It’s been a hot summer.
In fact very warm for the past five months.
Up until April 14, the last time the maximum temperature peaked at less than 20ºC was on October 8 last year when it struggled to a nippy 17ºC.
And between the start of November and the end of March 30ºC and plus maximum temperatures have been recorded on more than 100 days.
In the same period the mercury has climbed tor 35ºC or more on 53 days.
On three days — December 26, 40.6ºC, January 5, 40.1ºC, December 16, 43.0ºC — the hottest temperatures were registered.
And rain wise its been a dry argument with 16 days without rain up to Monday.
The last rain recorded was on March 29 when 11mm fell.
Kyabram’s yearly rainfall total stands at just 52.7mm and the average for this period is 131mm.
Bangs continue
There seems to be no cease fire in the Kyabram cracker saga.
Somebody must have a decent amount of illegal fireworks in their keeping because the night quiet in Kyabam is still being disturbed by bursts of bangs from time to time.
The culprits obviously don’t know they can be fined $96,000 or even get a spell in the slammer if they are nabbed.
New look for IGA
Work on renovations have started at Majors Rochester IGA store.
This is happening after 10 years of discussions with Campaspe Shire.
The renovations aim to modernise the supermarket and create a better shopping experience for customers.
Business owner Brad Major said he hoped the rebuild would have a positive impact on the town which has been doing it tough due to the 2022 floods and consolidate its customer base as well as catering for passing trade.
Elmore celebrations
It was a special day at Elmore on March 29.
That’s when its primary school celebrated its sesquicentennial anniversary.
In simpler terms it was the 150 years milestone of the country school.
Best in the bush
Pubs can be a dicey venture in these times, but you will get an argument on that score over at Lockington.
Its pub, run by locals, has been nominated for two Victorian Australian Hotel awards.
The watering hole is one of five nominees for the Best Bush Pub award.
And it has its chef Simon Poynting in the last 12 in the Best Chef of Year award.
Those who have been to the pub are not discounting a double whammy when the judges announce the winners.
Mobile plans
They are breathing easier in the Mathoura area after news improved mobile phone reception is in the air.
Workers were recently spotted at Picnic Point surveying a possible site for a new phone tower in an area almost devoid of mobile phone coverage.
Bank to close
Moulamein is facing the loss of its only bank — BankWAW — which has announced it will no longer be offering a face-to-face service from June 26.
Declining use of the facility and online banking are responsible for the decision to shut its doors.
Catfish revival
Catfish are on the verge of a comeback in northern Victorian and southern Riverine streams.
At Willoughy’s Beach near Deniliquin 4000 eel-tailed catfish were recently released.
Other fishing locations in that area on the Billabong Creek at Conargo and Jerilderie, the Murrabit Creek near Wakool, the Wakool River, Eagle Creek near Barham and wetlands near Koondrook have also been recipients of catfish additions recently.
The catfish are raised at the Narrabri Fish Farm in NSW.
The plan is to restore the catfish population to where it was once, but has been declining since the 1960s.
Park petition
Plenty of opposition to the proposed introduction of more National Parks in Victoria.
A petition against the proposal and sponsored by Nationals MP Melina Bath attracted 40,000 signatures from Victorians and became the largest e-petition in Victorian history.
The petition was presented to parliament on February 19.
Square dinkum
G’day
It’s been six months since I joined the gym and, so far, no progress at all ... tomorrow I’m going there in person to see what is going on.
Hooroo!!!
14°C