Gwydir News Weekly Issue 6 April 2023

ROADS A FOCUS THIS EASTER

Repairs to the NSW road network from last year’s extreme weather have leapt forward, as road users are reminded to plan ahead and take care over the Easter long weekend, which kicks off the school holidays.

Transport for NSW Executive Director Customer Coordination Roger Weeks said it will be a smoother journey than the previous holiday period, motorists should still drive with caution when heading to the regions.

“Our regions are ready to welcome visitors back and the Easter long weekend is a great time to do that, but it’s also one of the busiest on our roads. A huge amount of work has been done following the 2022 rainfall events, with around 3,000km of state roads repaired since February last year,” Mr Weeks said.

“Since the last holiday period over Christmas, almost 25,000 potholes have been repaired on state roads across NSW, which takes the total since the first wave of severe weather in February last year to more than 234,000.

“But the road to recovery isn’t over yet, with repairs still underway on sections of the Cobb Highway, Newell Highway, Mitchell Highway and Oxley Highway in regional NSW.

“We’re urging motorists to allow extra travel time, check for road closures, and always follow the road rules and drive to conditions.”

Mr Weeks said with the school holidays book-ended by the Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends, heavy traffic is expected.

“Historical data shows us there’ll be delays entering and leaving Sydney via the Hume Highway and Princes Highway to the south, Great Western Highway to the west and Pacific Highway, M1 Pacific Motorway and NorthConnex to the north,” Mr Weeks said.

“Other pinch points around NSW are typically in holiday hotspots such as Coffs Harbour, Hexham, Blackheath, Nowra, Jervis Bay and Milton and Ulladulla. Traffic may bank up around Sydney Airport, so please allow plenty of extra time if you have a flight to catch.

“Peak traffic movements and congestion over this holiday period typically start building from Thursday morning. This weekend, we expect to see heavy traffic on the public holidays of Good Friday 7 April and Easter Monday 10 April, as people head to and from their holiday destinations.”

Some essential maintenance work will also be taking place on the Sydney Harbour Bridge across the Easter long weekend.

Further, reckless drivers will be the focus of this long weekend’s traffic operation, as police prepare to keep the roads safe this Easter.

NSW Police will launch Operation Easter 2023 – a highly-visible police traffic operation focussing on reducing road fatalities and trauma this holiday weekend.

The five-day operation began at 12.01am today and run until 11:59pm on Monday 10 April 2023, with double demerits in place throughout. The operation will specifically target the major factors contributing to road trauma; being excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, non-wearing of seatbelts and helmets, and mobile phone use.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman, said substantial police resources have been assigned to the operation as road trauma remains a matter of significant concern.

“This Easter, our officers will be out and about doing their best to keep the roads safe so that everyone can arrive to their destinations in time for a wonderful weekend with loved ones.

“The message is simple; drive to the speed limit, focus on the road –not your phone, and make sure you have a plan B if you are drinking.

“For the last two years, we’ve seen seven fatalities on the road each Easter long weekend. The goal this year is to reduce that number,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said.

Transport for NSW Head of Transport Safety Peter Dunphy said there are simple steps everyone can take to make sure we all arrive safely to our destinations this long weekend.

“If you are driving this long weekend, even if it’s a short trip, give yourself plenty of travel time, wear your seatbelt or helmet if you’re on a motorbike, stay under the speed limit, put your phone away and never drink or drug drive,” Mr Dunphy said.

“Please remember that Thursday (6 April) is a school day and there will still be kids around, so school zones will be active so make sure you slow down and take extra care around schools.”

Please check the latest traffic updates by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, visiting livetraffic.com or calling 132 701, or using the TfNSW journey planning tool myjourneynsw.info.

ADAM MARSHALL THANKS ELECTORATE AND GETS BACK TO TASKS AT HAND

Thank you all so very much for your support at last weekend’s NSW Election and giving me the huge responsibility and privilege to be your representative again in the State Parliament.

I certainly don’t take the vote of support for granted and will continue to work as hard as I can every single day, speaking up and speaking out and delivering for our region and the issues that matter to you.

I want to acknowledge the other candidates who contested this election and sincerely thank them for making it another respectful and courteous contest, which has become the hallmark of State politics in our region.

Congratulations Premier Chris Minns and his incoming government on their election win – it’s an exciting time for them. While the change of government will bring a new set of challenges and opportunities, I can assure you my priorities for the electorate remain the same – and improving health services in our region is paramount. I intend to work as constructively as I can as your local MP with the new government to ensure our issues and concerns continue to be not just heard, but acted on in Macquarie Street

To this end, I have already spoken with new Health Minister Ryan Park and I will be meeting face-to-face with him after Easter to discuss a range of matters, chief among them being the smooth rollout of the new and innovative GP Single Employer Model across the region, frontline staffing levels and the construction of the new Moree and Glen Innes Hospitals and the new Glen Innes Ambulance Station. I am hoping he will also accept my invitation to visit our region and meet frontline health staff and local GPs as well.

I’m now really looking forward to getting down to business and continuing the work and momentum achieved over the last four years on key health, education, roads, water security and environmental projects and causes across our region.

As I have stated in the past, my agenda will always be driven by the needs of the community. If you have a concern, suggestion or idea that relates to the responsibilities of the State Government, please don’t hesitate to contact me and my electorate office team to share those views. My intention is to continue working hard for our diverse and vibrant region to ensure we get our fair share.

Together, with individuals, communities, local councils and community groups we have achieved a great deal, but there is still much more to do and I cannot wait to get cracking to grow and develop our region!

Thank you again, Adam.

- Submitted by Adam Marshall MP

Top: Adam Marshall MP outside Glen Innes Hospital

Above: Adam Marshall MP places his own vote in the NSW State Election - photos: supplied, Adam Marshall MP

RIDE TO GIVE CYCLISTS PASS THROUGH BINGARA (STORY IN MONTHLY ISSUE)

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SET FOR GWYDIR SHIRE

Gwydir Shire Council will be holding Community Meetings throughout the months of April and May.

Wednesday 26 April 2023 | 6pm | Sporting Club, North Star

Thursday 27 April 2023 | 6pm | Bowling Club, Croppa Creek

Tuesday 2 May 2023 | 6pm | Roxy Theatre, Bingara

Thursday 4 May 2023 | 6pm | Town Hall, Warialda

Tuesday 9 May 2023 | 6pm | Old RSL Club, Gravesend

Tuesday 16 May 2023 | 6pm | Sporting Club, Upper Horton

The purpose of these meetings is for Council to deliver important information to the communities of Gwydir.

Local residents are encouraged to attend to bring forward any concerns or needs.

A light meal and refreshments will be provided at each meeting. The Gwydir News will also be attending - an opportunity to let me know what you would like in your local newspaper.

TYRON AND JOLIE EXCEL IN SHEARING

Two young people from the Parkes electorate – Tyron Cochrane from Goodooga and Jolie Orcher from Bourke – have excelled in the Junior Golden Shears, a prestigious New Zealand shearing competition. Tyron is only eighteen and is the first Australian to win since 1961 as well as the first Aboriginal Australian ever to win this competition. These outstanding young people are role models for their communities and an example of the excellent work of the Regional Enterprise Development Institute in connecting young Aboriginal people to their future careers. It was my privilege to bring this to the attention of the House this week in Parliament.

WHERE IS KEY FUNDING FOR THE PARKES ELECTORATE?

It has been 10 months since the election and five months since the Federal Budget yet key funding for the Parkes electorate is still to be released by the Labor Government.

The Growing Regions Program was supposed to be Labor’s answer to the former Coalition Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, but is yet to be established. The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program was already well established and was a Coalition initiative which has been extremely popular, yet neither program has seen funding released.

I have called on the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Local Government to prioritise access to this funding, which is so needed by councils and communities in the Parkes electorate.

SUPPORTING THE RESOURCES SECTOR

Last week in Parliament I spoke in a Ministerial Statement on the Resources Sector, highlighting the crucial role of the Parkes electorate as a powerhouse in mining and resources.

Broken Hill’s Cobalt Blue Project at Thackaringa, lithium mining at Fifield, gold deposits near Dubbo and Tomingley as well as a rare earth project at Toongi are only a few examples of resources projects currently underway in the Parkes electorate.

If we’re going to be serious about having a cleaner environment and reducing our emissions, we can’t ignore the crucial role of our resources sector. It is through greater efficiency and technology that we will become both a cleaner and wealthier economy.

Mining and agriculture drive this electorate and are the reason Australia is as strong as it is. We can produce both food and energy for ourselves, and we need to support these industries rather than crippling them, so I was pleased to stand up and make this point to the Parliament in my speech.

RURAL GENERALISTS PROGRAM IS GOING WELL

Back in 2021 the former Coalition Government put $49.7 million into the Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS) to boost doctor numbers in the bush. Recently in Parliament I caught up with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) who have been delivering this program, and was pleased to hear of its ongoing success in securing enrolments.

The training of doctors takes time, however with programs like this my hope is that we begin to see more rural general practitioners emerge and take up positions across the Parkes electorate. I have received many constituent appeals for more doctors in regional areas, and this is only one of many programs established to attempt to overcome the challenge of attracting doctors to the bush.

These outcomes take time and involve multiple complex factors; however I will continue to work with organisations such as the ACRRM and the Rural Doctors Association of Australia to find solutions. It is encouraging to see the popularity of the Rural Generalist Training Scheme.

Gwydir Shire Council Currently has quite a few positions available. If you are interested or know anyone interested please make them aware of the vacancies.

Qualified Carpenter – Close date extended to 14th April

Bio Security Officer (Weeds) 2 positions available (1x Warialda, 1 x Bingara) – Closes 14th April 2023

Business Services Officer – Closes 14th April 2023

Mechanic – Closes 21st April 2023

Planning and Building Administration Assistant – Closes 21st April 2023

Trainee Final Trim Grader Operators (2 positions available) – Closes 21st April 2023

All position descriptions and position information, as well as the link to apply can be found on Councils Website https://www. gwydir.nsw.gov.au/Council/Positions-Vacant

Business Growth in Challenging Times

Do you have your own business? Or are you thinking about starting your own? Do you need help navigating the tricky world of business? Do you want to set yourself up for success and growth?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, look no further!

Highly recommended action coach, Mark Blume will be running business workshops in Bingara and Warialda to assist Gwydir Shire Council residents with all things business related.

The coaching program comprises:

• 2 x 1 day group coaching sessions conducted Face to Face

• 2 x 1 hour one on one coaching session conducted by Zoom

The sessions will be held at the following locations:

Bingara

Session 1 – Friday, 5 May 2023

Session 2 – Friday, 2 June 2023

Conference Room, The Roxy Theatre Building

Warialda

Session 1 – Saturday, 6 May 2023

Session 2 – Saturday, 3 June 2023

Warialda Function Room, near the Warialda Stadium Building

The workshops focus on what you wished you knew when you started in business and the topics covered include:

• Building a profitable business

• Why 80% of businesses fail in the first 5 years

• Why a detailed chart of accounts is important

• Breakeven and how to calculate it (inc. Profit Breakeven)

• How much am I worth and why a majority of business owners initially struggle with it

• Where did my profit go?

• Business and personal goal setting

• How do I borrow from a bank to grow my business

• Setting my prices

• Calculating your hourly rate and what is included or excluded

• Your ideal client

• How to market your business for growth

• Employing staff

• What are the major causes of business failure and how you mitigate them for your business?

• Setting up your business for resilience to future shocks

If these are issues that are keeping you up at night, then register for this wonderful opportunity today.

You will come away with a clear 12 month plan for the business, and have two accountability calls with your coach to check on progress.

The classes are open to the first 12 people in each group and are valued at $1400 per person. The course will be FREE to all Gwydir Shire Council residents and rate payers. For further information or to register for Mark Blume’s business coaching sessions, please contact Courtney Loosemore on 0478 208 944 or cloosemore@gwydir.nsw.gov.au

Registrations close 4:00pm, Wednesday 12 April 2023.

Set you and your business up for success!

These events are supported by the SQNNSW Innovation Hub, which receives funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Gwydir ARTS + HEALTH

BINGARA GOLF

WARIALDA GOLF REPORT

Warialda Men’s Golf Report – 2 April 2023

With the dust settling after this year’s championships, golf on Sunday was an Individual Stableford sponsored by Men’s Golf. The result turned out to be a ‘Williams-a-thon’ with Mathew winning on 35 points and his cousin Kent the runner-up with 34. Dr Clem picked up the ball in the run-down with 33.

Nearest the pins were collected by Kent Williams on the third, Geoff Hague on the all-in fifth and Mathew Williams on the ninth.

This weekend over the Easter break the events are: an 18-hole 4BBB Medley on Good Friday, a very tricky and difficult 4BBB Multiplier on Easter Sunday, and another 4BBB Medley on Easter Monday. The clubhouse will be closed from Good Friday until Tuesday April 11 at 5pm, but will be open for takeaways before golf on Sunday and Monday.

The following Sunday, 16 April, an Individual Stroke Monthly Mug is scheduled to be played with great sponsorship from Lenny Turner, Rodney Ireland and the Regional Australia Bank.

Zen Teachings: “If at first you don’t succeed, sky diving is not for you.”

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

APRIL 2023

7th Good Friday Morning Prayer and pancake breakfast Warialda Anglican Church, 8am. Ph. 6729 1501

7th Good Friday Evening Service, Warialda Anglican Church, 6.30pm. Ph. 6729 1501

7th-9th Bingara Anglers Club Easterfish. Stuart Lanagan 0400 923 982 https://tinyurl.com/yhyszbnp

7th-9th Mason Daley Memorial Boothill Cod Classic

https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7ysb

9th Easter Sunday Family Service (Holy Communion), Warialda Anglican Church, 9.30am. Ph. 6729 1501

12th-14th Bingara Pony Club Mini Camp. Call Danielle Worgan for more information: 0429 595 431

https://tinyurl.com/39kekmhc

18th School Holiday and Ladies’ Golf Clinic, Bingara Sporting Club. Call Tim Cox 0427 291 672

https://tinyurl.com/4jcmccca

20th Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee Meeting, Warialda Council Chambers, 11am

22nd Bingara District Historical Society Military Museum

Grand Opening, 20 Maitland Street. From 10am Phone 0428 345 600 for more information.

24th Warialda Junior Netball sign-up day. 3.15pm-4pm, Warialda Netball Courts

https://tinyurl.com/272y9x6t

24th Warialda Chamber of Commerce Public Meetingre. greenspace. Warialda Town Hall, 6pm https://tinyurl.com/mw5hkkm9

25th Anzac Service Yallaroi Hall, 8.30am

25th Anzac Service Gravesend. Meet at 8.45am for 9am infront of Gravesend old RSL Hal to ANZAC park

27th Bingara Womens’ Bowls Club 70th Anniversary Day, from 9.30am. Gail Galvin 0427 241 459

27th-30th Bingara Country Music Festival, Bingara RSL Club. ph. 6724 1404 https://tinyurl.com/mrujfv9

30th Potluck Community Dinner, Warialda Anglican Church Hall 6pm. All welcome.

MAY 2023

5th Bingara Business Growth in Challenging Times Session 1. https://tinyurl.com/2c4tr7y4

6th Warialda Business Growth in Challenging Times Session 1. https://tinyurl.com/2c4tr7y4

6th Bingara Jockey Club Ball, Roxy Theatre Bingaga https://tinyurl.com/2p8j5fs4

11th-13th Warialda Show, Warialda Showground

https://tinyurl.com/36e8jjzz

20th-21st Bingara Show. Details TBA

20th-21st Coolatai Vintage Tractor Pull. Contact Chris Gooda for information 0437 600 914

https://tinyurl.com/2p8xa8tn

27th-28th Upper Horton Trail Bike Ride, All ages https://tinyurl.com/mr4ye99u

JUNE 2023

WHAT’S ON!

Church Notices

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

2nd Bingara Business Growth in Challenging Times Session 2. https://tinyurl.com/2c4tr7y4

6th Warialda Business Growth in Challenging Times Session 2. https://tinyurl.com/2c4tr7y4

JULY 2023

13th Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee Meeting, 11am, Bingara Public Library

30th Potluck Community Dinner, Warialda Anglican Church Hall 6pm. All welcome.

SEPTEMBER 2023

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

30th-1/12 Koala Art Show, Warialda. Details TBA

OCTOBER 2023

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

21st Warialda Honey Festival - 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. Details TBA

DECEMBER 2023

1st Bingara Special Events Christmas Festival, 6pm. Further details TBA

8th Warialda Christmas Carnival. Details TBA

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

#LIVINGTHEGWYDIRGOODLIFE

ANGLICAN CHURCH

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

Warialda: St Simon and St Jude Anglican Church, Warialda - Every Sunday - 9:30am

Coolatai: First Sunday each month3:30pm

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 livestreamed 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.

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power..

1 Corinthians 6:14

Gwydir

EASTER 2023

Gwydir EASTER 2023

Gwydir EASTER 2023