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Loddon HERALD Vol 5 No 1, THURSDAY JANUARY 9, 2025 ISSN 2653-1550
WRAPPED IN LOVE
LOVE has been wrapped around the family of the toddler, aged three, who died in a caravan fire at Boort. An appeal target of $50,000 was reached within 24 hours on Monday to support parents Ben and Lori Keeble who had been staying with family in Lake View Street when tragedy struck last Thursday evening. The outpouring of community compassion has seen hundreds of donors push the appeal total above $63,000 by yesterday. The town’s Do It for Dyl Limp4Lymphoma run that exceeded its fundraising target just days earlier, put $10,000 towards the Keeble appeal. Run
By CHRIS EARL
organiser Chris Hatcher told supporters of the 240km relay that had already raised funds for Dylan Hatcher and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre that the Boort community was looking out for each other. “It is with very heavy hearts that some extended family members of the Limp4Lymphoma team have been struck by a tragedy that no words can describe, and that no one should ever have to go through, losing their little boy in an horrific accident. “As we have raised more money than we had ever imagined we have decided to help those
in need and donate $10,000 on behalf of the team,” he said. Local fire brigade volunteers who responded to the blaze about 5.50pm have been helped by the CFA’s wellbeing peer support team over the past week. Boort District Health has been assisting the wider community. Family friend Luci Mayer started the gofundme fundraiser on behalf of the family “They are now facing the reality of finding the strength, and finances to organise a funeral, whilst trying to find a way to continue with their everyday lives,” she wrote. “With blessings from the family I have decided to start this go-fund-me to raise money for the family to have some finan-
cial breathing room in this time of despair.” A statement by the family following the tragic fire was released through BDH chief executive officer Donna Doyle. The family said they were “wrapping their love around each other” and asked for their privacy to be respected. The toddler’s name is yet to be released by the family but funeral arrangements are expected to be finalised shortly. Police on Tuesday said: “The (fire) circumstances have been deemed non-suspicious and police will prepare a report for the coroner.” Officers said they were aware of the impact that such a tragic incident had on family, community members and first responders.
Weed spurt! Stock at risk
FARMERS are on high alert after mid-summer rains kick-started a potentially lethal spurt of panic weed across the Loddon. One spent the Christmas-New Year break nursing six-monthold Merino lambs back to health after a sudden spurt of the toxic plant. Wedderburn farmer Reg Holt said toxic hairy panic weed - fairy grass of tumbleweed sprouted and blew across a paddock at his Powlett property. “We quickly moved stock off the paddock but not before some had eaten the weed ... their heads slightly expanded and eyes, ears, mouths, throats inflamed,” Mr Holt said. “For more than a week, with
Sunday blaze firebug fear POLICE are investigating three fires in rocky terrain around Mount Moliagul on Sunday. They have not ruled out links to three fires at nearby Logan last month. Investigators have combed the scene of Sunday’s fires that saw dozens of Forest Fire Management Victoria and Country Fire Authority units, three choppers and bulldozers battle separate fires as late afternoon temperatures hovered close to 40 degrees. Police said the fires were being treated as suspicious and detectives wanted to speak to any witnesses or anyone that might have seen any suspicious activity in the area. FULL REPORT - PAGE 2
By CHRIS EARL
the help of friends, we’ve been nursing the lambs back to health, bathing their faces that had been burnt by the toxins.” “The warmer weather around Christmas also increased the toxicity of the weed.” Mr Holt said treating the distressed sheep required keeping air passages as free as possible and breaking down dry crust around mouths and eyes. “Ears can be the size of grapefruit and feel like boot leather. “It requires intensive animal husbandry ... very much like ICU for humans,” he said. CONTINUED PAGE 3
Reg Holt nurses Merino lambs back to health after a spurt in panic weed. LH PHOTO
Wonderful Renovation 40 Main St Bridgewater on Loddon Solid brick 4 Bedroom Family home Circa 1900s, (w) 4 split systems, lovely ornate period ceilings Kitchen / Dining (w) Gas hot plates & Elec oven Open Living area (w) Rev Cycle split system & Gas log heater Fully renovated Bathroom offering new Shower, vanity and toilet Laundry & separate Toilet New Solar Panel system, 5k/w back into the grid Excellent near new Colorbond shed 18m x 9m x 4.1 – 4 bay inc. 1 cemented workshop bay Power connected Excellent 1020m2 block Price: $620,000 FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE