Alex Ambrus
(from page 8)
When the 1956 popular uprising came, the students released all political prisoners, of which Alex was one. He fought the Russians for about three days during this time, saying that many of the Russians stationed there had become Hungarian sympathisers and actually helped the initial stages of the revolution. When however a new garrison arrived he could see that things were getting worse, and the position being hopeless, he decided to slip across the border into Austria. In so doing he had to leave his wife and child behind, having previously instructed his wife that should he be caught, she should divorce him immediately to minimise any reprisals by the State. Alex often said to me that when he arrived here his main aim was to get as far away from Europe as possible, and he ended up in Australia some time in 1956. When he arrived here he had nothing, virtually only the clothes he stood in. He worked for a couple of years on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, initially as a grease monkey, and then as an engineer, though his qualifications were never recognised here. In 1958 he moved to Sydney where he met Margaret Martinek, another Hungarian émigré. They were married on 25th March 1959, and Alex moved to Molong where he obtained work as deputy engineer to Charlie Williamson as a Bridge and Road Designer for Molong Shire Council, later to become Cabonne Shire. He retired from the Council in 1984. One of Alex’s lasting contributions was the design of the new road from Cumnock to Molong ( The Norah Creek Rd.), where he said that he designed the road so that one could travel at 70 miles an hour (112 km/h) safely. The road is a monument to Alex’s work; as it has stood the test of time and is still in good order. Alex was also a life member of the State Emergency Service (SES), having been awarded the National Medal first clasp in 1988, and National Medal second clasp in 1995, for his lifelong voluntary service with the SES. He was a foundation member of the Australian Civil Defence, training mostly in radiation and evacuation management, and he was deputy controller of Molong Shire Civil Defence and State Emergency Services. As well as this he was also a foundation member of the Molong Rotary Club. His hobbies included shooting, reading, painting and fishing. He was a talented artist and used a variety of mediums including Oils Pastel and Watercolour. In another life, Alex could have well become a well-known painter. He was also an excellent fisherman, and in that capacity was very good to me. As a teenager, he taught me all he knew about trout fishing even buying me books on the subject. He made me a beautiful rod, which I still have to this day. He loved coming out to Claremont and going fishing with Margaret saying that even if he didn’t catch anything it was just great to enjoy the view. He was also very fond of his dogs and tinkering about with clocks and various gadgets. One of Alex’s greatest pleasures was to live to see the fall of the iron curtain in Europe and to meet his son Sandor and granddaughter Reku in the early 1990’s, when they travelled to Australia to visit him. He kept in constant touch with his son and grandchildren, and derived a lot of pleasure from them. Alex “lived in interesting times”, and like so many European immigrants, his past life had been destroyed and he made a new life here in Australia. Alex was the first to say that he was not a saint, but his life was a mixture of great sadness and also of great achievements. We as Australians and as residents of the Molong district have gained from the huge contribution that Alex made. He leaves behind his wife Margaret, his son Sandor and grandchildren Reku and Silat. Alex Ambrus was cremated at the Orange Crematorium on 21st May 2004. Eulogy delivered by William Lee (information supplied by Kelvin Marriott & Helen Day)
Alex's rendering of the original Myors/Veney store at the corner of Bank & Watson Sts, where H Hardware now stands.
Bringing bicycle riders to the villages
Bicycle riders are seeking regional and rural riding experiences that takes them to the bush. Creating bicycle trails that provide interesting and scenic routes have occurred throughout regional areas in New South Wales. This is a growth recreational activity. Two popular trails in the Central West are the Central West Cycling trail radiating from Mudgee and the Orange and Villages Bicycle Trail that starts and finishes at Orange. These trails are six day journeys where riders stay in towns and villages on route. A proposed new ride will join up these two routes. The GeurieManildra Link is a three day journey through country roads and lanes taking riders to a quiet and picturesque part of the Central West. The starting point is Geurie and finishes at Manildra. Suggested over-night villages that can provide accommodation are Yeoval and Cumnock. Riders will seek a range of accommodation sites varying from the hotel at Yeoval, B'n'Bs at Cumnock, camping grounds and possibly farm-stay establishments in the future. Bringing bicycle riders to the villages will help local businesses. Riders have the opportunity to enjoy village life style and meet the locals. Bicycle riders are a resilient lot who seek their own rural experiences. Some will vary the suggested route. They may take different roads. A small group of riders will be trialling the proposed trail in the second weekend of February. The selected route aims to keep riders on quiet, safe roads and lanes and minimise main roads. Much of the route is on gravel roads. The map shows route and highlights this approach. The day one trail goes from Geurie to Yeoval via Arthurville. Day two goes from Yeoval to Cumnock via Eurimbla. Riders pedal from Cumnock to Manildra via Gumble.
MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 9 February 2023
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