Molong Express 7 April 2022

Growing the Community since 1876 AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER

THURSDAY 7 April 2022

Ph: (02) 6366 8017

$2.00 inc gst

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

Will trees divide Molong? INSIDE

SPECIAL REPORT

Molong Water Supply

by Paul Mullins

The Village Enhancement Project, which gets underway soon following public exhibition and feedback meetings last year, proposes several suitable trees along a Bank St safety median strip (flat, not raised) with large potted trees placed on the left and right pavements (note the redish examples above). This proposal rids the street of the dreaded double white lines and frees up some 20+ valuable car parking spaces in an increasingly congested "CBD". A godsend to business owners investing their money in Molong - and there is more than a few of them appearing - to the benefit of

locals and surrounding farm and rural dwellers alike.

All want a viable working local town centre.

Yet, opinion on the current trees is still divided. It's a hard one.

One view is that the trees lining the commercial end of Bank Street demonstrate an image of Molong as a 'charming village' during each of the four seasons. If they are removed this might be lost. Others feel that they might bump into the central trees (however narrow their trunks may be).

I am expecting a lot of blowback on this and welcome it - that's what the Express is here for - get to it!

Vale Bob Patfield Central School News PLUS Lots of News & Features

Paper Quality You may have noticed a drop in the quality of our paper stock and resulting effect on images etc. Just like local and world wide shortages of most other commodities we are not immune.

Our suppliers are working hard on it - please bear with us.

LATER?

(Above) Many of the current trees have either died, "gone missing" or are small, leaving gaps in the streetscape.

(Right) The pavement under this tree outside McGrath Real Estate/ former Sweetness Cafe is buckling now.

(Far Right) Left to their own devices the trees will eventually "rise up", invade the drains and ruin the valuable street space around them.

Maybe OK for us locals who stroll down the street with no need to park. But for a prospective (or even current) business owner wishing to invest in Molong to keep our town viable, it would be be very offputting and send a strange message - especially when a reasonable alternative is available

MOLONG

VILLAGE MARKETS Easter Monday

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NOW !

Molong “Rec” Ground Breakfast from 8.30 Stalls from 9.00

Huge Variety of Stalls

Baristas & BBQ 100 + booked variety Stalls • Artisan Products • Food • Gifts • Produce

Something for Everyone FUN FOR ALL !

This week the Express returns to local schools and the diverse curriculum and activities offered at the Molong Central School. We love collecting news about the young local and district residents who attend MCS from K1 to Year 12.

Also, residents with past connections to MCS love to hear about the diverse range (and more exciting subjects) and career path opportunities available to students today. And, to observe local children growing to become future leaders, employees, employers, business owners, farmers and graziers, sporting reps, and ... good people.

On the ‘eve’ of the Easter school holidays ... The Express would like to thank the Principal of MCS, Michelle Barrett, her deputies, teaching / admin. and grounds staff teams, for caring and supporting the growth

Molong Central School News

of local and district children and youth. Not overlooking the value of parents, carers, grandparents local sponsors who are 100% involved with their family members and the wider school community. Well done!

In community building and development experts have identified that in sucessful communities it is observed ... that ...

“It takes a whole community to raise a child .... “

Our Primary Girls Softball team travelled to Jack Brabham for a great day of softball. They played 3 games against Bowen, Bletchington and Dubbo North, with the girls skills and teamwork building throughout the day. They all showed great sportsmanship and encouragement, and had fun as well. A big thank you to parent’, Lisa Vandervelde and Belinda Mills for coaching on the day, and thanks to all the parents for getting their girls there. The girls play Calare in the next round on the 16 May back at Jack Brabham. Well done girls!

Congratulations to Indy and Ella Vandervelde, Milly Olson, Layne Mills and Phoebe Lyons on their selection in the Western Region Girls Hockey Team. The girls will compete at the end of May in Tamworth. Congratulations.

Ayden Penson has made it to the PSSA Swimming Championships and will be competing in the 50m Breaststroke event at Sydney Olympic Park in April. This will be a fabulous opportunity for Ayden to test his ability against other competitors at this world class venue. Well done Ayden.

Congratulations to Makai Milson, Xavier Mostyn, Sonnie Gersbach and Nate Trapman who have made it to the District Schools Football Team, which will take them one step closer to Western selection. Good luck boys, we are proud of your efforts and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to this group of Secondary School students who achieved their individual best during the first semester of 2022. Note: Names are not matched to the photos, but include Tilly Handebo, Nikkola Hanrahan, William Ryan, Savanna Nash, Taneisha Gilbey, Trae Winton, Gus Lewis, Maddison Shaw, Jack Burgess, Mia Fitzsimmons, Cody Brown, Thomas Van Cornewal, Ella Ring, Isabell Salter, Tengis Meiklejohn, Leoni Wilson, Grace Parry, Abbeylea Marlin, Lachlan Pringle, Emily O'Connor.

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

42 Bank Street Molong 6366 8800

Visit all our listings at townsendrealestate.com.au molongrealestate

Molong Real Estate Mark Howes

S FO A R LE

Looking for that tree change Lifestyle properties like this are getting hard to find, approx. 48 acres only 5km from Molong.

There is plenty for the entire family with approx.

48 acres to explore, 2 dams full of yabbies, great bush walks & camping spots, small productive orchard, Inground saltwater pool, terrific shed & workshop space and a very neat 3-bedroom home with cosy wood heating.

• 3-bedroom home all with built-in robes & ceiling fans • Open plan kitchen overlooking the family room • Good size dining & formal lounge room • Spacious bathroom with bath & separate shower • full-length covered deck overlooking the pool area • Separate studio or office space

414 Banjo Patterson Way

Call Mark For further details 0427 668 800

S FO A R LE

Main Street Location Where do you find a home so centrally located only ½ a block from the busy main street of Molong, A short stroll to the cafes, supermarket, pubs & doctors. This neat home has two bedrooms, open plan kitchen space & a neat little bathroom. Spacious lounge room & dining, spilt system reverse cycle air, Single garage & even a front picket fence. It’s the perfect property for retirees wanting to downsize in probably the best central location in Molong.

Contact Mark to arrange a private inspection 0427 668 800 82 Bank Street, Molong

S FO A R LE

Spacious family home

14-16 Thistle Street, Molong

This family home is positioned in a large park like garden, post & rail fences greet you on entry with a circular driveway, established trees and gardens. 4-bedroom brick veneer home + an office space with two separate living areas.

Enjoy a covered entertaining deck area overlooking the huge level back yard with the bonus of a three bay shed & workshop with power.

• 4 spacious bedrooms all with built-ins, main with walk in robe • 2 Bathrooms main with bath & separate shower. Ensuite to main bedroom • Open plan kitchen with plenty of cupboard space overlooking the dining • Off the main bedroom is a great office space with plenty of storage • Good size formal lounge with large screen projector Call Mark 0427 668 800

Molong & District’s Own Real Estate Agent

With such strong buyer enquiry, if you have been thinking of selling there is no better time than now.

If you are curious please call me.

KERRIANNE KELLY

PROPERTY MANAGER 0432 649 274

MARK HOWES LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT 0427 668 800

42 BANK STREET, MOLONG PH: 02 6366 8800

KAITLYN KNOTT OFFICE ADMINISTRATION & SALES ASSISTANT

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

3

Water is at “forefront of challenges”

Molong could be faced with a 50% increase in water charges Infrastructure Australia's recent Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report warns that Water security is at the “forefront of challenges” for the Central West.

Infrastructure Australia says the impacts of drought and water security are expected to continue.

Molong Dam overflowing in 2020 Revenues • Fixed annual access charges (for the provision of the service) and • Variable consumption charges (based on the volume of water used).

Current charges are already higher than neighbouring utilities, but Council needs to increase them considerably more ($600k p.a. or 50%) in order to

Molong is one of the smallest water supply utilities in the state, with 1,150 connected properties. The Central Tablelands Water utility, which supplies users in Blayney, Weddin and Cabonne Shires (including Manildra, Cudal and Canowindra - but not Molong) has some 13,000 customers.

Last year Cabonne and Orange City councils together with Central Tablelands Water embarked on a regional town water strategy in response to a reassessment by Cabonne of its own water supply system

cover normal operating costs and pay for priority capital works.

The following information is intended to put the key issues in context by comparing Council’s situation with other utilities. It is drawn from the NSW Government local water utility benchmarking website.

Firstly, Council has only 1,150 connected properties, making it the 8th smallest water supply utility in NSW (out of 82) and just 24% of the size of the median (middle size) water supply utility, which has 4,800 properties. This means Council suffers from a lack of economies of scale. In comparison, Council is the 49th smallest general purpose council (out of 128) with a population of 13,600 which is 56% of the median, which has a population of 24,150.

Secondly, the current replacement cost of Council’s water supply assets is $36,542 per assessment, which is the 7th highest of any water supply utility in NSW. This is more than double the median of $18,500 per assessment.

This means Council owns a lot of assets (dams, pipelines, water treatment plant) for the number of people it is serving.

Thirdly, the cost of operating this infrastructure is $1,078/property, which is the 13th highest in NSW and 57% more than the median (at $687/ property). This is in part a reflection of the lack of economies of scale, but also the value of infrastructure.

Finally, the typical residential bill is reported in the benchmarking figures as $815 in 2019/20, which is the 19th highest in NSW, 14% higher than the median (at $718).

Figures on the Department’s website may not take account of the higher steps for usage (Council’s 2019/20 charges in 3 steps based on usage: $2.4/kL up to 75kL, $5.8/kL up to 125kL and $7.7/kL for usage over 125kL).

As an indication, the typical residential bill in 2017/18 (when usage was higher) was $1,035 (this is based on total revenues from residential properties and number of connections) but dropped to $790 in 2019/20 (due to lower usage associated with water restrictions). At this stage, it is estimated – based on a year when usage is typical, without major restrictions – that the typical bill is $1,000 and if Council were to increases charges by 50% as forecast, this will bring the typical residential bill up to around $1,500.

centred on Molong. This has the potential to redefine how water supplies are planned, managed, operated and shared between these water supply systems.

In the meantime Cabonne Council’s Long Term Financial Plan 2022-2032, currently on public display, contains some sobering indeed frightening - predictions on the future costs (and hence user charges) of sustaining Molong’s water supply.

Here is an edited extract of the discussion:

This would be among the highest in NSW (the highest in 2019/20 was Bogan at n itio $1,346 but in 2018/19 b i h it was Hay at $1,936 – ex c i Hay didn’t report in bl pu 2019/20 but Bogan r fo was $1,517).

T F A In summary, DR Council’s water supply function is smaller, has more assets and higher operating costs than most other utilities in the state. The typical residential bill isn’t ‘out of step’ with other utilities at present, but the forecast increases of 50% would put the typical residential bill among the highest in NSW. Figure 8 presents this graphically and includes figures from some neighbouring utilities for the 2019/20 year.

It appears that water usage is lower in Cabonne supply areas than in neighbouring areas although 2019/20 was particularly low due to drought restrictions. Even in previous years, though, it appears that usage is still lower than Orange or Central Tablelands. Further investigation is required, but it appears it may be due to the number of bores and tanks in use in Molong.

As a consequence, Council’s usage charges – which are already higher than neighbours (in $/kL) – need to be higher still because there is less water being used overall.

While ‘best practice’ is for local water utilities to promote water saving initiatives, this works against efforts to improve financial sustainability because it reduces revenues. One way to encourage water saving is price signals: for small utilities under 4,000 connected properties like Cabonne, the target is to raise 50% of revenues from usage charges (Council meets this).

There is obviously more work to be done on pricing both in terms of assumptions about typical usage (considering variability due to restrictions), the split between fixed and variable charges, and the charges at each step (and number of steps) for usage.

Assuming CPI at 2% alongside a 10% increases over 5 years (i.e. 8% net increase over CPI p.a.) the cumulative increase (allowing for the increases to compound each year) works out to an effective increase of 50% in charges over and above CPI. (Continued page 10) Cabonne

Council

Long Ter

m Financia

l Plan 202

2-2032

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4

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

1

CNSW Joint Organisation Board present a united front in Canberra

Molong Probus Club

Our March meeting was our AGM when a new committee was elected. The new President is Chris Brook. Treasurer is Dallas Duffy and Secretary remains Pat Cartlidge.

Congratulations to each one and we wish them a very happy and fruitful year ahead.

A big thank you to our retiring President Barb Horsfield and Treasurer David Bloomfield. Both have done a wonderful job during their tenure.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 12th April and we will be commencing the meeting at 9.30 as we need to leave the Bowling Club at 10.30 for our annual Car Rally, look forward to seeing you all there to have a great day.

(Back) Barb Wright, Mary Iffland, Chris Brook, Pat Cartlidge (Front) David Bloomfield and Barb Horsfield sitting

Central NSW Joint Organisation Chair Cr Kevin Beatty, Mayor of Cabonne Council, along with a delegation of Mayors from the Central NSW region met last Thursday with key Federal Government representatives.

The Board’s seventh visit to Parliament House, it provided the opportunity for the region’s elected representatives to speak with one voice on the priority issues impacting on the region and to be briefed on the Government’s budget priorities.

Water security, transport links, digital connectivity, health and addressing skills shortages were all high on the agenda. ‘’It was good to be able to meet with Ministers and hear more detail around Government budget commitments for our region,’’ said Cr Beatty.

Announcement of $150 million for the Newell Highway Upgrade of the Parkes Bypass, continued funding for rural medical education and training places and commitments to improve digital connectivity are all welcomed.

“However, Federal Government support is still needed for water security and transport connectivity to enable the region’s full potential to be realised,” said Cr Beatty.

“Ensuring a safe swift road link between Western Sydney and Central NSW remains a priority of the Board. Queensland has two safe swift highways at 100kmph to the west of Brisbane and NSW has not one!” said Cr Beatty.

“Likewise, raising the dam wall at Wyangala is an important first step to deliver better flood immunity and water security to enable the agricultural sector and increase productivity in the Lachlan Valley,” said Cr Beatty.

With the upcoming election expected in May the delegation also met with representatives of the opposition to share our vision for the future.

This was met with enthusiasm and we will continue talking to both sides of politics.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

5

View from the Hill

Michelle Grattan

Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

Labor ahead 54-46% in post-budget Newspoll, as Morrison rejects claims of racist tactics in his preselection fight

Labor’s two-party lead has been cut back slightly, to 54-46%, and its primary vote has fallen in the post-budget Newspoll. But Anthony Albanese would have a strong win if the latest poll were reproduced at the election.

A second poll, done by Ipsos, in the Australian Financial Review, also shows Labor in a good position as Scott Morrison prepares to call the May election.

Newspoll, published in Monday’s Australian newspaper, has Labor’s primary vote on 38%, a drop of 3 points, while the Coalition is on 36%, up a point since the last poll three weeks ago. The Greens have risen 2 points to 10% Labor’s lead of 54-46% on a twoparty basis compares with 55-45% in the previous poll.

The much-awaited Newspoll, in which the government hoped to see a budget bounce, comes as Scott Morrison battles with another controversy about his character – with claims, which he totally denies, that he used the race issue against his opponent in his 2007 preselection.

The Newspoll showed little change in the leaders’ personal ratings.

Satisfaction with Morrison was up a point to 42%; dissatisfaction was down a point to 54%, giving a net rating of minus 12. Albanese’s satisfaction rating was down a point to 43%; dissatisfaction with him increased 2 points to 44%.

On who would be the better PM, Morrison inched a nose back in front from the previous poll’s dead heat. He rose a point to 43%; Albanese was unchanged at 42%.

The national poll of 1531 was done Thursday to Sunday.

Albanese’s budget reply, in which he announced his aged care policy was Thursday night.

The AFR Ipsos poll of 2563 voters, conducted Wednesday to Saturday, showed only 31% Coalition primary vote, with Labor on 35%, and the Greens on 10%.

When people stated their preferences, this gave a two-party result of Labor 48%, Coalition 37% and 15% undecided.

If the 2019 election preference flow are used, with undecided votes distributed, Labor has a two-party lead of 55-45%.

In the Ipsos poll, Morrison has an approval rating of 33%, with 48% disapproving and 19% uncommitted.

Albanese is approved by 30%, disapproved by 32%, with a huge 38% uncommitted, indicating the opposition leader has yet to define himself in the minds of many voters.

Morrison’s has a higher disapproval rating among women than among men -– 51-45%.

As preferred PM, Albanese is a point ahead of Morrison, 38-37%, with a large 25% uncommitted.

The AFR poll found 29% thought they would be better off from Tuesday’s budget, 23% judged they would be worse off and 39% believed it would make no difference to them.

6 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

Meanwhile Morrison is waiting for a NSW court decision, expected on Monday, on a challenge brought by a NSW party member to the endorsement of three MPs by a committee appointed by the Liberal party’s federal executive, after the faction-riven NSW Liberal division was at an impasse.

The decision relates to ministers Sussan Ley and Alex Hawke and backbencher Trent Zimmerman, but an adverse judgement would also affect a raft of candidates for other seats, including some key marginals, announced at the weekend. The candidates were chosen by the committee, compromising Morrison, NSW premier Dominic Perrottet and former Liberal president Chris McDiven.

At the weekend Morrison was fighting off allegations – which he flatly denies – that he used a racist slur against his opponent in his 2007 preselection for his seat of Cook.

The Saturday Paper reported statutory declarations signed in 2016 that claimed Morrison had warned certain preselectors against choosing Michael Towke as the candidate because his Lebanese background would cause a swing against the Liberals in Cook. The Cronulla race riots had occurred less than two years before. Morrison was also accused of spreading a rumour that Towke – a Catholic – was Muslim.

Towke made one of the statutory declarations; the other was from a preselector, Scott Chapman, who was named in Nine’s Saturday report on the statutory declarations.

Towke won the preselection against Morrison and other candidates, but then lost a second ballot that the party ordered.

Speaking to Nine newspapers, Towke at the weekend said: “I stand by the declarations I asserted in my statutory declaration.”

“Amongst many unedifying tactics used to unseat me from my preselection victory for Morrison, racial vilification was front and centre and he was directly involved.”

Morrison on Sunday described the allegations as “quite malicious and bitter slurs”.

“My record of my relationship with the Lebanese Maronite community, in particular, as well as the Lebanese Muslim community, is one that I think stands

out amongst any other member of parliament and certainly above any other prime minister of this country,” Morrison said.

Asked at a news conference whether he would be willing to sign a statutory declaration rejecting the claims Morrison said he would. But he went on, “Well no one’s asking for one and I’m not going to court over these matters”.

Pressed on the wide ranging attacks that have been made on his character Morrison blamed individuals who “haven’t liked the answer they’ve got, and so rather than accept that, they have decided to cast all sorts of slings and arrows”.

He said as prime minister “you’ve got to have broad shoulders. People will throw all sorts of mud at you, particularly when you get up close to an election, and they’ll make all sorts of things up because they have other motivations.”

The resurrection of Morrison’s preselection was triggered by the furious denunciation of him in parliament on budget night by Liberal backbench senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, who was involved in the Cook dispute at the time, and has just lost her own preselection battle for a winnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket.

She told the Senate:“I am advised that there are several statutory declarations to attest to racial comments made

by Morrison at the time that we can’t have a Lebanese person in Cook”.

She also claimed that “having lost the [first] ballot Morrison and his cronies went to [then Labor official] Sam Dastyari to get dirt on Towke, who had been in the Labor party for a period of time whilst at university”.

Further Labor aged care announcement In an additional policy announcement on aged care, Labor on Sunday said it would place a cap on what users could be charged in home care administration and management fees. It would also require monthly reporting to users about where their fees were going.

The measures would “stop the rorting of home care fees”. Albanese said: “Labor will restore integrity and transparency to our aged care system. Whether you are in residential care or home care, Australians should have confidence the money they are paying is going where it should – towards their care.”

Last week Albanese announced a $2.5 billion aged care policy, on top of which a Labor government would fund whatever wage rise the Fair Work Commission brings down for workers in the sector.

In another instance of its determination to be a small target, shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers was firm on Sunday that Labor would not change the tax arrangements for trusts. Its plans to do so gave the Coalition grounds for attack in 2019. “We’re not taking that policy to this election,” Chalmers told Sky. (theconversation.com)

Letters

One journey, nine lives

After a recent visit to family in Molong we returned home to Ballina, exhausted. It had been a very long trip: 814 kilometres over some very potholed roads, with four separate stops and a final one and a half hour stretch through torrential rain. Eleven hours in total. All we wanted was a bite to eat and to head to bed.

That was until we heard the meow.

But we no longer had any cats. We thought it must have been a neighbourhood cat sheltering from the rain at our back door, but the sound was coming from the inside of the house – from the garage.

Walking around the car we saw a tiny tail poking out from behind a tyre. A dry tail. It hadn’t been out in the rain. Had we had a stowaway?

Our presence scared it, though, and it climbed up into the engine bay.

Opening up the bonnet, we saw it nestled into a well in front of where the glovebox would be.

Exhaustion and discretion made us decide to leave the kitten to stay where it was, put water and food out for it and reassess the situation in the morning.

One thing we recognised was the tabby patterning. It was identical to the family of cats and kittens we’d seen seeking food at the edge of town, close to where we were staying. This tiny kitten must have climbed into our engine bay to keep warm overnight and stayed there as we drove off in the morning.

We marvelled at how it could possibly have survived the trip. We barely managed it ourselves! The roads were horrendously rough.

We stopped for fifteen minutes in Coolah. We stopped for petrol at Tamworth, then parked behind the main street for forty-five minutes to visit an old friend. We stopped again at a park on the range. It rained heavily from Grafton economy on. Our extrastrong. passenger stayed snug and dry on board. cketIneases the cost living the morning we of found that the food was eaten but there was no sign of the kitten. After reating jobs lifting the bonnet, we saw that it wasn’t in its initial hiding place. We eventually found it into a space beneath the battery, but a crammed to help secure our supply chain no amount of coaxing or arm contortions could It seemed to be happy to have its rremove homesit.and businesses There are now 260,000 more people in work than before COVID. cheek stroked, though.

And Australia performed better than major advanced economies nd The innovate future NRMA for wasour called.

It was his first callout through the pandemic. That’s why we’re taking the next step. of the day… and it certainly wasn’t what he was expecting.

Removing a filter, its bracket and the last two years. There are 260,000 hose allowed us to pick up the kitten. It was To find out more, visit economicplan.gov.au alia has performed than tiny, fitting neatly intobetter the palm of a major hand, and it seemed placed a catstep. carrier. hat’s why settled we’re when taking the in next But what now? We were able to check with the people feeding these cats, who confirmed uthat a kitten was missing. We were certain we knew where the kitten had come from but, as it was a stray, we weren’t about to drive it back.

We had our old dog; we didn’t need another animal. Before we’d gone to bed, we’d put an alert on facebook, asking if anyone in our neighbourhood would like to rehome a kitten.

A local family was looking for a kitten as a companion for their two other cats. They were overjoyed to be giving this kitten a home. What would they call it? ‘Lucky’ was the first instinct, but they wisely said that they would wait until finding out from their vet if it was a boy or girl.

How could a tiny (admittedly very beautiful) kitten survive such a trip? Besides an enormous amount of luck, it was down to simple – if convoluted – mathematics. The journey length of 814kms divided by the eleven hours of travel time equals seventy-four; less the sixty-five minutes that the car was stationary over its four stops, leaves nine. Nine: the total allocation of feline lives.

One journey; nine lives… and one extremely Data: ABS Labour Force, Australia lucky kitten.

AUSTRALIA’S ECONOMIC PLAN Employment’s up, so we’re taking the next step.

13.3 million

+260 , 000 More people in work

13 million

than before COVID

March 2020 - January 2022

Bob Moore, Ballina

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

7

Molong Walks brochure launch

The Rotary Club of Molong recently held a dinner to celebrate the production and launch of the walking tour of Molong brochure. The brochure contains much fascinating and amusing info on Molong’s precincts and buildings old and new.

Rotary President Margaret Dean (Right) put together the lovely brochure - not without help from several others mentioned here. It has been a hit with locals and visitors alike.

Here is Margaret’s informative talk at the launch.

The flyer says that it is a community project of the Rotary Club – and it has indeed been a community project in a wider sense.

In July 2020, the club had a discussion about what projects we could do. The suggestion was made that we do a glossy A4 brochure to advertise what a great place Molong was.

Members put in their suggestions of what to include. This slowly evolved into the idea of doing some self-guided walks, something that was missing from the tourism side of things. The aim was to show off the town and to promote the main street.

It started as 5 walks, all beginning and ending at the Bank St/Gidley St corner.

A very rough draft was written of what people would see along the routes. To get the information right, the Historical Society was approached for assistance.

We received a positive response.

John and Julie Lawrie did the first road test and came back with excellent suggestions, including that we redesign and reduce the walks to 3, basically along the routes that we now have.

As the walks flyer developed, there was quite a bit of interaction with those involved in the historical society. I would like to particularly acknowledge Catherine McKenzie, honorary historian, who shared much of her research, particularly about Bank St. There are some fascinating stories about Molong!

Also acknowledge Barbara Strong from the Yarn Market for her support and providing a copy of the most recent walk around town, which was a number of years old. That gave us another basis for the new flyer.

One of the aims was to have a

Bank St MOLONG

professional-looking flyer.

Georgia Kraljevic who had just commenced her own graphic design business, was approached. Georgia grew up here, as the daughter of Steve and Janelle Bowler. It was great working with someone who knew all the places on the map.

The project involved a number of meetings. That was tricky at times, with COVID restrictions and lockdowns, but we managed to work our way around it.

I really appreciated Georgia’s enthusiasm and professional approach and skills At the beginning of last year, we applied for financial assistance from the council through the Community Assistance Program. This involved writing a submission.

Thank you to Janis for her work on this, collecting the information required and writing it up in such a professional manner.

Here I would also acknowledge the financial support received from MAG and their endorsement of the project.

How to name the walks? I decided to look at what the key features were of each route. So, we have: • CNR – The Creek and Railway • R&R – The Recreation G r o u n d

PH 6366 8062

and Riddell St, the north and south boundaries of the walk route.

• BOBS Walk - The business of Bank Street Then of course, the 3 walks had to be ‘road tested’. This was a challenge, with inclement weather and COVID lockdowns/restrictions in the middle of this process. Brian and I did it first, which resulted in quite a rewrite of the text. (Georgia was able to do a cut and paste over what had previously been provided.) Janis and Jan McIntyre, then Yvonne Barnes and Pat Troth set forth.

Each team came back with good comments and suggestions which were incorporated.

Getting the text to read well when there is limited space required a bit of thinking. Thank you to Jonathan, our family’s resident wordsmith for your comments.

You will note that there is a general information segment about Molong.

There was so much to say and not much space. Janis, Sandra and also Janelle were very helpful.

There had always been the discussion about photos. Once the final format was settled on, it was time to get the photos.

Thank you, Janelle for offering up your snaps of Molong to be used. They certainly add to the flyer.

Once the flyer was about ready for final production, the members of the club used one of their scheduled meetings to do the Bank Street walk. I was away at the time, but I’m told it was quite an interesting event with Paul adding lots of stories.

The support and enthusiasm of the members throughout the journey has been wonderful.

And so, we have the final product.

Distribution is underway. In Molong, copies are available at the Yarn Market, cane shop, Molong Express, Sweetness, Molong Stores, The Red Door, Molong Motor Inn, caravan park and the showground RV area. Also at the council office. The Historical Society have shared them with other museums in the region as well as holding some copies. Wider distribution thus far – Orange VIC, Age of Fishes Museum, Banjo Paterson Museum at Yeoval. Plans are underway to distribute the flyers to other towns in the Central West.

We have plenty of copies so please free to take some more and share them with your visitors to town.

The contribution of so many people and groups is much appreciated.

SEE INSTORE BROCHURE FOR FULL RANGE

Specials available Wednesday 6 April to Tuesday 12 April 2022

8 MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

Blasts from the Past : Molong Memories Some gems from the Memories of Molong Facebook pages

Molong: Is that a race-track at the back? The Molong Showground track?

Boys at the local footy? Wherever, these well remembered locals were having a great time together. Not sure who is who - but the list given includes the names of Lance Dean, Bill Dunn, Max Whitehead, Peter Lee, Norm Bloomfield, Lou Edwards, Ray Alexander, Stumpy Slingsby are the names listed on ‘Memories of Molong’ site. Can readers identify?

Thank you to Robyn Staines for the 2 photos to share with readers ‘Memories of Molong site’ 1949 Opening of School Ball says the entry. (l to r) John Shepherd, Norma Weekes, Dulcie Rosser and Desmond Staines. Who were they?

Desie Staines comes up a lot in Molong’s history ... footballer?

The coming of the steel railway

The social history surrounding the coming of the steel railway lines through rural areas, like Molong, Cumnock, Yeoval, Manildra, and the many railway sidings in between, is a special memory of the families who ‘worked the line’. Only those who lived as railway families will understand, and remember the extended family units that came about and grew from the building of rail tracks and the introduction of steam trains.

Without the mechanical advancements of today - the The Pay Bus: For nearly 50 years, railway pay buses were used to move cash around the railway network to pay station staff and permanent way workers stationed along the tracks.

They were a familiar and welcomed sight running to a regular timetable and affectionately known as ‘pay buses’. With the advent of electronic banking, the pay buses became redundant. In April 1986 the operation of pay buses ceased. A few stand today in railway museums as a tribute to the fornightly and welcomed cash in a small brown envelopes.

Adapting Rail Motors: One of the earlier NSW Government’s Railway (NSWGR) experiments was Rail Motor No.1, based on an obsolete truck chassis that was fitted with a passenger carrying body and railway wheels. No.1 entered service in 1919 and proved successful, working over the isolated Casino to Lismore section. No.1 was withdrawn from revenue service in 1925, but continued in service as an Inspection Car for the Signals Branch until 1929 after which it was dismantled.

The next experimental vehicle, Rail Motor No.2, was converted from an FA end platform suburban passenger carriage and featured a 6-cylinder reversible petrol engine designed and built by Eveleigh Workshops. No.2 was not successful in early working on the undulating Barraba Branch, but proved a little better on the more easily graded Pokataroo Branch.

The experience gained with operating these two experimental vehicles enabled NSWGR to design and construct the first of the 42-Foot production vehicles to enter service in 1923. (Then in 1937, the NSW Department of Railways introduced six new ‘rail buses’ (smaller in size than the Rail Motors) to its fleet as a more economical form of passenger transport on small branch lines. Rail buses took the ‘rail motor’ concept one step further powered by a Ford V8 petrol motor and adapted road vehicle styling,

men worked hard clearing the way through hills and valleys, across creeks and streams, as they paved the way for better services to connect rural and city.

Living in calico tents (at the best of times) - railway families huddled together during the bleak winters and the impossible heat of the summer months. With little protection from the heavy rainfalls - families endured many a soaking - simply wearing wet work gear day after day. Whilst women would use every bucket, saucepan

coachbuilding and technology for rail use (See photograph #1 from NSW State Government Archives).

The vehicles were originally built by the Sydney engineering firm of Waddingtons, at Granville, later to become Commonwealth Engineering, However, within a year of their introduction, they were withdrawn from passenger services for economic reasons having failed to attract sufficient passengers to make the services viable. There was an additional challenge as the vehicles could not be driven in reverse, requiring either a turntable or a ‘triangle’ to reverse direction of travel.

By June 1939, five of the six buses had been refitted as mobile pay cars while the remaining unit was retained as a passenger vehicle.

It had to happen! It was a direct consequence of the regular timetable for the pay buses that motivated some miscreants to stage a robbery on one such journey. On the morning of Monday 8th December 1941 pay bus #5 departed Clyde workshops at 8am bound for all railway workers towards Goulburn carrying cash (Pounds) 11,232/16/5 in a safe welded to the chassis of the vehicle. A crew of three men - driver, paymaster and an escort, each one armed with a revolver.

Having paid railway workers at Picton, the paymaster and his escort counted out the cash required for the next ‘payments’ along the line totalling (pounds) 2,500 in notes and coins.

The two robbers had placed a large amount of gelignite into two lengths of water pipe under the rail between Yanderra and Yerrinbool. Investigators subsequently found wires laying in the surrounding grass towards an area of flattened grass approximately 30m from the track. When the pay bus was at the precise location of the explosive device, the robbers detonated their ‘bomb’.

The blast was so severe that the pay bus was blown along the track for about 30 metres prior to falling off the track

and often their best porcelain dishes to catch the endless rain water dripping into their calico homes.

Fettlers supervisors, railway station staff, bridge builders ... were amongst the early settlers and pioneers of this area. Unfortunately, not given the notoriety they deserved in opening up harsh landscapes for the big black steam engines to make their way.

Most of the tracks through these areas are now closed.

Steel lines removed. Memories still linger.

and down an embankment. The driver was killed and the paymaster and his escort subsequently died as a result of the incident. The robbers scrambled around the site scavenging as much cash as possible. However the collection would have been less than pounds 2,000 since the balance of cash was safely stored in the safe. The robbers were never apprehended.

For further details and the rest of the story visit the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre (GRHC) and inspect the pictorial display prepared by Ken Groves and Stephen Halgren (Published in BYWAYS OF STEAM #17).

In 1967, it became necessary to replace the aging fleet of the original pay buses.

Six new pay buses were ordered from Commonwealth Engineering. They had inward opening doors on both sides and a driving position at each end. These cars were also fitted with air conditioning.

Molong Railway Pay Bus 1960 (Photo John Cowper)

Social History of NSW Railways. (Above) The ‘Pay Bus’ coming into Molong on what was the Dubbo line (closed in the 1970’s). Note the Molong Creek Railway Bridge (at the time) and the double railway lines - the kerosene lit traffic points (at the end of the bridge and (right) the manual system. See above left - one line veers off the Parkes line to the left continuing above the creek. This line continued across Watson Street to Black’s Flour Mills (located where the Molong Caravan Park now stands) to collect flour to be transported to the city and other places to distribute to bakeries, pie and cake shops, food manufacturers, and placed on grocery store shelves. In later years the Mill closed and the building was used to make Solomit Straw Ceiling Panels - made from local cleaned wheat stubble. The upstairs ceiling of the Molong Yarn Market’s Stables features solomit.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022 9

Water

Continued from page 4 Expenses The ‘standard’ assumptions about operating expenses (such as indexation over time for CPI) in the water fund are comparable to those in the general fund, and so the same assumptions still apply generally.

As noted above, though, the biggest drivers of the significant jump in expenses in 2020 were increased employee costs and materials and contracts.

This was, initially, driven by the emergency works associated with the drought, but these expenses have mostly been ‘built in’ to the budget in future because Council has recognised that it needs to properly manage its water supply infrastructure in order to manage the considerable risks associated with it, including both system reliability as well as regulatory compliance. There will also be some ‘knock on’ effects of moving Cumnock and Yeoval to a potable (drinking water quality) supply and away from the previous non-potable supply.

However, expenses have been adjusted down by $120,000 p.a. from 2027 on to account for the fact that it is expected that needs will drop off, at least to some extent, in future.

The work currently being undertaken to increase Council’s asset management capability will position Council well to manage these assets as efficiently and effectively as possible. But it is not envisaged that expenses will decrease significantly over time. Operating costs are at the high end relative to neighbouring utilities but this, at least in part, reflects Cabonne’s lack of economies of scale (it is 9th smallest in NSW) and also asset value (it is 7th highest in terms of asset value).

The final point in relation to expenses is the $1.5M in loans to fund capital works will increase operating expenses (due to interest) in future by a variable amount, around $30k p.a.

As discussed in section 7, if interest rates were to double (to 4%) this would impact Council’s ability to achieve its objectives.

Infrastructure Investment The total capital works program for water is around $10M over 10 years. The actual timing of projects may vary (e.g. replacement of the pipeline from Molong Creek Dam, estimated at $7M, is proposed to be delayed so it is informed by the Regional Water Supply Strategy and therefore may be eligible for grant funding), but it is not anticipated the total value will be much lower than is estimated. In fact, a further $1M in capital works – renewal of mechanical and electrical equipment at Molong Water Treatment Plant – is forecast as required in 2033.

The cost is unlikely to decrease, but what may change is the grants received, although as noted above the projects Council needs to undertake (mostly renewal of ageing assets) are generally not eligible for grants. It is worth noting that the best way for Council to support its case for grant assistance is undertaking detailed asset and financial planning and preparing an Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (which is being done in collaboration with Central Tablelands Water and Orange City Council, i.e. the Regional Water Strategy).

30 year asset and financial plan for water supply The numbers in this ‘long term’ (30 year) plan should align with those in this ‘medium term’ (10 year) LTFP but this is still a work in progress. The 30 year plan was produced some time ago, prior to the latest work on this LTFP, and is done in a different computer program in a different way (in current year dollars, no CPI). Alignment will improve over time as the SAMP and this LTFP are refined.

The key issue to note is the importance of the long term view: the ‘peaks and troughs’ in capital works required over the next 30 years are massive.

These determine the financial strategy (borrowings required and sustainable long term pricing) in addition to any changes in operating expenses.

10

Remembering Bob Patfield

Bob Patfield is well remembered by locals and district residents for the time he lived and built his business operating from the premises now known as Molong Real Estate in Bank Street.

With his wife Helen - the young couple chose Molong for Bob to build his dream business - and to raise their three children, Matthew, Allison and Kate.

We thank Helen and her family for providing Bob’s story and extend the sympathy from town and country residents on the sad loss of their husband, father, and loved one.

Those who knew Bob describe him as a good friend, trusted and generous, with an incredible sense of country humour.

Bob began work as a cadet for Elders Smith,with his first posting to Quirindi, then Guyra and Bourke, where he began to work with stock and learnt to auction.

In 1968 he was transferred to Coolah where he met Helen.

Early in 1970 he was offered a position with Moy and Darby, based in Bellingen. After a few months Elders lured him back to a circuit auctioneers position, based in Coonamble, then onto Wagga office.

By 1971,Bob was working at the Orange office for Elders. It was in this year he married Helen. Two years of later, he and Jock McCrae formed a business partnership after buying the

Molong business of Giffin and Associates. Over the next 16 years, a steady business was built - along the way employing several capable young Molong ladies. In 1980,after Jock returned to NZ, Bob formed a new partnership with David Green of Cumnock. During that time, Richard Maunder of Cumnock entered their working relationship holding regular Wednesday sales in Orange that Bob remembered as very early cold starts.

Many successful property sales and associated clearing sales were conducted.Whilst his children were young Bob completed a distance course in Property, Plant, Machinery, and Livestock.

After the business was sold in 1989 to Elders, Bob was able to use his Valuation training as his principal career. He was one of the few Valuers in NSW who were qualified and licensed in all 3 valuing areas.

Bob's dream was to return to his surf and so began a new stage in 2009 when he and Helen moved to Soldiers Point where he was able to work part time until recently.

He treasured the many friendships he made in Molong and across NSW and was very diligent in keeping in contact.

Significantly, Molong played a large and important part in his life and the lives of his young family.

Eulogy by Matthew Patfield Thank you to everyone for being here today and especially those who have travelled long distances. Dad had friends and family all over NSW & QLD. Robert John Patfield was known as Bob to almost everyone.

To Mum and his 2 brothers and 3 sisters he was Rob or Robert.

To my sisters and me he was only ever Dad. He did have a nickname though – Stumpy. It suited him so well. Peter Toll calling him Stumpy at BBQ’s is still a fond memory.

There are many words to describe who Dad was. The best one is generous.

He was generous with his time, generous with his advice, generous in his friendships and he was generous financially to many people over his life.

He helped his family on many occasions. He helped locals when they couldn’t pay their bills.

He once paid the rent for an elderly lady who couldn’t afford to pay for a rental property Dad’s company managed.

One Xmas he bought toys for the kids of one of his stockmen who was down on his luck.

He even paid the legal fees for a local Molong police officer in a court case when he couldn’t afford to pay for a lawyer.

Throughout his life he always gave money to the Salvo’s and donated his time to any local cause.

He was generous with his time. He was a mentor to many young men, especially in the property industry and some of them are here today.

He would welcome boarders from school to stay at our house because they were so far away from their parents.

Although once we almost lost some of them on a shooting trip!

He was the president of the Molong Magpies Rugby Union Club.

He was forever mowing lawns for the Sisters at St Joseph’s church, the Cubs and the Masons. Roping me in as soon as I could push the mower.

Even in retirement he drove the bus for the local retirement home taking the men on excursions.

He would always volunteer his time as an auctioneer for fundraisers. One of his last fundraisers was for Sudanese women in Port Stephens.

He was a loyal friend to many people.

He was religious staying in contact with friends from all stages of his life.

Whether that be from school days in Mayfield, his early days in Western NSW, from Orange or from Molong.

He would call, send newspaper articles, lotto tickets, jokes and birthday cards.

He was, in every sense, a loyal mate.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2021

Kate,Matthew, Helen and Allison He loved just having a yarn with someone new. He would upset Mum by picking up hitchhikers when he was on the road by himself. I remember being on a trip with him from Dubbo when he picked up a hitchhiker and told me not

to tell Mum. There wasn’t a person in Western NSW he didn’t know within a few degrees of separation. Even recently his mind was still sharp enough to piece this together. I met a cotton farmer in St George four weeks ago who had grown up in Cudal. I told Dad his name and within 30 minutes he had told me the name of the guy’s Dad and Uncle and what they did over the course of their lives.

Dad loved a good time. There were always dinner parties, BBQ’s at the Bell River or gatherings on local farms.

There are probably not many teenage kids that can say their Dad climbed up to the second storey balcony of their house after he lost his keys at a party and banged on their bedroom window to let him in.

He was always the life of the party and always had a joke or an anecdote. He loved the dry humour of Spike Milligan and John Cleese. He had been quoting Spike Milligan’s headstone epitaph for some time, which says ‘I told you I was

ill’. His dry humour lives on in our family and it's often hard to finish any serious conversation without having a joke.

There are other things we remember him for as well.

Throughout his life he loved the water.

He was a surfer at school in Newcastle and always swam with us as kids. I am told he was a member of the ‘Mongrels Club’ in Molong that used to break into the pool before opening time.

He loved flying and gained his private pilot’s licence in the early 80’s. He never really got to pursue this further due to his work and family commitments.

As little kids he would tell us silly made-up stories and then he would repeat them to his grandchildren when they came along. His favourite children’s stories were anything to do with Bunyips. He was also forever mailing the grandkid’s lollies.

He was superstitious like his Mum, Nana, collecting an assortment of trinkets and lucky numbers over the years and he also shared her habit of always buying lottery tickets.

At home he led by example.

Dad had a strong work ethic, which he drilled into all of us. He was a stickler for table manners, you always had to have clean shoes and he never swore around my sisters; although I heard quite a bit!

Whilst not a scholar himself he always impressed upon us the importance of applying ourselves in our studies.

My enduring memory of Dad is on the walkway at the Orange saleyards calling the sale. This is where he seemed happiest.

Dad would want us all to enjoy ourselves today, so please come and share your stories at the wake.

He loved people, he loved the bush, he loved his friends, he loved his family and he loved Mum. Farewell Dad. We all Love you.

REG’S BENCH A school teacher asked her class to make a sentence containing the expression “I presume”.

One little girl held up her hand and said: “Yesterday my mother hand washed the dinner dishes so I presume the dishwasher was broken.”

“Very good” said the teacher.

Another one said: “This morning, my father drove the Volkswagen out of the garage. I presume the BMW wouldn’t start.”

“That’s excellent” says the teacher.

Little Johnny at the back of the classroom gets up and says: “Yesterday I saw grandpa leave the house with a newspaper under his arm and he headed for the bush, I presume that....”

The teacher interrupted him and said, “I stopped you because you have no idea what your grandfather was going to do, so you can’t presume anything.”

Johnny says, “Please Teacher, let me finish my sentence.”

The teacher says, “Very well. Continue.”

“As I was saying, I saw my grandpa heading for the bush with a newspaper under his arm. I presume he was going for a poo because he can’t read.

I woke up this morning with a terrible hangover, to the sound of my neighbour, mowing his lawn. I was going to get up but I thought "Nah, stuff it, he can mow around me!

If your wife catches you looking at another woman, Turn to her and say I’m glad you don’t dress like that.

Women have absolutely no idea how to chat up us blokes.

As if "P#ss off you loser" was going to get me into bed!

The wife came home with 4 cases of beer, 3 boxes of wine, a ltr of vodka, 2 ltrs of gin, 2 bottles of whisky and 2 loaves of bread.

"Are we expecting guests?" I asked.

"No," she replied.

"Then why did you buy so much bread?"

A blonde gets on an aeroplane and sits down in the first class section: The hostess rushes over to her and tells her she must move to economy because she doesn't have a first class ticket.

The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm smart, I have a good job, and I'm staying in first class until we reach Coolangatta."

WORD SEARCH

Solutions page 15

QUICK CROSSWORD

The disgusted hostess gets the head hostess who asks the blonde to leave.

The blonde yet again repeated what she’d said earlier.

The head hostesses don't know what to do at this point because they still have to get the rest of the passengers seated to take off; the blonde is causing a problem with boarding now: So the hostess gets the co-pilot.

The co-pilot goes up to the blonde and whispers in her ear.

She immediately gets up and goes to her seat in the economy section.

The head hostess asks the co-pilot in amazement; what he said to get her to move to her correct seat so quickly.

The co-pilot replies, "I told her that, the front half of the airplane wasn't going to Coolangatta."

A Priest gets into a bus and sits next to a drunk guy The guy looks at the Priest and asks "Father, what is Arthritis " The Priest thinks he'll give the drunk a lesson today: Arthritis is someone that indulges in Alcohol, Drugs, Promiscuity, basically everything that is bad for you: The Drunk turns back to his paper and goes on reading: Just as the Priest is about to get up for his stop , He turns to the Drunk and asks, "How long have you had Arthritis"The Drunk says "I havn't got Arthritis, the paper says the Pope has Arthritis "

Across 1 Passed through a sieve (6) 4 Northernmost US state (6) 8 Wash in clean water (5) 9 Solace (7) 10 Artist's mixing board (7) 11 Joint connecting foot and leg (5) 12 Lancashire resort (9) 17 Savoury jelly (5) 19 White of an egg (7) 21 Authentic (7) 22 Tungsten, for example (5) 23 Ascending (6) 24 Impede (6) Down 1 Abrade (6) 2 Organisation of admirers (3,4) 3 Throw out (5) 5 Lower back pain (7) 6 Loose garment (5) 7 Postwar prime minister

(6) 9 Winning move in chess (9) 13 Sale to the highest bidder (7)

14 Restricted (7) 15 Hazard (6) 16 Deer's horn (6) 18 Window sections (5) 20 Disney deer (5)

environment (7) 6 Father meets northern temptress (5) 7 The whole of the New Testament set in Ireland? (6) 9 Puss has swallowed part of the French cheese (9) 13 Beans for athletes? (7) 14 Yes, he'll make a poet!

(7) 15 Military display of

design on skin (6) 16 Really it's in a legal document, though it could be denied (6) 18 Trunk found in northwest or south- east (5) 20 Perspire when cooking a stew (5)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Across Across 1 Run away from infertile area (6) 4 Pure but pursued, by the sound of it (6) 8 Some careless language? (5) 9 Entertainment provided by bare act? (7) 10 This could make me a lord! (7) 11 Singer getting false note right (5) 12 Colleagues make worst mistake (9) 17 Continue performing in part of London? (5) 19 Oriental bird on stormy sea (7) 21 High ground cleft by rushing stream? (7) 22 A girl always seen in wellies (5) 23 One who plays so boisterous a part (6) 24 Remained steady when upset (6) Down 1 He invested in a Norfolk town's crockery (6) 2 Bird in box-file? (7) 3 Stiff outfit I had (5) 5 Tabitha changes

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 7 April 2022

11

TRADES & SERVICES

BUILDING / CARPENTRY

ACCOUNTANTS / SOLICITORS

• • • •

Campbell Paton & Taylor SOLICITORS, ATTORNEYS AND NOTARIES

In Attendance are:

THURSDAY & FRIDAY by appointment.

CONCRETE / LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS

11 BANK STREET MOLONG

Ph: 6362 1922

Picton Bros Panelspan

MARGOT SAWYER

• Glass Rooms • Patios • Cladding • Carports • Recreation Rooms • Enclose existing verandahs BL83737C

6361 9244 www.pictonbros.com.au

G R EA D Y M IX

CONCRETE

CONVEYANCING

FIREWOOD AVAILABLE

BULK WATER DELIVERY

Concrete Trucks Mini Mix •3 •Mini digger, Bobcat, Truck & Truck Trencher, Dog hire

Licence No: 1033852

2/67 Bank Street, Molong NSW 2866 PO Box 174, Molong NSW 2866

Ph: 02 6366 8222 Fax: 02 6366 9273

Free Quote

N LO

ED

BUILDING

MO

Orange office 193-195 Anson St.

CONVEYANCING

Carpentry Painting Tiling Plastering

General Repairs & Maintenance No Job too Small !

Ph: 0437 218 930

TUES- Andrew Kermode Solicitor WED- Michelle Reynolds Conveyancer

Molong 02 6366 8049

Mark O’Donahue Home Maintenance

•Sand, aggregates •Topsoil, Mulch •Mushroom compost •Woodchips

SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Call Dusty

6366 8448

E: margot@margotsawyerconveyancing.com.au

AUTOMOTIVE / SMASH REPAIRS

m 0428 650 499 Family owned & f 63 669 559 operated 33 BETTS ST, MOLONG

EARTHMOVING

CONCRETE Lic. MVRL45372

Watson Street MOLONG

EARTHMOVING & TRANSPORT

T 6366 8280

Extensive range of driving lights and light bars starting from

$140

Now doing

LIGHT VEHICLE BLUESLIPS

Servicing all your Earthmoving requirements, Low Loader, Water Tankers and Side tipper hire

• EXTENSIVE RANGE OF TYRES • WHEEL ALIGNMENTS • E-SAFETY INSPECTIONS • VALVOLINE PRODUCTS • SUPERCHARGE BATTERIES • EXHAUST REPAIRS

Contact Garry Gersbach:

0417 422 926 or 02 6369 6185

Open Monday to Friday - 8 am to 5.00 pm

ELECTRICAL

• Residential & Commercial • Network & data cabling • Security & access control • Optical fibre & TV cabling • CCTV

0447 239 937 sammueldwyer@gmail.com

12

E: garry@boxtrim.com.au W: boxtrim.com.au

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN

» » » » » » »

Switchboard Upgrades Lighting & Power Appliances Smoke Alarms Sheds Test & Tagging Emergency Call Outs

AVAILABLE 24/7

Recieve a Complimentary Electrical Safety Health Report Rest easy knowing your Home is safe & sound! Valued at $149!

TROY BARRETT ELECTRICAL Servicing Molong and the Central West

0407 274 358

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

LIC. No 323812C

ENGINEERING ABN 75 131 657 324

RURAL INDUSTRIAL DOMESTIC REPAIRS MACHINING & FABRICATION ON SITE SERVICE Bruce Beasley

Mobile 0418 672 247 AH 02 6361 7380 Shed 6 / 390 Clergate Road Orange NSW 2800

FUNERAL SERVICES

PACKAGING

6361 7777 6362 3751

HARVESTING

MOVING HOUSE OR OFFICE?

NORMAN J PENHALL FUNERALS

CONTRACT HARVESTING No job too big or small

Serving the Molong District PROVIDING 24 HOUR 7 DAYS SENSITIVE, DIGNIFIED & PROFESSIONAL CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST PRE-PAID AND PRE-ARRANGED FUNERAL SPECIALISTS, RESPECTING ALL DENOMINATIONS email: mail@penhallfunerals.com.au

OUR FAMILY CARING FOR YOUR FAMILY

Book Boxes | Tea Chests Bubble Wrap | Glass Jars Packing Tape

ALL YOUR PACKAGING NEEDS! Come and see us at 1 Wellington Street, Molong

AFDA

Or phone us on 02

6366 8100

Contact Brad 0439 024 382

SMASH REPAIRS

PLUMBING

D & M DUNCAN

Javelinplumbing

we’ll pinpoint your problem Lic No. 160917C

Licensed Plumber, Drainer, Gasfitter Servicing

Servicing Molong / Cabonne & District

• Domestic • Rural • Commercial

0408 031 829

B-Double Livestock, Hay & General Freight

Country Tree Services Garry Livingstone

Matt Knott

knotttransport@gmail.com

0408 655 811

WATER BORES

OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY LICENCED & INSURED

WELDING

CALL BRYAN OR CLIVE NOW ON

WELDING & FABRICATION FIXED & MOBILE PLANT MAINTENANCE MOBILE WELDING SERVICE

PROMPT, PROFESSIONAL & RELIABLE SERVICE

0409 041 659 email: srdwelding@bigpond.com

6366 5220

• Auto Robot • Baking Oven • All insurance work • Panel Beating & Spray Painting 24 HOUR TOWING • Windscreens supplied and fitted

TREE SERVICES

• Arborist • Tree Felling • Trimming • Stump Grinding • Fully Insured • 30 years experience

0428 986 164

53 CUDAL STREET, MANILDRA

PH/FAX: 6364 5432 AH:63 645 077

(02) 6366 9010 e: javelin@telcomail.com.au

TRANSPORT

SMASH REPAIRS

Molong

Smash Repairs Quality Smash Repairs

• Insurance & Private Work • All vehicle makes & models • Custom work and paint

• Hotrods/Restoration/Vintage vehicles • Motor bikes/boats and all marine vessels

Ph: 6366 8208

(m)0468 962 162

14 Enterprise Place Molong NSW 2866 info@molongsmashrepairs.com.au

WATER TANKS

Sam & Jacqui Duncan

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

13

CLASSIFIEDS

that work !

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

PROPERTY WANTED

PUBLIC NOTICES

Are you thinking of selling your rural property?

If you are, then call (02) 6837 3914.

We are looking to relocate closer to our children and grandchildren and seeking a rural property within the Yeoval, Cumnock, Wellington, Molong area.

Currently residing on rural property Upper Western NSW.

POSITIONS VACANT MOLONG SHOW SECRETARY

(Part-time - Paid position) *Be an important member of your community * Meet new people *Help to plan Molong’s annual Shows *Be part of an important community teamwork effort *Help to organise an event that local and district people love and rely on *Showtime events across Cabonne Country and NSW are back after COVID lockdowns ... join in the fun Learn new skills... provide ideas - and be part of the excitement

Flowers for Kerry CABONNE AFTER SCHOOL CARE AT MOLONG CENTRAL

Cabonne Council is pleased to announce the commencement, on 14 March 2022, of their Before School, After School and Vacation Care Services at a brand new facility located at Molong Central School.

This service is open to all children in the area, from kindergarten through to year 6.

Children will be provided with a range of activities by experienced staff in a warm and friendly environment.

To make enquiries about enrolling your child, or if you have a skill or interest you would like to share with the children, contact the Coordinator, Toni Searl on 0414 692 875 Molong Historical Society

STREET STALL Thursday 7 April Wood Raffle

Plants, books, cakes and more

For local conditions Available on Easter Monday and after at Rozzi’s Happy Pots, Plants and New Friends Railway Gatekeeper’s Cottage Watson Street (opposite Andy’s Mechanical Works) 0490734650 rozzismith@bigpond.com Orders now being taken for potted indoor kitchen herb gardens featuring fresh herbs to add to hearty winter soups, casseroles, breads, etc. Delivery available

CHURCH NOTICES

UNITING CHURCH Sunday 10 April Molong 11 am: Rev Ross Godfrey Heather Woodhouse 63668218

Kerry Bunting (nee Thorley) was a long running advertiser in the Express with her creative business ‘Flowers by Kerry’.

This week, The Express pays our respect to the lovely Kerry with ‘Flowers for Kerry’ after her sudden passing last week.

We extend our sympathy to Kerry’s family, siblings, extended family, and to her many friends.

Kerry was a gentle soul who brought many moments of happiness to others through her floral art and pretty smile.

Rozzi and Paul, Molong Express

THANK YOU Molong Sheep Dog Workers Thank-You So Much

Applications and/or more information available from Molong Show President Colin Woodhouse 63668218 P.O. Box 109

Autumn/Winter Vegie Seedlings Herbs, and Florals, Indoor Plants, Potted Gifts

DEATH

The Molong RSL Sub Branch will be holding the following Services on Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2022.

Dawn Service : 5.45 am for a 6.00 service at the Cenotaph on the Village Green in Molong.

Main Service : 10.30am. form up outside the RSL Club in Riddell St. for a 10.45 March to the Cenotaph on the Village Green, for an 11.00 service .

To the wonderful team of community volunteers who worked together to run this year’s 2022 NSW State Working Dog Championship event at the Rec. grounds.

Working over 5 days, the volunteer yardmen and yardwomen and the committee did such a good job in organising and running this important annual Molong event.

To the volunteer catering team who provided traditional Molong country style foods to the grateful local and visiting triallers, visitors and tourists each and every day ... thank you for your enormous time and dedication to the event and to your town

Heather Woodhouse, Catering Officer

D.Bloomfield President, Molong RSL Sub Branch.

YARN MARKET 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Have you any of Annie Ingham’s paintings or drawings you could lend for a month?

The Yarn Market, as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations during July/ August are looking for loans of any paintings or drawings they can add to the Molong RSL Club’s Gallery exhibition.

Send your 2022 dates to molongexpress@bigpond.net.au

April

7 Molong Men’s Shed 11-25 School Holidays NSW Easter 15 Good Friday, 16 April, 17 April Easter Sunday, 18 April Easter Monday 12 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club 13 102 Celebrations @ Redbank 18 Molong Easter Markets @ the Rec. 25 Anzac Day

May QUICK CROSSWORD

2 Show Society General Meeting 7.00pm Molong Showground 5 Molong Men’s Shed 10 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club

June

2 Molong Men’s Shed 6 Show Society General Meeting 7.00pm Molong Showground 13 Monay Queens Birthday 14 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club

Also, any items by Alex Ambrus, local famed artist from the 50’s.

Contact Paul at the Express 6366 8017

July

4 Show Society General Meeting 7.00pm Molong Showground 4-15 NSW School Holidays 7 Molong Men’s Shed 12 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club

GARAGE SALES MONSTER GARAGE SALE Easter Monday 18 April from 8.30 am

Mitchell Highway Molong - down from Grain Silos Men’s & Women’s clothes, Records, Make-up. Big Teddy Bear, Doll, Steel fence posts, Ols tools, Golf balls & tees, Car parts, Jerry cans, Old fishing rods, Jars, Screws, Nuts & bolts, Tyres, Kitchen exhaust fan, Hose connections, Bric a Brac, Electric tools, Sander, Bench grinder, ceiling fan (new in box)

Claim the date – 2022

August CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

1 Show Society General Meeting 7.00pm Molong Showground 4 Molong Men’s Shed 9 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club

September

1 Molong Men’s Shed 5 Show Society General Meeting 7.00pm Molong Showground 13 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club 18 Molong Annual Show

October

6 Molong Men’s Shed (AGM) 11 Molong Probus 10am Bowling Club

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

Sport

Molong Golf SUNDAY

Molong Bowls Brag

Margot reports

Friday night certainly turned on the chilly weather for us There were coats, beanies, long johns and yes beverages to go with the attire.

Winners of the Brag the week before ( I do apologise for not reporting ) was Shed World This team have won a few brags and the other teams are becoming a bit suspicious and an inquiry will be held with player swapping, bringing in gun replacements and score card cheating.

Watch this space for the results of the inquiry.

Friday night winners were News 2. They played Express 1 with Dodgy Bob too under the weather to even turn up….. where is your commitment Bob? The greens were looking amazing thanks to the tireless efforts of Ian Gosper and Macca McKenzie, must have had a bit of dew on them as there were a lot of bowls in the gutter….fast pitch.

It was great to see the Pez back on deck, we have missed you Pez and was so good to see you back cooking the BBQ with Gossie and your big cheesy grin.

This Friday night will be our last Brag for the

season. It is a close contest for the Brag with 2 teams 1 point difference. Who will it be?????

Come on over and support the bowlo on Friday night. There will be 10 $50 meat trays and easter egg raffles happening after brag at around 7.30pm.

We have our very helpful bar person Jason ready to serve you an ice cold beverage with a smile.

On a sad note, we were all shocked and saddened at the sudden passing of long time Molong resident and friend to all Kerry Bunting Kerry you will be missed by so many people, you were an amazing lady, brought smiles to peoples faces, delivered and made the best “flowers by Kerry” that lasted for ages To Bud, Troy and families, we send you our deepest condolences, your loss is felt by all.

To Tommy Fitz, you were a great best friend to Kerry and our condolences to you to mate.

REST IN PEACE KERRY, may you be in your place of peace surrounded by colourful flowers.

With a few players away and a couple of others with work commitments we only had eleven players at Royal Molong Golf course on Sunday where a twelve hole individual stableford event was played. One player (MJE) attended a wedding at the showground pavilion on Saturday night and camped there and then played golf with us on Sunday morning. Such commitment.

The winner was Paul Glynn with Balley in second place. Paul also organised golf on Sunday and has been playing well. He scored an excellent twenty five points in a nine hole stableford event at Orange Wentworth on Friday where he birdied a hole and on Sunday played a great shot through the trees on the eleventh and made a birdie.

There is a photo on instagram page “clubsandballs “ of a chap practicing golf at home and a reliable source informed me that Paul also practices his golf at home in this manner. It was good to see Marty back after an absence of

Gerard about two years. He was soon back in the swing of things and thanks for cooking the bbq and cleaning the bbq plate and to Roger for washing up.

We are getting spoilt after golf on Sundays. This week thanks to Bell we had potato bake with our rissoles. It’s worth coming to golf just for the bbq.

The tree branch in front of the eighth tee bought a couple of players undone with Stubba and one other (Troy or Marty?) playing their second shot not far from the tee after hitting the branch. I’d suggest the branch has a fair few notches in it from being hit over the years.

The fairways are in great condition and with them being drier at the moment there is plenty of run for a well hit shot. Thank you to whoever has been on the mower.

We were going to hold the Molong Opening Golf Day this Sunday but with several players being away it has been decided to postpone it with the new date tentatively being Sunday May 1st.

Golf again on Sunday, 8.30am for 9am. Everyone welcome.

Great Easter Raffle at the Bowlo - come and get your tix

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 CTLX CATTLE 5 April It was a pretty good quality yarding with the usual good runs of young cattle to suit the feeders and processors along with good numbers of grown steers and heifers. There were 440 cows yarded which were mostly prime heavy weights. Not all the usual buyers were in attendance, with the absence of a major supermarket operator, though we did have the return of a major feeder buyer from the south.

Young cattle to the trade were up to 8c cheaper, with prime vealers selling to 600c/ kg. Prime steer yearlings sold from 450c to 570c, while the prime heifer yearlings sold from 455c to 598c/kg. Feeder steers were 4c to 8c dearer, while the feeder heifers were around firm. Feeder steers sold from 479c to 616c, while the feeder heifers sold from 451c to 588c/ kg. Limited young cattle to the restockers were around firm with young steers selling from 601c to 880c, while the young restocker heifers sold to 642c/kg.

Grown steers were firm while the grown heifers were up to 15c cheaper. Prime grown steers sold from 415c to 479c, while the prime grown heifers sold from 400c to 480c/kg. Cows were 17c cheaper with the 2 and 3 scores selling from 268c to 365c/kg. Prime heavy weight cows sold from 345c to 387c to average 372c/kg.

The restockers paid from 325c to 411c, while the feeders paid from 359c to 377c for cows to fatten. Heavy weight bulls were dearer selling to 359c/kg.

It’s your club!

22-24 RIDDELL ST MOLONG

P: 6366 8105

e:admin@molongrsl.com.au

BISTRO

LUNCH : Wed 12 - 2 Sun 12 - 2.30 DINNER : Wed - Sat 5.30-8.30

Great specials and a menu to suit everyone.

BAR: Mon Tues 3.00 - 9.00 WED 11.30 - BISTRO Wed 12.30-2.00 9.00 THU 12.00 - 10.00 FRI 12.00 - 11.00 & 5.30-8.30 Thu, Fri, Sat 5.30-8.30 SUN 12-2.30 SAT 11.00 - 10.00 SUN 11.00 - 8.00

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022

15

Auction

“Barmadee” 600* Acres Just 15* Minutes to Orange Orange, 1526 Lower Lewis Ponds Road

• Approx 2/3 cleared open grazing country with shade & shelter trees • Subdivided into 12 main paddocks, 60%* arable.

• Reliable creek, 8 dams plus springs • Classic shearing shed conversion has created a quality, comfortable 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with entertaining deck and spa. Mains power connected to both houses • Working improvements include new 16m x 9m lock up all steel shed with concrete floor; steel cattle yards with crush & loading ramp; plus several other sheds

Auction Fri 6th May, 10.30am View By Appointment Bill Marshall 0427 663 240

SALE

Central West Landmark ‘Canowindra Trading Post’

Established at the turn of the 20th century, when it was once “Potts Point” and traded as a Butcher and a Baker for almost 70 years. An award-winning business offering a unique array of gifts, homewares, antique, new & garden furniture, toys to home accessories & more. This along with a Café serving light meals & refreshments indoors or in the large beautiful garden setting.

• Perfect opportunity to revel in the investment potential of the 500 square meter shop space over two floors • Opportunity of utilising the upstairs to the two-bedroom, bathroom with living space that exists

Sale By Negotiation View By Appointment Adam Gambril 0417 533 453

SALE

Amazing Views with Commercial Storage Orange, 305 Nancarrow Lane

This 3.83 acre property with stunning views is located just 10kms West of thriving town of Orange. The 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage is comfortable & cosy, & is equipped with a reverse split system & Wood fire heater. The most attractive feature of this property is the storage!

It comprises a huge 1600sqm with cold storage & cool rooms & also has 264sqm machinery shed. These sheds are ideal for the storage of equipment, machinery, & produce.

• High capacity bore - 2,500 gallons per hour

Sale Contact Agent View By Appointment Kurt Adams 0428 747 050

Your Local Agent...

With proven knowledge and understanding of the Central West region’s market, Kurt believes when you are selling a rural property you are not just selling another piece of real estate, you are selling a client’s major asset and sometimes for the first time in generations. As a result, this transaction needs to be handled with the utmost professionalism and care of which Kurt keeps as his primary focus for all his clients.

Kurt Adams | 0428 747 050 kurt.adams@raywhite.com

Ray White Emms Mooney

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

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 7 April 2022