Table tennis for life Just briefly...

An additional consultation report into the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West project was released last Thursday by the Australian Energy Market Operator and Transgrid.

The terminal station proposed for Mount Prospect is no longer the preferred option. However, commenting on the report, Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the largely unchanged power line route and significantly larger towers recommended in the report were of major concern.

“The report recommends an increase in the overhead power lines from 220kV (kilovolt) to 500kV through our shire. This would require significantly larger towers, which will have an even greater impact on our important landscapes, farming and the community.”

The report, a summary document and information on how to provide feedback are available at www.aemo.com.au/initiatives/major-programs/vni-west. Feedback is due by April 5.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is calling on residents and visitors to support their favourite local businesses by nominating them for the inaugural Telstra Macedon Ranges Community Choice Awards.

Nominations for the awards close on March 24. Voting opens on April 1 and closes June 2. Link: mrsc.vic.gov.au/community-choice

IT IS comfortable to assume that local sporting clubs are a permanent part of the fabric of any town. As if they have been there since the beginning and will never disappear.

However the social disruptions caused by Covid over the past few years has seen many community organisations fall by the wayside. Daylesford has been no exception with several sporting clubs closing their doors.

However the Daylesford Table Tennis Association has proved to be an exception. It continues to have regular social and competition gatherings as it has always done since the 1950s.

“Cricket, basketball and squash have all folded,” says club president Monty Osewald. “It has been tough the last few years but we have survived.”

The club is located in Victoria Park in a shed built by members in 1985. It has six tables and holds regular sessions servicing the table tennis needs of over 30 people of all ages and genders. Though that number is down slightly from the 40 or more who used to duke it out in the '50s it is still an impressive number of players.

“We take all comers and our members range in age from teenagers to over 60s," says Monty.

“People can be a little isolated out in the countryside at times but our club is a great place to meet and socialise, even over the winter months.”

Table tennis first emerged in the middle of the 19th century in Victorian England and due to its compact indoor layout, it is now enjoyed worldwide and even became an Olympic sport in 1988. And because beginners can engage with the game almost straight away it has become a common recreational pastime among players of all ages.

At the Daylesford club the oldest player is Ron Hewson who says; “Table tennis is a game you can play all your life.”

Another senior player is Jane Bradfield who came to the sport seven years ago. “It is dead easy,” she says, “and I got into it through U3A. I was a horse rider previously. I have coaching every week and there is a lot to learn.

“The most important technique is brushing up on the ball, you don’t just whack it; it is all art. I mostly play doubles, simply and purely because I'm not a chicken anymore and you have more time between the shots.”

As Jane mentioned, the association has initiated a professional coaching program for players of all levels to improve their game skills, which commenced early February and is running for five weeks. It was made possible by a Hepburn Shire Community Sporting Grant and costs only $1 per session. And there are more opportunities to come.

“We are currently setting up a program in the second school term (early May) for 12- to 18-year-olds,” says Monty, “where we will have the participants bussed down here to play and get coaching.”

If you are keen to have a go at table tennis, social play takes place every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10am to 12 noon with a competition evening held every Wednesday from 7.30 pm to 9.30pm. Annual membership is $100 otherwise the walk-in cost is $3 per session. For more information or membership queries contact Monty on 0448 667 738, Link: www.facebook.com/DaylesfordTableTennis/

International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 and since 2005, Hepburn Shire Council has held an annual event to celebrate this day and to induct new members onto the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

The event will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Wednesday, March 8 from 6pm to 8pm. Professor Paula Gerber, from the Faculty of Law at Monash University, and leading expert on international human rights law, is guest speaker. RSVPs for catering at www.trybooking.com/CFVON or at a council customer service office.

Farewell & Thank you

Dr Jon Barrell

Springs Medical would like to acknowledge our amazing Dr Jon Barrell, who after more than 30 years in general practice and over ten years as a director of Springs, has announced his retirement.

Jon has been a great advocate of exceptional patient focussed care for our communities and we will miss his support and commitment to our team.

On behalf of our entire Springs Medical Family, we would like to congratulate Jon as he celebrates his well deserved retirement with his beautiful family.

Thank you Dr Barrell.

A

message

from Jon

Springs Medical’s Dr Jon Barrell has decided to rest his stethoscope after 36 years in General Practice in Daylesford and Trentham and surrounds.

Jon had completed his training in GP, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics & Intensive care, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Dandenong and London.

Jon, Maureen and 3 month old baby Michael then arrived in Daylesford on Australia Day 1986. Daughter Stephanie was born 5 years after Michael.

Jon and Maureen are eternally grateful for the welcome and support they have received from so so many - their families and each other, the wonderful patients, the generous friends, the fabulous hospital and aged care staff in Daylesford and Trentham and amazing Springs Medical teams past and present. They are especially proud of the generational change in rural medical and allied health services that they have been a part of, and are proud to pass the baton to the next generation.

They will continue to live here while Jon plots a midlife career change to a part time GP & Emergency Medicine locum near and far.

(Love it, but not enough good paths...)

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