General News
19 December, 2025
Final say on 2025
BARRY'S CORNER: It is time to take stock at the end few weeks of another interesting year, 2025.
I have raised a good few issues some of which have been supported by a lot of readers and some not so much.
Pest animals and weeds feature highly on my vision, yet it appears funding is one important discussion focus that is slipping out of our hands.
Enthusiasm and keenness to do something about pests is decidedly absent.
We all have a role in keeping a watch for those outbreaks of rabbits, weeds and any new species that make up the list of unwanted and introduced pests.
There are feral deer rampaging valuable bushland and cats harvesting wildlife from towns, farms and national parks.
Governments have a responsibility to be involved which includes Shire Councils and neighbors of roadsides and bush reserves.
Finally, there is some action on the status of all the wild deer running around the state and they are no longer to be Protected Wildlife and now we have to work on declaring them pests.
Instead of applying for permission to remove them from farms and bush there should be an eradication plan established to be a more efficient process.
I note there is more interest in getting rid of cats and that is a good thing.
We are not dealing with a single species of cat but rather multiple breeds, including cats running wild and they are a drastic concern.
The blame for the reduction in wildlife numbers and localised extinctions can be put onto the cat.
It is encouraging to hear presenters in the media not only talking about the impact of foxes but include cats in that same discussion.
A number of books have been published on the regions.
Waters of the Wimmera put together by Bob Mcillvena is going to provide students to track down dates and time frames for many of the decisions made in the past about water use.
There has been some hard times and expensive ones as well.
The water story will carry on well into the future.
Ron Dodds now of Horsham tells us about the old days, he is not so old, with Below the Netting Fence a story of trials and hardship in the 1870s.
It is a good thing to record your memories and local activities.
I hope to see you bright and safely in 2026.