• Friends and family of Lila-Jane Nagle gathered at the Condobolin Public School on Friday to celebrate her life, and to raise awareness of Meningitis within the Condobolin community.

By Olivia McInnes

 A memorial service was held at the Condobolin Public School on Friday in memory of Lila-Jane Nagle.

The Condobolin Community was both shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of the much loved little girl last August.

Lila’s mother Belinda Nagle, explained the chain of events leading to her daughters sudden passing.

“Lila woke up on the 28th of August 2011, complaining of a headache.

We assumed that after having such a wonderful day at the Condobolin show the day before, that she was simply exhausted from all the excitement.

“At 4pm Lila vomited and said she was feeling exhausted.

“By 10pm we couldn’t wake her and by 11pm she was on life support.

“The life support was turned off on the 29th,” Belinda recalled.

Despite showing very few of the symptoms, it was determined that Lila’s cause of death was Meningitis.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms and less commonly by certain drugs.

Meningitis can be life threatening because of the inflammations proximity to the brain and spinal cord, therefore the condition is classified as a medical emergency.

The most common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting and inability to tolerate light or loud noises.

Sometimes, especially in small children, only nonspecific symptoms may be present such as irritability or drowsiness.

A rash may be present which may indicate a particular cause of meningitis, for example meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria may be accompanied by a characteristic rash.

Belinda says that there is no awareness program for meningitis in NSW, and that Lila had meningitis three times in her short lifetime, but sadly they didn’t realise until it was too late.

“It can affect anyone of any age, and it can kill within 24 hours; it took Lila’s life within 12 hours,” she said.

The Memorial Day for Lila held at CPS on Friday was for her school friends, who placed a plaque and planted a tree for Lila in the memory garden.

Belinda said the day was also about raising awareness within the community.

“We want to raise awareness about meningitis and we hope that by doing this it will save peoples lives,” she said.

If you would like more information on meningitis, pamphlets are available at the Melrose Street Medical Centre, or you can visit http://www.meningitis.com.au.

• Condobolin High School Captains Jordan Hall and Ebony Davis were invited to attend the CSU Wagga Wagga Graduation Ceremony last Tuesday where they led the Academic Procession into Joyes Hall. L-R Jordan Hall, CSU Wagga Wagga Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett and Ebony Davis.

By Olivia McInnes

Condobolin High School Captains Ebony Davis and Jordan Hall were recently invited to attend a graduation ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga.

The pair along with their year advisor, Ms Katrina Thompson, left Condobolin at 5am last Tuesday morning to get to Wagga in time to lead the academic procession into the University’s Joyes Hall, followed by the University Chancellor Mr Lawrence Willett AO, CSU academics and other official guests.

The Captains were invited to attend the graduation as part of a program of school participation in the graduation ceremonies designed to strengthen the links between Charles Sturt University and the high schools within its region.

Condobolin High School was the only school represented at the recent graduation ceremonies in Wagga.

Jordan said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience: “We got to meet at lot of different people and see how a traditional graduation ceremony works. We also got to meet and have lunch with the Dean of uni and the Chancellor and they were so good to us”.

By Olivia McInnes

It’s no secret that what was once a baronial building known to Condobolin locals as the Renown Theatre, has sadly over the years become a dilapidated health risk to the community.

The Lachlan Shire Council has recently taken action to amend the situation, serving an order on the current owners of the building, Fatsea’s Enterprises.

General Manager of the Lachlan Shire, George Cowan said “The order requires the owner to secure the premises and control the vermin within, in particular the pigeons and the mess they have made”.

Soon after the order was served by Council, a law firm requested an extension of time on behalf of Fatsea’s Enterprises due to their clients ill health, and to organize contractors to carry out the requested works.

The Council approved the extension of time, giving Fatsea’s Enterprises until April 2012 to carry out the order.

“So far he (Mr John Fatsea) has been cooperating and we are making progress,” George said.

The order served by the Lachlan Shire Council stipulates;

• Repair of external windows,

• Repainting of external finishes,

• Removal of all bird nesting areas from the external and internal areas of the building as well as implementing measures to prevent further roosting of pigeons.

• Installation of new guttering,

• Removal of all graffiti to the exterior building,

• The implementation of effective vermin control measures to control mice and rats on the premises.

“If he fails to carry out the order by the appointed time the council has a number of options including going in and doing it ourselves at his expense,” George said.

“The building is a health hazard at the moment so the birds have to go.

“We are removing the birds using a combination of efforts, and we are doing it humanely.

“If anyone would like a pet pigeon for Christmas, put your hand up now,” he said.

By Olivia McInnes

The Lachlan Shire Council has recently welcomed a new grant of $42,000 under the Roads and Maritime Services Better Boating Program.

The grant will go towards an upgrade of the existing boat access point on the southern side of the river, as well as the construction of a new pontoon/gangway facility adjacent to the Gum Bend Lake boat ramp.

The grant is part of more than $4.5 million outlayed by Government to provide new and improved boating facilities across NSW.

Minister Duncan Gay said “By supporting new and improved boating facilities, Roads and Maritime Services is putting customers first in our boating communities state wide.

“It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people go boating in NSW each year and making access to our waterways safer and more convenient is good news for the community.

“This grant funding recognises the important role boating has to play in our communities and the economy,” he said.

General Manager of the Lachlan Shire George Cowan said “It’s great news to get this financial support from the State Government and local member Adrian Piccoli.

“The the new pontoon/gangway to be constructed at Gum Bend Lake in particular is something that has been badly needed for quite a while.

“It will allow people to get in and out of their boats without getting wet.

“The money for this project will go to the newly formed Gum Bend Lake Committee”, George said.

The Committee of local residents is yet to be officially appointed but will be joined by Councillors Shields, Weale, Saunders, Nelson, Glen, Jones and Mayor Des Manwaring.

Once appointed, they will be focused on improving the lakes facilities and making it more attractive to both residents and tourists.

Mayor Clr Des Manwaring

As we approach the end of another year it is pleasing to see Council successful in completing a number of major projects and being well advanced with a number of others. Councils goal is to meet the needs of the community and wherever possible we would like to work closely with the people we are elected to serve.

A number of major building projects are underway including the renovation of the former shire hall which is almost complete and will be a marvelous new piece of heritage for the shire, the construction of the new children’s services building in Condobolin is about half way with completion next year and staff have begun laying the pad for the new kiosk for the netball soccer and cricket players at the SRA ground.

Four new cabins have been installed in each of the caravan parks at Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo helping to answer the demand for more accommodation in the towns. New bitumen roads have been constructed throughout the Shire including 4 kms of the Tullibigeal Road, several sections reconstructed and widened on the Lake Cargelligo West Wyalong Road and 7kms of the Fifield Road.

In the last few months a number of very successful events have been held including the Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin Shows, the Tottenham Flower Show, the Professional Bull Ride and the Tattoo.

A tremendous amount of work by local people goes into these events and it is truly great to see the community come out and support them. Council helps where it can and has provided either cash or in kind support to all of these and a number of other smaller events.

Council has also been able to help a number of community groups who have been upgrading facilities in their towns including new rooms for the Tullibigeal Picnic Race Club, new seats in the grandstand and an electrical upgrade at the Lake Showgrounds, new poultry Pavilion at Condobolin showgrounds and the upgrade and sealing of the Tottenham airstrip. Many other community groups have also had successful programs. In each case there has been significant input from the community and I can assure all that it is much appreciated by Council.

Congratulations also to the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation on the opening of the new study centre. This will be a major asset to the whole community and it was great to have the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd here for the opening.

Our partnership with Penrith Council continues to flourish and during the year a number of initiatives were held including a visit to the shire by the Penrith Performing Arts group who presented a play to the public and provided expert tuition to students in Tottenham, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo. A number of young people from the shire visited Penrith including a group of year one students from Tullibigeal Central School who received a civic reception from the Mayor of Penrith Council whilst in the area visiting Oxley Park Public School.

Finally, I would like to extend to all families a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Des Manwaring, Mayor,  Lachlan Shire Council

Po Box 216 CONDOBOLIN NSW 2877

Telephone: (02) 6895 1900

Fax: (02) 6895 3478

www.lachlan.nsw.gov.au

• L-R: Shirley Bell, Mel Bell, Zilla Bell, Michelle Watt and Wes Johnson ready for their first anniversary on Friday 23rd December.

Happy Daze Coffee Lounge in Bathurst Street Condobolin will be celebrating their 1st birthday next Friday 23rd December.

Owners Shirley Bell and daughter Melanie Bell opened the business a year ago and haven’t looked back since.

The dynamic pair quickly made their presence felt in Condobolin a popular place to enjoy fresh, home cooked meals and great coffee.

Shirley said, “Owning and running the coffee lounge has been great, better than we expected it to be for the first twelve months.

It’s not just the food that makes a visit to Happy Daze worthwhile, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, perfect for catching up with friends.

There is also a great play area to keep the kids entertained so that mum and dad can relax.

Top it off with great friendly service from the staff, and public feedback, Happy Daze is bound to have many more birthdays!

Call in to Happy Daze on Friday 23rd December to help them celebrate and recieve a free cupcake with every large coffee purchased.

• General manager of the Penrith City Council Alan Stoneham, winner of the Living Lachlan Style Photographic Competition junior section Dustin Manwaring, and Mayor of the Lachlan Shire, Des Manwaring. Contributed

Lachlan Shire Council announced the winners of the Living Lachlan Style Photographic Competition at the Mayoral Christmas Reception which was held 14 December, 2011.

The competition was open to everyone with photos having to be contemporary and taken within the Lachlan Shire.

There were two age groups, the first was 18 years and under and the second was open and the photos were judged in the five categories of the Lachlan Shire Council Strategic Plan being Social, Environmental, Economic, Infrastructure and Civic Leadership.

In the junior section, the winner for the Social, Environmental and Economic categories was won by Michaela Hague and the overall winner for the junior section was won by Dustin Manwaring. The categories of Civic Leadership and Infrastructure non compliant.

In the senior section, the winner for the Social category was Kerryn Deeves, the winner for the Environmental category was Dominic Geiger, the winner for the Economic category was Megan Mortimer, the winner for the Civic Leadership category was Gus Blacker and the winner for the Infrastructure category was Julie Sealey. The overall winner for the open section was won by Paul McGovern.

General Manager of Lachlan Shire Council Mr Cowan said the competition was a great success.

“The quality of images received for the competition was very high and a real credit to everyone who submitted an entry. The Photos captured the essence of life in the Lachlan.”

“Following the success of this year’s competition, Council will be looking at running another competition in 2012,” said Mr Cowan.