The Kyabram woman who has the happy knack of playing the country music nearly everyone loves has signed off at community radio station ONE FM.
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Di Hunter is heading for the warmer climate of Queensland — Bundaberg to be precise — in a new phase of her life.
With Marg Mathieson by her side at he microphone for the past seven years, Di has trained 103 people in radio and has helped develop youth and ethnic programs, presenting in every timeslot and bringing the cream of country music to a wide audience.
She was talked into trying her hand with a microphone by the late ONE FM announcer David Fox, who along with another industry stalwart Rod Sheppard, gave her the confidence to have a go.
Di’s work has not only been appreciated by a wide audience of listeners, but also by some of the leading entertainers she has given air time to.
John Williamson of True Blue fame described her as the ‘‘Queen of Country,’’ a name that has stuck, while much-loved British country artist Ollie Austin sent her a personal thanks for introducing him an to Australian audience.
Di’s easy-to-listen to style won’t be missing in her new home.
She has already made contact with a local station in Bundaberg, Coral Coast FM, where she is hoping some of her listeners during the past 15 years will still be able to follow her on the worldwide web.
Walsh ‘Kokoda fit’
That person spotted lugging a backpack around the streets of Echuca in recent times has raised a few eyebrows.
Many have come to the correct conclusion it is in fact Nat’s leader and State Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh.
There is a purpose for Walsh’s get-fit campaign — he will tackle the famous wartime Kokoda Trail next month and he wants to be up to the challenge.
Last weekend he was in the Gembrook area in an organised fitness excursion preparing for the New Guinea challenge.
Lowest temperature of year
Kyabram has had its lowest minimum temperature for the year last Friday when the mercury dropped to a chilly 1.5ºC.
But for the first time since May 2, maximum temperatures climbed back over 18ºC at the weekend.
But there has been no rain in the past week and only 2mm for May so far, so croppers are now starting to look anxiously to the skies for a rain break to sow crops.
Showers were tipped for yesterday.
Makeover for the Star
Paddlesteamer PS Australian Star is receiving a makeover and will provide a five-star river cruise for 38 passengers from its Echuca-Moama base when its relaunched.
The Mildura three-deck-built paddlesteamer will replace the smaller 16-guest PS Emmylou paddlesteamer.
The rebuild of the PS Australia Star has created 13 jobs and will deliver 16 permanent ongoing positions when it starts operating in 2025.
Debate on Vegemite’s 100th
Is that famous Aussie spread — Vegemite — 100 or 101 years old?
Seymour man John Ross was a bit confused after looking at two commemorative jars of Vegemite he had collected — one celebrating its 70th and the other its 80th anniversary milestones.
A jar from 1992 was celebrating the 70th anniversary and the jar from 2003 claimed it was the spread’s 80th birthday.
But investigations by Deborah Callister, granddaughter of Vegemite creator Cyril Callister, established the early printing was an error and 1923 is the year Vegemite was first launched.
Longwood tank back
Not a combative version, but a water tank that served the town for 80 years before it ended up on a Locksley property in 1960 where it was doomed to see out its days.
But after an offer from the tank’s owner, the well-named Longwood’s Action Group sprung into action and with funding from the Strathbogie Shire Council and a Community Planning Funding program grant has relocated the eight-metre high structure, which served steam trains when it was constructed in 1890, back to Longwood.
It is hoped to become a feature on a proposed art trail for the district.
Calley 70th anniversary
Belated congratulations to Shepparton couple Gordon and Dot Calley, who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 18.
The Calleys, who met at a dance in Rushworth, owned dairy farms at Stanhope, Kyabram and Bunbartha during their working life and our now living out their years in Kialla Gardens.
Focus on firewood
Firewood thieves are being targeted in the Lower Goulburn and Shepparton areas.
Around-the-clock patrols with a focus on nights and weekends will be carried out with support from the Game Management Authority and Victorian Fisheries Authority.
The targeted areas have been hot spots for illegal firewood harvesting in recent times and heavy penalties apply for any offenders.
Controversy continues
In another controversial decision concerning waste management Moira Shire Council has parted with local waste company DS Kendall after 25 years in favour of companies outside the municipality, including the ASX-listed Cleanaway.
Moira Council’s administrator John Tanner, who has taken over from the former Moira Council, which was dismissed earlier this year, has adopted a recommendation from staff to make the decision.
DK Kendall owner Don Kendall has pointed out the shortfalls of awarding the contract outside the shire and the ramifications of the decision on businesses within the shire.
Did you know
1. Canada actually eats more macaroni and cheese than any other place. Belgium eats the most fries and Germany eats the most bread.
2. The famous Sesame Street character Cookie Monster’s real name is Sid.
3. If you play tennis at Wimbledon, swearing is not allowed. Therefore, judges have to learn swearwords in different languages in order to enforce the rules.
4. Glass balls can bounce higher than rubber balls.
5. Mushrooms can glow in the dark. In fact, there are more than 70 varieties of mushrooms that do this.
Ky Famous People File
Charlie (Spot) Fisher played in three consecutive premierships for Muckatah in the Goulburn Valley Football Association in 1910, 1911and 1912, before transferring to Kyabram Football Club in the Goulburn Valley Football League for the 1913 and 1914 seasons.
Fisher made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in round 2 of the 1914 season. He played with Kyabram in the GVFL on Wednesdays and then with Carlton in the VFL on Saturdays.
In 1914 he kicked 39 goals for Kyabram in 11 games and 22 goals with Carlton in 16 games.
Fisher was a member of the Carlton’s 1914 and 1915 VFL premiership teams and was also a member of their 1916 VFL grand final team that lost to Fitzroy.
In 1919, he was appointed captain of the Blues and also led the team’s goalkicking in that year.
Fisher retired from VFL football at the end of the 1921 season and was appointed as captain-coach of Brunswick in the VFA.
Fisher was blessed with a powerful physique and was renowned for his long, accurate kicking with either foot.
He died in 1983 aged 90.
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