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March 26, 2024 By Peter Holmes The countdown has begun to the unveiling of two new public artworks in the Orange CBD. The two pieces - Zanny Begg's Dancing with Bees and Daniel Templeman's Aperture - will be launched on Wednesday night (March 27, 2024), with the artists attending. The two artworks are the final pieces in Orange City Council's (OCC) four-year Future City public art project. According to OCC, Dancing with Bees "consists of digital imagery and video shown 24 hours a day on two circular screens. It features videos of local and visiting dancers ... as well as a series of high-resolution images of native bees photographed by the artist at the Insect and Mite Collection at the NSW DPI Biosecurity Unit in Orange. The two screens work as a clock and are designed to keep real time". Begg's Dancing with Bees will be unveiled at Civic Square South Court when the big hand is on 12 and the little hand is on 7. The event will then head west up to 215 Summer Street, where Templeman's light installation Aperture will be opened at 8:30pm. On Tuesday morning it was unclear if workers were still preparing the site or had started to build the new light installation. Aperture is a light installation that consists of a series of ceiling-mounted geometric forms  fitted with LED lighting. OCC said it was "designed to create a sense of movement along the laneway between  the Orange Central Square Shopping Centre car park and Summer Street. It will transform the rundown laneway into a brighter, safer space and aims to create a sense of wonder and  delight for pedestrians". Part of art's role is to instigate discussion and capture the imagination, and these two projects will likely trigger many opinions after launch, given the number of people who have weighed in before getting a good look at them. Of course, any town large or small has its Philistines who think art is a wank - aside perhaps from the odd painting of a landscape or vase filled with flowers - and that not one penny of public money should ever be spent on such wankery. They are a loud group, but they are small and should largely be ignored. Whether these artworks are the right artworks for the city is another matter altogether, and we will only know for sure once we've seen how they operate in daylight and after dark. Are they useful? Will they be vandalised? Will they bring joy or amusement? Will they make us think? Orange mayor Jason Hamling said the works "capped off a four-year project to reinvigorate  the central business district and activate public spaces following the COVID-19 pandemic". “We now have 10 public murals, installations and sculptures, produced by local, regional and  established Australian artists, right here in the Orange CBD for everyone to enjoy for years to  come,” Hamling said. Check out all the artworks with credits and details here. Councillor Melanie McDonell said the works "will be outstanding additions to the city’s public art collection". She described them as "visually stunning" and said "Dancing with Bees shares the importance of bees to our environment and celebrates the talent of our local dance community, while Aperture will transform a dark and unwelcoming space into an immersive site of play and experimentation". Dancing with Bees was funded by Create NSW and the Australian Council for the Arts ($110,000), the NSW government ($40k) and Orange City Council ($23k). Aperture is funded Orange City Council and the NSW government, with each contributing $100,000 to the project. MORE NEWS ... INSIDE STORY: Will tougher new bail laws for teenagers make Orange a safer place to live, or just create more hardened criminals? Love is in the air as thousands rally in support of Orange Rainbow Festival New Mukoko all a-go-go Owners of the 'salmon house' on Moulder Street pitch grand makeover. But will the paint job survive? Confusion reigns supreme, as council can't quite remember where it stands on mountain bike trails Death threat made to Orange Aquatic Centre staff during summer free entry period Hands up who remembers going to Orange's Trinity Preschool?

March 23, 2024 By Peter Holmes At 11:40am on Saturday - less than an hour before the Orange Rainbow Festival parade was due to set off on a march to Robertson Park over the road - volunteers, police and security guards outnumbered the public in the civic precinct’s south court. South court had been roped off, the rope decorated with rainbow flags, and staff and volunteers coalesced around fold up tables to check on those entering the site. Not many were entering the site. At Robertson Park it was a similar story. About half of the park had been roped off, and more rainbow flags fluttered in the breeze. Stalls lined the perimeter, including Twisted Chips, The Salami Man, Headspace, the Australian Labor Party, Round and Round Coffee, ACON and Harlem Starlet. Orange Pie Company was there, too, and was selling long, thin slices of rainbow cake with butter cream. Buried among the slices on trays was an end piece, with extra butter cream all down the side. The pie man told The Orange News Examiner he had plans for that special slice, and they didn’t involve selling it to the general public. Local wallopers - including superintendent Brendan Gorman - were on hand. On the roundabout near Live Better a gaggle of police officers with the pants than taper in at the ankles above their boots stood chatting. Their presence was likely due to the heat the Orange Rainbow Festival generated amongst a section of the community over recent months. The crowd was modest, and there may have been some concern among organisers and stallholders. Was anybody going to show? Of course, few in Orange set off from home to go to anything until about 15 minutes before it’s due to start, and a little after 12pm the crowds began to roll in to south court. And they kept rolling in. Dozens, then scores, then hundreds. All up, probably around 1,500-2,000 people. Babies in prams. The elderly. Teens. Kids. Young mums and dads. Grandparents. The middle-aged. Young adults. People walking, people in wheelchairs, people on motorised contraptions. Dogs in rainbow clothing, sniffing each other’s rear ends. Straight, gay, bi, lesbian, queer, trans and intersex people. Religious ministers, drag queens, councillors, state politicians. Rainbow flags, rainbow umbrellas, rainbow stickers, rainbow t-shirts. The parade began around 12:30pm, and made its way across south court onto Byng Street, then down Lords Place and into the park. A three-piece band played a solid set of rock tunes. The mood at the festival was light and bright as people mingled and danced. Jordi Thurtell from Orange’s youth group Sincerely Queer, said she was exhausted after six or seven months of pre-planning, and was hopeful attendees would have fun and seek information if they needed it. Natalie (not her real name), a middle-aged woman from Orange, was decked out in rainbow wear. She told The Orange News Examiner she was there on behalf of her trans son, who was unable to attend. Natalie was no radical, and had been on a journey of discovery on a topic she once knew little about. She said it was wrong for people to claim that it was easy for young people to start transitioning, and the process with her son was considered and thorough. It’s not something that is done on a whim, she said. She explained that having a transgender son had led to her becoming estranged from family. “I have not been to a family function for over 10 years,” she said. Natalie said she feared that her son, who was very outgoing, would face “cruel” comments. She said her son had been told by a family member that “they were evil and were going to hell - at 17 years old!”. However, she said she would no longer stay silent. “This is taking a lot of courage for me to say, because I have family throughout the whole community, and I just want to say I’m sick of it. I’m here to ring my bell - if those sort of people are going to be in heaven, I don’t want to be there, I’d rather be somewhere else.” The festival was slated to continue on Saturday night with a party on McNamara Street. MORE NEWS ... Owners of the 'salmon house' on Moulder Street pitch grand makeover. But will the paint job survive? Confusion reigns supreme, as council can't quite remember where it stands on mountain bike trails Death threat made to Orange Aquatic Centre staff during summer free entry period Hands up who remembers going to Orange's Trinity Preschool? EVEN MORE NEWS ... Man in his 30s dies in two-vehicle Cowra crash; woman taken to Orange Hospital "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same

March 22, 2024 By Peter Holmes You can ask a staff member at Mukoko for the secret to their fried chicken, and she will smile and give nothing away. “It’s a secret,” she says. And that is that. Mukoko - formerly of Anson Street - opened this week at 134 Summer Street, in the premises that most recently housed Trang's Kitchen. Vietnamese has been replaced by Japanese and Korean. It’s part of a little foodie strip that includes a Thai restaurant, a cafe and a kebab shop. Mukoko's main game is sushi and fried chicken, but there are also rice cakes, chips, fried vegetable dumplings, donburi, Korean ramen soup, udon soup, poke bowls, miso soup and seaweed salad. The sushi covers all the typical bases - tuna, salmon, chicken schnitzel, avocado, crab, cucumber. The fried chicken can be ordered as drumsticks, wings or bite-sized thigh pieces. Breast lovers have to satisfy themselves with the little nub of white meat on the wings. The drinks have flavours such as grape, lychee, peach and Yakult, and you can add coconut jelly for 60 cents. On Friday around lunchtime lounge jazz played through the speakers. Business had been OK over the first few days as Mukoko conducted a "soft opening". Mums with young children ordered sushi to go, and two big, boofy beardy blokes in high vis went for a variety of hot and cold dishes. Two men dining in didn't mess about, racking up more than $50 worth of chicken and sides. Finding skilled workers to make sushi, chicken and all the other bits and pieces has been a challenge, and the operators have been forced to look beyond Orange. They’re happy to hear from anyone who knows their way around fowl, fish and seaweed. MORE NEWS ... Owners of the 'salmon house' on Moulder Street pitch grand makeover. But will the paint job survive? Confusion reigns supreme, as council can't quite remember where it stands on mountain bike trails Death threat made to Orange Aquatic Centre staff during summer free entry period Hands up who remembers going to Orange's Trinity Preschool? Man in his 30s dies in two-vehicle Cowra crash; woman taken to Orange Hospital EVEN MORE NEWS ... "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift?

March 21, 2024 By Peter Holmes The grand old salmon-coloured house at 84 Moulder Street may not be tinted like a fish for too much longer. The owners - who purchased the property in July 2022 for $1.17 million - have lodged plans with Orange City Council (OCC) to give the 130-year-old dwelling a serious makeover. “The appearance of the primary dwelling will be significantly enhanced from its current salmon/blue colour scheme to an elegant and modern beige/grey colour scheme,” the development application (DA) stated. The DA described the proposed colour scheme as “more sensitive and appropriate … in keeping with the relevant Heritage principles”. The proposed development has a total building area of around 363 square metres. It would make the property a four-bed, three-bathroom home. It currently has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The DA conceded that based on the land area of 580 square metres, the site coverage of the total development was 62 percent, which is over the limit. “Based on the guidelines … single dwellings, including outbuildings, can equate to 60% coverage of the site area,” the DA stated. “It is accepted the proposal exceeds this allowable figure by a negligible amount, however, it is submitted that this will not adversely impact upon neighbouring dwellings, streetscape, neighbourhood character or heritage considerations.” It is proposed to extend and renovate the existing dwelling, and construct a new double garage. The new floor plan would consist of: Ground Floor • Dedicated lounge and dining rooms • Renovated kitchen • Large open plan living area, opening onto alfresco area • One bedroom • Combined laundry and bathroom • Attached storeroom (accessible from outside only) • Detached double garage First Floor • Three bedrooms with ensuite to the master bedroom • Main bathroom • Main verandah accessible from large hallway • Private verandah accessible from bedroom 3 The external finishes of the main dwelling and new garage would consist of: • Rendered and painted brickwork – colour similar to Royal Beige Quarter • Metal roof – galvanized iron sheeting • Windows and sills – colour similar to Beachcomb Grey • Timberwork, balustrades, posts, fence infill panels and other decorative accents – colour similar to Beachcomb Grey • Garage door – colour similar to Wallaby “The proposal maintains the existing double storey dwelling with the original front entrance. Additions and renovations will not impact on the bulk and scale of the development, they have been sensitively designed and integrated to enhance the livability of the dwelling,” the DA stated. The alterations to the western side of the front façade and the addition of a first floor verandah would “result in a less visually bulky street frontage compared to the dwelling in its current form”, the DA said. “The small existing door and awning on the western side of the front façade would be removed, and replaced with a window." The proposed ground floor extension to the south would be of bearer/joist construction. The existing front door/entry of the dwelling would be maintained. A new access door to the storeroom would be added on the southern wall. The DA said the “dilapidated shed” would be removed and in its place would be a rendered brick double garage facing Hill Street. The designs include a new brick/rendered fence along the western boundary. The brick pillars of the front fence would be maintained (with slight alterations) and new metal infill panels added, “to complement the metal balustrades around the verandahs”. The removal of four existing trees and the “unkept hedge” along Hill Street was “necessary to facilitate the extensions and renovations”. The DA said all other landscaping and mature trees would be preserved. Interested parties can make submissions to OCC on the DA by 5pm on April 8, 2024. MORE NEWS ... Confusion reigns supreme, as council can't quite remember where it stands on mountain bike trails Death threat made to Orange Aquatic Centre staff during summer free entry period Hands up who remembers going to Orange's Trinity Preschool? Man in his 30s dies in two-vehicle Cowra crash; woman taken to Orange Hospital "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds EVEN MORE NEWS ... "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift?

March 20, 2024 By Peter Holmes The proposed mountain bike trails on Gaanha-bula Mount Canobolas found their way back into Orange City Council (OCC) chamber on Tuesday night. It was, in hindsight, a pointless cameo appearance. Having been unofficially placed into the too hard basket by councillors and council staff in 2023 - after several years of intermittent but significant expenditure on surveys and reports - the issue was raised by councillor Glenn Floyd. Floyd said in a motion to council that the 100km of trails were a “Council Key Priority”, and his motion proposed that OCC “engage all stakeholders in positive, open and transparent conversation”. It said OCC should “continue the work that has already been started and take the project to the next level, while seeking alternative options in relation to possible track locations as to avoid sensitive cultural and environmental sites”. And, “That council actively seek through all available avenues including state and federal grants to minimise or negate council expenditure moving forward”. In anticipation of his motion - essentially to take it out of the too hard basket and place it somewhere else - several people had booked to speak from the public gallery. Andrew Kermode described himself as a “lawyer, business owner, farmer and average golfer”, and claimed he was there to represent “the quiet majority”. He said he wasn’t a mountain biker and had no vested interest, other than promoting business in Orange. “I think that majority is the people in the community of Orange who want to see the local economy diversified and expanded,” Kermode said. “Because [saying] no is easy. No is often catastrophised - ‘It’s a terrible project’, ‘It’s outrageous’, ‘It’s the end of the species’. “The objective reality is that concerns are quite capable of being mitigated with a calm, considered approach, and the use of the appropriate experts,” Kermode said. Kermode described trails on the mountain as a “unique opportunity”. Another speaker, Jack Rahilly from Orange Mountain Bike Club, urged councillors to investigate expanding the trails in Glenwood State Forest. He also said club volunteers were struggling to maintain trails in the forest. He said an expansion would ensure “more trails remain open during harvesting”. Dale Carr started his speech speaking in Wiradjuri. He then reverted to English and explained to the councillors why Gaanha-bula Mount Canobolas was so important to him and many other Indigenous people. He pointed to damage caused to local land via “mines and vines”, and the development of Wahluu Mount Panorama into a race track, and implored council to leave Orange’s mountain alone. “All we have left is what you see in Gaanha-bula. Give it another 90 years and there’s gonna be not much left of men’s meeting place. It’s part of me, and I’m part of the land. I can go 100km from Gaanha-bula and I know once I see the big guy, I know I’m not far.” Andrew Rawson from Canobolas Conservation Alliance spoke against any notion of reviving the trails. Rawson pops up every time council revisits the divisive project and reminds them why he believes it’s a stupid, costly and completely unnecessary flight of fancy, and one that Orange City Council has no business being involved with. “To put trails there … would be a lengthy, expensive and ultimately futile experience,” Rawson said. He said no state government would ever greenlight such a project, and that it would cost OCC millions of dollars to try - unsuccessfully - to appease a small number of enthusiasts. Bike shop owner Scott Turner said the economic benefits of mountain bike trails would be significant. Stephen Martin also spoke in favour of Floyd’s motion. “I do believe … that all stakeholders’ (environmental and cultural) concerns can be addressed,” he said. “The mountain offers something very rare with its relative elevation and surrounding national park and state forest.” Wiradjuri Elder Uncle Neil Ingram, a long-time campaigner against the trails, said: “Gaanha-bula has a strong spiritual connection to Aboriginal people, and the wider Wiradjuri nation. This is our Dreaming place. Mountain bike trails will be detrimental to our sacred sites.” He finished by asking councillors: “Don’t talk about us, without us. Please include us in any discussion that’s going on. We are part of this community. We have occupied these lands for over 70,000 years. We need some respect. I think Orange City Council needs to show respect to us.” Lucas Martin spoke in favour of the trails, and said it was possible to create trails that have  “benefits for everyone”. John Carpenter also spoke in favour of the trails. He pointed to Rotorua in New Zealand, which accommodated “tourist trails, Maori significant sites, mountain bikers and heaps of tourists that get to enjoy all three on the same day”. Carpenter said he respected the importance of the mountain to Wiradjuri people, but believed that everybody could get what they wanted. Speaking in favour of his own motion, Floyd touched on the same arguments as other speakers - mountain bike trails carved into Gaanha-bula Mount Canobolas would be good for business, tourism and fitness, and would offer job opportunities to Indigenous people. Many who back the trails say respect for Indigenous culture is crucial, yet it’s typically followed by a “but”. And that but says that despite opposition from local Wiradjuri, the trails can and should still go ahead. Councillor Tony Mileto said “reinstating this plan isn’t a good idea”. He said Floyd’s motion hadn’t brought anything new to the table. “I wasn’t provided with any projected budget, I’ve been provided nothing”. He questioned why the trails were considered a key priority, saying the $59.5 million sporting precinct was council’s focus. Councillor Melanie McDonell also spoke against Floyd’s motion. She urged councillors to listen to Wiradjuri Elders, and said it was “condescending and insulting” to say that Indigenous people would allow a “sacred site” to be further encroached upon in return for being able to conduct “guided tours” and being given “a little bit of money”. Councillor Jeff Whitton said councillors had already supported a motion that encouraged OCC to continue investigating the proposition, on the proviso no more ratepayer money be used, given OCC had already spent around $500,000. “I’m a bit confused about the [new] motion,” he said. He took Uncle Neil Ingram saying “don’t talk about us, without us” as a sign that consultation could ultimately lead to a breakthrough. However Uncle Neil told The Orange News Examiner on Wednesday morning that those in the chamber who took his words to mean he was open to negotiation on mountain bike trails had misunderstood the intent of what he was saying. He said that consultation with Elders and the Indigenous community on local matters was crucial, but that there was no place at all for trails on the mountain. “They’re still not listening,” Uncle Neil said. Whitton asked CEO David Waddell - whose term as CEO was extended for 12 months during a closed section of the meeting - if council staff were doing anything at all with regards to the trails. Waddell said that “in the spirit” of the previous motion saying OCC would not spend any more money on the project, council staff were not chewing up any billable hours pursuing it. “But staff are of an open mind if opportunities arise,” he added cryptically. Councillor Frances Kinghorne spoke against the motion. “I wasn’t aware this was deemed a key council priority in 2024. I’m not sure what I missed.” She said that unless the project had the backing of environmentalists and the Wiradjuri population, proponents should “stop wasting our money on something that’s never going to be approved”. Councillor Kevin Duffy said he may have seconded the motion, but didn’t support it. “I don’t support one dollar of council money going anywhere near this mountain bike track”. Councillor David Mallard also spoke against the motion, saying Indigenous leaders had made it clear they did not want the mountain touched. He questioned whether “rivers of gold” would ever flow. “It’s a public reserve, we’d have to lock it down and charge for access or something. The economic arguments don’t stack up.” Councillor Steve Peterson said council should wait until after elections in September to decide on whether to pursue the trails. CEO Waddell then updated the chamber on the most recent trail-related motion, saying it had in fact been rejected by councillors, not endorsed as previously thought. This meant OCC’s official position on the bike trails dated back to a previous council, which was in favour of the project. Whitton then sought more clarity on what the previous motion was. “What is the resolution of the council with regard to the mountain bike track? Because we don’t know.” Confusion reigned supreme, and then Floyd withdrew his motion. The whole discussion had been for nowt. Peterson also moved a motion regarding bike trails in Glenwood State Forest: “That Council provide a letter of support to the Orange Mountain Bike Club stating the value of the Glenwood Forest Mountain bike flow trail to Orange and ask that the section that would be destroyed by planned logging, be spared.” Mileto supported the motion, but expressed concern about asking the owner if the plantation to leave a section of pine untouched instead of logging it, “when we don’t have enough [wood to build houses]. I wonder if that would be showing ignorance”. Whitton questioned whether radiata pine that were due to be logged could become dangerous if not felled. McDonell pitched an amendment regarding the dollar value of the hit that would be taken by loggers. She suggested a letter of support that encouraged collaboration between mountain bikers and the Forestry Corporation to find a way to keep the trails going. Floyd supported the amended motion, as did Mallard, who said “we’ve arrived at a commonsense position”. The motion was passed. You can read The Orange News Examiner's in-depth feature on the mountain bike trails here. MORE NEWS ... Hands up who remembers going to Orange's Trinity Preschool? Man in his 30s dies in two-vehicle Cowra crash; woman taken to Orange Hospital "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift?

March 19, 2024 By Peter Holmes Orange City Council’s (OCC) decision to allow free entry to the aquatic centre over summer resulted in staff facing at least one death threat, it was revealed during Tuesday night’s council meeting. As councillors discussed a council staff horror report into the goodwill gesture, director Scott Mander said he could not endorse such a giveaway in the future. He said staff were traumatised by the experience. “When kids are standing and screaming every word you can think of as you’re ejecting them, threatening to kill you. These things happened.” He said around 250 people were ejected from the aquatic centre, “but it could easily have been 500, 700 - there was some leniency”. Ultimately, OCC had to spend $30,000 on security guards to try and keep a handle on proceedings. Maunder said he “witnessed the impact on staff, which was significant, and can’t be understated. It’s hard to write in black and white. Go down there and ask them”. Data showed that there were 28,000 visits to the pool in the free period, compared to around 12,000 in the same time the summer previous, where patrons had to pay. The picture painted by Maunder was of staff being completely overwhelmed, and of regular patrons being turned off attending. Councillors asked if there was a way to avoid such chaos next summer, potentially via a booking site or wrist bands, but Maunder said he couldn’t see how it could be monitored. “Sorry council, I don’t have a possible suggestion for how you can do it. The difficulty was the sheer volume and ability to keep track of that over an 18-hour operational period. With free entry, you just waltz in.” He said that when staff were being abused or threatened while trying to eject a patron, “you don’t necessarily take their name, go to register [and say] ‘Oh you’re not coming back in sonny’ … It was that serious. That is what was happening.” He said if councillors voted to do the same next summer he would “engage security from day one, but that doesn’t make the issues go away”. Councillors Jeff Whitton and Kevin Duffy backed the continuation of the free period. “I know it was a tough time,” said Whitton. “A small proportion of [people] created issues for staff and other people. But that doesn’t mean we stop it.” “I think it’s a good service,” said Duffy. Mayor Jason Hamling said he was “extremely disappointed with the people who decided to take advantage of what we were trying to provide, and carry on like clowns”. “I visited a couple of times and spoke to a couple of the staff and they were visibly distressed. The question was asked: ‘Why didn’t we talk to the staff before we made the decision?’. “From the stories I’ve been told it wasn’t just young people, it was parents of young people who were getting into trouble, who decided to get into our junior lifeguards, which created a lot of angst.” MORE NEWS ... Hands up who remembers going to Orange's Trinity Preschool? Man in his 30s dies in two-vehicle Cowra crash; woman taken to Orange Hospital "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift? EXCLUSIVE: This is why Orange councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime

March 19, 2024 By Peter Holmes It’s possible - but unlikely - that somewhere in Orange, or beyond, is a 104-year-old who attended Trinity Preschool when it was founded in 1924. As the preschool turns 100, director Sarah Evans is putting the call out to former attendees of any age. She’s hopeful that around Orange, NSW and Australia, in storage boxes in garages and photo albums on shelves, and on smartphones and in hazy memory banks, there are enough pictures, clippings and recollections to paint a vivid image of life at the preschool over its 100 years. Its name and location may have changed a few times, and there is a little fogginess around exactly what it was called, and when, and what age groups were enrolled at different times, but what has remained constant is the preschool. According to its own history, the preschool “evolved from a Girls Grammar School, started by the Anglican Church at the old School of Arts in Byng Street in 1924”. Two classrooms were “under the tutelage of Rev Canon Taylor”. “There was a move to the Bluestone Trinity Preschool Church building in 1927 (when boys up to nine years old were enrolled) and then another location in Kite Street in 1952. “For the next 20 years, the Trinity Preschool Memorial Grammar School educated young girls and boys from preschool through to intermediate standard. In the early 1970s … the board of directors chose to focus on preschool education.” In 1976 Trinity Preschool opened at its present site in Kooronga Avenue, with 200 children attending each week. Today about 160 kids are enrolled, Evans told The Orange News Examiner, and there is a waiting list of more than 400. While long daycare has become more common, Trinity operates from 8:30am to 4pm. Orange Anglican Grammar School’s website states that its origins are in Orange’s “Trinity Grammar School” (1924-1952). It's taken for granted in 2024, but when the preschool in Orange opened in 1924, Australia was only just starting to take seriously the role of educating children from a young age, with a focus on health and wellbeing. A 2013 Charles Sturt University study “75 Years of Early Childhood Education Australia” stated: “Throughout the 1920s … children’s health and wellbeing became a topic of discussion and debate in the Australian media, and in academic and government circles. “In particular, World War I had stoked concerns about Australia’s isolation from other ‘Western’ countries and its susceptibility to invasion. It was argued that Australia needed a strong local population capable of defending the country. “Attention was drawn to the need to stem the ‘wastage’ associated with the high infant mortality and morbidity of the times. There was a dawning recognition, informed by scientific discoveries, that providing for children’s health and welfare could have not only lasting positive effects on their wellbeing but also flow-on benefits for the nation. “There were also those who believed that given the ‘correct’ type of education, children were the best option for ensuring the development of a ‘brotherhood of man’ and ensuring lasting world peace.” Aside from seeking out photos and other memorabilia from over the years, Evans hopes to be able to film interviews with people who remember their time at Trinity Preschool. “Over the last 100 years we’ve learned so much about the role that early education plays in lifelong learning outcomes,” said Evans. Trinity accepts children aged three to five years old, but gives precedence to those about to start school. Evans describes the not-for-profit preschool as a community asset. “We pride ourselves on the relationships we have with our families and the fact that we are deeply embedded in the life of our community. “We know that many successive generations of families have attended Trinity Preschool and we want to capture those memories and celebrate them. “We want to know, who has the longest connection to Trinity? How many continuous generations from one family can we establish? Where have our Trinity alumni ended up? We’re interested in every story, every memory.” As it happens, the person with one of the longest connections to Trinity Preschool might be found working at … Trinity Preschool. Evans says one teacher has not only worked at the facility for around 30 years, but was herself enrolled as a young girl. You can email photos, clippings and memories to 100YearsofTrinity@gmail.com. MORE NEWS ... Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift? EVEN MORE NEWS ... EXCLUSIVE: This is why Orange councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people

March 19, 2024 By Peter Holmes A man has died following a two-vehicle crash near Cowra, around 90km southeast of Orange. About 7.20am today (Tuesday March 19, 2024), emergency services were called to the Mid Western Highway, about 10km west of Cowra, following reports of a two-vehicle crash involving a Mazda Sedan and a Ford Ranger. "The driver of the Mazda – a man aged 34 – was trapped for a short time before he was released and transported by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Cowra airport," NSW Police said. "The man died en route to the airport." The driver of the Ford – a woman aged 53 – was taken to Orange Hospital for mandatory testing and observation. A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident has commenced. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner. As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dash cam footage about this incident is urged to contact Chifley Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. MORE NEWS ... Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three "Operation Ambush" leads cops to an Orange motel Driving through Lucknow about to take an extra 14 seconds "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift? EVEN MORE NEWS ... EXCLUSIVE: This is why Orange councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people

March 18, 2024 By Peter Holmes A four-day operation into illegal hunting, trespassing and rural crime in the Central West has led to a man being arrested at an Orange motel. About 10.20am last Thursday (March 14, 2024) police attended a motel in Orange to arrest a man in relation to a domestic violence incident at a home in Orange on Wednesday March 6, 2024. A 33-year-old man was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station. Police said he was charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic). The man was refused bail and appeared at Orange Local Court last Thursday, where he was given conditional bail to appear at the same court tomorrow (Tuesday March 19, 2024). Investigators from the Rural Crime Prevention Team, with assistance from Central West Police District, conducted the four-day Operation Ambush in the Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo areas between March 14 and March 17, 2024. The operation involved a large number of rural patrols, property inspections and firearm audits, vehicle stops and vehicle searches. “While investigating reports of illegal hunting and trespassing, officers arrested and charged a number of people with unrelated offences,” NSW Police said. “About 9.30pm last Wednesday (March 13, 2024) police attached to Central West Police District received a report of domestic violence incident at a home on Hall Street, Condobolin. Following inquiries, about 1.45pm on Thursday (March 14, 2024), a 54-year-old man attended Condobolin Police Station where he was arrested.” The man was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm, and common assault. He was refused bail and appeared at Orange Local Court on Friday (March 15, 2024), where he was formally refused bail to appear at Parkes Local Court on Thursday (March 21, 2024). About 6pm on Saturday March 16, 2024, police attended a home on Orange Street, Condobolin, and arrested a 38-year-old man wanted on outstanding arrest warrants. He was taken to Condobolin Police Station where police executed the three outstanding warrants for assault and property-related offences. The man was refused bail to appear at Orange Local Court tomorrow (March 19, 2024). MORE NEWS ... Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic EVEN MORE NEWS ... Anybody need a lift? EXCLUSIVE: This is why Orange councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds?

March 17, 2024 By Peter Holmes Electronic signage is in place on the Mitchell Highway as drivers enter Lucknow informing them that the speed limit is about to change. On Thursday Lucknow will go from a 60km/h zone to a 50km/h zone. In June 2023 Orange City Council's Lucknow Community Committee asked councillors to back a request to Transport for NSW to lower the Lucknow speed limit. The 1.17km stretch of road was changed from 50km/h to 60km/h in 2012 by the defunct Roads and Maritime Service. “Members of the Lucknow Community Committee are concerned with the safety of pedestrians and those using the local bus service, including young school children," said a report to council last June. “It is the committee's opinion that by reducing the speed limit from 60km/h to 50km/h, pedestrians would be able to cross the road more safely, as they do in other regional towns and villages across the state." Councillors endorsed the proposal, and now it is coming into effect, following Transport for NSW conducting a "speed zone review" to see if 50km/h was "appropriate". Transport for NSW regional director West, Alistair Lunn, said the review assessed a number of factors including location, crash history, road environment, the number of access points, road usage, traffic mix and traffic volumes and recommended a speed reduction for all users. “The Mitchell Highway through Lucknow is an arterial road, with a mixture of residential and business premises beside the road,” Mr Lunn said. “This section of road has had a significant crash history resulting in 16 injuries in the past five years, roughly twice the expected rate for similar roads. “Consultation with local businesses and residents found they supported a reduced speed limit due to the growing popularity of Lucknow's shopping village, to boost safety for pedestrians and to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions with vehicles turning into side streets or businesses." Lunn said the lower speed limit will add about 14 seconds to the average journey through Lucknow and described it as a "a minor change that will not adversely impact commuter or freight trips through the village”. Lucknow Community Committee chair Councillor Jack Evans said local residents would welcome the reduced speed limit through their village. “I acknowledge that it may be frustrating for people [who] commute that way every day, but we also need to remember that this is a village where people live and operate their businesses." Evans said the speed reduction "will make it a lot safer for families and tourists who want to access those businesses and tourist attractions, and for people just wanting to use their village without fear of traffic speeding through". LUCKNOW COMMUNITY COMMITTEE "As the number of businesses (including coffee shops, cafes, a service station, a hotel/tavern and retail outlets) located on the Mitchell Highway of Lucknow continues to grow, so too does the number of visitors. "As people arrive in the village, they park on the northern side of the road and are then left with the challenge of crossing a busy highway to access businesses and services on the southern side of the road and vice versa. “Members of the Lucknow Community Committee are concerned with the safety of pedestrians and those using the local bus service, including young school children." MORE NEWS ... "Tone it down": Orange deputy mayor Gerald Power shocked by Nat leader's remote camp language New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift? EXCLUSIVE: This is why Orange councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime EVEN MORE NEWS ... The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people

March 15, 2024 Peter Holmes "Are you serious?" That was the response from Orange's deputy mayor Gerald Power when asked by The Orange News Examiner to respond to comments made by National Party leader David Littleproud. On Thursday Littleproud said during an interview with Channel Nine that young offenders should be sent to remote camps in the middle of nowhere. “We need to get back to … Outback camps, 200 to 300km from towns. You don’t need barbed wire. If they want to run away, they have to dodge the king browns (snakes) and wild dogs." After asking if we were serious, Power then said: "Brother, are you ad libbing? You can't be serious? A politician said that?" Power said such language dehumanised juvenile offenders. "I disagree with the language coming from Littleproud," Power said. "I know there is frustration out there, but at least be cautious about speaking of Australian citizens in this manner. I can't believe that language is coming from the deputy leader of the opposition. These are Australian citizens. My goodness. Tone it down." Power said Littleproud's comment gave the impression "we don't want these people anywhere near us, let them get bitten by a snake. What rubbish. I am shocked he would say that". Littleproud said at such a camp, “Every morning they’re up with a purpose. They’re taught a trade. They’re out there making fences, cleaning out water troughs, branding cattle and learning mechanics. They come away with a purpose in life.” Power said he was aware of programs around Australia that sent young people to camps rather than lock them up in juvenile detention centres. But he said unless properly funded and operated by qualified staff who were willing to work remotely, expanding the concept would be pointless and purely political. "You need all the wraparound services," he said, pointing to the fact many young offenders were living with mental health issues, were on medication and/or drug dependent, and needed intensive support. "It's no good putting them out somewhere remote, teaching them how to clean out troughs and afterwards just dropping them back into society, because they will fall straight in with the wrong crowd. And all those taxpayer dollars are wasted." Power said many of those considered the worst offenders were "disengaged and disconnected" from their communities. Senior Orange police have talked about a group of young people in the city who can't be reached, despite the best efforts of youth officers and support services. "It often comes back to aspects of parenting," Power said. "Those services have to be there not just for the juveniles but also for their parents back here in the community. If a child has gone down the wrong track, it's not an easy fix." He said he knew of remote camps where young offenders were given a horse or a dog to look after. "Their role is to care for, and nurture, that animal," he said. "They need to be fed and watered before they themselves are fed and watered. It helps them to look beyond who they are." He said they were often urban kids relocated to the bush. "It can be very confronting," he said. "They are away from everyone, they are isolated. So how do you create that support mechanism, where all the services are in place - housing, health, training, employment? "You need to be able to get people into a routine once they are released from incarceration, and for that you need the wraparound services. Otherwise you are just doing it for the sake of doing it." Power said "there must be questions about the mindset of a politician who says these words and degrades another Australian citizen". MORE NEWS... New crime data shows the chance of your property being broken into Orange, Walgett, Dubbo and Broken Hill is roughly the same Too much confusion leads to one big change at Orange's The Sonic Anybody need a lift? EXCLUSIVE: This is why Orange councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" EVEN MORE NEWS ... INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed SHENANIGANS: Nationals claim regional crime "skyrocketing", "out of control", people "too scared to leave their homes". The statistics say otherwise Accusations fly as hundreds descend on Orange council meeting for Rainbow debate

March 14, 2024 By Peter Holmes There were 374 break and enters of a dwelling in Orange in the 12 months to December 2023, according to data released on Thursday by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). The figure for Orange is 3.5 times the NSW average on a per capita basis. By comparison, Broken Hill was 3.6 times the NSW per capita average for having dwellings broken into. Areas in a similar range to Orange were Walgett (3.9 times state average), Tamworth (3.4 times), Dubbo (3.7 times), Narromine (3.6 times), Gunnedah (3.6 times) and Narrabri (3.9 times). These were significantly higher than many regional areas in the state. For example, Albury’s break and enter dwelling crime rate was 1.6 times the NSW average, per capita. Blayney’s was the same as the state average, the Blue Mountains was 0.4 times the state average, Eurobodalla 0.9 times, Inverell 2.3 times, and Cessnock 1.3 times. Orange continued to experience high rates of crime across all listed categories when compared to the average across NSW. The rates were also high when compared with many. other NSW regional areas. The Orange News Examiner also compared Orange with Bathurst - 52km east - on a per capita basis across listed crime categories. A fairly grim picture emerged. The only category in which we fared better than Bathurst was for the rate of Domestic Violence Related Assault, however the figures in both jurisdictions were appalling. In the 12 months to December 2023, Orange’s rate in this category was 1.4 times the state average (267 reported DV assaults in Orange over 12 months). Bathurst’s was 1.6 times the state average, with 314 such crimes being reported. It is known that reported DV assaults are only a fraction of actual assaults. In the category of Sexual Assault, Orange and Bathurst both experienced crimes at 1.7 times the state average. There were 85 such assaults reported in Orange and 70 in Bathurst over the 12 months. In all other crime categories, Orange was less safe. In Non-DV Related Assaults, Orange experienced 1.7 times the state average (Bathurst 1.4 times). In Robbery, Orange experienced 1.9 times the state average (Bathurst was under the state average, at 0.9 times). The Break and Enter Non Dwelling category saw Orange at 2.2 times the state average, and Bathurst at 1.3 times. Motor vehicle theft was more than twice as likely to occur in Orange (2.4 times the NSW average) than Bathurst (1.1 times) on a per capita basis. There were 181 motor vehicles reported as being stolen in Orange in the 12-month period, and 84 in Bathurst. In Bathurst, the chance of someone stealing from your vehicle was the same as the NSW state average per capita. In Orange it was 1.7 times the state average. Steal From Retail in Orange was 1.5 times the state average; in Bathurst it was 1.3 times. As was Malicious Damage To Property (Orange 2.1 times more likely than NSW average, Bathurst 1.5 times more likely). RELATED ... Woman, 76, chases thief from house in Orange: "I should have thrown the apricot chicken at him!" Late on Saturday four cars stopped in the middle of Summer Street. Women jumped out and punched on Police, ambos and firies on scene as girl trying to hide gets wedged at Orange Civic Centre Fourteen juveniles responsible for 50 percent of Orange crime Police mull city-wide ban for Orange's biggest yobbos IN DEPTH: Robbed for the fourth time in four years

March 13, 2024 By Peter Holmes In the end, the confusion was just too much to deal with. Was it The Sonic? Jumbled? Jumbled with a coffee shop and Pip Brett's Iglou fashion label inside The Sonic? Through various internal incarnations over the past nine years, the former Masonic building on Sale Street in the CBD was known to many as The Sonic, mainly because that's what the prominent signage out the front said. But inside, The Sonic was several things. There was a clothing range. Homewares. Art. Books. A cafe. Nobody ever seemed quite sure if the business was known as The Sonic, and within it were other businesses, or whether The Sonic only related to the building. If so, what was inside? On Wednesday The Sonic signage at the front of the building had gone. In its place, Jumbled signage was being added. Jumbled's Jess Conliffe told The Orange News Examiner that confusion over what was what led to the decision to remove The Sonic signage. She said many customers - particularly travellers - were bamboozled by the situation at The Sonic. They'd get phone calls. Is that Jumbled? Do you have a cafe? Is that Iglou? Is Jumbled The Sonic? Is Iglou Jumbled? What about homewares? And so on. Asked about The Sonic website, which links out to Jumbled's website, Conliffe said she was considering taking it down. But then, everything's so connected these days, and people will still call it The Sonic long after the signwriters have moved on to their next job. It's a business dilemma Conliffe will leave for another day, for on Friday 600 women from around the country will descend on Orange for The Huddle, a full-day event on Sunday at Orange Function Centre. She is one of the organisers, so things are getting a little lively. As The Huddle expands, there are also a number of other events and networking opportunities on Friday and Saturday. Many are sold out. According to an old Jumbled blog post, Pip Brett and Nick Luelf "opened the doors to their concept space, The Sonic" nine weeks after purchasing the property at 33-35 Sale Street. Records at realestate.com.au show it sold in June 2015 for $1.16 million. It had previously sold for $320,000 in December 2001. The Masonic Hall was built in 1864. The blog said when the couple bought the property, it had been on sale for around four years. "Nick is a builder, which would prove useful in their whirlwind nine-week renovation of the space, and Pip owns a homewares store — Jumbled — and clothing store — Iglou. Pip launched Iglou in 2006 and Jumbled in 2012," the blog said. It described The Sonic as "a concept store with the couple’s favorite things — fashion, home goods, and coffee ... The classic Masonic Hall was so big that it allowed enough room to let the three businesses feel like they had distinct spaces, while still feeling open and having a clear flow." The Sonic appears to no longer be that concept store. It is simply a 160-year-old building. The focus will now shift to Jumbled, the main business inside. MORE NEWS ... Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed EVEN MORE NEWS ... SHENANIGANS: Nationals claim regional crime "skyrocketing", "out of control", people "too scared to leave their homes". The statistics say otherwise Accusations fly as hundreds descend on Orange council meeting for Rainbow debate Orange's sleek new V4 Tesla supercharging stations ready by late March INSIDE STORY: Is Reg Kidd sizing up the mayoral robes, or just blowing off steam? Orange property prices stuck in a rut as buyers await mortgage relief + Eight homes for under $400,000 Abuse. Theft. Contamination. Eviction. Opening Orange Aquatic Centre for free over summer was, well, a bit of a sh*tshow

March 12, 2024 By Peter Holmes In the 1990 movie Crazy People with Dudley Moore, Daryl Hannah and Paul Reiser, Moore plays Emory Leeson, a bitter ad executive who starts messing around with truth in advertising. One of his ad pitches is for cars. Swedish cars. In a scene that was quoted by many in the years following the film's release - and still is today - Leeson's mock-up ad for Volvo is shown. BUY VOLVOS. THEY'RE BOXY BUT THEY'RE GOOD. This scene comes to mind as you cast your eye over 4 Isaac Drive in West Orange. The property is new to the market and is listed for sale at $1,675,000 through Our City Real Estate. Sitting on a 1,129-square-metre plot, the home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and is spread across two storeys. The master has an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. There is a modern kitchen with pantry. Did somebody say lift? Yes they did. The ground floor space has its own bathroom and kitchenette, and stairs and a lift to transport you to the first floor. The area could be used as an office, teenage retreat or guest accommodation. There are also two large storage rooms on the ground floor. The top-storey living room opens out onto a large private balcony, with views of nearby Wentworth Golf Club, Ploughmans Wetlands and West Orange. Mature trees are part of the fully landscaped block. Two of the bathrooms have heated flooring, there is ducted gas heating and cooling, and a gas log fireplace. There is a double-bay garage and a 22,500-litre water tank. Within Orange High School catchment. MORE NEWS ... The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed

March 12, 2024 By Peter Holmes Orange City Council has revealed why the city's 12 councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime - where a drag queen reads books to children and their parents or carers - at a council meeting on December 5, 2023. Around 300 members of the public came to the council meeting last Tuesday night, at which councillor Kevin Duffy tried unsuccessfully to get council to withdraw its support for the Orange Rainbow Festival, which includes a Rainbow Storytime component. His motion was defeated 9-3. Twenty-six people spoke from the public gallery - eight were in support of Duffy's motion and 18 were not. Duffy's main issue was Rainbow Storytime. It was also a problem for the two councillors who voted with him - Glenn Floyd and Steve Peterson. MORE NEWS The supermarket prices inquiry is in Orange on Tuesday. Orchardist Guy Gaeta has a few things he'd like to get off his chest Got an old phone? Here's what you need to know before Telstra ends 3G access in Orange Work begins on $200,000 light installation in Orange's "Shady Lane" The festival's events are ticketed, so parents or carers must make a choice to attend Rainbow Storytime with their children. This, however, was not good enough for the trio. At the December meeting councillors were furnished with information about the Orange Rainbow Festival in the Services Policy Committee report. A staff director had written the report with details on the three-day event (March 22 to 24, 2024). “Orange City Council secured $125,800 funding from the NSW Government for the conduct of a Rainbow Festival to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ young people and to increase tolerance in the community,” it stated. “The festival is funded under The Our Region, Our Voice - Regional Youth Investment Program which was established in June 2022 by the NSW Government to deliver tailored investments and local projects that enhance the lives and wellbeing of regional youth and support them to live their best life and thrive within their local communities.” The report went on to state that part of council’s responsibility was to “Deliver cultural facilities and programs that reflect the interests of a culturally diverse community”. It said the financial implications were “nil” and under the heading “Further Considerations” said: “Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management; and no further implications or risks have been identified.” Orange Rainbow Festival “delivers on Council’s Community Strategic Plan Objective 3: A friendly environment where people feel safe and included and support for LGBTQIA+ community. The main outcome of the project is for Young LGBTQIA to feel supported by the Orange community and report improved mental health”. the report stated. It said the festival would “include” a welcome event, markets, mental health stalls and workshops, music, competitions, a street parade, a street disco and a Sunday BBQ. There was no mention of Rainbow Storytime or drag queens, and some councillors have told The Orange News Examiner they were not made aware until the festival was officially launched in February. The staff report contained letters of support from state MPs Phil Donato and Sam Farraway and federal MP Andrew Gee, and from Marathon Health (Headspace), Lives Lived Well, OLALC, LikeMind,  Mission Australia, Orange United Sports Club and Orange Youth Action Council. The Orange News Examiner asked OCC why councillors weren't told about Rainbow Storytime last December. "At the time of the council meeting in December, which noted the report on the festival, the detailed program for the festival had not been produced," said an OCC spokesperson on Tuesday. "A number of aspects of events, which were outlined in the report, were later changed." At last Tuesday night's meeting Peterson rued what he described as a lack of transparency. “This disaster is a self-inflicted disaster,” he said. “Had we discussed it a few months ago, the festival still would’ve happened, the mathematics is very clear, but maybe we could have had some quieter, low-emotion discussion before we organised, booked or decided on anything. “Maybe we could have heard some views, changed people’s minds, made changes, seen what other councils have done, taken people with us and, probably importantly, give people a chance to conscientiously object. “I don’t think we would’ve ended up in a circle of agreement singing Kumbaya … but at least we wouldn’t have had the debate on the national news, and I think the individual harm that’s clearly been caused tonight would have been much less, and same with the reputational harm.” Supporters of the festival say the debate around Rainbow Storytime was completely unnecessary and caused great hurt in the LGBTQIA+ community. They say parents and carers have the right to choose what events they take their children to, not councillors. During last Tuesday's hectic OCC meeting it was announced by staff that it had been decided that a drag queen would no longer read at Rainbow Storytime. No explanation was given as to who had made the decision, or why. RELATED COVERAGE Orange Rainbow Festival to feature street parade, disco, drag queen competition and storytime INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Accusations fly as hundreds descend on Orange council meeting for Rainbow debate The orchard, the tomboy and the transitioning that goes "haywire": councillor Duffy's nightmare scenario for Rainbow Festival Professor John Whitehall responds to our story on the Orange Christian Alliance Orange Christians lobby councillors to withdraw support for Rainbow Festival, claiming youth "enticed into its tentacles"

March 12, 2024 By Peter Holmes With Telstra’s 3G mobile coverage to be switched off on June 30, 2024, expansion of mobile coverage for the 4G network has been completed in Orange, the telecommunications giant said. Telstra says it will “deliver equivalent coverage to our 3G in the Orange, Weddin, Cowra, Blayney and Oberon local government areas, meaning residents will now be able to enjoy the benefits of 4G including extra speed and capacity over similar areas that 3G covers”. “When we announced the closure of our 3G network in 2019, Telstra committed to providing equivalent 4G connectivity before we switch off 3G services,” said Chris Taylor, Telstra’s regional general manager for Southern NSW. He said Telstra had nearly 40 mobile sites providing coverage in these five local government areas. Customers with 3G devices will need to upgrade by the June 30 deadline to remain connected, including retaining the ability to make emergency calls to Triple Zero. “Not all devices are created equal, and mobile coverage can be impacted by a variety of factors including the sensitivity of your mobile device,” Taylor said. “Blue tick devices have been thoroughly tested to ensure they’re highly sensitive and able to maximise coverage reach. For customers who have been using a 3G blue tick device they’ll want to upgrade to a 4G blue tick device to ensure they receive equivalent coverage post closure.” Telstra says it gives certain devices a blue tick if they are “certified to give superior voice coverage in rural and regional areas". "This means the phones were rigorously tested by engineers in our purpose-built facilities, before being taken to rural areas to confirm the results with real world testing”. He said if people wanted to know if their devices were 4G-capable, they should visit  www.telstra.com.au/support/mobiles-devices/3g-closure or contact the Telstra store in Orange. The closure is not limited to mobile phones and will also impact 3G only Telstra Cel-Fi GO Repeaters, 3G only Telstra Mobile Smart Antennas, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) or Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices such as EFTPOS, telemetry and some 3G only medical devices. In 2015 Telstra introduced a new technology into its 4G mobile network called Voice over Long-Term-Evolution (commonly called VoLTE or Voice over LTE). “This allowed for voice calls to be made and received over the 4G network rather than 3G, and meant calls were clearer and there was less congestion on the network,” Telstra said. “If you are currently using an old 4G mobile device that does not have Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology, even though the mobile device is 4G, it will not have data access and voice calling compatibility after the shut off date and will also need to be upgraded.” An easy way to check if your device is compatible is to look for ‘4G’ or ‘5G’ on the screen. If it only says ‘3G’ now or when you make a voice call, you probably need to replace it to stay connected. Check your device settings Check your device network is set to “automatic”. If it isn’t, follow the steps below to update it: Apple devices Go to Settings Go to Mobile Go to Mobile Data options Go to Voice and Data Select automatic. If automatic isn’t an option, select 4G. Android devices Go to Settings Go to Network and internet Go to Mobile Network Go to Preferred network type Select automatic. If automatic isn’t an option, select 4G. Recycle your old device There are several options available to help you recycle old mobiles, chargers, and accessories. Drop them off at any Telstra store – just look for the “mobile muster” collection point Use the mobile muster website to find your nearest collection point Mail your old device to mobile muster for recycling. Satchels are available from your local Australia Post office or JB Hi-Fi store.

March 11, 2024 By Peter Holmes Veteran Orange apple and cherry grower Guy Gaeta has been waiting many years for an inquiry into alleged supermarket price gouging. On Tuesday morning such an inquiry - the federal government’s Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices - rolls into Orange. The committee includes senator Nick McKim (chair, Greens), senator Glenn Sterle (deputy chair, ALP) and senator Ross Cadell (National Party). It will take place on the first floor of the Canobolas Hotel, from about 8:30am. Veteran local orchardist Guy Gaeta has quite a bit to get off his chest. It's been building up across the decades. Using the earthy language of the grower, he says “I hope I don’t f*ck it up”. He has made about 20 dot points. At nearly 67, Gaeta still fills his truck with 10 tonnes of apples and drives to Homebush West (or Flemington as it's still widely known) in Sydney every week for the Saturday markets. He used to run eight stands. Today it’s four. But there is still money to be made from selling apples directly to the public or smaller independent shops in Sydney. As long as the fruit tastes good, Gaeta says his buyers are not obsessed with slight imperfections. Gaeta doesn’t sell apples to supermarkets as he says there is no point. But not all growers can afford to load up a truck every week and drive to Sydney for the markets. There are numerous fruit and vegetables stands currently for sale, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $42,250 each. Gaeta’s only dealings with supermarkets these days are in cherries, but not directly. You suspect the idea of selling to a supermarket turns his stomach. Instead, he sells to a middle person for a set price and leaves the headache of negotiating on price and quality with supermarkets to someone else. "They can take the risk," he says. He says that supermarkets are too fussy about fruit and vegetables looking “perfect”, and that growers waste an enormous amount of produce trying to meet their exacting standards. If produce is sent to the supermarket giants and doesn’t meet quality assurance standards, it is sent back to the grower, he says. “The problem is the amount of apples you pick and the amount of those they want to sell,” Gaeta told The Orange News Examiner. “You discard the rest.” He says supermarkets demand apples have “90 percent colour”, but says growers are left with perfectly good fruit with lower colour percentages, or “having to prune 10 times” to allow more sun on the apple and therefore more colour in the skin. Gaeta gives the example of 400kg of apples. He says removing any fruit that might not look perfect in shape, size or colour would leave a grower with about 200kg of supermarket-worthy fruit. The other 200kg is their problem. “They’re too big, too small, have grown a bit to the left,” says Gaeta, giving examples of why apples can be rejected. He said the margin on growing apples made it incredibly difficult to get ahead. He looks back on a time decades ago when there were around 200 orchards in Orange. Today, only 11 families remain in the business, and he doesn’t see many young growers coming through. At least in Orange. At the Sydney Markets, it’s a different story. “I see plenty of 18, 19, 20-year-olds,” he says. Gaeta says some local farming families were financially secure after walking off the land, as previous generations had invested in property in Orange. But others had reinvested profits back into their farms and lost heavily. MORE NEWS ... INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed SHENANIGANS: Nationals claim regional crime "skyrocketing", "out of control", people "too scared to leave their homes". The statistics say otherwise Accusations fly as hundreds descend on Orange council meeting for Rainbow debate EVEN MORE NEWS ... Getting to the heart of the matter: Donato installs defibrillator in CBD Orange's sleek new V4 Tesla supercharging stations ready by late March INSIDE STORY: Is Reg Kidd sizing up the mayoral robes, or just blowing off steam? Orange property prices stuck in a rut as buyers await mortgage relief + Eight homes for under $400,000 Abuse. Theft. Contamination. Eviction. Opening Orange Aquatic Centre for free over summer was, well, a bit of a sh*tshow

March 11, 2024 By Peter Holmes Work on cleaning up an Orange arcade to make way for a $200,000 light installation has begun. Tape has been put in place to stop pedestrian traffic, and Orange City Council (OCC) says this will continue until March 27. The 66-metre-long alley runs from an underground car park to Summer Street near Anson Street. In early September 2023 councillors voted to approve the installation, titled Aperture, with $100,000 coming from OCC and $100,000 from the state government. We reported at the time: "A heated debate, which occurred more than three hours after Tuesday night’s council meeting started, saw various councillors describe the arcade as 'a reeking grubby hellhole', 'one of the most awful places in Orange', 'shady lane' and 'a dark and dingy space'.” Councillor David Mallard backed the project at the laneway, but called on the site owners to also upgrade the car park. “This is a really fantastic project, and it is really going to be transformative for this site,” he said. Councillors opposed to $200,000 being spent on the arts project said the arcade really needed better lighting and security cameras. They argued that in tough economic times it was irresponsible for council to spend public money on art, particularly as the alleyway is jointly owned by a shopping centre operator and council. Councillor Kevin Duffy said it would not generate tourism for Orange. “No one’s gonna come for a tourist drive from Russia or China or Sydney to go for a walk on this little alleyway, I mean, you’re dreaming,” he said. “This is an absolute joke and we should be embarrassed by it.” The Orange News Examiner spoke to the Queensland artist behind the installation, Daniel Templeman, on Monday afternoon. He will be in Orange in coming weeks to build the installation, but said he was unable to comment further, and that all enquiries should be addressed to Orange Art Gallery. MORE NEWS ... INSIDE STORY: In December councillors Duffy, Floyd and Peterson voted in support of the Orange Rainbow Festival. Who - or what - changed their minds? Orange on the shortlist for 40-unit housing block for homeless young people Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed SHENANIGANS: Nationals claim regional crime "skyrocketing", "out of control", people "too scared to leave their homes". The statistics say otherwise Accusations fly as hundreds descend on Orange council meeting for Rainbow debate EVEN MORE NEWS ... With a full house expected at Orange City Council tonight, plans put in place to ensure Kevin Duffy is heard. Good luck with that Getting to the heart of the matter: Donato installs defibrillator in CBD Orange's sleek new V4 Tesla supercharging stations ready by late March INSIDE STORY: Is Reg Kidd sizing up the mayoral robes, or just blowing off steam? Orange property prices stuck in a rut as buyers await mortgage relief + Eight homes for under $400,000 Abuse. Theft. Contamination. Eviction. Opening Orange Aquatic Centre for free over summer was, well, a bit of a sh*tshow SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS REPORTING FROM JUST 99c PER WEEK.

March 9, 2024 By Peter Holmes On Tuesday night in a packed Orange City Council (OCC) chamber, three middle-aged white men - led by councillor Kevin Duffy - tried to influence how parents in the city raise their children. They mightn’t have put it that way themselves, but that was the upshot of their decision to try and force OCC to withdraw its support for the Orange Rainbow Festival, which is on from March 22 to 24, 2024. It was an extraordinary overreach, and one that was doomed to fail. And fail it did, with council voting 9-3 to toss Duffy’s motion in the trash. The three middle-aged white men - hey, I’m in that demographic, so hold fire - were councillors Duffy, Glenn Floyd and Steve Peterson. Orange Rainbow Festival is for young queer people of all stripes, and those allies who want to express their solidarity. The trio’s major concerns about the festival appeared to relate to young people transitioning (the T in LGBTQIA+) and Rainbow Storytime, an event where a drag queen reads children’s books to children who have been brought along by parents or carers. Orange City Council doesn’t set national or state health policy, and it can be argued that arguing about youth who transition had no place in a regional Australian council chamber. And yet on Tuesday night that’s exactly what happened. Not surprisingly, council found itself the subject of national interest. RAINBOW Storytime really grinds the gears of many who oppose the Orange Rainbow Festival. The storytime book reading concept has triggered people around the country, leading to council staff, councillors and drag performers facing threats and coordinated protests, and the cancellation of readings. On February 6, 2024, the ABC released a statement about the cancellation of a Drag Queen Story Time event. It was to be filmed at Rockdale Library as part of the ABC’s Mardi Gras coverage. “The ABC condemns the hateful and offensive response we have received from some individuals in response to the callout for this event,” it said. “The event will no longer be held at the Rockdale Library and the ABC is considering how we can safely host it. “The ABC invited families from within the LGBTQIA+ community to participate in a Drag Queen Story Time event ... These events are designed for families and are regularly held in public spaces. “The ABC is the official host broadcaster for the 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. As part of this partnership the ABC showcases the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community, aligning with its Charter obligation to reflect all Australians.” The idea of a man dressed as a woman reading books to children generally aged three to nine unshackles a primal fear in some people. They see themselves as the protectors, and believe only bad things can happen by taking children to such an event. The fact that the events are generally ticketed (even if free) and therefore only attended by parents or carers who want to be there, appeared to be of little concern to Duffy, Floyd and Peterson. No, they were there on behalf of the children, and if that meant influencing what other residents can and can’t take their kids to see, then so be it. IN September 2023 Bathurst drag queen Betty Confetti was booked to perform Rainbow Storytime at Orange City Library on a Saturday afternoon. A small campaign led to emails and letters being sent to councillors protesting the event. Progressive councillors Melanie McDonell and David Mallard have spoken about what they described as the disgusting nature of some of the correspondence. It was a sign of things to come. The Orange News Examiner attended the September reading to see what all the fuss was about. Other than McDonell, no councillors were there. Some had opinions, but they didn’t manage to turn up and see for themselves what went on. You can read our story about the reading here. Essentially, it was held at the back of the library, was ticketed, and attended only by those parents and carers who wanted to be there. The books were harmless and the type of things any parents would read to any child. There were no police reports of anyone being dragged off the street, across south court, tied to a chair at the back of the library, and made to watch the reading. In the wake of Rainbow Storytime at the library, councillor Steve Peterson moved a motion in October 2023 that councillors be informed of any potentially “controversial” events in the city that council was in any way associated with. Peterson didn’t appreciate the fact he was copping community flak for something he had nothing to do with. In future, he wanted to know in advance about any “controversial” issues. The chamber voted with Peterson, and it became policy that council's CEO David Waddell was charged with having to decide what might or might not be viewed as controversial by the 12 elected councillors in the chamber. At the council meeting in question, Waddell did not appear overwhelmed with enthusiasm at being lumbered with this extra responsibility. What is controversial? What isn’t? Is the circus controversial? Is a scene in a play at Orange Civic Theatre controversial? Is an artist or artwork at the gallery controversial? Do we want the CEO and - ultimately - councillors deciding what we can and can’t see? It’s not known how many potentially “controversial” matters have been brought to the attention of councillors since last October, but you could safely assume that vetting artworks and theatrical scripts and LGBTQIA+ festivals and so forth hasn't been a top order of business for Waddell, who would not comment for this story. ON Tuesday night around 300 people turned up to Orange City Council. They were in the gallery, a room off the gallery, and in the foyer of the theatre. It was an extraordinary display of democracy in action. A historic night. The Orange News Examiner watched from a media section in the council chamber. Rarely had so many reporters, photographers and camera people been wedged in together. The clear majority of people upstairs were there to support the festival. One of three police officers on hand to quell to any disturbances told us that the clear majority in the theatre foyer were also there to back the festival. Eighteen of 26 public speakers were in favour of the Orange Rainbow Festival. They talked of inclusion, acceptance and love. The eight who spoke against included Sydney professor John Whitehall, and Kris Dhillon from the Orange Christian Alliance. You can read our recent interview with Kris Dhillon here, and Whitehall’s response to that story here. Two female speakers claimed without evidence to represent Orange’s silent conservative majority, and delivered what appeared to be the same speech, which veered off into the Voice referendum, and urged parents to get kids off devices and get outdoors, as if that might perhaps stop all this confusion and gayness and transitioning. A man on video link said he had been lured into homosexuality as a teenager and been sexually assaulted on a number of occasions. He feared for young people in Orange who he felt could be taken advantage of. Then came time for the councillors to debate Duffy’s motion calling for Orange City Council to completely withdraw from the festival. Duffy delivered a rambling and at times incoherent speech. As the man who lit the fuse, he didn’t appear as well prepared as he might have been. Playing what appeared to be the role of moral guardian, Duffy said that he objected to Rainbow Storytime, the book My Shadow is Pink, and children transitioning, and claimed he wouldn’t have had a problem with council endorsing a festival like the Mardi Gras in Sydney, for adults only. He babbled about how Rainbow Storytime should be R-rated, and expressed concern about men in g-strings entertaining children. It was a poor performance that seemed aimed squarely at a certain constituency. The Rainbow Storytime event in the festival is to feature different books to those read at Orange Library. The books to be read at the festival - My Shadow Is Pink and My Shadow Is Blue - are either viewed as harmless stories about inclusion and diversity, or dangerous how-to guides that could confuse a child or convince them they should consider transitioning. Duffy said he had listened to both as audiobooks, and he did not approve. Councillor Glenn Floyd was the next to strap on a superhero cape and put his hand up to save the children. “I have received over 260 emails and at least 10 phones calls in last two months from local residents regarding this festival,” he said. “Numerous concerns have been raised in relation to the storytime element of this event, during which I understand two books will be read. To make an informed decision I have read both books in their totality. “Having read those books, which are to be read to children in a public domain, children as young as three, I find this scenario inappropriate. I question why people in the three to nine age are being privy to the information in these books. To do so could possibly cause unnecessary confusion, with mental health being a major social issue." Floyd went on to say that it “is critical to assess what vulnerable young minds are subjected to, and when and where it is appropriate to introduce them to certain subjects". “I believe that in no way we should be exposing children to this type of behaviour adjustment learning at such a young age," Floyd said. "As a council I say we should be distancing ourselves from this, and as a parent I say just let kids be kids - they grow up too fast anyway.” Floyd was telling the parents and carers of Orange what was and wasn’t appropriate for their children. What their kids - not his - should and shouldn’t see and hear. It takes certain chutzpah for any parent to tell another how to raise their kids, if they’re not breaking any laws. To try and dictate to the whole city was something else again. In response, a number of community members have said to The Orange News Examiner that if Floyd, Duffy and Peterson truly wanted to ensure council doesn’t ever support anything that could potentially “indoctrinate” young children, they should withdraw their support for religious events such as Carols at Christmas. To do otherwise, they argued, would be hypocritical. COUNCILLOR Steve Peterson was the third councillor to vote against OCC’s involvement in the Rainbow Festival on Tuesday night. Of the three, he was clearly the most torn. Following the vote, as the public gallery dispersed and councillors took a short break, Peterson appeared a little green around the gills, and shocked and saddened by what had just occurred. That it had come to this. As a man with a disability who had vowed to represent minorities on council, Peterson’s vote caused confusion and upset in sections of the community. “I’m very sorry we’ve had to do this this way,” Peterson told his fellow councillors, before moving on to blame council staff for the controversy. “I think the Rainbow Festival has indeed united all of Orange, just through a shared disappointment and anger towards [council], and I share it too," Peterson began. "I think this is probably the lowest point in our brief council time. “I feel we could have avoided some - but probably not all - of that harm with some transparency and accountability earlier on. “I really think we could have been transparent by giving the community via their elected  councillors a say in the festival much earlier than today. Last October the chamber voted 9-2 that elected representatives would have the ability to discuss issues that were going to be controversial to the community.” Peterson was basically telling his fellow councillors “I told you so”. “This disaster is a self-inflicted disaster and tonight vindicates my reasoning,” he said. Peterson then made a crucial statement: “Had we discussed it a few months ago, the festival still would’ve happened, the mathematics is very clear, but maybe we could have had some quieter, low-emotion discussion before we organised, booked or decided on anything. “Maybe we could have heard some views, changed people’s minds, made changes, seen what other councils have done, taken people with us and, probably importantly, give people a chance to conscientiously object. “I don’t think we would’ve ended up in a circle of agreement singing Kumbaya … but at least we wouldn’t have had the debate on the national news, and I think the individual harm that’s clearly been caused tonight would have been much less, and same with the reputational harm.” The fact, however, is that Orange City Council staff had raised the issue. THE December 5, 2023 OCC council meeting contained committee reports. Councillors don’t just sit on council, but also on committees that meet separately. Each committee - Environmental Sustainability, Finance, Infrastructure, Planning and Development, Employment and Economic Development, Sport and Recreation, and Services - prepares a report that is published in the OCC papers. At council meetings where committee reports are tabled, the mayor Jason Hamling passes the baton to each committee chair, who takes the mayoral seat. Matters arising can be discussed and debated, or the committee reports can be waved through without anybody saying anything. At the December 5, 2023 meeting, the Services Policy Committee report contained information about the Orange Rainbow Festival. It was right at the end of the document, starting on page 105. Under the heading “Report on Rainbow Festival” was a report written by a council director to councillors. “Orange City Council secured $125,800 funding from the NSW Government for the conduct of a Rainbow Festival to celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ young people and to increase tolerance in the community,” it stated. “The festival is funded under The Our Region, Our Voice - Regional Youth Investment Program which was established in June 2022 by the NSW Government to deliver tailored investments and local projects that enhance the lives and wellbeing of regional youth and support them to live their best life and thrive within their local communities.” The report went on to state that part of council’s responsibility was to “Deliver cultural facilities and programs that reflect the interests of a culturally diverse community”. It said the financial implications were “nil” and under the heading “Further Considerations” said: “Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management; and no further implications or risks have been identified.” The report stated that the Orange Rainbow Festival “delivers on Council’s Community Strategic Plan Objective 3: A friendly environment where people feel safe and included and support for LGBTQIA+ community. The main outcome of the project is for Young LGBTQIA to feel supported by the Orange community and report improved mental health”. The staff director’s report to councillors said the event would “include” a welcome event, markets, mental health stalls and workshops, music, competitions, a street parade, a street disco and a Sunday BBQ. It included letters of support from state MPs Phil Donato and Sam Farraway and federal MP Andrew Gee, and from Marathon Health (Headspace), Lives Lived Well, OLALC, LikeMind,  Mission Australia, Orange United Sports Club and Orange Youth Action Council. ON TUESDAY night three middle-aged white men may have tried to inflict their personal beliefs on the city, but they were voted down by nine others councillors. To see middle-aged white men like mayor Jason Hamling, Tony Mileto and Jeff Whitton speak from the heart in favour of a queer festival in Orange was remarkable. Could you imagine a majority of blokes on any Orange City Council that came before doing likewise? Given Hamling’s predecessor Reg Kidd was against the festival, it’s hard to conjure. INSIDE STORY: Is Reg Kidd sizing up the mayoral robes, or just blowing off steam? Hamling and Mileto, in particular, were clearly moved and showed guts to stare down those who wanted to disrupt the festival. Their speeches impressed many. Councillor Frances Kinghorne expressed concerns over one of the two books, but had sought advice from experts. And she has a more libertarian, live and let live perspective. Councillor Jack Evans is of a generation that cares a lot less about people’s sexuality than older generations. His anger towards Duffy was genuine. Councillor Tammy Greenhalgh is no pinko, but she began by admonishing the chamber, expressing disgust that a matter such as this would be used to inflame a community in 2024. Councillors David Mallard and Melanie McDonell are fierce advocates for the festival, and both spoke eloquently. McDonell was clearly appalled by Duffy’s decision to bring the motion to the chamber. Which left deputy mayor Gerald Power. Power has grown as an orator in his time on council. He is a man not afraid of emotions or shedding a tear. Power spoke about how, 40 years ago, he had left Queensland and was looking for a place to call home. Somewhere that would accept a blackfella for who he was, not the colour of his skin. He said he found it in Orange. Breaking down, he pressed his palms together and faced the gallery, saying he wanted our queer people to feel that same sense of belonging here in the Colour City. COULD the distress caused by this debate have been avoided? At 7:38pm on December 5, 2023, Melanie McDonell moved into the mayor’s seat to chair the Services Policy Committee section of the meeting. After working through other items on the agenda McDonell reached the Rainbow Festival report, as detailed above. The report was moved by councillor David Mallard and seconded by deputy mayor Gerald Power. McDonell then opened the floor for discussion. Mallard asked about the dates of the festival. Director Scott Maunder rose to answer the question, saying he thought it was in late February or early March. “That’s great, good that it’s coming up,” said Mallard. “I know it’s been in the works for a while. Councillor McRae in the previous council was a proponent of this sort of event as well. [McRae declined to comment.] “I think it’s really important - recent events have shown me that transphobia and homophobia still exist in our community, unfortunately. We need to do what we can to support that community … to promote acceptance and inclusivity.” Councillor Steve Peterson then asked whether grant funding to OCC for the Our Region, Our Voice - Regional Youth Investment Program was enough to cover other projects in the city, such as upgrading Orange Youth Hub. Maunder told the councillors that in total council had received around $880,000, and that the festival was only a part of that. Councillor Greenhalgh then spoke: “I fully support this. I think this will be an absolutely fabulous event. Everyone in our community has the right to be themselves.” She then suggested local schools may be able to get involved. “I think this is about educating this generation about acceptance and breaking down that stigma.” McDonell was next: “I think it is unfortunate that there is hatred and discrimination directed towards our LGBTGIA+ members. This is a really good opportunity for us as a council and community to show we do support every member of our community.” No other councillor wanted to speak, and so McDonell put it to the vote. Unanimously, all 12 councillors voted in support of noting the staff report regarding the Orange Rainbow Festival. SO what exactly changed between December 2023 and February 2024? The key question here is: Did councillors know exactly what they were voting on in December? In hindsight, there were two key elements absent from the council director’s report to councillors last year - Rainbow Storytime, and any mention of drag queens. The report outlined pretty much else everything else happening at the festival. There are several other questions. Did OCC staff know drag queens and Rainbow Storytime were part of the youth festival, but deliberately not mention them in the December 2023 report to councillors? If so, why? Was it to avoid a damaging public debate? And if not, why had they not been told? The drag events at the festival have featured prominently in promotional materials, but were they late additions to the schedule, tacked on after council had written its December report? Would inclusion of these events in the staff report to councillors last year have meant matters could have been debated out of the spotlight, perhaps in a closed meeting? Given the fracas over Betty Confetti last September and October, and councillors’ demand to know about “controversial” events well in advance, did councillors only learn about Rainbow Storytime when the festival was launched a few weeks ago? If Kevin Duffy had a problem with young people transitioning, why didn’t he raise it in December? Were some councillors spooked in February by the coordinated campaign against the festival organised by the five-member Orange Christian Alliance? Why - during the meeting on Tuesday night - was it announced to the chamber and the gallery that a drag queen would no longer participate in Rainbow Storytime? Who had made this call, and why? The Orange News Examiner has sought clarification from council on relevant matters. Whatever the facts, the result of these omissions was that when promotion for the festival began in February 2024, leaning in on Rainbow Storytime and drag queens, a tinderbox was set to explode.

March 8, 2024 By Peter Holmes Orange has been selected as one of 16 “investment-ready” locations in Australia for a 40-unit building offering accommodation to homeless young people. Operating around the world, The Foyer Foundation works with support services and not for profits to help them establish “Foyers” for people aged 16 to 24. The Foyers have live-in staff and allow each young person to have their own facilities such as a bathroom and kitchen, rather than having to share in dormitories. They are often located near TAFEs or job opportunities. Uniting NSW/ACT has been named by The Foyer Foundation as the organisation “leading plans” for the development in Orange. Thirteen community organisations - known as FoyerInvest - are seeking a total of $184 million in federal government funding to build 10 40-unit blocks around Australia. The group will meet with decision makers in Canberra on March 18 and 19, 2024. If the lobbying is successful, the 10 blocks would be built over three years. The 10 locations would be selected from the 16 national sites, and extra funding for the remaining six would be sought via other tiers of government and donations. FoyerInvest said that on Census night in 2021, 191 people were experiencing homelessness in the Central West region. “It is widely accepted that Census figures underestimate the true extent of youth homelessness,” it said. “Since 2021, housing prices have further worsened and it is likely youth homelessness figures are now even higher.” The service aims to specialise in supporting young people with a history in the out-of-home care system. “The proposed Foyer at Orange will provide young people with access to safe and secure housing with wraparound education, employment and life skills support needed to thrive.” An Orange Foyer would offer a medium-term housing solution as young people transition to independence. The state government would be responsible for ongoing funding. The Uniting Church in Orange runs a caravan as emergency accommodation, and has submitted plans to remodel its kindergarten building into a seven-room boarding house. The boarding house would be aimed mainly at women. The accommodation would cater to children, but wouldn’t necessarily have the required facilities to make it family-friendly. The Orchard refuge would continue to serve women escaping domestic violence. The age of the kindergarten building has made for a more robust approval process. “The subject site is of State significance,” the DA states. “The early 1863‐1876 church structure is of State significance, with the 1920 additions of moderate significance. The front 1919 kindergarten hall on its own would be of Local significance but forms an element of moderate significance on the site, with the 1960 additions of little significance.” Bev Rankin from the church said there was urgent demand for emergency and low-cost accommodation in the city for people of all ages. She said that on any given night 40 motel rooms are booked in Orange for people without accommodation. “That’s OK until there is an event on in town and all the rooms are booked out.” When this happens, Rankin said people have to couch surf, sleep in their car or on a bench, until a motel room becomes available. The church is serving up around 150 meals a week on Saturday nights, and is always looking for donations of clothes, bulk food and money, and volunteers to help cook and serve the meals. If you’d like to help out call the church 6362 5788. FOYER HISTORY The Foyer concept has developed over the last half-century as a response to high levels of youth unemployment and youth homelessness. Developed in many different social, historical and political contexts – including in France, the UK, the US and Australia – multiple definitions and Foyer models exist. Foyers around the world have demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of improved educational attainment, increased employment opportunities and better housing outcomes for young people experiencing homelessness. The development of the Youth Foyer movement in Australia has been more gradual than in the UK and the rest of Europe. In the UK there are over 135 Foyers supporting more than 10,000 young people, compared to 15 Foyers or Foyer-like services across Australia, with capacity to support up to 500 young people. Unlike the UK, Foyers in Australia have been developed on an ad-hoc basis by individual agencies and government departments. Similar to the Foyer Federation in the UK, the Foyer Foundation was established in 2008 to support the growth and development of the Australian Foyer Movement, as well as providing accreditation, and embedding standards and quality assurance for existing or prospective Foyer providers. foyer.org.au MORE NEWS ... Two more butchers in Orange to close, leaving just three Dual income opportunity as rustic Millthorpe property with art gallery, studio and pizza oven listed SHENANIGANS: Nationals claim regional crime "skyrocketing", "out of control", people "too scared to leave their homes". The statistics say otherwise Accusations fly as hundreds descend on Orange council meeting for Rainbow debate With a full house expected at Orange City Council tonight, plans put in place to ensure Kevin Duffy is heard. Good luck with that EVEN MORE NEWS ... Getting to the heart of the matter: Donato installs defibrillator in CBD Orange's sleek new V4 Tesla supercharging stations ready by late March INSIDE STORY: Is Reg Kidd sizing up the mayoral robes, or just blowing off steam? Orange property prices stuck in a rut as buyers await mortgage relief + Eight homes for under $400,000