Molong Express 24 September 2020

Connecting the Community since 1876

AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER

THURSDAY 24 September 2020

Ph: (02) 6366 8017

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Email: molongex@bigpond.net.au www.molongexpress.com.au

"Take it easy ..." (We will!)

We've heard Perry Trethowan say it - well, for years - "take it easy".

The time has finally come for the Trethowans to do just that.

The most important 'meeting place' in Molong has been the local newsagency - lovingly referred to as Perry and Bron's - and since health and retirement started tapping louder on the Trethowan's front door locals added 'Jodi' who, admirably, hopped into the shop to help her parents.

Now it is time for 'take it easy' and for Perry and Bron- more time in their recliners - feet up - a sip or two - and a well earned rest from the long hours they have spent operating the local 'paper shop'. Then again, this business has provided more than newsagency lines, daily papers and a place to grab a ticket in the weekly jackpots.

Trethowan's Molong Newsagency has become 'home' and 'family' to local and district residents. For many a resident living alone - Perry's morning welcome was the first conversation of the new day - happy, jovial, always ready for a laugh or two, a joke that relieved his early morning customers, his mates and friends from the long night of loneliness and wakefulness. Both Perry and Bron have been good friends to the town. They cared, respected, welcomed and took 37 years of interest as important members of the 'town and district family'.

Bron, Perry and Jodi shared tears with many of 'their extended family' members. They shared the good times, the sad times, births, deaths and marriages ... providing warm smiles, love and care ... freely given without prejudice or judgment.

Happy times ahead for the Trethowans - better health - more caravaning - more 'take it easy'. (R: Jodi, Perry & Bron)

Page 6 Alise McIntosh reports.

Proposal “split train� service PAGE Sydney - Molong - Parkes 4 Magazine Features Inside

Magpies Rugby Season wrap & awards Manildra: The Men's Shed, John Farr & Manildra's Poet Laureate Yuranigh art gift to hospital

TXT the Editor The Dirt Doctor

Plus Local News as well - so little time, so much to know

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Cody - An inspiration to us all

No need to be concerned Let’s not despair about the two empty historical buildings in Bank Street. The delightful Post Office building will undoubtedly attract a new tenant (who could refuse this amazing building?).

The Molong Bakery remains in the land of the ‘unknown’ but one would think the current building owner will be keen to see a new tenant in place - soon.

On the opposite side of the street is the long-time vacant Molong Picture Theatre building which remains in the memories of many a past and present resident as the special place for romantic encounters. We hear there is buyer interest. Question asked by locals is this building ‘really’ available for sale or rental?

Keep an eye out for the exciting new business venture currently setting up behind the newspaper clad front windows of what was the well remembered (and loved) Pantheon Cafe building. It really is something to look forward to - and, we hear will be opening very soon by two talented and lovely local women.

Then, there’s the two in one newsagency/post office combo happening ... it will be fantastic thanks to local owners/operators, Kaylene and Matt Philpott.

Telegraph Hotel renos are progressing. How exciting to see the

new verandah taking shape - and at immense cost (with other planned renos) to the Sydney building owner and business owners, local residents Les and Cheryl Birdsall.

Great to see this kind of investment and ‘faith’ in Molong.

Then there’s Nadia and Paddock to Plate in Watson Street who is positively stopping Mitchell Highway traffic - most of whom have driven through town many a time without stopping. “I don’t normally stop here (in Molong) said one truckie who has discovered Nadia’s easy stopover with the right kind of ‘quick’ parking for all kinds of vehicles.

Virtually new ... Red Door in Gidley Street - attracting visitors to town.

Let’s not forget the long-time business owner/operators in Molong - and the Yarn Market - who have dedicated large $$’s investment, committment, loyalty and belief in this town. We can all help by “Shop Local ... Support Local ... Watch Molong GROW”.

Molong is still growing - still gaining interest - and being well supported by both locals and visitors/tourists. Let’s not lose sight of what is an amazing future in front of us all. Gooooo Molong!

Next Week: Shall we get the message out?

Mem shu craf han

(Above) The sign on the verandah of the Freemason’s Hotel says it all about the Molong kid’ ... the young man who has worked hard ... trained hard ... and has now made it to the Dragon’s side in the NRL. What an inspiration Cody Ramsey will be for the up and coming footy kids in Molong and District.

Well, for any rural NSW kid who has aspirations. Cody is indeed demonstrating what can be and could be for country kids. And, he is a really nice young man as well.

Last weekend, the former Manildra Rhinos team member, ran onto the field with the St.

Molong (Window) Show Thank you to the children, families and educators that participated in the 2020 Molong Junior Window Show .

Thank you to Michael of the Old Molong Theatre, Molong Pharmacy, Rumour Has It, Eden Decor & Gifts, Cabonne Carpets, Cutting Edge Barber, Molong Tyre & Mechanical and Molong H Hardware for lending us their windows for a week.

The 2020 Molong Junior Window Show will wrap up this Saturday Morning 26 September with distribution of participation certificates from the Molong Show Society and monies generously donated by Cabonne Council - at the Bank Street kiosk next to Spar from 9am.

If unable to collect, please make alternative arrangements with the Secretary, Lisa call/text 0438 647741

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George/Illawarra side and played another fantastic game - his second with the Dragons.

This time against the Newcastle Knights.

Not a great match outcome for the Dragons... but Cody played very well.

See Round 20 with the Dragons playing the Melbourne Storm this Sunday at 4.05 p.m.

Head to the Freemasons big screen to cheer Cody on. (For even better entertainment keep an eye on his mum, Kim - who in a moment of great motherly pride uttered a word of significant praise in a magical moment in her son’s first NRL Dragon’s match. The ‘moment’ has been beamed across the world. Gooooo Kim Ramsey!

A Star is born

Wayne Mullins (Manildra’s Poet Laureate and Manildra Rhinos devotee) pens his latest verse exclusively for the Express I had a few beers one day And then I had a roady When a mate introduced me to A young bloke named Cody

The big smoke attracted him He loved the red and white Went down to the Dragons We all knew he’d be right

A skinny little fellow Who liked a bit of fun He put on a Rhinos guernsey And my God, could he run

What a lovely opening He showed he was gallant His mum watched and swore a bit As Cody showed his talent

He was the only kid I’ve seen Get two awards in play Best and Fairest in the juniors And, first grade in one day

Awarded two wonderful tries In his big debut Cody, me and the Rhinos Are all so proud of you Mully

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

3

Molong Railway Station - Still on track ?

Orange Rail Action Group proposes “split train” service Sydney - Parkes via Molong Following an informal meeting with vaarious interested parties at Molong Station in June of this year, The Orange Rail Action Group (ORAG ) has developed a concept for possible passenger train schedules for the OrangeMolong-Parkes section of the Main Western Line.

ORAG is seeking interest and support from the Molong Advancement Group and Cabonne Council for proposals to re-develop Molong Station and promotion of modern rail transport within Central West, after the arrival of the new Regional Fleet after 2023.

ORAG proposes that the replacement for the “XPT” train be 2 joined sets of 3 cars each.

These split at Orange (at thetouch-of-a-button by the driver) and proceed to Parkes and Dubbo, as 3 car sets. They rejoin at Orange on their return. The other proposal is a new 3 car set leaving Parkes on the morning and returning in the evening of the same day. Three extra cars may to be added to the current fleet order.

ORAG will propose this concept to Government at State and Federal levels in the near future.

ORAG presented this concept to the Parkes Mayor and General Manager.

The response is reported to be very enthusiastic. Mayor Keith presented it to the Board of Central NSW Joint Organisations recently. As a result, ORAG is invited to present the concept to the CNSWJO Board meeting in November.

ORAG presented the same ideas to Orange City Council Mayor Reg Kidd, Mr Phil Donato MP and members of the Millthorpe Village Committee, with similar support.

The latter proposes to endorse it with the Mayor of Blayney Shire, in the near future.

ORAG now seeks MAG and Cabonne Council to support it locally and at the CNSWJO level.

NSW Government Departments usually seek “community input” through Joint Organisations of Councils.

Long awaited bridge replacements now underway

“ST GERMAINS BRIDGE” (L – R): Cabonne Deputy Mayor Jamie Jones, Cabonne GM Brad Byrnes, Cabonne Cr Marlene Nash, Andrew Gee MP and Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty Construction is now underway at the site of the Belubula River. The Australian Government two long-awaited bridge replacement projects in has contributed $700,000 towards this $1.51 million replacement project from the Bridges the Cabonne region.

Federal Member for Calare and Minister Renewal Program. Cabonne Council will fund for Decentralisation and Regional Education, the remainder, while the project delivery Andrew Gee MP visited the sites of the Bangaroo management will be managed by Cowra Council.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government will Bridge replacement near Canowindra and the St Germains Bridge replacement near Manildra on also contribute $644,500 towards the $1.3 Monday with Cabonne Mayor Cr Kevin Beatty, million St Germain’s Bridge replacement near Cabonne General Manager Bradley Byrne, Manildra. This new concrete, two-lane bridge Cowra Mayor Cr Bill West and Cowra General will also carry heavier vehicles, making it easier for raw materials to be sourced directly from Manager Paul Devery.

“These bridge replacements will significantly farmers for the nearby oilseed crushing, refining improve road safety, and that’s great news for and packaging operation located at Manildra.

“Council thanks the Federal Government for people living in these areas and using these their contribution to these bridge projects. The roads,” Mr Gee said.

“I am proud the Australian Government has new bridges will increase the safety of road been able to work together with the Cabonne users, which is a priority for Cabonne Council,” and Cowra Councils to get these important road Cabonne Mayor Cr Kevin Beatty said.

“The works in progress at St Germain’s Bridge upgrades underway.

Both timber bridges will be replaced with two- will contribute to the broadening of freight lane concrete structures that will change from channels for the Manildra area and greatly improve accessibility for local residents. This being load limited to unlimited bridges.

The Bangaroo Bridge, which was closed in will be a welcome improvement for road users March 2019 due to structural safety issues, is a in this area.” vital link for the Cabonne and Cowra shires over

Orange pedestrian mall comes to life

Whilst generations of town and district residents have become used to the comings and going of the Molong Railway Station - this does not overlook the 40+ years of concerns about the continuing decline of this iconic building.

The concerns, quote “what a waste” (of this iconic building one of Molong’s oldest and most significant).

Between NSW Rail, John Holland and Cabonne Council this building of immense potential for tourist attraction, transport services, museum, cultural centre ... and many other uses continues to be ignored ... and allowed to visibly decay.

With white ants munching away, mice, rats and possums running around the vacant areas and the use of the signal box for sleepovers ... many residents are becoming increasingly agitated with the lack of progress in saving the building and surrounds.

It is ridiculous that any move forward by the three bodies above remains deferred and it’s quite permissible to say ‘ignored’ until the new location for the library service (3 days a week) is in place (new community building in Bank

Street). So, the MRS sits, yet again for another stretch of time, waiting ... waiting... due to another deferral. Cabonne Council has, apparently, recently renewed a license with John Holland for the MRS building. But there’s work to be done.

A report some years back by a private consultant, recommended essential repairs and maintenance coming in at around $1 million.

Not a huge amount by today’s standards. John Holland, NSW Railways, Cabonne Council have shown little interest in the MRS. As can be seen by the overgrown gardens on the platform, and the recommended works and maintenance report ignored.

In the meantime ... the Orange Rail Action Group members have a vision for the MRS which is about bringing back a train service. The Lachlan Valley Rail (LVR) group have a vision for heritage train trips to and from Molong from Orange and good occupiable space space is available within the MRS to enable a vision to be developed and implemented to help Molong.

Locals are wanting to see the MRS to become part of the community assets again. What is the problem?

4 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

A major upgrade of one of the main corridors of Orange’s CBD is set to transform a section of the existing roadway of Anson Street into a new pedestrian mall space, part of Council’s Future City plan.

Anson Street will see a 40m section of the current road, paved to create a raised pedestrian platform with bollards at each end of the platform to separate pedestrians and traffic.

Orange City Council engineers have begun work on design plans to incorporate a cul-de-sac on the Kite Street side of Anson St, and a new traffic layout towards the Summer St side of the corridor.

The estimated $1.5 million project will see outdoor dining options, innovative planting and street furniture design, self-sustaining rain gardens and storm water reuse options.

Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said he believes this particular project was the perfect example of how Council was planning well into the Future for the residents of Orange.

“This particular project to upgrade Anson Street will mean that local residents and those visiting our city have a large open space to, not only cross between both shopping precincts safely, but a space to enjoy and spend time in along the way.

“In a complex location like this, with so many businesses who’ll need to keep operating, the design phase of the project will take more time than usual. That gives us more time to listen to community feed-back. We’ve had a staff member knocking on doors and talking with businesses face to face.”

Orange City Council Employment and Economic Committee chair Cr Tony Mileto said this project would create a hive of activity along

Anson Street.

“Local businesses along Anson Street will reap the benefits of the new pedestrian mall once the project comes to life,” Cr Mileto said.

“The paved area will become a space for those within the CBD to enjoy. Whether it be for people to sit and eat lunch in their breaks, for children and families to catch a break while shopping or for people to safely cross the road from Anson St into Woolworths.

“The key difference is a design that makes our CBD more walkable and pedestrian friendly.

“We’re still only in the initial planning and investigation stages, so we’ll continue to work closely with businesses along Anson St to ensure we achieve the best outcome for all involved.

“Although some may assume this plan means we lose some parking spots, that isn’t the case.

The new design and layout will see an increase in parking compared to the current number of spots along Anson Street.”

President of the Taxi Cabs of Orange board Ged Denning said all of the taxi board members are in support of the change and he looks forward to working with Council as the plans for Anson Street come to fruition.

“We had a board meeting at Council where we were shown what was in the works,” Mr Denning said.

“The board was very supportive about the whole idea and we look forward to working with Council.

“We’re excited about prospects of improving safety and flow for our customers as that is paramount to us all.”

Your say

THE PEOPLES VOICE IN CABONNE

Txt the editor

0492 439 786

HEY ! Are you over making great comments and posts on the zillions of Facebook sites around here? Well we're not. But here's another way.

Just send a text message to 0492 439 786 on whatever cheers you up or makes your blood boil. They'll be read all over Orange & Cabonne.

Here's this weeks crop....

UK and Australia have closed down hair salons and barber shops which probably makes sense given its a Covid year and maybe a half-baked idea to keep them open. So what if everyone’s hair grows? We all will become hippies for awhile like back in the 60s/70s.

Peace Man I was just in a pharmacy and noticed that the staff were not wearing masks or gloves, they were working in close contact with each other and touching counters, shelves and products after handling customers money. I expect that the old and sickly who went to the chemist will soon be infected.

LL.....Molong Its all well and good for the Government to double payments for people on Welfare Benefits during these trying times, BUT what about our poor Old Age Pensioners who virtually built this Beautiful'n' Free Nation to handle the exact predicament we are currently in? Yet this Same Gov has totally forgotten them yet they've doubled our young lazy JOB SEEKERS benefits only to be wasted on Grog, Drugs, Gambling n so on.

Come on Schomo give a fair shake of the sauce bottle.

(KR07) Then there's the “real” down and ousters, like the homeless, or the least privileged even the foreigners who have been trapped in our Country with little to no income and no access to Centrelink? If this Government can cater for the homeless during the Olympic Games of 2000 then surely they can do it now during these trying times.

Bob in Cabonne At the start of 2020 we had the bushfires and all the emergency services professionals and volunteers became our heroes. Now the front-line retailers, medical staff, teachers, transporters, tradies and police etc are our heroes, and real heroes at that. Please take the time to acknowledge these heroes.

Mark....Molong Our Aussie n State Governments couldn't run a bloody soup kitchen. Our so-called leader's at the top really should have acted quicker and closed our International Borders from infected people coming in by air and sea at the beginning of the pandemic. The Gov officials had but failed to use all the COV19 info WHICH WAS AVAILABLE at the time to make what proved to be a fatal error of judgment as there is a high chance that most of us could still be in business and not in this rutt we currently find ourselves in.

Dave, C It's fair to say that life was easy for the postwar, (now ridiculed) ‘boomer’ generation, cause if u didn’t work n have money and didn’t save/ budget it meant you couldn’t afford anything not like today's Magic Plastic and credit card mayhem.

You have prob read or heard people say 2020 is the worst year of their lives both financial n mentally. But then on the other side of the coin just as many say it's the best year of their life.

Stats n Evidence show there is a massive down slide in certain crimes across Australia wide n

due to ppl staying home their not only safer from covid but also safer from societies other side, some may save many others struggle. Lines at Drs and Hosp have fallen, traffic is moving at a rate, there's seats on buses train etc, not as many delinquents roaming the streets, A lot more food and goodies are readily available. Online meal deliveries has risen 400% at same time in 2019. So what is everyone worried about, stay safe n cover up. Life will get back to the norm 1 day or maybe we're living the new NORM now.

Cuzz, Molong There is no way that students of this year can be expected to focus as wholly on study and educational tasks as usual. The COVID-19 is and has been distracting us all in so many ways and our students are not quarantined from this worry and concern. It’s behoven upon us to be empathetic and understanding of our student cohort during these difficult times.

Retired Principal

Shop 1, 21 Bank St Molong https://edendecorandgifts.com.au/ We are so excited to announce that we will be apart of the SPRING virtual Canberra Markets on 26th September.

"Bringing the best of spring design and produce right to your doorstep" EDEN DECOR AND GIFTS With HANDMADE CANBERRA ** Keep an eye out for great savings and discounts on all our fantastic steel creations **

Seeing some of the parents out there, I have grave concern for the quality of home-schooling.

The Watchdog..Molong Penrith Panthers "2020 Premiers". Ya seen it here first.

Panther Power ....Cudal If Andrew "Joey" Johns and Darren "The Finisher" Albert come out of retirement, the Knights may have a chance of playing in the last game of the season. Lol Aaron......Cumnockian Congratulations to the "ACT Brumbies" you thoroughly deserved to lift the Trophy Up High even without the might from across the ditch.

DJL...Canowindra Pythons.

We manufacture all of our own metalwork in our workshop in Molong NSW. We pride ourselves on our customized steel creations made to suit a range of styles and price points. We cater from a small gift purchase to large custom made pieces. Feedback from our customers is how they love that no one else has anything like our products. As a small family owned business we have found our niche in a market that is sought after but is rarely found.

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45 Watson St (Highway) 8am - 2pm 7 days Pizzas from 5 pm Thurs & Fri Ph: 0404147754 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September2020

5

Features

Local Stories of local People

Thanks for the Memories

John Farr- The man behind Manildra

Jodi, Perry and Bron

By Alise McIntosh In the few weeks that I have been interning at the Molong Express, I have had the privilege of meeting several members of the community, and hearing their stories. I have been awed by the welcoming nature and sense of comradery that Molong possesses, but it wasn’t until I had the opportunity to speak with Jodi Murray, and Bron and Perry Trethowan, that the feeling of Molong, really sunk in.

The Trethowan family migrated to Molong, from Paynesville, Victoria, over 37 years ago. Though it took the family around three months to fully settle into their new life, the town was welcoming from the get-go. ‘’The town was beautiful. There was nothing that the townsfolk wouldn’t do for us’’, Bron said. ‘’I must confess that there have only been two or three bad experiences here’’, Perry commented, which, when considering the 36-and-a-half-years that the family have owned and run the local newsagency, is perhaps one of the most striking testaments to the town.

Another testament to the town is the strength of character and resilience, shown by both the Trethowan family and the community, after the town flooded in 2005.

The flooding caused immense damage to the Bank Street newsagency. ‘’Nothing stopped us’’ Bron said, ‘’we were operating out of a small shop just down the road, and only supplying newspapers, magazines and the lottery until we could rebuild- but the papers were always delivered.’’

Perry remarked that the flooding was a ‘’blessing in disguise’’, as it put the planned remodel of the store into express mode. The flood also proved to the business, that the

community would show their support- nomatter the circumstance… which included when Perry was late to opening the store one day. ‘’The funniest experience for me, was when Bron and I went to a ball in town. We stayed out until 4 a.m. - Bron went home to get some sleep but I came straight to the shop to get organised for opening. But then I fell asleep in the shop and was woken by a knock on the door by a customer, about two hours after we were supposed to open’’, Perry recalled.

Marrying over 50 years ago, Bron and Perry were determined to ‘’kick as many goals as (they) could’’, and now their retirement can certainly be counted as another goal kicked.

With the owners of the Molong Post Office, Kaylene and Matt Philpott, to take over ownership of the newsagency, and to combine both businesses into the one location, Jodi, Bron and Perry can rest (and retire) easy, knowing their store is in the capable hands of local Molong community members. ‘’Before we go, we just want to express our thanks for the town for all their support, and thank you to all the staff over the years’’, commented Bron and Perry. ‘’We wish Kaylene and Matt every success and hope the town supports them, like they have supported us.’’

Emotions ran high as Jodi, Bron and Perry prepared to farewell their beloved shop, and with tears in their eyes (and mine), they agreed to ‘’one last’’ photo for the Molong Express.

From all of us in Molong, and at the Molong Express, we want to wish Bron and Perry all the well-deserved rest and happiness in their retirement. Thank you for the last 37 years.

Thank you for your welcoming smiles and for sharing your stories. You will be missed.

We look forward to welcoming all of the opportunities Kaylene and Matt Philpott will bring to their new business and premises, as of 28 September.

By Alise McIntosh Though John ‘’Jolly’’ Farr from Manildra, is humble and quiet when it comes to showcasing his life and achievements; through a tour of the town, it became obvious that in Manildra, ‘’Jolly’’ is nothing short of legend.

Since moving to Manildra with his family in 1960, and in between meeting his wife, raising his three children and helping to raise his seven grandchildren, John has spent the last 60 years dedicating his (almost) every waking hour to servicing Manildra and the community.

Working (or volunteering in many cases) as a Holden dealer in Molong for 20 years, a council member for the Cabonne shire for 30 years, 13 of which as mayor, voluntary secretary for the Catholic school for 30 years, busowner and driver for the Catholic school for 46 years, secretary treasurer of the Manildra Commons for 20 years, on the committee for the Molong hospital for three years, volunteering as a Justice of the Peace, and as the ‘’official organ page-turner’’ in the church, it’s safe to say that there is nothing John wouldn’t do for his community.

But his hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed, during his time as Mayor of Cabonne shire, John was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his ‘’achievement and meritorious service.’’

While enjoying a coffee and a bite to eat at the local café, Coffee

on Kiewa, another distinguished member of the Manildra community, Sue Reynold’s said that ‘’John tries to sell himself short, but he has done so much for the town, and he should be proud of everything he has accomplished.’’

Another one of John’s major accomplishments has been overcoming his battle with cancer.

In December 2018, John was diagnosed with a very rare form of blood cancer, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM)which is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), where cancer cells make large amounts of an abnormal protein, which crowds healthy blood cells.

After undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy in 18 months, John was finally cleared of WM just last week. Something that he is ‘’very happy’’ about.

John’s battle with cancer was the catalyst for his retirement from many (but not all) of his responsibilities within the town.

Now John likes to spend his time going ‘’for walks every afternoon’’, spending time at the Men’s shed and ‘’playing golf one day a week.’’ ‘’Manildra is run by volunteers’’, John said, and with his generous character and resilient disposition, it’s clear to see that ‘’Jolly’’ really lives up to his name, and helps to strengthen the unstinting and unsparing reputation of Manildra.

who said that?

by Elizabeth Griffin

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water?”

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children and then the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.!

Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!”

“It’s raining cats and dogs!”

Houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs, etc.) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off he roof.

Hence the saying “It’s raining cats and dogs.”

Find more fun @ the Molong Museum

6 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

The Manildra Men’s Shed

By Alise McIntosh

Robert Rodwell and Bill Rodwell with the tractor they are restoring

Kitchen Manager Denis Atkinson tidying up after morning tea

We’re extending financial support The Australian Government is extending JobKeeper until 28 March 2021 and the temporary Coronavirus Supplement for those on income support until 31 December 2020, after which income support will continue.

For JobKeeper and the temporary Coronavirus Supplement there will be some changes to payments and eligibility to support businesses and households who need it most.

For information on how these changes affect you, visit Australia.gov.au

28 Mar 2021 31 Dec 2020

JobKeeper

The 25 members of the Manildra Men’s Shed ‘’shedders’’ come from all walks of life, but they all share one common feeling of community and comradery.

The Manildra Men’s Shed first opened its doors in 2013 after it was noticed that there were a lot of widowers in the town who had limited forms of recreation.

After a significant monetary grant from the state government, the building and completion of the men’s shed was in full swing, and now the men are able to come together every Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to 12pm, to undertake in projects and repairs, but most importantly, to talk shoulder-to-shoulder.

The shedders unanimously claimed that ‘’everything (about the shed) is decided over a morning cup of tea’’, and ‘’the thing that makes it (the shed) is the conversation over the Wednesday morning tea and scones’’. ‘’You really get to know people’’, the shedders agreed. ‘’Down at the pub you don’t get to show your true self, but you get the chance to do that here.’’

The men’s shed is made up of ex-famers, mill-workers, truck drivers, ex-publicans, ex-politicians and more, but no-matter what happens on the outside, the men concurred that ‘’everyone is equal in the men’s shed.’’

Another thing that makes the men’s shed are the members themselves, ‘’luckily they’re all good people and there’s not a bastard among them’’, the crew said.

The men’s shed has really been able to support their members, even getting one member ‘’out of a bad depression’’ after his wife died. ‘’The town really gets behind you’’, they all agreed.

The support of the men’s shed comes in many different forms- when the shedders aren’t chatting around a cup of tea, they are often tinkering over one of the many projects on offer.

Full of tools (of the construction kind and definitely not the blokes inside) willingly donated, so as to ensure that there is always something to be done and projects to be completed, the shed is a testament to the many members, and also that of the wider Manildra community.

You can find the men inside doing anything from mending old gramophones, to rebuilding old cars and restoring broken down tractors. The work is all done voluntarily and the members of the Manildra Men’s Shed wouldn’t have it any other way. ‘’We love it here’’, the shedders agreed.

The Manildra Men’s Shed is just one of the many success stories to come out of the Australian Men’s Shed Association.

Starting in 2007, the AMSA aimed to bring men together in a supportive environment and ‘’to improve the well being of all men and to support the need for meaningful activities to be available for men in their communities.’’

The success of the ASMA has been unprecedented-- with over 1050 men’s shed locations all across Australia, and over 150,000 members, the idea has now spread internationally with men’s shed locations opening in Ireland, The UK, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America, Kenya and South Africa.

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

7

Kylie - The spirit within

Kylie Tarleton is a Wiradjuri woman who was born and raised in Orange. Her mother’s family are Ahsee/Kinchela mob and her father’s family are the Shipp/Harris from the Central West of NSW. Kylie has painted pieces for the Chris Obrien Life house, the Orange Base hospital, Local Land services Central tablelands, Ronald Mcdonald house Orange, and she is embarking on a project with the Orange City council and Charles Sturt university.

Kylie has worked at TAFE NSW for 27 years. Her career started as a Beauty Therapist, where she worked for a Maritime company on board cruise ships, travelling the world.

Kylie opened a Beauty Therapy school while teaching part time at TAFE where she offered Beauty Therapy scholarships to young Aboriginal women in the Central west. And eventually making her way back to TAFE Fulltime.

Kylie realised to pursue her obligation and passion for Aboriginal education over 10 years ago and to break down the barriers of adversity and racism Aboriginal people face, she needed to be part of a larger team of Aboriginal staff to be a part of the conversation. Her career moved toward Aboriginal

Bank St MOLONG

education in multiple opportunities, in community consultation as a coordinator for the Orange, Parkes, Forbes, Peak Hill and Condobolin areas, through to writing Aboriginal based curriculum and course development, to managing resources development and Aboriginal strategy, that would afford self-determination and Aboriginal ownership to Aboriginal and communities to benefit from enrolling in life-changing vocational education and training programs.

Kylie is totally committed to ensuring cultural safety is advocated for every step of the way in everything that she says, does, develops and oversees.

In her spare time Kylie is a Wiradjuri artist Kylie, she is a quiet achiever whose dedication and hard work continues to make a direct impact on Aboriginal people in a positive way.

Kylie is currently the Project Manager for the Reconciliation Action Plan for TAFE NSW and her dream is to raise the profile of TAFE NSW toward Reconciliation and to have an organisation free of all forms of racism.

Note: This painting is now part of the Molong Health Servies (hospital) exhibition

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I acknowledge the Ancestors the Wiradjuri people, on the land this painting stands.

I acknowledge the Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal people enjoying this painting.

This painting is of the Ancestor Yuranigh, silently protecting our part of Wiradjuri Country!

Looking over from Guanna Hill just outside of Molong, across to the mountain (Gunabula).

Spreading good spirit and peace across the land!

Protecting the plants, animals the waters and the peoples alike?

Blessing the ancestral lands as a true custodian.

Yindyamrra – Respect Mandaang Guwu – Thankyou

Andrew GEE MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE GETTING KIDS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

FINANCIAL HELP FOR MOLONG FARMERS AND WORKERS

RUNS ON THE BOARD FOR MOLONG

There has been some good news in our fight to grant Aussie kids at interstate boarding schools exemptions to border restrictions and quarantine requirements so they can return home for the school holidays.

The QLD Government has agreed to provide for exemptions boarding school students from NSW and ACT so they can be with their families these school holidays. The same exemptions will be granted to QLD kids at boarding school in NSW and the ACT.

√ $80,000 for the Molong Rec Ground Cricket Nets √ $170,00 for the new amenities block at Molong Showgrounds

Now, the South Australian Government has also announced it will open its borders to NSW, meaning NSW kids living on the border who attend school in Adelaide can now come home.

But we still need a nationally consistent approach to border restrictions, with transparent guidelines for term four and the 2021 academic year.

As Minister for Regional Education, I recently hosted a roundtable with peak representative parent and school bodies within the boarding school sector to discuss the difficulties they are having with the cross-border arrangements.

Affected families are simply seeking compassionate, caring and common-sense solutions that keep both their kids and their communities COVID safe.

The mental health toll of these restrictions on interstate boarding school students and their families cannot be underestimated.

We need to make sure families aren't put through this stress again.

Andrew during the recent online roundtable

√ $200,000 for a lighting

There is immediate financial assistance still available for Molong upgrade at Molong Recreation farmers, farm workers, or farm suppliers/contractors who have been Ground financially impacted by the drought.

The Australian Government’s √ $225,000 for a new hockey/ Drought Community Support multisports field at Molong Initiative Round 2 provides $3000 to eligible people or households √ $117,395 for East Molong Applications are now open for to help with expenses such as Tennis Club Upgrade the Australian Government's $39 groceries, vehicle maintenance, million Supporting Agriculture medical expenses or energy bills. √ $2 million for Cabonne Shows and Field Days program.

My Government colleagues and I under the Drought understand not all impacts of the Local country shows who have Communities Program drought are the same. had to cancel due to COVID-19 will be able to receive up to $70,000 for Recovery is ongoing. Whatever √ $20,000 for Molong eligible expenditure. your situation, we understand it Historical Society to go Contact my office for more details. takes time to bounce back. towards reconstructing Applications close Eligible residents can apply for the entrance of the Molong 9 October 2020. the funding assistance through The Salvation Army: Museum www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/rural-support

$

SECURING OUR LONG-TERM FUEL SUPPLY

LONG-AWAITED BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS UNDERWAY

In great news for many local farmers, truckers, miners and tradies, the Australian Government is taking steps to secure Australia’s long-term fuel supply by boosting our fuel security.

It was great to the sites of two bridge replacement projects in Cabonne this week.

I visited the St Germain's Bridge near Manildra and the Bangaroo Bridge near Canowindra with representatives from Cabonne and Cowra Councils.

Both old timber bridges are being replaced with two-lane, concrete structures that will have no load limit.

That means, as well as making the roads safer for local residents, freight channels will be greatly improved for local farmers to move stock and produce, as well as providing raw materials for the nearby oilseed crushing, refining and packaging operation at Manildra.

The Australian Government is contributing $1.344 million towards the two replacement projects, as part of the Bridge Renewal funding program. Cabonne Council will fund the remainder of the $2.8 million project, while Cowra Council is managing the project delivery of the Bangaroo Bridge upgrade.

It’s part of the Government’s $100 billion nation-building infrastructure investment to help get Australians home safely.

Andrew with local trucking legends Ralph and Archie Chrystall As part of our 2020-21 Budget, we will invest $211 million in new domestic diesel storage facilities and will implement reforms to create a minimum onshore stockholding and measures to support local refineries.

√ $40 million for the upgrade of the Mitchell Highway between Orange and Molong at Guanna Hill √ $22 million for a new CSU medical school based in Orange √ $18 million for the Centre for Regional, Rural and Remote Health

√ $1.29 million for Cabonne Council Roads to Recovery extension

The construction of diesel storage will not only secure our diesel supplies but will support up to 950 jobs, along with 75 new ongoing jobs, with many expected to be in regional areas.

√ New Molong MPS and Ambulance Station (as State MP) Andrew at the St Germains bridge replacement site with Cabonne Council's Deputy Mayor Jamie Jones, GM Brad Byrnes, Cr Marlene Nash, and Mayor Kevin Beatty

ORANGE ELECTORATE OFFICE 1/179A Anson Street PO Box 673 Orange NSW 2800

√ Almost $54 million in water security pipelines around the Central West, including Orange to Molong, Cumnock & Yeoval

√ $8 million to investigate fast rail for the Central West

This fuel security package will secure jobs in the fuel sector and in fueldependent industries.

A minimum stockholding obligation will provide certainty to Australian motorists by acting as a safety net for petrol and jet fuel stocks and increasing diesel stockholdings by 40 per cent.

√ $4,000 to the Molong Advancement Group to establish a disc golf competition at the golf club and showgrounds

(02) 6361 7138 @ andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au

For regular updates and news, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare

Authorised by Andrew Gee, MP, National Party of Australia, Suite 1/179A Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800. Produced and printed using parliamentary entitlements.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

9

Morrison signs up to the gas gospel, but the choir is not in tune

View fron the Hill

Michelle Grattan

Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

If Labor were threatening to build a power station, the Liberals would likely be screaming “socialists”.

As for a Coalition government contemplating such a thing — well, to say the obvious, it hardly fits with the Liberals’ stated free market, private enterprise philosophy. But hey, neither does the hyper-Keynesian support package to cushion the economy through the pandemic.

Only a few within its own ranks would dispute the government’s COVID mega spending, whatever the ideological contradiction. And they’re keeping their voices to private whispers.

The gas power plant is another matter, and it will be fascinating to see how the debate plays out if the threat turns into reality.

Get your politics analysis from academic experts, not vested interests.

The threat is part of the go-with-gas policy unveiled

by Scott Morrison this week, spruiked as driving a “gasfired” recovery, especially for manufacturing. This sounds suspiciously like a three word slogan that promises more than it is likely to deliver.

But Morrison has signed up to the church of gas, whose pastors include Nev Power, chairman of the prime minister’s COVID-19 commission and Andrew Liveris, the head of its (now defunct) manufacturing taskforce,

which delivered a pro-gas report. Morrison this week referenced his discussions with Liveris at Kirribilli House.

Much of the gas plan is broad and aspirational at this stage. But the threat is specific enough, and Morrison adopted a grim, school teacher tone when he delivered it in his speech at Newcastle unveiling the policy.

He said the electricity sector must lock in by April investments to deliver 1,000 megawatts of new dispatchable energy to replace the Liddell coal-fired power station before it closes in 2023. Or else. The government-owned Snowy Hydro was working on options, Morrison said.

Going back to Malcolm Turnbull’s time, the government conducted — and lost — a bitter battle with AGL over the planned Liddell closure. It exerted maximum pressure on the company to extend the life of the station, or alternatively, sell it, but to no avail.

The gas policy, especially the threat, hasn’t gone down well — with the energy sector or environmentalists. And it’s come under criticism from experts and even within Coalition ranks.

The Australian Energy Council, representing investors and generators, warned the spectre of a government gas generator could put off private investors.

Environmentalists are against gas anyway, whoever

The Dirt Doctor’s Diary

with Rick Colless

A new Express feature for our farming/grazing readers and home-gardeners

SEASONAL CONDITIONS – Planning for next season

the force of the raindrop impact will break the soil particles into finer and finer particles as the rain event continues, and these fine particles clog the soil pores and seal the surface of the soil, preventing water from infiltrating and increasing the rate of runoff potentially causing a serious soil erosion event. To prevent this happening, there needs to be at least 70% of the soil surface covered by vegetation or crop residue. Figure 1 shows the relationship between groundcover and runoff and soil loss, from research by Des Lang from the Soil Conservation Service.

The second point is the infiltration rate of the soil. Once we have the surface protected with 70% groundcover, we need a high infiltration rate to allow the rainfall to be absorbed into the soil profile, and this is dependent on a number of factors including the soil type itself, the amount of organic matter in the soil and how much water the soil is already holding.

Sandy soils will have a higher infiltration rate than clay soils but a lower capacity to hold the water in the soil profile. For a given soil type, soil profiles with high organic matter will hold more water than the same soil type with low organic matter and will have a higher infiltration rate. Soil that is already wet to capacity cannot hold anymore water so all the rain that is falling will runoff, and it is really important when this situation arises that there is 70% groundcover and high organic matter to reduce the risk of soil erosion occurring.

Poorly structured soil with low organic matter may have an infiltration rate of 10 mm/hr or less, so that when the rain begins to fall at more than 10 mm/hr runoff will commence effectively wasting that precious rainfall.

On the other hand, a well structured soil with high organic matter may have an infiltration rate of 30 – 70 mm/ hr meaning that so much more of the precious rainfall will end up in the soil profile.

The capacity of the soil to hold water is called the moisture retention Services Provided capacity, and research has indicated • Full soil analyses, interpretations and fertiliser that for each kilogram of soil carbon in recommendations for crops and pastures; the soil, an extra 4 kilograms of water • Plant tissue testing and analyses, interpretations and will be retained in the soil. Soil organic recommendations; matter or humus, typically contains up • Farm, property and land planning including design, to 60% carbon, and each 1% of humus is survey and construction supervision of soil and water equivalent to 15 tonnes per hectare or 9 conservation works, fencing and paddock design and tonnes per hectare of carbon. associated land management.

Nine tonnes of carbon will facilitate For an obligation free discussion of services provided and our storage of an extra 36 tonnes of water fees and charges, please contact: per hectare, equivalent to 36 mm Rick Colless Consulting of rainfall!

Assuming good farm P: 0427 129 367 E: rick@rickcollessconsulting.com.au management practices can raise organic matter levels by 3 – 4%, it is quite

Over previous editions of the Diary we have gone into some detail about the various nutrients essential for plant growth. Some of this information may have been difficult to grasp and you may have wondered why we need to know this stuff. It is very much a case of having all this knowledge at our fingertips, and then being able to “join the dots” to make the best decisions to maximise our farm productivity, keep the insects out of our vegetable gardens and encourage the flowers to bloom as you know they should.

This season has been remarkable, and with the rainfall over the weekend it should have a major role in finishing crops and providing good moisture for spring pasture growth – a pleasant and much needed change from last year!

It really highlights the importance of the nutrient we have not discussed in the previous editions, and that is of course, water. Without water, nothing will grow irrespective of how well balanced the rest of the nutrients are in the soil.

In the early editions of the Diary we discussed the importance of organic matter and the fact that it increases the ability of the soil to absorb rainfall when it does fall and then increases the capacity of the soil to store that rainfall for longer. In addition to these two points, the percentage of ground that is covered by crop or plant residue (ie raw organic matter) is also important in reducing the rate and amount of runoff water during a rain event.

Let’s put some numbers around those points, starting with groundcover.

When a bare soil surface is impacted with raindrops,

10 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

produces it, because it is a fossil fuel and therefore has emissions, albeit not as bad as coal.

The Nationals Matt Canavan, who not so long ago was resources minister, says if a new power station is to be built in the Hunter region it should be coal-fired.

And the director of the Grattan Institute’s energy program, Tony Wood, says the government’s claim that 1000 megawatts of new dispatchable capacity is needed isn’t supported by the advice from its own Liddell taskforce.

More generally, Wood argues the idea of a gas–led recovery “is a mirage”.

He says east coast gas prices are unlikely to fall to very low levels and anyway, even very low prices would not stimulate major economic activity. “Investing in more gas infrastructure in the face of climate change looks more like a herd of stampeding white elephants,” is Wood’s blunt assessment.

“Gas is very likely to have a role for some time to balance solar and wind. This role will be important but diminishing in volume and the pace of change will be determined by the relative economics of gas versus storage technologies and hydrogen.”

(Continued page 11)

feasible to raise soil carbon by 27 – 36 tonnes per hectare and moisture retention capacity by 100 – 150 tonnes per hectare, equivalent to an extra 100 – 150 mm of rain each year. Realistically, you will get that advantage every time it rains to the point of runoff so the actual benefit will likely be more than that.

So – planning for next season we need to plan for: 1. Keeping ground cover at 70% or better, particularly over the summer months; 2. Crop residue/stubbles after maintaining the 70% groundcover should be managed to convert into soil organic matter; 3. Fertiliser programs to encourage the conversion of residues into soil organic matter – consider calcium / magnesium ratio, type of phosphate and nitrogen fertiliser, sulphur, potassium and trace elements; 4. Have a comprehensive soil analysis done to make sure you make the right decisions.

This is one of the best seasons for many years and there will be heavy stubble levels to handle. There is an opportunity to utilise this stubble to boost soil carbon levels and reap the benefits going into future years, so it is time now to start planning on how you are going to implement that approach.

Michelle Grattan

REG’S BENCH

(Continued from page 10) Some see the government’s big takeup of gas as a way of walking away from coal, without fanfare.

The government denies this, but it would fit with Morrison’s middle-course pragmatism.

That pragmatism is reflected in the week’s other major energy announcement, for $1.9 billion investment in new and emerging technologies to lower emissions.

Morrison explicitly spelled out the government’s view that renewables, notably solar and wind, have boomed commercially and can take care of themselves.

The policy looks both backwards and forwards.

Backwards, with its support for carbon capture and storage (CCS) which — leaving aside its problems as a technology — is an encouragement to fossil fuels.

Forwards, by extending support to a wide range of technologies of the future.

Critics don’t like the proposed expansion of the remit of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) beyond supporting renewables.

If the government can get the legislation through the Senate, these bodies would be able to back a wide range of projects, including CCS. The government is also clinging to its Emissions Reduction Fund, which has had trouble attracting proposals. It plans to reform the fund’s processes.

Taken as a whole and leaving aside the arguments about their efficacy, this week’s decisions have a clear political element. They are relatively risk averse within the Coalition, the threatened power plant notwithstanding.

WORD SEARCH

SODUKU

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9, with no number repeated.

Cryptic Crossword Across 1 Sorry camp constructed for a group of soldiers (4,5) 8 Smashing police officer (5) 9 Baseball player in hole with pop star (7) 10 Support a production at La Scala, perhaps (4) 11 An animal left one with a flower (8) 13 Star embarrassed about part (6) 14 Tree in hideaway by lake (6) 17 Teacher not coming back to waffle (6,2) 19 Italian poet losing first stake (4) 21 Deprived of food adverts, possibly (7) 22 In autumn it requires gunpowder ingredient (5) 23 Motorway approaches affected by black ice? (4,5)

Quick Crossword

Across 1. Easy to reach 8. Metal spikes 9. Join 10. Assist 12. Resembling glass 14. Sweet baked food made of dough 17. Melt 21. Friendly 22. Watery fruit 23. Depression from lack of company Down 2. Penetrating cold 3. Not difficult 4. Cranium 5. Utter joy 6. Foe 7. Unit of length 11. Domesticated animal 13. Toward the stern 14. Student 15. Mull village 16. Pertaining to a sovereign

Energy has been such a fraught area for the government that Morrison is very aware of juggling the conflicting forces within his ranks.

The internal coal lobby, spearheaded by Canavan but wider than him, will continue to mutter. The crunch will come when the government’s feasibility study for a Queensland coal-fired power station is finished. But putting gas at the centre of the picture will reassure some in the Coalition who remain deeply suspicious of renewables.

The Liberals in seats where climate change is a big preoccupation may or may not find enough to sell in this week’s packages. They can emphasise the “transition” nature of gas — Morrison described it as “a stable transition fuel” — and talk up the support for emerging technologies.

But they will confront the counter argument that the government is not doing enough or proceeding fast enough on climate change.

Meanwhile, Labor struggles with its own energy and climate policies, which caused it such problems last election, when it had dual or confusing messaging in the country’s south and north and lacked costings.

Post election, the spectrum of Labor thinking on these issues has been exposed, and resources spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon, who takes many of his cues from his NSW coal seat of Hunter, frequently speaks out.

Like Morrison, on energy and climate policy Anthony Albanese will be seeking to position himself somewhere in the middle ground for the election. He’ll look to being to the left of the PM — but not way out on a limb. (theconversation.com.au)

18. Small mountains 19. Stream of air 20. So be it

Solutions page 14

Down 2 No pride may be involved (5,2) 3 Historic city in Surrey or Kent? (4) 4 No harp playing for child who's deprived (6) 5 Pitiful epic that failed (8) 6 Brook heard in Welsh resort (4) 7 A family member in the country ain't crude (5-5) 8 Needlewoman, note, getting in Sam's hair (10)

12 Veil made differently in the Middle Ages (8) 15 Signified? Not in action (7) 16 What may delay robbery (4-2) 18 Wide smile gives support (4) 20 Cancel a French party (4)

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

11

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MOLONG EXPRESS, 24 September 2020

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PUBLIC NOTICES Molong Meats

LANDMARK TABLELANDS LIVESTOCK

61 Bank Street 0400 639 003

We offer Auction Plus assessments on both sheep and cattle.

Direct paddock sales, over the hook rates, Weekly stock sales in Carcoar (CTLX), Forbes, Dubbo & Wagga saleyards.

Contact one of our Landmark Tablelands Livestock team. Paul Glynn (Molong & surrounding districts) – 0428 168 638 CTLX Sheep 16 September

It was a very good quality yarding with good numbers of well finished trade and heavy weight new season lambs. There was also a good selection of old lambs including a couple of pens of Merinos. All the usual buyers were operating including an extra southern export processor.

CTLX Cattle 22 September

It was a good quality yarding with a good selection of prime young cattle along with the usual pens of well finished grown steers and heifers. The cows in the yarding were also very good. There was also a few pens of useful weaners suitable for the restockers. The usual field of buyers were in attendance and operating.

Young cattle to the trade were up to 13c dearer with prime vealers selling to 442c/ kg. Prime steer yearlings sold from 385c to 428c while the prime heifer yearlings

CHURCH NOTICES

Fran Caldwell

Fran’s family wish to sincerely thank everyone for their kind words of comfort, cards, flowers and support during our sad loss.

Please accept this as our personal thanks.

We would also like to thank Prunus Lodge, Molong Hospital and HealthOne for the care shown to Fran.

Welcome MOLONG & DISTRICT BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday Now streaming am services Worship Sunday Service &10Sunday School 10 am Visit www.mdbc.org.au - click online.

Weekly Activities AlltoAge on livestream, to For link theGroups online Wayne Spencer (Pastor) Ph: 63669376 platform.

MOLONG COMMUNITY CHURCH YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE

Sunday 10 am: Celebration & Sunday School

PUBLIC NOTICES

(Ages 3 & up)

Wednesday Night 7 pm: Connect Group Come on in and say hello to your family butchers Paul, Tammy and ‘Rosie’.

Check out our quality beef, lamb, pork, chicken, seafoods and other goodies including eggs, local olive oil, seasonings and more.

Trade weight new season lambs were $8 to $10 dearer selling from $142 to $177 to average from 700c to 735c/kg cwt. Trade weight old lambs were firm to $5 dearer selling from $132 to $178/ head. Heavy weight lambs were up to $10 dearer with the new season lambs over 24kg selling from $173 to $204/head to average from 610c to 700c/kg cwt.

Heavy weight old lambs sold from $165 to $215/head. Merino lambs were up to $10 dearer with the few trade weights selling from $130 to $144/head. A light weight pen of new season lambs sold to the restockers for $138 and another pen of new season lambs sold to the feeders for $156/head. Hoggets sold to $180/head.

There were 880 mixed mutton yarded where most grades were up to $8 dearer.

Merino ewes sold from $98 to $146 while crossbred ewes sold from $128 to $180/ head. Merino wethers sold from $108 to $147/head. The restockers purchased a pen of Merino ewes for $140 and a pen of Merino wethers for $108/head.

THANK YOU

Try this week’s taste tempter ...

Tender chicken pieces wrapped in filo pastry featuring delicious flavourings.

A wholesome and delicious handmade speciality that will sensationalise your taste buds.

Just pop into the oven for a sensational family treat Bon Appetit We serve quality meats - with a smile

sold from 375c to 432c/kg. Feeder steers were 8c dearer while the feeder heifers were firm. Feeder steers sold from 392c to 422c while the feeder heifers sold from 364c to 400c/kg. Young cattle to the restockers continue to sell well with the young steers selling from 400c to 559c while the young restocker heifers sold from 406c to 499c/kg. Yearlings to the backgrounders were also dearer with the steers selling from 410c to 445c while the heifer yearlings sold from 360c to 431c/ kg.

Grown steers were firm while the grown heifers were 5c/kg cheaper. The prime grown steers sold from 312c to 370c while the grown heifers sold from 300c to 368c/ kg. Cows were 3c dearer with the 2 and 3 scores selling from 230c to 290c/kg. The prime heavy weight cows sold from 279c to 315c to average 304c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 322c/kg.

Phil Donato MP

All Welcome

RATES INSTALMENT

For more information contact Deon Stapelberg Ph: 0498 659 703 1 Edward St, Molong (opp Police Stn)

Ratepayers are reminded that the due date for payment of the 1st Instalment of 2020/2021 rates is Wednesday 30th September 2020

PO Box 17 MOLONG NSW 2866

B J Byrnes General Manager

ACCOMODATION WANTED Single mature gentleman requires lodging Tue/Wed to Sat/Sun (approx 4 nights per week). Happy to do chores.

George 0447 848 884

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Comparison rate!

New or Used Cars $30,000

Member for Orange

Your voice in NSW Parliament Get in touch: M: 123 Byng Street Orange T: 02 6362 5199 E: orange@parliament.nsw.gov.au Authorised by Philip Donato MP, Member for Orange, produced using parliamentary entitlements

14

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

Ph: (02) 6362 2944 loans@firstchoicecu.com.au

*Comparison rate based on a secured loan of $30,000 over 5 years. This comparison rate is true for the example given.

Different terms, fees and other offers might result in a different comparison rate. Australian Credit Licence 240722

Sport Rugby Union

2020 Season wrap

Matt Steventon, Magpies President, sums up the Magpies 67th year

Congratulations to the Molong Under 12 Falcons who won their semi final to gain a place in the Orange District Football Association's Grand Final this coming weekend. The U12 team is Molong's most senior soccer team, so this is big news for the club.

(Above) The victorious team after their semi final win last Saturday at Waratahs. The team of boys and 1x girl will play Barnstoneworth YADS at Jack Brabham in Orange on Saturday 26th. Goo Molong Falcons Under 12’s.

Molong Bowls

The BRAG is Back!

Molong Bowls Brag

Molong’s world famous bowls brag commences on Friday 16 October

Nominations close 9 October. Nominate your team of 3 or just yourself and join the best Friday social night out in the southern hemisphere.

Can’t play bowls? - who cares!

Nominations on board at Bowlo or call club on 63668241 or Bron on 63668717. (Covid 19 rules will apply) Badge Draw Sunday (Earlier if scheduled bowls The badge draw is back on is being played on Sat or Sun) Saturday evenings. This week Open from 1.00 pm Wednesday $250. Congrats Kerry Burchett last with Wednesday Social Bowls from week.

1.30pm OPEN The Club is open from 4.30pm on Mondays, Fridays, Saturday and

Molong Golf Wednesday Golf: The ladies enjoyed lunch at the Telegraph Hotel last Wednesday, and on Wednesday 30th we will be playing an 18 hole Stableford, 9.00am for 9.30 tee off. ***************************** Sunday Mixed Golf with Jack.

Due to the rain last Sunday no competition golf was played. But 5 brave players stayed for a hit and got a few holes played. They were keen to play as they waited out the downpour - but maybe playing in ‘gum boots’ should have been in

Croquet Croquet is FUN!

order on the day due to the amount of water on the fairways.

Thanks to Scott and Justin who played indoors repairing the tractor so the fairways can be mowed for the up coming Veteran’s Day on Monday the 28th at the Royal Molong. All are welcome.

We will try the 2 person Ambrose on Sunday the 27th - partners drawn on the day depending on numbers. Looking forward to a big weekend of golf.

Jack.

There were 11 at croquet last Saturday including a visitor from Sydney, and the rain stayed away until we were all able to play a couple of games. Same time same place this Saturday look forward to seeing you there

It’s your club!

22-24 RIDDELL ST MOLONG

P: 6366 8105

e:admin@molongrsl.com.au

BINGO is back Wed 7 October

Upstairs in the Auditorium Doors open from 10.30 am - Bingo from 11.00am Please bring your own lunch and drink Entry via top doors of the auditorium Covid distancing - Sign in upon entry Club open from 1.00pm

Hours: CLOSED Mon & Tues WED 1.00 - 900 SAT 2.00 - 10.00 THU 2.00 - 10.00 SUN 12.00 - 8.00 FRI 2.00 - 11.00

BISTRO

DINNER : Wed - Sat 5.30pm - 8.30pm.

Phone bookings essential. Max 10pp per booking. Book before 3pm if poss.

Note: Entry & exit through beer garden. Table service only at this stage. Covid distancing and sanitising.

With the uncertainty of the 2020 rugby season commencing placing the 67th year of Molong Rugby in doubt an announcement from Central West Rugby allayed the proposition of a non existent season by confirming the draw for the Oils Plus Cup Northern competition to commence.

With a team full of youth and spirit the Molong Magpies prepared for a season that was all or nothing when it came to taking on each game playing each team only once prior to the finals commencing.

Coaches Kyle Travis, Peter Evans and Dean Butler prepared the team and steered them through the season to a well deserved semifinal position against Coonabarrabran, the competition front runners where the Magpies dominated the play and looked the winners until the season premiers to be turned the table in the final 10 minutes to take their spot in the Grand Final.

The Players displayed discipline, sense of purpose and commitment throughout training and each game with Team Captain Zac White leading with the experience of years past to guide the home grown team through the season.

Even though it was a short season Molong made its mark with second and third generation players carrying on the tradition of hard and fast rugby that held its opposition to account with generational players such as Charlie Cooper, Brodie and Kyle Travis, Struart Hobbs, Jack & Clary Pratten, Kade & Jye Barrow, Sam, Jack Clayton & Mark Gavin.

The change from a 3pm to 2pm start drew fantastic crowds to the sunfilled Molong Rec with the covid restrictions forcing on field presentations after the game allowing crowds to enjoy the sunshine and drinks in the evening without rushing off.

In 2020 Molong have sadly lost tremendously committed Molong Rugby stalwarts with the passing of Richard McIntosh, Jimmy Nesbitt and Rowley Lyons and recognises the tireless contribution that these gentlemen have dedicated over the years to Molong Rugby.

The Legacy of Molong Rugby Union has sprouted for its second year the Wallas U6, U8 & U10’s led by the unwavering efforts and persistence of Molong Magpies Wallas Coordinator and veteran Brett Murdoch.

With a season full of uncertainty and pandemic rules Brett’s commitment along with that of the parents to travel and represent Molong and with the Assistance of Graham “Rabbit” Wilson and Jimmy Schroder developing the Rugby skills and discipline of our up & Comers preparing them for a strong rugby future.

L

• The John Roberts Shield for the Senior Club Person is awarded to Brett Murdoch • The Adam Evers Trophy for the junior club person is awarded to Jordan Packam • The John Brazier shield for the coaches award is awarded to Max Pierce • The Barry Hillan Memorial Shield for the Highest Points Scorer is awarded To Kade Barrow • The Telegraph Footbal Shield for the Best & Fairest is awarded to charlie Cooper • The Bett Bloomfield Shield for the Most Promising is awarded to Clary Pratten • The Jim Troth & John Hale Shield for the Players Player is awarded to Charlie Cooper • The Mick Wilson Memorial Shield for Most Improved is awarded to Sam Gavin • Welcome additions to the “Over 100 games” shield are Greg Travis, Peter Evans & Gordon Welsh The Ian Hanrahan Memorial Shield was retained this year by Molong in its convincing win against Canowindra in Round 5.

Of Course the year would be even more challenging without all our sponsors and the Molong Magpies are very gratefull to have the support of the community and businesses for 2020.

We would lie to thank all our supporters for their ongpiong support and presence at the games this year.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020

15

Auction

“Jarimbee” - A Magnificent Property in a Dress Circle Location

Orange 389 Kent Road

“Jarimbee”, a well-located & picturesque farm, located on the doorstep of Orange. From the moment you step onto “Jarimbee” you’ll be blown away by the views it has to offer. The homestead has been meticulously laid out and planned with attention to detail & all the creature comforts you could possibly want.

Auction Friday 23rd Oct 10.30am 152 William Street, Bathurst

The farm has been managed very conservatively & has strong stands of perennial pastures & clovers, excellent fencing & water & is suited to either sheep or cattle production.

View

By Appointment

There is nothing left to do on “Jarimbee” but sit back & take in the views it has to offer & enjoy the lifestyle of this magnificent country retreat.

Ben Redfern 0457 770 062

Auction

Sale

“Valetta” - A real powerhouse of production

Canowindra 152 Valetta Lane

“Valetta“ a lifetime opportunity you don’t want to miss.

Nestled on the banks of the Belubula River, 1.5km* from historic township of Canowindra.

• Prime agricultural country with 2 hay sheds, 2 silos & steel cattle yards. 40 minutes to Orange • 2.5km* frontage to Belubula River, 38ha* highly desirable self-watering river flats

Auction Friday 25th Sep, 10.30am 152 William Street, Bathurst Ben Redfern 0457 770 062

Private Operating Farm, Spectacutar Views, Cosy Home, Orange Region Molong 183 Sullivans Road Sale • • • •

Permanent water from Gumble Creek, 3000L/hr bore & 16 dams Fully operational intensive sheep operation with 1000 head feedlot & 45 paddocks Rich alluvial creek flats, red basalt soils & contoured grazing country 4-BR sheltered homestead with well-established gardens & watering system

Ray White Emms Mooney

$2,250,000 View

By Appointment Ben Redfern 0457 770 062

34 Bank Street Molong | 02 6366 9606 | raywhiteemc.com

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 24 September 2020