DONALD BIRCHIP Phone: 5497 1222 Phone: 5492 2735 Email: The Buloke Times Fax: 5492 2863 [email protected] Email: [email protected] birchipblc@ Est. 1875 bigpond.com Published Tuesdays and Fridays PRICE (inc. G.S.T.) $2 PP331336/0000 1 Friday, April 16, 2021 For the Shire of Buloke, and the districts of Birchip, Charlton, Donald, St. Arnaud, Watchem and Wycheproof Teddywaddy RFB Service Recognised (By Jenny Pollard) The presentation of the CFA National Medal was made to long-term Teddywaddy Rural Fire Brigade member, John Powell last weekend for his service to the organization covering almost 60 years. The Medal, amongst the advice as transformations Captain, Tim Giles, had the CFA’s highest accolades, is took place. pleasure of presenting the awarded only when a candi- Additional roles have in- Medal at the brigade’s AGM date meets a range of criteria, cluded secretary (2002- 2014), and social day held at the sta- including diligent long service along with VFBV delegate tion last Sunday. to the community in hazardous from 2006-2014. Emphasizing that long circumstances, including in As the 2011 floods un- service alone is not the pre- times of emergency. folded, John was actively requisite for a National John’s involvement has engaged in the initial evacu- Medal, Commander Illman shown not only dedication to ation of Charlton, undertak- read out the preamble which his own brigade and wider ing rescues as the perilous accompanies the presenta- community, but also to sup- conditions intensified. tion, along with the details of porting others, taking part in Encouraged to be in- the award’s symbology and numerous strikes teams over volved in the fire service the presentation of clasps the years in the wake of ex- from an early age, John’s re- signifying additional 10 treme fire events. liable presence has been the years of service. A candidate Joining the CFA in 1961, mainstay of Teddywaddy over must have given at least 15 John held the position of the years, leading to support years of service to be eligi- Captain at Teddywaddy for and encouragement for suc- ble. seventeen years (1985-2002), ceeding leadership teams. In a modest response, guiding the brigade through District 18 Commander, John acknowledged his ap- • CFA District 18 Commander, Paul Illman (left) congratulates Teddywaddy RFB member, peaks and troughs of opera- Paul Illman, along with preciation for the honour as John Powell, on the receival of the National Medal, as brigade Captain, Tim Giles (right) tion, and providing sound current Teddywaddy RFB • Continued on page 2. looks on. • Left to right: Maid of Honour, Jenna Watts, with a mass of McConvilles, Matilda, Toby, Clementine, Carly, Luke, Finley, Harriet, Sebastian and William McConville. McConvilles On the March Two families were lovingly united at the Donald Angling Club on What better backdrop than of “family” throughout the the remaining flower girls, April 5, when Tobias McConville FINALLY took Kalliopi Makryllos to the setting sun over a pretty whole afternoon, with the Toby and Carly’s daughters, little lake? bridal party made up almost Harriet, Matilda and Clemen- be his wife. What better welcoming entirely of family members, tine, playfully exploring their Toby McConville met The long-awaited wed- If a country-style wed- for visitors than to be in the and Uncle Chris Mulherin, surrounds during the cere- Kalliopi (Carly) in the army, ding was held on the bank of ding is what you’re looking company of the extended Uniting Minister, joining the mony. and the unlikely pair went on Lake Foletti at sunset, and for, why not get married in McCon ville clan? couple in the sight of God. Toby was attended by his to be a perfect match, raising was very well attended by the country? Particularly in Guests enjoyed the shade Carly’s best friend, Maid brothers, Luke, Sebastian, four beautiful children to- family and friends from near Toby’s case, his home town during the ceremony, and of Honour, Jenna Watts, had and Will, and his son Finley gether over 13 years. and far. of Donald. caught on to the strong sense her work cut out for her with • Continued on page 2. community of Maningrita (Arnhem Land), he has re- A Buloke Boy Takes turned to Canberra as the Indigenous Marathon Foun- on a Challenge dation’s head coach for its major project. Back in 2016, the “Times” reported the death of FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021 The Foundation usually recruits and trains 12 Frank Tuck, over the border in Corowa NSW. He was young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and famous in this area for coaching the team which won The past has its own significance. But readers have women from across the country for the New York City the country football championship in 1974. put it to us that there should be more stories about the Marathon, the biggest in the world. Overseas travel re- As reported previously, the North Central Football children of history-shapers in the Buloke region. strictions caused by the corona virus mean that a group of 12 will be taken by Damian to Alice Springs on Octo- League side, strengthened by its Mallee League mem- So here’s a start: with Frank’s son, Damian Tuck, ber 23, 2021, for the race, to be held in Simpson’s Gap. bers, made history by beating the fancied Hampden who is now making a name for himself in quite a dif- League in the final. ferent sport. Damian took his father back to Birchip before his Before that, Frank was well-known wherever Aus- Damian was born in Birchip, and lived there for the death. Characteristically, the first thing Damian mentions tralian football was played, as captain of the Colling- first 16 years of his life. He played junior football with among his favourite things is his mother, Joyce, who wood club, and a key member of the club’s most Birchip. turns 90 this year in Corowa. (During her years in famous half-back line. The “Canberra Weekly”, in its issue of March 11 Birchip, Joyce served as a Councillor of the local shire.) He worked at Birchip’s butcher’s shop, before 2021, devotes to him a full colour page in the series Though obviously conscious of the reputation he moving back to Corowa with the family. Frank Tuck “My Favourite Things”. is upholding, Damian appears as a prime example of was also a name known in country cricket, once scoring The publication reports that, after a lifetime in the local youth who strive to ensure that there is equity in 263 not out over two days for Birchip in a final. public service and a stint in the remote Northern Territory diversity in this country. Teddywaddy RFB Service Recognised McConvilles On the March • Continued from page 1. • Continued from page 1. by McConville hospitality; brigade members offered their looking just as dapper as the open arms and open bar. congratulations. big boys in their suits and get- Interspersed with more Other Awards ting up to as much mischief as food and drink, were speeches Other service awards were his sisters. and dinner catered by Pele- also presented on the day to Carly was radiant, embrac- grino’s from Wycheproof. And attending members including ing her new “country side” in as the sun finally gave up, the the following: a gorgeous vintage-style, off- vintage party lights came on, 5 Year Award: Bryan Ped- the-shoulder gown, cowboy creating just the right atmo- ersen, Mary-Anne Pollard; 10 boots, and later in the cooler sphere for dancing; the band Year Award: Leanne Rose; 15 evening, a bedazzled denim playing an incredible mix of jacket with “Mrs McConville” Year Award: Annette Giles, Australian music. sparkling from the back. Jenny Pollard; 20 Year Other guests settled into The ceremony was con- Award: Clinton Riley; 35 conversations; catching up on ducted beautifully, with Year Award: Andrew Peverill; old friendships and making prayers and blessings made 40 Year Award: Brendan new ones. Long after formal over the couple and Bible Byrne, Gary Pollard; 50 Year speeches were wrapped up, verses shared. A hearty cheer Award: Stuart Giles, Len there was one McConville went up when the announce- Storey; 65 Year Award: Reg still making one. ment finally came, “husband Pollard. “I’m bursting” said a beam- and wife”. Covering the formalities ing father-of-the-groom. “How Guests didn’t have to travel of the AGM, elections re- good is this?” far for the reception, with in- tained the current Leadership The whole night couldn’t structions, “Pick up a chair Team comprising Captain, have been better summed up. and move it to a table! We’ll Tim Giles; 1st. Lieutenant Al- Congratulations Toby and be back!” The bridal party was ister Riley, 2nd. Lieutenant, Carly; may many more happy whisked away for photographs Gary Pollard; 3rd. Lieutenant, years be laid out at your feet while guests were entertained Brad Riley; 4th. Lieutenant, for you and your family. Clinton Riley; secretary/trea- surer, Bryan Pedersen; VFBV/Group Delegates, Tim Giles and Andrew Peverill. Biggest Morning Tea: Members then had the op- portunity to socialize over a Raffle for a Cause long lunch and catch up on news from the extended • Keeping a tradition in the family – three generations of Pollards are pictured with their (By Lucy Dean) period of lockdown resulting service awards, left to right, Gary Pollard (40 year award) with his daughter, Mary-Anne “We are Australia's leading cancer charity, from the pandemic. (5 year award), and Reg Pollard (father and grandfather) with his 65 year award.