Issuu

CONTENTS.

Friday 29.04.2016 to Sunday 01.05.2016 | Dubbo Weekender

FROM THE EDITOR

Friday 29.04.2016 to Sunday 01.05.2016 Q&A

FEATURED

On the couch with John Howard

Yvette Aubusson-Foley editor@dubboweekender.com.au facebook.com/WeekenderDubbo Twitter @DubboWeekender

PAGE 10

ANZAC DAY We will remember them PAGE 00

ISSUE Bats: nature’s mozzie repellent PAGE 20

MINI TROTS

PEOPLE

Harnessing quite the reputation PAGE 22

KEN PHILLIPS

BUSINESS

Cyber attacks are coming PAGE 28

HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

Going the extra mile for Bright Smiles PAGE 34

FOOD Sweet treats for mum on Mother’s Day PAGE 36

Regulars 06 24 25 25 27

Seven Days Tony Webber Paul Dorin Watercooler Helicopter View

28 30 31 32 50 62 63

Business & Rural Lifestyle Sally Bryant The Big Picture What’s On Sport Jen Cowley

CONTACTS & CREDITS | Front Cover Maddie Connell | Email feedback@dubboweekender.com.au | Online www.dubboweekender.com.au | www.twitter.com/DubboWeekender | www.facebook.com/WeekenderDubbo | Published by Panscott Media Pty Ltd ABN 94 080 152 021 | Company Director Tim Pankhurst Editor-at-Large Jen Cowley Editor Yvette Aubusson-Foley Writers Lisa Minner Reception Emily Welham Design Sarah Head, Hayley Ferris, Rochelle Hinton Photography Maddie Connell, Charnie Tuckey, Steve Cowley General disclaimer: The publisher accepts no responsibility for letters, notices and other material contributed for publication. The submitter accepts full responsibility for material, warrants that it is accurate, and indemnifies the publisher against any claim or action. All advertisers, including those placing display, classified or advertorial material, warrant that such material is true and accurate and meets all applicable laws and indemnifies the publisher against all liabilities that may arise from the publication of such material. Whilst every care is taken in preparing this publication, we cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The editor, Jen Cowley, accepts responsibility for election comment. Articles contain information of a general nature – readers should always seek professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. Corrections and comments: Panscott Media has a policy of correcting mistakes promptly. If you have a complaint about published material, contact us in writing. If the matter remains unresolved, you may wish to contact the Australian Press Council. © Copyright 2015 Panscott Media Pty Ltd. Copyright in all material – including editorial, photographs and advertising material – is held by Panscott Media Pty Ltd or its providers and must not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Publisher.

The pain of not shopping local TOOK this photograph in Bernardi’s IGA Orana Mall this week, confronted by the empty shelves as staff prepare for Sunday’s closure. I couldn’t help but wonder; ‘is this what not supporting a regional business looks like?’ There will have been many factors which brought decision makers to the conclusion that closing their SUPA store in Orana Mall was the only feasible step to take, and it was probably a very, very difficult one. Based in Forbes, Bernardis is somewhat of a success story, able to show good growth and expansion, with independence - but they’re one of us - they live here in the regions - so would certainly understand the impact on a regional community when 50 people lose their jobs all at once. That’s 50 households affected. Fifty bottom lines. Fifty people struggling to pay rent, buy food, keep up with the bills. Despite Bernardi’s commitment to helping where they could to assist their former staffer’s in their job search, the jobs have to be there in the first place. Some plan to apply for JB Hi-Fi but they don’t open until September. That’s in five months time. Earlier this year, Bernardi’s were praised in a Commonwealth Bank magazine article for doing things outside the box and staying ahead of the competition, but clearly, in this case, and as they have publically announced, competing with another major supermarket chain, opposite their outlet at the Mall, has proven fatal. I wonder too was Orana Mall’s decision to close off it’s back door entrance a couple of months ago, in any way a factor for Bernardi’s demise. No criticism of the Mall. Clearly signposted for ‘deliveries only’, the two rear doors were very popular access points for customers. Perfect for avoiding the elusive door-ding elves but also to come and go from the Mall quickly for a ‘duck in, duck out’ for a few supplies. The shorter walking distance to access the supermarkets through the back entrances must surely have made life a bit easier for the elderly, disabled and mums with bubs, and I wonder what traffic was lost on a daily basis which until the day the back doors were locked, had been walking right past IGA’s door. Location, location, location; as they say. Traffic went from a steady flow to zero. Perhaps, already feeling the pinch, it was the final nail in the coffin. How often we forget the power of our dollar and its capacity to keep home-grown businesses alive. “Shop local” is an essential practice, for regional communities to thrive and grow. Yes,

the ‘big guys’ employ too, but for all the fruit and veg shops which fell by the wayside when they came to town; there were not just jobs lost, but business people, families, pushed out of their trade and robbed of the opportunity to be self-supporting, to own their business all while supplying local, fresh, produce to boot. Mick and Paul’s are like the last man standing. So, come Sunday, there will be over 50 people in our community looking for work as a result of this closure. It’s a wakeup call for consumers to realise we actually influence these kinds of outcomes by choosing first and foremost to shop local, or not. For those loyal customers voicing their sadness on Bernardi’s IGA Dubbo Facebook page, the lament is unanimous. “Will be sad to see you leave Dubbo,” says one customer. “The quality of your fruit and veg and your support of local producers will be missed. I loved that your staff were always friendly and I got to use a checkout every time I shopped and not forced to use a self service thing.” And this: “So sorry to hear this devastating news, your cold meats particularly your ham off the bone was 1st class....refuse to buy it from Woolies ....only processed even though they tell you it’s not. Fruit and veggies always lovely and fresh..staff very friendly nothing an effort. Another great business gone. Wish all the staff success in finding jobs.” “Sad, sad, sad,” says another. “Please don’t close. Just relocate. I do not want to spend my hard earned money in the giant monopolies. All I went to Orana Mall for was Bernardi’s Supa IGA so when you reopen in another premises I will go there, we will find you. That sounds like supermarket shopping heaven... parking the car and walking through the doors directly into the Bernardi’s Marketplace Supa IGA. Don’t give up, don’t give in, fight for your share of the pie. Come on Dubbo and the region say no to putting into the greedy trough of the big and say yes to supporting diversity and choice for today and the future. Relocate, don’t close.”