22nd November 2023

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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts

Est. 1864

18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.

$2.00

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

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

(Incl. GST)

Historic Charlton Post Office lost in blaze SOME St. Arnaud residents were travelling through Charlton last Sunday 19th November at around 1pm when they came across a blaze that had started around an hour prior in the Post Office. The whole roof had collapsed and the building has now been shelled with the CFA declaring it a total loss including the residence at the rear . Built in 1879, remodelled and extended to the footpath in 1940, the Charlton Post Office will be a significant loss to the local community. CFA trucks from a large area were involved, with Yeungroon, Wooroonook, as well as Charlton involved in the attempt to save the building.

Animals saved At the attached Post Office residence, the residents were safe and a female kelpie and her pups were saved. Another dog and cat went missing, but have since returned.

Cause It is suspected that the cause was an electrical fault in a washing machine in the residence which quickly spread through the roof.

Mail arrangements Australia Post have temporarily set up in the Charlton Memorial Hall with reduced hours. Above inset: The Charlton Post Office was an historic building. Source: Victorian Places. Right: Local Brigades on the scene. Source: Dusty McIntyre.

Community Bank announces quarter million dollars of grants COMMUNITY Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St. Arnaud is pleased to announce the successful recipients of the 2023 Community Grant Program.

Above: Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Charlton Post Office but were unable to save the heritage building. INSET: The residence. Source: Facebook, Charlton Post Office Right: Saved, a kelpie and her puppies. - Source: Dusty McIntyre

A total of $250,257 has been awarded to 27 deserving community groups, marking a significant investment in initiatives that will positively impact the region. Joel Condon, Branch Manager at Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St.Arnaud, thanked customers for their support. “If you are a customer of ours, thank you. “Because of you, we have been able to support 27 wonderful community groups and bring our total contribution to over $2.2 million. “Community banking is based on a ‘profit-withpurpose’ model, which means our profits are returned directly to the communities that generate them. "The selected projects showcase the incredible volunteers and diversity of initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on the lives of our community. “Congratulations to all of the recipients. “The positive impact of these projects will be felt across the region, fostering collaboration and

enriching the lives of our community,” Mr Condon concluded. The 2023 Community Grant Program recipients are:

St. Arnaud recipients • St. Arnaud Community Kitchen, commercial appliances, $7,872 • St. Arnaud Lions Club, 2023 Lions Club Christmas Procession, $2,000 • St. Arnaud Debutant Ball, $1,000.00 • St. Arnaud and District Orchid Society, Captivating Orchids in 2024, $1,200 • St. Arnaud Community Resource Centre, Public access and administrative computer upgrade, $4,574 • St. Arnaud Historical Society, St. Arnaud – ‘Then and Now’ historical book, $4,500 • St. Arnaud Neighbourhood House Inc, AED fridge magnets, $2,410

Avoca recipients • Avoca & District Country Women's Association, BBQ Trailer repairs and accessories, $2,813 • Avoca Riverside Market, Mustering Rural Communities for Carols and Conversation, $1,424 • Cont. page 7.

Editorial

To the Editor 18 Napier St., St. Arnaud, Victoria 3478.

The Kinder fiasco is Mea Culpa

Counting on it!

figures by more than 20 this has not been the Phone: (03) 5495 1055; case with significant and per cent and has already Email: ncn@iinet.net.au consistent funding cuts surpassed the total for to our regional roads by 2022. the Allan Labor St. Arnaud, Charlton & surrounding districts We are deeply disGovernment. turbed by the escalating The Liberals and tragedy unfolding on N.C.N. INFORMATION Nationals proposal to our roads and stand reinstate the ready to work alongside The North Central News is 100% locally owned, Parliamentary Road independent newspaper, established in 1864. With both the government Safety Committee, an ABC audited circulation of 1,650 copies, and an and the community to rejected by the Labor estimated of over 4,250 throughout the find effective solutions. NATIONAL CROSSWORD 13 X readership 13 Release No. 10115 Government, is another Northern Grampians and Buloke Shires. Addressing road safe- GRID 17 missed opportunity. ty requires not only SUBSCRIPTIONS Historically, it played proactive engagement Annual subscription for 12 months is only $144.00 a global leading role in from drivers and the (inc. GST), including postage and packaging. establishing road safety community but also ADVERTISING & COPY DETAILS initiatives, including leadership and substanArtwork, and all advertisements or alterations are compulsory seatbelts tial investment from the to be submitted before 5.00pm Friday prior to and drink driving rules. 7 6 1 3 4 5 2 government. publication. The well-being of all The Allan Labor 10 8Announcements of births, deaths, 9 marriages and The FeaturesisPeople Victorians at stake, Government needs to engagements must be properly authenticated. 11 and it is crucial that the conduct a comprehen- PO Box 8271 N.C.N. prefers advertisement and editorial copy to be government prioritises Bundall Qld 16 12 17 14 13 typed or neatly hand-written to15 avoid being published sive review of strategies Australia 4217 investment in road infraincorrectly. We accept no responsibility for error or and collaborate with 19 18 Telephone: (07) 5553 3200 structure to prevent misspellings in illegible advertisement and editorial copy. experts to develop a Toll Free: 1 800 652 284 further deterioration 21 22 20 (07) 5553 3201 comprehensive road Fax: and to keep Victorians DISCLA24 IMER 26 25 23 safety package. Email: The views and opinions expressed in this publication safe. A comprehensive auspac@auspacmedia.com.au 28 those held by the publisher or 27 are not necessarily Peter Walsh MP road safety plan should Visit our site: editor. The publisher and staff accept no liability for32 Leader of The 31 30 29 encompass a sufficient www.auspacmedia.com.au injury or losses which may occur as a result of Nationals road maintenance pack36 35 33 34 information presented in this publication. Created: Ted cont. Whillier • Letters pg 6. age, but unfortunately 37 Creatorn no: 10115 © Copyright 2023 Qxpress: Mat Trickey 39 38 Checked: Robyn Kirk No. 10115

Dear Editor, As reported, Northern Grampians Shire has recently confirmed that with flood planning and more detailed assessment Last week we had the change of heart of the complete, Market Square Northern Grampians Shire Council as to where is not suitable to host St to put the PrePrep modular from the State Arnaud's new Pre-Prep modular building. Government. The whole issue was caused by The Council's a knee-jerk reaction – poor planning and more announcement confirms importantly poor community engagement. what many locals have Not listening to the people, or all the people, been saying from the outset: Market Square was all the time. The Northern Grampians Shire never the right site. Now Council should be screaming ‘mea culpa’ – it that Council is required to is all our fault. But are they? find another location - I urge them to genuinely Instead, the reason for the fiasco as stated by engage and listen to the the Mayor is that a flood study done as a requireview of local residents. ment for building on a flood plain has shown that As I wrote in my last not only would it not be supported by North West piece to this paper, PreCatchment Management but that it would Prep should be good news cause undue flooding to neighbouring homes and for the whole community. businesses including the Town Hall. Under the Do our two council representatives know the Government's plan, Fourregular avenues for flood waters within the GRID 17 Year-Old Kinder will town? Many of the locals (most of them older) gradually transition to were aware that building in the carpark would Pre-Prep, increasing the have an effect on the water in time of high number of funded hours rainfall, and Cr. Hyslop listened to the more 40 from 15 to 30. knowledgeable local heads and voted against the For local kids, it'll carpark placement. mean more opportunities Two issues are therefore relevant. With full and to learn and play. frank community engagement this issue would And for families, it'll DOWN ACROSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 have become clear. Secondly, the issue is that local 1 Was concerned 3 Fully skilled help ease the pressure on representation is critical to knowledge, both his2 Savoury meat­jelly 8 Guarantee 8 9 10 household budgets. torical and cultural, regarding issues such as this.The Features People 3 Spindle 9 Sanity Now that the Market Although knowledgeable local representation 4 Expensive 11 Conductors' wands 11 8271 site has been 5 Defends 12 Newspaper would have ensured the necessary knowledgePO ofBox Square 6 Time of holding executive Bundall ruled Qld out, it's time for 12 13 flooding patterns, full and frank community 14 15 16 17 7 Deep sleep 15 Coarse silk from Australia 4217 Council to get on with engagement can take the place of local repre10 Donkey India choosing a more appro18 19 sentation. The time and cost and angst this issue 13 Exclude 18 Interior decoration Telephone: (07) 5553 3200 priate location. St has caused both to the community and council 14 Tribal symbol 19 Pronoun Toll Free: 1 800 652 284 20 21 22 16 Similar 20 Official permits families and councillors themselves could have been Fax: Arnaud's (07) 5553 3201 are 17 Sibilate 23 Auction counting on it. averted. 23 24 25 26 19 Employed 25 Craft Regards If councilors do not have the necessary Email: his20 Permitted freedom 26 Electrical units Note to Editor: Martha Haylett, MP auspac@auspacmedia.com.au torical hindsight then it is even more important of action 27 Chief priests 27 28 Created in QUARK 21 Observes 29 Central Visit for community engagement and consultation to our site: Member for Ripon XPRESS. 22 Live coal 30 Allude 29 30 VER.4.03 31 32 www.auspacmedia.com.au occur correctly. 23 Box 33 Highly seasoned Items not needed for No one can change the fact that involving 24 Common heather stew publication can be 33 34 35 36 largely only the parents of pre-schoolers in Created: the Ted Whillier 28 Talisman 36 Longing erased as each is in a 30 Reposes 37 Wind instruments decision on where to locate the buildings was not 37 Creatorn no: 10115 separate text box. 31 Conclusive 38 Inflated full and frank consultation. 32 Checks 39 Gain by effort Qxpress: Mat Trickey This decision required all residents to be 38 39 34 Malarial fever 40 Narrates involved, but council still do not have it clear in Checked: Robyn Kirk 35 Away from 40 their heads what ‘consultation’ actually requires. 36 Business transaction The new Mayor Cr Rob Haswell says that going Dear Editor, forward will require ‘engagement with key Proudly sponsored by:A Grattan Institute stakeholders’, however, they really do not seem Solution No. 10115 Solution No. 10115 Report released this to know who ‘key stakeholders’ are in any situation. C A A D E P T DOWN C ACROSS week highlights the What do we have to do to get this across? DOWN ACROSS E A S O N deplorable condition of 3 Fully skilled 3 Adept AR S SP U RB AE 1T OR Cared Key stakeholders in an issue regarding 1 Was concerned N S M U S S A H regional Australian 8 Guarantee St. Arnaud means just about everyone, as 2 Savoury meat­jelly 8 Assure DE DE CI OT OR R H2 ET Aspic R U I roads, branding them a 9 Sanity everyone in this town or who uses this town as 3 Spindle E N C E S 9 Reason B T L 3I C Arbor O H M S OUTFITTING MEN11 SINCE 1959 S A L E A R4 T Dear "dangerous disgrace". their nearest town with facilities, has a stake in 4 Expensive 11 Conductors' wands Batons P R I M A T E S T B In a huge wake-up 12 Newspaper how and what it looks like, feels like and what the A N M I D R E F E R 5 Defends 12 Editor R A G O U T 5 D Protects E S I R E call, the report states the development should be. Solution to this puzzle should 6 Time of holding executive 15 Tussah G F L U 6T E Tenure S N I government needs to 15 Coarse silk from not appear the same page P U F F E D A T T A I N 7 Deeponsleep 18 Decor 7 Coma E T E L L S L S inject an extra $1 billion 10 Donkey India 19 Her 10 Ass annually into regional 13 Exclude 18 Interior decoration 20 Licences 13 Debar road funding - or we're 14 Tribal symbol 19 Pronoun 23 Sale 14 Totem headed for further dete16 Similar 20 Official permits rioration. 25 Art 16 Such 17 Sibilate ST. ARNAUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.5 The urgency is clear. 23 Auction 26 Ohms 17 Hiss 19 Employed The Liberals and 25 Craft RAINFALL FOR NOVEMBER . . . . . . .1.5 D 27 Primates 19 Hired 20 Permitted freedom Nationals demand 26 Electrical units Note to Editor: 29 Mid 20 Latitude YEARLY RAINFALL TO DATE . . . . .363.0 of action immediate action from 27 Chief priests Toddlers, 30 Refer 21Kids Notes& Adults Createdthe in QUARK 21 Observes Allan Labor 29 Central CHARLTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.8 33 Ragout 22 Ember XPRESS. VER.4.03 22 Live coal 30 Allude Government to ensure 36 Desire 23 RAINFALL FOR NOVEMBER . . . . . . .1.8 Items not 23 Box 33 Highly seasoned safer roads needed for now, leather • All different prices • some sparkly • some pureSpar 37 Flutes 24 Ling 24 Common heather stew responding to a disturbYEARLY RAINFALL TO DATE . . . . .259.4 publication can be 38 Puffed 28 Amulet 28 Talisman ing surge in road 36 Longing erased as each is in a fatalities. Reposes 37 WindJust instruments 39 Attain 30 Rests ring or email 30 mensland@iinet.net.au and we will deliver your order. separate text It box. is essential to 38 Inflated 31 Conclusive 40 Tells 31 Final North Central News is published weekly by Peter acknowledge and 39 Gain by effort 32 Checks 32 Reins Marland, 3279 Charlton/St. Arnaud Road, Slaty Creek for address the impact of 34ions Malarial feverand 40 Narrates For Promotions, Specials 34 Ague NCNews Pty. Ltd., 18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. A.C.N. poorly maintained roads Competitions, us on Facebook 35, Away from 146 461 903. Printed by Western District Newspaper P/L, 35 Off on the safety of 36 Business Camperdown Vic. Registered by Australia Post 36 Deal Victorians. 70 Woods Street, Donald — 5497 1211 transaction Publication No. VAC 4217 - Recommended and maximum The current road toll selling price only. See this week’s solution on page 9. has exceeded last year's

Auspac Media

NATIONAL CROSSWORD 13 X 13

Release No. 10115

NAT140

CROSSWORD

Auspac Media

Roads deplorable says another report

WARNING !!! Note to Editor:

WEEKLY RAINFALL

Page 2 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

BOOTS by

Charlton Ambulance Open Day coming up HAVE you been wondering what the new Ambulance facilities look like on the inside or what an Ambulance looks like on the inside, well now’s your opportunity to find out. On Sunday the 26th November between 11am and 2 pm, Ambulance Victoria, in conjunction with the Charlton and District Ambulance Auxiliary will be holding an open day at the Ambulance Station 2 Learmonth Street Charlton. The Lions Club of Charlton will provide a sausage sizzle (gold coin donation) luncheon and Ambulance officer Paramedics will be on hand to demonstrate equipment like the vacuum mattress (for spinal patients), suction units (for air ways maintenance), learn about AED’S (Defibrillators) and to learn CPR (not accredited because of time constraints). You will also be able to look around the building (with some limitations) and learn about the new

exciting Corpuls Machine CPR (thorax compression device) (see image). Auxiliary Treasurer, Harry Brindley said the machines will be a great asset to the Ambulances. “They will be of immense value when it comes to saving lives. “They will effectively give our Ambulance officers an extra pair of hands by automating chest compressions to sudden cardiac arrest patients” Harry said. The Corpus Machine is designed to give spontaneous chest compression, the same as manual CPR, but they are not subject to potential human error as they can provide consistent high quality CPR fully monitored on a continuous basis. They also allow officers time not otherwise available to

treat other aspects of the patient’s condition. The machine can be used in a stationary situation or if required, while the patient is being transferred to hospital. “Thanks to the generosity of the Charlton people and a grant from the Au s t r a l i a n L i o n s Foundation, coordinated by the Lions Club of Charlton and the Charlton and District Ambulance Au x i l i a r y, the Charlton Ambulances vehicles are now fully equipped and ready for any emergency. “One of the great advantages of having an Auxiliary is that it provides a financial resource, subject to there being sufficient funds, to keep the vehicles fully stocked with the latest new equipment available thereby providing Charlton and district people with the best possible experience in an emergency. “The Auxiliary is very grateful to the

- Contributed Charlton Neighbourhood House, Opp Shop group and the EWHS Charlton Campus Group for their donations of $5000 each towards this project. “This has enabled the Lions Club of Charlton to apply t o t h e Au s t r a l i a n Lions Foundation for a grant of $9,456-00 to purchase the machine which cost $18,913-00. “The Auxiliary are now looking towards raising funds to purchase a second machine for its second vehicle” Harry said.

Above: The Corpuls machine is designed to give spontaneous chest compression, the same as manual CPR.

Locally screened movies to enjoy! __________________________________________________

“PAW PATROL:THE MIGHTY MOVIE” Special $10.00 pp !

Fri 24 Nov @ 6.30 pm Sun 26 Nov @ 2.00 pm

_______________________________________________

Vision St Arnaud (Youth work in St Arnaud) Film & Afternoon Tea Fundraiser “JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM” Sun 03 Dec @ 2.00 pm Tickets $17.00 pp at Ramjac, 49 Napier St. Ph. 5495 2929 or from Vision St Arnaud members & Churches Enquiries Ph. 0423775751 [

_______________________________________________

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

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 3

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THE St. Arnaud Secondary College held the 2023 Year 12 Graduation Dinner at the St. Arnaud Country Club last weekend. The school would like to thank the graduates, parents, guardians, relatives and staff for making this a memorable evening. Also thanks to Dana Decker and her team at The Shire Cafe, who created a beautiful 2-course meal for all to enjoy. All the graduates are wished the very best as they move onto the next chapter of their lives. For the final time the group will gather at the school’s Presentation Night.

Above: Back row: (left to right) Sam Male, Rogan Hando, Ben Blake, Jesse Amos, Charli Young, Trey Zander and Lachlan Gifford. Middle row: Isabell Hand, Keegan Amos, Morgan Shields, Phoebe Hendy, Amy Greenaway and Maya Feeny. Front row: Troy Anderson.

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Page 4 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

at the REX GET ready for fright night as The Rex brings the horror / thriller movie, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” to the big screen this weekend. Based on an iconic horror game which has captivated dedicated gamers for years, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” follows a night security guard, Mike Schmidt (Josh Hutcherson), who must survive five terrifying nights at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza restaurant while fending off the malevolent animatronic characters, including the infamous Freddy Fazbear.

“Using plenty of nostalgic horror elements such as scary empty buildings with a maze of corridors, creepy children’s toys that seem fun during the daytime but turn bad at night, the titular Freddy is a giant animatronic teddy bear that wants, along with all of his fun animal friends, to murder you, and he could be waiting around any corner.”

(Arja Romano – Vox). The addition of super natural mysteries lurking behind the scenes also adds to the unsettling atmosphere. Sound effects heighten the jumpscare mood, as creaks, groans and mechanical noises mix with a spine-chilling soundtrack. Using the power of suggestion to ramp up the tension and suspense aids in building the edge-of-your-seat experience. With the addition of

- Contributed Mike’s daughter, Abby to the movie, the stakes become higher as she joins the nightmarish funhouse. If you are looking for something a bit different in movies, this might just be the one for you! “Five Nights at Freddy’s” (M110 mins) screens on Saturday 25th November at 8pm, Sunday 26th November 2pm and Tuesday 28 November at 8pm.

Charlton 100 Years Ago: 17th - 21st November 1923 by Charlton Golden Grains Museum

Accident A fortnight ago, John Robertson, an employee on Mr Andrew Mather’s farm at Charlton East, had the misfortune to break a leg. He was riding a pony, when the saddle slipped round, and he fell. He is now an inmate of the private hospital, where the injured limb is knitting satisfactorily. The accident happened just the day before Mr Robertson intended travelling to see the Melbourne Cup, but fate intervened to prevent him “plunging” on the turf in the manner contemplated.

Temporary replacement Mr Ike Richards, who is leaving on a holiday, wishes to inform his customers that he has secured the services of Mr James Storey, of W. Owen’s “Hotel Windsor” hairdressing saloon, Spring Street, Melbourne, to take charge of his saloon whilst on leave. Customers will be fortunate in having one of Melbourne’s leading tonsorial artists to attend to their requirements during the regretted absence of our popular trombone player.

Storm damage During the storm on Thursday the roof of the west side of the stables at the Vale of Avoca Hotel was lifted off, and carried a distance of about 30 yards. Fortunately, no one was in the yard at the time. The roof had only been in position for 18 months.

Stock Market Messrs Thos. Morrow and Co. report having held their usual fortnightly sale on 14th when about 1200 sheep were yarded, of good quality stuff. Also a few store cattle and horses. There was a good attendance of the public, who competed strongly for the sheep, which were practically all sold under the hammer at very satisfactory prices:merino ewes, 5 years old, 18/6; spring lambs, 23/-; Lincoln rams, 4 years, £2 16/-. They sold for the following vendors:- Messrs F. Beckham, R. D. Olive, Gordon Gill, Thos Jenkyn and A. Robertson. The cattle market was dull, but the entire yarding was sold at prices equal to late rates.

Horses were dull, no bidding at all under the hammer.

Bowls and Croquet Wednesday witnessed the double event of the official opening of both the Bowling Club and the Croquet Club, whose greens adjoin in proximity to the Mechanics’ Institute. There was a gathering of all the available talent and beauty of our snug little hamlet. With the fraternal spirit which has been fostered by close association between the two clubs, the members of each assisted in the ceremonial functions of the other. Mr George Day, president of the Bowling Club, thanked everyone for their presence on the fourth annual opening day of the green. He called upon Mrs Day to bowl the first Jack which was followed by Mrs S. Wood, wife of the President of the Shire of Charlton, sending down the first bowl. In the adjoining enclosure, Mrs Luth, president of the Croquet Club, malleted the first ball through the hoops. The new green was voted to be in excellent condition.

“Most of them are right-handed players. “In consequence the right of their bodies is over-developed, compared with the other. “The soft, rounded flesh, is reduced until they become lean, tough and unattractive. “The constant wearing of heelless rubber shoes make the feet flat and ungainly, and spoils the shapeliness of the legs. “Prolonged exposure to the sun on the tennis court has ruined thousands of women’s complexions for months to come.” (Information from East Charlton Tribune)

Above: 1930s St Martin’s Tennis (left to right) Mrs Babidge, Mrs Ellis, Miss Bilton, Mrs Falkenburg, Mrs Norris and Mrs Hutcheson.

Accident Bernie Brereton, a young lad of 15 years, son of Mr Michael Brereton, of Narrewillock, when riding into Charlton, was thrown to the ground and broke his collarbone. The horse had been playing-up, and deposited his rider in the road-drain, but was unable to daunt his courage; in proof of which he walked home unaided, and was brought to Charlton where he received medical attention, and is on the high road to recovery.

The Lawn Tennis Girl Lawn tennis is ruining the feminine figure. This is the opinion of an eminent London physician, who has studied the activities of women of all ages on the tennis courts this season. “L awn tennis enthusiasm”, he said, “has caused many women to suffer from tennis elbow, painfully strained muscles of the arms and legs, and fixation of sight, due to keeping their eyes constantly on the ball in the blazing sun.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 5

St. Arnaud 100 Years Ago: 16th – 22nd November 1923 - by Heather Pritchard

Engagement The engagement is announced of Mr Raleigh McKechnie, youngest son of Mr and Mrs George McKechnie ‘Wallaloo House’ St. Arnaud and Miss Florence Johnston, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Johnston of Murray Downs Station, N S W.

Wedding The marriage of Mr W B Faulkner eldest son of Mr and Mrs Robert Faulkner formerly of St. Arnaud to Miss Evelyn May Davies, eldest daughter of ex-Councillor F E Davies and Mrs Davies late of St. Arnuad was celebrated in Melbourne last month.

buried in the St. Arnaud cemetery. Four nurses marched alongside the coffin from the hearse to the graveside. Mrs Mary Ann Ward died age 62 leaving her husband John and two sons Theo and Frank and two stepsons Cecil and Albert. Mary Ann was a daughter of Mr and Mrs James Anderson of Maldon where she was born and married. She was an active member of the G F S and the Women’s National League and her husband ran a large blacksmith and wheelwright business on corner of Alma and McMahon Sts.

Hospital Report

Fundraiser

To the Editor

A euchre party and dance was held in the Mechanics Hall in aid of Roman Catholic Primary School. Cards competition won by Miss Duxson [hand painted cushion] and Mr H Martin [umbrella] and in the other competitions Mr A E Walsh won a £1 note and Miss Aggie Jones won a goose.

Deaths Miss Alice Natcott died age 26 years after a long stay in the St. Arnaud hospital suffering from lung disease. Alice, an orphan, lived in Donald prior to her illness but was

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During October there were 47 patients admitted, 43 discharged, 33 remaining, and 3 deaths.

Fined in Court Andrew Hall driving a car without a silencer fined 40/-, John McGuane drunk and disorderly fined £2, fined for allowing stock to wander R Brain 1 cow 2/-, Manallack 2 cows 4/-, J Secombe 2 horses 4/-, S Chandler 1 cow, 2/-, Mrs Wilson 1 cow 2/and not claimed 1 cow

Where is the PM? Dear Editor Airbus Albo’s government has hit turbulence and the captain is nowhere to be seen, off on another overseas trip. As with the captain of the Australian airliner, the safety and security of those on board – the Australian public – ought to be the Prime Minister’s first priority. We are seeing a Prime Minister and Government so distracted from the cost of living and national security issues that it is clearly not up to the job. A doomed near halfbillion referendum, international photo opps and railroading regional communities in the name of climate change seem to be the priorities. This week 84 criminal detainees have been released into the community because the Albanese Labor government was having a snooze in first class. In June they knew a loss in the High Court was a high possibility. Not only do we have 84 criminals, including rapists, murderers, and paedophiles enjoying their freedom and increasing the risk of harm to other Australians, a further 340 could be released imminently. T h a n k f u l l y, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was ready to step into the prime ministerial breach, with the Liberal-National Coalition providing the strict conditions through emergency legislation to fix the mess before parliamentarians jetted home by the end of Thursday. And where is the Prime Minister?

Page 6 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

and 3 calves. The Ranger, Mr A R Perry, has been given permission to hire a horse when required to enable him to cope with the wandering stock nuisance.

Hines [winner of St. Arnaud & District championship]. W Hines defeated J J Feeny in this first match, which was followed by a men’s doubles match in which J J Feeny and M Caine defeated W and P Hines.

Mrs Robert Sutton holds a clearing sale at Fentons Creek, on main Wedderburn Road 2½ miles from Logan [farm leased]. Items include 330

sheep, 23 cattle, 27 horses, 30 fowls, machinery, furniture and sundries. Estate of Donald McKay dec, ‘Portree’ on Beazleys Bridge Road, 6½ mile from St. Arnaud and 2 miles from Beazleys Bridge Post Office. Lot 1 – 583 acres [530 cleared], 6-room E B House, 10-stall stable, chaff house, hay shed, sheep yards, and splendid orchard. Lot 2 – 107 acres [30 cleared], 1 dam east side of Sandy Creek. Lot 1 sold for £9-10-0 acre and Lot 2 sold for £6-10-0 acre, both lots bought by J and P Gifford.

moral equivalency if a terrorist organisation attacked Australians? It as unthinkable as the government’s appalling failure to call out the anti-Semitism and barracking for Hamas we have since seen across Australia. Many Australians are deeply disturbed and the Prime Minister ought to be standing with Israelis who are – to the shame of state and federal Labor governments – now feeling unsafe in their own homes here in Australia. The supposedly proPalestinian protests

taking place around Australia are adding fuel to the threats and abuse taking place toward Jews. The Prime Minister should have called a national cabinet of all state colleagues to discuss the safety and well-being of Jewish Australians, but once again he has shirked his responsibility, jetted off and left a Coalition not long out of government to pick up the pieces and lead for all Australians. Sincerely, Dr Anne Webster MP Member for Mallee

COVID Updates and Developments

St. Arnaud 70 Years Ago: November 1953

Opening of Tennis Courts

Cricket

The Gre Gre North Tennis Club officially opened their two new courts built by volunteers and situated adjacent to the Rifle Range. An exhibition tennis match was given by Mr J J Feeny [winner of Wimmera championship] and Mr W

The first St. Arnaud Association cricket match for the season resulted in Crone’s team 73 defeating Edward’s team 68, with the most runs for Crone’s by H J Rowe 29 and C Bennett 8 and for Bennetto’s W G Williams and G H Edwards 25 each.

Already off on another overseas trip, his 20th in the last 18 months. Yes, diplomatic relations are important but at this time when the security and safety of Australians is at risk and the social fabric is tearing, the Prime Minister should be in Australia. Airbus Albo’s off to San Francisco this week for photo opps with Presidents Biden and Xi, not two weeks since their last talkfest. The Albanese government’s blind choice to release criminal detainees into society with no legislative mechanism in place to protect Australians shows an appalling lack of oversight and leadership. A Coalition with a strong border security track record shamed an amateur Labor Party into acting this week. This is Anthony Albanese‘s ‘I don’t hold a hose mate’ moment. The media hammered Scott Morrison with the same claim over a sudden state-controlled firefighting matter to undo Scott Morrison’s leadership. Not only is the security and safety of Australians actually a federal responsibility, but as I say, the Government had plenty of notice since June to recognise the detainee release disaster was a clear and present threat. The Albanese Labor Government did nothing. Its worse than not holding a hose, they had to ask Peter Dutton where it was. My question is, where is the media attention on this abject failure of the Prime Minister and his absence? The Labor Party is in disarray from their flat-

footed approach and to the unseemly protests in Australia about the conflict in Gaza. The PM failed to properly call out the behaviour of Hamas and their barbaric terrorism targeting Israelis. Instead, we see Labor performing an unsynchronised moral gymnastics floor routine, dancing between the need for a ceasefire, standing with Palestinians and voicing Israel’s right to defend itself. Where would the Albanese Government have landed with such

Stuart Mill 146 defeat Moonambel 91, with the most runs for Stuart Mill by A Frohlich 37 and S Frohlich 36 and for Moonambel H Loft 20 and H Moyle 21. Traynors Lagoon 133 defeat East Laen 110, with the most runs for Traynors Lagoon by R McLean 36 and D Wells 21 and for East Laen H Hancock 47 and W Hancock 30.

Sales

MAKING inferences from the data that is now available via the Health Department Australia website is difficult as the statistics are for the period Jan 2022 to Nov 2023. The data extrapolated from the graphs is somewhere clearer so that even though we in Victoria and Australia are currently in a wave, each of the waves have peaked a little lower than the last, with this 8th wave no different. However, from Jan 2022 to Nov 2023 there have been 107 outbreaks in Victoria compared to an Australia wide statistic of 334. For the same period staff in Aged Care in Australia have recorded 194 cases in this current wave.

Hospitalisations Hospitalisations in Australia have hit a 146 case rolling 7 day average and in ICU the rolling 7 day average numbers are 37.

Notifiable diseases Another way of determining the severity of COVID within the community is to examine the notifiable diseases

information and in 1991 there were in Victoria 8,121 and in 2023 there were 285,261 cases. In Australia the notifiable diseases were 1,436,238. PBS Anti-viral scripts In Victoria 16,301 PBS prescriptions for COVID antivirals were presented in October 2023.

Wastewater sampling Quantitative wastewater sampling and hospital admission numbers provide insights into changes in prevalence and COVID19 wave detection, however, do not show regional instances in the figures.

Regional COVID As an indication of the lack of reliable data, the month for Northern Grampians and Buloke Shire reported that there were no incidents of COVID reported.

by Heather Pritchard

Engagements Gloria Kelly and Lindsay Strachan Dorothy Hancock and Ronald Bell

Wedding Joan Miller and Malcolm Cheesman.

Births Mrs and Mrs Ian Jennings, a son. Mr and Mrs Hugh Hadenfeldt, a son. Mr and Mrs Graeme Griffith, a son. Mr and Mrs Joseph Carr, a son. Mr and Mrs Les Dale, a son. Bruce and Peg Coates, a son Colin George.

Deaths Mrs Margaret Giles age 78. Mrs Florence Gillespie age 48. Mr Donald McDonald age 74. Mr Gordon Harris of Watchem, formerly of St. Arnaud. Mrs Jenny Date, nee McKenzie, of Western Australia, formerly of St. Arnaud.

There’s gold in them thar hills MADE famous by Yosemite Sam in the Looney Tunes cartoons whose gold prospecting attempts were constantly thwarted by Bugs Bunny, because let’s face it, nobody ever got the better of Bugs, the quote could apply to the exploits of a St. Arnaud local.

Above: Jackson Argent and Anthony Carter with their thank you meal for St. Arnaud CFA.

Food Studies students say thank you to CFA FOOD Studies Year 11 students, Jackson Argent and Anthony Carter, together with teacher Mrs. Vanessa McCormick and ES staff member Mrs. Mel Watts (on behalf of St. Arnaud Secondary College), held a dinner for the CFA. The dinner, last Wednesday night, was a thank you for allowing the students to use their kitchen facilities throughout the year while construction on a

new building at the college was occurring. The menu consisted of all homemade products: sausage rolls, chicken nuggets with panko crumbs and

smoky BBQ sauce, lamb kof tas with yoghurt dressing, feta and spinach pinwheels, corn relish dip, French onion dip, salted caramel and lemon

curd tarts, a charcuterie board and a fruit platter. A great night was had by all and the CFA members gave wonderful feedback to the boys. They have also asked if the Food Studies students next year could do something similar. Thank you once again to the CFA.

Liz Pickthall could have the same motto as she has been gold detecting now since 2012 and has really got the bug with the latest ‘find’ this specimen piece of around 12 grams that she found close to St. Arnaud. When Liz is not at work she will be found (that is if you can find her) gold detecting. And just to let you know how lucrative her ‘hobby’ is – she will usually make $100 on each trip out, sometimes $500. Now Liz has just signed a contract to become a MineLab ambassador and says that the new machines make a particular noise for gold that stops the digging for old bolts. “It is a clunky, wobble sound that comes with a solid piece of gold. “But with the specimen piece I found last month, I thought it was a bolt as it has a quartz content” she said. Liz uses a MineLab GPX 6000.

Above: The beautiful specimen piece of gold that Liz Pickthall found ‘not far from St. Arnaud’ last month.

Right now, there are community services jobs available where you can make a difference, helping people who have a disability, families fleeing violence, and children and families who need care and support.

Make a difference. Visit jobsthatmatter.vic.gov.au

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 7

ST ARNAUD SHOP LOCAL this Christmas

Purchase a golden ticket from participating businesses to unlock hidden offers

Each ticket is an entry into a cash prize giveaway LATE NIGHT SHOPPING BEGINS THIS FRIDAY CONTINUING UNTIL 22/12 TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY

Page 8 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

Community Bank announces quarter million dollars of grants • From page 1.

Moonambel recipient

Landcare recipient

• Moonambel Arts and History Group Inc., replacement of historical information boards, $800

• Buloke and Northern Grampians Landcare Network, The Outdoors Landcare Classroom, $4,950

Carisbrook recipients • Carisbrook Disaster Recovery Committee Inc, Carisbrook Christmas Night Market/Festival, $10,000 • Carisbrook Football and Netball Club Inc, Video communications board, $15,000 • Central Goldfields Bushwalking & Hiking Club Inc. Safety equipment for bushwalking and hiking, $2,000

Kooreh recipient • Kooreh Memorial Hall, Hall repairs, $4,022

Maryborough recipients • ASTERIA Services Inc, Wheelchair accessible vehicle for disability support services, $82,617 • Maryborough & District Highland Pipe Band, Pipe Band Hall refurbishment, $19,400 • Maryborough District Girl Guides, Outdoor activity space seating, $5,132 • Maryborough Family History Group, Microfilm digitisation, $9,356 • Maryborough Midlands Historical Society, Garden upgrades, $4,850 • Maryborough Theatre Company, Maryborough Community Carols 2024, $7,920 • Committee for Maryborough, 2024 Goldfields Community Festival, $8,000 • NAIDOC Week 2024, Wildlife Animals Activity, $1,200

Redbank recipients • Redbank Reserves Committee, Community First Response AED, $2,612

A

Stuart Mill recipients • Stuart Mill Progress Association Community, Hall renovations, $23,000 • Stuart Mill Racecourse Reserve Riding Club, Portable toilet, $4,862

Talbot recipient • Talbot Football Netball Club, Kitchen appliance upgrade, $16,742 "We are delighted to receive grant funding to allow us to purchase new commercial kitchen equipment for our canteen. “This will make a huge improvement to the volunteer experience for those assisting at club and community events, enhancing safety and making it easier and more appealing for other community groups to utilise our facilities. “We were thrilled to support the return of the Talbot Swap Meet after several missed years, and next year thanks to Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St. Arnaud, we will have new and improved equipment at our disposal to help feed the thousands of visitors to Talbot that the event attracts!" said Dallas Byers, President of the Talbot Football Netball Club. “We are incredibly grateful to the Community Bank for contributing to the Goldfields Community Festival 2024. “Only with the help of such contributions is it possible to hold a large festival that brings the whole community together to showcase what it has to offer and allow us all to share and enjoy it.” Kerrie Dowling, Committee for Maryborough. If you want to feel good about who you bank with, contact the Community Bank team at Avoca (5465 3804), Maryborough (5461 4384) or St. Arnaud (0448 742 059) to make an appointment

Above: The Heidelberg Choral Society at a previous visit.

Handel’s Messiah in Inglewood A small not for profit theatre company in Dunolly, the Dunolly Gilbert and Sullivan Society, is staging Handel’s Messiah in the Inglewood Town Hall. The Heidelberg Choral Society is celebrating its Centenary with a country tour to the Inglewood Town Hall with a performance of Handel’s great Oratorio Messiah on Sunday November 26th at 2pm. The audience is welcome to bring a score and singalong to the great choruses including the famous Hallelujah chorus. Sixty choristers with orchestra and professional soloists under the baton of conductor Peter Bandy

perform in Inglewood before their Melbourne season. The choir came to the Dunolly town Hall in 2017 and in 2014 and performed to a capacity audience. There will be an interval and the special event will have wines available by the glass from the local company Black Wallaby. The interval tea and biscuits or scones will be a fundraiser for the local Inglewood St Mary’s Primary school hosted by the families of the students.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION Solution No. 10115 C A A D E P T C A S S U R E R E A S O N R P B A T O N S M E D I T O R T U S S A H D E C O R H E R U I B T L I C E N C E S S A L E A R T O H M S P R I M A T E S T B A N M I D R E F E R R A G O U T D E S I R E G F L U T E S N I P U F F E D A T T A I N E T E L L S L S

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

Free Kinder: Enrol for 2024 Free Kinder is available for three and four-year-old children in Victoria at participating services. Free Kinder is available in sessional (standalone) and long day care (childcare) settings, saving families up to $2,500 each year, per child. At kindergarten, your child will: •

learn language, literacy and numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance

•

learn to express themself and make friends in a safe and caring environment

•

build skills and confidence before primary school.

Contact your preferred kinder service or local council to learn about how to enrol for 2024. Visit: vic.gov.au/kinder

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 9

In The Paddock Reduce harvest losses to minimise mouse risk DESPITE low mouse activity reported around Australia, grain growers are being asked to remain vigilant and harvest cleanly to enhance future baiting effectiveness and increase on-farm profitability. L eading mouse experts recently spoke at the National Mouse Group Meeting supported by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment, where the link between harvest

losses and baiting effectiveness was discussed. Key messages: • Growers are encouraged to harvest cleanly to enhance future baiting effectiveness and boost their bottom line. • Mouse numbers are

patchy overall, with most areas currently reporting low or nil mouse activity. • Baiting with products containing 50 g/kg zinc phosphide (ZnP50) appears to be highly effective – when bait was applied in late winter there are now low numbers of mice reported. • Growers need to remain vigilant despite low activity reported around Australia, with big harvests expected in some areas. • Keep an eye on mouse numbers through stubble to ensure there are no ‘nasty surprise’ spikes in numbers as next sowing season approaches.

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

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

Lead mouse researcher Steve Henry from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, said that measuring and preventing harvest losses should be a key consideration for growers seeking to prevent mouse activity. “Mouse numbers are patchy overall, with most areas reporting low or nil mouse a c t i v i t y, b u t f o o d resources left in paddocks after harvest could sustain mouse breeding and lead to higher mouse numbers when next year’s winter crops are sown,” Dr Henry said. “We know grain on ground has a significant impact on bait effectiveness. “So if you’re leaving kilos of grain on ground at harvest then

FOR LEASE BY TENDER WEDDERBURN 3 YEARS PLUS 2 YEAR OPTION 532.17 Hectares equalling 1315 Acres To be offered in 3 allotments

Above: CSIRO researcher Steve Henry says reducing harvest losses not only boosts your bottom line but also increases future baiting effectiveness. Photo: CSIRO. the effectiveness of baiting in autumn will be reduced. “Reducing harvest losses not only increases baiting effectiveness but also boosts your bottom line. “Continue to check header set up throughout harvest. “As you’re changing paddocks, don’t assume header set up is correct for every paddock. “Check and reset as needed. “Ongoing measurement and readjustment is key to leaving less grain on the ground. “It’s really important to measure harvest losses, and there are

measuring devices out there to do the job.” GRDC has invested significantly in mouse monitoring and management and has made a commitment to help growers increase their preparedness for mouse outbreaks and the effectiveness of baiting. GRDC manager pests, Leigh Nelson, said there are a number of resources available to assist growers in reducing and measuring their harvest losses. “GRDC Harvester Set-Up Workshops provide growers with information relating to preventable harvester losses, improvements in efficiency and output,

calibrating harvester technology, reducing the risk of harvester fires, and methods of harvest weed seed control (HWSC),” Dr Nelson said. “In addition to the workshops, resources are available on the GRDC website including mouse monitoring updates and management recommendations to keep growers informed,” she said. A full list of mouse management resources can be found on the GRDC Mouse Management page. Growers are encouraged to report and map mouse activity using the MouseAlert website.

Beef measles – what’s that? by Dr Jeff Cave, Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer

Lot 1: “Turnbulls, Jacksons & Hendersons” • • • • •

203.1 Hectares/ 502 Acres in 4 paddocks. 7 dams equalling 15 M/Litres water & access to WM pipeline. Established pasture and strong cropping & fertiliser history. 400 Acre arable area with established shelter belts Fencing fair to new

Lot 2: “Thompsons, Lemons & Brandups” • • • • •

256 Hectares equalling 633 Acres 5 paddocks, 4 dams equalling 5 M/Litres water. Catchment, WM Pipeline available. Fencing in excellent to fair conditions Established pasture and copping loam soil Improvements include: Established shelter belts. • Shearing shed- 3 stand Lot 3: “Hendersons” Part 2 • Excellent steel sheep yards • 5 bay machinery shed • 72.85 Hectares equalling 180 Acres • Raised barn • 3 paddocks, 2 dams, WM Pipeline connected. • Steel machinery shed 7m X 4m • Mallee clay soil base • Excellent feed base of rye and lucerne. • Gal iron hay shed

Terms: GST & Rates will be charged on top of tender. Tender closes 1st December 2023 at 3pm. HIGHEST OR ANY TENDER NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPTED Inspections and Further particulars 92 Brooke Street INGLEWOOD 3517

Phone: 03 5438 3041

James Nevins: 0407 302 900

FP NEVINS DOES NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ABOVE

Page 10 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

ONE of the many consequences of the flood events seen in recent years was the overflow of sewerage on to farming land, which occurred in isolated instances. The primary reason this is a concern is due to the threat of meat contamination with beef measles. Beef measles is a stage in the lifecycle of a tapeworm of humans. They are seen as small cysts found in muscles of cattle at slaughter. In other words, people are the cause of infection in cattle even though humans with tapeworm infections show no ill effects. Humans become infected by eating raw or undercooked meat containing a cyst. Cattle become infected by grazing pasture contaminated with human faeces that contain tapeworm eggs, therefore the concern during flood events. Once the tapeworm eggs are eaten by cattle the immature tapeworm is released and burrows

through the intestinal wall, reaches the blood stream and migrates to a muscle in the animal. They are mainly found in the muscles of the jaw, tongue, heart, and diaphragm of cattle, and are less commonly found in other muscles of the animal. Infection with beef measles has no observable effect on the health of cattle. Routine meat inspection in abattoirs enables beef measles cases to be detected. Detection may lead to condemnation of part of the carcass. Beef measles is a notifiable disease. Once detected, the cattle’s National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) details are used to trace the property of origin. The owner is then contacted by Agriculture Victoria staff and

advised on the nature and control of beef measles. Beef measles infections commonly originate from paddocks that have been contaminated with septic tank drainage, and from properties that have campsites or properties frequented by people where human faeces have not been properly disposed of. In the case of the flood event, cattle exposed to the overflow of sewerage were assigned a status through the NLIS system. The control of beef measles relies on reducing the exposure of cattle to tapeworm eggs and preventing the human ingestion of infective cysts. Medication is very effective in eliminating tapeworms from humans. For further information please contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer.

In The Paddock CFA reminds farmers of harvester safety precautions FOLLOWING the warmer, drier conditions experienced in spring, CFA is warning farmers to take care with their upcoming harvesting activities. Hot and dry conditions paired with high fuel loads will see this year's agricultural events kicking off sooner with elevated risks of fire ignition and spread. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan is reminding farmers and community members to take extra caution this harvest season and be responsive to imminent dangers. “We are entering a more standard sum-

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “No, no," Mr. Darling always said, "I am responsible for it all. I, George Darling, did it. MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA." J.M. Barrie “Peter Pan”

mer fire season this year, so we know there will be a large amount of dry fine fuel ready to burn as the vegetation continues to dry out,” CO Heffernan said. “Unfortunately, we encounter a large number of fires igniting from farm machinery and vehicles each year in Victoria, and last year was no different which saw CFA volunteers respond to 41 of them between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023,” CO Heffernan said. “Many of our volunteers are farmers themselves so we understand the pressure that harvesting related fires pose to them and the community in regard to both their safety and profits.” CO Heffernan said awareness is key to avoiding harvester fires, ensuring farmers are cleaning down and inspecting equip-

ment thoroughly before use. “We know how quickly small fires can spread to nearby paddocks, so it is imperative that our farmers are prepared before jumping on the harvest,” he said. “Make it part of your routine to make sure your machinery is free of faults and mechanical defects, check for straw or grass build-up, as well as hot bearings. “It is important to understand that material collecting on hot engine components in the manifold, exhaust and turbocharger are the most common causes of harvester fires.” Farmers are particularly warned to be mindful of harvesting, grinding, welding, slashing or mowing in hot and windy conditions, as they can cause harm in a matter of minutes. “Be sure to check weather conditions against the Grain Harvesting Operations Guide before harvest-

ing,” he said. “Hot and dry conditions are a particular concern for CFA, so always carry a water fire extinguisher and postpone paddock work during the highest fire-risk periods.” “Where possible, take regular breaks when operating machinery so it doesn’t get too hot and have adequate firefighting resources available in paddocks where you are conducting harvesting. “We also strongly recommend you avoid driving vehicles and motorbikes through dry grass as the hot exhaust system is a major fire risk.” Farmers are often the first responders to grass fires and understand the risks of operating machinery in these conditions, however we advise this awareness is communicated more broadly to your family and neighbours. “Being fire safe on your farm should be part of any fire plan you have.” he said.

Week ending Thursday 15 November 2023

— By Glendon Hancock

THE Australian wool market has risen strongly this week over both selling days. The AW E X Eastern M a r ke t Indicator closed the week 23 cents higher at 1151 cents, its highest level in 3 months. The majority of the rises were recorded on the first day when individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) for merino fleece gained between 10 and 41 cents across the country. The AW E X Eastern M a r ke t Indicator (EMI) added 19 cents for the day which was the largest singleday rise since July. The gain in the EMI was driven by Merino Fleece types while a softer crossbred m a r ke t

prevented the EMI from posting an even larger rise. Foreign exchange rates were dominated onTuesday night by US CPI data which pushed the Au s t r a l i a n d o l l a r (AUD) through the US 65 cent level. A strengthening dollar can put pressure on the market as exporter purchases become more expensive in US dollar terms. Whilst the market did open up hesitantly on Wednesday it gathered momentum over the course of the day and added another 4 cents to the AWEX-EMI. At the close of the week Merino Fleece types were generally

National Offering Centre North South South NZ West Total

Week 20 20 20 20

Days Offering 21, 22 Nov. 10,717 21, 22 Nov. 22,597 21, 22 Nov. 1,758 21, 22 Nov. 5,653 40,205

Future Offerings 21

28, 29 Nov.

45,915

Source - AWEX

30 to 50 cents higher. Merino Skirtings followed a similar trend with solid gains in the finer microns. Crossbreds and Carding types tracked sideways, closing at little change for the week. Next week’s offering is forecast to increase to just under 46,000 bales for Melbourne, Fr e m a n t l e and Sydney combined.

Melbourne 1125L +23 16.5 1832 +37 17 1736 +51 17.5 1648 +30 18 1563 +38 18.5 1487 +41 19 1425 +37 19.5 1381 +36 20 1336 +25 21 1324 +26 22 23 24 25 26 571 -9 28 355 -5 30 333 0 32 310 0 MC 693 +9 Ind.

FOR SALE BY TENDER

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 11

KELL FUNERALS Est 1860

PRE PAID FUNERALS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS

Ph: 5495 1043

136 Napier Street St. Arnaud

NAFD Member

Birthday wishes to: November 22nd Melissa Esmore Don Ferguson November 23rd Mahalia Martin November 25th Matthew Birthisel Jamie Ferguson Logan Hines Hana Pickthall Jody Reyne Kerry Supple

November 26th Colin Coates Hayden McKenzie Ebony Jennings Ashleigh Todd November 27th Angus Ostarcevic November 28th Chloe Reid George Sutherland Nadia Duncan

New Venue We have changed the venue of the East Wimmera Health Service, 2023 Annual General Meeting scheduled for

WHATS ON

PLANT SALE 25-27 Navarre Road, St. Arnaud

Monday, 27 November 2023 at 6.00 pm Please note the new venue and location is the

Birchip Cropping Group Boardroom, 73 Cumming Ave, Birchip VIC 3483. If you have any questions, please contact Mandy Campbell T: 5477 2129 E: Amanda.campbell@ewhs.org.au

WOOROONOOK CFA

Christmas BBQ at Fire Shed Sunday, 26th November 6pm Bring salad or sweet Meat supplied Santa at 7pm

EMPLOYMENT

FOR SALE

POSITION VACANT CASUAL Driveway Attendant Weekdays and Weekends as needed Position includes fuel & shop sales, general cleaning and other sundry duties. Basic computer knowledge. Applications in writing, delivered to:Alan & Mark Esmore St. Arnaud Apex Service Station 1 Silvermines Road, St. Arnaud. Vic. 3478

FOR SALE

•FOR SALE - Two Seater Fabric Lounge Suite with two Armchairs. $50. Phone: 5495 1520.

Sat. 25th November 9.00am - 1.00pm

ART MATERIALS FOR SALE Two large canvases 36x48, still wrapped. Langridge oil paints, Matisse acrylic paints, brushes, including new Neef branded Ben Winspear Rigger brushes, palette knives, Langridge mediums and glazes. Owner retiring. $250. Judith 0400 152 738

SEEKING TO LOCATE BENEFICIARIES OR RELATIVES OF RONALD ARTHUR GEORGE CARROLL We are seeking to make contact with any beneficiary or relative of Ronald Arthur George Carroll, previously known to be a resident of the Korong Vale area in Victoria. Please contact CLH Lawyers if you have any information as to the contact details for any beneficiary or relative of Mr Carroll, by post to CLH Lawyers, Level 2, 577 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, or by email to mcc@clhlawyers.com.au, or by telephone on 03 9628 2801, reference 938568.

Job Opportunities Birchip • Nurse Unit Manager • Associate Nurse Unit Manager Charlton • Resident Lifestyle Coordinator • Administration Assistant Donald • District Nurse Wycheproof • Campus Manager • Nurse Unit Manager Further information available at: https://ewhs.org.au/careers

Page 12 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

Hurry in for your

2024

Calendars $2.50 at St. Arnaud Allsorts

Ph: 5495 1161 89-93 Napier Street, St. Arnaud

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

$20 available at North Central News and Apex Service Station St. Arnaud.

CHURCH NOTICES ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST. ARNAUD

WANTED

“HELPING HAND” Gardener required, 4 hours p/w, until after operation. Phone: 5495 2842.

GARAGE SALE

AT YOUR SERVICE

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

Hayley:

Garage Sale

0409 337 276,

Saturday, 25th November.

0458 885 266

55 Bowen Street, St. Arnaud. 9am to 1pm

St. Arnaud Serenity Storage

Luke:

Christmas Novelties, Furniture, Jigsaws and Sundries.

DEATH AT YOUR SERVICE

• IRONSTONE

REMOVALS - Maryborough- runs south. Phone: 0412 726 432.

Solicitor 116 Napier St., St. Arnaud

Practical, experienced advice in plain English Appointments also available in Charlton, Donald & Wycheproof

Ph: 5495 2595 Karen@klp.net.au

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 Colours, Perms, Unisex Cuts, Waxing, Teeth Whitening, Brow Wax & Tinting, Tanning etc.. 110 Napier St., St. Arnaud

HAMILTON - Keith William of Coonooer Bridge passed away peacefully on 18th Nov. 2023, aged 96 yrs. Loved son of the late George and Margaret (Hiles). Loved brother of Arthur (dec). Treasured Uncle to Karen and her family. IN GOD’S HANDS NOW HINES - Bill Thanks for all the love and kindness you always showed to me and my girls. ‘Another star brightens the sky’ Love your sister-in-law Maureen xx HINES - Bill Uncle Bill, your journey may have ended on earth, but the impact you had on our lives will continue to ripple through generations. Loved Uncle and friend of Rebecca and Mark. Great Uncle of Oscar and Dayne xxxx

BEREAVEMENT THANK YOU WARD The Family of Maureen Ward would like to thank Family and friends for their expressions of sympathy on the occasion of her recent passing.

IN MEMORIAM BOLES - Edward Robert ‘Bobbie’ 13/10/1933 - 23/11/1993 Always loved Never forgotten Forever missed Remembered with love Shirley, Susan, Kerrie, Tricia, Angela, Julie, Cathy and families MULLINS - John 23.10.1950-23.11.2013 Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday, Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear. Leanne and family.

CHURCH NOTICES ST. ARNAUD CHURCH OF CHRIST Cnr. Queens Ave & Alma St. Learning more about Jesus Thu 23rd November 10.30 a.m.: Faith Group Sun 26th November 10.00 a.m. Prayer Time 10.30 a.m.: Worship & Communion Speaker: David Tolputt AGM to follow service All welcome Enquiries: Brian Eccles Ph: 5495 2267

Christ Church Old Cathedral Friday 24th November 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 November 26th 10.30am Live Stream in BOORT

Sunday November 26th 10.30am Live Stream in BANYENA No Mass CHARLTON

ST. ARNAUD UNITING CHURCH

Sunday November 26th 10.30pm

Sunday 26th November ST. ARNAUD No Service in St. Arnaud combined service at STUART MILL 10.00am G. Postlethwaite Followed by morning tea. PARISH OFFICE Chris & Rob Batters Pastorial Co-ordinators Enquiries 5495 6223

Live Stream out to churches without Mass DONALD

Rubber Stamps available from North Central News - (03) 5495 1055

Charlton Florist and Fashion

Stock Clearance Sale Phone Joan: 5491 2220 9 High Street Charlton

Sunday November 26th 10.30am Live Stream in ST. ARNAUD

Sunday November 26th 8.30am

Lions Club Of St. Arnaud

Mass WYCHEPROOF

CHRISTMAS PROCESSION

Saturday November 25th 7.00pm Mass Parish Coordinator: Noeline Hogan 0476 617 976

This Saturday, November 26 9AM - 1PM

to be held on

Friday, 15th December 2023 Theme:

Bells, Baubles & Branches Looking forward to seeing the whole community at the event!

Shop locally, support local business and secure your children’s future

FUNERAL

HAMILTON A graveside service for Mr. Keith Hamilton will be held at the St Arnaud Monumental Cemetery on THURSDAY 23rd Nov. at 11.00 am. KELL FUNERALS ST ARNAUD NFDA EST: 1860

5495 1043

BEREAVEMENT THANK YOU JONES - Inez On behalf of Chris, Sue, Dianne, Ricky and families, we would like to thank everyone for your many messages of condolence, flowers and cards. A special thank you to Dr. Darko, Prof. George Kannourakis and his team in Ballarat, and lastly Jane and the team at Respect for looking after mum with love and care for the past two and half years.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 13

Flying Doctor Community Transport celebrates in St. Arnaud ROYAL Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Victoria, last Saturday 18th November, celebrated the expansion of Flying Doctor Community Transport at ten different sites across Victoria, all at the same time. Flying Doctor Community Transport enables eligible clients to access medical appointments and Social Support Group activities at no cost. With trained local volunteer drivers, and in partnership with local health care providers, the service helps those who would otherwise have limited transport options and ensures more people can access the health care ser vices they need. The service was first established in

Heathcote five years ago, before expanding to Rochester in early 2021. However, with funding from the Western Victoria Primar y Health Network, Murray PHN and Gippsland PHN, Flying Doctor Community Transport has grown significantly, opening a further eight sites across the state in less than 12 months. “It was important that we recognised the incredible effort of rolling out eight new

Above: Scott Chapman, RFDS CEO who drove from Melbourne to chair the St. Arnaud site event. Below: Rowena Clift CEO of Western Victoria Primary Health Network, who highlighted the importance of the RFDS Community Transport Service in our area.

Above: (left to right) Hayley Wallace Program Coordinator, Helen Rigby St. Arnaud Program coordinator, Barry Robertson volunteer driver, Terence Robertson volunteer driver, Rowena Clift CEO of WVPHN, Scott Chapman RFDS CEO, Natalie Haugh Program Lead WVPHN planning sustainability, Kerry McNaulty volunteer driver, Jo Lee Program Development Consultant WVPHN, Philip McRae volunteer driver, Chris Jones volunteer driver, Peter Milley volunteer driver, Theresa Pavletich support volunteer, Leonard Reid volunteer driver and Debbie Mattsson volunteer driver. sites in such a short period of time,” said RFDS Victoria Chief Executive, Scott Chapman. “This is a service designed to support the local community, and is run by the local community, so it was wonderful that we could say thanks to all the people who have brought it to life. “It was also great to know that while we were celebrating here in St. Arnaud, nine other Community Transport sites were holding their own events at exactly the same time. “It was a celebration of almost 500 people, spread out across the state,” he added. One of the greatest costs to the health care system is missed appointments. By providing a safe, reliable and free transportation option, Flying Doctor Community Transport ensures that people can maintain their health, thereby reducing the number of preventable hospital admissions and greatly reducing costs and pressure on the health system. They are so excited and proud to have brought such an amazing service to St. Arnaud and surrounds.

St. Arnaud Program Coordinator Helen Rigby said that the community has really embraced it and made it their own. “Without Community Transport, clients would have to ask family and friends to take time out of their working day to take them to appointments, which is not always possible.” The service also has benefits for the volunteer drivers, who are proud to give back to their community. One volunteer driver Chris Jones said that being a volunteer driver gives me the opportunity to be of ser vice to the community. “Meeting people in the community and engaging with them, some of whom may not have family support is a very satisfying experience”. Celebration events were held across the broader communities of Central Gippsland, Cobram, Foster, Heathcote, L akes Entrance, Numurkah, Robinvale, Rochester, St. Arnaud and Warracknabeal. Community members can register to use the Flying Doctor Community Transport service by calling the Program Support team on 03 7046 4664.

Above: Attendees at the event - clients, guests, volunteers, dignitaries and support volunteers.

Page 14 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

Above: Cutting the ceremonial ribbon (left to right) Scott Chapman CEO, Brad Murray RFDS Community Transport client, Rowena Clift CEO WVPHN.

Adding another home to your block will soon be easier THE planning changes will soon be easier for Victorians to build a small second home on their property as they will no longer require a planning permit to build a small second home on their property. Building a small second home on your own lot will be allowed as part of the State Government’s recent Housing Statement. Premier Jacinta Allan said the burden of planning approvals has put building a small second home in the too hard basket – we’re making it easier, so families can grow together and have a place to care for loved ones. Small second homes under 60 square metres, also known as granny flats, will no longer require a plan-

ning permit on properties 300 square metres or larger where there are no flooding or environmental overlays. This will lift the burden of getting planning approval for Victorians. There will be no restrictions on how a small second home can be used – they can be used flexibly, whether it’s keeping family members closer, providing temporar y housing or being rented out for additional income. Small second

homes will still require a building permit, will need to meet ResCode (residential design code) setback and siting requirements – and cannot be subdivided or separately sold off from the main home. These reforms will be implemented through changes to the planning and building systems, with a comprehensive information pack available for applicants and assessors. Whether Victorians are buying their first place, upsizing or downsizing as life changes, renting or calling social housing their home – the landmark Housing Statement is about ensuring everyone has a place to call home.

Where to from here on Modular Kindergarten location FOLLOWING the Northern Grampians Shire Council (NGSC) decision not to progress a modular kindergarten within Market Square an alternative site will be identified to meet the needs of the community and support the roll-out of the Best Start Best Life program. Council will identify a site for the development of a fitfor-purpose integrated early years facility in St. Arnaud, a facility that provides children and families access to key early years services, along with a place to connect with other families. Although the government initiative focuses on providing high quality education and care for all children and families into the future and the decision not to progress the construction on the site was based on detailed site and building design work that found managing the impact of flooding made the site unviable to build on. L ocating the kindergarten building within a site that is suitable to accommodate a future fit-for-purpose integrated early years

facility was part of the decision and NGSC had previously acknowledging the need to fast track delivery of the kindergarten building whilst planning for an integrated early years facility that will meet the community’s needs well into the future. Councillor Rob Haswell, Mayor of Northern Grampians Shire Council said council wants to ensure that St. Arnaud has a facility for the future and will undergo a robust and rigorous process to identify a permanent site that will accommodate the kindergarten building, along with a future integrated early years facility. “The process will involve several stages and include engagement with key stakeholders. “Getting to this point has been difficult.

“The process of identifying options and consulting with key people and groups was undertaken within a short timeframe, which wasn’t ideal. “The Best Start Best Life reform, like all early childhood education and care, will provide greater opportunities for children to develop the skills for their learning and development and set positive foundations for their lives. “We are committed to delivering an integrated early years facility that works for our community and accommodates for growth. “We want to see better outcomes for children and families throughout the shire,” added Cr Haswell. Further updates will be provided by the Council as the project develops.

Above: NGSC are committed to finding a site that will facilitate an integrated early years facility as the existing kindergarten site is too small.

Paws on Patrol at St. Arnaud Cinema Paw Patrol: The Might Movie…...when a magical meteor crash lands into Adventure City it gives the Paw Patrol pups superpowers, and transforms them into The Mighty Pups. They become a new breed of heroes. However, things take a turn for the worse when Humdinger and a mad scientist steal their powers and turn themselves into

Super Villains. As the team springs into action to save Adventure City from the evil Humdinger and his off-sider, Skye learns that even the smallest pup can make a big

difference, when this mini-hero saves people from fire. This is an adorable romp that will delight the audience with its humour, action, and wit. Starring Bruce Gonzales, Kim K a r d a s h i a n , McKinnon Grace and many others it is the perfect movie for the

- Contributed whole family to enjoy! To entice you to enjoy an evening or afternoon out there is a special price of just $10.00 pp. too. Screening will take place at the early time of 6.30pm on Fr i d a y 24th N o v e m b e r, a n d a t 2pm on Sunday 26th November.

ST. ARNAUD BLINDS We are NOW based in your area FOR ALL TYPES OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR BLINDS, SECURITY DOORS AND FLYSCREENS, ALUMINUM ROLLER SHUTTERS AND PLANTATION SHUTTERS Free measure and quote at your request. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

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For all your Trophy and Engraving needs! Phone: 0428 951 441 18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 15

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Marbled Marshwort Warriors If you look online on the Atlas of Living Australia website, there are just three dots across Australia that mark the locations of a critically endangered wetland plant. And one of them is in our very own catchment. The article below appeared in the North Central Catchment M a n a g e m e n t Authority’s monthly n e w s l e t t e r, N o r t h Central Chat and details the work by some locals to help ensure that this treasure is not lost forever.

30 Oct 2023 Two small wetlands in the middle of west-

ern Victoria are at the heart of a plan to bring back a critically endangered aquatic plant. Davis’ Dam on private farmland between L ake Buloke and Birchip, and Creswick Dam north of Marnoo, are being managed with water for the environment partly to help re-establish the marbled marshwort aquatic plant. The plant’s floating leaves are lily-like, with a marbled green pattern on top. Marbled marshwort was once abundant in wetlands in Victoria and New South Wales, but farming practices, weed invasion, river regulation, and climate change have seen it almost wiped out. That’s where the

North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Neil and Sue Davis, and the Avon Plains Banyena Landcare Group come in. “It’s being grown in the Davis’ farm dam, as well as a pond in their backyard,” North Central CMA Project Officer Heremaia Titoko said. “It is thriving and we’re really happy with the results so far. “We have been able to translocate it into Creswick Swamp and are looking to do the same in other dams and wetlands nearby.” Davis’ Dam and Creswick Swamp are two of seven Wimmera Mallee Pipeline wetlands the North Central CMA delivers water for the environment to. Open irrigation channels and many

dams were removed when the pipeline was built, making the remaining wetlands that receive water for the environment important refuges in a dry landscape. “Having water available is a lifeline to a whole range of plants and animals in the region,” Ms Titoko said. “We manage them with water for the environment, in cooperation with the property owners and the local community, with the aim of ensuring these wetlands continue to be oases for a long time to come.” The North Central CMA will manage flows of up to 2.5 megalitres to five Wimmera Mallee Pipeline wetlands from late October: Chirrup Swamp, Creswick Swamp, Davis Wetland, Jeffcott life

Above: (left to right) Anne Hughes and Heremaia Titoko planting out the Marbled Marshwort at Chirrup Swamp. Reserve and Jesse Swamp. The flows are authorised by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder in line with its Seasonal Watering Plan 2023-24. The Plan is available for download from www.vewh.vic.gov.au, with regular watering

updates posted on the North Central CMA website. If you are interested

in being involved in this project, please email avonplains @gmail.com

Above: Evie Young is helping to grow these endangered plants for relocation into the “wild”. Left: (left to right) Anne Hughes and Prue McAllister checking on the health of the planted Marbled Marshwort at Creswick Well.

Above: Our very own endemic water lily – Marbled Marshwort .

GWMWater taps into the energy market GWMWater has entered into an agreement with Vibe Energy to co-develop a Renewable Energy Facility at Nhill. It is the organisation’s first venture into larger scale energy generation with direct connection into the local electricity grid and will offset 70% of GWMWater’s total electricity demand. The facility, which includes a 2.75 MW (6 MWh) battery, will be located off the Western Highway, behind the Nhill Trailer Exchange, and generate 6.2 MW of solar energy. This is the equivalent of around 1,000 residential rooftop systems. Construction will commence once planning approvals are finalised and the facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2024. GWMWater Managing Director, Mark Williams, said the project was part of the organi-

sation’s broader clean energy strategy and is a major step towards GWMWater becoming a carbon neutral net-generator of electricity. “GWMWater is committed to securing 100% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2025 and becoming carbon neutral by 2035.” he said. “The Nhill facility, along with solar generation that has been installed at 59 other GWMWater sites, will enable us to become more self-sufficient in locally generating the energy we need to operate water and wastewater services. “GWMWater is well placed to leverage its existing assets, systems and customer relationships, combined with new ener-

gy generation assets – such as the Nhill Renewable Energy Facility – to become a netgenerator of electricity and supply local businesses and communities.” Vibe Energy’s Dean Panos said the company was looking forward to partnering with GWMWater to boost the local market. “Vibe Energy is excited to be playing a role in facilitating GWMWater’s energy transition, which will allow locally generated renewable energy to service local demand”. Significant progress has already been made in implementing GWMWater’s Clean Energy Strategy with ‘behind the meter’ solar installations generating 2.3 MW of renewable energy.

Page 16 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

Win Free Green Waste for a year in Buloke THE much-anticipated 'Buloke's Best Lawn' and 'Yard Transformation' competitions have returned, spotlighting the passion and care that Buloke's residents invest in their residential green spaces. Sho w o f f y o u r immaculately kept lawns or stunning yard makeovers and you could win a year’s supply of free green waste disposal along with a coveted trophy, all made possible by the support of the Au s t r a l i a n and Victorian governments and the Community Recovery Program. The competitions kick off as the Fire Danger Period has b e g u n i n B u l o ke , alongside the Council’s proactive M o s q u i t o Control Program. The involvement of residents is crucial to

this cause. By ensuring yards don’t harbour stagnant water, we help prevent mosquito proliferation, and address common garden pests such as mice, snakes, spiders, and others. This year's events carry particular significance as we remember the impact of Japanese Encephalitis on our community. Through these competitions, we honour our community’s commitment to ensuring safe and inviting outdoor areas. If you have concerns about stagnant water from last

year’s floods, please notify Council’s Environmental Health Team by calling 1300 520 520, or learn more at www.betterhealth .vic.gov.au. Let’s make maintaining our yards a shared passion and contribute to a more pleasant and safe living environment by taking part, funded thanks to the Australian and Victorian Community Recovery Program. Grab your gardening gloves and take part in a competition that values your efforts in beautification and community well-being. Prizes will be proudly awarded at the 2024 Australia Day Celebrations. Each household may enter once, choosing either or both

categories of Best Residential L awn and/or Best Yard Transformation. Inclusivity is at the heart of the competition, welcoming entries from residents in Buloke whether they are maintained by homeowners or by professionals. For full terms and participation details, visit www.buloke. vic.gov.au, or request an application via post before 4th December. The competition closes on 15th December, 2023. Have questions or need assistance? The Customer Service team is just a call away at 1300 520 520. Get set to Ready, Set, Mow and let your garden grow into a community showcase.

Container Collection Depot in full swing CONTAINER Deposit Scheme (CDS) has launched and Norm and Kim at EcoSwish Recycling are proud to be named alongside Cleanaway as one of the return site locations. EcoSwish will be operating the CDS return point between the hours of 8am to 8pm and access is available without staff being present so that everyone can easily return their drink containers for a 10c refund.

What will be eligible in Victoria? Most beverage containers (larger than 150ml and smaller than 3L) that are made from aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard are eligible for a 10c refund when returned to a TOMRA Reverse Vending Machine. Do not crush your containers or remove the labels as our scanners will need to identify the shape, label and barcode to register your refund.

How to claim your refund There are 3 options: Digital via an app on your phone.

Download the CDS Vic West App (https://onelink.to/cdsvi c) to you can get your refunds digitally. Options include getting your refund as a Bank Transfer, PayPal payout, or an EVoucher. Simply sign up and select your preferred payout method to get started. Before starting your recycling session, scan your personal barcode at the machine. Recyclers insert their containers and select Payout. Refunds are paid to bank and PayPal accounts within one business day. E-vouchers can be used at the specified retail partner to get cash, or a discount off your shopping.

Cash voucher Cash Vouchers are available from every TOMRA Cleanaway Reverse Vending Machine and you can redeem them for cash or discounts at your local retail partner

Above: Crushed cans or those without the labels cannot be taken by EcoSwish. Below: Customers take advantage of the facilities to make extra cash.

which is Dana and the team at THE SHIRE CAFE. Simply return your containers and press “Voucher” on screen.

No sign-up necessary. Take your voucher to your local redemption partner THE SHIRE CAFE and hand it in at the service counter to get your cash refund.

Charity donations You can donate some of your 10c refund directly to a charity, a sporting club, a school, or a community group registered as a donation partner with CDS Vic and TOMRA Cleanaway. You can either donate to donation partners listed on our CDS Vic West app OR to one of Victoria’s most respected major charities directly listed on the screens of our Reverse Vending Machines. You can donate via: 1. the CDS Vic West app, select your preferred ‘Charity’ as your active payout, scan your app barcode at the machine, insert your 10c drink containers and select ‘Transfer’ directly on the screen of the machine when finished. One hundred per cent of the donated refund will be transferred to the donation partner you selected within the next 5 to 12 days. 2. by pressing ‘Donate’ directly on the touchscreen and select our major Donation Partner. The response and returns in the first two weeks has seen the St. Arnaud site as the second highest in the region for the same size unit. EcoSwish is excited to have been selected to an upgrade to a larger machine which will allow for less down time for changeovers. Currently if the machine fills whilst you are feeding in your containers, EcoSwish receive a notification via our support app, so wait there as we will return to support as soon as possible. You can also check your app to see if the machine is open or closed. You can raise funds for your cause while helping the environment, encourage the community to recycle, and help the transition to a circular economy

Above: Kim Birthisel with the Container Deposit machines that are now available at EcoSwish Recyling in St. Arnaud. Not-for-profit organisations, schools, sports clubs, community groups and charities interested in fundraising will first need to register with CDS Vic to obtain a Donation Partner ID. Step# 1 – Register with CDS Vic Click here (https://cdsvic.org.au/d onation-partner-registration) to complete your registration form with CDS Vic and obtain you Donation Partner ID Step# 2 – Activate your Donation Partner ID and set up your payment account Once you have received your Donation Partner ID from CDS Vic, click here (https://charity.cdsvicw est-app.com/login) to set up your payment account with EcoSwish. TOMRA Cleanaway operates all the refund points across the West Zone so if your charity is state-wide or national, please register with the other two operators. Step# 3 – Share with your supporters. Let your supporters know that they are able to choose to donate their 10c refund(s) to your organisation through the app from any refund points

located in the west zone. Not-for-profit organisations, schools, sports clubs, community groups and charities can start receiving donations from ANY Reverse Vending Machines and Refund Collection points located in the West zone.

Community Fundraising Bottle and Can Drives A wide range of community groups proactively engages their volunteers and supporters to collect as many drink containers as possible, returning cans and bottles to their local machines or refund

points to cash in the refunds. Your group can use the scheme to help the environment and reduce litter in your local community by placing can and bottle donation bins or large donation bags at schools, swimming pools, sports clubs, or caravan parks. The collected cans and bottles can then returned to a collection point, with the resulting funds channeled back into important community programs, such as disaster relief programs, in-school initiatives, and a wide range of other vital local initiatives that are making a difference to the lives of

many members in our community. As the network operator in the West Zone, TOMRA Cleanaway is a key first point of contact for organisations willing to increase their level of involvement with the scheme. EcoSwish can help your community group gain access to the scheme’s key information, collection bags and scheme branded signage. EcoSwish will also share PR and marketing tips on how best to engage with your supporters and audiences. Contact us to find out how we can help you run a successful ‘Bottles and Cans’ drive.

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 17

Falling Bulk billing rates concerns Webster THE proportion of General Practitioners bulk billing all patients nationwide has halved in the past year and bulk billing rates by GPs for all patients fell to just 12 per cent in 2023 according to RACGP statistics in a drastic failure of Federal Government policy, stated Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health Anne Webster.

Powerlines and farming operations just do not mix If you look closely (above and right) you will see that there are some pieces of canola that have been blown onto the powerlines after a farmer has windrowed. It just takes a small gust of wind to take some part of the crop upwards and with above ground powerlines, there is always the possibility that some will be caught on the lines. What does this mean for combining above ground powerlines and farming? What does it mean when the powerlines are high voltage and the ever present possibility of parts of crops landing on them?

Above: Spotted not far from St. Arnaud, the arrows on the top picture indicate each of the three pieces of canola blown onto the powerlines.

SEC won’t stop soaring prices say The Nats THE Nationals have united to call out what they say as ‘the hoax’ that is the SEC, re-branding the State Electricity Commission “Soaring Energy Costs”. MPs wore branded hats, which were the brain-child of The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, who has witnessed the SEC con job first-hand. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says the SEC is a “just a hoax for Victorian consumers”. “Martin Cameron has come up with a great idea to explain actually what the SEC stands for and it’s Soaring Energy Costs,” Mr Walsh says.

“There’s no way known we’re going to see costs for electricity come down under the Allan Labor Government. “It’s just a hoax for Victorian consumers.” Mr Cameron, who represents the former SEC’s heartland, says he is tired of the government’s spruiking. “We’re going to call them out on it. “The SEC stands for nothing but Soaring Energy Costs these days,” Mr Cameron says.

Page 18 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

“Health Minister, Mark Butler brags about his Government’s tripling of the Medicare Bulk Billing Incentive, but that is merely hot air. “The incentive only affects consults for pensioners, concession card holders and children – it does not change the fact bulk billing rates are continuing to fall under Labor,” Dr Webster said. “In fact they are now at the lowest since the Rudd- Gillard-Rudd Government years despite being at record highs when the Coalition left Government. “All this is compounded in regional Australia where patients struggle to access a doctor – thanks to Labor bleeding the regions of doctors through the expansion of the Distribution Priority Areas which funnelled International Medical Graduates into periurban settings. On top of this, Dr Webster said regulatory and compliance burden were contributing to GPs leaving the medical practice, compounded by State Governments introducing a retrospective payroll tax. “GPs are getting tired, overworked and simply burnt out – of the 39,000 GPs working in Australia currently almost three in 10 intend to retire in the next five years – they have had enough,” Dr Webster said. “State Labor Governments enforcing a payroll tax which retrospectively hits GPs for the past five years is just another straw to break the camel’s back.” Making matters even worse, the number of medical graduates training has plunged, with more than 225 fewer medical graduates signing up to GP training in 2022 with one in three GPs now trained overseas. “Why would a young medical graduate want to be a GP under the current policy settings?” Dr Webster said. “We need change and that starts with proper investment in primary care – not lip service.” According to the RACGP, almost 9 in 10 Australians visit a GP each year. In 2022 more than 179 million health services were provided by GPs and on average patients received 7.9 episodes of care from

their GP throughout the year. “When you consider General Practice represents only 6.5 per cent of total Government health spending, it is ridiculous.” Dr Webster said.

“Government spending on an equivalent visit to the GP is $80 compared to an Emergency Department visit for the same illness at over $600. “The fact is, primary

healthcare deserves more funding because it keeps people out of hospital. Labor needs to step up and face this great inequity and looming disaster.” Dr Webster said.

Wycheproof ends Saints unbeaten run ROUND 6 of North Central Bowls was not the result the St. Arnaud Division 1 team wanted. Their undefeated run came to an end at Wycheproof last Saturday. The visiting St. Arnaud bowlers could not handle the very fast greens at Wycheproof, and managed to win only one of the three rinks, losing by 8 shots overall. St. Arnaud has remained on top of the Division 1 ladder, but Wedderburn has crept closer with a win over Country Club, and Wycheproof is just 1 point behind Wedderburn. The massive victory by 89 shots, by Donald Golf over Charlton has lifted Donald Golf back into contention, 2 points behind fourth placed Boort.

Wycheproof led all game St. Arnaud was 7 shots down overall after the first 5 ends, fought back to be 3 shots down after 15 ends, but Wycheproof held on to take the points. Steve Zsigmond, Glendon Hancock, Greg McNally and Tom Amos lost 6 of the first 7 ends, trailing A. Meade 1-9, but fought back in great style winning the next 6 ends for a 17-9 lead. The Wycheproof four came back in a tough contest and scores were level at 22 shots each with 2 ends to play. Ziggy’s four scored singles on each end, for a great win. Phil McRae, Col Marchment, Graham Simpson and Darren Shepherd against E. Hayes, were 3 shots in front after 5 ends, trailed 9-15 after 13 ends, got back in front 16-15 at 16 ends, but the Wyche team took control, winning 5 of the next 6 ends to hold on for a solid win. Terr y McSwain, Ashley Dyke, Maurie Wood and Tony Marland led J. Grylls’

four 3-0 after a promising start, however, the Wycheproof four won 4 of the next 5 ends, and although the St. Arnaud four got to within 2 shots on the 20th end, went down by 5 shots, on the shorter ends controlled by the home side.

Match details St. Arnaud v Wycheproof Division 1. S. Zsigmond 24 def A. Mead 22 P. McRae 21 lost to E. Rayes 26 T. McSwain 18 lost to J. Grylls 23 St. Arnaud 63 shots lost to Wycheproof 71 shots – 2 points to 10 points.

Other Division 1 results Donald Golf 127 shots def Charlton 38 shots – 12 points to 0. Wedderburn 81 shots def Country Club 64 shots – 8 points to 4. Boort 64 shots def Donald 56 shots – 11 points to 1.

Division 1 Ladder 1. St.Arnaud pts 2. Wedderburn 3. Wycheproof 4. Boort 5. Charlton 6. Donald Golf 7. Country Club 8. Donald

52 44 43 35 34 33 30 17.

Division 2 Saints badly beaten Wycheproof took control early in all three rinks and widened the margins as the games progressed, winning 54 ends to St.Arnaud’s 21. Brian Eccles, Kell Bibby, Terence Robertson and Jason Barron won only 6 of the 25 ends but amazingly scored two 6s, to take the lead against R. Gr ylls. But the

Wycheproof team took back control and won 9 of the last 12 ends. Lloyd Goddard, Colin Coates, Frank James and John Prendergast conceded shots on 7 of the first 8 ends, but 6 shots on the 10th end brought them back into the game. After conceding 14 shots over the next 4 ends, they were no match for the Wyche team. Gar y Shinners, Kerryn Dyke, Peter Duncan and Garry Smith also won only 7 ends and trailed badly the entire game against D. Denney.

Match Details St. Arnaud v Wycheproof Division 2 B. Eccles 23 lost to R. Grylls 32 L. Goddard 18 lost to S. Barrat 33 G. Shinners 13 lost to D. Denney 34 St. Arnaud 54 shots lost to Wycheproof 99 shots - 0 points to 12 points

Other Division 2 results Donald Golf 87 shots def Boort 49 shots – 10 pts to 2. Wedderburn 85 shots def Country Club 54 shots - 10 pts to 2. Boort 88 shots def Donald 53 shots - 10 points to 2.

Division 2 Ladder 1. Wycheproof pts 2. Charlton 3. Donald Golf 4. Wedderburn 5. Country Club 6. St.Arnaud 7. Boort 8. Donald

61 46 44 40 34 33 22 8

Next week’s games round 7 St.Arnaud v Boort Charlton v Wycheproof Countr y Club v Donald Golf Donald v Wedderburn.

St. Arnaud welcomes the return of the veterans SATURDAY last proved a magical tennis day as players were blessed with sunny, windless conditions under a cloudless blue sky at St. Arnaud’s - Contributed home courts. With Wycheproof Tennis Club kindly swapping locations it enabled both St. Arnaud teams (St. Arnaud and Kara Kara) to play at home which added atmosphere to an enjoyable outing against Wy c h e p r o o f and Nullawil clubs. With some player absences it was excellent to see three former St. Arnaud and District Club Champions (that’s much nicer than references to “veterans”!) in Scott Wright, Chris Amos and Graeme Male gracing the courts, and displaying some of their, still evident, silky touches. After mentioning last week that the St. Arnaud team would benefit from more p r a c t i c e , t h i s ke y unlocked it’s first win for the season with a handy 101 – 72 games (8-2 points) victory over Wycheproof. With the welcome addition of Brendan Goode for his first appearance for St. Arnaud, he, together with Scott , Chris, Jack McRae , Thomas Watts and Ben Greenaway provided a scintillating

start cruising through all sets in the Men’s Doubles for a 40-14 games section win. It was good to see a more competitive St Arnaud return for the Ladies Doubles with its number 1 and 2 players, Tr u d i e Jackson and Keegan Amos enjoying an 8-4 victory over their Wycheproof counterparts. Although the Ladies lost their section 36-25 games their improved form bodes well for future matches. In the Mixed Doubles St. Arnaud proved too strong with three set winners Thomas Wa t t s , Brendan Goode and

Ben Greenaway leading the players to a 36-22 game outcome. On the adjacent courts the current “top of the ladder” team Nullawil, were providing stiff opposition in the latter part of the match against home team Kara Kara. Off to a flyer, albeit with a couple of very close encounters, the Kara Kara men’s combinations recorded an “all sets” victory 48-28 games in the Men’s Doubles. Unfortunately for Kara Kara, the very strong Nullawil ladies’ combinations showed their class winning he Ladies Doubles 48-16 games and it was down to a tight tussle in the

Mixed Doubles to determine the ultimate winner. The gap proved just a tad too wide for Kara Kara to cross with a close 32-35 games loss. To secure victory to Nullawil 111-96 games (8-2 points). That left Sam and Graeme Male, Kara Kara’s three set winners to join with all the players from both teams to enjoy afternoon tea. Did someone say, “come for tennis” or “come for afternoon tea”? Surely there was no better afternoon tea anywhere in the district…what a spread! So, if you’d like an amazing afternoon tea and a hit of tennis to boot then pop a call t h r o u g h t o Wi l l

Jackson on 0437 898 332! Meanwhile the Juniors Saturday morning tennis (9.30– 11.00) continues its merry way with St. Arnaud players providing oversight and coaching. Children between the ages of 7 to 16 are most welcome and there are some racquets available too. Next Saturday both teams will be at St Arnaud with Kara Kara playing host to Charlton and St. Arnaud to Donald. Ladder pts Nullawil 38 Birchip 29 Kara Kara 28 Donald 27 Wirrim 14 Charlton 12 St. Arnaud 8 Wycheproof 4

Above: As a passionate harness racing participant 20yo Charlton driver Ryan Sanderson is excited about his upcoming all expenses paid trip to France. In his 5 seasons of race driving Ryan has driven 286 winners and his drives have collected almost $2.5m in stakes for their connections. - Photo. Charlton HRC.

Ryan’s off to France A once in a lifetime opportunity has been offered to 20yo Charlton reinsman Ryan Sanderson of an all expenses paid trip to France to spend a fortnight in the leading trotting stable of JeanMichel Bazire and to drive in a race at Vincennes. Above: It was a glorious day for tennis!

Wooroonook St. Arnaud mid week pennant Redfin ST. ARNAUD travelled to Donald for Round 6 of Midweek Pennant Bowls.

- Contributed

NOVEMBER 18th and 19th saw 11 men, 10 ladies and 2 juniors from St. Arnaud Angling Club fish at Wooroonook for Competition Four. Barney Ezard caught a 32.3cm redfin. Barney won Biggest Fish. Riley Burke caught two redfin. His biggest being 32.1cm. Riley won Men’s Biggest Bag. Jody Reyne caught two redfin. Her biggest being 31cm. Jody won Ladies Biggest Bag. Leanne Burke caught a 31.4cm redfin. Leanne won Secret Length. Pheobe Lang caught a 31.7cm redfin. A very enjoyable weekend fishing in our wonderful local waters.

Gar y Shinners’ team played Beryl Milnes’ team. Margaret Quick, playing lead for Donald, was playing some great shots to help Donald to a 24 –16 win. Phil McRae's team had another well fought out game against Marg Kelly’s team. Both teams were playing some good shots with St. Arnaud running out winners 24-20. Tom Amos’s team played Lindy Morgan’s team. St. Arnaud was hav-

ing trouble adjusting to the grass green and was well down at the lunch break. The next 8 ends saw St. Arnaud improve their score, although Donald finished the game with good scores on the last 2 ends to run out comfortable winners 35 –17. Final Scores St. Arnaud 57 shots 2 points defeated by Donald 79 shots 10 points. Congratulations to our 3 ladies who were chosen to play in the North Central team to play in the Regional Round Robin at the St.

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Arnaud Country Club last Sunday. They were Kerryn Dyke, Sandra McIntyre and Anne McNally who received the callup late Saturday to replace a sick player. The ladies acquitted themselves well. The North Central team came runners up on the day. Also, congratulations to Steve Zsigmond who represented St. Arnaud in the North Central Men's team who won the Men's Round Robin competition f o r t h e Wi m m e r a Area.

It was worth the effort THE St. Arnaud Bowling Club’s ladies mixed tournament held last Thursday attracted teams from Stawell Golf, Wedderburn, Charlton, Country Club, - Contributed Wycheproof, Boort, Donald Golf, Avoca and Donald.

Above: Barney’s 32.3cm redfin. Below: Jody’s Reyne 31cm redfin.

Sandra McIntyre extended a warm welcome to the bowlers as they enjoyed a pregame “cuppa’, and wished them good bowling. The bowlers played one game of 12 ends prior to enjoying a wonderful lunch prepared by the St. Arnaud ladies who had put a lot of time and effort into the preparations for a successful day. Two games of 10 ends were contested in

the afternoon, after which they retreated to the clubhouse for a very good afternoon tea. Three teams remained undefeated, the winner, with 25 shots up, was Stawell Golf. Runners-up were Boort with 22 shots up. Sandra McIntyre congratulated the two teams and presented them with their prize money. The prize money for

the best win in the last game by the other teams was won by Wycheproof. Sandra sincerely thanked all the teams for their support, adding that it was much appreciated. Members of these teams thanked the St. Arnaud club for a day they had really enjoyed. The players ended proceedings with a raffle of a table full of goodies.

The offer, which he has accepted, is part of a 5-year commitment between Harness Racing Australia and Harness Racing Victoria to reward a talented participant in the 25 years and under age group. Ryan, who identified as having an outstanding resume in performance and character, will arrive in Paris on November 25 and leave to return home on December 8 with the race drive happening on December 1. At Ararat on Monday the Kooreh trained “Redbank Molly”, driven by Michael Bellman, was on her best behaviour taking her seasons win tally to

Inside running by Archie

5 when she easily accounted for her opposition in the Ararat RSL Pace. The “Betterthancheddar” mare is in race 1 at Geelong tonight (22/11) in a heat of the Bacchus Marsh Cup along with her stablemate “Slice Of Cheddar” who is by the same USA born sire. Maryborough race again today and Horsham next Monday with Charlton’s penultimate meeting for the season being on December 1.

St. Arnaud Country Club vs Wedderburn bowls ST. ARNAUD Country Club travelled to Wedderburn hoping to continue their winning run but could not match the very powerful Wedderburn bowlers going down by 17 shots. - Contributed Jason Abbott and Simon Elliott both had very good wins, but Mark Esmore’s team could not handle the team of Alan Jackson Jason Abbott defeated Neil Holt 30-15 Simon Elliott defeated Damion Mason 22-18 Mark Esmore lost to Alan Jackson 12-48 64 shots to 81 4 points to 8

Division 2 Division 2 managed to win one rink out of the three rinks, this was Hughie Craddock’s Team of Mick Pole, Norm Bales, and Faye Rodger by 5 shots. Hughie Craddock defeated Allan Noordennen 25-20 Danny Mullins lost to Geoff Burnside 18-33 Graham Shaw lost to Amy Roberts 16-32 59 shots to 85 2 points to 10

NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023 - Page 19

Page 20 - NORTH CENTRAL NEWS, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22nd 2023.

SPORT

HOME DELIVERY 5495 1055

Wimmera Region Round Robin bowls THE Wimmera Region Round Robin was played in fantastic conditions on Sunday 19th November at the St. Arnaud Country Club. The 4 playing areas from within that region select 12 men and 12 women to compete for a Ladies overall and Men’s Overall trophy. This event is also a precursor for selection to the Wimmera Bowls Region Representative side who competes in a challenge against the neighbouring Murray Mallee Bowls Region and then they head to Ballarat in January to compete in the State Championships against the 15 regions across the state. In the ladies event, the North Wimmera Playing Area took out the overall trophy, going through the event undefeated and leading way with 9 points plus 32, the hosts for the day North Central ran second with 4

- Contributed points minus 13, Wimmera Playing Area ran 3rd with 3 points minus 9 and Grampians finished 4th 1 point minus 10. In the men’s event, it was a much closely contested affair with 3 teams finishing on 6 points and the event being decided on shots for the day. The victors were the local North Central team who finished on 6 points plus 22 shots. Grampians ran second 6 points plus 16 and North Wimmera ran 3rd 6 points plus 12 shots. Wimmera playing area finished 4th finishing on 0 points minus 50. North Central hadn't won this event for the past 30 years. The announcement of both the men’s and ladies representative region sides will be announced in the coming days.

Above: (left to right) Eric Rayes, Bill Rodger, Steve Zsigmond, Geoff Rigby, Alan Jackson, Laurie Witham, Manager Damien Mason, Andrew Caserta, Dale Groves, Shayne Morris, Neale Holt, Aaron Mead, Simon Elliott, Absent: Robert Reseigh.

St. Arnaud Country Club midweek pennant

FREE HOME DELIVERY Peach’s Fruit Market NOW IN Reid’s Mixed Business

Specials * Sweet Potatoes

- Contributed

$1.49 per kg

S T. A R NAU D Country Club hosted Boort on Tuesday 14th November in Mid Week Pennant. Despite a late start due to rain and a midday shower the match was completed. Heather Esmore’s team was the only winning rink for the St. Arnaud Country Club gaining 2 points for the club. Leon Lynch 20 defeated by John Gibson 25 Heather Esmore 22 defeated Thelma Moresi 16 Final score - Boort 70 shots 10 points defeated St. Arnaud Country Club 58 shots 2 points. St. Arnaud CC remain 8th on the ladder.

* Pink Lady Apples

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$1.69 per bunch * Celery

$2.99 per bunch WHILE STOCKS LAST 105 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. Telephone (03) 5495 2848

7 Days a Week B from 5.00pm M R za Ph: 1300 416 461 Piz Phone Orders Taken & Delivered

Friday Frenzy Fish tanks and accessories 50% OFF also discounted pet supplies instore 5961 Sunraysia Highway, St. Arnaud. (Next door to Elders) — Phone 03 5495 1422