· Above: Julie Ticehurst, Marline Curry, Terry Ticehurst and Cheryl Packham helping out at Condobolin's St Vincent de Paul Society store. JS

By Jessica Symonds and Karen Tooth

From selling raffle tickets, manning street stalls, delivering meals, reading to the young and the elderly, to organising major fundraising events, Condobolin can boast about our volunteers; some are very regular and recognisable, and others work behind the scenes.

During National Volunteers week, these are the people Condobolin, and Australia, are celebrating.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2010 6.1 million people (36% of the Australian population aged 18 years and over) participated in voluntary work.

As we all know, in close-knit communities such as Condobolin people love to help each other out, and volunteering is an extension of this generosity.

Volunteering is intrinsically important to our community; everyday there are volunteers at work, helping to make the lives of others better.

Vice-versa, volunteers are equally rewarded by the work they do in our community.

“I’m too young to sit at home doing nothing,” said Terry Ticehurst, a regular volunteer at the Condobolin Retirement Village, St Vincent de Paul, and Meals on Wheels.

“I like meeting people,” he said, “and the people I work with are very good.”

The inspiration to volunteer can stem from many places, and can lead to involvement in many varied and different things.

Ray and Allison Peasley, who have been involved in a range of community organisations over the years, including Rotary, Girl Guides, Condobolin Amateur Swimming Club, and the Anglican Womens’ Assosciation, began volunteering because of their three children.

“We were mostly involved with things because of the kids,” said Ray.

“Now that they’ve all left Condobolin, we’ve still stuck with many of the things we were involved with, with them.”

Totally run by volunteers, the Presbyterain Church Trash and Treasure is held in the Presbyterian hall every second Saturday of the month.

Lois volunteers because she wants to help, while Rex Press started with the group by assisting his mother Dorothy Press. He has stayed on since her passing and has become, as Bertha Stone describes him “the main stand by who does everything for us – the collecting and delivering and the setting out of the goods.”

Bertha Stone has always been involved with the PWA and when it stopped she and Dorothy Press decided to continue with the Trash and Treasure.

“Our small group has kept it going for years and years!”

A major concern is the shortage of volunteers, which places a great burden on the few. The group would like to have more people come and help out.

This week is a time to give back to our volunteers, and perhaps think about volunteering with one of Condobolin’s many charitable organisations.

• Mick Young Scholarship recipients on Thursday evening: Sam Dargan, Michael Kuhn, Blake Wheeler, Jodie-Lee Matheson, Craig Saunders, Dylan Pawsey, Tim Symonds, Joanne Pout. JS

By Jessica Symonds

Condobolin students from TAFE Western and their families gathered at the Condobolin Motor Inn last Thursday evening for the annual Mick Young Scholarship Presentation and Industry Gathering Evening.

Mick Young Scholarships Trust awards several scholarships each year to students who live in Condobolin, Forbes or Parkes.
This year, eight students received scholarships; they included: Sam Dargan, who is studying Cert III in Electrotechnology Electrician and completing an apprenticeship with Chris Nagle, Sam travels to Dubbo; Michael Kuhn who is studying Cert III in Mechanical Engineering and completing an apprenticeship with Maspro Engineering, Michael travels to Orange; Joanne Pout, who is doing a Diploma in Nursing Studies at Bathurst and is working at the Condobolin Retirement Village; Jodie-Lee Matheson, who is studying Cert III in Hairdressing and is working at RJs, Jodie-Lee travels to Orange; Tim Symonds, who is studying Cert III in Automotive Mechanical Technology, and is completing an apprenticeship with STS Auto Electrics, Tim does his TAFE course in Dubbo; Dylan Pawsey, who is studying Automotive Mechanical Technology (Heavy Vehicle) and is completing an apprenticeship with Hutcheon & Pearce in Parkes, travelling to Dubbo for his TAFE course; Craig Saunders who is studying Certificate III in Carpentry and is completing an apprenticeship with  Warren Chad; and Blake Wheeler who is also doing a Diploma of Nursing.

The second part of the evening involved acknowledging the success of TAFE’s partnerships with the community, enhancing the opportunity for people to study and work in Condobolin.

Five students were presented with Transcripts for the units completed in  Certificate III in Educational Support by teacher Gail Heinrich, which will enable them to gain employment in schools.
The presentees included Theresa Barnes, Krystal Dargin, Roy Peterson, Dianne Weatherall and Tehla Weatherall.

A further two students received Certificate III in Child Studies, which enables them to work with pre-school aged children; this was undertaken through TAFE’s partnership with CentaCare, Schools as Community Centres, and Condobolin Preschool.

These students were Theresa Barnes and Krystal Dargin. Sue Wood (the TAFE Outreach co-ordinator) acknowledged the contribution of Bev Martin from SACC and Debra Brasnett as their Teacher.
Elizabeth McGufficke, of the Condobolin TAFE campus, was positive about the progress all these students have made.

“Our students are continuing to produce great results,” she said.

Florist La Fleur proprietor Brenda Haworth with the Mother’s Day gift hamper that was won by Margaret Wynne. (Drawn by Darryl Nairn). KT

Condobolin business, Florist La Fleur on Bathurst Street, is The Condobolin Argus’ Business of the Month (BOM). To be part of The Condobolin Argus BOM promotion, businesses must meet a range of criteria including providing ‘top shelf courteous service’. The Condobolin Argus is proud to be working with this month’s participant.

Proprietor Brenda Haworth is offering 20% off store wide when you spend $50 or more and present the cut out voucher from the front page of this week’s The Condobolin Argus.

Brenda has a beautiful range of gifts, homewares and of course flowers to choose from. Pop into her store,  and be transported into another  world of beautiful objects and exotic scents.

Remember to take the voucher from the right hand top of this week’s front page to get your massive 20% discount during the month of May.

Condobolin teachers and community members participate in the training conducted by Mark Hammer (left) from Paddle NSW.

By Jessica Symonds

Local youth are being given the opportunity to explore local water ways from a new perspective with a program operating in conjunction with Condobolin High School, Lachlan Shire Council and Central West Family Support Group.

The initiative was initially proposed by Condobolin High School, who approached Lachlan Shire Council and Central West Family Support Group to be involved in the community partnership.

Simon Murphy, a teacher from Condobolin High School who is quite involved in the project, commends Lachlan Shire Council on their support of the initiative, and on their role in getting the program up and running.

The equipment have been purchased by Condobolin High School, Lachlan Shire Council and Central West Family Support Group in an equal funding arrangement

They purchased ten tandem kayaks and two single kayaks, as well as thirty PFDs (purchased from Sealeys) and a trailer (also sourced locally) to carry the equipment.

Teachers from Condobolin High School and Condobolin Public School, as well as Kelly Jarrick from Willow Bend Sports Centre, have recently undergone training, provided by Mark Hammer from Paddle NSW, to enable them to provide guided sessions to students through school based programs such as SLR, weekly sport and Duke of Edinburgh.

At the end of Term 2, there are plans also to train community members so that they, too, are able to supervise use of the kayaks.

The kayaks will enable the Duke of Edinburgh recreational program to be further developed within the high school.

Lachlan Shire Council is considering the possibility of hiring out the kayaks at Gum Bend Lake during the summer months, while youth services will be utilising the kayaks for holiday programs.

Condobolin Public School is considering utilising the kayaks on a hire basis as part of their sports program.

These kayaks are a welcome addition to the recreational services accessible to local youth, as they allow for a new outlet to keep students interested in their local environment, as well as providing them with a low-impact physical activity which, through skills developed during training sessions within school time, allows them to have fun with friends out on the tributaries around Condobolin during the warmer months.

This service will be closed down at the end of June due to the lack of funds for standalone wrap-around services such as ours and the long term plan to transfer Out of Home Care out of the Department and into the hands of Non-Government Organisations.

All non-Aboriginal children and young people in statutory care will be transferred over five years, while the transition will take up to ten years for Aboriginal children and young people.

The Lachlan Shire has over one hundred children currently in care but only around twenty of these are eligible for transfer to NGO’S.

This will mean a huge reduction in support given to the remaining thirty families.

The Community Services Minister, Pru Goward, said that previously the bulk of children were in the care of the department; their ratio was one caseworker to twenty-nine children, and as the department has admitted, they never got to see children unless there was a crisis.

Children in Condobolin will still be given support by Community Services in a crisis it would appear; however, Family Support will be unavailable to Foster Families.

Bringing up a child until they are eighteen already presents so many challenges to foster carers without further stress put upon them by these changes.

Carers are hard to find, are often older and have several children in their care.

We risk losing carers due to lack of support yet new carers are urgently needed.

Sue Thomas from Family Support is concerned about these changes and the impact it will have on the Condobolin community.

“We currently have three part-time workers in the Aboriginal Out of Home Care service,” said Sue.

“These workers will be given notice that their contracts will end when funding ceases at the end of the financial year, youth programs including the Googars will end and Carers will not be able to access programs at Family Support, except generic ones such as Women’s Group.

“James Wood’s 2008 Special Inquiry into Child Protection Services recommended changes to how we go about keeping children safe; prevention was seen as the key – supporting all families (especially if they do not have extended families to support them) before they run into trouble.

“This is the service Family Support now provides; families who require more intensive support are welcome to use our child and youth programs  and our workers will support families looking for advice and referrals, but without the Aboriginal Out of Home Care Service funding, families with higher needs will need to seek the support of other agencies.

“An alarming worldwide increase in children needing care outside their birth family has resulted in welfare budgets blowing out and Carers stretched to capacity.

“Let’s hope families in the future grow their capacity to raise their children in a caring community and put the needs of their children first.”

The Florist la Fleur window display in the window of the Argus office.

Our Business of the Month for the month of May is Florist La Fleur.

Brenda has kicked off her promotion with a fantastic offer.. Spend $30 or more and go into the draw to win our exquisite Mother’s Day Giftbundle!!

So drop in and see Brenda for that something special this Mother’s Day.

Our Business of the Month, Florist La Fleur, now has a display in our front window!! Come by and check it out!!

Governor Marie Bashir with Royal Flying Doctor Service Manager Tony Matthews and pilots Bud Walter (left) and Graham Sorrenson (right). Photo courtesy of Parkes Champion Post.

Compiled by Jessica Symonds

Four hundred people gathered last Friday to greet the first plane to land on the newly refurbished Tottenham airstrip, a craft from the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Lachlan Shire General Manager George Cowan acted as Master of Ceremonies, with Councillor Des Manwaring, Mayor of Lachlan Shire, and the Hon Kevin Humphries M.P. Minister for Mental Health, Healthy Lifestyles and Western NSW also both attending.

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW, officially opened the airstrip.

The project was first considered due to two major incidents, both in which air transport was denied due to the condition of the airstrip.

In March 2011, a meeting was held whereby the decision to reconstruct the air field so as it may be used by commercial aircrafts was made.

The community banded together, using mainly donated materials and volunteers to rebuild the air field to the level legally required.

Lachlan Shire Council was also a major supporter throughout the project, as were local businesses and individuals.

Volunteers, staff and presenters at the workshop last Friday. JS

By Jessica Symonds

Confidence, self esteem and self empowerment are three issues which the Training as Parents program is focusing on.

Last Thursday, twenty women participated in a workshop led by Mary Kay Cosmetics representatives Ann-Louise Stonestreet and Narelle Sunderland, who discussed the importance of presentation and confidence in the work force.

“I have a passion to empower women,” said Ann-Louise, “I believe if they look good, they start to feel good and they have more confidence,”

However, Ann-Louise does not champion the complete reinvention of yourself in order to present yourself differently.

“All women are beautiful to the core, this [workshop] is to enhance that natural beauty,” she said.

The program, which has been running for nearly eighteen months has been spearheaded by Tehla Weatherall.

Tehla and Ann-Louise both noticed the immediate difference a simple make-up workshop gave the ladies.

“They all look beautiful,” said Tehla.

“This has boosted their self esteem and confidence.”

Tehla said that this day was as a final, end-of-program gift to these women, who were all given free Mary Kay packs.

These women have been donating their time in the community for the last eighteen months, in their children’s schools, assisting within such things, for example, the canteen and library.

The workshop helped the women to be more educated on appropriate ways to present themselves when they are in the workforce – which in turn leads to an improvement in their own performance.

Main photo: Donald Webster in Condobolin last week. Inset: As a young World War II Soldier. Main pic Jessica Symonds. Inset pic contributed.

By Jessica Symonds

Six weeks at sea for a soldier in World War Two would not necessarily be wholly remarkable, except for when you are on a cargo ship with enough coal for five days.

Donald Webster, a member of Ungarie RSL Branch, and a Condobolin resident, fought between 1939 and 1945 on the infamous Kokoda Track in Papua Guinea.

But it is not stories of terrible conditions in the face of war, nor midnight raids, nor supply drops which Don chooses to regale.

Don’s favourite story is of his tumultuous return from the front of battle.

It is a story reminiscent of the true spirit of the ANZAC diggers.

Leaving home at the age of seventeen to follow his two older brothers in enlisting in the army, Don, like many of his fellow soldiers, was too young to fight but nevertheless able to join the armed forces.

Don started his career in the army in the 39th Battalion, as part of the infantry corps; his experience in explosives “My uncle was a mining engineer and he taught me quite a bit that he knew,” – meant he was able to become an engineer within the army.

“As engineers, we built bridges, and made roads through the jungle,”

“After we’d been up there two years, the army decided to send us home. We had to put our trucks, a few small guns and bulldozers on this old ship.

“There was seventeen of us picked out to go back – all the others went back on troop ships.

“As we were sitting on the forward hatches, waiting to pull out, the ship’s carpenter was trimming a big block of wood.

“When asked about it he said, ‘The ship’s got a hole in it and we’re going to block it up,’”.

In the side of this cargo ship, which was destined to take these soldiers and cargo back to Australia, were two holes quickly filling with water; before the ship could leave, the first mate had to dive into the water and plug the holes with these blocks of wood the carpenter had crafted.

“We were on that old ship for six weeks,” remembers Don, “that’s where I learnt to drink coffee.

They had their own cook and enough supplies for five or six days. The delays in their journey were caused by lack of fuel (coal,) causing them to stop at Milne Bay, which at that time was controlled by the Americans.

“The skipper had to get permission before we could go in and out they had a boom gate [across the entrance to the bay] to stop the Japanese submarines.”

This hold up, however, was not the only one on this long trip back to Sydney.

After a while back on the ship, the carpenter visited the soldiers with more bad news about running out of coal. Again, the shipping company had to get permission to go in and out of port to buy coal.

“The people at Bowen [Queensland] found out about what had happened to us and they put on a party; I’ve never seen so much food and drink – it was a beautiful party – it lasted all day,”

Soon, of course, the soldiers had once again to board the ship to continue their homeward-bound journey; however, again, they were faced with problems.

“The Captain, who was Norwegian, came up and said, ‘Vil you fire de ship… de crew have gone on strike; all I vant is to get out,’ – we said yes, because we wanted to get home,”

“Firing a coal fired steamship is not like driving a car… we had steam coming out of that old girl everywhere!

“When we got out of the three mile limit, we asked the Captain, ‘What are you going to do when you get out?’, he said ‘If these blokes [the crew] don’t go back to work I’ll shoot em’,’”

With such a threat, unsurprisingly the crew resumed their work, except for the bosun [boatswain], who after too much fun at the party in Bowen, had gone to sleep in a stable with a horse behind the pub.

“We picked him up in Sydney two weeks later,” Don said, laughing.

When they finally arrived in Sydney, it was not a matter of simply alighting.

“They wouldn’t let us off until customs checked us,” said Don.

“The customs bloke was a colonel… in full uniform… we were sitting there, some of us were reading, playing cards…

“He said, ‘Who is in charge?’, we replied, ‘Well we have a lieutenant but we haven’t seen him since we got on the boat. We have a staff sergeant,’

“Then old Ted Stretton came along… The colonel said, ‘What are you doing here?’, he said, ‘Waiting for you old blokes,’ so they signed our papers and let us off.”

This, however, is not the end of the story unsurprising considering the bad luck they’d had so far.

“The thing was,” continues Don, “We had our own trucks on the ship.”

Altogether there were fourteen trucks that the soldiers had to wait for to be unloaded before driving them to the old Roseberry racecourse.

“We thought we’d take the trucks to the depot and just leave; we didn’t have any accommodation or anything.

“So we ended up having to sleep under the trucks. We’d just come down from the tropics and it was the middle of July… It was very cold.

“Then they told us the trucks had to go to Brisbane – we’d only just been up there a couple of weeks ago on the ship and now we had to drive these trucks back up there!”

“After that, finally, we were given our leave – I had six weeks.”

Don remembers this story with humour and glee, no doubt remembering the mateship on the voyage.

It is memories like this which reflect the lighter side of the legends of the ANZAC Diggers; amongst the fear, death and destruction – and the delays, the time spent away from home – every soldier has a different story which epitomises their memories of war.

For Don, happily, at the front of his memories of war is this story.

Don is taking part in the ANZAC march today at Ungarie, along with fellow members of the Ungarie RSL Club.

The Garden Festival Committee enjoys time out amongst the pumpkins. KT

By Jessica Symonds

In her own words, Garden Festival Committee president Leanne Anderson described last weekend’s event as “a huge success”.

“We’ve had nothing but positive comments,” said Leanne on Monday.

“We had people from as far away as France, interstate and regionally as well as lots of locals,”

Leanne was still unsure of the total number of people who visited the town and gardens over the weekend, but she predicted it to be between 800 to 1000 people.

The great turnout is unsurprising, considering the variety of gardens on show.

“We had seven totally different gardens,” said Leanne.

“The gardeners did an amazing job; opening up their garden to strangers is a big thing, and it is much appreciated by the committee,”

The range of speakers who shared their “high calibre” knowledge and expertise were also highly praised by Leanne.

People also enjoyed Saturday night’s jazz evening in Lindy and Allyn Watt’s garden, which included music from jazz ensemble the ThirstySheiks, and wine tastings provided by Farmer’s Daughter Wines in Mudgee and Patina Wines in Orange.

At the SRA grounds, which was the centre of the weekend’s event, forty stalls were displaying their products.

The competition winners were: Tyrone Drysdale – the quilt  made by Jeanette Manwaring; Norma Jeffery – the rug, and Janet Williams – the outdoor setting.

In the Gum boot decorating competition: Annie Ryan was the open winner; Tasha Hurley – the 6 -12 years section, and in the Junior (preschool) section Rosie Ward shared first prize with Callan Vanables.

Ian Menz was winner of the Pumpkin Growing competition, and the runners-up were Charlie and Maggie Anderson.

Ian, who had never entered a competition like this before, won with a resounding 108 kg pumpkin. Ian did give away some of the secrets of his success.

Pat Hurley, Garden Festival committee member said, “The pumpkin growing competition was very popular. There were many more entries however with the recent really wet weather a lot of the potential entries split.”

The seeds were provided by Molong farmer Robert Ellis, who is perfecting the art of growing pumpkins and has produced a book on how to grow and cook them.

Part of the funds made by the gate takings will go to the selected charities of garden owners.

Leanne was very appreciative of all the work and effort put in by those involved in making the weekend the success it was.

“We had a fabulous committee that worked really hard to put the event on,” she said.

“Many hours of work went into it, and we thank the volunteers who came in at the last minute to help.”