TA: Looks like Warrnambool’s Brian “Nut’’ McMahon will struggle to get nominated for any
Master Chef competition after his recent venture into a kitchen.
AT: Not Nut again. What has he done this time? I thought Nut had mastered cooking lamb shanks and things were looking up for him in the kitchen.
TA: No longer. Apparently wife Margaret went away for a couple of days and Nut ducked down to Warrnambool’s Victoria Hotel — started talking about his cooking skills. A few of the boys told him cooking a roast was the easiest thing to master. The former South Warrnambool footballer ended up taking the advice and marched into a supermarket. He got a leg of lamb with all the trimmings — planned on cooking up a feast. Nut went home and followed all his instructions to the letter — placed the leg of lamb with all the trimmings in the state-of-the-art stove. He stood back and that’s when things went wrong. Nut couldn’t work out how to turn the stove on. He ended up throwing the tucker out, went to the corner shop and bought two pies for what was a less-than-grand dinner.
AT: I had a chat with Sungold marketing guru Billy Slater during the week and plans for the $10,000 Twenty20 competition are under control. VB has come on board to support the competition which also has the backing of Cricket Victoria. Billy was trying to get Shane Warne down for the Australia Day final, but he’s got other commitments. Matty Hayden is now the key target to help promote the series, which will cater for associations between Mount Gambier and Colac.
TA: I hear that Clinton Baulch is putting up a car for any batsman who can hit a sign and there will be signed bats and plenty of other features of offer for players and the public. Second prize will be $2500 and the semi-finalists will earn $1000.
AT: There is one hiccup. With VB supporting the series and having VB logos on shirts, no one under 18 will be able to play when the finals start. It’s a legislative restriction with alcohol advertising, but there’s an under 18 competition in the pipeline.
TA: Well, it’s a pity the kids can’t play because Billy was very keen to showcase young cricketing talent in the south-west.
AT: Having VB onboard does take the promotion of the event to another level. Slater has had to knock back sponsors and I’m sure that will lead to spin-offs for cricket associations and clubs across the region. The final is on Australia Day at Allansford with the semi-finals on the weekend before the public holiday. Any gossip from the boys who made the trip to the Murtoa races last weekend?
TA: What happens on the trip stays on the trip. The only snippets I heard was the bus made numerous stops after leaving Warrnambool last Friday. Took about six hours for a trip that normally takes about two hours. I also heard that Donny Turland goes to bed early now. Not sure why but he hit the hay early — it might have something to do with the long trip.
AT: Amazing to see your old mate Neville "Nifty" Wilson makes a return to race riding at Coleraine today after a broken collarbone. How’s he going?
TA: Incredible story. He’s close to 63 and still wanting to ride in races. He’s kept up his fitness walking around the streets of Camperdown twice a day.
AT: What else is going on?
TA: Legal firm Stringer Clark will be moving from its Koroit Street address to Timor Street, opposite the Archie Graham Centre in early December.
AT: There are changes at the Breadstick at the top end of Liebig Street. A bloke from Mount Gambier has taken over with some big plans. They have just about the best salad rolls in town so I hope that doesn’t change.
TA: You have to admire the people who ride in the Melbourne to Warrnambool bike race on October 24. They put in countless hours preparing for the big event. The same day as the Melbourne to Warrnambool, Warrnambool’s Barry Warren will be riding in the Camperdown to Warrnambool veterans’ bike race. It’s the biggest veterans’ race in the state. His effort to train and ride is remarkable after you consider that he had a tumour pulled out of his stomach in 2002 and then had his stomach removed in 2007 — it’s just quite amazing. Barry’s attitude to life is incredible. He just takes it all in his stride.
AT: Before signing off I just wanted to wish Warrnambool’s leading young stock agent Mick Ryan and his wife Tanya all the best after taking over retail store Country Impressions in Mortlake Road, Warrnambool. Until next week, hooroo.
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