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The Moorabool News – 23 November, 2021 Page 3
Swim safer with lifesaving lessons By Lachlan Ellis A stand-alone bank has been ‘splashing cash’ across the shire for ten years, with over $1.09million invested into the community. The Community Bank Ballan is now making a bigger splash this summer which will see local children participate in the learn to swim program, for free. Volunteer board member Barry Sims said the bank will cover the bill for the entire Summer Kidz Program in Ballan in January 2022. Run by VICSWIM, the program usually costs $35 per week, with three weeks of swimming lessons. The Council entry costs for participants and spectators will also be covered by the Community Bank. Mr Sims suggested the idea to his fellow board members and “it was approved straight away”. “Swimming’s so important for children, they’ve got to learn how to swim and if possible, without the added cost”, Mr Sims told the Moorabool News. “We should support the kids in town, and this was an opportunity not to be missed as learning to swim is a major preventative measure.” Mr Sims said the Community Bank Ballan has done so much over the last ten years for towns and organisations in the west of Moorabool. “Over $1 million has been invested. It is something that no bank has ever done.” The Learn to Swim program will be run over three weeks with five 30-minute lessons, from Monday to Friday. Week 1 – 3 - 7 January Week 2 – 10 - 14 January, and Week 3 – 17 – 21 January Up to 84 participants from the ages of 3 to 14 years old will be able to enrol for free across the three-week period, with lessons to be held at Ballan Outdoor Pool. To enrol, call 9271 3800. The program is supported by VicSwim, Bendigo Bank, State Government and Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV).
Barry Sims (Volunteer Board Director Community Bank Ballan) with (L-R) Sophie, Tom, and Ruby who are ready and waiting for the VicSwim program in 2022, that the Community Bank is picking up the tab for participants. Photo – Helen Tatchell
Making a ‘racquet’ for men’s health By Lachlan Ellis A tennis tournament will raise much-needed funds for Movember, and men of all skill levels are invited to take part. The Men’s Movember Doubles Day, sponsored by Shane Cook Homes, will start at 9 am on Sunday 28 November, at Bacchus Marsh Lawn Tennis Club. Doubles teams will be divided into A, B, C and D grades, and tournament organiser Steve Kelly said the club was eager to get players to join in, regardless of fitness or experience. “After the lockdowns and a couple of years of everyone cooped up indoors, the tournament idea just fell in with the Movember charity. With restrictions coming down, we thought it’d be a good idea to hold an event and play some tennis, have some drinks and a barbeque,” he told the Moorabool News. “We want to help raise awareness of men’s mental health and get guys talking to each other. We have a doctor coming down, Dr Rav Sadhai – he’s going to do a talk about mental health after the tennis.” There will also be live music performed on the day by musician Tom Jenkins, from 3pm until 6pm. Raffles will be held for tennis racquets, and gurneys and blowers from Melton Stihl. Prizes are on offer for the winners of each grade including ‘Serving Aces’ tennis store vouchers, as well as glasses. Around 40 players have already signed up, with many of the remaining spaces left in the lower C and D grades. “It’s not too late, even if you haven’t played a lot of tennis, to come down and give it a go,” Mr Kelly said. Entry costs $50 per person, with a portion of the entry fee going to Movember. The entry fee includes a light lunch and barbeque, as well as a complimentary drink. If you’re keen to have a hit and help raise funds for Movember at the same time, contact Steve Kelly on 0409 173 273 or via email at kellygangcoaching@gmail.com.
Ready to serve up aces for Men’s Health (L-R) Nigel Bullen (Club President), Steve Kelly (Tournament Organiser), Dr Rav Sadhai, and Shane Cook (Sponsor). Photo - submitted
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