If you are into history, particularly trains, here is your big chance to relive a slice of it.
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You can turn back the clock 150 years to savour the experience.
On July 4 and 5 you can take a ride to commemorate 150 years of train travel between Echuca and Deniliquin.
In the 1860s the Victorian Railways completed its broad gauge line between Melbourne and Echuca but endeavours to extend the line to Deniliquin couldn’t get the green light from the NSW Government.
But an act was finally passed in March 1874, with a private syndicate constructing a 1600mm gauge and 71km-long line between the two towns.
The new line was opened on June 26, 1878 and operated as a NSW railway for nearly half a century before the 1922 Border Railway Act transferred ownership to Victoria.
To celebrate the sesquicentennial milestone a locomotive will retrace the historic route on July 4 and 5, with a heritage train departing Seymour on the Saturday, via Melbourne and Bendigo to Echuca, with the historic last leg to Deni on the Sunday.
For return and one-way ticket options, go to srhc.org.au/tours
Rob laid up
Kyabram tour operator — or to be more precise, former tour operator — Rob Asplin has had a milestone thwarted by knee replacement surgery.
He needed only three more trips to bring up 200 trips to Lake Eyre but underwent knee replacement surgery last week.
He has just sold his business, River Country Adventours, so won’t get the chance to make those trips to the iconic lake to bring up the milestone.
He has been running the trips since 1997.
His last trip there was to be this week but he is now recovering from a knee replacement last Thursday.
Ashley Bell, who purchased the canoe arm of the business from Rob last year, has now taken over the entire business, which Rob started in 1993.
Dogs poisoned
A dog baiter has been active in the Echuca showgrounds area, with one family losing three dogs early last week.
It is believed poisonous baits were laid in walking area near the trotting track.
Many other dogs have had to receive veterinary treatment and investigations are being carried out.
Fishermen face charges
Illegal fishing in Werai Lands near Deniliquin has resulted in a raft of charges.
The Werai Lands stretch from Moraga/Calimo to Neimer, with access points on the north through the property Monargo and on the east via Finns Rd.
The area covers 11400 hectares and was handed back to the traditional owners in 2023 when the gates were locked and ownership signs erected to notify the ownership of the land and ward off trespassers.
But several fisherman have been apprehended on the land with illegal fishing gear and undersized fish, and some without fishing licences. Those fishermen will have their day in court.
Truck show on ice
The Deniliquin Truck Show and Industry Expo committee has gone down a gear for this year.
While the Wall Of Fame inductee dinner and memorial service will again be held on a Friday in September, the Saturday truck show and expo won’t be held.
But the format will be reviewed, with plans for its return next year pending volunteers’ availability to run the event.
Victory is sweet for Kirkvale Mango
Sheep dog trials at Finley over the recent King’s Birthday long weekend enjoyed success.
A total of 105 dogs competed in the three-day event, and Kirkvale Mango, a dog owned by Bredbo’s Will Goggin, won the open section to claim successive titles.
Fans are kicking goals
They love their soccer in Shepparton.
A live screening of Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opening game against Türkiye drew a crowd of 500, including City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
Everything — including the kitchen sink
Police got a surprise during a raid on a Shepparton house.
Lots of items were there, including a kitchen sink, with many believed to have been stolen from the Goulburn Valley area. The items were stacked around rooms in the house.
A 44-year-old Shepparton man was released on bail and is to front court at a later date.
Advertising the goods on Facebook Marketplace led to a tip-off and a find of 133 allegedly stolen items.
History of health
A book on the 150-year history of GV Health has been launched.
It details the humble start of the service from a small riverside hut in Mooroopna to its current bustling hub in Shepparton.
Hard copies of the publication, written by author Jay Bryce, can be purchased from the Mooroopna Historical Society and Shepparton Heritage Centre Museum and at the GV Health cashier’s office in Graham St, Shepparton.
Full steam ahead
APT Travel Group, which runs tours all over the world, has announced it has taken a major stake in Echuca-Moama based Murray River Paddlesteamers.
Since 1996 the company has been operating heritage tours along the Murray in its iconic paddlesteamers, the PS Canberra and PS Emmylou.
APT Travel group chief executive David Cox said the acquisition represented a commitment to preserving the distinctive charm and heritage that made river tourism really special.
Tradies arrested
A spate of jewellery thefts across Moira Shire has resulted in the arrest of two tradies.
Police believe they struck when painting houses across the shire between January and June.
Two men and a woman have been arrested and several pieces of jewellery seized.
Square dinkum
G’day.
It is absolutely true that exercise helps with decision-making.
For example, I went for a run this morning and decided there and then ... I would never do that again.
Hooroo!