Around, about and goings on

You might have seen the ‘Ladies in Green’ walking around town on St Paddy’s Day last Tuesday. The ladies had been doing their chair exercises and St Pat’s Party Day at the Yarrawonga Bowls Club. If your life could use a little more exercise and you’d like to join them, classes are held every week at Yarrawonga Bowls Club on Tuesdays and Fridays 9:15–10am. Cost is $10 per session, no bookings, just turn up.

It is usual to see an agricultural aircraft flying from Yarrawonga Aerodrome, but they are usually the modern yellow and blue Air Tractors with turboprop engines and a massive load capacity of around 3 tonnes. But a more spectacular stonking great machine visited Yarrawonga recently, on its way from Leongatha to Cairns: a legendary Grumman Ag-Cat. This large American biplane was one of the first purpose-designed cropdusters, produced from 1957 to 1995. The visitor to Yarrawonga, flown by Cairns-based pilot Tish, is a 1977 Super Ag-Cat. As well as being imposing on the ground, the Ag-Cat has a deep distinctive rumbling sound made by its World War 2 era nine-cylinder 600 horsepower radial engine. The beast drew an instant crowd of aerodrome workers. As well as refuelling both herself and the Cat, Tish stopped by to get the plane measured up for canopy and engine covers by local business Punkin Head Air Sports, who are Australia’s leading manufacturer of aircraft covers.

About 25kms southwest of Yarrawonga, the once thriving small town of Youanmite is trying to save its country hall. Winner of six Golden Guitars, Pete Denahy is playing in the old hall this Friday night, March 27. Denahy’s collection of award winning and award losing songs, fiddle tunes and stories to make you laugh and cry will make for a night not to be missed, and a chance to help the farming community save its hall.Tickets are available at the door for $35 at 6.30 for a 7.30 start. Secondary students are just $10. For more information call Geoff on 0428 485 594 or Ray on 0417 113 861. Pictured is Pete Denahy (right) with his mate, William Alexander at Tamworth Country Music Festival this year, and the Golden Guitar for their song, Wild Roan Brumby.

Coles Yarrawonga is taking shape, but while the supermarket looks just about ready to open the doors, our spies on the ground say there’s still a way to go. Coles remains tight-lipped, but the local word is still strong for a June opening. Liquorland and a bakery are confirmed tenants with two more shops yet to be identified. The good news is that the car parking will be covered, so if you get there at the right time of day there’ll be shade to park under.