Odds and Ends with Gregor Mactaggart

The public can vote for their favourite town for a chance to win ‘one perfect Melbourne weekend’ for two.

Sponsored by Time Out and Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, the prize includes two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the luxurious Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, two dining vouchers to some of Melbourne’s best venues (Farmers Daughters and Myrtle Wine Bar) and two tickets to The LUME Melbourne.

To vote visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023victoptourismtown

Voting closes on Thursday, June 22.

THE WINNING FORMULA FOR REGIONAL VICTORIA

The 2026 Commonwealth Games should benefit all of regional Victoria, not just the competition's host cities, the state's 10 biggest regional councils say.

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has proposed an $80 million package to be spent on sporting facilities, parklands, open spaces and a tourism campaign for the games.

The Commonwealth Games are expected to generate about $3 billion for Victoria, but funding allocations for the event were absent in recent state and federal budgets.

The games will be held across parts of regional Victoria, including Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton.

RCV chair and Bendigo mayor Andrea Metcalf said the 2026 games represented a unique opportunity that should benefit the whole state.

“This is the time for regional Victoria to shine on the world stage and we must ensure that we build on this exposure, maintaining momentum as we showcase our amazing regional cities and get long-term value out of the investment made through the games,” she said.

“It is a priority that First Peoples and traditional owners are engaged in all aspects of the games delivery and ensure they reflect Victoria’s rich cultural history.”

Regional cities needed assurance the state government would invest in its regions after the regional jobs and infrastructure fund was discontinued in May’s budget, she said.

A Victorian Government spokesman said more than $41 billion had been spent across rural and regional Victoria since 2015.

“We're getting on with delivering the Commonwealth Games, with our $2.6 billion to ensure a long-lasting legacy across regional Victoria,” the spokesman said.

“Victoria 2026 will create local jobs, deliver a legacy of affordable and social housing and world-class sporting facilities, boost inclusion and participation — delivering the significant economic benefits of one of the world's largest sporting events to regional Victoria — before, during and after the competition finishes.”

MP TAKES THE PLUNGE

Sam Birrell’s decision to be the first Kyabram Junior Football Club Big Freeze volunteer to take the plunge on Friday night at the recreation reserve was as much about his status as an Assumption College alumni as it was about as his civic duty as the Federal Member for Nichols.

Mr Birrell, sporting a Big Freeze 9 beanie and a bright yellow T-shirt from his 2022 election campaign, was one of more than 20 people who sat in the “hot seat” to assist the club its its motor neurone disease fundraising event.

He said, after being dunked into the icy water by a volunteer who paid handsomely for the privilege, that his decision to become involved in the now annual event was inspired by former Essendon champion and Melbourne coach Neale Daniher.

Mr Birrell also attended the opening of the oval-side pavilion that was named in honour of the former VFL star and patron of Fight MND.

After emerging from the icy water, he said Daniher had sent a note to National Party member Darren Chester, which was delivered to parliament, thanking people for their support of the campaign.

His Friday evening appearance was followed by a second citing of the heavily involved member, who was cooking the barbecue at the Kyabram Netball Association’s annual tournament on Sunday morning.

— ROHAN ALDOUS

A FUR-TUNATE TALE

A Seymour district cat’s journey will reach a happy conclusion this week when she is reunited with her owners after being lost during last year’s floods.

Amberly South was dropped at Seymour Veterinary Surgery on May 26 by a Tallarook family who had been caring for her after she turned up at its home.

The nurses at Seymour Veterinary Clinic took the cat in and scanned her microchip.

“The cat was found in Tallarook and they have been looking after it for a while trying to get her friendly enough to bring her in,” vet nurse Felicity Hyde said.

“She’s quite chunky, well cared for. These people that had been looking after her had been looking after her really well. She is in really good nick.”

After scanning the microchip, the nurses were able to track down the cat’s owners, an army family that did live at Puckapunyal but since the October floods had been posted to Brisbane, Queensland.

Vet nurse Maree Hutchinson was able to call the family to share the good news.

“It just goes to show that making sure your microchip details are up to date really makes a difference,” Ms Hyde said.

“We rang them when the cat came in. The man said that he and his fiancée thought that cat had been lost in the floods.”

There was no shortage of volunteers to provide Amberly with a home. The Tallarook family which was caring for her was also willing to take her in should her owners not be located.

However, her owners said they were thrilled to have Amberley back and would arrange her transportation to Queensland.

— BIANCA HALL

ANGE THE MAN FOR TOTTENHAM

Australian soccer coach Ange Postecoglou will carve out another piece of history after his appointment as manager of English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs confirmed on Tuesday night they had signed the 57-year-old from Celtic on a four-year deal.

He becomes the first Australian to manage in the EPL.

“Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play,” Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said.

“He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy — everything that is important to our club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead.”

Postecoglou just completed a domestic treble in Scotland and previously coached Yokohama F. Marinos, Brisbane Roar and South Melbourne to league championships, along with leading Australia to the Asian Cup.

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Why are actors told “break a leg”? Because every production has a cast!

FAST FIVE QUIZ

1. Name the regional Victorian town that recently confirmed plans to be the home of a giant Kookaburra?

2. According to the 2021 census, rank these three regional Victorian towns in order of largest population to smallest — Echuca, Morwell and Horsham?

3. Edward ‘Weary’ Dunlop was born in which regional Victorian town?

4. Which regional Victorian town has a three-day thoroughbred racing carnival that starts today?

5. According to Australia Post there are two towns/districts in Victoria that start with Z. Can you name one of the two?

TIP OF THE WEEKEND

The sojourn to Broome ended painfully as Ornamental Belle was overhauled late by Prince Saiyan. I’m still on the lookout for a bit of sun, so we’re off to Eagle Farm which plays host to Queensland’s best race, the Stradbroke Handicap. I like Opal Ridge, but she is the first emergency. So we’ll go earlier in the card and Nonconformist in the Q22 (Race 6, No.5).

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

Johnny Depp, actor, 60, Natalie Portman, actor 42, Michael J. Fox, actor, 62, Jane Kennedy, actor/radio host, 59, Dale Wood, supercars driver, 40, Peter Fowler, golfer, 64, Michael Beer, cricketer, 39.

FINALLY

Lastly this week, I’d like to pay tribute to Riverine Herald photographer Steve Huntley who finishes his association with this newspaper today after seven years. Steve has been a champion of the paper, he is a much-loved and well-known person throughout Echuca-Moama and will be sadly missed by his colleagues here at The Riv. Thanks mate for all your efforts and good luck for the road ahead.

FAST FIVE QUIZ ANSWERS

1. Donald, 2. Horsham (16,289), Echuca (15,056) and Morwell (14,068), 3. Wangaratta, 4. Swan Hill, 5. Zumsteins (3401) and Zeerust (3634).