■ Interesting to hear from one reader that parents and grandparents are being charged to watch the kids at Werribee swimming pool on school sports days. They’re not there to swim, they’re there to support their families and help out, and this is so wrong. In a society where we continually tell children to exercise and participate, the one thing that helps that is the support of relatives and friends. We all understand running costs, but surely if relatives are only taking up space they should not be charged. What’s next? Will we be charged to barrack for the kids when they play footy or cricket on council ovals? I think this is an area the council should address immediately. Common sense should prevail.
■I’ll be very interested to see how Hoppers Crossing and Werribee cricket clubs fare in their quests to become Melbourne’s next Premier Cricket Club. Both have reached the next stage of submissions. The bottom line is that the City of Wyndham deserves to have a club in this competition for a variety of reasons. Those not directly involved with either club will be happy with whichever gets the nod, although there are other equally deserving applicants.
■ Lots of events are going on in the west this weekend. The 14th annual Peter Bunworth Memorial Day will be held at Wyndhamvale Reserve from 11am this Sunday. Bunny was a ripper bloke and Sunday’s cricket match for over-35s is a fitting tribute to him and his family, who are still actively involved in local footy and cricket. Williamstown Cricket Club has a big day this Friday for its president’s lunch, starring Brian Taylor, Cameron Ling and John Hastings at the Yarraville Club in Stephens Street from 1-4pm. Call Phil McTaggart on 0416 023 739 or Geoff Hart on 0414 575 431. Tickets are $110 a head for a two-course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks.
■ North Footscray Football Club is celebrating its 80th birthday with a big night at its home in Hansen Reserve, West Footscray, on Saturday, March28. It’s a sports/comedy night featuring Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane, Carlton premiership player Anthony Koutoufides and the Nelson twins. Entertainment starts at 6.30pm and it’s $50 for admission to the birthday bash. There’s a practice match before the night and for more details call Walshy on 0401 600 138.
■ I want to pay tribute to Margaret Munn, who passed away this week. Margaret was in the Bulldogs’ cheer squad for many years.