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Warren
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
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Emerald Isle to touring Africa, Bernie’s globetrotting story for the VIEW ladies STORY: PAGE 7 “Quiet advocate”; new mayor, shares a vision for the district LONG-TIME local, primary producer, and former senior State rugby administrator, Councillor Greg Whiteley, wants to be a “quiet advocate” for the local community, after recently being elected unopposed as new Mayor of Warren Shire Council. He takes up this crucial local government role, following the retirement at the recent Council elections of his long-standing predecessor, the well-liked and much-respected, Milton Quigley. Cr Whiteley — who himself has been an integral member of Council since 2021 — also brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to the community to the position. A resident of Warren since his early twenties, Cr Whiteley is a dedicated family farmer who has also been actively involved in a number of community organisations. Married to Julie — a retired primary school teacher, and a proud father of three — he steps into the job from a background in agriculture and governance, including eight years on the Board of Country Rugby New South Wales. Continued page 5
Your Life, plus Army Reserve, recruiting officers visit WCS
Reading rewards, school awards, for students at St Mary’s
STORY: PAGE 10
STORY & PHOTOS: PAGE 11
Rural women connect By SOPHIA MCCAUGHAN AND LUCIE PEART TUESDAY, October 15 marked International Day of Rural Women and annual United Nations observance which aims to highlight the role, situation and lived experiences of women in rural areas worldwide. Australian based non-forprofit organisation, ‘Rural Women’s Day’ strives to connect, promote and gather rural women across Australia and New Zealand, to come together and support each other with shared experiences about the highs and lows of living in rural and remote communities. Founder of the organisation, Jackie Elliott, also made a 12-hour trip from rural Victoria to co-host the Dubbo event. Over 2000 women from all parts of Australia have attended Rural Women’s Day events across the country with the organisation partnering with Western Rural Connect, and Squadron Energy, to hold an event at Dubbo’s Down the Lane restaurant on Saturday, October 20. Ru-
Event MC Jen McCutcheon with Rural Women’s Day founder Jackie Elliot, and guest speakers Emily Stanton (The Nyngan Hotel) and Camilla Herbig Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
ral women heard from a panel made up of Emily Stanton, a small business owner who earlier this year re-opened the historic Nyngan Hotel after two-years of heavy renovations, and Camilla Herbig part of the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) and author of Tractor Snacks, with local ABC reporter, Jen McCutcheon the MC. Camilla told the event that rural communities are beautiful, but social isolation is a big risk among women living in rural and remote areas. “I think that rural connection is really fabulous and I think we do it differently and do it well in rural areas,” she said. “But sometimes it is really challenging with rural isolation and if you can’t fi nd your tribe, some people get really closed off by it and it becomes really difficult (to form that social connection).” Emily said the reopening of the Nyngan Hotel has provided more opportunities for locals to connect with each other.
PHOTO: THE GILGANDRA WEEKLY: LUCIE PEART.
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