A gathering of people enjoyed ideal weather on Fathers Day for the opening of the Loddon Vale Landcare Fishing Platform on Serpentine Creek at Durham Ox. Attendees were greeted with the sounds of country music provided by Peter Sheahan and wife Evelyn, with the fishing platform acting as an ideal stage.
The gathering heard from Laurie Maxted and guests including Loddon Shire Mayor Geoff Curnow and North Central Catchment Management Authority CEO Damien Wells, before the Hon Peter Walsh MP officially opened the Platform, casting a line into the Serpentine Creek.
After the plaque unveiling and some tree planting, the group relocated down the road to the Durham Ox Hall, where they enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the Maxted family. The platform is a culmination of a large effort by the Loddon Vale Landcare group and many others.
Loddon Vale Landcare President Laurie Maxted emphasised the extensive community involvement in the Fishing Platform project. “Grateful thanks to the North Central CMA, Loddon Shire, Morsons for the monument, Alan Gerard Stringer and Paul Henderson for constructing the Shed, Minister Walsh for opening the platform and Loddon Plains Landcare for their contribution” Mr Maxted said. “This is the Victorian Government’s fishing licence revenue at work,” Mr Maxted said.
“A special thanks to all the Loddon Vale members who helped out at the working bees and to Averil Harris for all the behind the scenes work. It’s certainly pleasing to see it already being used” Laurie Maxted said.
Photos by Anthony Gallacher.
Top: Sheahans provide some country music entertainment (left), Minister Walsh casts the first line into the Serpentine Creek (right)
Below (left to right): Tree planting, Crowd watches the launch proceedings, Signage in the Fishing Platform shed
