Border Zipper Club

12/10/2026

29/09/2026

Appropriately, on World Heart Day, the Border Zipper Club presented a cheque for $2,000 to the Cardiac Rehab unit at Wodonga Hospital today. Along with a $500 donation from the Birallee Tavern Social Club, the funds will be used to purchase a much needed leg press machine which is used to help patients rebuild strength and confidence after surgery. The much appreciated donations, largely supported by The Haus of Meat (of Birallee and Lavington) with their monthly donation of a meat tray, is much appreciated by Albury Wodonga Health and is seen as a fine example of community generosity reflecting the many practical forms community support can take.
Members Carolyn (the self-elected co-Chair), Sam (the self-elected co-co-Chair), Matt (also known as One Job) and Jim (keeping the others under control) met with AWH staff Sarah, Kirsten and Anthea at Wodonga Hospital this morning and were treated to cup cakes (which we're not sure would get the heart tick) after they handed over the cheque!
To further publicise the community-minded approach of the Zipper Club, member Matt (One Job) Burke will be the star attraction on the Sandra Moon Show on the ABC tomorrow morning at 7.45am - if you're out of bed by then, it'll be worth a listen!

16/09/2026

I'm not sure whether Carolyn is calling for the hand pass here but somehow she's wound up in the photo with the Legends and Hall of Famers.
Ron does not look amused, Dave looks surprised and Des, Vin & Merv are wondering where Carolyn earnt her legend status - we think it might be from the AFLW grand final in 1980!

16/09/2026

And here's a big shout out for Mark Bollinghaus and his staff at The Haus of Meat, Birralee and Lavington.
Thanks to their generosity and donation of a $50 meat tray every month, the Border Zipper Club has now donated 2 vital machines to the Albury Wodonga Health Cardiac Rehab unit using proceeds from our monthly raffles (aka Sam's Scam).
In their own way, Mark and staff have done more for Border heart surgery patients in the last couple of years than any government department and for this we are eternally grateful.
So please remember to drop in, give them a thumbs up and stock up the the freezer for the forthcoming BBQ season!
Thanks Mark - we truly appreciate your efforts.

16/09/2026

It wouldn't be a Zipper Club lunch without Sam rifling your pocket - he's the only bloke who can sell the last 3 tickets 25 times - he says it's a gift, some think it's salesmanship, most think it's a rip-off! - but at the end of the day it's for a great cause and the regular donation by The Haus of Meat is greatly appreciated. Money raised from our monthly raffle has resulted in two significant donations to the Albury Wodonga Health Cardiac Rehab unit - a blood pressure monitor and most recently we have provided funds for a leg press machine which sounds rather torturous but is a vital piece of equipment for rehab patients. This month's lucky raffle winner was Paul Schirmer with the winning ticket drawn by Dave McLeish and scrutineered by Mr Entertainment. Paul is shown here with a couple of our legends and Carolyn (holding OJ Burke's 2nd prize) - looking rather surprised that his ticket was actually among those tiny screwed-up pieces of paper that we all thought only had Sam's name on them!

16/09/2026

Another very successful event at Eddie's Tavern yesterday saw us entertained by Dave McLeish (Swan's Hall of Famer and Wodonga Premiership coach ) for our Grand Final lunch. We were also graced with the presence of Vin Doolan (ex North Melbourne, O&M Hall of Famer & coach of Rutherglen and Wangaratta) and Des Richardson (O&M Hall of Famer and 5 time O&M Rep), all accompanied by our own legend - Ron Montgomery (Footballer, Administrator and self-appointed legend) and Merv King (Albury premiership player and self-confessed polished media performer).
David gave us a rundown on his football career starting as a fast-growing 14 year old at Kerang before going on to play 213 games for the South Melbourne Swans including a stint under the legendary Norm Smith and culminating in membership of the Swans Hall of Fame. A great lunch and our thanks to Dave and his football counterparts.

28/08/2026

Maggie and new member Tony looking rather happy and satisfied after another lovely lunch at Sodens although Russell looks like he is still wondering about that!
Or is he just pondering whether Mr Entertainment will ever shut up?

28/08/2026

Talk about Roses between the Thorns - Shannon and Shirley are probably feeling a bit outflanked by Merv & Ronnie (trust Ronnie to hog the camera on his first meeting back)

26/08/2026

Sam and Shannon drew the monthly scam with Brian Webb the lucky winner (Webby reckons he's bought thousands of tickets over the years and this is the first time Sam has written his name on them).
Bill thought he'd add a bit of class to the winner's photo!