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 afeld ... the night was one of the best in Molong. A delicious meal was served by Jodie Lafn (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.

Locals take bait for prizes in annual carp muster

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

People's Choice

Louisa Carey

Under 18 section winner Ailie Kermode, who performed her 1-minute poem with the mandatory phrase: "Been there before".

Molong's annual fshing 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 fshing - 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 fnd Jake fshing. He was a great kid.