DEDICATION would be one way of describing how John and Bill approach their chosen sport, with a prime example of that displayed a fortnight ago. The Dynamic Duo headed north to Cunnamulla for a shoot which is nearly 300 kilometres west of St George in Queensland and about eight-and-a-half hours from here. The boys didn’t catch up with the “Cunnamulla fulla” this trip, but did so last time they were there.

FORMER Walcha Council environmental services directory Gerry Moran is a long-time North Sydney Bears supporter and has always hated the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, including when the two clubs were merged to form the Northern Eagles for three years between 2000 and 2002. Some people might think Gerry is going soft these days after he linked up with manly supporters “Longhandle” Lawrence and yours truly for the Footy Fans bowls day last Saturday.

TWO dozen players competed at the Footy Fans bowls day and were treated to glorious weather conditions throughout the 14 ends they played. A few players experienced problems with putting the bias on the wrong side of their bowl, which resulted in it veering into the next door rink or on some occasions, even further.

ROOS treasurer Kathryn Smith got it wrong on three occasions, while organiser Noel Goodwin, who was celebrating his 76^th birthday, sent his sideways a couple of times. Margaret Morris set up the mat on the centre line quite some distance away from where it should have been, while Gerry Moran sent down one of his teammates bowls by mistake. All in all, a fun day for the people who turned up.

PAKINGTON Street resident, Wests Tigers fan and former “Yalgoo” station hand John Mann was up to his old tricks last Sunday when he shot under his age at golf once again after registering 84 off the stick. “Ming” estimates he has achieved the feat more than 20 times over the past few years, certainly a great effort in itself.

EARLY next week, the opportunity to add more to the list will increase for John when he celebrates 86 years on the planet. Good on ya, Ming, and hope you have a great birthday next Tuesday.

MOST people probably wouldn’t be aware that local car salesman Peter Norbury also dabbles in beekeeping and has all the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) that goes with it. Anyone who knows the Sea Eagles supporter knows that anything could happen, but on this occasion, it’s more about his much better-half, Joanne.

OUT at Niangala, down Cowsby Road at “The Willows”, Jo and Pete were getting ready to deal with their bees by putting on their PPE and, after taking plenty of time to do so, Peter asked Jo if she would like a drink of water before they commenced duties. Although Jo answered in the affirmative, there was no way she could drink the water in the get-up she was in, so she had to wait. When telling the story, Peter was quite amused while describing how Jo attempted to quench her thirst despite the arms of the bee suit being very stiff – and having a face mask on. See Peter or Jo for more information.

TELECOTTAGE staff members reckon it was one of the worst pieces of parking they had ever seen directly outside their office recently, and had Blair Finlayson to witness it. In my defence, the reason the white line went directly up the middle of the Outlander LJ 1958 was that I was in a hurry at the time. Yeah, I know, it possible wouldn’t hold up in court.

BIG Wigs of the Week: Bowlies – Marg Morris picked the card; Apsley – Matt Hamel; Newie – Gary Natty, “Bikkie” Bullock, Cheryl Stackman (all 14 points); Prime Meats – Dianne Green, Edith Lockyer, Stephen Dunn, D. G. Clare; “Favourites” Vet Supplies – Kyle Goodwin (all 12 points).

LAST Saturday proved that the job of timekeeping at the footy isn’t all beer and skittles, as the sin bin official at the Storm v Sea Eagles game found out. One veteran timekeeper from around these parts found the going a bit stressful at the Park when the Roos played Barraba a few years back. Things could also have gone haywire on local touch grand final day this year had president Ben Ussher not been keeping an eye on the same bloke.

STILL on footy, it only seems fair that a player who headbutts an opponent’s fist and breaks his eye socket is out for up to six weeks, while the bloke that belts him gets two weeks on the sideline. Wonder what Dylan Walker said to Curtis Scott to provoke him that badly?

WHAT an absolute joke it is when the dummy half in an NRL game can pick up the ball and deliberately throw it into an opponent expecting a penalty. Hopefully, last weekend is the final time footy fans see it happen.