In centive vouchers.

This round Bridgewater hope

fully host White Hills, for the first match at Home. Lots to be done this week, both in the club. and remarking the greens.

Then Midweek travel to Strath fieldsaye.

The tournament listed in the handbook for November 13 is cancelled.

The draw should be on the moticeboard this week, for the mens’ club singles championship.

PENNANT RESULTS

BENDIGO

Division 1 - Inglewood 65-2 lost to Bendigo East 83-16. M Roberts, J Jackman, G Wilson, L Kelly (s) lost to G Murphy, P Huggard, T Matthews, D Biurgess (s) 1722. D Vanstopn, B Jackson, W ROberts, G Jacksonb (s) lost to L Graham, B Probert, J Clough, J Mooney (s) 12-20. D Garrett, S McLean, J Nevinbs, M McLean (s) d S Fuller, J Mapperson, N Belt, A Tomkins 23-22. M Chamberlain, D Wilson, I Chamberlain, R Day (s) lost to I Bayliss, B Capewell, A Cul len, G Podesta 13.19.

Division 3 - Strathfieldsaye 91-16 d Serpentine 67-2. J Davis, R Smith, G Etherton, U Oper (s) d J Collinson, G Addlem, B Long, R Gladman (s) 37-15. B Jones, B Langhley, T Dole, L Cahoon (s) d P Britton, B Tuo hey, K Canfield, A Bish (s) 17-12. J Smith, K Toomey, J Collings, T Featherstone lost to K Collins, R Hasty, D Walker, D Anset (s) 11-24. A Sumner, G sargeant, D Huggard, T Probert (s) d S Rollinson, F Maher, S Rud kins, L Cadzow (s) 26-16.,

Division 5 - Inglewood 105-18 d Castlemaine 50-0. B Taig, K Stewart, D Rowe, V Tierney (s) J Smith, F Stevens, I Deveraux, P Fraser (s) 23-16. A Noonan, T Birthisel, C McEwan, A Harrison (s) d J Brain, D Street, S Phillips, P O’Shea (s) 22-11. G Sommers, C Ward, J McClymont, D Whitehead (s) d E Hayward, P Rotteveel, D Ross, D Carlin (s) 27-16. P Lyndon, T Schill, H Leech, I Bradley (s) d L Carlin, D Barnett, P Devereaux, W Walsh (s) 33-7.

Kangaroo Flat 91-16 d Dingee 61-2. M Crow, GH Bysouth, K Sparke, K Packer (s) lost to K Pollock, A Sproull, R Robertson, Leo Demeo (s) 18-25. R Sparke, T Hurford, J Friswell, J Grant d T Kavanagh, R Thomp son, B West, F Grieves (s) 22-14. C Verbeek, J Ritchie, J Griffiths, B Duncan d B Cail, L Hocking, G Clarke, N Lister (s) 19-16. W Wigmore, B Cullen, D Martin, D Hensley (s) d A Hay, J Monoghan, G Devanny, B Lawry (s) 32-6.

Campbells Creek 51-2 lost to Calivil 111-16. J Hardingh, L Leanne, R Droney, T Woodman (s) lost to K Richards, G Lourie, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) 12-28. W Whitbread, I Trevena, M. Rhodes, D Goulding (s) lost to C Maxted, R Boyd, B Meighan, A Leech (s) 14-23. L Dowler, P McKendry, E Farthing, I Brooks (s) d I Mansbridge, H Miles, N Den nis, W Miles (s) 19-18. C Gallagher, C Bull, V Ellis, J McMennemin (s) lost to R Lourie, S Hope, G Ray, G Maxted (s) 6-42.

Division 6 - Bridgewater 62-2 lost to Harcourt 90-16. D Grant, F Shea, R Brown, G Mangan (s) lost to A Manallack, H Baird, D Cunningham, R Maltby (s) 13-29. B McNaught, G Catto, J Fagan, A Harrison (s) lost to C Anderson, R Williams, D Marsh, K Tribe (s) 16-24. P Gath, I Clutton, P Short, R Smith (s) lost to J Starbuck, K Francis, J Miles, T Robinson (s) 14-21.B Bajada, D

Wilson, N Saunders, B Oughtred (s) d R Frankling, R Douglas, B Marsh, W Walsh (s) 19-16.

MIDWEEK

Division 1 - Inglewood 52-2 lost to Bendigo East 57-14. M Chamberlain, P Lyndon, I Chamberlain, L Witham (s) lost to J Davey, J Clough, R Clough, H Clough (s) 16-21. D Garrett, B Taig, G Wilson, L Kelly (s) lost to F Pekarsky, R Pearce, B Probert, J Hoffman (s) 18-19. A Caserta, C McEwan, H Leech, R Day (s) d S Fuller, G Murphy, T Matthews, P Huggard (s) 18-17. Dingee 40-4 lost to Calivil Serpentine 45-12. K Pollock, V Sproull, F Grieves, M Grieves (s) d H Gronow, J Clymo, C Maxted, S Hope (s) 15-12. S Ellis, P Plant, B West, S Cail (s) d J Wiltshire, M Boyd, K Richards, D Walker (s) 15-12. N Thomas, S Lawry, G Devanny, Lyn Demeo (s) lost to L Dennis, L Lister, N Ralphs, C Mitchell (s) 10-21.

Division 5 - Eaglehawk 31-2 lost to Bridgewater 38-12. G Trewartha, M Griffiths, J Daniel, D Power (s) d D Smith, B Gath, A Harrison, R Shea (2) 20-9. G Fitzpatrick, J Ray, J Costello, J Fitzpatrick (s) lost to J Hosking, C Wattie, B McNaught, K McNaught 11-29.

NORTH CENTRAL

Division 1 - Wedderburn 62-4 lost to Wycheproof 72-8. R Guelfo, D Stephenson, B Hargreaves, L Witham (s) d D Denney, J McLean, J Grylls, D Groves (s) 28-19. A Holt, C Mills, R Montebello, A Jackson (s) d R Grylls, B Macdonald, G Coatsworth, A Mead (s) 20-19. A Nordennen, G Burnside, A Caserta, N Holt (s) lost to A Jonbes, V Grant, A Coatsworth, E Rayes (s) 14-34. Charlton 87-12 d Boort 61-0. N Cossar, J Cox, P Watts, K Willey (s) d K Walton, G Gardner, K Birt, T Moresi (s) 33-21. J Ong, J Headon, D McCallum, L Southwell (s) d J Gibson, J Maxted, I Mercer, S Morris (s) 27-16. B Fitzpatrick, M O’Brien, S Perry, W Keenan (s) d D Gibson, A Matley, K Ritchie, K De Paizza (s) 27-24.

Division 2 - Wedderburn 67-2 lost to Wycheproof 71-10. G Hunter, A Benaim, L Holt, L Standfield (s) lost to J Nicholls, L Milburn, N Coles, P Connolly (s) 11-28. H Stephenson, K Griffiths, N White, I Hall (s) d L Elliott, R Tierney, H Grylls, P Coles (s) 31-16. S Steel, B Green, R Hall, A Roberts (s) lost to D Nicholls,. A Wallace, S Barratt, P{ Allan (s) 25-27.

Charlton 64-0 lost to Boort 85-12. G Barnard, S Dransfield, B Patton, G Bateson (s) lost to R Taylor, J Nelson, A Gould, G Hudson (s) 15-26. B Chester, B Catherine, R Porter lost to J Earl, J Hampson, P Wa ters, L Maxted (s) 20-29.D Beaty, G Wain, D Gretgix, E Rosewall (s) lost to G Moresi, L Garnder, P Gould, G Tweddle (s) 29-30.\

Inglewood rink skipper Robert Day. LH PHOTO

Bob Montebello lines up his shot in the quarter finals. LH PHOTO

Inglewood’s Darren Rowe. LH PHOTO

Strong start squandered

B LADIES: D. Normoyle K. Galea d H. Stone A. An drews-Stone 6-2. D. Normoyle H. Hogan d H. Stone K. Punton 6-1. K. Galea H. Hogan lost to A. Andrews-Stone K. Punton 5-6.

A MEN: N. Pollock S. Bruce d G. Leach D. Heather 6-2. N. Pollock B. Galea d G. Leach N. Punton 6-4. S. Bruce B. Galea d D. Heather N. Punton 6-1.

B MEN: N. Naughton D. Daldy lost to D. Tolley T. Heather 5-6. N. Naughton L. Naughton d T. Heather L. McKinley 6-2. D. Daldy L. Naughton lost to L. Stone L. McKinley 2-6.

MIXED: N. Naughton D. Normoyle d G. Leach J. Le versha 6-0. N. Pollock F. Dangerfield lost to D. Heather F. Curnow 3-6. S. Bruce P. Normoyle d N. Punton N. Earl 6-1. B. Galea K. Galea d D. Tolley H. Stone 6-2. L. Naughton H. Hogan lost to L. Stone A. Andrews-Stone 2-6. D. Daldy M. Simons d T. Heather K. Punton 6-3.

partner d S. Turnbull R. Turnbull 6-1.

A MEN: A. Broom J. Sutherland d L. Frankel Z. Turn bull 6-5. A. Broom D. Graham lost to L. Frankel K. Man ley 2-6. J. Sutherland D. Graham lost to Z. Turnbull K. Manley 2-6.

B MEN: D. White partner lost to D. Turnbull partner 0-6. D. White A. Broom lost to M. Frankle partner 3-6. A. Broom partner lost to D. Turnbull M. Frankle 1-6.

MIXED: A. Sherlock A. Broom d G. Turnbull L. Fran kel 6-2. D. Graham S. Wallace lost to K. Manley J. Cor nish 3-6. J. Sutherland T. Higgs lost to H. Turnbull partner 2-6 B. Sutherland D. White lost to D. Turnbull 2-6. Newbridge lost to R. Turnbull Z. Turnbull 0-6. A. Broom N. Jenkyn d S. Turnbull M. Frankle 6-5. Derby 12-90 d Woodstock 6-56

A LADIES: P. Normoyle F. Dangerfield lost to J. Leversha F. Curnow 1-6. P. Normoyle M. Simons d J. Leversha N. Earl 6-1. F. Dangerfield M. Simons d F. Curnow N. Earl 6-1.

Wilsons Reef 17-103 d Woodvale 1-25

A LADIES: G. Thompson J. Taylor d K. Pickering J. Pearse 6-2. G. Thompson J. Fitzgibbon d K. Pickering K. Reid 6-2. J. Taylor J. Fitzgibbon d J. Pearse K. Reid 6-0.

B LADIES: B. McKimmie F. Lucas d S. Garlick V. Bat tersby 6-0. B. McKimmie C. McKinstry d S. Garlick R. McDonald 6-1. F. Lucas C. McKinstry d V. Battersby R. McDonald 6-2.

A MEN: S. Taylor J. Taylor d M. Trew M. Gallagher 6-1. S. Taylor Z. Porlai d M. Trew C. Nanere 6-1. J. Tay lor Z. Porlai lost to M. Gallagher C. Nanere 1-6.

B MEN: B. Taylor S. Taylor d B. Bruns partner 6-0. B. Taylor J. Taylor d B. Bruns T. Strybosch 6-1. S. Taylor J. Taylor d T. Strybosch partner 6-0.

MIXED: G. Thompson S. Taylor d K. Pickering M. Trew 6-2. J. Taylor J. Taylor d J. Pearse C. Nanere 6-1. J. Fitzgibbon Z. Porlai d K. Reid partner 6-0. B. McKim mie B. Taylor d R. McDonald M. Gallagher 6-3. C. McK instry S. Taylor d V. Battersby B. Bruns 6-0. F. Lucas J. Taylor d T. Strybosch 6-3.

Lockwood 7-67 lost to Harcourt 11-85

A LADIES: D. Wells R. Coutts lost to K. Walters S. Blake 2-6. D. Wells K. Mannix lost to K. Walters P. Erny 3-6. R. Coutts K. Mannix d S. Blake P. Erny 6-5.

B LADIES: R. Pettifer A. Wells d N. Trethowan B. Trethowan 6-1. R. Pettifer M. Amalfi d N. Trethowan M. O’Brien 6-5. A. Wells M. Amalfi d B. Trethowan M. O’Brien 6-1.

A MEN: J. Coutts R. Wells lost to S. Gearing L. Tunn 5-6. J. Coutts T. Jensen lost to S. Gearing B. Bickford

2-6. R. Wells T. Jensen lost to L. Tunn B. Bickford 1-6.

B MEN: F. Waters B. Wells d D. Gearing A. Tre thowan 6-3. F. Waters H. Mannix lost to D. Gearing L. O’Brian 2-6. B. Wells H. Mannix lost to A. Trethowan L. O’Brian 1-6.

MIXED: D. Wells J. Coutts lost to K. Walters L. Tunn 2-6. R. Coutts R. Wells lost to S. Blake S. Gearing 2-6. K. Mannix T. Jensen lost to P. Erny B. Bickford 5-6. R. Pet tifer F. Waters d N. Trethowan D. Gearing 6-3. A. Wells B. Wells d B. Trethowan A. Trethowan 6-1. M. Amalfi H. Mannix forfeited to M. O’Brien L. O’Brian.

Mixed sets decide result

FENTONS Creek won a tight encounter with Powlett when Inglewood and Dis trict Tennis Association was finally able to play on Saturday.

The match was relocated to Wedder burn due to the very wet courts at Ingle wood.

There was some great play during the day in this contest, in what turned out to be a very tight match.

The men’s doubles was won by Powlett by six games with sets evenly split. The women’s section was won by Fenton’s Creek by seven games with four sets to two, including a number of 8-7 results.

There was a lead of one game to Fen tons Creek going into the mixed which was subsequently won by Fentons Creek by four games.

The match between Loddon Eagles and Korong Vale was abandoned due to wet courts at Korong Vale, points shared.

Fentons Creek 10-114-15 points d Powlett 8-109-9

Nick Naughton

his

on

SPORT

They

THE first balls were bowled in a month when Upper Loddon senior cricket saw Bridgewater meet Boort Yando on Saturday.

A hat-trick of washouts had left the Bridgewater ground with a slow outfield.

Boort bowlers wreaked early havoc on Bridgewater - captain Jarrod Hodoras had opener Tom McKinley walking back to the pavilion after just four balls and the home side still to score.

Bridgewater skipper Harry McKinley came to the crease with the score on 3-12 and went on to hit an impressive 49 before falling to the bowling of Fergus Bear. He was the last wicket to fall, backed up in the innings by double-figure contributions from Wood and Pickering.

McKinley then returned to open Bridgewater’s bowling and claimed the wicket of Joshua Smith, caught by Wood.

Wood’s bowling coaxed Bear to take a chance, only to be run out soon after.

However, Boort found rhythm when Alex Cockerell joined Blake Slatter at the crease. Slatter would soon be dismissed but Hodoras and Al Knight ensured their team finished five runs clerar of Bridgewater after the 35 overs with two wickets to spare.

Wedderburn-Arnold match was declared a draw due to the wet ground. Wedderburn is yet to play a game this season and has the bye on Saturday when Arnold plays Bridgewater and Kingower meets Boort Yando

Loddon junior cricket finally got under way after the

three weeks were lost due

With Arnold’s ground being unavailable, the opening game was transferred to Bridgewater with the reigning premiers Arnold, prevailing.

Sent into bat, Arnold lost just the one wicket in compiling one for 103.

Campbell Hancock led the way retiring on 32, while Flynn Lock and Mitchell Whitton both made useful contributions of 19 and 15 respectively.

Louis Lonsdale was the only wicket taker for Bridgewater.

In reply, the young Bridgewater team did a good job to bat out their overs after being in early trouble at 5-17.

They ended the day with a score of seven for 48.

Whitton, Kale Hewitt and Georgia Hancock shared the bowling honours with each claiming two wickets.

With the make up of the competition still uncertain, it was pleasing that all players competing in this game got both a bat and a bowl and that the season is finally under way.

By MICHAEL ROSE

VICTORIA - HOTELAT

Lonsdale

Wickham

Come and join us at the Victoria Hotel in Pyramid Hill

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

Our winter trading hours are as follows

MONDAY • OPEN 3.00PM DINNER FROM 6.00PM

SOCIAL DARTS NIGHT

TUESDAY • OPEN 2.00PM DINNER FROM 6.00PM

WEDNESDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

POT’N’PARMA NIGHT DINNER FROM 6.00PM

THURSDAY • OPEN 11.00AM DINNER FROM 5.30PM

STEAK’N’POT NIGHT

FRIDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00

HAPPY HOUR 5.00-6.30 DINNER FROM 5.30PM

JOKER POKER 5.00-8.00

MEAT TRAY RAFFLE

SATURDAY • OPEN MIDDAY LUNCH FROM 12.00 DINNER FROM 5.30PM

SUNDAY • OPEN MIDDAY

3-0-0-15,

Kilby 2-0-0-10, D. Smyth 3-0-

Lister 2-0-0-10, E. O’Toole 1-0-0-5,

1-0-0-3.

DAY PIZZA MENU

TAKE IN THE SIGHTS OF

Arnold

Bridgewater

Jarrod Hodoras, association president Wendy Murphy and Alex Cockerell. LH PHOTO

Harry McKinley dangerous with bat and ball. LH PHOTO

Arnold’s Kale Hewitt. LH PHOTO

Young Bridgewater bowler Harry Kilby. LH PHOTO

HERALD sport

PAIR OF BALL TERRORS

HARNESS CASH LIFT

THE STATE Government on Monday tipped in an ex tra $100,000 for redevel opment of Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.

The grant from the harness racing infrastructure fund takes the state contribution to $1.5 mil lion and lifts the project cost to $5 million.

Parliamentary secretary for regional Victoria Danielle Green

Redevelopment is being jointly funded by federal and state gov ernments, council and commu nity groups.

The harness racing club’s building and pavilion have al ready been demolished ahead of work starting on redevelopment

with the contract awarded to Searle Brothers in July.

Construction is scheduled to be completed next October. The new complex will be used by the har ness racing, football, netball and hockey clubs and the community.

Harness racing club president Bruce Hargreaves and secretary Tom Nisbet welcomed the an nouncement. The club is racing at Maryborough until works are finished.

DREW Crilly and Fergus Bear set up Boort Yando’s Upper Loddon Cricket Association victory on Saturday against Bridgewater. While Bear finished with a hand in five wickets, it was Crilly’s hat-trick that had Bridgewater’s mid-order batsmen dispatched back to the pavilion. His seven overs with the ball included four maidens while conceding just four runs.

LH PHOTO

and Labor’s Ripon candidate Mar tha Haylett delivered the news to local harness racing club and Loddon Shire Council representa tives.

Tom Nisbet, Danielle Green and Martha Haylett. LH PHOTO