"Young Eyes" Orange Chamber of Industry "After Five" event

After being elected as the representative for Orange City Council on the Chamber of Commerce I am able to attend the executive meetings in Orange. I find this informative as a Councillor not otherwise having an interest in businesses at this time. I have been undertaking a Business Management course which I will complete at the end of this year. This in itself is giving me further insight into what it would be like to run a business. In my younger years I was a Manager with Coles/Myers for 5 years but back in those days no paperwork was given to substantiate your qualifications.
Anyway back to why I have posted this section.
As a part of the monthly events for the Orange Chamber of Commerce they invite new businesses to hold an "After Five" event to show case their business. In August the new Eye Centre "Young Eyes" in Summer Street invited Chamber members to hear a presentation about how they evolved and where they are hoping to go. They also show cased there products.
This is a great way to find out what new businesses are opening in Orange and to welcome new business owners to our town.

Official Welcome for the Ministers of NSW Cabinet

Held at the Orange Art Gallery was the official welcome for the Ministers. My husband Paul and I attended this function and enjoyed an evening of networking and chatter. The Mayor John Davis did the official welcome and then we heard about all the reasons to enjoy Orange from Taste Orange co-ordinator Kim Curry. Kim did a magnificent job of show casing Orange and spoke with true passion about why people should be here.
The remainder of the evening gave the chance for us all to mix and meet with significant people.
The following day allowed Councillors and Council staff the opportunity to meet directly with some of the Ministers some of who were not here for the previous evenings welcome.
Whilst it is valuable to have this opportunity, it can sometimes be disheartening to hear that some things have taken a backward step such as was the case for the announcement for the Private, Public Partnership for the new hospital.
We the public were to hear the announcement in August as to who was the successful tender but now we will have to wait till November 2007. Roll on November....

The Log Book Run

The Log Book Run was launched in Orange recently and provided a book for young people and parents to utilise when learning to drive. The book contains ten planned drives that the learner can complete during their learner-licensing phase. It assists the supervising driver and the learner driver when planning their trips. The drives vary in experience for the learner driver from urban drives involving traffic lights, roundabouts and a degree of heavy traffic conditions in Orange and a mix of State Highways and regional and local roads in Cabonne.
Having our third child learning to drive we have found the log book to be a great resource and saves us having to work out the route whilst driving. They have mapped it all out in the plans within the book.
Thanks to Orange City and Cabonne Council for supporting this initiative and books can be collected from Orange City Council, Cabonne Council or the Road Traffic Authority (RTA).

Courage to Care

"Courage to Care conveyed a message of communal tolerance and living in harmony, through the stories of individuals who had the Courage to Care. It gives one the opportunity to meet a living historian. Courage to Care emphasised the importance of standing up against racism and persecution, especially in relation to minority groups with the overriding theme that just one individual can make a difference. Courage to Care is committed to upholding the dignity and worth of every human being."
This is the message on the back of the invitation I was given for the opening of Courage to Care. This was a powerful display with a significant message for any human who had the opportunity to view the display. The exhibition shared stories from people who survived the Holocaust. We heard about difficult living standards, the fear of being caught and dying, about people on the run and not being sure where their next meal would come from. There was so much uncertainty and I guess what surprised me most was that there were some people who worked on the other side who helped the Jewish people.
There were Jewish people who were in responsible roles in the hostage areas who went that extra step to help their fellow people and escape. Now that took courage! I visited with my friend Anni and we walked around reading the many boards and folders. We listened to some of the stories and it took all of my strength not to cry. In fact when we finished viewing the display we had to go and debrief.
Although it was very sad to hear the stories it was pleasing to know that school children were encouraged to visit and hear the stories and learn that any one of them can have the courage to step out and protect another human being. My daughter visited the exhibition and still talks about the many stories she heard.
I recommend this display if it comes to your town, in fact its a shame there is only one of them. With the way our world is progressing with more and more innocent people being injured I believe it would be a good example for more people to understand the pain inflicted and the hope given when people do come forward and care.
To learn more about their exhibition visit http://www.couragetocare.com.au/

Canobolas Zone Sod Turning for New Fire Control and Training Centre

There was a slight wind blowing, Gosling creek gleamed as it was full with water and the day was warm. This was the scene which was set when standing on the ground of the area for the new Canobolas Zone Fire Control and Training Centre. Just out on the Forest road there is a site set and the only thing left to do was have the turning of the sod.
Myself, fellow Councillors Hackett and Hamling and Mayor John Davis went out to meet the other stakeholders and Minister Nathan Rees. We heard a speech about the importance and significance of having such a unit which is centrally located. We were witness to the turning of the sod and handover of tankers and group vehicles which will only improve the service that our Fire Services give to the communities.
Just a little history: following the successful zoning of Blayney, Cabonne and Orange Rural Fire Districts in 2001 it was decided it was necessary to construct a new Fire Control Centre to manage the activities of the Rural Fire Service within the zone. Cowra district joined Canobolas zone in 2004 and the project in now supported by the four local government areas.
It was nice to have the opportunity to meet with the workers and a community group Cadia Valley Operations who helped with some sponsorship.

20-30 Club Evening Dinner meal

20-30 Club Orange celebrating 60 years of fellowship and service to the Orange community. My husband Paul and I attended the celebrations at Orange Ex-Services club. The evening was full of stories to tell and a slide show over the 60 years of the many faces who came together and raised money for various different community organisations. In total they have raised $157,5765 which is quite extraordinary.

But that is not the only thing that this club came together for I felt there were some very special friendships and lots of happy memories of occasions spent together. Not to mention the close relationship that was formed with the people from the Classic Bike Rally.

Cancer Care Western NSW who I was representing on that evening received a donation towards the accommodation for people receiving Radio-Therapy. This is a fundraiser which is receiving great support from the Central West and of course we are very grateful to those who wish to support the concept.

The unfortunate news that came at this meeting was the termination of the club. Due to lack of numbers there will no longer be a 20-30 club here in Orange. The only up side to this that I can think of is that these wonderful people will remain in or near Orange. It is very gratifying to know that we have people who actively pursue and enjoy fundraising in such a friendly and supportive environment.

Happy Birthday 20-30 club members!

Riding for the Disabled-Open Day

My husband Paul, son Tristan and I went for a drive out toward Clifton Grove and nestled in the country side is a facility called Riding for the Disabled. Reg Golding and his loyal followers were showing people around the complex which houses the horses and arena areas. I admire Reg for his commitment and sheer passion he has when speaking and showing the work he does with the horses and the children.

For Reg its not just about learning to ride, its about giving the children a whole new level in life. They experience what it is like to sit upright on a moving body, they feel the increased height they have and they smile and laugh while they act in the plays and all on horse back. This is a team of truly dedicated people who should be deservedly congratulated for their efforts. I am so glad we have this facility in Orange and the wonderful people who give freely of their time to improve the quality of life for disabled people.

This was a visit that I particularly enjoyed because of the smiles and laughter that I heard and the joy and pride I saw in the people who were there.