About 6.20pm yesterday (Saturday 30 November 2024), police were called to High Street, Hillston, following reports of an assault.Officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District attended and found a 37-year-old man had allegedly been assaulted by a 35-year-old man.The older man was treated at the scene before he was taken to Hillston Hospital. He was later transported to Griffith Hospital in a critical condition.The 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Hillston Police Station.He was charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent and refused bail to appear before Wagga Wagga Local Court tomorrow (Monday 2 December 2024).

Skills funding policy must be reshaped by the Australian, state, and territory governments to enable more students in remote, rural and regional areas to take up skills training, according to the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers.The Rural & Regional Skills Training Snapshot released today highlights the outstanding work of independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in helping more students outside major cities access skills training.“The report shows that when it comes to delivering skills training across remote, rural, and regional areas, it’s independent RTOs that do the heavy lifting,” said ITECA Chief Executive Troy Williams, speaking in Darwin ahead of a meeting of regional skills training leaders.Using official data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the report provides key insights into the skills training system:Independent Skills Training Providers Support —88.3% of all students in remote, rural, and regional areas77.2% of Indigenous students in remote, rural, and regional areas71.2% of students with a disability in remote, rural, and regional areas86.4% of female students in remote, rural, and regional areas“The data shows that independent RTOs lead on key measures of student satisfaction, including being employed after training, satisfaction with learning resources, and satisfaction with their assessments,” Mr. Williams said.The official data in the Rural & Regional Skills Training Snapshot also highlights why independent RTOs are critical to helping businesses outside the major cities access a skilled and educated workforce.“In key industries such as resources and infrastructure, health, and retail services, the official data demonstrates that independent RTOs are clearly the preferred training providers across remote, rural, and regional Australia,” Mr. Williams said.ITECA argues that the official data in the Rural & Regional Skills Training Snapshot underscores the need for governments to recast the National Skills Agreement between the Australian, state and territory governments. Although independent RTOs support the majority of students in remote, rural, and regional areas, too many are forced to rely on personal savings or student loans to acquire the skills they need.“As governments progress skills policy reform, it’s critical they place students at the heart of a high-performing skills training system underpinned by quality RTOs. Government skills funding programs should support a student’s informed choice to study with the provider of their preference, whether it be a public provider or a quality independent RTO,” Mr. Williams said.The Rural & Regional Skills Training Snapshot is available ONLINEFormed in 1992 and active across Australia, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) is the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.  Key facts:Independent Registered Training Organisations Providers Support — 88.3% of all students in remote, rural, and regional areas 77.2% of Indigenous students in remote, rural, and regional areas 71.2% of students with a disability in remote, rural, and regional areas 86.4% of female students in remote, rural, and regional areas

The Rural Applied Drug and Alcohol Research group (RADAR) will tackle the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in Western NSW, which is higher than most other parts of NSW.Charles Sturt University has established a unique, collaborative research group with the Western NSW Local Health District and community members to reduce the incidence of drug and alcohol-related deaths in rural communitiesThe Rural Applied Drug and Alcohol Research group (RADAR) will tackle the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in Western NSW, which is higher than most other parts of NSWRADAR aims to address the barriers faced by individuals in these regions such as accessing treatment, navigating stigma, transportation difficulties, and a lack of local resourcesThe unique socio-economic and cultural contexts of these areas contribute to complex challenges that necessitate a coordinated responseCharles Sturt University has assembled a team of experts with the NSW government and community members to tackle the increasing scourge of deaths related to alcohol and drug misuse in Western NSW.The Rural Applied Drug and Alcohol Research group (RADAR) was formed to tackle the unique challenges often faced by rural communities, with the incidence of substance misuse-related deaths higher in western NSW in comparison to other parts of the state.According to statistics provided by NSW Health, there was at least 18 deaths per 100,000 people in NSW due to alcohol use between 2020 and 2021. Within this, the Far West Local Health District (LHD) and Western NSW LHD experienced the highest death rates during this period, with 33.9 and 25.7 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively.RADAR is made up of drug and alcohol specialists and academics from the Charles Sturt School of Rural Medicine, the Charles Sturt Rural Health Research Institute, the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) and community members.Charles Sturt School of Rural Medicine Director Research and Evaluation Dr Catherine Keniry said the group’s formation was the result of extensive research into the alarming rates of drug and alcohol misuse within western NSW which was on the uprise.Core priorities of RADAR include addressing the specific, geographical issues those afflicted by substance misuse in western NSW often experience. Some of these issues include access to treatment, navigating stigma associated when reaching out for support, transportation difficulties, and a lack of local resources.“By fostering evidence-based interventions and promoting community resilience, RADAR has a strategic focus to create a collaborative research network focussed on research in drug and alcohol in western NSW,” she said.Ms Marianne Olk from Orange, who is a person with lived experience of substance use disorder and is currently a registered nurse working in mental health, said a coordinated response to assist people reduce substance misuse was welcomed.“This coordinated response will involve the collaboration of various organisations, health professionals, and support services working together to provide comprehensive resources and guidance,” Ms Olk said.“The goal is not only to reduce the misuse of substances but also to promote healthier choices and long-term recovery, a strategy that is widely embraced by both the community and stakeholders involved.”RADAR was established in 2023 and operates under a framework that emphasises inclusivity, community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Key components of the framework include stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, capacity building, policy advocacy, evaluation and feedback.Western NSW Local Health District Clinical Director Drug and Alcohol Associate Professor Stan Theodorou said the establishment of RADAR presented a promising avenue for initiating sustainable change with respect to alcohol and drug misuse.“By leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders and employing a comprehensive, evidence-based approach this initiative has the potential to significantly improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and families affected by substance misuse in this region,” Professor Theodorou said.RADAR has already successfully secured funding for two research projects since its inception. Both commencing in 2023, the projects include:Enhancing Access to Drug and Alcohol Services in Western NSW: Drug and Alcohol Clinical Workforce SurveyImproving access and availability of depot buprenorphine for First Nations peoples in rural Australian communitiesProfessor Theodorou said that research into drug and alcohol issues have tended to take place in metropolitan areas and an aim of RADAR was to address this problem.“While there have been a number of agencies working to improve outcomes for people with drug and alcohol problems in the community, this at times has been fragmented,” Professor Theodorou said.“RADAR will start to help bridge this divide in western NSW.“Ultimately, addressing these challenges requires a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community empowerment.”Dr Keniry said Charles Sturt also continued to invest in reducing the skill shortage in medical practitioners who are often on the frontlines of substance misuse.“Our undergraduate and postgraduate courses in nursing and Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine)/ Doctor of Medicine are training up vital health professionals, most of which will fill critical skills gaps in the regions after graduation.” The University of NSW St Vincent’s Clinical School Conjoint Associate Professor Jonathan Brett was involved in the initial establishment of RADAR.‘People living in rural and remote areas should have the same opportunities for health care and research participation as those in cities, yet a large gap still exists,” Professor Brett said.“I’m excited to be part of this important initiative to bridge the gap for drug and alcohol research.”Above: Charles Sturt University Director, Research and Evaluation and Senior Lecturer, Senior Research Fellow within the School of Rural Medicine Dr Catherine Keniry; A/Professor Stan Theodorou, Clinical Director Drug & Alcohol Services, Mental Health Drug & Alcohol, Western NSW Local Health District, and Associate Professor, School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University; Ms Marianne Olk, Lived Experience Representative, and Mental Health Clinician, Registered Nurse, WNSWLHD; Dr Nicole Snowden, Postdoctoral Researcher, Rural Health Research Institute (Mental health and Addictions); Dr Brendan Cantwell, BAppSci, MBBS, DCH, Head of Curriculum, School of Rural Medicine Charles Sturt University; Professor Julaine Allan, Rural Health Research (Mental Health and Addictions), Senior Visiting Fellow, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW; Ms Lynette Bullen, Senior Drug and Alcohol Worker | Involuntary Drug and Alcohol Treatment Unit, Orange Health Service, Lecturer in Medicine, School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University; Ms Meredith Eagle, Research Assistant | Drug and Alcohol Services, DACRIN Coordinator, WNSWLHD, Adjunct Research Associate, School of Rural Medicine. Image: Charles Sturt University

Margie McClelland. Celebrated and award-winning photographer. Long-term advertising representative at The Riverine Grazier, and so much more. But that person you see so often, even every day, has stories and experiences of life that you don’t know about, and may really surprise you. Isabella Margaret Christoe was born in Glen Innes, in northern New South Wales. Her mother was a homemaker, and so much more, including Guide Commander of the local guides. Margie’s father was an accountant, and worked for the family business, her mother’s family, M.C. Mackenzie and Sons, which owned a general store employing over 40 people. The firm traded In Glen Innes, Manilla and Barraba for more than 120 years, beginning in 1863. The firm had other businesses around the district, including Mackenzie Motors, which was the local GMH Dealership and Glen Innes brickworks. Margie had two older brothers, and one younger sister. Many cousins enriched their childhood years, as well as many friends. Margie and her family lived in town, but their cousins lived at Stonehenge Station, a property which belonged to their grandparents. Margie and her siblings and family would come to Stonehenge regularly to see their grandparents, and to enjoy something magical. They would walk outside, and over that threshold would be transported to the secret, hidden garden, a spectacular and beautiful place. There Margie and the other children would run about and play for hours. Her grand mother, who was the youngest matron at the Glen Innes Hospital, at age 24, also taught ballet, and would put on musicals in Glen Innes during World War Two. There was a treasure trove of fabrics and costumes in a room dedicated for such events. Margie’s great grandmother after whom she was named, Isabella Margaret, would sew these costumes. Dressed in these, the children would walk out of the room transformed. Out would stride soldiers, and all sorts of different people and creatures, to creep out into the secret garden, and have many adventures. Her grandfather had been the doctor at Glen Innes, and that is how her grandparents met. Along with everything else that Margie’s busy grandmother did, she also wrote plays, and taught, but she gave up everything when she moved out to Stonehenge Station. “In those days, we had to make our own fun, and we really did,” Margie said fondly. “Running around the beautiful gardens at Stonehenge Station were some of the best times of my life.” Her parents kept up the tradition of big, magical gardens. The family lived in a house near the high school, and created a huge garden out of an old cornfield. “Common presents in our family were plants, flowers and shrubs,” Margie said with a laugh. At night, when tucking Margie and her siblings in, Margie’s mother would spin fan tastic tales of the hijinks of the golliwogs throughout the day. The actions and movements of the golliwogs that her mother re counted would always mirror what Margie and her siblings had got up to that day. The children were enraptured, and would greatly look forward to bedtime and the golliwog stories. Margie began her love affair with photography at age 11, and her first camera was a Box Brownie. After a time, she moved on to Instamatic cameras. “My father despaired, it must have cost him a fortune,” Margie laughed. Many a family Christmas was spent at the family’s Yamba cottage, on the mouth of the Clarence River, holidaying at the beach. Margie always misses those times, and went back in May 2021 to enjoy a few days in a cottage at Angourie, which her sister had built. Margie attended Glen Innes Primary School, and then New England Girls School, which she began attending during her last year of Primary School. It was an all-girls boarding school, with no day students. Her parents would come on exeat weekends during the term. Margie made many friends there, and sometimes went home with her friends on day outings. “In my last year of high school, my head mistress instructed me that I was to take the domestic science course,” Margie recalled. “I was a little rebellious, and told her that I would not be doing that, and I had my strike. "I was determined that I was going to be doing my leaving certificate. “I wasn’t the best at English, but I had a wonderful English teacher who supported my desire to sit for the leaving certificate, and assisted me in my studies.” Towards the exams Margie had to sit for, be fore she gained the certificate, she was struck down with appendicitis. The head mistress with whom she did not have the best relation ship with at the time, had to drive her to the exams being conducted at the Armidale High School. She passed and then matriculated. From there, Margie studied a secretarial course at the local TAFE learning touch typing and Pitt man’s shorthand for a year. She then decided to pursue her great inter est, which was nursing. She undertook the training, and then was signed on for a year at the Children’s Hospital, Camperdown. Margie recalls having an immense love for the role, but being pushed into responsibilities far too early that she just was not prepared for at the time. With her limited level of experience, it soured her against the nursing profession. After minimal training, she was then placed in theatre recovery nursing. She was also assigned to a lot of night shifts, with her being the sole nurse there, and many babies to feed and children to look after. “I also fell out with the matron,’ she laughed. “I was a bit rebellious back in those days.” Margie recalls returning to Glen Innes, and then having a handsome young man turn up. Chris McClelland was Margie’s second cousin. Their grandmothers were sisters. Chris was overseer at the nearby Kingsgate Station, and Margie’s mother felt it would be a great opportunity for him to venture out and meet the family. Romance did not immediately blossom, friendship arrived first. Margie and Chris at tended a Bachelor and Spinster’s ball in Armidale. One of Margie’s nursing friends lived there and would be attending, and Chris knew the brother of that friend, and there they danced and socialised. Margie recalls spending Christmas at the hospital not long after that ball, but that was when her nursing career was truly drawing to a close. She recalled making special formula for the many babies on the early morning shift. She had Christmas lunch with Chris and the many relatives of her father. When one of Margie’s brothers graduated from high school, she met with Chris’ mother, and grandmother, and recalled seeing one of Chris’ drawings, of a bucking horse, hanging in the house where they met. “I woke up in the midst of being worked on, a flurry of activity surrounding me, and my child’s and my own life hanging in the balance, and there was nobody there.” Margie is pictured during one of her African safaris, looking justifiably charmed by an elephant encounter. Image supplied. It was when they had their next family gathering at Yamba, when Chris and Margie began to grow closer. At a party in Glen Innes, Chris asked Margie to marry him, and thus they were engaged. Her mother wanted them both to wait a year Chris being 25 and Margie 19. It was at this point that Margie gave up nursing for good, and came home to Glen Innes for a year, working for the family business. The couple were married in 1969, and moved to Kingsgate Station shortly after, having five gates to open before they could get to their house. The couple were transferred to Trigamon North Station near Yetman on the Queensland border. “I was pregnant with Miranda at the time,” Margie recalled. “We had a cook and four jackeroos, with Chris now a station manager for the Scottish Australian Company.” They basically managed three properties, with sheep, cattle, and sharefarmers growing wheat and tobacco with the largest licence in NSW. “It was much fun and games with the cooks in that time,” she recalled bemusedly. “Power outages were a regularity also. "There was a big cyclone that came through the area, leaving us without power for three days. “We were not on the river, and Chris was not told immediately that one of the tobacco growers’ big diesel pump engines had been immersed in the flooded Macintyre River. "He had to go out and spend the whole night stripping it down, cleaning and putting it back together.” Margie also cooked for the jackeroos, and during the blackouts they had improvised, placing canvas sheeting over the barbecue out side and cooking by fire. “These times were really a baptism of fire,” Margie recalled. Their daughter Miranda was born in June of 1970, at Texas Hospital. Margie fell pregnant a second time, and sadly became quite ill dur ing this pregnancy. She was ordered by her doctor to take a month’s bed rest in hospital, but she insisted that she was capable of getting up once a day to shower, and she did. Suffering from pregnancy toxemia, young Roland was brought into the world via caesarean section. Terribly ill, Chris was told that his wife and child would most likely not make it through the night. Margie survived, but devastatingly, little Roland did not. “It was after losing baby Roland that I be came an agnostic,” Margie said. “I woke up in the midst of being worked on, a flurry of activity surrounding me, and my child’s and my own life hanging in the balance, and there was nobody there.” During that unimaginable ordeal, Chris’ mother came down to help look after Miranda, and Margie recalls everyone on the property, in the hospital and in the community being very helpful and kind to her during that time. When Miranda was little there were floods occurring, and Chris had to venture to Toowoomba to pick up a much-needed part. So, the family loaded into the car, and made the journey to Toowoomba. On their way home, they encountered water coming across the road, so the family spent the night in the car, rather than risk driving through the floodwaters. Margie has fond memories of Miranda as a child, citing that she was a quiet baby. “One night, the jackeroos volunteered to mind Miranda while Chris and I went out for three hours. "This was something I rarely, if ever got to do, so we said yes. “When we got home, they were all around her basinet watching her. Because she was so quiet, they wanted to make sure she was al right.”One of the cooks on the property during their tenure there was named Miss Green, and she had a cat named Goldenia. One day Goldenia decided she would get into Mi randa’s basinet and sit on her head. Margie luckily came upon the scene in time, threw the cat outside and spoke stern words to the cook, who got upset, perhaps not understanding how lucky it was that Margie came upon the scene before tragedy struck. The company Margie and Chris worked for was the Scottish Australian Company, Chris had been with them for 14 years. They worked on the property for three years, until the company Managing Director changed hands, and then the new fellow, a prominent academic with little pastoral experience, decided to foolishly release the huge overseas investment funds the Company had accumulated over time, to its investors. A lovely premise but the reality was that these funds were drought funds, or emergency funds and the health of this once grand old company began to wane under the poor seasonal conditions that followed. So, with this new change, Chris was advised by the company to look for other employment, as they were now having to sell off their twenty-two pastoral properties. When the manager of Kingsgate Station heard that Chris was looking for other work, he got in touch. He advised that he was also leaving, and had recommended Chris to the prospective buyers. Angus McLachlan called Chris, asking him to come to Sydney for an interview with him and his brother Ian, and was subsequently given the managership of Kingsgate. The little family went to stay with Margie’s parents. From there, Chris would commute daily, as the transfer of ownership of the property to the McLachlans was being made unnecessarily difficult and yet to be finalised. Chris was left with one of the unfortunate first tasks of informing the proposed new owners of the undisclosed fact that all the cattle on the property were under quarantine for Brucellosis after positive cases had been found during a previous government testing program. Therefore, the cattle could not be sold locally, only in saleyards of an untested area. Chris worked there for nine years and during this time their son Lochie was born, at 7am, in Glen Innes. Getting into town to give birth was a rush, as they lived in a valley which was over 1000 feet below the town’s elevation, linked by a long winding, narrow road. It was this long winding road that prompted Margie to make the decision to teach her chil dren by correspondence. She initially opted not to include religious studies in her correspondence program, but the Uniting Church minister visited, and said to Margie that she needed to give the children something to believe in, or someone else will. So, she added religion to their correspondence curriculum. Margie would take the children into town on Wednesday nights, and stay with her parents. She would spend her time dressmaking, while Miranda attended primary school one day a week, and Lochie attended preschool, for the social benefits. Margie inadvertently picked up many hobbies during correspondence teaching which she enjoyed for many years after that time was over. “As I had to sit there, and teach, I had great difficulty being idle,” Margie said. “As a result, I took up activities such as sewing, and creative needlework.” During these times, Margie was still also cooking for the property jackeroos, making it a full-on time. Margie was a keen gardener and would grow plants from cuttings or seeds. She became the President of Glen Innes Garden Club. The children grew up in the area which Margie did, making their life full with cousins. After a time, however, Kingsgate was put up for sale. At that time, Chris had taken a trip to Tupra Station, to take cattle there for agistment. Ian McLachlan and Chris discussed the prospect of Chris managing Tupra Station which they intended purchasing. However, such a big landscape and lifestyle change meant it was essential to see how Margie felt about the prospect. The move meant the children would have to go away to attend school, so they began looking into private schools. For the first year, Margie continued to teach via correspondence, before Miranda then went to an Adelaide boarding school. Luckily enough, Margie had previously met Errolly and Bob McFarland at a cousin’s wed ding at Stonehenge Station in Glen Innes. The McFarlands lived at Oxley Station, only eight kilometres away, and their daughter Fiona and son Andrew were the same age as Miranda and Lochie respectively, and they quickly became great friends. When the family arrived, they came with two horses and three dogs. Chris was a polo crosse player, having being chosen to represent NSW in New Zealand and at home, and could do absolutely anything on a horse. On the way to Tupra, they got a flat tyre, arriving at the property at 11pm, and Margie wondering what they were in for. The only power Tupra had at the time was via generator, and it kicked back early in the morning, frightening Margie awake. The first day of actual work, a fire broke out, a channel burst, and crutching was taking place - an absolutely chaotic first day. When they lived at Tupra, Margie revelled in photography, the big open cloudy sky was something that she enjoyed capturing. However, a new love affair sprung into their lives with the African safaris. Miranda had finished school, and Lochie was attending boarding school at Kings School in Sydney. Miranda was working as a radiographer in Tasmania at the time, and Chris and Margie decided to go and see her, as this was her first job. So, they drove their car onto the ferry and ventured over. On the way, Chris bought a copy of the African Safari Magazine. His father was in the Southern Sudan commanding a British RAF Staging Post at Juba during the Second World War and Chris had wanted to visit the places his father had served and worked decades before, including Patagonia. So, the couple made their first trip to Africa in 1994. They could not go to the Sudan, as political issues and fighting made it impossible, so they decided to go and see the mountain gorillas in Zaire. Miranda, having already caught the travel bug herself, accompanied her parents the next time they made the journey to Africa. It was during these initial trips to Africa that Chris’ lifelong drawing talent and passion was reignited since his schooldays. The editor of the African Safari Magazine had come across some of Chris’ African drawings, and it all spiralled from there. In 1996, they contacted Chris, and asked if he would be interested, during their next trip to Africa, to write a review of Pamuzinda safari lodge at Selous, Zimbabwe. The family were doing a trip in the Kalahari, Botswana at the time. After the trip Miranda and Lochie went home while their parents went on this assignment to draw and review the lodge. When the drawing and review appeared in the magazine, a prominent safari operator, Stewart Cranswick of Landela Safaris noticed it and asked Chris if he would be willing to come to Africa and draw all his Zimbabwe, Botswana and South African lodges. The deal also included Chris’ 87-year-old mother who accompanied the family to Africa in 1997. The family continued their African trips over the next 10 years during their annual, generously stretched holidays. Thus, for a number of years they would re turn to Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa reviewing lodges and drawing them. Margie, and indeed Chris have lived many lives rolled into one. Their amazing stories could fill a book. We are truly lucky at The Grazier to have their expertise, camaraderie and friendship.

Break and enter for homes have risen by around 10% in the past two years from July 2021 to June 2023*. With homes full of Christmas presents and the chance homeowners will be holidaying away, this time of year is attractive for burglars and the reason why break and enter crimes increase.Keeping your family and your home safe is as important as ever.Crime Stoppers is providing the community with a caution for this time of the year and putting burglars on notice.“We want everyone to enjoy their well-earned downtime without the worry of whether their home or family will be safe,” NSW Crime Stoppers CEO, Peter Price AM said.Targeting break and enter crimes, Crime Stoppers is working with Nextdoor to provide communities with information on how they can protect their home and family from opportunistic thieves. They are also encouraging the community to share information with each other about crimes in the area and what to look out for and reporting anything suspicious to Crime Stoppers or Police.“Our collaboration with Nextdoor has been hugely successful to date in helping to spread awareness, education, prevention and encourage reporting of crime. Using this same platform for a dedicated campaign to help the community keep their homes and families safe these holidays will prove valuable to everyone and take community safety to the next level.”Nextdoor, the world’s largest neighbourhood network is providing a free, online platform to connect neighbours to trusted people, business and public services based on location. It is an ideal way to find a lost pet, share a recommendation for a local business or hire, buy and swap goods. Crime Stoppers has been collaborating with Nextdoor for several years with the sole aim of making the NSW community safer.The Nextdoor built-in community is already using this platform to help warn neighbours of suspicious behaviour and crime. Crime Stoppers and Nextdoor want to see this ramped up to help prevent further crime.Information is available on the Crime Stoppers website but will also be shared on Nextdoor and across social media channels. Here are some ways you can keep your home and family safe.Secure your homeBurglars go for the easy targets – an unlocked window or door, poor lighting so they can hide from view and the absence of security. By ensuring your home is fitted with quality security doors and windows, good lighting, alarms and security cameras you are making your home less appealing for opportunistic criminals.Check your homeEnsure your street number is visible.Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to improve visibility around your home.Pack away ladders and gardening tools.Don’t leave valuables in clear view.Never leave spare keys outside your home.When you are away from homeUse a timer to activate an internal light or radio to give the impression someone is home.Have a family member, trusted neighbour or friend check your home. Let them know of your travel plans and ask if they can collect your mail, put out your bins and even park their car in your driveway sometimes.As tempting as it is to tell everyone your travel plans, we recommend you don’t promote your plans on social media. It’s too easy for criminals to put information together to find out where you live and when you will be away.If you have older children at home during the holidays while you are at work make sure they lock up properly when they leave and check for anything suspicious when they return. If they suspect their home has been broken into, advise them to go to a trusted neighbour and call the Police. The safety of a life is far more valuable than material possessions. Keeping your loved ones safe is the highest priority.Reduce your curb appeal! With packaging at an all-time high after Christmas Day, there is nothing more appealing to a criminal than seeing the new smart TV carton sitting proudly on your front lawn for collection. Chop up your cardboard cartons and put them inside your recycling bin.Two-way communication between Crime Stoppers and the community has historically played a significant role in making those communities safer.“We fully understand the value the community plays in helping to prevent and solve crime. Encouraging the Nextdoor community to share information in their immediate neighbourhoods may just stop another crime from occurring. Reporting to Crime Stoppers will help solve a crime which has occurred. We want to encourage the community to share anything they know, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Every piece of information helps”, said Mr Price.However, neighbours can also help share local crime and safety updates so that their fellow residents can make informed decisions to keep their families and property safe.By partnering in this pilot with Nextdoor, Crime Stoppers joins thousands of Police/Community Policing organisations globally which use Nextdoor to distribute relevant crime and safety updates, information about community events, and tips for staying safe in your community.Jennie Sager, Managing Director of Nextdoor Australia said, “Nextdoor is truly your hyper local network. When you post on Nextdoor you’re sending a message to the neighbours in your very community, not to other parts of the country or globe, which makes it a great way to stay informed of what’s happening nearby.”“Every day neighbours on Nextdoor make their neighbourhood safer by warning others to stay vigilant. That’s why this partnership with NSW Crime Stoppers is so important. We know the value of real time messaging when it comes to combating crime and with Nextdoor and Crime Stoppers NSW that alert is instant.”Crime Stoppers will be distributing valuable messages for NSW residents through Nextdoor and its social media networks. Nextdoor allows Crime Stoppers to communicate at a neighbourhood level with residents across NSW.Source*NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research – NSW Recorded Crime Statistics July 2018-June 2023. 

Rankins Springs' Brett Parsons has taken to social media to offer a reward for informationImage: Brett Parsons"In the last couple weeks someone has been at the Sport and Rec and tried to kick in the new canteen roller door," Mr Parsons posted on the Rankins Springs community Facebook page. According to Mr Parsons toilet doors have also been damaged, with "a word" scratched into the surface.Mr Parsons shared that the incident has been reported to NSW Police, who have attended the scene and taken fingerprint evidence."Any information please let me know," Mr Parsons said.Anyone wishing to supply anonymous information should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or ONLINE.

Proposed increase to the Basic Postage Rate Australia Post has lodged a draft notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), proposing an increase to the Basic Postage Rate (BPR) of $0.20 for small letters, from $1.50 to $1.70, and to the prices for ordinary large letters, delivered at the regular timetable – to take effect from July 2025. Also proposed is an increase to small priority letters of $0.50 from $2.20 to $2.70.Australia Post's Executive General Manager Gary Starr said there is no change proposed to the price of concession stamps, at $3.00 for a booklet of five stamps, or to seasonal greetings card stamps, at $0.65 for a small letter. Proposed increase to business letter service pricing There are also proposed changes to the pricing of business letter services which, if the BPR proposal is approved, would also take effect from July 2025. The table below, prepared by Australia Post, shows the proposed range of increases for business letter services across size and weight for regular and priority timetables. "Priority is proposed to increase above regular prices to help cover the higher costs and greater losses associated with providing this faster service," Mr Starr said. In addition to the proposed letter price increases, there will also be a new fee and product changes due to take effect in 2025 Australia Post advised.From 3 March 2025, a Letters Lodgement Correction Fee (LLCF) will be applied to any mail lodgements without a mailing statement, incorrectly completed lodgement documentation or incorrectly presented articles.This fee will be $27.50 (inc GST) per lodgement for missing or incorrect documentation and $55.00 (inc GST) per hour (or part thereof) for incorrect mail presentation. While Australia Post says only a small percentage of lodgements are likely to attract the fee, it is needed to cover operational costs directly incurred to correct the lodgement. "This will help ensure we can continue delivering mail efficiently and sustainably," Mr Starr said. C4 envelopes will also be discontinued from 1 July 2025 as Australia Post continues to simplify its range of products and services.The ACCC will now consider Australia Post's draft notification.More detail on these proposed price changes is available at auspost.com.au/disruptions-and-updates/pricing-updates.

Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) is urging the public to prioritise their sexual health by getting tested regularly and using preventative measures, as syphilis infections rise across the District. FWLHD Director of Public Health Priscilla Stanley said there has been 20 notifications of syphilis across FWLHD so far in 2024, eight more than for the whole of last year. Seven of this year’s cases were classed as infectious at the time of diagnosis.“So far in 2024, we are seeing infectious syphilis notifications continue to rise above expected levels,” Ms Stanley said."Sexually active individuals are encouraged to talk with their GP, nurse or healthcare provider at Maari Ma or Clinic 9 if they have concerns about their sexual health. It’s important to always be mindful that many people don't get symptoms of STIs, so regular sexual health tests are key to preventing transmission.“We strongly encourage anyone experiencing symptoms such as sores, ulcers, or a rash in the genital, anal, or oral areas after sexual activity to visit their local clinic or Emergency Department for prompt evaluation and care.”It is a trend reflected across the state, with 2,034 notifications of infectious syphilis across NSW in 2023, the highest number reported in the past decade.In NSW, groups at higher risk of contracting syphilis include:males who have sex with malesAboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoplepeople living in regional and remote areasfemale sexual partners of men who have sex with menbabies of mothers who have not had syphilis testing and treatment during pregnancy.Syphilis is a significant public health concern for pregnant women due to the risk of passing the infection on to their unborn child. If left untreated in pregnancy, syphilis increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or death of the newborn, or can lead to significant health impacts such as hearing loss and brain damage.All pregnant women in NSW must be offered syphilis screening as part of their first antenatal visit and a second syphilis screening at 26-28 weeks gestation.“Early testing, diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics will prevent serious long-term harm. Once syphilis is detected, it can be easily treated with antibiotics,” Ms Stanley said.“Individuals can greatly reduce their risk of contracting and spreading syphilis and other STIs by consistently using condoms, which are highly effective in prevention.”More information about syphilis can be found on the NSW Health website. People can also access free and confidential sexual health support by visiting The Sexual Health Infolink or calling the Infolink on 1800 451 624 between 9:00am to 5:30pm weekdays.

The November sitting of local court at Wilcannia.Multiple matters of Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic) were listed for Leon Anthony JONES, and all matters were listed for mention January 22 2025. Jones did not appear in court when the matters were raised.Bail was allowed to continue, with conditions detailed, which included attend detox and rehabilitation as required, to be of good behaviour and not commit any further offences whilst on bail, and to adhere to the conditions of the AVO.Matthew Scott Quayle was present to answer the charge of Actual offence - Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, second offence.A guilty plea was submitted by Quayle and he was convicted.Quayle was disqualified from holding a driver's/rider's licence for six months from November 20.An intensive correction order was imposed on Quayle.A term of nine months was given, starting on November 20 and expiring on 19 August 2025. The intensive correction order conditions were set out; Quayle is not to commit any offence while subject to the order, he must submit to supervision by a Community Corrections Officer, and the relevant agency for the purposes of supervision is Broken Hill Community Corrections DistrictQuayle was ordered to abstain from both alcohol and drugs for the period of the Intensive Correction Order, and to submit to random drug and alcohol testing by Community Corrections.Neil Edward Anzac ELWOOD stood before the November sitting of Wilcannia Local Court to answer for the matters of destroy or damage property.Elwood was convicted and sentenced to a Community Correction Order for a period of 12 months to commence on November 20, expiring on 19 November 2025.The order conditions were detailed.Elwood is not to commit any offence while subject to this Community Correction Order, Elwood must appear before the Court if called upon to do so at any time during the term of the Community Correction Order.Elwood was also convicted on two counts of enter inclosed land not presc premises without lawful excuse, with no penalty imposed.Larissa Jones went before the court for the charge of driver never licensed.The matter was listed for mention December 18.Craig Derek KERWIN was before the court on multiple charges, and convicted of all charges.For the charges of escape police custody and assault police officer in execution of duty he was given concurrent six-month Intensive Correction Orders commencing on November 20 and expiring on May 19 2025. This Intensive Correction Order was applied with conditions including Kerwin is not to commit any offence while subject to the order, Kerwin must submit to supervision by a Community Corrections Officer, Kerwin is to participate in any program, treatment, intervention or related activity specified in this order or by a Community Corrections Officer for the period of the Intensive Correction Order. Supervision is to include Drug and Alcohol counselling by Community Corrections.Kerwin is to abstain from both alcohol and drugs as detailed below for the period of the Intensive Correction Order, and will submit to random drug and alcohol testing by Community Corrections.For the charges of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (domestic violence) he was given concurrent Intensive Corrections Orders of 12 months to commence on 20 November 2024. The same conditions were imposed, as the ones imposed for the six-month orders.

Craig Semple is a former police officer and career detective, who worked in Hay in the mid-nineties during the formative years of his professional career. He has written a book, The Cop Who Fell to Earth, and the resounding consensus in the Grazier office is that it is a must-read. Arriving in Hay a trainee detective, a fresh faced and wild 24-year-old, during the three years he was stationed in Hay, his life did a complete 180. “Not only did I arrive in Hay a single, when a murder occurred in Hay, as a trainee detective, I was thrown in the deep end, and learnt my trade through experience, it was like learning to swim. “In the bigger city areas, you have the sup port of other detectives, and the cushion of their years of experience to fall back on, but it was just me out there, I was it. "There was no time to second guess myself, no time for nervous ness and fear of failure. "Important things, an investigation had to be done, and done well. “Hay taught me so much, and I am forever fond of the experiences, learning, and lifelong friendships I made in Hay. “Hay really shaped who I was, as a person and in my career. I came to Hay a little wild, with a big city attitude. “The beauty of a small town is that you can’t get away with anything, and someone will always tap you on the shoulder and pull you up, and provide really good guidance. “I learnt a lot of self-reliance in Hay, I talk about my transformation in Hay at every talk I give.” From his early days in Hay, Craig went on to sniff crime out like a bloodhound, progressing through the ranks of the police force and leading teams in high stakes operations involving bikie gangs, jail murders, domestic violence murders and drug murders. The journey of his career was a tightrope walk between work and family life, and it all inevitably took its toll. Craig’s eventual retirement from the police force was a result of his own personal battle with workplace psychological injury. From that lived experience he has developed a rare personal insight into the causes, symptoms, treatment, recovery strategies and the impact of mental illness in the workplace. Craig is a fully accredited Instructor for the delivery of Mental Health First Aid training, and an expert in creating mentally healthy and resilient workplaces. He is justifiably proud of his own progress and growth. He pays it forward, imparting his own journey, and the knowledge he has gained through his own personal experiences and battles. He has used his experiences to processes of dealing with mental health issues to actively help others. He is the founding director of Mentality Plus, through which he has developed and delivered mental health, wellbeing and resilience education to thousands of people all over Australia. He is a master instructor with Mental Health First Aid Australia and an ambassador for the Black Dog Institute. More than 30,000 people have benefited from Craig’s positive presentations. In 2016 Craig was selected as an inaugural mentor for the NSW Police Legacy program Backup for Life. He has used his unique experience to help develop this program which is providing sup port to injured Police Officers and their families. Craig was selected because of his positive message and established ability to overcome adversity. He is considered a role model for injured Police transitioning into the next phase of their lives. Combining his skills in leadership, effective communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution and risk management with a lived experience of recovery from workplace psychological injury, Craig provides real, practical mental health training for staff and leaders. Craig says The Cop That Fell to Earth was written in four drafts, and when he goes back and reflects on earlier drafts, he can identify his progress as a writer. “When I first started writing, it was hard language, and clinical, with much police jargon,” he recalled. “As the book progressed through various stages, and as I progressed in my recovery, it began to soften, and evolve. “It was such a long time of personal growth and skill development. "I had so much fear of putting my story out there in a public form, when I made the choice initially, I did not worry about it. But once it all became real, the contract was signed, I became nervous. “I was worried about judgement, of me and the effect it may have on my family. “My publisher was and always has been in credibly supportive, as has my partner, and the book has been well received.” Craig was prompted by his mental health professional to begin writing his story, as a tool.“Not only did I arrive in Hay a single, when a murder occurred in Hay, as a trainee detective, I was thrown in the deep end, and learnt my trade through experience, it was like learning to swim.” “It was quite a cathartic process, a way to un pack all that I had been through and begin to put it behind me,” Craig recalled. “But, as it kept on going, I had so much to get out, that it became a five-year writing journey. "I realised that perhaps getting my story out to an audience could help others, show others from a perspective of someone who has been through trauma and issues, that you can find the way back with hard work and hope.” He has been approached to start writing in a fiction format, and is considering the concept. We at the Grazier are hoping that he will in deed bring out more both fiction and nonfiction works. “The Cop Who Fell to Earth was, in its early form, 600 pages long, and I was told that I would have to condense it,” Craig said. “So, I have many more stories that I have written but not yet published. "Throughout my career, I have been transferred to just about every part of New South Wales. “As it happened, as soon as I arrived in a new area, something major would happen. Thus, there are a lot of stories.” He is in the middle of writing a second book. This next book is focused on the practical techniques that served him well through his own personal struggles and journey with mental health. The practical techniques include sensory observations, meditative mindfulness and ways to reduce stress, including word art, which he cites as a tool which also helped him with his descriptive skills in writing. “There are many clinical self-help books out there dedicated to the topic,” Craig said. “However, there aren’t a lot out there dedicated to the consumer’s point of view. “People need to know that they are not alone, and that there is belief and hope out there. “The strategies which pulled me through may not work for everyone, but you will find what works for you.” His self-help book is projected to be released in October 2024. The Cop Who Fell to Earth is the best book I have read in a very long time. Reading his in tensely personal story of profound growth through exposure to extreme life events was flooring, and not quite like anything I’ve read before. His story is entertaining, real, and with exceptionally valuable messages inside. Call into the Riverine Grazier to grab your copy today. You will not regret it.

Small rural councils in NSW are grappling with a perfect storm of financial challenges. Limited funding, rising costs, and high inflation are squeezing budgets, forcing councils to make tough decisions.Hay Shire Council is taking proactive steps to address these issues. By reviewing fees and charges, the council aims to ensure that those who use services contribute to their cost. Additionally, a thorough review of services is underway to identify potential efficiencies and streamline operations."In addition to fees, council is conducting an in-depth review of their services to identify potential efficiencies. This process often involves tough decisions, such as evaluating which services are core to council responsibilities and which could be scaled back or delivered differently. The goal is to strike a balance between meeting community needs and operating within financial limits." Mayor for Hay Shire Council, Carol Oataway says.The council is exploring a "user pays" model, where the cost of services is borne by those who directly benefit from them. While this approach may not be universally popular, it can help alleviate the financial burden on ratepayers.The financial struggles of rural councils highlight a broader issue of funding inequity between urban and regional areas. To ensure the long-term sustainability of these essential services, increased state and federal support is crucial."For now, Hay Shire Council remains focused on taking every step possible to avoid imposing a Special Rate Variation on its ratepayers and maintaining the vital services our community relies on."

A low pressure trough is moving across southern NSW today triggering thunderstorms in the moist unstable airmass ahead of the trough.Image: BOMSevere thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Deniliquin, Balranald and Finley.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

The ongoing water crisis in rural NSW has ignited widespread concern and anger among local communities. Helen Dalton MP for Murray, argues that the crisis is largely a result of poor policy decisions and mismanagement by government authorities."Minister Rose Jackson must look out for NSW first, or resign," Dalton demands.A key point of contention is the recent decision to allow the Commonwealth Government to purchase 450 gigalitres of water from the Murray-Darling Basin. Ms Dalton said this decision has been heavily criticised by many in rural NSW, who believe it will exacerbate water shortages and harm local economies."Furthermore, the proposed government-induced flooding of rural properties has raised serious concerns about the impact on agriculture, infrastructure, and community well-being."Dalton argues that these measures will significantly reduce the value of rural land and disrupt essential services. Ms Dalton has shared her growing concerns. "The most troubling thing about the water crisis facing rural NSW is that it is completely man-made. Or perhaps we should say man and woman-made. That because the devastation is being caused by the men running the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and two women, NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson and Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek." In response to these growing concerns, calls for an urgent inquiry into the social and economic impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan have intensified with Helen Dalton leading the call. The Member for Murray says many believe that such an inquiry is necessary to assess the effectiveness of current water management policies and to develop more sustainable solutions.The NSW Water Minister, Rose Jackson, is facing increasing pressure to address the water crisis from Ms Dalton and to prioritise the needs of rural communities. "The role of Water Minister is one of the few ministerial positions where, if you get it wrong, people’s lives can be ruined immediately, and permanently. I have never experienced such levels of fear and anger amongst my constituents before. People have had concerns in the past, but this is different. Too many people believe the NSW government has abandoned them when it comes to water, and I am deeply worried about where this is going to lead."

CHILD POVERTY COSTS RIVERINA $1.5 BILLION A YEAR Child poverty in the Riverina is costing the region a hefty $1.5 billion each year, a new report reveals. More than one in five children in the region are growing up in poverty, facing significant challenges in their lives.The report, commissioned by NCOSS, highlights the long-term consequences of child poverty, including poor health, lower education attainment, and increased risk of unemployment and homelessness. NCOSS calls for urgent action to address this issue, including increasing income support payments, expanding affordable housing, and investing in early childhood education.NCOSS chief executive Cara Varian said the total cost of childhood poverty in NSW is $60 billion, eclipsing the annual contributions to the state’s economy from major sectors such as construction ($52.9 billion), manufacturing ($42.3 billion) and mining ($32.5 billion).“There are more than 7,200 children in poverty in the Riverina,” she said. “Child poverty hurts us all - it robs children of their future and steals more than $1.5 billion from the Riverina economy every year.” “Children from households living in poverty are three times more likely to also experience poverty in adulthood. We are setting up a cycle of disadvantage.  “Poverty during childhood has a lifelong impact. These children go on to have poor physical and mental health and earn less at work. They are more likely to be unemployed, homeless or land in the legal system as an adult. “We live in one of the world’s wealthiest nations - poverty is preventable and this research shows the immense economic opportunity available to the NSW Government, if it takes the steps necessary to avoid the long-term consequences of child poverty.”According to Miss Varian, NSW and the Australian Government need to make the following changes to lift families out of poverty: Substantially increase base rates of income support payments, particularly JobSeeker and Parenting Payments (e.g. match rates of the Age Pension), and index them to community living standards.Ensure that a minimum of 10 per cent of all housing is social and affordable housing; further increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance to keep up with private rental rates; and ensure homelessness services are resourced to support everyone who needs help.Commit to joint decision-making to empower First Nations communities in the design and delivery of services, including boosting funding for the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector.Guarantee all children have access to at least three days a week of quality and affordable childcare, with removal of the Activity Test on the childcare subsidy.Invest in high-quality integrated support services for children and families, that help them early in life.*For this report, child poverty is defined as a child (0 -17 years) living in a household with income less than 50 per cent of the median household’s income (including government benefits, and after tax and housing costs), adjusted for household size.To read the report, go to ncoss.org.au

Last week the Labor Government introduced its legislation to enforce an age limit of 16 for social media, including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and X."The Coalition committed to implementing an age limit of 16 back in June because it’s clear that social media is creating a problem for our young people. Our children are vulnerable and while limiting access to anyone under 16 does have some merits, it is a vexed issue. A big problem is age verification. "I’ve been contacted by a number of my constituents who are concerned about this legislation for various reasons, but the major one is privacy concerns. I understand these concerns and agree that we don’t need to be giving social media companies access to all our personal information."We need to full review the details of this Bill – it’s important that clear privacy protections are included in this legislation." Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton shares his opinion.

Multiple roads closed in the Balranald Shire, following recent rainBalranald Shire Council has issued a list of closed roads in the shire.Please note: If you disregard Road Condition Reports and Road Closures, offenders may be prosecuted and be liable to pay for any damage caused, you may not be covered by any Insurance policy that you have. It is an offence to remove or relocate road closed signs, this puts other motorists at risk. Offenders will be prosecuted by the NSW Police Force. Stay updated

Independent candidate for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe has called for real solutions to social media issues facing young people. Ms Milthorpe has spoken out about the Federal Government's proposed ban on social media for Australians under 16, calling it a "quick fix" that fails to address the root causes of social media misuse among young people. Ms Milthorpe said she is overly familiar with the negative impacts of social media. She believes the policy is more about public appeasement than real protection, ignoring the fundamental role that cyber literacy and responsible digital engagement must play in helping young Australians navigate online spaces safely. "As an educator, I'm all too aware of the negative impact social media misuse can have on the lives of young people," she said. "A ban alone will not solve this problem. “Instead, we need to ensure that cyber literacy is a fundamental part of the national curriculum across all age groups, equipping young Australians to navigate these platforms safely and responsibly." Ms Milthorpe's criticism reflects widespread concerns among experts. Government-funded research from the eSafety Commissioner shows that the vast majority of teenagers aged 12 to 17 could easily bypass such restrictions. With young people increasingly savvy in digital spaces, Ms Milthorpe argues that attempting to simply block access misses the mark. "A reactive policy like this one does little to address the real issues," she added. "This ban can only work if it is coupled with a robust curriculum that focuses on educating our youth on safe, informed online practices. “Cyber literacy needs to be taught as part of a lifelong skill set, starting in primary school and continuing through to young adulthood."

Chris Schade was born in Hay in 1946. He had one sibling, a sister. “People would ask me why my sister was 10 years older than me, it was a large age gap,” Chris chuckled. “I said there was a war in the middle of our births.” Chris’ father departed for World War Two after his sister was born, served and came home, long before Chris was born. The siblings were very close to exactly 10 years apart. Chris’ great grandfather was Danish, and re tired to Waverly, Sydney. He and his two brothers originally ventured to the Bendigo area for the gold rush. After a time, Chris’ grandfather and one of his brothers moved to Hay in 1884. “When he came here, he ended up as a flat hat, a pan collector,” Chris said. When writing this story, I googled what a flat hat was and who wears it. It refers to people who removed pans from toilets and carried them on their heads with possibly a hat or towel to cushion the weight of the pan and hence flattening it. Chris’ grandfather worked with a man named Mr Chits, and they operated on a contract to council. “There isn’t a lot I know about that time, as when the Waradgery Shire became the Hay Shire, a lot of records were lost.” Chris’ grandmother left her husband and arrived in Melbourne from England, with two children, a boy and girl in tow. She was meant to be met at the dock by the Salvation Army, who were going to provide assistance. Sadly, nobody showed up, leaving the mother wondering where to go from here. Instead of despairing, she got to figuring out how to solve the problem. Quickly finding work as a household assistant for some fairly big land holders, she then moved to Hay after a time. She found work at the Riverina Women’s Club, the female equivalent of the Waradgery Club. When members coming into town from their properties needed somewhere to stay and be looked after, they went to the Riverina Women’s Club. Chris naturally went to primary and high school in Hay. Upon finishing his education, he attained an apprenticeship at Don Harrison’s, as a boilermaker. “I was his first apprentice, and the workshop was located in Queen Street, behind where IGA is now, in the bottom left-hand corner of the car park. It was stinking hot in summer and cold in the winter. It had a dirt floor.” Chris completed his technical education via correspondence, to Brisbane Technical College, receiving papers in the mail to complete learning, sending them back, and waiting for the next delivery. When Chris was 21, Hay was steering into the start of a drought, and work was becoming scarce. Chris figured he should find other work, and was wondering what to do. When talking to his employer, Don suggested Chris should go and work for the Navy in Sydney, in fabrication and welding. Chris figured it was something different, so Don called to organise it, and then told Chris he should front up and they would give him a job. “I didn’t last in Sydney more than three months,” Chris said. “Things there at the Navy were too unionised, and this got in the way of actual work. One day I was walking up the gangplank, with someone with me carrying my tools, and half a dozen blokes came up to me. “They asked if I was a boilermaker or a chippie, and I told them I was a boilermaker. “They then asked why I had a wooden ruler, and I replied it was for rough measurements. "You couldn’t do a job another man did. “Another time, we were asked to help with a job, installing a power point. It took seven people to do the job. “Myself and offsider to drill the metal hole, a carpenter and his offsider to drill the wooden hole, an electrician and his offsider to put the power point in, and the lead hand.” Chris found the actual workplace wonderful, even if working conditions more often than not defied logic. “It was a beautiful place, with so many machines,” he said. “But, if a mistake was made on a job, it was thrown into the harbour, and then another three weeks was spent on doing a job which was required six weeks ago.” When Chris returned to Hay, he worked at South Hay Pub for a time, before gaining a role at the tyre service, which was located where Heerey’s Flower Shop would later be located, and where IGA is located now. Chris and Jo met when they were both 24. Helen was the name of the nurse Jo had come to Hay with. Helen and her partner knew Chris, and they all ended up at the Services Club, playing lawn bowls together. Shortly after that, they all took a trip, as friends, to Broken Hill to see other friends. “It wasn’t a love at first sight thing, but gradual, and beginning as friends,” Chris said. “After a while, I asked her to go to a ball. There were lots of balls in Hay in those days.” “We got dressed up and went dancing. I thought this is nice, he loves to dance, so do I. "Little did I know that we would dance together that time, and a waltz at our wedding and that was it,” Jo said with a smile. After a time, both Chris and Jo were having a hard time at their jobs, and decided to go for a drive. “We came back three months later,” he laughed. During their long drive, they went to Darwin, after initially deciding to travel to Brisbane. “We had all these strip maps from the NRMA, and we were headed to Brisbane, but made a snap decision we would head to Darwin instead,” Jo laughed. “So, the strip maps went in the bin pretty quick.” The pair bought a home before they were married, in preparation for married life. Until then, Jo remained living in the nurses’ quarters at Hay Hospital and Chris lived at home with his parents. Leading up to their wedding, Jo’s parents came down to help out with the house. Her father painted the interior, and her mother made her wedding dress on a sewing machine Jo still owns. Just before they were married, the house caught on fire. “It had started from the back, and the tubed bread rolls from the kitchen had popped out, and were fully cooked,” the couple laughed. Chris and Jo honeymooned on the South Coast, and it was wet and cold the entirety of their stay. “One day started out decently, so we went out fishing in a boat. "Once we were out on the water, it got cold quickly. "We both had towels wrapped around us, and it became cold and wet quickly,” Chris said. The couple lived in their backyard in a caravan a friend lent them for a time, until it was deemed the bedroom in the home was suitable once more. “One morning we woke to discover the roof was coming off, they had started work replacing the roof,” Jo said. “What a thing to wake up to.” Chris joined the Fire and Rescue NSW Service in 1983. Appointed engine keeper in 1993, he was in the brigade for 28 years. He went back to work at DG Harrisons, after his time at the tyre service. He spent the next 25 years of his working career there, and really enjoyed his role. Chris got itchy feet, so decided to open his own welding and construction mobile service. “Machines were getting bigger and bigger, and I figured I would go out to them, as it is a hard exercise for them to come to us,” he said. One of the biggest jobs Chris worked on was the Hay weir gates. “They came in six pieces; one went through the top of the other half when they were put together. They were about 47 foot long. "The first one was the worst. It was stinking hot when I put the gates in, and the engineer sat in the air-con."Chris spent a fair bit of time in the volunteer ambulance service in Hay.“It was a good bunch, the members of the ambulance service. "It was hard work, and it would play on your mind at times.” would haunt them, members of the ambulance service would privately make jokes amongst themselves. Fortunately, Chris didn’t have to come across any accidents that involved people he knew, but suicides were hard. “One time the police officer called, and told me that we were needed, but not to hurry or panic,” Chris recalled. After the mobile service, he owned and operated the mini concreting mix business for a while, but it was a lot of hard work. During Chris’ time at the Fire Service, the Captain showed him a letter, figuring Chris might be interested. It was an expression of interest for becoming a commercial trainer, within the fire service. Chris was indeed interested, and went on to attain Certificate 4 in Workplace Training and a national assessor’s course. “It was the best job I ever had,” he said. “The role came at just the right time, all the children had already left, so I was able to travel more without it impacting family life. “I had a large region that I worked and trained in. I worked as a fee for service trainer. “I trained in extinguisher use, and evacuation training. “I trained groups in all sorts of things, including working at height, advanced first aid, oxygen and resuscitation, and trained at many work places, childcares, health care, councils and various institutions. “There were 26 different courses in total, that I delivered.“Because my job made money, I was given a Brigade vehicle, and that was changed every 40,000 kilometres.” Chris would leave after lunch one day, and be gone all week. Then there was often training at various stations on the weekend. So, Chris went from retained firefighter to paid employee of the NSW Fire and Rescue. He was also a bearer in the volunteer ambu lance service that was in operation in Hay, before Ambulance Officer Robert Marmont arrived in town, and for a while after. “The phone exchange would call whoever was on duty, and tell them what happened, and that they needed three more bearers,” Chris said. “It was horrible at times, with many gruesome accidents. “There were no seatbelts back then, no breathalysers, speed limits were not enforced. "The roads were not as good as they are now, and had a lack of visibility and a lot of tight curves.” In order to deal with scenes and sights which “Lou Gurney came too. "Doctor Bonwick would come in those cases, perform the obligatory death confirmation, and then it was all left to us, though we weren’t supposed to transport the deceased. “When we were transporting a patient to Wagga or Melbourne, we would have to make sure we had enough money on us to fill up the ambulance, and money to feed ourselves, and then we would hand those in and wait to be reimbursed. “One petrol station on the outskirts of Melbourne was good, we could fill up and leave, and they knew we would come and fix them up on the way back. “It was a good bunch, the members of the ambulance service. It was hard work, and it would play on your mind at times.” Chris reads books, and particularly enjoys Chris Hammer’s works and picturing places and people in the book. Isaac Asimov is one of his favourite science fiction writers. He largely enjoys being out in the back shed working on the lathe, machinery, and completing projects. Chris and Jo also have a hut out at Cobar, where they undertake reunions every second year. When they get itchy feet, they travel up there to make repairs and improvements. Chris was involved in shooting, and was a member of the Sporting Shooter’s Association of Australia (SSAA). He still does, but not as much now. Enjoying close family ties, Jo and Chris avidly love watching what their children get up to, with all of them enjoying respectable achievements and happy lives. The couple are simply amazing; a product of respective good families and childhoods, the formation of their own wonderful family, and maintaining their tight family unit, while both having their own fulfilling careers and separate interests.

Position Vacant Production Assistant WantedAbout UsThe Riverine Grazier publishes a weekly print and online newspaper in Hay, NSW and also manages the digital news service, Back Country Bulletin. We are locally owned and operated and committed to quality journalism in our readership areas.The RoleAs a Production Assistant, you will play a vital role in our digital operations. Your responsibilities will include:Uploading articles, photos, and other digital content to our websitesOptimising content for search enginesManaging our digital assetsSupporting our social media effortsWhat We're Looking For:A strong understanding of digital media and technologyExcellent attention to detail and high-level organisational skillsThe ability to work independently and as a reliable and dependable part of our teamA passion for journalism and storytellingThis is a part-time position (starting at 8 hours per week, with room to grow for the right applicant) and a Position Description is below.To Apply:Please submit a response to the responsibilities, skills and experience listed in the position description, as well as your resume and a cover letter to [email protected] by Friday December 6, 2024.Position DescriptionThe Production Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting our print and digital team by assisting with the timely and accurate upload of content to our website, and finalisation of our print products. This position requires a keen eye for detail, strong organisational skills, and a passion for local news.Key ResponsibilitiesWebsite Content Upload: Upload articles, photos, and other digital content to the website, ensuring accuracy and adherence to editorial guidelines.Optimise content for search engines (SEO) by using appropriate keywords and tags.Monitor website performance and identify any technical issues or errors.Digital Asset Management: Organise and manage digital assets, including images, videos, and documents.Ensure proper file naming and storage to maintain a well-structured digital library.Social Media Support: Assist with the scheduling and posting of content to social media platforms.Monitor social media channels and respond to comments and messages.Print Production Tasks: Finalise print pages, and prepare for file transfer.Assist with other tasks as required.Essential Skills and ExperienceStrong computer skills, including proficiency in social media.Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.Excellent organisational and time management skills.Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and meet deadlines.A passion for digital media and local journalism.Desired Skills and ExperienceExperience with Squarespace, Canva, WordPress, GoogleSuite.Strong grasp of written news, and the place of digital content in local journalism.Knowledge of SEO best practices.Understanding of digital analytics.A desire to learn new skills, and be part of a team pushing forward.