Town Talk | Unwrap the magic at Sabac Giftware

It was one of my ‘vague days’; I was attempting to buy five birthday presents and the boys involved were difficult to buy for. For my granddaughter, I would pop into Sabac Giftware. I parked in High St and, still thinking about the young men, walked through the door — and bumped into a Christmas tree; a beautiful, beautiful Christmas tree. My first thought? “What? Christmas! I haven’t got through the birthdays yet!”

But, staring at the tree, my mood shifted; it represented all the joy, beauty and love of a special time of year. And I wanted to show you — so I had a chat with Tracy Heyward. Tracy was on the staff of Sabac for 10 years — loved it — and bought the business four years ago.

The day she purchased it, the first lockdown was announced. So, the first couple of years were difficult, as they were for all non-essential stores. But she hung on through the hard years and Sabac is now a very different store.

Tracy suggested I come back in a couple of weeks when Sabac becomes a Christmas shop. I did!

The phone rang and Tracy answered, saying “Yes! We are ready!” The call was from Bendigo. Another call was from Melbourne. This is wonderful; I’m excited by shoppers coming from a distance. This is what locally owned stores can do. They can make their own decisions, do their own thing — and do it so well that shoppers are drawn to Shepparton. I think Tracy was a bit surprised by my excitement. She has many customers travelling distances, from Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne.

Bendigo customers are more frequent. She explained that the Sydney customer didn’t come merely to shop, she would also visit family. I responded “Doesn’t matter! She chooses Sabac over all that is on offer in Sydney. Well done, Trace!”

A customer doesn’t travel a long distance and visit one store. They have a coffee on arrival, look around other stores and have lunch. A few will stay overnight. Tracy isn’t merely doing herself proud, she is bringing outside money into our city.

I asked if she could take a couple of photos — and she sent 40! I’ll leave space for some this week — and, as Christmas gets closer (which it habitually does very quickly), I’ll run some more. They are all beautiful. October and November will be busy months for Tracy and, in December, she says the men come in: “They always leave it late.”

I’m aware that I frequently mention locally owned shops, but I’m once more asking — no, begging — for you to shop in locally owned stores, wherever possible. Sabac Giftware, our very own Christmas shop, is at 167 High St — that is, on the north side of High St, between Corio and North Sts. Enjoy!

SENIORS MONTH

The people of Merrigum have been known to punch above their weight, so to speak. And they are doing it again.

For Seniors Month, The Merrigum Museum is offering an interesting glass exhibition. Amber-coloured glass — both Depression and vintage — will be on display. Amber glass is generally yellow/brown, but the term covers many variations in colour and density. It is produced by adding iron, sulphur and carbon to a basic glass mix.

By the way, Depression glass, as you have probably guessed, was produced during the Depression era — inexpensive machine-made glassware manufactured from 1929 to 1939. Mass-produced, this glassware can be clear, or translucent in shades of pink, amber, yellow, green or blue. The term, however, is often now used as a catchall that includes the hand-pressed, more elegant patterns of the period.

This fascinating exhibition includes pieces from the early 20th century up to the 1970s, with a concentration on Depression glass and items from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. The pieces come from a wide range of manufacturers in the United States, Europe and the U.K. and also from Australia’s Crown Crystal Glass.

This exhibition is well worth your time — and is open whenever you want it to be. Just pick up the phone. The people of Merrigum are also obliging and welcoming.

Where: Merrigum Museum, 111-113 Waverley Ave, Merrigum.

When: Sunday, October 13, 10am to 2pm.

Sunday, October 20, 9am to 2pm (concurrent with ‘Wheels at the Gum’).

Sunday, November 10, 10am to 2pm.

Entry: Adults $5, Children $2

Also by appointment from Monday, October 14 to Thursday, October 31. Call 0427 585 599 or 0428 552 370. Groups and individuals are welcome: just phone them.

SONGS AND SNACKS

My apologies to everyone who reads Town Talk after the Tuesday publication date – because this musical activity is on Tuesday, October, 8.

At the Tallygaroopna Hall, at 2pm, there will be a sing-along plus entertainment and snacks. The snacks with a cuppa will be provided by the CWA.

I’m truly sorry, I didn’t know about it until after last week’s deadline.

WE DESERVE TO KNOW

I don’t know about you, but I think this country should have a serious (and honest) inquiry into the COVID-19 years. Our prime minister has said “It would just be a finger-pointing exercise” but I believe we deserve to know what was effective and what wasn’t — because as sure as God made little apples, something like it will happen again.

Currently, there is a substantial inquiry happening in the U.K. and yes, doubtless some fingers will be pointed, but that isn’t the purpose. We need to know how effective lockdowns were. And if the resulting financial and mental health effects were worth it. Someone needs to compare a state’s lockdown periods and cases with another state’s case numbers when not in lockdown. I’ve tried but not all the relevant information is available. Also, how effective was the vaccine? Did it prevent more deaths than it caused? We were told, initially, that it would prevent us from catching the virus, and then we were told we would likely still get COVID but wouldn’t die from it. One week, during the worst of it, I saw a television reporter announce the number of deaths and say “And one-third of these people had not been immunised.” So, mate, I guess that means that two-thirds of the people had been immunised?’

For months, I read the regular Therapeutic Goods Authorities report, published online, listing deaths from the vaccine — until a child had passed away, and I simply couldn’t deal with it. For the thousands of people who suffered, and are suffering, from the vaccine, we need to know. Surely, it is time for some honesty.

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, I was in the waiting room of my husband’s eye specialist. Two gentlemen sitting near us were discussing their health, following the vaccine. They had both developed asthma — or a form of asthma. Another man nearby said “Me too” and I added “Make that four”. Four people, sitting in this waiting room, all over 70 years of age with what seemed to be after-effects of vaccination. I have discussed my situation with three doctors, none of whom denied that the cause was the vaccine. The response, in each case, was a silent nod. Two of the men said that their doctors had clearly blamed the vaccine.

A supposedly honest investigation into the COVID years was aired by Channel 7. And then edited, so severely, that people in attendance labelled it a waste of their time. Many of them were on social media, very angry. The TGA reported on some negative effects of the vaccine – but didn’t mention the deaths that I had seen listed regularly. Why not? Why won’t anybody tell the truth? In that ‘inquiry’, they talked about one death caused by the vaccine. One.

I think our government is failing us all. We need to know — and our grandchildren or great-grandchildren will need to know — in the decades ahead.

Footnote: We’ve still got this thing. In Victoria, 718 cases of COVID were listed for the week ending September 17. For the month to September 3 there were 75 COVID-associated deaths. Currently, there are three variants circulating.

That’s enough of the serious stuff — and enough of my anger, at the silence, the lies and the cover-up.

Take care of yourselves and may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie,

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187