Another week

Welcome to another week of the SLF. Well what an interesting week I had last week as I attended the Warrnambool Jumps Carnival which coincided with Sandy “The Know All” McGregor’s 40^th birthday celebrations. And celebrations there were………..

 

Amazing Carnival

Before I get on with specifics, I just want to point out what an amazing carnival Warrnambool now is. I think it’s been about 15 years since I last went and boy has it got big since then. The Thursday is like a mini Melbourne Cup with tents, bars and people everywhere, all dressed up and out for a good time. It must inject mega $$$$$$ into the Warrnambool economy.

 

Hell Bent

It was certainly “The Know All’s” carnival as he had three runners for the three days and all of them won, including two of the big feature races. His near million dollar veteran Some Are Bent won on the first day and he then backed in up in the feature race but unfortunately he fell, no damage done. His other jumping sensation Black And Bent (much younger brother to Some are Bent) won Wednesday’s feature Hurdle and then he had another winner on the Thursday.

 

Best seat in the house

One of my esteemed colleagues on the trip certainly got a view that he will remember for a long time. This individual was walking home from the Whalers Inn to his unit when he got a complete eyeful of a couple going hammer and tong in the unit next door, blinds fully open. He relayed the story onto us the next day and was a bit scratchy as to whom it was, but the next morning confirmed all when a prominent North Melbourne footballing figure emerged from the unit. That’s about as far as I want to take it…….

 

The Beckster don’t play on a rainy day

I caught up with my old Footballing teammate Tony “The Beckster” Beck who now runs a Financial Planning Business out of Adelaide. Talking to the old champ bought back something that I will never forget. You see the Beckster was in his last year back when Stawell were still the Redlegs. Becky was still an amazing player but was taking the training and commitment side of thing a little easier in his twilight year. He announced at the start of the year that “the beckster don’t play on a rainy day”. Yer yer we said but one day it rained on the Saturday morning and we got to the ground and there was no sign of T Beck. When quizzed, he said, I told you boys “the Beckster don’t play on a rainy day”. “Righto then” we said.

 

Banyena Cup

About 40 turned up to the Greek Festivities on Saturday night and all that attended said it was fantastic. No sure about the shenanigans that went on, hopefully that will come out in the wash this week.

 

Multi Function polis

I haven’t had to many responses in regards to the Hotel issue I bought up a couple of weeks ago, but you probably have to expect that. But it’s still an issue that won’t go away. The people that have responded have pointed to the fact that the town is probably ready for an all-in-one facility that has a pub, a shop, a post office and fuel. Not sure how this can happen but it makes economic sense and would be a thriving business for someone (and would emply people). This seems to be the logic medium term solution. Keep your thinking caps on…..

 

Comment from a former Publican

This came across my desk on the weekend form former Publican Amanda Lory.

 

I totally agree with you regarding the Marnoo Pub.  It is unfortunate that it seems to be going down hill. 

 

I have such fond memories of my time there and I thought I may share some of those memories with you all.  When we first took over I did not realise the significance of a country pub. However, it did not take me long!!!   To the non-drinkers it is a shame they hardly ever venture past the front doors because if they did they would soon realise what was therein.

It is the "'hub" of a small town.  People just call in sometimes for a little support, to talk about the weather, politics, their cropping, wanting someone to give them a hand etc etc.  To the non-drinkers they would not realise this.  It would be such a pity to see this disappear from Marnoo.  How many of the regulars would call into the Milk Bar etc to pick up the 'odd thing' before coming to the pub.  It was a meeting place to discuss all sorts of ideas and sometimes just a place for some to "let off a bit of steam" making it mostly a lot of fun but most of all it was the camaraderie amongst the patrons. 

 

To those who have never ventured in - they should realise that some of the nicest patrons were those who did not drink "the dreaded drop'.   I have such memories of Graeme Barratt, the perfect gentleman who only drank his specially ordered diet lemon!

 

The Marnoo Pub is very special place and it would be a lovely thought that perhaps the Marnoo Community could all pull together and keep it going.  It would not be that hard really- just support the pub you have - perhaps buy your slabs there instead of going to the slightly cheaper option at Safeways etc.  The only difference in the price is cartage and cooling- but most people are narrow minded enough not to give this side of things a thought.

 

I will always remember my time at Marnoo as being memorable to say the least!  We did love being there as we have always thought of the immediate area as 'home'.  I still regard myself as a 'local' and always will.

 

Good luck and best wishes