WHILE I write this column on Sunday afternoon, it's hard to know whether we are locked down or locked up, as health authorities struggle to contain the COVID outbreak in the Sydney area.
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As a result, we can hope that events that are planned in our area will go ahead with restrictions.
Our nation's rapid financial recovery from the shock of the pandemic has surprised most of us and so has the claim that the net worth of the average adult Australian is currently $475,000.
We note that the All Ords stock market has risen 27 per cent during 2021 and we know that real estate in the Central Tablelands has been a great investment.
A crystal ball would be of real value for all of us as we rely on COVID vaccines and low interest rates to keep our economy rolling.
Someone will have to pay some huge government loans in the future.
Water on agenda
GREENING Bathurst will host a public forum on Wednesday, July 7 on future Bathurst water security.
Discussion will focus on the history of the old Tunnel Groundwater Scheme as well as probing answers to "do we have enough water for the future".
The tunnel scheme was used from 1890 to 1950 and its history and possible future should make for an intriguing discussion.
The forum will start at 7pm sharp with a strict 9pm close.
The venue is the Greens on William, 29 William Street (the former Bowls Clubhouse).
Online booking is available but a call to Hugh Gould on 0427 323 499 may be easier.
(Thanks to Jim Blackwood for this information.)
Get the fence facts
LOCAL Land Services will conduct a free exclusion fence day on Monday, July 12 in conjunction with Bathurst Merino Association.
Buses will visit six properties where these projects have been carried out and the buses will leave the McDonald's car park at 7.30am and return by 4.30pm.
Seats are limited and must be booked by 5.30pm on Monday, July 5 at www.trybooking.com/brcjz.
More information: Peter Evans on 6350 7801 or Phil Cranney on 0458 745 478.
Back to school
THE shearing/wool handlers' school that is planned for late August at a shed near Bathurst will supply 1300 plain bodied weaners to be shorn and the shearers should find them to be ideal to handle.
Expert instructors conduct these schools and they are always great value for keen learners and improvers.
Dates and numbers are not yet finalised, but a yarn with Peter Moore will answer any questions.
Pete is close to the AWI organisers and his phone is 0419 011 398.
Sadly missed
FAREWELL to three of Bathurst's best citizens, Daryl Farr (Rockley), Wally Stocks (Eglinton) and Dick Crossing (Orton Park), who passed away in recent weeks.
Each man was highly regarded for his input into our community.
Not just yet
FOLLOWING a Bureau of Meteorology forecast of four wet days, a big mob of Merino ewes were not shorn last week.
These ewes were about four weeks from lambing, carried six months' wool with average staple length of 70mm and were expected to cut about 4kg of 18.5 mic. fleece wool.
Because of the risk of preg toxaemia when shedded for long periods, the owner decided to crutch the mob, lamb them down and shear in about 10 weeks.
Staples at that time will be about 120mm and trade demand may be quiet.
These ewes are Richmond blood and should rear 110pc Merino lambs.
Six monthly shearing can test management skills, but it has lots of benefits as well.
Back at the top
A WALK away from livestock, crops and produce takes me to the resurgence of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
His personal life is very much his own business, but his leadership of the Nationals may be just what is needed.
Barnaby has made the federal seat of New England one of the safest for the Coalition; from memory, it's about 67pc two-party preferred.
Outgoing party leader Michael McCormack is obviously a good mannered gentleman and was never a burr under the Prime Minister's saddle, but I think Barnaby will be just that.
When McCormack stepped down as Acting PM, he was given a standing ovation from every member of the House of Reps and a genuine handshake from Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese; two genuine gentlemen.
Wool report
WEEK 52 of Australian wool sales saw an offering of 33,000 bales.
By the finish of the week we had seen a lift of 20ac/kg, with 18 micron and finer mostly affected.
These microns lifted by 30-60ac/kg, with the finer types being most affected.
This was the sixth consecutive week of rises that we have seen in the market.
Crossbred wools firmed up and finished slightly dearer for the week.
Exporters are commenting on the difficulties that they continue to have in relation to shipping completed orders.
This, in turn, is placing pressure on their cash flow.
They have completed orders ready to ship and are finding the flow of wool to be shipped is being slowed - and, hence, funds coming back into their working capital.
Week 53 sees an estimated offering of 44,406 bales to end the financial year.
Week one could test the market with an increase of 8000 bales to see an early indication of 56,000 bales.
Richard Butcher, Nutrien Wool
Diary dates
Monday, July 12: Local Land Services exclusion fencing bus tour. Phil Cranney, 0458 745 478.
July 16-18: Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show; 450 trade exhibits and stud displays.
Monday, July 26: Bathurst Merino Association AGM, 7.30pm, Bridge Hotel. Perthville.
Saturday, August 14: Ram Expo. Bathurst Showground.
Late August: AWI sheaarer/handlers' school. Peter Moore, 0419 011 398.
Laugh lines
GEORGE sat through a political rally for 90 minutes and came outside for fresh air.
"What was he talking about?" a friend asked.
George was candid. "He didn't say," he replied.
***
A GERIATRIC is a German cricketer who takes three wickets with consecutive balls.
***
OUR old mate was at the club and said: "I married a lovely little widow last week. She's a good cook, keeps the house and my clothes all in great shape and she's a real window rattler as well."
He was asked why he was so miserable and replied: "I can't remember where I live."
