Connecting the Community since 1876
AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER
Ph: 0448231 180
THURSDAY 27 July 2023
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Email: molongex@bigpond.net.au www.molongexpress.com.au
70 Years of Molong Magpies
A weekend of footy memories, yarns , life membership for Jim Troth, renewing old friendships formed over 70 years of Rugby Union in Molong - and, Junior Magpies coming through. See inside and next week's Express.
Andrew Gee MP achieves Flood Inquiry with focus on insurance P.5
Hard decisions facing Molong bowls and sport clubs By Paul Mullins
The reported effects of the 2022 flood have naturally concentrated on damage to homes, shops, businesses, roads and town infrastructure throughout Cabonne. These have received priority attention of the council and government. But the flood also affected other important ingredients of life especially sporting and recreation facilities. These include the Molong Bowling Club, the Hockey field, and numerous other sports venues. The members and supporters of these clubs are now facing hard decisions about whether to refurbish, rebuild or relocate. These are compounded by problems with insurance coverage and the cost involved in rehabilitation. Molong Bowling Club the members will meet on Sunday to hear of progress with insurance claims and to discuss their future. The centrally located club is more than just two greens for lawn bowls. For over 50 years it has been a venue for countless community functions and events ranging from fundraisers, parties and dances, birthdays and weddings to wakes - catered for by the club's dedicated women and volunteers. These have been critical for the financial viability of the club. Bowls itself relied on its facilities including the auditorium, kitchen and pleasant outdoor area for the holding of local gatherings and celebrations.
Bowls includes inter-town formal pennants as well as social Wednesdays, BRAG on Friday nights and weekends social bowls. Options facing members include: 1. Rebuilding the club in-situ. As mentioned above this would necessarily need to include not only a bar and cool-room but also the auditorium, kitchen, and other facilities. It is unlikely that insurance money will cover this adequately. 2. Relocate the whole thing to higher ground namely the showground. This would not involve building a new fully fitted-out self contained clubhouse. Cabonne Council has long had proposals to co-locate golf with other sporting facilities around a fully functional country/sports club. This is unlikely to be attractive to bowling club members who are used to being close to home, get there on their gophers or walking - as well as cars. 3. Revive the 50+ years old talk of amalgamating
with the Molong RSL Club. The club has a large block of land at the rear and the purchase of one or two adjacent houses would fit the bill. And, the club already has an auditorium, bars, bistro, kitchens and everything a bowling club would ever need. Hard decisions, indeed! Whilst relocation to the showgrounds might be attractive in terms of gaining government grants and funding for infrastructure it has some serious drawbacks. While it is logical to think that if Molong is to grow new housing, say like North Orange, - the showground will likely be the direction it will grow into. However, under current zoning all residential blocks outside of current town limits are stuck on minimum block sizes of 5 acres. There is no town water or sewerage connections. What new home-maker in this age will contemplate tank water and a septic out the back. Given the massive costs involved and the years it would take, this is hardly a shorter-term option. No doubt a solution will arise. There is always a gem of an idea for those who listen with a broad mind and on eye on the long term future. Good luck to the beloved Bowlo with their meeting on Sunday.
BUY THE PAPER TO ENTER THE MOLONG FLOWER ROOM JULY COFFEE COMPETITION!
Collect all 4 Molong Flower Room logos hidden in your July Molong Express editions to go in the draw to win free coffee every day* for a month! *excluding Sundays.
Drop all 4 logos into Molong Flower Room by 4pm Monday 31st July when draw will take place.
NEW ... Mario's BISTRO @ Molong's Freemasons Hotel 0476 446 051
Mario's New Bistro Open Wed - Sat Nights - (Dining Room or Bar) or Takeway Fresh foods: Fish, Steaks, Chicken, Pork, Vegetarian Dishes, Pasta, Porchetta - with changing Blackboard Specials Mario's Pizzeria Open Wed - Sun Nights from 5 p.m. Eat In or Takeaway 0476 446 051 Bookings - Functions & Group Bookings Welcome
