Tatura Bulletin May Edition 2023

MERRIGUM HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Merrigum Museum is open on the second Saturday of each month 10am to 3pm. Other times by arrangement.

Entry Adults $5.00 each

Children $2.00

Group Bookings welcome.

Ph. Flo on 5855 2330

OLIVE & VINE CAFE

Due to repairs to be carried out following the storm, the Olive & Vine Café is closed until further notice

COMING EVENTS

Fashion Parade

Kaye’s Classic Fashions

A Winter Fashion Parade

Friday 26 May 1pm

115 Hogan Street Tatura

All Welcome

TATURA MENS SHED

The Tatura Men’s Shed is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am. Don’t forget the Tuesday lunches. Drop in for a chat and a cuppa on these days.

MONSTER GARAGE SALE

As the host of the Tatura Monster Garage Sale, we were thrilled to see as estimated 700 bargain hunters from far and wide flocking to our town to hunt for bargains. It was a roaring success, with 50 garage sales scattered across the town, making it a paradise for garage sale enthusiasts. Over 300 maps were handed out to ensure that everyone was able to find their way to the garage sales. The free coffee, drinks, and barbeque were well received, and our volunteers worked hard to ensure that everyone was catered for and thanks to the Lions Club of Tatura for running the barbeque. The kids were kept entertained with free face painting, which was a huge hit, and it was great to see so many children smiling and having fun.

The Tatura Monster Garage Sale is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy a day out while supporting local sellers. The garage sales reported great

MOYOLA GARDENS RETIREMENT VILLAGE

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA

Moyola Gardens Retirement Village hosted the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea on Monday 1st May 2023. Seventy plus people were in attendance, including 12 residents bused in from Moyola Lodge. The village hall was decked out in the blue and yellow Cancer council’s theme colours by the Social Committee and Beryl Cross donated bunches of beautifully coloured chrysanthemums which enhanced the morning tea theme.

sales, which was a great outcome for all involved. It was fantastic to see sellers clear out their homes and make some money, while buyers were able to score some amazing bargains.

We would also like to acknowledge the Victorian State Government and Neighbourhood Houses Victoria for their last-minute funding, which made it possible for the Tatura Monster Garage Sale to be free of charge for all attendees and sellers. This support was significant, ensuring that the event was accessible to everyone in the community.

The Tatura Monster Garage Sale was a day filled with fun, laughter, and bargain hunting. We were thrilled to see everyone who attended having a great time, and it was wonderful to see the community come together for such a fantastic event.

Breast Care nurse Michelle Parish gave an informative talk with a few amusing anecdotes which brought much laughter from the audience. Tea, coffee, cake, sandwiches and all manner of homemade delights followed, along with the drawing of the raffle prizes donated by the Social Committee and the Tatura Pharmacy. The morning tea was a huge success, thanks to the generosity of all who attended and those who were unable to attend but sent donations. $1,321.00 was raised for the Cancer Council.

- Glenda Butler, Host of

the event

PREGNANT JOKE

When I was a teacher, I'd ask students to find a word in the dictionary, give the meaning and use it in a sentence. My favourite answer was:

"My word is ‘pregnant’. It means carrying a child, like the fireman went up the ladder and came down pregnant."

Tatura Area Community Bulletin

WEBSITE: www.taturabulletin.com.au info@tatbulletin.com.au

CWA HARSTON

The weather has turned cooler earlier than usual for autumn, I noticed the Harston members all rugged up in their jumpers and coats at our recent meeting at the Tatura Bowls club. The meeting started out with a cuppa and a piece of lemon slice courtesy of Mrs. Josie Watson. As Mother’s Day is in May, Mrs. Margaret Chance presented us all with a lovely bouquet of Chrysanthemums, we are spoilt at Harston.

Mrs. Marilyn Pell bought along a large quantity of different, mixed balls of wool. The bags of new wool balls were donated to the Harston Branch for the ladies who knit to make scarves, Beanies and gloves to donate locally, by a friend of our Branch, Cheryl, who lives in Wantirna, Melbourne. Women Walk the World Day was held recently and our members raised $55.00 towards this event. The discussion was around the upcoming CWA State Conference being held in Melbourne during June, and the difficulty it entails on our members to attend, the CWA State rules say every branch should be represented by two delegates, easier said than done at our age and mobility issues.

Correspondence in, our members learnt the Goulburn Valley West Group President was resigning due to personal reasons, and a meeting is to be held to elect another Group President. We wish our retiring GP all the best, and understand family and health must come first, Mandy you did a great job in the time you were our Group President and actually I’m lost for words, thank you for your service. At every monthly meeting we are asked to bring an item for the trading table this may be some produce from your home garden, maybe a preloved book, a jar of preserves or homemade baking. Then there’s the competition of a Flower bloom: a bloom is a single flower not a stem of flowers like a gladioli or cluster of flowers. Then as previously planned in our Branch Syllabus the monthly competition which varies every year, at our recent meeting it was an “old recipe book”. Of all the cooking and recipe books around, two members both brought the same book, three members all brought another book, along with a couple of other old recipe books to consider. The two ladies who judge the competitions each month had a bit of a task choosing the First and Second. The winner of the Flower section was Mrs. Freda Clements, 2nd was Mrs. Glenys Eberle, and 3rd was Mrs. Marilyn Pell. The winner of the old recipe book is, and I will only say the Judge’s decision is final and no discussion will be entered into.

Yours in CWA friendship Mrs. Marilyn Pell

SACRED HEART PRIMARY SCHOOL

Sacred Heart Primary enrolments are now open for 2024. We are very proud of what our school has to offer and encourage all prospective families to visit and experience our community firsthand. To arrange a school tour and to meet our Principal Pauline Hindson please contact the school office on 5824 1841.

Enrolment applications are available from the school website www.shtatura.catholic.edu.au or please contact the school office directly.

- Sally Dickinson, Admin Officer

The Community Heritage Awards were held on Saturday 22nd April on the 4th Floor at the Shepparton Arts Museum. Pictured are the Tatura friends who celebrated with Brian Williams whose book ‘Worship at Toolamba 1874 – 2016’ had won the ‘Best Research Publication or Manuscript’ section. Also present were Arthur and Lurline Knee who had won the same category in the last heritage awards with their book “The Nazi Camp’.

TATURA PRIMARY SCHOOL

If a visitor walked into The Village at Tatura Primary School, they would be amazed at the level of learning that is happening. In F/1 this year, we have incorporated exciting elements of the Little Learners Love Literacy program, a structured and systematic approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling.

In Foundation, our learning builds each week on the student’s prior knowledge to become excellent readers. Students meet new letter characters, practise forming letters and are engaged through songs, games and craft.

In Grade 1, students delve into the importance of vowels and consonants and learn the rules for decoding and encoding digraphs. All students then get the chance to apply their new learnings by practising their reading with our beautiful new Little Learners decodable texts.

We have been absolutely amazed by how easily the children are retaining these concepts and how they are improving not only their decoding, but their comprehension and fluency as well.

We are hosting an Information Night at Tatura Primary School on Wednesday, May 24. This is for our 2024 Foundation families and will commence at 7:00pm. If you would like to see our school in action, we are also offering a second Open Day at Tatura Primary School on Friday, June 16. This will begin at 9:30am and conclude at 1:00pm. Our Grade 6 leaders will be conducting tours on the day.

We look forward to welcoming new students and families to our wonderful school in 2024.

- Susanne Gill, Principal

Evie Arlo, Miles and Sam

81 HAIR STUDIO

Wendy McDonald has recently opened her hairdressing salon, 81 Hair Studio, at her home in Thomson Street.

Wendy has been in the Goulburn Valley for over 16 years and recently moved to Tatura. The move to Tatura was prompted by her husband’s great love of golf and Wendy is working towards getting her golf handicap. During her more than 36 years as a hairdresser

Wendy has operated her own shopfront salon, worked in salons, and operated a homebased business. She offers all hairdressing requirements for both women and men and caters for children.

Wendy can be contacted on 0401 379 117.

Together with about ten other interested people, I recently attended a very interesting presentation on ‘The Defence of Australia 1942’. This was held at the Tatura Library and the speaker was Peter Spring from Springs Military History. Two of Peter’s great-grandfathers fought in WW1 and two grandfathers in WW2, no doubt leading to his great interest in Military History.

I had a personal interest in the topic as my father was stationed at an airbase at the top of WA following the bombing of Darwin in February 1942.

Peter gave an excellent insight into the history of Japan and its transformation from an agricultural to industrial nation following the opening of its borders, and its expansion into China and the Pacific region. He spoke of the ties which Australia had to England in WW1 and how the threat of Japan having control of the Pacific region meant that Australia was more reliant on America than England when the Japanese concentrated on the Pacific during WW2.

Following the Battle of Midway in June 1942, it was clear that air power was very important, and the naval emphasis changed from battleships to aircraft carriers. Peter spoke of the importance of airfields and the Battle of Milne Bay which was the first defeat of the Japanese on land.

We spent over an hour and a half listening to Peter and could have spent longer; however, he was due at the Numurkah Library at 2pm. Thanks Peter for a great presentation.

You can find out more about Peter on his Facebook page and he also takes Battlefield Tours in Europe with one in September/ October this year.

- Lois Orr

Peter with Our Librarian Kerry

Wendy McDonald

THE DUNERA DAY

The Dunera Day gathering at the Tatura Museum is an annual gathering of descendants and friends of the men who were transported to Australia during World War II from Great- Britain. They were interned German, Austrian, Italian and others who were treated very badly on the ship HMT Dunera during the voyage to Australia. The highlight of this year’s event was the release of the conserved scroll of scenes of the musical Sergeant Snow White.

Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm

Saturday 10am -12:30pm

Ph: 03 5824 3059

Mob: 0493 074 805

Email: opshop@generations.org.au

HOUSING FOR THE AGED ACTION GROUP

Are you over 50 and living in a rental property or in insecure housing?

If so, you could risk homelessness.

Housing for the Aged Action Group is the only Australian organisation specialised in the housing needs of older people. Coming from grass-roots beginnings over 30 years ago, HAAG today is over 700 members strong.

Joan and Teresa will be at Tatura Community House every 2nd Tuesday to assist you to gather needed information and complete a housing application.

Upcoming dates are:

Tuesday, May 23

Tuesday, June 6

Tuesday, June 20

Tuesday, July 4

Please call and have a chat about your housing situations. If you have any questions, please phone 1300 765 178.

Our vision

A society where older people have secure, safe and affordable housing.

- Joan Broughan, Regional Project Worker

Book Reviews INTO THE DARK

WITH KERRY…

By Fiona Cummins

One morning, Julianne arrives for her weekly run with best friend Piper Holden to discover an eerie scene – the radio is playing, phones are charging on the worktop, the cars are in the garage. But the family is gone. In fifteen-year-old Riva’s bedroom, scrawled across the mirror in blood, are three words MAKE THEM STOP. What happens next?

Wow!! Fantastic thriller. Couldn’t wait until I could get to the end to find out what was going on. You will never guess! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

- Kerry Gardner

CORPORAL DAVID ROBINSON

At 15:00 hours on Anzac Day, in the midst of the MCG, a ceremony honouring all those who served in the Australian and New Zealand armed forces began. Over 95 thousand fans stood and fell silent as Catafalque Party entered, the ode was recited, and the sounds of the Last Post and Rouse echoed around the ground. Then the National Anthems of New Zealand and Australia were sung, and the ceremony was ended with a roar from the crowd as the soldiers left the ground.

Former Goulburn Valley resident, Corporal David Robinson was the bugler, and his very proud parents, grandmother, wife, baby daughter, and other family and friends watched from their homes dotted across Australia. Although now living in Melbourne, David grew up in a small Victorian rural area known as Wahring, attended Nagambie Pre and Primary Schools, then Shepparton High School, and visits family when time permits.

David is an active member of the Australian Army Band Melbourne, performing regularly in Melbourne and around the state, serving continuously since he enlisted in 2004. David is a brass teacher at Haileybury College, teaching at all four Melbourne campuses.

As an active Cub and Scout from the age of nine, he would proudly join the RSL commemorations in Nagambie. Music came into his life around the same time when his grandparents retired nearby, with piano lessons from his grandmother. With Secondary school came the opportunity to learn another instrument and to be a part of a band, learning the trumpet there for the six years. Always the eager student, practicing every day, he was provided with the opportunity to become a part of Shepparton Brass Band. Studying music at Melbourne University followed, and during this he joined the Reserves.

Since that time, he has become a life member of Hawthorn Brass Band and is currently a member Darebin Brass-Preston band (current state champions and one of the top bands in the country). He regularly competes at the National Brass Band competition held over the Easter weekend each year. He also enjoys composing and arranging music for various bands; however, this has taken a back seat to spend time with his wife and young baby daughter.

- Jeanette Robinson

Corporal David Robinson

GENERATIONS OP SHOP

There’s change in the air at Generations Op Shop. The last few months have seen multiple transitions take place with new staff members on board. New manager Jacqui Hall has taken over following Neville Crow’s retirement at the end of 2022 after many years at the helm. Since the beginning of the year they have also introduced a new truck driver Jack Popplestone and new Food Bank manager Jolene Bowles.

“We have been on an exciting journey in the last few months to get the op shop back running at full capacity. Not only do we have fresh faces on staff but we have almost doubled our volunteer base since the beginning of the year which has allowed us to open up again for longer hours”, says Jacqui. Generations Op Shop is now open 10am till 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am till 12.30pm on Saturdays.

“We get many visitors both local and out of town who tell us how much they love our shop and the variety we have in-store. It’s great to see the community getting behind us,” says Jacqui. “Our volunteers are really what makes

WINTON WETLANDS WALK

this such a great place with a great atmosphere. They are all wonderful people who love serving their community and do it so well.”

Generations Op Shop have also been running a Food Bank providing food relief to many local families since 2019. For those struggling to afford the basic essentials such as food and hygiene products Generations Food Bank is open 9am till 4pm Monday to Friday. This can be accessed within the op shop store itself during store hours or by presenting to the back of the store. People are encouraged to reach out if they need assistance.

The community can continue to support Generations Op Shop by donating quality goods either by dropping them in-store or requesting larger items to be picked up by the op shop truck. There is a pick-up request form on their website or you can contact 0358243059 for any enquiries about pick-ups. Generations Op Shop is a ministry of Generations Church located at 119 Hogan Street Tatura.

Our April mid-week walk was to the Winton Wetlands. On a beautiful autumn day, nineteen walkers had a very pleasant walk along Boggy Creek Road to the historic and scenic Greens Hill area. As always, the wetlands gave us a great experience in its special environment. It was a different perspective to walk along Boggy Creek Road over the creek and past several historic sites rather than usually driving this section to another walking place. We turned off Boggy Creek Road into the Greens Hill area and the first stop was the camping area with information boards, signage, toilets, and picnic tables amidst the marked camping sites. (You can book online to camp at this lovely spot). Beyond this, a more formal road/track has been added out to Greens Spit which provided great panoramic views across the main wetland. At the moment there is still considerable water from last October’s rainfall event and the more recent rainfalls. This made for very special views. As one walker commented, “You’d be rapt to go to Kakadu and see sights like this and it is so close to home.”

The group then walked to the historic site of the Green family homestead and read and saw evidence of the life once lived by the early nonindigenous farmers. After pondering these historic harsh living conditions, we walked to Greens Hill and found a suitable lunch spot looking out across the wetland. After lunch we headed past the information site/car park area to the Boggy Creek Road and then back to our cars.

Before our usual coffee stop, we had a quick walk through the impressive LotjPatj Natjan Danak, Sculpture walk; a creation of cultural works by fifteen Yorta Yorta artists. Several of the group said they would like to return when they had more time to fully appreciate the information provided about these quite amazing works.

While enjoying our coffee in the Mokoan café, we were fortunate to have Graeme Domm, the Winton Wetlands Marketing, Media and Communication Project officer give a most interesting overview of this restoration project and many of us were surprised to learn that it is the largest wetland restoration project in the southern hemisphere.

We walked nearly 10kms in total before driving back across the Broken River Valley to Shepparton; another most enjoyable day for our mid-week walkers.

The Clubs next Midweek walk will be on Wednesday 24th May in the Strathbogie Ranges near Ruffy. Details are on the Shepparton Adventure Club Website and will appear on Facebook. That walk will be a medium level of difficulty mostly off track on private land.

- Dianne Hanna.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

Jacqui Hall, Lisa Ussher, Jolene Bowles, Jack Popplestone

WA CONNECTION

Ted Harper was born in Murchison North and played in Murchison’s only GVFL premiership in 1910, aged 17 years. Ted was Gladys Harper’s brother. Gladys married Lt Col Andrew Crawford of Toolamba. In September 1923 Ted Harper married Myrtle Dwyer of Murchison whose brother, Leo Dwyer, won the Morrison Medal in 1936. Leo also played for North Melbourne. Reportedly the Harper family weren’t happy about the marriage as Myrtle was Catholic, so the family sent them away to Western Australia. Ted and Myrtle had seven children, two of their sons Keith and Roy were exceptionally good footballers.

For years there was very little contact between the branches of the Harper family, and it was only when the boys started playing football for WA that their Victoria cousins knew of them. Keith Harper playing on the wing was a superstar. He captained the WA state team, playing in two state carnival sides and won the Simpson Medal for the best player in the 1954 carnival. Keith and Roy continued playing football until the early 1960’s. In 1975, James and Pat Crawford visited Aunt Myrtle Crawford for the first time.

In 1978 I began playing football at Murchison, and Arthur Trevaskis wrote in his book My Memories of Murchison that I had the same action as Ted Harper (not the ability though).

In 1980 Alison and I went to WA for a month. Kevin Dwyer, Leo’s son, was President of the Murchison Football Club and said that I should visit my Harper cousins.

At that time I wasn’t into family history, and I wasn’t aware of the achievements of my WA relatives. In the early 90’s many of the Harper cousins came over to Toolamba for a family reunion, and it is there I first heard of their history.

Kevin Dwyer, a cousin, still resides in Tatura.

- Andy Crawford

Tatura Physiotherapy Clinic

85 Hogan Street, Tatura

Lisa M. Cullum

Opening HOurs: Monday : 8:30am – 4pm Tuesday: closed Wednesday: 8:30am – 4pm Thursday: closed

Friday: 8:30am – 12noon

From July Tatura Physiotherapy Clinic will be open the first Thursday evening of the month 5-8pm and closed on the Friday.

For an appointment phone 5824 2889

Working our way to Heaven. After my first marriage broke down, I found myself out of ministry for 27 years. When this first happened, I needed to find meaningful work for myself. In order to do this, I had to translate my skills and knowledge of ministry into the skills and knowledge desired by secular employment.

Ministers of Religion are usually portrayed badly in films and books - dopey, otherworldly incompetents - so, I had to work hard to present myself as otherwise. Ministry is a stereotyped profession, and most people only think of the public face of ministry: preaching, conducting funerals and weddings, and drinking cups of tea with little old ladies. There are a lot of other skills that need to be teased out before most people are able to appreciate them.

We have an ambivalent attitude to work. We love it and we hate it. We fear being unemployed, but dream of holidays and longweekends. Hard work it was said was God’s punishment for Adam and Eve’s rebellion. But even before “the fall” as Genesis tells it, people had to work, for they had to tend the garden of Eden.

The main benefit of a job is that it provides a steady stream of income. While people may argue that money can’t buy happiness, it does make life easier, is essential for your survival and can provide a feeling of stability and security.

Work also gives a sense of identity. When meeting people for the first time, the first thing that people ask is usually your name. The next thing they ask is you, “What do you do?” Our sense of identity is closely tied to our job. It is an essential factor that shapes your definition of who you are as an individual. Even in retirement what we did for a job remains an important part of our identity. People very rarely ask you about your interests, your hobby, your family, or other things about your personal life right away. Your job doesn’t tell everything about you, but it is typically what people are interested to know about you first.

A good job also challenges us mentally. There are always problems to be solved. We hate the idea of a monotonous job. Most of us love a challenge. It is how we learn, and it gives us a sense of achievement. At its best, work gives us a sense of meaning and purpose.

Work also puts us in contact with other people. We don’t always like everyone we work with but the relationships we build at work are important. For many people, their closest friends are the ones they met at work and many of us met our life partner at, or through, our work.

For the reasons above, and other reason as well, as long as your work conditions are fair, and the nature of your job isn’t risky or lifethreatening, working provides many health

benefits, both physical and mental. During my years of “exile”, I spent a number of years working with, firstly, unemployed young people, and then, later, with longterm unemployed adults. Just as working in a meaningful job is the best way to achieve independence and personal satisfaction, so too, unemployment can be a pathway to poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, crime and depression. Unemployment can be soul destroying.

This is why I find it offensive that the economists, who supposedly know what’s good for our nation, seem to now want more people to become unemployed. High unemployment is apparently one of the levers that they can pull to put the-brake on inflation. Low unemployment is supposed to push up wages and therefore inflation. There are 508,500 people in Australia without a job at the moment. This is about 25,000 more than last October when unemployment bottomed at 3.4% and interest rates began to rise. According to people who run the economy the unemployment rate needs to be about 4.5% to prevent inflation. That’s another 140,000 people. (That’s about 50,000 more people than witnessed Collingwood’s magnificent win over Essendon at the MCG.)

I believe that something is seriously wrong with our economic system. Presumably, we don’t want it to be us or our family and friends who become unemployed for the good of the country. I question why 650,000 people have to be out of work to make the economy work properly? Can you imagine the outcry if our leaders said we needed more sick and dying people to take the pressure off our hospitals? Or that we needed more people willing to be homeless to solve our housing crisis?

We need a system that allows for full employment - a God-given right. God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature.

He created them male and female. God blessed them:

“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth!

Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.” (Genesis 1:27-28 The Message)

Work is our participation in the ongoing creation of the world. It has been the duty of people from the first day of human. Work is not the result of original sin. It is not a punishment for disobedience. Work is participation in God’s ongoing creation. Some of us even say we love to work. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Even Jesus admitted he was something of a workaholic: “My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I.” (John 5:17, The Message)

This is the gospel, and it’s working.

Brian Spencer, Minister, Tatura Uniting Church

BRINGING HOPE IN TOUGH TIMES

50 YEARS AGO

This is the first in a monthly column compiled by Andy Crawford from issues of the Tatura Guardian from 1973.

GUN CLUB

by Andy Crawford

CAPTAIN OF GVL TEAM

QUIZ answers

Neil Berry wins State gun title. Tatura shooter Neil Berry won the Victorian single barrel mini target championship on Sunday.

YOUNG FARMERS

Preparations for the annual Tatura Young Farmers Debutante Ball are well in hand. Miss Australia Charity Queen has accepted an invitation to be present at the ball and receive the debutantes.

TATURA BOWLS ANNUAL MEETING

Jim Coombs was unanimously re-elected for a second term as President at the well-attended annual meeting. Great enthusiasm was shown by the 48 members in attendance as ballots were required for many positions. New secretary elected was Doug Campbell and Arthur Knee was re-elected as Treasurer. (still going strong)

A BARREL

The All Saints Tatura church building and hall was closed on March 24. It will remain closed to parishioners and the community until Government and Diocese restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic are lifted. Many school halls, church buildings, cathedrals and other places where people meet to worship are empty. In my 16 years of church ministry in different contexts, I have always begun each Sunday by thanking God for the opportunity and freedom to meet together. I never once thought that this would change in a peaceful democratic country like Australia. These are exceptional times.

Charlie Taylor, secretary of the Tatura Football Club, states that Sel Phillips (publican at the Victoria Hotel) will donate a barrel of the stuff that fives you courage, if the team beats Euroa. And Jack O’Toole will donate a BBQ with 40 prime steaks. (Unfortunately, they lost by 4 points)

Senior side vs Euroa

B: R Stammers, W Moore, M Kelly

HB: P Hansen, J Greenwood, E Grey

C: J Hicks, E Antonio, J Steen

HF: D Green, A Serra, T Harding

F: T Telford, R Downie, F McMahon

Foll: F Houlihan, N Smith

Rover: T Tamburro

19th G Thomas 20th R Rokahr

Tatura and Euroa battled it out like two good sides with Euroa taking the four premiership points in a hectic finish.

Final score Euroa 15-13 (103) def Tatura 15-9 (99).

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.

Goal kickers were F McMahon 6, R Downie 3, T Tamburro 3, N Smith, A Serra, R Rokahr.

Best: N Smith, F Houlihan, F McMahon, A Serra, W Moore, J Hicks.

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.

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

1c – Tony Lockett

2a – Andes, South America

Our congratulations are extended to Tatura Football coach Norm Smith who has been appointed Captain of the GVL side to play Northern Districts at Cohuna.

3b – Ottawa

RON ROSE IS CHAMP

4d – George Orwell

5a – Emerald

6b – Vines

Tatura Indoor bowler Ron Rose won the GV Indoor Bias Bowls singles Championship for the second successive year. Ron will now represent the GV in Melbourne when he will compete for the state title.

7c – Tchaikovsky

HILL TOP GOLF ASSOCIATES

8c – Signs and Symbols

9c – 2 (Phobos and Deimos)

10b – Baby

Scoring.

With golf in full swing Hill Top has a very busy schedule. On Wednesday the Mary Lally trophy was played in rather wet conditions. Lois Hill was the winner of A Grade, Edna Starritt was runner up. The B Grade was won by Marg Bray with Diane Ballantyne runner up. Elaine Canty took off the C Grade from Faye Morris runner up.

NETBALL RESULTS

Senior A - Bluebirds 29 d Seekers 23

Best players Bluebirds E Ryan, G Maskell. Seekers: S Burham, M Caiafa

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.

Rivals 72 d Scorpions 9

Best players: Rivals F France, J Warnett. Scorpions W Stone, L Revell.

TATURA PONY CLUB

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.

The Committee of the Tatura Pony Club is seeking greater safety for the children who ride on rally days. It has asked Rodney Shire Council if it would be possible to move the 35mph restriction signs on the Tatura Murchison Road.

GUIDE HALL

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.

The Tatura LA has much pleasure in announcing that the final payment has been made on the Brownie/Guide Hall. This culminates almost 10 years of work by the parents of our Guides and Brownies.

RSL

Tatura RSL auxiliary is organising a special effort for the street stall conducted annually to raise funds for Legacy and held in the first week in September to coincide with Legacy week.

TOMATO MEN WANT $1 PER CRATE

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.

- Compiled by Andy Crawford

Tomato growers who met in Tatura on Monday are seeking an increase of 19cents per crate on last season’s prices. At a meeting in Tatura on Monday afternoon the growers called for a price increase of $1 a crate from processors.

1. How many hearts does an octopus have? a. 1

b. 2

c. 3

d. 8

2. How many blood types are there? (Not counting + and -)

a. 4

b. 5

c. 6

d. 8

3. In what year was King Charles born?

a. 1946

b. 1947

c. 1948

d. 1949

4. Who was the longest reigning English monarch?

a. Queen Elizabeth I

b. Queen Elizabeth II

c. King Henry VIII

d. Queen Victoria

5. Which birthstone is associated with the month of May?

a. Emerald

b. Ruby

c. Garnet

d. Amethyst

6. Which classical composer was deaf?

a. Mozart

b. Beethoven

c. Tchaikovsky

d. Schubert

7. What are the colours on the flag of Indonesia?

a. Blue and White

b. Red and White

c. Red, White and Yellow

d. Yellow and White

8. What is the Solar System’s hottest planet?

a. Mercury

b. Venus

c. Earth

d. Mars

9. On what continent would you find the world’s largest desert?

a. Africa

b. Asia

c. Antarctica

d. Australia

10. What is a baby gorilla called?

a. Cub

b. Pup

c. Calf

d. Infant

TATURA RSL

The following article is a brief overview of the Tatura Anzac Day Commemoration.

The Anzac Day Commemoration Service on April 23 consisted of a Dawn Service commencing at 5.45am. The gathering of approximately 200 people was addressed by Tatura RSL President and veteran, Mr Robin Fairchild. This was followed by a cooked bacon and egg in bread breakfast ably prepared by the Tatura Lions. Tea and coffee, with a warming agent for those who needed it, was served out of the RSL/Senior Citizens club rooms.

At 10.156am, the parade assembled outside the Civic Halls Complex, ready for the march down Hogan Street, accompanied by G.V Pipes and Drums along with many organisations and individuals who wished to take part in this parade. The parade then commenced, with three young flag bearers leading the march down past the Saluting Base near the clock tower, and onto the Private Robert Mactier Memorial Gardens. The Service then commenced with a welcome to invited dignitaries, service personnel and the community. Apologies were then expressed, followed by the Guard Commander who mounts the Catafalque Party (Cadet Corp.) around the monument. A large number of wreaths were then laid in turn.

Guest speaker, Major Shane O’Keefe, an ex-Vietnam veteran, highlighted the wars experienced by servicemen and the sacrifices paid by soldiers of WW1 at Gallipoli.

Guest speaker, Lieutenant Brody Hannan, in uniform, currently the Platoon Commander of Shepparton’s 8 Platoon within 8th/7th

Battalion, Royal Victorian Regiment, spoke mostly of the local community’s sacrifice and spoke also of Private Robert Mactier VC. Both speakers gave excellent addresses.

Tatura RSL President, veteran Mr Robert Fairchild, spoke about the anniversary of the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the work of Legacy.

Rev. Jeremy Burr from the Tatura Generations Church, led the ceremony in the Lord’s Prayer, followed by RSL member Veronica Dowell reciting the Anzac Requiem.

The Royal Hymn, the New Zealand National Anthem and Australian National Anthem were then played. All formalities throughout the service were undertaken in accordance with protocol.

At the conclusion of the commemoration, all those involved in the ceremony were thanked for their contribution, along with the community, for their attendance. An estimated 400 to 500 people attended the main service. The Tatura Lions Club then provided a sausage sizzle and RSL members and invited guests attended the RSL club rooms.

A special thank you to the Tatura Lions Club, GV Pipes and Drums, the Army Cadet Corp., Sarah Clack the bugler, the guest speakers, George Ferguson on audio, Rev. Jeremy Burr, and the three flag bearers, Catherine Wagner Tatura Guides, Joirdayne Madden Tatura Scouts, and Daniel Hamilton Tatura Fire Brigade. The Tatura RSL thanks all those who donated to the Veterans Welfare donation tin. Lest we forget.

Mat Watts, Tatura RSL

GOULBURN VALLEY LIBRARIES

Sloths, Stories and Storytellers.

The Tatura Library has so much happening! Check out just some of the things happening in the next few weeks.

Now in its 23rd successful year, National Simultaneous Story Time is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy. In 2022 National Simultaneous Story Time had 2.18 million participants at over 59 thousand locations. This year children and adults all over the country will be reading 'The Speedy Sloth' written by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie. Join us at the Tatura Library on Thursday 25th May at 10:30am. We'll read the book, make a sloth puppet, and have stickers and other activities to take home. This is a FREE event.

Suitable for ages 2 - 6 years.

For more information phone 1300 374 765 or email tatura@gvlibraries. com.au

The Sydney Writers’ Festival Live & Local program gives people all across Australia the opportunity to join in events offered at the Sydney Writers' Festival. What does this mean for us? Authors walk onto the stage in Sydney and are streamed live into Goulburn Valley Libraries. Audiences can access events that are part of the Sydney Writers' Festival as they are happening and participate in sessions by sending questions direct to the Sydney stage! The program offers quite a line up. Sessions are available for free through Goulburn Valley Libraries. Everyone is welcome.

Tatura Library will be hosting 6 sessions.

Thursday 25th May

Jane Harper: Exiles 10.00am

Geraldine Brooks: Horse 2.00pm

Friday 26th May

Bringing the past to life, 10.00am Colson Whitehead: Harlem Shuffle 4.00pm

Saturday 27th

A Life in food: Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer 10.00am Crime and Justice 12noon

For those into learning new skills and having a chat with others, why not join the fun on Thursday 1st June at 10.30am and learn how to hand make rope using scrap fabric. This free activity is aimed at adults. We supply all the equipment, just come along, have a chat, and learn a new skill.

TATURA MECHANICS’ HALL

The Mechanics’ Hall has had a saving restoration!

Just completed, the timber flooring which is probably older than the Victory Hall next door had suffered many termite attacks and repairs. The original Red-Gum joists on brick foundations were still in good condition. The surface flooring was replaced with termite proof 25 mm particle board flooring and covered with new Territory Terrain carpet tiles. This has been a massive undertaking for Tatura Civic Halls, and we thank the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal for the Strengthening Rural Communities Grant and GSCC Matching Grant which have contributed about half of the costs, but still with approximately $16k to be funded locally.

George Ferguson Tatura Civic Halls Inc.

TATURA PROBUS CLUB

Our Guest Speaker at our April meeting was Christian Longbottom, who is the new Manager at Hill Top Golf and Country Club. Christian spoke of becoming a golf professional at age 19, before heading overseas for what was to be a few weeks and ended up being 24 years. He lived in Norway for twelve years where he was involved with golfing and other aspects of the golfing industry. He then went to Thailand for a number of years and was involved with the building industry there. He got married to Dom and they had two children before deciding to come back to Australia where they settled in Adelaide, managing Golf Clubs, before applying for the job at Hill Top. He had lots of ideas for improving the financial status of Hill Top, hopefully introducing musical evenings. Dom runs a business where she organizes weddings, etc., so that may be on the agenda as well. Christopher spoke of how welcoming Tatura people have been to him and his family. Pat Ibbott thanked Christopher for his informative talk and presented him with a Probus pen.

Margaret Chance, one of our founding members, was the Member Behind the Badge, and it was very interesting to hear the story of her life to this time.

- Wendy Wilson

Recipes

Satay Pork Pastie

SATAY PORK PASTIE

Ingredients:

1 Onion, chopped

1/4 cup Crunchy Peanut Butter

2 tbsp Sweet Chilli Sauce

2 tbsp Soy Sauce

2 Garlic cloves, crushed

2 tsp Ginger, chopped

2 tbsp Peanut or Sesame Oil

500g Pork Mince

Method:

1 Carrot, grated

1/2 cup Plain Flour

1/2 cup Coconut Cream

2 Zucchini, sliced lengthways

3 sheets Puff Pastry

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp Sesame Seeds

In a blender or small food processor, puree onion, peanut butter, sauces, garlic and ginger until almost smooth.

Heat oil on high in pan and brown pork mince for 4-5 minutes, breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon.

Stir in peanut butter mixture, carrot and flour. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes.

Gradually mix in coconut cream and simmer for 3 minutes. Cool. Meanwhile, heat a grill pan on high and grill zucchini slices for one minute on each side until tender. Cool slightly.

Place pastry sheet on tray, spread pork filling over pastry, leaving a gap around edges. top with zucchini and cover with second pastry sheet.

Crimp edges to seal.

Bake at 200 degrees for 30-35 minutes until puffed and golden and base is cooked.

- Janice Dreyer

Tatura Presbyterian Church

Minister: Kalpan Vasa

Worship Services

Tatura 10:30 am Rushworth 9:00 am.

Weekly Bible study and Fellowship Groups

Contact 0477 241 042

All Saints Tatura

Anglican Church

Minister: Rev. Tracey Wolsley

Family Worship Service

Including Little Saints Children’s Program

Sundays at 9.30am

Contact 0497 597 127

www.allsaintstatura.org.au

Tatura Uniting Church

“Olive & Vine”

115 Hogan Street, Tatura

Minister: Brian Spencer 0400 274 482

Service 9.30am every Sunday.

June 4 Rev B Spencer Zoom from Colbinabbin

June 11 Rev B Spencer Zoom from Murchison

June 18 Joan McRae, communion Zoom from Rushworth

June 25 Rev B Spencer Tatura

See Waranga Uniting Churches Web site for Zoom links

Sacred Heart Church Tatura

Minister: Rev Fr John Paul Pasala

Worship Services: Weekends

Saturday 6pm (1st & 3rd of the month)

Sunday 10.30am

Weekdays Wednesday 9.15am

Friday 9.15am

Reconciliation:

1st Saturday of the month at 11.30am

Contact: Ph. 5824 1049

Email: Tatura@cdos.org.au www.sacredheartparishtatura.com.au

Generations Church Tatura

Senior Pastor: Ps Jeremy Burr 10am Service 03 58243240

295 Dhurringile Rd

www.generations.org.au

HELPING NATIVE FISH THRIVE

Go vernment agencies are collaborating to revitalise native fish populations in the wake of the 2022 floods. North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) Native Fish Recovery Plan project manager Peter Rose said the October 2022 floods had created a different set of environmental challenges.

“The flooding impacted our rivers in various ways, such as eroding riverbanks and deposition of silt, as well as increased carp populations,” he said. “One of the main environmental impacts of the floods was water quality. The scale of the flooding meant water ran out onto floodplains, further than it had for decades and following a wet season where a lot of crops were doing really well. Consequently, a lot of organic matter and nutrients washed into the river system, causing hypoxic black water, which resulted in some fish deaths.”

Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) co-CEO Beth Ashworth said the VEWH had been able to work with Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) and various catchment management authorities to minimise fish deaths following the floods.

“Once we weren’t going to impact on towns or farms, we were able to work with GMW and the CMAs to do some small releases and oxygenate the water,” she said. “In smaller systems like the Lower Broken Creek, we were able to release fresh water into the systems and protect native fish.”

Environmental flows are also frequently used outside of flood events to support native fish. We work closely with GMW and CMAs to release water through the irrigation district to key wetlands. We tend to have big breeding events of native fish at locations throughout the southern Murray-Darling Basin.

Using water for the environment, we can deliver flows to help move those juvenile fish throughout the southern Murray Darling Basin to high-quality habitats.

Murray cod and golden perch are natural predators to carp, so ensuring the native species thrive also helps mitigate the carp boom.”

Equally important to providing native fish access to quality habitats are fishways.

Fishways enable fish to bypass manmade barriers such as weirs and dams. Fishways have recently been constructed at Tea Garden Weir, Koondrook and Cohuna, and a further one is being constructed at Taylors Creek. These are a part of the Victorian Government’s $248 million investment over four years (2020-2024) to improve catchment and waterway health across regional Victoria.

Collaboration between agencies has similarly been important in the construction of these fishways. Koondrook Fishway, for example, is operated by the North Central CMA, having been funded by the VEWH and the state government, and with GMW having managed its construction. Dr Rose said fishways had a significant impact on native fish populations. “It is crucial we improve connectivity to help native fish thrive,” he said. “The recently constructed fishways at Cohuna and Koondrook have allowed golden perch and Murray Cod to move freely between the Murray River and 140km of Gunbower Creek. These fishways are a great success story, and it is the partnerships with GMW and the VEWH that have enabled us to complete these large-scale infrastructure projects.” People can learn more about how government agencies are giving native fish the best chance to prosper by listening to the latest episode of Talking Water with GMW at www.g-mwater.com.au/podcast.

- Klaus Nannestad, Media Adviser

BY BEEKERS

JOHN’S SHORT STORIES

I have decided to make all the short stories that I have written for the Bulletin over the past eight years available for free to the general public. During the pandemic I emailed them to many of my friends to help them cope with their isolation and received a great deal of encouraging feedback. I was talking to one of these friends recently and it was suggested that I should open them up to a wider audience. We discussed whether people should pay a fee for the privilege of reading them, but I decided they should be free.

To access them, go to Google and type in johnkriesfeld.substack.com and register for the stories. The site will then give you access to them at absolutely no cost to you.

As I have more than fifty stories, if you count all the episodes of my serial stories, it will take me some time to upload them all. However, I already have ten stories available and I will upload a new one every week.

Once I have done this, I am considering uploading my novel ‘Memories to Die For’. I am thinking of doing this because I have two other novels that I have yet to finish writing and I am hoping that this will give me the impetus to complete them.

If you do decide to register for my stories, then please share the site with your friends and family. Thank you in anticipation for your registration.

- John Kriesfeld

2022 DARWIN AWARDS

Honouring Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool, by removing themselves from it. The criterion for the awards states, "In the spirit of Charles Darwin, the Darwin Awards commemorate individuals who protect our gene pool by making the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives. Darwin Award winners eliminate themselves in an extraordinarily idiotic manner, thereby improving our species' chances of long-term survival."

1. Steel Macbook Armour - Ukraine.

A Russian soldier wearing body armour in the Ukraine warzone found an abandoned Macbook laptop computer. Deciding that he wanted the Macbook, the soldier then had to work out where to hide it. After some thought, the soldier slid the Macbook into his chest armour pocket, replacing a ballistic plate designed to save his life. Unfortunately, the Macbook didn’t provide the same protection as the ballistic plate and he was killed in Irpin.

2. Accidental Snake Bite – United States. On January 19, 2022, authorities making a welfare check in Maryland, USA, found David Riston dead, alone in his house; alone except for numerous species of snakes, many venomous! Cobras, rattlesnakes, black mambas, and a gigantic python were among the 124 serpentine residents still living in the house. These exotic snakes were kept in beautiful habitat enclosures, but evidently one disgruntled snake had protested against this confinement. The autopsy confirmed that the 49-year-old male had died of 'accidental' snake bite.

RODNEY CWA

In May, the Juniors made earrings and decorations from polymer clay; they let the clay cool, then added fittings. At their June meeting, the girls will do pour painting; bring a puzzle you like, e.g., Rubik’s cube.

The Rodney CWA meeting April was attended by nineteen members. Birthday greetings to Pauline Parks, Lorraine Secomb and Shirley Harrison.

Community Welfare – Donations of goods have been made to Vinnies, Carolyn Chisolm Society and Tatura Hospital. These included handknitted toys and baby clothes.

Group Craft on March 17: Lyn Trezise and Gwen Ranson joined Echuca Group/ Goulburn Valley West. Wool embroidery with Doreen Napier, chicken scratch, embroidered bag, or own project. Thirty-seven people attended, shared lunch, and an enjoyable day was had by all.

Mandy Perkins will attend the Rochester Feel Good Days on April 28/29, taking donations of fruit cakes, biscuits, hand lotion and face masks. The meeting decided that a letter be written to local politicians re lack of action for the Rochester Flood Victims.

Competition Winner – Lynne Lowe’s oven mitt. Best Bloom – Lorraine Secomb.

A wonderful Morning Tea was held on April 20 at Janice Perry’s house, with delicious food and good company. We had an interesting guest speaker, local nutritionist Diana Miranda who spoke on, ‘Eating from your backyard’, rather than using processed foods.

Due to Covid19, our annual Mothers’ Day stall in Tatura has been replaced by The Rodney CWA Scone Day. The Scone Day was held on Saturday, May 6, when pre-ordered scones, yo-yos and Anzac biscuits were available for pick-up at Gwen Ranson’s.

Next meeting Thursday June 8 at the Tatura Bowling Clubrooms at 1:30 pm. All welcome.

publicity.

- Beatrice Greaves,

Diana Miranda with President Mandy Perkins

Nikki and Her Polymer Clay Badges

Mandy Perkins Thanking Janice Perry

“Alright Agnes, I have found us a meditation class to go to. It’s with a lady called Abby and it’s not that far from here. It runs through the daytime so that will suit us. I have checked and they have room for us both. I really think this will help you with your sleep issues,” I explained helpfully. “I mean it’s much better than taking all of those pills. We both know you can’t keep taking the ones that make you eat all the time. For heaven’s sake, you will end up just exploding.”

“I don’t think it’s quite that bad, thank you Merle,” replied Agnes primly. “But I get what you are saying. Yes, my appetite is very healthy at the moment, and to be honest I can’t really wear a lot of what is in my wardrobe either.”

“Yes Agnes, and it’s because you really have beefed up, so let’s try the class then.” Sometimes you just have to be blunt. Agnes frowned but had no come back, because after all, she was getting fat. Off we went the very next day to the meditation class and gathered with the others in a very peaceful and pretty room. We were given instructions regarding bags, shoes and water.

“Sit down and make yourself comfortable.” said Abby in her very sweet voice. I felt relaxed already just listening to her. “Get cosy and make sure you are warm.” She explained what we were going to do and the other attendees had clearly been before because they all smiled, nodded and got sorted.

“I am not sure how we’re supposed to sit,” said Agnes. Abby stepped in and said, “Just sit comfortably, but don’t cross your legs.” “Oh, I like to cross my legs,” Agnes said. “So, we can’t cross them here?”

“No,” Abby replied in an almost singing tone. “It blocks your energy and also you won’t be able to sit like that for too long. Just put both feet down on the ground.”

“But my feet don’t really touch the ground,” Agnes moaned.

I noticed some frowns appearing on the foreheads of the other attendees.

“Just sit quietly like everyone else Agnes,” I said in a school teacher voice.

“What’s energy Merle?” Agnes whispered in a voice that I truly believe was louder than her normal speaking voice. “And how does it get blocked.

I don’t really need blocked energy on top of all everything else you know.”

Abby promptly placed a pillow on the ground for Agnes, and said, “Pop your feet on that Agnes. I know that will make you comfortable. I can explain energy to you later but we do need to get started now.”

Working with Agnes was liking taking a child on an outing, I thought to myself. I had managed to get comfortable, and Abby had put a rug on both our laps which felt very nurturing. She then explained, for the new people, what we would all be doing. Basically, we were to sit very quietly and close our eyes. The idea was to relax and listen to the music. She said if we got messages then that was also okay. I was very confused as to how we were going to get messages when we were specifically told to turn our phones off and leave them in our bags in the other room so that we did not get disturbed. However, I thought it was better not to question Abby about this. I was very surprised that Agnes did not question her but I think she was too deep in thought about her legs and her blocked energy. We were given instruction to close our eyes and to listen to Abby and to relax. There was some very lovely music playing in the background, but the more Abby lowered her voice, presumably to make us even more relaxed, the quieter she spoke and the less I could hear her. I felt relaxed

and because I could no longer hear her, I sat with my own thoughts. I was starting to relax and drift away when I was startled by a very loud snort. I immediately knew it was Agnes. I opened one eye to secretly look, and there she was snorting, snoring and very, very asleep. Her chin almost on her chest. The others all had their eyes still closed. I was certain they could hear her too but by the look of it they were able to block her out. How they did this I did not know. I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to relax with great difficulty.

I felt a tap on my knee as Abby stood in front of me and said, “Merle, it’s time to open your eyes.”

I felt a bit confused for a moment and then she went over to Agnes who was still snoring and snorting and pleasantly tried to wake her up. She almost needed to shake her before she succeeded in getting her to open her eyes. Everyone sat in silence and the room was silent as Abby stepped back over to her chair angelically.

“So how did you all go she asked?” As she smiled and looked around the room at the others. There seemed to be a couple of grumbles and murmurs. Finally, one of them spoke up, “Not that well,” she said as she glared at Agnes.

“Not too bad I suppose, all things considered,” said another with a strange smile.

“And did anyone get any messages?” asked Abby

Why would she keep asking that silly question I wondered to myself. A couple of people spoke about messages they had received and one giggled and said if they did get them, they would not have heard them anyway. There was very quiet giggling and some awkward looks at each other. How on earth did they think they would hear anyway when the phones were in the other room? A strange bunch I thought to myself. Hippies probably. New age folk.

When it was time to leave, a robust lady came over to us where we were putting our shoes back on and said, “You two clearly don’t sleep well.”

“I beg your pardon?” I asked.

“Well, you both snored so loudly I felt the walls shake. It was very hard to relax and go into a deep meditation you know.”

I looked at Agnes and she looked at me and we both started to laugh hysterically. I did not even answer the lady. We just waved goodbye and laughed all the way to the car. We drove home feeling very calm and very refreshed, still smiling.

“So, I guess meditation makes you sleep Agnes,” I said while nodding at her. “So that’s what we will do, and we will just do it from home. I mean, as we were leaving Abby did mention the class was quite full and there may not be room for us in the future, although I am wondering if that was not quite the truth, but anyway we will just do it ourselves. It will save us some money and I do feel really quite lovely Agnes. What about you?”

I looked over to the passenger seat but Agnes had nodded off. Boy, she really was sleep deprived I thought. Only seconds later she started up with her snorting and snoring and although it was deafening, I just kept smiling. Oh my, we must have been quite awful to listen to if we were both at it. I laughed out loud as I drove along and even turned the radio up in a feeble attempt to drown Agnes out.

Why do people take things so seriously? What has happened to our sense of humour? Can someone please explain? Anyone?

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!

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.

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.

TATURA GARDEN CLUB

At our meeting Monday April 17th, we enjoyed hearing from member Glenys Stockdale and Guest Noreen Smith. They spoke of their visits to East Timor and the help they are giving to the people. They supply basics for a hospital and sewing machines and fabric for women to make items for sale. Noreen and Glenys showed us examples of the beautiful traditional weaving of the area. They passed around many photos to illustrate their talk. It was most interesting.

The Tatura Garden Club meets on the third Monday of the month at the Tatura Community Centre at 7 pm. Next meeting is June 19th.

Geoff Gerrish TREE STUMP REMOVALS

Chop & Chat 2

Chop & Chat

TAT LAWN TENNIS CLUB

Good Things Come in Threes and Fours

The Tatura Lawn Tennis Club has had a very eventful few months with a successful Labour Day Tournament, a Grand Final win in the Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association, being awarded the rights to host the Judy Dalton Cup in October and FAST 4 providing some fun.

The Labour Day Tournament held over the long weekend of 11/13 March saw players from all over the state and a contingent from Byron Bay all enjoy the club’s courts and other facilities. Entry numbers were at record levels, and it was particularly pleasing to see the high number of juniors taking part.

Saturday involved Singles, Veterans Doubles and Junior matches and after the serious tennis the Wooden Racquet Challenge allowed players from all grades to compete in a handicapped knock out event. A lot of fun to play and watch with many players never having picked up a wooden racquet before.

Winners of the Open singles were former club champion Tim Lanyon, all the way from Byron Bay, and Amanda Hassett.

Unfortunately, rain spoiled the doubles events on Sunday but that did not stop players packing out the clubhouse on the Aussie Icon themed Sunday night for dinner provided by Chargrilled Chicken Tatura and entertainment by Byron Bay legend, Tim Stokes. The weekend wound up with Mixed Doubles on Monday.

The club receives wonderful sponsorship support from many local businesses and for the tournament greatly appreciates the major sponsors; Tatura Milk, Unilever, OPSM and Foodworks.

The week after the tournament, the Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association held Grand Finals for the season. Some events were transferred to Tatura at the last moment, due to a forecast of 38 degrees in Cobram. The relocation was well received by the two Tatura Teams involved. Tatura Tornados took the honours in the GM4 Division but unfortunately Tatura Lightning missed out in GM5. The great performance by the Tornados has been recognised at higher levels and the team was invited to take part in the State League Championships held at Royal South Yarra, Kooyong Lawn and Dendy Park Tennis Clubs on 29 and 30 April.

Tatura Lawn has some of the best lawn courts and facilities in Victoria and Tennis Victoria has recognised this by allocating the prestigious Judy Dalton Cup to Tatura, to be played over the weekend of 28 and 29 October 2023. This will involve under 14 and under 16 girls playing on all twelve lawn courts at Tatura over the weekend. Go along and watch some high-quality junior tennis. Tennis is not always serious at Tatura Lawn. Social tennis is also very popular and thanks to Shepparton Real Estate and the organisational skills of Gabrielle Cornwall, FAST 4 was conducted again in February. FAST 4 is exactly what it says, fast games and plenty of fun followed by a BBQ.

The club is very keen to encourage more people to play tennis. It doesn’t matter if you think you can be club champion, or just want a hit and giggle, there is no better place to do it than the Tatura Lawn Tennis Club. See us on Facebook or try our website https://play.tennis.com.au/ taturalawntennisclub.

GM4 Premiers

Wooden Racquet Players,

Having Fun

CUBBY NEWS

The Cubby has been bustling with activity over the past month. The children have been enjoying the great weather and making the most of the autumn season by playing in the leaves. In preparation for Mother's Day, the children got creative and made handprints as a special gift for their mothers. The staff at The Cubby ensured that the children had a fun and memorable experience while making these special keepsakes.

The Cubby has also been busy drying fruit. The children have been involved in the process, from cutting up the fruit and placing it in the dehydrator. This activity has not only been enjoyable for the children, but it has also taught them about healthy eating habits and the importance of preserving food.

Playing in the farmyard has been another exciting activity for the children at The Cubby. The farmyard provides a unique experience for the children, allowing them to pretend to interact with animals and learn about agriculture.

The staff at The Cubby are dedicated to providing quality care for children and ensuring that they have fun and memorable experiences. As the autumn season continues, we can only expect more exciting activities and adventures at The Cubby.

Our license to operate covers childcare for 15 children per day which gives us the opportunity and the joy to care for our families in a very individual and personal way – you become part of the Cubby family. We are

QUIZ answers

1c – 3

2a – 4 (A, B, AB, O)

3c – 1948

4b – Queen Elizabeth II

5a – Emerald

6b – Beethoven

7b – Red and White

8b – Venus

9c - Antarctica

10d – Infant

Scoring.

0–2. Struggle Street. First of all, congratulations on doing this quiz. That’s about it really. There’s not much else I can add.

3-5. Bland Street. Well done! You are the person that everybody else measures

themselves against. You are the rock in the ocean of knowledge. No, I don’t know what it means either but it sounds good.

6-7. Above Average (sort of). Well done on another abnormal performance. According to the Oxford dictionary, you are exceptional, irregular and deviating from type. Ask your friends if that sounds like you.

8-9. Smarty Pants. You’re among the best of the best although, unfortunately, you’re not the very best. You shouldn’t have changed your mind on that wrong answer. Always trust your initial instinct.

10. Genius. A very impressive performance indeed as a couple of these questions were a bit tricky. You’re clearly a legend so please feel free to gloat to anybody who will listen. You’ve certainly earned the privilege.

Farmyard Friends

here to support our parents above the regular services of childcare centres. We can help you with your Child Care Subsidy application with Centrelink, connect you to support services or just have an open ear for the days where it all seems a bit much.

We have a few spots left. Give us a call to inquire about vacancies, have a chat and book a time to get to know The Cubby and our staff.

The Cubby Occasional Care is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8:30am – 4:00pm in the orange building on Kerferd Street. The Cubby is a Child Care Subsidy provider, making it an affordable choice for families. Give us a call on 5824 1315 or 0490 117 030 to have a chat with one of our friendly staff.

“

We pride ourselves on good old

“ We pride ourselves on good

We pride ourselves on old fashioned service”

“ We pride ourselves on good old fashioned service”

TATURA BOWLS CLUB

The Presentation Night awards were dominated in the Men's section by Darryn Carpenter who won the Men's Singles Club championship, the 21Up Championship and the 100Up championship. A wonderful achievement and possibly not achieved in the club's history.

Dot Best won the Ladies Singles Championship, Keith Smith the 2 Bowls Singles Championship, Men's Pairs John Attwood and Ash McDonnel and the Mixed Pairs was won by John and Faye Attwood. The Tatura Hospital Charity Day bowls attracted 18 teams playing in the ‘Two Bowls Triples’ event in perfect conditions for social bowls. There were four 3-game winners with the eventual winners being Bart Lethlean, Chris Lethlean and Geoff Higgins from the Murchison Bowls Club, defeating on a countback Tatura Bowls Club members John Attwood, Dot Best and Faye Attwood. Unlucky to be out of the prize money and also with three game wins was teams led by Noel Mulcahy and Peter LeSueur. Nearest the ditch was won by Phyl Fiddes and Keith Smith. Resting touchers won by Mark Bentley, Phyl Fiddes, Mavis Marshall and Peter Wallis. Novice award winner Bec Martino and Novice with Potential Kate Magee.

The large number of generously donated sponsor vouchers and products enabled over forty valuable raffle prizes to be on offer. Raffle ticket sales were well supported by the community from pre-sales and on the bowls day and together with green fees it has enabled the Tatura Bowls Club to donate to the Tatura Hospital over $2700 which will be presented at a later date.

Former member Geoffrey Pieper passed away on April 15th and condolences are extended to wife Bev and family. Geoff was the B Grade winner in 2001 and a club pairs winner with Ken Webber in 2014. In his estimated 20 years association with the club, he was a keen worker and particularly prominent when he was on the Tatura Club's Centenary celebrations committee in 2004.

A Tatura Bowls Club trio were successful in winning the Girgarre RSL triples event held on ANZAC Day at Valley View Golf and Bowls Club. Seth Tziros (S), Col Johnson and Ken Cornell brought home some wonderful sponsor donated prizes including a large number of dairy products from Fonterra of Stanhope.

- John Crilly

Have some news to share? Send it to info@tatbulletin.com.au

Tatura Bowls Club Directors

TATURA BOWLS CLUB ELECTIONS

The Tatura Bowls Club recently conducted their elections and voting for office bearers and club positions for next season and presented reports for the preceding bowls year. A disappointing turn up of only 14 members attended to hear the positive financial report and to vote on the members to undertake bowls director roles and other vital positions required for the ensuing season. The results of the Annual General Meeting had the following outcome of positions within the club. President Keith Smith, Administration (Secretary) unfilled position, Financial Kirsten Crilly. The four Club Directors John Attwood, Phil Boyd, Jason

Carter and Col Johnson. Match committee Ken Cornell, Col Johnson and Mark Spencer. Greens Directors re-elected were Jason Carter and John Evans. 60 and Over organisers Col Johnson and Charles Lawson. Welfare Faye Attwood. Scratchmaster Kirsten Crilly and Handicapper Phil Boyd.

Selector nominations have been left in abeyance for a determination in a Tatura Hilltop process. Unfilled positions for which the club is seeking nominations or volunteers are Administration (Secretary), Tournament Secretary, Publicity and Delegates to the GVMB.

- John Crilly

Presentation Night Award Winners

Tatura Hospital Charity Day Winners,

ANZAC DAY IN TOOLAMBA

The Toolamba community took advantage of the beautiful weather on ANZAC Day to come together to remember and recognise all who serve in the Australian armed forces. Hosted by the Toolamba Lions Club, the service was held outside the Community Hall beside the war memorial. The guest speaker was Warrant Officer Class One, Peter Morritt, who travelled down from Canberra.

School captains from Toolamba Primary School read ‘A Tribute to ANZAC Day’, the Toolamba Community Choir sang the New Zealand national anthem, and Mike Schulz led the crowd in the singing of Advance Australia Fair. Wreaths were laid by the Lions Club, Toolamba Wrens CWA, Toolamba CFA, WO1 Peter Morritt, Toolamba Primary School captains, Cllr Ben Ladson on behalf of Greater Shepparton City Council, and Doug Messer on behalf of Tatura RSL. After the service, people stayed around to catch up with friends and neighbours and enjoy morning tea or coffee and donuts.

- Pat Patt, President Toolamba Lions Club

Wreaths at the Memorial

Kids Page

STAINED-GLASS

Glass that is coloured by metallic salts when it is made is called ‘Stained-Glass’ These salts include Copper (dark red), Cobalt (brilliant blue) and Chromium (dark green). Small pieces of glass are arranged to form patterns or pictures. The glass is held together by strips of lead and supported by a rigid frame

JOKES

My frosted glass windows smashed this afternoon

It's unclear what happened!

I just finished replacing the glass in my bedroom window It was a real pane!

Why did the Piglets get into trouble in their stained-glass class?

They stained their glass with mud!

Design and Colour your own stained-glass windows. Think about the different shapes that are found in these windows.

COLOUR IN