I greatly appreciate the efforts of everyone who has contacted me in the past few days and once again thanks heaps.

ALSO thanks to the people who nominated me and who supported the nomination for the award.

I realize plenty of time and effort would have gone into the process, something that I also really appreciate.

THANKS to the media, Walcha News journalist Vanessa Arundale, the girls of the Apsley Advocate Anthea MacPherson, Rosalie Gibson and Kimberlee Pascoe, ABC Radio, Prime and NBN television for the wonderful coverage they afforded me.

SOMEHOW the gremlins got into the NBN report though because there was a mention I had been coaching the Walcha Roos for over 30 years, which anyone associated with the club would be aware isn't the case.

May have been involved with Walcha Rugby League for that time but certainly not in a coaching capacity.

NEXT March will mark 40 years that I have been fortunate enough to be employed by the Walcha Council and hopefully 38 of those as Pool Manager.

I would like to thank council for their support during that time, especially with teaching kids to swim.

HAVEN'T the majority of council staff, indoor and out, been having fun this week dipping their hats, curtsying and calling me Sir Andy after the OAM was announced last Monday.

All in good fun guys and it is great to see the humour.

MY humblest apologies to Owen Presnell who was mentioned in last week's column as Owen Marshall when he buried his father Frank in Guyra on his 100th birthday a couple of weekends ago. Sorry about the unfortunate error Owen.

FITZROY St resident Sue Handsaker celebrated her 70th birthday at the Newie last Monday with family and friends. Hope you had a great day Suzie and judging by a photo of the cake, no doubt you did.

ONCE bitten, twice shy. After missing out on having a punt on Pretty in Pink the Saturday before, who saluted and paid a handsome dividend of $12.50, I wasn't going to fall for that old trick a second time when the racehorse backed up again at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

Pretty in Pink did beat the ambulance home and a couple of other horses to run a gallant 11th.

A DOZEN golf players headed to the coast to play at three different venues over the long weekend at Maclean, Yamba and Grafton. Overall winner was Doug MacDonald with a combined total of 81 stableford points.

MACCA racked up 34 points at Maclean and 29 points at Yamba, which were the best Walcha scores both days and wasn't far off the pace at Grafton where he scored 18 points over nine holes.

Best at Grafton was Owen Presnell with 19 points, but only after he counted out Col Berry.

RUNNERS-UP at Maclean were Col Berry and John Izzard on 30 points. Owen was runner-up at Yamba with 28 while Col was second in the overall total competition after he accumulated 75 points.

BIG Wigs of the Week - Vet Supplies - Raya Osborne; Newie - Nathan Denniss Apsley - Graeme Hislop (all 14 points) Bowlies - Jonny Cross, Kyle Goodwin, Jack O'Hara, Jamie Wall, Marg Morris, John McLean, Gary Natty, AJ Cross, Drew Bird, Doreen Hine, stephen Haslem, Michael Stackman, Tony Martin (all 10 points).

HALFWAY mark leaders - WVS - Raya Osborne and Dion Bird 128, Pete King 124, Newie - Nathan Dennis 138, Troy Yarnold, Ross Green, AJ Cross 132, Apsley Lizzie Manns, AJ Cross 132, Wayne Brennan 128, Ben Cross 126. Bowlies - Jenny Bowden 136, Normie Goodwin 134, Marg Morris 132.

NOT a bad effort to score 14 points last weekend and if Graeme didn't stick with his beloved Eels he would have picked the card while Raya missed out on the Roosters.

Not sure which team brought Nath unstuck.

THIS will be the last What's The Goss and Sports Shorts columns for a few weeks due to prior commitments. Hopefully normal transmission will resume in the not too distant future. Best of luck to the Roos, Jillaroos and Rams during that time.