Welcome 2008
Welcome to 2008 and thanks for reading the SLF, I’m sure as you woke up on Jan 1 you felt a ripple of optimism as the New Year dawned. I am certainly bullish about the on coming year and for what its worth I have compiled some of my predictions.
Here they are:
This ones for my old mate “Jack” and I think I did predict it last year and it didn’t happen, but this year the Muddy and Avon will run.
The seasons will return to normal and all the planets will line up for the cropping guys, good prices, plenty of timely rain and big yields.
Land baron “Guru Norm” will be challenged for the wealthiest person in the district by Boofhead “Twiggy” Hendy after he wins a division 1 Tattslotto mega draw around mid year. (Ed - You better get a ticket Boof).
Chris “Entanglement” Webb’s bowls will improve dramatically this year so much so that he will take out a major title at Rup (Ed - I hope he’s still playing).
Big “Herbie” Duxson will score a magnificent century in the second half of the cricket season. (Ed – Come on Herbie….)
Someone – I don’t know who – will score a hole-in-one at the Royal this year. (Ed – Chopper make sure you take the cheque book to golf this year)
Funny man Stewart “Smacka” MacPherson will get gravel rash on one of his knees!!! (Ed – Something is happening)
Wimmera Celebrity Nigel “Winebar” Slee will get through his February wedding OK.
John “Be My” Guest will consider using the broomstick putter after a bout of the yips hits him in the second half of the golfing season.
Leigh “Blue Can” Foster will turn green after something big happens (something big and something good) in the Marnoo Pub around ram sale time. (Ed – Then we can call him Green Can)
Derek “The Mayor” Cameron will hand over the Mayoral duties to his brother “Larry” Cameron. (Ed – Good job Mayor)
Is that Boonie?
I am in Tassie at the moment and I was walking down the street of Hobart and I thought I spotted – from a distance - the great man “Boonie” himself (my eyes were a little blurry after some new years cheer), It turned out to be leading St Arnaud businessman Damian “The Major” Drum, I was robbed.
To much Grass
Take it from me you have to be very careful what you say to the media these days, I think a leading Wallaloo farmer might get a ribbing or two from his mates after he quoted he was “Embarrassed with feed” in a leading rural newspaper a week or two ago. This is in direct relation to another leading farmer who farms locally and over St Arnaud way when he quoted the he was “Embarrassed with grain” a year or two ago.
Quote, Unquote
Dan “Rabobank” Douglas was another native to grace the rural papers in the last couple of weeks.
Drinking Beer
I’m sure all you “Consumers” out there would agree that it’s been a tough Christmas and New Year period with the way the weekends have just come before the big events and I’m sure that even the handiest consumers will be looking forward to a couple of AFD’s come the turn of the New Year.
That’s all folks
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas is here
Christmas is here and once again along comes the rain. Another 20 to 30 mm went through the district in a rain event that coved SA, Vic, Tas, NSW and Qld. All areas received some very good falls and I even heard of some severe flood and wind damage. The Oxley area North West of Hay in NSW was hit bad with two iconic Woolsheds owned by famed former Liberal politician and AWI Chairman Ian McLachlan (Tupra Station) and his equally famous neighbour Bob McFarland (Oxley Station) were absolutely flattened by what had to be a tornado. One of the wool presses still hasn’t been found. I also heard at Boolagil (NSW) 300 metres of newly laid bitumen was picked up and tossed over 300 metres away all in one piece. Thank goodness we didn’t have that locally.
Clowning about
Innovative young agronomist Andrew “Clown” Newell is the guy who was reported (you heard it first, well maybe second….) in last weeks SLF who is branching out on his own in the agronomy world. He is setting up a new model in which he can service his clients by charging a set fee for every acre under crop. I’m told that he already has 23 starters and wants to cap it at 25. All the best to him as I hear he is getting some good support from the natives.
Keeping us all guessing
Famous native Stewart “Smacker” MacPherson who was seen in Ballarat over the weekend “loitering on the corner with evil intent” is keeping us all guessing with his new (so called) flame. When asked he said “No Comment” but what he did reveal to the SLF was that “I told you I would have one before Christmas”. Nothing like leaving it until the last minute. I will be keeping my ear to the ground on this one.
2008, what’s in store
I like looking forward and I will be wracking my brain over the Christmas/New Year period trying to come up with some predictions about 2008. For what its worth I will reveal my findings early in the New Year.
Sheep prices on the move
One thing I know will happen in 2008 and that’s that sheep will get expensive. I attended the Narromine (NSW) sale last week and several lines of young ewes broke the $100 barrier. All this will be music to many farmers’ ears.
What we remember 2007 for:
The year “Smacka” found a girlfriend
“Jack” telling the Dr that “you may as well take me straight to Grays Bridge”
“Herbie” arriving home from overseas several stone lighter
“Irons” Carter taking all the trophies home from the Royal
“Larry” Cameron emerging and providing plenty of “fodder” for this column
The year we received average rainfall in what will be looked back as a drought
The football and netball reunion
“Pest” Raggatt carting around a chook in his ute
“Be My” Guest going camping (of sorts)
“Guru Norm” retaining his spot as the richest farmer in the district
The year the Wallaloo creek ran (hasn’t done it for a while)
The unveiling of the Don Murphy “50 years at Landmark” scoreboard at the MCG
Farmer Healy converting to “No Till”
That’s about all from me and I will see you in 2008
Christmas is here and once again along comes the rain. Another 20 to 30 mm went through the district in a rain event that coved SA, Vic, Tas, NSW and Qld. All areas received some very good falls and I even heard of some severe flood and wind damage. The Oxley area North West of Hay in NSW was hit bad with two iconic Woolsheds owned by famed former Liberal politician and AWI Chairman Ian McLachlan (Tupra Station) and his equally famous neighbour Bob McFarland (Oxley Station) were absolutely flattened by what had to be a tornado. One of the wool presses still hasn’t been found. I also heard at Boolagil (NSW) 300 metres of newly laid bitumen was picked up and tossed over 300 metres away all in one piece. Thank goodness we didn’t have that locally.
Clowning about
Innovative young agronomist Andrew “Clown” Newell is the guy who was reported (you heard it first, well maybe second….) in last weeks SLF who is branching out on his own in the agronomy world. He is setting up a new model in which he can service his clients by charging a set fee for every acre under crop. I’m told that he already has 23 starters and wants to cap it at 25. All the best to him as I hear he is getting some good support from the natives.
Keeping us all guessing
Famous native Stewart “Smacker” MacPherson who was seen in Ballarat over the weekend “loitering on the corner with evil intent” is keeping us all guessing with his new (so called) flame. When asked he said “No Comment” but what he did reveal to the SLF was that “I told you I would have one before Christmas”. Nothing like leaving it until the last minute. I will be keeping my ear to the ground on this one.
2008, what’s in store
I like looking forward and I will be wracking my brain over the Christmas/New Year period trying to come up with some predictions about 2008. For what its worth I will reveal my findings early in the New Year.
Sheep prices on the move
One thing I know will happen in 2008 and that’s that sheep will get expensive. I attended the Narromine (NSW) sale last week and several lines of young ewes broke the $100 barrier. All this will be music to many farmers’ ears.
What we remember 2007 for:
The year “Smacka” found a girlfriend
“Jack” telling the Dr that “you may as well take me straight to Grays Bridge”
“Herbie” arriving home from overseas several stone lighter
“Irons” Carter taking all the trophies home from the Royal
“Larry” Cameron emerging and providing plenty of “fodder” for this column
The year we received average rainfall in what will be looked back as a drought
The football and netball reunion
“Pest” Raggatt carting around a chook in his ute
“Be My” Guest going camping (of sorts)
“Guru Norm” retaining his spot as the richest farmer in the district
The year the Wallaloo creek ran (hasn’t done it for a while)
The unveiling of the Don Murphy “50 years at Landmark” scoreboard at the MCG
Farmer Healy converting to “No Till”
That’s about all from me and I will see you in 2008
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Another week
Boy does time fly with Christmas only a week or so away, I can’t remember where the year has gone and what’s happened, it’s all a bit of a blur. I’m really look forward to 2008 and what it can bring us. I’m sure MORE RAIN or a better distribution of rain would be on the menu for many for 2008.
Farmer of the year
Chief no tiller Brian “Farmer” Healy is the barley king according to my district spies, they tell me he scooped the pool with a more than healthy barley average. And they also tell me he has Kabuli Chick Peas the size of golf balls.
Taught him all he knows
I picked up the Farm Weekly (WA equivalent to the Stock and Land) and spotted the cricket results at Carnamah. Former native Nicky “Burger” Healy is calving them up over there and on the day I looked he made 38 and was second top score. When I contacted his former junior coach John “Fruity” Nisbet his reply was “taught him all he knows”.
On the move
Rumours are rife that a leading district agronomist is on the move and is looking to start a new business out on his own. More about this when I get to the bottom of it.
In top form
I attended the Jimmy Duxson christening party last Saturday and what a big event it was, the patrons put in a big effort but non bigger than Rueben “Rostron” Cheeseman who had the gallery in stitches with his post harvest antics. He definitely took home the belt award which was stitched up at 4pm that afternoon and the funny thing is he was still at the event at 2am the next morning. A big effort.
Surrounded in secrecy
I am getting to the bottom of this one but the information is sketchy. I was wondering why local funnyman Stewart “Smacka” MacPherson drifted off early from the party on Saturday. I put my investigative journalist’s hat on and found out that Smacka has a lovely young lady that he is seeing on a regular basis. She is a city girl from Richmond in Melbourne and was visiting the farm for the first time last Saturday and I’m sure Smacka wanted it all to go well. I’m told that he met her at Derby day and its all been rosy since then. Watch this space for more information.
Another party
I also attended the 42nd birthday of Phil “Lucky” Reading on Saturday night at Elston. It was good to catch up with a few well credentialed natives non more than Ron “Kanya” Kinley. Kanya who manages the sheep property for Steven Weir is delighted with all of the summer rain which has seen his vast crop of lucerne “Take off”. He loves a party and a several VB”s and didn’t disappoint with his form on the evening.
Harvest over
Belinda “MIllsy” Reading was delighted with the premature end to harvest and is thinking that she is going to get husband “Lucky” to come along for some Christmas shopping. I’m sure he is super happy about that!!!!
Boofhead goes to jelly
I was talking to SLF favourite Norm “Money bags” Duxson on the weekend and he was giggling away whilst telling me a story about another SLF favourite Bruce “Boofhead” Hendy. I’m told that Boof was loading the auger on the back of a ute when a 6 foot Brown snake slivered between his legs. According to The Guru our old mate Boof was still shaking some days later.
Still funny despite the pain
SLF favourite John “Jack” Cameron put his hip out on the weekend and was in quite a bit of pain before Dr Norm Castle (who was at the school concert) delivered some pain relief. Whilst delivering the pain relief Jack mentioned “you may as well take me straight to Gray’s Bridge” in what was a small lighter moment at a time of huge concern for the family. We all hope that Jack gets better and as quickly as possible.
That’s all for this week
Boy does time fly with Christmas only a week or so away, I can’t remember where the year has gone and what’s happened, it’s all a bit of a blur. I’m really look forward to 2008 and what it can bring us. I’m sure MORE RAIN or a better distribution of rain would be on the menu for many for 2008.
Farmer of the year
Chief no tiller Brian “Farmer” Healy is the barley king according to my district spies, they tell me he scooped the pool with a more than healthy barley average. And they also tell me he has Kabuli Chick Peas the size of golf balls.
Taught him all he knows
I picked up the Farm Weekly (WA equivalent to the Stock and Land) and spotted the cricket results at Carnamah. Former native Nicky “Burger” Healy is calving them up over there and on the day I looked he made 38 and was second top score. When I contacted his former junior coach John “Fruity” Nisbet his reply was “taught him all he knows”.
On the move
Rumours are rife that a leading district agronomist is on the move and is looking to start a new business out on his own. More about this when I get to the bottom of it.
In top form
I attended the Jimmy Duxson christening party last Saturday and what a big event it was, the patrons put in a big effort but non bigger than Rueben “Rostron” Cheeseman who had the gallery in stitches with his post harvest antics. He definitely took home the belt award which was stitched up at 4pm that afternoon and the funny thing is he was still at the event at 2am the next morning. A big effort.
Surrounded in secrecy
I am getting to the bottom of this one but the information is sketchy. I was wondering why local funnyman Stewart “Smacka” MacPherson drifted off early from the party on Saturday. I put my investigative journalist’s hat on and found out that Smacka has a lovely young lady that he is seeing on a regular basis. She is a city girl from Richmond in Melbourne and was visiting the farm for the first time last Saturday and I’m sure Smacka wanted it all to go well. I’m told that he met her at Derby day and its all been rosy since then. Watch this space for more information.
Another party
I also attended the 42nd birthday of Phil “Lucky” Reading on Saturday night at Elston. It was good to catch up with a few well credentialed natives non more than Ron “Kanya” Kinley. Kanya who manages the sheep property for Steven Weir is delighted with all of the summer rain which has seen his vast crop of lucerne “Take off”. He loves a party and a several VB”s and didn’t disappoint with his form on the evening.
Harvest over
Belinda “MIllsy” Reading was delighted with the premature end to harvest and is thinking that she is going to get husband “Lucky” to come along for some Christmas shopping. I’m sure he is super happy about that!!!!
Boofhead goes to jelly
I was talking to SLF favourite Norm “Money bags” Duxson on the weekend and he was giggling away whilst telling me a story about another SLF favourite Bruce “Boofhead” Hendy. I’m told that Boof was loading the auger on the back of a ute when a 6 foot Brown snake slivered between his legs. According to The Guru our old mate Boof was still shaking some days later.
Still funny despite the pain
SLF favourite John “Jack” Cameron put his hip out on the weekend and was in quite a bit of pain before Dr Norm Castle (who was at the school concert) delivered some pain relief. Whilst delivering the pain relief Jack mentioned “you may as well take me straight to Gray’s Bridge” in what was a small lighter moment at a time of huge concern for the family. We all hope that Jack gets better and as quickly as possible.
That’s all for this week
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Another week
Welcome to another week of the SLF, I hearing some pretty good harvest results considering the season and if the amount of trucks I saw at Bruce “Boofhead” Hendy’s establishment is any indication then I’m sure that the natives won’t be complaining too much.
Great Day
I went along with my Yarrawonga mate Dwain “Duxsy” Duxson to the Tim Crowe benefit day at the Rich Avon sports centre. What a great day it was with a huge and generous crowd raising lots of money to help Tim who has been blinded by some rare disease. The 20/20 cricket game was a highlight along with the kids coaching clinic.
Northerners in the second last ball of the day
The Northerners just got over the line in the 20/20 game in what was a tight and entertaining game of cricket. Batting first the Southerners which consisted of players from Marnoo, Rup and Minyip set the pace with an innings of 179. The Marnoo reps included Captain Gary “Larry” Cameron, Ben “Glendemar” Duxson, Derek “De Mayor” Cameron and “Duxsy” Duxson. They all got a start with the bat and held there own with the ball but it was a Locky “Frog” Jones century that sealed the game for the Northerners.
Late night
I’m told the Tim Crowe benefit day went well into the night and even into the early hours of the morning. I know of a couple of natives that were seen still standing in the wee small hours and I was also told that a prominent employee at a prominent Marnoo business didn’t report in for work on Monday.
Marnoo in a thriller
The Marnoo lads had a thrilling victory against ANA-Boolite thanks mainly to a powerful knock by champion MCC batsmen Derek “The Mayor” Cameron who held his nerve for 90 top class runs and sealed the win in the last over of the day.
Boys will be boys
Marnoo team leader “Larry” Cameron who seems to be in the news quite regularly these days didn’t disappoint his fans when he attempted his handstand party trick in the corner shop late in the evening of Saturday night. Apparently it was a very popular trick in his Adelaide days. But time moves on a we don’t get any younger and things like hand stand whilst under the influence seem to get harder. Well that’s the way it turned out as Larry successfully nailed the floor routine but things went pair shaped when the stool routine was attempted, it all ended in a rather nasty scratch on the nose and forehead.
Partner in crime
Larry’s partner in crime last weekend was non other than Armand “Herbie” Duxson and both did a job on Robbie “Young Bobbie” McAllister. McAllister I’m told slept very well on Sunday.
Yabby day
I witnessed a prominent member of the Stawell community yabbying in a Wallaloo East dam and I know the owner of the property wouldn’t have been to happy to see poachers steeling his catch.
That’s all folks
Welcome to another week of the SLF, I hearing some pretty good harvest results considering the season and if the amount of trucks I saw at Bruce “Boofhead” Hendy’s establishment is any indication then I’m sure that the natives won’t be complaining too much.
Great Day
I went along with my Yarrawonga mate Dwain “Duxsy” Duxson to the Tim Crowe benefit day at the Rich Avon sports centre. What a great day it was with a huge and generous crowd raising lots of money to help Tim who has been blinded by some rare disease. The 20/20 cricket game was a highlight along with the kids coaching clinic.
Northerners in the second last ball of the day
The Northerners just got over the line in the 20/20 game in what was a tight and entertaining game of cricket. Batting first the Southerners which consisted of players from Marnoo, Rup and Minyip set the pace with an innings of 179. The Marnoo reps included Captain Gary “Larry” Cameron, Ben “Glendemar” Duxson, Derek “De Mayor” Cameron and “Duxsy” Duxson. They all got a start with the bat and held there own with the ball but it was a Locky “Frog” Jones century that sealed the game for the Northerners.
Late night
I’m told the Tim Crowe benefit day went well into the night and even into the early hours of the morning. I know of a couple of natives that were seen still standing in the wee small hours and I was also told that a prominent employee at a prominent Marnoo business didn’t report in for work on Monday.
Marnoo in a thriller
The Marnoo lads had a thrilling victory against ANA-Boolite thanks mainly to a powerful knock by champion MCC batsmen Derek “The Mayor” Cameron who held his nerve for 90 top class runs and sealed the win in the last over of the day.
Boys will be boys
Marnoo team leader “Larry” Cameron who seems to be in the news quite regularly these days didn’t disappoint his fans when he attempted his handstand party trick in the corner shop late in the evening of Saturday night. Apparently it was a very popular trick in his Adelaide days. But time moves on a we don’t get any younger and things like hand stand whilst under the influence seem to get harder. Well that’s the way it turned out as Larry successfully nailed the floor routine but things went pair shaped when the stool routine was attempted, it all ended in a rather nasty scratch on the nose and forehead.
Partner in crime
Larry’s partner in crime last weekend was non other than Armand “Herbie” Duxson and both did a job on Robbie “Young Bobbie” McAllister. McAllister I’m told slept very well on Sunday.
Yabby day
I witnessed a prominent member of the Stawell community yabbying in a Wallaloo East dam and I know the owner of the property wouldn’t have been to happy to see poachers steeling his catch.
That’s all folks
Sunday, December 2, 2007
No time
Welcome to another week of the SLF, I must apologise for last week, I was on the road and couldn’t find time to put pen to paper and deliver the goods. But back this week in full flight.
Clown visits the UK
We known part time agronomist Andrew “Clown” Newall is clowning his way around the UK. Last text read “In Dublin with brother in law sinking pints”. He also sent a text asking for the SLF blog site so this little column might reach the UK for what I’m thinking might be the first time.
When it rains it pours
Rain again fell last week in what can only be described as welcome but slightly untimely, initially it would be pestering harvesters but I’m sure that if it’s signalling the end of the drought then farmers will be saying bring it on but after Christmas please.
Jack top the totals
SLF favourite John “Jack” Cameron topped the rainfall totals with around 2 inches falling in a big storm last week, I’m tipping that Jack would have been watching from his favourite perch on the back veranda wishing that it would have come a couple of months earlier.
Labour back
Many a local will remember the high interest rates that the last labour government delivered and will be hoping that the Rudd government is different to the Hawke/Keating legacy. Our favourite political watcher Jack Cameron will have an opinion on the situation and I intend to find out next time I’m around.
Big day out
A big turnout is predicted for the Tim Crowe benefit day at Rich Avon this Sunday, organisers are encouraging all families to attend with the highlights being a cricket coaching clinic for the kids and a grudge 2020 game of which a few Marnoo celebrities will be taking part. Should be a great day and it’s going to a great cause.
Cricketers miss out
The cricketers missed out on the weekend after going into the game against Mallee opponent Beulah Hopetoun with quite a few out. Once again the standouts where Stewart “Smacka” MacPherson and Gary “Larry” Cameron.
A headache
I’m told that Larry Cameron had one to many champagnes at a ball in Great Western last Saturday night and woke up with a larger than usual headache.
That’s about all for this week
Welcome to another week of the SLF, I must apologise for last week, I was on the road and couldn’t find time to put pen to paper and deliver the goods. But back this week in full flight.
Clown visits the UK
We known part time agronomist Andrew “Clown” Newall is clowning his way around the UK. Last text read “In Dublin with brother in law sinking pints”. He also sent a text asking for the SLF blog site so this little column might reach the UK for what I’m thinking might be the first time.
When it rains it pours
Rain again fell last week in what can only be described as welcome but slightly untimely, initially it would be pestering harvesters but I’m sure that if it’s signalling the end of the drought then farmers will be saying bring it on but after Christmas please.
Jack top the totals
SLF favourite John “Jack” Cameron topped the rainfall totals with around 2 inches falling in a big storm last week, I’m tipping that Jack would have been watching from his favourite perch on the back veranda wishing that it would have come a couple of months earlier.
Labour back
Many a local will remember the high interest rates that the last labour government delivered and will be hoping that the Rudd government is different to the Hawke/Keating legacy. Our favourite political watcher Jack Cameron will have an opinion on the situation and I intend to find out next time I’m around.
Big day out
A big turnout is predicted for the Tim Crowe benefit day at Rich Avon this Sunday, organisers are encouraging all families to attend with the highlights being a cricket coaching clinic for the kids and a grudge 2020 game of which a few Marnoo celebrities will be taking part. Should be a great day and it’s going to a great cause.
Cricketers miss out
The cricketers missed out on the weekend after going into the game against Mallee opponent Beulah Hopetoun with quite a few out. Once again the standouts where Stewart “Smacka” MacPherson and Gary “Larry” Cameron.
A headache
I’m told that Larry Cameron had one to many champagnes at a ball in Great Western last Saturday night and woke up with a larger than usual headache.
That’s about all for this week
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