Hello and welcome back.I finally got my hair cut and feeling better, though still missing some of my loved ones! How about you?
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I know some of you are quite cheery, some are hanging in there – and others are wondering when they can possibly give a dear one a hug. Today, I’ve included a photo of my great-granddaughter, one of the people I’m missing and I’m wondering if you would like to do the same. If you would like to share, send a photo to whichever email address you use – with just a few details, such as first name, age if appropriate, and state or country in which they live. Also, how long since you’ve seen them.
For example:Willow lives in Melbourne. This photo (which is my favourite) was taken during the 2020 lockdown, when she was three years old. She is currently four and looking forward to school next year. She is tall, for her age - her ‘Dadda’ is around 183 cm and her ‘Mumma’ is 180 cm (5 ft 11 in.) My guess is that Willow will be ‘willowy’. This pic is my favourite because when it was taken, we had just finished a Zoom chat. She had been telling me what she had learned about shapes and how many sides each shape had. I asked her about a circle i.e. how many sides does a circle have? She put her hands on her hips, glared into the camera and said ‘We are not DOING circles today!’
I have been lucky, in that I’ve seen her three times since last Christmas – but not since May – which, for me, is a long time between hugs.When we started this small adventure called ‘Town Talk’, I suggested that this space is for you. Send material to me, if you wish – or just have a read; it’s up to you.
Take care with scammers.
Scammers are very active; I’ve even had them on my mobile. One ‘robo-voice’ told me that a parcel, addressed to me, had arrived in the country, containing illegal goods. A warrant had been issued for my arrest. In addition, seven text messages have indicated that a parcel of mine was – on its way, was held up, was stopped – and I must follow the link.
I’m not waiting on any parcels, so didn’t come close to clicking on the strange link.
There have been regular calls from people calling themselves ‘Amazon Prime’ (they are NOT). Their story is that they have taken X amount from my account (it varies from $50 - $100) and, if I want it replaced, I should give them my bank details.
Just be careful, please; apparently, scams have taken millions from Australians over the last couple of months.
Correspondence
This week I heard again from Pat, telling me she was a little shaken by the earthquake but felt better after she had checked the house thoroughly. I told her that one book had fallen from our extensive (and somewhat untidy) bookshelves. It’s a wonder they didn’t all fall (then I would have tidied it!)
I also heard from Roger – with some advice.
Looking closely at the photo of SAM I think we need to call in the engineers and put in a warranty claim with the builders. It's leaning at a 45 degree angle! Hope they can straighten it for the opening, whichever year that happens.
Keep up the good Shepparton history stories, really enjoying these, but keep away from million year old Warrior Women tales.
I should tell you that Roger is joking; that the building is definitely safe - and he reports that, sometimes, his friends don’t laugh at his jokes.
To celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the arrival of the meteorite (which is on September 28) the Murchison Historical Society is sharing this poem, which was originally intended as a lyric to the tune of ‘Fly me to the Moon’ (however, the agents for the song – as is their wont - were somewhat reluctant).
Don’t fly me to the moon – I like it here in MurchisonI was lonely in the heavens, floating ‘round with twinkling starsAsteroids for company ‘tween Jupiter and MarsI saw this was a friendly townAnd thought that I would come on down
So, I flew right past the Moon and landed here in MurchisonAnnouncing my arrival with some mighty sonic boomA quiet place, I shook you up!Put Murchison upon the map
I apologise about the smell that wafted in the airIt happened when I fell apart and scattered everywhereYou picked me up from near and farAnd some of you still have me in a jar.
Oh, the scientists adore me and the astrophysicistsThey put me under microscopes to study all my bitsThey love to hold me in their hand My mysteries they understand
Building blocks of life – amino acids they have foundWater, sugar and organic compounds all aboundAncient stardust is also thereThat’s why I am so very, very rare
In museums all around the world, you’ll find me on displayArizona and Chicago in the USALondon, Paris wherever you roamBut I still call Murchison home
And the 28th September is the anniversaryOf the day in 1969 when you all first met me52 years since that dateWe’ll ring the bells to celebrate.Kay Ball. Murchison
Under the clockJanuary 8, 1914
Dragging for a Body – On Tuesday evening a pair of trousers, shirt boots and socks were found lying on the bank of the river near the locale known as the ‘swimming hole’. Thoughts of tragedy predominated, and for many hours yesterday Constable J Cantwell was engaged in dragging the river, while several lads assisted him by diving repeatedly in the hope of being able to find the body of the individual who was believed to have been drowned. All without avail, however.
My comment: I’m wondering if any keen historian can tell us if they looked downstream, or if a body was ever found? I resisted adding commas!
From the Town Square
● A public holiday for a grand final that was 3500 km from the town square wasn’t much help to our small businesses. Some proprietors managed, with the help of family members, and opened their stores. Few could afford the penalty rates.To them all, I say – ‘Christmas is coming and if we can, we’ll shop early. Hang in there!’● A reminder that the Isa Kelly Exhibition is at the Shepparton Museum (which, with The Lost Shepparton Shop, is a part of the Heritage Centre) in Welsford St.
Apologies for last week’s confusion.
May it be easy, my friends.
- Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.auLetter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.