PARTING PETE
VICTORIAN
Parliament
veteran and former National Party leader Peter Walsh will retire at the next state election,
Mr Walsh, 72, last week confirmed he would end a career in Spring Street that started in 2002 after a four-year stint as Victorian Farmers’ Federation president.
There is already speculation that several high profile local government leaders in the region, including Loddon Mayor Dan Straub, will seek National Party endorsement for the Murray Plains seat held by Mr Walsh with a margin of 23.4 per cent.
But while the Nationals will look for a replacement to the man who was at their helm in Spring Street for a decade until last November and federal leader David Littleproud last week described as one of the party’s most electorally-successful leaders in history, Mr Walsh said there remained work to be done on behalf of Loddon towns before retirement.
The Boort-born former tomato grower said several challenges around Boort and Pyramid Hill were his priority.
“Both towns are such can-do communities which have always punched above their weight, and they will need to keep at it in the year ahead as they work hard to secure their futures,” Mr Walsh said.
“In Pyramid Hill a major step forward would be ‘recycling’ the old Goulburn Murray Water offices and sheds and turn them into a community and tourism asset for the historical society to really spread its wings and offer a much
By CHRIS EARL
more complete package of the town and the district’s history.
“And still on the subject of recycling, with the closure of St Patrick’s Primary School here is a spectacular opportunity to create a much-needed combined neighbourhood house and childcare centre.
“I have already sought discussions with the Sandhurst Diocese in Bendigo about progressing St Patrick’s in that direction and will keep working with all parties to achieve that.”
Mr Walsh also has GMW in his sights for action in Boort.
He wants the GMW channel adjacent to the Boort Lakes Caravan Park piped “because it is simply too dangerous in its current format”.
The town’s tourism and development committee has been pushing for action from GMW for almost three years, fearing a dangling safety fence over the channel is putting lives at risk.
“We also need to address the red and black tape blocking progress with the levee bank on the east side of the town,” Mr Walsh said of Loddon Shire plans that have been stuck in negotiations with the Bendigo-based Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation.
Talks on a small strip of land beside Lake Boort and the compensation Loddon Shire Council will pay to use the land have stymied stage two of flood mitiga
tion works.
The next state election is on November 28, 2026.
Walsh outlines ‘final’ agenda; likely contenders - PAGE 8
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WEEKEND FORECAST
Debs ‘save’ their big night
EAST Loddon district girls will still have the opportunity to “express themselves and have fun” with secondary school students stepping up to organise a debutante ball.
Emma Hay and Lyss Mulder have already booked the venue and appointed a debutante set trainer for the ball on July 27. They will be among 12 debutantes at the new-look ball after East Loddon P12 College last year decided to stop running the major social event.
“It’s important for us to experi-
ence something so memorable as making our debut ... we have had older siblings and cousins make their debut and it’s a really good experience,” said Lyss.
“Everyone should have the chance of doing their deb as a way of expressing themselves and having fun.”
Emma said the student-led initiative had already received good support from parents and some college teachers.
“We put out the idea to students and when we found out a fair few want to make their deb, we de-
cided to go ahead,” said Emma a student in Year 10 this year.
“The school didn’t have the facilities and time in its schedule so we asked around and found a fair few girls wanted to still do the deb,” said Lyss, also in Year 10.
The girls spent much of December making early plans for the ball in Serpentine Memorial Hall. Rehearsals under trainer Lauren Hicks will start next month.
Emma and Lyss said they wanted to expand the number of community helpers to organise a memorial hall for debutantes.
IN BRIEF
Mobile work
TELSTRA mobile services in Inglewood will be disrupted today and tomorrow while work is done at the service tower. The site will be switched off between 7am and 11am each day. Telstra said its mobile customers would receive texts advising of the work. Landline services, NBN internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted. Telstra customers can continue to make calls and send texts during disruption to mobile services by switching on Wi-Fi Calling. Telstra said business owners should talk to their bank about connecting their EFTPOS terminals to their NBN or Wi-Fi connection. Fire probe continues POLICE continue to investigate a spate of suspicious fires in the Moliagul and Logan districts in December and January. CFA volunteers and Forest Fire Management Victoria units attended up to three fires on the same day at Moliagul last month. Police on Monday said investigations “remain ongoing”. Annual outlook THE 2025-2026 irrigation water seasonal determination outlook will be released on February 17. This week’s determination update left all allocations in the Loddon, Murray, Broken, Campaspe, Goulburn and Bullarook Creek districts unchanged.
Organising their own debutante ball ... Lyss Mulder and Emma Hay outside Serpentine Memorial Hall. LH PHOTO
Golden nugget towns strike heritage rush
By CHRIS EARL
PARTS of central Victoria’s historic golden triangle could have UNESCO World Heritage listing within three years.
Areas around Tarnagulla, Moliagul and Dunolly will be mapped over the next 12 months as part of the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid by Loddon Shire and 14 other councils.
The Federal and State Governments last Friday announced six sites on their tentative list.
Dubbed the Great Nuggets Historic Landscape, bid leaders say the local diggings yielded the greatest concentration of the largest gold nuggets the world had ever known.
The world’s largest nugget, the Welcome Stranger, was found at Moliagul by John Deason and Richard Oates in 1869.
City of Greater Bendigo’s world heritage strategic project officer Trevor Budge said: “The broader component areas have to be defined - while some preliminary mapping has been developed, the detailed task for the next year - extensive consultation with councils, various public authorities, private owners only if they support inclusion - will be undertaken as part of an extensive engagement program.
“The way tentative listing works is that there is one longitude/latitude for each of the six sites in the list, eg the Bendigo site is the former post office, the great nuggets site is the Welcome Stranger monument. This indicates that the nominated site is located in an area or collection of areas that represent this element - the proposal at the moment is to recognise the wider historical context.“
The nuggets landscape stretches across Loddon and Central Goldfields Shires.
Premier Jacinta Allan and federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek told Friday’s announcement attended by Bendigo and Ballarat mayors that World Heritage listing would boost interest and visitation to the area.
Ms Allan said there would be no change to land access and use. Mr Budge said the bid nomination preserved access and miner’s licences.
Mr Budge said Prospectors’ and Miners’ Association of Victoria had been consulted and there was potential for more gold detecting
tours in the region if the bid succeeded.
Ms Plibersek said: “Australia is home to some of the most spectacular places in the world. These places tell our unique story. We want to better protect those places so they can be enjoyed by our kids and grandkids. International recognition protects our heritage and attracts visitors from all over the world.”.
She said the UNESCO heritagelisted Sydney Opera House was already a key destination for tourism.
According to Ms Allan: “World Heritage sites are on bucket lists of tourists worldwide, and our historic Goldfields are on their
way to be right there among them – helping to draw in more visitors from all corners of the globe and inject millions into our regional economies.”
They tipped another 2.2 million visitors to Victoria within a decade if the bid is successful.
Loddon tourism operators at the weekend kept a lid on comments about the bid’s potential. “There’s still a long way to go ... we might make the final list,” one said.
The tentative list also includes Bendigo historic urban landscape, Castlemaine goldfields and historic townships, Creswick and the deep lead landscape, Mt Franklin and the Walhalla alpine mining landscape.
Plibersek ducks connectivity boost before tourist spike
THE Federal Government on Friday steered clear of a commitment to invest in Loddon infrastructure before the predicted surge in visitors if notorious mobile blackspot areas are part of World Heritage listing.
Environment and Water Minister Tanya Pliberseck ducked a question during a media conference at Bendigo’s Central Deborah Mine about poor mobile connectivity in the Newbridge, Moliagul and Tarnagulla districts.
She said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland had been working across Australia to improve mobile connectivity.
Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters said the current round of blackspot funding was open and local MPs could suggest “at risk areas” where communities had raised concerns.
Parts of the proposed World Heritage great nuggets landscape are in bushfire and flood risk areas of the Loddon Shire where resi-
dents have been vocal with connectivity concerns of the last year.
Ms Chesters said that before Tarnagulla and Newbridge were shifted from her seat to the Mallee electorate, she had unsuccessfully put forward mobile blackspot projects for the towns.
“All of us who traevel out to those areas (know) it is patchy,” she said, encouraging Mallee MP Anne Webster to submit projects.
IN BRIEF
Bulldoze block call
PEOPLE wanted a small block of governmentowned units in Quambatook knocked down and carted away as part of its community recovery process after te alleged murder of Merril Kelly last month, Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh will tell State Parliament this week. “Everyone there struggles to understand how or why anyone could do what happened to Merril Kelly in such a quiet and happy little corner of the state. All Quambatook asks is you bring in the bulldozers and help it find some closure,” he said.
Chopper to rescue
A FIRE chopper was used to extinguish a small fire in a remote part of Kooyoora State Park on Tuesday afternoon. Smoke was reported from the area known as “little mount”. Multiple CFA brigades were called to the fire that saw Forest Fire Management Victoria crews call in the chopper to reach the remote area of the park.
Eggs in short supply LIMITS have been placed on egg purchases at Inglewood IGA amid a national shortage of eggs. The shortage has been blamed on high demand and the flow-on from a deadly avian disease at some poultry farms in Victoria and New South Wales last year. Many supermarkets have imposed a two-carton limit in recent weeks.
Wild nights
STORMS brought down trees overnight Sunday as strong winds brought rain to some parts of the Loddon. Rainfall reports were highest around Tarnagulla where 25mm was recorded while nearby Newbridge had just 5mm in some gauges. Fallen trees were also reported around Durham Ox where there were some interruptions to electricity supplies.
Cat program
THE State Government has launched a 10-year cat management strategy to improve responsible ownership and education programs, and increase desexing rates
Tanya Pliberseck, Trevor Budge and Jacinta Allan at Friday’s World Heritage announcement. LH PHOTO
Water ration threat to efficiency
WATER regulations and the prospect of irrigation channel rationing early next month could risk efficiency and flexibility, farmers told Goulburn Murray Water on Tuesday.
Irrigators from the Boort and Pyramid Hill districts put questions to GMW which has asked them to plan future water orders as hot and dry conditions drive demand above the 10-year average.
The forum, agreed by GMW after a request from irrigators, replaced 60 minutes of a twohour pop-up one-on-one session in Boort, one of two in the town for the day.
Tyler Nelson raised concerns about the possibility of reduced channel flow during rationing, saying it would not be efficient for farm operations.
And veteran Lake Meran irrigator Colin Fenton, who told the forum he had been the last secretary of the former Lake Meran Irrigation League, scoffed at suggestions from GMW that farmers could re-assess their current entitlement holdings and transfer delivery shares.
“That restricts flexibility for farmers and we’d be better off
leaving (the share) alone and farm where the water is,” he said. “We look a year ahead for water orders, you guys (GMW) only look at the season.”
Mr Fenton also questioned transfer of delivery share when there was a $255 fee attached and GMW would not guarantee irrigator ability to regain their share when needed. “Delivery share changes are permanent and need an application to get back,” GMW told the forum.
Loddon Valley Water Services committee chair John Nelson said water supply was tight in the district. “We have to sort things out the best we can.”
GMW manager water system operations and water delivery services Craig Kellow said March was looming for the introduction of irrigation water rationing for the Boort district.
But GMW told Rob Moon that while rationing was possible for the Pyramid Hill district, it was less likely.
Mr Moon said a risk would be that less water was available for Pyramid Hill if orders demanded more pumping into the Boort channels.
He also said Pyramid Hill had
experienced good rains before last season. “This year, not very much and the dead, dry ground will use more water and may exacerbate the situation,” he said. “If we can plan, we can be proactive.”
GMW last week said it had delivered more than 780,000 ML to irrigators. “Over the past 10 irrigation seasons, the average amount of water delivered to irrigators at this part of the season is 448,000 ML.”
Mr Kellow told the forum that in recent years, spring and autumn had become pinch points in the area for irrigation supplies. He said that during peaks, channels were often at or near capacity. “Rationing fairly shares the available capacity within the system,” farmers were told.
New GMW groups will be ‘tick-a-box people’
LODDON water advocates claim they have been left frustrated, shunned and sacked in a Goulburn Murray Water shake-up of community committees.
Deputy chairman of the Loddon Water Works District committee, Mitiamo’s Geoff Thomas, said his disbanded committee had been reduced to a focus group where ideas went nowhere and members were given little time to discuss proposed price hikes.
“We were being told there was only one hour for the meeting agenda and discussion on proposed price increases was always the last item,” he said.
GMW has disbanded its water services committees and will form new customer committees.
Mr Thomas, who pushed for the Mitiamo pipeline connection completed three years ago, said: “There was no letter to the former committees explaining the decision, no letter saying thanks for your service, nothing.
“Some of these folk have faithfully represented their communities for 30 to 40 years, mostly a thankless task. It’s only been in the last 15 to 20 years that a sitting fee plus travelling has been paid.
“ I guess that when GMW has committees filled with ‘tick a box’ people, who will require to be admirably compensated ”for
their contributions and when diversity targets have been achieved, we can all sleep well at night knowing our rural communities are being ‘managed/screwed over’ in the way we have come to expect.”
GMW said it was seeking applications “from individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences who are dedicated to making a positive impact” for the new committees.
Members will advise on scenario planning for GMW’s drought and climate action response and GMW’s price submission for 2028-2032. Managing director Charmain Quick said: “Customer committee applicants will have their suitability assessed using a selection matrix.
“The matrix will give consideration to customer types, location, size, the networks they are part of and the skills they will potentially bring to the committee.
“We want the committees to reflect our customer base, with a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.
To support a range of customers to apply, we have made travel and childcare allowances available to committee members, as well as a sitting fee.”
The committees will be appointed by the GMW board mid-year with a summit of members in June.
Will’s special run to help kids
WILL Sanson is in training for a special run raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital. The Loddon Plains Landcare Network facilitator has been hitting roads around Inglewood and attending fitness classes ahead of the 4.7km Run for the Kids in Melbourne in April.
Will said he was also following the training program set out by former Australian marathon star Steve Moneghetti.
“Physical activity helps with mental wellbeing that is so important in rural areas,” Will said. “And raising funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital is real incentive to stay fit.”
Will Sanson
Robert Moon and Wayne Maxted (top) listen to the presentation on potential irrigation water rationing by GMW’s Craig Kellow. LH PHOTOS
Kylie’s national postal voice
INGLEWOOD Post Office licensee
Kylie Carter has been appointed to the Australia Post National Licensee Representative Council.
Kylie’s passion for community and supporting local businesses prompted her to nominate herself for a position on the council last December. She also received a recommendation from staff at Australia Post supporting her application.
While awaiting a response Kylie was invited to attend a council meeting and experience how the council operates. During the meeting she shared her views on various issues discussed and demonstrated her passion for the role.
In late December Kylie was offered a two-year position on the council, which she is “super stoked about”. Positions on the council are offered for either one or two years and Kylie is very grateful for the opportunity to serve two years.
“I think it’s so important to have people from areas like Inglewood on the council, we have a completely different experience compared to a metro area.” Kylie said.
“The council is a very diverse group of people, there are people who own one post office, others who own many and everyone is from different areas.”
The council provides Kylie the opportunity to bring feedback
from the community and other post office owners to Australia Post and work with them to make life better for everyone.
In addition to her experiences in Inglewood, Kylie also meets with other LPOs from the Bendigo area once a month which gives them the opportunity to share any issues with Kylie for her to present in the next council meeting.
“It’s all about helping each other out where we can.” She said, “Bendigo post offices have a completely different experience to what I have had so it’s great to be able to give them a voice too.”
Australia Post has reformatted their representative council and moved away from the previous metropolitan-based set up. This change is something Kylie is excited about, “being appointed to the council is such a positive step for regional representation, especially for small country towns like Inglewood, it’s so important that they have a voice.”
Recently the post office staff has expanded with the addition of Tom Nesbit, who was previously at the Wedderburn post office. “We’re so pleased to have Tom join us. The time has worked out well and the post office will be able to open while I’m away for the meetings.”
The council meets in person four times a year with with the first meeting later this month.
Sponsor Paul Carter, of Pyramid Hill’s Victoria Hill, discusses this month’s show with organiser Terry Wood
Third show is crafting a record entry
ARTISTS from across Victoria have confirmed Pyramid Hill’s status as the first major competition of the year.
A record 300 entries have been received for the third annual Major’s Vision art show and competition that will be officially opened next week.
Show organiser Terry Wood said the response from artists had been amazing and showed
continued growth in the weeklong event.
“We have been able to increase prizemoney this year to $7000 - that has certainly helped attract a very high calibre of artists entering their work in our show,” he said.
“To have 70 more entries than last year is wonderful, backing up the faith of our sponsors who have again put their sup-
port behind the event. Local businesses, regional businesses are at the core of this progress association initiative that is both a celebration of creative industry and of our town and its famous hill.”
Mr Wood said the high standard of entries received would go before judge Joy Tatt ahead of opening night and award announcements on February 14.
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6km out but could make seat tilt
A “MELBOURNE” Cup field is expected when the Nationals start looking for a successor in Murray Plains to Peter Walsh.
Already, two high-profile northern Victorian councillors have been touted by some insiders as potential pre-selection candidates.
One is Loddon Mayor Dan Straub who stood as a Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Party candidate in the seat in 2018, winning more than 16 per cent of the primary vote.
Cr Straub contested the federal seat of Mallee for the Shooters’ party the following year before being elected unopposed as Loddon Shire’s Terrick Ward councillor. He was re-elected unopposed last October and became mayor for the third time the following month.
Now a member of the Nationals and president of their Bendigo branch, Cr Straub said he lived 6km outside the Murray Plains boundary. in the seat of Bendigo East held by Premier Jacinta Allan.
“I have contested Murray Plains previously but I have given no thought to seeking pre-selection to succeed Peter,” Cr Straub said last Friday.
Also being suggested as possible contender is former Campaspe Shire mayor Rob Amos, who like Cr Straub, was first
elected to council in 2020 and soon became mayor. Both their terms were during flood emergencies in northern Victoria.
Cr Amos was last week announced as new chair of lobby group Rural Councils Victoria.
Cr Kate Makin (Corangamite Shire) was named as vice-chair, Bradley Thomas (CEO, Hepburn Shire Council) as secretary, and Tammy Smith (CEO, Yarriambiack Shire Council) as treasurer.
Cr Amos has previously been chair of the Murray River Group of Councils, a position now held on rotation by Cr Straub.
Speculation had been growing about Mr Walsh’s future as the local MP since stepping down after a decade as Nationals’ leader last November.
The party is not expected to call for pre-selection nominations until after the federal election tipped to be held in April or May.
- CHRIS EARL
Walsh spells out his final agenda
BOORT and Pyramid Hill deserved more, veteran MP Peter Walsh said last week.
Announcing this will be his last term in State Parliament, Mr Walsh gave no hint of slowing down in his last 21 months representing local towns.
But he warned there were some significant hurdles to overcome before substantial help could be given to communities.
“I look around this half of my electorate, from Echuca to Boort to Swan Hill and there is much to be done,” he said.
“From our appalling roads, to our underfunded health services, where existing staff are already forced to go above and beyond to keep things working, and an education system in dire need of a reset to provide teachers, students and families with an academic environment in which everyone progresses safely and happily, none of these things can be properly addressed until we get the Victorian budget back under control, and until we can stem the financial bleeding, we will be handcuffed in how much can be done as fast as we know it needs to be done.
“Which is why the number one item on the Liberals Nationals agenda is to get back into government and start repairing the damage of what will prove to be 12 of the blackest years in the history of this state under this Labor government.
“Once we have done that, and once all Victorians are made aware of the true extent of the financial crisis – because believe me, Labor has been working hard and still is, trying to hide as much of those failures as possible – we can start delivering the support towns such as Boort and Pyramid Hill need.”
Mr Walsh’s Murray Plains electorate currently includes Boort, Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo.
In his 22 years as an MP, - first elected to the former seat of Swan Hill in 2002 - his electorate has at times stretched south to also include Inglewood and Wedderburn.
He was agriculture and water minister in the Baillieu-Napthine governments between 2010 and 2014 and was elected Nationals’ leader after the Coalition was defeated in November 2014.
A key supporter of the Boort Trotting Club, Mr Walsh said he was concerned about the previous mismanagement of harness racing in Victoria and its potential impact on venues such as Boort “which is the oldest continuous trotting club in Australia – we have to work hard to ensure the harness racing industry prospers, not disappears.”
“As far as I am concerned this is forced mergers by stealth and Boort has been lumped in with Echuca, Rochester, Kerang, Cohuna, Swan Hill and even Mildura, as part of the Loddon Mallee Health Network, which will be headquartered in Bendigo,” he said.
“If you don’t think Premier Allan wants to merge our health systems into a centralised model, with all decisions made elsewhere, why the hell would you have Mildura in the same district as Bendigo – they are more than 400km apart for heaven’s sake.
“That’s so obviously ridiculous to you and me, just as it is ridiculous to assume any of the major health hubs in my electorate will be better off with the big decisions being made in Bendigo, initially, but let’s not kid ourselves, under Labor this control is all moving to Melbourne.”
Mr Walsh says by centralising decision-making and merging regional health services with metropolitan or major regional hospitals, Labor is wiping out local jobs and the ability to prioritise the unique needs of regional communities.
“Our regional communities deserve more than being treated like second-class citizens and their local health services stripped of their autonomy.”
Mr Walsh said he was concerned about some of the bigger picture issues which threaten some serious impacts at the grassroots level. That included the current State Government’s low-key announcement it is merging our health services into networks.
$250k expands road resheet program
LODDON Shire Council will pump another $250,000 into its road resheet program after councillors last week approved amendments to the annual infrastructure program.
Money unspent from the Federal Government’s 2019-2024 Roads to Recovery program will be used for the new works.
Assets and infrastructure manager David Southcombe told councillors that $400,680 of funding remained unspent.
“Roads to Recovery officers recently advised they’d prefer council continue to invest these funds in additional road projects rather than return the unspent funds,” he said. “The annual infrastructure program is progressing with the majority of projects in progress or completed. Within these projects there are savings within existing approved projects that can be reallocated.”
A report to councillors later this month will list resheet projects.
The infrastructure program will also see seven disused emulsion and fuel tanks at council depots removed and one new emulsion tank at its Wedderburn operation centre at a cost of $400.000.
“Undertaking the removal and replacement of emulsion and fuel tanks at Council’s depots will reduce council’s risks of pollution leaking into the environment, fire or explosion and meet compliance with EPA guidelines,” Mr Southcombe said. Project savings have been made on replacement of Sidney Watsons Road Bridge at Pyramid Hill and North and Southey Street, Inglewood, drainage work.
“The annual infrastructure program is funded by council and external grants. An important source of funding for council is the Roads to Recovery program. Currently council has been allocated $21,012,056 for the 2024-2029 funding period,” said Mr Southcombe.
Dan Straub
Peter Walsh
Hot night thief nicks RCH tin
A BURGLAR has smashed through the front door of an Inglewood takeaway shop and scooted off with a Royal Children’s Hospital appeal collection tin.
Police said the burglary was reported about 3.25am Monday as the district sweltered through a warm night with the temperature only dropping to the mid 20s.
They said CCTV footage showed a man forcing the door open. A small amount of cash was also stolen.
RCH appeal tins are collected in the days before Good Friday each year by fire brigade volunteers.
Crime scene investigators from Bendigo searched for evidence at Inglewood Take Away on Monday morning, taping off the scene.
Sgt Sean Dixon, of Inglewood police, said anyone who had seen suspicious activity in Brooke Street around the time of the incident or with dashcam footage should contact police or Crime Stoppers.
Staying a step ahead of scammers
LODDON secondary school students will be empowered to become young digital citizens when the Inglewood Community Bank rolls out its banking safely online program this year,
Tailored to high school students, the face-to-face sessions cover how to identify and avoid scams, spot financial fraud risks, and adopt secure practises for online banking transactions.
“Secondary school students face a flood of would-be scammers, fraud attempts and other potentially serious challenges online,” said community bank manager Michael Prowse.
“The banking safely online in schools sessions are empowering, interactive and highly relevant for younger people.
“While highly tech savvy, more than $2 million has been lost to scammers by Australians under 18 since 2020, data from Scamwatch shows, and our younger customers have been asking how we can
help.” Mr Prowse said the bank would be contacting schools about the program or teachers could book an early session by calling the bank.
Online shopping and classifieds scams caused the highest financial losses for those aged under 18 last year, with social media, text message and emails the top contact methods used by scammers, Scamwatch found.
“This is an exciting, busy time of year but it’s important to never let the guard down against scammers who will be trying their best to catch out unsuspecting students and their families,” Mr Prowse said.
“Be wary of back to school promotions on social media, especially those that sound too good to be true. Don’t click on links that you aren’t 100 per cent sure about, and beware calls and texts from people you don’t know who are requesting information – it could be a remote access scam.”
Police tape off the Brooke Street crime scene. LH PHOTO
Deb brushes away those Edwardian home blues
By RUBY HYLAND
WHEN Deb Nevins purchased first purchased a historic home in Inglewood, she called it a renovator’s nightmare.
Now after three years of hard work she’s ready to open the doors to the public as short-term accommodation.
The back of the Brooke Street house had extensive white ant damage while the rest of the house was rundown with age.
“It looks like a completely different house to what it was before,” Deb said, “it was very blue when I brought it, all the walls and everything was blue which didn’t suit so I went with an Edwardian style to keep with the Inglewood heritage.”
Her renovations have included adding an ensuite to the main bedroom, extending the house to fit a new kitchen as well as having the house restumped.
The most important part of this project for Deb has been ensuring the character of the house remained, she focused on “restoring rather than repairing”.
Deb’s idea behind renovating the house is to provide a place to stay within Inglewood especially for those attending sports tournaments or tourism events rather than leaving them to find
accommodation outside the town or needing to travel back and forth.
The renovations and redecorations have upheld the Edwardian style the heritage house had, with vintage furniture pieces and gold features in each room.
However, the house has been fitted with a modern kitchen as well as several split systems to provide guests with modern comforts while they enjoy the historic house.
While originally Deb had no set timeline for when she wanted to finish restoring the house, she didn’t expect it to take three years, yet for her it was a labour of love.
“People kept telling me to stick to one room at a time but if I wasn’t sure what to do with
one room, I moved onto the next which would often give me fresh ideas and perspectives for other rooms.” Deb said.
“I didn’t plan to do this much renovating, but I kept thinking of new ideas for the house, so I just kept going.”
During one of the bedroom renovations Deb discovered an old
brick chimney that had been hidden behind a wall. She was able to pull the wall down to displace the piece of history and decorated the room to match her find.
Now that the renovations are complete Deb can’t wait to open the house up to those wanting to stay in a piece of history in Inglewood.
Road neglect drives toll spike: Hosking
A 156 per cent spike in regional road deaths last year meant Victorians were paying for road maintenance neglect with their lives, said Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking. He wants all levels of government to urgently address major funding shortfalls to rectify country roads.
“The tragic reality is you’re more than three times likely to lose your life when driving on country roads when compared to driving in the city,” Mr Hosking said.
“Rural Victorian roads have sadly claimed 23 lives this year, representing a 156 per cent increase on the same time last year. These aren’t just statistics, it’s our friends, family, loved ones.
“Enough is enough. Genuine questions must be asked about as to what contributing factors are behind the accidents and there’s no doubt the state of country roads is a huge factor. Over the past year, government spending on resurfacing and resealing roads has dropped by a whopping 81 per cent. That only condemns our roads to ruin and sadly that’s now a reality.
“Drivers are expected to maintain road worthy cars. It’s time for cars to drive car worthy roads to ensure drivers aren’t playing a daily game of roads roulette,” he said.
The Edwardian decor is back ... Deb Nevins’ renovation complete. LH PHOTOS
Shop, Win, and Support Local Businesses
The Shop Loddon campaign is focused on celebrating the amazing local businesses in the Loddon Shire.
By showcasing the hard work and dedication of Loddon’s traders and retailers, this campaign encourages both residents and visitors to support our community by shopping locally.
Supporting local businesses is more than just a transaction. Every dollar spent in Loddon Shire’s shops not only purchases a product but also invests in community spirit, builds resilience and helps keep our towns vibrant.
Shop and Win!
As part of the campaign launch, shop at any participating business in Loddon and enter the draw to win one of five $100 gift vouchers for a business of your choice. No minimum spend is required. To enter, scan the QR code or fill out a paper form at participating businesses across the shire. Additionally, one lucky business will be entered into a draw to win a marketing package valued at $2,000. The competition ends on Friday, 28 February 2025, at 11:59 pm, with winners to be announced in early March.
For more information on the competition,
including a list of participating businesses, visit www.shoploddon.com. au.
Want to Support the Shop Loddon Campaign? Here are three ways:
Shop Local: Make it a priority to support local businesses whenever possible. Even minor changes to your shopping habits, such as buying bread and meat from local bakers or butchers, can have a substantial impact.
Gift Local: Consider purchasing gifts from local businesses. Whether for a birthday, holiday, or any special occasion, shopping locally for your gifts helps support our community and introduces others to the unique offerings of Loddon Shire.
Business Owners: Get involved in the Shop Loddon campaign. Sign up at www.shoploddon.com.au, and you’ll receive in-store marketing materials and a media kit.
We each have a role to play in supporting our community. The choices we make in spending have a ripple effect. By consciously deciding to Shop Loddon, we can collectively contribute to the ongoing growth and development of our community.
Energy Assistance Program
The Energy Assistance Program is here to help Victorian households navigate the Victorian energy market and reduce costs.
This free, tailored service provides support in areas such as:
apply for eligible concessions and grants
access your retailer’s hardship programs
nd, compare and switch energy o ers
understand energy bills and address billing errors
provide energy saving and e ciency advice
provide referrals to other services like nancial counselling
Participating in the program will give you advice suited to your household’s needs. This free service can help you save money on your energy bills.
To learn more about the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program, visit www.energy.vic.gov. au/households/help-paying-your-energy-bills
Inglewood: Thursday 6 February, 9am-3pm, Market Street
Boort: Wednesday 12 February, 9am-4pm, Godfrey Street
Visit the Mobile Service Centre for assistance with Medicare and Centrelink payments, along with information about Department of Veterans’ A airs and the National Disability Insurance Scheme programs and services. For more information, visit Services Australia website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mobileservice-centres
Cr Dan Straub -
The Australian Government Mobile Service Centre is coming to Loddon Shire.
Loddon’s economic development support officer Faith Cooper promotes local shopping
Strike teams fighting big Grampians fires
THE first crews on Loddon fire trucks fighting out-of-control blazes in the Grampians returned home on Monday.
The local volunteers were on units from Pyramid Hill, Fentons Creek and Bridgewater sent to the fire front on Friday.
Loddon South group captain Tim Ferguson was leading the crew on Bridgewater’s tanker while Steve Finch and Luke Stoman were in charge of the other units.
Brigades in the Loddon South, Wedderburn and Terrick groups made up the strike team members.
They have come from brigades including Loddon Vale, Mysia, Korong Vale and Wedderburn.
Fires burning in the Wimmera near the Little Desert National Park and the Grampians have seen hundreds of firefighters brought in from across Victoria and interstate.
Fresh crews are now on the Loddon trucks.
VICTORIA
VICTORIA HOTEL
EST. 1874
The friendly pub open for meals every day with Friday happy hour, trivia, raffles and a chance to win $1,000
Love our local!
Trading hours
Monday – Open 3.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm
The friendly pub open for meals every day with Friday happy hour, trivia, raffles and a chance to win $1,000
Tuesday – Open 2.00pm Dinner from 6.00pm
Wednesday – Open Midday
Compo will reflect expectations: TCV
LANDHOLDER compensation for the controversial VNI West renewable energy transmission line will “reflect the needs and expectations of the community”.
A Transmission Company Victoria spokesman on Monday told the Loddon Herald that it was was reviewing the compensation framework following recent stakeholder feedback.
He said TCV’s compensation package to landowners on the route from Stawell to Kerang and through northern parts of the Loddon Shire would be additional to the State Government compensation offer.
“Through the community reference group and on-property discussions, we will continue to seek feedback from landholders about their views on potential impacts and what ‘fair and reasonable’ looks like,” he said.
“These discussions include working through an overview of TCV’s proposed compensation package with the group including landholder professional fees, property specific compensation, and additional payments with an emphasis on ensuring long-term impacts and stress are addressed fairly.
“Property valuations are an important starting point and early step in this conversation, to enable a more informed discussion of compensation.”
Talks on refining a compensation package come as TCV’s parent company Australian Energy Market Operator begins the next phase to select a project delivery part-
ner for VNI West. The spokesman said the invitation to tender closed in November.
“Following submissions from a number of high-quality applicants. Applications are currently being evaluated ahead of selecting a delivery partner for the VNI West project,” he said.
“Evaluation criteria was developed with input from the Victorian Government, key community stakeholders including the community reference group and social value reference group as well as traditional owners.
“The social value reference group provided a briefing prior to the tender process to inform industry participants’ understanding of community and traditional owner needs and expectations in relation to social value and benefits creation.
“The development partner alongside TCV will adopt, adhere to and deliver upon the social value strategy developed for the project.
“As part of their tender responses, proponents were required to submit a detailed overview of their approach to delivering long-term social value for VNI West’s traditional owners and communities impacted by the project.”
The spokesman said that would include how the partner leveraged the purchasing power of the project to drive local economic growth, skills development and employment opportunities and programs to make positive contributions in line with the needs and priorities of communities.
Wind farm bid’s viability test
SPANISH-OWNED Acciona Energia are assessing whether plans for 150 wind turbines between Boort and Barraport will be viable.
clearer idea about a development timeline. Should we get to that point and we have a project absolutely there is consultation by us with the local community.
Lunch from 12.00pm
Trading hours
Dinner from 6.00pm
Monday – Open 3.00pm
Pot’n’Parma Night
Dinner from 6.00pm
Thursday – Open Midday
Social Darts Night
Dinner from 5.30pm
Tuesday – Open 2.00pm
Steak’n’Pot Night
The company held meetings with landowners late last year.
A spokesman said last week: “When the development guys get to that point and are confident of a project with good fundamentals then we start to get a bit of a
“We consult early and before any formalised process and we also do the consultation ourselves with Acciona employees.”
Several other wind farm developers have also been holding preliminary talks in the Loddon Shire and adjoining areas.
Friday – Open Midday
Dinner from 6.00pm Trivia Night
Lunch from 12.00pm
Wednesday – Open Midday
Dinner from 5.30pm
from 12.00pm
Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle
Saturday – Open Midday
Lunch from 12.00pm
Dinner from 5.30pm Sunday – Open Midday All Day Pizza Menu Close 11.00pm
Popular splashes
FREE admission to Loddon Shire’s five swimming pools on Australia Day was popular with families.
Hundreds of people went through the turnstiles at Boort, Inglewood, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill and Wedderburn.
Among them was Charlotte Pickles who enjoyed splashes in the pool and activities organised by the town’s progress association to celebrate Australia Day.
Tim Ferguson, Harry Hargreaves, Chris Rothacker and Pat O’Toole
Loddon crews part of Grampians fire strike teams
Part of drive helping rural towns flourish
Bringing people together for positive outcomes
AS THE staff at the Wedderburn Community House prepare for the giant Town Garage Sale and Plant Clearance on the March long weekend, it is easy to understand why it is referred to as the hub of the community.
AS A Neighbourhood House, Wedderburn Community House bring peoples together to mobilise for positive outcomes, ensuring our community remains strong, connected, and vibrant.
Serving the Wedderburn community and surrounding districts for over 25 years, the Wedderburn Community House Inc. is a vital part of the local fabric.
Wedderburn Community House has certainly come a long way since its inception back in 1991.
The neighbourhood house was initially established in a small shop front on the High Street by Josie Williams and a group of local ladies.
Manager Louise Cook said that operating from the Wedderburn Community Centre “we collaborate closely with local organisations such as Inglewood and Districts Health Service, Tourism, and the Loddon Shire to keep essential services available to our community”.
Now located in the original primary school built in 1868, with a large extension added in 2014, the house has retained the school’s delightful character with arched timber ceilings, box sash windows and blackboards.
“This is always a talking point for people when they come in to renew licenses through our VicRoads agency,” commented present co-ordinator Marg van Veen.
“Our motto is ‘the community in action’ and we strive to be a centre where everyone from our community is welcome, whether accessing our services or taking part in special courses and activities,” said Louise.
Sue-Anne Hackett and Denise Caulfield
Upcoming events
z Giant Town Garage Sale – Sat 11th March
Upcoming events
z Giant Town Garage Sale –Sat 11th March
z Community lunch & and Pop Up Café, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays
“The community is very fortunate to have not only a VicRoads office here, but we are also a Centrelink agency, Goldfields Library agency, we have a gymnasium, community garden and nursery, internet café, and throughout the year we run a wide range of courses, activities and events.”
“Our courses are put together to meet local needs and grow the skills and knowledge of residents not only in the Wedderburn district, but from further afield in other Loddon communities.
“Through these regular courses, we see a positive attitude that strengthens our communities.”
Louise said that residents were encouraged to become a member of Wedderburn Community House.
“The more peopler who are members, the stronger we are and you will help ensure the continued availability of these services, which are critical to the well-being of the area,” she said.
Classes range from weekly patchwork sessions through to food hygiene and RSA certificates. Last year some of the most popular courses were horticulture and woodwork, giving people the confidence and knowledge to pursue new interests and businesses opportunities. This year learning options are being extended with creek restoration, furniture restoration and virtual reality to name just a few.
“Community is what we are all about,” volunteer Barb said. “It is so wonderful to have the community house back running lunches, bingo, dances, markets and all the other activities bringing the community together to enjoy each other’s company.
Wedderburn Community House is backed by an amazing team of volunteers. Many are behind the success of the Peppercorn Op-Shop in High Street.
One of the strengths of the town is groups and businesses partnering for the benefit of the whole community.
Over the past three years the Wedderburn Community House has spearheaded three such projects.
“Wedderburn Community House is more than just a building. It serves as a vibrant space for people to meet, socialise, and connect over shared interests. Whether you’re here to learn, volunteer, or simply enjoy a community lunch, WCH plays a pivotal role in strengthening the spirit, pride, and connection of our local community.
In 2019 Rejoov Salon was an extraordinary project developed from financial donations and renovation works by members in the community.
z Vic Roads Agent
z Services Australia Agency
z V/Line Ticket Sales
Birds Eye View mural project a reality, bringing visitors to the town and igniting a passion in the community for our local flora and fauna.
z Goldfields Library
z Local Support Initiatives:
z Food Relief
Last year the community house took over an empty shop on the High Street and turned it into the much-loved Peppercorn Op Shop.
z Peppercorn Op Shop
z Rejoov Beauty Salon
z Community Garden
“As a Neighbourhood House, we bring people together to mobilise for positive outcomes, ensuring our community remains strong, connected, and vibrant.”
“It is through ventures like these that small rural towns can flourish, becoming not just destinations for visitors, but places people choose to call home,” said Marg van Veen.
z Access to Wedderburn Gymnasium
z Community Lunches
z Spring Dance, Friday 10th October
z Massive Plant Clearance, Sat 11th-Sun 12th March
z Community lunch & Malaysian Inn Pop Up Café, Tuesdays
z Garden Expo, Sunday 19th October
z Community Christmas Celebrations, Thursday 7th December
z Spring Dance, Friday 20th October
z Garden Expo, Sunday 22nd October
z Xmas On High, Thursday 7th December
Courses in 2025
Courses in 2023
z IT support and Help with Ashlee (Mondays)
z Creek Restoration starting soon
z Knitting Group (Tue)
z Annual Shearing School September
z First Aid/CPR
z Patchwork Group (Mon)
z Patchwork every Monday
z Up Cycle Art group (Tue)
z Researching family history
z First Aid/CPR
z RSA & Food Hygiene Certificates
z Tech Safe - information and training
z Online banking
z Office Skills & Working in Retail
z Ready, Set - Job Ready course
z Woodworking
z Preserving and Conserving
z Furniture Restoration
z Sewing 101
z Horticulture/Gardening
z Basic Bookkeeping
z RSA & Food Hygiene Certificates
z Digital Essential I & II
z Office Skills & Working in Retail
“Wedderburn Community House is a a place to connect and contribute,” said Louise.
COVID made us realise just how important community is.”
Among services available at the Wedderburn Community House are:
Since then it has fostered numerous new businesses, trained youth and ensured Wedderburnians are the best coiffed people in the region. The following year the community house was the lead agency in making the
z Learning Opportunities (through various courses)
z Rooms to Hire and Catering
“Wedderburn is a thriving community and I like to think that the community house has had something to do with that,” said Marg van Veen.
z Social Media
z Horticulture/Gardening
z Virtual Reality, experience out of this world
z Digital Essential I & II
Join the Movement: Loddon Plains Landcare Network’s Call to Action for Boort’s Local Farming Community
The Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN) is reaching out to Boort’s local farming community with an invigorating call to action to establish a Boort Landcare group.
This exciting initiative seeks to invigorate the region’s environmental efforts by uniting productive communities under a common goal of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
Supported by Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, the LPLN hopes to empower local stakeholders to spearhead these efforts, fostering a collaborative spirit that will address challenges such as carbon accounting and market pressures.
With an initial gathering set at the Railway Hotel, this movement offers a unique opportunity for farmers and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue, share knowledge, and explore grant opportunities that could transform local agricultural practices for the better. Join us in this hopeful endeavour to build a resilient, environmentally responsible future for Boort and its surrounding areas.
The Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN) serves as an
umbrella organisation for 18 environmental and community groups across the Loddon Shire and surrounding areas.
However, for some time, there has not been an active Landcare group in Boort or its surrounding productive farming communities, including Mysia, Borung, Fernihurst, and Barraport.
LPLN, together with a keen group of local farmers, is working to change that—with support from Nutrien Ag Solutions and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Cameron Mitchell, Branch Manager at Nutrien Ag Solutions Boort, said: “It’s great to see the Boort community coming together to start a new Landcare group. Landcare promotes sustainable farming practices, helping farmers maintain healthy soil, conserve water, and protect local ecosystems.
“Protecting and improving our local environment is important for both agriculture and the broader community. Nutrien Ag Solutions Boort is proud to support initiatives that promote sustainability and bring people together to care for our landscape.”
Kate Nelson from Nelson Farms said It would be wonderful to have access to more envi-
ronmentally-focused events and community gatherings in our local area.
“We believe that the strength of rural communities is partially grounded in community collaboration through groups and events which are inclusive of people from all walks of life,” she said.
“A local Landcare group would serve just such a purpose, in addition to the favourable environmental outcomes which would be generated. “
LPLN was formed in 2009 to foster collaboration in environmental initiatives. Last year, the LPLN team planted more than 21,000 native plants, delivering significant benefits to the Loddon Shire.
LPLN Landcare Facilitator Will Sanson emphasises the importance of re-establishing Landcare in Boort:
“Boort is a major centre and key agricultural area, so it’s important for Landcare to have a presence. This initiative has come directly from the community—locals have voiced their aspirations for a Landcare group. Previous efforts were more town-focused, but there’s a growing need for farmers to engage in environmental initiatives, especially with increasing pressures
from carbon accounting, transmission line developments, and market demands.”
Will hopes that while LPLN has secured funding and is facilitating the initial meetings and events, the group will become self-sustaining:
“Our goal is for locals to step up and take on leadership roles, allowing the group to run independently and develop a strong, active base for long-term success.”
The first gathering for the new
Boort Landcare group will be held at the Railway Hotel on February 27th. Farmers and community members interested in being involved are encouraged to reach out to LPLN.
Landcare groups provide a network of like-minded individuals who want to make a positive impact on their land. Membership offers access to grants, resources, and expert support to help landholders implement sustainable land management practices.
Gus Gould is backing formation of a Landcare group for the Boort district
Bill yodels Swiss breed virtues
By CHRIS EARL
BILL GOVETT travelled Australia in the early days of convincing dairy farmers to try the brown Swiss breed.
The challenge to convince them that the bigger-framed cow would boost their milk production.
A more robust and reliable breed that lives longer, was his message to commercial farmers at field days.
The Tandarra dairy farmer started his journey with brown Swiss 40 years ago after “trusting a good mate ... a jersey breeder in the United States”.
“We brought some semen out from the US, put it with our jersey cows and were very impressed with what we got,” Bill said.
“They gave us a bigger cow and significantly more production ... and they had a a good temperament.”
That was 40 years ago and Bill was a pioneer of the breed in Australia, helping establish a national brown Swiss association becoming its inaugural president and heading to the United States to speak at an international conference.
That drive saw Bill’s contribu-
tion grow exponentially, according to Brown Swiss Australia that last month awarded Bill life membership during a break in judging at International Dairy Week in Tatura.
The setting to recognise Bill was apt. He had spearheaded the breed’s inclusion in the judging schedule in 1997.
There was the Australian Brown Swiss Digest that he edited while also maintaining the breed’s studbook and registration of hundreds of cows that the association said built “a robust base
for the breed in Australia”. A year after seeing brown Swiss added to IDW’s schedules, he was behind the importing of more than 60 embryos from the United States for use in Australian herds.
Semen and embryos mostly came from the state of Wisconsin, Bill said. “It’s a fairly central area for the stud dairy industry over there”.
“Now there are very few jerseys left in Australia. It’s either Friesian or brown Swiss,” he said.
Bill said that in the 1980s, there were misconceptions when
brown Swiss was being marketed as a dual-purpose cow.
He said the breed Braunvieh (Swiss Brown) originated in the Alpine region of Europe.
Today, the breed is selectively bred for dairy qualities only, and its draft and beef capabilities have been lost.
Bill’s knowledge of the breed saw him in demand as a judge. But true to his mantra when heading up the national association, the future of the brown Swiss is always invested in the next generations.
“I don’t get involved in the society now. There has been a succession to younger people than me ... when I first became involved in the jersey breed you had to be in your 60s before you were recognised,” he said.
“We are now seeing younger people involved in Brown Swiss Australia and it’s happening in other breeds too.”
Among that next generation is Bill’s son Ben who has continued to achieve show ring success for the Tandara Brown Swiss stud, gaining respect as a judge and will follow in his father’s footsteps as a speaker at this year’s International Dairy Federation summit in Chile in October.
“The thing about the show ring, is you get the cows out and people see them and that’s been important for us over the last 40 years,” said Bill.
The life membership award credits Bill with “a lifetime of dedication, visionary leadership and enduring contributions to the brown Swiss breed that have left an indelible mark on the industry ... (and) reflects his extraordinary legacy and the profound impact he has had on the breed and the community”.
But Bill thinks there should have been a second life membership certificate presented in Tatura. “That would have been to my wife Judy who has shared the journey. While I was off around Australia and overseas, she was the one at home milking the cows,” Bill said.
“Establishing the breed in Australia was not just me. There was Judy and everyone else in the stud industry who saw the benefits of brown Swiss.”
When Ben heads to Chile later in the year, it will be Bill and Judy milking the cows, aiming to keep up each cow producing an average 10 litres of milk a day. “They’re a proper dairy cow.” he said.
Bill and Judy Govett ... partners in a 40-year journey with the breed. LH PHOTO
Bill Govett ... champion of the breed’s big frame, high production and temperament.
The Australian wool market has recorded an overall upward movement last week, quickly bouncing back from the losses from the previous week. The national quantity dropped by 16,256 bales compared to the previous week’s offering, there was 33,436 bales available to the trade. Compared to the previous season, the total amount offered this season continues to trend lower. There have been 885,488 bales put through the auction system season to date, this is 179,321 fewer bales than the previous season, a fall of 16.8%. The first day of selling, results were mixed across microns and the three selling centres. The movements in the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) for merino fleece ranged between plus 11 and minus 29 cents. The benchmark AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) posted a two-cent rise. The second selling day was more positive, with no negative results in the merino fleece MPGs, the movements ranging between unchanged and plus 19. The EMI added another 4 cents. The EMI finished the week 6 cents higher, closing at 1,192 cents. The market has made a positive start to the 2025 calendar year. In the six selling days of this year, the EMI has only fallen on only one occasion (a 4 cent fall on the 21st of January) and is currently trading 38 cents higher than its 2025 opening level. In USD terms the EMI has also recorded just one negative result, rising four out of the six selling days, with one unchanged result. The EMI has added 12 US cents across these sales. The crossbred sector performed strongly last week, with all published MPGs recording rises of between 5 and 40 cents. These rises contributed to the overall rise in the EMI.
This week’s national offering is expected to increase. There are currently 38,361 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. Sales return to the normal Tuesday/Wednesday selling pattern.
Source: AWEX
109 MIDLAND HIGHWAY,
Adam Millard | Wool | 0400 499 064
Elders Bendigo | 03 5445 6333
Craig Sharam | Branch Manager/Senior Agronomist | 0408 188 351
Anton Mannes | Agronomist | 0499 708 044
Nigel Starick | Livestock Manager | 0408 528 322
Chris Anderson Territory Sales Manager | 0408 921 540
Glenn Jackson | Merchandise Manager | 0429 076 459
SHEEP AND LAMBS
THERE was an increased yarding of 17600 lambs on Monday after Bendigo skipped a market due to the Australia Day holiday.
There was a short lead of very good heavy fed lambs in each agents run before quality slipped down into a mixed run of tradeweight and lighter types.
The market performed around quality. The best crossbred lambs - meaning those with weight, shape and hard carcass finish - sold to solid demand at 780c to about 840c/kg cwt. But it was quick slide down into the general run of mixed lambs with average tradeweights selling between 720c to 770c/kg cwt.
Overall buyer demand was selective and subdued once off quality stock, with categories such as Border Leicester cross lambs and any longer-wooled trade lambs lacking fat cover the most affected.
Export lambs sold to a top of $295/head but there was only limited pens above $270 and they had to be superweights above 34kg cwt to be up in this money.
The main run of heavy 26-30kg cwt lambs sold from $190 to $255/head showing how the market did fluctuate and there was gaps in the market for this type of stock even on some well presented pens.
The heavy trades, 24-26kg cwt $178 to $215/head at a ballpark cost of 785c/kg cwt to processors.
The general run of trades 22-24kg cwt $160 to $195 to average $175/head at an estimated 750c/kg cwt.
Most buyers are currently working on little to no skin returns. There was some neat tradeweight Merino lambs in a good skin which sold to $200 to be in the realm of crossbred money in c/kg terms. But most Merinos were lighter weight types suiting the MK market at $116 to $140/head. Better quality store lambs with either breed qual-
Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report
ity or frame $130 to $155/head, smaller types $74 to $115/head.
It was a stronger sheep market with good lines of mutton tracking over 400c/kg cwt again and improving to above 450c/kg cwt in places.
Big Merino wethers reached $170, Merino ewes in a skin to $160 and heaviest crossbred ewes to $151/head. Most heavy sheep $100 to $130/head and lighter mutton $60 to $100/head.
EXOTIC LAMB
D&K Barker Wycheproof (76) $253. HOGGETS
T Fincham Yea (17) $160. Thomas Past Hay (90) $150. R&K Cooper Goornong (7) $141. SA Green Kyneton (38) $125. CROSSBRED LAMBS
Colin Graham Family Trust (56)
Diggora West (23)
Slater
$270. Daniel Tuohey lambs (67) $263. Everdry (101) $260. GK&TA Turnbull Bridgewater (117) $255. AG Ryan Birchip (112) $247. D & C Gunther (75) $245. J,S&W Brown Colbinabbin (143) $244. SN&DA Collins Bridgewater Nth (54) $242. AB&KB Broom Nereeman (28) $240. T&D Roberts (57) $236. Rex James Euroa (142) $236. Meadow Valley Mia Mia (51) $233. T Tobin Costerfield (46) $230. D&K Barker Wycheproof (38) $230. M&E Tobin Costerfield (98) $227. AG Ryan Birchip (76) $213. Cambrae Investments
GT Shannon Lancefield (176) $115. Woodlands Nullavale (163) $115. CROSSBRED EWES Grant Langley (4) $140. Trevor Roberts (27) $134. S & N Betts Echuca (50) $133. BJ Baker
$111. Thomas Past Hamilton (121) $110. MERINO EWES G&L McGurk Charlton (187) $139. T Carmody Runnymeade (61) $126. H&P Bennett Mia Mia (28) $114. Order of sales next week: Nuttall, Mc-Kean McGregor, Elders, Nevins, Nutrien.
BENDIGO
$290. DL&TM Jensen
$271.
Farm Carack (105)
Course keeps chemical checks current
LODDON farmers are updating their accreditation in the use of chemicals with a new series of courses by industry trainer Karl Liffman.
More than a dozen district farmers attended a one-day update session at Bridgewater on Monday with further sessions across the region planned for 2025.
Bridgewater Farmware’s David Edwards said Karl was highly respected in the agriculture sector for his practical and methodical approach to chemical use training. “We all spent the day refreshing our knowledge and skills on the correct use of chemical applications,” he said.
“Those of us who did the one-day refresher have accreditation in place for the next five years. The plan is for Karl to
return to the Bridgewater district later in the year to conduct a full two-day course for people needing to gain their accreditation.”
Karl, whose experience with the use of chemicals has included the horticulture and forestry sectors, last year conducted several courses in Loddon communities.
He is also expanding the area for the course to include sessions in Charlton and St Arnaud.
Courses are to the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling and provide the required training for many industry quality Assurance programs and is necessary to apply for the Victorian Agricultural Chemical Users Permit.
Industry trainer Karl Liffman (centre) with district farmers at Monday’s chemical user session in Bridgewater. LH PHOTO
Leisurely stroll to shops
27 Borung Street
Inglewood
3 Bedrooms
1 Bathrooms
1.25 Acres
Agent: James Nevins
0407 302 900
JUST a leisurely stroll from the main shopping centre and sporting precinct sits the beautiful 1960s weatherboard home on a spacious 1.25-acre block.
The zinc-clad home remains in excellent structural condition,
ready to move straight in needing only new internal paint and carpet.
Connected via the hallway from the front door the three spacious bedrooms with ceiling fans have plenty of space for formal full bedroom suites. The original bathroom contains a separate bath, shower and vanity with access to the toilet along with the laundry. The large and open laundry is also accessible via the hallway.
The semi-modern kitchen and
dining area has an upright electric cooking oven, hot plate and offers plenty of cupboard and bench space. This area connects to the spacious and open living room with inbuilt solid fuel heating, wall reverse cycle air conditioner, carpet and ceiling fan.
Additionally on the large block sits a large zinc alum shed 50’ x 25’ with power connected, concrete floor and running water. The property has all the services including nine solar panels pushing 3 KW back in the grid.
CLEARING SALE
FERNIHURST / BOORT “LONGVIEW” –
Tractors & Vehicles New holland 8970 4 WD Tractor 240 HP (3400 hrs.), Case IH JX 1090U with LSX F.E.L, FWA (3700 hrs.) bucket & forks, Inter Acco 2150 B Tray truck with 555 Cummins V8 (Reg’d, no RWC), 20’ tray & bulk bin, 20’ cattle crate, UD single axle prime mover with 30’Borcat aluminum tug bogie trailer (Reg’d, no RWC), 98 Suzuki stockman 2 door Ute with tray, (Reg’d no RWC), 87 Ford Courier XL 4WD Ute (Reg’d, no RWC) Farm Machinery Shearer 33 Tyne scarifier, Inter 511 28 run combine with SSB, Horwood Bagshaw 45’ harrows, Alfarm 40’ cultivator bar, 30’ Ackland bar, Farmall 10’ land grader, Daken 6’ slasher, 3PL channel crowder, 12’ rubber tyre roller, Vicon super spreader (3PL), Gibson 16’ Cultivator bar, UFO twin disc 3PL mower 6’ 9” cut, Rawlins cultipac roller, Goldacres Ute spray unit, 1000 Ltr portable fuel tank, 3PL jib, old Mitsubishi generator, 5” riverside pump, NH Bale loader Livestock, Grain holding & Seed Keogh 45’ x9” Auger w 20 HP Kohler motor, Keogh 35’ x 7” & Honda GX 90 motor, Bromar MF 36 multifeeder trailer (as new), Sherwell 15 bag grain feeder trailer, Bromar Superior stock feeders (8), Venning’s 14’ box grouper & Hobbs hoist, Lyco dominator electric wool press, hay ring, 22 panel portable yards / draft, mobile bagging bin, Oregon wool table 10’ x 5’, Cain wool baskets on wheels x 6, sheep cradle, 200 bags Spartacus barley & 200 bags Matika oats (cleaned w pickled), 2.5 Ton MD vetch, Qty bale hooks, Coutts cattle feeder on wheels, Sunbeam Dble end grinder
Fencing 3PL post hole digger, Qty 7’ x 8’ concrete strainer posts, Gal Iron stays, 240 new Gal Iron posts, 8 coils 7-line Ringlock, wire spinners (plain & barb), 550 steel droppers, 14’ & 12’ gates, Qty treated pine posts, fence strainers
Collectables 4 x Furphy water tanks excellent condition dating 1845 to 1943 – all with lids & taps, Qty Furphy wheels, Furphy pig trough, Avery platform scales / weights, Swage block & molds, CI render tub missionary CI pot, Burgin ball friction wheels x 8, Burgin ball shearing grinder, 4 HP Southern Cross stationary engine, Qty Furphy wheel bearings & McKay butterfly hinges, large Anvil, Butter churn, Qty Sunshine gates (various models), Sunshine Wheels, Dawn drill, leg vices (3), Trawella jack, Robinson harrow leaf, Sandstone wheel, Jas Smith grain grister, old wagon chain, CI stovetops/ doors, Ajax wool box, MH sickle mower, Mulboard ploughs, 2 x Woden jacks, Sharmango manual blower, Smith Windmill air valve, old McKay plough, old Jenkins & Berger scarifier, Broad axe, Bag trolley, Stillards, Qty Cast Iron post & Stone jars, Haymes, Lister O/H shearing plant (3), Vanguard wheel cover, Qty Blacksmiths tools Sundries Aluminum painter ladders & trestles, 3PL Ripper, Concrete mixer, Polymaster water trough, air compressor, Qty rubber mating, Qty ½” Rod & Flat Steel, 8” steel strap, 50mm tube, Qty sundry steel / iron, Bluestone slabs, large 21’ steel H iron plank, host of sundries to numerous to mention.
Terms Numbers system operating, ID required, cash / cheque/ EFTPOS available. GST applies. No buyers premium
Photos www.fpnevins.com.au
Further Particulars
Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166
Vendor: Robert Coutts 03 5455 2129
AUCTION
To be offered as a whole:
Sub- divided 3 Paddocks, 3 Dams
GWM Pipeline out front, not connected
85% Arable, gently undulating Mallee loams to clay base, some stone/ shale on rises
Excellent fencing
Suitable for all forms of agribusiness
Improvements:
1880’s Circa 3 B/Rm Miners Cottage
Machinery Shed 15m X 11m power connected
Shearing Shed with power (needs repair)
Sundry Shedding
Terms: 10% Deposit on signing, Balance 30/60 Days
Immediate working condition (T’s &; C’s Apply)
Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents
Inspection by appointment
Luke Nevins 0418 510 166
Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au www.fpnevins.com.au
– Nine
or any tender not necessarily
3 x Macey silos totalling 600 bags each
Further Particulars / Inspections: Contact Selling Agents
Inspection by appointment Luke Nevins: 0418 510 166 Email: inglewood@fpnevins.com.au
Investment needed in regional areas
Rural residents struggling against wall of red tape, writes Anne Webster
MY HEART breaks for the readers at the neglect they have experienced from both the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments. With a federal election due before May, as the federal member for Mallee I hope we can restore desperately needed investment in the region by returning a Liberal – Nationals Coalition Government.
At my mobile offices in the region at Wedderburn, Boort, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater community members have raised a vast range of important topics, from their personal struggles with commonwealth bureaucracy to the broader political agenda. I am visiting again soon.
A strong and common concern raised all over Mallee is the cost of living and cost of doing business. Energy prices are a major driver of the price increases, and it is worth remembering that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Energy Minister Chris Bowen promised Australians some 97 times that by 2025, household energy bills would be reduced by $275. Now, in 2025, that pledge has officially been broken. One off relief over four quarters doesn’t cut the mustard.
Worse still, Labor said their transition to a renewables-only energy grid would cost $112 billion. The Coalition revealed modelling showing that Labor’s plan will cost $642 billion, and we are all feeling it in our power bills. Mallee farmers are also feeling the pain with the railroading of farms and communities to force through the deeply unpopular VNI West transmission line.
The Albanese Labor Government’s economic mismanage-
Activists call for 2025 duck season to be abandoned to prevent arrival of bird flu
John Tan wrote: First it was PFAS, then coronavirus, then botulism, and now bird flu virus. Maybe they should claim it’s the Bourbon virus next.
Robert Treble wrote: No other country in the world has stopped a season for bird flu. They educate hunters to report any observations they get excellent field reports for the duration of the season.
ment gets worse – they spent less than $100 million in Mallee over the last, long, hard three years, compared with over $2 billion in my first three years as member for Mallee in a Coalition government.
Standing strong among that $2 billion for Mallee was the $2.5 million I secured under the Community Development Grants Programme to help redevelop Donaldson Park’s Community Hub in Wedderburn, an election commitment I made in 2019. I was so pleased to see the $7 million Hub open in June, providing a major function centre and clubrooms for the community and the football, netball, hockey and harness racing clubs that call Donaldson Park home.
Councils are so pessimistic about their prospects under Federal Labor grant programs that they are reconsidering the effort – at ratepayer cost – of making doomed grant applications.
Meanwhile, Coalition initiatives keep delivering in the region, such as the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, which gives councils like Loddon Shire a pool of money to spend each year on their priorities. This last three years, LRCI helped upgrade the floodlighting at Serpentine and Mitiamo recreation reserves.
LRCI is modelled on the John Howard era Roads to Recovery (R2R) program, which identified that council road infrastructure was reaching the end of its economic life and the replacement cost was then – and remains – beyond the capacity of local government. Former Loddon
Peter Talbot wrote: Ducks at my place are polluting my dam water, have to get water from standpipe for horses, do I really need 50 ducks?
Michelle Mead wrote: Absolutely. Duck shooting can hardly be called a sport. It is cruel and archaic. Ecotourism is a much better path for rural communities promoting and embracing their wonderful native wildlife.
Graziano Pagliaro wrote: Ecotourism - what has it done for the Winton wetlands ? It’s a joke.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Loddon Herald welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Preference will be given to letters of 300 words or less and must include your name with address and phone number provided for verification (not publicaton). We reserve the right to edit letters for legal reasons. Send your letters to loddonherald@gmail.com
PIECES
Mayor Holt said in July “Our renewal gap, where we cannot invest enough funding to keep our assets at their agreed standard, is one of the reasons why funding programs such as the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Programs are so important to small rural councils like Loddon.”
Roads to Recovery is helping restore Newbridge Road near Seafield Road, Newbridge, Ottrey Street and Ottrey’s Bridge Road in Pyramid Hill and Chamberlains Road, Inglewood near the Calder Highway.
Like the rest of Mallee, Loddon desperately needs more housing and yet Labor’s recent, one-off federal Housing Support Program did not commit a dollar in Mallee. I spoke with one heartbroken shire that made multiple applications for multiple towns but got nothing from the Albanese Government.
Wedderburn housing estate is one example of where council could develop housing for the local region, and I have spoken with others hoping to develop housing in other Loddon shire towns.
A Coalition government will invest $1.5 billion over four years to develop approximately 150,000 regional homes by funding enabling infrastructure such as access roads and connections to water, power and sewerage.
The Nationals unashamedly advocate exclusively for regional Australia, and I’ll keep doing so as your member for Mallee
Anne Webster is the federal member for Mallee
Danny Asmussen wrote: Ecotourism is a fantasy land dreamt up by activists. People aren’t spending time in wetlands with mosquitoes and snakes, just not happening, proof of that is duck season only goes for a maximum of 12 weeks. That leaves 40 other weeks for people to visit wetlands, yet they don’t. Forty weeks not long enough to set up a business I hear you say, seems the businesses on the ski fields can run businesses with a lot less weeks than that.
1. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ film series was filmed predominantly in which country?
2. What treaty was signed that put an end to World War I?
3. A pommel horse is used in which sport?
4. John Wycliffe is credited as completing the first English translation of which book?
5. Is tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
6. What animal is one of the national symbols of Canada?
7. An ultraviolet light is also known by what other name?
8. Robert the Bruce was King of which country in the 14th century?
9. If something has a pH level of less than 7, what is it?
10. What is a knoll?
11. In Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ how old is Romeo?
12. The Artful Dodger is a character in which Charles Dickens novel?
13. A fife is similar to which common musical instrument?
THE summer sabatical is over! After devotion to household chores while the other half was away, a sojourn down to Tassie and the day job that meant getting Nolen’s Park at Boort looking pretty and pristine for the recent Flavours of Loddon, Bradley is back with his Treemendous Signs. For the year’s first up effort, he’s gone for putting everyone in the one place, or perhaps more aptly for Bradley, everyone in the same pumpkin paddling down the river.
SPECIAL shout out to the legend of Mitiamo. IC, aka Ian Anderson, was spotted out early on Australia Day raising the flag at his town’s war memorial park flagpole. His devotion to flag and country continues. We done IC, we tooted as going past!
14. Bánh mì sandwiches come from which country?
15. What mechanical component is found in both engines and brass instruments?
16. “The dismal science” is a derogatory term for which social science?
17. One horsepower is equal to roughly how many watts?
18. Former boxer Evander Holyfield had his ear bitten during a bout by which other boxer?
19. Which constellation appears on the flags of New Zealand and Australia?
20. According to an Elvis Presley song, love Me what?
Y
OU may remember that grinning photograph in the Loddon Herald a couple of weeks back - bigger than a Cheshire cat - of Wedderburn barista extraordionaire Di. It was more than a talking point as she whipped up iced teas at the Wedderburn trots last week to the designated drivers on a very warm day.
T HE grin of a Cheshire cat is one thing. But who was this cat? It was, of course, the fictional feline popularised by Lewis Carrol in Alice in Wonderland known for its distinctive mischievous grin. In Di’s case, no mischief ... just having fun making coffees and teas.
W HY was the Cheshire cat always grinning? Because he was feline fine! Why did the Cheshire Cat disappear when Alice wanted to take a picture? Because he didn’t want to be a “grinning” photo subject.
buSHy TALES BY IAN JONES
Still gold in them thar hills
Tarnagulla and the Sydney Opera House - they could soon be mentioned in the same breath if the World Heritage bid succeeds. Chris Earl looks at the Golden Triangle and how the bid dubs our area as the Great Nuggets Landscape
IF THE hype materialises, millions more people could walk over the goldfields made famous by the 1869 discovery of the Welcome Stranger gold nugget.
The discovery by Cornish miners John Deason and Richard Oates the greatest in an area dubbed the Golden Triangle through the 1970s and 1980s when the tourism push had history in its sights.
Sovereign Hill at Ballarat, Swan Hill’s Pioneer Settlement and down Gippsland way, Coal Creek.
Smaller towns had their own museums displaying rusty mining and agricultural tools, faded photographs from the late 19th century, minute books of longdisbanded organisations and more.
The Golden Triangle - those heritage goldfields between Wedderburn, Inglewood and Dunolly - was pitched as lands in country Victoria where gold could still be found.
In 1950, there was hope of a new gold rush to Wedderburn after veteran prospector Bert Smith unearthed a nugget in Wilson Street. Then Dave Butterick came forward with his three nuggets that were spectacular: Golden Retriever was found on 11 March 1950 and valued at £1,3000. Wedderburn Dog was found the following day and Golden Wedge, a 7-ounce nugget, was found on 29 March 1950. In April 1950, over 8000 people came to Wedderburn to see them all on display.
Half a century earlier, the Poseidon nugget was found near Tarnagulla as well the Federal.
And then there was the Hand of Faith nugget that lit up Kevin Hillier’s detector at Kingower in 1980.
The Golden Triangle was still living up to its name, bringing amateur fossickers and prospectors to the Loddon Shire and adjoining districts and attracting investment in bigger, more professional operations that still pit the landscape of central Victoria.
Now, the Golden Triangle has been dubbed the Great Nuggets Landscape in a bold bid for the area to receive UNESCO World Heritage Listing.
A broad, but still to be defined, area running from Moliagul to Tarnagulla and Dunolly could be in the running to tap into an extra 2.2 million visitors a successful bid would bring to Victoria’s World Heritage goldfields.
Great Nuggets - perhaps always the Golden Triangle for locals - has been named as one of six sites on the Federal Government’s Australian list for the bid that is being pushed by the State Government and local councils.
Bid proponents say the Great Nuggets Historic Landscape em-
braces small townships and specific diggings that yielded the greatest concentration of the largest gold nuggets the world had ever known
They want World Heritage listing of the Victorian Goldfields in recognition of its outstanding global heritage significance, saying it can be a major catalyst for transformative regeneration of the region.
And they say the bid provides an opportunity to raise the socioeconomic profile and outlook of the region’s cities, towns and local communities. “Parts of our region are thriving, but other parts are among the most socially disadvantaged areas in the country and many are experiencing population decline. This is coupled with the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
Documents say experience in other disadvantaged areas shows that World Heritage listing, when harnessed fully, can bring more and new investment, revitalise and reposition regions, create new opportunities for communities and secure jobs and young people’s futures.
“The unique building blocks are the region’s gold rush story, her-
itage assets and international significance,” bid officials say.
“The key focus on the sites to be considered for World Heritage listing is a small series of only the most authentic, intact and globally significant sites and buildings.
“Most, if not all, will be publicly owned and already protected on lists like the National Heritage List, the Victorian Heritage Register and Inventory, and in local planning schemes. In no way is there any consideration of the listing encompassing the entire Goldfields region.
“The listing would be against the backdrop of the thousands of other sites and buildings that are already recognised as of great heritage value across the region. World Heritage experts have advised that development can and will still occur, and prospecting and mining activities would continue, and will be managed as they are presently.
“In fact, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, the environment, prospecting and mining are all part of the region’s continuing story and World Heritage listing.”
Australia’s Tentative Listing is being billed as recognising Victorian Goldfields’ outstanding
global heritage significance and seeks to celebrate and protect the region’s multi-layered history –from the first peoples living on Country to the goldrush and subsequent waves of immigration.
Premier Jacinta Allan and federal minister Tanya Pliberseck last week said with enthusiasm that World Heritage listing would see the stories of local goldfields shared.
Two former premiers are key backers and patrons of the bid.
John Brumby said: “After 35 years of local advocacy, the Victorian Goldfields has received the approval to pursue World Heritage Listing. Being included on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List reflects the nation’s commitment to gaining global recognition for this exceptional cultural landscape.
“Individuals, communities, traditional owner groups, World Heritage specialists, and government bodies at all levels have united with a common aim: to celebrate the diverse stories that form the history of the Victorian Goldfields.”
Denis Napthine says: “Achieving World Heritage status will bring extensive benefits to local
communities with a huge boost in jobs, investment and dollars spent through enhanced tourism. In addition World Heritage status will deliver increased community pride, improved heritage conservation and economic development.”
As of last week, the towns of Moliagul and Tarnagulla are sitting in the wings with Castlemaine, Creswick and Walhalla ready to share what the governments say will be the same tourism stage as the Sydney Opera House.
Whether the Golden Triangle or Great Nuggets, the local region retains popularity with weekend prospectors looking for an outdoor experience and perhaps a big find. Gold detector weekends have become part of the offering at Wedderburn Caravan Park since Kristy Hourigan took over the accommodation setting not far from Hard Hill Reserve where the annual detector jamboree is staged.
How many of those extra 2.2 million people will venture outside of Ballarat or Bendigo and their immediate environs and seek the rich landscape of the Loddon and Central Goldfields shires remains a question at least the $4 million equal to today’s value of the Welcome Stranger nugget.
Plans for Great Nugget Landscape over the next 12 months may give an insight into investment opportunities for accommodation and even local roads and mobile phone connectivity, that will make our region attractive for some of those predicted 2.2 million new visitors.
Whether they come or not, the Golden Triangle towns will always be tempting prospectors to go over old ground .. hoping for for a nugget not found by the 19th century miners.
STRINGER, Clifford Charles
It is with sadness we inform our family and friends that Cliff passed away peacefully at Finley Regional Care on Wednesday 29th January 2025
Aged 86 years.
Loved husband of Lee (dec)
Loved Dad to Gab and Paul Loved Father in law to Adrian and Kylie
Adored Pa of Dumie, Elly and Sophie ‘Cherished Memories’
une R al notice
STRINGER
A Funeral Prayer Service for the late Mr Clifford Stringer will be held at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Harrison St, Deniliquin NSW on Thursday 6th February 2025 commencing at 10am. Followed by a burial at the Deniliquin Lawn Cemetery. Live Stream Link: https://shorturl.at/s2OUO
453 Har eur Street Deniliquin NSW 2710 P 03 5881 5111
I would like to thank my wonderful family & friends for all their lovely messages and cards on the occasion of my 90th Birthday. It was so much appreciated
Ellen Roberts
Getting Back on Track REGION MEETING
Members of community welcome
Guest speaker - New VFF president Brett Hosking Forum - What worked in 2024 and what’s ahead in 2025 Panel - Farmers and agronomists
Marketing - Business ST ARNAUD SPORTING CLUB
Wednesday 12 February
5.30pm for 6pm start RSVP for meal 4 February
Barry Batters 0418 567 674
Colin Coates 0427 693 329
Graham Nesbit 0409 207 383
Newbridge, Arnold and Llanelly Community Planning Group Inc
Invite all members from our community to our Annual General Meeting.
Monday 10th February
7pm - Newbridge Hall
For further details, please contact Secretary, Michele Mizzi on 0431 384 392
Kelpie Working Dog Puppies
All vaccinated and microchipped
Parents both good workers
Wanting new homes asap.
$400 or nearest offer.
Breeder Registration MB195957 Ph. 0447652751
Inglewood
Tuesday 11th March 2025
9am - 12.30pm
Inglewood Town Hall Hub & Neighbourhood House Verdon St Inglewood
A half-day alertness workshop that prepares anyone to become a suicide alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die but are struggling with the pain in their lives.
Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognise these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources, such as caregivers trained in ASIST.
The Club has activities planned from 1pm on the second Friday of each month in the supper room at the Memorial Hall. On the fourth Friday of each month, a light meal will be available costing $10 -00. Again in the supper room at the Memorial Hall. You are welcome to pop in even if you would prefer just a
tp.wood@bigpond.com Ph 0429843479
BOORT NEWSAGENCY
BRIDGEWATER BAKEHOUSE
BRIDGEWATER CARAVAN PARK CAFE
BRIDGEWATER HOTEL
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BRIDGEWATER POST OFFICE
BRIDGEWATER SERVICE STATION
CHARLTON NEWSAGENCY
DINGEE STORE
FOUR POSTS JARKLIN
INGLEWOOD IGA
INGLEWOOD MOTEL
INGLEWOOD POST OFFICE
STEVE’S EMPIRE HOTEL CAFE 3517
KANGAROO FLAT POST OFFICE
KORONG VALE HOTEL
MARONG GENERAL STORE
MITIAMO STORE
NEWBRIDGE STORE
NEWBRIDGE HOTEL
PYRAMID HILL POST OFFICE
PYRAMID HILL BAKERY
COFFEE BANK PYRAMID HILL
VICTORIA HOTEL PYRAMID HILL
TARNAGULLA POST OFFICE
SERPENTINE POST OFFICE
RAYWOOD MOTORS
WEDDERBURN NEWSAGENCY
WEDDERBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
WEDDERBURN FISH AND CHIPS
KARAT CAFE WEDDERBURN BENDIGO CENTRE NEWSAGENCY
DUNOLLY FRIENDLY GROCER GOLDEN SQUARE NEWSAGENCY
EAGLEHAWK NEWSAGENCY
WYCHEPROOF NEWSAGENCY KERANG IGA
F
bi R t H daY t H an K s
Gary Walsh chats with an enduring legend who keeps medals and cups out of sight
Susie’s sporting spirit
WHEN Susie Lockhart was at primary school, she was sent to the principal’s office after a shocking act in the playground.
Young Susie had dared to grab a footy during recess and have a kick.
Girls, it was made clear to her by the principal, did not play football.
Perhaps that’s why, almost a half a century on, Lockhart is not much of a fan of the AFLW competition and women’s football in general.
Her particular beef is the money being poured into women’s football at the expense of more established sports such as netball.
That makes AFLW about the only sport she doesn’t enjoy.
At 55, Susie Lockhart – netball player and coach, champion golfer, life-long tennis player and basketballer – is still at the heart of Wedderburn women’s sport.
This year she will take up duties as coach of the all-conquering Redbacks A Grade netball team, with second cousin Aliza as her assistant, as well as swapping roles and assisting Aliza in coaching the B Grade side.
There’s no guarantee she won’t put on a bib at some point for one of the lower-grade teams, given she played last year and has ‘retired’ more times than Nellie Melba.
“I’m pretty sure I have retired this time,” she told the Loddon Herald, with a strong note of uncertainty in her voice.
It seems unlikely for someone who has been synonymous with sport in Wedderburn for almost her whole life.
“Growing up we didn’t live far from a netball court, so I was always down there practising goals,” Lockhart said.
Her father Ian Hall was a prominent local footballer who also coached netball, and her mother Ruth is still winning bowls championships at 83.
It was almost pre-destined that Susie would love sport and be exceptional at it.
“There are more life lessons to be learned from sport than anything else,” she said.
“You have got to be a team player, to be humble in victory and a good sport after a loss. To play in a good spirit.”
After the false start on the primary school footy field, Lockhart focused on netball and tennis.
She played A Grade netball for Wedderburn at 15 and turned out regularly until she was 39, as well as being a North Central interleague representative.
At 38, she tore her ACL in a league semi-final. The team lost the grand final in her absence.
“That was a bit of a debacle,” Lockhart said.
“The ACL was in August, and I was back playing the next year by July. I had a brilliant recovery,
although I said at the time that if I had another ACL, I wouldn’t have an operation because it hurt so much.
“I didn’t have any physio. I was just keeping fit and running.”
Tennis was another sport Lockhart took up as a youngster, and she continues playing at pennant level with husband Tim in the Inglewood and District competition.
She also played A Grade pennant in the strong Bendigo association but stopped last year because of a transition to hard courts.
“You have really long rallies, and the ball keeps bouncing too high. I love the low bounce of a grass court.”
In Bendigo, she played for the ‘Lockhart’ team, because sides were named after the number one ranked player of the four team members.
The Lockhart team won “a few
grand finals at different times because I had the best number twos, threes and fours.
“I was the dud. That is a fact. I was the worst number one in the comp,” she said.
That, of course, must be taken with a grain of salt, given her rich crop of titles on the court.
Lockhart also played top grade basketball in summer for many years, from junior competition in Wedderburn through to adult basketball at St Arnaud.
“I just used to shoot goals, although I was pretty short,” she said.
However, basketball is off the agenda these days: “It’s embarrassing – I can’t run anymore.”
Golf, on the other hand, is one sport Lockhart came to relatively late.
She took up the game about 25 years ago after having had her four children: Meg, Nikki, Joe and Sam.
Lockhart is now captain of ladies’ golf at Wedderburn, a pennant player and twice a club champion, as well as a winner of both the scratch and handicap events in the Kara Kara Golf Association regional team tournament.
Her best off-the-stick score is 78 at Boort in a Kara Kara event, which she won. At Wedderburn, her best is 79.
Lockhart plays off a handicap of 15 at Wedderburn and has recently hit a pair of 86s for a nett 71 score.
A hole-in-one remains elusive: “I will have to keep trying.”
Not so surprisingly, she doesn’t have a lot of time to relax and watch TV.
She helps run the family farm, operates a catering business for events such as weddings and funerals as well as football and netball matches, and is a volunteer or an elected official on more
committees than you can possibly imagine.
“I see sport as keeping communities going,” she said, admitting to fears that kids no longer saw sport as a priority.
Sporting longevity and resilience are ingrained in Lockhart – keeping track of premierships, best-and-fairest awards and club championships … not so much.
Asked about her premiership wins, she seems puzzled that anyone would bother to care about keeping tabs.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m not sure. I don’t write them down and I don’t even want to, actually.”
It’s not false modesty. There’s no trophy cabinet bursting with medals and cups, although there could be.
There’s just genuine appreciation of what sport has given to someone who has given much more in return.
You have got to be a team player, to be humble in victory and a good sport after a loss - SUSIE LOCKHART
Tennis, netball and now golf ... Susie Lockhart
Demons stake top spot claim
CALIVIL has claimed a major scalp in its quest for the Bendigo bowls playing group’s Division 4 flag.
They had a comprehensive win over top side Bendigo on Saturday and now sit just nine points behind the ladder leader
INGLEWOOD
Inglewood’s Division 5 team came back to earth this week when they travelled to Campbell’s Creek, which has a strong side sitting second on the ladder.
After this defeat by 92 shots to 45, Inglewood is sixth on the table with three hard games left to play and lots still to play for.
Best rink on the day were Bill Concol, Doug Shay, Kath McNaught and John McClymont (skip) who lost by four shots.
The Division 1 team travelled to Castlemaine and fell to a 10-shotr loss on an afternoon of close results.
Two rinks were drawn and Inglewood won another by a single shot, with the 11-shot loss suffered on one rink the difference between the sides.
Inglewood is still only two points from fourth spot with three rounds to play.
Best rink was the team of Brendan Hopcott, Brett Jackson, Ian Chamberlain and Grant Jackson (skip) with their one-shot win.
The club championship was played last Friday evening with Lindsay Kelly defeating Grant Jackson 25-18 in an enthralling contest.
The score was tied on 18 late in the game before Kelly’s strong finish.
BRIDGEWATER
The Division 5 side travelled to play Bendigo in Barnard Street, where the greens were a little two-paced.
The team struggled to adjust and went down 111 shots to 49, with Bendigo taking all 18 points.
It was a disappointing result after last week’s win against Strathfieldsaye, with the best performing rink that of John Fagan, Bob Smith, Peter Short and Nick Saunders, which went
down by nine shots. The Goldfield side travelled back to New
stead to play Newstead White in hot conditions and ended up going down on the day, with Ian Clutton, Geoff Papworth, David Grant and Sue Miller winning their rink 16-12.
Overall, the team lost 78 shots to 44 and remains at the tail of the ladder without a win.
WEDDERBURN
The Division 1 pennant side lost narrowly to Donald Golf, 79 shots to 68.
The result sees Wedderburn third on the ladder with just one round to play before finals, in which the team is certain to appear.
The only winning rink was the team of Rob Guelfo, Alan Holt, Neale Holt and Alan Jackson.
In Division 2, Wedderburn triumphed 85-70 and climbing to the top of the ladder.
The best rink was the team of Ruth Hall, Bernard Catherine, Colin Mills and John Grant, which won by 27 shots.
INGLEWOOD bowls legend Geoff Wilson has added another piece of silverware to his bulging trophy cabinet.
Wilson teamed up with Bendigo bowler Sharon Koch to win the Bendigo Playing Area Mixed State Pairs title on Sunday. In a thrilling contest, they won 16 shots to 15, defeating Kangaroo Flat pairing Barry Hogan and Sheryl Howard.
The knockout tournament was played over two Sundays, with two rounds and quarter-finals on January 19 and the semi-final and final last weekend. Wilson and Koch sailed through the first two rounds, winning by 11 shots and nine shots, before a scare in a hard-fought quarter-final, which they won by a single shot. The Inglewood-Bendigo duo then won their semi-final 19-8 before their victory in the final.
Sandra Steel and Colin Mills roll up for Wedderburn. LH PHOTOS
Calivil’s Lindsay Gronow
Keith Richards and Barry Meighan help Calivil to a vital win at the weekend
Postle, Benaim make ’em sweat
IN STIFLING heat, Kingower was made to sweat for its win over Wedderburn Band in their twoday clash which confirmed the Gower will finish on top of the Upper Loddon senior ladder.
Resuming at 2-54 chasing a modest 138 for victory, Kingower batted steadily to reach 3-105 off 44 overs, with only skipper Jayden Leach having fallen on the day.
It took a stunning catch from veteran Danny Benaim off Band captain Will Holt to dismiss the competition’s highest run scorer for a restrained 19 off 64 balls when the score was 67.
Kyle Simpson joined Ben Rose, who was unbeaten last week on nine, and the scoring tempo improved.
While Rose (14 off 78 balls) held up his end, big-hitting Simpson looked to have guaranteed a Kingower win before he was fifth out for 40 off 60 deliveries with the score on 111.
Simpson and Rose’s 38-run partnership put their side on the cusp of victory, but the quick departures of Blake Pickles for a seven-ball duck and Lachlan Dejong for five had Wedderburn well and truly back in the game. A collapse of 4-13 saw Kingower reduced to 7-118, still needing 20 runs.
By GARY WALSH
Junior star Ryley Murphy came to the crease to join David Rose, who was on two, and smacked a four from the first ball he faced.
But Benaim and Adam Postle, defying their ages, were bowling beautifully as Kingower crept towards the target.
At the end of the 57th over, the Gower was level but then followed a tension-filled finale.
Will Holt replaced Benaim, who had taken 3-31 with his loopy spinners, and two maidens kept Kingower stuck fast on 137.
Postle, who had bowled tirelessly through 24 overs on top of the endless running involved in fielding at fine leg, bowled two more dot balls before Murphy, who had batted resolutely for nine overs, edged a ball through the slips cordon to the boundary.
Murphy’s 13 included three fours, while David Rose’s experience showed in the nervous last minutes as he soaked up 39 balls in making 12 not out.
Postle’s 3-35, in a marathon effort that saw him bowl nine maidens, was a tremendous feat in a losing cause.
The win ensures Kingower will enter the finals on top of the ladder and face the fourth-placed
BOORT YANDO appears certain to maintain its perfect record this season in Upper Loddon junior cricket, with the Magpies primed to win their two-day clash with Bridgewater.
The Bulls won the toss and decided to bat but could only manage to make 36 runs off 33.4 overs against remarkably tight bowling from Boort Yando.
Opener Connor Alexander, with four runs off 35 balls, was the Bulls’ highest scorer, with 18 extras comprising half of the team’s total.
Jake O’Flaherty was again outstanding with the ball, talking 3-3 off five overs. Seven bowlers took wickets, with Darby Perryman capturing 2-2.
In response, Boort Yando cruised to 1-22 from 10 overs, with star batsman Cooper Gooding looking ominous on 17 not out.
team in its first final, certain to be Boort Yando.
With three teams – Kingower, Wedderburn and Arnold – largely unchallenged as the best sides in the competition, top spot gives the Gower an apparently clear advantage in the chase for the grand final.
However, as Arnold showed last year when it finished last in a four-team competition and then went on to win both finals and the premiership, nothing is guaranteed.
Kingower has the bye for the next two weekends, as two-day clashes pit Boort Yando against Wedderburn and Bridgewater Bulls against Arnold in the season’s penultimate round. Bridgewater was forced to forfeit against Boort Yando for lack of players.
The two teams had agreed on a one-day match after the Bulls were unable to field a team on the first Saturday of the game, but Bridgewater again fell short on numbers.
The forfeit means the Bulls will finish last on the ladder, while Boort Yando will most likely face Kingower in the first week of the finals, although the Magpies may be able to sneak into third place if results fall their way.
SCOREBOARDS
Bryne b D. Perryman 2 J. Birthisel c F. Arnold b D. Perryman 2 I. Ferguson c L. Boyd b L. King 2 H. Kilby c S. McClelland b T. Zanker 1 V. Harrison c J. Malone C. Gooding 3 J. Harrison c T. Zanker b L. Boyd 0 N. Power not out 0
Extras 18
Total 10/36
0
1/22
Bowling: L. Lonsdale 5-2-5-1, C. Alexander 3-0-11-0, X. Power 2-0-6-0. Wedderburn v Kingower Wedderburn Innings B. Hartnell c M. Lonza b R. Murphy 1 S. Giorlando b T. Murphy 1 E. Sellick c J. Penrose b F. Lonza 33 B. Cramp c&b R. Murphy
Bowling: F. Arnold 5-2-7-0, J. O’Flaherty 5-2-3-3, O. Bryne 5-1-6-1, J. Malone 5-4-10, D. Perryman 3-1-2-2, T. Zanker 3-0-5-1, C. Gooding 4-2-2-1, S. McClelland 1-0-4-0, L. King 2-1-1-1, L. Boyd 0.4-0-0-1. Boort Yando O. Bryne b L. Lonsdale 1 L. Boyd not out 4 C. Gooding not out 17
Owen Byrne was the batsman to fall, bowled by Lewis Lonsdale for one.
Wedderburn Band’s batting woes continued, with the side dismissed for 75 –including a staggering 44 extras – against Kingower.
Edwin Sellick played a lone hand with a fine 33 including three fours and a six before caught off the bowling of Lonza who finished with 4-0.
Kingower motored to 1-90 off just 13 overs, with Tyler Murphy unbeaten on 43 after a 59-run opening partnership with Morgan Lonza, who made 30.
Beau Hartnell was the wicket-taker, but he also leaked runs, going to 43 runs from his
overs.
Kingower will be looking for an outright win when the match resumes on turf at
Hicks outlines league’s junior plans
FROM BACK PAGE
Another pillar of his new board will be to make the league an appealing prospect to nearby regional clubs that may be looking to change leagues, or are forced to do so.
A shake up of football in central Victoria is expected to happen in the coming years, and Hicks wants to see Loddon Valley positioned as a viable destination league.
Hicks was elected to his position at Monday night’s first meeting of the new board, which also assigned key roles to new members.
Glenn Catto has been elected as vicechair; Wayne Naughton will look after football operations and Shasta Maher will assist Amber Gibson with netball operations.
As for Hicks, his new position after
being vice-chair to Simon Tuohey will continue a long association with Loddon football.
“I played more than 250 games at Calivil – I was pretty average, and only about 20 were senior games, and then I went onto the committee,” he says.
After injury ended his football career, Hicks took up umpiring.
Hicks was Calivil club president in 2013 and 2014, before handing over the reins and focusing on umpiring.
“It was a good way of cutting club ties and giving the new president a fresh start.”
Hicks was still blowing the whistle occasionally last season, having given up full-time adjudicating after the 2023 season. “And I might even do the odd under 18 match this season if they’re short.”
KIngower’s Kyle Simpson hooks a boundary at Market Square. LH PHOTO
Loddon HERALD sport
Thursday FEBRUARY 6, 2025
KING RICHARD
HICKS HEADS UP LEAGUE BOARD
By GARY WALSH
RICHARD Hicks, the newly elected chair of the Loddon Valley Football Netball League, says his revamped board’s main priority is the junior football program.
And in a bold bid to keep community football healthy, the league in the coming season will introduce an informal under-12s competition, with kids taking the field at half-time in the seniors.
“We hope every club will field a team. I’m sure most will have a crack,” Hicks says, acknowledging that it was “a start” in strengthening and maintaining family connections with local clubs.
The lack of junior pathways has seen the powerful Bendigo Football League attract many teenage players from the Loddon region who would otherwise turn out for their home clubs.
“Parents think their darlings are too young for under-18s. Most leagues have Auskick but we’re in competition with the Bendigo league, which has under-9s, under-10s and under-12s,” Hicks says who was elected league chief on Monday night.
Something was needed to bridge the yawning gap between Auskick, which focused on primary school age children, and the Loddon Valley’s under 18 com-
Maiden Gully, which has not fielded a junior boys’ side for the past two seasons, is expected to rejoin the competition, while Newbridge is also hopeful of re-
For Hicks, it’s about making the league and its clubs sustainable.
Junior program focus for new league boss Richard Hicks.
Dogs boost their tall stocks
PYRAMID Hill has gone on a recruiting spree to deal with an issue that has plagued the Bulldogs for years – a lack of tall forwards.
The club, which finished runners-up last season to Marong, has also sought to address the loss of centre half-back Tom McGregor, the league’s best key defender.
Brothers Mitch and Jasper Cheesman are among the recruits expected to give the team more options in attack.
Mitch, a former Bulldog, returns after two years with Old Launcestonians in Tasmania, having kicked 78 goals in that time. He kicked 30 goals from 13 matches in 2022 with Pyramid Hill.
Jasper comes from University Blues in Melbourne, having played as a key forward in the under-19 team.
The new arrivals mean a new role for Zach Alford, the medium forward who has carried the attacking load in recent seasons.
“If you have a big, strong forward who can kick 50 to 60-plus goals, it goes a long way,” coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said.
Alford, who kicked 63 goals last season, would be mixing time as a “grunt midfielder” with forward line duties, Fitzpatrick said.
To help, the league will make the juniors a 16-a-side competition, placing less pressure on clubs to have large numbers of
He accepts that Marong and Maiden Gully, which have made attempts to change leagues in recent years, will eventually depart the Loddon Valley competition, although he says they will stay in the short term.
“The reality is that Marong and probably Maiden Gully will grow
too big for the league,” Hicks says. “One day, they will be looking for better opportunities in the Bendigo league.
“It’s a growing competition, and we’re a declining one.”
While that may sound ominous for the Loddon Valley league, Hicks is bullish about the future.
CONTINUED PAGE 27
Daniel Frame, recruited from Mt Pleasant, shapes as McGregor’s replacement as a key defender, while Ben Bisset, who has also joined from Mt Pleasant, will add to the forward stocks. He kicked 41 goals and was named in the Heathcote District team of the year last season.
Mitch Langan is yet another key forward, recruited from Noosa, while Zavier Ballis, from Cairns Saints will bring excitement as a running player.