Our brigade needs you Ourbrigade needsyou
Afterweeksof supportingneighbouring communitiesduringan intensefireseason,the TongalaFireBrigadeis callingonlocalsto considerstepping forward.Inside,we honourthecommitment ofourvolunteer firefightersandthe familiesandemployers whosupportthem,and sharehowyoucan becomepartofthe brigade.
TurntoPage3for more.
About20residentsgatheredattheTongala CommunityActivitiesCentretoenjoyaChristmas DinnerwithFriends,sharingfood,conversationand plentyoffestivecheer CentreCoordinatorLeanne onceagainsetthescenebeautifully,withthoughtful decorationsthattransformedthespaceandaddeda warm,welcomingtouchtotheevening
Newmembersneeded
Inrecentweeks,members oftheTongalaFireBrigade havebeencalledonto supportneighbouring communitiesduringan intenseanddemandingfire season,onceagain demonstratingthecourage, commitmentandquiet resiliencethatdefineslocal CFAvolunteers
Tongalafirefightershave deployedtoassist communitiesincluding HarcourtandYarroweyah, whileneighbouring brigadessuchas
Timmeringsteppedinto helpcoverlocalareas, ensuringTongalaremained protectedwhilecrewswere away.
Itisapowerfulexampleof thewayCFAbrigadeswork togetheracrossregions, supportingoneanother whenitmattersmost TongalaFireBrigade2nd LieutenantandCommunity SafetyCoordinatorAshley Wickhamspokecandidly abouttherealitybehindthe call-outs
“It’sbeenatoughfewweeks forourfiriesand communities,”Ashleysaid. “Ourmembers’families jugglehomelifewhile worryingiftheirlovedone willmakeithome “Ourmembersrisktheirlives battlingthesefires.Our membersathomeholdthe fort
“Ouremployersjugglestaff shortagessomemberscan respond Andour communitiesface devastatingloss.”
Behindeveryturnoutare families,employersand neighbourswhomakeit possibleforvolunteersto
OnJanuary13,membersoftheTongala FireBrigadeweretouchedbyathoughtful gesturefromlocalyoungpeople,who bakedabatchofdeliciouscupcakesasa thank-youforthebrigade’seffortsduring thefiresacrossVictoria. Abigthankyouto WillowandBellafortheirkindnessand support itwasverymuchappreciated.
respondwhenthepager sounds
Now,theTongalaFire Brigadeiscallingonthe communitytoconsider steppingforward TongalaCFAisrecruiting, welcominglocalswhowant togiveback,learnnewskills andbepartofaclose-knit team
Nopriorexperienceis needed fulltrainingis provided,andmembers trainlocallyonTuesday nightsfrom7pm
“Yourcommunity Your brigade Yourturn?”the Brigadeshared Anyoneinterestedin volunteeringisencouraged tovisittheCFAwebsiteor contactthebrigadedirectly forachat:www.cfa.vic.gov. au/volunteers-careers/ volunteer-with-cfa/applyto-volunteer
Intimesofchallenge, Tongala’sfirefighters continuetostandready forneighbouringtowns,and forhome
Cooloffwithusin2026
Welcometo2026,certainlya roughstartformanypartsofour countrywithVictoriabearingthe bruntofdevastatingbushfires Hugethankyoutoourlocal brigades,allwhosupportthem andtoalltheemergency personnelinvolved. Wearesofortunatetohavethese dedicatedpeoplewhogivetheir alltokeepourcommunitiessafe WeatCavellStreetcanoffera coolspaceonaWednesdayfrom 11am,comejoinusforameal and/orjoininforbingo. Butknowyouarewelcometobe somewherecoolonahotday. Weended2025withour Christmasbreak-upandour TongalaPrimarySchoolstudents joinedusasourguestsforthe occasion.It'sagreatprogramthe schoolhasdevelopedtoenable studentstobepartofourweekly lunchtimeactivityandlovelyto seetheirhappyfacesandwe lookforwardtomoreofthesame in2026
–JoyChalmers,Secretary, TonnySeniors
Workhasofficially begunonthevibrant newmuralatStPatrick’s PrimarySchoolTongala, withartistZowiealready bringingthefirst colourfulelementsto life
Usinga“squigglegrid” techniquetoscaleeach image,Zowieiscarefully translatingadesignthat waslovinglycreatedby
StPat’sownstudents Eveninitsearlystages, themuralisalready burstingwithcolourand energy,givinga tantalisingglimpseof what’stocome. Theschoolcommunityis encouragedtokeepan eyeontheprogress andseeiftheycanspot whatthestudentshave imaginednext.
Reindeerrescuehitsthestreets
Afunandfestivetreasure huntcreatedandrunby GTSFarmSuppliessaw young“reindeertrackers” taketothestreetsof TongalatohelpSanta rounduphisrunaway reindeer. MeetingatPottsGreen Playground,children workedinteamsto searchforthemissing reindeerhiddenaround town,withallsafelyfound
andcollectedbymidmorning GTSFarmSupplieswould liketothankthelocal businesseswhohelped hidethereindeer, includingTongalaBakery, TonnyTakeaway,Tongala LicensedPostOfficeand TongalaPharmacy,along witheveryonewhocame alongtosupportsucha well-runandenjoyable communityevent.
Greenham’sEnglish studentprofiles
MeetGeorge
MynameisGeorge Togalit,andIamfrom EastNewBritain,Kokopo District,abeautifuland culturallyrichcoastalpart ofPapuaNewGuinea Intermsofacademics,I havecompletedmy CertificateIIIin Engineering–MaintenanceFittingand Machining(CMFM)atthe NationalPolytechnic InstituteofPNG
Inadditiontomycurrent qualification,Iwasalso awardedascholarshipin 2018withtheAustralia PacificTechnicalCollege (APTC)Queenslandand achievedaCertificateIII inMechanical Engineering,whichhas earnedmeanAustralian qualification
Mypreviousworkhistory backinPNG,Iworkedasa MechanicalTechnician attachedwiththe engineeringdepartment. IworkedwithSouthPacific Breweryformorethan eightyears;thebrewery nowchangedtoHeineken Mymainroleswereto carryoutpreventative maintenance,attendto breakdowns,etc Inmy seventhyear,Iwas promotedtothe PackagingSupervisorand workedoneyear Iconsidermyselfahardworkingandselfmotivatedperson
Iamalwayseagerto learnsomethingnewand improvemyself. Iammarriedtoa beautifulwife,witha beautifuldaughteranda handsomesonwhoareat homeinLae,thecapital cityofMorobewherewe reside.
Iloveplayingsoccer, whichIstartedplaying whenIwasinmyprimary schooldays Ilikemeetingnewpeople andamalwayseagerto learnsomethingnew. Itwasmylong-time dreamthatonefinedayI wouldbehereinAustralia workingorstudying Somehow,mydream cametruewhenIgota phonecallinMarchthis year,2025,togoforan interview Ipassedmyinterviewand wasshortlistedtocome toworkinAustralia. Myaimforcomingto Australiaistoworkand furthermystudies Anothermostimportant thingistosaveupmoney andputmykidsina betterschool. Whatreallysurprisedme whenIfirstarrivedin Australiawerethebigcity busesandtrains, becausewedon’thave thesebusesandtrainsin PNG.
Peopleherearevery friendlyandwelcoming,
talkingnicelytouswhen wefirstarrivedat BrisbaneAirport Myshort-termgoalisto getajobinawellreputedcompanywhereI cangainpractical experience,contributeto thegrowthofthe organisationand continuelearning Mylong-termgoalisto achievearespectable andresponsibleposition
inanorganisationlike GreenhamandSonsPty, whereIcanmake meaningfulcontributions, takeleadershiproles,and growbothpersonallyand professionally. Finally,myfutureplanis tobesponsoredforPRso thatIcanbringmyfamily overtoAustralia
Myaimnowistowork hardandpreparewellfor thePTEtest.
Lionsgetreadyforraces
TongalaLionsClub membershavejust completedthe removalofthe much-loved GingerbreadHouse façadefromthe townkioskandtook theopportunitytoenjoya littlefunoftheirown, practisingforthetraditional egg-and-spoonraces Theracewillformpartof theTongalaAustraliaDay PicnicinthePark celebrations,tobeheldon theShireLawnsonMonday, January26
TheGingerbreadHousehas beenanothersuccessful Lionsproject,supportedby
CampaspeShirefunding. “Communitysupporthas beenverypositiveforour GingerbreadHouse,”Lions ClubPresidentMurrayRoss said “Somehaveeven suggesteditbecomea permanentfeatureofthe town.”
ThePicnicintheParkis designedtobringfamilies togetherforanoldfashionedcommunity
picnic.Attendeesare encouragedtobringtheir ownlunch,whileasausage sizzlewillbeavailable, alongwithicypolesand waterforchildren Duetotheshortnotice, therewillbenoCitizenof theYearawardsthisyear. However,aspecial medallionhasbeen createdandwillbe presentedtochildrenasa keepsakeoftheday perhapsevenafuture collector’sitem. Othernoveltyeventswill includethekangaroohop, three-leggedrace, gumbootthrowingand more
LocalentertainersOpen Mikewillprovidelive entertainmentwithan Aussieflavour,and everyoneisinvitedtojoinin BillabongRanchwillsetup ananimalnurseryfor hands-oncuddles,while Paulawillbeonhand offeringfacepainting,with designstosuitallages evenGrandmamight fancyabutterfly “Weencouragefamiliesto embracetheAussie theme,”Murraysaid. “Wearahatorashirt,and flagswillbeprovided Tongalaispartofourgreat country,Australia be proud”
TongalaGirlGuides
With2026underway, TongalaGirlGuidesleaders arebusygettingorganised forthestartofTerm1
Thefirstmeetingforthe yearwillbeheldon Wednesday,February4,at 5.30pm,andleadersare excitedtoseewhatideas andactivitiesthegirlswill planfortheyearahead
TheGuideswillalsoplaya roleintheAustraliaDay PicnicinthePark,raisingthe flagsattheTongala Soundshellaspartofthe celebrations.
Fundraisingcontinues throughtheCDSTongala initiative,withthegroup collectingeligible10c
recyclables Community membersareinvitedto supporttheGuidesby donatingbottlesandcans, whichcanbedroppedoffat thefrontoftheGuideHall, broughtalongtomeeting nights,orcollectedby arrangement
Everycontributionhelps providemoreopportunities andexperiencesforlocal Guides. Familiesinterestedin joiningGirlGuidesare warmlyinvitedtoattend meetingsonWednesday nightsfrom530pmto7pm
duringschoolterms New membersalwayswelcome Forenquiries,please contactMelon0409 804091,orvisittheGirl GuidesVictoria website-www.guides vic.org.au/join-now/tofindoutmore.
Befireready thissummer
Asfiredangerincreases acrossourregion,being preparedtoleaveearlyis oneofthemostimportant stepsyoucantaketokeep yourselfandyourloved onessafe.
HavinganEmergencyKit readytogomakesiteasier toleavequicklyifconditions change Yourkitshouldinclude essentialitemssuchas importantdocuments, water,amobilephoneand charger,medications,pet food,andachangeof clothes
dangerdays,butmany peopleareunsurewhat “leavingearly”reallymeans, orwheretheyshouldgo Itmeansleavingfire-risk risklocationsuchasafriend orfamilymember’shome,a shoppingcentreora communityfacilitylikea library
Leavingearlyalsoreduces thechanceofpanic,lastminutedecision-making, orbecomingtrappedin dangerousconditions Residentsareencouraged tostayinformedby downloadingthe VicEmergencyapp,tuning intolocalemergency broadcasters,andvisiting theCFAwebsiteforup-todateadvice
Tolearnmoreaboutwhat topack,whentoleaveand wheretogo,visit:www.cfa. vic.gov.au/leaveearly Preparingnowhelps ensureasafersummerfor everyoneinour community
Doyouwanttogetinvolvedorhostanactivityat ourTongalaMulticulturalFamilyFestival?Phone uson0358591268or0437469585oremail tcaccoordinator@tongala.vic.au
(formerlyknownasTheCottage) TongalaChildcareisanOccasionalChild CareCentrewhichcurrentlyoperates everyWednesday,ThursdayandFriday, 8.30am–6.00pm.
**EXPRESSIONSOFINTEREST FORJANUARY2026ENROLMENTS** Ifyouneedmoreinformationorwouldlike tospeaktosomeone,pleasedonot hesitatetocalloremail: �� tcaccoordinator@tongala.vic.au �� 0437469585or(03)58591268
Bush Verse Group BushVerseGroup
TheKyabramandDistrict BushVerseGroup celebrateditsannual Christmasdinnerwitha relaxedandentertaining eveningatKyvalleyHallon Sunday,December14
Guestsenjoyedanightof bushverse,yarnsand poetry,sharedbygroup membersandvisiting performers,creatinga
warmandwelcoming atmospherethatreflected thegroup’sloveof storytellingandtradition. Thegroupextendsits sincerethankstothe followinglocalbusinesses fortheirmuchappreciatedsponsorship andsupport: KyabramHire Services
KyabramRemedial Massage AdvanceComputing Kyabram
FirsteaCaféKyabram HurleysHotelKyabram FitzgeraldsFarmFresh Meats
BennettsIntersport
KnightsBuilding SuppliesPtyLtd MingersMitre10
Tongala Servicing & Repairs
WearealocalVACCAccredited workshopandmobilemechanicforall yourautomotiveoragriculturalservicing andrepairneeds.
Wedoeverythingfromservicingyour chainsawuptofixingyourbrokentractor orfarmmachinery,wealsooffermini diggerhire(withoperator).
Nojobtoobigorsmall,feelfreeto giveusaringandaskifwecan helpwithanyofyour mechanicalneeds.
Renting storage with 20-feet shipping containers that are Grade B water tight, vermin proof and lockable. I have a full security fence surrounding the perimeter, lock-up gates with 12/7 access (light depending) with key lock box system entry and security cameras running 24/7.
Caravan, Car and Boat storage inside the shed is $30 a week - but is FULL at present.
Caravan, Car and Boat storage outside is $20 a week with many spots available Container hire/storage is $30 a week.
I am also doing 20-feet container storage outside the shed that a personally owned at $20 a week. CONTACT: Mitchell Kelsey on (03) 5859 0939 (home), 0439 367 381 (mobile) or email Mjkelsey28@gmail.com
rtise
KyvalleyPark&Pool
PoolMembershipsforNewSeason
**NowAvailable**
ItisalwaysgreattoseefamiliesenjoyingthePool, andchildrenlearningtoswiminasafeandrelaxing environment.Localresidentsalsofindthepoolisa goodsizeandbeneficialtohelpwithrehabilitation, afteraninjuryorsurgery,orjusttogetfitter….or simplytorelaxandcooloff!
ShortTermHire–Bookings
**NowAvailable**
IfyouarelookingforaUniqueVenue,withapool, parkground,pergola,BBQandplayground,foryour Christmascatchup,familygathering, socialclubfunction,child’sbirthdayparty,orto simplymeetupwithfriendsduringsummer,this venueisideal,situatedinapleasantsetting, easyaccessforallagesandroadsidecarparking Pleasecontact:58521853or0417303408 forfurtherinformationortoreserveyourdate KyvalleyPark&Poolisproudlyoperatedand maintainedbyKyvalleySwimmingClubInc Committee&Volunteers.
Tongala Bowls Club Centenary Fundraiser, 5pm @ club rooms
Picnic in the Park @ Tongala Soundshell
Australia Day, 12.15pm @ Kyvalley Park and Pool
Koyuga Australia Day Yabby Races, 5.30pm @ Koyuga Hall
Tongala Multicultural Festival
CHURCH SERVICES
StJamesAnglicanChurch Services:EveryTuesdayat 5pm HollycommunionwithRev: SimonRobinson(from Mooroopna) AllWelcome Forinformationonservice times,phoneDonSlade (Warden)on0428503844 orDianeManganon 0427590282
StPatrick’sCatholicChurch Tongala:FirstSundayof month,1130am PhonetheParishOfficeon (03)58521026
EmbraceChurch 80ManganSt,Tongala Morningservice:10am Servicesarealsolivestreamed.
PhonePsLynHopeon 0408821760
NorthernRiversUniting ChurchClusterTongala Service10am PhoneRayWakefieldon 0419933938. Servicesareavailableon ZoomeachSunday
Scan the QR CODE to access the full-colour, extended digital version of Tonny Times
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CONTACT: TongalaCommunity ActivitiesCentre
Phone:(03)58591268
94ManganStreet, Tongala,3621
OPEN:MondaytoFriday, 9amto2pm
Februarydeadline
Copydeadline: 07/02/26 Issuedate: 14/02/26
Email:tongalatimes@ tongala.vic.au
1stTuesdaymonthly,5pm 1st&3rdThursday,7pm 2ndTuesdayeverymonth 4thMonday,monthly 4thTuesday,monthly,1pm 4thWednesdday,6pm 3rdTuesday,Monthly,10am EveryWednesday
GRADE6GRADUATES
OnDecember16 lastyear wecelebratedourGrade6 graduates,ma journey.Congr theybeginan
MEETOUR2026SCHOOLCAPTAINS
Heidi
Asa2026SchoolCaptain, Heidi’sgoalistoensure everyonefeelswelcome andincluded,while helpingorganise activitiesthatstudentsof allagescanenjoy.She valuesthemany opportunitiesTPSoffers, aswellasthesupport andencouragementof theteachingstaff Heidisaysitisaprivilege torepresentaschoolshe lovesandisproudtobe partofsuchapositive community
Outsidetheclassroom, sheenjoyssinginginher sparetime
Ella
Ellaislookingforwardto herroleasSchool Captainin2026andis focusedonmakingsure everystudentfeels includedinallaspectsof schoollife.
Shenominatedbecause shewantedtochallenge herselfandshowthatshe canbeastrongand positiveleader ElladescribesTPSasan amazingschool,thanks toitsfriendlyand supportiveteachersand staff
Akeensportsfan,her favouritegameis football
Tippi
Tippiisproudtoserveas a2026SchoolCaptain andispassionateabout makingsureeveryone feelsincludedandpartof theschoolcommunity. Shelovesthemany opportunitiesavailableat TPS,especiallyspending timeintheyardplaying ninesquare,enjoyingthe gagapitandshooting hoopsonthebasketball court Tippiwasinspired tonominateafterseeing pastschoolcaptainsgrow inconfidenceand becomestrongrole models Outsideofschool, sheenjoyscamping, wakeboardingandriding hermotorbike
Jed
Jedisexcitedtotakeon theroleofSchoolCaptain in2026andiscommitted toshowingtheschool’s 3Rsbybeingkind,friendly andhavingfunalongthe way.
ATPSstudentsincePrep, Jedvaluesthewide rangeofopportunitiesthe schooloffersandthe supportiveenvironmentit provides Inhisfreetime,heloves footyandcanoftenbe foundkickingthefootball aroundwithhismatesat lunchtime
WET AND WILD FUN WETANDWILDFUN
AbigthankyoutotheamazingP&FCommitteefor organisingafanta celebrationtowra totheTongalaFire
CELEB
Th StPatrick’sP
r-heldonDecenber8lastyear awonderfulopportunitytocelebrate herwithfriendsandfamily
SCHOOL CAPTAINS WELCOMED SCHOOLCAPTAINSWELCOMED
2026marksanexciting milestoneforStPatrick’s PrimarySchool,withthe introductionofitsvery firstSchoolCaptains Astheschoolcommunity continuestogrow,sotoo doesitscommitmentto developingstrong studentleadershipand givingyoungpeople meaningfulopportunities tohaveavoicewithin theirschool.
Theestablishmentof SchoolCaptainsisa significantstepforward, reflectingStPatrick’s beliefinitsstudents’ abilitytoleadwith integrity,kindnessand courage.
Thisnewroleallows studentstocontributeto schoollifeindeeper ways,whilebuilding confidence,responsibility andleadershipskills Astheinaugural captains,thisyear’s leaderswillhelpshape whattherolelookslike forfuturestudents, settingastrong foundationforatradition thatwillcontinueto strengthentheschool communityforyearsto come Jimhasbeenselectedas a2026SchoolCaptainin recognitionofthe positiveimpacthehas onthosearoundhim. Knownforhiswonderful
senseofhumour,Jimhas anaturalabilitytobring peopletogether,lift spiritsandmakeothers feelincluded Alongsidehischeerful nature,heisthoughtful, dependableandalways willingtohelp,earning therespectofbothpeers andstaff.
Jim’sgenuinecareforhis schoolcommunity makeshimafittingand well-deservedchoicefor thisleadershiprole. JoininghimisCharlotte, whohasalsobeen appointedasa2026 SchoolCaptain. Charlottehasearnedthis rolethroughher kindness,maturityand strongsenseof responsibility Sheleads byexample,consistently showingrespect, dedicationand considerationforothers Admiredbyherpeers andstaffalike,Charlotte embodiesthevaluesof StPatrick’sandwill representtheschoolwith integrityandpride throughouttheyear Theschoolcommunity celebratesnotonlythe appointmentofitsfirst SchoolCaptains,butthe beginningofanew leadershiptradition onethatempowers studentstogrow,lead andshine.
FESTIVE LUNCH ENJOYED BY ALL FESTIVELUNCH ENJOYEDBYALL
Ahugethankyoutotheparentsand grandparentswhomadelastyear’sannual whole-schoolChristmasLunchsucha wonderfulsuccess Youreffortswereclearly appreciated,withbigsmiles,aroomfullof laughterandplentyofemptyplatesshowing justhowmuchstudentsandstaffenjoyedthe day.Thelunchremainsahighlightofthe schoolyear,withPrincipalMrsStockdale describingitasherfavouriteoccasionfor bringingtheschoolcommunitytogetheras onebigfamily.
As property values across Victoria continue to shift, now is the perfect time to get a current market opinion on your home.
EXTRA TONNY TIMES
JANUARY 2026
IfyouthinkthebuzzaroundMiami University’scampusisbigrightnow, waituntilyouhearthechatterin Tongala.
BecausewhenDylanJoyceandhis 10th-rankedMiamiHurricanesrun outforthenationalcollegefootball championship,theNavyBlues faithfulwillbewatchingjustas closelyasthe60,000screaming fansinFlorida.
Joyceislivingthedreaminhisthird seasonofcollegefootball,andhe’s doingitonthebiggeststageofall
TheHurricanesbookedtheirticket tothechampionshipafteranailbiting31–27winoverOleMiss RebelsintheCollegeFootball PlayoffsemifinalattheVrboFiesta Bowl.Yes,thatOleMiss theone fromTheBlindSide
FROM TONNY TO THE TITLE GAME
AndDylanplayedhispart,delivering threecrucialpuntsfor144totalyards, includingoneinsidethe20that helpedflipfieldpositionwhenit matteredmost
Now,Miamifacestop-seeded IndianaHoosiersonTuesday, January20,at11.30am(AEST). Thestakes?Anationaltitle. Foraprogramthat’swanderedthe wildernessfortwodecades,thisis historyinthemaking andJoyceis rightinthethickofit
Ranked55thnationallyamong puntersandsixthintheACC,Joyce hasbeenamodelofconsistency. Thisseasonalone,he’srackedup49
puntsfor2164yards,averaging44.2 metresperkick.
Hislongest?Abooming73-yard effort He’salsonailed21kicksinside the20,provinghe’snotjustabout distance he’saboutprecision AlthoughhisMiamibiolistsKyabram ashome,Dylan’srootsrundeepin Tongala.
HepulledontheNavyBluesjumper beforechasinghisAmericanfootball dream,andplentyoflocalsstill proudlyclaimhimasoneoftheir own.
Andwhywouldn’tthey?
ContinuedonPage2
One of our own on
Whenoneofyourboysis playingforanational championship,youdon’t justwatch youcelebrate Miami’sseasonhasbeen oneforthehistorybooks. At13–2,they’vebeatenfour teamsrankedintheAPTop 7 afeatachievedbyonly threeprogramssince1980 Now,they’reonewinaway fromtheirsixthnational title,andit’shappeningat HardRockStadium,their hometurf.
ForDylanJoyce,it’sthe culminationofyearsof
hardwork,longflightsand evenlongerkicks
Fortherecord,Tongalahas anotherformerplayer flyingtheflagintheUS. MakenzieRyaniscurrently playingwiththeULM Warhawks
TheWarhawksweren’t quiteasimpressiveasthe Hurricanesthisyear, finishingwitha3–9record. Flyin’Ryan,asweknowand lovehim,logged60punts for2325yardsacrossthe season
Hislongesttravelled58
football’s big stage
yards,and13ofhiskicks landedinsidethe20
Inaviralmomentcaught oncameraduringoneof thebiggestgamesofhis youngcareer,Ryabnwas forcedtopuntbackto Alabamawhiletrailing14–0 inthesecondgameofthe season.
Thekickswungfield positiondramatically, beforeAlabama’sCole Adamsbrokefreeonthe return onlytobe stoppedinspectacular fashionwhenRyanlooped backandlaidacrunching clotheslinetackleworthyof theWWE
Sosetyouralarms, Tongala Tuesdaymorning isn’tjustMiami’smoment it’sourstoo.
Summerofhope(butwe
Allright,let’sgetonething straight:nobodyissaying thePword(premiership)
OrtheFword(finals)
Notme,notyou,noteven theblokewhoreckonshe’s gotinsideinfobecausehe sawsomeonebuyingnew bootsatBennetts
We’renotgoingthere
But haveyouseenthe namesstackingupinthe recruitingcolumn?
Ifyou’renotgrinninglikea kidinalollyshop,you mightwanttocheckyour pulse
Thissummerfeelsdifferent Andbeforeyourollyour eyesandsay,“Fitz,yousay thateveryyear,”hearme out.
We’vebeentryingforyears
togetTomHolmanina Bluesjumper
Theyearhewentto Moama,wewere practicallysendingcarrier pigeonstolurehimback. Hewinstheirbestand fairest,butnow finally he’sours Tomwillplaydeepforward, beourfocalpoint,andgive ussomethingwe’vebeen craving:abigtargetwho makesdefenderslose sleep
Andthenthere’sRiley
Smith
StraightoutofEchuca,with
arunningtankthatmakes therestofuslooklikewe’re joggingtothepiestand HisbrotherCalebwasa Tonnyboybackin2019–21, andifnotfordodgyknees, he’dstillbeoutthere Riley’sjoinedbyJoe Guinan,anotherEchuca productwho’llslotnicely intothemidfield
AddJackMonigatti back homeandrunningthe familychaffmill and suddenly,ourmidfield lookslikeitmeans business
Wekickedoffpre-season
inearlyNovember,andlet metellyou,thevibeis electric.
Mondaynightsaresweaty, loudandfullofoptimism We’reliningupthree practicegames:onefullclubhit-outandanother justforthefootycrew. Andeverysession,the whispersgetlouder:“Thisis ourbestrecruitingyearin decades”
I’mnotsayingit You’renot sayingit Butwe’reall thinkingit.
Thenewfaces(and someoldlegends)
ZacLaffyisanothergem forward-linedynamite joininghisbrotherDarcy Thenthere’sCoreyNexhip, who’sbasicallyallergicto shirts(moreonthatlater).
BeauJoyceisbackfrom theGoldCoast,biggerand better,freshoffa premiershipwherehis teamwonwithakickafter thesiren.
HisbrotherDylan?
PlayingfortheMiami Hurricanes Ranked number10intheUScollege system How’sthatforbragging rights?
arenotsayingP-word)
BraydenO’Hanlonisa massiveinclusiontoo. He’sdonedevelopment rolesallovertheplaceand nowstepsinasassistant coachandmidfield weapon AddMarleyGordon,Jedd Turpinandthereturning CamIett,andsuddenly we’relookinglikeateam thatcould well,youknow (Butwe’renotsayingit) Anddon’tforgetShannon Tucker
Ifthecomebackwhispers arereal,he’sknockingout 10kmrunsat4:30pace. Thisisablokewhocouldn’t movebeforepre-season Ifhepullsontheboots again,I’llpersonallybuy himalifetimesupplyof DeepHeat.
Netballnews–The courtqueens
Now,it’snotjusttheboys makingheadlines Thenetballersarestacking thedeck,too.
NatashaDodosisonher waytotheBlues(andyes, she’sdatingmybrother Mitchell familytiesrun deep)
AbbeyWaasdorphas joinedthecrew,Hollie
Reid’sinafterdominating intheGoulburnValley,and ChickyVickisbackwhere shebelongsafter dominatingtheKyabram DistrictLeague Oh,andAlyceBoyer? Areturning2023 premiershipplayer. That’sthekindof experienceyoucan’tbuy CoreyNexhip’ssoon-to-be wife,ElleNexhip,willalsobe onetowatch
She’sofftocoachSeymour nextseasonandistraining withtheBendigoStrikers. Bigmoves,bigambition Theenergyaroundthe courtsisjustasfierceason theoval Ifyou’renot excitedaboutwhat’s brewinginthenetball ranks,youmightneedto checkyourpriorities
Fitz’sfunfacts
Becausewhat’saFitzBitz columnwithoutalittle spice?Herearethe unofficial,highlyscientific awardsfrompre-season: HasHisShirtOffthe Most:CoreyNexhip. Honestly,Idon’tthinkhe ownsashirt Ifhedoes, it’sprobablyinthelost propertybox
PutontheMostSizeat theGym:Marley Gordon.Theblokewalks pastandyoufeel smaller andI’mnot exactlytiny
BestRunners:Riley SmithandJoeGuinan. Thesetwomake10minutecontinuousruns looklikeastrolltothe servo
BiggestImproveron theTrack:ElijahSwiggs Watchthisspace he’sflying.
TheEntertainer:Jordan Souter Hissuperpower? Keepingeveryone laughingwhilewe’re dyingintheheat ComebackKid: ShannonTucker.Ifhe plays,it’llbethefeelgoodstoryoftheyear
ComebackKid: ShannonTucker.Ifhe plays,it’llbethefeelgoodstoryoftheyear Off-the-Ground Legends:Oursupport crewisnext-level
Jordan’sgotupto10 helperseverynight.You can’twalkthroughthe coneswithoutbumping intosomeoneoffering water,adviceora cheekysledge And MickSouter 300-plus gamesunderhisbelt isbackhandingout wisdomlikefree samplesatWoolies Finalword We’vegotworktodo No illusionsthere Thecompis fierce,andwe’replaying catch-up Butthissummer feelsdifferent. Thenames,theenergy,the commitment it’sall pointinginonedirection Andwhilewe’renotsaying thePword(ortheFword), let’sjustsaythis:ifyou’re notexcited,you’renot payingattention. Seeyouattraining.Bring yourrunners,yoursenseof humour,andmaybea spareshirtforCorey
