Home » Moulamein Notes » Thanks for the flows

Thanks for the flows

I PUT a thank you note in the paper for whoever put the flush of water down the Edward just in time for Easter. Not knowing if it was environmental or just water demand from our local irrigators downstream.

I got a phone call today from one of the mob in charge of environmental flows down our rivers as he had seen my write-up in one of our local papers and he told me it was an environmental flush.

Evidently, the flush we had down the Mighty Billabong last month was also topped up with environmental water. They have been sending fresh water down the Wakool to stop a fish kill from the crappy water coming out of that Perricuta thing.

There may be another flush come down our Edward in May to get the crays to breed. My new mate is going to keep me informed as to what they are up to. This will be good as we do not know where some of this environmental water is getting used or if it is getting used at all.

It did not help my new mate at Easter. He was in Moulamein visiting family and couldn’t catch a fish. But thanks again NSW Water for the flush. Plenty of fish were landed over our Easter break. I think it will be good for everyone to know the good that this water taken out of productive use can do in our local district and beyond.


Fancy cemetery roosters

We do not know where they came from or who dropped them off there. But there are four very fancy roosters running around our cemetery at the moment. The foxes may get them. But they have been there for over a week so they are going well.

I took the grandkids up there today to try and catch them. The grandkids call them zombie roosters because they live in a cemetery. But they are quicker than me or my grandkids. The kids were a bit hesitant to begin with as we did not know how dangerous zombie roosters were. They were not dangerous. But they are quick.

If anyone needs a rooster for their chooks, they would make lovely chickens. If anyone would like a feed before the foxes get them , go for it. Grab them and fatten them up. We will design a trap tomorrow at smoko. If you see some sort of elaborate trap up in our cemetery, do not worry. It is not the Ghostbusters. It is only me and my grandkids using their imagination.


Rain brings the frogs out

We didn’t get much rain this week. Less than half an inch in the old language from most reports I have heard. But our rare and endangered southern bell frog seemed to just be glad to come out and sit on the road just to stay endangered.

With so many in our district and with the floods coming through a couple of years ago, our frogs must have got spread downstream all the way to our crow-eating mates in South Australia.

Maybe they will not be so endangered anymore. I do not know how they got on downstream, but there are still plenty of them around here and they are big. Any frog over eight centimetres almost has to be a southern bell frog.

Their call sounds something like a motorbike revving. That is why their nick name is the “motorbike frog”.


Footy-netball kicks off

Our local footy-netball season is just around the corner. I think we go to

Ultima for our first game, then at home to Hay for our second game. Tough start to the season but our Mighty Swans should be up to it. Hope to see you there.


River levels

Our Edward is steady at around 1.9 metres and over 1800 megs a day. Enjoy this while you can as our Edward is dropping below Steven’s Weir and is down to just over 1000 megs a day and any environmental water available is being used down other local rivers. The mighty Billabong will not help much as we are using most of what is being put down it for irrigation.

Digital Editions


  • Rams charge towards top spot

    Rams charge towards top spot

    THE final round of the Northern Valley Premier League is upon us, and it’s a two-battle for first place on the ladder, contested between Murray…

More News

  • Back to school blessing

    Back to school blessing

    ANGLICAN NEWS It was great to have students and adults bringing symbols of their planned 2026 learning to be blessed on Sunday. Along with the blessing, Rev Julie gave appropriate…

  • SHDCA Round 12 Cricket Previews

    SHDCA Round 12 Cricket Previews

    Nyah District v RSL While last Saturday’s abandoned round has all but sealed reigning premier Nyah District’s fate, the Demons will still have plenty to play for when they host…

  • Training policy axed in council clash

    Training policy axed in council clash

    A COUNCILLOR training policy has been thrown in the bin, with one councillor labelling it an “overreach and a policy that we don’t need”. The policy was designed to formalise…

  • Homecoming to Mallee roots

    Homecoming to Mallee roots

    AFTER a lifetime of exhibiting and working in countries across the globe, woodturner and sophisticate Terry Martin has returned home. The internationally acclaimed artist grew up in the early 60s…

  • Design nominated for global award

    Design nominated for global award

    A SCHOOL shaped by care is now in the global spotlight. The redeveloped Swan Hill Specialist School, designed by WHDA, has been nominated for the 2026 ArchDaily Building of the…

  • Bursary backs students

    Bursary backs students

    TERTIARY students completing placements or intensive units in 2026 can now apply for up to $1000 in support through Country Universities Centre Mallee. CUC Mallee has received a $15,000 contribution…

  • Roundabout rut

    Roundabout rut

    SWAN Hill Rural City Council Mayor Stuart King is driving change when it comes to the condition of roads, hoping for a smoother start to 2026. Cr King has written…

  • Second Mallee branch for One Nation

    Second Mallee branch for One Nation

    AS One Nation surges in popularity across the country, the right-wing populist party’s Mallee supporters voted to establish a second branch in the region at the weekend. The expansion comes…

  • Police condemn ram raid

    Police condemn ram raid

    POLICE say they are disappointed criminals targeted a “nice part of the world” after an alleged ram raid on a Swan Hill tobacco shop left staff shaken and offenders still…

  • Community worker with no fuss

    Community worker with no fuss

    CHRIS Pearce laughs when he talks about the Australia Day citizen award, a slightly embarrassed chuckle that gives him away straight away. “Everyone gets in, has a bit of a…