On the Grapevine

The four women are undeniably magnificent and one can’t help but wonder where some of us have gone wrong? Is it to do with our genetics or perhaps it requires an income that provides regularly for a nip and tuck and whatever else is needed to keep ageing at bay?

The story was about four best friends, who since the age of 19, when they attended college together, caught up for a book club when time permitted over the years. When Jane Fonda announced she was engaged to be married (for the first time, purportedly) it seemed appropriate to make it a ‘bachelorette’ party with a long overdue trip to Italy, proposed by the group 50 years earlier, but which never eventuated.

With great figures and a fantastic sense of individual style, the actors struck a pose that most would envy while we laughed along at the outlandish antics of the four who were ready to party from Rome to Venice to Tuscany and everywhere in between to live a long-held dream. And live it they did.

Well done to Cobram Barooga Soroptomists with a profit on the day amounting to $1750.92. Proceeds have gone to Cobram FoodShare and earthquake recovery in Turkey, distributed through European Soroptomists clubs.

Creative fun with a glass in hand

If I may continue on with the Mother’s Day theme, I wonder how many mums have experienced an art class entitled ‘Pinot and Picasso’!

A super fun experience with three of my granddaughters and eldest daughter had been booked for Mother’s Day at a venue in Melbourne.

With two 18-year-olds and one 19-year-old who decided that perhaps a glass of champagne would be a great starter, we secured a family driver to take us to the venue and were excitedly hyped up for a great day out.

Entering the venue, there were 30 art enthusiasts putting on their protective aprons, setting up their canvas and easels, while organising their paints, palettes, brushes, wine and nibbles to take them on their creative journey.

Called to attention, we were given a piece of chalk where we were to outline something similar to our art teacher, a large vase or urn in the centre of our canvas, and asked to add our own creative styles.

My three granddaughters sat side by side with their three canvas creations, which were to produce one art piece, while my daughter and I were to turn our two pieces of canvas into one artwork. A fascinating concept.

Amid lots of chatter and laughter plus a glass of pinot or bubbles, we began to create, not certain of what we were doing, if the brush was the right size or if the colours would blend. However, the afternoon passed all too quickly and it was soon time to finish up with our ‘masterpiece’ in hand and big smiles on our faces.

How did we do? Well, being a fan of impressionism such as the works of Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, the colours may have been okay but I’m not certain about the rest of my efforts. However my family saved the day with their stunning pieces.

It was a great afternoon that kept us laughing and reliving the fun we had for many hours afterwards.

Footnote: I have since discovered a ‘Pinot and Picasso’ art class is also available in Shepparton. Check it out online and give it a try.

The unsung hero at a football club: the trainer

A football club’s unsung hero is often the trainer and at Cobram Tigers, Steve Tomlinson, with 19 years in the role, could lay claim to that perhaps, yet appears somewhat uncomfortable with the title.

Steve has been head trainer for much of his time at Cobram and today, May 24, he turns 60 years of age. He remains as keen today as he was years ago, to ensure players are fit to take the field.

Steve played a bit of junior football at Ferntree Gully when he was 12, but readily admits he wasn’t great at footy.

“I couldn’t kick the ball but I could mark it okay,” Steve said.

“I played for two years then decided to play basketball which I felt was more my sport. I never played senior footy.

“When my son Chris began in the fourths at Cobram, I offered to look after his team and it wasn’t long before the president asked if I could help out further.

“My role today is to look after the players’ wellbeing and have them ready and fit to go on the field.

“I massage and strap sore spots before they go on and after the game, respond to and assess injuries and recommend treatment or an ambulance if necessary.”

Steve has studied first aid level two and updates every two years. He is also a qualified level two sports trainer and readily admits he continues to learn on the job.

While injuries often occur on game day, one particular incident at training 10 years ago left a lasting impact on Steve and the club when assistant coach at the time, Daniel McIntyre, collapsed out on the ground.

Called on immediately, Steve tore out to find Daniel turning blue and it appeared he may have had a seizure.

However, putting a call to 000 indicated the player was suffering cardiac arrest and required CPR.

Between Steve and fellow trainer Paul Ukich with help from locals Brittany Brunskill and Tess Lane, who have medical experience, they performed CPR for eight minutes until the ambulance arrived.

Daniel had a heart attack that night. He was a fit young man in his mid 20s, yet survived due to the quick reaction from those who knew to act quickly. At the time the club did not have a defibrillator.

Steve and his trailer are integral to players on away games, laden with towels, drink bottles, first aid boxes, tops, jumpers, flags, footballs and the mandatory snakes and Gatorade for energy at half time.

Then at the end of the game it’s packed up, taken home, washed and sorted for the next away game.

Steve is also a trainer for Cobram Roar on Sundays and in demand each year at the Victorian Tennis Association Country Week tennis at Yarrawonga, Australian Beach Volleyball Championships at Thompsons Beach, Masters Cricket and Tri-State Games.

In his 19 years at Cobram Steve has missed just one week, despite four days in hospital, due to a ruptured appendix in 2022.

Steve was presented with a Life Membership of Cobram last year for his continuing service to the wellbeing of players at the club, a surprise to the man who does not expect accolades; he is just doing a job he is required to do.

However, often the first to arrive at the club and one of the last to leave, Steve can be seen diligently packing up while players are socialising after the game or training. Yet that’s all part of the role.

He is the Tigers’ head trainer and his job is to be ready for the next game.