Pudding yarn proves a winner

Grandma Nell's steam puddings are still winners, many years after her death.

Her Kyabram grandson Mick Coventry concocted a story of Nell’s iconic puddings, related the experience in story-telling form — and won a Victorian title for his troubles.

Mick related the story in the yarn-spinning section of the recent Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, which included the Victorian bush poetry and yarn-spinning championships, in Victoria’s high country at Corryong.

Mick’s yarn about his grandma’s steam puddings was adjudged the best in the yarn-spinning section in which contestants were given an eight-minute time frame to tell a yarn and impress the judges and audience. The yarn had to be family-friendly, while untruths and embellishments were expected and encouraged.

Mick said he locked in the idea of telling his experience of his grandmother’s steam puddings because they had made such an impression on him growing up.

“After a roast dinner on Sundays, Grandma always followed up with a steam pudding, which was a bit of a tradition in those days,” he said.

“It was either fruit, chocolate, caramel or a jam-filled pudding, and they were all good, except for one particular pudding.”

It is not the first time Mick’s spoken adventures have captivated judges in Victorian bush poetry championships.

He also claimed the best yarn-spinner title at the 2019 and 2024 championships.

Mick is an inaugural member of the Kyabram Bush Poets Club, formed in 1995, and has contributed the popular Square Dinkum section of our Around The Traps column on this page for nearly 30 years.

Fingers crossed for more rain

Farmers are looking to the skies for follow-up rain to falls on May 4 and 5 that enabled winter crops to be sown.

There are predictions of rain falling this weekend, which would be a help, but it will depend on how much falls.

Maximum temperatures have been above average this week, but nights have become chillier, with temperatures dipping to below 5°C on several mornings.

Fabulous gesture

Lovely Mother’s Day gesture last Sunday from Kyabram florist Fab Flowers.

It donated a couple of buckets of lilies for passers-by to take from the footpath of its Allan St business to make Mother’s Day a bit more special for some lucky mums.

Well done, Sue and staff.

Missed the bus

Greater Shepparton has again missed out on upgrades to its public bus services.

As part of the Victorian budget, which delivered half-price public transport focused on metropolitan routes, regional communities, including Greater Shepparton, missed out on the planning needed to deliver more accessible services.

Call for cars

Have you any unwanted, unregistered, damaged or end-of-life vehicles you don’t want?

Well, Shepparton Search and Rescue is calling for donations of vehicles for its road crash training programs.

If you think you can oblige, email admin@sheppartonrescue.com.au

Bridge open for traffic

Bourke’s Bridge on Murray Rd, Nathalia has reopened.

Constructed from timber in the early 1950s, the bridge reached the end of its serviceable life.

The upgraded bridge is now rated for B-double traffic, removing the previous six-tonne load limit.

The bridge has also been raised to improve flood resilience.

Council construction contractor Murray Construction, which carried out the work on Bourke’s Bridge, has now switched to erecting the new Bartrops Bridge over the Deep Creek on Griffiths Rd, Kotupna.

Theft at wetlands

Benalla police are seeking assistance from the public after six trail cameras and six sound catchers were stolen from a dam at Winton Wetlands.

Anyone with any information is requested to contact Benalla police on 5760 0200.

Students to take flight

The first ever Australian Junior Aviators Day for Indigenous students is to be held on Thursday, May 14.

It is being organised by the Tocumwal-based Southern Riverina Gliding Club.

The event will be held in the Tocumwal Aerodrome terminal building, with a morning tea and barbecue lunch available for all participants aged 17 or 18.

Piping up on Anzac Day

There was an unexpected tribute to the Anzacs on Anzac Day in Cobram.

Cobram Silos owner Libro Mustica gave permission to bagpiper Gordon Meyers to erect a 4m high silhouette of a solder and flags on top of the silos, which are as high as a 10-storey building.

Notable milestone

The Echuca Moama Agricultural Show Society is gearing up for its 150th anniversary.

And it would appreciate any volunteer support to celebrate the remarkable milestone on November 7 and 8.

Anyone who could help out should contact show secretary Anthea Mathers at EchucaMoamaShowSociety@outlook.com

Live concert

Music fans of the Hilary Geddes Trio can see it action at Deniliquin on Saturday, May 23 at the Cressy St conservatorium.

It will be part of the South West Musical Regional Conservatorium’s Live Music Concert Series.

Bookings can be made by phoning 5881 4736.

Square dinkum

G’day.

I don’t like to show off, but I have now entered that wonderful stage of life where I have got a lot going for me: my eyes are going, my knees are going, my back is going — and my patience, well, that’s long gone.’

Hooroo!

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Sunday, 16th March 2031

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