Connecting the Community since 1876
AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER
THURSDAY 16 July 2020
Ph: (02) 6366 8017
$2.00 inc gst
Email: molongex@bigpond.net.au www.molongexpress.com.au
Western towns fear new virus outbreak Noticed a lot of tourists in Bank Street lately? And the interstate number plates. With the opening of the Queensland border last week the influx was very noticeable last weekend. The ABC reported this week that towns in outback New South Wales are being visited by masses of tourists, despite border closures and concern about a coronavirus outbreak. The Menindee Regional Tourist Association closed its information centre because of concern within the community about travelling Victorians and COVID-19. Chairman Rob Gregory said “hundreds” of Victorians had been in the town in the last several weeks, and some long-term residents said they had never seen it so busy. “In the main street I can’t even get my designated parking spot,” Mr Gregory, who is also an electrician, said. Communities are in two minds over travellers. They bring welcome business to towns but while most
Victorians are now unable to cross into NSW unless they receive a border permit and self-isolate for 14 days, those already in the state have not been compelled to return home. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard last week strongly advised Victorians in NSW to return to their state. The ABC reported that many Menindee residents felt ready to welcome tourists back with open arms after a punishing few years for the town. Mr Gregory said there was a 50-50 split in the community between those who wanted travellers to visit the town and those who wanted them to leave. “We decided to close the Tourist Information Centre because of that angst,” he said. ”We’ve got older members that volunteer in there, and they decided they didn’t want to put themselves at risk and others at risk.” Barbara Ellis, Pooncarrie cafe owner said most of the visitors from Victoria were not in a rush to return
home. “We thought it would’ve dropped off almost instantly, but it hasn’t,” Ms Ellis is quoted as saying. “I think the ones that are going back home are the ones that actually have commitments back home, like they need to get children back to school or whatever. “Our business is basically entirely grey nomads and travellers.” Last week, Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Jenny Thwaites expressed frustration at the number of visitors stopping in her town despite signs erected by the community requesting them not to. “People are going to (have to) stop to get fuel and to go to the toilet, and maybe go into the roadhouse and get something to eat,” Ms Thwaites said. “That’s accepted, but surely they don’t have to go and picnic in a park when it’s quite clear that we’re asking them not to do it.”
Winter warming in Molong
(Above) Sheryn Partington knitted and sewed this year's colourful wraps and the Packham Pear decorations to brighten up the Bank Street trees. Sheryn (photographed left) was helped by Ash. Timms also a new resident of Molong. (Right) "It looks so pretty" said Sydney visitors Kiara and Lilu to new resident artist in town, Maya Petrovna Hilcisin who created the fabulous wrap (above centre).
Visitors to town last Sunday were happy to see local tree fairies weaving their colourful magic on Bank Street's winter bare trees. "What a great idea" was the friendly comment coming from tourists and visitors from Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo and the Riverina areas who stopped by to ask "what are you doing?" "I think we inspired the visitors" said Rozzi of the Express. "Most said that they were spending time going around smaller rural towns, like Molong, to help
by spending money via food, retail shopping, accommodation - to boost local business confidence and survival. Seeing us up on ladders on what was a cold day, wrapping colourful handmade scarves and pears around the trees would have shown the positives of Molong residents doing something to help their town. This 'never, ever give up' thinking has been passed along from early settlers to today's residents which is the reason why Molong continues today after long drought, dust storms, fires, floods, economic downturn ... and COVID-19.