Rupanyup's Parts Manager, Sandi Cobbe with Hayley Watts

Hayley Watts of the St.Arnaud Hockey Club has been selected to tour Singapore / Malaysia, with the Girls Under 17 Victorian Country Hockey team in the July school holidays.

Hockey features extensively in Hayley’s family background, with all cousins having played or playing hockey, and having been on this trip in previous years. Hayley is the last granddaughter of Beverly Watts of St.Arnaud to participate in the overseas tour, and after seeing how much fun her cousins had on the trip, is excited to have this wonderful opportunity.

Hayley is currently studying year 12 at St.Arnaud Secondary College and has worked hard to balance school, work and hockey commitments, with some social activities unfortunately taking a back seat.

 

Hayley would like to thank local businesses, and her major sponsor Emmett’s of Rupanyup for their support and contribution towards the cost of uniform and travel for the trip.


Horsham's Sales Representative, Barry Cross with the Karkana Maintenance Crew and Wendy Middleton

Emmetts helps the Wimmera Community to grow

When Les Murphy, the gardening and maintenance supervisor from Karkana and Wimmera Uniting Care (WUC) went shopping for a ride-on mower, he and his crew of eight were expecting to pay up to $4000. But when Peter Emmett donated a new ride-on mower, valued at $3900, and a $550 whipper snipper, the Karkana team was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Dimboola Road business.


“When people in the business world donate expensive equipment like this to an agency like ours, it’s just amazing,’’ Mr Murphy said. “It’s rare to find businesses with such a generous heart.”


“The donation means that when we’re on a commercial job we don’t have to subtract the cost of the equipment from the profit margin.’’


Playing a vital role in the community, Wimmera Uniting Care aim to support and strengthen the lives of many people in the Wimmera region. As a member of WUC, Karkana is a centre for people with disabilities located near Horsham.


Wimmera Uniting Care chief executive officer Wendy Middleton said the unexpected gift of the items had reduced financial burden on Karkana but more than that had boosted morale of staff and clients across the entire WUC organisation.


“It also indicates that people in the business world have awareness and respect for the urgent and valuable work our agency carries out across the region and are willing to contribute to ensure these continue,’’ Ms Middleton said.


‘’Emmetts’ generosity is unexpected; but a very timely gift for Karkana.’’


Peter Emmett said he offered the new items at no cost with the knowledge that Karkana was going through a difficult time. But times won’t be too difficult now for Les Murphy and his gardening and maintenance crew.