There were fears the retirement of visiting specialist Professor Dennis Yue in October last year would mean the health of patients would suffer.

Just when Griffith Branch of Australian Diabetes Council president Tom Marriott had almost given up all hope, Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital yesterday confirmed it would be business as usual.

Mr Marriott called the announcement "absolutely wonderful".

"It means dozens and dozens of people with diabetes complications will now, like before, be able to get an appointment with the clinic," he said.

"The good thing about this clinic is that it's so comprehensive. Formerly Professor Yue would collate all of the information and pass on

While the Ashes is a fiercely fought cricket contest between England and Australia, the “MarmalAshes” is just as fiercely fought – but is more preserve on spoon, than bat on ball.

For the past three years an Australian 11 marmalade has been sent across the globe to take on an English 11.

In 2011, Australia’s disastrous Ashes loss to England led to the creation of the MarmalAshes trophy in the small town of Buninyong in Victoria.

For Mr O’Donnell, just making the prestigious side is a sweet result.

“I’m glad to have had my marmalade selected, it’s a bit of fun and nice to be a part of it,” he said.

“I’ve been making marmalade for a couple of years now. The reason I started was because I had excess naval oranges.

“I use organic oranges and sugar to make it.

“At the start of this year I sent some down to Buninyong and forgot all about it, until I got sent a copy of a certificate saying that I’d won the best sweet marmalade and it had been included in the Australian 11 to compete in England.”

Mr O’Donnell’s marmalade will now head to Cumbria in England, where it will go up against some of the world’s best.

If you want to be bowled over by Mr O’Donnell’s marmalade call into O’Donnell’s in Ulong Street.