Daniel’s epiphany changed his life
Growing up on the family dairy farm in Yarraweyah, Daniel Clarke was a fit young man who loved his sport.
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He particularly enjoyed football, despite sustaining several injuries, some of which required surgery and resulted in visits to the local physiotherapist.
Cobram physiotherapist Tony Mercer and his knowledge and ability helped the young man get back to playing sport and years later provided the impetus for Daniel to seriously think about studying physiotherapy.
It had him intrigued how physiotherapy helped heal his injuries.
“Tony looked after me so many times and got me back to where I wanted to be and that was playing footy. I have never forgotten,” Daniel said.
However, it took nine years before the epiphany or light bulb moment hit.
After completing his VCE at St Mary of the Angels at Nathalia, Daniel was accepted into a sports and health and fitness degree at La Trobe University.
However, the allure of having a gap year, getting a job and making some money was hugely tempting.
Daniel found work with Bourke Hire over the following years.
“It was a great, physical job and I managed to save and buy a house,” he said.
“It also ultimately gave me the maturity to get through my course and be able to relax with my decision.”
Thoughts of studying physiotherapy were never far from his mind and he applied to La Trobe University in Bendigo to study health sciences. Two years later he transferred to physiotherapy and completed his degree.
His first posting was at Goulburn Valley Health doing rotations between acute wards and later in outpatients. Today he works at GV Health two days a week assisting and working with post-operative orthopaedic patients and those with chronic pain, helping them re-engage with their previous activities.
At Cobram Physiotherapy three days each week, Daniel is at the frontline as patients’ first contact and his role is to prioritise their problem and decide upon the most suitable pathway to help them back to good physical health.
“I enjoy building a rapport with people, connecting with them and getting them back to their normal lives. When in pain, the first thing people drop is what they love to do,” he said.
At the age of 35 and relatively new to his profession, Daniel has studied the latest findings in physiotherapy and undoubtedly brings to the Cobram practice a sharing of new evidence-based practices. If you add that to more than 30 years’ experience and knowledge by his mentor Tony, this progressive practice is a recognised leader in the profession throughout the state.
Daniel is proud of his decision, albeit a few years later than most students, and of course he hasn’t lost his love for football.
At 198cm tall, he is valuable as a full-forward/ruckman for Cobram Tigers, generally kicking two or three goals each week.
He also enjoys keeping fit during the off-season running, competing in parkruns and playing golf at Barooga from a handicap of 11.
He is married to Samantha and they are proud parents of a beautiful daughter, 11-month-old Alirose.
Time out after a very big year
To say Elsie Hooper’s final year of school last year was a ‘burnout’ is undoubtedly an understatement.
A Year 12 student at Cobram Secondary College, Elsie’s leadership skills were well recognised and she had the honour of being named school captain and house captain, both of which required her to mentor her fellow students while also playing clarinet in the school band.
Outside of school hours, however, it wasn’t just about study. The 18-year-old coached Katamatite’s under-11 netball side, played with Katamatite's A-grade netball team and worked 15 to 20 hours each week at Barooga Sporties in hospitality.
“When I look back at 2022, I can’t believe the year I had. So much happened,” Elsie said.
“On the day of my last exam it was Remembrance Day and my exam was due to finish at 10.30am, the exact same time I was to be on stage to emcee the Remembrance Day service. I made it, just.”
For her VCE, Elsie studied health and human development, English, maths, studio arts and hospitality, which required her to travel to Shepparton TAFE one day a week.
“I love hospitality and wanted to develop my skills in this area. I love people to have a great experience, it’s definitely my field,” she said.
Consequently, when offered a place in a sports coaching and development course at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Elsie deferred and has been working at the Beach Cafe from Thursday to Sunday and the Sporties the remainder of the week.
She has a high degree of people skills and it’s obvious she loves what she does.
Perhaps this is the right moment to let readers know that Elsie’s dream job is to become a flight attendant for one of the major international airlines.
“I would just love that. It would be my dream job and definitely is my goal this year,” she said.
“I have been getting as many qualifications as I can to help me get through, including Vic and NSW RSA, CPR certificate, a boat licence and swimming competency skills and will apply with the airlines at the end of the year.
“Then it’s literally up in the air.”
Elsie is the daughter of Greg and Belinda Hooper and sister of Mabel, 23, and Matilda, 19.
Strathmerton Lions a proud club
Fifty years on from its charter dinner in 1973, Strathmerton Lions Club continues to maintain its community presence and has unreservedly changed the face of the small town.
The enthusiasm shown by members over the years is inspirational and their hard work has made inroads into addressing what is most needed in their community.
At their changeover and 50th anniversary dinner held at Numurkah’s Shamrock Hotel on June 3, more than 80 members and their guests heard a little of the club’s proud history, beginning with 26 charter members 50 years ago to a membership of 23 today.
Current members Trevor Sutton, Ron Munro and Ian Taylor were charter members of the club in 1973.
The club is proactive and each year runs popular country music events, an annual fishing weekend where the club caters for 1700-1800 meals supported by the Cobram Apex Club, caters at Cobram Harness Racing Club and assists in catering at the hugely popular Pickers and Packers Ball run by Cobram Apex Club at Koonoomoo.
These events where members work together as a group provides them with the financial ability to give back to their community.
Strathmerton Lions Club hosts a Christmas party for the town each year which is eagerly looked forward to by young and old and provides a special sense of community spirit.
During the year it also hosted a ‘party in the park’ to recognise its 50 years in the community.
Geoffrey Coates is a relatively new member who has served as club president for the past year and will lead the club for a further 12 months.
Secretary Sarah Hawthorn is also new to the club, while treasurer Steve McCoy has been a member for 26 years.
It is great to see the club is attracting some youthful members which augers well for the future.
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