Sensational sunny show’s
SUPER DAYS
By ALEX GRETGRIX
THE SUN shined down on what was a ripper on the first day of the St Arnaud Agricultural Show.
Saturday provided what organisers say was one of the best turn outs they have had for a long time, with gate numbers being up on years past.
“We still have such a strong committee compared to others in the area,” committee member Annette Driscoll said.
“We’ve spent years competing with events like the Horsham Show and Deni Ute Muster but this is one of our best year for rides.
“It’s days like these that give you the warm fuzzies.”
It was a family-friendly day, with something there for everyone.
Lord Nelson Park was filled with laughter as children enjoyed high-flying rides, an abundance of food from across the world and of course - showbags.
watched as their little ones took a turn on the tea cup ride or fished for ducks to win a prize.
But there was also plenty of competition with the Sports Shear, horse events and the much-anticipated dog show.
There were new little ladies and gentlemen crowned Miss and Master Tiny Tots too, as well as new Show Ambassadors.
The pavilion was also filled with show entries, from quilts and needle work,
paintings and LEGO sculptures, photographs to cakes and slices, roses and succulants and vegetables as far as the eye could see.
There was plenty of excitement as children showed off their first and second place ribbons to family members.
Emergency Services were out in force helping youngsters learn about community safety. MORE FROM THE SHOW - PAGES 5, 12 & 13
“Working with Brad over the last few months with the purchase of my house had been exceptional. I had several issues on my end from the sale of my old home which made some difficulties with the process of my purchase, but Brad was calm, positive and kept it all moving.
He kept me fully informed about the ongoing situation and made the entire process a lot smoother than many others would have. He was easy to contact, prompt in returning calls and had a great grasp of the location, my needs and just what needed to be done. Definitely the best agent I have ever dealt with.”
Parents
Billabong Ranch horse carriage takes families on a coach trek while Evelyn Scilini enjoys the bungee ropes. NCN PHOTOS
NCN HERALD
A GROUP of young ladies in St Arnaud took a stand for mental health as they baked up a storm in support of R U OK Day (September 11).
Every fortnight, two of the Vision St Arnaud Youth Group leaders, Georgie and Jane, run a girls group called ‘The Picnic Club’ aimed at further building connection with the local youth girls.
When Jane, who works for Baiada, presented the girls with the idea to bake for the R U OK day celebrations, they were so ex-
cited they started brainstorming cake ideas immediately.
“Usually, our group just bake for ourselves, but when I started planning the celebrations for work, I thought of the picnic club girls, they are capable young ladies,” Jane said.
“They didn’t need time to consider helping other people, it was an immediate yes.
“To show that kind of selflessness is amazing to see.”
The girls gathered at the Church of Christ over two after-
noons. They baked and decorated five cakes (plus one for themselves to enjoy).
The cakes were then delivered to the sites and were accompanied by a bacon and egg sandwich morning tea.
Jane was able to share with the staff about the fun the girls had baking for them and encouraged them to ask, “are you ok?”.
All girls (year 7-12) are welcome to join the picnic club which usually meets every second Wednesday at 4.30.
Grass cutting to begin FOREST Fire Management
Victoria crews are currently focused on cutting grass on public land in the Murray Goldfields District to reduce the risk of grassfires this summer. Crews will be slashing a total of 2000 hectares across 700 locations in the coming weeks. Works will take place across St Arnaud, Charlton, Castlemaine, Maldon, Chewton, Inglewood, Wedderburn, Heathcote, Rushworth, Avoca, Kyneton, Macedon and are expected to be completed in December.
Slither to snake season
AS TEMPERATURES rise, snakes become more active, emerging from a period of reduced activity to seek food and mates.
While they may be more visible, snakes generally pose little danger to people when left alone.
Remember:
Keep your yard tidy, clear away timber piles and rocks.
Keep dogs on a lead and watch pets closely in highrisk areas. If you suspect a bite, seek immediate veterinary care.
When out walking wear long pants and proper shoes. Don’t try to catch or harm a snake. Call a licensed snake catcher instead.
In the case of a bite, call 000 immediately.
Vision St Arnaud Youth Group members showing off their baked goods
One of the five cakes made for R U OK Day The group spent two afternoons planning/baking
CFA crew’s eternal wait
‘It can feel like forever’: truck wait frustrates
members
By ALEX GRETGRIX
ELLA Bedford has always had to wait for the Charlton fire truck to make it to station.
She’s never known any different.
And that wait can feel like an eternity.
“Sometimes you can wait five minutes, maybe even more,” Ms Bedford said.
“When you’re literally just standing there, waiting and waiting, it’s excruciating.
“It can feel like forever.”
Ms Bedford joined the Charlton Fire Brigade in 2023 when she wanted to help her new community.
“I really enjoy it, but this is frustrating,” she said.
The Charlton CFA welcomed a new 2020 Iveco Eurocargo Tanker, replacing the 34-year-old Isuzu Tanker in 2021.
But that came with one problem - it wouldn’t fit in the station.
Now, when the brigade members get called out to a fire, they meet at the station and have to wait for someone to go and collect the truck from a shed behind Walsh Motors.
And while it may seem like a small distance, Ms Bedford said that time is critical.
“It would be so much easier if it was all just there,” Ella said last week.
“There’s a lot of older members who, while they had a smaller
truck, it was always here at the station. They always talk about how frustrated they are, it’s sad that it has to come to this.”
Ms Bedford said she has been to two major fires in her time and she hopes none are affected by this wait time.
She did say there were plenty of positives to being in the brigade, with this frustration on deterring her from staying.
“You just get such a rush when you put out a fire,” she said.
“There’s such an adrenalin rush and a sense of achievement.
“We have such a supportive team and you always feel like you can celebrate together, knowing you put that fire out together.”
Ms Bedford said while they were luckier than some brigades to have a decent amount of young members in their ranks, they would never say no to more.
“We have to be able to take over this team one day, we will always need fire fighters,” she said.
First Ripon challenger
THE first potential Liberal Party candidate to take on Ripon MP Martha Haylett has emerged with a former political staffer saying he will seek pre-selection to contest the marginal seat at next year’s election.
Ballarat father of four and Triple 000 call taker Nathan Anderson on Friday said his hat would be in the ring to be the Liberal candidate.
Labor Ms Haylett defeated senior Liberal Louise Staley at the 2022 election and holds the seat that stretches from the outer suburbs of Ballarat into southern Loddon communities and across to St Arnaud, Maryborough and Ararat by 2.99 per cent.
“Our communities have borne the brunt of this government’s poor decisions — from the emergency services tax, to services being stripped from our towns, to massive powerlines being forced onto farms while landowners are threatened with jail,” Mr Anderson said.
By ALEX GRETGRIX
A POPULAR fitness session has become a safe space for St Arnaud men who may be struggling with their mental health.
And now, St Arnaud Man Therapy & Movement has been able to expand, thanks to a recent funding boost.
Driscoll Ag director and senior agronamist Brett Douglas, who has supported this program, said it was an important cause to help keep running.
“There’s so many physical benefits obviously, but social as well,” he said.
“Mental health was something I never thought was real, but it is.”
The program started in 2022 to promote good physical and
mental health to farmers through movement and connection.
Now open to all men, the sixweek program focuses on laughs, movement (pilates focused) healthy lifestyle habits and creating a connection with one another in a safe and welcoming space.
St Arnaud Physiotherapy Centre exercise physiologist and pilates instructor Chloe Douglas said she had many farmers being encouraged to join, particularly by their partners.
“I had one wife tell me she had offered to finish her husband’s work so he could make a session,” she said. “She said he came home with a smile and weight lifted from him.”
The funding came from Northern Grampians Shire Council.
“Families and farmers are doing it tough. The Emergency Services tax is putting pressure on households and small businesses, services are being cut from our towns and farmers face having high-voltage powerlines pushed through their land with the threat of criminalisation for protecting their properties and biosecurity. These are the real issues people are talking about — and they deserve to be front and centre in the State Parliament.”
Mr Anderson worked for former premier Denis Napthine.
Sources have told the Loddon Herald that Mr Anderson could be one of at least five Liberal preselection candidates. Others being touted as contenders former Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh, Central Goldfields Shire councillor Ben Green, Learmonth farmer Suzie Morro and former barrister police prosecutor Serge Petrovich.
The Liberals are expected to have a candidate in place by Christmas while the National Party may not conduct pre-selections until early next year.
Ararat Mayor Jo Armstrong is tipped to get the nod in Ripon.
Ella Bedford is one of the young brigade members frustrated by waiting for the truck. NCN PHOTO
Isla Penfold, Brett and Chloe Douglas and Poppy Penfold. NCN PHOTO
Nathan Anderson
Get Fire Ready this October: CFA
RESIDENTS are encouraged to Get Fire Ready ahead of what the CFA anticipates will be a “potentially challenging fire season”.
More than 530 CFA brigades will host events at fire stations and within local communities across Victoria this month.
These events are designed to engage residents directly, offering practical advice and resources to help them understand their fire risk, develop a fire plan, and know where to access emergency information.
Charlton CFA will host an event on October 18 from 9am until 6pm at Charlton Park.
Find out when other local brigades are taking part at www.cfa. vic.gov.au/getfireready
VNI letters labelled ‘coercive’
THE FIRST letters to farmers telling them Transmission Company Victoria was to compulsorily access land for controversial renewable energy project assessments were delivered last week.
TCV’s acceleration of studies for the VNI West project has been labelled “coercive” and “intimidating”.
The NCN Herald has been told farmers in the St Arnaud area have received access notices from TCV with the company also confirming letters are being delivered asking farmers to either voluntarily grant access or face a compulsory order.
St Arnaud district farmer Gerald Feeny has called this move “intimidation by the TCV and the
(State) Government”. “They are trying to create conflict to back up their latest tactic of claiming those opposing are divisive and possibly violent,” he said.
The TCV confirmed it had been in contact with a small number of landholders about upcoming property access requirements for critical ecology surveys.
They said the letters outlined when surveys needed to occur, and the voluntary and ”compulsory access pathways available to undertake this important work”.
“We are committed to working with landholders, creating flexible pathways for access, and providing the space and time to make those calls to get propertyspecific advice,” VNI West pro-
gram director Mick Douge said. “Spring and summer ecology surveys involve non-invasive activities such as walkovers, photography, species identification and tree measurements. These surveys are essential to preparing the Environment Effects Statement, ensuring each property’s unique features, including sensitive flora and fauna, are properly considered.TCV is ready to meet each landholder’s voluntary access requirements – from biosecurity procedures, seasonal considerations to notice periods – as we have done for more than 160 properties across the project region.”
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking
said: “We’ve consistently told TCV they must take a peoplefirst approach and genuinely engage in a meaningful manner. Handing landholders a letter saying they will compulsory access their property to do land surveys flanked by a lawyer is completely tone-deaf and will only further add to mounting opposition to this project. This isn’t engagement, it’s coercion.”
TCV said it would not be accessing properties under new legislation that threatens farmers and agricultural landowners with fines up to more than $40,000 if they refuse.
VNI West is a proposed highcapacity transmission line connecting Victoria and NSW.
Have your say on recycling waste
ST ARNAUD residents can help shape the future of waste and recycling services in Northern Grampians Shire ahead of the introduction of additional recycling streams.
Council has launched a Kerbside Waste and Recycling Survey as part of a review into waste and recycling collection services.
The survey aims to help the council determine how to best introduce additional recycling services, as mandated by the State Government’s Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021.
Under the Act, council is required to introduce new recycling services for glass recycling – including items such as jars and bottles – and food and garden organics, FOGO, recycling – which includes food scraps such as bones, fish, fruits and vegetables along with garden waste.
“As part of our obligations under the Act, council is required to provide glass and FOGO recycling collection in primarily residential areas in the shire, Mayor Karen Hyslop said.
“We are working towards implementing a model that delivers these services by July 2027.”
Cr Hyslop said the aim of the new model was to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, improve recycling outcomes and create a more sustainable waste management system.
“The system will involve separate collections for each of the four household waste streams – three of which prioritise recycling efforts,” she said.
“The glass and FOGO recycling services may be added alongside our existing mixed recycling service for items such as cardboard, cans and hard plastics, and our general rubbish service for residual household waste.”
“This review process could result in no kerbside collection for glass or FOGO recycling in these areas, or it could result in a fee-for-service model for these waste streams.
“For residents in St Arnaud who have been part of the FOGO trial, this service remains unchanged for now but is being assessed alongside the shire-wide implementation approach as part of this review process. This means there could be changes to your service at some stage in the future.”
Cr Hyslop said the review would also involve an assessment of the organisation’s financial capacity to meet its mandated requirements under the Act, while continuing to deliver viable and reliable services shirewide.
“It’s so vital we hear from our community throughout this review process – we want to hear what your waste and recycling priorities are, because your insights are critical.”
The survey can be completed on the council’s website or a at council’s customer service offices.
People can call council’s Waste Management team on (03) 5358 8700 for more information about the survey, to review or waste and recycling services in general.
Dry sheep pull a full house
IT WAS all about the local shearing talent over the weekend at the St Arnaud Show.
On a day the local farmers would have possibly preferred an inch of rain - the weather gods decided to have a perfect day of about 30 degrees.
With perfect weather, the Sports Shear organisers had no trouble getting dry sheep this year - as has been a problem in previous years.
With a full house of entries across all the shearing sections and a large turn out in the wool handling, the day promised to be a great demonstration of the shearing and wool handling industry.
With local shearers in three of the four sections there was great reason for the St Arnaud community to get behind some local talent.
The first section being the Novice shearing, local shearer William Deason took to the boards and was one of four competitors.
When it come to the end of the day when the prizes were awarded, Mr Deason was at the top of the table and was the winner of a donated $1300 hand piece to add to his kit.
The intermediate section saw yet another local with Nigel ”Nudge” Greenaway representing the local area. This division was a large group with 11 competitors in total and the top four qualifying for the final.
Mr Greenaway entered the final in third position, needing to improve his score by eight points to top the group in the final. He did that and then some, improving his score by 17 points and winning from second place by seven points.
With the success of the previous two sections, the senior section also had a local shearer – Ben Lloyd representing Stuart Mill. As in the previous section there was eleven competitors.
After shearing his three sheep in the heats, Mr Lloyd was positioned second in the top four and heading into the finals for his chance to join the other two local winners.
The four finalists in this group only had three and a half points between first and fourth so it was to be a tightly contested final.
Mr Lloyd was eventually the winner with a score of 74.95.
Lachy O’Shannessy finished second with a score of 79.95.
The open section is always a great spectacle, where the top shearers in the industry vie for the first prize of $1000.
Open shearers were to shear six sheep with the eventual winner shearing his six sheep in 13 minutes 30 seconds. The competition was tight for the minor placings, with 3.5 points separating second and fourth.
But Sam Mackrill was the win-
ner, with a score of 65.48, a massive 15.00 in front of second placegetter Glen Stephens.
In the open wool handling, Kirsty Bone won narrowly over Anne Maree Kahukura.
Holly Bryne and Anna Lowe placed first and second in the senior wool handling with Holly winning clearly by six and a half points. And in the novice wool handlers there was 0.73 points that separated first and second with Ally Tamblyn taking first and Kasey Griffiths second.
The St Arnaud Sports Shear committee was able to have two hand pieces to use as prizes.
James Murphy in the Open Section, was the lucky recipient.
Mervynne takes out best exhibit
YEARS of hard work has finally paid off for Mervynne Dunstan.
It took her three years to finish her large quilt that earned her the Best Exhibit prize in the St Arnaud Show pavillion.
“I love it, I love sewing,” Mervynne said.
“I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember.”
She said it gives her something to do.
But winning such a coverted prize wasn’t what she expected.
“It’s not what you do it for,, I definitely didn’t expect it,” she said.
“But it’s lovely to have that recognition after all the hard work you put in.”
Mervynne said sewing kits would be delivered to her each month and she would continue to work through each one.
This work was one many had attempted, but not many were able to finish, passerbyers had said.
“It’s a beautiful piece,” one said.
Mervynne Dunstan in front of her winning work
Layla Maguire making room for the next fleece on the table at Saturday’s show. NCN PHOTO
ARTS AND COMMUNITY
Big weekend of creativity on the way Keys in tune with stage
PREPARATIONS are underway for Charlton Arts Inc. annual Art and Photography Exhibition.
This event will showcase the incredible creativity within the region, from breathtaking landscapes to the striking portraits and expressive photography, this is a must see event for art lovers of all ages.
All artists and photographers are encouraged to enter their artworks in the various sections of the exhibition, with plenty of prizes to be won.
For artwork, the open sections are: Best Exhibit any media, Best Oil/Acrylic, Best Watercolour, Best Drawing and Best Other Media.
For photography, there are two sections: Best Photographic Print
Unaltered (no post-processing or manipulation once the photo has been taken). Cropping and enlarging of the print are allowed.
Best Photographic Print – Digitally Manipulated (this section is for any other photo where changes have been made in any way to the original photograph on the camera.
The total prize pool for the art and photography sections is $5000.
For senior secondary students there is a section for both art and photography, also with prizes attached.
There is also an artwork display by our younger local school children.
The Judge will announce the
winners of each section and comment on those winning entries.
Over the weekend, there will be three demonstrating artists: Jenny Pollard with her expressive drawings and humorous cartoons, David Beaty will be demonstrating his craft of weaving and Marie Perger will be showcasing her Patchwork.
The Exhibition will begin with the official Opening this Friday at 6.30pm
Then for the viewing public, the exhibition will be open this Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm and Monday from 10am until 1pm.
Cost $5 per day.
This year there will be two raffle prizes, a painting titled “Peaceful Morning” by Jon Crawley and
an Acrylic Print/Photograph titled “Lake Fyans” Sponsored by GWMWater.
The raffle will be drawn on Monday afternoon.
Charlton will have multiple events over this weekend full of creativity, community and colour.
The Lions Swap Meet on Sunday morning, the North Central Garden Club holding their Open Gardens on Sunday and the Courthouse Gallery will be open on Saturday and Sunday.
Enquiries and entry forms for the Ar t and Photography Exhibition can be obtained from charltonartexhibition@gmail.com or from co-ordinators, Sue Stokes 0404850961 or Sue Walsh 0407 140 336.
Artsy opening night a success
IT WAS all good vibes and smiling faces at the opening of Charlton’s Mallee Creatives last week.
The organisers saw a great turn out for the opening of the hub.
Nully’s Ark was the first artist to show his art.
Mary Walklate, who had a hand in bringing art to Charlton officially opened the hub.
Mallee Creatives is open 10am to 4pm at 9a High Street, Charlton.
THE REX Theatre Charlton once again welcomes the winners and competitors from the PolMusicA 2025 Competition.
This event will showcase outstanding musical attributes live on stage on this Sunday.
The annual national competition, which is open to young pianists and string musicians seventeen years and under, features the crème de la crème of emerging young artists. The 2025 competition also saw the introduction of a vocal section for the 15-17 year age group.
Working in tandem with PolMusicA Executive Director, Greg Machnacki, The Rex is pleased to be hosting a selection of participants in this concert presentation.
This is a call out to all local music lovers and piano students to attend Sunday’s performance which will provide a wonderful opportunity to hear the virtuosic performances by these young musicians.
PolMusicA is a free event.
MOVIE- THE NAKED GUN
IF IT’S humor you are looking for, then The Rex screenings of “The Naked Gun” will surely tick the box.
Moving on from the 1990’s franchise starring Leslie Neilson, Liam Neeson now plays against type as police lieutenant “Frank Drebin Junior” – the son of the former top cop – and exhibits all the scattered brained and slapstick antics made famous by the bumbling “Frank Drebin Senior”. “The Naked Gun” (M 85 mins) screens: this Saturday from 8pm and Tuesday October 14 from 8pm.
Patrons, please note: - No Sunday screening.
MOVIE - DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE
THE ST Arnaud Cinema is welcoming luxury with its next showing.
In the 1930s London, the Crawleys attend the opera Bitter Sweet, and the next day they attend Lady Peterfield’s ball. When news breaks of Mary and Henry Talbot’s divorce, the host forces Mary to leave.
There are more scandals surrounding Downton Abbey.
Screenings: this Friday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 2pm.
Kaylene Cossar welcoming the crowd on opening night
Mary Walklate (inset) opened the the new space last week
‘Best genetics’ sends $52k stud ram to WA
STRONG prices and high clearance rates were achieved at Monday’s Banavie Merino Stud ram sale.
They put their best sale down to the “best genetics”, selling Lot 1 to WA’s Manunda Merino Stud for $52,000.
“For us he’s got the best of Banavie’s genetics with Diamond being our heaviest cutting fine wool sheep we’ve ever bred,” the Marnoo stud
Cropping group connects rural communities through series
BIRCHIP Cropping Group is bringing local voices to the screen with Over the Fence, an eight-part docuseries that celebrates the resilience and ingenuity of farming communities across north-west Victoria.
The series shifts the focus from drought as crisis to drought as an opportunity for learning, preparation and connection.
By capturing the lived experiences of farmers, advisors, local business owners, sporting clubs, contractors and community members, Over the Fence will shine a light on the strategies and stories that
help people endure dry times, and move through them with confidence and hope.
BCG chief executive Fiona Best said: “Too often drought is only spoken about when people are already in the middle of it. This project is about changing that conversation. Over the Fence encourages us to think ahead, to talk openly about risk management and wellbeing, and to see the strengths we already have.
“Our communities are collaborative, resourceful and connected. We want to capture and celebrate that.”
WOOL REPORT
RECORDS continued to tumble at wool auctions this week, with the AWEX Eastern Market Indicator climbing a further 112 cents across the two selling days.
The gains came on top of last week’s 109-cent surge and was the fifth-largest weekly rise since AWEX began reporting. The rally has now stretched to 11 consecutive weeks - the longest winning run since 1987.
Over that period, the EMI has lifted 358 cents in total, marking it the largest unbroken cumulative increase in the benchmark indicator since 1979.
Finer microns again attracted the strongest competition, with buyers narrowing their discounts to secure volume. Solid premiums were still evident for select types, particularly non-mulesed and those carrying certification under integrity schemes such as AUTH, RWS, and SW. A number of ultra-fine lots under 14.5 micron were offered along the eastern seaboard, returning prices from 3,000 to over 8,000 cents per kilogram clean. The highlight of the week was two lots approved as 1PP — the pinnacle of wool-growing excellence.
Other micron categories also performed well with most 19 micron and broader indicators now sitting at or near the 100th decile compared with the past five years.
Merino skirtings tracked fleece values higher, meeting strong overseas demand and sparking fierce competition.
Crossbred fleece also posted gains, particularly finer comeback types that benefited from alignment with Merino demand. Broader crossbreds were less favoured but still managed to hold positive ground.
Merino cardings were mixed: true carbonising types lifted only slightly, while longer types suitable for combing into open tops rose strongly, reflecting the robust demand profile in the Merino sector.
said after the successful onproperty auction.
“And 18, she’s got generations of ET in her, so it was our softest heaviest cutters.
The genetic package of this sheep complimented by the structure, heavy cutting, style, wax, length of staple, bone and carcase has created one of the best we could produce.”
The stud said wool prices had taken “a positive turn at
the right time” for the Merino industry and the Spring Sales. “It was great to see production was very much the focus of our sale selling to multiple studs and more rams this year,” the stud said.
Banavie - 94/101 Sold to an average of $4160
Charinga - 75/87 sold to an average $2574 with Lot 46 selling to $9000 to Chris Stapleton of Capree Stud
Saturday 18th October, 2025 at 10.30am 52 Valley View Road, Morrl
200 bag Nhill sheet metal field bin; 4 in 1 bucket euro hitch (as new); International 62 combine with trash floats; 38’ Mobilco auger with motor; 34’ Jetstream auger with motor; Ackland 33’ fold up harrows; 25 tyne Shearer sacrificer; 21 tine international sacrificer; 2 yard Golden scoop; 2x covering harrows; 32 plate Connor Shea offset disc; 3 part linkage Berends post hole digger; qty combine + sacrificer shears; homemade smudger; mobile fuel tanker; 3 PL stick rake; 3 point jib; 3PL single tyne ripper; Tonutti hay rake; Irish 7’ slasher; trailing grain feeder with auger; homemade grouper bin; Chamberlain 16 plate disc plough; Mobilco walk- behind slasher; 160 bag seed silo; field bin winch.
Livestock and woolshed
Sheep weighing crate; cattle weighing platform; True Test weigh bars; Peak Hill sheep handler; Stevlon lamb marking cradle; 3x Lister shearing plants; 2x handheld shearing plants; woolshed grinder; single deck stock crate 15’x7’6.
Miscellaneous
Honda postie bike; steel cables; farm gates; truck toolbox; 25’ Ryan bar; poly pipe; used steel posts; load binding dogs, chains + tie down straps; 4x 4WD tyres; hay covers; petrol powered post driver (as new).
Outside entries 5 weldmesh gates; 1 small round water trough; 2 round bale feeders; 2 grain troughs; feed drums; solar electric fence; trailer ramps; fencing equipment; drag chains; electric air compressor; electric battery charger and jump starter kit; electric cut off grinder; electric drill; electric angle grinder; extension leads; battery powered tyre pumper; jump starter leads; hydraulic jacks; fuel drums ; wheel barrow; steel tool box; 4 load binders; 2 tarps- 3.75m x 6.15m, 2.9m x 3.5m; assorted rope; plastic grain bags; cattle prodder.
Directions: 30km northeast of Stawell, signs will be out.
Terms: Cash, EFTPOS or cheque on day of sale. Pre-approved account holders.
Volumes are forecast to lift THIS week to 40,904 bales in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. Glendon Hancock Glendon.Hancock@elders.com.au www.nutrienagsolutions.com.au
General: Inspection on day of sale only. Buyers must register; Photo ID is required. GST is applicable. Light refreshments and lifting facilities available.
Enquiries: Adam Nicholson 0428 590022 (Vendor) Adrian Smith 0400 178945 (Agent) adrian.smith@nutrien.com.au
of the eye 11Dirt free 12Fissure 13Strong fabric 14Throw 17Yields 19Waxed spill 21Parched 23Long vehement speech 25Female swan 26Black bird 27Gratuity 28Newspaper executive 30Skin opening 31Stair handrail post 33Got on 34Wise man
36Written defamation 37Golf mounds 38Savoury 39Conceal
40Frozen shower 41Trick
42Out of sorts DOWN 2United, as metals 3Dodged 4Fork spikes 5Worth 6Given life 7Rubbish 8Prejudice 15Public speaker 16Oozed 17Skips like a goat 18Having dinner 20Fastener 22Without due heed 24Ordered 26Argue 29Seesaw 30Roof of the mouth 32Knitted goods, as hose 33Festivities 35Parched
SUDOKU
100 YEARS AGO
October 3 - 7
The Gun Club held a pigeon sweepstakes. The birds were in good flying trim and on the average the shooting was exceptionally fine. Young shooter, Joe Lazarus, proved himself equal to the best men on the ground as also did W. Bertoli who was in form. Although young shooters these two show the makings of first class trap shots. Some of the results of the different events were: First sweepstake (4 birds) divided by W. Bertoli, J. Lazarus and I. A. O’Donnell. 3rd sweepstakes between W. Halligan and J. Lazarus. 4th sweepstakes divided by R. H. Klunder, W. Bertoli and J. T. Dwyer. Cricket: A meeting of delegates with a view to forming an Association was held at Wycheproof when eight clubs were represented. It was unanimously decided to re-form the Charlton and District Association and to admit Jeffcott and Corack clubs. Election of officers resulted:President, Mr James Spain, Charlton; vice-presidents, Mr P. Denney, of Wycheproof, and Mr A. Pink, of Teddywaddy West; hon. secretary, Mr C.J. Dew. It was decided to enter a team for Country Week. A proposal to form a town competition is being taken up heartily and it is expected that three local teams will be formed with a possibility of a fourth.
nis Club. The secretary reported that the work on the new concrete courts was progressing favorably and one court will be ready to play on in three weeks’ time. At present the liabilities of the club exceed the assets by the sum of £65/15/7. This deficiency is to be rectified by members’ subscriptions for this season, by a picture night and tournaments. Subscription fees are:- Gentlemen, £1/1-; ladies, 10/6; visitors, 2/6 per week or 5/- per month.
Solution No: 8578
ACROSS 1Asset 5Mall 9Vixen 10Iris 11Clean 12Rift 13Denim 14Toss 17Cedes 19Taper 21Arid 23Tirade 25Pen 26Raven 27Tip 28Editor 30Pore 31Newel 33Fared 34Sage 36Libel 37Tees 38Tasty 39Hide 40Sleet 41Ruse 42Seedy
C of E Flower Stall: A very enjoyable concert and afternoon tea was held in the Presbyterian Hall. The function raised funds for the purchase of pot plants for the flower stall in connection with the Church of England Carnival. There was a very large attendance of ladies. The programme was presented and each and was generously applauded. Items were: Mrs Miller – piano; Miss V. Kirk – song; Mrs Rowlands – song; Miss Jean Wood – recitation; Miss Frost – recitation; Miss E. Curnow – song. During the interval the audience were well entertained by Mr Frank Kruger with his wireless.
Tennis: There was a fair attendance of about twenty members at the annual meeting of the Ten-
100 YEARS AGO
October 1 - 8
The annual agricultural show attracted 5000 people, many arriving on special trains from throughout the district. Some of the winners amongst the usual high entries, included horses – draughts [Oxley & Son, Dyke Bros], thoroughbreds [R Gunn, C A Baenach], hacks [Miss Laidlow, Doris Chandler], trotters [W Williams, W Gathe], sheep [H B Vanrenen, L McLean], cattle [G Wright, H Knights], swine [J Crone, H Neville], dogs [G Cockburn, W Cheesman], poultry [A T Michael, A Ah Pee], dairy produce [Mrs J Jesse], eggs [W Fox], garden produce [J B Meyers], fruit [Swanton Bros, W J Lougheed], honey [W Grove] pre-
DOWN 2Soldered 3Evaded 4Tines 5Merit 6Animated 7Litter 8Bias 15Orator 16Seeped 17Capers 18Dining 20Pin 22Careless 24Directed 26Row 29Teeter 30Palate 32Lisle 33Fetes 35Arid
Mrs B Coates, Mrs Lawrence], flowers [Mrs James Douglas], needlework [Mrs Wanchope, Miss Jesse Eaves]. Competitions for children - flowers cut from a State School garden [Beazleys Bridge], painting [Sadie Goldsbury], knitting [Annie McGuane], needlework [Ella Russell, Edna Hughes], mapping [Gordon Hughes, Norman Crosbie], woodwork [R Zeuschner, B Silva], penmanship [Coral Fletcher, Teresa Hoye]. W Palmer won the wood
Wychitella News: A very successful ball, in aid of the Bendigo Hospital, was held in the local hall. The hall was nicely decorated, the floor splendid and dancing continued till the small hours of the morning. A profit of £7 was obtained.
A few loads of wool have been delivered to the local railway station, and shearing is still in full swing. Lambs sent from this district have been bringing high prices, but feed is now scarce.
For Mother: The carrying of a baby is no light task, and it is as uncomfortable in warm weather for baby as it is for mother. Sometimes father carries baby, but not very often. The “Fan Folder” is a new and modern pram designed to give the greatest possible comfort for baby without the necessity of carrying him. The new pram is easy to open or close with one hand, takes up small space and is light in weight and is, therefore, ideal to take along with one in either tram, train or car. The “Fan Folder” is serviceable, economical, attractive, and is fully guaranteed. Misses Dudley and Morse are sole agents for this handy pram.
Woosang Juniors Entertained: A splendid banquet was given by Mrs Walker, Globe Hotel, to the members of the Woosang Junior Footballers to commemorate their winning the premiership. Mr Tobin proposed a toast to “the Team”. Responding on behalf of the team the captain, Mr Les Parry, remarked that it had been a pleasure to be captain of the team. Mr A. White thought football was one of the finest games possible for developing young men. It broadened their minds, strengthened their bodies and taught them to take the “bumps’ that life gives.
chop, which was held over 4 heats. Considerable interest was taken in the Case tractor displayed by V P C, a chaffcutter and A N A grates by G McGlashan and a potable Dawn silo by local agent Alex Gunn. JJ Grewar, J T Kershaw, The Central Motor Co, Dicks, H L Jackson and W L McLean displayed the latest model cars and J M Olds displayed six gigs and two floating rail carts.
The Turf Club held their race meeting of seven races the day after the show and it was attended by forty bookmakers. The St Arnaud Cup with first prize of £100 and a case of cutlery was easily won by favorite ‘Coveas’ owned by Mrs E Miles; second place to T Richards and third to H R McKnights and J Charles, a jockey from the city, rode four winners.
MARY GIVES HER ALL
MARY Walklate has always had her hands full.
And while she says that, mainly speaking about looking after her children while husband Brian cared for the community as Charlton’s doctor for 27 years, it’s more than that.
Because Mary is more than a doctor’s wife, she’s always had her own passion for helping others.
“Volunteers are the back bone of our community,” Mary said.
“None of us would be here if it weren’t for them.”
And if you ask anyone in town, they would say the same thing of Mary.
Because while she was juggling her three children - and now her nine grand children and 15 greatgrandchildren (with more on the way) - she was supporting a number of causes.
Because she loves Charltonmore than anything.
“I’ve had some of my happiest times here,” she said.
“People are so kind and honest, that’s why I wanted to help where I could.”
Mary supported a number of causes in her time, and still does, one of those being art in the community.
“We wanted to get an art group going,” she said.
“There’s been so many talented artists in the area, they deserved some recogniton.
“We wanted to get Charlton going again.”
By ALEX GRETGRIX
Mary recently saw her passion project come full circle when she was invited to open Mallee Creatives last week.
“It was such a lovely evening, I caught up with so many people I knew,” she said.
Mary was no stranger to a good fundraiser, taking part in a number of them.
“Back in the 1960s, we were without a kindergarten, and that wasn’t right,” she said.
“There was also a group campaigning for a new health centre at the same time. We knew there was no use fighting each other for funding, so we came together.”
The groups were able to secure Charlton’s first preschool in 1962 in Armstrong Street, with room on the land for a front building that would be used for community health.
Mary said the go-to fundraising technique was a baked goods stall down the street.
“It was always a hit. It was easy for people to just duck down the street and know there would be a stall there waiting for them.
“People would know we would have cakes and slices ready.”
Mary was known to make a nice date slice.
Modestly, she said she wasn’t much of a baker, but she could as she was named a novice at the Charlton Show for her fruit cake and sponges.
“I think I may have won second
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Beautify the town ... thanks for interest
WHAT is written here, is my personal opinion, it does not necessarily reflect the views of other members of Beautify Charlton. I have kept this as brief as possible.
Further to my Facebook post of about 12 months ago, this is to formally advise Beautify Charlton as a program has come to an end.
It had been an 8 year process which I am sorry to say never reached the heights it was intended to.
It would have, given half a chance.
There was an enormous of amount planning, detail and volunteer effort involved.
Despite our group being fully invested in the program for this time, we never had the chance to really show our wares, to deliver our vision, and for all to see the positive impacts the program would have had on the town.
That impact was vital because Charlton is seriously challenged, the same as all our towns.
The Buloke Shire unfortunately never truly shared that vision, or grasped why it was so important. In a collaborative relationship,
prize one year for a tapestry I’d done,” she said.
All said as she worked on a plan for her next knitted entry for the upcoming Charlton Show - baby’s clothes.
Mary also gave her time to the Red Cross, representing the area in Melbourne a number of times.
“I would always travel around the district, gathering information on what other teams were up to and report back to the Melbourne unit,” she said.
There was always time for a bit of sport too, with Mary representing in tennis, golf and cro-
quet. “I mainly did it because I loved the fresh air,” she said.
“I always thought golf courses were such beautiful places.”
Mary also followed AFL football, bleeding black, white and red like her mother.
“I remember my mother and aunty being in Melbourne the one and only time St Kilda won a premiership in their lifetime,” she said.
there has to be a fair dinkum approach from both sides.
The Shire undoubtedly have their view.
I have mine, and it is certainly best for me to get out of the space and allow clear air for others.
Our town is stuck in an impasse. The Shire have proven over a long period of time, they have been unable to present the complete thoroughfare suitably.
That negatively impacts both in the retail sector, and in the wellbeing space of our community.
Both are critical to the future and the relevance of any country town. Sadly, our community driven group was unable to fill the void.
The Shire no doubt have their issues. Staff morale and turnover being one of them. Read into that what you will but those problems start at the top.
In my view, the Shire have failed Beautify Charlton, and therefore Charlton, in understanding what community engagement and communication really require.
In our region I had never been a fan of Shire amalgamation. It has delivered our towns bureaucracy, and we deserve better.
Floods included, Charlton fared no better under the Buloke Shire than it would have fared under
the old Charlton Shire. Amalgamation driven from Spring St, from both sides of politics, is unfortunately something we are stuck with.
I wish Ric, Wes and Darren all the very best.
I wish you the full investment of energy, thought and consideration from the Shire, and open, honest and timely communication from them. And I wish you positive outcomes.
Thanks to all who backed, worked on, and supported Beautify Charlton.
Robin McRae Charlton
Let councils speak freely on climate
IN BULOKE and across regional Victoria, farming communities are facing an unprecedented wave of development—wind farms, solar installations, transmission corridors, and mining proposals.
These projects are arriving fast, often with minimal consultation and maximum disruption. And yet, the Municipal Association of Victoria’s recent submission to the Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy seems more
concerned with controlling the message than listening to the people most affected.
The MAV calls for “consistent messaging” and warns of reputational risk when councillors express views that diverge from official climate policy.
But this approach risks turning councils into echo chambers— where elected representatives are discouraged from raising legitimate concerns about how climate action is being rolled out on the ground.
Local government is meant to be the voice of the community. In Buloke, that voice is asking hard questions: Why are transmission lines cutting through productive farmland? Why are decisions made in Melbourne & Canberra without meaningful local input? Why are communities expected to absorb the impact while others reap the benefits?
Silencing these questions by labelling them as “misinformation” or “off-message” is not just undemocratic—it’s dangerous. It breeds resentment, erodes trust, and undermines the very climate goals we’re trying to achieve.
Yes, councils have a role in supporting climate action. But they also have a duty to represent their communities, challenge assumptions, and advocate for fair outcomes.
Now affectionately known as GiGi, she lives for the days she can have her family visit her in the Charlton nursing home.
And in all her 99 years of life, Mary still has a positive outlook.
“You’ve just got to press on,” she said.
“You can remember the sad times, but always make time for the good.
“I don’t have time to die, just keep living,” said the amazing Mary.
“I was home in Charlton but mum and my aunty danced around the kitchen table, they were that excited. It’s the year of the Saints next year, I just know it.” Mary’s life has slowed down now, but she doesn’t enjoy it any less.
Councillors must be free to speak openly, especially when state-led projects clash with local priorities.
It’s worth noting that in the Buloke Shire Council Budget for 2025–26, allocates some $23,800 to the MAV as a membership fee. That’s a significant investment of ratepayer funds.
Yet MAV’s submission reads less like a reflection of council views and more like a directive on what councils should say.
Did MAV consult Buloke—or any rural council—before making this submission? If not, it raises serious questions about representation and accountability.
Perhaps it’s time for councils to reconsider their membership in organisations that speak over them rather than for them.
Climate policy without community consent is a recipe for backlash. If MAV wants to support councils, it should start by defending their right to speak— not by managing their message.
Let’s empower local voices. Let’s protect democratic debate. And let’s ensure that climate action is not just top-down policy, but bottom-up progress.
Daryl Warren Donald
Mary Walklate will turn 100 next May and has no plans of slowing down. NCN PHOTO
EMPLOYMENT
The Cook’s Choice Quality Meats are currently looking for someone to join their team as an Apprentice Butcher, starting November/December.
Applicant to have completed year 10, able to follow instructions, and to communicate well, have a good grasp of basic math and eager to learn the skill of butchery. An initial three month trial period would apply.
Resume and references to be submitted to Chris or Cathy.
The Cook’s Choice Quality Meats 76 Napier Street, St. Arnaud.
JOB VACANCIES
Birchip
Junior Food and Domestic Service
Assistant Charlton
Food and Domestic Service
Assistant
Junior Food and Domestic Service
Assistant Donald Resident Lifestyle Coordinator St Arnaud
Endorsed Enrolled Nurse
Executive Assistant (Primary Care)
Deputy Director of Clinical Services
Further information available at: https://ewhs.org.au/careers
EWHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome applications to all positions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, LGBTQI+ People, and People of All Abilities.
PUBLIC NOTICES
St Arnaud Show Pavilion Committee
Winners of our raffle:
-Phillip McRae
-Jessica Mahony
Thank you to all ticket sellers and people who supported our raffle.
MEETINGS
St Arnaud & District Orchid Society Inc. Meeting
Sunday 12th
1.00pm for 1.30pm
1A
MEETINGS
St Arnaud Neighbourhood House Inc.
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 23rd October 2025 at 10am
Location: St Arnaud Neighbourhood House, 34 Alma Street St Arnaud
WHAT’S ON
CHARLTON OPEN GARDENS
SUNDAY OCT 12 11am - 4pm
$20 includes 6 gardens & afternoon tea Registration at Uniting Church Hall Halliday Street, Charlton Enquires to Lynne McRae Phone: 0408 113 104
Market Sunday 19th October
Stall holders welcome Car boot garage sale, Plants produce & preserves welcome @ St Arnaud King Georges Park In conjunction with North Central Vintage Car Club Annual Show and Shine 8.30am to 1.00pm Please register with Janelle janelle.queen@hotmail.com 0409 909 297
Don’t Forget... St. Arnaud
Country Music
Sunday, 12th October 6pm ‘till 10pm
Guest ArtistNicole Mathews
Walk ups welcome
St. Arnaud Sporting Club
Charlton Road, St. Arnaud Further details contact 0427 831 613
YOUR SERVICE
Nicola Kirk Physiotherapist
Over 17 years experience
Open Mon to Fri
63 Napier Street, St. Arnaud 0400 451 432 or 5495 1108
Solicitor
116 Napier St., St. Arnaud
Practical, experienced advice in plain English
Appointments also available in Charlton, Donald & Wycheproof Ph: 5495 2595 Karen@klp.net.au
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Happy 50th
Wedding Anniversary
IRONSTONE REMOVALS
- Maryborough - runs south. Phone: 0412 726 432.
For all your hair and beauty needs
Ph:
7 DAYS ACCESS
BUSINESS STOCK • LONG OR SHORT TERM
STORAGE AVAILABLE
Hayley: 0409 337 276, Luke: 0458 885 266
St., St. Arnaud
THANKYOU
St Arnaud Show Committee
The St. Arnaud Show Committee, would like to thank all Sponsors, Contributors, Volunteers, and Committee Members who helped out in running our annual Show. Also we would like to thank the public for their support,
DEATH NOTICES
Mum and Dad/Nan and Pop 11/10/2025 We
TAYLOR - Alan Arthur of St Arnaud passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sept. 30th 2025, aged 66 years. Loved husband of Kerry (dec) and treasured partner of Terry. Loved father of Emily, Ross, Rose (dec) and Clinton. Adored Pop of Kerryann and Finley.
ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS
WILLIAMS - Alan
A friend and past work mate. No more pain now Alan. Rest in peace. Loving sympathy to all the family. Wal (deceased), Joan and family.
WILSON - Elma
A friend and past work mate. Rest in peace with your beloved Jim. Loving sympathy to all the families.
Wal (deceased), Joan and family.
Zoe, Jake
Ryan, Daniel, Caroline, Abby, Jackson and Chloe, Elisha, Corbin, Sophie and Lucy, Sam, Jess, Hannah and Billy
WEIR
- Alan 18.7.1951 - 16.10.22
Al, it has been 3 years since the tragic accident that took you from me.
You were my rock, my strength, my friend, my everything.
I miss you so much.
Love you forever - see you again when it’s my time.
From your loving wife, Carmel. xx
We really wish that Heaven had visiting hours,
So we could just call by and ask for your advice.
We love you and we miss you every day. Lots of Love Michelle, Mark, Lucy, Harry and Bryce. Andrew, Melissa, Zack, Abby and Sami xx
FUNERALS
TAYLOR
A
CHURCH NOTICES
ST. ARNAUD CHURCH OF CHRIST
Cnr Queens Ave & Alma St.
Celebrating faith in our Lord
Thu 9th October
10.30 a.m.: Faith Group Fri 10th October
7.00 p.m.: “The Spot” Youth Drop In Sun 12th October
10.30 a.m.: Worship & Communion
Speaker: John Allott
Tues. 14th October
4.00 p.m.: Discovery Club. All welcome to the above occasions. Enquiries: Church 0494 391 466
ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST. ARNAUD
Christ Church Old Cathedral
St. Arnaud: 9.30am Every Sunday Eucharist
Bealiba: 8am 2nd/4th Sunday
All Welcome
Rev. Peter Downes
Enquiries phone: 0412 957 383
UNITING
CHURCH
ST. ARNAUD / STUART MILL
Sunday 12th October
St. Arnaud 9.30am Geoff Postlethwaite. All Welcome. PARISH OFFICE
Chris & Rob Batters
Pastorial Co-ordinators
Enquiries: 5495 6223
DISTRICT CATHOLIC CHURCHES
East Wimmera Parish
BIRCHIP - Sunday October 12th
10.30am - Live Stream in BOORT - Sunday October 12th
10.30am - Live Stream in BANYENA - No Mass
CHARLTON - Sunday October 12th 8.30am - Mass
DONALD - Saturday October 11th 7.00pm - Mass
ST.ARNAUD - Sunday October 12th 10.30am Live Stream out to churches without Mass
WYCHEPROOF - Sunday October 12th
10.30am - Live Stream in Parish Coordinator: Noeline Hogan 0476 617 976
THERE was plenty to see and do over the weekend at the St Arnaud Agricultural Show.
NCN Herald editor Alex Gretgrix was out and about throughout Saturday, capturing all the smiling faces and fun.
NCN PHOTOS
Show
believe the gate was up on previous years.
Isla and Archie Driscoll with their showbags
Judges Eric and Debra Mattsson and Josie Greenaway
organisers
Grace McNally
Moana Broughton checking the fleece in the shearing competition
Sylvie Sloan (above) with her prize-winning jar sculpture
Rosalie Long trying to catch a duck for a prize Trombone player Peter Battersby in the St Arnaud Citizen’s Band
Junior Show Ambassador (16-20 years) Josie Greenaway, Ripon MP Martha Haylett and Show Ambassador Sophie Male
Master Tiny Tot Harrison Pole
Junior Primary Show AmbassadorBonnie McNally
Senior Primary Show Ambassador Olivia Morrison
Miss Tiny Tot Molly McNally
Ambulance Victoria ACOs Shelby Steel and Lynne Pyers
Members of the St Arnaud (Norman Simpson Memorial) Pipe Band
Show pavilion stewards Jan Coates Bev Reid and Karen Douglas after spending three days setting up the exhibitors
KELL FUNERALS
October
Andrew
October
Brothers combine in Donaldson trot
By INSIDE RUNNING
THE larger than usual weekday crowd that attended the Charlton harness racing last week included the family and friends of the late Matt Donaldson and the late Jeff Gadsden as well as members of Probus clubs from the local area.
150 Years
Stawell trainer/driver Jason Ainsworth had two starters in race 1 with the winner being driven by James Herbertson and then he drove the winner of race 2, the Vale Matt Donaldson Trot for his brother Ashley.
The second horse in this race was Zarski, who is trained by Matt’s son Gary, and surely would have been the winner if not for making an early mistake that cost him much more than the 1.6m margin that he was beaten by.
Race 5 on the programme was won by the 3yo gelding To The Nines for Charlton trainer Mick Gadsden and driver Ryan Backhouse. Ryan had won five races on the pacer when it was trained by Mick’s late father Jeff Gadsden at Merbien South.
Jeff had selected the winner at the yearling sales and held high hopes of a successful career for the son of Poster Boy who he raced with his wife Jennie.
The impeccably bred 6yo mare Fair Chance won race 7, the Ames Australia Pace Final as she continues to repay the faith that her connections have had in her. Owned and bred by Andrea O’Gorman the mare is by Always Be Miki from the NZ bred Hanover Chance who won twenty-one races and $422,521in prize money.
Trained by Leon Fanning and driven by Luke Dunne the pacer has now won three with four placings from her last seven starts.
Leichart trainer Ben Pell took the training honors for the day with his first winning double. His winners were Valiente, driven by James Herbertson and Insider Trading, who won the last race with Kerryn Manning in the sulky.
The fifth placegetter in the last race was the locally trained Hun-
gry Hogarth who battled on well after pulling hard outside the leader for the entirety of the race.
Trainer Mick Gadsden backed the 6yo up at Melton on Friday night where he won easily by 6.5m and set a career best rate of 1.56.4.
At Bendigo on Wednesday the Berimal trotter Champagnes made it four wins from its past six starts for Debbie and Nick Youngson. Starting $1.50 fav. The mare worked forward from her wide draw to sit outside the leader winning by 1.4m in 1.59.7. Third in the race was Poppy Popstar for Tarah and Jack McNamara.
The winner of the next race at Bendigo was the ultra consist-
ent mare Redbank Molly.Trained by Shaun and Jason McNaulty and driven by J Herbertson the 6yo mare hadn’t finished further back than fourth at her previous eight starts and has now won sixteen races as her stake earnings moves closer to the $100,000 mark.
Luvaflair took her career wins to twenty seven when she was successful at Gloucester Park (WA) on Tuesday after coming from a seemingly impossible position on the home turn. The 7yo mare is trained by Nigel Johns for her St Arnaud owners Noel and Kaye Boyd and was driven by her regular driver Donald Harper.
Charlton president Andrea O’Gorman bred Monday’s winner Fair Chance who is trained by Leon Fanning and was driven by local reinsman Luke Dunne.
Buoyed for lawn start
A WELL-ATTENDED annual general meeting of the St Arnaud and District Lawn Tennis Club augurs well for the forthcoming tennis season commencing next Saturday.
Under the returning leadership of Will Jackson (president), Jake Male (vice-president), Katie Erwin (secretary) and Sharyn Erwin (treasurer) the Club will enter two teams – St Arnaud and Kara Kara – into the North Central Lawn Tennis Association competition.
Also competing in the association will be Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Nullawil, and Wycheproof Lawn Tennis Clubs.
Other committee members are Rogan Hando, Christine Goode, Thomas Watts. Luke Jackson and Stephen Rodger.
The family-friendly vibe the club offers is paying dividends with strong player numbers and the club contemplated entering a third team.
But with the options of mid-week La-
dies social tennis and twilight tennis the Club opted to retain the status quo.
Will is confident that the club under his leadership will continue to manage the tennis complex, which also is home to the St Arnaud Playgroup, as a much-enjoyed community asset, to the high standard set in the past, for the benefit of district residents.
There is a buzz about the club, an influx of fresh players, a social calendar prepared, and awards on offer.
There is still room for fresh players to join the buzz! Annual adult, tertiary and social memberships are offered.
Social membership entitles social play ers to full court usage for the season.
Junior tennis will be co-ordinated by Sam Male and Rogan Hando while the grounds committee will be led by Green keeper John “Sanga” Goode, with his sup port team of Bruce Hando and Mitchell Bourke. which already has the lawn courts
against Maryborough Castlemaine in June and was a key player for the Saints’ under 17 side this season. Archer finished the season with 11 goals and was in the Saints’ best on three occasions.
JBS PORK
ST ARNAUD
On Saturday 25 October, the JBS Pork St Arnaud Cup is as real as it gets! There’s Marquee Packages on Sale Now, Live Music from No Mistake, the Russ Studio Jewellers Roving Fashions, The Bendigo Bank Kid’s Brumby Cup, Jumping Castle, Giant Slide, Face Painting, Town Courtesy Bus & Up-Close Racing Action!
in magnificent condition. Interested, new and returning players can tune up their tennis skills this Friday with a social FAST 4 format commencing from 5pm before Saturday’s competitions between St Arnaud and Birchip’s “Wirrim” team and Kara Kara pitted against Birchip, both matches commencing at 1.15 p.m. at St Arnaud with a “Pizza Night” to follow.
Junior tennis will commence with a “Come and Try” event on October 18 at 10am.
It is a great way to introduce your children to the sport with member supervi-
CALLING ALL MEN. COME
MAN
THERAPY
Final tweaks being made in cricket
THE Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association draw is expected to be released shortly.
Association officials are making final tweaks to the draw ahead of the season starting on October 25.
St Arnaud and Marnoo will meet in the opening round.
The Horsham association starts this Saturday with former Wimmera Mallee teams St Mary’s and Jeffcott making their debut in the competition.
Jeffcott won the Wimmera Mallee A and B Grade premierships last season.
Meanwhile, St Arnaud Cricket Club is looking to ramp up the local junior structure this year.
St Arnaud Farmers Man Therapy & Movement was developed in 2022 to promote positive physical and mental health in our community of farmers through movement and connection. Now, our Man Therapy & Movement is open to ALL MEN in the community, you do not need to be a farmer to attend.
The tailored exercise session is very much about the laughs, but primarily we aim to encourage movement (Pilates focused), healthy lifestyle habits and to create connection with one another in a safe and welcoming space.
5 WEEKS TO GO - Come along to any or all sessions!
ST ARNAUD’S Archer Reyne is one of two North Central junior footballers to be picked in the Bendigo Pioneers’ under 16 pre-season list. The youngster was named North Central’s best-onground in the under 14.5 interleague match
MOUNTING ARGUMENT
YOUNG bike enthusiasts
in St Arnaud are hoping a new track will stop vandals repeatedly destroying their jumps.
After days, of building jumps and tracks, boys like Riley Peacock, Charlie Kirk and Finn Green are disheartened to see their structures ruined overnight.
“We’ll get there and everything will be wrecked, people have even put logs and sticks down to trip us up,” Finn said.
By ALEX GRETGRIX
“It’s not just putting down piles of dirt, we make sure the take off and landing are all right, otherwise it’s dangerous.”
Charlie said that hasn’t been the only disheartening sight.
“We’ve had our shoves and wheelbarrows stolen,” he said.
“It just makes you mad.”
St Arnaud Mountain Bike Club is supporting the youngsters by rallying for an official track, calling on the community and North-
ern Grampians Shire Council to help make it a reality.
The proposed track at Lord Nelson Park needs about $40,000 in funding with the club committed to exploring grants, partnerships, and other funding opportunities to bring the project to life.
A community petition in support of the project has attracted more than 200 signatures.
“The response has been incredible,” president of the St Arnaud Mountain Bike Club Jackie Peacock said as the three youngsters
demonstrated their jump skills last week.
“We’ve spoken to families, young people, and older riders and everyone agrees this would be a fantastic addition to our community.
“St Arnaud deserves facilities like this and the support we’ve received shows people are ready for it.”
The petition will be presented to the Northern Grampians Shire Council, demonstrating the groundswell of support and the
strong desire from residents to see the project move forward.
“This isn’t just about bike riding,” Ms Peacock said.
“It’s about creating opportunities, supporting local business through tourism, and giving young people more reasons to stay active in their own community.”
The petition online at www. bit.ly/starnaudbiketrack or people can send letters of support as part of their campaign to hello@ jpcreative.net.au
Riley Peacock, Finn Green and Charlie Kirk are sick of their jumps being destroyed, so they’ve joined the fight for an official track to be built at Lord Nelson Park in St Arnaud. NCN PHOTO