On the Grapevine

The event will be held in the original Saint Joseph’s Hall on the corner of William and Broadway Sts, Cobram, and supported by Moira Creative Arts Hub.

Come along and enjoy a very pleasant evening and you may just get lucky with some of your Christmas purchases.

Emily’s career path a long-held dream

From the age of three-four years Emily Attwood could often be heard to say, “I want to be a vet when I grow up”, perhaps due to growing up on a dairy farm, surrounded by animals.

Emily, or Memmy as she is better known, had a special love for all animals, especially her gentle Jack Russell Chewy.

“He was a tough little fighter,” recalled Emmy who saw her beloved little dog eat snail bait and survive and go on to live to the grand age of 18. Maizee, also a Jack Russell, is Memmy’s best mate today, “They are just beautiful animals”.

However, from the age of 15 when she became fascinated with what she was learning in biology at Shepparton High, her future goals altered. Completing her VCE, she found she needed a higher score to undertake a Bachelor of Science degree and looked at different pathways and was to find a short course online that offered tertiary preparation. In 2019 Memmy was offered a position to study for a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in microbiology.

Moving to Melbourne to attend La Trobe University, she completed her first year and when COVID-19 hit Melbourne it turned everything upside down. Moving back home to be with mum Melissa Hamilton and younger sister Laura in Barooga, she completed her degree online. Memmy did not travel to Melbourne for her graduation, confidently saying, “There will be other opportunities for me to graduate as I plan to do honours, then my masters and ultimately a PhD’’.

Advice from her university professor about the need to have more experience in lab work after studying remotely during COVID will see her in 2023 complete 12 months as a lab-assistant before returning for further study to complete her honours, attain a master’s degree and then her PhD.

“I would like to do medicine and study bacteriophages, a virus that destroys bacteria. It is exciting to learn that phages are viruses that infect and replicate only in bacteria cells. It’s definitely what I want to study and my ultimate goal is to work at the CSIRO, but I need my PhD for that,” said Memmy.

“To walk into lunch on Christmas Day and be introduced as Dr Memmy would be the greatest feeling in the world and such a proud moment for my family,” said Memmy with a huge smile.

This delightful positive young woman assures me she has always been extremely shy and quiet. However, this past year working in customer service has transformed this once-shy student.

Today, Emmy at the age of 23 has a strong belief in herself, she knows what she wants and is determined to achieve it.

The world is your oyster (Dr) Emmy!

Christmas fair a success

Cobram Historical Society members spent a busy week organising the event and catering for several hundreds of visitors to their Antique and Collectables Christmas Fair held at the Cobram Civic Centre last weekend

The 19 stallholders showcased an amazing array of antiques and collectable items in a pleasant environment over the hot weekend.

On show were some unique pieces of antique furniture, glassware, crystal, china and porcelain, estate and antique jewellery, silverware including jewellery boxes and candle sticks, complete canteens of solid silver cutlery, antique record players and records, books, children’s toys and hobbies and so much more.

Gaye Bismire, of Shawbrook Antiques in Wangaratta, has been coming to the antique show in Cobram for a great many years. “It’s the best antique show in the state. I love the setting and the small dedicated team make it such a joy to come and be part of it. I must mention too, all the delicious home-cooked food which is just wonderful,” Gaye said.

Gaye previously had a shopfront in Benalla where she showcased her collection of antiques, however today she prefers to attend shows around the state.

Local stallholder Julie-Anne McAuliffe of Barooga showcased her eclectic range of fantastic farmhouse furniture and tempting pieces suitable for any home, no matter the age or design.

Julie-Anne works from her large workshop at home in Barooga but has a shopfront in Tocumwal which is open each Friday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm both days.

“I have collected all my life and every item at Rustic Farmhouse Furniture has a story to tell and often a long history,’’ said Julie-Anne.

“I always come to Cobram for our local antique show and really enjoy it. It is a lot of work bringing some of my larger furniture pieces but we need to showcase what we have for buyers, some of whom often travel quite a distance.”

Julie-Anne brought along to the second day of the event her constant companion Lucy, a beautiful placid and friendly eight-year-old Border Collie who suffers from epilepsy and constantly requires the security that having Julie-Anne by her side provides. Lucy proved to be an added attraction for the Rustic Farmhouse Furniture stand.

After wandering throughout the fantastic array of stalls, stopping to look further at an item or making a decision on something in particular, it was time to check out the sumptuous array of fine food being offered.

It was home baking at its finest and students from the Anglican Grammar School were happy to give their time over the weekend to assist each customer to select their favourite cake, sponge, slice, mini quiche, sausage roll or sandwiches. The students were a credit to their school, with exemplary manners and a willingness to assist everyone.

While visitors travelled from Nagambie, Shepparton, Benalla, Tocumwal and Berrigan and the local district, it was somewhat disappointing not to see more locals supporting the event which over the years has been one of the town’s major drawcards.