Relay for Life 2008

This has become like a family tradition for us all. Each year we venture down to Emu's park in Orange and set up camp. We have gathered up our walkers and spend from 4pm through to 9am the next morning relaying the course. It has become quite deep and meaningful for us over the years and more so when they have the candle ceremony. The grounds are quite except for the person speaking and the bagpipes start playing. There is a moment of silence and you look down from the grand stand to see the ground illuminated with bags subscribed with messages for both people who have lost their fight for life and those who are fighting strong to remain in remission.

This event is very close to my heart because of the profession I work in as a health professional. I have over my time as a nurse seen people leave their loved ones due to the effects of cancer. It is a time which causes incredible emotional pain for all involved.

Cancer is a wicked disease which randomly takes peoples lives and if by supporting the relay for life can encourage people to become better educated that at times cancer is life style related then it can only be a true benefit to our community.

On a lighter note this event not only makes people aware of the disease and the various consequences that occur but it also provides people the opportunity to speak with others in similar circumstances. The social aspect of the evening and the opportunity to dress up and be involved in the many activities that occur throughout the time span make for a family friendly event.

This event will be a part of our family traditions for quite some time to come.

Country Womens Association Craft Display

I was delighted to receive a phone call from Council asking me to stand in for Mayor John Davis who was absent from Orange and unable to attend the conclusion of the craft display and presentation of awards for the Country Women's Association NSW.

I was absolutely in my element perusing the isles and viewing the handy crafts of the talented women associated with this association. I could only imagine the amount of time, work and love that went into some of the displays. The colours and handicraft had me totally engulfed in the moment and being able to speak with the people who produced this exquisite work just added to the moment.

Not forgetting to mention the Australian theme which was a joint effort and on display on the main stage. I heard how the people involved in this display brought in piece by piece and then organised the items to set of a real Australian outback rustic feel. I was there in the moment when viewing it. I was also able to learn what some of the items where used for in there time.

This had to be one of those moments as a Councillor that I really enjoyed. These ladies are very talented!

Wellness Foundation

The Wellness Foundation is an organisation which has a combination of a variety of service complimentary to natural health and well being. I had over time seen the grounds be cleared and the building commence. I was interested to see what was going to be in store for our community although I had a clear indication from the Development Application we received through Council of what was occuring.

This seemed to be one of those weekends that was filled with activities and plenty to see. My husband and children called over to have a look at the Wellness Foundation and my daughter Kayla and I were particularly interested in what we found inside. It almost seemed to be like a shopping centre in a sense but that it showed a variety of different specialties supporting natural therapies.

Being a strong advocate for alternative therapies which is quite ironic given that I work in the front line of health at Orange Base Hospital, I believe that these type of venues are valuable for our community. I understand that we have another place called Anula just outside of Orange near to Lake Canobolas which also has a multi disciplinary focus again catering for natural therapy.

Brass Celbration

The City of Orange Brass Band and visiting bands presented a weekend of brass music commemorating more than one hundred years of brass banding in Orange and surrounding districts and the gift of the rotunda in Cook Park to the people by the 1908 Orange Town Band.

Under the headline "The Band Recital" the local paper, The Leader, on Saturday March 7 1908 claimed:

"The above, which is to take place on Thursday night, promises to be one of the best that the Orange public have ever had the pleasure of listening to. The illuminations are to be carried out on a most elaborate scale and the bandstand will be brilliantly lit up. Arrangements are being made for seating accommodation for about 1000 to 1500 people. The structure is now nearing completion and will certainly be a great ornament to the park".

My husband and our children made our way to the park on Sunday and could well have stayed there into the evening. After listening to the Mayor John Davis speak about the events of the weekend and the combination of the bands from far and wide we had the pleasure of listening to the sound of music. We sat and relaxed in the surroundings of nature and nearly became lost in time. There was the blend of music as a back drop mixed in with the laughter of children and the chatter of people enjoying the atmosphere created. It was certainly a wonderful cocktail.

International Womens Day

The origin of International Women's Day lies in an event that occurred in New York 100 years ago this March. It was a protest by 15 000 women who were marching for the right to vote, a decent wage, and an end to sweat shops and child labour. Since then, women around the world have continued to rally and protest for women's equality. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution for a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. They didn't stipulate a date, but in many countries that date is 8 March.

(Above Information referenced from the NSW Women Issue 9 Feb 2008 Newsletter)

So on the 8th March in Orange, Council staff held a Women at Work Luncheon. One of Council staff members who has a talent outside of work sang and entertained the audience in between speakers. I was able to initiate the event with the brief above and a welcome to all the people who were able to attend.

We were then privileged to hear from three wonderful speakers with a variety of backgrounds. The first was our Orange Women Electorate of the year Pam Boney. Pam is a Murrauari woman who was born in Wee Waa. After loosing both parents Pam spent her younger years growing up in a Children's home in Brewarrina.

Pam married and had three children and explained those years as being the toughest and most isolating years of her life.

Pam gained many skills as a parent and became involved in her community. Pam also attended a TAFE course which challenged her personal values and was a turning point. She made many friends which she still has today. Pam's confidence increased and she gained the incentive to enter the workforce. Pam has since worked in a variety of different areas including Youth, Mission group and in Orange as a part of the school system. Pam is well deserving and a wonderful model as Women of the year for our electorate.

Elizabeth Makonnen Desta was the second speaker who is married with two children. After arriving in Australia she pursued post graduate studies. Prior to that she studied in the Czech republic and after that in Germany.

After completion of her studies she worked as a research officer in an International livestock centre for Africa. She was involved in Animal Nutrition Research. During the study years she travelled extensively gathering experience in both the developed and developing world. Elizabeth is very interested in women's issues and loves to talk to women from all walks of life. Elizabeth is now working as a Research officer.

Our last speaker was just as inspiring and her name was Jan Stevenson who has been a Magistrate for 18 years. Before being appointed to Orange she was a Senior Deputy State Coroner at Westmead for 4 years from 1997-2001. Jan has also worked as a Magistrate on the Maitland Circuit and before being appointed was in private practice for several years as a solicitor.

Jan was a senior solicitor and has spent her prior life in the Courts of Petty Sessions. Jan made the comment that when reflecting on her biography it all looked pretty dry and dusty. Jan's journey has been anything but dull!

Although I didn't have the opportunity to stay for the duration of the event, work commitments called, I did have the opportunity to speak with each of the ladies prior to the event starting. Each one of these ladies were inspiring in their own right and I congratulate them on sharing their journey through life with all the ladies who attended. It is occasions like these and the personal insight into their lives that can truly inspire you as an individual.

Thank you ladies for sharing this time with us all!

Central West Regional Advisory Committee

This was one of those just passing moments. The Mayor John Davis was on his way to welcome to Orange the representatives for the Central West Regional Advisory Committee. We had the Community Relation's Commission's Director of Regional Services, The Commission for the Regional Advisory Committee, Regional Council Liaison Officer, Councillors and Government officers and community members who are representative of the CRC Central West Regional Advisory Committee.
The information discussed was during an informative and productive meeting in their endeavour to address the issues and concerns relating to our newest arrivals and long standing multicultural community. I was able to sit in on the welcome and it was fairly evident the support garnished within this group of committee members.