Around the traps

At the same meeting that day, Tom partnered JekyllnHide, prepared by Irish trainer Shane Jackson, to win the $60,000 Victory Dunroe Steeplechase.

On the final day of the carnival on Thursday, Tom was in the winner’s circle again after riding another of the Shane Jackson-trained team, Loft, to victory in the John Rule Novice Hurdle to complete a hat-trick of wins at the carnival.

Jemima is also no slouch in the saddle and has a placing to her credit in the famous Australian Garryowen equestrian event.

Tom Ryan works for the Hayes brothers’ training establishment at Euroa.

Copies still available

Those who didn’t get a copy of last week’s Free Press and missed out on the souvenir publication Kyabram’s Doctors Of Endurance can still obtain copies of the book.

They can place an order for a copy by phoning 0423 504 328 or 5852 2579.

Top staff member

Take a bow the Woolworths check-out operator who made a prominent Kyabram veteran’s day last week.

When he went for his wallet at the supermarket to pay for his purchases it was nowhere to be found. In fact it was back at his home.

That’s when the Woolworths employee stepped up and paid the bill for the grateful shopper, who returned the next day with the money.

‘‘I didn’t know her and I don’t think she knew who I was so it was a very generous gesture by her and very much appreciated,’’ the shopper said.

Invasion

Kyabram has been invaded ... by corellas.

They have hit town in their hundreds over the past couple of weeks.

They have stripped trees around town and seem to like the Kyabram racecourse reserve area and its trotting track interior.

A bird expert has told the Free Press they will move on but couldn’t give a date.

Warm start to month

It’s been a dry and warm start to May, with winter less than a month away.

No rain has been reported since 19mm fell on Saturday, April 26, and the yearly total so far of 80mm is well below the average of 180mm for the January to May period.

No sale

Greater Shepparton City Council will not be purchasing the former Dhurringile Prison site.

After a four-four voting split on the proposal at a meeting last week it was decided not to move forward on the proposed purchase, with the costs highlighted.

Young flyer

Benalla’s Lucas Argus is a young man who can boast an unusual feat — he got his pilot’s licence before he got his licence to drive a car.

At 13, Lucas started his aviation journey under instructor Ron Olson, a certified Benalla Recreation Flying School and Recreation Aviation Australia flight instructor.

Lucas is only 15 now but is qualified to take to the skies alone.

But to progress any further he has to complete four cross-country flights lasting about two and a half hours.

No prizes for guessing what Lucas wants to do in his working life.

Carp decrease

Good news for anglers, particularly those who like dipping a line in the Billabong Creek.

Recent surveys following an electrofishing and removal project have revealed a reduction of invasive fish populations, including the much maligned European carp.

Supported by the Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council, the project has seen 81 European carp removed recently from a 5km stretch of the creek at Conargo, reinforcing a downward trend in both carp numbers and overall weights since the last survey.

Station push

Mathoura is banking on people power to get a new police station for the town.

A community-led petition calling for the Murray River Council to advocate for a new station has secured over 300 names.

Deal falls through

A deal that would have seen a collection of historical properties near Deniliquin sold for $780 million has fallen through.

A business agreement was entered in March last year involving the famed PS Faulkner properties Wanganella and Boonoke previously controlled by the late Colin Bell of the Australian Food and Agriculture Company Limited.

Square dinkum

G’day.

My family told me to get help for my drinking ... so I hired a bartender.

Problem solved.

Hooroo!