Proud: Naomi with a makeshift of Tyson’s silver medal.
Photo by
Barb Love
Silver smiles from Nan
Naomi Bull has not been able to wipe the smile from her face since her beloved grandson Tyson Bull, an artistic gymnast, was presented with a silver medal on the high bar at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
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A relatively new resident of Cobram’s Ottrey Lodge, Mrs Bull has proudly followed the career of her grandson — from the time he was five years old and took a liking to gymnastics together with his two brothers, to attending the College of the Arts in Melbourne before successfully applying for a full scholarship at Illinois College in the United States where he studied, trained and competed for the college.
“He was 21 when he left Melbourne and aged 25 when he came home 4.5 years later, a mature young man,” recalled mum Christine.
Tyson is no newcomer to competition, having competed for Australia in 2011 at the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man where he captured a silver medal on the rings. In 2018 he competed on the horizontal bar at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Doha, Qatar, but was not placed among the medal winners.
Ottrey Lodge staff members have found Mrs Bull’s happiness infectious and visiting her room last week there is no doubting that Tyson now has something of a cult following with memorabilia including photos from past competitions proudly displayed throughout her room.
The medal win has created much excitement and discussion among staff and fellow residents and it’s obvious that everyone loves a champion.
Mrs Bull , mother of three sons and one daughter, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild has settled in well to living in Cobram and at Ottrey Lodge after suffering a stroke and advised by her doctor not to drive or live on her own any longer.
“Everyone is very professional and caring here but it does take time to settle,” said Mrs Bull who is fortunate to have family living locally. Bright and bubbly, the active 87-year-old enjoys lots of activities, bus trips, movies, games, whatever is going, she is up for it.
*Tyson aged 29 is the son of Richard and Christine Bull and injured his ankle two months prior to the Birmingham Games and found it difficult when landing and became hugely conscious of his dismount which saw him relegated to 13 when only 12 could go on to compete in the finals. One of his fellow Aussie gymnasts hurt his shoulder and retired from the competition, then teammate Clay Mason Stephens, 24, stood aside to enable him to compete at number 12 as he knew that Tyson was the best in the team in the high bar event and this would give him a chance to secure a medal at Commonwealth level. Tyson didn’t waste this golden opportunity, he gave it everything and went on to take the silver medal.
Popular men’s breakfast back again
Cobram men’s breakfast Is back. The popular men’s breakfast hosted by the Cobram Uniting Church breakfast team will be held on Saturday, September 3, commencing at 8am at the Uniting Church Hall.
Enthusiastically supported in the past, organisers have been receiving numerous inquiries in regard to the next event and delighted at last to offer the special breakfast for the men of the town.
For the hungry chaps who come along, they will have a chance to enjoy a fabulous ‘big boys’ breakfast of cereal and fruit, poached eggs and bacon, baked beans on toast, fruit juice, tea and coffee.
The breakfast will be followed by a quiz and then guest speaker Sonia Strachan, a specialist prostate cancer nurse, will discuss not only prostate cancer but the support given to patients and their carers within the West Hume Cancer Network.
This is a morning that all men should consider. It is non-denominational and men from all faiths and backgrounds will be warmly welcomed and given an opportunity to gain valuable information on the importance of having a prostate cancer check-up.
For catering numbers you are asked to contact Dennis Caughey on 0432 582 442 to book in.
Entry fee is just $10 per person and face masks and sanitisers will be provided.
Book today and put the date on your calendar, Saturday, September 3.
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Delighted: Adele Maugham, 9, winner of year 3/4 Zone final in Yarrawonga.
Photo by
Contributed
Adele speaks out
Barooga Public School student Adele Maughan is gaining considerable recognition for her ability to speak publicly, despite her young age.
The Year 4 student won the right to represent her school and the Barooga Lions Club at the Lions Junior Public Speaking Competition Zone final for Region 3 held in Yarrawonga last week for Grades 3/4 students.
With a topic entitled ‘A place other than in your home state that you would like to visit, ’ Adele competed against students from eight schools throughout the region. Each speech is researched and written by the students themselves and then judged on content, presentation and delivery. Adele, 9, was outstanding and did not falter, despite being the last to compete. She had been learning her speech for some months and confidently delivered.
The bright, bubbly student chose Hahndorf in South Australia for her topic. The town holds a special place in her heart, it’s where her much-loved uncle lives and she was able to write about it at first hand while undertaking research to complete a wonderful winning three-minute speech.
Adele will now compete in the district final to be held at Girgarre Memorial Hall on August 28.
The nine-year-old has firm ideas of what she wishes to do in life and at present would like to study to be a doctor like Cobram’s Dr Emma West and judging from her determination and ability to learn, may well be her career path in the future.
Adele is supported by her proud family, siblings Angus, 14, and Eliza, 13, parents Nadine and Andrew Maughan of Barooga and grandparents Robyn and John Taylor of Cobram.
Book now for the St Kilda Film Festival
The St Kilda Film Festival will be held in the Cobram Community Cinema next Tuesday, August 23, at 7.30pm.
Screening will include both Director’s Choice and Award Winners and you can be guaranteed a fascinating evening, with a range of short films showcasing drama, documentary, horror, mystery, comedy and animation on the big screen.
Tickets are $20 which includes a delicious supper during interval.
