General News
5 September, 2022
Gems and mysteries
By Cr WENDY MURPHYFirstly I would like to congratulate all the football, netball and hockey teams that are playing infinals. Best of luck. I’d also like to acknowledge those teams who didn’t make finals, but got teamson the field or court each...
By Cr WENDY MURPHY
Firstly I would like to congratulate all the football, netball and hockey teams that are playing in
finals. Best of luck. I’d also like to acknowledge those teams who didn’t make finals, but got teams
on the field or court each week to enable games to go ahead. With Covid still lingering and a suite of
other illnesses going through Clubs, it has again been a challenge. And we can’t forget the umpires
as well. Having umpired a few netball games myself this year, there has been a healthy level of
respect between umpires, players and supporters.
With the weather warming up and illness settling down, local events are coming back to life and it is
a perfect opportunity to get out locally and support Loddon businesses, groups and events and
become involved.
The local environment is looking fantastic, although a little soggy at the moment. Native wildflowers
are blooming and the scent in the bush is aromatic thanks mainly to the wattles. Bird song and frog
chorus sets a relaxing atmosphere. The Kooyoora State Park camp ground was full of campers on the
weekend all enjoying the magical weather and the splendor of the Park. With the works planned to
redevelop the picnic ground and camp ground and upgrade the walking track, it will become a draw
card for tourists to visit for its natural beauty. I have even had feedback from people who heard me
on Neil Mitchell’s 3AW radio show promoting Melville Caves as a hidden gem in Victoria who said
they hadn’t heard of the place, but came for a visit and will be returning for a longer visit in the
future.
Dotted throughout the bush are prospectors trying their luck at finding nuggets. I have represented
Loddon Shire at the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid being led by City of Greater
Bendigo and City of Ballarat in partnership with 11 other Councils. Loddon has some important
goldfields heritage that is ready to share with the world. It will bring visitors to Loddon to view these
sites and experience other attractions Loddon offers. World Heritage listing has been shown to bring
investment from both private and public entities. Who knows, we could see a train running between
Eaglehawk and Inglewood on an upgraded line bringing tourists on day visits or weekend stays.
The building now housing the Bridgewater Nursery is also part of a Portable Buildings World
Heritage Nomination Task Force. I sat in on an online meeting last week to discuss these types of
buildings and their importance. Featured in last week’s Loddon Herald, this building still holds many
mysteries as to its origins, but they are slowly beginning to show themselves. Again, another
drawcard for curious visitors.
Many golf clubs are back in the swing of tournaments, darts are hitting boards, cricket whites are
being dusted off and bowls clubs are spruiking up greens. In four years the Commonwealth Games
will come to the region with sports such as lawn bowls & para lawn bowls, weightlifting & para
powerlifting, squash, T20 cricket, cycling and others being held in and around Bendigo. The
Commonwealth Games is a huge drawcard for sports enthusiasts right across the world. The
opportunities the Games opens up for Loddon is endless. Practice greens for bowls, accommodation
for visitors and more.
Council is working hard now behind the scenes to ensure Loddon is front and centre in the picture of
future tourism investment opportunities. But we all must work together to begin the process.
Loddon’s time for tourism investment is now.