Kukerin welcomes Peel Thunder

Last weekend 94 Peel Thunder Football Club sponsors and supporters were hosted by the combined efforts of the Kukerin Agricultural Society and various sporting clubs in the area.

This came about because Peel for a few years have been travelling to Melbourne as a group to take in the Anzac Day football match at the M.C.G, however this was not possible this year owing to the COVID-19 virus problem and travel bans. John Ditchburn, the CEO of Peel Football Club contacted family members in Kukerin to see if it would be feasible to arrange a weekend getaway at Kukerin. After a couple of meetings all was arranged.

The weekend began on Friday evening which was hosted by the Kukerin football and hockey clubs at the new recreation shed. The evening consisted of meeting with old friends and new, followed by watching the A.F.L football match of the night for some. Saturday Kukerin Golf Club were hosts for the day. Following a tasty sausage sizzle, about fifty visitors together with some Kukerin members making up numbers for teams all played in an Ambrose event. This proved very popular and a lot of fun for all with the usual banter. There were also some very good scores on the day. At the conclusion of the event the team of John Ditchburn, Warren Stirrat, and Doug Williamson were declared the winners and presented with a shield donated by one of their members especially for the occasion. The day concluded with a steak and salad meal which drew praise from all in attendance.

Sunday the Kukerin Bowling Club were hosts of the day. Lunch on the day prepared by the members, consisted of salad rolls before play. Captain Ross Ditchburn took names of all who intended playing and arranged teams. Fifty six players took to the green, many of whom had never played before which made for much merriment at times during the afternoon.

The competition was played over four rounds of six ends and Ross rearranged teams for each game with no players playing together again and each player gained points from each game. At the conclusion of the rounds the top point’s winners played a final for a shield that had been also donated by the same person from Peel who makes them as a hobby. The final was hotly contested over four ends by a team skippered by John Ditchburn versus his wife Corinn and team. Corinn’s team burst out of the blocks, however they were run down on the last end leaving John Ditchburn, Tracey Williamson, Darbee Arrowsmith, and Brad Dean winners of the shield.

At the end of proceedings John Ditchburn on behalf of all visitors thanked Kukerin for the wonderful hospitality. The weekend had been planned as a fund raising event for both the Peel Thunder Football club and sporting clubs of Kukerin.

The weekend proved to be a huge success and was enjoyed by all. The president of the Kukerin Agricultural society John Davidson then presented a cheque for $7,500.00 to John Ditchburn and Paula Barden, the marketing and sponsorship manager of the Peel Thunder Football club.

A casserole meal was enjoyed by those present. This meal rounded off a very enjoyable weekend of fun and fellowship where many new friendships were made and old ones renewed.
 

Article: Phil Adams - Kukerin

Thank you to the following supporters of this event:

Food Packaging Australia
Kukerin Agricultural Society
Kukerin Golf Club
Kukerin/Dumbleyung Football Club
Kukerin Bowls Club

Kukerin Hockey & Cricket Club
Kukerin Hotel
Kukerin Rural Services & General Store
Shire of Dumbleyung
Mary's Farm Cottages
Cambinata Yabbies