Our Tennis Champions Take The Finals

Two teams triumphed to win the finals this week.

Photograph by Michelle Mackay of B Grade Team

The B Grade Two Ladies team with Tayla Gill, Michelle Mackay, Susan Mackay, Mara Cassar and Pamela Allan won the flag. Their season began very slow. They struggled to make an impression on ladder in the first three quarters of the season and thought they had no chance of making the finals. Then, with only four games left and sitting second last on the ladder, the team came together. They won every match including beating the number one team. Before they knew it, they made the semi final then took the grand final with a score of 31 vs 18.

Photo by Kathy Skinner of the D Special Team

The D Special Ladies team (Lauren Skinner, Cassidy Mihalenko, Emma Skinner and Emer O'Connell) formed at the beginning of the season but were rusty at the start. Most had not played since junior tennis, two girls had never played competition before and the team only had once chance to practice before starting the comp. They immediately got along well and it wasn't long before they became the team to beat- losing only two games. Cassidy Mihalenko was the gun of the team and improved even further throughout the season. The ladies really enjoyed the friendship and loved the after games suppers. Hopefully they will play again next season in a higher grade. An impressive grand final win of 36 to 15.

Related Article:

• New Diggers Rest Ladies Team Played This Week

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Barry Hall Set To Line-Up Against Diggers Rest

Barry Hall has been confirmed to play for the Broadford Kangaroos and their encounter with the Diggers Rest Burras on Sunday the 8th of June (Queen’s Birthday Weekend) at Diggers Rest’s home-ground.

‘Big, Bad, Bustling Barry’ is expected to draw a massive crowd. The former Saint, Swan and Bulldog will line-up at full-forward, hoping to knock off the grand-finalist from last year.

Hall kicked 746 goals in his 289 games, but is probably more known for his less-than-friendly behaviour on field. We all remember that hit on Brent Staker. If you haven’t seen it before, you should also check out his head-lock on North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson. To this day no one know how he got out of that one.

Wearing the number 1 for Broadford, Hall is setting the precedent. He is saying: “I’m number one, so you better get out of my way and let me put on a show”. And I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not gonna get in his way.

This is the kind of thing that gets people excited about local footy again, and even though its not in Sunbury, it is worth checking out as it is only a stone’s throw away. Plus, the Burra Burgers off the barbie are to die for.

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Lydia Meets Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Lydia Lassila shakes the PM's hand at the official welcome home celebration for olympians.

Photo by Zimbio of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (R) and AOC President John Coates (C) acknowledge 2014 Sochi Australian Olympian and silver medallist Lydia Lassila (L) during the Official Welcome Home Celebration For The 2014 Sochi Olympians And Paralympians at Museum of Contemporary Art on 9 May 2014 in Sydney, Australia.

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Lydia At Home With The Community

Winter Olympic medallist Lydia Lassila has unveiled a new library collection at Diggers Rest Community Centre.

Photo by Joe Mastroianni - Lydia Lassila with Diggers Rest Primary School pupils at the library

Lydia read to primary school pupils as part of yesterday’s launch of the Melton library outpost service.

Diggers Rest Primary School principal Rachelle Hedger said the outpost was a welcome addition.

“We know the importance of reading to our students and to the community as a whole, so we’re very excited for this to begin.”

The collection includes more than 300 books, magazines, DVDs and audio books for children and adults.

Residents can access the outpost every Tuesday from 9.30-11.30am and Thursday from 2.30-4.30pm.

Library staff will be on hand to answer queries. Items in the collection will change on a monthly basis.

Article by Priscilla Moca of the Melton & Moorabool StarWeekly

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Kids are Kicking at Diggers Rest

The boys and girls pulled on their boots to have fun with Auskick this weekend.

Photograph: Diggers Rest Auskick kids 26 April 2014 by Josh Logan

AFL Auskick is the good way to introduce football to children aged from five years old. It is safe and fun with skill games, activities and modified match practices. It may even lead to one of our kids becoming a future champion like: Joel Selwood, Scott Pendlebury or Gary Ablett.

Our Auskick clinic runs from 26st April through to the 16th August on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the Plumpton Road Reserve oval. Boys and girls can come along to learn ball skills such as kicking, passing, and team work. They will have fun, make new friends and find out how to have a go. We hear that there's even a chance of meeting real AFL players sometime during the year.

Approximate cost per child for the 14 weeks of Auskick clinic is around $73.00.

Contact coaching co-ordinators Paul and Kim Davis on 0400 320 456.

Read more about Auskick

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Cricket Gallery - Bulla Diggers Rest vs Gisborne

Diggers Rest Bulla is in control after the first two days of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association B-grade grand final against Gisborne.

By Photographer Shawn Smits 23 March 2014  

Gallery provided by the Melton & Moorabool Weekly

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First Half Costs Diggers Rest the Game

Article by Sunbury Leader Newspaper, written by Chris Cavanagh

Diggers Rest’s Dylan Hannan tries to get a handball off to a teammate in his side’s match with Romsey on Saturday. Photo: Eugene Hyand Source: News Corp Australia

A poor first half cost Diggers Rest any chance of victory against Romsey in its first match of the season.

The Burras were completely outclassed in the opening two quarters of the Riddell District Football League match.

The home side managed just one goal to trail by 31 points at the main break before putting in a much-improved second half to cut the final margin to 16 points.

New coach Shaun Sims did not hand out a half-time bake in his first match in the job, but he did call on his players to raise their commitment levels. A seven-goal-to-one third quarter followed, with the Burras leading by nine points at the final change, but the inaccurate Redbacks prevailed.

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The Burras have several key players with injuries who were not able to play. We have confidence that the first game is not a sign for season and wish the team the best for the remaining year.

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Photo Gallery Practice Football Match Castlemaine v Diggers Rest 23 March 2014

Photo gallery of the second 2014 practice match played at Heathcote

Under 18s

Reserves

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Practice Football Match Heathcote v Diggers Rest 15 March 2014

Photo gallery of the first 2014 practice match played at Heathcote

Seniors On Field

Reserves & Under 18s

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Under 18 Netball Competition This Season

The RDFL has also introduced a under 18 competition for netball this season.

Photo from the Round 7 Netball A v Melton Centrals 1.6.13

It is an exciting time for the team, watching the young talent at the court is sensational, and we know that the girls will do well.

The netball team could use a few more numbers. So if anyone is turning 15 this year or will not be older than 18 by the end of the year and is keen to play for the Burras they can contact Amy Schwegler for training details.

Read more about the Netball team at the Burras website

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Lydia Lassila's Timeline Photos

Lydia Lassila's Facebook timeline has captured some of the images from her bronze medal win at Sochi, Winter Olympics 2014. With Lydia's permission, we present the photographs of her feat, awards, fun and celebrations.

 

Congratulations to Lydia from Diggers Rest Talk you have made your mark.

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Burra's New Coach Is Eager To Get Going

Shaun Sims has stepped up to the mark to coach the seniors in 2014. As long time local champion and captain, Shaun is eager to drive the team forward.

Shaun Sims on field, Macedon v Diggers 18 May.2013. Photo by the Diggers Rest Burras

The Burra's football club is Shaun's second home and he has dedicated the last 9 years to captaining the team he loves. He performed as assistant coach for 5 years and learned a great deal from his mentors. He has wanted to coach all of his life and is grateful that the club offered him the opportunity.

Shaun believes that the Burras are a great team because the real strength of the club is how well everything works well both on and off the field. "The club is the most supported in the league," said Shaun. "It is a place where families are welcome and we make it our football club. The club has a great committee, who are never in the limelight but work tirelessly to support the players, encourage sponsors and promote football."

Off the field, Shaun is relaxed and confident. He is instantly likeable and easy going. A teacher for 7 years at the Diggers Rest primary school, he understands how each of his students can improve and guides them to be better people.

In the club rooms, and on the field, Shaun is ruthless. He knows that the team must be very competitive and professional. He is straight talking, knowing that the team relies upon him to drive every player, and the overall team, to reach higher standards.

"We do well as a unit because everyone cares for each other, and a club that cares, wins," said Shaun. "We started working on this year's season the day after the 2013 final and we are eager to take on the new year."

Shaun is pleased that the team is already playing a a high level and constantly gets into the finals but he believes that it can improve. If the team can play the outside better, build on defense and tackling then it will win a premiership final.

On Friday, 28 February 2014 the Burra's will put on a Training Intra Club game at home to hone their skills and supporters are invited to come along.

Read more about the Burra's Football Club

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Lydia Lassila Wins Bronze at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games

Our champion Lydia Lassila has won a bronze medal in the final of the freestyle skiing ladies' aerials at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.

Nerves of steel ... Bronze medalist Lydia Lassila of Australia celebrates after
the flower ceremony for the freestyle skiing ladies' aerials finals.
Photo: Getty Images

Lydia attempted the most difficult aerial ever attempted by a woman at the Olympics - a quad-twisting triple sumersault. It was an amazing feat but unfortunately she landed hard and could not stay on her skis, but did enough to take third place with a score of 72.12.

 

There was concern that Lassila would not be able to compete in the sudden-death rounds after crashing in a training run, but she composed herself and committed to jump with a level of difficultly that would have taken gold had she landed smoothly.

 

She was very pleased with herself.  "That was the maximum effort for me today and I could not have performed better," Lydia told Channel 10.

 

The bronze was Australia's second medal of the Sochi Games, following Torah Bright's silver in the snowboard halfpipe.

We, at Diggers Talk, congratulate Lydia and her family and are glad that she is safe.

Article extract from The Age, Sochi Winter Olympics: Defending Olympic champion Lydia Lassila takes bronze in the ladies’ aerials final, 15 February 2014

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Lydia Competes Tonight at 12.45am

Diggers Rest's own Lydia Lassila is aiming for a second consecutive aerial skiing gold medal tonight at the Sochi Olympics.

Lydia Lassila. Photo: Scott McNaughton

Diggers Rest's own Lydia Lassila is aiming for a second consecutive aerial skiing gold medal tonight at the Sochi Olympics. In 2010, she became a household name when she claimed gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada.

When Lydia was 12, her family moved to Holden Road, Diggers Rest and gymnastics became more than a pastime. She competed at the Niddrie Gymnastics Club and then moved into elite gymnastics at Methodist Ladies’ College in Kew. Lassila finished high school at MLC, making the daily commute from Diggers Rest.

Lydia is going for gold again. We all wish her the best in competition and know that she is proud to represent Australian and Diggers Rest.


Full Article by Melton and Moorabool Weekly, Olympics: Our own Lydia Lassila goes for gold tonight! 14 Feb 2014

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Movement at the RDFL - Article by the Sunbury Weekly

Sixteen clearances have so far been approved in the Riddell District Football League.

Photo: Chris Fleming from the Midland Express

Michael Brennan, Dale Saddington and Marcus Webb join Kilmore from Whittlesea, while Grant Hateley joins Broadford from Glenrowan. Confirmed departures include Ben Watkins from Rupertswood, Brad Cunningham from Diggers Rest and Brad Czerny from Broadford. Several big clearances are still pending, including Matthew Krul, seeking a move from Rockbank to Diggers Rest, and Nicholas Wilson, looking to move to Broadford from Romsey.

A number of clearances were denied. Lancefield leading goalkicker John Baker will not be moving to Sunbury.

Article by Daniel Paproth for the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Weekly

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New Diggers Rest Ladies Team Played This Week

Things are looking up for the Diggers Rest Tennis Club with a new ladies team.

The players: Molly, Emma, Cassidy, Emer and, not in above photo, Lauren and Maddison have joined up to play in the Northern Suburbs Association. They played on Tuesday night and were off to a great start with a win against East Coburg.

Well done ladies and we wish that you continue to enjoy the game.

It has been at least two years since a ladies team joined the club and so the everyone is very excited to see the new girls play.

If anyone is interested in learning to play tennis then coaching is available. Tennis is a great way to make friends while getting active.

If you wish to learn, play, find out more, or join the club then call Linda on 0400 435 620.

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Calisthenics Begins This Week

Come and try the Sunbury School of Calisthenic in February and there's something for everyone. 

Its fun to learn dance, gymnastics, ballet, singing and acting. Everyone, from 3½ to adult, can join in the events, classes and activities.

The Sunbury School of Calisthenic has been running for 30 years to bring a generation of enjoyment for everyone involved. There are lessons, competitions, awards, SunFest and its a great place to make friends.

The school is taking on new students throughout the month of February so contact them straight away to find out how to join in.

Find out more at the Sunbury School of Calisthenic website

Contacts

Phone number:  9539 4349
Mailing address: PO Box 557, Sunbury 

Secretary: Melissa DiBlasi  melissadiblasi@hotmail.com

Web Administrator: Trish Rocis email:trish265@bigpond.com

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Support Our Local Champion At Sochi - Lydia Lassila

Only 14 days to go before the Winter Olympics begin at Sochi and our champion is fighting for her second gold medal.

Lydia grew up on a farm at Holden Road, Diggers Rest in a hard working and good natured family. As a little girl, she learned gymnastics and then later turned her attention to aerial skiing. There's no snow around Diggers Rest, so she would catapult off a steep ramp, do somersaults in the air, to land in a deep water filled dams. If anyone thinks that its safe sport then they are crazy.

Lydia has the heart of a lioness and the faith that she is doing her best for our nation and town.

Lydia has come a long since those early days, who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.  On 20 October 2010, Lydia was awarded by the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame the prestigious The Don award, recognising her ability to inspire as well as her achievements during 2010.

Support our girl in Russia as she takes on the world's best again.

Join Lydia on her Facebook page

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Lydia Lassila Is Undeterred By The Danger

The suicide bombings in Russia serve as a chilling reminder of what the Winter Olympics represent to terrorists: A high-profile target with more than 2,500 athletes, some of them world-famous, waving the flags of nearly 90 nations.

So, while many Olympic leaders offered reassurance on the day after two bombings 400 miles from Sochi killed at least 31 people, some of those getting ready to compete in the Games spoke of a different reality. They know their security is never sure thing.

But Olympic aerial skiing champion Lydia Lassila, from Diggers Rest, said she was ‘not concerned’ about her safety in Sochi. ‘We all put a lot of faith in security at any Olympics and I’m confident Russia is using all measures to ensure security is sound,’ Lydia said.

The threat of terrorism at the Olympics has been in the forefront since 1972, when members of a Palestinian terrorist group invaded the Olympic village and killed 11 Israeli athletes.

Security rose to a new level at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, which came only five months after the September 11 attacks. Improvements in technology, along with ever-present threats of terrorism, have turned security into a top priority for any country hoping to host the Olympics.

Among the security measures Russia has put in place for this year’s games is a requirement that all ticket-holders obtain and wear ‘spectator passes’ while attending events. To get a spectator pass, fans have to provide passport and contact information to authorities.

We hope and pray that Lydia is save when she competes this year. She is a wonderful lady with a wonderful family.

Extract From: The Daily Mail

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Junior Football - A Terrific Way Of Getting Kids Involved In Sport

The Junior Football Club of Diggers Rest is preparing for the 2014 season and inviting kids and parents to find out about our club.

There are terrific reasons to get kids involved in football:

1. Children love sport! Running around and having a go, Football is a great way for children to run around and use up some of what seems like an endless supply of energy.
2. Friendly competition teaches life skills. It is a fun way to build up the confidence required to be successful in school and provides an understanding of both achievement and disappointment in a supportive atmosphere.
3. Overall health and fitness is becoming increasingly important in a society where physical activity has been replaced by the convenience of technology. Competitive team sports are an opportunity for people of all ages to have fun while exercising with the encouragement of your team and supporters.
4. The social benefits are also well worth mentioning. Your child not only will have an interest they can share with others but will also get to mix with a new group of people. This allows social skills to be improved and increased self-esteem.
5. Football in particular will help improve physical fitness, hand-eye coordination and communication through working as a team. Club members enjoy a feeling of community and friendship.

The teams kicking off for 2014 are:

• Boys and girls from under 10 to under 14, 
• Boys under 16 Season 2014 and 
• Girls interested in being involved in the planning of a Youth Girls Competition!

Please contact Mel Tyquin on 0400 742 187

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