LAST year was one out of the box for the Cavendish community.
There was the Red Gum festival in April, the first post-Covid, that brought in thousands of locals and visitors to get a taste of what the region has to offer.
The Cavendish Football Club defied all expectations to take the South West District Football League senior flag.
A,B,C and U13 netballers continued deep into the finals but fell just short.
According to club officials around 150 volunteer tasks are required week in, week out during the season (gate, scoreboard, umps, canteen, ground, water boys).
The footy/netball club was represented by five footy teams, including juniors, and eight in netball each week.
An U18 Western Victoria Women’s footy team has been confirmed for 2023.
Their Australia Day award is especially deserving as the seniors went winless but four years ago then came through Covid to a premiership last season.
A grade netball has been the benchmark for the competition for many years.
The recent success of the club can be laid at the feet of strong on-field and off-field leadership, led by Bob Thomas as president and his son, Clinton, as former voluntary coach.
CAVENDISH footy club presentation last Australia Day.
Back (from left): Chris Faille, Craig Shipcott, Hamish Shipcott, Jamie Baulch, Greg Lewis
Middle: Karen Thomas, Lee Shipcott, Ray Brook, Glenda Lewis, Darcy Shipcott, Stuart McAdam, and his daughter Ella.
Front: Peter Young, Kristie Astbury. Bob Thomas, Les Wangler.
THE Cavendish Lions Club was also recognized on Australia Day for its numerous community activities.
It was chartered with a membership of 25 in 1986.
Their first major undertaking was the founding of the monthly Cavendish Community Chronicle newsletter.
The public face of Lions in Cavendish is the bicentennial electric BBQ erected in 1988 using bluestone from the abutments of the former Wannon River Bridge.
Lions were also the catalyst for the formation of the Townscape Association in 1988, an organization chartered with the responsibility of township beautification.
The Lions motto ‘WE SERVE’ has served this community extremely well – while assisting to:
CAVENDISH Lions made a life membership presentation to Greg McAdam last Australia Day.
Back (from left): James Parker (Balmoral Lions), Greg Lewis, John Gavin, Jason Norris, Craig Shipcott, Hamish Shipcott, Bill Nichol, Lee Shipcott, Ed Aquin, Julie Aquin, Adrian Kearney, Barry Matthews (Balmoral), Katrina Rainsford.
Middle: Val MacPherson, Darren Krause, Darcy Shipcott, Marie Norris, Dianne Nichol, Craig Norris,
Front: Kay Dixon, Bob Hiatt, Greg McAdam, Brian Ball (president), Pat Dixon (secretary).
ONE evening last December year Peter Hyde was awarded a Life Membership in Lions Clubs International.
The gala event at the Penshurst Hotel was attended by NSW Cabinet Treasurer, Anna Watson, zone chair Sue Jellie, distinguished Lions and guests.
Peter is one of only three charter members from 37 years ago still active in the club. The others being Bob Hiatt and Greg McAdamPOtel. .
Over the years Peter has accumulated numerous personal awards – within Lions and outside.
Among the former there is a prestigious James Richardson award, also presented in earlier days to Ken Hobbs, Pat Dixon and Bill Nicholl.
Over the years there wasn’t much community service happening in Cavendish that Peter Hyde didn’t contribute to.
He was involved with the cemetery trust, RSL, Good Friday appeal (for which he got a Royal Children’s Hospital life governorship).
Here at the Spec we used to see him two or three times a week when he came to collect paper for recycling.
He did this for years at his own expense and was always on for a chat about his time in trotting and days of old.
Many football followers will remember him for years and years on the gate at Cavendish home games.
