Dubbo Photo News 13.06.2024

PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/MEL POCKNALL

Salted Cashews

Nuts

Roasted Peanuts

Almond Kernels Roasted Almonds Roasted Cashews

PAGE THREE

Do you have a nickname? I don’t really have one… some people call me Sez.

Where do you work? Laser Clinics, and Drama Club, Dubbo.

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? Stay at home Mum.

What are your favourite memories of growing up in your hometown? Friday nights with my church family, going to the movies, having dinner out or just hanging at someone’s house.

What do you like to do on the weekends? I work and go to church… my weekends are pretty busy with work and church.

Do you have any hidden talents or special skills? My talents aren’t hidden – you’ve got to show the world what you’ve got, BABY!

If you could have a conversation with your pet, what do you think they would say? “Why do you never sit still, I’ve just got comfy on your lap and you get up!” Every time I sit on the lounge the dog comes and sits on my lap and then I move or get up, and he looks at me and then goes to his bed… like, how could you?

What are you watching at the moment? Nothing really… I just finished Is it Cake? 3.

What would you be lost without? Lip balm… If you know me, you know!

Who wears the pants in your household? Me… but my husband would disagree… Nah, we both share. What music do you like to listen to? I’ll take a murder mystery podcast.

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you bring with you? Lip balm, my favourite book and sunscreen.

SARAH GIBB

By LANA EATHER

Art Club Studio welcomes artist and teacher Vicki Aland’s Exhibition ‘Under a Looking Glass’ with an Opening Night on Friday 14th June 2024 at 6pm.

Art lovers will be inspired by twelve new artworks featuring Vicki’s beautiful representations of nature though layered hand-cut colour paper.

‘Under a Looking Glass’ refers to the story ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ by Lewis Carroll and symbolises a way of examining reality. Vicki shares “My technique has evolved from my training in painting and printmaking, emerging into a combination of painting, stencil work and cut paper.

“I find the cutting of the paper a very meditative process, and I often spend many hours adapting each artwork. I am inspired by the idea that a kaleidoscope fractures the visual world into planes and layers – and I have used this idea in the reflections and 3D aspects of my work.”

The Exhibition will be available for viewing from the Friday 14th – Wednesday 19th June at the Art Club Studio, 13 Bultje Street Dubbo.

Exhibition Curator Jack Randell imparts “Vicki’s artworks explore the interconnectedness of vision. A fusion

Be inspired to create!

both abstract and organic, neither scientific nor naturalistic, but rather her own unique and beautiful view of the world.”

Vicki has dedicated more than fifty years of her life to her artist aspirations and has a wealth of knowledge to share. She will be imparting some of this knowledge in her two Collage and Stencilling Workshops on Tues-

day 18th June from 10.30am-12.30pm, and Wednesday 19th June at 5.30pm7.30pm. These workshops will reveal the fundamentals of constructing layered, stencilled collages with all materials and equipment provided.

For more information and to book for the Collage and Stencilling Workshops please see: www.artclubdub.com/art-classes/

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

Jun 13: Malcolm McDowell, British actor, 81. Ban Kimoon, former UN Secretary General, 80. Red Symons, Skyhooks musician, 75. Richard Thomas, US actor of ‘The Waltons’, 73. Tim Allen, US actor-comedian, 71. Elli Overton, swimmer, 50. Mick Fanning , surfer, 43. Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, twin US actresses, 38. Daniel Mortimer, footy player, 35. Kodi Smit-McPhee, actor, 28.

Jun 14: Brian Bury, TV weatherman, 87. Donald Trump, former US President, 78. Boy George, English pop singer, 63. Grant Kenny, iron man, 61. Yasmine Bleeth, US actress, 56. Steffi Graf, German tennis star, 55. Sullivan Stapleton, Australian actor, 47. Jun 15: Russell Hitchcock , Air Supply singer, 75. James Belushi, US actor, 70. Helen Hunt, US actress, 61. Courteney Cox , US actress, 60. Ice Cube, US rapper-actor, 55. Pia Miranda , actress, 51. Neil Patrick Harris, US actor, 51. James Maloney, Orange-born footy player, 38. Alice Englert, actress, 31. Tash Sultana , singer-songwriter, 29.

Jun 16: Joyce Carol Oates, US author, 86. Peter Sterling , footy player, 64. Mark Occhilupo, surfer, 58. Mark Beretta , sports presenter, 58. Phil Mickelson, US golfer, 54. Peter Helliar, comedian, 49. Nathan Parsons, American-Australian actor, 36. Latrell Mitchell, footy player, 27.

Jun 17: Barr y Manilow, US singer-pianist, 81. Greg Kinnear, US actor, 61. Jason Patric , US actor, 58. Venus Williams, US tennis player, 44. Shane Watson, cricketer, 43. Marcos Baghdatis, Cypriot tennis player, 39. Rebecca Breeds, actress, 37. Andrew Ogilvy, basketball player, 36. Stephanie Rice, swimmer, 36. Jun 18: Paul McCartney, of The Beatles, 82. Nick Tate, actor, 82. Isabella Rosselini, Italian model-actress, 72. Blake Shelton, US country singer, 48. Craig Mottram, middle-distance runner, 44. Jason Segel , US actor, 44. Cameron Smith, footy player, 41. Billy Slater, footy player, 41. Daniel Keighran, soldier-Victoria Cross recipient, 41.

Jun 19: Ian Smith, Harold Bishop on Neighbours, 86. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 79. Salman Rushdie, author, 77. Virginia Hey, actress, 72. Richard Wilkins, TV-music personality, 68. Paula Abdul, singer, 62. Boris

Dubbo College P&C Amalgamation

By LANA EATHER

DUBBO College High School have had a long history of strong Parent and Citizens Committees from each of its three campuses: Delroy, South and Senior. The P&C Committee aims to provide a platform to enable parents, citizens, students and teaching staff to work and plan in partnership.

The P&C contributes significantly to the life of the College and facilitates development and improvement to achieve the best possible outcome for students. One of the biggest challenges that has faced and will continue to face the P&C Committees is retaining volunteers and adequate membership numbers, whilst ensuring the Committee meetings are achieving good outcomes and influencing the schools in the best way possible.

This year in consultation with the school community the College’s three P&C Committees have combined to a single P&C across the college, with one President, one Treasurer, one Secretary, and three Vice Presidents (one for each campus), with three formal subcommittees. This amalgamation will encourage the shared focus of parents and citizens across the College as well as allowing a flexible time and load commitment from members.

The Dubbo College P&C encourages all interested parties to participate in the P&C to discuss and plan how best the Committee can aid the college’s current and future needs. It is vital to bring together the community of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and staff as well members of the local public to work together to provide opportunities for the benefit of our students.

The P&C meetings provide a forum which enables parents to voice their opinions, discuss options and initiate change. This enables the college to obtain input into the policies and procedures used to effectively run the college. The meetings held are informative and include a report

from each campus principal.

In addition, guest presentations are also conducted on issues that are of interest and concern to parents. Dubbo College P&C meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 6pm at Dubbo College Senior Campus Library.

Furthermore, the campus P&Cs provide supplementary funds for a variety of resources for the College. These include school excursions, sports equipment, computers and technology, literacy and numeracy resources, signage, and support for students attending representative activities.

Dubbo College P&C welcomes everyone to the next meeting on Monday 17th June 2024 at Senior Campus.

Johnson, former British PM, 60. Marty Sheargold, comedian, 53. Poppy Montgomery Aussie- born actress, 52. Justin Carney, Dubbo-born footy player, 36.

Vicki Aland. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/LANA EATHER

Just walkin’ the dog...

By KEN SMITH

Happy dogs and great weather for our favourite annual Dogs Day Out at Ollie Robbins Oval recently. With a little help from the RSPCA Central West Supporters Group, Dubbo Regional Council Rangers and our best mates, all gathering to celebrate the RSPCA 30th Anniversary Million Paws Walk Dubbo Event.

Loki

Chino Grace, Floyd (Best Trick winner) and Nadia

Jess and Alice

Allison and Tofu, with Julie, Chino and Poppy

Trish and Maisie

Monica, Dash and Oliver

Katalin, Michelle, KT, Mary, Trevor, Jill, Rebecca and Nathan. PHOTOS: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS

Frankie and Walter

Massive array of events planned at Dubbo Winter Whiskey Festival’s new Saturday venue

By DALLAS REEVES

The sport of kings will host champions of distillery when the Dubbo Winter Whisky Festival (DWWF) comes alive this weekend.

When Rob Bond was looking to expand the Dubbo Winter Whisky Festival, the corporate opportunities and wide spaces available to host more people at Dubbo Turf Club (DTC) appealed.

The DWWF and DTC have teamed up with a three-year agreement that will make Dubbo Turf Club the home of the Saturday night of the festival in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

A projected crowd of between 1500 and 2000 people is expected for the festival’s main event at the DTC on Saturday, June 15.

In 2022, the first-ever DWWF sold out Old Dubbo Gaol and last year the event moved to Victoria Park and attracted around 1000 people.

This new venue will allow the event to grow exponentially and offer different entry packages.

Aside from the final release tickets still available at $25 per head for adults and $12.50 for children aged 12 and above, there are corporate hospitality packages available for a group of six or more at $150 per person.

The latter option is now available because of the new venue.

“It’s just got all the facilities we need,” Rob Bond said of Dubbo Turf Club. “There is an option for everyone. To have the Turf Club as a venue will allow us to do much more. We’d love to see this event continue to grow. This venue will allow for that.”

The DWWF is a two-day event.

The Distillers Dinner on the Friday night (June 14) at The Establishment Bar is sold out again.

Adult VIP tickets for the festival at DTC on the Saturday night have also sold out. So, the best chance people without a ticket have now to enjoy this event is direct festival entry tickets or the corporate package on the Saturday night.

Bond said they will have an intimate experience whichever option they take, with extra trimmings for the corporate option.

He said there are various quality distillers in the Central West and the focus of this event is to give those people in the industry a chance to interact directly with the public and vice-versa.

Local Central West distillers attending include Macquarie Distilling Co (Dubbo), Black Gate Distillery (Mendooran), Parrot Distilling Co (Orange), Small Acres Cy-

der (Orange), Bathurst Grange Distillery (Bathurst), Elderflower Mist Widden Brook Farm (Rylstone), Craft Works Distillery (Capertee) along with Dubbo beer brewer Devil’s Hollow Brewery.

Distillers coming from regional NSW in- clude Black Snake Distillery (Narrabri), The Aisling Single Malt Whiskey (Griffith), Bunker Distillery (Byron hinterland) and Winding Road Distilling Co (Tintenbar).

Distillers attending from the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area or interstate on the night include Karu Distillery, Ned Australian Whisky, Archie Rose Distilling Co, Banks and Solander Distillery, 23rd St, Manly Spirits Co, Jance Distillery, Beenleigh Artisan Distillers, The Canberra Distillery, Sydney Brix Urban Rum Distillers, Finders Distillery and Amber Lane.

“The festival night is really around getting as many as we can across these distillers,” Rob Bond said. “They can talk to the person that potentially grows or pro-

duces the product from within NSW and Australia. They can have those conversations and listen to the stories with the backdrop of live music.”

And the distillers are kind, honest and hard-working people that can relate to people on the street.

“It’s such a family field within the industry,” Rob Bond said.

“When I first had this idea, I thought it would be really good to bring a festival out here to Dubbo and to let the community in Dubbo and let people travel to the community (of Dubbo) and meet and greet all our local suppliers.”

An assortment of food vendors including The Dessert Dealer, Rod’s Waffle Van, Trang Hue, Drover’s Choice Saltbush Lamb, Dharra Jerky, Scope Empire Catering, G-Free gluten free Donuts and Mario’s Pizza are all onboard with bar services provided by Dubbo Turf Club and mixers available through Fever-Tree Premium

Natural Mixers, Whisky Barrell Coffee, Gin, vodka, rum, agave, and non-alcoholic craft spirits are all on offer.

Live music from The High Tone Pants, the Macquarie River Mudflappers and Fierce Performing Arts will also feature.

The Saturday festival at Dubbo Turf Club commences around 4.00pm and runs through until 9.00pm.

The Landscape Centre Dubbo Winter Whisky Festival has also been supported by Dubbo Regional Council.

The Distillers Dinner at The Establishment Bar, which Rob Bond operates with his wife Tenelle, sold out within a week of tickets going live.

But Rob Bond is hoping those who travel to attend tomorrow night stick around for the festival the next (Saturday) night.

“We’re encouraging some really big whiskey connoisseurs from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to make a big weekend of it,” Rob Bond said.

Dubbo dance studio wins

first-placings at national event

Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport has been in operation for 19 years and had all kinds of success, but the Dubbo studio has never had a day of triumph like it did at the Australian Dancing Society Future Stars Cup at Petersham Town Hall in Sydney on Sunday, June 2.

Lahni Holland, Scarlett Croft, Miranda Pfeiffer and Anna Single competed for Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport and returned home with an amazing 30 first placings between them at the national event.

Mother-and-daughter team Kim Tongue and Cassandra Donnelly operate Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport.

Hugely passionate about dance, the Dubbo studio offers professional tuition in ballroom, latin, new vogue and wedding classes along with offering talented students to chance to perform in major competitions.

Kim Tongue said while Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport has always performed well at competitions, this level of success was a new first.

“We’ve had a lot of success previously, but never anything like this,” Kim said. “Dancing is a passion for us and we are so excited by these amazing results.”

The award-winning day came only a week after it had successfully

By DALLAS REEVES

held the Fantasy Dubbo Festival of Dance with a series of events from May 24 to 26.

Cassandra Donnelly also expressed via email how proud she was of her four students: “It was an incredible day. They all danced their hearts out against some tough competition and came away with some amazing results,” Cassandra commented. “We just couldn’t be prouder. They represented Dubbo and our country studio just beautifully.”

Lahni Holland, 9, danced in the sub-juvenile and juvenile cate- gory in coach student (partnered by Cassandra Donnelly) and solo events.

With around five months in the sport, she is an adaptive learner.

Overall, Lahni won eight first placings and two second places. She was also a crowd and adjudicators’ favourite.

“The adjudicator fell in love with her,” Kim Tongue said of Lahni. “She stole the show.”

Scarlett Croft, 9, danced in the juvenile category in the solo and coach student events (also partnered by Cassandra Donnelly).

She won two first-places, two seconds and two thirds.

As Cassandra’s niece and Kim’s grand-daughter, Scarlett is immersed in the sport and talented in her own right.

Miranda Pfeiffer, 14, danced in the junior category in the solo and coach student events (also partnered by Cassandra Donnelly).

She won an amazing 12 first-places, one second and one third.

Miranda first joined Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport around a year ago and has previously competed at Wollongong and Sydney Town Hall among other events.

This massive success at Petersham was her breakthrough.

Anna Single, 22, danced in the adult category in the coach student events also partnered by Cassandra Donnelly.

She won eight first places and five second placings.

Anna has danced with Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport since she was 11.

Now based in Sydney, she remarkably only needed one lesson to reach such lofty heights, muscle memory ensuring she could recreate old moves quickly.

Overall, the Fantasy Dubbo DanceSport team won 30 first-placings, 10 second-placings and three thirds at Petersham. Remarkable.

Gee fights to keep cash king in the bush, as local recycling centres go full plastic

By DAVID DIXON

CASH is still king in many regional and rural areas of NSW, with Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee trying to give locals the option of keeping it that way.

Despite last week’s announcement by Dubbo Regional Council that all of its waste facilities and transfer stations, including the garbage tips at Wellington and Dubbo, will be cashless from July “to reduce property damage and increase staff efficiency”, Mr Gee wants to make such edicts illegal.

The Independent former National Party member, along with Member for Kennedy in Queensland, Bob Katter, have introduced the Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia Bill 2024 to the Parliament, saying that the move aims to preserve the use

of cash in our national economy.

“Many people across both my electorate of Calare, and around our great country, hold concerns and fears that the use of cash for transactions in Australia is being phased out and will soon disappear,” Mr Gee said.

“Shockingly, while the law provides that bank notes and coins are legal tender, there is currently no legal requirement for bank notes or coins to be accepted for transactions in Australia,” he added.

Waste facilities within Calare, including at Wellington, Stuart Town and Geurie, will be covered by the new Dubbo Regional Council card-only rule, with Mr Gee claiming that such decisions discriminate against country people.

“Not everyone is able to use online banking services. Many

people, including senior Australians, find managing accounts and cards online to be stressful and confusing.

“Cash is often used in rural areas by people who do not have ready access to banking services or reliable internet access. Likewise, cash transactions are unaffected by digital failures (and so) cash is vital during outages or disasters,” Mr Gee said.

He said that keeping cash in our economy was all about economic independence from the large commercial institutions that most benefit from a cashless society.

“Using cards often means facing additional fees and surcharges, giving up your privacy, and dealing with the risk of fraud.

“Australians should have a choice as to how to spend their

hard-earned dollars,” Mr Gee said.

The Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia Bill would legislate that businesses operating in face-to-face settings must accept cash payments for transactions that do not exceed $10,000.

Mr Gee called on all Members of the House of Representatives to vote in favour of the Bill, with a meeting scheduled with the Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers over the proposal.

“The Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia Bill is all about freedom – the freedom for Australians to choose how they will pay for transactions.

“It’s about preserving the essence of choice in our financial transactions – not having that choice made for us by financial institutions or businesses,” Mr Gee concluded.

Miranda Pfeiffer, Anna Single and front, Scarlett Croft and Lahni Holland captured an amazing 30 first-placings between them.

PHOTO: FANTASY DUBBO DANCESPORT

New Dubbo Regional Council card-only rules for recycling centres would be banned under a new Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia Bill 2024 that Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee recently introduced to the Parliament. PHOTO: ANDREW GEE

ROAD TO PARIS 2024

MOSCOW 1980: “GREATEST OLYMPICS EVER”, US-LED BOYCOTT, AND “GOLD, GOLD, GOLD!”

With the Paris Summer Games starting on Friday, July 26, Dubbo Photo News is taking a nostalgic look back at some of the highlights and heroes, controversies and clashes, of one of the world’s great sporting extravaganzas, the modern Olympics.

By DAVID DIXON

WELL-KNOWN

Australian sports journalist, Barry Ross, taking an exclusive behind-thescenes tour in mid-1979 at the planning behind the 1980 Moscow Summer Games, boldly-predicted: “It will be the greatest Olympics ever”.

His forecast proved true enough, as far as it went, with facilities, organisation, and a sheer grandeur and scale, that seemed for those who witnessed it, like something from a promising future.

But it was also one of the most troubled and politicised sporting contests in history, howbeit one where Australia began our long, slow march back to Olympic competitiveness, after the disaster of Montreal four years earlier.

The only two cities to bid for the 1980 Summer Olympics, were Moscow in the-then Soviet Union and Los Angeles, with the Russian capital easily beating its American rival by 39 votes to 20.

The glittering entertainment capital on the west coast of the United States, was subsequently awarded the 1984 Summer Games, a fact which did little to pique America’s seeming bitter disappointment.

For many observers who remember the fractured geo-political tensions of the time, it appeared that every positive news story on the meticulous planning behind the event, the magnitude of the Games’ facilities, and the likelihood of a huge Soviet medal haul, were becoming too-much for the United States.

Chauvinist Americans who had loudly proclaimed for decades, that they had the best of everything – income, technology, lifestyle,

economic power, music, movies –viewed the glowing reports of likely Soviet successes, as another shot in the unending ideological battle between state communism and market capitalism.

As the Games approached, stories started surfacing in the media, suggesting that the Americans were looking for an excuse, any excuse, to boycott the Games, thereby salving their wounded pride, while at the same time, giving their Cold War rivals a bloody nose.

The Soviet Union helpfully provided this convenient pretext when, on Christmas Eve, 1979, they invaded Afghanistan and installed a puppet regime in power, thereby becoming mired in a decade-long insurgency war that had eerie echoes of America’s Vietnam experience.

The US President, Democrat Jimmy Carter – who had been heavily-criticised by conservatives in the United States for his seeming indifference over the fall of Middle Eastern ally, Iran, to a barbaric medieval theocracy less than 12-months earlier – jumped at the chance to show his anti-Soviet credentials, by declaring a US boycott of the Moscow Olympics.

In all, a total of 65 countries missed the Games, including America, Iran, China, Japan, West Germany, South Korea, Canada, Argentina, with partial-boycotts from countries like New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain, with a handful of token competitors marching under the flags of their respective National Olympic Committees.

The Coalition Australian Government, in solidarity with America under Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, also called for an immediate

Australian boycott by our Olympic Committee, who resisted the political pressure being imposed on them.

Due to the huge cuts that the Government had imposed on sporting bodies after their controversial election in December 1975 – and for which many athletes and administrators blamed them for the debacle of Montreal in 1976 – a number of sports bodies opposed the boycott call.

Strictly-amateur Australian athletes, many of whom had spent years of blood, sweat, and tears, preparing for Moscow, pointed-out that the Government’s so-called principled opposition to the Afghan War, did not extend to trading bans.

If it was okay, they argued, for Australian exporters and businesses, to provide iron ore, wool, wheat, and coal to the Soviet Union, why should struggling swimmers, runners, and gymnasts, be the meat in the political sandwich?

Australia eventually joined a total of 80 countries, including newcomers Angola, Botswana, Cyprus, Jordan, Laos, Mozambique, and the Seychelles, for the opening ceremony on July 19 in the Grand Arena of the Central Lenin Stadium.

And what an opening ceremony it was! No-one had ever seen anything like it, tens of thousands of school-children, dancers, and spectators, coordinating with colour-coded boards creating human waves, a moving panorama like wheat in the breeze and flowers in the field, and giant human pyramids of performers, dancing in perfect unison.

There were ribbon, ball, and pommel horse displays, hundreds of youngsters in full bear costumes synchronised as the Games mascot, Misha, with massed acrobatic and trampoline gymnastic performanc-

which, until that time, had never been attempted.

In competition, due to the absence of the United States and other major western competitors, the Soviet Union won the most gold and overall medals, with the USSR and East Germany taking 127 out of the 203 available top-spots.

Though no athletes were actually caught doping, these were the Games when testosterone and other drugs for which tests had not been yet developed, began to be widely-used. A 1989 report by the Australian Senate claimed that, the Moscow Games might well have been called the “Chemists’ Games”.

For individual athletes, Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian darling of Montreal four years earlier, added to her medal tally of three gold, a silver, and a bronze, with two Moscow Gold medals on the Balance Beam and in the Floor Exercise, with silvers also in the Team and All-Round events.

Ethiopian distance runner, Miruts Yifter won the 5000 metres and 10,000 metres athletics double, emulating Lasse Virén’s legendary 1972 and 1976 performances.

English runner, Steve Ovett easily won the 800 metres Olympic gold, beating world-record holder, another British athlete and fierce rival, Sebastian Coe. However, in the 1500-metres, Coe won the race, holding-off Ovett in the final lap, who finished third.

Australia, like many other nations, also competed under our Olympic, rather than national flag, with 120 competitors, 92 men and 28 women, taking part in 92 events in 17 sports.

These were the Games where we bounced-back from Montreal with our first Gold since 1972

Kerry, Peter Evans, Mark Tonelli, and free-styler, Neil Brooks, famously swimming the final leg to complete the second-fastest time in history and sealing Australia’s first-ever win in a medley relay at the Olympics.

While the win would have been mildly-celebrated in previous years, the breaking of our eight-year drought was wildly-applauded in Australia, with iconic ABC commentator, Norman “Nugget” May famously screaming: “GOLD, GOLD for Australia, GOLD” after the photo-finish against the more-favoured Soviet swimmers.

Sydney girl, Michelle Ford also won Gold in the pool in the women’s 800-metre freestyle; the only non-Soviet bloc female swimmer to win at the 1980 Games, also picking-up Bronze in the Women’s 200-metre Butterfly.

John Sumegi also bagged a silver medal in the Men’s K1 500m canoeing, with Rick Mitchell picking-up a rare Australian track podium finish with Silver in the 400-metre race. A handful of other bronze medals in the US-depleted swimming ranks, may have seemed like a moderate result for a major Olympic nation like Australia, eventually coming 15th on the medal table, but it was the start of our steady ascent from the humiliation of Montreal.

With imminent establishment in 1981 of the Australian Institute of Sport, the $50 million high-technology centralised facility in Canberra designed to turn-out Olympic-quality athletes for decades to come, we had turned the corner.

Australia may have been back, but the bitterness of the mass boycott of the Games, seemingly-designed as a cynical and intentional slight for the Soviet’s, still remained.

Worth the wait in gold, despite death threats for competing in Moscow, Michelle Ford realises an Olympic dream, winning Gold in the women’s 800-metre freestyle at the 1980 Games.

PHOTO: MICHELLE FORD COLLECTION

Our first Gold in eight long years, Australia’s triumphant four-times 100-metre medley relay team, from left, Mark Kerry, Peter Evans, Neil Brooks, and Mark Tonelli. PHOTO: RUSS MCPHEDRAN

Hundreds of spectators forming the figure of 1980 Olympics mascot, Misha the Bear, for the Moscow Games. PHOTO: IOC A display like no-one had ever seen before. PHOTO: VLADIMIR AKIMOV, SPUTNIK

Australia, like many other nations, competed under our Olympic, rather than national flag. PHOTO: IOC

WARRAWONG REVISITED:GILGANDRA FILM FESTIVAL ANOTHER HUGE SUCCESS

By HILDA NEWSTEAD

GILGANDRA’S second film festival was a huge success, with a large audience gathering in the Shire Hall to enjoy a wonderful event screening on Saturday, May 25.

Three documentaries featured on the night, as well as a shorts segment made of clips from several documentaries produced by young filmmakers showcased the night prior.

Guests entered the hall to the sound of performances from Janet Cheal on piano and Mitchell Foran on guitar with the venue filled in minutes by an eager audience.

First showing films were highlights of the “Early Harvest Films”, featuring clips taken from a documentary recorded, edited, and produced by young film-makers from the region.

Students’ submissions were collected from five local schools. Film-maker, Simon Target gave high-praise to the young filmmakers at the event.

For this year’s Festival, Mr Target also returned for the showing of his film “Warrawong: The Wind still Blows”.

This screening focusses on the consequences of losing a loved

one, and is a sequel to his 2023 documentary, “Warrawong: The Windy Place on the Hill”.

The short film focuses on Festival Director, Mrs Armstrong af-

ter the passing of her husband the late Brian Armstrong, and the difficulties of moving after such a loss, and her making the hard decision to sell her farmland.

Macquarie Sewcialites Raffle to Benefit Macquarie Homestay

By KEN SMITH

The Macquarie Sewcialites would like to thank everyone who has supported “Macquarie Homestay” by purchasing tickets in their 2024 Raffle.

The ladies have been busy out selling tickets at Dubbo Square and Bunnings over the last couple of months.

You are still able to buy tickets at Dubbo Square on Friday June 14th, Bunnings on Saturday June 15th and Dubbo Square on Saturday June 22nd 2024.

Tickets are available from Macquarie Homestay. Secure your tickets by calling 0268854663, with the raffle being drawn on June 26th 2024.

The third film came, from an Iranian film-maker, Marjan Khosravi, entitled “The dream of a Horse”. This work was about the life of Shahnaz, the oldest daugh-

ter of a nomad family living a modest life caring for the family goats in the Iranian mountains. Her parents want to marry her of at the age of 14 to better the prospects of the family, but Shahnaz wants to pursue her dreams of studying and writing books.

Following supper, Mr Target’s second-film made its debut at the Gilgandra Film Festival never-seen before by a public audience, the documentary: “Kozok alone across Australia”, described as “the journey of a Polish explorer and photographer, Michael Kozok”.

For more than eight years, Kozok planned and prepared for a solo journey across Australia from East -West. He would walk, cycle, and swim, through four desserts, climb the tallest peaks in every state, and visit all four capes.

Along the way, he would collect supply drops place by farmers to ensure he had food and water needed to survive this very long journey. His odyssey took 14 months to complete and spanned an amazing 14,395 kilometres. His story is one about resilience, strength, and drive in what was a wonderful evening enjoyed by both adults and children.

The walls of the Western Plains Cultural Centre have come alive with recycled packaging in the form of artworks as part of the annual Waste 2 Art exhibition.

Waste 2 Art encourages everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle with a focus on behavioural change about the things people throw away. This year there were over 50 entries across 13 categories. The exhibition will be on show until 21 July 2024.

Join Mayor Mathew Dickerson for the Mayoral Developers Forum on Wednesday 19 June at the Western Plains Cultural Centre from 5.30pm to 7pm.

The forum will bring together representatives from the development industry and Council.

If you are interested in attending RSVP by 9am on Monday 17 June to planning@dubbo.nsw. gov.au Comedian Colin Lane and Opera performer David Hobson will be bringing their two-man cabaret to the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre on Friday 21 June at 8pm.

In Tails is a captivating mix of opera, cabaret and comedy with a touch of vaudevillian slapstick banter.

To book your tickets visit drtcc.com.au or phone the Box Office 6801 4378 An information session will be held at the Wellington Administration Building for those interested in becoming a candidate for Council at the Local Government Elections.

The event will be held on Monday 17 June in Wellington from 6pm.

Hear about the roles and responsibilities of being a Councillor. For more details visit yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au

Back, Sue Bailey, Alva White, Sue Hodges, Kay Wild, Julie McLane, Rhonda Miller and Dot Hilton, Front, Vona Martin, Di Cullen and Janice Willets

Triumph at second Gilgandra Film Festival, from left, Mrs Kozok, visiting her family from Poland, director/filmmaker, Simon Target, the Kozok family, son, Natan; Michael, his wife, Evelina; with Gilgandra CWA Vice-President, Hilda Newstead. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Dubbo Region is the best place to build your career

DUBBO WORKS is highlighting the excellent career and learning opportunities the

region offers. To contribute ideas, email

Humble leaders boost workplace results and other staff ’s potential

EVER had a boss who seemed to always put the needs and requirements of staff, before their own ambition?

These leaders, new studies show, often get the best out of their workers, and are also the best leaders to bring out their staff’s own potential.

There are many different types of workplace leaders, from those who prioritise the needs of team members and the organisation above their own, to authentic leaders who foster openness, trust, and transparency.

A recent study by the University of South Australia has highlighted the significant benefits of “humble leadership” in the workplace.

According to the study by UniSA’s Dr Xiao Lin, humble leadership can effectively elevate the workplace status of employees, by boosting their sense of respect and prominence. It also leads to employees enhancing their own leadership potential by motivating them to lead and take charge.

Humble leadership is a workplace leadership behaviour characterised by leaders who view themselves accurately, appreciate the strengths and contributions of others and are open to feedback, even if it’s critical.

Humble leaders practice “bottom-up leadership” that involves behaviours such as listening actively and valuing the input of employees, supporting professional development of others and encouraging initiative within their workers.

Dr Lin, a member of UniSA’s Centre for Workplace Excellence, is an expert in moral-based leadership styles and says understanding humble leadership is important in today’s complex and competitive business environment.

“Understanding and implementing humble leadership is essential as it’s been shown to positively impact individual and team outcomes in the workplace including work engagement, proactive behaviour, wellbeing and resilience and increased innovation, learning and

MEET THE BOSS

tus and unlocking their potential, leading to a more engaged, innovative and high-performing workplace. It can also help build a pool of effective leaders for the future. By fostering the leadership potential of employees, organisations can maintain competitive advan-

BEVERLY FEARNE

Company: The Book Connection Position: Store Manager

Our business is known for… Dubbo’s #1 Independent Book Store

Our best selling product is… Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape

My role in the business is… Manage day to day operations of the store. Supervise, train and oversee staff

According to my staff, working for me is… Entertaining. I always have a story to tell.

I spend my down time… spending time with daughters, family and friends or reading a good book.

In my opinion, the biggest issue facing small businesses is… The impact inflation is having on the economy. What three famous people, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner? Robin Williams, Betty White and Jane Austin

According to the study by the University of South Australia’s Dr Xiao Lin, humble leadership can effectively elevate the workplace status of employees, by boosting their sense of respect and prominence. It also leads to employees enhancing their own leadership potential by motivating them to lead and take charge.

tages,” she added.

Humble leadership works when leaders provide ‘status cues’ to communicate their humility and approachability. This could include a leader demonstrating their own willingness to listen, learn and work with their employees instead of asserting dominance or superiority.

Another example is the practice

Inland Petroleum is an independent, locally owned and operated fuel and lubricant supplier that has held a strong presence in Central Western NSW since 1985.

We are seeking a skilled, reliable general labourer to join our company. In this position, you will be responsible for assisting qualified trades person, operating heavy machinery, and following all site health and safety regulations. A strong work ethic and attention to detail are essential.

Responsibilities

of ‘role reversals’ which allow employees to teach their leaders, driving them to exert more influence in the workplace.

Dr Lin says not all employees will respond to humble leadership behaviour in the same way and that it depends on their personal characteristics.

“Employees who focus on individual development, success and competition respond best to humble leadership behaviours. These are people who feel the need to be at the top, stand-out and be excellent employees so they have the chance to influence their leaders and become high-status team members,” Dr Lin said.

“People who don’t place as much value on their own development and success in the workplace are less likely to benefit from humble leadership behaviours. These sorts of employees will do whatever the leaders tell them. They have no interest in teaching their leaders or displaying their own strengths or contributions,” she concluded.

 Assist qualified Mechanics and Welders on various jobs when required.

 Ready to learn from on-the-job training when necessary.

 Order and pick up parts as well as s tock control.

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Qualifications

 Must have valid driver’s license.

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 Ability to work in all weather.

 Workers must be punctual and reliable.

 Prep workshop by cleaning obstacles and hazards.

 Load or unload materials.

 Follow instructions from supervisors.

I’m most proud of… My two daughters When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? It changed over the years from famous singer to marine biologist and teacher. The best piece of career advice I can offer is… Adapt and change as your industry evolves but don’t lose sight of your original ideals and message. And if I wasn’t in my current role, I’d be … Pursuing a career in publishing

 Previous experience in transport industry desired but not essential. See full details here: www.seek.com. au/job/76439791

JOIN THE MISSION

If 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.au

PHOTO: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

HAWTHORN ST?

Supporting local businesses on Hawthorn Street, Dubbo is essential as the area transforms. What was once an industrial zone is now bustling with new retailers. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing massage, need professional trades & services or a trip to the hair

Dubbo Stampede now a stepping stone to worldwide events

The Squadron Energy Dubbo Stampede will have a new attraction for competitive runners this year, with the August event now an official qualifying event with World Athletics.

Dubbo Stampede committee member Katie Lyons told Dubbo Photo News this means entrants can use their time at Dubbo to qualify for some of the world’s leading distance running events.

It’s part of a push from the Dubbo Stampede committee to attract more leading marathoners to town but also provide a pathway for remote endurance specialists looking to go further within the sport.

The Orange Running Festival is the only other distance running event in the Central West that has World Athletics’ official certification status before the Dubbo Stampede was granted that privilege in late May.

It already has had an effect.

Of the 1439 registered runners last year, 48 competed in the 42.2km marathon (Rhino Ramble).

At the start of June, still more than two months before this

By DALLAS REEVES

year’s stampede in late August, 52 people have already nominated to run the marathon.

“This certification is an added bonus, we hope can attract more people to attend and compete,” Katie said. “People can now use a time here to qualify for major events like the Boston and London marathons. It is certainly an added incentive for rural and remote runners.”

On the weekend of May 25 and 26, Australian distance running expert Dave Cundy manually measured the various Dubbo courses on behalf of World Athletics for the Dubbo Stampede to earn internationally certified event status.

Cundy was a board member, vice-president and technical director of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) for 20 years.

He was the official race measurer of the London Marathon and designer for the Sydney 2000 Olympics marathon course.

He was also a long-time race director of the Great Wall of China Marathon (Great Wall Marathon) and the Great Haaka mar-

athon, also in China.

Among his many achievements includes life membership from Athletics Australia and the Australian Sports Medal.

Having someone of that status give Dubbo Stampede the green light to verify the course distance accuracy is huge.

This new status will have most positive impact for entrants in the Rhino Ramble (42.2km –marathon), Zebra Zoom (21.1km –half-marathon), Cheetah Chase (10km) as these are the distances where qualifying times are generally required to enter world athletics events.

The Dubbo Stampede is a running festival held in Dubbo since 2012.

It’s popularity peaked in 2019 with more than 3000 participants.

COVID-19 has had an impact, but numbers are again on the improve and the long-term goal is to match participation numbers from five years ago.

The event has expanded in recent years to include the three events mentioned above, plus

the Dingo Dash (5.3km) and the inclusive one-kilometre Wallaby Wheel for entrants with a disability.

People must have turned 16 to be eligible to compete in the Zebra Zoom (half-marathon) or Rhino Ramble (marathon).

The Dubbo Stampede is known as “A Running Festival for Everyone” and this year’s event will be no different.

Katie said all five events of the Dubbo Stampede are inclusive for all abilities of runners and walkers. The Dingo Dash (5.3km) is the most popular event for families.

“It’s a community-oriented event,” Katie said. “Whether you are just looking for a fun run with friends or wish to compete at a high level, there is something for you.”

The local businesses that advertise in Dubbo Photo News help make this paper free to pick up and enjoy each week. We encourage you to support them with your shopping dollars.

Another attraction is the course start and finish for all events being centred around Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Race entry includes entry to the Zoo on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Last year Dubbo Stampede donated $10,000 to Tradies In Sight, a local mental health organisation dedicated to supporting tradies in regional NSW.

This year, the Dubbo Stampede is supporting Sing Out Choir.

The choir is a Dubbo initiative established to open the doors to those with dementia through the power of song.

In 2024, the Squadron Energy Dubbo Stampede is on Sunday, August 25.

Registrations close at 6.00pm on Friday, August 23, 2024.

The team to have Dubbo Stampede course officially measured included Katie Lyons (at front) and Dave Cundy, Beck Farrell, Tim Morris and Natalie Davis.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF DUBBO STAMPEDE COMMITTEE

Tim Morris and Dave Cundy

The riders: Tim Morris, Katie Lyons and Dave Cundy rode the 42.2km Dubbo Stampede Rhino Ramble course to have it officially measured and verified by World Athletics as an official qualifying event.

WELLINGTON NEWS

Wello Jack’s Paris 2024 appointment to continue local Olympic tradition

By DAVID DIXON

WELLINGTON Olympic hero Jack Hargreaves OAM is looking to continue the town’s proud Olympic tradition going back 60 years to another Gold medal winner.

Hargreaves was a member of Australia’s men’s coxless four rowing team which won the Gold Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games, and will row in the four-man team at this year’s Paris Olympics, joined by Jack O’Brien from Dubbo who will row in the eight-man team.

Dubbo historian Patrick Bourke recently made a small list of some locals who have represented Australia at the world’s premier athletic meet, named after the ancient Olympics held at Olympia in Greece for a thousand years with the first of the four-year events held in 776 BC.

He said that Hargreaves’ Olympic glory replicates the efforts of another legendary Wellington sportsman of exactly 60 years ago.

“Ian O’Brien represented Australia in swimming at the 1964

Dinner at the Soldiers Club

BY COLIN ROUSE

Olympic Games in Tokyo,” Mr Bourke said.

“Ian won the Gold medal in the 200-metre Breaststroke in World Record time. He also won a Bronze medal in the four by

the Australian team for next month’s Paris Summer Games, Mr Bourke believes that it’s a good time to remember the former Olympians who have come from the region over the years.

“We also had Brian Tink from Dubbo who represented Austral-

ia in boxing at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games,” Mr Bourke said.

As well as representing in Canada, Tink also represented in the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and in “Golden

Mr Bourke recalls another local swim star who also performed on the world stage at the same Summer Games.

Peter Coughlan from Dubbo also represented Australia in swimming at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.

“As far as I know, Peter Coughlan now runs a swimming school with his wife at Warners Bay, NSW,” Mr Bourke added.

There was also a district local, he recalled, who struck gold at two of our greatest Games ever.

“Phillip Dutton is from Nyngan and was a member of the Australian equestrian team in team eventing,” Patrick said.

“He was at both the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games where he won Gold medals,” Patrick said.

Dutton, however, became an American citizen in 2006, and changed his competitive nationality so that he would be eligible to represent his adoptive home, the United States.

Thankfully, he hasn’t won any Olympic Gold medals for the

PHOTOS

Sue Hodges, Nick Hodges, Riley, Rick Hughes, Vinnie and Joanne Hodges

Gerry, Azariah and Sarah

Back, Jarmaine Elemes, Kcee Elliot, Malcolm Elemes, Michelle Elemes and Bryce Prest, Front, Renae May, Shaleyiah Elemes, Nacayla Prest, Elijah Prest and Laurie Prest.

Craig Wheatly, Mick Daley and Irene Daley

Judy King, Dawn Hough, Jill Colle, Irwin King and Lindsay Hough

Jack Hargreaves, with arms raised, along with teammates Alexander Purnell, Spencer Turrin and Alexander Hill celebrate after winning the men's rowing four for Australia at the Tokyo Olympics on July 28, 2021.

PHOTO: NEWSCOM/ALAMY LIVE NEWS

IN FOCUS

THUMBS UP!

Thumbs up to Paul, Kelly and all the team at PK’s Bakery for the friendly service they provide to their customers. They have a great range of pies, cakes and sandwiches which you can eat in or takeaway. Great food, friendly service and I highly recommend their curry pies, well done!

Thumbs up and thank-you to Kaiya at Flight Centre for her expertise and great service, much appreciated.

Thumbs up to the French Bakery outside Riverdale on Macquarie Street. Thank-you for your amazing coffee and delicious food, always very fresh.

Thumbs up and a huge thankyou to Donna from Open Mobility Dubbo for your help recently with a mobility aid when the brakes had to be repaired. Donna was more than happy to provide a replacement walker whilst my brother’s was being repaired. Thank-you so much, we appreciated your professionalism.

Thumbs up to the road crews doing work in the Tamworth Street area. The stretch of road near the Tamworth Street shops is heaps better – it’s now a very smooth ride!

 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 NEWS ON THE MOVE!

BUSH BROTHERS

By JOANNE AUSTEN BROWN

THE Brotherhood of the Good Shepherd’s priests were often called the Bush Brothers. As these photos show the lands they travelled in were sparse and distant.

Cars eventually got them from place to place, but the bike – and occasionally horse – was the main form of transport.

Visiting families in these farflung reaches was the main aim. This week we look at the Lightning Ridge area and surrounds.

Campfire Yarn Up for Rural Health medicos

By JOANNE AUSTEN BROWN

It is great to see how popular Photo News is. So, I thought I would see how quickly it leaves the stands.

Recently, I went to see the stands at Delroy Park Shopping Centre. And as you can see, by Saturday all the copies were gone.

So make sure you get your copy on Thursday and don’t miss out!

SHOWING how the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health in Dubbo is different from its city counterparts, the facility recently hosted more than 50 staff, medical students, and Aboriginal community members at its traditional Campfire Yarn Up.

“This event offered medical students the privilege of spending the afternoon around the campfire with Aboriginal community members, providing a relaxed environment for students to connect and reflect on how to communicate effectively and respectfully, with Aboriginal people,” a School spokesperson said.

“This experience is invaluable for building relationships and networks, benefiting both medical students and Aboriginal community members as they share stories and insights around the campfire,” they added.

University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health in Dubbo recently hosted more than 50 staff, medical students, and Aboriginal community members at its traditional Campfire Yarn Up to connect to the local Indigenous community. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

A refresher in ‘The Narran’ at Angledool, 1931. PHOTOS: COURTESY BROTHERHOOD OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

BRAND NEW LUXURY RESIDENCE IN SOUTHLAKES

24 DELTA ROAD, DUBBO

Graced with generous proportions this brand-new home exemplifies the best in lifestyle and location for those looking for a luxury residence without the wait of building. Fall in love with the flexible floor plan offering space for all the family, and a design allowing the purchaser space for a pool or shed. High end finishes and an abundance of natural light create a private sanctuary with an ideal layout for entertaining. An open-plan design with three impressive living zones, there is space for everyone. The entertainer’s kitchen with stone benches and custom cabinetry leads to a large alfresco area, perfect for your family to have space for relaxing or BBQ’s with friends.

METRO TO REGIONAL RELOCATIONS SURGE

The number of city-dwellers moving to regional areas has reached a 12-month high, according to the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI).

The report shows that metro to regional relocations surged by 20 per cent above the preCOVID average in the first quarter of 2024.

The RMI, a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), analyses quarterly and annual trends in population movements across Australia.

The data from the March 2024 quarter indicates a significant internal migration, marking the fifth-largest influx from cities to regions in the last six years.

RAI CEO, Liz Ritchie, highlighted the ongoing appeal of regional living.

“People are voting with their feet and making a very conscious decision to live in regional Australia. Whilst the pandemic supercharged this movement, the regional lifestyle continues to prove highly desirable,” she said.

Commonwealth Bank’s Regional and Agribusiness Executive General Manager, Paul Fowler, noted that millennials are the primary demographic driving this trend.

“This quarter’s report paints the picture of younger individuals or younger families looking for somewhere that’s more affordable. Many are opting for the large regional centres which are buzzing with business activity and investment, offering a great range of employment opportunities,” Mr Fowler said.

The Sunshine Coast remains the most popular destination, securing a 16 per cent share of net internal migration over the last year, with Sydney accounting for 67 per cent of net capital city out flows.

Big Day Out BigDayOut

Big Day Out BigDayOut

SNEAK PEEK

Proudly sponsored by

Dubbo South Public School 1D

1D could stand for One Direction or onedimensional, but at Dubbo South Public School, 1D stands for 24 awesome little human beings.

Students have been learning about narratives this term, and how a good author makes us feel an emotion. They will be trying to make Mrs Dwyer laugh or cry or

feel excited or amazed when they write their next narrative about the fox in Rosie’s Walk. In maths, students have been learning about the concept of equivalence and how two quantities can look different but still be equal.

Students were chuffed to learn that this is the beginning of high school maths!

PICTURED: Dubbo South Public School 1D.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

ACROSS

1 Beachgoer’s two-piece (6)

PUZZLES

4 Masses of bees (6)

10 Cavalry weapon (5)

11 Banishment (9)

12 Root out (9)

WORDFIT 9-LETTER

3 LETTERS

27 A continuous expanse of land (9)

28 Beauty and the Beast heroine (5)

29 Bears (6)

30 Brigand (6) DOWN

1 Follower of a particular religion (8)

2 Australian animal (8)

3 Requiring (7)

5 Argue (7)

6 Very large, horned, planteating animals (abbr) (6)

7 Season (6)

8 Roman garment (4)

9 Goes regularly to  (an event, etc.) (7)

16 Executive group in government (7)

17 Exhaustive (8)

18 Sharpest vertical angle (8)

19 Reconstruct (7)

21 A branch of mathematics (7)

22 Adhesive (6)

23 Central Asian fruit (6)

26 Ballet skirt (4)

13 Popular garden figure (5)

14 Sufficient (6)

15 Brink (4)

19 Actor, – Gosling (4)

20 Family head (6)

24 Hand digit (5)

25 Blend (9)

be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”. 8 words: Good

4 LETTERS ARMS

SECT SEES SNAP SPAS TIRE

5 LETTERS ABBOT ANGST APRON ARGUE AROMA ASIAN ASIDE ATOMS BRUSH BUSES CACTI CREST CRIME DOONA

Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve

QUICK QUIZ

2.

3.

is trapped in the ninth and final circle of Dante’s hell?

4. Which US state is the only one with a single-syllable name?

5. The fictional Lydia Tàr is the chief conductor of which orchestra?

ee break a eebrebrebreak k b

CUPPA COMICS

ARIES: Having shared goals is the key to a happy and healthy relationship. Taking a step back will enable you to better appreciate what you have and what you want so you can move forward together.

TAURUS: You’ll deal with some rather stressful negotiations this week. S omeone will confess their feelings to you, but you won’t know how to react, especially if you’re in a relationship, as they won’t be let down easily.

GEMINI: Sometimes, you must put your ego aside to reach your goals. It can be challenging to stand in front of a crowd of people. Learn to trust yourself.

CANCER: One of your children will achieve something significant, such as taking their first steps or getting a diploma. This will amaze you and fill you with happine ss and pride. You’ll stand out at work for your honesty and openness, earning praise.

LEO: You’ll start a new chapter if you decide to sell your home. If your children have le ft the nest, it’s time for new challenges and enriching experiences. You’ll accept change with peace and optimism.

VIRGO: You must create a detailed budget to manage your finances. This will allow you to treat your self to a holiday full of adventure and discovery alone, with your significant other or friends. Get ready for lots of fun ahead!

LIBRA: You tend to act quickly in any situation, which can sometimes be a qualit y or a flaw. Seek the advice of those close to you. Don’t rush into things to avoid unnecessary expenses.

SCORPIO: If you’re constantly questioning your future, a dream could guide you toward a professional solution. An unexpected discovery c ould positively illuminate your path.

SAGITTARIUS:

PUZZLES AND PAGINATION © 1406

WUMO

by Wulff & Morgenthaler

INSANITY STREAK

by Tony Lopes

OUT ON A LIMB

by Gary Kopervas

THE SPATS by Jeff Pickering

An army of FROGS

By JOANNE AUSTEN BROWN

What is a group of frogs called?

It changes depending on the type and age of the frog, would you believe? But, generally, they are called an army or a colony of frogs. Band, chorus and cohort are other names that apply. Roslyn had these frogs and wanted to give them to another collector of frogs. So, they now belong to Tim.

Thanks for letting me be part of the exchange.

KiDZ ONLY!

Alexia

How old are you? 4

What are you good at?

Jumping over mud, walking, writing and cartwheels. What type of food do you love the most? Bacon sandwiches

What makes you laugh? Tickles

Who is your favourite character from a book? Panda

Who’s the boss in your family? My Mum and Dad

Which zoo animal would you like to have as a pet? I really want a little tiny baby Giraffe in my house.

Do you have a best friend? Yes, its Koah. What would you like to be when you grow up? A vet with Koah.

STEVIE YOUNG

Happy 4th Birthday cheeky girl! Love from everyone

TRAEVON GREEN

Happy 9th birthday Traevon!

Love Mum, Dad, Angel and Huxton. Xo

KNOW A BIRTHDAY CHILD THIS MONTH?

Send in a photo, details and a short birthday wish. myentry@dubbophotonews.com.au

Entries must be in by 5pm Friday the week before. Is your photo featured here? Donut King Orana Mall has a FREE kids doughnut to help you celebrate!

Bring your copy of Dubbo Photo News to claim your Birthday gift. ws au eek before. ured her ? a Mall has a to

Passed peacefully 19th May 2024

Aged 83 years

Late of Dubbo

Dearly beloved son of Frank & Jean Rich (both dec).

Much loved brother of Barbara Wheeler and Jenny Rich (dec).

Brother-in-law of George Wheeler.

Uncle and friend to many.

Family & friends are kindly invited to attend a Memorial service for Mervyn to be held in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Brisbane Street, Dubbo commencing at 11.00am

Saturday 22nd June 2024

22nd d June 2024

Ronnie Soden

Passed away 9th June 2024

Aged 84 years

Late of Dubbo

Dearly loved husband of Beth. Loving father & father-in-law of Cathryn & Ian, Diane & Jan and Mark & Lisa. Adored grand father and great-grand father to all his grandchildren.

Ronnie’s cremation service will be held in the Chapel of the Western Districts Memorial Park, Boothenbar Road, Dubbo commencing at 2:30pm Wednesday 18th June 2024.

Ramien’s Timber Co., is a fourth-generation timber specialist company. We’re Timber Merchants with a Custom Timber Joinery, we also have a stunning Lifestyle Showroom - all this on the one great location in Dubbo NSW. We carry a wide range of high quality timbers and timber building products, provide custom timber machining services and deliver Australia-wide. Our reputation is for timber knowledge, delivering high quality products, reliability and great customer service. We have a position available for a WAREHOUSE

DRIVER

Memorial arrangements are in the care of The Abbey Funeral Home Dubbo 02 6881 8988

Funeral arrangements are in the care of The Abbey Funeral Home Dubbo 02 6881 8988

Mervyn Leighton Harold Burns

Passed away 30th May 2024

Aged 87 years

Late of Dubbo Formerly of Nyngan, Warren and Walgett

Dearly loved husband of Jill (dec).

Loving father & father-in-law of Megan and Leighton & Elizabeth.

Mervyn’s funeral service will be held in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Brisbane Street, Dubbo commencing at 10.00 am Thursday 18th June 2024, followed by interment in the Western Districts Memorial Park, Boothenba Road Dubbo

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Funeral arrangements are in the care of The Abbey Funeral Home Dubbo 02 6881 8988

overtime, working alongside our dedicated team, in customer sales & service, both in our drive-through retail warehouse and via phone. The role also involves stocking and maintaining products; picking & packing orders; liaising with other team members to coordinate & prepare orders; delivery to our valued customers, both local and regional; maintaining our delivery vehicles to a high standard.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL

– 15/06/2023

There were no goodbyes for us As you quietly slipped away In life I loved you dearly And I miss you now with a grief beyond all tears.

Love forever, Wendy

• Be self-motivated

• Have strong communication skills

• Be team oriented

• Work with a great team in a reputable and growing company

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• MR or HR Driver’s License

• Computer skills & willingness to learn

• Ability to perform physical tasks of the position

• Dubbo Based

PREFERRED for the POSITION:

• Fork Lift Driver License

• Timber knowledge

To apply for this position, please forward your resume to admin@ramienstimber.com.au

Servicing Dubbo and Narromine

and are only for

. 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

ON THIS WEEK

Croquet: 8.15am for 8:30am start, Tuesday, Thursday. Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. Kate 0409 927 140, Lillian 0429 471 921

Cumnock Markets: The Cumnock Market will be held as usual on the third Saturday of the month. The next Market will be on Saturday 15 th June from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon at Crossroads Park Cumnock (opposite General Store) Visitors, or anyone wishing to have a stall, can get further information from Pat Gilmour – 6367 7270 Dubbo View Club:Lunch,11am Monday June 17, Dubbo RSL Club, bookings and cancellations by 10am Friday, June 14. Phone Beth on 0431 290 274. New members and guests are welcome.

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery opposite Cameron Park, Preloved books, CDs and DVDs, now also Jigsaw Puzzles! money raised in the coming months will be going to Lions Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment Centre.

COMING SOON

Above Board Gamers: SECOND and FOURTH

Thursday of the month, 6pm, Devil’s Hollow Brewery. Alan 0432 278 235

Connecting With Art: Every second Thursday, Dubbo Pipe Band Hall. Free art group for carers, no experience necessary, resources supplied or bring your own project. Tea, coffee snacks provided. Contact Catholic Care for session information (02) 68834600. for morning tea and hear what CPSA has to offer. Guest Speaker is Gus Lico GM Dubbo RSL Barb 0427251121

Dubbo and District Family History Society: Brick walls in your family history research? We will show you ways to break them down. Friday 21 June, 10.30-11.30 am in the Music Room at Western Plains Cultural Centre. To attend, text Jo Murphy on 0438 511 980 (Numbers limited to 20) Members $7.50 Non-members $15.00

Dubbo View Club: Cards and games, Dubbo RSL Club 1pm Friday June 21.For more information contact Shirley on 0427822874. Geurie Lions Club: Will be holding a market day on Saturday June 29, 2024. Exceeding 60 stall holders the markets will commence at 8:30am, Wise Park Mitchell Highway Geurie.

Orana Baptist Church: A kid’s club will be held from Monday 8th to Friday 12th July (9.30am to 12 noon) at Orana Baptist Church, 4 Palmer Street. Our theme is “Upside Down Kingdom” and caters for children aged 5-12 years. Games, stories, songs, and craft. Cost $10 per day. Contact Julie 0428 821 829 Survivors Of Suicide Berievment Group: Wednesdays, by expressions of interest. Please contact 0455 255 137 after midday.

THURSDAY

Above Board Gamers: SECOND and FOURTH Thursday of the month, 6pm, Devil’s Hollow Brewery. Alan 0432 278 235 Akela Playgroup: 9.30am, Scout Hall, 4 Akela St., Sharna 0438 693 789

Badminton: 7.30pm-9.30pm, Delroy High School Auditorium, East Street, West Dubbo, $5 to play, $22 insurance ($20, school students). Chris 6887 3413

Bingo - South Dubbo Veteran’s & Community Men’s Shed: 11am-12.30pm, West Dubbo Bowling Club. Barry 0439 344 349

Coffee, Craft and Chat: 9.30am-12pm, Gospel Hall, Cnr of Boundary Road and Taylor St. Anne 0428 425 958

Connecting With Art: Every second Thursday, Dubbo Pipe Band Hall. Free art group for carers, no experience necessary, resources supplied or bring your own project. Tea, coffee snacks provided. Contact Catholic Care for session information (02) 68834600.

Croquet: 8.15am for 8:30am start, Tuesday, Thursday. Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. Kate 0409 927 140, Lillian 0429 471 921

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

CWA Wongarbon Handicraft: SECOND Thursday of the month, Liz 0401 174 883. CWA Wongarbon: FIRST Thursday of the month, 10am, Wongarbon CWA rooms. Marjorie 6884 5558

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 and Gipps St Heart Support Walking Group: 12.30pm, (also Tuesdays), Ollie Robbins Oval, Cnr of Bligh Street. Supports gentle exercise promoting healthy hearts, 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: 5.45pm (in summer), Sandy Beach amenities block. Come and try dragon boating, your first five paddles are Free. info@outbackdragons.com.au, Robyn 0427462504

Talbragar CWA: Members are reminded of the February luncheon on Thursday 8, at the South Dubbo Tavern commencing 12 noon Please let Ronda know on 68885231 if you are able to attend.

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

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery opposite Cameron Park, Preloved books, CDs and DVDs, now also Jigsaw Puzzles! Money raised in the coming months will be going to Lions Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment Centre.

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. Central West Makers Place: 12pm-6pm,

South Dubbo Veterans and Community Men’s Shed, Cnr Palmer and High Streets. 3D printing, robotics, pottery, and more. 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: 6.30-8pm. 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. Jim Jupp, 0438414888.

Lunchtime Prayer Group - Dubbo Anglican Church: 1-2pm in Brotherhood House, 158 Brisbane Street. Bring your lunch

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

Spinning and Weaving: 10am, at Dubbo Arts and Craft Cottage, 137 Cobra Street. Anne 0408 891 225

Tai Chi at U3A: 10am, at the Community Arts Centre, Western Plains Cultural Centre, 76 Wingewarra Street. Richard 6888 5656

Urban Tribe: 2pm, with dancing, music, singing, caring and sharing. 0459 762 702

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery opposite Cameron Park, Preloved books, CDs and DVDs, now also Jigsaw Puzzles! Money raised in the coming months will be going to Lions Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment Centre.

Western Plains Trefoil Guild: SECOND Friday of each month, 10.30am, Dubbo West Guide Hall. 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. 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.

CWA Gilgandra Market: FIRST Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm, Cakes, fruit, pickles, plants and more! New stall holders are welcome. $5 per table, proceeds to CWA. Contact Hilda 0427471270.

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: FIRST and

THIRD Saturday of the month, 4pm, Seniors (15+), old Scouts Building, 189-191 Talbragar Street, across from Aldi. Terry 0408 260 965. Embroiderers - Dubbo: 10:00am- 3:00 pm (also see Tuesday listing) All are welcome

Macquarie Regional Library

Contact Patricia 0439846400

Family History Society (Dubbo & District): 10am to 1pm, volunteers on site during these hours, Western Plains Cultural Centre Community Arts Centre, Cnr Wingewarra and Gipps St.

Orana Writers’ Hub Ist Saturday of the month 10-1. Music Room WPCC

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

Patchwork and Quilters Group: 9am,

SECOND and LAST Saturday of the month, Dubbo Pipe Band Hall, Cnr Darling and Wingewarra Sts. 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: 12.30pm, 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 Bible Study: 9.30am, Sabbath School and children’s/ youth Sabbath School, 11am, Divine Service. Cnr Cobra and Sterling Sts. dubbo.adventist.org.au

Talbragar CWA: Monthly meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month from March to December they commencing at 2pm each month but December at 11am. More information is available from Ronda on 68885231 or 0419275223.

Transition Dubbo Food + Film Night: For information about future events, contact to Peter 0439 091 767

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery opposite Cameron Park, Preloved books, CDs and DVDs, now also Jigsaw Puzzles! Money raised in the coming months will be going to Lions Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment Centre.

SUNDAY

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

Australian Kite Flyers Society: SECOND Sunday of the month, 10am, Jubilee Oval. 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. Join acoustic sessions 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 Film Society: Film screenings for members and casual members at Dubbo RSL

Theatrette, 1:30pm. Two films, Sundays 25 February, 26 May, 29 Sept, 24 Nov. Refreshments served at intermission. All-day Film Festival, five films, Sunday 28 July commences 9:30am.

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

Orana K9 Training Club INC: New intake class every 7th Sunday starting 4/2/24.. ( daylight savings start time 8.45am Eastern Standard time 9.45am ) at Katrina Gibbs Oval Macleay St Dubbo(opposite netball courts) Contact Reg 0428849877 or Dianne 0429847380

Orana Pistol Club: 9am, Hyandra Lane, Dubbo. Sundays only, 6887 3704

The Write In. An opportunity for writers to sit in writerly companionship, writing. 3rd Sunday of the month. Dubbo library meeting room from 11.30.

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’. St Brigid’s Catholic Church, 198 Brisbane St. Jack 0418 605 041/Sally 0427 829 807, 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org.au

Amnesty International Dubbo: SECOND Monday of the month, 5.30pm-6.30pm, St Brigid’s meeting room. 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 313 “City of Dubbo” Squadron: : 6pm-9.30pm, Army Barracks (Cnr Kokoda Pl and Wingewarra St). NOW recruiting, 13 to 18 years, rewarding activities.

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 start, Wesley Community Hall, 66 Church St. Fun, affordable dance for girls/ladies, 4yrs and up, all fitness levels. dubbocityphysie@live. com.au

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.

Narromine Community Women’s Shed: 10am -3pm, (also Wednesdays), The Wesley Centre, 138 Dandaloo Street, Narromine. Leona 0487 200 987

Patchwork: 10am-3pm, at Dubbo Arts & Craft Cottage, 137 Cobra St, June 6882 4677. RFDS Dubbo Support Group monthly meetings: FIRST Monday of the month, RFDS Visitor Experience, 5pm, 21 Judy Jakins Drive, Dubbo Airport. 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 dubborotaryclub@hotmail.com Sing Australia Dubbo Choir: 6pm-8pm, 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 St.. Laney 6882 4680 or laneyluk@gmail.com.

Walter T. Grant Seniors Social Club: 9am2pm, Wesley Uniting Centre, Church Street. $6 per day. BYO lunch. Pre-lunch cards and games, post-lunch bingo. Jan Miller 0418 255 217

TUESDAY

Aboriginal Elders Walkabout Ministry Group: 9.30am - 2pm in Holy Trinity Church Hall, 158 Brisbane Street Croquet: 8.15am for 8:30am start, Tuesday, Thursday. Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. Kate 0409 927 140, Lillian 0429 471 921 Dementia Sing Out Choir: Weekly 11am12.30pm, Generosity Church 51 Sheraton Road Dubbo. Contact Anne Gemmell 0481396404. Depression Recovery Group: 10.30am, at the Catholic Parish Meeting Room, Brisbane St. Norm 6882 6081 or Bill 6882 9826

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

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 Marie Francis 0408845640. Dubbo Embroiderers: 9:30am- 3:00pm SECOND and FOURTH Tuesday of the month (also see Saturday listing) Dubbo Bridge Club, Elston Park, Bultje St Dubbo. All are welcome. Contact Patricia 0439846400

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, Bob Ellis 0428217752

Dubbo Prostate Support Group: For information about future meetings, Elizabeth 0408 682 968

Dubbo RSL Euchre Club: 7pm, for 7.30pm, Dubbo RSL, 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.

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

promoting healthy hearts, contact Ray 0437 541 942

Orana Physical Culture: 4pm onwards, starts with 2-4 years Sparkles class, Auditorium at St Mary’s Primary School. See the Orana Physical Culture Facebook page Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie: 12.30pm - 2pm, 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. Rob on 0417 497 187 Spinning Group: Every third Tuesday 10am -4pm Dubbo Art and Craft Cottage, 137 Cobra Street. Contact Julie 0418 976 663 South Dubbo Veteran’s & Community Men’s Shed: 9am12pm, Cnr of High and Palmer Streets. New members welcome Toastmasters Club: FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of the month, 7pm9pm, Dubbo RSL Club, Brisbane St., 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, Sharna 0438 693 789.

Alcoholics Anonymous Dubbo: Meet Wednesday 7pm (1.5hr) – ‘Topic‘ meeting St Brigid’s Catholic Church meeting rooms, 198 Brisbane St, Dubbo Please contact Ian 0447 176 590 Or contact 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org. au for info on meetings.

Ballroom Dancing: Wednesday

7:30-9:30pm $10. Wesley Hall Cnr of Carrington Avenue & Church Street, Dubbo. Graham Woods 0447 885 603

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

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. Anne 0428 425 958

CWA Dubbo Evening branch: FIRST Wednesday of month, 7pm, 3 Frith Street. Barb 0409 159 556

CWA Narromine: SECOND Wednesday of the month, 5.30pm, USMC. Carolyn 0427747478

CWA Terramungamine: SECOND Wednesday of the month, 10am, Dubbo RSL Club. Barb 0427 251 121

CWA Wellington Branch: Second Wednesday of Month, 10:30 a.m., Wellington CWA Rooms, Warne St, Wellington. Contact Marion on 0429033836

Dementia Friendship Group:

SECOND Wednesday of month, 10:30am, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Creo Cafe, Wingewarra St. Anne Gemmell 0481396404.

Dubbo Arts and Craft Cottage: 10am-4pm, 137 Cobra Street. A large range of handcrafted gifts made by members available. Contact 6881 6410

Dubbo and District Family History Society event

Linda Barnes will show you how to begin discovering your family history.

Four weeks, Wednesdays March 6, 13, 20 and 27. 10.30am to 12.30pm at Community Arts Centre $7.50 per session for DDFHS members, $15 for non-members. To reserve your place phone Linda on 68878284 or email martinandlinda@gmail.com

Dubbo Bobbin Lacemakers: THIRD Wednesday of the month, 10am-3pm, Arts & Crafts Society Cottage and Craft Shop, 137 Cobra Street. Judy 6882 5776 Dubbo Bridge Club: 9.45am, for 10am-1pm, Bultje Street (Tennis Courts), Dubbo. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324

Dubbo Community Garden: 9am12pm, 4 Palmer Street. A time to garden with others, learn more skills and grow friendships. Contact Denise 0433 623 842 or Julie 0428 821 829

Dubbo Electric Vehicle Interest, Owners, Users & Supporters (DEVIOUS) group: FIRST Wednesday of each month, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, Western Plains Cultural Centre café. Chris 0409 321 470 Dubbo Garden Club: 10am, FIRST Wednesday of month, Garden gatherings with morning tea. Contact, President, Annette Storer, 0429 828 882 Dundullimal Dubbo Support Crew Inc: FOURTH Wednesday of month, 10am, Dundullimal Homestead. Support Homestead functions. 6884 9984, 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. Contact Colene 0400422335 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 month, Geurie Masonic Centre. Please email secretary@lodgeallanstuart416.org.au

Macquarie Intermediate Band: 6pm, school term, Band Hall, Boundary Rd. 6884 6686/info@macqcon.org.au, Dubbo District Band 0422 194 059 dubboband@gmail.com

Narromine Community Women’s Shed: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10am -3pm, The Wesley Centre, 138 Dandaloo Street, Narromine. Leona 0487 200 987

Survivors Of Suicide Berievment Group: Wednesdays, by expressions of interest. Please contact 0455 255 137 after midday.

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

Fighter, footballer, and local sporting legend, Ron Soden

“Smiling

By GEOFF MANN

By GEOFF MANN

HE was a local sporting legend that had his six decades of local sporting contributions recorded on a simple plaque on a small sandstone plinth at Wahroonga Park, South Dubbo two years ago. With the words: “Ron Soden for contribution to sport in Dubbo over 60 years” we remember one of Dubbo’s finest sports characters, who recently passed away…

Ronald Stephen Soden was born in 1939 and is renowned as one of this city’s sporting characters – footballer, boxer, touch player, Dubbo Duck swimmer, occasional golfer; a bloke who “had a crack” at most sports in his illustrious life including un-

DUBBO Young Sportsperson of the Year, 17-year-old, Ella Penman, is going to step onto the track for Australia, at the World Junior Championships in August.

The St Johns Year 12 student has been training for this all her life and, when the team flies-out to Lima, Peru in South America, there will be none prouder than Dad, Mark, her coach, Mum, Theresa, and her five siblings and grand-parents, who have “tracked” her “cross-country” rise since she first pulled-on her first pair of running spikes.

To reach Lima though, Ella has had to not only keep-up the hours on the track, running up hills and pumping iron in the gym, she and her family have also had to save for competitions, training with elite athletes at Academy sessions and now, the trip overseas.

Sportswear brand “No Timid Souls” have teamed-up with the Dubbo Community to help Ella raise the $6000 cost of competing for her country at the Under 20 World Athletics Champions.

No Timid Souls is headed by former professional cricketer, Kevin Roberts, and Olympian, Tim Jackson, who previously worked internationally as senior executives with Adidas. The pair is on a mission to assist athletes like Ella chase their dreams.

Kevin and Tim have created a Go Fund Me crowdfunding page with all proceeds directly to the four times 400-metre relay

ion, hockey and basketball.

Dubbo born-and-educated, the young carpenter became a warrior on the football field and in the boxing ring. He was renowned for his ability to play any position on the league field – a captain’s dream – and was with Macquarie from the late 1950s to the early-1980s.

Sodo played under coaches like Leo Nosworthy, Dick Huddart (ex-England, St George), Peter Jones (Balmain), Kevin Kind, Noel Sing (Penrith) and Marshall Peachey and captained the Blues to the Group XI Reserve Grade Premiership in 1972.

In 1960, Ron was crowned Middleweight (11 stone/70kg) Boxing Champion of the West and won the NSW title in 1963. He was considered unlucky

to miss the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, going down in the final selection.

He was a respected trainer, State referee and Championship judge. Ron also gave 22 years of generous service to the Apex Club.

Ron married Beth Cowell (Baradine) in 1963 and they reared three children Cathryn, Diane and Mark, who captained South Dubbo High and the Australian Schoolboys before a long career with the North Sydney Bears.

In 1980, Dubbo newspaper editor, Gerry Collins tagged Ron as Dubbo’s “Mr Sport” a name that will live in local legend, for decades to come…

 Details of Ron’s funeral can be found in the Classifieds on page 28 in this edition.

runner and her quest for World medals.

Additionally, No Timid Souls sportswear is raising funds for Ella via pop-up stores at Apex Oval and Barden Park this weekend, June 15–16.

Ella will receives 20 per cent of all revenue from the pop-up stores and the local community benefits with a 20 per cent discount off No Timid Souls retail prices at the pop-up stores and the opportunity to win various prizes at both venues.

“I’m so excited about representing Dubbo and Australia at the World Championships,” Ella who prefers to let her legs do the talking, said.

“I love No Timid Souls sportswear and I’m blown-away by their fundraising support!” she added.

Kevin Roberts, who played under lights at No 1 Oval with the NSW Blues and another Challenge matches and is connected via marriage to the Gilgandra community

after admitting – “I married a Zell” – added.

“We can’t change the high-costs of competing for athletes like Ella.

“What we can do is, work with Ella, the Dubbo community and the broader No Timid Souls community, to help offset her costs,” he added.

He said that he loves the work of helping people like Ella, achieve their goals.

It’s a privilege to support Ella,” Kevin said proudly.

“She is an outstanding young woman from a great family, and also happens to be a fine young athlete,” he added.

The group, he added, could not have done their bit, without the help of a range of other people and organisations.

“No Timid Souls is grateful for the support of St John’s College and Dubbo Sports Power in promoting Ella’s crowdfunding.

“We extend our thanks also to St John’s Junior Rugby League Club, Dubbo Athletics Club and Dubbo CYMS Rugby League Club for hosting the pop-up sales that will raise funds for Ella this weekend”, Kevin added.

All crowdfunding proceeds go directly to Ella, other than a small payment processing fee that she pays to a third party. No Timid Souls provides its crowdfunding service free of charge and doesn’t receive any fee from athletes or the payment processing provider.

For more information contact Kevin Roberts, Co-Founder No Timid Souls, at: kev@ notimidsouls.com, call 0431 006 076 or got to: www.notimidsouls.com

Sports editor GEOFF MANN

Ron Soden. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/FILE

Ella in action last year. PHOTO: MEL POCKNALL/FILE

Positive signs for Demons, with Final’s spots in hunt mid-season

Contributed by DUBBO DEMONS

CENTRAL West AFL season is just shy of the halfway mark and Dubbo Demons have a lot to be positive about as they head into the back end of 2024.

All three senior teams are within reach of a Final‘s spot, with the Women sitting clear on top of the Table, and Tier One and Two in third and fifth spot respectively.

Club President Kaitlyn Waldie, is excited for the upcoming weeks –not only for the matchups ahead – but for the events and initiatives across the Club.

“We’ve got a huge ‘festival of footy’ coming up on the 29th and 30th June, hosted by both the senior and junior clubs at home that weekend.

“We want to celebrate the whole community who support us, from our sponsors, volunteers and friends and family who make the club so strong”, Waldie said.

The weekend, she added, also aims to help a worthy local not-for-profit.

“We’ve partnered

fantastic ‘Hear Our Heart Bus’ with our fund-raising efforts across the club.

“We are also participating in the inaugural CWAFL Pride Round, to demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and improving participation rates in sport for the LGBTQI+ community,”

Kaitlyn said that she is proud of the way the Club has adapted and thrived this year, and counts the way that new players are welcomed into the fold and contribute to Club activities, as a personal highlight.

Amongst the highlights for the season so far is the continued improvement of youth players in the senior grades.

“They’ve started the season well, and largely have been the reason for some positive results”, Tier One Coach, Dylan Fairall said.

He is heartened by the positive numbers at training, and new players joining in. Irrespective of skill level, they’ve all found a place at the Demons.

“Our biggest challenge is continuity, and our goal for the remainder of the season is having regular player availability to walk away with wins in some of those tighter

contests”, Fairall said.

The Lady Dees are very exciting to watch, unbeaten so far in the season. Assistant Coach Tim McCloud, believes that last year’s premiership was only the start of a desire to see how far they can push their skills and footy nous, and are working to see how good they can get in as short a time as possible.

Six of the top 10 leading goalkickers in the League are Demons and, with only 93 points conceded, their defence has been a stronghold. Lynton Auld is elated with their 5-0 record, as new coach he couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.

Demons are at home on Saturday, June 15 against Bathurst Giants, and again on Saturday, June 29 for the Festival of Footy.

South Dubbo Oval will be the home of festivities, starting at 11am with the Tier Two match, and concluding with the annual Masters Game under lights at 4pm. All former players and anyone over the age of 35 who is interested in a fun and friendly match, is invited to join in. BYO Deep Heat and strapping tape for those who need a bit of extra support.

Contributed

by ‘PISTOL PETE’

NO, it was not blurry eyes, it was the foggy morning, as only 23 bowlers gathered under the heaters, wishing for the sun to spread its warming rays last weekend.

ABOVE: James Brown spoiled by his Orange opponent recently:

LEFT: Mikaela Cullen attacking the Orange defence. PHOTO: CHASING TIGERS

In an early game, Pete Sinclair has a knack of leading a team to success, and joined forces with Chris Castlehouse and Chris Strojny having already tasted success 11 times this year. Gus Hummel, back in Dubbo, joined with Frank Armstrong and Bryan O’Sullivan but struggled to get into a rhythm. Trailing 11-4 after eight ends, they fought back to 11all on 13, but that was the end of their scoring as Pete and the “two Cs” took first place with their 16-11 win. Gordon Scott was back from a twoweek sojourn due to illness and showing no ill-effects, teamed-up with Paul Martin and Pete Bennison to share the first eight ends at six apiece with Sue Armstrong, Ruby Stockings, and Col Cottee. They started the second half, blowing-out to a five shot lead by 11, only to be consumed by the others who banked a four on 12. In the topsy-turvy roll-off, Gordon and Co added a triple for a fourshot buffer. That was removed on 15 and in a “pot to boil” 16th end, Col’s team rolled a double to seize the match 17-15, and take second place for the morning.

On Rink One, Mary Perry, Allan Stratford and Brian Jones warmed-up early, chalking a couple of doubles and the same of trebles to race out to a five shot lead over John Zeb, Eric Satchell and John Cole. The latter took the mat on four occasions but with only singles were always playing catch-ups and Brian and his mates ended up in front 17-11. Leo Balstad was once again ‘anointed’ the “Swinger” and amused both teams from the start as he continually changed the length of the Jack!

It was his way of ensuring neither team gained an advantage. Rob Pfeiffer and Pete Ruzans secured a handy three-shot lead by eight, while Helene Emblen was not quite as consistent as usual, and Anthony Coe, the ex-Coonabarabran bowler, held the team together.

Pete’s team extended their lead to five before the combination of Leo, Anthony, and Helene hauled in a foursome to be “eeks” after 12 and then went up by one on the next. That was it for them though as L, A and H, took the mat for the last three to win 16-1.

After a looonnngg weekend, we’re back into it this Sundy!

PHOTO: CHASING TIGERS

RIGHT: Ressies player/coach, Damien Talbot, shoots for goal. PHOTO: CHASING TIGERS ,

First mother and daughter combo to play for the women’s team, Emily and Rachel FairmanUnder 17s Demons’ Boys side are currently leading the comp.

ABOVE: New player Greg Manton, President Kaitlyn Waldie, and Women’s Assistant Coach Tim McCloud at the New Residents night held in Dubbo recently. PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED

Dubbo Ducks Puttin’ on the Ritz

with Legacy fundraising weekend

By GEOFF MANN

Dubbo Ducks held their annual Legacy Carnival over the weekend. This event has had a long and storied history, beginning way back in the 1960’s when it was called the Rose Bowl Carnival and was held in Wellington.

In 1985, the local pool was filled-in, and Brian and Jeanette O’Keeffe took-over organising the event for the next 30 years.

Brian explained It was held in Queanbeyan and pools all around Canberra with the couple making made the carnival a social event to raise money for Legacy and attracting up to 130 swimmers.

The last six annual carnivals though, have been held at the RSL Pool in Dubbo, and this year did not disappoint.

Organisers made sure there was plenty of time to socialise, as well as swim, with a meetand-greet on Saturday, racing events on Sunday morning, followed by a 1920’s-themed luncheon presentation! All Photo’s: Supplied

The ladies from “Wenty” all-out in style for the 1920s-theme for Dubbo Ducks annual Legacy Carnival.

Best-Dressed at the 1920s-themed event at the Dubbo Ducks annual Legacy Carnival.

Carol Willcockson all feathered-up, with best dressed man, Jack Allen. PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED

Dave Sparkes in his best 1920s pinstriped suit with yellow tie, congratulates Glenn Smith on winning the 12-metre Handicap event

Sonja Taylor from Blacktown took the 25m handicap.

The 10-person Legacy Cup winning team from Wentworthville Leagues

Wentworthville League’s Four-Person winning relay team

Dubbo Ducks held their annual Legacy Carnival over the weekend

GREAT WEEKEND FOR OUR BULLS STARS AT COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

By GEOFF MANN

Richardson Shield for Bulls

THE Blue Bulls Central West men’s representative rugby side, went to Tamworth aware of the mighty task they had to defend their Caldwell Cup. Their conquerors from 2018, the “Illawarriors” proved too-strong in Saturday’s round of the Tier One Cup but our Bulls held

Hunter to a 12-all draw and qualified for the second-tier Richardson Shield.

In Sunday’s decider, Peter Fitsimmons led his Bulls to a storming 55-12 victory over Central North to claim the Richardson. A pleasing result with two tries each to Roos’ Tim Beach and Cowra Eagles’ Damien Michael. Veteran forwards Josh “Blocker” Tremain, and Bulldogs’ Peter Fitzsimmons, were ecstatic.

“It’s probably just the mo-

tivation to come again for ‘one more’ Championship,” Blocker said!

Our blue “Bluettes” are the best in the bush!

Central West Blue Bulls

Women rugby side, or “Bluettes”, as some like to call them, regained the Thomson Cup after a strong win against Hunter in the Final.

The Women’s team have

won four of the past five titles, and Sunday’s 28-10 win against the powerful Hunter team, went some way towards healing the heartache of last year’s loss to the east-coasters.

Dubbo Kangaroos was well-served in the team with Sarah Pearce, Savannah Dymock, Danielle Plummer, and Amy Ryan, all starring in the Bluettes line-up, with half Kiara Sullivan supreme after being named “Player of the Championships”.

Roo leads the Junior Bulls to third spot in Country

Champs

Nate Ambler has enjoyed an almost-seamless rise to No 10 in the Dubbo firstgrade rugby team, and his talent was recognised when named as captain of the Blue Bulls Colts for the Country Championships.

Although they did not bring home a trophy, Nate’s and Mudgee Wombats Zane Whisby, Seth Berridge, and Campbell Lee.

The Roos are back in action on Saturday against the barking Bulldogs in Bathurst.

Top results from a Classic racing weekend at Dubbo Kart Club

Contributed by FRANK CROSS

LAST weekend’s Dubbo Kart Club’s Country Classic was a huge success with 145 nominations racing in 12 different class’s over nine races, with some of the classes combined into one race.

Results were as follows:

There were 13 kids in the Novice class which is 7–9 year old’s,

 1st Andrej

 2nd Kody Jenkins

 3rd Nate Robinson.

There were 16 kids in the Rookie class, which is 9-12 year old’s.

 1st Antonio Ornelas

 2nd Cooper Brock house

 3rd Denilson Silva

There were 16 Kids in the Junior Light class, which is 12–16 year olds, with these Junior classes split into two weight divisions

 1st Jaxon Ison

 2nd Hayden Mules

 3rd Angus Maxworthy

There were 16 Kids in the Junior Heavy 12–16 year old category:

 1st Andrew Fitzpatrick

 2nd Tyler Koenig

 3rd Jake Ambler For engine classes, the biggest class

was the 4SS which is a four-stroke motor of 210cc with this class is very popular with 40 entrants.

This due to there being not a lot of maintenance, and it suits the people who still want to race but don’t want to be working on a high-performance engine all the time.

There is also a lot of dads of kids who race in the other classes, racing in this class, which is split into three weight divisions.

For 4SS light:

 1st Steven Brett

 2nd Ryan Mace

 3rd Kieran Eccles

For 4ss Medium:

 1st Drew Russell

 2nd Richard Drooger.

 3rd Tyler Budden

For 4SS Heavy:

 1st Phil Middleton

 2nd Brent Dickson

 3rd Kurt Dickson

In high-performance classes, there are 125cc water-cooled motors, which are the fastest class that raced this weekend with a top-speed of 75km per

hour, a class again split into two weight divisions.

Tag Light:

 1st Mitchell Wood.

 2nd Hayden Buchanan

 3rd Holly Holden Stewart

Ta g Heavy:

 1st Todd Stocks

 2nd Lincoln Chesser

 3rd Hayden Jackson

Tag Restricted is a class with the same engines as above, only they have a restrictor in the exhaust to slow them down a bit for less-experienced drivers to get into the higher speed class, which is also split into two weight groups.

Tag R Light:

 1st Samuel Salvestrin

 2nd Adam Barnes

 3rd Mackenzie Pollard.

Tag R Heavy:

 1st Drew Russell.

 2nd Daniel Ferry

 3rd Clint Lyon

Senior Performance Light are high-performance 100cc air-cooled engines that are pretty high maintenance as they rev harder than any of the other engine classes:

 1st Connor Richards.

MEAT RAFFLES

THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SUNDAY NIGHT

 2nd Hunter Hague.

 3rd Nicholas Follows.

This class featured three members of the Richards family, who are all Dubbo Kart Club members and a real family affair with Dad Jeffery, son Connor, and daughter Chloe, all racing in this senior performance class.

“In her class, Chloe finished third, while Jeffery finished sixth,” Club spokesperson, Frank Cross said.

“A lot of times when they race, they are all nose-to-tail, filling the first three places, and we cannot forget Mum, Katrina who does a great job waving the flags on the start finish line,” Frank added.

All racers rate Dubbo Track as one of the best tracks in Australia, as it is of international length and is very technical, Frank said.

“The event was a huge success with a lot of families coming together to race, they came from all over the State,

“A lot of them camped at the track, while others booked rooms in town, being a long week end some of them stayed, till Monday to visit the Zoo and other attractions around town,” he concluded.

MEL’S ACTION SHOTS NEXT PAGE>>

Everingham, Savannah Gimmick, Mitch Smith, Nate Ambler, Amy Ryan, and Billy Whillcok.

PHOTO: MEL POCKNALL

Player of the Tournament Kiara Sullivan (Wellington Redbacks), with Co-Coach, Lamar Ma’a.

Blue Bullettes — Country Champions in 2024! PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

“FIERCE RACING”

at Lincoln County Karting weekend

By GEOFF MANN

Photos by MEL POCKNALL

“FIERCE racing”, that’s how Dubbo Karting Club President, Frank Cross, described what fans could expect: “come rain, hail,or shine”!

Frank’s hopes of a weekend of “Classic” racing under partly-overcast skies but on a dry track, were fulfilled as nearly 150 enthusiasts from all over the country arrived on the Newell Highway Lincoln County International Speedway on Friday to warm up for the Classic over the weekend.

Frank said there were also a couple of drivers who flew-in from Perth to compete!

“We decided to bring together our Southern Star Series between the five Central West Clubs –Dubbo, Griffith, Grenfell, Wagga, and Orange – and an event covering northern clubs including at Tamworth, Gunnedah and the Manning Valley (Taree) called the ‘Coast to Country’,” Frank explained.

Frank says the event brought together the best of the best and it was a real bonus to join forces with the northerners.

“This year we decided to com-

bine the two prestigious events to make one huge carnival. We raced a round of the Coast to Country last year which went off really well and they were keen to join us to make it a much larger event,” he said.

It turned out to be a “massive” move, according to one of the founding members. Frank told me everyone was happy to be back to full competition after CoVid and some major rain events had interrupted karters in recent years.

He was especially pumped about one of the events over the weekend.

“Quite surprisingly, one of the standout classes is the four-stroke which is for people who have raced before or parents of kids who are racing.

You don’t have all the maintenance of the two-stroke high-performance karts, so drivers can just get behind the wheel and enjoy the thrill of competition on our world-class track,” Frank said.

“Drivers just need to top it up with fuel and head out of the pits and live, or re-live, the dream,” he added.

With over 40 nominations, the Four-Stroke event proved to be a hit with those in the Karts

and their offspring and families watching.

Frank emphasised that the sport of karting, caters for all ages.

“You can start racing when you turn seven, so we have age classes – 7–9 years old, 9–12, 12–16 which is ‘Juniors’ and then it’s into ‘Seniors’.

“It’s all graded according to weight and size of engines, as well as the rookie drivers.”

After practice rounds and time trial, the competition roared into life at lunchtime on Saturday and wound-up on Sunday afternoon.

Frank’s enthusiasm for karting is infectious.

“This is a sport for everyone! Lots of people come-out for big weekends, and many have liked it, tried it, and now they are hooked!”

The Dubbo Kart Club complex has a full-time on-site caretaker and people are welcome any time.

“We do ‘Come Try’ days but are always happy for interested people to come any time.

The Club has four karts for newcomers to use. It’s just a matter of contacting us via our Facebook or website pages to make a booking,” Frank concluded.