Bonjour Cobram
French nationals Martin Louchet, 27 and his best friend Florian Dambricourt are living the dream in oz.
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Taking to the water at some of Australia’s greatest surf beaches, enjoying great weather, playing soccer with Cobram Roar, meeting friendly people, enjoying the relaxed lifestyle and securing jobs on their working holiday visas to be able to travel around the country is indeed a dream come true.
“Australia is an amazing destination for Europeans,” said Martin, who hails from Berck in Northern France near Bordeaux.
He studied in Calais for a Bachelor of Sports Teaching and a Masters Degree.
A big examination followed four years of study to gain his teaching qualification, with 9000 students applying for 670 positions.
Unfortunately, with competition from such a massive volume of students, Martin was unsuccessful,
“It was so very hard,” he said.
However, after obtaining his degree, Martin decided in 2017 to travel to Australia on a 12-month working holiday visa and, even while doing farmwork in Mildura, loved the country so much that he was delighted to learn he could extend his visa for another year.
Returning to France during COVID from 2019 - 2021, Martin could not wait to travel back ‘down under,’ spending one month on the Gold Coast while looking for suitable work down south.
Together with his mate Florian, who is more commonly known as Flo, the pair gained work at Ulupna Pastoral, working from March until July before travelling to New Caledonia and home to France for three months.
Returning to the district and not afraid of hard work, the pair returned to Ulupna Pastoral for six months before flying to Darwin, where they enjoyed a six-week break before purchasing a Nissan Pajero and tackling the drive from Darwin to Perth.
”We quickly discovered that Australia is a very big country, Martin said.
“It was such a long drive, and when we reached Perth, we stayed for two weeks before heading to Melbourne.”
The two young men arrived back in Cobram, where they were invited to play soccer for Cobram Roar during the 2023 season.
Martin played in Roar’s reserves side, which recently took out the Grand Final against Albury United 4-1.
Soccer is France’s most highly played sport, and Martin and Flo undoubtedly boosted the local club.
Working the past few months in hospitality at the GrainStore and the ‘Top Pub’ has been enjoyable for Martin and Flo, who is working at the Corner Shop.
The two mates with working holiday visas until August 2024 will continue to make the most of the remainder of their stay in a country they have truly come to love.
Currently, $100 (Au) = €60 and the French pair have found their earnings go considerably further here than back home in France.
Fight MND gold fay honours Lorna’s memory
Lorna’s Cobram Crew hosted the 2023 Fight MND Golf Day on a magnificent spring day last Friday, September 15.
The charity event takes many people to make it happen, and 200 regular and ‘occasional’ golfers assembled for a four-person Ambrose team event, commencing with a shotgun start over the two beautifully presented courses.
The profile of this horrendous disease has been lifted considerably by former AFL great Neale Daniher and family, who, to date, with the support of people around the country, have raised more than $76m through events such as the Big Freeze.
It’s been a decade since Daniher was diagnosed with the disease that takes away a person’s ability to use their arms and legs, swallow, speak and breathe, with most living an average of just 27 months after diagnosis.
Local identity Lorna Hicks was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 1999 and sadly passed away in 2002 at just 47.
“Mum was extraordinary, a very active, fun-loving person who excelled at sport, playing netball, cricket and tennis and was always willing to get involved,” said her son Simon.
“She also possessed a sharp mind.”
Warren and Simon knew little about MNG, and together with a group of good friends, they established Lorna’s Cobram Crew to fundraise for the disease.
The charity FightMND was established in 2014 to find treatments and ultimately a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, and when Daniher was diagnosed, he expressed his determination “to live a life and beat this beast,” and he is certainly doing that.
Speaking to the group of 200 golfers before hit off, Warren Hicks spoke of his gratitude for such wonderful support for the local day held in memory of his mum Lorna.
“It’s amazing that so many have taken a break from work to give their support today for this day and the businesses who have generously contributed towards the auction and golf prizes. It is always a fun day, and I hope everyone enjoys it,” he said.
The day raised an unbelievable $45,000 for Fight MND and is undoubtedly the most successful fundraising day held in Lorna Hicks’ name at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club.
Every day in Australia, two people are diagnosed with MND, with an average life expectancy of just 2.3 years after diagnosis.
Thanks to the funds raised at events like this, the medical profession is getting a little closer to a cure.
Organisers of the event, ‘Lorna’s Cobram Crew’ are Mathew Beasley, Dean Trembath, Warren Hicks, Benjamin Rampling, Simon Hicks, Jarrod Lukies, Daniel Lewis, Seamus Hounihan, Jarrod Patterson, Kneeling-Kade Beasley, Jake Bush and Michael Stephens.
Big support for thirds and fourths in Grand Finals
All roads led to Echuca/Moama last Saturday morning as families and friends travelled from Cobram to watch their sons, grandsons, cousins, and friends battle it out for the MFNL Grand Final trophy.
While it was not to be their year, both teams were a credit to their club, and the young players gave it everything they had despite being soundly defeated.
Moama players in both age groups were top age and considerably taller and stronger, while unfortunately, many of the Cobram Tigers were noticeably chest high to the opposition and did not have an answer to the height and power of their opposition.
However, it did not stop loyal supporters from offering great vocal encouragement to the young players on the ground and showing pride in their teams’ fantastic efforts.
Coaches Dwayne Kelly and Danny Kelf were proud of their young side, which took out the under-14’s Grand Final in 2022.
“Once again, we went in as the underdog, and I am okay with that,” Mr Kelly said.
“We love a challenge, and I see this as a great growth and learning experience for everyone involved.
“Premierships are earnt never given. It’s time to go to work and get the job done.”
Robert Allen, coach of the under-17 team, was also justifiably proud of his young team, who had finished the season on top of the ladder but found the opposition too strong on the day.
Well done to all the young Tigers. You made the club very proud.
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