Around the traps with Gus Underwood

Thunderstorms rolled in on Monday night of this week, dumping 13.8mm of rain on Kyabram, but falls varied across the district.

The latest rain has been able to provide crops with some initial growth, which has been a big relief for many broad-acre farmers.

Mornings have been frosty and chilly, with the temperature plunging to -0.1°C last Friday and -0.3°C on Saturday.

River in good health

Health of the Campaspe River is continuing to improve after the 2022 floods.

The one-in-500-years flood damaged parts of the river downstream of Lake Eppalock, stripping bank and aquatic vegetation, which impacted fish populations.

But monitoring has revealed higher numbers of golden perch (yellowbelly) and critically endangered silver perch have been captured just below Lake Eppalock for the first time, along with Murray cod and trout, with reduced European carp numbers.

Boarding house application

An application is before Murray River Council to build a 55-bedroom boarding house at Moama.

The aim is to address the housing shortage for seniors and displaced people from the local area.

If the development application is approved, the development will be carried out at the old Southern Cross Aged Care building at 82 Regent St, Moama.

Lions club reaches milestone

Most community clubs these days battle to survive, but one that is still going strong is the Echuca Lions Club.

It recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, which is a noteworthy feat in these times.

Servo closes doors

BP has pulled the plug on one of its Shepparton outlets.

The BP service station on the Goulburn Valley Hwy closed its doors and fuel taps on June 11.

But BP will still have a presence in the area, with outlets in Shepparton and Mooroopna.

Ewart opens the show

Tatura Rotary Club’s recent 16th art show had a familiar face opening the popular event.

Former Murchison resident Heather Ewart, host of the popular ABC series Backs Roads, did the honours.

Heather actually has a Kyabram link, as her husband, political guru Barrie Cassidy, once did a stint working at the Free Press in the 1970s.

Hotel on the market

The Pine Lodge Hotel at Shepparton East is another country pub with a long history looking for a new owner and freshen up to help relive its glory days.

David Cook purchased the pub in 2017 but now thinks it is time for a new owner with new ideas to bring it back to its glory days.

The pub, which also features a 40-bed hostel, was first built in 1870 but burnt down in the 1920s.

Rice mill opens

Locally grown rice in the Jerilderie district doesn’t face a long trip to be milled any more.

Nice Rice Honestly Ltd has just opened a $10 million mill near the town.

About 20 local growers have hit their back pocket to finance the facility through private investments.

Project manager Russell Ford said the project stemmed from a desire to create a more premium rice product.

Better reception on the way

Mobile tower upgrades in the Conargo area started last week.

Telstra upgrades at its Conargo base station are expected to bring a better 4G experience and new 5G coverage to the community.

Berrigan to welcome cup

Big day coming up for Berrigan on October 5.

That’s the day the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour hits the tiny NSW town, which has a racing tradition.

In the past two years, Rochester and Echuca have hosted the cup visit.

Square dinkum

G’day

Overheard in the pub:

Bloke 1: ‘‘My wife left me last week. She went out for milk and never came home.’’

Bloke 2: ‘‘Sorry to hear that. How have you been coping?’’

Bloke 1: ‘‘Okay so far — I found some long-life milk in the cupboard.’’

Hooroo!