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Hello again

Another week just flies on by and a big week it was as many merinos enthusiasts visited the district in search of the perfect sheep. Not sure whether anyone found such an animal but there was certainly plenty around.

 

Blue Can kept busy

Those Merinos enthusiasts certainly livened up the “Corner Shop” on Thursday night with “Old Blue Can” having to run between the till and the tap.

 

And the winner is……Ross Young

Pint sized former Banyena resident and extradited Carlton player Ross “Rosco” Young has just taken out the Sandover medallist for the best player in the WAFL. This is truly a great achievement for a player who once played a couple of games for Marnoo under 16’s. It just so proves that you need determination when you play at such a high level and Young certainly has that. I remember playing cricket against him when he was all of 14 years of age player for the enemy, Rich Avon. He was so hard to get out and valued his wicket more than anyone I can remember. My spy Andrew “Upstart” Nisbet passed on the news that his mate took out the prize, as for Nisbet he was certainly a tad easier to get out when in the prime of his illustrious cricket career.

 

Looking good…

I was back in the district last week and boy does it look A1 for this time of year. Now I can’t remember what happened yesterday, let alone years ago but I would have to guess that it’s the best spring for many a year and local farmers are expecting a bumper harvest. All we need now is the price of grain to improve.

 

Creeks are trickling but not the main one

The Muddy Waterholes Creek is getting as famous as our very own Murray River as locals eagerly watch the progress of the still dry creek. A few of the local creeks are trickling with some further South flowing a little faster and higher. But as for the poor old Muddy Waterholes Creek, she is still dry, but all live in hope. Any sign of her flowing please get in touch with me asap, as it’s headline news.

 

Carter’s still out and about

It was good to see Alec and Shirley Carter (with matching walking sticks) doing the rounds of the field days last Thursday.  Their senior years don’t deter them from getting out and about and it’s great to see them keeping abreast with all the district happenings. They did mention that this little publication gives them the heads up as to what it going on, so it’s heartening to know at least someone is reading!!!

 

Corporate Cup this weekend

Arguably one of the biggest event’s on the “Royal’s” calendar is the Corporate Cup. Well it’s just about here and boy am I looking forward to this event. It certainly is one of the highlights of the year and I expect to see many a local turn out to this now colourful event.

 

That’s all

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Another week

Boy does time fly, I can’t believe it’s nearly Ram Sale time already. Well what a pleasure it was to be back in the district last week and the added bonus for me (and everyone else for that matter) was that it rained. They talk about timely rain, you just don’t get anymore timely for crops and pastures alike. With no yield loss yet and another rain forecast for Monday (I write this on Sunday), the district should experience a booming spring and harvest for once.

 

One of life’s pleasures

They talk about sex, drinking, eating, travelling etc as life pleasurable things to do, but one of mine is listening…….listening to rain on a corrugated iron roof……what a sound.

 

There’s hope for the Muddy yet

Because the print version of this little publication comes out on a Wednesday and I write this on a Sunday then my predictions (especially rain ones) can be totally wrong. So I’ll probably get egg on my face here but what the……I recon with the amount of rain they are forecasting we could see the first running of Marnoo’s most important waterway, the Muddy Waterholes creek. It seems like it hasn’t run since Weir was a boy!!!!

 

Old Blue Can gets busy

Marnoo best (and only) publican Leigh “Blue Can” Foster said to me that things were tough in the pub game when I visited last Wednesday night. Well low and behold (and I’m not claiming responsibility for this) that very night they had no less than 30 customers.  There were some very prominent district cockies there that night, like “Jack”, “Farmer”,  “Irons”  “Pest”, “Mr Asia”, “Guru” etc etc. It’s like these farmers could smell the rain on the horizon.

 

Sneak preview

It’s just about the biggest ticket in town getting an invite to Norm “Guru” Duxson’s ranch for a sneak viewing of the new Wallaloo and district DVD that Guru and his staff has assembled. One word “Don’t miss it” (alright that was three). It really does depict the true history of the Wallaloo, Bolangum and Kanya districts and SLF “Hall of Fame” member is to be congratulated. It will be released to the public on Sunday the 11^th of October, 1pm at the “Royal”.

 

Ram Sales and Field Days

The tip on the street is that it is going to be a big ram selling season for the Marnoo district studs. Let’s hope that’s true as Marnoo really does have a wonderful “Stud Sheep” profile right across the country.

 

Disappointing time for the Nisbets

There was a time just before the final siren on Friday night when I thought of a trio of blokes (and one lady) who would be doing it as tough as anyone. Avid Bulldogs supporters, the Nisbets, “Fruity”, “Upstart”, “Pie Guts” and “Joybells” would have been so disappointed. I’m not sure if “Joybells” even barracks for the dogs but she sure as hell will feel the effects with that tardy crew around. It’s been so long and to miss by that much……Anyway the Saint have waited a long time as well. That’s footy I guess!

 

Parrots lost

My team the Yarrawonga “Parrots” lost the grand final to the tune of 77 points. They were clearly outplayed and outmuscled by the star studded Albury Tigers outfit.

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Welcome

Welcome again to another week of the SLF. And what a week it was with the footy finals, the hot North wind etc etc. Things (I’m told) are looking pretty good in the district in comparison to other areas but we still need some good rain events to secure the spring and reap some goodish number off the district crops. Bring it on…

 

Sacred district sites

Some of you may of seen some of the plaques around the district that remember some of our history and local legend turned district historian Norm “Guru” Duxson is leading the charge busily bringing it all to fruition. On the 11^th of October at 1pm interested people can meet at the “Royal” for a guided tour to all of these famous sites. They include the Kanya School, Swing Bridge, Wallaloo East School, Hay shed corner, Bolangum Railway station and the Wallaloo School. Afternoon tea will be provided after the tour. All welcome and for more info contact The Guru.

 

Kanya School

Over the next couple of weeks I will feature a few of theses sites. I have some written info on a few but not all, so if the Guru has info the swing bridge, hay shed corner and the Bolangum railway station can he please send it the SLF office. The Kanya School was opened in 1897 when Angnes Muir enrolled 13 pupils at Warngar. The original district name was Bolungum, but the Government surveyor called the district Warngar Parish, hence the schools name, whereas the local post office was called Kanya. The school name change to Kanya in 1923 and the school closed in 1958.

 

Wallaloo School   

Jessie M Cox enrolled 19 pupils on the 29^th of June 1880 in a single room classroom in the Parish of Wallaloo, County of Borung. The school operated half the time with Bolangum and Callawadda South for a number of years. It became full time again in 1890 but finally closed on the 27^th of July 1943 owing to a lack of pupils. The school site was also the site of the Wallaloo Hall, the Wallaloo Church of England and the Wallaloo Tennis club.

 

Off the stick….

Former Wallaloo golfing gun Kylie McDougall is still carving up courses, this time in the drought stricken Riverina town of Hay. I’m pretty sure she hold the course record at Wallaloo and has just added the Hay course record to her impressive CV. She shot a 68 to beat the former course record of 72.

 

House of cards

Marnoo Football Club premiership coach John “Jumpin” Drum and his lovely wife Angela has been busy building his new abode in the river region of Horsham. We all know that when Jumpin does something it’s not in half measures and this house is no exception. It took something like two years to build and has been described as one of the biggest houses in Horsham. I’m also told that if you get the honour of a viewing put at least half a day aside. Reason, it’s bloody big, it has everything you can think of, and you will get a brick by brick description on how it was built.

 

Parrots in GF

My team the Yarrawonga “Parrots” have made the GF and will need a minor miracle to beat the Albury Tigers. I described the Albury Tigers as arguably the best Country team in the country and I have also been told that they are paying two of their best player more than $50,000. Bloody amazing really. For what it’s worth I told the Prez Glen “Wally” Brear that they need to do something left field to win. I’m not sure what but I’m sure that Jumpin John Drum could think of something as he loved the left field stuff. I do see however that there is rain forecast for Saturday night into Sunday and that might suit the relatively small Parrots team. However anything can happen and has in grand finals……

 

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Hello Again

Welcome to another week of the SLF. This week’s edition is very short due to the lack of “happenings” around the area. But we all must try our very best at whatever we do…….so here we go.

 

Season tightening in some areas

The season in the Marnoo district is looking pretty good in comparison to some areas as the lack of rain is really starting to bite. So let’s hope that we get a very big rain soon so the croppers can fill the silos and more importantly fill their bank accounts.

 

Parrots left squawking

My team up this way, the Yarrawonga “parrots” (they are called the Pigeons but we call them the parrots) got a right royal flogging in their 2^nd Semi clash with the Albury Tigers. Now I will go on the record and say that the Albury Tigers would have to be the best Country football team in the land. The brand of football they play is amazing and sort of reminds me of the Marnoo 2nds when “Big Cods” was at his peak!!!!!

 

Reading takes award

One of the Prized district titles has gone to leading Wallaloo East farmer Josh “Late nights” Reading. He won the Wallaloo Gold Club championship in emphatic style. He would arguably be, technically, the most complete golfer seen at the club for some years. His swing is sweet and by the sounds of it his lowly handicap of 7 is about to get lower. Well done Josh.

 

Corporate Cup next

Make sure to have your team in place for this years Corporate Cup. The last event on the “Royal’s” golfing calendar is going to be bigger than ever and I for one am very much looking forward to the event. May I say “Be there or be square”.

 

I told you it was short…….