Tatura Bulletin March Edition

MERRIGUM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Merrigum Museum is open on the second Saturday of each month 10am to 3pm. Other times by arrangement.

Entry Adults $5.00 each Children $2.00

Group Bookings welcome.

Ph. Flo on 5855 2330

TATURA BOWLS CLUB

Friday 21 April 6pm Presentation Night.

Sunday 23 April 1pm. Open Two Bowls Triples. Team $45. Single $15. Sponsor Raffles. Proceeds to Tatura Hospital.

Sunday 7 May 1pm

Tatura Bowls Club Club Rooms Service and Albert St Tatura

COMING EVENTS

25TH ANNUAL HERITAGE DAY

Merrigum Museum

Sunday 2 April 10am to 3pm Adults $10.00

Children $2.00

BBQ lunch available

RUSHWORTH EASTER HERITAGE FESIVAL

Saturday 8 April 8.30am Grand Parade at 1pm

TATURA RSL ANZAC DAY

Anzac Day commemorations take place on April 25 every year. A day to reflect on our service personnel, who answered the call to defend this country and its allies against aggressors. Collectively, the hundreds of thousands of defence personnel, prisoners and civilians, killed and or maimed. A day to reflect and pay homage for their bravery and sacrifice. Anzac Day at Tatura will take the following format.

5.45am a dawn service followed by a gunfire breakfast at Private Robert Mactier V.C, Memorial Gardens.

10.15am to assemble outside the Civic Halls (Victory/Mechanics Hall,)

10.45am Commence march down Hogan Street to the Memorial Gardens.

11.00am Commemoration Service.

R.S.L. Members will assist with the assembly order for that march.

Lest we forget. - Mal. Watts, RSL Member

OLIVE & VINE CAFE

THE OLIVE & VINE CAFÉ is open Wednesday 10 am -2pm

Join us for Morning Tea/Lunch

You will be made very welcome.

Book Reviews

The Pearl Thief By Fiona McIntosh

LIONS CLUB TATFEST

The Lions Club of Tatura would like to thank the 1000+ people who attended the Tat Fest on March 5.

What a wonderful day for family fun, food and entertainment! There was such a variety with Pipes and Drums, Singers, Bush Poets, Hobby Boss Slots Car Racing, Tiny Tails petting, Jumping Castle, Go Carts, Wooden Games, ball games, train rides, Fire Brigade water display, face painting, Lions Membership display trailer, Tatura Historical Society Display and GV Water fountain.

Tatura Ambulance officer were extra busy on the day with training and the Seniors Citizens provided a tasty Devonshire Afternoon Tea. Tatura Lions BBQ was a big hit on the day also Curry Junction, Twist Potato, hot dogs and a variety of drinks, snow cones, fairy floss and ice cream.

A BIG thank you to all our sponsors and volunteers, without your support the day would not have been such a great success. Thank-you to George for your support with the sound system.

Profits raised on the day will go back into the Tatura Community.

We look forward to seeing you all again in 2024!

WITH KERRY…

Severine Kassal is asked by the Louvre in 1963 to aid the British Museum will curating its antique jewellery, her specialty. Her London colleagues find her distant and mysterious, her cool beauty the topic of conversations around its quiet halls. No one could imagine that she is a desperately damaged woman, hiding her trauma behind her chic, French image.

From the snowy woodlands outside Prague to the Tuileries of Paris and the /heather-covered moors of Yorkshire comes a confronting and exceptional story that explores whether love and hope can overpower atrocity in a time of waw and hate. A wonderful read.

Kerry Gardner

Tatura Area Community Bulletin

info@tatbulletin.com.au

ANNUAL 100 LAP CHALLENGE

On Saturday, February 25, twenty-two swimmers of various ages participated in the 29th 100 Lap Challenge at Tatura Swimming Pool. This is an annual event to support the Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla Aged Care Facility. It was a fine day with the pool temperature at a comfortable 27 degrees.

There were nine swimmers who completed 100 laps individually. They were Sue Walters, Rita Fairchild, Rob Miller, Alice Gubbins, Trevor Anselmi, Colin Magnay, Taylor Hall, Shelley Graves, and former Tatura resident John Stewart who returned from Ararat to participate. The Hospital and Parkvilla acknowledge the ongoing support from the Stewart family who, while no longer resident in Tatura, return each year to continue a tradition so dear to the heart of their mother and grandmother, Fairlie Stewart, who led the veteran’s team for many years.

Teams were made up of family and friends swimming to complete 100 or more laps. Tatura Rotarian Richard Graves and his daughter Shelley swam 110 laps and therefore have ten in the bank for next year. Other teams were the Jets, made up of Greg Smith, Geoff, Damien, Erin, Lucy and Martin Lipshut, who cleaned up 100 easily. Stephanie Wilton led a Lifeguards team, including Jessica Carroll, Tyler Jamieson, Charlie Basile, Sean Mussolino and Sacha Spiegler. Steph and Jess completed 100 laps while the boys managed 100 between them.

The Hospital Ladies Auxiliary once again provided a delicious morning tea and welcome hot coffee for all the swimmers and supporters. Swimmers received certificates from the hospital and vouchers from Olivia, George and Sophie Wells of Tatura Hot Bread.

Due to wonderful support from many in the community, the event has, to date, raised $6790. Steve O’Toole, President of the committee of Tatura Hospital & Parkvilla, announced that these funds will go towards some garden refurbishments around the Hospital and Parkvilla facility for the enjoyment of patients, residents, and visitors.

Many thanks from the Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla Community Reference Group to the event convener Geoff Lipshut, Lipshut Law staff, Sue and Andrea at the hospital, and to all the swimmers, sponsors, supporters and helpers who organized the day and once more made it a successful and most enjoyable fundraiser on the Hospital’s calendar. Special thanks go to Stephanie Wilton and her Aquamoves staff for their management of the pool throughout the season.

The following organisations and businesses provided local support by sponsoring the event - Tatura Dental Care, Lipshut Law, Lipshut Plumbing, Challenge Taxation and Accounting Services, Toolamba Lions, Tatura Hot Bread, Toolamba CWA and Tatura Rotary Club. DBRE Property of Moorabbin also provided sponsorship of swimmers. Thank you to Aquamoves for their support by making the pool available for this community event.

The Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla and the Tatura Swimming Pool are both major assets in the town and this event serves to highlight their importance to the fabric of Tatura society and the willingness of the community to support them.

Please mark your diaries because the challenge will be held again on February 24, 2024.

- Gary Whyte

TATURA ROTARY 60th CELEBRATION

The Rotary Club of Tatura put on a fantastic night to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Rotary club in 1962. The celebrations were delayed somewhat due to the pandemic and other commitments, but as they say, “Better late than never”. The star studded event included Shane Sali, Mayor of COGS, the Hon Wendy Lovell MP, the Hon Kim O’Keeffe MP, Rotary District Governor David McPherson, incoming District Governor Neta Kirby, our only surviving member from 1962, Arthur Knee. Alex Ranson (a former Rotarian), and Arthur Knee were our guest speakers for the night.

The event was packed with Rotarians, past Rotarians, members from other Rotary Clubs, including the Shepparton Club (who sponsored the chartering of our club 60 years ago), and two Rotary exchange students from 1965. There were also representatives from the Lions and Probus clubs.

While enjoying a lovely meal, we were entertained by a power point display of the names of all past Presidents of the club, a photo display of many projects undertaken over the many years, and photos of members long gone that resonated with the many guests. Much fellowship followed before the speakers took over the floor.

Our President was awarded a framed certificate marking the occasion from Rotary International and he oversaw the induction of three new members on the night, awarded an Honorary Membership to a past Rotarian for her ongoing support of our club and presented Gerardo Fasano with his 40 years of service certificate.

Listening to Arthur Knee was amazing, you could have heard a pin drop. His remarkable memory was on display as he did not use any notes, (unlike all other speakers) not bad for a guy who turned 98 this year. Arthur also did the honors by cutting the beautiful cake made by Carol Neave.

Now it’s onward and upwards for the next 60 years.

- Bill Purcell, Media Director

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GOULBURN VALLEY TREE GROUP

Less Watering, less work, more birds. Are you tired of endlessly watering your garden? There are many attractive native plants that you can be used in your garden. The benefits are these plants have adapted to our climate and soils and should thrive with much less water and attention after the first year. These robust plants will provide food and shelter for native fauna which will include honeyeaters, wrens, even rosellas and many other native birds.

Provide fresh water in a dish placed up high away from cats and you will soon have families of birds living in your garden and they will find all the food they need from your plants without you needing to put food out for them. Putting out food attracts destructive pest species that will raid the nests of our native birds.

There are many Eucalypts that only grow a few metres high with incredible foliage and flowers such as the red flowering macrocarpa pictured.

Dodoneas and Leptospernum make wonderful screens to hide your fences and Dianella and drumsticks are hardy substitutes for Agapanthus.

Replace Ivy with Hardenbergia, Kennedia or even a creeping Saltbush for extra colour and contrast.

With less work, you can have beautiful native plants in your garden needing much less water, whilst providing more habitat for our local wildlife.

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

TATURA TABLE TENNIS CLUB

The Tatura Table Tennis Club will begin its winter season with practice / tryouts / grading nights on Tuesday, April 25 and May 2. There is no cost to tryout.

This is a great family club that caters for all abilities, from absolute beginners to superstars and everything in between. Apart from participating in a wonderful social evening, table tennis is also an opportunity to get fit whilst having fun. It is an enjoyable, social competition that caters for the whole family with ages ranging from Grade 5 to 70+ years so there is absolutely no excuse for anybody not to join in.

Family members play for free and all matches are played at the Tatura Indoor Stadium (50 Albert Street, behind the Tatura primary school).

Matches are played on a Tuesday night throughout terms 2 and 3 and begin at 7.30pm. We normally arrange for junior players to play their matches first so that they can go home early if they wish. Matches usually finish between 9.00pm and 9.30pm. In the words of the immortal Hawthorn coach, John Kennedy, “Don’t just think, do!”

For further information, please call Association President Bill Heath – 0458 243 333.

The Water Tower Information

DETAILS AND LIGHTS NOW

So good to see there has finally been details of the water tower murals installed for locals and tourists alike to find out the information about General Sir John Monash, a WW1 Veteran and renowned civil engineer who designed the tower. We all know the other side of the tower features a waterfall of

poppies as a tribute to our regions significant Anzac legacy. Did you know that during the evening the tower is also under lights between 8pm and 10 pm? That was a pleasant surprise to me when I was driving home recently.

- Janice Dreyer

VALLEY FUNERALS

Flowering Macrocarpa

REMEMBERING JOE VRACA

On Sunday, February 26, a memorial plaque was unveiled beside the labyrinth in Meteorite Park, Murchison, in honour of Guiseppe (Joe) Vraca who died, aged 74, on January 2, 2019. For many years, Joe was known for generously supporting a great number of local charities and other causes, helping to bring many projects to fruition in the Murchison area.

Stage 1 of the labyrinth was officially opened in 2019 as part of the 50th anniversary celebrating the fall of the Murchison Meteorite. With Stage 2 being recently completed, new features show the updated pathway, together with the planets of the solar system painted by Murchison Primary School students. The planets are all positioned to correspond with the time the Murchison Meteorite landed in the Murchison district on September 28, 1969. A board beside the new plaque gives information about the labyrinth, as well as naming and identifying each planet. Many Vraca family members and friends, old and new, were in attendance at the unveiling organised by Kay Ball, President of Murchison and District Historical Society. Kay also gave a moving speech about Joe, as well as explaining the creation of a meteorite-themed labyrinth put forward by Rosie Cornelious in 2019.

Stage 2 of the labyrinth included restoring the pathway outline, together with painting and resealing the surface, generously sponsored by the Vraca family. M&DHS member, John Ferguson, also kindly donated the plaque fixed to a large rock beside the labyrinth.

Afternoon tea was later enjoyed by a large group of visitors back at the Murchison Heritage Centre.

- Margaret Lock, Murchison and District Historical Society

EASTER REFLECTIONS

What Easter Traditions do you and your family enjoy? Is it the Holidays, consuming Hot Cross Buns, lots of Chocolate or maybe an Easter Bonnet Parade.

As we enter into a time of remembering and celebrating Easter, we have a beautiful reminder of God’s wonderful and extravagant love for us when His Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. The focal and central point of God’s plan for Salvation. This was a unique event for all time, never to be repeated. Do we return God’s love as He poured out His love toward us? The best response to His bountiful grace is a heart overflowing with gratitude. So, take time each day to think about and thank Him for blessings in your life.

Easter Hymns are some of the most glorious in the Christian tradition, namely ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘When I Survey The Wondrous Cross’. The power of these hymns found in their deep connection to scripture is what causes the words to be sung for generations. This moving hymn: ‘When I Survey The Wondrous Cross’ ends with a commitment to give Christ our soul, our life, our all. It is what Jesus called the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds. (Matthew 22:37). It is a fitting response to the work of Christ, and may we never lose sight of what He accomplished on the Cross.

When I survey the Wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt

On all my pride.

Shirley Ferguson

Beverley Kearney, Elaine and Neil Lowe, Bert Kearney and Mary Vraca

TATURA COMMUNITY HOUSE

Here is a selection of what we’re doing in term 2: Boomerang Bags – Join our lovely boomerang bags group and help make our famous bags while enjoying a cuppa and a few chats. You don’t have to have any experience, there is always something to do: cutting, ironing, sewing. This is a great opportunity to socialise while giving back to the community. Every Thursday 9:15am to 12:00pm – and you get a free latte /cappuccino!

Women’s Health Clinic – Free Bulk Billing – In partnership with GV Health, a Women’s Health Clinic will be available at the Community House for women and LGBTIQA+ people of all ages. The clinic will provide information, support, clinical services and appropriate specialist referral services in an informal and relaxed environment. The clinic runs every first Tuesday of the month during school terms from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Give us a call to book your appointment.

Justice of the Peace – Do you need a document certified? We have a Justice of the Peace on site to certify and sign your documents. The JP will be available every Monday 10:00am to 12:00pm.

Family History Group – Would you like to explore your ancestry? Come along on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and let our wonderful volunteers Garry and Lois support you on your quest into the past. Digital Essentials – Would you like to learn the basics of how to operate your smartphone or tablet in a small and friendly group setting with plenty of time to learn and apply your knowledge straight away? Then these 10-session classes are the thing for you! Each session is three hours, course fee is $130 full fee and $103 concession. Please call the community house to express your interest 5824 1315.

COMING IN MAY…

Fashion Parade – Fashions through the decades coming in May! If you have clothes or dresses from the last century and are willing to lend them to the community house to present on the runway, give us a call on 5824 1315.

Monster Garage Sale – The Monster is back! Register your Garage Sale with the community house from Monday, April 3. Town wide garage sale on Saturday, May 6, from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Maps are being sold at the community house from 8:00am sharp for $2.00.

Volunteers Needed - If you would like to get involved, give the Community House a call on 5824 1315.

- Nadine and Tom, Managers

TATURA FIRE BRIGADE

Good Friday Appeal

The brigade members are looking forward to participating in this year’s Royal Childrens Hospital Good Friday Appeal on April 7. The Tatura Brigade will be helping the Tatura Lions along with the Tatura SES on the day.

The Fire Brigade will have the station open for donations, and there will be members at the roundabout in front of the Tatura Car Wash and one of the trucks out and about. Please ‘like’ the Tatura Fire Brigade Facebook page for times closer to the day.

Campfire Safety over the Easter Holidays

We ask that you be campfire safe when camping. Please keep fires under 1 metre in size, have 3 metres clear from flammable material around and above the fire, make sure the wind is under 10kms/hour and never leave your campfire unattended.

Campfires must be extinguished with water only. Fires can smoulder if covered with soil or sand. When your campfire is cool to the touch, including coals, you are safe to leave.

By keeping these things in mind while out enjoying a campfire, we will all have an enjoyable Easter break.

Don’t forget to download the VicEmergency app to keep up to date with emergency information.

- Nadine Freemantle, Community Safety Coordinator

Moyola’s person-centered- care approach enriches the lives of all who live and work in it

If you are seeking a role with real purpose and want to make a difference to peoples quality of life, then working at Moyola could be for you. Working for a not for profit organisation is also a rewarding way to give back to the Tatura community.

Moyola is offering the following career opportunities; Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse, Personal Carers, Lifestyle & Leisure, Administration, Housekeeping, Catering, Kitchen Staff, Clinical Management and Allied Health.

Above all else, Moyola is currently looking for anyone with a sense of compassion and empathy for people. This is an opportunity for a career change that has high job satisfaction and development opportunities. Experience is not necessary, we strongly encourage anyone to apply that is interested in making a difference to peoples lives, in a growing organisation that offers job security in Tatura. We pride ourselves on our care service that offers a personalised, dignified and homelike environment to all residents. Moyola cultivates meaningful connections with residents and celebrates each individual.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jodie via hr@moyola.com.au. To apply visit our website https://moyola.com.au/careers/ and complete a job application.

“Moyola’s atmosphere is reminiscent of home”

CFA COMPETITION WEEKEND

I made sure I attended the CFA competitions this weekend and was extremely pleased I did. This was held at the Tatura Racecourse and I found it most interesting to see the types of training they do.

Speaking to one of our locals, Phil, who joined the Tatura CFA at the age of 13, he explained the details of what goes into organising such a weekend. There were twenty events throughout the two days and a tremendous amount of work goes into the preparation for them. The pulling of old fashioned carts was very interesting to watch, as well as the competitors having to lift the huge ladder and holding it in place while their colleague ran up it, complete with hose, to spray water from the top of the tower.

The speed of all events showed how fit both young and older members are, and they certainly put on a good show for spectators. Apparently, Tatura did quite well and set two new records. Well done! Details of the Tatura Seniors were:

7 x 1st place, including 2 new records!

2 x 3rd

1 x 4th

5th in the Ladies Aggregate

1st in the B Section Aggregate

3rd in the Grand Aggregate

Competitors, judges, officials, time-keepers, catering staff and Tatura Brigade all did a marvellous job to have made the weekend such a great success.

- Janice Dreyer

Peter and Phil

Outstanding Teamwork

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUPPLIED THEIR NEWS EARLY THIS MONTH

MURCHISON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Murchison Primary School’s 150th celebration is on again and let’s hope it’s third time lucky. It will take place on Saturday, April 1. There will be food and drinks, games and entertainment and a chance to look back through photos and other memorabilia. We are excited to invite the community to this long awaited event.

We will be looking for volunteers to help out on the day so please contact the school if you would like to be involved.

We recently had our Welcome BBQ at school. It was a great success with most families of the school attending; checking out classrooms, meeting teachers and having a BBQ sausage. Chappy, our school chaplain, once again brought his BBQ and cooked the sausages and onion beautifully for us – thank you!

- Elly French

Meeting new staff members

Sausages were a big hit

Students showing their parents around

TATURA LIONS CLUB

Tatura Lions Club are proud to introduce our newest Member, Tony Donoghue who was inducted into the Club by President Helen Hoskin. Welcome Tony hope you enjoy your time with us!

FIREWORKS DISPLAY

For the residents and families of Moyola Lodge there will be an old fashioned fireworks display held on the oval behind the Sacred Heart school in Hunter St on April 18th 2023 at 6.15 pm.

This display is being presented by Mr Sky Candy (Shane Armstrong) from Kyabram who is a qualified pyro technician. All planning and associated notifications have been lodged so this is a legal display. If you live in the area you are welcome to enjoy the show.

A gold coin donation is very welcome for the evening.

Remember to keep your animals and pets safe at this time.

MERRIGUM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

25th Annual Heritage Day

The Merrigum Historical Society will be holding their 25th Annual Heritage Day on Sunday 2nd April from 10am to 3pm. This popular event features demonstrations of pioneering skills and crafts. The Merrigum Historical Society consists of a small committee that works hard to provide an excellent range of displays, complemented by collectables and other exhibits.

The emphasis is on operating rather than static displays on the farm front, visitors can watch hay-baling with a 1940s stationary baler, milkseparating, butter-churning and more.

On the household side, ladies will be showing the effort that went into the washing and ironing of clothes when using a washboard and stove-heated flat irons. Visitors may also see sewing carried out on a treadle machine. Vintage engines will be in action, woodturning and hopefully some Damper can also be sampled.

A wide range of exhibits and collectables will be on display including a collection of Model Paddle Steamers. Homemade cakes, biscuits, slices, etc will be for purchase at the Museum’s General Store and a B.B.Q lunch is on offer. Further information or if you are interested in joining the volunteering committee of the Historical Society phone Flo on 58552330

TATURA MENS SHED

The Tatura Men’s Shed is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am. Don’t forget the Tuesday lunches. Drop in for a chat and a cuppa on these days.

See page 20 for answers

1. Which is the largest planet in the solar system?

a. Uranus

b. Neptune

c. Saturn

d. Jupiter

2. Aureolin is a shade of what colour?

a. Red

b. Blue

c. Yellow

d. Green

3. In what year was the first satellite, Sputnik, launched?

a. 1953

b. 1955

c. 1957

d. 1959

4. What is cynophobia?

a. Fear of clever people

b. Fear of ducks

c. Fear of bicycles

d. Fear of dogs

5. What is the national animal / bird of Germany?

a. Eagle

b. Wild Boar

c. Chamois

d. Alpine Ibex

6. Who named the Pacific Ocean?

a. James Cook

b. Ferdinand Magellan

c. Christopher Columbus

d. William Dampier

7. The unicorn is the national animal of which country?

a. Latvia

b. Scotland

c. Wales

d. Bulgaria

8. Who was the first European to discover Lake Eyre?

a. Edward John Eyre

b. Robert O’Hara Burke

c. Charles Sturt

d. Ludwig Leichhardt

9. How many teeth does a healthy adult human have?

a. 32

b. 34

c. 36

d. 38

10. How many faces does a dodecahedron have?

a. 8

b. 9

c. 10

d. 12

Helen Hoskin and Tony Donaghue

TATURA HILL TOP DIVISION 4 BOWLS

Tatura Hilltop's Division 4 side, the Tatura township's sole finalist in Goulburn Valley lawn bowls, won their semi-final against Euroa by 7 shots 91 to 84. Two winning rinks and a draw with just one loss set up a hard-fought win over their Euroa opponents who had been sitting at the end of the home and away season in third place immediately above Tatura Hilltop. The semi-final team was made up of Ken Parks' rink of Paul Kerrins, Phyl Fiddes and Geoff McMullen who won by 10 shots 29 to 19. Nick Tziros, Rob Miller, Andy Crawford, and George Chessells who won by 5 shots. Ken Cornell, Col Johnson, Julian Robson, and Mark Spencer who ended with a draw. Peter Wallis, Ray Flett, Paddy Cummins, and Geoff Holmes lost by 8 shots. This scribe much to his displeasure could only manage a scoreboard attendant's role.

However, the Tatura Hilltop Division 4 aspirations for finals glory came to an abrupt end for they were unable to repeat their effort and were eliminated from the finals race when well beaten in the preliminary final playing against Kyabram by a huge 48 shots 75 to 123. A sole winning rink and three rink losses told the story of the Division 4 fade out. Skipper Ken Cornell and his rink of Col Johnson, Julian Robson and Mark Spencer won by 9 shots. All other rinks were losses. Peter Wallis, Ray Flett, Paddy Cummins, and Geoff Holmes lost by 16 shots. Ken Parks, Paul Kerrins, Phyl Fiddes and Geoff McMullen lost by 18 and Nick Tziros, Terry Gale, Rob Miller and George Chessells lost by 23. The preliminary final loss meant that Tatura Hilltop finished 3rd at season's end.

Tatura Bowls Club Notices:

Social Thursday evening bowls under lights has commenced at the Tatura Bowls Club from 6pm for novice, social and regular bowlers. All are welcome. Names into club 58241746 by 5.30pm.

Tatura Bowls Club Presentation Night. Friday 6pm 21st April.

Tatura Hospital "Bowls Charity Day" 1pm Sunday 23rd April. 2 Bowls Triples. Numerous sponsor raffle prizes. Proceeds to Tatura Hospital. Entries Phil Boyd 0411175596 or club 58241746. Club members a plate for afternoon tea please.

Annual General Meeting 2pm Sunday 7th May.

TATURA BOWLS CLUB 21UP FINAL

The Tatura Bowls Club's 21up final was held recently between current Tatura Bowls Club Champion Darryn Carpenter and last year's 21up champion in young gun Seth Tziros. Carpenter has been in scintillating form this year having won his first Club Championship at Tatura Club, made the last four in the Goulburn Valley Champion of Champions event (subsequently defeated by Tim Hancock - the eventual Goulburn Murray winner) and is awaiting an opponent in the final of Tatura's 100Up championship. Tziros, the winner of this event last year, was looking to replicate last year's success but he was completely out bowled in a display of accurate draw bowling by Carpenter.

John Crilly

Mowing GardeningN

BEEKERS

John Crilly

Julian Robson in semi final win over Euroa.

FINANCE with Lynette

With the Reserve Bank of Australia increasing the cash rate again, Australians are feeling the pinch as interest rates rise across the board. Whether paying off a mortgage or saving to purchase property, the cost to service a loan is increasing. This combined with high inflation, growing cost of living and relatively stagnant wage growth has made it an important time to double down on saving money

Here are 6 tips to save in an interest-rate-rise environment

Refinance: Get your broker to check if you can reprice or refinance your loan to a lower rate or for lower fees.

Consider your package: Your broker can also check if your home loan package suits your needs. Switching to something more basic if you are not using all the features could save you in fees. Or if you would make use of additional features that could save you money, such as an offset account, your broker can run the calculations for you to determine if it is worth switching. Change the term: You could consider extending the term of your loan to lower repayments. Keep in mind this means you will be paying more over the life of the loan but is an option if you are experiencing cash flow problems now.

Check your budget: By making note of all your expenses, you could identify areas where spending could be reduced. This could include memberships, subscriptions, or luxury purchases. This calculator can be a good place to start.

Offset account/redraw facility: If you have an offset or redraw facility, now is a very good time to make use of them. By putting money into your offset or additional repayments on your loan, you will save on interest which becomes even more money as interest rates rise.

Extra repayments: If your loan allows for it, consider making extra repayments now, which can save you money in the long run as interest rates continue to rise.

If you are looking for ways to save on your home loan, speak to us for a free, no-obligation home loan health check. We can also discuss your options and right strategy to achieve your goals.

The right time to refinance

Finding a lower interest rate isn’t the only reason why you may choose to refinance your home loan. If it has been more than a year since you last compared your home loan, or your circumstances have changed, it could be a good time to check if you would be better off refinancing. Some other reasons you may consider refinancing include:

Fixed-rate expiring

If your fixed-rate term is due to expire in the upcoming months, it is a good idea to find out your options. Often, when a fixed-rate expires, you will be automatically transferred to the lender’s variable loan, which may not be competitive or suit your needs.

Your equity has grown

If you have been making your home loan repayments, it is likely the equity you own of your home has increased. If this is the case, lenders may be willing to offer you a lower interest rate.

Your credit score has improved

If your credit score has changed for the better since you took out your home loan, it is possible you could be eligible for a lower interest rate. It is always worth asking the question.

Lynette Melis Finance Broker/Franchisee Director Harrlyn Financial Services Pty Ltd LoanMarket Kyabram

CWA HARSTON BRANCH

CWA Goulburn Valley West Group recently held their Group AGM and Conference at the Harston Hall. All branches were in attendance, with a large gathering of the local members, as well as the State representative, Mrs. Marilyn Tangey, chairperson of the ACWW Community Support committee.

Over 600 items were donated by the members for distribution locally and for Marilyn to take back to ‘Umina’ the head office of the Country Women’s Association in Melbourne for sorting.

The Conference was opened by the host branch Harston, where a warm welcome was extended to all. The Guest speaker was Mooroopna member Mrs. Barbara Carter who spoke of her youthful days, working in outback Australia as a caterer on a remote farm cooking for the station hands. Barbara also worked as a governess for the children. She told us how whilst travelling on the bull dust track she rolled her car. As it was a remote road, she managed to pull herself free but then needed to walk miles back to the farm for help. Barbara returned to the Goulburn Valley where she worked at both Plunket’s and Halls packing sheds.

The State representative spoke of the welfare work presently being done at Rochester where many homes are still not inhabitable after the recent floods due to the shortage of tradesmen and supplies. The CWA ACWW are encouraging members to ask their branch what they can do to help at Rochester, with a Women Walk the World fundraiser happening at Rochester on April 29. CWA Goulburn Valley West Group will be walking around the Shepparton Lake as part of WWTW.

The first Sunday in May is CWA Sunday where members attend a local church. For some this is an annual event, a chance to celebrate the fellowship the church has to offer and enjoy a cup of tea.

The Branch Secretaries each year read out what activities their branch has been doing for the past twelve months in The Two Minute secretary report. This was won by the Rodney Branch and read by the Branch Secretary Mrs. Janette Mason.

The other secretary’s reports are sent to Melbourne and read by Group Presidents and the winning report for 2022 was won by CWA Sheridan Branch at Kyabram, and read by Mrs. Doreen Napier.

It was remiss of me not to mention at the Group AGM, all present office bearers were re-elected to their positions of Group President Mrs. Mandy Perkins, Rodney, Mrs. Janette Mason, Rodney and Ms. Noreen Smith of the Mooroopna Branch. This is their second year, and we thank them entirely.

Group President, Mandy, is looking for a suitable venue for the Annual Group Lunch and two places were suggested, Longleat Winery at Murchison or the Kyabram Fauna Park. Should any members have another suggestion please contact GP Mandy.

The State representative Marilyn, brought along the four new tea towels and a CWA travel mug which have been added to the merchandise on offer from the CWA, along with the cookbooks.

CWA Harston presently have several members on the not so well list, and I’ve tried to make this report on Conference as informative as possible for their benefit.

Hope you’re all feeling better soon.

- Mrs. Marilyn Pell

Mrs. Janette Mason with Marilyn Tangey

TATURA – RUSHWORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Presbytery of North East Victoria, as part of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, has recently ordained and inducted Mr. Kalpan Vasa (originally a Hindu from India) into the Pastoral Charge of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Tatura and Rushworth. The ordination service was held at Tatura Presbyterian Church on Saturday 25th February 2023.

The church building was almost packed as the local members of Tatura – Rushworth congregation were joined by friends from various churches across the North East, and many from Melbourne, to witness and to celebrate the occasion.

Rev Peter Phillips, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, in his greetings, reminded the congregation that, “we rejoice in this great occasion because of the faithfulness of our crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ, who continues to give to His Church the gift of shepherds and teachers for building up the body of Christ, until He returns.”

In presenting the narrative of steps leading to the ordination and induction, Rev Stephen McDonald (Benalla Presbyterian church) shared briefly Kalpan Vasa’s testimony of how he forsook his previous life of religious hypocrisy and idol worship, and came to faith and to love Lord Jesus Christ, the one true and living way to God, the Father.

After Presbytery completed the ordination with the laying on of hands and with prayers, Rev Kyung Ee (Shepparton Presbyterian church), who was leading the service handed over the pulpit to the new minister, Rev Kalpan Vasa to lead the rest of the worship service.

Rev Dr Douglas Milne (Professor at Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne), in his sermon, exhorted us all to consider our ways to see if we are seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. He urged and exhorted the new minister, Rev Kalpan Vasa to speak, in love, the truths of God’s Word, freely and fully to the congregation. He also encouraged the congregation, as they receive God’s Word, imbibe, and meditate upon it and do it to the glory of God.

At the conclusion of the service, Rev Kalpan Vasa pronounced the blessing, and the congregation sang a doxology. After the service, everyone enjoyed wonderful Christian fellowship over the lunch in the Church Hall.

Pastor Kalpan mentioned that it was a special joy and privilege for him that his parents, who are not Christians, were present to witness his ordination.

For the congregation of Tatura and Rushworth, it was truly a day of wonderful reminder and joyful celebration of goodness and faithfulness of Lord Jesus Christ to His Church.

- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tatura and Rushworth.

RODNEY CWA

The juniors enjoyed a sociable meeting. They commenced making felt rabbits, to be completed next month.

For our International meeting, we learnt more about Namibia: Situated in southwestern Africa between the Namib and Kalahari deserts, it shares borders with Zambia, Angola, Botswana, South Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. Gained independence from South Africa in 1990.

Population 2.55 million, 75% living in rural areas. Arable land 1%, ½ the population engaged in agriculture. Land dry and infertile with large deposits of diamonds and uranium. Education compulsory from 6 years to 16 years. English is the official language, but Oshiwambo is the most common language spoken while Afrikaan is the most widely understood national language.

December is the hottest month. Winter temperatures moderate but very cold and even frosts overnight.

An unusual antelope known as the Oryx is the national animal. Also known as the gemsbok it is a gray mammal with black stripes on the belly and unique patterns on the face. Mandy Perkins presented a 10 Year service badge to Thelma Wood.

Competition Winner for an African Animal: Mandy Perkins, and Best Bloom: Bev McMahon.

Next meeting: Thursday 13th April at 1:30 pm at the Tatura Bowls Clubrooms. Competition: Interesting potholder/oven mitt. Morning Coffee to be held April 20th at 28 Augusta Crescent.

Beatrice Greaves, publicity

BIN COLLECTION CHANGES

Greater Shepparton City Council will begin rolling out bin collection frequency changes in Tatura from Wednesday 22 March.

Collections in Tatura will alter to see the green lid bin collected weekly and the red bin collected fortnightly. The yellow lid bin will remain a fortnightly collection.

The changes form part of a State Government initiative, to help reduce waste across the entire state. Many other councils within Victoria have already made the change in frequency collections.

With the average household in Victoria currently throwing away $2,136 a year in wasted food, any leftover or spoiled food should be placed in the green lid bin, reducing the amount of waste going into the red lid bin and ultimately landfill.

All remaining households within the Greater Shepparton municipality will follow later in the year, excluding Kialla, who are also adopting the change during March.

Tatura residents are reminded to place bins out for collection the night before. For further information and to print off your bin collection calendar visit: Greatershepparton.com.au

ST BRIGID’S MURCHISON

In 1873, The Rev. H.T. Bradbee, Catholic Priest of Heathcote, advised Catholics in the Murchison district of his willingness to travel by horseback to celebrate Mass, christen infants and explore the possibility of building a church. Assisted in 1875 by Father Bassetto, they travelled long distances to cater for the spiritual and social needs of Roman Catholics in the Murchison area.

For the next 27 years, Murchison Catholics came to celebrate Mass in various venues which included Barratt’s Assembly Room, Murchison Hotel, and the Mechanics Institute. Meantime, in 1876, Rev Father Tom O’Connell from Tatura had a vision to build churches in Murchison and Rushworth and a Parish was eventually formed in 1889. In 1900, St Mary’s Murchison was officially opened by Rev Dr Reville, Coadjutor Bishop of Sandhurst. The small wooden church situated at 4 Impey Street, cost £600 to build, which also included furnishings, a two-stall stable, coach house and picket fence, on land gifted by Mr Martin Cloney. All the construction was carried out by ‘day labour’ under Father O’Connell’s supervision.

Tatura

Father O’Connell continued to travel to Murchison until 1918 when St Mary’s Parish, centred in Rushworth, provided a resident Parish Priest for the Murchison congregation. A Presbytery was then established in Rushworth for the new Priest, Father Tehan. While the Rushworth Parish included both Murchison and Cornella, it is thought that around this time, St Mary’s Murchison came under the patronage of St Brigid, with the Murchison church becoming known as St Brigid’s Catholic Church.

Many weddings, baptisms, confirmations, and funerals have been conducted at St Brigid’s and social occasions such as dances and balls were provided through the church for the district’s Catholic community.

Generous gifts of time and materials saw the original church incorporated into the new extensions carried out in 1987. This, in turn, allowed for more diverse use of the church building: an extended and refurbished multipurpose style construction with the original church retained in its heart. The hard work of many volunteers, particularly the knowledge, skill and dedication of builder, Mr Bill Schraven, and the co-operation of the whole Parish resulted in the present structure.

Today, the Parish of Rushworth consists of Colbinabbin, Murchison, Rushworth, and Stanhope, with the Weekend Mass Priest being Father Jinjo Solis.

Mass times at St Brigid’s Murchison are 10.30am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

Margaret Lock Secretary Murchison & District Historical Society

ANNUAL RUSHWORTH HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Once again, it is time for the annual Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival event. Run solely by dedicated volunteers, this year’s festival will start at 8.30 am with the market, an Easter Bonnet Competition at 10.30, the dog show at 11.15 and the grand parade starting at 1 pm. Other activities include a crocodile maze, animal petting zoo, food from the local businesses and food vans, the Rushworth Wizard, the country band True Country, face painting, glitter tattoo, twisted balloons, colouring competition and more. Each year the festival is sponsored by Campaspe Shire Council, Rushworth and District Community Bank and Coghlan’s IGA Supermarket. We thank them for their invaluable support.

There will be plenty of market stalls, but more stall holders are always welcome. Contact Peter on 0459 420 843 or email rushworthmarket@gmail.com.

Come along and enjoy the day.

CWA – GOULBURN VALLEY WEST

It is always at this time of the year February/ March that the Country Women’s Association hold their Annual General Meeting.

A small group of ladies met at the Harston Hall to have discussion of business, as well as voting new members into positions that have been vacated. The Hostess branch for the occasion was CWA Potters who provided a lovely morning tea before proceedings started. Group President and Group Secretary welcomed Marilyn Tangey, who as a State Office Bearer, officiated with the meeting. Mooroopna branch member Barbara Carter opened the Conference with a short talk about her early working life which took her to various parts of Australia whilst exposing her to many varied jobs and working environments. Thanks, Barbara, for sharing this part of your life with us.

Thank you to members who donated to Welfare. At Branch level and CWA Group Level, members adapt and respond to community needs through the various committees that are in place. There was a huge response to give to those who are in need. CWA Potters had a display of beautiful toys and knitted goods with the recipients being the local kindergarten and the Ambulance service.

A joint Craft Day has been organised between G.V. West and Echuca C.W.A. This will take place on March 27.

- Barbara Carter, Publicity Officer

St Brigid’s Church 2023

- Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival Committee

QUIZ answers

CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME? by Ma Merle

1c – Tony Lockett

2a – Andes, South America

3b – Ottawa

4d – George Orwell

5a – Emerald

“I think I might sell my washing machine Agnes, and get a smaller one. Really, it’s just me living here and mine is way too big for my needs. It takes up a lot of space in my laundry too and I feed the little doggy in there.”

6b – Vines

7c – Tchaikovsky

8c – Signs and Symbols

“What about when Garry moves in Merle, won’t you need a big washing machine then?” asked Agnes as she laughed hysterically at her own bad joke.

9c – 2 (Phobos and Deimos)

10b – Baby

I could not be bothered responding to her absolute nonsense. She gets a kick out of it so I just let her go. That’s what good friends do, but how her little mind works, I will never know.

Scoring.

0–2. Struggle Street. Don’t feel too bad. In order for people to live on Bland Street, somebody has to be worse than that and I’m sorry to say that’s you. On the other hand, if you had guessed (c) for every answer you would have gotten four correct so perhaps you were just unlucky.

“And how is Barney?” Agnes enquired once she regained her composure, still sniffing up her happy, bad joke tears. “I suppose he is not a puppy anymore? You’ve had him for about eighteen months now so I am guessing he is all grown up and not so naughty anymore, you know, chewing your shoes and that sort of thing, like he used to do.”

“Yes Agnes, Barney and I lead a quiet life now. He follows me around all day and sits by my feet at night. He is lovely company. I can’t really complain about him at all. I taught him to behave with my firm, fair and consistent approach early on in our relationship and now all the hard work has been done and we understand each other very well. I actually enjoy having him around.”

3-5. Bland Street. The majority of the population fall into this category. After all, average is both normal and safe. If you stand out from the crowd you become a tall poppy and we know what happens to them so rejoice in your ordinariness.

6-7. Above Average (sort of). Well done on another abnormal performance. If you were normal you would have been living on Bland Street and being called unexceptional. So, according to the Oxford dictionary, you are exceptional, irregular and deviating from type. Ask your friends if that sounds like you.

“So, he’s like a substitute husband Merle,” remarked Agnes as she began her ridiculous laughing yet again. I just waited it out patiently but, oh boy, she really does love her own jokes, if you can call them that.

I moved the conversation on while she once again regained her decorum.

8-9. Smarty Pants. Excellent. Congratulations! You’re smarter than 95% of the population. Whether you choose to believe statistic is up to you. Oh, you do believe it. I thought you might. However, it also means you’re not as smart as 5%. Oh, I see. You don’t believe that particular statistic. 10. Genius. Every question correct! Go you! Lucky for you it was multiple choice because there were a couple you weren’t too sure about, weren’t there? However, you now have a month to bask in the glory by asking other people how they did on the quiz.

“I tell you though, there is this cat that keeps coming around my yard and that does get on Barney’s goat. He is forever chasing it out and it is forever coming back the minute he turns his back. I don’t even know where it lives. It just seems to be here most days getting chased out. I am pretty sure it wants Barney’s food but there will be no feeding stray cats, I can tell you.”

“I could not agree more Merle,” replied Agnes, as she struggled to hide a wide grin. “Look what happened when you started to feed Garry?” Off she went again. Laughing, crying, sniffing, snorting, giggling, jiggling, it was quite unpleasant to watch, and I’d just about had enough of her silliness. “Honestly Agnes, have you been drinking today? You are in a very silly mood.”

Agnes took a deep breath as she wiped a tear off her cheek. “Merle, you know me better than that. I never drink through the week and barely even on the weekends. No, I am just in a good mood that’s all.”

“Alright, enough about you Agnes,” I said as I steered the conversation back to more important subjects. “How do I go about selling my washing machine?”

“Hmmm, well, you need to sell it on Facebook Marketplace, Merle,” Agnes replied in a matter-of-fact tone as though she knew everything about everything.

“Out at the market?” I almost yelled in surprise. “Good heavens Agnes, don’t be so ridiculous I can’t cart the jolly thing to a market.”

“It’s not a real market Merle. It’s on Facebook,” replied Agnes calmly with all the composure and confidence of an all knowing, all seeing, up-to-date, saleswoman.

DINKUM! FAIR DINKUM! FAIR Dennis

Booth's

I shook my head in annoyance. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. So, what is that and how do I do it? Because I can tell you now, I simply cannot lift and transport a washing machine at my age.”

Fair Dinkum! Are we the lucky country or not?

In the 1960’s acclaimed author Donald Horne described Australia as the lucky country, but he did it very much tongue in cheek rather suggesting were we in fact the/a lucky country.

Well since those days, the term has been used a fair bit, particularly by politicians and media journalists.

However, I cannot help but see that we are indeed a lucky country and never more so than in the last twelve months.

Agnes giggled as she obviously imagined me with ropes around my shoulder lugging a washing machine on my back. “Your best shot is to ask a young person, Merle. The boy at number 42 up the road here is very helpful when it comes to this. His parents have brought him up so well with a marvellous sense of community. He is super happy to help us older folk with these sorts of things.” Agnes was nodding away with great sincerity. I shrugged. “Alright I will call in and see him, thank you Agnes.”

Agnes chirped up smugly. “I happen to have his parent’s phone number, so I’ll call first to make sure he is home and he can help you out, that way you don’t waste your time.” Agnes was now in her personal assistant mode with no bad jokes in sight, thank goodness.

Now that may seem strange considering that we have had a drought many have said is the worst this country has seen, we have seen terrible bushfires ravage our country and leave untold misery as a result, and now we have the Corona Virus halting life as we once knew it.

So how can we say we are a lucky country?

Well, suddenly rain began to come when least expected and that has been followed up by some wonderful sustaining rain to fill dams, create sub-soil moisture so that crops can be sown.

Even the once dead Darling River is flowing again!

I made a time to see young Jeffrey the very next day and was leaving for his house when, as I stepped out of my front door, I almost trod on that damned stray cat. “Be off with you!” I growled. “Go on, scat!” Barney was inside and had been sleeping peacefully on his bed but now, he was suddenly at the door barking frantically as he tried to chase the silly cat away. I managed to shut the door and keep him inside and the cat quickly ran off, but I was not pleased about this whole business.

And the rain has put an end to possible continuing bushfires.

Yet there is still so much misery so again, why are we a lucky country? Because we have men and women who have a spirit within them that makes us so proud of who we are.

Jeffrey explained the whole Marketplace thing to me and said he would come and take pictures of the washing machine so we could put it up for sale. I agreed with everything he said because I actually had no idea what he was saying.

I am talking about the SES, Rural Fire Brigades…all of those who went day through night to help keep bushfires under control and who did so with some losing their own homes, and so many putting themselves in harm’s way.

We strolled back to my house and as we walked up the driveway he said. “Oh, nice pussy cat Mrs Merle.”

I quickly turned my head to see the damned stray cat back at my front door, lying comfortably on the doormat. “That’s not my pussy cat young man. It just keeps coming around. Do you know where it lives?”

I am talking about the convoy truckies who day through night and drove countless kilometres to take hay bales to farmers really struggling.

“No, Mrs Merle. I ‘ve never seen it before now. So cute. It looks hungry though.”

I am talking about the unsung, unseen heroes who went out of their way to drive to properties doing it tough with supplies of food and needed essentials.

The cat ran off into the bushes once it spotted me. “I won’t be encouraging it to keep coming around by feeding it. I think it’s best if it finds another home to belong to. Not to mention, my dog is very unhappy about it.”

And now we have the virus and we are seeing Australians learn to turn their business into helping others.

And now we are seeing health professionals and those who work daily in our hospitals putting themselves at risk because it is their job and the same can be said for those at airports, particularly those processing incoming passengers from overseas.

We are seeing what friendship, mateship and dedication is all about on a grand scale.

Yes, we are a lucky country in the true sense.

Finally let’s all still remember those who have gone in the drought, the bushfires and this virus.

“Oh yes I bet, but it does look really friendly though, and hungry,” replied Jeffrey. Agnes was right, this was a really lovely young man, although I wasn’t sure if he was trying to make a point about the cat looking hungry. We went through all of the processes it took to get my washing machine on the line and I even learnt how to read the messages when they eventually started coming through from interested people. However, because I still really didn’t have any idea about what I was actually doing, we agreed that I would go and see him first with the messages so he could answer them for me. It was all a bit over-whelming. A bit of a strange word that, isn’t it? I don’t ever recall being actually whelmed. Just over-whelmed or under-whelmed. Now where was I? Oh yes, why is everything so very complicated these days? Why is everything on the line or on the phone? Life was so much simpler when I was younger. Where is the world going? Can someone please explain? Anyone?

Surely remembering makes us want to ensure they are not forgotten by doing what we can to keep Australia the lucky country.

QUIZ answers

1d – Jupiter

2c – Yellow

3c – 1957

4d – Fear of dogs

5a – Eagle

6b – Ferdinand Magellan

7b – Scotland

8a – Edward John Eyre

9a - 32

10d – 12

Scoring.

0–2. Struggle Street. Watching reality TV and texting your friends on the phone has some benefits but gaining general knowledge isn’t one of them

3-5. Bland Street. There you go again, another average performance which is about average for people who perform averagely. As Mr Mediocre says, “It’s normal to be average.”

6-7. Above Average (sort of). Well done! You’re clearly better than normal. Of course, you should realise that you can now be legitimately called abnormal.

8-9. Smarty Pants. You have a well-rounded grasp of general knowledge. Unfortunately, there’s always one or two questions that trip you up. Perhaps we should allow you to reject your two worst answers.

10. Genius. There were some difficult questions here so getting every question correct either puts in in the top 5% of the population for intelligence or the top 1% for sheer flukes. You choose.

UNEXPECTEDLY ALIVE

Things only I see

As some of you will know, I am establishing a new vineyard. There is considerable planning involved, which only I see. Where on the property should I position the vineyard? What varieties of grapes should I plant? How many acres? How long shall I make the rows? How much space should I have between each vine? What direction should the rows run? What materials should I use for the posts? What endassembly design should I use? When should I undertake the different stages?

I need to make so many decisions about irrigation, infrastructure and planting. Every decision has multiple possibilities and not just one correct answer. Often, even when there is a best answer, availability of contractors, material or the weather can mean those plans are delayed or changed.

What

everyone sees

Then there is the stuff anyone can see. As the posts are installed, great effort goes into making their spacing and alignment as perfect as possible because everyone who drives past will look down the lines of posts, and if it has been done well the posts form straight lines in almost any direction. It really only matters that the rows are straight, but visually, this is the first thing people see. And for my sense of pride, that is important!

There is also a mind-numbing number of staples to hammer into posts to hold the fixed and moveable wires. Eight staples in each of 3000 posts. And an even more mind-numbing, back-breaking, finger-blistering number of spiral plastic clips to secure the irrigation tube to the dripper wire – around 36,000!!! We need perseverance, attention to detail and lots of patience to successfully achieve these grand plans.

What no-one sees

But all this is easy compared to the patience required to wait for nature to take its course. Due to the record winter and spring rains, the planting of the vines was delayed. We finally planted in early January. The timing was not ideal, but you do what you can. And then you wait. Some vines spring to life almost immediately; others are slower.

But after eight weeks I figured those that hadn’t pushed out a green shoot were dead, and that no amount of weeding and watering was going to change that. Fuelling my impatience was the fact that I had a few rootings left over from planting. Sitting in buckets, many had sprouted. I was keen to plant these replacement vines, so I decided to make a start.

As I dug up the “dead” vines, I found, to my surprise, that nearly every one of them had root activity happening. They were lifeless on top but slowly stirring below the ground. Chastising myself for my impatience, I quickly re-planted these vines and hoped I hadn’t killed them with kindness.

Easter celebrates the disciples’ discovery that Jesus was unexpectedly alive. The events of Good Friday: Jesus crucified, dying, buried, were seared into their minds, and all their personal sacrifices, planning, learning and following had come to nothing. Jesus was dead and buried! But then…

“On the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24 1-5)

A slow resurrection

Every Easter weekend, people repeat the saying, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” as if to say that your dreams or desires or hopes are dead, but just hold still during the nothingness of Friday night and all day Saturday, and then at dawn on Sunday everything wakes up and you’re suddenly alive again.

I have experienced a few “resurrection” events in my life but most things in my life improve by subtle, slow, small steps, which are often punctuated by significant struggles. Like the seemingly dead vines in my vineyard, new life and resurrection is stirring beyond my sight or knowing.

As I’ve walked with God, I’ve come to learn to hope when all hope seems to be lost. Maybe life is like Easter Saturday. In the space between death on Friday and resurrection on Sunday morning, our desires and dreams lie silent in the grave as God’s love, imperceptibly, breathes them back to life.

We are People of the Resurrection, but it’s a resurrection we often have to believe in through faith, not by sight. And so, in spite of all the good we cannot see, with tearful hearts and shaky voices, we lift our voices together in faith and sing: “Christ is risen. Alleluia!”

This is the gospel and it’s good news.

Brian Spencer Minister, Tatura Uniting Church

Tatura Presbyterian Church

Minister: Kalpan Vasa

Worship Services

Tatura 10:30 am

Rushworth 9:00 am.

Weekly Bible study and Fellowship Groups

Contact 0477 241 042

All Saints Tatura

Anglican Church

Minister: Rev. Tracey Wolsley

Family Worship Service

Sunday 9.30am

Contact 0400 947 547

www.allsaintstatura.org.au

Tatura Uniting Church

“Olive & Vine”

115 Hogan Street, Tatura

Minister: Brian Spencer 0400 274 482

Service 9.30am every Sunday. See Waranga Uniting Churches Web site for Zoom links

Sacred Heart Church Tatura

Minister: Rev Fr John Paul Pasala

Worship Services: Weekends

Saturday 6pm (1st & 3rd of the month)

Sunday 10.30am

Weekdays

Wednesday 9.15am

Friday 9.15am

Reconciliation:

1st Saturday of the month at 11.30am

Contact:

Ph. 5824 1049

Email: Tatura@cdos.org.au

www.sacredheartparishtatura.com.au

Generations Church Tatura

Senior Pastor: Ps Jeremy Burr 10am Service 03 58243240 295 Dhurringile Rd www.generations.org.au

THANK YOU SAUSAGE BUYERS

Our Tatura Hospital and Parkvilla Ladies Auxiliary sold sausages in bread from the BBQ outside Tatura Family Butchers on a Saturday morning as a fund raiser and were very pleased to raise $115. Any funds from our group goes towards help for the residents and patients locally. We thank all who bought a sausage from us and those at Tatura Family Butchers for supplying the BBQ table and sausages. Also, thanks to Trish for donating the onions and those committee members who helped on the day.

- Janice Dreyer, President

FLAVORITE GLASSHOUSES TOUR

The glasshouses you see on the Midland Highway near Tatura have become a familiar landmark for the district. We assume they are producing a consistent supply of high-quality fresh produce like truss tomatoes. However, in recent years they have diversified their product range to include cherry tomatoes, mini-Roma tomatoes, continental cucumbers, and snack cucumbers (Tiny Q’s), with the possibility of growing capsicums and eggplants. Across Australia there has been an increase in this type of food production.

Unlike traditional field farming, Flavorite’s glasshouse production enables them to control all aspects of the growing environment. With access to state-of-the-art technology and extensive growing experience, Flavorite glasshouse tomato production yields 80kg per square meter vs field tomato production which yields 6.9kg per square meter. Further to this, glasshouse production requires 22 litres of irrigation water to produce 1kg of tomatoes vs field production which requires 116 litres to produce 1kg of tomatoes.

During March 2021, Flavorite were presented with the opportunity to formally merge with the Murphy and Tatura Fresh businesses after a 20-year supply relationship. This merger has strengthened Flavorite’s market position and allowed further product and geographic growing diversification.

During 2022, Flavorite finalised the building of their new six-hectare glasshouse at the Tatura site. The new glasshouse is expected to increase their employee base in the Goulburn Valley region from 110 to 170 employees. The build was made possible through contributions from the state government’s Victorian Business Growth Fund (VBGF) and the Regional Jobs Fund. This glasshouse is expected to produce a further 4,000 tonnes of tomatoes a year and they are not stopping there. Flavorite plans to build a further twelve-hectare glasshouse, 40 megalitre dam and a 12,000m2 state-of-the-art packing and logistics facility over the next 12 to 24 months.

Flavorite are Australia’s largest glasshouse producer of fresh fruit and vegetables spanning four farms throughout regional Victoria (Katunga, Tatura, Mansfield, and Warragul) with a total of over 70 hectares of production under glass.

If you would like to see and learn more about Flavorite’s Tatura operation, the Rotary Club of Tatura has partnered with Flavorite to organise a fund-raising tour of the site for charity. The tour will start at 4.00pm on Friday, April 14, with a session describing the past, current and future plans for the site, followed by a site tour and light refreshments, finishing at 6.00pm. The contribution of $20 will be administered by the Rotary Club of Tatura and will go directly to charity.

For more information and to register for a place in the tour send a message via email to: sj.lolicato@gmail.com

- Sam Lolicato

STAYING HEALTHY

Three things you can do today to help support your hormones. There are some incredible benefits to being in the present moment for you, and for your hormones.

The best support is active stress management support and there are several ways you can do this.

1. In a moment of stress, focus on what’s right in front of you. Staying present by only focusing on you an around you, until you’re ready to resume your day.

2 Staying present through practicing techniques such as deep breathing in your office chair when you feel stressed by focusing on your breath and the bridge of your nose.

3. Practise deep belly breathing. Find a comfy spot to sit down and breathe in through your nose. Let your belly fill with air. Breathe out through your nose. Relax your abdomen. As you breath out, feel your belly lower. Your belly should be moving up and down more than your chest. Take a few more full, deep breaths. Relax and focus on your breath.

A guided meditation and yoga can make a wonderful difference and help support your overall hormone health. I use the headspace app to guide me through meditation.

My favourite ways to stay present are:

- Going for a walk or pottering in my garden and really noticing the elements and how they make me feel.

- Focusing on how my body feels at that moment and take 3 to 4 deep breaths to help release the feeling stored in that area of my body

- Cuddling my cat Leo, as he is calming

-A candle lit bath with deep breathing, to clear excess stored stressed before bed

- Be aware of your surroundings then noises around you, the smells, how you are feeling and what am I grateful now?

Your options are unlimited. What is your favourite way to keep present and enjoy the moment?

- Diana Miranda, Clinical Nutrition, Metabolic Balance Practitioner

An Aerial Photo of the Facility

The Glasshouse Interior

CUBBY NEWS

The children at The Cubby had an exciting month with lots of activities. We used playdough to cook our favourites from The Cubby Cookbook. The Cubby Cookbook is full of ideas for yummy treats, recipes for paint, playdough, glue and more. Get your copy at the community house - $20 each and a great idea for a birthday or Mother’s Day gift.

The children are eager to learn about everything relating to dairy. They milked a cow – picture of a cow, rubber glove filled with water – best activity ever and easy to try at home! They also made butter from cream, and we will soon be making our own yoghurt.

We had a supermarket going for a fortnight in the outside shed. Children rode their bikes and scooters to pick up their groceries. The following fortnight the shed was converted into a dress shop and children enjoyed putting on scarves, handbags and different clothes and costumes.

We are now providing fresh fruit and vegetables in the afternoon which is a big hit. The children enjoy this picnic style get-together and happily munch on oranges, apples, watermelons, peaches, cherry tomatoes, and other yummy treats. If anyone has any abundance of fruit or vegies in

Recipes

MIXED SEED CRACKERS

These are very easy to make, are different from store bought crackers and can be broken up and used with cheese or dip. These are not my absolute favourite, but my friends love them.

Ingredients

250g Plain Flour

2 tablespoons Grapeseed Oil

125ml Water

Salt

Seeds of choice

Method

Make a well in flour and add salt.

Put in grapeseed oil and mix with fork from outside in. Then with hands form into dough, kneading for 2 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Place as a ball in bowl with a little oil to rest covered for about 20 minutes. Rub oil over pan with hands and a little on the roll of dough.

Stretch dough gently with hands onto tray to cover it. This is done with stretching and pushing gently. Don't worry if you make holes, as they can be fixed later.

Sprinkle with seeds and sea salt and press them into dough. Bake at 180 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool.

- Janice Dreyer

their garden, we’re happy to accept them as donations. Lucy made scones with cherry jam and the kids just loved them.

Our license to operate covers childcare for 15 children per day which gives us the opportunity and the joy to care for our families in a very individual and personal way – you become part of the Cubby family. We are here to support our parents above the regular services of childcare centres. We can help you with your Child Care Subsidy application with Centrelink, connect you to support services or just have an open ear for the days where it all seems a bit much.

We have a few spots left but created a waiting list for this term’s applications for enrolment. Give us a call to inquire about vacancies, have a chat and book a time to get to know The Cubby and our staff. The Cubby Occasional Care is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8:30am – 4:00pm in the orange building on Kerferd Street. The Cubby is a Child Care Subsidy provider, making it an affordable choice for families. Give us a call on 5824 1315 or 0490 117 030 to have a chat with one of our friendly staff.

Milking Milly the Cow

GMW SOLAR PROJECT

Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) has completed a solar project marking a key step in its journey towards net-zero carbon emissions. The 40 Casey Street Solar Project involved the installation of a 99.6kw Photovoltaic (PV) solar system at GMW’s Tatura office, which is

home to more than 200 GMW staff. GMW Business and Finance general manager Michael Gomez said the solar installation was emblematic of GMW’s intent to operate more sustainability. “Last year we committed to

IGPAY ATINLAY

If you’ve ever wanted to learn another language but haven’t had the time, then there is a very simple language you can easily learn in no time at all. Many of the older folk among us will already have worked out this language just by looking at the heading. Yes, it’s Pig Latin. I just need to clarify a couple of things before I explain the mechanics of the language. Firstly, it is not based on Latin, and secondly it is not spoken by pigs although if pigs could speak it, they would be even more gruntled than they usually are. Nobody knows where the name Pig Latin originated but it has been around for at least one hundred and fifty years. It became very popular in the early twentieth century and its usage appeared in many films when the characters needed to talk in code. The famous old movie star Ginger Rogers sang a song in Pig Latin in the 1933 film Gold Diggers. Krusty the Clown in the Simpsons has also been known to speak Pig Latin on occasions.

If you can speak English, then you can learn Pig Latin and the rules are quite simple.

Rule Number One. For words that begin with consonant sounds, all letters before the initial vowel are placed at the end of the word, then ‘ay’ is added, as in the following examples:

pig = igpay

latin = atinlay

banana = ananabay

cat = atcay

dog = ogday

happy = appyhay

me = emay too = ootay

Rule Number Two. When words begin with two or more consonants that form one sound such as ‘ch’ or ‘sm’, the whole sound is transferred to the end of the word and then ‘ay’ is added as in the following examples:

smile = ilesmay

chat = atchay

string = ingstray

stupid = upidstay

trash = ashtray

floor= oorflay

store= orestay

Rule Number Three. For words that begin with vowel sounds, you can add either ‘way’, ‘yay’ or just ‘ay’ to the end of the word. Some examples are:

eat = eatway or eatay are = areway or areay

egg = eggway or eggay

I = Iway

end = endway or enday

honest = honestway

There is an alternative method for words beginning with vowel sounds and it is one that I prefer although you only use it for words with more than one syllable. You remove the initial vowel along with the first consonant or consonant cluster and add these to the end of the word and then add ‘ay’. This make the words appear to be more mysterious and it makes it more difficult for the non-Pig Latin speaking listener to understand. Some examples are: every = eryevay

becoming carbon neutral (net-zero) no later than July 1, 2035,” he said. “It is an ambitious target, but by acting now and investing smartly we will be well placed to achieve it.”

In 2022, GMW completed the Mitiamo Solar and Battery Project, which enabled the Mitiamo pumps to be powered by the solar power and battery system. Mr Gomez said solar works at the Casey Street office would again benefit both customers and the environment. “The new solar system will reduce electricity bills, offsetting grid demands. It meets present needs and has the capacity to meet demands for future growth as well,” he said. “We are a government-owned for purpose entity, meaning any efficiencies we create are passed on to customers, so it is a good outcome for all involved.”

In 2023, GMW will also take its first steps in transitioning its light fleet to electric vehicles. The organisation will soon go out to tender to have an electric vehicle fast charging station installed at its Casey Street office, with its first electric fleet vehicle to be delivered in the coming months. Last year, the Victorian Government issued a Statement of Obligation making Victoria’s water sector the first in Australia to commit to net zero emissions by 2035. The Victorian water sector is committed to being a leader in emissions reduction.

- Klaus Nannestad, Media Adviser

Explain = plainexay another = otheranay under = erunday island = andislay

Several Pig Latin words have entered mainstream English of which the two best known are ‘ixnay’ and ‘amscray’. If you don’t know what they mean I suggest you go back and read this article again.

With a bit of practice, you will soon become quite proficient in Pig Latin and will be able to both amaze and confuse your friends and family. Oodgay ucklay.

- John Kriesfeld

MARCH FUNNIES

Did you know that 10+10 and 11+11 are the same thing? Because 10+10 equals twenty and 11+11 equals twenty too.

I asked my wife if I was the only one she had ever been with. She said yes, all the others were nines and tens.

A company owner was asked a question: "How do you motivate your employees to be so punctual?" He smiled and replied: "It's simple. I have 30 employees and 29 free parking spaces. One is paid parking."

When I got to work this morning, my boss stormed up to me and said, "You missed work yesterday, didn't you?"

I said, "No, not particularly."

The Solar Flume Gates

MYSTERY BALLOONS OVER TATURA

There has been an unconfirmed report of a balloon or balloons flying high over the small central Victorian town of Tatura. It is unclear as to the reason for this incident.

It has a very similar story to the balloon that was seen and shot down in America recently. The American balloon was spotted at 60,000 feet. and shot down with a very expensive air to air missile fired from a jet fighter. The order to shoot it down was given by the President of the United States. It was suspected of being a spy balloon. To avoid causalities on the ground it was brought down over the ocean. The remains were collected and taken away for further investigations. Apparently, something very similar happened with the Tatura mystery balloon as these pictures clearly show. However, who was behind this is still a mystery as nobody is talking.

Recipes

RODNEY CWA RECIPES

With Tomatoes ripening, it’s time to make Chutney, and try the Beetroot relish.

BEETROOT AND APPLE RELISH

400g grated beetroot

175g grated green apple

½ diced red onion

½ cup white wine vinegar

½ cup balsamic vinegar

½ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

½ tablespoon oil

Heat oil in large saucepan and sauté onions until transparent

Add all ingredients and cook on the lowest heat for 2 hours, until it thickens. Cool before bottling.

TOMATO CHUTNEY

3.5kg ripe tomatoes

1kg brown onions

1kg Granny Smith apples

500g sultanas

6 cups vinegar

4 ½ cups sugar

125g salt

50g ground ginger

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Peel and chop the tomatoes, onions and apples.

Place in a pan with sultanas, vinegar, salt, ginger, and cayenne pepper

Bring to the boil and simmer for 2 ½ hours. Add sugar and stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and then simmer uncovered until the desired consistency is reached.

Bottle while hot.

The Mystery Balloons

Nobody’s Talking.

AN EXHILARATING SHOW

While in Swan Hill I recently went to see the sound and laser show called Heartbeat of the Murray. This is a 360-degree multi-media spectacular unlike anything I've ever seen. This state-of-the-art show is the first of its kind in the world to use a natural river environment and setting as the background and I agree it comes to life against the background of a ninemetre water screen. Apparently, it was a recent winner of the International Laser Design Association's prestigious award for multi-media shows, which doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I had seen photographs advertising the event, but they don’t give the feeling of experiencing it in real life. Using water, light, laser, fire, sound and special effects to tell the amazing story of the Murray, back from 30 million years ago, through time to the Murray River as we know it today. It certainly delighted me, and I recommend anyone visiting the area to make an effort to see it for themselves. I know I will remember it long after my visit.

TATURA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB DONATION

As part of the ongoing provision of an annual donation to a Tatura District volunteer group after the completion of International Dairy Week, the Tatura Football Netball Club have nominated $1000 to be provided to Tatura Blue Light Disco.

This group is a not-for-profit organisation run by dedicated volunteers which provides safe, fun, supervised events for kids aged 6 – 13 in our local community. After a two-year hiatus due to covid, discos are back up and running and the organisation is also now looking at hosting events for the older age groups.

Pictured left are TFNC IDW Coordinator Daryl Eaton, presenting the donation to the President of the group, Tracey Lowry, Vice President Acting Sergeant Peter Aitken, and Secretary Sergeant Darryl Phillips from the Tatura Police Station.

- Janice Dreyer

Presenting the Cheque

The Laser Show

April 1 – April Fool’s Day. This day for playing practical jokes and hoaxes isn’t as popular as it once was, probably because the entire world has become one huge practical joke. So, let’s reclaim it by playing a few well thought out practical jokes on colleagues and friends. I’m sure they won’t be expecting it.

April 2 – World Pillow Fight Day. This is no ordinary pillow fight where you smack your brother over the head when he’s not looking and then laugh yourself silly. This is all about flash mobs getting together at an agreed location via the internet and then fighting it out. The record is 3,706 participants. Pillows stuffed with feathers are highly recommended as they make one hell of a mess. Apparently putting a brick in your pillow is frowned upon. Sorry bro.

April 3 – World Street Party Day. The thinking here is that the opposite of war and suffering should not be to passively observe peace. Instead, people should actively participate in the celebration of life and what better way than to throw a street party and get together with your friends and neighbours. Time’s running out so get a move on! I’ll be checking my mailbox for the invitation.

April 5 – Tartan Day. This is a celebration of everything Scottish. The Scots are well-known for their kilts, whisky, and porridge but how many of us have been game enough to try eating a haggis? You will need a sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, minced with onions, oatmeal and suet (which is the raw, hard fat found around the sheep’s loins and kidneys), spices and salt and then encased in the sheep’s stomach. I’d give it a go myself but I can’t eat onions. Damn!

April 6 – International Day of Sport. This day recognises the power of sport in promoting peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide. A fine example of this is the rampaging soccer mobs every time England or Russia play abroad.

April 7 – International Beer Day. Several countries around the world such as America, England and Iceland have decided that having a national beer day is a good idea. More enlightened countries such as Australia and Ireland have evolved to the point where every day can be considered a beer day. I’ll drink to that.

April 9 – Name Yourself Day. If you don’t like the name you were born with then this is your big opportunity to change it. It reminds me of that old joke where a man walks into the name registry office and says to the lady behind the counter, “I’d like to change my name.”

“Certainly,” replies the lady. “What is it at the moment?”

“Frank Fartbottom,” replies the man.

“Oh dear,” says the lady. “I can certainly understand why you want to change it. What would you like your new name to be?”

“Peter Fartbottom,” replies the man.

April 11 – Pet Day. Most households in Australia have a pet of some sort which happily fill a void in our lives. Here are a few facts about pets: With proper care, goldfish can live up to 40 years in a well-aerated tank, cats sleep for approximately 14 hours a day and dogs only sweat through the pads on their feet.

April 12 – Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. The grilled cheese sandwich is such a nourishing, easy and quick snack to make and is famous in many parts of the world. The best way to celebrate this day is to make one and then eat it. Even the most inept man about the house should be capable of mastering this particular recipe.

April 14 – World Dolphin Day. This day is all about focussing worldwide attention on the plight of the dolphin with the aim being to stop the barbaric Japanese dolphin hunts. After all, how much scientific research do they need that actually involves killing the dolphins year after year?

April 15 – Reach as High as You Can Day – This is all about self-belief.

Many of us don’t attempt something because we’re certain we’ll fail. Well, failure is an important part of success. Just ask JK Rowling, who was rejected by more than thirty publishers before one finally agreed to publish Harry Potter. Now she is richer than the king of England. So, try your hand at that thing you thought was impossible, so at the very least, you won’t die wondering. There’s a quote I like that says, “To be all that you can, you must dream of being more.”

April 16 – Wear Your Pyjamas to Work Day. This can be a lot of fun, but I would strongly advise that you get together with a group of your co-workers and organise this as a social event at work. If you just turn up in your pj’s by yourself then it may affect your chances of promotion.

April 17 – World Lookalike Day. Most of us have some passing resemblance to somebody famous, whether they’re a sports star, film star, pop idol or television personality. On this day you can dress up and style your hair to resemble your lookalike. Over the years, for some unfathomable reason, people have suggested I have a vague resemblance to Groucho Marx. I can’t see it myself. It’s quite obvious that George Clooney is my lookalike.

April 22 – Earth Day. The first Earth Day was held in 1970 amid fears for the future of the Earth. It was predicted that between 1980 and 1989, over 4 billion people would starve to death, including 6 million Australians. Well, in 2022, more people are dying of obesity world-wide than starvation. Now, apparently, the world is going to end in seven years’ time. It seems there’s always something, so let’s forget about scare-mongering and celebrate our planet by going for a walk in the countryside to commune with Mother Nature. Take the time to stop and smell the roses.

April 26 – Get Organised Day. Are you lost in a sea of clutter? Is your filing system actually an odds and sods dumping ground? Well, the people who know what’s good for you have arranged this day to encourage you to stop procrastinating and tackle at least one of your many junk drawers. There’s a good chance that you will utter the words, “So that’s where that got to,” in the process.

April 29 – International Dance Day. This day is used to promote dance around the world and to recognise its place in society. What I can’t work out is how some people can look so cool on the dance floor without really trying, while others, such as myself, always look so daggy and uncoordinated no matter how hard we try. Perhaps I’ll sign up for some dance lessons and give some poor dance teacher nightmares.

April 30 – International Jazz Day. Yes folks, another United Nations event to break down the barriers and foster mutual understanding and tolerance throughout the world. After all these years and countless events, you’d think we’d have finally gotten there but alas, apparently not. Perhaps we should just enjoy good jazz for the sake of enjoying the music and do away with the political correctness aspect. Be cool man!

- John Kriesfeld

LAKE BOGA FLYING BOAT MUSEUM

Lake Boga is home to the famous Catalina Flying Boat, one of only four in Australia. Playing an integral part in the allied defence of the South Pacific during World War II, Lake Boga was an ideal stretch of water on which the mighty flying boats could alight. In all, 416 aircraft were serviced at the depot, with works carried out ranging from repair of operational damage to complete overhauls. At peak operation, 39 officers, 802 airmen and 102 WAAAF staffed the depot.

From humble beginnings, countless volunteer hours, blood, sweat and tears, the dream of a modern hangar to house the very large Lake Boga Catalina came true and was opened to the public in 2012. All types of Flying Boats that were serviced at Lake Boga are represented in the museum, with special sections dedicated to the United States of America and Netherlands aircrafts and crew who visited Lake Boga during World War II.

There are a number of interactive displays, including a map of the Pacific region, a large collection of war memorabilia, books and video accounts from the men who flew Catalinas in WWII, as well as a very informative twentyminute film in the small theatre. The collection of more than 500 items includes machinery, weapons, armoury, photographs, newspaper clippings, uniforms, engines, components, and artefacts from the region. The underground bunker showcases a range of communication devices used during WWII and visitors can also search their loved one's service history, with friendly guides on hand to answer all questions. Operated as a project of the Lake Boga Lions Club, as a commemoration to the service men and women who served at No. 1 Flying Boat Repair Depot from 1941 to 1947, the museum receives annual attendances in excess of 12,000 visitors per year. The amount of history held in the exhibits gives one an educational trip into our recent history.

- Janice Dreyer

Inside the Museum

PROBUS

On February 16th, 16 members travelled to Rochester, with a stop off at Colbinabbin for morning tea. We met up with some Rochester Probus members and before some of them joined us on the bus to drive around the town and explain the extent of the flooding, we had a gentleman tell us how they had to clear out the hospital on very short notice, some patients going to Shepparton together with their staff, and some to Bendigo. He explained how most services were now available again, and that work had just started on the hospital, which due to the enormous damage, will take many months. It was a real eye-opener and a moving experience as we drove around the town and saw the empty houses, many with caravans parked out the front. Back to the Rochester Hotel where once again Rochester members joined us for lunch and to swap experiences. A quick look around the town, so many empty shops still, and then back to Tatura.

Wendy Wilson

Our meeting on February 23 was very well attended. Our Member Behind the Badge was Phyll Bramley. Phyll was unable to attend, so another member read her notes. It was a lovely story, telling us of her history with nine siblings! There were seven girls and three boys, all very interested in sport, fielding a basketball team (now netball) by themselves! The boys played football. Brought up with good old-fashioned values, Phyll led a very successful life, marrying Ivan and having two girls and two boys. Ev Leahy read a very poignant email at the end of the story which brought tears to many. The Guest Speaker was Nadine Pichler, Co-Manager of the Community House, who spoke on the special festivals and celebrations she had experienced in Germany, culminating in, like here in Australia, Christmastime!! Thank you, Nadine, always entertaining!

Barb Halliwell

TRACTOR TREKKING

We were busy in the Bulletin office last deadline day when a gentleman came in and said there were a couple of tractors towing caravans in the street near the Catholic Church. He suggested that it would be interesting to get a story on what who they were and what they were doing. This piqued our curiosity so I headed down to see if I could find out anything about them. It turned out that the two chaps driving the tractors had called in to Tatura for a coffee and to do some washing at the Laundromat and I managed to catch up with them on a seat nearby.

It turns out they are members of a WA Chamberlain 9G Tractor Club and are part of the Eastern Branch. The Club started some 20 years ago with 37 members travelling from Steep Point (Exmouth WA) to Byron Bay (NSW). Every 10 years they do a re-enactment of that first trip. They have also travelled around Australia and been trekked in New Zealand and the US. There were plans for a big trip in 2019 but COVID put a stop to that and the group ended up travelling around Australia, crossing borders when they could, in 2021.

On this trip they have been to Corowa for the Tractor Pull and are heading over to Keith in SA for another event just before Easter. They decided not to head back to Temora before going to Keith and have spent time in Tungamah, Shepparton, and Tatura before heading towards Elmore and Bendigo and going interstate.

I asked about the Flying Doctors stickers on their tractors and found out that the Club supports the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Over the past 20 or so years they have raised over $240,000 for the organisation through fundraising during their many treks around the country. Rather than have the funds absorbed into general revenue they aim to fundraise for specific items to assist the RFDS. I really enjoyed my chat with the two chaps and wish them, and their Club, all the best for their travels.

- Lois Orr

Plenty of Traction

SHEPPARTON ADVENTURE CLUB

With the club policy of starting early and finishing up by lunchtime over the usually warm to hot summer months, a walk in our local Greater Shepparton Council area was suggested for our February walk.

Tatura, with an emphasis on the Cussen Park and its natural drainage wetlands, was the chosen location. Fifteen club members met at the Cussen Park Rotunda at 8.30am ready for an exploratory walk to be followed by a relaxing coffee at the Olive & Vine Café.

Prior to heading off we were treated to a most interesting and informative talk by Terry Court from the Cussen Park Advisory Committee. Terry is a font of knowledge, and he covered the history of the formation of the park over thirty years ago and the importance of the park’s waterways to the treatment of storm water from the Tatura Township and the surrounding district.

The eighty acres of park area have had a number of transformations from grazing land to sections that were used as a tip for some years and nearly became a residential development until pressure was applied to the then council to transform it to wetlands and parklands. Well done to those who lobbied to save it all those years ago. Also, to all those fifty thousand volunteer hours to make it what it is today. What a jewel in Tatura’s crown. We proceeded to explore some of the less seen off-track sections of the park, keeping well away from the five thousand or so flying foxes currently nesting in the trees on the northeast section of the park. With the current drying conditions, bird numbers were down but a black wallaby was observed in one bushy area along with three sleeping possums. We were cautious of the possibility of snakes in the offtrack undergrowth, but none were observed. We traversed all the formed tracks, checked out the various bird hides and observation platforms and with the walk down to the township for coffee and back, the overall distance for the morning was approximately seven kilometres. It was warming up by the time we returned to the rotunda and our cars. The club’s next midweek walk will be a fourday camp from March 27 to 30 at Tree Tops Scout Camp site at Gunbower Island. The April midweek walk in the Winton Wetlands will be on Wednesday, April 26. Details will be posted on the Shepparton Adventure Club Facebook page and on the Activities Tab in the club website. https://shepadventureclub.org.au New members and visitors are welcome.

- Richard Graves

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The Cussen Park Walkers

Harmony - Japan

Kids Page

LIVING IN HARMONY

Harmony Week - March 15 to March 21.

An important time to celebrate and acknowledge Australia's diverse cultural communities Harmony Week also encourages mutual respect and freedom of ideas

The colour of Harmony Week is ‘orange’, regarded as a warm and inviting, thus facilitating meaningful conversations.

Colour the Headings and the Children in orange.

EVERYBODY BELONGS

What country did candy come from?

Answer: Sweeten

Where did the sheep go camping?

Answer: The Baa-hamas!

Where do LEGO people go on holiday?

Answer: The Czech RepuBRICK!

What nationality is Santa Claus?

Answer: North Pole-ish

Lotus Flower Harmony