July 24, 2025

Winter in the garden

Whoever said that winter was a time for gardeners to relax somewhat certainly did not leave my place! The extended long and dry summer seems to have tricked my deciduous trees into thinking that autumn had not arrived yet!  Consequently they are still dropping their leaves. My Melia Azedarach (known

Rhubarb and lemon muffins

Rhubarb and lemon is a zesty combination, but you can substitute with other fruit, such as chopped apples or blueberries or a mix of fruit. The key to a light muffin is not over-mixing. Lumps and visible flour are okay. Ingredients 200 gm of fresh rhubarb chopped into 1 cm

Wilbur wombat

Things have been busy at Bohollow. This time of year Deb at our Kotupna shelter is always flat out with roo joeys while here at our Bunbartha shelter the daily patient numbers coming in slow down a little. During the winter months we are always busy with raptors, particularly owls

The ecology of fallen wood

Loss of habitat is a major driver in the decline of our wildlife populations. Most people only think of habitat in terms of the broader landscape that supports the larger, more visible species of the ecosystem. In truth, habitat and species extend down to include the microscopic level. Habitats must

Shire crisis and busy Court House in July 1975

Waranga Shire Council learned that Shire vehicles needed replacement, plant was aging, and equipment was an issue. Running costs were up. Breakdowns were costly. Rising wages added to concerns, and staff positions were no longer fundable. Workers compensation insurance premiums had doubled. (The only thing not high would have been

Settlers at the buffalo

Six Hammond brothers were involved in the family sawmilling business established along the Murchison to Rushworth railway line.  Father of the Hammond boys, Edward Ebenezer Hammond, and his wife Emma and surviving son Fred, emigrated from England in the 1850s.  The family first lived in Brunswick, an inner Melbourne suburb,

July 10, 2025

Pork and charred green beans

Another confession Since I wrote my ‘reveal all’ Cooks Column and confessed that I now have condescended to use carrots in my stir-fries, I’m quickly becoming a convert to frozen stir-fry vegetables.  It’s certainly quick, doing away with the preparation of whatever vegetable you’re using and I

Management of wetlands in doubt

I was saddened to hear that the Cafe and Hub at Lake Makoan at Winton Wetlands is closing due to the Winton Wetland Committee disbanding due to difficulties with funding. It is in the hands of DEECA until it is decided how and even if the area will be continued

Island life

Islands are like an evolutionary petri dishes. Strange things happen to the resident species. Large species morph into small species and small species morph into large species in a process known as Foster’s rule. Some of the results are surprising. On an island where there are no large predators

High drama at the hospital in July 1975

The Committee of Management of Waranga Memorial Hospital (all members named) published a notice “to advise that the decisions made to terminate the tenancy of Dr. G. Tai were unanimous, after full discussions and after advice from the Hospitals and Charities Commission”. It had been considered that the doctor’s