Back to back, four-day working weeks don’t come around too often and while, we appreciate the days o , it certainly makes the rest of our working week more of a crunch!
I escaped Orange for the long weekend to visit family in Wagga Wagga, and it was such a pleasure to experience warm weather again! Not a whole lot warmer… but still, enough to have me looking for the shade at one point in the day and slapping plenty of sunscreen on the kids. I’d never spent time in Wagga before this trip, but it was nice to explore another regional city and see the Murrumbidgee in full flow. A highlight for the kids was the remarkable new playground at “Wagga Beach” that Orange City Council could do well to take a few pointers from.
This week we welcome Michelle Peters to the team at Orange City Life. Michelle has come on board as our o ce all-rounder and will be the front of the house for the business, but we believe she’ll soon be doing a lot more. Welcome, Michelle!
There’s still plenty going on around the city with the Orange Wine Festival, lots of live music, book launches, art events, school holiday activities and more as you’ll see inside this edition.
Orange City Life is grateful to the following sponsors for their ongoing support over many years. These
among others things, have enabled us to bring our readers a lot more enjoyment to our
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The long wait for the return of Millthorpe’s iconic corner store is almost over with finishing touches now being put in place for an October opening.
The eight-month closure of the historic business saw major renovation work to stabilise the iconic two-storey structure and get it up to 21st-century building standards.
In a nice touch for the local community, owner Adam Ashcroft has instituted a form of participatory democracy via social media, to determine both the store’s stock and a display of old images.
Opening under the new name, “Ashcrofts on Pym”, the outlet will revert to a mini-mart facility that it was for decades before recent owners turned it into a newsagent-cumco ee shop.
“We’re looking at, say, mid to late October? We’re just waiting for the cash registers and some other equipment,” Adam explained.
“We don’t want to go with a big splash though, we’d like a bit of a soft opening, just to get everything bedded down,” he added.
The Ashcroft family, who run two
supermarkets in Orange under the IGA banner, were o ered the building and business after COVID lockdowns caused dwindling visitor numbers to the historic village, rendering the venture uneconomical.
“The store closed at the end of February, and we got the keys in April, so it’s been about six months.
“But there was so much work on the building itself before we could look at reopening,” Adam explained.
Demolishing layers of chipboard and rotten wood flooring, they found weight-bearing columns for the floor above propped on precarious piles of local blue stone, eventually stripping back the building to its foundations.
Builders recently laid a metre-deep concrete slab, using innovative new weight reduction technology, to ensure the new store is on a firm footing.
“Underneath the slab are wa e pods; they’re the latest cutting-edge technology so you don’t have to pour as much, and there’s couple of inch gaps so it doesn’t
develop cracks,” he explained.
“It came up pretty good, it’s four or five feet deep and we spent 140 hours on the grinders to bring up the river rock that was embedded in it, then seven layers of an epoxy sealer.”
Through the “Ashcrofts on Pym” Facebook page, Adam has been keeping locals up to date with the development, recently polling residents on preferred product lines.
“We’re an old-style village grocer, so I thought I’d put something up to ask what people wanted us to stock, we’ve had a lot of requests.
“From things such as long-life milk; fresh produce, tofu, fruit and vegetables; specialist lines of jams and chutneys; a whole bunch of providore lines… we’ve had over 150 comments,” he added.
Keenly aware of the varied history of the building ranging from a grocery, hardware, footwear, electricals, and also drapery (cloth and curtains), locals have also been asked to vote on preferred blown-up images of the old store to feature inside the mini-mart.
“We got them from Hayley at the (Golden Memories) Museum, we had nine and people got to choose four, which we’ll display,” Adam said.
“They’ll be a metre by 1.4m vinyl posters, and they’ll go up on the wall.”
Living upstairs like old-style retail traders of the 19th century, Adam and his partner, Danika, and family and friends, discovered the unique challenge of moving modern furniture up narrow Victorian staircases.
“It was a two-day battle — fridges, cupboards, beds, other furniture, it all had to go up the stairs.”
The central role that the corner store — lost in so many of our communities — means to the village, has created a shared sense of purpose for Adam and locals following the renovation work on their Facebook page.
“So many people have loved seeing how it’s going, it’s a journey for them, emotionally, as well as for us.
“It’s also made us feel a part of the town already, makes us feel a lot more welcome,” Adam concluded.
For decades, they had lain forgotten in unmarked graves - veterans who’d marched o to the First World War, buried with little ceremony in the Orange Cemetery.
Some were foreign-born and more than half had spent years institutionalised in the Bloomfield Hospital, su ering from the invisible wounds left from the Great War.
It’s been more than three years since local researcher Sharon Jameson took it upon herself to see that these men received due recognition for their service. Through dogged determination and an incredible amount of research, Sharon discovered the names of 91 veterans buried in unmarked graves in the Orange Cemetery. Working with the Orange RSL sub-branch, she embarked on a mission to make sure that each and every one of these soldiers received a grave marker or memorial of some kind.
Standing in the cemetery on Friday, Sharon got to see the first of these grave
markers installed.
“It felt… very good,” Sharon said with satisfaction, looking at the simple white cross, built by students from Canobolas High School. “Only 59 to go now!”
Of the 91 veterans she discovered through her research, 17 meet the criteria to have o cial War Graves installed, while 14 are buried in unknown locations and will have a memorial of some kind erected in the future. The rest will be marked with one of the same simple white crosses as were put in place on Friday.
Orange RSL sub-branch president, Chris Colvin, has had a very active involvement in the project. He, alongside sub-branch Vice President, Brad Bliss, personally installed the grave markers for their fellow veterans on Friday.
“This is probably one of the most exciting days that I’ve had with the organisation of the sub-branch,” Chris said. “I think it is a beautiful thing… to put crosses to mark the graves of these gentlemen. They are veterans from the First World War and they served this country with honour and
I
we never looked after them properly… so we are trying to do that today and it’s wonderful.”
On November 2, the Orange RSL subbranch will be holding a special memorial service at the cemetery, where all 91 names of these forgotten veterans will be read aloud and a wreath laid in their honour.
The service will be attended by family members of at least eight of the veterans, who were discovered after Orange City Life published the list of all 91 names that Sharon had uncovered back in July.
“We wouldn’t have found these people if it weren’t for the bit in your paper. They think it’s wonderful. There are eight families and half of them didn’t know where their relations were… it’s sad,” Sharon said, adding that she will herself be holding back tears to see these men publicly acknowledged after so many years.
“I’ve cried over these guys before, so we’ll see,” she said. “When they start singing some of these songs, then I might get a bit weepy… But it is going to be smashing!”
I have been looking for my forever home since April i am a gorgeous black and brindle 1 year old Bullmastiff crossbreed Female who has been waiting ever so patiently for my forever home. Are you the one?
a young girl who
full
life
to this the staff have given me some
make sure I go to a
forever home. These
children under 12
ongoing training
wish to have me
need a bit more help to master it. But don’t worry I’m trying my hardest.
would love lots of toys to play with and a big secure backyard to keep me safe.
love nothing more than going on walks, getting belly rubs and lots of pats. During my time in care I have been fed Royal Canin which has provided me with all the nutrients to
feed my growing body. I ask that if you wish to Adopt me please consider keeping me on this diet.
what are you waiting for? come down and say hello!
Melba xXx
Application
— PHOTOS BY EDITHMAY GOWING —
Sometimes life surprises you, others, it turns out just as you expected.
Not trying to change the world overnight, Councillor Jack Evans has found his first term on Orange Council, pretty much as he had anticipated.
Keeping his hopes and prospects under control, he says, has been the key to settling into his new role as a local pollie.
“I don’t think it is too di erent; I tried not to have too many expectations of what I would do and achieve.
“I certainly didn’t go in there thinking, I was going to change the world right away,” he added.
The job, however, has involved a lot of new information in a short time with his seven other new colleagues who were also elected for this term, coming to his aid.
“It’s certainly a huge learning curve, but the Council sta and the other councillors, have been really helpful.
“It’s been about the new guys helping each other out, as we learn the ropes.”
He said that the amount and variety of work in being a councillor of a regional city, has proven a notable feature of the role.
“The work, it’s just continuous. Emails pop up whenever you have a free minute.
“It’s about keeping on top of things, but you’ve got to find the time to put the phone down and attend to the other jobs that we all do,” Cr Evans added.
He believes that the new team at Council, however, are finally hitting their straps.
“I’d like to think so, we’re just starting to get our teeth into the role.”
“A lot of it, is to ask the right question, at the right time, and knowing the right person to ask. I’d like to think that we never stop learning.”
He said that the number of high-end capital
works that Orange is currently managing, represents the major challenges facing Council in the immediate future.
“With the knowledge that we have a lot of big projects — the sports stadium, the planetarium, the new conservatorium — we have to be realistic, we don’t have a huge amount of spare capital.
“We can’t do everything at once — I think everyone is respectful of that, and these are projects that we have to finish.”
He said that the tendency of local government to be every resident’s favourite whipping boy, is simply a measure of its importance to our lives.
“It’s well acknowledged that, being a grassroots form of government, it’s the one closest to the people.
“Because of that, I suppose, people feel the most able to comment on, and criticise it, for
any perceived shortcomings.”
He acknowledges one of the major issues currently on everyone’s thoughts, lips, (and car suspensions!), is the state of our roads, some of which have simply become too dangerous to drive on at the full legal speed.
“We all know it, it’s certainly got to be a big period of stormy weather that we’re in.
“I drove from here to Leeton recently, and it rained all the way, the whole time, and that’s got to impact on your roads.”
He added that many ratepayers aren’t aware that councils are not actually responsible for the condition of all roads and thoroughfares in their local government area.
“It’s raining everywhere, the roads are all in a similar condition throughout the State.
“Our road teams, they’re flat-out, they’re just trying to keep up, and they’re working hard every day.”
Wentworth Golf Club’s lady golfers will be turning the greens pink this October when they host a charity tournament to raise money for world-leading breast cancer research trials.
Their charity day, “Tee O for Breast Cancer”, will be held on Wednesday, October 19, with a Ladies’ 18-hole Stableford format in three grades.
It’s the first time the tournament has chosen to support Breast Cancer Trials, an organisation committed to finding better treatments for people a ected by the disease.
It’s a worthy cause, said Wentworth Golf Club President, Lee Pickett, who has put the invite to any interested golfer, no matter what their skill level.
“We are not too perturbed if you don’t have
a handicap; we’ll give you one if you want to come and have a game,” Lee said.
“You probably need to know a little bit about golf, but I’m talking about newer players or ladies who haven’t played for a while, who might just want to have a game.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from; Bathurst or Orange, Duntryleague or out of town, you are all welcome to come and play — or even just come out for lunch.”
The whole day is being sponsored by the Orange Ex-Services’ Club, which is making a generous donation to Breast Cancer Trials. There will also be an opportunity for players
to donate money towards the cause on the day.
“It’s $25 for the day, and that gives you a ticket in the ra e and there’ll be a few prizes… We’ll have longest drives, nearest the pins, and we have some mystery prizes,” Lee said.
“We are encouraging people to wear pink of some description, it could be a pink headcover if they want to — it doesn’t matter!”
To register for the Tee O For Breast Cancer charity golf day, contact the Wenty Pro Shop on 6361 4505 or visit: wentworthgolfclub.com.au
Pete is one of the increasing number of pension-aged Australians who have returned to the workforce part-time for the social, health, and psychological benefits of keeping your hand in.
Recent one-o Federal Government changes to the income threshold are designed to make it easier for retirees to earn more money without it impacting their pension for this financial year.
The temporary “income bank” top up will increase the amount that pensioners can earn this financial year, before their pension is reduced.
The measure is also designed to enable pensioners who want to continue working, to immediately boost the supply of labour to help meet current sta ng shortages in a range of industries.
For workers like Pete, who contract delivers Orange City Life magazines around the district, the one-o increase will have a direct benefit to his economic independence.
Until the change comes into e ect in December, even
a few extra dollars earned would immediately see a proportional reduction in his fortnightly payments, Pete explained.
“Just delivering the paper, I’m fine, but I only had to do a few extra hours placing the (advertising) inserts in the magazine, and that comes straight o my pension when I report it,” he explained.
“Now, with this change, I won’t really have to worry about that for this year,” he said.
“I’ve got to keep working for my health problems, it keeps me alive,” he said, adding that he supports the one-o changes designed to increase our skilled workforce during critical sta shortages in a range of industries.
“I think it’s a good thing. The thing is, when you’re on a pension, a bit of extra money is great.
“But that little bit more, and it cuts into your pension, and you’ve got to pay tax on it,” he said.
Pete’s story is common enough in our market economy;
one of those loyal, hard-working employers with decades of service for one company who, due to economies of scale, was thrown on the labour scrap heap at a time in his life when he was ill-adapted to cope.
“I was a fuel driver for Shell for 40 years but then, when the depot closed down in 2003–2004, I was out of work,” he explained.
“I then got sick in 2006, sort of a mental problem… by 2009, with my health problems, I had to go on a full pension,” he explained.
Pete however, like many other formerly active people, found that filling your days snipping coupons and perusing the bargain aisles at the supermarket, didn’t provide the sense of purpose and wellbeing that work provides.
“I had to keep busy, for my wellbeing, I have to keep active, I can’t stop, it’s that simple. I gotta’ be doing stu all the time.
“I deliver the papers, I grow a lot of my own vegetables, and I do a lot of other activities as well, I’m a mess if I don’t keep active,” he added.
That’s why your pet needs parasite protection and vaccinations must be up to date - especially important as the weather warms up and we all get out and about. The special offers at Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital this October make protecting your pet so easy – we help keep your pets as happy and healthy as they can be!
This month your dog receives a FREE flea and tick treatment when he or she visits for a vaccination. Cats don’t miss out – they receive a FREE flea and worming treatment at vaccination time too. But why are vaccinations so important?
Orange is a “hotspot” for a horrible doggy disease called Parvovirus, which causes severe haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. It’s very contagious, and can be picked up from the ground or even carried on your clothes! Puppies are very vulnerable, needing intensive care in hospital if they’re going to have any chance of recovery. A simple injection will protect your dog, so puppies should have a series of injections starting at 6-8 weeks old. Your precious new pup isn’t fully protected from Parvovirus until after their third needle, so no outside walks or playing with unvaccinated dogs until after that time. After the initial course to protect against Parvovirus and other diseases like canine cough and distemper, your dog will return for an annual check-up and vaccinations, tailored to their needs.
Cats need an annual injection to protect them from CatFlu, feline enteritis, and, if your cat goes outside,
Feline AIDS. Regular worming for cats is important –for the good health of your cat and also to protect your family.
Heartworm is a dog parasite which used to be restricted to the warmer states. Its spread by mosquitoes, and has now arrived in the Central West. Just one bite from an infected mossie can introduce the tiny larvae into the blood stream of your dog, where they grow into worms in the heart and lungs. Dogs can be protected from Heartworm by a convenient annual injection or by chews, tablets or “spot on “ treatments. Its dangerous to start your dog on Heartworm protection without testing for the parasite first. This month your dog’s heartworm test (worth over $100) is FREE when he or she starts on annual Heartworm protection injections.
Both cats and dogs need protection from fleas, which don’t just cause discomfort and skin problems for your pet, but can even spread into our homes. The warmer weather makes fleas more active, so keep up to date with a regular flea treatment – we will send you convenient reminders.
You can speak to any of the team if you have questions about Heartworm, your pet’s vaccinations or flea and worm treatments – we are here to help.
Vaccinations – protection for your pet and peace of mind for you!
your dog at vaccination time.
FLEA AND WORM TREATMENT for your cat at vaccination time.
TESTOR OR
( WORTH OVER $100) for your dog when he or she starts annual heartworm prevention.
But who else likes
and viruses do!
Better to wear out, than to rust out, Peter Baker believes.
An Aussie of the old-school, he also enjoys socialising and the game that for generations became associated with retirees wearing crisp whites on gentle greens.
“I’m also president of the Country Club, the bowling club, I’ve been a member out there since 1969,” he said.
He said that for the elderly, it’s di erent strokes for di erent folks, wishing all the best to those who like to take it easy.
“We’re not all the same, there’s a lot of my mates, they’ll read
a book each day.
“They’ll start in the morning, and they’ll read pretty much right through — every pensioner is di erent.”
He says that his years as a worker though, means he’s happier to remain in harness.
“I can’t read a book all day, I can’t. My garden and delivering the paper, I drove a truck for years and even now, I got to keep active.”
Age and Veterans Pensioners will be able to earn an extra $4,000 this financial year without losing any of their pension due to recent Federal Government changes giving older Australians the option to work and keep more of their money.
From out of the recent Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra, the immediate $4,000 work credit will be added to the “income banks” of pensioners from December to cover this financial year.
The temporary income bank top-up will increase the amount pensioners can earn from $7800 to $11,800, before their pension is reduced.
The measure is also designed to boost the supply of labour to help meet staffing shortages in critical industries.
Pensioners will be able to do so without losing their pension, either in short stints or over the course of a year.
The $4000 temporary credit will be available until June 30, 2023, subject to the passage of legislation.
The Government will also look to strengthen legislation to ensure pensioners who are working, don’t get unnecessarily kicked out of the social security system.
The Government will expedite legislation to ensure pensioners don’t have to reapply for payments for up to two years, if their employment income exceeds the income limit.
Currently, their connection to social security is cancelled after 12 weeks of exceeding the income limit.
Pensioners will also retain access to their Pensioner Concession Card and associated benefits for two years.
Food for thought. Peter Baker agrees with temporary changes to Australian pensioners’ “income bank” to encourage the elderly to keep their hand in.
More than 500 competitors are preparing to tackle the forest trails on the slopes of Mount Canobolas as part of Orange’s inaugural Lonely Mountain Ultra trail running event on Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16.
Launched in May, the Lonely Mountain Ultra, includes gruelling distances from ultra-marathons of 100km, 50 miles, and 50km, to the more accessible 30km, 22km, 11km and children’s events.
Event marketing coordinator, Sue Klose, said they are thrilled with the response to their inaugural event.
“We have well over 500 entries and it’s
been picking up day by day as we get down to the deadline,” Sue said.
“Every time we do Facebook posts or outreach emails, we can see in the comments from people saying, ‘Oh, I’ve got to get signed up!’. So they know about us… I’m optimistic that we’ll hit 600 or more.”
The start and finish will be located just o the Cargo Road at Mitchell’s Way, Lidster, with the first race departing at 6.20am on Saturday, October 15.
“Which is basically sunrise,” Sue said, explaining that the longest races will start first as they, obviously, will need the most time.
“Then the races are at half-hour increments after that,” she said. “So all the way through to 8.30am in the morning, we’ll have races kicking o and then we’ll have them coming back to the finish line anywhere from 9.30–10am onwards, all throughout the day.”
There has been a recent growth in running events in general across Australia, Sue said, but she believes the popularity of trail running, in particular, is due to the appeal of the great outdoors.
“Trail running, hiking, bush-walking – all of that is growing in popularity and it was growing before COVID, but COVID seemed
to bring out even more people,” Sue said.
“It is a great way to get out and do something di erent. The scenery is amazing — and that’s not just our event, but that’s trail runs everywhere all around Australia.”
With about half the competitors coming from locations across NSW, the event should bring a welcome economic boost for the region; this year and, hopefully, for many more to come, Sue said.
“It should be a busy weekend and perfectly timed in the middle of the Wine Festival. We know that we’ve got people coming from out of town and staying a couple of nights and making a weekend of it!”
Founded as a mobile service in January
2022, Elite Diesel and Engineering now occupies a fully equipped workshop in William Street o ering expert vehicle diagnostics, a full auto electrical service, accessory fitting, and more.
It was founder and business owner Tom Boog’s passion for learning that saw him devote years early in his career to building skills and expertise across three trades. Born and raised in Orange, Tom first completed an apprenticeship as a fitter machinist with a local engineering business, before taking up a second apprenticeship as a light vehicle mechanic, and then putting himself through study to become a qualified auto electrician.
With his breadth of expertise, Tom is able to o er a broad range of services to the public and other workshop owners, with a particular focus on diesel diagnostics and fuel injection systems.
“A lot of my work is for other mechanics,” Tom said. “I have tried really hard to establish a great relationship with existing businesses so we can work really well together”
“There’s a couple of workshops now, who will say, ‘just go see Tom’.”
On top of being able to o er a complete auto electrical service, Tom also can fit and install all vehicle and engine components and accessories.
“Like that over there,” Tom said, pointing to a four-wheel-drive in his workshop. “I did the snorkel, roof rack, and it’s getting a bull bar and lift kit, spotlights and a
...On top of being able to offer a complete auto electrical service, Tom also can fit all vehicle and engine components and accessories...
winch… all that sort of work which doesn’t fit in the fuel injection speciality, but being a fitter machinist it’s no issue.
“Plus, I service the car, know the car and I can fit accessories to it – everything. So it’s not your bullbar got done over there, lights over there and then suspension work over there and you need to go to all of them to sort out when things just aren’t quite perfect... Whereas, I can be one spot that does actually encapsulate everything.”
And still operating a mobile service as well as his William Street workshop, which means Tom can even come to you.
“You know, if your car’s stuck in the driveway on a cold frosty morning and won’t start or you can’t get your car to move… some things you need to go to the vehicle. So that’s a service that’s always available as well.”
“I’m thinking, Monday or Tuesday, for a day trip to Cowra,” Hubby announces, as rain ruined any chance of getting our caravan down to the family acreage at Wee Jasper for the long weekend. “Mum and Dad are keen to meet us there,” he adds. This is a huge relief, as the last time we saw his parents was when they came to see Miss Eight perform in the Orange Performing Arts Project. Miss Eight was part of her school’s infants choir, and although their performance was incredibly beautiful — and we are so grateful to her school and choir teacher for all of their effort involved — it ended up being a very long night for the grandparents. The show ran an hour overtime and they had no choice but to sit through all the performances just to see Miss Eight. We had met them for breakfast the morning after and urged them not to make any snap decisions about cutting us out of their will based on the experience, so it was nice to hear they still had time for us.
But they didn’t come to Cowra, so we clearly haven’t been completely forgiven yet. Hubby suggested I come and hang out in the café and write while he walks around with the kids, but instead, I chose to stay home and have a day of peace. Plus, on the last day of the school term, I somehow managed to dislocate my kneecap by slipping on a wet footpath. “Drive safe,” I tell Hubby. “Have fun!” I say to Miss 13. “Be good,” I hopefully ask Miss Eight, before settling into hours of blissful silence and my most productive writing of the holidays so far.
Five hours later, they arrive home exhausted and happy.
I am eternally grateful that Hubby has managed some time off these holidays to give me time off, but also eternally guilty that I chose uninterrupted work instead of a lovely family day out. Miss Eight fills me in on everything I missed.
“So, my sister did three naughty things,” her recap begins. “One. You know that room at the start of the gardens that’s like a mini-hotel with a bath, but I’m not allowed to really use the toilet there? Well, Miss 13 turned the tap on. And it WORKED!
“Two, she then told me to get in the tub because I’m stinky, but I didn’t want people to see my butt and I’m not stinky, so I told on her and Dad asked if we were going to keep this up all day…”
(I start to feel less guilty about staying home around this point).
“Then, three. There was a sign that said ‘Don’t step on pebbles’ and she DID!”
“It looks like it was a lovely day to be outside in the gardens though,” I say.
“Yeah, that’s why we stopped at a park to eat KFC on the way home,” she explains to me like I’m an idiot. “Except it wasn’t a great park, it was kind of a 3/10 really and, if I’d been driving, I would have chosen one with swings…
“But anyway, I got an ultimate box and ate it sitting in the tray of the ute. And THAT was my day at the Japanese Gardens,” she finishes triumphantly.
I ask if she saw any flowers? Or cherry trees? Or blossoms?
“I guess there were a few… I think. But mostly I climbed on rocks!”
Time and money well spent, as always.
Asparagus is a spring vegetable that comes from a plant with about 300 species, including some that are grown as ornamental plants and others that are used by florists in arrangements and corsages. Most people are familiar with the edible variety known as garden asparagus, or Asparagus officinalis.
Garden asparagus was first grown in Greece more than 2,500 years ago, and experts say ancient Romans enjoyed it, too. Unlike most vegetables, which are annuals that need to be planted in season, asparagus is a perennial that grows back year after year. That’s why some people regularly hunt for and find asparagus growing in the wild.
Asparagus tends to grow in temperate climates in soils that are somewhat basic. Today, China, Thailand, Mexico, Peru, and Germany lead the way in the commercial growing of most of the world’s asparagus.
Though green asparagus is by far the most common, pink, purple, and white varieties also exist. These come from the same plant, but in the case of white asparagus, the plant lacks pigment because it’s grown entirely underground, so colour-producing chlorophyll never develops. When the plant breaks through the ground, exposure to sunlight turns it green, and some varieties contain anthocyanin, a pigment-containing compound that creates a purple hue.
White asparagus has a milder, more delicate flavour and is grown in large quantities in France, which is why it’s commonly found in Europe.
Asparagus is known for being one of the most nutritionally balanced vegetables. It’s free of fat and cholesterol, very low in sodium, and packed with many key nutrients.
Any
what topic
Ingredients:
- 12 asparagus, trimmed
- 12 sheets of Jamon Serrano
- A bit of olive oil
- A couple of pinches of dry oregano
- Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 1800C
- Lay the ham slices out on the work surface, and top each with an asparagus.
- Now roll the ham diagonally around the asparagus, so the whole stem is wrapped in ham. Add pepper and oregano on top.
- Place the Jamon wrapped asparagus on.
- Bake for 10 mins or until the ham is crisp.
- Serve either warm or cold (the asparagus will be a bit crunchy)
Note: you can add some grated cheese on top, ground hazelnuts, or a pinch of dry chilli.
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There would be few people in history, whose life was as well documented as that of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
It is truly mind-boggling to conceive of the countless hours of news footage, vast quantities of physical and digital photographs, and stacks of correspondence, records and paperwork of the Queen’s life and doings that exist all around the world.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder that Her Majesty’s recent passing
prompted an Orange City Life reader to bring to us an item of interest that he’d found among the possessions of his own late mother — an o cial souvenir program o f the Royal Visit to NSW in 1954.
Full of information and photographs of the Royal Family and locations along their Australian travel route, the booklet includes a detailed itinerary, down to the minute, of their entire stay in the State.
new
Park
a
Health
million
Orange
24 hour rescue helicopter service for Orange and region
$14 million for highway upgrades between Lithgow and Orange
Bat/hail netting funding for local orchardists
$1.2 million for CCTV in Orange, Bathurst and Wellington
42 mobile phone towers and base stations across Calare
Every year on 29 September we pause to acknowledge National Police Remembrance Day to honour and remember all police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
I attended a very moving Service of Remembrance at All Saints Cathedral.
We must never forget the enormous sacrifice of the men and women who have given so much to keep our communities safe.
We owe them an immense debt of gratitude.
“So stand behind this thin blue line and have faith, for you are in the shadow of my shield and protected by this sword.”
Ex-Service and community organisations across the electorate are invited to apply for a share of $3.5 million in grants for commemorative projects through the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program for 2022-23.
The Saluting Their Service Program provides funding to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australia’s service personnel during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Grants of up to $10,000 are available for community-based commemorative projects and activities, while Major Grants of up to $150,000 are available for initiatives that are significant from a national, state, territory or regional perspective.
Funding is available to support a wide range of projects, including new memorials, restoration of existing memorials, exhibitions, digital projects such as podcasts and documentaries, and publications.
To submit an application, or to find further details, please visit the Community Grants Hub website: www.communitygrants.gov. au/grantsvisit, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website: www.dva.gov.au/about-us/overview/consultations-and-grants/ grants-and-bursaries/saluting-their-service
You can also contact the Community Grants Hub on 1800 020 283 or at support@communitygrants.gov.au.
The Orange region is famous for its cool climate wines and the Orange Wine Festival kicked off in style last Friday night with big crowds enjoying the outstanding Night Market at Robertson Park.
I stopped by the Angullong Wines’ stand to catch up with the Crossing family (pictured) and picked up a bottle of their highly rated Fossil Hill Vermentino.
Please support our local wineries by attending a Wine Festival event if you can!
Thank you very much to everyone at Orange360, all the volunteers, and The Orange Region Vignerons Association for superbly showcasing our region.
It was also great to catch up with Farren Hotham of ONE Central West 88FM while broadcasting live from the card table!
Congratulations also to the vignerons and wine makers who won awards at the Orange Wine Show last Thursday.
If you are looking for some school holiday fun, why not head out to the revamped Wellington Caves!
You can take a caves tour and visit the Ancient Landscapes exhibition which the previous Coalition Government contributed $250,000 towards. Through the interactive display, learn what our area was like when megafauna roamed across our landscape!
The Wellington Caves is a unique experience that the kids will love!
“The yellowbelly are biting.” The clarion call came from the mailman. As we were all caught up with our work and it was a quiet time of the year, the word came down — pack up, we are all going fishing. There was immediate activity, bait to collect — frogs, crayfish, crickets, Cook’s garden was dug up for worms and most prized of all those big black and red centipedes. The long bamboo fishing poles were taken down from the rafters and fitted with lines and floats and sharpened hooks.
Cook was in his element. He had been cook on several big cattle drives and got together his camp ovens, fry pans and big black billies and all the food required for a couple of days to show us what real camp cooking was all about.
We threw our swags and gear onto the back of the old truck. There was the overseer, two ringers, a boundary rider, us jackaroos and Dan the dingo trapper. Even though I was family I neither received nor expected special treatment, I was one of the boys and required to pull my weight.
Arriving at the river, camp was set up in record time. Big logs dragged in for the campfire, big tent up, swags thrown in with a lot of banter and high spirits.
Cook started straight away to make his famous two-day stew. He boiled up a heap of chops and let them set to skim o the fat, which went with some dripping into his famous Spotted Dog. The chops were put in the big camp oven, bones and all, with spuds, onions, carrots, turnips, parsnips, barley, apples, dried fruit, a handful of herbs with a big splash of Worcestershire sauce, a splash of Tabasco and stock cubes, and allowed to simmer away for four hours. Then out came his big pudding cloth and the big billy for the Spotted Dog. Another camp oven was cooking his damper.
Cook then asked us if we would like a drink. He brought along a couple of flagons of wine from his “cooking supplies”. He said they were close to their “use by” date and should be drunk before they went bad.
As the evening drew in we lined up our fishing gear; the long poles allowed us to reach out over the lignum bushes. Move the rod up and down to make a splashing sound and “gotcha!” a nice big yellowbelly for the pan.
Later we would put out our set lines and run them through the night.
A ute drove up, it was our mate from town, we had invited him to join us. Sadly, he was crippled from having a horse roll on him. But he loved fishing and could drink, and most importantly, he brought along his accordion.
I would like to tell you about Trapper Dan – he was the most likeable man I have ever met. He was extremely well educated from a private school in the old country and came from a wealthy family. He was what was known at that time as a ”remittance man”. For some misdemeanour or other (probably pawned the duchess’ pearls – we never found out) he was
given a remittance, sent to the colonies and told never to return. He had a wicked sense of humour but because everyone liked him, no one took o ence. Running his traps, if he found a porcupine, it would certainly end up in someone’s bed.
On this trip he terrified Cook. In his gear he had a tin of “Pal” dog food and wanted to put it in Cook’s stew for added flavour, but Cook never took his eyes o his magnificent production. We found out later it was a tin of peas with the “Pal” label attached. Sadly, Dan’s nemesis was “John Barleycorn”, but as we only went to town every month or so it didn’t worry him, and when he did, we made sure we looked after him and put him to bed.
His one attempt to leave was to visit relatives in Melbourne. We received a phone call from the Police Constable two stops down the rail line: “I have here a gentleman. He has been drunk for two days. I put him in a cell for his safety. He tells me you are family, could you pick him up?” It was sad to see Dan full of apologies and remorse but he soon recovered to his old self.
After a meal of Cook’s famous stew, followed with a big slice of Spotted Dog, custard and a mug of strong black tea, our town mate pulled out his accordion. We sang ourselves hoarse and played “Pastor Flagon” (I took it easy because I had been bitten by this game before). Then run the lines and hit the sack.
Next morning, with a hoarse throat and a thick tongue, we breakfasted on a big fillet of fish, pan-fried in butter sauce with lemon juice, two fried eggs and fried tomato with a big slice of fresh damper and “cocky’s joy” (golden syrup) with a big mug of black tea. It was a beautiful morning with a light mist rising o the river, one of the ringers took o with a shovel and newspaper to find a comfortable log up a gully to sit and “read his newspaper”. Dan was rummaging around in his swag and came up with a big bunger and took o after his prey. After a few minutes we heard a bang, coupled with a shout and some rude words. Dan had thrown the cracker under our unsuspecting mate. To placate him, Dan promised to take him on his next trapping run and harmony prevailed.
That day was taken up with serious fishing; the night was a more subdued, but happy a air. Cook came again to the fore with a big bowl of “Stockman’s Bootlaces” (spaghetti) and his own special bolognese sauce.
Next day we packed up and went home. We had caught a lot of fish. Our musician mate left with a big esky of fillets and slaps on the back for his magnificent performance.
Cook was basking in congratulations for his wonderful cooking. Morale and camaraderie had never been so high.
To paraphrase “What more could a man want?”
Ned
Behold the fisherman, he riseth early in the morning anddisturbeth the whole household. Mighty are his preparations. Hegoeth forth with hope in his heartand returneth sme ing of strongdrink and the truth is not in him.”
Orange City Council will hold a Selfie Snapshot Scavenger Hunt at Orange Botanic Gardens on Sunday 9 October for Mental Health Month. Everyone is welcome to come along with friends and family to take part in the free event, to raise awareness of mental illness and how to seek help when it is needed.
During the game, items will be hidden
throughout the Orange Botanic Gardens.
Individuals or teams of hunters must locate six hidden letters, which spell out a message they must decode. An additional four items, which are features of the Gardens, must also be located, and snapped in a selfie.
Once the participants have solved the riddle and located all the items,
they will go in the draw to win Think Orange Region vouchers.
Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair, Cr Mel McDonell said the event provided an opportunity to talk about mental health in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
“This is a fun way for people to get outside with friends and family and understand the
importance of good mental health in our everyday lives. Being able to take a break from the day-to-day, enjoy some fresh air and go for a walk is just one way to boost your mental health and to check on others at the same time,” Cr Mel McDonell said.
“This is a chance to focus on something fun and bring yourself back into the moment. We
all know that exercise and access to nature helps improve sleep, reduce stress and encourage positive social interactions.’’
The Selfie Snapshot Scavenger Hunt will begin at 11am on Sunday 9 October at the Orange Botanic Gardens Function Room.
A barbecue will be provided by the Lions Club and participants
can out more about mental health at the Headspace lemonade stand and other information stalls.
The event is funded by the WayAhead Mental Health Association, a not-for-profit organisation providing support and promoting mental health and wellbeing.
Orange City Council will host a Welcome to Orange lunch for new residents to the city on Sunday 30 October at the Orange Botanic Gardens Function Room.
New residents and their families who have moved to Orange in the last couple of years are welcome to attend the free lunch from 11am to 1pm.
This is the second event held this year
to officially welcome new residents, with about 100 people from across the country, who now call Orange home, attending a lunch at Orange Ex-Services Club in March.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said the event was a great way to connect with other new residents and find out more about the city.
“Moving to a new city can be daunting and this is an excellent
opportunity for new residents to learn more about what their new home has to offer,” Cr Hamling said.
“It’s a great chance to speak with other people who have moved to the area about their experiences, as well as learn from the locals, and I look forward to officially welcoming our city’s newest residents to the Orange community.”
Orange City Council staff and
representatives from local community groups will be there to answer questions and help put people in touch with a range of local services, and there will be games and activities for children.
New residents wishing to attend can scan the QR code or visit the events calendar on Orange City Council’s website by Friday 28 October to book their spot.
— PHOTOS BY CEC TILBURG
A large group of family and friends helped Dawn Harvey celebrate her 90th birthday on Saturday, October 1, at the Orange Botanical Gardens’ function room. The party included more than 50 of her family who had travelled from all over the State with her brother, Warren, also making a special birthday cake for the occasion.
Dawn herself had eight children, 24 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
— PHOTOS BY HENRY DEROOY —
Half a century in the making, the 1972 class from Orange High School last weekend held their reunion at Waratah Sports Club. The event went off without a hitch, with lots of old friends taking the chance to catch up and discuss old times.
The kidneys are very important and are essential for living. They are the unsung hero of the body. Most people have two kidneys and they are about the size of a fist and sit on either side of the backbone. Each kidney is made up of about 1 million tiny filter ‘units’– called nephrons. This is also why a kidney doctor is called a Nephrologist. The kidneys serve four very important functions:
1. They filter – essentially, they ‘clean’ the blood (up to 200L a day) and eliminate the waste and excess fluid in the form of urine. This keeps the balance of chemicals and water in the body stable.
2. They control blood pressure by releasing a hormone called renin that is very important in blood pressure control.
3. They maintain healthy bones by releasing an enzyme that helps with calcium and phosphate balance in the body, which is crucial for bone health.
4. They help make red blood cells by releasing a hormone called EPO,
Orange Ladies Probus Club celebrated their 30th birthday last Wednesday, September 28, with a luncheon at Duntryleague Golf Club.
A number of former and current members were in attendance, including the inaugural club president Elma Woolfe.
which tells the bones to make more red blood cells.
It’s important that the kidney stays healthy and doesn’t get scarred. Once it is scarred, it doesn’t filter as well and can lead to chronic kidney disease. When there is a lot of scarring and the kidney doesn’t filter much at all, dialysis is needed. This is where a machine does the job the kidneys are meant to do. Things that increase your risk of kidney damage are:
Often, people won’t know they have problems because your kidney must lose a lot of function (sometimes more than 90%) before you notice any symptoms. The symptoms can be quite vague, but clues may be:
•Worsening blood pressure
Changes in your urine colour and/ or amount
legs and other parts of
body
and fatigue
sick in the past and your kidney function
then recovering
kidney
If you’re healthy, then your kidneys will be healthy. Regular exercise, limited alcohol intake, being a healthy weight and not smoking will significantly decrease your risk of kidney damage. If you have diabetes, good sugar control is very important. Blood pressure control is also important so ensure you have a healthy diet low in salt and regularly take any blood pressure medications you may be on. Depending on your other medical problems, your blood pressure should be
below 140/90 mmHg.
How much fluid should I drink to keep my kidneys happy?
There is no defined amount, but you should be aiming to have a urine colour that is only faint yellow throughout the day. The first urine of the day may be a darker yellow colour, but this is okay. Water is the best fluid for the kidney, and always the best option. Avoid soft drinks as they are high in sugar.
I’m concerned I’m at risk of having kidney problems
If you have read this and think you may have a risk factor for kidney disease, ask your GP for a kidney health check. This involves checking your blood pressure, a urine test, and a blood test. Another test your doctor will look at is called your eGFR – this is an estimate of your overall kidney function as a percentage. When someone has less than 10% kidney function, they may get started on dialysis.
Internationally acclaimed Australian tenor, Mark Vincent brings his brand new show, An International Tribute To Andrew Lloyd Webber to the Orange Civic Theatre this Saturday, October 8.
Singing since the age of 15, Mark Vincent has gone on to become one of Australia’s most beloved and popular tenors. He has released nine consecutive ARIA Classical Crossover albums that have earned him accolades both nationally and internationally.
Fans can expect an intimate performance from Mark, as he performs a rich repertoire of the classic musical theatre songs and arias of Andrew Lloyd Webber, made popular by great artists around the world.
Mark is keeping his song list a surprise, but you can be sure he will perform all your favourites in a celebration of the classic hits from London’s West End and Broadway musicals.
This will be a sensational musical experience not to be missed!
See An International Tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber at Orange Civic Theatre, Saturday. Tickets at Ticketek or call 6393 8111.
October is going to be another big month of music here in Orange!
Hot on the heels of the Micro Music Festival, JAM Orange is bringing you two showcases of some great local acts.
The first of the two “Jam Samplers” kicks o at The Victoria Hotel on October 7, with Mell Moore singing her beautifully crafted covers of popular songs. Up next is The Dougies Trio, who’ll be pumping out a big country sound of classic country hits. The night will culminate with the Ford Crossing
Extravaganza — the question is just how many musos will be in Al’s lineup on the night? Come along and see for yourself!
The frivolity continues at The Lord Anson on October 15, with The Dougies back with their “country done di erent”, followed by those legendary boys of rockabilly fun, Felix Albert & the Gentlemanly Two!
It promises to be a night of high-energy country fun!
There’s a $10 ticket price, but know that every dollar goes straight into the musician’s pockets.
JAM Orange’s monthly Open Mic night returns to The Lord Anson on Wednesday, October 12.
A moveable feast, the showcase of local up-and-coming musicians rotates around local venues, with September’s amazing line-up playing to a receptive crowd at the Waratah Sports Club.
A great way for local musicians to connect and share their music, all you need to do is book your spot.
Booking well in advance is recommended as the nights continue to grow in popularity.
To secure your place, contact JAM Orange via their Facebook page or email jamorange2800@gmail.com
Orange High School’s class of 1984 recently held a reunion with much catching up with old friends, remembering the past, and relieving the best years of our lives.
— CEC TILBURG —
Every
hygiene
shoeboxes
Situated in a quiet street and only a short walk to town, is 15 Charles Street, Blayney. A comfortable Besser block home with a north-facing view. 5-bedrooms, ensuite in master & reverse cycle in two
open plan living, kitchen & dining.
beautiful
at the end of a quiet culde-sac with
the perfect space
easily
The Central Tablelands’ annual moment in the sporting spotlight, has again come around with the ending of the footy seasons heralding the countdown to the Bathurst 1000 at Mt Panorama.
This uniquely Australian endurance event on what is essentially a public road that winds up and down a small mountain on Bathurst’s western edge is the one time of the year when our production car racers get the national media’s attention away from our footballers, cricketers, tennis players, and swimmers.
“Everyone, no matter what skill or ability level, should have the opportunity to play sport,” says Di Ryan, who is helping to launch a new Senior All Abilities Touch Football competition in Orange later this month.
Coordinator for the Orange Thunder Touch Football Association’s new Senior All Abilities competition, Di said the competition is expected to start on Tuesday, October 18 and will run concurrently with the regular touch football season.
Growing out of what was first known as “Disability League Tag”, Di is excited to, hopefully, see a full 12-round competition o the ground this season.
“Orange Thunder ran an All Ability program for seniors earlier this year. They’re running a junior version of that now and we thought we’d try to get a senior comp going now… It’s very exciting news,” Di said.
The rules of All Abilities Touch Football are a little di erent to that of the regular game, with some changes made, depending on the physical ability of the players.
“There’s various changes you can make to the game depending on the level of skill of the participants,” Di explained, “But it can be just straight touch football like everyone else’s rules or… if there’s any people that can’t always catch the ball, there’s bibs that they can wear and
then you put a cover over the ball, with velcro, and it just sticks to their bibs.”
Orange Thunder is now seeking expressions of interest from players aged 16 years and above, she said. Registration costs just $100 and includes a team shirt.
“As many players as possible, but ideally we’d like to see if we can get enough people for four teams to make a competition and then hopefully build on it in the future, so it becomes a really solid comp,” Di said, a strong believer in the many benefits of sport participation for everyone.
“Sport is good for social inclusion, fitness, just having fun,” she said.
“And touch footy is a good game for all ages, all abilities and it’s just a great way to get people involved and be part of the community… showing people that people with disabilities still like to do the things that everyone else wants to do — and can do it!”
Anyone interested in the competition, can find out more by visiting the Orange Thunder Touch Football Facebook page, or emailing: orangethundertouch@yahoo.com
I recall the rip-roaring days in the early 1970s with barely modified production muscle car Falcons and Toranas haring around the bush circuit as overall-wearing volunteers waved flags to notify drivers of prangs along the way.
When I worked at the race myself from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, it still ran over the October Labour Day Long Weekend, allowing fans to sleep long and hard after the exertions of Sunday, and head o on Mondays with a day spare to get back home.
In retrospect, this seemed like a golden age for the event with drivers like Peter Brock, Dick Johnston, Allan Mo at, Allan Grice, Jim Richards, and Mark Skai e, tearing up the track in Australian iron as competitors burnt out, crashed out, or simply ran out of fuel, over the seven-hour test of man and machinery.
The internationalisation of motor manufacturing with Australia no longer having a domestic car-making industry, makes one wonder, however, what the longterm future of the race is.
Attempts had been made to broaden its brand appeal with events like the one-o 1987 world production car championship with teams from Europe coming to Australia in what was to be an international competitor to the Formula I World Championships.
The series faltered after one season — but only after organisers had totally destroyed the circuit for motor-bike racing by lining the track with concrete barriers to please the international drivers — soon returning to the old Fordversus-Holden rivalry.
With the so-called “Holden” (now actually a General Motors vehicle imported from overseas)
continuing to dominate the race, the old passions that made Australian motor racing so unique, seem to have abated.
I recall driving taxi cabs at night during race weekend in Bathurst, where the first thing that drunken fans would say contemptuously was, “this a fu*&’n Falcon?” of which all but one of the taxis in Bathurst at the time were.
I recall Tony Longhurst in 1988 responding to the abuse from Holden fans after winning the race in, (horror of horrors), a turbocharged European Ford Sierra, telling the drunken yahoos on pit straight, where they could go using blunt Anglo-Saxon terms, on national television
With the passing of he, the Brocks, the Johnstons, and the Grices, the larger-than-life personalities that gave the sport its profile, seem to have also passed.
After covering the four-day spectacle for five or six years as a journalist, I would, in later years watch the race on television and its always dramatic first few laps, dropping in and out during the day, before settling down for the last 30 or so circuits of the course as the leading driver invariably nursed his vehicle around the track to avoid one of those last-minute prangs or mechanical failures that were such a highlight for motor racing fans.
With the e ective ending of the Ford versus Holden rivalry though, I haven’t watched or taken much interest in “The Great Race” for a decade or so.
While the event is always exciting, a fantastic television spectacle, with still plenty of live drama, its raison d’etre of showcasing the best of Australian motor cars, has been lost. Mt Panorama is still a great circuit, but a new narrative seems to be needed to ensure the event’s continuing sporting relevance.
That the world’s first use of RaceCam was invented for the 1979 Bathurst 1000 when Channel Seven television engineers fitted Peter Williamson’s Toyota Celica with an in-board camera that gave fans a driver’s look at racing for the first time. The technology later went around the world and is now part of almost all motor racing broadcasts.
Following the disappointing weather we have had for the last two markets we are hoping for a lovely Spring day for the next Gooloogong Recreation Park Markets in the Gooloogong park on Sunday, 9 October 2022 from 9am to 1pm.
The bookings are coming in nicely and we have a wide variety of stalls already booked. What a fabulous day it will be for those wanting to come for a nice drive in the country, catch up with friends, meander through the stalls, purchase some quality products and indulge in the various foods available including sausage sandwiches, steak sandwiches, and more. The OMG doughnuts will also be returning with their amazing range of fresh donuts. Adam’s Patisserie stall will also be attending with their huge array of pastries and breads.
With approximately 11 weeks to Christmas, it is an ideal opportunity to come along and start your Christmas
shopping early; there will be something for everyone!
You may also pick up that unique gift for your loved one or just something you want for yourself. Some of the other stalls include fresh fruit and vegetables, cooking, soaps, jewellery, beautiful woodwork, leather products, sewing, jams and produce, plants, bric-a-brac, candles, blacksmith display and much more.
While you are browsing the stalls, catching up with friends, or listening to our buskers, kids have the opportunity to get active on the park’s play equipment.
But please be aware that EFTPOS facilities are not always available at the markets due to poor internet reception, so take cash to make sure you do not miss out on that special purchase.
Mark the date on your calendar and have an enjoyable Spring day out!
Books, books books! Bargains, bargains, bargains!
This Saturday 8th October Orange City Library is hosting a “Giant” Library Lovers Book Sale from 9.30am – 4pm. They have lots of items to sell to raise funds for Lismore Library which suffered huge losses after floods earlier this year.
You are invited to come along, have a look and support this great cause. The sale will be held at the front of the Library in Byng Street, Orange. Wet weather should be no deterrent, you’ll be protected from any rain under the large undercover area.
The Library will be selling old stock and some previously donated items. All books $1 and magazines 20 cents. See you there!
Jessica Hickman is launching The Upstander Leader: How to develop a speak up culture – she aims to provide people with the tools and strategies to create a thriving respectful workplace free
of bullying and harassment. Jessica will be the guest author at Orange City Library on Thursday 13th October at 5.30pm. The event is supported by Collins Booksellers, Orange.
As the founder and director of Bullyology and advocate of The Upstander Movement, she provides individuals and companies with the tools and strategies that will enable them to create a thriving respectful workplace free of bullying and harassment.
With over 15 years of experience, she has provided training and professional talks in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK and has been creating thriving workplace cultures in Australia since 2013.
Jessica is the published author of Bullyology: Breaking the Silence on Bullying and The Upstander Leader: How to develop a speak-up culture She is a 2022 Mentor for Regional Development Australia and a judge for the 2022 Business NSW Awards and 2022 Australian Admin Awards.
CANTAR WOMEN’S CHOIR meets at the Church of Christ, every Monday from 7.30pm - 9:15pm. Enquiries: Margaret 02 6369 1333.
EVERUPWARD CRAFT GROUP holds craft groups at Everupward Church, every Monday morning from 9.00am - 12.00pm. Enquiries: Mary 02 6361 0514.
OLD TIME ACOUSTIC JAM SESSION is held at The Blind Pig Sound Lounge & Bar, last Sunday of every month from 4.00pm. Enquiries: Kenneth 0408 619 235.
ORANGE ART SOCIETY INC. meets at the Orange Cultural Centre, every Monday from 10.00am. Enquiries: David 0407 627 092.
ORANGE CROCHET / KNITTING GROUP meets in the bistro at the Orange Ex-Services Club, every Saturday from 12.00pm - 3.00pm and every Tuesday 10.00am -12.00pm. Enquiries: Karen 0419 616 251.
ORANGE LACEMAKERS meet at the front of the Orange Cultural Centre, each Wednesday from 1.00pm. Enquiries: Sandy 02 6362 7938.
ORANGE MALE VOICE CHOIR meets at Orange Regional Conservatorium, every Monday from 7:15pm – 9:15pm. Enquiries: David 02 6362 8218.
ORANGE OLD TIME DANCERS meet at the Senior Citizens & Pensioners Centre, every Tuesday from 7.00pm - 9:30pm. Enquiries: Alan 0407 062 979.
ORANGE SOCIAL DANCE GROUP meets at the Orange City Bowling Club, every Thursday from 6.00pm. Enquiries: Audrey 02 6362 0068 or Richard 02 6361 7718.
ORANGE SPINNERS & HANDCRAFT meets at the Orange Cultural Centre, every Thursday from 10.00am - 2.00pm.
THE CANOBOLAS HIGHLAND PIPE BAND meets at Legacy House, every Wednesday from 7.00pm. Beginners are welcome. Enquiries: Zoe 0421 379 423.
THE COME TOGETHER CHOIR meets at the Orange Regional Conservatorium, every Tuesday from 10.00am - 12.00pm. Enquiries: Vicky 02 6361 8156 or 0424 008 350.
ORANGE COLOUR CITY LINE DANCERS meet at the Orange City Bowling Club every Monday from 5pm till 7.30pm and Wednesday from 5pm until 8pm.
CITY OF ORANGE BRASS BAND, 62-64 Endsleigh Ave, Orange. Players of all levels and enquiries welcome. Enquiries: 0491 707 979. Facebook and www.cityoforangebrassband.com.au
INNER WHEEL CLUB OF ORANGE meets at Duntryleague, every second Monday of the month from 1:30pm. Enquiries: Tricia 0410 600 869 or iiw.au.orange@gmail.com
THE ORANGE SUB BRANCH OF THE NAVAL ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA meets at 11am on the third Sunday of every month at the Orange RSL Enquiries: Barry 0407 259 2756 or Peter 0438 413 531 or bcynical24@bigpond. com or peter.furguson12@hotmail.com
ORANGE LIONS CLUB MEET AT DUNTRYLEAGUE
Golf Club, on the second and fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30pm Enquiries/Membership: Pat 0407 217 600
ORANGE COIN AND STAMP CLUB meets at the Orange Community Centre, on the last Tuesday of every month from 7.30pm. Enquiries: Howard 02 6362 2368 or 0427 107 554.
ORANGE LADIES PROBUS CLUB
Meets every 4th Wednesday of the month. 10:00am to 12:00pm Duntryleague Club. Enquires: Marlies 0418 440 512
IONIAN CLUB OF ORANGE (Women new to Orange) meets at Duntryleague, every second Thursday of the month, from 11.00am. Enquiries: Helen 0417 749 152.
ORANGE LEGACY CLUB o ce hours are 10.00am - 3.00pm Tuesdays to Thursdays at 58 McNamara Street, Orange. Enquiries: 02 6362 1205
ORANGE BRIDGE CLUB. Enquiries: Murray 0418 206 485. BRIDGE LESSONS from 1.00pm - 3.00pm, every Wednesday. Enquiries: Chris 02 6362 3029 or Dorothy 02 6362 8218.
ORANGE CANOBOLAS LIONS CLUB meets at Duntryleague Golf Club, on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm Enquiries: Lisa 0419 641 282.
ORANGE CAMERA CLUB meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Senior Citizens Centre, from 7.30pm. Enquiries: orangecameraclub@gmail.com
ORANGE EVENING VIEW CLUB meets at the Orange Ex-Services Club, on the last Thursday of the month from 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start. Enquiries: Anne 0478 124 276
ORANGE LAPIDARY & MINERAL CLUB INC meets at the Orange Cultural Society, every Wednesday from 9.00am - 12.00pm & 7.00pm - 9.00pm.
Enquiries: Kathy 0437 917 074.
ORANGE COIN AND STAMP CLUB meets at the Orange Community Centre, on the last Tuesday of every month from 7.30pm. Enquiries: Howard 02 6362 2368.
ROTARY CLUB OF ORANGE meets at the Ambassador,every Monday from 6.00pm for dinner. Enquiries: Len 0428 459 117 or contact@rotarycluboforange.org.au.
SCRABBLE CLUB MEETS at Giyalang Ganya, Community Services Building on the first and third Sunday of each month from 2.00pm. Enquiries: Audrey 02 6362 0068.
SOUTHERN CROSS STREET CRUISERS is a family oriented car club that would like to welcome any new enquiries for membership.
Enquiries: Jason 0431 456 889 or Mick 0427 856 427 .
THE EUCHRE CARD CLUB meets at the Orange Ex-Services Club, every Wednesday from 7:30pm. Enquiries: 02 6362 2666.
ZONTA CLUB OF ORANGE INC. meets at Lord Anson Hotel, every second Tuesday of the month , from 6.30pm. Enquiries: Frances 0407 952 675.
ORANGE BIRD SOCIETY meets at the Senior Citizens Centre, on the third Wednesday of every month from 7:30pm. Tony 0409 912 370 or 02 6365 8441.
THE ULYSSES CLUB OF ORANGE conducts weekly motorbike rides, leaving the Railway car-park, Peisley Street, on Wednesdays from 9.30am. Social dinners are held on the second Friday of every month. Enquiries: Lee 0414 881 178.
ORANGE BASIC DOG OBEDIENCE meets every Sunday during school terms at Waratahs 8.45am -10am. BYO dog, lead, treats and patience. Enquiries via Orange Basic Dog Obedience Facebook page.
Meets the first Friday of every month at 11.00am. May-Sep (Orange Ex-Services Club) Oct-Apr (Local Gardens) Enquiries: Vicki 02 6362 1257
THE AMUSU THEATRE in Manildra has regular movie screenings. The Movie Museum is open every weekend by appointment. Enquiries: Joan 0418 452 902.
THE COMMITTEE OF ADFAS ORANGE & DISTRICT holds lectures at 6:30pm once a month in the main auditorium at the Orange Regional Cons. Enquiries: Anne 02 6361 3923.
ORANGE DISTRICT GIRL GUIDES meet at 365 Peisley Street, on a weekly basis, during School Terms. The units meet Mon - Wed from 5pm -6.30pm. Enquiries: Yvonne 0412 736 700.
THE MINIATURE RAILWAY PUBLIC RUNNING DAY takes place on the second Saturday every month at Matthews Park, Corner of Moulder Street & Anson Street, from 1pm4pm. Enquiries: Shane 0414 887 005
ORANGE STORYTIME is held at the Orange City Library, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during school terms from 11.00am. Storytime and Craft. Bookings are essential. Enquiries: 02 6393 8132 or library@cwl.nsw. gov.au or eventbrite.com.au.
3RD ORANGE SCOUT GROUP. Meeting dates for Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturer & older ages call for details. 3 Icely Road Orange. Enquiries: Scouts NSW, 1800 SCOUTS (726887)
BLAYNEY SMOKING CESSATION CLINIC at the Blayney MPS. By appointment only. Enquiries: Pam 02 6368 9000.
CHAIR YOGA for those who can’t get on the floor, meets Mondays at the Senior Citizens & Pensioners Centre, from 10:20am for a 10.30 start, until 11:30am. Enquiries: Kerrie 0418 235 495.
ORANGE TABLE TENNIS meets every Tuesday from 6:30pm at the Canobolas High School Recreational Hall, 142 Icely Road. Enquiries: Steve 0468 308 705.
THE O’BRIEN CENTRE at Bloomfield Hospital has activities each Thursday during school terms, from 10.00am - 2.00pm. $5.00 for the day. Enquiries: Je 0423 277 788.
TAI-CHI CLASSES Wednesdays at 6.00pm Enquiries: Tony 0409 285 807
CENTRAL WEST MEDIATION meets second Saturday of every month at Senior Citizens Hall 8:30am - 10:00am Enquires: 02 4315 2763
ORANGE COIN AND STAMP FAIR is held on the first Saturday of every month at the Orange Cultural Centre. Enquiries: Howard 02 6362 2368.
ORANGE FARMERS MARKET is on the second Saturday of every month, at Northcourt, corner of Peisley Street and March Streets (October to May), and the Naylor Pavilion, Orange Showground, Leeds Parade from (June to September). Gold coin upon entry. Enquiries: Holly 0418 654 226.
BLAYNEY ROTARY MARKET is held on the third Sunday of every month at CentrePoint Sport and Leisure Centre, Corner of Osman and Church Street, Blayney, rain, hail or shine from 8:30am. Enquiries: rcblayney@gmail.com
COWRA COMMUNITY MARKETS is held on the third Saturday of every month at Sid Kallas Oval, from 8am until noon. Phone 0473 346 046 for more information.
CUMNOCK MARKET Is held on the third Saturday of every month from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon at Crossroads Park Cumnock (opposite General Store) Enquiries: Pat Gilmour – 6367 7270
FOODCARE ORANGE is open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10.30am1.00pm and Thursday from 4.30pm - 6.00pm, at 142 March Street. Enquiries: 0447 577 884
ORANGE CAKE DECORATORS GUILD meets the second Saturday of every month at 1.00pm at the Senior Citizens & Pensioners Centre, 77 Kite Street. Enquiries: Janelle 0438 618 483 or 0427 659 194.
ORANGE RSL SUB-BRANCH OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday & Friday from 9.00am - 12.00pm at Orange RSL Sub-Branch (next to the Orange Ex Services Club). Enquiries: (02) 6362 1735
RAILWAYS RETIREES meet the last Friday of every month, at the Orange City Bowling Club, at 12.00pm. Enquiries: Lindsay 02 6362 5959.
VIETNAM VETERANS meet every Friday from 10am - 1pm at the Orange Ex-Services Club. Enquiries: Lindsay 02 6362 5959.
ORANGE TOASTMASTERS meets every second & fourth Monday of the month from 6:45pm for 7.00pm - 9.00pm, at the Orange Ex-Services Club. Enquiries: 0439 568 752.
THE META-COACH FOUNDATION (MCF) Orange Chapter meets on the first Wednesday each month at Shop 15 / 212 Anson Street from 6.00pm - 8.00pm. Enquiries: Shawn 0439 194 323.
ORANGE BRANCH OF RSPCA meets quarterly from 7pm at Orange City Bowling Club. All interested parties are welcome to attend. Enquiries: 02 6362 6171 or orangesupportergroup@rspcansw.org.au
BORENORE / NASHDALE MENS’ SHED meets every Tuesday from 9.30am, at the Orange National Field Days site, Borenore. Enquiries: Max 0418 498 708.
ENVIRONMENTALLY CONCERNED CITIZENS of Orange (ECCO) meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, 7.30pm at the Environmental Learning Facility. Enquires: Neil 0419 224 461.
FRIENDS OF THE ORANGE BOTANIC GARDENS run a guided bird walk at the Orange Botanic Gardens, on the first Sunday of every month from 8:30am.
ORANGE WOMEN’S SHED meets every Friday at 9:30am - 1:00pm at Riverside Centre, Forest Road, Orange. Enquiries: 0439 609 849 or orangewsinc@gmail.com
ORANGE MEN’S SHED meets every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 9.30am3.00pm, now at the Lucknow shed venue. Enquiries: Alan 0475 250 779.
ORANGE TROUT ACCLIMATISATION
SOCIETY meets the third Tuesday of every month from 7.00pm at Orange Ex-Services Club, in the Boronia Room. Enquiries: Barry 02 6362 0096 or 0427 620 096.
ORANGE & DISTRICT 40+ SOCIAL GROUP meets every Tuesday at Orange Ex-Services Club, from 7.00pm. Enquiries: Brett 0427 462 887.
ORANGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY meets the first Wednesday each month from 1:30pm. Enquiries: Janet 0427 450 346.
ORANGE WOODWORKERS ASSOCIATION INC. meets every Wednesday from 8:30am - 3.00pm, on the second & fourth Sunday of every month at the Old Coach House. Enquiries: Chris 0407 129 934.
THE CENTRAL WEST AMATEUR RADIO GROUP meets on the first Sunday of each month, except for January. Due to COVID 19, we have been meeting on air. Enquiries: Garry 0413 358 037 or arcwg@hotmail.com.au.
HEARTS & HANDS - CAFE CHAT. A place to meet others & practice spoken english, meets twice a month on Mondays at St James Presbyterian Church Matthews Ave, Orange. Enquiries: Margaret 0428 835 866 or Vicky 0401 292 335
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ORANGE meets at the rear of Kenna Hall, 84 Hill Street, from 5.00pm Sundays, and from 7.00pm Monday & Tuesday. We also have meetings from 6.30pm - 8.00pm Thursdays at The Leisure Centre Bloomfield. Enq: Graham 0447 839 026.
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUP ORANGE meets every Monday 6.00pm - 7.00pm at St. Barnabas Church Hall. Enquiries: 1300 252 666.
ORANGE SENIORS CITIZENS & PENSIONERS groups meet regularly. Various classes are held. Enquiries: 02 6362 6592.
THE ORANGE PARKINSON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP meets fourth Wednesday each month, 10.00am - 12.00pm at Giyalang Ganya, Community Services Building. Enquiries: Bernie 0434 504 414.
RED CROSS CLUB MEETINGS currently on seasonal recess. For any enquiries please call 0498 815 229.
ORANGE STROKE SUPPORT GROUP meets on the third Monday of every month from 10.30 am - 12.00pm at the Giyalang Ganya, Community Services Building. Please call before attending the group. Enquiries: Michelle on 1300 650 594 or info@strokensw.org.au.
ORANGE PROSTATE CANCER GROUP Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month (Except January & December) at Cafe Connect 107 Prince Street, Orange at 6pm Enquiries: Ray 6362 5257 or Charlie 6361 1830
THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS (BEREAVED PARENTS) meet every third Thursday of the month at the Orange City Council Community Service Centre, 286 Lords Place, from 7.00pm to 8.30pm (odd mths). Every third Sunday 1.30-3.30pm, Duntryleague (even mths) Enquiries: Donna 0419 357 431 and Tammy 0417 482 688.
ORANGE GROW GROUP (Mental Wellbeing Programs) meets every Friday from 1pm-3pm at the Orange City Council Community Service Centre, 286 Lords Pl, Orange. Enquiries: 1800 558 268.
LIFELINE provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to online, phone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention services. Enquiries: 13 11 14 Email: info@lifelinecentralwest.org.au.
HEADSPACE ORANGE is a youth-friendly FREE service for anyone aged between 12 and 25 years who are having a tough time. Enquiries 02 6369 9300, or email hs.orange@marathonhealth.com.au
ORANGE REGIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION Networks, Berevement Group. Have you lost a son / daughter to suicide?. Do you need support or someone to talk to?
Enquiries: 02 6369 2030. Register: Jane.Passer@health.nsw.gov.au
LIKEMIND ORANGE, STRIDE MENTAL HEALTH, 122-124 Kite Street. LikeMind is an innovative mental health service providing a ‘one-stop’ hub o ering support for all adults with mental health concerns, under one roof. No referral required. Enquiries: 02 6311 1700.
LIKEMIND ORANGE hosts a free Mindfulness group with an experienced facilitator on Mondays during school terms. 9:30am –10:45am. Enquiries: 02 6311 1700 .
OPEN ARMS & ST JOHN OF GOD HOSPITAL, RICHMOND holds a free workplace trauma PTSD support group at Legacy House, 58 McNamara St, Orange on the second Wednesday of the month from 10am – 1pm. Also a group for family members available. Enquiries: 0439 048 344 or sean.fitzgerald@dva.gov.au
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Oct 6: Britt Ekland, Swedish actress, 80. Gerry Adams, Irish politician, 74. Mark Schwarzer, soccer player, 50. Ioan Gru udd, Welsh actor, 49. Cariba Heine, actress, 34.
Oct 7: Thomas Keneally, novelist, 87. John Mellencamp, US singer, 71. Graham Yallop, cricketer, 70. Vladimir Putin, Russian President, 70. David Gonski, businessman, 68. Jayne Torvill, British skating champion, 65. Simon Cowell, British TV judge, 63. Tim Minchin, musician-comedian, 47. Trent Merrin, footy player, 33.
Oct 8: Neil Harvey, cricketer, 94. Fred Stolle, tennis legend, 84. Paul Hogan, comedian-actor, 82. Jesse Jackson, US civil rights leader, 81. Chevy Chase, US comedian-actor, 79. R.L. Stine, US author, 79. Warren Truss, former Deputy Prime Minister, 74. Sigourney Weaver, US actress, 73. Jon Stevens singer, 61. Matt Damon, US actor, 52. Nick Cannon, US actor, 42.
Bruno Mars, US singer-songwriter, 37. Angus T Jones, Jake in TV’s Two and a Half Men, 29.
Oct 9: John Pilger, writer, 83. Jackson Browne, US singer, 74. Sharon Osbourne, TV personality, wife of Ozzy, 70. David Cameron, former British PM, 56. Sarah Vandenbergh, Lauren Carpenter in Neighbours, 50. Sean Lennon, US singer, 47. Mark Viduka , soccer player, 47. Todd Kelly, racing driver, 43. Chris O’Dowd, Irish actor, 43.
Oct 10: Bruce Devlin, golfer, 85. Midge Ure, singer-musician, 69. David Lee Roth, US singer, 68. Wendy Harmer, comedian, author, 67. Mya , singer, 43. Gabriella Cilmi, singer, 31.
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We have a $50 gift voucher to give away each week from Ashcroft’s Supa IGA.
To enter, simply tell us your name and contact phone and what product features in the Ashcroft’s Supa IGA ad in this issue of OC Life. ENTRIES CLOSE EACH TUESDAY AT 12 NOON.
Each
be
name and phone
along with the
number you found him on, emails are also
at reception@oclife.com.au
entry and we’ll draw a winner from among correct entries each week.
ENTRIES CLOSE 12.30PM TUESDAY EACH WEEK.
Oct 11: Barry Jones, Labor Party stalwart, 90. Sir Bobby Charlton, English footballer, 85. Daryl Hall , US singer-musician, 76. Paul Kelly, journalist-author, 75. Dawn French, British actress-comedian, 64. Wayne Gardner motorcycling champ, 63. Joan Cusack , US actress, 60. Juanita Phillips, ABC-TV News presenter, 59. Marcus Graham, actor, 59. Luke Perry, US actor, 56. Claudia Black , actress, 50. Beau Brady, Home & Away actor, 41. Michelle Trachtenberg , US actress, 37.
Oct 12: Charles Wooley, 60 Minutes reporter, 74. Trevor Chappell , cricketer, 70. Hugh Jackman, actor, 54. Paul Harragon, rugby league identity, 54. Baden Cooke, cyclist, 44. Josh Hutcherson, US actor, 30.
would you find a truck on a boat?
was Australia’s first female federal sports minister?
is another name for the box jelly fish?
Is a wedding breakfast served before or after the wedding?
Where is the Cable Beach tourist resort?
What type of animals are drought masters?
What are woofers and tweeters?
What type of marine animal is a cachalot?
Chamonix, Zermatt and Kitzbuhel are best known as what?
Which holiday island lies east of Port Macquarie?
SEE THE TV+ GUIDE FOR ANSWERS
TEST ANSWERS #655
it’s the top of the mast, 2 Ros Kelly,
8spermwhale,9skiresorts, 10LordHoweIsland.
sea wasp, 4 after, 5 Broome, Western
6cattle,7sound-system
6 cattle, 7 sound-system
seawasp,4after,5Broome,Western
8 sperm whale, 9 ski resorts,
it’sthetopofthemast,2RosKelly,
Lord Howe Island.
holidayislandlieseastof
to weather,
two greenhouse
the primary
manmade climate change?
atmospheric layer is below the stratosphere?
Lake
Shackleton (pictured)
is the name of the ‘super-ocean’
surrounded the supercontinent of Pangaea
the Paleozoic
Italian dessert literally translates as ‘cheer me
Bunga Bunga parties
associated with the
of which former
leader?
dreadnaught was a revolutionary, early 20thcentury kind of what?
Mette Frederiksen
the
minister of which
These young girls had their first taste of school life in January 1958 when they started at Santa Maria’s Infants class. They are Gloria Crasti, Christine Joseph and Maria Szczesny. Dressed in the school uniform and eating a packed lunch, they no doubt soon settled into school.
There is probably no declaration in the Bible that would be met with more resistance than what Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”. This declaration is as narrow as it gets; only one God and one mediator.
We’ve been inundated with the viewpoint that many roads lead to heaven, and that God is not so narrow, that He requires strict allegiance to one way of salvation. A claim of exclusivity is seen as a direct strike at modern pluralism and relativism, it denies the possibility of multiple pathways to God. And so this statement of exclusiveness is seen as bigoted and hateful.
Paul of course is not expressing bigoted hatred, rather he is restating what Jesus himself taught when He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)
Does this mean that Bible-believing Christians are exclusivists and reject all other beliefs? In a sense, yes. If your gut instinct is to reject this claim, take the time to compare the character of the God of Christians against other gods.
May God use these words, to speak to you today.
A HUGE THUMBS UP to the sta at Orange Base Hospital, Medical Ward B. My mother was there for two weeks recently, and got the most wonderful care that we could have asked for. The nurses and sta on the ward were so caring and gentle with her. She commented several times, how lovely everyone was and we were very impressed with the way they treated her. They were also available any time we wanted to ask questions about her condition. We know just how overworked hospital sta are, but they could not have done more to make her stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Thank you so much to all of you, and also to the sta in Accident and Emergency when she was first admitted.
THUMBS UP to the Ploughmans Wetlands Care Group volunteers and Orange City Council for their hard work in creating a wonderful recreational area and wildlife habitat at the Ploughmans Wetland.
THUMBS DOWN to those parents with littlies enrolled at local childcare providers, who drop o children who are clearly unwell, but then don’t answer the phone when the preschool gives them a bell in the middle of the day to tell them. This endangers the health of everyone at the centre, children, workers, parents, and grandparents, who pick up and drop o children there. Do the right thing and keep your sick kids home if they’re not well!
A VERY BIG THUMBS UP to all of the sta and nurses at Cherrywood, Orange Grove Community Care. My Mum was only there a short time, but the care, respect, and love with which she was treated was absolutely wonderful. We could not have asked for more and, as a family, we are very grateful to them for making her feel so special.
THUMBS DOWN to the guy driving a white sedan on Wednesday afternoon on Woodward Street who was trying to run me o the road. It’s only Orange, not the Bathurst 1000 on Race Weekend!
THUMBS UP to Wendy who works on the checkout at North Orange Woolies — she’s always friendly and e cient.
THUMBS DOWN to those in our community, who are quick to criticise community groups with misinformed opinions.
THUMBS DOWN to the lack of an all-weather after-school shelter at one of our local high schools. It’s not very fair, that in our climate and after all our recent wet weather, that students have to wait in the rain for parents to pick them up in their cars at the end of the school day.
THUMBS DOWN to the condition of our state highways. They’re as bad, if not worse, than our local roads. No fault to councils on these ones, the State Government should be putting more money into their repairs during these wet times.
THUMBS UP and many thanks to Dr Ben and Nurse Alison at the Prince Street Medical centre for looking after me.
THUMBS UP to the Bow Café in north Orange for their great customer service. They’re all a friendly bunch, and the co ee is good as well.
THUMBS DOWN - In response to the thumbs down in OCLife’s last edition regarding the putting bins out on Allenby Road, and taking up parking. The man who does this is one of the kindest residents in the street and places the bins to provide safety to the children during school pick-up time. The placement of the bins isn’t done out of malice to create inconvenience, but purely as a safety precaution in a heavily congested environment. In my opinion, he deserves a THUMBS UP
It’s a sexist term, yes. So, the expression in the title of this column should be turfed for that reason alone. I guess it should be replaced with ‘The People’s Game’ to be correct, but that’s not my angle. I believe there are three sports that have loosely been referred to as ‘The Gentleman’s Game’ for a long time; they are cricket, tennis and chess. We will get to tennis next week, and without getting into an argument, yes, chess is a sport, and by the end of this 600-odd words of wa e, you’ll be agreeing that it’s anything but a gentleman’s game.
About nine years ago, one my favourite authors, Australia’s own Matthew Reilly, released a book called ‘The Tournament’. It was set in the 1500s when the Ottoman empire was at its peak. It’s essentially a murder mystery, but people travelled across the (then) world to parade their champion of chess in a display of power and knowledge. Of course, one of the players had a wingman hiding up in the rafters of the big cathedral during the chess games, they cheated like crazy, and all hell broke loose. I bet ol’ Matthew had a laugh this week when he learned of the alleged cheating scandals going on.
Nowadays, cheating is rife in just about every sport or game of chance. Most of these have to do with betting and profit, but some are just about obsession, ruthlessness, and the desperation to win. From taking unnecessary toilet breaks to unsettle the rhythm of an opponent, to faking an injury to waste time and wind the clock down, to rubbing the ball with vasoline or sandpaper, or over/ underinflating the ball to suit your kicker, to paying o or blackmailing the ref/umpire, to (the worst of all says me) throwing a game/match for financial benefit … I could go on for pages.
Anyway, back to chess. Do you remember back in the early 2000s when a bloke won ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ by having somebody coughing when the correct multi-choice answer
was read out? Well, chess has taken it to a whole new level. From wearing miniature cameras in ties and buttonholes or tiny earpieces, to buzzers in wristwatches, to reflections in the light (alerting the players of the correct move, or the existence of a matchwinning position) — they’ve done it all, and probably gotten away with more than what they’ve been caught out for. But scandals started to reach ridiculous stage, when the online tournaments became the norm, especially over COVID times.
Now, for any big chess tournament, they make players go through a scanning machine — like at the airports (yes, seriously), emptying their pockets, taking their belt o — you know the deal.
How sad for the game of chess. But now, it’s gone somewhere that nobody, nobody could have predicted. A young 19-year-old American kid recently defeated the five-time world champ, Magnus Carlsen, and many thought there was something dodgy. This kid had already admitted cheating online when he was younger, but, with all the body scanning and security methods going on, how could he possibly be doing it? Well, (as this is a PG-rated space, so you’ll have to fill in the blanks here), it is alleged, and reportedly perpetuated by none other than billionaire Elon Musk, that this kid had vibrating beads in his, ahem, that buzzed with a kind-of morse code thing going on, telling him what move to do and when to do it. Just when you thought you’d heard or read it all. Not only will chess never be the same again, but I think any reference to it being one of the ‘gentleman’s games’ is firmly wiped from the slate.
Part II of this story, next week, will be all about the true gentlemen of tennis, I promise you.
The vast majority of competitive chess games are now played on online forums like chess.com and lichess.org.
Convenient as this technology is in our busy world, online players are missing out on “the human touch” that you can only get from “over the board” games, Bevan Clouston believes.
Councillor with the NSW Junior Chess League, Bevan is running the fourth-yearly Orange Junior Chess Tournament this Saturday, October 8.
He said that a recent world chess cheating scandal involving a young American prodigy who was banned permanently from some online game sites, shows another benefit of in-person chess.
“For one, cheating is very rarely a problem whatsoever in over the board games, it just doesn’t happen.
“For online games, it’s really hard to monitor, there are lots of systems in place, looking for patterns of play and the like, but it still occurs.”
Online players, particularly juniors, he says, can get a far more complete, challenging, and rewarding connection from live games with their peers.
“Over the board feels like a completely di erent game; the signals you get from the other player as you move, the interaction is totally di erent.
“It’s a more genuine experience. I knew one student, who was performing well online, but not very good over the board. It was the pressure of playing someone in person,” he explained.
He believes that, while online is good for practice and coaching purposes; for young
players to reach their potential, they need to be exposed to live games against opponents of similar standing.
“With games on these sites, you’re simply unable to give your full mental focus.
“You can now do coaching online, while chess.com is the major site for online games, I prefer lichess.org, because it’s totally free.
“Online is therefore good for learning, but it is in real in-person games, that you really get to hone your skills, strategy, and to think on your feet”.
Bevan said that junior players from throughout the central west make the fouryearly trek to east Orange for one of the few over the board junior events in the bush.
Players, otherwise, are forced to travel to Sydney for games with their families in tow, just to get to play under genuine competition rules.
“This is one of the major junior tournaments in country NSW, we have players from Dubbo, Parkes, Bathurst, and everywhere in between, who come to this event,” Bevan said.
This school holiday challenge is at the St Barnabas Anglican Church Hall (opposite Bills Beans) in Dora St from 9.30am and is a fun tournament for young players of any level.
The tournament is for any players under 18 and involves a series of 15-minute timed matches against opponents of similar standing.
Trophies and medals are awarded for first, second, and third place-getters in various ages with an overall winner also.
Entry is $22 per player with sibling discounts applying.
For more information, contact Bevan Clouston on 0415 828 613, email: bevanc@nswjcl.org.au
