Dubbo Weekender 15.11.2014 by Panscott Media

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The good doctor Gerald Chitsunge: From Africa to the Aussie outback. P11

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DUBBO WEEKENDER 15.11.2014

FROM THE EDITOR

CONTENTS Jen FEATURED THIS WEEK

Cowley Step right up and help out, as long as the paperwork’s in order

ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER

The good doctor

From the emergency rooms of a Johannesburg hospital to the blue skies of western NSW, flying doctor Gerald Chitsunge talked to Weekender about all things from bullet wounds to big cities.

16 Lydia Pedrana 20 One foot in front of the other A race to the bottom of the fashion stakes

Weekender talks to breast cancer survivor Leonie Goldsmith, after completing in a two-day walk across Sydney.

Keeping it in the family

Macquarie Conservatorium shares the stories of three Dubbo families, for whom music is definitely front and centre.

REGULARS 4 Tony Webber 6 Natalie Holmes 8 Sally Bryant You’ll also love... 28 Hear See Do Etc. 30 Play: Puzzles & Stars Front cover image Kaitlyn Rennie 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.

f the world really is run by those who turn up, then folks, I’m afraid we might just be heading for a spot of bother. Here’s the thing: every year in this country, somewhere in the vicinity of $16 billion is contributed to the economy by volunteers, and while 34 per cent of our countrymen/women currently step up to the volunteer plate in some capacity, they’re doing so for far shorter stints, and they’re rapidly getting older. Consider the impact of a further $16 billion (and that’s just what’s officially recorded) being added to the national running costs every year. And then some. We’re screaming about services now – particularly out here in regional areas – so imagine what we’d miss out on if government coffers suddenly had to bear the burden lifted annually by 5.4 million volunteers. I won’t even attempt a list of the charitable and volunteer organisations, individuals and groups that help make our lives liveable – you know who they are – but they’ll all tell you it’s getting harder to recruit, much less retain, people to help carry the load. And there’s a number of factors at play. People still want to volunteer – despite the howls of derision for “the younger generation”, the idea of helping one’s community hasn’t entirely lost its appeal. But the days of fronting up with your apron neatly tied, ready to sign on for a lifetime of devotion to giving whatever time it takes for as long as it takes are long gone. No-one wants to be indentured to the position of swimming club secretary for life. Who wants to sign on as attendance officer for their service club when they know the only way they’ll get out of the job is to be carted off in a pine box? Organisations and clubs need to make a fundamental adjustment in their approach to recruiting members and volunteers – starting, perhaps, with the term “recruitment” and all its onerous overtones – in line with the changing nature of life in the 21st century. No longer is there value in casting a net with a generic call to arms for volunteers – people want to know what they’re in for. Thanks largely to technology, we all have less time, and we guard it ferociously. So if you want me to volunteer my time – and I do, a lot – let me know what I’m getting myself into. Give me

specifics; give me time-frames; give me relevance. And when I need it, give me a break – without guilt. But – and this is where things get more tricky – we also need a major shift in the increasing propensity for bureaucracy and regulation, much of which is strangling the life out of volunteer organisations, and choking the will of those considering offering up some of their precious time. The professionalisation of even the most benign of volunteering exercises is turning otherwise enthusiastic potential volunteers away in their droves. Having to fill out a six page application form to help out on a cake stall does nothing to harness the spontaneity of willing helpers. Being treated like a criminal or paedophile – or both – if you simply want to run the drinks for the under-10s doesn’t exactly nurture the altruistic philosophy that underpins a desire to volunteer. The world is a complicated and dangerous place – I get that. I also get that, thanks to an increasingly litigious society and a growing culture of compensation, there are rigorous and necessary arse covering processes, policies and procedures that need to be firmly in place. And I understand that those for whom we’re donating our time need to be protected at all cost – particularly those who are most vulnerable (children, the elderly, the disadvantaged). But surely there’s a line there somewhere between protection and paranoia, and at the risk of succumbing to the latter, it’s easy to imagine some of the more onerous and spurious regulations are designed more for governance consultants than volunteer organisations. Every week it seems we’re encouraged to celebrate and acknowledge a particular band of volunteers, and by all means we should continue to do that because they’re a dying breed. But if governments, and their agencies and authorities, have a genuine regard for the efforts of volunteers – and with 16 billion very good reasons, why wouldn’t they? – someone needs to apply the brakes to the juggernaut of excessive compliance. We’re all just simply making it too hard for people to volunteer. Time is money – and sadly, it’s just easier to make a donation, pocket the receipt and move on.

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The professionalisation of even the most benign of volunteering exercises is turning otherwise enthusiastic potential volunteers away in their droves. DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014 3

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Tony Webber

>> Tony Webber turned 48 on Tuesday, the 39th anniversary of the dismissal.

Gough’s true believers show their boo colours O

f course they booed them. What did they expect? John Howard and Tony Abbott go to the memorial service for Gough Whitlam and the crowd outside boos – who’d have thought? Nonetheless the media champions of the big end of town were whipped into a lather of indignation. How dare they boo at a funeral? Well for one, it was a memorial service, not a funeral, and two, if you thought the sort of people who would line up outside Gough’s funeral were not going to jeer two of the most divisive conservative figures of the modern era, you must be high. On Monday former Howard Cabinet Minister, Amanda Vanstone was one of many to decry the uncouth masses, and their expression of “pent up political hatred.” Like the other critics, her tone was more like a disappointed school matron (“You’ve let yourselves down, and you’ve let the school down.”) But she never once suggested the Liberal duo didn’t deserve to be booed; that was not mentioned. Her position was only that such

behaviour was not the “done thing”. It’s as if the stable boy has been caught whistling and the one of the foot servants is sent to shush him. It’s only booing, for Gough’s sake, it’s not like they burned anyone in effigy. Try it yourself at home. Hardly blood-curdling is it, just an expression of group disdain. And, again, what did they really expect? The leading Labor figure of the 20th century, and the last two Liberal prime ministers. The PM who got rid of the British Honours system and the PM who brought back knights and dames. The PM who moved us away from the militarism of Vietnam and conscription and the PM who invaded Iraq on a lie. The PM who questioned the US alliance and Pine Gap and President Bush’s Man of Steel. The PM whose schools commission called for adequate public school funding and the PM who shelved Gonski. The PM who took us from God Save the Queen to Advance Australia Fair and two of the leading

“ It’s only booing, for Gough’s sake, it’s not like they burned anyone in effigy.

monarchists in the fight against the republic. The PM who brought us the Racial Discrimination Act and the PM whose Minister advocated on behalf of the rights of bigots. The PM who had a science Minister and the PM who doesn’t. The PM who brought Aboriginal people land rights legislation and legal aid and the PM who would not say sorry. The PM of free unis as opposed to free market unis. The PM of Medibank, social support for single mums and the homeless, and environmentalism... you get the drift. For many of the ordinary people outside the service, Gough ended the class barriers and in doing so brought opportunity to those beyond the ranks of the privileged, and a safety net for the most vulnerable. Outside the service were many of the true believers, and as Noel Pearson said inside, those for whom Whitlam’s revolution changed little can scarcely appreciate the impact upon those for whom it changed everything. So they booed. It might be canker sore offensive at a la-

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DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

dies’ luncheon of cucumber sandwiches, but in the ordinary Australia in which the majority of us live it is the done thing, like it or not. That one act of defiance showed that ordinary individuals can collectively withhold the moment from some of the most powerful people in the country. Because sometimes we can decide who gets public adulation and the circumstances in which that adulation occurs. And consider: four decades after Whitlam’s momentous social reforms towards equality and fairness we find ourselves not merely stagnating, but in many respects regressing. In an age of unbridled corporate power, the erosion of public institutions, the idolisation of a discredited economic myth, besieged liberties and a twisted consumerist identity cult, many barriers Whitlam dismantled are being re-erected. How truly astonishing in a rich, first world country. If that doesn’t warrant booing what does? feedback@dubboweekender.com.au

Handmade Art Markets All Welcome to the WPCC Handmade Art Markets Date: Saturday 22nd November, 9.00am-12.00pm Numerous stall holders Check our Facebook page for details

• Admission - Gold coin donation • Local and internationally acclaimed performers • BYO picnic rug & chairs • Jumping Castle & Face painting • Japanese Tea sampling • Food & Drink stalls

15.11.2014 THE DAY IN HISTORY: In 1791, the first grapevine in the colony of NSW was planted at Parramatta. In 1920, the first assembly of the League of Nations was called to order in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1943, Heinrich Himmler ordered that Gypsies be placed in Nazi concentration camps. In 2007, Cyclone Sidr, with winds of more than 240km/h, slammed into the southwestern Bangladesh coast, killing more than 3400 people. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd joined 19 other world leaders at a G20 emergency summit in Washington on the global financial crisis. In 2010, a five-story building in New Delhi that housed migrant workers collapsed, killing at least 42 people. In 2012, Turkish Foreign Minister Agmet Davutoglu announced Turkey had joined France and several Arab states in officially recognising a coalition of rebels as legitimate leaders in war-torn Syria. BIRTHDAYS: Those born on this date include British statesman William Pitt (“The Elder”) in 1708; British astronomer William Herschel, discoverer of the planet Uranus, in 1738; Annunzio Mantovani, Italian orchestra leader, in 1905; actor Edward Asner in 1929 (age 85); pop singer Petula Clark in 1932 (age 82); actor Sam Waterston in 1940 (age 74); conductor Daniel Barenboim in 1942 (age 72); actress Beverly D’Angelo in 1951 (age 63); rugby league player Benny Elias in 1963 (age 51); and Australian swimmer Giaan Rooney in 1982 (age 32).

16.11.2014 THE DAY IN HISTORY: In 1864, bushranger Ben Hall took part in the shooting of Sgt Edmund Parry at Collector, near Goulburn, NSW. In 1920, Australian pilots Hudson Fysh and Paul McGinness registered the company Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd (Qantas). In 1959, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical The Sound of Music premiered in New York, starring Mary Martin. In 2007, the United Nations warned global warming of 1-3 degrees Celsius would lead to a rise in sea levels that would swallow up island nations, decimate one-quarter or more of the world’s species, cause famine in Africa and spark increasingly violent hurricanes.

NEWS ANALYSIS

Seven Days

BY NATALIE HOLMES Dubbo Weekender News Editor

Dye hard with a vengeance A couple of thousand people lined up for the inaugural Dye Hard Fun Run at Ollie Robbins Oval, for the 5km colour course – with 1500 entrants and plenty of spectators, the day was a rainbow affair for all ages. For every kilometre, entrants were splashed with a different coloured powder, made from organic, non-toxic ingredients. At the completion of the course, entrants gathered in a group to throw a bag of colour each. One of the volunteers on the day, Panscott Media’s Donna Falconer, said it was a sight to behold: “There were colourful beach balls being tossed around and Tracy and her team from Zumba entertained and had the crowd participating in some very energetic Zumba dances. As entrants eagerly waited at the start line, there was music pumping. “I also had the job of taking some photos and there were families in Santa suits, teams in hula skirts, angels, fairies and grandparents through to babies, a wheel chair contestant, two young boys on crutches and a lady with a broken arm! But everyone had one thing in common and that was a big smile and by the end of the run a lot of coloured dye on them! I think Rod Fardell and his volunteers certainly achieved what they set out to do and that was have an event for all ages to have fun, be active and enjoy our great city.”

Thumbs up for SES volunteers Local communities recognised the tireless work of Australia’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers during Wear Orange Wednesday this week. Orange is the official colour of the SES uniform, and each year, 40,000 SES volunteers provide approximately a million hours of their time to help communities in times of natural disasters and emergencies. “SES Volunteers give up their time to help other members of the community in times of need. It is fitting that we acknowl-

edge their efforts to keep us safe,” Parkes MP Mark Coulton said.

Horror week on region’s roads It’s been a tragic week on the region’s roads, with three serious road accidents, two involving fatalities. Two people, a 39 year old man and his 62 year old mother, died after a crash involving a semi-trailer and car south of Coonabarabran on Monday night. The crash occurred on the Newell Highway shortly before 10pm about 10km south of the town. Police from Mudgee Local Area Command believe the car was struck by the semi-trailer while negotiating a U-turn. The man, who was the driver, died at the scene while his female passenger died a short time later in Coonabarabran Hospital. The truck driver was also taken to Coonabarabran Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests. Traffic on the highway was disrupted for almost eight hours. It was re-opened in both directions shortly before 6am. A report is being prepared for the information of the Coroner. Meanwhile, police are also investigating a crash at Molong on Tuesday that claimed the lives of 16 year old learner driver Savanah Jade Lang and her 39 year old mother, Kelly Sheree Landers, both locals, on Euchareena Road near Shades Creek Road at around 5pm. The pair was reportedly just 20 minutes from home. The young driver’s vehicle, a Ford Laser, collided with a Subaru Outback being driven by a woman with her newborn baby and toddler in the car. Police report that the learner driver and her mother died at the scene, while the other driver and her children were uninjured. Both cars have been seized for forensic testing and police have appealed for any witnesses to the crash to come forward. Tuesday morning also saw the death of

a middle-aged woman near Molong, who died when the car she was driving hit a tree. A crash 10km south of Canowindra on Sunday night claimed the life of a woman when her car hit a telegraph pole. Police reports indicate the woman’s Toyota Seca sedan was travelling north when it veered onto the gravel edge of the road near a sweeping bend and struck the pole. A 19-year-old woman from British Columbia in Canada was located by other motorists and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. Police from Canobolas Local Area Command were called to the area and will prepare a report for the Coroner outlining the circumstance surrounding the woman’s death. And in a separate incident near Dubbo, four occupants of a blue sedan were very lucky to escape serious injury after their car flipped onto its roof near a railway bridge on Minore Road late on Wednesday morning. The four were trapped in the vehicle before being freed by emergency services. Two people were treated at the scene, while two were taken to Dubbo Base hospital for treatment.

Lest we forget While roadworks carried on around them, dignitaries and guests gathered at the War Memorial Cenotaph in Victoria Park on Tuesday morning to mark the 96th anniversary of the armistice signing which ended World War I. The Remembrance Day ceremony was attended by veterans, military personnel, emergency services and a large community gathering including

BIRTHDAYS: Those born on this date include Tiberius, emperor of Rome, in 42 BC; actors Burgess Meredith in 1907, Clu Gulager in 1928 (age 86); Marg Helgenberger in 1958 (age 56) and Lisa Bonet in 1967 (age 47); singer Diana Krall in 1964 (age 50); “Skippy” actor Ken James in 1948 (age 66); Welsh comedian Griff Rhys Jones in 1953 (age 61); US actress Maggie Gyllenhaal in 1977 (age 37); and Australian singer-songwriter Kate MillerHeidke in 1981 (age 33). JUST A THOUGHT: “The only peace that can endure is a peace that can be defended.” – Benjamin Netanyahu

Mark Coulton with veteran SES volunteer Geoff Eather and his wife Elaine Eather. Photo

People from all walks of life gathered to mark Remembrance Day in Dubbo this week. Photo: Dubbo Weekender/Natalie

supplied

Holmes

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

YOUR VIEWS Hugh Beveridge’s comments last week regarding the call for bans on the racing industry following the death of two horses at this year’s Melbourne Cup (Hold your horses on knee-jerk calls for bans – Weekender 8/11/14) drew this comment from online reader “Colours”: Happy to support Hugh Beveridge’s campaign against fun runs. We just need documentary evidence that, like Admire Rakti, the young man had no say in whether or not he ran or continued when he felt unwell, and that, like Admire Rakti, he had a man on his back hitting him with a whip. Clearly, in that case, Beveridge’s metaphor will hold a modicum of water. The only justification offered in this article, the only one, is money. People make money from exploiting animals. Well, people make money selling cigarettes and other drugs too, so should we stop trying to get people to quit those? There was no justification, other than money, for those horses to be run until their lungs bled, their young legs twisted or split or their hearts gave out. Just greed, and that is not a good basis for a system of ethics. •••

Not all gun owners are bad guys

Participants enjoyed the inaugural Dye Hard Fun Run. Photo: Dubbo Weekender/Donna Falconer

school students who laid wreaths. The winners of the Australia, My Country competition, Clare Powyer from Wongarbon Public School and Milla Polley from St John’s Primary School, also read their winning entries aloud to the assembled crowd before the service came to an end.

petitor Rhonda Betts said. “Our mixed 500m got through to the minor final on Sunday and our women’s and mixed teams missed the medals, but boy, we gave it a good shot.”

Boatman heading to world Frisbee championships Dubbo Ultimate Frisbee Federation player Ashleigh Boatman was selected this week into the All-Australian under 23s, a squad of the top 100 under 23 players in Australia who’ll compete for a spot in the 20-person team for the World U23 Ultimate Championships in London, England in July 2015. Man charged with murder Police charged a man with murder after an assault in Dubbo last Friday. Officers from Orana Local Area Command were called to a unit on Macquarie Street, Dubbo, at 11.30pm on November 7 after reports of an assault. On arrival, police found a man with injuries to his head. The 63-year-old was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital and was in a serious condition, however died early on Sunday. A 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene and was taken to Dubbo Police Station. The man was charged with murder and refused bail. He appeared at Dubbo Bail Court this week where he was again refused bail.

Gold and bronze for Dragons Dubbo woman Trish Taylor won gold in the Breast Cancer Survivors final at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast, while her Outback Dragons teammates also picked up bronze in the 200m final. Paddlers from Dubbo, Narromine, Mudgee, Forbes, Orange, Bathurst and Wellington were part of the Orana Dragon Boat teams in women’s, open and mixed events. “Trish’s gold topped off a great few days. It was the icing on the cake after our open women took the bronze medal in Saturday’s 200m final,” com-

The Dragon Boaters hit the water. Photo: supplied

Wallaby great hops in for business dinner Regional Development Australia announced this week that former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones would make the trek to Dubbo to be guest speaker at the inaugural Orana Outlook Dinner at Taronga Western Plains Zoo next Friday (November 21). The focus of the evening will be to provide updates to the Orana Economic Profile and opportunities for diversification and growth, along with the launch of the Orana Workforce Capacity Report. Farr-Jones will give the keynote address in his capacity as a business leader in the finance and resources sector. Jonathan Pain will also provide insights into financial markets and the global economy.

Award for Resource centre The Resource Recovery Centre at the Whylandra Waste Depot was awarded first place in the Three R’s: Recovery, Recycling and Reusing Category at the recent 2014 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) Awards. Dubbo City Council Manager of Civil Infrastructure and Solid Waste Steve Clayton said the Resource Recovery Centre is a new facility which is a safe, convenient, all-weather drop off point for customers to offload and separate their material in a safe and

efficient manner and maximise the amount that can be collected for recycling or reuse. “Around 25 per cent of the selfhauled domestic waste can be diverted from landfill for recycling or reuse” Clayton said. “There is a lot more general waste that can be reused or recycled than just glass bottles, aluminium cans, paper and cardboard. “E-waste such as printers, old computers, toners and mobile phones all have parts that can be reused. Scrap metals and other building material such as rubble and wood can be reused. Garden waste can be mulched and turned into ground cover. Even hazardous/problem wastes such as paints, motor oil, gas bottles and fluorescent light bulbs can potentially be reused or partly recycled.”

Roundabout stalled Dubbo City Council has temporarily stopped construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Baird Drive and Bellbird Way to initiate further discussion with residents regarding traffic flow in the area. Engineering Design Consultants ADW Johnson have been engaged to review the intersection layout with a view to reinstating the right-turn manoeuvre from Baird Drive into Bellbird Way which was not available in the original concept plan. Dubbo City Council technical support manager Mark Stacey said it can’t be guaranteed that this manoeuvre can be reinstated. “Following a meeting with the Delroy Park developers, it was agreed that investigative designs be initiated with a view to potentially accessing Bellbird Way off the roundabout when travelling from the south,” he said. “Designs will take one to two weeks to complete however there are no guarantees as to success. “However, works will not recommence on this roundabout until the designs are available and further consultation has been undertaken with affected residents on their concerns regarding access to Bellbird Way and traffic flow.”

Re: Seven Days – Weekender 8/11/14 Natalie Holmes made a comment – “another day another gun stolen” – that I reckon was a bit blasé and misleading. It is a true that guns are stolen every day but the vast majority are stolen from rural properties from owners with scant regard for proper gun laws. I recently joined a pistol club because I enjoy target sports. Sports shooting is one of the most stringently regulated activities in NSW. And rightly so. The emphasis is on safety and security. Let’s face it, nobody wants to accidentally shoot someone or be shot by an irresponsible user. Accidentally point a gun in the wrong direction while at the range and the other shooters come down on you like a ton of bricks. To be able to just handle a gun I have to show in theory and in practice that I know what I am doing and how to do it. To gain a licence I have to pass police checks and show good cause why I should be licensed. I can’t own a gun for the first six months of my licence. After that the number of guns I can own is limited. Just to buy a gun I have to have a permit and I can’t just turn up on someone’s door step to buy it. When I own a gun I must have proper storage for the gun and for the ammunition. They must be stored in a safe that is securely anchored so that it can’t be jimmied loose. It must pass police inspection. It’s not just a locker with a key lock; it’s a full blown safe. Anti-gun lobbyists want tighter storage laws to make it harder for thieves to steal guns. But not even the Reserve Bank safe would be good enough if the owner just leaves the gun leaning up against a wall in the kitchen. The vast majority of gun owners are responsible law abiding citizens who comply with the regulations and they, like everyone else, abhor irresponsible owners who can’t follow the rules. Just like car owners there are good and bad. Through my experiences I can safely say gun owners, in the main, are good guys and they do the right thing. - Brian McMullen

Your feedback welcome – online + hard copy DUBBO WEEKENDER encourages online readers (via www.dubboweekender.com. au) to comment as a selection may be published each week. Email addresses must be supplied for verification purposes only, not publication, and destructive personal or offensive comments will not be published online or in hard copy. Dubbo Weekender supports constructive debate and opinion. Letters to the editor are welcome via email feedback@dubboweekender.com.au, fax 6885 4434, or post to 89 Wingewarra Street Dubbo NSW 2830. Letters should generally be 250 words or less, and may be edited for space, clarity or legal reasons. To be considered for publication, letters should include the writer’s name and daytime contact details.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Sally Bryant

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...

’m confused and conflicted right now. I’ve been absorbing the health messages that are bombarding us in the media and I’ve been paying attention. And I’ve even taken the responsible step of acting on some of them, selecting ones that aren’t going to change my lifestyle too much, so I feel like I’m getting on top of this personal responsibility thing. It’s a good feeling. It’s not quite as good as physical fitness, but there you have it. But there’s a world of difference between the public message – the health advisory telling you to be vigilant for certain signs in your health – and the reaction you get from some health professionals when you take your symptoms to them. It’s quite crushing to sit in a consulting room and feel like a hypochondriac because you’ve asked for advice about symptoms you’ve been told to keep an eye out for. To all intents and purposes you’re completely healthy and the doctor looks you in the eye and asks, “Well, why are you here?”. There’s an implicit “looking for a bit of attention, are we?” I’ve taken on board the skin cancer message. I know how important it is to watch out for sun spots or other marks on the skin and how early detection of something abnormal can make all the difference to a successful treatment. I’ve even had people lecture me about how I should get some little freckle or mole I’ve had all my life checked out by an appropriate doctor. And I’ve held my tongue and held my counsel and held any number of other things and not told them to mind their own bloody business. And then dutifully got a referral to a skin specialist, and made an appointment. And then you get checked out, and that’s when you encounter that slightly patronising “why do you think there’s a problem?” sort of attitude. “Well, little lady, I think we can safely say you’ll survive these freckles”. Years ago I took an almighty blow to the head from a horse. It split my brow, blackened my eye and knocked me for six. And I was duly carted off to the doc-

“ He looked at me down his patrician nose and asked if I thought my brains might be leaking out my nasal passages. The bastard.

tor in town, bleeding profusely as victims of head injuries are wont to do. And I was stitched up had my wings clipped and my eye blackened for a week or two. It healed fine, aside from a small scar. But, about six months later, I noticed a strange numbness down the side of my face, and that my nose was constantly running. It was quiet weird, and a little disquieting, so I took my self to the doctor and asked for a referral to a neurologist – just in case. The accident had happened in the workplace and I wanted to be sure there was not some underlying problem. So...there I was in the neurologist’s rooms in Macquarie Street, describing the problem, describing my symptoms and asking him if I should be concerned. And he looked at me down his patrician nose and asked if I thought my brains might be leaking out my nasal passages. The bastard. It’s a testament to my upbringing that I didn’t slap him. As you get older, the message about heart health becomes more and more obvious. It seems everywhere you look there’s a sign telling you you’re entering the age group of people who drop dead overnight of heart conditions that they SHOULD have known about. And we’re constantly told it’s not just the overweight and unfit who are at risk; we’re warned that even the fit and sprightly need to take care, to take heed of warning signs. So, you hit 50 and you do start paying attention. But guess what? As soon as you notice little problems, small indications that all may not be well, and you go off to get them checked out, you’ll also start to encounter a gently patronising attitude from some health professionals. Usually those that are about twelve and a half and who probably run ultra-marathons at the weekend. There’s a very strong sense that they consider you a hypochondriac and they’d prefer to send you to a psychologist than for an Xray.

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

When my mother died, and our family was grieving and going through that process of coming to terms with her death while organising a funeral. It’s fair to say we were reasonably stressed. And m’sister and I were on our way into town one day to organise the order of service at the printer’s. And about the time we got to town, I started to get quite severe pains in my chest, and I turned to my sister and told her I was either getting horrendous indigestion or I was having a heart attack. “Oh,” she said. “So which do you think it might be? “Well,” I said. “I’m hoping it’s indigestion, but it’s like nothing on earth I’ve ever felt. “So,” she said. “Are we going to the pharmacy? Or to the hospital? “Pharmacy,” I said, knowing full well how mortified I would be to scream off to the hospital to be treated for reflux. Happily it was the right decision. And then this last weekend I was in my back yard, and I could hear the most dreadful sound from the garden next door. It was a cross between a strangled moan and a cry for help. It wasn’t quite human, and it was plaintive and urgent. It sounded like a depressed hound being strangled. I was desperately concerned, but a little cautious not to “cry wolf” as it were. So I peered over the boundary fence at various junctures between the two gardens, to try and work out what was going on. Was this some animal that was slowly choking to death? Was this one of my neighbours, having some sort of turn? I was beside myself. Then, just as I was about to call the police for help, there was a crash and a bang and the great fat billy goat came round the corner, pursuing one of the nannies with the diligence of a doctor in a yellow suit at the Melbourne Cup. And making a noise like someone dying. I still get a cold sweat, thinking how close I’d come to making that emergency call. There’s a fine line between vigilance and vigilantes.

IMAGE: Michael Jardine

In my book... there’s a very fine line

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 Farewell, Mrs Wolowitz Aficionados of the wildly popular American sit-comThe Big Bang Theory (will know exactly who I’m talking about. The big talking, high-screeching, Brooklyn-accented voice of character Howard Wolowitz’s mother will be no more. Carol-Ann Susi, the actress who lent her voice to the unseen Mrs Wolowitz lost a brief battle with cancer this week, aged 62. Although we never saw her onscreen, fans of the show will miss that unique voice and her real family will miss her a hugs a lot more.

Big fat lies in marketing

another baby. Of course it’s done to sell publications or to get conversation happening – like the recent saga involving a Calvin Kleins plus size model. Elle magazine tweeted their horror that the brand is using a size 10 “plussize” model and that’s the headline the world over. But let’s put this in context. In Australia that’s a size 14-16 not an Australian size 10! Go, Calvin Klein I say – it’s that sort of foresight that will ensure they’ll be around for a few years yet. All they’re doing is releasing their Perfectly Fit line for normal sized women – and given those worldwide stats there’s a lot more in the size 14+ than size 10, that’s for sure.

It amuses me how media people use their copywriting skills for headlines that have a dash of truth but aren’t necessarily in context. “Nicole Kidman another baby” screams one headline from the newsagency shelves and you read the story only to discover it’s a movie she’s filming – it’s not that she’s actually having

Now THAT’S live action Kiwi cricket commentator, Ian Smith, had a smashing time while calling the New Zealand Twenty20 this week. While talking listeners through a six that was belted out of the park during the match, he suddenly

discovered it was headed for his own car and bang... everyone heard his dismay when it hit, leaving a big dent. His cohost was highly amused. Smith? Not so much.

off scot-free by passing off someone else’s work will be shaking in their boots, and rightly so. Cue the nods of satisfaction for the rest of us who’ve slogged away at it.

Degree of difficulty?

Puttin’ on the shirtfront

There’s nothing like adding the pursuit of a uni degree to an already busy life, and for those of us who have done it with work and family in tow, it’s a hard slog. Those assignments can be the bane of our lives and the closer the deadline gets, the busier Facebook becomes as procrastination proliferates. It’s easy to wonder, “Can’t someone else do this?” That’s usually only a fleeting thought – for most. But apparently there are those who take that thought further and simply pay someone else to write their essays and breeze through – or so it’s been reported this week. What an insult to those of us who do slog through – so much for our sweat and tears! Australian site, My Masters (no, don’t try to find it, the site’s been taken down since) was the focus of a Fairfax investigation that revealed a few hundred students paid someone to write their essays and a number of universities are ducking for cover and holding emergency meetings. The particular university and the specific degree program is known, so it looks like those people who thought they’d get

The media is having a field day shadowing Prime Minister Tony Abbot and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit, watching for any sign of the much-anticipated “shirtfronting” our PM promised. So desperate is the media for a taste of this argy-bargy, it’s been suggested that Putin has sent a fleet of warships “towards Australia” in what one journo described as “muscle-flexing”. But there really doesn’t seem to be much to be concerned about – apparently it’s Russia’s way of making sure countries know they have nuclear power and sending a destroyer is the norm when their President attends major international forums – just like they did in San Francisco in 2010. So no, Putin isn’t shirtfronting Abbott, or vice-versa... yet. I have two words for those who think the Russian fleet presence might be something to worry about: media spin.

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WHAT I DO KNOW

Ian “Rattles” Retallack: I’m not leaving anyone behind With his horses, his dog and his trusty cart, he’s been rattling along country roads for a year since leaving Western Australia. He has so far raised $50,000 for cancer research but Ian “Rattles” Retallack isn’t done yet – and he says it’s the generosity of Aussies that’s keeping him going. AS TOLD TO and PHOTOGRAPHY Jen Cowley I was brought up around horses and I love the ways of the old days – I should have been born back then. So when I was thinking of a way to raise a few dollars for cancer research, this just seemed like an obvious thing to hit the road in a horse and cart. It took a bit of planning but once I came up with the idea, there was no going back – I was pretty determined. Why cancer research? Well, my mum died of breast and bone cancer and my brother has bowel cancer. I told her I was going to do this ride around Australia on a horse and cart, and she was the only one in my family who was really supportive – so when she died, I knew I had to stay true to my word to my mum. They call me Rattles because people have trouble pronouncing my last name properly. It’s spelled Retallack (Ret-AL-ack) but they always pronounce it “Rattle-ack”… so that’s how I got my nickname. There are a few other things people call me, but they’re not for publication (laughs)! I wouldn’t call myself a city boy – I’m country through and through. I was born in a little town called Wagin in Western Australia between Albany and Esperance, but for the ride, I started at a place called Boyup Brook – southeast of Perth. The day I left there is the day (ie: date) I’m going back – I plan to do the whole circuit. There are four of us on this trip – me, Matt, Paddy and Russ (horses and dog) – and the only thing that can stop me finishing is if something happens to one of us. They’re my family on this trip – they mean everything, and if one of them gets sick, that’s the end of the journey. I’m not leaving anyone behind. I found Paddy and Matt on Gumtree and I’m not sure but I think they might have been headed for a tin-can. But they’re my boys now. And Russ, my dog, is a great mate. He just sits up there beside me. But I’ve been on the road for more than 12 months now, and I must admit I do get a bit lonely sometimes. Then I start thinking about how I’m writing my book on the journey and all the things I’m going to put in it. Everything has to be 100 per cent straight down the line – good, bad or otherwise. So I may cop a bit of flak when the book comes out but that’s

okay, because I just have to be honest. I’m Australian and I’m an honest bloke; I’ll just tell it like it is. The haul across the Nullabor was really hard – really hard. But I had great support, including from Ramseys, a horse transport company that provided me with extra food and water drop offs,

and even today they still ring me to find out if I’m okay – that’s really Australian. The hardest thing on this whole trip is trying to find a major sponsor. I’ve raised more than $50,000 so far, and it’s been hard work for that 50 grand. It’s not just me sitting up the front – I have to make sure my boys are

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

100 per cent all the time. But the generosity of people has been incredible. Truckies have been amazing – I reckon 10,000 trucks have passed me and they just go “Wow, your boys (horses) just stand there!” They’re bullet proof – but that’s the way I’ve trained them as well. People pull up all the time to support me and to have a yarn. The best part of the journey is the people – to meet the true blue Aussie. I’ve gone off the beaten track to all kinds of small places, and I’ve found that if I need to be looked after, it’ll be the farmers and the small business owners, the shop keepers, who will help. It’s just been magical – I’ve been just so overwhelmed by the help I’ve been given. Australia feeds me. Every time I look around, someone has fresh fruit or veggies or meat for me. If I’m stopped in someone’s driveway, they’ll say “What are you doing here? Come up and have a shower and a meal”. But I don’t like to take advantage of anybody. Not everyone is generous – it’s funny when people pull up about 400 metres in front of me, take a photo and take off again. I don’t mind if they don’t give me a donation, but to not even bother to stop and say hello – that’s not the Australian way, is it? I did have a target of a million dollars in mind, and if I was a celebrity doing this, I would have raised that easily. But I’m not worried – if the money I do raise helps to save one life, a child’s life, then I’ll have done what I set out to do. This trip took, and takes, a lot of planning and organising. For a start I had to find out the laws and stipulations and regulations – what I can do and what I can’t do. For instance, I can’t stop on the side of the road to camp unless I’m nine metres or more off the road. The law hasn’t changed in 200 years with the horse and wagon so there are some anomalies – for example, on the freeways the law states that no horse drawn vehicles can be on there, but in the law books it states I can legally take the shortest route home. So I could actually take the freeways if I wanted, but I wouldn’t because there’s too many idiots on there. I’ve begged, I’ve borrowed… I’ve stopped short of stealing (laughs) to fund this trip. But I’m an author as well – I write science fiction for kids – and I’ve also been doing some merchandise for this trip, stubby holders and stuff, and that’s helping to keep me going. And I also take people for rides. But every cent that’s donated goes directly to cancer research through the Cancer Council of Western Australia. Absolutely 100 per cent. I’m 53 and climbing, and this trip will take two to three years, so the most important thing is to get home and watch my grandchildren grow up. While I’m on the road, I’m thinking about the book, but I’m also thinking about what I’m going to do when I get home. And that’s spend time with my grandkids. >> You can find “Rattles” on Facebook – just search Rattles Ride for Cancer – or through his website, rattlesride.com.au. Follow the links to sponsor Rattles or to donate.

FEATURE

From the emergency rooms of a Johannesburg hospital to the blue skies of western NSW, flying doctor Gerald Chitsunge talked to Weekender about bullet wounds and big cities, discovering Australia and going to school with Robert Mugabe. WORDS Natalie Holmes PHOTOGRAPHY Kaitlyn Rennie

ith his casual, yet polite manner, it’s difficult to imagine some of the horrors Gerald Chitsunge has witnessed in his life. He’s easygoing and calm – and perhaps that’s his mechanism for coping with life as an emergency retrieval doctor. Born and bred in Zimbabwe, and raised in the bustling capital of Harare, Chitsunge was encour-

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

Photo: Supplied

aged early in life to follow medicine as a career path. “I grew up in a family where both parents were trained nurses,” he explains. “That gave me a sense of wanting to help people because I was exposed to people with similar professions quite early. “When I was quite young, they said ‘you should be a doctor.’ In that era, taking a professional avenue such as teaching or nursing or becoming a doctor and doing the required training for a future career was the preferred option. “Education was seen as a gateway to success in life,” Chitsunge says. “Every person wanted to have their child to become one of those. So I was influenced from my parents as well as the desire to help people.” Chitsunge completed his secondary education at Kutama College, a boys-only Catholic boarding school 80km from Harare where the school patron was the future president, Robert Mugabe. “As school captain, I interacted a fair bit with him. “He was very charming, very engaging and very knowledgeable,” he recalls, giving some insight into the notorious Zimbabwean leader’s character. After leaving school, Chitsunge undertook a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Zimbabwe’s School of Medicine. Even after attempting to leave school early, it seems his path was already pre-determined. “When I was doing Year 10, there was a company recruiting for trainee quantity surveyors so I applied. “The owner told me I had a bright future elsewhere and encouraged me to continue my schooling. He said “you’ve got potential to go beyond this, the sky is the limit for you”.” Chitsunge demonstrated that potential when applying for his tertiary education. “It was quite competitive getting into medical school. In a country of 12 million, they only take 80 students.”

t was during his training that Chitsunge first met lecturers from other nations and began to get an inkling of medical practice outside his home nation. He would also go on to do post-graduate study in aeromedical retrieval, an international course completed through New Zealand’s University of

Otago, and to which he still maintains links with fellow students from around the world. “During my medical training, most of my lecturers were British-trained. They encouraged me to follow their path and specialise in something, go and do an elective and then come back to it.” As such, Chitsunge spent four weeks each in Sheffield in the UK and The Netherlands. The experience was an eye-opener, with the young doctor in training discovering that Europe had a more sophisticated health system, was better resourced and more advanced than Zimbabwe. He also recalls having an Australian lecturer, which may have planted the seed to travel to the land Down Under, which he has now called home for the past six years. “We had trouble understanding his accent,” he says with a smile. “Many of our lecturers were from the UK and Canada. That was around the time I realised that there was a country called Australia.” Formulating a plan for his future, Chitsunge then applied for a scholarship to pursue emergency medicine. He went to work at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in the South African city of Johannesburg. It is the country’s largest medical facility, with an 1800-bed capacity. “Emergency medicine appealed to me and I wanted to work in that area for a long time,” he explains. “It was the immediate satisfaction of helping someone in need and you don’t have to wait for a long time to see the results of that intervention. “I like the feeling of being able to fix them immediately.” Chitsunge rose to the role of head of the Accident and Emergency department but life in a Johannesburg emergency room was certainly no picnic. “There were gunshot wounds on a daily basis, people would have high speed accidents and fall from buildings. One day we had to deal with a headon crash between two maxi taxis driving at 140kmh on a busy road. Everyone was injured and dying on the side of the road or on arrival. Others were seriously injured.” Asked how he coped in such a situation, Chitsunge gives a simple reply. “I become a different person when that happens. Usually I’m laidback and quiet but when that need arises, it just happens, somehow. “I don’t believe it’s me doing that.”

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

“ It was the immediate satisfaction of helping someone in need and you don’t have wait for a long time to see the results of that intervention (on working in emergency)..”

FEATURE Chitsunge describes an incident during which his accountant sister came to visit while he was dealing with a patient who had a punctured lung, and couldn’t believe what she saw.

fter three years in Johannesburg, Chitsunge saw an advertisement for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Dubbo Base and decided to apply. “It sounded like something associated with the military,” he says. “Particularly the words Royal and Base.” Chitsunge also recalls viewing an iconic Australian television show as a child. “I used to watch The Flying Doctors series when I was growing up.” Living in Australia was something which would also further his career. “It was part of my quest for wanting to learn how people practice medicine in other countries and learn about different cultures,” he explains. Although realising his ambition to become a doctor, Chitsunge admits this new role would fulfil another childhood dream. “When I was growing up, I wanted to be a pilot. “I always had this curiosity about flying and Dad would drive us to the airport just for fun to see the planes. “But my mother said, “you are too tall, you won’t fit in the cockpit”. She also said the ‘tail might fall off’ the aircraft mid-flight.” When he came to Australia to attend the interview, Chitsunge travelled via Singapore, Darwin and Sydney. His first impressions of this wide brown land were not as expected. “To me, Australia was a first-world country like the UK and The Netherlands.

“Then I spent 24 hours in Darwin and it was hot and sticky. I wasn’t used to the heat. I was also looking for the Tube or fast trains and high rises. I spent all day looking for them but they weren’t there. Sydney was a bit more like I expected but there wasn’t any part of Australia that was like Europe.” Like Europe, Australia is vastly different than Zimbabwe and in terms of medicine, there are many aspects that are not the same. “In Zimbabwe, most treatment is associated with overcrowding and the poor hygiene that’s a result of that. So infectious disease, injury and trauma and accidents are the main medical issues which stems from poverty. “Here in Australia, it’s more about lifestyle and things like diabetes and heart disease.” Chitsunge points out that Zimbabwe is more curative in terms of medical practice while Australia aims to be preventative. He explains that many rules are broken in his homeland, resulting in workplace accidents and car crashes. “It’s different – they are two different worlds in terms of society and culture. Here there’s a focus on safety and there’s legislation to prevent many things from occurring. In Zimbabwe, no-one enforces the law because the person that is enforcing it is not earning enough money to sustain his family so he will accept a bribe from a criminal – that has become very rampant – and as a result laws are not adhered to.” Despite its social problems, Chitsunge has returned to Africa and spent four weeks in Kenya as a volunteer with the African Medical and Research Foundation. “I was involved in the flying doctor service, doing more or less like we do here.

I always wanted to do something for my country.”

hitsunge loves being a flying doctor and is pleased to see the community supporting the service. “People have realised the significance of the organisation and are willing to support.” Explaining his current position, Chitsunge’s job is to undertake aeromedical retrievals and transport of patients from rural and remote NSW into regional and tertiary centres, teaching medical students at the University of Sydney’s School of Rural Health and working in the Emergency Department at Dubbo Base Hospital. He also works in a general practice in Gilgandra on a part-time basis. It’s a far cry from his past work in Africa, but there are still many difficult moments. Nonetheless, it’s a dream come true. “My role now involves a lot of flying around and picking up patients. I expected it to be as busy as Johannesburg but the amount of trauma I have seen here is far from what I saw there. “I see people having heart attacks, people with breathing problems or in some kind of trauma. Sometimes they are just too unwell to fly, and that solution won’t help. It’s daunting, making that decision, but I’ve seen people die, people who die in front of you, but you’ve done all you could to save them. “But I’ve chosen to make a difference to society and in the community and I think it makes me a better doctor and a better person. “For me, the dream has come true. I’m involved with flying so I do that every day, and helping people. I’m living the dream.” n

“ I’ve seen people die; people who die in front of you, but you’ve done all you could to save them.”

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

ON THE SOAPBOX

Schools of thought on dropping the F-word T

here’s been a bit of talk about the F-word recently. Online, on air and in print, people are saying it’s outdated; a radical word that should be eradicated from the modern lexicon. Some say it overshadows its own agenda and, even worse, some suggest that ladies shouldn’t say it. So what is it about the word “feminism” that has everyone a-talkin’? I have a theory, and it begins with the Queen. Queen B that is. Beyonce Knowles “outed” herself as a feminist in her usual understated style, with the release of her late 2013 album, cleverly titled Beyonce. Her stance was noted in the track ***Flawless, which included the voice over of a speech titled We Should all be Feminists, delivered

Comment by Madeleine Allen Regional ex-pat Madeleine Allen has a background in media and communications. Her passions are pop culture, politics and ideas, some of which she shares here.

by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. With previous tracks such as Independent Women and Bootylicious (with her all girl group Destiny’s Child), to the more recent If I Were a Boy or Run The

“ Infighting about what school of feminism is the purest won’t help end this oppression.

”

World (GIRLS), I was pretty sure she’d always been a feminist, but the media had a field day nevertheless. Having Queen B on the F-Team has sure helped publicise the waning movement, or at least reignite the discussion. Being into Women’s Rights is “cool” again, and her admittance has seen many other young starlets join the club. One even described herself as being from the Beyonce School of Feminism. And who can blame them? Beyonce’s self-aggrandising message is a powerful one, but it’s not new. I’m all for equality and the boys have been pumping themselves up for a while now (see Kanye West’s I am a God for one of the more obnoxious examples). It’s about time we caught up. But with great power comes great responsibility. Bey and her new wave have not gone unscathed from the barbs of other female critics for their sexy, powerful and in-your-face brand of pop feminism. It makes me wonder – since when did all women have to be on the same

side of this debate anyway? Take the recent article in magazine Harpers Bazaar, in which conservative politician (and current federal coalition government Foreign Minister) Julie Bishop declared she did not associate herself with the F-word. Quelle horreur! In truth, half the women I know wouldn’t agree with her on government policy, so why do we have to be on the same page when it comes to the women’s movement? In no way do I want to trivialise the struggles of women, many of whom continue to be discriminated against every day, based solely on their gender. But infighting about what school of feminism is the purest won’t help end this oppression. It’s this “with us or against us” philosophy that has become outdated, to the detriment of a term which actually just means that as women and men, we’re all in this together, let’s be nice and treat each other with respect. As for the Beyonce School of Feminism, it may not be for all of us, but ladies – how do I enrol?

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COMMENT

A race to the bottom of the fashion stakes T his year, “the race that stops a nation”, certainly did just that. With two horses dying after they reached the finish line, Australian racegoers, animal activists and newsrooms around the country went into a state of frenzy. Although post-mortem results are yet to determine Japanese horse Admire Rakti’s exact cause of death, it’s not uncommon for horses to suffer from over exertion after a race. I spoke with respected local horse trainer, Peter Nestor who reminded me that these horses are “flesh and blood, just like human beings”. He then compared the chances of a horse dying from a heart attack to that of an athlete suffering a cardiac arrest after a race. Both are not common, both are unfortunate, but both are possible. Thoroughbred horses have been trained for hundreds of years to compete and according to Nestor, they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t want to. In terms of this year’s second Mel-

Comment by Lydia Pedrana

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

bourne Cup death, Mr Nestor described it as a “freakish accident” – reinforcing the fact that these animals are as susceptible to injuries and ailments as humans; the break to Araldo’s leg was too severe to be mended. Matter-of-factly, he said, “Sure, we can blame the bloke waving the flag but it is the Melbourne Cup, you have to expect that.” And the truth is, you can’t tell a horse to rest their leg in

“ I don’t know if it’s a lack of knowledge or utter disrespect, but come on people, a little bit of class, please. Guys, tuck in your shirt. Girls, save your crop top for the music festival. ”

a cast for six weeks. So then comes the question of choice: is it fair that the jockeys choose to be involved in this sport and the horses do not? Is horse racing cruel? I think the word cruel is a little arbitrary. As a dedicated trainer himself, Peter Nestor admitted these animals “live a five star life”. “They eat before their owners, see a doctor before their owners...humans are literally at their beck and call”. Horse racing has long been an Australian tradition and has a reputation for being saturated in scandal and controversy. With the amount of money, care, veterinary checks, training, love and time spent on these incredible animals, I think it’s a poor argument to describe this sport as cruel. On a much lighter note, the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival also brought to my attention a few concerns on the trackside. It seems racing has gone from a traditional day of elegant interaction to an inebriated social day out for young teens. I challenge the fashion choices some modern day, race-goers make. I think my generation (Y) and those coming along behind us are a little ignorant when it comes to traditional race day dress code. We all know a hat or fascinator is a must and that Derby Day means “wear black and white”, but what about the finer details? Call me old fashioned

but here are a few traditional race day rules to keep in mind for next year. Ladies: no jumpsuits, midriffs or strapless dresses. If your hem doesn’t touch the ground when you kneel down – it’s too short. If you are more than two shades orange-er than your natural skin tone – you have overdone the fake tan. And for the love of God, do not even think about BYO thongs. Gentlemen: ankle breezers are not cool – neither are Vans, Converse or Nikes with a suit. Please wear a tie and don’t be afraid to shine your shoes. I don’t know if it’s a lack of knowledge or utter disrespect, but come on people, a little bit of class, please. Guys, tuck in your shirt. Girls, save your crop top for the music festival. And if you don’t understand why I’m being so cynical... have a look at the Instagram account dedicated to Drunk girls of the Melbourne Cup. All in all, the Spring Racing Carnival of 2014 will go down in history as one of the most controversial. I just hope people consider the rare but rational possibilities before they go pointing their fingers at the long established industry. And let’s hope more of the younger set choose an appropriate outfit for next year’s carnival. Here’s to a long, expensive day, standing on soggy grass, drinking cheap bubbly out of a plastic champagne flute.

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Ned Yeomans and Nick Duffy Finishing school, turning 18, being selected in the highly competitive Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union side to play in New Zealand…it’s been a big year for Ned Yeomans and Nick Duffy - two boys from the bush who say rugby is one thing, but mates are everything. As told to Jen Cowley Ned Yeomans:

side. Now that everything’s opened up, I’d love to make a career out of rugby but you just can’t rely on it, so I have a back-up plan – I’m going to be working in real estate in Sydney. But rugby will always be an important part of my life, and Duff will always be a great mate.

’ve been playing rugby since the Under 6s for Walgett. The game has been an important part of my life, mostly because of the friends I’ve made. I’ve never expected to make certain teams – I’ve just played to have fun, which has pretty much been my idea for this year. I just wanted to play rugby for school. After coming off a really intense rowing season, I thought it would be great to finish my school sporting career with rugby. I credit my parents’ dedication with the success my brothers and sisters and I have had playing sport. I’m not just saying that for this interview – they’ve genuinely always been there. They’ve encouraged us to always put everything in. They’ve managed that fine line between being supportive and being pushy. They never make us do anything we don’t want to do – they’ve just made sure we all had every opportunity. I was stunned when I made the Australian Schoolboys side – it’s a very competitive process to make that team. I can’t actually describe the feeling really – it was just so surreal. It’s the best feeling I’ve had in my life. Standing there in the green and gold colours, representing my country in New Zealand, facing the haka, singing the national anthem – it was spine tingling. There’s nothing to describe it. Looking back now, it just went so fast – it’s hard to remember because you’re so heavily in the moment. It was such an honour, and particularly to be playing rugby in New Zealand, where it’s like a religion – I met 40 year old ladies there who know more about rugby than I do! The outcome wasn’t what we wanted, but that didn’t dull the thrill of playing there. We would like to have won, but nothing could wreck the feel-

Nick Duffy:

I ing or the fact that I formed such tight relationships. Having Nick named in the side was unreal – we played together and against each other when we were younger, and we were pretty fierce rivals at some stages. He was always that little smart-alec kid that everyone knew! I was stoked for Duff when he was named in the team, and having a familiar face there was really nice. We’ve been friends through rugby and through school and we’ve become even better mates now because we have that shared experience with playing Australian Schoolboys. Duff speeds up the game – everyone knows their role when he’s on the field. He’s there, he’s in everyone’s ear, he’s throwing thoughts into the ruck. He keeps everything in order. And he’s tenacious – I don’t know how he gets the ball out half the time. We’re both now in the NSW Waratahs 20s squad, so we’ll continue to play together, and we’ll both be hoping for a place in the eventual NSW under-20s

was nine when I started playing rugby – I played for the Dubbo ‘Roos under-10s, and apart from a couple of years playing soccer, I’ve played rugby all through school. I’ve spread the love a bit – I’ve played for lots of different sides and school teams. I reckon I could open up a uniform shop, I have so many at home (laughs)! Being selected for Australian Schoolboys was amazing – getting that jersey has been the highlight of my rugby career so far. It was such an honour and a privilege. When I got the call-up, I was sitting there just thinking “I wish these presentations would finish so I can go home” – I hadn’t been home for so long – and when they read out my name, I thought it must have been a mistake. I literally had no idea I would be selected. I was speechless. But it was one of the best moments I’ve had in my life – words can’t describe it. It was so moving putting that jumper on and knowing what and who you’re representing – all the people who’ve helped you through to get to that point; you’re representing all those other 30,000 kids in under-18s who wanted to be in that jersey; you’re representing your school, your family… and your nation. And knowing all that when you run out onto the field, well, there’s just nothing to describe it. At the start, you don’t really think about the responsibility – but then it dawns. You’re representing your coun-

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try, and you know you’ll be judged not only on how you play, but on how you conduct yourself. Ned and I will be playing together in the NSW under-20s squad, and we’ll both be in Sydney next year – I’m going to Sydney Uni and I want to do project management as a degree, as well as playing rugby for uni. I’m not pinning my entire future on rugby – I just want come out of the next three years with a degree, rather than just playing rugby, because it can be unpredictable. I remember Ned when he was playing under-10s for Walgett – this big blonde headed kid running through everyone. He’s still a big blonde headed bloke running through everyone. You could always tell he was going places with his rugby – and he’s a superb athlete. He’s one of the hardest rugby players I know. He’ll make tackle after tackle and it doesn’t matter who’s running at him. He’s never been fazed by the “big names” – typical boy from the bush, he’d just run at them. And he has one of the best running lines I’ve seen. Ned’s great rugby player, but he’s an even greater bloke – he’s always good for a laugh. But having someone on that team who I’ve known for so long was great – and having two country boys playing was pretty special. People often make the assumption that only city boys will make that side. He’s loyal, and he’s a good mate. I hadn’t seen him for almost a year – and when we got together for training before New Zealand, it was like we’d never left off. We’ll be friends for life – and that’s the best thing about rugby. Winning is one thing – and it’s great to win – but it’s more about the people you meet, the experiences you have and the friends you make for life. Photo: Supplied

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PROFILE

Two years ago, Leonie Goldsmith was diagnosed with breast cancer. Today she’s considered a survivor and despite the ravages of the disease and its treatment in the time since, she’s spent the past year training and raising money to complete a two-day walk across Sydney in the second annual The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers. Her sister-in-law Kim V. Goldsmith has taken much of the journey with her, and was there to cheer her on as she joined more than 800 others who have been affected directly and indirectly by cancer. WORDS and PHOTOGRAPHY Kim V. Goldsmith

hen you live 50km from Coonamble, personal trainers and state of the art fitness equipment aren’t easy to come by. But a lack of such services hasn’t stopped Leonie Goldsmith from spending months training for one of the biggest physical challenges she’s undertaken since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Last weekend, Goldsmith walked 60 kilometres across Sydney as part of the second The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers event that raises money for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse where Goldsmith has her oncology check-ups. To participate in the event she had to raise a minimum of $2000, which largely came from friends, family and those from Coonamble – a community she describes as being ‘incredibly supportive and generous’. So generous in fact, over recent weeks Goldsmith has been steadily climbing up the fundraising ranks of the event’s Top 100 fundraisers, ending the weekend in tenth place with just over $7000 donated to her efforts. “Seven thousand dollars is not an enormous amount of money but if everybody can raise something like that, then it becomes impressive.”

n top of fundraising, casual teaching, helping out on the farm and chasing after three teenagers, she has spent hours treading the dirt roads threading through the family’s property north of Coonamble, including dodging trucks on the

Pilliga Road; gradually building up the distances covered from five to 25 kilometres. Putting one foot in front of another in more ways than one over the past two years, it’s been a time of reflection about how far she has come. “At the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer it really knocked the wind from my sails. I simply couldn’t believe it as I had never felt fitter, better, healthier. “But I immediately underwent surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation throughout the following year. “It’s been a challenging journey but along the way I have learned a lot and been humbled by the wonderful support of my family and friends. “This event is about wanting to do something to give a little back. “I’ve been really moved by the facilities at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse but sadly many more wonderful women will have to pass through its doors before we put an end to the spiraling incidence of women’s cancer.” Goldsmith’s initial thoughts about The Weekend to End Women’s Cancers was it would be ‘uplifting and inspiring’, and a way of meeting a range of interesting people with their own stories. “But my reason for doing it is two-pronged. When I’ve been to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse I’ve been really impressed with the relaxed and friendly feel there, the staff are wonderful, and I know the facilities are not complete and they need more help. “Getting some funds towards that has been

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

“ I’ve been really moved by the facilities at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse but sadly many more wonderful women will have to pass through its doors before we put an end to the spiraling incidence of women’s cancer.”

rewarding.” Goldsmith’s cancer treatment started in Dubbo but due to necessity it continued in Sydney. She considers access to facilities such as those offered by the Lifehouse to being hugely significant to her given she couldn’t receive treatment in her home town. “Things like access to a nutritionist and ongoing care are the sorts of things I’ve found important. “Every six months I go to the Lifehouse and I meet with a specialist oncologist and discuss how I’m going and where to now.” While considered a ‘survivor’ of breast cancer, Goldsmith’s treatment is ongoing. She takes hormonal medication, Tamoxifen, which she’ll stay on for at least five years, and possibly ten, to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back. Goldsmith says two years ago, prior to the cancer, she would have done a 60-kilometre walk easily. “But your body takes a bit of a pounding with various treatments, especially chemotherapy. “With muscle tiredness and other things, my body is not the same it was two years ago. So that has been a little bit difficult. “As well as the walking program on the roads, I used the cross-trainer at home, and when I’ve been in Sydney I’ve tried to do a gym class and yoga to maintain my flexibility.” Like anything requiring a lot of physical training, mental fitness is also required to

Tent City, Meadowbank Park

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014â&#x20AC;&#x192;

PROFILE

keep the end goal in mind. “There are days, especially when it’s been a bit hotter at home, that you don’t want to spend four hours walking the Pilliga Road. You’d much rather stay inside and do nothing much. “I’ve had my phone with me for music, but I discovered phones don’t last much more than 16 kilometres...that last eight kilometres is very quiet – quite dull,” she smiles.

wapping the dirt roads of Coonamble for the concrete and bitumen of Sydney during the weekend of the walk, Goldsmith was a little anxious about what was ahead of her. On the way into Darling Harbour for the opening ceremony she muses about the hills she’s likely to encounter. “Having not walked a hill on the flat Pilliga Road, hopefully they won’t be too steep or numerous and I will get over it, around it! “But I’m feeling good. I’m looking forward to it and confident I will be able to complete the 60 kilometres. “I didn’t sleep well last night though. My mind was going over things and worrying about the thickness of my mattress!” she laughs. Overnight accommodation at the end of the first day’s walking was a tent city at Meadowbank Park. However, before discovering who her tent mate might be and whether the mattress in her swag would be thick enough to support her weary, aching body, and if the terrain would indeed prove to be hilly, Goldsmith had to play a part in the opening ceremony, led by Chris O’Brien’s widow, Gail O’Brien. “I’m one of six women chosen to form a circle of survival at the opening ceremony, providing a symbol of hope to others. “It’s all made the feel of the event really positive. There are so many others involved who have amazing personal stories to tell.” At the end of the weekend, and 60 kilometres of footpaths, steps, hills and bridges later, Goldsmith says she held up surprisingly well. After tackling some challenging sets of steps and punching into a headwind over the Gladesville Bridge on the first day, she made it to Meadowbank Park mid-afternoon, settling into the tent city for the night, where there were a range of activities and services provided to walkers. “I went to the podiatrist tent and had my feet dressed by third year podiatrist students. They were absolutely brilliant. “There was a massage tent, a

glass of champagne, speeches and a band – the whole thing was really well organised and the volunteers were amazing.” Day Two started very early, with Goldsmith once again leading the charge as the walkers set off back to Darling Harbour. “I was walking by 6.30 – one of the first on the track. But like the first day, I didn’t finish first!” she laughs loudly. “The last 10 kilometres was pretty tough. Walking that far on a hard surface – my knees and hips were jarring...it was starting to hurt a fair bit. “As soon as you had to stop at a traffic light and then start off again, it was pretty tough.” On the return journey, walkers were treated to a tour through of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at Camperdown. Staff members lined the entrance of the facility, applauding and cheering as the walkers made their way inside. “We went through the LivingRoom section, which is their alternate therapies area, and got to write a message on the wall and a huge banner was there with all the walkers names hanging from the ceiling. “The staff and people there made us feel very special.” Even though she was an individual entrant in the walk, Goldsmith quickly made friends with other walkers and found herself in company over the two days, which she credits to helping her through. “It was nice to walk along with someone – walking and talking. “As we got more tired, we were walking along just really thinking about putting one foot in front of the other, but the closing ceremony, like the opening ceremony, was very emotional.” She has been so impressed by the organisation of the event that she’s thinking about how she might be involved in future. “Well, not tomorrow or next week!” she laughs. “But I would do it again as it was really rewarding as a personal challenge and I met some amazing women. “Whether I’d do the walk again or volunteer, I’ll wait and see. It would be pretty special to be involved in the volunteering too as they did an incredible job. “The girls I walked with made a little pact that we’d see if we could get back there in 12 months in some capacity.” Following the walk, Goldsmith treated herself to a belated birthday present from her family – two days at a health retreat in the Blue Mountains, followed by a return to work in Coonamble to teach Kindergarten. n

Leonie Goldsmith (white shirt, left) in the Survivors Circle

Walkers leaving Darling Harbour

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

Cancer patients benefit from fundraising The second annual Sydney Walk to End All Women’s Cancers raised $2.3 million for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, with money raised going towards cancer research, clinical trials and evidence-based complementary therapies for patients. Based near the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, Sydney, the Lifehouse is a patient-centred facility offering treatment, research, education, complementary therapies and psychosocial support. Named after cancer specialist, Professor Chris O’Brien, the $260 million facility opened to patients in November 2013, with further facilities at the Lifehouse being opened in stages as funding permits. O’Brien fought his own three-year battle with an aggressive brain tumour, dying in 2009. For more information go to www. sydneycancer.com.au

ADVERTORIAL

Media & Marketing Minute Compiled by the Sales & Marketing team at Dubbo Photo News/Dubbo Weekender

A little inspiration. And a high-wire act.

I and welcome to our Marketing Minute. Our opening print ad this week (above) is a fun one. It’s for a European lottery. Made us smile!

6 more marketing tips WE like to share some of the tips we’ve gathered over time here in the Marketing Minute. Here’s half a dozen more. l Highlight your point(s) of difference. Most businesses have at least one point of difference to make them more attractive than their opposition. Then, as a follow-on to that... l Ask yourself what’s unusual about your business – and then publicise it. It’s another way of giving yourself a point of difference. l Ask for referrals. When you know you have a satisfied customer, ask them to recommend you to someone else. Rumour has it that’s what Dick Smith did to make his electronics business so successful. l Survey your customers. Find out what they do and don’t like about your business. l Bundle products. Try bundling newer products with existing ones as a way to get more people to try the newer item. l Last but not least (and this might not be for everyone), take a controversial stance on a hot industry topic.

When you write: Tip #4 HERE’S another in our series of handy copywriting tips from Richard Bayan’s book “Words That Sell”. 4. Don’t fill your copy with empty overstatements. Too many words like fabulous and fantastic within a brief space will destroy your credibility. You don’t want your audience to dismiss you as a propagandist. Instead, try to convince the audience that your product is fabulous. Make them say, “That’s really fantastic!”

A high wire act TWO years of training has paid off for two high-wire artists who successfully crossed Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe this week, over a 33-metre length of “slack line”. The pair, German student Lukas Irmler and Austrian journalist Reinhard Kleindl, say slack lining is different from a normal tightrope walking because – as its name suggests – it uses a slack line that isn’t as rigid and has more bounce. People who practise this are called “slackers” but, contrary to the title, they are anything but as they must maintain a greater focus and balance than those who walk on tightropes. - Until next week, don’t be a “slacker”, and keep up the great marketing!

Business in changing times with Phil Comerford, Scolari Comerford Dubbo

Income protection insurance – devil in the detail I NCOME protection insurance is worth considering for working people. It can pay a proportion of your salary if you are temporarily unable to work because of sickness or injury. When taking out any insurance policy, you should check carefully the terms and conditions, and also the way the key terms of the policy are defined. This helps to avoid disappointment or disputes with the insurer should an unfortunate event occur. This article takes a look at a determination made by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in relation to a dispute over an income protection insurance policy.

FOS EXAMINES “OFFSET” CONDITION In June 2014, the FOS issued a determination regarding a claim under an income protection insurance policy. At the commencement of the policy, and until he became disabled, the applicant jointly owned and operated a family business with his wife. When the applicant became totally disabled, the family business continued and made profits without the applicant’s participation. The determination considered the insurer’s interpretation of a policy condition which stated that “the amount of the monthly total disability benefit will be reduced, where necessary, so that the total that month of... the total disability benefit payment... and amounts payable from the insured person’s employer or business... does not exceed 75% of pre-disability monthly earnings”. The FOS said the insurer did not dispute that the applicant was totally disabled. However, it applied the policy condition to offset the continuing profits of the family business against the benefits otherwise payable to the applicant. The financial services provider (FSP) said that it accepted the applicant’s application for cover on the basis that he was entitled to 50% of the profits of the family business, and said that it took this into account when calculating the applicant’s pre-disability monthly earnings. Therefore, the

FSP considered it was entitled to apply the policy condition. A FOS panel did not agree with the insurer’s interpretation of the policy condition. The FOS said the panel determined that: The insurer was only able to apply the policy condition to amounts which were referable to the applicant’s total disability. These did not include amounts which may have been payable to the applicant as a result of the profitability of the family business after he became incapacitated, and to which he did not contribute through personal exertion.

 Like many things in life, the devil is in the detail, so it’s important that you understand what you are (or will be) covered for... There is no unfairness or inconsistency in taking into account business profits prior to disablement when the applicant was working full time but not after he became totally disabled when he took no part in the business. Ignoring pre-disability profits of the business that were due to the applicant’s activities would contravene the policy definition of pre-disability monthly earnings. When the applicant became totally disabled, he ceased to earn any personal exertion income. Any amounts subsequently payable to him from the business were “passive” income, in the nature of dividends on a shareholding. These were not amounts referable to his disability, and were therefore not able to be offset under the policy condition.

TALK TO US Like many things in life, the devil is in the detail, so it’s important that you understand what you are (or will be) covered for. It’s also important to consider seeking professional advice tailored to your circumstances. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our office.

We work with successful business owners who wish to enhance their lifestyle by:  increasing their profits;  improving their cash flow;  focusing on growth;  protecting their assets; and  preparing their business for maximum sale. “Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.” – William Penn

89 Wingewarra St Dubbo | Tel 02 6885 4433

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Area 6, Level 1, 188 Macquarie St, Dubbo Office: 1300 852 980 Fax: 1300 852 981 DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

ARTS

Keeping it in the family WORDS Vivienne Winther PHOTOS Greg Marginson

usic is a part of most people’s daily life today, with everyone listening to the radio or their favourite play-lists, but for many it’s a fairly passive presence; just always there in the background. However, for three Dubbo families, music is definitely front and centre. The Hall, Clark and Newby children learn a number of musical instruments, with their parents leading the way as players as well. Their family members study and play a range of brass, wind, strings and keyboard instruments, making for a busy family life, with some challenges but lots of rewards.

rium is a really good trombone player, and he teaches all three of us.”

Back, Brianna and Samual, Front, Athalia and Isabelle Clark

I Sarah, Robin and Jessica Hall

obin, Sarah and Jessica Hall play tuba, trumpet and trombone, while their mum Melinda plays the organ and their dad Travis sings. Robin picked up the tuba in primary school when he joined the school band. “Mum was incredibly surprised when she arrived to find me standing next to a gigantic instrument case. The teacher got me to dig to the back of the storeroom and we found a tuba. I was pretty tall in Year Five so it seemed like I was the right kid to play it.” Sarah and Jessica chose their instruments through the “Puff and Blow” instrument demonstrations and try-outs run by Macquarie Conservatorium teachers at their school. “I chose the trumpet because it is my style, I am a loud person and the trumpet is loud,” says Sarah. “I was desperate to play the trombone because it looked like it would be a fun instrument to play moving the slide, plus I have long arms,” says Jessica. “Stephen Smith from the Conservato-

n the Clark family, sisters Athalia, Isabelle and Brianna all play violin. Their brother Samuel chose to play guitar to follow in his dad Mitchell’s footsteps, and now they really enjoy playing together. All four children also have piano lessons. Their mum Evelyne didn’t have the chance to learn an instrument as a child, but as a primary school teacher she ‘dabbles’, playing percussion and recorder. “Athalia chose the violin because her kindergarten teacher often played violin to the class. She began lessons with Conservatorium string teacher Sue Hovenden when she was in Year Three,” says Evelyne. “Then of course Isabelle and Brianna wanted to be like their big sister, but this was difficult at the beginning as they thought they would sound like her straight away! They were very squeaky at the start, compared to Athalia who had been playing for several years, but they persevered.”

two guitars already in the house, so Ben and James took those up. “Then Emma learned violin mainly because we had her grandmother’s rather special old violin,” says Cathy. So having made their instrument choice and started their routine of weekly lessons and practice, what is it like to live in a multi-instrumental family? “With everyone playing a musical instrument, we are constantly juggling practice times and music lessons around school, swimming and our other music activities like playing in bands,” says Robin Hall. “It’s never boring in our house – even our dog Bob sings along,” says his sister Sarah. “Making your own band is fun, we can play lots of songs together which sound nice. “And if you make a mistake you can hide it easily as the others cover it up,” says her sister Brianna. For the Newbys, it means there is constant music playing in the house. “This can be nice but sometimes the music clashes and it ends up being noise instead!” says Cathy Newby. “It’s also amazing the space musical instruments take up – imagine a piano, a violin, a saxophone and four guitars, plus three teenagers, all in one house.” Despite this, families can play together and enjoy making music together, according to her daughter Emma. “Usually someone else is around who can give some input into your music. We all understand the hard work and focus needed to learn your pieces.” The Clark sisters have found it hard sometimes competing against each other at the Eisteddfod. “But it teaches you to play your very best at all times and to be happy with

Ben, James and Emma Newby

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or the Newbys, learning musical instruments is a family tradition for both parents, with music teachers in the family and each generation learning a variety of instruments. The three Newby children and their parents all play piano plus one more instrument – violin for Emma, saxophone for her mum Cathy, while brothers Ben and James and their dad Ken play guitar. The choice of instrument was influenced by what was at hand. There were

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the results,” says Isabelle. “It’s a great way for the family to be encouraging of one another,” says her dad Mitchell. “Praising each other when there are successes and helping one another through disappointments is a bonus, and not focusing on always being the ‘winner’ is an important lesson.”

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DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

or all three families, the benefits of learning and playing musical instruments are worth the quite substantial investment of time and money. Travis Hall believes learning a musical instrument gives you a skill for life. “Whether you’re a soloist, or part of a band or orchestra, you can try to take it as far as you like, so it becomes a life-long learning experience. Playing together in bands has given our kids a strong sense of community as well.” For Mitchell Clark, there are many positive flow-on effects into other areas of his children’s lives. “Musicians really learn about commitment and dedication. Playing collaboratively with other musicians gives you the skills you need to work with people and negotiate together.” The proven positive effect of learning music on the acquisition of other learning skills is an important advantage for the Newbys. “The benefits for brain development are huge,” says Cathy. “Playing an instrument definitely helps you focus, be attentive, persistent, and know how to finish a task to a high level. Then there is the advanced development of hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills.” But probably the most important aspect of their children playing musical instruments is the experience the families share when making music together. “Music is like learning another language and when you all speak that same language, it’s very rewarding,” says Evelyne. “Our kids share their music with others and give back to their family as well as the community,” says Cathy. “While it can be noisy and busy, beautiful music can occur at anytime of the day in our family. There’s lots of fun and laughter when we all get together and play.”

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THE Write STUFF

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.

“ In a world where the laptop makes writing away from home so much more accessible it makes sense that writers can get together and just write.

From the bookshelves by Dave Pankhurst The Book Connection, Dubbo

Writing: you’re not alone are I say, acclaimed science fiction author, Mr Isaac Asimov, you are wrong? There, I said it. In “I Asimov”, the author states: “Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socialises regularly, when he gets down to the real business of his life, it is he and his type writer or word processor. No one else is or can be involved in the matter.” It’s true – most writers do spend a lot of time alone, in the zone, writing. We don’t want to be disturbed when we are on a creative roll. This month I’ve found that it doesn’t have to be like that all the time. This month I’ve discovered that there’s something utterly energising about sitting with a bunch of writers and just writing. So far this month there have been two NaNoWriMo Write-Ins. Confession: I worked for a telemarketer once and whenever someone made a sale they’d shout out “Sale!” and the supervisor would write that up on the board. At the two write-ins we’ve had so far in Dubbo no one has yelled out “1000 words!” to disturb our flow, but we do cheer each other on. Last Sunday, Lee wrote over 4000 words. Obviously a first draft that will be edited later, but it’s there; the words are down, the start is made! Kudos, Lee. That’s the point of NaNoWriMo. Some of us struggled to get 1000 words down. But 1000 is better than none. In a world where the laptop makes writing away from home so much more accessible it makes sense that writers can get together and just write. Or that writers can get away from home and write. Staying at home and writing can be thwarted by distractions. Virginia Wolfe in her famous quote said eve-

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ry woman writer needs money and a room of her own. If you don’t have a room of your own, or your room is constantly invaded by big or little people who don’t understand the Do Not Disturb note on the door – or your OCD brain is drawn to the washing that needs folding – writing away from home is the next best thing. Harry Potter author JK Rowling wrote: “It’s no secret that the best place to write, in my opinion, is in the café. You don’t have to make your own coffee; you don’t have to feel like you’re in solitary confinement and if you have writer’s block, you can get up and walk to the next café while giving your batteries time to recharge and brain time to think. The best café is crowded enough to blend in, not too crowed that you have to share a table with someone else.” As I write, I’m looking forward to spending the afternoon in a café, sharing a table with a few other writers and hoping to knock out 2000 words in three hours. I will be served tea – I’m rather partial to a pot of orange and lotus leaf – and order a light lunch. I might take a break and go for a walk. Someone might want to talk a problem through. I can come and go as I wish. The beautiful thing is that I am not alone! All around the world, in November, thousands of writers are meeting, thrashing away at their keyboards to reach the NaNoWriMo challenge of 50,000 words. We’re in the process of debunking the myth that writing is a lonely business. Even if you’re not signed up for NaNoWriMo come and meet other writers and join us as we write.

What’s on in Dubbo for writers: • NaNoWriMo Write-Ins – Saturday, November 15, 11am-3pm upstairs, Kellie’s residency, Fire Station Arts Centre, corner of Darling and Wingewarra Streets; Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23 - 10-3 and 11-3, respectively. Library conference room. • ABC Open 500 discussion group was postponed last Tuesday but is on this Tuesday. Bring your draft for the October theme, My Secret Fear, Community Arts Centre, WPCC 5.30-7.00 – Tuesday, November 18.

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.

Civil disobedience F

ROM Abraham Lincoln’s Selected Writings is his address to the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois. Written in 1850, he begins citing America’s Constitutional basis – saying, “We are... the legal inheritors of those fundamental blessings. We toiled not in the establishment of them – they are a legacy bequeathed us by a once hardy, brave and patriotic, but now lamented and departed race of ancestors.” This observation has some similarities for us. Recognising the recent ANZAC commemorations in Albany and all those others who served to protect our nation, we recall generations who worked to establish a quality of life that established values that are now disappearing. We question what has caused the demise of our standards, and we should not be intimidated by those who accelerated that decline due to either incompetence or a pursuit self-serving ends. Abraham Lincoln writes in “Address Before the Springfield Scott Club”, where he is reviewing the case of General Scott-Smith and the decision of Judge Douglass. Lincoln writes, “If the Judge finds no cause to regret his part in the assault upon the General, I certainly think the General needs not. The man recovered from the bite – the dog it was, that died.” When legal judgements are made, the community at large forms its opinion on whether or not justice was seen to be done. In a world where civil legal actions are a regular part of life, the question is asked should the public as a whole consider a lawsuit against the lawmakers whose laws fail to bring appropriate sentences against offenders. Think of the Melbourne lady who was raped and murdered by a man released on parole, think of the father sentenced to about a year for murdering his 10-month-old child, and think of the repeat offenders that come before the courts, having ignored court orders. Steven Pinker has written “The Better Angels of Our Nature” in which he writes that, believe it or not, today we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species’ history. Despite the constant stream of news about war, crime and terrorism, violence of all kinds has been decreasing. Barbaric practices such as human sacrifice, torture executions and chattel slavery have been abolished, rates of death from war and homicide are down. But the sum of local living standards comprises the whole scene. That iconic organisation, the United Nations, has suddenly found that global warming and climate change have become a massive problem. Maybe this is because they have failed to identify a solution to the ebola epidemic, or the wars in Syria and the Middle East, and so to claim some significance, they have to be seen to be doing something. Ian Plimer has written “Not For

Greens” and on the cover is a picture of a stainless steel spoon. The processes required to make such spoons are remarkably complicated and every stage involves risk, coal, energy, capital, international trade and finance. But this cutlery is accepted by people – who give little thought to the processes that have gone into producing an implement that allows us to eat without killing ourselves with bacteria. We are in the best of times to live on planet Earth – all this taken for granted. The foreword to that book is written by the co-founder of Greenpeace, Patrick Moore. The book analyses the effects of the Greens, saying “they may have started as genuine environmentalists but they have morphed into an unelected extremist political pressure group accountable to no one”. In Matt Ridley’s book “The Rational Optimist” there is a quote taken from Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” which runs, “Whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.” A graph shows the production of global cereal crops that, over the period 1965 to 2005, has doubled. Given the world population is predicted to grow to 9 billion by 2100, this initiative of all farmers will need to continue. The biography “Socrates” by Paul Johnson brings us the life and thinking of one of history’s brilliant minds. Subtitled “A Man for our Times” it relates how Socrates, living in the 5th century BC, is now considered the father of philosophy. Plutarch observed, “He was the first person to demonstrate that life is open to philosophy at all times, in every part, among all kinds of people, and in every experience and activity.” Socrates served as a soldier, had a family, and mixed in the community with people from the local grocer to leading politicians. He spent his life questioning and teaching, although in his later life, as Athens slid into civic unrest (it happened even then), there was a backlash against him and he was tried and put to death. The Manifesto series of “Words That Changed the World” contains the 1848 essay by Henry David Thoreau delivered in support of the anti-slavery cause. However it wasn’t until the 20th century that his ideas on “Civil Disobedience” became a key text for Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and influenced student radicalism in the 1960s. It brings out the distrust in the power of the state, direct action versus the ballot box, informed dissent and non-violent resistance. But he identified the ongoing issue of civil disobedience. Enjoy your browsing, Dave Pankhurst

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

PEOPLE

WEEKENDER DIARY hear ll Kintyre Art, Craft and Photography exhibition Hear more about the handiwork of Kintyre residents as they host their 2014 Kintyre Art, Craft and Photography exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16. There will also be Christmas decorations and ornaments for sale, along with woodwork, beading, homemade sweets, gifts, jewellery, photography, crafts and leather goods. Entry is by gold coin donation and the open weekend will be held between 10am and 3pm each day. ll Orana Outlook Dinner Be at the inaugural Orana Outlook Dinner at

Taronga Western Plains Zoo next Friday November 21, to learn more about the economic profile of the region. Organised by Regional Development Australia, the focus of the evening will be to provide updates to the Orana Economic Profile and opportunities for diversification and growth, along with the launch of the Orana Workforce Capacity Report. Former Wallaby star Nick FarrJones will give the keynote address in his capacity as a business leader in the finance and resources sector. Jonathan Pain will also provide insights into financial markets and the global economy. The function begins at 6pm.

see ll A charming tale The timeless classic story of Cinderella will be performed by Dubbo Theatre Company as its Christmas Pantomime at Dubbo Regional Theatre on November 22. Featuring some of Dubbo’s best talent, this show has music, laughs, dancing and plenty of merriment. Hiss at the stepmother and stepsisters, and cheer for Cinderella, Dandini, Buttons and Prince Charming! ll Pareidolia on show The student art community at TAFE Western’s Dubbo campus will host one of the largest TAFE

Talking to... Peter Judd

Peter Judd has learned the hard way not to forget important dates...like wedding anniversaries! But he’s working hard to make sure Dubbo’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event is well organised. AS TOLD TO and PHOTOGRAPHY Kaitlyn Rennie On my bedside table at the moment is... an iPod and a couple of books I am trying to finish. Life has taught me that when it comes to the opposite sex... they’re completely opposite! My top five albums of all time are... The Beatles – The Essential Beatles; Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon; Skyhooks – Living in the 70s; Daddy Cool – Eagle Rock; and War of the Worlds. If I had to name my five best loved movies they would be... Rocky Horror, 2001 Space Odyssey, Star Wars Series, Fire Fly, Star Gate. I draw inspiration from... people who start with nothing and struggle to build a

exhibitions west of the Sydney metropolitan area this Saturday, November 15. Named Pareidolia, the exhibition features student work from visual arts, photography, fashion and design. Pareidolia offers an exciting opportunity to see the work of local artists. There will be some truly outstanding art on display and the public are invited to attend. Opening night will be 6-8pm on Saturday, November 15, with the exhibition remaining open for the following week (10am until 4pm Monday-Friday).

successful business. I believe... it is better to have a bottle in front of me than to have a frontal lobotomy. I always laugh when... I hear of another climate change denier saying there is no such thing as global warming. I’ll never forget... the day I was married, or the date of our anniversary (again). What I know now that I wish I’d known sooner is... work really hard at school and university to make it easier in later life. It is so much harder in later life to play catch up. I never thought I’d... be organising the Dubbo New Year’s Eve Party with the best fireworks in the Central West.

ll Barefoot Bowls Head on down to Club Dubbo for Barefoot Bowls on Friday, November 21. There will be music, bowl and Family versus Family challenges. This will be a family fun night to see who will be the Barefoot Bowls Champions. Teams of three or four must feature mums, dads, grandparents, uncles and aunties, and children under 16. Prizes will be provided on the night and bowls provided for all families. Club members will also be on

hand to teach newcomers to the sport. ll 2015 season launch To help celebrate the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre 2015 season launch, glam up and bling out as the sensational sixth season of touring shows is unveiled tomorrow (Sunday, November 16) from 1pm. Sip on champagne, nibble on refreshments and be among the first to know what’s in store for 2015 when the lid is lifted on the spanking new theme.

etc ll Women with Flair If you’re a woman living in a rural area, register for this free two-day workshop designed to help during the upcoming fire season. The aim is to provide basic fire awareness and knowledge, how to plan and prepare for a fire and give confidence that an informed decision can be made or actions taken in the event of a fire. The workshops will be held in Wellington on November 15 and 16 and Dubbo on November 21 and 22. To register, contact Kennedy Tourle of the NSW Rural Fire Service on 6881 3900. ll Us Join Gill Pedrana at the Fire Station Arts Centre for the opening of Us, an exhibition about ex-

pressionism rather than realism. Gill has chosen monochrome to evoke emotion and drama, to capture a moment of mood most of us can relate to. We are complex beings with many layers: workers, friends, spouses, parents and siblings – all at the same time, but to different people we can be ecstatic, angry, heartbroken, sad and joyful. We nurture, mentor, scald, encourage, like, dislike, love – we have many layers and mean a multitude of things to many individuals. This will be a beautiful exhibition from a very talented local artist. The official opening will be held on Friday, November 21. Refreshments and light canapés will be served from 6pm until 8pm.

DUBBOREGIONAL REGIONAL DUBBO

THEATRE THEATRE CONVENTION CENTRE CONVENTION CENTRE

Book early - don’t miss out drtcc.com.au or 6801 4378 Friday shows sold out!

PRESENTED BY MONKEY BAA THEATRE COMPANY

> Thursday 13 November, 1.00pm – New show added! > Thursday 13 November, 6.30pm – Seats still available.

PETE THE SHEEP

Pete the Sheep is a brand-new 50-minute musical, based on Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s quirky and quintessentially Australian picture book. Suitable for ages 3-9 and their families.

> Sunday 16 November, 1.00pm

> Saturday 22 November, 1 pm, 3.30 pm and 6 pm

NEW THEME| NEW SEASON | NEW DIRECTION CINDERELLA Glam up and bling out as Manager, Linda Christof and team proudly unveil the fantastic sixth Season of shows! It’s time to shake things up! There is a lucky door prize of a $500 Gift Voucher! Tickets on sale now!

A timeless classic performed as the annual Christmas Pantomime. Come and hiss at the Stepmother and Stepsisters, and cheer for Cinderella, Dandini, Buttons and Prince Charming in this fun-filled 70 minute family show.

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

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

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 Order of Australia Association Luncheon By Cheryl Husband

Guests gathered for the Order of Australia Association luncheon at the Dubbo RSL One 7 Eight Restaurant on Saturday, October 18. Recipients and their family and friends from Dubbo, Narromine, Trangie, Louth, Wellington, Dunedoo, Mudgee and Eumungerie, Sydney and Woy Woy came together for the annual event which celebrates their achievements. The guest speakers were Malcolm Longstaff OAM, who spoke on the history of the Junior Farmers Rural Youth Organisation and Wally Mitchell AM spoke on the Western Division of NSW. Musical entertainment on the day was provided by students from the Macquarie Conservatorium under the direction of Sue Hovenden.

Bill Ballhausen, Ruby Riach, Wally Mitchell, Malcolm Longstaff Patrick and Cynthia Foley with Pat Doolan Maggie Mitchell, Les Clarke and Margaret Longstaff

Emma Newby, Amanda and Sue Hovenden with Meredith Stendell

Reg Furguson, Doug Elliot with Margaret Hughes

Rotary meeting with a twist The 11th day of the 11th month is an auspicious date in any year, and this year it marked a special meeting for the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie. The city’s only lunch-time club had three special events this week. President Lorraine Croft was pleased to induct “new” member Gladys Endacott, a former member who defected briefly to another club but has now come back to the fold. Members then shared a celebratory cake from Rotarians Jen and Steve Cowley, who also double as Weekender editor and photographer respectively, and who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. But the piece de resistance was a presentation to mark Remembrance Day from renowned regional war historian Maurice Campbell. No stranger to the club, Maurice shared some anecdotes about memorabilia, including a slouch hat presented to him as a lad and which holds a great deal of the Campbell family’s war history.

DUBBO DUBBOWEEKENDER WEEKENDERThe TheDubbo DubboPhoto PhotoNews NewsWeekend WeekendNews NewsMagazine Magazine15.11.2014 00.00.201429 1

PUZZLES & PLAY FIND THE WORDS

WEEKENDER SUPER CROSSWORD This week’s theme: FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

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 15 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle. Mountains of fun

alpine ankle blizzard Blue Cow boots break cabins cable chairlift chalet cold

cosy descent edges Falls Creek fine FIS freeze gates glissade hole

ice Kosciuszko leg lost mist neve Nordic parka Perisher play

plough run safety scenic ski slalom sled Smiggins snowboard stable

steers stem stocks sun telemark Thredbo unwind wax wool

WEEKENDER SUDOKU Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each small 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

ACROSS

1. River to the Baltic 5. Lost tourist’s aid 8. Get – of (reach) 13. Grant 19. Playful sprite 20. Bullring cheer 21. Brownish tint 22. Camelot king 23. “There is -!” 24. Start of a riddle 27. Riddle, part 2 29. Isle of exile for Napoleon 30. Stakes 31. It’s larger than giga32. Old fruit soda brand 34. “I’m freezing!” 36. Ex-soldier 37. Musical gift 38. Start of a pirate’s chant 42. Docs treating tonsillitis 45. Defiant sorts 47. Riddle, part 3 52. “At Last” singer – James 53. Raise, as a house 54. Nero’s 62 55. South – (75-Down’s country) 59. Turn outward 61. Riddle, part 4 64. Johann Pachelbel’s “- in D” 66. “Just a moment” 67. Limo-riding type 68. Alpha- – acid 71. Paid to play cards 73. Cat warnings 76. Chicken –

69. Ice skater Kulik 70. Date source 71. Lend a hand 72. Web location 74. Ailing 75. See 55-Across 78. Short play 79. High nest 80. Used a scull 81. Harriet Beecher 83. Rob of “The West Wing” 84. Agra’s Taj 85. Mas’ mates 86. – Jacinto 88. Puts on seductively 89. Converted to code 90. Comical Martha 94. “Morning Edition” airer 97. Detrains, say 98. 1962 hit for the Exciters 99. Difficult task 100. Turks and – Islands 101. Intertwine 102. Complained bitterly 108. Bard’s “Heathers” 18. Pulls with a 44. Zuricher, e.g. “before” Bruce of film wildcat king violent twist 5. Not stereo 46. Greek letters 110. Boat spines 77. How match- 105. Start for 129. Cook on 111. Pig pad 25. Country 6. Balm plant after pis eminent ing items are a grill music channel 48. Sleep: Prefix 113. Rocker Liz often sold 106. Actress and 130. Bexley beer 7. Cathedral seats 26. Subside comic Gasteyer 131. News nug80. “- Mio” (Pa49. Passé TV 115. Jazzy varotti favourite) 107. Twist the 8. “For want of 28. “It rained all hookup get Fitzgerald 82. Riddle, part 5 truth 132. Car varieties – the horse was night the – left...” 50. Pub. de117. Sky spheres lost” fender, e.g. 33. Slope 87. Ne’er-do-well 109. Deer kin 133. Feels like 118. Used to be 51. Bee’s home 91. Polynesian 35. Poolroom 112. “- -daisy!” 134. Silent “yes” 9. Irreligious 120. Fed. agent 10. Choose (to) accessories island group 56. Gives gas 114. “Would – to 135. Divining 121. Saintly ring 11. – Brite 92. Pupil setting You?” (1985 pop aids 57. Novelist 37. Sword sort 122. See 3912. Novelist Wiesel song) 93. Baseball 39. With 122Roald great Hank 58. Viper types Down 116. Enlarge Down, like a 123. Virtual citi13. Brand of rum Cyclops 95. Forearm 60. – chi 119. Start of the DOWN part riddle’s answer 1. Pendant gem 14. Show fal40. Marx who 62. – voce (very zens in a video game libility 96. End of the kept mum softly) 124. End of the 2. High-tech 125. Had a vicriddle 15. Ticket part riddle’s answer viewing me41. Keats’ “- Mel- 63. Say again dium tory 100. Trix or Kix 127. Opposi16. Steal things ancholy” 65. Scholastic 3. Acquit 103. Un-PC suffix tionist sports gp. 17. Dismissal 43. Sent a cell 126. Tip of a 4. Winona of from a position message to 104. Laura or 128. Spotted 68. Ordinances boot

Tip: This is an international crossword. To add an extra challenge it occasionally uses the US spelling for answers. 1103 n Solution next week

GO FIGURE

>> AXYDLBAAXR is LONGFELLOW: One letter stands for another. In this sample, A is used for the three Ls, X for the two Os, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. Each week the code letters are different.

1103 n Solution next week

TRIVIA TIME 1. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of Texas, USA? 2. MOVIES: How many von Trapp children were in “The Sound of Music”? 3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: To which British queen was the famous Kohi-noor diamond given? 4. SPORT: Name the first Central American men’s soccer team to win a World Cup game. 5. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of ferrets called? 6. FLASHBACK: Who sang with Elton John on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”? 7. HISTORY: What was an oast house used for? 8. LITERATURE: What was Ernest Hemingway’s first

1020 n Solution next week

OUT ON A LIMB

novel? 9. MUSIC: Which 1970s band released the hit “Smoke on the Water”? 10. GAMES: What modern card game evolved from the older game of whist? n Answers next page

DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014

>> The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once. 1103 n Solution next week

by Gary Kopervas

CRYPTO-QUOTE

PUZZLES & PLAY THE WEEK AHEAD

week commencing 17.11.2014

ARIES

LIBRA





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

• 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

Mar 21-apr 19 A long-sought workplace change could be happening soon. Consider reworking your ideas and preparing a presentation just in case. A personal relationship takes a new turn.

Sep 23-Oct 22 A misunderstanding with a partner or spouse needs to be worked out before it turns into something really nasty. Forget about your pride for now and make that first healing move.

TAURUS

SCORPIO



apr 20-May 20 Your persuasiveness doesn’t really start to kick in until midweek. By then, you can count on having more supporters in your camp, including some you doubted would ever join you.

Oct 23-nOv 21 Communication dominates the week. Work out any misunderstandings with co-workers. Also get back in touch with old friends and those family members you rarely see.

GEMINI

SAGITTARIUS





May 21-Jun 20 Your workload is still high, but – good news! – you should start to see daylight by the week’s end. Reserve the weekend for fun and games with friends and loved ones. You deserve it.

nOv 22-Dec 21 As busy as your week is, make time for someone who feels shut out of your life. Your act of kindness could later prove to be more significant than you might have realised.

CANCER

CAPRICORN





Jun 21-Jul 22 Regardless of how frustrating things are, keep that “Crab” under control. A cutting comment you might think is apt right now will leave others hurting for a long time to come.

Dec 22-Jan 19 Congratulations. Your busy workweek leads to some very satisfying results. Sports and sporting events are high on your weekend activities aspect. Enjoy them with family and friends.

LEO

AQUARIUS



Jul 23-aug 22 Be more sensitive to the emotions of loved ones who might feel left out while you’re stalking that new opportunity. Be sure to make it up to them this weekend. A nice surprise could be waiting.

VIRGO



Jan 20-Feb 18 Your generosity of spirit reaches out once again to someone who needs reassurance. There might be problems, but keeping that line of communication open eventually pays off.



PISCES

aug 23-Sep 22 The gregarious Virgo rarely has a problem making new friends. But repairing frayed relationships doesn’t come easily. Still, if it’s what you want to do, you’ll find a way. Good luck.

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Feb 19-Mar 20 You are among the truth-seekers in the universe, so don’t be surprised to find yourself caught up in a new pursuit of facts to counter what you believe is an insidious exercise in lying.

BORN THIS WEEK: You believe in loyalty and in keeping secrets. All things considered, you would probably make a perfect secret agent. Be creative in applying your forecast to the actual circumstances of your life. For entertainment purposes only.

THE ANSWERS & SOLUTIONS Last week’s Super Crossword 1027

Open Weekender

Last week’s Go Figure 1027

Coffee & meals

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 8.30am-8pm • 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

Birch Avenue, 6884 1955

Gyms

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

commeRcial Hotel • Restaurant open 12-2pm and 6-9pm • Free function room hire • Huge beer garden • Kids playground • Large screen broadcasting all major sporting events

161 Brisbane Street, 6882 4488

shoPPinG duBBo gRoVe PHaRmacy • Open Saturday 9am til 12 noon • Giftware • Jewellery • Homewares

59A Boundary Road, 6882 3723

tHe atHletes foot • Open Saturday 9am til 2pm • Everything you need for the perfect fit for your foot

176 Macquarie Street, 6881 8400

GroCeries

Rsl aquatic & HealtH cluB

caRlo’s iga soutH duBBo

• Open Saturday 7.30am-5pm • Open Sunday 8.30am-3pm • Gym • Indoor pool • Sauna • Steam room • Squash courts

95 Tamworth St, 6882 2029

Cnr Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, 6884 1777

shoPPinG

• Saturday 7am-8pm • Sunday 8am-8am • Weekly specials, friendly service, • delicatessen, fruit and vegetables, grocery items

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

duBBo antique & collectaBles

55 Wheelers Lane, 6882 1504

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

• Open Saturday and Sunday 7.30am to 6pm. • Great weekly specials and friendly service.

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 • Saturday and Sunday from 5am- 1pm. • Newspapers, magazines, stationery supplies.

tHe swisH galleRy

• Open Saturday and Sunday from 9am. • Riverview Bistro 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm. • Relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

This week’s TRIVIA TIME answers: 1. Austin. 2. Seven. 3. Queen Victoria. 4. Costa Rica, in 1990. 5. A business. 6. Kiki Dee, in 1976. 7. Drying hops used in making beer and ale. 8. “The Sun Also Rises” (1926). 9. Deep Purple. 10. Contract bridge

• Open 10am-1pm on Saturday and 10am-10pm on Sunday • Restaurant open 12-3pm and 6-9pm

duBBo Rsl cluB ResoRt

cluB duBBo

Last week’s Crypto-Quote 1027

macqauRie inn

110 Talbragar St, 6882 4219

Cnr Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, 6882 4411

This week’s Find the Words solution 829 The snow’s falling

101 - 103 Erskine Street, 6884 2044

272 Myall St, 6882 0688

• Open Saturday 8am to 1am Sunday 8am to 10pm. • Quality entertainment, blackboard specials in the bistro.

Last week’s Sudoku 1027

Clubs & Pubs

• Open Saturday 9am to 12pm. • Distinctive jewellery, creative contemporary decor for your home and stylish gifts.

29 Talbragar St, 6882 9528

BRennan’s mitRe 10 • 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

oRana mall sHoPPing centRe • 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

magnolia nuRseRy • Open Sunday, 9am til 4pm • Quality plants • Garden decor • Giftware

iga west duBBo

38-40 Victoria Street, 6882 3466

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)

If your busIness Is oPen for business eaCh WeeKenD call us for a great rate on a lIstIng here – 6885 4433

73 Wheelers Lane, 6882 25

to have your business featureD here, Call 6885 4433 DUBBO WEEKENDER The Dubbo Photo News Weekend News Magazine 15.11.2014