Ashley Robinson is the master of self-deprecation. He reckons he has two sorts of luck – bad luck and no luck. As a lifetime resident of the Coast, this former publican has plenty of nostalgic memories to share. No culture in killing horses
| Ashley Robinson
What a great win for the Maroons.
It reminded me of the backs-to-the-wall victory in 1989 when troops were falling, but spirit prevailed.
I do feel for Blues coach Craig Bellamy who was a genius after Game One but is copping a bit of flak now.
The sad thing is he helped develop the players who beat the Blues, which once again highlights the unique quality of Origin footy.
Feel free to call me a bleeding heart but I can’t believe that in a civilised country we can condone steeple/ hurdle races.
If you missed it, and I hope you did last Saturday in the so-called cultural capital of Australia where only four horses finished out of a field of 13 in one of their blue ribbon events, The Grand National, at Flemington.
It was one of the saddest things I have seen with a couple of the entrants being put down on the track, of course with the obligatory green tent around them to save the fans from being put off their Moet by having to witness a beautiful horse with a snapped leg.
Thoroughbred racing is one thing but sending God’s creatures over jumps for something like four kilometres is ridiculous and in my opinion has about as much culture and tradition as bull fighting and fox hunts and should be left with the Poms.
Royal Beerwah golf pro, John Mellish, a Manly tragic, rang me the other day with something that even shook my imagination to its foundations.
I am not sure whether John (I love Geoff Toovey) Mellish has been sniffing the fertiliser out of the green keeper’s shed but he is adamant that Jonathan Thurston is heading to the Sharks next year.
Between mumbling "Go the Eagles, last year was just bad luck”, he reckons that the Cowboys are moving their skipper on. Interesting.
I was away last week and couldn’t find anything much on who won the Fenech v Nelson oldest grudge match the other night.
Seemed to me that the media may have taken the whole thing with a grain of salt which highlights the bizarre goings on, but even Kostya Tszyu added strength to anti “aged” boxing arguments when a few weeks ago he was quoted as saying when asked whether he would comeback, “It’s not about the money but if I did, it would have to be a big purse”.
Big night of kick boxing on July 19 at the Sunshine Coast Events Centre with local stars Kurt Finlayson, Brodie Stadler, Heather O’Donnell and a host of other local fighters.
The Fogarty brothers, Robert and Richard are proving once again what a generous community we have on the Coast by donating proceeds to the Cancer Council Queensland.
These guys are going the extra yard in many ways on the Coast. For tickets call 5491 4240.
No doubt about the success of the Melbourne Storm, they are certainly a tight-knit group. I heard a story the other day that their annual Mothers team function included flying Matt King’s mother down even though he is playing in England.
Coach Bellamy considers them all part of the family, and wants to remind old and new players of their contribution, doesn’t miss a trick does he?
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Published 6 July 2008 06:36
Updated 6 July 2008 10:51
Bindi, the Emmy-winning daughter of late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, is getting her own 25cm doll, dressed in khakis and sporting binoculars, a camera and other outback gear, as well as a cockatoo, a wombat and a python.
In the talking version of the doll, Bindi uses such phrases as, "Crikey! Let's go help wildlife", and "You can make the world a better place", the Plain-Dealer newspaper reported in Cleveland, Ohio.
The replica of the child star is part of a toy line being developed by Wild Republic, a division of K&M International Inc, based in Twinsburg, Ohio.
The company began marketing a Steve Irwin doll several months after the Australian TV show host's September 2006 death from a poisonous stingray barb piercing his chest. The rubber dolls based on his daughter are set for US retailers this September.
Bindi Irwin's career began with appearances on her father's shows and later expanded to live music performances and child-fitness DVDs.
Bindi the Jungle Girl, a child-friendly version of her father's show, began in June 2007 on the Discovery Channel. Bindi, nine, won a Daytime Emmy last month for the show and also a Logie in May for most popular new female talent.
Wild Republic said the line is meant to be wholesome and spread Bindi's message about conservation. A portion of the doll sales will help fund efforts to breed endangered species and rescue animals.