6th December 2023

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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts

Est. 1864

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

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

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

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Councillor encourages reporting vehicle damage to Minister COUNCILLOR Eddy Ostarcevic has encouraged all those who incur damage to their vehicles when they hit one of the many potholes on the Sunraysia Highway to report them and send the bill to the Minister for Roads, Melissa Horne.

At the Northern Grampians Council meeting on Monday Cr Ostarcevic was reporting on a meeting of the Sunraysia Highway Improvement Committee of which he is the nominated council representative along with Mr Trenton Fithall, Director of Infrastructure and Amenity.

“Now we also have road trains on the

★ SHOP LOCALLY RED STAR competition starts TODAY The competition concludes on Saturday so put on your shopping shoes and SHOP TILL YOU DROP at participating ST. ARNAUD stores - See pages 12 to 15.

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Sunraysia Highway and there is less bitumen than potholes” he said.

Regional Victorian roads are being pounded by truck traffic and drivers are battling crumbling, dangerous roads that put lives at risk.

Above: Local communities have had enough of the deplorable state of Victoria’s main highways.

Where is the water with summer upon us?

THIS week in the Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) meeting Jane Sutherland requested an update on the St. Arnaud swimming pool.

The pool was opened for just a day or two for the summer season before it closed last week and the council marked the closure as ‘indefinite’.

Her question was answered by Trenton Fithall, Director of Infrastructure and Amenity, who stated that the pool itself has been assessed as structurally sound.

The problem of leakage has been an issue now for around 9 months and the NGSC has had it assessed and it was perceived that the likely place for the leakage was in the pipework and/or the surrounding area.

“At the moment, work to capture leaking water has been performed and it is being returned to the pool” Mr Fithall said.

The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has stipulated that water from a swimming pool must not leak back into the water system.

Work is continuing to ascertain the whereabouts of the leakage.

When will it be fixed and the swimming pool opened again?

“We can’t say” said Mr Fithall in response.

Lauren Dempsey continues to fight for gender equality in council COUNCILLOR Lauren Dempsey used this week’s Northern Grampians Shire Council meeting to further her push to raise the profile of gender equality on council when she noted that after the council’s statutory meeting to elect a Mayor she had been inundated with support from residents and community.

According to Cr Dempsey there were around 700 YouTube views of the meeting that has been described by many as ’disrespectful’.

Cr. Dempsey said that as culture is set at the top of an organization it is beholding of this council to act.

In a not-so-subtle dig at the council Cr Dempsey pointed out the lack of consistency displayed by the councilors in what she sees as gender inequality of opportunity within the council and on the other hand supporting the ‘16 days of Activism’.

The Northern Grampians is involved in the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls.

It runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day.

Above: Cr Lauren Dempsey highlighting what has been seen as a gender inequality of opportunity in the Northern Grampians Shire Council.

Lions Club Christmas Procession Friday, 15th December 2023 Theme: BELLS, BAUBLES AND BRANCHES

Procession starting at 7.00pm Please in Napier Street, then back bring to Market Square for Food, your own chair Music, Jumping Castle, Face Painting and other activities

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Council flags air show Editorial for Stawell aerodrome Councils CAN become developers.

Pyrenees Council did BEAUFORT about a decade ago was in a dark place, although they may not have known it to be as all the residents loved their town and had their rosecoloured glasses firmly upon their faces. However, the Pyrenees Council had no such allegiance that coloured their view that the town was languishing and the future did not look bright unless something happened and they could attract new residents to the town.

The council believed that the stagnation was caused by a lack of housing. Sound familiar? St. Arnaud too is stagnating you could say, due to a lack of housing. Without housing a town cannot attract new residents. Without jobs a town cannot attract new residents. St. Arnaud has the jobs or the potential jobs but because of the lack of housing, those potential new residents have to pass up on the move to our lovely town.

How long do you think that the big businesses in town who are crying out for people to fill their growing number of vacancies can hold on. Organisations such as Gilmac, the Hospital and its other campuses, as well farming businesses – all are filling the Employment section of North Central News, but in time, for example, a hospital cannot operate unless they can fill their vacancies.

The housing situation is not new either in St. Arnaud or any other town in Victoria and we at North Central News have highlighted the problem many times. However, the Pyrenees Council saw the problem a decade ago and did something about it.

Individual Northern Grampians councillors have said that ‘we are not developers’. No, but can we look at this problem in a brain storming way and comeAup with some answers? Pyrenees Council did and they did in fact become developers and in a town of 1,700, which was Beaufort, bought a large parcel of land and F did in fact play the role of the developer itself. Risky you say? Well we say, they saw an opportunity and E decided to take it. It has now, a decade later, paid off.

Now after 100 houses been built and the last lot of the Correa Park sold last year, other councils are looking at this ground-breaking council as having the solution to their problem.

How did they do it? They took out a loan (hark – C we think we have even suggested that in a previous editorial) to purchase land in a residential zone, went through the planning process of subdividing, roads, C utilities connection and then sold the lots through a real estate agent. Does not sound too hard, does it?

What about the risk, you say? The process cost $6million, but even the Pyrenees Council says that the money was recouped (and the rest) from the land sales.

Another statement we have heard before is ‘developers are not interested in coming to St. Arnaud’.

This is the ‘market failure’ that Jim Nolan, the Pyrenees CEO, who coincidentally was an executive in the Northern Grampians Shire says was the reason that the council stepped in as the developer.

Today Beaufort has with new families (with children) and energy has been bought to the town and Pyrenees Council is now looking a developing a second housing project with the vision to subdivide into 20 to 30 lots. As well, strangely, some developers have expressed some interest in the smaller-scale investment (now that they can see that people are interested in residing in ‘small town’ Beaufort).

With a shortfall of 87,000 houses across rural Victoria in the next 15 years, according to Rural Councils Victoria, the State Government has announced $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund to address the current shortage of workers that we see today. To encourage developers, they can apply for grants between $150,000 and $5 million to develop projects that support local businesses in retaining and attracting workers by the supply of affording accommodation.

The risk is now much lower and we wonder if the Northern Grampians Shire Council, who is now able to avoid the risk of being a developer, will now encourage developing St. Arnaud. Without it, this town will eventually lose businesses and we all know what that means.

AT this week’s Northern Grampians Shire council (NGSC) meeting the Stawell Aerodrome Master Plan Review was approved and Cr. Kevin Erwin advised that it had been mooted that the upgraded aerodrome may be the site for a future air show.

The aerodrome review was necessary to update the master plan to guide development at the airport and also necessary for projects to be considered competitive for State and Federal Government to obtain grant funding as the plan remains relevant and of strategic importance.

Although currently the largest single flying activity is conducted during the summer fire season when the aerodrome is used as a base for fire suppression aircraft, aircraft conduct flying training on a regular basis and the

aerodrome is used as a sibility that would base for contractors bring attention and an using agricultural airincrease in tourism craft for crop spraying dollars to the Northern activities.

Grampians and locals An increase in charwould have a chance to ter aircraft operations visit the aerodrome. has occurred over the Cr Eddy Ostarcevic last 3 years with the said that he believed construction of the organisations in St. Stawell Underground Arnaud would be more Qld Physics Laboratory than happy to particiand the purchase of A pate in4217 an airshow and the abattoirs by pointed to the success 1 800 652 Thomas Foods of the Vintage Car284 Club F day last month as an International.

There has also been E example of what this an increase in tourist end of the shire can flights conducted by achieve. helicopter from a base Cr. Kevin Erwin at the aerodrome moved that the Review Ted Whillier Cr Er win was be accepted and it was C upbeat about the pospassed unanimously.

Matt Trickey

C

Page 2 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

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

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

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

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

No. 10117

CROSSWORD 1

Dear Qld Editor What a great, terrific, 4217 marvellous letter to the editor last week from 1 800Greenall.

652 284 Stephen Stephen was able to put into words what many of us were thinking, great work.

I would still like to find out who supplied the easter eggs for the Tedegg Whillier easter hunt where the supposed vote took place where it was Matt Trickey decided that the pre prep school was to be located in the town hall car park.

Onto the subject of placement of the pre prep school.

To my way of thinking the pre school should and must be alongside of the present primary school so that some/many of their existing facilities can be utilised and also it would allow the younger pre preppers to gain some experiences from the older children.

There would be in the funding for the pre prep money for administration and toilets and this could go to refurbishing those areas at the primary school if needed.

Allowing the pre prep and the present primary school to utilise the same area would mean that some parents would not have the worry of collecting children from two places at the ends of their school day.

Barry Robertson Carapooee

St. Arnaud, Charlton & surrounding districts

© Copyright 2023

To the Editor

Praise for letter

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

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

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ACROSS 3 Apple of the eye 9 Cricket team 10 Lava appearing formed from fragments 11 Fastener 12 Believe 15 Clergyman 17 Inn 18 Moved quickly 19 Eggs 20 Spoke indistinctly 22 Go by 24 Monkey 25 Old stringed instrument 26 Bore witness to 28 Beverage 29 Consumed 30 Festive occasions 33 Landed property 34 Heel over 35 Annoyed 36 Time of holding 37 Mock 38 Borders

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3

See this week’s solution on page 6.

DOWN 1 Sailing vessel 2 Dogma 3 Danger 4 Single entity 5 Repeated 6 Hid 7 Record of past events 8 Lower in character 13 Revolves 14 Thick 16 Superintend 18 Indian currency unit 20 Was important 21 Young eel 22 Inventors' grants 23 Setting forth 27 Literary ridicule 30 Loses colour 31 Lukewarm 32 Show contempt 34 Surrender

Walk Against Family Violence marches down Napier Street THE 16 Days of Activism - Walk Against Family Violence was held on Friday 1st December to promote and to help create a future where we are all safe, equal and respected.

It marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

The Walk started in the Queen Mary Gardens and after proceeding up and back again in Napier Street returned to the Gardens, where the Lions Club put on a BBQ for the community.

Disappointingly, the walk only attracted a few residents, perhaps it was during work hours, perhaps it was that although it was promoted on Facebook it was not sufficiently promoted in the North Central News.

Right: Small in numbers but big in commitment, the Walk Against Family Violence paraded down Napier Street last Friday.

Rotary supporting No to Family Violence ROTARIANS Russell Steel and Lori McKenny were out and about last Friday putting up the “Say No to Family Violence” posters.

Above: Lions Club of St. Arnaud in action at the BBQ (left to right) Norm Bales, Clive Hancock and John Caddy.

Above: Russell Steel (left) and Lori McKenny placing one of the Anti Family Violence posters on the noticeboard outside the Parkview Café.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 3

St. Arnaud 100 Years Ago: 1st – 6th December 1923 Croquet Club There was a large attendance at the gymkhana and strawberry fete held on the croquet lawns, which raised £8 for improvements to the rotunda and to purchase a mower.

Golf croquet was won by Miss Bilton and Mrs L McKechnie was runner up. Mr Burrows won a croquet bagatelle competition.

[Some time ago the rotunda was moved from the Lord Nelson Mine to be used by the Croquet Club]

Dancing Theatre An open air dancing theatre is being constructed adjoining the Mechanic’s Institute and the floor will be of spe-

cially selected Jarrah timber.

The Jazz Orchestra has been permanently engaged to supply the music and an Oriental Café [soft drink] will be a feature of the new venture.

The theatre will be known as ‘The Glideaway’, there will be a small charge for admission and dancers will pay a small coin for each dance.

It is hoped to open on Boxing Day.

Business Sold Marchment Bros, carriers, have sold their business to John McAdam of Melbourne.

Hospital Report for November Patients admitted

49, discharged 58, remaining 33 outpatients 15 and 3 deaths.

Pebble Church A proposal has been put forward to r e p a i r S t Pe t e r s ’ Church at Carapooee.

The only dilapidated part is the outside wooden portion of the church in the eastern gable and it may be removed and built in with concrete.

Concert Once again the well-known instrumentalists and vocalists, the Kennedy Company attracted a large crowd at the Town Hall.

They have just completed a nine month tour of South Africa and during the previous six months toured England.

Death William J Noakes died age 69 at the St. Arnaud Hospital.

In his early days he was a farmer at Mitchell’s Hill until 13 years ago when he retired to St. Arnaud.

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St Patrick’s 42 beat Church of England 36.

Mixed doubles L Dunkley and Miss Bray [St P] lost to M Templeman and Miss Edwards 2-6.

Presbyterians 38 lost to Methodists 42.

Mixed doubles J Wa l ke r a n d M i s s Bickerton [P] beat F Bawden and Miss Murray [M] 6-3.

St. Arnaud North 41 beat Slaty Creek 33.

Mixed doubles Mr Lanfranchi and Miss Kew Ming [St N] beat Mr C Michael and Miss Wright [S C] 6-1.

Bennetto’s E Goldsbury 31.

Traynors Lagoon 189 beat Laen 115 with most runs for Traynors Lagoon by E Glen 52 and for Laen, Morgan 53.

Rifle Club Traynors Lagoon 797 beaten by Donald 822.

Highest scores for Traynors Lagoon J A Boyle 98, G Barrett jun and J H Jesse 93 each and for Donald W Leslie and W

Sprout 95 each and B Daffin 93.

Teddington Reservoir The reservoir is 26 ft deep and there is a leak in the steel pipe in the reserve near Torney’s and two leaks in Torney’s paddock.

Wanted Two good cutters wanted for Watson’s Saw Mill at Emu, apply J W Watson ‘Burnside’ St. Arnaud.

Tenders Called Two separate tenders called to [1] erect a new Methodist Church and [2] to remove the present Methodist Church [building only] at Swanwater We s t , a p p l y C J Sparrow.

Sales Furniture sale for Mrs Rosetta Sturrock in Silvermines Road

- by Heather Pritchard [property sold] Also at the same auction Mr E Cherry sold for removal a well-built detached room 11 ft 4 ins x 11 ft 6 ins x 10 ft walls, pine lined plus 2 small stables and chaff house. .

Hugh Donoghue of Navarre holds furniture sale as he has sold his business.

Off shears sheep sale 2,500 sheep at Navarre.

Rotary Clean Up tackles the ‘old new’ cemetery ROTARY Club of St. Arnaud organized a cleanup at the old disused ‘New Bendigo Cemetery’ on Tuesday 14th November on the Sunraysia Highway off McQueen Road, St. Arnaud.

Armed with rakes, wheelbarrows and a whipper snipper the members managed to pick up and fill two trailer loads of sticks and foliage before enjoying a pizza meal next to the cemetery.

“Track of the Years – The Stor y of St. Arnaud”.

Although no headstones survive, the

cemetery has significance as the final resting place of several New Bendigo miners and as the first burial ground in the St. Arnaud area until it was closed in 1858, when the present St. Arnaud cemetery

was opened.

There is nothing left of the old cemetery and no way of knowing who is buried there as the burial records were lost when Kell’s Undertakers in St. Arnaud, burnt down in 1900.

History of the cemetery The New Bendigo cemetery is a legacy of the discovery of gold on 10th January 1855.

A memorial gateway was erected in 1955 to celebrate the centenary of St. Arnaud.

This memorial was unveiled by Yvonne Palmer, author of

Above: The memorial gateway, erected in 1955, to the New Bendigo cemetery.

Cricket Crone’s team 111 beat Bennetto’s team 103, with the most runs for Crone’s by H J Rowe 29 and for

Page 4 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

Above: It’s heads down and clean up on the way.

Above:(left to right) Lori McKenny, Russell Steel, Tony Marland, Garry Brown, Luke Hanley and Greg Fithall with their trailer of ‘mulch’.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 5

Charlton 100 Years Ago: 1st – 5th December 1923

by Charlton Golden Grains Museum

Farm fire A fire which might have developed into a disastrous conflagration of the whole country-side, occurred at Glenloth.

It broke out on Mr H. Davenport’s farm, at a spot about a mile from the railway station.

Three acres of crop were destroyed, and a number of stooks of hay burnt, and but for the timely assistance of a number of neighbors, the damage sustained

would have been greater.

Its origin is shrouded in doubt but there exists an uneasy feeling that it may have been attributable to some smoker.

On the following day a grass fire on the railway line happened, assumed to have arisen from a spark from a passing train.

This outbreak was also quickly extinguished by persons at hand.

Turf Club A general meeting of the members was

held at the Telegraph Hotel.

Present: Messrs H. J. Jackson, who occupied the chair, E. Dabron, J. Spain, G. A. Babidge, F. Soding, W. Halligan, R. Green, and J. Dwyer (secretary).

Apologies were received from Messrs R. M. Klunder (President) and P. Spain.

The chairman referred to the death of two of its most prominent members, Mr Benjamin Green and Mr W. J. McAuley.

The secretary stated that the liability to the

Page 6 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

Above: 1920s Gun Club bank had been reduced from £118 two years ago, to £14.

The secretary stated that the last special trains had made a loss of £14 but it was the only loss ever incurred.

It was resolved to hold the annual race

meeting January.

on

30th

New telephone lists New telephone lists have been received by the postmaster, and are

A F E

C C

being distributed.

They contain the names of about 200 telephone subscribers connected with the Charlton exchange.

Gun Club

Fully fourteen gunmen met at Dwyer’s Hotel to formulate a plan for holding matches to shoot sparrows.

The Secretary (Mr J. M. Smith) had been informed of the willingness of Mr R. J. Smith to supply birds.

Mr Dwyer had kindly placed his paddock Qld at the disposal of the 4217 club.

The committee had 1 800 652 284 interviewed Dr Wilson with respect to any objection he might advance owing to its proximity to the hospital but there had been Ted Whillier no opposition.

The traps and a Matt Trickey puller had been placed in position.

The automatic puller was a very fine, up-to-date contrivance.

A meeting wouldAbe held on Wednesday and small handicap matches would continue with opening day deferred until after harvest.

The question of fencing arose and it was decided that it would not be necessary to have more than a rope line of demarcation.

Learmonth Street trees The Progress Association has convened a meeting to be held at the Presbyterian Hall to protest against the proposal by the Shire Council to uproot the trees on Learmonth Street.

The motion was moved on the ground that the existence of the trees is a source of danger to wheat-carters and others using that portion of the road between High Street and the railway station.

The convenors of the protest meeting contend that there is no necessity to grub the trees; and that their removal would do away with the shade and beauty of the thoroughfare by which

visitors obtain their first impressions of Charlton.

The clash of wit and clang of argument will be heard in the old hall tonight.

Property Sale Estate of the late B. Green: Messrs John Watson and Co. through their local auctioneer, Mr J. D. Paterson, stressed the present value and potential prospects of the property; when this township, with its assured water-supply, should come into its rightful position in the centre of one of the grandest wheat-growing districts of the Commonwealth.

An opening offer of £800 was elicited for Lot 1, a six-roomed brick residence, bathroom, wash-house, and stable, together with about 2 acres.

Bids succeeded each other with brisk increases of £50, until one of £1400 was reached.

Bids of £25, then a fiver repeated until £1505, at which price Cr Joseph Wright, of “Wolfton”, was declared the purchaser.

(Information from East Charlton Tribune)

QUOTE OF THE 3 WEEK Take the risk or lose the chance.

Anonymous Solution No. 10117 K T P U P I L H D E L E V E N T A X I T E T N R I V E T S G C R E D I T R E C T O R H O T E L R A N O V A T N M U T T E R E D P A S S A P E L Y R E A T T E S T E D V S T E A A T E F E T E S E S T A T E C A R E E N N I I R K E D P E T E N U R E D E R I D E S G E D G E S D R

SUDOKU SOLUTION 4 3 7 8 9 5 2 6 1 2 9 6 1 7 3 8 4 5 5 8 1 2 4 6 3 9 7 1 6 8 5 3 9 7 2 4 3 4 2 7 8 1 9 5 6 9 7 5 4 6 2 1 8 3 7 2 9 3 5 4 6 1 8 8 1 4 6 2 7 5 3 9 6 5 3 9 1 8 4 7 2

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 7

Chat, Changes and Camping at St. Joseph’s School - Contributed

Chat - Radio Awareness for Kids

in what was a fabulous way to learn all about radio.

Changes – Transitions and Puberty Program

Students were fortunate to have a visit from a real, live radio presenter in John Broughton of Casey Radio 97.7FM. John runs a radio awareness program which he brings to schools all over the state.

After learning about the job of radio broadcasting, students from Grades 3-6 worked in small groups to create their own radio programs.

Students had roles such as host, sports reporter, weather reporter and traffic reporter to name a few.

After working on their scripts and naming their show, students were lucky enough to have John record their live shows – which were very entertaining.

Recordings were enhanced by the use of sound effects, music and a giggle here and there.

A lot of fun was had

Our senior students have recently completed a Puberty Program presented by Kerrie McCosh, Department of Education, visiting primary school nurse.

Kerrie worked with the students over two separate days using a variety of ways to engage and inform the students.

Our Grade 6 to Year 7 transition commenced with an information session at Charlton College. St Joseph’s students from Grade 5 and 6 have met with their College peers on a couple of occasions, aiming to enhance the transition process.

The first session was a sports afternoon and the second session was a transition program “Dream Seeds”.

The Kindergarten to

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Above: Grade 5 and 6 from St Josephs and Charlton college and the dream seeds team.

School transition is well under way with our future Foundation students having their final day this week.

The kinder students have attended four sessions, each time staying a little longer and including different parts of the school day.

The Kinder students were lucky to stay for a full school day this week and even enjoyed a Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

We can’t wait to have these students settle in as part of our school family.

Camping – Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement Many weeks of planning came together on Monday 27th November when the staff and Year 3/4 students from St Joseph's Charlton.

St Patrick's St Arnaud and St Mary's Donald came together to attend a school camp at the Pioneer Settlement in Swan Hill.

The group left at 9am sharp and travelled to the camp site.

After unpacking and exploring the lodgings at the aptly named 'Burke and Wills Lodges' the larger group split into four smaller groups and commenced their activities.

Each group completed activities based around pioneer living and Aboriginal culture, including; butter churning, transport from the 1850s to 1920s, vintage car and carriage rides, blacksmithing, pioneer building and laundry, pioneer music, pioneer schooling and site based scavenger hunts.

On Monday night, the whole camp attended the 'Legends of Mallee' show which detailed insights from the Wemba-Wemba people.

Page 8 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

Above: Maddie Lanyon, Willow Caine, Flynn Schofield, Liam Monaghan and Clancy Bourke (Radio Programme).

This show also detailed local history of Lake Boga during WW1 and the contributions of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) which was a fascinating and wonderful show!

The campers were supplied with plenty of delicious meals and additional food through the Paragon Cafe based at the Pioneer Settlement.

We thank the caterers and the Pioneer Settlement staff for making our stay so wonderful.

All students and staff had a fantastic time and enjoyed the collaboration, interaction and new friendships experienced while on camp.

Thanks We thank all those who have contributed to the life of the St Joseph’s School Community throughout the 2023 school year.

We thank each of you for your input and support, which helps to

Above: Grade 3/4 Camp Patrick Winslade and Toby Bourke. maintain our small, rural schools.

As the holiday season approaches, may you find time to enjoy life’s simple blessings and the beauty of each quiet moment.

Merry Christmas from the Staff and Students of St Joseph’s School.

Don’t Forget

NCN Photos can be ordered

Call in or phone NCN on 5495 1055

Wedderburn celebrates Christmas and Arts Festival together THE 31st Wedderburn Community Christmas and Arts Festival was recently held in Wedderburn.

The Wedderburn Patchwork Group, with just 15 members, put on a great show.

The eagerly anticipated event was back to pre-COVID levels, with over 300 exhibits and a steady stream of visitors.

During the pandemic, when the lockdowns were enforced, many people turned to arts and crafts.

In addition, school students completed over 150 entries in the school and open sections.

The student work was outstanding and created a colourful display.

T h i s y e a r, l o c a l groups, individuals, and school students exhibited trees.

The Wedderburn CWA completed a large tree depicting the 12 Days of Christmas.

The Out of School Hours Care children completed a tabletop tree, complete with hand-crafted bon bons.

Leanne Burge and the We d d e r b u r n Kindergarten children also won awards in their sections.

The Christmas theme was repeated across sections for

Christmas quilts, home and tree decorations and Christmas trees.

Leanne Holt’s Christmas quilt was also judged Best of Show across all sections.

Across the Arts sections, some highly imaginative exhibits included a coffee table made from a vintage fire extinguisher, a jacket made from a mattress cover, gorgeous mosaic pieces and several handcrafted dolls.

This year there were fewer quilts on display, compared to 2022, but the quilts on show were superb.

Another ten quilts decorated the stage, all made by the Wedderburn Patchwork Group.

Three of the quilts were made for the Turnbull family who lost their original raffle quilt prize in a house fire.

Other quilts were raffle quilts won over the past 35 years.

The owners spoke to members about how very precious these raffle quilts are.

The 2023 raffle quilt, “Baroque ‘n’ Roll” was won by

- Contributed Dorothy Kaye.

The 2023 Challenge was “Almost Anything Goes – Country Life”.

Entries included photographs, a children’s book, and two fabric wall hangings.

Jennifer Caruana entered a model of a farmyard, complete with machinery, hay shed, animals and a dam.

She won the Challenge and her entry also won the Viewers Choice, as the most popular exhibit on show.

Other attractions at the Festival included the We d d e r b u r n C o m m u n i t y C h o i r, several market stalls and catering by Susie Lockhart.

Each year a donation from the Festival proceeds is made to local groups or charities.

This year, a donation will be made to the Wedderburn Band Cricket Club.

After COVID, the Club could not field a team.

Under the guidance of Bob Steel, young boys and girls are learning to play cricket.

Through their donation, the Wedderburn Patch-

Above: The Wedderburn Community Choir under direction of Helen Chandler. work Group wants to make a difference.

Results of 2023 Wedderburn Community Christmas and Arts Festival Section Results: Awards given to Best Entry in Section 1. Christmas Tree (Group): Wedderburn CWA 2. Christmas Tree (Individual): Leanne Burge 3. Christmas Tree (Children/School Group): Wedderburn Kindergarten 4. Christmas Quilt: Leanne Holt 5.

Christmas

Decoration for the home (Fabric): Irene Finch 6.

Christmas Decoration for the home (Other materials): Cheryl Kemp 7. Small Christmas items: Sandra Francis 8. Photography: Donald Sutherland 9. 2D Art: Sue Anne Hckett 10. Handcraf ted Card: Moira Moody 1 1 . Beading or Jeweller y: Sandra Francis 12. Knitting: Jo Packhill 13. Crochet: Jo Packhill 14. Lace: No entries 15. Needlework: Rusty Nicholls 16. L arge Quilt: Colleen Fogarty 17. Small Quilt: Maria Perger 18. Art or Picture

Quilt: Irene Finch 19. Small Article of Patchwork: Colleen Fogarty 20. Recycled or Repurposed Article: Cheryl Kemp 21.

Item not Scheduled: Jude Raftis 22. 2022 Challenge: Jennifer Caruana 23. Children Under School Age: Albert Postle 24.

School Fo u n d a t i o n , Ye a r s 1&2: Foundation-1 Stick Man 25. School Years 3&4: Noah Dooley 26. School Years 5&6: Piper Denney 27. School Years 7&8: (Equal) Kayla Cramp, Lucy Rollinson, Nada Zec 28. School Years 9&10: Ella Weber

29. VCE: Briana Sanderson, Rachael Humphry

Special Awards Best Christmas Tr e e : We d d e r b u r n CWA Best Exhibit Sections 4-22: Leanne Holt Best Exhibit Sections 24-28: Briana Sanderson Best Item Religious Theme: Ye a r 3 Wedderburn College Wedderburn Patch work Group 2023 Challenge: Jennifer Caruana Viewers’ Choice: Jennifer Caruana

Competitions Raffle Quilt: Dorothy Kaye

th

Above: Jennifer Caruana’s prize winning model NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 9

St. Arnaud organisations benefit from Community Bank’s grant program COMMUNITY Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St. Arnaud announced the successful recipients of the 2023 Community Grants Program recently and this week North Central News features the St. Arnaud recipients, including Stuart Mill.

Above: Stuart Mill Racecourse Reserve Riding Club, received $4,862 for a portable toilet – Community bank staff James Ritter, Sue Hicks, Shirley Greig, Don Greig, Director/Chair Lloyd Gollop.

The grants were handed out at a ceremony and the St. Arnaud and Stuart Mill organisations were the lucky recipients of over $51,000 in grant funds.

A total of 27 community groups benefited from the grants and that brings the Community Banks’ total contribution to over $2.2 million.

Above: St. Arnaud Community Resource Centre - $4,574 for computers. – (left to right) Director Donna Wardlaw, Russell Steel

Left: St. Arnaud and District Orchid Society, $1,200 (left to right) Director Kris Meuwissen, Rolf Wacker, Jenny Drury, Beate Wacker, Helen Rigby, Director/Chair Lloyd Gollop.

Right: St. Arnaud Deb Ball received $1,000 (left to right) Director Scott Wilson, Janelle Medlyn.

Above: Stuart Mill Progress Association received a whopping $23,000 for hall renovations (left to right) Director Kris Meuwissen, Sheryn Lloyd, Janelle Medlyn, Director Naomi Medlyn.

Above: St. Arnaud Historical Society was successful to the tune of $4,500 for an historical book (left to right) Director Sarah Broad, Len Reid, Scott Smith and Beverly Reid, Director Scott Wilson

Above: St. Arnaud Community Kitchen, $7,872. (left to right) Director Naomi Medlyn, Sheryl Morris, Kim Lambert, Kath Butler, Tracey Dunstan, Director Scott Wilson.

Page 10 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

Above: St. Arnaud Lions Club received funds for the 2023 Christmas procession (left to right) Community Bank Staff Aley Earl, Arnold Bond, Phil McRae, Director Naomi Medlyn.

St. Arnaud 50 Years Ago: December 1973

Heart Safe communities

- by Heather Pritchard

Engagements THIS year, St. Arnaud was lucky enough to be chosen to promote ‘Heart Safe Communities’.

This engagement is a partnership between Ambulance Victoria and the Heart Foundation, to work alongside communities across rural Victoria to empower and promote lifesaving action when someone is in cardiac arrest, while an ambulance is on the way.

Statistically, when a member of the public performs CPR, a person is twice as likely to survive and if an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is used, the survival rate dramatically increases from one in ten to seven in ten people surviving.

“Saving lives is a team effort and the whole community of St. Arnaud is a vital part of that team… and anyone can play a part

- Contributed in saving lives” said Alex Cairns, St. Arnaud Team Manager.

Ambulance Victoria has kindly donated an AED and an outdoor box, which is now located on the main entrance doors of Junction Roadhouse.

This will be available to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Additionally, Ambulance Victoria has also kindly donated an external alarmed AED box to anyone willing to allow their Defibrillator to become available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the public to use.

Please contact Corrie.bussem@ambulance.vic.gov.au if you are willing to assist and a location will be chosen.

Robyn Casey and Barry Michael.

Barbara Wiseman and Greg Summerville.

Weddings

Above: (left to right) Chris Piert and Corrie Bussem Ambulance Community Officers from St. Arnaud displaying the donated defibrillator and case to Junction Roadhouse St. Arnaud.

Corbin Robert.

Richard and Doreen Heritage, a son Anthony Scott.

Frank and Sheilah Keane, a son Justin.

Robert and Julie Waugh, a son Anthony Robert.

Julie Edwards and Ken McLean.

Helen Edwards and Laurie Ward.

Ted Thurston and Grace Howlett.

Pauline Nunan and Peter Martin.

77.

Births

75.

Noel and Bernice Fithall, a son Mark Keith.

Brian and Kathryn O’Donnell, a son

Result of accident, Valda Medlyn age 27 and her daughter Kylie Maree age 1 year and 2 months.

Deaths Violet Holness age 78.

Isabel Wellard age John Romano age 88.

Imelda Aston age 54.

Lancelot Watson age

VNI West Community News Over 500 people from across the region turned up to TCV’s community information sessions in October, looking for answers on a range of topics from farming and transmission to bushfire risk management, environmental impacts, land access and compensation.

The project team had some good conversations and were able to answer a lot of questions – but we received a clear message that many people want more detailed information, more regularly, about VNI West and our plans.

This monthly “Community News” column will provide another way for the community to access news and updates on issues that you have told us you care about. This month we are responding to three key things that came up at every community event – when will you finalise the transmission route? Will you need access to private land? And how will landholders be compensated?

What happens next?

In the next stage of the project, we will narrow down the corridor to an easement around 100m wide. As an important part of this process, we are talking to farmers and property owners in the ~2km draft corridor. If you believe that your property falls within the draft corridor and you have not yet heard from us, we apologise – it has been challenging to find accurate contact details for some properties. We encourage you to call us on 1800 824 221 – your input is critical to help find the best route with the least impact. We would also like to reassure you that a discussion with TCV in no way implies that you agree to have transmission on your land.

Above: The available free defibrillator case to be donated for one location in St. Arnaud.

Fair compensation for landholders

New VCAT Members appointed to clear backlog

Payments to landholders for a transmission easement will recognise any loss in market value, increased costs and lost profit from farming operations as a result of the easement. This is in addition to payment under a Victorian Government scheme of $8,000 per kilometre per year for 25 years (indexed to CPI) - that is, more than $200,000 for each kilometre of line.

A significant step has been taken towards clearing the residential tenancy cases backlog and reducing wait times across the board with the appointment of 20 new members to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Compensation payments will vary according to individual circumstances. Landholders can use their own valuers and lawyers, and TCV will cover reasonable costs associated with that advice. TCV will use a similar assessment methodology to other transmission projects, which in some cases has resulted in large payments to landholders.

VCAT's capacity to hear cases has been heavily impacted over the years by challenges in the rental market, COVID-19 pandemic and new rental laws.

This was most felt within the tribunal's busiest area, the Residential Tenancies Division, which accounts for about two-thirds of VCAT's total caseload.

Attorney- General Jaclyn Symes has congratulated the new VCAT members on their appointments.

Sixteen of the new appointees will start work on reducing the

residential tenancies backlog early in the New Year with the backlog scheduled to be fully cleared before the end of 2024.

The other four new members will work on the Planning and Environment lists.

The Victorian Budget 2022/23 invested more than $300 million to respond to increased demand across the justice system, including $41 million to help clear case backlogs caused by the pandemic.

The new appointees will start with VCAT by January 2024.

Land access for surveys TCV will be seeking access to some private properties to conduct field surveys. Initial studies in coming months will be non-invasive, simply gathering data to build a better understanding of flora and fauna to help assess potential environmental impacts. We will request consent from landholders, and if you are willing to grant access, we will respect any biosecurity measures and follow your farm rules.

Landholders who enter a land access agreement for survey work will be paid $10,000 ($5000 per year for 2 years). Land access agreements are for survey work only and do not imply that you agree to have infrastructure on your property or allow construction or other works.

Your feedback is important and we invite you to get in touch through the contact details below. For further information including the Landholder Guide, Fact Sheets, FAQs, reports and Project Updates, please visit the TCV website.

Freecall: Email: Website:

1800 824 221 enquiries@transmissionvictoria.com.au transmissionvictoria.com.au NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 11

S T. A R N A U D S H O P P I N G P R O M O T I O N

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Page 12 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

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NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 13

St. Arnaud Red Star Sale Days ### Prize - $1,000 cash ###

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Your local option for commercial & residential sola r & battery installations

Phone: 5495 144 9

107 NAPIER STRE ET, ST. ARNAUD

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Spare Par ts ficates y Cer ti Roadwor th r vice & Par ts Se Chainsaw t Call in a

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f f o % 0 2

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Phone: 5495 1869

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Enamel Cookware Set ★ 11 piece ......................$64.99 ★ Picnic Table and Benches .................$119.99 Goanna Hydration Pack 1.5 litre .....$34.99 Kids Head Lights - Koala, Dog, Croc ★ .................................................................................................................$11.99 ★ UFO Tent Light ............................................................$12.99

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Page 14 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

# # #

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end $20 # Sp to receive

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- 101 Napier

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BOOK S our current books Come in and browse tmas presents for last minute Chris adings. re and all your holiday ry Christmas Wishing you a mer ar. and a happy new ye

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St. Arnaud Gif ts & Accessories ★ fo r that ideal gift you’ve been looking for, kids toys etc.

113 - 115 Napier St, ST .

ST. ARNAUD 1 RAGLAN STREET, 9

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it

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P: 03 5477 3999

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NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 15

ART EXHIBITION The Bendigo Artists Collective

“Diversity In Colour” Official opening Saturday, 9th Dec. ‘23 Viewing and sales Friday - Sunday 11am to 4pm Raillery Hub Gallery & Shop Queens Ave., St Arnaud

Charlton Florist and Fashion

Closing, Shifting, Clearance Sale 9 High Street Charlton

EMPLOYMENT St. Arnaud Country Music

Campus Base Negotiable • Graduate Registered Nurse Birchip • Food & Domestic Service Assistant Charlton • Administration Assistant • Enrolled Nurse • Registered Nurse St Arnaud • Enrolled Nurse • Maintenance Officer Wycheproof • Enrolled Nurse • Registered Nurse • Resident Lifestyle Coordinator

MEETINGS

Murdoch Auxiliary Christmas Raffle

WINNERS

St. Arnaud & District Orchid Society

1st Prize: Mary McLoughlan 2nd Prize: Bev Ward 3rd Prize: Jeanette Stevens

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

Next meeting will be our Christmas Party 6.00 for 6.30 start

Uncle Bob’s

Market Fair Saturday, December 9th, 2023.

9am - 2pm Enquiries phone 5495 1743

Phone Joan: 5491 2220

Don’t forget...

Job Opportunities

WHATS ON

PUBLIC NOTICE

Super Christmas Show Sunday, 10th December 6pm ‘till 10pm

Guest Artist -

Justin STANDLEY

NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION 181(5)(B) LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1989 TAKE NOTICE the Loddon Shire Council of 41 High Street, Wedderburn, VIC 3518, in accordance with Section 181 of the Local Government Act 1989, intends on or after 3 January 2024 to sell or transfer to itself ALL THAT piece of land being Lots 1, 2 and 3 on Title Plan 241480Y being more particularly described in Certificate of Title Volume 08086 Folio 070 being the land situate at 7 Perryman Street, Borung VIC 3518. The registered owner, being Patrick Hamish Jobling, having failed for a period of more than three years to have paid the rates and charges in respect of same, having further failed to pay such rates and charges pursuant to an Order of the Magistrates' Court of Victoria at Bendigo on 17 April 2023 requiring payment of such rates and charges.

Executive Collections Legal Services Level 40, 140 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Ph +61 3 8318 4908 Ref 402433

St Arnaud Carols at The Square Market Square (Behind the Town Hall)

Saturday 9th, Dec, 7:30pm Please bring your own chairs, rugs etc

Please be seated by 7:15pm Wet weather venue: Town Hall Contact: Andrew George Vision St Arnaud Ph: 0409 291 430

Members $10; Non Members $12

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

ST ARNAUD PHARMACY GREEN FRIDAY SALE DECEMBER

Further information available at: https://ewhs.org.au/careers

FRIDAY

KOOREH DISTRICT

CHRISTMAS TEA SUNDAY 10th DECEMBER 2023 A Community “Get together” will be held outside (weather permitting) at the Kooreh Memorial Hall for a Christmas tea beginning at 6.30pm with your own picnic tea at 7.00pm.

Santa will be there to distribute Gifts & Lollies to the children.

Parents to supply a gift for their own children up to PRIMARY school age, up to the value $10.00.

Please put your child’s Christian and Surname on their parcel.

08

9:00AM-7:00PM

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND ENJOY EXCLUSIVE REVIVE MEMBER ONLY OFFERS FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

UP TO

20% OFF FRAGRANCES 20% OFF GIFTWARE 20% OFF JEWELLERY 15% OFF HANDBAGS EXCLUSIONS APPLY

Please bring your own food, sweets and drinks to have.

Also you will need to bring your own chairs too.

EVERYONE WELCOME

Rubber Stamps Enquiries:- Helen Rigby 0428 385 862 or Greg McNally 0429 094 560

Page 16 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

North Central News - (03) 5495 1055

BIRTHDAYS

AT YOUR SERVICE

• IRONSTONE

REMOVALS - Maryborough- runs south.

Phone: 0412 726 432.

Happy Self Storage 50th Birthday CORBIN

• 7 DAYS ACCESS • BUSINESS STOCK • LONG OR SHORT TERM STORAGE AVAILABLE

Hayley:

0409 337 276,

DEATH

CHURCH NOTICES

SILVA (Pitt) - Dorothy Eilene passed away peacefully on Nov. 30th 2023 in St Arnaud aged 74 yrs.

Dearly loved wife of Robert (dec) and Bruce Greenaway. Youngest child of George and May (both dec) and sister of Keith (dec), Shirley (dec) and Joseph.

You will live forever in our hearts

ST. ARNAUD UNITING CHURCH

SILVA (Pitt) - Dorothy Eilene A true friend who will be sadly missed.

Alan and Heather Esmore.

Luke:

0458 885 266 St. Arnaud Serenity Storage

FUNERAL

Solicitor 116 Napier St., St. Arnaud

Practical, experienced advice in plain English

We hope you have the best day and enjoy your celebrations!

All our love Elisha, Sophie and Lucy XXX

Appointments also available in Charlton, Donald & Wycheproof

Ph: 5495 2595 Karen@klp.net.au

DEATH

RELOCATED Nicola Kirk Physiotherapist Over 15 years experience Open Mon to Fri 63 Napier Street, ST. ARNAUD

0400 451 432 or 5495 1108

Top of the Town Beauty Salon For all your Hair and Beauty NEEDS

Ph: 5495 1306 ~ OPEN ~ Monday to Friday

CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKS NOW AVAILABLE!

BALDWIN (Cobden) - Valda Jean passed away suddenly on 30th Nov. 2023, aged 84 years. Dearly loved wife of Owen (dec) and Devoted mother of Jenny and Brett, Daryl; Greg and Cindy. Adored Nan of Tristian and Samantha, Jesse and Steph, Chloe and Sam, Sam, Alex and Tom, Katie, Nick and Kara, Billie, Grace, Charlie and Great Nanny Val to Baylie, Ethan, Charlotte, Jed, Alfie, Poppy, Bobby and Bowie.

Thanks for all the great times we all had together, they will be kept in our hearts and treasured forever.

BALDWIN (Cobden) - Valda Jean Loving memories of our dearly loved cousin. We will all miss the fantastic time on the farm at Gre Gre as our family growing up with you as like an older sibling.

The Ward Family.

Rhonda, Joy Faye and Laurie.

MARCHMENT - Keith Late of St. Arnaud.

Died 10-11-2023. Buried on the 16th November, as per his wishes.

Colours, Perms, Unisex Cuts, Waxing, Teeth Whitening, Brow Wax & Tinting, Tanning etc..

110 Napier St., St. Arnaud

Get it through our

WANTed ads!

(03) 5495 1055

FOR SALE Rotary Club of St. Arnaud Traditional Rum & Brandy Fruit Cakes

$20

Ideal as

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

BALDWIN A celebration for Val’s life will be held at the St Arnaud Golf Course Clubrooms, which all are welcome to attend today, WEDNESDAY Dec 6th at 11.00.

Tributes at lifelived.com.au KELL FUNERALS ST ARNAUD NFDA

EST: 1860

5495 1043 SILVA The funeral for Mrs. Dorothy Silva will be held at the Uniting Church St. Arnaud on FRIDAY (Dec 8th) at 1.00 pm. The cortege will then leave for the St. Arnaud Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family wish Donations be made to Cancer Research. Envelopes at church.

KELL FUNERALS ST ARNAUD NFDA

EST: 1860

5495 1043

Sunday 10th December ST. ARNAUD 9.30am G. Pearse STUART MILL No service, combined with St. Arnaud PARISH OFFICE Chris & Rob Batters Pastorial Co-ordinators Enquiries 5495 6223

THE fifth installment of the powerful movie franchise The Hunger Games comes to the Rex screen this weekend with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – based on the 2020 Suzanne Collins novel of the same name.

ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST. ARNAUD Christ Church Old Cathedral Friday 8th December 9am Morning Prayer St. Arnaud 9.30am Every Sunday Eucharist Bealiba 8am 2nd/4th Sunday All Welcome Rev. Peter Downes Enquiries phone: Phone: 0412 957 383

DISTRICT CATHOLIC CHURCHES East Wimmera Parish BIRCHIP

Sunday December 10th 10.30am Live Stream in BOORT

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

Sunday December 10th 8.30am Mass

Fifth ‘Hunger Games’ screening at REX

This newest addition to the series is a prequel story introducing a teenage Coriolanus Snow before he becomes the authoritarian president of Panem – a character who featured in the original2012 The Hunger Games movie.

Sixty four years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) became the tyrannical President of Panem, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes follows the young man who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol.

With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to

CHURCH NOTICES ST. ARNAUD CHURCH OF CHRIST

DONALD

Saturday December 9th 7.00pm Mass ST. ARNAUD

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

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

Cnr. Queens Ave & Alma St. Celebrating the second Sunday of Advent Thu 7th December 10.30 a.m.: Faith Group Sun 10th December 10.00 a.m. Prayer Time 10.30 a.m.: Worship & Communion Speaker: Sharon Douglas All welcome Enquiries: Brian Eccles Ph: 5495 2267

POSTLETHWAITE Roy and family would like to thank everyone for their love and support on the passing of Joan.

Your kindness has been of great comfort during this time of sadness for our family.

BALDWIN - Malcolm 15/08/1937 - 10/12/2022 One year has passed since you grew your angel wings and became our guardian angel.

You are often spoken about.

Always remembered.

Forever loved.

Dot; Alison, Roydon, Ella and Hamish; Andrew, Katrina, Olivia and Marcus.

MARCHMENT - Mervyn Ten years have passed since you left us. Not a day goes past without your name being mentioned.

We miss you.

Love Rhonda and families.

Gift Vouchers The Rex is asking all patrons who have expired gift vouchers to please note that they will no longer be ac-

Carols @ the Rex Sunday night 10 December will see the annual Carols event return under a new leadership group comprising the four local Churches, the Charlton / Wycheproof Citizen’s Band and The Rex Theatre.

An evening of song and celebration will set the Christmas mood with the Rex doors opening at 7pm and carols kicking off at 7:30pm.

Gold coin entry, with glow sticks and glow bracelets available for purchase.

Get your vocal chords primed, add some Christmas sparkle and make it a family night out!

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (M157mins) screens on Saturday 9th December at 8pm, Sunday 10th December at 2pm and Tuesday 12th December at 8pm.

Christmas Lights Celebration

BEREAVEMENT THANK YOU

IN MEMORIAM

mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12.

But after Lucy Gray's charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates.

With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor.

Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy's race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake."

Adding depth to the central character of Snow and allowing fans to see the origins of how the whole story began, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, with its strong cast (including Viola Davis and Peter Dinklage) and action narrative will be a “must-see” for followers of this franchise.

- Contributed cepted after 23rd December 2023. Following the turmoil of the COVID years, the theatre closure during the backstage re-build and the 2022 flood there was a period of leniency to try and accommodate the ongoing disruptions. That period will finish at the end of this year.

LIGHT UP YOUR HOME Supported by Lions Club Of St. Arnaud

KELL FUNERALS Est 1860

PRE PAID FUNERALS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS

Ph: 5495 1043

136 Napier Street St. Arnaud

NAFD Member

Birthday wishes to: December 6th Maurie Hill December 8th Lynette Fernandes Tanya O’Brien Daniel Baumgartner December 9th Ambrose McIntyre Brady Tillig Gabrielle Jorgensen

St. Arnaud Solar

December 10th Corbin O’Donnell (50) Kyle Birthisel Abby McIntyre December 11th Matt Condie Donald Palmer Hailie Jackson December 12th Drew Swanton

Winners announced at Lions Christmas Procession December 15th at Market Square Register your entry by 10th December Email: johnbeggs2003@yahoo.com.au or phone 0417 448 929

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 17

New grants set to tackle weeds and pests A new round of grants, the second, that will help Victorian farmers manage established weeds and pest animals has opened with the Partnerships Against Pests Grants Program at the annual Victorian Biosecurity Roundtable.

allowing them to expand their reach statewide and strengthen partnerships with local communities.

In Victoria, established weeds and pest animals are estimated to cost agricultural landowners $869 million per year in management and lost production costs – as they cause significant damage to landscapes and waterways.

For more information on the available grants and to apply, visit agriculture. vic.gov.au/support-andresources/funds-grants -programs.

Minister for promote collaboration Agriculture Ros Spence between neighbours said the grants will and wider communities. ensure more people Grants worth gain access to the latest between $10,000 and information to combat $50,000 are available to weeds and pests, which a wide range of will help protect our agricultural and enviagriculture industry ronmental volunteering and precious natural organisations, includresources. ing Landcare groups “Established weeds and networks.

Above: (left to right) Jo Mar n By Five, Hon. Minister Lizzie Blandthorn, Cara Miller and Hannah and pests will continue A further $250,000 Purcell By Five, Tarrah Dodds West Wimmera Health Service, Sylvie Pick-Minh, RCH, Yingying He, to pose a huge threat on has also been allocated West Wimmera Health Service.

Victoria’s agricultural to Victoria’s four operations – so these Community Pest grants will make sure Management Groups, these communities are prepared.”

“The second round of the Partnerships Against Pests will promote collaboration with Residential, Rural, WIMMERA Health, Education and Social Care Professionals can celebrate By Five initiative and communities and delivCommercial & Leasing er local solutions.” being winners of the Victorian Early Years Award for Promoting Children’s funding received by See your local the RCH. Cara Miller, The new round of Health and Wellbeing with the locally designed Paediatric Project. program manager said funding worth $500,000 Nutrien Harcourts Real Estate team The By Five Early not only long wait themselves have also “the service receives will help community Sharlene Bertalli: Years initiative times, but associated reported immense proreferrals from all groups deliver workreceived the award expenses and time off fessional benefit in across the Wimmera shops and resources 0447 952 320 after being named work or away from being able to support from St. Arnaud to including fact sheets 2 4 Drum: 2 2 Land finalists for the ongohome when needing to families in this way 123 mK Damian a n isize v a , Wa r r a c k and videos showcasing ing dedication to access a specialised and build their confinabeal to Edenhope best practice manage0428 952 284 SUBURB | 00 Name Street, NSW 0000 supporting rural chilPaediatrician’ said By dence in managing and seeing the outment tips.

13-19 Napier Street, St. Arnaud dren in accessing Five Executive Officer, future challenges”. comes for children has It will also help to behavioural and Jo Martin.

The initial project been enormously developmental paedia“The fact that famitrial was funded rewarding. tricians in a timely lies can stay local with through the “Over 200 children manner, a partnership their maternal and Department of Jobs, have received timely project with the Royal child health nurse, GP Skills, Industry and care, close to home Children's Hospital. or speech therapist, Regions, along with which is such a relief “This is an award for who they know well support from the for parents and truly the Wimmera and the and have a telehealth Wimmera Health Week ending Wednesday 29 November 2023 — By Glendon Hancock enables children to RCH. Parents were Paediatric appointment Services. thrive.”

AFTER two successive weeks of overall solid rises, the Australian wool telling us the frustrais so reassuring.

The service is now Whilst the local market has eased slightly this series, heavily influenced by currency movements. tion they experience in “The professionals supported through the workforce, families and After 5.7% of the total a n d t h e 20 . 0 - m i c ro n Interestingly, while children have benefitoffering was withdrawn MPGs in Fremantle).

Melbourne and Fremantle ed enormously through prior to sale, the large With the other three have increased their dollar the initiative, the RCH offering forecast last week sectors all losing ground amounts (plus 9 million DID you know that experts believe that multiple exposures to COVID-123 m too have gained a 2 2 4 2dollars 2 Land size 123 Land size did not 4eventuate, instead themAWEX Eastern Market and plus 11 million greater understanding 19 increase the risk of long-term illness.

46,908 bales were available Indicator (EMI) dropped respectively), Sydney has SUBURB | 00 Name Street, NSW 0000 SUBURB | 00 Name Street, NSW 0000 of rural challenges, the to the trade, this was 3,220 by 4 cents for the week, lost ground (minus 13 milWith summer now have advice for us. testing to get a feel of strengths of the region, more bales than the previ- closing at 1,166 cents. lion) highlighting the upon us, Victorians the COVID incidence Although the inciand have been markedous week.

Due to a strengthening larger falls that the finer face the third in the community. dence of COVID in ly impressed by the After five months of of the Australian dollar merino microns have expeChristmas in a COVID Quantitative each wave is lower skills and knowledge of the new season has been (the AUD gained nearly a rienced this year, thus wave, weeks ahead of wastewater levels than the last, you do the professionals on completed, the tot al full cent compared to the more heavily impacting the rest of Australia. indicate there are curnot want to be one of the ground. a m o u n t o f wo o l p u t USD), when viewed in Sydney’s large Superfine rently high COVID-19 the cases.

The number of through the auction system USD terms the EMI selection.

Cara also commentviral loads in people in Victorian So mask up when is tracking well above that r e c o rd e d a n ove r a l l Next week 47,917 bales ed that, “None of this Victorian wastewater, hospitals after getting you are in populated of the previous season. increase, the EMI added 8 are expected to be nationcould have been is the message from COVID-19 has been Office Name here if applicable 0000 0000 There have been 62,672 nutrienharcourts.com.au places, such as the US cents for the week, ally. achieved without(03)the the Victorian Health steadily rising in more bales offered in the closing at 776 US cents. supermarket and cerMelbourne incredible goodwill, Department. recent weeks, with a 2 0 2 3 / 24 s e a s o n , a n With the total amount Ind. tainly in hospitals, passion, and dedication 1136M -4 daily average of 326, Deaths in the most increase of 8.5%. offered now well above 16.5 and use hand sanitisof the local profession1887n +19 an increase on recent recent 28-day period The movements in the the previous year, the total er, is the message. als on the ground.

17 1784 +26 weeks but still below individual Micron Price dollar amount of wool has have continued to If it has been six “Their willingness 17.5 1702 +12 Guides (MPGs) for meri- now surpassed the correa peak in early June. increase, with a curmonths since you last to try something dif18 1583 -11 no f leece across the sponding sale of the rent 28-day total of had a booster or actuferent for the Victorian 18.5 1510 -8 country ranged between previous season.

144. Increases and ally had the virus, you beterment of children 19 1441 -22 plus 26 cents clean (17.0There has been 971 decreases in the stats are due for another. in their communities m i c ro n MPG i n million dollars’ worth of 19.5 1380 -19 reporting of deaths It is important that has been humbling.

The rate of deaths Melbourne) to minus 41 wool sold, an increase of 7 20 1346 -21 attributable to you protect those that has remained fairly “They have so much cents clean (both the 18.5 million year on year.

COVID-19 tend to lag 21 1329 -23 are more vulnerable constant, with a 28expertise and go above waves of infections 22 National Offering than yourself. day total to Friday of and beyond, and it’s and hospitalisations Centre Week Days Offering 23 144, compared to 145 Two new COVID really demonstrated to by several weeks.

North 22 28, 29 Nov. 12,805 24 last Friday. vaccines, one from the RCH as well the South 22 28, 29 Nov. 24,553 25 722 -23 As it is no longer Moderna and another importance of relationExperts West 22 28, 29 Nov. 9,550 26 526 -20 mandatory to report from Pfizer, have just al practice, or what we advice Total 46,908 28 cases, we and health 345 -5 been approved for use like to call good old With social interauthorities across the i n Au s t r a l i a a n d Future Offerings fashioned country spir30 322 -5 action high over the country now largely 23 12, 13, 14 Dec. 47,917 32 should be available it, you can’t measure 300 -3 summer, the experts rely on wastewater from mid-December. it” Cara said.

Source - AWEX MC 676n -20

Wimmera children are the real winners

LISTINGS WANTED

COVID Updates and Developments

Page 18 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

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Free health checks for St. Arnaud residents ST. ARNAUD residents will be able to check their health for free at a special event in the leadup to Christmas.

Free health checks are being offered on 7th December at the St Arnaud Neighbourhood House at 34 Alma Street from 10:30am- 3:30pm as part of a joint Grampians Community Health and Ballarat Com-munity Health initiative.

It is the first event of its type but others will be organised across the Grampians and Wimmera regions in 2024.

Grampians Community Health Targeted Response project lead Mel Pesic

said the checks would be like a one-stop shop for health.

“We are trying to reach people who may not have easy access to medical support,” Ms Pesic said.

Ballarat Community Health nurses and vaccination nurses will be on site to provide free health checks to the community and provide COVID -19 boosters.

A diabetes educator from Grampians Community Health will be available, along with a service naviga-

tor intake worker so referrals can be made to other health programs.

“We want to make it easy for people to access the services they need and advise them on the next steps they could take,” Ms Pesic said.

During COVID-19 Grampians Community Health supported and educated communities, particularly people who were most vulnerable due to living conditions, health literacy, or limited supports to get access to COVID-19 vaccinations and information.

“We continue to support the people that

we helped over this time, and are offering supports, boosters and health information to more people across our shire by reaching out directly to where people are in the smaller communities,” GCH Manager Community and Capacity, Kristy Price, said.

On 7th December, free health checks and health information will be offered, free RATS and masks provided, information provided about COVID-19 vaccination boosters and vaccinations given if needed, and people will be linked to further health ser vices if

needed.

“Everyone is welcome to come along to chat to our community nurses and receive a free health check and find out more about programs offered

by GCH,” Ms Price said.

Other Grampians Community Health workers will be on hand and are able to assist with information about services that can support people in the St. Arnaud community.

Between now and May 2024, GCH plans to visit other smaller towns across the shire with the free health check program.

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THIS year the Christmas Lights competition will be sponsored by St. Arnaud Solar and already some St. Arnaud residents are up and running with their displays.

This beautiful display was noticed last week.

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NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 19

Showcasing Dance Capital students 2023 DANCE Capital presented their 2023 Showcase on Saturday 4th November to an appreciative - Contributed audience.

Students performed a selection of jazz, tap, hip hop, classical, lyrical and neo routines which entertained and delighted family and friends.

Principal Mrs Jennae Polkinghorne congratulated students on a fantastic year and thanked all of the studio families who year after year support and celebrate the students’ love of dance.

2023 Award winners Dancer of the Year - Finn Wilson

2023 Scholarships Sienna Carroll Isabella Bigmore Zarleya Hutchinson Alexia Mernik

Performers of the Show Georgie Wandel Keegan Amos

Most Improved awards Tiny Tots - Vivian Polkinghorne Mini Theatrical - Remi Pickthall Junior Theatrical - Aavah Hendy Inter Theatrical - Hannah Stones Senior Theatrical - Mahlie Morris Adult Theatrical - Maddison Hendy All Stars - Michael Bearder Junior Hip Hop - Gracie Medlyn Inter Hip Hop - Amelia Watts Senior Hip Hop - Ava Wilson Mini Ballet - Bonnie McNally Junior Ballet - Maria Taylor Inter Ballet - Georgie Wandel

Above: 2023 Dancer of the Year Mr Finn Wilson pictured with Miss Jennae.

siness Above: Myah, Jayde and Sienna celebrating after the show.

Above: Miss Kaleisha Craddock and Bonnie McNally.

Mine Lane quarry mining not yet finished

AT the Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) meeting of this week, Monday, in a question from Peter Rose and Ian Moerman, the council was asked about the ceasing of work in the Mine Lane quarry pit in Carapooee.

Above: Junior Theatrical team (left to right) Georgie MacTaggart, Zarleya Hutchinson, Ruby Wright, Torah Watts and Elyza Mernik.

Supporting Local Business

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Calling all Businesses

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

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

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

Calling C alling all all B Businesses usinesses advocates for the local story of each of our townships, covering the issues D·HFWLQJ us all. In addition we play an important role in promoting our local businesses and organisations. North Central Directory will further help connect our local residents with our great local businesses.

Visit our new website and join us in Supporting Your Local Businesses.

www.northcentraldirectory.com.au

We’d love to invite every local business in our A new place to ΈQd of our great Local all Businesses region toallbe part of Businesses the North Central Calling Directory.

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

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

advocates for the local story of each of our townships, covering the issues D·HFWLQJ us all. In addition we play an important role in promoting our local businesses and organisations. North Central Directory will further help connect our local residents with our great local businesses.

Visit our new website and join us in Supporting Your Local Businesses.

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

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

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Page 20 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

The question stated that recently trucks have been seen coming and going from Mine Lane and Mr Rose and Mr Moerman wish to know if the council is committed to resuming work.

Mr Trenton Fithall responded to the question saying that work has been suspended at this particular pit.

“But we know there is more material still there” said Mr Fithall.

“Council will determine whether or not work will resume and rehabilitation will occur once work it is clear that work on the pit has been ceased” Mr Fithall said.

a small trial pit in Stuart Mill Low Road with the plan to mine a large pit if the trial proved effective.

However, the planning application was withdrawn in 2019 after community opposition.

The community is aware that council will be looking for a new site that would minimise impact on residents, while providing enough locally sourced gravel to construct and maintain local roads and bridges.

WEEKLY RAINFALL ST. ARNAUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.0m

New quarry must be found

RAINFALL FOR DECEMBER . . . . . . .0.0 D

The council uses locally sourced gravel to construct and maintain more than 3,000 kilometres of local roads and bridges, and has sourced the majority of its gravel from council-owned gravel pits which has proven to be a cost-effective way to maintain the road network.

The council's Mine Lane quarry in Carapooee although it is nearing the end of its life, has supplied gravel for road construction projects, although no longer has the capacity to meet demand.

When council was searching for a suitable new gravel quarry, in 2015 Northern Grampians Shire Council applied for a planning permit to develop

YEARLY RAINFALL TO DATE . . . . .386.5 CHARLTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4m RAINFALL FOR DECEMBER . . . . . . .0.0 YEARLY RAINFALL TO DATE . . .254.0m North Central News is published weekly by Peter Marland, 3279 Charlton/St. Arnaud Road, Slaty Creek for NCNews Pty. Ltd., 18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. A.C.N. 146 461 903. Printed by Western District Newspaper P/L, Camperdown Vic. Registered by Australia Post Publication No. VAC 4217 - Recommended and maximum selling price only.

Lightning Bolts compete again at Tri State games TRI STATE games team the Lightning Bolts once again had six wonderful - Contributed days competing in the 2023 games held at Cobram.

The team arrived Sunday afternoon, and Sunday evening they attended the welcoming event held at the Barooga Sports Club.

Monday started with the Parade down the main street of Cobram with many of the locals coming out to cheer and welcome all the teams to the local district.

Lightning Bolts were full of cheer and ver y excited and proud, showing of their new uniforms which were bright and stood out clearly, creating many comments from the crowd.

A big thanks to the wonderful work done

by Mandy Medlyn and team from Ramjac.

This then was followed by the official opening.

The games began with the indoor sports at the Cobram indoor stadium.

Michael Bearder and Jodie Collins played pool on table one against Wimmera Weapons and won putting them into the

semi-final to play against Mark Sommerville and Glen Castleman of Horsham Heat.

Michael and Jodie lost and Mark and Glen who then played Prydes Champions and won.

Shaun Pavey and Chantelle Duncan played off against Mildura Magic on table two and won putting them into the semifinal.

Karl Vanderlinden and Damien Yole played on table two against Swan Hill Tigers with Swan Hill Tigers winning.

Shaun and Chantelle then played off against Swan Hill Tigers and won and then played off against Ararat Swifts and won giving them the gold.

Brad Chester and Anthony Spencer played Carpet Bowls coming fourth.

The stadium was cleared at the end of the day to make way for the dinner which Halloween was the dress-up theme for

Monday night.

What a sight it was with our team going all out.

The dance floor was full of an array of different costumes.

Tuesday saw the Aquatics take place at the Yarrawonga Aquatics Centre with it being cold and raining for most of the day with the sun appearing after the events had finished.

BBQ and pool party followed af ter the medal presentations with Lightning Bolts pooling five gold, four silver and two bronze.

Wednesday was rest day, so the team mixed with many of the other teams staying at the RACV Cobram Resort, and made some new friends and met a lot of old friends.

Thursday the Athletics took place at the Barooga Football oval.

The weather was perfect and the Lightning Bolts blitzed the medals, bringing home nine gold, seven silver, three bronze and

Above: Back row: (left to right) Anthony Spencer, Michael Beader, Brad Chester, Karl Vanderllinden, Shaun Pavey. Front: (left to right) Jodie Collins, Damien Yole, Chantelle Duncan. one personal best.

Masquerade was the theme for the dinner, again the variety was wonderful and made for a great atmosphere.

Friday was the team’s event and Lightning Bolts played cricket against three different teams.

No medals for this as this is done in friendship.

Friday night was Gala night, many nice gowns and the men were dressed in ties.

Lightning Bolts

receiving three trophies, with Chantelle Duncan receiving 1st in the A division female with the most overall points.

Lightning Bolts received 2nd in the overall points for the Athletics day and a 2nd in the overall points for the games with 1st place going to Pals Panthers of Shepparton by 1 point.

Once again we are proud of the Lightning Bolts team and for what they have

achieved and for the way they show respect and sportsmanship to the other teams.

This shows when they are congratulated and given such support and good comments from the other teams and support workers and Committee members.

We would like to thank the community for their support with our fundraising events to help make the 2023 games such a success.

We would like to

thank our major sponsors, Murdoch Auxiliary, Kurracaburn Heights, Loddon Valley 8 ball association, Elders St. Arnaud, St. Arnaud Football club, Lions Club, Kye Jenkyn, Kells Funerals, Wes and Michelle Jenkyn, K and S Birthisel Wedderburn Hotel, Weirs I.G.A, Lil, Rhonda.

We are looking forward to competing in the 2024 games being held in Portland, Victoria.

Above: Back row: (left to right) (unknown) Anthony Spencer, Michael Bearder, Brad Chester. Front row: Jodie Collins, Shaun Pavey, Damien Yole, Chantelle Duncan, Karl Vanderlinden.

Right: The team at the Halloween dress-up theme night on Monday.

Charlton Croquet Club CHARLTON Croquet Club held its annual Peg McGrath Doubles event on Thursday 23rd and Saturday 25th October.

Above: Peg McGrath Doubles winners Anne Kenny (left) and Sue Nicholls.

A double round robin was played.

Anne Kenny and Sue Nicholls won all their games to win the event.

Other pairings were Barb Dalr ymple and Naomi Patullo, and Pat Mathews and Margaret Bowen.

This was the first time Sue had played in this event.

On 1st and 2nd Dec. Lindsay Patullo played in the Victorian Croquet Association Golf Croquet Doubles Handicap at Cairnlea.

Lindsay played, in very wet conditions, with Richard Hingst (Williamstown) and finished Runner up.

Congratulations.

The Murray Valley

- Contributed Croquet Association Pennant Competition has played its final round and the break up day will be held in Swan Hill on Monday 4th Dec. On Thursday 14th Dec. we will play our annual President v Captain event and then take a short break.

Association Croquet will resume on 4th Jan. and Golf Croquet on 8th Jan. Thank you to all who supported our Christmas cake raffle.

The delighted winner was Alan Pyers.

Right: Alan Pyers was the winner of the raffle.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 21

The tradition continues ON 30th November when 20yo La Trobe University student Lauren White drove out onto the track at Yarra Valley she was continuing the tradition of decades of involvement in Harness Racing by both sides of her family.

Her maternal great grandfather the late Ken Ward had trained Standardbreds from his Gre Gre property for many years before his passing with probably the best horse that he was involved with being “General Con”.

Her mother Susan’s brother Clinton McSwain is an accomplished horse breaker and trainer from Longlea.

Lauren’s first drive “Double Dot” is trained by her paternal grandfather 89yo Bill White of Huntly.

Amongst the many horses he had success with was the crowd favourite “Miss Tiny Tot” who built up a following at the races because of her size.

The pint-sized mare won 13 races including the Group 3 “Lightfoot L aurels” and was placed on 40 occasions.

The driver for most of Bill’s starters for the last 43 years has been Lauren’s father Ian White.

Thursday’s drive wasn’t placed but the trotter left the starting gate cleanly taking up a position behind the leader and running a creditable fourth in a time that suggests the horse raced to the best of its ability.

Friday night and the White team were off to Ballarat where the Bachelor of Science student was driving “Im Miss Royalty” who had won 4 races previously but hadn’t been won since September 2022.

The $12 the win seemed a wee bit short considering the mare’s form although according to the trial watchers “Im Miss Royalty” goes really good for Lauren.

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Above: A good day for St. Arnaud tennis teams.

Above: LaTrobe University Bachelor of Science Lauren White heading out onto the track at Yarra Valley for her first race drive aboard “Double Dot”.

From barrier 6 the pair started well and although 4 wide approaching the first turn chances looked good until disaster struck with the mare breaking stride and dropping back to last, a sizeable distance behind the field.

Fortunately the leaders weren’t going hard and Lauren and the mare were able to tack onto the field by the 1400m point where they stayed until entering the back straight the last time when they pulled out 3 wide with a trial.

Past the 400 the pair were still last but coming out of the final turn they shifted four wide and with a 29.36 final quarter had a 2.2m margin over the rest of the field at the finish.

Another winner at Ballarat was the McNaulty’s 4yo maiden trotter “Its Not Love Me” who had placed second at Melton two nights early.

The winner was bred by Jason McNaulty from his “Wagon Apollo” mare “Cheque Again” making it a half sister to Jason’s handy trotter “Chissy” who has won 14 races.

Friday night’s Ballarat meeting was for the Bacchus Marsh Trialing Club and their $10,000 Trotters Cup was won by the

Inside running

by Archie

Moyreisk stable of Barry and Ashleigh Ainsworth with “Baarlinee”.

The 6yo mare who is racing much more tractably at her most recent starts has now won on 7 occasions for owner K atrina Ainsworth and has been driven in all its wins by son and cotrainer Ashleigh.

The Gadsden stable’s good form continued when they made the formidable trip to Yarra Valley on Thursday winning again with “Bizzness Class” who despite a momentary wheel lock at the top of the straight was able to regain its momentum to win by a head for driver Abby Sanderson.

That success makes it 4 wins from 10 starts for the gelding since it moved to the Charlton Training Centre.

Swan Hill race again today (6/12) and Maryborough tomorrow with the Gunbower Cup meeting on Sunday.

Early nominations feature a few locals so fingers crossed they can bring home at least one of the Cups.

Birchip bagged by an upbeat St. Arnaud WITH the farmers of Birchip in full swing harvest mode, and absent, it was always going to be hard for the two Birchip lawn tennis teams (Birchip and Wirrim) to snatch victory from the two St. Arnaud teams (St Arnaud and Kara Kara) who were playing on their excellent home courts.

Above: St. Arnaud's international import Peter Scott readies for a volley.

So it was to be as the Men’s Doubles combinations for both St. Arnaud teams outclassed its opposition which was fortified with women and junior player substitutes as required.

Interestingly, the results in each section and the final results overall were very similar for each match – St .Arnaud defeating Birchip 109-86 games (8-2 pts) and Kara Kara overcoming Wirrim 110-89 games (8-2 pts).

Strengthened with the return of its top player, Bailey Durward, and with Shane Jones returning from Ballarat for a hit, St. Arnaud Men’s Doubles combinations won all its encounters with Bailey, Scott Wright, Thomas Watts and its “international import” Peter Scott all recording three set wins for the day.

While the Ladies were no match for their opposition it was pleas-

Wimmera Mallee Cricket results round 7 A Grade Birchip 10/92 (35.4) lost to Donald Jeffcott 5/216 (40) St Marys 10/109 (37) lost to Marnoo 2/111 (30) Wycheproof/Narraport 10/64 (34.1) lost to St Arnaud Saints 7/65 (25.4) B Grade Charlton B Grade 6/217 (40) def. St Marys 10/80 (33.4) Donald Jeffcott 9/156 (40) def.Birchip Swans B 9/94 (26.2) St. Arnaud Saints v. Southern Mallee Giants N/A Watchem Panthers 10/67 (25.4) lost to BrimKSH 5/161 (40) Ladder A grade Donald Jeffcott BrimKSH Marnoo St. Arnaud Birchip St. Marys Wyche-Narraport

24 20 10 10 10 4 20

B Grade Donald Jeffcott Charlton Birchip Giants Watchem St. Marys BrimKSH St. Arnaud

20 14 12 10 10 10 4 0

Page 22 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

Above: Kara Kara's Lorys Greenall readies her forehand while Ben Greenaway observes.

Below: Discussion between St. Arnaud's Graeme Male and Kim Nevill as to whose ball it was or is!

- Contributed ing to see Deb Borg and Aimee Jones on court and in a winning mood, with Deb victorious in her three sets.

A 10 game gain was sufficient for St. Arnaud to win the Mixed Doubles 39-29 games and draw the contest to a close.

Meanwhile, on the adjacent courts a similar scenario was playing out.

Kara Kara’s Male family ganged up on their opposition with Jake, Sam and Graeme barely raising a sweat (Graeme more than his sons!) losing only 3 games among them and each, together with Matt Goode, recording impressive three set wins over Birchip’s Wirrim.

Not even the experience of Shar yn Erwin, Wendy Shaw and Kim Nevill was sufficient to knock the confident Wirrim team in the Ladies Doubles and as for the contest on the adjacent courts the final outcome was dependent on the results for the Mixed Doubles.

This result favoured Kara Kara which managed a strong start, pegged back by Wirrim, but with enough “wind in its sail” to breeze home for a 43-29 game victory.

All in all, a successful day for the home teams, but with a warning that the harvest is heading south, and the home ground advantage will be lost next Saturday with St. Arnaud travelling to Charlton and Kara Kara to Donald!

Kara Kara remains second, behind Nullawil, on the NCLTA ladder, with St. Arnaud improving its points tally.

It is always exciting to see the youngsters hard at it having lots of fun and gentle coaching and encouragement on each Saturday morning.

Parents with youngsters 7-16 years are encouraged to take this opportunity to introduce their children to the wonderful game of tennis – just come to the courts at 9.30 am.

Equipment provided.

St. Arnaud starts Second round successfully THE St. Arnaud bowlers had their biggest win of the season last Saturday when they defeated Charlton by 44 shots to start the second round of North Central Division 1 pennant.

St. Arnaud’s Steve Zsigmond, Glendon Hancock, Greg McNally and Tom Amos won 20 of the 25 ends for a very decisive win over Lyn Southwell, P. Watts, W.Southwell and J.Cox. They outbowled the Charlton four for the entire game, scoring 16, 1-4, and 6-3s, a total of 28 shots in just 8 ends.

After an even first 5 ends, Phil McRae, Col Marchment, Graham Simpson and Darren Shepherd took control going to a 25-7 lead over K. North, S.Perry,

J.Headon and J.Ong. This St. Arnaud four won 16 ends to 9.

Charlton’s Kevin Willey, M.O’Brien, D.McCallum and R Porter raced to a 7-0 lead over Terr y McSwain, Maurie Wood, Kerryn Dyke and Tony Marland.

The St. Arnaud team fought back to lead 1210 on the 13th end, and the scores were tied 1717 after the 22nd end.

The Charlton four won the last 3 ends to gain 2 points for their team.

Match details:-

S. Zsigmond 44 def L Southwell 8 P. McRae 30 def K. North 15 T. McSwain 17 lost to K. Willey 24 St. Arnaud 91 shots defeated Charlton 47 shots – 10 points to 2 points.

Other round 8 results: Country Club 72 shots def Wycheproof 59 shots – 10 points to 2 points.

Donald Golf 66 shots defeated Donald 64 shots -- 8 points to 4 points Boort 64 shots defeated Wedderburn 63 shots -- 10 points to 2 points.

Ladder pts 1. St. Arnaud 74

Above: Charlton's Peter Watts lines up his next bowl watched closely by teammates and St. Arnaud's Glendon Hancock.

Country Club bowls - Contributed

DIVISION 1 returned to the winners list with a very good win over Wycheproof.

The Country Club Bowlers appeared to be switched on winning two of the three rinks and securing a win by 13 shots.

Jason Abbott and Bill Rodger’s teams both won by 7 shots, but the only loss was Simon Elliott’s team losing by 1 shot after being level on the last end.

Jason Abbott defeated Eric Rayes 29-22 Bill Rodger defeated Paul Connolly 20-13 Simon Elliott lost to Jonno Grylls 23-24 72 shots to 59 10 points to 2 Division 2 The in form team of Phil Elliott, Chris Webb, Paul Mullins and Leigh Watkins had a great win by 21 shots but the

- Contributed 2. Wycheproof 57 3. Wedderburn 56 4. Donald Golf 53 5. Boort 45 6. Country Club 40 7. Charlton 36 Division two One point only for Saints Charlton Division 2, won two, and drew one, of the three rinks, claiming 11 of the 12 points.

Lloyd Goddard, John Prendergast, Frank James and Garry Smith scored singles on each of the 7 ends they managed to win against E. Rosewall’s four.

Brian Eccles, Kell Bibby, Terence Robertson and Jason Barron were leading W.Keenan’s side 19-8 after 16 ends, but won only 2 of the last 9 ends, dropping 6 shots on the 22nd, to lose by 4 shots.

Gar y Shinners, Craig Cheesman, Peter Duncan and Marg McRae led M. Preston 9-2, but lost the next 11 ends to trail 9-17.

However the St. Arnaud team almost pulled off a miracle, climbing back from oblivion, for a 19-19 draw.

Match details: L.Goddard 7 lost to E. Rosewall 30 B. Eccles 22 lost to W.Keenan 26 G. Shinners 19 drew with M. Preston 19 St. Arnaud 48 shots lost to Charlton 75 shots – 1 point to 11 points.

Other Division 2 results Country Club 69 shots lost to Wycheproof 84 shots –2 points to 10 points

margin was not enough to get the other teams through.

Bowlers stick to it, we are capable of matching it with any team on the day.

Phil Elliott defeated Steve Barratt

31-10 Amanda Marland lost to Robert Grylls 18-36 John Needs lost to Grant Allan 20-38 69 shots to 84 2 points to 10

Donald 56 shots lost to Donald Golf 77 shots – 0 points to 12 points Boort 59 shots lost to Wedderburn 69 shots – 4 points to 8 points.

Ladder pts 1. Wycheproof 75 2. Charlton 65 3. Donald Golf 60 4. Wedderburn 58 5. Country Club 44 6. St. Arnaud 42 7. Boort 30 8. Donald 10 Next Week round 9 Wedderburn v St. Arnaud Donald Golf v Boort Wycheproof v Donald Charlton v Country Club.

Above: Tom Amos looks good as he watches his bowl which finished right near the kitty.

Round 7 Midweek Pennant ST. ARNAUD made the short trip to the Country Club for Round 7.

Above: Country Club’s Mark Esmore in action against Wycheproof last Saturday.

Above: You've got to come in here. Glendon Hancock giving directions to his skipper.

Col Marchment’s team played Des Moulday’s team.

The visitors got off to a good start to lead 11-0 on the fifth end before the home team got on the card.

They won 5 of the next 8 ends to be 8-15 down, only to see St. Arnaud win the next 5 ends to be 20-8 up.

A mini spurt by the Countr y Club saw them win the next 4 ends, to be only down 5 shots on the 20th end.

St. Arnaud steadied to win the next 4 ends and the match 24 –15.

Phil McRae’s team played Heather Esmore’s team.

Marie Hufer play-

- Contributed ing her first game back, showed us she had lost none of her skills as she helped her team to a commanding win.

St. Arnaud won 18 of the 25 ends to run out winners 33-8.

Tom Amos’s team played Amanda Marland’s team.

This game was keenly contested with the score being 6 all on the 6th, then 13 all on the 13th end.

Good skipping by Amanda saw the Country Club draw to within 3 shots on the 20th end.

St. Arnaud steadied and won the last 5 ends to win 28 - 18.

Final Scores St. Arnaud 85 shots 12 points defeated Country club 41 shots 0 points.

Above: The score board at the local darby of midweek bowls where this game was very even throughout the game.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023 - Page 23

Page 24 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6th 2023.

SPORT

HOME DELIVERY 5495 1055

Wimmera Sprint Meet ON 2nd December 2023 St. Arnaud Piranhas Swim team of Jesse, Ebony and Heidi competed in the Wimmera Sprint Meet in Warracknabeal.

Jesse Amos came 2nd in the Open 100m freestyle and the 16-29yrs 50m freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly.

Heidi Start came 1st in the 14-15yrs freestyle, backstroke and butterfly.

2nd in the 14-15yrs

breaststroke and 100m backstroke.

She also came 3rd in the Open Women’s 100m freestyle.

Ebony Start came 1st in the 16-29yrs 50m freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and 100m backstroke.

Ebony also came 2nd in the Open

- Contributed Wo m e n’ s 100m freestyle.

Next week we see a few more Piranhas heading to Horsham for the first Horsham Swim Meet of the season.

Please keep an eye out for a new date for our Come and Try Night.

Hopefully we are back training in the pool very soon.

Competitors in the final of the State Triples - left to right: Faye Rodger, Rhonda Pole, and Amanda Marland (St. Arnaud Country Club), Amy Roberts (Wedderburn), Lynne Southwell (Charlton) and Thelma Moresi (Boort),

State Triples bowls final at Donald THE North Central ladies state triples final was played at Donald on Thursday 30th November.

The young guns from St. Arnaud Country Club were Faye Rodger, Rhonda Pole and Amanda Marland against a composite team of Amy Roberts (Wedderburn), Lynne Southwall (Charlton) and Thelma Moresi (Boort).

- Contributed It was a very close game, on the last end it was 18 all so another end was played.

The experienced composite team got 3 shots on this end.

Final score 18 to 23.

Congratulations to the winners.

Close encounters continue IT was another evening of keenly contested games at last Thursday’s Twilight Bowls.

Above: Heidi, Ebony and Jesse at the Wimmera Sprint Meet.

The result came down to the last bowl on two of the rinks and the best teams won by 4 shots and 5 shots.

It was a good night both on and off the green, the weather was kind, and supper was better, with Larissa Duncan sharing her birthday cake with the players.

The best performers on the night were Kell

- Contributed Bibby and Anne McNally 5 shots up, the runners-up, 4 shots up, were Phil McRae, Glenda Bigmore and Damian Yole.

Next Thursday’s Twilight Bowls at the St. Arnaud Bowling Club will be the last before the Christmas break.

Twilight Bowls will restart on Thursday January 11th.

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