Molong Express 23 February 2023

Connecting the Community since 1876 AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER

THURSDAY 23 February 2023

Ph: (02) 6366 8017

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

INSIDE

Local kids take a lead role

Molong kids, Emerson, Clara, Paisley, Nick and Torsten are happy to "help make Molong look better" .

Assisted by their faithful friend, 'Scout', and their families and friends they will soon be using their artistic skills to brighten up Bank Street.

Last Christmas after the November floods a group of children and their families came together in Molong's main street to paint and decorate the boards in front of flooddamaged buildings.

Bringing their own paint, brushes, christmas trees and other decorations they worked respectfully - making sure that their combined creative efforts brought happiness and fun to Molong's main street.

Now they have returned to put together another creative project in time for Easter to attract locals and visitors and support traders in Bank, Gidley and Watson Streets.

In the meantime - Torsten whispers a secret in Scout's floppy ear "we're going on a bear hunt".

See Page 2 for this marvellous project.

Family fun at the Music and Movie night

Put Friday March 3 in your diary for a night of get-up-and-dance music followed by an outdoor screening of a family flick.

Bring along a picnic blanket, or an outdoor chair, for this free family-friendly event at the Molong Central School Oval.

Featuring a performance by the renowned performer, Gabe Middleton of GabeMusic, the event will be concluded by a screening of Oddball - a film about an eccentric farmer who trains his mischievous dog to protect a penguin santuary in an attempt to reunite his family and save their seaside town.

This alcohol-free event is presented by Cabonne Council, Molong Advancament Group, Molong Central Parents and Citizens and Molong CWA. Music starts at 5.30pm with the film screening at 8pm.

Get your free tickets at www.123tix.com.

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What's On in Molong Food

@ RSL Bistro (Thurs lunch, dinner, takeaway to Sunday lunch); Telegraph Hotel (Lunch and dinner 7 days), Kaye & Philip's Chinese Restaurant (7 days lunch and dinner), IGA Supermarket (Open 7 days), Wildflower (Gidley Street (Open 7 days breakfast, lunch, take-away, morning and afternoon tea until 2 pm); Lime & Stone (Bank Street Open 5 days and Saturday morning for light breakfast, lunch morning and afternoon teas and takeaways); Molong Florist & Giftware (Coffee, cake every day except Tuesdays and Sundays).

Shopping: Carolyn's Caneware/Gifts (Open 6 days closed Tuesdays); Molong Yarn Market (Open 7 days); Booful (Open all day Monday to Friday and Saturday morning); Summerhill (Open 7 days); Molong Florist & Gifts (Closed Tuesdays and Sundays); Molong Newsagency & Post Office - Open Monday to Friday with newsagency open on Saturday mornings; H Hardware (Open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings); Molong Pharmacy (Open Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings); Reggies Molong Meats (Open Monday to Friday); Vinnies (Open Monday to Friday)

Town Talk

-

by Rozzi and contributors

The Express is back this week after what became a ‘roller-coaster ride’ of highs and lows when our dedicated Molong Express owner, Paul Mullins, was found lying down on the job (so to speak).

An ambulance ride to Orange hospital followed where he spent a few days in emergency care before being transferred to the Stroke Unit.

Pauly is now progressing well and considers himself a very lucky man as his condition could have been much worse.

Let’s hope he will be returning home later this week.

Thank you to the Molong Ambulance Service, Orange Ambulance Service, Molong Fire Brigade team and the wider community who made contact with us to give their best wishes and thoughts to Paul.

Thank you also to our readers, advertisers, sponsors and newsagencies who have stayed with us during one of our family’s most challenging times.

After this experience, and that of the November flood damage, we are both so grateful to call Molong ‘home’ and proud to belong to this wonderful town and district community.

Let us say that the local health services in our town (in this case, ambulance team and fire brigade volunteers) are exemplary. And, dedicated to Molong and District residents and communities.

Add, the Orange Hospital and the professional care teams ... amazing!

Regards from Paul, Rozzi and our extended family of five sons and daughters-in-law, and 11 grandchildren.

Molong families helping to rebuild their town

Our local kids are back on the job helping to brighten up Bank Street and doing their bit to help make the main street look brighter and happier - and in time for the crowds expected to come to town for the forthcoming MAG Easter Markets at the Rec. “We’re going on a bear hunt” said the young ones who have returned to lend their artistic skills to the repainting of the boarded up windows of the (hopefully) soon-to-be-repaired shopfronts.

Local photographer and mum, Em of

‘Em and the Wild Things’ and her team of local artists (also mums) are on the job designing images for the kids to paint.

Keep an eye out for the families who are doing their best to help Bank Street traders, building owners, and the Molong community in our recovery ... and to attract shoppers, tourists, and visitors back to town.

P.S. Keep an eye out for bears.

LEFT: Just some of the local kids who brightened up Molong after the flood by decorating and painting Christmas images on flooddamaged and boardedup shops.

The good news - they are now on the job planning something new.

Supporting our kids and our town

Can you Bake? Pot a Plant? Donate an

item for our raffle?

Do you want to help the initiatives of our wonderful kids (above) by running a cake stall on Monday 10 April (Molong MAG Village Easter Market Day)?

We’ve booked the Bank Street Kiosk for the day to raise money to help buy paints and decorations for our kids/families creatives.

For information please call Rozzi

0490734650 or molongex@bigpond.net.au

Birthday girl no mug Happy 18th Birthday to one of Molong’s brew-tiful, Meg Murray.

Daughter of Jodie and Dave, grandaughter of former newsagency owners Bron and Perry Trethowan ... the community has got to know Meg since her birth and watched her grow into a stunning young lady.

Meg is pictured celebrating her birthday at her workplace, Lime & Stone with Paris, Tori, Kate, Sharon and Maisie.

This week, the Molong Express has been written and produced by a new team who have come forward to help us out.

Paul (left) with his son, Jonathan (Sydney) who came to Rozzi’s rescue. Jono managed to sit Paul in front of his laptop at the Orange Hospital on Sunday for an Express crash course. Being a whiz with technology and a creator of algorithms Jono was on the case in no time and able to fill in the missing links.

Paul was able to help and managed to tap a few keys and smile as well. What an improvement! Thank you also to Penny for volunteering her time to help us out as well.

We hope you enjoy this week’s Molong Express ...and the contributions by our new (casual) team. Next Week? Another team!

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Volunteers blazing a trail to recovery A warm Molong welcome to the volunteers of BlazeAid who are in the area helping floodaffected farmers, graziers and landowners to rebuild fencing and other structures destroyed by the November 2022 flood.

With accommodation and facilities provided at the Molong Showgrounds, the volunteers are well versed in supporting rural families and individuals hit hard by natural disasters such as floods and fires.

Equally as important, the BlazeAid volunteers have helped lift the spirits of many locals, some of whom are facing their second and third flood events after years of drought, or devastating losses through bushfires.

The BlazeAid volunteers regularly work in a disasteraffected area for many months, not only supporting individuals and families, but also helping rebuild the local communities in this case, Molong.

BlazeAid volunteers in Molong, Lawrence, Col, Sandra, (pictured above) were pleased to deliver a donation of Steggles frozen chicken products to Julie Spencer of the Molong Pantry.

“This fantastic donation will help local families and individuals in need,” said a very grateful Julie.

“Thank you to BlazeAid for this wonderful donation”.

Col responded: “We are pleased to be of help.”

Vinnies manager, and helper of all people in need, Mary Mulhall (above) was thrilled with the BlazeAid volunteers support.

“These wonderful people work as volunteers giving their time to support local communities,” she said.

“We are proud to have them in Molong - they have settled into our community so well”.

“The Steggles donation will help local and district families and individuals who are finding the current times very tough.”

Start-up digs up grant for soil research to save farmers cash

Independent MP Andrew Gee, with Dr Neeraj Purushotham, Senator Deborah O’Neill, and CPO and Co-founder of Loam Bio, Tegan Nock.

A soil carbon start-up in the Central West has in the Central West.

“Recently I had the chance to meet the team received a $9.3 million grant from the Federal Government to continue its revolutionary at Loam Bio and visit the lab where they’re research and development in regional Australia. developing products that help farmers boost The funding, through the Clean Energy their yield per acre by improving soil health, Finance Corporation, has been awarded to increasing water retention in the soil, and encouraging the nutritional uptake of their Orange-based start-up Loam Bio. Loam Bio has developed a ground-breaking crops.

Me Gee said the seed treatment enabled the seed treatment which enables crop farmers to increase the productivity and resilience of their soil to absorb more carbon, enabling farmers to farming systems, while helping to stop climate participate in carbon markets.

“This means that through drought or through change.

Independent Member for Calare, Andrew flood, farmers will be able to earn income from Gee said the multi-million-dollar grant backs their land through carbon farming,” he said.

“The capture and storage of carbon in soil science, technology, and innovation in the bush.

“In a humble-looking shed on the outskirts also gives our planet a bit of a hand by reducing of Orange, you’ll find a team of top scientists levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.

“It's great that the Australian Government is looking at how soil can help farmers earn some extra dough, and give the planet a bit of a hand, supporting Loam Bio to support our farmers with a $9.3 million grant through the Clean too,” he said.

“The shed is the headquarters of Aussie start- Energy Finance Corporation.

“This is a game-changing opportunity for our up Loam Bio, which has set up the second biggest soil analysis lab in Australia right here local farmers and our country.”

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

BlazeAid Volunteer, Lawrence, brought additional support when he came to volunteer in Molong - his two mates Banjo and Frankie.

“I was sitting in the caravan park in Cowra doing nothing and heard about BlazeAid and their call for volunteers to help in Molong,” he said.

Happy to be part of the team, Lawrence is one of the team volunteering his time and skills on local properties.

Among other volunteers, Lawrence event joined in to be part of this year’s Banjo Paterson Poetry Brawl at Freemason’s pub last weekend.

Lawrence and Banjo performed on stage to the delight of the large crowd.

INSET PHOTO: Banjo joined in with his master’s performance on the harmonica, albeit a little pitchy, before waiting as Lawrence recited his poem.

ABOVE: BlazeAid volunteers at work repairing and rebuilding fencing on a local property adjoining the Molong Creek.

Ten4Ten offers students skills building opportunity Chance for future leaders to be inspired and mentored

Woolworths expands controversial self-checkout AI Jonathan Mullins

The Ten4Ten mentors include community leaders from various industries and a wide range of backgrounds.

A unique opportunity for ten Year 11 students from Cabonne to learn skills and be mentored by community leaders is now available.

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA) is excited to be hosting the TEN4TEN Future Leaders Year 11 Leadership Dialogue - an opportunity for ten specially chosen Year 11 students to come together with ten community leaders for a fantastic two-way conversation and mentorship opportunity.

Students are invited to submit a written application of up to 300 words outlining why they believe they should be selected to participate in this program.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to: * Attend a meet & greet event, followed by dinner, with ten local community leaders selected as TEN4TEN mentors for 2023. * Visit NSW P a r l i a m e n t House in Sydney, where they will be hosted by the State Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP. * Visit Parliament House in Canberra, where they will be hosted by the Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, MP. * Attend regular group activities throughout the year. * Connect with and be mentored by our inspiring community leaders and innovators.

The ten inspiring mentors are from a range of backgrounds,

industries, and sectors.

RDA Central West director, Wayne Sunderland said the mentors would offer participating students an opportunity to be part of a unique and inspiring experience with these recognisable local leaders.

“Students have the opportunity to learn from and connect with our community leaders through this experience, while also getting a direct insight into what career opportunities are available right here in the Central West," he said.

The mentors for the 2023 TEN4TEN program are: • Gerald Power – Deputy Mayor, Orange City Council • Peita Mages – Director at Clever Cookie Academy • Phil Donato MP – Member for Orange • Amy van de Ven – Franchisee, Quest Orange • Andrew Gee MP – Federal Member for Calare • Jessica Hickman – Founder of Bullyology • Sonia Thew – Medical Doctor and Lecturer in Medicine at Charles Sturt University • Ben Watts – Owner of Bralca • Alison Neville – Solicitor, Blackwell Short Lawyers • Craig Murphy – Senior Project Manager at Charles Sturt University and IT Consultant Applications close on Tuesday, 7 March 2023 and can be submitted online via the RDA Central West website.

"Students have the opportunity to learn from and connect with our community leaders through this experience, while also getting a direct insight into what career opportunities are available right here in the Central West."

"Irrigators channel waters, fletchers straighten arrows, carpenters bend wood, the wise master themselves."

Buddhist wisdom

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is only impacting high-tech industries - predicting the social media posts you're likely to engage with, forecasting stock market movements, or finding a new gene therapy to cure a rare disease. But in reality, AI is transforming every industry across the globe.

It’s no surprise, then, that Woolworths is deploying this powerful new technology at their self-checkouts. Not only does it promise to speed up the process of selecting your fresh food items [it's actually pretty good at differentiating an eggplant from a mandarin], but also promises to assist their "stock loss prevention" efforts - a fancy way of describing the process of catching teenagers stealing chocolate bars.

It’s understandable that Woolworths is implementing AI to automate the seemingly mechanical task of grocery shopping.

However, replacing the role of a friendly cashier who scans your weekly purchases and inquires about your

rewards card (again) is not as straightforward as it seems.

Entrusting the responsibility for making complex decisions about a customer's integrity to AI is fraught.

Humans are uniquely exceptional at understanding context, reading the room, getting the vibe of a situation, and using judgement. The current state of AI, on the other hand, is exceptional at producing answers to very specific problems based on huge datasets of curated training data.

Spotting the difference between an eggplant and a mandarin is a considerably simpler problem than determining if someone is likely to be shoplifting.

Woolworths is facing backlash from privacy advocates about the use of in-store cameras to facilitate this new approach to "customer experience" and "stock loss prevention."

However, the bigger issue at hand is that companies are experimenting with these new, AI-driven decisionmaking systems with little or no scrutiny or regulation on how they are developed and audited.

An experimental AI developed in the United States last year was tasked with predicting the likelihood of criminal reoffending - it was demonstrated to be producing biassed decisions for people of colour. This was not a fundamental flaw with the technology, but rather a consequence of it being “trained” on a dataset that was not significantly diverse and representative of the broader population.

Thankfully the technology is not (yet) being used to make sentencing decisions for real people.

AI is a powerful tool that has the potential to improve productivity, efficiency, and innovation across a wide range of industries. It promises to be yet another leap forward for humans to focus their energy on creative and strategic thinking, leaving the more mundane and repetitive tasks to the machines.

But as has been the case with the advent of every technological breakthrough, we have a long road ahead.

NSW Reconstruction brings Pod living to Molong for flood-affected residents The NSW Reconstruction Authority, formerly Resilience NSW, has been introducing POD living to flood-affected communities across Cabonne Shire.

Around 165 modules have been made available to people across the Cabonne Council area, which include Eugowra and flood-hit areas of Cudal and Molong.

The $40 million pod program will soon be rolled out to other councils in the Central West.

Once set-up the Homeless since the 2022 Molong flood, Paul Mullins and Rozzi module homes are Smith of The Molong Express welcomed the opportunity to live in a kitted out with washing POD and return home to their Gatekeeper's Cottage block - while and drying facilities, their 150-year-old cottage is repaired and made livable again. an ensuite, a kitchen, "We are so incredibly happy to be able to live on our block again wardrobe, furniture and to start work on our garden, fencing and repairs to our home," and a television.

Paul said.

Thank you to Xanthe "We're both very grateful to the NSW Reconstruction Authority Gregory (ABC Central team for their support and fantastic and compassionate help."

West) for access to this Paul is pictured above a few weeks ago when the NSW Reconstruction Authority team arrived to help. Pictured with Paul story. are Brad (representing the installation company), Sharryn Lewis and Maddie Sirris from the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

Reader's thoughts ... Local News, Features, and more Good Aged Care Facilities Vital for Rural Areas

Letters

myagedcare.gov.au assessment of Molong facilities

Dear Editor, A few weeks before the latest (November 2022) flooding, you published a report on the proposed Mount Canobolas mountain bike trail, or rather objections to the proposed trail.

These objections were based on the risk of loss of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

I am very sorry to see that Aboriginal cultural heritage is being used to stop the trail going ahead.

Surely the best way to preserve our natural environment is to nurture a population that appreciates it.

If this generation of Australians are excluded from its bushland, how will the next generation learn to appreciate and preserve its natural environment?

I write to argue that it is not genuine to say that the trail should not go ahead because it risks destroying Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Henry Kendall, a poet and naturalist ahead of his time, lived from the early 1840’s till the 1870’s. He wrote the poem, “The Last of his Tribe”, a poignant ode to the decline and loss of Australia’s First People. We can conclude from Kendall’s poem written in about the 1860’s that the last of tribal Aborigines were lost about then and with them died their culture.

Is it fair to say that 5 generations later we can’t allow our young people into an area that was once frequented by Aboriginal people themselves?

Surely the best way to preserve that environment from weed and feral animal incursion is to give today’s people access that they might learn to appreciate and value their natural environment. (If access is granted then surely some of those who benefit will be descendents of the tribal people who survived that clash of cultures all those years ago.)

Let the mountain bikers have their trail on Mt Canobolas!

Dougal Pottie

(Above and below) The UPA's Prunus Lodge aged care facility in Molong's Bells Lane

Jonathan Mullins

Experts in the aged care industry have emphasised the importance of good aged care facilities in rural areas, particularly as the population continues to age and more people require these services. They have pointed out that investing in aged care in rural communities is crucial to ensure that older Australians, wherever they live, are able to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives in their later years.

In rural areas, aged care providers face unique challenges in delivering high-quality care to elderly residents who may be geographically isolated and have limited access to healthcare services. Funding may also be limited for equipment, technology, and facilities, which can impact the quality of care provided.

(Above and below) The Molong Multi-Purpose building includes Yuranigh House, an aged care facility. Members of the Board with Deb Kent (Manager).

The myagedcare.gov.au website claims to be helping people navigate the process of finding and assessing a potential aged care provider.

The website allows people to look at reviews for various aged care facilities, and provides a star rating for each facility based on four key metrics: compliance, quality measures, resident's experience, and staff rating. While the website provides valuable information for those seeking aged care services, it is important to note that its rating system is based on a standardised set of criteria, which may not capture all the nuances of individual experiences at specific facilities.

The publicly funded Molong MultiPurpose Service aged care facility has not yet been assessed or rated by myagedcare.gov.au at this time, but is currently being processed like many other similar services across Australia.

Prunus Lodge in Bells Lane is a 28bed low care aged facility that has been assessed, achieving an overall 4 star rating (out of 5 stars), despite the staffing metric requiring “significant improvement”. The star rating is for the aged care facility - and does not include Rose Cottage Dementia Centre.

In Molong, the availability and access to aged care beds and services remains a concern.

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD

by Susan Milne Members of the Old Fairbridgians Association will return to Molong and Orange during the weekend 3, 4, 5 March for their Biannual Reunion that was deferred from 2022.

The program includes a dinner at Orange Ex-services Club - and a special visit to the Molong Museum to view the Fairbridge Room and to catch up with locals. All are invited to attend.

Their gathering will meet for the associations Annual General Meeting on Sunday 5 March.

During their visit to Molong many will stop at the Fairbridge Children's Park to review the flood damage and the work by Cabonne

Council to clean up the park, removing all the branches etc and mowing the lawns.

The OFA was formed in 1940, when the first boys had started to leave the farm as they had turned 15.

It continued with varying numbers of members as children left the farm.

In 1966 the Association was revived and a Reunion was held in Molong over the long weekend.

Since this time a Reunion has been held every two years in the Orange/ Molong area.

A newsletter titled 'Follow the Founder' is sent to members twice a year.

With members now in their 70's and older it is not sure how long these reunions will continue.

Anyone who has connections with Fairbridge are welcome to visit the Museum and meet former friends of the school at the museum.

RSVP is needed to susanmilne55@gmail.com or 0400425015.

Museum General Opening Days will not be possible until the end of May after internal exhibitions and works are carried out.

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Banjo’s Molong Poetry Brawl

It was a busy weekend in Molong when Banjo Paterson celebrations came to town.

Friday night locals and visitors headed to the Molong RSL to enjoy the delicious foods created by Ben and the Bistro team.

Saturday - local footy kids and their families headed to the special day at the Molong Rec. organised by the Molong Magpies Rugby Club. Kids had a wow of a day doing workouts with former Wallabies players, Molong’s David Lyons, Stirling Mortlock and Owen Finnegan. Photos in next week’s

Express.

They continued celebrating on Saturday evening when they headed to the Rugby Union Launch dinner at the RSL Club to meet and greet the Wallaby guests. We hear it was a fabulous night and enjoyed by all.

On the same night a big crowd headed to the Freemasons Hotel courtyard where Jude Taylor organised the annual Banjo Paterson Poetry Brawl.

With visitors and competitors travelling from Yass, Bathurst, Orange, and further afield ... the night

Molong’s Millie and Maya performed one of Banjo’s favourites to the large crowd who travelled to Molong for the Banjo Poetry Brawl.

was one of the best in Molong.

A delicious meal was served by Jodie Laffin (formerly of Barnsey’s Be Tempted) and her team.

Sunday afternoon, Banjo Paterson birthday celebrations continued in with the Molong Historical Society holding a High Tea in the gardens of Boree Nyrang. A well-attended event - guests also had the opportunity to take a look in the marvellous bluestone built homestead standing on the property once occupied by Banjo’s Granny Barton’s family. Look out for photos in next week’s paper.

Whilst Molong is rebuilding after the big flood of November 2022 ... there’s a lot still happening in town. And more to come with the opening of John’s Hair Salon in the former Express office (Freemasons building) and Harriet is setting up again in her former unit with her delicious Sippin Nutrition range of healthy drinks and teas.

And, there’s more ... keep an eye out.

Even better, please join in the rebuilding initiatives to take this amazing town to the next and achievable level of new beginnings.

Coming Soon: MAG Molong Village Easter Markets and Easter Monday Main Street Shopping and Fun Day.

Molong 2023 Poetry Brawl winner, Louisa Carey (centre) won with her poem titled ‘Clancy of the Overflowing Laundry Basket’, pictured with Orange Rotary President Len Banks and event judge and author Robyn Sykes.

Margaret Moss and Sandra Brown enjoyed the Banjo Paterson poetry event.

Cr Peter Batten’s two lovely sisters Roslyn and Deidre at the Poetrry Brawl which attracted a large number of performers including several walk-up poets.

Molong’s Poetry Brawl organiser, Jude Taylor, with Under 18 competitor Isla

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

Karen and Pat from Bathurst enjoying the courtyard and fresh food provided by Kim and her team at Freemason’s Hotel.

Hard workers at the Poetry Brawl, Greg Smith, Luke O’Neill and Billy Wherritt.

2023 Banjo Paterson Poetry Brawl Competition Winners Under 18 First Prize Hannah Wilson Under 18 Runner-Up Ailie Kermode Open Section First Prize Louisa Carey Open Section Second Prize David Stanley Open Encouragement Ron Osborne

The Craig family of Molong enjoyed Saturday night's Poetry Brawl at the Freemasons where their daughter Isla competed in the Under 18 section. (Above) Sarah and Wes with Isla, Will, Poppy and Lottie

People's Choice Louisa Carey

Peter Batten's family and friends enjoyed the night and delicious foods served by Jodie Laffin and team. Thank you to Jude Taylor who organised the event for Molong.

L E F T: M o l o n g Poetry Brawl compere, Duncan Wass from the Blue Mountains, congratulates the Under 18 section winner Ailie Kermode, who performed her 1-minute poem with the m a n d a t o r y phrase: "Been there before".

Local musician, Jimmy Walker, entertained the crowds at the Molong Poetry Brawl with his skills on the guitar and country sounds

Locals take bait for prizes in annual carp muster Molong's annual fishing event attracted plenty of bite this year, with hopefuls angling for the top catch.

Jake's 2023 Carp Muster was a great success with rods and reels coming from across the region.

Sponsored by the Telegraph Hotel, the annual Carp Muster is held in memory of young Jake Whiting who lived and breathed fishing - in the Molong Creek or when he travelled with his family to the top end to catch the big ones. Any waterway, any time of the day would find Jake fishing.

He was a great kid.

Pictured left, two of Jakes fishing mates heading off to the Molong Creek with their rods.

(Below) Jake doing what he loved best - fishing and camping in the Top End

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

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75 years ago this week 25 Feb 1948

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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

REG’S BENCH

QUICK CROSSWORD

Solutions page 14

Across 1 Wonderful (10) Celebrating International 7 First letters (8) Women's Day ... with Payback 8 Cab (4) to Reg who loves printing jokes 9 Wet thoroughly (4) about women.

10 Erudite (7) 12 Amused (11) 14 Bunch of flowers (7) 16 Second-hand (4) 19 The Orient (4) 20 Broken down, worn out (8) 21 Dramatist (10)

Down 1 Collieries (5) 2 Withdraw (7) 3 Dutch cheese (4) 4 Nevada city famed for casinos (3,5) 5 Express in speech (5) 6 Stretch out (6) 11 Amiable (8) 12 Self-centred person (6) 13 Savings (4,3)

15 Game bird (5) 17 Float along (5) 18 Mark left by wound (4)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD What do you call a man with half a brain? >> Gifted.

What's the difference between government bonds and men? >> Bonds Mature.

What did God say after creating man? >> I can do better.

(Below) One to show how fair we women are to balance the jokes. Here's one for us old girls!!

Husband: Want a quickie?

Wife: As opposed to what?

What are two reasons why men don't mind their own business? >> 1. No mind. >> 2. No business.

What is an Aussies idea of foreplay? >> "You awake Sheila?"

If men got pregnant.... abortion would be available in convienience stores and drive through windows.

WORD SEARCH

Across 7 Wavering badly in the holidays (11) 8 A long trip to a country in Africa (6) 9 Irish city gettin' twice as big, we hear (6) 10 Suit passed out (6) 12 Indian city for crazy artists (6) 13 Some other age or epoch (3) 14 Pressed for De Niro production (6) 16 Injured hothead with weapons (6) 18 Threaten people with an expert (6) 20 Told jokes with one's mouth covered? (6) 22 No specialists in a 5050 game (3-8) Down 1 Terrible Russian providing one with transport (4) 2 Harmony provided by one of the strings, we hear (6) 3 Send lace out to be purified (8) 4 Fat boy? About right!

(4) 5 Vice and evil for an Arabian sailor (6)

6 Hint that's very personal (8) 11 Cheese chopped by spearman (8) 12 Wood ordered for Hogmanay (8) 15 Almost noble in New York (6) 17 Untidy sort of dagger (6) 19 Observe revolutionary public school (4)

21 Some conversed in Gaelic (4)

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 23 February 2023

11

TRADES & SERVICES

BUILDING / CARPENTRY

Mark O’Donahue Home Maintenance

ACCOUNTANTS / SOLICITORS

• Carpentry • Painting • Tiling • Plastering

Campbell Paton & Taylor SOLICITORS, ATTORNEYS AND NOTARIES

In Attendance are:

General Repairs & Maintenance No Job too Small !

Ph: 0437 218 930

TUES- Andrew Kermode Solicitor WED- Michelle Reynolds Conveyancer

Molong 02 6366 8049

THURSDAY & FRIDAY by appointment.

CONCRETE / LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS

11 BANK STREET MOLONG

Ph: 6362 1922

CONVEYANCING

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

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

Ph: 02 6366 8222 Fax: 02 6366 9273

6366 8448

AUTOMOTIVE / SMASH REPAIRS

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

CONCRETE

SIGNS

Lic. MVRL45372

Watson Street MOLONG

T 6366 8280

starting from

$140

Now doing

LIGHT VEHICLE BLUESLIPS

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

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

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 23 February 2023

BULK WATER DELIVERY

SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FOR OVER 40 YEARS

Call Dusty

E: margot@margotsawyerconveyancing.com.au

Extensive range of driving lights and light bars

FIREWOOD AVAILABLE

Concrete Trucks •Sand, aggregates Mini Mix •3 •Mini digger, Bobcat, •Topsoil, Mulch Trencher, Truck & •Mushroom compost Truck Dog hire •Woodchips

Licence No: 1033852

Free Quote

N LO

ED

BUILDING

MO

Orange office 193-195 Anson St.

LIC. No 323812C

FUNERAL SERVICES

PACKAGING

6361 7777 6362 3751

EVERYTHING NEARLY

MOVING HOUSE OR OFFICE?

Serving the Molong District

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

NOW CLEANING CHIMNEYS Avoid a fire !

Call Lenny Punch

Bubble Wrap | Glass Jars Packing Tape

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

AFDA

CONNECTIONS

CABLE/ PIPE LOCATIONS TREES LOPPED / REMOVED TRENCHING / YARDS CLEANED PHONES / CABLES REPAIRED PHONE / TV EXTENSIONS ANY TIME ANY WHERE

NORMAN J PENHALL FUNERALS PROVIDING 24 HOUR 7 DAYS SENSITIVE, DIGNIFIED & PROFESSIONAL CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST

Wr ght

Or phone us on 02 6366 8100

M: 0481 119 039 T: 63 668 108

PUMPS + ELECTRICAL

PLUMBING

WINLOCK Plumbing & Roofing

Javelinplumbing

Servicing Molong & districts for 40 years

we’ll pinpoint your problem

Your local plumber is back!

Lic No. 160917C

Specialising in:

Licensed Plumber, Drainer, Gasfitter Servicing

• Roofing • Septic Tanks • Hot Water

• Domestic • Rural • Commercial

Servicing & Exchange

• General Plumbing Available 5 days / week

0408 031 829

Lic No 82435C

Ph Gus

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

TRANSPORT

B-Double Livestock, Hay & General Freight Matt Knott

0428 986 164 knotttransport@gmail.com WATER BORES

0427 270 084 TREE SERVICES

Country Tree Services Garry Livingstone

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

0408 655 811 WELDING

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

info@molongsmashrepairs.com.au

GARDEN / GEN MAINTENANCE

Wr ght CONNECTIONS

OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE OVER 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY LICENCED & INSURED 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

Sam & Jacqui Duncan

(m)0468 962 162

14 Enterprise Place Molong NSW 2866

CABLE/ PIPE LOCATIONS TREES LOPPED / REMOVED TRENCHING / YARDS CLEANED PHONES / CABLES REPAIRED PHONE / TV EXTENSIONS ANY TIME ANY WHERE

NOW CLEANING CHIMNEYS Avoid a fire !

Call Lenny Punch

M: 0481 119 039 T: 63 668 108

MARKS MOWING

& Home Repairs

Residential / Small Acreage

• Mowing & lawn care • Weed spraying • Mini excavation work, trenching • Post hole digging • Yard cleanups • Pressure cleaning • Handyman Services • Painting Locally owned & operated fully insured Pensioner Discounts Available

0467 604 470

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

13

CLASSIFIEDS

that work !

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

POSITIONS VACANT

Looking for a career in Local Government?

Cabonne Council has the following positions vacant: • Department Leader Transport Infrastructure • Transport Contracts Coordinator • Innovation and Technology Support Officer • Ranger • Technical Officers – Transport and Water & Waste Water • Apprentice Mechanic • Out of School Hours Care Supervisor – Clergate • Out of School Hours Care Assistant – Various Locations Please visit Council’s website at www. cabonne.nsw.gov.au to find information about these positions and to begin your application, for confidential enquiries please contact Council’s Leader of People & Culture, Glenn Meehan on 63923218 PO Box 17 MOLONG NSW 2866

PUBLIC NOTICES The Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Cowra Support Group meets on the 1st Friday of each month from 12:30 to 14:30 and is open to survivors of all communities. All details online via: recover.itmatters.com.au. Alternatively, call Pascale, the facilitator, on 0458 698 460. Thank you and take great care.

MOLONG MAGPIES RUGBY UNION 2023 SEASON VENUE SPONSOR The Molong Magpies are requesting expressions of interest for a season venue sponsor for the 2023 season.

Please submit your interest to admin@ molongmagpies.com.au

CHURCH NOTICES

CHURCH NOTICES

Anglican Parish of Cudal-Molong St John’s Molong Every Sunday 10.00am

Communion with Kids Church - If available (Cnr of Edward & Bank Sts, Molong)

St James’ Cudal 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month 9.00am

Communion with Kids Chat (Corner of Wall & Toogong Streets, Cudal)

St Luke’s Manildra 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month 10.00am

Communion with Kids Chat (Packham Dr, Manildra opposite Old Orange Rd)

St Alban’s Toogong 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month 3.00pm

Communion with Kids Chat (Forbes Street, Toogong - top end)

B J Byrnes General Manager

Come and join our great team and get on the job training. We are currently looking for an enthusiastic person who has a genuine interest in children, to join our little team in 2023.

This is a certificate 3 traineeship.

The position will be 3 days per week working with children, as well as additional paid hours for study.

For further information please contact Jenny at, Yeoval Preschool (Wednesday to Friday) on 68464292, Or email yeovalpreschool@westnet.com. au Please note you will need to complete a working with children check prior to commencement.

Please forward your application, with resume and 2 contactable referees to: The President Yeoval Preschool Inc, King street, Yeoval, NSW 2868

Claim the date – 2023 Abbey, formerly of 17 Shades Hairdressing is now operating in Poppy and Frank Salon at 141 Peisley Street, Orange.

Working primarily Wednesday through to Saturday with late night appointments available as well. ph: 0459689711

WANTED

MOLONG COMMUNITY CHURCH Molong Assemblies of God Contact Ps Deon Stapelberg Ph 0498 659 703 For meeting details

UNITING CHURCH

WANTED:

Sunday 26 FEBRUARY

A fantastic experienced cleaner to do an end of tenancy clean. Must have own equipment and be super thorough.

Molong Heather Woodhouse 63668218

Send your 2023 dates to molongexpress@bigpond.net.au

March 2 Molong Men’s Shed meets 14 Molong Probus meeting April 6 Molong Men’s Shed meets 11 Molong Probus meeting May 4 Molong Men’s Shed meets 9 Molong Probus meeting June 1 Molong Men’s Shed meets 13 Molong Probus meeting July 6 Molong Men’s Shed meets 11 Molong Probus meeting

Phone Rozzi 0490734650

TIMBER & PLUMBING SUPPLIES

Greenworks is a Mon - Thu Global leader in 7.30 - 5.00 Fri battery powered outdoor power 7.30 - 4.00 Sat tools for DIY and 8.00 - 12.00 landscaping professionals.

We

Phil Donato MP Member for Orange

Your voice in NSW Parliament

Come and try the range.

Ph: 5325 5040 2 Bank St MOLONG QUICK CROSSWORD

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

14

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

Deliver to You

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Sport Molong Bowls

Bathurst hosts 2023 World Athletics Championships Cross Country Event A well attended meeting was held at the Molong Bowling Club on Sunday 12 February where the executive (Chris Beatty, Ben Brown and Yvonne Clyde) updated members and interested residents about current negotiations with the insurance company assessors about the seriously flood damaged building.

Whilst volunteers have worked hard to rebuild the greens to prepare for the forthcoming pennants competition, social bowls, BRAG bowls, and Croquet - the Clubhouse, kitchen, bar, cool-room, and other indoor facilities remain out of action.

Clubhouse Future? Yvonne Clyde reported that negotiations continue with the insurance company.

(Above) The once best polished and biggest dance floor in town now standing critically damaged, empty and idle after the November 2022 flood.

Rebuild? Repair? Or move to a new location away from the Molong Creek?

Molong Golf

Members and the community will be kept informed as negotiations and final outcomes are achieved.

In the meantime, happy bowling and croquet.

Evangeline Ellis heads to Olympic Park

Sunday 19 th February saw twelve players at the Royal Molong Golf Course for the usual twelve hole ambrose event. Paul and Bro were the winners with Harry and the Ghost Walker as runners up. Apparently Paul and Bro and the other two in their group all played with Taylormade branded golf balls and thought that this made them “special”. I won’t say what politically incorrect terminology I would use to describe them. My golfing partner and I played the “not to think, not to care” type of game.

The trouble was that the golf ball travelled the furthest when hit in the wrong direction.

I believe Bro did have a “birdie “ on the fourteenth hole. Thanks also to Bro for cooking the bbq. Many thanks to the fourteen or so that turned up for the working bee on the Saturday.

We got plenty of cleaning up done and thanks to Kerry for organising lunch for us.

Did you know: it takes about seven seconds for food to pass from the mouth to the stomach.

A human hair can hold three kilograms. The length of a penis is three times the length of the thumb. The femur is as hard as concrete.

A woman’s heart beats faster than a man’s.

Women blink twice as much as men. We use three hundred muscles justo keep our balance when we stand. A woman has read this entire text. A man is still looking at his thumb.

This Sunday we are teeing off one hour earlier, 7.30am for 8am because this will be a eighteen hole individual stableford event. Those who only want to play nine or twelve holes can finish early if they wish. Of course everyone and anyone is most welcome to join us.

(Above) Oliver Hoare, Jessica Hull, Abbey Caldwell and Stewart McSweyn delivered under the immense pressure of a home World Championship event at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama Saturday February 18, 2023 Australia’s Mixed 4x2km relay team raced into Australian athletics history with a bronze medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships Bathurst.

Leading from the front as the world’s best runners battled both the terrain and conditions in an instant classic down under.

A day that started with scorching temperatures and ended in a thunderstorm at Mount Panorama provided a true test for distance stars from around the globe, with the home nation faring to secure a bronze medal and two fourth-place finishes.

Australia’s highly anticipated quartet of Oliver Hoare, Jessica Hull, Stewart McSweyn and Abbey Caldwell delivered under the immense pressure of a home World Championships – clinching bronze behind Kenya and Ethiopia to cement Australia’s status as a heavyweight nation of the distance running world.

“We wear the guernsey with pride and we all executed good races.

To compete with the powerhouses of Ethiopia and Kenya hopefully puts Australia on the map and shows that we are part of the bigthree of distance running now,” McSweyn said.

With Hoare leading out the team, it was Hull who made significant inroads on the second leg to move Australia into the lead with a 12-second turnaround, before McSweyn did what McSweyn does and Caldwell anchored the team to a 23:26 performance – five seconds behind silver (Ethiopia) and 12-seconds behind gold (Kenya).

Javelin is the chosen competition sport of James Sheahan High School student, Evangeline Ellis of Molong.

This weekend, Evangeline will head to Sydney’s Olympic Park to throw in the 2023 NSW Junior Championships after a sensational year of competition.

“There is always pressure when it comes to racing on home soil when you have the resumes that we have and the anticipation of what was to come. That’s why we do this sport, we handle the pressure the way we handle it and being at home, I know personally that people have come here to cheer us on,” Hoare said.

The comments were echoed by Hull and Caldwell who were delighted with all four athletes securing their first World Championships medal: “There is no pressure when you have three superstars with you, you know that everyone is so professional that they will do their jobs,”

In January Evangeline won gold in the NSW Athletics Country championships.

She also won gold at the Little Athletics Region Championships last weekend - which will mean another opportunity to compete at Olympic Park.

We wish Evangeline all the very best in the competitions ahead.

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

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2023

15

AUCTION

‘Whitney Green’ 432 Byng Road, Byng - High Quality Grazing Country • 363 hectares* or 899 acres*. Subdivided into 22 main paddocks with efficient management & stock handling infrastructure in place. Running as a cow calf enterprise, carrying consistently 300 breeders • Strong well established pasture with a good fertiliser history. Mixed productive soil types •Near new fencing & reticulated watering system, equipped with remote tank monitoring system

Auction

Open

Friday 24 March, 10.30am The Auction Centre Bathurst

By Appointment

Agents

Ben Redfern 0457 770 062 Patrick Bird 0438 361 109

AUCTION ‘Walshville’ 2965 Mitchell Highway, Vittoria - First Class Finishing & Breeding Property • Large-scale 422*ha (1042* acre) property, Central tablelands NSW. • Well improved with steel sheep and cattle yards, laneway system, shearing shed & multiple water sources •Strong highly improved pastures and excellent soil types •2 comfortable homes offering good accommodation options

Auction

Open

Friday 24 March, 10.30am The Auction Centre Bathurst

By Appointment

Agents

Ben Redfern 0457 770 062 Patrick Bird 0438 361 109

Ray White Emms Mooney 34 Bank Street Molong NSW raywhiteemc.com 02 6366 9606 16

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 23 February 2022