On the Grapevine

The Grand Central Hotel in Cobram will continue this tradition on Tuesday, April 25 at the completion of Anzac Day ceremonies held throughout the district. It will be running a charity two-up event at the hotel at 36 Punt Rd, Cobram and everyone is welcome.

If you have played before it will undoubtedly bring back memories. If not, it is always great to have a new experience.

Held in the beer garden at the hotel, the café and bar will open from noon and meals will be available.

The best in 25 years of business

Peppertree Quality Clothing in Cobram was opened by forward thinking business woman Silvia Arnold on April 1, 1998. And today, 25 years later she is proud to say, “we are having our best year in business in 25 years!”

Despite the hardship of running a business during periods of devastating drought conditions in the region, when farmers and residents had little income, and more recently three years of enforced lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, Peppertree has survived and proudly acknowledges it weathered the storm by making strong decisions combined with fantastic customer support from the people of Cobram and district, including Jerilderie, Finley, Tocumwal and Shepparton.

However, tourism makes a large difference to local business with regular visitors coming from Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula, and those from overseas, to visit the Murray and enjoy local activities often dropping in to Peppertree and snapping up a bargain.

Women have a wonderful range to select from while men have an opportunity to take home an Akubra or some iconic RM Williams gear, also available in-store.

With an Australian brand name so recognisable it is understandably another reason the business is enjoying its best year yet.

Yet, living over the border on the family property near Berrigan, Silvia was not always able to get to the fashion store during the pandemic, relying instead on her staff of four, with long-term employee Tina Mete acknowledging, “we have the best boss in Silvia, she looks after us like family!”

“My concern at the time was, if the tourists can’t come we just won’t survive,” Silvia said.

However, Peppertree has survived and continues to grow and develop its name and popularity.

“Shutdowns during COVID made me think about what we needed to stock, it became totally different, women wanted more casual wear, life had changed,” Silvia said.

“We need to understand the market and look ahead at what’s coming up to co-ordinate our new season’s range.”

Silvia initially opened Peppertree in Berrigan, successfully, but had always looked at Cobram and when the opportunity arose to buy the current location, she did not hesitate. It was the perfect spot.

Silvia over the years has read her market well and while happy to admit trial and error was sometimes involved, recognises the importance of offering women a wide range of upmarket, high-fashion, middle-of-the-road, and also budget offerings to meet customer demand.

No matter one’s age, women of today like to feel stylish and Silvia offers labels such as Philosophy, Yarra Trail, Jump, Gordon Smith, Threads, Clarity and Black Pepper.

A visit to Peppertree will generally be met with success and a happy smile.

Silvia has built a good team round her, all of whom work on a part-time basis and love going to work. Collectively they have a good understanding of the latest styles and are always happy to assist with fittings and suggestions when customers seek something special.

Peppertree is also an agency for Yarrawonga Dry Cleaning, providing an additional benefit for locals.

Cobram Community Expo on Saturday, April 22

The Rotary Club of Cobram is conducting an innovative expo to enable locals to gain a full understanding of their community and what it has to offer by showcasing not-for-profit organisations, community support groups, recreation and service clubs.

The day is free and bound to surprise many who are unaware of the volume of support and activity there is in the town and district.

Do go along and support the day which runs from 9am until 2pm at Federation Park, where there will be demonstrations by members of the SES and CFA, arts and crafts, together with rock ’n’ roll dancing.

Volunteering has enriched my life

Helena Logan removed her Irvin House volunteer vest last Thursday for the last time after 14 years of dedication to patients of the Cobram hospital and residents of the aged care facility.

“Being a volunteer in the acute ward at the hospital helping staff on Thursdays and then Fridays at Irvin House has enriched my life. I have loved it! I have learnt a lot and love these beautiful people. I am convinced that I got back more than I ever put in!” Helena said.

Helena had quite a varied working career after moving to Tocumwal from Melbourne in 1990. She and husband John ran a cafe in Tocumwal for several years before moving in to Cobram and becoming involved as a volunteer, which began after a community meeting discussed the dire need for a food bank during 2003 at the peak of the drought.

Helena and volunteers went out to local farms one day a week to deliver food and in 2004, with 53 volunteers on board, the Cobram Food Bank opened and people generously gave what they could for others in need. Helena’s husband John became a full-time volunteer and Helena the volunteer advisor.

In 2005, while heavily involved at the food bank, Helena underwent open heart surgery.

In 2008 this generous community-minded woman was presented with the Cobram and District Citizen of the Year award for her services to the community.

In 2009, Helena noticed an advertisement in the Cobram Courier looking for volunteers for both the hospital and Irvin House and after undertaking a short university course on how to work with dementia patients, she began in the acute ward at the hospital to assist nursing staff one day a week.

Then it became Irvin House one day a week, and I guess as they say, ‘the rest is history!’

In 2015 Helena was nominated for the Minister for Heath Volunteer Awards.

This cheerful lovely woman has learnt so much about the lives of Cobram and district aged residents and their individual stories and they in turn have loved her friendship and caring nature.

For Helena volunteering has played a major part in her life which she has thoroughly enjoyed. However it is now time that she and husband John spend time caring for one another.