Central West Village Voice - Issue 036

LITHGOW HALLOWEEN ON MAIN STREET

Market Stalls

Dressed

Smartphone Film Competition

Amusement

the

be street entertainment including two live music stages, dancing and theatrical performances from late afternoon into the evening. Local dance groups and performers are invited to participate in the event to showcase their talents and to provide a broad range of entertainment.

Best Dressed Competition

The ever popular Lithgow Halloween Best Dressed Competition returns to Main Street in 2022. Design your most creative costumes and there will be some great prizes to be won.

The judges will mingle with the crowd between 4pm and 6.30pm handing out tickets to the very best dressed Halloween attendees. There will also be a registration desk in Cook Street Plaza between 4pm and 6pm where you can register for possible inclusion in the competition.

There are 4 categories being judged this year: Junior 12 and under, Teens 13 – 18, Opens 18+ Contemporary, Opens 18+ Classic

From 6.30pm until 7.30pm judging will take place in the heats where selected contestants will be chosen to take part in the finals starting after the opening ceremony, at approximately 7.40pm.

Prizes will be : 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $175, 3rd Place $100.

Rides

There will be more rides than ever at Lithgow Halloween on Main Street 2022 with a dedicated ‘Thrill Ride’ zone. All the old favourites will return and many new rides will be making their first appearance at Lithgow Halloween. Best of all these rides will be unlimited for $5 per person!

Rides will operate from 4pm until as close to 9pm as possible. Ride locations will be in Eskbank Street Car Park, Eskbank Street and Main Street Lithgow. Rides may be subject to change due to extenuating circumstances beyond the control of organisers.

Trick or Treat

Local shops will be participating in the Trick or Treat at Lithgow Halloween 2022. Get your buckets ready and go Trick or Treating between 5pm and 6pm.

In The Union Theatre

The Macabre Circus presents death defying feats of strength and dexterity to un-spook the whole family. This 3 ghost circus presents acrobatics, aerial feats and more! Shows are short and sweet, 15 mins – so don’t be late. Shows at 5.30pm, 6.15pm, 7.00pm & 7.45pm. Family Friendly entertainment for Free.

Tear up the dancefloor to the cool tunes of DJ Jum Wubble on the brand new and kicking sound system at the Union Theatre.

Film Festival

The Seven Valleys Tourism and Events team is partnering with SF3 for the fourth year to hold the Smartphone film competition at this year’s Lithgow Halloween. SF3 are the organisers of the SmartFone Flick Fest, Australia’s international smartphone film festival and Lithgow Tourism and Events is delighted to be partnering with SF3 for the fourth year to create the Lithgow Halloween Smartphone Film Competition.

The competition requires a short movie in the suspense horror genre, up to a maximum of 10 minutes duration with a G-rating, to be shot on a mobile phone or tablet.

Films will be judged in 4 category areas; ‘Most Creative’, ‘Best Performance’ and ‘Best Youth Film’ There will also be a ‘People’s Choice’ award and great prizes will be on offer. $500.00 Australian Dollars for the winner of each of the four categories

Screening of the finalists will take place at Lithgow Transformation Hub from 7.30pm – 8.30pm.

Certificates will be awarded for the Finalist and winners.

Hartley

Lithgow

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School leavers like Emily answer the call for skilled young workers

Country Arts Support Program 2023

Applications are now open for Arts OutWest’s Country Arts Support Program (CASP), a small annual funding round supporting arts activities in the NSW Central West.

CASP funds the payment of artists and arts workers to undertake or manage arts activities that offer exciting creative outcomes. Grants of up to $3000 are available.

Applications for 2023 close at 5pm on Monday 5 December 2022.

“CASP funds are a valuable way to generate new arts activities,” Arts OutWest executive director Kylie Shead said. “This funding is about employing artists and making opportunities for people across our region to access a diverse range of arts and culture.”

The funding is open to individuals, groups, not-for-profit organisations, arts businesses and councils in the local government areas of Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

There were nine projects funded by CASP in the Central West in 2022.

Arts OutWest will run a free grant writing workshop in Parkes on Wednesday 2 November and an online CASP information session on Wednesday 16 November.

To apply you must discuss your idea with Arts OutWest before submitting an online application. Read the full criteria at www. artsoutwest.org.au/pf/casp/ and contact Arts OutWest on 02 6338 4657 or artsoutwest@csu. edu.au

It’s

a decision that has paid dividends for the 21-year-old who now has two TAFE certificates under her belt and is halfway through a Diploma in Business, while working full-time at Cowra Early Childhood Services.

“When I finished school, I was tossing up between pursuing teaching, psychology, real estate, and many other things. I was so undecided about choosing a career that I decided to apply for a traineeship because it suited so many of my skills and interests,” Ms Reynolds said.

“And I realised that no matter what I decided to do in the long run, a traineeship would provide me with a qualification, experience and transferable skills.

“It meant a risk-free trial in the business sector, with no student loans, and I could support myself while I decided what I wanted to do. And as it turns out, working in the business sector has been a dream come true,” she said.

Ms Reynolds is part of a growing cohort of bright young school leavers who are seizing opportunities to earn while they learn without accumulating a HECS-HELP debt.

According to research from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER), there was a 114 per cent rise in the number of new apprenticeship and traineeship commencements, year on year to June 2021.

In fact, as of December 2021, there were 220,000 Australians undertaking apprenticeships, the highest number on record since data collection began in 1963.

Ms Reynolds’ message to year 12 students

as they sit their HSC exams and plan for the future is that university education is not the only pathway to success.

“I think there’s a common misconception that vocational education is less ‘academic’ than going to university and this certainly isn’t this case,” she said.

“I look at what I’ve achieved over the past three years and I’m not sure I’d be in the same place in my career if I’d chosen to go to university.

“I’ve been able to work full-time in a community organisation, gain a qualification and save money at the same time. It’s a win-win for me,” Ms Reynolds said.

VERTO CEO Ron Maxwell said trainees like Ms Reynolds are a shining light for other school leavers who may be tossing up between university or an apprenticeship.

"Apprenticeships have so much to offer HSC graduates, including diverse career opportunities, positive job outlooks, earning while you learn and even a higher starting salary than many university counterparts,” Mr Maxwell said.

“It's a great to see Emily and so many others making the most of real-life vocational education and training opportunities and building exciting careers in industries that are crying out for highly skilled workers.”

For more information and advice about apprenticeships, visit: https://www.verto. org.au/hsc-apprenticeship-information

Projects could include (but are not limited to) arts or heritage based workshops, classes, performances, installations, exhibitions, tours, screen/film making, writing or composition, development of new work, tours or talks, artistin-residence programs, recordings or podcasts, and new arts activities attached to festivals or events – as long as they have some element of public outcome.

“If you've got a great activity or project in mind, and the capacity to deliver it, we think you should apply,” Ms Shead said.

The Country Arts Support Program is a devolved funding program of the NSW Government through Create NSW, delivered locally by the state’s regional arts development organisations.

Wallerawang Railway Station on track to reopen

This morning, the NSW Government announced its commitment to re-open the historic Wallerawang railway station. This will result in the delivery of better transport services for the Lithgow community.

Lithgow Council has been promoting that there is no town in the Central West that is closer to Sydney than Lithgow. This makes it the logical place to invest. Today, the NSW Government has acknowledged this strategic positioning at the interface between the city and the regions, by announcing the reopening of the Wallerawang railway station.

“Alongside large commitments such as the Great Western Highway upgrade, Gardens of Stone, two large battery proposals and the MRI at Lithgow Hospital, this project is a further demonstration of confidence in Lithgow’s future,” said Lithgow City Council’s Mayor, Councillor Maree Statham. “This station is part of our history and has stood to support the Lithgow community since 1870. If our community is to continue to grow, as it did then, it is essential that we make getting to school, work or appointments as easy as

Central West Media has consolidated its two previous publications into the new Central West Village Voice, Covering the entire Lithgow and Bathurst region, and distributed fortnightly on Thursdays.

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possible.”

This project will provide direct benefits to our community, but it is just part of a bigger story’,” continued Mayor Statham. “One of the key findings of the Council’s studies about the future economy for the city is that transport connections are a key enabler of our economic growth. If we are to showcase our world-class environment, build our tourism sector, and diversify the economy then strategic transport connections are critical.”

“It is clear to me that the NSW Government understands that this is a project that can help to build the foundations of Lithgow’s future,” said Mayor Statham. “It is my hope that, through collaboration with Council, private sector investment will follow this strong signalling by the government.”.”

Work is anticipated to start next year following community consultation, feasibility assessments and design work to confirm the scope of work needed to bring the heritage station back into service. Council thanks the NSW Government for their commitment to Lithgow’s future.

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When Emily Reynolds finished her HSC at Cowra High School in 2019, she decided to defer a Bachelor of Primary Teaching and start a traineeship in business administration.

Portland Wallnuts Celebrate 21 Years of Painting the town

This weekend in Portland, the Wallnuts will celebrate 21 years of their annual gathering that adorns the walls of building in town with their hand painted signs and artwork.

A visit to Portland is like taking a trip down memory lane for many with the hand painted advertising sign prominent around the centre of town in laneways and in the facades of buildings.

Ron (Biddy) Bidwell OAM visited Portland back in 1998, when he noticed some old Ghost Signs adorning the walls of the Portland Co Op Building.

He loved the town that much he moved to Portland and decided that the town inspired him to create a tourist attraction to support the local businesses.

In 2001, he invited his fellow signwriters from far and wide

SPORTING GRANTS AVAILABLE

Community sport organisations can now score a major funding boost, with applications open for both the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program and the NSW Government’s Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program.

Community sporting clubs are the lifeblood of our community, and so many are in need of a cash injection so they can upgrade new facilities and boost participation. This funding will help modernise facilities for local clubs and enable more local people to participate in community sport and recreation activities

The Local Sport Grant Program provides

to a weekend in Portland NSW, from around the countryside they travelled to signwrite The Signs of Yesteryear - Australian Advertising Signs from Pre 1950, And the story of The Portland Wallnuts began in Australia, "because you would have to be Nuts to Paint the Walls in Portland"

Over 110 Signwriters have visited over the last 21 years to donate their time, skills and knowledge to painting the walls around Portland in this time.

The group now continues Biddy's work basing themselves in the Portland CO-Op building on Vale Street which will be the main place to head to over the weekend, with books and merchandise on sale that support the continuing work of the group in the town, along with the generous support of the local businesses and community.

grants up to $10,000, with up to $50,000 available in each NSW electorate. The program will focus on initiatives that enable more people to enjoy the benefits of playing sport, regardless of their age, gender, background or ability. Applications close Monday 21 November. More information is available online.

The Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program provides grants of up to $500,000 to help transform local sport facilities into safer and more inclusive venues.

When women and girls feel comfortable they are more likely to stick with their chosen sport. This helps local clubs keep existing player and inspires the next generation of female sporting stars. More information about the program, and how to apply, is available online.

Community sport is a vital part of the social fabric of the Bathurst electorate. This investment in our community will also support local jobs, which will grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for the people of NSW.

CHEERS NSW! RETURN AND EARN SET TO EXPAND

The NSW Government’s wildly popular Return and Earn scheme is set to expand to include glass wine and spirits bottles and larger containers.

Public consultation is now open on the planned expansion, which would see up to an additional 400 million eligible bottles recycled each year, including 233 million glass bottles.

Lions Club of Mount Panorama is seeking additional stallholders for future market days.

First Saturday of each month at Lions Berry Park, Bathurst Come and be part of the markets.

Further Details

Email: macquarielions@gmail.com facebook.com/riversidemarketsbathurst

We NEED Volunteers to answer calls for Lifeline Orange

Do you have a spare 3 hrs per week?

Is it time for you to give back?

Do YOU have what it takes?

Nationally recognised Virtual Training for Phase 1 is over a six week period of two evenings per week commencing Monday, 24th Oct Virtual INFORMATION Evening Session Monday 10th Oct @ 6pm

HELP US SUPPORT OTHERS IN CRISIS

Call Astrid or Greg to find out more 1300 798 258 training@lifelinecentralwest.org.au Lifeline Australia RTO 88036

Since Return and Earn began in 2017, more than eight billion containers have been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to the people of NSW, more than $35 million in donations to community groups and charities, and helping us reduce drink container litter by a massive 52 per cent.

Consultation is now open on the Scheme’s expansion, which would see almost all beverage containers between 150 ml and 3 litres accepted for refund.

For example, this would additionally include: Wine and spirits in glass bottles Cordials and juice concentrate Larger containers up to 3 litres of beverages already in the scheme, such as flavoured milk, fruit and vegetable juice, cask wine and sachets.

Plain milk and health tonics would continue to be excluded from the scheme.

Currently, Return and Earn accepts drink containers such as cans, beer and mixer bottles, cartons, juice boxes and poppers.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority will be holding targeted stakeholder information sessions and webinars in the coming months around NSW so a transition can be as smooth as possible for new suppliers to the scheme.

The discussion paper Driving NSW’s circular economy is available at https://yoursay.epa. nsw.gov.au/ and is open for consultation until 2 December 2022.

For more information about Return and Earn visit www.returnandearn.org.au

CHEERS NSW: Member for Bathurst Paul Toole is encouraging community members to have their say on the Return and Earn program expanding to include larger containers.

IMPROVED SCHOOL FACILITIES FOR KELSO STUDENTS

Students in Kelso are set to benefit from improvements to their school facilities thanks to a $148 million investment across the State, earmarked in the 2022/23 NSW Budget.

Kelso Public School will receive funding under the Minor Capital Works program to make upgrades and improvements to learning facilities. This will include upgraded toilet block that service the school.

The refurbishment project will involve the removal of material within the toilet block and will replace the existing toilet partitions, as well as the current floor and wall tiling, toilet pans, cisterns, urinals and hand basins. Painting works will also be carried out as part of the project.

Deputy Premier and Member

for Bathurst Paul Toole said it is important we have quality facilities to help our students thrive at school.

“School environments play a crucial role in students’ learning experience, so it is important that we provide the quality teaching and learning spaces.

“This funding will help make sure all students have high-quality facilities and that the schools are equipped to manage increases in student numbers.

“Local businesses will also be encouraged to bid for the works through the Local Trade Scheme so that they can also benefit from this funding. This will help ensure the investment supports our local tradies, particularly in regional communities.”

It is anticipated procurement will

commence in approximately three to four weeks (late September/ early October). The project is expected to be completed in late April 2023, in preparation for Day One, Term Two.

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

Pictured: Member for Bathurst Paul Toole with school leaders at Kelso Public School, Principal Lance Cooper and Business Manager Christy Grassick

CONSTRUCTION OF AERODROME

2 - 36.00800

SUBDIVISION

Bathurst Regional Council is seeking tenders from suitably qualified and experienced contractors for the construction of Aerodrome Stage 2 Subdivision at PJ Moodie Dr Raglan. Works include bulk earthworks, pavement construction including asphalt surfacing, supply and installation of fencing, construction of stormwater, supply, installation and commissioning of a pad mounted substation including an underground electricity network and removal of existing overhead network, construction of water reticulation network including supply and installation of water mains, water services, pumps and a tank and design, supply, installation and commissioning of a fibre optic telecommunications network.

Interested parties are required to register via the E-tendering Portal www.tenderlink.com/bathurst to download the tender document at no charge.

If you experience difficulties accessing the above website, please call the Tenderlink Helpdesk on 1800 233 533.

All electronic tenders shall be submitted in the format specified in the tender document. Failure to do so will result in the tender not being considered by Council.

The closing time and date for submissions is: 10:00am on Tuesday 15 November 2022.

Kenny Spring take out top spot at Carillon Awards

The 2022 Carillon Business Awards powered by Kelso Electrical Gala Dinner was held at Bathurst Goldfields on Saturday evening. The evening saw more than 300 people come together to celebrate all Bathurst Businesses and raise much needed funding for our 2022 selected charity, Bathurst Community Transport.

With more than 110 entries, the independent panel of judges had the mammoth task of analysing and judging each of the highly professional entries, based on the set criteria, selecting finalists and winners in each category. Public nominations and voting were open in the two People’s Choice Award categories, Bathurst’s Favourite Business and Bathurst’s Favourite Employee. With more than 80 businesses and employees nominated, the chamber received more than 6,000 votes, a public voting record for the Carillon Business Awards.

The host for the evening was Lachlan Mansell, 2021 Beauty and the Geek winner. Lachlan kept the audience entertained throughout the evening. The special guest speaker was Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer. Born and bred in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Warren was the son of small business owners. Mentored by one of the best farmers in the district, Warren honed his skills and, by the age of 22, he had purchased his first farm. Warren Davies is not just any average Farmer. His eventful life has tested his Resilience, Persistence and Determination, had massive impact on his young family, relationships and finances and made Warren the Farmer he is today.

Brad Schumacher and Kelso Electrical were once again the major sponsor of the Carillon Business Awards. Brad said he was thrilled to provide sponsorship assistance to the business awards, celebrating all things great regarding business and especially their hard working employees in our region and he is looking forward to sponsoring once again in 2023.

The public voting saw Cate Matthews of Vivability awarded Bathurst’s Favourite Employee and Love Daphe, Bathurst Favourite Business.

The major winner on the night was Kenny Spring Solicitors taking out 4 awards, Excellence in Small Business, Excellence in Professional and Financial Services, Outstanding Business Leader and the highest achievement of Bathurst Most Outstanding Business.

The awards continue to attract the best Bathurst has on offer.

And the winners are

Excellence in Small Business –Kenny Spring Solicitors

Excellence in Business – Colton Computer Technologies

Excellence In Construction and Trades - Exceltech Industrial Electrics

Excellence In Education - Balance Early Education

Excellence In Food, Wine or Hospitality - Harvest Cafe & Store

Excellence In Health, Fitness and Wellbeing - Studio Benefit

Excellence In Professional and Financial Services - Kenny Spring Solicitors

Excellence In Tourism and Accommodation - Littomore Bathurst

Excellence in Micro Business –Cleary Fairbrother Property

Excellence in Retail - Macquarie Medi Spa

Outstanding Community Organisation - Glenray Industries

Outstanding Start Up - Miriam Rose Natural Health

Employer of Choice - Colton Computer Technologies

Outstanding Young Business Leader - Felicity King, The Dance Factory Performing Arts Centre

Outstanding Business Leader - Angus Edwards - Kenny Spring Solicitors

Excellence in Innovation - Exceltech Industrial Electrics

Bathurst's Favourite EmployeeCate Matthews - Vivability

Bathurst's Favourite Business - Love Daphne

Bathurst Most Outsanding Business - Kenny Spring Solicitors

FOCUS ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THIS OCTOBER

The Bathurst Regional Youth Council

partnered with headspace Bathurst to promote healthy minds

Health Month.

lifestyles

October is Mental Health Month and from 3pm Thursday 27 October to 3pm Friday 28 October headspace will take over the Bathurst Youth Instagram page to answer questions via video messages on managing mental health.

The focus of the project will include coping strategies, day-today life, psychoeducation, what anxiety and depression feel like, normalising feelings, how to access help, how to help friends, exam

stress and explanation of therapies.

Mayor Robert Taylor said mental health wellbeing for young people has become particularly pertinent over the last couple of years.

“Taking the time to support mental wellbeing and perform selfcare rituals is essential to having a good balance in life,” he said.

“This is a wonderful initiative from the Youth Council and headspace Bathurst and I encourage our community and especially our young people to get involved.”

Headspace Bathurst Community Engagement Coordinator Sam Bolt said headspace Bathurst is very excited to join forces with the

Youth Council for this exciting opportunity during Mental Health Month.

“The Youth Council serves as a chief voice for young people in the Bathurst community, and for our clinical team to be given the opportunity to answer youth-centric questions around mental health via the Youth Council's Instagram page will allow for expanded discourse around maintaining a healthy mind and body through a social media platform that is favoured among high school students, " he said.

It

GANG GANG GALLERY’S IMPORTANT NEW EXHIBITION

a

to stop by the Gang Gang Gallery in Lithgow recently to meet artist Jennifer

view her

exhibition, “Falling Through the Cracks”.

Jennifer has teamed up with artist Livonne Larkins and Gang Gang’s Sharon Howard to put together

important exhibition to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and seeking support.

The gallery is located opposite Queen Elizabeth Park in Lithgow (just across from the War Memorial) and the exhibition is open until 30 October. Drop by and check it out. You won’t be disappointed!

Thank you Gang Gang for supporting our artists and the community. We appreciate it!

80 YEAR REUNION OF SCOTS COLLEGE

I recently visited Bathurst to meet some Scots Old Boys and help celebrate the 80 year school reunion of students of the Scots College (Bathurst Campus) in the graduating class 19421945/46.

The history of Scots College Bathurst is interesting. It was initially established 80 years ago as a school for boys as young as 9 to keep them away from the threats posed by World War II.

The Japanese began the War in the Pacific with their attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and within weeks the war was on Australia’s doorstep with Japanese submarines coming into Sydney Harbour. With fears for their safety, children from Scots College in Bellevue Hill were sent inland and relocated to Bathurst from 1942.

Twenty four students attended Scots during the 3-year war period. While at school they were constantly reminded of the war as there was an Army depot next door and they had an air raid shelter on the grounds of the school.

Scots College was to be shut once the war was over, but due to its history it remained open and was renamed The Scots School. Of the 24 students, 11 were able to stay in Bathurst and I recently caught up with 5 of the Old Boys and their wives. It was a lovely afternoon. Thank you for the invitation!

It’s never too early to prepare, prevent and protect from natural disaster impacting your home, family and animals. That’s why I recently supported Lithgow’s Readiness Rally.

It was an opportunity to thank those on the frontlines who work so hard to keep our communities safe, including the NSW SES Lithgow Unit. It was also a chance to hear about how communities are recovering from disasters like the Black Summer bushfires and how vital it is that we learn lessons from past disasters to be better prepared.

Thank you to everyone who exhibited and also all who attended the Rally. Rachel Nicoll and Lithgow City Council did a fantastic job.

I am proud that the previous Coalition Government supported the Rally with vital funding.

Even though it is hard to imagine at the moment with all the rain and floods we have been battling, as things dry out, grass fires will be a looming threat. It pays to be prepared.

REGIONAL PROJECTS

Several major infrastructure projects in the Central West are now in a state of flux following the axing of two regional funding programs by the new government.

On the eve of the October Budget, the new government binned the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and the Community Development Grants program, leaving many local councils and community groups with live applications in the lurch. This decision will mean some key regional projects may never see the light of day and has sent shockwaves through country communities who deserve a fair share of federal funding!

Bathurst Regional Council’s top infrastructure project is a muchneeded multi-storey car park linking the Bathurst RSL Club and the proposed new medical centre in the Bathurst CBD. It would hold three times as many cars as the current car park, providing critical parking for doctors, nurses, staff and patients at the new medical centre while freeing up spaces for visitors to the RSL and nearby businesses. I was proud that the previous Coalition Government secured $15 million for the project in the March 2022 budget through the Community Development Grants program. That money had been allocated and was ready to go but it’s now been snatched away to fund projects in government seats!

BY

In the same way, the previous Coalition Government secured a further $5 million through the Community Development Grants program to start Stage 2 of the Dixons Long Point Crossing project, taking the total support for the game-changing development to $34.8 million. The additional $5 million in funding would have gone towards sealing and upgrading roads beyond the immediate approaches to the crossing but will now have to come from other programs and, unfortunately, there is no guarantee those funds will survive the budget either.

Orange City Council had a $10 million application in under the BBRF program for the Orange Regional Sports Precinct and Bathurst Regional Council also had a $10 million BBRF application in to help build the new car park in the CBD. By ripping up the BBRF, and ditching the Community Development Grants program, the new government is roadblocking development in our electorate and throwing key pieces of region-building infrastructure into chaos. It’s absolutely vital that our communities are supported to press forward through good policy, and that vital funding continues to help us grow and thrive.

I can assure our communities that the fight for these key projects and regional funding will continue. I am determined to see that regional communities get their fair share.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS YOU TO OUR LOCAL RFS

time. They are still out there every day and night, serving and protecting.

Congratulations to all of the medal recipients and thank you to all members from a very grateful community!

I was honoured to present the keys to some shiny new vehicles, including a new Category 9 firefighting tanker to the Gulgong Brigade. The new Landcruiser has already been to put to use over the past few months tackling grass and bush fires along with supporting crews at other incidents. While we see the RFS at fires, it’s a year-round commitment with training, motor vehicle accidents, missing person searches and community events.

Let’s hope it’s another quiet fire season!

Members of all Brigades distinguished themselves during the 2019 - 2020 Black Summer bushfires. It was a dangerous time with communities like Kandos, Ilford and Clandulla plus many others directly in the path of the inferno at different stages of the emergency. I still can’t believe that communities like Cullen Bullen escaped intact and that no lives were lost.

owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the men and women of the RFS who worked to the point of exhaustion during that dangerous

DEFIBRILLATORS SAVE LIVES

It was great to meet the original yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, and local first-aid course provider, Kylie Johnston in Bathurst recently.

Having donned the yellow skivvy in The Wiggles for 16 years, Greg is now visiting country communities across Australia to chat about how having an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) nearby can save a life - as it did with Greg.

In January 2020, Greg suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a performance. Four bystanders performed CPR on him for 13 minutes before a defibrillator was brought to the scene. Greg was shocked twice before his heart thankfully restarted.

Greg runs the charity ‘Heart of the Nation’, which aims to help communities save lives from sudden cardiac arrest by being able to locate and use a nearby AED, and knowing CPR.

Having an AED within 3 minutes of an incident can increase survival rates of cardiac arrest by 200300%, so the charity is aiming to get an AED within 200m of every home in a community.

You can read more here: www.heartofthenation. com.au. If you have an AED, you can help someone in need by registering the device and helping to create a map of local AEDs in your area. To do so, visit: www.heartofthenation.com.au/itaas

drought and COVID-19 recovery to our local councils for local projects

Record Australian Government funding for hospitals, schools, childcare and the NDIS

for canteen facilities at Bathurst Sportsground

New headspace service for Lithgow

40 mobile phone towers and base stations for Calare

10 Open Gardens

Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th October

to

•THE

•REID

•GAIRDIN

29th, 10.30am-12pm, Bella Forte Strings

•JO’S GARDEN, 3 AUGUSTA CLOSE, ROBIN HILL Music: Sat 29th, 11am, Caitlyn Thew/Paris Masters Harp Duet

•STRATFORD, 2519 O’CONNELL ROAD, O’CONNELL Refreshments: Quota Food Music: Sun 30th, 1-2pm, Stingendo/Fiddlesticks

•ALISON’S GARDEN, 151 HARTWOOD AVE, ROBIN HILL Stalls & Refreshments: I-Spy Coffee Van, Can Assist, Bay Tree Nursery, SuperNova Mushrooms Music: Sat 29th, 11am, Stannies Band; Sun 30th, 11am, MacKillop College Band & 2pm, Canobalas Pipe Band

•BRIAN & ELAINE’S GARDEN, 32 KEANE DRIVE, KELSO Stalls & Refreshments: Garden Starters Nursery, Plasma Cut Metal Decorative Panels

Simone Townsend nominated for top industry award

2022 BATHURST SPRING SPECTACULAR

After a two year hiatus the Bathurst Spring Spectacular has arrived. You are in for a treat this weekend as the gardens are truly spectacular. Gardens will open at 9.30am and close at 5.00pm.

If you have not already purchased your tickets you can do so now on the Bathurst Gardeners’ Club website https:// bathurstgardenclub.org.au/bathurst-springspectacular/ Tickets are $20.00 for both days for all ten (10) gardens. Tickets and maps are also available at the Bathurst Visitor’s Information Centre in Kendall Avenue, Bathurst or at any of the gardens over the weekend of the event. Those visitors who only wish to visit one garden will pay $5.00 at the desk at the garden of their choice.

at very reduced prices.

Local musicians, including students from Mitchell Conservatorium, will perform in some gardens for your enjoyment while you meander in the gardens.

Market stalls with a gardening theme will be in some gardens as will refreshments to ensure you stay hydrated. .

A Bathurst Spring Spectacular Raffle will take place with prizes including a Petrie’s Mitre 10 Garden Package, a Floral Quilt made by Anne Young and a Large Wooden Platter. Tickets are $2.00 each and will be available for purchase from the desk at each garden. The raffle will be drawn at the conclusion of the Bathurst Spring Spectacular.

CEO of Kenny Spring Solicitors, Simone Townsend has been named a national top 10 finalist for the 3rd year running in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards - Executive of the Year. These awards celebrate and recognise the best and brightest women leading the charge in the legal profession.

The Women in Law awards are considered the gold standard for excellence, providing a unique opportunity for all women across the Australian legal industry to advance in their careers.

The finalist list features over 286 highachieving professionals within the legal industry, across 31 submission-based categories.

"Kenny Spring, like all regional businesses, has had our share of ups and downs over the

last 12 months, but with a strong vision of humansing legal services, it's wonderful to see we are leading the way in innovation, strategy, and how we interact with our clients every single day".

"I personally am thrilled to be named as a top 10 national finalist again in this year's awards, and would like to thank the team I work with for their dedication and commitment to being the easiest law firm to deal with in the Central West. Looking at the caliber of finalists, it is really incredible to think that a regional firm can compete so consistently at this national level!" Said Simone Townsend.

Winners will be announced at an awards night at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne on 24 November 2022.

Bathurst Celebrates Local

Let’s meet Wayne Cohen, owner of Designing Windows.

When did Designing Windows begin and what was the reason behind its inception?

We purchased only in March this year! But I have been watching the industry for a while and noticing so many changes that when the opportunity came up with the previous owners looking to retire, we had to go for it.

What has been the biggest win over the last few years?

Being only a few months in, I would definitely say our biggest win would be our team. As I’ve developed with my previous roles, we look to attract team members to share similar core values and try to find the right fit our business.

What has been the biggest challenge over the last few years?

I think that the biggest challenge as a business owner, would have to be accepting help when you need it! It’s not always easy to say that you need a hand with something work related or even if its just that you’re having a tough day. During the last few years, before owing this business, I would have worked crazy hours and so knowing that you need a moment is so important.

What was the best business advise you’ve ever been given?

Oh, there’s been a lot! When I worked for John Hawkes, a well known horse trainer, and he said “Be passionate about what you do”. I think that’s so important to have the passion whatever you may be doing so that you’re not stuck operating on auto-pilot.

Also, a wise accountant once said to me about the 3 things to a successful business. 1 is to have quality products, 2 is to create good systems and 3 is to be sure you have good paperwork. So relevant to any kind of business.

What’s your favourite thing about Bathurst?

Well, you can start with The Mount, which is great! It’s a world class circuit. We have proactive Council & Chamber and fellow Business owners. I’ve not really noticed that tall poppy syndrome at all. And it’s such a beautiful part of the world.

Final thoughts…

Designing Windows can assist with supply and installation of standard roller blinds and shutters to curtains, sheers. Awnings including cyclone rated products for your back deck. But for us, it’s all about the quality! We offer a solution to just about everything.

Designing Windows Bathurst is located at 119A Bentinck St, Bathurst. To contact Wayne and the team, call 6331 9636.

While you are on the website check the map of where the gardens are located. This will help you plan your visits to the gardens. At the first garden you visit you will show proof of purchase of your tickets on your mobile device, if you have secured tickets in this way, to the Gardeners’ Club member on the desk of that garden. You will then be issued with a map of where the gardens are located and a list of all gardens. When you visit each garden you will present this list to be checked off.

The ever popular Bathurst Gardeners’ Club Monster Plant sale will take place on Saturday 29th October only, from at 9.30am3.00pm in the park adjacent to the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase some beautiful plants

All money raised from the Spring Spectacular will be donated to the following charities:

Housing Plus

Mitchell Conservatorium of Music

2BS Christmas Miracle Appeal

Can Assist

The Bathurst Gardeners’ Club welcomes all visitors to the beautiful gardens and thanks the garden owners for opening their gardens to the public for the return of the Bathurst Spring Spectacular.

All the details can be found on facing page or visit: https://bathurstgardenclub.org.au/ bathurst-spring-spectacular/

Celebrate Local

A Bathurst Regional Council / Bathurst Business Hub initiative

In partnership with Central West Village Voice, we want to celebrate the stories and successes of our local Bathurst Region businesses. From our local retailers and foodies through to our industrial and construction firms, we are looking to celebrate the wide variety of businesses that make up our strong, diverse economy.

EnergyAustralia investigates

Piper battery

EnergyAustralia today announced it is investigating the feasibility of a grid-scale battery of up to 500MW at its Mount Piper power station, which could power more than 200,000 homes for up to four hours during times of high demand.

Daniel Nugent, Head of Portfolio Development at EnergyAustralia, said the battery energy storage system (BESS), which is in its initial feasibility stage, could provide some significant benefits in New South Wales’ clean energy transition.

Mr Nugent said: “Developing a grid-scale battery on EnergyAustralia’s land, adjacent to the existing power generation site, would allow us to utilise existing infrastructure and avoid the need to construct new overhead power lines across private land.

“The project would support future energy security in New South Wales as coal generation

retires and more renewables enter the system.

“The BESS would be a welcome addition to the state’s growing list of big clean energy storage projects. If approved, it will also provide an economic boost to the Central West region and help to transform it into a renewable energy hub.

“The project is in its early stages. We look forward to both sharing more about the project and exploring how the project can best benefit our local community.

“The Mt Piper battery project is just one of many ways EnergyAustralia is leading the clean energy transition.”

The project will undergo further assessments and community consultation as well as seeking approval through the New South Wales planning process. If approved, the battery could be operational by the end of 2026.

ENERGYAUSTRALIA BLACK ROSE EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

The Lithgow District Chamber is delighted to announce

The Business Awards are back in Lithgow. The

on Saturday 26 November is set to be a

funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

Excellence in Resilience - Sponsored by Greenspot

celebration

a night to remember. A night that the business community

been waiting for for 15 years! The one night in the year

we bring together in the one room all local Lithgow LGA businesses.

This night is a recognition of outstanding achievement across the business and wider communities. It’s an opportunity for local businesses to share their stories and ideas in celebration of excellence, resilience and innovation.

The Gala Awards Night is a cocktail dress event that will be night of feasting and festivities. Ticket prices include dinner, local produce and alcoholic tasters, entertainment, networking and music and dancing with special guest MC, Peter Watson from 2LT.

The Gala Awards Night details are –

WHEN 26 November 2022

WHERE Lithgow Workies, Tank St, Lithgow TIME 6.30pm till late

COST $100 General admission, $80 Members

Tickets can be booked on the Chamber website - www.lithgow.org.au

The Awards have been developed in conjunction with Business NSW and most of the winners of Awards will automatically progress to the Regional Awards. Judging is organised through Business NSW and impartial judges have been sourced from outside the Lithgow LGA.

The Black Rose Excellence in Business Awards 2022 is part of the Revive Regional Business in Lithgow project that has been funded under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-

The Chamber is grateful to EnergyAustralia, the Awards naming rights sponsor for 2022-2024, and local sponsors Centennial, Ferrero, Greenspot, Westfund and Family First.

The Chamber congratulates and announces the 2022 finalists:

Excellence in Micro Business - Sponsored by Energy Australia

A Reader's Heaven, Easyview Blinds and Home Improvements, Gang Gang Gallery, Kel Lampton Building, Lithgow Technology Services, Logan Signs, Portland Post Office, Signature Framing, Wolgan Valley Eco Tours

Excellence in Small BusinessSponsored by Energy Australia

C & W Printing, Erin's Quality Outdoor Power Centre, Goodearth Landscape and Building Supplies, Hartley Realty & Lifestyle Properties, Lithgow Bike Shop, Lithgow Glass, Lithgow Valley Outdoor Specialists, The Fast Fox Lithgow, The Hub Gourmet Pizza Bar, Tablelands Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy, Waratah Dental, William's & Son's Butchery on Vale

Excellence in Large Business - Sponsored by Energy Australia

Westfund

Excellence in Innovation - Sponsored by Centennial Ian Rufus of Hillcrest, Kel Lampton Building

Outstanding Start Up - Sponsored by Ferrero Cafe Bar 128, Fernhill Australia Arms, MacMason, Mountain Mist Honey, Mumma Jo’s Diner, Renshaw's Bikes Lithgow, Sammy’s Beauty Lashes, Tom Evangelidis Photography

Glenroy Cottages and Camping Grounds, Killibinbin Native Nursery, Lithgow & District Workmen's Club Ltd, The Blue Fox Lithgow, Zig Zag Motel and Frankie's Restaurant & Bar

Outstanding Community Organisation Award - Sponsored by Westfund and Family First Can Assist Lithgow, HammondCare, Lithgow & District Workmen's Club Ltd

Best Apprentice or Trainee Award - Sponsored by Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce

Bailey Brown - William's & Son's Butchery on Vale, Bayleigh Shead - Zig Zag Motel & Frankie's Restaurant and Bar, Hayden Clark - Goodearth Landscape and Building Supplies, James Puckeridge - Easyview Blinds and Home Improvements

Lithgow

Lithgow Arts Trail

This

Arts

from Hartley

November,

Portland.

includes Margaret Aalders and sister Jill Sildever, Anne Graham, Sarah Childs & Summer Hill Sewing Emporium, Annie Joseph, Annie Herron, Fullerton Design (Sandy & Tom), Gang Gang Gallery, Gallery H, Linda Hine Foxwhistle Studio, Colette

Sarah O'Sullivan, Kay Booker, Christina Lewis and Jenny Sewell. The Annexe in Portland is also

HAPPENING

Guitar driven, hard rock/metal experience ripe with catchy vocal hooks, memorable riffs &blistering guitar solos.

If shredding guitars and music on the heavy side is your thing here is a Live & Kicking event you want to get along to.

Bathurst isn’t the first regional town you think of when it comes to in your face guitar shredders but that’s where you will find Dave Webb.

The Dave Webb Project have recently released their debut EP, A Second To Surface. Inspired by a 15 year long journey that began with Dave’s band A Second to Surface, which is where the title of this EP and the 6 songs were born.

The EP is a guitar driven, hard rock/metal experience that is ripe with catchy vocal hooks, memorable riffs and blistering guitar solos.

Dave says of the release ‘if metal greats like KISS, Metallica and Tool were to meet Good Charlotte and

Featuring Todd Brownlow on drums and Kaitlyn Baker on bass, A Second to Surface is a sonic journey that embraces Webb’s past, present and future direction. The Dave Webb Project is set to conquer the world.

Opening the evening will be an opportunity to show your chops on the fretboard with in a shredding jam type session with Shredding meister Dave Webb before he takes to the stage to ride his high octane sonic wave around the Annexe.

Come celebrate Ausmusic month with original live music made and played in the Central West. You won’t be able to live stream or download it, you’ve gotta be there to experience it.

Arts OutWest is pleased to present in conjunction with The Annexe Foundations a series of Live & Kicking sessions featuring the Original music of artists from The Central West. Live & Kicking gigs are supported by the Australian Governments Live Music Australia.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

MOUNT PIPER

PORTLAND NSW

Warehouse O cer

Month Traineeship

Provides opportunity

We encourage people from

For Health &

reasons

Applicant must reside within approximately 1 hour travel to Mt Piper.

For Further Information & To Apply

www.EnergyAustralia.com.au/about-us/ careers/careers-energyaustralia

Applications close 21st October 2022

Mayoral Message

After 2 years of planning, it was a real honour to officially open the Australian Caravan Associations Seven Valleys Caravan Muster. Over 120 caravans joined the muster from all over Australia. The members spent 8 days exploring our region, injecting a substantial amount of money into the economy and taking many positive memories back to share with family & friends.

The first Shop Local - Shop Lithgow event was held on Satuday 22nd, combining both the Shop Local and Lithgow Live & Local initiatives to give support to the retailers and the live music industry. We are looking forward to more of these events in the CBD and across the Seven Valleys over the summer.

Halloween is upon us and all the great elements of the past years will return with Live Music, Street Parade, Market Stalls and Amusement rides. Great prizes to be won for the Best Dressed Competition. There will be two music stages featuring local musicians and headline act Freq Out, disco/ funk band in Cook Street Plaza. I hope to see you there.

Events provide a major boost to our local economy and Council is pleased to see that the organisers of Ironfest are looking to host the event once again in 2023. Council has received a request for around $100,000 to assist in restarting the event. The Council has assisted with this event in the past. Typically that assistance has equated to something close to $15 000. This request constitutes a large and unplanned increase. It comes at a time when the Council’s capacity, financial and more broadly, has been stretched by repeated disaster events.

At this stage we need much more detail about the basis for this request for the local community to substantially increase the direction of scant public funds to this event. We will meet with the organisers of Ironfest to canvas the assistance we can provide.

Grants

Lithgow Local Heritage Grant Stage 2 Applications Now Open

Lithgow City Council wishes to inform the public that the Lithgow Local Heritage Grants Stage 2 has now begun and are now seeking applicants!

Lithgow City Council is inviting property owners whose property has been identified as a heritage item to apply for a financial grant in order to assist with minor conservation works. Applications will remain open to property owners until the 4th of November 2022.

Grants are offered at a dollar-for-dollar ratio of up to a maximum of 50% of the total works and will not exceeding $2,000.

Priority will be given to works that align with the assessment criteria found within the Lithgow Local Heritage Assistance Grant Fund Guidelines located on Council’s website.

To obtain the online application form or to find out more information regarding the grant, visit https://council.lithgow. com/development/lithgow-local-heritage-grants-2022/.

The Lithgow Local Heritage Assistance Grant Program has been proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Lithgow City Council.

Lithgow

This year’s

Saturday 29 October

4.00pm-9.00pm

is ‘Lithgow

on

Stalls

Street’ and

Amusement

the Lithgow

also return

There will be street entertainment including two live music stages, dancing and theatrical performances from late afternoon into the evening

Street Closures

Saturday 29 October

• Eskbank between Main and Railway Parade from 6.00am-12 Midnight

• Main Street from Bridge Street through to Gray Street 12 noon 12 Midnight

Car parking

• The two top sections of Eskbank Street carpark will be closed off from 8.00pm Friday 28 October to allow for addition amusement rides to be set-up from Saturday morning 29 October.

For more information contact Seven Valleys Visitor Information Centre on (02) 6352 9130.

Chevelle they’d end up a bit like us’.

Lithgow and District Nursery’s 30th Anniversary

Lithgow

Festival of Natives- Celebrating the Beauty and Diversity of Our Flora and Fauna

and District Community Nursery is turning 30.

In light of this achievement we are holding a Festival of Natives- Celebrating the Beauty and Diversity of the Flora and Fauna of the region.

Across the month of November the Nursery will be holding a series of free events to commemorate this remarkable milestone.

Wether you fancy taking in an exhibition of native inspired art at Gang Gang Gallery, hearing a talk at the UWS Transformation Hub and then catching up with your friends at the Tin Shed or seeing a reptile show at the nursery with a free sausage sizzle there will be something for everyone.

Festival of Natives Events

Festival of Natives Exhibition

3-13 November, Gang Gang Gallery 206 Main Street Lithgow See this stunning exhibition of local and further afield art works celebrating the beauty and diversity of our regions flora and fauna. Open 10.30-4.30 Thursday to Sunday.

Festival of Natives Opening Celebration and Art Prize Judging

Saturday 5 November 3pm, Gang Gang Gallery 206 Main Street Lithgow

Join us for the judging of the exhibition, a glass of wine and cheese while taking in the competition artworks. Opening address and judging by Lucy Culliton one of Australia's most renowned landscape painters.

Festival of Natives Purple Copper Butterfly Info Night and Social

Wednesday 16 November 6.30pm, Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub 154 Mort St Lithgow

Come learn about this stunningly beautiful and endangered butterfly found almost exclusively in our region. Afterwards join us for a glass of wine and finger food at the Tin Shed where we can continue the conversation. Places are limited so be sure to book through our website.

Koalas of the Central Tablelands Info Night and Social Wednesday 23 November 6.30pm

Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub 154 Mort St Lithgow

Hear about the conservation of these sleepy marsupials right in our own backyard, the plants they eat and what we can do to support their recovery in the region. Then down to the Tin Shed for a light meal and a drink to reflect on the session. Places are limited so be sure to book through our website.

Lithgow and District Community Nursery Open Day and Mini Fete

Sunday 27 November 10am - Lithgow and District Community Nursery 2a Coalbrook St Lithgow

Join us at the nursery to meet the team and see the reptile show. Take part in one of the many craft and sustainability workshops. Have a free sausage at the sausage sizzle and then sing the nursery a big old Happy 30th Birthday and grab a slice of cake. Plenty of family fun.

For more information please see www.festivalofnatives.com.au/

We look forward to celebrating with you

Proudly supported by the NSW Government

Wildfires Take State Championship

The Western Wildfires Cricket team are now the State champions of Division 2 playing the Championships held last week in Penrith, They won all their matches convincingly playing against, teams from across NSW. Some players have played since the Wildfires began in 2014 often winning few matches until last week.

Game 1 saw the Wildfires sent in to bat by Port Jackson (Sydney) on a damp out field. Wildfires were 3/51 at drinks but accelerated later with Captain Steve Walsh and Nev Castle putting on 67 off 66 balls to help make the score 4/151.

In reply, Port Jackson were in early trouble and never recovered being all out for 60 with Dave Hartley leading the way with 3/15.

Game 2 again saw the Wildfires losing the toss and being sent in to bat by Penrith II. A better start headed by Clive White and Chris Cox got the Wildfires to more than 80 at drinks. With contributions from a number of players, the Wildfires made 8/154. Penrith were soon on the backfoot with the wickets being shared around including two good run-outs. They were 9/84 when their overs ran out.

Thursday’s game saw the Wildfires win the

toss and bat first against the Mid North Coast. Sandy Cox (playing his first tournament game) scored a whirlwind 40 retired in 24 balls. He was well supported by brother Chris with another 40 retired and Nev Castle with 28, being bowled out for 173.

Mid North Coast started disastrously with Steve Walsh taking a one-handed catch off the first ball. Again, the bowlers were well on top, with wickets being shared around and bowling out the opposition for 90.

Then came the final against New England (Armidale area) with the Wildfires again winning the toss and batting. The opening partnership of 58 was only broken by Sandy Cox again making 40 retired off 25 balls. Chris Cox posted his 4th consecutive 40 retired and Ian Iveson scored a helpful late 32 giving the Wildfires to an imposing 183.

Again, early wickets soon had New England struggling, from which they never recovered. Captain Steve Walsh led the way with 4/12, Glen Campbell had 2/11 and Dave Hicks 2/8 which saw New England bowled out for 53 not long after drinks.

Everyone contributed at vital times whether it was batting, bowling or fielding. The Cox brothers were the stand out batters with Chris 162, Sandy 93 (2 games). These two were well supported by Nev Castle 90, Steve Walsh 68 and Clive White 62. The bowling honours were shared with all 8 bowlers used bowling well, however the leading

wicket takers were Steve Walsh 9, Glen Campbell 8 and Al Northey with 6. Fielding for the week was also outstanding with only 2 tough catches dropped and 6 run-outs taken.

After 8 years, everything finally came together in the one week for a well-deserved tournament win. The celebrations might go for a while.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR SPRING GARDEN!

get

a

range

Pictured: Back row (L-R) Ian Iveson, Al Northey, Steve Walsh (c), Sandy Cox, Clive White, Neville Castle. Front row (L-R) Glenn Campbell, Dave Hicks, Mick Byrne, Greg Kitchener, Chris Cox, Barry Fitzgerald

Located at the intersection of Williwa and Wolgan Streets, Portland NSW

Passion is key to Business and life Success!

One of the reasons I started my own business some 19 years ago was because I believed that I could do much better than the company I worked for. I was a top recruiter. I loved what I did and I loved my clients. Within those first few months of operation, it hit me on our many hats I had to wear and I have to confess I was not an expert at too many of them. In the first 12 months I made that many critical mistakes I almost went broke and my over confident leap to success came crashing down. The pressure was immense.

My passion saved me. I loved recruiting so much I was happy to work 24/7 and with that came the financial rewards of obtaining good quality work and making great quality placements. Being strong at selling covered the costs of any errors I made and my passion shone brightly at any networking event I attended. I stopped worrying

all of the time and just enjoyed everything that I did. My work was varied and interesting and I had some amazing customers to work with. My passion carried me through and life was good.

Some 10 years ago we moved to Bathurst and I was tired of recruitment so we started up as a Business Coaching and soft skills training service.

Though times have been tough, especially since Covid, my passion for coaching hasn’t waned and it has inspired me to keep going and help as many other business owners as I can. Each morning I am excited to get up and see who I can help today.

Each year I coach some 30 business owners and when they are successful I get so excited for them. Helping people to resolve their own issues is so satisfying.

My next step is to get back into professional speaking. I love to share what I have learned

HERITAGE MATTERS

Oldest in Australia?

I had the pleasure and privilege of a tour of historic “Westham” (1830) recently. Heritage Rob is the new owner and it couldn’t be in better hands from this very experienced Bathurst heritage champion.

Westham on the O’Connell Road is one of the West family properties and was convict built for Thomas West. He and his brothers were free settlers who came from Derry on the Westmoreland, and arrived in O’Connell in 1823. A number of the Wests rest in the small cemetery nearby.

Westham is one of a group of very historic homesteads in this location, think Macquarie 1822, Mayfield (c1835) and The Grange (c1835). Under appreciated as a grouping, try and find anything like this group of four elsewhere.

Anyway, in the front garden is a magnificent olive tree which must be close to 200 years old. Still healthy and bearing fruit. I know olive trees in the Mediterranean grow up to 3,000 years old, but surely this one is the oldest in inland Australia, and without doubt is a heritage item in its own right.

My mate Mick, the Sage of Wiseman’s Creek, thinks there is a wonderful opportunity here. How about a Westham Olive Infused Gin, to be made by Toby at the Bathurst Distillery at The Grange nearby?

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My desk

Story filed: The Movie Show

Hi folks, Leo here. today I am going to talk about my movie watching habit. I 've been watching some good war movies lately and here are five of my favourites. At number five we have The Battle of Britain, this is an older film but that doesn't take away from how good it is - just adds to the experience. The fight scenes are great with fighter planes and bombers flying all over the place. It's also a really good story of the men flying the planes and their experiences of war. Number four on my list is Iron Fury. This movie has

amazing CGI scenes and fight scenes - it's truly an amazing film. Number three is 1917. You might have heard of this movie as it came out not too long ago. It's absolutely mind blowing with a great story of a famous incident in WWI. At number two is Dunkirk - you might have also heard of this one as the filmmakers won some awards for their work and I say they truly deserved them. It is an absolute beauty of filmmaking. and finally at number one is Danger Close:the Battle of Long Tan. This movie is very sad and sweet. It is a Vietnam war movie depicting outnumbered Australian and New Zealand forces holding off an onslaught from the North

from all of the Business Owners and Executives I have coached and to share that knowledge with the world. I love to get on the stage and perform hopefully helping would be start-up entrepreneurs encouraging them to follow their dreams and turn their passions into their profession.

What are you passionate about? Do you feel it is your life’s purpose? Is there a demand for it? If so, can you make money? When you love what you do you will enjoy every day and it will lead to a journey of business and life success. Start up a business. Just give it ago as you will not regret it. Let your passion shine!

Steve Semmens is an experienced Business Coach who works with senior and mid-level executives, managers, and business owners at all levels of leadership throughout the Central West of NSW. Find out more at https://thepersuader.com.au

Vietnamese and Viet Cong armies. It was a beautiful piece. None of these films glorify war but tell a human story under terrible circumstances. There are many more amazing war movies I haven't mentioned like

Land of Mine, Hacksaw Ridge and many many others. And I intend to watch them all.

next time

submit your stories and read more at villagevoice.net.au

“Allow your passion to become your purpose, and it will one day become your profession! – Gabrielle Bernstein

Better Business Column by Steve Semmens, The Persuader

The Annexe, Portland, is now open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10am - 4pm

Local makers and producers at the Micro Market every weekend, Popup Simply Soup Café, Information on The Foundations development, Art and Sculpture on display and many other exciting events.

There IS always something happening at

Roving

Bathurst's WWRL's Round Four Win

Story and picture by John Fitzgerald

games into the Western Women’s Rugby League

Bathurst’s Panorama Platypi opens side are sitting in equal second spot after last weekend’s 18-14 win over the Woodbridge team.

The round-four game was enthralling and interesting due to the closeness of the scores and good individual efforts of many of the players including Platypi’s NRLW’s Kandy Kennedy who, although a bit short on fitness, pulled off some ferocious tackles in a game of vigorous and aggressive attack and defence by both sides.

Her teammate Tiana Anderson began the Platypi scoring when she went across for the first of her two tries in the fifth minute.

Woodbridge’s Mollie Hogan evened the score at 4-all at the 10-minute mark, both tries unconverted.

Nearing the end of the first half Platypi went across for a converted try by Zarlia Griffiths for a handy 10-point lead, but in the closing minutes of the half Woodbridge’s Emma Bailey also scored a converted try to reduce the leeway to 14-10.

Seven minutes into the second half Anderson scored try number two for a Platypi lead 18-10, which was cut back three minutes later following Woodbridge’s Sammie Wood’s try for an 18-14 scoreline, setting up a nervous final stanza.

The tenuous four-point lead was put to the test many times during the rest of the half as both sides went close to scoring but Woodbridge were unable to bridge the gap as Platypi produced a desperate defensive effort to hold out their opponent for a well-deserved win.

There were many good individual efforts but Anderson’s two tries

proved valuable contributions to her side’s four-point win, and all four wingers performed strongly down the edges.

Round 5 will see Platypi with another home game at Carrington Park, Bathurst, against Midwest Brumbies.

LITHGOW VALLEY FILM SOCIETY

16 Main Street, Lithgow

Sunday 30th– October 2.00 pm

ART Sunday New release 2022

The GARDENER. Shortly before his passing at the age of 86, influential gardener and horticulturalist Frank Cabot recounted his personal quest for perfection at Les Quatre Vents, his twenty-acre English style garden and summer estate that was opened to a film crew for the first time ever in 2009

. Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Charlevoix County in Quebec, Les Quatre Vents has become one of the world’s foremost private gardens . Created over 75 years and three generations, it is an enchanted place of beauty and surprise, a horticultural masterpiece of the 21st century.

Sunday 6th November 2.00pm

Judi Dench Comedy

THE LAST OF THE BLONDE BOMSHELS.

After Elizabeth’s (Dame Judi Dench’s) husband dies, she begins to play her tenor saxophone again, and remembers when she was fifteen and a member of the Blonde Bombshells, an all -girl (with one exception) swing band. Accompanied by the exception and urged on by her Granddaughter, Elizabeth hunts up the old members of the band and urges them to perform, and in doing so, learns more than she new about the band, its members, the roses on the drum set, and herself the last of the Blonde Bomshells.

STARRING: DAME JUDI DENCH, IAN HOLM, OLYMPIA DUKAKIS

Pictured: Sarah Coleman

Sun shines on Ecology Picnic at The Millpond

Last Sunday, The Millpond at The

life

music, food, talks and

as we attendees a picnic of a different kind at the Ecology

The event was hosted by STEAMWorks - Lithgow Valley Science Hub and bought together a range of activities for the community to enjoy on what turned out to be a beautiful

day for the majority of the event.

The event included art, science and local knowledge that was shared via talks with exhibitors, fun activities for kids of all ages and food provided by the Portland RFS

"We are thankful to everyone who visited the event, to our sponsors, Inspiring NSW - Science Ignite, EnergyAustralia and The Foundations, Portland NSW and to our incredible group of artists, scientists, fishermen, educators, local businesses and community groups," said the event organisers.

The next STEAMWorks event is the Astrology night on 26 November, organisers are hoping for another great weather night to be able to enjoy the event to its fullest.

Grant Markert for Radiant Productions

Wildflower Co making floral crowns

Searching for waterbugs

One Million Turtles Project

Linda Hine , Artist

Learning to Fly Fish

Blue Mountains Honey talking about bees

Newbridge village’s Spring into Art weekend kicked off on Friday night with the art show opened by Blayney Mayor Cllr Scott Ferguson. A throng of art lovers browsed the exhibition and enjoyed refreshments and canapes served by Blayney High School students.

The Back Creek Art Show winners were: Open Photography - Andrew Macarthur, Rylstone Glade Open Art - Stephanie Field, White Bowl with Reflections Eutick Memorial Still Life - Karen James, Pumpkins Newbridge - David Lake, AppleBox Newbridge People’s Choice – David Young, Mallee Storm Saturday began brightly with artisan market stalls, live

music and the art show at the Showgrounds. Swift Coffee ByM and the team from Rotary fuelled visitors to continue down into the village, popping into Stringybark Crafts & Collectibles, the Olde Bridge Gallery and the Gladstone Hotel.

Pale Ailments played at The Gladstone on Saturday night and again on Sunday at lunchtime. A free shuttle bus circulated around the four open gardens, which were busy throughout the weekend. Not even a few sharp downpours on Sunday dampened the enthusiasm, and the pleasure with which villagers and visitors came out to reconnect and make new friends was heartwarming.

Primary: Turtles in Schools

Year 5/6 returned to The Millpond last Tuesday with a representative from the University of Western Sydney as part of Turtles in Schools. Students tried to locate their fake nests to see if the eggs had survived, and reviewed data collected from the camera which captured any movement in the area.

were able to identify five foxes that had been walking around the nest area as they continued to develop their citizen scientist skills.

Across the SchoolIndigenous Dance Workshop

to go

direct and produce

K-6: Manly Vale Brass Band

K-6 students enjoyed a visit from the Manly Vale School Brass Band this week. The senior band of 41 students entertained our students with their amazing talent and skills by playing a range of instruments, including clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, drums and keyboard. It was wonderful to hear how many of our students were inspired after the performance and wanting to play an instrument.

Capree Stud:

Stage 5 agriculture students travelled to Capree Stud at Newbridge to assist in preparing rams for their upcoming on-property auction. Students are very lucky to have these opportunities to work on farms and gain valuable skills. They are looking forward to lamb marking later in the term.