Dubbo Weekender 04.10.2014

The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine

www.dubboweekender.com.au

Game on!

Bunnies and Bulldogs: history in the making. P10

Saturday 04.10.2014

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DUBBO WEEKENDER 04.10.2014

FROM THE EDITOR

CONTENTS Jen FEATURED THIS WEEK

Cowley A skewed view of heroes, but such is life

L The Cambodia “Solution”. Photo: Dubbo Weekender/File

10 16

The Cambodia “Solution”

18

Prashant & Rajan Changela

Game on!

Bunnies and Bulldogs: history in the making.

Elections have been fought, won and lost on the issue of asylum seekers. Weekender sought the comments of two people deeply invested in the issue.

Alongside their business brains sits a commitment to community, all the way from regional Rajkot to downtown Dubbo.

20 Cathy Hobson

Find out how retracing the footsteps of fellow aviator Nancy Ellis-Leebold led Cathy Hobson to the tarmac at Dubbo Aero Club.

REGULARS 4 Tony Webber 6 Natalie Holmes 8 Sally Bryant 22 The Soapbox You’ll also love...

28 Hear See Do Etc. 38 Play: Puzzles & Stars Front cover image Steve Cowley ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Sales Manager Donna Falconer | Office 89 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 | Tel 02 6885 4433 | Fax 02 6885 4434 | Email sales@panscott.com.au

CONTACTS & CREDITS | Email feedback@dubboweekender.com.au | Online www.dubboweekender.com.au | www.twitter.com/DubboWeekender | www.facebook.com/WeekenderDubbo Published by Panscott Media Pty Ltd ABN 94 080 152 021 Managing Director Tim Pankhurst Editor Jen Cowley News Editor Natalie Holmes Photography Alexandra Meyer, Steve Cowley, Alexandria Kelly Design Sarah Head, Hayley Ferris Reception Leanne Ryan General disclaimer: The publisher accepts no responsibility for letters, notices and other material contributed for publication. The submitter accepts full responsibility for material, warrants that it is accurate, and indemnifies the publisher against any claim or action. All advertisers, including those placing display, classified or advertorial material, warrant that such material is true and accurate and meets all applicable laws and indemnifies the publisher against all liabilities that may arise from the publication of such material. Whilst every care is taken in preparing this publication, we cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The editor, Jen Cowley, accepts responsibility for election comment. Articles contain information of a general nature – readers should always seek professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. Corrections and comments: Panscott Media has a policy of correcting mistakes promptly. If you have a complaint about published material, contact us in writing. If the matter remains unresolved, you may wish to contact the Australian Press Council. © Copyright 2014 Panscott Media Pty Ltd. Copyright in all material – including editorial, photographs and advertising material – is held by Panscott Media Pty Ltd or its providers and must not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Publisher.

et’s play a little game, shall we?

I’m going to give you three names, and you’re going to see if you can remember why you recognise them. Ready?

Kennedy, Scanlan and Lonigan.

I’ll give you a few moments to think.

Nothing?

Okay. Let’s try another name.

Glenrowan.

Ah! There we go. You said “Ned Kelly”, didn’t you?

Australia’s most infamous bushranger’s name comes instantly to mind, but the those of the three police officers he murdered have become but a footnote in an historic episode so rewritten by a national predilection for anti-heroes as to be unrecognisable.

Poor old Sergeant Michael Kennedy, and his offsiders Constables Michael Scanlan and Thomas Lonigan were ambushed by Kelly and his murderous cohort at Stringybark Creek near Mansfield in Victoria in 1878 – all three were shot dead.

The man behind that bizarrely iconic mask was hanged in 1880.

After being convicted first of Lonigan’s murder, authorities decided not to even bother going through with a trial for the other two murders, effectively denying the Kennedy and Scanlan families their day in court so to speak. It was a sign of the rewrite of history that was to come.

Because it’s the killers we remember. In fact, we don’t just remember Ned Kelly – we’ve damn near lionised the man. He’s been immortalised in print, on canvas and on film. His image has been used for decades to flog product and his name has entered the vernacular so effectively as to be synonymous with courage and grit – “game as Ned Kelly”. Every year, thousands of people flock in morbid fascination to peer at a recreation of his death mask, and to see his armoured iron hood. On any given day in any suburban shopping centre you can sniff out Ned Kelly merchandise and more than one Aussie arm has been emblazoned with the killer’s image in the perverse belief that ol’ Ned represents a rebel colonial past of which to be proud.

Over time, he’s morphed in the Australian psyche to some kind of Robin Hood figure – a hard done by victim of disadvantage and police brutality, whose crime was to stand up to punitive authority in the name of the common man.

Bollocks, the lot of it. That this

“legend” persists was particularly galling this week as we stopped to observe Police Remembrance Day, and it must surely still be a burr under the saddle of the descendants of his victims.

At a re-dedication ceremony last year for the memorial to the three slain officers, Victorian Police Association Secretary Greg Davies rightly referred to Ned Kelly as “a psychopathic criminal misfit” who left a trail of destruction and misery in his wake and “who the ignorant have lionised for their own pathetic purposes”.

“He was no Robin Hood – there is not a shred of evidence, anywhere, that he spent his filthy lucre on anyone other than himself.”

But Kelly isn’t the only vicious criminal to have wormed his way into the sad little gap in our national consciousness reserved for those who thumb their noses at authority.

And we don’t have to look nearly as far as Victoria, or go as far back as the late 1800s to find anti-heroes whose real personas have been tweaked for consumption by a public keen to peer into the darker side of human existence.

Uncomfortably close to home is Malcolm Naden – whose eight year flight from justice saw an almost gleeful mainstream media turn a multiple murderer into some kind of modern-day incarnation of the ridiculous myth of Ned Kelly.

He was, and is, anything but. Described as an “expert bushman” (he wasn’t – he barely survived by flogging tins of baked beans from lonely farmhouses) Naden’s evasion of capture should have struck fear deep into the hearts of everyone in the state, given the depth of his depravity. Instead, it was as if he was being cheered on in the misguided belief that he was some kind of benign beacon of struggle against “the machine”.

There have been others – think Mark “Chopper” Read, a vicious psychopath who became a bestselling author and sought after inclusion on the speaking circuit, for goodness’ sake. And Carl Williams, who should be remembered as one of this country’s most despicable criminals, not the bumbling, loveable rogue of mini-series fame.

And like Kelly, their fables live on while their victims have become a sidebar at best.

Kelly’s “legend” should have died at the end of that rope. Instead, those he slaughtered continue to be the victims of a perversion of the truth – that he was a thief, a liar, a murderer and a coward.

Onya, Straya.

“

Kelly isn’t the only vicious criminal to have wormed his way into the sad little gap in our national consciousness reserved for those who thumb their noses at authority.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014 3

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Tony Webber

>> Tony Webber is a Dubbo resident whose interests include drinking water as required.

Be alert but not too groovy as the witch hunt sizzles on I

was terrified until I realised they were hipsters, not terrorists.

We were in Canberra and these days if you’re not terrified you’re not paying attention.

As you know, hipsters have the same beards as the Islamist fighters who have given the West an Orwellian never-ending war.

But no self-respecting jihadi would wear brogues with shorts and it’s doubtful Islamic State fighters give a shit whether their coffee beans are organic and harvested without the exploitation of third world workers.

My fear, in this time of fear, is that in a fit of ironic pique, hipsters will start wearing some kind of burqa-type garment and find themselves the subject on an eight-page Daily Telegraph wraparound feature edition.

The only saving grace might be that headline writers at the Terrorgraph have already reached peak hysteria and will be unable to muster the requisite hyperbole for a headline like “Fixed-wheel bike-riding bearded barbarians to bring down civilisation with classical dancing!”

Don’t laugh. Partly because it’s not really that funny, but mostly

4

because when the multi-city terror raid which might have been dubbed Operation Media and Government in Islamophobic Jerk Circle, even what passes for the credible press couldn’t help themselves.

Reporting the raid by hundreds of officers across multiple states even The Sydney Morning Herald couldn’t conceal its erection: “City under siege” the headline said, in reporting the arrest of one – one – young man for allegedly plotting a crime.

That’s right, five million Sydney residents were under siege from one young man who remains, as we used to say before the pogrom started, innocent until proven guilty.

Although good luck getting a fair trial, with everyone from the PM down talking in definite terms about the plot details, not police allegations of a plot as yet untried in court instead.

And funny now that “on-water” operations targeting asylum seekers have to be absolutely confidential, lest any public comment provide useful intelligence to the people smugglers and inadvertently therefore the devil himself.

But on-land anti-terrorism op-

“ The PM reassured us that although the escalated terrorism alert had received more media coverage than Kim Kardashian’s tits, we were not expected to behave any differently as a result.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

erations can be spoken about in exacting detail without any risk of alerting other conspirators or exposing the level of infiltration of the alleged extremist cells, even though the threat of terrorism alert system has been raised to high.

Allegedly schmegedly: he was, we were informed, plotting to abduct someone, behead them and drape their corpse in a IS flag in Martin Place.

Only the exact time, and train he would catch to get there, was left to the imagination of a population who might have wondered about the sudden rush to transparency.

The PM reassured us that although the escalated terrorism alert had received more media coverage than Kim Kardashian’s tits, we were not expected to behave any differently as a result.

Which to the unpatriotic, science-obsessed, green-leaning degenerates we’re just about bloody-well sick of in this country might seem a tad confusing, it doesn’t hold a candle to New Zealand pulling out of the ANZUS treaty all those years ago and not being infected with boils

as a consequence despite predictions at the time.

Possibly mindful of our confusion the PM advised that our response should be to be “Australian” which on face value seems pretty easy for those of us who are already, like remaining left-handed or being resolutely Sagittarian.

The uncharitable might at this point suggest the federal government take some of its own medicine following Wednesday’s report that Cabinet was considering establishing a “homeland security” super ministry and/or the position of “national security tsar,” both of which are about as Aussie as Tennessee moonshine and the Texas Rangers.

So, yes, it’s getting pretty weird and there’s no sign of the acid wearing off soon.

As Christian zealots decry the outfits of their Islamic equivalent in parliament, we earnestly set about drafting laws to eradicate the freedoms for which we say they hate us, as opposed to the Iraq war for which they say they hate us.

That’ll fix them. feedback@dubboweekender.com.au

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04.10.2014 THE DAY IN HISTORY: In 1883, the Orient Express train made its first run.

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first man-made space satellite, Sputnik 1.

In 2001, a Siberian Airlines jetliner exploded and plunged into the Black Sea, killing all 64 passengers and 12 crew members. The United States said evidence indicated the plane had been hit by a missile fired during a Ukrainian military training exercise.

In 2002, the so-called shoe bomber, Richard Reid, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his alleged effort to detonate explosives hidden in his sneakers during a 2001 Paris-to-Miami flight. Reid was sentenced to life in prison.

In 2013, Vietnamese Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap, whose forces drove France (in 1954) and the United States (in 1975) out of Vietnam, died in Hanoi at the age of 102.

BIRTHDAYS: Those born on this date include Susan Sarandon in 1946 (age 68), Armand Assante in 1949 (age 65) and Liev Schreiber in 1967 (age 47); authors Jackie Collins in 1937 (age 77) and Anne Rice in 1941 (age 73); singer Jon Secada in 1962 (age 52); and actors Alicia Silverstone in 1976 (age 38) and Rachael Leigh Cook in 1979 (age 35).

05.10.2014 THE DAY IN HISTORY: In 1918, Germany’s Hindenburg Line was broken as World War I neared an end.

In 1989, TV evangelist Jim Bakker was convicted on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy. Bakker was paroled in 1994 after almost five years in prison.

In 1994, authorities said 53 members of a secretive religious cult were found dead – the victims of murder or suicide – over a two-day period in Switzerland and Canada.

In 2005, scientists announced that a form of bird flu that spread directly to humans was the real cause of a 1918 pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide.

In 2011, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. and hailed by his colleagues as a “visionary and creative genius,” died at age 56, two months after resigning as chief executive officer because he could “no longer meet [his] duties and expectations.”

BIRTHDAYS: Those born on this date include restaurant entrepreneur Ray Kroc (McDonald’s) and comic Larry Fine of The Three Stooges (the one with the wild, wavy hair) in 1902; British actor Donald Pleasence in 1919; rock singer/songwriter Steve Miller in 1943 (age 71); actor Karen Allen and Irish rock musician-political activist Bob Geldof, organizer of the 1985 Live Aid famine relief concert, both in 1951 (age 63); race car driver Michael Andretti in 1962 (age 52); and actor Kate Winslet in 1975 (age 39).

JUST A THOUGHT: “Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not.” – Vaclav Havel

6

NEWS ANALYSIS

Seven Days

BY NATALIE HOLMES Dubbo Weekender News Editor

Seeing double: Slow down or pay up A

rriving in one piece should be motivation enough to ease back on the accelerator, but failing to heed the speed limits could also be very expensive this long weekend. Double demerit points are in force over the October holiday weekend, and drivers are being warned to be mindful while out on the roads.

The double demerit period started on Thursday night and will continue until Monday night, with authorities hoping the tried and true road safety measure will help keep the holiday road toll to zero.

Those who tempt fate will feel the full force of the law – if a road accident doesn’t get them first.

Former police officer and Member for Dubbo said a media campaign should leave drivers in no doubt as to the consequences of breaking road rules this long weekend.

“There are a few simple things you can do to make your weekend a good one – get your hand off your phone, if you’re going to drink have a Plan B and before you leave download our free Speed Adviser App, which tells you the speed limits and makes it easier for you to stick to them.

“I urge drivers and riders to take extra care and be aware of risky road behaviour that attracts increased penalties such as speeding and not wearing seatbelts and helmets.

“Motorists can expect to see increased high-visibility patrols, random drug and alcohol testing, and speed enforcement to keep our roads safe.”

Springfest success More than 5000 people found themselves with a spring in their step after attending the third annual Springfest in Wellington last Saturday. Chariot races, tug-o-war, a CWA men-only scone bake-off, busking competition, historical re-enactment and a ball all contributed to the day’s success.

“It went very, very well,” Chairman Ian Law told Weekender.

“It exceeded all expectations. It was a real Wellington showcase.”

Entry to Springfest is by gold coin donation and money raised goes to needy individuals and groups in the town.

Law said that the event contributes to community wellbeing.

“The support was absolutely incredible, and hopefully instils a bit of pride,” he said.

“The Showground was looking good, Cameron Park was looking good. If you can continue to do stuff like that, it will make people feel good too.”

Mudgee driver charged after drug discovery Police this week charged a driver in Mudgee after he was found with the drug ice in his vehicle.

Highway patrol officers stopped a Toyota Landcruiser on the eastern side of the town at 3.30am last Saturday.

Checks revealed the 36-year-old driver’s licence had been disqualified. After a search of the vehicle, police also located approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine (ice) and nearly $2000 cash.

The man was arrested and charged at Mudgee Police Station with supplying a prohibited drug (indictable), possessing a

Double demerit points are in force over the October holiday weekend, and drivers are being warned to be mindful while out on the roads. Photo supplied

prohibited drug, for driving while disqualified and for providing a false name.

Funding to target cultural heritage Natural resource management will be the key focus of funding secured by Central West Local Land Services as part of the Catchment Action NSW announcement made by primary industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson and environment minister Rob Stokes this week.

The $2.34M local investment will be used to improve biodiversity, threatened species, native vegetation and Aboriginal cultural heritage in the ensuing 12 months.

Central West Local Land Services general manager Laurie Dwyer said the funding will support healthy soil, native vegetation, water and biodiversity.

“A healthy environment has many benefits for individuals, the community and our primary industries,” he said.

“This funding will equip us to work with our communities to enhance our natural resources.”

Stokes said the funding will ensure the waste levy dollars are returned to regional areas.

“This will also include pest and weed management programs that support state and regional scale investment priorities.

“The funding also recognises the value of protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage including significant sites and traditional knowledge through natural resource management projects.”

Locals make the switch Dubbo television owners made the switch to an all-digital network this week after a Federal Government announcement advised viewers to “Stay tuned for the retune”. The move was made in order to free up the broadcasting spectrum so that it can be used for new services such as mobile broadband.

The free-to-air TV channels in Dubbo city changed frequencies on Wednesday.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

Depending on their locality, some residents in the surrounding area made the switch during September.

Roads funding welcomed Dubbo City Council received $820,029 for its 2014-15 annual allocation as part of the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery funding program.

Parkes MP Mark Coulton was pleased that councils in the electorate would receive $14M of the $2.1 billion national budget.

“These funds will make a real difference in building roads, repairing streets and creating better access across our community.

The government will increase Roads to Recovery payments to councils next year (2015-16) to $700 million, which will be used for much-needed local roadworks.

Coulton said Roads to Recovery allows councils to make road spending decisions based on local needs to ensure that funding is truly directed to where it is most needed in the community.

Seventeen local councils will receive their funding allocations in November.

Legal rep says courts not soft on crime Stephen Lawrence spoke out about public perception of the law courts this week, stating that ‘it is simply not true that the Courts in this region are lenient.’

The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT (Western Region) principal legal officer and Orana Law Society spokesperson said that public perception was that courts in the region are ‘soft on crime.’

However, Lawrence said perception was that way sometimes because of incomplete reporting of criminal cases and ignorance of the sentencing process.

“The public need to be made aware that the Courts are expected to impose sentences in accordance with the laws determined by the Parliament and they must be allowed to do this independently of political interference,” he said.

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The finishing touches are being made on the Barden Park Centre of Excellence for Athletics with the surfacing of its international standard synthetic athletics track started this week.

Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson met with Sports Technology International (STI) yesterday to view the installation of the synthetic track which will be completed during the next week.

The installation marks the final stage of construction of the Barden Park Centre redevelopment after the two-storey 600seat grandstand was completed in September. The centre’s official opening is scheduled for November 29.

Respected educator and Parkes woman Rhonda Brain has received the 2014 Dubbo Local Women of the Year Award as part of the 2014 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

“The Hidden Treasures Honour Roll is a chance for us to say thank you to those who help make a difference in their rural communities,” Dubbo MP Troy Grant said. “Rhonda has been instrumental in the Paint the Town Read program which is now being delivered across Australia.

“Rhonda saw the need for a program to engage children from as early as possible and from there the story has grown which has seen Paint the Town Read being delivered across Australia.

“Last year, I met the famous Reading Bug at Peak Hill Show and it was amazing to see just how many kids have been engaged with this amazing program.

“I would like to congratulate and say thank you to everyone for their commitment, support and work they have provided to our community.”

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As part of the Nyngan Solar Plant Construction Community Fund, AGL Energy Limited has presented more than $28,000 in funding to six community groups within the Bogan Shire area.

One of the recipients, the Nyngan Hospital Auxiliary received $3700 and plans to use the funds to purchase two specialist aged care beds for the Mick Glennie Hostel. The hostel provides aged care accommodation and is part of the Nyngan Multipurpose Service Centre. This was the inaugural round for the community funding.

community,” he said.

Riley has been selected along with 11 representatives from across Australia. The program gives runners the opportunity to train in a range of races across the country from Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast and Alice Springs in the lead-up to the New York Marathon in November.

“Nathan is a great example and role model for other youths.

Showing us what can be achieved from hard work and commitment,” Grant said.

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Business goes up in smoke Troy Grant jumped on the treadmill next to Nathan Riley ahead of the local runner’s participation in the New York Marathon. They are pictured with students from South Dubbo Primary School. Photo supplied

Nathan Riley farewelled Indigenous runner Nathan Riley has been acknowledged ahead of his participation in the New York Marathon in November as part of the Indigenous Marathon Project.

Dubbo MP Troy Grant said it was an amazing opportunity for the local athlete.

“This is a great program that is aimed at using the marathon to change lives, promote healthy and active lifestyles and create inspiring role models for the

Firefighters were kept busy on Wednesday afternoon when a blaze started in Dubbo Sainsbury and spread to Dubbo City Smash Repairs in Bourke St. Thick black smoke engulfed the affected area which contains a host of flammable items including car parts, gas bottles and paint thinner. Station officer Tim Ryan said six fire applications from Dubbo attended the blaze while crews from Wellington and Gilgandra were on stand-by.

Letter to the Editor Banking on the power of the people

A

few years ago, I wrote a letter saying we need a people’s bank to keep money in the country before other countries fleece Australia because of incompetent management of past governments. Nothing has changed in my mind.

Ireland is establishing a development bank at the moment, as they have seen the importance. Germany, Austria, France, Norway, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea all have development banks set up by governments now.

Australian politicians in their quest for money to buy popularity overseas sold the Commonwealth Bank (the people’s bank) and the rural bank.

Public investment banks provide the vision and long term finance that help sustain investment and job creation.

I believe one of China’s big banks has opened up in Australia to make more money from us while Australia sleeps. A quote from my letter three years ago, “If ever our country needed a people’s bank, we need it now”. A bank structured as a private people’s bank, with the people owning the bank that cannot be confiscated by government and sold as they have with other people’s assets. No borrowing overseas or dealing in currency, strictly local money.

People need security for their money, savings and super and a better feeling for the future, and to teach children how to save money with small accounts.

The old Investment Tax Act for overseas companies should be repealed (if still in place) because all companies making money from the Australian people should pay the same tax as Australian companies. This tax act sends Australian companies offshore.

Australia does not need investment – it needs a bank where our billionaires can have accounts along with all the people, and eventually strengthen the bank which could lend out to government departments over a few years for emergency work and get Australia moving.

A bank only needs a few employees as

each branch, one in every suburb and town throughout the country. Premises could be leased to start the business off like in small towns in post offices and shire buildings and so on.

The bank would end up being a big employer of thousands of people all paid by the bank – no expense for government. About a third of all wages would come back as taxes which would help the budget.

We must have employment fast before homes are lost and savings all gone, or the people will vote for a government which will end up like the last one – high spending, massive debts and billions in interest to pay and we will see Australia stagnant for years again.

David Egan – Warren

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

7

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Sally Bryant In my book... your foundations are flawed

I

’m at a stage in my life when, like a building, I see the importance of good foundations. I’ve realised, with the vicissitudes of life and gravity, I’ve come to depend on some good foundations of my own, undergarment-wise. And like me and buildings, argument and debate also rely on good foundations.

Your premises rely on good foundations, in the same way as your argument depends on solid premises.

There are a few questions being debated in the public arena right now, and I’m watching on in bemusement as the conversation bounces back and forth, forehand to backhand, from the left to the right. And some of these arguments are getting a little heated, some are getting a bit personal and as that happens, reason goes out the window. In a few cases the discussion has wandered off the well-beaten road of fact and is dipping into the table drains of opinion, conjecture and prejudice.

Ah! Prejudice, that glorious word. It’s a descriptor that’s wielded like a sword by many, like the morally inviolable avenging angels they are. They stand and fight on matters of slights and disparagement inflicted on themselves and others. And as they stand their digs and speak out about the prejudice they encounter in their everyday lives, they conveniently neglect to factor in their own prejudices, their own rigorous belief systems that colour their view of the world.

I have beliefs; I have views that are based on my life experience. You, my friend, have prejudices. Shame on you.

It’s a given that people have deep seated beliefs about things that impact on their lives; belief is something that sustains us in bad times and gives us something to fight about when things are a bit quiet. Some people really liven up their lives by having all their debates and arguments over opposing opinions and prejudices and don’t allow them to be muddied in any way by facts or evidence. And that formula makes for a thoroughly satisfying brawl but doesn’t

“ When you’re not intent on being a poster girl for common sense, apparently this stuff is dynamite on mozzies in the garden, it takes no prisoners...

result in either party walking away better informed.

Jacqui Lambie is being roundly criticised for her comments about Sharia law. It’s like the media is delighted to have found its new Pauline Hanson doll, something to stick pins in. If I can find someone who is even more uninformed than I am, who is even more one eyed about life? Happy days! How good do I look? Poor old Pauline Hanson was only giving expression to what so many people were saying among themselves.

Some of it was offensive, some of it was uninformed, some of it was downright ridiculous. But how wonderful was it for all of us who are so much more educated, so much erudite, to be able to cock a snoot in her direction. Ah... good times.

What did these people think was going to happen when we elect a cleanskin to parliament? And by a cleanskin, I mean someone who has so little experience of public life that they have no filter and shoot from the hip. It’s fine for Jacqui Lambie, Private Citizen to have a bit of a spray about religion, culture and foreign affairs down at the RSL; no-one is going to turn a hair. But when an elected member of parliament enters the debate, there are consequences.

Actually “entering the debate” is probably a bit of a misnomer. That would indicate some sort of rational discussion taking place here.

It’s not necessarily about offending people per se, I actually reckon it’s a bigger issue in that it gives other countries a stick to beat us with in terms of foreign affairs. It’s like “Oh! My God! We were eavesdropping on the Indonesian President!” Well, duh. The shock would have been if we weren’t. But in terms of diplomacy, wasn’t that a golden opportunity for some marvellous shuffling and redealing; some posturing and miming?

Let’s face it, we all have opinions we share among ourselves and that we might have a bit of a rant about in company with friends, but whether or not we’d air them if we were elected mem-

bers of parliament? Well, that’s a horse of another colour entirely.

And when it comes to the call to “ban the burqa”, isn’t it interesting that this has actually sparked a debate about what a burqa actually is, and about whether or not it’s what people think it is? Because there’s a whole range of headgear Muslim women wear in accordance with their beliefs, and they’re all quite different and they’re not all called a burqa.

And as for the call to ban the burqa, the hijab, the niqab, the chador, the khimar? It’s pretty offensive to tell someone they cannot wear a piece of clothing associated with their culture or their religion, isn’t it? I actually have no problem with any of the permutations of modesty covering if women choose to wear it themselves for cultural or religious reasons.

The thing that concerns me a little is not so much the wearing of the thing, it’s the attitude of the wearer (and their male relatives and community members) to those of us who do not wear it.

If you’re wearing a big modesty blanket, and you and your mates think I’m a floozy, a loose woman or “uncovered meat” by not wearing one, then, yes, I do have a problem with that.

I have no problem with people choosing not to drink alcohol, it’s a question of personal choice. Whether for reasons of not liking the taste, for cultural or religious reasons or because you have eschewed it due to a dependency problem; it’s all good. But I do have an issue when people who do not drink alcohol for reasons of religious or moral beliefs then consider themselves superior to those of us who do.

In fact, if you have a belief that sustains you I take my hat off to you. But if you use your adherence to that belief to put yourself above the common populace who don’t then I think you’re missing the point.

You don’t have to be a fundamentalist to have good foundations.

Continue to pick up your copy of Dubbo Photo News for your chance to

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DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

IMAGE: Michael Jardine

Weekender regular Sally Bryant was born with her nose in a book and if no book is available, she finds herself reading Cornflakes packets, road signs and instruction manuals for microwaves. All that information has to go somewhere...

BY NATALIE BRAMBLE

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Management consultant Natalie Bramble is as well known around the traps for her tireless community efforts and business acumen as for her unique and ready laugh. And you’d be surprised what she picks up around the ‘watercooler’ while she’s traversing this wide brown land in the name of work...

The Watercooler Fact trumps fiction Two significant things have happened in the past few weeks that really demonstrate the importance of fact checking in the “quick, broadcast it NOW” world of modern technology and it’s not just celebs who have the instant-broadcast virus – it’s now spread to journalism. First there was boob-gate and now there’s Trump-gate, as I’m calling it.

When journos all across the world broadcast the story of 21 year old Florida woman who claimed she had a breast implant giving her three breasts, noone bothered to check the facts or to get a surgeon’s confirmation. In a bizarre twist, her three breasted prosthetic was stolen out of her airport luggage. She still claims it’s true but I think the world has already lost interest in the facts, if indeed we actually ever really cared at all. A few seconds’ diversion was the most attention it held for most of us..

The big stuff-up though was from Donald Trump himself (well actually his media team but I’m not splitting hairs).

Trump, flattered by a Twitter follower’s assertion that he was a “big inspiration” agreed to re-tweet a photo of his admirer’s “parents”.

The photo was shared with 2.7 mil-

lion Twitter followers. Trouble is, the pic of the “parents” turned out to be one of infamous British serial killers Fred and Rose West. Many from the Twittersphere hit back by abusing the tycoon for his insensitivity. Ooops. Now he has more to be embarrassed about than his hair.

So point is – check the facts, people.

There’s nothing like this Dame One of the most gracious and warm people a few of us have had the pleasure of lunching with is Dame Marie Bashir. This week she retired, ending a career that saw her receive 70 awards and various titles that certainly never impacted on her down to earth humility and empathy. It’s 13 years since she became the first female Governor of our state and since then, with husband Nicholas Shehadie, she’s represented the state of New South Wales at many functions and has never lost her zest for life or her warm, quick smile. She was certainly deserving of the farewell and parade on Wednesday in Sydney and I know I’m one of many to wish her well in her continued personal advocacy campaigns for mental health.

Fresh is... not always Naughty ol’ Coles has been slapped with a federal court ban on advertising its bread as “freshly baked” or “baked today”, after being caught red handed passing off product that was neither fresh nor home baked.

2014

The supermarket giant has also been instructed to display a notice in every store across Australia telling consumers it had broken law by falsely advertising their bread in such misleading terms. Seems after former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett complained about a loaf of bread that wasn’t fresh, the consumer watch dog took action. Ummm – never mind the countless others who have been complaining about it for ages... wait until someone high profile reports it and then do something. Still, at least action was finally taken. I for one won’t be eating highly processed stuff that has thousands of road miles on it from being shipped from overseas, thanks. Local is best after all.

Bye bye, Wi-Fi woes How fabulous will it be when I can tap into my work data plan when next in

Perth without having to shell out for expensive data plans at hotels or rack up my phone data usage. Thanks, Telstra.

The move is underway and by mid2015 the now defunct public phone boxes will be Wi-Fi hot spots – finally – I can’t believe New Zealand had this before us!

This means that if you are a Telstra customer you can log in near the Wi-Fi hotspot and use your existing data or you can buy data there. I suspect many councils will now have to rethink their public spaces around these phone boxes as there will likely soon be quite a few loiterers sitting around the box (it has a 30-50 meter range) and piggybacking the Wi-Fi. Good news is that it’s not just restricted to the existing phone boxes – they’re also building another 8,000 spots in in consultation with other retail outlets and councils. Bring it on, I say!

This event is non-competitive for groups 12 years and under, and gives younger performers a chance to display their developing talents.

This event showcases the dancing talent of dancers from the regional NSW, who will compete head on for a prize pool of $5,000.

dream dance events Headline act

Guest performers, headed up by internationally recognised dancer, choreographer, actor and singer, Christopher Horsey, will entertain the crowd and provide inspiration to the younger performers. He will be joined by three multi-talented members of The Tap Pack: Thomas J Egan, Jordan Pollard and Jesse Rasmussen.

Government support major sponsor

? e dance

lov

ese e H t n e H t

vent

must s are a

see!

day dreamer

strateGic alliance

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

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“ The 2004 grand final has to be the best moment as a Bulldogs supporter – but come Sunday night, that will be my best memory – the 2014 win!”

– Jimmy Skordalis, Bulldogs fan.

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DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

FEATURE

When two of the most popular teams in the NRL competition take to the paddock this weekend for the season’s ultimate clash, one will be looking for a storybook final chapter, the other will be taking no prisoners in a quest to fracture their rivals’ fairytale. And they’ll both have an army of ardent supporters cheering them on. JEN COWLEY diplomatically takes an each way bet.

PHOTOGRAPHY Steve Cowley

J

immy Skordalis pulls up for our appointed photo shoot, nosing his shiny black Ford XR8 – complete with custom “74-Woof” plates – to the curb. Unfurling his imposing, blue & white clad frame from the car, he grins and puts a finger to his lips – “Shhh”, he says creeping towards the real estate agency where we’re to meet our other photo subject.

With a cheeky grin, he plasters a Canterbury Bulldogs poster to the door through which, just seconds later, Richard Tegart – ardent South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter – will emerge.

“Payback,” Skordalis chortles. Tegart had just this morning festooned his rival’s own business with red and green balloons.

It’s game on.

The two Dubbo businessmen are firmly in different camps when it comes to the footy, but they’re also friends, and the spirited banter as they ham it up for our camera is light-hearted and warm.

“You weren’t even born when the bunnies last won a premiership,” Skordalis hoots.

“That’ll make Sunday’s win all the sweeter,” counters Tegart.

It’s a scene no doubt being played out right across eastern Australia this weekend as fans gear up for one of the most anticipated Rugby League grand finals in the history of the game.

In the 43 years since the Rabbitohs since took to the paddock for a grand final, the club – formed in 1908 as one of the founding clubs of the NSW Rugby League – has had a tumultuous journey to this defining

“ “To be honest, I really can’t lose. I’m that excited that the Rabbitohs have actually made it to the grand final in my lifetime.”

– Richard Tegart – Bunnies supporter DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

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moment. It’s a journey that’s placed them as firm sentimental favourites for Sunday’s clash.

But the ardour of the Bunnies Brigade is matched equally by the fervour of the “Doggies” supporters, who have turned devotion to their team into a nearreligious experience.

W

hen it comes to his beloved Bulldogs, Jimmy Skordalis wears his heart on his sleeve – really. He rolls back the arm of his blue and white Doggies jersey to reveal a tattoo, to which he says he’s looking forward to adding the numerals “2014” come Monday.

“We’re born and bred blue and white, us Bulldogs fans. My father was a Tigers supporter and he used to take us to Leichardt Oval to follow them.

But back in the day, growing up in Sydney – just up the road from the Canterbury racecourse – my best mate was a Bulldogs supporter and that was it. I’ve had blue and white flowing through my veins since I was a kid – it’s in my blood.”

This week, the affable local businessman let his passion go to his head – proudly having the words “Woof Woof” shaved into his crown while he regales me with stories of his most memorable Doggies moments.

“The 2004 grand final has to be the best moment as a Bulldogs supporter – but come Sunday night, that will be my best memory – the 2014 win!”

The off-season presents a challenge for the ardent footy fan who says he “struggles a bit” during summer.

“I keep reading the back page of the Tele just in case there’s something about the Bulldogs.”

Skordalis wouldn’t miss this weekend’s game for quids. He’ll be in “the kennel” along with his family and a couple of thousand other blue and white clad fans and he’s predicting a 32-16 win to the Bulldogs.

“Tomorrow’s will be a big power game. And man of the match will be James Graham – and he’ll be captain next year. Mark my words,” he winks, as his mobile rings. The ringtone is Who Let the Dogs Out? Naturally.

He loves “everything” about the club. “The culture, the passion, the colours! My whole family, apart from Dad, the poor misguided soul, are Doggies supporters. My 11 year old daughter is almost as big a fan as I am.”

Hairdresser Kerrie interjects at this point: “She is, too! She was in here this morning and wanted blue streaks in her hair!

“See? We’re all crazy. Our supporters are the most passionate about their team. And Richard Tegart’s pathetic effort with those red and green balloons?

Well, let’s just say there will be retaliation,” Skordalis says with an evil chuckle.

Geoff Mann – encyclopaedic sports aficionado and broadcaster Issac Luke going out makes a big difference and while I’m loathe to back against Canterbury, I think South Sydney will get up – just by the sheer emotion and the fact that they’ve had such a long build up. Five seasons, they’ve been building towards this.

The very first time these two teams met in a grand final was 1967 and I was a dyed-in-the-wool Canterbury supporter. A bloke by the name of Les Johns played for them and was the Australian fullback at the time – and that was the first year post-St George winning everything, and I just had this love for Canterbury. I can still see Souths’ Bobby

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T

hat Tegart came late to the Bunnies camp doesn’t dim his zeal for the mighty South Sydney – in fact, he says, switching allegiance in the late 80s from St George has made him even more committed.

“I followed (Dubbo) Westside lad, Les Davidson, when he went to Souths. And that was it – been a dedicated Rabbitohs supporter ever since.”

He won’t be going to the grand final this year – he and his partner, Lana, will be camping out near the Macquarie Marshes.

“But don’t worry,” he says in response to my raised eyebrows. “The station owner is a mad Bulldogs fan, so we’ll go up to the house and watch the game. It’ll be an interesting night. I’ve told him I’m bringing a sheet of Perspex to put up between us so I don’t get hit by the flying beer cans!”

Asked for his prediction for the game, Tegart beams.

“To be honest, I really can’t lose. I’m that excited that the Rabbitohs have actually made it to the grand final in my lifetime. I’m already proud of the fact that they’re there.

“If they play tomorrow like they did against the Roosters last week, no-one will beat them. But then again, they bashed themselves up a fair bit doing that. And the Dogs, well, you just can’t underestimate them.”

He struggles to name a favourite player – “there are 17 of them” – but, pressed, names Greg Inglis as his standout in the current line-up. But there’s a solid regional cohort of Rabbitohs connections that also makes Tegart proud to be a supporter.

“Look at the likes of Terry Fahey. I remember Ray Price describing him as the best footballer Australia has ever produced – for Ray Price to make that comment is an amazing accolade.”

As Skordalis and Tegart give each other a good natured ribbing – decked out in their teams’ colours and standing atop a roundabout in Dubbo’s main drag – passing motorists toot and yell comments, not all charitable, in their direction. Pedestrians, including a gaggle of fascinated kids, stop to offer their thoughts on the coming game – and on the teams they either love or hate or love to hate.

And that’s another thing that draws Tegart to a fondness for the game of rugby league.

“What a great leveller. It’s such a great conversation starter, and it brings people of all ages and backgrounds and walks of life together. When I walk down the street wearing my Rabbitohs tie, people will interact with me just because of those colours, and I’ll often stop and talk to kids and have a joke with them if they’re wearing the green and red, or give them a bit of a ribbing if they’re wearing another team’s colours. Without rugby league, there’d be very little we have in common. But it gives people something to share in common. And how good is that?”

McCarthy taking an intercept and running 90m to score at try that ultimately sank them, and for a long time I couldn’t forgive Souths for knocking Canterbury off! But I’ve been impressed with the way they’ve gone about their business over the past five years – the passion they play with is tremendous.

Being a St George supporter for the past 25 years, one of my grand final memorable moments was in 1999 when (Melbourne Storm’s) Craig Smith took a bomb and was awarded a try against us and we lost the final that we should have won. And I’ll never forget the try that was scored by the Newcastle Knights’ Darren Albert off Joey Johns against Manly in 1997. And the other one was catching up a few years ago with Cliff Watson, a pommy who was playing for Cronulla in

Local legends Andrew Ryan, David Peachey, CEO Chris Anderson, Ronnie Gibbs and Terry Fahey at the Origin Legends Indigenous Jobs Market for Aboriginal jobseekers in Dubbo in 2012. Photo: Dubbo Weekender/Tim Pankhurst/File

the 1973 grand final against Manly in an absolute bloodbath.

And of course, on a local level, seeing Andrew “Bobcat” Ryan hold that trophy up in 2004 was incredible – here’s a kid from Dubbo captaining the Bulldogs to a premiership.

When you think about it we’ve had some amazing players come out of this region. The likes of Nick Kosef, David Gillespie, Terry Fahey, Dean Pay, Dave Peachey, Daniel Conn, Ronny Gibbs, Les Davidson, Brian Johnson, Andrew Ryan, Don Parish, Kel Brown, Mark Soden, Wes Maas, Bob Weir, Pat Smith, Justin Yeo, Isiah Yeo, Bernard Wilson, Wayne Sing and of course, all that 1974 AMCO Cup team. There are and were so many.

Then there’s young Kyle Turner from Coonabarabran playing for Souths and

Josh Jackson from Gulgong playing for Canterbury on Sunday – so this region has a great interest in this game, from both sides.

This is the 80th year of Country Rugby League and when you think of how many great players have come out of the region, it’s no wonder there’s such a passion for league out here. It’s a stronghold – and that’s been proved recently again with the popularity of the City/Country match.

And I think you’ll find that everyone in this western community will have a cousin playing this weekend, or they’ll know someone who knows someone.

I’m not going to the game, but I will be sitting around the telly screaming and yelling and playing the game as though we were there!

“ Seeing Andrew “Bobcat” Ryan hold that trophy up in 2004 was incredible – here’s a kid from Dubbo captaining the Bulldogs to a premiership. ”

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

FEATURE

David Peachey – former Cronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs, NSW State of Origin, Australian international and Country Origin player and 1993 Dally M Fullback of the Year award winner.

Terry Fahey – Former Eastern Suburbs Roosters, Canberra Raiders and South Sydney Rabbitohs player; Named in the Rabbitohs’ Top 100 players; part of the 1974 AMCO Cup winning Western Division side.

N

o prizes for guessing who I’m going for – the mighty Rabbits!

I won’t be going to the game – I’ll be watching it in Dubbo, but I think Souths will win it, and win it pretty easily.

With the Canterbury Bulldogs, they’ve had three or four really hard games coming into this and there are injuries everywhere with them.

Except for the young bloke who got suspended, Souths are going pretty well in terms of the team – there’s not too many injuries, and they’re playing the best football they’ve played in years.

It’s been a long time between drinks for Souths, but when you think of the history you have to remember that they had to build themselves up, then they were kicked out of the competition.

Then they had to rebuild again, and now Russel Crowe and those blokes have got in behind them and helped them and they’ve rebuilt very well.

All their players are good.

I didn’t ever play in a Grand Final. When I went

to the Raiders, I had crushed vertebrae in my neck the year they won the premiership against Manly – so that wasn’t too good, but it was still great when they won.

My best memories of playing for Souths have to do with the friendships I made. When I was there we didn’t have all that many big name players, other than a few of the older blokes who’d stayed on – we were just playing on our love of the game and on our friendship. We were good, but we weren’t good enough to keep it going to the top. But those are the best memories ever – when we all got together.

I was only 19 when we won the AMCO Cup with Western Division – but that was a great time.

We’ve had a few dos lately and it’s been great to catch up with everyone and have a bit of a talk.

This weekend will be really interesting, but for my pick, the half-back for Souths (Adam Reynolds) is a really good footballer, and so is Ben Te’o.

I think they’ll all go well. They have to otherwise they won’t win it, will they?

Go, the Bunnies!

“ My best memories of playing for Souths have to do with the friendships I made. ”

South Sydney has a fairytale story – and they’re only 80 minutes away from completing it. I think everyone is excited to see them there after so long – and I know I am, having had the honour and opportunity to play for them.

I hope to be at the game. This is an important part of the year with the grand final and the Aboriginal knock-out – it’s all happening, but I hope to be running between both of them.

We can only go on the back of the past week, but grand finals tend to produce miracles, so I’m hoping Souths are as dominant as they were against the Roosters. The Doggies are wounded too and it will be interesting to see how the past eight days have gone for them.

Isaac Luke being out is a disappointment. I thought his good record going into it might have worked for him, but it wasn’t to be – and that’s something they’ll just have to put behind them. Hopefully Isaac will be able to heal the scars of not playing, but that’s Rugby League.

I played in 1997 when the Broncos dusted us (Cronulla Sharks) in a Super League grand final and looking back now, I was only young and I thought grand finals came around all the time. It’s only now that I look back I know they hard they are to be a part of. I’ve played in more than 20 finals appearances, and they’re tough enough, but to go through and get to the end of the season, you know you’ve got to be 100 per cent on your game and mentally prepared for what is the biggest day of your life.

Those players who have the winat-all-cost mental“ Souths has ity are the ones given me the who will come out on top. opportunity I was lucky to do what I enough to be a do now – to part of the whole change with South continue my Sydney with Ruscommunity sell Crowe and Peter Holmes a work – and they Court coming were part of in – being one of the senior players that life after was special. I thank rugby league.

Shane Richardson, along with Russell, It’s an honour to every time I get the have worn those chance for giving me the opportufamous colours nity to be a part of on my chest. ” that senior squad.

It was great to be a part of that third phase of the club. There’s a lot of hard work gone in behind the scenes at South Sydney, and it gives me so much pride and pleasure to look back and see where the club is now.

Souths has given me the opportunity to do what I do now – to continue my community work – and they were part of that life after rugby league. It’s an honour to have worn those famous colours on my chest.

Rugby League is an amazing vehicle for so many kids to a better life. It starts at home with a good education, but Rugby League can do exactly that. It teaches you everything you need to prepare yourself for life – like discipline and how to make sacrifices.

The atmosphere at a grand final is something that’s really different. The Souths supporters are so passionate, and they bring the same passion to the game as the players do. This time around, I think Souths are the sentimental favourites, mostly because of the struggles the club has faced and when you come out here, out west, I’ll tell you, that Bunny Brand is strong – it’s alive and kicking.

My prediction for this weekend? Souths by about 18 with a field goal to top things off!

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

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COMMENT

J

Emerging technology blazes new trails

oin us or die?

My, these are dark, Voldemort-y times indeed.

Or are they?

Just because one group peddles fear using social and sensationalist media (which all come with off switches, by the way) to spruik their barbarism and promise the end of days doesn’t mean there is so much that is insanely good about the world.

Yes, there are those cliques hell bent on killing everyone but there are just as many intelligent, curious and inventive individuals, committees, universities and governments collaborating on forging fascinating paths into the future which are mind-bogglingly exciting and bring growth, development and solutions.

Engineering, astronomy, bio-sciences, robotics, the opportunity to make the world a better place and get in and do something good for humanity is everywhere.

The key is collaboration.

Finding like minded people who jump on board a problem solving opportunity to contribute to the creation of something new, which takes their similar passions, dreams and desires into account, builds on each other’s strengths and leaves personal differences, which are inevitable, off the table where they belong.

Collaboration is the underlying essence to projects like the world’s first 3D printed car, known as Strati, currently on tour in America.

It has a sister set of wheels, the world’s second 3D printed car which, when I saw it last week, sits in a game-changing automotive workshop known as Local Motors, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The beauty of Local Motors is you don’t have to live in America to engage with the incredible projects going on there.

It is a free online and physical microfactory workspace, where anyone with a ruddy good idea, can potentially make their own vehicle innovations into a reality, and where the sharing of ideas invites minds from anywhere in the globe

Comment by YVETTE AUBUSSON -FOLEY Former Dubbo journo and proud green ‘n’ gold gal Yvette AubussonFoley says she has her work cut out for her raising little Aussies under the red, white and blue of a very different flag.

to contribute improvements, with one goal in mind: let’s build it!

If you are remotely into anything mechanical, love concept cars, cutting edge design and technology (my fave is the flying car) or just want to show your kids something online that can capture their imagination and look to the future, not just with hope, but for a way they can actively contribute, get onto their website at https://localmotors.com.

You will be amazed, as I was, standing in front of the second Strati this week, getting my head around the idea of a functioning car that has actually been printed.

It took 44 hours to print and two days to assemble and in its unfinished form looks like thin layers of lava laid down in stratum as it was by the printer.

This is not the finish of a polished car.

Its lumpy, raw texture is not imperfections but part of its charm and represent a new beginning for car manufacturing and 3-D printing as a whole.

The car itself was created in Tennessee where the printer large enough to create Strati is currently located.

It was designed by an Italian, Michele Anoe, in a Local Motors challenge and built by Local Motors in partnership with the Association for Manufactur-

Photo: Yvette Aubusson-Foley

ing Technology, Cincinnati Incorporated and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

It runs using an electric powertrain built by Renault Twizy and has 40 parts compared with about 20,000 on a regular vehicle.

Strati is not going to win any races with a top speed right now of 40mph but it can travel 120 miles on one charge.

Made of carbon-reinforced thermoplastic it’s not built to withstand impact but as a compact commuter in a city environment it has a lot of potential.

Word in the workshop is that a 3D printer, which can print metal, is currently being developed which will impact Strati’s strengths in the future.

Breaking new ground is where any new invention makes its mark and now the window is open to this new way of manufacturing and problem solving, there’s really no going back.

“ Breaking new ground is where any new invention makes its mark and now the window is open to this new way of manufacturing and problem solving, there’s really no going back. ”

The possibilities are endless. Remember mobile phones in the 80s? Like keeping a house brick in your pocket?

Thirty-five years from now, who knows where 3D printing technology will go? What else will be printed in 3D by then? Will we all have 3D printers in our houses, to print that extra screw we can’t find; an extra dinner plate for a surprise guest, a picture frame, a wallet, a new mobile phone, a watch, a robot butler, a new bumper for the car?

Granted, as people tend not to evolve at the same rate as new technologies, there will probably be whole industries built around 3D printed guns, bombs and bullets.

Just as likely though will be 3D printed prosthetics, rocketry components, surgical equipment and definitely cars perhaps which can fly.

So if the doom and gloom-mongers are getting you down and you’re looking over your shoulder in search of what’s coming next, look forward instead at what lies ahead in the minds and hearts of millions of people seeking a better tomorrow, and applying themselves to do something about it today.

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DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

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DEBATE

The Cambodia “Solution” Elections have been fought, won and lost on the issue of asylum seekers and the deeply human element is often forgotten in the political quagmire that surrounds the debate. The recent announcement of an arrangement between the Australian and Cambodian governments in relation to the resettlement of refugees in the developing South East Asian nation is among the most controversial in recent times. So is the proposal a small but genuine step towards a solution to the refugee crisis, or simple opportunism on the part of both countries? Weekender sought the comments of two people deeply invested in the issue.

Mark Coulton: Federal Member for Parkes who was part of a parliamentary delegation sent to observe Cambodia’s 2008 elections.

I

n July 2008 I was one of four members of the Australian Parliamentary delegation who travelled to Cambodia to observe the National Assembly Elections. I travelled to Battambang in the north-west of Cambodia, a rural area known for rice production. I saw the elections take place, a process far removed from what we know as Election Day in Australia.

Cambodia is an incredible country that is managing to rebuild after the horrors experienced under Pol Pot. The brutality the Cambodian people experienced under the communist regime in the 1970s is still having an impact on Cambodians today.

If you travel to Cambodia you see a nation which is developing but you also see a young nation (average age in early 20s) with a growing middle class. I do still hold some concern about corruption in Cambodia, having witnessed the election process in 2008, however it is clear that conditions in Cambodia are improving.

Cambodia is a country which is growing, expanding, developing at an incredibly rapid rate. Cambodia has shown itself to be a world best performer in poverty reduction. The poverty rate more than halved from 53 per cent in 2004 to 20.5 per cent in 2011 according to a World Bank poverty assessment. Gains of this magnitude are a credit to the Cambodian people. However these improvements could not have been made without the help of foreign aid including from the Australian Government.

The reduction in poverty is not the only indicator of the way in which Cambodia is developing. Recent protests by workers in the Cambodian textile industry over the minimum wage have led to commitments from major clothing manufacturers, such as H&M, for an increased “fair living” wage. This is an industry sector that accounts for more than a third of Cambodia’s GDP. Infrastructure, such as major road networks and economic development, including irrigation schemes in rural areas, show Cambodia’s aspiration to be on a level footing with other dominant Asian countries in our region.

Australia has a vested interest in assisting Cambodia and other nations in our part of the world. Stability in the Asia-Pacific is very important for the future safety and prosperity of the Australian nation.

This stability was jeopardised by the open doors immigration policy of the previous government. Labor’s policies encouraged asylum seekers to take the risk of a journey by boat to Australia in the hope that they would be able to resettle in the community.

An orderly refugee intake process is not only important for Australia (for health and security reasons) but is also in the best interests of the millions of refugees worldwide. A person waiting to go through the

16

lengthy application process in Africa or the Middle East should not miss out on coming to Australia because they have not made the risky journey by boat.

The Australian and Cambodian governments recently signed a memorandum of understanding relating to the settlement of refugees in Cambodia.

Currently Cambodia has a very small number of refugees, an estimated 60 in total. The arrangement between the Australian government and the Kingdom of Cambodia will give the option for refugees who have been processed on Nauru to voluntarily elect to be resettled in Cambodia.

The voluntary element of this arrangement is important to note, as is the slow and steady approach being taken by both governments. It is anticipated that only a handful of refugees will initially be transferred under this scheme and this will enable officials to manage any difficulties.

Officials will provide information on Cambodian living conditions, customs, traditions, culture and religion to eligible refugees in Nauru. In Cambodia, participants in this program will be granted permanent residency status with all the pursuant rights and obligations. The Australian government will continue to provide support tailored to the needs of the refugee and this will include health insurance, language and job training and business start-up loans. I believe there are opportunities for people who choose to take up this resettlement program to build a new life for themselves in an emerging country.

It is essential that the message is sent loud and clear to those in the people smuggling trade. Anyone who arrives in Australia in an unauthorised boat will not be able to resettle in Australia.

The Coalition came to government with a clear mandate to stop the boats. Operation Sovereign Borders has been highly successful. The agreement with Cambodia is another small step in repairing the damage done through Labor’s ill-thought out and hasty open border policy.

The UNHCR has a clear preference for refugees and displaced persons to be able to return to their home country in the event that it becomes safe to do so. With conflicts in many parts of the world it is likely that we will have more refugees worldwide for many years to come. Australia will continue to make a contribution through our very successful annual refugee resettlement program. I think it is likely that Cambodia, and other developing nations, will choose to take part in the solution to this global problem.

•••

Mark Horton: A Dubbo Rotarian who has been the coordinator of a volunteer humanitarian community development and education project in rural Cambodia for the past eight years.

H

ere’s a question: What’s the difference between people trafficking and the decision to resettle refugees in Cambodia?

What are our morals worth? What price is a child or its future? What price do we put on a country’s culture?

As a job lot, would $40m close the deal?

That’s the figure the Australian and Cambodian governments have discussed regarding the resettlement of refugees who once sought safe haven here on our shores.

Like all geo-social political decisions, this has a long back story. The intricate context of this proposal has a deeper origin and wider ramifications than media commentary has yet grasped, but the whole thing screams dispassionate opportunism on the part of both governments.

An initial trial will be followed by “further resettlement in accordance with Cambodia’s capacity”, according to a recent government statement. But exactly who will determine this “capacity” benchmark? And how much more cash will need to change hands for the arrangement to continue?

Imagine the poorest of the poor in the world. Then imagine Cambodia – a little country of mostly young and middleaged adults and children – older generations having been decimated by the Khmer Rouge – trying to eke out survival from a mostly low lying river deltas. Impoverished sandy soils that flood each wet season and blow away in the dry have replaced thick rainforest areas logged close to extinction by a succession of colonial masters, then sprayed and bombed by US B52s in the 60s – all to satisfy the need and greed of western ideals and economies.

Today average Khmer people, who all suffer the residual grief of the Khmer Rouge and war years, stoically look to their ancient Angkor history and their mostly Buddhist faith, as a distant reference to Cambodian national identity. Meanwhile, world players sit around Phnom Penh signing guilty cheques to support the personal ambitions of corrupt administrators, convincing themselves that western moral standards remain a beacon of hope.

Cambodia has no social or economic or educational safety net; not even the family structure remains intact. Those not slaughtered during the Khmer Rouge period, (those over about 40 years of age), were mostly Khmer Rouge members and many remain in control of government today.

The endemically corrupt practices of the Cambodian government and bureaucracy are well known. They ensure almost no foreign aid money reaches or addresses the needs of the general population, but bureaucrats make sure to extract “remittance” from the most needy at a domestic level. Meanwhile, well-intended western university graduates drive at high speed in fully funded NGO black Lexus 4WDs across the country, seeking to treat the symptoms of abject disadvantage caused by years of western intervention.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

“ The Australian government will continue to provide support tailored to the needs of the refugee and this will include health insurance, language and job training and business start-up loans.”

– Mark Coulton

Photo: Dubbo Weekender/File

To paraphrase screenwriter and former US-government staffer, Aaron Sorkin, who said of international geo-social politics: “That ball, it just keeps bouncing” and “we always f**k up the endgame”.

When a person or an economy is displaced and or replaced, something has to give. In this scenario, will it be what remains of the Cambodian culture as an influx of yet another religion (Islam) tries to wrestle into the gap between all the new sects and faiths trying to fill the void left by historic displacement.

Perhaps it will also be our high western morals, as our decision makers trade their egos and a need to save face for fundamental humanity by further displacing two groups of people where once there was one.

This “deal” will further reduce the right of Cambodians to autonomy of decision

making, and will see the erosion of what little ability the government ever had to make decisions based on compassion and understanding of its people’s needs. Worse still, it will further reinforce the idea that, in the eyes of both governments – ours and theirs – people will always be a commodity to be bought and sold.

In Cambodia, the daily wage is around $AU1.40 a day. For a government teacher or police officer it’s around $AU4, supplemented by necessity with “gratuities” or a second or third job that’s needed to ensure the family eats. The offer of an additional $40m in discretionary funds to top up an existing $79m provided annually by Australia in the form of “aid”, leaves very little wriggle room for an opportunist administration to say no. We know and they know, and we know they know... it’s a bribe and we get to save face. They don’t care; they

get a little richer, while their nation literally goes hungry.

Reports have the Cambodian government indicating that, while they’ll take the full $40m, the initial number of asylum seekers they’re willing to take may be “as few as four or five people”. That’s an initial cost of $8m per person, and it seems unlikely at best and irresponsible in any case that this would remain the Australian Government’s expectation over time.

It’s unlikely the Australian public will be given the entire background story as to why our government has chosen Cambodia as a depository for some of the refugees seeking to call Australia home.

But if the devil in is the detail, he’s sitting right at the negotiation table for this one.

“ (This decision) will further reinforce the idea that, in the eyes of both governments – ours and theirs – people will always be a commodity to be bought and sold.”

– Mark Horton

>> Weekender is interested in readers’ thoughts on this issue.

Please share your comments by emailing feedback@dubboweekender.com.au.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

17

two by two

Prashant and Rajan Changela Alongside their business brains sits a commitment to community, which brothers Prashant and Rajan Changela have brought all the way from regional Rajkot to downtown Dubbo.

As told to Natalie Holmes PHOTOGRAPHY Hayley Ferris Prashant Changela:

W

e grew up in India in the state of Gujarat and the city of Rajkot, which has 1.4 million people. It’s an urban area, small by Indian standards but large compared with Dubbo. We had a pretty ordinary childhood. We both went to an Englishspeaking school to learn, along with the national language of Hindi.

We were at the same school until Year 10 and went to different schools after that because of the grading system. We both went to Christ College Christian School to do Bachelors of Commerce. At college, we organised a big event to help the school to construct a new building.

Raj was helping us raise awareness and funds for the college even though he was still at school (he is three years younger than me). We held a concert featuring Pankaj Udhas who is a popular artist in India. The concert drew 5500 to 6000 and raised a lot of money – 500,000 rupees or $10,000.

That was our first experience of fundraising and there was quite a bit of work to do when you are that young (I was 18). It was a challenge but naturally every challenge has its rewards. It was good to be community-minded and help the college to do what they wanted.

Back in 2004, I decided to come to Australia. My basic purpose was to do a Masters in IT Management at the University of Ballarat, and I successfully finished that in Melbourne. After completing it, I had the opportunity to apply for residency and achieved that in late 2006.

It was hard moving to Australia; I had very little support and only friends of friends. It was a very, very big challenge to do everything for the first time – to find accommodation, to buy a train ticket, it’s really hard in a new country because you don’t know how to do things, how to get help. And you can get tears

18

in your eyes or you can keep going. I slowly got settled, made friends, found work. I eventually finished my degree and bought my first house in Melbourne. I was working as a sales consultant for True Energy and worked my way up.

Sometimes people were racist, but that happens. It hurts but I’m not blaming anyone. In July 2011, we bought the KFC franchise in Wellington. It was something different and a well-known brand, I had always wanted to own my own business with a well-known brand.

We’d always been involved in business – petrol stations, transport, manufacturing. My father has three brothers and we have four cousins, we’re all involved in different kinds of business. There are 22 businesses so it’s absolutely huge.

We could have gone into the family business but instead of that, we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could do it. That’s how it works in our culture.

Rather than take an easy step, we decided to take a challenge and build our own empire. They are proud of what we are doing here.

We now own the Monkey Bar business (in Dubbo) too. Raj and I get along really well, we normally discuss most of the stuff and we work as a team rather than against each other. We live together as well. We are both married and our parents come here often to visit. In the business, we really need to be hands-on and he is a friend and a brother. He’s a good accountant and has a Masters in Accounting so handles all the bookkeeping while I do the operational stuff.

We like doing fundraising and hosted an event for Brodie Burgess who lost his right leg in a train accident. They approached us and we held a successful event, raising $552 which we matched dollar for dollar to support him. People had a good time and it made us happy on the inside. The Country Music Concert is to raise funds to build an amphi-

theatre and we wanted to give our support. At the end of the day, we are in a country town and we are trying to keep dollars in the town.

Rajan Changela:

A

s a child, I had all the friends Prashant had. We were in the same group. I was into sports though, mainly playing cricket and I did a bit of swimming. We used to play volleyball too. Prashant wasn’t into study or sports. He was more of a party fellow. The fundraiser we organised for the school was the first ever and it was a new experience for us. I helped distribute tickets and was doing marketing. It gave us a good experience.

We used to run an artificial jewellery shop when we were still at school. In the morning, Prashant would go in to look after the shop and in the evening, I did it. Rather than us asking for money, our dad gave us the opportunity. He gave us some money for the initial inventory but when it came to running the shop, it was up to us. We did all the fittings, bought the jewellery. I was 15 or 16 at the time and Prashant was 18. Not everyone does that, but we knew from then on not to waste whatever we had and we applied that knowledge.

I personally think it helped me a lot even though I was young. I wasn’t making all the decisions on my own but I was part of it. We still own that shop – after Prashant came to Australia, I was still running the shop then I was helping Dad with the factory where we manufactured packing cardboard. I used to go there to help out while I finished my study. Before we came to Australia, we applied to the US. I had heaps of family and friends there and was admitted to college at Ohio University. But I didn’t get the visas so I gave up. At that time, I didn’t want to go anywhere but I came here because Prashant was here. Him being here gave me more insight.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

I came here to study because I wanted to do my Masters somewhere overseas.

I did my Masters in Accounting at Swinburne University in Melbourne and my Diploma in Management through Central Qld University’s Melbourne campus. There’s two qualifications, a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Certified Public Accountant but you can’t get into accounting without the accreditation. I wanted to get into it but I didn’t have local accounting experience and I ended up being overqualified for a graduate position. I didn’t have any luck with applying for accounting graduate jobs so I looked at buying a business instead.

KFC brought us here. I don’t mind the travel to Wellington and we love living here; we love Dubbo and have so many friends. We believe in maintaining good relationships with local people and we sponsor kids in school, sporting events and young people like Maddison Worthe who represented Australia at the 2014 World Championship Paint Horse Show in America. We try to help as many local people as we can.

We are not after only money, we want to be part of the community. We still have to prove ourselves, prove that we are better and over here, a five day working week is normal but we work six days sometimes seven, and 12 hour days. In India, everyone does that and we were fortunate to have that platform.

Hard work is the thing and you can take that anywhere. If you are hardworking, you will be successful.

Prashant is very good at managing our relationships with suppliers, we never have any trouble. He’s very innovative and comes up with new ideas all the time. My side is how we can get them done. If there’s a problem, we always work around it. >> The brothers are part of the entertainment/event development committee hosting a Country Music Concert at Sir Roden Cutler Park today, Saturday, October 4, from 10am.

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PROFILE

Retracing the footsteps of fellow aviator Nancy Ellis-Leebold led Cathy Hobson to the tarmac at Dubbo Aero Club. But, as Weekender discovered, their stories, although decades apart, are intertwined.

WORDS and PHOTOGRAPHY Natalie Holmes

C

athy Hobson has much more in common with the late Nancy Ellis-Leebold than she realises. Both have been female aviators in a male-dominated industry, trailblazers in their field and have received acclaim at international level as recipients of the 99s Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship (AEMS). The award allows licensed female pilots to advance their training and education in aviation and aerospace and is named after the pioneering American aviator and author.

In Hobson’s words, “it encourages women to keep flying”.

Amelia Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and received the US Distinguished Flying Cross for this record. Leebold achieved similar acclaim after flying a Miles Messenger from England to Australia, as Hobson found when the award they share led her to discover more about her predecessor’s life and achievements.

“When I received the scholarship in 2007, I asked the organisers if there were any other Australian recipients and it turns out there were five,” she explains.

Research on the award recipients was done as part of Hobson’s Masters of Business Administration in aviation management from which she graduated with distinction.

But Hobson remained intrigued by Leebold’s story and fairly soon, her quest for information took flight.

“When I researched Nancy Ellis-Leebold, I was astounded by my lack of knowledge about this great lady.

“Her peers described her as a friendly, quiet and well-spoken lady and I found a 1965 quote from Nancy Bird-Walton, who called her the “most highly qualified and active flying woman in Australia”.”

The pair were actually good friends and Hobson too knew Walton quite well through the Australian Women’s Pilot Association of which Leebold was a founding member.

But there was a lot that wasn’t known about this amazing woman, and some details that had been incorrectly recorded. Hobson made it her mission to fill in the blanks. She believes that a biography of Nancy Ellis-Leebold is long overdue.

“I also found some quite conflicting information, so the research had to be authenticated before I could write anything about her.”

B

orn Nancy Ellis in 1915, Leebold learned to fly at Royal Aero Club, Mascot, the main Sydney airport where Hobson has also worked. Leebold initially started her working life on the World War II production line and in a pickle factory designing machinery. She also towed targets for air gunners’ practice and taught Morse code in the evenings before gaining her private pilot’s licence in 1942 and her commercial licence in 1946.

20

Leebold later achieved her instructor rating and worked for Kingsford Smith Aviation. In 1950, she became the first Australian woman to fly heavy aircraft, and was the First Officer of a Lockheed Lodestar for Air Cargo Pty Ltd. In that year, she also became one of the 35 charter members of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association.

In 1952, she scored a trip to the USA and a flight in a Lockheed Shooting Star T33A, making her the first Australian woman to fly a jet aircraft. The following year, Leebold became the first Australian woman to work as a chief flying instructor (at Dubbo Aero Club) and gained a Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal the following year.

In 1954, she received her AEMS and became the inaugural overseas winner of the American-based scholarship and also the first Australian. She was also presented with the Silver Anniversary Award, as it was received in the 25th year since inception. Leebold used the funding to complete a Ground Engineering (Airframe & Engines) Mechanic certificate.

Returning to the USA and then to the UK for training, the young pilot met Arthur Leebold, whom she married in February 1955 in Kensington and then flew him from London to Yarram, Victoria on their honeymoon – a distance of 12,000 nautical miles. It was an achievement which earned her the Evelyn Follett Trophy in 1955 as “the year’s most worthy flying performance”.

Leebold went on to become a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Navigation in 1964 and their first female president in 1967/68, receiving an MBE that same year for services to civil aviation.

Trawling through aviation records led Hobson to Dubbo and Narromine this week, and she was able to meet with members of local aero clubs to discuss her findings so far and conduct further research on Leebold. Her plan now is to write a book and feels that she is about a third of the way into the expedition. She’s been working on the research for many years now, so has set herself the target of Christmas 2015 as its completion date.

“It’s a fascinating journey, as I do enjoy research, but difficult as there is very little written about Nancy. There was just so much that was never documented.

“And she died five years before I moved from the West Coast of Australia to Sydney. “I feel that I completely missed out on meeting an amazing lady and professional pilot who appears not to have written a book about her life, making it a challenge to find out more about her.”

W

hile Hobson laments the fact that she was never able to meet this Australian legend, she is no slouch herself when it comes to aviation achievements.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

“ At 15, I decided I wanted to be a pilot. It was when I was learning to fly and I was asked ‘what do you want to be?’

Before that, I’d wanted to be a schoolteacher.

Born and raised in Perth, Hobson is a quick thinker and sharp as a tack. She came from a family of aviators, with her father and two brothers all in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Her decision to be a pilot came, fittingly, during flying lessons.

“I’d grown up with aviation,” she says.

“At 15, I decided I wanted to be a pilot.

It was when I was learning to fly and I was asked ‘what do you want to be?’ Before that, I’d wanted to be a schoolteacher.”

Hobson started flying in 1979 and obtained her Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) in 1983, her Instructor Rating in 1984 and her Senior CPL in 1990. She moved to Sydney in 1987, where she met her husbandto-be (a fellow pilot) at Bankstown Airport where, uncannily, one of the roads is named Nancy Ellis Leebold Drive.

Much like Leebold, Hobson was the only female pilot and only female instructor.

But she says that “apart from a few dinosaurs”, her male colleagues did not treat her any differently, even though women in the industry are still in the minority, making up only 15 per cent of pilot numbers.

Hobson has been Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) and Chief Pilot on three occasions in the Sydney Basin from 1994, with Authorised Testing Officer (ATO) approvals.

For 18 months, she flew as First Officer on VH-NJI, a four-engined De Havilland Heron on tours around Australia, went first solo on a glider in 1996 as well as became a Glider Tug pilot for 18 months at Bathurst. She also completed her Bachelor of Aviation Studies while working fulltime as a CFI/ATO. She moved to Darwin as a commercial pilot in 1998 where she flew B200 Super King Airs and then progressed to Captain of B200 at Port Hedland. This led to a role as First Officer Regular Public Transport on B1900D for Impulse Airlines out of Brisbane until the sale of that company.

Hobson then had a stint with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South East) flying command of B200 as an air ambulance pilot, and until its demise, worked for Brindabella Airlines out of Mascot Airport.

In 2006, she started her Masters at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and won two scholarships, the inaugural Aviation Safety Management Course Scholarship and her Amelia Earhart award from the 99s.

Hobson joined the 99s in 1994 at the instigation of Nancy Bird-Walton and has been a member for 16 years. And with her aviation background and dedication to keeping the flight path of past and present female aviators like herself alive, Hobson has certainly earned the right to join their ranks.

“ Her peers described her as a friendly, quiet and well-spoken lady and I found a 1965 quote from Nancy Bird-Walton, who called her the ‘most highly qualified and active flying woman in Australia.

– Cathy Hobson on Nancy Ellis Leebold

ON THE SOAPBOX

Hopping mad with footy banter gone to the dogs

A

FTER looking through my Facebook newsfeed tonight I really can’t wait for this weekend to be over, for the sole reason the Canterbury Bulldogs supporters will go quiet (I hope).

I’m praying like crazy the Rabbitohs will win tomorrow’s NRL Rugby League grand final, just so I can give the two fingered salute to all those blue and white fans who have been swearing, gloating, and just being generally obnoxious all over my computer this week.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate the doggies. I’ve always admired Des Hasler and used to think Steve Mortimer was the best, but it’s just some of the people who support them. Passionately.

Yesterday one of the newspapers published a picture of the Bulldog mascot, made out to look like a snarling pig dog about to rip something to shreds. Five of my Facebook friends had slapped the picture straight onto their profile before lunch. I nearly choked on my sandwich.

I wanted to leave comments about

Comment by Abigail McLaughlin Abigail McLaughlin is a journalist and former editor whose credits include some of Australia’s most renowned regional and agricultural publications.

She now fits her love of writing in around the responsibilities of parenthood and helping to run a mixed cropping operation in Western NSW.

gang rape incidents at Bulldog team gatherings at Coffs Harbour but thought I might get a touch up with some knuckle dusters if I wasn’t careful, so I sat on my hands. (Perhaps I should be doing that now!)

I’m not really a Rabbitohs supporter either, but I feel more of an affiliation with them for the mere fact they last won a grand final in the year I was born – and who couldn’t love the Burgess brothers?

“ Whether I ever look at Facebook again will depend on the outcome of the match. ”

And their spunky mother screaming her guts out alongside a weirdly dressed Russell Crowe in the grandstand.

For the past two weekends I’ve put in some solid telly hours praying the Bulldogs didn’t get through, but by some gift of heaven (not mine) they’ve clawed themselves from seventh on the ladder to the top, winning by the barest of margins.

Last weekend on a day of disappointments (the Sydney Swans lost the AFL Grand final) the Dogs beat Penrith and sent their supporters into overdrive.

Aaaaagh!

I was lying in bed listening to the game on the radio with my head under the pillow when the final siren sounded.

The next morning on Facebook one of my more colourful friends pointed out (in her own colourful not-for-print style) any “one” (my word) who didn’t support the Doggies should get lost (my words again) because our teams didn’t make it and the bleep bleep Bulldogs bleeeeeeeep did! We should all be kissing her “behind”, she wrote. And has continued to write all week, egged on by a fellow band of rabid Blue and White friends.

I also had plenty of Rabbitohs guff, but

more of the “Glory, Glory, South Sydney” style. Definitely no snarling rabbit photos nor words to make my eyes water.

Perhaps all this is saying more about the type of Facebook friends I keep and I’ve been too tough on the Doggies. I mean, they’ve had to overcome a fair bit – the afore-mentioned gang sex scandal, the fact some of their supporters took to wearing knuckle dusters at games... public relations nightmare really.

I am impressed they have a female CEO at their club, and there doesn’t seem to be anything “token” about her when I hear her speak so let’s hope she has an influence on the club’s followers.

I will be watching the game tomorrow. Whether I ever look at Facebook again will depend on the outcome of the match. If the Bunnies get up I might give it a week for the online celebrations to subside before I dare log on. If the Bulldogs win, I think I will have to deactivate my account in case my screen explodes or the kids manage to read the swear words over my shoulder.

For what it’s worth I’m a Canberra Raiders supporter. Unfortunately I think it will be a fair while before I’ll be enjoying a grandfinal week, so for now... Go, the Bunnies!

Dubbo & District Preschool

Sunday 12th October

12TH OCT @ 2PM CLUB AUDITORIUM RAFFLE & AUCTION

GUEST ARTIST

From 10:30am – 2:30pm Raffle, Fairy & Pirate stall, craft stall, chocolate wheel Pluck a duck, pony rides, BBQ, Drinks & more…

Fun for the whole family !

All money raised to be donated to Jason & his Family Contact: Alysha on 040 264 7217

weekender DUBBO

22

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

Next door to the Preschool on the corner of Bultje & Hampden Streets Ad space donated with a smile by

THINKING OUTSIDE THE SQUARE No 3.

Our daily dose of media commentary and the polarised selections of letters to the editors of the Sydney press is a motivation for us to challenge the manner in which the system works. And this is best achieved by us raising the level of our own thinking. Information we are fed is then filtered through a heightened level of our own awareness about reality.

We are entitled to ask questions of the politicians, a sample of them featured in books on this page. How much notice do they take of their constituents? Once elected they seem to follow agendas that

suit them best, strategies that would see them re-elected with little concern for the long term. In the last twenty years there has been virtually no real attention to the decline of the agricultural economy no doubt due to the fact that today its contribution to the economy is less than 10% of that of mining.

However it is what we think, how we assess the situations that develop in communities that influence what we believe should be happening at that level.

Take the example of election results over time. Some are described as involving

WHEN REPORTERS CROSS THE LINE

By Purvis & Hulbert. #45839 HB $34.95

TONY WINDSOR The Biography BBY Ruth Rae. #19253 Pb $31.95

THE POLITICAL BUBBLE

By Mark Latham. ’ #14076 Pb $34.95

PEOPLE POWER

By Willams & Hume. #32157 Pb 303 pages $34.95

LAZARUS RISING

By John Howard. #89966 Pb $35.00

THE LATHAM DIARIES

By Mark Latham. #52158 JUST $12.95

THE FOG ON THE HILL

By Frank Sartor. #61068 Pb $29.95

DOWNFALL

By Aaron Patrick. #31756 Pb $29.95

cliff-hanger results, some as landslides.

The key to improving the manner in which they behave lies with all of us – and we all need to start thinking carefully about where we want the country to progress. It is the sum of the reasoning and impact by the members of the community that really matters. We can either stimulate them to achieve or we can embarrass those who choose to ignore us.

Enjoy your browsing Dave Pankhurst.

WORLD UNTIL YESTERDAY

by Jared Diamond #24486 Pb $22.95

OPTIMISM

by Bob Brown. #07662 HB $34.95

INSIDE THE HAWKE KEATING GOVERNMENT

By Gareth Evans. #66421 Hb 408 pgs was $49.99 now $44.95

DIARY OF A FOREIGN MINISTER

By Bob Carr. #34175 HB Just $39.95

Our selection has progressed to cover Australian politicians – people who are put before us by the media on a daily basis. The books reveal their biographies, their claimed abilities, policies, along with commentaries on how their decisions have impacted on us.

It is acknowledged in the publishing field that books on the Left of politics sell better than those of the Right, hence the display is simply a natural selection.

STOP THE PRESSES

By Ben Hills. #31930 HB $36.95

THE STALKING OF JULIA GILLARD

By Kerry-Anne Walsh.

79227 Pb 304 pages $29.95

POWER CRISIS

By Rodney Cavalier. #38321 Pb JUST $29.95

MY STORY

By Julia Gillard. #83909 HB JUST $39.95

MURDOCH’S PIRATES

By Neil Chenoweth. #17419 Pb $32.95

MALCOLM FRASER The Political Memoirs. #58099 Pb JUST $14.95

HOCKEY Not Your Average Joe

By Madonna King. #50149 Pb $29.95

CAPITAL In the Twentieth Century

By Thomas Piketty. $47.95

HAWKE THE PRIME MINISTER

By Blanche D’Alpuget. #58518 HB 416 pages $12.95

AUSTRALIAN HISTORY IN 7 QUESTIONS

By John Hirst. #56703 Pb $24.95

FOR THE TRUE BELIEVERS Edited by Troy Bramston. #78310 HB 448 pages $65.00 JUST $59.95

PHILOSOPHY IN MINUTES

by Marcus Weeks. #66460 Pb $9.95

The Book Connection 178 Macquarie Street, Dubbo • (02) 6882 3311 • OPEN 7 DAYS

ARTS

It’s a small world after all Have you ever been on Facebook, or had a conversation after a show, where you find out a number of your friends, unknown to each other but connected to you, have all been to the same show? Our city may not be as large as metropolitan capitals but with a population in excess of 41,000 the odds of this occurrence are still relative.

In 1990 American playwright John Guare wrote a play called Six Degrees of Separation. You may be more familiar with the film version released in 1993 starring Donald Sutherland and Will Smith.

The premise of the play explores the idea that any two individuals are connected by at most five others, a concept originally put forward in 1929 by Hungarian author Frigyes Karinthy. Pre-Facebook and the Internet, and almost a century ago, this theory may have been dubious. These days not so much.

The theory of coincidences is equally interesting but since hard-core mathematics, probability, psychology, physics and the ‘blade of grass paradox’ are too lengthy to research and decipher, the Oxford dictionary definition of the word coincidence will suit: a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.

In relation to the staff and the DRTCC, and prompted by a couple of unlikely coincidences within my first month of working here, I have commenced investigations to see how many other quirks and connections I can find.

Scott McTiernan is a familiar face to many of our regular patrons and also to those who visit our venue for conferences, award ceremonies, school formals, trade fairs and generally anything that involves his calm manner and leadership skills as our Front-of-House/Functions Co-ordinator.

Drawn to gadgets from a young age, Scott liked playing with anything technical and would pull apart his father’s torch to get the batteries out for use in some other gadget or another. Scott’s father happened to be an usher at the Monarch Empire Theatre in Dubbo, now Scott manages a team of 15 ushers as part of his role as Front-ofHouse/Functions Co-ordinator, but is unable to borrow batteries from their torches for safety reasons.

More family members, and even pets, also oddly connect Scott with DRTCC and ushers. Scott’s cousin worked for Dubbo City Council, as Scott does now, as did the man she married... whose surname is Usher. And since rarity is subjective what are the chances, given all the dog breeders and all the cities and towns, of Scott choosing a dog from a litter of purebred German Shepherd pups and discovering it has a show name of Bossface Usher? These coincidences may not be mind-blowing but they’re notable and as I enquire about other staff and volunteers at the DRTCC it will be interesting to connect the dots and see if the “six degrees of separation” theory is pop culture myth or a fact of life.

Scott McTiernan

24

Close encounters of the heartthrob kind WORDS and PHOTOGRAPHY Cheryl Burke

J

oining throngs of screaming tweens is not normally my idea of fun, but recently I was swept up in the mild hysteria of almost 500 Reece Mastin fans who gathered en masse to see his show at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre (DRTCC). It was a sell-out performance, and although tickets didn’t sell quite at the record rate of the Peppa Pig show, given the fickleness of the music industry it is somewhat surprising he still has such a strong fan base after a lifetime of three long years. For those who have never followed the TV reality program The X Factor (myself included) the now almost 20-year-old Reece Mastin won the third series of the program in 2011.

Having been at the DRTCC for only nine months, I’m able to count on none of my fingers the numbers of purported heartthrobs we have had perform during this time. The urban dictionary defines heartthrob as: Heartthrob (n): One who is considered pleasing to the senses, often resulting in increased respiration, increased circulation to the face, and a noticeable “pounding” in the chest.

And it seems Reece Mastin’s gaptooth also works in his favour – Gap Tooth: A space between the two front teeth on the upper row of teeth in a male or females mouth. Having a gap is considered a sex symbol (like beauty marks) and attractive.

So when some extremely devoted fans arrived as early as mid-morning, and others an hour before we opened the doors to the venue, many sporting I love you Reece posters, I figured Reece Mastin was a fairly popular heartthrob. So popular that all 20 VIP packs, complete with a “meet and greet” after the show, and at a cost of $100, sold within 10 minutes of the merchandise stand opening.

I also figured I’m pretty lucky my daughter is now in her late teens and there was never a must-see, cannotmiss pop artist who toured here during her childhood. Although we did see the original Hi-5 perform at Apex Oval (now Dubbo Apex Club’s Caltex Park) and I vaguely recall being persuaded to purchase a souvenir t-shirt.

The cost is probably relative and Pester Power never goes out of style.

I have seen my fair share of concerts at venues like Allphones Arena, Sydney Entertainment Centre (now Qantas Credit Union Arena) and Wembley Arena and am disappointed to report my own experience as a screaming, dedicated placard wielding fan is limited. I wondered what I had missed out on as the DRTCC foyer filled with a demographic of Reece devotees ranging from seven-17 years (not including supervising parents) who took their seats in record time after the doors opened.

Joining the audience for support act The Kin I needn’t have been concerned their enthusiasm would wane or their voices would give out from

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

screaming. When it comes to pop idols, tweens and teens alike have plenty of stamina – just like the fans of Justin Bieber who camped out for 50 days (that’s correct 50 days!) so they could get a front-row spot at his Rio de Janeiro concert.

Reece Mastin’s popularity is not on that supernova scale, however the electric atmosphere prior to him coming on stage was reminiscent of many concerts I’ve been to. There’s something about the venue shaking boom-boom music louder- than-thespeakers-in-the-souped-up-V8-Commodore hooning along Macquarie Street that gets everyone excited for the performer’s appearance on stage.

The same can be said about proximity. In the instance of this concert, management for the artist allowed the first four rows of fans to vacate their seats to be closer to the stage and potentially touch the hand of Reece Mastin. Whether they ever wash those hands again is their business, but with cameras also allowed fans most certainly now have a stream of footage and photographs to remember their evening.

Without launching into a review of the performance, gauging by the audience’s screaming, cheering, mad

clapping and requests for Reece to take his shirt off, I’m confident a good time was had by all, myself included.

Slowly but surely I am adding to my list and experiencing the diversity of shows the DRTCC presents. From popular heartthrobs to Indie quirky pop-folk, to Opera, to plays, to comedy, to tribute artists, to children’s theatre, to excellent local drama we have it all in our own backyard.

My only slight regret to date was had I actually thought Reece Mastin would take his shirt off I may have stayed until the final encore.

•••

Calendar of Events ll October 10 – Goldilocks Rocks!

By A J Bailey ll October 11 – James Reyne – Acoustic Anthology Tour ll October 15 – Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase ll October 18 – Little DREAMers ll October 18 – DREAM Dance Challenge ll October 23 – Both Sides starring David Hobson and Rachael Beck ll October 24 – Reception: The Musical ll October 31 – Wayne Scott Kermond in Candy Man

COMMENT

Feminism is not a dirty word D

on’t roll your eyes, but this week it seems topical to write about that dirty F-word. Feminism. (You rolled your eyes, didn’t you?)

A recent topic in one of my university courses last week was gender equality, and I can’t believe how many people, especially women, scoffed, moaned and sighed when I told them what I was learning about. I had the phrase ‘I hate feminism’ spat at me several times – again, mainly by females.

I’ll admit I begrudgingly dragged myself to the lecture prepared to sit through 60 minutes of pure hell. To my surprise I came out informed, enthused and a little bit worked up. So why do we profess to hate feminism so much? How come it has become such touchy territory? After all, we all believe in equality, don’t we?

I won’t bang on about actress Emma Watson’s moving UN speech and I won’t turn all Germaine Greer on you, but there have been a couple of things in the media and in real life that have startled me over the past couple of weeks.

The other day, I made my way in the broad daylight through Central station in Sydney. Wearing a pair on heels, I clung to the handrail as I carefully stepped down a small flight of stairs.

Minding my own business and watching where I was going, a middle-aged man came racing toward me (as if running for a train), and grabbed the entire left cheek of my bottom as he went past. In a state of shock I turned and yelled out to see him flash a creepy grin as he ran.

I felt outraged. I felt small. I felt completely degraded. In a huff I told myself I should do something about it and dob on this predator but then I was alarmingly reminded that either nobody would care or more realistically, there was nothing they could do about it. I can’t imagine a middle-aged woman running past a young boy and grabbing his private parts. But today’s society seems to put up with this sort of degrading and disrespectful behaviour from men.

Recently, Big Bang Theory star, Mayim Bialik, slammed the popular Disney movie Frozen for being anti-feminist.

Commenting on both the desire and appearance of the female characters, Bialik said “They have ginormous eyes... teeny-tiny ski slope noses...Barbie doll proportions of their bodies in general: tiny waists, ample busts and huge heads. They look like dolls”. She then compared this description to the animated males who simply look like cartoon versions of human men.

I can see where Bialik is coming from here. From a young age, the desire to find Mr Right and to look picture perfect is injected into our minds, and I’m not just talking about girls. Males too are led to believe this is what women want and what women should look like. So then, when a strong, opinionated, curvy female steps into the public eye and expresses her beliefs, everyone goes into meltdown because she does not fit the “ideal”.

Still on Disney, an Instagram account made the news last week titled DILFs of Disneyland. (If you don’t know what DILF stands for, Google it.) Pretty

Comment by Lydia Pedrana Dubbo born and bred Lydia Pedrana is chasing her dream of a career in the media.

much, the perpetrators of the account post photos of “hot dads” who are visiting Disneyland. Just a little bit of fun?

Sure – but imagine the fuss that would be made over a Hot Mums at Disneyland account. Ladies, would we not feel disgusted at the degrading nature of this account and spit the word sexist like it was going out of fashion?

My point is that we need to be fair with this whole gender equality thing and if little things like an Instagram account are acceptable, where do we draw the line?

In the same vein, the Royal and ancient Golf Club at St Andrews in Scotland recently voted to become a mixed membership club for the first time in 260 years. Yes, that’s right, until now only MEN could become members.

There are two approaches to this news.

One, how the hell have they got away with this kind of gender discrimination for so long? And two, there are all-female gyms and other gender specific clubs so why was it such a big deal to have a men-only golf club? To take the first angle, obviously this is a positive step for the support of women’s sport and will hopefully lead other gender specific clubs to revise their rules. Despite the fact that women have always been able to use the golf course, it does baffle me that such a prestigious organisation took so long to ‘allow’ women to be members – like it is some sort of honour or privilege or something? Pfft.

But back to sexualisation and 21-yearold serial burglar, Stephanie Boudoin, has been deemed the Worlds Sexiest Criminal. Despite being charged with 114 counts of burglary, this woman has made national news based on the way she looks. Call me grouchy but this girl is breaking the law and she is given a positive connotation based on the way she looks? Had it been an ugly, battered old man doing these crimes I’ll bet it would be a different story.

Sexism and gender inequality is so deeply ingrained within our culture we often don’t even realise it. I guess what’s positive is that we’re all talking about it.

I challenge you to take note of the little things that happen in your everyday life – your thoughts, your observations and your conscience. Do you sigh at the word feminism? Are you stuck in a world where the men must be strong and women are soft and submissive? Or, are you an inner feminist where it’s okay to be a stay at home dad and have mum as the main breadwinner?

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

25

LITERATURE

Cassie Hamer’s poignant tale of a lonely soul ticking off the hours as life’s clock winds down is this week’s selection from the finalists in the 2014 Cowley Literary Award’s fiction category. We hope it moves you, as it did the judges.

A

Disconnected cup of tea. Oh, yes! A lovely cup of tea would set her to rights. Stop her mooning like a love-struck

teen.

But her hand wouldn’t stop clutching the telephone receiver. The dial tone had long since been replaced by the long, flat, beeps that spoke of failure. Of no one there, at the other end of the line.

But a cup of tea. Yes, yes. That would do nicely. And a generous wedge of the fruit cake, knobbly and dark as a forest floor, but all encased in that glorious sheet of thick, white icing. She’d eaten half of the ‘A’ in Jean. The ‘good-bye’ had been gobbled up at the farewell morning tea.

‘Closest you’ll ever get to your own wedding cake, eh Jeanie!’

Why did the little comments always hurt the most? Like paper cuts they were – the hurt far outweighed the wound.

But Jean had made her bed, many years ago; there was no point tossing and turning in it.

She put the receiver back in its cradle, and filled the kettle. The gas took off with a whoosh and settled into its comforting hiss.

Jean sat at the kitchen table with her hands clasped, watching the clock on the mantelpiece. Its face, facing her face.

A few seconds to the top of the hour.

At the third stroke it’ll be ten o’clock, she murmured to herself.

The tick on the new clock was very loud. Quite a clever farewell gift, really.

So you’ll always have something

to read, said the card. Written by Mr Timms most likely. Was it really 17,000 times that she’d made his morning cup of tea? On her last day, she’d tallied it up, for a lark. 31 years multiplied by 250 days a year – making tea and reading out the time. Most girls only lasted a few months. A year at most. The flashing light did them in. Dizzying – to have to watch it so closely. Mr Timms always had smelling salts at the ready. But not for Jean. Never for her. She could read, and read until the cows came home. The thrill of it! People ringing her! People listening to her! Relying on her to tell them the exact time, to the second!

What was that new-fangled machine called? The one that had taken all their jobs and an entire room at Telecom?

A computer. Ah, yes. The computer.

Just boxes and boxes of metal and whirring cogs.

A flash in the pan, they’d all scoffed.

They’ll come on bended knee in a week, begging you to come back. You can’t replace people with a machine!

But the only time the phone rang was

when mother telephoned to tell her that lamb chops were on special at Mr Woolnough’s. Never mind that Mr Woolnough had been dead ten years. She must speak with the nursing home. Mother was now quite demented. A plan was required.

Yes, a plan to keep her safe. Stop her wandering the streets.

She took her to-do list from next to the phone.

Make plan for mother.

Who would do this for her, when she was old and alone?

It certainly wouldn’t be George, as she now called him.

Oh, how she wished she could call him!

‘At the third stroke, it’ll be ten-eighteen and twenty seconds. Beep. Beep.

Beep.’

He didn’t sound like a robot. He sounded like a man. A man with a lovely, plummy voice. Rich and sonorous.

For that first phone call, she’d stayed on the line for half an hour, hearing him recite the time every ten seconds. And she’d rung him every day since. Usual-

“ Jean sat at the kitchen table with her hands clasped, watching the clock on the mantelpiece. Its face, facing her face. A few seconds to the top of the hour. ”

ly around morning tea time, after she’d complete all the items on her to-do list, and the day yawned before her with worrying emptiness.

Some days, his was the only other human voice she heard.

The kettle was whistling.

Jean snapped out of her reverie and busied about making the tea.

10am – that would mean the news.

The news, ah yes. Must become informed. Must keep one’s mind active in retirement.

She tuned the wireless to the ABC. I say to you that the Government is pledged to make war upon Communism.

The voice was familiar. Posh but a little bit thin – not like her George.

Mr Menzies. Yes. Mr Menzies owned that thin voice. But he sounded angry.

Furious, in fact. She pictured him. Satiny white hair, and bushy, black eyebrows twitching like pained caterpillars.

Communism is debased, treasonable, utterly undemocratic; in form a subversive conspiracy; in practice opposed to high standards of living and real prosperity; destructive, if it succeeds, of all human freedom.

She shivered and switched off the radio.

Silence reached into every corner of the room, eerie as the quiet after a gunshot. The clock sounded like a bomb about to detonate.

Jean picked up the phone and started dialling.

Register at eventful.co m or check o ur facebook page!

Sunday, November 9, 2014 Ollie Robbins Oval • Bligh St Registrations now open • All age event

26

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

Dubbo’s colour Newspapers are proud to support this event

ADVERTORIAL

THE Write STUFF

From the bookshelves

For established and emerging local writers The Write Stuff is dedicated to helping both established and emerging local writers and poets explore and develop their literary art.

Each week, Val Clark offers tidbits of interest and assistance based on her experiences as a consumer, blogger, teacher and practitioner of the wonderfully rewarding craft of writing.

by Dave Pankhurst The Book Connection, Dubbo

Underestimate readers at your peril

I

t’s not often I’m negative about a book. I have been known to put a book down in despair but generally I work hard to find its redeeming features.

I picked up a book earlier in the week; the Sunday Mirror claimed this author (let’s call him/her AZ) has no equal. Couldn’t go wrong then, could I? I lost count of the number of times I put the book down.

Not because I had something better to do but because I would rather be doing the dishes than reading this book. Why persevere? Okay, I admit there was a perverse part of me that wanted to see just how bad the writing would get, but there are lessons to be learned working out what bugged me.

• Give this author credit, the first seven pages grabbed my attention.

Right from the first paragraph the female protagonist and Point of View (POV) character was in danger; after that the tension dropped for the next 400 pages. I agree with Sarah Stillman who said: “People need a character to care about. And without that, you’re just not going to get very far. They don’t really care about issues so much as they care about the stories and the characters that bring those issues to life.” From page seven there was nobody to care about.

• The dialogue was wooden. In an effort to keep the book anonymous I won’t quote dialogue but rather give an idea of how the dialogue went.

“Excuse me, is that person who has just left that building the Chief of Police?”

• Over use of “s/he asked”, “s/he enquired” and “s/he replied” in sections of dialogue where only two people are speaking. It stands to reason that if there is a question mark after a sentence then it’s a question and doesn’t need “s/he asked or enquired”. If the second person replies to the question AZ didn’t need to write “s/he answered”.

• Too many adverbs that “tell” the story rather than “show” it. “Said insistently” could be improved with a dialogue action tag and some internalisation like: “Without losing eye contact she rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward; now was not the time to beat around the bush.

“I need to know…”” I love dialogue action tags, they allow the writer to double dip – to “show” the emotion behind the words.

• While we’re on dialogue, and yes this bugged me too, if a character is thinking something it’s called internal dialogue. It doesn’t need speech marks or “s/he thought”; italics will indicate that to the reader. Even more

worthy of a good teeth grinding is “she said to herself”, when “she” is the only character in the scene.

• This book was also narrated partially from the point of view of the first character, then quickly diverts to an omniscient narrator who sees into everyone’s minds and then back to the POV character.

• Throughout the book I was frustrated by too much “telling” and not enough “showing”; too much description and information dumping that didn’t add to the forward motion of the story.

I felt let down.

Am I being over picky? Writers with a fan base, like AZ, have a responsibility to respect their readers.

We give them a little bit of our life.

New writers should keep American film maker, Ira Sachs’, words in mind: “Storytelling is absolutely a collaborative art form between the artist and the audience—the only stories that don’t allow for the audience’s participation are those that deeply insult and underestimate the audience’s intelligence.”

Food for thought when you’re reading or writing.

What’s on in Dubbo for writers: • Saturday October 4: The Outback Writers’ Centre discussion meeting from 10am-1pm in the Conference room of the Dubbo branch of the Macquarie Libraries. Members give readings of their poetry and prose, fiction and non-fiction, discuss their work, share their interests in writing, receive encouragement and engage in a mini writing skills workshop; 300 word Challenge is Contemplation/Families. Contact outbackwriters@gmail.com or call Val on 0414 268 037. Visitors welcome.

• ABC Open 500 Words for September is “I broke it” submit online through ABC website. Closes October 15.

• Feature length film script writing workshop: Secrets, Lies and Filmmaking. An intensive two and a half day seminar/workshop presented by Billy Marshall Stoneking. Introduces participants to the tools, concepts and processes of dramatic screen storytelling—any sort of storytelling really. Friday, October 24 – 6pm-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, October 2526 from 9am-5pm. Western College, White St, Dubbo. $100 for members $150 for non-members. Book online by following the links to Sticky Tickets on the Outback Writers’ Centre website: www.outbackwriters. weebly.com Enquiries to outbackwriters@gmail.com

Val Clark has published short stories, articles and poems in national and international magazines and anthologies, placed and won in writing competitions and written and directed plays for adults and students. She is passionate about creativity and encouraging new and emerging writers. Val regularly runs creative writing workshops for adults, teenagers and children.

The price of if civilization civilisation

S

TATISTICS released recently included the fact that at any one time 1.1 million Australian residents were overseas. That represents nearly 1 in 20 people who are not at home minding the shop. However those that go repeat the human drive to experience new fields and bookstores are often visited as a source of referral material.

Late last year one of our customers and his son rode their motorbikes from Greece to the east across Asia until they arrived in Vladivostok. That venture falls into the ‘remarkable’ category, given that some of the regions would not be risk-free, and the landscape would vary from plateaus and mountainous, to deserts and even some good farming country.

They were travelling in the same direction as Marco Polo in the Penguin Classic “Travels of Marco Polo” records.

These are examples of the inherent characteristic of humans to seek adventure.

Tim Cope wrote “On the Trail of Genghis Khan” in which he records his horse ride across the entire length of the steppes from Mongolia, across Kazakhstan to Hungary. This generally followed the route of Genghis Khan and in the process he learned of the histories and traditions of the people.

This year we received “A History of the World in Twelve Maps” by Jerry Brotton in which he examines maps ranging from the mystical representations of ancient civilisations and the medieval maps, to the satellite imagery of today. Brotton argues that what we see depends on where and when we are looking at the subject. When we study a map it helps us better understand the area sought – expand this to cover a wider area and it can be quite a challenge, but fascinating.

Brotton refers to “The Geography” by Claudius Ptolemy (90-168 AD). Ptolemy also wrote about the geocentric astronomical system that held sway in Europe until the 16th century. “Geography” shows several ancient maps and hundreds of locations in Asia, Africa and Europe, tabulated according to latitude and longitude.

Ptolemy is also referred to in Simon Garfield’s “On the Map” in which some of the oldest recorded maps are shown and discussed, through to Google maps and beyond. Early maps of France and the Low Countries and another on California show how early cartographers drew what they knew and added what they believed to be reality.

1788 is generally accepted as being the year of first European settlement in Australia. “The Lost White Tribes of Australia” records the first white settlements that occurred as early as 1629.

The “Batavia” was shipwrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands off the west coast of Australia and subsequently a massacre occurred. Two of the survivors went to the mainland.

In 1656 the western reefs claimed another victim, the vessel “Vergulde Draeck” and the survivors travelled inland in search of food. In 1712 the “Zuytdorp” ran aground at Kalbarri in West-

ern Australia, and evidence shows that 75 people made it to shore and have left evidence that they formed a settlement.

They survived almost 200 years reaching a population of about 300. Travelling can be risky.

Not all road travel is leisurely undertaken. Graeme Sedgwick has written about his venture in “African Safari” when he travelled through Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. It relates the experiences of the nine-day trek through villages, rough terrain and over risky bridges. But the scenery is wonderful, particularly as they traverse the Rift Valley.

Sometimes we just don’t have time to get away and a book such as “Molvania” is close to the next best thing. Written by Santo Cilauro and his mates it provides the usual guidance for travellers. It indicates that the country is the largest producer of beetroot, and its industrial might is based on the automobile production of the “Stumptka” car with its distinctively stylish plywood interior trim. The architecture was substantially influenced by the Soviets who built hundreds of standard-format, poured-concrete accommodations. The important halfday tours take in these features and if you wish to take a full-day tour, it includes more of the same. (Pure fiction.)

The Blay family had already driven around Australia and so wondered “how about we drive around the world?” As a result they wrote “Drive Around the World”. In one year, they left Darwin, and from Singapore drove north to Vietnam. They transported to Los Angeles, drove north to Seattle, then to Saskatchewan, then to Nova Scotia. Then they shipped to France, across to Croatia, then Turkey, on to Delhi and Thailand and then back to Singapore. What a trip!

The Lost White Tribes of Australia records the first white settlements that occurred as early as 1629...  “Morocco – Flying High” by Antonio Attini deals with a destination of growing interest. As a country that grows major supplies of vegetables for the UK market, it is also a destination to view desert villages as well as experience luxury accommodations in the cities. It has an interesting history that is noted in the text.

In the last 20 years, the Brisbanebased Hema Maps has risen to prominence in its mapping range for travelling Australia. When one tests the cartography shown against the remote areas, it becomes a priority reference. And even with the GPS systems in today’s vehicles, some of our most urgent sales are to people with no knowledge of country driving who have been led up the proverbial path by the gadget and who came in saying, “I want a good atlas.”

Enjoy your browsing, Dave Pankhurst

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

27

PEOPLE

WEEKENDER DIARY hear ll Bring Jason home appeal X-Factor finalist Jason Owen will lend his support to the Bring Jason Home Appeal with a concert at Dubbo RSL Club from 2pm on Sunday, October 12.

The afternoon is a fundraiser for Jason Kidman, a 36-year-old father of two who is facing life as a paraplegic. All monies raised on the day will go towards supporting him. There will also be special performances by Kosmic Country and Reggie plus a mini-auction, raffle and lucky door priz-

es. Visit https://www.facebook.com/bringjasonhomeappeal for more information. ll Carol Macrae’s disco fundraiser Relive the glory days of disco and support a local lady at the same time by attending Carol Macrae’s breast cancer disco fundraiser at the Caltex Park (Apex Oval) function centre on October 11.

There will be an auction, snacks and prizes and the fun begins at 7pm. For more information, call Nicole on 0400 377 893.

see ll Goldilocks Rocks!

In case you didn’t know, Goldilocks Rocks! The Australian touring company that brought Cinderella at the Disco to Dubbo Regional Theatre is back again to present this show by AJ Bailey.

Produced in support of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation —Keeping Kids Safe, highlighted throughout the show are key messages in place to educate children regarding their personal safety.

A great show for children aged 4-10, Goldilocks Rocks! Will be performed at 10am on Friday, Oc-

Talking to...

Jenny Roberts Jenny Roberts keeps her days extra busy as a project officer for Alzheimer’s Australia. She’s a fan of Pink Floyd, Sex and the City and draws inspiration from her Grandmother. AS TOLD TO Alexandria Kelly PHOTOGRAPHY Hayley Ferris On my bedside table at the moment is... the TV remote Life has taught me that when it comes to the opposite sex... they always see the lighter side to life.

My top five albums of all time are... Pink Floyd, Wish you were here. Dolly Parton, Essential collection. Prince, Hits 1 & 2. Salt n Pepper, Best of Album. Metallica, Metallica If I had to name my five best loved movies they would be... The Help (book is better), Green Mile, Sex and the City, Good Will Hunting and Steel Magnolias I draw inspiration from...

what my Grandmother had achieved in her life.

I believe... what goes around, comes around I don’t believe... in coincidences The one thing that will always make me cry is... the ANZAC Day Service I always laugh when... my son gets tongue tied I’ll never forget... never say never.

What I know now that I wish I’d known sooner is... my family history I never thought I’d... be on the front cover of the Photo News.

tober 10. ll Rose and Flower Show The 30th annual rose and flower show will be hosted by the Dubbo Garden Club at Brennan’s Mitre 10 on October 11 and 12. Open to all home gardeners, the show will feature sections for rose growers from across the region. There will be trophies awarded to champion exhibits, the most attractive and most successful entries. Awards will be presented at 2pm on Saturday. For more information, contact the secretary on 6885 6038.

do ll Take a break for Carers If you are a carer, chances are you need a break from your role at some stage. During Carers Week, October 12-18, Catholic Community Services is offering support for carers and/or families who care for a child or young person living with autism or Asperger’s. The support day will be held from 10am to 12noon on Monday, October 13, at the Respite Cottage at 80 Cobbora Rd. Cath Brennan will be doing a yoga presentation and Isabell McCauley will be doing massage. To RSVP, contact Debbie on 0409 762 136.

ll DREAM Festival Dubbo’s annual DREAM Festival kicks off in earnest on October 13, promising a month of exciting events starting with a Little Dreamers dance show and DREAM Dance Challenge on Saturday, October 18. There will also be dance workshops the following day, October 19 and a lantern parade, twilight markets the One 7 Eight Illuminate Cube Bar on October 25. A theatre presentation Reception: the Musical will be held on October 24. Visit the website at dreamfest. com.au for further details.

etc ll Gala Dinner and Charity Auction Ken and Elaine Russell, along with Dubbo RSL Club, will host the annual Multiple Sclerosis gala dinner and charity auction from 6.30pm on Saturday, October 25. Guest speaker will be Dr Anna Zinger, while compere for the night will be Geoff Mann, and auctioneer Samuel Shooter.

RSVP by October 10. Tickets available at Dubbo RSL, Bank of Queensland or Ken and Elaine,

0412 531 712. ll Embroidery Exhibition The Embroiderers’ Guild NSW Dubbo Group presents an exhibition of work to be held at the Expo Centre, Dubbo Showground, from 10am to 4pm on October 11 and 12. See a range of their finest creations and enjoy Devonshire Tea as part of the entry fee.

DUBBOREGIONAL REGIONAL DUBBO

& & CONVENTION CENTRE

THEATRE THEATRE CONVENTION CENTRE Book early - don’t miss out drtcc.com.au or 6801 4378

PReSenTeD By JAlly enTeRTAinMenT

PReSenTeD By The hARBOUR AGenCy

PReSenTeD

By SyDney COMeDy FeSTivAl

> Friday 10 October, 10.00am

> Saturday 11 October, 8.00pm

> Wednesday 15 October, 7.30pm

GOlDilOCkS ROCkS! By A J BAiley

From the touring company that brought you Cinderella at the Disco, this children’s production is an educational, interactive and fun show for the children about the topics of bullying and respect.

Meet the cast at Story Time at the Library on Thursday 9 October at 4.30pm with a chance to win free tickets!

JAMeS Reyne – ACOUSTiC AnThOlOGy TOUR

The tour is supporting the release of the James Reyne Anthology double album and celebrating a solo career spanning over 20 years. These intimate performances will cover a range of songs from ‘then’ to ‘now’ in a rare stripped back format.

SyDney COMeDy FeSTivAl

The funniest and freshest acts of Sydney’s biggest annual comedy event are hand-picked and squeezed into one hilarious night of world-class comedy. With a cavalcade of comedians that will tickle everyone’s funny bone, this is the best value ticket in town, so don’t miss out!

Box office hours Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm and 1 hour prior to the show | DRTCC offers quality entertainment!

28

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

BUY TICKETS AND JOIN THE E-MAIL LIST DRTCC.COM.AU Bar open before and during interval for most shows 155 Darling Street, Dubbo A facility of Dubbo City Council

GETTING SOCIAL Metal Roadshow Evening

By AMY ARMSTRONG Staff and friends of Western Plains Automotive celebrated the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz Precious Metal Roadshow which gives local motoring enthusiasts the opportunity to check out the new range of Mercedes-Benz models. The staff and customers enjoyed a formal evening as an official opening to the roadshow on Friday, September 26.

Oscar Koch and Rodney Cox Debbie Bartlett, Donna Astley and Wendy Cafe

Tas Touvras, Jane Russ and Ken McAnally

Li-Jen Wong, Raisa and Adam Carter and Oscar Koch Sue and Bob Gown with Judy Nestor

ICE V R E S Y A D SAME rds

Ca Business Photos & s r e t s o Large P esign D c i h p a r Flyers • G minating a L • g n i d Bin ooks Invoice B… and much more

OUR FULL COL at! p Colour Co

DUBBO MACQUARIE STREET PH. 6881 8600

SeSSionS for thurSDay october 2 - WeDneSDay october 8

RIVERDALE SHOPPING CENTRE ANNABELLE (MA15+) ID Req. DRACULA UNTOLD (CTC) daily: 3:00 5:00 7:00 9:00

GONE GIRL (MA15+) ID Req. daily: 11:45 2:45 5:45 8:40

PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE (G) daily: 10:20* 12:20*

STEP UP ALL IN (PG) daily: 4:20*

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (M)

daily: 10:30 12:40 3:50 TM & © ‘07 FOX

THE EQUALIZER (MA15+) ID Req. SESSIONS FOR THU JULY 26 - AUGUST 01 daily: 3:30 6:15 8:50

FULLY REFURBISHED NOW OPEN

KNOCKED UP (MA 15+) THU - SAT TUE WED: 1.00 3.30 6.30 9.00 SUN MON: 1.00 3.30 6.30 BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA (PG) ID is required for every DAILY: 10.30 4.30 ticket purchase for MA15+ SHREK THE THIRD (PG) and R18+ films and will be NO FREE TIX (PG) 15+ DAILY: 10.30 12.30 2.30 6.30 MA into the Tchecked HU - SAT upon TUE Wentry ED: 10.30 12.30 2.30 TRANSFORMERS (M) cinema.

4.30 6.30 8.30 caption available . nFt = no Free tickets (GiFt vouchers and cinemoney are not considered Free tickets) THU - SAT TUE WED*closed : 11.00 2.00 5.00 SUN MON: 10.30 12.30 2.30 4.30 6.30 8.00 HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE SUN MON: 11.00 2.00 5.00 PHOENIX (M) NO FREE TIX THU - SAT TUE WED: 10.30 1.30 4.30 HEARING HELP DISABLED AVAILABLE ACCESS 7.30 8.30 SUN MON: 10.30 1.30 4.30 THE MAZE RUNNER (M)

daily: 11:00 1:20 6:15 *cryinG room available

.au

sec.com

ub www.d

A CHANGE HAS ARRIVED

daily: 2:15* 6:40* 9:00*

THE BOXTROLLS (PG)

Shop

Dubbo arie Street 270 Macqu s & RTA) oy B le ag E (between 4 5577 p: 02 688

riverDale ShoPPing centre

daily: 11:00 1:20 8:50

th We can do retariat Dubbo Sec y

Dubbo Macquarie Street Ph: 6881 8600

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian

RestRicted

READINGCINEMAS.COM.AU

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014 29 DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 00.00.2014

1

PUZZLES & PLAY FIND THE WORDS

WEEKENDER CROSSWORD

FILL THE WORDS

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 16 letters left over.

They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Rising water

alert assistance aware boats caravans catchments creek crew damage deluge

downpour float furniture gutter homes labour lagoon lakes landslip levels

lull silt measure sludge observe stormwater overflow stream plant swim rain tides relief weather reports rivers sandbags © australianwordgames.com.au 823 n Solution at bottom

WEEKENDER SUDOKU To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: • Each of the nine vertical columns • Each of the nine horizontal rows • Each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes Remember no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS 1.Craft 4.Singing voice 8.Land division 12.Bogey beater 13.Nobleman 14.Foot covering 15.Couple 16.Poisonous mushroom 18.Take a hike 20.Volume measures 21.Movie stars 23.Savior 24.Trims 25.Chew one’s ____ (meditate) 26.Fail to keep up 29.Zip 30.Saloon 31.Umpire’s call 32.Hen output 33.Not skinny 34.Flower feature

35.Contained 37.Circus performers 38.Dwelling 40.Memento 41.Butter substitute 43.Males 46.Differently 47.Selects 48.Provoke 49.Urgent want 50.Finest 51.Force open DOWN 1.Befitting 2.Crude 3.Harness racer 4.Sacrificial tables 5.Weaving machines 6.Mouse catcher 7.Offbeat 8.Daisy’s kin 9.Cookie flavour 10.Chess piece 11.Snakelike fishes

ARIES



Mar 21-apr 19 An upcoming trip could create some problems with your schedule unless you tie up as many loose ends as possible before you head out the door.

Ask a friend or colleague to help you.



apr 20-May 20 Being eager to start a new project is fine. However, moving ahead without knowing what actually will be expected of you could cause a problem down the line. Ask some questions.

GEMINI

10 QUESTIONS 1 What do the initials NRMA stand for?

2 What sort of creatures are blennies?

3 Junie Morosi became well known as the employee of which politician?

4 Who wrote the book “Sex and the City”?

5 What was the model name of the Holden released in 1960?

6 To what does the rhyming slang “dog and bone” refer?

7 Whose debut album was called “Polyserena”?

8 Which US president vis-

30

0086 n Solution next week

n Solution next week

THE STARS

TAURUS

Sudoku 5_0078 n Solution next week

17.Moved quickly 19.Lasso cord 21.Teenage problem 22.Plug up 23.Center of activity 25.Use scissors on 27.Distantly 28.Congeals 30.Cushion 31.Large truck 33.Dog’s woe 34.Most colourless 36.Nosed (out) 37.Collapsible shelters 38.Hymn ender 39.Unit of hay 40.Fully developed 42.Filch 44.Get it wrong 45.Stars’ site 726 © Lovatts Puzzles

Place all the words listed into the grid. Each word can be used once only. The first word has been filled in.

Passe Torso 5 LETTERS Edges Ashes Epees Pried Unite Reefs Vying Aside Erred Aster Faded Renal Bluff Fleas Score 7 LETTERS Genie Scorn Brays Dawdles Drive Horse Sheds Imagery Siege Dwell Ideas Teasers Eagle Ledge Small Viewers Easel Levee Snows



May 21-Jun 20 Getting through some recent challenges in good shape might give you a false sense of security.

Don’t relax your guard.

You need to be prepared

for what else could happen.



help you avoid a possible problem later on.

when you most need it.

Jun 21-Jul 22 Caution is still advised, even though you think you’re as prepared as you need to be. Keep in mind that change is in your aspect, and you should expect the unexpected.

LIBRA

Sep 23-Oct 22 Getting good legal advice on what your rights actually are is the first step toward resolving that pesky problem so that it doesn’t re-emerge at a later date.

Good luck.



Dec 22-Jan 19 Change is an important factor in your aspect this week and could affect something you might have thought was immune to any sort of adjustment or “alteration.”

LEO

SCORPIO



CANCER

 

Jul 23-aug 22 The Lion’s gift of persuasion helps you get your points across, even to some of your most negative naysayers. An old friend might seek you out for some advice.

Oct 23-nOv 21 Long-time relationships work well this week, whether they’re personal or professional. It’s also a good time to invite new friends and colleagues into your life.

VIRGO

SAGITTARIUS



aug 23-Sep 22 Being sure of your convictions is fine. But leave some room for dissenting opinions. You might learn something that could



nOv 22-Dec 21 This is a good week to do the research that will help you uncover those irrefutable facts that can back you up on your new venture

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS



Jan 20-Feb 18 Being asked to share someone’s deeply personal confidence might be flattering, but accepting could be unwise. Decline gracefully but firmly.

PISCES



Feb 19-Mar 20 As wise as you are, you could still be misled by someone who seems to be sincere but might not be.

Take more time to assess the situation before making any commitments.

BORN THIS WEEK: You like to face challenges that others might try to avoid, and by so doing, you set an example of courage for all.

These interpretations are based on the aspects and positions of the planets in relation to each sun-sign. They indicate the general mood and issues of the day as you experience them. Be creative in applying your forecast to the actual circumstances of your life.

THE ANSWERS & SOLUTIONS Last week’s Sudoku 4_0078

Last week’s Crossword 725

ited Australia in 1966?

9 What are the two largest birds in Australia in terms of height?

10 What is a prologue? tq234 n Solution at right

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

Last week’s Fill-in 0085

10 answers for 10 QUESTIONS 235 1 National Roads and Motorists’ Association, 2 tropical fish, 3 Jim Cairns, 4 Candace Bushnell, 5 the FB, 6 telephone, 7 George’s, 8 Lyndon Baines Johnson, 9 emu and cassowary, 10 an introductory speech.

This week’s Find the Words 823 And little warning

Open Weekender Coffee & meals CAFE DE LISSIO

• Open Saturday & Sunday from 7am • Great coffee • Modern cafe menu • Dine in or take away Shop 16 Orana Mall Marketplace, 6884 0404

MAgnOLIA CAFE

• Warm up and enjoy a steaming hot drink with; Breakfast, lunch, morning or afternoon tea • Delicious variety of gluten free options • Relaxing, Friendly atmosphere • Open 7 days 9-4 • Take away available 73 Wheelers Lane, 6884 5997

OLD BAnk REStAuRAnt

• Open Saturday 12 til late • Good food • Good music • Good times • $12 lunch specials 232 Macquarie Street, 6884 7728

tED’S tAkEAWAy

• Open Saturday and Sunday 8.30am8pm • The big value in takeaway food.

• Great weekly specials.

26 Victoria St, 6882 7899

VILLAgE BAkERy CAFE

• Open Saturday and Sunday 6am to 5.30pm.

• Gourmet pies • Mouth-watering cakes • Delicious pastries • Gourmet French garden salad baguettes and salads.

• Perfect breakfast and brunch • Morning tea • Lunch • Afternoon tea 113 Darling Street (adjacent to the railway crossing) 6884 5454

Clubs & Pubs

PAStORAL HOtEL

• Open Saturday 10am to 4am, Sunday 10am to 9pm.

• Restaurant open for lunch and dinner.

• All desserts home made.

• Open Saturday and Sunday for balcony breakfast’s from 8am - 11.30am • Serving Bill’s Beans Coffee 110 talbragar St, 6882 4219

DuBBO RSL CLuB RESORt

• Open Saturday 8am to 1am Sunday 8am to 10pm.

• Quality entertainment, blackboard specials in the bistro.

Cnr Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, 6882 4411

CLuB DuBBO

• Open Saturday and Sunday from 9am.

• Riverview Bistro 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm.

• Relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Whylandra St, 6884 2396

AMAROO

• Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am • Bistro specials everyday for lunch and dinner • Night club 81 Macquarie St, 6882 3533

tHE SWISH gALLERy

• Open Saturday 9am to 12pm.

• Distinctive jewellery, creative contemporary decor for your home and stylish gifts.

29 talbragar St, 6882 9528

HARVEy nORMAn

• Huge range of TVs, computers, laptops, cameras, kitchen appliances, iPods, home theatre, furniture, manchester and mattresses • Saturday 9am – 4pm • Sunday 10am – 4pm 223 Cobra St, 6826 8800

BREnnAn’S MItRE 10

Gyms

• For all your DIY projects, hardware, tools and garden products • See us in store for great specials • Saturday 8am-4pm • Sunday 9am-4pm 64-70 Macquarie Street, 6882 6133

RSL AQuAtIC & HEALtH CLuB

ORAnA MALL SHOPPIng CEntRE

• Open Saturday 7.30am-5pm • Open Sunday 8.30am-3pm • Gym • Indoor pool • Sauna • Steam room • Squash courts Cnr Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, 6884 1777

weekend shoPPinG

MAgnOLIA nuRSERy

DuBBO AntIQuE & COLLECtABLES

• Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 3pm • Antique furniture, china, cast iron, old tools and collectables.

4 Depot Road, 6885 4400

tHE BOOk COnnECtIOn

• Open Saturday 8.30am to 4pm.

• Sunday 10am to 2pm.

• New and used books • Over 60,000 books in store.

178 Macquarie St, 6882 3311

QuInn’S MyALL St nEWSAgEnCy

• 52 Specialty Stores, Big W, Woolworths and Bernardi’s SUPA IGA. • Easy Parking, now also with approx.

160 undercover.

• Food Court • Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm • Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm • www.oranamall.com.au Cnr Mitchell Highway & Wheelers Lane, 6882 7766

• Open Sunday, 9am til 4pm • Quality plants • Garden decor • Giftware 73 Wheelers Lane, 6882 2580

DuBBO gROVE PHARMACy

• Open Saturday 9am til 12 noon • Giftware • Jewellery • Homewares 59A Boundary Road, 6882 3723

• Saturday and Sunday from 5am- 1pm.

• Newspapers, magazines, stationery supplies.

272 Myall St, 6882 0688

tHE AtHLEtES FOOt

• Open Saturday 9am til 2pm • Everything you need for the perfect fit for your foot 176 Macquarie Street, 6881 8400

GroCeries CARLO’S IgA SOutH DuBBO

• Saturday 7am-8pm • Sunday 8am-8am • Weekly specials, friendly service, delicatessen, fruit and vegetables, grocery items 95 tamworth St, 6882 2029

DMC MEAt AnD SEAFOOD

• Open Saturday 6am to 3pm • Huge variety, bulk buys and red hot specials weekly.

55 Wheelers Lane, 6882 1504

IgA WESt DuBBO

• Open Saturday and Sunday 7.30am to 6pm.

• Great weekly specials and friendly service.

38-40 Victoria Street, 6882 3466

Good thinGs to do WEStERn PLAInS CuLtuRAL CEntRE

• One of the largest galleries and museums in NSW • An ever-changing array of exhibitions and events including top national exhibitions.

76 Wingewarra Street, 6801 4444

OLD DuBBO gAOL

• Open Saturday and Sunday 9-5pm • Large display of animatronics and holographs providing a realistic insight into a bygone era of prison life.

90 Macquarie Street, near the old clock tower, 6801 4460

tAROngA WEStERn PLAInS ZOO

• Open Saturday and Sunday 9-4pm.

• The zoo’s encounters and shows offer visitors truly special experiences with their favourite animals.

Obley Road, off the Newell Hwy, 6881 1400

tRIkE ADVEntuRES

•Book a ride Saturday or Sunday • Available for town tours, special occassions, outback pub lunches or just blasting along with the wind in your face 1300 tRIkES (1300 87 45 37)

to have your business featured, Call 6885 4433 DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 04.10.2014

31

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2009 Ford FalCon Xr6

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2008 miTSuBiSHi 380 $14,990 SerieS 3 gTl bL17Ab

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2010 Ford FalCon g6e $14,990

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2008 mazda 3 neo SPorT

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$10,990

$19,990

$21,990

$26,990

•Tonneau Cover CGQ57L

2009 niSSan XTrail ST 4Wd Wagon

• Travelled Only 36,132Kms BZR32B

CA97Ef 2010 Holden CaPTiVa SX Wagon

$22,990

bJ88MJ 2007 niSSan naVara STX 4Wd dualCaB

$28,990

• 6 Speed • Cruise Control • Towbar • Cargo Barrier • Log Books BD02RQ

• Log Books BD72WV

$31,990

• Turbo Diesel •7 Seater • Sunroof • Automatic • Alloy Wheels • Log Books BNT32T

• 2.5 Turbo Diesel • Lpg • 6 Speed •Towbar • Tint • Cruise Control • Log Books AR68HW

2008 SuzuKibJ29MM grand ViTara ddiS Wagon

$23,990

• Turbo Diesel • 5 Speed • Alloy Bullbar • Towbar • Alloy Wheels • Log Books AZ51ZJ

2011 NISSAN NAVARA ST 4WD 2011 hoLDEN CoLoRADo 4WD NISSAN NAVARA ST 4WD DUALCAB *TURBo DIESEL 2006 miTSuBiSHi TriTon LTR DUALCAB *TURBo DIESEL DIESEL 2009 miTSuBiSHi ouTlander 2007 niSSan naVara STX

2006 Holden rodeo lX 4Wd DUALCAB *TURBo dualCaB

$29,990 $21,990 • Automatic • 3.6V6 • Alloy Tray • Canopy • Cruise Control • Remote Locking CII27M

CEV43K

lS

$23,990

• Automatic • 4 Cylinder Fuel Injected • Fuel Efficient • Bull Bar • Alloy Wheels BB65DQ

glXr 4Wd dualCaB

$32,990

AK67fD

$29,990

•3.2 Turbo Diesel • 5 Speed • Nudgebar • Towbar • Hardcover BP62VU

4Wd dualCaB $32,990

$29,990 CgI33A • AUTOMATIC • TURBO DIESEL • BULLBAR • TOWBAR • TUBLINER • TINT • CRUISE CONTROL BR23BD

YbL30g

2010 niSSan XTrail TS 4Wd Wagon

$29,990 •Turbo Diesel • Automatic • Cruise Control • Bullbar • Low Kms BG65EQ

NISSAN ST PATRoL 4WD 2007 ToyoTa HiluX 2Wd WAGoN *TURBo DIESEL TaBleToP

$34,990 $16,990 bD18ZN

• 5 Speed • Airconditioning • Powersteering •Towbar •Tint AT09EK

oPen 8.30am - 5.30pm Victoria Street, West dubbo View all our cars 24 hours at for after hours enquiries phone matt 0402 275 558monday to Friday www.westernplainsautomotive.com.au 8.30am - 4pm Saturday dl20251 59-75 Victoria Street, Dubbo oPEN 8.30am - 5.30pm View all our cars 24 hours at monday to friday www.wpa.net.au

6884 4577 6884 4577

mD047044

8.30am - 4pm Saturday