The timber industry’s finest met on the golf course last month.
The International Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo is one of the world’s oldest service organisations, dating back to 1892. Its members are drawn from the forest industry’s many branches and it has one core aim: “to foster the health, happiness, and long life of its members”. For over a century the order has brought together industry members for networking and support, and community fundraising.
Early last month the Melbourne Hoo-Hoos joined forces with the newer but equally passionate about timber MGA TMA Timber Merchants Australia and 62 players took to the greens of the Kingston Heath Golf Club for the annual Timber Industry Golf Day. With good prizes and good food the order of the day, thanks to sponsors Porta Timber, Bowens Timber & Hardware, Tilling Timber, Hurford Wholesale, Britton Timbers, Lonza Wood Protection and Mathews Timber, the 17 teams were ready to enjoy themselves.
A convivial buffet opened the event, with chinos and shorts taking the place of plus fours. The rules were run through: teams would be given cards listing their handicap and starting hole then dispatched for a shot gun start at 12.30.
Prizes would be given to the first-, second- and third-placed teams, in addition to awards for nearest the pin on the 5th, 10th and 15th holes and longest drive on the 4th, 14th and 18th holes and a raffle with first prize of a new set of clubs, bag and buggy (plus wine). Proceeds for the day were pledged to the Country Fire Authority.
Come the hour, play commenced and, amid a great deal of chatting, industry talk and joking, some rather fine golf was committed. In first place, taking home a replica of the RJ Parish Trophy, was one of the two Bowens teams, made up of John and Andy Bowen along with Paul and Sam Langford-Jones. Second place went to the Britton Timbers team: Dean Rawlings, Nick Donovan, Anthony Smith and Peter Van Vegten. Third went to the Jackaroo team of Michael Craven, Peter O’Prey, Greg Seymour and Steve Beck.
The Nearest the Pin challenges went to Bruce Langford-Jones for the 5th hole, Peter Van Vegten for the 10th and SE Pine’s Goran Runje (playing with the National Forest Products team) for the 15th. The Longest Drive prizes went to Bob Remmers for the 4th hole, Chris Lang of Lamcal Building Supplies for the 14th and Chris Delley of Maxi Metals Ind. for the 18th. And to complete the list of winners, the main raffle prize was taken home by Jeff Rudd of Hurford Wholesale.
Most importantly, funds from the day will go towards fighting Victorian bushfires and supporting the brave CFA members – a seriously good result for a group with a silly name and a light-hearted ethos.
TTN’s own Julie McConachy was among the attendees. “This is what our industry is so good at,” she said, “coming together for good causes and a good laugh.”
Julie added, “It was wonderful catching up with everyone, not only did I have a wonderful chat with three generations of the Bowen family, I got to renew my friendship with Paul and Sam Langford-Jones, who built my house!”
For more, visit www.hoo-hoo-jiv.org.au or www.mgatma.com.au
