CCTV footage captured the moment when an animal burst through the back door of the Rambling Rose Fashion and Homewares store.
The owner and some customers heard a deafening crash and soon realised the culprit was a wild deer.
The deer took off and smashed through the front window on to the footpath and just kept running.
Despite the deer’s dramatic entry and departure, the four-legged visitor did no substantial harm other than shatter some glass and make a bit of a mess.
There were no signs that intruder had been harmed in any way.
It certainly created a ‘first’ for Benalla, maybe Australia, for that matter.
And the shop owners are thankful for the CCTV footage because it would be hard for anyone to explain what had happened to insurers if it had been any worse.
Life’s for the birds
Over near Benalla a bird, or more precisely a sculpture of a bird, has been a hot topic among locals.
Melbourne-based artist Jessie Yvette Journoud-Ryan has produced a stunning sculpture of a regent honeyeater, a dying species rising from the ashes, which now graces Robert Bird and Jane Howe’s front garden.
Mr Howe was inspired to get the sculpture after learning Sydney’s Taronga Zoo’s breeding program explained how the captive male bird was having trouble attracting females because its song was no longer recognisable.
There are believed to be only 250 to 300 regent honeyeaters in Australia from a population of more than 1000 in the 1990s.
Corella crisis
While on birds, the Tocumwal district is being plagued by them.
Thousands of corellas have been invading the district and causing a lot of harm and heartache.
Berrigan Shire Council has admitted it has not conducted a formal population count or ongoing monitoring program and could not reliably determine whether corella numbers were improving, remaining stable or worsening.
But council said it was investigating the impacts of large corella flocks and possible management options.
Up the Murray with a paddle
That marathon paddling event, The Massive Murray Paddle, is nearing again.
The paddle starts in Yarrawonga on November 16 with participants then facing a 415km paddle over five days.
For those who have the right stuff, they will finish on Friday, November 20, at the Koondrook Wharf.
Milestone moment
In a milestone for the local community Seymour Health is launching a new paediatric outpatient clinic.
Bookings have already been made, with the clinic to operate monthly.
The facility has emerged due to a partnership between the Seymour Hospital and Northern Health through the North Metro and Mitchell Local Health Service Network.
Bowtell beauty
A stunning tribute to the Cobram CFA to celebrate its members and history is now on view outside the station.
Renowned Benalla artist Tim Bowtell has completed a mural, which was officially unveiled recently to recognise the brigade’s contribution to the community.
Rescission bid plucked
A rescission notice that attempted to overturn approval of development modifications for the former Deniliquin KFC site has been defeated.
Councillors voted 6-3 against the motion, based on sufficient assessment having been been undertaken regarding potential impacts of diesel-fuelled heavy vehicles operating adjacent to approved childcare, senior living and aged care developments.
Vehicle fired at
A man allegedly fired a golf ball out of a modified tool at a passing vehicle at Numurkah last week.
He was later found with an alleged pipe bomb on his property along with marijuana plants.
A 66-year-old man successfully applied for bail and will appear in court in January to face a raft of charges.
Square dinkum
G’day.
A bloke went into the doctor’s surgery and said to the GP: ‘‘I applied the haemorrhoid cream you gave me this morning, and I got a very nasty reaction.’’
The doctor asked: “Where exactly did you apply it?’’
The bloke replied: “On the bus.’’
Hooroo!
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