Loddon HERALD

RETIRED textile and home economics teacher Diane Robertson has spearheaded a triumphant Country Women’s Association state creative arts exhibition debut for the Wedderburn branch.

Diane was awarded four first prizes and a coveted green star award for exceptional craft for her felt and silk jacket that she modelled with a nod of approval from her Arabian quarterhorse Chantel at the weekend.

Wedderburn branch reformed six years ago after a hiatus of more than 30 years.

Well maintained - must see property $480,000.00

WHERE does one start and finish? Bradley of Boort got off to another ripper start stencilling his latest Treemendous Sign. Until ... was it the phone, the sudden recollection of failing to complete a chore required for marital bliss or ...? He got distracted, sidetracked or simply headed in another direction.

DETAILS are scarce ... there was a road trip made with some speed by junket-seeking farmers last week. We have been told, most reliably of course, that even before the ignition key was turned in the trusty farm utes, there had been a divergence of opinion on travel arrangements. The northern cohort had fears of actually making the destination of Speed Machinery Field Days and opted to travel “independently”, wisely taking one younger head to operate the GPS. Did the southern cohort make its way without the aid of modern technological devices. We’re still to hear how many dirt tracks were traversed on their trek to Speed. We do hear, though, they were impressed with the big beasts on display.

WE’RE also hoping to receive a report on whether the ute heaters were in full oper- ation - the departure at dawn being shrouded in a bit of fog and a fair bit of Jack Frost dangling from fence posts. That’s a segue to how to combat rising energy prices. Lot’s of talk about big bills arriving for electricity and gas used to keep the homes warm in the bleak mid-winter. Should we step back in the pages of history to beat the price hikes? Could be a burgeoning revival of demand for the good old athletic singlets and long Johns once the favoured under attire of ancestors but discarded in the age of modern comforts?

TALKING of Jacks - there’s one young Jack far from sheepish in making sure everyone knows he is now a megastar after having photograph appear in not one (including the Loddon Herald) but three publications the last few weeks. He was even on the gate at a local football match on Saturday with pen poised to autograph the day’s program. Can’t say whether patrons gave a frosty reception or not.

THESE cold days of the Jack variety reminds of the “expected” gifts purchased for Father’s Day back in the day. Underwear and socks were the stock standard, or for something special (every two years), a new pair of slippers. Usually Grosby. You can still buy them - dull winter colours for the blokes. Unlike the Mother’s Day versions that were (and still are) much more colourful.

A ND in case you need reminding, Father’s Day is less than a month away!

Reconnect for recovery journey

ENCOURAGEMENT of people to reconnect in their communities would assist flood recovery, a dinner in Bridgewater was told on Friday night.

Melbourne-based natural disaster recovery and preparedness consultant David Younger said recovery from last October’s flood emergency could be a long journey. Mr Younger told a Loddon Shire flood recovery dinner that strength could be gained from being connected with the community.

He also encouraged people to put thought into what they would do on the anniversary of local floods, where they would be and who they would be with.

Scarce falls make barren mid-winter

RAINFALL in Loddon communities for July was almost half historic averages.

However, falls were still well above the driest July of the past 30 years recorded in 1994.

At Inglewood, last month’s rainfall was 21.4mm compared with the average of 45mm.

The region’s biggest falls were at Wedderburn and Dunolly where 29.4mm and 28.8mm was tipped from gauges compared with the monthly average for those towns of 48.6mm and 48.8mm.

Boort measured 20.2mm for the month while Mincha saw 18mm fall and Prairie West 17.4mm.

Cairn Curran reservoir over the weekend was at 97.97 per cent capacity while water continues to spill at Tullaroop where the level was officially 101 per cent. Laanecoorie has fallen 1.38 per cent to be at 97.75 per cent.

Loddon River downstream of Laanecoorie rose slightly last week while Serpentine Weir had dropped from 1.45 metres to 1.2 metres.