If you want to get into an argument, rock up to Warramunda and say a bad word against Tongala’s Harley Reid.

Harley has been a massive hit at Warramunda with not one but two visits there while he gets some time at home before heading back to Western Australia and doing a pre-season with the West Coast Eagles AFL club.

Harley was the number one pick in the 2023 AFL draft and made a stunning debut season last year with the Eagles.

Harley’s willingness to take time-off to drop in and mix with the Warramunda residents has created a huge buzz with them and no doubt helped recruit a few new supporters for the Eagles, or at least made them their second choice.

Harley was true to his word after promising resident Warramunda pianist Topsy Motton he would return to hear her play the West Coast Eagles theme song to him, which she didn’t know on his first visit.

Both fulfilled these obligations, and Harley won over a few more fans with the gesture.

Great stuff Harley!

Wet weekend

Kyabram received its most rain since July and revived the prospects of some crops, particularly wheat, being saved for harvesting rather than hay making.

At the Kyabram Weather Station, some 17mm was recorded over the weekend, with 1.6mm on Saturday and 15.4mm on Sunday.

Kyabram has now recorded 117mm for the winter months, slightly lower than the average of 135mm.

Falls varied across northern Victoria at the weekend, with Rochester and Rushworth areas recording 25mm (an inch) or more.

Count your chickens (and more)

The 2024 Aussie Bird Count logged more than 4.1million birds across the country using a free app.

The Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Minor and Magpie came up as the most prolific birds in the count.

Now the 2025 count is on this week, and participants are asked to spend 20 minutes in as many counts as they like.

More information or to register visit www.aussiebirdcount.org.au

Berrigan landmark under the brush

The tiny town of Berrigan, just over the border from Cobram, is to get a landmark.

The town’s 80-year-old water tower is currently being transformed into a striking mural to celebrate the town’s rich horse racing history.

The mural is being created by well-known artist Alex Sugar, who has had more than 15 years in this field of artwork.

A seventh state?

An application has been lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission to form a new political party called The Riverina State.

The application has been a long-term goal of the Riverina State Group, which has a party objective to form a new Riverina state.

It would take in the NSW Riverina and the northern areas of Victoria.

The application included a list of 1646 members, and the new party intends to have candidates contesting the next Federal election.

Man faces court

A 34-year-old man found at the Shepparton Show on October 11 with an imitation gun, machete, knives and a baseball bat has been charged with several offences.

He was refused bail at a hearing in Shepparton’s Magistrate’s Court last week and will appear again in court this month.

RSPCA investigating

Two incidents of animal cruelty in Echuca are being investigated, and RSPCA inspectors are calling for public assistance.

A ragdoll cat was found with a broken jaw and severe injuries in Struve Crt and Minor St on Tuesday, September 16 and between October 5-6 respectively.

At the Minor St address, a tabby coloured cat was found with severe injuries and is suspected of being deliberately tortured.

It had a bullet casing zip tied around it neck.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact 9224 2222 and advise that you may have information related to the cases with a reference number of 501238

Anyone found guilty of the offences faces a $101 000 fine or two years in jail.

Pesky pelican

Power outages can be caused by a number of things, but a recent blackout at Deniliquin was a bad luck story for a pelican.

The pelican brought a large portion of the town’s power to a standstill when it collided with a power pole near the Deniliquin Swim Centre.

About 1600 customers were without power for about one and half hours, but the fate of the culprit is unknown.

Drug bust

A raid near Hay recently which netted 5kg of the drug ‘ice’ and 10kg of cocaine, with a potential of $6.3 million.

A 30-year-old man has been remanded in custody on seven charges.

SQUARE DINKUM

G’day

An Irishman walks into a bar in Toronto and orders a drink.

Noticing his accent, the barman asks, ‘’What brings you to Canada?’’

The Irishman says, ‘‘Well, I was in a pub in Dublin and the coaster under my pint of Guinness said ’DRINK CANADA DRY’’, so I thought I’d give it a shot.’’

Hooroo!!!

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Monday, 3rd January 2028

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