News

Around the traps with Gus Underwood

By Gus Underwood

Aug 7, 2025

Sound recordist John Peterson, host Heather Ewart, producer Damian Estall and cameraman Aaron Kelly at Ms Ewart’s final film shoot in Murchison.

Back Roads comes back home for farewell

Murchison-raised Heather Ewart’s swansong appearance last week as the anchor in the much loved ABC’s Back Roads program has been greeted with disappointment.

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Mainly because Heather was a perfect fit for this show, which first went to air in 2015.

Her last show was actually filmed at her cousin’s property in Murchison in February.

After a 50 years working for the ABC, Heather thought the 10-year milestone of Back Roads was good timing to move into a another phase of her life — retirement.

And you can add Heather’s name to the list of notable people and events in Murchison along with its world famous meteorite shower in 1969 and former North Melbourne footy champion Lawrie Dwyer.

And Heather’s last message to her thousands of viewers?

‘‘Always be proud of growing up in a country town because it holds you in great stead in life,“ she said.

Spruce up for barge

A significant part of Echuca’s river trade has had a spruce up.

The D26 barge has been on the Moama slip for the past month, with redgum planks caulked and sealed with tar in a traditional makeover.

The barge was built in 1926 and was one of four towed by the PS Adelaide during its 80-year working life.

When retired, it was purchased for $15,000 by Echuca Council and was restored to working condition in 1988 and relaunched in 1990.

Today it’s moored at the Port of Echuca and on special occasions can be viewed being towed by the PS Adelaide.

Monster Gordon

‘Gordon’ the kangaroo has had tongues wagging down at Seymour.

He has got his name from frequenting the street of the same name.

But he is mainly turning heads because of his size, which according to one witness is ‘‘monstrous.’’

Blow for Benalla

Benalla has suffered a blow with significant job losses at ForestOne, a manufacturing operation, on its dry sawmill and particleboard lines.

However, the company has stated these lines could be reopened in the future if market conditions change.

One source has predicted there will be 140 redundancies at the business in coming weeks.

Nominate the next inductees

Nominations for the next inductees into the Deniliquin and District Transport Wall of Fame are now open.

The proviso is nominations must come from the Southern Riverina region.

Verbal nominations won’t make the cut, and nominations at denitruckshow.com.au must be in by the end of this month.

Bridge to stay

The fate of the Old Goulburn River Bridge at Seymour seems to have been settled.

Mitchell Shire councillors have opted to maintain the bridge, once part of the Hume Hwy, in its current state to comply with Heritage Victoria requirements, but will complete no further restoration work.