April 2007: Anzac Day March- Orange and Millthorpe - 25th April 2007

What an exceptional experience this was. My eldest daughter and I were invited to march at the Dawn service and main service for Orange along with the march for Millthorpe. We dressed as nurses in old war uniforms and joined the procession to acknowledge our Anzacs. It was quite an emotional experience and of course a proud moment especially given this was the first year that nurses were represented in uniform. We met the war heroes and were intrigued to learn of their days in the war. The thing that sticks in our minds the most is the mate ship and support they all give to each other. There very special people and our children and youth have so much to learn from them.

Country Energy Food Affair- North Court - 22nd April 2007

This was the last event for Food Week and what a lot of people were there. Celebrity Chef Jeff Jansen was on show and shared his recipes and skills on cooking. Plenty of stalls and food to sample, people to chat with and share on experiences. My husband and I enjoyed this opportunity to share a day out with our children who were fascinated with the children’s jumping castle and the milkshakes. Fortunately the milkshakes were drunk after the jumping castle ride. We returned home tired and full from all the glorious food, feeling quite proud that people within our community were so clever in producing some fine food and wine for Orange.

Opening for Food week - 17th April 2007

My son Tristan and eldest daughter Kirst and I went down to the Food Week opening and listened to the birds sing along with some music and the smell of food cooking initially. It wasn’t long before we were able to taste the local produce. There was plenty of chatter and enthusiasm for the upcoming events throughout food week.

This event was well catered for and was a leading example of what the following week was to bring.

14th April

Fruitful Landscape- Visitor Centre Orange

Family Food and Picnic Day- Orange City Council - Celebrity Chefs

As part of Councils commitment to supporting Food week and Families Council sponsored a family picnic. This was a fun day for children with plenty to see and do. There was music, tenpin bowling, meeting celebrities such as Prime Possum and B1 and B2 Bananas in Pyjamas. There were games, face painting, Tenpin Bowling and of course a lot of exercise on the major play area built by the community of Orange.

The celebrities were on board to cook up a variety of different foods for people to sample. The celebrities were Mel from Star FM, Alison from Prime TV, Michael Borg a local Butcher, fellow Councillor Davis, Hackett, Kidd and I.

Orange City Council staff worked hard on the preparation of this event and should be congratulated. The Adventure Playground was a mass of children, laughter and fun.

Communicating with Marginalised Young People: Bad Kids or Hurt Kids? - 12 - 13th April 2007

Marginalised Young People- 2 day workshop:

This education workshop was held at the Environmental Learning Centre- Orange Showground and was a valuable workshop on working with and communication for marginalised young people. The educators name was Phil Nunn a Psychologist from P&P Training and Consultancy Seaforth NSW. There were approximately 20 people in attendance from different country areas and disciplines.

The two day workshop included topics such as understanding adolescent mental health which incorporated information such as anxiety, depression, self harm, suicide. We undertook scenarios and case studies with regards to youth at risk.

Day two concentrated on psychosis/ schizophrenia, substance use and abuse in young people. We were also privy to counselling techniques which gave helpful approaches. Again more case studies and scenarios were held allowing us to brainstorm and consider different approaches and techniques. There was reference also made to the importance workers self care and managing professional burnout.

Although I have already undertaken study in the mental health area I found this work shop to be valuable for reiterating my knowledge and to bring me up to date with new models in which to use. The “Motivational Interviewing” technique is one of these where the focus is on asking people what they like about the untoward behaviour they are undertaking (eg the use of drugs: ice). Further questioning is continued as a form of conversation asking about the other side, balance on scales of the both, introduction of ideas as to why it could be a problem, what the advantages of giving up would be as a final quest and then goal setting.

We were given a resource folder along with contact details for Phil should we have further questions. I found the work shop to be beneficial for my role as a Councillor especially as working with Youth is an area that I have a particular interest in.

Cr Fiona Rossiter

Driver Reviver- Help at stand - 7th April

After joining the new Rotary club of Orange called The Orange Rotary CBD club we were given the chance of helping out at the Driver Reviver stop on the Great Western Highway Orange. It was a pleasant day out side with the weather on our side. My daughter and another member Geoff came along and welcomed people to the stop, had a chat and learnt about their destinations and made a warm cuppa of tea or coffee. It was a nice way of meeting people but more importantly making available the opportunity for people to have a much deserved rest when travelling long distances.