Everyone a winner

FREE community activities and heroic race performances were highlights at the Heathcote Community Games and O’Keefe Challenge last weekend.

There were events for all ages and abilities, and free family-friendly activities.

“We are very grateful to our community for supporting our local Heathcote and District Community Bank throughout the year, allowing them to once again be the major sponsor of HCG at the O’Keefe event,” said community house executive officer Vicki Forde.

“The free family friendly activities are an amazing addition to the O’Keefe event, allowing our community to enjoy some free family fun without it having to cost them a packet, or to drive to another town, and it keeps the children entertained for hours.

“The first ever HCG event was held in 2015 and was a huge success bringing families out to have fun and connecting our community groups, businesses and amazing volunteers.

“In 2016 HCG ran a fun run which quickly became, later that year, the O’Keefe Challenge event that is still running today.

 

“We are very proud of the connection and awareness our mascots Fazzi (Brush-tailed Phascogale) and Priscilla (The Powerful Owl) continue to bring to our local and extended community, about our local critters and our beautiful environment.

“We look forward to continuing the important awareness.”

Ms Forde said anyone interested in being a part of the HCG events in future are welcome to reach out.

“Call Heathcote Community House on 5433 2820 for more information,” she said.

More than 700 entries were received for the O’Keefe Challenge events which included a marathon, half marathon, a superhero dash, relays and a 1.5km quiz walk around Heathcote.

 

The results were:

Marathon Male: 1 David STAEHR;

2 David PARFITT; 3 Chris BYASS

Female: 1 Alexandra MOW;

2 Jennifer LUCAS; 3 Robyn FLETCHER

Half-marathon

Male: 1 Rhys WHITTAKER;

2 Darren LAPTHORNE;

3 Jason BISHOP

Female: 1 Kimberley EGAN;

2 Georgie JENKINS;

3 Ruth SANDEMAN

10km ‘Arundell Cup’ Fun Run

Male: 1 Jake REID: 2 Ben FULLARD;

3 Dan JUDD

Female: 1 Martineau BYRNE;

2 Milanke HAASBROEK;

3 Ruby CROFTS

5km Run / Walk against Dementia

Male: 1 Brad ARNOTT; 2 Toby MCCAIG; 3 Charlie FELLS

Female: 1 Jessica MAYNE;

2 Emily CONROY;

3 Charlotte LAWRENCE

Ekiden Relay

Male: TEAM Not Really Runners

Female: At The Bar Fitness – Yeah The Girls

Family: The Honourable Linton Minchwell

Mixed Team: Jill’s 6 Pack

Mini-Eki: Bendigo Pacemakers

 

HCG have released a colouring competition featuring Sugar, Streak and Swifty, to re-introduce these characters to younger members in the community.

“Children can pick up a colouring sheet at HCH weekdays from 9am to 3pm, and drop back, to enter the weekly prizes,” Ms Forde said.

“Don’t forget contact name and details, along with the child’s name and age on the front or back of the entry.

“Anyone who cannot return their entries during our operational hours, can drop them into the box kept in the trolley cupboard near the front door.”