An agricultural burn took out an old homestead near Tungamah last week.
April 3
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‘Your fire, your responsibility’
A fire boss is urging people to remain vigilant about agricultural and other small burns after the statutory bushfire danger period ended on Sunday.
The end of the danger period means farmers and other landholders will no longer require a permit to burn on their property, but RFS Federation Zone captain Greyd’n Davis said people still needed to notify all their neighbours 24 hours before a burn.
Mr Davis recommended people also fill out the ‘RFS burn notification form’ which can be found online, or notify their local RFS brigade captain.
He said at least one, preferably two, pieces of firefighting equipment were recommended to be on hand while a mineral earth break, even a shovel-made one for small burns, were beneficial.
“Conditions are still dry. There’s still a fair bit of volatility and ‘sting’ in the fuel that’s going to be burnt and will be like that until we get a decent autumn break,” he said.
“I strongly encourage landholders and people intending to burn or light fires in the open to be incredibly careful. Still have that minimum supply of water with you, something firefighter capable like a tank with an engine function or firefighting pump.
“And burning of any solid fuels – such as timber and large piles that will burn for days on end – probably isn’t advised this early yet due to the dryness because weather conditions can change quickly.”
Inaugural ‘Boys to Bush’ excursions
Henry Wilson, Mulwala, 11, Jordan McInstosh, Yarrawonga, 11, and Abel Stilo, Yarrawonga, 11, fetching rocks to reinforce the ski park banks.
Pupils from Yarrawonga’s Sacred Heart Primary with Boys to the Bush program mentor Frazer Dale (left) and program manager Matt Dillon.
The renowned Boys to the Bush program has kicked off in Yarrawonga/Mulwala with first-up success.
A group each from Sacred Heart Primary School and Mulwala Public School ventured out to the Max Kirwin Park late last month to help staff reinforce the lake’s edge with heavy rocks.
The Mulwala work followed term one visits to a Collendina farm to help with fencing, a Bundalong winery to help with harvest, the Barnawartha Saleyards and the Winton Wetlands to experience carp eradication as well as learn of the area’s Yorta Yorta indigenous heritage.
The program for the two schools was financially backed by the Mulwala Water Ski Club, and the boys enjoyed a lunch hosted by the club at the conclusion of the ski park work.
The Boys to the Bush program aims to surround boys with positive male influences and allow them the opportunity to connect with each other, their school and the wider community.
“The aim is to open their eyes up about what’s available out there in the community, because they don’t always get to see, sometimes, what is out there,” program manager Matt Dillon said.
“Our job is to lead by example, and to encourage them in a supportive way.
“The aim is to help them learn about being better young boys and better young men – but also to let them have fun, let them be boys.”
Ski park manager Matt O’Dwyer said the groups were a “really great” help.
“The banks need some maintenance from time to time, just with the erosion from the boats, and the boys did a good job which should set the park up for five to six years,” Mr O’Dwyer said.
Both schools are planning to continue the program after the inaugural run.
Lions to host April BBQs
Yarrawonga Lions Club will be raising funds for the Childhood Cancer Research Foundation via four weekly BBQs this month at the KHub carpark on Saturdays from 8:30am to 12:30pm.
Drop in and help us by either purchasing a sausage in bread or a bacon and egg roll, or by donating your spare change.
All funds raised will be donated to the foundation.
Lions Australia has been supporting childhood cancer research at least as far back as 1976, and since that time childhood cancer survival rates have improved to about 80 per cent.
Among childhood illnesses, cancer remains the most common cause of death in Australia - so please come and support us to help us help reduce these numbers.
Tool bench and ‘mud kitchen’ for kids
Around the new benches are Ray Humphrey, Ian Evans and Joe Sciberras with, front row, centre director Courtney Harris, Van Smith, Remi Binney, Douglas Homewood, Violet Metzner, Andie Zerbato and early childhood teacher Amanda Thomas.
Volunteers from Yarrawonga/Mulwala Men’s Shed have made a beautiful addition to Trikki Kidz Yarrawonga in the form of a new tool bench and ‘mud kitchen’ complete with tap and sink.
The hand-crafted wooden bench and kitchen will be enjoyed by the early learning centre’s three and four-year-old kindergarten children.
The benches were delivered to the centre last week, much to the delight of the youngsters.
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