Gifted 100-year-old bugle reborn
In 2023 Barooga teenage bugler Lewis Brown was gifted with a bugle by Cobram resident Dale Ebsary after he learnt the student played an integral role at both Remembrance and Anzac Day ceremonies in the Cobram community.
The bugle had taken pride of place on Dale’s mantle for many years, and, after reading about Lewis and his search for a bugle in ‘The Courier’, he was pleased to offer it to the 17-year-old.
Almost six months later, Dale’s gift was transformed by Geoff Edmund, a renowned instrument restorer from Tooleybuc.
Originating in England, it is made of copper and brass and is believed to be more than 100 years old.
While more difficult to play than the trumpet, the bugle brings a richer sound to the notes; this one is a genuine B Flat instrument.
It takes a lot of practice to reach the high notes, and Lewis had minimal exposure to practice before the day due to its restoration, yet the delight on his face when he held the magnificent shiny instrument was pure joy.
Lewis performed under difficulties at the dawn service in Cobram as he was recovering from COVID, which hampered his ability to breathe normally, and with the bugle being more difficult to control and requiring deeper breaths than a trumpet, it was not ideal for reaching the high notes, it but determination saw him get through particularly well.
For Lewis, it was indeed a busy day, performing at three ceremonies honouring the lives of servicemen and women who courageously fought to enable future generations to live in a peaceful world.
Of special significance was also the pride he felt in wearing two Service Medals for the first time, belonging to his grandfather Leonard Hughes, who served at the Tocumwal airfield with the Australian Air Force Reserve for 1.5 years towards the end of World War II.
Dale and Lewis have formed a bond since their first meeting and have quite a lot in common.
Dale obtained his pilot’s license at a young age, and Lewis is working towards becoming a commercial pilot.
He works after school and weekends at a part-time job to pay for his flying lessons to realise his ultimate dream.
To qualify as a pilot with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
If determination is the key, this impressive young man is a certainty.
Footnote: The bugle was purchased by Dale in Tocumwal years earlier and an unconfirmed guess is that it may have been used at the airfield during World War II.
Steve’s back on the job
The joy on Steve Luke’s face as he returns to his job at Woolworths Cobram after recuperating from an accident is a sight to see.
Here is a man who has suffered through two devastating incidents during his life.
One was a callous act that changed his life forever, the other purely through driver carelessness in the customer car park, which brought him to his knees.
Yet, this brave man has bounced back both times after putting all his energy and focus on getting back on his feet after hours of physiotherapy, hard work, a fantastic family and an unbelievably strong will.
All he has wanted is to get back to work and he has done it.
Steve is currently working three hours each day, three days a week, and while he continues to experience a considerable amount of pain in his leg and ankle, it is not going to stop him.
He is back where he wants to be, helping customers with their shopping and trolleys, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I am so happy to be back at work and see all my customers, " he said.
" I t has been overwhelming, the community support and good wishes from so many people. It makes me feel so good, and I thank everyone very much."
He is highly respected by his work colleagues, who missed his dedication and happy demeanour after spending many weeks in the hospital and a longer recovery at home.
He could, in effect, be Cobram/Barooga’s ’most popular man about town’ with Woolworths staff constantly responding to inquiries from customers about Steve’s recovery and who now delight in seeing him back on the job.
Soroptomist Sunday brunch success
Soroptomists International Cobram Barooga welcomed more than 70 attendees to their Sunday Brunch at the Barooga Bowls Club last week.
The Brunch has become a highly popular event and this year was no exception with Kaye Erwin proving to be an enthralling speaker.
Two years ago, Kaye, a Nurse Academic in Rural Health, had been looking at jobs available in her field and noticed a position advertised in Kurdistan (part of Iran). There was a total lack of trained nurses, while doctors appeared to be' a dime a dozen' and in abundance.
The only nursing staff were volunteers with little training.
Consequently, Kaye put forward an application and was accepted for the position.
It was a fascinating time for Kaye with many adjustments made to her lifestyle, but she would not have changed it one bit.
In charge at the university where she was to work was a doctor from the Philippines who orchestrated advertising a nursing degree, and Kaye was charged with teaching 23 students, seven male and 16 female (three of whom wore the hijab), to become qualified nurses.
The curriculum was American in a Muslim country, and cheating in exams, copying fellow students papers, telling lies, and plagiarism was normal behaviour among students; they did what they could to get their qualifications.
They were on scholarships and needed to pass.
Kay was to experience intimidation at times from male students.
They did not appear to understand the concept of study and the need to work hard.
“In the first exam, just one passed from 23 students who sat for it, " Kaye said.
However, things improved, and overall, Kaye enjoyed the challenge.
Life was interesting, and there were many differences to be learnt about the country and its people.
“The country is very barren, yet beautiful at the same time, " she said.
There are fertile valleys where the Euphrates River flows and supplies irrigation to grow fruit and vegetables.”
There is no drinking water, yet bottled water is very cheap; however, empty plastic bottles are littered everywhere throughout Kurdistan.
Temperatures can remain above 40 °C for months on end, and people living in refugee camps who number in the tens of thousands are forced to live without running water.
There is a considerable language barrier.
However, Kaye was fortunate to have a colleague who was well-versed in English and the local dialect and loved her time in Kurdistan, which was obvious from her anecdotes of its people and her experiences.
The Brunch was delicious, supplied by Ambience Bakery, and Soroptimists could be proud of conducting such a wonderful occasion.
Proceeds will go towards a ‘bladder scanner’ at the new Urgent Care Centre at Cobram Hospital. The local Soroptimists have donated between $6000 - $8000 each year since their club began 32 years ago.