More than 120 locals and guests of the High Country attended the fifth annual Omeo MND Business of Sport Luncheon and Mountain Challenge on Friday at the Omeo Football Club.
Following the luncheon on Friday evening the annual football match was won by the Mt Hotham/Dinner Plains Demons, coached by Stephen and Harry Powell, who beat the Omeo Benambra team by two goals. On the netball court, Omeo Benambra got one back for the locals. Event coordinator, Damian Pendergast, said the luncheon and evening were well supported.
“I have to thank all the volunteers who put in their time and effort to make it such a great day and huge success,” he said. The luncheon began a little late as the planes carrying the guest speakers from Melbourne to Mt Hotham Airport had trouble leaving Essendon Airport.
Bev Brock OAM stood in for event emcee, Nick McCallum, who was aboard the delayed flight. Mr McCallum is a friend of the High Country and a popular television and radio journalist, who is a regular at the event. Mrs Brock introduced Jillian Kilby, a civil engineer from Dubbo, New South Wales, who was in the region giving talks to business people and local students.
Having successfully completed her studies at Stanford University, she is a standout young Australian who believes education given to benefit to many, will make Australia great.
Other luncheon speakers included retired AFL footballers Matt McGuire, David Cloke, David Shaw, a great Australian larrikin, Des Tuddenham, and outstanding young ambassador for AFLW, Melbourne gun, Ainslie Kemp, who has suffered from injury over the past 12 months.
Mr Tuddenham was the standout comedian, making everyone laugh every time he opened his mouth, including himself!
Asked who was the best footballer of his era, Mr Tuddenham paused for a moment before saying “I look at him in the mirror every morning”, which received a laughter-filled response.
IMAGE: Omeo MND Business of Sport Luncheon and Mountain Challenge coordinator, Damian Pendergast, with luncheon guests Bev Brock OAM, former VFL great, Des Tuddenham, who captained Collingwood and later Essendon, and David Shaw. Mr Tuddenham said it is unfortunate the AFL does not support country football, while Mr Shaw said he was critical of the AFL rules committee always wanting to tinker with the game. K905-1087
