RUSHWORTH EASTER HERITAGE FESTIVAL

The Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival (the town celebration of yesteryear) was most successful this year. It was a friendly and welcoming environment day, with many people in attendance and a great variety of market stalls, some local businesses and stores open, live music, kid's entertainment, raffles, and lovely food. The highlight to many, of course, was the street parade of vintage and historic vehicles and horses. Rushworth and district is a culturally diverse community, with many interesting and unique businesses and tourist attractions. The Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival committee have a commitment to promote the area to visitors and residents alike, not just at Easter, but throughout the year, organizing activities, displays and events.

Their main event is holding the Rushworth Easter Heritage Festival every year on Easter Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Moora Working Draught Horse Muster on the Sunday did not go ahead this year, due to lack of volunteers, which is a great shame, as it was always a tremendous show for young and old alike. The street parade did go ahead though, with Police, The Rushworth Vintage Engine and Machinery Preservation Group, SES (with Paddy Platypus), Rushworth Historical Society, CFA, the kindergarten, and the Echuca Truck Club all participating.

The Bendigo Building Society supports this and many other events in the area and was represented by their mascot leading the kindergarten children. To name just a couple of unusual vehicles in the long line up, was the first crude oil tractor that replaced twelve horses and an over 100-year-old De Dion Bouton, which was built by a French automobile and railcar manufacturer which operated from 1881 to 1953.

It was so pleasing to see such a good turn out after Covid diminishing such events for such a long time.

Rodney Cwa

At the Junior’s April meeting, the girls completed their felt Easter rabbits, then they baked pikelets which they enjoyed for supper.

At our April meeting, we will be organising our Morning Coffee for April 20, and the Scone Day for May 6. For May we expect a speaker from the SES. Competition will be a photo of Mother.

We meet at the Tatura Bowls Club Rooms at 1:30 pm on the second Thursday of the month. All are welcome.

Scone Day: Rodney CWA Branch in Tatura will be selling pre-ordered Scones, Yo-Yos and ANZAC biscuits.

On Saturday, May 6.

Cost: Scones $1.50 each, $18 per dozen

Yo-yos 6 for $10, Anzac biscuits 6 for $6

Pre-order: by contacting Janette Mason 0408194638 or Gwen Ranson 0427241251.

Pick up from Gwen Ranson’s driveway, 51 Gowrie Street, Tatura between 10.00am and 12.00 noon on Saturday, May 6.

Other delights will be available for sale on the day.

- Beatrice Greaves, Publicity Officer

Tatura Community House

Power Saving Bonus – every household is eligible! Get $250 in ten minutes!

The community house can process your power saving bonus application quickly and ensure that all documents are uploaded. Bookings essential – 5824 1315.

Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee – up to 38 hours of sick pay for casual workers paid by the Victorian Government!

Tatura Fire Brigade

The Mooroopna sporting complex again paid host to the CFA VFBV State fire fighter Championship on the last weekend in March. Tatura Brigade was well represented and figured in event placings over the two days of competition with the highlight being the win by Matt Rennie in the Hydrant Race for one competitor. This event requires the competitors to sprint approximately 70 metres with the fire hydrant and set the hydrant into the plug and run over the finish line. The competitors have to win through two heats, with the final run against time. The person with fastest time in the final is crowned the Champion. Matt Rennie has won this event for the last three years to become the only person to have accomplished this. All eyes were on the track for the final and Matt did not disappoint with a blistering time of 11.41 seconds beating his rivals by over a second with Harvey WA (12.67) 2nd and Swan Hill (12.69) 3rd. His winning time is the 8th fastest winning time ever recorded and has him re-writing the record books with four consecutive wins.

Tatura’s Jeremy Withall, the defending champion in the ‘1 Competitor Marshall’ again showed his skill by taking out the event. His time was the quickest time over all sections and bettered his previous winning time. Jeremy teamed up with Nathan Rennie to record the fastest time in the ‘2 Competitor Marshall’ for another first place to the Tatura team.

The introduction of female events within the Championships gives ladies the opportunity to pit their skills against each other with some fine performances over the weekend. Hayley Rennie and Charlotte Freemantle combined well in the Marshall events for Ladies placing 2nd and 3rd in their two events. Hayley competed in the ‘1 Competitor Marshall’ and her time of 32.10 seconds placed her 3rd behind Euroa (31.29) and Swan Hill (31.38). Another notable performance was Nathan Rennie finishing 2nd in the Ladder Race with a personal best time of 6.54 seconds behind eventual winner from Osborne Park who recorded a time of 6.50 seconds and Harvey WA 3rd with 6.56.

Competitors skills are also put the test with events involving fire trucks designed to replicate real life fire situations where they are required to attach hoses and branches and squirt discs in the fastest time. Teamwork and co-ordination of roles is critical and the Freemantle family (Ryan, Charlotte and Hayden) together with Fraser McCarty combined well to record some competitive times in each of these events.

At the end of the two days of competition Tatura brigade had recorded the most points in all Dry events and won the Aggregate Trophy for the 2nd year in a row and the ladies were 3rd in the Female aggregate behind Euroa and Melton B.

If you are a casual worker in hospitality, food trades and food preparation, supermarkets, retail or sale, aged care and disability, cleaning and laundry, then you may be entitled to 38 hours of paid sick pay per year. You need to work an average of 7.6 hours or more per week, be older than 15 years and work in Victoria. The community house can register you and support you in claiming your sick pay. Bookings essential – 5824 1315.

Women’s Health Clinic – Free Bulk Billing

In partnership with GV Health, a Women’s Health Clinic will be available at the Community House for women and LGBTIQA+ people of all ages. The clinic will provide information, support, clinical services ad appropriate specialist referral services in an informal and relaxed environment. The clinic runs every first Tuesday of the month during school terms from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Give us a call

Digital Essentials – Expressions of Interest

Would you like to learn the basics of how to operate your smartphone or tablet in a small and friendly group setting with plenty of time to learn and apply your knowledge straight asway? Then these 10-session classes are the thing for you! Each session is three hours, course fee is $130 full fee and $103 concession. Please call the community house to express your interest 5824 1315.

Phyll’s Fashion Parade

Join us on a journey of fashion throughout the decades in memory of Phyll Bramley. Tuesday 23 May at 1:30pm. Drinks and finger food provided. Dress up and bring a friend. Donations will go towards something to remember Phyll Bramley by.

If you have clothes or dresses from the last century and are willing to lend them to the community house to present on the runway, give us a call on 5824 1315.

Monster Garage Sale

The Monster is back! Register your Garage Sale with the community house from Monday 3rd April – registrations are $20. Town wide garage sale on Saturday 6 May from 8:00am to 1:00pm. Maps are being sold at the community house from 8:00am sharp for $2.00. Coffee, tea and bacon & egg sandwiches available from 7:30am.

Coming Soon – Tatura Community House Walkway Gallery – Volunteers needed

We are transforming our hallways and foyer into a community gallery. We are looking for art loving volunteers for the gallery committee. Give us a call to inquire and have a chat.

Volunteers Needed - If you would like to get involved, give the Community House a call on 5824 1315.

- Nadine and Tom