TA: What about the young Warrnambool bloke who allegedly managed to nick $750,000 from the Tasmanian TAB?
AT: Settle down, Tim, he only borrowed the money and was kind enough to give it back.
TA: Who is he?
AT: Very quietly spoken bloke who previously worked at The Standard print site. He would be unlucky to serve any time in jail if he is found guilty. The allegation is he only took $6000 out of his account and the rest he reinvested with the TAB and lost. The total gain is only a couple of thousand dollars.
TA: You're sounding a bit sympathetic.
AT: Tim, I don't know the bloke from a bar of soap but I think if what is alleged is true he's done the Tasmanian tote a great service highlighting what were some glaring holes in their security. He should be charging a consultancy fee. He is alleged to have used his own name on the TAB account, his own computer and when he flew to Tasmania he did so booking a ticket in his own name. Hardly the actions of a sophisticated crook. It would have been completely different if he set up the account in a dodgy name, used independent computers and had funds transferred to off-shore bank accounts with a view to permanently depriving the TAB. His ambitions to be a security guard might have to be put on hold for a while. Much else going on?
TA: Expect Warrnambool's new Telstra shop in Koroit Street to be jammed packed next Saturday from 12.30pm.
AT: Don't tell me Prince William is going to be here.
TA: It's not going to be Prince William but for Geelong fans it's someone even better. New Cats captain Cameron Ling will be in the store signing autographs.
AT: I thought it was a bit tough young Gary didn't get the top job.
TA: Port Fairy Star of the West Hotel publican Damian Gleeson is a mad Cats fan but he's also in the good books after heading to Melbourne with wife Sue for a few days to get away from the rigours of pub life. While the couple was out having tea, Damian had organised for 20 long-stemmed red roses to be delivered to his table so he could give them to Sue and celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Appears Damian has given Sue red roses each year to mark their wedding.
AT: Many years ago the Bride tried to embarrass me into supporting florists by sending me roses at work. I went down to what was then Hoys, got some new wrapping paper, re-arranged the flowers and sent them back to her for the pricey sum of 23 cents. Everything was going smoothly until a couple of loose-lipped colleagues dobbed me in for sending her back the same flowers she sent me. Talking about publicans, nice gesture by Timboon Hotel host Graeme "Grandpa" Welsh to have a marquee at the big Camperdown Cup meeting last Saturday.
TA: I think we should set things straight. It was a very mini-marquee. Apparently Brian "Pixie" Gleeson from Warrnambool's Victoria Hotel was invited but it took him quite a while to find the right address because the tent was so small.
AT: I'll bet the size of the marquee didn't stop Pixie from having a huge day.
TA: Story goes Pixie really enjoyed the hospitality of the Timboon Hotel. Those willing to tell all said he tucked into the food all day and kept on washing it down with icy cold Crownies. Any footy gossip?
AT: Whisper is that Collegians might try and get former South Warrnambool and Queensland gun goalkicker Corey Fulton to play a few games this year. Port Fairy is rightly very pleased after signing Claremont gun onballer Trinity Handley who would have to be rated the Hampden league No. 1 recruit this year. He played 125 games with Claremont and regularly got mid 30 touches. The Seagulls are starting to look sharp both on and off the ground with revamped jumpers also on the way. And new Warrnambool club netball coach Lorraine English has prompted a few comments after banning the girls from wearing make-up or having fake tans.
TA: I think we should also acknowledge the wonderful efforts of Father John Murphy. Sad to hear that Shamrock House out at Crossley is closing its doors after nearly 40 years of helping members of the community going through tough times.
AT: And the last word should be reserved for jumps racing. Great to see deputy premier Rob Hulls and his camp don't have total control over racing. It was about time the industry stood up for itself. Until next week, hooroo.
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