Don has been senior inspector for many years and he has seen huge changes in the ownership and subdivision of many rural properties in the Central Tablelands.

It's alway easy to blame UMCC and its inspectors for the spread of noxious weeds, but most critics have never been involved in handling courts, public money, magistrates and farmers who won't comply.

Thanks for your years of work, Don, and I hope you enjoy your retirement.

Still on the subject of weeds, I read an article in a country newspaper that described the adventures of a middle-aged couple as they "learnt to live with animals and nature" on a 500 hectare farm.

The picture that accompanied the story showed the couple with two half woolled sheep that had big patches of Bathurst burrs along sides and flanks.

When burrs have really been let go, I think of a major property where I classed the sheep for some years.

The jackaroos told me that in a good summer the full woolled hoggets stuck together like Velcro when they were penned tightly in the woolshed.Farewell to a good friend of many Bathurst and district residents; Arthur Goddard, who passed away recently, was formerly of Perthville, and will be remembered by a wide circle of friends.

Farewell to a good friend of many Bathurst and district residents; Arthur Goddard, who passed away recently, was formerly of Perthville, and will be remembered by a wide circle of friends.

Sincere sympathy is offered to Colleen and the family.

Several dot points that give a snapshot for mid July 2012:

* The Southern Oscillation Index has hovered around minus 10 for three weeks.

* All markets are on the up following downturns. Wheat, lamb, mutton, beef and wool are pointing upwards at present.

* The dreaded carbon tax will gradually have its impact on many prices. It may give us a new prime minister and not a change of government.

* Central West Catchment Management Authority is advertising for landholders to apply for assistance.

* A decision on the future of the Livestock Health and Pest Authority is "still to be made".

* General rain has come to the district.

* On one of Bathurst's coldest winter days, I'm told by a usually reliable source that the minimum temperature was higher than the maximum.

The New Holland dealership in Bathurst that trades as ON TRAC AG is going ahead with brand new premises in Corporation Avenue (next to their present business).

A few minor problems with our diesel tractor have needed callouts for service manager Greg Kline and I think he deserves a "thank you" from this column. Greg is on mobile 0409 104 011 or email gkline@ontracag.com.au.

The recent NSW Farmers dinner at Bathurst RSL club was well attended, as members and guests gathered to hear an address by association president Fiona Simson.

Mrs Simson is making every effort to meet members and friends at branch meetings and social functions and her attendance was greatly appreciated.

NSW Farmers holds an important position in our state and its executives are always welcome at ministers' offices in Macquarie Street.

Recent newspaper articles that discuss church asset sales in the Central West drew attention to the impacts of the drought decades on many facets of our way of life.

Private boarding schools of all denominations have suffered, along with many country families, as budgets had to be trimmed to meet the serious lack of income.

Of course, businesses in country towns and cities were greatly affected by the drought years and donations to church activities must have been downsized.

Country families who have left the land are quoted as saying "at least we won't be trying to farm in the next drought".