Kyabram has bucked the trend in median house prices across four Goulburn and Murray Valley municipalities.
Figures from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria show Kyabram’s median house price has risen from $406,000 to $430,000, which represented a 5.8 per cent rise for the June quarter.
In contrast, other Campaspe Shire towns’ house prices dropped, Echuca falling by 6.3 per cent and Rochester 9.1 per cent.
There was a two per cent fall in Greater Shepparton’s median house price, dropping from $495,000 to $485,000.
Medians are not an average of the sales prices but are considered a good indicator of market trends.
Below average rainfall
Kyabram has received 15.8mm of rain so far for August.
This is nearly 27mm below the monthly average of 42.5mm.
Kyabram’s yearly total now stands at 283mm which is below the long-term average of 299mm.
Kyabram’s wettest August belongs to 1958 with 136mm. The only other years that rainfall has surpassed 100mm in August are 1920 (111mm), 1939 (104mm) and 1973 (109mm).
The driest August on record was 1944 when no rain was recorded.
Mix-up with grounds
It escalated into ‘‘where exactly are you?’’ between a Kyabram mum and her daughter last Sunday.
A potential meet-up between the pair at the Kyabram Recreation Reserve produced puzzling questions — and answers — as to exactly where they both were.
Eventually, the penny dropped — the daughter was at a different ground, having made her way to the Northern Oval.
Don’t worry, Fay and Karen, worse things will probably happen in your life.
Tourism controversy
Victorian Tourism Industry Council has weighed into the controversy of the pending closure of the Echuca -Moama Visitor Information Centre.
VTIC chief executive officer Felicia Mariani said she didn’t believe getting rid of the visitor centre was a good decision.
‘‘I believe visitor centres play a crucial role in the local community. Echuca is a disappointing one because it is such a critical centre along the Murray,“ Ms Mariani said.
‘‘At the moment we have a great big hole sitting in the middle of what is one of the major tourist attractions in this state.“
Campaspe Shire recently announced in conjunction with Murray River Council it was withdrawing its funding of the centre from next month.
Some $180,000 of the Campaspe Shire’s $390,000 commitment has in the past gone to manning the tourist centre.
Future stars in action
Kyabram footy fans can get a glimpse of future stars of the club this Sunday.
Kyabram’s under-16 and St Augustine’s under-14 sides both booked their spots in elimination finals this weekend with wins in the last rounds of their respective competitions on Saturday.
Both are in action in cut-throat finals at Mooroopna this Sunday with both games on adjoining grounds starting at 1pm.
Lovell intersection concern
State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called out the Victorian Government for its lack of action in making an intersection near Cobram safer.
The intersection at the corner of the Murray Valley Hwy and Labuan Rd claimed five lives earlier this year.
Ms Lovell said no significant work had been done at the intersection nearly four months since Victoria’s deadliest road accident in more than a decade.
School bus driver fined
The driver of a school bus was hit with a fine last week for speeding.
The bus with 20 children on board was pulled over by Shepparton police for travelling 15km/h over the 75km/ph speed limit on the Goulburn Valley Hwy in north Shepparton.
New Euroa station
Euroa is to get a new ambulance station.
The new station on Weir St and funded by the Victorian Government will support paramedics with facilities for quick responses to life-threatening emergencies.
Fish movements tracked
Fish movements in the Edward-Wakool and greater Murray River system are now being tracked.
The Edward-Wakool Angling Association has teamed up with DPI Fisheries at Narrandera to release 22 specially-tagged golden perch (yellowbelly) in the Edward River.
The fish have been fitted with tracking devices called passive integrated transponders.
With a high river when released, more data on river flows and the fish movement can be monitored by receivers along the water’s edge.
Did you know?
1. The world’s largest rock is not Uluru, but Mount Augustus in Western Australia. It is twice the size of Uluru, so it’s pretty darn big.
2. Australia introduced the world’s first seatbelt law in 1970.
3. The Australian climate is one of extremes with the highest temperature ever recorded being 50.7°C (123.3°F) on January 2, 1960, in Oodnadatta , South Australia, and the lowest −23.0°C (−9.4°F) on June 29, 1994, at Charlotte’s Pass, NSW.
4. Australia has about 600 varieties of eucalypts, often called gum trees.
Save the date
International Day of People with a Disability will be celebrated in Kyabram on December 4.
The What We Can Do Group (the Kyabram District Health Service consumer group for people with disability) is excited about showcasing its abilities following a successful event in 2022.
The celebration will again take place on the front lawn of the health service with a range of entertainment, activities and food.
Further information will be announced closer to the event. Inquiries can be directed to the Kyabram District Health Service disability liaison officer Candy Fanning on 0434 363 167.
Salvos origin sessions
If you are interested in the history and ongoing work of the Salvation Army, the Kyabram unit is staging a four-week program to explain the origins of the organisation in Australia.
To coincide with a public display in the Kyabram Town Hall historical walkway window, there will be four sessions starting at the 24 Unitt St base of the Salvation Army on August 27 and continuing on September 3, 10 and 17.
The sessions will explain spiritual, missional and social origins, with each event including a hot lunch, DVD and stimulating conversation from 12pm to 1.30pm with captain Jacky Targett and her team.
More information about the event is available by phoning 0457 833 435.
Football/netball grants
District football and netball clubs are being encouraged to apply for the latest round of funding through the 2023-24 Country Football and Netball Program.
Grants of up to $250,000 are available to make more sport infrastructure developments possible, including court and oval lighting upgrades, changeroom developments and new pavilions for local clubs and communities.
Applications close on October 9.
For more information on the program and to apply, visit https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/country-football-and-netball-program