Brandon Burns has got that special some thing. Charismatic, friendly and cheeky, he is also genuine as all get out. The outgoing and highly capable fruit and vegetable manager at Harrison’s IGA, is largely the life of the place. Barndon is the agile person climbing the walls and the ladders to decorate the shop for Christmas and Rainbow on the Plains, the one handling many tasks at once, and still with a smile and mischievous remark. He grew up with a loving and stable family unit. Son of Craig and Toni Burns, and little brother to Matthew, Brandon had both sides of each parent’s family in his life and within the region. “I always had this love for planes,” he said. “My nan would take me out to the airport each day so I could watch the mail plane take off.” Brandon has always been motivated and entrepreneurial. Beginning his journey selling garlic and vegetables, he would use this extra money to fund various adventures. He was involved in the Sunday morning cy cling group for a long time. They would cycle 30 kilometres, and sometimes to Maude and back for fun. “Dan Tripney and I would have a friendly competition, to see who could cycle the fastest,” he laughed. “It was something I really enjoyed, being out on the bike, it was relaxing. Sometimes I would listen to music, but sometimes I would just enjoy the silence.” He also took part in the Great Vic Bike Ride, from Lakes Entrance to Phillip Island, spanning more than 500 kilometres, over some nine days. During his high school years Brandon would volunteer at 2Hay FM radio station, assisting Wes with the weekly Hot 30 Count down and music news. Once he finished school, Brandon applied to a scholarship foundation to walk the Ko koda Track. Of the 4,000 who applied, about 70 ended up being selected. From there, two people had their entire trip paid for, and Brandon was one of those lucky two. The 100-kilometre walk took the group nine days, and Brandon said it was the best experi ence and something he would definitely do again given the chance. “You knew it was 5pm every day, as around that time the rain would come,” he said. “We would be in the villages along the way, kicking the soccer ball with the children.” Brandon was also honoured to meet the last Fuzzy Wuzzy angel, Havala Laula. The name, Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel, was a term of endearment Australian troops gave to the local Papua New Guinea villagers who were recruited during the Second World War to bring supplies to Australian troops and to evacuate injured soldiers. Their role was invaluable. Around 2,000 Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and 650 Australian soldiers died in the effort. Knowing no one when he set out on the trek, Brandon, being Brandon, made plenty of friends while on the trip. “It was the first time overseas without my parents, and it was scary, but I had a great time,” he said. “It all happened quickly, having my Year 12 formal the night before, then leaving Australia the next day.” Brandon has so many photos of his time on the Kokoda Track, the experience clearly mak ing a huge and positive impact. Brandon won Young Citizen of the Year in 2015. His journey with IGA was just a hop, skip and a jump across the road. “I’d just come back from America, and I was working at Macker’s Meats with family,” Brandon recalled. “I felt it was just time for a change, so I walked across the road, and approached the Harrisons for a job. The very next week they started me in the fruit and vegetable depart ment, working alongside Lisa Seaman.” Nearly 10 years later, Brandon is the man ager of the department, and the freshness of the produce is second to none. Intense attention to detail and stock processes are very important to Brandon. “I have had a green thumb my whole life,” he chuckled. “Even before the days I used to sell my produce on the highway. "I still sell it on the highway, just the opposite end.” After completing his schooling, he met his partner and now fiancée Wyatt Morriss. They hit it off very well from the start, with Brando and a friend travelling to Whitton to pick Wyatt up regularly so they could hang out, and go to the movies in Griffth. Over time, they caught the travel bug, and started jet-setting around the world together. They first went to Thailand, and never stopped. Brandon’s travel portfolio includes San Francisco, L.A, Vegas and San Diego, Kokoda, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Thailand twice, Noumea, South Pacific Island three times, New Zealand twice. The couple will visit Japan in the next couple of months, and Port Vila next month. His love affair with all things labelled Coke began when he was young. “We began collecting Macdonald’s glasses when they were doing the promotion, when I was little, he recalled. “I really liked them, and when the second lot came out, I figured I would collect them too.” Before long, Brandon had a vast collection of different Coke branded items, including a bike, a jukebox, phones, a yoyo and eskies. A dedicated Collingwood supporter, and a member of the club for a very long time, Brandon tries to get to Melbourne at least twice a year to see his team play. Not only is Brandon an avid food lover, he is a fantastic cook. “Both mum and dad are really good cooks, and food has always been important, the passion of food would have come from a young age,” he said. “I particularly like cooking and eating Asian cuisine, and I believe the more prep work involved the better the dish.” Wyatt is far from a keen cook, but they work well together, and share all other chore responsibilities. Brandon and Wyatt ran a highly successful Bed and Breakfast (B and B) in town. Their pet friendly policy made it easier for people travelling between Adelaide and Sydney. Brandon would clean the premises each day during his lunch break. “It was hard work but we loved every bit of it,” he said. “You would get the odd ones that wouldn’t respect the place at all, but most were great and we have made many lifelong friends.” After a time, government red tape resulted in the couple making the decision to stop running the B and B. Brandon began keeping bees four years ago, and has rescued hives of bees from many people’s properties. “I was in the garden, doing work in my vegetable patch one time, and thought it would be a great idea to start keeping bees,” he laughed. “It’s really fun, and something to do.” These days, Brandon and Wyatt live in do mestic bliss in the gorgeous home they made together. They have three dogs; a Frug named Pablo and two Pugs named Lola and Dexter. Brandon tinkers with his latest hobby, Minis, and has a canary yellow Mini he has carefully and painstakingly restored. Friends and family are the most important thing in Brandon’s life. “I wouldn’t be who I am, and life would not be the same about the people dearest to me,” he said. Brandon is one inspiring character. He not only lives life to the full, it is jam packed with fun, different interests, and al ways leaving room for laughter. The best aspect of Brandon however, is his lack of artifice. He cares so much and would put himself out to help whoever needed a helping hand.

As the weather warms up the incidents of snake sightings being shared has increased. Hay Veterinary Clinic’s Wayne Gardam says snake “season” is shaping up to be a particularly bad one for domestic pets, with about twice as many patients as usual being presented to the Hay Veterinary Clinic for treatment for snake bite since September. The best advice is to act fast. The chances of recovery are as much as 80 per cent greater if your pet or stock is treated early. Animals who are left untreated have a much lower survival rate. We asked Mr Gardam for his top tips for owners of pets and stock What to do if my dog (or cat) is bitten by (or seen with) a snake? 1. Don’t Panic. Many pet interactions with snakes don’t result in envenomation. 2. Secure the animal and keep it still. This helps to reduce venom movement into the circulation - you could apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, but it's rare to know which leg was struck. 3. Don’t attempt to kill the snake. This carries a risk of getting bitten yourself (and is illegal). 4. Seek veterinary advice. Ring the vet clinic first. Don’t arrive unexpectedly when they aren’t ready for you, don’t waste time knocking on the door of an unattended clinic after hours. 5. Follow the veterinary advice - folk remedies such as Vitamin C or cutting the ear tip off and swinging the dog around by the tail won’t help, nor will wetting the dog if he is panting. How can I tell if my dog or stock have been bitten by a snake? You will hardly ever see puncture wounds, and traces of blood on the dog may be from a snake if the dog has been mauling it. What might I observe? The nerve toxin component of snake venom is the main issue with domestic pets - it produces a flaccid muscle weakness progressing to paralysis. In the early stages the dog may be a little wobbly, then not able to support his own weight despite being able to move his legs, then perhaps unable to hold his head up. Sometimes (particularly with cats) the animal will be breathing with their belly heaving as their rib muscles are weak. The pupils of the eyes may be dilated (“glassy eyed”) and not react to light. In time, the animal may become hypothermic, with feet obviously cold to touch. How long does it take for symptoms to develop? This is extremely variable, depending on snake species, amount of venom the snake puts out, amount of venom that actually gets into the animal, where it is injected into the animal, size and species of the victim and their subsequent activity. Onset of symptoms may be as rapid as a few minutes and severe, or take up to 24 hours for mild cases to develop, but will usually be within and hour or two. Sometimes a rapid-acting fraction of the venom will flatten the dog within minutes, after which there is an apparent recovery and he may appear normal again. If this is seen, it usually indicates a high venom load, and the slower acting venom component will soon take over causing serious symptoms. How long do we have to commence treatment before it’s too late? That is also extremely variable for the same reasons as mentioned above. Obviously, the sooner the better once the pet is showing symptoms, and the more rapid the onset of symptoms the more critical the timing becomes. What can be done to treat an envenomated pet? The most important aspect of treatment is the careful intravenous administration of antivenom appropriate for the species of snake involved, or appropriate for the snakes known to inhabit the area if this is unknown. An IV drip is essential to maintain circulation and help prevent kidney damage, as are general nursing care, treatment for hypothermia and symptomatic treatment for any complications that may arise until the patient recovers. What are the chances of recovery? This varies with a number of factors, mostly relating to how badly affected the pet is when treatment is started. Unfortunately, some are beyond help despite all efforts, but a recovery rate of 80 percent or more is expected from those that don’t succumb before the antivenom has time to begin to act. How can I keep my pets safe? done, Prevention of snake bite is much easier said than but will revolve around minimising the potential for interaction between pets and snakes. Bear in mind that snakes are free-living wild animals, and are protected native wildlife. Cats are probably best kept indoors as far as possible, and it would be best to be in the habit of walking dogs on a lead during summer months when around possible snake habitat, and perhaps consider keeping them confined when not supervised in the back yard. Snake proof fencing or yards will be an engineering challenge – it might be best to think of making an area less attractive for snakes by eliminating overgrown vegetation and potential habitat for the snake, along with access to water. Keeping poultry food in mouse proof containers and minimising waste of grain around bird cages may help reduce the mouse population and deter snakes coming in to hunt for food

In February 1957 a dirt track at Carrathool was the site for record breaking Australian land speed records. Behind the wheel of an AC race car was a glamourous young British socialite, Mary Seed (nee Morton). Seed has raced an Austin Healy in the UK in 1955 but after coming to Australia as a new bride in 1956 she drove an AC. On February 19, 1957 at the sleepy hamlet of Carrathool Mary Seed set a new Australian Land Speed Record for woman, reaching 113.3 miles per hour (182.3 kilometres). Beside her coach, motoring journalist and race driver David Mackay, the pair set new Australian records, sprinting along an earthen track, in conditions so very different to the high-tech industry of today’s motorsports. Mackay set his own record in the harsh conditions, reaching 143.19 miles per hour (230.14 kilometres per hour) in a spiffy Austin Martin DB3S. “The young English wife of an Australian Navy officer today drove at 113 miles an hour to beat a 20-year-old Australian record for the flying kilometre. She is Mrs. Mary Seed, 26, who set the new record in an A.C sports car given to her by her husband in England last March as a wedding present. The husband is Lieut. Commander Peter Seed, officer commanding a squadron of Venom jet fighter planes on H.M.A.S. Melbourne. Mrs. Seed's flying kilometre was timed by officials of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports on a stretch of earth road at Carrathool, near Hay, today. Her coach, Mr. David Mackay, a leading Australian sports car and trials driver, will attempt a new Australian land speed record at Carrathool tomorrow. Mackay, driving an Aston Martin sports car, reached 160 miles an hour on one run to-day, but C.A.M.S. officials disallowed the time because of incorrect recording.” The Canberra Times, February 19, 1957. Mary Seed’s AC – chassis number BE167, remained in Australia when the couple returned to the UK and was then raced by Ray Hogwood and Rex Marshall until 1962. It was restored in the early 1980s by Sydney based collector Geoff Dowdle, who is known in the restorer’s community as the guru of classic race cars.

His descendants walked from Brisbane to Booligal with a baby in a pram. A long, and hard journey which took three years, and saw the birth of a second baby along the way. A farm boy from birth, he has had his fair share of trials and tribulations related to the hardships isolat ed living can bring. Neville Eade is a face that most would recognise, enjoying a happy quiet life, with his only daughter Amelia just across the road. Sharing nightly dinners with her, his grandson Christian working at IGA, and Kyesha with two lovely children of her own. There is so much behind a face. Neville has a wide and winding family tree, the Eade family being a fixture in the district for nearly two centuries. As was very common in his time, Neville did not receive much of an education, a year of high school marking the conclusion of his education. “I left school to go to work on the family farm, Green Tree Farm,” Neville said. “It was 1000 acres across river country, and always had about 500 breeding ewes. Some of it was leased country.” Neville always worked on the farm, although at times there was not enough work with the sheep. His father had various mail runs, including Gunbar, Barnes Place near Jerilderie and West Burrabogie. Neville would often accompany his father on these runs. He also ran the garbage cart, and the night soil collections. Most of the toilets used to be located at the back of the properties, easily accessible from the lanes. On the odd occasion, there would be some not so accessible. There would be boxes at the back of the toilet room, where some would lift out and some did not. On the odd occasion, someone would accidentally leave a dog loose, and Neville’s father would be chased, throwing the pan in his haste to outrun the dog. His brother Colin, had a bad accident at the age of 16. They were in the paddock cutting burrs, and their cousin was staying with them at the time, along with his friend. “They began walking out through the paddock to come and see us, and they stopped at the car, spying the rifle in there, and took it out to play with it. “Geoff, one of my brothers became angry and told them to put it back, it was not a toy. “Next thing we knew, we could hear shots. "They had accidentally shot Geoff, and narrowly missed his heart, and hit his spine. He very nearly died.” Out in the bush, they knew that time was of the essence, so they picked him up and laid him in the back of the ute, and drove to Hay Hospital. “We raced right past Dad, but did not have the time to stop and tell him what had happened, but he turned around and followed us,” Neville recalled. He was rushed from there to Melbourne, and spent considerable time in hospital, and then rehabilitation. It was there that he met Martha, his future wife. In 1970, Neville suffered a terrible accident. which proved close to nearly taking his leg completely. To this day, his left leg is a good inch shorter than the right, and he constructs his own lifts onto his left shoes. Neville was a kangaroo shooter for over 25 years. This is something he enjoyed doing for a living. He had his own chillers for the carcasses. “People would ask what happened to my leg,” Neville said. “I would tell them that the rest of it was left out in the paddock.” He was working for Bill Baird at the time, who had the property adjoining his family property. “I would always grease up the machine before starting work,” Neville said. “I had a box that I would put on the slasher that would carry the grease gun, and the pump. “I forgot to put the grease gun in the box, and when I hopped off to pick it up, my foot went under, and then pulled my leg under. “It was a seven-foot cut slasher. “My ute was parked a good 50 feet away, and I crawled over to it. “My mind was reeling, thinking how I was going to keep going, and get to help. “It was a manual ute. I pulled myself up on one leg, so much going through my mind. “I resolved to use my good foot to put the clutch in, and bend down, and use my right hand to push the accelerator. “First gear was good enough, I was moving. "When I got into Hay Hospital, the doctor there could not do much for me, he put the leg in a half cast and sent me straight to Wagga. “They pulled pieces of bone out and put it back together. “I spent 10 weeks in traction, basically. There was a foot lock at the end of the bed. “Then the doctor would come to see me, the specialist, and told me I could go home for six weeks.” Neville did indeed go home, in a plaster for six weeks’ convalescence. His return heralded bone grafts, and putting the pieces back together, joining the fibula and tibia together with screws, and other interventions. He was allowed to go home for a further eight weeks after this, and then returned for bone grafts. Bed rest for six weeks at the hospital followed, with another return home for six weeks. This cycle continued for some time, with Neville returning for skin grafts, and wearing big army boots on doctors’ orders that came up over his shins. When asked how he dealt with that long road to recovery, he said that he just went with the flow, accepted it, and took things as they came. The hospital ward where he stayed had two patients to a room, and he was in a room with another man who had metal all through his leg. “One night, three nurses were walking past, the other fellow grabbed one of the nurse’s hats, and threw it over to me. "He was blocking her way, so she could not get directly past and over to me to retrieve her hat. “She then decided that she would get down on her hand and knees, crawl under the bed, and out of his way. "At that unfortunate time, the sister in charge of the ward appeared, and sternly directed the nurse to her office. “Luckily, she must not have gotten into much trouble, as she appeared again the next day. “The specialist commented the next day that ‘us boys must have been playing up last night,’ and laughed. “The sister was not a bad old stick. She caught a patient smoking and threatened that if anyone gave him another cigarette that she would remove all the smokes from the ward.” Neville also recalled with a chuckle having a nightly drink in the ward. “Cyril Weeks, who used to be manager at Hay Services Club for a time back in the day, and then was manager of another in the area at the time I was in hospital, would bring me two longnecks every night. “I would sit with Cyril behind the curtain that divided the room, and enjoy the beer. "He would then take home the empties with him. "His daughter would come and see me daily, also. They were a very good family.” It was during this time, the blurry time of travel ling for medical interventions, and then coming home for six weeks, that his father tragically passed from a heart attack, at the age of 61. It was a solid 18 months before Neville could stand comfortably on his leg. One time when he travelled home for convalescence, he was laid up in bed, his father suffered a heart attack. The people staying with the family at the time, and Neville’s brother bundled him into the car, but alas he passed before he reached Hay Hospital. They only told Neville what had transpired once they returned home. “I was determined to get out there and make the crosses for the cemetery,” Neville recalled. “I had a lot of help.” Once Neville had finally reached the end of his long bouts in hospital, he knew he had put on a fair bit of weight, understandably. So, after brainstorming what to do next, he settled on rabbit shooting. Beginning this new career path in 1976, he concluded shooting in 1990. He prided himself on his affinity for the task, working professionally, safely, and averaging 100 rabbits per night. He could manage this task by 12 am to 1am. “Sometimes I would have a young man that I would hire to come and pick up the rabbits. “I was good to him, pulling up just on the left hand side of the rabbit, and he would just get out, and not have far to go. I enjoyed teaching him the aspects of the job; using guns responsibly, safety, how to pick rabbits up correctly. “It is never advisable to pick the rabbit up by the leg, it could still be kicking and a person would get blood all over them. “Picking it up by the skin on the back is the better method.” Neville started duck shooting on rice properties, from 2002 to 2011, which he also enjoyed. His emotion when talking about his beloved mother, Annie Parsons, is palpable. “She was a lovely person,” he said. “I still have pictures of her all over the house, my favourite being one that she had taken with Santa Claus. “I was happily devoted to her, doing all the jobs she needed done, and taking her away whenever she asked. She was not too far off 100 when she passed away.” He said that he has lived a good life, one for which he is thankful. “My daughter Amelia, lives just over the road, and looks after me. “I go there for dinner nightly. It is really good to have family close by. “Life is funny, I only had one child, my mother’s sister had 21 children, and my father was one of 17 children, and I was one of 10.” Ruth and John Eade settled in Tooragany Creek, Booligal, after arriving in Australia in 1815. Their son George put together the funds to sponsor his parents to come to Australia. One of the babies who made the trek with George and Mary-Ann from Brisbane to Booligal, George Jnr had sadly passed away by this time. Ruth, Mary-Ann, and other family members were all laid to rest at Tooragany once they passed. The mind boggles at travelling from Brisbane to Booligal on foot, with a baby in a pram. John, who was blind, had bought a mare somewhere along the way, and it gave birth to a foal. The foal died, so the couple, acclimatised to the times and making do with what they had, used the mare’s milk to feed the baby. Once they made their settlement in Booligal, at Tooragany, George would leave for extended periods, pursuing employment to keep food on the table for his family. While he was away, Mary-Ann had a legitimate fear of wild pigs, animals that were plentiful in the area, and voracious. She sourced a large box which she would stow away in the fork of a tree, where she would hide baby George and John Thomas, and climb in her self. They would often stay there until George or another person would come and scare the pigs away. George proceeded to construct a fence out of twigs for safety. He placed the twigs close together, and in between he fixed post and rails top and bottom to hold everything together. Even after her child died, Mary-Ann steadfastly did everything she could to keep the family going, carrying on with life. Cooking for her family on an open fire, battling the elements such as extreme heat with no luxury appliances or indeed, anything at all to pro vide respite from the dangerous weather conditions. George had built a makeshift house with bark walls and lignum thatched roof. Earth floors and kangaroo skins serving as mats. This harsh land and start the pair forged together paved the way for generations of family to live on that land. The life and family chronicles of the Eade family is one of the most fascinating rabbit holes to fall into. A taste of the harsh and unrelenting life of settlers in Early Australia, and how they forged on and thrived into one of the oldest and most well known families in the district. The strength and perseverance clearly lives on, clearly seen once given a glimpse into the highs and lows of the life of Hay man, Neville Eade.

It's getting to be that time of year again. Time to put your thinking caps on and nominate those who have done great things in the Balranald shire this past year.As part of the Australia Day festivities, Balranald Shire Council recognises the achievements of members of community members for their contributions during the previous year and calls for nominations. This is your chance to recognise the most deserving members of our community.Council recognises its citizens through nominations from community members in the following categories:Citizen of the Year – Presented to the most outstanding CitizenYoung Citizen of the Year – Presented to the most outstanding Citizen aged under 30 yearsSportsperson of the Year – Presented for outstanding achievement in sportYoung Sportsperson of the Year– Presented for outstanding achievement in sportSporting Team of the Year – Presented for outstanding team achievement in sportEnvironmental Citizen of the Year – Presented for preserving the environment, innovative use of the Return and Earn Scheme to fund raise for a meaningful cause, or fostering partnerships that achieve litter reduction and recycling outcomes. Individuals and organisations including schools, local businesses and community groups are eligible.Special Achievement Award – (in any field of endeavour)Community Event – Presented to the person or group who has staged an outstanding community event during the previous yearNomination Form – Australia Day Template 2025 – or hard copies are available at Councils office.  If you know someone who makes your community a better place, nominate them for an Australia Day Award today.

Margaret Butler lives in Market Street, Balranald. She is a fitting example of the strength and inspiration that can lie under the surface of a face you see every day. Margaret grew up in the time when so many young men were being shipped off to war, and even then, she knew what a tragic thing that was. “The tremendous loss of brain power and skill that has been lost over time, sending our young men to war. “For the longest time, I was terrified there would be a World War Three.” Margaret said that as devastating as loss was, it happened a great deal, and everyone has their own cross to carry. “There is no use crying, just pick up the pieces and do the best you can. Just keep on going,” she said. “I feel so fortunate to live as long as I have, I have had a really good life. My parents were wonderful, and I have been so lucky.” Margaret and her family lived on a property near Sydney, and did not want for anything. “Even though our parents were well off, we were never spoiled. I got a rope doll for Christ mas, and my brother got a train set. "This started off a lifetime love of trains for him, even when he was a grown man.” Margaret’s father bred fat lambs, for market in Sydney. “Our property was amazing, the country was so different to here,” she recalled. “There were as many sheep on seven acres as the property I owned with my husband, which was on 30,000 acres. “On my childhood property, there was a creek in the middle of the property, she said. “We would spend much time diving, and paddling in the canoe.” Margaret said her and her siblings were always encouraged to get up and do something. If they were outside, when they came in, they would bring wood in with them. “We were brought up as real bush kids, and we were fortunate. "We were taught responsibility and how to take care of ourselves. "When the war was on, all the vehicles were up on bricks. There was no petrol. Margaret’s family was allowed to have the use of their ute, as they lived on the land and would need it for farm work. “We were able to drive to town once a month for Mass, and when that was over the men would go to the pub,” she said. “Mum and the women would go for tea and ice cream. Then, after a time the men would come across. There were no women allowed in the pub in those days, it was deemed improper. "When I think about it, life has evolved so much in a few short decades. “Mum would wear corsets and stockings in the summer. She would go to the city twice a year for clothing shopping. We would go to Anthony Hordens, and a lady dressed in black with a large bosom would greet us. She would say, “Oh, Mrs Pritchard, so good to see you. What may I help you with?” She would look at corsets, and the changing rooms had these big wide, round mirrors. “I was four or five at the time, and when my mother would try on suspenders, she would say Margaret avert your eyes.” Her mother would buy two sets of good clothes for summer, and two sets for other occasions. Margaret remembers the lady taking a book from her bosom, to record the purchases. “She would write everything down religiously, because she was on commission. "It was where a lot of younger workers would become unstuck, the older girls knew how to play the game better. "We would then go and have lunch in their dining room, which was lovely. Anthony Horden’s was a huge store in Sydney, and the ladies would then dine in the dining hall after shopping. “My grandfather had shirts made at Norton Brothers, longtail. He had his shoes made by someone else. “Everyone had their people they preferred to make their clothing and shoes. “The stores they frequented would keep their measurements on hand, and you could order by mail. “There was a shop next to Anthony Hordern’s, and my father would take his watch there. A little man would come out and say, “Yes Mr Pritchard, do you need your watch attended to?” “He would take my father’s watch, clean it, and fix whatever might be wrong. "He had a pocket watch on a chain. He liked to wear vests, and couldn’t stand the labor party.” One significant highlight of Margaret’s early years was seeing the Queen and Prince Philip when they toured Australia. “Philip was so handsome, and she was beautiful,” Margaret recalled. “We swooned over him; he had a beautiful complexion. "The queen wore a special hat, with wattle on it.” When it was time for Margaret to get a job, she came across what we would call these days, discrimination. “I went to get a job in a men’s store on the cor ner of King and George Street in Sydney. My aunt came with me, and we went to the office to enquire. I interviewed well, and they advised me to arrive tomorrow at 8.30am for a 9am start. “It felt so easy. We left, and he ran after us down the road, to ask what school I had gone to. "When he found out it was a Catholic school he told us the job was closed. “My aunt came from New Zealand, and she was no shy flower. She said, “Well, I can just say to you none of us will be going to your place of business any longer,”. “The very next place we approached; I was given a job. It was in the office at an engineering firm, and it was so nice, nobody cared what religion I was there. “In those days, many places looking for employees had signs – Catholics need not apply. It was not something people got upset about, that is just the way things were then.” Margaret’s sister decided to enter the convent at the age of 18. “My mother cried for a week, and dad offered her everything he could think of to try and change her mind. I was three when she entered the convent, there was quite a big age difference,” she recalled. Margaret says there is so much difference in life now, stark changes occurring in a few short decades. As soon as a couple were engaged, the woman was to stay at home, and the man was the sole provider, with the woman staying at home to raise the children and keep the household. Margaret married her husband Greg when they were both 22. The couple lived apart, and both with their respective parents until they were wed. “Greg and I married and honeymooned in Bathurst. "We did this as my sister was in the church there, and Greg wanted to get to know her, as much as I wanted him to know her. All the nuns fussed over Greg, and I felt a little left out,” she said. Another change Margaret cites is how innocent women were then, in a sense. It was commonplace for women not to know much about relationships before they were married. She recalled with a smile how her husband had to go out and buy women’s products for her, a newly married man on their honeymoon. Greg, who was from the Balranald area, and Margaret, happily made their life together. They lived on the land, and Margaret was a confident and capable help in every way. Tragically, three of Margaret and Greg’s children passed in childhood, from what was discovered to be lead poisoning. By the time medical professionals had realised what the cause of the illness was, Anthony, Eliza and Basil had tragically already passed. Anthony was 5 and a half, Eliza was 3 and a half. Gerard and Genevieve had a little poisoning, but were able to be cured. Margaret felt terrible, but she had done everything in her power as a mother to save her children.They had gone to every medical professional possible, and nobody had been able to figure out what was wrong. “After a time, and much investigation and despair, on our part and from many medical professionals, we finally came across someone who helped. “The doctor who discovered Myxomatosis believed they knew what was happening,” Margaret recalled. “They sent us to a scientific place in Melbourne, and gave the children three tablets a day for three days, and it removed the lead from their systems.” Genevieve left school after completing her HSC. Gerard was 16 when he left school. They got flooded around this time, and they did not end up seeing Greg for weeks. All the fences nearby and the sheep had since gone, due to the flood. Greg and a friend were crutching the stragglers.Over time, their property burnt out, and was flooded out in separate incidents. One time there was a storm on the property, and the water ended up reaching waist height. “We could hear the water gurgling in,” Mar garet recalled. “It was strange, and I wasn’t sure what was happening at first. When it was clear, I held my sewing machine up over the water, and got outside. “Gerard swam out, and a neighbour came to help. "He was six feet, and it turned out the water reached 6.7 feet. "This situation lasted for about 18 months.” Margaret still has this sewing machine. Margaret loves Chanel No 5, and has an admiration for Jackie Kennedy, and her timeless appearance. “I have had a beautiful life, wonderful husband, and fantastic family,” she said. “I am grateful for every day, and try to live life to the fullest.” Margaret has always believed in treating everyone the same, and laments the existence of bigotry and hatred in the world. “If you sweep the street, as long as you do it to the best of your ability, then that’s all you need. Dignity is important, and everyone should be allowed dignity.” Margaret often sits in her garden and eats breakfast, and enjoys pottering around in her garden. She is very proud of her children. Her daughter Genevieve recently earned a Governor’s medal. It was an immense pleasure to talk to Margaret, and record her experiences. A delightful lady, with many varied experiences a lot would balk at going through, she handles what comes her way with grace and strength. You are an absolute inspiration, Margaret.

The Country Education Foundation of Balranald has opened its annual grants round for all young people living within the Balranald Shire area (including the towns of Euston, Balranald and beyond). If you are transitioning from school (or a gap year or even a few years of working) into your career, are aged 16-25yrs and need some financial support in meeting your career goals then go to the Country Education Foundation Australia website: https://cef.org.au/apply-for-a-grant/ create a ‘Student Registration’ selecting Balranald as your local Foundation and complete an application form. Applications must be completed online and received by COB 5pm 30th November 2024.

News alert: Fire in Oolambeyan National Park. Status is out of control, emergency services are advising there is no immediate danger, updates will be issued if the situation changes.

If you are a woman in Menindee who is interested in learning about exercise, nutrition, or other healthy living, book in for the Positive Pause program now.There are so many benefits, including personal exercise therapy and group exercise classes, nutrition and diet support, a chance to seek out support from other women going through similar things and from professionals. The program is person specific, so a booking is essential! Book now as time is running out.The program also offers a referral service into the FWLHD Menopause Coordinator service, which provides support and healthcare navigation to those who are experiencing severe menopause symptoms. Educate yourself, the more you know about what you are going through and the available treatment options the better.

Bourke and Cobar will gain over 120 combined childcare places after the State Government committed more than $3 million to increase staff and spaces. The government announced on November 8 it will give Cobar Shire Council $1.3 million to expand family day care and help rehome Cobar Out of School Hours, from a leased church hall to the Kubby House Childcare Centre. Bourke and District Children’s Services will get $1.85 million for a new childcare space and to help attract and retain workers.The service will also have $900,000 to create 20-place out of school hours care program, which would run five days a week for 40 weeks of the year. At the service, which currently has up to 39 childcare places and a waitlist for 46 children, funding will create 20 childcare places for children aged zero to three, plus four full time jobs. The new space will have with three child-accessible bathrooms and two craft sinks. The government said relocation support will be offered to attract new staff and retention bonuses available to encourage long-term service. 

Beginning the start of November, the Australian Government implemented changes to smoking legislation.This is designed to improve public health by discouraging smoking and the use of smoking products, encourage people to give up smoking and stop using tobacco products, and to address the health risks of vaping and using e‑cigarettes.The changes include:continues tobacco advertising bans including restricting sponsorshipsrestricts the advertising and promotion of e‑cigarettes, including via sponsorshipscontinues plain packaging requirementsrestricts the use of appealing brand and variant namesregulates and in some cases prohibits attractive product features, such as crush balls and flavour beadsstandardises tobacco product pack size and cigarette stick sizesrestricts ingredient additives that enhance the appeal of tobacco productsupdates and improves health warnings on tobacco product packagingmandates health promotion inserts that encourage and empower people to quit smokingmandates the disclosure of tobacco product ingredients, pricing and sales volumes, and advertising, promotion and sponsorship expenditureimproves coverage, enforcement and compliance for tobacco controlprovides for a new Illicit Tobacco and E‑cigarette Commissioner within the Australian Border Force.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will continue to service Broken Hill and outer communities to meet increased demand after the government rebates went live after October’s power outage.This will be the fourth week staff will be on the ground to help community members.The outreach centre in Wilcannia will be open Tuesday (November 19) from 9am to 3pm at the Community Hall, 78 Woore Street.The Recovery Assistance Point in Broken Hill will continue to operate from Monday 18th of November to Friday 22nd of November at 9am to 6pm at the old Harvey Norman Building, 329 – 331 Blende Street.What you need to apply:proof of identity.proof of address such as utility bills, or car registration.Australian bank account details for payment (this is essential).Service NSW and Red Cross will be based at the Broken Hill and Wilcannia centres.Residents are being asked to remain vigilant - there are scams targeting residents in Broken Hill with suspicious text messages using the word claim. Payments from the electrical outage support package will be made by Service NSW only.

Twenty-three loyal volunteers from across the Far West region of NSW have been awarded Crown Lands Service Recognition Awards for over 10 years or more service on land manager boards, taking care of public land on behalf of their communities. Crown land is public land set aside for public benefit and plays a vital role in supporting thriving communities across NSW. There are over 2,500 volunteers involved in Crown reserve management across the state, freely giving their time, skills and energy for the good of their local communities.   The award recipients are all volunteers who manage reserves from all corners of the Far West region, including Broken Hill, Walgett, Ivanhoe, Lightning Ridge and Wanaaring.  Recipients include stalwarts like Broken Hill’s Christine Adams, who received a Crown Lands Service Recognition Award for 14 years longstanding service managing and helping drive the success of the Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum. Ms Adams’ colleague Dennis Turley was also recognised earlier this year for over 30 years of volunteer service on the museum’s board. Several land managers of the Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve, which is the city’s main racecourse, received awards for over 10 and 20 years of service, including the Chairperson Cheryl Krutli and Kevin Taylor who have both been acknowledged for over 20 years of service on the board. Further north, Barbara Moritz received recognition for 31 years on the board of the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. Ms Moritz, alongside her fellow volunteers, has been instrumental in creating and maintaining this unique museum in the heart of NSW’s opal mining capital. Graeme Anderson was also acknowledged for 14 years’ service on the board. The historical society building was formerly a 1930s opal miners hut and has an interior furnished with items from that era. The hut offers tourist information about the region’s opal mining industry and a tantalising glimpse into the area’s past. On the same lot is a relocated and restored 1915 nurses’ cottage honouring the essential outback medical support of nurses in the Lightning Ridge region. More long-term Crown land volunteers will receive award certificates for their service over coming months. There are over 700 Crown reserves managed by volunteers whose efforts ensure public assets are taken care of and can be accessed by everyone.  Crown Lands Service Recognition Award certificate recipients in the Far West region Over 30 years Barbara Moritz – Lightning Ridge Historical Society Dennis Turley – Sulphide Street Station Railway and Historical Museum in Broken Hill Clive Linnett – Ivanhoe Racecourse Reserve Brian Thomas – Ivanhoe Racecourse Reserve  Raymond Longfellow – Ivanhoe Racecourse Reserve Timothy O’Halloran - Homebush Recreation Reserve  Rex Scott – Hatfield Recreation Reserve in south western NSW  Over 20 years Raymond Longfellow – Ivanhoe Public Hall Reserve Cheryl Krutli – Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve Kevin Taylor – Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve  Beryl Leigo – Lila Leigo Centre Reserve at Wanaaring  Over 10 years Christine Adams – Sulphide Street Railway and Historical Museum Wayne Krutli – Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve  Barry King – Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve   Selina Larovere–Nagas – Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve  Peter Stewart – Broken Hill Regional Events Centre Reserve   Betty Taylor – Lila Leigo Centre Reserve  Deborah Myors – Lila Leigo Centre Reserve   Peter Jackson – Lila Leigo Centre Reserve   John Pickering – Cumborah Recreation Reserve near Lightning Ridge James Warden – Cumborah Recreation Reserve   Claire Butler – Hatfield Recreation Reserve   David Smith – Walgett Pistol Club reserve  Graham Anderson - Lightning Ridge Historical Society 

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) has released a new Drought, Fire, and Flood Recovery Guide designed to support producers across NSW facing the challenges of extreme weather events.It addresses the unique issues faced by NSW farmers on the road to recovery from drought, bushfires, and flooding events.  It accompanies the Managing Drought, fire and flood guide released earlier this year which focuses on preparedness and response.  The recovery phase following any extreme event presents a valuable opportunity for producers to assess and improve their strategies, ensuring they are better equipped to face future challenges. To help achieve this, key features of the guide features informed decision-making strategies tailored to assist farmers in navigating the complexities of recovery. Practical advice and guidance on livestock, farm management, and sustainable practices related to soils, pastures, cropping, and natural resources. Resource Information and direct access to relevant resources from NSW DPIRD and Local Land Services (LLS). For more information and to access the Drought, Fire, and Flood Recovery Guide, please visit NSW DPIRD Drought hub website - https://www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au/drought-fire-and-flood-recovery-guide

The Riverine Grazier and Back Country Bulletin recently had a fascinating Letter to the Editor arrive in our office. Pease read the following piece on the turning off of 3G, written by local Caroline Booth.We want to hear from you! Please give us your thoughts and experiences by emailing [email protected] wedge between city and country - Caroline Booth Since the turning off of 3G, much of rural NSW has had another wedge placed in the divide between city and country. Where people were once able to make phone calls or even be able to just send a simple text, they have nothing. Left unable to run their business, stay connected with family members, or even make medical appointments. And god forbid if it was needed to call emergency services! Communication has become an integral part of rural business. The number of businesses that we deal with throughout our day in order to put dinner on the table for city folk that require them to call you back has dramatically increased. You call to order something, make an appointment, etc., and they then tell you that there will be a call back.When 3G was on, you could then get on with work and they would call you back on the mobile, but now you either have to wait around the house or just leave it until another day when you would be around. People have become accustomed to being connected. Recently, during a spate of fires caused by lightning, people were disconnected as they were in an area where they once could get phone service, but now there is nothing. Communication was difficult, causing increased stress in an already stressful situation. We have spent the last 10 years using 3G to help us get dinner ready for the nation. Now, we have taken a step backwards. Is it fair that technology for rural Australia gets worse while it gets faster for more populated areas? So if your breakfast, lunch, or dinner is late to the table, enjoy the high-speed downloads!

The Australian government has provided Regional Express (Rex) with an $80 million lifeline to keep the airline operating regional routes. This funding comes after the airline collapsed in July and entered administration. The decision has been met with anger from smaller airlines, who say they offered to take over Rex's routes but were rebuffed. Rex's Collapse and its ImpactRex collapsed following its unsuccessful expansion into capital city routes, where it faced stiff competition from Qantas and Virgin Australia. However, the airline remains a major player in regional Australia, and its collapse has had a significant impact on airfares. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reported that airfares have spiked since Rex’s exit from certain major city routes. For example, fares between Adelaide and Melbourne have increased by 95 per cent. Government Intervention and CriticismTransport Minister Catherine King announced the $80 million funding package, which will support Rex’s operations until June, following the next federal election. The government has not clarified whether the funding is a loan or a grant. Smaller airlines have criticized the government’s decision, stating they had proposed solutions to maintain service to regional communities without requiring government funding. Rejected Acquisition BidThe sources reveal that Renaissance Partners submitted a bid to acquire Rex, but it was rejected by the administrators, EY, and the investment bank managing the sale, Houlihan Lokey. Kym Lennox of Renaissance Partners claims their offer would have secured the airline's future without government intervention. They expressed confusion over the government's decision to become financially involved. Emails from a major investment bank, whose name was not disclosed, suggest their willingness to finance the acquisition, pending due diligence. EY declined to comment on the matter. Current StatusSince entering administration in July, EY has sold Rex's Pel-Air air ambulance business to Toll Holdings and property assets to the airline's majority shareholder. EY administrator Sam Freeman said the $80 million from the government will allow Rex's regional network to continue operating uninterrupted and will lead to network enhancements during the extension period.

Member for Farrer Sussan Ley has slammed members of the National Socialist Network in parliament recently.“I rise with a message from my electorate of Farrer: those who try to divide us will only make us stronger,” Ms Ley said in her opening statements. In October, up to 50 Neo-Nazis dressed in black, with their faces covered, converged at Corowa in NSW, as part of an organised white supremacist rally.Ms Ley condemned the men who took part.“These men sought support for a publicity stunt. They failed miserably. Corowa rebuked the mob, demanding they leave town immediately. When I visited (Corowa) the next day, the message was clear: your views are not welcome in our town.”The group had also assembled at Albury's war memorial, alone on a cold midwinter evening, sprouting what Ms Ley called “white supremacy rubbish.” Saying their views should be “disappearing into the void of a dark night.” “You might meet in secret or sink into backroom social media sites, but as soon as you come out of the dark, you will be rejected,” she said. “If you think there's a base for you in rural Australia, think again.”

Become part of the growing Natural Capital Asset movement by joining Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc for their free, Nature’s Balance Sheet: Understanding Natural Capital Assets two-part program.By Jenny Dwyer, Murrumbidgee Landcare Local Landcare CoordinatorAbove : Stacey Lugsdin at her Warrendale sandhill restoration site that will be toured as part of the program. Image: Supplied.As a farmer or land manager, you manage natural capital: plants, animals, soils, water, and the services they provide. Enhancing natural capital on your farm can create value for your farming business or property management, as well as improving the environment and supporting the broader economy.Murrumbidgee Landcare Local Landcare Coordinator Jenny Dwyer says “natural capital remains a hot topic and we’re pleased to provide this opportunity for everyone to learn more from specialists in the field.”During the program, you will learn from Riverina Local Land Services, Primary Industries and Regional Development and NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust the value of the natural assets on your farm, how to improve productivity, build resilience, expand or safeguard market access, save on input and finance costs and boost your knowledge and confidence navigating environmental market opportunities.Part I on November 26 will be an Introduction to Natural Capital and Asset Tour of Warrendale, Hay. The visit will include discussions about basic concepts related to natural capital and how to get started, including a walk-through of the Warrendale Natural Capital Profile.Part II on December 3 will be a Carbon Management Workshop, facilitated by DPI’s On Farm Carbon Advice Team, detailing emissions analysis, calculating your on-farm emissions, market drivers and current and future approaches to reducing emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration.Cassie Douglas from the Biodiversity Conservation Trust will also be available to discuss the agreements and assistance the Biodiversity Conservation Trust can offer private landholders to enhance and conserve biodiversity on their property.More information and registration

Murrumbidgee Council has released a report following investigations into an alleged fuel spill at Gundaline Station, east of Hay.In the report, Council’s Director of Planning and Infrastructure Garry Stoll advised no action would be taken.Mr Stoll cites the extended time frame of the alleged incident to the report, the anonymous nature of the allegations and the lack of evidence at the site when inspected in May 2024.In July, The Riverine Grazier published claims that 11,800 litres of diesel had spilled and been drained into a main irrigation channel, causing a fish kill event, in December 2022 or January 2023.The allegations were raised in an unsigned, series of written allegations sent to The Grazier, NSW CEO of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Tony Chappel, Acting Deputy Secretary of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin, District Fisheries Officer Shaun Burke and the regional office of EPA in Griffith.The parcel of information also included photographs and maps.The recent Council report states on August 14 of this year Mr Stoll, Council’s Environmental Health Officer Susie Leeds and NSW EPA Acting Unit Head of Regulatory Operations Michael Waanders met at Gundaline, with a representative of Customised Farm Management (CFM) Richard Malone, to inspect the site of the alleged spill.During this inspection Mr Malone told the inspectors CFM operated an electronic fuel storage monitoring system that would have alerted to a significant fuel loss.He stated that in periods of hot weather it is “not uncommon for fish within the channels, predominately carp, to die off.”The Council report went on to state that on the inspection date of August 12, 2024 no dead fish were found, and the earthen bund around the diesel fuel tank was “in place and no breaches were evident.”CPRCT Consulting is acting for the sources, and has been in contact with Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage and Murrumbidgee Council.“This response is appalling,” a spokesperson said. “It appears this was just a tick a box exercise done months after the report was made. Did they really think or hope the media will not report any further on this matter? “Our plan is to now escalate this matter.“The mention of buried chemicals and excavators as a separate matter desperately needs to be addressed as it is outright illegal.”CPRCT Consulting says it acts for numerous ex-staff and contractors and has documentation to back up their claims, including timestamped photographs, maps and diary notes from Gundaline staff meetings.Background:Fuel spill fish kill alleged at Gundaline Station — The Riverine GrazierMurrumbidgee Council launches investigation into fuel spill — The Riverine Grazier