Affectionately known as ‘Queenie Cain’ or ‘Queen Mary Jane’, Mary Jane Cain was a Gomeroi woman who rose to prominence in the late 1880s when she single-handedly secured a parcel of land for her family at Forky Mountain near Coonabarabran.This land, and the Aboriginal community that flourished from it, became known as Burra Bee Dee.Born in 1844 at Toorawandi, Ms Cain passed away in 1929 and was buried in the Burra Dee Dee cemetery.To commemorate this icon of the local area, the Coonabarabran Local Aboriginal Lands Council (CLALC) had a vision to restore her headstone, and were thrilled to receive around $87,000 in funding from the Office of Heritage and Environment for this goal, as well as a number of other projects at the site.The cemetery had been damaged through big rainfall events and generally deteriorated over time.According to the Royal Australian Historical Society, Ms Cain penned a manuscript recounting her life and the history of the Coonabarabran district in 1920.It concludes with four pages of Gomeroi name meanings - Coonabarabran is “an inquisitive person”, Mudgee “sharpening stone”, Toorawandi “a row of standing stones”, and Burra Bee Dee “flying mice”.The manuscript, today more than one hundred years old, is a written record ensuring the survival of Mary Jane’s traditional language, just as the land at Forky Mountain ensured the Aboriginal community in the area could live on in peace.Proposing the project, the CLALC says they wanted to ensure that everyone will be able to recognise Mary Jane Cain’s grave when they walk into the mission cemetery.“She deserves the recognition after all she was able to achieve for her people,” CLALC chairperson, Naomi Stanton told media at the time.The design was submitted to CLALC members for ideas and approvals. The restoration is now complete, giving Ms Cain the memorial she deserves.CLALC CEO, Brandon Nixon, said that the process had been long, but worthwhile.“Our previous CEO and board members have worked hard in getting this headstone restored,” he said. “After a long process and delays due to the Covid 10 pandemic, it is welcome news that Mary Jane Cains headstone is now complete and will only increase the recognition she deserves.”In a collective report, the CLALC praised all those involved.“No project happens without hard work in the background,” they said. “A huge thank you must go to Monique, Naomi, Brandon our previous board and our new board, Elders, members and the community for their support during this process.“A huge thank you to Steve an Alison at Castlereagh funerals for their hard work to ensure this headstone design and installation was perfect.”

A Brewarrina First Nations woman has told the Western Plains App how the town’s Adventist Church saved her from addiction.  “I had very traumatic experiences growing up” Doreen Waites said.  ”I lost my identity and my sense of self”.  Ms Waites said she grew up in the church and had a sense of God throughout her childhood, but as she got older life became difficult and she “lost her faith”.  “I lost my sense of identity, I lost the sense of who I was, and I let go of God. I turned to alcohol and drugs to help me cope”.  Ms. Waites said while her life spiralled out of control and she found herself deep within her addiction, she longed to go back to her happy place, and she was comforted by memories of her growing up in church.   “Growing up I always felt like an outcast. I felt there wasn’t a place for me.”     She said she felt trapped between her private Aboriginal life and the outside world.  “Addiction took over my life. But I eventually decided I needed to find myself again, I said a prayer to God, and I said if you are real you need to show me, and I had this moment when the world stopped and I heard from God.”Ms Waites started going to church and eventually went to Perth to study theology; today, she is the pastor of that church - the Brewarrina Seventh Day Adventist Church.  The church started as a house church 2013 when pastors Keith and Danuta Stockwell started providing Bible studies to Aboriginal elder Uncle Les Doole.  A small leadership team was formed and eventually, its “people first” policy saw it deeply involved in domestic violence groups and Alcoholics Anonymous to try to reduce some of the problems in the community.  “We have 20-25 people come to the church each week and people come because they know we put people first”.  

As has been explored before on the Western Plains App an 'iron ringer' is a person born in Cobar. This article is the first of a series called 'Iron Ringers and Ring-Ins', interviewing well-known Cobar locals, to find out what they do, where their passions lie, and their contributions to their local community. This time the Western Plains App is interviewing Barry Knight. Barry Knight is a fourth generation iron ringer, born and raised in Cobar. His family have called Cobar home since 1871 and the tradition continues with his son Troy, and grandson representing the 5th and 6th generations to live in the district. When the Western Plains App asked Barry why he loved Cobar so much he said "You live here long enough and you see how people help each other out, why would you live anywhere else?" You call tell Barry and the Knight family are true Iron Ringers, with their name etched into the local geography. The Tom Knight Memorial Oval – named after Barry's late brother - is where the Cobar Roosters and Roosterettes proudly play. "It's a great honour for the family to have the oval named Tom," says Barry. "He not only played ruby league in Cobar for many years, he was also the coach, on the committees and drove the buses for the junior and senior leagues." Knight Drive leads to The New Tank or 'The Newey' as it is fondly known to Cobar locals.The Newey was built in 1910, when another reservoir was needed to help supply a water-poor Cobar. "My Grandfather Harry and his brother George actually sank the tank, they were the contractors...that's why it's called Knight Drive", Barry Knight told the Western Plains App. Barry's son Troy Knight (on the right}, representing Aurelia Metals, with Councillor Lillian Simpson, Thellie Wade and Sue Singleton at the Cobar Arts Council Art and Photography Exhibition opening last year IMAGE: Emma DatsonBarry Knight has himself held many roles in Cobar, both voluntary and paid. He worked at the CSA Mine, first as an apprentice in 1970 and then later as Development Miner; owned and ran a corner store on Brough Street; and worked for Essential Energy for over 20 years.Barry spent 12 years as a Cobar Shire Councillor, including four years as Deputy Mayor; is a former president of St John's Parents & Friends and School Board; was involved with junior league, cricket and Little Athletics when his own children were younger.These days he is a member of the Cobar RSL Sub Branch Committee; the driving force behind the Cobar Miner's Memorial and Festival of the Miner's Ghost; and with his late wife Ginni, the driving force behind the Cobar Poppy Fence.Barry and his wife Ginni Knight, at the opening of the Cobar Miner's Memorial in 2021. IMAGE SUPPLIED. Two years ago, Barry and Ginni were recognised in NSW Parliament by the Member for Barwon Roy Butler in November 2022, with a Community Recognition Statement. Mr Butler was effusive with praise for Barry saying "Barry has held positions on countless community committees and has dedicated thousands of hours of his time serving the community.  "One major achievement is the Cobar Miners Memorial, commemorating miners who have lost their lives in Cobar mines or from mining-related illnesses. ... I commend and thank Barry and Ginni Knight on their tireless efforts for the good health of the community of Cobar", Mr Butler told the Parliament. The Cobar Miners Memorial was a passion project of Barry. It took over seven years to complete and was opened on 19 June 2021. "I felt there was a need to build a Miners Memorial because one of best mates I went to school with got killed 50 years ago last year," Barry told the Western Plains App. "He died in November 1973, and I felt there was a need to have a place to remember these men".The Cobar Miners Memorial at night not long after it opened in 2021. IMAGE SUPPLIED. Cobar's Poppy Fence, featuring 600 poppies to remember Cobar's war veterans , was something that Barry's wife Ginni came up with after seeing something similar in New Zealand."We were in NZ in 2017 and we were in a little mining town," he said. "We were looking for ideas for the Miner's Memorial and Ginni went for a walk down to the beach. The Lions Club had put a poppy for each returned serviceman on the fence and Ginni said we are going to build one of those in Cobar."And so they did. The Cobar Poppy Fence officially opened on 13 August 2022. "Ginni Knight passed away in October 2021, but her legacy lives on. Barry would say that it would not have been possible without his wife," Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, said in his Community Recognition Statement. "Ginni was his supporter and an amazing community contributor in her own right."The Newey was sunk by Barry Knight's Grandfather Harry and his brother George. IMAGE: Emma Datson Cobar has honoured Barry in their own way nominating him again in 2024 for an Australia Day Award.In 2020 he was awarded the Citizen of the Year, for the Festival of the Miner's Ghost and Cobar Miners Memorial amongst his many other activities. The Cobar Miners Memorial and the Festival themselves have also been nominated for Australia Day Awards, with the inaugural memorial Night for our Lost Miners winning the Community Event of the Year in 2018.Barry said "It's a great honour to be nominated for an Australia Day award but there are lots of other worthy people that should be nominated". Today, Barry Knight, an Iron Ringer always, is still working and remains a driving force for the community of Cobar. As Roy Butler aptly said in 2022, "Barry is not done yet".

"If I can do it, there is no reason you can't do it too." That is the message from Kelly Lienesch from Bourke who recently qualified as an Aboriginal health practitioner. A proud Malyangapa woman with 32 years of nursing experience as an enrolled nurse, Ms Lienesch qualified as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner at the end of last year. Aboriginal Health Practitioners collaborate in multidisciplinary healthcare teams, aiming to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Their pivotal role involves fostering relationships between Indigenous patients and other health practitioners. Hailing from Wanaaring, Ms Lienesch now lives in Bourke, leading her life as an example for her own three children as well as aiming to inspire others to follow in her footsteps and further assist their communities.“I am the only one out of all of my cousins to finish year 12 and I was the first in my family to go to university”, Ms Lienesch said. “My parents always encouraged me to chase my dreams and said that education was an important tool which would allow me to help our people and communities. This has stayed with me through life and helped my complete my AHP training”.  Currently, Ms Lienesch is the Aboriginal health worker in the Aboriginal Maternity and Infant Health Service (AMIHS) at the Bourke Health Service. After the COVID-19 pandemic and having to take on a more clinical load, she decided to complete her AHP training to expand her knowledge but also give her more weight and experience when working with her community."I want to be a role model for other Aboriginal people and staff across the Local Health District," she said."If I can do it, there is no reason they can't do it too. It is extremely rewarding being able to give back and provide care to our community."The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are justifiably proud of Ms Lienesch and celebrated her achievements on their social media pages who responded to the huge amount of congratulatory messages."Thank you for all your beautiful comments/messages," Ms Lienesch said. "I’m very privileged that amazing women and their families let me be a part of such a special time in their life. My job in health has been made possible by so many hard working and committed work colleagues over the years. Many of those colleagues have been awesome role models, teaching me so much."

Lexie Campbell grew up on the outskirts of Warren on the family farm, and while she loved many things as a youngster, becoming a doctor was not on her list of what she might be when she grew up. Fast forward to 2023 and she is now in her 5th year of her six-year medical degree at the University of NSW and says watching her Grandmother struggle for medical care created a desire in her to step up and make a difference in helping rural people. “Even though my mum Alison is a nurse, I never really pictured myself as a doctor. Following School, I joined the Navy for a year, but watching my grandmother having to make medical trips to Sydney and other regional centres two or more hours away I couldn’t help but see things needed to change for rural people and decided my way of helping would be to study medicine,” said Ms. Campbell. “I was really questioning how many other people in small communities were affected by such limited resources and treatment options and decided I wanted to be part of the solution by training to become a doctor and return to rural areas to make a change.” To that end, Lexie applied and was successful in gaining a Rural Resident Medical Officer Cadetship which provides funding for her final two years of medical degree, a relocation grant for when she moves to a rural location, as well as supported attendance at conferences and cadetship weekends. The cadetship is offered by Rural Doctors Network (RDN) under NSW Ministry of Health. The students who benefit also agree to undertake two of the first three years of their hospital training in an eligible rural NSW hospital.  “The Cadetship is essentially a scholarship which runs across medical schools to support students in the final two years of their degree,” explains Lexie. “In return they spend their first two years as junior doctors in one of the regional centres in NSW (currently Dubbo, Tamworth, Orange, Wagga or Albury are options). It is essentially to encourage, support and persuade those who are interested in practicing rurally, which is most definitely me,” she said. Lexie with Associate Professor John Kramer - Woolgoolga GP and member of the board of Directors of the NSW Rural Doctor Network “I attended a Cadetship Weekend in Tamworth earlier this year, and it was a huge motivator for me,” said Lexie. “Connecting and meeting like-minded people who share a passion for rural medicine, helped me to realise and confirm I was on the right track.” “Aside from the very helpful financial side, they help cadets attend various educational and networking events including GP conferences and the annual cadet weekend. This allows us to hear from Country doctors (junior and senior, subspecialists and general practitioners) who work in various NSW regions which we may end up in.” “It also helps to meet your peers who you’ll likely be working with in the years to come. I have found these weekends outstandingly helpful as both motivation for finishing what I find to be a very difficult degree and to help me picture what kind of work I would like to be doing when I am fully qualified,” said Lexie. In the last few months Lexie has been doing placements in Manilla, Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga, working with rural and regional GPs and giving her a true sense of what working in a rural environment will be moving forward. “I have ended the year with four weeks in Manilla, NSW - I’ve confused many of my Sydney friends who thought I was heading to the Philippines,” laughs Lexie. “It was fantastic.” “My supervisor there, Dr. Emma Moffatt owned the GP practise and split her time between that, hospital work and helping train the net generation of GP registrars ( all while being a mum). I thought that was pretty amazing and whilst I don’t think anything’s ever set-in stone, it’s certainly the kind of work I see myself doing in the future.” “I think Dr. Moffatt had an enormous ability to help her small community and she clearly had so much care for the patients.” Lexie is excited for her future and is thankful for growing up as a country kid and the values it taught her. “I think growing up where I did, had an enormous positive influence on me and continues to even when I am far away for study.” “Hospitals are obviously an awful place to end up and some of my best memories as a student are coming across patients from Western NSW and other country areas who light up with relief when they find out I am from Warren while their consulting doctor scratches their head and asks the team ‘Have you heard of any of these places?’,” she laughs. “I think country people have a great connection to where they are from, which is often put under great strain when they are sick, like my grandmother. It’s nice to be able to play a small part in bringing home to them while they are getting care in places like Coffs Harbour where I am based.” “But in the future, I’d like to bring the care back home to them as much as one person can and make a difference to those I can help in rural areas.”

A resident of Warren for 68 years, Shirley Todhunter has always been an active member of the community, particularly within the local Anglican Church.Shirley’s involvement in the Church saw her initially take on the role of organist, before eventually becoming a licensed Lay Minister and writer of religious columns for multiple local and regional publications. On top of this, she dedicated 14 years to driving for Community Transport.A selfless volunteer and woman of faith, we celebrate Shirley’s contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire. Quickfire questions… A usual morning looks like… Another day and I’m still here, still standing, and not under the sod! I’m most proud of… I’m not one to think of myself as a proud woman, but I do recall joining the Nyngan Rifle Club when I was seventeen and the following year going to a rifle shoot in Cobar, where I shot against 75 men and won the shoot. In those days rifle shooting was considered a men’s sport and women weren’t allowed, but in our little country town, the men welcomed and encouraged me.At the age of 20, I married my husband and moved to Warren. As my husband was also a rifle shooter, I joined the Warren club. The winner of each week’s shoot was named the ‘Cock of the Walk’ but, as I was a woman, the editor of our local paper deemed that was not appropriate and instead dubbed me the ‘Hen of the Walk’. On the weekend you can find me… On the weekend you will almost certainly find me at the Anglican Church, where I am a licensed Lay Minister, an honorary position, conducting the service of the day. A quote or piece of advice you live by… My mother was a very wise woman and as her children, we grew up hearing quotes of which she seemed to have an endless supply. But the one that really stuck with me was “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” How long have you lived in Warren Shire?I have lived in Warren for 68 years.What is your favourite place in Warren Shire? I love Warren as a whole, but being an avid reader, I would say that the library is my favourite place. Some more about you… What do you love most about Warren Shire? What I love most about Warren is the way that this little community is always ready to support each other in times of trouble. I have been a beneficiary of this support in both big and small ways over the years and have never been more truly thankful in my life. Can you tell us a bit about your journey, including some of your most significant achievements? I’ve never thought of my achievements as being particularly significant. Some 60 years ago I was part of the Warren Art Society, as we were called then. We produced musicals, pantomimes, and a black and white minstrel show. We even took some of our shows to Tottenham, Quambone and Carinda.I have also been a member of Western Writer’s Ink – a group of writers drawn together by the RDA of Outback Arts – which had members from Warren, Nyngan, Gilgandra and Coonamble. We held several weekend writer’s retreats here in Warren with special guest tutors. When the RDA was no longer with us, the group shrank to just the Warren members and we continued meeting until Covid came along and brought all public meetings to a halt. Our little group has published four books of poetry and short stories, and some of our members have published of their own. Even though we are all of retirement age now, I am determined that we will produce one final book.For 17 years, my husband and I decorated our house for Christmas. It started out very simply at first, then gradually grew to a grand production. We made window boxes for each of our two front windows – one for Jesus and one for Santa. These two displays, along with a 26ft Christmas tree made entirely of lights and a star on top in our front garden, made for quite a show.After my husband died in 1990 I was completely at a loss, not knowing what to do with myself. My doctor suggested that as a writer, I should ask our local paper if I could write something for them. Thankfully, they said yes and I began writing a column called ‘Esmerelda’s Day’ once a week. By then I was heavily involved in the Anglican Church and began writing another column once a week called ‘Anglican Antics’. Since then, myself and a group of people from the other churches in town began writing a column called ‘Life with God’. Everything came to a halt when we lost our local paper, and now we have our new paper the column has returned as ‘Faith Matters’, with each church contributing an article as we did before.You play an important role as the Lay Minister at the Anglican Church. Can you give us some insight into what this entails and how you first got involved in the Church?I first became involved with the Anglican church when the organist who had been there for years decided to retire. I was asked if I would take this position in her place. Being only self-taught, I was a bit dubious at first but finally said yes to giving it a try. We sang a few of the same hymns over and over until my confidence and repertoire expanded and we were able to have more variety. This was until Old Arthur decided that he didn’t want to play anymore, and I retired from the position of organist.During that time I became what was then known as a Pastoral Assistant, who helped the priest during services. In later years, we were called licensed Lay Ministers and were able to preach and conduct funerals. I have conducted quite a few funerals over the years. Since our priest, Linda Boss, retired I have also been conducting services of praise, prayer and proclamation with the aid of our wonderful Secretary/Treasurer, Nerida George, who is my right-hand man and keeps me on track. Unfortunately, we are not in a position financially to employ a priest even if there was one available, which is why we are pleased to have Rev. John Gaff coming every second Sunday of each month to conduct a service of Holy Communion. Our service time has now changed to 9.30am. As mentioned, you’re a keen writer, contributing to the publishing of four books as part of the ‘Writer’s Ink’ group and writing religious columns for the local paper for nine years. What do you enjoy most about this craft?Most people in Warren know that I am a writer of poetry and short stories, and have published two books of my own. I also produce a magazine for the Cursillo Movement in the Bathurst Diocese and am hoping to reproduce our Parish magazine, ‘The Shaggy Coat’, in the new year – perhaps even before Christmas!I have been writing ever since I was a schoolgirl. Once I start writing I can get quite carried away. I remember one of my teachers saying after he had read a composition I had written, “This was meant to be a composition, not a novel, Shirley”. I just love using my imagination. And of course, you assisted local people in accessing medical services for 14 years through Warren Community Transport. What did you find most rewarding about helping the community in this way?I drove for Community Transport for 14 years and had to stop when Covid appeared. By then, I was considered to be in the age group most likely to succumb to it. I was 84 at the time and enjoyed being able to help people in this way. I really miss it. What advice would you give to other women living in rural communities? There are so many ways that women in rural communities can make a difference in their own little world.Driving for Community Transport is not an arduous task and can be so rewarding. Here in Warren, there are clubs like View Club, which helps people locally and internationally who (through no fault of their own) cannot help themselves. Enjoy the company of like-minded people in clubs such as craft, art and music groups. And of course, you can go to church where most congregations are like a family, always ready to help and support each other. To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected] 

Nyngan Health Service Aged Care Unit is currently enjoying its own live-in artist in the form of 91-year-old John White.   John who has lived and worked on the land his whole life only moved to the Unit this year but has soon established himself as the bloke to visit as he recently rediscovered a passion for drawing that lay dormant until now.    “I drew a lot when I was a young boy but as I got older, I just didn’t seem to find time. After my wife Joy passed away last year and I moved to aged care I seemed to have a lot of time on my hands and I joined an art class and I regained my love for it,” said John. “Now I draw all day long and my family keep me supplied with paper and pencils and people even come in to ask me to draw things for them, such as their pets, children and even themselves,” laughed John.   A kind and humble man, John is very well respected in his local community after years of working, volunteering and championing Nyngan. His love of land and animals is evident in his drawings and he takes his inspiration from memory and particularly newspapers, magazines such as RM Williams Outback magazine and Australian working Stock Dog Magazine.    John, who with wife Joy, owned and ran White’s Kelpie Stud since the 1950’s is particularly keen on drawing dogs and although he says he is still learning he is enjoying the process.   “Sometimes I take a long time to get the drawing right and sometimes I get it right the first time. I am learning as I go and hopefully each drawing gets better than the last,” he said.   According to Deanna Bamford – Activities Officer at the Unit, John is an inspiration to all those around him as he quietly works on his art.   “John has become our artist in residence, with staff, residents and visitors enjoying the finished drawings and often supplying him with photos for inspiration.” “Through the power of art, John has found a way to express himself and to keep occupied. John works in the realism style and is very particular with measurements, which give a perfect reflection of his subjects,” said Ms. Bamford. “He is able to recreate a picture without lessening the picture itself. His own life reflects in his chosen works as dogs, horses and family are his favourite subject matter.” “It is amazing to see resident’s talents on display,” according to Nursing Manager at Nyngan Health Service Jenny Griffiths.  “I have known John most of my life and I never knew he was such a talented artist. The art has helped John transition from living at home to coming into aged care,” said Mrs. Griffiths. “There are 26 residents currently in aged care at Nyngan Health Service, who have a busy schedule of activities including hoy, bingo, movies, exercises, church services and lots of arts and crafts. Some choose lots and others just a few – it’s all about choice.” “We love that John has found his passion here with us,” said Mrs. Griffiths.   Plans are underway to hold a black-tie exhibition next year for John and other budding artists at the Hospital to celebrate their works and to raise funds for the Aged Care Unit and to give the residents a night to celebrate themselves and their lives in the local community.    Meanwhile John can be found each day in his room, drawing, to add to the Gallery the nurses have set up on his room entrance wall.    It’s true you can teach an old dog new tricks,” said John with a laugh. “I will keep working on it and I am glad everyone is enjoying what I do.” 

At the conclusion of the final community dance concert for the Western Studio of Performing Arts, its principal Angie White quipped that if she added up all the time she had been teaching dance to young people in Nyngan, Cobar and Tottenham it would amount to 63-years.In reality, it was 29 years in Nyngan which coincided with 21 years in Cobar and 13 years in Tottenham – for many years travelling to all three towns every week to teach ballet, tap, jazz, Irish and everything in between to children as young as two right through to adults well into their retirement. Last week Angie finally tugged the curtain closed on her popular dance school after a finale concert titled The Greatest Show at the Nyngan Town Hall. A week prior she also farewelled Tottenham.The idea to start a dance studio stemmed from a conversation at a cake stall where Angie, who was helping out, listened as a customer lamented the lack of ballet lessons in Nyngan.“I was trying to sell her one of my cupcakes with orange icing but ended up starting a dance studio instead - and taking the cupcakes home!”“From that time on I was blessed with the most amazing adventure anyone would ever wish to go on, with the most beautiful kids and families.”Little Tottenham superstars in action in November 2022 [Image: Supplied]The Western Studio of Performing Arts had become an institution in Nyngan, with at least two generations having passed through. For years it was based at the Palais Theatre in Nyngan where a front room served as a youth hang out, whilst Angie taught children as young as two the principles of dance.At the end of the year there was always a community concert which featured all of her students in increasingly elaborate costumes. At first these were made by parents who would bring their sewing machines to rehearsals and create costumes on the spot. In more recent years there have been opportunities to buy kit online.Angie calculated the WSPA community concerts and class fundraisers raised $120,000 over those 29 years, all of which was donated back into the community to help young people.Some Solo/Duo's Dancers after their concert on December 2022 Image: SuppliedThe WSPA Studio was also one to grab every opportunity and Angie led her students and their families on plenty of adventures.“We travelled to London and Paris Disneyland where we had our own 20-minute show in front of hundreds of people. We ventured to LA and took part in the Main Street Parade at Disneyland which had an estimated 100,000 people watching as well as being invited to dance in a world dance exhibition which included 12 other nations,” she said.“We danced at Universal Studios and the bush kids shone like superstars. We successfully auditioned Nyngan High school kids to take part in the opening ceremony of the Pacific School games with 5000 kids taking part and most excitingly the Closing Ceremony of the 2000 Olympics.”“We took kids to School Spectacular- Eisteddfods - touring shows and a performance in Sydney with Glenn Wood at his famous Tap Studio. We took them to Musicals in Sydney and on excursions for Workshops We did everything we could to give them opportunities that come easily to city kids.”Angie says WSPA helped her make lifelong friends and gave her a love and passion not unlike that she has for her own family.“I gave my all and then some and the honour was most definitely mine.”“At this final concert we celebrated what was, and what is. For me I celebrated the beautiful children I have been gifted to teach because all every child wants in life is to be loved and treated with kindness and I know above all else I have done that.”"When you stop in the middle of a dance for a bit of a chat" Image: SuppliedThere were many final tributes to Angie from her students past and present.Kristy Sheather was a WSPA student and her four daughters were in the final concert.“Not just a dance teacher or a dance studio. It’s been so much more. Thankyou Angie for all of the memories that myself and my girls will hold very close to our hearts for the rest of our lives,” she said.Annabelle Kennedy thanked Angie for bringing so much joy to her ballerina daughter over the past three years.Jen Webster was another past student who was able to bring her own daughters to dance lessons.“Angie White you should be proud of what you have accomplished and the light you have brought to so many lives,” she said.“I hold many memories in my heart that only seem like we shared yesterday and I’m so grateful that you shared special moments with my children too.”Angie is also a talented photographer and writer, and contributes regularly to the Western Plains App. 

It seems you can track Coonamble connections to all ends of the earth.Travis Hargreaves’ recent fundraising foray into the Himalayas was no walk in the park.Along with his mate and former NRL player Mark Hughes, and 20 other determined men, Travis spent eight days of rough hiking through some of the world’s most inhospitable territory to the Everest Base Camp and back.Since being diagnosed with brain cancer, Mark Hughes’ mates and their supporters have raised over $30million through the Mark Hughes Foundation and initiatives like the Beanies for Brain Cancer campaign.This trip was to further boost the coffers.Among them were some famous names including current Roosters coach Trent Robinson, former Australian and NSW Blues captain Danny Buderus, former Knights player Bill Peden, along with Kieren Neeson who trekked in honour of his famous father Angel’s frontman Doc Neeson who passed away from brain cancer.There were other Newcastle/Sydney businessmen, a professional surfing photographer, personal trainer who is also one of the original ‘Bra Boys’, and men who had lost someone to this vicious disease. “It was definitely a mixed bag but they were a great crew and there was great camaraderie,” said Travis.After individually raising funds through a myriad of methods, the men boarded a plane to the other side of the world to earn their donations.PHOTO: L to R: Danny Buderus, Ed Mounsey, Mark fisher (seated) Mark Hughes, Sam Mayer, Billy Peden, Dan Smith, Andrew Beattie, Travis HargreavesThe boys choppered into the ‘most dangerous airport in the world’, Lukla, poised on a sheer cliff top at 2800 metres.They then hauled their packs along the heart-stopping Everest trail, ticking off two peaks along the way - Kalapather (5545m) and Chukking Ri (5550m) - both higher than their goal destination Base Camp.“The trail runs through the valley but you’re climbing the whole time,” Travis said. “It’s the lifeline to thirty or so villages but there are no real roads, so no trucks or even motorcycles. Everything has to be carried by hand, or by yaks and donkeys.“One little bloke we met carried six mattresses on his back for fourteen kilometres.“Each stretch we walked was about 12 kilometres, always going up in elevation and it included crossing the Sir Edmund Hillary bridge - a 150 metre suspension bridge across a deep ravine.“It was not fun when you got half way across and you saw seven yaks coming the other way.”PHOTO: With their wide horns Yaks have right of way on the trail to Everest base camp.Travis said the team quickly learned to cling to the cliff-side of the trail when they heard the bells signalling that yaks were coming around the next corner.“It was also probably the most multi-cultural thing I’ve ever done or seen,” he said. “There was someone from every country on earth on that trail and everybody was just getting along with each other.”There were the expected struggles with lack of oxygen.“Everyone experienced bouts of altitude sickness, with the headaches and loss of appetite,” said Travis. “I think we managed the process pretty well but I still lost 8 kilograms because there’s no meat and you’re burning up to 2000 calories a day and all you’re getting is rice or noodles with no protein.“It’s hard to find the energy to keep going each day.”Travis says there were plenty of challenges along the way but it was all for a great cause.PHOTO: Roosters coach Trent Robinson gave a morning motivational speech.“One of the by-products was how when you’re physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted everyone just opened up to each other and all of the men put themselves in this place of vulnerability.“There were some pretty big personalities but they all came to the same place and helped each other along the way, at some stage everyone hit the wall.”He said the men took it on themselves to boost each other’s spirits.“One surf trainer ran meditation and breathing exercises to start us off in the right frame of mind each morning. Trent Robinson read a chapter out of a book called ‘Make Your Own Bed’ and would give us an inspirational speech to set us up for the day.”Born in Coonamble 43 years ago, Travis has lived in Newcastle since 2001. His mother Kerry was also born here to parents Leila and Ambrose Butler, growing up at ‘Rosedale’ on the Dubbo Road.Travis’ father Greg was a police officer so his work took the family from Coonamble to Tullamore, Woodburn, Tamworth, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour and finally Newcastle.PHOTO: Freight on the Everest trail is a do-it-yourself job.“I haven’t lived there for a long time but there are so many ties to Coonamble here in Newcastle,” Travis told the Coonamble Times.“I live about 40 metres from Steve ‘Joey’ Fulmer, Brett Arrowsmith was one of the first clients to come on board when I started my business and Dwayne Sampson has kids at Souths Newcastle Juniors with mine.”Now back in Newcastle, Travis says he is gradually coming back down to earth.“Everyone’s got to settle back into the normal routine of getting up and going to work in the mornings. That’s the hardest part, you feel you can’t stand still.“But I would absolutely do it again. You challenge yourself mentally and physically and together we raised $534,000.”The funds go to brain cancer research and to employing regional nurses to support people diagnosed with brain cancer through their toughest trek. 

What was meant to be a six-week stay in Warren turned into 38 years and counting for Jacqui Lomas, who fell in love with the people and the “feel of the town” back in 1985.Since then, Jacqui has dedicated her time to countless local organisations, including Fire and Rescue NSW, Warren Central School Breakfast Club, the Warren Squash Club, and Warren Museum and Art Gallery.A selfless volunteer and truly community-minded woman, we celebrate Jacqui’s contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire. Quickfire questions… A usual morning looks like… I wake up at 5.15am every morning and do a 10 minute meditation before heading out to the bus at 6am. When I get back to town, you will see me walking my rescue greyhound, Summer, around town. I’m most proud of… My three children. On the weekend you can find me… Visiting my kids and grandkids, or in my garden. A quote or piece of advice you live by… “There’s always somebody worse off.”What is your favourite place in Warren Shire? My favourite places in the Shire are Macquarie Park and the river.Some more about you…What do you love most about Warren Shire? The people and the town itself.I came to Warren after two years travelling around Australia. I was only going to stay six weeks and that was 38 years ago! I loved the feel of the town and volunteered at the hospital to meet people; I have also worked at numerous businesses around town. Can you tell us a bit about your journey, including some of your most significant achievements? Some of my greatest achievements include reaching Deputy Co-Captain status at Fire and Rescue NSW, as well as receiving the Community Services award at the Warren Shire Australia Day Awards. You recently retired from Fire and Rescue NSW after 13 dedicated years of service. What did you enjoy most about giving back to the community in this role?I enjoy doing the home fire safety visits to keep the community safe. Now, you can often be found volunteering your time at the Warren Squash Club and Warren Museum and Art Gallery. Why do you think it’s important to support these types of organisations within our community?I think it’s important because if nobody volunteers, these things will just disappear. We need to keep these organisations going for the next generation. And of course, you’re known for your tireless support of the Shire’s youth. From 21 years spent serving breakfast at the Warren Central School Breakfast Club, to driving the school bus and putting up Christmas light displays, Halloween trick-or-treating and ‘just because’ baking - what motivates you to put a smile on the faces of local kids each and every day?Because they make me laugh every day in return. I overhear stuff that would probably make most parents’ hair curl, but rest assured, it stays with me! What advice would you give to other women living in rural communities? Get out there and join things to meet people, even if you have young kids or babies. I joined the play group, and it was a great way to meet other parents. To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected] 

A local Baradine World War II veteran and former grazier has celebrated a landmark birthday.Hilton Pickette turned 100 years old surrounded by family, friends and loved ones at a lunch held at the Coonabarabran Club on Saturday, 14 October.Hilton’s son, David said it was an honour to be able to wish his father a happy 100th birthday.“Dad is the last of seven children,” David said. “He went to school first in Longreach, Queensland and then went to live in Sydney with his sister and attend Balgowlah High School when his father passed away. After getting his leaving certificate he worked at Anthony Hordern & Son department store, where he learned about tea blending and tasting. “He enlisted in the army in 1942 serving in New Guinea and Japan. Returning from the War he worked on cattle properties with his brothers near Kempsey and around Inverell.  “He purchased sixty-five acres at Ulamambri in 1952, got married and had five children. He then purchased another 100 acres to add onto his block, which he sold and moved to ‘Merriview’ in Purlewaugh in 1954. He sold this property in 1965 to buy ‘Ellerslie’ at Kenebri followed by the purchase of another block east of Gwabegar in 1970."Hilton Pickette with his card from King Charles and Lady Camilla“In 1978 Dad bought a property with his cousin on the Narran River near Angledool; he always wanted to have a go farming on black soil. He sold that property in 1987 and bought a small farm at Geurie. “This is where he was supposed to retire, but he kept farming, feeding cows, cutting burrs and planting trees for the next 36 years, so you can see he has always had a love for the land even though he has seen some dreadful droughts, floods and grasshopper plagues.”  David said his father attributed his longevity to eating plain food without any spices, brewing your tea properly, exercising regularly, and by that he means swinging an axe, using wire strainers and chipping burrs. He advocates the benefits of having a run on frosty winter mornings, after milking the cows, and before breakfast! 

Admired for her “creativity and funky art”, Jude Fleming is an award-winning contemporary landscape artist who has exhibited in galleries across the state.On top of her accolades as an artist, Jude is also known as a dedicated teacher and mentor of over 30 years, operating out of her home studio, Westwing. A talented painter dedicated to supporting local creatives, we celebrate Jude’s contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire. Quickfire questions… A usual morning looks like… A usual morning has me rising at first light and sliding into the bathtub – my mental health unit! It is warm and reassuring. I often read (or at the least look at my emails), do the New York Wordle, and get out whole and functional, ready to face the day and an always full calendar. Until very recently when my darling doggie died, she and I would take a morning walk, mostly along the river and through the beautiful Window on the Wetlands (WOW) garden and the wetland walk around Tiger Bay.After a breakfast of fruit and yoghurt, I tackle the daily to-do list… I’m most proud of… It is difficult to choose just a single thing of which to be most proud as there have been so many proud moments since I came to Warren 38 years ago.The first may have been becoming an Australian citizen at a Warren Shire Council meeting, receiving flowers and local history books and having Councillors spontaneously standing up and giving me character references.I have also been enormously proud of the achievements of friends and students of the Westwing Studio over the years and am over the moon with a current student winning the 2023 Junior Outback Archies in Coonamble just last weekend! On the weekend you can find me… On a weekend you can find me doing pretty much the same as most days of the week. Artists don’t really have weekends or ‘time off’, as being a painter and creator is way more of a vocation than a job. A quote or piece of advice you live by… One of my favourite quotes is by Thomas Merton, who said “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”.And more recently I have embraced the concept of “Paint as liquid thought”.What is your favourite place in Warren Shire? My favourite places in Warren Shire are many, but I particularly like being by the river, Tiger Bay and the WOW garden, and the Burrima Boardwalk at the Macquarie Marshes.In saying that, I do love being at home and in the garden. It’s so nice living in an old house with many connections to the people and history of Warren. Some more about you…What do you love most about Warren Shire? It is always the people of a place that make it special and I am so appreciative of the people of Warren that have enabled me to practise as an artist almost ever since I arrived here in 1985. Can you tell us a bit about your journey, including some of your most significant achievements? I gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in painting from the National Art School in Sydney as a mature-age student – where some of my peers called me Nanna!One of my most significant achievements has been exhibiting my artwork with other members of Westwing Studio at State Parliament House a few years ago. I am truly honoured to have received a Lennon Simmonds Community Recognition Commendation from the NSW State Parliament acknowledging the provision of a creative outlet in person, online and to the wider region. Having exhibited in venues from our local Window on the Wetlands to the ARO Gallery in Sydney, what have been some of your highlights as an artist? I have been involved with Outback Arts, our regional arts organisation, and have exhibited extensively in the region and afar. I am currently a finalist in the Outback Archies and have an exhibition at the Warren Museum and Art Gallery, and will again participate in the Dubbo Art Fair at the Western Plains Cultural Centre at the end of October. Not only that, but you’re a dedicated teacher and mentor at Westwing Studio, Warren. Can you tell us a little about the studio and what you find most rewarding about sharing your passion for art with others? Westwing Studio was once a sleepout on the western side of my home – hence the name. It has external access and has become a well-loved and well-used creative space.I run two classes each week in the Studio and have done so for more than 30 years and they are still highlights of my life. It is a sheer delight to share in students' and fellow painters' successes in putting ideas into paintings, which often manifests as a ‘happy dance’! You’re obviously known as a strong supporter of all things art, history and culture in our Shire. Why do you think it’s so important to support local creatives? The support of local creatives can allow unique and original perspectives for local events, discussions, outlooks, and projects in a small community. That which is great for one can readily spill over to be great for many.Vision can be informed by so much more than a black bottom line. What advice would you give to other women living in rural communities? I would encourage local women to be themselves, follow the desires of their hearts and to participate and share those wonderful qualities with our community.Love may begin in the home but is really apparent and spreads quickly when shared. To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected] 

Born and raised in Warren Shire, Robyn Taylor is a mother, educator, keen gardener, bookworm and Warren Pumas fan.Robyn has been a familiar face at Warren Central School for many years as a student, teacher, and now the Deputy Principal. Here, she works tirelessly to support students academically, socially and emotionally to reach their full potential.A selfless mentor with a passion for rural education, we celebrate Robyn’s contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire. Quickfire questions… A usual morning looks like… A quiet cup of tea… then work face on!When school starts, it’s busy – typically organising class covers, meetings, responding to student needs and supporting staff. There is always something happening that makes every day worthwhile and gives me a sense of achievement. I’m most proud of… The life and family I have created. My four children all fill me with pride. They are my biggest supporters, as I am theirs.I’m also extremely proud of the successes we have at school, where every student is known, valued and cared for. We celebrate these successes, big and small. On the weekend you can find me… Looking for a quiet space, enjoying coffee and catching up on the events of the week with my children.I am a keen gardener and bookworm, and I also enjoy watching the Warren Pumas [rugby team] play despite still not knowing all the rules! A quote or piece of advice you live by… “If you want something done, ask a busy person!” and “Everyone is responsible: the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”My Mum also taught me that fresh flowers will make a room appear clean, and to never leave the house without your lipstick.  How long have you lived in Warren Shire? I was born in Warren, so I am a real local! What is your favourite place in Warren Shire? My home in Dubbo Street is my sanctuary but a visit to “Haddon Rig” always feels like home.The library also is a favourite space – the staff always know when school holidays are about to start! Some more about you… What do you love most about Warren Shire? The community who rallies both in times of distress or disaster and in celebration. The generosity always amazes me and often that support is from unknown sources. Can you tell us a bit about your journey, including some of your most significant achievements? I attended both St Mary’s Parish School and Warren Central School (WCS). I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship for university and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and a Graduate Diploma in Education. Most of my teaching career has been at WCS but I have taught in other rural centres and also for a short time in Western Australia.At WCS I was permanently appointed as a Maths teacher but have taught predominately in the Agriculture/Science area, and have been the Careers Advisor and Head Teacher Secondary Studies. With strong support and encouragement, I applied for the Deputy Principal (DP) position which I have held for the past three years. The DP position allows me to work with Kindergarten through to Year 12 and I thoroughly enjoy the interactions I have every day with both staff and students. I am proud of the team I lead and the work we do developing the whole student in the academic, social and emotional domains. Having been both a student and teacher at Warren Central School, what is it about the country school experience that’s so special? The unique and special environment for both students and teachers, especially the sense of community where students and teachers develop strong relationships and support networks.Learning is personalised with smaller classes and individualised attention, which can lead to a deeper understanding of each student’s strengths and learning styles.I have very fond memories of my days as a student at WCS and still have contact with some of those teachers. They were a huge influence on the career pathway I chose and have had a lasting impact on both my personal and professional development.I love seeing my students outside of the classroom setting and in the community at their workplaces or weekend sports. These are invaluable opportunities to build rapport and positive relationships which are transferred to the school setting.  You’re now fondly known by students and their parents as the Deputy Principal at Warren Central School. What do you enjoy most about this role? The sense of belonging and the daily interactions with students, parents and staff to create a positive learning environment. The opportunity to support and guide students on their educational journeys while working collaboratively with teachers and parents to enhance the overall school experience is especially rewarding. The DP role allows me to indulge in a variety of tasks every day and to connect with students from K-12 with very different demands. All my decision-making is student centred.It is a rewarding job, and it is hard work but I thoroughly enjoy it! What advice would you give to other women living in rural communities? Pursue education, embrace leadership, advocate for resources, balance responsibilities with self-care, cultivate resilience, support each other and celebrate achievements.To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected] 

Creativity, a passion for social justice, and a belief in the power of local news have made Sharon Bonthuys the excellent journalist she is today.  Bonthuys began her journalism career in December 2021 when she took up a job at the Narromine Star after living in the Northern Territory and remote Queensland.  “I did some news writing and feature writing subjects at university. I guess I just took my writing skills when I got the job at the Narromine Star and adapted it to journalism. I just started writing stories and also had to become part of the community - meet people, learn the difference between something that was advertising and something that was a story,” she told the Western Plains App.  Bonthuys, who is also a marriage celebrant, has a background as a professionally published children’s author. Her books include The Croc Shock, the Blink Off, The Ballonatic and Finders Keepers.  She said working as a country reporter has enabled her to combine her writing skills with journalism.  “I am essentially a creative writer,” she told the Western Plains App.  “While there is a degree of creativity in journalism, you are essentially dealing with the facts. So I guess what I can bring is a more creative way of describing things. So it's a different way of writing, but for me, I love writing anything - poetry, fiction, journalism”.  Although new to the industry, Bonthuys quickly found success as a journalist.At the Country Press Association awards in 2022, her former newspaper walked away with highly commended, and she took out journalist of the year.  “I won it for stories I wrote about a mobile blackspot where someone was injured and also some stories that required some in-depth investigation about community issues."  In terms of the highly commended award, she pointed out, “It was a collective effort that won the Narromine Star that award. Zoe Rendall had the hard job of pulling everything together so it fit and our colleague Tim Cooper who passed away recently, also had his advertising work featured in those papers.”  Owner and editor of the Western Plains App, Lee O'Connor, says she was very pleased to welcome Sharon to the team. "It's wonderful to find the talent that exists in different corners of the western plains. Everyone comes to journalism from a different direction. I had seen Sharon's work so it was great to know that she was interested in continuing her journalism journey with us.""She's already shown that she takes a great deal of care with her stories and with the people she interviews," Mrs O'Connor said. "It's really important to us to have the interests of the local communities at heart.""A mobile app is a different animal to a local newspaper so there's always new things to learn and Sharon brings with her a real interest in learning and honing her craft. I think readers all around our region will enjoy the stories Sharon creates."  Image: Supplied.  Bonthuys said she "was excited to be asked to write for the Western Plains App app earlier this year and it has enabled me to keep my connections with community groups".  "The Western Plains app fills a valuable space in news provision for rural communities that may not have a paper or who prefer to get instant access to stories via an online platform. I believe there is room for both news platforms in communities and that residents will embrace both.   "The App provides me with the flexibility I need to be able to write around other commitments" she said "I hope to be able to meet the other remote reporters one day as I think it’s important to know your team members. I’m also grateful to Lee O’Connor for giving me this opportunity". “Communities also need to get behind local media through advertising which is what helps sustain local papers. , If you are going to invest in your community, you need to invest in things that don't go online”.  Bonthuys also revealed she grew up in public housing, which has inevitably formed the style and content of her journalism.    “I've come from a very poor background,” she explained. “I've used my  education and the opportunities that my education has given me to move into a  more comfortable space, but I've never forgotten where I've come from. So I'm very  passionate about social justice, I like to look at stories where people are  impacted by socio-economic disadvantage or disability and how how that can make life hard for people and how they overcome those challenges.”  

PASSIONATE patchworkers were treated to a 'trunk talk' by former resident Wendy Wild last Friday evening 16 June.The event was hosted at the Outback Arts Gallery by local quilting group The Material Girls as part of their 20 Year Anniversary celebrations.Audience members were surrounded by the Material Girls 'Not our First Rodeo' display of 48 quilts that have been on display since the June Long Weekend and enjoyed nibbles and refreshments before Wendy "unpacked her trunk", outlining her personal history of quilt-making.Ms Wild, who now operates an online business from her new home base in Dubbo catering to the insatiable demand for patchworking products, began her presentation by acknowledging her hosts and their latest exhibition."For a small town, the standard of quilting, the diversity and how it's displayed in this wonderful space is quite astounding," she said.Wendy, a recently-retired registered nurse, has been quilting since 1985 and brought with her a selection of her "favourites" which were held up for admiration by volunteer assistants Helen and Georgia Rackham."Every quilt is still my favourite quilt," Ms Wild said as they held up a reproduction-style quilt she had stitched together during meal breaks between shifts at Coonamble Hospital in the pre-internet days.ABOVE: Helen and Georgia Rackham with Outback Arts Executive Director Jamie-Lee Trindall.The quilts and the stories followed Wendy's moves from Coonamble to Armidale, to a studio apartment in Melbourne. "I began to be very influenced by social media," she said. "It opened my eyes to what creative people were doing all over the world.""I started to think about my quilting in a new way. I started to think about quilt patterns as an abstraction."I now think about things in my life and things around me and how to put them into fabric.""The last few years I've been thinking about how to embed a story within a quilt," Wendy said.She told the story of a quilt she’d created recently to celebrate her return to the central-west.  Her ‘Homeand’ quilt includes representations of how she retreated to her mother’s ancestral home at the property ‘Erdavale’, east of Coonamble. After resigning her nursing post at Walgett following the kidnap and murder of a nurse colleague in 1994; of the Teridgerie Creek, her grandmother’s axeminster carpet pattern, and a row of silos - the work effectively maps the special features of her own personal and physical 'landscape' around that sense of refuge.Wendy's quilting has evolved by experimenting with the flow of colour, adopting the technique of applique, and adapting tried and tested quilt designs to make them easier or to reinterpret them for the modern age.A couple of years ago a chance conversation with local quilter Amanda Colwell led Wendy to ask a United States-based designer whether she could supply templates to make the process of creating her quilt pattern easier."She said 'sure can' and since then I've shipped about two hundred templates to the U.S. alone," said Wendy.She now collaborates with the designer to host online 'sew alongs'.ABOVE: Pauline Ditchfield, Kylie Parry, Chandra Raja and Bev Davidson enjoyed a catchup before Wendy Wild’s Trunk Talk."In the first year we hosted 800 people, the second year it was 1500," said Wendy. "It has definitely put my business on the map."Some of Wendy's own quilt designs were also on display, including 'Straighten Up & Fly Right" which was first shown in a digital magazine that Wendy now writes a regular column for.Wendy's story-telling ability matches her quilting design and construction skills. Her audience was entranced and full of questions following the presentation.The group enjoyed supper together and many also attended a quilting workshop with Wendy on Saturday morning at the CWA Rooms in Castlereagh Street.If you've missed the 'Not Our First Rodeo' display, it is on show until 7 July at the Outback Arts Gallery.

Maddy Hodges is a young indigenous artist, fashion designer and business owner from Nyngan. She is a proud Ngiyampaa/Wangaaypuwan and Wiradjuri woman and has recently launched her new clothing designs. Maddy has been learning and practicing her culture from a very young age and is passionate about teaching and sharing her culture with her community.  These days her artistic talents are taking her places she could hardly have dreamed of.“I've been painting Cultural artwork since the age of 11, my mum taught me, and we would paint together. At this age I also entered my pieces into the local gallery for NAIDOC competitions, where people would express interest in purchasing my pieces so I guess selling my artwork started from here and I would do commissions within the community," she said."It wasn't until 2018 that I established Kapata Dreaming, this enabled me to create a platform online to sell my work initially but over the years my business has developed into a whole range of Cultural workshops and practices,” said Maddy Now 28, Maddy has been making her mark far beyond her local area.On Monday 19 June the Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service hosted a workshop for the community where Maddy was teaching weaving. “The workshop in Brewarrina was great! I think with doing workshops regularly in community, it also creates a safe space for mob to get together and have a yarn, like our old people would have done," said Maddy. "Especially with weaving, this was very significant to women in our Culture so it's important we continue this practice and share with our youth and community.” BELOW: Belinda Boney learning how to weave at Maddy's Brewarrina workshop.Not only is Maddy an artist, dancer, and weaver, she is now stepping into the fashion world. She showcased one of her designs at the Baiami’s Ngunnhu Festival this year where she modeled with some of the women from Brewarrina during the fashion show on the Family and Culture Day. The fashion parade was organised by Signal Creative after their workshops in the surrounding communities where they created and designed their own garments. “I strive to share the importance and beauty of our Culture to the wider community, indigenous or non-indigenous," said maddy. "We ALL have an obligation to care for Country so it can provide for us, everyone has something to learn from our old ways and practices.”    ABOVE: Maddy showcasing her design with Rista Ulera modeling.  This young woman is definitely going places and has a few projects happening in the near future - one of those is the Country to Couture fashion show that is being held in Darwin.  “I’m heading up to Darwin in August to showcase Yapa Mali for Country to Couture, this is a fashion show for First Nations designers from across Australia," said Maddy."I've been working on the whole collection since the start of the year, which will feature clothing and traditional Cultural adornment pieces with materials collected from Country. I'm really excited to represent the Ngiyampaa community and share our unique styles and practices.”   

A familiar face in Warren Shire, Janice Hardman is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for many community causes and organisations.As a member of the Rotary Club and an ongoing supporter of the Chronically Ill Children’s and Adults’ Health Fund, Janice spends her time raising funds for anyone who needs them, from local causes to overseas disasters.A motivated woman devoted to bettering the lives of others, we celebrate Janice’s contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire.Quickfire questions…A usual morning looks like…Sitting on my front veranda having my morning coffee and then preparing dinner – because if I don’t, I will just eat junk!I’m most proud of…My kids, my siblings and myself.On the weekend you can find me…Reading, socialising, volunteering or just relaxing.A quote or piece of advice you live by…Pull up your big girl panties and get on with it. Haha!How long have you lived in Warren Shire?I was born here and then moved to Paddington in 1960. I moved back around 2003.Favourite place in Warren Shire?The residents would have to rate right up there, closely followed by the facilities, such as medical, sports, educational and arts.Some more about you…What do you love most about Warren Shire?I think the friendly attitude of the people in it – it’s a lovely community and everyone’s very supportive of each other. In a bigger town, you probably don’t know your neighbour.Can you tell us a bit about your journey, including some of your most significant achievements?I’ve moved around a bit in my life, from Warren to Paddington, then 10 years later to Lane Cove, and 10 years later again to a small sugar mill town called Broadwater on the far north coast.At 50 years old I got my first tattoo and jumped out of a plane. I worked a variety of jobs and then got divorced and moved back to Warren.I’ve renovated five houses whilst living in them with four kids – not an experience that I would like to repeat in a hurry! It got me to where I am today though.Another fond memory of mine is enjoying a hot air balloon flight with my Warren friends.You often dedicate your time to raising money for the Chronically Ill Children’s and Adults’ Health Fund. What do you find most rewarding about volunteering for this worthy cause?I find it very satisfying to be helpful to others, especially having spent quite a lot of time in hospitals having my four kids.To be able to ease just one worry from their minds is very rewarding – besides, raising funds is great for socialising. Win-win situation!You’re also known for your involvement in the local Rotary Club. Can you give us some insight into what Rotary is all about and what you enjoy most about being part of this organisation?I was asked why I wanted to join Rotary because “they were all old…” Well, we may be old but we are all motivated, mostly energised, and very willing! I joined Rotary because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone.We raise money for different projects and most of the proceeds are spent in Warren Shire, but we also fundraise for overseas disasters. Our weekly meetings are not compulsory and we have a lot of fun. Rotary is all about the betterment of others.And of course, you’ve made a reputation for yourself as a familiar face at many local events. Why do you think it’s so important to support the community in this way?I’m a believer that you get out of a community what you contribute to it. Besides, I love to socialise – I enjoy our town and its people.What advice would you give to other women living in country communities?Get up, get out and join in. To be accepted, you have to be accepting.To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected]

Passionate about healthcare and helping people, Barbara McKay has been advocating for quality rural healthcare since she moved to Warren sixty-five years ago.Originally a Pathology Technician from Sydney, Barbara has represented country communities for Red Cross, as well as being on the Patient Safety Committee and the Advisory Board at the Warren Multi-Purpose Health Service. She is also a long-serving local volunteer.As a dedicated advocate and valuable member of our community, we celebrate Barbara’s contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire.Quickfire questions…A usual morning looks like…The first thing I do in the morning when I get up is go for a walk. I feel if I don’t use it, I will lose it!I’m most proud of…Probably my family.And I’m very proud of Warren because it’s got a lot to offer.On the weekend you can find me…I like to go over to the WOW Centre for coffee on a Saturday morning, and then I’m usually at home during the day. We often have friends come over for a meal on Saturday nights.A quote or piece of advice you live by…If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.How long have you lived in Warren Shire?Sixty-five years.Favourite place in Warren Shire?At the moment, I think the WOW Centre and the Museum would be my picks.I love the beautiful garden out at WOW with all the native plants in it – it’s beautifully kept, and I think those panels in the garden are great for people to learn from.I’ve also been on the Committee responsible for the new Warren Museum and Art Gallery and I’m very happy to support something as good as that.Some more about you…What do you love most about Warren Shire?I think the friendly attitude of the people in it – it’s a lovely community and everyone’s very supportive of each other. In a bigger town, you probably don’t know your neighbour.Can you tell us a bit about your journey, including some of your most significant achievements?I lived in Sydney before I came here, where I worked as a Pathology Technician. Back in those days the roads weren’t good and the cars weren’t like they are now, so it wasn’t feasible to travel to Dubbo for work in a similar role.When I moved to Warren, I joined the Red Cross so I could get to know people. I worked with the local branch, where I was the Secretary and the President from time to time. Only once was I the Treasurer but that was not my scene at all!Then I became a Zone Representative for Zone 24, which spanned from Trangie out to Bourke and all the little towns in between. My job was to visit those areas and keep them updated with what Red Cross was doing. After that, I got onto the Red Cross Advisory Committee as a Country Representative. I travelled once a month to Sydney for this and it was very productive.I also had five children to be reared and became involved with the schools. At the Sydney schools, I was again a Country Representative, and then at St Mary’s, I was President and Secretary. We used to swap around – I never did more than three years or so at a time because I used to get stale.Following your work with Red Cross, you’re now involved in the local hospital. What role do you have there and what do you enjoy most about giving back to the community in this way?I’m on the Warren MPHS Advisory Board and I’m also on the Patient Safety Committee as a community member.I enjoy working at the hospital because I’ve always been interested in the medical field and I think that it’s important. Dubbo’s not next door, so we need to have quality healthcare services and facilities here for people when they need them.You’re also known for your previous volunteer work at the Visitor Information Centre. What did this encompass and why do you think it’s important to support local tourism?We actually offered to do it for Council when we had a craft shop at the old Post Office because people used to come in asking questions like “Where’s the toilet?” and “How far are the Marshes?”. We said to Council that if they gave us the information we could just hand it out, and that’s more or less how it started.You meet very interesting people in these types of roles. It’s important to support our local visitor information services because if you want things to work, you’ve got to put something in to get something out.As a former member of the local Country Women’s Association (CWA), do you think it’s important to have organisations like the CWA to support and advocate for women in rural areas?I was a member for years and years but I never took on any official position there because I was so involved in the Red Cross. I always said, “if you want some help, just tell me”. Usually, what we needed was food and with a bit of notice, I could easily rustle up a cake or some biscuits when needed.I think the CWA is a valuable voice for women in rural areas.What advice would you give to other women living in country communities?Life’s only going to be what you make it. You’ve got to make the best of what’s around you and have a go.To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected]

As the founder of online marketplace ‘Buy From The Bush’, Grace Brennan has become a household name not only in Warren Shire, but Australia-wide.The ‘Buy From The Bush’ campaign helped to revitalise local economies in the midst of the worst drought on record in 2019, and has continued to revolutionise the way small businesses operate in rural communities.As a dedicated supporter and tireless advocate for bush businesses across the country, we celebrate Grace's contributions as this month’s Woman of Warren Shire.Quickfire questions…A usual morning looks like…Mania. Four kids equal lost school shoes, incomplete homework, sleep-deprived parents and late arrival at school most days.I’m most proud of…Working successfully alongside dear friends and building a killer team of talented women working remotely.On the weekend you can find me…Usually hunched over my laptop (sadly).What is your favourite memory of living in Warren Shire?It was during the 2010 floods. We were cut off from town and had been isolated for a while. Karene Cosgrove loaded a barbecue onto the back of the ute and invited everyone for a barbie on the only dry ground – the tar along Bullagreen Lane.Favourite place in Warren Shire?Marthaguy Hall.Or in summer, the pool. The best pool in Australia. Incredible hot chips… and scallops!Three words to describe Warren Shire?Pride. Community. History.Some more about you…Tell us something people don’t know about you.I take my food very seriously, though not in a sophisticated way… Do not put mayo on my chicken sandwich!You’ve made such a huge local impact, but you weren’t always a resident of Warren Shire. Tell us a bit about how falling in love with a boy from the bush prompted your journey here from the big smoke.The Brennans and Azars have lived here for generations and Jack has always known he would end up a farmer, so it was clear that a life with him meant a move to ‘God’s country’.How was the transition from city to country life?I am still transitioning.I still buy single litre milk. Still wear shoes in the house. Still don’t know where to go when someone tells me to head north, and sometimes still swing the gate the wrong way.But I can de-shell a yabby before you can say ‘XXXX Gold’, so that’s something…What do you enjoy most about raising your family in Warren Shire?The strength and resilience that they encounter. Inspiring people are everywhere out here!I hope as they grow, they carry with them the curiosity that life in a small town can foster, and approach problem-solving like a bushy.You’re best known for founding Buy From The Bush (BFTB). Where did the inspiration come from and what makes you most proud of its success?I once shared an article on Facebook about the impact of the drought on former Warren business, ‘The Beauty Room’, and told friends they could shop from Laura via Instagram if they wanted to support her.A friend then told me that they would be “buying from the bush” for their Kris Kringle that year. That sparked an idea, a logo, and an Instagram account, and here we are today.I am most proud of the lasting impact it has had on a number of small businesses. To see their significant growth over the last few years and the subsequent investment in their local communities is incredible.Nevertire’s The Rural Trader was recently crowned ‘People’s Choice Award’ in BFTB’s Big Break Competition. What was the idea behind the competition and what were some of your personal highlights?‘BFTB Big Break’ was ultimately about enabling big ideas in small businesses in the bush.I think it’s really scary for people to put their face in front of a camera and pitch an idea, yet it’s so important that rural entrepreneurs take the leap!The competition was a way of forcing people out of their comfort zone, fostering greater visibility for rural founders, and driving some vital seed funding toward their worthwhile projects.Kat Porter [Founder of The Rural Trader] had an incredibly memorable pitch, which inspired a huge response from people, both in the city and the bush, who believed in her vision.You were named one of the nine most influential women entrepreneurs in 2019 by the Sydney Morning Herald and gave the 2020 Australia Day address.You then went on to win the 2021 NSW Regional Woman of the Year award, and you were also nominated as the 2021 Australian of the Year.Obviously, you’re a huge inspiration to many, but what does this recognition mean to you?It’s lovely!The opportunity to tell a bigger story of modern rural Australia, of the challenges we face as well as the potential we hold, and actually have people listen is an enormous privilege and responsibility.What is one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring female entrepreneurs in regional and rural areas?Take your whole self to work.To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email [email protected]