Northern Rivers Equine - American Ideal
One of the world’s best standardbred stallions, who has been standing at a Kyabram stud, has died preparing to return to America.
American Ideal, a shuttle stallion who has stood at Kyabram’s Northern Rivers Equine stud since 2019, succumbed to about of colic at the age of 22.
Worldwide, American Ideal’s progeny have won a staggering $190 million.
In the 2023 season, American Ideal sired 35 individual two-year-old winners who have won $1.1 million in prizemoney.
He is the sire of 18 millionaire pacers.
Northern Rivers owner manager Dr Kath McIntosh said American Ideal was an ‘‘incredible horse who will be greatly missed’’.
‘‘He was an absolute gentleman, professional in every way. Just a lovely-natured horse.’’
John Anderson - 2024 Citizen of the Year
There is a Kyabram connection with Shepparton and City of Greater Shepparton’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, John Anderson.
John is the brother of Kyabram businessman Stuart Anderson and the son of former Kyabram historian and businessman, the late Don Anderson.
John beat three other finalists for the honour and was described by Mayor Shane Sali as being an ‘‘honourable, intelligent, determined, genuine and humble’’ person.
John ran a pharmacy in Shepparton for almost 40 years and, although recently moved to Ocean Grove in retirement, is adamant that he will always call Shepparton home.
Mercury soared in extreme heat
If you had a bit of trouble sleeping on Sunday night, the temperature probably had a bit to do with it. The mercury never dipped below 27°C which was the warmest minimum in the state.
It was a dry start to the end of January, but still equal second as the wettest since records were first kept in 1887.
There has also been a parched start to February, with no rain reported up to 9am Monday, although rain was predicted for later in the day.
But the heavens will really need to open if the February record for rainfall is going to be challenged.
In 1955, 209mm was dumped in February, the only time rainfall exceeded more than 200mm for that month.
And only five Februaries — 1887 100mm; 1939 114mm; 1973 122mm; 2005 100mm; 2011 146mm — have had falls of more than 100mm.
Kyabram legend Gus Underwood turns 80
Gus said he would like to thank all those people who sent cards and best wishes on his recent 80th birthday.
He said he would also like to apologise to those who sent text messages that weren’t answered because of a temperamental mobile phone that he frankly admits he has no idea of how to retrieve text messages from and reckons it may be a bit late even to learn.
‘’They will know who they are, so thanks.’’
Rose to the occasion
Tongala jockey Rose Hammond almost had a fairytale start to her first ride at a Melbourne metropolitan meeting.
The Echuca-based hoop rode the Matthew Cumani-trained Montjeuify, a $9.50 chance, into second place in a 1400m race at Sandown on Wednesday of last week.
Rose has ridden 29 winners to date in a relatively brief career in the saddle and has impressed good judges.
Australia Day celebration draws biggest crowd
Tatura has no intention at the moment anyway of not celebrating Australia Day on January 26.
Tatura, along with Murchison, were the only towns in the City of Greater Shepparton to stage their celebrations on January 26 after the council announced it would not fund any town celebrations held on January 26.
All other towns in the shire conducted Australia Day ceremonies on either Thursday night or the weekend.
Tatura drew its biggest crowd ever to its Australia Day celebration, with organising committee president Rod Schubert making it clear that Australia Day should be celebrated on the day it was intended to be celebrated.
Plants seized in police raid
Thirty marijuana plants were seized from an Undera property on January 29.
They were being grown in a sophisticated hydroponics set-up in a farm shed on the property.
An Undera man, 40, faced court in Shepparton the following day.
Skeoch comes to the GV
An exciting guest speaker will be in the Goulburn Valley this week, entertaining audiences with nature soundtracks that have featured in films such as Rabbit Proof Fence and the upcoming Force Of Nature.
The man behind the soundtracks, Andrew Skeoch, will appear in Tatura tomorrow (February 8) at 12.30pm, Cobram at 5pm and the following day at Violet Town at 1.30pm.
Mr Skeoch is an educator, naturalist, author, environmental thinker and one of Australia’s best-known natural sound recordists.
He has been documenting the sounds of wild environments around the globe for the past 30 years.
To read more about Mr Skeoch and his work go to listeningearth.com
Driver charged over fatal collision
A driver involved in a crash on Echuca’s outskirts on January 14 in which his two passengers were killed has faced court in Echuca.
Jake Cartledge, 23, has been charged with two counts of driving in a dangerous manner causing death.
He has been bailed to appear in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court in May on the condition that he does not drive a vehicle.
Elmore Summer Send Off Ball
The Elmore Summer Send Off Ball is on the horizon again and has some big names appearing.
Jos Setterfield, the Ian Archibald Band and Tyla Rodrigues will take the main stage, while local talent Zara Lindeman will be appearing on the car park platform.
Organisers have stressed ball goers don’t have to attend in a ute.
Tickets are ready to go on sale at https://www.facebook.com/elmore.bnsball
Popular top 10 baby names
Do you know anyone called Isla, Amelia or Oliver?
There are a few about and they were actually the most popular baby names in NSW in 2023.
New names have been added to the top 10 list.
Isla and Amelia dead-heated for first on the top 10 list for girls, both with 383 registrations.
New additions to the boys’ list are Hudson and Lucas.
SQUARE DINKUM
G’day
A woman returned home after shopping and found the family computer on the floor, smashed into thousands of pieces. She yelled out to her teenage son, ‘’What happened to the computer?’’
The young lad appeared and said, ‘’That is dad’s doing. The computer wouldn’t do what he wanted it to do, so I told him to reboot it, and that’s exactly what he did.’’
Hooroo!
DID YOU KNOW...
1. The eel is the only fish in the world that spawns in the middle of an ocean, but spends its adult life in rivers.
2. The scales of a crocodile are made of ceratin, the same substance that hooves and fingernails are made of.
3. A crocodile’s tongue is attached to the roof of its mouth and cannot move it.
4. A snail has two pairs of tentacles on its head. One pair is longer than the other and houses the eyes. The shorter pair is used for smelling and feeling its way around. (Some snail species have only one pair of tentacles; thus, they have just one eye).