On the Grapevine | Service clubs are a great way to connect

Janine learnt about Rotary at a relatively early age with her father Bob Adams, joining his local service club during the 1980s.

Bob, now a retired farmer in Tocumwal, is a recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award for outstanding contributions to his community.

Janine grew up in Deniliquin and returned to the district in 2006 where she became involved in various Rotary activities in Tocumwal, encouraged by her dad.

“I am looking forward to getting to know my community and fellow Rotarians in Cobram,” Janine said.

“I like the concept of networking and doing some good things such as projects that improve the town and believe people should do what they can to help one another.”

After a career change, today Janine works in Cobram as a designer of parts for steel house frames.

Janine enjoys her role at Oasis Homes Border Steel Framing after previously working at Fortitude Frames in Tocumwal.

“It’s precision design, much like a jigsaw puzzle,” she said.

If you would like further information, log on to the Rotary Club of Cobram Facebook page or website.

New Lions join pride

Three new members have joined the ranks of the Lions Club of Cobram, bolstering numbers and delighting members of the club.

Husband-and-wife team Keith and Olga Parry, who had previously been members of the club, had a hiatus for a few years and recently returned.

“We always loved Lions, and we’re glad to be back,” Olga said.

The Parrys give generously to their community, being involved with the RSL and regularly entertaining residents at Irwin House, Cobram and Pioneer Lodge Aged Care in Numurkah.

Keith is an accomplished pianist despite being blind for much of his life and is happily supported by Olga and his seeing eye dog, Tobey, aged 7, who is an honorary member of the Lions.

Residents of both facilities love when the trio visits and enthusiastically sing or hum and tap their feet as Keith performs some of their old favourites.

Newest member Harpreet Kaur and her family journeyed to Australia from Punjab, India in 2007 and initially lived in Melbourne until 2009 before travelling to Cobram.

The family has embraced the community and its people ever since.

Harpreet works at the Conti Orchards and is happily married with two young children, aged 4 and 5.

“We have been cooking at Indian community events over the past eight years in a voluntary capacity in Shepparton and with help from the community have hosted a volleyball tournament in Cobram for the last four years,” Harpreet said.

This year the couple started their own small unique catering business and have introduced an eye-catching food van which locals may have seen out and about in the district – BRAR Sweets and Snacks, Cobram.

“I wish to thank president Janet and all the Lions members for giving me a chance to do something for the people in my community,” Harpreet said.

If you would like further information, please check out the Lions Club of Cobram Facebook page or website.

Down to the wire in women’s singles knockout

Cobram Barooga Golf Club’s Women’s Singles Knockout Championship went down to the wire on the 18th hole, with scores level as Joan Boyer and Pam Power teed off.

Open to women in A, B and C-grades who played a round to qualify, 16 players were then required to play and win the following four rounds to reach the final.

A stroke event, both Boyer and Power played particularly well to reach the final. Boyer currently plays from a handicap of 36 while Power plays from a 25 handicap.

The outcome? Joan Boyer won by one shot as she putted out on the final hole.

Attracting a small group of onlookers, the final was hard-fought and could have gone either way.

Congratulations to both players.