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‘Dreaming Drifters’ take centre stage at Tamworth Country Music Festival STORY: PAGE 11
Dr Fiona Robards is off to Geneva! By SHARON BONTHUYS A SYDNEY academic who grew up in Nevertire will embark on the professional adventure of a lifetime next month when she heads off to complete a threemonth sabbatical in the cosmopolitan metropolis of Geneva, Switzerland. Dr Fiona Robards, a public health academic at the University of Sydney, will leave Australia in February to spend several months with the renowned World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) in Geneva, where she will focus on enhancing policies for women, children, and youth. The daughter of Jill and Ron Robards of Nevertire, the 55-year-old academic cochairs the WFPHA’s Women, Children and Youth Health Working Group with Boston University Adjunct Professor Deborah Walker. During her time in Geneva with WFPHA, Dr Robards will lead policy development, attend the annual General Assembly, and conduct three research projects. She is also very excited to have been invited to attend the World Health Organisation’s executive board meeting, which will be held in the fi rst week of February.
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Georgie Russ in Canada
“Fun day”, despite heat, for Warren Bowls’ event
STORY: PAGE 12
STORY & PHOTOS: PAGE 20
Australia Day 2025! By TESS VAN LUBECK A BUMPER crowd gathered at the Warren Sporting and Cultural Centre complex, Victoria Park, last Sunday, January 26, to enjoy a hearty barbecue breakfast and honour Warren’s finest. Warren Shire Council’s Australia Day Committee Chair, Cr Ros Jackson, and Cr David Cleasby welcomed everyone to the event, and introduced this year’s ambassador and special guest, dual-sport Olympian and dual Commonwealth Games medallist in gymnastics (2002) and diving (2010), Alexandra Moore. Zoey Daley delivered a Welcome to Country in language, and Mayor Greg Whiteley took to the stage and spoke of Australia Day as a time to pause and reflect on the nation we’ve built, and our national values of freedom and strong community ties. He shared that 50 years ago, he was so moved by the sense of community that his family chose to make Warren their home. Mayor Whiteley acknowledged the everyday actions of quietly inspirational locals that make Warren great by contributing their time, expertise and resources. Finally, Mayor Whiteley welcomed ambassador Alexandra Moore and outlined her numerous achievements. Ms Moore thanked Mayor Whiteley and Ms Daley for the warm reception and noted it’s the fi rst time she’s had the pleasure of experiencing
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2025 Citizen of the Year Nominees: Judy Ridley (recipient), Danielle Redmond, Billy Darcy, Greg Whiteley and Alex Moore. PHOTO: WARREN STAR. a Welcome to Country in local language. The highly-decorated athlete appreciated the hospitality the Warren councillors and the Whiteleys had shown her, including visiting the Royal Flying Doctor, a cotton farm, Nevertire and the Collie pub. Ms Moore noted that a
chance meeting with pig hunters and their “friendly and beautiful dogs” was a highlight of her whirlwind tour, and she thoroughly enjoyed getting a rundown on the popular local pastime. Ms Moore concluded by revealing she specifically requests ambassador postings
in rural towns as she “believes life in the country is the heart of Australia.”
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