13 September 2023

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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.

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WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

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

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Above: The connections of Steparty, gather in the winners’ enclosure after the win at the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

Locally-bred colt steps up from showing promise to showing the money IT is not often that something or someone that ‘shows promise’ as a child or, in this case, a foal, actually fulfils its promise.

Above: (left to right) Molly, Bonnie and Maddie McNally.

Local girls read their way to raising funds for MS

Steparty was born and bred at Gre Gre and as a talented 2 year old in June North Central News ran the story ‘Local horse shows promise’.

That story was in relation to the colt’s win in the Rod Johnson Handicap at Flemington Racecourse on June 17th.

This weekend at Moonee Valley, Steparty, now a 3 year old, won the $175,000 McKenzie Stakes, defeating Scientify.

Ridden by John Allen with a heap of St. Arnaud district locals as some of the connections, Steparty a bay colt, returned to those that backed the horse a

MADDIE McNally (aged 7), Bonnie McNally (aged 5), and Molly McNally (aged 3), took part in the MS readathon last month and read a whopping 143 books during the month of August.

- Contributed They also raised a generous amount of $2,161 to go towards families living with MS. These thoughtful donations came from a big part of their St. Arnaud local supporters and our family and friends Australia wide.

They reached 12th highest fund raisers out of 19,768 registered participants.

A wonderful achievement.

A total of $1.4 million was raised for MS during the August readathon.

The girls loved being a part of a great cause whilst they enhanced their reading skills.

Get on board the readathon in 2024.

Well done McNally girls.

Above: Gre Gre breeder of Steparty and part owner Greg Baldwin proudly displays the McKenzie Stakes Cup.

Above: Steparty after its win at the Rod Johnson Handicap at Moonee Valley last Saturday. handsome 164% return on their investment.

Steparty is a stakes winner with career earnings of $155,400 before the McKenzie Stakes and is considered above-average in ability.

The horse is trained by Paul Preusker, from Horsham.

Steparty was sired by stallion Artie Schiller out of the dam Watch Your Step.

The connections are: GJ Baldwin, DM Drum, DA Russ, Snow Road Thoroughbreds, VJ Nally, PA Hetherington, BJ Nally, A Cassidy, GA McL aren, PG Walsh, BN Bannerman, RW McIntosh, Miss T Weir, Swan Hill Gang, Ben Gee Racing, ML Telford, Ms EL Telford, Dr PR Knight, Ms GL Wellard and BJ Morris.

INSIDE TODAY Sass and Secrets come to town - page 4 Galngga Nature Festival - page 6

Editorial Ruckus caused by a lack of effective community engagement North Central News has been inundated with people wishing to speak about the issue of the Pre-Prep buildings and the Market Square carpark. Last week we were astounded, this week we have a little more light shed on the issue.

It is an issue that should never have become an issue.

Not only was the community engagement non-existent for all the community, it appears from those that have made contact this week that even for those that were involved, a certain amount of personal opinions, inappropriate remarks and even coersion were involved in the ‘push’ for Option 4 to be the chosen option.

Of those that contacted us this week, a great deal of disrespect has been shown to community members voicing their opinions opposing Option 4 (Market Square carpark) resulting in their fear to voice opinions. No one supporting Option 4 have made contact with us this week.

There is bullying and harassment. Perhaps it says something about the St. Arnaud community but perhaps it says something about a Council that has ignored its own policy and created a bun fight.

We would like to know – Is it true that ‘we’ can’t have the location anywhere except the carpark or the Primary School DUE TO THE PLANNING SCHEME. Many have indicated that they were ‘told’ that the buildings ‘cannot go anywhere else’.

Is it also true that parents at the first ‘consultation’ were told that more spots would be available if the buildings were located in the carpark. We have been told that a councilor in attendance did A not correct this statement.

If these statements are true and also that what we have been told this week is true, then Northern Grampians Shire Council has much to answer.

F Firstly, the community consultation did not include the community and was a poor example E of what the shire actually has in its policy on community engagement.

Secondly, the council is directly responsible for the division that has been caused in this community by inaccurate, misleading and incorrect facts of the situation.

C Is this issue the downside on having the third tier of government that is closer to the people?

When the government gets too close to the people C problems can occur.

It should not have become an issue in the first place. The State Government is paying for this facility and we are delaying the project. It was delayed when the first location at the Primary School was challenged because some attached to St. Patricks Primary School were overly passionate in pushing the non-Government education over a Government education.

This may be the wrong assumption, but many people are all saying similar things.

Northern Grampians Shire Council cannot let this continue. To the outsider they and we are a laughing stock. No other shire, given the opportunity to have these buildings, has had this sort of disruption. We believe that all the Pre-Prep buildings in Victoria will be located on Primary School grounds, that is even when there are more than one Primary School involved - all involved manage to be civilised.

The Council has no alternative but to start the process again and this time to get it right.

Community consultation means just that – D community. If the Council does not restart this process they will be no better than the inadequate and incompetent process which attempted to sway ‘community’ (parents with pre-prep children) to a particular option at the start.

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.

To the Editor

Dividing our community spirit Dear Editor, A concerned young family, that wants to save Market Square.

That would shock a lot of community members because it has been stated that ALL young families want/support the modular at Market Square.

Our young family, along with a few other young families, are not in support of the preprep modular at Market Square, but of course want this building for our children and future generations to use for their educational needs.

We just want it along with the whole Early Learning Centre (ELC) to be relocated to an area that has the ability to expand.

As ALL young families are aware- our ELC demands have significantly increased over the past few years- this is not a new issue/concern and the shire are well aware of this.

This new modular is not going to open more Qld spots 4217 in the ELC, it is only creating spots in the Kindergarten pro1 800 652 284 gram.

The backlog starts back at the 0-2year old room, so the 60+ children on the wait list will still not get a spot.

This also is impacted by not only spaces, but Ted Whillier building and outdoor area requirements for each and an adeMattchild, Trickey quate and sizeable kitchen to cater for more children, along with staffing concerns; which the current building has no ability to expand in its current location.

So why has the shire not applied for funding for a new ELC centre, when it is available?

And why is there no open and transparent conversations with families from the shire, instead it falls onto the staff to continue to provide answers to these families.

We as young families have not voiced our opinions publicly due to the disrespect that was shown so early on when these discussions all began between young families; as this is where the shire targeted their community consultation.

As stated in the letter to the editor by a concerned St Arnaud parent (6.9.23) about current community members “throwing a tantrum”; I would like to

Page 2 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

remind you, this modular was planned and organised (VBSA and council) to be located at the site on the corner of Dunstan Street and Charlton Road- which happened to be located beside the current St Arnaud Primary School.

This has got to this stage because young community members threw a “tantrum” (your words) because it would impact the enrolments for the St Patrick’s Primary school, as they said being beside this school would coerce the children to want to go to the Primary school because they could see it from the window of the A kindergarten.

Yet as parents we F make decisions with our children, not only onE their educational curriculum, but also their hobbies, and you are happy to travel for children to play sports,C

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

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

dance, creative arts, martial arts, etc, the list is endless for choices for children these days.

Stawell are introducing the modular to their community as well and the location of their modular is located beside the Stawell West Primary school, no concerns from their other primary schools.

We as parents decide our education for what we believe is best for our children and their needs, including some families and children choosing to do their education at educational providers outside of this Qld community and township.4217 Being raised in St 1 800 284 didArnaud, our652 parents n’t have the option of childcare at all, they organised private babysitters or family so that they could return to workTed full Whillier time.

• Cont. next page.

St. Arnaud, Charlton & surrounding districts

N.C.N. INFORMATION 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 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.

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.

Matt Trickey

C

© Copyright 2023

No. 10106

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ACROSS 1 Assembled 5 Climb 8 Young eel 10 Shift 12 Wards off 13 Kept under 14 Acceptance 15 Meat dish 17 Lukewarm 20 Commence 22 Seeds covering 24 Sesame plant 26 Essential being 27 Storms 29 Servants 30 Numeral 32 Man's name 34 Guaranteeing 36 Reposed 37 S­shaped moulding 38 Upright 39 Words spoken in undertone 40 Barely sufficient

DOWN 2 Worship 3 Ooze 4 Fault 5 Cuts off 6 Believed 7 Missives 9 Very extensive 11 Trace 14 Period of time 16 Going by 18 Lifted 19 Obscure 21 Aquatic bird 23 Bacon slices 25 Surgical instruments 28 Harsh 31 Swelling 33 Representative 35 American state

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70 Woods Street, Donald — 5497 1211 See this week’s solution on page 4.

To the Editor • From page 2.

We now have the luxury of childcare options.

But many young families were voicing that it being beside the Primary School would mean parents would have to pick the kids up from kindergarten and get them back to daycare.

Firstly, no planning had been done around the options that may have been available for transfer of children to and from Daycare to Kindergarten.

Secondly, your child is one year away from attending Primary school- which has much shorter hours than Kindergarten, so what are you going to do then for drop off and pick up?

Particularly with after school care being at the Primary school which many of you are happy to utilise from St Patrick’s Primary school, at this present time.

What happens if the Primary school can’t obtain another provider for this in the future?

The same letter to the editor stated that the majority (if not all) of the community that are voicing their concerns regarding the Market

Square no longer have children that will or are using this service.

Yet a lot of “young families” that are voicing their vote/opinion for the modular to be at Market Square, also don’t have children that will or are using this service.

You are happy to have these community members speak up because it aligns with your preferences and opinions.

Yet anyone that doesn’t align with your opinions, you disrespect.

From the beginning, any community member young, middle aged or “elderly” that has voiced their opinion against option 4, has been attacked or disrespected, both in the streets and on social media, including many comments on Facebook.

This community has been supported and built by our “elderly” members.

They have ensured the community has remained together and connected; through many tough times and many changes within our town/community.

They have supported our many community events and kept them

running so that our amazing town kept building and attracting tourists and new “locals”.

They have created such a supportive, caring and respectful community, which is what most young families remained or returned to raise their families here for, because our community upbringing was so supported.

These community members either have businesses still or support our local services/businesses to ensure we still have a viable community.

Yet a group of community members are dividing our community spirit and connection by showing so much disrespect to community members that are just voicing their opinion and trying to save an area of our community.

It doesn’t mean they care about car park and trees over education, that is a petty argument for what they are trying to get across to the shire about the bigger picture and concern- expansion of both ELC and Kindergarten to meet our growing demands.

Why as a community

can we no longer have robust discussions between both sides respectfully?

This not the community spirit we as a young family wanted to raise our family in.

Regards, A concerned young St. Arnaud family

Support for Option 4 Dear Editor I am writing in support of option 4 for the Pre-Prep building.

It was concerning to see that in last week's editorial titled 'Concerned and ashamed are we', there was a small taste of what anyone who supports option 4 is experiencing.

It has been highlighted that people who are in support of option 4 have experienced verbal abuse and harassment, for having that opinion and in the first piece of printed information that shares their opinions and concerns is met with immediate backlash.

One comment online even compared supporters of option 4 to those who came and took the lives and land

of aboriginals because of the many generations of local families that have utilised Market Square.

To see people told to "Get real" and being told off like a naughty school child, because they exercise their right to anonymity, for not wanting to experience anything of that nature or to have their lives and businesses affected by one opinion, is very disappointing.

Telling people that "the sky will not fall if you do so" may also be another example of reducing an argument to its most ridiculously simplistic form to win the argument.

So yes, I am writing anonymously today to share more of the reasons why a good portion of the population support option 4.

The life of young families has changed significantly in the past few years.

Where services that used to support families were a given, there is now a huge deficit and getting a childcare placement is like winning the lottery.

Families can no longer survive on one income but often have to and where we used

to be able to rely on grandparents and family members to supervise children, we no longer can as they are working too.

It has been argued that the childcare crisis we see ourselves in has nothing to do with the proposed pre-prep

building site; however, if we think for a second that the resources that allow our children’s precinct to function are not shared between the kindergarten and childcare ser vices, then we are kidding ourselves!

• Cont. page 9.

Locally screened movies to enjoy!

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Please note date & time changes!

“GRAN TURISMO”

SATURDAY 16 Sep @ 7.30 pm Sun 17 Sep @ 2.00 pm

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Just $10.00 pp !

SCHOOL HOLIDAY MATINEES “ELEMENTAL” Wednesday 27 Sep @ 2.00 pm Sun 01 Oct @ 2.00 pm

Organization fundraising Ph. 0408 559 246 Gift Passes 5 for $45.00; 10 for $90.00

Please check our website and Facebook page for updates www.starnaudcinema.com Ph. 0408 559 246

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 3

Wickedly funny Sass and Secrets comes to town will evoke your child- Contributed hood wonderment!

Recognised worlddecades, this critically wide for her acclaimed artist has captivating brand of wowed audiences magic and mind-readacross the globe. ing, Cath Jamison has She’s an entertainsinging, and physical appeared on Sunrise, er, a raconteur, and a comedy mayhem.

Today, Ch10 – 9am 13 withX 13hell of a singer.

NATIONAL Release No. 10106 NAT140 This interactive and CROSSWORD David and Kim, Brace yourselves for 8 by fun showGRID is driven KIIS101.1, and The an unbelievable night two flamboyant charMelbourne Internatof sharp wit, reality acters and their ional Comedy Festival bending illusion, and a relationship with the Gala. healthy dose of audiaudience, and is a Jamison has ence interaction. highly entertaining, received countless ovaDoors open at 56.30, engaging and moving 1 2 4 3 7 6 tions and astounded with a 7pm start. performance piece that 8 9 The Features People the likes of Tim $15 tickets, recomPhoto Credit: Michelle Donnelly.

Burton, Dawn10French11 mended for 1216years PO Box 8271 Bundall Qld to bring nibbles to seats please private like a fun-filled night and Melissa Etheridge. plus.

13 Australia 4217 to share with friends share on your table. message St. Arnaud Aurora is equal Basic beer, wine and 14 16 15 Telephone: (07) 5553parts 3200 vixen and and family.

If you’d like to book Arts Council on their comesoft drinks will be Toll Free: 1 800 652 284 17 18 19 20 21 The room will a table or a couple of Facebook page. available to purchase.

Fax: (07) 5553dienne.

3201 consist of round tables With a career This 22 23 in 24 unique 25 show 26 Email: of 10. the performing arts will be a must see for auspac@auspacmedia.com.au 27 28 29 Visit our site: Everyone welcome spanning over two St. Arnaud folk who’d

REGIONAL Arts Victoria is supporting St. Arnaud Arts Council to host Aurora Kurth and Cath Jamison’s show ‘Sass and Secrets’ this Friday 15th September at MacDonald Hall St. Arnaud.

Featuring Australia’s multi-award -winning illusionist and mentalist Cath Jamison and comedy cabaret star Aurora Kurth, this wickedly funny, original theatrical cabaret features awe inspiring magic, mentalism, fabulous

Auspac Media

www.auspacmedia.com.au

Created: Ted Whillier Creatorn no: 10106 Qxpress: Matt Trickey Checked: Robyn Kirk

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Ag Show needs Rural Ambassadors and volunteers

ARE you between 20 and 30 years of age, or know someone that is? We are looking for a Rural Ambassador for this year’s St. Arnaud Solution No. Show.

10106 Agricultural

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DOWN ACROSS Victorian Agricul- Contributed Adore 1 Massedtural Shows 2(VAS) Ltd : by 3 Seep 5 Scale red the show, here is a list of coordiProudly sponso 4 Demerit 8 Elver promotes and some of the vendors Rural 10 Move nates the5 Severs 6 Award Credited turning up, Wood Fired 12 Averts Ambassador 7 encourLetters 13 Repressed Pizza 2 You, Super Whip Program that Vast 14 Yes Ice-cream, Riely’s Little ages and 9 supports 11 Vestige 15 Tripe Lolly Shop, The Donut 14living Year in 17 Tepid young people rural and regional 16 Passing Man, Mr Squidgy, Oz 20 Start 18 Elevated Whip Gelato, Country 22 Aril Victoria.

Dim 24 Til Baked Potatoes.

The award19 highlights 21 Tern 26 Esse Some of our other community and show 23 Rashers 27 Rages Note to Editor: vendors are: St. Arnaud involvement, talent, cre25 Lancets 29 Maids Created in QUARK Physiotherapy Centre – of 28 Severe 30 Seven ativity and ingenuity XPRESS. VER.4.03 31 Node 32 Ian offering free health young Victorians.

Items not needed for 33 Agent 34 AvouchingThe checks, Show Bag Time, program publication can be 35 Iowa 36 Rested Niagara Medical erased as each is in a 37 Ogee engages young citizens separate text box.

Therapy, Ambulance 38 Erect to showcase their Victoria – Free CPR for 39 Aside involvement across their 40 Scanty local communities. the community, West 16 Kell Road St Arnaud, Vic 3478 Wimmera Showbags.

Also we are looking M: 0436 009 417 Some of the for a Junior Ambassador, Photo Credit: Angel Leggas Entertainment that will and to enter you must be available is Lazer Tag, between the ages of 16 Solution No. 10106 SUDOKU SOLUTION years old to 20 years.

Frozen Jumping Castle, M A S S E D S C A L E D E E L V E R E 5 2 6 1 8 3 7 9 4 Rock Climbing Wall, If you know anyone M O V E M A V E R T S 7 1 9 4 6 5 8 3 2 Sandy Creek Clydsdale or would like to nomiR E P R E S S E D T 8 3 4 2 7 9 5 1 6 Y E S R T R I P E Carriage Rides, nate yourself please WARNING !!!

E T E P I D S T A R T 6 4 5 7 3 8 1 2 9 Blacksmithing display, contact Annette Driscoll A R I L T I L E S S E 1 9 2 5 4 6 3 7 8 R A G E S M A I D S R Peter Wallace Muppets, Note to Editor: on 0409 500 703.

3 7 8 9 1 2 4 6 5 S E V E N N I A N Kevin Parker Circus, Just to give everyone H A V O U C H I N G 4 5 1 6 2 7 9 8 3 Solution to this puzzle should R E S T E D E O G E E Divine Chaos Clowns 2 8 7 3 9 4 6 5 1 the heads up on what R E R E C T W N not appear on the same page 9 6 3 8 5 1 2 4 7 and many more. food vendors will be at A S I D E S C A N T Y We are also looking for local Artists, Community Groups, Marketers, Wineries, Parent Groups, Schools, etc., within 80kms of St. ......................................................................................

Arnaud to be part of our local market at the show, so if you have a home ......................................... business or a side hussle, contact the show via ......................................... email on starnaudshow@gmail.com. ...................................................................................

If you would like to help out with the show, ................................. we are currently looking for someone to run our Pets and Poultry sec- known as the Unbreakable Farmer tion, so if you like animals why not send us ...................................................................................................

BYO drinks - Meal provided an email with your For enquiries please text or ring:details, and we will get in contact with you.

Chris: 0407 578 621 or Bev: 5496 5210 Or if you would like RSVP: Monday, 28th August for catering purposes to help out in anyway or even to find out some •Camping •Disposals •Hardware •Homewares 59 NAPIER STREET, ST. ARNAUD. PH: (03) 5495 2021 more information send Monday to Thursday 9am - 5.30pm; Friday 9am - 6pm; us an email and we will Saturday & Sunday 9am - 2pm reply as soon as possible.

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ACROSS 1 Assembled 5 Climb 8 Young eel 10 Shift 12 Wards off 13 Kept under 14 Acceptance 15 Meat dish 17 Lukewarm 20 Commence 22 Seeds covering 24 Sesame plant 26 Essential being 27 Storms 29 Servants 30 Numeral 32 Man's name 34 Guaranteeing 36 Reposed 37 S­shaped moulding 38 Upright 39 Words spoken in undertone 40 Barely sufficient

REMINDER - THIS SUNDAY

COMMUNITY LUNCH

SLATY CREEK

Sunday, September Sunday,17th 3rd September 11.30am - 2.30pm at the Slaty Creek Hall

ALL WELCOME

Guest Speaker: Warren Davies

Page 4 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

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You’re fine working alone,

until you’re not.

Working alone is a contributing factor in the majority of farm workplace deaths.

No matter if it is a perfect day, or a storm is coming and you only have a short window to get the job done. Whatever it is, take a minute to think through what you’re doing.

For strategies to stay safe while working alone, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/working-alone-farms

Scan for farm safety support.

It’s never you, until it is.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 5

Nature Notes: ‘Galngga’ is GO! AS previously reported, the Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network (BNGLN) is very pleased to be hosting a Nature Festival in the region from 23rd September to 21st October, 2023.There are around 60 FREE events scheduled, and as well as encouraging our local communities to participate in outdoor activities, we have an opportunity to showcase our environmental assets to those travelling from further afield.

The Festival is called ‘Galngga’; meaning ‘Celebrate’ in language gifted to the Network by the Dja Dja Wurrung; and through this celebration, our Network

seeks to facilitate a stronger connection to nature from our urban communities.

This will be achieved in a variety of ways, but predominantly through the

Above: The Caladenia Orchid – In Spring, our region is home to an incredible array of wildflowers .

pursuit of activities and interests that are not normally regarded as 'environment-based'.

These include music, art and relaxation therapies (such as yoga and Tai Chi)conducted in an outdoorsetting.

By participating in activitiesoutdoors - and with the inclusion of community and Cultural walks, talks and citizen science activities - we believe that individuals will immediately see the benefits of, and make the connection to, the environment.

By extension, we believe that Galngga participants may then feel compelled to become environmental volunteers in the wide range of activities offered by Landcare, or at the very least, act positively towards

Page 6 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

understanding our region’s biodiversity.

Over the course of four weeks,Galngga will provide a series of immersive, artistic and spiritual activities - in our Region’s Parks and other Public spaces, ranging from large scale public events (such as Biodiversity Day) to small group activities (such as African Drumming classes).

Both the Opening Day and Closing Gala will be held at the St Arnaud Raillery Hub, with ver y special guests from Gardening Australia.

Additionally, a Junior Landcare Day will be held during the School holidays, as well as many other activities for the younger Landcarers; in addition to a huge range of other events which will appeal to the broad interests of our community.

Details of all Festival activities can be found on Social Media (on both BNGLN or Galngga,

- Contributed Facebook and Instagram Pages), or in the front windows of the St. Arnaud and Wycheproof Resource Centres, North Central LLEN (Charlton) and the Donald Community Centre.

FREE tickets are already being snapped up, and it’s obvious that our area is going to be attracting tourists for this Festival.

Accordingly, we’d like our local businesses to support the Festival through sponsorships and partnerships in order to make it an ongoing success.

If you’d like to assist in any way, please contact Andrew (Landcare Facilitator) on 0407 856 227 or bnglandcare@ gmail.com.

The Galngga Festival is supported by the Victorian Government through the Volunteering Innovation Fund, administered by Parks Victoria The Volunteering Innovation Fund is an initiative under the Victoria’s Great Outdoors Program, which seeks to get more Victorians, from all walks of life outdoors enjoying nature.

The Volunteering Innovation Fund supports Victoria’s

Above: Millie Ross – Millie Ross (ABC Presenter and Horticulturalist) will be one of the authors present during Galngga.

Above: Dr. Marissa Parrott, from Zoos Victoria, who will be one of the presenters during the Festival’s ‘Biodiversity Day’.

Volunteering for Nature - Environmental Volunteering Plan and Protecting Victoria’s Environment -

Biodiversity 2037 and will provide new opportunities to encourage volunteering in and for nature.

Gran Turismo: A True Story at St. Arnaud Cinema BASED on the true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a working-class gamer Jann Mardenborough, a former race-car driver and an idealistic motorsport executive – who risks it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.

Jann is a teenage clothing store employee and an enthusiastic gamer, in Cardiff, Wales.

He dreams of becoming a racing car driver.

One day, he learns he is eligible to be able to qualify in a race to join the GT Academy, after he had set a time record for a particular track.

As it happens, Jann qualifies for a place in the GT Academy.

Overtime, he has to compete in a series of races before he can become eligible to move on and earn a professional licence and contract with Nissan.

This story is as amazing as it gets, there is so

Contributed much excitement with thrills and spills of motor racing along the way.

Starring performances from Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell and many other talented actors.

Screening takes place on Saturday 16th September at 7.30pm and Sunday 17th September at 2pm.

Charlton 100 Years Ago: 9th – 12th September 1923

by Charlton Golden Grains Museum

Basketball Boort and Charlton H.E.S. girls met to play the final match at Charlton.

The school ground was crowded with spectators.

The local girls beat their opponents by 6 goals, after a hard contest.

The team was Alice Arundell (captain and centre), Annie Paterson and Dorothy Dew (backs), Ida Hando (back wing); Gwen Edwards (forward wing), Gladys Bertoli and Florence Edwards (goalers).

Both teams were very good, but in play and system the Charlton girls seemed superior.

It was not so spectacular a game as the previous contest with Sea Lake, and the play was much rougher.

The umpires were Miss Hunter (Boort) and Miss Soding.

The Charlton girls now hold both the tennis and basketball shields, and Charlton is the first school since the inauguration of the Higher Elementary School’s Sports Competitions, three years ago, to hold both shields for girls’ sports simultaneously.

A sight suggestive of mint sauce and social gathering around the festive board was a crossbred ewe displayed in Messrs Hando and Cassell’s butcher’s shop.

It weighed dressed 130lb and was bred by Mr Wm McEwen, on his Chirrup farm.

A Narrow Escape When young Jack Campbell, step-son of Mr Alexander McFarlane, of “Earlsbrae Park”, Barrakee, was fetching a horse on Friday, he was knocked senseless, and it was feared at first that he had received mortal injuries.

The lad, who is 13 years old, confidently went about the task to facilitate the capture put an 18ft rail to corner the horse; but the latter, a heavy draught, galloped into the obstruction, and the rail swinging round, struck the boy on the shoulder and face, knocking out two of his teeth, and lacerating the inside of his mouth. Mr McFarlane carried him into the

house thinking he was dead but Dr Wilson, who arrived promptly upon the scene, took measures to alleviate the boy’s sufferings.

Consciousness was not restored until a considerable period after the accident, and it was a long time before the patient was able to give any indications of how it had occurred.

St Joseph’s School Hall St Joseph’s School Hall was the scene of a very enjoyable entertainment, with the object of providing funds for the jumble and fancy stalls, to be presided over by Mrs P. Spain, Mrs J. T. Dwyer and Mrs J. Windsor.

Euchre was played from 8 till 10 o’clock, followed by supper and dances lasting till 1am.

Prizes were awarded Mrs Osborne for ladies’ euchre, Mr W. Thompson for gentlemen’s euchre; Mrs A. J. White and Miss R. McConnell, for secret tables, and Miss Moira Nolan, for entrance competition.

Music for the dancing was supplied by Miss M. Spain, Miss Eileen Dillon and Mr A. Dabron; while Mr M. Bennett was a most efficient Master of the Ceremonies.

Three children were making their way to school one day during the week across the railway viaduct at 8 minutes past one o’clock, and nothing happened beyond their crossing over safely.

But at 9 minutes past by the same watch a train of cars from Wycheproof passed over the same spot.

The difference of one minute would have made a difference in the mortality list of Charlton to the extent of three young lives.

Travaglia, L. Andrews, J. Windsor and E. Mulquiny.

For sale Miss L. Wilmot, whose shop is next the Globe Hotel, notifies the Charlton public that she has a nice assortment of ladies’ and maids ready-towear frocks, dainty blouses and camisoles, and a number of lines in millinery and perfumery for sale, in addition to carrying on her dressmaking upon the premises.

(Information from East Charlton Tribune)

Above: Railway bridge.

Football – Semi Finals The defeat of Charlton places that team out of the competition, and it now remains for Narraport, which secured to their credit their first victory for many years on Charlton ground, to defeat Wycheproof, or vice-versa; and for the victor to play Woosang for the grand final.

Final score 9.13 to 6.5. Charlton team: S. Arundell (captain), M. Fitzpatrick, W. and H. Soding, W. Wood, V. and C. Dew, P. Arundell, F. Nixon, F. Edwards, F. Bennett, P. Spencer, L. Watt, G. Greening, T.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 7

St. Arnaud 100 Years Ago: 7th – 13th September 1923 Meeting of North Western Football Association

gates was held at Donald to try to resolve the protest Watchem put forward when St. Arnaud defeated them in the grand final two weeks ago.

The delegates were Watchem - W Beard

A meeting of dele-

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and W Donohue, St. Arnaud – R J Cooper and A A Dillon, Donald - C J Robinson and W Golding; Birchip did not send delegates, as they did not wish to be involved.

Watchem put forward the following statement - ‘That Umpire Rawle was not approved of by the Association Delegates when selecting umpires for the semifinal and final matches and was therefore not eligible to act as central umpire in the final match.

Furthermore when McMurray, who was originally chosen was unable to act, that it was the duty of the L eague to send umpires in the order they were selected by the delegates.’

After prolonged discussion it was decided to submit the matter to the League.

Police Capture Forger Mr Martin Downs of Coonooer West reported to the police that an employee William Conway had forged a cheque for £10/5/- and paid a bill with it at the Coonooer Bridge Hotel.

When the hotel proprietor took the cheque to the bank the teller Mr G Green realised that it was not Mr Downs’ signature.

The forger was seen getting on the train so the St. Arnaud police advised the railway stations along the line and the 19-year-old was arrested in Castlemaine 1½ hours later.

Conway was sen-

TRUCK HIRE See Lyal Eales Stores

tenced to six months imprisonment, which was suspended on the condition he entered into a bond of £20 to be of good conduct for the next four years.

Box Hill Boys The Box Hill Boys are a band formed from 140 boys who are provided with a comfortable home by the Salvation Army in Box Hill.

They arrived on the train Friday afternoon and played as they marched to the front of the Town Hall where a crowd had gathered to greet them.

That evening the 27 boys gave a concert of instrumental items, choruses and physical drill and the next morning played outside the hospital.

Donald Show St. Arnaud businesses closed so residents could take the special train to Donald for the show.

There were many entries from St. Arnaud and several residents gained prizes for their exhibits.

Deaths Mr Thomas Rice of Millett St died age 59 years leaving a widow and six children.

He worked for the railways for 34 years and had been in charge of several stations including Avoca, Cope Cope and Donald in recent years.

Thomas, who has been the stationmaster at St. Arnaud for the past two years, was taken by train to Maryborough where he was buried beside his parents.

Mr John Walker of Coonooer Bridge died age 66 years.

He was born in the Ovens District and is a brother of Alex Walker of Gowar East.

He was a line repairer on the railways before taking up farming at Coonooer Bridge 20 years ago.

John married Isabel Raeburn of Navarre 36 years ago and they had seven children.

Staff Changes

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Page 8 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

Mr H R Straton ledger keeper at the ES&A Bank has been promoted to the Dunolly branch as a teller and Mr L B Evans of the local staff becomes ledger keeper at St. Arnaud.

Mr Percy Sayer, son of Mr F Sayer of St. Arnaud, who has been a teller at the Kerang

branch of the ES&A Bank for the past four years, has been promoted to the South Yarra Branch.

Traynors Lagoon Rifle Club A trophy donated

by H Cunningham was won L Boyle [a promising junior] 50, from W Tucker 46 and G Barratt jnr 43.

Sales

by Heather Pritchard

Kara Kara Shire Council purchased a motor waggon for £1,185.

Following the Navarre sheep sale Edward Berry’s property at the Tulkera railway siding was auctioned - a Marshall portable 6 hp steam engine, 120 lb working pressure, saw bench, saws and gulletor, water laid on, plus men’s hut and 2 chaff houses.

Mrs W Watson of ‘Burnside’ the former residence of Mr Blakeley, wants to sell for removal a 2-room W B building 26ft x12ft, plus 1,000 burnt bricks, 40 sheets roofing iron, boards, pickets etc.

Gatherings 2023 Update NORTHERN Grampians Shire Council in partnership with highly respected arts organisation ACT Natimuk have teamed up again to present Gatherings 2023.

Gatherings 2022 was a great success in the towns of Halls Gap, St. Arnaud, Stawell and Great Western.

This year the free community event is presented in the towns of St. Arnaud and Halls Gap and delivers once again, art created in collaboration with the local artists and communities.

Through the mediums of projections, light, audio, Augmented Reality and animated imagery the event is an opportunity for the community and visitors alike to marvel, interact and celebrate.

Gatherings 2023 kicks off on in St. Arnaud with Night Blooms on the 14th October produced by Jacinda O’Sullivan.

Set in the iconic Queen Mary Gardens, it features ‘The Hothouse’, an illuminated pop up conservatory.

Interactive night-

COVID Updates and Developments Victorian stats There was another rise in the number of new cases of COVID reported to last Friday with 605 individuals.

There was an increase of 5 in hospital and a total of 30 deaths from COVID. Northern Grampians Shire had no reported new cases and the shire of Buloke only 1.

USA numbers on the rise This week President Bidens wife was a new case of COVID and it has been reported that the numbers are on the rise in the US again.

time digital animations set to an original soundtrack start at 7.30pm and throughout the gardens will be a fully immersive light and projection experience created in collaboration with the community.

During the day the AR Trail highlights some of the iconic spaces and murals of St. Arnaud.

The following week on the 21st October, Halls Gap will delight visitors with ‘The Moth Trail’ developed by Creative Producer

Jillian Pearce.

Starting at the Pop up Park at 7pm for live music and Augmented Reality magic; as night falls, visitors can follow the light trail to the Botanical Gardens and Primary School.

An interactive trail of shadow projections, unexpected animations and interactive projection installations of the art and performance of artists and Halls Gap community groups.

Check out the video from last year’s Gatherings 22 https://vimeo.com/m anage/videos/859665529 Gatherings website https://grampiansgatherings.com/

GWMWater Community Engagement WATER and wastewater customers across the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee are invited to have their say at GWMWater’s Customer and Stakeholder Workshop.

The workshop will be held between 10 am and 1 pm on Friday 22nd September 2023 at the Horsham Golf Club, with an option to join online.

G W M W a t e r Managing Director Mark Williams said the organisation values the opinions of its stakeholders and is committed to keeping them informed.

“The workshops are a great way for people to find out about urban and rural water and join in discussions.” Mr Williams said.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to update the community with our usual overview of the current water resource position with a lens to our best understanding of the weather outlook.

“The September workshop includes a presentation on recycled water which will

be followed by an engagement session on the topic.”

Other topics on the agenda for the workshop include an update on the ESC Price Submission approval, FY22/23 outcomes reporting feedback and our customer survey results.

More information, including an agenda and registration details, is available on GWMWater’s website: www.gwmwater.org.au/ stakeholderworkshop

QUOTE OF THE WEEK Do laugh at your stupidities but don’t become a laughingstock.

Steorra Celosia

To the Editor • From page 3.

To then develop a second site for the preprep building that requires staffing, equipment and resources to operate, we will be creating even larger barriers to how our early childhood services are delivered.

Disregarding the fact that placing the pre-prep building at the top and one primary school would disadvantage the other, creating a second site for early childhood development would disadvantage the entire community.

It was made a point that going with option four would disadvantage the future development of Market Square, but this is the future!

If we want St. Arnaud to develop and grow, we need to support young families to keep people in the area and entice new people.

We have skilled parents at home, having had to give up employment positions, pass up opportunities and let their skills deteriorate and often their social and mental health, because they don’t have anyone to watch their children and that’s not even mentioning the families that have already left town to be able to work.

We can sit back and complain that services are limited in our area, but without sufficient family services, we won’t entice skilled and educated people to live and work in our community and the services and opportunities will continue to be limited.

This decision on the placement of the preprep building may sacrifice some trees and some car parks but will have a huge indirect effect on the economic viability of our community.

So while we may have to walk an extra block to where we want to go or drive around the block one more time to find a park, can we not just appreciate a few extra steps for the future of our community?

If we go anywhere else, we don't think twice about having to walk a few blocks to get to where we need to go, so do we really need to stop the press when we can’t immediately find an adjacent car park in St. Arnaud?

As for the aesthetic that will be supposedly lost; if you stand on the fence line, that protesters so conveniently drew for all the children to stop and look at in the middle of the road, you are looking at the 3 fence

lines of the car park boundary, the childcare playground and the rear of the post office.

The aesthetic that we all love and appreciate is beyond that line and will continue to be a major asset to our community, just as it has been since the Children's Precinct was built in Market Square.

As stated by a councillor at the last council meeting, this is not the first time this debate has occurred, and Market Square has survived and thrived with the Children's Precinct on location, an asset in itself, alongside a very well resourced, utilised and versatile community space.

At the end of the day, maybe none of the options are the perfect one but the next option would be to relocate the whole service with a purpose built facility to a more viable space; perhaps to an area like the rear of the basketball stadium where there is an abundance of space for future growth and development.

This would however require a much more substantial investment from council and government departments, an investment that is unlikely to be obtained in the time frame that is required to complete the project and risks losing the state funding in its entirety.

What I do know for sure is that if we care about our communities' future, then separating our childcare and preprep programs shouldn't even be an option at all.

Regards, Concerned St. Arnaud Parent

Another location Dear Editor I oppose Council’s plan to remove 55 car parking spaces from Market Square for the building of the Pre-Prep Kindergarten.

This plan would reduce the car park by about half, which would require closing the car park exit and entrance to Walker Street, as well, the relocation of the nearby VLine pick up/drop off point.

The car park area is usually filled to capacity on any Monday to Friday work day.

The only entrance and exit to the car park would be by Market Street which would create difficulties inside the car park.

Who’s to say there won’t be chaos, confusion and congestion in

this confined space?

Parents will be in a hurry to drop off and pick up children.

People would be competing for car parks and possibly putting lives in danger – especially children and the elderly.

If this move goes ahead, will Council guarantee this to be a safe environment all who use it?

One location that has not been explored and put to the people of St. Arnaud for the building of the Pre-Prep facility is the huge space behind the Sports Stadium.

In this location there is ample room for such a building, and ample and safe car parking.

This location is ideal as it would keep children safe for parents dropping off and picking up youngsters from the facility.

Yours sincerely, Theresa Pavletich St. Arnaud

Save our Space Dear Editor, What does it take for Council to listen?

The community has sent letters to Council, numerous letters to North Central News, held meetings, and presented signed petitions to Council.

These are the many ways in which the people of St. Arnaud have strongly expressed their opposition to council’s plan for the Pre-Prep facility in Market Square.

Eighty-one people attended the last public meetings, and each person represented the voice of 20 others, making a total of 1,620 opposing voices to Council’s plan.

The population of St. Arnaud is about 2,500 therefore it could be said that more than half of the population is opposed to the plan.

If Council’s consultation, in the beginning, was as open, inclusive and as transparent as some claim then why are there so many discordant voices with Council’s plan now?

This is not about denying children’s rights to Pre-Prep learning, nor is it about preferring car spaces and trees over children’s needs.

It’s about the location of the building.

People need a good and safe place for parking, and the community is not into tree-hugging.

This is also about preserving our own space; a space for all

people to use.

This space was gifted to the people of St. Arnaud by the town’s statesmen in earlier times.

It has always been an important space for many events over the years.

Yours sincerely Iris Hunter-Conlan St. Arnaud

Ag society grants Dear Editor, Our agricultural and pastoral societies play an integral role in our rural and regional communities.

Without them, our annual shows, which are a cornerstone of country life, wouldn’t happen at all.

That’s why I’m so excited the State Labor Government is supporting these incredible groups with a new round of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program – offering grants of up to $10,000 to eligible projects.

The grant program is now open and will offer agricultural and pastoral societies the opportuni-

ty to upgrade or establish new facilities, while creating opportunities for further collaboration and partnerships with businesses.

It will also offer these societies the opportunity to elevate their event planning and encompass innovative ways to engage people at rural and regional shows, including online livestock exhibitions and the integration of virtual technology.

Eligible projects for funding can include improving showground amenities like fencing and shade covers, or further enhancing on-farm biosecurity planning.

I strongly recommend all our agricultural and pastoral societies apply for funding through the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program, and I would be more than happy to write a support letter on their behalf to the Minister for Agriculture.

Please contact my office for any further information or a support letter via 5461 1255 or email Martha.Haylett@parliament.vic.gov.au.

To learn more about the Agricultural and Pastoral Society Grants Program and to apply, visit agriculture. vic.gov.au. Applications close Friday 13 October 2023.

Martha Haylett MP Member for Ripon

Energy prices continue to bite Dear Editor, Hard-working families continue to be hit hard by rising energy prices as life gets harder under Labor.

A new Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) report confirms Victoria’s energy system is the worst in the nation, suffering serious deterioration in the past six months.

Alarmingly, AEMO has warned Victorians can expect blackouts, based on the weather forecast for this summer and the following 10 years.

It means energy prices will continue to

soar, when Victorians can least afford it amid a cost-of-living crisis.

The cost of controversial projects such as VNI West transmission upgrades will only add to the pain.

Some experts state it will add $1.1 billion a year to annual power bills. That’s a massive burden for Victorians to bear.

Although Victorian businesses and households are attempting to be more efficient by reducing their energy usage, they cannot avoid the costly hikes under Labor.

According to Energy and Water Ombudsman of Victoria (EWOV) complaints involving high electricity rates have skyrocketed by over 50 percent from the same time last year and still nothing has been done.

The Andrews Government needs to provide some relief for h a r d w o r k i n g Victorians as the cost of living continues to rise and energy prices pile on.

Peter Walsh MP Leader of The Nationals

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 9

Get it right every time – is it fit to load?

LIVESTOCK must be inspected prior to being loaded and they must not be suffering from conditions that could cause, or would be likely to cause, increased pain or distress during transport.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinar y Officer Dr Jeff Cave said if you are in doubt about an animal’s suit-

ability for transport, you can always ask your private veterinarian or any Agriculture Victoria animal health

officer or veterinary officer if livestock are fit to load.

Furthermore, a guideline titled ‘Is the

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Tuesday, 3rd October 2023

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Page 10 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

animal fit to load?’ has been produced by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

This guideline can be viewed electronically on MLA’s website. In summary, an animal is not fit to load if it: • is not able to walk normally or bear weight on all its legs.

This may be due to a recent or old fracture, an injury, a deformity or an infection • is not strong enough to make the journey • is suffering from severe distress or injury • is in a condition that could cause it increased pain or distress during transport • is blind in both eyes •is in late pregnancy.

Dr Cave said if you identify an animal that is unfit to load you have a few options.

“You could treat the animal and transport it when it has recovered and is fit to load.

“Naturally, this is not an option in cases that are not readily treatable.

“Alternatively, you could humanely destroy the animal.

“A knackery service is available in many

Above: Land transport of livestock standards and guidelines in ‘Is the animal fit to load?’ contains important information. areas to help with this option.

“Finally, you could consult a veterinarian and only transport the animal under veterinary advice.’

Dr Cave said remember, the person in charge of the animal is responsible

for its welfare.

“Community values and expectations will not accept anything less.

“If it is unfit to load it is unfit to be presented at a saleyards.”

For further information on animal

welfare contact your local animal health staff at Agriculture Victoria or call 136 186.

Find the ‘L and transport of livestock standards and guidelines’ and more information at https://go.vic.gov.au/45 RZ6uQ.

Helping farmers manage seasonal variability REGISTER now to join Agriculture Victoria’s 6-episode webinar series on ‘managing seasonal variability’.

Agriculture Victoria’s Program Manager, Meat and Wool Services, Jennifer Alexander said now is a great time for farmers to make plans for the upcoming season.

The webinar series will help famers to consider the following questions: •What are the influencing climate drivers?

• What is your feed and water situation? • How much water is stored in your soil?

• How many livestock can you carry if we have a drier than average spring?

• Do you have enough water?

• Do you have reserves of hay, silage and grain?

‘Following a couple of wetter seasons now is a good time to consider longer-term strategies for dealing with a potentially hotter, drier and more variable climate’, Ms Alexander said.

Key areas that are crucial for preparing your farm for a variable climate will also be explored, including: • Protecting your pastures and soil from over-grazing, whilst maintaining fit and healthy livestock

• The benefits of using a stock containment area to confine stock during a dry season •Options for improving the water security and quality on farm, such as tapping into a rural pipeline, installing a bore or drought reserve dam, tanks and pipes or a desalination unit •Use of silage pits as a longer-term drought reserve.

The 6-part lunchtime series of hour-long webinars will begin on Wednesday 20th September at 12:30 pm, with subsequent webinars running each Wednesday until 25th October.

Attendees are welcome to join one or all of the sessions and participate in discussions.

Contact Clem Sturmfels for more information on 0429 018 879 or clem.sturmfels@agriculture.vic.go v.au

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

Nutrien Harcourts Real Estate team Sharlene Bertalli: 0447 952 320 Damian Drum: 0428 952 284 13-19 Napier Street, St. Arnaud

Week ending Wednesday 6 September 2023

— By Glendon Hancock

THE Australian wool market has fallen again in this week, albeit a small reduction and there were strong positive movements experienced late in the series.

Above: BCG’s livestock and fodder specialist Alison Frischke.

How to produce high yielding, high quality hay that meets market demand AT Birchip Cropping Group’s (BCG) Main Field Day today, Wednesday 13th September, at Kinnabulla, BCG’s livestock and fodder specialist Alison Frischke will share how to produce high yielding, quality cereal hay.

“While the seasonal outlook for spring could be better for grain production, it’s my hope that growers can capture what could be ideal conditions to produce quality hay that meets market expectations.

“I will be talking growers through which agronomic levers to pull to maximise quality as well as yield.”

Ms Frischke’s presentation will cover the influence of sowing time and plant density, nitrogen rates, variety selection, regulating plant growth and grazing effects, time of cutting and saprophyte management on different hay quality parameters.

“I’m looking for-

ward to sharing how to get the timing and quantity of nitrogen right as we know that nitrogen affects quality.

“You want enough N to drive biomass and colour, but not too much that it affects quality by increasing fibre and lowering the water-soluble carbohydrates, meaning you lower digestibility and energy which is what buyers are looking for as it drives animal intake and production.

“Varieties will also be a highlight with IMI tolerant Archer and Kingbale new to the market, which will benefit crop rotations and the control of brome and barley grass in crop, as well as new

varieties Wallaby, Kultarr and Koala,” Ms Frischke concluded.

Ms Frischke’s presentation will be one of many concurrent sessions occurring throughout the morning of the event.

Each session is designed for farmers and advisers showcasing the latest in local agronomic research, including disease management, new varieties, new herbicide technology, nutrition and farming systems.

Following the infield sessions, growers and advisers will come together in the marquee to hear from Michaela Alexander from the Bureau of Meteorology who will explain the latest climate tools available.

“Peter Hayman from PIRSA-SARDI who will discuss the risk versus reward of on-farm decision mak-

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ing and Tony Catt from Catapult Wealth presenting Passing the baton in succession planning.

As part of the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub North West Node, this year the BCG Main Field Day will have a focus on how farmers can build resilience in times of drought.

By gaining information regarding best practice and the latest advances in research, agronomy and chemistry the event aims to provide attendees with the tools needed to capitalise in good years and weather the bad.

The event will begin at 9am with onsite catering available from lunch through to drinks at the conclusion of the day.

The event will be held at BCG’s Main Research Site at Kinnabulla, seven kilometres west of Kinnabulla on Kinnabulla West Road.

This event is free for BCG members and $50 for non-members.

To become a member, visit bcg.org.au For more information on becoming a member or regarding the field day call (03) 5492 2787.

This event is part funded through the BCG managed North West Broadacre node of the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, which is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

The market opened weakly and by the end of the first day merino fleece types had suffered further falls.

The individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) across the country dropped by between 4 and 59 cents, 19.5 micron in the North the only MPG to not fall.

The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) lost 13 cents for the day, only a buoyant crossbred market (where gains in the MPGs of up 24 cents were recorded) preventing a larger fall.

The EMI fell to 1,118 cents, its lowest point since October 2020, when it was one cent lower.

The second selling day buyer sentiment dramatically improved and the market in turn started to rise.

In the East the MPGs

for 17 micron and coarser closed between 2 and 30 cents higher.

The crossbreds again had a positive day helping to push the EMI up by 9 cents.

The EMI closed the week at 1,127 cents, 4 cents lower than last week’s close.

As mentioned earlier, the market finished the series in a very strong fashion.

The Western region selling last, attracted very spirited bidding from the opening lot, pushing prices continually higher.

The Western MPGs closed the day between 31 and 54 cents above the previous day.

The increases pushed all the Western MPGs above those of the Eastern centres, setting a positive precedent

National Offering Centre North South South NZ West Total

Week 10 10 10 10

Days 5, 6 Sep 5, 6 Sep 5, 6 Sep 5, 6 Sep

Offering 12,057 22,214 2,614 5,580 42,465

Future Offerings 11

12, 13 Sep

Source - AWEX

42,496

for next week’s opening.

The EMI closed the 2022 calendar year at 1,327 cents, to this point in the 2023 calendar year the EMI has lost exactly 200 cents, a drop of 15.1%.

Compared to the corresponding sale of the previous season the EMI is 192 cents lower, a 14.6% reduction.

Next week’s offering is of a similar size, 43,882 bales are expected to be offered nationally.

Melbourne 1102M -2 16.5 1937 -16 17 1738 -29 17.5 1615 -32 18 1526 -26 18.5 1461 +1 19 1418 +2 19.5 1371 +6 20 1321 -11 21 1273 -4 22 23 24 25 26 598 +30 28 350 +5 30 335 +18 32 280 +15 MC 697 -1 Ind.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 11

PUBLIC NOTICE

EMPLOYMENT

Tri State Games RAFFLE WINNERS 1st Julia Nisbet 2nd Margaret McCahon 3rd Iris Hunter RESPECT AGED CARE

ALL AUSSIE FABRICATIONS

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Mechanical knowledge favourable.

Experience in grain handling processes preferable.

Willing to travel when required.

Salary negotiates on experience and skillset.

All aspects of fabrication from stainless steel to aluminium and general fabrication work.

Mechanical knowledge favourable.

Experience in grain handling processes preferable.

Willing to travel when required.

Willing to learn.

Licence preferred but not essential.

Contact Sam: 0409 560 247

Contact Sam: 0409 560 247

Job Opportunities Campus Base Negotiable • Dietitian • Physiotherapist • Podiatrist • Primary Care Project Manager • Senior Counselling and Wellbeing Clinician • Speech Pathologist Birchip • Enrolled Nurse • Resident Lifestyle Coordinator Donald • Resident Lifestyle Coordinator Wycheproof • Junior Food and Domestic Service Assistant • Registered Nurse Further information available at: https://ewhs.org.au/careers

The Organisation: Respect is a rapidly growing, not-for-profit, progressive, and purpose-driven aged care and retirement living provider that operates across Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales.

Respect is known for the great care we provide to our residents and the supportive and respectful working environment for our employees.

St. Mary’s School, Donald

ADMIN/FINANCE OFFICER PART TIME (.60FTE) POSITION (Days and hours negotiable) Position Commences Term 4, 2023 Applications close: Friday September 15th, 2023 St. Mary’s is a small rural Catholic school in North West Victoria.

The focus of the school is providing a quality academic, social and spiritual education for each student. The Teaching and Learning Curriculum aims to cater for each students’ individual learning needs and acknowledges their interests, abilities and talents.

St. Mary’s is a child safe primary school for students from Foundation to Grade 6. We offer a diverse curriculum and have strong community partnerships.

The school has spacious, attractive learning areas, curriculum areas are well resourced and students have 1:1 access to iPads and Chromebooks.

The successful applicant will: • Have a demonstrated commitment to Catholic education and to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products.

• Experience in administration, finance or associated field preferred, but not a prerequisite.

• Sound time management and planning skills.

• Have a current Working With Children Check and be willing to undertake a National Police Check.

Key selection criteria and application requirements can be found on Teachers on Net (https://www.teachers.on.net) or by contacting the school by: P: 03 5497 1116 M: 0418 701 650 E: principal@smdonald.catholic.edu.au W: www.smdonald.catholic.edu.au St Mary’s is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives.

Page 12 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

PAVILION SCHEDULE available at

North Central News

The Position: We are currently seeking a Gardener to join our team on a part-time basis. The position is based at our Coates aged care home in St. Arnaud, Victoria.

The duties of the role include:

– Customer Support Officer

BRENT McALISTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Are you looking for meaningful work in a supportive environment with long-term employment and development opportunities?

You will assist with mowing of the lawns, and the general upkeep of the grounds of the facility.

This is a hands-on position, requiring the individual to manage their own workload with a can-do approach and a knack for thinking creatively.

POSITION VACANT This position is responsible for providing high level customer support and administration services to the Northern Grampians Shire Council’s community, councillors and staff, ensuring the service is responsive, first point issue resolution and customer centric.

Applications close Monday, 18 September 2023.

Please apply via our website www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Careers

GARDENER - PART-TIME

• Mowing the lawns and general grounds upkeep of the facility.

• Plants, transplants, fertilizes, applies chemicals, waters, prunes, and weeds flower beds and plant areas. Maintains flowers, bushes, trees, and shrubs. Implements detailed landscape plans. Plants and propagates bedding plants.

• Occasional assistance with general repairs and maintenance including but not limited to; painting, cleaning, replacing light globes, etc • Maintaining hygiene and occupational health and safety requirements by ensuring that work is carried out safely and securing all areas of work at all times.

What you can bring to the role: • Knowledge of gardening techniques.

• Knowledge of plant and flower care techniques.

• Ability to use professional mowing, trimming and pruning equipment.

• Strong manual skills.

• Precision and attention to detail.

• Interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

• Ability to assist with a variety of Handyperson tasks • Self-motivated and possess a strong work ethic with excellent time management skills • Able to work both unsupervised and within a team environment • Reliable, honest and good communication skills • Willingness to provide a high level of service • Be well presented, punctual and efficient Previous handyman, Certificate III in Horticulture (AHC30716), or a Trades Qualification will be highly regarded but not essential.

What we can offer you: • Competitive salary and entitlements.

• Pay incentives including not-for-profit salary packaging.

• Meaningful work in a purpose-driven organisation.

• Long-term employment in a recession-proof sector.

• A healthy and positive workplace culture.

• Learning, development, and growth opportunities.

Contact: Lynette on recruitment@respect.com.au

Patricia Anne MacLeod late of 6 Nelson Parade, St Arnaud, VIC, Nurse, deceased.

CREDITORS, next of kin, and others having claims in respect of the will of the above named deceased, who died on 20 June 2022 are required by the administrators, Cameron Angus MacLeod and AnneMarie MacLeod, c/the undermentioned solicitor, to send particulars of their claims to them by the 15 November 2023 after which date the administrators may convey or distribute the assets, having regard only to the claims of which they then have notice.

MCL LEGAL 78 Napier Street St Arnaud VIC 3478

Winifred Ann Collins late of 414 GowarFentons Creek Road, Fentons Creek, VIC, 3518, Farmer, deceased.

CREDITORS, next of kin, and others having claims in respect of the will of the above named deceased, who died on 26 September 2022 are required by the executors, Craig Malcolm Collins and Geoffrey Martin Collins, c/- the undermentioned solicitor, to send particulars of their claims to them by the 18 November 2023 after which date the executors may convey or distribute the assets, having regard only to the claims of which they then have notice.

MCL LEGAL 78 Napier Street St Arnaud VIC 3478

CHURCH NOTICES

DISTRICT CATHOLIC CHURCHES East Wimmera Parish BIRCHIP

Sunday September 17th 8.30am

MEETINGS

AGM St.Arnaud Senior Citizens To be held at Club Rooms.

Wednesday 13th September at 1.30pm.

All positions vacant.

AT YOUR SERVICE

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Mass BOORT

PITT A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Neil Pitt will be held at the Uniting Church St. Arnaud on FRIDAY (Sept. 15th) at 1.30 pm.

The cortege will then leave for the St. Arnaud Monumental Cemetery.

KELL FUNERALS ST ARNAUD

Sunday September 17th 10.30am

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CHURCH NOTICES

Karen@klp.net.au

ST. ARNAUD UNITING CHURCH Sunday 17th September ST. ARNAUD 9.30am Worship Team

BIRTH

Ph: 5495 1306

Get it through our

Solicitor 116 Napier St., St. Arnaud

FUNERAL

POLKINGHORNE - (CLAYTON) Joel and Eliza are delighted to announce the arrival of Noah’s little brother

PARISH OFFICE Chris & Rob Batters Pastorial Co-ordinators Enquiries 5495 6223

Live Stream in BANYENA No Mass CHARLTON

Saturday September 16th 7.00pm

PITT - Neil Rodney passed away peacefully at St. Arnaud on Sept 10th 2023, aged 85 years. Loved husband of Dorothy (dec) and loving father and grandfather to Craig, Shane and Jacob.

REUNITED WITH DOROTHY

TO ADVERTISE PH: 5495 1055

Christ Church Old Cathedral Friday 15th September 9am Morning Prayer St. Arnaud 9.30am Every Sunday Eucharist Bealiba 8am 2nd/4th Sunday All Welcome Locum Priest Archdeacon Peter Blundell Enquiries phone: Phone: 0427 694 720

Sunday September 17th 10.30pm Live Stream out to churches without Mass ST. ARNAUD

Sunday September 17th 10.30am Live Stream in WYCHEPROOF

Sunday September 17th 10.30am Live Stream in Parish Coordinator: Noeline Hogan 0476 617 976

KELL FUNERALS Est 1860

PRE PAID FUNERALS AVAILABLE

On 4th September 2023

DEATH

Cnr. Queens Ave & Alma St. Celebrating faith in our Lord Thu 14th September 10.30 a.m.: Faith Group Sun 17th September 10.00 a.m. Prayer Time 10.30 a.m.: Worship & Communion Speaker: Sharon Douglas All welcome Enquiries: Brian Eccles Ph: 5495 2267

Mass DONALD

James Samuel Wes and Sharon and Wayne and Yvonne are proud and excited grandparents.

ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST. ARNAUD

ST. ARNAUD CHURCH OF CHRIST

24 HOURS

Ph: 5495 1043

136 Napier Street St. Arnaud

Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm are pleased to announce the commencement of the Community Grants Program for 2023.

The grant program is offering financial support to eligible groups to encourage and support projects that benefit residents.

Grant funding up to $25,000 will be allocated to projects that contribute to the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the community around the wind farm.

Applications open 1st September and close 30th September 2023.

Please visit www.coonooerbridgewindfarm.com.au for details including the community grant guidelines and application forms.

For further information please contact us via our website or call 1800 940 360.

NAFD Member

Birthday wishes to: September 15th Barry Batters Braiden Box Joe Griffith Jenna-Rose Greene Justin Tillig

September 18th Jessica Mullins September 19th Leanne Burke Harley Durward

Don’t Forget

NCN Photos can be ordered

Call in or phone NCN on 5495 1055

East Wimmera Health Service Update

Unscheduled Council Meeting

St Arnaud Seniors Day

A Council Meeting will be held at 12.30pm on Monday, 25 September 2023 in the Council Chamber, Pleasant Creek Historic Precinct, Stawell.

The purpose of the meeting is to consider: • Preparation of Annual Report 2022-23 • Audit and Risk Committee Biannual Activity Report • Quarterly Finance Report The Council Meeting is open to members of the public and will be livestreamed to council’s YouTube channel.

A link to view the meeting online will be available on council’s website at www.ngshire.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings

Join us in celebrating Seniors Day on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 at the St Arnaud Town Hall, 40 Napier Street, St Arnaud.

The day will commence at 11am with a concert

by Melissa Langton – What the Word Needs Now. This will be followed by a light lunch and in the afternoon a movie – A Haunting in Venice, will be held in the cinema.

Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting the Customer Service Team on 03 5358 8700 or by visiting council offices in St Arnaud and Stawell to book directly with staff.

Bookings open 18 September 2023.

BRENT McALISTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BRENT McALISTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The team at St Arnaud Medical Centre have confirmed that the St Arnaud Medical Centre will be required to close from Monday 18 September to Friday, 29 September, inclusive.

St Arnaud Urgent Care Centre located at the St Arnaud Hospital will continue to provide a 24/7 service with the support of our EWHS Doctor On Call.

The St Arnaud Urgent Care Centre can be contacted on (03) 5477 2100 As an alternative you may wish to use the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department which can be accessed online https://www.vved.org.au/patients/ Further information on how to use the VVED can be found on their website https://www.vved.org.au/faqs/

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 13

St. Arnaud Combined Probus Club report IT was quite a pleasant day for our monthly meeting at least we avoided the icy blast which came later in the week. - Contributed President Glenys welcomed members and visitors and the usual proceedings got under way, After the morning tea break Dawn introduced our two guest speakers, Robyn Leslie and Helen Yuille who proceeded to give a ver y interesting insight into our bird life.

Robyn and Leslie got together about ten years ago and started bird watching or ‘birding’.

They usually go out once a week to various locations, namely Stawell/Ararat/Grampi ans/Avoca waterfalls,

Lampough Reservoir /Halls Gap just to name a few.

They take their lunch, binoculars etc and find a quiet spot in the forest or bush and sit quietly listening to the bird song and native animals around them, For instance Gang Gang cockatoos, Wedge-tail Eagles and many others they have also seen, such as Koalas, Lace monitors, Goannas and the Native mouse plus many species of orchids and wild flowers.

Even when on holidays to other states

they are still logging the bird life with over 80 species identified.

One of our own members told of having the joy of seeing three Brolgas on the way out to her sons farm so it pays to always be on the look out you never know what you will come across (always being safe on the road of course).

Feral cats as we all know are the biggest threat to our bird life and native animals so PLEASE be aware of your responsibilities as a cat owner.

Dawn thanked our guests and presented

Above: Robyn Leslie, Helen Yuille with Dawn McKay

them with a small gift of appreciation on behalf of the members and they also joined us for lunch.

The meeting then closed and we adjourned to the Shire Café for a very nice roast meal and the usual companionship.

The next day we had a visit from 16 members of the Dunolly Probus Club.

President Glenys and some of our members greeted them at the Sporting club for lunch.

Marie Craddock and Win Battersby then joined them on the bus for a tour of the historic buildings in town plus the murals finishing up at the restored railway buildings to view the art works etc.

This facility is not usually open on a Thursday and we thank Russel Steel for making a special effort to accommodate our guests who I am sure appreciated the effort that our club had gone to making sure that they felt welcome here in our town.

All in all a good two days…Cheers until next time.

Above: (Left to right) Guest Speaker Nick Saunders, Greg Wain and Kim Wishart.

Probus Club of Charlton August 2023 Meeting AUGUST Birthdays were Margaret Bibby, Heather Hargreaves and Richard Bibby.

Birthday Wishes from all Charlton Probians.

We inducted Greg Wain into Probus Club of Charlton, and hope Greg enjoys his time in Probus with our Fun, Food and Fellowship.

Nick Saunders was our Guest Speaker, and he talked on some of his customers when he ran Bridgewater Farm Ware.

A customer from the city purchased a small block, and someone said to them you need to get a few sheep as you have a lot of feed

on your block (they did not know sheep eat all that grass, as when they went to shows in the city the sheep all had small bowls of Muesli) .

They got about 20 sheep and then they had to shear them.

They come in next week and said that they had shorn 10 sheep.

It took a little longer than they thought and one of the sheep went to sleep.

They came back next week and said they had all the sheep shorn.

- Contributed Nick said you need to back liner on the sheep, and they said why.

Nick said to keep the lice away, and also to give them a drench for worms and you can give the drench by mouth.

The next customer needed to build a shed and wanted to put one end of the shed higher than the other so the water would run and fill his tanks.

Nick said you need to put guttering along so the water can run to your tanks.

Thanks Nick Saunders .

School holiday action at the REX THE Rex launches school holiday entertainment with the action-packed movie “Gran Turismo” this weekend and the captivating shadow puppet - Contributed live show “Crow Kid” on 19 September.

Now, how much car racing action is too much?

“Gran Turismo” (essentially a video racing game) revolves around the true story of player Jann Mardenborough whose phenomenal skills in the Gran Turismo simulator catapulted him into a place at the Nissan Playstation GT Academy.

Committed to providing the very best participants with the opportunity to learn skills on a real race

track, the ultimate aim of the Academy is to launch them into a professional racing career.

This is the story which “Gran Turismo” the movie explores.

Using a combination of stunning visuals, combined with spectacular racing sequences, the audience is introduced to Jann and his journey – moving from the extended basic training through to the ultimately gripping world of the 24 hour Le Mans race.

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This is a rags-toriches tale in which Jann – the quintessential underdog -has to overcome not just his own doubts but also those of snooty European race royalty.

So, it’s a case of strapping into your seats for the breathtaking, thrilling realism of on-track racing as “Gran Turismo” hurtles across the big screen.

Crow Kid A contrasting approach to puppetry and a heart-warming storyline provides a school holiday activity with a difference as “Crow Kid” is performed live at The Rex on Tuesday 19th September.

Opening with a 10am puppet-making workshop, participants are introduced to the world of shadow puppetry as they fashion their own unique character and learn about the techniques which enable the viewer to see the mechanics of the performance.

The 2pm live show tells the story of “Crow Kid” – a child whose initial loss is eased

Page 14 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

when they find companionship with the crows who visit their Nanna’s yard.

Beginning a beautiful friendship between child and bird, the story explores how this translates into building human connections.

(Note: Suitable for 5-12 year olds.

Workshop: 90 minutes.

Performance running time: 45 minutes.

CROW KID is performed in a dark space.

Light cannot be increased due to the nature of the shadow work and is therefore not suitable for audiences afraid of the dark.)

(The Crow Kid project is supported by Regional Arts Victoria and Creative Victoria and was commissioned

by Maroondah City Council and premiered in ArtSpace at Realm, Ringwood, Victoria).

“Gran Turismo” M134 mins screens: Saturday 16th September at 8pm, Sunday 17th September at 2pm and Tuesday 19th September at 8pm.

“Crow Kid”(Live on stage) – Tuesday 19th September – Puppetry Workshop: 10 - 11:30am | Show: 2pm Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/crow-kid

Above: (Left to right) Margaret Bibby, Richard Bibby and Heather Hargreaves.

Upgraded Emergency Department complete in Ballarat FAMILIES in the Grampians region will continue to receive the best healthcare with a bigger and better emergency department now welcoming patients at the Ballarat Base Hospital.

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the opening of the improved emergency department at Ballarat Base Hospital.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the upgraded emergency department will ensure the Ballarat community continue to receive emergency care while we get on with delivering the $595 million expansion of Ballarat Base Hospital.

Funded through the State Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF), the $5 million investment has upgraded the hospital’s existing emergency area alleviating pressure and reducing patient wait times while we get on with our mas sive $595 million expansion of the hospital.

The upgrade means more people will get the emergency care they need with a new 10-bed unit, consultation room, treatment room, medication room, staff station, two patient ensuites,

modern offices, and staff amenities to ensure a seamless and comfortable environment for both patients and staff.

The upgrade has boosted ED capacity at Ballarat Base – ensuring patients get care in a world-class facility while also delivering a safer and more efficient working environment for staff.

This grant brings the total RHIF investment to $25.5 million at Grampians Health in Ballarat for projects including new theatre and central sterile supply department equipment, the relocation of the diagnostics services mobile x-ray units and ultrasound systems, and infrastructure upgrades.

The new upgraded ED was delivered to meet demand, while the hospital expansion takes place which includes a multi-level tower with a new emergency department, a women’s and children’s hub, a world-class theatre suite and an extra 100 inpatient and short-stay beds.

Young people wanted to help set-up new Rural Youth Network THE North Central LLEN, in partnership with YouThrive Victoria and Northern District Community Health, is looking for passionate young people to co-design a new Rural Youth Network (RYN) for the Shires of Buloke, Loddon, Gannawarra and the town of St Arnaud (BLGs).

Funded through YACVic’s Umbrella Program, the Network will build on the achievements of the YES Group (North Central Youth Advisory Council), and will provide opportunities for young people who work, study, play, and stay in BLGs to thrive in education, work, and life.

According to RYN Facilitator Tori Gentle, the BLGs Network will be a chapter of the statewide Rural Youth Network delivered by YouThrive to build a sense of community and connection for young rural and regional Victorians to expand social networks and provide access to useful resources and opportunities.

“The statewide RYN is building a new type of community where

the best of your local community is blended with the best of online opportunities.”

“The goal is for rural and regional communities to benefit from having connected, resilient and informed young people ready to contribute to their communities with 21st century approaches to problem-solving and community development,” she said.

Across the new BLGs RYN, members will be a representative voice of young people and there will be opportunities for young people to grow their skills and confidence and develop and expand their leadership and advocacy abilities.

There are also plans to establish a range of shared interest groups, events and other

Above: Providing youth perspective on important issues will be one of the roles of the new RYN, which was the case when YACVic CEO Katherine Ellis visited the region earlier this year as part of their submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria and spoke to students from Charlton College. (Left to right) Cooper Boyle Hugh Sait Katherine Ellis (YACVic) Ned Zagame. opportunities for connection across the BLGs and beyond.

The Network is open to people aged 16-25 from a broad range of backgrounds – it is hoped that it will be inclusive of all

young people and celebrate diversity.

“To help us get started, we are looking for some young people who are willing to complete an online survey, participate in a 1:1 meeting with me (in

person or online), and attend two online meetings with the Project team,” said Tori.

“They need to be willing to work collaboratively and effectively in a team

and openly contribute to the conversation about how to make BLGs RYN better for young people.”

“In return they will receive a $50 voucher, with the potential for a paid ongoing role as a

member of the permanent Project Advisory Committee,” she said.

To find out more, visit www.ncllen.or g.ayu/blgsryn, email Tori at t.gentle@nllen. org.au or call her on 0490 840 182.

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NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 15

North Central Hockey Awards Night THE female players vying for the title of best and fairest in the Under 15 competition was a close affair throughout the voting with Eva Coffey (Birchip Watchem), Madeleine Lanyon (Boort), Amali Fitzpatrick (Charlton) and Beau Haslam (Birchip Watchem) all within 5 votes at the 9 game and 15 game leader boards.

Despite Madeleine Lanyon receiving 6 votes in one of the final rounds it was not enough to pull back the lead from eventual winner Eva Coffey.

Eva’s coach Taina Brooks spoke of Eva’s determination, willingness to learn and consistency at both training and in games and a deserving winner of the accolade.

Above: Scene of a previous event.

Under 15s male

Charlton Lions 2023 Swap Meet MEMBERS of the Charlton Lions Club have been very active in recent days organizing their 2023 Swap Meet.

Last years event had to be re-located due to the weather and created a good deal of interest in watching the rising river threaten a couple of the lower sites. Fortunately it was a minor flood and did not impact the Swap Meet, and we are not expecting any problems this year and at this stage propose to return to the original site for 2023.

The event will again be held on the second Sunday (8th) in October at Charlton Park commencing at 8 am.

Members anticipate that the format of the Swap Meet will be similar to previous years with a variety of different sites including car parts, tools, plants, preserves and other items amongst the early site bookings.

Event organiser Lion Kevin Willey said that he has been working on the stall holders list for some time and to date he has been promised great support for this year’s meet.

“The stall holders were very happy with the 2023, all of the site holders contacted to date this year have expressed a keen interest in attending this year’s event to help us make it bigger and better than ever” he said.

The committee have agreed to continue to promote the static Car Display and also have agreed to provide two prizes of a $75 Fuel Voucher for the two ‘Best Presented Car’.

The event coordinator Garry Larmour said that the success of the Static Car dis-

- Contributed play at the 2019 and 2022 Swap Meets, supported by the many compliments the Club received after that has led the Club to believe the static display had a significant impact on the success the meet.

If you would like to have a stall in this year Swap Meet please contact Kevin Willey, Ross Lane or Garry Larmour who will be very happy to make the necessary arrangements for you.

“The Lions Swap Meet has continued to grow over recent years since the Covid experience and the Club is keen to rebuild the event into one of Charlton’s highly popular social events not to be missed.

“So put the date in your diary and help us achieve this aim” Garry said.

Combined Orchid Clubs Show success OVER the 25th, 26th, and 27th August, the Horsham, Stawell and St. Arnaud Orchid Clubs combined to stage a massed display of Orchids at the Melbourne Orchid Spectacular at KCC Contributed Park, Skye.

The display was staged by members of all three clubs, Joy Scott, Beate Wacker, Lois Williams with Rolf Wacker, Brad Scott, Gerard Ackland, Peter Williams and Ian Notting, Warren Nightingale, Jenny Drury and Sharon Drury assisting also.

The display was listed as Wimmera Orchid Clubs and received great acclaim.

It also took 2nd Prize overall for the “Medium Display” category.

A few contributing members’ plants also gained prizes.

The organised bus

trip for club members travelled down on the 25th to see the show and also visited a huge general and orchids nursery on the way home.

Those who have done this enjoyed the day as usual and those on their 1st trip had nothing but praise for

the day.

Can’t wait for next year.

Anyone interested in Orchids and plants should try to attend.

A bus trip is cheaper and information can be sort from your local orchid club closer to the time next year or simply by joining your local Orchid Club.

Page 16 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

The Under 15 male award was a tight tussle at the midway mark with Judd Durie (Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers) and Austin Lowe polling at 34 and 31 respectively.

At the end of round 15, three votes still separated the players, with Judd still in front.

The end of the season saw Austin Lowe injured and unable to play while Judd Durie received the maximum of 6 votes in the final 3 games to secure his ‘Best and Fairest’ title.

Coach, Damien Leo praised Judd for his commitment to training and improving his skills as the season has progressed.

He has shown leadership and determination both on and off the field to help his team make it to the finals.

Women The Women’s vote count was always going to be a close affair to match the season it has been in this competition.

At the end of round 9 Xanthe Fitzpatrick (Charlton) had a narrow lead over Sarah Bortheras (Wycheproof-Narraport) and Sea Lake Nandaly Tiger’s Kathryn Velleley.

At the end of Round 15 Sarah Botheras had taken the lead but it was going to be a tough run home with WycheproofNarraport having a bye in the last round.

Kathryn Velleley was still polling well, as was Xanthe Fitzpatrick and Elise Fitzpatrick had pushed herself up the leader board into 3rd place.

In the last rounds Elise received maximum votes in the 2 rounds Charlton played while Kate Gifford (St. Arnaud) and Kathryn Velleley both added 17 and 14 votes respectively to their tally.

In the end there was less than 10 votes in the top 5 players, with Elise Fitzpatrick finishing with 53 votes and dual runners up Kate Gifford and Kathryn Velleley with 51 votes.

Each coach talked about the skills the players have and their ability to share their knowledge and skills with teammates and providing leadership both on and off the field.

Men The Men’s Best and Fairest favourite Andrew Niblett from St. Arnaud showed his strength early in the count, leading Boort’s Jake Boyd by 2 votes after round 9.

By the 15th round Niblett had stretched his lead and Henry Bourke from Charlton had polled well to sit in third spot behind Jake Boyd.

Some maximum polling in the final rounds saw Jake Boyd claw back the lead, as Niblett did not play in the final rounds of the season.

It was not enough to tame the lead and the deserving Andrew Niblett won his eighth NCHA best and fairest. Coach Andrew Thomas praised Niblett for being an integral member of the club, who is an amazing role model and inspiration to both his own teammates and others in the Association.

He has been a fantastic mentor for the junior players, is always humble about his abilities but is wonderful to watch, learn from and play alongside.

Jake reflected on his hockey journey and encouraged the younger players to take up any opportunity to play for club, association and the Lightning representative team.

This year the association introduced the NCHA ‘Team of the Year’, which had the leadership group of each club nominating and voting for each position on the team.

This created great discussion at club level and added more interest to the award proceedings with nearly 150 members in attendance.

Men’s Team of the Year Goalkeeper: Jeremy Watson (SLNT) Defenders: Jacob Moresi (B), Henry Bourke (C), Alexander Bourchier (D), James Paley (D) Midfielders: Andrew Niblett (SA), Blake Slatter (B), Aidan Goode (D) Attackers: Luke Slatter (B), Owen Lowe (SA), Marcus Williamson (WN) Interchange: Dominic Coote (SLNT), Thomas Hamilton (SA), Jake Boyd (B), Evan Douglas (SA) Coach: Aidan Goode (D) Captain: Henry Bourke (C) Umpires: Brenton Henderson (B), Angela Poxon (B)

Women’s Team of the Year Goalkeeper: Eliza MacDonald (WN) Defenders: Kathryn Velleley (SLNT), Trista Wright (C), Chelsea

- Contributed Challis-Broad (B), Nicola Kirk (SA) Midfielders: Tessa Fitzpatrick (C), Ella Lanyon (B), Kate Gifford (SA) Attackers: Elise Fitzpatrick (C). Sarah Botheras (WN), Xanthe Fitzpatrick (C) Interchange: Naomi Fitzpatrick (C), Taina Brooks (BW), Talei Brooks (BW) Coach: Xanthe Fitzpatrick (C) Captain: Kathryn Velleley (SLNT) Umpires: Corey Harrison (WN), James Paley (D) There were four other awards recognising the commitment and achievements of NCHA members.

Duncan Kirk from St. Arnaud won the Junior Goalkeeper Award and has had a stellar year playing for St. Arnaud, winning a silver medal at JCC, playing with North West Lightning at JSC and has been selected to play in the Under 13 State team.

Bridie Reid from Birchip Watchem was the recipient of the Trainee Umpire Award and has been successful in becoming an accredited umpire, has increased her knowledge and umpire craft at JCC, SCC and will be umpiring at JSC later this month.

A worthy recipient who was awarded the opportunity to umpire at the association’s finals.

The Redback’s Neve Nisbet was awarded the NCHA Junior Champion Award for her dedication to coaching and umpiring of junior teams and was instrumental in the reestablishment of the Women’s team in Wedderburn.

Angela Poxon was awarded the NCHA Senior Champion for her passion and enthusiasm to promote and develop hockey in the association.

The association also made a special presentation to Shane O’Shae to thank him for his many years of reporting on hockey and sharing the accolades of NCHA. The comradery between members of the association is one to be rivalled and the Awards Night definitely showed the appreciation and respect teams have for each other and the members.

Boort Hockey Club did a fantastic job hosting the night and it was fantastic to see the mixing of the junior players from all teams.

- Photos next page.

Above: Men’s best and fairest Andrew Niblett (left) and runner-up Jake Boyd (right) with Life Member Leanne Gretgrix (centre).

Above: Women’s Best and Fairest (centre) Elise Fitzpatrick with dual runners-up Kate Gifford (left) and Kathryn Velleley (right).

Above: Shane O’Shea was presented a special appreciation for all his hockey contributions over the years working with Buloke Times.

Above: Under15s best and fairests Judd Durie (left) and Eva Coffey (right) with Life Member Jon Whykes.

Above: (left to right) Junior Champion Neve Nisbet, Life Member Michelle Hargreaves and Trainee Umpire Bridie Reid.

Above: Forbes Kirk Junior Goalkeeper award winner with his coach Nicola Kirk.

Above Men’s team of the Year (left to right) Angela Poxon, Brenton Henderson, Thomas Hamilton, Jacob Moresi, Andrew Niblett, Luke Slater, Aidan Goode, Jake Boyd, Blake Slatter, Henry Bourke, Marcus Williamson, Alexander Bourchier, James Paley, Jeremy Watson, Owen Lowe. (Absent) Evan Douglas and Dominic Coote.

Above: Women’s Team of the Year (left to right) Jacqui Challis-Broad (on behalf of sister, Chelsea), James Paley, Eliza MacDonald, Corey Harrison, Ella Lanyon, Kathryn Velleley, Taina Brooks, Kate Gifford, Nicola Kirk, Tessa Fitzpatrick, Xanthi Fitzpatrick, Elise Fitzpatrick, Sarah Botheras, Naomi Fitzpatrick. (Absent) Talei Brooks and Trista Wright.

Above: Angela Poxon NCHA Senior Champion.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 17

North Central Hockey Women’s

Wycheproof-Narraport vs Birchip Watchem WycheproofNarraport started the game aggressively through Laura Harrison beating two Birchip Watchem players, passing to Sarah Botheras who earned a free for a Bull’s infringement.

The quick pass back to Laura Harrington was followed by a strong hit into the D to Keely Allan, running at post only to see the ball pass over the baseline.

Talei Brooks cleared the ball from defence through Bridie Reid who ran it into the forward line before passing into the D. The pass was intercepted by Mary Anne Pollard who switched the play to the other side and into their attacking 25.

The Demon’s attack stayed firm keeping the ball in their offensive half, resulting in a penalty corner by Emily King.

Taina Brooks stopped the short and cleared the ball to the half line where it was intercepted by Laura Harrison taking the ball back into attack.

Wyche was unable to capitilise and Zali Angel drove the ball out of defence and though Taina Brooks earnt a short corner, followed by another, neither could find their target.

Wycheproof found it difficult to get through the Bull’s defence and a long ball out of defence saw another penalty corner arise for Birchip Watchem.

The ball was injected

by Bridie Reid to Taine Brooks whose shot bounced off the post, across the goals and a deflection by Fiona Post put a score on the board for Birchip Watchem.

Wycheproof-Narraport came back hard with an attempt to penetrate the D but were stopped by Hannah Kemp who sent the ball back out up the sideline and then across the field to Tylah Haslam and into a waiting Allie Knights in the D. Wycheproof’s SueAnne Beattie laid a clean tackle and through Rebecca Botheras an attack for the Demons followed.

Sarah Botheras weaved around several players to earn a penalty corner.

The Demons had several shots on goal but found the Bulls keeper, Kristie Knights impenetrable.

The Bulls were quick to attack through the centre and into a waiting Beau Haslam, whose shot on goal hit the foot of Sue-Anne Beattie behind keeper Eliza MacDonald.

The resultant penalty stroke was taken by Taina Brooks increasing the score to 2 for the Bulls.

Both teams had further opportunities through short corners, but the Bulls took the lead into half time.

Both teams had earned penalty corners within the first five minutes of the second half.

A failed injection by the Bulls resulted in the Demons getting the ball back into attack with a quick turnover.

The ball was carried into the D with another short being earned by Shelby Girolando.

Sarah Botheras received the ball at the top of the D, weaved around Taina Brooks before a hard hit saw a deflection from Shelby Giorlando to Mary Anne Pollard who scored on the post reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Moments later Wyche was awarded another short corner and the deflection of the goalie’s pads was picked up by Keely Allan and promptly put into goal to equalize.

Beau Haslam carried the ball past all the Wycheproof-Narraport players with a flat pass into D. Bridie Reid under pressure from the keeper managed to sneak it past for a third goal and to regain the lead. After the ball being sent back to the middle Beau Haslam picked it up, running into the D, creating a short corner.

Bridie Reid found her target in Taina Brooks who passed to Holly Kingi and back to injector Bridie Reid on the post for another deflection goal.

The Bulls played a defensive game with 5 minutes to go, disallowing Wycheproof any further opportunities to score and causing the biggest upset of the day.

Final Score: Birchip Watchem 4 Wycheproof-Narraport 2 Goals Birchip Watchem: Bridie Reid 2, Taina Brooks, Fiona Best Goals WycheproofNarraport: Keely Allan, Mary-Anne Pollard Best BirchipWatchem: Taina Brooks, Holly Kingi, Bridie Reid Best players Wycheproof-Narraport: Sarah Botheras, Rebecca Coughlin, Laura Harrison Umpires: Brenton Henderson and Jacob Moresi

Men’s

St. Arnaud vs Donald Donald strategy was to attack strongly from the start of the game and put pressure on the Saints defence who were missing the three Knights courtesy of an

interstate wedding.

To counteract this loss, 8-time association best and fairest winner Andrew Niblett dropped back to stop any Donald charge.

Donald was not deterred by this move and changed tact using all the pitch with some great passing by Geordie Smith and James Paley to open up opportunities.

Their progress was stopped by Joe Watts and through a quick run by Owen Lowe, into the Saints’ D and the chance to score through a penalty corner.

Donald’s goalie Sam Hirst-Pearse thwarted the shot on goal and the ball returned to Donald’s attacking 25 courtesy of an over head

by Alexander Bourchier to Toby Smith.

Brent Barber was running into position, but his use of the body overturned the ball.

St. Arnaud earned a penalty corner at the other end, the injection spilled out of the D to Benjamin Greenaway who passed the ball back into Owen Lowe, laying off to the right to a waiting Dave Reynolds on the post to score a goal within 10 minutes.

Frantic play up and down the field resulted in several free hits in the centre before Stephen Rodger sent the ball up field to Ben Greenaway, delivering the ball to Andrew Niblett who had a clean shot from the top of the D to add to St. Arnaud’s score.

Donald was stripped of the ball at the centre pass and Kate Gifford weaved past 3 Donald defenders and sent the ball to the spot.

Alexander Bourchier cleared the ball with a driving hit and a short corner for Donald gave them their first clear opportunity.

Above: Saints’ Andrew Niblett manages to get the ball from Donald’s clutches to score a goal during the Men’s Preliminary final. Photo Tara Lowe.

The shot by Aidan Goode bounced off the post but was scooped up

by Angus Coats and into the goal.

A rapid turnover at the centre pass resulted in a threat to St. Arnaud goals.

Protection by Stephen Rodger and Thomas Hamilton held Donald out initially before a bouncing ball off the keeper was swatted in the net by Brent Barber.

St. Arnaud came firing back with a lot of pressure then being put on Donald’s defence before Evan Douglas dodged two Donald defenders and scored off a reverse stick hit, regaining the lead 3-2.

St. Arnaud had the last of the scoring opportunities in the first half through a penalty corner but were unable to increase their lead.

The second half saw both teams being a little impatient with their passes and were being blocked by good defensive skills at both ends of the pitch.

An overhead from Thomas Hamilton in defence to Owen Lowe was overrun by Donald’s defence as he approached the D, resulting in a quick turn over.

James Paley made it to the centre line before being tackled by Stephen Rodger to pressure the ball back into St. Arnaud offence.

The ball was lost in the D due to a Saints’ infringement but soon returned from an Evan Douglas steal and the resultant shot on goal from Niblett went wide of the goals.

Further goal opportunities were had by Evan Douglas and

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Owen Lowe, but the goalie was solid in defence.

A flat pass from the defensive D by Thomas Hamilton to Stephen Rodger followed by a pass up the side to Owen Lowe found a 1v1 situation with the goalie.

Sam Hirst Pearse pressured the shot well with the ball bouncing off the post and back into play.

The Donald defence in their enthusiasm to clear the ball gave away a short corner which resulted in a goal by Andrew Niblett from a low flick.

To Donald’s credit they put pressure back on the Saints’ defence and with some great passing moved the ball into the D and the shot by Toby Smith decreased the Saints’ lead to 4-3 with 5 minutes remaining on the clock.

A quick turnover

by Donald saw the Saints’ defenders scrambling to stop the attack and Sam Cook came out to defend the shot on goal that scraped the post as it went over the backline.

The Saints were able to retain possession denying Donald the chance to equalize.

Final Score: St Arnaud 4 - Donald 3 St. Arnaud goals: Andrew Niblett 2, Dave Reynolds, Evan Douglas Donald goals: Angus Coats, Brent Barber, Toby Smith Best St. Arnaud: Evan Douglas, Thomas Hamilton, Benjamin Greenaway Best Donald: Aidan Goode, Toby Smith, Alexander Bourchier Umpires: Samantha Giorlando, Jacob Moresi.

Victorian State Finals of the Hockey 7’s Boys /Mixed Competition ON Thursday 7th September St. Arnaud Primary School travelled to the Footscray Hockey Club to compete at the Victorian State School Finals of the Hockey 7’s Boys/Mixed Competition.

The team earned their place at the State finals through a perfect score of wins at the Black Ranges competition in Dimboola and the Greater Western Region competition held in Hamilton.

Supported by our school community, coach Nicola Kirk and team manager Daniel Greenaway the boys played 4 matches

across the day with the following fabulous results: St. Arnaud 6 v Goulburn Valley 1 St. Arnaud 8 v Whittlesea 0 St. Arnaud 2 v Beaumaris 1 St. Arnaud 2 v Mountview 4 Making it through to the Grand Final, the team were narrowly beaten resulting in

Last official event on golfing calendar ON Sunday 10th September it was the last official event on the golfing calendar for St. Arnaud being the Closed Tournament.

Bill Rodger’s decision to play golf instead of bowls proved to be the correct one with Bill being the overall winner with 37 points.

Trevor Baldock was runner up with 33.

There was a 4 ball match played between John Nevill and Tony Coloe up against Trevor and Lindsay Baldock for a spot in the final.

The extra years of experience saw the Nevill/Coloe combination come out with the win.

Twenty-eight players competed in the Tasco Fuel and Weirs IGA sponsored event.

A grade scratch winner was Bill Rodger with 79 from Jake Male on 80.

A grade handicap winner with 72 net was David Lanyon from Sam Male on 73.

B grade scratch winner was John Nevill with 80 (that’s two less than the old bloke’s age) from Arnold Bond with 81.

B grade handicap winner was Arnold Bond with 65 net from

MCDFNL Preliminary final results Seniors Harcourt 16.8 104 def Trentham 8.5 53 Reserves Trentham 6.10 46 lost to Carisbrook 10.6 66

-Contributed the perennial trophy collector Ivan Jackson with 70 net.

This meant that Arnold was the winner of the Sandy Fradd trophy played for every year at the closed tournament with the best nett score overall.

Ladies winner was Sharyn Erwin with 76 net from Paula Bigmore on 84.

Sharon also won the Alice Edwards trophy.

Nearest the pins were Trevor Merrin on the 6th, Tubby Drendel on the 8th, Scott Wright on the 10th, John Nevill on the 18th and Sharyn Erwin for the ladies on the 18th.

The final of the WL Bray 4 ball was played between the Nevill/Coloe combination and the Lanyon/Wright combination.

In a tight contest the steady hands of John Nevill and his accomplice Tony Coloe were too much for the green keeper and club champion.

Congratulations go to those two.

Next week is the local footy grand final but there will still be golf for those interested.

The final of the singles knockout will be played between the giant killer Ernie Scilini and the natural athlete Tony Coloe.

This should be a riveting match much like you see on LIV golf on tv.

- Contributed St. Arnaud Primary School holding the title of 2nd in the State!

This was an incredible effort and experience for all the students and their families with lifelong memories made.

A big congratulations to the team for their excellent conduct and sportsmanship behaviour on and off the field every time they played.

A big thanks to team manager Daniel Greenaway and coach Nicola Kirk who said ‘that coaching the boys was a real privilege and pleasure’.

Our school community is very proud of our State Hockey superstars!

Above: 2nd in State final (left to right) Riley Buttery, Finn Evans, Zach Green, Ned Ezard, Sam Greenaway, Finn Wilson, Chaise Buttery, Duncan Kirk, Zaklen Hutchinson, Lewis Lowe and coach Nicola Kirk.

Goldacres North-Central Football League

Preliminary Final Results Gate at St Arnaud $17,636

NULLAWIL....................

BIRCHIP-WATCHEM....

Seniors 0.1 3.2

4.4 3.3

6.5 10.8 (68) 5.6 8.7 (55)

Goals for Nullawil: Mitch Farmer 4, Adam Thomson 3, Matthew Quigley 2, Andrew Oberdorfer.

For Birchip-Watchem: Ben Edwards 3, Nicholas Rippon 2, Daniel Batarilo, Lachy Foott, Dale Hinkley.

Best for Nullawil: David Isbister, Matt Quigley, Dean Smith, Adam Thomson, Dean Putt, Patrick Kelly.

For Birchip-Watchem: Nicholas Rippon, Nathan Gordon, Lachlan Ryan, Dale Hinkley, Cameron Williams, James Linderbach.

Reserves

NULLAWIL....................

BIRCHIP-WATCHEM....

1.3 2.2

5.4 6.3

9.4 13.6 (84) 7.3 7.4 (46)

Goals for Nullawil: Sam Goldsmith 3, Matt Poyner 3, Angus Forrester 2, Jack Barry 2, Joshua Bowyer, Sol Kelly, Jason Perry For Birchip-Watchem: Tison Wiantara 3, Jack Ryan 2, Callum Goode, Ty Colbert.

Best for Nullawil: Sol Kelly, Matthew Hogan, Tom Fawcett, Dude Kelly, Shane Barker, Jack Barry.

For Birchip-Watchem: Alex Noonan, Lachlan Randall, Jack Ryan, Ty Colbert, William Marks.

Under-Seventeens

ST ARNAUD .................

BIRCHIP-WATCHEM....

3.0 1.2

6.2 1.4

7.2 10.6 (66) 4.7 4.8 (32)

Goals for St. Arnaud: Frankie Donald 3, Jackson Needs 3, Bob Donald, Tyson Funston, Mason Thomas, Aidan Wickham.

For Birchip-Watchem: Connor Lee 2, Austin Dean, Jack Knights.

Best for St Arnaud: Tyson Funston, Owen Lowe, Mason Thomas, Frankie Donald, Jackson Needs, Benjamin Greenaway.

For Birchip-Watchem: Riley Hogan, Harry Cook, Austin Dean, Charlie Frank, Chriswin Daniel.

Under-Fourteens

SEA LAKE-NANDALY..

BOORT .........................

2.1 0.0

4.2 1.0

5.5 1.0

8.6 (54) 2.2 (14)

Goals for Sea Lake-Nandaly: Henry Cox 3, Hugo Warne 2, Taj Borlase, Zander Wight, Charlie Winter-Goldman.

For Boort: Liam King, Jake O’Flaherty.

Best for Sea Lake-Nandaly: Hugo Warne, Chad O’Sullivan, Charlie Winter-Goldman, Angus Renney, Henry Cox, Coby Wight.

For Boort: Jake O’Flaherty, Jacob Malone, Samuel McClelland, Chaise Hird, Cooper Gooding.

Hockey

Women: Birchip-Watchem 4 d. WycheproofNarraport 2.

Best for Birchip-Watchem: Taina Brooks, Holly Kingi, Bridie Reid.

For Wycheproof-Narraport: Sarah Botheras, Rebecca Coughlin, Laura Harrison.

Men: St Arnaud 4 d. Donald 3.

Best for St Arnaud: Evan Douglas, Thomas Hamilton, Benjamin Greenaway.

For Donald: Aidan Goode, Toby Smith, Alexander Bourchier.

Under-15: Birchip-Watchem 1 d. Sea LakeNandaly 0.

Best for Birchip-Watchem: Noah Dean, Beau Haslam, Zali Angel.

For Sea Lake-Nandaly: Judd Durie, Scott Barbary, Scarlett McGarry.

Under-12: Charlton 1 d. Wycheproof-Narraport 0.

Best for Charlton: Cooper McGrath, Tony Bourke, Rosie Fitzpatrick.

For Wycheproof-Narrapoprt: Ryder Harrison, Priya Harrison, Mitchell Coatsworth.

Netball

“A” grade: Nullawil 53 d. Wedderburn 52.

Best for Nullawil: Jackie Watts. For Wedderburn: Aliza Lockhart.

“B” grade: Donald 45 d. Boort 42..

Best for Donald: Megan Tonkin. For Boort: Kaz Adams.

“C” grade: Boort 45 d. Birchip-Watchem 17.

Best for Boort: Phoebe Malone. For BirchipWatchem: Sandie Richmond.

Under-17 “A”: Nullawil 33 d. Birchip-Watchem 20.

Best for Nullawil: Jessica Fawcett. For BirchipWatchem: Eva Coffey.

Under-14 “A”: Donald 27 d. Sea Lake-Nandaly 18.

Best for Sea Lake-Nandaly: Prue O’Sullivan. For Donald: Halle Rice.

Under-14 “B”: St Arnaud 9 d. Sea Lake-Nandaly 5.

Best for St Arnaud: Sienna C. For Sea Lake-Nandaly: Teyana B.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023 - Page 19

Page 20 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 13th 2023.

SPORT

HOME DELIVERY 5495 1055

North Central Football League Grand Final this weekend at Boort St. Arnaud and Charlton will be heading to Boort this weekend to cheer on their teams playing in the North Central Football League Grand Final.

St. Arnaud have five teams playing this Saturday, the Under 17s footballers, Under 14b Netball, Under 12’s, Under 15’s, and Men’s Hockey.

Charlton have two teams, the Under 12’s and Women’s Hockey.

Congratulations to all participating in the finals this weekend.

Gate opens Saturday at 8am.

Pictured right: (left to right) Saints’ Thomas Mason, Owen Lowe and Damien Bridgeman in action on Saturday in the Under 17’s Preliminary Final at Lord Nelson Park St. Arnaud.

Photos: Tara Lowe.

12 Group 1 Vicbreds Harness Racing on Saturday THE revised Harness Racing calendar for 2023 sees the 12 age and sex specific Vicbred Sires finals being run at Melton this Saturday.

The 12 consolations are programmed for the night before at Bendigo.

The 3yo Trot final includes impressive

Maryborough winner “Gotfeelingsyouknow”, who was resuming from a 4 months break away from the track.

Goldacres North-Central Football League

Grand Finals

at Boort, Saturday, Sept. 16

9.30 a.m.: Under-14s, Donald v. Sea Lake-Nandaly 10.55 a.m.: Under-17s, Boort v. St. Arnaud 12.35 p.m.: Reserves, Sea Lake-Nandaly v. Nullawil 2.30 p.m.: Seniors, Sea Lake-Nandaly v. Nullawil

HOCKEY —

11.15 a.m.: Under-12, St. Arnaud v. Charlton 12.30 p.m.: Under-15, St. Arnaud v. Birchip-Watchem 1.40 p.m.: Women, Charlton v. Birchip-Watchem 3.15 p.m.: Men, Wyche.-N’port v. St. Arnaud

NETBALL —

9.30 a.m.: 14-&-U “B”, Birchip-Watchem v. St. Arnaud 10.20 a.m.: 14-&-U “A”, Nullawil v. Donald 11.20 a.m.: 17-&-U, Boort v. Nullawil 12.30 p.m.: “C” grade, Nullawil v. Boort 1.45 p.m.: “B” grade, Nullawil v. Donald 3 p.m.: “A” grade, Boort v. Nullawil

Gates open at 8 a.m.. Admittance $15 (inc. GST) EFTPOS available at the gate for entry and recorders.

NO B.Y.O. Alcohol

A great day of family entertainment, with comprehensive catering facilities available.

• Limited car parking for the disabled.

Lance Standfield, N.-C.F.L..

The win takes his career record to 5 wins and a third from 6 lifetime starts.

After a desperately unlucky performance in his semi-final at Melton on Saturday the connections of the Shane Sanderson trained “Dangerous” will be hoping for good fortune to finally swing their way in the 3yo Pacers final rewarding the colt with a justly deserved Group 1 victory.

The maiden trot at Geelong on Tuesday was won by the Toby Ainsworth trained “Get Up Early” who notched up its first win after 29 starts.

The 8yo “Yankee Spider” mare, whose SP was $61, is raced by

Emily Kennedy and was driven by the Finnish reinswoman Ada Massa.

Abby Sanderson drove the first of her two winners for the week at Echuca on Wednesday aboard the Henty, NSW trained “Captain Braveheart” who took advantage of the sprint lane to defeat the Moolerr pacer “Puzzle Piece” by 1.2m.

Her second winner was the Joe Costa of Woorinen trained “Star Shine” at Mildura on Friday.

Another Echuca winner was the former Sunraysia pacer “Rockets Mate” for John and Ellen Tormey.

The 4yo gelding, who is raced by Michelle McGinty, has had 10 starts since joining the Tormey stable for 2 wins and 5 placings.

Inside running

by Archie

FREE HOME DELIVERY Charlton trainer/driver Michael Gadsden was in the money at Mildura when he won again aboard the Jeffrey Gadsden trained “Im Stuck Man” as well as driving two seconds and a third.

The Kaye Matthews Tribute is on at Stawell on Thursday and on Sunday the 17th Maryborough are holding their Cups meeting.

Amongst the nominations for the Maryborough pacers cup is “Rock N Roll Doo” the 2022 Kilmore and Victoria Cups winner who won the recent Len Smith Mile at Menangle.

4000olives wish all teams on Saturday the best of luck in the Grand Final at Boort.

In particular the St. Arnaud Under 17’s football team and coach Harley Durward.

4000olives “Go Saints”

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