New use for old mansion
It was built when horses were the main mode of transport, and it could return as a reminder of those distant days.
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The 147-year-old Dhurringile mansion, which recently shut its doors as a prison, is receiving heavy backing to become an equestrian facility.
The Victorian Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan has kept a promise to consult locals, engaging in several meetings with the Dhurringile Mansion Revitalisation Committee keen on transforming the historic site into an agricultural school with an equestrian veterinary and a veterinary nursing training facility which already has accommodation facilities.
Dhurringile mansion was created in 1876-77 by James Winter, one of the four Winter brothers, as northern Victoria's answer to the squatters of the Western District.
Over the years it has been used as an internment and prisoner of war camp, a boys’ training home and most recently, a prison.
Fruit fly rebaiting
Kyabram Lions Club members will be rebaiting fruit fly traps this Saturday, October 12.
Lions members will be outside the Salvation Army Op Shop in Bradley St, Kyabram, from 9am to noon.
The rebaiting cost is $6 a trap and new traps will also be available at a cost of $16.
Profitable double
A Shepparton man held not one but two winning Tattslotto tickets in a recent draw.
Worth over $518,000, it meant with two winning tickets he became an instant millionaire as the holder of two of the 10 division one winning tickets.
Trophy hits town
One of Australia’s and the world's most sought after trophies was there for all to see at Rochester on Friday, October 4.
The famous Melbourne Cup trophy visited the town on its current Lexus Melbourne Cup tour and proved a big hit.
The successful application for Rochester to be one of the 39 destinations in Australia and the world was made by the Rochester Pony Club.
A Lions club breakfast kicked off the visit, followed by an official cup welcoming and then a family day arranged by the Rochester Pony Club.
A big night at the Windridge Oval pavilion, which included an auction, capped off a memorable day for the town and residents.
Melbourne Cup winners Prince of Penzance and Twilght Payment were among the entourage which paid the visit.
National Piano Award
Playing the piano is getting serious in Shepparton at the moment – and for a good reason.
From Monday of this week to Sunday, young pianists from all parts of Australia are striving to win $76,000 in prize money as they perform in a week of solo recitals at Riverlinks Eastbank as part of the 2024 National Piano Award.
Tickets for the recitals and finals are available through Riverliniks and range from $5 to $32 or a weekly pass from $60 to $100.
Election challenge
There has been a challenge to the vote count in the recent Deniliquin-based Edward River Council elections.
Candidate Airlee Circuit missed out on being elected by just four votes and her request for a recount has been approved by the Electoral Commissioner.
New kinder for Echuca
Echuca is to receive a new kindergarten next year in the Kindergarten on School Site project.
The kindergarten will be built on the premises of the Echuca Primary School and will cater for 60 additional places.
Shine Bright, which already has a kindergarten in Echuca, has been chosen as the provider for the new facility.
Rainfall lacking
Unfortunately, the 3-15mm of rain tipped for last Friday-Saturday was a bit of a fizzer with just 7.6mm recorded at the Kyabram weather station.
Croppers and irrigators were hoping for more with some grain growers who can’t irrigate now facing the prospect of turning some crops into hay.
Kyabram total rainfall for the year stands at 352mm and the October total is just 7.8mm, which is well below the 41mm long-term average for the month.
Get those rods ready
Strathallan Family Landcare group has organised its annual Feral Fish Catch for Sunday, October 20, with the ‘rabbit of the waterways’ — European carp — one of the targets.
Unfortunately, the once epicentre of the fish day — the Strathallan hall — faces demolition after the 2022 floods and this year’s competition, along with the last two, is being held near the Rochester-Kyabram Rd bridge in Rochester with registrations at 11am and fishing from noon to 3.30pm.
Cemetery damage
There has been outrage up at Mathoura over vandal damage at the local cemetery.
Seven grave sites have been damaged by a car suspected of doing burnouts in the cemetery.
Police are investigating.
Move over ute muster
There is still another muster other than last weekend’s iconic Ute Muster going on at Deniliquin at the moment.
Creative local artists have some stunning exhibits on display in a Sculpture Muster at the Deniliquin’s Peppin Heritage Centre.
The display runs to November 25 and the sculptures are set in backdrops of local history.
Complimenting the sculptures are canvas exhibits.
The exhibition is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm and on Sunday from 9am to 2pm with a gold coin entrance fee.
Square dinkum
G’day
Little Tommy came home from school and said to his mother ‘‘Hey mum, there is a small PTA meeting at the school tomorrow afternoon.’’
His mother questioned, ‘’A small PTA meeting?’’
Tommy replied, ‘’Yep, just you, me, and the headmaster.’’
Hooroo!!!
Sports reporter