AS this is the first column this year, may I take this opportunity to wish all regular readers - and those who aren’t - a happy, healthy new year and one that goes just the way you want it to, only not quite as fast as last year. All the very best in 2017.
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SPORT and recreation swimming with Emily Rogers is having a dream run at the moment, both weather and water temperature-wise. The pool is currently circulating at over 27 celsius, ideal for teaching kids to swim, although there is the odd toddler who would beg to differ who hasn’t been too happy about being enrolled in the water confidence classes.
THERE is little doubt some former sport and rec instructors, including Sonya Sweeney, Anthea MacPherson, her brother Rex Cook and Margaret Starr would be envious of the conditions Emily is experiencing at the moment. To say some of their lessons were conducted in less favourable conditions would be understating the fact.
SOMETIMES little pranks backfire which is precisely what happened to Apsley Advocate CEO Anthea Macpherson during recent times when she attempted to scare the living daylights out of the “Butcher Boys” Thomas Boyd and Jonathon Cross outside Prime Meats. As Anthea was about to deliver her “boo!” line, she slipped over, injuring her ankle. She had to be assisted inside the shop for first aid treatment. Speaking to her earlier in the week, Anthea reckoned the ankle was on the mend but still a bit tender. Maybe she might have to get some lessons from the “Emperor of Scare” Stephen John Sweeney.
IT was sad to hear one of my old junior footy teammates Harold French left this world recently after falling ill at the wheel of his car. Thankfully, no one including his wife Tara were injured when the incident happened. A lot of older Walcha residents would remember Harold as the town's first real “streaker” quite a few years ago.
GREAT to see youngster Zac Warden play his first competition golf game last Sunday. The club is currently short on juniors and as everyone would be aware, they are the future. Zac was over the moon that some of the senior players who won golf balls on the day gave them to him. Good on ya, Zac, and bad luck about being counted out by Jenny Lisle for the coveted “Pink Shirt”.
ON Christmas Day, my son Ben decided his refreshment of choice was going to be Corona, but had trouble opening the bottle because the bottles aren’t twisttop. After being told he would need to use a bottle opener, Ben did just that, but instead of using the flip top part of the tool, he attempted to use the corkscrew part – with limited success, I might add.
By all accounts, 'Stirrer' did have a bit of trouble removing the machinery from the dam, but it is now back on terra firma and everyone can live happily ever after.
COUSIN Todd Cross experienced a few problems in his backyard not long back after he parked a small tractor/backhoe in an old dam which he thought had grown over. By all accounts, “Stirrer” did have a bit of trouble removing the machinery from the dam, but it is now back on terra firma and everyone can live happily ever after.
DON’T forget the Big Pool Party and Disco tomorrow at the pool (where else?) from 2pm to 6pm. The pool party is open to everyone and will include a jumping castle, the Pool Rocker, Lifesaver Lil, games, stalls, prizes and a barbecue dinner. If you hold a season ticket, entry is free, if not, the $6 single admission or $11 family day pass applies.
THE pool disco cranks up at 7pm and goes to 9pm with Jacko’s Jukebox the supplier of music and is restricted to 12-17 years old. It is alcohol-free and fully supervised. There will be a free barbecue dinner from 7 to 8pm.
THE Big Pool Party and Disco isn’t the only part of the Walcha Council School holiday program. There is a Children’s Weaving Workshop on today at Walcha Handmade for kids eight years and over, and mountain biking this Sunday 9 to 11am with Jack Feltham at the Walcha Mountain Biking track where all ages are welcome. Great to see there is plenty for the kids to enjoy during their school holidays.
BOREE grazieress Rachael Laurie took a leaf out of Mary Boyd’s book when she headed off fully clothed to jump in the pool yesterday morning. Some readers might remember Mary turned up in her nurse’s uniform for an early morning dip last year and was halfway to her entry point when she realised she was still fully clothed. Let’s just say “Rach” didn’t quite make it that far, but she did have trouble with a couple of rocket sinkers when she finally hit the water.
PARRAMATTA Eels supporter and former Essential Energy employee Peter Boyd was in for a dip with the grandkids the other day and as he was leaving, asked if I had many starters for night swimming the previous evening. When I replied in the affirmative, Duke’s grandson Caleb immediately thought there must have been some competition on and asked if there were races for kids because he would like to participate. The Kempsey 10-year-old also predicted he would win, especially if the event was butterfly. Wonder where Caleb gets that competitive spirit from?
