Two men were in court today after being arrested in Coonamble yesterday during a police firearm check. Officers came to a house in Castlereagh Street at about 7am on 27 May to carry out a firearm prohibition compliance check."While lawfully on the premises, police arrested the occupants, a 24-year-old man and a 37-year-old man," a police spokesperson said. "They were both taken to Coonamble Police Station." The younger man was charged with offences including aggravated theft from a dwelling, domestic violence intimidation, possessing a knife in a public place and possessing a prohibited drug. The older man had outstanding warrants and was charged with property offences. Both were refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today. 

In the past week, it’s likely many western plains residents conducted volunteer work for the community and fittingly did so during National Volunteer Week which ended on May 26th.It will come as no surprise that to locals that according to the 'Heartbeat of Rural Australia Research Study' by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), over half of all community organisations in regional, remote, and rural Australia employ no paid staff and are run primarily by volunteers.Quite simply, many community groups could not survive without these wonderful people even more so in this challenging economic climate where costs, such as fuel and travel, are a burden on the volunteer.In fact, a quarter (26%) of young people say they don’t volunteer due to financial reasons, while just over half (54%) of volunteers say they’ve incurred out-of-pocket expenses from volunteering.While pitching in to lend a hand has always been part of regional life, a report released last week by Volunteering Australia claims that approximately a third of community organisations have either reduced volunteer hours, lost volunteers altogether to illness, isolation, relocation, or caring responsibilities.CEO of Volunteering Australia, Mark Pearce said volunteering has always been about finding new and innovative ways of addressing challenging problems in community and it's certainly no different today.“Volunteering opportunities are changing to meet community need, but they're also taking advantage of changes in technology. We're seeing, for example, that there's a substantial increase in the number of people who are volunteering online or remotely.” Mr Pearce said. “In fact, online volunteering has increased around 21 percent. The ability for people to have more choice and flexibility in how they engage within their communities through volunteering is providing new opportunities for people to get involved.”Some groups have reported that it has recently become more difficult to recruit new volunteers and the biggest concern is that current volunteers are getting older and looking to retire.Mr Pearce said the National Strategy for Volunteering ten-year blueprint commences its establishment phase this year and aims to make volunteering more inclusive and accessible while reshaping the public’s perception of volunteering.Released by Volunteering Australia in February of last year, the first action plans will be announced in June.“The National Strategy speaks really powerfully to a volunteering ecosystem which is more inclusive, which celebrates diversity which gives choice and flexibility to volunteering, which meets the needs of community more broadly,” Mr Pearce said. “Fundamental to that is highlighting and optimizing the volunteer experience. The National Strategy for volunteering provides us with a very clear blueprint on how volunteering can survive and thrive into the future." Volunteering Australia is encouraging all people who’ve thought about volunteering to take the leap and know there is ‘Something for Everyone.’       

The federal government's 15-month inquiry into bank closures in regional Australia handed down their findings on Friday 24 May.Initiated by Senator Gerard Rennick and chaired by Senator Matt Canavan, the inquiry looked at the impacts of branch closures in regional areas, as well as the banks' reasoning behind the closures.“While the use of cash is declining across the Australian economy, cash and face‑to-face banking services remain important for many residents, organisations and businesses in regional communities,” the report stated. Measures to guarantee better banking for people in the bush and bolster regional economies should include a publicly-owned bank according to the report's recommendations.Since the start of the inquiry in February 8, 2023, 108 regional branches closed nationwide.According to the Financial Service Union (FSU), 29 branches have closed in Western NSW since 2017. The data is based on the banks' consultations with the FSU.The committee recommended that the Australian government urgently develop a mandatory banking of Conduct or customer Service Code which mandate a bank to comprehensively and meaningfully consult communities prior to closing a branch as well as fully fund transition agreements and support services which guarantee access to cash and essential banking services after a branch closure.“They’ve acted on what they’ve heard and squared up to the major banks with recommendations that, if implemented, will improve Australia’s banking system with minimum standards of conduct and service,” Australian Citizen Party Research Director Robert Barwick said.The report continues stating that bank executives are chasing short-term financial profit by closing branches instead of recognising the long-term role banks play in strengthening the economy and social fabric of whole communities.Queensland Nationals Senator Matt CanavanBesides the direct effect of increasing travel time to bank branches, Mr Barwick said there are latent effects to the closure of banking branches in regional areas.He said having a bank can be the lifeline for a small town because it attracts more people into town which could mean keeping a school open and bringing in more businesses.“Commerce in small towns starts to decrease and the town begins to wither and die on the vine.”Mr Barwick said that banks closing branches happens everywhere, however, regional and rural areas that already have less facilities are hit harder.While post offices still offer banking services, they do not have the same range of banking services that are available at a branch. "A post office is there for your basic transactions to pay your bills, or deposit and withdraw funds. It's not a place where you can do financial management.”“The committee has heard that many licensees are not remunerated adequately to cover the costs of providing these services, and some are making a loss. This is unsustainable,” the inquiry report states. Senior research fellow at the school of media and communications at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Dr Daniel Featherstone has worked with remote First Nations communities and done research on the digital gap project. The digital gap project works on improving digital inclusion in remote Indigenous communities.Especially for vulnerable groups, such as elderly people who may have less fluency in digital technology, the lack of face-to-face banking options can leave them exposed to scammers and fraudsters, according to Dr Featherstone."We've heard quite a number of people being impacted. Particularly Elders who used to use a bank book with paper. If they did use online banking, they tended to rely on other people that might be able to access their bank account after they've helped them use that number."Researcher on the digital divide, Dr Daniel Featherstone. IMAGE: RMIT"There are privacy issues associated with that. If you're trying to do banking in public or even talking to someone online, people be able to overhear your conversation or see you putting your details in." Dr Featherstone said. "There's a lot of people who just don't have access to the internet or don't have a phone to do online banking or they don't have the skills to use online banking." Mr Barwick gave the example of an elderly person having to go to a library to access a computer where there is an increased risk of other people seeing their banking log-in details.“The bank will say, ‘It’s not our fault. You gave up your password and pin number," Mr Barwick said."We've heard from people living in remote communities where the phone signal was so poor the bank thought it was a scam call and closed their bank account because of the echo and poor quality of the mobile service they were using," Dr Featherstone said.The committee made a second recommendation in the inquiry report suggesting the Australian government establish a publicly owned bank, similar to Kiwi Bank in New Zealand. “This is the big game changer, the one the banks are attacking most. They won’t be able to throw an army of lawyers at finding loopholes, but will have to lift their game,” Mr Barwick said. The committee acknowledged that it is not in the position to recommend an instant establishment of a public bank, but suggested instead the government start by including direct provision of financial services at Australia Post. 

A fascinating fossil found in Lightning Ridge by paleontologist Elizabeth Smith and her daughter Clytie Smith from the Australian Opal Centre looks to mark the area as the epicentre for monotremes. Monotremes are egg-laying mammals and are found only in Australia. The Smith's find has been identified as a new species of monotreme.The only monotremes currently alive today are the platypus and the echidna, therefore Chief Scientist and Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute Kris Helgen gave the fossils the informal name ‘echidnapus’. “Its overall anatomy is probably quite like the platypus, but with features of the jaw and snout a bit more like an echidna – you might call it an ‘echidnapus’,” Professor Helgen said.“Opal fossils are rare and opalised mammal fossils, infinitely more. There’d be one opalised mammal fossil for every million other pieces. We don’t know when or where they’ll turn up, so finding several of them at once was an incredible stroke of good fortune,” Dr Smith said. Three new species were named in the Australasian Journal of Palaeontology released on Monday 27 May. The other two species are called Dharragarra aurora, using the Yuwaalaraay word for platypus, and Parvopalus clytiei, named after Clytie Smith.“There are six species of monotremes, including the three newly described here, within the Cenomanian Lightning Ridge fauna of New South Wales making it the most diverse monotreme assemblage on record,” Curator of Palaeontology at the Australian Museum Dr Matthew McCurry said. Six species of monotremes roamed the Lightning Ridge fauna in the Cenomanian age. The discovery added 20 percent of diversity to the current knowledge of monotremes. These monotremes are the ancestors of modern monotremes, such as the platypus and echidna.The fossils are opalised lower jaws with tooth sockets and features preserved but without teeth. An enlarged nerve canal is a sign that the echidnapus had an electrosensory snout similar to the platypus found today. A scan of the jaw bone that has created such excitement. IMAGE SUPPLIED.“These specimens are a revelation. They show the world that long before Australia became the land of pouched mammals, and marsupials, this was a land of furry egg-layers – monotremes. It seems that 100 million years ago, there were more monotremes at Lightning Ridge than anywhere else on earth, past or present,” she added. The jaws date back to the Cenomanian Age of the Cretaceous Period between 102 million to 96.6 million years ago. “Today, Australia is known as a land of marsupials, but discovering these new fossils is the first indication that Australia was previously home to a diversity of monotremes,” Honorary Associate of the Australian Museum Professor Tim Flannery said. “It’s like discovering a whole new civilisation.”“We have very few monotreme fossils, and so finding new fossils can tell us more about where they lived, what they looked like, and how changes in the environment influenced their evolution,” Dr McCurry said. 

Former Coonamble primary school tutor Lyal Robert Kennedy began dialysis for kidney disease around March this year.He's lived in Coonamble for 27 years, so naturally he'd prefer to do it there. But while the local hospital has the equipment, it no longer has staff trained to perform it.That forced him to drive to Dubbo three times a week for five weeks, where he had his blood taken out, cleaned, then put back in, by special machinery. "It's wear and tear on me, and probably my car," Lyal said. "When you're on dialysis, you've got to sit in a chair for five hours and then you come home and you don't feel like doing anything because you're so tired.""You probably just have a bit of lunch and go and have a lay down or something."The 67-year-old switched to having treatment in his birth town of Walgett, where he has family he can stay with. He's been doing it there for three weeks now and comes to Coonamble on Saturdays, returning for the next week of appointments on Mondays."I'm lucky that I've got somewhere to stay in Walgett, that I don't have to come back every day and drive over," Lyal said.Still, he misses out on time with family and friends in Coonamble, including six grandkids.He’s not alone.  Another Coonamble local, Ken ‘Skell’ Hunt, is weighing up his options after an operation in April this year to have his left kidney removed. “Ken just had his kidney out only four weeks ago. He had cancer in the kidney and they took it out,” Ken’s partner Mary told The Coonamble Times earlier this month. “They told him that if his kidney, this right kidney, stays at what it is, and his blood pressure and sugar and all that stays alright, he may not have to have the dialysis. “If it drops anymore, he’s definitely got to go on the dialysis. So we’re just in the process of getting all that ready.” Mary said they may opt for home dialysis rather than travel to Dubbo or Walgett.A Western NSW Local Health District spokesperson told The Coonamble Times staff resignations this year had left Coonamble Multi-Purpose service without staff to safely perform dialysis. "Following a number of nursing resignations this year, there is not a sufficient level of appropriately trained staff to safely operate the dialysis service. As a result, the dialysis service has been temporarily suspended while we undertake recruitment to the vacancies," the spokesperson said."We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this has caused to patients and their families and thank the community for their patience and understanding. We can assure the community the District is committed to reinstating dialysis services at Coonamble as soon as possible."In the interim, if patients in the Coonamble area require dialysis, our teams will ensure they are able to receive ongoing dialysis care."Dubbo Health Service’s Renal Unit provides training and education for patients undertaking home therapies including peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis, and support can also be provided through specialist outreach clinics."WNSWLHD is extensively recruiting to nursing vacancies from both within Australia and from overseas, with incentives applied to advertised positions under the NSW Government’s Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme."Recruiting and retaining the required healthcare workers, including registered nurses, in rural and remote areas remains a long-standing challenge not just in Western NSW, but across the entire state and country."

The NSW Farmers Federation has told the Western Plains App that Australia should not be reducing its permanent migration cap. It comes as Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton continues to call for a cut to permanent migration by 25%. A crackdown on permanent migration, foreign property buys and international students was the centerpiece of Mr Dutton's budget reply in mid-May. Mr Dutton promised to cut the permanent migration by 25% from 185,000 to 140,000 for the first two years, followed by 150,000 then 160,000 in the next two, a cumulative reduction of 150,000 over four years. Last Wednesday Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor re-affirmed the policy.Image: ABC.However, with growing skills and workers shortages across rural and regional Australia, his announcement has not been met with universal praise.Now the NSW Farmers Association has said it does not support any reductions in skilled or worker migration to Australia.NSW Farmers Head of Workplace Relations, Gracia Kusuma told the Western Plains App “It is crucial to have both the temporary and permanent skilled visas be available to attract and bring in skilled workers to where they’re needed in Australia – and so it’s imperative we don’t reduce the permanent migration cap for skilled workers coming in under these visas to support the agriculture sector.”Gracia Kusuma. Image: Supplied. “Drivers, mechanics, machinery operators, veterinarians and a whole other range of skilled workers are in short supply within in the agricultural industry" she argued.“Alongside more seasonal labor, the agricultural sector also needs more skilled workers who want to live and work in rural and regional Australia."Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton told the Western Plains App that he is a "big fan of migration" but that it needs to be "well-managed".Image: ABC"The Parkes electorate in particular has greatly benefitted from skilled migrants who have helped fill workforce shortages in our rural towns, as well as those seasonal agricultural jobs" he said. "Amidst a housing crisis, these record numbers of migration are putting the aspiration of home ownership out of reach for too many Australians, while finding somewhere to rent is becoming increasingly difficult throughout the Parkes electorate". He said that a result of this, the Coalition would "free up almost 40,000 homes" in the first year and well over 100,000 in the next five years.

In 1973 Queen Elizabeth ll opened the Sydney Opera House, voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 and you could spend new $50 notes at Australia’s first legal casino in Hobart. All significant events but something the majority of Australians can really relate to, even today, was the release of the legendary track ‘Nutbush City Limits’ in 1973. With the anniversary of legendary singer Tina Turner’s death on Friday 24 May, researchers at the University of South Australia and Edith Cowan University have explored the elusive origins of the iconic line dance the Nutbush. Accepted as part of our Aussie culture the dance has crossed generations with adults and children still breaking into dance at the sound of the Nutbush, from weddings, to school halls, parties and nightclubs, the song ignites a fire in the feet of dancers all over the country. The song has become such an Australian institution that there have been many attempts to create a world record for the number of people dancing it at one time, with the current record standing at 6594 dancers at the 2023 Mundi Mundi Bash in remote NSW. The Nutbush World Record attempts at the Mundi Mundi Bash near Broken Hill and sister event the Birdsville Big Red Bash have raised more than $500,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) since 2016 and organisers can’t wait to see how many enthusiastic dancers they can muster up this year. “Between the Mundi Mundi Bash and the Big Red Bash, we’ve been smashing Nutbush world records for nearly a decade now," said Festival owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group Greg Donovan. "Last year after Tina’s passing was particularly big, everyone rallied to pay tribute to her, and we had a lot of our Nutbushers dressed up as Tina – in her famous Mad Max outfit. "Her legacy lives on through the uniquely Aussie tradition of the Nutbush and we’ve been told that Tina herself was aware of our annual Nutbush world record attempts in Outback Australia. "We’re hoping the Big Red Bash might be able to break the current Mundi Mundi Bash record in July, and that the Mundi Mundi Bash will claim it back again in August as our event numbers have grown from just over 12,000 to close to 14,000 heading to the Mundi Mundi Plains.” Not just a little line dance. Matt Williams' photo gives an idea of the numbers involved in the Mundi Mundi 2023 nutbush record. According to research by University of SA’s Professor Jon Stratton and Edith Cowan’s Professor Panizza Allmark, the history of the dance appears to have originated in the halls of the NSW education department in 1975. “We believe the Nutbush was developed and distributed to teacher training institutions to be used as a teaching aid in creative arts classes and physical education,” says Prof Stratton, a cultural studies scholar.“Line dances work very well in classrooms because the teacher can stand at the front and give instructions to the lines."Who doesn't know The Nutbush? Mundi Mundi Bash dancers 2023. IMAGE: Matt WilliamsThe idea must have been to provide students with an enjoyable way of exercising and learning coordination.“Whoever designed the Nutbush succeeded beyond any success they could have hoped for. What makes it special is that it’s moved out of schools to become the dance of choice at many Australian social events.”Ike and Tina Turner. IMAGE: New York PostWhile it has been claimed to have been born out of an Australian incorrectly attempting to remember the American Line dance, the Madison, and ending up with a version that became the Nutbush, Tina Turner has never performed the dance and there appears to be no comment from her about its existence. The dance which involves a set of varying leg movements, is still as relevant today as it was in earlier years and there wouldn’t be many kids or adults who wouldn’t know it or could do it on demand. The song ‘Nutbush City Limits’ was released in July 1973, it peaked in the US charts at number 87 by December of that same year.The song, based on Tina Turner’s hometown of Nutbush in Tennessee in USA, did not hit the charts in Australia until early 1975, where it climbed to number 27 on the Australian Top 40 in March of that year and stayed in the top 100 for 15 weeks.Professor John Stratton University of South Australia IMAGE: LinkedInIn NSW the single climbed to number 8 on the charts in 1975, also reaching top ten status in Victoria and Queensland.Professor Stratton suspects its re-emergence in Australian music charts was not only because the song was a “dance floor filler” but also because of the Nutbush’s popularity in Australian classrooms during that time.“The last time ‘Nutbush City Limits’ appeared in the Australian charts was when Tina Turner died at the age of 83 on 24 May 2023.”“The Nutbush is likely to remain an experience that Australians resonate with for some time,’’ he added.Professor Panizza Allmark Edith Cowan UniversityProfessor Panizza Allmark recalls memories of dancing to the Nutbush herself in primary school in Perth around 1980 when physical education (PE) and dance classes would prepare students for the much-anticipated school discos.“Unlike formal dancing where you needed a partner, the Nutbush didn’t involve holding hands or touching anyone of the opposite sex,” she says.“In primary school, when learning folk dancing, there was great awkwardness in having to dance with a partner of the opposite sex but with the Nutbush, you didn’t need ‘to take a partner by the hand’. You could enjoy the dance moves and be part of a communal experience without all the sweaty handholding.”

Childhood trauma can have negative effects on people for the rest of their lives but with the right treatment, behavior can be changed - even at later stages in life, says psychologist Stephanie Ryan.  Mental Health Awareness Week was last week from 13 May to 19 May, leaving much to think about. Mrs Ryan says childhood experiences can impact how we respond to similar stressful situations as an adult - but that does not mean there is not any hope. She says, with the right treatment, adults can unlearn unhealthy coping mechanisms. "I've noticed in the last ten to twenty years, there's been this massive shift in that people can now fully recover from mental illnesses. That it isn't something that has to be a permanent condition. That some personality disorders are just the utilisation of extreme defence mechanisms," Mrs Ryan said.  "If a child listens to yelling from their parents or witnesses abuse or even feels domestic violence toward the mother in the womb, this can impact how they experience their formative years. "Say, a child in the womb is listening to abuse from parents like yelling and screaming at each other, the child reacts to be in fight, flight, or freeze. They don’t have control over their environment so they learn to adapt. That's how they survive," Mrs Ryan said.  A study from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre found that childhood abuse accounts for 21 to 41 percent of common mental health conditions.  Fams, the peak body of NSW's family and children's services, says it's time for the NSW government to invest more in children's early intervention programs. “As it stands – the current NSW Government spends only 10 cents in every child protection dollar in early intervention services including those which prevent child maltreatment," Fams CEO Susan Watson said.  "What we can do is have trauma-informed schools which would help schools to be a safe place where a child can go to have six hours of safety. "They need to experience a difference from home. Understanding, at a school level, that children can't learn if they come to school like this. There's more to school than just learning," Mrs Ryan said Still, children in rural areas are affected by the lack of access to medical professionals, such as paediatricians and child psychologists, Mrs Ryan said.  "I do know that many of our medical services are few and far between." “Investing in the prevention, early identification and intervention of child maltreatment are one of the best, most concrete things the NSW Government can do, not just for the sake of the kids, but to drive down the spiralling rates of mental illness in our community," Ms Watson said.  According to the study, 62 percent of Australian adults experienced some form of childhood maltreatment. “Child maltreatment and poor mental health outcomes are two side of the same tragic coin, and the NSW Government needs to invest to make sure the lives of kids are not derailed," Ms Watson said.

With Kangaroo numbers reported to be on the rise in the region from Bourke to Coonabarabran, the NSW Government is preparing to undertake extensive surveys with possible culls on the horizon.NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water shows that the number of red kangaroos in the Bourke region doubled from 117,965 in 2020 to 247,951 at last year's count. The number of grey kangaroos also lifted from 2020 levels from 41501 to 48158 in 2023 but way down on the 2001 record of 1,220,802.The number of red kangaroos in the Coonabarabran region more than doubled to 303,529 in 2023. But there was a drop in grey kangaroos by 41% to 611,307 between 2022-23.This reflects an annual survey by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries found the estimated kangaroo population rose by almost a million in one year between 2021 and 2002.Aerial surveys estimate the density of kangaroos in an area and then multiply it by the number of kilometres in the management zoneThis is still down from a peak number of 17 million state-wide in 2016.The 2017-19 El Niño period saw kangaroo populations saw declines of up to 25 per cent in some years.Cobar reflects this statistic, with 405,579 grey kangaroos recorded in 2016 dropping down to 7317 in 2019 and in 2023 it was 32,321. There are an estimated 106,443 red kangaroos in that region.Red, western grey and eastern grey kangaroos are all commercially harversted across the region. The commercial harvest of kangaroos in NSW is restricted to distinct zones and quotas limit the number of kangaroos of each species that may be harmed commercially. The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will conduct routine annual kangaroo surveys across the Western Plains of New South Wales during June and July 2024.Fixed-wing aircraft will be flying at 300 feet above ground level over 5 survey weeks across the following regions:Week 1 (3 to 7 June 24) – North East (includes Brewarrina, Moree, Coonabarabran, Nyngan and Dubbo)Week 2 (10 to 14 June 24) – North West (includes Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Bourke, Cobar, Menindee and Broken Hill)Week 3 (17 to 21 June 24) – South East (includes Condobolin, Griffith, Deniliquin, Mildura, Albury and Wagga Wagga) Kangaroos have been commercially harvested in New South Wales for over 45 years.

The town of Nyngan celebrated its country uniqueness recently when it held the annual Nyngan Show for 2024 on 5 & 6 May. For a small town to hold a two-day show, is a credit to its organisers and all the many volunteers who keep the days ticking in the varied sections of the event. The town literally stops for the second day, as it has been awarded a gazetted holiday which enables everyone who isn’t already volunteering at the show to put down tools and take a day out to applaud just what a talented and amazing community they live in. From the shearing to the horse events, rodeo and cake decorating, from sheep counting to floral art, cooking to photography, artworks to dog jumping the Nyngan Show has it all and the town couldn’t be prouder. Nyngan Show has always had a sterling reputation for its ability to put on a good show, and President of Nyngan Show Society Michael Kennedy was quick to sing its praise. “It was shaping up to be a very wet Show this year but luckily the sun did come out, so thank you everyone that attended the Show and supported this great community event.” “it was great to have Mathew Dickerson to open the Show. Mathew spoke on ‘Technology in Agriculture’, and it was very interesting to hear about our progression down. Through the years in technology and how it has impacted on our working and leisure lives,” said Mr. Kennedy. “Congratulations to Mrs. Pat Cook and Mrs. Mary Lamph for their Life Membership awards and Mrs Jill Bootle for her RAS of NSW Agricultural Show’s award. Both awards are in recognition of their outstanding service that they have given to our society for many years.”New Life members Pat Cook and Mary Lamph with Show Seccretary Kathy Korn and President Michael Kennedy “Thanks to our wonderful hard working committee members, stewards, judges and volunteer, it would not be possible to run the show without you all. A big thank you to our sponsors, your generosity and support allows us to grow and expand.” “To all the competitors who entered, thank you, we hope to see you all again next year,” Mr. Kennedy added. A Prime lamb auction was held this year with $2280 raised for the Royal Doctor Service. Kerri Rothery, RFDS Primary Health Team leader spoke at the opening ceremony on the vital role RFDS plays in outback isolated areas, a service so many country people rely on.Speed Shearing Competition Most Successful Exhibitor in the Prime Lamb section was awarded to brothers Dominic and Jack Kennedy, with the Barclay, Hoare and Kennedy families donating for the charity auction. The Grand Champion Fleece of the Year was awarded to “Tambau”, with Most Successful District Exhibitor as well as District, Commercial Fleece with Highest Commercial Value going to “Womboin”. Competitors travel from all over for the Open Shear competition for the Chris Elder Memorial Trophy with this year’s winner Whanake Whare receiving the prize from Chris’s wife Jill Elder. In the Senior Speed Shear, Nathan Doyle scored the first-place ribbon, while Intermediate winner was awarded to Morgan O’Keefe. Local section saw Matt Selfe go the fastest, while in the Women’s event Emma Billett fought off four other competitors to take the prize. The Poultry Pavilion was overflowing with birds of all shapes and sizes, which fluffed the feathers of new stewards Amy Edwards, Matthew Bell and David Cleasby, who managed it with style. The Grand Champion Bird of the Show was awarded to the Provest family.Judging in the Poultry Pavilion Local outfitters Cameron’s Store provided a colourful range of kid’s clothes for the Fashion Parade, while Blue Illusion from Dubbo dazzled with stylish fashion, modelled by local ladies. The baby, Tiny Tot and Junior Parade was hotly contested with mums and bubs hitting the catwalk. A very excited Isabella Antunovic take out junior girl and Deontai Wilson Junior Boy. The Miles family took out two awards in the 5 months to 2 years girls and Waverley Miles winning the 2-5 years section. Hudson Goddard was named boy baby winner with George Doughty Tiny Tot Boy winner. The pavilion was overflowing with local school displays, photography, artworks, poetry, stories, home knitted clothes, cakes, flower decorations showcasing the myriad of talents from around the community. The coveted S.D.Wye Memorial Trophy for the Most Successful Exhibitor in the Wye Pavilion was awarded to Dot Hicks, much to her delight.Isabella Antunovic Junior Girl Winner  Dominique Sharpe took out Local Supreme horse and rider of the show, while Elijah Bush was named most successful under 17 years Show jump Rider. Lane Clarke received the 17 years and over title and Huntah Rope received a sash for best presented and mannered rider. The Barrel racing pulled the crowd as always with young Charles Robb making the dust fly to take out the under 12’s title, while Payton Callaghan on Alvin claimed the 12 – 17 years prize. Open Barrel race was won by well-known and respected rider Jodie Kilmartin, as “The Dream Team”, Hayden Burley, Caitlyn Bunting, Brooke Bunting and Dimity Smith, gave the onlookers a thrilling couple of minutes to claim the Open Team Barrel Race for 2024. Jess Bonello took home the award for the Working Station Horse in the 17 years and over time trial and to add to her success for the day Dominique Sharpe tagged 1st place for the under 17 years section. The Dog High Jump saw Jack Carter with Harry accept the Small Dogs blue ribbon, while a hard-fought battle between David Galvin and Mack, and local tradie James Stanton and Opey resulted in a tie for first. Bruce Yabsley’s Snoop took out the highest jump for a working dog. The Flat Chat Race had the crowd on their feet and Ruby owned by William Selfe showed girls are fast, even large dogs. While Harry brought it home for. The boys and his owner Jack Carter in the small dog race, with all dogs definitely owed big pats for the effort.Local Ladies modelling Blue Illusion clothing from Dubbo  The Pet Show had titles for smallest and largest dog, Most friendly dog, Best dresses dog, best rabbit, best bird, most unusual pet, cutest pet, ugliest pet, and best child handler. Which was sure to have had the judges scratching their heads. The local kids got into the spirit of the event with even a stuffed toy giraffe making an appearance. Each year, local school students act as Stewards in various events as a way to give back to the community. The Geoffrey White Shield Competition was established as a way of rewarding the young stewards with this year’s Shield being awarded to Jasmine Bourke in the young adult’s section and Ava Cummins in the Junior Show Stewards. With a tight tussle between Studs, the judges settled on Tambua Poll for Grand Champion Ewe and Mullungudgery Merino Stud for Grand Champion Ram. Junior Champion Ram went to Mullengudgery Merino Stud, and Wlgadale took out first and second in the Merino Flock Sheep Grand Champion. Sheep counting is a hard-earned skill and this year saw a bevy of onlookers gather to watch, (and secretly count to see how good they are). Young Lily Tremain showed her quick mind and eye by taking out not only the Under 13 section but the Finals, to receive the sought-after shield. Hollie Smith scored the ribbon for the 13-17 years while Open ladies was a tie between Molly Smith and Eva Von Pein. The Open Men’s was awarded to Ethan Keating, and the crowd went home to practise for next year. Local footy legend Cameron Bourke came to the table well prepared to take out the big kid’s pie eating competition, after years of after footy feeds and even with his hands tied behind his back, while young Charlie Gibson made a quick meal of his pie to be awarded first place amongst a field of hungry kids. A huge highlight of Nyngan Show each year is the Rodeo with competitors flocking to take part and Cootamundra cowboy Cody Holston left nothing in the tank to take out this year’s event in a sensational manner, and the crowd cheered loudly for all the first-time cowboys and cowgirls getting out in the ring. Mayor Glen Neill said once again Nyngan put on a great display for locals and visitors alike. “The Nyngan Show is a major event on our annual calendar and a huge credit to it’s organisers. It is a perfect example of country spirit and provides locals with an opportunity to show off their skills and to celebrate Nyngan. Bogan Shire Council is happy to be a part of the event and to support our local community.” The 2024 committee is already in planning for the 2025 event, although if success is measured in the opinion of attendees, then this mini show goer was happy. “It was the best day of my life”, she said.

Local sports have had a boost, thanks to the Local Sport Grant Program.Within the Barwon Electorate, sports have shared in $4.4 million in NSW Government funding following the awarding of grants in the Local Sport Grant Program. This has benefited sporting clubs and associations in Broken Hill, Cobar, Mendooran, Narrabri and Warren to the tune of almost $50,000 in total.Receiving funding in the Western Plains App region were the Cobar Junior Rugby League, who received $4470, to go towards sourcing referees from other towns. Warren Golf Club, received $4500, to go towards golfing equipment because of barriers stopping youth playing golf. Warren Golf Club member, Emma Robertson said the money was appreciated and would go toward building up interest in junior members who have coaching on Sundays.“We are looking to get caps, golf clubs and other things to encourage the juniors,” Ms Robertson said. “The kids are up to 16 years old and are really keen on golf. Through the sessions they get a handicap and really improve their technique.”Ms Robertson said some junior players have gone on to join the senior ranks of Warren Golf Club and get a “real” handicap.“They play through school as well, and it’s great to see the enthusiasm.”Not a golfer herself, Ms Robertson said her husband was a keen coach of the juniors and they thanked the grant writers for their successful submission.“It is really all about boosting our juniors,” she said.Councillor Darriea Turley, representing Stephen Lawrence, NSW Labor Government Duty MLC for Barwon, said it was fantastic to see such a variety of sporting groups in Barwon receiving funding under this program.“Sport is a way of life across the many towns and villages of the Barwon electorate. This funding will help our local clubs and their army of volunteers to provide more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation.”  

The Royal Flying Doctor Service will receive an additional  $71.3 million from the Australian government over the next three years to support primary and dental services in rural and remote areas nationwide. “All Australians should expect reasonable access to primary healthcare services no matter where they live, and this additional funding will support services to those who need them most," RFDS Federation Executive Director Frank Quinlan said.  The budget expansion comes in response to rising demand and medical costs for primary care and rural and remote areas.  According to a 2023 RFDS report on heart stroke and cardiovascular disease, Bourke-Brewarrina/Walgett-Lightning Ridge had the highest standardised death ratio in NSW at 2.96, followed by Wellington, Moree, and Cobar/Coonamble/Nyngan-Warren. Standardised death rates are expressed per 100,000 people. The report emphasized the acute lack of medical professionals in regional and remote areas. "With the exception of nurses, the distribution of the primary healthcare workforce is significantly lacking in rural and remote areas."  For example, only 3 percent of Australians who live in rural and remote areas received care in specialist stroke centres in 2021 compared to 77 percent of people in metropolitan areas.  The RFDS provides emergency medical assistance to people in remote and rural areas by bringing them to a hospital in case of a medical emergency and transferring patients between hospitals that might be better suited to their needs.  The RFDS also provides mental health and therapeutic services out of Wellbeing Places in Broken Hill, Dubbo, Lightning Ridge, and Cobar.  In Western NSW, the RFDS has two General Practitioners and three primary health nurses based at Dubbo that cover six remote clinic locations at Grawin, Enngonia, The Marra, Nymagee, Hebel, and Weilmoringle, according to an RFDS spokesperson. In 2022-2023, the RFDS employed 348 staff members across Broken Hill, Cobar, Dubbo, Essendon, Launceston, Lightning Ridge, and Sydney.  To prevent the closure of three GP clinics in Gilgandra and Warren, the RFDS acquired ownership of them. The RFDS also reopened the Condobolin GP Clinic in January 2024 after it closed in 2023. It is expected that the funding injection will bolster services across the west.

Location should be no barrier to achieving in your education and a helping can hand often be found when you need it most.The Harding Miller Education Foundation which launched in 2015 offers annual scholarships to four worthy female year 9 students in the Central West, who show high academic potential and who are currently experiencing low socio-economic circumstances. The scholarships are awarded to students at the start of Year 9, and, at the end of Year 10, the recipients are invited to reapply for another two years of support. The four years of scholarship support is valued at over $20,000. This year one such recipient was Chloe Fanning of Girilambone, who attends Nyngan High School, a 46 kilometre journey each way from her home. Chloe who was recently diagnosed with a form of deafness, was not fully aware of her lack of hearing until diagnostic tests took place. “Getting the scholarship means a lot to me,” says Chloe. “It opens up a lot of pathways and opportunities for me, it gives me chances that aren’t available for everyone and will help me reach my goals.” “Dad and I attended the Award ceremony together and it was great to meet new friends and make new contacts. I am very grateful,” said Chloe. “We are so proud of her,” says mum Rachael Fanning. “Chloe’s educational hardship has been a very late diagnosis of deafness in her left ear.” “Chloe recently got a hearing aid which has been a game changer for her. Despite this, she has been excelling in her studies and is hoping to study veterinary science on completion of year 12.” “Each girl who is awarded a scholarship is assigned a sponsor and Chloe was paired with Matthew. C. Smith Racing stables, who we are so appreciative of. Chloe was very nervous to meet the team but immediately got on brilliantly with them having a mutual interest in horses,” said Mrs. Fanning.Chloe Fanning's family have welcomed the scholarship to help her achieve her best. IMAGE SUPPLIED The Harding Miller Education Foundation is a registered charity and was established by Kim Harding and Irene Miller and is all about the education of young Australian women and of public education. “We give our scholars the tools, resources, experiences, and support they need to learn on a level playing field with their more financially advantaged peers,” said the pair. Scholarship recipients receive high-speed internet, face-to-face, a new laptop, and online tutoring, online homework assistance, prepaid expense cards to cover school essentials such as textbooks and excursions, as well as study skills resources and a personal coach to guide them over the four years of the scholarship. Harding Miller Education Foundation Chief Operations Officer Caroline Hill says the Foundation is proud to be providing vital support to help promising young girls reach their full potential. “We are so pleased to announce the four Central West students as some of the scholarship recipients for 2024. Coonabarabran High School student Monique Bowmaker; Forbes High School students, Karla Osborne & Lacey Osborne; Nyngan High School student Chloe Fanning.” “The Foundation’s vital support for high-potential young girls experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage has become even more critical as our country faces increased pressures with higher costs of living." “Our scholarship recipients are bright, talented, and engaged but don’t currently have the resources they need to make the most of their educational opportunities. The scholarship provides them with tangible items and practical things that give these young women a hand to complete their high-school education and take advantage of tertiary opportunities,” adds Caroline. “Our scholarships offer more than just a financial boost. Our scholars are also paired with a volunteer coach who provides them with mentorship throughout the year. This support can often be the difference between continuing education or dropping out for an uncertain future. “We encourage any other local young girls who may need support to consider applying for a Harding Miller Education Foundation scholarship this year.” Since its launch in 2015, Harding Miller has supported more than 1,200 scholarship recipients in 350+ public Australian high schools. Applications for scholarships for 2025 will open from 15 July to 18 September 2024. Find out more about the Harding Miller Education Foundation here.

Operation Boa continues its strike rate of capturing alleged criminals after nabbing a youth at Gilgandra last weekend.Officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District established Operation Boa in January this year, targeting criminal activity in Dubbo and surrounds. The project has seen successes including detaining a man in March who later faced court following an investigation into property offences targeting Narromine businesses.The most recent arrest by the team occurred last weekend which has resulted in a teen due to face court after being charged following a pursuit in the Central West.Officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District established Operation Boa in January this year, targeting criminal activity in Dubbo and surrounds.About 2.10am on Saturday 18 May, police were patrolling Cobborah Road, Dubbo, when they attempted to stop a Holden Commodore travelling at excessive speed.When it failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was terminated a short time later on the Newell Highway due to safety concerns.At around 2.40am, police sighted the same car entering Gilgandra and successfully deployed road spikes.The vehicle came to a stop a short time later after hitting a gutter on Mullion Street. A 17-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station. He was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed.The boy was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on Saturday 18 May, where he was formally refused bail to appear at another children's court on Monday 1 July 2024.Inquiries under Operation Boa continue.

Cobar mayor Jarrod Marsden told an inquiry into state health he's heard "horror stories" of local patients after being flown in to Dubbo for emergency treatment.  Mr Marsden and Cobar Shire's Director of Corporate and Community Service, Kylie Smith,  joined the inquiry in Broken Hill via video link Wednesday afternoon on 22 May to speak at a hearing for the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding, which is reviewing how NSW funds health services.  Mr Marsden said community members have approached him describing a "tyranny of distance" for relatives trying to get home after being transferred to Dubbo for treatment.  "In a very general sense, if I go down the street on a Saturday morning I'll be approached by a ratepayer who'll tell me horror stories about their wife or their mother or their daughter when they're flown out to Dubbo and they're discharged at two o'clock in the morning and having to find their own way home," Mr Marsden said.  "And if you've been flown out as an emergency, you're in the clothes that you're wearing. It's not a great situation when you're 300 kilometers from home with no train service. Basically, you wait until two o'clock in the afternoon when the bus leaves."   Ms Smith also said the council-owned and operated Lilliane Brady Village aged care facility is facing a worrying deficit with increasing costs.  "One of the major costs is staffing obviously due to changes in leglative requirement and the increased cost to staffing," Ms Smith said.   "Council is very concerned to make sure that we do meet our accreditation requirements as per our funding agreement and to ensure that the residents of the village are provided with the appropriate level of care.  "That comes as a financial cost, and we're seeing that cost increasingly escalate as well with our regional inflation. So, there's difficultly attracting staff, needing to move to an agency model which we are trying to move away from." Ms Smith and Cr Marsden. IMAGE: Special Commission of Inquiry into healthcare funding (screenshot)Mr Marsden said Cobar Shire projects the facility, which is helped by funding from the Federal Government, will run a $1.3 deficit for the current financial year.   "Up until year recently, depending on the amount of high care, high dependency patients that were in facility, some years Council would make a bit of money, some years Council would lose a bit of money."  "All in all, as a long-term projection, the village was always sort of a break even and Council was happy to operate in that situation."  "It's only been the last probably two years we've seen the growth of the deficit to the point where it is now."  Mr Marsden said the deficit is not currently affecting council rates, but it could hit the shire coffers.  "At the moment we're in a position where, if we can't secure extra funding federally and cover that number, Council will either review it's position of operating this facility or crunch the numbers and other areas of the budget will have to suffer to cover the shortfall."  He said he also wants further state or federal funding to cover some of the cost of outreach medical services.   "We are required to provide eight hours of physiotherapy to our aged-care facility patients. We don't have a physio in Cobar so we have to get one out of Dubbo.  "Now, they spend the day travelling, they spend eight hours delivering the physio and then they spend the day driving home. So, we pay the physio three days a week.  "That gap that we have to pay for travel and accommodation, that's the funding that we need to cover we that we can bring ourselves up."  "We would be looking for separate and, I guess, special at either state, or even federally."   The NSW government announced the inquiry in August 2023, aimed at finding ways to deliver better patient care.  The inquiry has since held hearings in Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and now Broken Hill.   The inquiry had been slated to hand down it's report by 24 August 2024, although the government extended the deadline in February this year to 26 March 2025.  

The Gilgandra community celebrated this morning the impending arrival of a new "state-of-the-art" coach at the local public school.  The 25-seat coach was specially designed for the school of almost 200 students and includes tinted windows, mag wheels, a bull bar, a tow bar and wheelchair access.    It was due in town from Wollongong around 10am, but has been delayed after the driver had heart issues on the way to Gilgandra and went to hospital. It isn't yet certain when the bus will now arrive, although that didn't stop up to 50 people including students, parents and Gilgandra mayor Doug Batton coming out for a celebratory sizzle that morning.   The coach was sponsored under Variety Children's Charity's Sunshine Coaches Grants, which were open to NSW and ACT education organisations supporting 0-18-year-olds with a disability, chronic illness, financial hardship or geographic isolation.  Gilgandra Public School Principal, Michael Darcy, said the coach was built from scratch to the tune of almost $230,000. The school contributed $15,000 and Variety paid the rest.  "It'll provide opportunities for us to do cultural experiences on country here, it'll allow us to participate in sporting opportunities with other schools where we all travel together. It'll allow us to go on excursions relating to curriculum," Mr Darcy said.  "Really looking forward to the collective difference it can make for the children." Kindergarteners from classes Cookies and Smarties perform 'Wheels on the Bus' in Wiradjuri (Supplied)Mr Darcy says the school previously relied on community organisations like the local Returned Services League (RSL) to lend transport.  "However, they're only small buses, and we would have to rely on our parents, who are great, who always support us," Mr Darcy said.  "We'd take small buses and cars to make sure our children never missed out, but this just meant we can all travel together. We'll be turning up in a state-of-the-art bus, which will be promoting our school." Gilgandra mayor Doug Batten, Variety's Head of Kids Support Liz Gearing and GPS Assistant Principals Catherine Dunn and Rebecca Rogers at the celebration. PHOTO: Gilgandra Public School photographer  Variety NSW/ACT CEO, Tony Warner, said the program is part of the charity's effort to give children equal opportunities.  “Variety Sunshine Coaches provide transport for children to access their community and experience a range of special programs and activities they would be otherwise unable to attend,” Mr Warner said.  “Since Variety Australia was founded in 1975, the Variety Sunshine Coach program has granted over 1300 coaches to schools and community organisations across the country.” 

Police have arrested 16 people across the Central North and Orana Mid-Western police districts as part of a state-wide operation targeting domestic and family violence offenders.   Operation Amarok VI ran from 15 to 18 May 2024 and involved every police area command and district across the state, arresting 554 people, including 226 people wanted for serious DV offences, and laying 1070 charges.  In the Orana Mid-Western zone, which covers Narromine, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Tooraweenah, Warren, Wellington and Coolah, four people were arrested.   Police arrested 12 in the Central North zone, which covers Bourke, Walgett, Brewarrina, Cobar, Lightning Ridge Nyngan and Collarenebri.  NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said the blitz showed police are committed to tackling domestic violence and arresting offenders.  “NSW Police officers respond to incidents of domestic and family violence every single day, and Operation Amarok enables police statewide to conduct a targeted blitz of those who have been flagged as the worst domestic violence offenders," Mr Thurtell said. Police arrest a man in Sydney's Thornleigh as part of Operation Amarok VI. IMAGE: NSW Police  “These offenders pose a significant threat to their victims, as well as family members and the wider community.  “We demonstrated last week that we will target and arrest the offenders no matter where they are located. We saw significant arrest numbers in our regional communities, and we also saw arrests for offences that occurred allegedly while the offender was in jail.  "These Amarok VI results send a powerful message to offenders, and the community at large, that we do not tolerate domestic and family violence in any form, and our efforts will continue.”  Throughout the operation, police said they made 122 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance searches and served 422 Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) state-wide.  Police also made 1277 bail compliance checks, including 24 in Orana Mid-Western, with 144 breaches detected. 

The issue of cost shifting onto regional councils has reared its ugly head again with claims from the United Services Union (USU) that the NSW Government has been withholding over half a billion dollars annually that has been collected from local councils. The unions claims this money is being lost through a poorly designed waste levy that lacks reinvestment to assist councils with their waste collection services and assets as intended, which is only adding to their financial distress. According to a Cost Shifting Survey conducted by consulting firm, Morrison Law earlier this year, among the hardest hit LGA's are Lachlan, Bogan, Brewarrina and Narromine. At the time, Narromine Shire Council Mayor, Craig Davies said this was nothing new.  "With every new state budget, there appears to be another cost shifting exercise from the state government, particularly to local government to take on further responsibilities without the resources to do it," he said. According to the Cost Shifting Survey, the waste levy, with a total of $292.9 million was one of the biggest examples of the cost shifting practice. These latest claims of government withholding funds were this week presented to the NSW Standing Committee on State Development's inquiry into local government financial sustainability, along with a firm recommendation to end rate pegging, which has crippled the finances of the overwhelming majority of NSW councils. Narromine Mayor Craig DaviesClaims included that the waste levy collected would be significantly more if the waste levy funds collected by the state government were reinvested into new local and regional landfill sites, particularly in northern NSW where most councils are transporting their land fill waste over the border to Queensland due to a lack of current sites being available in their region. Waste being transported to Queensland is at a cost to ratepayers and results in no waste levy being collected in some regions. "The NSW Government is withholding money collected from local councils and their communities to the tune of $500 million a year through the waste levy," said USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly. "This is a great example of cost shifting by the NSW Government." "Councils are struggling to fund essential services and infrastructure, but the state is happy to use them to raise revenue." The USU argues that the waste levy issue compounds the financial pressures on councils already battling the impact of rate pegging, declining grants, and increased service demands. The report finds that over the past 20 years, rate pegging in NSW has resulted in higher council debt levels, larger infrastructure backlogs, and lower municipal efficiency compared to other states without rate caps. "The evidence is clear - rate pegging is crippling local government in NSW," Mr Kelly said. “Every council is different, rural councils supply water and deal with wastewater, city councils don’t, that’s an incredible difference, so we can see councils need to be able to go to their ratepayers with projects, services and rates tailored to their constituents."

The Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) is taking a closer look at how to deal with vulnerable customers including factors such, as family or domestic violence, people with limited English skills, and people living in remote communities.  A spokesperson from the BCCC said, "The Code calls out assisting customers in remote communities in recognition of the unique needs and accessibility challenges that these customers may face, whether it be reliable access to internet, distance to physical branches, or the different ways of banking or level of support needed." To further assess how banks need to improve their strategy when working with vulnerable people the BCCC has called for anyone who is or has been in a vulnerable situation to fill out their survey.  The survey asks a range of questions about a customer’s interactions with banks while experiencing vulnerability.   It is a response to a 2021 report published by the BCCC that found significant gaps in staff awareness and service delivery.  According to the report "Consumer advocates shared recent examples of customers’ needs not being met, including cases of domestic violence involving breaches of privacy, ongoing inclusivity barriers experienced by non-English speaking customers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities being asked to travel hundreds of kilometres to the nearest branch for identification purposes, and people on a low income not being told about their eligibility for a basic, no or low fee transaction account."The withdrawal of face to face banking services is putting vulnerable people at greater risk. PHOTO SOURCED The main risk areas the BCCC is focusing on are financial abuse, when someone takes away another person’s access to money, manipulates another person’s financial decisions, or uses another person’s money without their consent and lack of access to interpreters that creates a language barrier and can lead to confusion, distress, and poor outcomes.  “Customers experiencing vulnerability have important needs, and we want to make sure that banks are adequately addressing them,” Chair of the BCCC Ian Govey said.  “We hope that hearing directly from customers will provide us with valuable insights that can lead to improvements in the industry.  The 2021 report added, "Vulnerability is not something you 'are' but something that can happen to anyone at any time."