I don’t need to tell you it’s cold, but, it’s bloody cold! Anyhow, the cold is a good excuse to hole up with blankets, a hot cuppa and a good book or movie. It gave us a reason to take a couple o f days and finally watch some stuff we’d bookmarked ages ago. We also managed to get out over the holidays to see Dick and Angel at the Festival Theatre. It was a hoot, and almost made this Christmas present worth the wait. We made a couple of days of it, and stayed at the Oval motel - big treat, and one we won’t be able to do often. Port was playing and we were given the option of watching it from the bar (yes, the view was that good!), but Don being a fair-weather Port supporter declined. Should have watched a bit. Anyhow, they forgot our dinner order, but made up for it with a rather nice bottle of red and a cheese platter that we enjoyed when we got back. Monday saw us at the Museum, looking at the Galloway Hoard, which though small, was exciting when you looked at it in context. I did manage to pick up some souvenirs as gifts, and a particularly nice shopping bag which isn’t about me at all!
The Community Association held our Meet Your Neighbours event, and we met more new people, which was really pleasing, and we have a lot to take away from it. New people are presented with a goody bag containing information about our town - that includes anything wr know about groups and organisations was well as businesses and a couple of freebies from the Market and Recreate (many thanks to them!).
We also went to a Red Cross Redi event, which was surprisingly helpful It concentrated on the response to catastrophic events, and I would urge anyone who is interested to visit the Red Cross site and wold the information. We allo picked up a goody bag, which is always welcome!
The footy club has been in the news lately, and it’s hard to watch them struggle to get a hearing. There has been a lot of special media about their woes, and an article in the Advertiser, all of which seems to have gained them some much needed support. When Don was in SAPol, we spent much of our early years in small or rural towns. The things you learn about this is that most towns are largely the same - same characters (just different names), same struggle to stay relevant, same fight to maintain essential services. And they all need their schools, shops and sporting clubs. When small towns lose these, it’s like the heart goes out of them and it’s just a matter go time before they start shutting down. We love touring rural South Australia and Victoria especially, and seeing the struggle these towns all have is heartbreaking. Which makes me want to ask those in charge - what will happen when all of these little towns are gone? Where will you get your fuel? Will you be able to pull into a little bakery and pick up a pie? What if something happens and you need help? Can’t get it if there’s no-one there. Good luck with that, mate.
A few years ago, I was going to start a little campaign in the newsletter - to be called “Pick One”. Sadly COVID scuppered that one, but I think the need is still there. What if… you picked one? One club, organisation, charity? Gave some time to a sporting club, or maybe joined a book club or writer’s group, or painting class? One event, or one hour, one day, one month, one year…. I guarantee you, it would make someone’s day - might even make yours.
