Around the traps with Gus Underwood

Now a Shane Warne-inspired heart health station is up and running at the town’s fabulous sports museum, which provides locals and visitors with the chance to get their hearts tested — free of charge.

The test takes just four minutes and helps detect any cardiovascular diseases.

The late Mitiamo-raised John Forbes, whose huge array of sporting memorabilia is displayed in the museum, was a great friend of Shane Warne, whose children are behind a campaign for heart checks after losing their famous father in March 2022 to heart failure.

The Rochester heart health station is open to the public Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 3pm or by appointment.

Rain good for crops

Kyabram has received 11mm of rain for July so far, with most recorded over the past week up to Monday.

It has taken the long term January to July total to 282mm, which is above the average of 257mm.

The rain, with more predicted this week, has kept crops ticking over, with an optimistic outlook for a good harvest.

Kyabram has recorded three subzero temperatures for the month: -0.6°C on Tuesday July 2, -1.1°C on July 3 and -0.2°C on July 4.

Cricketers pub focuses on family

Mooroopna’s Cricketers Arms Hotel is back in business — with a new name.

Ricky Turner and Marilyn Parks, who bought the pub in February, have been busily preparing to open the doors again and have been getting advice from former Kyabram footballer Peter Warburton, who has spent the past 25 years in the hotel trade.

They have renamed the pub The Cricketers Family Hotel with an emphasis on making the pub a friendly family pub and engaging all members of the community.

Double fatality

A 28-year-old Nathalia woman and her three-year-old son were killed in a two-car collision on the Katamatite-Nathalia Rd last Thursday.

Occupants of the other vehicle, a 76-year-old man and 73-year-old woman from Numurkah, were both hospitalised but were in a stable condition.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

Cray revival

Our Moulamein mate China Gibson is happy to report every endeavour is being made to revive the Murray cray population in that neck of the woods where the Billabong Creek runs into Edward River.

The cray population was decimated by the floods of 2022, which also claimed many fish species, including Murray cod up 120cm long.

At the time, crays were walking up the banks to escape the black water.

Now crays — some with eggs — are being relocated back into the Edward River at a secret location near Moulamein.

More will be returned to the river in the future.

Meanwhile, Yarran Creek just south of Moulamein is getting an upgrade.

Big square cement blocks will be put into the creek to provide the landowners with crossings to access both sides of the creek when it is flowing.

Dates set for paddle

Get those paddles ready.

A date for the Massive Murray Paddle has been set, with the event to start on Monday, November 18 in Yarrawonga and conclude at Koondrook-Barham on November 22.

Formerly known as the Murray Marathon, competitors can compete on one or two days or elect to take in the full course of 415km.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.mmp415.racing

Two homes go up in smoke

A man, 66, and his 57-year-old female neighbour had to be rescued from their burning Deniliquin homes last week

The woman had to be rescued by police and both were treated for smoke inhalation.

The woman also suffered minor burns.

The fire, which ravaged both weatherboard homes, has been deemed suspicious, with investigations continuing.

Square dinkum

G’day.

My boss arrived at work in a brand new Rolls-Royce.

‘‘Wow,’’ I said, ‘‘That is an amazing rig.’’

He replied: ‘‘Yes, and if you continue to work hard, put the hours in, and strive for excellence … I will be able to get another new one next year.’’

Hooroo!