Brad goes in to bat

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
GEMBROOK MP Brad Battin has thrown his support behind Victoria’s flood-ravaged communities, packing sandbags and even picking up a cricket bat for the flood relief effort.
Mr Battin spent two days in Cohuna recently to help sandbag homes threatened by rising flood waters.
He also assisted at the local relief centre, where dozens of volunteers worked round the clock to help people in need.
“Thousands of people have pulled together to help their fellow Australians in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland,” Mr Battin said.
“It was an honour to work alongside these dedicated volunteers, particularly the Red Cross who have volunteers from all over Australia travelling to help out.”
Mr Battin also took part in a cricket fundraiser on Thursday 27 January that saw Federal and State Parliamentarians from both sides of politics get together to raise $20,000.
The politicians were pitted against each other and the Crusaders, a team of former Test, First Class and District players, at St Kilda’s Junction Oval.
Despite Mr Battin’s contribution of two ducks and a four, the State Government side managed to defeat the Federal MPs, who came in last.
“The cricket was a great way to raise money and it was good to see State and Federal MPs from both parties come together to help victims of the floods,” he said.