It all kicked off on Thursday when Steve Jacobs and the Today Show from Channel Nine landed in Wagga on a C-130 Hercules, where the city of Wagga, as well as the RAAF Base, was showcased nationally.

On White Ribbon Day, the Mt Austin Public School again showed they are capable of hosting an amazing event, where the children released 68 balloons into the sky, in respect to the women who have lost their lives across Australia to an intimate partner since White Ribbon Day 2015.

This was followed by a luncheon that involved cuisine put together by the various families from different multicultural backgrounds with children at the school.

The day culminated in the hosting of the inaugural Wagga White Ribbon Gala Ball, which was held in front of a sell-out crowd of 300 guests at the Wagga RSL Club. 

The MC Simon Bouda from National Nine News captivated the audience during his interview of Victory Cross recipient Keith Payne from the Vietnam War and the parents of Cameron Baird VC, tragically killed in the Afghanistan War. 

This followed an interview with Gail Meyer, manager of the Wagga Women’s Health Centre. 

An auction of donated goods from various business houses in Wagga raised several thousand dollars. 

The guests filled the dance floor, grooving to the amazing music performed by the Kapooka Military Band. 

The night raised a total of $25,000, which will be shared between White Ribbon Australia and the Wagga Women’s Health Centre.  

The Wagga community has clearly taken a stand over the ongoing reports of violence against women and in particular intimate partner violence, in supporting the message that White Ribbon sends – men preventing male violence against women.

AS PRESIDENT of Lake Albert Cricket Club (LACC), to be singled out as a club in the article headlined “Bad spirit” in The Daily Advertiser on November 30 was very disappointing.

We are a club that is committed to playing the game by the rules and within the spirit of the game.

The two umpires who officiated the game deemed the use of the by-law in question as correct and legitimate.

The by-law was adopted from Cricket Albury Wodonga (CAW) and has been used in the same manner as LACC applied it against St Michaels for five years.

This is an opportunity for Wagga Wagga District Cricket Association (WWDCA), when writing future by-laws, to be clear and concise so there can be no interpretation, especially as this very by-law was questioned and clarity sought by LACC representatives at the special general meeting.

LACC was emailed a directive on November 25 to provide information to WWDCA no later than December 2.

LACC was instructed in this directive not to quote and or reference WWDCA by-laws as a part of our response as to why LACC played 12 players.

This is an unreasonable request, as by-laws are separate to the laws of cricket that govern what is deemed acceptable practice.

LACC delivered its response to WWDCA three days before the deadline.

Our club and players have achieved success not by bending and misinterpreting by-laws, instead have done so by developing a positive club culture with exemplary club standards, hard work, transparency and a genuine passion for the game.

LACC shall continue to play the game within the laws of cricket and the WWDCA by-laws.