Mathoura’s War Memorial Hall was filled to capacity last Friday as locals and visitors gathered for the annual Remembrance Day program.
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Led by Mathoura RSL Sub-branch president John Pocklington, it also featured an address by Sue Wilson who recited a touching poem written by one of her former students, then aged 14.
It gave attendees a whole new perspective on how they look at poppies.
The keynote address was given by sub-branch Vice President John Petschauer.
The event would not have been complete without a rendition of ‘I am Australian’ by students from Mathoura Public School.
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A break in the weather on Saturday saw one of the most successful Mathoura Speed Shear competitions ever.
The Speed Shear group teamed up with Mathoura Football Netball Club to run the program.
Winners on the day included Matty Teasdale (seniors), Rory Atkinson (intermediate), Ally Costas (women) and Reef Wereta (open and fastest time).
Team Australia took out the Trans-Tasman event and Ruthless Shearing won the contractor relay.
For full results, see the opposite page.
The organisers are grateful to all who assisted during the day, including the time keepers and judges, Atkinson Shearing, MC Jordie, singer Kellie Jones and last but by no means least, Jay Langman for his annual delivery of sheep for the event.
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Full marks to Mathoura Football Club on the success of its current recruitment drive.
The club will soon be looking to invest in additional pens after it signed up an additional 17 players in the past week or so.
On the list are Nick Dolan, Andrew Evans, Stewie Day, James Mackenzie, Seth Wright, Jack Duggan, Jessie Rawling, Darby Baldwin, Logan Munro, Khye Macrae, Jackson Lowrey, Matt Wild, Ben Keogh, Connor Wright, Tom Creighton, Ryan Mann and Wade Austin.
If they keep this up they will have full teams plus plenty of spares for the opening round of the Picola and District League in 2023.
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Pre-season training for senior footballers gets underway next week at the Mathoura Recreation Reserve.
Sessions will be conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm for a 6.15pm start.
New and current players are encouraged to attend and to bring their boots, runners, towels and water bottles.
Under-17 players and prospective players are encouraged to attend.
The netballers will also be hitting the track on Wednesday, November 23 from 6pm and are being encouraged to take along a water bottle and a towel.
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The Mathoura community has been saddened by the passing of Charlie Phippen this week.
While it may not be well known, Charlie was Mathoura’s last station master.
When passenger, and then freight services, were discontinued and the station was closed, he and his wife Coral chose to settle here permanently.
An avid bowler and valued member of the Mathoura District and Servicemen’s Bowling Club, he served many years as a director on the board and held numerous positions on the bowls committee.
As a keen bowler, he was also successful in four championship events
Sympathy is extended to his wife, Coral, and family.
PS If anyone was unaware that Mathoura had a train station, there is an excellent mural in the area between the newsagent and the post office.
The Deniliquin Moama Railway was a private entity running between the two towns. Locomotives were run on red gum timber rather than coal.
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Orientation visits to Mathoura Public School by preschool youngsters are now allowing some of the school children to step up to new classrooms.
Year 1 and 2 students will move up to the Year 3/4 classroom with Year 3 students while Year 4 students will move on to experience some time in the Year 5/6 classroom with Year 5 students.
The moves are designed to allow students to better know their new classmates and familiarise themselves with their new surroundings.
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Keep Sunday, December 4 free.
That’s the date for the annual Carols in the Park.
A great night of fun and entertainment is assured.
Mathoura Diary columnist.