Canobolas Kites

What a fun day we had!

We went up to the end of Cecil Road to the Orange Christian Ministry Centre and there were kites flying high. There was the parachuting Teddy and some other amazing designs. A huge tent was filled with activities for children and some rather funny clowns who wanted to make animals out of sausage balloons.

We even had the chance to learn how to make a kite from scratch and then go outside and fly it. There was music, food and games and amazingly it was all free. It was a day which brought us outside to share some quality time with our children, it definitely has the thumbs up from our family.

Australia Day in Cook Park- Orange

What a day for celebrations! Australia Day in Orange was held at Cook Park. A spectacular place in its own right. The beauty of nature with the glorious trees and plants.

Catriona Rowntree who is the well known presenter for Nine Networks Getaway program was our Ambassador for the day.

It was a day jam packed with activities, presentations, entertainment and of course the early morning cooked breakfast. Every year we take our children and this year was no different. Sporting our Australian T-shirts and hats, off we ventured for the 8am start. The breakfast was delicious and filling sitting out in the beautiful park and becoming a part of the atmosphere.

The excitement could be heard along with laughter and singing.

The days activities included presentations of the CWD colouring in competition, Canobolas Highland Pipe Band and the march. The official ceremony which has the flag raising, the Mayors welcome, a speech from our Ambassador Catriona Rowntree, the Citizen Ceremony and Australia Day Awards presentations were included. A presentation to the family of the late Tom Moore was done in recognition for the many years in which he designed the art work for the children's colouring in competition.

There was plenty of entertainment, music and dancing along with the judging of the Aussie Hat Competition. The finally for the day was the drawing of the raffle and presentation of prizes for the painting competition. There were plenty of stalls filled with gifts and plants, something for everyone.

It is an event that our family has always attended and our thanks goes to the committee who do all the hard work and make possible the event.

Wiradjuri Cultural Centre- Condobalin

Myself and several fellow Councillors made a trip to Condobalin to see the new cultural centre which was being built by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people. The design had been developed and the building was well underway. Percy Knight gave us a brief about the Centre explaining the significance of the building and how the internal and external design would be complimentary to the Aboriginal culture.

It was amazing to see the builders at work. They were young men who were being trained by qualified builders helping them to gain a trade. The bricks for the walls were made from mud and were made on site. There was a machine which they used and the soil came from the area of Condobalin.

The building is circular and has various rooms to accommodate different educational and community areas. I found the visit to be very informative and gave me a clearer understanding for the proposed cultural centre for Orange. In the near future Orange will hopefully be able to

have this same facility complimentary to our Aboriginal people.