On the Grapevine

The fair is considered one of the best in Victoria and the change in date is not expected to impact the event as already there has been incredible interest shown by a healthy number of stallholders, some of whom travel from parts of NSW, SA, Melbourne and surrounding country areas, including Gippsland, to attend.

Held at the Cobram Civic Centre, the setting of some wonderful events in the past, the light and size of the facility ensures it is perfect for conducting this notable annual event and stallholders are already ‘chomping at the bit’ to book their space.

This year’s fair will have a Christmas feel, offering a perfect opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping for those special gifts.

Put the date on your calendar today.

Further details will be provided closer to the event.

Golfers celebrate International Women’s Golf Day

Thanks to trainee professional at Cobram Barooga Golf Club Steffi Vogel, the ladies of the club enjoyed a fantastic day recently, celebrating International Women’s Golf Day and their love of the game.

The lady golfers glammed up in all shades of red in keeping with the new ‘red letter’ day on their calendar. It was a sea of red and so were the prizes, red caps, red towels and red golf balls besides the usual prizes for winners.

This was the first occasion the day had been celebrated at Cobram Barooga but according to the women, definitely not the last.

Well done Steffi in organising such a wonderful day of golf and while not certain the scores were as good as usual, the day was filled with lots of fun and frivolity around the course.

Cockatoo Grove wins gold for its oils in New York

Cobram’s Cockatoo Grove Olive Oil producers have taken out gold medals for two of their oils at the New York International Olive Oils Competition, the largest and most prestigious olive oil contest in the world.

The NYIOOC annual list of award winners is considered as the authoritative guide to the year’s best ‘Extra Virgin’ olive oils and Cobram was up there with the very best.

For a country relatively new to the industry, it appears that Australian oils have taken the world by storm. The awards have provided an opportunity for more than 20 Australian producers to showcase how far Australia has come and an indication that the climatic conditions and soil are ideal for producing a range of outstanding oils.

Cockatoo Grove produces the freshest of oils, pressed on site and bottled within hours of harvesting and the Organic Extra Virgin Classic Olive Oil and Organic Extra Virgin Midnight Olive Oil undoubtedly earned this recognition in New York. The boutique Australian producer was judged alongside some of the Mediterranean’s oldest and most experienced producers from Greece, Spain, Italy and Chile and showed they are world class.

Australia today has gained wide recognition as a pioneer in production methods. Australian oils are super fresh and bottled within hours of harvesting. It’s the real deal for those seeking Extra Virgin Olive Oil and at Cockatoo Grove they are organic too.

“It is such a privilege to win these awards, competing against the world’s finest producers. All the hard work from the staff throughout the year has been rewarded. We are so proud to have such a great product on the shelves for everyone to enjoy,” said a delighted manager Ben Lazzarotto and his wife Jodi who together play an integral role in the oils’ production.

The gold medal winning Midnight Olive Oil is true to its name as it is harvested at midnight under cooler temperatures resulting in a crisper, stronger and more flavoursome oil. Both medal winning oils are made from a combination of Correggiola and Frantoio olives.

The entirely grown and produced oils from Cobram can be purchased from select Woolworths stores and several other local outlets and if you haven’t already given Cockatoo Grove’s delicious oils a try, you need to.

Learn and share skills at Cobram U3A

The University of the Third Age-U3A was devised for those retired from the workforce but not retired from life and keen to continue learning. As a member of U3A you are provided with an opportunity to share your skills and make new friends with a whole range of people with varied interests.

At a recent meeting, members of Cobram’s U3A welcomed Martina Ryan, the members services manager for the U3A Network throughout Victoria. Originally from Dublin, Ms Ryan came out to Australia on a working holiday in 1987 and stayed. She loved everything about Australia and couldn’t see any reason to return to Ireland.

Ms Ryan represents the U3A movement within Victoria offering support to groups in forming committees, addressing challenges and discussing promotion of each groups’ activities and the importance of attracting new members.

Set up in the 1970s in France U3A gathered momentum throughout Europe and came to Australia 35 years ago and today has 104 groups throughout Victoria, with Cobram one of 15 in the region.

U3A philosophy, “the teachers learn and the learners teach”, is indicative of what the universal group is about. Each committee is there for members, yet members need to tell the committee what they want.

During COVID-19 it was a challenging time and the committee had to look at different ways of engaging with the community and develop tools to attract greater use of technology, using Zoom meetings for some classes.

However, life appears normal again and the committee is moving ahead and keen to attract new members willing to share their ideas, talents and skills.

Cobram U3A meets monthly for a coffee morning at Killara House where members, both men and women, share in discussing proposals for a wider range of activities. The Community House hosts many of its activities which include, computers, writing, history, discussion of hot topics, travel, cards, a book club, movie afternoons and so much more. Membership is $25 for the year and currently the club has 31 members. Please contact president Pat Tallent on 5872 1279 for further information.

Children in Courage Award for Makayla

Strathmerton Lions Club has presented a Lions ‘Children in Courage Award’ to 14-year-old Makayla Hughes after she went to the aid of a young boy being attacked by two ferocious dogs in Strathmerton earlier this year.

With little regard for her own safety Makayla hurried to the boy’s assistance by diverting the dogs’ attention away from him. Unfortunately, the animals then turned on her and as she tried to escape across the highway they leaped on her forcing her to the ground and continued to bite and nip at her legs. Managing to find her feet and despite suffering considerable bleeding from numerous bites, Makayla bravely escaped to safety to the home of Strathmerton residents Neal and Jenny Cossens.

The actions of this very brave Year 8 student at Cobram Secondary College saved the young lad from further hurt and upset and hugely deserving of this special Lions Children of Courage Award.

Makayla was presented with her award in front of her proud family, mum Nickol, dad Joel, brother Declan, sister Sophie and members of the Lions Club at their annual changeover dinner held at Cobram’s Central Hotel, amid hearty applause.