Today’s Pic of the Week from Estalle Close is of James Fairfax’s country mansion — Retford Park. It was built in 1887 by the Hordern family, whose members were merchants and stock breeders. The homestead was purchased by Mr Fairfax in 1964 and was lavishly redesigned and repainted the Portuguese Pink, subsequently transforming this historic estate, in the heart of Bowral, NSW, into a gentleman’s estate. He used his helicopter to fly in from Sydney for weekends. The historic home and magnificent gardens were gifted by Mr Fairfax to The National Trust NSW, and is open for the community to tour. It is child and dog friendly and a true glimpse into how the rich live.
Special doctors publication
Today’s Free Press includes a free copy of a booklet titled Kyabram’s Doctors Of Endurance which traces the town’s doctors from 1886 to now.
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It’s the painstaking work of Kyabram Historical Society’s librarian Eileen Sullivan and former Free Press editor Gus Underwood. They estimate over 1200 hours of research have gone into the publication.
Those who have missed out on a Free Press can order a copy by phoning 0423 504 328 or 5852 2579.
A special publication for readers to enjoy.
Private rail plan
A Mathoura man has made a proposal to run passenger train services between Moama and Deniliquin.
Former local councillor Tom Weyrich is even prepared to pay to help establish the service.
He is attempting to lease the rail track and run his own passenger carriages.
He said he would lease the train and hire a driver.
He believes such a service would also reduce road trauma for motorists using the Cobb Hwy due to kangaroos.
Mr Weyrich is a former Murray River and Murray Shire councillor.
Finally, rain falls
Rain last Friday across the district was certainly welcomed.
Falls varied by some places recorded 25mm and over.
Kyabram weather station measured 19mm, the only substantial fall for April.
Locals dig deep
The recent Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital appeal produced some amazing fund raising results, Kyabam’s $37,000 effort among them.
But the tiny communities of Devenish and Dookie take the cake with a combined donation.
A staggering $235,662 was raised by the twin towns, the third most in Victoria.
They were only topped by the huge regional centres of Ballarat ($247,281) and Albury Wodonga ($237,525).
Echuca Moama ($125,998), came in fifth.
Regional and rural Victoria contributed $5,428,009 to the record-breaking total of $23,822,793 raised in the appeal.
Levee project
Work is expected to start in May on a $3.5 million pivotal levee project which could reshape the flood protection landscape at Numurkah.
The project, funded largely by the Numurkah Flood Mitigation Levee, aims to bolster the communities defences against potential flooding.
The 3.12km levee will stretch from the Goulburn Valley Hwy to Kinnards Rd, featuring earthern levees, concrete retaining walls and demountable flood barriers at vital crossings.
Bridge promise
Historic Kirwans Bridge near Nagambie will be restored and opened to traffic if the Coalition wins Saturday’s federal election.
A Coalition government has pledged $6.3 million to restore the bridge and reopen to traffic which has not taken traffic for three years due to safety concerns.
Kirwans Bridge has been closed since the October 2022 floods, after an engineering report received by Strathbogie Shire Council found it is unsafe to open to traffic without extensive structural repairs or strengthening works.
Sidebottom’s new role
Retired Echuca trucking operator Kelvin Sidebottom has turned author.
He’s written a book about the Numurkah Lake titled One Man’s Dream To Make A Difference.
The lake, built by Kelvin, has helped put Numurkah on the map for its canoeing and fishing.
Now 90 years old, Kelvin makes a trip every month from Echuca to Numurkah to view his legacy, catch up with a few friends and visit the grave of his wife Dorothy.
Youth summit
The Koorie Youth Summit will create history when staged in Shepparton on May 19 to 21.
It will be the first time it will be held in Yorta Yorta Country.
Organised by the Koorie Youth Council, the annual event brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and young people aged 18 to 28 from across Victoria.
Artworks come to life
Three of five new art projects delivered by the Murray River Council have now been completed.
Mathoura was first off the ranks and Moama and Barham are also boasting new murals.
Moulamein and Tooleybuc are still waiting their turn in the project being sponsored by the NSW government through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
Tocumwal aviation history event
Tocumwal is well-known for its Murray River and giant Murray cod sculpture, but also has a rich and long history in aviation, over 100 years to be precise.
The Tocumwal Airfield has plenty of stories to tell and the aviation history of Tocumwal will be presented by Tocumwal Aviation Museum founders Matt and Karen Henderson.
The event is on Thursday, May 8 at the Cobram Library at 2pm.
For tickets, visit the Goulbun Valley Libraries website at tinyurl.com/4vk4tub8 or for more information, phone 1300 374 765.
Tiny town finalist
The 1000 strong population of Darlington Point on the Murrumbidgee River near Griffiths has been named as a finalist in the Tiny Towns category of the NSW Top Tourism Town Award.
Square dinkum
G’day
I was starting my new job at the pharmacy this morning when a bloke walked in and said, ‘‘I’ve got a blocked nose, a sore throat, and my head feels like it is going to explode, have you got anything?’’.
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