Premiers off to good start

THE Southern Football League competition for 2011 got under way this weekend, with reigning premier New Norfolk starting well with three victories over Claremont. The seniors scored a 62-point win, the reserves finished 32 points in front and a colts won by forfeit.

Seniors: New Norfolk 4.0 10.4 15.5 20.10 (130) d Claremont 1.4 2.6 5.12 9.14 (68). Goals — New Norfolk: M. Thompson 4, J. Hall 4, N. Ross 4, B. Booth 3, B. Carver 2, R. Belcher, Z. Graham, M. Cashion; Best — New Norfolk: S. Crane, J. King, J. Hall, Z. Graham, M. Horne, L. Joseph.

Reserves: New Norfolk 9.11 (65) d Claremont 4.9 (33). Goals — New Norfolk: P. Jelkic 4, B. Coppleman 2, J. Wallner, S. Bonnitcha, J. Papera; Best — New Norfolk: T. Triffett, M. Jones, S. Bonnitcha, B. Chaplin, R. Graham, J. Papera.

Colts: New Norfolk won by forfeit.

Lowe on a high

LIFE membership was presented to Tim Lowe at the Gretna Cricket Club annual dinner and trophy night at the Gretna Parish Hall on March 26. Lowe was all but lost for words when receiving the award, which includes a badge and framed certificate.

In making the presentation, club president Peter Rainbird described Lowe as a quite achiever who has given great service since joining the club back in 1997-98. His service includes five seasons as secretary (1998-99 to 2002-03), captain of Gretna II (1998-99 and 2005-06) and senior coach for the past two seasons. Lowe played 210 games for the club (138 for Gretna I and 72 for Gretna II) and has helped out with many club projects.

From all at the club Lowey, thank you, you thoroughly deserve this award.  Thank you also to Tim’s wife Narelle for her efforts.

WADE GLEESON

Gretna Cricket Club trophy night

IT was a repeat of last season when Gretna I player Bruce Emery and Gretna II captain Mathew Burns won the best all-rounder trophies at the recent Gretna Cricket Club trophy night and annual dinner. In the closest margin I can recall, Emery (193.5 points) won the award, half a point ahead of Gretna I captain Ben Rainbird on 193 points. This is the sixth time Emery has won the award.

It was a different story for the Gretna II award which Burns won with 499.5 points to Brian Smith's 188.5 points. Burns and Smith also figured in the Southern Cricket Association division three awards, where Burns took out the best player for the second season running and Smith won the batting average (51.2). Well done guys, especially Brian, 48 years young and still ahead of the pack, even winning the batting average for for both Gretna teams. I have no doubt we will see you playing next season Fossil.

The players' award vote count, which has now been running for the past 10 seasons, was held prior to the dinner. In a great count, Bruce Emery 17 votes won the Gretna I award by one vote from Ben Rainbird on 16 votes. Mathew Burns won the Gretna II award, 31 votes to Brian Smith's 10.5 votes. By all accounts, "Point 5" did a marvellous job once again as Richie Benaud in calling the votes.

Gretna I awards - batting average: Brian Smith, 24.8; aggregate: Ben Rainbird, 286 runs; bowling average: Bruce Emery, 18.2; aggregate: Corey Ransley 19 wickets; most catches: Ben Rainbird 6; best all-rounder: Bruce Emery, 193.5 points; players' award: Bruce Emery, 17 votes; runner up: Ben Rainbird 16 points.

Gretna II awards - batting average: Brian Smith, 51.2; aggregate: Mathew Burns 589 runs; bowling average: Mathew Burns, 13.8; aggregate: Mathew Burns, 26 wickets; most catches, Nathan Rainbird 10: best all-rounder: Mathew Burns, 499.5 points; player’s award: Mathew Burns, 31 votes; runner-up: Brian Smith 10.5 points.

Cecil Gray memorial trophy (Best under 21 player): Corey Ransley, 184.5 points; Captain's Trophy: Mathew Perotti. Best Clubman: Ben Shaw; Duck trophy: Jackson Ackerly, 8 (Jacko now shares the record with Ben Shaw!)

Congratulations to the following players for reaching game milestones during the season - club games: Ben Rainbird 200, Brian Smith 200, Peter Jelkic 150, Craig Cunningham 100, Cameron Emery 50 and Tom Allcock 50. Gretna I games: Bruce Emery 150, Ben Rainbird 150, Corey Ransley 50. Gretna II games: Nathan Rainbird 100 and Mathew Burns 100.

The awards night was well attended with around 70 people enjoying themselves. Life members in attendance were Bobby Butler, Peter Rainbird, Joey Hack, Paul Jarvis and Micky Rainbird. It was also great to see Central Highlands mayor Deirdre Flint and Derwent Valley deputy mayor Craig Farrell in attendance - the club wishes them both well in the running for the Legislative Council seat of Derwent.   

The club would like to take this opportunity to thank all sponsors and trophy donors. Thanks also to Lyn Saunders from Glenora District High school for supplying chairs and tables for the night and also for her efforts in having a new synthetic wicket laid on the school ground for our juniors to play games there during this season and beyond. Catch you all next season.

WADE GLEESON

Market milestone

THE Derwent Valley Community Market will celebrate its 5th birthday tomorrow, coinciding with the 11th annual Derwent Valley Autumn Festival. Held in the grounds of the Derwent Valley Community House on The Avenue at Willow Court, tomorrow's (Sunday) market will be just a stone's throw from the nearby historic barracks open day and antiques swap-meet.

The birthday market will run from 10am to 4pm. Products on sale at the market include home-made jams, soap, jewellery, woodturned products, plants, books and bric-a-brac. Hot food will also be available.

Also appearing at the market between 10am and 3pm is State Secrets, part of the 10 Days on the Island arts festival. Read more about State Secrets here.

Another fire at La Bella

INVESTIGATORS are probing a fire in the roof of the former La Bella pizza shop in New Norfolk. The fire was reported at about 9.15pm on Thursday. Several units from the New Norfolk Fire Brigade were soon on the scene, supported by police and ambulance officers.

La Bella opened in the former Mario's Pizza location at 32 Burnett St in early February, but was gutted by a deliberately-lit fire a week later on February 18. Then on March 6, a vehicle with La Bella signage was vandalised.

Security shutters were recently installed over the damaged windows of the shop, and on Wednesday this week, the La Bella Pizza Facebook page announced that the business was soon to reopen. A day later, the shop was hit by another suspicious fire.

Women of the Willow

NEGLECTED Willow Court will come to life this weekend with an open day on Sunday as well as a long-awaited new season of Women of the Willow, a play in three acts written by Aldo Fabian.

First performed in 2007 and last seen in 2008, this play brings to life the early days of New Norfolk, seen through the eyes of seven women from different walks of life, confined to the hospital during the mid-1800s.

There will be performances at 7.30 tonight (Friday April 1), Saturday and Sunday. The play is performed outside in the Willow Court barrack square, so warm clothing, blankets and umbrellas are advisable, along with a torch for making the way back to the car. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children and $20 for a family (two adults and two children. Tickets will be sold at the venue from 7pm.

Antiques on the green

AN antique and collectables swap-meet will be held on the lawns at Willow Court this Sunday from 9am-5pm. Entry is via George St opposite the New Norfolk RSL Club. There will be entertainment, a car display and antique appraisals as well as stalls with collectables, antiques, clothing, bric a brac and more.
The event is supported by the New Norfolk Lions Club, Willow Court Antique Centre, Olive Tree Cafe & Bar, and the Patchwork Cafe.