• Callum Wald caught a friend at Milby Sports Day and Gymkhana on Saturday.

By Olivia McInnes

 Around 350 People from as far as Jindabyne and Picton made the pilgrimage to one much loved paddock west of Condobolin for the 59th Milby Sports Day and Gymkhana.

Milby Sports Day and Gymkhana is a unique rural event, fashioned around a family day out full of old fashioned fun for the kids as well as the adults.

The day kicked off with a range of sporting events for the horse enthusiasts, with Alex Wald winning the trophy for most successful rider.

There was plenty of entertainment for the kids including foot races, face painting, jumping castle, merry go round and the traditional rooster chase.

There was also the exclusive ping pong ball drop, where a plane flew over head dropping a load of ping pong balls ,each with a monetary value which the kids could then cash in at the Milby Lolly Shop.

Later in the evening, the crowd was enthralled with the thrills and spills of the Milby Rodeo which was judged by former bull rider Les Parnaby who flew in from Saudi Arabia just to make the event.

The poddy calf ride was won by local Harry Crouch, and the steer ride by Lance Brown who then had to turn around and attempt to ride the feature steer at which he made a gallant attempt.

Member of the Australian Light Horse Association, Jimmy Rogers provided some amusement of his own: firstly with a fantastic tent pegging display and later with some of his much relished tales.

Local band ‘3rd Base then entertained partygoers until the early hours of the morning, with several encores requested as well as a surprise midnight proposal.

Organiser for the event Kerry Sides said that the committee thought Milby could have been a wash out after the storm in the early hours of Saturday morning.

“It turned out to be an extremely successful day,” said Kerry, “everyone had a fantastic time”.

“We want to thank all of our sponsors because without them there’s no way we’d be able to pull it off,” she said.

• Left to right: Mark Whitla & Trevor Ross (CJRL), Megan Henley (Kimberley Metals), Fiona Doyle & Zena Jones (Netball Assoc), Mick Hanlon (GM Kimberley Metals), Monique Whitbread & Michael Leal (Condobolin Auto sports). KT.

A very helpful sum of $4,500 was divided between three lucky junior sporting clubs- Condobolin Junior Rugby league, Condobolin Netball association and Condobolin Auto Sports Club.

The funds were raised at a recent Mineral Hill Charity Golf day held at the Condobolin Sports Club. Coordinator of the day, Megan Henley said, “The aim of the donations is to help develop junior sport in town. I’d like to thank all our sponsors and all the people who participated.”

Every year the charity is aiming to support a different selection of junior sporting groups.

“… The friend of man, the friend of truth

The friend of age and guide of youth

Few hearts like his with virtue warmed

Few heads with knowledge so informed”

These lines from Robert Burns well describe Kevin Brady, who died in Condobolin on 11th September, 2011. He lived his whole 84 years within a 10 mile radius of his beloved Condobolin, and the Lachlan River, and was known for his great passion for, and commitment to, his family, his community, his love of music and poetry and the beauty of the English language, in which he was highly accomplished.

Kevin Noel Brady was born in Condobolin on 16 December, 1926, the eldest child and only son of Tom and Clarice Brady, and much loved brother of Pat Hartcher, Mary Benbow (dec’d), Denise Stubbs and Carolyn Allen. His grandparents, Terence and Catherine Brady and Henry and Eliza Roberts were not only pioneers in farming and business in Condobolin, but were also involved in the Municipal Council, various sporting associations and St Joseph’s Catholic Church. In 1938 Kevin and his cousin Terry were the first altar boys to set the Brady bell, donated by their grandfather, a-ringing in the church tower.

Kevin’s formal education began in 1935 through Blackfriar’s Correspondence, and then until 1940 he made the daily 5 mile trek on his pony, or in the sulky with his sisters, to St Joseph’s Convent School. It was here that he acquired not only a love of learning, but a sense of duty, which stood him in good stead all his life.

In 1940 Kevin went to St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. He went on to do very well academically and, much to his surprise, at boxing as his chosen sport. He loved his Alma Mater and was delighted that his son and grandsons followed him there, and was an enthusiastic Joey’s Old boy.

Armed with his Intermediate Certificate, Kevin returned to Condobolin and life on the land. He worked on the family properties, “Waitohi”, “Ruby” and “Tilga” with his father Tom and Uncle Jack, producing merino wool and growing irrigation crops. In his memoirs he describes being first a roustabout and later the wool classer at “Tilga” and “Waitohi” during the shearing, and other aspects of life on the farm – “Albert Khel was the first man to show me how to handle the reins with a horse team. He sold my father the first pony I ever owned. Jack Ingram taught me to roll a smoke and whistle through my teeth – a sheep dog could hear me half a mile away! Smacker Smith broke me into the hard yakka of bale tying on a Lucerne press. In one day at “Ruby” he and I tied a bit over 400 bales, which was something of a record at the time.”

In 1947 Kevin joined the Condobolin Show Society and began a lifetime of dedication to the Condobolin community. He went on to become Show President in 1971-72, and in 1987 was awarded the rare honour of being made a Show Patron. Even after his retirement from the committee in 1995, he continued his interest in the Show, in fact in 66 years, the only Show he missed was in August 2011, two weeks before he died.

In the 1950s, Kevin did a course in Meetings and Procedure and Public Speaking. He was a stickler for correctness in the conduct of meetings and the making of speeches, and came to be a master of both in the ensuing years.

In 1954 he became the third generation of Brady men to serve on the Municipal Council, which he continued until 1964. In 1958 he became a Director of the Condobolin Hospital, becoming Chairman of the Board in 1962. He still holds the record as the youngest man to hold chairmanship of a hospital board in NSW.

In the mid 1950s he was one of the founding members of the Western Round-Up Committee, and his love of horses led to his involvement in establishing the Condobolin Pony Club in the early 1960s. He delighted in his role as qualified instructor, and in later years as a Patron of the Club.

During the 1960s Kevin enjoyed his membership of the Condobolin Bowling Club, serving on the committee for several years. In 1967 he, Wal Ticehurst, Dick Johnson and John Faulkiner were part of the Grade IV Pennants side who, having won the Zone flag, travelled to Sydney to play for the State flag.

In the 1970s Kevin joined the Condobolin Lions Club, an organization which entirely suited his philosophy of community service. For twenty-five years, two as President, he helped organize and fund projects such as the Titmus Eye Testing program, which tested primary school children in the Lachlan Shire for eye problems; the donation of a Slit machine to the hospital for diagnostic eye testing; a new humidicrib for the maternity unit, a donation for new x-ray equipment as well as many other projects. He and Bid attended interstate and international Lions conferences, including Hong Kong in 1992, when they were en route to their grand tour of the UK and Ireland.

In his later years, Kevin was an active member and President of the Condobolin Men’s Probus Club, and thoroughly enjoyed their activities and excursions.

One of his greatest passions was the Condobolin Historical Society. He loved the beauty of history, and was a font of knowledge as far as Condobolin was concerned. Under his presidency, the Society enjoyed many excursions to local historical sites, such as Eremeran Station, the Overflow or the old Cobb & Co route from Condobolin to Euabalong, enhanced by his knowledgeable commentary. He was involved in writing many historical papers on Condobolin on topics such as Morton’s Crossing, Condobolin street names and the infamous Court House Ballot marbles scandal, to name a few. In 2009 Kevin was honoured with Life Membership of the Historical Society.

During the post war years, Kevin developed his love of music, carrying on a tradition inherited from a musical family. He had a beautiful tenor voice and was soon involved in the church choir, singing three and four-part harmonies, and the solo tenor part of Webb’s Mass in G, which remained one of his all-time favourites. He was also involved in the local Concert Party, a group of local musicians who travelled around performing all over the district, raising money for war loans and Red Cross. In 2006 Kevin was one of the founding members of the Condobolin Sing Australia choir. In 2009, Kevin and Biddy enjoyed the thrill of singing in the Sydney Philharmonic Choir’s performance of Hayden’s “Creation” at the Sydney Opera House, but his greatest joy was singing with, and listening to, his children and grandchildren performing much loved family favourites. He had a wide and diverse taste and repertoire, ranging from the classics and church music through Gilbert and Sullivan, Irish and American folk music, to musicals from the 1940s to the present day. As well as being musically gifted, Kevin had a talent for reciting poetry with brilliant accents and comic timing. To hear him recite “Albert and the Lion” in pure Cockney, or “The Christening” in broad Irish brogue, or any of Banjo Paterson or Henry Lawson, was to enjoy a rare treat.

Kevin loved a beer and the conviviality of the bar, the good company of men. His kind, gentle nature and charming humour won him many, many friends.

It is said that the greatest gift a man can give his children is to love their mother, and this was surely the greatest legacy of Kevin’s life. Of all his achievements, it was his family and the loving home life that he and Bid created over the 61 years of their marriage that was the pride and joy of his life. He was loving and much beloved, not only by his children and their spouses, Paul and Judy Brady, Annie and John Joseph and Jill and the late Chris Slennett, his nine grandchildren and great grandson, but also by his large extended family and network of friends.

The Condobolin community has lost one of its finest sons.

Valè – Kevin Brady

Criminals recently attacked the Argus website attempting to ‘hack’ in past our security.

Our technician has investigated the origin of the attack and the information has been passed to the Australian Federal Police.

In addition our security has been beefed up and we do not expect to suffer service failure again.

We regret the interruption that has been caused to readers – our website is now back to normal operations.

-Editor

• Condobolin locals Todd Smith, Jacob Smith, Don Lark, Stuart Bowen and David Geeves recently participated in Asia Pacifics toughest off road race, the Australasian Safari. All five men returned home with some truly outstanding results. See pages 6 and 7 for details. Photo GHR

Compiled by Olivia McInnes

 Five Condo locals recently travelled to Western Australia to take part in one of the nations toughest endurance races, the Australasian Safari.

We were proud of them before they left, but when they came home with a first, a second, and three more placings in the top 40, Condobolin was in elation.

Any one would have to agree that to come away with these kind of results from a race which is so hotly contested by both national and international competitors, is nothing short of an outstanding achievement and one of which they can look back on and be proud of for the rest of their lives.

The Argus caught up with the boys, Todd Smith, Jacob Smith, Don Lark and David Geeves to find out exactly how they did it. Unfortunately, Stuart Bowen was not avialable for comment at the time of going to press.

Todd Smith – 1st Place in the 2011 Australasian Safari

Argus: In terms of difficulty, how does the Australasian Safari rank among other races you’ve participated in?

Todd: The Australasian Safari is the toughest race that I do because it is seven days straight of racing and you are riding the bike for 6-8 hours a day, it is more mentally draining also because you have to concentrate on riding and read the map at the same time.

Argus: What kind of preparation do you put in for a race like that?

Todd: I do some road cycling for fitness but mainly I ride my motorbike a couple of times a week to keep me in shape.

Argus: Describe the best experience of the race?

Todd: Riding across the finish line in 1st place!

Argus: What was the worst/hardest thing you had to overcome during the race?

Todd: I had a pretty good run all week really. Getting to the race was probably the most difficult task, as I had to overcome a hip dislocation that I endured 4 weeks prior to Safari. At the time of the injury I didn’t even think that I’d be able to race the Safari so getting there and finishing was pretty exciting.

Argus: Describe how you felt when you knew you had won?

Todd: It was a big relief – it is something that I have been chasing for a while. The feeling of achieving one of your life long goals is a pretty amazing feeling.

Jacob Smith – 2nd Place in the 2011 Australasian Safari

Argus: In terms of difficulty, how does the Australasian Safari rank among other races you’ve participated in?

Jacob: it’s definitely up there with the hardest races in the world including Dakar! The difference between Safari and Dakar is 7 days compared to 16 at Dakar and some of the tracks at Dakar you have to make your own which can be dangerous because you don’t know what dangers are on the course.

Argus: What kind of preparation do you put in for a race like that?

Jacob: Preparation pretty much starts in January when in start training for the season which consists of Alot of gym work strength and cardio, cycling, swimming, and lots of on bike training.

Argus: Describe the best experience of the race?

Jacob: Best experience would’ve been standing on the podium with my brother and Rod Faggotter who are both great blokes also watching Todd ride the perfect race and getting his breakthrough win.

Argus: What was the worst/hardest thing you had to overcome during the race?

Jacob: Definately the crash on day 3 and having to ride with an injured ankle and tailbone.

Argus: Describe the feeling of coming in second in such a tough race?

Jacob: well i didn’t win so it wasn’t the best it could be but I was happy to be beaten by Todd and be on the podium for our second 1,2 finish! Also a good feeling to make it to the end, a bit of relief I guess.

Don Lark

Best experience: Running in the top 15 for the first 6 days and mixing it with the best riders in Australia and overseas.

Describe the race: The hardest was riding day 4 and 5 without any rear brakes for approximately 600km and crashing because of having no breaks going through corners and out into trees. I’d crash and then have to pick myself and the bike up – it started to knock me about a bit.

Worst experience: Day 7. I had a big crash after passing a rider and was pinned by my bike face down with the bike on top of me, and the exhaust burning through my riding gear. I had to wait for the rider I had just passed to get the bike off me. I got going again and cracked the piston and lost a lot of time.

David Geeves

Describe the race: It was definitely the hardest race I have competed in, it’s like doing seven Condo 750’s in a row!

Best experience: Crossing the finish line in Kalgoorlie! Coming 10th outright and 3rd in my class in Australia’s toughest off-road race was a huge achievement for myself personally.

Worst experience: Crashing hard 60kms into the first section of the first day and having to complete the next 6 days with a busted right shoulder.

Whats next?: Looking forward to doing my 10th Condo 750 at easter 2012 and hopefully a podium spot.

• Vad Carey, exhibition organiser, surrounded by family - Erin Mullins, Jessica Robinson, Louise Ralph, Vad, Stephen Ralph, Meg Carey, Joel Robinson and Simon Carey. KT

By Karen Tooth

 There was something for everyone’s taste at this year’s Condobolin Arts and Crafts Exhibition. Displays included 39 patchwork items – mostly quilts; photography, china painting, creative craft, basket weaving and 134 works of fine art and sculpture.

A good crowd attended on Friday night with Councillor Jones acting on behalf of the mayor, opening the exhibition.

Clr Jones said, “It has been a while since the last show in 2004 – we have been moving through difficult times. The exhibitions started in the 1970’s and on behalf of the shire, I applaud and commend the hard work that has gone on to make this event happen. The quality of the work is to be admired.”

The hard work done by Vad Carey was recognised by a presentation of flowers. Vad thanked all the volunteers who help get the show assembled and in particular would like to thank Erin Mullins for hanging the art works.

The acquisitive open traditional prize was won by Annie Joseph with her watercolour “Stratford Sheds, Condobolin”.

Judges Martin Lane and Lucy Buttenshaw complimented both the exhibition space and the art works. Martin Lane now resides in West Wyalong and has recently published a book on the retrospective works of Australian artist Wendy Sharpe, who is having an exhibition at the SH Irving Gallery in Sydney.

Martin said, “You are very lucky to have such a great space complete with lighting and hanging system. The way the works are hung makes it feel like a real occasion in a Sydney gallery! It is good to acknowledge what a great asset Condobolin has.”

Lucy, also an artist from West Wyalong, found the standard of the work high and varied.

“We loved the variation and passion for communicating subjects close to the artist’s hearts – particularly the rural themes. It certainly was hard making decisions.”

By Olivia McInnes

Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club have recently been presented with the Country Provincial Racing NSW award for the Most Outstanding Achievement.

The award recognises a single outstanding achievement for a NSW race club during the 2010-2011 period, and comes as a result of Tulli’s highly successful first race meeting in April of 2010.

Tullibigeal was nominated for the award from a field of around 140 race clubs around NSW, and were chosen to receive the award from two other finalists; Cobar Miner’s Race Club and the Golden Triangle Race Clubs.

On the 30th of September, Tullibigeal Picnic committee members Craig and Kim Tyack, Leanne and Chris Frankel and Bruce and Kerry Johnson made the trip to Sydney to the Racing NSW awards dinner to accept their trophy and the $10,000 prize money which will go towards the 2012 race meeting.

Committee member Craig Tyack said it was a big surprise to learn that they had been nominated for the award by stewards who were present at Tullibigeal’s race meeting in April.

“Just to be nominated…and then to become a finalist – I just couldn’t believe it.

“I thought, now we’ll have to go and buy a new suit,” he said.

“It was very pleasing for us in our first year to be recognised on such a large stage, and it gives us plenty of excitement going into the 2012 racing season.

“It is only six months until the second Tullibigeal Picnic Races on Saturday 31 March, 2012, and they will be even better than this year’s day.

“The whole community is very proud of the achievement.

“It will lead to bigger and better things next year for the picnics.

“We’d like to thank and congratulate the whole community – everyone did their bit for the day,” he said.

Craig says the Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club has a number of ideas in the pipeline to improve and expand on the success of the 2011 race day, and that the Tullibigeal community would be working hard over the next few months to ensure another great day out for race goers.

Despite somewhat adverse conditions, a crowd of eager specators braved the rain and cold last Saturday night to witness one of Condobolins most exciting events of the year, the Professional Bull Ride.

And they weren’t disappointed, with 40 riders from all over the country as well as New Zealand fronting up to the challenge presented by a pen of some 50
bad tempered bovines.

The crowd were certainly kept on the edge of there seats for the entire night with three hours worth of fast moving hard hitting bull riding action, not to
mention plenty of mud slinging.

David Kennedy showed once again why he is currently ranked number one in Australian PBR when he spurred his way through the final round to take home the
buckle and the cash.

Runner up to David was Sam Larsen and in third place was Matt Laddhams, who also took home their fair share of the prize money.

Even the kids had a piece of the action at half time when they had the chance to showcase their moves in a dance off with Big Al the rodeo clown.

The PBR was just one part of the Condobolin Chutes and Utes Festival which ran throughout the long weekend.

The Ute Show on Sunday was a big success again this year with entrants travelling from all over to put their pride and joy on display.

Unfortunately due to rain the trade fair had to be cancelled and the Red Dirt Run Championships were unable to run for the full duration of the
weekend.

The barrel race which was scheduled to be held on the Monday was also postponed due to wet conditions.