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Welcome to another newsletter full of information and fun. The competition
in the last issue was very poorly entered into, it must have been too
hard. Marianne Kallender from the Mornington Peninsula was the lucky winner.
The answers were Buchan and Ballarat. This issues question is much easier,
and we are looking for heaps of replies.
Healthy
Rivals
In the heart of the wheat growing region in the Wimmera just east of Horsham
there are two very proud townships with colourful histories. Towards the
end of the 1800's Rupanyap was considered the centre of the Dunmunkle
Shire but nearby Murtoa wanted to have the headquarters. The Shire Hall
was to be moved to Murtoa but the citizens of Rupanyup, armed with picks,
shovels and other tools prevented the shift. However, during the night
the people from Murtoa removed all the timber and the building was erected
in their town. This has caused boisterous animosity between the two towns
for many years and was prone to erupt into fist fights at concerts, dances
and football matches.
Flight
to Birdsville
The annual horse races in the outback township of Birdsville is being
held on September 7, 2002. This year you can join the thousands of people
who flock to the event. We have arranged for a spectacular flight from
Shepparton to Birdsville for the races. The 3-day tour includes bunk house
accommodation and meals as well as the 10-seater plane trip. Spaces are
limited, and for information contact River Country Adventours.
Convicts
The total number of convicts transported to Australia from 1789 to 1840
is around 164,000, of whom 25,000 were women. Almost every criminal offence
was represented but 90% of the convicts were sent for some form of theft.
Many convicts worked on farms an were responsible for the miles of stone
fences in the western district of Victoria. When these fences were built
from the rocks from the volcanic plain, they were considered rabbit proof.
They must have forgotten that rabbits dig.
Barlow
the Eagle
The remarkable story of Barlow the lucky eagle that was saved from certain
death last year has been completed. Nick Barlow and his family saved the
young eagle and recently we received the following message from England........
"We found the eagle caught up in the line and struggling frantically
half in and half out of the water. We went ashore and found the hook was
caught on the birds wing and could see no way of removing because the
bird was in such a state. Anyway, we cut the entanglement of green nylon
line that was holding to the spring and it struggled ashore, it was at
least free from drowning. I will always remember the fear and aggression
in the eagles eyes. It must be one of the wildest predatory creatures
on Earth and it really didn't understand that we were there to help it.
We watched for awhile, made a note of the river markings and paddled as
hard as we could to Barmah."
The whole story will be placed on our website in due course, however a
copy can be forwarded to you simply by your request- barlow@adventours.com.au
Early
Spring
The wattles are blooming in the Iron Bark forest in Central Victoria.
Our very popular winery tours travel through the Whroo Forest to a delightful
winery in the middle of the forest. The 12-acres winery is a must visit
whenever you are in the vicinity. The whole region is included in the
tourism area known as the "Green Heart of Victoria". For more information
and details contact River Country Adventours or the nearest accredited
tourist information centre.
Apparel
River Country Adventours has a good supply of top quality Australian made
Polo Shirts and Caps for sale. At $25.00 and $10.00 receptively is great
value and the proceeds are to offset the rise in Public Liability Insurance.
We will arrange postage to your address for an extra $5.00. For further
inquiries and an order form, please email to - info@adventours.com.au
Competition
Q. What is a Willie-wag-tail?
Email the correct answer to competition@adventours.com.au
the lucky winner will be drawn from the hat on July 20.
Thought
for the day
The tree of life has many branches, although sometimes it can seem completely
rooted.......... Old Jack
and
When
told it takes beer 18 hours to pass through your body, old Jack said "Well
I must have been drunk since 1936!"
Cheers
Rob & Joan Asplin
River Country Adventours
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