Issuu

FREE EVERY THURSDAY

www.loddonherald.com.au

Loddon HERALD Vol 1 No 11 THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021

OUR GENEROUS TOWNS RALLY FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL APPEAL LODDON communities have raised more than $20,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital 90th Good Friday Appeal. From schools and hotels to local CFA volunteers, the region’s effort was again about communities helping others. Among the tin-rattling volunteers were

(below) Inglewood brigade members Craig Miller, Samuel Patterson, Zen Joiner and Zali Smith. And back the the station, was the brigade’s “youngest member” Mason Wilson, seven months, doing his bit for the appeal. Full report - Page 5

LH PHOTO

MORNING SHOCK THE SOUND of shattering glass quickly stirred a new Boort publican into action last week.

Police investigate the main street ram-raid.

Karen Baker had been preparing for the re-opening of the town’s Railway Hotel, only asleep two hours, when there was a ramraid on the next-door newsagency about 4.30am Thursday. “I heard smashing glass ... at first I thought it was our building,” she said. “I quickly headed downstairs with a torch - I forget to take my phone - with thoughts of protecting our business.

By CHRIS EARL

“They (the alleged ram-raiders) saw me, then did a burnout and headed out of town. “I interrupted them and protected another business instead. That’s what community is about.” Newagency owner and Loddon Mayor Neil Beattie said the ramraid was disappointing for the relatively crime-free town. “We don’t like this happening in country towns,” he said. “We hope it does not continue. “It’s disappointing and the alleged offenders didn’t really gain much from doing it.”

He said the ram-raid had made staff feel uncomfortable and inconvenienced the community. “Karen was quite shocked, my staff are still a bit uncomfortable ... it affects everyone,” he said. “And there will be a bit more inconvenience. The whole shop front has to be replaced.” Newsagency staff quickly adapted sales and delivery of newspapers in the hours after the raim-raid selling from the front of the shop and post office until able to again use their Godfrey Street building. Police investigations are continuing.

2 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021

HIS was the five-race program that had local crowds cheering louder than when Phar Lap strode to victory in the Melbourne Cup back in 1930. Saturday’s ferret races at Boort Lawn Tennis Club may not have stopped the nation but they certainly came close to stopping the town as starters were put in position after punters had supped on a delicious country roast dinner.

e loved the race names - Sorry He’s Taken Now Stakes, Free Spirited Sprint, Ferret Stud Cup, Mulquiny Mile and of course the Ladies’ Classic. Better still though were the ferret names and the form guide. There was Gould-I-Locks described as a solid gold prancer looking good whether finishing first or last, Boyd’s Light Up with a positive glow and a real grass-cutter and Bae Maree with “light conditioning, steaming hot, goes off when cold” form.

ow there was a bit of scare, we were told, in final days of training when the club’s chief ferret steward receiving a phone call from one stablehand last Thursday morning to say the starters had all escaped. There were frantic scenes until ... the chief steward realised the date: April 1.

ew modern owners realise that the partnership between man and ferret has flourished since ancient times, according to British ferret correspondent Duff Hart-Davi.The geographer Strabo, writing towards the end of the last century BC, recorded that a plague of rabbits in Iberia (modern Spain) and the Balearic Islands became so severe that the inhabitants petitioned the Emperor Augustus for help; and Pliny, in his Natural History, published soon after the beginning of the Christian era, confirms the story, adding that ferrets (viverrae) were much in demand because they were so

good at driving rabbits from their burrows. According to Hart0pDavi, 400 earlier, the Greek historian Herodotus sounded a similar echo. A word of warning here: Herodotus is sometimes known as “the father of lies” – not because he was deliberately mendacious, but because he tended to believe too many of the fantastic stories he heard on his travels, such as that about the gold-digging ants of Afghanistan, “not so big as dogs but bigger than foxes”, which, when roused to anger, could run fast enough to overtake a camel.

errets have long been used to reduce the rabbit menace and popularised with races around the world. There’s even a national ferret racing association in Britain.

ut did you know the ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) - the domesticated form of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela, in the family Mustelidae - have been working overtime this last year? They have been on the frontline in early research for COVID vaccines. Ferrets — the preferred animal for flu vaccine development — helped scientists tell if potential COVID-19 vaccines might stop the viral spread. Share your stories with Over the Fence email loddonherald@gmail.com

Mining group buys freehold land, ASX told CATALYST Metals has bought more than 260 hectares of freehold land near Mitiamo. The company’s Australian Stock Exchange announcement last Thursday said the 263-hectare purchase covered the Boyd’s Dam gold zone as well as potential gold zones to the east on Eagle 5 and Eagle 6. It said: “The advantage of owning the freehold land is that it enables Catalyst to carry out drilling throughout the year, subject to weather events, and also provides security of land title over any future gold project development at Four Eagles. “The vendors will still maintain the agricultural condition of that portion of the property that is not being used for exploration drilling and will continue to grow crops under a lease-back arrangement at no cost to the vendors. “This relationship will maintain the close co-operation developed between Catalyst and the landowners.” Catalyst last month said it

AUTUMN

expected to lodge a mining licence application for the area within 12 months and predicted mining operations within five years. Diamond drilling at Boyd’s Dam is continuing with the objective of defining gold mineralisation to a depth of 400 metres. This program is already showing the presence of deeper visible gold intercepts and was announced to the ASX early last month. Catalyst’s technical director of metals Bruce Kay said: “Our objective has always been to build a strong relationship with the communities in which we operate and ultimately build a new business that can contribute along with farming to the economic and social development of the Mitiamo district”. Catalyst Metals started exploring the Mitiamo district a decade ago and its drilling now extends to Dingee and Boort. Exploration is a partnership between Catalyst and Hancock Prospecting.

Plus

ENDS 25 APRIL 2021

Snooze Bendigo, 86 Mitchell Street, Bendigo 5442 2840 | snooze.com.au IT’S AMAZING WHAT A LITTLE SNOOZE CAN DO *Offer ends 25 April 2021. Advertised prices and savings shown are based on Snooze Management Pty Ltd RRP. Products may be sold below the RRP in some stores prior to this offer. Offer not available on floor stock, clearance, delivery, assembly and recycling services. As our stores vary in size, it is possible that not all products are displayed in all stores but all products may be ordered on request. While we aim to ensure the information provided is correct, sometimes errors occur and we reserve the right to correct any errors. New orders only. Snooze’s standard terms and conditions of sale otherwise apply. Not available in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Images are for illustrative purposes only. © Snooze 2021. W100659

Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021 | 3

Camp solution talks CLOSURE of Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve campground has been avoided after latest talks between the State Government, Loddon Shire and the reserve’s committee. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning regional manager land and built environment Adam Melis confirmed camping would be allowed after April 19. “The organisations have worked together to reach a medium-term solution so camping can continue at the reserve with access to toilets

23-van nightly cap for historic reserve only, not showers, from April 19,” he said “The toilet septic system will continue to be pumped regularly to ensure proper and safe operation of the toilet block. “DELWP continues to work with Loddon Shire Council and the Tarnagulla Recreation Parks Committee of Management Incorporated to explore

solutions to an issue with the Tarnagulla Recreation Reserve’s septic system.” DELWP has provided some funding to the volunteer committee to regularly empty the the septic tank throughout the school holidays. The historic reserve campground was to have closed after Loddon Shire was required

to issue a closure notice due to overflowing effluent. The original closure date was extended a week to include school holidays and further talks were held late last week. Those talks have starting investigations for longer-term solutions. The Loddon Herald has been told that any upgrading of facilities at the reserve will require a cap of 23 camp sites. The reserve committee is investigating co-funding options that can be put to the State Government.

IN BRIEF Bridgewater next for blackspot fix BRIDGEWATER is next in line for a telephone blackspot mix. The State Government has announced another 41 towns to have mobile phone base stations installed. Innovation Minister Jaala Pulford said improving reception across Victoria was important to allow people to contact emergency services. “Getting rid of black spots makes communities much safer when natural disasters like bushfires and floods hit,” she said. Korong Vale was one of the first 200 towns to have a base station unstalled under the program.

On the market CAFE and bakery Cousin Jack’s Bakehouse in Inglewood is for sale. The long-established business was advertised in some regional media at Easter. It is the second major local business put on the market. Inglewood Post Office is also for sale.

Run for kegs THE re-opening of Boort’s Railway Hotel took new owners Karen and Dion Baker by surprise. They had to make a rush trip to Bendigo on Good Friday to replenish the keg supply after residents and visitors to town for the Easter weekend celebrated the hotel’s return to trading.

Local burn FOREST Fire Management Victoria conducted a 159-hectare controlled burn at Big Timber Gully, near Inglwood, on Monday

Pet registration MARILYN and Ian Lanyon have brought their farm-based businesses to Boort’s main street. The weekend’s “soft launch” of the new Godfrey Street base gave hundreds of visitors to the town a sneak peak of the shop and production area that features lo-

cal products from the Simply Tomatoes, Country Wool Bedding and Woolly Warmers brands. A real family effort has seen the shop transformed into a modern retail outlet combining the contemporary with the rustic and recycled.

The open-viewing production allows customers to see bedding and other lines being made. Simply Tomatoes’ products will continue to be made at the Lanyon farm. The store will officially open from next Monday. LH PHOTO

LODDON dog and cat owners have until Saturday to pay pet registration renewals. Every dog and cat over the age of three months must be registered.

4 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021

EASTER IN THE LODDON

Celebration of the greatest Christian feast CONGREGATIONS across the region welcomed being able to worship in person this Easter. The most important festival on the Christian calendar could not be celebrated in churches last year because of COVID restrictions. Anglicans commenced Holy Week services at Bridgewater on Maundy Thursday, presiding was the former Bishop of Bendigo, the Right Rev. Andrew Curnow assisted by Rev. Darcy Vaughan. Parishioner Sue Brown said the celebration was a Christian perspective on the great Jewish Passover meal which Jesus shared with his Disciples. It was on this night he gave the great commands to ‘love one another’ and to ‘do this in remembrance of me’. The parish gathered on Good Friday at St Augustine’s, Inglewood, to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Easter Day is the most important Christian Festival -

celebrating Christ’s victory over death, through his resurrection to new life - and was held at Newbridge. Fr Novelito Lim, of St Patrick’s Catholic Church Pyramid Hill, said: “People were so pleased to celebrate again with the community the greatest feast the Christians have, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Families were able to come back and visit their families and celebrate Easter. “The celebration began with the blessing of fire outside the church to symbolise Christ as the light of the World. It is an important celebration for us because the liturgy contains all the symbolisms on the real meaning of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ,” Fr Novelito said. And at Tarnagulla, Victory Church’s first Easter service in the town packed out Victoria Hall. The service was followed by an Easter egg hunt and a community barbecue.

FLYNN, 9, and Morgan Lonza, 11, were among eager hunters at Meville Caves on Sunday for the Friends of Kooyoora Easter egg hunt on Sunday. After devouring eggs before they were melted by morning sun, they joined more than 50 people from the district and visitors in games and activities including learning how Aborigines hunted for food. Friends’ convenor Robert Scholes said an emphasis had been given to greater local involvement in the annual event. The group is organising an ongoing series of walks and talks across the region with the next being at Inglewood Botanic Gardens and the Wehla Block. “There are many locals now looking to learn more about the local areas,” he said. LH PHOTO

Bumper-to-bumper on highways LOCAL highways had bumper to bumper traffic Good Friday and again Easter Monday. There were long streams of cars towing caravans and trailers on the Calder and Loddon Valley Highways as Victorians flocked to regional destinations, including the Loddon. The heavy traffic meant unusually long delays for local drivers crossing from one

side of towns to the other. Several farmers also contacted the Loddon Herald to express concern that visitors to the region were at times oblivious to stock movement signs on roads. Members of East Loddon Lions Club conducted a driverreviver stop on the Loddon Highway while members from Wedderburn were providing a

refreshment stop on the Calder on Friday and Monday. Police patrolled highways and roads and issued a number of fines (see Page 7). Accommodation across the Loddon was at capacity as visitors enjoyed fine weather. Public and private camping along the Loddon River was also popular long weekend with visitors.

EVERY TEST HELPS US PROTECT EVERYTHING WE’VE ACHIEVED Every test keeps us on top of this virus. And keeps us doing the things we love. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.

For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021 | 5

EASTER IN THE LODDON

Coins and raffles swell local totals INGLEWOOD Fire Brigade veterans Joe Watts and Graeme Lynden were on duty again Good Friday. Joe, the brigade lieutenant, has been part of the local Good Friday Appeal collection team for all his 49 years in the brigade. For the past five years, Joe has been town co-ordinator. Graeme, known as Twinkle, may have retired from active duties but was again on deck to “make sure they do it right” as he has been for 69 years. Inglewood topped the region’s tally board raising more than $7000 through the doorknock and fundraising around town and at the Empire State Hotel. “We’ve raised $3700 with a wood raffle this year. That’s a real boost,” Joe said. “I used to go out on the truck but I can’t do that now I’m the co-ordinator.” An emerging group of new local veterans were out on the streets of Inglewood. Among them Zali Smith, daughter of brigade captain Andrew Smith, and Samuel

OUR TALLY Inglewood .....................$7021 Tarnagulla .....................$3784 Wedderburn ..................$3285 Pyramid Hill ..................$2957 Boort .............................$2850 Korong Vale ..................$1367 Bridgewater ....................$500

Joe Watts, captain Andrew Smith and Graeme Lynden count the coins. LH PHOTO Patterson who have been rattling the RCH tins for 15 years, “We’ve been doing this since we were kids ... dad’s the captain,” Zali said. With them was first-time collector Zen Joiner .

Local hotels were as much a part of town efforts as the CFA and schools. In Pyramid Hill, Paul Carter and staff at the Victoria Hotel were co-ordinating local ef-

forts that included students and their families from Pyramid Hill College doorknocking the area, And in Korong Vale, CFA captain Ron Weston’s team easily

achieved its goal. The brigade was determined to set a new local record above $1000 after last year’s efforts were hampered by COVID restrictions. The town ended up just short of $1400 in an amazing result. Meanwhile, COVID safety meant the Bridgewater brigade opted to take a break from collecting for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Captain Tim Ferguson said members felt there was still a risk with large numbers of people travelling from Melbourne into the region. Normally, Bridgewater brigade would collect an average $18,000 for the appeal on Good Friday. “It’s two years in a row we have missed. I didn’t feel confident doing it and I couldn’t ask the members to do it if I couldn’t,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be back in 2022,” he said. The appeal, in its 90th year, raised more than $17 million.

Soft plastics don’t go in your recycling bin. If you can scrunch it, please keep it out of your recycling bin at home.

Find out more at recycling.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

6 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021

Vicki Gaudion (centre) with classic organisers Jany Clutton and Tracey Webb. LH PHOTO

Amazing kickstart to Mother’s Day classic FUNDRAISING for next month’s Bridgewater Mother’s Day Classic is off to a flying start. Organisers last week accepted a $1000 donation from Hazeldene’s Vicki Gaudion ahead of the event’s return for a 12th year raising research funds and awareness of breat cancer. Vicki said Hazeledene’s had chicken breeding facilities across the Loddon, including Newbridge and Prairie and the company long had an association supporting cancer charity.

“The Bridgewater Mother’s Classic is a wonderful event in the Loddon Shire that we are pleased to support,” she said. Event volunteers Jany Clutton and Tracey Webb gave a background of the classic - the first held in a rural area during their meeting with Vicki. Participants will meet at the Bridgewater Hotel for breakfast on May 9 before walking, jogging or running along the Loddon River. To register, go to mothersdayclassic. com.au

Student solidarity and compassion ST MARY’S Primary School students raised funds for Project Compassion to end the school term last Thursday. Among activities for the Inglewood students was walking to the football oval to complete as many laps as possible in an hour, carrying buckets of water to replicate many people’s daily chores. The day’s events were organised by the school’s religious education leader and Prep/1/2 teacher Cath Williams. Students ate steamed rice “in solidarity” with some feasting on party pies to show the luck of the draw in people’s circumstances. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021 | 7

Golden couple bring rich dream to their new home TELEVISION golden couple Chris and Greg Clark have made their new home in the Loddon. The former stars of the television show Aussie Gold Hunters are now in Wedderburn and have plans to bring more gold detectorists to the region. Known as the Gold Gypsies, Chris and Greg were the main stars of the real-life show for its first five seasons as TV crews followed prospectors around Australia.

Within weeks of moving to the Loddon last month, Chris and Greg started the application process for a permit to run local prospecting tours. At the weekend, they held a social day at Wedderburn’s Hard Hill Reserve that saw people travel from across the state for a chat and a few tips from the gold couple. “We hope to have the permit process completed within a month and that will allow us to take limited numbers of people

on tours,” Greg said. “There are lots of goldfields within 30km of Wedderburn, so this is a great place to be based and the people are so friendly here. “We have a lots of other ideas, too, but it will take time.” Chris and Greg said they enjoyed a visit to Wedderburn early last year and after time back in Western Australia and Queensland, and with television commitments completed, it was time to make Victoria and Wedderburn their home.

Chris and Greg Clark at Hard Hill. LH PHOTO

Two drivers nabbed twice A SUNSHINE man was stopped by police twice within 30 minutes on Good Friday. Police said the 40-year-old male was detected driving at 71kmh in a 50kmh zone in the main street of Bridgewater. He was fined $322 and lost three demerit points Half an hour later, that same man was detected by Loddon police travelling at 134kmh in the 100kmh zone on the Loddon Valley Highway at Durham Ox. The man had his licence suspended for three months and received a further $537 fine Local police said there was clearly no excuse for officence, especially while towing a trailer He was not the only drive caught twice on Good Friday by local police. A 70-year-old man was intercepted by Loddon police driving an unregistered vehicle in Wedderburn about 9.20am. A short time later the man returned a positive breath alcohol test at Inglewood and was subsequently suspended from driving for three months. The man also received $1322 in fines. Loddon police also report that they have detected several other speeding drivers recently, including a 34-yearold Lalor man doing 169km in a 100km zone at Salisbury West. The man had his car impounded and

BsolarO Obattery RT &

is due to attend court at a later date. A NSW woman, 42, was detected speeding at 135km in a 100km zone at Durham Ox. To compound her woes, checks revealed her licence to have expired three months earlier. The resident will be walking for three months and received three penalty notices totalling $940. Last week, a Glen Waverley man, 28, was lucky not to have his car impounded after being detected by Loddon police travelling at 140km in a 100km zone at Mologa. The man will be finding alternative modes of transport for six months coupled with a $620 fine. Search warrants conducted in the Wedderburn area have seen a 42-yearold male charged and released on bail for drug trafficking and a man, 21, charged and released on bail for possessing a drug of dependence and an imitation firearm.

Region joins country art trail LODDON towns will be part of the fifth Tiny Towns Arts Trail this month. Eddington, Newbridge, Bridgewater, Tarnagulla, Rheola and Logan are on the map for the weekend that encourages

in partnership with

visits across the area that also includes St Arnaud and Maryborough. It’s the first year Bridgewater has been a part of the trail with galleries, cafes, art studios and gardens on the itineraries.

info meeting

TUESDAY 13 APRIL, 6.00-7.30PM

BOORT RESOURCE & INFORMATION CENTRE 119-121 GODFREY STREET, BOORT

FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEW COUNCIL-SUPPORTED SOLAR BULK-BUY FOR LODDON SHIRE

For • households • farmers • and businesses

Call 1300 466 274 or visit mash.org.au/loddon

8 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021

FEATURES opinion | obituary | quiz

By Cr Linda Jungwirth I WELCOME the opportunity to write a column regarding the Tarnagulla Ward every few months and am pleased to have the Loddon Herald as our new local paper. The paper provides a forum to keep us informed and I thoroughly enjoy reading it each week. The last four months have kept me busy learning the ropes of council and working my way through plans and policies with my fellow councillors. I hadn’t quite realised the importance of these documents and how much they guide us in what we are able to achieve, prior to becoming a councillor. I invite everyone to get involved and have input whenever documents are put out for public comment. This will help us make decisions in line with your vision for our future. I’ve loved meeting community members in our ward. As well as providing advocacy, I’ve met with several community planning groups. The community planning walk-andtalks were an invaluable opportunity to learn what different communities have already achieved and what they would like to achieve in the future. Kingower maintains a wonderful church that they regularly use for meetings and events and residents also gather in a central area in town. The area’s barbecue, rotunda and surrounding balustrades were constructed by people

Local PERSPECTIVE within their community. As well as being socially active, some residents are musical so they provide their own entertainment. Kingower also have a cricket oval where they host junior cricket for their many members. They are proud of their active cricket club and the support they provide to the younger generation. Eddington Community Planning Group are committed to keeping their town beautiful. The local historic buildings and the Loddon River certainly provide a picturesque environment. Members of the community maintain the hall and have planted commemorative plants within the surrounding garden. Eddington boasts a miniature railway and are hoping to soon build a community garden. They also hold regular event within the town and are proud to have several businesses, some of which provide employment for locals. Newbridge Community Planning Group members have a clear idea of how they see their future. Committee members have developed an intensive plan which addresses safety, social activity, tourism and future infrastructure they would like to see in place. Newbridge Recreation Reserve, which

volunteers manage and is used for many purposes including football and netball, is a wonderful facility. The hotel is enjoying the patronage of locals and visitors now that our restrictions have lifted. I look forward to watching the progress of these groups as their plans progress. They keep Tarnagulla Ward vibrant and make our region an amazing place to live, work and visit. Our other community planning groups are still developing their plans and I can’t wait to see their progress. Sadly, Rheola was unable to host the Easter Carnival this year due to COVID concerns. Hopefully next year will see the popular event back for everyone to enjoy. They’ve been successfully hosting this event since 1871. I am happy to help with any council related issues in the Tarnagulla Ward and am very interested in community viewpoints.

Cr Jungwirth is Loddon Shire Council’s Tarnagulla Ward representative. Local councillors and MPs are providing regular columns for the Loddon Herald’s Local Perspectives to update readers on their activities.

OBITUARY DES ROBERTS THE Rheola district community has mourned the passing of local community volunteer and former postmaster Des Roberts. Des ran the post office and telephone exchange from 1960 until 1974 with his wife Ellen. He had previously been driver for Robertson’s Bulldozing company and worked in shearing sheds and as a woodcutter.

Des was involved in the local fire brigade, hall committee and the annual Rheola Charity Carnival. Involvement in the fire brigade over 70 years was a family affair with Ellen operating the Rheola sub-base radio while Des was out at fires. In 2015, he was named the Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year in recognition of his community involvement. Des and Ellen marked their 60th wedding anniversary in 2016.

1. Into which sea does the Nile flow? 2. Three continents lie on the Tropic of Capricorn, South America is one, name any of the other two? 3. In American currency 10 cents make a what? 4. Afrikaans was developed from which European language? 5. An Ortanique is a cross between a tangerine and what other fruit? 6. What Italian word for ‘Scratched Drawing’ can be found on walls all over the world? 7. What musical features ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and ‘There Is Nothing Like A Dame’? 8. Name the first manned lunar landing mission in 1969? 9. Which boxer was nicknamed ‘The Dark Destroyer’? 10. What was the name of Ritchie Valens’ girlfriend? 11. What is the procedure called where an anaesthetic is injected close to the spinal cord? 12. What poisonous oily liquid occurs naturally in tobacco leaves? 13. Who had his first UK top 10 hit with ‘Wichita Lineman’? 14. Which sign of the Zodiac is represented by the Scales? 15. In which country was Rudyard Kipling born? 16. What is the gemstone for September? 17. What instrument has been nicknamed the ‘Mississippi Saxaphone’? 18. One and a half litres of champagne is known as a what? 19. Name the three particles that make up an atom? 20. What is the common name of the Auora Borealis? ANSWERS 1. Mediterranean. 2. Australia, Africa. 3. Dime. 4.Dutch. 5. Orange. 6. Graffitti. 7. South Pacific. 8. Apollo XI. 9. Nigel Benn. 10. Donna. 11. Epidural. 12. Nicotine. 13. Glen Cambell. 14. Libra. 15. India. 16. Sapphire. 17. Harmonica. 18. Magnum. 19. Electron, Neutron, Proton. 20. Northern Lights

Walk and talks help with vision, plans

Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021 | 9

FEATURES

Kel Jeffery and Lance Slatter (inset)

Memories of the final few will inspire the next generation

Dawning of a new era By Paul Haw WHEN the Boort community gathers on ANZAC Day, it will be the first commemoration without World War Two veterans. The town’s three surviving veterans from the war that ended almost 76 years ago have passed away in the two years since ANZAC commemorative services have been held. Indeed, 2020 was very emotional for the Boort RSL as we lost our last three members from that war - Kel Jeffery, Lance Slatter and John Makeham. COVID restrictions meant that at the time, we were unable to fully remember and thank them. Their passing also means the baton for commemoration has fully passed in 2021 to veterans from later wars and conflicts in partnership with the community. As far as we know there is only one World War Two servicemen left who enlisted in the Loddon Shire - Harvey Bawden from Pyramid Hill. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. Harvey became a gunner in a crew of seven men who flew a Lancaster on bombing mis-

Kel and Lance together at the Boort ANZAC Day commemoration two years ago. sions over Germany. Harvey now lives in Bendigo. This year’s Boort commemoration on ANZAC will allow us to recall the service to nation and community of our last locally-resident veterans. Flight Sergeant Lance Slatter started training at the Initial Training School at Somers for three months.

Lance learnt that there were too many pilots already and as there weren’t enough planes, he trained to be a navigator and bomber-aimer. Lance soon found himself at Port Pirie, South Australia, where he trained and graduated as a sergeant bomber, training mainly on Anson Bombers. In his own words Lance said:

“On one occasion while training for low level map reading the slip-stream lifted the canvas roof off a car, we convinced ourselves that we could see the heads of Saffron “Thistles just above the wing tips.” Exciting times for 18 year olds. Lance was then sent to Tocumwal training on the Liberators for bombing where they were lead to believe that they were training to attack Tokyo Harbour. He recalled: “There we were all ready to save the world when some bloke dropped the first Atomic bomb and that was the end of it. “Most of us were not even 20 years old and my service career was quite un-distinguished. “I suppose you could say we were re-enforcements that were never needed.” Lance was president of the Boort RSL sub-branch for many years. Flight Lieutenant Kelvin Jeffery served mainly in England, his role was mainly to train other air crews before they went onto bomber planes. Private John Makeham enlisted for war service in Wedderburn on January 29 and after basic training served in the

Australian Army in the Northern Territory. His b Jeffreyattalion was stationed at the RAAF aerodrome, he was living in a tent beside the aerodrome when Darwin was bombed by the Japanese. They had no warning and at first thought that the Americans were flying in but soon realised that they were the enemy. John Makeham’s father, John William Makeham was one of three men from Boort who served at Gallipoli. He was wounded with a bullet in the arm and sent to the hospital in Egypt. He also served in Egypt, France and England and once again was injured and sent to hospital. This is where he met his wife Ada Wilson who came to Australia in 1919 where she married John. Ada was a nursing sister in the British army. John was very active in RSL duties until he was forced to spend the last few years of his life in the Boort Hostel and Hospital. John was the last surviving World War Two soldier from the Boort district, marking the end of an era.

* Paul Haw is president of the Boort RSL sub-branch.

Only one World War Two servicemen who enlisted in the Loddon Shire remains

10 | Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021

Loddon HERALD CLASSIFIEDS Deadline - Tuesdays 4pm - loddonherald@gmail.com FUNERAL

PUBLIC NOTICE

Dorothy ‘Dottie’ May Hicks

Notice of Application for a Prospecting licence

Saturday April 10th at 11am

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 – Section 15(5) Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) (Mineral Industries) Regulations 2019 – Regulation 22(1) and Schedule 1

Church of Christ, Reef Street, Wedderburn, after which Dottie will be laid to rest eternally with Alan at the Wedderburn Cemetery. Refreshments and memories at the Church of Christ Sunday School after the Service.’

EMPLOYMENT

Disability support workers needed We’re building teams for clients (young people and adults) in St. Arnaud and surrounding areas. If you like to do support work and are happy to do some sleepover shifts then I’d love to hear from you to see if you're a match! Previous experience working with people with disability an advantage. Please call Carrol at InLife Independent Living on 0400 644 615. Learn more at inlife.org.au

1. Name and address of applicant: Kenneth Symes, 21 Chester Court, Endeavour Hills, Vic, 3802 2. Contact details of applicant for map and other information requests: Telephone no. 0419 899 690 Email. symes2273@gmail.com 3. Details of the application: Application number PL007611 Locality of the land to which the application relates: Rheola, Crown Allotment 22, Section 2, Parish of Kangderaar Approximate area of application: 1.0 hectare Date of application: 23/03/2021 Term of licence applied for: 7 years Date authority to enter granted (if applicable): N/A Outline of the proposed program of work: Doze and detect in stages followed by rehabilitation. 4. Objections or comments: Any person may object or comment to a licence being granted. (Section 24, Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990). A person who objects or comments must: a. put the objection or comments in writing; and b. include the grounds on which it is made. All objections or comments must be lodged within 21 days after the latest date on which the application was advertised and can be lodged online or posted to: The Minister for Resources c/ - Manager Licensing Earth Resources Regulation GPO Box 4509 Melbourne Victoria 3000 It is recommended that objections or comments are lodged online to ensure timely consideration. https://rram.force.com/ObjectionSubmission Enquiries can be made by writing to the Manager Licensing at the above address or by phoning the Earth Resources Information Centre on 1300 366 356. 5. Other Statutory Requirements:

A. Subject to other statutory requirements being satisfied, a prospecting licence, if granted, entitles the holder of the licence to prospect or explore for minerals, carry out mining on the relevant land, and do anything else that is incidental to that mining. B. Further information regarding the statutory requirements that must be complied with prior to work being undertaken on a licence, including landowner and occupier consent requirements, is available on the department's Community & Land Use page. https://earthresources.vic.gov.au/community-and-land-use

Friday 9th April @ 10:30am Sharp A/C NW & GD Alexander – Property Leased

466 Rheola – Llanelly Road LLANELLY VIC 3551 Machinery 1942 Inter T9 9WG Bulldozer. Hy-Mac 580C 12 Ton Excavator & buckets. 84 MF 3650 Autotronic FWA Tractor, 3PL & Remotes (150 HP). Inter 1460 Axial Flow Combine Harvester with 24’ Front & Trailer, (New front tyres). Gold Acres Prairie 3000 Ltr 60’ Boom Spray with foam markers. 1980 Inter 3070 Dual Axle Tray Truck with 16’ dual axle grain trailer with Edbro Hoist & tarp (Rego, No RWC). 6 Ton Seymour spreader. 511 International Combine, 28 run direct drill with Berrigan Harrows and SSB. NH 96 8’ Mower. Inter McCormick 211 27 Tyne Scarifier with covering Harrows. Inter McCormick 211 31 Tyne Scarifier with covering Harrows. 10 Tyne 3PL Scarifier Bar. 40’ Shearer Harrows. Connor Shea Mobil-Load Chain Driven Bale Loader. Portable Generator with Holman Diesel Engine. 28’ Shearer Cultivator Bar with wings. 40’ Allfarm Cultivator bar with wings. Old Cultivator Bar with wings. Shearer GEHL 1465 TDC Round Baler. John Shearer 606 36 Plt Offset Discs. NH Super Hay Liner 69 Small Square Baler. 11 Wheel Inline Hay Rake. PTO Driven Welder on Trailer. 36’ 7” Auger with 13Hp Honda Motor. Steel Auger. Old Homemade Crane. Equipment B.Keogh Field Bin with 20’x10” Auger. Ackland Field Bin with Auger. Sherwell Field Bin with Sherwell Auger. 30 Ton Jaeschke Field Bin. 12’ Rubber Tyre Roller. 16’ Rubber Tyre Roller. 15’ Rubber Tyre Roller. 8’ Rubber Tyre Roller. 28’ Portable Loading Race (all steel with timber floor). Thornton Portable Sheep Yards and Draft (14 Panel). 9m Single Axle Trailer with Dolly (timber floor). 5m all steel Low Loader. 9’x5’ Stock Crate. Truck Stock Crate with Sheep Deck. Gravity Fed Grain Pickler. 3PL Forks. Cement Mixer. Old Jetting Machine (not complete). Old Harrow Bars (not complete). Mud Scoop/Bucket. 7’ Steel Bucket. Sundry 1942 Furphy Tank with Lid, Tap and Handle, on Dodge Chassis. 1000 Gal Poly Tank. 3500 Gal Steel Water Tank. 1000 Gal Steel Water Tank. Qty of 1000Lt Water Pods. Pneumatic Steel Post Driver. Qty of Points. Qty of Steel Cable. 40 x Oaten Hay Rolls. 30 x Clover Hay Rolls. Host of Sundries.

Loddon HERALD FREE EVERY THURSDAY Contact us loddonherald@gmail.com or Phone 0419549743

CLASSIFIEDS CONNECT

CLEARING SALE MURPHY’S CREEK

Social distancing and COVID 19 protocols apply Payment: Cash &/or Cheque on the day. EFTPOS Available. Terms: Numbers System Operating. ID Required. GST applies. No buyer’s premium Light luncheon available Photos www.fpnevins.com.au Further Particulars

Poultry Shed Erector - Casual Position

We are a successful poultry shed building company looking to find additional strong young workers to join our site crew. We are looking for labourers who are hardworking and willing to work as part of a team with the right attitude. The position includes concrete work for piers and slabs, steel framework, erection and roofing. The job location is in Charlton and is a casual position starting 13th April for 3-5 months. If you are interested please phone Eddy on 0428481811.

AUCTION

The Loddon Herald is published by Muso’s Media Pty Ltd, PO Box 1188, Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers by Newsprinters Pty Ltd McKoy Street, West Wodonga, VIC 3690

92 Brooke Street, Inglewood VIC 3517 Ph: 5438 3041 Luke Nevins 0418 510 166 Noel Alexander 0419 584 598

BUSINESS, TRADES & SERVICES

Experience counts. Thousands of properties sold across the region in the last 30 years - houses, bush blocks, weekenders and farm land. I will endeavour to achieve the best result for you. Call me to discuss all your real estate needs

ADVERTISE IN THE LODDON HERALD BUSINESS DIRECTORY - $66 A MONTH

Loddon HERALD Thursday 8 April 2021 | 11

SPORT

Savage maintains dominance with 13th title victory JARROD Savage has claimed his 13th Boort Easter tennis title. Savage, who first took out the single’s crown in 2006, returned to tournament glory for the first time since 2018. He was edged out of the honour by Aiden Fitzgerald in 2018. And one of the first to congratulate the Heatherdale club professional in Melbourme was a spritely Alf Stringer, winner of the title in 1961. Savage also won the mixed doubles, teaming with wife Natalie who was beaten in the women’s singles championship by Julie Wardle.

SIXTY YEARS: 2021 winner Jarrod Savage and Alf Stringer who won in 1961.

Men’s championship: Jarrod Savage d Jarrod Rodda 6-3. Women: Julie Wardle d Natalie Savage 6-3. Men’s graded singles - Section 1: Hayden Weaver. Section 2: Eddie Wu. Section 3: Steven Pursell. Section 4: Rory O’Neil. Men’s doubles - Section 1: Jason Hoghton, Nick Hoghton. Section 2: Jason Nalder, Ash Ross. Section 3: Paul Harris, Robert Hicks. Section 4: Brodie Wagner, Tim Wagner. Section 5: Greg Williamson, Matt Kane. Section 6: Aiden Pipicelli, Cooper Pursell. Women - Section 1: Gen

Daly, Sandra Daly. Section 2: Carolyn Thorn, Kristen Dickson. Section 3: Carole Houlihan, Liane Weaver. Section 4: Amelia Watson, Charlie Telford. Section 5: Brianne Weaver, Emma Keeble. Mixed doubles - Section 1: Natalie Savage, Jarrod Savage. Section 2: Susan Kamau, Travis Nagenthiran. Section 3: Mark Perryman, Judy Parker. Section 5: Lily Hosking, Fergus Bear. Section 6: Sandra Daly, John Daly. Section 7: Tammy Boyd, Jake Boyd. Family mixed - Section 1: Kylie Hoghton, Cody Hoghton. Section 2: Abby Moore, Charlie Moore. Section 3: Jason Hoghton, Milly Hoghton. Section 4: Paul Telford, Charlie Telford. Men’s doubles round robin - Section 1: Michael Cannington, Travis Nagenthiran. Section 2: Aiden Pipicelli, Cooper Pursell. Section 3: Jordan Wu, Jacob Tran. Section 4: Kingston Wu, Eddie Wu. women - Section 1: Kylie Hoghton, Milly Hoghton. Section 2: Susan Kamau, Jo Drum. Mixed doubles - Section 1: Carole Houlihan, Sam Hoghton. Section 2: Michael Cannington, Carolyn Thorn. Section 3: Jake Bourchier, Liane Weaver. Section 4: Kevin O’Neill, Sandra Daly. Section 5: Jack Jack Daly, Susan Kamau. Veteran’s mixed doubles - Section 1: Carole Houlihan, Steve Doherty. Section 2: Liane Weaver, Glenn Weaver. Boy’s singles - Section 1: Charlie Moore. Section 2: Brodie Wagner. Section 3: Lachlan Hall. Section 4: Jeff Doherty. Girls - Section 1: Milly Hoghton. Section 2: Maddison Powell.

Courts great for the weekend

Tournament manager Alistair McDougal with former winners Jason and Kylie Hoghton. LH PHOTO

GREENSKEEPER Jake Boyd received praise for his preparation of courts at the weekend. The 17-year-old has as his “assistant” father Greg who looks after any mechanical issues with equipment. Jake has responsibility for fertilising, mowing, trimming and line marking of courts. Duties accelerated in weeks before the tournament, with Jake at the courts each morning at 6.30 before heading off to school. He follows in the footsteps of grandfather Robert Simm who was previously a greenkeeper for the club. LH PHOTO

Magpies start season with clash at home

Wedderburn’s Shelby Giorlando is in the Victorian competing at the national titles in Bathurst this week.

NORTH Central football, netball and hockey starts Saturday and Boort Magpies are optimistic of a good start. They will be at home to Sea Lake-Nandaly Tigers. The Magpies have had several good hit-outs pre-season including the Pyramid Hill community day for football and netball. A first-up win would begin a season of hope for Boort who have recruited well after a disappointing 2019 season. Meanwhile, Wedderburn Red-backs, also a strong recruiter in the extended off-season, will face off against Don-

ald. Again, an opening round win will should start a journey back into the finals for the Redbacks. Hockey president Angela Poxon said the season will be about reconnecting communities and supporting each other to maximise the number of teams in each competition. “We have agreed to keep the same age groups - under 12 and under 15 - but the structure may look a little different. To ensure the maximum number of teams in each competition and the least number of byes, clubs have agreed to playing 7, 9 or 11 a side.”

IGA chest swings into action PROFESSIONAL golf clinics will be held in Inglewood after a $927 donation from the IGA Community Chest. Cub secretary David Vanston said the supermarket’s support would assist with

IGA’s Peter Moore (centre) presents the Community Chest cheque to club members last week.

presenting clinics on April 25 and May 2. Each is capped is 20 participants. Bendigo professional Brad Wilson will be the clinician. The club’s competition season on April 18.

Loddon HERALD

sport

Thursday April 8 2021

FLAGS TO FLUTTER

FOOTBALL and netball seasons kick off Saturday across the Loddon.

More than 18 months after the last official fixture, Loddon Valley League club Mitiamo will unfurl their 2019 senior football and A and B Grade netball premiership pennants. Club president Rob Clohesy said the honour for the flag raising would go to Fay Forbes, wife of Australian sporting and Loddon legend John Forbes

By CHRIS EARL

who died last month. The three new flags will fly from poles at the John Forbes Oval after their unveiling before the senior game at 2.10pm And while celebrations from 2019 will finally come to a close for Mitiamo, the league continues to work through challenges for junior football competition numbers. It was confirmed at a meet-

ing between the league board and club representatives late last week that Calivil was the latest club to announce it would be unable to field an under 18 team this season. Several clubs in the league are planning junior development programs this year, including Pyramid Hill that does not currently have an underage side. The league’s southern powerhouse side Bridgewater is also planning a junior program.

With Bridgewater having the bye this weekend, interest will be high with other clubs in the league who informed the league last month they would be fielding senior and reserve sides. Clubs have used practice games in recent weeks, many single team encounters against opponents from neighbouring leagues. All clubs have mostly retained players signed for the aborted 2020 season.

It was announced earlier this week that former Kangaroo Flat star Jonathan Lanyon will make a cameo appearance with Maiden Gully YCW in the match against Newbridge, giving the Eagles an edge. Mitiamo, buoyed by the flag unfurling, should be too good at home for Bears LagoonSerpentine as should Pyramid Hill against Inglewood. Calivil should break the home ground trend for round one with a win over Marong in their game.

Chips off the old block BROTHERS John and Blake Coffey are in Sydney this week chopping away for success at the Royal Easter Show. The Inglewood boys in the Victorian junior team - John at 19 one of oldest and Blake, 15, the youngest. Cousin Matthew, 19, from Ballarat, is also in the seven-member team. Blake and John have been mentored by father John, himself a champion woodchopper, and are excited to be representing Victoria against teams from Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales. It is Blake’s first year in the state team while John has been selected for a third time. The boys earned selection after competing with success in state competitions late last year. LH PHOTO