Central West Village Voice - Issue 038

Gorgeous villa with internal garage plus separate internal laundry. Features include high ceilings, living flame gas fire and a large rear garden.

The large lounge/dining room and master bedroom enjoy stunning views of the surrounding undulating hills with a lovely private courtyard area. The master bedroom also boasts an ensuite bathroom plus an entire wall of built-in wardrobes.

The Megalong-style villa packs a huge range of features into its cleverly designed layout with the very best in modern fixtures and fittings. It boasts 2 large bedrooms, the master with walk-in robes and private ensuite. The second bathroom is perfect for guests.

The single garage has easy access directly into the home, which has a living flame gas fire in the living area and zoned heating and air conditioning throughout.

A refurbished freestanding villa with a private courtyard and attached garage, it boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a spacious living area and newly designed modern open kitchen.

Reverse cycle air conditioning and flued gas heating are included.

You will love the private courtyard that is perfect for that mid-morning, relaxing coffee.

This villa is something to behold. With 2 gorgeous bedrooms, each with private bathroom and the best in modern fixtures and fittings. The master bedroom is furnished with walk-in robes and has a private ensuite.

The single garage gives you direct access to the home which makes access a breeze. It has a natural living flame gas fire in the living area and zoned heating and air conditioning throughout.

This ingenious floor-plan offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an internal single garage. The master bedroom has walk-in wardrobes and its own ensuite. The second bedroom also has an ensuite, which creates two separate living quarters. The superb kitchen is equipped with stone benchtops, dishwasher, oven and cooktop.

The living room boasts a cosy living gas fire, and it has fully ducted and zoned heating and cooling throughout.

This stunning home has the best of open-plan living areas. Each bedroom has its own ensuite, essentially creating two separate private wings. The master bedroom has built-in wardrobes, and there is a cozy gas fire in the living area for those winter nights.

The kitchen is equipped with stone bench tops, dishwasher, oven and cooktop. The home has fully ducted and zoned air-conditioning throughout. The single garage is fitted with an automatic roller door.

The flood no one saw coming

WORK CONTINUES TO REOPEN WOLGAN ROAD

Work continues to restore road access to the Wolgan Valley, after heavy rain caused a major landslip and forced closure of the only access road more than a week ago.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said Lithgow Council and the NSW Government’s Public Works have been working hard since the landslip occurred to re-establish access as soon as they can.

“At this stage it will take about four weeks to restore access to the valley, depending on weather conditions,” Mr Toole said.

“Council and NSW Public Works have engaged engineers and a local earthworks contractor to open a new interim access for residents and workers, including workers from a resort in the valley, by upgrading a dis-used track.”

“Lithgow Council is ensuring that, for the moment, residents can get access to the valley through another 4wd track with escorted convoys twice in the morning and twice at night.”

Lithgow City Council Mayor Maree Statham visited the valley last week, travelling down the precarious 4wd track.

“I am very concerned about people having to use this track for much longer. For this reason, the NSW Government and the Council are moving rapidly to provide an alternative,” Ms Statham said.

There are really no words to describe the devastation in many towns around the region over the last two weeks, and whilst the clean up has begun it will be a long time before the picturesque towns of Molong, Eugowra, Canowindra, Forbes, Cudal and even Bathurst did not escape unscathed.

Roads have been torn apart cutting off communities, homes are gone, literally washed down the street in some cases and businesses left without any hope of reopening for the all important Christmas period.

Federal MP and Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, has been on the ground in these communities and seen first hand the devastation. Not from in front of a camera in a suit, but dressed in an RFS uniform and pushing a broom.

He is also calling on the federal government to activate urgent emergency assistance to these communities, pointing out in a statement that some of the grants are asset tested, however many residents are no longer able to live in their assets and being uninsured, who knows where they will stand when the clean up is done and homes assessed.

Many in the surrounding communities have answered the call and lent what support they could, and have wanted to assist through donations, but storage is an issue in these

communities now, so people are asked to support through the specific donation options listed below.

The ongoing unseasonable rain events have affected some of these communities on multiple occasions, but last Mondays events were by far the worst..

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Molong donations

www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-molong

Eugowra donations

https://fundraise.givit.org.au/fundraisers/ EPPA/eugowra-floodappeal

Canowindra donations

https://chuffed.org/project/ canowindra-flood-assistance

“My visit really confirmed the urgency required here. Families have been separated, stock need to be accessed to be cared for and businesses have been crippled overnight. We are also approaching the fire season so a safe access and egress needs to be provided.”

“The Council has re-directed considerable human and engineering services staff across to deal with this issue. We have offered to arrange for food and other consumables to be delivered on a regular basis, or as required by the community.”

Mr Toole said it’ll be a massive effort to get the road open and everyone – the Wolgan Valley Association, Council, NSW Public Works, National Parks and Wildlife Services, the Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Services, NSW Health and Wolgan One & Only – are all working together to get the job done.

For more information, go to: www.council.lithgow. com/closure-of-wolgan-road-wolgan-valley

Enough is enough - Region hit by yet another disaster

Last issue the big headline was the gas outage, affecting both Bathurst and Lithgow communities, the gas by that stage had been out for a week and there was concern that despite the best efforts of all working on the problem, it could be a number of weeks for supply to be fully returned.

However, we were all very happy when gas started running again and we could once again enjoy the creature comforts of a warm home and a nice hot shower. Crisis averted.

That was Sunday for the community of Lithgow, and as we settled in to bed after a nice hot shower on Sunday night, it was behind us.

However, waking to the sounds of storm and rain several times overnight, there was a new disaster waiting for the region as we awoke on Monday morning. In Portland, we had some flooding in buildings and clearly a lot of water had flushed through the town, but as news reports started coming in from around the region throughout the day, we realised just how lucky we were.

The flooding continued throughout the day as water had no where to go, cutting off the highway between Bathurst and Lithgow, but towns in the wider region is where the real disaster was.

The town of Eugowra has been hit hardest but many towns around the central west have suffered, with businesses and homes inundated with water. For businesses that have already

by Rich Evans, Editor

been through some of the toughest times in recent memory, it might be the last straw. Losing stock and their livelihoods right before Christmas is a cruel blow that will have long lasting and devastating affects on these small regional towns.

The clean up and community led initiatives to try and deal with the issues are well underway, with the region once again doing what it does best, getting on with it. However there is a sense of enough is enough. After years of drought, then bushfires, covid, floods rising living costs, more floods, more covid… surely it’s time for us all to get a break.

Add to these shared traumas each families own issues they are dealing with and you have an entire community that is doing its best to keep going, but always on edge for what might come next.

There has been a huge amount of money spent in recent years to try and build resilience in communities, with all kinds of events and programs being established, however I think all of us would be happy to see money spent on disaster proofing our lives. Being able to deal with disasters is one thing, being prepared so we can avoid them is a far better strategy

Unseasonable weather events and pandemics were just an unlikely possibility a few years ago, but now they are very real events we have experienced.

The mental health toll of these sustained disasters and the

disruption to peoples lives can not be understated, that will be one of the real tolls of the last few years. A business that doesn’t make it back, and has to lay off employees has a ripple affect that goes through a community.

We look to our governments, federal, state and local and we want them to help, but it is always those on the ground, our volunteers and emergency services that do the heavy lifting.

Where should funding go in these events? To government agencies that provide programs? To community groups that provide support, or to individuals that give up their time and energy to do everything they can?

That is the question we need answered - What is the best way to help communities in times of disaster? - because if we have learnt one thing over the last few years, there is always something else coming… for all of our sakes, I hope that is a break from disasters for at least a little while.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

BeyondBlue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

EUGOWRA CENTRAL HOTEL,, PHOTO BY ANDREW GEE, MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2022

Lions Club of Mount Panorama is seeking additional stallholders for future market days.

First Saturday of each month at Lions Berry Park, Bathurst Come and be part of the markets.

Further Details

Email: macquarielions@gmail.com facebook.com/riversidemarketsbathurst

RECEIVES CREATIVE CAPITAL FUNDING TO DELIVER VALUABLE IMPROVEMENTS

DOZENS OF MATURE TREES CHOPPED AND CHIPPED FOR A CARPARK!

Cathie Hale, a local business owner, has organised a protest in response to dozens of angry phone calls from locals who witnessed the destruction of twenty trees cleared for a car park along Hereford Street,Bathurst.

The police have been notified under Schedule 1 of an Intention to hold a public assembly and the media have been invited to attend Tuesday, 29th November 2022 at 1pm on the corner of Edgells Lane and Hereford Street.

Cathie Hale wants the protest to challenge the existing culture of Bathurst Council and says, “they need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the same room with current climate science.

“We are frustrated that Bathurst Council is out of step and continues to undervalue our environment.

“The long term benefits of trees in our landscape far outweighs more concrete carparks.

“Bathurst Council would understand this if they conducted genuine public consultation.”

the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program.

The conversion of their art storage room into a multiuse theatrette is one of 82 projects sharing in a total of $11.7 million funding under the second round of Minor Works and Equipment Projects. These projects are the latest to receive funding as part of the $72 million Creative Capital initiative launched in 2021.

Deputy Premier, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said this was great news for the arts community of Bathurst.

“With the recent opening of the Central Tablelands Collection Facility, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery now has more space to showcase the talent of our local artists,” Mr Toole said.

“The inclusion of a theatrette means an additional art form can be included in exhibitions held at BRAG. This is an exciting new opportunity for artists and performers looking for a space to showcase their work.”

Minister Franklin said this Creative Capital funding will pay dividends for the community of Bathurst by delivering a much-needed facility upgrade.

“This investment in cultural infrastructure in Bathurst is recognition of the valuable role arts and culture plays in the

Central West Media has consolidated its two previous publications into the new Central West Village Voice, Covering the entire Lithgow and Bathurst region, and distributed fortnightly on Thursdays.

If you are looking for a way to grow your business in 2021, speak to one of our friendly team and they will design a marketing plan that suits your budget and gets results.

Central West Village Voice

Publisher Rich Evans on behalf of Central West Media Pty Ltd Emails: editor@villagevoice.net.au sales@villagevoice.net.au

community,” Mr Franklin said.

“The NSW Government’s $72 million Creative Capital program aims to boost equity and access to arts and culture facilities for the people of NSW. With 165 projects across the state, more people will have access to top-class arts and cultural experiences.”

“It’s projects like this in Bathurst that will see the many museums, galleries, performance spaces and Aboriginal Cultural Centres and Keeping Places across NSW be venues their communities can continue to be proud of,” Mr Franklin said.

Bathurst Mayor Robert Taylor said that Bathurst welcomed the NSW Government’s investment to improving arts and cultural venues to be fit-for-purpose for the community, enhancing access and supporting the local economy.

“This funding will help us deliver state-of-the-art improvements and ensure our local audiences and visitors enjoy high quality cultural experiences. I am delighted the NSW Government has made this possible for Bathurst,” Mr Taylor said.

Further details on the Creative Capital program are available on the Create NSW website at www.create.nsw.gov.au.

Office Details

Call our office on (02) 6355 4258

Office: 35 Wolgan Street, Portland NSW 2847

Postal Address: PO Box 227, Portland NSW 2847

Visit our website at www.villagevoice.net.au

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Deputy Premier, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole and Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin today announced Bathurst Regional Art Gallery will benefit from $125,000 in funding thanks to

Lithium-ion battery warning issued ahead of Christmas

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is warning shoppers about the dangers relating to Lithium-ion battery-powered gifts this Christmas.

FRNSW has observed a significant rise in fires related to Lithium-ion batteries this year, most often in small, portable devices like e-bikes and e-scooters.

Since January 1, FRNSW crews have responded to 180 Lithium-ion battery fires, compared with just over 16 in 2021.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the number of recent Lithium-ion battery-related fires should serve as an alarm for Christmas shoppers.

“Most of these fires occur when lithium-ion batteries are in the process of charging and overheat, causing an explosion of flames in living rooms or garages,” Ms Cooke said.

“Just a few weeks ago an e-bike battery caught fire and almost burnt down a family home in Manly. A brick wall was the only barrier that prevented flames spreading from the garage to the remainder of the house.

“Please treat Lithium-ion battery-powered products with care, don’t leave them on charge for extended periods of time, and remember to call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency situation.”

FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Strategic Capability Trent Curtin said both re-chargeable and disposable batteries should be treated with caution, as they can expel molten flammable metal and emit toxic gases when on fire.

“When Lithium-ion batteries fail, they are prone to ‘thermal runaway’, which sees them build up intense heat until they violently burst, causing toxic, flammable and explosive gases and flames that are extremely difficult to extinguish.

"Firefighters often have to use copious amounts of water to ensure that they are extinguished and adequately cooled to

prevent re-ignition,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curtin said.

“While the quality of the Lithium-ion battery can pose a risk, the main risk is caused by over-charging or trying to charge a damaged battery, which could cause it to overheat and ignite.

“If you are shopping for toys, e-bikes, e-scooters, laptops or power tools that are powered by Lithium-ion batteries this Christmas, always ensure you’re purchasing a reputable brand from a reputable retailer.”

FRNSW is warning people to:

Not over-charge Lithium-ion batteries or leave them charging overnight unattended;

Not charge Lithium-ion batteries on beds, sofas or around highly flammable and insulating materials; Always use compliant and approved charging equipment for Lithium-ion batteries;

Avoid dropping, crushing or piercing the Lithium-ion battery cells;

Store Lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry area away from combustible materials, and larger devices like e-bikes and gardening tools should be stored outside of bedrooms and

TOOLE TIME GREATER SUBJECT CHOICES FOR COUNTRY SCHOOLS

Regional high school students will have access to a wider range of subjects thanks to the creation of new specialist teaching jobs in the bush.

The NSW Government’s Specialist Teachers in the Field program will open a world of possibilities for country school kids.

Small rural schools often find it hard to deliver specialist subjects, which means students could miss out on studying something they might like to pursue as a future career.

This program will ensure regional high school students have access to the same wide range of subject choices available at city schools.

The first stage of the program will see 10 specialist teachers to support 30 regional schools across NSW from Term 1, 2023. Work is already underway to identify participating schools and their students’ subject needs.

It means that a secondary teacher who specialises in Visual Arts, for example, will teach that subject across three different public schools in an area.

This isn’t just great for students – it’s also an exciting opportunity for teachers who can benefit from travelling and teaching across multiple schools, networking and sharing practice with other teachers.

The specialist teacher will be given a reduced teaching load to support their travel and work across schools.

The Teachers in the Field program also includes Classroom Cover Teachers, which is continuing to expand to provide a pool of relief teachers across regional, rural and remote schools. This program offers teachers a three year, full-time role as a relief teacher with the benefits of job security, professional learning and leave entitlements.

The NSW Government’s $125 million Teacher Supply Strategy is creating new pathways into teaching, placing high-quality teachers where they are needed most, and ensuring a steady pipeline of teachers entering the workforce, now and in the future.

living spaces;

Not charge or use Lithium-ion batteries that show signs of damage; and

Properly dispose of used Lithium-ion batteries.

FRNSW is currently conducting research to inform how firefighters respond to Lithium-ion battery incidents, and to influence policy and standards that help prevent injuries and damage caused.

More information is available at: https:// fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9389.

PHARMACY REFORM TO EXPAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE

The NSW Government will ease the pressure on patients who find it difficult to get an appointment with a GP, by making it easier to access more medications through a local pharmacy.

The reform will expand the number of vaccinations pharmacists can administer, trial pharmacists prescribing medication for urinary tract infections and also develop a pilot for trained pharmacists to prescribe medications for a range of other conditions. These ground-breaking reforms aim to relieve pressure on emergency departments and wait times to see a GP by giving our community more access to primary care services.

Today’s announcement is yet another innovative way in which the NSW Liberals and Nationals in Government are delivering reforms to combat the pressures currently facing health systems across the nation.

The NSW Government will increase the community’s access to primary care through:

Authorising pharmacists to administer a wider range of public health and travel vaccinations from 14 November 2022, including Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, Poliomyelitis, Typhoid and Zoster.

Funding a 12-month trial to evaluate allowing pharmacists to prescribe medication for urinary tract infections; and

Supporting a state wide pilot where appropriately trained pharmacists can prescribe medications for certain conditions, such as skin ailments, ear infections, and hormonal contraception.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a prime example of just how vital of a role local pharmacists play in keeping the community safe and well.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic many of us opted to visit our local and trusted pharmacist to receive a vaccine.

Following the implementation of today’s announcement, the community will be able to visit an appropriately trained pharmacist to get a script for things like a urinary tract infection or birth control, easing the burden on our local GPs and reducing wait times for others that require more specialised care.

NSW Health will work with pharmacists to support the expansion of the vaccination program with education modules and materials for both themselves and their customers.

NSW pharmacists are currently able to administer six vaccines, including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

An expression of interest process for participation in the urinary tract infection trial will commence on 14 November 2022.

EASIER ACCESS: Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said more medications will be available through local pharmacies.

FLOODPLAIN RISK MANAGEMENT

COMMITTEE

Bathurst Regional LGA in accordance with the NSW Floodplain Development Manual 2005.

Expressions of Interest close at 11.30pm on Sunday 4 December 2022.To apply, visit https://applynow.net. au/jobs/BRC0282

MARKET

$15 MILLION FAST-TRACKED TO FIX ROADS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN NSW

The NSW Government will fast-track $15 million in emergency funding to eight councils in central and western NSW for urgent road repairs to restore access to floodimpacted areas.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the fast-tracked funding would allow councils to start repairing critical infrastructure and support future recovery works.

“Restoring road access as quickly as possible is critical to ensure the supplies, support and equipment needed to recover from this disaster can get where it’s needed,” Mr Toole said.

“With harvest underway, we also need to ensure roads are up to the task of carrying the additional truck and heavy machinery to get this crop off and to receival sites.

“This cash is being directed straight to councils which, with their detailed knowledge of their local region and roads, are best placed to identify those critical priority areas.

“Natural disaster-declared councils will still be able to submit their Natural Disaster Funding Recovery claims once those damage assessments are complete.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam

Farraway said it was critical to start the repair and recovery process as soon as possible to reconnect communities and the State’s supply chain.

“Regional NSW relies on an accessible road network, which is why I worked with Transport for NSW to ensure emergency funding is in bank accounts of councils today,” Mr Farraway said.

“We will come back from these floods stronger and I will be raising with the Federal Government the need to expand the Betterment Program currently in place for councils in northern NSW to the west.

“Our natural disaster funding needs to allow councils to rebuild their infrastructure to be more resilient against natural disasters to keep communities connected.”

The eight councils to receive the fast-tracked funding are Cabonne Council, Cowra Council, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council, Moree Plains Shire Council, Narrabri Shire Council, Parkes Shire Council and Walgett Shire Council.

Additional councils which have also been impacted by the floods may be eligible to receive advance funding and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

BATHURST REGIONAL LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN 2014

Bathurst which has been in operation since September 2007.

The Planning Proposal is on exhibition from 14 November 2022 to 12 December 2022 and is available to download from Council’s website yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/LEP- Amendments. Any submissions must be lodged with Council by 4.00pm on 12 December 2022.

Should you wish to discuss the proposal, please contact Council’s Environmental Planning & Building Services Department on 6333 6211 or council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Kelso Community Hub Lease

Council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from organisations interested in leasing the Kelso Community Hub facility. Detailed background, key requirements and Application Form for the Expression of Interest (EOI) can be accessed on Council’s website: www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Expressions of Interest (EOI) close 4pm, Friday 16 December 2022.

If you have any queries, contact Council’s Community Services Section on 6333 6523.

CAREERS @ COUNCIL

Working for Council is a stimulating and rewarding career option, providing the opportunity to be part of a team contributing to shaping the success and future of our Region. Please visit www. bathurst.nsw.gov.au/careers for a full list of current vacancies.

Aspects of the management operation of the Centre shall include all pool and facility maintenance, lifeguard services, provision of aquatic based programs and kiosk / café services. The Manning Aquatic Centre – Bathurst incorporates an indoor 25 metre pool, a program pool, a free-form leisure / toddler’s pool, and an outdoor 50 metre pool.

A Centre Inspection meeting is to be held at the Manning Aquatic Centre, Elizabeth Street Bathurst, on Tuesday 6 December 2022, at 10am.

Tender submissions close: 10.00am on Tuesday 20 December 2022.

Tender 36.00806 - Concept and detailed design of the Bathurst Arts Residency NSW (BARN)

Bathurst Regional Council is seeking an appropriately qualified consultant for the Design of the Bathurst Arts Residency NSW (BARN) at Chifley Dam,The Lagoon, NSW.The BARN is to be a versatile, purpose built, creative development, rehearsal and workshop facility with on-site group catering facilities adjacent to Chifley Dam. The works involve site investigations, concept design, Development Application approvals, Construction Certificate and a detailed design package including cost estimate and documentation to be used by Bathurst Regional Council in a construction tender for these works.

Tender submissions close: 10.00am on Tuesday 13 December 2022.

Interested parties are required to register via the E-tendering Portal www.tenderlink.com/bathurst to download the tender document at no charge.

If you experience difficulties accessing the above website please call the Tenderlink Helpdesk on 1800 233 533.

All electronic tenders shall be submitted in the format specified in the tender document. Failure to do so will result in the tender not being considered by Council.

Planning Proposal – Laffing Waters Master Plan

In 2014, the Laffing Waters precinct was zoned for residential development under Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan 2014 (LEP 2014). Notice is hereby given that Council has placed on public exhibition a Planning Proposal that seeks to amend the current LEP planning provisions and mapping series that apply to the land in order to implement the recommenda- tions of the Laffing Waters Master Plan, adopted by Council in May 2019.

Tender 36.00803 - Management of the Manning Aquatic Centre - Bathurst Bathurst Regional Council is seeking tenders from suitably qualified aquatic facility management organisations or individuals for the full operational management of the Manning Aquatic Centre

Photo by Paul Toole MP

WNSWLHD nurse shines in paediatric care

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) congratulates paediatric nurse Dominique Spork who was named this year’s Rural Winner of the Michelle Beets Award for Inspirational Paediatric Care by the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.

The memorial award recognises the commitment and achievements of healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to improve health outcomes, and in doing so inspire others to deliver the best possible care for children.

WNSWLHD Acting Director Integrated Care Anne Field warmly congratulated Dominique on receiving the nomination and being announced the winner, saying it was extremely welldeserved.

“Dominique is always going above and beyond in her quest to improve the care provided to children and their families,” Ms Field said.

“She constantly seeks out innovative ways to provide holistic care to patients and is a highly respected Paediatric Clinical Nurse Consultant.

“During our first COVID-19 outbreak, Dominique developed processes to safely manage COVID-19 positive children in the District, through our virtual COVID Care in the Community Service. She also worked collaboratively with a range of external partners and the WNSWLHD Aboriginal Health Team, to arrange food and other support services to families right across the District, including those living in remote communities.

“Caring for vulnerable children during this time posed many challenges, including gaining the trust of families. Dominique’s ability to listen and help parents understand the requirements of managing a child with COVID-19 was remarkable. She demonstrated empathy and patience and used language that parents and carers could understand,” Ms Field said.

Dominique Spork said the recognition by peers is a high honour but also wished to pay tribute to the dedication and hard work of the COVID Care in the Community team.

“To be recognised by my peers is incredible, however I must also acknowledge the wonderful COVID Care in the Community team, whom without I would not have been as successful,” Ms Spork said.

“With both the medical equipment and the bursary grant I really hope to continue to improve the healthcare journeys of paediatric patients and their families,” she said.

Dominique will receive $25,000 worth of medical equipment through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation for use in the District and a $5,000 bursary for professional development training, or research. The $60,000 in funding for this award has been provided by the NSW Government.

The Michelle Beets Award for Inspirational Paediatric Care was first awarded in 2012 and honours the memory of Michelle Beets, a devoted and highly respected nurse who worked at Royal North Shore Hospital and tragically lost her life in 2010.

Last library author talk for 2022!

Bathurst Library’s last author talk for 2022 promises to be a night of laughs and insightful discussion about love in all its forms.

On Friday 2 December at 6pm, author Toby Roberts will discuss his hilarious and poignant coming-of-age memoir, Two Mums and a Dad.

Toby grew up in the leafy northern suburbs of Sydney; a bastion of Christian conservatism in the 70s and 80s, but the Roberts family was always a little different. If having lots of children, pets and parties made them stick out, then a mum with a procession of live-in lovers had the neighbours agog.

This delightful coming-of-age memoir explores the angst of puberty, school, sport and bad 80s fashion. Beneath the humour lies a deeper reminder of the human drive to pursue a more authentic life, and the capacity for people to surprise us by accepting love in all its forms.

Toby Roberts has worked as a lawyer, banker, speech writer, and even a session singer, in roles that have taken him around the world. He has written articles for major Australian broadsheets, and written a number of short stories which have been published in magazines, converted into podcasts and broadcast on radio.

Copies of Toby’s book will be available for purchase on the night.

For more information or to book for this event, call the library on 6333 6281 or visit the website https://www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/what-s-on.html.

A Point of View - by Stuart Pearson

A New South Wales Act of Parliament governs what can (and can’t) be built within the Bathurst Local Government Area. The Act is titled Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan 2014 (NSW Parliament Act 729 of 2014).

The Act divides the local government area into zones and stipulates what buildings and uses may be permissible within each zone.

The Central Business District (CBD) is zoned “B3 Commercial Core” and to help guide the authorities, a set of objectives have been included in the Act. One of the five objectives, calls on the planning instruments, “To protect and conserve the historic and scenic quality of the Bathurst central business district as a key economic and social asset”.

This 2014 Act was developed after much

community consultation over decades and reflected the strong desire of the community to protect the historical and heritage character of the CBD. The current height, scale and appearance of buildings in the CBD reflects these wishes of the community, and the Act is there to enforce it.

Bathurst prides itself on being the oldest European settlement in inland Australia, (founded in 1815) and actively promotes the city as a Heritage location for cultural tourism. As an aside, it is pleasing to note that the November Ordinary Council meeting had a recommendation to approve an additional 42 items to be placed on the local Heritage list. If approved, this will bring the total number of items of significant heritage value in the

Bathurst LGA to over 400.

This is a staggering number of buildings, relics and objects for any Council, and strengthens the promotion of this city as a historic and heritage city. For Bathurst, cultural tourism draws a quarter of a million visitors and hundreds of new residents to the city each year and injects many millions of dollars into the city’s economy.

However, in just 8 short years since NSW passed the Bathurst Regional Local Environmental Plan, developers are now saying this objective should be sacrificed on the altar of commercial avarice.

It is impossible to imagine how a tall 29-metre modern building and a 21-metre adjoining multi-storey carpark will protect

and conserve the historic and scenic quality of the CBD, which has conscientiously adhered to a maximum 12-metre height limit for new buildings in the CBD.

The developer’s application to change the LEP to allow higher and bulkier buildings in the CBD should be rejected. The more appropriate location for a private medical facility like this would be co-located alongside the Bathurst Hospital, which itself is about to undergo a massive $200m upgrade.

The NSW Act of Parliament legislated for a blanket height limit of 12 metres across core of the city. It needs to be upheld. Otherwise, controls like these become meaningless and the law that insists upon it becomes discredited and worthless.

Bathurst Integrated Medical Centre – A voice opposed

√

RUNS ON THE BOARD FOR BATHURST AND LITHGOW

Free MRI scans at Bathurst Hospital. Lithgow got its MRI licence in 2019

√$12.5 million for Bathurst’s second racetrack √ $2 billion for Great Western Highway upgrade √ 24 hour rescue helicopter for our region √ $380,000 for a new laundry building at Glenray Industries following fire

√ Millions in Federal funding to keep Lithgow Aged Care open √ $5.3 million for production line upgrades and more jobs at Allied Timber Mill, Bathurst √ $3.3 million for improvements at Bathurst Airport √ $3.083 million for an expansion and improvements at Three Tree Lodge

√ $2.235 million for Lithgow’s Blast Furnace Park √ $3.2 million for the Lithgow CBD revitalisation √ $1.1 million for the upgrade of Glen Davis Road

√ $625,554 for playground equipment in Bathurst

√ $954,250 for construction of Bathurst Rail Museum

√ $650,000 for replacing footpaths in Bathurst

√ $300,000 for upgrades to the Civic Ballroom at Lithgow for use as an evacuation centre

√ $205,000 for upgrades to Machattie Park

√ $54 million for the CSU Medical School

RECONNECTIONS COMPLETE - I am so pleased to report that the temporary pipeline solution at the site of the damaged Young Lithgow Pipeline at the Macquarie River is now complete and all gas reconnections have been made in Bathurst, Lithgow, Wallerawang and Oberon.

Thank you to all the SES, RFS, Police, Council and other responders who have been out there amongst the storms helping the community. It’s been a massive effort and is greatly appreciated.

I personally passed on the details of vulnerable residents to the gas companies and the feedback from this community is that they were prioritised which is positive, but if there are still issues give my office a call on 6361 7138 or email on andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au

It’s hoped the temporary pipeline will meet the gas supply needs of Lithgow, Oberon and Wallerawang until the permanent solution is completed around mid-December, subject to weather conditions. The preliminary assessment suggests that the damage to the Pipeline was caused by recent storm and flood events.

DISASTER SUPPORT NEEDED - We need a full suite of support. I’m calling on the State and Federal Governments to bring in the full range of disaster recovery assistance, not just part of it. These include:

• Disaster Recovery Allowance - a short term payment to help you if a disaster directly affects your income. You must meet eligibility rules to get Disaster Recovery Allowance and how much you get depends on your circumstances.

• Disaster Recovery Payments - payments of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child to help those who’ve been hit with hefty costs and expenses from this crisis. Residents including vulnerable members of our community have told me that the gas outage has been a huge financial burden.

• Small Business Grants of up to $50,000 to provide relief to the thousands of businesses who’ve copped huge losses over the last couple weeks.

As I’ve said, if this had happened in Sydney, they’d be getting gold-plated disaster assistance. Just because an area is disaster declared for storms doesn’t mean assistance is available for the gas outage. To the State and Federal Governments, our communities ask you to “Finish The Job”.

PM VISIT WELCOME BUT MORE IS REQUIRED

I welcomed the Prime Minster Anthony Albanese to Eugowra earlier this week when he visited to see firsthand the devastation caused by the storms and flooding. It was an opportunity for him to meet residents and business owners who’ve lost so much in this flood event, and to understand how crucial it is that ongoing financial support is needed to get them back on their feet.

While I welcome the announcement of some Flood Recovery Grants of up $50,000 for eligible businesses and non-profit organisations hit by the floods, more is clearly going to be needed.

At the time of printing, adults can receive $1000 Disaster Recovery

The floods in the Central West have been absolutely devastating and heartbreaking. There has been tragic loss of life. All around our region, people have lost homes and livelihoods. The rebuilding process is going to take years. Without a doubt, we will need a full suite of disaster assistance in this area. Some of the police officers who worked in Lismore during the flooding in Northern NSW earlier this year have told me that the devastation in Eugowra is worse than that.

As we do best in times of hardship, our communities have come together to help each other out. Men and women from the community as well as from the SES, RFS, Fire and Rescue, the ADF, the Ambos, Police, the Rapid Relief Team and many others worked around the clock to help keep us safe, rescuing those in the direct line of the rising waters, putting their lives on the line to save others, providing food, shelter and a helping hand to clean what’s left of shops and homes. Our

Payments, while children are eligible for $400 in funding. While these are very welcome and gratefully received payments, it simply is not enough for anyone who has lost a home, possessions and livelihoods,

I would also like to see more payments and grants urgently announced to help individuals. We need to make the Disaster Relief Grants more accessible to more people. These are asset tested grants to help homeowners restore their homes and buy essential household contents. I’d like to see the asset threshold for the Grants increased so we ensure that no-one is left behind. At the moment, if you have assets over $10,000 you probably won’t be eligible for this grant. The people of our region need the State and Federal Government’s help now, more than ever.

communities are extraordinarily grateful for your service and kindness and we cannot thank you enough!

I was on the ground in Molong last Monday morning and what I saw was unimaginable. Later that day I visited Cudal and then hitched a ride on an SES truck into Eugowra that evening. I’ve been on the ground every day since, working with my local RFS Brigade to hose and shovel out mud in the Eugowra area.

While Bathurst has escaped the worst of the flood damage, it’s far from unscathed. The Macquarie River peaked at Bathurst on Monday afternoon with major flooding similar to the August 1998 flood event. Sadly, many roads have been swept away or severely damaged.

What I have seen has been horrific but the kindness of the community has been heartwarming. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone who has pitched in or made a donation. It is much appreciated.

We will need all of the assistance we can get, from both levels of government, on the double.

Andrew washing out a flood damaged house at Eugowra with the RFS.

A GREAT DAY AT THE BATHURST INTERNATIONAL!

It was great to attend the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International at Mount Panorama. It is the newest annual event to be held on the world-famous motor racing circuit and it’s a fantastic addition to the racing calendar.

Broadcast to the world, the event is a celebration of various racing categories, including open wheel race cars, touring cars and GT sports cars.

Congratulations to Bathurst City Council for pulling together another wonderful event for the region.

A huge thank you to all the Bathurst Regional Council staff and the numerous volunteers who make fantastic events like this possible. I can’t wait for the next one!

HONOURING SERVICE AND SACRIFICE ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

Each year, our nation stands in silent reflection for one minute to honour and remember those Australians who have lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

I was honoured to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony in Oberon this year. I would like to sincerely thank Waryk ‘Rooster’ Holmes for laying a wreath on my behalf at the Bathurst Carilion and War Memorial (pictured).

It is incredibly important that we continue to pause to remember, respect and honour all those who have served and sacrificed so much for Australia. Lest we forget.

UNVEILING A PLATINUM JUBILEE TREE

PLANTING PLAQUE

Under the previous Coalition Government, the Portland Business Association Incorporation (Tidy Towns Portland NSW) received $11,000 through the Planting trees for the Queen’s Jubilee program. The program was developed to mark the Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, through community tree planting events across Australia.

With the funding, Portland Tidy Towns NSW planted 8 Maple trees and 4 London Plane trees at Saville Park and it’s surrounds. The trees are a very welcome addition to the park, with plans afoot to build a new playground near the rotunda. They will provide shade, improve community well-being, and enhance habitat for native fauna.

A huge thank you and congratulations to Roger Taig and the Tidy Towns Committee on a job well done!

RUNS

ON THE BOARD FOR BATHURST AND LITHGOW

√ $14 million for highway upgrades between Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange √ $181,818 for Bathurst’s War Memorial Carillon √ $11.4 million for expanding and supporting aged care facilities in Lithgow √ $398,500 for crisis accommodation in Bathurst √ $1.2 million for CCTV in Bathurst and Calare communities √ $200,000 for new synthetic courts at Wattle Flat Recreation Ground √ $480,000 for Wallerawang Community & Sports Club √ $19.75 million in federal funding for bushfire recovery projects in Lithgow and Calare communities √ More than $1.6 million for supporting childcare centres in Calare, including Bathurst Family Day Care √ $925,000 for the Bathurst Animal Rehoming Centre √ $60 million for drought and COVID-19 recovery to our local councils for local projects

√ Record Australian Government funding for hospitals, schools, childcare and the NDIS

√ $125,000 for canteen facilities at Bathurst Sportsground

√ New headspace service for Lithgow

√ 40 mobile phone towers and base stations for Calare

It was a pleasure to visit Portland over the weekend for the unveiling of a Platinum Jubille tree planting plaque at Saville Park Portland, followed by a delicious morning tea prepared by the Portland Bowling Club.

Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of guns falling silent on the Western Front in the First World War.

Pictured left - Andrew with Bathurst Regional Council Mayor Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor. Pictured middle - Andrew with event volunteer Warren McCaull. Pictured right - Andrew with Bathurst Regional Council staff Amy, Wendy and Aaron.

The Inland Sea of Sound is calling for song writers from the Central West to submit their original songs for a highlight of the annual Bathurst festival.

Contest open for Central West songwriters Bathurst Cycling Classic Cancelled

The contest is open to songwriters of any age or level of experience, but they must reside in the Central West of NSW. The Central West includes the Shires of: Bathurst, Blayney, Oberon, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Cabonne, Orange, Cowra, Weddin, Forbes, Parkes, Bland & Lachlan.

Eligible songs cannot have been previously professionally recorded or released. Up to 15 of the top songs will be selected by an industry panel to be performed live during the Inland Sea of Sound festival on Thursday 23 February 2023 at a gala event at Keystone 1889 Bathurst.

On the night the songs will be backed by a Festival band made up of 6 leading Bathurst musicians.

The two winning song writers, selected by the panel and by popular vote on the night, will receive a weekend studio recording package and other prizes to be announced.

There will be an online Q & A session which will take place in early December to answer questions from prospective song writers about the guidelines of the competition. Please register your interest by emailing us bmec@bathurst.nsw. gov.au. The closing date for submissions to the competition is 5pm Friday 20 January 2023.

Entry forms are available on the BMEC website.

Inland Sea of Sound music festival will take place from 23-25 February 2023. Further announcements coming soon.

Bathurst Regional Council has made the decision to cancel the Bathurst Cycling Classic.

The event has been impacted by COVID for the last three years -with limited numbers in 2020 and 2021 and cancelled in 2022. As event manager, Council has re-evaluated the event and made the decision to withdraw from running the Cycling Classic.

Formerly the Blayney to Bathurst or B2B, the event first started with a small number of riders more than 15 years ago and was organised and managed by local Rotary Clubs with support for multiple community groups. Bathurst Regional Council took over management of the event in 2016.

We thank all those who have been involved in the Bathurst Cycling Classic, our participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters.

World Cross Country

Spectator tickets and entries for mass participation races at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 2023 are now on sale. Hosted by Athletics Australia, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships will see up to 500 of the world’s best athletes from across the globe descend upon Mount Panorama in New South Wales, in what promises to be one of the most gruelling, ‘back to basics’ event of the World Athletics Series.

For more information visit https://raceroster. com/registration/63595/entry

The first licensed inn or hotel at Bathurst (in its slightly wider meaning) was the Dunn Cow at Kelso. This began in c1828, not long after white settlement. There was a small gap between the arrival of Europeans and granting of hotel licenses. The authorities were not overly keen on giving permission for such activities.

Ownership of the Dunn Cow (an old English pub name meaning “grey-brown”) is attributed to Thomas Kite. No images exist but it probably would have been on land that ‘Woolstone’ mansion now occupies on Gilmore St. It was a single-storey building and described as “small but much needed”.

There is some evidence that the operation moved to Gormans Hill by 1831 under the ownership of George Kable and then Joseph Matthews. The building there was later incorporated into a large home that can still be seen in the last street prior to

leaving that locality.

The attached photo shows the second inn within the township – the Golden Fleece. It was taken in 1913, far after its glory days of the 1830s. The hotel was first run by William Blizzard and then by Mrs Dillon. It was located at the base of the hill where Holy Trinity church can still be seen, at the intersection with Beyer’s Lane. It had an excellent reputation under Mrs Dillon.

The third inn to operate was also in Kelso. This was the King William under Richard Mills. This was ultimately converted to offices for Evans Shire and can still be seen at the crossroads in the suburb although ownership has changed.

By 1835 Kelso had 8 pubs and Bathurst west of the river (which was more tightly controlled for many years as a military camp) had 3. Kelso now has a single hotel at that location with another further north. .

Pictured: Local artist Matt Boylan Smith is one of the many talented songriters in the region, could you be next?

Gas supply update - temporary pipeline complete

APA Group successfully completed its temporary pipeline solution at the site of the damaged Young Lithgow Pipeline at the Macquarie River on Sunday 20 November, enabling Jemena to restore gas supply to all customers in the Wallerawang, Lithgow and Oberon areas.

APA and Jemena would like to thank all of those involved in this solution.

Christmas Spirit in Portland

Christmas spirit is flowing strong in the town of Portland with a number of events planned in the small community over the coming weeks.

The Portland Business Association will have their annual tree lighting and celebration with a visit from Santa this Friday 25 November, with some added Christmas cheer in the form of street banners and decorations.

Then on Saturday 3 December, The Foundations Twilight Markets will bring together over 80 stall holders and food trucks for all your Christmas Gift needs and a greta night out.

The Lithgow City Band will also be playing Christmas Carol favourites through out the

evening.

The Portland Business Association will also be holding a chocolate wheel fundraiser on the night with tickets for $5 and plenty of prizes to be won.

After a challenging year for the region, a fun family night out in the picturesque town might be just what you need.

Christmas Tree Lighting night, 25 November from 6:30pm in Mick Moore Park

Christmas Twilight Market, 3 December from 4pm at The Foundations

Next Ordinary Council Meeting

Mayoral Message

At the Council meeting on Monday, my fellow Councillors and I will receive a report summarising the community feedback for the Options for a Sustainable Future. We acknowledge your concerns and will weigh them carefully when making our decision. This can be defining moment in this city’s future. Council is firmly focused on ensuring we are a strong and capable council able to maintain roads, diversity, our economy and maintain the many services we provide every day.

I am always pleased to speak about what council will soon publish, the 2021/22 Annual Report. I encourage you to take the time to read through this annual report which is available on Council’s website. You will see the enormity of the work undertaken to ensure that the Lithgow local government area is sustainable. Throughout the report we acknowledge the community’s aspirations and the challenges that we face moving forward and how we are working together for you and with you to build a brighter future.

Next Monday council will also adapt the Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) Progress Report. This gives a summary of performance in relation to inclusion and accessibility issues. The DIAP includes actions for all areas of Council. By implementing these actions, not only will people with disability benefit, but older people, people with acute or short-term injuries, and parents with young children will also benefit. In early 2023, Council will be engaging with the community on their needs and aspirations for the next Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2027.

Council has been working with Bathurst Aboriginal Land Council and other representative groups to develop the Lithgow Community Cultural Protocol document. This document provides an understanding of the important protocols to be followed when working with, consulting with, and acknowledging local Aboriginal communities. While the gas outage is behind us, attention remains focused on the cutting in of an interim access to the Wolgan Valley. Council staff, local contractors and the NSW government are working tirelessly to deliver this access.

Monday, 28 November at 7pm In the Council Chambers, 180 Mort Street, Lithgow

On Exhibition

Jemena can also confirm that all residential, commercial and industrial customers, are able to resume their normal gas usage (including their gas heating) with immediate effect.

APA Group acting CEO Adam Watson thanked all involved in the response to the outage and their singular focus on restoring gas to these communities as quickly and as safely as possible.

“Our teams on the ground have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from residents and businesses. APA and Jemena thank the community for their continued patience and support,” Mr Watson said.

“I want to thank APA and Jemena crews for their tireless work and acknowledge the efforts and support of the local SES, the NSW Rural Fire Service, local Councils, and other community organisations.

“On behalf of APA, I also want to acknowledge the Local Emergency Management Committee, the NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, the Member for Calare Andrew Gee, and the many contractors and businesses who have pulled out all stops to help us safely restore gas supply.”

During construction of both the temporary pipeline and temporary LNG solutions, APA and Jemena have had the support of more than 40 contractors from across Australia, including local contractors and businesses as far as Perth and Tasmania.

Jemena’s Managing Director Frank Tudor said

the response would not have been possible without the goodwill and support from local communities, and the broader gas sector.

“These past few months have been very challenging for Central NSW, with the impacts of severe weather and flooding, as well as the loss of gas supply for some towns,” Mr Tudor said.

“I’d like to thank local community members, who despite these challenges, have welcomed and encouraged our teams, and provided support for them on the ground.

Thanks are also due to the Local Emergency Management Committee, the NSW Deputy Premier, the Federal Member for Calare and all of the mayors for their help.

“Finally, I want to thank the teams in the field including those from interstate, local emergency services and council personnel, as well as the Jemena and APA team members who’ve worked tirelessly to respond to this incident.

“Their boots on the ground, local knowledge and technical expertise have been critical to our response.”

The temporary pipeline is expected to meet all the gas supply needs of Lithgow, Oberon and Wallerawang until the permanent solution is completed. The permanent solution is expected to be complete around mid-December, subject to weather conditions.

While access to the pipeline is still restricted due to continued flooding, APA’s preliminary assessment suggests that the damage to the Young Lithgow Pipeline was caused by flooding.

APA does not anticipate any disruption to supply when the permanent solution is complete and reconnected to replace the temporary pipeline.

Members of the community wishing to address the Council meeting are required to register by midday on the day of the meeting. Register online at: www.council.lithgowcom/addressing-council.

Copies of the agenda can be found on the website.

Council is inviting you to have your say on the following:

• DRAFT PLAN OF MANAGEMENT PART OF CROWN RESERVE 590046 TONY LUCHETTI SPORTSGROUND AND SHOWGROUND (section 38 Local Government Act 1993)

At the ordinary meeting of Council on 26 September 2022 Council resolved to place on public exhibition the draft plan of management for part of Crown Reserve 590046 - Tony Luchetti Sportsground and Showground.

Once adopted, the plan will authorise the subject area to be used for construction of a multi-function building (including Women’s Shed) (STCA) as outlined in section 6 of the draft plan of management, and the granting of leases, licenses or other estates for the purposes outlined in section 7 of the draft plan.

Public exhibition

The draft plan of management will be on public exhibition from Thursday 10 November 2022 to Friday 23 December 2022.

View the draft plan of management

The draft plan of management is available for viewing: • on Council’s website at www.council.lithgow.com

• in Council’s Administration Building at 180 Mort Street, Lithgow, between 9.15am and 4pm weekdays during the public exhibition period

Submissions

Submissions are invited from the public in relation to the draft plan of management. Submissions must be:

• in writing

• marked “Submission – draft plan of management Tony Luchetti”

• sent to Council’s email – council@lithgow.nsw.gov. au OR posted/delivered to Council’s Administration Building at 180 Mort Street, Lithgow

• received by Council no later than 4pm on Friday 23 December 2022

Watch Live Stream

Submissions can be made either by letter or via email to council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au

Written submissions should be forwarded to: General Manager, Lithgow City Council, PO Box 19, LITHGOW NSW 2790

Council Half Day Closure

Council facilities will be closed for half a day Thursday 8 December 2022 to enable staff to attend the Council’s Staff Service Awards and Christmas function.

The Council administration centre, libraries and depots will close at 12 noon to enable staff to attend the function.

The JM Robson Aquatic Centre will operate as normal.

Council will re-open for normal business Friday 9 December 2022.

To view available positions visit www.council.lithgow. com/council/employment-2/ employment/ or scan here

Statement from APA and Jemena

Friday: 09:00am-7pm Saturday: 08:00am-2pm

CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE FOR LITHGOW’S NEW

MRI SERVICE

Lithgow and Blue Mountains communities will soon have access to advanced diagnostic services with construction now complete on the new $4 million Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility at Lithgow Hospital.

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the new diagnostic service at Lithgow will significantly improve access to advanced imaging technologies for the local community.

“In the coming weeks, Lithgow and Blue Mountains residents will gain access to the latest MRI technology closer to home,” Mr Toole said.

“A more accessible MRI service will support timely diagnosis for patients and enable them to seek the right treatment options faster, providing better outcomes for patients and their families.”

The NSW Government committed $4 million to deliver a new MRI facility at Lithgow Hospital, with construction starting earlier this year.

Designed in consultation with hospital staff, the new MRI facility also includes a staff station, patient waiting area, change rooms and bathrooms.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the new MRI service will also mean additional jobs and upskilling opportunities for the local health workforce.

“The new MRI Service supports the thriving Lithgow community by creating more job opportunities for our local workforce, as well as attracting skilled workers to the area,” Mrs Taylor said.

The service will open to patients in the coming weeks, following an operational commissioning process.

Lithgow Hospital staff have begun preparations for opening the service, which includes stocking the new facility, equipment testing and staff training.

The new MRI service is located on the southern side of the hospital, conveniently near the Medical Imaging Unit and other clinical services at Lithgow Hospital.

Patients wanting access to the new MRI service will require a referral from a GP or specialist.

The new MRI at Lithgow Hospital is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway.

Avenue of trees

On a perfect day with the sun shining our Queen Elizabeth ll Platinum Jubilee Avenue of Trees in Portland was officially opened by MP Andrew Gee Member for Calare.

After the opening we enjoyed a delicious morning tea at the Bowling Club prepared by members of the club Pam Pattison, Hilda Handley, Betty Hutchison, and Elsie - thank you girls and thanks to the Grove for the lovely cakes.

Tidy Towns would like to thank everyone who in many ways helped make this project a great success.

Words by Portland Tidy Towns

At the recent Great Lithgow Arts Council Inc meeting awards were given to two locals for their contribution to the arts in the region.

1st was Annie Joseph for her paintings and drawings that often showcase the amazing region she lives in/ Annie loves the beauty of Landscape from the hills and Valleys of Lithgow and surrounds.

She exhibits at local Art Shows and the Royal Easter Show. Annie works with water colours, pen wash, charcoal and acrylics. Annie is involved with the Lithgow Tidy Town, laneways group as well as Illustrating maps of Rydal Village for the Daffodil Festival Lithgow landmark for the small Arms Factory.

2nd nomination was for the Pottery Rockers. It is an NDIS supported program, born from a love of music and the need to offer performance opportunities for those living with a disability. The group gathers every Mondays between 10am to 1.00pm to enjoy a day of music and social activity hosted by local musicians Stephen Hall and Glenda Phipps.

Portland Central News

12A

THANK YOU FROM PORTLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL

Portland Central School would like to take the opportunity to thank parents and community for their support this year. As restrictions have eased we have focused on getting students back to school and learning. The staff have accommodated student needs and worked hard to build a positive culture where everyone

feels supported. Here is a small selection of activities students have participated in throughout the year.  We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Matt Quirk, Principal, Portland Central School

Portland Pool nearly ready to go for the season

The Portland Pool committee have been hard at work through the off season completing a major renovation of the canteen space which now houses a modern and fully capable kitchen looking for a new person to take it on.

In the past, the canteen has been something that volunteers and locals have run, however now with the upgrades complete, a suitably experienced and qualified operator is being sought to help the pool create a truly unique visitor experience.

“The pool is a community owned asset and we have been lucky to receive some grants towards our recent work, but we also had to match them dollar for dollar from our own funds,” said Pool Committee President, Shane Taylor.

“Now we want to make sure we make the most of it and offer visitors to the pool a great experience all round so they return and support the pool throughout the season, we have a lot more work to do and money to raise,” he continued.

The pool is one of the last Olympic size pools with a diving board that you can find and being so close to the Blue Mountains and Bathurst, it is a great day trip out for the entire family… once the weather warms up!

Follow Portland Pool on Facebook to stay up to date for when the pool opens for the season, and anyone wishing to send an Expression of Interest through to operate the canteen or take on a roll as a lifeguard should send it to mouzer@bigpond.com

Dragon Boating Club Display at Lithgow Library

Lithgow Library’s ever changing window display includes this month’s special guests Lithgow Flash Dragons Boating Club to coincide with the Dragon Boats NSW recruitment drive.

Do you want to meet new people? Get fit? Or belong to a team sport? Then the Lithgow Flash Dragons may be the group for you. You will find the Flash Dragons at the Lake Wallace community boatshed, Barton Ave Wallerawang. All equipment is supplied so you just need to bring your enthusiasm and the

essentials such as shoes that can get wet, a hat and sunscreen.

Training days are Sundays at 8:45 am at Lake Wallace. All ages, abilities and backgrounds are welcome. Why not call into the Library and pick up a flyer about the Lithgow’s Flash Dragons and their upcoming open day.

The Lithgow Library is an ideal space to showcase any groups or individual activities such as art exhibitions. The exhibition space is free to use. Community groups that would like to hold

For more information about exhibitions at the library or to enquire about holding an exhibition please contact the Library on 6352 9100.

FOR YOUR GARDEN

a display at the Library to highlight their organisations should contact Lithgow Library for further information.

VALLEY FILM SOCIETY

16 Main Street, Lithgow Sunday 27th November 2.00pm

LIFE IN A WALK.

Yogi Roth never wanted to say ‘I wish I’d spent more time with my Dad.’ After realizing he had not dealt with the emotion stemming from his Father’s battle with prostate cancer, Yogi invites his Dad on a walk along the Camino de Santiago that would change their lives forever *********************

Sunday 4th December – 2.00pm

Classic British Comedy HOTEL PARADISO

Monsieur Feydeau has writer’s block and he needs a new play. But he takes an opportunity to observe the upper class of 1900 Paris , Monsieur Boniface with a domineering wife, and the nextdoor neglectful husband Henri with a beautiful, but ignored wife, Marcelle. Henri traces architectural anomalies (most ghost sound are drains),and plans a night at the Hotel Paradiso, but this Hotel is the assignation spot of Marcelle and Boniface. One wife two husbands ,a nephew, and the perky Boniface maid, all this (by the hour) Hotel and consummation of the affair is, to say the least, severely compromised (not the least by a police raid). All of this under Feydeau’s eye and his play is the “success fou” of the next season.

STARRING GINA LOLLOBRIGIDA, ALEX GUINNESS.

This is the toughest time I have ever seen in recruitment in the past thirty years when it comes to finding talented staff. Every Employer I have meet in the past eighteen months has told me of their same tale of woe. “We can’t find good people!” Finding good to great staff should always be an ongoing process for most businesses. Succession planning not just for management positions but for any key roles within the organisation.

Recruitment will never be easy again, but you can do some things to increase your chances of finding and retaining staff. The first thing is becoming an Employer of Choice. A place where employees want to come to each day. A place where time and money is invested in training staff and an environment that allows staff to make mistakes and rewards and recognises overachievement. There is no room for bullying, intimidation or even just yelling at someone. People will just get up and leave.

There are still Employers who treat candidates with contempt in the belief that they are the “Employer of Choice” and you should be grateful that they would even offer you a job. These Employers have a rigorous employment

Recruitment made

process that puts off quality candidates or by the time they get around to interviewing the candidates whose resumes they select the candidates have already taken other roles.

We are hearing more and more that employees don't leave companies they leave bad managers. There is much truth to the statement and employers are realising that they have to spend more time in hiring either the right managers or training mediocre managers in interpersonal and communication skills to ensure that they effectively communicate to staff without making them walk out the door.

This places an extreme importance on ensuring that when you're interviewing potential candidates that the manager, they are working for will be a major part of the interview process. This key relationship is rarely given the attention it deserves.

To get the best results make sure your recruitment process provides as much information as possible to allow the candidate to make an informed decision as to whether they will consider working to you not. This information required is simply common sense it is amazing how many times is not

HERITAGE MATTERS

Heritage Central

It was a perfect day driving down the heritage lined Vale Road. Sister Alice had invited Mrs Heritage and me for a tour of the Perthville Convent Heritage Centre, in the historic village, about nine kms south of Bathurst.

We did resist the temptation to stop off at the heritage 1870’s bluestone Bridge Hotel, but could not but be tempted by St Joseph’s Convent just up the road. Built in 1872 and opened with the help of 500 locals, since expanded over time, its facade features unique angled black and red brickwork over the lintels of the original front rooms. It also has the most atmospheric cemetery, where over 200 of the Sisters of St Joseph lie along a series of descending terraces down to the oldest headstones of all.

The order of the Sisters of St Joseph was founded in South Australia in 1866 by Mother (now Saint) Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Woods, and so celebrated 150 years in 2016.

Mary visited the Perthville Josephite Sisters twice, and the Heritage Centre contains much about her story, and that of Father Woods.

The permanent display is contained in two large rooms with many unique objects, pictures and stories about the convent, the Sisters and

Hi people Leo here, I've just recently come back from a weekend in Dubbo. I went out there to do some taiko performances.

I believe I've talked to you about taiko before but just in case you've forgotten or you're new here, taiko is a form of Japanese drumming and I am in a group called Kumi Taiko based in Dubbo.

On Sunday there was a bit of a workshop or more of a drumming session with another taiko group called Taiko No Wa from Sydney. But that wasn't the main reason I was in Dubbo.

My group was invited to perform at a special dinner to celebrate a Mayoral delegation's visit from Dubbo's Japanese sister city Minokamo.

So the taikos were very fitting. By the looks of things, everyone liked our performance as after we had performed for our distinguished guests and representatives they told us how they all loved the performance. We received some lovely gifts and then we had some dinner which was provided by the venue. I proceeded to have a good night's sleep. The next day we had a drumming session with the other taiko group I was talking about earlier. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed playing with some older and more experienced taiko drummers.

Our next event was to play at the gates of the Japanese garden in Dubbo just as the Japanese representatives arrived for a tea ceremony. It was amazing seeing people walking in wearing

the students. The wonderful Sister Alice told us “this also is a historical resource for the wider community”. Sister Mary Ellen O’Donaghue ,when we were last there at the opening in December 2016, said a visit to the Heritage Centre would be “an experience that stimulates the mind, excites the heart, and encourages the spirit”.

their kimonos and the garden was absolutely beautiful.

After the event, mum and I got back on the road to head home. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed a new experience, and I would love to do it again someday maybe even in Japan.

Until next time , Leo Roving Reporter

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Thought of the week … “everyone can visit the Perthville Convent Heritage Centre - phone - 6337 2420”

by a humble heritage advocate –November 2022,

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Better Business Column by Steve Semmens, The Persuader

Steve Semmens

and business owners at all levels of leadership throughout the Central West of NSW. Find out more at https://thepersuader.com.au

Reindeers at the ready

Australia Post puts the call out for Santa Mail!

Sharpen those pencils and pick up those pens because it’s time to write Santa a letter he’ll never forget!

With the countdown to Christmas upon us, Australia Post is calling on children from Broome to Brisbane to Bourke to pick up some paper, secure some stamps and get their letters to Santa in the mailbox.

Sacks of letters have already started arriving at the North Pole from eager kids and Australia Post says there are some key dates to ensure everyone gets a response before Santa and his elves get busy loading the sleigh for Christmas Eve.

With more than 118,000 letters received last year, Santa needs families to post their letters before 2 December, while schools need to get ready a little earlier and have their letters sent by 24 November.

Handy tips are available on the Australia Post website to help parents and teachers track the many letters on their journey North:

• Brainstorm – You can head to Santa Mail – Australia Post (auspost.com.au) to download a handy template to get children’s ideas bubbling, with prompts for parents and teachers

• Write, draw, sing – Put pencil to paper to write your letter, or this year, to support different accessibility needs, children can even sing a song, draw a picture or send a photo outlining their wish list.

• Send – We’re a long way from the North Pole! Send your letters by 2 December – or by 24 November if you’re a teacher

• Track – Follow the magic with Australia Post’s Santa Mail Tracker

Australia Post Pen Pal ambassador, 14-year-old Jack Berne, said writing to Santa each year is a big part of the Christmas tradition for children, just like decorating the Christmas tree.

“Just like me, if you’re hoping that Santa is going to leave a present under the tree, then he needs to know what’s on the top of your wish list. Santa loves receiving letters from all the kids around Australia but just remember, Santa is from the North Pole and doesn’t know all our quirky lingo – so if you want a new pair of bathers or thongs, try asking for a swimsuit and some flip flops!

“And remember to tell Santa what you’ve done this year to get on his good list –helping Mum with dinner or Dad with the barbie. Santa loves to hear about good deeds done well.”

Australia Post General Manager, Retail Operations Josh Bannister said Christmas was the busiest time of year for the postal service and that the Australia Post team loved being able to bring a touch of magic to children across the country.

“Families look forward to Santa Mail each year and there’s nothing better for us than helping children get their beautifully crafted letters to Santa. We load our trucks and planes, and the letters travel to him all the way from Australia to the North Pole – that’s more than 12,000 km! Then, Santa and his elves will read them and reply to every child.

accessibility needs, including large print or braille formats.”

Children of any age are encouraged to take part and letters should be addressed to Santa, North Pole, 9999 with a 65c Christmas-card only stamp affixed to the front of the envelope, and a name and return address on the back so Santa knows where to send his reply.

Parents and children who have low vision can opt-in to receive a large text reply from Santa by sending their letters to Santa Mail (large text), North Pole, 9999.

Teachers are encouraged to put a whole class’s letters in one large envelope with a class list, student’s full name and home address, to deliver Christmas cheer to all participants. The envelope should be addressed to School of Santa Mail, Locked Bag 12000, Dandenong, VIC, 3175.

Santa Mail letters can be placed in any red street posting box, or a dedicated Santa Mail box in participating Post Offices.

“We want every child to be able to have the joy of getting in contact with Santa, so this year, our program is open to any form of communication—be it a letter, drawing, song, or photo. In return, kids will receive a response from Santa that suits their

For more information on how to address letters to Santa, lesson plans, letter templates, and writing tips visit auspost.com. au/santamail, where you can also track the letter’s progress with the Santa Mail Tracker.

“Santa Mail brings a sense of excitement to all and it’s a fantastic way to get children writing and practising their literacy skills. We love seeing families and teachers getting involved.”

Panorama Platypi’s 42-12 win in the final WWRL premiership round over Mudgee-based Midwest Brumbies has allowed the Platypi a home game semifinal this weekend. The final-round win sets up Platypi’s semi-final against Orange’s Vipers this Saturday at Bathurst’s Carrington Park.

A feature of the 30-point win by the Bathurst team over the Brumbies was the four tries by prolific tryscoring winger Tiana Anderson who, despite her bag of tries, was unable to catch the competition’s leading tryscorer Rebecca Smyth from the Goannas club, Anderson scoring her season total of 12 tries but at the end finishing just one try in arrears of Smyth.

However Platypi’s kicker Zarlia Griffiths, after the regular season of accuracy piloting the ball between the posts, took out the top pointscorer award with 66 points, ahead of Goanna’s Smyth by 14 points.

Despite finishing in second spot on the competition ladder, Platypi ended the premiership rounds with a better numerical differential than minor premiers Goannas by 50 points.

Platypi’s Cas Hanrahan said her club was extremely pleased with the regular season’s efforts in all grades, especially happy with the four wins over Brumbies on the weekend but still a little disappointed for the club that the opens side missed out on the minor premiership by just one point.

Apart from Andersons’ four tries and match contribution of 16 points, among the other fine performances at Glen Willow stadium last Saturday, Emma Smith, previously a tag player with Lithgow Workies, fitted in well in the well-oiled Platypi machine.

In the previous week’s penultimate round-seven match at Carrington Park, Bathurst’s Platypi defeated Vipers 38-0 in another impressive performance, seven different players scoring all the side’s tries.

Against the Orange side the first half was fairly open with the locals having to defend their line strongly to keep the Vipers scoreless at halftime, but in the second half the ruthless Bathurst defence took the sting out of their

Story and Photos By John Fitzgerald

opponents’ attack, and they continually applied pressure to keep Orange pinned in their own half, relentlessly attacking the line, and the last 30 minutes leaving the Vipers totally at the mercy of Platypi.

In this week’s semi-final the Platypi will not find it easy against the team they beat by 38 points three weeks ago but should win if they apply the same purposeful attitude as they have all season.

Night

Stargazing over Portland

Pictured: Panorama Platypi’s top scorers, kicker Zarlia Griffiths, and tryscorer Tiana Anderson

BUSY TIME FOR CAR CLUB

ithgow District Car Club is in top

during November with one event already run and won with yet another event,a Christmas funkhana,to be held this Saturday 26th.

The recently contested khanacross at the Yvonne Martyn Memorial Motorsport Park Portland was won outright by Subaru driving David Catt of Bathurst followed by Toby Ivanovic with young Volcan Gunduz of Oberon romping home in third place outright and also winning the junior class.

Eathen Murray took second in the junior class from brother Liam in their shared Subaru.

Grant Anderson won the 4WD modified production class from Adam Bromfield with Martin Del Santo third while LDCC president David James took out the 2WD production road tyre class in his Corolla from Gary Cooke in a Mitsubishi and young Lachlan Fishlock in his ever

sideways Ford Falcon.

Twelve year old Lachlan Selmes of Bathurst had the best presented car.

This Saturday the Lithgow District Car Club will hold their very first funkhana featuring a wide variety of events with random prizes donated by Disc Brakes Australia,Repco,Williams and Sons Butchery Portland,Complete Industrial & Welding Supplies Lithgow and Supercheap Auto.

Also featured is a come and try format where anyone over the age of twelve can have a go at the driving events in one of the club’s manual and automatic cars.

Santa will also make an appearance during the lunch break handing out goodies.

Gates open at 7am with the action and fun commencing at 10am complete with breakfast and lunch from the BBQ.

Do yourself a favour and take a break from Christmas preparations and enjoy Lithgow City Orchestra in concert at Lithgow Library. A varied program will include music by Handel, Grieg, Bizet and Purcell. Enjoy Joseph Parry's beautiful Welsh hymn tune Aberystwyth, Michel Legrand's delightful What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life and Procol Harum's 1967 classic A Whiter Shade of Pale.

Christine Dieckmann, a keen music-lover commented

on LCO's September concert, “It was such a delight to listen to proficient local musicians playing together a good variety of pieces. There is nothing like a live performance watching musicians who enjoy playing together and performing for others.”

The free concert will be held at Lithgow Library on Saturday 17 December from 10am to 11am followed by refreshments. All are welcome.