The Gwydir News 24 August 2023

“GOOD HAY, SWEET HAY, HATH NO FELLOW.”

William Shakespeare is acknowledged for the above quote from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was written without ever foreseeing its relevance to a small regional shire in a country on the other side of the planet more than 400 years later. Nevertheless, its pertinence was not lost on the farming folk of the Gwydir Shire this week.

The Gwydir News editor’s week commenced with a cheery over-thephone “gidday” from an equally cheery chap by the name of Peter Sandral early on Monday 21 August which was the precursor to a gratifying face-to-face meeting at the Bingara Showground. Gratifying because this short meeting undeniably affirmed the generosity and spirit of so many people, from so many places. The unifying thread underpinning them all is an understanding of, and for many, a reliance on the land to provide an income.

Peter Sandral and his family, Beth, their three sons and their fierce dog poodle have been involved with Aussie Hay Runners for the last few years, motivated by the support they received from mates and other locals following the devastating fire that swept through their 2,000 acre property at Tingha in the midst of the drought in 2019.

The Sandal’s feel that coordinating the North Eastern component of Aussie Hay Runners is their way of “giving back” to the wider farming community.

Of course, there’s a “back story” to the “back story” … Linda Widdup can be credited for founding the initiative now known as Aussie Hay Runners. Initially started in response to the drought that crippled much of Australia’s farmers from 2018 to 2020, the group is now funded in part by the Rural Assistance Authority.

For the purposes of transparency, all monies allocated to the distribution of hay to the Gwydir Shire are handled by the Hayfield Lions Club. Truck drivers are paid for their cartage service, but other folk involved are volunteers.

The hay donated and delivered to the Gwydir Shire has been grown, cut, dried, and baled in Victoria, where weather conditions have allowed much greater pasture growth. Hay makers have been fortunate to have an abundance of surplus bales and knowing their northern neighbours are struggling, were eager to jump to the cause.

Peter was also quick to praise the good-naturedness of all he had met and dealt with in the Gwydir Shire, noting that without exception, every landholder he had spoken with had been magnanimous in their wishes to ensure the donations were being shared equitably amongst everyone.

Above: one of the hay-laden trucks at the start of the journey to Bingara. Below: some of the trucks on arrival in Bingara, ready to distribute hay to landholders

Peter wished to extend specific thanks to the following for their assistance and involvement in this hay run to Bingara:

• The Rural Assistance Authority;

• Aussie Hay Runners, in particular Linda Widdup;

• Wayne Edwards;

• Tony Coleman;

• Robert Mack;

• Greg Johns;

• Ian Egan;

• The Bingara Lions Club, who supplied meals and support;

• Hayfield Lions Club.

Some statistics:

Runs: 10

Number of trucks: 267

Kilometres travelled: 683,380

Fuel costs: $1,366,760

Bales donated: 9,856

Value of bales: $936,320

Farmers assisted: 1,039

Above: Bingara Lions Club hosting dinner for the Aussie Hay Runners.

Updates from NSW Police

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION TO REDUCE CRIMES AGAINST FARMERS IN RURAL NSW

Crime Stoppers NSW and the NSW Police Force, Rural Crime Prevention Team are at AgQuip, Gunnedah today to announce a state-wide crime campaign calling for the community to ramp up rural crime reporting with the aim of solving and preventing further crime.

Crime in rural NSW continues to remain high with 81%* of farmers experiencing crimes such as stock and fuel theft, trespassing and illegal hunting. The impact of crimes is exceptionally high causing financial, physical, and psychological devastation to farmers and has a flow on effect to the wider Australian economy.

However, the reporting of these crimes continues to be extremely low, and without these reports, crimes cannot be solved, and criminals remain free to continue to cause further havoc for our farmers.

A Rural Crime Advisory Group was established to enable community consultation to develop messaging and initiatives to help increase crime reporting and reduce crime.

Initiated by Crime Stoppers, the advisory group also includes the Rural Crime Prevention Team, Centre for Rural Criminology UNE, NSW Farmers Association, Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association, Livestock & Transporters Association, Livestock, Bulk & Rural Carriers Association, and the County Women’s Association.

This collaboration is working to ensure awareness and messaging on rural crime will reach the rural community in many different ways with the aim to increase victim reports to the Police Assistance Line (PAL) and increase reports on criminal activity to Crime Stoppers in order that strategies can be developed to prevent further crime. We need to be better informed; we can’t do that without the public reporting crime.

We know there are several barriers to reporting crime – confidence in what can be done; retrieval of stolen items; feeling personally responsible for the theft with costs and difficulty in implementing prevention measures and concern around retaliation as it may be someone, they know given their smaller communities.

A new campaign has been developed to address these barriers and work together for a better outcome for our farmers demonstrating the many different ways the community can report crime in their area including PAL, their local police station, Crime Stoppers and Triple Zero for emergencies. The campaign centres on the tagline - Be a pal and report any theft, any time, to PAL on 131 444 - and - Report suspicious or actual criminal information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

CEO of Crime Stoppers NSW, Mr Peter Price said we can’t build community resilience and infrastructure if we are in the dark about farm crime.

“Being a victim of crime and reporting the crime, matters. If police don’t know about the crime, they can’t do anything. The more information reported, the better equipped the police are to act to prevent or solve a crime”, said Mr Price.

“If we all work together, the result will be a better, more prosperous future, and safer and healthier communities.

Under reporting of rural crime is always a significant barrier to targeting offenders. During 2021 and 2022 police recorded a decrease in the number of stock theft, malicious damage, and trespass offences on rural properties within NSW. However, during this period, police recorded a 96% increase in the number of reported fuel theft incidents.

Rural industries have told police that fuel theft was a major issue, however previously the incidents were not being reported to police. With the increased reporting of this crime, it will provide police with information to develop strategies to target specific locations and identify suspects.

The State Rural Crime Coordinator of the NSWPF Rural Crime Prevention Team, Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said under reporting of rural crime continues to be a major problem in helping police prevent and solve crime.

“We need a whole of community approach to reduce and solve crime in regional areas and there are some measures that individuals can do to help prevent crime from happening to them,” said Det/Ch Insp Whiteside.

Farmers are urged to accurately record livestock identification, remove keys from machinery, keep photos of valuable stock to assist with identifying them and install quality locking devices on your gates, sheds, and equipment.

“If you see or hear of anything you believed to be suspicious such as a vehicle in an area it’s not meant to be, or stock being moved late at night; we urge you to call Crime Stoppers or your local police.”

The NSW Police Force Firearms Registry will have a presence at various agricultural events across the state to encourage community engagement. They will be providing firearms safe storage guidance to rural firearms licence holders, as there is a direct correlation between improved safe storage of firearms and a reduction in firearms theft in rural areas.

The Firearms Registry is currently undertaking a campaign on Firearms Future Plans, asking licensed firearms owners to think ahead and include firearms in their estate plans. When firearms are not considered in estate planning, they are vulnerable to becoming lost or stolen. All firearms owners should register their guns using the Gun Safe Customer Portal. With the recent digitisation of firearms licence expiry reminders notices, firearm registration certificates and permits to acquire firearms, this information is readily accessible electronically, reducing the risk of mail and paper-based firearms records becoming lost or targeted for the purpose of firearms theft with an overarching aim of improving community safety.

To assist the community further, Crime Stoppers and the Rural Crime Prevention Team have produced a range of free collateral to assist farmers, from pocket notebooks to record what they see to gate signs for property protection with details on where and how to report crime. In addition, the Rural Crime Prevention Team and Crime Stoppers will have a presence at various agricultural events across the state to encourage community engagement.

The Advisory Group partners, along with the NSW Australian Hoteliers Association will all be helping to spread the message with their networks, ensuring a wider reach to the NSW community.

Liquor and Policing, Australian Hoteliers Association of NSW, Mr John Green said in regional NSW, pubs are very much community hubs so we are pleased to be able to help in getting the message out to patrons of the importance of reporting rural crime.

Fact sheets with prevention measures for farmers can be found on the NSW Crime Stoppers website at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ be-safe/.

Crime in regional areas is not new, however it continues to be a growing area of concern for the whole of NSW, not just the farming community and therefore it needs a whole of community approach.

• You can help by reporting anything suspicious, strange, or concerning.

• Any piece of information, anything you have seen or heard, may be crucial in preventing or solving a crime.

• Call or click Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000/ nsw.crimestoppers. com.au

• For a crime in progress call Triple Zero (000). Save Triple Zero for Emergencies (000)

MAN CHARGED WITH DELIBERATELY LIGHTING FIRES

Police have charged a man with deliberately lighting fires in the state’s north-west last week.

About 10.45am Wednesday 16 August 2023, emergency services were called to Pallal Road, Pallal, about 15km west of Bingara, following reports of a fire on the side of the road.

A short time later, officers conducted patrols of the area and located a man walking out of the Benbraggie State Forest on Killarney Gap Road, Pallal, where further fires were allegedly deliberately lit.

A 33-year-old man was arrested and taken to Inverell Police Station. Members of the Rural Fire Service (RFS) were in attendance to extinguish the blaze, which burnt an estimated 40ha. There were no threats to nearby properties.

The man was charged with cause or set fire to the property of another, or Crown and intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread He was refused bail and appeared in Inverell Local Court where he was detained for a mental health assessment. No plea was recorded.

Seasonal Bushfire outlook

Due to high fuel loads and the forecast of warmer and drier conditions, large areas of central and northern NSW are expected to see increased risk of fire this spring.

Although stocking rates continue to recover, large areas of high grass loads persist. These are particularly evident in the central and northwestern areas of the state. Drier than average conditions and frost curing in these areas can mean an early start to the bushfire danger period. In the event of fires and windy weather, these high grass fuel loads can support intense and fast spreading grass fires.

High forest fuel loads are evident in parts of the coast and ranges not affected by the 2019-20 fires. These are particularly noticeable around the Sydney Basin, parts of the coast and north of the Hunter. The forecast of warmer, and in some areas drier, conditions these areas present increased risk of fire this season.

In areas affected by the 2019-20 fires, fuels continue to recover in response to ideal growing conditions over the last three wet La Niña

years. However, high severity fire during 2019-20 fires has altered the way this regrowth is structured. Some parts of the forest (for example shrubs) are regrowing quicker, other parts are accumulating slower (surface and canopy fuels). Overall fuel loads are close to what are expected and regrowth in these areas is being monitored closely.

In the southwest, higher than average soil moisture and low rates of curing have led to the forecast of a normal spring bushfire outlook. Warmer conditions and spring growth could see this situation change quickly.

Where weather and resource opportunities permit, hazard reduction burning will be undertaken to reduce the potential for future fires to impact on communities.

The bush fire danger period for the Gwydir Local Government Area commences September 1 2023. All fires from this date until further notice will require a permit.

For further information see www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

New Gwydir Shire website to be all-inclusive

Gwydir Shire Council are in the development stages of a brand new shire-wide tourism and information website.

The site will initially include all businesses within the Gwydir Shire, and expand to encompass other community organisations and groups. This will allow all residents of and visitors to the Shire to access important information about goods and services, sites, and activities on offer.

To date, Council has sourced most information for the new site from Facebook and commercial URL listings of current businesses and services, in addition to previously published tourist information publications.

If you would like to ensure your information is current and relevant, please get in touch with one of the Media and Communications team to discuss what you would like included or amended. Initial inquiries can be made to gmc@gwydir.nsw.gov.au

Development and updating of the site will be continual, with the opportunity to liaise directly with one of the team should you need assistance. The website and support from council is offered at no cost to any listing.

Please note - the new site will eventually replace the current (separate) www.bingara.com.au and www.warialdansw.com.au

Gwydir Shire Council Update

GULF

CREEK ROAD DETOUR

While works are being carried out to build the new bridge on Gulf Creek Road, there will be a detour in place of approximately 25 kilometres. Work is expected to be completed late 2023.

RESIDENTS TO GIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR BUS SHELTERS

Gwydir Shire Council is seeking suggestions and feedback from residents for the placement and construction of new bus shelters. A grant from Transport for NSW is being sought to allow the construction or upgrade bus stop infrastructure. The funding aims to maximise benefits to country passenders through supporting:

• more accessible transport, focusing on better connections between bus stops and surrounding communities

• an increase in the use of passenger transport in country areas

• the development of minor infrastructure to complement passenger service development.

Should you wish to submit a suggestion for a new bus shelter, please call the customer service team on 6724 2000 and ask to speak with one of the Engineering team.

MORE SIGNAGE TO DETER TRUCKS THROUGH WARIALDA

The Gwydir Shire Council Engineering team are currently investigating the logistics of increased and more visible signage on various approaches to Warialda to deter the movement of trucks through the centre of own. It is anticipated that this will assist drivers in being aware of and utilising the truck bypass road.

Justin Herald to speak in Bingara

Justin Herald is coming to Gwydir Shire. At the age of 25 with only $50 to his name, Justin set about changing the course of his life. Justin created Attitude Inc, a clothing brand that became an international licensing success with a turnover of more than $30 million per year.

Justin is regarded as one of Australia’s most sought-after speakers with engagements booked all over the world and speaking in front of 150,000 people each year.

Justin understands the need to perform at a greater level every day, especially businesses.

Attitude is more important than ever. Attitude towards business success. Attitude towards the workplace. Attitude towards their team, and Atitude towards CUSTOMERS.

He recently was awarded the Future Leaders Award, which recognises him as being one of the 50 most influential leaders of the next generation in Australia.

He is also Managing Director of Customer Culture, one of Australia’s leading customer service and customer engagement training companies, that not only teaches staff the “how” to give great service, but more importantly, “why” it is needed.

An evening with Justin will help you get your team performing at a greater level, and how to get your customers to become your greatest sales force.

Come along to The Roxy, Bingara on Monday 4 September at 6:00pm with your team. The evening is free of charge and will include a barbecue meal and drinks.

Justin Herald has offered a door prize to one lucky business on the evening of five “Customers First” Online Staff Training programs valued at $99 each. This program really sets the “baseline” in any business from a customer service / customer experience perspective, as it covers five modules that will ensure your staff are creating positive and lasting customer memories. Customers that are served well are customers who return. Staff training is essential these days, and this program is the tool that will make an impact with your staff.

As places are limited you need to book your team’s places online at BUS or contact Jenny Mead at the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on 0267242000 before cob Thursday 31 August 2023.

For more information about Justin, go to justinherald.com.

GROUND-BREAKING BAAKA CULTURAL CENTRE

I was thrilled to be part of the GroundBreaking ceremony for the Baaka Cultural Centre project last week in Wilcannia.

After some setbacks, this $9.5 million project is finally underway and I can’t wait to see the old Knox and Downs building in Wilcannia’s main street transformed into a fabulous centre for Baakantji culture.

This project has been made possible through funding from the previous Coalition Federal and State Governments and my hope is that it will be a great benefit to the people of Wilcannia as well as all those who visit this remarkable town.

SPEAKING UP FOR FREE SPEECH

If, like me, you have concerns about Labor’s proposed Misinformation Bill please sign the online petition to protect freedom of speech from this deeply flawed proposal. Labor’s misinformation law protects the Albanese Government but not every-day Australians. This is an unacceptable example of overreach from the Labor Government.

The Coalition needs your help in the fight to stop this appalling Bill. Sign the petition at www.binthebill.au

RECOGNISING OUR LOCAL VETERANS

On Friday my wife Robyn and I attended events in Coolah to commemorate Veterans Day.

On this day we paused to honour the 60,000 Australian troops who served in Vietnam; and remember the 523 who died, and the nearly

3,000 wounded. Each represented the values of our original ANZACs.

We are proud of their service; and how they contributed to the safety of our country and our region. We also thanked the 63,740 Australians drafted for national service, our “Nashos”, who so ably enhanced our war effort The 18th of August falls on Vietnam Veterans’ Day which marks the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. This was one of the heaviest Australian engagements of the war, when 108 soldiers held off an enemy 2,000 strong; wounding 25 and taking the lives of 18 Australians including Paul Large of Coolah, who was just 21 years old.

It was very moving to remember the sacrifices of our service personnel and their loved ones, especially as the family of Paul Large were part of the service held at Coolah, a tribute to his life and the lives of so many lost to war.

Right: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton attends the ground-breaking ceremony for Wilcannia’s Baaka Cultural Centre project last week.

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park’s new exhibition

Ceramic Break Sculpture Park’s next show will be on Sunday 10 th September from 12 noon to 5pm. If you appreciate Beauty and artistic skill and enjoy Art, then this is the show for you. Anni Washington, Simon Munro, Rafaella Picotti and Taylor Gardner will delight you with the beauty of their subject matter and their perspectives on the world.

Anni Washington has been an artist for over 39 years. For most of that time she has painted in watercolour but to paint ‘really big’ she moved into acrylic which she has successfully adapted and interpreted to achieve the light and colour she desired in her landscapes. Her use of hardboard as a canvas extends the texture of the work and creates its own background that doesn’t impose on, but subtly enhances the painting. Anni’s landscapes range from peaceful, nearly idyllic views of colourful rolling hills and blue skies, always identifiable as Australian, through serene and beautiful gum trees and onto the aftermath of fire. The agony of the grotesque, tree skeletons evoke sympathy in the viewer who may respond to the effect of fire on vegetation.

Simon Munro is not a newcomer to Ceramic Break Sculpture Park having exhibited both sculptures and paintings in our Myall Creek exhibition in June of this year. ‘Finding Identity’ draws on his duality of heritage, maternal Scandinavian and paternal Anaiwan. Simon is undertaking PhD studies which include research into where his Australian ancestors lived. Through his acrylic paintings which exquisitely depict their landscape by sharing with us the topographical Beauty of where they lived and his sculptures which reference their artifacts that were skillfully comprised mostly of wood and stone, he extends our understanding and knowledge of the early inhabitants of this area of NSW.

Rafaella Picotti has also exhibited at Ceramic Break before. Her work shows an affectionate interpretation of the animals she depicts. Her paintings are so accurate and with so much detail that the animals ask to be stroked. Squirrels and cats are among her choice of subject matter and she hopes the intensity of their illustration will remind us of the connection between humans and nature. Rafaella’s work would be a delight on any wall.

Taylor Gardner is a young and emerging artist determined to explore and capture the ‘beauty surrounding the feminine essence’. She intentionally makes use of strong colours and symbols of ‘water, plants, flowers and butterflies’ to explore personal growth and control. We do not see the eyes of her vine covered girl, who maybe because of the lack of the intense blue eyes included in other pieces, projects a love of life and some serenity. The work that is half full of dark clouds and a taut necked female with her hand at her throat is darkly moody.

Left: .Anni Washington’s Texture in Trees

Above: : Simon Munro’s Copes Creek, Cope Hardinge Creek and Darbys Creek

Gwydir ARTS + HEALTH

The opening runs from 12 noon – 5 pm with refreshments and lunch to raise your spirits. Entry is by gold coin donation. We are continuing our effort to encourage the reduction of plastic waste and anyone who brings their own recyclable utensils, will go into the draw to win the Green Prize.

For more information call Ceramic Break Sculpture Park on 02 6729 4147 or go to www.cbreaksculpturepark.com.au

Left: Raffaella Picotti’s Panthera Pardus

Above: : Taylor Gardner’s Lost in Obsession

Gravesend campdraft a resounding success

Results from last weekend’s Gravesend campdraft were as follows:

The Shop - Gravesend Maiden Campdraft

1st - Daniel Cheers - Lealukas Freedom - 174

2nd - Daniel Burling - Scarlet - 168

3rd - Theo Golding - Buz - 159

4th - Ken Barnett - Adele - 157

5th - Brad Newsome - Val - 108

Highest Cutout (Sponsored by Powacow):

Michael Worgan - Breeze - 23

Thank you to the judge - Rick Swan

Stewarts Grain & Luke Humphries Transport Novice Campdraft

1st - Daniel Cheers - Lealukas Freedom - 177

2nd - Paul O Turner - Hawkeye - 171

3rd - Daniel Cheers - Lealukas Tilly Divine - 168

Equal 4th - Brad Newsome - Norma - 167

Sam Donnelly - Magic - 167

Highest Cutout (Sponsored by Powacow) :

Heidi Smith - Smith Family Gypsy Cat - 22

(Top scorers were drawn from a hat)

Thank you to the judge - Mat Williams

Agri-Storage Open Campdraft

1st - Daniel Cheers - Cheers Streamer - 178

2nd - Lance Kelehear - Vallette - 176

3rd - Rachael Cheers - Donrica Nimble - 171

4th - Ben Newbury - Delora - 168

5th - Sam Donnelly - Raylyn - 162

Highest Cutout (Sponsored by Powacow) :

John Matthewson - 22 (Top scorers drawn from a hat)

Thank you to the judge - Royce Meyer

BeefTrans PTY LTD Cut for Cash

Saturday afternoon featured some cut-out entertainment!

This involved inviting competitors who had the highest cutout scores from Saturday to compete.

We had 20 competitors competing in the Cut for Cash!

Of the 20 competitors, we had 13 competitors register a cutout score, including a fantastic cutout by Luke Humphries to register a near perfect 25 score!!

Winners were:

1st - Luke Humphries - 25

Equal 2nd: -Ben Newbury - 24

Mick Coyne - 24

Equal 3rd: -Colin Mather - 23

Garry Brown - 23

Stephanie Yarnold - 23

Wade Mcilveen - 23

Gwydir SPORTS

The next event of the afternoon was the Bareback Cutout.

15 of the 17 nominated competitors registered scores with many showing their skills to ride their horses bareback. There were a few fancy dressed, with tutus, bows and angel wings looking to gain a two point advantage.

Georgie Humphries registered a score of 23 early on, and she looked like the one to beat!

However with the last competitor Bill Coulton coming into the camp, dressed in a onesie with no underwear, giving him a 2 point advantage, it was up to Bill to see if he could come away with the win.

He got the beast to the front, turned left, and right, then left and right again, and once more, then called the gate to register a score. However, judge John Matthewson determined he had only managed a 20.5, and with his extra 2 points for fancy dress, took him to 22.5. Not quite managing to beat Georgie’s score of 23.Well done Georgie!!

Barnett Family Juvenile Campdraft

1st - Lloyd Newbury - Delora - 159

2nd - Myles Williams - Madam - 83

3rd - Jimmy Matthewson - Design Me An Acre - 82

4th - Lloyd Newbury - Jenna - 81

Equal 5th - Edith Newbury - Free Flow Mayco - 80

Thomas Croll - Johnny Cash - 80

Highest Cutout (Sponsored by It’s A Cowgirl Thing) :

Candy Brooker - 22 (Top scorers flipped a coin)

Thank you to the judge - John Saunders

Barnett Family Junior Campdraft

1st - Georgie Humphries - Terry - 81

2nd - Cate Barnett - Silver Fox - 76

3rd - Oliviah Tonkin - Ellendale Max Factor - 22

Equal 4th: - Bronte Ellis - Ballad - 21

Georgie Humphries - Contest - 21

Lucas Turner - Little Miss Rocket - 21

Tomas Pietsch - Delora - 21

Tomas Pietsch - Oak - 21

Highest Cutout (Sponsored by It’s A Cowgirl Thing) :

Oliviah Tonkin - Ellendale Max Factor - 22

Thank you to the judge - John Saunders

A standout blue and yellow year

- Supplied by Dylan Butler and Stacey

Duff

It’s been a great first year back for both the Bullets and Missiles this season. The ladies league tag team started the season with some younger players, a few experienced players, and some who have never played before.

Throughout the competition the ladies bonded and built a tight-knit family-oriented team. Each and every one of the players has shown dedication and worked very hard at training resulting in significant improvement throughout the season. After defeating Glen Innes in the semi-finals and the Warialda Wombats in the preliminary finals, they will meet the undefeated Tingha Tigers in the Grand Final on Sunday August 27 in Armidale. The Tingha Tigers are a very classy team and this game will definitely be their biggest challenge for the season, a challenge I think our ladies are up for it. Let’s go Missiles!

- Supplied by Brendan

Cutlack

This Sunday, August 27 2023, our Bingara Bullets women and men are heading to Armidale to face off against the Tingha Tigers in both grades for the grand final. Our club, supporters, and wider community are getting behind the Bullets by painting the town blue and gold to finish a great season off strong after a three year hiatus.

The Missiles women’s league tag team consisting of players from not only Bingara but surrounding towns, are expertly coached by Stacey Duff and Dylan Butler. They have had an awesome season and will be up against a very strong, undefeated Tingha side. The ladies have demonstrated great dedication and have been training their hearts out to go all the way.

The Bullets missed out on an opportunity for the big prize (A grade) grand final with a couple of games at the end of the season and a few close ones earlier on in the season not going our way. After making it into the 2nd grade grand final the boys are very eager to finish the season off strong. As the President, I think the fellas have had a great season seeing as a lot of them haven’t played footy with each other before, but with the guidance and knowledge of coach, Tim Coombes, and assistant coach, Shaun Spence, the boys are ready to finish off the season on a high. GO THE BULLETS!

The Bullets play at 10.45am, and the Missiles at 12.20pm, Bellevue Oval Armidale.

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

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.

6th Warialda Neighbourhood Watch, Warialda CHSP, 36 Hope Street Warialda, 10am.

9th Myall Creek Hall 100 year celebration. Morning tea 10.30am, lunch 1pm. RSVP 25 August. Phone / text 0427 453 083.

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 Warialda Anglican presents Annual Women’s Dinner, 6.30pm for 7pm start. Anglican Parish Hall, free. RSVP 6729 1501 by Wednesday 6 September.

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 919 900 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

4th Warialda Neighbourhood Watch, Warialda CHSP, 36 Hope Street Warialda, 10am.

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

1st Warialda Neighbourhood Watch, Warialda CHSP, 36 Hope Street Warialda, 10am.

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

DECEMBER 2023

6th Warialda Neighbourhood Watch, Warialda CHSP, 36 Hope Street Warialda, 10am.

8th Warialda Christmas Carnival, Details TBA

9th Bingara Special Events Christmas Festival, 6pm.

Boom Crash Opera

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

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

29th New Years Eve Music Muster, Bingara Showgrounds. Bookings: https://tinyurl.com/yn86apsf

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.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31