6th March 2024

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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts

Est. 1864

18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly.

Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.

$2.00

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.

(Incl. GST)

New school building fit for many purposes and ready for classes LAST Monday was a day for St. Arnaud secondary College students to remember as classes began to operate in the new building.

Students helped moving some of the classroom furniture into the new spaces and had a tour of the whole building before classes began.

The new building contains five General Purpose classrooms, five smaller senior classrooms, a new Food Technology room with adjoining canteen, two open learning/meeting spaces, a café area, two staff rooms and a meeting room.

Along with this, there are changing rooms with showers, individual toilets and an all-access toilet, shower and changeroom.

There are also lockable spaces for all student lockers outside the building.

The College has also added Promethean Boards in every classroom which are a state

- Contributed of the art, multi-functional board, which can be a fully interactive whiteboard, a television and a shared data projector all in one and more.

The awestruck and excited faces and comments from the students said it all, this is wonderful space that will be used and appreciated by our community for many years to come.

This building is the first phase of the building works program, with further demolition occurring this week, with the removal of the old toilet block (finally) and all of the remaining ‘portable’ buildings on the site.

Further works are to be done in the General Office area and moving the librar y to the BER/Science wing.

There is also consid-

erable landscaping works to be done as well.

While the original building is being renovated, the General Office will be located in the Arts wing just behind the old tennis courts with access from Wheeler Street.

It is the building with the College logo and values painted on it.

Once all of the works have been completed, the College will hold an official opening ceremony and have an open day so that all community members can have a walk through the transformed buildings and grounds.

Above: Students (left to right) Alexi Szucs, Ada Buenaventura, Jade Shields, Millie Hando with the Principal Tony Hand enjoying the wonderful amenities of the new building.

Above: Teacher Heather Bourchier instructs her students where to place tables. Students (left to right) Dayne Reyne, Henry Small, Maeve Patton and Brisbane Nielsen.

Call for members of Early Learning Centre Reference Group

AT the last meeting of the Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) a project to investigate the St. Arnaud Integrated Early Learning Centre was placed on the Action Plan for 2024.

POLICE REPORT Above: What is left after a single motor vehicle accident (with caravan) which occurred on the Sunraysia Hwy in Carapooee.

- Photo contributed.

• More details page 2.

As a result, NGSC has called for EOIs for St. Arnaud Kindergarten Expansion Stakeholder Reference Group.

NGSC is establishing a Stakeholder Reference Group to seek input and assistance to identify an early learning service model that meets the needs of the St. Arnaud community now and into the future.

To explore viable options and better engage with both experts and the community, the council is calling on St. Arnaud residents to consider

lodging an expression of interest to take part in the group.

Three community representatives will be selected.

To ensure the best decision for St. Arnaud children and their families is made, the group will discuss such things as the opportunity for an Early Years integrated service model, a prospective location for pre-prep modular buildings, and the future operating model of these services.

NGSC currently operates a licensed 90 place Early Learning

Centre (ELC) in St. Arnaud, delivering sessional kindergarten programs and long day care.

The centre is the only Early Childhood Education and Care service in the area, providing important support to families, employees and the community.

One of the key challenges is the unmet demand for long day care services.

Mayor of NGSC, Cr Rob Haswell emphasised that the role of the Stakeholder Reference Group will be to engage with the broader community.

This will ensure views, concerns and aspirations are consis-

tently understood and considered throughout the process.

“This project is about resetting and undergoing a robust and rigorous process to identify a permanent site for two modular pre-prep buildings with consideration to other early years services.

- Continued. pg. 3.

READERS & ADVERTISERS PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO LABOUR DAY LONG WEEKEND, NEXT WEEK’S EDITION OF THE NORTH CENTRAL NEWS WILL BE AVAILABLE THURSDAY, 14th MARCH 2024.

Editorial Does the increasing the size of Kara Kara ward ensure equal representation?

Adjusting the ward boundaries ensures voters are represented equally at the next council general election, says the Review into Local Government electoral boundaries. We say, does it?

St. Arnaud Police report Theft caught on CCTV On 12th February 2024, a male in his 50’s was detected stealing products from a local store in St Arnaud, the incident was captured on CCTV. Police circulated the footage online via Eye Watch.

St. Arnaud Police would like to thank the community for providing intel which has led to the successful arrest of the male.

The male will face the Magistrate’s court in relation to the offending.

Many of us have been eagerly awaiting the review of the local government electoral boundaries that was promised to us in May of 2023 (nearly a year ago) and has only recently been released to many a cry of despair. Both Buloke Shire and Northern Grampians Shire have had their submissions and recommendations apparently ignored and the number of councillors Driver attributed to them reduced from 7 to 6.

There are obvious problems for an even numcrashes ber of councillors mainly that it will mean that the trying to Mayor will have a deciding vote when numbers are tied. If there are factions, unofficial or offiavoid a Roo cial, then those that can hold the position of Mayor On Saturday 24th will be ensured of getting their motions through.

February 2024, a single In Northern Grampians Shire the appearance now G motor vehicle accident is that there are two factions and one faction of occurred on the four, currently holds the ability to control the Sunraysia Hwy in chamber. However, with only 6 members, will it Carapooee. mean 4 and 2 or 3 and 3? Time will tell.

The driver of the A more pressing issue however, for democravehicle, which was towcy, is that Northern Grampians Shire, or more ing a caravan, swerved precisely the Kara Kara ward, is a huge area. to avoid a kangaroo Almost twice as large in area as was the case preand subsequently viously with the same number, two, councillors to careered into a tree. cover the whole ward.

The sole occupant of Will democracy be served or does it mean once the vehicle sustained again that democracy as with other things is more non-life-threatening heavily skewed towards larger populated areas. injuries from the colliUsually that means the cities, but in this case, the sion. more remote you are, such as with the Kara Kara Speeding ward, the less you will see of an elected representative. Because with such a large ward can two detected at Qld councillors be expected to cover such a large area.

A 4215 Already one local councillor says that he Redbank works 4 days a week just covering the distance, On the 28th and with the area growing in size how many days 652 284St Februar1y8002024, will a councillor be required to work? Will it mean F Arnaud Police detected that voters will not get the same coverage; that vota female driver on the E ers will not get a councillor being able to attend Sunraysia Highway, those local functions that we have come to Redbank driving expect. Will voters feel abandoned because a 118km/h in a 100km/h councillor for local government has not attended. zone.

Local government is supposed to be the level Police searched the of government closer to the people, but if the area vehicle and found an is so large that it makes it difficult to cover the imitation handgun, a area, then those residents miss out. Once again knuckle duster and country people are disadvantaged as local govthree knives. ernment will not mean the level closer to the These items were people, but the level of government for those not seized, the thirty-sixTed Whillier too remote or geographically sparse. year-old female from There is perhaps a hidden agenda in these C 10125was interMildura changes. Is this the beginning of the end for Local Q Peta Mandrakas Government? It certainly seems that the issue of C ‘closer to the people’ is becoming lesser in importance to those that make the rules.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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18 Napier St., St. Arnaud, Victoria 3478.

Phone: (03) 5495 1055; Email: ncn@iinet.net.au

hoon activity in the area.

viewed and will have to explain to the Magistrate why she had the items in her car.

If you observe any hooning, please contact the hoon hotline immediately on 1800 333 000.

Speeding in St. Arnaud Police continue to detect speeding drivers in St. Arnaud.

This has resulted in Police issuing numerous infringement G notices.

In 2024 half a dozen drivers in the area have had their licences suspended, due to excessive speed.

Speed is a contributing factor in many of the state’s fatalities.

Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility and Police would like to urge all drivers to drive safely.

Hoon activity Police have received numerous reports of

St. Arnaud, Charlton & surrounding districts

N.C.N. INFORMATION

New laws for e-scooters There are new laws in place for e-scooters.

You can legally ride an e-scooter in Victoria if you ride on shared-use paths (not on footpaths), or roads that have a speed limit up to 60km/h; you are at least 16 years old; you wear a helmet; you do not travel more than 20km/h; you do not use your mobile phone; and you do not carr y a passenger Qld (dinking).

A 4215 For full information please visit: 1 800https:// 652 284 F www.police.vic.gov.au/e lectric-powered-scoot E ers-e-scooters

The North Central News is 100% locally owned, independent newspaper, established in 1864. With an ABC audited circulation of 1,650 copies, and an estimated readership of over 4,250 throughout the 1012 Northern Grampians and Buloke Shires.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Annual subscription for 12 months is only $144.00 (inc. GST), including postage and packaging.

ADVERTISING & COPY DETAILS Artwork, and all advertisements or alterations are to be submitted before 5.00pm Friday prior to publication.

Announcements of births, deaths, marriages and engagements must be properly authenticated.

N.C.N. prefers advertisement and editorial copy to be typed or neatly hand-written to avoid being published incorrectly. We accept no responsibility for error or misspellings in illegible advertisement and editorial copy.

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DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those held by the publisher or editor. The publisher and staff accept no liability for injury or losses which may occur as a result of information presented in this publication.

NAT140

© Copyright 2023

No. 10125

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ACROSS 1 Perfect 5 Untidy state 9 Person under age 10 Thunder god 11 Giant with 100 eyes 12 Facts given 13 Secret agents 14 Revolve 16 Dislikes intensely 18 Single entities 20 Drinks 21 Guided with advice 24 Headwear 25 Puts back 28 Celtic tongue 30 Combine 31 Founded 32 Table­shaped hill 33 Fruit 35 Smart and fashionable 36 Top room 37 Fairy tale monster 38 Halt 39 Drunkards 40 Rendezvous

Proudly sponsored by:-

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The difference between equity and equality is that equality is everyone getting the same thing and equity is everyone getting the things they deserve.

DeRay Mckesson

SUDOKU SOLUTION North Central News is published weekly by Peter Marland, 3279 Charlton/St. Arnaud Road, Slaty Creek for NCNews Pty. Ltd., 18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. A.C.N. 146 461 903. Printed by Western District Newspaper P/L, Camperdown Vic. Registered by Australia Post Publication No. VAC 4217 - Recommended and maximum selling price only.

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Page 2 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

See this week’s solution on page 8.

DOWN 2 Of the back 3 Entertains 4 Imperfect sounds 5 Fashion 6 Effacements 7 Stationary 8 Common 15 Speaks 16 Filament 17 Flirts 19 Meshed fabric 21 Dilapidated 22 Anger 23 Exploit 24 Marsh 26 Come forth 27 Tracks 28 Holiday period 29 Sequence 31 Cruel man 34 Frozen treats

Buloke Shire disappointed in New meeting spaces in Buloke Shire towns Electoral Review outcome THE streets and meeting places in five towns across the Buloke Shire have been given an upgrade through the Buloke Shire Streetscape Renewal project.

BULOKE Shire Council has moved to write to the Minister for Local Government The Hon. Melissa Horne expressing its extreme disappointment in the outcome of a recent Local Council Electoral Structure Review.

In October 2022, the Minister formed 2 electoral representation advisory panels to review and provide advice on the electoral structures of 39 local councils, including Buloke.

In its final report handed down in February 2024, and with all recommendations accepted by the Minister, the panel recommended that Buloke Shire Council adopt a multi-councillor ward structure, with a total of 6 councillors, 3 wards and 2 councillors per ward, a reduction of 1 Councillor.

Whilst the Buloke ward names remain unchanged as Lower Avoca Ward, Mallee Ward and Mount Jeffcott Ward there are some boundary changes, most notably Birchip will move back into the Mallee Ward.

All accepted recommendations would take affect for the upcoming Local Government Elections to be held in October this year.

As outlined in Council’s submission made in 2023, it believes the reduction of councillors from seven to six thereby increasing the workload presents a detriment to those considering nominating for Council in the upcoming 2024 general election, particularly in light of Buloke’s geographic size of 8,000 square

kilometres with a dispersed population and no major town.

Council is also not in favour of maintaining a subdivided ward structure which results in an even number of Councillors as it does not provide for equitable decision-making and creates a greater chance that Council decisions would be made by a majority vote.

Mayor, Cr Alan Getley says that Council maintains that an unsubdivided model with 7 Councillors was the most appropriate outcome for Buloke.

“The outcome of the review has been incredibly disappointing given Council outlined very clearly in our submission that given our geographic size and our service and infrastructure needs we need to maintain our current Councillor numbers.

“This outcome concerns me from a decision-making process and its potential to deter candidates from running for Council given the workload ahead of them for the next 4 years”, he said.

At the time of publish the Minister had yet to respond to Council’s correspondence.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development Michaela Settle MP represented Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney was in Birchip last week to check out the updates.

Ms Tierney said that she is excited to see these greater towns in northern Victoria getting some brand new upgrades.

“From new meeting spaces to outdoor picnic areas, all helping them to attract visitors and making them even better places to live.”

The project is backed by $4 million from the State Government’s Building Works package to keep Birchip, Wycheproof, Charlton, Donald and Sea Lake looking their very best, helping to attract visitors and making them even better places to live.

Fourteen jobs were created during construction and the

upgrades will have flow-on benefits to local businesses – ensuring the towns remain attractive and vibrant places for local businesses to set up shop and expand.

New additions include Birchip’s alfresco dining area where people can meet and sample local produce, including the town’s award-winning vanilla slice.

Footpath and drainage upgrades will improve access to the town’s shops.

In Charlton there is a new pedestrian walkway over the Avoca River and a refurbished Travellers Rest with a barbecue shelter with picnic tables, accessible toilets and a children’s play area.

Sea Lake’s Apex Park now has an electric barbecue to bring families and friends together to enjoy the great outdoors.

In Wycheproof, Donald and Sea Lake,

Bendigo Bank grant at work THE St. Arnaud Community Resource Centre was recently successful in a grant from the Bendigo Bank to the value of $5,000.

The funds have been put to good use at the Resource Centre with the purchase of three new computers.

One of these computers was also a Mac (for those of us that only use a Mac).

The computers were purchased in order to keep the Resource Centre’s equipment up to date.

electric vehicle charging stations have been installed to support the increasing number of electric vehicle owners visiting the Mallee region.

Other works include planting trees in the five towns and infrastructure upgrades like new footpaths, crossings, bike racks and outdoor seating.

The works add to

Buloke Shire’s position as a key destination in regional Victoria, linking to other attractions including the Silo Art Trail that stretches across towns like Sea Lake.

These projects are part of the Government’s record investment of more than $41 billion in rural and regional Victoria.

For more information go to•rdv.vic.gov.au

Call for members of Early Learning Centre Reference Group • From page 1.

“The Stakeholder Reference Group will be made up of stakeholder representatives within the St. Arnaud community as well as professionals working in the early years field,” said Mayor Haswell.

“At the heart of this project is supporting our children to get the best start in life.

“A thorough process is important not only to consider all options but also to demonstrate that the preferred recommendation going forward has been well considered and achieves the best overall outcome for St. Arnaud,” added Mayor Haswell.

Two modular buildings have been offered to assist with the roll out of Pre-Prep and accommodate 66 licensed kindergarten places in St. Arnaud.

The initial recommendation to place the modular building within Market Square was discarded last year and a decision was made to identify an alternative site.

Council acknowledges the need to fast track delivery of the kindergarten building whilst planning for an integrated Early Years service that works for the community and accommodates growth.

If you would like to learn more about the Stakeholder Reference Group or submit an Expression of Interest form, please visit www.ngshire.vic. gov.au/Projects-and-Consultation/Have-Your-Say/StArnaud-Integrated-Early-Years-Service. Expression of Interest forms will need to be submitted to the council by 5pm on 27th March.

Above: (left to right) Russell Steel and Andrew George CRC Coordinator at ‘work’ on the new computers.

If you need help with yours, you need to meet Kristy.

Kristy shares her knowledge of banking so you can achieve what you want from life.

And, she can meet you when and where it suits you; at the branch, over the phone, or via video call.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 3

St. Arnaud 100 Years Ago: 1st - 6th March 1924

by Heather Pritchard

High School Teachers Miss Muriel Chandler junior teacher at the St. Arnaud State School moves to the High School to replace junior teacher Miss Leila Ellis who recently won a secondary teachers scholarship to university.

Muriel is the daughter of Mr and Mrs S Chandler of Silvermines Road and Leila is the daughter of Police Constable Ellis of St. Arnaud.

A teaching scholarship tenable for three years at the St. Arnaud High School has been awarded to Annie Punshon daughter of Mr and Mrs G W Punshon of St. Arnaud.

Mr W Hickox who resigned from the staff of the St. Arnaud High School is moving to Melbourne and was pre-

sented with a xylonite brush and comb from the commercial class and a fountain pen from the Presbyterian Church Tennis Club.

Farewell Well known St. Arnaud resident former Senior- Constable J J Willcox has been appointed as a valuer and health inspector for the Shire of Fern Tree Gully.

He came to St. Arnaud eight years ago to replace Sgt Luke O’Brien and retired in 1920.

Death Mrs Christina McLeod died age 67 years at Belgrave where she was holidaying with her daughter Mrs Grieve.

Christina was buried at St. Arnaud with her husband Roderick who died in 1915 age 75; they had 8 children.

We have all the latest cutting-edge equipment: Bulldozers, Truck, Scrapers, GPS Graders, Excavators, Tip Trucks for roads, Shed Pads, Dams and all general earthmoving.

Hospital Sunday St. Arnaud Band went to Marnoo East where they raised £103-71, the Donald Band raised £73 at Watchem and the Birchip Band raised £35 at Karyie and £30 at Morton Plains.

Cricket Traynors Lagoon 273 defeated East Laen 83

with most runs for Traynors Lagoon by R Cossens 55 and L Wells 51 and for East Laen A Adams 23 and H Leslie 29.

Tennis [Ladies Doubles] Miss M and K Gleeson [St P] 41 beat Miss M Chandler and E Young [C of E] 40.

Miss E Matthews and

L Bales [Pres] 39 beat Miss T Richards and M Dower [Meth] 26.

Miss Anderson and Kew Ming [St N] 43 beat Miss Wright and Mrs Rotherham [S C] 23.

Court Sydney Paterson licensee of the Victoria Hotel was fined £5 for having the bar open during prohibited hours and £2 for having three

men in the bar.

The men were fined £1 each for being there.

George Tierney fined 40/- for riding in a railway carriage between Maryborough and St. Arnaud without a ticket.

Walter Hall of Beazleys Bridge.

Warning – anyone opening fences and cutting and carting wood out of my paddocks will be prosecuted – Alexander McKinnon, Beazleys Bridge.

Beazleys Bridge

Sales

Lost at Walton’s sale – black and tan sheep slut* ‘Lass’ reward –

Meet Kristy, your local Bendigo Community Bank lending specialist - Contributed

IN a world where your financial decisions are more important than ever, personalised banking service can be a welcome relief.

That’s what you’ll still find right here in St. Arnaud.

With years of experience, a commitment to her local community, and a passion for helping individuals achieve their financial goals, Kristy Jones is your go-to home loan specialist in St. Arnaud and the surrounding district.

As the only face-toface home loan specialist in St. Arnaud, Kristy fills a crucial need in the community for residential and business lending or home loan reviews, but her presence is not just about offering services; it's about building relationships, fostering trust, and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their financial futures.

Whether you prefer face-to-face consultations or virtual meetings from the comfort of your own

LYAL EALES STORES ROK 18V CORDLESS POWER TOOLS - Hedge Trimmer Kit ...................$119.99 - Chainsaw Kit ........................................$299.99 - Grass Trimmer Kit .........................$157.99 - Buzz Sander Kit .............................$165.00 - Heatgun Kit .............................................$159.99

Weather Rain over the weekend resulted in 125 points.

Above: Kristy, for all your Bendigo Bank needs. home, Kristy is flexible and accommodating, ensuring that your needs always come first.

Buying a home is likely to be one of the biggest decisions you will ever make and with her expertise and understanding, Kristy guides clients through every step of the home loan process, making the journey towards homeownership smooth and as stress free as possible.

But Kristy's dedication doesn't stop at home loans.

She's also passionate about helping her clients review their banking needs comprehensively.

Whether it's optimizing savings accounts, exploring investment opportunities, or refinancing existing loans, Kristy is committed to helping her clients achieve their financial goals beyond just securing a home loan.

Kristy can also help

with all your insurance needs, along with credit cards, personal loans, and referrals for professional advice on financial planning, investing and superannuation.

You may not think who you bank with matters.

But it does.

For Community Bank customers, their banking is making a real difference.

Community banking is based on a 'profit-with-purpose' model, which means profits are returned directly to the community that has generated them.

In fact, just banking with them, they’ve been able to return more than $2.2m for a range of great projects across the district.

For those in St. Arnaud and the surrounding district seeking personalized financial guidance, Kristy Jones is the name to remember.

Whether you're a

WEEKLY RAINFALL ST. ARNAUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0 RAINFALL FOR MARCH . . . . . . . . . .0.0 YEARLY RAINFALL TO DATE . . .64.6mm

LYAL EALES STORES •Camping •Disposals •Hardware •Homewares 59 NAPIER STREET, ST. ARNAUD. PH: (03) 5495 2021 Monday to Thursday 9am - 5.30pm; Friday 9am - 6pm; Saturday & Sunday 9am - 2pm

Page 4 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

The following residents are holding sales as they are leaving St. Arnaud.

Mrs Willcox sells a 5room W B house on ½ acre with good garden on corner McMahon and North Western Road to William Hancock of Avon Plains for £775; also a 4- room W B cottage in Canterbury St, tenanted to Randall Edwards, to Robert Shepherd of St. Arnaud East for £125.

Mr J C Erket sells his superior furniture at Brays Market.

Mr F Mulcahy sells furniture at his residence corner Millett and Dundas Sts. Logan sheep sale 1,380

CHARLTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.0 RAINFALL FOR MARCH . . . . . . . . . .0.0 YEARLY RAINFALL TO DATE . . .99.6mm

first-time homebuyer, or someone simply looking to explore your financial options, Kristy is here to help you every step of the way.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Kristy Jones, please contact her at 0448 742 059.

Sports events on Saturday were postponed due to a severe thunderstorm and strong winds, which blew over the fence of the running track at the racecourse and damaged the judge’s box beyond repair. * Editor’s Note: ‘slut’ is a word used to describe a female dog in 1924.

red by: Proudly sponso

Sprayer Centre 2” Onga/Honda Fire Pump

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$1,150 16 Kell Road St Arnaud, Vic 3478

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CLEARING SALE 1943 Logan/Wedderburn Road, “Fentons Creek”, Wedderburn

Friday, 15th March 2024 - 9.30am start A/c Camarina Farming COMPLETE FARMING DISPOSAL SALE For further details on any equipment, phone Vendor, Stephen – 0428 944 205 1.

CASE IH 8120 Header + Macdon D60 45’ Front + Inverell Engineering Trailer 4 Axle.

2920 Engine Hrs, 2012 Rotor Hrs, Excellent condition,GPS AutoSteer + Pro700 Screen (new), Auger Extension, Dual Wheels, UHF 2. CASE IH 280 CVT Tractor. 965 Engine Hrs, 280HP, Excellent condition, GPS AutoSteer + Pro700 Screen, Rear Dual Wheels, 3 Point Linkage, Class 4 Hitch, UHF. 3. CASE IH LB434XL Baler. Excellent condition.

4. CASE IH 9390 Steiger Tractor. 425HP, Good condition 5. CASE IH LBX432 Baler (white sticker), 36058 Bales, Good condition 6. CASE IH 7210 Tractor + Burder Loader.

Good condition 7. CASE IH LBX432 Baler (red sticker), Good condition 8. CASE IH 7140 Tractor with an 8950 rebuild engine, radiator and bonnet, 250HP 9. GOLDACRES 30m Prairie Boomspray 5000L Tank 10. CASE IH DCX131 Mower Conditioner 13’ 12. FLEXICOIL Air Seeder, 45’, 5T/1610 box, 9 inch row spaces 13. ALL FARM Air Seeder, 36’ 14. SAKUNDIAK 65’ 10 inch Swing Auger 15. MAGNUM SITREX 14 wheel V Rake 16. WHEATHEART Self Propelled Auger 10/36’ 17. KENWORTH Truck 104, Registered, Good condition, 1M kms, 90T 520HP Cummins Engine, hydraulics 18. TEFCO Tipper Trailer, 36×6 19. LOADMASTER Flat Top Trailer 42’ 20. Flat Top Trailer + 2 Deck Stock Crate 42’ 21. Drop Deck Trailer 40’ 22. Ford 9000 Truck Detroit Engine, 420HP, hydraulics 21. Ford 8000 210HP CAT Engine with single axle tipper (with 2 part division) 22. International Water Truck, Cummins Engine 23. Milk Tanker (used for water) 10,000L 3 inch pump 24. Landcruiser Utility Tray V8 2009, Registered: 1FC7NA 25. Landcruiser Utility Tray 1987, Registered: 26. Landcruiser RV Utility Tray 79 Series 2002 27. Water Tank Container 20,000L 28. Leyland Truck (red), Used condition, 18’ Tipping Tray

29. Leyland Truck (green), Used condition 30. Ford 600, 2nd hand truck, used condition 31. 696 Tractor 32. 866 International Tractor 33. D Line Truck, tipping tray 16’ 34. Fuel Tanker with Honda Chemical Pump, 5600L Capacity, 4 compartment split 35. LEITH Belt Spreader 36. 3 Point Linkage Spreader 37. Dodge Truck 38. Gruper + Truck Trailer 39. Iseki Tractor 40. MDC Robson 6 person Camper Trailer + Extended Annex + Added Features, King Bed, Queen Bed, Double Bed 41. Harros 1 45’ 42. Harros 2 38’ 43. Harros 3 44. Bogie Trailer with tank 20,000L 45. 414 International Tractor 46. Mixer 47. 4800 Challenge Loader 48. Britstan Ripper 49. Truck Tipper Body (Bisaloy Quick Release) 50. Truck Tipper Body (Steel) 51. Cable Scraper 52. Chamberlain Combine 53. Ackland Gravity Bin 1 54. Ackland Gravity Bin 2 55. Truck Tray 1 56. Truck Tray 2 57. INTERNATIONAL 711 Header + Front 58. 2 Deck Stock Crate 59. Jet Stream Sprayer 60. New Holland Roller Bar Rake 61. Ford Courier Diesel Ute, UHF, 1T Tray, 303356km 62. Ute Cattle Crate 6×8 63. 211 Scarifier 64. 211 Scarifier (Parts) 65. Tandem Hitch 66. 9 Inch PTO Auger 67. SHEARER Fieldspan 33’ 68. Chamberlain Disc Plough, One Way 69. International Disc Plough, One Way 70. Atlas Copco Compressor 71. Grey Tipping Trailer 72. Concrete Mixer Truck, Mini Mix Agitator 73. International Tractor (Parts) 74. White FORD Tipper Truck 75. International 866 Tractor (Parts) 76. Gravity Bin Trailer 77. Aluminum Truck Tray

78. Stock Crate 79. Stick Rake 9 wheel 80. Mustang Bobcat 81. Tandem Car Trailer + Stock Crate 82. Sheep Feeder Trailer 83. Bobcat Backhoe Attachment 84. MAZDA T4100 Deluxe Truck, tray, including Abbey Crane Lift, 602626 kms

Miscellaneous and Sundry Items: Scrap Metal.

Silos.

Field Bin (including auger).

Field Bins (not including auger).

Cereals & Grains.

Fertilisers.

Hay and Straw (Large Square Bales 8x4x3).

Farm Gates.

9x Fuel Tanks on Stands.

2x Portable Fuel Tanks.

800L Fuel Cell.

400L Fuel Cell.

9 x Tabletop Redgum Fiddleback Timber Slabs approx 5.8m x 1.2m.

Pre-Cut Timber strips.

Mixture Shed Trusses & Equipment.

Tractor Tyres.

Tools.

Toolboxes, Workshop Supplies.

Chainsaws.

Lawn Mowers.

Motorbikes/Quad Bikes.

Welding Supplies.

Vintage Items: For added details, please phone vendor: Steve – 0428 944 225 Barry – 0428 944 245 • CASE C Model Vintage Tractor 1936 (Running) • Blue CASE L Model Vintage Tractor 1936 (Running) • DAVID BROWN Vintage Tractor (Running) • JOHN DEERE D Model Vintage Tractor 1942 (Running) • Sunshine McKay Vintage Header – Model 6 • McKay Vintage Auto Header with Wisconsin Engine • Bedford J Model Truck … and much much more!!!

Please note: Cleared payment required prior to item removal.

For general enquiries, please contact Brett Douglas on 0447 162 455 / brett@driscollag.com.au

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 5

Charlton 100 Years Ago: 1st - 5th March 1924

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by Charlton Golden Grains Museum

Teddywaddy A very happy time was spent at Mr Richard Sait’s when the residents testified, by their presence and useful presents to the popularity of the guest of the evening, Miss Vera Wood.

Mr Rumble wished Miss Wood good luck in her new sphere at Glenloth. Several Teddywaddy residents then spoke, thanking her for the success achieved by the pupils of the school while under her care.

Mr Charles Wood suitably responded on behalf of his fiancée.

The evening took the form of a social and dance, in which upwards of 60 couples took the floor.

The barn had been transformed into a “Hall of beauty” by the energetic young men.

Football Judging from the attendance of the Teddywaddy Rovers Football Club, held at the residence of Mr and Mrs G. Walsh the outlook for the new organisation is a bright one.

Some 40 members and supporters were present.

The election of officers resulted as follows: President – Mr W. Tobin; vice-presidents, Messrs G. O’Brien, W. Spicer sen., C. Maher; general committee Messrs A .

Spicer, H. Arnall, R. Sait jun, and C. Maher; secretary Mr J. Wright; assistant- secretary, Mr E. P. Ryan.

It was resolved that the colours of the club be purple and gold.

The meeting decided that the following clubs be written to regarding a suitable Junior Competition –

Charlton, Wycheproof, Woosang and Buckrabanyule.

New Factory That Charlton is growing is shown by the fact that several buildings are either under construction or in contemplation.

Messrs W. Nabbs and son have definitely decided to have a wood-working factory erected, on the site opposite St Martin’s Church.

The plant is to include a new Universal wood-working machine.

It does surfacing and thicknessing; boring and mortising; and moulding and sawing – a remarkable number of operations for one machine.

It is the first of its kind in Victoria.

Messrs Nabbs and Son have also purchased an electricall-driven band saw.

A New Mill?

One of the main reasons for the visit of Messrs T. J. Noske and J. H. Denham, of the firm of Noske Bros, was to take into consideration the question of constructing an upto-date mill on the railway – a project which would involve an expenditure of from £30,000 to £40,000.

The chief factors that made them hesitate in indicating a definite policy at the moment were, four.

One was the new bridge is not yet constructed.

The Lonsdale Water scheme – some considerable time before completion.

The proposed Charlton-Corack railway would affect the situation of a new mill.

Added to these is the problem presented by the railway facilities.

Speed Limit It was moved by Cr Jackson, and seconded

by Cr T. R. Edyvean, that the Council frame a by-law limiting the speed of vehicles in the town to twelve miles per hour and that notice-boards be erected on the principal roads.

Yeungroon The dance held in the public hall in aid of the local tennis club, proved very enjoyable.

The arrangements, which were in the capable hands of Mr C. McGillivray, were all that could be desired, and the proceeds will materially help that progressive club to attain additional distinction in the tennis world. Excellent music was provided by Miss Rita Scarce, of Coonooer Bridge; and the duties of M.C. were efficiently performed

by Mr W. Walker.

With Bat and Ball The re-formed Cricket Club made an auspicious start at Corack when they scored a comfortable win over the local team.

Prior to the game, Mr L. A. Wilkinson was elected captain, and Mr A. O’Donnell vice-captain. Charlton won by 34 runs.

The visitors were entertained to an excellent afternoon tea by the ladies of the Corack club.

Mr R. J. Smith Hairdresser and tobacconist, R.J. Smith, has removed to his old quarters, next to the Globe Hotel.

There will be found an up-to-date stock of pipes, tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, etc.

(Information from East Charlton Tribune)

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Page 6 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

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Above: 1927 Flour Mill Construction.

Charlton Probus February Celebrations THE president would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the members of Charlton Probus for their friendship and to remind members that the March meeting will be the AGM. Please consider taking on a role on the committee.

February Probus Meeting On Friday, 9th Februar y, the club meeting was held at the Charlton Shire Hall.

Reports and Celebrations Our treasurer, Nick, reported that we have sufficient funds to pass on to the new committee so they can start a new year for the club.

Our membership officer, Gary reported that there were 39 Members present, 12 Apologies and 0 Guests.

Our caring officer, Noreen, reported that a sympathy card was sent to Lynne Minogue.

While birthday cards were sent to Val Bourke, Anne Kenny, John and Sheila Grenfill, Jenny Barnard, Maureen Holleran, Elaine Wicks and Deb Cleary.

Have a wonderful birthday, one and all.

Congratulations were sent to Anne Kenny for receiving Citizen of the Year for 2024.

A well deser ved honour for her hard work for the Charlton community.

Thank you cards were received from Neil Cossar and Anne Kenny.

Our outings officer, Sandra Patton, spoke about the pleasant afternoon on Sunday 21st January at the Charlton Lions Club.

Many members reported that they had a wonderful time listening to ‘Christmas Down Under’ by Andre Rieu.

After having a delicious afternoon tea.

Sandra talked about a possible trip to the Charlton Feedlot via the Yeungroon Community Hall, with lunch at the Wedderburn Pub. On 20th March Morning Music at The Capital Theatre will kick off.

- Contributed

Footy tipping Footy tipping is being headed up by Kevin Mathews.

Good luck to all and may your team win.

Jokes Lee Parker enthralled us with her joke about ‘The Truckie and the Emu’.

Garry Larmour also amused us with his story about ‘Taking the Dog for a Walk’.

Lucky Number Draw Congratulations to Joan Mundy on winning

Above: Birthday photo (left to right) Sheila Grenfill, John Grenfill, Deb Cleary, Jenny Barnard and Anne Kenny. the lucky prize draw.

Buloke Shire Presentation Guest speakers this month were Sam Wheelhouse and Jo

Postlethwaite of the Buloke Community Recovery Team.

Overall, the Buloke Shire Council is committed to supporting

the community through recover y efforts and various initiatives.

with everybody retiring

Meeting Closed

Have a productive

The meeting closed

to the East Charlton Hotel for lunch.

month of March.

Above: Jo Postlethwaite of the Buloke Community Recovery Team.

“The Color Purple” BASED on the hit Broadway musical and the bestselling novel by Alice Walker, musical drama “THE COLOR PURPLE” is the decadesspanning story of Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a black woman separated from her family as a child.

Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband.

With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.

The love and friendship of the women who enter her life (Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks) allow Celie to gradually discover her true self.

Produced by Oprah

- Contributed Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones and directed by Ghanaian filmmaker, author and visual artist Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), this is a story which invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in "The Color Purple."

“The Colour Purple” (M 141 mins) screens on Saturday 9th March at 8pm, Sunday 10th March at 2pm and Tuesday 12th March at 8pm.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 7

In The Paddock

NATIONAL CROSSWORD 13 X 13 GRID 3

LISTINGS WANTED Residential, Rural, Commercial & Leasing See your local

Nutrien Harcourts Real Estate team Sharlene Bertalli: 0447 952 320 Damian Drum: 0428 952 284

NAT140

Disaster Relief Fund New inquiry into the role open for farmers

of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asia

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has opened applications and is encouraging donations for the VFF Disaster Relief Fund (VFF DRF) in the wake 1of 2devastating 8 5 6 and7 3 4 bushfires thunderstorms that have hit farmers hard 10 throughout February. 9 THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee last week VFF President Committee12will over11 commenced an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Emma Germano said see the collection of Asian markets and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders.

Auspac Media

13-19 Napier Street, St. Arnaud

Release No. 10125

donations from the14 15 13 Committee Chair, ty requirements, also interested in community, assessMeryl Swanson MP, Southeast Asia is one identifying new mechleft reeling after a 17 ment of applications, 18 19 16 said the Australian of the fastest growing anisms and emerging series of devastating and approval and disPO Box 2585 Government has markets for Australian opportunities and natural disasters and tribution of individual 23 22 21 20 Southport Qld prioritised a deepenagricultural exports,” challenges for the activation of the grants to farmers up to Australia 4215 Fund aims to help the 24value of $5,000, for ing engagement with said Ms Swanson.

Australian agriculture The Committee will to address key prioriTelephone: (07) farmers 5591 5361doing it tough. impacts from storm or Southeast Asia, and from the examine the role of ties in the Southeast “From bushfire that occurred28 noted 29 27 25 26to Toll Free: 1 800 652 284 Gippsland, • Dam Sinking, Enlarging & Cleaning recently released Australian agriculture Asia region. the Grampians and from 9th February Fax: (07) now 5591 5066 • Land Levelling and Filling ‘Invested: Australia’s in Southeast Asian Ms Swanson said, areas near 2024.

31 30 • Land Clearing, Driveways etc.

Southeast Economic markets in the context “the strategy identified Ballarat, many of our Applications will be Email: • Gravel For Sale Strategy to 2040’ that of the recommendaagriculture and food as regional communities assessed 34 33 individually 32 info@auspacmedia.com.au Southeast Asia is at tions in the economic one of the ten key sechave been hit incredibased on the level of Phone Mike: 0408 316 394 IEDsite: ARRour Visit the centre of global strategy. tors offering the most bly hard by severe impact, vulnerability, 36 35 Truck Available. ALL WORKSOC Y L PT www.auspacmedia.com.au R M growth and is a develIt will focus on how potential for greater thunderstorms and urgency and evidence R OUT P U O For a no obligation Y O opment and economic Australian agriculture commercial activity AND T CTION devastating bushfires.” and will38be open until 37 FA Quote Phone: SATIS success story. can support Southeast between Australia and “Farmers have lost 10th March 2024.

“Agriculture plays a Asia’s food security, Southeast Asia.” farm sheds, kilometres 40 39 Evaluation of each critical role in sustainimproving market Submissions to the of fencing, stock, application will begin Calder Highway ing the region’s access and trade sysinquiry will be open machinery and that’s immediately and the Wedderburn economic growth. tems, and building until 31st May 2024. just from early assessVFF will advise as soon “With its continucapability region Further informaSolution in No.the10125 ments. as possible on applicaing population growth, to improve agricultural tion, including the “We know there will tion outcome.

ACROSS DOWNTerms of Reference rapid urbanisation, sustainability, technolCreated: Ted Whillier be more, so we’re ACROSSTo be eligible to DOWN rising incomes and ogy and innovation. getting on the front apply, you must be a 1 Ideal 2 Dorsal can be found on the 1 Perfect 2 Of the back Creator no: 10125foot and opening increasing food securiThe Committee is our farmer and must 5 Mess 3 Amuses Committee’s website.

5 Untidy state 3 Entertains disaster relief fund demonstrate sufficient Qxpress: Peta Mandrakas 9 Minor 4 Lisps 9 Person under agefor financial 4 Imperfect sounds need Checked: Rosemaryapplications.

J“Assessment 10 Thor 5 Mode of the god assistance.

10 Thunder 5 Fashion applications 11 willGiant beginwith 100 “When the fund was 11 Argus 6 Erasures eyes 6 Effacements immediately and we last enacted in 2020 12 Data 7 Static Factstogivenafter devastating7 bushStationary hope to be12able 13 Spies 8 Coarse 13 Secret Common begin pay-outs very agents fires, donations8helped Rotary Club of St. Arnaud soon. of 14 Turn28 February 2024 15 Utters 14 Revolve restore thousands 15 Speaks Week ending Wednesday — By Glendon Hancock is coordinating a hay drive “We’re also collectkilometres of damaged 16 Hates 16 Hair 16 Dislikes intensely 16 Filament AFTER six consecutive selling series of no overall positive movement, ing donations, if you fencing, repaired pasfor livestock in the fire Units Teasesan overall increase, albeit 18 Single entities 17 Flirts the Australian 18 wool market has finally 17 managed are willing and in a ture, replaced troughs 20margins.

Ales 19 Net affected areas around 20 Drinks and tanks and also 19 Meshed fabric position to contribute. conby the barest of “The VFF would tributed to fixing 21 Directed Derelict track above the previous, the The MPG 21 movements 21 Guided with advice 21 DilapidatedThe national offering fell Beaufort /Raglan. like to express our gratinfrastructure. slightly to 38,137 bales. across the country 24 Beret 22 Ireranged total dollar amount of wool 24 Headwear 22 Anger itude to those who “As some parts of Compared to the correbetween minus 26 and plus sold is well down.

Anyone who would like to 25 Restores 23 Deed Puts back Victoria begin 23 Exploit have already25donated the sponding sale of the previous 16 cents for merino fleece.

The $47.64 million sold Erse 24 stronger Bog and thanks 28 everyone clean-up and24assess donate hay pleaseCreated ring in QUARK Celtic tongue Marsh season there has28 been just The market was this week, pushed the season who contributes, no the damage26from 8,280 more bales offered, an on the first selling day, the to date total to $1,479 mil30 Merge 26 Emerge 30 Combine Come forth XPRESS. VER.4.03 North Central News matter how big or recent wild weather, increase of 0.7%. 31 Based AWEX Eastern Market lion.

27 Traces 31 Founded our thoughts again 27 Tracks Items not needed for small,” Ms Germano go In the merino fleece, the Indicator (EMI) adding 4 This is $146 million dolon 03 5495 1055.

Mesa Easter 32 Table­shaped Holiday market periodmovements32were var- cents, the EMI28 closed day lars less than last season, out hill to those 28 battling publication can said. be ied, although across all one at 1,161 cents.

33 Limes 29 Series with more wool sold.

The VFFDRF bushfires that continue 33 Fruit 29 Sequence erased as each is in a microns, any good35 styleChic wool The second 31 day the marNext week, a similar to impact communities Beast 35 Smart and 31 Cruel man possessing favourable addi- ket eased across all three quantity is expected. near Ballarat,” Ms separate text box.

36 results, Attic selling centres. 34 Ices fashionableGermano said.34 Frozen treats tional measurement There are currently 37 Ogre very The EMI gave back 3 41,1154 bales rostered for sale 36 Top room Further informa- continued to attract strong support, 38 generally tion, including Cease cents of the first day’s gain, nationally, with again only 37 Fairy tale monster recording only positive move- closing the week 1 cent high- two selling days required. donation, application 39 Sots 38 Halt ments. er at 1,158 cents. and full eligibility criMelbourne 40 Tryst 39 Drunkardsteria is available on the The other standout was After rising last series in Ind. 1128 L +3 the 19.5-micron group.

USD terms, currency move40 Rendezvous VFF website at 16.5 1859 -12 Strong demand pushing ment has prevented the EMI https://www.vff.org.au/ 17 1744 -11 prices higher, the individual from doing so again. vffdisasterrelieffund/ 17.5 1642 -26 Micron Price Guides The EMI dropped 4 US 1548 -3 (MPGs) for 19.5 micron cents, closing at 755 US 18 18.5 1466 -3 Solution No. 10125 where the only ones to post cents. an increase in all three cenAlthough the total 19 1407 +5 I D E A L ME S S C tres (between 7 and 16 amount of bales offered so 19.5 1372 +15 O M I NOR T HOR cents). far this season continues to 20 1336 +11 ARGU S DA T A A 21 1319 -2 S S P I E S T URN National Offering 22 1294 -23 HA T E S UN I T S Centre Week Days Offering A L E S D I R E C T E D North 35 27, 28, 29, Feb.10,028 23 South 35 27, 28, 29, Feb.20,357 24 I A B E R E T E E West 35 27, 28, 29, Feb. 7,752 25 699n -6 R E S T OR E S E R S E 529 -11 ME RGE BA S E D Total 38,137 26 ME S A L I ME S R 28 358 -2 Future Offerings R CH I C A T T I C 30 342 +2 Week 36 5, 6, Mar. 41,154 OGR E C E A S E E 32 305 0 E SO T S T R Y S T Source - AWEX MC 726 -5 many regional com-

The Featuresmunities People have been

(03) 5494 3120

Note to Editor:

WARNING !!!

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Page 8 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

In The Paddock Addressing El Nino misconceptions at BCG Trials Review Day UNDERSTANDING climate indicators was a key message from Birchip Cropping Group (BCG)’s Climate Expert Kate Finger who presented BCG’s Trials Review Day held on Friday 23rd February.

- Contributed The senior researcher explained to the 170 plus farmers and advisers in attendance that a declaration of an El Nino, as happened last year, ‘did not always equal drought’.

In fact, she explained that while 56 percent of the time the years did result in drier than average, 31 per cent declared were average and another 13 per cent were above average for Birchip (based off historical records).

“It is important that farmers understand that while there is increased risk, it does not mean it will eventuate. We want farmers to be aware of the increased likelihood to capitalise on opportunities and have a plan in place to be prepared.”

Ms Finger also implored the audience to keep this information in mind when reports of El Nino were sensationalised by the media.

“Yes, there is a higher chance however we need to be prepared not alarmed.”

Biostimulants BCG’s Dr Yolanda Plowman’s discussion regarding biostimulants also drew interest from the crowd.

Slugs and snails Dr Michael Nash’s engaging discussion on snail and slug management was also well received by growers grappling with the sharp increase in numbers and subsequent damage caused by slugs, and contamination due to snails.

Swan Hill mixed farmer Bradley Williamson said the talk had come at the perfect time for him to start thinking about how he was going to manage snails in the coming season.

Protein mapping Jil Jil farmer Julie McClelland, who undertakes a considerable number of soil tests each year on her farm, said the harvest technology panel session showed promise.

“I’m hopefully that protein mapping will mean we can get the soil data we need without me having to do so many soil tests,” she laughed.

Local research presented by BCG staff was also a highlight.

Senior Manager of Extension Kelly Angel’s visuals showing the efficacy of different herbicides on Star of Bethlehem demonstrated the importance of looking below to determine effective management of this house plantturned weed.

Dr Plowman, who completed her PhD in the field of microbial organisms commonly used asbiostimulants, urged farmers and adviser to be mindful of biostimulants.

Life membership

This is due she said, to lack of regulation, claims versus evidence questions, lack of independent research and research which showed some products may introduce harmful microbes into paddocks. Her advice was simple.

“Make sure that the products you wish to use are backed by good science and remember: currently it is an industry worth billions of dollars which is currently unregulated in Australia.”

Ian and Anne McClelland and John and Robyn Ferrier were awarded life memberships of BCG at the event which was held at the Birchip Leisure Centre.

The life memberships, recognised the leadership, vision, passion and hard work each has provided BCG over four decades.

In making the announcement, Vice Chair Greg Kuchel said the Birchip-based leading not-for-profit

organisation may never have materialised without the contribution of these community leaders.

Service to BCG BCG CEO Fiona Best recognised the ser vice of Brooke Bennett and Kelly Angel for their five and ten years of service respectively.

“Thank you for your expertise, leadership and dedication to helping farmers and communities be more profitable, sustainable and happy.”

Other topics covered on the day included farmer and adviser experiences, grid sampling at a paddock scale, silicon in wheat and lentils, long coleoptile for moisture management, crop disease research, insects in harvest weed seed control systems, vetch for risk mitigation in dry

times, pulse update, Septoria and cereal disease update, and the latest cereal varieties.

Trials Review Day is a members’ only event.

If you would like to become a member call the BCG office on (03) 5492 2787 or visit bcg.org.au

Above: BCG CEO Fiona Best (centre) recognised the service of Brooke Bennett (left) and Kelly Angel (right) for their five and ten years of service respectively.

Above: Over 170 farmers and advisers attended BCG’s Members’ Only Trials Review Day held at the Birchip Leisure Centre on Friday 23rd February.

LAND AUCTION (Unless sold prior)

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or Sharlene Bertalli - Mobile: 0447 952 320 sharlene@nutriensta.com.au 13-19 Napier Street, ST. ARNAUD VIC. 3478 Office: 03 5495 1722 NUTRIEN ST. ARNAUD DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 9

Don’t forget...

St. Arnaud Country Music Sunday, 17th March MEETINGS

6pm ‘till 10pm

Note: Third Sunday due to Long Weekend

St. Arnaud & District Orchid Society AGM Friday, 8th March 2024 7.00 for 7.30pm Start

Guest Artist -

Owen Blundell

Catholic Parish Centre, On the corner of Queen’s Ave and Alma St.

Walk ups welcome St. Arnaud Sporting Club Charlton Road, St. Arnaud Further details contact 0427 831 613

FOR SALE

FRESH FLOWERS available at St. Arnaud Allsorts

Ph: 5495 1161 89-93 Napier Street, St. Arnaud

EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE

St. Arnaud Sporting Club Casual Bar & Gaming Attendant Award level salary Day and Night Availability Send cover letter and resume to careers@bendigostadium.com.au

Job Opportunities

Supporting Local Business

An new ew p place lac ce to ΈQ ΈQd d all all of our o g great reat L Local ocal B Businesses usinesses

Calling C alling all all Businesses Bus sinesses

Continuing in our trad tradition dition to be all about everythin everything g local, we are pleased to announce the the launch of a new Online Directory Direc ctory to support our great Local Businesses Businesses provided by your independently indepe endently owned Ce entral News. We proudly provide comprehensive and operated North Central coverage of news and events across our region, and are passionate

We’d love to invite every local lo ocal business in our region to be part of the North rth Central Directory.

To ΈQG out how we can help support your business online contact us on 5495 1055.

advocates forr the local story of each of our townships, covering the issues D·HFWLQJ D·HFWLQ QJ us all. In addition we play an important im mportant role in promoting our local businesses bus sinesses and organisations. North Norrth Central Directory will c o great local businesses. further help connect our local residents with our Visit our new website and join us in Supporting ng Your Local Businesses.

www.northcentraldirectory.com.au www.north hcentraldirectory.com.au Page 10 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

Campus Negotiable • Podiatrist • Home Care Support Worker • Dietitian Birchip • Junior Food and Domestic Service Assistant • Enrolled Nurse • District Nurse- Registered Nurse Charlton • District Nurse- Registered Nurse Donald • Enrolled Nurse Wycheproof • Laundry Assistant • Chef Further information available at: https://ewhs.org.au/careers

FOR SALE

AT YOUR SERVICE

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FOR SALE Rotary Club of St. Arnaud

Traditional Rum & Brandy Fruit Cakes

Hayley:

$20

0409 337 276,

available at North Central News and Apex Service Station St. Arnaud.

0458 885 266

Luke: St. Arnaud Serenity Storage

1998 TOYOTA COROLLA

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Practical, experienced advice in plain English Appointments also available in Charlton, Donald & Wycheproof

Ph: 5495 2595 Karen@klp.net.au

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Phone: 0458 951 975.

Top of the Town CHOOK RUN Beauty BALLARAT CHOOKS Salon LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

New breeds this time, Black Australorp pullets also Hyline Pullets Delivery date: Thursday, 14th March Stopping at Avoca, St Arnaud, Donald, Birchip, Wycheproof Sexed and Vaccinated Contact Kelvin to pre-order Ring Or message on on 0400 559 559

For all your Hair and Beauty NEEDS

Ph: 5495 1306 ~ OPEN ~ Monday to Friday Colours, Perms, Unisex Cuts, Waxing, Teeth Whitening, Brow Wax & Tinting, Tanning etc..

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KELL FUNERALS Est 1860

PRE PAID FUNERALS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS

Ph: 5495 1043

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NAFD Member

Birthday wishes to: March 6th Amanda Jones Jake Male Sean McPhee Monica Duncan March 7th Aaron Evans Sandra McIntyre Jack Tillig Dayne Reyne

Physiotherapist Over 17 years experience Open Mon to Fri 63 Napier Street, ST. ARNAUD

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Runs well, one elderly owner, service record available, manual, 119,314kms.

Nicola Kirk

March 8th Scarlett Robinson March 10th Imogen Amos March 11th Curtis Bibby Shirley Birthisel March 12th Gayle Milley Ross Taylor

0400 451 432 or 5495 1108 DEATH CHURCH - Judith Dawn Stratton 25-12-1938 to 23-2-2024 Judith Church departed St Arnaud on a Friday morning.

She didn’t get a chance to say goodbye but would want her friends to know that she would be looking forward to the next great adventure.

Her life was defined by her art, creativity, drive, and love for learning.

An artist and avid reader, Judith, made a mark on the St Arnaud art scene.

She brought vibrancy to the local community with her unique perspective on life.

In the 1970s, Judith, a restless spirit, ventured from country Victoria into the vast Australian outback. There, she painted its essence while working as a teacher in remote Aboriginal communities.

Her love of the frontier country and its people are apparent in her art and stories.

She moved regularly, spending decades in the Northern Territory, teaching and working on the stations and towns throughout the state before a time in Northern Tasmania and finally a return to country Victoria.

Judith has been a resident of St Arnaud for more than a decade.

For the restless spirit that she was, it seems that she had finally found a place to call home and a community to be a part of.

Judy could be a hard person to know well but she was an individual who left an indelible impact on those privileged enough to glimpse the depths of her spirit.

Her legacy will be remembered by those fortunate enough to have known her and her art will live on.

A part of us is gone.

– her sons Owen and Roger.

DEATH CHURCH - Judith Dawn Judith Dawn Church (Churchyard) born on Christmas Day 1938 was a strong eloquent inspiration of a woman.

She brightened the library with bunches of flowers from her garden for many years, introducing us to Acacia Leprosa (Red Wattle) and Themeda Triandra (Kangaroo Grass).

She loved words and encouraged us to read books like Miss Wilmott's ghosts and discover Australian characters like Ernestine Hill and Daisy Bates.

She was a talented painter and supporter of other artists. She did market stalls with our daughter into her 80's.

She sent emails at 7am about caterpillars. She saw poetry in the every day. She brightened our lives and will be sorely missed.

The Huggins Family CHURCH - Judith Dawn We laughed a lot, We cried just a bit, We talked of the Territory and how is was you place, Fly there my friend, and enjoy the open plains once again.

Sally, Steve and family.

CHURCH - Judith Dawn 25-12-1938 to 23-2-2024 A special friend to our family.

Nature, animal and Aussie lover like us.

Sadly missed but happy memories remain, especially your artworks around our home and garden.

RIP Judith with the blue wrens and butterflies, Johanna, Chris, Gracie, Eadie and Billy Medlyn CHURCH - Judith Dawn A former teacher in Aboriginal communities, Judith was a passionate artist, gardener and mentor to a number of young people in the St Arnaud community.

Through her art work and organisation of the annual Art Shows she played an important role in the cultural life of this community.

Judith was a great supporter of the Town Library and will be missed by the library staff, its patrons and the Friends of the St Arnaud Library.

DEATH

FUNERAL

CHURCH NOTICES

CHURCH - Judith Dawn A keen and appreciated member of the St. Arnaud ArtSpace. A keen educator of the arts and valued member to our group. Thank you for your knowledge and you will be sadly missed.

The members of the St. Arnaud ArtSpace

PEARSE A Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life of Mrs. Bethel Pearse will be held in St. Andrews Uniting Church, Donald on THURSDAY (March 7th ) at 11.00 am. The cortege will then leave for the Donald Lawn Cemetery.

KELL FUNERALS ST ARNAUD

ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST. ARNAUD

NUTLEY - Geoff 6/3/1949-24/2/2024 passed away Dubbo NSW. Loving and devoted wife to Dee and loving father of Mathew Daniel James and Phil.

A true friend to us all.

Sympathy to the family for their great loss.

But may Jehovah's Promise sustain you during your sorrow Revelation 21 verses 3 and 4.

Steve Laurie and Xavier Marshall PEARSE (Richards) - Bethel Mary passed away peacefully at Donald on the 1st March 2024, aged 103 years. Dearly loved wife of Barney (dec).

Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Graeme and Nola; and Rosemary. Treasured Grandmother of John and Antoinette; Christopher and Tahnee; Timothy and Kylie; Amanda and Hymie; Corinne and Bill.

Great Grandmother of Isabella, Alexander; Tom, Vivienne; Amelia, Baden; Meg, Dyllan, Liam and Morrigan.

IN HEAVENLY LOVE ABIDING POLE - Leslie “Ray” of St Arnaud passed away peacefully on March 4th 2024, aged 95 years. Dearly loved husband of Joan (Dec’d). Much loved father of Wendy and Chris, Father-in-Law of David and Maree, Pop and Great Pop of Andrew, Emily, Dean and Wylie, Brad, Michelle and Danny, and Caitlin.

MUCH LOVED UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN RE UNITED WITH HIS BELOVED JOAN

Christ Church Old Cathedral Friday 8th March 9.30am Morning Prayer St. Arnaud 9.30am Every Sunday Eucharist Bealiba 8am 2nd/4th Sunday All Welcome Rev. Peter Downes Enquiries phone: Phone: 0412 957 383

NFDA EST: 1860

5495 1043 POLE A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Ray Pole will be held in the Uniting Church St Arnaud on Tuesday March 12th at 11.00 am. The cortege will then leave for the St Arnaud Lawn Cemetery.

KELL FUNERALS ST ARNAUD NFDA EST: 1860

5495 1043

BEREAVEMENT THANK YOU THANK YOU The family of the late Ian John Watts, formerly of Coonooer Bridge, would like to thank family, friends and neighbours for their flowers, cards and messages of condolence during our recent sad bereavement.

Special thank you to the staff at EWHS Charlton for their excellent care.

CHURCH NOTICES ST. ARNAUD UNITING CHURCH Sunday 10th March ST. ARNAUD 9.30am G. Postlethwaite STUART MILL No Service Combined with St. Arnaud PARISH OFFICE Chris & Rob Batters Pastorial Co-ordinators Enquiries 5495 6223

DISTRICT CATHOLIC CHURCHES East Wimmera Parish BIRCHIP

Sunday March 10th 10.30am - Live Stream in BOORT

Sunday March 10th 10.30am - Live Stream in BANYENA - No Mass CHARLTON

Sunday March 10th 8.30am - Mass DONALD

Saturday March 9th 7.00pm - Mass ST. ARNAUD

Sunday March 10th 10.30pm Live Stream out to churches without Mass WYCHEPROOF

Sunday March 10th 10.30am - Live Stream in Parish Coordinator: Noeline Hogan 0476 617 976

ST. ARNAUD CHURCH OF CHRIST Cnr. Queens Ave & Alma St. Hearing the good news of Jesus Thurs. 7th March 10.30 a.m. Faith Group Sun. 10th March 10.00 a.m. Prayer Time 10.30 a.m.: Worship & Communion Speaker: Neale Postlethwaite Enquiries: Brian Eccles Ph: 5495 2267

Rubber Stamps North Central News (03) 5495 1055

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 11

Marshall Clan to hold a reunion in Barkly BORN in Devon England in 1832, Robert Marshall at the tender age of 18 years, found a new life on the Australian Goldfields.

Tw e n t y o d d y e a r s later, in 1855, he married Grace McGregor married in Melbourne and tried their luck at Blackwood and Harrisons Hill near Maryborough before settling at Barkly in 1857.

Nine children were born in the next few years and the family prospered.

Robert became renown for tracking down lost gold leads in the Barkly area through persistence, hard work and a knowledge of alluvial ground.

The Holdovers, a movie at St. Arnaud Community Cinema THIS comedy/drama is set in the 1970s.

- Contributed When the easy gold ran out, he turned to servicing the growing community and established a butcher’s shop and wine shanty on the Redbank Road, overlooking the Barkly Main lead.

When the last of the hopeful gold seekers eventually left, the Marshall family turned their hands to the soil and did their bit to restore Barkly to the beautiful peaceful habitat it had once been.

The descendents of his first son Robert Junior, are holding a Marshall reunion to celebrate the achievements of those who toiled before us, and any family members from

Above : Robert Marshall (standing 4th from left with folded arms) and his mining mates, Barkly Main Lead 1870. the succeeding 8 generations are most welcome to join in.

Also interested to hear from any descendants of the Darlington family of St. Arnaud, the Marland, Burke and Reid families.

The reunion will be held at the Barkly Hall on 6th April 2024 from 11am onwards.

Enquiries should be directed to Chris Marshall (chrisso.marsh@gmail.com) or on mobile number 0408 723 320.

Contributed

Vietnam War and sees the need to invite Angus and Paul over to her house for Christmas.

This event has an impact on Angus.

As the layers of hurt, abandonment, grief and loneliness are stripped way, rare moments of introspection emerge and tenderness creeps in to reveal the true feelings of the characters.

Hanman eventually forms an unlikely bond with Angus.

This story has heart and humour, and this heartwarming movie portrays the brilliant performances by Paul Gramatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’ Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston.

Don’t miss this excellent movie.

Screenings take place on Friday 8th March at 7.30 pm and Sunday 10th March at 2pm.

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The story is about a cranky history teacher, at Barton Academy, a remote preparatory school in Britain and the class of boys he teaches.

The boys are preparing to leave school over the Christmas holidays.

Conflict occurs when a group of students who have nowhere to go over the two-week break need to remain at the school.

They are placed under the care of Paul Hanman their history teacher, whose bad temper is fuelled because he is rostered on to stay at the school.

Hanman is sarcastic toward a bright but rebellious student called Angus, as the teacher tries to portray himself as if he is in charge.

Finally, the cook, Mary Lamb steps in as mediator.

Mary has lost a son in the

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Phone: 0428 951 441 18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud.

Page 12 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

18 Napier St., St. Arnaud.

Phone: (03) 5495 1055

St. Arnaud men’s teams so close at Country week championships THREE teams represented St. Arnaud at the Vic Tennis Country Week Tennis Tournament held recently at Albury - Wodonga with the town’s “Better After Dark” Men’s Doubles team of Luke Jackson, Stephen Rodger, Jake Male and Bailey Durward, and “St. Arnaud Men’s” team of John Goode, Thomas Watts and first timers Rogan Hando and Sam Male (Men’s Section 10) falling just short in the Men’s Section Four and Men’s Section Ten respectively.

Meanwhile, the St Arnaud BOAT team of Chris and Caitlyn Goode, Kim Nevill and new players to the team in Keegan Amos and Mar y-Anne Pollard, after a double loss to Mixed Nuts and Euroa Purple on the first day staged a great recovery, result of a morning’s shopping, with a one-point win over Castlemaine Rocks on the following day.

The wonders of retail therapy!

Resplendent in their “red and white” apparel the three teams, corralled and cajoled by the efficient and effervescent Chris Goode, joined over 1300 tennis players who converged on the twin towns from throughout Victoria and interstate to play the weeklong tournament organised by Tennis Victoria and the local Tennis Clubs.

100 courts were prepared over three venues for the largest lawn tennis tournament in the World.

On a very hot first day, “Better Af ter Dark” were quickly out of the blocks winning over Mount Pleasant’s “Sledgends” 32/19, and “Mates” 25/20.

On nearby courts “St Arnaud Men’s” lost to San Remo’s “Loose Strings” 32/16 before recording a good win over Wangaratta’s

“Legends” 28/22.

Tuesday welcomed another very hot day, necessitating many refilled water bottles, but proved a positive day for the men’s teams with “St Arnaud Men’s” despatching Gippland’s“Studs” 32/13 before tieing with K arramomus “Bushchooks” 19/19 in a hard fought match.

Suffering from living up to its name “Better After Dark” found their early morning match against Swan Hill BS too demanding to win losing 21/28 but, after a chaser or two, recoiled in the afternoon for a strong 28-20 win over “Not our Faultz 2”.

The following day “St Arnaud BOAT “buoyed by the previous day’s close win, won well against Williamstown Central 28/18 but found Bacchus Marsh’s “Double Tees” too strong losing 15/27.

Meanwhile, the “St Arnaud Men’s team” acquitted itself well with two wins for the day, firstly over Leongatha’s “Beers” and then against Wodonga’s Spiders.

“Better After Dark”, still finding the early morning matches a tad too soon losing to Merimbula’s Bunnies by three games, but with an afternoon win over last year’s Section winners Albur y’s

Above: St. Arnaud Mens Team (left to right) John Goode, Sam Male, Rogan Hando, Thomas Watts.

- Contributed “Crocs” retained its equal top Section Four ranking.

A cooler Semi Finals day arrived and “St Arnaud Men’s” scraped into the Section 10 semi-final with a 22/19 win over Port Macquarie’s “Aces 2”, but in a titanic battle lost the semi-final 25/27 to Karramomus “Bushchooks”.

Clearly suffering from having a good time the ladies “St Arnaud BOAT” team were demolished in its match (score kept secret) by the mighty strong interstate intruders Brisbane’s “Sunny Girls”!

“Better After Dark” still working out whether playing during the day or night was the better, again suffered a morning loss, to Chadstone’s “Challengers”, but recovered in a mighty effort in the Semi-Final losing by just three games again to M e r i m b u l a ’ s “Bunnies”.

As Caitlyn Goode observed, “should have tried harder”!

All in all, St. Arnaud acquitted itself well both on and off the courts for a week of competition, social nights and camaraderie and the team members look forward to regathering next year Swan Hill.

Above: Better After Dark Team (left to right) Jake Male, Bailey Durward, Luke Jackson, Stephen Rodger.

Wimmera Mallee Cricket Semi finals A Grade Semi Final 1 Donald Jeffcott 7/100 (30.3) def. Birchip 10/98 (34.4) Semi Final 2 BrimKSH 4/89 (20.4) def. Marnoo 10/87 (30.2) B Grade Semi Final 1 Charlton 10/85 (33.4) def. Southern Mallee Giants 10/72 (33.3) Semi Final 2 Donald Jeffcott 9/172 (40) def. Birchip 10/44 (22)

SUDOKU Sudoku is an 81 square number grid with nine blocks each containing nine cells. To solve the puzzle, all the blank cells must be filled in using numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and in the nine 3x3 blocks. You can successfully solve the puzzle just by using logic and the process of elimination.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

Proudly sponsored by:Above: St. Arnaud Bowling Club Mixed Pairs Champions for Season 2023-24 John Prendergast and Tom Amos (right).

New Pairs Champions THE St. Arnaud Bowling Club has two new names on the club’s Champion Pairs honourboard.

- Contributed

Above: St. Arnaud Boat Team with guitars (left to right) Mary-Anne Pollard, Kim Nevill, Chris Goode, Caitlyn Goode and Keegan Amos.

The winners of the club mixed pairs for season 2023-24 are Tom Amos and John Prendergast, and it is the first time each of these two have won a pairs championship.

They defeated Sandra McIntyre and

Marg McRae to reach the final, against Phil McRae and Craig Cheesman.

The final was played on a pleasant Sunday evening and Tom and John had a convincing win over Phil and Craig, 20 shots to 10.

For a prompt & professional service with a smile All Major Repairs & Brands of Tyres Car/Truck/4WD Wheel Balancing Modern Laser Wheel Alignments All Battery Sizes

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NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 13

Boort Cup Day Yellow house wins swimming ST. ARNAUD Primary School held their 2024 Swimming Carnival on Friday 23rd - Contributed February.

THE weather gods were extremely kind to the Boort Trotting Club on Sunday for the running of their two Cups races delivering a wonderful 27° top temperature with a light easterly breeze blowing off the lake.

A well supported programme saw very competitive racing with the Pacers cup being won by “Harryhoo” who led all the way from the outside of the front row for driver Michelle Phillips and trainer Danny Curran.

The Trotters Cup was won by the 5yo mare “Wish Upona Dream” who is trained

by Rebecca Morrissey of Longlea and was driven by Michael Bellman.

In winning her 9th race the mare led for the entire 2612m trip with a mile rate of 2.06.4 from the standing start.

The Denis McIntyre trained “James Garner” showed his liking for the Boort track by winning his second race there this season.

In both wins the 4yo “Betters Delight” gelding has raced outside the leader and then outstayed the opposition in the battle to the finish.

Friday night was Ararat Cup night and although “Redbank Molly” didn’t win her race she came away with the trophy for Ararat Pacer of the Year for 2023.

Students competed in swimming and land events throughout the day.

The House Captains thank all the families,

friends and staff who supported the day, the St. Arnaud Secondary College students who assisted on the day, STAPS Parents Club for the BBQ lunch and lifeguards Maddie, Darcy and Morgan.

Congratulations to all students who gave their best on the day, to the age group champions and 2024 winning team Yellow House.

Above: 2024 Age group swimming champions (left to right) Back row: Dahla Promma, Lewis Lowe, Maddox Stewart. Front row: Imogen Watts, Chaise Buttery, Lilyana Stewart, Kate McCrohan Above: Boort winner “James Garner” with Elise McIntyre. The gelding’s 2 wins have both been at Boort and both times he has carried the “lucky” number 5 saddlecloth.

The mare had 7 starts at the track in 2023 for 4 wins and a second.

The other winner at Ararat was Ebony Mason who won the “Allbenz” Pony Trot Cup aboard “Coco”.

This Friday the Wedderburn club race at Maryborough with a programme that includes Central Victorian Champion-

Inside running

by Archie

Kara Kara secures a final’s berth ship heats and on Sunday it’s Mallee Bull Cup time at Birchip.

With the BOM forecast of 40° for Saturday its fingers crossed for a cool change before Sunday morning.

Above: Shane and Ryan Sanderson combined to win the Maiden 3yo at Charlton on Monday with the impressive “Alpha Stride” who paced its last half in 56.4. That success was the first leg of a winning double for Ryan.

Bealiba Hall Indoor Carpet Bowls A great roll out this week saw big wins in some games while others were quite even.

- Contributed We welcomed Karen Waters back for the first time this year, fresh from her journey to New York.

No jet lag evident, Karen produced the shot of the night nudging out an opposition bowl to balance her own right on the edge of the mat alongside Kitty.

Ian Lovel was back, complete with new glasses, some of us wished he had kept the old ones on, there

Right: 2024 Yellow House captains (left to right) Kate McCrohan, Sienna Thomson, Lewis Lowe, Phoenix Gigg.

was no stopping him.

Pam Brightwell continued in her scintillating form that she has shown since the start of this season Congratulations to the winning teams of John Maher, Malcolm Campbell and Shirley Coburn and to Gary McClelland, Ian Lovel and Pam Brightwell on scoring two wins each for the night.

Happy Bowling

Page 14 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

ST. ARNAUD’S Kara Kara team kept its best to last by winning against, and leapfrogging, Donald to land in second place on the premiership ladder in the last home and away round of the North Central Lawn Tennis - Contributed Association season on Saturday.

The final score 160140 games (10-0 points) belied the closeness of the contest with Kara Kara a little too strong in the Men’s and Mixed Doubles sections but squeaking in by just one game in the Ladies Doubles.

Played at St. Arnaud, the home team started well with 53-43 games lead over Donald in the Men’s Doubles thanks, in part, to Sam Male and Matt Goode both of whom managed to win all of their sets for the afternoon.

In the Ladies Doubles the top section players drew ahead of Donald only to have that lead whittle away, one set at a time, by Donald’s lower section ladies with Kara Kara holding on for a 52-51 games win.

The Mixed Doubles saw another section win, 55-46 games, to Kara Kara with husband-andwife duo, Matt and Sheridan Goode, enjoying a solid win over Donald’s Jacob Bath and Meaghan King.

Don Erwin recorded three set wins for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, on the adjacent courts, St. Arnaud’s second team, St. Arnaud, continued its season dominance over Charlton winning all sections for a 107-80

points (10-0 points) win and retention of its fifth placing on the premiership ladder.

Standout player for the day was Keegan Amos, the only player to record wins in all her sets.

Top section players in the Men’s Doubles, Stephen Rodger, Bailey Durward and Scott Wright each looked certainties to record three set wins each, but each lost in tiebreakers in the Mixed Doubles section to the invigorated Charlton pairings.

The final NCLTA Ladder stands at (points): Nullawil 113, Kara Kara 101, Donald 98, Birchip 80, St. Arnaud 56, Wirrim 45, Charlton 40, Wycheproof 27.

The Semi-finals will be held on Saturday, 16th March (venue to be decided) between Nullawil and Birchip and Kara Kara and Donald.

Club Championships On Sunday the St. Arnaud and District Lawn Tennis Club championships were held with competition in both “A” and “B” grades, watched by an appreciative audience, in sunny conditions.

In Men “A” Grade Sam Male, who has pro-

gressed his tennis in leaps and bounds in the past two seasons, atoned for his defeat in last year’s Championship final.

Having overcome Thomas Watts 6/3, 6/2 in his semi-final he was to be challenged by Bailey Durward whom had progressed to the final with a 6/4, 6/3 win over Sam’s brother, Jake.

In a tight tussle Sam prevailed 6/4, 7/5 to win his first Men’s Club Championship, perhaps the forerunner to a few more.

In Ladies “A” Grade, Sharyn Erwin regained her Club Champion title lost last year to Tracey Graham.

After an 8/3 win in the semi-final against Kegan Amos Sharyn was pitted against the evergreen Trudie Jackson who had earlier overcome Wendy Shaw 8/3.

Losing the first set 3/6 to Trudie, Sharyn had to call on all her guile to regather her stroke play, enough to win the remaining sets 6/4, 6/1 and the Ladies Club Champion title.

In the Men’s “B” Grade final Matt Goode continued his recent consistently good form to record an 8/4 win over Owen Lowe, while in the L adies “B” Grade final Wendy

Above: Sheridan Goode - runner up in B Grade Final-fought hard.

Shaw was too experienced for Sheridan Goode, winning 8/3.

The past weekend saw a conclusion to a most enjoyable “home and away” tennis season, Country Week tennis and the Club Championships, and the focus has turned to the Association finals and the forthcoming Annual Easter Tennis Tournament.

St. Arnaud Junior Tennis ST. ARNAUD Junior Tennis had a total of 22 registered players this year, with many participating each Saturday morning to learn the basics to the - Contributed great game of tennis.

The season concluded last Saturday, with 14 juniors coming along enjoying tennis on a beautiful sunny morning and then being presented with certificates from their coaches.

The coaches would like to thank the parents and club members who assisted each week.

We do hope that we will see our juniors next season and hopefully some more new faces.

Lastly, congratulations to Sam Greenaway and Noah Hando who stepped up into Senior teams in the last two rounds.

They played well.

Left: Back row (left to right): Georgie Wright, Noah Hando, Patrick Zsigmond, Charlie Kirk, Maddy McNally, Xavier Batters, Sam Greenaway, Matilda Kirk and Molly McNally.

Front row (left to right): William Sanderson, Bonnie McNally, Harry Kirk, Emily Kirk, Alice Batters, Edward Sanderson and Desmond Sanderson.

The 2024 Victorian Eight-Ball Country Cup Carnival THIS year’s competition was held in Ararat over the weekend of 23rd25th February, its first appearance there since 2010 and once again was - by Bob Wooley held in the tight confines of the City Hall.

High hopes were held for our team that contained two veterans of that previous foray to Ararat (Paul Mullins and Dave Russ) and two fresh faces (Sam Postlethwaite and Steve Rodger) but once again it was to be a tale of frustration and missed opportunities.

Our first match was to be against the Clarkefield side, who were to eventually finish fourth on the ladder, and Shane Sanger got us away to a good start but the elation was to be short-lived as Leigh Watkins, Paul, Sam, Steve and Dave all lost their opening frames while Harley Durward was to succeed in his, the team going down by two games to five.

The second match

against Carisbrook was a complete reversal of the opener with Shane losing his opening frame but he was to be the only failure as the rest of the team hit their straps to take out the remaining frames, giving us an excellent six games to one victory.

A chance for glory was lost in the third round however when we went toe-for-toe with the Maryborough One side. With the match in the balance at four frames apiece Harley and Steve both fell agonizingly short in their frames leaving Dave to clean up on the last frame for a losing score of three games to four. Maryborough One was to go on and win the Division Four premiership.

Round four was the bye for us and in hindsight it would appear that this may have been a fatal interlude because when we returned to the baize for round five we were to be completely outplayed by the eventual runners-up, Horsham Two to the tune of a one game to six loss with Leigh being the player who prevented the white-wash.

Round six was to be the last for Saturday and the previous disaster appeared to have shaken our team out of its lethargy as we displayed no chivalry towards the Bendigo Ladies team. It should have been a white-wash but in the final frame of the match Dave played some inexplicable shots on the black to

Above: (left to right) Shane Sangar, Sam Postlethwaite, Steve Rodger, Paul Mullins, Harley Durward, Bob Wooley, Leigh Watkins and Dave Russ. eventually lose; perhaps he was affected by smoke inhalation as there was some about from the nearby bushfires.

The full moon shined crimson through the smokefilled horizon Saturday night and this was matched by the dawn Sunday morning as we prepared for the final three round knowing that we would need to win at least two of these to have any chance of

making the finals. Our first match was against the Geelong Wanderers but only Sam and Dave were capable of offering any resistance as we went down by two games to five but the Whipstick Miners were to deliver the coup-degrace in round eight, inflicting upon us our second one game to six loss with only Paul Mullins able to prevent the ignominy of the dreaded white-wash.

With the finals horse

now well and truly bolted for us and the wooden-spooners, Western District Ladies, our final match for the day against them was academic however we were to end the tournament on a high note, beating the hapless lassies by seven games to zilch, leaving us sixth on the ladder ahead of the three teams against whom we had triumphed.

The veteran, Paul

Mullins, and the tyro, Sam Postlethwaite, were our leading players, each recording five wins and three losses.

They were followed by Leigh Watkins, Harley Durward and Dave Russ (,4,4,) then Shane Sanger and Steve Rodger (3,5,).

We now look forward to our regular home-and-away season and next year’s Country Cup Carnival which will be held in Horsham.

St. Arnaud Indoor Bowls Tuesday 20th February

- Contributed

Bowling was fairly even across the board today between all four teams.

At the end of the second games, all teams had won a game and lost a game.

All teams were doing their best to win the third game and to become today’s winning team.

When cards were handed in at the end, the result was the two teams that won, both had 33 points so a countback had to be done.

With both teams on edge, while the countback was being worked out, the announcement was made that the winners on the day were Flo Andison (S) and Brenda Beggs.

Tuesday 27th February Four teams of two bowlers in each all had a great afternoon of bowling.

The winning team on 45 points, winning all three games, was Dot Baldwin (S) and Maria Hills.

They dominated the first two games winning 15 points to 2 points with six ends and 17 points to 8 points with five ends.

In their third game, they took the lead from the start but then slowed down.

Scores were level on the fifth end and again on the seventh end, making it anybody’s game to win.

Regaining their early form, they successfully won the final end by two points, making the score 7 points to 5 points with four ends each.

Above: Back (left to right) James, Nathan and Sam (all Campdraft), Val Bourke, Joy and Bill Freeman. Front row: Francie Stahl, Margaret Bowen, Terri Wolfe (Campdraft), Lindsay Patullo, Tahlijia Sheahan (Campdraft), Nita Perry, Sue Nicholls and Dawn Mulquiny.

Charlton Croquet Club received support from the Charlton Campdraft Club On Monday 19th February Golf Croquet players held their annual Social Night.

There were 20 players from Boort and Charlton.

The winner was Sue Nicholls with 3 wins, 25 hoops.

The runner up was Denise McDougal

(Boort) with 3 wins, 23 hoops.

The Croquet Club was delighted to receive a donation from the Charlton Campdraft Club after its successful Campdraft event in November 2023.

They decided to support “a sport that brings like-minded people together in a positive way.”

- Contributed On Thursday 27th March five of the Campdraft members joined in a game of Golf Croquet.

The winners were Bill Freeman with 18 hoops and Tahlijia Sheahan (Campdraft) with 17 hoops. Thank you to the Campdraft Club.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024 - Page 15

Page 16 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY MARCH 6th 2024.

SPORT

HOME DELIVERY 5495 1055

Wedderburn wins North Central Premiership WEDDERBURN is the North Central Division 1 Pennant Bowls - Contributed premiership team for Season 2023-24.

We d d e r b u r n outbowled St. Arnaud in a one-sided grandfinal staged at the St. Arnaud Country Club last Saturday.

The Wedderburn bowlers were obviously determined to take home the premiership medals, and shield, right from the beginning, opening up a 12 shot overall lead in the first 5 ends, with two of their rinks going to commanding leads by 10 ends.

And it only got better for them and worse for the hapless St. Arnaud bowlers.

Wedderburn’s Alan Jackson, Andrew Caserta, Alan Holt and Rob Guelfo led the way going to a 15-5 shot lead after scoring 5

shots on ends 7 and 9 against Phil McRae, Col Marchment, Graham Simpson and Darren Shepherd.

This domination continued for the remainder of the game, the Wedderburn four winning 18 of the 25 ends for a very big victory.

Also in control were Wedderburn’s Laurie Witham, Bob Montebello, Dale Stephenson and Amy Roberts, ke e p i n g S t e v e Z s i g m o n d , Glendon Hancock, Greg McNally and Tom Amos scoreless for the first 6 ends.

The St. Arnaud four managed to break the ice with 6 shots on the seventh end, but Laurie’s side

retaliated, going to a 23-8 lead after 15 ends, and also scoring a big win.

The only closely contested game was Ashley Dyke, Terry McSwain, Maurie Wood and Tony Marland against Neale Holt, Colin Mills, Warren Roberts and Bruce Hargreaves.

Scores were level at 6 all after 6 ends, and then the St. Arnaud boys won 5 ends to lead 14-8 at the tea break.

The Wedderburn team scored an important 6 shots on the first end after the break, and went to a 24-18 lead with 3 ends to play.

Ashley’s team won the last three ends, including 5 shots on the 24th end, to grab a face-saving win for St. Arnaud by one shot on the last end.

Grand final details: A. Jackson 34 def P. McRae 10 L. Witham 29 def S. Zsigmond 15 N. Holt 24 lost to A. Dyke 25 Wedderburn 87 shots defeated St. Arnaud 50 shots.

Wedderburn won 43 ends to St. Arnaud’s 30.

Wycheproof North Central Division 2 premiers The Division 2 Grand Final, also played at the Country Club, was also one-sided, Wycheproof the emphatic winners by 41 shots over Wedderburn.

Grand final details: Jason McKay 26 def Ian Hall 23 Brett Macdonald 31 def. Geoff Burnside 14

Rob Gryllis 34 def. Lance Stanfield 13

High praise for Country Club Conditions were perfect for bowling for last Saturday’s grand finals at the Country Club.

Prior to making the premiership presentations, L ance Stanfield, speaking behalf of all the clubs involved in the grand final, sincerely thanked the Country Club for their efforts in providing the greens in such good condition, and the facilities for the spectators, the ladies for the very good afternoon tea, the umpire Lyn Southwell, and everyone else who assisted in any way in making the day so enjoyable, and such a success.

Above: We are the premiers. A very happy Wedderburn team winners of the North Central Division 1 Pennant premiership for season 2023-24. (Left to right) Andrew Caserta, Neale Holt, Bruce Hargreaves, Colin Mills, Dale Stephenson, Rob Guelfo, Bob Montebello, Alan Holt, Amy Roberts, Alan Jackson, Warren Roberts and Laurie Witham.

Above: Lance Stanfield with Wedderburn’s Laurie Witham proudly displaying the Cecil Arbuckle premiership shield after his team won the North Central Division 1 Premiership for season 2023-24.

Above: The 2023-24 North Central Division 2 Wycheproof premiership team (left to right): Steve Barratt, Donald Denney, Ross Coles, Peter Coles, Jason McKay, Vince Grant, Jeannie Grylls, Brett Macdonald, Matt Nicholls, John McLean, Robert Grylls and Des Nicholls.

Lance Stanfield (right) congratulating Wycheproof's Brett Macdonald after presenting him with the North Central Division 2 Premiership Shield.