Just six weeks into Whitfield and District Golf Club’s daylight saving Ivan Fulton Chook Run and the competition is hotting up, with both long serving and younger members making their presence felt.

Last week, two stalwarts fought it out for the chook - Graeme Stanyer taking the honours on a count back from Dan Shanahan - but club president Greg Rosser reports emerging younger members are also showing the way, Ned O’Kane blitzing the field recently and Emilio Miliankos-King, another up-and-comer, having taken out the opening event.

"With 22 Stableford points O’Kane was the runaway chook-winner by a margin of six points from runner up Kathy Vincent, the rest of the field bunched up on 14 and 15 points," he said.

"In trying mid-winter conditions O’Kane made a brilliant start in the nine-hole competition amassing 18 points in the first six holes with a run of 4, 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, with pars on four holes - a fine effort from his 24-handicap.

"Nearest the pin was taken out by Graeme Stanyer on the fourth hole."

Mr Rosser said other winners so far this season were Andrew Watson, Alistair Graham, Josh Trimble, Robyn Hogan and Graeme Stanyer.

The chook run event is held each Wednesday during daylight saving with play commencing at 5pm and all invited to take part.

Mr Rosser said while numbers have been reasonable in the season’s first month, the club recently held a very important annual general meeting and succession planning was high on the agenda.

He said having recently lost Merv Porter from "the fabulous four" with Gus Brond, Dan Shanahan and Graeme Stanyer, who have worked tirelessly over many years to brilliantly present golfing opportunities in the King Valley, they could do with more hands on deck.

"It was the 40th AGM, and like many clubs, Whitfield golf club needs to plan a sustainable way forward for this valuable community asset which has provided the opportunity for thousands of visitors and locals of many backgrounds and abilities, to congregate and play at our scenic, volunteer-established and maintained, boutique nine-hole sand-scrape course," he said.

"Our club is a non-profit community organisation which has been brilliantly served by a nucleus of very special contributors over 40 years.

"Rising costs and the effect of the Covid years impacting heavily on the club volunteers’ capacity to maintain the course, are an ongoing concern.

"We go in search of a methodically planned future - and ask for people to help us if they can."

Mr Rosser said the club was saddened to hear of the recent demise of the Tarrawingee Golf Club after almost 60 years, and passed on congratulations and condolences to their like-minded Tarrawingee stalwarts.

The Sunday competition also continues with hit off at 1.30pm and all welcome to join in.

Whitfield and District Golf Club will hold its annual “Stroke for Stroke Day" on Sunday, January 14 - an event which commemorates and recognises the great contribution of Geoff “Stroke” Newth, and the Newth family, to Whitfield’s community golf club.

Hit off is at 10.30am, entry is $15 and includes a BBQ lunch, and everyone is welcome.

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King Valley in brief

Moyhu Primary School Christmas concert

The Moyhu Primary School community will celebrate the end of the school year at its annual Christmas concert on Tuesday, 16 December at 6pm.

It will be a festive evening of song, dance and fun, with school families asked to arrive at 5.30pm, and family, friends and neighbours welcome to be part of the joyful celebration.

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Moyhu Lions Christmas Country Market

The next Moyhu Lions Country Market on Saturday, 20 December will be a Christmas celebration.

There will be a best dressed Christmas-themed outfit competition with prizes for adults and children to be won, and Santa will be making an appearance.

The bumper market will run from 8am to 12pm and feature over 30 stalls with great range of gifts and seasonal produce, and there will be a Christmas hamper raffle.

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Christmas celebration at Whitfield Recreation Reserve

The Whitfield Recreation Reserve will host a community Christmas barbecue on Sunday, 21 December from 6pm to late, with all welcome to attend.

There will be live music and entertainment for children including facepainting, with barbecue and soft drinks provided (BYO alcoholic drinks) and Santa is also expected to make an appearance.

RSVP by 11 December is essential for catering purposes to kvccomplex@gmail.com or call or message Cathy on 0427 057 849 or Bruce on 0427 554 234.

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Trash 'n' treasure in Whitfield

The trash ‘n’ treasure outlet at the King Valley Community Memorial Hall (former RSL) in Whitfield is open on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.

Transactions by cash only, with all income going towards independently maintaining the hall.

Contact Angie on 5729 8487 to donate items (or if you need something from the hall).

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