Edition 18 — March 2019
Instagram/BellaMagazineEchuca
Look whooo’s got new décor stock... New season autumn décor range has just arrived…
47 Sturt Street, Echuca P: 5480 7299 GARDENING SUPPLIES
E: info@rocksolidechuca.com W: rocksolidechuca.com.au
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY ALL DAY EVERYDAY
Lifestyle & Giftware Call in and see our range today. www.worldofdiscoveryechuca.com.au | Shop 3–4 Fountain Plaza Nish St, Echuca
... IT’S WHAT YOU’VE BEEN
(
r o f g n i t wai
Kids t & RetwreaCafé
(
Ne
Membership
$20 for 3 years or $10 for 1 year Take advantage of happy hours, meal specials and discounts at the bar & bistro every day!
Bovine & beverage
Monday Lunch & Dinner $15 Members, $18.50 Non Members Porterhouse Steak cooked just how you like it! With choice of Chips & Salad or Vegetables & a drink! With choice of Sauce: Mushroom, Garlic Butter, Pepper, Red Wine Jus or Gravy.
Ha y hour
Friday 5.00 pm – 7.30 pm Members Only. Drink responsibly.
Free courtesy bus
7 days a week from Midday, leaves on the hour. Can pick you up and drop you off from your home, motel or caravan park. Conditions apply.
165–173 Annesley Street, Echuca • (03) 5482 3140 • info@echucaworkers.com.au • www.echucaworkers.com.au
Contents
9
Edition 18, March 2019
On the cover
7 Meet Claire Goodman, but don't try and keep up
12
Inside 12
Believe in yourself and never give up
16
She’s just so happy and gay — at last
18
The rise and rise of Christy’s cricket
20
Boxing or brawling, Ellie's going for gold
23
Suddenly Stupid
26
Faye was on a mission
32
Getting the hang of a start-up business
34
Being different is brilliant if you embrace it
36
Patience the key to unlocking special talents
38
Polly is a class act on a small stage
42
The sheer joy of being heartbroken
46
When you think you've given your all, you can volunteer
47
Thirty Something
16
20 Contact us
bella editor Tyla Harrington tyla.harrington@riverineherald.com.au 5482 1111
bella advertising Stuart Addicott stuart.addicott@riverineherald.com.au 5482 1111
Want more bella? facebook.com/bellamagazineechuca Instagram — @bellamagazineechuca riverineherald.com.au/@bella
26 34
Photography: Luke Hemer, Cath Grey Editorial design: Jacqui Maskell, Brendan Cain Advertising design: Bella Considine, Brendan Cain, Tanya Main Words: Sophie Baldwin, Andrew Mole, Ivy Jensen, Charmayne Allison, Kimberley Price, Lachlan Durling, Fraser Walker-Pearce
5
TYREPOWER’S TOP 3 TIPS FOR TYRES 1. CHECK PRESSURES
2. CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT WEAR
3. TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS
Checking tyre pressure is essential for road safety and tyre wear. We see too many people miss out on great value simply from neglecting a five-minute check once or twice a month. Keeping the correct air pressure in your tyres is as important as giving your engine a tune up. The economic benefits are perhaps even greater! With the right amount of air pressure, your tyres wear longer, save fuel, enhance handling and prevent accidents.
A lot of people have a misconception with wheel alignments. Most people think their vehicle only needs a wheel alignment if the car is not driving straight, however that’s not the case. Every day we are seeing customers lose thousands of kilometres of tyre life because of this. Most of the time it will wear the very inside edge of the tyre which makes it difficult to see at quick glance. To avoid having to replace your tyres prematurely simply turn the steering wheel full lock to the left or right, exit the vehicle and visually check the inside edge of the tyre. Doing this once or twice a month could save you hundreds of dollars in the long run!
At Tyrepower we are extremely passionate about our products and customer satisfaction. Checking pressures, wheel alignment wear and any other tyre issues we are here to help and offer advice at any time, free of charge. If you’re unsure of something never hesitate to come in and get some peace of mind!
IT’S NOT JUST TYRES, IT’S LIFE INSURANCE GET THE POWER OF
NO DEPOSIT | NO INTEREST
For service, price and the right advice... P: 5482 4644 F: 5480 6559
e: echuca@tyrepower.com.au w: www.echucatyrepower.com.au
27 Mundarra Road, Echuca
Meet Claire Goodman but don't try and keep up
The story is getting better with every telling, even more colourful than the woman on whom it is based. But she is (sort of) prepared to let it slide one last time because she has, amongst other skills and attributes, a pretty all-encompassing sense of humour. Claire Goodman is one of the high-profile doctors in the twin towns if for no other reason than she is out there doing so much. ANDREW MOLE managed to catch up with her on what should have been a rare, quiet day at home
C
LAIRE GOODMAN IS a scream. One
of
those
thoroughly
modern
mums — on steroids. From that crown of shock blonde hair to her Big Bird running socks and psychedelic training gear there is never any confusion when Claire enters the room. Any room. And yes, that would include the delivery room at ERH where Claire is one of the
local leading lights as an obstetrician GP for Echuca-Moama, working with Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice.
Never, ever, try and get between her and being the best table at her weekly quiz night in the Caledonian Hotel.
She does it all: wife, mother, doctor, wannabe triathlete, marathon runner, community activist and, most of all, winner.
The only way to tone her down is to actually make her the inquisitor when regular host Dave Cunningham is away, or unwell and needing a doctor (which, yes, in this case that would be Claire).
Every day for Claire is a competition and she lives for the win. It started wanting to be the smartest kid in the family, then the smartest kid in the school.
Even then she has to outdo Dave by getting through the quiz faster. If she can't win the night then she will >>>
7
8
>>> make sure the table that does has really earned its spot. But there is an Achilles heel in this superwoman. Snakes. Claire not only doesn't like them, she is downright spooked by snakes. None of which had stopped her from giving her children Audrey and Edward a thorough grounding on what to do — stand still, no noise, no panic, and then walk slowly away as the evil reptile dutifully slithers off in the opposite direction. When Claire walked onto her back deck to join our photographer and saw her dog with a goofy canine grin on the path below her screams would have been heard in Rochester. Because coiled around her Labrador's snout was a quite long brown snake, with its business end swinging freely as the dog bounded around. The screams coincided with Claire falling to her knees and then screaming at me for going down the stairs to pull the snake off. Back up a couple of days, middle of the night, at the hospital, a young mother-to-be in premature labour and a crisis worsening by the minute.
danger of dying, she was babysitting the Labrador of a colleague at Echuca Moama Family Medical Practice. The best plan was to refocus her with an order to get the dog food, go to the end of the decking and chuck a bit over on the theory the dog would drop the snake and go for the food. Finally with something to do other than scream she grabbed a scoop and started frantically ladling food over the side of the fence.
“
BEING A GP WHO DELIVERS BABIES, BASED IN A COUNTRY TOWN, IS SUCH A FEEL-GOOD MEDIAN. YOU HAVE THE PARENTS AS PATIENTS; THEN YOU GET THE CHILDREN. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL CYCLE.
”
Then on the third scoop the ladle went with the dog food and the decibel level rose as well.
Now back to the decking, the stairs and that snake.
Without waiting for further instruction Claire seized the whole bucket of dog food and launched a meteor shower of about 10 kg of doggy bites into the sky, over the deck and all over the dog, which had already seen the food and dropped the snake — with the latter more than content to head straight for the garden.
Claire by now is all but pulling those blonded locks out because not only was her dog in
Of course then there was the concern that one, or both, dogs may have been bitten so
There, around 3 am, Claire 'Cool As A Cucumber' Goodman successfully delivered the baby, saved the mother and marshalled the medical team around her without any sign of panic despite all the pressure.
they were headed for the vets (and given the all clear) soon after. Then with blood pressure somewhere back below 200, Claire collapsed into a chair to continue her life story and worked doubly hard to maintain her aura of je ne c'est quoi, deal with children who wanted to know what happened, smile for the video camera taping the interview and answer questions about her life in a rational way. The Claire Goodman story has its nascence in Bairnsdale where she was, not surprisingly, one of the shining lights in the local school system. Where a very encouraging careers adviser scotched the plans of the maths and science junkie, who said she was uhmming and aahing between medicine and engineering (with physio bouncing around on a backburner). Basically the message she got was those sorts of people don't come from little country towns. That was like a red rag to the proverbial bull. Claire finished Year 12 with a TER more than sufficient to step into any course she desired, despite the predictions of doom still ringing in her ears. “So I ended up in medicine, but if it's any help I married a physio when I got here,” Claire said. “And no, I get more out of him when it comes to advice than he does from me — all I have to learn to do is listen to what he says because I initially ignored his plan for me to recover from running injuries and paid the price — don't you hate it when husbands get it right.” The
'husband'
is
Echuca-Moama >>>
9
>>> Physiotherapy director Matt Dobeli, a musculoskeletal specialist (regardless what his wife thinks of his advice) with clinical interests in spinal and sporting injuries — such as running injuries. As a GP obstetrician Claire explained obstetrics was the only part of medicine where people come to see you when they do not have a complaint. A condition she describes as happy medicine and one that balances well with the rest of general practice.
though she was no fan of distance running.
Splash and Dash Champion.
She had got mixed up with the Echuca Triathlon Club and loved every minute of what she calls “a good community”.
In 2017 she had to move into the 40–45 age bracket and as a bottom age expected to go pretty well.
“It is such an engaged group and there were lots of mums with kids and once I got started I really enjoyed it although I had to skip my second season as I was having Edward, but 12 months later I started again,” Claire said.
In the midst of all this long distance evolution and family competition, Claire also cut into her disappearing private life to become a CLRS board member.
“And I took up winter running to maintain fitness and from there it wasn't a big leap before I was mixed up with Johnno's Run “Being a GP who delivers babies, based in a country town, is such a feel-good median,” even though I have never been a keen distance runner,” she said. she said. “You have the parents as patients; then you get the children. It's a beautiful cycle.” Their marriage is another story in itself. Claire first came to the twin towns on a teaching rotation in 2004 and in the back of her mind knew you could take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl. She did some time in Ballarat, Bendigo and Melbourne after Echuca but was always on the lookout for a country position. “While I was here in 2004 and then doing my final training as a GP I was told whenever I wanted to move back here there would be a job — so I decided to hold them to that,” Claire said. “Matt knew Sean Slattery, at the physio practice here, from their time in Melbourne, where they had worked together, so that's what got him here in the first place,” she said. “Just three days after he arrived, Sean and BK Pillai orchestrated a dinner with him and me as the available singles. “Surprisingly; fortunately, we just clicked so now I had it all — I was a doctor, I was living in the country, I had a husband who was the physio I never became and everything was pretty damn good.” You won't be amazed to hear the one thing Claire doesn't get enough of in her life is time. But you will be less surprised to realise that psychedelic spectacle that can be seen running, riding and swimming around the region is in fact Claire. Claire the tri hard athlete who, as expected, isn't 100 per cent happy with the notion of competing in something she isn't necessarily going to win. Oh, sure, she can beat her own times, beat her own recovery — and even beat some of the older competitors. But that doesn't count. So dad became the goal. Dad, it turned out, had run marathons. Several of them. His last run, at the age of 41, was 3.49:29. And Claire being Claire went after it even
10
“
ECHUCA DOES INCLUSION EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD. FROM THE SHIRE AND WHITE RIBBON THROUGH TO CLRS AND VIVID AND ALL THE PEOPLE THEY HELP. THEY ALL WORK WITH PASSIONATE PEOPLE AND IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO HELP WHEN WE ARE ALL GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
”
It seemed like a good idea for a very good cause and apart from all the upfront work it does, that everybody sees, board members do a lot of the unseen grunt, from strategic planning to attending various events as CLRS ambassadors. “Echuca does inclusion exceptionally well, right across the board. From the shire and White Ribbon through to CLRS and Vivid and all the people it helps,” Claire added. “They all work with passionate people and it is so much easier to help when we are all going in the same direction.” As for that school careers adviser, who suggested Claire not disappoint herself by aiming too high, well she was invited back for the school's 50th anniversary to speak — as a “student who had done good”. Also, from her year six class of 1989 at Paynesville, there must have been quite a few uppity individuals not interested in rock solid career advice. Claire is one of three doctors from that year alone. Claire wins again.
“This involved a new level of preparation but I was determined to break dad's time.” In the end she ran that first 42.2 km in just under four hours but was not quite as fast as the old man at his best (and he and Claire's mother were there cheering her on). “There are a couple of things here,” Claire insisted. “First, I would like to blame a very hot and windy day. “Secondly, dad did his last marathon when he was 41 — he ran it in 3.49:29. “His first, when he was younger, had been run in 4.16:30,” she said. “One thing I can tell you, after I finished my run, I had a lot more respect for my dad.” Claire is also determined someone get as much credit, if not more, for her first marathon success. Laurie Edmondstone, she declared, is “very much a legend”. “Laurie got me through my marathon; I was training with him on Wednesdays and Saturdays and I was even emailing him on his holidays and he happily gave me advice, advice that helped me get through it all.” A lifelong trophy hunter, in her first year at the tri club Claire was named most improved. In her second year it was Wednesday night
FOOTNOTE: Those fluoro running socks that can be seen three blocks away — at night — are another story. Always conscious of economy in this day and age, Claire acquired them online. They only came in a pack of 10 so she will still standout, pounding local footpaths, for some time to come.
Open 7 days from 10 am • 572 High Street, Echuca • 0447 339 455
Believe IN YOURSELF AND NEVER GIVE UP While doctors believed just keeping her alive would be a major achievement Angela Nuss wasn't interested. She had bigger fish to fry — and marathons to run. She had no time to be crippled. IVY JENSEN reports
L
EITCHVILLE'S ANGELA NUSS was born to run.
So when doctors had the temerity to suggest she would never walk again, let alone run, a determined Angela took up the challenge — and hit the ground running. It is only four years since the horrific car accident which left her with a broken neck, fractured C1-C4 spinal cord, posterior cerebral artery strokes, pelvic bone, rib and a lumbar compression fractures and Angela is still running. She has to; she is entered to run a marathon. That's 42.2 km of energy-sapping effort most people would never consider; especially after being crushed — almost to death — in a car crash. “I believe I was born to run,” the 56-year-old mother-of-two said. “The doctors said my fitness — I was a jogger before the accident — helped save my life.”
12
Rewind to March 2015, and the travelling division one nurse was driving from Geelong back to Leitchville to see her farmer boyfriend Craig at his farm.
After a farmer working in the paddock called emergency services, an SES crew had to cut Angela from the wreckage — just 3 km from her partner's farm.
“I was feeling refreshed and happy and singing my music in the car to It's A Kind of Magic by Queen,” she said.
She was flown to The Alfred intensive care unit where she had spinal fusion surgery and began the fight of her life — for her life.
“I remember going over the Box Bridge coming into Leitchville and the road just curves a little bit and that area has a history of deaths on that road.
“I had six pins put into my neck. In the first 24 hours I had a couple of strokes in the balance centre of my brain after a blood clot developed where they did that first surgery,” she said.
“I always slowed down around those corners. “The police report suggested that because of the state of the country roads, my tyre got stuck in this ditch. I was out of control of my car, veered off to the left-hand side, bumped my head, unconscious and did two flip-overs in my car. “The car was an absolute write-off and thank God where I sat was the only part that was intact.”
An initial grim prognosis started going rapidly downhill. “It was die; never walk again or be on life support. Forever,” she said. While her medical team planned how to save her, Angela was already planning to be fully recovered. After almost two weeks at The Alfred, Angela began recovery with rehabilitation
The car accident left Angela Nuss with a her with a broken neck, fractured C1-C4 spinal cord, posterior cerebral artery strokes, pelvic bone, rib and a lumbar compression fractures.
at Geelong Private Hospital, where she once worked as a registered nurse.
“It took 18 months to be able to cope with confidence, balance and head pressure to begin to road run.
When she arrived, she was still in halo traction, unable to walk and being fed through “I was first running at the end of my bed a nasogastric tube. on the spot hanging onto the bed post for about six months. Then slowly running on “I knew I could take it on and recover quickly so, together with my rehab team, we devel- the farm. To gingerly running on the road. I was so frightened I would fall on the oped a targeted plan,” she said. uneven road or on a stone, or rock and jar “It started by walking around the corridors of my neck. the hospital, from a shuffle frame to a walk“I did have a dog trip me up and I went for ing frame and eventually a walking stick. a sixer on my 9.56 km Island Rd run which I “Every day I would set a goal and walk the now do four times a week.” corridors of the hospital and clock up 24 km. Angela has since competed in various People thought I was nuts but I was so runs right around Australia, including the happy I could walk.” Cohuna's Mothers' Day classic, Cohuna Once she mastered walking and her halo Bridge to Bridge, Shepparton Running was removed (after three months) her next Festival, Echuca's Sweat vs Steam (12 km challenge was running. run) and Run the Rock at Hanging Rock, which she considered the most memorable. “When I first walked without a walking stick it was like I had sea legs. It was a strange “It was 10 km and the most challenging as feeling,” she said. it was up and down hills with loose rocks and it was wet and slippery in hail and cold “It was so challenging running from scratch.
weather,” she said. “I nearly had to be admitted to hospital for hypothermia. “It was the most memorable because of the sheer toughness of the weather conditions plus the steep track.” Last year, she also completed a half marathon (21.1 km) with the Geelong Cross Country Club and placed fifth in her age group in the 5 km speed distance running at the Pan Pacific Masters Games. “That was a thrill as I was competing against international runners,” she said. And if that wasn't enough, this year will mark one of her biggest achievements to date as she prepares to take on a full marathon (42.2 km) at the Gold Coast. “I am really looking forward to this and hope to complete it in four hours,” she said. “I am now an athlete running with my inabilities and kicking goals. “I run very often, every second day >>>
Angela Nuss was in a halo traction for three months.
13
>>> either a short 5 km to the weir and back or a 9.56 km run around Island Rd.” While she has overcome enormous odds, the accident has caused some permanent eyesight and hearing loss, requiring her to use a hearing aide, and affected her balance,
“
LOTS OF GOOD HAS COME OUT OF SOMETHING NOT SO GOOD, BUT I DO MISS WORKING AS A NURSE BECAUSE THAT WAS MY CALLING, LOOKING AFTER PEOPLE. BUT I’M A VERY POSITIVE PERSON AND I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE GOOD THAT HAS COME OUT OF IT. I’M ALIVE; I LOOK AT THAT SIDE OF IT, NONE OF MY INABILITIES.
”
recall and memory, meaning she can't work as a nurse again. “Lots of good has come out of something not so good, but I do miss working as a nurse because that was my calling, looking after people,” she said. “But I'm a very positive person and I just
keep thinking about the good that has come out of it. I'm alive; I look at that side of it, none of my inabilities.” Angela said it was her positive mindset thanks to her upbringing that kept her going in her darkest times. “I just fought to get back to normal life,” she said. “I was thinking of my loved ones constantly. My partner Craig, my daughters Rachael and Alysha, my parents Helmut and Arnolda and my four sisters. “I dreamt a lot of walking again. My biggest achievement is to be able to have my mobility and a good quality of life.
Angela Nuss competes in the Sweat versus Steam
“I am not in a wheelchair as I could have been. I am able to walk and run. I am able to love and see my loved ones.” Her recovery has been described as “incredible”, with doctors calling her “a miracle”. “I always thought I'm going to beat this. I wanted to go back to my life, my parents, my children and Craig. I just couldn't give up,” she said. “I didn't believe in bad days but I did allow myself to cry. But they were not tears of sadness; they were happy tears because I knew I was in a better position than the day before.” Angela has always believed nothing is impossible and she is the living, walking (and running) proof. “You need to believe in yourself, make the most of every day and never give up,” she said.
Angela Nuss at her Leitchville farm.
14
E VO LV E
s n o s a e s
WITH THE
NEW AUTUMN RANGE ARRIVING DAILY
568 High Street Echuca • 0491 108 643 • Open 7 days • Locally owned and operated
She’s just so
happy &gay – at last
Scarred by love gone wrong — with a boy and then a girl — one teenager lived a life of self-imposed repression while she and society caught up with who she really was. KIMBERLEY PRICE reports
“H
I I'M ANNA, I'm gay.”
So why does Anna Sivesind feel such relief
commonplace as to pass without any
Sounds so simple; even 'so what?'
to be able to stand up and say that?
comment — indeed with the need for any
After all, it is 2019 and same-sex marriage has been legalised for more than a year now.
16
What kept the words buried deep inside for so long for something that is now so
comment? At 15 and on the rebound from her boyfriend,
Anna had her first experience with another girl. “She was my best friend and we were really close like any 15-year-olds are,” she said. “But it was just different. “I could tell I had more feelings for her. “It wasn't unnatural, it just felt right. “And then she turned around and told me she regretted it and never wanted to talk about it again because it was weird.” Anna condemned herself to years in a closet to bury her thoughts, feelings and emotions. Maybe she was afraid, maybe she was trying to live up to the expectations of those around her to be 'normal' or maybe it was because she didn't know how to work it out. For all these reasons, and so many more, Anna continued to travel through her teenage and early adult years living as she thought was normal and expected of girls. Dating and falling in love with different boys, Anna thought the reason why she couldn't express herself like other girls was because there was something wrong with her. “There were just these moments, I was very emotionally attached — I was 100 per cent in love — but the physical side of things just wasn't," she said. “I knew it didn't feel right with boys but it wasn't the full feeling of 'I'm gay' it was like I'm not experiencing the same things as my friends. “They were head over heels in love with these boys and I was like 'oh yeah me too' just to be a part of whatever being a teenager was about because I didn't know anything different. “In one relationship of mine, I genuinely went to the doctors and asked the doctor why I didn't want to have sex with my boyfriend. I was baffled because I felt so in love with him and attached to him and I thought why can't I do this thing that everyone I knew was doing'. “And the doctor told me it could be because my hormones were imbalanced — he never brought up sexuality. Having grown up in Gunbower and Echuca and attending a Catholic Boarding School, Anna thought there was no-one she could turn to for advice. Without a huge and open LGBTQI community and the constant worry of what people she knew would think or say; Anna turned to her own devices to navigate her understanding of her sexuality." “I literally went to YouTube and typed in 'how do you know if you're gay?' and all these YouTubers popped up. “There was an LGBTQI community I had no idea existed and I was bombarded with information. “Then I was like, ok now I know the stepping stones to take.”
As Anna began steering in her right direction, she became more confident in her emotions and herself. However, there were still obstacles to overcome. Often hidden away in her room, with baited breaths and millions of thoughts rushing through her mind, she started to unravel the real Anna. “I got to the point where I needed to figure it out because it was just so confusing,” she said. “I had bought a house, had my dog Frankie, Dad had recovered and there were a lot of other things in life that had settled. “But, as bad as this sounds, I didn't even know what a lesbian really was before YouTube. “You hear about it, but I never knew someone who was out and proud. I have my uncle in America who is gay and I know a few gay guys. But I'd never met any female that was a gay or bisexual." On a holiday to America, Anna took the first serious step for herself. Changing her Tinder profile to 'only women', she began to overcome the barrier of simply talking to other gay or bisexual women. “Then I came home to Echuca and forgot I changed my profile on Tinder," she said. “There was a feeling of panic when I realised. “I saw girls I knew popping up as potential matches and my heart dropped as I realised I would be popping up on their screens too. “But I ended up meeting my best mate. We were going through a very similar time where we were both trying to figure out our sexuality and I don't know where I'd be without her.” However Anna wasn't truly ready to reveal her sexuality to everyone. Fearing what people may think, Anna felt like she was playing a game. And for her to win, she had to wear a façade and fool others that she was 'normal', that she was straight.
Now completely beside herself in fear of what her Mum would think, Anna's biggest obstacle was finally starting to be conquered. “Mum's first words to me as I broke down were 'Are you sick? Are you pregnant? What's wrong?” Anna said. “She got to the point where the letter read 'I'm gay' and she put it down and went 'is that all?' and she said 'I honestly thought you were dying … that's fine, that's perfectly fine, why are you so worked up? “She told Dad and he came in and didn't say a word. “Mum said 'Gary you have to say something to your daughter'. “Dad said 'As long as she's not hurt and she's happy then I'm happy. I'm just glad there's no more boys coming around here anymore’.” Priding herself on the knowledge she has always carefully picked her friends based on their acceptance of others, Anna knew she'd still have their support and love. “I'm still friends with everyone who I was friends with before I came out," she said. “I have the best support system, I couldn't ask for anything greater. “I was scared to tell everyone. “But I'm so incredibly lucky, no matter what coming out is one of the hardest things anyone has to be faced with and I know there are people that don't get the best outcome post coming out.” Since coming out in late 2017, Anna has become so much more. She has always had an aura of happiness, but now, she truly radiates positivity wherever she goes. She is someone who knows exactly who she is, what her values are and what she stands for. Incapable of hurting anyone, Anna hopes one day everyone will be accepting of everyone.
“I got to the point where I was convincing people I was talking to guys and doing all these things I actually wasn't doing."
“I think I was always truly in there. Coming out just made me complete," she said.
“I convinced, basically a whole town, I was straight.
“It was like all the puzzle pieces finally fitted together.
“I was so scared to go into the life I wanted to live.”
“Eventually you get rid of the whole 'I'm scared who knows' because it doesn't matter. Your mental health and happiness matters most.
Being an only child, Anna was always showered with love and support from her ador“You shouldn't care what people think — now ing parents Helen and Gary. As her guilt I tell strangers I'm gay. engulfed her, Anna didn't want to continue fooling the two people she loved the most. “I feel proud of who I am and I think that's why I'm so open in telling people because I With sweaty palms and tears streaming think it's important to tell people it's ok to down her face, Anna made her way to her be the hell you want to be.” parents farm in Gunbower. Passing her father who was working with his cattle, Anna and her dog Frankie have recently Anna made her way to the kitchen to hand moved to Melbourne to continue Anna's her mum the long and meticulously crafted studies at Victoria University in a Bachelor handwritten two page letter. of Dermal Science.
17
When you think you've given your all, you can volunteer
Cancer survivor Theresa Jacobs has been to the dark side but her determination to make a difference in so many lives and with the help of a close friend and wider network of friends and supporters she is truly an inspirational story. LACHLAN DURLING reports
A
FTER GOING THROUGH cancer treatment, the last thing a lot of people want to do is go back.
Back to that place where every day was a routine of pain; where every thought was about finality.
And she didn't go alone; her friend Lucille was there (partly to help, partly to support).
the job to grasp the full enormity of the situation.
And she didn't come empty handed; the pair came carrying wads of cash.
“It was a shock, but it (Vinnies) is amazing. Good people work there, it's just one of the great organisations we have in town,” she said.
It was money they raised specifically for the Echuca Regional Health Oncology Ward through their Biggest Morning Tea. They did it again, and again, again — throughout the past 20 years.
and
Despite an aneurism 15 years ago, the Jacobs' family home on Goulburn Rd burning down seven years ago and a mastectomy in the same year, Theresa still thinks there are people worse off than her. In fact, she knows it. Working in the welfare department of St Vincent De Paul Echuca, she sees firsthand the fight local families are going through.
“Getting involved was something that just happened, I had a couple of friends at St Vinnies and I liked what they were doing, helping people who needed food and assistance. “I started in the op shop and then I moved to the welfare. Welfare is more my thing. When there's children involved I'm a bit of a softie. “Welfare is different all together; we have interviews with families, broken homes and the homeless.”
That place you never wish to see again; where it was a blur of treatment, your body flooded with concoctions bearing names too long to fathom but knowing they spelt pain.
The struggle of being able to fill their stomachs; or keep the lights on and the overall stress of potentially having their kids taken away until they are able to feed them.
Volunteering has always been a part of Theresa's life. Raising four boys meant she filled her time ferrying them from sport, to school and more sport, something she loved to get involved with.
And not just for you; the sight of your family gathered around your bed, trying to hold back the tears, desperate to try and keep you going.
“People don't realise how important it is. People go to the Vinnies shop to get what they need, the ones who come to us haven't got much,” she said.
“I was involved with mothers' clubs, sporting things, parent groups — everything. The kids loved seeing you involved and I loved doing it,” she said.
But that's exactly what Theresa Jacobs did.
“They depend on people for food, clothing, electricity bills and rates being paid.”
As her sons Paul, Andrew, Michael and Dean grew up, Theresa found a friend in the most unlikely place.
She headed back to her twilight zone — it may have brought her a whole lot of pain yet incredibly it bought her the rest of her life.
18
Theresa said she was acutely aware of the financial hardship some families were going through, but it only took her first days on
A lady by the name of Lucille George, who was to become her son's future
mother-in-law.
the haze that is chemotherapy.
That was, until the pair split. “The diagnosis was pretty bad, I couldn't believe it. I can remember it plainly, it was “A long time ago one of Lucille's daughters an Easter weekend and everyone was pretty went with one of my sons for a few years. flat,” she said. They broke up and we both cried that day,” she laughed. “But, we got over it. They say you're a survivor after five or six years so I think I am.” “We've been friends ever since. It's been a great friendship since then.” Theresa doesn't dwell on her diagnosis, and every time she mentions an event, her diagTheresa's son and Lucille's daughter parted nosis or her volunteering there's one word on good terms — and Theresa and Lucille that sticks out. became closer than ever. “We.” The pair then began fundraising for Echuca Regional Health's oncology ward; some- Through everything, Theresa was never thing Theresa said was an easy decision. alone. With the support of her husband Max, her family and friends, she's accomplished “It would be about 20 years ago now, the something remarkable in her life. Biggest Morning Tea was just coming in and Lucille and I thought we could do that,” Supporting the people of Echuca-Moama in Theresa said. any way she can with her spare time. Helping people whose days are numbered — just as “We started at St Mary's parish centre with hers were at one point. about 80–90 ladies until that grew too small and we moved to Radcliffe's and had And still thinking nothing of it. 300 people there. “I've enjoyed what I've done with the help of “We held it there for quite a few years, then a lot of people,” Theresa said. for health reasons we took a break and “I have a wonderful group of friends, whenanother group took over.” ever I said I was going to do something they Lucille fell ill then Theresa would soon be just gathered around and would often say diagnosed with breast cancer, something 'that's a good idea, we'll do that'.” that would tear her world apart. More recently, Theresa and Lucille began an She can still remember the weeks following Autumn Luncheon, similar to their Biggest as clear as day, before she descended into Morning Tea but smaller.
“So with Lucille falling ill we started the May luncheon as it was only 100 ladies," she said. As if it was something that everyone had done at one time or another, Theresa said “only 100 people” and laughed. But it was far from an insignificant affair, with this year's donations totalling around the $14,000 mark. “It was like a telethon at the luncheon this year, people just kept coming forward with donations. “And the businesses in Echuca-Moama are wonderful. They just saw us coming and said 'well, what do you want'?” It's because of her work that she's a recipient in the 2018 Premier's Volunteer Champions Awards. To begin with, she wouldn't have it. “I got a phone call first, a few months ago, and someone asked me if would I accept it and first of all I said I've done a lot with a friend of mine — specifically with the hospital's oncology ward,” she said. “And so I said I wouldn't accept it if she wasn't in it either. They went back to the hierarchy and came back saying it wasn't only for that. “But anyway, that's not important. You do these things because you want to do them.”
NEW STOCK ARRIVING DAILY
Decorate your home in style... New gifts, homewares, leather handbags, ladies/men’s wallets and winter scarfs arriving — call in and see our large variety today!
Open 7 days a week for all your needs // Lay-by welcome // Gift Vouchers available
161 Hare St, Echuca | Phone 5482 1337 19
Boxing or brawling
She's a little bit Jekyll and a little Hyde but when this teenager steps out of her daytime persona and into the boxing ring she is there for just one thing — to win. SOPHIE BALDWIN reports
I
N THE BOXING ring she goes by the name of Ferocious Fry but in reality Ellie Fry looks anything but– more like your average 18-year-old.
But don't be surprised, this girl has guts, determination, a frightening propensity for hard work — and wisdom beyond her years. With a perfect 7–0 record in the ring it is pretty obvious Ellie is not one to mess with when it comes to boxing. Even though it wasn't until she was 15 that Ellie really discovered the sport she is hoping will one day take her all the way to her ultimate goal of representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games or Olympics. Ellie describes herself as someone who has always loved being involved in contact sport. At first it was footy and then a long stint with Muay Thai. “I think boxing has just always been in me though. I love everything about it from the mental and physical aspects right through to health and lifestyle,” Ellie said. Mentally, boxing has also helped Ellie cope with the death of not just one, but both of her parents. “I might be having a bad day but once I get into the gym and into the ring nothing else matters — I lose myself in boxing and it might sound weird but I also feel closest to
20
my parents when I am out there.
“The more I fight the better I am getting at managing my training and weight and dropping it if I have to," she said.
“My mum had pancreatic cancer and she was told she had 12 months to live but she managed to live for two years with her posi- “I play it by ear and do what needs to be tive fighting attitude — mentally I get a lot done for my body at the time. I used to get from her. She passed away four years ago up and be at the gym at 4.30 am, then go and dad 10 years ago.” to school and work and train again and it became too much, I can listen to my body a The fact Ellie is one of only a handful of lot better now.” young girls involved in the sport doesn't deter her either. When it comes to actual bouts, Ellie has faced an age range of opponents of varying She does all her boxing at the Goulburn ages including a woman in her 30s. Valley Boxing Club at Tatura amongst the boys, regularly taking turns with them in In June she travelled to Darwin to take on a the ring. much more experienced woman eight years her senior. “There is another 60 kg fighter at the club and we work together but I enjoy fighting She won the first two rounds and was so with the boys; it's good practice and makes dominant the referee waved her off in the me a better fighter.” third, handing Ellie a TKO victory (with her win also being awarded fight of the night). If Ellie wants to spar with other girls she has to travel — something she regularly does as “This was a tough one for me because I was part of her training. not just fighting for myself but for the sponsors who put their belief and money in me And training takes up a fair chunk of her day as well,” Ellie said. depending on whether she is just training or preparing for a fight. “I ended up performing pretty well under my self-imposed pressure and to top it off my She also takes her nutrition seriously, espefamily surprised me by meeting me at the cially fighting in the 57–60 kg category. airport, which made me want to win even Around eight weeks out from a fight things more.” kick up a gear as Ellie ramps up the trainEllie said once she stepped into the ring it ing — hitting the ring three times a week and all boiled down to just her and her dream. increasing her running and strength training sessions. “I block everything out and concentrate on >>>
21
>>> the job in front of me. I do get a bit nervous but I can't let that drain me. “Muhammad Ali once said a fight is won or lost before you get in the ring and you have to learn to trust that the work done outside the ring is enough.” And for Ellie that trust is placed in her coach Zedda Harrington. “He has been boxing all his life and I trust him completely. He has taught me sometimes you have to box and sometimes you have to brawl and it can get really frantic in the ring so that's when listening to him and executing the fight plan becomes so important. “Zedda thinks I have got the ingredients to be a champion, we just have to put it all together and chip away at it," she said. Ellie has set her sights on making her way to the youth Oceania Championships next year. “I have to fight in some tournaments and if I win I go on to represent the state and then the country.” That will mean coming up against girls of all shapes, sizes and ages. “I have to do that if I want to take the next step, to see where I am and what I need to work on.”
Having turned 18, Ellie doesn't regret the countless hours she puts into her training nor does she worry missing out on the party life of other people typical of her age. “I don't socialise much and the people
important to me know and respect my goals and understand my commitments. “The way I look at it is I am working hard now and will party later once I achieve my goals.”
WORK TO WEEKEND – 2019 STYLE HAS ARRIVED We have your entire wardrobe covered for work and play. 22
P. 5480 1027
173 Pakenham St, Echuca
Stupid
Suddenly Single
Little Ms Masochist makes light of her age, health, fitness and other fundamentals
Yes, some people just never learn. Some of us, probably, aren't that smart. The jury is out on the good ship SS Sophie but right now she looks set to run aground on an overdose of hubris
H
OW CAN WE be into 2019 already?
Three months in already; that's a quarter of the year gone. How can I be approaching my 45th year?
I mean seriously if I close my eyes I can still see myself as a youthful, carefree teenager with big hair, perky boobs, no chin hair, acid wash jeans and a whole big wide world at my feet. My biggest bubba is 21 this year and I am like whoa, slow down the bus — how did that happen? I remember when I brought her home. She was somewhat banged up (but come to think of it so was I, after a million hour labour and the forceps delivery to get her out) but she was beautiful and she was mine. And now she is going to be 21! And did I mention I will be 45? OMG — the numbers are starting to get big, but as a person determined to never let her age define her, I did what most unhinged people in denial do and signed up to do something that scares me. Something I vowed I would never do again. My second Ironman. The temptation was just too much for me. My biggest bubba wants to go to Cairns
for her 21st. I must admit I was a little surprised by her decision because it is a place we have had many happy family vacations pre-separation/divorce. I tried to woo her with my own personal visions of an overseas holiday but it was all to no avail, she stood her ground and Cairns it is. But in a surprising silver lining, the Ironman event is only four days after her birthday. I mean seriously, could the stars not align any more perfectly? I was like the universe spoke to me and when I was able to get three return flights for under $1000 bucks that was it, I was sold. On New Year's Day I invested another $900 of my hard earned money into personal development and an overly full swear jar and committed myself to another six months of excessive swimming, riding and running. Fingers crossed the old rig will hold up and I am going to be an Ironman again just to prove to myself the first time wasn't a fluke. I only hope my dodgy shoulder and creaky knees can keep it together for another six months. There is something addictive about pushing yourself and it will be interesting to see how
I go, especially since aggro Sophie has left the building and the anger that powered me for so long has vanished. I will be training on excessive amounts of love and light this time and I am sure instead of cursing and swearing my way through some of my tougher sessions it will be all smiles and happy, shiny unicorns (they say if you tell yourself something for long enough it becomes true). This time I am going to approach my training a little differently and have booked myself (insert groan) into a 25 km trail run at Warburton in March to change things up. If my last run is anything to go by, this will certainly be a challenge after a mere 8 km left me gasping for breath and dying on the side of the road. Hopefully the 40°C-plus temperatures in which we have baked this summer will be a distant memory by then. I am not sure whether it is the burning heat of this summer that is affecting me, but I don't think I could actually run any slower than I currently am; which is fabulously motivating when you have been running for more than seven years. Lucky I am a stubborn old goat (complete with chin hair) and won't be letting that beat me. Ironman Cairns 2019, I am coming for you.
23
Running a small business? Demand the attention. Signarama can tailor promotional material to your needs and budgets. Create awareness through vehicle stickers, window banners, A-frame signs, pamphlets, posters, flyers and pull up banners.
Echuca-Moama 5480 0650 Visit our showroom at 5/55 McMillan Road, Echuca
A business with no sign is a sign of no business.
210 Hare Street, ECHUC A | 03 5480 7010 T H E L A B O R A T O R Y . C O M . A U
Faye was on a mission She might have been an old-fashioned stay at home mum — except she hardly had time to stay there. Faye Berryman was simply too busy doing stuff. For anyone and everyone. And LACHLAN DURLING writes she isn't showing any signs of slowing down
A D E S T I N AT I O N OF LIFE & STYLE HOME | GARDEN | CAFÉ
6525 Northern Highway, Rochester | 5484 2209 info@temptation.net.au | www.temptation.net.au
26
F
AYE BERRYMAN IS best described as a 'right now' person, and it's this attitude that has seen projects in the twin towns get off the ground in record time. She's just one of a group of people in Echuca busy but quietly working behind the scenes to keep the many groups we have going. Of course, she'd never take the credit, let alone take it away from anyone else; she stands by the fact community groups around town harbour some of the most supportive people.
An only child, born in Rochester and growing up on a farm in Mathoura, Faye admitted she had it pretty good. "Col said I was spoilt when he married me — and I still am," she laughed. But one thing always irked her, she always wanted a brother. “I wanted someone to look after me and take me out places when I was old enough,” she said. And while she remained an only child, she got more than she bargained for when she married into Col's family. Just like that — boom — four brothers and three sisters in law, a ready-made family. After she was married she finished nursing and kept the home fires burning, with the births of three kids to follow. “I was quite happy nursing but I wanted to get married. I met Col at a St Mary's dance. I had spent 12 months working on the wards before I got married,” Faye said. “I didn't go back and I didn't push the issue.” She was married two weeks after her 21st birthday and three years after that the couple had their first — a baby boy. Col and Faye had three children, a boy, a girl and then another boy — one every three years. And Faye was happy to roll the dice on a fourth child — and second daughter. “I thought we should have another baby to get that girl (and have an even number) but Col didn't want to take the risk,” she laughed. The family lived out at Thyra Rd with the three kids and Faye dove into every local activity and group she could. “There was a school out there and it was a good community. When you're in a smaller community you tend to get involved in everything,” she said. And after Sunday school, teaching religion and being part of the parents' committee, the kids had grown up and it was time to find a way to fill time. Thankfully, there was always a school or community group calling out for more people. “Teaching religion in Mathoura was my first serious job, and I would come into Moama too — I did that for 40 years," she said.
“I love the kids who come up and say 'I used to be in your school'. “I thoroughly loved teaching.” Although she was something of a group groupie, there was one gig she simply could not crack. “I wasn't proficient enough for CWA,” Faye laughed. But just this tip of the volunteering iceberg is proof positive when there were hard yards to be done, Faye was who you wanted standing beside you. Although she maintains it's nothing that people before her haven't done. And stressed she could not have done much of it by herself. “Each group of people you go to Echuca are marvellous — they're good with everything," she said. “We have had chaplaincy for quite a while. Our minister wanted young people to be more involved in church. I saw an article (in the Riverine Herald) and thought we could get one going in Echuca. “That went on for 35 years and we had people doing everything — it was a real community effort. “You never feel not wanted. There are always people asking for some sort of help and things.” Faye and Col then moved to Echuca when Col turned 60, where the pair felt right at home. But she stops any suggestion that she was the one who instigated Echuca Chaplaincy. “No, it wasn't just me. There had to be a lot of people supporting people,” she insisted. It was a group of people, from larger-thanlife characters to those happy to beaver away in the shadows of anonymity — all of them capable of doing great things.
after them for at least 40,” she laughed. Her daughter Fiona studied aged care and lived at home before moving out and meeting Phillip Stone, the man she would marry. The pair were the first to give Faye a grandchild — Ashley Stone. He was diagnosed with autism but as soon as he could sleep through the night he was staying with Faye and Col in Echuca. Faye laughed as she remembered the first few times Ashley stayed over, making sure she and Col had their wits about them. “He was always up at 4 am,” she reminisced. And he opened up a whole new community to the family. Soon enough they were bouncing between activities and events at Echuca Specialist School (ESS) and Community Living and Respite Services (CLRS) Echuca. “The kids (at ESS) are just gorgeous. To begin with I was Col's wife, then I became Wesley's mum and now everyone knows me as Ash's grandma,” Faye said, laughing about her different titles. Old volunteers never die, they don't even fade away. They simply keep helping. From teaching religion and being part of the parents committee for her kids, she's now volunteering at CLRS and ferrying Ashley to and from ESS. “It's good having things to do, I'm never worrying about getting going in the morning,” she laughed. “I belong at that school and it's amazing to see what the teachers do. They put in 200 per cent there and it can get very involved.” And if they need a hand with anything, they've got the right woman, mother, grandmother and volunteer on tap.
“Our old treasurer used to write letters to send off with the money. When he died they said 'we're going to miss Keith's letters',” she said. “And we had such a good co-operation with the churches in town; everyone had their own schools to look after but still supported us well.” As for her most recent fulltime job of being a mother (and grandmother), Faye has one piece of sage advice. “Don't believe it when people tell you you're only a mother for 18 years. You have to look
27
ge lar r a ideas o f us gift See ge of n ra
A working studio with paintings (Abstract & Contemporary) sculptures ceramics cards jewellery felting and much, much more. . .
COMMISSIONS TAKEN | phone Glenda 0428 662 882
Glenda Cornell
Murray Esplanade in the heart of the Historical Port of Echuca. 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily, closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Smiles you love.
Confidence you need. Campaspe Dental Care are very excited to announce Dr Anna Lai is joining our practice! Anna grew up in Melbourne, and after earning her Doctor of Dentistry at the University of Melbourne, has moved to Echuca to join Dr Tony Lee and the team. Anna is gentle and loves to make people feel happier and more confident with their smile.
She loves getting to know her patients, and enjoys cooking and baking. We are very happy such a talented clinician has joined our team, and think all our patients will love her!
Call and make an appointment today!
525 High Street, Echuca Phone: 5482 1217 www.campaspedentalcare.com.au
29
CLOTHING, SHOES & ACCESSORIES
GET LOOSE WITH MAD HUEYS CLOTHING NOW IN STORE 206 Hare Street, Echuca | (03) 5482 5022 30
Experts Expertsin inDesign, Design, Remake Remake&&Remodelling Remodelling
SPECIALISING SPECIALISINGININ • •AllAllJewellery Jewelleryand andWatch WatchRepairs Repairs • •Ring RingResizing Resizing • •Polishing Polishing • •Rhodium RhodiumPlating Plating • •Remake Remakeand andRemodelling RemodellingofofRings Rings • •Restorations Restorations • •Custom CustomDesign Design • •Unique UniqueHandmade HandmadeJewellery Jewellery • •Stone StoneSourcing Sourcing • •Pearl PearlRethreading Rethreading • •Melt MeltDown DownYour YourGold Goldand andDesign DesignSomething SomethingSpecial Special
FREE FREEJewellery JewelleryInspections Inspections FREE Jewellery Inspections FREE Down and Remodel FREEMelt MeltDown Down and Remodel FREE Melt and Remodel (your Assessment (your (yourJewellery) Jewellery) Jewellery) Assessment Assessment FREE Design Service FREE FREEDesign DesignService Service
ll
www.jmleech.com.au www.jmleech.com.au www.jmleech.com.au
ll
ll
Bendigo ☎☎ 0303 5443 5801 ☎ 0303 5470 6498 0303 5480 1808 ☎☎ 0303 5461 1801 | Castlemaine | Echuca | Maryborough Bendigo 5443 5801 ☎ 5470 6498Echuca ☎ 03 5480 1808Maryborough 5461 1801 03 5443 5801Castlemaine Castlemaine 6498 Echuca☎ 5480 1808 03 5461 1801
THE H
A
of a start-up BU
NG
GE
TT
IN G
SIN E SS
Kiralee and Sammara Pascoe talk to VIVIENNE DUCK about their venture into a home jewellery business using that most basic of artistic elements — clay. And they appear to have identified a niche market, quickly building a national client base through social media
T
HESE SISTERS REALLY are doing it for themselves.
Hand selecting, cutting, moulding, making their earrings — and it's all done on their dining room tables between meals. But despite their sisterly bond, it was their shared love of food and nature which brought them into their newest venture. Kiralee and Sammara Pascoe have always been creative and decided they would like to share their inspiration with other women and the earrings business was born — along with their brand Euc and Honey. “We just decided one day that we should give it a go and make some earrings for ourselves,” Kiralee said. “We never thought we would get as big as we have, it really just was for us and possibly our family and friends.” But the online earring business has fast become more than just a hobby. “There aren't many polyclay earrings around and we thought we would give the material a go,” Sammara said.
32
“We use mainly Australian suppliers, which is important to us, and hand make each earring so no two are identical, which I really love. “There is something about the imperfections which really appeal to some women and it has really just taken off.” The Echuca sisters started making some earrings back in July and have gone from sales to family and friends to local and interstate markets and across the country through online sales. “We have sent earrings to Sydney, Melbourne and are in talks with a lady in Queensland to stock our earrings,” Kiralee said. “We are really just going with the flow and seeing where it takes us but it is really enjoyable to be doing this with my sister.” Kiralee and Sammara try and catch up once a week to make a batch of earrings.
media accounts; that takes up a fair bit of time, taking photos of each pair and typing out each post,” Kiralee said. “And then when people are messaging you asking to purchase a pair there is the time it takes to chat to them, pack the earrings and send them. “Time-consuming is the job description that comes to mind.” But it is obvious both women get a big kick out of each creation as do the women who eventually wear them. “Our motto at the beginning was perfectly imperfect and that really describes each pair of our earrings,” Sammara said. “It is rewarding when you are walking down the street and you see someone wearing one of your earrings.
But the time it takes to create, bake, make, set and sell one pair is far more than just a normal eight hour day.
“It really isn't about the money for us, we try and make our earrings affordable and something women will really cherish and be proud they are wearing local hand-made jewellery.”
“Because we are selling through our social
Making the clay earrings really is a process.
“First we pick out our clay, then our cutters and cut out the shapes,” Sammara said. “Then we hand poke the holes in the clay which can be a bit fiddly to make sure they are as centred as we can get them. “Then we clay for 15 the oven.”
bake the minutes in
“Our town is pretty great at supporting local businesses and we have really felt that in the past six months or so. “Sometimes people come up to us at the market and just give us a little compliment about how much work goes into our
“In a normal eight-hour day we can normally get about 40 earrings done,” Kiralee said.
“We also have been delving into doing lava bead earrings which you can use with your essential oils, which is all the craze at the moment,” Kiralee said.
“But like anything we have good and bad days. “Sometimes we end up laughing in tears and we aren't as productive.”
“We are even looking into doing an essential oil earring workshop with some local businesses, where each person makes and takes home their own earrings.”
Not only are they selling their creations on social media they are out and about at any local market they can find.
“It has been so surprising to see how many other local businesses support us.
“We want to start making our own jewellery pouch for people to put their earrings in when they are travelling and whatnot,” Sammara said. “Because they are made out of clay they can break if you just put them at the bottom of your bag and there isn't really a market out there for that.”
They then let the clay cool and set before adding the stainless steel hooks.
“We love markets and thought instead of just going and having a look at what is there, we could be selling our earrings too,” Kiralee said.
two of them are now looking at expanding their business.
earrings, so it is nice to get that recognition and people seem to love them.” Despite Sammara working full-time at Echuca Regional Health (not to mention planning a wedding) and Kiralee at home with her 14-month-old daughter Ochre, the
The Pascoe sisters are just taking life as it comes and said they couldn't do any of it without the support of their families. “Both our partners are incredible and help us out all the time, as well as our family,” Sammara said. “It really is a family affair.”
CO 0434 221 984
@IMIANDCO 33 MURRAY ESPLANADE, ECHUCA
HAIR BOUTIQUE
IMIANDCO.HAIRBOUTIQUE@GMAIL.COM
33
Being different is
brilliant if you embrace it
Her music career began at her mother's knee and has evolved from a farm outside EchucaMoama to a Parisian home and a red-hot ragtime act which is proving a tour de force in the world's most tour de force city. CHARMAYNE ALLISON reports
W
HEN HEATHER STEWART reflects on where her love of music began, she immediately thinks of her mother.
Growing up on the family farm 40 km outside Echuca-Moama, Heather and her siblings enjoyed days filled with laughter, scraped knees and fresh air. And music. Collapsing into bed, droopy-eyed, at the end of another whirlwind day, they couldn't go to sleep until their mother came in and did one more thing.
Or the afternoons spent with her sister making music tapes and radio shows and writing songs — and attending countless live shows with their parents.
Eventually introduced to the South West and Border music camps, Heather was relieved to meet other kids and adults who were singing off her hymn sheet.
Heather was just six when she first heard a violin in a local production of Fiddler on the Roof.
“It was a challenge being different from most people in my community,” she said.
From the first note, she was entranced. “I told my mum that was the instrument I wanted to play for the rest of my life,” she recalls.
On graduating high school, Heather reluctantly left the fresh green spaces of farm life to pursue her dream career in the city.
“I just loved the sounds of the violin. It was so expressive, it cried and sang and expressed so much beauty and pain.
After studying classical violin and voice and completing a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in violin and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Melbourne, she moved briefly to London, studying further and working as a freelance classical and jazz musician.
“I had sung constantly from babyhood onwards, so the violin naturally joined me on that journey.” While the violin had soared in Fiddler, Heather's first scraping notes were perhaps a little less inspiring. Still, Heather's family didn't hold back the praise.
She'd tuck the covers up to their little chins, gently smooth the hair off their fore- “It must've sounded pretty scratchy. But my family really helped me understand how heads — and then she would begin to sing. special playing and sharing music could be,” Sometimes it would be You Are My Sunshine. she said. Other times, the sweet lilt of Lover's Lullaby. “And my grandparents loved to hear me play One song at first. violin. And then another. And another. Until their mother's soothing voice eventually sent them all off to the land of Nod. Looking back now, Heather sees these lullabies as the beginning of her lifelong love affair with music. But she said there were countless other memories that saw this passion take flight. Such as when the family held community sing-alongs at their home, everyone crowded together behind the piano, a wave of voices swelling as Heather's mum played.
34
“It took a long time to find people I really connected with.”
“We lived on the farm together and they would ask me to play for them each day. I loved to see their joy when I did.” Echuca's June Edwards taught her to play piano from age 11, Helen Knight gave her vocal lessons and both Heather Thompson and Daniel Herbst taught her violin.
Eventually returning home, Heather continued graduate studies in jazz and pedagogy and worked for 10 years in Melbourne, building a career as a professional singer, violinist and specialist teacher. She would become the member of several successful jazz and blues projects and was soon featured in small orchestral and opera gigs as a violinist and singer. Along the way, she met a dashing double bassist, musician Leigh Barker, who would eventually become her husband. While most of the journey to Heather's dream career was just that — a dream — it wasn't all smooth sailing. Having played music for so long Heather suddenly found herself burnt out at 23. And the performance anxiety which had simmered within her from a young age suddenly boiled to the surface.
But as Heather grew, she began to realise this love of music wasn't shared by everybody.
“I had to be pushed on stage,” she said.
And it wasn't long before she felt pressured by school teachers and fellow students to start working towards a 'real job'.
“And after I played, I'd be thinking of the three notes I'd missed in the three hours I'd played.
“One time a friend came up to me and said, 'That was amazing, the combination of the music was breathtaking.' “I suddenly realised I hadn't heard a thing, I was only worrying about myself. “And I thought, I can't do this until I can enjoy it again.” Heather stopped playing violin professionally and set out to complete a physiotherapy degree. But the notes floating around the back of her mind eventually became too loud to ignore. “I had the major realisation that every minute I was doing physiotherapy, I wasn't doing music,” she said. “Friends and family and fellow musicians encouraged me to get back into it.
MUM-CATION? you know you deserve it...
“My dad was also very encouraging, in his own quiet way. He always said 'don't let fear stop you from doing something you need to do'.” Heather slowly pried her fingers loose, letting go of her perfectionism and learning to embrace the process of learning — not just the result. Before she knew it, her love of music had been rekindled. But Heather faced another, much greater challenge in 2011. Her mother — her key supporter and inspiration — died. She was the one who encouraged Heather to follow her dreams. She was the one who calmed her down and taught her to laugh along the tough road to a career in music. And she was the one who gave her the courage to move with her husband — musician Leigh Barker — to Paris two years ago. “We moved for my and my husband's music careers,” Heather said. “We wanted to live in the larger musical world. We love Australia, but it's so far from where the world-wide touring circuits are. “I knew music would eventually take me away from my family.” For their two little daughters Beatrice, 3, and Mathilde, 1, Paris is now home — to the point where (to Heather's mixed alarm and delight) they're beginning to babble away in French. And it has also become a second home for Heather and Leigh. A lot like the one in which Heather grew up. “There's always music in the house,” she said. “There'll be records playing on repeat as Leigh or I practice songs. The girls play instruments or tap away on 'Lego music'.” And, for Heather and Leigh, this music also spills into their working lives.
ESCAPE TO YOUR
OWN SPACE
Heather is now one-half of Paris duo The Dirty Ragtimers. She recently met Ragtimers partner Lucas Montagnier at a small Parisian bar, where they jammed all night to a rapt audience. “We realised we both shared a passion for acoustic fingerpicking blues, old jazz, blues and gospel singers and a huge range of music from the early 20th century,” she said.
BOOK 2019 NOW, PAY LATER
Soon becoming a weekly fixture at Montmartre bar Chez Camille, the duo also began reeling in fans across Paris. Last year, the Ragtimers captivated audiences on their home soil during their Australian tour — which brought them right here, to Echuca-Moama. Which was a dream come true for Heather. “I was so excited to see friends and family and share music with my hometown,” Heather said. “We always appreciate what we have when we've been away from it. “We'll always be Australian and it's so special to come home.”
35
Thirty Something
Bali, TV and other trash — I think I need a shower H
AVE YOU SEEN the advertisement on your small screen yet?
The one where four very plastic people from central casting are playing some sad little suburban game with their iPad (not a modern, compact one either, which just goes to underline where I am going) pretending they are at some exotic location. We never know exactly where that is. Well you might if it was at the start of the ad. I don't connect immediately because I am not actually watching it, I never do. But the fiancé decided to surprise me with one of those large flat screen abominations that demand they be the centre of attention in your family room. A room sacred to me for the family of my choosing (although obviously not mine if I can avoid it). Yet there it hangs on the wall and there he sprawls on my Boca do Lobo sofa, which he has clearly mistaken for a hammock with his arms and legs going everywhere. Have I mentioned his arms? Long, no excessive hair, and none of those gruesome bulging biceps. Rather long muscles, thick and pliable, to hands with long, tapered fingers that might just be slightly thicker than most but we all know that's not a bad thing. Then there are those incredibly defined legs, more of those long distance type muscles down to fine calves and size 12 everything, I mean feet.
36
Oops. That's not what we were discussing. Worse, that's not what would ever have been discussed outside the primary pals circle. I can't put my finger on it and neither can the current circle. Seriously, I mean two of them suggested it proved I really am in love. Truly, they did. Crystallising nagging doubts the ad hoc circle I recently initiated isn't going to go the distance. For the past two weekends I have even opted for mixers with the fiancé's at times oafish and amazingly extensive circle just to get some headspace. Anyhow, enough about me — for now — and getting back to that ad I was discussing. So these purportedly 30 somethings get so excited by the success of the cyber holiday get daring and decide to play one more game. Then choose Bali. Bali? That's the place where poor people go to lord it over a pleasing little population of quasi colonial demeanour and pretend they are rich because 50 cents will buy you almost anything. You don't holiday in these places, you wallow. It would not matter where you were staying, some drunken football or cricket
team (men's and, depressingly, women's) will have booked every room around you. Now look me in the face and tell me that was fun. And if you do don't ever come near me again. If the place you go is classified a holiday destination then it's not worth going. It will mostly be filled with holidaymakers. I prefer to spend my luxury time in, well in luxury. And luxury only comes with tradition. More importantly the right people also come with tradition. People who can do more for you than (here I am shuddering as I write) shout the next round. If I wanted to surround myself with that class of traveller I would move to Melbourne's northern suburbs. Which I would never do — I won't even drive through them for fear of what I might catch. But let's all forget those bad dreams; let's absolutely forget Bali and get back to me. And you have left that too late. While I have been talking to you the television has been turned off and I can hear the shower running in the background. There's no TV in the bathroom so I guess I'll just have to use my imagination and I am very good at that.
2 for 1 Cake Lunch 12pm – 3pm Dinner 6pm – Late Coffee 12pm – 9pm 505–507 High St, Echuca (03) 5480 1900 www.sunago.com.au
You deserve beautiful lashes • Lash & Brow • Massage • Spray-tan • Waxing
Book a FREE CONSULTATION and wake up beautiful every day!
0456 607 100 • 22 Hare Street, Echuca Glow for Beauty — Lash & Beauty Studio glowforbeauty_echuca_moama Book online via Facebook
www.glowforbeauty.com.au 37
Polly is a class act on a small stage
38
Small country schools bring their own challenges — such as teachers mastering prep to year six curriculums all at the same time. Polly Healey told KIMBERLEY PRICE her school might just have a principal and her, teaching a total of eight students across the seven years, but is kicking some big goals
P
OLLY HEALEY IS passionate about learning.
As a young student, she struggled with her grades because she had a different learning technique to her peers. However, as a teacher she is determined not to leave any of her small group of students behind. Polly is the only full-time teacher, working alongside teaching principal Jim Rinaldi, at Leitchville Primary School — where grades prep to Year 6 have a total of eight names on the roll. “It was certainly a massive shock to the system,” Polly laughed. “The first week I felt like Bambi on Ice.”
learning activities and styles to ensure all children keep on track and enjoy learning. “We have Tippa the dog. “I'd done a lot of research about bringing dogs into classrooms and discovered they have a calming effect. “Tippa gives the children unconditional love which is so important for a child as you never know what goes on outside the classroom. “I often find Tippa with one of the kids cuddled up on the floor. “He allows the children to remain calm, regain their focus and teaches them about patience and forms friendships between them.
But the challenges of being in charge — of not just a class, but a school — have seen Polly flourish and enabled the 24-year-old to fuel her passion of focusing on a child's specific learning needs.
“And for students lacking confidence in reading, they can read to Tippa and their mistakes aren't judged.
“When I was in Year eight I was struggling to get my grades up so my parents thought it would be best to get some external help,” Polly said.
For Polly, the challenge of catering to a dozen differing needs is one which she and Jim Rinaldi take on with great determination and pride. Through incorporating circle work, group work and regular excursions out in the incredibly supportive Leitchville community, the students are always active, busy and eager to learn.
“I started getting tutoring from Cathy Kervin, who really inspired me. “She supported me and how I learnt, and taught me different ways to learn and new techniques. “I got into teaching because I didn't want other kids to feel the way I did in school.” After graduating from Moama Anglican Grammar School in 2012, Polly studied a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at La Trobe University in Bendigo. Polly spent a year at Echuca East Primary School before hearing about and being encouraged to apply for the opportunity at Leitchville.
“We also have a rabbit and a guinea pig.”
With five students graduating last year, the school's numbers decreased quite dramatically. But in celebrating its 140th year last year, Leitchville Primary School still has many years to come. “It's an amazing school environment,” Polly smiled. “Having eight students with two teachers most of the time means we can keep up to date with the children's needs. “Every student has different needs and different learning plans.
“I was really nervous to begin teaching here," “We can work one on one to keep changing she said. and achieving goals. “They called and said I had the job and I was “I cover everything from science to coding to like: 'Really? Are you sure?' maths to English and PE. “But the principal said he thought I could “I wear many teaching hats. really do this.” “And I love it. Having a small group of students and a wide range of content to cover has meant “It's really brought out my confidence. Polly has had to think outside of the box. “I'm learning just as much as the students She's been able to incorporate different are.”
39
THIS GIRL CAN WEEK 18 – 24 March FREE Come and Try sessions Get Involved @ Echuca Stadium • • • • • •
Date 18-Mar 22-Mar 22-Mar 22 Mar 24-Mar 30 Mar
Time 10:00am 10:00am 10:30am 10am – 4pm 3:00pm 10am – 4pm
Activity In Partnership with Qigong (Tai Chi) Echuca Neighbourhood House Qigong (Tai Chi) Echuca Neighbourhood House Netball Echuca Stadium Wheelchair Sports (not just Rugby) Badminton Echuca Stadium Wheelchair Sports (not just Rugby)
Rock Up Netball (during school terms) • No need for teams, no need for try-outs just come along and play. • All ages. All skill levels. All welcome • Thursdays 6pm – 7pm at Echuca South Netball Courts • Fridays 10:30am – 11:30am at Echuca Stadium • Individual or Team Registrations still open • Register Online at: www.rockupnetball.com.au/play/locations/north/echuca
Get Involved @ EWMAC • • • • •
Date 18-Mar 19-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 22-Mar
Time 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am 10.30am 10.15am
Activity Body Balance EnerG Body Balance EnerG Body Step
In Partnership with EWMAC EWMAC EWMAC EWMAC EWMAC
Get Involved @ Kyabram Stadium Date • 21-Mar • 22-Mar
Time 6:15pm 10:30am
Activity In Partnership with Thai Boxing/Fitness Ky Thai Boxing Netball Kyabram Stadium
Get Involved @ Tongala Stadium Date • 24-Mar
Time 10:00am
Activity Squash
In Partnership with Ky Squash Club
Follow EWMAC and Echuca Stadium on Facebook
Contact EWMAC for details. Cnr Service and High St. Echuca www.campaspeaquatics.com.au Ph: 03 5483 9698
A celebration of women being physically active –
No matter how they look, how good they are, or how sweaty they get. This campaign aims to help women overcome the fear of judgement that too often stop them getting active. At EWMAC we’re supporting and encouraging women who are giving it a go and getting active This Girl Can — Victoria kicked off in March 2018, and one year in we’re proud to say that it has inspired more than 285,000 Victorian women to get active as a result of seeing the campaign. That’s a staggering 1 in 7 Victorian women who have been inspired to get moving! This Girl Can — Victoria was based on Sport England’s viral hit This Girl Can. It’s proven to be a winning formula, with the Australian version achieving the equivalent level of success as
its English counterpart in its first year. We know that over three-quarters of women who have seen the campaign feel it has helped increase their confidence and overcome their fear of being judged when being active. We also know that the more often someone participated in the campaign, the more effective it was at inspiring them into action. But this is just the beginning of a long-term journey. We still have a long way to go until every woman across Victoria is motivated and confident to be active but we are starting now in Echuca Moama. With your help, we will inspire even more women to join the movement.
Contact EWMAC for details. Cnr Service and High St. Echuca www.campaspeaquatics.com.au Ph: 03 5483 9698
The sheer of being
joy
heartbroken
Growing up as one of 10 children would be crowded enough for your average individual but CHARMAYNE ALLISON talked to one woman whose family always managed to find room for one more, a lesson that has given her a role in the rescue of so many young lives
H
AVING YOUR HEART broken, over and over, is one of the most rewarding parts of Priscilla Jasper's life.
were orphans, hiding them outside then, one by one, searching until every last one was found.
She still gets misty-eyed when she recalls the time she handed a foster child his first wrapped birthday present.
She'd then wrap them in blankets, clothe them and give them shelter in her dollhouse.
The little boy was so overwhelmed by receiving a gift with his name on it he couldn't bear to open it. “He just stood there, cradling it, never wanting the moment to end,” she said. “Another boy opened his present with the same wonder, but then put everything back in the box and said, 'when do I have to give it back'?” If that doesn't break your heart, you may have no soul. And that's what keeps Priscilla going. As co-director of Shepparton's Southern Cross Kids' Camp — a camp aimed at giving children in foster care a week of happy memories — Priscilla has seen, first-hand, the impact love has on those who have rarely (perhaps never) experienced it. She's had this passion for reaching out to the vulnerable and neglected from day one. Even as a little girl, she'd pretend her dolls
It might have started out as a child's game but it would prove an uncanny prediction of what she'd be doing in another 20 years. Priscilla's passion for helping others seems to run in the blood. Growing up on a farm in Bunnaloo, her parents were respite and emergency foster carers from before she was born. It wasn't unusual for a child to walk through the Jasper front door, stay for a week, and then leave. But what some children could have seen as an intruder was, to Priscilla, just a new friend — if a temporary one. And as the second eldest of 10 children, she was accustomed to new faces joining the family. That's right, a metric dozen. An overwhelming number to most, Priscilla's parents decided to double that, sponsoring a child for each new Jasper baby born.
Committed Christians, the Jaspers' faith was a key in this. Believing they could trust God with their own family, they decided to give generously to those in need in their community (and the wider world) as well. However, by the time Priscilla was 11, her parents (understandably) decided to focus on raising their own children for a while, putting foster care on hold. At that time, the children would spend two hours a day riding the bus to and from school. It was eating away into precious time together as a family, so Priscilla's parents decided to homeschool them instead. “It was a purposeful decision, nothing to do with the education system or any negative influences,” she said. “But family time was just very important.” Priscilla described the following years as a time of real growth. Suddenly homeschooled, she became very shy, feeling she didn't have much in common with her former friends. “But I eventually realised, if I wanted to have friends I needed to be a friend. So I tried to start reaching out to children who were on their own,” she said.
“It was always a mission of our family, because we'd been blessed with so much, to give to those who were less fortunate,” “It was powerful, because we saw this exemshe said. plified in our own parents. “Because of that, we understand the value of what we have and want to care for others.”
42
“People may think our family is quite insular and sheltered. But actually, >>>
>>>
Everything Gluten Free
so much of what our parents encouraged us to do was outward focused.” In 2008, the family gained another member when a woman the Jaspers had previously fostered showed up at their door, desperate for help. “We had fostered this woman and her brother for a short time when they were children so we had a long-standing relationship with them,” Priscilla said. “The woman had a little girl, Desten, whom she asked us to take for a three-week respite.” Desten stayed for 10 years. A few years after she came to the Jaspers, she was accepted for permanent care. But she was part of the family long before that. “Once you've done life with someone and protected and advocated for them through hard times — as we'd done with Desten — you become family,” Priscilla said. There are several days in her 33 years (including the day Desten arrived) that stand out to Priscilla. Another is July 23, 2010. She was at a conference when she saw a clip about Southern Cross Kids' Camp. “I immediately thought, 'I have to do that',” she said. “I always thought you had to go overseas to help orphans, but there are children right here who need our help.” She attended her first SCKC that year. And never looked back. The camp pairs children in foster care with “buddies” — trained young people throughout the region who give the children unconditional time, love and encouragement. “The one-on-one aspect is so powerful,” Priscilla said. “Nine times out of 10, the children say their favourite thing was having a buddy. Someone who actually cared for them.” The camp highlighted desperate needs.
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo and Vegan products
“Some children would take food from the dinner table and hide it under their pillows at night, because they didn't have enough food at home,” Priscilla said. “I asked a little girl what the one thing was she wanted to get out of camp. “She said, 'a new pair of shoes'. She was wearing a pair of rotten old sneakers no child should have to wear. “We ended up getting her a pair of purple thongs — her favourite colour — and she barely took them off.” Since that first year, Priscilla has completed 13 camps, now as co-director in Shepparton while also recently becoming a foster carer on the side. “Camp was just one week of the year. I wanted to do more,” she said. “There was such a shortage of carers, but I worked full-time and couldn't afford to quit my job. “But then I discovered respite care, which was only on weekends and school holidays, when I'm free.”
Riverine Gluten Free Open Tuesday 10 am – 6 pm Wednesday 10 am – 5 pm or by appointment 116 Strathallan Rd, Strathallan 3622 M. 0428 629 391 | E. riverinegf@bigpond.com
44
Respite care gives foster carers a chance to go away for a much-needed break or holiday. “I get to be like an aunty to the kids,” Priscilla said. “In a short period of time, I make sure their needs are met. “Above all, I make sure they know they're safe and loved and given plenty of happy memories — in a life that may not have many.”
March 13–20, 2019 Coeliac Disease is a digestive disorder of the small intestine. When gluten is ingested it damages the micro villi in the small intestine affecting absorption of vital nutrients and placing the body at enormous risk of other diseases. A gluten-free diet for people with coeliac disease IS NOT a choice, it is a matter of absolute necessity. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, oats and malt. Complete elimination of all these components is essential in maintaining good health. Becoming an avid label reader is essential. The positive spin on this is that all real whole food (minus the above, is gluten free) fresh fruit and vegetables, good quality grass-fed meat (where possible), and good quality dairy or alternatives is gluten free. Many people with coeliac disease are lactose intolerant but NOT all. This comes as a result of the damaged villi which has the lactase enzyme on its tip that is responsible for breaking down the lactose. In some instances, once gluten free for some time this does repair and small amounts of lactose can be tolerated well. The most common symptoms in adults include: • anaemia. • bloating and flatulence. • diarrhoea or constipation. • fatigue, weakness and lethargy. • nausea and vomiting. • stomach cramps.
• nausea and vomiting. • weight loss or poor weight gain in older children. • delayed growth or delayed puberty.
It is always best to discuss nutrition with a Dietitian or Registered Nutritionist to ensure that if you change your diet that you don’t miss any important nutrients.
• tiredness.
For more information:
• irritability.
Better Health Channel. (2018). Retrieved from www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ health/conditionsandtreatments/ coeliac-disease-and-gluten-sensitivity
If you suspect that you or someone close to
• weight loss or weight gain.
you may have coeliac disease then book in
The most common symptoms in children include: • abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence.
able to do some preliminary testing and if
• bulky, foul-smelling bowel motions.
start a gluten free diet until after the tests
to see your doctor to discuss. They will be positive refer you off to a gastroenterologist for gold standard testing. It is best not to
• chronic anaemia.
have been completed as this will interfere
• diarrhoea or constipation.
with results.
Coeliac Australia. (2019). Retrieved from www.coeliac.org.au/ The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Retrieved from www.niddk.nih.gov/ health-information/digestive-diseases/ celiac-disease
For easy management and dietary plans Visit a practitioner who genuinely cares for you holistically. Online bookings via the website, book an appointment to suit you or contact via webpage, Facebook or mobile 0438 700 296
Call for your appointment today. Cindy Williams Health Coach/Registered Nurse/Nutritionist 0438 700 296 | www.liberationholistichealth.com.au | Monday & Wednesday | 177 Annesley St, Echuca
45
Patience  the key
to unlocking special talents
46
The Special Olympics XI National Games was held in Adelaide in April last year and FRASER WALKER-PEARCE spoke to one special lady who helped prepare Echuca-Moama athletes for the big event
T
HE WORD SELFLESS springs to mind when talking to Margaret Gumbleton.
The twin towns woman has volunteered her time with the Special Olympics Echuca Campaspe group for the past 12 years, and has been involved with helping disabled athletes across the state for almost three decades. Margaret volunteers a significant portion of her week engaging, teaching, caring for, and mentoring the 36 registered athletes within the group. And for 11 of those athletes, the 2018 Special Olympics XI National Games in Adelaide in April last year was a huge milestone of their budding careers. The 11 locally-trained sporting superstars put on a display across five different codes. Five represented Victoria in the pool, two on the court for basketball, two in bocce, one for tenpin bowling, and one in equestrian. “They couldn't have been more excited, they really couldn't,” Margaret said. “For most of these guys, it was their first trip to Adelaide. “And of the Victorian team of 150, to have 11 from our little association in Echuca, well that's pretty awesome I think.” Athletes who headed to Adelaide for the Games in swimming have trained for the best part of eight months under the determined tutelage of local coaches Shirley Milgate and Melissa Whelan. Margaret said there certainly would not have been athletes from Echuca-Moama attending the Games if it were not for the calibre of coaches available. “Shirley has also been involved for a long time, as has Karen Upton, who has been with the association for at least 12 years,” she said. With performances going their way, two athletes from the twin towns who represented Victoria have now qualified for the world games in Dubai next year, wearing the green and gold. Back in 2016, a team from EchucaMoama had a successful trip to the winter games in Melbourne, coming home with a gold, six silver and two bronze medals. Not a bad result for a group of 24 athletes who made the trip to Pakenham and competed in basketball and tenpin bowling events.
But for Margaret, it is a personal connection that keeps her coming back to the group week after week. “My daughter (Erin) has a condition that meant she was born with no muscle tone,” Margaret said. “So we had to assist in her exercise and physio, and that started before she could walk, with lessons in the pool. “From then on, all she wanted to do was represent Australia for swimming. And when she came back from the Asia-Pacific Games having worn the green and gold three years ago, she said 'I don't want to do swimming any more', and that was that.”
“
I JUST LOVE WATCHING THEM PRACTICE, TO TRAIN AND TO ACHIEVE. MOST PEOPLE DON’T EVER GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAD TO THE NATIONALS FOR THEIR CHOSEN SPORT, AND THESE GUYS DO — I THINK THAT’S FANTASTIC.
”
“After that she took up horse riding, and then she was selected to go to Adelaide in the equestrian team. . . I'm so proud of her,” Margaret said. Margaret is one of 14 registered volunteers within the Special Olympics Echuca Campaspe group and serves as the group's membership officer, among other unofficial roles. "I've been involved in the organisation since I moved here, be it as part of the committee, assisting with coaching the swimming or as a team manager," she said. Margaret was the group's chairperson from 2010 until 2015, and has also been the team manager for swimming for 10 years.
sport, and these guys do — I think that's fantastic. “I put their success down to the coach's talent, the player's dedication and determination, and the support of their families. Without one of those, none of it would work.” Margaret's husband Frank, a former AFL player in the 1970s for North Melbourne, is also involved with Special Olympics Echuca Campaspe, and has recently become an officially accredited coach for tenpin bowling. He traveled alongside Margaret and Erin to Adelaide as the assistant coach for Victoria's equestrian team. “We have a bit of a winning streak in the blood I think, thanks to my husband Frank,” Margaret said. One of the key weapons in Margaret's arsenal, when it comes to dealing with what can sometimes be a tricky crew to handle, is patience and a keen ear. “It's all about being patient and just listening to what they want to say,” she said. “In my time I've been able to gain more knowledge about intellectual disabilities, so I can begin to kind of understand why someone's frustrated or not having a good day. “This role for me has been basically a fulltime job since about October when we began planning for nationals. It has quiet times too, but since we began gearing up for nationals, it's been full on.” And Margaret does not see the end of her involvement any time soon. “I'll keep going I think until my health comes into it,” she said. “While my health is still good and I'm able to help in any way, I'll keep going.” Since she started volunteering her time with the local group in 2006, Margaret has seen vast changes in the way it operates.
“When I first started 26 years ago, everything was still under their own national codes like But for Margaret, it is not about helping Netball Australia and Swimming Australia intellectually-disabled athletes reach the like it is today, but now to coach you have to top of their game in sport — it is about help- be certified, which I think is great,” she said. ing an athlete reach the top of their sport. “And also, if you aren't certified, Special “I just love watching them practice, to train Olympics will help you become certified so and to achieve,” she said. you can stay in the game. “Most people don't ever get the opportunity to head to the nationals for their chosen
“That's a real bonus. It's changed out of sight.”
47