PRESSURE is building on regional MPs to bury the State Government’s controversial new emergency services levy that lump farmers with a 186 per cent tax increase.
Legislation to start the tax from July 1 will be debated in the Legislative Council next week.
While Premier Jacinta Allan has vowed to negotiate with crossbenchers to pass the Bill, at least one Northern Victoria Region MP will oppose the tax.
One Nation’s Ricki Lee Tyrrell on Monday confirmed her opposition to the Government’s plans.
“I will not be supporting this bill. This is just another tax grab by the State Government that directly hits the hip pocket of regional Victorians,” she said.
“My office has been inundated with calls and emails from constituents throughout my electorate voicing their opposition to the new ESVF levy. Our farmers will be impacted more than most from this levy and regional communities will be hit hardest by a desperate and financially incompetent State Government.”
But Animal Justice Party’s Georgie Purcell and Greens MP in Western Victoria Region, Sarah Mansfield, both representing Loddon Shire communities in the Legislative Council, are yet to declare their stance on the levy that is being opposed by Loddon Shire Council and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation.
A spokesperson for Dr Mansfield said: “Dr Mansfield won’t be providing comment at this time.”
WHAT THE CROSSBENCHERS SAY ...
Ms Tyrrell will join with the Coalition in a bid to stop the tax that the Government wants to replace the current fire services levy. The change would almost double the amount added to rate notices and collected by local councils for the Government Liberal MP for Northern Victoria Region, Wendy Lovell, told the Loddon Herald: “The Liberal Party is opposing the Allan Labor Government’s big new tax that will hit farmers and regional Victorians the hardest, and in its first three years rip more than $2.1 billion in additional tax from the pockets of Victorian families who are already struggling with the cost of living.
“Labor’s new tax will be used
to fund government departments and other government agencies that have traditionally been funded from consolidated revenue, and is a ploy by Labor to funnel cash to government departments and hide their financial incompetence.
“The Liberal Party will oppose this bill outright. However, the Liberals will also move amendments to the bill, in case the Government gains enough support from the crossbench for the bill to pass.
“Those amendments would ensure that revenue raised could only be used to fund fire services and the SES, and would prohibit the Government using this revenue to fund departments within
Haylett raises farmer concerns after backing new tax Bill
FARMER concerns with the State Government’s new emergency services tax have been raised with Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes by Ripon MP Martha Haylett.
Despite voting in favour of the Government’s legislation when it passed the Legislative Assembly, Ms Haylett said: “I have received a flood of feedback about the proposed levy, especially from farmers across Ripon who are concerned with the disproportionate impact it may have on primary producers.
“Farmers across the Loddon Shire have faced floods, dry conditions, low commodity prices, and high interest rates in just the last two years alone. I know many farming families fear that the increased rates from the levy would be another blow to their ability to make ends meet.
“I share many of these concerns and have raised them directly with both the Premier and Treasurer.”
Ms Haylett said concerns put to Premier Allan included:
How the rate was determined and why it impacts farmers much more than those who live in rural and regional towns; Why the levy will be spent on public service roles, including Triple Zero and Forest Fire Management Victoria operations;
If the levy will be increased over time and interest applied if paid late;
If funds collected per local government area will be returned to emergency services in those areas,
How active volunteer will be defined, including if the volunteer must be an operational member.
the meaning of the Public Administration Act 2004. The Liberals will also move an amendment to cause the Government to report annually on: (a) the total amount of revenue raised from the levy in the financial year; (b) a breakdown of that amount by local government area and by land use classification ie residential; commercial; industrial; primary production; public benefit; vacant land and (c) the amounts distributed to each funding recipient from the revenue raised from the levy in the financial year.
“I am on the record as opposing this tax, and I have been working hard in the lead up to the debate to convince members of the crossbench to oppose it.”
International award for bacon
BOORT’S Arnold Family
Butchers overnight Tuesday was named platinum grand champions for its hickory and peppercorn bacon at the IFFA international competitions in Germany.
Owners Jye and Kristy Arnold accepted the award and also picked up the bronze medal in the Australian division of the competition for its boneless ham.
The family butchers has previously received Australian accolades for its smallgoods and in February was told it had qualified for the prestigious IFFA DFV International Quality Competition.
IFFA is regarded as the leading international trade fair for the meat and protein industry and is held every three years. It was first held as the International Meat Industry Exhibition at the Frankfurt exhibition centre in 1949.
Full report next week
NO: Ricki Lee Tyrrell - One Nation
Georgia PurcellAnimal Justice
Sarah Mansfield - Greens
Skaters head over heels at Hard Hill
THE concrete floor of Wedderburn’s Hard Hill pavilion is cleared of dust and leaves as rollerskaters arrive for their latest social session.
What started as a couple of friends out exercising a month ago, the rollerskating craze has blossomed and is attracting 20 children and adults to impromptu sessions.
“We’ve even had a girl come down from Wycheproof to join in,” said Tiffany Playdell.
Tiffany, who does derby skating in Bendigo, and Evie Derks came up with the idea of regular social sessions in Wedderburn.
“It’s fun and gets us out of the house to exercise,” Evie said.
“There’s been a fair bit of interest and we’re averaging four or five people at each
session ... no set times but Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings have been popular.
“We’re just a social group, nothing formal, although we do have the idea of forming our own club and finding a home.”
Tiffany said the search was on for a home. “At Hard Hill, we sweep away the dust and the leaves as they can be a hazard when rollerskating,” she said.
“We’re looking for somewhere with a smooth surface, concrete or timber, and perhaps indoors.
“We have tried the Donaldson Park carpark and the skate park at Charlton but that area is too small.:
Evie said: “We’ve already made new friends and it’s a good way to exercise.”
THE FORMER Inglewood Co-operative Service Station building was demolished on Tuesday morning. Loddon Shire workers moved onto the site before 8am to dismantle the 1950s brick building with new operations director Steve van Orsouw watching progress. The site on the corner of Brooke and Heales Streets became a community co-operative service station in the early 1990s with local residents volunteering to keep the business open. When the co-operative closed the business in the early 2000s, the land was handed over to Loddon Shire. Sources have told the Loddon Herald that the service station’s location on a dangerous Calder Highway bend had limited options. Draft streetscape concepts in recent years have included a garden on the corner. LH PHOTO
Alyssa Fisher, Evie Derks and Valerie Friend get skating tips from Tiffany Playdell. LH PHOTO
Adam judges sun and clouds to time Anzac flight
ADAM Wright charted the sun and clouds to time his traditional Anzac morning flyover for the Boort commemoration service.
It’s a tradition he has continued for more than a decade, describing the flight his contribution to the community and the memory of the Anzacs.
“Before Anzac Day, I also inspected the area to make sure there were no new towers or anything ahead of the flight that is made within aviation regulations,” he said.
“I plan my approaches, check the sun and the clouds and work out the run in ... the most critical part of the flight is timing to coincide with the service.”
Adam said his Anzac flyover continued a tradition started several decades ago.
“There were links between members of the RSL and the now-defunct flying club,” he said. “My involvement just evolved naturally.”
This year Adam made two flights - the usual trip over Boort and a second over Mysia three hours earlier where the firstever Dawn Service was held.
Adam worked as a commercial pilot in the region around Coober Pedy mustering stock and running scenic flights for tourists before coming south to live in Boort and farm at Borung.
“If I’m not in the workshop or on the farm, I’ll be flying somewhere,” Adam said.
He owned six planes, including the CH6 Nanchang used for the Anzac Day flyovers. “I usually try to head up flying two or three times a month,” he said.
“The biggest adventure I’ve ever had?
Flying a Tiger Moth back from Perth a few years ago. The trip took five days and is one that stays in the memory.”
Getting canola in before commemoration
WHEN you’re running the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, the family farm and Anzac Day in your hometown it’s hard to know which way to turn first.
Just ask Brett Hosking.
On Anzac Day Brett finished sowing his canola (“we really wanted to get it in before the promised rain”) at 2am and was in Quambatook in time to run the 8am service, which followed the local march.
He said there were around 70 people attending the commemorative service after the march along the town’s main street.
“That’s a pretty good turnout for the day, and once the marchers arrived I led the local service, which included a flag raising and The Ode,” Brett explained.
“This year we also had Ian Fisher as a speaker and he shared his experiences about visiting Gallipoli – where the whole Anzac story began – in the middle of last year,” he said. “After the formalities, the Quamby Lions club provided us with a ‘fair dinkum’ Gunfire Breakfast complete with barbecued bacon and egg rolls, with
coffee – and the occasional dash of rum –to keep us warm.”
Brett said you could not have scripted a better Anzac Day for rural Victoria.
He said everything was done and everyone had got home and then the rain started. “Later in the day the Quambatook district enjoyed a really welcome end to dry sowing with rainfall figures ranging from 25mm up to a very welcome 60mm – with most areas enjoying around the 40mm mark,” Brett added.
“Making Anzac Day about as good as it gets,” he said. “With some crop in the ground already this is a great start for our cropping season – as well as the opportunity to grow feed for those who are feeding livestock.
“On our place we have already sown our vetch and canola (it was the canola being finished at 2am on Friday to beat the forecast rain) and once the paddocks are dry enough to be trafficable for seeders and sprayers, we will get stuck into the lentils, wheat, barley and oats.”
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Adam Wright preparing for his flyovers on Anzac Day
THE PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE BIT BIT
Spreading shopping pitch
TRADERS in Inglewood’s Brooke Street are sharing the secrets of shopping in the historic town.
They have banded together promoting local shopping, history and fun facts in the latest push to further boost visitor numbers to the town.
“We had an informal meeting a few weeks ago - businesses in the main street - to talk about ways to grow the shopping experience and promote our town destination that has so much scope to attract more people,” said Inglewood Emporium’s Denise Gartside.
“We want to promote more visitors to Inglewood and naturally, more people buying in our local shops.”
Denise, Charlie Woodman of Carlie Clothing and Accessories, Maryanne Murdoch and Fusspots’ Catherine Norman have become leaders of the informal group.
“We’re not tied to any organisation, just local traders wanting to see a vibrant Inglewood,” they said.
The quartet is encouraging other businesses to be part of their online push through the Visit Inglewood social media page.
Charlie, who last year shifted his store south down the Calder Highway to Inglewood, said there had been strong visitation and support for businesses over the Easter period.
“We hope that with a mix of awareness through local promotion and spreading the word beyond Inglewood and the Loddon Shire that people will make a trip to town in the winter months,” he
said. “We open for business and we’re sharing the message that Inglewood is a great place to stop and shop.”
Maryanne said her rustic creations had been a hit with people travelling through town over the past month.
“People are stopping and looking. There’s so much more they can do and we think the Visit In-
glewood social page will add to awareness and engagement for this historic part of the Loddon,” Maryanne said.
According to Denise, the recent Easter weekend and the visit of hundreds of enthusiasts driving their streetrods had injected enthusiasm and vigour into Brooke Street.
“We’re just four local business
5G upgrades at two towns next week
TELSTRA will start 5G mobile network upgrades in Serpentine and Wedderburn from Monday.
In Serpentine from Monday to Wednesday there will be disruptions to the mobile service with restoration at the end of each day.
From May 19 to May 22: No Telstra mobile coverage from this site. The Telstra mobile network will be restored at the end of the day on May 22. On May 23 and 24: Interruptions to the mobile network during the day only for the call testing and integration of the mobile network
In Wedderburn from Monday to next Friday there will be no mobile coverage from this site. The Telstra mobile network will be restored at the end of the day Friday. May 17 and 18: Interruptions to the mobile network during the day only for call testing and integration of the mobile network.
owners working together, united, doing our bit to promote the shops and the town,” she said.
“Inglewood is on the Calder Highway and we know there’s so much here ... the eucalyptus museum is another gem ... that we can help sell what’s on offer to visitors and encourage people to stop, hop out of the cars and explore our shops and history.”
Regional general manager for northern and western Victoria Steve Tinker said: “Bringing 5G to the area is a major mobile milestone. It will deliver higher speeds and capacity to the region, meaning faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion.
“Some disruption is required while the upgrade is underway,” he said.
RESIDENTS at Inglewood and Districts Health Service had their first taste of the new Maggie Bear Foundation meals at breakfast yesterday. Kristel Kelly, Amy Hall and Maddy Lamprell were in the kitchen with the foundation’s senior chef trainer Michael Nam preparing home-style baked beans to be served with scrambled eggs and bacon. LH PHOTO
OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Denis Gartside, Maryanne Murdoch, Charlie Woodman and Catherine Norman. LH PHOTO
SHEEP AND LAMBS
SUPPLY lifted again at Bendigo amid the on-going dry weather.
Monday saw 13,700 lambs and 7630 sheep for a yarding that increased 8000 head on a week ago.
Prices retreated again for all categories. Not all buyers participated or operated fully and the intensity that was in the market in those short public holiday weeks either side of Easter was not evident today. Lamb prices did perform around quality and weight.
The best lambs eased $8 to $10, but there was gaps in processor demand for mixed lambs in the 22-28kg cwt range and some of these categories averaged $25/ head cheaper compared to the strong sale of a week ago.
The best quality lambs and those with weight trended from 800c to 860c/kg cwt, while the general run of trades ranged from 750c to 800c/kg cwt.
The price roller-coaster for sheep played on. After big gains last Monday heavy sheep were $30 to $50/head cheaper again while trade and light mutton
gave back $15 to $25/head. Fed lambs with good fat cover and weight still attracted the best demand. Limited pens of export lambs over 30kg cwt from $256 to a top of $294/head.
Once under 28kg cwt bidding tended to be more hit and miss.
The main run of heavy lambs, 26-30kg cwt, varied from $200 to $255/head. Best heavy trades $191 to $222/head. This was followed by the general run of mixed trades at $162 to $200/ head, with the estimated average for the main run of 22-24kg cwt crossbreds at 795c/kg cwt. Light lambs gave back $5 to $10 and there was more sales to feeders at $140 to $173/head for lambs with frame size to go onto grain. Smaller mixed lambs mostly $80 to $130/head.
There was a couple of laneways of handy trade Merino lambs in this sale, the best $175 to $206/ head at a ballpark 730c to 750c/ kg cwt.
Mutton was significantly cheaper again on a yarding that didn’t quite have the weight or finish of last week - more light
sheep appearing. Heavy ewes and wethers with fat cover still sold at the best at $156 to a top of $224/head for pens with a big wool rebate. Heavy mutton tracked either side of 600c/kg cwt.
Most trade and light sheep ranged from 420c to 570c/kg cwt at $90 to $140/head; very light ewes $50 to $80/head.
SHORN LAMBS
Colin Graham Family Trust Arnold (19) $270. Everdry Pty Ltd Moama (12) $256. JJ & JL Wright Charlton (21) $240. AJ & JL Rinaldi Logan (44) $238. R & B Pascoe Elmore (52) $233. Bilyana Pastoral Co Bridgewater (27) $207. RL Turner Spring Hill (67) $200. N Harvey Nagambie (51) $192.
CROSSBRED LAMBS
PA Condely Lake Meran (25) $294. Somerville Feeds Tragowel (46) $280. J Blackmore
Alexandra (21) $270. Potters Hillside Pty Ltd Barraport (62) $270. GJ & DA Turnbull Dumosa (12) $269. McRae Oaks Gre Gre (126) $262. Gredgport Holdings Quambatook (65) $262. Nichol Trading Rochester (17) $260. BJ & TA Phillips Mitiamo (82) $258. Ilfracombe Donald (26) $256. B & V Crozier Cobaw (18)
Order of sales next week: Nutrien, Nuttall, McKean McGregor, Elders, Nevins.
Containment areas a tool in effective feed, water management
AGRICUILTURE Victoria is encouraging livestock producers to consider effective stock containment strategies to help maintain core herd or flock numbers and support pasture recovery.
With many Loddon farmers hand-feeding and buying in feed, Agriculture Victoria’s land management extension officer Kerri
Goschnick said dry seasonal conditions and limited rainfall continue to place pressure on grazing operations, impacting pasture growth and causing bare ground across many paddocks. ‘Stock containment refers to confining livestock in designated areas, where farmers can effectively manage feed, water and shelter.
‘This allows farm paddocks to rest until an autumn break causes pastures to recover and withstand livestock grazing.
‘Stock containment doesn’t necessarily require a complicated system; it can be as simple as a sacrifice paddock with good quality water and access for feeding.” according to Ms Goschnick.
Roo harvest ‘can help drought land’
FARMERS want an increase in kangaroo harvest quotas to reduce pressure on fragile pastures and water supplies as drought conditions worsen in Victoria.
The quota push is among latest requests to the State Government for drought support measures and follows calls earlier this year by Newbridge professional shooter Glen Cole to lift roo harvest numbers to help disaster-hit land recovery.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation push is part of its call to the State Government to ramp up drought support measures as farmers across the state face worsening conditions and the real threat of business failure.
The VFF also wants:
An increase and expansion of the Drought Support Package currently targeted at south-west Victoria to include central Victoria, South Gippsland, and West Gippsland, where drought conditions have intensified;
Increased and extended funding for the Farm Business Resilience Program to strengthen farm preparedness for future droughts;
Additional funding for rural financial counselling services to support farm businesses; and State and Commonwealth investment in strategic water infrastructure projects.
AUCTION - SEBASTIAN
OCCASIONAL SERIES: IN OUR BACKYARDS
Reeling
IN AN old shipping container and a cramped ramshackle shed in Wedderburn, in the heart of the Loddon Valley, things of rare beauty are being crafted. Geoffrey Tripcony makes fishing rods, but not any old sort of rods. These are classics of their kind.
Geoffrey turned to making rods part-time after an horrific car accident in 2013 meant he was unable to work. He did a rodmaking course, found some mentors and suppliers and got to business, despite his injuries. “I was like the Black Knight from Monty Python,” he said. “It’s only a flesh wound.”
Custom Rods was set up in 2015, with clients mainly sourced by word of mouth. There’s no such thing as buying off the shelf. Geoffrey sets up a face-to-face meeting with people looking for a hand-made rod, and over the course of an hour-and-a-half or so gets to know all about them. What kind of fish were they chasing? Did they fish from a riverbank or a tinny? Did they use a lure or bait? This gentle interrogation informs the kind of rod that clients will end up with. People tell him they are happy with a favourite rod. He tells them he wants to make a rod they will choose every time from their rack.
Making a custom rod takes time, and Geoffrey admitted he might only earn $15 an hour given the work that went into fashioning a rod from scratch. He refurbishes treasured rods, charging from $300-500, while his custom range is priced from $395 to more than $600. Now he might make five a month, driving a taxi in Bendigo to supplement the income from his labour of love.
By GARY WALSH
Geoffrey’s physical and mental rehabilitation continues.
Last year he entered the iconic Wycheproof King of the Mountain race, which involves hoisting a 60-kilogram wheat bag onto your shoulders and taking on a one-kilometre course up the world’s official shortest mountain – all 42 metres of it. “I wanted not to kill myself, and I wanted to finish,” he said. “I’m still here, and I finished the race.”
Last year, I wrote another piece on Geoffrey ... a man of hidden talents, a big man who looks much younger than his 56 years and with the scars from being a bull rider.
His right hand has a broad scar from a bull’s horn that looks like a river delta from above. And he tells you some of his stories.
Tripcony didn’t start bull riding until he was 31, an age when many are choosing – or are forced – to retire from the sport.
Over the next 20 years, he says he spent 15 years taking part in competitions.
He entered rodeos in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, won the event one year at the infamous Deniliquin Ute Muster, and appeared in a bull riding competition at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne when the tennis court was covered over with dirt for a rodeo fit for city slickers.
In 2013, he was sitting in a Mercedes van parked on the side of the road in Melbourne when a 20-tonne truck slammed into the van’s rear. He survived and today it’s Wedderburn where he quietly works away on fishing rods.
INGLEWOOD’S main street is famed not only for its authentic gold era streetscape but also for its antiques and collectables shops.
Among the thousands of items lining the shelves, spread on the floor or squirreled away in corners are objects of desire that puzzle as much as they appeal.
At Inglewood Emporium, owner Denise Gartside showed the Loddon Way one of the unusual treasures she has picked up along the way.
It’s a large green metal bin with a removable circular lid and finely decorated with scrolls and pinstriping.
This particular item came from South Australia, dates from the early 1900s, and has a tangential
link with her shop’s original purpose as a provisions merchant. “It sold picks and shovels and supplies to farmers and townspeople,” Denise said.
“And this is a big storage bin for grain.
“There would have been a row of them each with a different grain, or mixed like this one, and the shopkeeper would have measured out the amount the customer wanted, weighed it on a set of scales and put it in a paper bag.”
The bin looks like a giant version of the tins of tea, coffee, sugar and other consumables that sat on shelves in every Australian kitchen in years past. Just imagine what intriguing gems you can discover in the cornucopia of shops along Inglewood’s Brooke St.
Denise Gartside shares the history of the green bin at Inglewood Emporium
The rod that catches ... made by Geoffrey Tripcony. LH PHOTO
UNDER 18
SENIORS
BL Serpentine
3.1 5.3 8.3 9.5 (59)
Pyramid Hill 5.4 8.7 10.11 14.15 (99)
GOALS - BL Serpentine: J. Mellington 3, J. Murley, L. Crawford, A. Brohm, J. Laird, D. Nihill, N. Twigg. Pyramid Hill: B. Bisset 3, Z. Alford, B. Knight, B. Carroll, S. Gunther 2, K. Daniels, H. Goodes, M. Cheesman.
BEST - BL Serpentine: H. Gadsden, N. Twigg, J. Laird, A. Gladman, F. Priest, C. Draper. Pyramid Hill: B. Carroll, A. Hildebrandt, L. Sidebottom, S. Gunther, D. Morison, D. Frame. Mitiamo 2.4 4.8 7.11 11.17 (83) Maiden Gully 3.0 9.0 11.5 15.5 (95)
GOALS - Mitiamo: B. Baines 5, S. Wright 3, B. Laird, L. Shiell, R. Duncan. Maiden Gully: T. James 5, M. Hill 3, A. Monfries, D. Russell 2, T. Jackson, M. Crooks, K. Franzini.
BEST – Mitiamo: Z. Morrison, L. Lougoon, D. Thomas, M. Gilmour, B. Baines, R. Duncan. Maiden Gully: M. Hill, T. James, E. Crisp, A. Robins, N. Murley, B. Franzini.
GOALS – Bridgewater: O. McKinley 4, L. Sharp, A. Powell 2, H. McKinley, B. Alexander. Marong: N. Devanny 3, K. Robins, M. Bradbury, R. Taylor 2, K. Thomson, J. Davis, B. Gregg, T. Davies, L. Lee, D. Johnstone, J. Ede, J. McCaig. BEST – Bridgewater: O. McKinley, H. McKinley, J. Neylon, O. Watt, J. Martyn, B. Derrick. Marong: N. Devanny, M. Bradbury, J. Gadsden, M. Willox, B. Gregg, J. Gretgrix.
GOALS – Newbridge: B. Schilling 3, T. Constable, B. McKinley, C. Meeks. Inglewood: S. Erharter 7, L. Marciano 6, B. Cotchett, D. Polack 2, B. Napier, K. Cavallaro, T. Hywood. BEST – Newbridge: C. Sanders, W. Copland, R. Cathie, K. Friswell, J. Zimmer, D. Lloyd. Inglewood: L. Matheson, B. Cotchett, L. Marciano, S. Erharter, F. Payne, B. Napier.
16
RESERVES
BL Serpentine
(32)
Pyramid Hill 2.3 5.4 6.9 8.10 (58)
GOALS - BL Serpentine: D. Niemann 3, T. Paterson. Pyramid Hill: R. Pollock 5, M. Dingwall 2, B. Reaper.
BEST - BL Serpentine: T. Paterson, B. Younghusband, A. Edwards, O. Amy, D. Young, B. Roy-Clements. Pyramid Hill: J. Simpson, B. Moon, G. Quinn, B. Reaper, D. A’Vard, R. Mitchell. Newbridge 5.4 (34) Inglewood 9.10 (64)
GOALS – Newbridge: O. Friswell 2, J. Dawkins 2, B. Passalaqua. Inglewood: M. Rowe, T. Kendal, J. Stokes 2, L. Harris, A. Lister, J. Rouse. BEST – Newbridge: C. Hoye, O. Friswell, J. Dawkins, C. Van Aken, J. Murray, I. Formentera. Inglewood: L. Harris, J. Barnett, S. Polack, M. Rowe, T. Stevenson, H. Bogaski. Mitiamo 1.0 1.2 5.3 8.4 (52) Maiden Gully 3.5 7.8 9.11 10.14 (74) GOALS – Mitiamo: J. Rasmussen, J. Pianto 2, L. Shiell, D. Mitchell, R. Ramskill, C. Milne. Maiden Gully: K. Kerrison, T. Lang, R. Crothers, T. Baker 2, E. Hunter, J. Thompson. BEST – Mitiamo: D. Baldwin, S. Baldwin, L. Carter, C. Milne, B. Stanford, A. Lloyd. Maiden Gully: E. Hunter, B. Burke, T. Martin, H. Leech, K. Kerrison, R. Crothers. Bridgewater 3.6 (24) Marong 13.13 (91)
GOALS – Bridgewater: K. Henery, M. Baxter, C. Hindle. Marong: C. Hale 5, Z. Turnbull, S. De Napoli 3, Z. Justice, P. Gretgrix. BEST – Bridgewater: T. Naughton, C. Hindle, J. Higgins, H. Symons, Z. Hoiles, J. McKinley. Marong: C. Hale, B. Stewart, P. Gretgrix, F. Stewart, H. Baker, L. Hale.
Marong 4 4 0 0 0 386.92 16
Inglewood 4 3 1 0 0 176.87 12
GOALS - East Loddon: F. Clymo 6, T. Rasmussen 4, L. James, A. Addlem 2, K. Maxted, T. Tweed, M. Gray, T. Smith, J. Verley. Pyramid Hill: T. Pritchard.
BEST - East Loddon: L. James, F. Clymo, R. Demeo, T. Rasmussen, T. Tweed, J. Verley. Pyramid Hill: T. Pritchard.
Maiden Gully
Inglewood
(88)
(57)
GOALS – Maiden Gully: L. Hancock 5, L. Budge, N. Hadden 3, J. Wittingslow 2, O. Bowman. Inglewood: M. Pickering 5, K. McClellan 3, T. Murphy.
BEST – Maiden Gully: L. Budge, H. Carter, O. Taylor, N. Hadden, J. Wittingslow, J. Beagley. Inglewood: T. Lovett, E. McCoy, W. Schepers, R. Murphy, J. Penrose, T. Murphy.
Bridgewater
Marong 3.4
(22)
(122)
GOALS – Bridgewater: H. Clapp, Z. Morton, S. Hewett-Scull. Marong: R. Doorty 4, C. Dudderidge 3, W. Thomson, H. Bennett, L. Henson 2, J. Frankel, M. O’Donnell, J. Taylor, R. McNamara, J. Gribble.
BEST – Bridgewater: T. Woodhatch, R. Hobbs, L. Lonsdale, H. Daldy, T. Fraser, D. Cullen. Marong: M. O’Donnell, W. Thomson, J. Taylor, R. McNamara, R. Kleehammer, C. Dudderidge.
smith, J. Sheridan, B. Hollis, B. Krause.
GOALS – Birchip Watchem: M. Berry, N. Ryan, C. Lee. Calder United: H. Senior 4, A. Forrester 3, H. Connolly, G. Forrester, T. Trewin, D. Kelly 2, R. Jones, B. Forrester, S. Kelly.
BEST – Birchip Watchem: M. Rickard, B. Colbert, E. Rickard, A. Noonan, R. Hogan, J. Woods. Calder United: T. Trewin, J. Bish, B. Forrester, H. Connolly, H. Senior, J. Morrison.
GOALS – Boort: M. Beattie 4, A. Cockerell, H. Weaver 3, C. O’Rourke, C. Ross 2, W. Toose, A. Chamberlain, F. Millar, N. Scott. Sea Lake Nandaly: Z. Wemyss.
BEST – Boort: M. Beattie, A. Chamberlain, C. Ross, H. Weaver, A. Cockerell, F. Millar. Sea Lake Nandaly: H. Pitchford, T. Griffiths, J. Cox, B. Allan, N. Wight, W. Landry.
GOALS – Wedderburn: C. Lang 3, R. McHugh, C. Hargreaves 2, L. Last, J. Turnbull, M. Lockhart. Charlton: E. Needs 5, A. Johnstone 3, T. Salmon 2.
BEST – Wedderburn: A. Younghusband, R. Tonkin, R. McHugh, S. Carroll, L. Last, C. Lang. Charlton: J. Zagame, E. Needs, B. Roberts, C. Boyle, T. Bates, A. Johnstone.
NORTH CENTRAL
SENIORS
St Arnaud
Donald
GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Kirwood 5, S. Driscoll 3, S. Holroyd, S. Male 2, M. Hungerford, D. Schilder, H. Durward, L. Jackson. Donald: R. Walker 3, K. Green, B. Arho, B. Arho, L. Rice.
BEST - St Arnaud: J. Kirwood, Z. Phillips, S. Holroyd, M. Egan, S. Driscoll, J. Needs. Donald: D. Pearce, L. Rice, D. Bell-Warren, K. Green, R. Walker, C. Vandendriest.
Wedderburn
Charlton
(25)
GOALS – Wedderburn: O. Holt 4, D. Jackson 3, M. Smith, J. Lockhart, N. Furlong, J. McEwen 2, J. Hall, H. Lockhart, Z. Pallpratt, I. Holt, M. McEwen. Charlton: M. Heenan 2, S. Zagame, B. Lanyon.
BEST – Wedderburn: H. Lockhart, J. McEwen, Z. Pallpratt, M. McEwen, M. Robinson, D. Jackson. Charlton: B. Lanyon, E. Fitzpatrick, J. Thompson, B. Xiriha, M. Collins, M. Heenan.
Birchip Watchem
Calder United
– Birchip Watchem: O. Cook, N. Dean, B. Perry, K. Hamilton. Calder United: M. Fawcett, T.
(28) BEST - St Arnaud: B. Donald, T. Medlyn, C. Chaplin, R. Leach, F. Donald, C. Zander. Donald: J. Borden, J. Reilly, O. Brennan, H. Funcke.
(43)
(55)
BEST - Wedderburn: S. Piazza, T. Blair, A. Smith, O. Huismann, B. Cramp. Charlton: J. Chamberlain, I. Bourke, M. Fitzpatrick, X. Good, O. Burr, S. Zagame.
(60)
- Boort: C. Gooding, B. McPherson, F. O’Rourke, R. Wagner, C. Hird, C. Gould. Sea Lake Nandaly: C. O’Sullivan, B. Allan, N. McClelland, R. Hender, J. Hedley, C. Kelly.
(89)
(87)
GOALS – Birchip Watchem: N. Rippon 4, T. Gibson, R. Conboy, J. Reid 2, D. Bell, M. Buchanan, J. Lee. Calder United: K. Lloyd, J. Humphreys 3, R. Smith, S. Kennedy, D. Watts, M. Farmer, J. Marlais, K. Hommelhoff, C. Fawcett.
BEST – Birchip Watchem: M. Buchanan, N. Rippon, D. Hinkley, R. Conboy, H. Hosking. Calder United: Z. Keighran, J. Humphreys, R. Smith, D. Watts, J. Walsh, D. Putt.
Boort
Sea Lake Nandaly
(70)
GOALS – Boort: J. Baddeley-Kelly 4, E. Coleman 2, R. McGhie, T. Potter, C. Egan, J. Fitzpatrick, J. Dick. Sea Lake Nandaly: T. Cox 3, J. Jenkins, M. Cahoon 2, T. Mckenzie.
BEST – Boort: K. Wilson, R. McGhie, M. Austin, J. Dick, T. Potter, K. Jaksic. Sea Lake Nandaly: T. Cox, T. Donnan, W. Donnan, J. McMahon, J. Poulton, M. Cahoon.
UNDER 14
– Birchip Watchem: W. Ryan, A. Tyler, D. Tyler, J. Coffey, E. Dean. Calder United: D. Polzin, M. Beattie, V. Harrison, H. Humphreys.
– Boort: T. Broad, N. Howe, A. Lee, L. Lanyon, T. Trinchi.
Lake Nandaly: H. Cox, B. Barry, R. Allan, F. Austerberry, M. Conlan, G. Durie.
BEST - St Arnaud: F. Wilson, C. Baldwin, P. Zsigmond, D. Kirk, R. Batters. Donald: S. Mortlock, M. Reilly, N. Clapham, L. Hitihamillage, D. Clapham, J. Italia.
BEST – Wedderburn: J. Read, J. Dierickx, C. Gault, B. Cramp, Z. Polkinghorne. Charlton: O. McPhee, C. Dixon, J. Bartlett, I. Roberts.
GOALS - St Arnaud: J. Kell 4, H. McNally, J. McKenny, J. Hicks 2, Z. Notting, S. Elliott, C. Leach, R. Burke. Donald: B. Krause, J. Sheridan.
BEST - St Arnaud: J. McKenny, B. Greenaway, R. Burke, J. Hicks, Z. Notting, J. Kell. Donald: W. Noble, T. Reekie, S. Gold-
LODDON VALLEY
Leading ladies: three made
GILLIAN Tweddle and Thelma Moresi have been honoured with life membership of the Boort Bowls Club while Ruth Hall on Friday night was given the same honour by Wedderburn.
Both Gillian and Thema joined the club in 1988, and both have served in administrative roles as well as winning numerous titles on the greens.
Gillian has been club president and spent 11 years on the regional board including being elected to the presidency.
She has won four pennant titles as a player, taken out the club fours seven times and the club championship twice.
Gillian also won the 60-plus state pairs with Roma Cain in 2015-2016 at NCPA level.
Thelma won the ladies’ B grade championship in 1993-94 and has been part of five mid-week and Saturday pennant victories.
Her list of achievements is impressive – 10 club singles titles, singles Champion of Champions twice, 12 club pairs championships along with two Champion of Champions awards, 15 club fours titles and three-time Champion of Champions.
Thelma has also made successful regional representative teams numerous times.
Off the green, among her roles
life members
has been 22 years on the match committee, 19 years as publicity officer and ladies’ tournament secretary for 12 years.
WEDDERBURN Bowling Club legend Ruth Hall has been awarded life membership, joining her husband Ian Hall in achieving
WEDDERBURN GOLF CLUB
FAMILY FUN PARTICIPATION
CLINICS
award on Friday
the accolade. Ruth in February won the Champion of Champions trophy for North Central bowls, the pinnacle of her sporting career. She joined the club in 1990 and won her first championship in 1994-95, taking out the ladies’ pairs with Wilma Andrews.
HOCKEY
FRIDAY 2, 9 AND 16 MAY NDTHTH
4PM-5:30PM
BBQ
PROVIDED EACH SESSION
Come and Try Golf at Wedderburn Golf Club. 4 Sessions available. Come for one or come for them all. Equipment provided. No experience required. Come and have some fun learning a new skill. All Ages and lots of Fun activities.
To register https://www.golf.org.au/getintogolf/ More information: Carolyn - 0418 948 344
Ruth won the pairs again the following year and has notched up 11 wins in that category. She collected the club championship for the first time in 1990-2000, with 12 other victories to follow.
And that’s not all – add nine club triples titles, nine fours champion wins, 10 handicap singles titles, and the mixed pairs with her husband in 2023-24. Ruth has also served in various club roles off the rinks, which makes her life membership “well deserved and well overdue”, as the club citation read.
Men - Boort 8 d Sea Lake Nandaly 0. St Arnaud 1 lost to Donald 2. Wedderburn 4 d Charlton 1. Calder Bye.
Ladder: Calder United 9, Donald 6, St Arnaud 7, Wedderburn 7, Boort 6, Sea Lake Nandaly 0 Charlton 0. Women - Boort 10 d Sea Lake Nandaly 0. St Arnaud 2 d Donald 0. Wedderburn 1 lost to Charlton 4. Calder United Bye.
Ladder: Calder United 9, St Arnaud 12, Charlton 6, Boort 6, Wedderburn 3, Donald 0, Sea Lake Nandaly 0.
Underage - Boort 8 d Sea Lake Nandaly 0. St Arnaud 6 d Donald 0. Birchip Watchem 0 drew Calder United 0. Charlton Bye. Ladder: Charlton 9, St Arnaud 6, Donald 6, Calder United 4, Sea Lake Nandaly 3, Birchip Watchem 4, Boort 3. Under 12 - Boort 0 lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 1. St Arnaud 7 d Donald 1. Wedderburn 0 lost to Charlton 1. Birchip Watchem 3 d Calder United 2.
Ladder: Charlton 12, Birchip Watchem 9, St Arnaud 9, Calder United 9, Sea Lake Nandaly 4, Boort 3, Wedderburn 1, Donald 0.
Wedderburn in action against Charlton on Saturday. LH PHOTO
WITH the first tinge of green grass poking through the ground, six players took part in at Saturday’s stableford competition in Boort.
Grant Tooth topped the leaderboard with an impressive 40 points, while Peter Eicher was only one behind in second place. Battling out for the remaining prize in the ball pool, Stuart Tweddle edged out Graeme Ball.
In the nearest the pins, Grant, Peter and Julie Wilson all scored one each, with Stuart picking up the remaining two. This
week will see the postponed Digger’s Day event held on the Saturday, with a 14-hole Ambrose kicking off at 1pm.
Wedderburn
Eight players teamed up for a day of 2 on 2 golf at Wedderburn on Saturday. Top scorers for the day were K and G Bird with a combined score of 69 points, K Bird was the overall winner with the highest score of 37, K Lewis came in close behind with a score of 35. Nearest to pin was the 13th hole.
Wedderburn’s Ruth Hall after the
(left) and Boort’s Gillian Tweddle and Thelma Moresi
Four quarters of Roos consistency
MITIAMO’S storming start to the A Grade netball season has continued with an 80-25 thumping of Maiden Gully.
The unbeaten Superoos were remarkably consistent on the day, scoring 21 goals in the first quarters, 19 in the second quarter, and 20 in each of the third and fourth terms.
That evenness pleased coach Abbey Battersby most.
“In the last couple of weeks, we have dropped off in the last quarter and run out of puff,” she said.
“This week we said at threequarter time, let’s keep them to 30 goals, and we held them to 25 so we were really pleased with that.”
Battersby said it was impossible to single out individuals in a match in which everyone played their part.
“Our pressure was really good, and we were able to move the ball really well,” she said.
“It was so hard to give incentives on Saturday.”
Mitiamo faces bottom of the ladder Inglewood this week, and the challenge will be to keep the team focused and motivated in a match the Superoos will be expected to win by a large margin.
Although early in the season, four teams appear to be breaking away from the pack. Mitiamo, Bridgewater, Pyramid Hill and Newbridge all appear strong chances to secure finals places, with Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Marong looking likely to fight out the last spot on the top five.
Pyramid Hill travelled to Serpentine and came home with a 20-goal win.
The Bulldogs skipped out to a seven-goal lead at half-time and increased the margin at every change.
Pyramid Hill’s defence was able to keep the Bears’ star goaler Ava Francis under reasonable control,
which went a long way towards securing the win.
Coach Chelsea Emmerson said her coaching group put a lot of time into quelling Francis’ influence, along with that of centre Danielle O’Toole.
She said goal keeper Aleesha Flanagan and goal defence Abbey Dingwall teamed well to put pressure on Francis, with assistance from mid-court players.
The Bulldogs are at home to Bridgewater on Saturday in what shapes as a pivotal clash, with the teams sitting second and third on the ladder.
Both have played Bears Lagoon Serpentine this season, with the Mean Machine losing a hardfought match in round one by two goals.
At home, Bridgewater was too strong for Marong despite missing key players, winning 67-42 in a powerful attacking performance.
With last season’s league best-
and-fairest winner Carly Van Den Heuvel absent, the Mean Machine was still able to hold its opposition to a losing score.
Co-coach Caz Wood was also missing from her usual spot as centre, with Lucy Sharp taking her place. Wing attack Olivia Hoiles and goal shooter Danniele Flood continued their good form for Bridgewater.
Newbridge outclassed Inglewood 52-22, with goal attack Abbi Wells again a standout for the Maroons.
Goal shooter Kym Childs scored 42 goals, and wing attack Rachel Pettifer also had a strong outing.
Winless Inglewood again struggled to score, with the last quarter the Woodies’ best with nine goals. Last season’s best-and-fairest Abbey Hayes was one of the team’s standouts, switching between three roles – centre, wing defence and wing attack – as Inglewood battled to find its ideal combination on the day.
Opponents starved of opportunity
WEDDERBURN and Boort continue to dominate the North Central netball league competition, with both clubs undefeated in A Grade this season.
The Redbacks defensive zone has been a fortress in 2025, giving up only 108 goals in four rounds.
Saturday’s defeat of Charlton typified the season for Wedderburn, which won 47-26 on its home court.
The Redbacks have not been racking up notably high scores themselves, with 202 goals to their credit. but their ability to deny the opposition the ball and scoring opportunities has been outstanding.
A slow start saw Wedderburn behind by two goals at the first change of ends against Charlton.
However, the Redbacks strangled Charlton’s attacks for the rest of the match, scoring 22 goals to 10 after half-time.
Wedderburn coach Susie Lockhart said Charlton’s goal shooter
Chloe Walsh was dominant early when her teammates were fresh, with the Redbacks at the same time missing numerous chances in attack.
A few positional changes, including giving both Sophie Cockerell and Alice Hubbard time matching up on Walsh, helped to steady the Redbacks, and their fitness was crucial in the result.
Lockhart said her mid-court players were Wedderburn’s best, with the pressure they exerted on opponents proving to be matchwinning.
The Redbacks face Birchip Watchem this week, with Lockhart anticipating a tight tussle and looking forward to the battle between Maddi Postle at goal defence and the Bulls’ Khiana Brooks at goal attack.
Both are former league bestand-fairest winners, so their clash will go a long way to deciding the winners.
Boort has been scoring more freely than the Redbacks, with
A Grade
Bridgewater 14, 35, 49, 67, (67) d Marong 9, 18, 31, 42, (42). BL Serpentine 10, 22, 31, 40, (40) lost to Pyramid Hill 17, 31, 46, 60, (60).
Newbridge 17, 28, 40, 52, (52) d Inglewood 6, 8, 13, 22, (22). Mitiamo 21, 40, 60, 80, (80) d Maiden Gully 5, 12, 22, 25, (25).. Mitiamo 12
NORTH CENTRAL
Birchip Watchem 12, 21, 37, 45, (45) d Calder United 11, 27, 35, 44, (44). Wedderburn 7, 25, 34, 47, (47) d Charlton 9, 16, 22, 26, (26). Boort 10, 19, 34, 47, (47) d Sea Lake Nandaly 15, 23, 29, 37, (37). St Arnaud 10, 19, 28, 36, (36) lost to Donald 15, 24, 41, 57, (57). Wedderburn 16
Boort 16
Bridgewater 14, 20, 34, 44, (44) d Marong 14, 28, 33, 42, (42). BL Serpentine 13, 21, 31, 38, (38) lost to Pyramid Hill 14, 26, 37, 54, (54). Mitiamo 10, 18, 32, 45, (45) lost to Maiden Gully 11, 24, 35, 48, (48). Newbridge 19, 35, 53, 68, (68) d Inglewood 4, 12, 18, 24, (24).
12
Birchip Watchem 12
Sea Lake Nandaly 8 Donald 4 Calder United 4 Charlton 4 St Arnaud 0
B Grade
Wedderburn 10, 25, 41, 57, (57) d Charlton 3, 7, 9, 13, (13). St Arnaud 7, 20, 30, 38, (38) d Donald 8, 13, 22, 32, (32). Boort 9, 26, 44, 56, (56) d Sea Lake Nandaly 14, 21, 28, 41, (41).
Birchip Watchem 8, 18, 28, 44, (44) lost to Calder United 9, 25, 41, 57, (57).
Newbridge 12, 22, 33, 47, (47) d Inglewood 8, 15, 18, 24, (24). BL Serpentine 6, 11, 19, 28, (28) lost to Pyramid Hill 8, 19, 25, 39, (39). Mitiamo 10, 18, 24, 29, (29) lost to Maiden Gully 11, 20, 34, 47, (47). Bridgewater 4, 13, 27, 35, (35) d Marong 7, 15, 22, 28, (28).
16
12
228 goals already this season, but the Magpies have also given up 166 goals.
Boort won 47-38 against Sea Lake Nandaly, which has slipped to fourth on the ladder.
The Magpies trailed at halftime by four goals but a 15-6 third quarter on-court restructure turned the game around, and Boort stretched the margin further in the final term.
Boort faces Calder United this Saturday, with the Lions having one only a single game from its first four matches.
In other matches, Birchip Watchem shaded Calder United by just a goal in a thriller that matched the senior football clash, coming from six goals behind at the half.
The Bulls sit third on the ladder, with the Lions sixth.
Donald led all day against St Arnaud, winning 57-36. The Saints remain stuck on the bottom of the ladder, while the Royal Blues are fifth.
BL Serpentine 4, 9, 11, 19, (19) lost to Pyramid Hill 13, 26, 40, 51, (51). Newbridge 19, 30, 31, 41, (41) d Inglewood 10, 19, 29, 38, (38). Bridgewater 12, 19, 33, 43, (43) d Marong 3, 12, 24, 31, (31). Mitiamo 6, 8, 13, 16, (16) lost to Maiden Gully 9, 19, 36, 47, (47).
Nandaly 0 Charlton 0 C Grade
Wedderburn 16, 31, 48, 57, (57) d Charlton 8, 13, 17, 26, (26). St Arnaud 17, 27, 40, 53, (53) d Donald 2, 6, 11, 13, (13). Boort 5, 11, 26, 36, (36) d Sea Lake Nandaly 14, 20, 28, 34, (34). Birchip Watchem 15, 22, 28, 36, (36) lost to Calder United 8, 24, 39, 52, (52).
Boort 16
Calder United 12
Sea Lake Nandaly 12
St Arnaud 8
Birchip Watchem 8
Wedderburn 8
Charlton 0
Donald -4
C Reserve
Boort 8, 15, 23, 30, (30) lost to Sea Lake Nandaly 11, 15, 21, 31, (31). Birchip Watchem 9, 12, 16, 21, (21) lost to Calder United 10, 19, 29, 37, (37).
Sea Lake Nandaly 16
Calder United 8 Boort 4
Wedderburn 4
St Arnaud 0
Birchip Watchem 0
17 & Under
Under 17
Bridgewater 11, 24, 33, 41, (41) lost to Marong 10, 25, 36, 49, (49). BL Serpentine 14, 25, 38, 52, (52) d Pyramid Hill 10, 25, 34, 37, (37). Mitiamo 7, 13, 18, 24, (24) lost to Maiden Gully 16, 26, 38, 55, (55). Newbridge 6, 12, 17, 23, (23) lost to Inglewood 14, 19, 28, 35, (35).
Bridgewater 12 Marong 12 Calivil 12 Maiden Gully 8
Pyramid Hill 8
BL Serpentine 8 Inglewood 4
Mitiamo 0
Newbridge 0
Under 15
BL Serpentine 14, 24, 31, 33, (33) d Pyramid Hill 7, 13, 22, 26, (26). Bridgewater 7, 17, 22, 25, (25) lost to Marong 11, 21, 33, 42, (42). Mitiamo 2, 8, 19, 23, (23) lost to Maiden Gully 9, 25, 40, 58, (58). Newbridge 4, 12, 17, 25, (25) lost to Inglewood 8, 18, 29, 35, (35). Calivil 12 Marong 12
Serpentine 12
8
Gully 8 Inglewood 4
0 Mitiamo 0
Under 13
Newbridge 11, 19, 36, 48, (48) d Inglewood 3, 4, 5, 5, (5). BL Serpentine 4, 13, 18, 20, (20) lost to Pyramid Hill 6, 16, 22, 26, (26). Bridgewater 3, 5, 8, 14, (14) lost to Marong 6, 12, 15, 23, (23). Mitiamo 0, 8, 8, 10, (10) lost to Maiden Gully 11, 20, 33, 41, (41).
St Arnaud 16, 37, 61, 73, (73) d Donald 5, 11, 13, 16, (16). Boort 16, 26, 34, 44, (44) d Sea Lake Nandaly 3, 11, 19, 23, (23). Birchip Watchem 8, 17, 22, 33, (33) lost to Calder United 17, 26, 43, 57, (57). Wedderburn 11, 19, 28, 32, (32) lost to Charlton 12, 27, 34, 42, (42).
Calder United 16 Boort 16
St Arnaud 12
Birchip Watchem 8
Sea Lake Nandaly 8
Charlton 0
Wedderburn 0
Donald 0
14 & Under A
Birchip Watchem 7, 14, 20, 26, (26) d Calder United 2, 6, 8, 11, (11). Wedderburn (15) d Charlton (10). Boort 14, 26, 32, 32, (32) d
LODDON VALLEY
Leah Oxford (Newbridge) and Sienna Rose (Inglewood) on the court in Saturday’s clash. LH PHOTO
GOALKICKING
LODDON VALLEY SENIORS
22 - (2) - Lachie Sharp - Bridgewater
18 - (7) - Seb Erharter - Inglewood
16 - (3) - Benjamin Bisset - Pyramid Hill
14 - (2) - Ryley Taylor - Marong
11 - (5) - Tyler James - Maiden Gully
11 - (3) - Josh Mellington - BL Serpentine
10 - (6) - Liam Marciano - Inglewood
9 - (5) - Brayden Baines - Mitiamo
8 - (3) - Billy Schilling - Newbridge RESERVES
17 - (3) - Sebastian De Napoli - Marong
12 - (5) - Cooper Hale - Marong
12 - (5) - Rowan Pollock - Pyramid Hill
9 - (2) - Joshua Stokes - Inglewood
9 - (0) - David Blume - Marong
8 - (0) - Jordan Simpson - Pyramid Hill
7 - (0) - Matthew Bourke - Bridgewater
7 - (0) - Thomas Piazza - Calivil UNDER 18
16 - (4) - Riley Doorty - Marong
13 - (5) - Lincoln Hancock - Maiden Gully
11 - (2) - Wilhelm Thomson - Marong
11 - (5) - Mitchell Pickering - Inglewood
9 - (0) - Ryder Smith - Inglewood
8 - (3) - Noah Hadden - Maiden Gully
8 - (3) - Kyle McClellan - Inglewood U18
7 - (3) - Liam Budge - Maiden Gully
7 - (6) - Fynn Clymo - East Loddon
7 - (1) - Ollie Bowman - Maiden Gully
7 - (0) - Harry Carter - Maiden Gully NORTH CENTRAL SENIORS
32 - (0) - Ben Edwards - Birchip Watchem
28 - (4) - Jhye Baddeley-Kelly - Boort
16 - (2) - Joseph Reid - Birchip Watchem
16 - (0) - kayne rutley - Boort
13 - (4) - Nicholas Rippon - Birchip Watchem
13 - (0) - Mitch Jensen - Wedderburn
12 - (0) - Jack Exell - Calder United
10 - (0) - Peter Barbopoulos - Boort
9 - (1) - Carlos Egan - Boort
8 - (1) - Mitch Farmer - Calder United RESERVES
17 - (3) - Harry Weaver - Boort
14 - (4) - Heath Senior - Calder United
14 - (3) - Alex Cockerell - Boort
11 - (2) - Chris ORourke - Boort
-
Dick
THIS SATURDAY
LODDON VALLEY
Bridgewater v Marong Mitiamo v Maiden Gully
Newbridge v Inglewood
Bears Lagooon Serpentine v Pyramid Hill Calivil bye
NORTH CENTRAL
Boort v Sea Lake Nandaly
St Arnaud v Donald Wedderburn v Charlton
League teams available on Thursday nights at www.loddonherald.com.au
Inspiring Cotchett and Erharter’s handy six
AFTER three narrow losses to 2024 finalists to start the season. Inglewood broke its duck in an emphatic manner with an 82-point win over struggling Newbridge.
The Woodies looked like recording a century-plus margin at half-time when they led by 75 points, but the undermanned Maroons fought out the game strongly, kicking 4.9 to 6.4 in the second half.
The win took Inglewood from eighth to fifth on the ladder and highlighted the team’s improvement this season.
Having lost to Marong by seven points, Bears Lagoon Serpentine by 10 and Bridgewater by seven, the Woodies were due a change in fortune.
Newbridge, the only team with-
Strong, bold: Pies earn spot now
BOORT has secured the frst leg of the May quadrella with a stirring eight-point victory over reigning North Central league premiers Sea Lake Nandaly.
The spirited win was set up in the middle quarters - the opening term saw the home team Pies held scoreless, the final stanza showed this 2025 outfit will not wilt when opponents apply the pressure.
Baddeley-Kelly and Ethan Coleman kept putting the cream on top of a rising cake but it was Keiran Wilson at half-back and Austin and McGhie on the flanks who badgered and frustrated Sea Lake’s efforts to gain the upper hand.
The half-back trio was relentless in turning over play and sending Boort deep into the square and the ascendency.
The Tigers had some quick reply goals as Boort whittled down the deficit before Jayden Dick had the Pies in front and Coleman guaranteed the lead at the main change.
Sea Lake had early play as the second half opened. Thomas Cox, Trent Donnan, Wade Donnan and Jackson McMahon worked the ball deep again only to be frustrated by Boort’s defence.
out any points this season, were ripe for the picking, with the Maroons having stuttered their way through the first month of the season with an unfriendly fixture that saw them playing only once in three weeks.
Injuries have also hurt the team from Riverside Oval, losing key forward Brandon Dimech, possibly for the season, in the opening round.
Powerful full-forward Seb Erharter kicked seven for Inglewood, placing him second on the goalscoring list for the season with 18 goals, four behind Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp.
Bregon Cotchett, the Woodies’ 2023 best-and-fairest winner, has been an inspiration on his return after a year out with injury, and was again among the team’s best.
Liam Marciano kicked six goals to go with Erharter’s bag, providing a strong one-two punch up forward. Midfielder Luke Matheson was best on ground, while coach Fergus Payne mopped up constantly in defence.
Newbridge battled on bravely, kicking two quick goals in the last quarter to trim the margin to 73 points and providing some optimism for next week when the Maroons travel to Calivil.
Caleb Sanders was best for Newbridge, along with Will Copland and Ricky Cathie. Matt McArthur ended the game coaching from the bench with his ankle swathed in ice.
Recruit Billy Schilling kicked three goals, taking his tally to eight for the season in three games.
Then Baddeley-Kelly asserted control. he set up one goal and kicked another himself.
Tom Potter was a key link across the midfield as around him, the Boort players were possessed and showing the crushing defeats meted out to bottom sides in the first three rounds were just a warm-up for the main encoun-
Tom’s tale of two halves
WEDDERBURN’S big win over Charlton was “a tale of two halves”, coach Tom Metherell said.
The Redbacks had a percentage-boosting 110-point win over the struggling Navy Blues, but at the main break they led by just 21 points at Donaldson Park.
Metherell said, “We didn’t play our footy in the first half”, blaming poor decision-making and skill errors for the performance. However, after half-time, Wedderburn turned on a clinic, scoring 16.5 to 2.0.
Hamish Lockhart and Jackson McEwen were best for the Redbacks, with both racking up huge numbers on the day.
In a generally even team performance, rugby convert Mark Robinson was also among the best, with Metherell saying the raw ruckman was “improving
week by week” and never missed a training session.
Charlton was well served by Ben Lanyon, Elliott Fitzpatrick, Jed Thompson and Ben Xiriha.
Wedderburn faces a stiff task this week travelling to unbeaten Birchip Watchem.
However, Metherell still ranks reigning premiers Sea Lake Nandaly as the team to beat in the North Central league, despite the Tigers having suffered consecutive defeats against Birchip Watchem and Boort.
“If you look at the stats against Boort, Sea Lake won all of them, including scoring shots,” he said.
“They just didn’t take their opportunities.”
The Redbacks lost to the Tigers by 48 points in round one, with the grudge match against Loddon Shire neighbours Boort scheduled for round seven on May 31.
ters. Sea Lake had its big names like Brownless on the ground. In seasons not too distant, that would have intimidated Boortthere was a grunt on show that has not been seen at Boort Park from a home side in some years.
Even when the Tigers tried to lift a cog or two in the final quarter, the pressure from Boort’s de-
fence meant inaccuracy in front of goal for a Tigers outfit rarely on the losing end.
The Pies will have even more confidence when they take on Calder this weekend. By the end of the month, they will have also faced Birchip Watchem and Wedderburn. Win and they’re the real deal.
Boort’s Jayden
Carlos Egan breaks clear of Lachy McClelland at Boort Park. LH PHOTO
Ryan McGhie ... a key performer in Boort’s sensational win. LH PHOTO
A mark for Newbridge’s Caleb Saunders. LH PHOTO
Panthers ahead of the pack
BRIDGEWATER has suffered a major injury to a key player, compounding a bad afternoon for the Mean Machine against reigning premiers Marong.
After looking in the first weeks of the season like the likely key challenger to the threetime flag winners, Bridgewater fell by 54 points at home to the Panthers.
And in the process the Mean Machine lost Tom McKinley with a fractured foot late in the first quarter when he was accidentally trodden on by an opposition player.
McKinley has broken several metatarsal bones and there are fears his season may be over.
Marong’s return to its best form in the last three weeks, after a first-up scare from much-
Straight work makes a big difference
MITIAMO was left to rue its inaccuracy in kicking for goal after falling to a 12-point defeat at home to Maiden Gully.
Both teams are greatly improved on last season, with the Eagles grabbing a match-winning lead by the main break after kicking nine goals straight for the half.
The Superoos were 4.8 at halftime, and were still plagued by errant kicking after that, finishing on 11.17 to Maiden Gully’s 15.5.
The last quarter highlighted the impact of poor kicking, with Mitiamo managing 4.6 to the Eagles’ 4.0, and failing to bridge the gap despite having more of the ball.
There was little excuse for Miti’s inaccuracy, with the fierce winds that often travel across the surrounding plains absent on the day.
Last season’s runner-up in the club best-and-fairest award Zach Morrison was the Superoos’ best player, along with coach Luke Lougoon and veteran Doug Thomas, while Brayden Baines kicked five goals.
Impressive recruit Mitch Hill, who kicked three goals, was named best for Maiden Gully. Tyler James, who scored five goals, and Ed Crisp were also prominent for the winners, who now sit fourth on the ladder.
- GARY WALSH
improved Inglewood, has shown the gap in class between the Panthers and the chasing pack.
Bridgewater looked lively in the first quarter, with coach Lachlan Sharp prominent up forward with two goals and trailed by only seven points at the break.
However, Marong slammed on five goals in the second term to Bridgewater’s one and established a 35-point lead at half-time that the Mean Machine never looked like overrunning.
The Panthers should have won by more, with 34 scoring shots to 15 illustrating the gap in class between the two sides on the day. They controlled the midfield battle and won the clearances, and their slick ball movement,
foot speed and pressure forced Bridgewater to hurry its disposals.
Marong’s relentless defensive press was squeezing the ground and not giving the Mean Machine any space to move.
Captain Nathan Devanny was best for the Panthers, and kicked three crucial goals. Others to shine included ruckman Michael Bradbury, pacy rover Jimmy Gadsden and last year’s best-and-fairest winner Matt Willox.
Brothers Oscar (four goals) and Harry McKinley stood out for Bridgewater, with Sharp (two goals) and in-form midfielder Luke Ellings well held by their opponents.
Last season’s top four will clash in round five, with Marong at home to Serpentine, and Pyramid Hill hosting Bridgewater.
Star forward held to three goals
THE RETURN from injury of star full-forward
Josh Mellington wasn’t enough for Bears Lagoon Serpentine to overcome Pyramid Hill, losing by 40 points at home.
The Bulldogs were in front all day, and a four-goals-to-one last quarter drove home their advantage.
Mellington was held to just three goals after overcoming an abductor strain, his lowest tally in two seasons in the Loddon Valley league.
Pyramid Hill led by 15 points at quartertime and had only pushed out that margin to 20 points at the final change, but 4.4 to 1.2 in the last term saw the visitors win comfortably.
The Bears, who finished fourth last season, are languishing in sixth spot on the ladder af-
GOT a few, missed a few last weekend but what out fellow tipsters, I’m ready to surge this Saturday in another ripping round of Loddon Valley football.
On form, on gut, heart and head, the winners should and probably will pick themselves. Inglewood will more than have the confidence brimming over. The Blues not only had a big win down their at the oval formally known as Donut Park, they showed that relentless game plan that has them breathing down the necks of the more seasoned and fancied “top” sides of the league.
Another repeat performance is one the cards against Mitiamo on Saturday.
Now while we’re mentioning “top sides”, look at Bears Lagoon Serpentine. Languishing near the bottom and facing another mission impossible this week against Marong.
The Bears showed a few flutters against Pyramid Hill but really, sorry Tubby, didn’t really look in the hunt. Even wth Mellington back, there’s still a bit of work to be done on the training track at Janiember Park.
Up at the Kennel, Pyramid Hill will be like a dog off the leash and chase the Bears raggard on Saturday.
And with that, we’re at the final game of the round. Rodeo Park hosts the home team Demons against Newbridge. Neither side has set the world on fire so far this season. They both had claims to being improvers but that was before the first bounce back before the Easter Bunny hopped onto the scene. Newbridge should be the better side to snuff out the old Lucifer in the Demon belly and notch up a moral-boosting win that will have the locals fired for the return crack.
- GLENN CATTO
PREDICTIONS
GARY WALSH
Calivil v Newbridge
Marong v BL Serpentine
ter one win in their first three matches, while the Bulldogs are now second behind unbeaten Marong.
Best for Pyramid Hill included midfielder Brodie Carroll, and talls Archie Hilderbrandt and Lachlan Sidebottom, along with defenders Dylan Morison and Daniel Frame, who helped keep Mellington quiet.
Ben Bisset’s three goals were enough to see him third in the goalkicking table.
For the Bears, Harry Gadsden was best, with ruckman Nathan Twigg and last season’s Harding medallist Justin Laird also in good form. Serp’s difficult start to the season doesn’t get any easier in round five, with a visit to all-conquering Marong in prospect.
Pyramid Hill is at home to third-placed Bridgewater in what shapes as a key clash.
Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater
Inglewood v Mitiamo
Progressive: 12.5
GLENN CATTO
Calivil v Newbridge
Marong v BL Serpentine
Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater
Inglewood v Mitiamo Progressive: 8.5
CHRIS EARL
Calivil v Newbridge
Marong v BL Serpentine
Pyramid Hill v Bridgewater
Inglewood v Mitiamo Progressive: 10.5
Loddon HERALD sport
Thursday MAY 8, 2025
TOP PIE
Assistant Rutley steers ship in
Cameron’s two-week absence
BOORT has sensationally staked an early claim to North Central flag favouritism with assistant coach Andrew Rutley at the helm.
The Pies on Saturday defeated reigning premiers Sea Lake Nandaly for a 4-0 opening to the season.
Rutley had the clipboard for a second week but the Boort club says coach Dale Cameron remains in the position.
Both said this week that illness had kept Cameron away from Saturday’s top-of-the-ladder clash with Sea Lake.
Cameron later told the Loddon Herald he had not been at the previous week’s match against Donald.
“I was crook as well. I’m still crook
and I’ve been crook for the last couple of weeks. I’ve been working from home, but I’m hoping to be able to coach this week,” Cameron said when asked about his extended absence from the club.
Pies’ president Craig Scott told the Loddon Herald: “There has been no change to the coaching arrangements.
Dale Cameron is our senior coach.
“You wouldn’t have seen him on Saturday as he was unfortunately sick and couldn’t be there for our exciting win against Sea Lake Nandaly.
“He’s looking forward to getting back in the drivers seat for another big challenge against the Calder Lions on Saturday. “
Cameron also said he hoped to be back in the coach’s box when Boort travels to Wycheproof for the second of four crucial matches after opening the season with huge wins over lowly Charlton, St Arnaud and Donald.
The club has had assistant coach Andrew Rutley with the reigns for the last fortnight. Rutley, another ex-Magpie player, is back with Boort this season as assistant coach after sons Kane and Tyson were among key recruits in a push to have the Magpies reach the finals.
Cameron started his football career as a junior with Boort before heading to Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo league for four seasons, playing a handful of senior games.
He returned to Boort to play two seasons, only to head back to Strathfieldsaye. Three seasons were spent coaching Bridgewater in the Loddon Valley league until 2021.
Cameron is in his third year at the helm of Boort and has said 2025 was the season for the Magpies to step up and play finals.
Plan B canvassed by Macorna
THE MACORNA Tigers football netball club is edging closer to a possible move from the Golden Rivers league to the Loddon Valley competition.
The club is in talks with Golden Rivers this week on its future, with a widespread belief in football circles that the six-club league may be forced to disband .
Macorna president Jacob McIntosh said the club’s preference was for the Golden Rivers to continue to exist and for the Tigers to remain in that league.
“We’re still hopeful we don’t have to make any change or rash decision,” he said. “We hope we will not have to move. We’d prefer the league keeps on going.”
McIntosh said there had been no formal discussions with the Loddon Valley league but acknowledged that Macorna had to have a fallback position should Golden Rivers fold. Clubs have until June 30 to apply to transfer between leagues.
Andrew Rutley directs the Magpies for a second week at Boort on Saturday. LH PHOTO
