News

On the Grapevine

By Barb Love

Sep 13, 2022

Pretty in pink: Robert ‘Molly Ryan’ in the pink and sporting a great pair of legs during his round at CBGC.

ROBERT ‘MOLLY’ RYAN SKIRTED UP

Cobram Barooga golfer Robert ‘Molly’ Ryan changed his dress style for the day and looked resplendent in a ladies pink ‘skirt’ as he teed off from the women’s tee in a fun event last week.

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The competition saw 90 men and 20 women enjoy the day on the beautifully prepared Cobram Barooga course, yet not all the chaps were in the pink like Ryan who had decided that skirts were the go for the day.

Ryan, a lefty, plays from an 8 handicap and is no slouch at the game, even when out of his comfort zone in a women’s skirt.

It was not easy for some of the big hitters playing from the women’s tees as they needed to restrain themselves somewhat, particularly on the par threes for fear of overhitting the greens.

However, Ryan, who retired in 2019, takes the time to play a game he loves twice a week, and despite the obvious restrictions of wearing a skirt, hitting off from the women’s tee didn’t faze him at all with his well weighted shot landing NTP on the 13th.

SUCCESSFUL MEN’S BREAKFAST

The Ladies Guild of Cobram Uniting Church was absolutely delighted with their recent men’s breakfast held at St Margaret’s Hall.

More than 40 men of all denominations from Cobram, Barooga, Yarraweyah and Numurkah mingled together before enjoying a hearty breakfast followed by some inspirational words from guest speaker Senior Constable Amy McColl of Victoria Police who spoke on the fundraising efforts of the North East Blue Ribbon Foundation.

Sen Const McColl also explained about the amazing re-development of the Emergency Department at Goulburn Valley Health. Much of the funds have been raised locally and proceeds of $300 from the breakfast will go towards the purchase of further facilities.

The popular event received such fantastic response that the Ladies Guild has promised another will be held in a few months time, so keep a keen eye out for the date.

Swimming star: Casey Petrie joined Victorian Special Olympic athletes at the MCG.

CASEY‘S EXPERIENCE AT THE MCG

Cobram’s Casey Petrie joined 80 other members of TeamVic’s Special Olympics team In walking the boundary at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night prior to an exciting AFL Semi Final between Collingwood and Fremantle, watched on by nearly 91,000 footy fans.

Casey has gained selection in TeamVics swim team and is currently training hard for the 2022 Special Olympics National Games to be held in Launceston during October 17 to 22, and being attended by nearly 1000 athletes.

The invitation to attend the AFL game at the MCG is a result of a unique partnership formed between Special Olympics Australia and the MCG and a proud moment for Casey and her fellow athletes to enjoy the buzz of such a fabulous event and to be acknowledged by so many fellow Victorians.

For more than 45 years Special Olympics Australia has been breaking down barriers through sport to end discrimination against people with disabilities.

So often people with a disability are excluded and misunderstood. They can be denied aspects of daily life offered to others. The Special Olympics gives them a voice and puts a focus on their amazing achievements. The organisation strives to ensure that everyone living with an intellectual disability can participate in sport.

All athletes need to fund their trip to Launceston. If you would like to help Casey achieve her goal, log onto the Special Olympics Website www.specialolympics.com.au, find Casey Petrie under the swim team and follow the prompts.

Proud moment: Four generations of women in the Wills/McKay family.

COBRAM’S RACHEL MCKAY HUMBLED BY OAM

A very humble Rachel McKay was presented with an OAM last Wednesday at Government House Melbourne by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC.

Rachel was in outstanding company among 100 of Victoria’s unsung heroes as they were presented with medals in recognition of significant contributions and service to their communities and organisations throughout Victoria.

It was something of a whirlwind trip to Government House on the day and Rachel arrived barely on time.

Hearing her name called almost immediately, she said, “I felt a little nervous and then I thought, oh wow, this is amazing”.

It was a proud moment for Rachel as she received her Order of Australia Medal (General Division) watched on by her smiling family — husband Colin, daughter Georgia, granddaughter Savannah and mum Jan Willis.

Rachel recognised two of her fellow awardees at the event: Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea chief executive officer Todd Harper AM and Magistrate Jennifer Anne Goldsbrough AM, both of whom were presented with an Order of Australia.

Rachel is community minded and thinks nothing of giving her time and efforts for the betterment of her community. Among many examples of this are: Secretary/treasurer/record keeper/admin of the Cobram Cemetery Trust, Rachel also conducts historical walks at the cemetery and has published the history of some of the early settlers in the town, now buried at the cemetery.

She has conducted Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea since 2001 at the service station she and husband Colin operate in Cobram, raising significant funds for the Cancer Council, while also a board member of St Mary of the Angels Secondary College in Nathalia since 2016.

Many other organisations have benefited dramatically from her enthusiasm, her local knowledge and preparedness to do what she can to assist.

This kind-hearted, hard working woman has no boundaries if it means helping others in her community and further afield and thoroughly deserves this recognition.

It has been a busy and exciting few months for Rachel with her first grandchild, Savannah, born five weeks ago to daughter Georgia and partner Jye Jones in Wodonga.

Unfortunately, Jye tested positive to COVID-19 at the hospital and was unable to attend the birth, however Rachel stepped in and experienced little Savannah being delivered by caesarian — her very first grandchild.