WARIALDA’S “AMBO JEROD” BIDS FAREWELL

I would like to take this opportunity through this publication to say a huge THANK YOU to Warialda and the greater community as I am moving on.

I have accepted a position at Manilla. I am a Manilla boy born, bred and educated – I’m going home. My last official day at Warialda is the 10 March.

I have been the Manager and Paramedic at the Ambulance station in Warialda for the past 10 years, and during that time I have met some fabulous people in our community.

The compassion and generosity of the community is overwhelming and the acceptance that my wife Deborah and I received when we first came here has not been forgotten. I won’t name them as I will more than likely forget some of the people, but to all those people, thank you.

In the 10 years that I have been a Paramedic here, I have quite possibly had some form of interaction with just about every member of our community, not just in Warialda, but Crooble, North Star, Coolatai, Yetman, Gravesend, Delungra, Biniguy and all stops in between.

I have laughed, I have cried, I have helped bring life into the world and sadly seen it depart. I have made new friends and Warialda will always hold a special place in my heart.

Just as a bit of an aside, I have had a long connection with the area as my great grandfather Clarence Gainey was born and raised in Gravesend.

I have worked with some fantastic Paramedics, and the professional and personal relationship that I have made with our local Doctors Di and Clem has been immeasurable, and we have worked together on some very challenging patients.

The staff at our local hospital are second to none,. We may only have a very small hospital, but I can assure every person that is taking the time to read this, they are all dedicated, hardworking, and highly skilled in their field and an absolute feather in the cap of our community. I will truly miss the friendships that I have made with the staff and for those that I have not been able to tell personally, I’m sorry.

To my fellow emergency service workers from the NSW Police, NSW Fire+Rescue, NSWRFS and NSWSES I say a sincere and personal thank you for all your assistance over my 10 years here.

So until next time, so long, hooroo, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.

Regards

Jerod Sutherland BEmSer

Station Officer | Warialda Ambulance Station

Arthur Wheatly Drive, Warialda. NSW. 2402

| New England Zone

Cookie Celebrates A Century

What do you do when you’re turning 100? You throw a birthday bash of course, and party with over one hundred of your cherished family members and friends.

Clarice Verna East (nee Brown), affectionately known as “Cookie”, was thrilled to be the centre of attention as she celebrated her 100th birthday at Bingara RSL Club on 14 January 2023.

Born on 15 January 1923, Cookie is a much-loved member of the local community, having lived in Bingara all of her life.

Cookie’s son, Roy East, noted that when Cookie was born, the world was very different. In 1923 construction started on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the phone line between Sydney and Brisbane was completed and the old silent movies suddenly had sound. In Bingara, where Cookie lived without power, phone and no reliable water supply, the huge fight with prickly pear was taking place. Also, in 1923 the first ball was held in the newly completed Bingara Soldiers War Memorial Hall. A LOT has happened in the 100 years Cookie has lived in Bingara.

Friends and family from far and wide enjoyed a lively lunch with Cookie, who happily shared stories, reminisced about good times and showed off her still-sharp sense of humour - as well as public speaking skills people half her age would be proud of.

Cookie was one of the first Australian centenarians to receive birthday wishes from King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, and she also received well wishes from the Minister of Veteran Affairs, State and Federal MPs, the Premier of NSW, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Governor General and Legacy.

Currently residing at the Bingara Multipurpose Hospital facility, Cookie revels in her position as a matriarch of the town and loves nothing more than visits, letters and phone calls from her many precious friends and family members.

As she said at her party, “One of the best things about being this old is that you have so many people to love”. A century of love, adventures and happinessthat’s definitely something to celebrate!