OCLife20230504

May the Fourth be with you!

‘Star Wars Day’ (May 4) is the uno�cial holiday that seems to get bigger every year among fans of the now 45-year-old science �ction franchise. To mark the occasion, inside this issue we have a special guest report on a local fan’s journey to the massive Star Wars Celebration event recently held in London.

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Happy Star Wars Day!

For those unaware, today (May 4) is the uno�cial holiday, Star War Day, so named for the similarity between ‘May the 4th’ and the iconic Jedi blessing. While its observation began with fans, it has been embraced by Lucas�lm and Disney, who now use the date to launch new additions to the ever-growing Star Wars universe. Coincidentally (although in one Jedi Master’s experience, ‘there’s no such thing as luck’) local Star Wars superfan and OC Life’s newly appointed O�cial Star Wars Correspondent, Peter Young, recently returned from London and has kindly given us an account of his experience at the o�cial 2023 Star War Celebration. Thanks, Pete!

And this week, we are once again pleased to be able to reward another worthy ‘Volunteer of the Month’ with a $100 gift voucher thanks to Ashcroft’s IGA. This month’s chosen volunteer is Michelle Stevenson, who works tirelessly preparing and cooking meals for the local Senior Citizen’s Association. We’ll have more on Michelle next issue.

It is a period of intense fandom. The Force bringing together thousands of eager fans in London for Star Wars Celebration Europe. Among them was Orange City Life’s o cial Star Wars correspondent, Peter Young…

I was fortunate to attend last year’s Celebration in Anaheim, California, for two days, and this time around, I was joined by Millthorpe’s very own Chris McAlister, and two mates from the UK, Lisa and Jim. My wife was a conscientious objector.

An o cial event managed by Lucasfilm / Disney, Celebration is four whole days of Star Wars goodness, and queues. It is certainly not for the faint-hearted and can cause major damage to your wallet, but it’s the holy grail of worldwide events for anyone who believes that Han shot first.

PANELS

Disney/Lucasfilm save major announcements for events such as Celebration. Imagine being in an arena filled to capacity with lightsaber-wielding die-hard Star Wars fans when Daisy Ridley (Rey) steps onto the stage unannounced with the news of a new Skywalker saga motion picture! Well, I have to imagine too as tickets to the major panels were distributed via online lottery and, like many, I won absolutely nothing.

There are three new movies in the works. One from

Dave Feloni, the brains behind the Clone Wars and Rebels animated series, which will be the equivalent of an Avengers film, bringing together characters from current and upcoming Star Wars TV shows. Sharmeen ObaidChinoy’s film will focus on Rey as she builds a new Jedi Order following the events of Rise of Skywalker. And I’m most excited about James Mangold’s take on the Dawn of the Jedi. Of course, this will be coming o the back of Mangold’s new Indiana Jones film.

Not all of the news was about the silver screen. In the next 12 months, there will be plenty of new Star Wars content including Young Jedi Adventures (May 4), Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 (May 4), Ashoka (August), Skeleton Crew (2024), The Acolyte (2024) and Andor Season 2 (August 2024). What a great time to be a television owner and a Star Wars fan!

AUTOGRAPHS and PHOTOS

A major part of any pop culture convention is meeting the stars and Celebration is no di erent. From the youngest and newest members of the Star Wars alumni, such as 11-year-old Vivien Lyra Blair, who played young Leia in the recent Kenobi series, to the oldest, Billy

A couple of weeks ago in a convention centre pretty far away…

Dee Williams (Lando), who at 86 must be attending his last Celebration, adding photos and autographs to your collection is an essential activity… for a price!

From around $100 upwards, plus a lot of time in the queue, you can have a brief interaction with a performer. Generally, you have a little more time during an autograph session, perhaps 20 seconds, to say hello and maybe ask a question.

For a photo session, you are herded into a booth where there is only time to pose and smile before you are ushered out to collect your print.

Hayden Christensen, Ewen McGregor and Billy Dee Williams were the top-tier stars and commanded around $400 per experience. Combo photos with multiple stars were also available.

The whole operation is very e cient and must be making someone a bucket of money, but I didn’t travel to the other side of the planet to not have my precious seconds with Lando Calrissian and come away with my action figure collectible signed! And what a handsome man.

Most fans wouldn’t be aware that there are o cial and non-o cial circuits for Star Wars-a liated performers. At several non-sanctioned evening events, featured extras and minor character actors and suit performers were available for photos and autographs for around $40. Cash payment only of course. My highlight was meeting two brothers who played Jawas as children in Tunisia in 1977. Their father was a stuntman on A New Hope.

Here’s my o cial photo and autograph haul: Billy Dee Williams (Lando); Mads Mikkelson (Galen Erso); Denis Lawson (Wedge); Sean Crawford (Yak Face); Andy Serkis (Snoke and Kino Loy); Ming-Na Wen (Fennec Shand); Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok); Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma); and Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano).

COSPLAY

Besides attending Supernova Sydney for a day dressed as an obscure character, The Log Lady, from cult TV headscratcher, Twin Peaks, I have not been a cosplayer. With thousands of fans bringing their high-end costumes from around the world, how could I compete with a limited budget and even more limited suitcase space? Simple. A check shirt from Big W. Cheap wigs, beards and Harry Potter glasses from Amazon. Instant George Lucas cosplay. And not just one George Lucas, three! That’s right, my little gang of three became George Lucas clones. Jim was a conscientious objector.

Of course, it did cross my mind that this low-fi attempt would not go down well amongst the Star Wars cosplay elite, including the 501st, a worldwide club where membership is reliant on your Stormtrooper costume being inspected and approved, but my worry was unnecessary. Despite minimal reaction on the light rail, the moment we stepped inside the venue we were rock stars.

Everywhere the three of us went, we were stopped for photos. As soon as one camera phone came out, others instantly appeared. We would have posed for over a hundred photos. We soon developed a little plan for each occasion. Hands in pockets looking disinterested. Crossed arms looking disinterested. Classic George Lucas. At one point, we met up with another two cosplayers with the same idea and we had five George Luci*.

Our day of cosplay was topped o by being stopped for on-camera interviews with an o cial Disney film crew. Sorry screen perfect Boba Fett cosplayers, the “House of Mouse” wants to talk to the guys in the Big W flannies.

See you in Tokyo for Star Wars Celebration Japan in 2025!

* A plural of my own devising

My early memories of Max Hazelton

— BY DICK PAGE —

During the 1950s I, and many others, spent many hours fulfilling our duties as national servicemen.

On one occasion, at Singleton army base, we had completed a fortnight of an annual refresher course and were due to return home to Orange by train. The train journey was a military special dropping o “nashos” at Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange and stations west. The journey to Orange took about 15 to 18 hours.

Three of us (nashos) decided it would be

great if we could get home sooner.

We contacted Max to see if he could fly over to Singleton and pick us up, which he was happy to do. He had just recently bought his first new plane, an Auster (like the one shown above).

We got permission from the base Commander for Max to land on the parade ground, which thinking back wasn’t really suitable for a landing area. However, it didn’t seem to concern Max too much as he landed at the arranged time and taxied across to the three of us and our kit bags waiting at the perimeter.

He looked at us, three average-sized nineteen-year-olds and our kit bags, and said that the Auster would need a longer take-o area than the parade ground if the three of us and the bags were on board. A bit disappointing to hear, thinking that this would be the end of our anticipated flight home.

Max then came up with a plan that would achieve the flight home for the three of us.

He loaded one of us and the bags onto the plane, then took o and landed on an old disused military airstrip, which was considerably longer than the parade

DisabilityAssistanceAnimalsvsEmotionalSupportAnimals

We’ve all heard of disability assistance animals, but what about ‘therapy animals’? Recent statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that over two in five Australians aged between 16 and 85 years have experienced a mental disorder, with depression and anxiety ranking as some of the more prevalent afflictions. One method for alleviating the effects of mental illness is to seek the companionship of a pet, or as they are formally known, an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

Though ESA’s have been said to increase the mental wellbeing of people suffering from these disorders, they are yet to be recognised by Australian law. Under legislation, ESAs are treated as distinct from assistance animals, meaning each is the subject of differing rules and prohibitions. But how are they distinguished? It is a common misconception that the difference between assistance animals and ESAs is the type of disability they are alleviating – i.e., physical disability vs. mental disability. However, in reality, the main distinguishing factor under law is the level of training required of the animal to fulfil their desired purpose.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), an assistance animal is defined as any animal that is trained and/or accredited to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of that disability. For clarity, the Act broadly describes ‘disability’ as the loss of a person’s physical OR mental functions, meaning that any animal accredited to assist a person suffering either a physical or psychological disability, will be recognised as an assistance animal.

ground, and not that far away. He left the bags and the one passenger there, returned to the parade ground and picked up the remaining two of us, and flew back to the waiting bloke at the airstrip.

I remember thinking while we gathering speed along the strip for take-o , the poor little plane was struggling to get airbourne.

The trip home from the airstrip to Orange was only about an hour and fifteen minutes, marvellous!

What good memories, thanks again Max!

Dick Page

Despite early controversy in relation to the appropriateness of an animal’s presence in indoor public domains, such as the cabins of airplanes, hospitals, and supermarkets, assistance animals in general, and especially “guide dogs”, have gradually become accepted in Australian society as commonplace. Preventing a person with a disability from being accompanied by their assistance animal has even been ruled as unlawfully discriminatory under the DDA (see case of Mulligan v Virgin Australia Pty Ltd [2015]).

Contrastingly, Emotional Support Animals are not held to any legislated standards in terms of behaviour or hygiene; theyprovide relief and comfort to people experiencing mental health disorders merely through their presence, rather than by way of any specifically required training. ESAs are also the subject of stricter exclusions in the public domain – i.e., it is not discriminatory to prevent a therapy animal from entering certain environments, given their lack of training/applicable hygiene standards.

This area of the law remains controversial and is likely to be the subject of further developments into the future. Is it fair to apply different rules to ESAs merely because their benefit is derived from their presence rather than specific training? Is it even possible to train a dog to develop emotional intelligence? On the flip side, how do we prevent every person who believes their beloved pet is entitled to certain benefits from claiming emotional affliction?

Legislation concerning animals is of increasingly growing concern to the general public, and is sure to undergo further evolution in coming years.

Thisarticledoesnotconstitutelegaladviceandprovidesgeneralinformationonly.

New village link bike trail unlocks 900 kilometres of cycling adventure

Anewly developed cycling trail linking Guerie to Manildra and Molong could prove to be a real drawcard for the booming bicycling tourism market.

The new 100-kilometre cycling route follows quite rural roads and links Guerie, located between Dubbo and Wellington, to Yeoval, Cumnock, Manildra and Molong.

More importantly, this new trail brings together the popular Central West Cycling Trail, radiating from Mudgee, with the Orange and Villages Bicycle Trail, expanding the mapped riding routes to

more than 900 kilometres.

More and more bicycle riders are seeking these sorts of regional and rural riding experiences, says Ed Henry, a member of the local cycling group, the Orange Treadlies, who have helped map and road test the new trail.

“Regional bike riding is a very attractive leisure pastime in other parts of Australia, particularly Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania,” Ed said.

“But the Central West has been a bit short on these multi-day rides that are attractive to a fair proportion of bike riders from the

Vets corner with MULBERRY LANE VET HOSPITAL

Autumn is here! It’s a beautiful time of year to be in glorious, colourful Orange. But the cooler nights can trigger the first signs of a painful condition in our pets.

Arthritis affects many pets - the figures are surprisingly high. Around one in five dogs and one in three cats suffer from this painful condition. Arthritis is caused in pets just as in humans, when damage to a joint causes inflammation and pain. The movement of the joint is restricted and the pain can become constant for your furry friend. Arthritis is made worse by injury, by age or by general wear and tear. But it’s not just a condition that affects elderly animals - some breeds of dog are more prone to arthritis, and any overweight pet is at risk. Pets can’t tell us how they are feeling, so what signs should a caring owner look for?

Have you noticed your dog looks sore in the morning? Is he reluctant to walk or play? Has their behaviour changed – perhaps he or she might be snappy when touched. An arthritic dog may limp, show stiffness or have difficulty getting upstairs or into the car. Jumping on to the couch might be hard work. If your dog is showing some or all of these symptoms, then a check up with one of the friendly vets at Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital is definitely needed.

In cats it’s much harder to detect the early signs

capital cities, the urban bike riders that want to get out into the bush.”

It was just over a year ago that the Orange Treadlies, in partnership with Orange360 launched the Orange and Villages Bicycle Trail, 360 kilometres of trails that link Orange to villages in the Cabonne and Blayney Shires,

Realising that just 100 kilometres separated this route from Mudgee’s Central West Cycle Trail, the two cycling groups cooperated to develop the new link route, which Ed believes will see more and more people get out of the cities and explore the central west on two wheels.

of arthritis. Cats are very good at hiding pain, so it is important to keep a close eye on their behaviour. A cat in pain may sit in a hunched up position, or hide away. He or she might spend less time playing and more time asleep than usual. She may be hesitant to jump on or off the furniture, or be reluctant to climb stairs. Cats usually keep themselves very clean, so matted fur or a decrease in grooming is not a good sign.

The good news is that there are many treatments for the pain of arthritis, and your pet can have his or her life transformed. Anti-inflammatories, pain medication and changing your pet’s diet to one formulated to help with joint health, can all make a big difference. Supplements like 4-Cyte make a delicious treat which also benefits joints. Of course, keeping your pet at a healthy weight is a great way to improve his or her health – and not just for arthritis! This month, your cat, dog or rabbit can come to Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital for a FREE ATHRITIS CHECK UP and get advice about the best diet and treatment to help. Our reception area is stocked with everything your pets might need – a full range of quality pet food including special diets for pets with arthritis, dietary supplements for better joint health, treats to help maintain healthy teeth, and flea/worm treatments. Plus friendly advice for you and your pet - we look forward to seeing you soon!

“It’s been a good joint project, the two bike riding organisations working together to put together a trail that helps bike riders and bike riding visitors to come into our regions,” Ed said.

“What we’re doing, to some degree, is catching up with organised routes that have been tried and tested in other parts of Australia. The Central West has been a bit of a desert and we’re playing catch-up.”

The new route complements the Orange and Villages Trail ( OVBT) which is outlined here: Orange360. com.au/Things-to-do/Cycling

Yeoval

Countdown to White Tie Ball: a night of glitz and glam for a good cause

The sixth annual White Tie Ball is less than three weeks away with the organising team at Housing Plus predicting a great night all in the name of a good cause.

The annual charity ball is an important fundraiser for Housing Plus, with the money raised going to support women and children escaping domestic violence here in Orange.

This year’s ball gets underway at 6pm Saturday, May 20 at the Orange ExServices’ Club, the $140 ticket price getting you a three-course meal and a top night of entertainment.

“We’re looking forward to a really great night!” Housing Plus engagement and volunteer coordinator, Rochelle Monaghan said.

“People have been incredibly generous and we’ve got some great prizes on the night… For entertainment we’ve got Robbie Mortimer, he’s got a band with him as well

If

– it’s really nice to get up at the end of the night and have a dance, so we’re really looking forward to that!”

Donated items for the live auction on the night include a weekend stay and balloon ride in Canowindra for two, a signed Penrith Panthers jersey, artworks from local artists

including Joy Engelman and Tracey Mackie, and a weekend away in Mudgee for up to 10 people.

There will also be ra es on the night or you can try your luck on a mystery prize by purchasing one of the $50 “lucky envelopes” up for grabs.

RURAL HEALTH MATTERS Healthy Heart

By Dr Paul Lunney

This week is Heart Week, Australia’s national heart health awareness campaign. It is aimed at starting a conversation between people and their health practitioners, in the hope that individuals will take positive steps towards healthier lifestyles, reducing the burden of heart disease.

Heart disease refers to any condition that affects the structure or function of the heart muscle, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, valve disease or arrythmias (rhythm disorders). Coronary heart disease (CHD) – when there is a narrowing or blockage in the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle (think heart attacks, stents and bypass surgeries) –effects around 3% of all adults, 11% of those 75 years and over, and is the most common cause of death in all Australians.

Who is at risk?

Men are at greater risk than women, and advancing age also increases the risk of heart disease. Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and weight are all risk factors for developing CHD.

Prevention is key

What can we do to reduce risk our risk of heart disease?

•Eat a healthy balanced diet

•Exercise regularly

•Stop smoking

• See your doctor regularly, especially if you have medical conditions that put you at risk

Know the signs

Heart disease is often a silent process – you may not have any symptoms until you become very unwell. It is important for this reason to have regular check-ups with your GP.

YOU SHOULD CALL 000 IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING:

•Chest pain

•Breathlessness

• Palpitations (an awareness of your heart beating fast or irregularly)

Book a heart health check

If you are over 45 years of age and have not had a check-up in the past two years, you should strongly consider doing so!

When the White Tie Ball was first held in 2017, the aim was to raise money to build a dedicated safe haven for women and children escaping domestic violence in Orange. That refuge, The Orchard, has been operating now for two years and provided emergency accommodation to scores of women and children in need.

But women often arrive at The Orchard with nothing, and fundraisers like the White Tie Ball help Housing Plus provide clothing, food and other everyday items needed to start again.

Tickets for the White Tie Ball are $140 and can be purchased by visiting www.oesc. com.au/whatson and following the links.

If you are unable to attend and would like to o er your support Housing Plus have introduced a Virtual Seats Campaign where you can purchase a Virtual Seat from $30, or simply make an online donation at https://chu ed.org/ project/2023wtbvirtualseats

Heart health checks can be performed by your GP and typically include:

•Discussing your medical history

• Physical examination including blood pressure and weight

• Arranging tests such as blood sugar and cholesterol, and an ECG (electrocardiogram – a quick heart monitor print out of the electrical activity of the heart)

This check-up can help you and your GP identify and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

If you have any concerns or questions about your heart health, reach out to your GP.

AUTHOR BIO

Dr Paul Lunney is a GP with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Lecturer at the School of Rural Health, Dubbo.

you or someone you know needs support, please call: 1800 RESPECT or Housing Plus on 1800 603 300

Housing Plus’ Rochelle Monaghan with one of the artworks to be auctioned at the White Tie Ball on May 20.

Three deserving locals have been recognised for the exceptional work they do day in, day out to make life a little easier for those in our community who live with Parkinson’s.

Each April, during Parkinson’s Awareness month the “Community Hero Program,” run across by Parkinson’s NSW, invites community support groups to nominate their local heroes.

Nominations have varied widely from Members of Parliament to healthcare, and allied and aged care workers.

But on Thursday, April 27 the Orange Parkinson’s Support Group announced their three chosen heroes: Bloom’s pharmacist, Melanie Moses; community services receptionist at Orange’s Giyalang Ganya Centre, Rennie Johns; and carer Julie Doulis who actually looks after Orange Parkinson’s Support Group Member, Rosie Frecklington.

Recognition for our local Parkinson’s “Community Heroes”

All three of the deserving recipients have done exceptional work in their fields, each helping make life just that little bit easier for those in Orange who live with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system. Its causes are unknown, and a cure has not yet been found.

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s can be di cult, and people can live with the condition for decades.

During that time, they will decline in health to the point of incapacity. This decline, sometimes involving dramatic changes in symptoms and even personality, in turn, places huge pressure on the caregivers and families of people living with Parkinson’s.

And Parkinson’s is actually more prevalent than prostate and breast cancer in Australians over the age of 50, facilitator of the Orange Parkinson’s Support Group, Bernie Du y, said.

“Yet despite cancers being declared a National Health Priority Area (NHPA) for Federal and State Governments, Parkinson’s is not,” he added.

“Given the many negative impacts of living with Parkinson’s, it is of great concern to me that neither state nor federal governments provide funding of any substance toward service delivery to mitigate the e ects of this disease –which, by the way, is now the most degenerative neurological condition in the world.”

The Orange Parkinson’s Support Group held an information display at Blooms the Chemist during Parkinson’s Awareness Month, taking the opportunity to make more locals aware of the issues facing people living with Parkinson’s here in Orange.

Find out more about Parkinson’s NSW, local Parkinson’s Support Groups, and how to donate by calling the Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine on 1800 644 189.

THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY PERFORMS BEETHOVEN

The Sydney Symphony returns to Orange to perform three favourites in one memorable concert.

Beethoven’s First Symphony was a revelation for its time and still has the power to make audiences feel something that they never have before. Edvard Grieg’s music recalls joyous dances in its celebration of Norwegian culture. And Strauss’ romantic Oboe Concerto is brought to life by the Sydney Symphony’s renowned Principal Oboe, Diana Doherty.

2 June, 7:30pm Orange Civic Theatre

BOOK NOW orange.nsw.gov.au

Our three local Parkinson’s Community Heroes: Rennie Johns, Julie Doulis, and Melanie Moses with Orange Parkinson’s Support Group member Brian Clinghan

Wangarang wants scarecrow showdown on Show Day!

The 2023 Orange Show is almost here!

Show Gates open on Saturday, May 14 and across Orange people have been working hard on their entries for the pavilion. Orange City Life visited Wangarang Industries this week, who are throwing down the gauntlet to other local groups to get creative and try to top their entry in the Show’s scarecrow competition.

Showing o the Wangarang team’s e orts on Monday, Chief Executive O cer of Wangarang Industries, Kevin McGuire put out an open challenge to other local businesses to get creative and get involved in our local show.

The group section of the show’s scarecrow competition is open to businesses, schools and

other organisations with categories for “Techno Scarecrow”, “Best Dressed Scarecrow representing the Orange region”, “Scarecrow representing a Business of School”, and “Scarecrow made from recycled materials”.

Individuals can also get involved in the 10 years and under, or 11 years and over competitions, with four categories: “Scariest Scarecrow”, “Coolest Scarecrow”, “Hippy Scarecrow” and “Scarecrow made from recycled materials”.

Entry forms and fees must be submitted by Wednesday, May 10, with exhibits brought to the Agricultural Pavilion at the Showgrounds on Thursday, May 11. Entry forms can be found at www.orangeshowsociety.org.au/scarecrow

DROUGHT, FLOOD,FIRE AND PLAGUE

Drought, flood, fire and plague have always figured prominently in the history of this wide brown land of ours.

They occur fairly regularly and are faced stoically by the men and women whose livelihoods depend on their wisdom and knowledge — a knowledge born of hard experience.

In the 1940s a savage drought combined with a rabbit plague depleted much of the country.

Some time ago I talked to men who knew all about plagues and pestilence.

“I remember when we had a plague of redlegged mites,” said Peter. “Carrying capacity was so low that something had to be done.

“There was no dirt and no cover and when that happens there’s no growth.”

In the 1950s, 60s and early 70s the improvements made to the land were enormous.

“With help from the Department of Agriculture, a program of pasture improvement was begun,” continued Peter.

“We used equipment in a small way, putting seed boxes on top of the chisel plough to seed the land.

“When the ryegrass and clover grew we had great problems with the mites which used to attack the chlorophyll in the clover leaf and you would then have the comical

sight of people all over the countryside on their knees, backside up, examining the ground for these very small pests.”

Then there was flood.

The 1950s saw plenty of rain in NSW and many rivers flooded.

I spoke to several people in the Central West about their experiences.

“From the age of eight I rode my bike to where I went to school,” said Pauline. “I had to go through five gates and cross three creeks.

“My parents gave me instructions on how to cross the first creek which flowed into a big dam. I had to keep left and avoid a big hole. I was scared sti !

“The next creek was a problem as I had to hop o my bike and jump onto a big rock in the middle.

When the creek was in flood the rock was submerged but somehow I managed to become quite skilled at judging the depth of the water and if it was too deep there was no school for me that day!”

A farmer’s life is quite often a di cult one, made no easier by the occurrence of plague — rabbits, mice and locusts.

Brian remembered the primitive methods used to combat locusts in the 1940s, when men with sacks containing bran laced with poison on their backs, would laboriously cast it by hand, covering only an acre a day.

Kevin had a milk run in 1966 when another locust invasion occurred and at 2am he

would see the street lamps covered with a thick carpet of insects, which disappeared only with the first rays of the sun, taking o for greener pastures like the bowling green where they lay two inches deep.

Later, I talked with Dennis whose family has owned a large property for several generations.

“In the early days there were very few fences to control the livestock and shepherds lived with the sheep they looked after,” he told me. “When new owners took over, the first thing they did was to erect about 200 miles of fences to control the stock.

“Until a few years ago, it was still possible to see the relics of the dwellings which had been lived in by the shepherds.

“I used to trap rabbits when I was a boy,” he continued. “My brother and I used to watch the market prices for rabbit skins and when there was a glut we decided to store our skins in an old tank for a couple of months before taking them to a dealer. The main problem was that, in the early stage, the skins contained moisture and the longer we stored them, the drier and lighter they became. When we sold them, the profit was no greater than if we’d sold them straight away. We learned a valuable lesson in economics!”

Later I talked to Jack.

“I was born in the desert country of South Australia. It was very isolated, with only a 35mile two-wheel track from the railway siding

into the homestead, and from the house to the other end of the place was another 35 miles,” said Jack.

“Environmentally the rabbit plague was a disaster. They not only ate the grass in competition with the sheep but also ate the roots of the vegetation, causing widespread erosion.

“Due to this Australia lost important markets, both locally and internationally. This, combined with a long drought in the 1940s, proved devastating.

“Manpower, which could have otherwise been used, was involved in heavy manual labour, digging out a multitude of burrows. It was hard work and had to be done without mechanised help. When help was available it was very basic and not well organised.

“In the 1940s and 50s we used to lay long trails of carrots laced with arsenic and I remember one night when we killed 4000 rabbits.”

The rabbit plague had a rather mixed e ect.

While causing great hardship to those whose livelihood was linked to the land, it gave, in the short term, a breathing space for the unemployed in the Great Depression, whose survival often depended on their ability to trap rabbits for both skins and food.

It wasn’t until the arrival of Myxomatosis, the disease which had a great e ect on the numbers of rabbits, that it all changed.

Copyright HelenMcAnulty 2023

Phil DONATO MP State Member for Orange

Blue Tree PROJECT G'day

Since my re-election I’ve been busy meeting with Councils, organisations and constituents across the electorate, establishing their priorities so I can assist in addressing community needs over the coming term of the NSW Parliament. With Parliament to commence next month, I look forward working closely with the new government to ensure the Orange electorate gets its fair share.

Cheers, Phil

ORANGE HELICOPTERS

Orange Helicopters opened their new hanger at Orange Airport with special guest, aviation and helicopter legend Dick Smith doing the honours. This is a great investment for Orange, providing world class aviation support for our town and region.

JACKIE CLARK

book launch

I was delighted to be invited to the book launch of local author Jackie Clark first published book titled “November”. “November” is the first in a series of 12 and is a romance-based novel. Congratulations Jackie on your inaugural published works.

It is never comfortable talking about suicide, but it is such an important community issue to discuss. Suicide awareness and prevention is something we all need to do more about. Each suicide is a tragedy. Lives often cut too short, often in their prime. We question ourselves like “why “or “if only I reached out or asked how they were going….” That is one of the reasons I have been hosting the monthly Mr Perfects Men’s BBQ for the last 2 years, as well as supporting Orange City Council and the Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network blue bench campaign by sponsoring a blue bench. Orange Council and many local businesses and organisations also donated funds to support the blue bench project. The blue seats and the blue painted trees you might see in your travels around the region are conversation starters for suicide, depression and mental health and part of the Blue Tree Project. If you see someone sitting on a blue bench around town, go and have a conversation with them and see how they are going. You may just save a life! Well done to the Orange Region Suicide Prevention Network and Orange City Council for driving this important initiative.

SES Western Zone

It was great to catch-up with Superintendent Brigid Rice of SES Western Zone, and her newest recruit (and daughter) Katherine Rice. The SES are looking for more recruits to bolster their ranks in readiness for inevitable storms and floods in the future. If you are interested in further information about joining the SES, check out their website or contact them via email at wtz.admin@ses.nsw.gov.au.

ORANGE PROSTATE CANCER

I recently joined members of the Orange Prostate Cancer Support Group at Café Connect Orange to be their guest speaker. Discussing men’s mental health, the Mr Perfect Men’s Mental Health BBQ I host monthly, and the new PET/CT scanner being installed at PRP Orange. Plus, the supper is always pretty good too! Homemade scones and biscuits. If you or someone you know is living with prostate cancer, or has been impacted by this cancer, please attend their next meeting in May at the meeting room at Cafe Connect, 107 Prince St, Orange from 6pm.

Financial advice made even easier New street-level CBD o ce for PWM Advice

With a new street front location right in the heart of the Orange CBD, PWM Advice has made it even easier to get in touch and get on your way to financial freedom.

After six years in their upstairs o ce opposite Robertson Park, PWM Advice has relocated to a new street-level o ce at 180 Lords Place.

Business owner and financial advisor Darren Tindall said the move to a new o ce was simply about them being able to better serve their clients, particularly those with limited mobility.

“We’re only about 300 metres from our former location, but the biggest di erence for us is now being at street level,” Darren said.

“We’ve got a lot of clients who are older and clients in wheelchairs and the stairs were a bit of an issue. So being able to service our clients a lot better by being in a street-level location was the biggest for us.”

Starting out in a small Sale Street o ce in

2014, PWM Advice has grown steadily in the years since. Today, Darren said the business works with about 600 clients, helping them prepare for retirement, or o ering advice on insurance, superannuation, investments, budgeting and cashflow.

“We’ve got really strong word of mouth, we don’t do much advertising,” Darren said, attributing their growth to the personalised approach they take to helping clients grow and protect wealth no matter what stage of life they are at.

“The average age of our clients is only 35, so you don’t have to be 60 and looking at retiring to see us,” he said.

“We like to see younger clients and help them on their way, get them a plan and prepare for their financial future. And we’ve got a lot of mums and dads and their kids as clients, which is a really good feeling for us to be trusted with that intergenerational

wealth within our business, protecting not just mum and dad, but the younger members of the family as well.”

For those who’ve been thinking about seeking financial advice, but don’t know where to start, Darren said the most important step is just to make that first phone call.

From there, he said, the team at PWM Advice can evaluate your needs and devise a plan to help you achieve your goal.

“The best idea is to give us a call and we’ll go through what we can do,” Darren said. “Coming in and seeing us doesn’t cost anything and then at the end of the meeting if we are going to do work for you… we all work on an hourly rate, it’s all a fee-forservice arrangement.

“So, if it’s going to take 10 hours, then we’ll quote for 10 hours’ work. We’re pretty transparent about that. We don’t take

percentages of superannuation or anything like that.”

And if your particular situation happens to be outside their area of expertise, Darren said they have a strong network of professionals they can refer you to.

“If we’re not the perfect fit or you’re looking for something di erent, we’ll let you know who you have a chat with,” Darren said.

“If we can’t help a client, we’ve got a number of really good referral partners that we can get the client to. If a client needs a house loan, or a car loan, or a business loan, we’ve got a lot of great people that work with us to do that.

“Our main focus is to build and protect wealth for clients. And we want to be there for our clients for the long term, for 30 years and beyond so we can help them throughout all stages of their lives.”

The team from PWM Advice, now located at 180 Lords Place, Orange: Telisa Schumacher, Allison Kramer, Liam Cole, Darren Tindall, Casey Ryan and Heather Biega.

PAID PARKING TO RETURN TO OPHIR CAR PARK

YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL AT WORK

Paid parking will return to the Ophir Car Park from Monday 8 May 2023 after being paused by Orange City Council during the pandemic and throughout the upgrade in Lords Place.

Orange Deputy Mayor Gerald Power is asking residents to make sure they are aware of the change ahead of time.

“It’s important for drivers to be aware of this change so they can make a choice about where to park and be prepared to pay for using all-day parking in Ophir car park to avoid being fined,” Cr Power said.

“Businesses are telling us it’s time for paid parking to be reinstated to encourage more parking turnover in the CBD.”

While paid parking will return to the Ophir Car Park, 36 spaces on the Kite and Moulder Street fringes of the car park will remain as free 2-hour spaces. All other spots will stay as all-day car

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT

parks and will cost drivers $3/day to park.

Long-term permits can be purchased from Orange City Council’s customer service desk:

•1 month = $44.50

•3 months = $133.50

•6 months = $272.50

“Like any change, it will take some time to adjust to these new arrangements so I’m asking people to be patient while we all get used to this change,” Cr Power said.

“There are still many options for free allday parking in the streets and other car parks around the CBD and this could be a good time to discover these options.” A map of CBD parking zones can be found on the Council website.

Council parking patrol officers may issue a warning letter instead of a fine while drivers get used to the change.

COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY SERVICES AT OPEN DAY

Orange City Council will hold an open day at the Community Services Centre, Giyalang Ganya, on Friday 12 May to celebrate Neighbourhood Centre Week.

Members of the public are invited to meet the team and discover the range of community services available such as aged care, disability support, youth services, road safety, migrant support, community development

and children’s services.

Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair, Cr Mel McDonell encouraged everyone to come along and find out more about the community services Council offers.

“Many residents might not be aware of the wide range of community services Orange City Council provides and this is a great opportunity to come down, meet the team and find out more

about the support you can receive,” Cr McDonell said.

Visitors to the open day can browse information stands about each service, win a prize in a game of bingo and enjoy a free barbecue, snacks, tea and coffee.

The RUOK Conversation Convoy will also be there providing resources to help locals support each other, as well as asking people what else they

can do to support rural and regional communities through tough times.

The Open Day will be held from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the Community Services Centre, Giyalang Ganya, 286 Lords Place.

Neighbourhood Centre Week is held across Australia each year to celebrate the role of neighbourhood centres in our community. This year’s theme is Locals Connecting Locals.

Paid parking will return to the Ophir Car Park from Monday 8 May. s

Come and meet the team at the Community Services Centre open day on Friday 12 May. s

PHOTOS BY HENRY DEROOY

Tractor Trek charity trivia night for Little Wings

The Central West Charity Tractor Trek held a brain-boggling night of trivia to raise money for patient transport charity, Little Wings to help keep the vital service in the air. The trivia night was also the launch of the Central West Charity Tractor Trek’s 2023 fundraising e orts. It took place at the Orange City Bowling Club on Saturday, April 29, where teams of eight battled it out to be crowned trivia champions.

Ray White and Kate Hazelton

Graeme Renaud, Garry Ryan and Gordon McMillan

Bruce and Sophie Reynolds Lenore and Don Mackintosh

Gordon Smith and Ronda Taylor

Margaret and Bill Kingham

Barry and Denise Wilson

Planetarium

√ 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

√ 47 mobile phone towers and base stations across Calare

LAUNCH OF TEN4TEN 2023!

It was great to meet the fantastic group of students who are part of this year’s TEN4TEN program!

Run by RDA Central West, the program pairs ten hardworking and talented year 11 students from across the region with ten local leaders for a year-long mentorship program.

The launch of the 2023 program was a wonderful opportunity to congratulate this year’s TEN4TEN

cohort and hear more about their passions and ambitions for the future.

This year, I’ll be mentoring Charlotte Roach from Molong Central School.

It looks set to be a very exciting year for the TEN4TEN students, with many events and trips to look forward to (including a visit to Parliament House in Canberra later this year!).

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY

It was an honour to attend the Australian Citizenship Ceremony at Orange City Council Chambers last week.

Congratulations and a very warm welcome to all of our new Aussies!

And a big thank you to Orange City Council for hosting this terrific afternoon.

It’s great to be an Aussie!

ORANGE LIONS CLUB TIME CAPSULE TO BE UNEARTHED

Congratulations

In 1973, the Orange Lions Club wanted to raise funds to give the people of Orange a ladies rest centre and bus shelter in Robertson Park. People were invited to purchase an envelope for $1.00 in which to place some items of interest, like photographs, stamps, coins, letters, or trinkets. These envelopes were then interred in a time capsule. Now, almost 50 years later, the countdown is on to dig up the two-meter tall capsule!

Purchasers were given a card and told to place it with their will, or in a secure place which could be located in 2023. This card gives authority to the holder to receive the envelope.

The capsule was buried in Robertson Park on 29 June 1974. Five decades

RETHINK NEEDED ON 60-DAY DISPENSING

The Federal Government has recently announced changes to medicine prescriptions, introducing a new 60-day prescription policy.

On the surface, the new policy looks okay and sounds positive. But when you strip it all back, this is the government trying to make some marginal budget savings by cutting the number of prescription fees it pays to local pharmacies.

My phone has been ringing off the hook with local pharmacists who are extremely concerned about what this change will mean for their patients. They are distressed that very vulnerable patients will now have access to double their usual supply of certain drugs, which could have tragic outcomes for some vulnerable members of the community.

They are also concerned that the new policy will create a medicine shortage

later, on 29 June 2023, Orange City Council and the Orange Lion’s Club will unearth the capsule, with card holders able to claim their treasures on 1 July 2023.

If you have a time capsule card, email the Orange Lions Club at olc.timecapsule@ gmail.com with the name on the card, card number, claimants name, claimants email and phone number. Alternatively, the information can be posted to the “Orange Lions Club Time Capsule” PO Box 499 Orange 2800. On receipt of your information the Club will send you details on how to collect the envelope.

For more information on the time capsule contact Shane Reddan at 0413 163 721.

crisis. There are currently hundreds of drugs that are in very short supply that will be affected by this change. With people across Australia soon able to go to their pharmacy and receive double their usual prescription, immense pressure will be placed on already-stretched supply chains. Put simply, there just won’t be enough supply of key drugs which many people rely on every day, like medicine for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

This policy change will have a devastating impact on the services that our local pharmacists provide. They will be forced to look at cutting staff, slashing the services they supply for free to aged care facilities, and axing home delivery services.

I urge the government to rethink this.

Andrew with members of this year’s TEN4TEN Program!

Andrew with new mentee Charlotte Roach

to our new Aussie Citizens!

THE GOOD ENOUGH Parent

with EMILY THOMPSON

MY BEST FAMILY STORY

As a disorganised and occasionally crazy parent, nothing chills you to the bone more than hearing your child announce they are entering a public speaking competition where they have to write their own speech.

“So the topics are: One, My favourite animals; Two; My special adventure; Or three, My best family story,” Miss Eight announces.

I take a deep breath and attempt to use my special “Mum Mind Tricks,” a mix of distraction, positive reinforcement and suggestion.

“Oh that sounds great! What are your favourite animals?” I try optimistically.

“Dingoes, for my dingo army obviously,” she begins, “but I’m not writing about animals.”

“You love adventures!” I try in vain.

“Sure, but I’m going to write about the time you got my sister breathalysed at the RBT you were pulled over at,” she declares like that’s a perfectly appropriate topic for the CWA primary public speaking competition.

I panic, and text my friend group chat where it’s immediately pointed out to me that she’s voluntarily doing extra credit homework… and that’s amazing… apparently.

I cling to (misguided) optimism and chalk this one up as a win and move on, choosing not to ask any follow-up questions about her dingo army.

“Any homework or assignments for you yet?” I ask Miss 14. She looks up from her phone and somehow manages to roll her eyes and look happy at the same moment, using “Teenage Mind Tricks” perhaps.

“Yes, maths… and, ugh. But also you need to pick me up and drop me in town on Monday afternoon because I’ve decided it’s my turn to get my hair done at Tangled,” says the child who last week flat out refused to attend the haircut I’d booked for her during the holidays at a time that was convenient to me.

“It’s at 3.30pm on Monday afternoon,” she adds. I open my mouth to remind her I’m at work until 5pm on Monday, but she cuts me off.

“I used your credit card to pay the non-

refundable booking fee…”

And so, on Monday afternoon I leave early, pick both kids up and somehow make it to Kite Street by 3.30pm.

Miss 14 dashes in alone, but with my credit card, and I find myself alone in the car with Miss 8, who immediately demands to know what snacks I’ve brought.

“You can eat anything that’s left in your lunchbox,” I helpfully remind her.

The look of horror and disgust tells me there’s only fruit left, which she loves, mind you, but parked so close to the doughnut shop, she has other ideas at the moment.

“We can walk to the doughnut shop… they sell coffee, Mum!” she starts.

I say no, but what she hears is a debate adjudicator announcing “Affirmative team, first rebuttal.”

“They sell dinosaur doughnuts!” she continues. I say no, but what she hears is the debate adjudicator announcing “Affirmative teamsecond rebuttal.”

“Are you sure? You look particularly tired and haggard today.”

I say no again, somewhat less nicely than before, but what she hears is the debate adjudicator announcing “Affirmative team, final argument!”

“Okay, fine… I’ll just hang out in my seat and beatbox. Want to hear me perform Baby Shark?”

I spend the next 20 minutes watching Miss 14 through the window of Tangled get 3mm trimmed from her hair as her sister beatboxes Baby Shark out of spite. Although to be fair, she’s honestly pretty good at it.

Haircut done, debate lost and one stylishlooking teen smothered with compliments about how lovely she looks and I’m driving home to the relaxing sounds of children arguing about the front seat/beatboxing/whose haircut is better/ whether or not it’s worth invading Wales if you are taking over the UK with your dingo army… I remind myself that one day my car will be empty and I’ll miss this!

A massive month of special event

It’s going to be a big month at Orange’s Odeon 5 with not only the eagerly awaited premiere of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 4) but a number of special event screenings to look forward to.

Senior’s Movie Morning

Senior’s Movie Morning returns 10.30am Thursday, May 11, with the choice of watching one of two films that will be screened simultaneously. Choose to watch either the romantic comedy, Love Again, or Book Club: The Next Chapter, and then stick around and enjoy sandwiches, tea and co ee afterwards for just $15.

John Farnham: Finding the Voice — the untold story of an Australian music icon

On Sunday, May 14, treat Mum to a special Mother’s

Day screening of John Farnham: Finding the Voice — the untold story of the Australian music icon. In what’s the first authorised biopic, we follow Farnham’s life from the quiet suburbs of Melbourne to ‘60s pop fame, through incredible highs and lows, and ultimately to record-breaking success as ‘Australia’s Voice’.

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters — This is Not a Drill

Filmed live in Prague, join Roger Waters, the creative mastermind behind Pink Floyd’s greatest music on his farewell tour, “This is Not a Drill”. Broadcast live to cinemas around the world, experience “This is Not a Drill” (slightly delayed live broadcast) at Odeon 5 — one night only — 8.30pm Friday, May 26.

photos by Henry DeRooy

OCLife Scene

The OCLife scene of recent parties, concerts, celebrations and events

ACTION FROM THE 2023 BAKEHOUSE ON THE BOULEVARD ORANGE OPEN

The 35th Orange Open wrapped up at Orange Tenpin Bowl on Sunday after a competitive weekend of bowling.

Victorian Troy Gaylard took the top spot in the tournament, followed by Stephen Cowland of Shellharbour in second place, and Robert Townsend of Canberra in third.

“Congratulations to everyone that bowled in our 2023 Bakehouse on the Boulevard Orange Open NSW Regional Bowling Tour Tournament,” Orange Tenpin Bowl owner Marisa Belmonte said.

“It was a total pleasure having you all bowl at our centre here Orange Tenpin Bowl. Look forward to seeing you all next year on 27th and 28th April 2024.”

Left to right: Stephen Cowland (2nd place), Orange Open winner Troy Gaylord, and Robert Townsend (3rd Place)

2023 Bakehouse on the Boulevard Orange Open tournament winner Troy Gaylord

Win tickets to Opening Night!

Want to be there for the Opening Night of School of Rock?

Thanks to the Orange Theatre Company we have five (5) double passes to give away to the premiere performance. Simply get in touch and tell us, ‘I want to Rock!’ and you will go into the draw for two free tickets to the May 12, opening night of School of Rock!

Send your entries to reception@ oclife.com.au, message us on Facebook, or drop them into the o ce by 12pm Tuesday, May 9.

OTC is ready to Rock!

School of Rock premiers at the Orange Civic Theatre, May 12

Orange Theatre Company is back with their first production for 2023, the much-loved comedy musical School of Rock.

Based on the hit Jack Black film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. For star of the local production, Alan Moxey, taking on such an iconic role like that of Dewey Finn has been an exciting challenge.

“This is definitely the biggest one I’ve ever done,” Alan said, adding that he likes pushing himself with “big scary roles.”

“The scope of this role was exciting; I get to do exciting rock vocals and I learnt guitar for it… It’s a fun role with a lot of legacy behind it.”

Dewey Finn is not only one of Jack Black’s most wellknown film performances, but on the stage, it’s a role that

scored Alex Brightman a Tony Award nomination.

“Alex Brightman became a bit of a legend for doing this role and he’s also an incredible inspiration for me doing this.”

One of the challenges for the local production was casting Dewey’s “School of Rock” class, finding young local actors who could sing, move and play instruments live on stage.

“These kids are incredible,” Alan said. “When we turned up to callback auditions and I first heard them I was blown away with how amazing they are!

“They’re the heart of this show and they’re what’s going to make this show really special. I hope they steal the show from me and I think they can!”

“But the show is worth watching just to see Alan,” added castmate Oscar McLaughlin, who plays Dewey’s best friend Ned Scheebley.

“He’s going to downplay how good he is, but he has completely stepped into the role and it’s just amazing to see!”

Playing alongside Alan as the overworked school principal

Rosalie Mullins is relative newcomer to the Theatre Company, Charlie Parker.

“I did Mamma Mia and I’ve just been wanting to do it for a lot more years and I’m prepared to say it out loud!” Charlie said.

“And after doing Mamma Mia last year I got the bug for it big time and decided I wanted to do it again!

“And this show in particular, I used to work in the film industry and I actually worked on the Australian premiere of the film with Jack Black and two of the kids, so it’s kind of nice that 20 years later I’m in the local production.”

Charlie too, says Alan’s performance makes this a show not to be missed.

“It’s such an iconic role, really big shoes to fill, but Alan fills those shoes in his own way… he’s got the chops but he’s not trying to be Jack Black’s version or Alex Brightman, he’s being his own version and it’s really damn good!”

School of Rock premieres at the Orange Civic Theatre on Friday, May 12 and runs through to Sunday, May 21. Tickets at Ticketek or call 63938111.

Friday May 5

The Corner Story Gallery

Studio Sessions | Clancy Pye 6pm

Victoria Hotel

100 Year Celebrations from 6pm Peter Naylor from 8pm

Saturday May 6

Victoria Hotel

Orange’s live music institution 4 on the 4loor celebrate 25 years, 8pm

Club Millthorpe

Market Night 7pm

Orange Civic Theatre

The Twits 1pm

Tuesday May 9

Yeoval Showground

Yeoval Show from 8am

The Agrestic Grocer

Ruby Tuesday | Tribute to Stray Cats 6pm

Wednesday May 10

Orange Botanic Gardens

Underground Lovers Book Launch with Alison Pouliot 6pm

Duntryleague

JAM Orange Open Mic Night 7.30pm

Wednesday May 10

Underground Lovers Book Launch with Alison Pouliot 6pm

Coming Events:

May 12-21

Orange Civic Theatre School of Rock

May 13

Orange Show

Tamburlaine Organic Wines, Millthorpe

Wickes and Watts

May 17

West Orange Baptist Church Hall

Biggest Morning Tea

May 20

Orange Ex-Services Club

Housing Plus – White Ball

May 27

Orange Function Centre Stars of Orange

June 10-11

Orange Winter Jazz Festival

June 17

Orange City Bowling Club Sydney Hotshots

June 16-18

Antique, Jewellery and Collectables Fair

THE CORNER STORY GALLERY • MAY 5 Clancy Pye

THE VIC • MAY 5 Peter Naylor

Celebrate a quarter-century of the 4loor this Saturday

25 years, 316 shows, over 1264 performances

Orange’s live music institution 4 on the 4loor celebrates 25 years this Saturday.

Over the 316-show history of the 4loor, the Victoria Hotel stage has hosted more than 1,260 performances of, mostly, local bands playing original music.

It was seeing the need for a venue that gave local bands the opportunity to play their own music that motivated, Jon Carter to found the monthly music showcase back in 1998.

“I was doing the bookings for the Vic at that time, and I did

a band competition initially for what was then Apple FM,” Jon recalled.

“I realised that I knew a lot of people who could play, but weren’t going to get a gig because the only places that had music you had to play for four hours and covers mainly too. Back then, that’s pretty much all there was.

“So having come from the original music scene myself, I put two and five together and got 4 on the floor!”

The 4 on the 4loor format has remained largely the same throughout the 25 years. Each month, the 4loor presents what Jon calls a “smorgasbord of music”, with anywhere from three to seven acts playing short sets of original music.

“And mostly local,” Jon said. “But once the word spread other Sydney bands want to come out here now; venues are getting thin on the ground down there, particularly for original music.

“But now the scene in Orange is a lot healthier than it has been in a long while. There were times when pretty much the 4loor was the only place you could play original music. At least now there are some other venues letting it through the doors.”

Head to the Victoria Hotel, the “Home of the 4loor’’ 8.30pm this Saturday, May 6 for 4 on the 4loor’s 25th-anniversary show, featuring: girls on sake, Sam Bucca, Bec, Ado!, Amber, and The Kenny Feather Band.

ECHOES AND ORBITS is an eclectic yet intimate show, featuring funky and fun solos and duos for percussion and cello hailing from Australia and America.

RANGE YOUTH ORCHESTRA SEEKING STRING PLAYERS! LEARN MORE NOW AT ORANGECON.ORG.AU/OYO

50-YEAR REUNION FOR SYDNEY UNI AG ALUMNI

It was a big weekend for the class of ‘73. Forty-eight graduates of the University of Sydney’s agricultural science program came to Orange to celebrate the 50year milestone since they all graduated in 1973.

Most hadn’t seen each other for 50 years, said Orange local Peter Hedberg, who is one of the 1973 graduating class.

Despite a few last-minute changes due to the weather, it was an enjoyable weekend of catching up with old friends, said Peter.

“Finding our classmates and organising a reunion, and a booklet of profiles and photos of each person involved a lot of detective work,” added 1973 graduate and organising coordinator, Victoria O’Connor.

“We searched for 105 people and were able to track down 88 of them. Amazing after all these years.”

The career paths of the alumni have been varied and include researchers, agronomists, farmers, agri-politicians, agricultural educators, agricultural journalists, religious ministers, microbiologists, climate change and sustainability specialists, aquaculture experts, people who worked in developing countries for aid organisations or government agencies and a large number of viticulturists and oenologists.

Orange City Life caught up with the reunion at Swinging Bridge Wines, the vineyard formerly owned by Peter Hedberg (then named Hedberg Hill).

Eric Armstrong, Len Banks, and Peter Hedberg

Roger Bilton, Jan Hetherington, Laurelle Pacey, Glenda Mitchell, and Phil Pile

Bruce Nelan, Don Schumacher, Ross Robertson, and Ron Hutton

Peter Hedberg and Tom Ward (Owner of Swinging Bridge Winery)

Lynette Downes, Victoria O’Connor, and Karen Wilson

Brenda Mitchell, Phil Pile, and Peter Hedberg

Phil Pile, Brenda Mitchell, Laurelle Pacey, Peter Forner, Jan Hetherington, and Roger Bilton

HOME COOKING

with RUBEN LOPEZ MESA

A 15-minutes meal:

huevos revueltos

First things first, here in Australia we see egg dishes mostly eaten at brekkie. However, in Spain, they are the perfect option for a quick and light lunch or dinner. Especially for all those busy families that don’t have much time after work, school, afternoon activities, kids’ chores, etc. It is a great option for a filling meal after the gym, pool, or an evening run. There is not a standard recipe as such, which gives you a lot of room to add just about anything in the fridge that must be used ASAP. Use your creativity depending on how you feel or what you are craving for on the day.

The basic concept is gluten-free and vegetarian, but as I said before, go nuts and add whatever you like! Meat lover? Go for it, be creative. Pescatarian? Don’t be shy. Vegetarian? Literally this dish is for you. Vegan? Well, substitute grated tofu for eggs (although this option wouldn’t be, strictly speaking, a ‘revuelto’). Remember the combinations of ingredients are totally up to you! However, I always like to use a few basic rules that help me achieve a great result every single time.

Firstly, I love different textures in mine, I personally enjoy a lot of veggies, chopped small, like green beans, asparagus or any of the brassicas. Cook them in a really hot pan with no oil or butter and make sure they get colour (remember the golden rule of ‘no colour, no flavour’). This process will add a little bit of smokiness to the end result that our brain likes so much.

Secondly, use the best quality eggs possible. Remember to whisk them really well with a fork until you start to see tiny bubbles in them. Season them slightly (don’t overdo it because you’ll need to adjust it at the end). My ‘chef’s advice’ is to cook the eggs always a little bit under what you usually do, they will get to how you like them with the remaining heat on the plate. To me, there is nothing

worse than the texture of dry eggs and too much fat. Important tip? The key for me is using a non-stick pan, a minimal amount of olive oil and the perfect temperature on the pan to fold the eggs with care to achieve an incredible result.

Finally, taste and season well your chosen combo! Here is where I want you to think about the layers of flavours. You have your veggies, your eggs perfectly cooked, and delicious garlic… but how can I add something else on top of that? Well, that could be a whole master class itself! But briefly, I’ll say try to complement the flavours you have in the huevos revueltos with something different, that is going to lift it up.

Here are a few examples:

1. Meat option: make sure you undersalt your asparagus huevos revueltos and finish them up with thin slices of jamón serrano or pieces of cooked chorizo. Use black pepper to balance the salty ingredients.

2. Fish or seafood option: Finish your prawn huevos revueltos with a little bit of garlic and smoky Spanish paprika (pimentón). Yum!

3. Vegetarian: use seasonal pine mushrooms or truffle, and season them with fresh thyme, salt flakes or grated cheese.

As you can see the option are endless! And trust me, the more that you make the better at it and faster you’ll become. I’m sure you can pump this dish out in less than 15 minutes for a quick dinner with the family. Good luck and don’t forget to tag me with your creations!

Recipe for burnt green beans huevos revueltos with local garlic, fresh ginger and fermented chilli (Pictured)

Ingredients (serves one person):

100 gr green beans, chopped small

5 cloves of garlic, chopped small

1 piece of ginger, chopped small

3 eggs, whisked well.

Splash of extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp of fermented chilli (or pieces of fresh chilli if you have it)

1 Pinch of salt flakes

Method:

1. Chop the green beans into small bits

2. Put your non-stick pan on the stove. No oil yet.

3. Peel and chop the garlic.

4. Peel and chop the ginger.

5. Crack 3 eggs in a bowl and whisk

6. Add the green beans to the pan at high heat until they caramelize and burn a little. Don’t be in a hurry, this is not a stir-fry.

7. Turn the heat down and push the beans to the side of the pan (leaving a bit of space in the center), and add a splash of olive oil, then add the chopped garlic and ginger and cook for a few minutes until they change colour.

8. Add a pinch of salt flakes and stir all together.

9. Turn the heat up and add your eggs, folding them with your wooden spoon.

10. Turn the heat down and plate it up immediately.

11. Finish with a teaspoon of fermented chill. Enjoy!

This week I’d like to talk about one of the most underrated Spanish recipes: huevos revueltos. Conceptually, it looks like regular scrambled eggs, but in my opinion, it’s much better. Got a cooking question you need answered?

Get

Any suggestions on what topic Ruben should tackle next?

As Good as New

This gorgeous home has it all, it’s been meticulously maintained and presents like new. You feel welcome instantly as you enter with the high ceilings, lovely neutral colour palette, spacious rooms and quality inclusions throughout setting the tone. Move in and put your feet up, there won’t be any work to do!

Price: $1,150,000

39 SALE STREET, ORANGE | 6363 1000 |

Rural Living on the Edge of Town

Framed by established trees and a post and rail fence and enjoying a rural outlook, this home is what you would expect of a property nestled on the edge of a country town. On a peaceful and private 1.593 Ha block, there is an undeniable country charm about this place.

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Snap this Up!

This neatly packaged house is sure to delight the first time buyer, downsizer or investors alike. It is packed full of features for its size and being set in a great school zone in a sought after area you really can’t go wrong with a property like this.

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Simply Stunning

Renovated to perfection, this family home encompasses easy living and effortless functionality over two light filled levels and is simply stunning. The superb attention to detail runs right through the home. Once you see everything that’s on offer you will fall in love and never want to leave. Contact:

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Effortlessly Liveable

This is a lovely unit that offers one of the best floor plans available within the complex. The open-plan living area is incredibly spacious and private, the kitchen is large, there are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a handy study nook and a private yard with concreted area with awning.

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Price:

33 MCGRODER STREET, MOLONG

105 FORBES ROAD

5 NOONAMEENA DRIVE

14/211 HILL STREET

39 SALE STREET, ORANGE | 6363 1000 | PFISHER.COM.AU

Feels Like Home

This beautiful home is a total dream package. Fully and tastefully renovated from top to bottom, inside and out you can move in with nothing to do but enjoy the luxury on offer. You will love the sense of space and high end finishes and features and it will truly feel like home.

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Contact: Jacob Evans 0428 130 789

Price Guide: $1,150,000-$1,250,000

Cute Cottage, Walk Everywhere

This adorable cottage on a manageable block is in walking distance of the CBD and maintains its original polished floorboards, high ceilings and decorative cornices. The lounge and kitchen are light and airy, and the bathroom has been updated. Would make a great BnB, investment or downsizer.

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Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Price Guide: $600,000-$650,000

All Wrapped Up with A Ribbon on It

If you have a love for homes full of character, this historic homestead is fully restored with many original features and a sense of grandeur and space. On a half-acre block and renovated to an impeccably high standard, it’s not often a home of this calibre comes onto the market.

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Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Price: $799,000

4 bedroom, 2 bathroom renovated – under $650,000!

Renovated and ready to live in, the work has all been done with a lovely new kitchen and tastefully renovated bathrooms. Located in the Calare area within a few minutes’ walk to nearby schools - this home is the perfect property for a young family to move straight in and enjoy.

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Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Price: $640,000

43 FRANKLIN ROAD

5 WARATAH AVENUE

16 WIRRUNA AVENUE

29 BELMORE STREET, CARGO

39 SALE STREET, ORANGE | 6363 1000 | PFISHER.COM.AU

Sun Trap

In a superb location, nestled at the end of the cul-de-sac, this generous home is perfect for the large family. You’ll be blown away by the multiple living zones and enjoy the wonderful inside/ outside living partitioned perfectly by the north-facing sunroom extending to the al fresco area and private backyard beyond.

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Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Price: $775,000

22 Kanzi

Large Family Home

Here’s the ideal family home with an abundance of space throughout including two living areas, large kitchen and some recent upgrades. There’s a lovely big pergola area to entertain and relax under whilst taking in views over the surrounding countryside. Bring the family and see it for yourself.

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Price: $749,000

Contact: Chris Mason 0438 629 417

Contact: Adam Savage 0419 232 416

Price Guide: $799,000-$819,000

Spick and Span

Here is a wonderful opportunity to own a very neat and tidy house with two living areas for under $500,000. You’ll love that is freshly painted with new carpet and a brand new kitchen. It’s bound to get a lot of interest at this price – inspections are easily arranged.

2B McArdle Street, Molong

Price Guide: $200,000-$210,000

Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Build Your Dream Home

This block of 893 sqm has elevated views and is in an alreadyestablished, quiet area of Molong. Full town services available - water, power and sewer - and it is ready to build on in early 2023. Just an easy walk to Molong Central School. House and land packages are available on request.

Premium West Orange Land

Are you looking for the perfect location to build your dream home? Look no further than this stunning vacant block located in beautiful West Orange. With an expansive area of 2,752 sqm, this elevated new development boasts breathtaking 360-degree views over Orange and the surrounding areas. Make your dreams a reality!

60

Price Guide: $220,000-$240,000

Contact : Adam Savage 0419 232 416

Ready to Build on Now

Here’s an affordable 744m2 block of land in an established culde-sac that’s ready to start building on now. Capitalise on the views over Orange and towards Mt Canobolas. Full services available including power, water & sewer. There are few blocks available in Orange in this price range so get your plans ready.

Come and See it For Yourself

Located in one of Orange’s most popular areas, this huge house is all about the flexible space it offers. This home has character about it from its unique façade to the features included inside. This home is hard to put into words, you really must see it for yourself.

Lot 340 Canobolas View Estate

Price Guide: $290,000

Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Ready to Build on Now

This is a great block for building on. It is large enough for a fourbedroom, two-bathroom home and enjoys elevated views back towards Mt Canobolas. 450 sqm in size it is situated in a brandnew estate close to the North Orange shops and is, all in all, perfect to build your new home on.

Orchard Grove Road

Close

6 SOPHIE DRIVE

5 GEORGIAN PLACE

30

Dream Home Delight

Nestled in one of Orange’s most desired cul-de-sacs, this lovely home has been recently updated and is surrounded by established gardens. The landscaping, courtyards, garden and attractive home with flexible floorplan combined with wonderful lifestyle on offer make this a dream home come true.

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Contact: Chris Mason 0438 629 417

Price Guide: $850,000-$880,000

Surprisingly Spacious

This surprisingly spacious unit is a rare find with a simple and practical layout plus three bedrooms and two bathrooms. With a living and dining area that can easily be zoned into usable spaces and wellappointed kitchen, this would make a lovely first home or retirement option or a good investment.

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Plenty of Potential

This traditional brick bungalow with many original features, including timber floors, fireplace, high ceilings and decorative cornices, offers plenty of potential to make a sweet and cosy home for someone. With some planning and hard work, it would be possible to achieve an appealing blend of new and old.

Lots 2, 3 & 4 Creek Street, Cudal

Price: $270,000 (Lots 2 & 3) $230,000 (Lot 4)

Contact: Michael Wright 0421 360 948

Immaculate Inside and Out

You would be hard pressed to find a home more immaculate than this one. Set on a 930 sqm block in a quiet street, this attractive brick home with a fantastic three bay shed is a real winner. All you have to do is move in and enjoy.

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Contact: Jacob Evans 0428 130 789

Classic Country

The classic country wrap-around verandah on this lovely home is the perfect place to unwind after a hard day’s work and the house boasts a huge open plan kitchen, dining and living area at its heart. This property on 1,228 sqm is sure to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Village Life is Calling

This new subdivision of only three fantastic one acre (approx.) blocks offers an opportunity to build your country retreat and enjoy all that a village like Cudal has to offer. Each lot has a large building envelope with new boundary fencing and power and water at the boundary.

wide block in the heart of Spring Hill. This home is so pretty and has so much to offer someone wanting the peace and tranquillity of village living. You can truly make this your own hideaway from the hustle and bustle of life.

House and Land Packages from $580,000

This is a great block for building on. It is large enough for a fourbedroom, two-bathroom home and enjoys elevated views back towards Mt Canobolas. 506 sqm in size it is situated in a brandnew estate close to the North Orange shops and is, all in all, perfect to build your new home on.

GOLDFINCH WAY

9/211 HILL STREET

PROTECT YOUR FINANCES ONLINE

With an increased reliance on digital banking channels such as Internet Banking and Mobile App, there is an increased need to ensure customers are keeping their finances as secure as possible.

Your password is the first line of defence when it comes to protecting your finances online.

By creating your password with the following characteristings in mind, you can create a strong and secure password for your online accounts, which will help to protect your personal and financial information from cybercriminals.

Length & Complexity: A good password should be at least 6 characters long. The longer the password, the more di cult it is for cybercriminals to guess or crack it. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as symbols and punctuation marks.

Unpredictability & Uniqueness: Avoid using easily guessable information such as your name, birthdate, or other personal information in your password. Also, avoid using common words or phrases that are easy to guess. Use a di erent password for each of your online accounts, including your internet banking account. This way, if one password is compromised, your other accounts will still be protected.

Do not share: Never share your password with anyone, including family members or friends. Your internet banking password should be kept confidential and only used by you.

Orange Credit Union will never ask for your password.

To learn more about Digital Banking at Orange Credit Union, register to attend our upcoming Digital Banking Workshop to be held at the Orange Ex-Services’ Club 5:30pm Tues 9 May 2023. Visit orangecu.com.au to register today.

6363 1000

For a list of available rental properties scan here:

VICTORIA

THINKING OF SELLING YOUR FARM BUT WONDERING HOW MUCH IT WILL COST?

Hooker Orange can market

and sell

△Free drone shots by our fully licenced drone pilot

Personal service

△Free 3D tour of your property

△Understanding and first-hand experience of farming

△Having the right contacts

1 Church Street Cudal NEW PRICE $385,000

311 a b c a b c a b c

Listing △ Marketing △ Settlement △Clearing Sale- inventory, catering and more! FROM GO TO WHOA! WE’VE GOT IT COVERED. Contact LJ Hooker Orange today for an obligation free market appraisal 0428 650 675 Spacious family home in Euchareena Euchareena, NSW CONTACT AGENT 422 a b c a b c a b c

This lovely home is situated on a generous 2023sqm block in the lovely village of Euchareena which is approximately 30 minutes to the main centre of Orange and around a 20 minute drive to Molong. The spacious home has four good-sized bedrooms all with built ins while you will adore the upstairs parents’ retreat with ensuite, walk in robe and balcony where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. A lovely al fresco area gives you plenty of options for entertaining while the huge backyard has shady and established plantings.

MUST BE SOLD ! MAKE AN OFFER !

SATURDAY 11.30 - 12.00pm OPEN HOUSE

12 Norton St Eugowra FOR SALE $420,000

313 a b c a b c a b c

Five

A bright new future at Eugowra!

This solid three bedroom family home is situated on a huge block and boasts a lovely bushland setting with room for a cricket match and plenty of space for a boat, caravan or kids to run. There’s not a penny to spend, move in as is or put your own personal touches on this well-built home.

Charming

cottage on 208* acres at Stuart Town 3

Set on an 820 square-metre block, with four good-sized bedrooms, including a master with ensuite, this home has a stunning light-filled open plan kitchen, dining and living area you’ll fall in love with.

“When you walk in the front door you can see right through the house and once you walk down the hallway past the main bedroom, it opens up onto the kitchen and a really substantial and attractive living area,” Williams Machin Real Estate principal, Tom Sheehan said.

“And it’s got terrific easterly access and big windows on the

northern side also so a good sun catcher.

“When you sit in the dining room or the lounge, you look out to the East over the top of your neighbouring houses to a fair distance away. It’s a nice house, there’s no doubt about it.”

The home features gas hot water and gas heating throughout, with the addition of a wood-burning heater and split-system air-conditioning in the living area.

“And fans in the bedrooms too and that’s a good feature I reckon,” Tom added.

“It’s got a nice back lawn for the kids, a small vegetable area could be expanded, and it’s quite a nice area of North Orange — only five minutes or less to the North Orange shops and to the Waratah sporting complex and the club there.

But one standout feature that’s sure to catch the attention of buyers is the large 9.5x4.5 metre shed, which is in addition to the double garage that has internal access. It is the perfect space for a workshop, caravan or boat storage or the ultimate man cave.

“It’s got what many people in Orange want, which is that separate shed, and at the risk of being non-PC, I’ll call it a ‘man shed’,” Tom said.

“This is a pretty big steel shed with power and concrete floor and it can be accessed directly from the street so effectively we’ve got three car garage spaces. That’s a very attractive feature for Orange.”

This property will be open for viewing from 10.30–11.00 am this Saturday, May 6.

For more information contact Tom Sheehan at Williams Machin Real Estate on 0414 418 232 or email tom@williamsmachin.com.au

Orange Property MARKET

‘The Prairie’ 145 Myers Lane, Millthorpe

Escape to your very own piece of paradise with ‘The Prairie’

Located in the renowned Millthorpe district, a luxurious modern homestead nestled on 80* acres of rich fertile basalt soils.

• 11* minutes from Millthorpe and a 20* minute drive to Orange, or 251* km to Sydney

• Water is a feature with a new underground water bore, 2 x 90,400L rainwater storage tanks & 4 spring fed dams

• Exceptional infrastructure perfect for those seeking a premium, quality-built home

• High-end appliances and finishes, incl. modern kitchen

‘Bell River’ 621 Naroogal Rd, Wellington

Drought proof your enterprise

Auction Friday 19th May, 10:30am

Venue 152 William St, Bathurst

Inspect Sat 6th May 10:00-10:30am

Hugh Gooding 0439 000 639 Stewart Murphy 0427 363 118 eldersem.com.au * Approx.

Bell River Farm offers you a chance to buy a large scale grazing and farming property in a tightly held area, just 30*km from Wellington and 49*km from Molong.

• Approx. 690.9* Ha (1,707* Ac) with 240* Ha of predominantly irrigated alluvial river flats. Strong red soils offer terrific breeding and grazing country with the alluvial flats ideal for a finishing enterprise.

• Water is a feature. Bell River runs through the property - 2.25km* River frontage and 1.5*km is double frontage. Includes three irrigation licences, totalling 1,230* megs of bore (underground) and 687*meg River licence.

Auction Friday 19th May, 10:30am

Venue 152 William St, Bathurst

Inspect By Appointment

Sam D’Arcy 0401 612 996

Ben Redfern 0457 770 062 eldersem.com.au * Approx.

AUCTION

28 Floods Lane, Canowindra

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience the tranquility of 10 acres and a picturesque countryside. Located in the beautiful town of Canowindra, this property offers the perfect combination of privacy, seclusion, and natural beauty.

The cabin features two bedrooms, a cosy living room with a wood fireplace and a sliding door that opens up to the large, covered deck providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape

AUCTION

109 Lone Pine Avenue, Orange

As you step inside, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, new carpet, and a fresh coat of paint. The living room is perfect for relaxing or entertaining guests, with a reverse cycle air conditioner and plenty of space for seating. The kitchen is complete with electric cooking and ample space with the dining area ideal for family meals, and easy access to the backyard.

Auction Open Emma Chapman 0423 658 101 raywhitetre.com

Friday 19th May '23 From 10:30am Orange NSW

By Appointment

AUCTION TOMORROW

28 Riddell Street, Molong

This mid century house for sale is a true gem of its era, boasting classic architectural features and a timeless design that is sure to impress. With clean lines, ample natural light, and an open floor plan, this home embodies the mid century modern aesthetic. Located in a desirable neighborhood with excellent schools, this mid century house is a rare find and an opportunity not to be missed.

Auction Nora McNamara 0431 320 230 raywhitetre.com

Friday 5th May '23 From 10:30am at Quest Auction Rooms, Orange

Auction Open Emma Chapman 0423 658 101 raywhitetre.com

Friday 19th May '23 From 10:30am Orange NSW

Saturday 6th May '23 At 10:00am

AUCTION TOMORROW

8 Linden Avenue, Orange

Impeccably crafted with bespoke interiors and attention to detail, this beautiful home has been renovated to a superior standard, with beautiful cornicing, double glazed windows, a library/reading room and made to measure blinds throughout, this property is sure to please on inspection. Comprising of four bedrooms, main with walk in wardrobe and ensuite, other bedrooms with built in wardrobes, a family sized bathroom with under floor heating, additional powder room and separate toilet set off the large laundry, this home is a true gem of diamond quality.

Auction Emma Chapman 0423 658 101 raywhitetre.com

Friday, 5th May 23, From 10:30am Quest Auction Rooms, Orange NSW

SALE

56 Centennial Crescent, Orange

Introducing 56 Centennial Crescent, Located in the Borrodell area, a magnificent 4- bedroom, 3-bathroom home nestled in the highly soughtafter Poplar's estate of Orange. This exquisite property boasts a modern design and exceptional finishes, providing a luxurious and comfortable living experience.

Upon entering, you are greeted by a spacious and light-filled open plan living area that seamlessly integrates the dining, kitchen and lounge areas and a large second loungeroom or rumpus.

Sale Open

Contact Agent 0457 792 800

Saturday 6th May '23 at 10:30am

Kurt Adams James Taylor 0428 747 050 raywhitetre.com

AUCTION

28 Olympic Drive, Orange

This beautiful and spacious family home is located in a highly soughtafter area, offering both comfort and convenience. With multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, this home is perfect for a large family looking for ample space to spread out and enjoy.

Overall, this stunning family home is the perfect blend of comfort and convenience, offering everything your family needs to create cherished memories for years to come. Don't miss your chance to make it yours!

Auction Open Nora McNamara Jemma Bridge 0423 658 101 raywhitetre.com

Saturday 6th May '23 at 11:00am

Friday 19th May '23 From 10:30am Orange NSW 0409 846 146

Rural 'Tralee', 487 Stapletons Road, Molong

AUCTION

With 600 metres of absolute Bell River frontage, a bore pumping the sweetest water you’ll ever drink, two dams, 5 paddocks plus a small area of Bell River self-watering lucerne flats ‘Tralee’ is an exceptionally tidy small holding 15 minutes north-east of Molong.

The homestead has just gone through a major renovation & facelift including all four bedrooms, 3 expansive living areas, 2 modern bathrooms al l set in beautiful sweeping, well maintained lawns & gardens.

The large, undercover deck overlooks the salt-water pool and down onto the Bell River, plus there is an additional storeroom/hut in the garden.

Auction Open Stephen Townsend 0427 631 957

Friday 19th May 23 From 10:30am Orange

By Appointment

raywhitetre.com

SALE

Rural 'Montauban', 121 Shepherd Road, Orange

Situated overlooking Spring Creek reserve Montauban is a must see to the discerning buyer.

A beautiful brick home comprising of three bedrooms, an office which could be a fourth bedroom and two bathrooms and multiple formal & informal living areas, greets you as drive onto the property. "Montauban" is a one-off property and will tick 99 out of 100 boxes for even the most fastidious buyer. Inspection is highly recommended; with inspections by appointment only; book yours today, we promise you won't be disappointed.

Price Not Disclosed

By Appointment

Sale Open Stephen Townsend 0427 631 957

raywhitetre.com

LEASE

38 Clinton Street, Orange

Perfectly positioned, overlooking Cook Park, this beautiful double brick cottage is a short walk to Orange CBD, parks, school's shops, and cafes. Comprising of 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1 car space.

The interior is complete with ornate fireplaces, beautifully exposed brickwork, and an internal green house for the budding botanist. Entertain your guests in the lounge room at the heart of the home or in the additional loungeroom located at the rear of the home.

Lease

$750.00 fully furnished per week

LEASE

24 Tilston Way, Orange

Spacious four bedroom home, master featuring walk in robe and ensuite with twin vanities, The three other bedrooms have built in's. Open plan living and dining and the home features ducted heating. The home has a sleek kitchen comprising of 900mm Gas oven and cook top, built in microwave oven and dishwasher. This property is perfect for a growing family!

Lease

$645.00 per week

By appointment

Open Amanda Lavis 0437 876 880

raywhitetre.com

Rural 'Top Oaks', Stapletons Road, Boomey

SALE

Just over 185 Acres of flood free country with some amazing homesites offering views over the district and up to Mount Canobolas, "Top Oaks", is the real deal.

With Stapletons Road on two sides, power and landline telephone on the road and fantastic mobile reception, access to your forever home will be easy.

Still boasting great stands of White Box and other species, shade & shelter along with up to 90 a cres of cultivation country "Top Oaks" boasts a great balance of grazing and farming country.

Contact Agent

By Appointment

Sale Open Stephen Townsend 0427 631 957

raywhitetre.com

By appointment raywhitetre.com

Open Alisha Staines 0487 057 460

Rural

AUCTION

"Glenheath", 800 Riverview Forest Road, Mozart

360 ha* (890ac*) of highly productive grazing only 3hrs* Sydney, 25min Oberon Picturesque, versatile & functional undulating pastures with quality soils & natural timbered shelter belts sitting at an enviable 1,200m elevation

Ideal for sheep & cattle grazing as well as cropping with oats & grass on rotation

Excellent water security - high rainfall, several Fish River subsidiaries + dams

Well fenced into 20 paddocks, quality sheep & cattle yards, 3 stand shearing shed, large machinery shed and workshop + spacious 4 bedroom home

Auction Open Kurt Adams Emma Chapman 0428 747 050 By Appointment

Friday 26th May, '23 From 10:30am 146 Bathurst Road, Orange NSW 0423 658 101

Ray White Townsend Real Estate raywhitetre.com

LET’S TALK MONEY with DANIEL MCGREGOR

One way to ruin your retirement

High fees are costing many Australians dearly when it comes to funding their retirement.

Are high fees going to ruin your retirement?

I’ve been writing for years about making the most of superannuation, yet I still see people every week who are not making the most of their super. In fact, I know some people will have stopped reading the moment they read the word ‘superannuation’.

Last week, APRA (the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority) released a report showing that one-in-five superannuation investment options is generating returns well below their benchmarks.

The APRA analysis covered 163 products, representing $292 billion worth of members’ money.

It found that while one-in-five investment options with an eight-year performance history had “significantly” underperformed

benchmarks, about 44% were generating returns below expectations.

That’s almost half the people in these products stuck in investment options that are not performing.

And here’s potentially the most significant finding: the data found that investment options with high fees tend to have lower levels of member benefits.

Australians are slugged billions of dollars a year in higher-than-necessary fees on their super and if you’re not 100% confident about the fees you’re paying, then there’s a pretty high likelihood you’re paying too much in fees, leading to underperformance when it comes to returns.

Some people are also paying huge fees for financial advice that is recommending they invest in high-fee products. A double whammy!

In my experience, many people are unaware of the fees they are paying on their retirement savings.

Yep, sounds boring doesn’t it? So, what does that mean in the real world? It could mean a significant amount of money you will not have available to you in retirement. And it could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. It doesn’t have to be this way!

We have an enormous amount of control over our super. We can CHOOSE the super fund our retirement savings are held in, we can CHOOSE the investment option or options our money is invested in, and via these CHOICES, we can have a big say in what fees we pay and what investment returns will look like.

The end result is that if you get these things right, you will have more CHOICES later in life. After all, money doesn’t buy stuff, it buys choices.

Compulsory super contributions are about to rise to 11% of our income. That’s a big chunk of our pay that gets locked away for us until we are allowed to access it. Imagine if that money got paid to your bank account and was then withdrawn by your super fund…

you’d want to know a lot more! But super happens behind the scenes and for most Australians it is out of sight and out of mind. Something to worry about later.

Yet, every day that you are potentially paying higher fees and languishing in underperforming investment options is robbing you of your future lifestyle when it comes time to retirement.

So, be mindful of advice you receive from others. Plenty of people are out there recommending you pay higher fees to supposedly get better returns. History shows that paying more in fees is highly unlikely to produce better results. In fact, it’s usually the opposite, which is backed up by APRA’s findings.

I’m a massive believer in ‘what’s simple is what works’. If you like the sound of that, then let’s have a chat to see what difference independent financial advice can have in improving the likelihood of you having the retirement you deserve.

Cheers, Daniel

If you’d like to find out more about how INDEPENDENT financial advice could help you manage cash flow, pay off the mortgage faster, get the most out of super and invest wisely, then get in touch on 0411 484 464 or head to wealthtrain.com.au. This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice which does not take into consideration any of your personal circumstances. All strategies and information provided are general advice only.

Just listed on the market so don’t miss out on the opportunity here.

This neat clad home set on a huge 1,492 m2 block and is waiting for new Owners to renovate and make it theirs or for developers to take advantage of the land size (subject to Council approval).

A large four car garage (6m x 12m) would be ideal for the hobbyist or for the car enthusiast alike. The location is close to Primary Schools and the Alpine Shopping Centre is an easy walk if you need to grab some milk, take away food or a haircut.

bedrooms, this home is well presented both inside and outside with the living areas featuring a separate loungeroom with gas heating, a bright and an airy family room with wall to wall built in storage and reverse cycle air-conditioning.

Other features include a double garage and workshop, garden shed and a rainwater tank. $560,000

THE PERFECT RESTAURANT OR CAFÉ VENUE –UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS

CENTRAL THREE BEDROOM HOME WITH FOUR CAR GARAGE / WORKSHOP

A popular precinct on Summer Street surrounded by a variety of businesses and a new hotel complex to commence construction soon nearby.

The main area downstairs is complimented by further space on the first floor.

Rear laneway access for secure on-site parking for staff. Total floor area (ground floor & first floor) approx. 200 m2.

RENT: $57,500 P.A. + GST & OUTGOINGS

Refurbished with new carpets and freshly painted throughout, this home is located in a quiet small street within easy walking distance to the new Department of Primary Industries complex and very handy to the CBD of Orange too. The living areas include a separate lounge room and an open plan kitchen/dining room both with electric heating, as well as a North facing sunroom with separate outside access. There are three good sized bedrooms and all have built-in wardrobes.

RENT: $500 PER WEEK

• Three bedrooms all with built in robes, master with en-suite

• Separate Lounge room and combined north facing kitchen and dining

• Central three way bathroom with bath and shower

• Attached double garage and recently installed 5kw solar panels

• Fully landscaped yard on a 866sqm (approx) block

• Rear yard backs onto a reserve which allows rear yard access

• Various sheds in back yard suitable for workshop etc

• Solid honest home in great location

• Large block approximately 866sqm

• Landscaped yard with plenty of sheds

• Orange High school zone

• Cul-de-sac location, no through traffic

• 5kw of solar panels to help with energy costs

A REAL LORDS PLACE LOVELY!

If you want central, and you want classy, then this could be the property you are looking for. This lovely property has been well maintained by the owner and presents beautifully. Currently run as an Airbnb, it is showing a good return and would also be a great property for you to call home. From the great facade to the polished floorboards and period features there is a lot to love about this home.

• Three bedrooms, good size living area, light and airy

• Great street appeal, established gardens front and rear

• Combined kitchen and dining, classy bathroom and ducted heating

• All furniture and appliances can be purchased with the property

CONTACT Chris Tyack 0438 258 590

UNIQUE SPACIOUS COTTAGE IN WESTLEA

This is a regretful sale for the owners of this lovely three bedroom cottage, they have put so much into the property and have plans drawn up for an extension and then had to move to another city. For sale is one of the original Westlea properties on a huge 904sqm (approx.) block of land, close to the town centre, Duntryleague and in the popular Orange High school zone.

• 3 Large bedrooms, large lounge/family room, dining room, raised deck at rear of house

• Ducted gas heating throughout, 6.25KW (16 Panels) solar panels, A/C split system

• New Colorbond gutters and fascia’s, major electrical and plumbing upgrade

• Landscaped gardens, dual access to the block, great for caravan or trailers

• Pizza oven, fruit trees including fig and cider apple, plenty of room for projects

SOUGHT AFTER EAST ORANGE!

This lovely property has the classic late Federation/Inter-war facade and features 3 bedrooms all with pressed metal ceilings along with the hallway and formal lounge room. It has just had a full re-paint internally with light modern colours and looks nice and fresh. You will love the eat in kitchen and the rear extension featuring the second living area, as well as the federation style bathroom with a great claw foot bath plus shower.

Only 800m to the CBD and surrounded by similar lovely homes on an approx 613sqm block, don’t miss your opportunity on this one!

• 3 bedrooms, master with walk in robe and ensuite, others with built in robes

• All bedrooms have external remote controlled Block out shutters

• Large open plan kitchen/dining/family room which opens onto outdoor alfresco

• Well designed kitchen with dishwasher, corner pantry, breakfast bar and more

• Double garage with access into home, 3 way bathroom with bath and shower

• Ducted heating and cooling throughout, garden shed, tidy manageable yard

• Amazing views across the water to Waratahs, suit investor or buy and call it home

BEAUTIFUL, AND BRAND SPANKING NEW!

Expertly built by one of Orange’s life long builders is this impressive four bedroom home. You will be impressed as soon as you walk in the front door with the old world look featuring pressed metal, picture rails and beautiful floor tiles.

• 4 bedrooms, 3 with built ins and the master has en-suite and walk in.

• Open plan kitchen/dining/family which opens onto the covered alfresco.

• Beautiful kitchen with stone tops, soft close furniture, 900mm cooker and walk in pantry.

• 3 way bathroom with lovely tiling a feature and bath for the kids.

• Ducted heating throughout, attached garage with indoor access, fully fenced.

OWN YOUR OWN SLICE OF PADDINGTON IN ORANGE...

MODERN EXECUTIVE STYLE HOME IN MILLTHORPE

Cornerblockwith2xroadaccesses Landareaapprox.1,406Ha,buildingareaapprox.1,620m² 2gantrycranes

Cornerblockwith2xroadaccesses Landareaapprox.1,406Ha,buildingareaapprox.1,620m² 2gantrycranes

ZonedGeneralIndustrial OfferedwithVacantPossession

ZonedGeneralIndustrial OfferedwithVacantPossession

This central terrace cottage has been in the same family for around 55 years and is looking for new owners. The property dates to the 19th century and features 3 bedrooms, lounge, open plan kitchen/dining and a second comfortable living area at the rear. You will love the modern kitchen with soft close furniture, dishwasher, gas cooktop and under bench oven, and it looks great sitting on the beautiful timber floating floor.

This beautifully presented property in lovely Millthorpe is a must to inspect. Located in a quiet street and only 280m from the centre of town, this property oozes style and character. The 920mm doors throughout make it disabled friendly, with access through the rear. There are plantation shutters throughout as well as ducted heating and cooling, plus both bathrooms boast underfloor heating. There is also a pull-down ladder to the loft in the ceiling for extra storage. The 5kw solar panels on roof, established gardens and studio at rear of garage just add that extra touch.

Formoreinformationorforaninspection,contactGaryBlowes 0418635248|gary@blowesre.com.au

Formoreinformationorforaninspection,contactGaryBlowes 0418635248|gary@blowesre.com.au

OPEN INSPECTIONS

with ORANGE PROPERTY MARKET

for more details on these great properties scan the qr code to go directly to our website

for more details on these great properties scan the qr code

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Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser At West Orange Baptist Church

You are invited to the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser at West Orange Baptist Church Hall, 85 Molong Road, 10am May 17.

Lucky Door Prizes! Silent Auction! Craft table and more! All welcome!

Bring your spouse/partner along — fun for all!

For more information call Julie on 0427642281.

ADFAS lecture series: The Sublime in the Everyday.

Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS) Orange and Districts are holding their third lecture of 2023 on Tuesday, May 23: ‘The Sublime in the Everyday’, presented by art historian Leslie Primo

‘The Sublime in the Everyday’ will be an examination of Johannes Vermeer 16321675 and the Delft School of Painting.

In 1866, William Bürger, a pseudonym for Étienne-Joseph-Théophile Thoré (1807-69), published in the Gazette des Beaux-Arts an article called “Sphinx of Delft” about the mysterious painter called Vermeer, and so began the modern-day revival of Vermeer.

The lecture will begin by tracing Vermeer’s origins, his early training and influences, and how he came to the genre of painting domestic interiors.It will look at his earliest known paintings and how he gradually migrated to the genre of domestic set-piece paintings we know him for today.

This lecture will also set Vermeer in the context of contemporaneous Dutch artists and Delft artists. Vermeer went from being referred to as ‘the excellent and famous Vermeer’ in 1669 to being declared bankrupt towards the end of his life in 1675. Finally, this lecture will look at the late 19th century and 20th century revival of Vermeer that became the cult of Vermeer, and why this cult of Vermeer endures to this day.

Orange Regional Conservatorium, 73A Hill St, on Tuesday, May 23 — 6pm for pre-lecture drinks and finger food with the lecture starting at 6.30pm. Guests are welcome with a cost of $30.

Mother’s Day Devonshire Tea and sta at Borenore CWA Ha

Treat Mum to a delicious Devonshire Tea this Mother’s Day thanks to the Borenore CWA.

Held at the Borenore CWA Hall, 1–4pm on Sunday, May 14, the cost is $6 per person.

No RSVP is needed — just come along!

Charlotte Maree Doulman

Orange grove care community is hosting Australia's Biggest Morning Tea to support cancer council

Venue- Orange Central Square Shopping Centre (Near Coles)

From- 10am- 3pm on 19th May 2023

your donation will make a real difference

BORN: 30/03/2023

WEIGHT: 2990g

PARENTS: Jessica and Joshua Doulman

SIBLINGS: Lachlan (2.5years)

GRANDPARENTS: Vivian and Chris Wilson, Joanne and Steve Doulman

GREAT GRANDPARENTS: Mavis and Michael Porter, Barbara and Neville Middleton, Margaret and Kevin Doulman

Together we can help Australia take big steps towards a cancer free future

RSPCA NSW ORANGE SUPPORTER GROUP

RSPCA NSW Orange Supporter Group

FundraisingMovie Night

FUNDRAISING MOVIE NIGHT

THURSDAY 11TH MAY @ 7PM

RSPCA NSW Orange Supporter Group

Book Club: Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.

at the Odeon Cinema

FundraisingMovie Night

Date and Time

43 William Street, Orange

Thursday 11th May 2023 7.00 p.m.

Tickets $25 | Lucky Door Prizes

Tickets available from Collin’s Book Store

Book Club: Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls' trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.

Location

Date and Time

Odeon Cinema

Thursday 11th May 2023 7.00 p.m.

43 William St, Orange NSW 2800

Tickets $25

Lucky Door Prizes

Location Odeon Cinema 43 William St, Orange NSW 2800

Tickets $25

Tickets are available from Collin’s Book Store

Book Club: Four best friends take their book club to Italy for the fun girls’ trip they never had. When things go o the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a oncein-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.

Lucky Door Prizes

Tickets are available from Collin’s Book Store

PUZZLES…. PUZZLES…. PUZZLES….

Quick Crossword Quiz

ACROSS

1 Foot cover (5)

4 Impartial (9)

9 Broke off a small piece (7)

10 The price to be paid when we fly (7)

11 Romance language (7)

12 Assay (7)

13 Medical application (9)

15 Vexes (4)

17 Uncertain (inf) (4)

DOWN

No. 082

1 Room where a priest prepares for service (8)

2 A region’s weather (7)

3 Use of false but clever arguments (9)

4 Put something in risk of harm (9)

5 Custom (5)

6 Earth in Latin (5)

7 Sailing as recreation (7)

1 The Scotia Sea is located in which ocean?

2 Which famous singer had the nickname ‘The Chairman of the Board’?

3 Which former PM had the nickname ‘The Silver Bodgie’?

4 What is the chemical symbol for silver?

5 Which country’s name means ‘made of silver’?

6 Which city hosts the International Court of Justice (pictured)?

7 The Yiddish language is part of which language group?

8 Which country controls the Suez Canal?

9 What kind of animal is a hellbender?

10 In Dante’s epic poem Inferno, which ancient poet guides the author through the layers of hell?

19 Least sufficient (9)

22 Pressurised dispenser (7)

25 Raise (7)

26 Tableland (7)

27 Process of sending something (7)

28 Gluttony or sloth, for instance (6,3)

29 Common Indian surname (5)

Wordfind

8 Number of players in a cricket team (6)

14 Dealer (9)

15 Power cells (9)

16 Force (8)

18 Italian city (7)

20 Dodging (7)

21 A representation of the Earth (6)

23 Odour (5)

24 French king also known as The Sun King (5)

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

Edgeword

No. 082

Drop Down

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words – five reading across the grid and five reading down.

Crossmath

Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve all the horizontal and vertical equations. Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

No. 082

Place each of the tiles of letters into the blank jigsaw below to create four six-letter words going across and down.

Sudoku No. 082 1 52 3

Fill in the blank cells using the numbers from 1 to 9. Each number can only appear once in each row, column and 3x3 block

6719 5 37 51 48 9

96 4 82 64 23 65 7

No. 082

Starting with the seven-letter word, drop a letter and form a six-letter word. Continue in this manner until you reach the single letter at the bottom. You can rearrange the letters in each step, if necessary.

9-Letter

No. 082

FE AT

ST RU TH AR

TE DE

There may be more than one possible answer.

There may be more than one possible answer.

Today’s Focus:

18 words: Good

27 words: Very good

36 words: Excellent

M OA S S

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”. P T

I U

Reference: Macquarie Dictionary Wed 1602

Theme: Snow

Congratulations to last week’s winners

Find pinny: Taneisha Baker

Loony lotto: Cindy Cudden

Volunteer of the Month: Michelle Stevenson

Call into the OCLife o ce to collect your prize

Volunteer of the Month

We have a $100 gift voucher to give away each month from Ashcroft’s Supa IGA and their charity Let’s Make Better.

To enter, simply nominate a person you deem worthy of the award, along with details of their good deed, and they will be in the running to be rewarded with a $100 gift voucher from IGA. Send their contact details to the address below, or email us on reception@oclife.com.au “subject line - Volunteer of the Month”.

Find Pinny

We have a voucher for Orange Tenpin Bowl valued at $60 to give away each week, so the family can go bowling!

Each week we’ll hide a small version of “Pinny” (pictured) somewhere in OCLife. It could be anywhere. To enter, simply find him, write your name and phone number on the back of an envelope, along with the page number you found him on, and send in...

Looney Lotto

Win a voucher to the value of $20, to use at Coco’s Cafe or Paul’s @ Coco’s

TO WIN: If you have a personal or business phone number with these 4 numbers appearing in any order within it, put in an entry and we’ll draw a winner from among all correct entries each week.

LIFEandTIMES with ANGUS GIBB

TRAVEL REFLECTIONS:

I have just returned from an eighteen-day tour of biblical and archaeological sites in Greece in Turkey. I’m not going to lie; it was pretty amazing. I am certainly still digesting the whole experience and cannot give a clear answer to the inevitable question of ‘What was your favourite place?’ I am still saying it’s the ancient city of Pergamum, but the reason why will have to wait for another blog. Throughout the journey, I was struck by the beauty and mystery that surrounds so much of this rich culture. Walking up through the entrance of the Acropolis in Athens, your eyes are lifted to the ancient pillars that mark the gateway to this wonderful sanctuary. Walking around the tentmaker’s quarter in Corinth you get a sense of the daily life that people lived. The mysterious ruins of ancient Delphi took my imagination o on a journey through the ancient mythology of the Greeks. The great city of Ephesus gave you a sense of the power of the Roman empire at its height. The beauty of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was a true architectural marvel. Something that struck me deeply during a visit to The National Archaeological Museum in Athens, however, was something that I did not expect. Among the famous statues and iconic Greek poetry stands a collection of funeral stones. One of these blocks of marble reduced me to tears. On a large vase that would have been placed on top of a grave is a depiction of a young woman.

She is holding hands with Hermes, who in Greek mythology was the one who would transport people to the underworld. But they cannot go, because Hermes is being held back by the young woman’s father and mother. They could not come to terms with their loss. She was being taken from them too soon. All this is depicted on her tombstone. What made this scene so poignant was that we were in the museum on Easter Saturday. The day that the Bible records as the day Jesus remained dead in the grave. It was the day that Jesus’s followers were filled with hopeless grief. None of us can escape death. Death can come suddenly and unexpectedly. When we lose loved ones, we don’t want to let them go. But the hope found in the Bible is a resurrection hope. A living hope. On Easter Sunday, Jesus walked out of the grave, defeating death. The Apostle Paul wrote of this truth in 1 Corinthians 15:20 where he said:

‘But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.’ In the Gospel, there is true comfort in the face of death. There is true hope in the midst of loss. As I reflected on this, and much of what I was able to see, this message of hope in the face of our mortality was permeating through so much of the ancient world, and it is something that fills much of our world too. The question that both the ancient Greeks, and we, must answer is this; how will we face it?

from 8.30 to 4.30 Thursday & Friday. Retail and paint experience is an advantage but not necessary as full training will be provided.

Contact Brian on 0490 832 001 or email brian@industrypaints.com.au

James Sheahan Catholic High School

Front Office Administrator

Permanent – 76 h/f during term time

We are seeking a Front Office Administrator to join our team.

This is an opportunity to join our wonderful community.

Further details of this position, including the selection criteria may be obtained by contacting the school on (02) 6362 1422, or on the website jschs.catholic.edu.au A

WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVATION?

With Alex McFadyen

Recently the question of what motivates me, has been asked of me in one way or another in multiple areas of my life.

The short answer is Jesus. For what feels like a lot of my life I’ve been trying to make others happy, work towards career goals and over think my parenting. That way of living was exhausting, I never measured up to whatever standard either myself or society placed on those areas, so I spent a lot of time feeling unfulfilled and unhappy.

But when I remember that living my life to serve Jesus, and trusting He will help me along the way … then life is a hell of a lot easier.

It’s never all sunshine and roses. That’s not real life and that’s not what Jesus promises at all. A lot of why we feel so burdened is because we think it all depends on us to make things happen when really God is the one in control of all things.

So I’m motivated to give more of myself to Jesus to serve him faithfully and trust that He’s got this.

THUMBS UP to Dave the painter, who painted my house. A great tradie. Thank you. You did a wonderful job.

A HUGE THUMBS UP to the young man from Mount Druitt who willingly gave up his place in a taxi so I could get an old lady that was struggling, uptown and safely home. What a lovely young man!

THUMBS UP or at least it will be to Orange City Council if they put some tables and chairs and a couple of barbecues and a yellow bin in Keith Thomas Park in Matthews Avenue to stop the people sitting on the grass when having a party.

THUMBS UP Many thanks to Kylie and Fiona at the National Bank for helping me with a bank account. I dislike the internet and especially passwords! We will soon have to have a password to get out of bed in the mornings! Your help was very much appreciated, not only for your e ciency but for your kindness and patience with an elderly customer. Well done.

THUMBS UP to Sam and the amazing sta at PetBarn Orange who are always very helpful and know exactly what you need for your pets.

THUMBS UP A huge thanks to Grant from Orange Auto Electrics who saved the day and my worries. He promptly attended to my concern about an auto light on my car, and within minutes had detected the source and rectified it. I was worried about the huge amount of work to be done, but he analysed the situation and relieved my anxiety. After going through major surgery, it was a relief to have someone help and be so kind. And it’s not the first time this business has speedily sorted a problem for me.

THUMBS DOWN to those who think irresponsible dog ownership in a public place is not an issue. Council has provided a number of o -lead areas for dogs to run free and enjoy themselves. Laws are put in place for a reason, and that is to keep both the public and other dogs safe at all times. Accidents happen when some dog owners choose to ignore this.

THUMBS DOWN to a local bus driver, for his rudeness and poor behaviour that made me feel extremely uncomfortable, which isn’t good for an elderly lady. There was no need for your actions. I will walk next time.

THUMBS UP To Nicole and the young man at Woolworths North Orange, who secured my phone/ money/cards at the checkout, where the loss was realised. Very grateful. Also, Daniel at Coles, who gave up his break, recognising that the long queue was for customer service, not self-service.

A HUGE THUMBS UP to Shane at Kent’s Hardware. He was extremely helpful and went above and beyond with supplying and also cutting timber for our project. Thank you.

THUMBS UP and congratulations to Orange City Council on turning Lords Place into a colourful, friendly place for people to be.

THUMBS DOWN to the thoughtless people who throw litter and cigarette butts everywhere. You should wake up to yourselves.

General disclaimer: Whilst every care is taken in preparing this publication, we cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The publisher accepts no responsibility for letters, notices and other material contributed for publication. The submitter accepts full responsibility for material, warrants that it is accurate, and indemnifies the publisher against any claim or action. All advertisers, including those placing display and classified or advertorial material, warrant that such material is true and accurate and meets all applicable laws and indemnifies the publisher against all liabilities that may arise from the publication of such material. Opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Senior Journalist, Jonathan Roe, accepts responsibility for election comment. Articles contain information of a general nature – readers should always seek professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

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Copyright in all material – including photographs and ads – is held by Orange City Life Pty Ltd or its providers and must not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Publisher. Printed for the publisher at the News Print Centre, 26-52 Hume Highway, Chullora 2190.