The Gwydir News for 17 August 2023

BINGARA U3A HAS A FRUITFUL DAY

A number of years ago Vision 20/20 organised a project to plant fruit trees on the north east corner of the Living Classroom at the junction of Cunningham and West Streets. Bingara families were invited to fund a fruit tree and there is a plaque on the site with the names of those who took up the invitation.

Last Friday, some Bingara U3A members had a very fruitful morning learning how to prune fruit trees, making a start on those Family Fruit Trees. Our guides were Warren and Bronwyn from Greenhill Orchards near Armidale. Greenhill Orchards is where Fresh Finds in Bingara sources apples and pears.

Warren explained that he likes his trees to be calm. The way to calm them is to choose a leader and then promote the lateral shoots which produce the fruit. This enables the fruit bearing stems to have room for the fruit and also grows the fruit at a good height for picking. The pears in the Family Fruit Trees were a very good example of “uncalm” trees as they had multiple, extremely vigorous shoots heading off towards the heavens at a height that made them difficult to prune let alone to pick from.

It really was quite challenging to look at a pear tree and think where on earth do you start but Warren started on one and all of a sudden it all looked easy and the tree was transformed into exactly what Warren had explained.

Members then tidied up many of the trees but the rest will have to wait for another day. Bingara U3A thanks Warren and Bronwyn and also Mandy and Jenny for putting us in touch with them.

Greenhill Orchards added the following: “If you have followed our family orchard story for a while, you’ll know there is always something to do on the farm. Its a year-long, seasonal, hands-on, labour of love to grow nutritious fruit. So a day out is rare, and this visit to Bingara on Friday was delightful.

Warren shared some pruning tips with the Bingara U3A in a community planting of fruit trees near the Living Classroom, with perfect weather for an outdoor workshop. Thanks to Ros for organising, and the kind welcome with good coffee. (We can recommend Imperial Hotel, Bingara for a great lunch, too!)

And we were able to make a personal fruit delivery to Mandy and Jenny at their colourful fruit shop Fresh Finds Bingara. Just happened to be their first birthday.

We said hello to Sam at the Sapphire Salt Cave, and then stopped for a stunning panorama at the Lookout before heading home. Managed to miss all the roos and deer, both coming and going.

It is the people, and their connections, who make communitieslocal groups, volunteers and small businesses supporting each other. It was good to see you all, and we’re grateful for your interest in our local fruitgrowing story.”

Left: Warren demonstrates how to prune fruit trees to members of Bingara’s U3A.

Above: Mandy and Jenny from Fresh Finds meet with Warren on the first anniversary of the store opening.

Supplied by Ros Moulton and Greenhill Orchards

Updates from Oxley Police District

MAN

CHARGED WITH MURDER

A man has been charged with murder following the death of another man at Pilliga, 260km west of Tamworth.

A woman attended Pilliga Police Station about 9.40pm (Thursday 10 August 2023), reporting an alleged domestic violence-related incident at a home on Catherine Street.

When police arrived, they found a 59-year-old man critically injured in the front yard.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended; however, the man died at the scene.

A 25-year-old man – who lived in the same house – was arrested and taken to Narrabri Police Station.

Detectives attached to Oxley Police District established Strike Force Trabut to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and, this afternoon, they charged the man with four offences,

• Murder

• Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm

• Assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, and

• Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.

He was refused bail and appeared in Tamworth Local Court Saturday 12 August 2023.

MAN DIES WHEN TRAIN STRIKES UTE AT LEVEL CROSSINGQUIRINDI

A man has died after a train struck a ute at a level crossing in the state’s north-west yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the level crossing at Callaghans Lane, 5km south of Quirindi, about 2.45pm (Wednesday 16 August 2023), responding to reports the northbound train had struck a ute.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended but the driver of the ute, a man aged in his 60s, died at the scene.

Officers attached to Oxley Police District have established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

No one on the train was injured; however, all passengers had to leave the train and arrangements are under way to transport them by bus.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

NSW Farmers to be a strong presence at AgQuip

NSW Farmers will host Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt at AgQuip in Gunnedah next week to discuss critical issues facing agriculture.

An informal forum with Minister Watt and Assistant Minister for Trade Tim Ayres at 10am on Tuesday morning will include the latest updates on trade, biosecurity, drought, and innovation, and provide an opportunity for visitors to the NSW Farmers shed to hear how the new National Reconstruction Fund can support growth in agriculture.

In addition to the Ministerial visit, NSW Farmers was bringing back a number of popular offerings for visitors including the free barbecue lunch for members and guests as well as free refreshments from the WFI Coffee Cart, and the popular hydrogen-powered haircuts will once again be on offer.

More than 150 Ag Quip visitors took advantage of free hydrogen and solar-powered haircuts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) H2Cuts demonstration trailer last year, and the truck will be back in Gunnedah from August 22-24.

Local NSW Farmers Regional Service Manager Michael Collins was among those who visited the affectionately named ‘shearing shed’, and he said it proved a hit with visitors.

“One of the highlights of an event like Ag Quip is seeing what’s new in agriculture, and I didn’t mind jumping into this demonstration headfirst,” Mr Collins said.

“But there’s also the old favourites like the GRDC Breakfast on Wednesday morning where the Brownhill Cup will be presented, and at 12.30pm we’ll welcome back Aussie cricket legend Brad Hogg to talk about the importance of mental health.

“Whether you’re an old cockie or a first timer we hope you’ll enjoy everything Ag Quip has to offer, and stop by the NSW Farmers shed to say g’day!”

Among those based in the NSW Farmers shed will be Association President Xavier Martin, policy staff from the NSW Farmers environment team, the Young Farmer policy advisor and a representative from the workplace relations team. Mr Collins said there would also be representatives from the Farm Safety Unit on hand, with refreshments served up by the famous CWA volunteers.

Partners and stall holders will attend the NSW Farmers shed throughout the three days including:

• WFI Insurance

• Bunnings

• Spray Smart Chemical Trainers

• Mobil

• Sonic Natural Farming

• Prisma Tech Drones

• Verified Lending

• NSW Rural Fire Service

• Water NSW

• Isuzu Trucks

• Rural Aid

• Frontier Services

• Dell Computers

Come visit the NSW Farmers Shed at Ag Quip site GH 24/25.

NSW Nationals rolling up to AgQuip Gunnedah

This year the NSW Nationals friendly volunteers will again be manning site J24 at AgQuip 2023 in Gunnedah. They will be there to hear from you about relevant issues and concerns and discuss NSW Nationals values and policies.

“Recent changes in government doesn’t mean that we are taking a holiday. Regional NSW can be assured of support from its strongest political ally,” said Peter Strahorn, the NSW Nationals Parkes Federal Electorate Council Membership Officer.

Local Members of Parliament, the Hon Mark Coulton MP, Federal Member for the Parkes, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Federal Member for New England, and the Hon Kevin Anderson MP State Member for Tamworth will be in attendance. They will be taking in the show exhibits, events, and performances. They will also be there to say hello. You can meet with them from 22nd to 24th of August 2023.

“Another example of the NSW Nationals on-going regional support and desire to be continually up to date and relevant, is to remind people that we are always on the lookout for new members,” said Mr Strahorn.

“Adding new members brings a greater variety of ideas and energy and helps to better represent all aspects of the local community. By joining the NSW Nationals you can make a difference too, and bring your unique perspective to join with other like-minded members.”

“Everybody deep down is looking to find what their purpose is in life, asking themselves ‘what can we do that will endure beyond our own generation’. Joining the NSW Nationals offers a tremendous opportunity to do this. If you are thinking this way, feel free to come and discuss becoming a member with the great team at the show site.

“The NSW Nationals are working hard for our regions and will continue to build on the solid foundation of past efforts, whilst becoming more enriched and relevant, and remaining, as always, the party that best represents the people and interests of regional NSW.”

One-stop transport shop at AgQuip Field Days

Transport for NSW will once again be participating in the annual AgQuip field days in Gunnedah from 22-24 August, providing a one-stop shop with a focus on safety and tools to stay safe on and around the roads, water and rail networks.

The Transport exhibition will feature information about road safety, including level crossings, trip planning, maritime, freight and rail with the help of key partners including NSW Police, Service NSW, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and UGL Regional Linx.

Transport for NSW North Region Director, Anna Zycki, said AgQuip, which attracts about 100,000 attendees over three days, is a great opportunity to communicate important safety messages to regional communities.

“Country people make up around a third of NSW’s population, but over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 70 per cent of our road toll,” Ms Zycki said.

“People who live and work in regional NSW can face a variety of transport safety issues, including how to interact safely with heavy vehicles on the road, trains, as well as maritime issues such as how to use waterways safely.”

The Transport for NSW exhibit will also feature safety demonstrations, including the correct way to service inflatable life jackets.

“Water levels in most NSW inland dams are still high, with many boaters taking the opportunity to enjoy a day out on the water even during the colder months,” Ms Zycki said.

“Please come along to the Maritime exhibit for more tips on how to boat safely and responsibly.”

NSW train and coach operator, TrainLink, will also be in attendance. One of the key features of the exhibition will be a car that was involved in a level crossing crash, to show the impact of a collision with a train.

“This particular aspect of the exhibition is a timely reminder for everyone in regional NSW to have safety at the forefront of their minds ahead of harvest season when we expect to see more harvesters, oversize and/or overmass machinery and trains on the network,” Ms Zycki said.

“Trains can come from any direction, at any time, and there can be multiple trains on tracks that can travel at speed of up to 160km/h.

“Some trains can take more than a kilometre to come to a complete stop, so even if drivers can see you, they can’t stop, which is why it’s so important to always obey signs and signals at level crossings.”

For the first time the Transport exhibition will feature information about the Live Traffic NSW website and app, which provides real-

time information about incidents and changes in traffic conditions that affect road users’ journeys.

“This vital service from Transport for NSW has expanded in the past year and now allows many councils to include local road information, and by 2024 all councils in NSW will have the opportunity to contribute to Live Traffic NSW,” Ms Zycki said.

“Transport staff will be available to answer questions about Live Traffic NSW and provide tips on how to get the most out of the platform for planning trips.”

The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will also be onsite at AgQuip, conducting a variety of presentations, covering topics including heavy vehicle compliance and agricultural notices affecting transporters and primary producers.

NHVR Central Region Director Operations, Brett Patterson, said the regulator would have some of its NSW staff available to answer questions during the field days, including safety and compliance as well as stakeholder engagement officers.

Service NSW and NSW Police will be on site to provide information on registrations, licensing and general enquiries.

AgQuip is run by ACM Rural Events at 134 Black Jack Road in Gunnedah from August 22-24. For more information, visit https:// acmruralevents.com.au/agquip/home.

HEROIC ARMY NURSE HONOURED

Last week I visited the newly unveiled statue of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO MBE at the Australian War Memorial.

This remarkable woman is a hero and deserving of each of the many accolades she received during her life. She is the first individual woman or nurse to be honoured by a statue in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial.

After completing high school and nursing training in Broken Hill, Lt. Col. Bullwinkel served in the Australian Army Nursing Service and was the only survivor of a massacre which occurred in 1942 on Banka Island off the coast of Indonesia. She then spent more than three years as a Prisoner of War.

After all of this she spent the rest of her life devoted to nursing, to honouring the memory

of her fellow nurses who lost their lives, and to service. Hers is an incredible story of courage and resilience, which I hope all who visit her memorial will take the opportunity to reflect on.

CONNECTIONS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

One of my roles as Chief Whip for the Nationals is to provide briefings to delegations coming to Canberra through the Australian Political Exchange Council.

Last week I spoke to the 8th Delegation from the Republic of Korea, including representatives from both the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) which has been the ruling party over the last decade under different names and its opposition, the People Power Party (PPP).

They were very interested in the sheer size of the Parkes electorate, which is roughly 4 times the size of Korea, and how Australia balances its economic growth across both urban and regional areas, which is a challenge for both countries.

Australia and indeed the electorate of Parkes has important ties with the Republic of Korea, especially in the area of critical minerals, so maintaining our connections is beneficial for each of us.

LOCAL CHAMPION SETS HER SIGHTS ON PARIS

During the week my wife Robyn and I were able to catch up with a local champion in Parliament House.

Jamieson Leeson of Dunedoo is a world champion in the sport of wheelchair boccia and has her sights set on the Paris Paralympics in 2024. With the support of her mother Amanda, Jamieson achieved a gold medal at the Montreal 2023 World Cup and returned with a ranking of 2nd in the world.

We met Jamieson in Parliament House for the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Australia Parliamentary Event which focuses on advancements in SMA research and treatment. New treatments are resulting in improved quality of life, especially for the next generation affected by SMA.

We’ll be cheering for you Jamieson – best wishes as you train for the coming year.

Right: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton visits the new statue of Vivian Bullwinkel at the Australian War Memorial

Gwydir ARTS + HEALTH

Gwydir SPORTS

WHAT’S ON!

Do you have an upcoming event, meeting or save the date you would like to list? Inclusion is free and available for all non-profit organisations and community events. AGM notices welcome. Please note all details are accurate at the time of publication, however may be subject to change.

Email: editor@thegwydirnews.com.au

AUGUST 2023

19-20th Gravesend Campdraft from 8am, Gravesend Recreation Ground. Call Dan Coulton 0428 517 605 or Nicole Kelly 0439 921 659.

22nd Andrew Blanch and Emily Granger, performing Suite mágica at The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba, 6.30pm. Bookings: www.musicintheregions.com

26th Annual Bingara Race Day. Six race meeting. First race at 1pm. Fashions on the field.

26-27th Warialda Campdraft, from 6.30am at Warialda Showground. Call Stacey Duff 0488 923 958.

31st Legacy Appeal Week Street Stall, Bingara. Located next to Meat on Maitland and front of IGA. Saleable cooked donations welcome.

SEPTEMBER 2023

1st Legacy Appeal Week Street Stall, Bingara. Located next to Meat on Maitland and front of IGA. Saleable cooked donations welcome.

9th Warialda two person ambrose open medley, Warialda Golf Course, shotgun start at 10am. Contact 6729 1192.

9th Jarred Taylor Live, Gravesend Recreation Ground, 6pm. BBQ and food van. BYO drinks. Free.

9th NWTC present It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want to. 7.30pm, The Roxy Theatre. $25/$20. Tickets: 6724 0066 or roxybingara.com.au

10th NWTC present It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want to. 2pm, The Roxy Theatre. $25/$20. Tickets: 6724 0066 or roxybingara.com.au

10th Ceramic Break Sculpture Park exhibition opening. 12 noon - 5pm. Gold coin donation. Call 6729 4147.

13th Indian Myna Bird Control Workshop, Bingara Showground, 1pm-4.30pm. Call 6724 2052.

15-17th Warialda Off-Road 200. Mt Monomeeth. 0428 851 452 or warialdamotorsportsclub@outlook.com

16th Weaving and Waabii workshop at Ceramic Break Sculpture Park, 10am-2pm. $105.00 per person. Bookings: kerry@cbreaksculpturepark.com.au

16th NWTC present It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want to. 7.30pm, The Roxy Theatre. $25/$20. Tickets: 6724 0066 or roxybingara.com.au

17th NWTC present It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want to. 2pm, The Roxy Theatre. $25/$20. Tickets: 6724 0066 or roxybingara.com.au

17th Art in Ag Markets, North Star Hall. Enquiries: 0427 919 000 or 0427 763 161

19th The Business of Biodiversity, Glenavon, Gravesend, 9am - 3pm. Call 6724 2052 for details.

21st The End of Winter, The Roxy Theatre, Bingara, 7pm. Bookings via Trybooking.com, $25

23-24th Upper Horton Ladies of the Valley Ladies’ Horsemanship Weekend.

25-29th Bingara Veterans Week of Golf. Welcome drinks from 4.30pm 24 September. Contact Judy 0428 241 415 or Tim 0427 291 672.

WHAT’S ON!

Do you have an upcoming event, meeting or save the date you would like to list? Inclusion is free and available for all non-profit organisations and community events. AGM notices welcome. Please note all details are accurate at the time of publication, however may be subject to change.

OCTOBER 2023

3-5th Holistic Grazing with Brian Wehlburg, The Living Classroom. Bookings: https://tinyurl.com/562t628p

11th Aladdin and his Magic Smartwatch, 10.30am, Warialda Memorial Hall. Bookings: TryBooking.com

14th Warialda Community Fund and Westpac Helicopter Masquerade Ball, 7pm-12am, Warialda Town Hall.

19th Warialda Disability Inclusion Advisory Committe Meeting, 11am, Warialda Council Chambers.

19th Warialda Golf and Bowling Club AGM, 6.30pm.

21st Warialda Honey Festival, Warialda Recreation Ground. Details TBA.

29th Potluck Community Dinner, Warialda Anglican Church Hall 6pm. All welcome.

NOVEMBER 2023

11th Warialda Hospital Auxiliary Market Night, Warialda Golf and Bowling Club.

DECEMBER 2023

8th Warialda Christmas Carnival, Details TBA

9th Bingara Special Events Christmas Festival, 6pm. Further details TBA.

10th Bingara Carols by Candlelight, Bingara MPS, 6pm

16th Warialda Rail Christmas Carnival, Warialda Recreation Ground 5pm

Church Notices

ANGLICAN CHURCH

Bingara: Worship at St John’s Anglican Parish, Bingara – Sunday 9:30am

Warialda: Warialda Anglican Church, Warialda - Every Sunday - 9:30am

Coolatai: First Sunday each month3:00pm

Minister Steve Cimarosti, can be contacted on 6729 1501

CATHOLIC CHURCH

PARISHES WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULES

Warialda: Saturday – 6:00pm, 4th weekend – 10:00am

Delungra: Sundays – 10:00am, 4th weekend – 6:00pm

Bingara: Every Sunday – 8:00am

WEEKDAY MASSES

Warialda: 1st and 3rd weeks, Mass 9:00am

Bingara: 2nd and 4th weeks, Rosary 9:30am/Mass 10:00am

Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, Thanksgiving and Family Mass: By appointment 02 6729 1116.

UNITING CHURCH

Inverell Uniting Church’s services are live streamed at 9:00am on the Inverell Uniting Church Family private Facebook Group. These services are also recorded for later viewing – please search and join.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Bingara: Scots Presbyterian Church is open for worship at 10:00am every Sunday. Sunday School to be held each week.

Warialda: St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church has weekly worship services each Sunday at 10:00am. All welcome. Enquiries 6721 0511.

“Come to Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28