While the dust storm on Saturday may have delayed the passenger flight out of Charleville that morning, there was no stopping a busload of golfers leaving town headed to Morven for the Morven Open Golf Day.

Undaunted by the thick dust, golfers bravely took to the course for the annual Morven Open on Saturday.

With wallets packed and first stubby for the day opened, these men were on a mission.

A victim of the high cost of liability insurance, Morven Golf Club, like so many other small community groups and sporting clubs in our region, struggles to stay afloat. But having a bus arrive from Charleville with its payload of golfers keen to play and even keener to pay not only helps bolster the small club’s coffers, but also emphasises the strength of community spirit that exists in the south west.

This is not the first time I have had the pleasure of witnessing such generosity, having previously travelled with the Charleville golfers on their tour of both Morven and Augathella - and I have no doubt it will not be my last. It’s by no means a case of ‘Big Brother’ condescendingly helping out the littlies - no - this is the members of the larger club in the district’s largest centre acknowledging the struggle that the clubs in our smaller towns go through.

While the golfers played, I discussed the situation with the women who were tirelessly making sandwiches and ensuring the esky on the drinks car was kept full - no mean feat, let me tell you.

It would seem we have a major problem out here with our smaller populations - a problem that is not being recognised or acknowledged by either our governments or the insurance companies. Liability insurance is making it virtually impossible for small clubs, community groups and school P&C’s to hold much needed fund-raising events in order for them to continue to exist.
These fund-raisers aren’t just about keeping a club or group going. They are about providing our communities with social and sporting events and facilities. They are about giving our adults and our children healthy activities and places where they can be a part of our community. They are about putting equipment into our schools and our hospitals. They are about enabling our children to go on camps or sporting tours enriching their lives and our own - enriching the entire community.

With this in mind, I now realise that, as weird as it may seem, a busload of intoxicated golfers returning to Charleville on Saturday evening is not something to be scoffed at, but rather something to be admired. They literally put their money where there mouths are.

Morven Golf Club Captain Terry Jukes said “Like everywhere, liability insurance is hurting us. This makes the day really important for us.”

But who won? Well as one player was heard to say “Who cares?” Fifteen golfers from Charleville got together with nine Morven golfers and they all had a most enjoyable day despite the dust.

But if you must know: A Grade Gross - Gary Wade, A Grade Nett - Dan Jones, Overall Gross - Rod Slater, B Grade Gross - L. Kinivan, B Grade Nett - Geoff “Rabbit” Warren, C Grade Gross - Phil “Big Bird” Greenway, C Grade Nett - J. Crawford, Naga - Barry Tuohey, Long Drive - Kim Jukes, Second Shot - L. Kinivan, Nearest Pin 8&17 - Clifford Jones, Nearest Pin 4&13 - Phil Greenway. The event was proudly sponsored by Tower Hardware and Beaurepaires, Charleville.

Kevin Alexander, Tower Hardware, said at the presentations at day’s end: “Thanks very much. We’re really happy to be here.” I say “Thanks very much to you all. I’m really happy you’re here.”

Although Charleville may have won most of the prizes (though I think they just got donated back anyway), it was Morven that came out on top. But in the long run, it’s through these types of events that we all win.

While governments and councils may consider tourism to be the next major industry, indeed, the saviour for the Outback, there must be more consideration given to the plight of rural and remote community groups and sporting clubs. A township is more than painted curbs and trimmed lawns. It is about shopping locally - and participating locally. It’s about supporting each other. Otherwise, all that will be here for the tourists are the buildings of our past and the stars in our sky.

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