A GREAT JOURNO
Herald Sun writer Andrew Rule is rightly highly admired for his work. He and his family lived for some years in the Willowmavin area and Andrew became well known to many in Kilmore and district. His very recent account of the state Victoria is in made for compelling reading. He painted a grim picture of the state he loves and laments its decline from a not so long ago when it was a peaceful prosperous state to be really proud of. As this fine writer wrote “From potholes to bullet holes, from bar wars to the baked-in corruption…it’s a symptom of crumbling morale in a failing state”. He concluded his almost chilling account as follows – “the saddest thing of all is that Victorians have come to accept this as normal. It sure is not, and we must not let it go on”.
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WELCOME HOME
The picture shows the Wellington crowd welcoming the New Zealand cricketers’ home from their recent series victory over England. A tough fighting unit, the Kiwis did what no Australian team has been able to do since 2001 – a quarter of a century ago. New Zealand is a small nation with a total population well below Melbourne and its sporting teams really do punch above their weight. Those who get to represent their country play with great pride and passion. New Zealand is in Australia for tests this coming summer and the aussies are in for a real fight. The kiwis have a strong line-up. Their first seven bats have made test centuries-they have a good pace attack with two of the pack, Smith and O’Rourke able to hit the 90 mile per hour speed. Also, wicket keeper Blundell is world class.
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GIPPSLAND GIRL
Only recently named as Australian women’s cricket captain, Sophie Molineux from Bairnsdale is doing a fine job at the helm – leading the Aussies into the recent World Cup final at a packed Lords. The Aussies triumphed in the clash watched by a record TV audience for women’s cricket.
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SOCCER FEVER
Every four years the FIFA World Cup brings the games followers to fever pitch. The 2026 version with 48 nations involved in the USA and has drawn huge crowds and TV ratings. It is certainly the biggest sporting show on earth, eclipsing the Olympics. Aussie fans were well to the fore in following the action. Australia bowed out of the cup with a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss to Egypt but overall, it was our best World Cup performance.
BRISBANE’S CHARGE
Brisbane Lions are looking ominous as the season runs down. A three-peat is looking possible as their stars align. Meanwhile Fremantle is almost ensuring it will have two home finals at Optus Stadium in Perth. The code has certainly changed over the years.
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VARIA
There is little doubt that Princess Kate is admired worldwide. From a common background in a Berkshire village, she has been exemplary as a schoolgirl at college, a student at university, a wife and mother, and inspiration to millions. Her cancer battle has been well documented as also her work with cancer patients. Recently she climbed the three high peaks of England, Wales, and Scotland – no mean feat. William and Kate are likely to become King and Queen sooner rather than later. This will dent the hopes of the likes of Malcolm Turnbull or Kevin Rudd from becoming President of the nation if Australia became a republic.
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The USA has just celebrated 250 years of independence with rousing events across the entire country. It is a remarkable story. Every nation has its faults, and the USA is no exception-but there is no doubt it remains a land of hope and glory and a protector of freedom.
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On behalf of everyone at The North Central Review, we would like to wish Ray Carroll a very happy 90th birthday for last Thursday!
