Dubbo Photo News 20.04.2023

PHOTO: DUBBO

A Royal Australian Navy career for Dubbo’s Tom Gray

By JENET STEWART

Tom Gray joined the Royal Australian Navy on February 12, 1962, and went on to complete 20 years of service.

His Naval journey began at recruit school with HMAS Cerberus, Westpoint Bay in Victoria. He carried out his training with HMAS Watson at North Heads, Sydney. For a period of 20 years Tom served on numerous ships with the Royal Australian Navy.

Tom was involved with operational services in Vietnam, Malaysia, Far East Strategic Reserves, and the Malay Peninsula.

“I remember my days in the Navy fondly, we honoured our country, our flag, and our sovereign,” Tom told Dubbo Photo News

“Living on board a ship meant you mixed with a whole lot of different people, a few clowns, and some very clever people.

“We all understood and respected one another. We trusted one another, were honest, loyal and tolerant, especially when confined to a ship.

“Mateship and the ship spirit were important – we were a real family and always worked as a team,” Tom explained.

Tom’s first child, a daughter, was born when he was at sea – she was six months old before he first saw her.

Tom recalled that life on a ship was like a village. They produced their own water from sea water and generated their own electricity and even baked their own bread on board.

The friendships Tom made while serving in the Navy have continued throughout his life.

When Tom arrived home after serving in the Navy, he worked at the Dubbo RAAF Base, Westhaven Industries and was a coordinator at Orana Gardens Country Club. He retired from work in 2005.

“I found returning to work after the Navy, hard. This was because of the lack of discipline and leadership.

“But I was lucky I was home, and my first employment was with the Dubbo RAAF Base where I found a little of the discipline and leadership I was used to in the Navy.

“I really did enjoy all my time in the Navy,” Tom said.

Tom and his wife continue to live in Dubbo and enjoy the company of friends and family.

He is the current President of the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch and is one of the Directors of the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club. He will soon retire from the Sub-Branch, leaving it in good hands with many younger veterans becoming actively involved.

Tom Gray, just after joining the Royal Australian Navy in 1962.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED BY TOM GRAY

CLINT GROSE

Your rank and deployment: Captain – last deployment Mentoring Task Force 4 – Afghanistan (Battle Group RAM)

What year were you discharged from the army? 2013

How long have you lived in Dubbo? 10 years!

What are your best memories of service in the Australian army? Fitness, hard work, mateship, especially my postings to Townsville and Brisbane.

What’s your greatest achievement? Other than having a beautiful family, my greatest achievement is completing my Master of Business Administration whilst working fulltime for two years at night.

Name your favourite Dubbo eatery: Too many to choose – but a simple steak at a number of places is hard to beat.

What’s your favourite recreational thing to do in Dubbo? Watch and also participate in local sports (Touch, League, Union, Cricket and fishing).

What’s on your bucket list to do this year? Catch a Barra in Darwin

What advice would you give young people intending to join the Australian armed forces? Embrace the challenges, enjoy the culture, explore available opportunities, and never volunteer for anything!

ABOUT CASTELVECCHIO

A dynamic Inglis Millennium and Group 1-winning juvenile who trained on to an acclaimed Cox Plate performance as a Spring 3YO, followed by a Guineas triumph in the Autumn.

ABOUT ARROWFIELD

In 1989 Arrowfield made one of the single most important purchases in Australian bloodstock history when it selected and secured a majority interest in Danehill, who proved to be a global breed-shaping influence, and the sire of 89 Group 1 winners – a tally surpassed only in recent years by Galileo.

Tickets can be purchased through 123 Tix – simply search: ‘Queen of the West’.

THE DUBBO TURF CLUB ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE ARROWFIELD AS THE SPONSOR OF THE FIRST RUNNING OF THE

QUEEN OF THE WEST HANDICAP ON Mercedes-Benz Dubbo

Ladies Race Day

Saturday 6 May

The Arrowfield QUEEN OF THE WEST will be run at Benchmark 74 Handicap (1200m) conditions and is restricted to fillies and mares.

In its inaugural year, the Arrowfield Queen of the West will be run for $40,000 in prizemoney and winning connections will receive a nomination to the dual Group 1-winning stallion, Castelvecchio which has been generously provided by Arrowfield.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE ARROWFIELD QUEEN OF THE WEST CLOSE ON MONDAY 1

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS

150-year history in writing DUBBO SHOW’S

By LYDIA PEDRANA

Renowned local journalist and author Jen Cowley OAM has been entrusted with the mighty task of capturing the rich 150-year history of the Dubbo Show Society in book form.

With the book’s title a closely guarded secret, all will be revealed when it officially launches during this year’s show in May.

Mrs Cowley described being asked to take on the project as an “honour”.

“I know there’s a responsibility that comes with telling the story of arguably Dubbo’s most significant and certainly most iconic event and, more accurately, the organisation that has held the reins for 150 years,” she told Dubbo Photo News

“It’s been a huge undertaking and like most projects I get involved with (this will be my seventh book), it’s just grown and grown! It’s been absolutely fascinating because so much of the show’s history reflects the history of Dubbo itself since European settlement.”

The Dubbo Show Society was formed in 1872, originally named the North Western Pastoral and Agricultural Association. In 1886 it became the Dubbo Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Association before it rebranded once again in 1982 to the Dubbo Show Society as it’s known today.

A year after the coordinating body was founded, the first Dubbo Show took place at the racecourse, before moving to its

forever home at the showground in 1885.

The book is not a chronological record of the last century and a half, instead it features stories from people who have been involved in the show over the years, bound together by titbits of history and key moments.

“The book will be a snapshot of several different sections of the show, for which there are many moving parts, but mostly about some of the key people and families that have helped make the Dubbo Show what it is today,” Mrs Cowley said.

“As you’d expect, there have been thousands upon thousands of people involved with the show over 150 years and, unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of including every single one of those people in the book.”

Through Mrs Cowley’s extensive research, she has uncovered some fascinating gems including that entry to show hit $1 in 1970, the Dubbo Show Society appointed its first ever female patron in 1919, and in 150 years the show has only been cancelled 13 times, including once in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

While a strict publishing deadline means no further additions to the book can be made, following the show in May the society will welcome any contributions of photos and memorabilia to become part of a larger archive.

Author Jen Cowley OAM has OAM written a book to commemorate 150 Years of the Dubbo Show Dubbo Society.

PHOTO: STEVE COWLEY

Sketch of The North West Pastoral and Agricultural Show 1885 (artist unknown) from Ellen Mortimore’s family collection.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Silver medals won by Thomas Baird for his cattle at the 1874 and 1875 shows, a gift to the project from his great granddaughter Nan Boa.

PHOTO: STEVE COWLEY

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

A birthday for Dubbo’s French connection

IF you’ve ever loved and lost, then a graveside birthday isn’t unusual, but on April 6, 2023, members of an Australian family visited Batignolles Cemetery in Paris to mark the 200th birthday of a man who is not just dear to them, but also extremely significant to Dubbo – as our city’s founding father.

The family are descendants of colonial French entrepreneur Jean Emile Serisier who was instrumental in the gazetting of Dubbo village on November 23, 1849 – a day that the city honours with the annual Dubbo Day awards.

A native of Bordeaux, Mr Serisier was a tireless Dubbo community stalwart, a magistrate actively involved in the capture of bushranger John Dunn, and a successful Macquarie Street businessman who owned a thriving store servicing the Overland Trade on the site of today’s Sid’s Bottle Shop.

Toward the last decades of his life, he planted 70,000 vines on Old Dubbo Road at his vineyard ‘Eumalga’, and became a negociant, or wine trader, owning a store in Hunter Street, Sydney.

In 1879 he returned to France for

the first time since moving to NSW, but would never come home, dying in Paris on February 10, 1880.

Mr Serisier’s great, great grandson, Richard Serisier, kindly shared photos from the family gathering which included his wife Shelley, sister Cathie Doyle (nee Serisier), his son and daughter, Hugo and Aimee, niece Jenny Matts, Katy Anderson and Jos Swanwick.

The headstone, in French and English, refers to Jean Emile Serisier as a negociant and magistrate of Dubbo, NSW, Australia who left behind his wife and five children.

IT’S ON AGAIN!

THE MICHAEL EGAN MEMORIAL BOOK FAIR

Books galore are expected at this year’s Michael Egan Memorial Book Fair to be held at Dubbo Showground on the last Saturday and Sunday of April.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

By JENET STEWART

“Thanks

we have thousands of books up for sale. We are keen to see these books given a new lease of life, find a new home and a new reader,” Book Fair coordinator Colin Shanks said.

Left to right, Cathie Doyle, Katy Anderson, Jenny Matts, Jos Swanwick, Shelley Serisier, Richard Serisier, Aimee Serisier, Hugo Serisier.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Paris grave Paris grave where Dubbo’s founder Jean Emile Serisier is buried.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Toyota Nationals rock Easter!

By KEN SMITH

The weather was perfect for the annual Easter Toyota Nationals in Dubbo, and the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets was Saturday’s venue for the Show ‘N’ Shine and Motorkhana. Car-lovers from all over once again made this a fantastic Easter event for Dubbo.

their bored kids with a bang, now have an extraordinary option.

Dubbo Regional Theatre is hosting fun children’s performers The Beanies with their first-ever stage show, The Beanies EGGstraordinary Day, on Saturday, April 22.

The award-winning trio at the event will provide plenty of laughs as they sing, dance and laugh in their giant box fort.

The Beanies – Laura, Mim and Michael – are best-known for their award-winning podcast series which has eclipsed a million downloads and

which, in 2018, won an Australian Podcast Award for Best Kids and Families Podcast.

The series explores children’s audio through storytelling, informative fact-based teachings and music.

The group is also a threepiece band with more than 60 original songs that have been released by ABC Kids and streamed over two million times.

In 2019, the Beanies were nominated for an ARIA Award in the category of Best Children’s Album.

“With all the toys, movies and video games available today, playing in your imagination has become a real challenge,” cast mem-

ber Mim Beanie said.

“The Beanies are every child’s best friend, leading by example in imaginative play,” she added.

Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre Manager, Linda Christof, said the show was one the whole family would enjoy.

“The set and costumes are colourful and the band is made up of professionally-trained performers with expertise in acting, dancing, writing and children’s entertainment,” she said.

“The interactive nature of the show encourages children to feel comfortable calling out and being a part of the shenanigans from the comfort of their theatre seat,” Ms Christof said.

memories, 1945 to 1977

Circa 1953, this Anzac Day march photograph reads, “The Anzac Day march in 1953 was marred by rain but still the march went on. Leading the march were the President of the Dubbo RSS and AILA Sub-Branch, Norm Keats, Errol Serisier, and Les Clark. Others who can be identified are Matron Roach of Dubbo Base Hospital, the Mayor of Dubbo Alderman Les Ford, and Tom Clare. Note: The Hotel Dubbo can be seen in the background with its verandah over street.” This hotel is now known as the Castlereagh Hotel in Talbragar Street.

Circa 1967, this Anzac Day march photograph reads, “One of the largest contingents for some time of returned exservicewomen to march in an Anzac Day march in Dubbo. Among those who can be seen are Glad Ewers, Mim North, Joan Flint and Ruth Leavers. Behind the exservicewomen are Gerry Dalton, Tom Hogan, Noel Burns and Kevin Hopkins.

Circa 1962, this Anzac Day march photograph reads, “In 1962 the Anzac Day march was led for the first time by Bob James as President of the Dubbo Sub-Branch of the RSL.” Bob was president from 1962 to 1967. Carrying the Union Jack is Carl von Schill, carrying the Australian flag is Ted Fiveash, while the Sub-Branch flag is being carried by Johnny Duncan. Some of the others who can be seen in the photograph are Eric Gardoll, Don Fairbrother, Allan Griffin, Frank Moore, Glad Ewers, and partly hidden is Les Ford, the mayor of Dubbo.

Date unknown: Anzac Day march in Macquarie Street Dubbo. John Miller is shown to the left with flag in hand.

Proudly sponsored by

St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School Dubbo Year 4

MARK COULTON MP Federal Member for Parkes

Phone: Dubbo: 02 6882 0999 Moree: 02 6751 1251 Broken Hill: 08 8087 7649 Email mark.coulton.mp@aph.gov.au Web markcoulton.com.au

reativ sin th i Ye Join me in honouring the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served Australia. To learn more about the Anzacs, please visit: anzacportal.dva.gov.au Authorised by Mark Coulton MP, National Party of Australia, Shop 3, 153 Brisbane St, Dubbo NSW 2830.

WHAT KIDS SAY

What does Anzac Day really mean to you?

By JENET STEWART

Andrew Livingston joined the Army in 1987 as a 16-year-old apprentice and trained as a plumber and gasfitter.

His first two years were at the Army Appren- tice School at Bonegilla (near Albury/Wodonga) where he completed all his theory work.

Ivy

How old are you? 5

What do you like about yourself? I’m kind

What are you good at? I can do handstands and I can do a seal because I’m very flexible

What’s a type of food do you love the most?

Watermelon

When you grow up, what do you think your job will be? A chef

Do you have a favourite word? Please and thank-you. They’re manners.

What makes you laugh? Sissy tickling me.

Who is your favourite character from a book? Wonky Donky

Do you know any good jokes? Why did the chicken cross the road? Be-CAUSE!!!

How old are you when you stop being a kid? 17

If you could paint your bedroom, what colour would it be? Sparkling silver

Who’s the boss in your family? Mummy and Daddy

Which zoo animal would you have for a pet? A meerkat

How many stars are there in the sky? 100 because the world is big.

If animals could talk, what animal would you like to talk to? Giraffe

Where does the sun go at night? Down (points)

He was then posted to the School of Military Engineering (SME) at Casula for a further two years where he and other apprentices worked with local contractors to enhance their practical skills of plumbing and learn the skills of a combat or field engineer.

The next four years were spent at 3 CER in Townsville. Andrew was discharged from the Army in November 1994.

Dubbo Photo News asked Andrew what Anzac Day really means to him.

“Anzac Day was dying in the early ‘80s and people were lamenting its decline. Since then, however, it has gone from strength to strength, and the Dubbo Dawn Service keeps attracting more people every year.

“I had a great uncle who was killed in France in WWI and my grandfather was a Rat of Tobruk in WWII. He used to tell me that he fought all the enemies in WWII – the Germans, Italians and the Japanese in Papua New Guinea.

“On Anzac Day I think it is important to remember our fallen and the sacrifices they made, and to teach our kids about it so it remains an important date from generation to generation.”

Andrew’s words are a timely reminder of the importance of Anzac Day to all generations and to never forget those sacrifices so many men and women made for our country – Australia.

Lest We Forget

Dubbo’s drag and burnout queen!

BY JENET STEWART

From a very young age Katrina Carlton-Lane has been hanging around motor cars. Not just any motor car though, there’s a special kind that brings a sparkle to her eye. She seems more interested in a car in need of some TLC, rather than something brand new from a dealership.

Any kind of pre-loved car appeals to her. As long as it has a motor, it doesn’t necessarily have to go because that would essentially spoil all the fun if it worked when you kicked it over for the first time, she said. There was an ever-so-slight smell of engine oil on Katrina as Dubbo Photo News sat with her to talk about all things cars. Here fingernails were void of any black engine grease, but her eyes glistened at the sound of the word ‘motor’.

Although Katrina says, compared to the men in her family, her ability around a motor vehicle engine is somewhat limited, she’d definitely be a good person to have on board in a break down – even to change a tyre!

She knows the difference between a carburettor and a piston and all that goes be-

tween. After all, this is Katrina’s life and has been since she was a small baby attending the annual Summernats in Canberra with her parents Greg and Jo Carlton. Summernats is an annual car festival which has been held every January in Canberra since 1987. It’s well known to specialist car enthusiasts around Australia and overseas.

While other children were playing sport of a weekend, Katrina spent her time with her head down and tail up, tinkering with a car engine. Her dad Greg did register her for a few weekend sporting activities, but it fell by the wayside as their weekend enthusiasm for all things cars grew.

When Katrina was around 12 years of age, she and brother Brett raced dragsters which started out at Bodangora Drags Airstrip near Wellington. The love of burnouts continued at Morris Park where Katrina won at the NSW Pro Burnout for best ladies’ burnout in her purple VL Commodore, with

her father by her side directing her along the way.

Each year since Katrina can remember her family, including her parents and brother Brett, visit the Summernats in Canberra for a week of racing, burnouts, show and shine, street machine awards, drags and more.

“The atmosphere there is amazing, all the people who attend are just one big family and they too have been attending the Summernats for as many years as us. It’s a real family affair,” Katrina said.

Today, Katrina continues with her love of all things cars and now juggles this with a young family.

This year she will be attending and participating in the Dubbo MotorFest which is a new event for Dubbo showcasing all

things cars and motorcycles in the central west.

Katrina and husband Justin currently have two builds under way. A 1972 HQ Holden Monaro and a new build on a VH Holden Commodore.

Katrina Carlton-Lane with her Dad’s pride and joy, a 1955 FJ Holden van.

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS

Andrew Livingston believes we should remember our fallen and the sacrifices they made. This Anzac Day, say thank-you to a veteran and remember their commitment to our country.

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS

VRA benefits from Golden Oldies Truck Show

By KEN SMITH

THE welcome return of the Golden Oldies Truck show in August last year saw a massive day of trucks, exhibitions and a large appreciative crowd.

Raising money for local charities is a big part of what they do and some of the Golden Oldies Truck Club members recently presented a cheque for $1500 to help our local VRA.

The Golden Oldies Truck, Tractor and Quilt Show will return later this year. The date is still to be announced.

New VRA Commissioner meets the local team

B.O.H, G.Dip, DT, FAAAOSH

Delroy park dental Dubbo is an accredited TEETH ON IMPLANTS centre offering our patients implant treatment options from a single tooth implant to full mouth reconstruction and grafting.

Our procedures are done using the latest digital technology and facial design softwares. These procedures can be done under general anaesthetics at Dubbo private hospital. Our experienced dental surgeons have training from Australia and the United States .

Please contact Amanda at Delroy Park Dental on (02) 6882 8819 or email TEETH ON IMPLANTS at info@teethonimplants.com.au to book your consultation

Warrick Edwards

Dr Ned Restom B Sc, B Dent (Syd), Dip ABOI, FICOI

Mark Gibson, Andrew Luke (Deputy Commissioner VRA Rescue NSW), Brenton Charlton (Commissioner VRA Rescue NSW), Leslie Morley Captain VRA Dubbo) and Neil Sturrock (Squad Vice President VRA)

Brenton Charlton (Commissioner VRA Rescue NSW) with past and our present Dubbo VRA team

Photos by KEN SMITH

Jon Mancer (President Golden Oldies Truck Club Inc) with Neil Sturrock (Deputy Captain Dubbo Rescue Squad) and Leslie Morley (Captain Dubbo Rescue Squad)

The BIG cheque, Golden Oldies Truck Club members with Leslie Morley and Neil Sturrock (VRA / Dubbo Rescue Squad)

Because the Dubbo Region is the best place to build your career

DUBBO WORKS is highlighting the excellent career and learning opportunities the Dubbo region offers. DUBBO WORKS is a community-building initiative brought to you by Fletcher International Exports and Dubbo Photo News. To contribute ideas, email dubboworks@dubbophotonews.com.au phone 6885 4433.

Narromine woman wins Rural Achiever Award

By LYDIA PEDRANA

YOUNG Narromine woman Keiley Noble has been awarded the prestigious R.M Williams Rural Achiever Award.

Run by the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW, the award is a state-wide leadership program for those aged between 20 and 29 years of age who work hard to make a significant contribution to their community and rural Australia.

The aim of the program is to facilitate unique agricultural industry networking opportunities, through RAS connections and the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

After submitting an online application and undertaking an in-depth Zoom interview, Mrs

Noble, 27, was selected as one of eight finalists in March.

The finalists all travelled to the Sydney Royal Easter Show for a series of formal engagements and a whole lot of networking.

“It was eight days packed with of hundreds of introductions, a formal dinner nearly every night, a trip to Government House, an Akubra presented by the Governor General, a cruise around the harbour, a backstage tour of the district exhibits, an embarrassing effort in the young farmers challenge, stewarding rotations in sheep, fleece, cattle, horses, pigs, dogs, wood chopping, and arts and crafts, onstage speeches, more interviews, a photo shoot that almost didn’t

happen, and so much more,” she told Dubbo Photo News

“Eight extremely well networked and connected mates from all over regional NSW walked out of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, ready to lead, encourage and inspire others within the agricultural industry and their own communities.”

Then, to her surprise last Tuesday, Mrs Noble was crowned the winner.

“This was something that I did not see coming, but equally, am super excited about,” she said.

“I’ve spent the last week with eight of the most passionate and amazing young leaders within our state, and in my eyes, it could have been any one of us.

“All the finalists are amazing

leaders and our rural communities are lucky to have them.”

Growing up in the Central West and attending school in Dubbo until Year 9, Mrs Noble did her senior years at Yanco Agricultural High School before studying a double degree in Agriculture and Business at the University of New England.

As well as being a mother of one, a marriage celebrant, and running a contracting and hay sales business with her husband Ross, Mrs Noble also works as a Policy Officer at the Department of Regional NSW.

Her main project in this role has been on the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program which provides support to regions that have been identified

as needing drought resilience plans.

As the winner of the Rural Achiever Award, she will head to the National Rural Ambassador Competition in Melbourne in 2024.

Mrs Noble will also return to next year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show to meet the next Rural Achiever cohort and emcee several events.

“I want to use my position to help create opportunities for others and excite people about the ag industry,” she said.

“I also show others that these kinds of programs are for everyone and encourage others to uptake opportunities like the one I was just lucky enough to experience.”

Above: Keiley Noble of Narromine has just won the R.M Williams Rural Achiever Award.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Right: Keiley Noble (front left) and the seven other Rural Achiever finalists after being presented with an Akubra by the Governor General. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

To contribute ideas: email dubboworks@dubbophotonews.com.au phone 6885 4433 txt 0429 452 245

FOCUS ON FLETCHER

Mother and daughter team in the cool room

BEFORE moving to Dubbo, Rena Abay-Abay Bootle worked in a Kleenex tissue factory in the Philippines, packing product.

The experience was a good background to make the transition to work for NSW’s largest abattoir, Fletcher International Exports.

“I was working there in a factory, so it was easy for me to come here and be able to do this type of work in the cool room,” Rena said.

The cool room is where meat products are cut, prepared and packaged ready for shipping.

“I like working here. There’s about 70 people in my department. It’s fun. If you love your work, it’s easy to manage your job.”

Rena will soon mark 15 years at Fletchers and reflects on her early days.

“When I first came, I talked English a little bit, but everyone was helpful to me. There’s

a few Philippino now in the cold room, hot room and harvest area but not so many when I started,” Rena said.

A little over two weeks ago, Rena was joined by her daughter Jhia Abay-Abay who has been in Canberra studying.

“I just started working casual here. We saw one of my mum’s friends downtown and mum told her that I’m going to stay here for a while and her friend suggested she help me get a job at Fletchers for a while,” Jhia said.

They are now both working in the cool room together.

“I don’t have any experience. It’s my first time working in this industry so it’s quite new to me and quite fascinating knowing what my mum has been doing. I had an idea about her work but had never seen inside, and now I do.”

# DUBBO JOBS COUNTER 514

The number of Dubbo region jobs being advertised this week on seek.com.au

OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

Loans Administration Officer

 Join the BOQ Team: Owner Managed Branch – Dubbo Location

 Full time, 12 month contract, with the possibility for a future permanent opportunity.

 Become a valued member of a supportive team.

We are currently seeking a Loans Administration Officer to join the BOQ team for the Owner Managed branch.

As the Loans Administration Officer, your main responsibilities will include: underwriting of loan applications, loan file maintenance whilst providing lending administration support, valuations, property services and other documentation processes for the branch.

Further, you will enjoy delivering exceptional customer service to our cus-

JOIN

LOVE YOUR WORK

tomer network, in line with BOQ audit and compliance requirements. Further responsibilities will include:

 Processing lending applications from application through to post settlement for personal loans, home loans and investment loans

 Order valuations, title searches, company searches, manual credit checks

 Order, download and collate loan documentation

 Action loan documentation and complete compliance checks

 Liaise with various stakeholders (internal/external) to ensure seamless end to end loan processing

Comprehensive information on this position is available at www.seek.com.

au/job/66758501

DUBBO WORKS WANTS YOU!

WIf you have a unique or interesting job, a career opportunity or a fascinating learning option you’d like to share, get in touch with Dubbo Photo News now.

To contribute ideas, email dubboworks@ dubbophotonews.com.

Mark Ryan

What was your rank as a serviceman? Lance Corporal

Where did you serve?

Dubbo

au or phone 6885 4433 or visit us at Level 1, 178 Macquarie Street, Dubbo.

Served at 2RAR, 3RAR (Royal Australian Regiment), 25/49 RQR, and currently serving with 1/19 RNSWR (Dubbo Bushman Rifles Australian Army Active Reserves). Deployments: Afghanistan, East Timor, and operation to Noumea.

What was your key role in the Army? Role in reg-

ular army – Recon/Sniper Platoon – Reconnaissance Patrol man; role in reserves, Spec Rifleman Reconnaissance Patrol man. How many years did you serve for? Currently still serving… Coming up to 15 years continuous service, six years Regular Army, the remainder in reserves. What did you really like about being in the army? Sense of adventure, ability to work as a team in a professional environment. Second to

none training and getting to use state-of-the-art equipment on operations, or within the field environment. Provides you with good level of fitness, endurance, and mental toughness, and has great job security.

I take great pride in serving my country and providing support to communities within Australia when required. This job also enables me to honour those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice throughout

all wars and operations by upholding the ANZAC spirit and their traditions.

What are you doing now, since you left the army? Tradesman –Plumber and Gasfitter

What’s the best thing about being with your family and no longer being a serviceman?

Leaving full-time Army (ARA) has enabled me to catch up frequently with immediate family and friends on a regular basis, as opposed to once or twice a year in the past.

Mother and daughter, Rena Abay-Abay Bootle and Jhia Abay-Abay, both work in the cool room at Fletcher International Exports. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS

ANZAC READING

at the BOOK CONNECTION

By JENET STEWART

Make sure you call into The Book Connection this week and grab your ANZAC Day reading.

“Please Write Soon” by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Michael Foreman is a true story of perseverance and hope in the face of war and hardship.

The story begins in 1939 where two cousins exchange letters; Solly is in London and Bernie in Poland.

Bernie ends up in a labour camp in Russia.

Through their writing, they keep one another’s spirits up, trading jokes and sharing their observations of the world during the war.

Bernie joins the Anders Army and experiences war in Iran and Italy. He

fights alongside the British and the famous Battle of Monte Cassino.

“Sydney Under Attack” by Sophie Masson is a story based in 1942. A young 12-year-old boy named Nick is living in Rose Bay with his parents and sister. He dreams of becoming a writer just as his dad is. The story of Nick and his constant awareness of almost anything out of the ordinary quickly turns into the sight of a plane late at night and then the attack on Sydney harbour. Nick struggles for people to believe his sights, particularly of the plane.

 Both books are a great read and are in store now at The Book Connection, 178 Macquarie Street, Dubbo.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Apr 20: Ryan O’Neal, US actor, 82. Jessica Lange, US actress, 74. Sebastian Faulks, British novelist, 70. Julia Morris, comedian-TV presenter, 55. Carmen Electra, US actress, 51. Miranda Kerr, Gunnedah-raised supermodel, 40.

Apr 21: Iggy Pop, US singer, 76. Tony Danza , US actor, Andie MacDowell , US actress, 65. James McAvoy, Scottish actor, 44. George Burgess, rugby league player, Princess Isabella of Denmark , daughter of Frederik and Mary, 16.

Apr 22: Jack Nicholson, US actor, 86. Peter Frampton British singer-guitarist, 73. Daniel Johns, Silverchair singer, 44. Amber Heard, US actress, 37.

Apr 23: Lee Majors, Six Million Dollar Man actor, 84. Michael Moore, US director, 69. Judy Davis, actress, 68. Sylvia Jeffreys, TV journalist, 37. David Pocock , rugby player, 35. Dev Patel, English actor, 33. Paul Vaughan, footy player, 32. Teagan Croft, Australian actress, 19.

Apr 24: Shirley MacLaine, US actress, 89. John Williams, classical guitarist, 82. Barbra Streisand, US actress-singer, 81. Jean-Paul Gaultier, French fashion designer, 71. Steve Roach, footy legend, 61. Damien Fleming , cricketer, 53. Indian cricketer, 50. Kelly Clarkson singer, 41. Morgan Evans writer, 38. Ashleigh Barty player, 27.

Apr 25: Al Pacino, U Bjorn Ulvaeus , of ABBA, 78. Linda Burney, politician, 66. Ghinsberg , Israeli-born adventurer, 64. Hank Azaria , US actor, 59. Renee Zellweger, US actress, 54. Jason Lee, star of My Name is Earl, 53. Daniel MacPherson

Felipe Massa , Brazilian Formula One driver, 42. Johnathan Thurston

Queensland Cowboys player, 40. Horton, swimmer, 27.

Apr 26: Carol Burnett

90. Prue Acton, fashion designer, 80. Johnson, race car driver, 78. tress, 62. Trevor Marmalade

Saturday comedian, 61. V8 Supercar driver, 51. US actor, 43. Luke Bracey

Handscomb, cricketer, 32.

A message for our community from the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch president

By JENET STEWART

es all Dubbo people and their families to attend Anzac Day on Tuesday, April 25.

THE Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch plays an integral role in the wellbeing of veterans in the Dubbo and surrounding communities. One of its more recent endeavours came when the Sub-Branch purchased a house at 79 Bultje Street in Dubbo and established a dropin centre for both local and regional veterans.

Services provided by the

Sub-Branch include support for transition from service to mainstream life, mental health awareness, pension assistance, and Department of Veteran Affairs help and advice.

Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch president Tom Gray is keen to involve more veterans. “You’ll meet other veterans, have a talk and it may help get the monkey off your back,” Tom said.

The next meeting for the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch will be on Friday, April 21.

This Anzac Day, Mr Gray has a message for our community.

“Anzac Day is an extremely important day for all veterans, families of veterans and the Dubbo and surrounding communities.

“We remember those who didn’t come home. Two of my mates that I served with were killed in Vietnam. There are

not many families that have not been affected by some family relative or friend who has served for our country.

“I want everyone to remember the sacrifices made by our veterans and say thank-you for your service this Anzac Day and into the future," Tom remarked.

Dubbo’s Anzac Day dawn service will commence at 5.45am at the Cenotaph at Victoria Park on Darling Street.

If you can find our Face In the Crowd, you could win a $75 voucher to spend at Midwest Foods.

Somewhere amongst the faces in this edition of Dubbo Photo News you will find the face shown above. Once you have found our Face in the Crowd, write the page number and approximate location on the back of an envelope along with your name, address and daytime contact number. Send

Miranda Kerr

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS

Gilgandra to host first film festival this weekend

Life of a local farming family during the dark days of the pandemic, is the star feature at the inaugural Gilgandra Film Festival, set to take centre stage next month.

Tooraweenah’s Sue and Brian Armstrong featured in Polish-Sydney film director Simon Target’s documentary “Warrawong… the windy place on the hill”, back in 2021. It follows the life of the couple on the farm, and their determination to stay on the land for as long as possible.

After it made its debut at the Sydney Film Festival last year, and internationally at the Krakow Film Festival, the community thought was time to bring it home.

“We are all looking forward to putting on the evening, and hopefully having plenty of people there from out of town,” Mrs Armstrong said.

“A lot of locals wanted to see the film,

By EMILY MIDDLETON

and because it is cinema strength, it has to be shown on a large screen, not a small one.”

During the lockdowns of 2021, Mr Target spent weeks with Mr and Mrs Armstrong. As they would wake-up, Mr Target would sit outside in his pyjamas, filming the morning sun, and follow the couple around as they performed mundane tasks. Bringing it back to the community is something Mr Target has been looking forward to.

“I think what I like about it, is there is some cutesy film festivals out there, and Gilgandra just isn’t a place you’d think to go to for a film festival.

“But it’s a farming town, a great place to have serious films, and I love how all the CWA women, and everybody else on board, have just thrown themselves into this and are so excited to bring these

films to town.”

Alongside “Warrawong”, Mr Target’s new film “Masha and Valentyna” will also be played, as well as “The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone”.

“Masha and Valentyna” documents the life of two refugees from Ukraine who have sought a safe haven in Poland.

In an interview about the film to SBS, Simon described when he “went to film one couple in Kraków, who actually didn’t have a spare room in their tiny apartment, they put a Ukrainian mother and two children and their dog in their own bed, while they slept on the couch”.

“Right now, in Poland the mood is: if we all squeeze up a bit, there’s room for more.”

“Masha and Valentyna” will not be officially aired until late June, so Gilgandra has an excusive viewing of the highly-an-

ticipated film.

“The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone” was showcased alongside “Warrawong” at the Sydney Film Festival last year, and Mr Target said that the Gilgandra CWA ladies took a great liking to Georgie.

“They all latched onto Georgie, they loved her, which to me shows that country people are a lot more progressive than what we assume them to be.”

“The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone” is a documentary that reveals the memories of Georgie Stone, an Australian transgender teen, who helps change laws, affirms her gender, and finds her voice as she emerges into adulthood.

The Gilgandra Film Festival is set to draw large crowds, potentially including individuals from the Polish and Ukrainian embassy in Canberra.

Gilgandra's first ever mini film festival.

Gilgandra a Film m Festival

Gilgandra Shire Hall, Tickets: $25 incl. supper

To buy tickets, see what's showing or find out more, visit our website: www.gilgaff.com.au

7pm, , 22 2 april

By KEN SMITH

Ninety birthdays is quite an achievement and as the photos show, Ron Gawthorne was there to have a great time.

The smile never left his face.

The Hing Wah was the venue with family and friends making sure that it was a top night for Ron.

Back, Connor, Garry, Jenny, Damion, Lance, Lyndall and Stacey, front, Jess, Maree, Greg, Ron and Kerrie

Ron and Stacey

Ron and Kerrie

Wayne, Ron, Warren and Greg Gawthorne

Kerrie, Greg, Wayne and Warren, front, Ron Gawthorne

Back, Jess, Stacey, Ben and Lyndall, front, Ron, Alex, Ash and Ada

Back, Sandy, Ash, Alex, Deb, Deb and Claire, front, Rhys, Wayne, Ron, Warren and Ben

Change proposes Wellington and Dubbo ratepayers pay same charges

THE merging of Dubbo City and Wellington Councils in May 2016 left the two communities with different charges for the same services.

The existing charging structures has resulted in residential dwellings and comparable business properties paying incompatible rates for water and sewage, depending on which former local government area they are located in, Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) says.

Council now proposing to align the two areas’ water supply and sewage services charging structures to a single, consistent system.

Council CEO Murray Wood said that the aim of Water and Sewer Harmonisation is to align the pricing structure to allow for consistency and equity.

“As was done when rates were harmonised, we are looking to ensure all residents are paying fair and equitable charges across the Local Government Area,” he said.

“During the February 2023

Meeting of Council, Councillors resolved to undertake a collaborative style engagement process and DRC are keen to hear from the community about the proposed harmonised water and sewage charges,” he added.

DRC will hold two information session for Community Members across the Local Government Area so they can fully understand the proposal and how it will affect them.

“The pricing structure will then be placed on public exhibition during May, along with Council’s Draft Budget, so community members have the opportunity to have their say,” Mr Wood said.

A meeting was held for community members of Wellington this week, and a Live “Q and A” session will be held for all community members within the wider Local Government Area on Tuesday, May 9.

Community members are invited to attend the session or watch the live stream, with registration encouraged.

Zero emissions electric ‘heli-plane’ in test flights at Wellington

ELECTRIC helicopters that fly like planes could be the future of zero emissions air travel, with Dubbo recently getting in on the "ground floor" of the new technology after an agreement with the developers of the innovative aircraft.

Australian green aerospace company, AMSL Aero, has partnered with Dubbo Regional Council to establish an outdoor flight test facility at the small Bodangora Airstrip outside of Wellington.

AMSL Aero claims its Vertiia vehicle is the "world’s most efficient and long range zero emissions electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft" and has begun conducting experimental flight tests at the airport with a goal of achieving certification before starting production by 2026.

AMSL Aero recently completed its maiden test flight of the Vertiia, the first by an Australian-designed and built eVTOL. The innovative aircraft takes

off and lands like a helicopter, but flies forward like a plane. The developers claim that the

Vertiia will be able to fly up to 1000km, three times the range of other eVTOL; will produce zero

carbon emissions, and be able to carry four passengers and a pilot at a cruising speed of about 300km/h.

AMSL Aero CEO and Vertiia inventor, Andrew Moore, said that the agreement will help make the new aircraft a viable alternative to current technology so much faster.

“We are extremely grateful to Dubbo Regional Council and mayor Mathew Dickerson for supporting the development of Vertiia as we move forward with our flight testing at pace," he said.

"To be certified, Vertiia will meet equivalent safety levels to commercial airliners – one event in a billion flight hours – which is the safest form of transport available today. The site at Bodangora meets our needs perfectly, as we press on with our mission to decarbonise air transport,” he added.

Cr Dickerson said that Council is excited to welcome AMSL Aero to the area to be able to utilise the

small airport about 15 minutes from Wellington.

“It is great to be able to offer AMSL Aero an outdoor lab for air mobility technology, which is making significant progress," he said.

"Bodangora is the perfect place for this type of testing because it is private, away from residential areas, and meets all the regulations that are in place through CASA," he added.

He said that having the airport between a wind farm and solar farm in the Central West Renewable Energy Zone meant that Bodangora lends itself to being a testing site for a zero-carbon emission Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

"Council has committed to making Bodangora a multi-use facility as it is currently utilised by aircraft, drag racing and now as an outdoor testing site for AMSL Aero,” Cr Dickerson said.

AMSL Aero CEO and Vertiia inventor, Andrew Moore, shows his innovative electric Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft to Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson at Wellington's Bodangora Airstrip. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Dubbo Regional Council is proposing to align the water supply and sewage services charging structures across the former Wellington Council and Dubbo City Council areas. PHOTO: DRC

Time out at Wellington Soldiers Club

By

THE THINGS YOU SEE in Cameron Park, Wellington

COUNCIL SNAPSHOT

LEST WE FORGET

Anzac Day events are planned for towns within the Dubbo Regional Council LGA on Tuesday 25 April 2023. Residents are reminded to bring a water bottle and hat to local services.

For more details about services and road closures visit dubbo.nsw.gov.au/anzac

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: 6801 4000

DUBBO.NSW.GOV.AU

TIPPING VOUCHERS HAVE YOUR SAY WATER AND SEWER HARMONISATION

Dubbo Regional Council provides residents with one free visit to a Council waste facility under a Tipping Voucher scheme. Council’s Tipping Vouchers are digital, which means that when you arrive at a waste facility you’ll be required to provide proof of address so we can process your free visit.

View conditions of use at dubbo.nsw.gov.au/tippingvouchers

Dubbo Regional Council is preparing a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) to guide further development in Dubbo’s Central West Urban Release Area, which will contain controls to manage residential urban design, subdivision and development outcomes.

View and comment at dubbo.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition

Dubbo Regional Council will host a Live Q and A session ahead of the proposed Water and Sewer Harmonisation process. The Live Q and A session will be held Tuesday 9 May. Residents are invited to attend the session at the Dubbo Council building from 5.30pm or watch the live stream - registration recommended.

For more information and to register visit dubbo.nsw.gov.au/water-sewer-harmonisation

Colin Rouse spotted these very colourful birds at Wellington’s Cameron Park. Judging by how close he was able to get to the birds, they seemed quite tame. The birds are actually Macaws and the owner Lloyd, summoned them and they flew back to his shoulder and off they went on their way.

COLIN ROUSE

PHOTO News caught up with some of the people taking time out the Soldiers Club

Chris with and Ned Frogley

Shanyn and Christopher Toynton

Above: Beth and Warrick McDonald

Left: Jayde and Brodie

Below: Elaine, Ken, Gordon and Rona

Right top: Ray and Debra West

Right: Maxine Essex and Russell Worldon

AGENT’S CHOICE

IDYLLIC FAMILY SANCTUARY STROLL TO GOLF, PARKS AND SHOPS

Looking for style, space and an exceptional location? This beautiful family home offers everything you could wish for and more.

Positioned in a quiet tree-lined street only 200 m from the Dubbo Golf Course, parklands, duck pond and walking and cycling pathways, this immaculately presented residence is also within easy walking distance of Delroy Park shopping centre and medical centres. Schools, childcare and restaurants are also nearby. You will love the spacious interior, impressive entertaining areas, inground pool & easy-care yard.

READ ABOUT IT: P27

WELCOME! PLEASE MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME!

Welcome to the Orana Property Market Real Estate Guide, a locally produced and independent real estate resource for the Orana region.

Whether you’re a real estate agent, a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or a supplier to the property market sector, you’ll find valuable updates, property listings, rental availability, advice, case studies and much, much more, to help get informed for your next local, urban, rural, residential, commercial or land purchase, investment, sale or lease.

Orana Property Market Real Estate Guide is incredibly fortunate to be circulated as part of the locally produced and owned, independent newspaper, Dubbo Photo News.

Known as the Orana region’s most widely read and loved community news resource, its existing readership of 30,000 locals live in Dubbo, Wellington, Narromine, Gilgandra, Trangie, Cobar, Nyngan, Peak Hill plus the villages in between, and beyond.

Unlike most free newspapers, it is not letterbox dropped with junk mail, but actively sought out, picked up and valued by the large base of loyal readers who find the region’s premium newspaper in more than 100 custom-made dispensing stands and pick-up points in prominent locations across Dubbo, and around the Orana Region.

To meet the high demand for this publication, these stands make

Dubbo Photo News exclusively available for collection in the busiest locations such as local shopping malls, supermarkets, retailers, petrol stations and newsagencies, where the popularity and reach of this local newspaper is recognised.

It’s not uncommon to see a stand filled beyond capacity on a Thursday morning, each edition’s first day of issue, only to be empty by the end of the day. Those empty stands mean the Orana Property Market Real Estate Guide is on kitchen tables, in office lunchrooms, in business waiting rooms or passed around during smoko, for a full seven days before the next edition comes out.

Like Dubbo Photo News, Orana Property Market Real Estate Guide is made by locals for locals so we’re always on the lookout for great local content. Have you got a unique home? Show us! Having trouble finding your dream home? Tell us! Have you had a great experience with a local agent? Send us your feedback and we will share it.

Visit www.dubbophotonews.com.au to

Orana Property Market Real Estate Guide free in the Dubbo Photo News digital edition, or up-to-date listings on the Dubbo Photo News website.

The guide will also be promoted to the Dubbo Photo News Facebook page which has one of the biggest local followings in the region.

So, welcome, please make yourself at home, and if you’re selling, buying or leasing, be sure to be seen in the Orana Property Market Real Estate Guide – every week.

By SCOTT SUTCLIFFE, PERFECTLY SORTED

DURING uncertain economic times, we all look at areas of our finances where we can cut and reduce costs. When selling a property, often vendors want to be able to spend as little as possible yet still achieve maximum return.

Now more than ever, it is important that your property looks its best and stands out from others on the market.

With a reduced number of buyers searching for properties currently, they can afford to be picky. No longer can you simply rely on land value, or houses receiving exceptional prices while doing nothing to showcase it.

Your home needs to stand out from the rest of the properties on the market, otherwise it could potentially fall through the cracks.

Vendors unfamiliar with the success and impact of property staging deem it an unnecessary extra cost and often comment that the “home will sell itself” and insist on leaving it empty.

This is a major misconception; empty homes often sell for less and don’t sell as fast as furnished ones for several reasons.

Thinking of selling your home and nervous about the current economic climate?

A property without furniture will always look smaller than a furnished one, even if the space has a superior level of design and architecture. This is because a furnished room provides depth perception.

Staging the home for sale provides perspective that buyers need and eradicates guesswork. For example, potential buyers shouldn’t have to estimate what size/how many sofas can fit in the living room, or what size bed can fit in the guest room. Unfurnished rooms appear smaller as you are unable to perceive depth and space without furniture.

Furnishing your property for sale allows people to imagine how they could live a beautiful life in the home and make an instant emotional connection. Unfortunately, empty homes are unable to elicit that emotion and potential buyers cannot visualise themselves or the lifestyle they could experience in the home.

Studies have shown that only 10 per cent of buyers who view a property which is vacant are able to visualise living in that home. This means that having that property left unfurnished has lost 90 per cent of the potential

buyers already.

Furnishing and staging the home for sale eradicates guesswork.

Buyers who walk into empty spaces are often confused about how the space is supposed to be used, its functionality, what type of furniture could fit the space, and how to arrange the room.

A furnished property will distract and detract buyers from the less desirable aspects of the home, such as an outdated kitchen or a difficult floor plan. When a house is unfurnished, buyers are more likely to find flaws, as there isn’t anything else to look at!

Buyers are more likely to find issues with scratches on floors and chipped paintwork. Buyers will mentally add up their perceived costs of repairing all those minor flaws. Adding up these costs could impact the final amount they are willing to pay, and a discount could well be negotiated.

When buyers are searching for homes online, there are only a handful of seconds in which to capture their attention. The images of your property must have wow factor to make them stop as they are scrolling through

endless listings.

Empty houses don’t offer anything special or exciting and it looks almost the same as every other empty listed home. You can make out a living room and a kitchen, and the rest of the rooms just look the same unless there is a particular feature in the photo to explain what the room is used for.

Buyers will skip past properties like these to ones that draw their attention. A room is just a room with walls and floors unless it is staged and styled, and this does little to create any impact or excitement for potential buyers. Furnishing your property for sale is a cost effective and proven way to help sell a property for an optimum return.

Why would you accept a lower price for your home? When you consider that your property is often you biggest financial asset, it is paramount to make sure the home is properly prepared for sale.

Call Scott from Perfectly Sorted on 0419 686 909 or email for more information scott@ perfectlysorted.com.au

Scott Sutcliffe from Perfectly Sorted will have your property looking its best, making it stand out from others already on the market.

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/JENET STEWART

2,719ac/1,100ha-heldinonefamilysince1978

Located10kmEastofWellington,58kmEastofDubbowithfrontage toBrookfieldRoad&TwelveMileRoad

Wellbalancedcountryofarablevalleysrisingtolowhillcountryof strongbasaltsoils

Wellwateredbydams,2boresandtanks

Pasturesoflucerne,clover,cocksfoot&fescue

4bedroom,42sqhomesteadwithpoolpluscottage

3standraisedboardwoolshed,2setsofsheepyards

Machinerysheds,hayshed,silos&steelcattleyards

40.68ha|100.5ac

12kmsSouthofDubbo

ZonedRU5

Approvalforsubdivisionintothreeproperties

North-facing4bedroom,1bathroombrickhomesetinmaintained lawns&gardens

90%arable

Steelframed4bayshedwithconcretefloor,power&enclosedbay

22,700Lrainewatertankonpressuresystem

Timberframedmachineryshed;poultryyards;smallmachineryshed, 2silos,steelsheepandcattleyards

Twobathroom

601sqmcornerblock

Idealforfirsthomebuyers

Timberfloorsthroughout

Fullyfencedyard

TwolivingareasincludingQueenslandroom

Doublegardenshed

Doublegatesideaccess

Lowmaintenencelawnsandgardens

Undercoverrearentertainingareawithgaspointandpower

Doublegaragepluslargesteel-framedtwodoorshed Zonedductedreversecycleair-conditioningplusgaspoints

Gasinstantaneoushotwatersystem

Large926sqmblock

Fullyfencedbackyardwithlargewrap-aroundlawn

ConvenientlocationtoOranaMall,schools,parks,childcarecentres, medicalcentreandBlueridgeBusinessPark

Using a licensed conveyancer for buying or selling a home

Orana Conveyancing offers several key benefits for individuals who are either buying or selling their property in the Dubbo region.

WOODMAN – ORANA CONVEYANCING

While looking for a new home may seem exciting, it can also be quite daunting - especially if you’re not familiar with the legal requirements involved with buying a new home or selling your property.

By using licensed conveyancers such as Orana Conveyancing, they can offer several key benefits for individuals who are buying or selling property, such as:

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of property law where they can provide expert advice about your property transaction, prepare all the legal documentation, and liaise with other legal professionals, lenders and real estate agents in an efficient and timely manner.

• They only handle property matters so are always available to handle your property transaction, and whilst they have extensive experience in the Dubbo and surrounding areas, they can assist with your proper-

ty transaction anywhere in NSW.

• They provide support throughout the whole process and regularly communicate with clients and their lenders to ensure settlement takes place smoothly and on time.

• They offer competitive rates and fixed-fee conveyancing so clients know what to budget for.

• Finally, they provide peace of mind that your property transaction is being handled professionally and that your best interests are always put first.

The Real Estate Chat with Karen Chant from Chant and Co

Importance Of Decluttering Prior To Sale

Preparing a home for sale involves more than just making it look presentable. One important aspect of the process is decluttering, which helps buyers see the size and condition of the home and imagine themselves living there. Decluttering doesn’t mean stripping the home bare, but rather removing items that may distract or deter buyers.

To start the decluttering process, take your time and work through each room. Begin by removing knickknacks from all flat surfaces, such as kitchen benches, cupboards, and windowsills. Assess each item for its beauty or homely feel and return only a few. Replace the other items with something neutral, like a plant, stack of books, a candle or a fruit bowl.

Furniture can also impact the look and feel of a room. If you have overly large furniture or a lot of furniture in one room, strip it back to only the essentials. This opens up space, allows in natural light and enables buyers to see the size of the room and imagine what they can do with it.

Finally, don’t forget to include a cupboard cleanout to give buyers an accurate idea of the available storage space. This way a serious buyer in search of storage can open the cupboards to see exactly how much space is really available.

Want to learn more? Contact Karen Chant on mobile 0448 191167 or email karen@chantandco.com.au.

As desirable for its spacious, free-flowing design as for its prime address only 200 m to the Dubbo Golf Course, this beautiful home radiates appeal for all. Full of warmth and charm while attending to every modern need, it boasts generous open plan living, entertainer’s kitchen with huge walk in pantry and indoor/outdoor connection to the fabulous north-facing outdoor entertaining areas and saltwater pool. Peaceful and private and capturing gorgeous views from the master bedroom to the nearby parkland, the lifestyle on offer here is second to none.

PRICE: New Listing

VIEW: By appointment

CONTACT: Karen Chant 0448 191167

karen@chantandco.com.au

Situated in one of Dubbo’s most sought after positions only 220 m to Tamworth St shops, this Californian Bungalow home is packed with potential and provides an outstanding opportunity for a buyer wanting to secure a home in this tightly held location. Set behind a private hedge, the 4+ bedroom home is positioned on a 1,012 sq m block with established trees making it an enticing environment to enjoy indoor & outdoor living. The large block allows the purchaser the opportunity to further extend the home, build a dream shed or put in a pool if desired (STCA).

PRICE: New Listing

VIEW: By appointment

CONTACT: Karen Chant 0448 191167

karen@chantandco.com.au

www.chantandco.com.au

35 STERLING STREET, DUBBO

20 PINEHURST AVENUE, DUBBO

Small unit rents jump by almost 15 per cent in 2022

The Australia-wide rental crisis has hit Dubbo hard, with average rents increasing by up to almost 15 per cent last year.

Housing NSW figures show that rental accommodation in four categories (one, two, three, and four-bedroom properties) have now all increased to record highs, Dubbo Property Manager and Committee Member of the real estate Institute on NSW (REINSW –Orana Division) Fiona Gibbs said.

“The biggest increase in the year to December is for one bedrooms, rising by 14.2 per cent to a record high of $320 per week,” Ms Gibbs said.

“Four bedrooms increased by 12.2 per cent to a record $550 per week, the two-bedroom median rent is $330 per week, and three bedrooms, $430 per week,” she added.

She said that the rental increases are putting an extra financial strain on people from low-income households.

“Pressure in the rental market for tenants continues in the one- and two-bedroom categories, which require a household income of approximately $49,000 for one-bedroom and $51,000 for two-bedrooms to qualify for tenancy, placing these rents well above the capacity of many prospective tenants,” she said

Ms Gibbs said that Dubbo was outstripping many other country towns in both actual rent and annualised weekly accommodation increases with the median one-bedroom rent in Dubbo at $320 per week, well exceeding those of Bathurst at $283 per week, Tamworth at $250 per week, Wagga Wagga

at $265 per week, and Albury at $250 per week.

Rents have increased in all regional centres across all categories for the year to December.

The level of increases was up 19 per cent in Albury, 17.7 per cent in Wagga Wagga for one-bedrooms, 17.8 per cent for four-bedrooms in Tamworth, 20.3 per cent for a one-bedroom in Orange, and 8.6 per cent for a one-bedroom in Bathurst.

This indicates residential rents are continuing to impact the cost of living pressures in regional NSW, reflecting an under-supply of rental accommodation.

CITY VS COUNTRY LIVING

Community is the first word that comes to mind when thinking about purchasing a home or simply living in the country. Big open spaces would have to be a fast second place.

In Dubbo our population is certainly growing as more and more people turn to the bush and leave behind the hustle and bustle of city life, and sometimes a prime career.

When deciding whether to stay in the city versus move to the bush, there’s a few things to consider.

If you crave wide open spaces, serenity and an easy-paced lifestyle, the bush wins every time. The sense of community in the bush is a certain stand-out above and beyond any life in the city.

The 'less is more' thoughts about the bush are that there is definitely less pollution, less traffic, less people, less noise and more of the things we truly need like absolute fresh air. The wide-open spaces we play in provide us with both physical and mental health wellbeing.

On the flip side there’s always our careers to consider; job opportunities in our preferred genre or expertise may be limited in the bush. These days though, many positions can be upheld through working hybridly if your work

environment is primarily online. Another option may be to take a lesser paid job, this may work where general expenses for a family are less than those living in the city. Distance is another consideration and how far you may be from family and friends if you do move to the bush. Absence makes the heart grow fonder! But also, picture this, arriving at work and parking right out the front or back of your work, no parking fee, no train to catch, no great distances to drive in heavy traffic.

The price of buying your own property or renting for families is certainly cheaper in the bush. The pressure on families and both spouses holding down jobs while juggling a family can be difficult. There’s an abundance of schools, pre-schools, family day care and private day care possibilities for parents to choose from right here in Dubbo and in many of the adjoining communities.

If its food and cafés you think you’ll miss, there’s also an abundance of these in the country. Purchasing local produce and knowing some of the people who produce that produce is always reassuring. Dubbo’s Little Big Dairy milk products are a fine example of this. The Farmer Markets are another avenue to pursue the wealth of local produce which is fresh and of high quality every time.

Before you make your decision, speak to a local, research properties and compare them to our city counterparts. Grab a map and see how close we really are to all our amenities, shopping precincts, sporting fields, schools, university, hospital, and tourist attractions. We really do have it all here in the bush.

Dubbo Property Manager and Committee Member of the Real Estate Institute on NSW's Orana Division, Fiona Gibbs. PHOTO: BOB BERRY REAL ESTATE, DUBBO

Housing NSW figures show that rental accommodation in four categories have now all increased to record highs in Dubbo. Graphic: Housing NSW

IN FOCUS

THUMBS UP!

Thumbs up to the reception staff, nurses and doctors of the Emergency Unit at Dubbo Base Hospital for their professional care and respectful manner. Thank-you for all you do each and every day, 24 hours a day!

Thumbs up to all the staff at the Western Plains Medical Centre chemist for your excellent service.

Thumbs up to the paediatric ward for a wonderful Easter Sunday, and thank-you to the cleaner for her beautiful cupcakes and other little treats she supplied for the staff and children. You really made our day.

Thumbs up and thank-you to Bret Murray at radio station 2DU for the live and local service they provide to our community.

Thumbs up to Council and the amazing Japanese and Botanic Gardens. It was great to see so many families enjoying the sunshine and making the most of the free facilities during the school holidays.

Thumbs up to Sarah Jane Fine Foods. I took the opportunity to do some baking over the Easter break and I was very impressed by the premix Hot Cross Bun and cake mixes. I am not a confident baker and often opt to buy cakes rather than making cakes. The premixes were so easy to make that I will definitely buy them again.

Thumbs up to Cheryl at Woolworths Delroy who was able to quickly deal with a nasty incident on Monday.

•••

 Send your Thumbs Up via email to photos@dubbophotonews.com.au, mail to Level 1, 178 Macquarie Street Dubbo NSW 2830, or phone 6885 4433.

Photo specs: A technical note for photo contributors

Modified pushbike building competition at Gilgandra Show

By JENET STEWART

THE Gilgandra Show is fast approaching and scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 28 and 29.

This year the show will be a grand gathering place for the community and people throughout the region.

For creative folk, there will be a fun modified pushbike building competition. The pushbike will need to be pedal-powered and your own creation.

With only days to go until show day, it’s time to get creative and make your

best bike.

If you need more information on the competition, contact Pud Burrell on 0429 471 256.

Entries for the modified pushbike competition will be taken on Saturday, April 29, from 9.30am. Entry fee is $5.

There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs and the “Judges’ Pick” will be worth $250 to the person creating the best modified pushbike.

All proceeds from the competition will be donated to the Gilgandra Hospital.

pushbike competition, with plenty of prizes up for grabs. PHOTO:

Alma Moodie Quartet concert and free masterclass



We welcome your photos via email for publication. Please send each photo as a high-resolution jpeg image – at least 1MB per photo. Don’t let your Operating System/Windows/ iOS/phone etc downsize the image before emailing because these images are usually too small to print.

SHARE YOUR NEWS!

Dubbo Photo News is a great local paper because people like you share your stories with us. If you have a story, event or news item, call us on 6885 4433 or email editor@ dubbophotonews.com.au

MACQUARIE Conservatorium’s 2023 Concert Series continues this June with a performance by an acclaimed string quartet.

The Alma Moodie Quartet will play string quartets by Haydn, Ligeti and Tchaikovsky for their Dubbo concert on Saturday, April 29.

The Quartet features four of Australia’s finest string players in an exciting collaboration; violinists Kristian Winther and Anna Da Silva Chen, violist Dana Lee and cellist Thomas Marlin. Together they bring a fresh and fearless approach to the string quartet repertoire.

Named to honour an internationally significant Australian violinist of the 1930’s and 40’s, the Alma Moodie Quartet is committed to invigorating the classics and exploring new works.

“We formed the Alma Moodie Quartet in 2021 and Dubbo was part of our first tour, so we are pleased to be coming back for another concert” says the Quartet’s leader, Kristian Winther.

2021 performances in Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra were met with rave reviews and in 2022, the Quartet played in the Music for Ukraine concert at City

We would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land we operate on, the Wiradjuri

Recital Hall, the Canberra International Music Festival and the Mesh series at Hibernian House. This year they return to the Canberra International Music Festival, perform at the Sydney Opera House and tour to regional Victoria.

The Alma Moodie Quarter will perform on Saturday, April 29 from 5.30pm. Tickets are available online at 123tix.com.au

Free String Masterclass

Mr Winther will be offering a Masterclass on Friday, April 28. He has performed as soloist in concertos with major orchestras

The Alma Moodie Quartet performs Haydn and Tchaikovsky string quartets for their Macquarie Conservatorium Dubbo concert on Saturday, April 29, 5.30pm.

in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, and has been guest concertmaster of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective. Kristian performs on a violin crafted by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Paris, 1859, on generous loan from UKARIA Cultural Centre.

Mr Winther will conduct a free string masterclass on Friday, April 28 at 5pm, Macquarie Conservatorium. Please register to attend www.surveymonkey.com/r/ macqcon_string_mclass_ april_2023

SUPPLIED.

Wordfind

Drop Down

No. 080

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.

G

N A W I N G

Crossmath

Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve all the horizontal and vertical equations.

YOUR STARS

ARIES: A few people will gather at your home, especially if you have young children; they’ll invite all their friends. You may have a big clean-up afterward.

TAURUS: You should be able to indulge in a bit of luxury. You may run into friends you haven’t seen for a long time and talk to them for hours.

GEMINI: You’ll expand your winter wardrobe by shopping online and in-store. You’ll be influenced by your friends to abuse your budget. Some comments will be inappropriate.

CANCER: You’ll set in motion specific ideas and other promising initiatives. You’ll bring several people together for a large-scale project and overcome your financial worries.

LEO: You’ll enjoy going to a spa or wellness clinic for relaxation. You need to recharge your batteries and rest to regain your vitality.

VIRGO: You’ll be involved in a significant projec t as part of a well-oiled team. The project will be completed efficiently, and the results will delight you. You must take some quiet time at home to recover.

LIBRA: You must carefully manage your personal and professional activities. You have many re sponsibilities on your shoulders. A sudden epiphany will strike you about your career.

SCORPIO: You’ll go on a spontaneous trip or getaway soon. It may be more spiritual; a pilgrimage would be a mo s t rewarding adventure.

SAGITTARIUS: You’re craving change. You’re bored with daily life and routine. You need to transform your reality to experience more passion and stimulation.

CAPRICORN: It’s hard to please everyone, but this is the kind of miracle you can accomplish. You’ll complete a task or make a deal you thought impossible at work.

AQUARIUS: You’ll have many emergencies to deal with at work or elsewhere. You’re a strong person and will manage to bring order to everything with sensitivity, humanity and empathy.

PISCES: After a tough negotiation, you’ll find yourself on a pedestal, much to your surprise. A family situation could leave you perplexed, and you’ll have no choice but to deal with it.

There may be more than one possible answer.

Quiz

Quick Crossword

ACROSS

1 Mortarboard (3)

3 English poet and playwright (11)

9 Having more leaves (7)

10 Country (7)

11 Allowing (8)

12 Sensual (6)

14 Gain possession (3)

15 Instructive (11)

17 Deporting (11)

1 Do peanuts grow on trees, on bushes or below ground?

2 The archer is the symbol of what zodiac sign?

3 Stenography is the process of what?

4 Wynton Marsalis is known for playing which instrument?

5 The rusty-spotted cat (pictured) is notable for being what?

6 Who was the only Ptolemaic ruler to learn the Egyptian language?

7 Jessica Walsh is a graphic designer and creative director based in which US city?

8 Which 2020 sci-fi thriller stars John David Washington and Robert Pattinson?

9 The three Margin brothers (Zaac, Sam and Elliott) are members of which Australian rock band?

10 Robin Nicholas and Patricia Saunders designed which typeface in 1982?

19 Fellows (3)

20 Actor, — Brie (6)

21 One of the Caribbean islands (8)

24 Merit (7)

25 10-across state (7)

26 Persistently (11)

27 Spot (3)

Edgeword

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

DOWN

1 Co-worker (9)

2 Poor labourer of low social status (7)

3 Aptitude (5)

4 Dealing with the operation of aircraft (10)

5 Web auction site (4)

6 Readying for use (9)

7 City in southern France (7)

8 Cyber messages (5)

13 One who uses their wealth to invest in trade and industry (10)

15 Feeling a strong affection (9)

16 Visible features of an area (9)

18 City in northern Italy (7)

19 Occupying a middle position (7)

20 Seconds (5)

22 Pal (5)

23 Prefix meaning million (4)

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”.

CUPPA COMICS

Tony

THE

by Jeff Pickering

THE TOONS’ VIEWS

TIME WARP

WWI Australian Army nurse Ada Thompson

BY Steve Hodder

There were 25 military nurses among the thousands of Australians who died in World War 1, one of them was Ada Thompson. Ada was born in Dubbo, to parents William and Anna Thompson in 1885. Ada’s mother had been married previously to John Windeyer and had four children to him at Bombala from 1856 until his death in 1862. Anna then went on to have another 11 children, three of whom were born at Eden prior to 1870, and the remainder, like Ada, were born at Dubbo. Ada’s and nine sisters.

The Thompsons left Dubbo sometime after the birth of their last child Wilfred in 1889. They may have gone to work on the family-owned property ‘Wytona’ at Pallamallawa near Moree, where they were known to be living at time of Ada’s death.

There is a large gap in Ada’s history from the time she left Dubbo until she enlisted with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) on October 19, 1917. Ada may have gone straight into

nursing after completing school; taking one of the few career options available to girls at the time. In 1903, when Ada was 18, the three years of formal training for nurses in NSW was conducted at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred and St Vincent’s hospitals. Ada may have undertaken her training at one of those facilities.

from the outset, with 25 AANS of troopships leaving Australia in 1914. Nurses serving with the AANS had to be single or widowed, aged between 25 and three years of training.

In 1916, the Australian Army nurses, but not equal pay. The women received about half the rate of the men.

AANS nurses, records show seven were under 21, and 91 were over 40. Many of them worked in horrendous conditions in casualty clearing stations behind the frontlines in makeshift hospitals that were regularly under attack. At the conclusion of the war many nurses struggled to readjust to civilian life. Some could no

longer work as nurses; others were unable to work at all. Women were not recognised as military veterans by the government and, as such, were soldiers.

In 1917, there were about 1500 AANS nurses on active duty military hospitals in Australia. Ada was among the latter group until quite late in the war, but she eventually got the call to serve overseas.

Her troopship, the Wyreema, bound for the Western Front, left Sydney on October 14, 1918. The Boonah, the last troopship to leave Australia, embarked a couple of weeks after the Wyreema.

Australia was the South African port of Durban. The Wyreema was moored at Durban when peace was declared on November 11. The Boonah was still making its way across the Indian Ocean. The captains of both ships were told to return their passengers to Australia.

The Wyreema left Durban with a clean bill of health, but someone

with Spanish Flu had brought it onboard the Boonah before it through the passengers on the Boonah with about 400 of them being struck down by the time it got back to Fremantle.

Western Australia was free of government was fearful of a massive outbreak if they let the quarantine station was set up in scrubland about 30 kilometres

south of Perth at an isolated hospital for infectious diseases at Woodman Point.

The government called for 20 volunteer nurses from the station. All 46 nurses onboard names, including Ada’s, were drawn from a hat.

It was about the middle of December 1918, when the from the Boonah started. By the time the disease had run its course, about a fortnight later, 27 soldiers and four nurses were dead.

28-year-old Rosa O’Kane, on December 21, 1918. The next was Ada Thompson, aged 33, who died on January 1, 1919. Civilian nurse Hilda Williams, aged 26, died on January 4, 1919, and the last was 26-year-old Doris Ridgeway, who died on January 6, 1919.

Ada’s remains were interred at the Fremantle cemetery; Doris Ridgeway was buried at the Perth War Cemetery; Hilda Williams and Rosa O’Kane were buried in the bush at Woodman Point.

Nurses Hilda Williams and Ada Thompson (originally from Dubbo) at Woodman Point Quarantine Station in late December 1918, before their deaths from Spanish Flu about a fortnight later.

Photo: Australian War Memorial.

Dubbo PROBUS members enjoy their Changeover Lunch

By KEN SMITH

Women from the bush

By DAVE PANKHURST, The Book Connection

MAKING a living from the land in Australia is not for the faint-heated. Isolation, hard physical work, and the ever pending prospects of drought, flood and fire make it a challenging environment for any farmer.

Liz Harfull has written “Women of the Land” in which she relates the stories of eight women and their remarkable everyday lives. These are women who run their own farms and are spread from Western Australia to the east coast, and deals with their ways of life, personal struggles and remarkable achievements. They often handle the demands of raising a family, they have overcome tragedy, physical exhaustion and some scepticism to build vibrant futures for themselves, their families and even their communities.

Susanna De Vries has written “Great Pioneer Women of the Outback”. The author was a trainee nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney in 1963 when she nursed the patient ‘who broke his back to meet me.’ He had been sent down from Northern Territory for treatment and

after a five year courtship by correspondence, they were married in St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney.

They packed his truck and drove to one of the most remote locations in the Territory. There, the nearest hospital and shops were 600 kilometres away and the cattle station now, is 3000 square kilometres.

In this background she researched the lives of four women in such remote locations, covering their experiences beginning in 1805 until 1899.

A book dedicated “To the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members of the Country Women’s Association of NSW “ is a collection of stories where they collaborated to help overcome the colour bar.

In the 1950s and ‘60s, in towns across NSW, Aboriginal women joined specially created Aboriginal branches of the CWA.

“Country Women & the Colour Bar” offers insights into the experience of ordinary Aboriginal and white rural women as they participated in beauty contests, handicraft lessons and baby contests.

It explains how their policy met everyday reality as these rural women broke with the established segregation in an unprecedented fashion.

Working together they made significant gains for Aboriginal communities before there was access to citizen’s rights. Some prominent folk are featured including Jessie Street, Charles Perkins, Rachel Mundine and Purth Moorhouse.

Elizabeth Jessie Hickman spent her life mostly in the Rylstone, Bylong and Singleton areas, and in the book “The Lady

Bushranger” by Pat Studdy-Clift she spent time cattle duffing and other similar activities.

She started her career in a circus but moved on to the hidden valleys of the Wollemi to pursue her efforts.

Texts and photos show the area, particularly her cave on Nullo Mountain, and there are many old family and circus photos to support the text.

Marion Houldsworth is the author of “Barefoot Through the Bindies” which relates the story of growing up in North Queensland in the early 1900s.

Children of that area had a vastly different life. Many of them walked barefooted to school, their homes were bark huts with ant bed floors, they harnessed billy-goats to fetch wood and water, and started work at 13, passing their earnings on to others to help feed the family.

There was a sense of spirit that took the boys to Gallipoli and France during WW1. And their overall positive nature helped build our Nation.

A popular title relating to a woman who spent much of here life in the Warrumbungle Mountains area is “Rachel” – the story of Rachel Kennedy who was born in that area in 1845.

As a girl she showed her skills in horse

riding. Over time she caught brumbies, hid bushrangers, was in conflict with the squatter kings, fed starving families during the shearers’ strikes and worked as a bushfire nurse and midwife.

She also built a rare friendship with Aboriginal people, supporting Mary Jan Cain, a campaigner for the rights of Indigenous people. A heartbreaking story of pioneering woman who left a legacy that went well beyond her lifetime.

In 1996 Pauline Hanson gave a speech that changed Australia. It targeted Asian and Indigenous people and foreign aid.

When she lost her Federal seat in 1998 her political downfall seemed assured, but nearly two decades later she was back in the Senate and more powerful than before.

In the book “Please Explain”, Anna Broinowski details Hanson’s story at the time few were taking her or One Nation’s political chances seriously, but there was movement forming.

Pauline Hanson’s story – from the Ipswich fish and chip shop lady to Parliament – is a significant change.

Over time, women from all backgrounds have risen in prominence in inland Australia and our biography section brings you the stories of so many of these.

Enjoy your reading, Dave

Pankhurst

A packed Starlight Room at Dubbo RSL was the venue for the recent Dubbo PROBUS Changeover Lunch with the new Men’s and Ladies committees in place for 2023-24.

Dubbo Men’s PROBUS 2023-24 committee members: Back, Neville Floyd, Bob Ellis, Doug Elliott OAM, Mike Stephens and Bill Bladwell, front, Howard Wye, Neil Lander, Bruce Beattie (president), Les Brookfield and Ron Sargent

Dubbo Ladies PROBUS 2023-24 Committee: Back, Desurae Archer, Beverley Stageman, Betty Cosier, Doreen Trevena and Sandra Devenish, front, past president Annemieke Neville, president Marie Francis, Joan Yeo and Gladys Endacott

Incoming president of Dubbo Men’s PROBUS, Bruce Beatty, with Howard Wye and his Life Membership Award

Dubbo South Public School community celebrates Harmony Week

Contributed by NATALIE POLAK

Dubbo South Public School celebrated Harmony Day on Tuesday, March 21. The school grounds became a hub of harmonious conversations and respect when parents and family

The school grounds had been beautifully decorated with class artworks to welcome the guests. The whole school community came together in a Harmony Day Assembly in

wonderful opportunity to connect with our community and celebrated our rich cultural diversity. There were so many families who were proud to share their cultural dress and food,”

Jahliah, Leizeyah and Raymond Knowles

Easter smiles at St Mary’s Primary School

By KEN SMITH

With over 150 prizes waiting to be claimed, you could feel the excitement of hopefully hearing your name read out at St Mary’s Primary School during their Annual Easter Raffle Draw. Well done to the school community and St Mary’s P & F Committee. The raffle raised over $5600 which will go back into projects to enhance and benefit St Mary’s Primary School.

Principal Luke Wilson and Helen Tobin

Winners are grinners

LottieAlthea and Victor

The fun

Dubbo has been Looking for Albanese

Contributed

Over 300 people attended The Wharf Revue – Looking for Albanese at Dubbo Regional Theatre on Tuesday, April 4.

This political satire had audiences in hysterics with impersonations of Jacqui Lambie, Julia Gillard, Anthony Albanese and loads more.

by DRTCC

Julie Wood, Helen Eyre and Murray Wood

Mark and Margaretha RocheCraig Arms and Simone Pye

Annette and Phil Priest, Bob Coverdale and Manny PortelloCecily Murray, Val Buchanan and Sue O’Dea

Doug and Robin GodwinJohn and Jenny SavageChris Smyth and Cynthia Foley

Lee Judd and Gail Martin

Helen Dillon and Liz Ward

FUNERAL NOTICES

Mrs Helen Mary HarveyMary Harvey

Mrs Elaine StanfordAmy

Late of Dubbo

Formerly of Dunedoo

Passed away 16th April 2023

Aged 96 years

Dearly loved wife of Ted (dec) Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Desurae, Narelle, Deirdre & Max and Treasured Ma to her grandchildren and Mrs Stanford’s funeral service will be held in the All Saints Anglican Church, Dunedoo on Friday 28th April 2023 commencing at 11am followed by

POSITIONS VACANT

MUST HAVE Driver’s Licence, experience and

Phone Salenia on 0475 032 387

Must be reliable No Experience necessary Full training provided Phone 0475 032 387

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

(Remuneration package negotiable starting at $50,000 annual salary package) 30 hour week/Permanent

The Weilwan Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC) is seeking applications from experienced and motivated people interested in a rewarding career undertaking the challenging role of Chief Executive Officer.

This position holder will provide an extensive range of assistance and support to the elected Board through the day-to-day management of the Weilwan LALC’s affairs in accordance with delegated authorities; the provision of sound and accurate advice and the implementation of the Board’s resolutions in a timely and appropriate manner.

The successful applicant will have demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (ALRA) (or the ability to rapidly acquire), the capacity to interpret and implement legislation and sound communication skills. Organisational and management experience is essential together with an understanding of accounting practices and principles. A sound knowledge and appreciation of Aboriginal issues would also be required.

All applicants must obtain a copy of the recruitment package containing the Position Description and selection criteria and address the selection criteria for their application to be considered. For a recruitment package contact the Contact Officer Sue Budworth-West, by email: weilwan2022@gmail.com or on 0418 827 656

Applications can be forwarded to weilwan2022@gmail.com or marked “Confidential” and posted to:

The CEO Recruitment Panel Weilwan Local Aboriginal Land Council PO Box 102, Gulargambone NSW 2828

Applications close DATE: 31 May 2023 5pm Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply.

PUBLIC NOTICES ORISCON INC

The Annual General Meeting of will be held on Sunday 21st May, 2023 at ORISCON Hall, 34 White St, Dubbo NSW from 3pm.

IS

ON FRIDAY 28 APRIL 2023 IN

T: 6882 4411 dubborsl.com.au

TENDERS

any tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders Close 5.00 p.m. Friday 28th April 2023 at the Office of the Dubbo Show Society, Dubbo Showground, Fitzroy Street, Dubbo or PO Box 12, Dubbo. 2830. TENDERS DUBBO SHOW SOCIETY Inc. SECURITY TRADES & SERVICES Master Craftsman Value for Money Rapid Response ROGER JOHNSON PAINTING CONTRACTOR Licence No 60009C 0414 497746 Email: cjhplumb@hotmail.com 6884 7772 Roofing & Gutter Replacement Maintenance Specialists Commercial & Residential C. J. Honeysett Plumber, Drainer & Roofer 72 ter t ORANA HEADSTONES & MONUMENTS SERVICING THE CENTRAL WEST Full graves & lawn cemeteries. Accessories & Plaques. Free Quotes. Restoration work. Competitive Pricing. Ph/Fax 6888 1015 Mob 0439 881 014 “Operating out of Dubbo” Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Saturday 9am – 12noon 85 Victoria St Dubbo 6882 2000 sales@poolhut.com.au visit us at www.poolhut.com.au SELL IT LOCALLY. SELL IT QUICKLY! ABN: 79 141 336 070 Chimney, Gutter & Solar Panel Cleaning Free quote Pensioner rates Mark 0418 266 949 A1 TREE SERVICE (NSW) PTY LTD office@a1tree.com.au 6882 2052 0418 669 630 “The Tree Professionals” COVERING COUNTRY NSW SPECIALISING IN: Property Maintenance, Handyman Work, Painting, Gutter Cleaning, Pressure Washing and more LIC # 367877C 0448 740 027 PENSIONER RATES AVAILABLE Servicing Dubbo and Narromine GARAGE SALES TRADES & SERVICES FUNERAL NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

THE DIARY

THURSDAY

Above Board Gamers: SECOND and FOURTH Thursday of the month, 6pm, upstairs at the Devil’s Hollow Brewery, February dates, 9th and 23rd, contact Alan 0432 278 235.

Akela Playgroup: Scout Hall, 4 Akela St., 9.30am, Sharna 0438 693 789.

Badminton: Delroy High School Auditorium, East Street, West Dubbo, 7.30pm-9.30pm, $5 to play ($3 for school students) $22 yearly insurance ($15 for school students). All are welcome. Chris 6887 3413.

Bingo - South Dubbo Veteran’s & Community Men’s Shed: 11am-12.30pm, West Dubbo Bowling Club. New players welcome.

Contact Barry 0439 344 349.

Book Club: THIRD Thursday of the month. 6pm.

Share, discuss, and review books, or start your own book club. Register your club with the library to acess a wide range of book club titles toborrow, read, discuss and enjoy. For more information contact Dubbo Library, 6801 4510.

Coffee, Craft and Chat: 9.30am-12pm, Gospel Hall, Cnr of Boundary Road and Taylor Street.

Contact Anne 0428 425 958.

Croquet: 8.45am, Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. New players of all ages are welcome. Play starts at 9:00am Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Kate 0409 927 140 or Lillian 0429 471 921.

CWA Dubbo: FIRST Thursday of the month, 9.30am to 11am, Oaktree Retirement Village Peel Street, Dubbo. New members welcome Marion 6884 2957.

CWA Wongarbon Handicraft: SECOND Thursday of the month, enquires to Liz 0401 174 883.

CWA Wongarbon: FIRST Thursday of the month, 10am, Wongarbon CWA rooms. Marjorie 6884 5558.

Digital @ Dubbo: 10am to 12pm, Macquarie Regional Library, 45-minute session for your internet or technology questions, FREE, bookings essential, contact 6801 4510

Digital skills for seniors: Free one-on-one help to use your smartphone, tablet/iPad, or laptop. Need help going online or do you have some questions? Connecting Community Services, 31-33 Church Street. To make a booking, phone 1800 319 551.

Dubbo Anglican Church DNA Youth Group: 7pm-9pm, Anglican Church Hall, 158 Brisbane St., during school terms.

Dubbo Anglican Church Trinity Kids

Playgroup: 10am-12pm, Anglican Church Hall, 158 Brisbane St., during School terms. Contact 6884 4990.

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. All men are welcome, Kevin 0427 253 445.

Dubbo RSL Day Club: 10am and 2pm, Orana Gardens

Family History Society (Dubbo & District): 1pm to 4pm, volunteers on site during these hours, Western Plains Cultural Centre Community Arts Centre, Cnr Wingewarra & Gipps Street

Heart Support Walking Group: 12.30pm, (also Tuesdays), Ollie Robbins Oval, Cnr of Bligh Street. Supports gentle exercise promoting healthy hearts, contact Ray 0437 541 942

Line Dancing: 9.30am to 12 noon, at David Palmer Centre, Cobbora Road. Kathy 6888 5287 or Lynn 6888 5263.

Macquarie Masons Dubbo: SECOND Thursday of the month. All visitors are welcome, John O’Brien 0405 051 896.

Outback Dragons Dubbo: EVERY Thursday, 5.45pm (in summer), Sandy Beach amenities block. Come and try dragon boating, your first five paddles are Free. Newcomers are always welcome, email info@outbackdragons.com.au or call Robyn

0427462504. Wellington Arts and Crafts: 10am-3pm, Small Hall in the Anglican Church grounds, Wellington, variety of crafts, activities and workshops offered. Contact Lynne 6845 4454.

FRIDAY

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: 7pm (1.5hrs)

- ID meeting, Dubbo Community Health, Palmer Street, Dubbo. Contact Dee 0417 422 750, 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org.au, for meeting information.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Group: THIRD Friday of the month, 2pm, Anne or Jeanie 6881 3704.

Central West Makers Place: 12pm-6pm, South Dubbo Veterans and Community Men’s Shed, corner of Palmer and High Streets, Dubbo. 3D printing, basic electronics, robotics, silk screening and pottery. Adam 0431 038 866.

Communion Service (Dubbo Anglican Church): 10am, Brotherhood House chapel, 158 Brisbane St.

Community Kitchen: FIRST Friday of the month, 6.30pm, Holy Trinity Hall, Brisbane St, free meal.

CPSA (Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association): SECOND Friday each month, 10am, Dubbo RSL Club. Discuss issues, guest speaker. Further Information Barb 0427251121

Dubbo Nepalese Christian Fellowship: 6.308pm. Contact Cyrel on 0416 826 701 or Kabita 0452 406 234.

Dubbo Parkinson’s Support Group: FIRST Friday of each month, 10.30am, Horizons village, Minore Road, Dubbo. People with Parkinson’s and their carers are welcome. Lorna 0416 240 626.

Dubbo VIEW Club: Cards & Games afternoon will be held on Friday, 21st of April at Dubbo RSL, commencing at 1.00PM. Entry fee includes afternoon tea. Enquiries please phone Shirley on 0427-822-874

Lunchtime Prayer Group - Dubbo Anglican

Church: 1-2pm in Brotherhood House, 158 Brisbane Street. All Welcome. Bring your lunch.

Narromine Food Barn: 9am-11am, Low-cost groceries and FREE fruit, vegetables and bread with any purchase to people in need. Contact Ken Rumble on 0414 477 365.

Rhymetime: 10.30am - 11am, during school term only, suits 0-2 years and families, stories, song and movement. Macquarie Regional Library.

Spinning and Weaving: 10am, at Dubbo Arts and Craft Cottage, 137 Cobra Street. Lorraine 6887 8371.

Tai Chi at U3A: 10am, at the Community Arts Centre, Western Plains Cultural Centre, 76 Wingewarra Street. Richard 6888 5656. The churches of Dubbo: Will come together as one ecumenical community on Friday March 3rd to celebrate the World Day of Prayer.

At St Bridgid’s Church Dubbo commencing 10 am. All are most welcome.

Join us for morning tea after the celebration.

Urban Tribe: 2pm, with dancing, music, singing, caring and sharing. Everyone is welcome and let’s do it. 0459 762 702.

Western Plains Trefoil Guild: SECOND Friday of each month, 10.30am, Dubbo West Guide Hall. Everyone is welcome. Please confirm the meeting will be on. Dorothy 6884 6646.

SATURDAY

Beekeepers Inc - Orana: SECOND Saturday of the month, 9.15am, Narromine Tennis Club rooms, unless other arrangements are made. Contact orana.secretary@beekeepers.asn.au Bridge Club - Dubbo: 1pm until approximately 4.30pm, Bultje Street. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324. Croquet: 8.15am, Muller Park Tennis and Croquet

courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. New players of all ages are welcome. Tricia 0428 876 204 or Margaret 0427 018 946.

Cumnock Market: The next Cumnock Market will be on Saturday 18th February from 9 am to 12 noon.

CWA Gilgandra Market: FIRST Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm, Cakes, fruit, pickles, plants and more! New stall holders are welcome. $5 per stall, proceeds to CWA. Hilda 6847 1270.

Dubbo Anglican Church Vigil Communion Service: 6pm, 158 Brisbane Street. Contact 6884 4990.

Dubbo Bridge Club: 1pm, Bultje Street (Tennis Courts), Dubbo. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays, 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. “All men are welcome.” Kevin 0427 253 445.

Dubbo Slot Car Racing Club: 4pm, FIRST and THIRD Saturday of the month, Seniors (15+), old Scouts Building, 189-191 Talbragar Street, across from Aldi. Terry 0408 260 965. Embroiderers - Dubbo: 10am-3pm, (also see Tuesday listing), All are welcome, Macquarie Regional Library, Contact, Ruth 0422 777 323 Family History Society (Dubbo & District): 10am to 1pm, volunteers on site during these hours, Western Plains Cultural Centre Community Arts Centre, Cnr Wingewarra & Gipps Street

GEURIE LIONS CLUB: WILL BE HOLDING A MARKET DAY ON SATURDAY THE 29th April 2023, EXCEEDING 60 STORE HOLDERS COMMENCING AT 8.30AM AT WISE PARK MITCHELL HIGHWAY GEURIE

Ladies Luncheon: Saturday 1st Of April, 12 noon. Will meet at South Dubbo Tavern, Boundary Road, South Dubbo. Ring Bev on 68845401 Outback Writers Centre Hub Meeting: FIRST Saturday of the month, (Feb-Dec), 10am-1pm, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Community Arts Centre, Music Room, 76 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo. Outback Writers Centre Write-in: THIRD Saturday of the month, (Feb-Nov), 11.30am-1.30pm, Macquarie Regional Library, Cnr Macquarie & Talbragar Streets, Dubbo

Patchwork and Quilters Group: 9am, SECOND and LAST Saturday of the month, at the Dubbo Pipe Band Hall, Corner of Darling and Wingewarra Streets, Dubbo. New members are always welcome, and we happily support anyone wanting to learn. Further enquiries to Charlene on 0408 825 180. Parkrun - Dubbo: 8am every week, FREE timed (with barcode), 5km run, jog or walk, starts at Sandy Beach, dogs, prams are welcome. Email dubbohelpers@parkrun.com to help!

RSL Tennis Club:12:30p.m. Paramount Tennis Club courts for enjoyable social tennis. All welcome 0437824743

Saturday Art: 10am, at Dubbo Arts and Crafts Society Cottage, 137 Cobra St. Pam 6885 1918. Seventh-day Adventist Church: 9.30am, small group bible study (Sabbath School) and children’s/ youth Sabbath School, and 11am, Divine Service. Cnr Cobra and Sterling Streets. dubbo.adventist.org.au

Talbragar CWA: first meeting for 2023 will be Saturday April 1 commencing at 2.00pm in the CWA Hall, 45L Boothenba Road, Dubbo. Planning for 2023 fund raising will take place at this meeting. For more information about the meeting please contact Ronda on 68885231 or Linda on 68827351.

Transition Dubbo Food + Film Night: This Saturday, April 22nd, 6-9pm at 112 Gipps Street, Dubbo (rear hall at The Salvation Army). Cost is $10. Join us for a meal and screening of “No Impact Man”. Enquiries to Peter 0439 091 767

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Thousands of good quality preloved books, CDs and DVDs, now also Jigsaw Puzzles! Open every

Diary entries need to be 40 words or less, and are only for not-for-profit community groups . Placement will be at the editor’s discretion and subject to space availability – because Diary listings are free! Please include your daytime phone number and/or address when submitting details. Entries close 10am Tuesday for that Thursday’s edition.

Saturday 10am to 2pm in the Western Gallery opposite Cameron Park.

Western Plains Cultural Centre Smokescreen Film Season: FIRST Saturday of each month, 4pm, February to November. Tickets $10, Season pass, $70.

SUNDAY

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings (Steps and Traditions): 7pm (1.5hrs), ‘Steps and Traditions’ meeting, Dubbo Community Health, Palmer Street, Dubbo. Ph: Jack 0418 605 041, Sally 0427 829 807, 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org.au for meeting information.

Australian Kite Flyers Society: SECOND Sunday of the month, 10am, Jubilee Oval. All welcome to come along and see how to build and fly modern (and old) kites. David 0476 223 342.

Bicycle User Group Social Ride: 9am, at Wahroonga Park. Mick 0437 136 169 or Sam 0429826076, dubbobug.org.au

Dubbo Acoustic Musicjam (DAMjam): SECOND Sunday of the month, 2pm to 5pm, Milestone Hotel, upstairs. All are welcome. Join us for this acoustic session with other musicians or just listen. Peter 0457 787 143.

Dubbo Anglican Church Traditional Communion Service: 8am, 158 Brisbane Street. 6884 4990.

Dubbo Anglican Church: 10am, Trinity Kids Sunday School and family Communion service. Dubbo Baptist Church: 6pm, at 251 Cobra Street (next to Spotlight), during school terms. Come along and discover if church is still relevant in today’s world. Everyone is welcome. 6884 2320. Dubbo Baptist Church: 9.30am, 251 Cobra Street (next to Spotlight). Everyone is welcome. 6884 2320.

Dubbo Pistol Club: 12.30pm, 143L Old Dubbo Road, 6882 0007.

Mindful Crafting for Adults: 12.3pm-2pm, crafting group learning new or improving existing crafting skills. Experienced and beginners. For the next session date, contact Dubbo Library on 6801 4510.

Orana K9 Training Club INC: 9am daylight savings time, 10am, Eastern Standard, Katrina Gibbs Field Macleay St, Dubbo. New class intake is FIRST Sunday of each month, dogs MUST be vaccinated and certificate sighted at first class. Contact Reg Parker 0428 849 877, Dianne Acheson 0429 847 380 Orana Pistol Club: 9am, Hyandra Lane, Dubbo. Sundays only, 6887 3704.

Traditional Catholic Latin Mass –Rawsonville: SECOND Sunday of the month, 9am, Rawsonville Soldier’s Memorial Hall, Rawsonville Road. 0429 920 842.

Transcendental Meditation (TM): Free introductory talks via www.tm.org.au. Maharishi Foundation Australia scientifically proven benefits of TM. Contact David 0424 252 834.

MONDAY

Alcoholics Anonymous (Daily Reflections Meeting): 12pm (1.5hrs), ‘Daily Reflections’ meeting, St Brigid’s Catholic Church meeting rooms, 198 Brisbane St, Dubbo. Please contact Jack 0418 605 041 or Sally 0427 829 807, 1300 222 222 or www. aa.org.au for information.

Amnesty International Dubbo: SECOND Monday of the month, 5.30pm-6.30pm, St Brigid’s meeting room. The group will provide a platform for people passionate about human rights and social justice to discuss these issues and take positive action in their local community. Contact Sandra Lindeman amnesty.dubbo@gmail.com or 0419 167 574.

Anglican Women’s Association: 5.30pm, at

Holy Trinity. Dorothy 6884 4990. Australian Air Force Cadets: 6pm-9.30pm, at Army Barracks (Cnr Kokoda Pl and Wingewarra St). NOW recruiting, 13 to 18-year-olds prepared for a challenge and to undertake fun and rewarding activities. Come down to your local unit, 313 “City of Dubbo” Squadron.

Dubbo Bridge Club: FOURTH Monday of the month, 10am-1pm, Bultje Street. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324.

Dubbo City Physical Culture Club: 4.30pm onward, Wesley Community Hall, 66 Church Street, Dubbo. Fun affordable dance class for girls and ladies, 4yrs and up, of all fitness levels. Email dubbocityphysie@live.com.au for information.

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays, 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. “All men are welcome.” Kevin 0427 253 445.

Dubbo Multicultural Women’s Group: THIRD Monday of the month, 10am, St Brigid’s Meeting Room in Brisbane Street. Women of all backgrounds are invited. 1800 319 551.

Dubbo VIEW Club: Our next lunch will be held

11:30 am Monday 17th April at Dubbo RSL Club.

Guests and new members are welcome. Bookings, cancellations and enquiries phone Beth 0431 290 274 or 0419 827 557 before 10am Friday 14th April

Macquarie Women’s Bowling Club Card

Afternoon: SECOND Monday of the month. $7 per person, includes lucky door prizes and afternoon tea. Contact Rosslyn 6882 4989, 1300 222 222, www.aa.org.au for information.

Patchwork: 10am-3pm, at Dubbo Arts & Craft Cottage, 137 Cobra St, contact June 6882 4677.

RFDS Dubbo Support Group monthly meetings: FIRST Monday of the month (except Public Holidays), 5.00pm at RFDS Visitor Experience, 21 Judy Jakins Drive, Dubbo Airport. President Jeanette Hamilton 0429 673 366. Rotary Club of Dubbo: 6pm-8pm, Westside Hotel, Whylandra Street, West Dubbo. Contact Lyn Wicks, 0428 342 374, Carla Pittman, 0418 294 438 or email dubborotaryclub@hotmail.com.

Sing Australia Dubbo Choir: 7pm-9pm, Bridge Club, Bultje Street. NO auditions, no requirements to read music and no singing experience necessary. Contact Michele Peak 0428 680 775.

Tai Chi 10 Form: 2.30pm-3.30pm during school terms at U3A, Community Arts Centre, WPCC, 76 Wingewarra Street Dubbo. Beginners are welcome. Laney 6882 4680 or laneyluk@gmail.com.

TUESDAY

Aboriginal Elders Walkabout Ministry

Group: 9.30am - 2pm in Holy Trinity Church Hall, 158 Brisbane Street

AllAbilitiesDanz: 9.45am, Dubbo RSL Club.

Classes are low impact, work on heart health, flexibility, mobility, coordination and strength. Tracy 0416 010 748 for a free trial or to join the free class Book Club: FIRST Tuesday of the month, 2pm, share, discuss and review books, or start your own book club. Register your club with the library to access a wide range of book club titles to borrow, read, discuss and enjoy. For more information contact Dubbo Library, 6801 4510

Croquet: 8.45am, Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. New players of all ages are welcome. Play starts at 9:00am Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Kate 0409 927 140 or Lillian 0429 471 921.

Dementia Sing Out Choir: 11am-12.30pm, David Palmer Centre at Old Lourdes Hospital site, entry on Cobbora Road. Lunch included, contact Anne Gemmell or Jeanie Cronk on 6881 3704 Depression Recovery Group: 10.30am, at the Catholic Parish Meeting Room, Brisbane St. Norm 6882 6081 or Bill 6882 9826.

Digital @ Dubbo: 10am to 12pm, Confused, worried, stumped or frustrated by the internet or tech? Book a free, 45-minute one-on-one session with our team who can assist with your technology queries. Contact Dubbo Library, 6801 4510 Digital Skills for Seniors: Free one-on-one help to use your smartphone, tablet/iPad, or laptop. Need help going online or do you have some technology questions? Connecting Community Services, 31-33 Church Street. To make a booking, phone 1800 319 551.

Dubbo City Physical Culture Club: 5pm onward, Holy Trinity Hall, Brisbane Street, Dubbo. Fun, affordable dance class for girls and ladies, 4yrs and up, of all fitness levels. Email dubbocityphysie@ live.com.au for information.

Dubbo and District Computer Club: 7pm, Akela Place Hall, contact Daryl 0408 284 300. Dubbo Chess Club: 7pm-9pm, at Dubbo RSL. Juniors welcome. Don 0431 460 584 or Sandy 0408 200 564

Dubbo City Ladies Probus Club: Meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Masonic Village Hall, Darby Close at 10am contact Annemieke Neville 0432305103.

Dubbo Embroiderers: 9.30am - 3pm, SECOND and FOURTH Tuesday of the month, (also see Saturday listing), Dubbo Bridge Club, Elston Park. All are welcome, Contact Ruth 0422 777 323. Dubbo Lions Club Inc: FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of the month, 6.30pm, Club Dubbo. PO Box 285 Dubbo, Lois on 0428288325 or dubbolionsinc@ gmail.com.

Dubbo Men’s Probus: FIRST Tuesday of every month, 11am, Masonic Hall, contact Bob Ellis 0428217752

Dubbo Prostate Support Group: 10am, Tuesday, February 7, Dubbo Memorial RSL Club, contact Elizabeth 0408 682 968

Dubbo RSL Euchre Club: 7pm, for 7.30pm, Dubbo RSL, contact Glen 0419 179 985 or Doreen 6882 6163

Family History Society (Dubbo & District):

1pm to 4pm, Cnr Wingewarra & Gipps Sts, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Community Arts Centre, volunteers on site during these hours.

Girls Brigade: During school term, 6pm to 8pm, Orana Baptist Church, 4 Palmer St. For all school aged girls. Enjoy crafts, games, camps, stories, songs, cooking and much more. Julie 0428 821 829

Heart Support Walking Group: 12.30pm, (also Thursday), Ollie Robbins Oval, Cnr of Bligh Street. Supports gentle exercise promoting healthy hearts, contact Ray 0437 541 942

Orana Physical Culture: 4pm onwards, starting with the 2-4 years Sparkles class in the Auditorium at St Mary’s Primary School. New members are always welcome. For other class times and information see the Orana Physical Culture Facebook page.

Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie: 12.30pm2pm, Westside Hotel, contact Peter McInnes 0417 140 149

Rotary Club of Dubbo South: 6pm, at South Dubbo Tavern Silver Craft: THIRD Tuesday of the month, 10am, at Dubbo Arts and Crafts Society Cottage, 137 Cobra St. Julie 6884 4919

Smart Recovery (Behaviour Change Support Group): 5pm, online or in person. Contact Rob on 0417 497 187. South Dubbo Veteran’s & Community Men’s Shed: 9am to 12pm, Cnr of High and Palmer Streets. New members welcome

Storytime for children: 10.30am - 11am during school terms at Macquarie Regional Library, for children aged 3 to 5 and their families. Free session filled with stories, songs, rhymes and activities.

Toastmasters Club: FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of the month, 7pm-9pm, Dubbo RSL Club, Brisbane

Makloubeh, Batata Harra (Hot Potato), Fattoush Salad, Namoura (Dessert),

St., Gain confidence in speaking and leading skills. There are club, area and district competitions to participate in. Sharon Allan 0408 156 015 or email sallan@rhdubbo.com.au.

WEDNESDAY

Akela Playgroup: (also see Thursday listing), 10.30am, Scout Hall, 4 Akela Street, contact Sharna 0438 693 789.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: 7pm, (1.5hrs), ‘Topic’ meeting, St Brigid’s Catholic Church meeting rooms, 198 Brisbane Street, Dubbo, contact Jack 0418605041 or Sally 0427 829 807, 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org. au, for information.

AllAbilitiesDanz: 10.30am, West Dubbo

Primary Community Centre. Kids, 0 to 5, an interactive class, music, props and movement. Gold coin donation per family.

Ballroom Dancing: Wednesday 7:309:30pm $10. Wesley Hall Cnr of Carrington Avenue & Church Street Dubbo. Enquiries Graham Woods 0447 885 603

Blood Cancer Support Group: FIRST Wednesday of each month, 10.30am-12pm, Venue changes each month. Louise or Emma 0412 706 785.

Brain Training: 2pm to 3.30pm, Macquarie

Regional Library, Dubbo, puzzles and interactive games to improve memory, concentration and problem-solving skills. Spaces limited; bookings required. Contact 6801

4510

Breast Cancer Support Group: FOURTH

Wednesday of every month, 10am, Baptist Church, Palmer Street, Community Health

5853 2545

Bric-a-brac sale, weekly - South Dubbo Veterans and Community

Men’s Shed: 10am-12pm, Corner of Palmer and High Streets. Contact Barry on 0439

344 349

Coffee, Craft & Chat: FORTNIGHTLY, 10am-12pm, Gospel Chapel on Boundary

Road. Contact Anne 0428 425 958.

CWA Dubbo Evening branch: FIRST

Wednesday of the month, 7pm, 3 Frith Street. New members welcome. Contact Barb 0409 159 556.

CWA Narromine: SECOND Wednesday of the month, 5.30pm, USMC. New members are welcome. Contact Carolyn 0427747478.

CWA Terramungamine: SECOND

Wednesday of the month, 10am, Dubbo

RSL Club. New members are most welcome.

Contact Barb 0427 251 121.

CWA Wellington Branch: Second Wednesday of the Month, 10:30 a.m., Wellington CWA Rooms, Warne St, Wellington. New Members are welcome.

Contact Marion on 0429033836

Dementia Friendship Group: SECOND

Wednesday of the month, 10am, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Creo Cafe (formerly The Outlook Cafe), Wingewarra St. Contact Anne Gemmell or Jeanie Cronk on 6881 3704

Digital @ Dubbo: 2pm - 4pm, Macquarie

Regional Library, Dubbo, Learn about video calls, online privacy and shopping, internet and technology questions, Free, 45-minute, one-on-one session. Contact 6801 4510

Digital skills for seniors: Free one-onone help to use your smartphone, tablet/ iPad, or laptop. Need help going online or do you have some questions? Connecting Community Services, 31-33 Church Street. To make a booking, phone 1800 319 551.

Dubbo Arts and Craft Cottage: 10am4pm, 137 Cobra Street. A large range of handcrafted gifts made by members available. Contact 6881 6410.

Dubbo Bobbin Lacemakers: THIRD

Wednesday of the month, 10am-3pm, Arts & Crafts Society Cottage and Craft Shop, 137 Cobra Street. Visitors, new members are very

What

welcome. Contact Judy 6882 5776. Dubbo Bridge Club: 9.45am, for 10am1pm, Bultje Street (Tennis Courts), Dubbo.

$7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428

254 324

Dubbo Community Garden: 9am-12pm, 4 Palmer Street. A time to garden with others, learn more skills and grow friendships. All are welcome. Contact Denise 0433 623 842 or Julie 0428 821 829

Dubbo Electric Vehicle Interest, Owners, Users & Supporters

(DEVIOUS) group: 12pm to 1pm, FIRST

Wednesday of each month, Western Plains Cultural Centre café. Anyone interested in learning about EVs is welcome to join. Chris 0409 321 470.

Dubbo Garden Club: 10am, FIRST

Wednesday of each month, Garden gatherings with morning tea. Contact, President, Annette Storer, 0429 828 882.

Dubbo Ratepayers and Residents

Association: 6.30pm, every SECOND

Wednesday of each month, RSL Coffee Shop. Jenny 6884 4214 or Merilyn 0458 035 323.

Dundullimal Dubbo Support Crew Inc: 10am, FOURTH Wednesday of each month, Dundullimal Homestead. We support the operations at the Homestead, guiding, tours, gardening, and helping in café. Fun, friendship, learn as you go! All are welcome. Contact 6884 9984 or dundullimal@nationaltrust.com.au

Gamblers Anonymous: 6pm, Baptist Church, Dubbo. Victor 0407 799 139.

Geurie Craft Group: 9am-2pm, Geurie Bowling Club. Everyone is welcome. Shirley 6887 1251

Learning Meditation for Health and Wellbeing: First Wednesday of each month

Starting Wednesday May 3rd, 10am to 11:30am Buninyong Community Centre

(Next to Buninyong Public School) Myall St Dubbo. Join us for monthly meditation instruction and practice run by Monastics from Wellington Buddhist Centre.

Line Dancing: 6.30pm to 9pm, David Palmer Centre, Cobbora Rd. Kathy 6888 5287 or Lynn 6888 5263.

Lodge Allan Stuart 416: SECOND Wednesday of every month, Geurie Masonic Centre. Please email secretary@lodgeallanstuart416.org.au

Macquarie Intermediate Band: 6pm, during school terms, Band Hall, Boundary Rd. Players of all ages wanted for the concert band. Conservatorium 6884 6686 or info@macqcon.org.au or Dubbo District Band on 0422 194 059 or email at dubboband@gmail.com.

Walter T. Grant Seniors Social Club: 9am-2pm, Number 1 Oval, Club house. $6 per day. Please bring your own lunch. Cards and games are played before lunch, after lunch is Bingo. New members welcome.

Contact Jan Miller 0418 255 217

West Dubbo Rotary: 6pm, Club Dubbo, Whylandra Street West Dubbo.

Waluwin Bunji Tenpin Bowling Program: Social tenpin bowls for aboriginal people aged 40 and over. Subsidised rate, only $10 per week; includes morning tea, a T-shirt and great company! Call Campbell @ Connecting Community Services on 1800 319 551.

Wriggle and Rhyme and Storytime: 10.30am-11am, during school term, 0-5 years and families. Free. Movement, rhymes and stories.

Zumba Kids: 4.15pm, West Dubbo Primary Community Centre. A FUN dynamic class that keeps young bodies active, for kids aged 5 to 12. Gold coin donation per family.

Ultimate sacrifice: Astley Cup and World War II vets

“IN 1940, the Astley Cup was cancelled because of the war; in 1941 it was resumed. The late Mrs Small, who was Sports Mistress at Dubbo High for 17 years (1939-56), stated: "We needed to cling to stable things and traditions that were not swept away, in a world where so much was being destroyed. "

Locally-educated historian, Patrick Bourke, has pointed-out that a number of the young men who were in the 1941 Dubbo High School Astley Cup football team photo, later served in World War II.

“Two of the footballers, John (Jock) Gardiner and William McLeod, were killed during the War. Both served in the RAAF. Jock Gardiner was killed in a flying school accident at Port Pirie, South Australia, on 27 August 1943; William McLeod in a flying battle over PNG on 11 April 1945” reports note.

Jock and William were two out of of a total of 44 Dubbo High ex-students, who died during the War.

Patrick’s extensive research, revealed that George Perkins was the Headmaster of Dubbo High School from 1939 to 1943. He knew about war, as he had served on the Western Front during World War I where he was badly-gassed.

Mr Perkins' death in 1959 was accepted by the Commonwealth Department of Repatriation and Compensation (now Commonwealth Department of Veterans’ Affairs) as “war-related”. The Office of Australian War Graves, also provided him with an official war commemorative headstone at his grave-

Teams of 1946

Dubbo High School, Astley Cup memories

site in the Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney.

“George Perkins was a strong supporter of the Air Training Corps (ATC), a unit of which was formed in Dubbo during April 1942. He was the Dubbo ATC flight commander during 1942 and 1943. The ATC was a part of the RAAF Reserve. During WW2 the aim of the ATC was to train young men between 16 and 18 to join the RAAF,” reports at the time state.

In 1975, the Labor Government disbanded the ATC. In 1976 the Coalition Government reraised ATC, renamed it the Air Force Cadets and, In 1982, girls were included in the Cadets for the first time.

George Perkins advocacy for the ATC during the time he was at Dubbo, is demonstrated by the news articles in the Dubbo local newspaper, The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate.

In the 1940 Bindyite, Dubbo High School’s yearbook, it was written:

“Astley Cup fixtures, usually the main attractions of the year in sport, were not held this year as it was felt, in some quarters, that the expense and effort involved were incompatible with a genuine war-effort.”

There was also the fear that Dubbo could be bombed, which led to a suggestion that slit trenches be dug at Number Two Oval, next to the Dubbo High School.

Headmaster George Perkins, pointed-out, that the Dubbo Railway Station was an obvious bombing target, so it was

LAST WEEK: 6 CURRENT: 32

decided to evacuate the high school in case of an emergency.

Patrick says, Mrs Ainslie Small (nee Lennard), Sports Mistress at Dubbo High School, 1939-1956, recalled:

“A practice was held to see how quickly the pupils could leave and make for their homes. We cleared the school in three minutes flat, but it was over three hours before the last pupil got back (to the school), so the practices were dropped.”

Mrs Small, who taught at Dubbo High from 1933 for over 30 years, wrote about her experiences during the War (1967 Bindyite).

“When peace came, one ex-student who had been a prisoner-of-war, arrived home at the time of an Astley Cup contest and came to the dance that night to feel the balm of knowing that the old school still went on in the familiar way.”

In those days, a school dance was held by the host school at the end of the Astley Cup.

During World War II, Dubbo High School started to compile a list of their ex-students who were serving in the military forces.

Now there are over 500 names of ex-students listed on the WWII War Service Honour Boards at Dubbo College, Senior Campus.

A number of these ex-students were awarded military honours for their brave actions during the War.

 See the list next page compiled by Patrick Bourke

Above: “DHS 1946”.

DHS Astley Cup Hockey Team 1946.

Back row, Dorothy Edmonstone, Anne Blackburne, Betty Riach, Barbara McGinnes, Marion Hovenden. Second row, Miss Lennard (Sports Mistress), Lola Baird, Joan Wall, Hala Currie, Alice Olive, Miss Lloyd. Front row, Patricia Greenhalgh, Elaine Gibbs.

From school to war, local kids who paid the ultimate sacrifice Military honours

and awards: DHS ex-students

Second World War

• Victoria Cross (VC): Rawdon Middleton

• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Owen Williams

• Member of the Royal Red Cross (RRC, 1st Class): Thelma Moxham

SADLY, a total of 47 ex-students of Dubbo High have paid the supreme sacrifice for

One of the Dubbo High School players in the first Astley Cup (1923) was John (Jack) Eddy who was killed in action in Borneo, on 6 July

Other ex-students who represented Dubbo High in the Astley Cup and died on active service during WWII included:

• Bruce Astley, the third son of the donor of the Astley Cup, Laurence Astley. Bruce lost his life in an aircraft accident in England on 28 January 1942, while serving as an instructional pilot.

• Gregory Benham DSC. Gregory, who was a Coastwatcher on the New Guinea island of New Ireland in 1942, was captured by Japanese military. He was executed on 1 September 1942.

• Rawdon Middleton VC. Rawdon died on 29 November 1942 as the result of a flying battle over Turin, Italy.

• Thomas Jones. Thomas was killed in action during the battle a Buna, PNG, on 24 December 1942.

• Reginald Leggatt. Reginald died from his war wounds on 25 December 1942 which he received during the battle at Buna, PNG, the previous day.

• John (Jock) Gardiner. Jock was killed in a flying school accident at Port Pirie,

A good turn-up for fun day of “Combo”

By ‘PISTOL PETE’

A HEALTHY total of 34 bowlers recently rolled-up under overcast skies for another fun day of “Combo”. With some bowlers tied-up with Pennants and having to miss-out for the week, this was a good turn-up.

RAAF Service

• National Medal. James Cox received the National Medal 1977 and National Medal with 1st Clasp in 1979.

South Australia, on 27 August 1943. Jock Gardiner represented Dubbo High in the Astley Cup with distinction in 1941, receiving a sporting blue for football that year.

In 1931, the Astley Cup was cancelled because of the Great Depression. Barrington Knyvett DFC very likely would have been in the Dubbo High Astley Cup team for that year. Barrington was killed in a flying battle over the United Kingdom on 2 January 1944.

Locally-educated historian, Patrick Bourke, has written:

“An interesting report on the 1934 Astley Cup between Dubbo High and Orange High was written by Jack Richardson, a student at Dubbo High. His report on the Cup appeared in the Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate newspaper on 10 July 1934.

I guess he was in the Astley Cup team and, in 1935, Jack received a pocket for football at Dubbo High.

“Jack served in the RAAF during WWII with distinction. After the war, he became a senior Qantas pilot. The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate on 3 February 1949 reported that Jack had come to Dubbo with a new engine for a Qantas plane which had made an emergency landing at the airport because it had a defective engine. He stayed in Dubbo with his father, who lived in Dubbo, whilst a new engine was being installed in the Qantas plane.”

• Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): Gregory Benham, Francis Fielder

• Military Cross (MC): Frederick Childs, Robert Cole and Luke McGuinn

• Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC): Charles Digges, Hector Duff, Edward England, Charles Grant, Barrington Knyvett, John Panos, Frank Morris and Jack Samuels

• Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM): Charles Grant

• British Empire Medal (BEM): Douglas Morgan

• Mentioned in Despatches (MID): Luke McGuinn, Owen Williams, Arthur Wright

Vietnam

• Military Cross (MC): Gordon Simpson

• Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC): James Cox

• Mentioned in Despatches (MID): Robert Fisher

Army Service

• Member of the Order of Australia (AM): Robert Fisher.

Colonel Fisher received the AM in 1983 in recognition of service to the Training Command. He also received the National Medal in 1977 and National Medal with 1st Clasp in 1991.

• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): Maurice Galt. Major Galt receive the MBE on 31/12/1980 for his outstanding army service in the post war honours list. His service included the Vietnam War.

• A number of the Dubbo High School ex-students such as Philip Warwick would have received the National Medal due to their long and distinguished service in the Australian military forces.

OAMs: Dubbo High School Ex-Students & War Veterans

• In the Australian Day 2020 Australian Honours List, Robert Austin (Auston) received the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) for services to veterans through a range of organizations.

• John Whittle received an OAM for services to veterans.

Unit Honours, Vietnam

• USA Presidential Citation (USA’s highest unit award): Awarded to Delta Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, which included Dubbo High School ex-student, William (Bill) Luther, for their actions during the Battle of Long Tan, 18 August 1966.

•••

Rawdon Middleton and Astley Cup

Another interesting find from the local town newspapers, is that Rawdon Middleton represented Dubbo High in tennis in the Astley Cup. Rawdon Middleton received a Victoria Cross for his bravery and leadership as a RAAF pilot during WWII.

One notable game involved the newbie Rick Whitford-led team of Leo Balstad and Gordon Scott, against Frank Bartlett (skip), Rob Pfeiffer, and Mel Giddings in a game that was close for the most. However, the score ballooned-out on the last few ends.

The result followed Gordon’s side having one of those first eight ends, scoring just two, while the others had eight on their card.

The pressure was on for Mel’s side as Rick, Leo, and Gordon began to chase them down, getting within three shots after 12, and again on 14. However, Frank, Rob, and Mel pulled-out all stops and made the last couple of ends theirs – a five on the 15th followed by a six on the 16th, conveyed their dominance with a great win, 24 to 10.

One game of Pairs was, however, cut short as Pete Bennison had to attend the Pennant trial halfway through. He had been teamed with Karen Greenhalge while Allan Stratford paired with Trish Gosper, and were doing well through the first eight ends, taking a two-shot lead. Unfortunately for Karen, Pete went-over to the Pennants, so the remaining three played singles to make up the time. The score after end 13, was 14 to 11, and Allan and Trish were gifted the win.

Put into the unusual position as skip, John Kennedy had Sue McCauley and Al Andriske at his disposal, while Mary Perry, Steve Kelly, and Bryan O’Sullivan, teamed-up to upset any aspirations of the former.

SUNDAY 23RD APRIL APEX OVAL, DUBBO

Macquarie Raiders

Four ends each after eight with Bryan’s team up by two, the second half was shared as well with seven shots each so: “the early birds caught the worm with their two shot lead” and a 15-13 final score.

Chris Castlehouse, Therese Gaio, and Matt Quill were cruising through the first eight ends, dropping just two ends to Doc Livingston, John Cole, and Paul Goodstat.

With a lead of seven however, the game turned on them, Doc and co improved their performance and won five of the second half ends, adding 10 shots.

They fell just short though! The damage was done in the first half, but to go from seven shots down to only one shot down, was a great effort; the 15 to 14 win went to Chris, Therese, and Matt.

Greg Brown, Ken Whittaker, and Pete Ruzans had a tough game as Terry Millar, Frank Armstrong, and Phil Knight gave little in the pursuit of a win.

The latter did the better through the half, thugh, to lead by seven, but some good scoring during the mid-parts of the second half, saw Pete’s side catchup and move to a three shot lead.

After all that effort, they faltered, allowing Frank, Terry, and Phil to use the last few ends to bolster their score. A four on the last end, after a great bowl from Phil, saw them home by two.

Ron McCauley, Chris Strojny, and Kevin Scott, bowled consistently for the first eight ends, but a couple of five counts by Ray Strawhan, Ian Humphrie,s and Ricky See, enabled them to take a four-shot lead at the turnaround.

A close fought-back eight, saw six shots to seven, so Ricky and his side kept Kev’s team at bay, 1813. Eventual winners were Frank Bartlett (skip), Rob Pfeiffer, and Mel Giddings

MUDGEE DRAGONS

Super Tag kicks off at 10am, followed by League Tag, U18s, Reserve Grade and First Grade

Left, John (Jock) Gardiner, and right, Rawdon (Ron) Middleton VC.

PHOTOS: AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, CANBERRA.

Easter reunion for EDU teams

By KEN SMITH

The Easter long weekend saw the Garden Hotel host the East Dubbo United (EDU) Soccer Club Reunion. Some had to travel, while for some it was just down the road to catch up for their 2nd gathering in a while. Dubbo Photo News was told that between the years 1980 to 2005, EDU won six Dubbo District Soccer Association Premierships, four Champion of Champions titles, and had the honour of winning the inaugural Western Premier League – Central

Let’s Play Tennis!

PLAY TENNIS DUBBO has changed owners and is now called Dubbo Tennis Academy. Brad Williams, a former club champion at Paramount Tennis Club has taken over the role of head coach and aims to work with the existing coaches to continue the coaching program throughout the duration of 2023 and into the future. The familiar coaching team of Lyndall Murray and Molly Quilty has been expanded and we welcome Andrew Kierath, Paramount Tennis club president and Scott Burgess, a local sporting talent to join our coaching team.

Registrations for term 2 are now open, you can access the website via the QR code or visit the Paramount Tennis Club Dubbo website to register.

New this term at Paramount Tennis Club, Friday Night Junior Tennis Competition. The comp is open to juniors aged 8-17 with tennis experience. There will be grading in week 1 and the competition will commence in week 2. Coaches will be on court to assist with scoring.

For any enquiries, phone Brad Williams on 0477701852 Or send us an email, brad@dubbotennisacademy.com.au We look forward to seeing everyone on court during term 2

Tim Bolton and Lenny Smith

East Dubbo United (EDU) Reunion Easter 2023

Lloyd Peirce, Jeff Chadwick, Craig Duggan and Adrian DriscollJim Earl, Rod Ryan and Roger Spittles

Lionel McKee, Matthew Buckland, Jeff Chadwick, Steven Buckland and Walter Davey

Roo’s bound over Lions in Blowes’ Cup victory

By GEOFF MANN

A NEW-look Dubbo Kangaroos bounced out of the paddock for a strong 32-24 win over City Lions in Central West Rugby at Pride Park, Orange, on Saturday.

Roo’s powerhouse No. 8, Will Anderson, was like a raging bull, shredding Lions defenders as he

drove the Roo’s over the defensive line every-time he ran the ball.

Anderson was ably supported by newcomers, Oliver Kearney and Jack Morrissey, in a strong performance that had coach Paul Elliott smiling.

Winger Moa Kavefiafi also ignited the visiting fans with a brilliant 70-metre run to score the first try

before adding another late in the game, while former Colt, Nate Ambler, slotted-in at No. 10 to provide good ball to his outside men.

The Roo’s know, however, that they will face a much more determined Emus this week in their first home game.

Emus were beaten 25-20 by 2022 Premiers, Bathurst Bulldogs,

Cobar takes Castlereagh Knockout

THE Cobar Roosters started 2023 the way they finished 2022; as winners!

On Saturday, the most-travelled team in the west, scored a convincing 16-6 win over last year’s Christie and Hood Castlereagh Knockout Shield winner, Narromine.

All nine teams competed on Saturday to kick-off the Dunedoo club’s “Centenary of rugby league”, but the locals couldn’t start the season as they would have liked.

The Roosters earned their trophy after a hard-fought 8 to 6 win over an enthusiastic Baradine Magpies, before accounting for an equally-enthusiastic Binnaway team 10 to 4 in the semi-final.

The Jets downed returning club, the Coonabarabran Unicorns 16 to 10, before snatching a thrilling 12-8 semi-final victory over the Coonamble Bears. A 60-metre intercept try

with 20 seconds remaining, snatching a nail-biter!

Castlereagh League attention this Saturday will turn to the League Tag and Youth League knockouts that will be played at Coonamble with a 12 noon kick-off and two fields being used!

The Christie and Hood Castlereagh League 2023 Senior Knockout Scores are as follows.

Preliminary Round;

Gulgong 20 d Gilgandra 6, Narromine 16 d Coonabarabran 10, Coonamble 12 d Dunedoo 6, Cobar 8 d Baradine 6, Binnaway 18 d Gulgong 16

Repechage games

Dunedoo 16 d Coonabarabran 4; Gilgandra and Baradine drew 12 all with Gilgandra advancing due to being the first scorer

Final – Dunedoo 14 d Gilgandra 6

Jets Jnr flying to fund-raising goal

NARROMINE Junior League is a step closer to having their facilities upgraded to cater for the growing number of girls and young women in the sport. League legends, Royce Simmins, Peter Sterling, and Narromine’s own David “Cement” Gillespie, recently spent an afternoon at the USMC sharing their journeys through juniors, reps, and onto Australian honours.

They were all warm and friendly, expressed their love for the game, along with plenty of “ribbing” of each other. Local junior league started in the town way back in 1966, and now boasts teams in almost every age in the Dubbo & District JRL competitions.

They have teams in boys and girls comps of all ages and a willing band of coaches and parents to teach them skills and the positive values of sport.

On Sunday, more than $8500 was added to the kitty which had already been boosted by State Government and Council grants.

“It was very pleasing to have so many come out and support us,” new Club President, Tim Roberts said of the event. “Narromine is a rugby

league town with a long and colourful history, and people recognise the value of having facilities to create opportunities for all our young ones.

“This is just another step in the evolution of our club, and we are looking forward to when all our players can be catered for in comfortable, suitable surroundings,” he added.

Tim added that the fund-raising ramps-up again in two weeks on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29th when the Legends of League will be in town to show-case the game.

“There will be opportunities for our kids to meet stars, watch them play, and cheer on our own local legends who will pull on the boots for an exhibition match late in the day,” Tim said. The highlight of the event will be the opening of the new stand, sheds, and canteen facilities.

“The ‘Bob Weir Stand’ recognises a really true great player, coach, father and community man,” Tim said as he and George Clark spoke on Saturday morning. Tickets are available through 123Tix or at the USMC in Narromine.

and will come pumped-up for a big display.

One player who will need little motivation, is last year’s Dubbo fly-half, Josh Bass, who is now working in the Colour City.

Right: Roos’ winger Moa Kavefi

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/MEL POCKNALL/FILE

“Fishies” show no mercy in Panthers’ 60-0 flogging

By GEOFF MANN

Photos by MEL POCKNALL

THE Dubbo CYMS Fishies showed they will be one of the teams to beat in the Peter McDonald Cup again this year, after demolishing the visiting Bathurst Panthers 60-0 on Sunday.

Fullback/centre Jeremy Thurston was the stand-out, racing-over for three tries and kicking seven goals, for a personal tally of 26 points in the match. This effort came on top of a record-breaking six-try effort for Western Rams last month.

CYMS has played in 13 of the past Group XI grand finals, and were the first team into the inaugural western-wide Peter McDonald Cup last year, before going down to Forbes.

In another good local result, Macquarie – revelling under new co-coaching combination of Jack Kavanagh and Alex Ronayne – also

hit the half-century, caning Orange CYMS at Wade Park.

The Raider’s 52-12 victory sets up a mouth-watering clash with Mudgee Dragons at home on Sunday.

This followed the Mudgee team winning a hard-fought battle over defending PMC Premiers, Forbes, in a curtain-raiser to the NRL Manly versus Newcastle match on their home ground at Glen Willow Stadium two weeks ago.

In other games, Parkes defeated Orange Hawks 40-14, and Bathurst St Pats pulled-off a 79th minute field goal to crush the Nyngan Tigers.

Willie Wright’s one-pointer ended a titanic struggle, which saw Nyngan play long periods with only 12 men after a player was sent-off for elbowing his opposite number.

CYMS are off to Lithgow this weekend, while Forbes returns to host Orange CYMS.

LEAGUE TAG