Dubbo Photo News 31.10.2024

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THREE

Profile

Where do you work? Petries Mitre 10, Dubbo.

Do you have a nickname? Big Pete, or Tiny. What do you like to do on the weekends? Watch my kids play sport and spending time with family and friends.

Do you have any hidden talents or special skills? Always being positive and making the most of every situation.

What would you do with $1 million dollars? Relax.

What are you watching at the moment? Anything that’s on.

What would you be lost without? Family. What music do you like to listen to? 80s.

If you were stranded on a desert island what three things would you bring with you? Water, fishing gear, 5’9” blonde to clean the fish, haha!

What is your all time favourite movie? Smokey and the Bandit.

If there was a movie all about you, what genre would it be and who would play you? Comedy; some awesomely good looking actor.

Best advice you have ever been given? Don’t ever give up… keep trying.

What do the next five years look like for you? Much the same.

SUPPLIED.

'Welcome to Baby'

The annual ‘Welcome to Baby’ celebration was held recently at Dundullimal Homestead, just outside of Dubbo, for a total of 20 families with toddlers ranging from 0–3 years attending.

The day included a traditional ‘Welcome to Country’ and smoking ceremony from local elders Aunty Margaret Walker and Aunty Iris Reid.

LiveBetter’s Jena Glover and Buninyong School as Community Centre’s Lorna Brennan have jointly organised this annual event since 2019, and every year it has grown.

“All babies born in Dubbo during the previous three year years are invited to register to receive a traditional Aboriginal welcome and en-

joy celebrating the event with their family,” Lorna said.

“Each child also receives a beautiful gift package including the locally written Welcome to Baby book, with artwork by local artist Brooke Sullivan,” she concluded.

The ‘James Samuels Bridge’

Come on Dubbo, only YOU

on only YOU

He was literally a founding father of Dubbo, our first mayor, a man of compassion, drive, conscience, and vision, with a true Victorian sense of public duty and the common good.

So why not name the new Dubbo bridge after him? With the previous Dubbo Council pre-emptively and unilaterally precluding all but Indigenous words for the name of the new 600-metre $250 million project, that’s the question thousands of locals now want answered.

If you’re one of them, go to the petition in this week’s issue of Dubbo Photo News, and have your say. You can also drop down to the Rotunda in Macquarie Street on Friday mornings, or Snare’s Newsagency in Talbragar St on Saturday mornings, and make your mark.

Firstly, more about James Samuels. A current radio ad playing in Dubbo sums up his unique achievements, perfectly.

“James Samuels was the first mayor of Dubbo, he gave every ounce of his time and energy to the public good of Dubbo,” the ad states.

“He founded the school, the hospital, the Dubbo Show, he literally built the streetlights and mapped the water under our feet!”

Thus, the promotion asks the question, why not offer this unique honour to a unique man?

“You could not find a better person to name this bridge after… a genuine founding father, a kind and generous person who lived and breathed for the Dubbo community.”

Yet more about this very special man… Samuels, among his many selfless acts and achievements, bought the land for the first Dubbo Hospital, on the site of the current facility, and served tirelessly on its board for a full six decades.

This means that everyone who ever visits or is treated at our local medical

service, is unknowingly indebted to this great man.

He also personally – out of his own pocket at a time when hospitals were strictly user-pays – covered the cost of treatment for any Indigenous locals who presented in need of care. This was an act of human generosity and kindness, almost unheard of in many parts of Australia at the time.

Arriving in Dubbo as a teenager way back in 1852, he also founded the local agricultural society, antecedent to our modern Show Society, and was both its vice-president and chair.

He was a founding member of the Municipality of

can make it happen!

the settlers did.

Naming the new bridge after James Samuels, would also provide a poetic symmetry and resonance to our other two major spans over the Wambuul-Macquarie River.

Dubbo, resulting in the proclamation of Dubbo as a town, serving as both its first mayor and as an alderman for 11 years.

Among many other acts of public service, he laid the foundations for Dubbo’s first public school, studied and marked the underground aquifer springs for a secure water supply, and formed the Dubbo Gas Company to provide lighting for the growing town.

He also formed prospecting companies for coal, gold, gas, gemstones, and copper, industries that helped power the new nation.

On a more personal note,

he raised three children of a local family whose mother had died in childbirth and father had drowned in the Macquarie River, ensuring that they retained their own name and sense of family identity.

Samuels, in simple terms, devoted his life to the betterment of the town, his community, and his fellow citizens.

Many local Indigenous leaders themselves have signed the petition, noting that, due to Samuels’ personal intervention and direct funding, local Aboriginals in colonial times received the same level of care and attention at Dubbo Hospital as

The L.H. Ford Bridge was named after a long-time mayor and local member who was long known in the 1960s as “Mr Dubbo”, while the Emile Serisier Bridge is a tribute to the French founder of the village and later mayor of the town.

The “James Samuels Bridge” then would be acknowledgement of a life devoted to Dubbo. He was the father of our city, his longevity recognised upon his death as the “Grand Old Man of Dubbo”, at an almost unheard-of 93-years-old. Incidentally, James Samuels’ home was situated on River Street!

Founding family with decades of ties to hospital’s origin and administration

AS WELL as being the central figure in the founding of Dubbo Hospital, the Samuels family served in various roles with this central institution for decades.

•••

James Samuels Jr. (24/1/1835–18/5/1927)

Regarded as the founding father of the hospital. He attended the first planning meeting for a hospital in Dubbo in 1866. In 1867 he accepted the post of treasurer when the first treasurer of the committee resigned. On the opening of the Dubbo Hospital on July 1, 1870, he continued in this position until his death in May, 1927, a total of more than 60 years selfless service.

Much of the land on

which the hospital stands was donated by James Samuels, with the remainder donated by other landowners inspired by his example. He maintained and lived on the land where his family home was situated (on the western side of where the railway is today) and also bequeathed that to the hospital.

•••

Albert Rain ‘Tully’ Samuels (1887–1972)

Following the death of James Samuels, his son Tully took over from an interim treasurer, and was appointed to the board as treasurer in August, 1928. He served in that position until October, 1933. The board (public) elections for 1934 had been conducted, but results were

never announced as the Hospitals Commission declined to approve them, and instead directly appointed eight directors of their own choice. The new 1934 board had no representatives from the old board

Albert ‘Bert’ Norman Samuels (1910–1992)

Bert was the son of Tully” Samuels and grandson of James Samuels Jnr. Bert served as a director on the Dubbo Hospital Board for 26 years (1953–1979). Bert retired due to reaching the statutory requirement age. These three men were Hospital Board members for more than a century of selfless service, totalling 117 years.

Margaret Samuels

In addition, the Samuels family contribution to Dubbo included the tireless work of Margaret Samuels, Bert Samuels’ wife. Margaret played a key role in local culture while on various committees and – along with then Dubbo mayor Harry Clegg – was a driving force in the establishment of Dubbo Art Gallery from the late 1970s.

For 45 years Margaret, now in her 90s, participated in every aspect of gallery life, and, towards the end of her time there, worked as a volunteer guide. The gallery – today known as Dubbo Cultural Centre – is a major social and artistic hub for the Golden West.

Come on Dubbo… shouldn’t this decision have been left in the hands of ratepayers to make their own contribution to, to make submissions on, and argue their cases for, in our local branch of government – Dubbo Regional Council – for the naming of this wonderful new piece of infrastructure? Of course they should! Because that’s what grassroots democracy is all about, and James Samuels himself wouldn’t have had it any other way!

Sign the petition today, go to Facebook, and search “Dubbo Bridge”,“James Samuels”, or call into the Rotunda on Fridays between 9-11am or at Snare’s Newsagency on Saturdays, between 8–11am, for all of November.

• Authorised by Roland Samuels , 113 Erskine Street, Dubbo, NSW 2830

Climate-resilient suburb a template for Australian regional development

By DAVID DIXON

STAGE One of a climate-resilient masterplan for a new precinct recently received development approval (DA) in Dubbo.

The DA gives the green light to the “inclusive, sustainable village” designed to represent a new template for Australian regional housing and development.

Sydney-based design practice

Marra+Yeh Architects worked in close collaboration with LatStudios, undertaking master-planning and urban design – all whilst liaising with Dubbo Regional Council, private landowners, and a supporting design group.

Marra+Yeh Architects has designed eight housing typologies for the new village, at a range of scales and densities. Over the next two decades, up to 5500 new dwellings will greatly improve options for residents and also attract newcomers to the area.

Marra+Yeh Architects Co-Director, Carol Marra, said the masterplan responds to the town’s pressing housing shortage.

“The urgency of the problem led to a fast-tracked design and approvals process driven by the developer’s eagerness to help his hometown.

“The cooperation of the Dubbo Regional Council, and the close alignment of the design teams on approach, helped speed up the process.” Ms Marra said.

The greenfield site, known as the North-West Dubbo Urban Release Area, sits across the Macquarie River from the Dubbo CBD and will add 25 per cent to the size of the existing town.

The developer’s brief was to implement the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Developments Goals, with a focus on creating a walkable, green precinct that embraces the river and is resilient to the ravages of heat, drought and flooding.

The layout of the site’s roads, blocks and green spaces was dictated by the land contours and overland water paths, working with the land rather than against it – to keep earthworks to a minimum.

A network of green spaces will retain and filter stormwater, redirecting it to trees, reducing the

need for watering and making the most of rainfall. Water that returns to the river will be of high quality.

Consultation with the Indige-

SHAKESPEARE FUNERALS

nous community – the Tubba-gah People of the Wiradjuri Nation –provided an understanding of the site’s ecology, including endemic plants and long-term weather

patterns, as well as cultural considerations. The new precinct will be named Gunyah, which means “home” in the Wiradjuri language. Planning is centred on a village

green that will one day support retail and medical tenants to service up to 13,800 residents. The land fronting the river will become open recreation space and playing fields, reinstating the original floodplain and preserving the river gums that have great cultural significance to the First Nations community.

A priority was to keep temperatures on the ground down during summer and mitigate against the “heat island” effect.

“Road widths are reduced to keep paving to a minimum whilst maximising tree canopy,” Ms Marra said.

“The aim is to provide a shaded and enjoyable walk or cycle to any part of the precinct, including a future new pedestrian bridge into Dubbo central.”

Marra+Yeh Architects’ eight housing typologies include single residences, townhouses and medium-density, multi-residential dwellings and apartments, with tenure-blind social and affordable housing woven throughout the precinct and comprising 30 per cent of homes. The addition of multi-residential models is highly unusual for regional areas, where single detached dwellings are the dominant housing type.

“We want to improve social outcomes in Dubbo by giving everyone access to quality housing,” Ms Marra said.

“Our housing patterns respond to the town’s demographics, including single parents, young couples and seniors who currently struggle to find affordable, rightsized places to live.”

CEO of developer North West Precinct Community Pty Ltd, Brett Anderson, said he hopes the project will become an exemplar for other regional centres.

“A lot of people are watching this. The delivery of housing in regional areas quickly is a really important thing that I think everyone’s been grappling with for the last 20 years,” Mr Anderson said.

“Our Dubbo masterplan provides a good template. It respects people and nature and significantly broadens housing diversity whilst placing great importance on things like water management, heat and flood mitigation and energy resilience,” he concluded.

Wear it loud for kids with hearing loss

By LANA EATHER

Each year on the October 18 ‘Loud Shirt Day’ is held. It is a nationwide promotion of hearing loss awareness in support of NextSense (formerly the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children).

Dubbo’s Hear Our Heart joined this year’s Loud Shirt Day by wearing their wackiest shirts and helping raise awareness of hearing loss and how important it is to include nose-blowing for healthy ears into children’s daily routines.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to spread the word locally about how healthy ears hear and learn better,” Hear Our Heart Program Manager Michaela McGuinness shared. Hear Our Heart were supported throughout the week in their school hearing screenings by NextSense. Since 2015 NextSense have been supporting Hear Our Heart by providing a clinician for three visits a year. Senior NextSense Paediatric Audiologist Kim Ter-Horst came onboard the bus to help promote healthy ears and share her knowledge. Hear our Heart Ear Bus look forward to the visits from NextSense as it helps to deepen our clinicians’

knowledge which then stays in our community. Hear our Heart Ear Bus have been providing hearing screening services in schools, childcare, local hospitals and Aboriginal Medical Services in Dubbo, Wellington, Yeoval, Gilgandra, Gulargambone, Mendooran, Narromine, Trangie, Warren, and Nyngan for the past 10 years, and are proud to

be able to help children locally.

The program is not government-funded, but is making a big difference to so many families by detecting hearing loss early so children are able to be treated sooner. The service is overseen by a very small group of volunteers who are desperately needing more help. They would love for you to wear

Oct 31: Simon Poidevin, r ugby union player, 66. Peter Jackson, NZ film director, 63. Larry Mullen Jr, U2 drummer, 63. Rob Schneider, US actor, 61. Vanilla Ice, US rap singer, 56. Kylie Kwong , chef, 55. Julie Goodwin, MasterChef Australia winner, 54. Christie Hayes, Home & Away actress, 38. Nov 1: Gary Player, South African golfer, 89. John Bell , actor-Nimrod Theatre co-founder, 84. John Williamson, country singer, 79. Lyle Lovett, US singer, 67. Anthony Kiedis, Red Hot Chili Peppers singer, 62. Tina Arena , singer-actress, 57. Toni Collette, actress, 52.

Nov 2: Ken Rosewall, tennis champion, 90. Alan Jones, motor-racing champ, 78. k.d lang , Canadian singer, 63. David Schwimmer, Friends actor, 58. Nelly, US rapper, 50. Mitchell Johnson, cricketer, 43. Nov 3: Roy Emerson, tennis star, 88. Lulu, British singer-actress, 76. Anna Wintour, US magazine editor, 75. Roseanne Barr, US comedienne-actress, 72. Adam Ant, British pop singer, 70. Sam Pang , comedian, 51. Gemma Ward, Aussie model, 37. Courtney Barnett, singer-songwriter, 37. Angus McLaren, actor, 36. Ellyse Perry, soccer player, 34.

Nov 4: Loretta Swit, US actress, 87. Laura Bush, former US first lady, 78. Tony Abbott, former Prime Minister, 67. Tony Burke, politician, 55. Matthew McConaughey, US actor, 55. Curtis Stone, chef, 49. Nathan Ross, footy player, 36.

Nov 5: Elke Sommer, German-born actress, 84. Art Garfunkel, US musician, 83. Kris Jenner, TV personality, Tatum O’Neal , Famke

, Dutch , politician, , actor, 43. , singer,

Cementing international friendship, Dubbo kids enjoy Japanese sojourn

By DAVID DIXON

CEMENTING Dubbo’s long-term Sister City Exchange Program with Minokamo –a regional city located in central Japan – a group of local students recently returned from a trip of a lifetime to the city, with a reciprocal visit to be held in coming weeks.

The program, facilitated by Dubbo Council to encourage global social and economic development at the local level, involved a total of 10 students and two chaperones travelling to Minokamo to participate in a range of cultural exchange activities.

The students spent seven days living with a host family, attending Minokamo Agricultural High School, and visiting local tourist attractions. A three-day stay in Tokyo, including visiting Tokyo Disneyland, was also a highlight of the experience.

Dubbo student Kacey Ireland had an unforgettable experience and encouraged the region’s high school students to apply for the program in 2025.

“We had the incredible opportunity to host and be hosted by wonderful families through the Sister City Exchange Program,” Kacey said.

“The highlight of the trip wasn’t only the places we visited, but the people we met and the lifelong friendships that were made along the way,” she added.

Kacey’s father, Kym Ireland – who also travelled with the group as one of the two chaperones – said the students had a fantastic experience and highlighted the im-

portance of international exchange programs for young people.

“The Minokamo-Dubbo exchange has broadened everyone’s outlook on life; Japan is a truly amazing country steeped in history and so many incredible experiences were shared by the group and our host families,” Mr Ireland said.

“The people of Minokamo are so welcoming and went above and beyond with their generosity and willingness to share their day-to-day lives, their country and their culture,” he added.

Council’s Sister City Officer Daisy Wang said that the Exchange Program is a great opportunity for high school students to explore another country and appreciate different cultures in an increasingly interconnected world.

“The opportunity to explore a different part of the world and a different culture is something that I’d encourage all students to do,” Ms Wang said.

“We’ve had our Sister City relationship with Minokamo in place now for 35 years, and the Student Exchange Program is one of the great things that has come out of this relationship. Later this month, a delegation from Minokamo will visit Dubbo to celebrate our long-lasting friendship between the two cities,” she concluded.

Dubbo Regional Council’s Sister City Exchange Program will run again in 2025, and residents can email Daisy at daisy. wang@dubbo.nsw.gov.au to ensure they are notified of when applications open.

Celebrating Tradition and Togetherness: A Grand Garba Night in Dubbo

On Saturday, 12th of October 2024, the heart of Dubbo came alive with the rhythmic sounds of traditional Gujarati folk music as the Orana Gujarati Samaj NSW (OGSNSW), supported by ORISCON celebrated a spectacular Garba Night at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.

The event, which took place from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, attracted more than 250 attendees from various parts of New South Wales, including Dubbo, Orange, Molong, Wellington, Peak Hill, Tomingley, Gilgandra, Nyngan and Walgett.

The evening was a vibrant celebration of culture, unity, and joy, bringing together the Gujarati community and people from diverse backgrounds to experience a traditional Indian festival away from home.

Garba, a traditional dance form from the state of Gujarat in western

India, has been celebrated for centuries, particularly during the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri.

The dance is traditionally performed in a circle around a lamp or an image of the goddess Durga, representing the cycle of life, from birth to death to rebirth.

The dance steps are rhythmic and graceful, involving intricate footwork, clapping, and twirling, all performed to the beat of folk music featuring drums and other traditional instruments.

Garba is more than just a dance; it is an expression of devotion, joy, and cultural pride. The circular formation signifies the continuity of life, and as the dancers move in unison, it creates a powerful sense of community and togetherness.

Would you like to help shape future programs, activities and opportunities that lead to positive outcomes for the Youth in our region?

Dubbo Regional Council is developing a Youth Action Plan 2025-2029, looking at how Council can best service the youth of our community and is calling on young people and their parents to provide input.

The Action Plan will focus on creating actions where young people can be well connected, community-minded and work ready.

To have your say, take part in the survey or let us know what you would do if you were mayor for a day, scan the QR code below or visit yoursay.nsw.gov.au/youth-action-plan

Writers celebrate 10th annual festival

By SHARON BONTHUYS

Dubbo Writers’ Festival recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a series of events designed to support the local literary community.

Fielding an exciting program including an author showcase, special guest Kim Kelly in-conversation with Jen Cowley, three skills development workshops, a dinner, a writing competition, publishing consultations, and a submission-readiness panel, the Festival inspired many attendees to continue to develop their craft.

While small in comparison to other similar events held within NSW and beyond, the 2024 Dubbo Writers’ Festival feedback from attending publishers has reinforced the value in holding such an event in support of local writers, Festival Director, Val Clark said.

“I was really stoked that, at the Festival, each of the publishing entities said how good the standard of writing was from those writers they had encountered,” Ms Clark said.

“They were very positive and encouraging in helping authors get their work submission-ready,” she added.

Ms Clark has led the development of the Festival for the past decade and succeeded in bringing a host of authors and publishing professionals to Dubbo over that time.

Attending the Festival this year was a milestone event for author, artist, musician, and mental health advocate, Nathan Bell, who travelled from Newcastle to exhibit his work at the festival’s author showcase on the Friday.

“This was my first writers’ festival [and] I was excited to bring my stories to a new community of readers and meet great people,” he said.

The author of dystopian novel “Kings of the New Age: The Quest of the Balancing Stones”, Mr Bell described the Festival as fantastic for regional writers.

“It’s just great that Dubbo provides this opportunity for regional writers to showcase their work. I hope the festival continues to grow,” he said.

“I’m an independent trader with big dreams. Festivals like this are an important platform for creatives to establish their careers,” he added.

During the Festival, historical novelist Ms Kelly also conducted three skills development workshops on the Saturday, encouraging local writers to find their creativity, and flesh out characters and plots.

Duty MLC for Dubbo, Stephen Lawrence,

was special guest at the Festival dinner on the Saturday evening and also had the difficult job of judging the “Festival Cup” writing competition entries generated from the day’s activities.

Publishing professionals Fiona McDonald (Christmas Press), Jane Curry (Ventura Press) and Dr Kate Cuthbert (Pantera Press) also attended the dinner and mingled with festival attendees, indicating they would love to return to the central west for a future festival.

Ms Clark will hand over the baton to a new director for the next Festival as she prepares for her newest adventure that will inspire much more writing of her own – travelling around Australia with husband, Martin.

“The 2024 Dubbo Writers’ Festival was fantastic and, for me, a great way to wrap up 10 years of growing the event and meeting so many published writers, emerging writers, just starting out writers, and amazingly generous industry professionals,” Ms Clark said.

CALL FOR FELINE FOSTER CARERS

By LANA EATHER

The Dubbo branch of the Animal Welfare League (AWL) is managed and operated by dedicated voluntary members, and relies on foster carers to assist in providing local housing for companion animals. The season is warming up, and heading towards the peak for kittens to be born.

Kittens can mature as early as sixteen weeks, and can often have a litter at five months old. This places a huge strain on existing services and foster carers within AWL. Janet Rose from the Dubbo branch reveals: “AWL takes animals surrendered by the community, and also animals from the local council shelter. AWL ensures the animals are desexed, healthchecked, wormed, and vaccinated, with free lifetime registration. Often it will take some time to find an adoptive home for these animals, and, in the meanwhile, they are cared for with local foster homes. Foster carers provide a safe haven for vulnerable animals in the community, and sometimes our volunteers may be able

to assist with domesticated livestock as well. We are desperate to find foster carers for cats and kittens as there is a huge influx of felines at the moment.”

AWL NSW covers foster animals’ vet costs at their approved vets and also supply flea and worming treatment. AWL also hold regular Pet Adoption Days at the supportive businesses Dubbo Petbarn and Petstock Dubbo. The adoption days are vital in locating homes and loving owners for many cats and dogs. The next adoption day will be held at Petstock on Saturday, November 9, from 10am to 2pm.

Community members interested in providing feline foster care are invited to contact Animal Welfare League NSW Dubbo Branch via their Facebook page, or telephone 0400 851 781. Other ways to help AWL include volunteering by assisting with tasks such as fundraising, administration and transportation, or donating pet items and monetary tax-deductible donations.

DuBb pEtS m nTh! 2024

It’s Dubbo Pets Month!

A time to celebrate all things finned, fanged, furry and feathered. Dubbo Photo News staff and sponsors are excited to feature 30 days worth of cuddly, courageous and crazy critters, who will no doubt make you laugh out loud with their antics and swoon at their cuteness.

THANKS TO OUR EXCELLENT SPONSORS:

Australian Awards recipients, family and friends attend Annual Western NSW luncheon

The Order of Australia Association sponsors an annual luncheon organised by a small committee in Dubbo to bring together those persons from the western region of NSW who have received Australian Awards including the Order of Australia, Australian Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Public Service, Police Service and Emergency Service.

At their recent luncheon at the Dubbo RSL, recipients and their family and friends from Dubbo, Narromine, Trangie, Warren, Nyngan, Coonabarabran, Bourke, Wellington and Parkes attended.

Mr David North OAM B.Pharm representing the Order of Australia, Sydney.

The guest speaker was Sue-Ellen Lovett OAM, an Australian Paralympic, Para-equestrian, author and speaker. Sue-Ellen represented Australia in both the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and has written her autobiography titled “The Blind Chick”.

Entertainment for the luncheon was provided by Macquarie Conservatorium.

ORISCON Cross Cultural Carnivale 2024

By KEN SMITH

ORISCON Cross Cultural Carnivale 2024 was a beauty.

A good crowd attended across the afternoon and evening, especially for the fireworks which wrapped up a very successful carnivale.

Ollie Robbins Oval was well set up with easy access to the variety of food, and the entertainment

was well staged and continuous, with a taste of the talented many who call Dubbo home.

Well done to ORISON Dubbo, Dubbo South Rotary, the entertainers who brought their colour, culture and energy, the amazing food, and the locals and visitors who attended and enjoyed.

Little Big Dairy’s local success, a case study in vertical integration

By DAVID DIXON

A RECENT low-interest government loan to the Little Big Dairy has highlighted how local companies can carve out a niche market for their product by reimagining themselves.

The long-standing producer – based on their farm at Rawsonville about midway between Dubbo and Narromine – is a case study in how one primary producer successfully moved into vertical integration of their business. This has allowed them to value-add, at a time when many farmers are struggling with low commodity prices and increased producer costs.

The money will enhance this process and will be used to move more production in-house and to reduce waste and power costs. This is as the sixth-generation family-owned operation already delivers more than 100,000 litres of fresh bottled milk each week direct to customers across NSW and the ACT from their 1000-cow Holstein herd.

Little Big’s move into processing all began more than a decade ago, however, when the local farming dynasty decided to bring their sustainably-produced milk from farm-to-market

“We’re an entirely family-owned, sixth-generation operation and, about 11-years ago, the Chesworth family decided to start processing and bottling their own milk on-site,” a Little Big spokesperson said.

“Now we deliver our milk products

which then reverts to low-interest after that, is designed to make their operation more sustainable, the spokesperson said.

“The funds will go towards our own labelling machine so as to label the milk on-farm.

Little Big Dairy has highlighted how local companies can carve-out a niche market for their product by reimagining themselves, moving into vertical integration of their business to value-add at a time when many farmers are struggling with low commodity prices and increased producer costs. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED.

around the state, to places as far as Newcastle, Tamworth, Bourke, Lightning Ridge, and to cafes directly,” she added.

The family prides itself on being a single-source milk supplier that is competing in an increasingly-consolidated market dominated by larger producers.

The company bottles more than 490,000L of milk per month, supplying 1000 retailers and cafes, including independent su-

permarkets, Woolworths, Coles, and Harris Farm Markets. This is more than double their customer base since 2019.

They are are currently stocked in 23 Woolworths stores in Central West NSW and Sydney, and are also about to be stocked at 30 additional Woolworths across the Canberra, New England and Newcastle markets.

What three words would your friends use to describe you? Funny, honest and hyperactive. How would you spend a win of a million dol-

The initial interest-free two-year loan,

“We are also installing automatic doors on our chill rooms, so as to save power and reduce costs, so that people don’t have to open and shut the door all the time,” she added.

This is part of the family’s mission to become Australia’s first commercial circular dairy brand – employing sustainable practices to minimise waste and promote resource efficiency

Little Big’s sustainability story also includes the business operating on 100 per cent solar power during the day, reusing effluent water, and recycling plastic lids and cardboard boxes.

Since 2022, they have also quietly donated and delivered 22,000 litres of milk and dairy products to 25 Breakfast Club programs from the Central West through to Canberra.

“We started supplying the milk to schools as a way to manage waste when we first started because we never wanted to get rid of precious milk that had been bottled,” Director Emma Elliott said.

They also regularly donate cream to the CWA for the Sydney Easter Royal Show and, this year, provided 20,000 100ml tubs to be served alongside CWA scones at the show.

Real Pet Food (RPF) is on the hunt for an Inventory Controller who’s a real animal lover and ready to join our pack.

You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth delivery, storage, and accurate record-keeping of raw materials and packaging essential for our manufacturing operations. This role plays a crucial part in maintaining uninterrupted production by managing inventory effectively from delivery through to storage and documentation.

What you’ll do:

 Coordinate the delivery and storage of raw materials and packaging items.

 Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure data integrity.

 Collaborate with procurement and

lars? I’d like to travel overseas. What actor would you have play you in a movie about your life? Adam Sandler What is your favourite music to listen to? I like a mixture of everything from hip-hop to country.

production teams to forecast and plan inventory needs.

 Conduct regular audits to verify inventory accuracy and resolve discrepancies promptly.

 Utilise MRP systems and other tools for inventory management and reporting.

 Implement system housekeeping practices to uphold data integrity and operational efficiency.

 Provide guidance and support to team members regarding inventory procedures.

There’s lots more information about this position at www.seek.com.au/ job/79694106

WELLINGTON NEWS

Ward-free, Wello comes up roses in Dubbo Council poll

By DAVID DIXON

LOCALS may have voted against it at the 2021 election but, despite the abolition of the ward system, Wellington has come up roses after the recent local government poll.

While the old Wellington ward was guaranteed two councillors in Dubbo’s 11-member council, the new chamber has seen the district elect a total of four district members.

Former deputy mayor and local farmer, Councillor Richard Ivey, said that many locals were worried that our second population centre could miss out in region-wide free-for-all in choosing candidates for the new council.

“I was anti-ward myself, I voted against it at the 2021 election, but the majority of locals voted to keep it, though it got voted against by something like 75-25 per cent in Dubbo itself,” Cr Ivey recalled.

“That was because there was a fear that, if we got rid of it, that Wellington could miss-out on representation on the new council, that we could get no councillors,” he added.

He said, though, that the answer was simply a matter of quality candidates nominating locally.

“Wellington has got 20 per cent of the voting population, so if we put up good council candidates, there’s no reason we

allows for better representation locally and encourages new talent in local government.

“Your choice is a lot broader, and you have a much wider selection, you might have seen local councillors who were doing a good job, but you simply weren’t able to vote for them.

“In the past, there may have been someone, and you thought, ‘I really like him, but I can’t vote for him’, and you only get to vote for your regular two councillors who have been representing your area for years.” Only just elected at the recent September vote, he said that the whole experience has been a thrill.

“This is the first time ever that I’ve run, and I’ve been stoked to be elected at my first attempt.

der the Shooters, Farmers, and Fishers grouping.

Cr Toynton – on a mixed property working 700-acres on Bodangora Rd, Comobella – said that success of local candidates has been the proof in the pudding.

“Wellington’s got a really good mix on new councillors that they couldn’t have gotten under the ward system,” Cr Toynton believes.

“The voters have had a much wider choice of candidates to elect from than previously,” he added.

The new system, he believes,

“Then to be sworn in at the extraordinary council meeting, and then to be elected deputy mayor, it’s been amazing,” he added.

Cr Ivey said that the election of the four district councillors presents a strong opportunity for our oldest town to be given a fair shake in the new council.

“It’s a good sign that Wellington is going to get a strong representation on council,” Cr Ivey said.

“The other thing is that there is good diversity in the views and policies of our new councillors, and that’s also a good thing,” he concluded.

IN FOCUS

THUMBS UP!

Thumbs up to the couple who had dinner at the Western Star on Sunday night, who paid for my elderly parents’ meals after they had trouble with their credit card after they had been scammed.

Thumbs up and thank-you Dr Di Re and her staff for looking after me before and after my surgery. Also thank you to the staff in the surgery ward.

Thumbs up to AJ Dangol at Dubbo Motor Group for your outstanding service when purchasing a car recently.

Thumbs up to Kerrie at NRMA for your help when insuring our car.

 Send your Thumbs Up via email to photos@dubbophotonews. com.au, mail to Level 1, 178 Macquarie Street Dubbo NSW 2830, or phone 6885 4433.

paparazzi

WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM? Explore your family history at Dubbo Library

By DAVID DIXON

KNOWING where we originated from, and who are ancestors were, is a deep longing in so many of us, with a wonderful local resource designed to help us on our way.

Why not discover the amazing secrets of your ancestral background at Dubbo branch of Macquarie Regional Library using the family history collection and online resources, Macquarie Regional Library Manager, Kathryn McAlister, asked.

Close encounters of the... eight-legged kind! Spider-alien.

“Macquarie Regional Library is a great starting point when researching your family history,”

Mrs McAlister revealed.

“We have a lot of resources available that people can access for free to uncover and learn more about their ancestry,” she added.

To aid in this search, the library offers a wide range of local, Australian, and overseas resources, including books on how to research your family history, pioneer and cemetery registers, local history books, local historical newspapers and photographs, in-library access to Ancestry Library Edition, and the Archives Resources Kit (ARK) on microfilm.

Library staff can also assist people to access to online databases including Trove’s historical newspapers, and a range of eResources provided by the State Library of New South Wales, including Australi-

an and overseas historical newspapers.

“Our team is happy to help guide you through the family history resources available and we can also request local and family history books on inter-library loan from other libraries.

“We recommend that people starting to research their family history begin by working backwards from what they already know about themselves and their family,” Mrs McAlister believes.

She said that ensuring your information is accurate is the key to good family research.

“It is also important to verify information with credible records including births, death and marriage certificates, before they add details to their family tree.

“We have people come into the library looking for all kinds of information to help them with their family history research, includ-

ing historical newspaper articles about events and people, and the places that their ancestors used to live at, historical photographs, and burial information,” Mrs McAlister revealed.

Rather than blowing your money on annual subscription sites, she argues, why not look local to a resource that is at your fingertips?

“The library is such a valuable resource for our community, and being able to access such an extensive range of family history resources without having to pay for them is such a benefit to those looking to uncover their ancestry.

“Come in and start your family history research at the library,” Mrs McAlister said.

Interested in discovering your family history but not a member of the Macquarie Regional Library? You can join for free at your local library branch or online at: www.mrl.nsw.gov.au

'Everyone' author Benjamin is dropping in for a quick chat

Delve into the new murder mystery by award-winning Everyone… author, Benjamin Stevenson at Dubbo branch of the Macquarie Regional Library next Thursday, November 7, from 5.30pm.

The event includes the stand-up comedian and best-selling writer in conversation with Jen Cowley OAM discussing his latest mystery, Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret.

The yuletide mystery follows on from the success of his first two works in the series, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, and Everyone on This Train is a Suspect.

His new work is a classic Stevenson-style mystery that has suspense, devious puzzles, and fun and humour, all tied together in a neat bow.

His Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone is currently being adapted into a major HBO series, with his books having sold more than 750,000 copies and been nominated for eight ‘Book of the Year’ awards.

“We are very fortunate to have author Benjamin Stevenson visiting Dubbo Library to share his thoughts on his newest book, his career as an author, and his love of mystery,” Macquarie

'Everyone...' author Benjamin Stevenson is coming to Dubbo branch of the Macquarie Regional Library next Thursday, November 7, from 5:30pm. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Regional Library Manager Kathryn McAlister enthused.

“We encourage anyone who loves a good mystery to come along to the Benjamin Stevenson author talk. It’s a great opportunity to get together with a friend and enjoy an evening of fun and Christmas hijinks,” she added. Stevenson’s books are also available to borrow from Macquarie Regional Library in print, e-book, and audiobook formats. Copies of Benjamin’s new book will also be available to purchase on the evening and refreshments will also be provided.

For more information, call Dubbo Library on 6801 4510 or, to register for this free event, go to: www.mrl.nsw.gov.au

24 November 2024. The compost giveaway is for domestic use only and can be loaded into trailers, utes or bags. Residents must load the compost themselves, Council will provide the shovel at the location.

Macquarie Regional Library on Thursday 7 November 2024 from 5:30pm –6:30pm.

This author talk is a free event and refreshments will be provided.

Register at www.mrl.nsw.gov.au or contact 6801 4510.

A group of Dubbo students have recently returned from the trip-of-a-lifetime to Japan after participating in Council’s Sister City Exchange Program. The program is facilitated by Council to encourage global social and economic development at the local level, saw 10 students and two chaperones travel to Minokamo to participate in a range of cultural exchange activities.

Dubbo’s oldest tourist attraction, the Old Dubbo Gaol, is celebrating 50 years of bringing history to life, and you’re invited.

To commemorate this special milestone, the Old Dubbo Gaol is hosting a cocktail dinner on Friday 8 November at 6pm. Guests will enjoy delicious canapes while hearing from former and current staff members, as well as special guest speakers.

To secure your tickets, visit 123Tix

BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED FREEHOLD TITLE DUPLEX 12B WISE CLOSE, DUBBO

Nestled in a tranquil cul-de-sac, this beautifully presented duplex offers a serene lifestyle with NO strata fees. Enjoy the light-filled, north-facing living and dining area, perfect for relaxed entertaining. The well-appointed kitchen, complete with gas cooktop, flows seamlessly into an oversized covered outdoor space, where you can unwind with views of a peaceful, private garden. With modern comforts like split-system air conditioning, ceiling fans, and a single garage with internal access, this home promises both style and practicality. Only a short drive to essential amenities, this is an ideal, affordable opportunity for first home buyers, downsizers, couples and investors alike.

RECREATION ROOMS from $16,990 based on 5 x 2.5 conditions apply, CLADDING from $13,500 based on 80sqm, insulation extra, PATIOS from $7990 insulated extra.

Beautifully Presented Freehold Title Duplex

Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac, this affordable duplex offers an inviting, low-maintenance lifestyle with no strata fees. The north-facing living and dining area is bathed in natural light, leading to a wellappointed kitchen with gas cooktop and a seamless flow to the covered outdoor entertaining space. The private garden, dotted with established trees, provides a peaceful escape. With modern comforts like split-system air conditioning, ceiling fans, and a single garage with internal access, this home is perfect for downsizers, first home buyers and investors seeking a tranquil cul-de-sac location.

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FROM LISTING TO SETTLEMENT: New complete home selling guide

Spring is the ideal time to put your home on the market in the central west, with a new finder’s guide, listing everything homeowners need for a stress-free selling journey.

The “LocalAgentFinder” guide, outlines seven essential tips covering everything from market insights and valuations to choosing the right agent and prepping a home for sale.

A key takeaway is how an agent’s expertise and strategic approach, can help effectively navigate the property market and significantly impact the property’s time on the market.

A knowledgeable agent can assist with accurate pricing and innovative marketing techniques, enabling you to effectively navigate the property market and help achieve maximum outcome.

1. Understand the market conditions

Australian dwelling values continue to rise, with the national Home Value Index increasing by 0.5 per cent in August, mark-

ing the 19th consecutive month of growth. Whilst these market changes suggest the opportunity to make solid gains, it’s important to get the most accurate read on market conditions specific to your location and property.

2. Get a Professional Valuation

Accurately pricing your property is key to attracting serious buyers and achieving the best outcome. While professional valuations provide a baseline estimate, your real estate agent offers deeper, practical insights. By analysing recent sales of comparable properties, buyer demand, and shifts in the local market, agents provide a more dynamic and up-to-date perspective on your property’s value.

3. Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

Choosing the right real estate agent is crucial for a successful home sale. Agents with a strong local track record, negotiation skills, and positive client reviews are key. When evaluating agents, consider, sales history and performance; local market knowledge; marketing strate-

gies; communication style and responsiveness; and, commission rates and fee structures

4. Preparing Your Home for sale

To attract potential buyers, it’s important to present your home in the best possible light. Start by addressing visible wear and tear, such as repairing leaky taps, replacing outdated fixtures, and fixing wall imperfections to create a well-maintained and modern look, Managing Director of Woodwards Blackburn and part of the LocalAgentFinder network, Cameron Way, said.

“In today’s market, a well-executed social media strategy can make all the difference,” Cameron explained.

“First impressions count, and we’ve seen properties sell faster and attract more serious buyers when we combine professional photography with targeted social campaigns; it’s also important not to ignore garden maintenance, as a well-presented exterior sets the tone for potential buyers from the moment they arrive,” he added.

Get your sales documents sorted so that there are no last-minute hitches, Principal Solicitor and Director of Dott & Crossitt, Jared Zak, said.

5. Setting the price and negotiating

Price your property competitively, based on valuation and market conditions to avoid deterring buyers or undervaluing your asset. Prolonged market presence can raise concerns about potential issues with the home.

“Timing is everything and can be the difference between success and failure. Selling too soon could mean underselling, and waiting too long can have a similar outcome.

6. Accept an offer and sign the contract

Once you accept an offer, the next step is to sign the contract of sale. Ensure all terms are clear, and both parties understand their obligations. The contract should include details like the sale price, deposit amount, settlement date, and any special conditions.

7. Prepare for settlement

Settlement, the final step in the selling process, involves transferring ownership to the buyer and typically takes 30–90

days. Having a conveyancer on board from the beginning - ideally when you appoint your real estate agent – ensures you are well-prepared to accept offers and can streamline the entire process. Early engagement allows your conveyancer to organise key documents in advance, minimising delays and keeping everything on track.

Principal Solicitor and Director of Dott & Crossitt, Jared Zak, underscores this point.

“Getting all the documents sorted well in advance is key. We’ve seen that taking the time to do this properly can avoid last-minute problems and make the handover smooth and hassle-free,” Jared said.

“It not only saves time but also gives both sellers and buyers peace of mind,” he concluded.

Proudly sponsored by

Dubbo Public School 1/2K

We are the amazing class of 1/2K at Dubbo Public School. There are 21 students in our class and our teacher is Mrs O’Brien.

This term we have been learning about the history of Dubbo and we discovered that our school is the oldest school in Dubbo!

We are busy learning new sounds and exploring numbers. 1/2K shone on stage recently at our infants’ assembly playing on the bucket drums. In our class we are learning to have a positive growth mindset, focusing on the power of the word ‘yet’, and learning by our mistakes.

KiDZ ONLY!

Oakley

What is your favourite colour? Pink and Lello

What is your favourite Animal? Unicorn

Do you have a favourite word? Sawyer

Who is the boss in your house? Mum and Dad!

What is your favourite thing to do on the weekend? Christmas!

What are you good at? Penguin.

Why are ghosts bad at lying?

Because you can see right through them!

LUCY

Happy 9th Birthday Lucy for October 26th

Love Mum, Dad, Jack and Nanny

LILLIAN

Happy 9th Birthday Lillian for October 28!

KNOW A BIRTHDAY CHILD THIS MONTH?

Send in a photo, details and a short birthday wish. myentry@dubbophotonews.com.au Entries must be in by 5pm Friday the week before.

u ek before. tured her ? a Mall has a to

Is your photo featured here? Donut King Orana Mall has a FREE kids doughnut to help you celebrate! Bring your copy of Dubbo Photo News to claim your Birthday gift. ws

Why couldn’t the pirate learn the alphabet?

1. Held by the Victorian Turf Club, the first Melbourne Cup was run in which year?

2. Winning connections of the first Melbourne Cup received what?

3. Which champion placed in the Melbourne Cup as a three-year-old before winning the race the following year?

4. The 1958 Melbourne Cup won by Baystone will be remembered for what?

5. In the last 40 runnings of the Cup, which is the only horse to have come from last position on the turn to win?

6. Which horse was the first Melbourne Cup winner to sire a Melbourne Cup winner?

7. What year did the Cup prize money hit $1 million?

8. Which American-bred Melbourne Cup conquerer holds the record winning time for the race?

9. Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II’s only attempt at capturing Australia’s crown for stayers was with which horse?

10. The sire of which Melbourne Cup winner was a world champion polo stallion?

11. Who was the last southern hemisphere-bred three-year-old to run in the Melbourne Cup?

12. The dam of which Melbourne Cup winner won a Japan Cup?

13. New Zealand trainer Shelia Laxon entered the record books as the first woman to officially train a Melbourne Cup winner with which horse?

14. The highest Melbourne Cup Day attendance of 122,736 was in which year?

15. And which horse won in that year?

The 2024 Melbourne Cup

Which grey horse was the last to win the Melbourne Cup?

17. Who was the last Melbourne Cup victor to earn their place in the field by winning the Lexus Stakes (Hotham Handicap) three days earlier on Derby Day?

Which of these Melbourne Cup-winning heroes won by the shorter margin: Empire Rose or Dunaden?

Which champion Australian jockey of the modern era fell off at his first ride in the Melbourne Cup?

What has been the winner’s average starting price in the last 40 years?

Which barrier has been the most successful in the last 40 years?

Which family training dynasty has recorded the most top three finishes in the Cup over the last 40 years?

How many female jockeys have ridden in the Cup?

24. Which year did they last stage the Melbourne Cup on a Heavy rated track?

25. Which of these settling down ranges has provided the most winners of the cup in the last 40 years: 13–18, 7–12, 1–6?

26. How many times has champion Italian jockey Frankie Dettori ridden a placegetter in the Cup?

27. Which four-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner had colours registered as black and white checks, yellow sleeves and a checked cap?

28. What is the minimum handicap weight for the Melbourne Cup?

29. Bart Cummings holds the record for training how many Melbourne Cup winners?

30. How many horses have won the Melbourne Cup more than once?

eebreak b k re e a ee break

THE TOONS’ VIEWS

TIME WARP

By Lana Eather

ARIES: Even if your choices seem clear-cut, take all t he time you need to make a final decision. New information could come to light, clarifying the situation and making you see the bigger picture.

TAURUS: Change your diet and find time to rela x to avoid heartburn. Balance your lifestyle to maintain your physical and mental health.

GEMINI: Expect to receive special attention f rom a loved one. You may feel anxious about a medical exam. However, you must be patient. The results might take a little longer than expected.

CANCER: Your leadership skills will be in high demand t his week. You’ll fill in for your boss while they’re away or replace a colleague who’s on medical leave. You’ll be the right person to take on these responsibilities.

LEO: A family getaway is in the works. However, sorting out certain details will take longer than expected. You’ll be on the move a lot this week, which will make you appreciate the comforts of home.

VIRGO: Your networking prowess will be needed t his week. You’ll be asked to help plan an event that requires your communication, organisation and negotiation skills.

LIBRA: You’ll be working overtime this week! F ortunately, your hard work will be rewarded. After adjusting your schedule, take the time to spoil yourself and enjoy the results of your eff orts.

SCORPIO: After laying low for a while, you’ll finally be r eady to act. Family and friends will challenge you. You’ll have the money to tackle a special project or treat yourself to some well-deserved luxuries.

SAGITTARIUS: Although you may feel as if you’re t reading water, everything will soon pick up speed. Carefully look over your bills to avoid being dinged for a mistake.

Varied and interesting post-school careers: a photo of the 1925 Dubbo High School Leaving Certificate (Fifth Year) class in the 1925 “Bindyite” school magazine. Photo: Supplied

CAPRICORN: You and your team will accomplish a r emarkable feat. You’ll be awarded in front of a crowd. This experience will boost your self-esteem and self-confidence.

AQUARIUS: Your impressive roster of clients w ill bring in additional income this week. Explore spiritual practices or adopt a lifestyle in line with your convictions.

PISCES: Keep an eye on your deadlines to complete your tasks on time. You may spontaneously plan a trip, which will make you very happy. Remember the saying, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

The luckiest signs this week: Aquarius, Pisces and Aries

An apprentice jockey (3,3) 4. Newborn horse (4) 5. Camera light (5) 6. Win a race, get – (2) 8. Racing equipment for pulling sulkies (7)

4x4

Across 1. Stallion kept for breeding (4)

5. Body part that can determine a photo finish (4)

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18. Make a tear (3)

22. Racetrack observer (9)

23. Gallop off at high speed (4)

24. Floral wrist accessory (7)

25. Withdraw from competition (7)

Down

1. Vision-limiting headgear (8)

2. ‘– you good thing!’ (2)

3. Celebratory beverage (9)

5. Ornate, ostentatious 20-down (10)

7. Iconic NZ-born horse and winner of the 1930 Cup (4,3)

9. Obstacle race (12)

11. A horse that excels on wet tracks (7)

13. Horse’s patterns of leg movement (5)

16. Betting selection of the first three finishers in order (8)

17. Initials of the first woman to win the Cup (1,1)

19. Harness racing competition, the – (coll) (5)

20. Headwear item (3)

21. Young male horse (4)

10. Mother horse (3) 11. Adult female horse (4) 12. Horse between one and two years old (8) 14. Social gathering (coll) (2) 15. The Melbourne Cup is the race that – – – (5,1,6)

Race for horses yet to win (6)

6. What ‘colt’ and ‘filly’ can differentiate (4)

7. The –, Melbourne Cup entertainment venue (4) Down

1. Photograph, like paparazzi (coll) (4)

2. Ancient garment (4)

3. Operator (4) 4. Workspace (4)

Nose, 6. Ages, 7. Park Down: 1. Snap,2. Toga, 3. User, 4. Desk

Can you work out what the missing letter is that spells an eight-letter word? It could read either clockwise or anti-clockwise.

THE DIARY

ON THIS WEEK

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

Dementia Sing Out Choir: Weekly 11am12.30pm, Generosity Church 51 Sheraton Road

Dubbo. Contact Anne Gemmell 0481396404.

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays, 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. “All men are welcome.” Kevin 0427 253 445 Ladies luncheon: will meet at 12 noon on Saturday 2nd of November at the R.S.D.F Airport Restaurant Western Highway Dubbo Ring Bev at 68845401 by Thursday 31st of October if interested.

Let’s Walk together: 10am Thursdays weekly meet at Regand Park near the Walkway Bride. Everyone is welcome. Supported by the Heart Foundation. Contact Jimmy at Connecting Community Services 1800 319 551. Parkrun - Dubbo: 8am every week, FREE timed (with barcode), 5km run, jog or walk, starts at Sandy Beach, dogs, prams are welcome. Email dubbohelpers@parkrun.com to help!

Talbragar CWA: next meeting will be held on Saturday November 2 commencing at 2pm in the CWA Hall 45L Boothenba Road, Dubbo. Members are reminded that toys for the Christmas competitions are required at this meeting. More information please call Ronda on 68885231 or 0419275223

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery, corner Swift St and Mitchell Highway, Wellington. Preloved books, Jigsaw puzzles, Cds, Dvds and now board games with the money raised going to Charities that Club members choose.

Women’s Wellbeing Walking Group: 10am Tuesdays fortnightly meeting at Victoria Park BBQ area. Nov 5, and Nov 19. Women of all ages are welcome. Kathryn at Connecting Community Services 1800 319 551.

COMING SOON

CPSA Dubbo Branch: All members are reminded that the next meeting will be held on Friday 8th November 11am at Dubbo RSL. Morning tea. All welcome, contact Barb 0427251121

Dubbo District Concert Band: Join the Dubbo District Concert Band on Sunday, November 17 for an afternoon of musical magic with their end of year concert to be held in the Dubbo RSL Auditorium. Doors open at 1:30pm, showtime 2pm. Entry is $5 at the door.

THURSDAY

Above Board Gamers: SECOND and FOURTH Thursday of the month, 6pm, Devil’s Hollow Brewery. Alan 0432 278 235 Akela Playgroup: 9.30am, Scout Hall, 4 Akela St., Sharna 0438 693 789 Badminton: 7.30pm-9.30pm, Delroy High School Auditorium, East Street, West Dubbo, $5 to play, $22 insurance ($20, school students). Chris 6887 3413

Bingo - South Dubbo Veteran’s & Community Men’s Shed: 11am-12.30pm, West Dubbo Bowling Club. Barry 0439 344 349 Coffee, Craft and Chat: 9.30am-12pm, Gospel Hall, Cnr of Boundary Road and Taylor St. Anne 0428 425 958

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

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

CWA Wongarbon Handicraft: SECOND Thursday of the month, Liz 0401 174 883.

CWA Wongarbon: FIRST Thursday of the month, 10am, Wongarbon CWA rooms. Marjorie 6884 5558

Dubbo Anglican Church Trinity Kids

Playgroup: 10am-12pm, Anglican Church Hall, 158 Brisbane St., during School terms. Contact 6884 4990

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. All men are welcome, Kevin 0427 253 445 Dubbo RSL Day Club: 10am and 2pm, Orana Gardens

Family History Society (Dubbo & District): 1pm to 4pm, volunteers on site during these hours, Western Plains Cultural Centre Community Arts Centre, Cnr Wingewarra and Gipps St Heart Support Walking Group: 12.30pm, (also Tuesdays), Ollie Robbins Oval, Cnr of Bligh Street. Supports gentle exercise promoting healthy hearts, Ray 0437 541 942 Let’s Walk together: 10am Thursdays weekly meet at Regand Park near the Walkway Bridge. Everyone is welcome. Supported by the Heart Foundation. Contact Jimmy at Connecting Community Services 1800 319 551. Line Dancing: 9.30am to 12 noon, Greek Hall, corner Gipps and Roper Street, Dubbo. Kathy 6888 5287 or Lynn 6888 5263. Macquarie Masons Dubbo: SECOND Thursday of the month. All visitors are welcome, John O’Brien 0405 051 896. Outback Dragons Dubbo: 5.45pm (in summer), Sandy Beach amenities block. Come and try dragon boating, your first five paddles are Free. info@outbackdragons.com.au, Robyn 0427462504

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

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair:

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery, corner Swift St and Mitchell Highway, Wellington. Preloved books, Jigsaw puzzles, Cds, Dvds and now board games with the money raised going to Charities that Club members choose.

FRIDAY

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: 7pm (1.5hrs) - ID meeting, Dubbo Community Health, Palmer Street, Dubbo. Contact Dee 0417 422 750, 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org.au. Central West Makers Place: 12pm-6pm, South Dubbo Veterans and Community Men’s Shed, Cnr Palmer and High Streets. 3D printing, robotics, pottery, and more. Adam 0431 038 866. Communion Service (Dubbo Anglican Church): 10am, Brotherhood House chapel, 158 Brisbane St.

Community Kitchen: FIRST Friday of the month, 6.30pm, Holy Trinity Hall, Brisbane St, free meal.

CPSA (Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association): SECOND

Send your community event info to diary@dubbophotonews.com.au or phone 6885 4433

Friday each month, 10am, Dubbo RSL Club. Discuss issues, guest speaker. Further Information Barb 0427251121

Dubbo Nepalese Christian Fellowship: 6.30-8pm. Cyrel on 0416 826 701 or Kabita 0452 406 234.

Dubbo Parkinson’s Support Group: FIRST Friday of each month, 10.30am, Horizons village, Minore Road, Dubbo. Jim Jupp, 0438414888. Lunchtime Prayer Group - Dubbo Anglican Church: 1-2pm in Brotherhood House, 158 Brisbane Street. Bring your lunch

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

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

Tai Chi at U3A: 10am, at the Community Arts Centre, Western Plains Cultural Centre, 76 Wingewarra Street. Richard 6888 5656 Urban Tribe: 2pm, with dancing, music, singing, caring and sharing. 0459 762 702

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair:

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery, corner Swift St and Mitchell Highway, Wellington. Preloved books, Jigsaw puzzles, Cds, Dvds and now board games with the money raised going to Charities that Club members choose.

Western Plains Trefoil Guild: SECOND Friday of each month, 10.30am, Dubbo West Guide Hall. Please confirm the meeting will be on. Dorothy 6884 6646

SATURDAY

Beekeepers Inc - Orana: SECOND Saturday of the month, 9.15am, Narromine Tennis Club rooms, unless other arrangements are made. orana.secretary@beekeepers.asn.au Bridge Club - Dubbo: 1pm until approximately 4.30pm, Bultje Street. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324. Croquet: 8.15am, Muller Park Tennis and Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. New players of all ages are welcome. Tricia 0428 876 204 or Margaret 0427 018 946. CWA Gilgandra Market: FIRST Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm, Cakes, fruit, pickles, plants and more! New stall holders are welcome. $5 per table, proceeds to CWA. Contact Hilda 0427471270.

Dubbo Anglican Church Vigil Communion Service: 6pm, 158 Brisbane Street. Contact 6884 4990

Dubbo Bridge Club: 1pm, Bultje Street (Tennis Courts), Dubbo. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays, 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. “All men are welcome.” Kevin 0427 253 445

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

Contact Patricia 0439846400

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

31-November 6, 2024

Diary entries need to be 40 words or less, and are only for not-for-profit community groups . Placement will be at the editor’s discretion and subject to space availability – because Diary listings are free! Please include your daytime phone number and/or address when submitting details. Entries close 10am Tuesday for that Thursday’s edition.

Ladies Luncheon: Will be held Saturday September 7, 12 noon at the Zambrero. 177 Macquarie Street Dubbo. Contact Bev on 68845401 by September 5, if interested.

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

Patchwork and Quilters Group: 9am, SECOND and LAST Saturday of the month, Dubbo Pipe Band Hall, Cnr Darling and Wingewarra Sts. Charlene on 0408 825 180 Parkrun - Dubbo: 8am every week, FREE timed (with barcode), 5km run, jog or walk, starts at Sandy Beach, dogs, prams are welcome. Email dubbohelpers@parkrun.com to help!

RSL Tennis Club: 12.30pm, Paramount Tennis Club courts for enjoyable social tennis. All welcome 0437824743

Saturday Art: 10am, at Dubbo Arts and Crafts Society Cottage, 137 Cobra St. Pam 6885 1918. Seventh-day Adventist Church Bible Study: 9.30am, Sabbath School and children’s/ youth Sabbath School, 11am, Divine Service. Cnr Cobra and Sterling Sts. dubbo.adventist.org.au

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

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

Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair: Wellington Lions Preloved Book Fair Thursday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, Western Gallery, corner Swift St and Mitchell Highway, Wellington. Preloved books, Jigsaw puzzles, Cds, Dvds and now board games with the money raised going to Charities that Club members choose.

SUNDAY

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

Australian Kite Flyers Society: SECOND Sunday of the month, 10am, Jubilee Oval. See how to build and fly modern (and old) kites. David 0476 223 342

Bicycle User Group Social Ride: 9am, at Wahroonga Park. Mick 0437 136 169 or Sam 0429826076, dubbobug.org.au

Dubbo Acoustic Musicjam (DAMjam): SECOND Sunday of the month, 2pm to 5pm, Milestone Hotel, upstairs. Join acoustic sessions or just listen. Peter 0457 787 143

Dubbo Anglican Church Traditional Communion Service: 8am, 158 Brisbane Street. 6884 4990

Dubbo Anglican Church: 10am, Trinity Kids Sunday School and family Communion service. Dubbo Baptist Church: 6pm, at 251 Cobra Street (next to Spotlight), during school terms. Come along and discover if church is still relevant in today’s world. Everyone is welcome. 6884 2320

Dubbo Baptist Church: 9.30am, 251 Cobra Street (next to Spotlight). Everyone is welcome. 6884 2320

Dubbo Film Society: Film screenings for members and casual members at Dubbo RSL Theatrette, 1:30pm. Two films, Sundays 25 February, 26 May, 29 Sept, 24 Nov. Refreshments served at intermission. All-day Film Festival, five

MONDAY - FRIDAY MONDAY-FRIDAY 8.30 AM - 4.30 PM 8.30AM-4.30PM

films, Sunday 28 July commences 9:30am. Dubbo Pistol Club: 12.30pm, 143L Old Dubbo Road, 6882 0007

Orana K9 Training Club INC: New intake class every 7th Sunday starting 4/2/24..( daylight savings start time 8.45am Eastern Standard time 9.45am ). Orana K9 Training are now training at Pioneer Oval Howard Ave West Dubbo. Contact Reg 0428849877 or Dianne 0429847380. Orana Pistol Club: 9am, Hyandra Lane, Dubbo. Sundays only, 6887 3704

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

Traditional Catholic Latin Mass –Rawsonville: SECOND Sunday of the month, 9am, Rawsonville Soldier’s Memorial Hall, Rawsonville Road. 0429 920 842

Transcendental Meditation (TM): Free introductory talks via www.tm.org.au. Maharishi Foundation Australia scientifically proven benefits of TM. Contact David 0424 252 834

MONDAY

Alcoholics Anonymous (Daily Reflections Meeting): 12pm (1.5hrs), ‘Daily Reflections’. St Brigid’s Catholic Church, 198 Brisbane St. Jack 0418 605 041/Sally 0427 829 807, 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org.au

Amnesty International Dubbo: SECOND Monday of the month, 5.30pm-6.30pm, St Brigid’s meeting room. Contact Sandra Lindeman amnesty.dubbo@gmail.com or 0419 167 574.

Anglican Women’s Association: 5.30pm, at Holy Trinity. Dorothy 6884 4990.

Australian Air Force Cadets 313 “City of Dubbo” Squadron: 6pm-9.30pm, Army Barracks (Cnr Kokoda Pl and Wingewarra St). NOW recruiting, 13 to 18 years, rewarding activities.

Dubbo Bridge Club: FOURTH Monday of the month, 10am-1pm, Bultje Street. $7 members, $9 non-members. Libby 0428 254 324.

Dubbo City Physical Culture Club: 4.30pm start, Wesley Community Hall, 66 Church St. Fun, affordable dance for girls/ladies, 4yrs and up, all fitness levels. dubbocityphysie@live.com.au

Dubbo Community Men’s Shed Inc: Mondays, 9am to 1pm and Thu/Sat 1pm to 5pm. Small joining fee after three visits. “All men are welcome.” Kevin 0427 253 445.

Dubbo Multicultural Women’s Group: THIRD Monday of the month, 10am, St Brigid’s Meeting Room in Brisbane Street. Women of all backgrounds are invited. 1800 319 551.

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

Patchwork: 10am-3pm, at Dubbo Arts & Craft Cottage, 137 Cobra St, June 6882 4677. RFDS Dubbo Support Group monthly meetings: FIRST Monday of the month, RFDS Visitor Experience, 5pm, 21 Judy Jakins Drive, Dubbo Airport. Jeanette Hamilton 0429 673 366. Rotary Club of Dubbo: 6pm-8pm, Westside Hotel, Whylandra Street, West Dubbo. Contact Lyn Wicks, 0428 342 374, Carla Pittman, 0418 294 438 or dubborotaryclub@hotmail.com

Sing Australia Dubbo Choir: 6pm-8pm, Bridge Club, Bultje Street. NO auditions, no requirements to read music and no singing experience necessary. Contact Michele Peak 0428 680 775.

Tai Chi 10 Form: 2.30pm-3.30pm during school terms at U3A, Community Arts Centre, WPCC, 76 Wingewarra St.. Laney 6882 4680 or laneyluk@ gmail.com.

TUESDAY

Aboriginal Elders Walkabout Ministry Group: 9.30am - 2pm in Holy Trinity Church Hall, 158 Brisbane Street Croquet: 8.15am for 8:30am start, Tuesday, Thursday. Croquet courts, Brisbane St, North Dubbo. Kate 0409 927 140, Lillian 0429 471 921 Dementia Sing Out Choir: Weekly 11am12.30pm, Generosity Church 51 Sheraton Road Dubbo. Contact Anne Gemmell 0481396404. Depression Recovery Group: 10.30am, at the Catholic Parish Meeting Room, Brisbane St. Norm 6882 6081 or Sandra 0432 647 877 Dubbo City Physical Culture Club: 5pm start, Holy Trinity Hall, Brisbane Street, Dubbo. Fun, affordable dance for girls/ladies, 4yrs and up, all fitness levels. dubbocityphysie@live.com. au Dubbo Chess Club: 7pm-9pm, at Dubbo RSL. Juniors welcome. Don 0431 460 584 or Sandy 0408 200 564

Dubbo City Ladies Probus Club: Meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Masonic Village Hall, Darby Close at 10am contact Marie Francis 0408845640. Dubbo Embroiderers: 9:30am- 3:00pm SECOND and FOURTH Tuesday of the month (also see Saturday listing) Dubbo Bridge Club, Elston Park, Bultje St Dubbo. All are welcome. Contact Patricia 0439846400

Dubbo Lions Club Inc: FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of the month, 6.30pm, Club Dubbo. PO Box 285 Dubbo, Lois on 0428288325 or dubbolionsinc@gmail.com.

Dubbo Men’s Probus: FIRST Tuesday of every month, 11am, Masonic Hall, Bob Ellis 0428217752 Dubbo Prostate Support Group: For information about future meetings, Elizabeth 0408 682 968

Dubbo RSL Euchre Club: 7pm, for 7.30pm, Dubbo RSL, Glen 0419 179 985 or Doreen 6882 6163

Family History Society (Dubbo & District): 1pm to 4pm, Cnr Wingewarra & Gipps Sts, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Community Arts Centre.

Girls Brigade: During school term, 6pm to 8pm, Orana Baptist Church, 4 Palmer St. For all school aged girls. Enjoy crafts, games, camps, stories, songs, cooking and much more. Julie 0428 821 829 Heart Support Walking Group: 12.30pm, (also Thursday), Ollie Robbins Oval, Cnr of Bligh Street. Supports gentle exercise promoting healthy hearts, contact Ray 0437 541 942 Orana Physical Culture: 4pm onwards, starts with 2-4 years Sparkles class, Auditorium at St Mary’s Primary School. See the Orana Physical Culture Facebook page Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie: 12.30pm - 2pm, Westside Hotel, contact Peter McInnes 0417 140 149

Rotary Club of Dubbo South: 6pm, at South Dubbo Tavern Silver Craft: THIRD Tuesday of the month, 10am, at Dubbo Arts and Crafts Society Cottage, 137 Cobra St. Julie 6884 4919 Smart Recovery (Behaviour Change Support Group): 5pm, online or in person. Rob on 0417 497 187

Spinning Group: Every third Tuesday

10am -4pm Dubbo Art and Craft

Cottage, 137 Cobra Street. Contact Julie 0418 976 663

South Dubbo Veteran’s & Community Men’s Shed: 9am-12pm, Cnr of High and Palmer Streets. New members welcome

Reach Out & Discussion Group for people with Eating Disorders Expressions of Interest:

Tuesdays. Venue TBA. Ph: 0455255137 after midday to express interest.

Toastmasters Club: FIRST and THIRD Tuesday of the month, 7pm-9pm, Dubbo RSL Club, Brisbane St., Sharon Allan 0408 156 015 or email sallan@rhdubbo. com.au

Women’s Wellbeing Walking Group: 10am Tuesdays fortnightly meeting at Victoria Park BBQ area. 22nd Oct, 5th Nov, 19th Nov. Women of all ages welcome. Kathryn at Connecting Community Services 1800 319 551.

WEDNESDAY

Akela Playgroup: (also see Thursday listing), 10.30am, Scout Hall, 4 Akela Street, Sharna 0438 693 789.

Alcoholics Anonymous Dubbo:

Meet Wednesday 7pm (1.5hr) – ‘Topic‘ meeting St Brigid’s Catholic Church meeting rooms, 198 Brisbane St, Dubbo

Please contact Ian 0447 176 590 Or contact 1300 222 222 or www.aa.org. au for info on meetings.

Ballroom Dancing: Wednesday

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

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

Breast Cancer Support Group:

FOURTH Wednesday of every month, 10am, Baptist Church, Palmer Street, Community Health 5853 2545

Bric-a-brac sale, weekly - South Dubbo Veterans and Community Men’s Shed: 10am-12pm, Corner of Palmer and High Streets. Contact Barry on 0439 344 349 Coffee, Craft & Chat: FORTNIGHTLY, 10am-12pm, Gospel Chapel on Boundary Road. Anne 0428 425 958

CWA Dubbo Evening Branch: THIRD Wednesday of the month, 6:00pm, 3 Frith Street. Contact Barb on 0409 159 556.

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

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

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

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

Dubbo Arts and Craft Cottage:

10am-4pm, 137 Cobra Street. A large range of handcrafted gifts made by members available. Contact 6881 6410

Dubbo and District Family History Society event: Linda Barnes will show you how to begin discovering your family history. Four weeks, Wednesdays March 6, 13, 20 and 27. 10.30am to 12.30pm at Community Arts Centre $7.50 per session for DDFHS members, $15 for non-members. To reserve your place phone Linda on 68878284 or email martinandlinda@ gmail.com

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

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

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

Gamblers Anonymous: 6pm, Baptist Church, Dubbo. Victor 0407 799 139

Geurie Craft Group: 9am-2pm, Geurie Bowling Club. Everyone is welcome. Contact Colene 0400422335

Line Dancing: 6.30pm to 8:30pm, Greek Hall, corner Gipps and Roper Street, Dubbo. Kathy 6888 5287 or Lynn 6888 5263.

Lodge Allan Stuart 416: SECOND Wednesday of month, Geurie Masonic Centre. Please email secretary@lodgeallanstuart416.org.au

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

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

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

Walter T. Grant Seniors Social Club: 9am-2pm, Scout’s Hall, Welchman Street. $8 per day. BYO lunch. Pre-lunch cards and games, post-lunch bingo. Jan Miller 0418 255 217 West Dubbo Rotary: 6pm, Club Dubbo, Whylandra Street West Dubbo Zumba Kids: 4.15pm, West Dubbo Primary Community Centre. A FUN dynamic class that keeps young bodies active, for kids aged 5 to 12. Gold coin donation per family.

classifieds

Mrs Janice Aileen Coles

Jock Dunn

1924-2024

Late of Dubbo

Funeral arrangements are in the care of SHAKESPEARE FUNERALS 6882 2434

“Anne”

Passed away 26th October 2024

Aged 87 years

Late of Gilgandra and formerly of Mendooran

Adored wife of Max (dec).

Loving mother of her children.

Adored Nanny of her grandchildren. Cherished Nanny/Nanny Annie of her great-grandchildren.

Anne’s cremation service will be held in the Chapel of the Dubbo City commencing at 2.30pm

Passed away peacefully October 27, Bingara Hospital NSW.

Survived by son, Ewen and his daughter-in-law Norma and their families.

POSITIONS VACANT

JK QUALITY MEATS has an exciting job opportunity available.

COME JOIN OUR SUPPORTIVE TEAM OF 4.

Gain knowledge and experience within the Butchering trade. Candidates must be:

• Enthusiastic • Punctual • Honest

• Reliable • Able to work every alternate weekend

• Hardworking - this job is physically demanding

• Neat and Tidy Appearance

Experience is not necessary, training will be provided. Full-time or part time.

Above award wage. No overnight work. This is an excellent opportunity for someone wanting to gain experience with the possibility of gaining a trade. If this sounds like something you are interested in, we want to hear from you!

Please drop your resume with two references in store or email to: ciadubbo@gmail.com

COACHING CALL OUT

DUBBO RUGBY CLUB is looking for coaches (grade, backs and forwards) and management for our teams for the 2025 season. Grades below are open for application: Colts First XV Women First XV Men First XV Men Second XV Men Third XV

The Abbey Funeral Home Dubbo 02 6881 8988

Dearly loved wife of Henk (dec).

Loved mother & mother-in-law of Robert & Neryl and Rick & Helen.

Cherished Oma of her 7 grandchildren & 15 great-grandchildren.

Erna’s cremation service will be held in the Chapel of the Dubbo City Crematorium,

Funeral arrangements are in the care of

YOUR LOCAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR CAN ASSIST WITH PLACING DEATH AND FUNERAL NOTICES

If you are interested in joining our family-friendly club, please submit your application in writing via email to: info@dubborugbyclub.com.au by COB Monday 18th November.

Boccia champ, Jami is a true

By GEOFF MANN

DUBBO Photo News has run through many metres of text over the years waxing lyrical about Australia’s latest sporting sensation, Jamieson Leeson from Dunedoo.

On Friday night it was the turn of her local community to pay tribute following Jami’s first visit home since becoming the first Australian female to win a silver medal in her modified sport of Boccia at the Paralympics.

Justin Stoddart and Robert Whackett had led the charge for a “Welcome Home Jami” dinner through the Dunedoo Sports Association. Unlike in May, when the 21-year-old athlete was blownaway by a surprise reveal of her over-sized mural on the wall of the old Royal Hotel in the main street, Jami was this time prepared to

meet with her peers, family, and friends who gathered at the Sports Club to hear her speak about the experience of Paris 2024.

Jami placed second in the Women’s individual event and backed up with World No 1 Dan Michel for the pairs. The team played superbly, but were beaten by ultimate gold medallists in their semi-final match.

Jami is the most humble but determined of champions.

“Dunedoo and our people are remarkable,” Jami said.

“All the time at school, I have been treated like all the other kids,” she added.

This support, she says, has run right through her time in Dunedoo.

The teachers and staff and all the students from Kindie to Year 12, have supported me, welcomed me, and assisted my attempts to

join in their sport.

“In fact, they would push me in my chair when we had athletics carnivals and the cross-country”, Jami said.

On Saturday ABC broadcast our regular Sports Saturday program from Lions Park in the centre of Dunedoo as a tribute to this fine young champion.

We interviewed Jami’s mother, Amanda, who has been “the ramp assistant” during her daughter’s rapid rise to Paralympic standard.

“I had to give it away after last year’s World Cup and other championships because of hip and lower back problems, but I have remained her biggest critic and listening ear as her career has continued to blossom,” the proud family matriarch smiled.

Teacher Donna Lanne had the privilege of seeing Jami’s rise through school and sport over her

entire time at Dunedoo Central.

She presented her the Dux of the School Awards after HSC two years ago and was not at all surprised by what Jami has achieved.

“From the moment she came to school she was full of enthusiasm – for everything. She was so conscientious, so bright, inquisitive and determined,” Donna said.

“Those qualities have been the framework upon which she has built her sporting career, she is such a natural - mature, humble and steely strong,” she added.

Jami and her mum will be together in coming weeks when awards ceremonies are held at the NSW Institute of Sport, University of NSW and Boccia Australia.

“Jam is up for at least three sporting / academic trophies which is a huge honour. She takes them all in her stride and then turns her mind to the next task

that is ahead of her.”

If you are driving through Dunedoo you can see a larger than life sized mural on the eastern wall of the old Royal Hotel.

A little further down the street is one of Dunedoo’s other favourite sporting sons, jockey Hughie Bowman and the great horse, Winx on the silos.

Jami and Amanda were both effusive in their gratitude to the people of Dunedoo and surrounds.

They also pointed out that the late John Sullivan and the Dunedoo Swans had introduced them to the Men of League (now Family of League) organisation which raised funds at Bowls days in Dunedoo and Dubbo and enabled the purchase of a specially modified vehicle to allow them to travel comfortably on their many medical and sporting trips.

Always a champion, on the footy field, and off TOUGH LAD, “BOMBER” FORRESTER:

By GEOFF MANN

MARK

– better known as “Bomb-

er”

– Forrester, was one of the toughest and most skilful rugby league players in the local comp during the heyday of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Known for his speed and step, he began life as an elusive fiveeighth with Johnny Cook’s Police Boys Under 16s and in the Macquarie Juniors.

As his nippiness began to wane (and his girth to grow!) Bomber moved to the back of the scrum as a lock, gradually moving up to eventually become a front-rower playing with some old mates, Alan

Pilon and Ross McDermott.

Bomber was a stalwart of Group XI and Western Division team, representing local leagues against visiting international teams along the way.

Bomber enjoyed a total 18 years with the Macquarie Blues, before joining Coach, Noel Sing, McDermott, and the late Warwick Rapley, at the newly-formed Westside outfit.

“We won back-to-back premierships in 1981/82, when Dubbo had the numbers to field three strong clubs,” Bomber recalled.

“We had some terrific derbies and clashes with Narromine and Wellington as well, and Park-

es and Forbes were always very tough,” he added.

Not a one-string fiddle though, Mark played basketball locally and for the city, then coached all three of his kids, Jay, Cara (Gordon), and Tye in their formative basketball careers.

Despite the ravages on his body in recent years, Bomber remains active in sporting activities and the community.

He is one of those blokes who is known simply as “Bomber”. Many would not know his real name is Mark!

PICTURED: Mark Forrester with family. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Midwest Region Senior Triples on at Narromine

Contributed by DUBBO CITY BOWLS

RESULTS of last week’s Social Bowls Dubbo City Bowls at North Dubbo RSL Sporties, were as follows.

The Tuesday Ladies Social bowls featured 22 ladies on our greens, for the Caroline Triples, with the winners, Christine Castlehouse, Therese Gaio, and Karen Greenhalgh, from Helen Doran, Ruby Stockings, and Geraldine Jasprizza.

The Runners Up were Kerry Dickson, Gaye Cottee and Trish Gosper over Kerry Dickson, Sue O’Dea, and Judy O’Connor while, in third place: Sue McCauley, Sue Armstrong, and Annette McMillan defeated Sue McCauley, Colleen Ryan and Merrill O’Sullivan In fourth place, Mary Perry, Shirley Marchant, and Laurice Lawson defeated Gloria Young, Pat Sherwin, and Beryl Hobson. Lucky Draw Winners were Beryl Hobson and Sue McCauley.

The Wednesday Men’s Social bowls was not played due to rain meaning that the Jackpot of $71 was also not won.

The Thursday Mixed Bowls last week was played to 1970’s and 1980’s music making for a great night of bowls.

Winners were Frank Armstrong and Daune Faro defeating Gai Teale and Robbie Cook, while the Runners

Up, Brendon Roberts, Merrill O’Sullivan, and Ian Hobson defeated Merv Teale, Alan Stratford, and Alec Rae.

Third Place saw Terry O’Brien and Graham Miller defeated Sue Armstrong and Zac Miller, with the Resters Ian Hobson and Brendon Roberts, and the Jackpot of $164 was not won

In the Open Women’s Triples, Laurace Lawson, Carmen McDonnell and Michelle Harkin defeated West Dubbo in the Semi Final, but were defeated by by Condobolin in the Final

In the Open Mens Triples, Victor Brooks, Ben Sutton and Richard Clarke defeated Caldwell, Garvin, and Goodwin in Round One, defeated Col Teale, Peter Meyers, and Petar McKechnie in the Semi Final, and defeat-

ed West Dubbo in the Final and now progress to the Regional Play Offs

Also, Col Teale, Peter Meyers and Petar McKechnie defeated Platts, Perry, and Mierczak in Round One, and were defeated by Dubbo City Team Clarke in the Semi Final.

Bec leads Goannas to another big win

NARROMINE school teacher, Bec Smyth scored three tries for the Goannas in the penultimate round of the Western Women’s League competition over the weekend.

The former Wallaroo is still inspiring younger players from around the region, mentoring, encouraging, and leading from the front in what is an incredibly tight competition.

Each of the top teams has beaten the other during the first six weeks, and final placings will not be decided until the last round.

Panorama, based around Bathurst

and the Central West, and Orange Vipers, look assured of their spots in the top four while Goannas, Woodbridge Cup and the Mudgee Dragons are battling to fill the final two finals berths.

Young players are being closely watched by NRLW scouts who are keen to offer contracts for the ever-expanding competition. Many will be hoping they can emulate the feats of Todhunter who is making her name with the Parramatta Eels and has already played State of Origin Indigenous.

Robbie Cook, Matt Goodwin and Ricco Lane then were defeated by West Dubbo Team Anthony Brown Round One.

Narromine Bowling Club then hosted the Senior Women’s Triples with Annette McMillan, Merrill

O’Sullivan, and Beryl Hobson defeating West Dubbo in Round One. Gaye Cottee, Karen Greenhalgh and Judy O’Connor in the final and go through to the Regional Play off.

In Senior Men’s Triples, Col Dover, Brian Coffey

and Alex Rae were defeated in Round One, while Leo Balstad, Anthony Coe and Neil Hayburn defeated Narromine Round One but lost to Ian Hobson and Peter Sinclair in the Semi Final. Ian Hobson, Peter Sinclair and Col Cottee then defeated Parkes Railway in Round One and defeated Leo Balstad, Anthony Coe and Neil Hayburn in the Semi Final, but were defeated by Gilgandra in the Final. On the Notice Board, the Betty Martin Pink Day is on Tuesday, November 12, so wear something pink. Names must be in by 9am for a 9.30am start. Also, Mid-west Region Pairs and Singles are up for nomination in Women’s and Men’s divisions, and the Club Major Pairs Ladies and Men’s are up for nomination.

Western racing’s proud Melbourne Cup history

By GEOFF MANN

WHILE this year’s Melbourne Cup will feature a horse part-owned by Dubbo local, Helen Akerstrom, she is by no means the first local to have skin in the game for the race that stops the nation.

For instance, John and Rick Hunter from Mendooran, brought the famous Gold mug home after “Protectionist” flew home in the 2014 race, with Narromine stayer, “Baystone” winning in 1958. Another horse, “Come On”, from

Grenfell who had been running around the Picnic Cups’ circuit, was accepted into the Cup, and ran a very credible 12th out of 24 runners!

In riders, Kathy O’Hara and the immortal Hughie Bowman, are the most recent western jockeys to saddle-up for the first Tuesday in November extravaganza. They come after fellow hoops like “Miracle” Mal Johnson (Forbes) who rode Kingston Town, and legendary rider, Ron Quinton from Mendooran.

Miracle Mal’s uncle, Les Cole from Forbes, also rode Even Stevens to victory in the 1962 Cup and who knows, maybe Mollie Fitzgerald, the rising star daughter of former Dunedoo rider Malcolm Fitzgerald, might follow Kathy O’Hara onto Flemington in the future.

We are always interested in hearing your links to sports big events so if you have a story –and a photo – contact us so we can share with our Dubbo Photo News readers.

Racing and footy, brothers Galea are continuing to make their mark

By GEOFF MANN

LAST weekend, Zarrin Galea ranout with his beloved Malta Eagles rugby league team, after beginning his new career at Workington Town in the English Super League; the week before, younger brother Seb saluted the judges at Coonamble on board his winning ride, “Bush Warrior”.

The talented twosome grew up in Dubbo and have pursued their respective sports with a passion that has taken them to the top.

Zarrin was a member of the Dubbo Kangaroos rugby juniors and Colts before switching to league in Sydney, and young Seb always dreamed of jumping in the saddle and racing first past the post.

Zarrin’s family is of Maltese heritage, so it was natural for him to answer the call of the Falcons and represent the land of his forebears in international competitions. He had earned his stripes in the Penrith juniors and France.

“I’ve only just started in England. Everyone has been very welcoming and made my transition to a new club very easy.”

Sebastien’s stocks continue to rise in the amateur circuits, cul-

minating in his momentous win in the $50,000 Picnic Championships with Bush Warrior. The horse’s name is apt, as the young hoop has become a true bush warrior, packing his silks and saddle for trips all across the State in recent years.

Grandmother Helen Suckling revealed that he has always loved horses and the racing industry.

“His dream is to ride as a professional jockey but, unfortunately his bone structure means it’s very difficult to make the weights to take those rides.”

Perhaps after his recent success and with the inspiration of Kody Nestor who recovered from a long spell out of the saddle, firstly as a trainer and then, after returning as a jockey, with injury to score an emotional win in the Dubbo Gold Cup, the young jockey may just achieve his dream!

Zarrin is currently involved in a series of matches played her in Australia and throughout Europe against other nations like Italy, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Philippines and Montenegro.

Annual Clive

Rootes relay for local clubs in mid-November

By GEOFF MANN

YOUNG and old, swimmers and paddlers alike, circle the date, Saturday, November 16 on your calendar. That’s the day the Dubbo Ducks’ host their annual memorial relay.

Last year was a huge success in the event that has been revamped to raise funds for RSL Legacy and is now a “dead-set challenge” for local sporting clubs to take their

marks and splash for cash for a great cause.

Organiser Peter Hargreaves, says last year there were swimmers from Dubbo League Clubs, CYMS and Macquarie, as well as the eventual winners, Dubbo City Swimtech.

“We reckon there are plenty of excellent swimmers in our city,” Peter said.

“They might be netballers, basketballers, jockeys, cyclists, crick-

eters, or love jumping on horses or bikes or speeding around the race-track at Morris Park on Lincoln County Speedway,” he added.

He points out that that the event welcomes swimmers and paddlers of all ages and skill levels.

“It’s only four laps of the RSL Aquatic Centre’s 25-metre pool, so is not an arduous task.

“Everyone had a lot of fun last year, and we raised extra funds for those in our community who

need extra help after the loss of loved ones who have served, or are serving our country in the armed forces,” he emphasised Peter says all it takes is to get four work-mates or team-mates from your club or sport, call into or phone the RSL Fitness and Health Centre, or even just rockup on the day – at least an hour early, so that organisers can adjust the program – and get in the swim!

Orange comes out on top as Paramount hosts region’s best in Central West Cup

IN marvelous conditions for competition tennis, Paramount Tennis Club last Sunday hosted the fifth round of the Central West Cup.

Matches comprised a total of 12 doubles games played on the day between teams from Dubbo, Orange, and Bathurst, with the Colour City coming-out on top and continuing their dominant run over their central west rivals.

However, it was another close day of tennis with five super tie-breakers required to decide matches, with Orange beating Dubbo and Bathurst, and Dubbo then too good for Bathurst.

Dubbo was represented by locals Luke McConochie, Henry Buttsworth, Ben Strachan, Glenn Armstrong, Andy Martin, Laura Seib, Ben Hayes, and Anthony Clark. The team proved competitive throughout and really took the fight to their opponents. However, in the end, they were not good enough for long enough, to

beat a formidable Orange side.

The final round of the Central West Cup will be played in Orange on Sunday 24 November.

This is the fourth year that the Central West Cup has been played between Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst, with plans to continue the format into 2025.

In upcoming club news, players can register now for the upcoming Spring Weekend Tournament Saturday and Sunday, November 16–17.

Men’s and women’s doubles will be played on the Saturday afternoon from 3pm, and mixed doubles on the Sunday morning from 9am.

A barbecue dinner will be held on the Saturday and a barbecue lunch on the Sunday, with the cost included in the registration fee of only $20. Players can sign-up as either pairs or as individuals.

For more information, call Charlie Whiteley on 0417 026 164 or go to: paramounttennis@live.com.au

Local girl Helen’s hopes for the Melbourne Cup are “Just Fine”!

By GEOFF MANN

LOCAL equine-lover, Helen Akerstrom’s long involvement with horses of all grades will be taken to a new level on Tuesday when “Just Fine” takes to the famous Flemington track just after 3pm for a local staying event, known by some, as The Melbourne Cup!

Helen has a “piece of” 38 thoroughbreds at present, buying-in through syndicates to nurture her interest in the: “most adorable animals in the world”, with a royal connection to her runner.

“I have owned ‘Just Fine’ for two years. On the 30th of October 2022, I jumped-in when he was offered and we haven’t looked back,” she said, bursting with enthusiasm.

“I wanted to own a part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s horse, he has good breeding, so I paid my contribution through ‘My Racehorse’, a group of micro-syndicators,” she added.

Helen says being an owner, even if it is only of a small part of the Metropolitan-winning equine,

is “addictive”.

‘Just Fine was handed to King Charles when he ascended the Throne, and was his first winner after his mother died,” Helen revealed.

“I saw Just Fine at Randwick on the 30th of September last year when he romped home to win the Metropolitan, and was privileged to go to Gai’s (Waterhouse) stables on the Sunday to pat him.”

Helen says owners have an open

invitation on some Sundays, although she reckons there will be a huge queue if the seven-year-old bay gelding gets into the placings on Tuesday.

We know Lloyd Walker has had an interest in several Melbourne Cup runners over the years, and there are no doubt others now but, if Helen gets her way, everything will be just fine and dandy in Dubbo for the next few years if “her boy” runs home.

“DREAM CRICKET”

All about giving everyone a go with bat and ball

By GEOFF MANN

Photos by KEN SMITH

“DREAM Cricket” is all about the wonderful ideal of giving everyone a go with bat and ball, regardless of their abilities.

To this end, Dubbo West Rotary has been conducting a special program for youngsters who want to be involved in cricket but who, for a variety of medical reasons, have not been able to participate fully in open competitions.

Each year the club joins forces with local clubs, Cricket NSW, and Dubbo College students, to introduce the sport to many of those who may never have had the opportunity. What an amazing event it always proves to be!

BUBBLES & BUFFET