Tongue twister
DAR RINGAL
Does it ring a bell?
Well, that’s how one national TV news reporter referred to it when news broke last week Dhurringile Prison was to close its doors in August.
The closure means nearly 160 staff have to relocate if they want to remain in prison work, take a retirement package or find new employment.
Not only job losses, It’s closure after 59 years as a prison is going to have a massive effect on many businesses in the area where the prison sourced a lot of its needs to operate.
Call for witnesses
Police are seeking help from the public following a fatal crash near Merrigum on Friday, June 14.
Emergency services were called after reports a car had crashed into a tree on Ryan Rd between Fenaughty and Ford Rds about 12.45pm.
The vehicle caught fire and the driver who is yet to be formally identified died at the scene.
Police are seeking the driver of a dark-coloured small hatch which was parked near the crash scene before driving south along Ryan Rd.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Rain falls across region
Kyabram received 9.6mm of rain over the weekend, most of it recorded on Saturday when it was light but consistent for most of the day. It brought the June total to 27mm. The long-term average for June is 42mm.
Kyabram has now received 272mm so far this year, which is more the long-term average of 215mm.
Kyabram has recorded no sub-zero minimum temperatures for a week with last Saturday the mercury dipping to a low of 9.6°C, the warmest minimum for the month.
Quite the find
Cobram gardener Ramond Bauer hit the jackpot when he began to dig up some sweet potatoes he had grown.
‘‘I’m out there with the shovel and out comes this,’’ said the 72-year-old.
‘’This’’ was a 17kg monster sweet potato — that’s a lot of chips.
To get an idea of Raymond’s monster an average sweet potato weighs around 0.13kg.
People power
People power prevailed after Murray River Council rescinded a motion to reclassify community land to operational land.
About 300 residents gathered in Highlands Park, Moama, on June 23 to protest against the proposed change.
Champion to visit
Greg Champion of Coodabeen Champions fame is to entertain at the Tongala Hotel on Saturday, July 13.
Kelvin Walsh said the popular entertainer is likely to honour Tongala football sensation Harley Reid with a special song at the function.
Born in Benalla and raised in South Australia, Champion, or Champs as he is affectionately known, is Australia’s leading writer of AFL and cricket songs, penning several musical comedy hits since the early 1980s.
His musical diversity, however, extends beyond sports fields to include more moving and descriptive songwriting capturing the emotion of Australian life in the way that John Williamson, Eric Bogle and Ted Egan are renowned for.
Bookings can be made at the Tongala Hotel.
Iconic race preparations
Although Ski Racing Australia has banned the sport until its safety review is complete, Moama Water Sports Club is gearing to host the 60 years of the iconic Southern 80 race in 2025.
It has moved the date of the Southern 80 from February to March 21-23 and plans to conduct Beehag 100 in November.
The safety review is being carried out after three deaths in the recent, including one in the Southern 80 in February, which caused the cancellation of the event.
Anyone who has any photos from the Southern 80 over the past 60 years are asked to send them to the Riverine Herald In Echuca.
Author to visit
Notable author Garry Disher is to make a Shepparton appearance to talk about his latest book Sanctury.
Mr Disher boasts three Australian and four German awards for best crime novel of the year.
He also received the Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement award and has been twice long-listed for a Brithish CWA Gold Dagger award.
He will be at the Shepparton library on Sunday, July 14, at 2pm and anyone who wants to attend can phone 1300 374 765 or online at www.gvlibraries.com.au/events
Driver to face court
An 18-year-old from Craigieburn was caught allegedly driving at 208km/h on the Katamatite-Shepparton Rd on June 11.
Police attempted to stop the BMW but were unsuccessful. He after handed himself into police at Seymour.
He will face Cobram Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Winter Wonderland
Strathbogie Shire Council is to stage its popular Winter Wonderland event again this year.
Jacobson's Outlook at Nagambie, the old Gambles Nursery site in Binney St, Euroa, will be joined by a new site at Jubilee Park in Avenel to be transformed into a winter magic scene.
At Nagambie, the action will be on Saturday, August 3, from 11am to 7pm and 11am to 4pm on August 4, at Avenel on August 10 from 11am to 7pm and on Sunday, August 11, between 11am and 4pm and at Euroa on August 24 and 25 with the same times at Nagambie and Avenel.
For bookings, visit Strathbogie Shire Council Winter Wonderland Series 1 Humanitix
Square dinkum
G’day
My doctor has advised me to give up drinking.
WOW, this is going to mean a massive change for me ... I’ve been with that doctor for more than 15 years.
Hooroo!!!