NOBODY COMPARED TO HER
Tributes are flowing following the death of Irish singer Sinead O’Connor at the age of 56.
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Her family announced the news.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing our beloved Sinead,” they said in a statement.
“Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
O’Connor’s passing comes just 18 months after the death of her teenage son Shane.
She gained worldwide fame with the single Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990.
Written by Prince, the song reached number one around the world, including in Australia, the United Kingdom and United States.
Irish president Michael Higgins praised O’Connor’s “authenticity” as well as her “beautiful, unique voice”.
“What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her,” he said.
The taoiseach (prime minister), Leo Varadkar, expressed his sorrow.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music,” he said.
So too, some music royalty.
“RIP Sinéad O’Connor, I loved working with you making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats, all my love to your family,” Bryan Adams.
“As beautiful as any girl around and never traded on that card. I loved that about her. Iconoclast,” Alison Moyet.
A documentary film about O’Connor, titled Nothing Compares, is set to be released this weekend.
Outspoken in her social and political views, O’Connor was a mother of four children.
MILESTONE OCCASION
July 21 saw the 157th birthday of the PS Adelaide.
The iconic paddlesteamer, built in Echuca in 1866, has stood the test of time.
The PS Adelaide has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike across generations.
It is also a key part of the annual Sweat versus Steam race, where competitors race the historic paddlesteamer.
TIGHT HAMSTRING FOILS BUCKLEY’S COMEBACK
There was much anticipation as former Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley made his return to football as part of the Carlton Draft last Sunday.
Buckley was ‘drafted’ to play for Nilma Darnum in the Ellinbank District Football League.
The Bombers have been struggling of late, but the inclusion of ‘Bucks’ for the one-off appearance sparked great excitement around the club based near Warragul in Gippsland.
Buckley, who turned 51 earlier in the week, hadn’t played a game of footy since his retirement in 2007.
But hoping to deliver Nilma Darnum’s first win in almost two years, the 2002 Norm Smith medallist could only help from the sidelines after pulling his hamstring early in the first quarter, much to the disappointment of the thousands who had converged to watch him play.
“I gave them my best nine minutes and 32 seconds,” Buckley told Fox Footy after the game.
“I jagged the groin on Thursday and then again in the warm-up, but then within about five or six minutes (into the game), I thought, ‘That’ll be all right’, I was starting to feel it.
“But then the way it finished was the way it was always going to finish, I just would have liked (to play) another quarter or two.”
Buckley turned assistant coach for the rest of the game from the sidelines, but sadly for Nilma Darnum, it suffered a two-point loss to Catani.
CHANGES IN NAPLAN RESULTS
Victorian students, in line with their peers nationwide, have begun receiving their NAPLAN results, marking a significant change in the grading system aimed at providing valuable insights for teachers, school support staff and families to aid students in achieving their best.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has introduced a new four-band format for NAPLAN results.
The new system presents four levels: Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs Additional Support.
Unlike the previous numerical banding, the new bands offer a clearer picture of overall student performance and achievement, making it easier for parents and schools to comprehend their progress and cater to individual learning needs.
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN RETURNS
In some great news, the Wycheproof-Narraport Football Netball Club has announced it is bringing back the legendary King of the Mountain race this year.
The event has returned to continue its run at Mount Wycheproof — the world’s smallest mountain.
Wycheproof, home to one of the state’s great bakeries, is located 156km west of Echuca.
There’ll be 10 events on the day, with the main two being the King and Queen of the Mountain races.
Competitors will tackle the 1km track from Wycheproof Centenary Park to the Summit of Mount Wycheproof, carrying a wheat bag on their shoulders.
Men will have to carry 60kg of wheat and women will carry 20kg.
The event will be run on the morning of the AFL grand final, Saturday, September 30.
FAST FIVE QUIZ
1. Name the Matildas star who has sat out the first two games of the FIFA Women’s World Cup due to injury?
2. In which Australian state is the town of Port Noarlunga?
3. How many bones are in the adult human body?
4. Before the euro, the drachma was the currency of which European nation?
5. Who was Victoria’s premier before Daniel Andrews?
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Why can’t a leopard hide?
Because he’s always spotted.
FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS
Sir Peter Cosgrove, Australian general and former governor-general, 76; Marcus North, former cricketer, 44; Damian Drum, former footballer and politician, 63; Paul Kelly, Brownlow medallist, 54; Glenn A. Baker, music journalist, 71; Jim Maxwell, ABC cricket commentator, 73; Harry Kane, soccer star, 30; Lori Loughlin, actress, 59.
TIP OF THE WEEKEND
Building a bit of momentum, with St Lawrence getting the job done, albeit at shortish odds ($1.80) at Caulfield last Saturday. This week, we head across the border to Adelaide and a horse I’ve got a lot of time for in Saville (Race 2, No.8). He is a horse I’ve followed from the get go as he shares his name with the late Dan Saville, who was the racecaller at Ferguson Park in Gladstone, where I started my career in journalism. Dapper Dan was a tremendous support to me during my days in the Harbour City, where he called races for 32 years until his retirement in 2010. Dan died in 2016, but whenever I see Saville, I immediately think of him.
FINALLY
Like many in the twin towns, I’m looking forward to an exciting weekend with the 2023 Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival. It is a terrific event and hopefully I’ll see you out and about, today, tomorrow and Sunday.
FAST FIVE QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Sam Kerr, 2. South Australia, 3. 206, 4. Greece, 5. Dr Denis Napthine.
Gregor Mactaggart is the editor of the Riverine Herald.