Molong Express 25 February 2021

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... and the whole town turned up

by Paul Mullins

Every town either has, or certainly needs, a person like Yeoval's Alf Cantrell - and his wife Sharon.

Last Wednesday they turned up in their hundreds to see Alf unveil his latest "Big Thing", a three-metre-high bronze statue of Banjo Paterson.

Standing in front of Alf and Sharon's landmark "Banjo Patterson - more than a Poet" Museum in Yeoval, the statue balances the "Big Banjo Patterson Hat" in the park across the road. The hat itself sits near the large abstract bronze sculpture of famed english sculptor Henry Moore. Alf orchestrated the acquisition of this sculpture back in 2010.

Last Wednesday, in front of around 500 people, the bronze Banjo was unveiled (unwrapped more like it) with pomp and ceremony by Ian "Macca" McNamara, legendary ABC Sunday morning "Australia All Over" broadcaster. It would have been the poet's 157th birthday.

Alf raised funds for the sculpture including gaining a $7,500 grant under the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Program.

Banjo is depicted in his uniform of Major of the Allied Remount Station in Egypt during the First World War. The statue stands between two centuryold flag poles.

(Left: Alf and Sharon Cantrell, Ian and Kel McNamara and Caddie Marshall of Orange 360 at the unveiling)

DON'T MISS

Sweetness Cafe to feature Molong in upcoming national ad campaign

P7

Is Sky News shifting Australian politics to the right?

P5

TV shows you didn’t like P10

+ Pages of news and features

Still movement at the station. Work continues on the Molong Railway Station’s repainting and repairs to eves and gutters (thanks wethink to Rozzi’s persistence with Transport NSW). No trains yet - or even soon.

We’ll update you next week. Paul

Other media outlets didn’t seem to notice - but the Express found Banjo Patterson’s only Great Great Grandson, Alistair, out at Yeoval last week for Banjo’s statue unveiling (P1). He is pictured with Molong Historical Society’s Lyn Robertson (L) and Orange Mayor, Reg Kidd (R)

Taxi rank to move to new Summer St location

Putting two elements of Orange’s public transport hubs in the same location and an increase in parking, are the reasons behind a proposal to move the Robertson Park taxi rank to a new location in Summer St, across the road from Benson’s Café.

As part of the next stage of the Future City CBD upgrade, the taxi rank would move to a new location on the northern side of Summer St, on the front end of the current bus stop.

The change would increase the amount of public parking in Lords Place but reduce the amount of parking in Summer Street by four spaces.

In Lords Place, the area now occupied by the taxi rank would then contain two extra disabled parking spaces, an extra pedestrian crossing and three regular car parks.

During business hours it’s

expected the new Summer St taxi rank would provide room for around four taxis and more after hours when buses stop running.

The proposed change has the early support of the Orange Taxi Co-op, and Co-op chair Ged Dening.

“I was pleased when Orange City Council approached the co-op with this suggestion,” Mr Dening said.

“It’s important for the safety of our drivers to be working from a very well lit-area.”

“After hours when the demand for our taxis is strongest, we’ll be able to use the entire bus zone area, and there’ll be much more room for cabs.

“Across our drivers, I’m sure there will be a variety of views about this change. I’m sure our regular customers will see it as a change for the better. The new rank will be more convenient and much closer to the shopping centres. ”

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Nats and Greens unite to give more power to the RSPCA

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party have slammed the NSW Nationals for joining with The Greens to hand more power to the governmentsanctioned home invaders the RSPCA. The concern of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party (SFFP) is that the officious and overzealous raids of people’s homes by the RSPCA will target Mum and Dad small scale pet breeders and livestock farmers.

SFFP Deputy Leader Philip Donato says the party believes that animal cruelty is abhorrent and is in no way acceptable, tolerated or condoned, but that the party won’t back giving more power to the RSPCA to attack hobby and recreational breeders and farmers.

“Prosecute those doing the wrong thing, those engaged in intensive production neglecting the animal welfare codes – but don’t stand by and allow the RSPCA to target the low hanging fruit of hobby breeders, and families that have sold a puppy or two.

“The Bill, brought by the Nats and supported

by The Greens failed to include changes that would increase the accountability of the RSPCA, all it did was hand them the power to dole out bigger fines,” said Mr Donato.

“We’ve seen this behaviour before with the Greyhound Racing Ban of 2016 – dog breeders today, farmers and livestock, cat and bird breeders tomorrow. It’s the start of a slippery slope.”

Member for Barwon Roy Butler says that until the Government deals with the overreach of the RSPCA and puts in place accountability measures the SFFP won’t support increases in penalties.

“We have people in the Barwon electorate finding RSPCA inspectors on their property, in their paddocks unannounced – a total invasion of these hard working farmers’ home and work place.

“This organisation charged by the Government to enforce their laws must be held accountable for their actions. For such significant power the burden of proof needs to be extremely high.

It’s not always clear to me such a threshold is reached,” said Mr Butler.

“I cannot support increasing penalties until we see a higher degree of transparency from the RSPCA.”

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3

News

Phase 1A COVID vaccine roll out

Just on a year to the day since the first diagnosed case of COVID-19 in Australia, the Morrison-McCormack Government has moved swiftly and safely to roll out Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccine to Orange.

Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, Andrew Gee said today that the roll out of Pfizer/ BioNTech (Pfizer) vaccine is a turning point in our fight against COVID-19.

“Starting early next week, our most vulnerable elderly residents in nursing homes, people with disabilities in residential facilities and our frontline workers will be first cab off the rank to receive the Pfizer vaccine”, Mr Gee said.

“The arrival of the vaccine is the beginning of the end of this pandemic. It gives us hope and confidence that our lives and our economy will slowly return to normal.

“Aged care facilities, in Orange area, are on the list for week one. Other communities in the region will follow after that”, Mr Gee said.

The Australian Government is making arrangements for more than 500 medical

professionals to travel to towns and suburbs around the country to deliver the Pfizer vaccines.

Together with the staff in aged care and disability facilities, arrangements will be made for consent forms to be signed before the vaccine is administered.

Mr Gee said that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration following clinical trials.

“It is important to remember that the vaccines have been cleared as being safe and effective with clinical trials indicating that the Pfizer vaccine would prevent symptomatic COVID-19 in 95 per cent of recipients.

“This is the single biggest and most complex vaccine roll out that our nation has ever undertaken.

“Compared to the rest of the world, we are very fortunate that Australia is now in a situation where we have no community transmission of COVID-19 and that means that the roll out of the vaccine can take place in a methodical, safe and effective fashion”, Mr Gee said.

Playing safe for ANZAC DAY 2021

With COVID19 still hanging around, the Molong RSL Sub Branch has decided this year to keep things as safe as possible and not to have a dawn service as such and suggesting to people that they may like to remember, as they did in 2020, by conducting their own service at their front gate.

David Bloomfield, Sub Branch President, said the RSL Sub Branch will be holding a small main service at the Cenotaph on the Village Green in Molong on 25 April commencing at 11.00am.

There will not be a March this year and the service will be conducted under Covid regulations with social distancing and contract tracing in place.

Further information will be published as it comes to hand and is closer to the date.

The Sub Branch is also holding a street stall on the 23rd. April at the Kiosk in Bank Street, any donations at the time would be greatly appreciated.

Rex Airlines drops Bathurst, keeps Orange, new regional network strategy

Rex has announced that it will embark on a major revamp of its regional route network in response to aggressive predatory moves by Qantas into thin regional routes serviced by Rex. While the Orange Sydney service will be maintained the Bathurst - Sydney connection will be abandoned from, the end of March.

Rex’s Deputy Chairman, the Hon John Sharp AM, said, “Qantas has clearly embarked on a deliberate strategy of moving into Rex’s routes that can only support one regional carrier in an attempt to intimidate and damage Rex in its traditional regional market, hoping that Rex would be a less formidable competitor in the domestic market.”

“Qantas is making record losses during COVID and has received an estimated $1.2 billion in Commonwealth assistance to stay solvent but, despite this, feels it is appropriate to use taxpayers’ funds to finance the losses on new services whose sole objective is to weaken the competitor.”

“The Rex Board has decided to stand its ground in these routes even if inevitably both carriers will be making significant losses. Unfortunately, the expected drag on Rex’s financial position from the losses on the above eight routes will mean that Rex will be unable to continue subsidising marginal routes that we have serviced for the past 20 years. It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the cessation of services to the five routes below once the government support through the RANS program is discontinued at

the end of March: • Sydney - Bathurst (20,000 passengers preCOVID) • Sydney - Cooma (6,000 passengers pre-COVID) • Sydney - Lismore (12,000 passengers preCOVID) • Sydney - Grafton (18,000 passengers preCOVID) • Adelaide - Kangaroo passengers pre-COVID

Island (42,000 including Qantas) Rex also calls on the ACCC to take enforcement actions against Qantas for its predatory behaviour. All carriers are facing existential challenges and the ACCC must do its part to ensure that the dominant carrier does not take advantage of the current situation to deliver pre-emptive strikes against its much smaller competitors, especially at a time when it is receiving massive handouts to stay solvent.

In this environment, the introduction of new competing services in fragile regional routes should be set aside by the ACCC until we return to a semblance of normality. Indeed, this is consistent with the public benefit criterion accepted by the ACCC when it granted authorisation to Rex to enter into an unprecedented collaboration with Qantas on regional routes where the parties had competing services prior to the pandemic.”

It is noteworthy that Qantas had not accepted numerous offers by Rex to enter into a collaborative partnership that optimises resources, as permitted under the authorisation, to achieve better outcomes for all stakeholders including the travelling public.

4 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

Applications open for 2021 ten4ten Leadership Dialogue

RDA Central West CEO Sam Harma, Bruce King, Melissa O'Brien, Hamish Munro, Phil Donato MP and Julia Andrews.

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West is calling for applications for the 2021 TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue.

The program, open to year 11 students from the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne Local Government Areas; partners ten students with ten local leaders from various sectors of the community for a unique mentoring experience.

Joe Spencer from Molong Central School was a local participant last year RDA Central West CEO, Sam Harma said he was pleased to be rolling out the program for a second year following its success in 2020.

“Despite the challenges we faced last year due to COVID-19, the enthusiasm and engagement from the participating students and mentors was top shelf,” said Mr Harma.

“The TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue forged new partnerships, opened doors and provided an insight into the countless opportunities that are available in regional New South Wales and more specifically – right here in the Central West.

“This year we have another fantastic group of mentors who have signed up to the program, including some familiar faces, and I’m excited to welcome a new cohort of students.”

The mentors involved in the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue in 2021 are: • Reg Kidd, Mayor of Orange City Council and Deputy Chair of RDA Central West • Julia Andrews, Director of External Engagement Bathurst & Orange at Charles Sturt University

• Andrew Gee MP, Federal Member for Calare • Melissa O’Brien, Senior Community Relations Specialist at Newcrest Mining Cadia Valley Operations • Phil Donato MP, Member for Orange • Dannielle Ford, Director Solicitor at Cheney Suthers Lawyers • Bruce King, CEO of the Regional Investment Corporation • Caddie Marshall, General Manager of Orange360 • Hamish Munro, Founder and Director of Pairtree • Megan Rodd, Manager of Tourism and Communications at Blayney Shire Council Successful students will have the opportunity to attend the program launch in April which features a speed networking activity with all of the mentors, enjoy afternoon tea at Orange City Council, visit Parliament of NSW in Sydney and Australian Parliament House in Canberra and attend the end of program breakfast and presentation.

Applications close 5pm Wednesday, 17 March 2021 and students will be notified on the outcome of their application in Week 10 of Term 1.

To apply, students are asked to outline in 200 words or less the importance of leadership in regional communities and what leadership means to them.

Applications can be submitted via the RDA Central West website at RDA Central West website at www. rdacentralwest.org.au/projects/ ten4ten/. For more information email sophie@rdacentralwest.org. au or call (02) 6369 1600

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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?

Here's another way.

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 interesting crop..

It’s only a matter of time. Bye bye Facebook.

WJ, Molong FYI.... It never rains on a full moon, never has never will ! anti BOM, Molong Lot of people saying we need herd immunity, first of all that idea is scientifically problematic and unethical. Letting covid 19 spread through populations of any age or health status will lead to unnecessary suffering and death. Humans are not guinea pigs but some politicians think we are.

Jackson, Molong The US secret service are putting the final touches on Biden’s mobility scooter. “Chair Force One.” It’s apparently one of the most advanced pieces of geriatric technology the world has ever seen Warren, Molong Again I keep saying this to all Aussies concerned with C19. Australia is an Island and governed by our own defence force and our own border force, so why is our government letting people return home to a do a quarantine stint in a hotel for 2 weeks when they are the ones returning (and has already shown and proven) that some are returning with a positive covid test.

These are the ones who are putting our lives, our economy and our health system at risk of a major dilemma that would take many decades to recover from, if these certain strains of C19 were to escape hotel quarantine.

It is really only a matter of time until a rogue returning Australian does not want to comply with hotel quarantine and just goes out into the community and then BANG = 1 + c19, then 2 + c19 cases than all of a sudden 10+ then 100s of positive c19 cases and then as a country we are forced back into a lock down, and as this has already been proven in other countries, and this WILL happen here its not a matter of how or when it's only matter of time.

Surely our PM and his off siders can pass a law to say that you must do 14 days quarantine in isolation and have a negative c19 test BEFORE you get on a plane to return home to what we know as the "LUCKY COUNTRY". Come on Scomo wake up and smell the roses.

WP...Molong Shivers! A lot of global warming happening in Texas at the moment, and they can't blame Trump this time - or will they.

Johnno Molong The pressure put on Ash Barty by the media and her fan base must have played quite tellingly upon her during the Australian Tennis Open.

A lot of the hype including the ‘Barty Party’ razzamatazz is about a following who almost want to steal the limelight earned through her on-court efforts. The pressure of fan expectation must play a part in creating the statistic of no Australian winning in the Australian Open competition for four decades.

KO... Molong

Is Sky News shifting Australian politics to the right? Not yet, but there is cause for alarm

In his submission to the current Senate inquiry into media diversity in Australia, former prime minister Kevin Rudd warns that Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News Australia is following the template laid down by Murdoch’s Fox News in the United States to radicalise Australian politics. In a decade’s time, Rudd argues, we will see its full impact.

Given the destructive effect of Fox News on the functioning of American democracy, Rudd’s is an alarming prediction.

Whether it comes to pass, however, is another matter. Certainly there are several danger signs that it might, but there are also a few factors pointing the other way.

There are three big danger signs.

One is the unconstrained peddling of extreme right-wing propaganda, lies, disinformation, crude distortion of fact

and baseless assertions that occurs each night on Sky News.

Here is a brief sample: Rowan Dean’s and Alan Jones’s repeated ravings about the “stolen” US election; Peta Credlin’s false claim that Rudd’s petition for a Murdoch royal commission was an exercise in data-harvesting, for which she had to apologise as part of a confidential defamation settlement; Jones’s disinformation about maskwearing; James Morrow calling the Trump impeachment trial a “sinister plot by Democrats against the American people”.

The second big danger sign Why all the angst about Facebook? This social is the way Sky News has been media behemoth will soon become synonymous with fake news and trivia. Intelligent consumers able to extend its reach from a of news will soon migrate to an alternative niche pay-TV base to free-to-air global platform. Facebook replaced MySpace. television via 30 WIN regional Something will come along to replace Facebook. stations across Australia, and then through social media to So what? the world.

After seeing its audience grow Facebook? More like Fake book! in the first half of 2020, Sky’s D J Trump(lol) Orange pay-TV audience ended the year So, Greenies “little Joe” interferes into every shrinking. But being on freecountry in the world patronising, dictating ruling to-air TV in regional Australia us to do what he commands. While in his country represents an opportunity for ppl died with covid 19, the economy still at its growth. worst, works at its lowest, health desperate x gov Data on current regional help, more & more people will commit suicide, my viewing levels are patchy and American cousins & friends are very depressed incomplete. However, prime& envisage gloomier times to come, even time viewing is reported to wars forcing their kids to fight, with a president have grown 36% in 2020, and placing his own interests before its own people. is claimed to reach 2.9 million Desperate americans! unique viewers.

Phil Manildra

Sky’s non-TV platform is social media.

YouTube, owned by Google, is a very important social media outlet for Sky, and that is where the viewer data reported here come from.

Facebook is also an important outlet. When Facebook blacked out Australian news on February 18, there were roughly 260,000 views of Sky’s announcement of its last appearance there.

If Facebook persists in its blackout, it will clearly damage Sky’s online reach.

The patterns of Sky News viewership on YouTube are revealing.

The big picture is that Sky’s Australian stories get tiny audiences, but stories about the United States get vastly bigger ones, suggesting Sky has developed a following in the US. For instance, an Alan Jones piece, “Trump’s impeachment charge is ‘more Pelosi rubbish’ ” got 130,000 views.

And the right-wing US journalist Megyn Kelly’s piece, “Trump exposed hidden media bias”, got 467,926 views.

Contrast these with Paul Murray’s local story, “Daniel Andrews still playing us v them with quarantine”: about 30,000 views, and Peta Credlin’s “Net zero by 2050 is the ‘economic suicide note for workers’”: about 2000 views.

This tells us Sky is not only playing to a US as well as Australian audience, but is tailoring its programming in ways that have worked for Fox News. At the same time, it is siphoning into Australia the kind of content that has been so divisive in the US. The growth profile of Fox News shows Murdoch plays a long game.

(Continued page 6)

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

5

The Canobolas Debate Mountain biking harm to Mt Canobolas State Conservation Area

After two years of study, Orange scientists and naturalists have concluded that a mountain biking complex based in the Mt Canobolas State Conservation Area (SCA) would inevitably cause unacceptable environmental harm.

A detailed report of the study findings has been prepared by lead author, Dr Colin Bower, President of the Canobolas Conservation Alliance, and a Biodiversity Assessment Method Assessor accredited with the Biodiversity Conservation Division (BCD) of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment.

‘We believe this report, which compiles the knowledge of experts with decades of experience on Mt Canobolas, will assist Orange City Council and its consultants to gain a greater understanding of the unparalleled values and importance of the SCA for nature conservation’, Dr Bower said.

Overall, the report has found that it is impossible to establish a mountain biking track network in any part of the conservation reserve without having a significant negative impact on biodiversity. This is because the entire reserve supports biodiversity that is considered to be at risk of extinction.

There are no parts of the conservation area without threatened biodiversity. In particular, the

entire reserve supports vegetation communities that are listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act as either Endangered or Critically Endangered. In addition, the reserve supports three communities and four species so rare that any disturbance to them is considered to be a ‘Serious and Irreversible Impact.’

These entities are given special protection under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

On top of this, a further 13 species, that occur in the SCA and nowhere else on earth, would also qualify for consideration as having Serious and Irreversible Impact status. Finally, the entire reserve meets the criteria for gazetting as an Area of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBV) and was nominated for this status more than two years ago.

‘Our studies, and others, within the Mt Canobolas SCA have shown it to be a tiny last refuge for an outstanding array of unique and highly threatened biodiversity’ Dr. Bower said.

‘This nature conservation reserve is the most important in the region and one of the most the most important in NSW’.

‘It is undeniable that Orange City Council’s proposal for an international standard mountain biking competition centre is totally inappropriate’, Dr Bower concluded.

Room on mountain for bike tracks

23 February Orange Mayor Reg Kidd has welcomed preliminary indications that there is enough space for an environmentally sensitive mountain bike trail to be built on Mount Canobolas.

A team of specialist environmental consultants, appointed by Orange City Council has been working since November last year to identify archaeological and environmentally-sensitive areas, around which a new track can be designed.

A team of experts, including environmental scientists, archaeologists and special track designers have made a number of site visits, and considered submissions from a range of community members and groups.

The consultants, Bathurst based firm The Environmental Factor, will give a progress briefing on their work so far at a community forum to be held on Thursday night this week.

Mayor Reg Kidd said he’s encouraged by the first round of findings.

“We’ve asked these consultants to take on the job of independently investigating the mountain area to see if a new network of mountain bike tracks can be built, that are sympathetic to the environment,” Cr Reg Kidd said “We’re still months away from the final reports from the various specialists, but I’m delighted the first round of mapping is showing very positive results.”

“In due course we’ll get a detailed report, and there’ll be lots of time for community discussion. But we want to take up the opportunity of this week’s community forum to keep the community in touch with what’s been found to date.

It’s important that the community

conversation be based in the facts, and this will be a great opportunity to learn about what they’ve found.”

“Council’s consultant has completed the preliminary stages of mapping locations on the mountain which would constrain the locations of track. This mapping indicates areas where there would be low, moderate and high constraints if tracks were built there, as well as complete ‘no-go’ areas.

“Importantly this mapping indicates the areas on the mountain where the bike trails could be designed.”

“Specialist track designers, Dirt Art, are now working to create a track that is sympathetic to the unique features of the mountain.

They’re in the early stages of their work but on Thursday night they’ll be able to giver a briefing on how they’re going about this task, and we’re hoping they will be ready to give a first-look at their work.

“The new track designs are a key element of this project. The network of tracks that were part of an early feasibility study years ago are no longer being considered.

“Track designers will be working hard to avoid sensitive areas and minimize the potential impact. We want them produce a series of trails that will showcase the beauty of the area, so we can share with visitors from across the country.

The one-hour community information session will start 5.30 pm on Thursday 25 February 2021 in the forum of the Orange Civic Theatre. For COVID-safe reasons, numbers are limited. If you’d like to attend the community forum, make sure you RSVP to Renea Meacham rmeacham@orange.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6393 8000

Is Sky News shifting Australian politics to the right?

(Continued from page 5)

Fox News started in 1996. Pew Research Center data show it straight-lined near the bottom of the cable ratings in the US for five years, took a jump at about the time of the September 11 attacks, another at the time of the Iraq war in 2003 and thereafter cleared away from its main cable news rivals, CNN and MSNBC. Until the end of the Trump presidency, Fox News was never headed – then after Trump lost, it took a dive. In January 2021, it suffered its worst ratings in 20 years, coming third behind CNN and MSNBC. This symbiotic connection between an incumbent government and the Murdoch organisation brings us to the third big danger: the relationship between News Corporation in Australia and the Morrison government.

Morrison is not Trump. Yes, he swaggered around in a baseball cap during the 2019 election campaign and, yes, he talks in slogans and sound bites. However, the danger comes not from Morrison’s political persona but from the relationship he and his government have built with News Corporation.

On one reading, it has become a commercial relationship between the government as client and News Corporation as provider of publicity services for a fee.

The fee has taken the form of two payments to Foxtel, one of A$30 million in 2017 and one of A$10 million in 2020, ostensibly for TV coverage of under-represented women’s sport.

No tender process, no publicly available information about the terms, no way of knowing how this public

6 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

money is being spent. Then recent technical glitches in the televising of W League matches prompted the Greens to ask the auditor-general to investigate.

Against these dangers are some mitigating factors.

One is that Australia’s compulsory voting system makes it very difficult for anyone to win an election with a primary vote that is not at least near the 40th percentile.

A Trump-like “base” of 32% or so will not cut it here.

A second is that the religious right in Australia does not have the political clout it does in the US. Issues that excite the religious right, such as abortion, have been long settled here by the courts. The strong vote for marriage equality was another example of the broadly secular nature of our politics.

A third is that the Australian temperament is not, on the whole, excitable. While this means Australians are often excoriated as apathetic, it also means they are not easily outraged.

A fourth is that Australia’s conservatism is of a largely materialistic kind. Franking credits matter. It is also a conservatism that does not like extremism. Morrison seems at last to have realised that outside their Facebook echo chambers, the likes of Craig Kelly and George Christensen may be liabilities.

This pragmatic outlook among voters may prove to be a psychological bulwark against the firebrand reactionary politics promoted by Fox and Sky. Having said that, there are plenty of emotion-charged issues that give Sky the opportunity to drive wedges into the Australian body politic: asylum-seekers, Muslims, Aboriginal recognition, African gangs, Asians, white

supremacy, the pandemic and above all climate change.

Sky is into them all.

If anything concrete is to be done to head off the threat seen by Rudd, it is going to involve public policy concerning media accountability, of which a fit-andproper-person test for television licensees would be an essential part.

However, every attempt so far to exert meaningful accountability on the Australian media has come to nothing in the face of threats from the big media companies, including News Corporation.

Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull, as prime ministers, were in a position to do something about this. Instead, Rudd developed a friendship with the then editor-in-chief of The Australian, and Turnbull made changes to the media ownership laws that empowered Murdoch even more.

It is futile to hope that the Morrison government, engaged as it is in a highly questionable relationship with News Corporation, will do anything about it. As for Labor leader Anthony Albanese, when asked about a Murdoch royal commission, he reached for the barge pole.

If this form of politics-as-usual persists, then Rudd’s prediction cannot be discounted.

Then the nation would be relying on those qualities of the Australian character already mentioned. The question will be whether it will be enough.

Denis Muller Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne theconversation.com.au

Beyond the Curve: Minerals Council of Australia and Kojo crew visit Sweetness Cafe to feature Molong in upcoming national ad campaign

By Emily Gobourg level. Our aim with our ads Following a successful grant is important – and that’s to application in Newcrest’s Beyond show the really positive side of the Curve program, Michael and regional Australia.”

Cheryn Johnson, owners of Sweetness Set for review in the next Cafe and General Store in Molong, month or so, the Johnson’s will were approached by the Central be shown a preview of their NSW Business HQ to participate filmed ad by Kojo’s Clark Kent in promotional activity to keep the Productions (CPK) – which will momentum going, following the also feature some local faces program’s success. from the Molong community – A project run by Central NSW and, act not only as a positive Business HQ and supported by the stepping stone in support Orange Business Chamber, Beyond of local business support in the Curve was an initiative of the regional communities, but also, Newcrest Community Support Fund. as another important milestone With Newcrest a member of the in putting Molong on the map.

Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), “The businesses that are these organisations collectively here, the light that’s here, the rallied together to provide support positivity – its remarkable. through a challenging 2020 for local It’s a real breath of fresh air,” small businesses to thrive ‘beyond Simon stated. the curve’, with direct regards to the “We hope that businesses impacts caused by Coronavirus. around here benefit more and The assistance provided to the more from tourism, because successful small business applicants tourism is something that can totalled an injection of grants ranging coexist with mining, as can from $500 to $8000 across 124 farming.” local businesses, with the Johnson’s Some of the work that the It was “lights camera action” at Sweetnes Cafe for a day of filming Sweetness Cafe and General Store in Johnson’s have been able to Molong being one of the lucky ones. do with the Beyond the Curve After conducting public opinion research across recent The small Molong business, loved by many local grant have not only introduced ease of access to their campaigns, the MCA found evidence with a strong pull residents and out of town visitors, saw the installation front business entrance, but also included being able to from audiences indicating their urge to see support for of a new ramp – providing the store with the funds and provide visitors with a COVID-safe hand washing station COVID recovery being provided by the Australian mining approval for a renovated entryway – which now features as another positive result of the program. industry. an all-inclusive upgrade, designed in support of friendly “Obviously, these all make a real difference at a local “We put out a call to our member companies and said, wheelchair and mobility aids access. level – and it's just wonderful being able to spend time ‘can you tell us about the business support programs Since the funded renovation during June of last here, and showcase community through a national you've got?’ Newcrest said well we've got this fantastic year, the Johnson’s were recently visited by South campaign.” program, called Beyond the Curve, which is operating Australian-based production company Kojo, and Simon The campaign will go to capital cities and regional in and around Orange. They sent us a few of the local Troeth – General Manager of Industry Positioning and areas, with ads forecasted to hit the ground running from stories, including from [the Molong Express], and we Engagement with the MCA – an organisation that works April to September. The adverts will go to air nationally said ‘these are fantastic.’” to promote the contribution of the mining industry via television, print, radio and online – including the Mr Troeth and the SA Kojo production crew recently across Australia, and to local communities.

Orange area, and surrounding towns. spent a week in and around Orange interviewing around “During COVID there’s been an increased focus on “The goal of the campaign is to ultimately show how a dozen of the successful local businesses of the Beyond supporting local, which is a part of the reason why we’re the mining industry supported small businesses and the Curve grant, where they asked business owners to tell here,” Simon stated. jobs through COVID at a local level – and Molong is a their stories, how they fared during COVID-19, and how “Our [current] campaign – There's More to Australian fantastic example.” their businesses had been running – stories which were Mining – is designed to show people what modern mining said to be eyeopening. is about, and what it gives back to the communities – “It was a great indication of just how both in terms of it’s activities, and it’s broader work in tough people are, and what the effects communities in particular.” were of COVID on small businesses,” With the MCA representing the mining industries and Simon explained. regional communities across Australia, and an estimated “Small business people take a huge 70% of mining occurring in regional communities like risk – they put their life savings into Orange, the MCA workforce plays a nationally pivotal [their businesses] – with some putting role in rural communities; and more recently, during the in overtime, working 90-hour weeks. peak of the pandemic in 2020.

We were we amazed by the stories we Australian Credit Licence 240722 “During COVID, all of our companies stepped up in heard; the strength of the community PH: terms of supporting their communities at a local level, here really came across in terms of because it was a real time of need for communities. A lot how people survived, and how people of businesses, a lot of not-for-profit community groups – have bounced back. They were really they were doing it tough.” heartening stories, and we're also incredibly impressed by just the local community around here.”

“We unfortunately can't feature all of the businesses in our campaign, but the idea is to pick the stories that will appeal to our audience – in terms of telling that story through a local prism – about how the mining industry has supported those businesses and those communities in tough times, and how people are going now with a renewed Some local kids got to feature, but had to wait ages before it was just optimism at a local right to drink the milkshake

6362 2944

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

7

Enter the SPAR Easter colouring competition

Hey Kids - enter our colouring competition and bring your entry into SPAR for display and a chance to win some cool prizes.

Ages: 8 and under. 9 and up.

Entries taken until Monday 29 March

NOTE: You can pick up this colouring-in sheet from the SPAR Store

Phil Donato MP 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

Bank St MOLONG

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8 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

Andrew GEE MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE

PEOPLE POWER DELIVERS MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR THE CENTRAL WEST In a big win for the Central West, Charles Sturt University has welcomed its first cohort of students at the new medical school in Orange this week, bringing an enormous range of benefits and opportunities for country students in our region.

Our communities fought long and hard for this medical school to ensure that country students have the same educational opportunities as their city cousins.

Together we have secured 37 Commonwealth supported medical student places.

There has been very strong interest from students in the CSU medical school’s rural program and its world-class learning facilities. The students will undertake a medical program designed for rural practice, meaning that people from country Australia can now start and finish their medical degree in the country and become a country doctor.

The medical school will be located at CSU’s Orange campus as well as the Bloomfield Medical Centre.

Fighting for this medical school with our communities is one of the most important and lasting pieces of work in my time as a local member.

This state-of-the-art medical school sends a strong message – no matter what you want to study or what you want to be – you can build your future in the bush.

It’s anticipated the rollout to aged care facilities will take six weeks and will reach more than 2,600 residential aged care facilities, 183,000 residents and 339,000 staff.

The Australian Government is ensuring those who are particularly vulnerable to the worst effects of the coronavirus receive the earliest protection, so priority is being given to residential aged care facility staff and residents.

The arrival of the vaccine is the beginning of the end of this pandemic. It gives us hope and confidence that our lives and our economy will slowly return to normal.

Contact my office for a copy of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine national rollout strategy, or visit www.health.gov.au

√ $700,000 for Bangaroo Bridge Replacement

√ $82,500 for repairs to bridges in Cumnock √ $80,000 for an upgrade to Molong Rec Ground cricket nets Around 50,000 frontline health workers are included in Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

√ $308,175 for an education and info centre at the Australian National Field Days site at Borenore √ $2,500,000 for an ambulance station in Molong

Andrew announced $170,000 for new amenities at Molong Showground with the Molong Show Society and Cabonne Mayor Cr Kevin Beatty under Round 4 of the BBRF

√ $2,000,000 for projects across Cabonne under the Drought Communities Program

Last Sunday marked National Servicemen’s Day, when we pause to remember the service and sacrifice of Australia’s Nashos.

As Patron of the Branch, I was particularly honoured to not only attend a moving service with the Mid State National Servicemen‘s Sub-branch in Orange, but to address the members as well.

Nashos are Australia’s citizen soldiers who embody the spirit of service to country and service above self.

Between 1951 and 1972 more than 280,000 young Australians answered the call of their country and completed national service. During the Vietnam War, more than 200 national servicemen died and more than 1200 were wounded on active service.

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

√ $250,200 for repairs to bridges in Yeoval

Applications are closing soon for Round Previously successful BBRF programs 5 of the Australian Government’s in the region include $170,000 for new Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF). amenities at the Molong Showground; $400,000 for new lighting at Molong's There is $100 million in funding Andrew Ross Recreation Ground and available for community infrastructure Tom Clyburn Oval in Canowindra; and projects, and $100 million specifically more than $20,000 for the Age of for tourism-related infrastructure.

Fishes Museum.

I strongly encourage community groups Applications close on 5 March 2021. To and organisations in Molong and across apply, go to www.business.gov.au/bbrf the Cabonne district to apply.

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S DAY

ORANGE ELECTORATE OFFICE

√ $10,900,000 for Manildra Solar Farm

√ $1,293,770 for local road an upgrades across Cabonne LGA

$200M BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND CLOSING SOON

Australia owes a deep debt of gratitude to our Nashos. Lest We Forget.

√ $15,000,000 for a new Molong MPS

√ $170,000 for new toilets and shower facilities at Molong Showground

SCHOOL BACK! THE COVID-19 VACCINE ISISHERE! Just on a year to the day since the first diagnosed case of COVID-19 in Australia, Phase 1A of the rollout of the vaccine rollout is underway, including here in the Central West.

The vaccination program has begun in every state and territory and will include regional and rural aged care facilities.

Logistics company DHL has been engaged to support the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine across Australia. The vaccine, which needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees, will be transported across Australia in a network of 200 ultra-low temperature portable freezers, ensuring regional areas are not left behind.

RUNS ON THE BOARD FOR CABONNE

Andrew with Orange Mayor Cr Reg Kidd, Member for Orange Phil Donato and members of the Mid State National Servicemen’s Sub-branch

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

√ $2,000,000 for a biomass-fuelled boiler at MSM Milling √ $395,500 for new overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road

√ $644,950 for St Germain’s Bridge Replacement √ $492,410 for Eugowra Multi-Purpose Community Centre √ $460,000 for an upgrade of The Escort Way near Eugowra

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 25 February 2021

9

WNSW PHN Committed to Securing the Future of GP Services Across the Region

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring General Practices are retained across the region as part of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Health outcomes and access to health and hospital services in rural, regional, and remote New South Wales.

In its submission, WNSW PHN has identified 41 town across its region that are at risk of being without access to GP services in the next 10 to 15 years, with Coolah, Mendooran, Wentworth and Binaway among locations that have recently lost their GP. Many smaller centres across the region already rely on outreach GP services provided by other nearby locations, while many of the region’s ageing GPs are approaching retirement and attracting younger medical professionals to the bush continues to be extremely challenging.

WNSW PHN Board Chair, Dr Robin Williams, says there are clear ways forward to reducing the risks to the future of our country practices.

“Improved alignment in the investment and planning of services between NSW Health and the Commonwealth Department of Health through formal agreements between PHN and Local Health Districts (LHDs) will avoid

fragmentation of services, while new service and funding models of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) are required, as the primary model of bulk billing in our small towns is not sustainable.”

Dr Williams says, “The enhancement of NSW Health’s Rural Generalist program will also make regional GP opportunities far more attractive to young GPs.” “Continued support is also a critical factor, and we really require a new model of mentorship, continuing professional development and business to support healthcare professionals and retain their services locally.”

Dr Williams added, “Doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners are absolutely vital to providing, supporting, and improving primary health services across Western and Far West NSW, and we are committed to finding better ways to ensure the continued operation, enhancement and expansion of services through greater collaborations and partnerships.”

Submissions to the NSW Inquiry closed last month, while hearings are scheduled to commence on March 19, 2021, at Parliament House, Sydney.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Here are the TV shows you didn’t like • • • •

Golden Globe nominee Ozark is the most overrated show according to 39% of reviews Stranger Things is in second with 36% of mentions, followed by Money Heist (32%) in third place The Crown, Friends and Breaking Bad are also among the most overrated shows The Queen's Gambit comes in 14th and Lucifer in last place (15th) as the least overrated shows

Many of us have high expectations when starting a new series, but have you ever watched an acclaimed show and found it didn’t live up to the hype?

Interested in this, OnBuy.com sought to find out which shows are the most overrated according to fans. After surveying 3,249 people to find their top 15 overrated shows, they scraped IMDb reviews from each series to reveal the ones most described as 'overrated' by viewers.

What are the most overrated TV shows?

Ozark is the most overrated series. Despite dominating the Golden Globe 2021 nominations, including Best Drama Series, this was not enough to change viewers’ minds as 39% of reviews described the American crime drama as overrated.

The gory sci-fi series Stranger Things claims second place with 36% of reviews on IMDb describing it as "disappointing" and "over-hyped".

Making the top 3 most overrated shows is Money Heist. Despite being the most-watched non-English show worldwide, 32% of viewers still found the Spanish crime drama over-hyped.

How I Met Your Mother claims fourth with 31%.

With a controversial season 9 finale, it could be the reason for leaving so many viewers disappointed.

Making the top ten most overrated series are: 5. Black Mirror - 31.10% 6. Parks and Recreation - 30% 7. The Office (US) - 29% 8. The Crown - 28% 9. Friends - 27% 10. Cobra Kai - 24%

What are the least overrated TV shows?

Flipping the results, in 15th place as the least overrated show is Lucifer (15%). Following it is The Queen’s Gambit. In 14th place, the record-breaking show revealed to have 16% comments describing it as over-hyped.

Peaky Blinders places in 12th with 21% and Breaking Bad in 13th with 18%. Despite critics constantly comparing the two series by stating Peaky Blinders as the best show since Breaking Bad, IMDb reviews revealed that some people disagree!

10 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

Students start in new regional medical schools network

A new era of medical training is underway with the start of three new medical school programs in the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network (MDMSN), including students today at Charles Sturt and Western Sydney Universities’ Orange campus.

The Network, through delivering five new rural medical schools across Victoria and New South Wales, will see more medical professionals trained in rural settings, leading to more of them choosing a rewarding life and career in regional Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack said the milestone serves as a reminder of the delivery of The Nationals in government.

“The Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network is another example of regional Australia benefitting from having a true country voice in Canberra,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Australian Government is providing a total of $74.4 million over four years for the Medical Schools Network.

“It is pleasing to see the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network is getting on with training the rural workforce of the future.”

Regional Education Minister and Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, said there has been very strong interest from students in CSU medical school’s rural program and its cuttingedge, world-class learning facilities “The Central West community fought long and hard for this medical school to ensure that country students have the same educational opportunities as their city cousins,” Mr Gee said.

“This state-of-the-art medical school sends a strong message – no matter what you want to study or what you want to be – you can build your future in the bush.

“CSU medical school students will undertake a medical program designed for rural practice, meaning that people from country Australia can now start and finish their medical degree in the country and become a country doctor.”

Federal Rural Health Minister, Mark Coulton, said around 80 students would start their medical degrees this year throughout the new MDMSN. “Regional, rural and remote communities are experiencing challenges in accessing the health services they need and while there is no silver bullet to improve the distribution of medical professionals across the country, the MurrayDarling Medical Schools Network is central to our Government’s strategy,” Mr Coulton said.

“This month sees the start of three of the five new rurally-based medical school programs delivered under the MDMSN, taking the next generation of rural medicos on their journey to rural careers.

“We know students who train in the regions are far more likely to stay in the regions, which is why the MDMSN is so important in ensuring rural communities face a future with better access to health care services.”

In New South Wales, students will study in Orange (a partnership between Charles Sturt University and Western Sydney University) and Wagga Wagga (through the University of New South Wales). In Victoria, Monash University students will spend their first year at the Monash Rural Health Gippsland campus before moving onto Bendigo and Mildura.

The two remaining new rural medical programs, based in Dubbo (University of Sydney) and Shepparton (University of Melbourne) will begin in 2022. In addition, the first 15 rural biomedical science graduates from La Trobe University will transition into the University of Melbourne’s rural medical program at Shepparton in 2022.

QUICK CROSSWORD

REG’S BENCH My girlfriend always laughs during sex no matter what she's reading. - Steve Jobs (Founder: Apple Computers) Instead of getting married again, I'm going to find a woman I don't like and just give her a house. - Rod Stewart There are only two reasons to sit in the back row of an airplane. Either you have diarrhea, or you're anxious to meet people who do. - Henry Kissinger What are the three words guaranteed to humiliate men everywhere? "Hold my purse." - Sandra Bullock The definition of a perfect Wife? - one who helps the husband with the dishes...

What makes men chase women they have no intention of marrying? - Well, it's the same urge that makes dogs chase cars they have no intention of driving Teacher: Why were you late?

Student: Sorry, teacher, I overslept.

Teacher: You mean you need to sleep at home too!

Son: I can't go to school today.

Father: Why not?

Son: I don't feel well Father: Where don't you feel well?

Son: In school!

A man was driving along a rural road one day when he saw a three legged chicken.

He was amused enough to drive along side it for a while, as he was driving he noticed the chicken was running 30 mph.

Pretty fast chicken, he thought, I wonder just how fast it can run. So he sped up and the chicken did too!

They were now moving along the road at 45 mph! The man in the car sped up again, to his surprise the chicken was still running ahead of him at 60 mph!!!

Suddenly the chicken turned off the road and ran down a long driveway leading to a farmhouse. The man followed the chicken to the house and saw a man in the yard and dozens of three legged chickens.

The man in the car called out to the farmer "How did you get all these three legged chickens?"

The farmer replied, "I breed 'em. Ya see it's me, my wife and my son living here and we all like to eat the chicken leg.

Since a chicken only has two legs, I started breeding this three legged variety so we could all eat our favorite piece."

"That's amazing!" said the driver "How do they taste?" "Don't rightly know, can't catch 'em."

Solutions page 14

ACROSS 1 Pottery oven (4) 3 Endearing (8) 9 Hug (7) 10 Assisted (5) 11 Employees (5) 12 Material for violin strings (6) 14 Young cat (6) 16 Root vegetable (6) 19 Silly laugh (6) 21 Push roughly (5) 24 Go in (5) 25 Feign (7) 26 Cooked egg dish (8) 27 Difficult (4) DOWN

1 Memento (8) 2 North African country (5) 4 Soak (6) 5 Cook in an oven (5) 6 Nomadic Arab (7) 7 Terminates (4) 8 Perplex (6) 13 Magnificent (8) 15 Prickly plant (7) 17 Northern Ireland (6)

18 Tyrant (6) 20 Eat gluttonously (5) 22 Last Greek letter (5) 23 Nought (4)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Happen to arrive at way through mountains? (4,2,4) 7 Plant that's the result of poor drainage (8) 8 Gets on for a good while (4) 9 Chap upset by cold rage (4) 10 Retreating supporters? (7) 12 Support receptions for the untravelled (4-2-5) 14 Glad to have piano let out (7) 16 Floppy disk for children (4) 19 Crazy railway engine (4) 20 Net diver turned upside down (8) 21 The duke may put his foot in it (10) DOWN

1 Heat tea with iron (5) 2 Wine, round cheese, and fresh air (7) 3 Nurse in attendance (4) 4 Egyptian kings of North Atlantic islands, we hear (8) 5 Bright chap having

friendly fight with king (5) 6 Game for first of threes and nines st sixes and sevens (6) 11 Stuff that is relevant (8) 12 Fish for Sally on Monday (6) 13 Ragtime composition for Simenon's detective (7)

15 Sailor takes poem home (5) 17 Severe if back on board (5) 18 Quite flat (4)

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.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

11

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MOLONG EXPRESS, 25 February 2021

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

13

CLASSIFIEDS

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PHONE: 02 6366 8017 • Email: molongex@bigpond.net.au

POSITIONS VACANT

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES MOLONG CAMPDRAFT

UNITING CHURCH

Thursday 18 March 2021 7pm at the Freemasons Hotel Agenda Confirmation of minutes; Treasurers Report; Nominations and election of new committee.

All committee positions will be declared vacant. We encourage all previous committee and new members to come along to support our Molong Campdraft Any enquiries please contact Kim Stojanov 0428 648 826

Sunday 28 February

Annual General Meeting

Finance/Clerical Assistant

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School MANILDRA NSW Part Time Permanent Position 70 hours per fortnight. 5 days per week/job share would be considered. Commencing 22.03.2021 Applications are invited for the above position from persons who demonstrate a commitment to the aims and philosophy of Catholic education.

An application form for this position to be obtained from the CEDB website at www. bth.catholic.edu.au Further details of this position, including the selection criteria may be obtained by contacting Jacqueline Parmeter on j.parmeter@bth.catholic.edu.au Completed applications are to be submitted to: Jacqueline Parmeter St Joseph’s Primary School Loftus Street MANILDRA NSW 2795 Email: j.parmeter@bth.catholic.edu.au Applications close: Monday, 8 March 2021 Child Protection legislation requires preferred applicants to be subject to employment screening. The Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst is an equal opportunity employer.

Molong & District Servicemen & Servicewomen's Portrait Gallery INVITATION

to a Gathering of Friends of the Portrait Gallery on Sunday, 28 March at the RSL Club, at 2.00 for 2.30 pm.

Afternoon tea will be provided.

We are asking Friends to explain connections with the portraits, and perhaps share a story or show some memorabilia.

School students will tell us about their History studies.

All welcome.

RSVP by Wednesday, 25 March to Helen Haynes: 6360 4114 (m) 0417269388 hayneshm@bigpond.com

MOLONG PROBUS CLUB Annual General Meeting

The club will hold its AGM on 9 March at the Molong Bowling Club commencing at 10.00am.

are fielding teams in U6, U8, U10 divisions.

Sign on & first training

1 April at the Rec

We need coaches and parents to assist at training.

Contact Brett Murdoch 0491 473 282

Wayne Spencer (Pastor) Ph: 63669376 platform.

RATES INSTALMENT

Ratepayers are reminded that the due date for payment of the 3rd Instalment of 2020/2021 rates is Monday 28 February 2021

PO Box 17 MOLONG NSW 2866

B J Byrnes General Manager

REGISTRATIONS 2021

FEES ARE $100 – ALL KIDS GET TRAINING SHIRT, SHORTS & SOCKS

(Remember to get your Active Kids voucher first)

We can register your child for you – just bring along your birth certificate

TACKLE - U8’S, U10’S, U12’S, U14’S AND U16’S LEAGUE TAG – U8’S, U11’S, U14’S AND U17’S

We travel as a club - all teams travel to the same location to play!

We need coaches, managers and first aiders for each team – contact Tania on O408 604 711 if you are interested QUICK CROSSWORD

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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE

Sunday 10 am: Celebration & Sunday School Wednesday Night 7 pm: Connect Group All Welcome

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

CANCELLED

“3 Molong Grannies” STREET STALL Friday 26 February

Claim the date – 2020 Send your 2021 dates to molongexpress@bigpond.net.au

MOLONG HOCKEY CLUB

Meet the coaches & your team mates! Get help registering!!

Sausage sizzle and drink for all players

MOLONG COMMUNITY CHURCH

(Ages 3 & up)

Single Mature Male

FRIDAY 5TH MARCH – 5:00PM @ THE MOLONG REC GROUND

Welcome

Weekly Activities on livestream, to For linkAll toAge the Groups online

Permanently employed, seeks acommodation with facilities. Cottage, converted garage etc OK. Ph: 0498 360 334

Cabonne Roos 2021!

Heather Woodhouse 63668218 Helen Houghton 63668020

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

ACOMMODATION

Register online at www.playfootball.com.au Make sure you get your Active Kids Vouchers from Service NSW before registering $110 PER CHILD Children need to be turning 5 years old this year to play Any enquiries please contact molongsoccerclub@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date

Molong 11.00 am Rev Ross Godfrey

MOLONG & DISTRICT BAPTIST CHURCH

MOLONG DISTRICT SOCCER CLUB

Molong Junior Rugby Club

CHURCH NOTICES

The MHC would like to invite all interested players boys and girls, coaches and managers to our REGISRATION EVENING. Friday 5 March, 6pm at the Molong field Under 9’s – Saturday mornings in Molong Open Primary (years 3-6) – Wednesday evenings in Orange Under 14’s – Friday night in Orange Under 16’s & 18’s – Monday night in Orange Seniors – all grades are played in Orange from lunch time Saturday to Sunday evening Under 11’s Rep team – boys and girls If you are unable to make it to the registration evening, please keep an eye on our Facebook page for our online registration link.

Hope to see you all there.

March 1 Molong Show Society AGM, Showground 7.30pm 4 Molong Men’s Shed meets 4 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 9 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club 18 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 20 Cumnock Markets 9 - 12 28 Gathering of Friends of the Portrait Gallery 2.30 pm RSL Club April 1 Molong Men’s Shed meets 1 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 5 Molong Show Meeting, Showground 7.30pm 13 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club 15 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 17 Cumnock Markets 9 - 12 May 3 Molong Show Meeting, Showground 7.30pm 6 Molong Men’s Shed meets 6 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 11 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club 20 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 22 Cumnock Markets 9 - 12 June 3 Molong Men’s Shed meets 3 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 7 Molong Show Meeting, Showground 7.30pm 8 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club 17 Molong Rotary Club RSL 6.30pm 19 Cumnock Markets 9 - 12 July 1 Molong Men’s Shed meets 5 Molong Show Meeting, Showground 7.30pm 13 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club August 2 Molong Show Meeting, Showground 7.30pm 5 Molong Men’s Shed meets 10 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club September 2 Molong Men’s Shed meets 6 Molong Show Meeting, Showground

Sport Molong Bowls

Weekly Badge Draw has now reached $300. Don’t miss out.

Be there. Courtesy Bus available.

BRAG

Jim Troth (famed Molong joke teller) brought in a cracker of a Banjo poem “There was movement at the bowlo..” but unfortunately time and space has got away on me. Its too good not to fit it in properly. Promise - next week. Thanks Jim

Croquet

Greg Pringle

Canowindra into Grand Final

Annabelles Kitchen Come long and enjoy a Canowindra haved marched into consecutive delicious meal made by grand finals beating Millthorpe and Country Annabelle and her team. ended Lyndhurst’s season in two one sided semi finals in Oilsplus Cricket.

6pm - take-away also avail.

The Club is open from 4.30pm on Mondays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays. (Earlier if scheduled bowls is being played on Sat or Sun).

Molong Golf Ladies Calling all lady Golfers we will be starting our 2021 season on Wednesday 3rd March with a 9 hole stableford, starting time will be 8.30 for a 9.00am tee off.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone again and the course is looking just great.

Mixed Fourteen golfers enjoyed a morning hit on Sunday. the course is looking great thanks to our volunteers.

One of our regulars played good

Cricket

golf, the ‘Ghost Walker” asked why and the answer was he didn’t walk too far - he jumped into the cart.

Winners on the day were a couple of new comers, Matthew & Doug.

NNext Week: 2 person Ambrose 8.30-9.00.

Don’t forget working bee 6 March Jack

In the Major Semi at Millthorpe, Canowindra won the toss and elected to bat. Some tight fielding and excellent bowling particularly by Adam Clark, (1/22) saw the visitors struggling at 2 for 68 at drinks. However Canowindra put the foot down in the second stanza adding another 118 to finish at 6 for 186. Craig Carpenter (52), Jamie Austin (71no) and Nick Traves (21) were Canowindra’’s best. Millthorpe’s fielding let them down with basic regulation catches put to ground time after time, preventing them from restricting Canowindra to a much lower total. In reply Millthorpe never really looked comfortable against the Canowindra attack. Number 10 batsman Adam Clark capped off a fine match getting his team into triple figures top scoring with 36no. Millthorpe well short all out 120.

In the Minor Semi final Country were far

too strong for Lyndhurst. Batting first Trent Frazer got the Premiers off to a good start with 48 falling just short of his half century. Despite getting starts none of Country’s other batsmen went on with it, with only Andrew Heath (25) and Joe Clayton (17no) recording reasonable runs.

At the end of their 40 overs Country 6 for 128.

P Brown was Lyndhurst’s best bowler with 2 for 27 from 10 overs. In reply Lyndhurst were dismissed in the 29th over for just 56. Opener Elliot Redwin top scoring with 19. Country’s bowling attack all performed very well with the wickets shared evenly led by Damien Hayes 3 for 11, S Livingstone 2 for 1, Stu Brisbane 2 for 11, Trent Frazer 2 for 11 and Sean Clayton 1 for 14.

FINAL - Saturday 27 Feb. Country v Millthorpe Dr Ross Memorial Oval, Molong 1pm.

Umpire - Allan Hubbard Winner plays Canowindra in Grand Final, loser is eliminated.

We had 9 players on Saturday for a great round of croquet with one observer. We will be at the Molong Bowling Club again this Saturday at 6.00pm, but the following Saturday 6th March we will commence at 5.00pm due to the days getting a bit shorter.

LANDMARK TABLELANDS LIVESTOCK 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 CATTLE 23 Feb 2021 It was a good quality yarding with good numbers of yearlings to suit the processors and feeders with the bulk of the yearlings weighing well in excess of 400kg and a large percentage over 500kg. There were some good runs of grown heifers and only odd pens of grown steers.

There were 450 cows yarded and the quality was outstanding.

Most of the regular buyers were in attendance and operating except for a major northern export processor.

Young cattle to the trade were firm to 5c cheaper with prime vealers selling to 480c/kg. Prime steer yearlings sold from 374c to 460c while the prime heifer yearlings made from 375c to 444c/ kg. Feeder steers and the heavier feeder heifers were up to 10c cheaper while the lighter feeder heifers were 12c/kg dearer. Feeder steers sold from 383c to 478c while the feeder heifers made from 388c to 461c/kg. Young cattle to the restockers remain strong with the young steers selling to 600c and the young heifers making to 494c/ kg. Grown steers were 12c cheaper while the grown heifers were 3c/kg dearer. Prime grown steers sold from 326c to 377c while the grown heifers made from 280c to 372c/kg.

Cows were firm to 2c cheaper

with the 2 and 3 scores selling from 262c to 302c/kg. The prime heavy weight cows made from 286c to 315c to average 306c/kg. Heavy bulls sold to 318c/kg.

SHEEP 17 Feb It was a good quality yarding with a good selection of both trade and heavy weight lambs throughout though there was not the numbers of extreme heavy weights compared to previous sales. A full field of buyers competed strongly in a dearer market. It was a mostly good quality yarding of mutton where the light and medium weight sheep were $5 to $7 dearer and the heavy weights were up to $20/head dearer.

Trade lambs were $10 to $20 dearer with the few new season lambs selling from $173 to $219/ head. Trade weight shorn lambs sold from $160 to $222 to average between 915c and 940c/kg cwt.

Heavy weight lambs were $12 to $14 dearer with the over 24kg shorn lambs making from $209 to $250/head to average between 875c and 900c/kg cwt. Heavy weight new season lambs sold from $218 to $229/head. A single pen of trade weight Merino lambs sold for $166/head. Lambs to the restockers were $10 dearer selling from $112 to $179/head. Hoggets sold to $210/head.

Merino ewes sold from $100 to $200 while the crossbred ewes made from $125 to $210/head.

Merino wethers sold from $144 to $210 while crossbred wethers sold to a top of $220/head. Carcase prices ranged from 590c to 650c/kg cwt. The restockers paid from $119 to $170 for Merino ewes and $118/ head for a pen of White Dorper ewes.

It’s your club!

22-24 RIDDELL ST MOLONG

P: 6366 8105

e:admin@molongrsl.com.au

BISTRO

NEW TRADING HOURS Open Mon - Sat

MONDAY & TUESDAY ONLY

FRESH HOMEMADE

3 x TACOS

TACOS

$16

Add a schooner or a glass of premium wine

$20

BAR: Mon Tues 3.00 - 8.00 WED 1.00 - BISTRO Mon -Tues 6-8 pm Wed-Thu 6-8.30 pm 10.00 THU 1.00 - 10.00 FRI 1.00 - 11.00 Fri-Sat 5.30-8.30 pm SAT 1.00 - 10.00 SUN 12.00 - 8.00 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021

15

Auction

Sale

One of Orange’s Finest Homes!

Orange Taloumbi Place

This is a unique opportunity offering one of Orange’s finest homes. This immaculate and well-designed Wentworth home is bustling with top-end highlights.

It has to be seen to appreciate its elegance.

Outside you will find the massive Merbau timber deck and built-in barbecue, a beautifully landscaped rear yard which allows for year-round entertaining.

Is this the lifestyle change you seek?

Auction Thursday 25th Feb 6pm View

By Appointment Lucy Nell 0400 726 897

Auction

What more can you ask for? Situated 15 minutes from Yeoval and 1 hour from Orange or Dubbo, you have this beautiful home on a larger acreage.

• Beautifully designed four bedroom three bathroom home plus office • Approx. 186* ha (460* acres)

This impressive family home sits proudly on a beautiful piece of land, nestled behind established trees & surrounded by lush green lawns. An abundance of natural light beams through the home creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere from the moment you walk in the door..

Sale $549,000 View

By Appointment Kurt Adams 0428 747 050

Auction

Where the Two Rivers Meet!

Bournewood “Fairview”

Stuart Town Copeland Street

Sit back and enjoy the views!

Auction Friday 26th Feb 10.30am View

By Appointment Kurt Adams 0428 747 050

Mullion Creek “Valley View”

Whatever your interests “Valley View” has something for everyone. Offering the best of both worlds, with a mixture of bushland, grazing acres and a stunning homestead, you can create a haven for recreation or an envied laid-back country lifestyle. 69.69* ha / 173 ac • 4 large bedrooms, 3 bathrooms plus office or 5th bedroom

Ray White Emms Mooney

Auction Friday 26th Feb 10.30am View

By Appointment Kurt Adams 0428 747 050

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

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 25 February 2021