THE POST/SUN, Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - Page 1
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Education in Focus,
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Wednesday, September
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Busy times for Monaro High
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Jindabyne High the right choice Page 19
DODDS HOTEL DA APPROVED
EDUCATION IN FOCUS
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LIFT OUT
CUC support program
REGIONAL VISITS: Snowy Mountains Grammar School’s head of middle and school, Tim Bland, senior connects with families during the visit held Hotel’s balcony roomin the Cooma Alpine last Thursday evening. PHOTO: SMGS
SNOWY MOUNTAINS GRAMMAR SCHOO L VISITS
QUODLING’S DREAM YEAR
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REGIONS
Field Days before Snowy Mountains meeting in Grammar School (SMGS) has where even though Goulburn this Friday, been on the the weather 26 road, taking time kept some families Parents spoke openly The Merimbula SeasideSeptember. to visit towns away, the Markets across the region evening turned out experiences, offering about their opportunity to meet on October 19 are and next on the tour to be a valuable the head of authentic families, past students,connect with chance to connect. insights to those junior and middle before leading into considering SMGS school and get a the SMGS open and local organisations. for the future. sense of what the day in indabyne The visit opened on hursday, school could be the door to new conversations with like for our family October. The regional visits For some, the visits in the future. local are designed as relaxed, informal and community leaders. families perfect bridge betweenhave been the “That conversation Families are warmly gatherings was inspiring, visit, invited curiosity where people can and commitment. it bridged the gap In Cooma, families meet staff and experienceto meet from initial came the leaders, share stories, school in a warm and welcoming together interest to action, school environment “We’d been looking leading us to first-hand. and setting. learn more about for a while, but the at the school commit to attending Prospective parents, For details about the school’s regional visit upcoming the open day. current community. families, and even gave us a relaxed My daughter is quite regional visits and chance to pop a past student the excited about joined in, creating in and have a talk,” it too. The regional visit, www.smgs.nsw. open day he first stop was a genuine sense Bredbo parent, visit really made indabyne, edu.au. of community and Ineke Kuiper, said. all the difference.” Enrolments for 2026 continuity. are now open and families “It wasn’t formal, The tour then made are just a genuine Tumut and is attendingits way to to make an enquiry encouraged through the the Henty school’s website.
SPORT
Local hero honoured Re-instate program: mayor
COMMITMENT: 2025 Southern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year, Adolf Franco, and Snowy Valleys Council mayor, Julia Ham, at the awards presentation. PHOTO: Supplied
By NATHAN THOMPSON Snowy Monaro mayor, councillor Chris Hanna, will support a motion to be presented at the Local Government NSW conference, calling for the axed Business Connect program to be reinstated. Cr Hanna said Snowy Monaro Regional Council will back a motion to be tabled by the Bega Valley Shire Council at the state conference in November, seeking the re-instatement of the program that provides businesses operators with independent, tailored advice. Cr Hanna, also a small business operator, said he understands how difficult it is to run a small business. “I’m disappointed to see the state government has pulled the program and the support it provides businesses,” Cr Hanna said. ■ More on page 4
BERRIDALE RESIDENT NAMED SENIOR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR By TRISTA HEATH In a heart-warming ceremony last week at the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, long-serving volunteer, Adolf Franco, received the prestigious Southern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year award. Mr Franco received the honour for his unwavering commitment to the Snowy River and Alpine Search and Rescue teams, part of the NSW State Emergency Services (SES).
With more than 14 years of service, the deputy commander has extensive experience in remote land and marine rescues. Franco, who has also volunteered with Alpine Lakes Marine Rescue and the Berridale Rural Fire Service, expressed a mixture of honour and humility upon receiving the award. “Honestly, I feel a little bit embarrassed because I think everyone who volunteers deserves an award,”
Mr Franco said. “You don’t do it for thanks; you do it because you want to help people when you can. I know a lot of my colleagues do amazing things too, and it’s unfortunate that only one name can go forward at a time. But I am honoured as well.” The ceremony took place amid a busy winter season for the Snowy River SES and Alpine Search and Rescue team, which has responded to numerous emergencies ranging
from road accidents to alpine rescues. “This winter, we had about 22 calls,” Mr Franco said. “It has been a challenging winter, but very rewarding.” Mr Franco said his volunteer career has brought him joy and fulfilment from lending a helping hand. “I’m not the best at everything, but I use what knowledge I’ve picked up to assist others,” he said. “It’s about being there for some-
one in need.” As local organisations strive to recruit more volunteers, Mr Franco said people with the time should help out. “You’re always learning something new,” he said. “It may not be a lifelong commitment, but the skills and experiences gained are invaluable. “You’ll take those lessons with you, no matter where life leads you.”
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