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.