Isla, Ivy & Chelsea with their pencil pots

Bringing play time back to the Yahl Hall

Family fun on the agenda as community asset springs to life

Sometimes it just takes one person to be passionate enough about something to get a project off the ground and that is what has happened with the launch of Playtime at the Yahl Soldier’s Memorial Hall.

Jess Byrne is that person, embracing her family’s move to Yahl from Mount Gambier, starting with attending the Yahl Hall AGM.

“We chose Yahl for the small township qualities we both grew up with, while having the added benefit of being close to the Mount Gambier,” Jess said. “For small townships to be productive and be able to offer value adds for its residents it needs locals behind it to power continuous improvement and facility maintenance, knowing this highlighted the importance for me to make my contribution.”

And that is why she headed to the AGM after seeing a social media post. It was the second time the meeting had been called as organisers desperately searched for a quorum.

Jess not only helped with the numbers game she also rolled up her sleeves and suggested running a Playtime program out of the community facility.

“We want to offer the opportunity of community engagement for not only the children but the parents and caregivers,” she said. “Amongst those taking advantage of the Playtime at Yahl, we will produce creative play, craft, and sensory opportunities for the kids. At the hall we are spoilt for choice with the large indoor space and adjoining playground with outdoor sheltered seating space and plan to with the weather for indoor and outdoor activities.”

It is a long time since the hall hosted a program for young children but fortunately the group will be able to launch this Thursday courtesy of previous playgroup tables, chairs, and some play equipment.

“Once we have established a good base, I hope to seek support from the community for donations for specific craft supplies and to expand on the indoor play equipment,” Jess said. “If you are looking for engagement within the community and have child/ children under the school age, we would love to see you at the launch of Yahl Playtime on Thursday from 9am to 10am.”

Yahl Playtime will then run at the same time every Thursday for the remainder of the school term, all the details of Yahl Play time can be found at ‘Yahl Soldiers Memorial Hall’ on facebook.

Bishop Keith Dalby, the Anglican Bishop of the Murray visited Mount Gambier and Mount Schank earlier this month.

Bishop Dalby delivered the sermon at the 8am and 9.30am services at Christ Church Mount Gambier and then accompanied Fr Neil Fernando, the Parish Priest for Mount Gambier and District, then dashed down to Mount Schank for a special service there.

The bishop’s visit coincided with the Patronal Festival for St Luke and the small white church at Mount Schank is named in honour of St Luke. In his sermon to the congregation, which at around 30 was close to church capacity, Bishop Dalby spoke about Luke, who was a physician who was not Jewish and who gathered material from eye witnesses who had been closest to Jesus.

He wrote a large part of the New Testament and is the patron saint of artists, surgeons, butchers, students and bachelors.

While at St Luke’s the Bishop confirmed Imogen Lines, aged 12, who with her parents Chris and Lucy Lines are regular worshippers at the church.

The bishop joined worshippers many of whom had a connection to Imogen for a quick lunch at the Bellum Hotel before setting off back to Murray Bridge whilst doing some pastoral visits on the way.

A garage sale and mini market will be held on Saturday, November 12, whilst Remembrance Day will be commemorated at services on Sunday, November 13. Air Commodore the Rev Murray Earl will speak at the 8am service and Commander Peter Coulson will speak at the 9.30am service.

The Patronal Festival for Christ Church will be held on November 20 where music will be provided by the Mount Gambier City Band.

Bishop visits region

BISHOP AT ST LUKE’S: Bishop Keith Dalby, Imogen Lines and the congregation after her confirmation on Sunday 16th of October 2022.