Plenty of accolades heaped on former Kyabram footballer Nic Holman during and after Gold Coast’s upset win over AFL reigning premier Geelong last Sunday.
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Holman’s noted hard running and fierce tackling won praise from every commentator at the game.
The legendary Dermott Brereton was even moved to describe Holman as a ‘‘Poster Boy for Persistence’’.
Holman had 19 possessions — nine kicks and 10 handballs — but it was his relentless running and fierce tackling that won over the critics.
Rushworth Heritage Festival
Rushworth will be abuzz this (Easter) Saturday when it stages its popular Heritage Festival.
A large parade will feature the historic traction engine from Risstroms’ sawmill, known as The Wizard.
The Wizard honours of one of its drivers, Vic Howard, a local footy legend in Rushworth’s golden era in the Goulburn Valley Football League in the late 1920s and early 1930s when it won five flags in seven years, including three in succession in 1932, 1933 and 1934 after losing the 1931 to Shepparton in a replay.
Ironman competitors
Kyabramites Tim Nelson and Tom Curnow took part for the first time in the Ironman 70.3 Geelong 2023 on March 26.
The event involved a 2km swim in Corio Bay, a 90km bike ride and a 21km run around the bayside streets of Geelong.
Both completed the course in a creditable time of about five-and-a-half hours in an event involving about 1000 participants.
Other locals involved were more experienced athletes in Troy Bauerle and Madi Clarke who both performed well up in the times of finishers.
Another former local Anthony Joel competed in the event.
Tim’s Dad, Peter has now claimed management rights to his son who is eyeing-off the professional ranks observing “that’s where the money is and the management fees are pretty good“.
Always the businessman is our Peter.
Temperature drops
There have been some chilly reminders over the past week that winter is on the horizon.
Last Sunday’s minimum dipped to 6.6 degrees, the lowest minimum so far this year.
Maximums have taken a plunge with the first two days of April producing top temperatures of 18.8 degrees on Saturday.
Rain over the past week has amounted to 3.2mm, which took the March total to 27.2mm and the total this year to 71.4mm.
People Power
Look out for People Power in the closing of Historic Kirwans Bridge near Nagambie.
An engineering report prepared by Strathbogie Shire Council has found it ‘‘structurally compromised and unsafe for vehicles of any kind’’ after the floods last October.
Mayor of Strathbogie Laura Binks said the bridge would need to be replaced or have extensive structural repair and strengthening works performed before it can carry traffic again.
The locals are now rallying again and planning strategies to get the 133-year-old iconic wooden bridge back open as they did in 2001 and 2011.
Lolly shop on wheels
A lolly shop with a difference is now operating in Mooroopna.
It’s on wheels and is the brainchild of Mandy Glenister who hopes to expand the business to a bus in the future where customers can walk in one door and out the other after making their purchases.
At this stage sweets and drinks are the main items for sale but the owner has plans to extend her stock.
The van is parked on Craigmuir Lake on the Mooroopna-Echuca Rd.
Fine for race club
Cranbourne Racing Club has been hit with a $250,000 fine following the death of jockey Mikeala Claridge in 2019.
Ms Claridge, 22, from Echuca, was involved in a fall with a riding partner after their mounts were spooked, causing both riders to fall. Ms Claridge died at the scene.
Cranbourne Racing Club pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure that persons other than employees were not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the conduct of its undertakings.
Dob in a litterer
Yes, you can dob in anyone littering from vehicles.
A driver or a passenger in a moving or parked vehicle disposing of rubbish can be reported to the Environmental Protection Authority by using EPA web form or phoning 1300 372 841.
Lose one, win one
Foott Waste missed out on a multi-million dollar Greater Shepparton Council waste collection contract but has been awarded a similar contract with Strathbogie Shire Council.
It was recommended the Shepparton contract be awarded to ASX-listed Cleanaway.
Date of significance
March 20, 2023 was a significant day in Violet Town’s history.
It marked the 150th anniversary of the opening of the rail link connecting Melbourne, northern Victoria and the Goulburn Valley.
The Violet Town Goods Shed was the closest freight hub to Shepparton for the first seven years.
Did you know?
1.Russia has more surface area than Pluto. Seem impossible? Just think of those 11 time zones.
2.The heart of a shrimp is located in its head.
3.Slugs have not one, not two, not three... but four noses.
4.It takes a sloth two to four weeks to digest food. They actually have the slowest metabolic system of any mammal.
Stanhope road closures
Two small sections of road around McEwen Place in Stanhope will be closed from 8.30am to 3pm on Saturday, April 15, for the opening of the Stanhope Montevideo Maru Mural.
Monash Street, from Birdwood Avenue to Stanhope Community Hall, and Godley Place, from Stanhope Community Hall to Birdwood Avenue, will be closed.
The mural is on the wall of Knights Hardware and storyboards will be officially opened and dedicated on that day.
The day will consist of the dedication service by the Stanhope RSL Sub Branch at 11am. The Preston Salvation Army Band will be playing at the dedication as they have a strong connection to the tragedy.
Homeless numbers increase
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has released details of an increase in homelessness in Greater Shepparton and Moira local government areas.
The figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from the 2021 Census showed homelessness numbers in the region continued to increase.
Statistics revealed an increase of 73 people across Greater Shepparton and Moira local government areas of people who were homeless on Census night 2021 compared to census night 2016.
Ms Lovell said of the 30,605 Victorians who were homeless on Census night 2021, 418 were in the Greater Shepparton LGA, and 78 in the Moira LGA.
Concerningly, between 2016 and 2021 Greater Shepparton homeless numbers have increased by 63 people or 18 per cent, and by 10 people or 15 per cent in Moira Shire.
“These figures will have only increased due to the October 22 flood event, yet we have failed to see any solutions put forward by the Government or Housing Minister Colin Brooks,” Ms Lovell said.
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