Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Three Cohuna bowls players were part of a regional team that took out the championship title at the Region Sides Championships late last month ... Jarred Hammond and Harrison Keely of Cohuna Golf Bowls were part of the Murray Mallee Bowls Region side, which was victorious in the Men’s Silver Tier Championship at the 2023 Region Sides Championships in Echuca and Moama from May 26-28.

Not everyone can say their dog has saved lives, but for the owners of our local blood donor dogs, they can rightly shout it from the rooftop. Chocolate Pudding, known as ‘Pud’, has saved at least 13 sick local dogs, but the time has come to retire from his blood donor days. 

Women in the region will have access to extra maternity care following the launch of Cohuna District Hospital’s Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) service. The MGP was launched at the hospital on Friday, May 5 – the International Day of the Midwife – to an audience of community members, officials and hospital staff.

“The decision to cease services was abrupt and without consultation, and it puts our community at risk,” said Dr Peter Barker about Bendigo Radiology’s decision to withdraw its services from Cohuna. Bendigo Radiology withdrew its services from its base at Cohuna District Hospital effective from the end of April, leaving the town without a replacement service, and leaving residents across the region to travel out of town for vital scans.

Hundreds of people across the district flocked to Anzac Day marches and services ... A large crowd surround the memorial park to hear Cohuna/Leitchville RSL president, Geoff Dale, conduct the service, with assistance from military personnel, school children, Gannawarra Shire Council CEO Geoff Rollinson and Sergeant Josh Coombs. 

It has been a whirlwind ride to the top for former Cohuna lad, Jamie Harrison. The 22-year-old competed in the Australian Track & Field Championships in Brisbane at the weekend making it through to the finals of the 800m event ... Jamie has advice for Cohuna and district youngsters who are keen on athletics.

After a 43-year hiatus, the 209 team of the Leitchville Fire Brigade has fired up again. Sporting shirts in the original team colours, the team entered its first competition after just six weeks of training.

Xavier Wishart spent a week of his school holidays in Hobart – but he didn’t have much time to see the sights – he was there for the Under 17 National Championships of cricket. The championships were held at several locations across Hobart from January 16 to 23 with teams playing six matches.

If you’re aged between 3 and 60 and grew up in the district, chances are you were taught to swim by Geoff Dale. Geoff has celebrated 30 years of his Geoffswim program, which has seen him teach swimming and water safety to the youth of Cohuna since 1992. But his swimming teaching goes back much further – to 1967.