BLESSING OF THE BIKES

An open invitation was extended to the local community, all riders and their bikes for the fourth annual event in Tatura of ‘Blessing of the Bikes’. This free event included a BBQ with a coffee cart in attendance. There were more than twenty bikes there, including Northern Victoria Spyder Riders. The short outdoor service seeking God's blessing over bike riders for safety on the road was performed by Rev. Simba Musvamhiri. The sound of roaring engines and wind blowing through hair as one cruises the open road is a feeling only a true biker can appreciate but we all know this experience can be dangerous. That's why the church hosted the unique event called the Anointing of the Boneshakers, which certainly brought together like-minded people who love riding the open road.

- Janice Dreyer

Goulburn Valley Tree Group

There are many reasons to put in a windbreak on your property.

Firstly, it reduces wind speed and wind chill. This has been shown to reduce lamb mortality by 10%, increasing wool production by 30% and lamb weight by 20%.

A windbreak can increase pasture production by 8%, increase water infiltration and decrease soil erosion. Your stock will have summer shade. As well as these benefits, you have the opportunity to store large quantities of carbon on your land.

Your native plantation will support a large range of native species and animals bringing in natural pest control and pollinating insects. Birds such as rosellas, wrens honeyeaters, robins and even owls are likely to inhabit your corridor.

An ideal windbreak should have taller native species through the centre, lower species next with the lowest to the outside making sure stock are not able to reach them through the fence. If your plantation is next to existing or nearby natural vegetation this will create a corridor for support species to move through. The wider your windbreak the more effective. 30 metres is a good width.

Including flowering species of native plants will attract nectar loving birds and insects.

Fencing your area will keep out stock and use tree guards and stakes to deter nibbling rabbits and hares.

Ensure you plant only enough plants you know you can manage to water each summer and plan more for the following year or years. Ideally water the first summer and a little less the second summer. They should not need more watering after that.

Your property will be more attractive and you'll be rewarded in so many ways.

The Goulburn Valley Tree Group is at 6 Kerford Street, Tatura and open Tuesday mornings and also on Saturday mornings from April 15.

- Happy planting! Deb

Coincidences

Sole Survivors

On December 5,1664, the first event in the greatest series of coincidences in history occurred. On this date a ship in the Menai Strait off North Wales, sank with eighty-one passengers on board. There was only one survivor, a man name Hugh Williams. On the same date in 1785, a ship sank in the Menai Strait with sixty passengers. There was only one survivor, a man named Hugh Williams. On the very same date in 1860 in exactly the same area, a ship sank with twenty-five passengers on board, and you

A Study Of Character

I am righteously indignant; you are annoyed; he is making a fuss about nothing – New Statesman Magazine

He was always hovering somewhere, waiting to be offended – Peter Ustinov

Some of us are like wheelbarrows, only useful when pushed, and very easily upset – Jack Herbert

Watching sex on telly with Mum and Dad, that’s embarrassing. I didn’t even know they knew how to use the camcorder – Jimmy Carr

The English instinctively admire any man who has no talent and is modest about it – James Agate

Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull – W. Somerset Maugham

Great events make me quiet and calm; it is only trifles that irritate my nerves – Queen Victoria

The degree of one’s emotions varies inversely with one’s knowledge of the facts, the less you know the hotter you get – Bertrand Russell I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing – Oscar Wilde

Bores can be divided into two classes; those who have their own particular subject, and those who don’t need a subject – A. A. Milne I am one of those unfortunate people who inspires bores to the greatest flights of art –Edith Sitwell guessed it, there was only one survivor and it was a man named Hugh Williams. Next time you’re thinking of going on a cruise it may pay to officially change your name to Hugh Williams.

Brotherly Fate

In Bermuda in 1975 and 1976, two brothers were killed in strikingly similar accidents. The first was riding a moped when he was struck and killed by a taxi. One year later, the man’s brother, riding the same moped, was struck by the same taxi driver who had killed the first man, and the taxi was carrying the same passenger.

I am not conceited. It is just that I have a fondness for the good things in life and I happen to be one of them – Kenneth Williams

A gentleman need not know Latin, but he should at least have forgotten it – Brander Matthews

If you are foolish enough to be contented, don’t show it, but grumble with the rest –Jerome K. Jerome

Don’t forget about what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted. He lived happily ever after – Roald Dahl

Winning is everything. The only ones who remember when you came second are your wife and your dog – Damon Hill