DONALD BIRCHIP Phone: 5497 1222 Phone: 5492 2735 Fax: 5497 1407 The Buloke Times Fax: 5492 2863 Email: Email: [email protected] birchipblc@ [email protected] Est. 1875 bigpond.com Published Tuesdays and Fridays PRICE (inc. G.S.T.) $2 PP331336/0000 1 Friday, July 23, 2021 For the Shire of Buloke, and the districts of Birchip, Charlton, Donald, St. Arnaud, Watchem and Wycheproof “Hommy” in the Fight of His Life (By Sarah Matthews, Senior journalist/sub-editor, “The Weekly Advertiser”) After a couple of falls and walk that became a shuffle, Ian Hommelhoff’s family knew some- thing was wrong. His wife, Lorna, thought a “He was unable to see any tumour might be pressing on of his family, which was just his spine, affecting his bal- awful.” ance. They sought medical help Neale Daniher and Mr Hommelhoff was re- Motor-neurone disease ferred to an oncologist. has been in the spotlight in The news he was ‘cancer the past few years, thanks free’ should have been cause largely to the efforts and de- for celebration – but it turns termination of former Es- out, a tumour would have been sendon player and a more favourable outcome. Melbourne coach, Neale Mr Hommelhoff has Daniher. motor- neurone disease, Daniher, who was diag- MND, meaning his nerve nosed with the disease in cells – which control the 2013, is committed to finding muscles that enable him to a cure, raising money and move around, speak, swal- awareness through his Fight low and breathe — no longer MND charity. work normally, and will “We thought that dad eventually die. wouldn’t know what the dis- As his daughter, Donna ease was unless they told him Winfield, puts it, ‘Dad is in it was what Neale Daniher the fight of his life’. had,” Ms Winfield said. “Dad learnt of his diagno- “Sure enough, days later sis the day the five-day snap he rang me and said, ‘I’ve • Ian Hommelhoff is surrounded by old friends and Watchem-Corack team-mates, left to right, John Blair, Graeme Cook, lockdown was announced in got what Neale Daniher has’. John Boyle, Michael Connellan and Terry McGee. (On page 2, Ian is pictured (back row) among some of country football’s February,” she said. • Continued on page 2. all-time great players, in North-Central’s 1968 inter-league team.) — Photo by Paul Carracher. Wycheproof Downgrade Good News for Community The Buloke Shire’s first identified coronavirus exposure site, Bakery Positive News means Ann and the team of that period despite the busi- on Broadway, at Wycheproof, has been downgraded from a Tier 1 to a Tier This is positive news for staff only had to isolate until ness closure. She has also 2 exposure site. the bakery itself, and for Bu- their tests returned negative; been overwhelmed by support loke, with no community however, the bakery is to re- in the face of crisis. The business was classi- once a clearer timeline had case, and therefore less likely spread extending from the ex- main closed for a short time “The people at Bendigo fied as a Tier 1 exposure site been established suggesting to contract and spread the posure site, the Shire can go further while a full “Covid Health have been so support- when a Mildura man tested that the Mildura man may not virus. back to having zero cases clean” of the premises is con- ive and helpful with informa- positive to coronavirus after have been infectious at the within the region. ducted before reopening. tion,” she said. stopping at the bakery on his time of his visit to Wychep- People who visit Tier 2 Bakery owner, Ann Durie, Support “And I thank the members way home from the Mel- roof, was downgraded to a sites during the relevant time was tested on Monday and Despite the lack of busi- of the community for their bourne on July 11. Tier 2 site. period could be regarded as has returned a negative result, ness, Ann is focusing on the amazing support.” Responding as if it were a “casual contacts”, and the along with the rest of the positive; the cleaning will It has not only been other “worst case scenario”, the People who visit Tier 2 or public health directive is to bakery’s staff. take a number of days, but members of the community bakery was classified a Tier 1 Tier 3 sites are at lower risk of get tested and isolate until you Now that the bakery is that also means her staff will offering support to the small site on July 18, then later, being exposed to a positive receive a negative result. classified as a Tier 2 site, this have work and income during • Continued on page 2. Agricultural Events on Edge of COVID Abyss “Daniel Andrews must pay for the trail of financial disaster his latest snap lockdown has left across regional Victoria – not just the people thrown out of work, but also major regional events killed off without any warning.” The Nationals Leader, peared under a wave of Pivotal Role Peter Walsh, said the Aus- Labor party self-congratula- Mr Walsh said the tralian Sheep and Wool tion that they finally found a Bendigo event plays a piv- show at Bendigo, the largest COVID case in regional otal role for many agricul- event of its type in the Victoria to justify locking up tural businesses, allowing world, was to open on Fri- the whole state. them to showcase their day. “And the buck won’t stop products to producers, live- “Exhibitors, stall holders, here. Speed Machinery stock sales, judging of stock sponsors and advertisers put Field Days (August 4/5) and and wool products and to a year’s work into absolutely Hamilton Sheepvention (July generate much-needed in- nothing – and there has been 31/August 3) must also now come for the local economy. no sign of any kind of com- be on the chopping block; He said the snap decision pensation,” he said. and Elmore (October 5/7), has thrown the event and “This show has run for which got canned last year, 140 years, and has disap- is also looking unlikely.” • Continued on page 5. • Nationals leader, Peter Walsh. Businesses, including those in the hospitality Here We Go Again sector, have been hit hard. Among others having to Businesses are closing; people are losing their jobs, adapt again to the lockdown regime, newspapers find and their incomes. The state continues to be in lock- themselves with fewer-than-usual events to cover. If down. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021 things don’t happen, we can’t report them. There are exceptions, of course. Those who turn That’s why, in the early stages of the coronavirus, the key of confinement do not have to wonder how they Whatever answer may be confected, the outcome the “Times” invited readers to send in their own stories, can finance the days and months ahead. has had a crippling effect on country communities, and photographs, from past and present. The response In fact, while the rest of us tighten our belts, those particularly when it comes to recreational activities. was remarkable, to say the least. who set, and reset, the rules, have done the opposite – Therefore, with the lock-down “back in town”, so is awarding themselves juicy pay increases, at our ex- For example, think back to last weekend, and for- our invitation to all who may have an experience to share. pense, in the middle of the pandemic. ward to the next two, when all grades of football, net- Our columns are open for stories of community interest. ball and hockey have been wiped out — not to mention The question continues to be asked: If the city and other winter sports, both indoor and outdoor. • Footnote: Whilst opinions on the handling of the its surrounds, in which most coronavirus cases have coronavirus will continue to differ, most people would been detected, are in lockdown (or lock-up), why do With other gatherings also cancelled or postponed, surely agree that nothing is more important than having the same rigorous rules have to apply to country areas and many more restrictions in place, progress in some Australia’s population vaccinated — and the sooner the where few or no cases have been reported? areas has threatened to come to a halt. better. • North-Central’s 1968 inter-league team: Hugh Trewin (selector), Vin Coats (property steward), John Giblett (Charlton), Greg Goldsmith (Wycheproof-Narraport), Lindsay Lang (Boort), Lyal McDonald (Wycheproof-Narraport), Jeff Connelly (Birchip), Leo Keane (Wycheproof-Narraport), Trevor Campbell (Watchem-Corack), Brendan Hogan (Birchip), Darryl Campbell (Watchem-Corack), Ian Hommelhoff (Watchem-Corack), Greg Kennedy (Wycheproof-Narraport), John Plim (Wedderburn), Cr. Alan Dunstan (North-Central president), Ken Mitchell (runner). Front: Des Darcy (North-Central secretary), Ian Ryan (selector), N. Sinclair (trainer), Roger Brennan (selector), Ross Jackson (Wedderburn), Ritchie Doran (Birchip), Clive Gordon (Wycheproof-Narraport), Ian Fithall (St. Arnaud), John Brown (St. Arnaud), Terry McGee (Watchem-Corack), Mancel Giddings (Wycheproof-Narraport), Dennis O’Sullivan (Donald), T. Sullivan (trainer), Andy Taylor (trainer), R. Lawson (selector). — Photo.: Ian Harvey. “Hommy” in the Fight of His Life • Continued from page 1. “That’s when the Hom- a footy in their hands to get a in North-Central Football can to MND, for research,” other two are diagnosed with Perhaps you could get me into melhoff-Winfield premiership feel for it.” League in both seasons he Ms Winfield said. the shocking illness. a doctor in the city who could medallions were born. I have Highlight coached. “There is no cure for the “We urge you to support cure me’.” been presenting them since Ms Winfield said among He said Mr Hommelhoff disease and the average life MND.” Mr Hommelhoff, known to 1991, when his beloved highlights of her father’s play- was a “brilliant” footballer.