THE Walcha Council office staff girls were having a chat the other day when Sahra "Eric" Rabbitt said she had booked accommodation at Pine Lodge in Forster over Easter. Fellow employee Nadine Powell had never heard of the place "Eric" mentioned, so she googled it and came up with an interesting observation.
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"DINO" discovered there was no such accommodation at Forster in NSW, but there was at Foster in Victoria, which is precisely where Sahra had booked the motel. Luckily, Nadine ran a Pine Lodge check, or "Eric" could have arrived in Forster with nowhere to stay at Easter time.
COUNCIL general manager Jack O'Hara and his better half Sonia were strolling along the levee bank last week when Johnny warned his bride there was a black snake crossing the footpath just up ahead. Oblivious to what Jack was saying, Sonia nearly walked on the snake before he pointed it out again. By all accounts, it isn't the first time the reptile has been spotted on the walkway between the Middle Street bridge and Lagoon Street.
IT happened a while back when council purchasing officer and Apsley Street resident Ron Wicks was experiencing washing machine problems which he attempted to fix himself by pulling out the pump for inspection. When the machine was reassembled it made no difference. But wait, there is more.
A BIT further down the track, Ron decided to give the washing machine a proper going over instead of purchasing a new clothes washer. While carrying out the maintenance, Ronny discovered a $50 note rolled up in one of the hoses which was restricting water flow. So instead of forking out around $800, he pocketed $50 - reward for effort.
FORMER Walcha Rams and Roos president, Hill Street resident and Rabbitohs tragic John Walker was sent down the street last week by his much better half Brenda to pick up some prescriptions from the chemist and 600ml of "lite cream" which were written on the same note.
WHEN "Goodooga" handed the note over the chemist counter, he was informed the prescriptions would be no trouble, but he might have to purchase the cream elsewhere. By all accounts, as John left the building, he offered $20 for no one to tell Coog.
The fact that wonder horse Winx was there to put on a show made Shirl's outing just a bit more enjoyable.
JUST as another South Sydney tragic, Denis Makeham, was leaving the bowling club around lunchtime last Sunday, one of his numbers came out in the raffle so he had to go back inside the club to collect his prize. Immediately after all the raffle prizes were drawn, "Willy" was off again, which was a pity, he would have won the door prize which was redrawn because he wasn't in attendance.
"IRISH Town" grazier Mick Steep and his offsider Al Smith won the Ex-Services Doubles Snooker Championship against Neil and Adam Dark 2-1 last week. After losing the opening frame in the final, Al and Mick bounced back to win the second but were in trouble in the third.
AT one stage in the deciding frame, needing a snooker on the blue ball, Mick suggested to Al they may as well concede which Al talked him out of. Shortly after, Neil went in off the blue before Adam sunk the cue ball off the pink to put Mick and Al back in the game. Al potted the blue, pink and black balls to clinch victory.
A COUPLE of members of our community celebrated birthdays last Saturday in different ways. Former forestry employee "Doc" Smith partied with family and friends at the Apsley Arms Hotel for his 80th, while Shirley McGuffog was shouted to Randwick Races by her daughters Anne and Trina.
IT was Shirley's first visit to Randwick Racecourse and she was extremely impressed. The fact that wonder horse Winx was there to put on a show made Shirl's outing just a bit more enjoyable. Hope Shirley and "Doc" both had a great time.
A TOTAL of 11 records were broken by primary school competitors at the recent Walcha Central School swimming carnival led by Jemma Warden, who produced four of her own. Stephanie Blake lowered three record times, while Cody Wellings, Hannah Swain, Brock James and Poppy McLaren all registered one each.
ONE of the standout performances was when Steph Blake smashed the junior girls 50m butterfly record, previously held by Katelyn Smith since 2011, by more than 18 seconds. Jemma Warden took more than 13 seconds off her own open girls 100m freestyle record and 13 seconds off the 12-year girls 50m butterfly time held by Ryley Smith. Go girls.
THANKS to the Walcha Central School organisers who invited me to attend an assembly on Monday to present medallions and certificates to the champions, runners-up and record breakers from the swimming carnival. I felt very proud to see a large number of kids I have had the pleasure of teaching to swim going onto bigger things.
CONDOLENCES to the family and friends of both Michael O'Gorman and Rod Whyllie who left this world on Wednesday of last week. Mike will be farewelled at the St Mary's and Joseph's Cathedral in Armidale today at 2pm, while Rod's service is here at the Presbyterian Church from 1pm tomorrow.