Thanks so much for everyone's support in the 2012 Farm to Pub raffle.  Below are the winners.

One of the winners of the 'Mens Health - 6 month subscription' didn't actually get their voucher with the magazine and their name was missed on the raffle prizes winners list, so if this was you please contact farmtopub@gmail.com so it can be sent to you!! 

Sources close to the Wals family have indicated that family patriarch, John "Jack" Wals, has made it clear he will be putting his feet up after this years Farm to Pub ride.

The 68yo semi-retired dairy farmer has been making the long trek across the state from Denison in Gippsland for several years, and his trademark bluey singlet complete with 'woolen' rug underneath is as part of the Farm to Pub furniture as Sandy Lane. 

However he's not getting any younger, and he's made several off the record comments about what he deems harsh handicapping (in his 4 years he's been thereabouts but never taken line honours) and seems he's decided it's time to pull the pin, and instead sit at home and watch old British sit-com repeats on the digital TV channels whilst enjoying his favourite meal - a Mexican Parma.

The 2012 Farm to Pub will be held on Saturday the 18th of February.As per recent years, the first runners will begin the trek into the pub @ 5pm, with a finish time of 7pm at the Pub.If you'd like to sponsor the event, help on prior and/or during the day as a volunteer, or have any questions, send us an email at farmtopub@gmail.com or call Phil Joyce on 0438 092 074. You can enter on-line here.  Early bird ($15pp) until Fri 3rd of Feb, late entries ($30pp) close Mon 13th of Feb.https://regonline.activeglobal.com/2012farmtopub  

2011 Farm to Pub Report

The 8th Annual Farm to Pub held on Saturday the 19th of February 2011 was a resounding success.  Nearly 200 people ran, rode or walked their way into the Willaura Pub, with many recording PBs in the almost ideal conditions that were a far cry from the hot and unpleasant environment that has been commonplace in recent years.  Furthermore a record amount of over $9k raised for Beyond Blue, largely thanks to the wonderful raffle organized by Caz & Phil Joyce.
Too see all the raffle winners – follow this link

http://www.farmtopub.org/?q=node/400
 

Phil & Caz are still tallying the $$, but at this stage it looks like over $9k was raised for Beyond Blue.  We'll confirm later this week on what has been a great effort.

RAFFLE WINNERS

2011 AFL Memberships Raffle: David Staehr & Barb Wild.

General Raffle Winners
$199.95 Brooks Running Shoes Voucher: David Staehr.
$200 Nobu Voucher: Gerald McCarthy.
AFL, 4 Tickets to Anzac Day Match: Jo Lee.
Nights accommodation at Big 4 Bellaraine: Quentin Cook.
Big 4 2yr Membership: Matt Connelly.
Hamper & 6mth Mens Health Subscriptions: Gerard Sheehan, Nick Joyce, Mark Rankin, Mary Mathison & Janifer Dooley.
Contract Carpentry Tradie for a Day: Caroline Baldwin.
Warner Movies Blue Ray DVD Pack: Tim Haha Nab Perth.
Warner Movies DVD Pack: Chelsea Nab Perth.
Blackmores Hamper: Daniel Ginnane.
Maxwell Williams Tajines: Jane McKinnis, Pip H.
Dymo Label Maker & Hoover Handivac: Ron Cotter.
Herald Sun/Sunday Sun 12mth Delivery: Luke Joyce.
VRC Table for 2 at Racemeeting:  Wayne Aitken.
Delicious Magazine 12month Subscription: Karen Doody.
Binoculars Kevin Paisley Fashion Eyewear: Tim Harris, Tim Harris.
Hamper of Goods: Julian Norman.
Ararat Retrovision Mantel Clock: Brooke T.
$50- Westfield Voucher: Robert Sheehan.
Photo Memories Hampers: Nick Joyce, Jack.
Masterfoods Spice Rack: Timmy HaHa Nab Perth.
2 Passes Adventure Park & Travel Bag: Nick S.
Willow Cooler Packs: Bonnie R (yeah, yeah !!) & Leah Powell.
Mt Langi Ghiran Wines: Gerard Sheehan, Mary Hitchens & Kelly McKinnon.
Always Fresh Hamper: Leslie Short.
Breville Slowcooker: Peter Nab Perth.
Breville Wok: Lisa Pickering.

More detail to follow, but in short...

Ararat's Brady Curran has taken out the 2011 Farm to Pub, overtaking Horsham's Jill Taylor late in the race to etch his name into history.

David Staehr from Kaniva has smashed the previous course record, scorching over the course in 57:41.  Previous record holder John Walsh of Ballarat broke his own record and was the first man under 60 minutes, finishing in 59:02, but this record stood for only a minute or so, when David finished to take the record lower.

Tim Frampton of Ararat and Daniel Trevena from Sydney also bettered the old mark.

With thanks to the Protagonist!...

Those of you that follow the news & current affairs would be well familiar with WikiLeaks, whereby various classified documents such as diplomatic cables have been leaked and placed online.

And it would be no surprise to any of our readers that Farm to Pub was mentioned in dispatches. Here is just one example:

********************************************************************

Big thanks to the Willaura & District Quilters who have donated $600 to Beyond Blue on our behalf.

The group consists of Lois Brain, Annie Gellert, Sarah Guthrie, Heather Fleming, Katie Duver, Judy Paterson, Anna Gray, Helen-Mary Macleod, Jane Gibson, Ruth Gellert, Lesley Gibson, Margie Kilpatrick, Kate Connellan, Bernie Perovich and Jan Laidlaw.

In 2009/10 they made two quilts from men's silk ties, which were then raffled.  They chose to distribute the funds towards Men's Health via two organisations, the Look Good Feel Good program for men with cancer run by the Ararat Hospital, and Beyond Blue.  They raised $1200, so $600 to each which is a great effort.

2010 Farm to Pub Report 

Record numbers participated in the 7th Annual Farm to Pub, held at Willaura on Saturday the 20th of February 2010.  Over 180 entrants were greeted by a hot day, with the temperature in the low 30s, though with the occasional clouds providing much relief from the scorching sun.  Some consolation to runners was that the breeze was a tailwind (northerly).