The last game before the Christmas break was against Cuballing at Dumbleyung. A win would mean Kukerin-Dumbleyung would head into the break with one game up their sleeve but a loss would mean they fall back to the pack. The day started poorly when the toss was lost and with only half the team present, the team was instructed to kit up for fielding.

By the time the team took to the field there was nine of the team there however the shambolic start was a bad omen for the day. There was almost a change in the opening bowlers however David Head managed to arrive just in time to take the field. Despite some good bowling the chances didn’t come and the first wicket didn’t fall until the score had reached 45. From this start, things proceeded to get worse with the scoring rate lifting and no chances coming. The bowlers were rotated trying to find a chance but it wasn’t until the score reached 160 that another wicket fell. It then got worse again, Cuballing scored 100 runs in their last ten overs to reach 2/280 of their 45 overs.

A slight change up in the batting order saw Kalan Joyce enter the field with Matt Gilfellon but it wasn’t long before Dame Leo was back to his normal position of facing the opening bowlers. Dame and Kalan proceeded to start dismantling the bowling attack. Despite a lacklustre day, a win then started to look possible as the score raced to 80 off the first ten overs. Dame then fell, figuratively and literally and the fashion parade started. Some late order resistance added respectability to the score but Kukerin-Dumbleyung were never really in the game and in the end were bowled out for 159.
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The Christmas break will give the team a chance to relax, regroup and find some more players to have a crack at the second half of the season. Good luck to all the players heading off to Country Week.
Article by Jiminey Cricket

Kukerin travelled to Kulin last Saturday for pennants.  The game was played in ideal conditions and it was a very competitive contest, however at the end of the day Kulin had gained control firmly on one rink and won two others narrowly with Kukerin winning the fourth by a small margin thus giving Kulin a 7—1 winning result. This now leaves Kukerin in fourth place going into the holiday break so a big effort will be needed when the competition resumes if we are to feature in the finals at the end of the season.

On Sunday a small group of bowlers enjoyed late afternoon social bowls with some socialising in the evening.

Congratulations to Clive Bahr, Matthew King, and Graeme Smith who have been selected in the South Central Arunga Bowling League team to play in the Inter League Round Robin series at Katanning early January. Tim Adams was named as a reserve for the event  We wish them good bowling.  Also to Beverley Davidson and Debbie Smith who will represent the league in the I.L.R.R. ladies pairs at the end of January to be played at Gnowangerup.

During the holiday break bowls competitions will be advised by the captain via grapevine and email.
Finally we wish all bowlers and the general public a safe and peaceful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. 
Article by P.Adams

​Dumbleyung Tennis Club hosted the annual Junior Tournament On December the 11th. It was a great day with good support for the 18/U mixed doubles with eight pairs playing, sometimes very competitive and sometimes very social.  It was wonderful to see the high standard of tennis and also the young adults that were willing to have a go with limited tennis experience.  Thank you as this is what makes our local competition so special with our regulars coming back year after year.
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The 13/U and 11/U were light on in numbers for both the boys and girls so it was with loads of respect that our older players went out to play against the younger players and it was with diligence, perseverance and a few self-laughs that our younger players went and faced the daunting task of the big kids.

Thank you to the parents who umpired the younger kids during the day.  Congratulations and thank you to Carmen Bairstow for running another great tournament that our juniors enjoy. Thank you also to our fabulous sponsor Clem Henry shearing, with Megan Henry presenting awards on his behalf.
Another thank you to Jane Smith, Derryn Edwards and Tara Ball for all their help on the day.
Article by T.Ball

Results of the Round Robin Matches
18/U Mixed Doubles Champions with 6 wins Morgan Barr and Bradley O’Neil.  Runner-ups with 5 wins Shelley Quartermaine and Dan Wiese.  And we had 4 other pairs with 4 wins so it was close right to the end.
13/U Boys Doubles Champions, Marshall Browne and Rhori William-Joley and Runner-Up, Jack Faulkner and Alex Davidson.
11/U Boys Doubles Champions, Harrison Dolan and Thomas Dolan and Runner-Up, Blair Ball and Howie Clegg.
13/U Girls Doubles Champions, Carie Ball and Jemima Richardson and Runner-Up, Emma Wiese and Michaela Pratt.
11/U Girls Doubles Champions, Phoebe Browne and Kalei Boyd and Runner-Up, Claire Faulkner and Olivia Mycoe.
18/U Girls Knockout Singles Champion, Shelley Quatermaine and Runner-Up, Morgan Barr.
18/U Boys Knockout Singles Champion, Bradley O’Neil and Runner-Up, Jack Peace.
13/U Boys Singles Champion, Jack Faulkner and Runner-Up, Marshall Browne.
11/U Boys Knockout Singles Champion, Thomas Dolan and Runner-Up, Harrison Dolan.
13/U Girls Singles Champion, Carie Ball and Runner-Up, Jemima Richardson.
11/U Girls Knockout Singles Champion, Tandice Smith and Runner-Up, Claire Faulkner.

Mr Ken Hutchinson, pictured, from Whitley Bay, Northumberland United Kingdom popped into the Dumbleyung CRC on Friday December 16th to view the Bluebird Interpretive Display.

He was enthused to see the replica and information and excitedly reported that “the Bluebird was raised after seeking authorisation.  They found the boat about 30 years after it was crashed and brought it up and it has taken 10 years to repair it.  It is in Coniston now and I believe they are going to do two runs to try it out and then put it on display”. 

He reported that the boat was repaired on River Tynemouth in North Shields.

Mr Hutchinson was on the TransWA bus on his way through to Esperance, Kalgoorlie and then east and onto New Zealand and will return to the UK in two months.
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We love hearing the stories and connections people have with the Bluebird, Dumbleyung or Kukerin! If you know anyone that has a connection share their story here!

In 2016, 44 issues of the Quack Chat were sent to a database of now over 275 people! Before you could open the full newsletter (now the most opened link) the most opened article was ‘You gotta be in to win it!’ article in August. As you travel the Quack Chat travels, with the Quack Chat being read by locals travelling and/or living in America, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Singapore, France, Japan and Indonesia.

To capture all the great places you visit the Quack Chat will feature the ‘Travelling Duck’ in 2017. It will be a column for locals to share with us the great places they’ve been and any recommendations for others who might be thinking of visiting that town, state, territory or country!
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If you’re going away this festive season share with us the ‘must do’s’ of your location and a photo to make us all jealous! Send your ‘travelling duck’ stories to admin@dumbleyungcrc.com by Monday February 6, 2017.

On Wednesday December 14th the Kukerin Town Hall filled with family and friends for the Kukerin Primary School 2016 presentation night. The students channelled characters from the 2006 hit movie, ‘High School Musical’ and after many weeks of practise they performed extremely well in front of a large audience.

Also announced at the presentation night were the following award winners (see below), recognition to the six graduating students and the 2017 school captains – well done Alex Davidson and Olivia Mycoe!

2016 Award Winners
Academic Achievement Award – Darcy Kirby
Sportsperson Award – Jack Faulkner
Citizenship Award – Neve Mycoe
Senior Personal Achievement Award – Tandice Smith
Middle Academic Achievement Award – Claire Faulkner
Middle Personal Achievement Award – Preston Smith
Junior Academic Achievement Award – Angie Sebastian
Junior Personal Achievement Award – Xavier Nenke
Woodside Scitech Senior Science Award – Darcy Kirby
Woodside Scitech Junior Science Award – Ashleigh Faulkner
 
Awards and details supplied by Kukerin Primary School

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph had the weekend to rest as Santa used local transport to attend the Kukerin and Dongolocking Christmas Tree events on Friday December 16th and Sunday December 18th.

Without fail, the cool breeze of the Albany Doctor came in, making Santa feel at home as he arrived to the gazebo on Scadden Street by fire truck and gave gifts to all the good boys and girls in Kukerin. Kukerin Co-op board President Nigel Faulkner thanked Santa for attending and over 10 local businesses who made the event possible. Everyone then enjoyed a barbeque and an array of delicious salads.
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Santa then made his way to Dongolocking on Sunday by combi van to spread the Christmas cheer with Dongolocking children and families. Santa delivered presents to all the good boys and girls and was followed with a goose raffle for all to participate in. Attendees purchase tickets and a winner can choose a wrapped present – thanks to Dumbleyung Farmers Centre who donated a toy baler. After the raffle everyone enjoyed a great array of food and dessert.

​A free telephone after hours GP service hotline will be trialled in country WA to help with the demand over the summer season.
 
The 1800-CALL-A-DOC (1800 225 523) trial will run until March 31 and will compliment regular GP services. The Call-a-doc GP will inform your regular GP of your treatment with your consent. The trial is in partnership with Telstra’s health arm “ReadyCare” the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) and WA Country Health Service (WACHS). The initiative is supported with funding from the WACHS Southern Inland Health Initiative through Royalties for Regions.
 
Either call 1800-CALL-A-DOC or visit www.1800calladoc.com.au for more information.