Newsletter # 39 – 22nd September 2023
Well Winter has passed and Spring is with us so hopefully we will get some good weather for our golf
and bowls days. The golf course is in magnificent shape mainly due to the great efforts by our Greens Director
Terry (Doc) Turvey, Captain Jack Hewitt, Doug Meehan and the happy band of volunteers who are too many
to name. Their tireless work is greatly appreciated. Also on board now is Dermott Moffat who has been
employed by the club on a part time basis. He is a young fellow full of energy with good knowledge and he is
very keen to learn more about improving our great course. Welcome aboard Dermott and hope you enjoy your
employment at our club for many years to come. What a great job Rob Fabry and his helper John Murphy
have done over the last few months, trimming trees and bushes around the course to make life better for us
golfers. Their work has also made it a bit easier for Poddy and Co who do the rough mowing around the
course enabling them to mow in and around trees. Great job fellas and much appreciated by our members and
visitors.
Bowls Banter
PENNANT - Saturday starts on October 7 th and Midweek commences earlier, on Wednesday 4 th October.
Kerang Golf will again have teams in all three Saturday Pennant divisions as well as a team in Midweek
Division 2. Our Midweek team will be defending their premiership, won earlier in the year.
We have just held our Opening Day and the Annual General Meeting with 36 players participating and Jim
McLeish elected to the role of President. The President versus Captains Day is this Sunday, the 24 th
September. The following day we are the club of choice for a visiting group of bowlers from Geelong, with a
BBQ lunch and a social game of bowls. Our members will join the 41 players on their trip for a day of fun and
camaraderie. The Geelong contingent will have visited “Sheppo’s Way” prior to arriving at Kerang Golf. Thanks
to Frank Ritchie for liaising with the Geelong team and organising the day.
The following Friday is the Annual Kerang Golf versus Lake Boga Practice Match. Selectors will be contacting
all members to find out their availability for all the previously mentioned events.
Not long after the Pennant season commences our Wednesday evening Twilight Triples will commence, so
teams are encouraged to start planning for this new competition. If anyone would like to play in this casual,
evening format, you are most welcome to contact any Kerang Golf Bowls member or Aldo on 0407 310762
and you will be made most welcome.
INVITATION to ALL GOLFERS
An invitation is extended to all golf members who would like to have a roll of bowls. All golf members are
members of the bowls section as well as golf, and you are most welcome to come and have a try on the
greens at any time. It is planned to have a few practice roll sessions on a Sunday at 3.00 pm for anyone who
is interested. It will be free and bowls are supplied, with tuition available. Come along and have a roll – it will
make you a much better “putter” on the golf greens. Contact Aldo (0407 310762), Frank Ritchie (0409
439029), Gary Borg (0419 002024) or Jimmy McLeish (0429 446418) if you need more info – again, you will
be made most welcome.
Groove on the Green 2023
I am very excited to let you know that Groove is BACK, Sunday 26 th November 2023 4-9pm.
We have some exciting music talent this year and I cannot wait.
The Quarry Hillbillies from Bendigo and local talent Elise Drake are our muso’s that will sure have our toes tapping and
maybe get a few up onto the green for a jig or two.
*The Quarry Hillbillies from their Bio:
With at least one band member taking up residence in the Bendigo suburb of Quarry Hill, The Quarry Hillbillies is
a trio made up of long-time musical compadres Chris Jacobs, Pete Fidler and Mike St. Clair-Miller. From Bluegrass toe-
tappers to country tear jerkers… from rockabilly hits to blues classics: the Quarry Hillbillies are a blend of fine
musicianship, sweet vocal harmonies, and elaborate dance routines*.
(*band members may not actually be able to dance… at all… but they do have a sense of humor)
*Neonbelle aka Elise Drake, is from just out the road and many of you would have heard of Elise already as she has
played around our area on a regular basis for quite some time. Elise has been away for a bit, so we are very excited to
have her play at this year’s event.
I have invited the Car Club this year so hopefully we will have a wonderful display of some incredible cars of the
yesteryear.
We have catering from The Orange Door Company once again (they love our event and want to keep coming back) and
Cleo’s Kitchen in her van cooking up a storm to feed us. We will have our bar in full operation as previous years, so
members don’t be surprised if I ask for some help on the bar roster.
I will also be seeking help on a roster manning the gate, the more volunteers the less time each person will have to do. I
will want two people on at a time, shifts of half hour to an hour so if you can help in this area, please reach out to me and I
will pop your name on my list.
Murray to Moyne will be running a bus shuttle service around the township pre and post event for a nominated amount
TBD, this is a fundraiser for the team and all funds raised go back to Kerang and District Health, so I would urge you all to
consider supporting the M2M and we thank them for their efforts in supporting Groove. This is such a wonderful
collaboration and one that I hope is utilised by our members and guests. Info for bus bookings will come later.
Tickets for this year’s event will be via an online system and will be discounted at an early bird rate of $25 up until 5 days
prior and then tickets will be $30 online after that time and at the gate. So, we would encourage everyone to book online
this will assist our caterers with approx. numbers.
The ticket website will be communicated once set up around late October/early November.
I also hope to have a bus running from Barham to Kerang possibly via Murrabit as done in the past for anyone living out
that way and bookings will be essential and will be done online also.
Ok, I think I have covered everything and if anyone wants to ask me anything don’t hesitate to reach out and I look
forward to seeing you all at this year’s Groove. Please remember this is our major fundraiser and monies raised go back
into our wonderful club for the continuous improvements to be enjoyed by everyone.
Many thanks, Jan Harry 0417 301 074
Golf News
It has been quite noticeable lately that a lot of divots have not been repaired on our fairways which are
presumably being made by some of our green fee players. If you see any please repair them.
The Committee has decided to implement a new member membership category for any person
between the ages of 18 and 25 in an endeavour to encourage younger people to join the club. The annual fee
will be $120.00 per year so if you know anyone in this age group please try and encourage them to join. It is a
great opportunity for anyone who plays a winter sport to play during their off season.
The committee has also decided once again not to raise memberships for the 2023/24 season.
Pipe Work
As most members would have observed by now, a 7 Metre pipe has been installed in the channel on
the 6th fairway which supplies water to our dam and replaces the old wooden structure which has been there
for many years. At the moment while we are waiting for the newly planted grass gets a hold and firms up, care
should be taken while crossing particularly in golf carts. This in the future will allow our machinery to travel
safely over the channel.
New Barman
Following the retirement of David Stubbs, Wayne “Wheels” O’Neill has been appointed part time
barman. He is a very experienced barman having worked for the Barham Club for a number of years.
Welcome aboard Wheels and hope you enjoy the position.
Adopt a Fairway
Just a reminder to those members who have volunteered their services in the “Adopt a Fairway”
programme to continue their work as a clean course is much more enjoyable to play on.
Friday Night Gathering
Our Friday night gatherings although small in numbers at the moment is being well supported by a
group of Ladies who come out each Friday night and support our club. Your attendance is very much
appreciated and we thank you very much for your support. We are also hoping that with the approaching
bowls season and warmer weather that members will start returning and join in the festivities of the night.
Caravaners
Great to see we are still attracting a lot of people travelling in their caravans and motorhomes coming
and staying at our club. They are a great means of revenue raising for the club and many of them come into
the bar and purchase their drinks. Some of them have a game of golf or bowls and we encourage them to do
so. Please make them welcome as they are the ones who recommend others to come and stay at our club.
Coming Events
Friday 29 th September A.F.L. Grand Final Eve – A 4 person Ambrose any combination sponsored by
Visual Appeal will be held with lots of great prizes to be won. Get your teams organised and submit
them to Captain Jack as soon as possible.
Saturday September 30 th – A.F.L. Grand final day 2 Person multi.
Sunday October 1 st – Men’s Gold Watch 4BBB
October 4 th – 1 st round of Ladies Championships followed by the 2 nd round on the 11 th and the final
round on the18th.
October 7 th – 1st round of the Men’s Championships followed by the 2 nd round on the 14 th and the final
round on the 21 st .
October 29 th (Sunday) Grass Green Championships played at Kerang.
Golf Club Annual Meeting
The Annual meeting this year will be held Monday 23 rd October commencing at 7.30pm. If you would like to
join our committee in some capacity, forms will be available for you to sign shortly. Positions of secretary and
treasurer are open – Shirley and Jen are finishing up but are open to sharing the positions! We would like to
encourage some of our younger members to give serious thought to this matter as the future of this club is in
your hands.
Some Funnies
The brain is the most amazing organ. It works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from birth until you get
married.
Angry wife’s note to husband – Your dinner is in the recipe book on page 34 and the ingredients are
at the supermarket
Mother in law came to dinner the other night and said, ”Why does your dog keep looking at me?” and I
said, “It’s probably because you are using his plate.”
Why is it so much easier to fall asleep on the couch unintentionally than to fall asleep in bed
intentionally.
If my body was a car I would trade it in on a new model cause every time I cough or sneeze my
radiator leaks and my exhaust backfires.
Today I am doing nothing because I started it yesterday and didn’t get time to finish it.
Sign outside an Irish pub. Today’s Offer – “Buy any two drinks and pay for them both.
When I was a lot younger I was a poor golfer and after years of playing and practicing I am no longer
young.
My wife and I are sitting on the couch watching T.V when I hear a text message. Realising I had left my
phone in the kitchen I got up and went to the kitchen to check it. It’s a text from my wife “Please bring
the wine, chips and peanuts on your way back”.
Good Golfing and Bowling – Sarge