Hello again

Welcome to another edition of the SLF. In this edition I am going to be a little bit controversial, as I have a community issue I think needs addressing by us all. Anyway more about that later in the edition, lets get stuck into it……..

 

Boof caught napping

It was good to catch up with my old mate and SLF Hall of Famer Bruce “Boofhead” Hendy last week. A story about this influential local came to my attention whilst visiting the corner shop and it was told (rather embarrassingly) by the man himself. You see Boof was doing the “good Uncle” thing by taking brother “Cobbers” young fellow out for dinner. Well to keep the young fella entertained the waitress bought out some colouring books and some pencils. Now maybe Boof had one to many ales as he was spotted leaving the venue with the colouring books under his ample arm. He didn’t realise that until later that he had kidnapped the colouring books that belonged to the establishment. Well it’s not all bad as he has been voted Uncle of the year by his young nephew.

 

Mice on the run

The natives I spoke to last week are a little concerned by the locusts and the mice that seem to be growing in population within the district. A slight delay in sowing might keep the locust problem at bay because they will disappear once it gets cold but it’s spring time that is the concern. One wise local, namely Gary “Mr Asia” Baker has been hearing that cars have been getting flyblown in the Mallee area where the pest is at its most prevalent. Now I hope that didn’t make you bring up your last mouthful as most of us can handle (and have) the odd flyblown sheep or 20 but a flyblown car………..As for the mice well they can do untold damage out in the paddock but it’s in the house that they can make it uncomfortable. Boy do they stink….

 

Royal in fine knick

As I made my way passed the hallowed turf commonly known now as the “Royal”, I couldn’t help but notice what pristine condition it was in for this time of year. I know when I used to reside back in the Kanya Hills and frequent the joint, that sometime it was June before it showed even a green tinge. Could this be the year when we need to get a couple of aluminium vessels to help ferry us across the creek that splits the famed course? Lets hope so.

 

We need a plan!!

I once again had the pleasure of downing a pot or 20 at the Marnoo Pub last week, it’s a place that I and many locals and non locals have enjoyed visiting on many occasions over the years. My concern is that the joint is falling down. Now you would have to agree the pub is, whether your a drinker or not, the epicentre of the community. The issue I see is not necessarily immediate (perhaps it is) but one I think all the community needs to be thinking about. Think of it this way the current publican Leigh “Blue Can” Foster is going to get sick of it one day and want to sell. But my issue is, who is going to buy it in its current state? The joint has moved dramatically over the years and is now in a state of disrepair. I know and sympathise with “Blue Can” because he wouldn’t get his money back if he invested in a fix up. But as I said one day he is going to want to leave and with no buyer there is no choice but to shut the joint down. Then maybe to get a little in return “Blue Can” might just sell the licence (which he is entitled to do).

 

No pub in Marnoo would be a dramatic loss to the community and its identity. I just feel that this situation could arise in the not to distant future and if it did come to fruition all natives would be in shock.

 

I haven’t got an answer but I think as a community we should be getting together for a think tank on this issue and also we need to be working with the current proprietor to make sure the Marnoo Pub has a future. I know I’m an ex native but I and many other ex natives would be willing to help out the current natives to plan for the ongoing future of the famed Marnoo Pub.

 

I want to point out that I am not blaming anyone for the current situation, it’s something that has been slowly getting worse over many years.

 

Please if you agree or disagree, have any ideas or want to start something you can email me through my Yarrawonga mate Dwain “Daryl” Duxson @ dwain@glendemar.com.au or snail mail to Square Leg, PO Box 409, Yarrawonga, Vic 3730 or text or call on 0427 011900           

 

What do you recon? Looking forward to your feedback?

 

I might chuck some ideas out there in next week edition.

Hello again

Welcome to another edition of the SLF. It really has been a quiet news week as none of my spies have made any contact what-so-ever, but anyway we will see how we go….

 

Locusts hit town

I was told by a passer by that the locusts have hit the Marnoo and district, I’m not sure what sort of damage they are doing but I do recall that I was travelling between Natte Yallock and Bealiba on Easter Monday and was hit with a rather large swarm. By the time I got back to Yarrawonga the front of my car was yellow and stunk to high heaven. I’m sure you natives are having the same problem.

 

Another 90 year old

It must have been a good year back in 1920 as I read in Marnoo’s quality publication that Charlie Newall has turned 90. This emulates the feat of Alec Carter who also turned 90 a couple of weeks ago. I saw Charlie a couple of weeks ago in the St Arnaud supermarket and he’s still as switched on as ever. Well done Charlie…..

 

Parrots win again

My team the Yarrawonga Parrots won again making it 3 from 3, my other team through, the Richmond Tigers are battling a bit. But us Tigers supporters a very much an optimistic group and we do see light at the end of a very long tunnel. I know there are many Tigers supporter around the district and I urge them to resist changing to another club because that would be typified as UN Australian.

 

No much out of the “Whitehouse” as yet

Things are just a little bit quiet for my liking down at the “Royal” as there doesn’t seem to be any news coming down the line. Let’s hope they haven’t slapped down a media ban on yours truly!!! Oh well I’m sure that it will fire up soon and I guess that I better make an appearance myself soon to see what is going on first hand. Watch this space…

 

Has anyone heard of the Cockatoos

A request came across my desk last week from Kevin “Son of Bob” Court asking if the old Traynors Lagoon Football Club (existed until 1947) had a nickname of the Cockatoos. Kevin is a history buff and likes to research the local stuff. He tells me that he has every edition of the old “Sports Sheet”. He is keen to find out so he can put all the pieces together of Football in the district. So if anyone knows the answer can they please email Kev at kjcourt@hotmail.com . My tipping is that they were called the Cockatoos as there is always plenty of “Squark” coming out of that area…….

 

I had better end it on that note….

Away for a couple of weeks

I have missed the last two editions, which I apologise for to the handful of fans out there. But we are back now and full of enthusiasm for the year ahead. Here we go….

 

90 years young

I must congratulate Alec Carter of his 90^th birthday held a couple of weeks ago at the “Whitehouse”. I couldn’t attend myself but I was told that he had many visitors and it was a great day. Although the body may be not-what-it-used-to-be the mind is as sharp as a drawing pin.

 

Cricketers wind up the year

I’m told that the MCC had a hoot of a day at their wind up which was held a couple of weeks ago. The progressive little club hired a bus for the team, their families and sponsors and journeyed on down to the Moonambel Pub for some pub grub followed by a “dangerous” winery tour. There were plenty of highlights I’m been led to believe but my sources are playing the “I know nothing” on me. I’m told that perennial belt winner Armand “Herbie” Duxson took the prize but had quite a few mates that could have also won. I even heard that their may have been romance………….no only joking……….

 

The little champ

I went to the footy last weekend with my old Marnoo mate John “Noisy” Nisbet, we watched the Hawthorn and Bulldogs game. The game itself never reached any great heights but one thing I did take note of was the ability of Cyril Rioli. I recon that in the next couple of years they will be talking about this guy as right up there with the best ever, he simply was a class above anyone else on the field.

 

Best movie since Pharlap

Now I am not much of a movie goer but I am recommending one movie I saw recently, it’s called “The girl with the dragon Tattoo”. I recon it’s the best movie I have seen since Pharlap or maybe even better than that……So get off your butt and go and see it but don’t take the kids as there are a couple of scenes that will make you cringe.

 

Rain makes for a good start to the season

District rain gauges welcomed another top up last week in what should give the district cropper enough moisture to start sowing. My bet is that a couple of leading croppers who have surnames that start with “C” and “H” will be flat out into it.

 

Bring on the golf season

Golf is underway and this little publication is so looking forward to the season ahead. Now you golfers don’t be shy in putting the stories forward and we don’t even mind if you stretch them just a little. It all makes for good entertainment.

 

My team two and zip

My team the “Yarrawonga Parrots” have won their first two games of the season. In the first game they defeated the team that flogged them in the Grand Final last year (Albury Tigers). So things are looking up for the “Parrots” for season 2010.

 

A dining experience

I went to a show with Dwain  “Daryl” Duxson, his lovely wife Paula, Stewart “Smacka” MacPherson and his lovely new squeeze Nerelle last Friday night. It was a spinoff from Fawlty Towers where Basil, Sybil and Manual actually served you the food in a replicated restaurant. And let me tell you what could go wrong did go wrong. It was entertaining and I would give it about 7 out of ten and yes Fawlty did the Hitler march…..

 

That’s all folks