From the desk….

Welcome to another edition of the Square Leg Files. Well what a beautiful week of weather, lovely still days, crisp mornings and blazing Autumn sun.  But now it’s time to rain again to keep the wonderful start to the season going.  As I sit at my desk writing this piece early on Monday morning I’m am told that rain is on the way for Tuesday. Lets hope so….

 

Three day party

I’m off to the “Bool” this week for a couple of days R & R.  It’s race carnival week and regular attendee and former Callawadda native Sandy “The Know All” McGregor is celebrating his 40^th birthday. All I know is that the party is going for 3 days. Wish us luck.

 

Banyena Cup

This weekend the Banyena Cup is being held at the “Royal” and I’m told that it is going to be a huge event. Last year was a cracker according to those that went and this year is expected to be bigger and better. Connections are inviting people down for the wine tasting and Souvlaki’s on the deck of the “Whitehouse”. So don’t worry about cooking at home this Saturday night, let Marnoo’s Masterchef equivalents Ben “Glendemar” Duxson and Gary “Larry” Cameron tantalise those taste buds.

 

Banyena Cup it is

The Banyena Cup is one of the “Royals” signature events and the club is looking for a big Banyena turnout this year. So if you live out there on the plains make sure you either get there for the golf or better still the after entertainment.

 

Italian or Greek

I’m not sure if I even reported this last year but there was a bit of confusion at last years Banyena Cup. The night was labelled a Greek night in the promotional flyers but someone bought the wrong flag along. Yep you guessed it, they bought an Italian flag, oh well by the sounds of it the Italians are travelling slightly better than the Greeks these days and it didn’t make one ounce of difference to the tasted of those mouth watering Souvlaki’s.

 

Do we need a plan???

I had responses from two concerned natives last week, which was encouraging. However it wasn’t overwhelming. I was reminded of a couple of cases where communities have been successful in keeping local amenities going which are absolutely essential to a small community like Marnoo.

 

One was the Navarre Community taking over or starting up their shop/store, which was virtual non-existent before the locals intervened. Now from what I can gather it’s a thriving community asset that all local use.

 

Another incident was the Rupanyup Football Club taking over their Pub. I’m not sure how successful that has been but its still open.

These are just a couple of examples of communities getting together to save or revitalise community assets. Please let’s hear what you guys have to say……

 

Below is a transcript of what was written last week.

 

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?