Orange will be celebrating one of Australia’s most iconic poets for the fifth time this year with the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival from 16th to 25th February.

A.B ‘Banjo’ Paterson was born on the property “Narrambla” in the Orange region on 17th February 1864, and grew up to become one of Australia’s literary legends.

“Banjo’s country childhood had a strong influence on him, being considered the bard of the bush for iconic poems such as Waltzing Matilda, The Man From Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow,” said Justin Byrne, festival chairman.

The Food & Wine Night Market on Friday 16th February will officially open the festival, and is one of six signature events: the Rotary Breaky & Poetry in the Park; Banjo’s Birthday Breakfast; the Banjo Paterson Night Market; Concert at Yeoval featuring Anne Kirkpatrick; the Emmaville Cottage Family Market Day; and the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Competition.

For the second year, to embrace the Wiradjuri nation’s cultural heritage, Indigenous Cultural Tours will be hosting tours with local elders to ceremonial and sacred sites in the area.

See details on page 5 and the full festival program at www.banjopatersonfestival.com.au

Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year that is solely dedicated to love and companionship. For many this day involves spoiling each other with flowers, cards, teddy bears and chocolates while others prefer to surprise each other with a small gift or a night out to the movies or dinner.

Think back to the beginning of a relationship where sparks flew, gazes longed and passion was ignited. What happened you must be thinking? Effort is the answer and too often people slip into what is easy and comfortable. Make the change this Valentine’s Day and bring the romance back into your life.

Originating in earlier Roman Festival Lupercalia where women would put their names in an urn and have them drawn out by a man of whom they would be then committed to for the next year and more often than not these matches would end up in marriage.

Romance is a key factor to a healthy relationship and helps to keep the “spark” alive between couples. Even if you are away on the day a simple phone call or a card with your name and a small gift will still show your affection and commitment to the one you love.

Some ideas to surprise your loved one this year would be to let them sleep in, bring them breakfast in bed (bacon and eggs on toast or pancakes are always good). In the language of flowers a single red rose or a bundle or roses stands for ‘I love you’, in Victorian times suitors would present flowers to their love with each flower representing a different meaning, a rose is definitely the way to go.

Whether you choose to show your love with a bunch of flowers to your loved one, a gift voucher to be pampered, a movie, a card, chocolate or anything at all, just celebrate with your loved one and spoil them!

To make your Valentine feel extra special visit Roses are Red Florists located at 66 Rankin Street. Beautiful flower crowns also found in store, ideal for special occasions such as the upcoming Bedgerabong races.

If you are looking for that perfect outfit to wear to the Bedgerabong races, visit the fabulous team at Little Extras in 1 Templar Street, Forbes. You are guaranteed to find something amazing.

It doesn’t have to be roses to say “I Love You”. At A Classy Touch Florist you can also find the perfect gift which can be delivered to your loved one on Valentine’s Day.

Call in this Saturday or during the extended trading hours from Monday to Wednesday 8am to 8pm or call 6852 1457.

Kelsey Muller had no idea what the future would hold for her when she started taking her two beautiful miniature horses, Blondy and Jazzie to visit the residents of Jemalong Residential Village (JRV).

Now, 18 months later Kelsey has received the 2018 Young Citizen of the Year award at the Australia Day community celebrations held at Lion’s Park.

“Australia Day was truly something special! The activity was just an idea that came to mind and I worked towards making it happen in my own community. It’s simply just sharing what I get to enjoy every day. The minis enjoy the attention they get and are quite willing to pose with families for photos or walk in and around the rooms,” said Kelsey.

The idea came to Kelsey after watching a news item on television one day. The story showed someone taking a horse into a retirement village and spoke of the benefits people could experience from interacting with animals. That’s when Kelsey thought, “Why not?”

With this vision in mind, Kelsey set out to train the miniatures so that the horses were desensitized to every situation possible. For many months, she walked them along streets, over different surfaces and obstacles and into enclosed spaces.

“To this day, residents still wait for Blondy and Jazzie to come up and say ‘hello’. Our JRV coordinator, Merryl Morris guides us around and has played such a huge part in helping and organising future visits,” marks Kelsey.

With university starting mid February, Kelsey is hoping that the monthly visits to the retirement village, will continue through her mum and dad or whenever she can come home from Armidale.

By Gizell van Wyk

The legendary Elvis Presley has been celebrated worldwide, and especially in Parkes every year! He was one of the biggest and most important stars of the 20th century pop culture.

A cultural icon who was often referred to as the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ and now direct from the US comes the ultimate return Australian concert tour 2018 of ‘Elvis – An American Trilogy’ – the complete story that takes three of the world’s leading Elvis tribute artists starring in one of the most spectacular live concert productions that takes you on a journey through the music of ‘The King’ in the history of entertainment.

The three stages in the success of ‘Elvis – The King’ stars Vic Trevino Jnr, who embodies the rockabilly sound of the young Elvis; Gino Monopoli recreates the sophisticatedsound of the Elvis movie years with tracks from iconic films ‘GI Blues’, ‘Kid Gallahad’, ‘Speedway’ and many more. He is magnificent as he recreates the 1968 comeback TV special.

The third artist is Greg Miller who channels Elvis in the famous white eagle jumpsuit. He recreates the 70s with ‘An American Trilogy’ featuring the moves, the songs and the nuances that made Elvis the most recognisable figure in the history of world music.

‘Elvis – An American Trilogy’ is touring Australia by popular demand in February/ March 2018, proudly presented by Abstract Entertainment. (See details below.)

 

 

The new school year is set to resume for thousands of local students next week and Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are reminding local drivers and parents about children’s safety around schools.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that road crashes account for over half of all accidental deaths among children aged 5 – 14 years old.

“Children are vulnerable road users. They are at risk in the traffic environment because of their size, their difficulty in judging speed and distance, as well as the fact that they may behave unpredictably. “Drivers will need to pay extra attention and be patient with schools reopening as there are more cars, buses and cyclists on the roads and young pedestrians crossing the streets.

“It is important that drivers slow down in school zones so they are in a better position to react to the unpredictable behaviour of school children as well as the busy traffic environment,” said Melanie.

There are 40km/h school speed zones in existence around all schools in NSW. School zones are operational between 8 – 9.30am and 2.30 – 4pm on school days.

Police will be targeting school zones to ensure drivers obey the 40km/h speed limit when school returns.

“Parents and carers can help students remain safe by regularly reinforcing important road safety behaviours with their children and following the below tips,” said Melanie.

Parents and carers should:

• Always make sure your children wear a seatbelt or use a child restraint when travelling in a car.

• Always drop-off and pick-up your chil dren on the school side of the road.

• Make sure children use the footpathside door when getting in and out of a car.

• Never call your children across the road to you.

• Use a pedestrian crossing where possible and avoid being distracted.

• Children aged up to 10 years old should always be supervised when near traffic.

• Children aged up to eight years old should always hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

• Make sure your children always wear a helmet when riding a bike.

• If your children catch a bus, always walk with them to the bus stop.

For further information please contact Melanie

Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

The Home Building Act 1989 governs residential building work in NSW. A person doing residential building work must be licenced by the Department of Fair Trading, unless the cost of labour and materials is $5,000 or less.

A person doing residential building work, repairs, renovations or advertising must be licenced if:

• the total cost of labour and materials are more than $5,000;

• it is electrical wiring work;

• it is plumbing, draining and gas fitting work; or

• it is air conditioning and refrigeration work (except plug-in appliances).

Licensing helps stamp out illegitimate operators and creates a level playing field for all tradespeople. Licenced tradespersons have to pay annual fees and insurance premiums.

If the work is more than $20,000, the tradesperson is required to submit a written contract to the residential owner and provide for a cooling off period. In some instances for small jobs a much less onerous written contract is required for jobs over $5,000.

Owner builders require a permit from the Department of Fair Trading (with insurance) for residential building work with labour and material costs of more than $10,000, or you are required to get Council development consent for such work.

Large fines apply to first offenders and gaol is an option for second time offenders, who are unlicenced and/or uninsured.

In addition to criminal penalties, unlicensed tradesmen might even find they don’t get paid for the job done, are sued for recovery of monies paid or might have orders made by NCAT against them.

All home owners should be aware that they can demand evidence of licence and insurance from tradespeople. If you have any more queries please feel free to contact us.