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I’m not the best shopper. Living fifty kilometres from the nearest menswear shop, it’s easy to put off going shopping for clothes. Fortunately, I’m not very fashion conscious so I generally wear my shirts, jeans, and jumpers for many years until my ‘resident fashion consultant’ declares I can’t wear this or that item of clothing anymore. Despite her impeccable feminist credentials, she still feels that my frayed collar or torn jeans will reflect badly on her. But she is not a witness to my failing underpants, so this is a decision I must make alone.

No, I haven’t either! No one writes about the state of your underwear when you're in an accident. To be fair, most of us can get through most days without having to take our pants off in public, accident or not. So, sixty years later I’m still guessing at my mother’s motives. I know I’m not the only one. It seems to have been a very common bit of maternal advice. Assuming she wasn’t just trying to give me one more childhood trauma, perhaps Mum was saying that the things you think are secret and private can be uncovered when you least expect it, so be prepared, have integrity. Let your private self be the same as your public self. Some secrets are fun and healthy: surprise parties, hiding the gender of the baby until it is born, and romantic proposals. But there are other kinds of secrets that are inherently harmful.

Whilst I understand the absolute necessity to protect one another from COVID-19 and ‘flatten the curve’, it is still extraordinary and unsettling to know that at a time when people are afraid, frustrated, worried and looking for answers, our church doors are shut. And yet… our church community remains active. Our message of hope in Christ and our love for community is being spread in new ways. All our parishioners are praying for our families and friends, our church, our town, our nation and the world. The leaders of our pastoral care groups call and check in on assigned members of the congregation every week, to see how they are and if they need any help. As the Minister, I also call a number of different parishioners each week to offer pastoral care and prayer.

The insidious nature of secrets is that they are almost always rooted in shame. If there weren’t some degree of shame attached to them, we wouldn’t want to hide them. To be the keeper of a secret, means carrying a burden whose weight never grows lighter, believing if anyone knew the truth, the shame of it all would consume you.

0–2. Struggle Street. Don’t feel too bad. In order for people to live on Bland Street, somebody has to be worse than that and I’m sorry to say that’s you. On the other hand, if you had guessed (c) for every answer you would have gotten four correct so perhaps you were just unlucky.

The Australian Ballet is coming to the Tatura Library.

Now that may seem strange considering that we have had a drought many have said is the worst this country has seen, we have seen terrible bushfires ravage our country and leave untold misery as a result, and now we have the Corona Virus halting life as we once knew it.

MACCA’S MOB

So how can we say we are a lucky country?

The Australian Ballet is offering a range of workshops at the Tatura Library on Wednesday 5th July.

3-5. Bland Street. The majority of the population fall into this category. After all, average is both normal and safe. If you stand out from the crowd you become a tall poppy and we know what happens to them so rejoice in your ordinariness.

Each of the workshops is geared toward a specific age group starting with young children, through to youth, adults, and a dedicated seniors session for those over 60.

6-7. Above Average (sort of). Well done on another abnormal performance. If you were normal you would have been living on Bland Street and being called unexceptional. So, according to the Oxford dictionary, you are exceptional, irregular and deviating from type. Ask your friends if that sounds like you.

Workshops are being facilitated by the Australian Ballet Education and Outreach team. The workshops for children are designed to be accessible to all children regardless of learning styles or physical abilities. No previous dance experience is required: anyone can join in. Sessions will involve warmups, storytelling, creative games, dance exercises and learning the tools to make a dance. If your child enjoys movement and creativity, then sign up for one of these amazing workshops. Don’t worry - adults don’t miss out! An adult session will be held at Mooroopna Library and a youth session aimed at 12 to 18 year olds will be happening at the Shepparton Library.

8-9. Smarty Pants. Excellent. Congratulations! You’re smarter than 95% of the population. Whether you choose to believe statistic is up to you. Oh, you do believe it. I thought you might. However, it also means you’re not as smart as 5%. Oh, I see. You don’t believe that particular statistic. 10. Genius. Every question correct! Go you! Lucky for you it was multiple choice because there were a couple you weren’t too sure about, weren’t there? However, you now have a month to bask in the glory by asking other people how they did on the quiz.

Well, suddenly rain began to come when least expected and that has been followed up by some wonderful sustaining rain to fill dams, create sub-soil moisture so that crops can be sown.

Macca's Mob, also known as the Tatura Bowls Club Pool team, are currently sitting on top of the B Grade ladder in the Merrigum and District Pool competition which plays competitively each Tuesday night against some district hotel teams.

Even the once dead Darling River is flowing again!

And the rain has put an end to possible continuing bushfires.

Yet there is still so much misery so again, why are we a lucky country? Because we have men and women who have a spirit within them that makes us so proud of who we are.

The use of the pool table at the bowls club rooms has seen the introduction of some light-hearted pool being played each Friday evening following the club's Friday social evening's snacks and raffles. The game played at the club is a variant to the normal ‘Kelly Pool’ where a shooter must pot their own secret numbered ball. In the game played at the bowls club it is a process of elimination of other players by sinking their ball and putting them out of the game until only one person remains and is the winner.

I am talking about the SES, Rural Fire Brigades…all of those who went day through night to help keep bushfires under control and who did so with some losing their own homes, and so many putting themselves in harm’s way.

The game has proven to be a great hit at the club and many attendees are also taking advantage of the indoor carpet bowls and the three mats that are set up at the bowls club. So, for some social interaction come along to the Tatura Bowls Club on a Friday night from around 5pm.

I am talking about the convoy truckies who day through night and drove countless kilometres to take hay bales to farmers really struggling.

- John Crilly

Shame and secrecy have no place for those of us following Jesus. We are loved unconditionally, as we are. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

To which we might add the words of Jesus, “Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.” (Matthew 10:26-27) This is the gospel, and Jesus wasn’t talking about your underwear!

- Brian Spencer, Minister, Tatura Uniting Church

Every Sunday we upload an audio and transcript of the sermon to our website (https:// allsaintstatura.org.au/sermon/). We also produce a weekly newsletter which includes encouraging news, stories and photos from parishioners spending their days at home. For those at home with kids or grandkids, we put together a weekly ‘Little Saints’ kids pack which includes a kids bible teaching and some simple crafts to do as a family at home. The sermon, newsletter and kids pack are emailed to the congregation and for those who do not have internet access, is printed and left in letterboxes.

Tatura Blinds

Over the Easter weekend, George Ferguson and I placed artwork by one of our parishioners, Kate Peachey, on display outside the church building along with three crosses. The portraits captured Jesus’ journey to the cross and his resurrection. We chose to put up this display to help our community reflect on the true meaning of Easter; the sacrifice that Jesus made dying on the cross to reconcile people to God. Many people doing their regular daily exercise in Tatura walked past the building and saw the paintings and crosses.

Yes, the church building may be closed but as the bells ring each Sunday morning, please know that the church community are still here in Tatura, praying for you and believing we will come through this together.

- Rev Simba Musvamhiri

The workshop for seniors is being offered once only at the Tatura Library. The program’s inclusive design ensures there are options for everyone aged 60 years and over, regardless of ability or experience. The dancebased workshop will include classical music, movement options and a social experience. There are seated and supported options so it’s accessible to everyone.

If you would like to join in one of these amazing workshops you can register via Eventbrite. You will find direct links to specific workshops on our website www.gvlibraries.com.au or our social media pages. Bookings are essential as spaces in each workshop are limited. Book early – you won’t want to miss this unique opportunity.

If you need help booking through Eventbrite, please contact the Tatura Library on 1300 374 765 or email tatura@gvlibraries.com.au

For more information:

Bronwyn Cole Program Co-ordinator, Goulburn Valley Libraries

Tel: 1300 374 765

Email: bronwync@gvlibraries.com.au

I am talking about the unsung, unseen heroes who went out of their way to drive to properties doing it tough with supplies of food and needed essentials.

And now we have the virus and we are seeing Australians learn to turn their business into helping others.

And now we are seeing health professionals and those who work daily in our hospitals putting themselves at risk because it is their job and the same can be said for those at airports, particularly those processing incoming passengers from overseas.

We are seeing what friendship, mateship and dedication is all about on a grand scale.

Yes, we are a lucky country in the true sense.

Finally let’s all still remember those who have gone in the drought, the bushfires and this virus.

Surely remembering makes us want to ensure they are not forgotten by doing what we can to keep Australia the lucky country.

Geoff Gerrish TREE STUMP REMOVALS

MURCHISON MEN’S SHED Ten years in the Making.

Over a hundred Murchison residents and friends celebrated the opening of the new Murchison Men's Shed on Saturday, May 6. The chairman of the Murchison Community Planning Committee, Mr Glen Thomas, opened proceedings and invited the Deputy Mayor of the Greater Shepparton City Council to acknowledge the traditional land owners and officially declare the shed open.

It was pleasing to see the support and attendance of ex and current council employees, Josh Lee, Renee Scott, Karen Kidd, Paul Newcombe, and Steve Varcoe, who all played a major role in reaching our goal, as well as Sam Birrell, National Member of Parliament for Shepparton, and Liz Tatai from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Paul Sladdin, President of the AMSA, and Derek O'Leary, CEO of the VMSA both spoke of the importance of Men's Sheds. More than ever before, men are looking