Students perform & meet Troy Cassar Daley backstage at Jacca Festival

Local school students got the opportunity to experience the big stage when they performed ‘Dream Out Loud’ by guest of honour Troy Cassar Daley at River Dreaming the opening day of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival. Students from Gilwinga, Wooli, Rappville and Tucabia schools are participating in a music program by the Big Scrub Orchestra which introduces students to a range of instruments including keyboards, marimbas, guitar, ukulele, and drums.

One student had the exciting opportunity to interview singing hero Troy Cassar Daley backstage.

When eleven year old Arthur asked Troy what his favourite gig was, he told him how special the home town Grafton gig was and shared childhood memories of having fun in market square where he was about to perform.

When asked about the favourite song he had written, Troy shared a special story about participating in his local Aboriginal culture and his song ‘Shadows on the hill’ which has deep personal meaning for him and has recently been remixed with rapper Briggs.

Director of the Big Scrub Orchestra

Amanda Dumesny thanked Aunty Jo Randle and Dean Loadsman from the River Dreaming committee for inviting the group to perform and for organising such a wonderful day.

The Big Scrub Orchestra is looking for funding partners to continue the music and mentoring programs in the Northern Rivers. Please contact offce@ thebigscruborchestra. com

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Big Crossword

Target Time G R D E S E A D I

Today’s target: 28 words average 33 words good 38+ words excellent

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nine-letter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

On Monday you’ll find being resourceful and strategic pays off well at work. Tuesday and Thursday favour creative ideas and thorough research. On the weekend there’s a Mars/Uranus opposition so don’t blow your budget with a spontaneous spending spree. Or commit yourself to an ambitious project that you don’t have the time or enthusiasm for. Short-term big talk is no good if it doesn’t translate into long-term action. Patience and persistence are the keys.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 20)

Your ruler Venus transits through Libra (from Wednesday until December 4) which highlights food, fashion, wine and good times. But remember adventurous Jupiter and disruptive Uranus are still charging through your sign, so expect some thrills and spills along the way. Your motto for the moment is from singer-songwriter-musician Neil Young (who turns 78 on Sunday): “As you go through life, you’ve got to see the valleys as well as the peaks.”

GEMINI (May 21 – June 21)

Have you been wondering (and worrying) about your professional options in the future? The ideal is to follow your dreams and make your day-today work a pleasure rather than a full-time chore. This week Neptune, Pluto and Saturn push you to turn an abstract idea into a rock-solid reality via an inspiring vision and a strategic plan. From Friday onwards, you’ll find clear communication and lively conversation are the keys to harmonious relationships.

CANCER (June 22 – July 22)

With the Sun, Mercury and Mars all activating your entertainment sector, jump out of your Crab comfort zone, let your hair down and have some fun! Plus, when it comes to your personal and professional friendships, strive to be extra patient, and keep the lines of communication and creativity wide open. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, singer-songwriter-musician Joni Mitchell: “I want to have fun, I want to shine like the Sun.”

Release No. 3034

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

The week starts well when the planets promise a financial boost and/or pleasant interactions with colleagues, clients or customers. But on the weekend – courtesy of the tricky Mars/Uranus opposition – expect some disruptions or surprises when there is friction between family needs and work responsibilities. Things will gradually settle down if you choose diplomacy over drama, encouragement over criticism and acceptance over judgement.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22)

Are your goals for the future ambitious enough?

This week (with Jupiter and Uranus activating your aspirations zone and your ruler Mercury charging into confident Sagittarius) there’s no room for false Virgo modesty or passive procrastination! The Sun, Mercury and Mars also stimulate your thought processes and encourage you to come up with a cracking plan and stick to it. Begin with a dream and then work hard to make it a robust reality.

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 23)

With Venus (your power planet) trining Pluto and then transiting into your sign, you’ll be at your magnetic and charming best! So it’s a wonderful week to create, collaborate and communicate, in your charming Libran way. As birthday great Albert Camus wrote: “Charm is the way of getting the answer ‘yes’, without having asked any clear question.” But avoid making impulsive financial decisions. Take your time, do your research, and get a second opinion.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 21)

Things are intense at Casa Scorpio as the Sun, Mercury and Mars visit your sign. Pluto makes positive aspects to Venus and Mercury, so passion is high and you’re in the mood to listen and learn. But look out anyone who tries to knock you off your chosen course! Wisdom for the week is from Scorpio singer-songwriter Lorde (who turns 27 on Tuesday): “Take care of your thoughts when you are alone and take care of your words when you are with people.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Sassy Sagittarius – you’ll experience the greatest satisfaction if you share your goals, aspirations and dreams with like-minded colleagues and friends. Group projects and creative collaborations are favoured. But this week’s stars could also disrupt your daily routine or stir up an old health issue. So do your best to get the balance right between being creative and being thorough; between having inspirational ideas and making practical progress.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Fault-finding Saturn could exacerbate a problem with a friend, neighbour or family member. But hopefully Mercury and Venus will come to the rescue and teach you an important celestial lesson. If you look for the best in the person involved, and work hard on improving your communication skills, then the relationship will gradually improve and have a good chance of longevity. It’s important to take baby steps, with a heart full of love and forgiveness.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The Mars/Uranus opposition could stir up your restless and reckless side, as you unleash your Inner Rebel. But try to do so in appropriate ways that don’t upset loved ones, antagonise authority figures, or endanger your personal safety! A professional or domestic challenge could also test your mettle. Aim to approach problems with a brand-new perspective. Be inspired by singersongwriter (and birthday great) Neil Young: “One fresh take can change everything.”

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

With the Sun, Mercury and Mars activating your aspirations zone, it’s a wonderful week to dream big dreams and set ambitious goals for the future. But family and friends must be handled with an extra big dollop of diplomacy and discretion. As birthday great Joni Mitchell reminds us: “There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.” On the weekend there’s an accident-prone Mars/Uranus opposition so drive extra carefully.