Thanks for all your support throughout the past 12 months and for dobbing in a mate. You help make the column what it is. Hopefully a bit of fun.

NORTH Street resident Tracey Crisp, who also happens to be my sister, went close to knocking herself out while using the levee bank gym equipment last week.

As she attempted to relocate her water bottle “Tracky” cracked her head on one of the monkey bars which produced a lump the size of a cricket ball.

She reckons it brought a tear or two to her eyes she hit it that hard.

A FEW years back Walcha Central School student Terence Byrne wasn’t too fond of swimming but after a number of seasons and quite a few lessons we finally got there.

Last week Terence passed his Bronze Medallion which was a great effort considering he had made himself physically ill the previous day during a practice swim. Good on ya Terence.

OVER the past month Walcha Central, Niangala, Yarrowitch, Woolbrook and St Pats Schools have been participating in either ‘Intensive Learn to Swim’ or ‘Life Saving’ campaigns where 1,866 attendees have been registered during that time.

Walcha Council sponsor all the schools by providing free admission for those kids that don’t have season tickets, which was more than half the total.

A kind gesture indeed, but just another reason why we were lucky enough to be left to ‘Stand Alone’ instead of amalgamating with Tamworth.

CENTRAL School Secondary student Elijha Fortescue experienced a small brain fade at the recent school assembly when she greeted “Rockvale Cottage’ resident Phyllis Hoy with ‘How are you going Bevis?

Not much difference between Phyllis and Bevis when you say it quick anyway ‘Lijh’.

SAD to hear a couple of knock-about blokes Phil McCormack and Bobby Jack Waugh left this world during recent times after losing their respective battles with ill health. Condolences to the family and friends of both likable larrikins who certainly enjoyed a good time or three in the past.

NEARLY 50 years ago Phil saved my life when I was in the process of drowning in the McDonald River while attending a birthday party for Phillipo Fleming at “Marinka’ now owned by ‘Chook’ and Jen Kealy.

Unable to swim and out of my depth Phil was on hand to drag me to safety which I was very happy about at the time and am still to this day.

THE ‘Big Bash’ Cricket competition commenced on Tuesday night and this Saturday Oliver McCormack son of ‘Fatmac’ and Sally will be hosting a T.U. Show called ‘Crash the Bash’ on Channel 10 which screens at 9am.

By all accounts there is going to be plenty of fun and games as Olli takes some of the ‘Big Bash Boys’ out of their comfort zones during a six show series – should be worth a look.

EARLY in the New Year there will be a Pool Party and Disco on ‘Black Friday’ January 13th from 2pm. The Pool Party will go to 6pm followed by the Disco for 12 to 17 year-olds from 7 to 9 pm at the Walcha Pool.

General admission is $6 or free if you have a season ticket. There will be a free B.B.Q. dinner on offer from 7 to 8 pm.

For more information about the Pool Party, phone Tim McGeoch (0401841628) or Councillor Rachael Wellings (0429942465) about the the Disco.

Hopefully we will experience favourable weather for the event, unlike the first two days of the school holidays which have been a bit sad.

SNOOKER player Leanne Presnell didn’t get off to the best start in her grand final against Jayne Dunn last Sunday when she sent the cue ball in-off with the first shot of the frame.

Her final shot of the competition came when Leanne hit the pink ball which sent the cue ball flying onto the floor.

Already needing a snooker on the pink Leanne decided to ‘rack the cue’ and shake hands with the Ex Services Club first female champion. Go girls!

IF YOU flick over to Sports Shorts you will see no less than 12 players failed to score last Saturday and are mentioned in the Poultry Farmers of the week.

The boys would be competitive if selected to play together with the batting order as follows - Barry Hoy, Troy Yarnold , Dougal Eliott, Ben France, Stue Hobbs, Mitch Scrivener, Will Fletcher, Stephen Haslem, Neil Dunn along with newcomers  Andrew McGuffog and his son James.

The only reason Cameron Little would be 12th man is he remained 0 not out last start.