The Gwydir News - July 6 2023

ORANGE FESTIVAL SHOWCASES THE COMMUNITY OF BINGARA

25 years since its inception, the annual Bingara Orange Festival was held on the weekend of June 30 to July 1, 2023. Commencing with a solemn ceremony of remembrance, residents of and visitors to Bingara joined students and staff of Bingara Central School, Gwydir Shire Council members and the Bingara Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-Branch at the front of the Bingara RSL at 11am on Friday to pay their respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World Wars I and II.

Having undertaken the task of caring for and monitoring the trees as part of their duty as the “Orange Police”, students from the Bingara Central School enthusiastically joined those in attendance in picking the oranges, ripened by early frosts. Further, with a $50 prize up for grabs for the largest orange, students were keen to lay their hands on a sizeable fruit. Congratulations to Emma-Rose Galloway of Year 5 who tracked down a whopper.

Whilst most of town were still in bed, the streets began to stir well before dawn. With 70 stalls to set up, road blocks to implement and all manner of other behind-the-scenes jobs to undertake, Bingara was humming with activity by the time the Orange Festival officially kicked off at 10am.

With a gloriously sun-filled day as a backdrop to all on offer, attendees of the festival were treated to all manner of offerings. From perennial favourites, the Memphis Moovers, to the effervescent Sydney Swing Katz, to local performances contributed by phsysical culture students, line dancers and those keen to “give it a go” on the dancefloor, the festival offered a visual and auditory air of delight.

Food options were varied, from Peter’s Roxy Café to food trucks, to the pubs and clubs. Stalls had all conceivable wares for sale, from quartz to earrings, candles to knitted cot blankets.

Other activities included tours of the Roxy Theatre, opening of the Bingara Historical Museum Complex, childrens’ rides, balloon bending and face painting.

Festival-focused food and entertainment contributions continued with a memorable offering at the heritage-listed Roxy Theatre, where event-goers were treated to A retro diner atmosphere and dinner prior to a screening of the 1978 classic film, Grease. Positive feedback from this event indicates it may become a more regular offering throughout the year.

Another Friday evening treat was held at the Bingara Community Op-Shop, where everyone was made welcome around the chiminea, listening to the ukulele group, whilst being treated to soul, tummy and hand-warming soup. The shop looked splendid with the fabulous volunteer-made orange lanterns.

The festival was rounded out with a parade of vehicles and people, including Bingara Central School, service vehicles, vintage cars, Touriandi and miniature vehicles. All were cheered on by spectators, puntuated by the occasional honk and engine rev.

Both days were buoyed by a palpable sense of pride by the residents of Bingara. Verbal feedback supported this, as many from out of town noted what an enjoyable Orange Festival it was.

As follow-up to this year’s festival, organisers would like to garnish as much constructive feedback as possible, in the hopes of offering an exceptional Orange Festival for many years to come. For those who would like to have a say, please feel free to fill out the following short survey to assist with this: https://forms.office.com/r/

Above: Attendees at the Orange Festival Remembrance service. Source: Facebook

Above: The Bingara Community Op-Shop’s orange lanterns alight. Source: Facebook

Top left: Adam Marshall MP with Emma-Rose Galloway, winner of the largest orange competition. Source: Facebook

Top right: Gwydir Shire Mayor, Cr John Coulton officially opens the Orange Festival

Middle left: Best Dressed competition winner, Kelsey Andrews presented with a cheque for $100, donated and presented by Regional Australia Bank’s Kylie Taylor and Robyn Ritchie Middle, next from left, a vintage car as part of the parade Middle, next from right: the Rockin’ Bodgies take to the stage to entertain the crowd. Middle right: the Memphis Moovers bring their unique style to the parade Bottom left: the Sydney Swing Katz make their moves on the dancefloor Bottom right: the Bingara Line Dancers entertain onlookers and supporters in Maitland Street

Gwydir Shire Council works update

BINGARA SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL HALL

Last Thursday 29 June 2023 Council adopted its 2023/24 budget. This can be found at https://www.gwydir.nsw.gov.au/ Council/Shire-News/Draft-Budget-for-2024, or you can request a copy at either of Council’s offices.

Council wishes to acknowledge and thank those who lodged submissions to Development Application for the proposed deolition of 33-35 Maitland Street Bingara, and to those who attended Council’s shopfront on Saturday 24 June 2023. Council decided at its meeting last week to investigate the structural integrity of the Bingara Council Chambers and whether it is feasible to retain the Hall’s façade as a freestanding feature. Council staff are also planning to hold a public meeting to discuss the potential demolition of the exisiting buildings, and any future site developments or building renovations. This meeting will be held sometime late July. Details of this meeting will be made available soon.

PROPOSED BIKE PATH WARIALDA

SANDBAG PEDESTRIAN ISLANDS BINGARA

The sandbag trials for pedestrian islands in Cunningham Street Bingara recommence today, Thursday 6 July, following a brief removal to accommodate the Orange Festival. These will be in place for two weeks, although the trial may be cut short if they become damaged. Drivers using the intersection are encouraged to give feedback on their placement to Shrutik Humane on 0460 001 362.

Right: placement of the sandbag pedestrian islands in Cunningham Street Bingara

Minister confirms GP single employer model to start in 2024

Region to see first new Rural Generalists early next year

AN elated Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall welcomed confirmation on Wednesday 5 July from Health Minister Ryan Park that the GP Single Employer Model will be expanded to the region and begin at the beginning of the 2024 training year.

“This is the most positive news for health services our region has had for quite some time,” Mr Marshall said.

“While it’s taken longer than anticipated to have the Federal Health Minister sign off on the new locations to expand the trial, I’m thrilled the ink is now dry on all the required documents to make this a reality for our region.

“This good news will only be topped when the first crop of the new rural generalist GPs come to our region early next year to provide relief to our beleaguered hospitals, frontline staff and local GPs.”

Mr Marshall said the Minister had advised him today that the NSW Regional Health Division would continue to consult with Hunter New England Health to progress the next steps for the expansion.

“The Minister said Hunter New England Health would now commence the scoping, review and confirmation of their identified general practice partners in our region,” he said.

“This means we should keep the corks in the champagne bottles for now, until we see at which hospitals Hunter New England Health intends to employ these doctors.

“I’ve written today to both the Minister and the health district requesting that in the first crop of the rural generalist, at a minimum, Inverell, Glen Innes, Moree and Armidale Hospitals be included.

“For too long now many of these hospitals have not had their Emergency Departments staffed with doctors and this hast to change.

“Ill be doing everything I can to ensure these hospitals are included in the first tranche early next year to ensure we get maximum benefit.

“After all, it was our region which lobbied so hard to achieve the expansion of the single employer model in the first place and we have the most need of the additional GPs.”

Mr marshall said under the Model, junior doctors are directly employed at local public hospitals, while still enjoying the flexibility to practice as a private GP in a local practice, under supervision, accessing the Medicare Benefits Schedule.

“This is really the best of both worlds for GPs starting out their careers in medicine and makes being a rural GP so much more attractive and on par with specialists for graduating medical students.

“They are remunerated at high levels, enjoy all the leave and insurance entitlements of salaried NSW Health staff, while still being a private GP accessing the Medicare Scheme and all the benefits which comes with that.

“In essence, it’s a hybrid model of public and private GP to prove extra incentive to come and stay in our region while still training.

“It’s a real win-win scenario and has been hugely successful in the Murrumbidgee Health District, which pioneered the Model some years ago.

“This new model of practice also ensures that when someone presents to their local emergency department there is a doctor present as they are directly employed by the hospital, rather than utilising costly and unreliable locum doctors as is the case now.”

Mr Marshall paid tribute to the hard-working GPs right across the region who were doing more for less and seeing more patients than ever.

“They are the backbone of our country health services but are not often recognised as such,” he said.

“I want to especially single out Dr Vicki Howell and Dr Michelle Guppy from the Division of General Practice, who have spearheaded the push for the rollout of the single employer model here.

“The 16,000 signature petition last year did its job to shift focus onto workable solutions and pressure government to act and apply to the Commonwealth, but it’s been the grassroots support locally which had helped push this up the agenda.

“A big thank you also to New England Visions 2030, for keeping the focus on this.”

Above: Adam Marshall MP outside Glen Innes Hospital. Source: supplied.

Above: attendees at the weeds as soil indicators workshop

Willoughby Youth Exchange students immersed in the Gwydir Shire

- Submitted by Benjamin Perry

In 1994, a collaboration was formed between Gwydir Shire Council and Willoughby City Council to bridge the gap between the city and country divide. This partnership formed the Youth Exchange Program, and it has been running on an annual basis ever since.

Gwydir Shire Council recently hosted Willoughby City Council students in the annual Youth Exchange Program. Students spent time in the Gwydir area exploring the sites and gained a greater understanding of rural living.

Some of this year’s highlight attractions included:

- Myall Creek

- horse riding

- Bingara Museum

- karaoke

- Cranky Rock

- Ceramic Break Sculpture Park

- Orange Festival and orange picking

- Grease movie screening at The Roxy Threatre and diner dinner experience

- farm visit at North Star and surrounds

What a great 5 days!

Later this year, Willoughby City Council will return the favour and host Gwydir students. Participants will engage in a variety of activities, including the Emerge Festival and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. If this program is of interest to you and you would like to participate, please contact Council’s Social Services Department on 02 6724 2000.

Below left and above: students from Willoughby City Council experiencing the Gwydir Shire

North West Theatre Company Film Club MOVIE OF THE MONTH

The Maltese Falcon fits the bill for July at the Roxy Sometimes a single line in a movie sums up the whole story. Such is the case with the North West Theatre Company Film Club’s offering for July.

It is the classic Humphrey Bogart mystery, “The Maltese Falcon”. This American film noir, written and directed by John Huston in his directorial debut, was based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett.

Bogart plays private investigator Sam Spade and Mary Astor is his femme fatale client, and the classic line, is Spade’s reference to The Maltese Falcon as “…the stuff that dreams are made of…”.

Gladys George, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet co-star, with the last appearing in his film debut. The story follows a San Francisco private detective Sam Spade and his dealings with three unscrupulous adventurers, all of whom are competing to obtain The Maltese Falcon, a jewel-encrusted falcon statuette.

The film premiered in New York City on October 3, 1941, and was nominated for three Academy Awards. Considered one of the greatest films of all time, it was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress to be included in the National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

Author Dashiell Hammett had once worked as a private detective for the Pinkerton Detective Agency in San Francisco, and he used his birth name “Samuel” for the story’s protagonist. He wrote of the book’s main character in 1934:

“Spade has no original. He is a dream man in the sense that he is what most of the private detectives I worked with would like to have been, and, in their cockier moments, thought they approached.”

Other characters in The Maltese Falcon were based on people who Hammett met or worked with during that time. The character of sinister “Fat Man” Kasper Gutman (Greenstreet) was based on Maundy Gregory, an overweight British detective-entrepreneur who was involved in many sophisticated endeavours and capers, including a search for a long-lost treasure like the jewelled Falcon. The character of Joel Cairo (Lorre) was based on a criminal whom Hammett arrested for forgery in Pasco, Washington, in 1920.

During his preparation for The Maltese Falcon, his directorial debut, John Huston planned each second of the film to the last detail, tailoring the screenplay with instructions to himself for a shotfor-shot setup, with sketches for every scene, so filming could proceed fluently and professionally. Huston was adamant the film be methodically planned, thus ensuring the production maintained a tight schedule within their budget.

Submitted by Rick Hutton – NWTC Film Club Secretary

Such was the extent and efficacy of Huston’s preparation of the script that almost no line of dialogue was eliminated in the final edit. Except for some exterior night shots, Huston shot the entire film in sequence, which greatly helped his actors, and much of the dialogue from the original novel was retained.

“The Maltese Falcon” will be screened at the Roxy Theatre, Bingara at 4:00pm on Sunday July 30.

Warialda Hospital Auxiliary Update

Warialda Hospital Auxiliary members held their AGM at the CWA rooms on Monday June 26. Executive members elected were:

- Patron: Margaret Keath;

- President: Marilyn Stubbins;

- Vice President: Jean Wilmot; and Pauline Baker

- Secretary: Judy Lynch;

- Treasurer: Carmel Gobbert.

At the meeting some members received recognition for their years of service. Jean Willmot, Life member of WHA, presented 10 year service bars to Margaret Rose, Margaret Mariner and Marilyn Stubbins. A 20 year service bar was presented to Carmel Gobbert. Congratulations to all the recipients.

- Submitted by Marilyn Stubbins

The Auxiliary wishes member Cheryl Turner a speedy recovery and hopes she returns from John Hunter soon.

Members are currently selling tickets in a winter linen raffle valued at over $750. The raffle consists of a doona, doona cover, sheet set and pillows.

Carmel and Pauline have been shopping for the Market Night to be held at the Golf and Bowling Club on Saturday November 11. Contributions towards the Market Night would be appreciated.

The Market Night has become a popular event for families and friends to get together. There is always a vast display of goods to be won.

So, put Saturday November 11 on your calendar!

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

JULY 2023

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

21st North Star Ladies’ Lunch, 11.30am, North Star Sports Club. Contact Jenna 0400 080 717.

22nd A Very Merry Christmas in July, Warialda Golf and Bowling Club, 6pm.

30th Progressive Community Lunch, starting at the Warialda Anglican Church Hall 12noon. All welcome.

30th Warialda Bowling Club Bowls Carnival, 10am start, morning teac and lunch included. 6729 1192.

AUGUST 2023

2nd Warialda Neighbourhood Watch Meeting, 10am, CHSP Office, 36 Hope Street Warialda. Contact Natalie 0447 075 246.

16th Bingara Show Society AGM, 6pm, Bingara Sporting Club.

26th Annual Bingara Race Day. Details TBA.

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

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.

SEPTEMBER 2023

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

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

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

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

25-29th Bingara Veterans Week of Golf. Welcome drinks from 4.30pm 24 September.

OCTOBER 2023

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.

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

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

8th Warialda Christmas Carnival, 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.

The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them..

Proverbs 20:7

“WHEN YOU WIN, NOTHING HURTS.”

Whilst Joe Namath, of American Football League made this statement in reference to football matches, perhaps he wasn’t considering the whole body. The Bingara Bullets will tell you that indeed sometimes, irrespective of a win, some things still hurt.

Thus was the pain of heart felt by both players and supporters of the Bingara Bullets, who held a special Mason Daley Memorial Day on 24 June. Held in honour of a deeply missed son, brother, team mate, work colleague and friend, the day raised an outstanding $83,000.

The Gwydir News was unable to attend the event, so perhaps the story of the day is best told in pictures, as shared on the Bingara Bullets Facebook page.