A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR HILL END SUPPORT

Iwas back at Pyramul in the Hill End district recently to talk to farmers Max and Ralph Price and also local relief co-ordinator Penny Hundy about how important our community relief effort has been to local farmers who were devastated by the recent bushfires.

Penny Hundy did a fantastic job of coordinating the Hill End Bushfire relief effort, with the key assistance of Lions disaster relief coordinator Anne Jones and the Guerie Lions Club. There were approximately 600 bales of hay and two semis full of grain donated, as well as plenty of licks. It has made such a huge difference.

Recently in Parliament I thanked all of the individuals and organisations who have supported what has been a massive community project. You can see the whole speech on my Facebook page.

A special thank you to Peter Sargent and the Team at Bathurst RSL Club who donated just over $19,000. I also want to acknowledge the incredibly generous donations made by Tony and Rose Spina, who contributed an amazing $10,000 to help our local farmers.

However, I once again called on the NSW Government to activate the $75,000 Special Disaster Grants for Hill End as a matter of urgency. It should have been done by the last NSW Government, and it needs to be done by this one.

Last week the generations came together in Orange to celebrate 100 years of Astley Cup competition between Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo High Schools.

One of the highlights was the war cry competition between the younger crew with their Barmy Army chant and the youngat-heart ex students who did a stirring rendition of the classic “Ricka Ticka” cry!

I also enjoyed sitting with Leigh Knight (class of 1947 school captain) and also Margaret (May) Edwards (class of 1953) who told me all about what school was like during the war years and and how Summer Street erupted with joy when it was announced that hostilities had ended and our troops were coming home. Current captains Bella Webster and Lucian Jordan-Smith and many other current students helped make the night so successful.

A huge thank you to the organising team and all who contributed to this outstanding event.

It was a perfectly planned evening that highlighted how sport unites schools, regions and generations.