Macquarie Home Stay expansion

Cancer patients in Cobar and across Central, Western and Far West NSW who travel to Dubbo to receive treatment will be able to access affordable accommodation.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government announced this week that $2.5 million will be spent on a purpose-built oncology accommodation precinct as part of Dubbo’s Macquarie Home Stay facility.

It comes after the Federal Labor Government cut funding to the facility in the recent Federal Budget, putting the crucial expansion of this specialised medical accommodation facility in doubt.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the demand for affordable accommodation is there, with the Western Cancer Centre providing care to people living across the region, including the communities of Walgett, Bourke and Cobar in a “home away from home” environment.

Being diagnosed with cancer is stressful enough and the last thing I want is people delaying treatment because they are unable to cover the cost of the accommodation while receiving the care they need,” Mrs Taylor said.

Macquarie Home Stay has done an incredible job supporting patients, their families and their carers across Central, Western and Far West NSW during some of the toughest moments of their life.

“This expansion will ensure the support is there for even more people.”

The investment will help deliver 26 new rooms, more than doubling the current capacity of Macquarie Home Stay.

• We hear the late, great Robert ‘Beeza’ Josephson was recognised at this year’s Country Music Awards in Tamworth. A former band member of Beeza’s, bass player Jeff Hall, reported the honour for Beeza on social media saying it was good to see his mate recognised, in memoriam. “No one could hold a candle to him out the front of a band ... he didn’t give a rats about winning any gongs but if he had won a Golden Guitar he’d probably of used it to keep the lid on his jerky dehydrator … Vale Beeza Josephson,” Jeff wrote.

• Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of a number of Cobar residents and former residents who have passed away over the past month including Nellie Martin, Lauchlan McMillan, Leonie Cummins, Andrew McGee, June Smith, Ken Good and Stuart Mosely.

• The Cobar Camels side (made up of both Cobar rugby union and rugby league players) came up against COHOE Roosters player Peter Boone in one of their Rugby League 9’s games at Bourke on Saturday. Apparently the old bloke is still pretty handy on the football field!

• Cobar Shire Council and Cobar Police are reminding residents to be aware of the recently changed speed limits in the CBD. The designated area runs through the main street from the Services Club corner up to the intersection at Murray Street. It also includes sections of Linsley and Barton streets. Cobar Highway Patrol report generally people are adhering to the 40km/hr speed limit. A small number of cautions have been issued but no infringement notices have been given out at this stage.

• Good on Ya to Riley Fitzsimmons and Eli Martin who have recently gotten in (literally) and cleaned up the skate park bowl which was littered with leaves and rubbish and a few rocks (which had been thrown in there which made it dangerous for users). The pair spent an hour sweeping it out. Well done! We hear there’s plans to form a Skate Park Committee who will be looking for sponsorship to buy a blower vac which should speed up the cleaning job.

• Do you know a woman (over 18) who is doing great things in our community that deserves recognition? Nominations close next week for the 2023 Barwon Woman of the Year award which recognises achievements of women in western NSW in industry, the arts, sciences, social services, education and many other fields. Information on how to nominate can be found at State Member for Barwon, Roy Butler’s website, www.roybutler.com.au

January 2023

25 TCW first edition of the year released

26 CATS Australia Day Triathlon

26 Australia Day activities

26 Australia Day Social Bowls at Golfie

26 Ballz ‘N’ All Trio at Golfie

26 Entertainer Grant Hart at Services Club

27 Council community donations close February 2023

7 Judo returns for 2023

8 Peak Mines community donations close

19 CATS Copper City Tyres Team Challenge March 2023

19 CATS Triathlon

The Cobar Weekly office will be closed tomorrow due to the Australia Day Public Holiday Office will re-open 9am, Friday