OPAL and Fun 4 YOUth
I Love Australia Day
In Mannum and Morgan Pageants he Mid Murray Council’s OPAL, Fun 4 YOUth and Mannum Leisure Centre teams joined forces in December to take part in the Mannum Christmas Pageant, but this year with a special feature. Many of the young kids lining the streets at both the Mannum and Morgan pageants were impressed with two of our healthy heroes. Captain Capsicum played up to the crowd at the pageant and
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showed his strength by doing push-ups, sit ups and flexing his muscles throughout the pageant. The ‘Go for 2and5' Vegeman also featured on the pageant float where he was riding the exercise bike and waving to the crowd (with one local mother commenting that her kids were more excited to see Vegeman than Santa Claus!). Courtney Blacker
e do the right thing with our national celebration. We have fun. Here we had breakfast in the sunshine; in Queensland they had silly races in the rain. We do the ceremonial thing with all due respect, give out the honours, welcome the ‘newies’. Then we get on with the party, rain or shine. It says we’re mighty glad to be here. I grew up with Dominion Day, and being a typical Canadian, I didn’t get very excited. We ‘commemorated’ and let off a few fireworks. We were proud; we just liked to keep it to ourselves. In 1982 they changed the name to Canada Day and it only took 12 members in Parliament that day to do it. It wasn’t a quorum but they decided that if no one protested, it was passed. Then there was the one July 4th that I happened to spend in
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the great USA. Mostly they just call it the Fourth of July. Everyone knows what it means. I did my best to show due respect. I stood up for the National Anthem and looked solemn. I didn’t put my hand over my heart though; it wasn’t my country, after all. I wasn’t pledging allegiance, just being friendly and respectful. Every one around me turned and stared. My husband had spent three years at college there and he had his hand over his heart. I knew he didn’t mean it. He whispered that I’d better join in. I didn’t. They overcharged me for lunch. The coffee was stone cold. No one smiled at me. That’s why I love Australia Day. We know nothing’s perfect and we don’t pretend. But we know we’ve got it pretty darn good. We just enjoy. Vivian Garner
Weight Loss Challenge Mannum Weight Watchers Mid Murray OPAL team Courtney Blacker and Diem Luong (left), with Fun 4 YOUth coordinator Amy Loechel, Captain Capsicum and kids at the Morgan pageant and fair
Issue Number 65
ou don’t need to spend money on joining e x p e n s i v e W e i g h t - Lo s s schemes or buying special dietary foods that realistically will not become part of your daily food intake for the long term. You could join us at Mannum Weight Watchers where you will receive information and support while you lose weight. Men often are hesitant to join a program and would prefer a gym for an exercise regime, but both are equally important. Supporting each other, planning menus and walking and exercising together will not only help the whole family but can be fun. The joining fee is $4, the weekly fee is $1 with 50c for a missed weigh-in. Renewal subs are $4 and are due on the 2nd week of March. Some of us are lucky and head north for the winter. We then ask for leave of absence and pay nothing during those weeks. You’ll be surprised how many members keep their weight stable during their holiday time, encouraged
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Mannum Mag
I’m sure by the reality of weighing in on their return. Sickness and hospital leave is also available. You may like to discuss your goal weight with your doctor but that is entirely your choice. We have incentive monetary prizes for weekly, monthly and annual success, where most members let the money accumulate until Christmas, some adding to their bank balance by regular voluntary amounts. This Christmas a large number of us relapsed but are already well on the way to losing those kilograms. Congratulations to those who stayed on track with some staying within their goal weight now for many years. They feel it is important to continue to receive support to maintain their goal. Make the decision today and join us at the Mannum Day Centre on the western side of the Mannum Hospital Complex on Tuesday from 9 am. For more details call Rhonda Curtis on 8569 1123 or Marion Foster on 8569 8041. Page 5