General News
24 December, 2023
REFLECTION The presents that beat street bells and tinsel
ACROSS our Loddon communities there has been an absolute buzz in recent weeks. Festive fever has contributed to an air of enthusiasm permeating towns and districts, even if driving the Calder Highway it doesn’t look much like Christmas - main...
ACROSS our Loddon communities there has been an absolute buzz in recent weeks.
Festive fever has contributed to an air of enthusiasm permeating towns and districts, even if driving the Calder Highway it doesn’t look much like Christmas - main street decorations sparse and dwarfed when compared to towns in adjoining areas.
In putting together the year’s final edition of your local Loddon Herald - 40 pages for the first time, a paper of such size normally assembled by a team of four or more, for us still a one-man operation - we’ve endeavoured to capture that real excitement that doesn’t need bells and tinsel.
Two towns in particular have had great Christmas presents. We’ve reported on the brightness of stars shining on Pyramid Hill since the change of ownership of the local supermarket and continued academic achievement of local students who complete their final years of secondary education in other towns.
Wedderburn, too, has a spring in its step since confirmation of the site for a child care centre to open in 2026.
And there has also been the present of lower speed limits in the main streets of Inglewood and Wedderburn announced earlier this month. These presents along with celebrations in other communities including Boort where the combined churches organised their first carols in the park for four years and the small group of Bridgewater residents who put on an amazing festive night last week has Christmas in the Loddon like never before.
Our pages this week are hopefully reflective of the upbeat mood right across the Loddon this Christmas. It’s been physically impossible to be in every area, sometimes at the same time too! We’ll try to see what can be done in 2024.
The Loddon Herald has come a long way since we stepped into the breach just under three years ago. Occasionally, there’s evidence of a gremlin at work - symptomatic of a one-man newspaper. We thank you for your ongoing understanding and goodwill. The spirit of Christmas is in our communities every day of the year. May your Christmas be a safe and peaceful one and we’ll be back next year again sharing your great local stories.
- CHRIS EARL Managing Editor Loddon Herald