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The clearing of native vegetation in NSW has been regulated, to varying degrees, since 1881. (Photo: Australian Government Photograph Archives)||

The NSW government has introduced codes to give farmers the ability to undertake certain land clearing activities without assessment and approval.

Three self-assessable native vegetation codes have been announced, outlining conditions for the clearing of isolated paddock trees, regrowth and invasive native scrub.

Landholders are now able to self-assess their native vegetation management acitivities, but will still need to provide 14 days’ notice to the Department of Environment before clearing is carried out, and could be subject to inspection.

Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries said the codes place trust in landholders to manage their land sustainably and protect the environment.

“These codes will make life easier for farmers while maintaining environmental protections, cutting red tape and allowing landholders to get on with managing their farms without the need to wait for government assessment and approval,” Mr Humphries said.

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering a sensible set of changes that strike the right balance between conservation and efficient agricultural management.

“These codes will deliver improved outcomes for landholders in the short-term while the Government continues to move towards substantial long-term reform through its review of the biodiversity legislation.”

While Mr Humphries believes the codes are an important step in the review process, local farmers feel the arrangement is still impractical.

Bellata Farmer Rob Anderson, said the codes carry many conditions which render them difficult to implement.

“It’s still an unworkable disaster, it’s more a political statement than a practical outcome,” he said.

“For example when you’re clearing isolated paddock trees, they have to be 50 metres apart, the whole point has always been to clear isolated trees in cultivation so you can get wide gear through, and they’ve deliberately made it so you can’t get wide gear through.

“When thinning regrowth, you have to leave a tree every 7 metres, which guarantees a future seed bank so you’ll have to keep doing it forever.

“That’s just to point out a few issues, the codes have been deliberately set up so that no one will use it, and we want to be able to make practical decisions.”

The three new self-assessable codes have been tested on the ground with rural landholders.

The ‘invasive native scrub’ code relates to native plants that have regenerated thickly or invaded vegetation communities where they did not previously occur. The code allows for management of these species by clearing of dense infestations, including by using heavy earth moving equipment. The goal is to create a ‘mosaic’ of native vegetation and allow the regeneration of a range of native plants, including native pastures.

The ‘isolated paddock trees in cropped areas’ code allows a paddock tree (or a group of three paddock trees) in a cropped area that is smaller than 80 centimetres in diameter and further than 50 metres away from another tree to be removed without any approval being required.

The ‘thinning of native vegetation’ code allows for the removal of trees and shrubs of thick native vegetation. A number of trees and shrubs are protected as part of the process. Thinning may also encourage native pasture and allow for stock to be grazed.

Online tools are available to help landholders determine if, and how, they can use the codes on their properties.

Landholders can also contact Local Land Services with queries about native vegetation management.

The codes, report on submissions and submissions are available on the OEH website at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation/.

Indian Mustard trial at the Narrabri Plant Breeding Institute, 2008.||

The answer to the world’s future fuel requirements may be coming to light in the Narrabri district, with leading biodiesel research currently underway at the Plant Breeding Institute.

University of Sydney student and Narrabri local, Graeme Rapp, is delving into the possibility of north western farmers growing crops to produce biodiesel.

His work could help find a renewable alternative to the quickly diminishing oil and gas supplies underneath the earth’s surface, and ultimately limit the burning of fossil fuels into the future.

Graeme has recently harvested trial plots of Indian Mustard, a close relative of Canola, which is well know for its potential to be turned into biodiesel.

The three year project will explore whether the crop would be economic for farmers to grow, and also whether the biodiesel it produces can be developed to Australian diesel standards.

“I started here in 2008, testing different lines of Indian mustard from India, Pakistan and Australia, we grew about 400 lines and we’ve whittled that down now to half a dozen lines that we think are pretty good for making biodiesel,” Graeme explains.

“We take the oil from the Indian mustard plant, it produces about 40% oil so it’s a fairly high oil yielding plant, and then we put it through a mini-distillery on site which turns it into biodiesel.

“Biodiesel is an oxygenated type fuel, so it has much lower greenhouse gas emissions than petroleum based fuel.”

While nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions can be as high as petroleum diesel, the benefits of an Indian Mustard oil biodiesel appear to outweigh the negatives.

It actually cleans the engine, promoting less wear and tear in machinery, and looks set to be far cheaper than existing petrodiesel options.

Graeme hopes the biodiesel could one day be sold for a dollar a litre, the plant itself could also save money on farm by reducing the need for chemical spray.

It has biofumigation properties, which means it’s able to clean the soil non-chemically.

“A natural compound in the plant passes into the soil and removes weeds, soil borne disease, plant borne diseases and nematodes,” Graeme said.

“We want to be able to reduce two major costs that our farming community has, one is fuel and the other is chemical, so even though commodity prices are low, maybe we can improver farmers’ income base by reducing some of their costs.”

At two metres tall, Indian Mustard is an awkward height for conventional farming machinery, but in all other aspects it’s well suited to the climate of Northern NSW cropping regions.

“The reason for Indian Mustard is that it has the ability to withstand very hot and dry conditions, so even as our continent and agricultural areas heat up, we will still be able to grow it hopefully,” Graeme said.

“There is anecdotal evidence of an increase in yields in wheat crops that follow an Indian Mustard crop in crop rotation.

“It’s also yielding up to 3 tonnes to the hectare in this climate which is good.”

The production of biofuel is not new to Australia, and has an even longer history of use in Europe and America.

Since the early 1990s the French have been successfully producing biodiesel from Rapeseed, and while biodiesel works in theory, the economic viability of alternative fuel continues to be a sticking point.

Biodiesel plants in Australia to date haven’t been able stay economically viable, but Graeme hopes to change this.

“I would envisage farmers growing Indian Mustard in their rotation with wheat and legumes, and as they harvested the seed they would bring the seed to a centralised distillery where it would be crushed and turned into oil and the oil turned into biodiesel,” he said.

While Indian Mustard biodiesel has already been used in vehicles at the Plant Breeding Institute, a few hurdles remain in terms of meeting Australian standards.

The biodiesel can develop high viscosity over time, and has 6% less power than normal diesel.

Graeme admits the project has a long way to go, but is committed to finding the best variety of Indian Mustard to produce biodiesel.

He’ll continue testing alternative, sustainable production methods, and other possible uses of the plant.

“There is so much potential for Indian Mustard, the biomass of plant may also be used in ethanol production and we’re also looking at the possibility of using it in land reclamation in mining situations,” Graeme said.

“There are also a number of industrial uses, it’s rather unique in what it has to offer.”

Vince Larkin, Scott Hamilton, David Mortimer and Dion Morris in action on the catwalk at the Narrabri Saleyards. (PHOTOS: Danielle Elford)||

A strong crowd attended the Narrabri cattle sale yesterday, with a cool change ensuring much more pleasant conditions for people and stock.

The market strengthened for yearling steers and heifers, with yearling steers up to 5 cents dearer per kilogram.

Heavy steers were also fetching up to 5 cents more per kilogram.

There was a higher number of store cows and calves on offer, but the cow market was 6 to 18 cents cheaper compared to the last sale two weeks ago.

There are two sales left for the year, with the last sale of 2014 booked for December 10, and the first sale for 2015 booked for January 14.

The decision to hold both Moree and Narrabri cattle sales on the same day has increased buyer attendance and cattle numbers, putting upward pressure on prices at the saleyards.

The sale day was amalgamated in 2012, after five years of debate over whether it was the right decision.

While the change was met with some resistance, Narrabri Associated Agents believe buyers and sellers are now reaping the benefits.

“This week, between Narrabri and Moree, we would have yarded the most cattle out of anyone in the north west, so that’s a big advantage,” Landmark Agent Bruce Evans explained.

“There was 1200 head of cattle in Narrabri and 1000 head in Moree, which is bigger than what Gunnedah or Tamworth yarded this week, so it’s put us on the map as a big selling day.

“We’ve increased cattle numbers, even though it’s been dry, because people have seen that the market is equal to, or better than, Gunnedah, Inverell and surrounding sales, plus they have the freight advantage here.”

He said prices would not have held up as well during the drought without the amalgamated sale day arrangement.

“If you get the numbers, you get the buyers and increased price competition, so it all works hand in hand,” he said.

“Cattle are being sold to Tumut, Canberra and Southern Queensland, because there’s good numbers people can buy out of Narrabri and Moree and make up truckloads to go back so it’s worth their while.”

John Newton from Bindaree Beef in Inverell is a major, regular buyer at the Narrabri Saleyards and was a driving force behind the decision to amalgamate.

“It’s made a huge difference, there was some resistance, but having both sales on one day is much better.”

WELCOME NEWS: Narrabri West Public students and teachers, Ryan Williams, Seth Colyan, Kate Swansbra, Kylie Seccombe, Adison Hartog-Smith and Jessie Simpson.||

Narrabri West Public School is reaping the benefits of a federal funding allocation worth more than $1.2 million to the school over four years.

The money is part of a needs-based funding system which takes the Gonski Review recommendations into account.

Under the system each school gets a base level of Commonwealth and state funding, plus additional money depending on the school’s size, location and the individual needs of students, such as whether they are from a disadvantaged background or have a disability.

Narrabri West Public School qualified for additional funding due to the school’s location in a lower socio-economic area, and received an extra $1200 per child from 2012 to 2015, which is around $320,000 per year.

Principal Stephen Mahar said the money has mainly been used to give teachers professional development opportunities and to employ support teachers in Kindergarten, Year 1 and 2.

“We want to build the capacity of the teachers in what they do at the school, their learning is key to it, and we’ve put in place programs that will be sustainable in the school even when the money stops,” he said.

“Processes are now in place so that incoming teachers will be able to benefit and join in and be part of what we’ve done so it’s sustainable even if staff change.

“It’s a massive amount of money, we can do a lot with it, and it certainly has been of benefit here,” Mr Mahar said.

“Our results over the last three years have been really good.

“It has made a difference to the teachers we had in the school but also the quality of the teaching they are able to do.”

Eligible public schools in the Barwon Electorate will receive an additional $5.2 million dollars in 2015 as part of the needs-based funding program.

Mrs Jenny Wilson, SIAHTO Woman of the Year, centre, pictured with incoming SIAHTO president Cheryl Hennessy, left, and outgoing president Karen Fenton, with Hunter McCauley, left and Lily and Larni Hennessy.||

The 2014 Narrabri SIAHTO Woman of the Year, Mrs Jenny Wilson, is proud to be a Narrabri person and has given much to her community.

Her nomination for SIAHTO Woman of the Year listed many contributions, notably to the NSW Cancer Council, 64 km walks for the Starlight Foundation, fund raising for local families facing medical related hardship, the Relay for Life in Sydney as well as Narrabri, and Life Worth Living, through to volunteering for the recent Pink Splash Day and supporting the Narrabri High School’s trip to Cambodia.

Her nomination included long commitment to medical support, and dedication to her family.

“Jenny is a wonderful family member.

“She is the mother of two, with five grandchildren she adores.

“She is always willing to lend a hand, even to offering to help in the running of a business for a shop owner suffering bereavement.

“She is always doing something in craft, such as painting, knitting, crocheting to donate to fund raisers or donating goods to fire victims.

“Jenny is an amazing friend; she makes friends so easily with her kind nature, her beautiful smile and funny stories.

“She loves to help anyone and everyone.”

Narrabri Public School has been given the go ahead for a new administration complex, replacing the 130 year old building familiar to generations of students.

And work is planned to get underway quickly.

“We anticipate the new building will be completed before the end of next year,” said principal Mr Michael Clare. “And it is likely demolition will start very soon.”

A demountable administration building will be erected to house staff while the new complex is built.

The demise of the old school building will be met with regret by many, but it was agreed the old block had reached the end of its life.

Public School principal Mr Clare said a committee comprising members of the school and wider communities had been engaged in assessing the future of the old administration building.

“And it has been an ongoing issue for several years” he said.

The first major structural problems were evident in the early 1990s.

The building is nowadays buttressed and supported, with large cracks throughout the building.

A heritage architect from Sydney undertook a comprehensive study of the building.

The committee considered his report and held ongoing discussions with the Department of Public Works to explore options which ultimately led to the decision to demolish the complex and build for the future.

“The new building will equip the school for the 21st century” Mr Clare said.

“That doesn’t mean it is going to be futuristic.

“It will be designed to be in sympathy with the existing buildings.

“It will be slightly relocated and will be smaller.

“But it won’t be a smaller rehash of what we currently have” he added.

“It is not going to be a heritage replica, but fit in with the current structures, although we haven’t got to that design detail.

“I am presuming the new building will be on one level, and it will house administration offices and a staff room which can be reconfigured into a community meeting space if required.

“We want the new building to be an after school community resource.

“They are aiming to have it completed by the end of next year certainly, but hoping construction will be finished around September.

“A demountable is being built parallel to Doyle Street to accommodate administration needs and that will be ready in early December.”

Demolition is expected to begin soon.

Cliff Dorahy and his son, David, who did most of the mechanical work on the bus.||

Narrabri has farewelled an iconic piece of its transport history, with an old double decker school bus leaving town around 30 years after its retirement from the school run.

The Amalgamated Electrical Company (AEC) double decker, thought to have been built in 1950, chugged along the streets of Narrabri for the last time on Friday before starting the long journey to its new home in Sydney.

In the 1980s the bus did the West, Village and Town runs at a top speed of 50 kilometres per hour, safely delivering the children of Narrabri to school for many years.

The chassis was imported from England, and the body built in Sydney, where the bus operated in the public transport system during the 1950s and 60s.

Former driver of the double decker, Cliff Dorahy, knows the history of the vehicle well.

“It was originally owned by NSW government transport, and they used it down in Sydney for a good few many years, and then sold it to Toronto bus service and we bought it from Toronto,” he recalls.

“It was a run down, worn out wreck when we bought it and after we brought it home we rebuilt it, installed a brand new engine, everything has been reconditioned and it still is in top condition mechanically.”

Cliff Dorahy, and his wife Margaret, provided the town bus run for 22 years, over which time insurance and public liability became a huge burden.

“Rules and regulations changed, that was the main thing, at the point when we sold the bus business, it was just getting impossible to run with all the rules and regulations so we pulled the pin at the right time.”

When the Dorahys retired from the bus run in September 1989, they sold the double decker locally to a farmer who converted the interior into living quarters so the bus could be used on his farm for his workers.

The 65 year old vehicle recently sold at auction for $20,000 to a Sydney buyer, which Cliff said was a phenomenal price, considering they bought it for $1000 in 1980.

“I’m pleased that somebody has bought it and they’re still going to keep it running and make use of it,” he said.

Cliff is passionate about transport history and hopes the old double decker one day ends up in a museum.

Two other double deckers, previously owned by the Dorahys and operated in the Narrabri district, now reside in a museum in Sydney.

Cliff has many fond memories from his time driving the bus.

“One time we had 160 kids on board, there was a break down and we had to take on extra kids to the west school, but the bus didn’t even know they were on board,” he remembers.

“It used to be able to take off in fourth gear; it just pulled away as if it was in first gear.”

Narrabri resident and former passenger on the double decker, Garry Kearin, remembers with a smile his days riding the bus to school.

“We used to catch this bus to school 35 years ago, Mrs Dorahy was the conductor at the back of the bus, she used to take your money and give you a ticket and send you upstairs or downstairs, and Mr Dorahy used to drive the bus, he didn’t have to deal with the kids,” he said.

“If we played up, we got kicked off it, got a hiding from Mrs Dorahy, and we had to walk home.

“It’s sad to see it go, because everyone remembers the old double decker school bus, everyone used to catch it to school.

“Hopefully they take good care of it, it probably would have been better off going to a museum, but it’s been sitting in a shed for ten years with back packers living in it, so at least it’s running again."

A new battery was recently installed in the bus to get it going and it started up second turn.

“Not bad after 25 years,” said Cliff.

Prue Simson (left) at the 2012 London Olympics||

A former local woman has been selected to manage the Equestrian Venue at next year’s Pan American Games.

After growing up on a farm near Bellata, Prue Simson, the daughter of James (Scrum) and Janet Simson, has carved out a career for herself managing venues at some of the world’s biggest sporting events, including the 2012 London Olympics.

She studied event management and marketing at University, and then landed a job with a sport event management company in Brisbane.

This ultimately led to her involvement in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

“I’d been working in Brisbane for nearly two years, and I had this idea to try and work at the Olympic Games, so I applied for a heap of positions, went over and got a job,” she explains.

“Since I got a foot in the door, opportunities have opened up. It’s about networking and who you know, and then you just have to prove yourself.”

Prue has since been selected to work on the 2015 Pan American Games, to be held in Toronto, Canada.

She cycles to work in sub zero temperatures which reach about -10 degrees celsius during the day and -40 degrees celsius at night.

Prue is looking forward to the challenge of managing a venue at one of the world’s largest sporting events.

“I make sure everything is working, there’s different people dealing with catering, cleaning, waste, technology, sport, logistics, media, and I’m the one who’s making sure all those people are doing their jobs and that the venue actually works, I have to know everything,” she said.

“In London my role wasn’t as big as the one I have here, I was making sure everything behind the scenes was ready, everything for the athletes, the press and the media.

“Where as here I’m the venue manager and I’ve been charged with the equestrian venues, so I went up the ladder a bit, it’s a big role and I’m learning all about horses.

“We have two venues because there are three disciplines within the equestrian, one of them holds the dressage and the show jumping and the other holds the cross country component of the eventing.”

At University Prue never imagined she would end up in her current line of work. She hopes to continue working on major sporting events, but said the future is somewhat uncertain.

“These jobs are all contractual, it gets a little stressful because you don’t know when or where your next job will be, you’re not hired with the same company every time,” she said.

Prue believes her bush upbringing has given her a definite advantage in her chosen career.

“Sporting event planning is very hands on and it requires logical thinking, and obviously I learnt that growing up,” she explains.

“Particularly with the management of the equestrian venue it has helped because we’re talking about crops and lucerne hay, if I didn’t grow up on a farm I wouldn’t know half of the things they’re talking about.

“I’m having to deal with two local farmers all the time, it’s helped me build a better relationship with them, because I know what I’m talking about.

“We’re having to utilise their land and negotiations are going on because they’re not able to produce their crops for that summer, so it’s just being able to have a rapport with them and find different solutions for fences, gates and pumps.”

Prue plans to work in Rio de Janiero for the 2016 Olympics and return home to Australia for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.

A leaking chemical drum in Tibbereena Street outside The Crossing Theatre triggered a full response from emergency services on Monday afternoon.||

A 20 litre drum of dangerous chemical, which evidently fell off the back of a truck, triggered the call out of Narrabri fire and rescue and HAZMAT units, police and ambulance services on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred outside The Crossing Theatre.

The northbound lane of the Newell highway was closed and traffic diverted for more than an hour while the chemical spill was neutralised.

Staff at the Visitor Information Centre, down wind of the drum, were evacuated while the spill was dealt with.

Narrabri Station Commander, NSW Fire and Rescue, Shane Bradford, said the response followed the protocols laid down for chemical spills incidents.

“We were notified by a person who contacted the station to tell us a 20 litre drum was leaking onto the road just in front of The Crossing Theatre” he said.

“It appears to have come off a truck.

“The chemical was identified as sodium hydroxide, a toxic material.

“Our information was that it is fatal if inhaled, so we followed the specific guidelines.

“The product reacts with timber, metal or clothing, it can spontaneously combust.

“Our personnel donned gas suits and breathing apparatus and removed it from the road, and sealed it into a hazardous materials container.

“Then we diluted the spilt material to bring it back to a neutral Ph level.

“Because of the Ph level, we were able to use water for dilution.”

The highway northbound lane was closed off by police.

“We evacuated the three staff from the Visitor Information Centre, as required by the protocol, because of the strength and direction of the wind and a necessary exclusion zone” said Shane.

“The Crossing Theatre staff could stay at work because the wind was not a factor for them.”

The drum spill required a response dictated by the safety protocols.

“We played it safe” said Shane.

“If it wasn’t reported, we could have had kids on bikes near it, or starting to play with the drum.

“The drum is now sealed and we are in contact with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to organise its disposal.

“It wasn’t a big job, but the guys have to wear their hazardous materials suits, and it is so hot they can only wear them for a short time before they are rotated,” explained Shane.

“The crews’ blood pressure and temperature is checked by the ambulance, these are standard operational guidelines we must observe.

“They sit in an ice filled chair to help cool them down. It turned out to be a two hour job and we had to use eight separate staff to deal with that one drum. They just can’t stay in those suits for very long, they get very, very hot.”

“We need a lot of people to deal with a little drum of 20 litres.

“People see a lot of personnel involved in these incidents, and the road blocked but at the end of the day we must follow the procedures to ensure everyone is safe.”

The Davis family, Harold, Kath, Trish Dandridge (nee Davis), Carolyn and Peter the dog. ABSENT: Michael Davis.||

Narrabri resident Carolyn Davis is determined not to let disability hold her back.

Despite having Downs Syndrome, she leads a life rich in experiences, works hard and reaps the rewards.

Born in 1964 in Sydney, Carolyn first headed west at four years of age when her family moved to Dubbo so she could attend ‘Westhaven’, a school for children with intellectual disabilities.

The Davis family soon moved on to Narrabri, but Carolyn attended school in Wee Waa, as schooling for disabled children had not yet been integrated into the public education system, and this was the only special schooling available nearby.

She completed her education in Tamworth before returning home to work in the Narrabri Shelter, now Challenge Narrabri.

Carolyn’s mother, Kath, said her daughter began to flourish at 16 years of age.

“That was when her life really began, she made her debut in Narrabri and really had great teenage years,” she recalls.

As she grew up, Carolyn became increasingly busy, and perhaps involved in more activities than people who didn’t have the same challenges.

She rode horses through the Narrabri Branch of the Riding for Disabled Association, competed in swimming at State Level, volunteered at Jessie Hunt and the preschool, all while working three days a week at the Challenge Recycling Facility.

She counts swimming as one of her strengths, describing herself as a ‘fish in the water’.

At 50 years old, Carolyn is still working at Challenge but also volunteers at pre-loved clothing shop, One of a Kind, and has her own radio show on community station 2MaxFM.

“She’s a good saver and a good worker, she’s been at Challenge for 34 years, started when she was 16 and was one of the first who started at Challenge,” Kath said.

“Carolyn knows she’s got to work so she can travel.”

And travel she does.

She’s been to Disneyland three times, and also visited the Bahamas, Mexico, New York, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Carolyn’s younger sister, Trish Dandridge, is proud of her ‘larger than life’ sibling.

“Everyone you talk to in Narrabri knows Carloyn, she’s very much part of the community, I’m known as ‘Carolyn’s sister,” she said.

In what little spare time she has, Carolyn enjoys water aerobics, line dancing, craft and listening to Adam Brand.

She lives in a share house, does her own washing and ironing, and is largely independent.

Her mantra in life is simple.

“You can do so many things if you get out and have a go, work hard, save your money and then you can do anything you would want,” she said.

Carolyn’s family has been an important support network over the years, although her mother Kath is careful to point out that she never receives ‘special treatment’.

“Carolyn goes to parties by herself, because she’s an adult and she doesn’t need to take her mother, I’m really firm about that, you don’t need to take your mother when you go dancing,” she explains.

“I think a lot of her strength is due to the fact that she was my first child, Trish came along and then Michael, she didn’t have time to be special!” Kath said.

“She’s a person who wants to do, and she wants to achieve.”

Jamie Condon filming in a wheat field during harvest on Bruce Kirkby's property

Narrabri farming families have been selected to be the face of an international marketing campaign for global machinery company John Deere.

Local videographers Josh Smith and Jamie Condon were contracted by John Deere management to ‘Australianise’ the US company’s marketing.

The latest campaign “The Colours of Your Land” features powerful short films of three farming families in the region, walking the viewer through the history of each property, how it runs, and the tradition of John Deere machinery over the generations.

Short films about the O’Regan family of “Koyuga” Edgeroi, and the Kirkby family of “Koiwon”, Bellata, are now live on John Deere’s global YouTube channel, with a third film featuring a local grazing family still in production.

Josh believes the Narrabri district was an obvious choice of setting for John Deere’s latest campaign.

“We are here in some of the most productive farming country on earth and it’s being worked by some of the best farmers in the world, and they’re right here on our doorstep.

“Farmers here are also quite passionate about their ‘green machines’, so they were happy to be a part of something like this with the company.

“We wanted to capture the process, not get in their way, they’ve got harvest and they’re massively busy, so we worked around them.”

Jamie Condon, who also works as an electrical engineer at Auscott, believes the farmers enjoyed the experience.

“They spend millions of dollars on this equipment, they’re fairly invested in it, and there is a long history of John Deere in these families so the recognition is nice for them, and it’s quite a personal journey for them as well,” he said.

The videographers were inspired by their subjects.

When filming Bruce Kirkby’s farming operations West of Bellata, Bruce’s 6 year old son, Boston, stole the show.

“It was quite amazing to watch a child that age who knows so much about that land and the machinery, Bruce certainly has prodigy on the way there, he’d be very proud,” Jamie said.

Bruce Kirkby’s passion for farming, and for John Deere, is very clear throughout the short film.

He explains why the brand holds special significance for the property.

“My father originally started farming here with a 1929 model D tractor," he says in the film.

“He bought everything John Deere... he handed the John Deere tradition on to me and it looks like I’ve already handed that onto my son Boston.”

The film closes with father and son speaking the campaign’s tagline, “We’re Australian farmers, these are the colours of our land”.

John Deere has responded very positively to the short films, which are so powerful they brought the company’s upper management to tears.

“Both times we submitted drafts to the John Deere hierarchy, they came back and told us they’d been crying all morning,” Josh recalls.

“Americans are emotive people and it really got to them, we weren’t going for that, it’s just very evocative scenery where we are.

“We also did try really hard to weave the heritage into the story.”

Josh and Jamie are shooting films that would normally require a production team of 10 to 15 people.

They also managed to cut costs by using a drone to film aerial vision, rather than a helicopter. The pair have been contracted to shoot six short films in total, looking at a variety of different sectors including cropping, cattle, horticulture, sheep and sugar.The short films can be viewed on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NarrabriCourier.

Council staff have embarked on an online wellness program. At the launch with a healthy morning tea yesterday, front, Evan Harris, Donna Richardson, Bill Birch, general manager Diane Hood, Trish Dandridge and Paul Wheeler. Behind from left, Allan Lawrence, Sanshi Hulugalle, Peter Cottrill, Jasmine Offeman, Helen Carroll, Paul Wearne, Sudantha Perera, Amanda Smith, Tony Meppem, Trent Bruinsma, Trish Dickinson and Lisa Rennie||

Narrabri Shire Council is continuing to promote a happy and healthy workplace by launching a Wellness Program for staff early in 2015.

To get the ball rolling, the council launched an Online Health Assessment this week for employees and their families.

The assessment provides participants with a snapshot of their current health status and potential areas for improvement.

It also compares their ‘real’ health age versus their actual age.

Narrabri Shire Council will receive a summary of the organisation’s overall health and wellness profile which will support the development of a targeted program which best supports the needs of their employees, general manager Diane Hood explained.

The council celebrated the launch of the Online Health Assessment with a healthy morning tea and ‘watermelon cutting ceremony’ for staff yesterday.

GM Diane Hood has already completed her assessment.

“I was pleased to find that my “health age” corresponds to my real age, but found the real usefulness was in the tips and recommendations as to lifestyle changes which could improve my results, I can recommend it to all employees and their families.

“Putting in place a holistic wellness program for staff will result in a win-win for employees and the organisation.

“For employees, it is about improved health status, job satisfaction and quality of life.

“For the organisation, it is about creating a safer workplace and a great place to work,” Diane said.

“The future wellness program will not just be for fitness fanatics, but targeted at meeting the needs and interests of all staff.”

The Narrabri Shire Council Wellness Program will be led by a Human Resources and a team of volunteers who will serve as the local “wellness champions” within their department.

Mollee Weir on the Namoi River. Photo: Water NSW.||

An $8 million upgrade of Mollee Weir in the Namoi River is expected to have major economic and environmental benefits for the region.

The weir is one of several along the river, designed to hold water in different sections depending on where and when the water is required.

The upgrade was funded by Water NSW and included the construction of a fishway to allow native fish to move freely into different sections of the river.

It works by allowing fish on one side of the weir to swim into a chamber which fills with water and leads to the other side of the weir.

Water NSW project manager Marcos Guirguis said the infrastructure would have long term benefits.

“The fishway is expected to facilitate improvements in water quality which in turn should assist in the growth of native species fish populations and improve river health.”

The project also included the establishment of a new control room, minor repairs, and the automation of the regulator and fishway gates.

The automation component of the works is part of Water NSW’s integrated surveillance, monitoring and remote telemetry (iSMART) program.

The iSMART program will allow remote operation and monitoring of the corporation’s assets to reduce staff travel, improve data accuracy and frequency and improve efficiency of operations.

Nearby landholder Matthew Norrie said the weir, at almost 40 years old, was due for an upgrade.

“It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that supports the way the regulated river operates, and it’s important to see it being upgraded and maintained,” he said.

“The fishway will help encourage spawning at the right time of the year, making sure the fish can do what they would normally do if humans weren’t about.

“Being able to go upstream is critical to fish breeding cycles, and because you’ve got weirs in the river that can inhibit the natural behaviour of native species.”

Minor finalisation works are continuing, with the fishway and regulator expected to be fully operational next year.

ABOVE: The Palmer family, Sara, Davinda, Trinity-Jay, Marlee and Jerrah with Lucy.||

Last year Lochie Michell, 6, the son of Stuart and Jessica Michell, and Brigette Rose, 8, the daughter of Gaye Constable and Murray Rose, decided to hold a fundraiser selling their specially made Reindeer Feed to raise money for Narrabri’s Cindy Rose to help pay for her treatment for cerebral palsy.

Now, they are producing reindeer feed again, this time to raise money for five year old Davinda Palmer.

“Davinda, the daughter of Sara Palmer, has a chromosome disorder so rare that she is the only person in the world that geneticists are aware of with the condition” explained family friend Allison Davis.

“Davinda is the sweetest little girl.

“She has a long list of medical conditions, but in short she is severely globally developmentally delayed both physically and mentally. Davinda needs constant care. She is just learning to walk and the next important step is to help her to be able to communicate.

“Lochie and Briggi are hoping to raise enough money to buy Davinda an iPad, which equipped with special apps, can help her learn to communicate with her family and friends.

“Our goal is to raise $1000 from sales of Lochie and Briggi’s reindeer feed.

“Davinda’s medical problems include asthma, bilateral talipes, a foot disorder, she has been diagnosed as being deaf, she is non verbal, and she can’t articulate, has feeding issues, she is epileptic and requires individual, constant care and will do so for the rest of her life” said Allison.

Davinda’s mother Sara is thankful for the support she receives.

“We are very lucky to have the support of friends like Allison and numerous others.

“Davinda is also very fortunate to have her three older sisters, Jerrah, Marlee and Trinity-Jay Palmer, who dote on her and help with the day to day care.”

Davinda also has an ‘assistance dog’, Lucy, a large and friendly, two year old mixed breed.

Lucy is an important member of the caring family.

“Lucy helps stabilise Davinda when she stands up, which she doesn’t need quite as much any more” said Sara.

“Lucy also helps to break through to Davinda.

“This means that if Davinda is having a ‘melt down’, an agitation, a personal crisis, when she is not coping and has gone into sensory overload, Lucy breaks the cycle and helps her.”

Lucy instinctively knows when to step in.

“For example, we were in the backyard and Davinda got her finger stuck and started screaming and Lucy went straight up to her” said Sara.

Davinda’s medical condition is a catalogue of serious issues

“Davinda has had two heart surgery procedures, oral surgery and numerous hospital stays - too many to remember.

“However she is getting stronger as she gets older” said Sara.

“But she requires full-on round the clock care and will always need it.”

A means of communication for Davinda is now an important focus for the family.

That’s where the iPad and Lochie and Briggi’s reindeer feed fund raiser comes in.

“As her mother, I can figure out what she wants” said Sara.

But an iPad would offer hope of opening up a wider world of communication for Davinda.

“The Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Armidale suggested a special communication device” said Sara.

“However it costs about $7000 and there is no funding available for Davinda.

“So the next best thing is an iPad which we are trialling at the moment on a loan. The results are encouraging.

“There is no funding for an iPad and we need special apps for communication and speech and they are quite expensive. It will all add up to about $2000.

“The more expensive communication device is amazing. It does everything. However, there is no access to funding for that.

“Davinda doesn’t tick any of the boxes because her condition is unique” said Sara.

“We have to really fight very hard for everything, but that’s the same for any parent with a child with a disability.

“This is not just our family’s struggle it is every family’s struggle with a disability or a rare diagnosis” said Sara.

Sara is a single mother and has ‘paid for everything.’

“I am very fortunate I have a good friend network. I am an only child and there are no aunts and uncles.”

It is vital Davinda has a means to communicate.

“Eventually Davinda will have to go to school and learn to interact with a broader group of people’ said Sara. “Her sisters and I just can’t be with her all the time.”

Chair of Narrabri CDAT, Cigdem Watson and deputy chair Owen Atkins.||

The Narrabri Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) has firmed up plans for its activities over the coming year in its community drug and alcohol related awareness and response program.

Ms Cigdem Watson was reappointed as the chair of CDAT for a further term at the recent AGM.

Ms Watson has held the position since 2009.

“At the AGM we spoke about our future plans and our achievements over the past year” said Cigdem.

“The highlights were the Family Drug Support workshops on binge drinking and a community forum with an emphasis on ‘ice’ and other drugs.

“From there we have decided on plans we have been forming up for the year.

“First is a regional conference in Narrabri on drugs and mental health on March 29.”

Under age drinking will be a major focus. “We are heavily involved in the Stop the Supply program to stop the supply of alcohol to minors, people under 18” said Cigdem.

The campaign will go on until May next year.

“We will be doing this in co-ordination with the Narrabri Liquor Accord.

“Professor Aldo Spinner will measure the outcomes of the campaign.”

Research by CDAT has found that there is a lack of knowledge about the legalities and effects of supply to under age drinkers, Cigdem said.

“That awraness is important.

“The recent Narrabri binge drinking workshops revealed that 80 percent are drinking at alarming levels.

“We suspected a binge drinking culture but didn’t expect it to be at that level.

“So with these finding in mind Stop the Supply has been launched, in Narrabri and across the region.”

Cigdem said CDAT invited community members to have a say and be involved in the group’s activities and programs.

“We had the opportunity to be part of the program on stopping the supply of alcohol to minors and we did so, particularly in view of our findings at the local level” said Cigdem.

“We are hoping to start more educational support for families with a special group. Our aim is to be targeted and effective for families.

“There is a lot of support for the drug users themselves, but for families to survive intact they need the appropriate support so they know what they are dealing with.

“This can’t happen overnight but we aim to provide that awareness around the different problems we have in our shire. There is potential for such a support group, possibly education and awareness sessions for families. We want families to know that they can survive intact. There is hope.”

Cigdem said an evaluation after the recent Tony Trimingham community forum at The Crossing Theatre revealed that over 90 percent of attendees felt it was a very worthwhile session.

There were 120 people at the forum.

“And we have had a very gratifying response from school students who attended his talks at the schools in Narrabri and Wee Waa” said Cigdem.

“The students have approached us and said it was really worthwhile, the best presentation they had heard. We need more of that, they, said, and thanked him for coming to Narrabri.

“Everything we do is a marriage between local community needs and benchmarks” said Cigdem.

“There is hope and there is always a way forward with the appropriate support and awareness which we are aiming to provide through CDAT.”

CDAT is integrated into the new Narrabri Shire Crime Prevention Plan.

These developments follow the arrest of a 43 year old man after Barwon Local Police executed a search warrant at a Narrabri house on Tuesday.

A spokesperson at Moree police station confirmed the arrest of the man in connection with ‘an amount of methyl amphetamines’ or ‘ice’ found on the property.

The man was charged at Narrabri police station with a number of offences.

The Courier understands charges relate to possession and supply of a prohibited drug.

The man was reportedly released on bail and will appear in Narrabri Local Court in January.

Back: Wayne Knight, Ashley Kelly, Liam Parker, Will Brooks, Luke McLeod-Hennessy, Jack Hardy, Tyler Allen, teacher Donna McKinstry, head teacher Kathy Bailey, standing: Sarah Tuckey and Georgie Hancock, front: Gwendil Stanford, Sarah Nash, Bethany Mison, Maddie Atkinson, Kiara Harvey and Zohie Walker (standing.)||

A group of Narrabri High School students and teachers arrived in Cambodia today to lend a hand in building accommodation in remote villages.

The group, pictured right at Narrabri railway station ready to board their train, set off for Cambodia, via a Singapore stopover, on Saturday morning, flying out of Sydney on Sunday.

Former teacher Wayne Knight and head teacher Kathy Bailey are making their second trip to Cambodia with a school group and are joined by teacher Donna McKinstry as supervisors of the students.

For most students it will be their first overseas trip. They will have a busy schedule when they arrive in Cambodia and apart from working on their village projects will visit an orphanage and a hospital.

They have gone to Cambodia equipped with learning materials to present to school students. The students raised funds for the trip and the teachers are paying their own way.

The High School travellers will be overseas for 11 days.

Casey Young, Brad Duncan, Shane Lucas, and Peter Smith observe an irrigation demonstration.||

Local cotton farmers have benefitted from a touring mobile college which delivers university recognised tuition in the field.

Tocal College is run by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and allows people studying agriculture externally to earn credits towards their Certifications or Diplomas through practical work on-farm.

The ‘Cotton Industry Skills Development Project’ is federally funded, and as part of the project a training day was recently held at ‘Glencoe’, Wee Waa.

Charlie Bell from Tocal College said there was a wide range of people in attendance.

“We’ve got school leavers, operational staff, advisory staff, farm managers, farm owners all getting their qualifications and developing skills through this project, so everybody’s getting something out of it,” he said.

“This day is primarily aimed at cotton agronomy and irrigation, so looking at cotton crop establishment, cotton crop management in terms of pests, diseases and nutrition and we’re also doing a session on irrigation.

“We’re looking at how water flows around the farm, distribution of water and how that can be done most efficiently, so people will be taking away improved skills and improved understanding of how things work on the farm and why they’re doing what they’re doing.

“Cotton farm owners and managers might take home some ideas as to how they can modify and improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems.”

While Australia’s farming industry is widely recognised for its ability to find efficiencies and improve, Charlie explains the importance of continual learning.

“In terms of cotton production the systems today are about 40 to 50% more efficient than they were 25 years ago, so it’s those efficiency gains that have allowed people to stay in business and remain profitable,” he said.

“Our water is a scarce resource, we need to use it as efficiently and as effectively as we can, and this type of program has a potential to improve and sustain the efficiency of farming in Australia.

“This is pretty unique the way we’re able to deliver this project to farmers locally using local resources, local trainers, and we’ve had tremendous support from the farmers right across the country.”

Daniel Kahl was happy to host the day on his family’s farm ‘Glencoe’ so that locals could earn credits towards their qualifications.

“One of our employees was doing his Certificate 2 in Agriculture, and he’s full time with us now and was looking to keep studying, so he’s able to move on to Certificate 3 now as a result of this course,” he said.

“I’m now doing my diploma as well, so it’s a good way for us to further our qualifications.”

Daniel was able to complete two units of study to count towards his Diploma of Agriculture on the day.

“It’s pretty helpful that they can bring the program to us, it’s been quite good in recognising what you learn on farm, it isn’t usually a recognised qualification being a farmer.

“Constantly costs are going up so we have to always be trying to do things better, otherwise we won’t be here long.

“We’ve got less water and less money, so we have got to be able to keep producing more with less.”

Tocal College expects to run another training day in the area early next year.

The new People for the Plains Committee, left to right, Stuart Murray, Sandy Findlay, Jennifer St Vincent Welch, Ann Loder, Tony Pickard, Victoria Hamilton and Sally Hunter. Absent from photo: Sarah Ciesiolka and Kirsty Kelly.||

Local coal and coal seam gas information group, People for the Plains, conducted its Annual General Meeting in Narrabri at the end of November.

Outgoing president Dr Hugh Barrett said that he was “pleasantly surprised” at the large number of people who attended the AGM.

“We could have filled the executive positions several times over and we had to have a ballot for a number of the positions” he said.

In his president’s report, Dr Barrett summarised the group’s numerous activities over the past year and its success in gaining an understanding of the processes surrounding coal seam gas developments and the likely impact of these developments on people in the Shire.

Dr Barrett cited the group’s four day field trip to the Queensland gas fields as a seminal learning experience, alongside numerous forums that People for the Plains hosted, including those featuring John Fenton, a Wyoming rancher affected by CSG, actor Michael Caton, and health and scientific experts.

He noted that members from the group participated in community surveys in districts surrounding Narabri, asking community members and farm families “Do you want your land or road gasfield free”?

“To date, 2,760,000 hectares in the North West have been declared “Gasfield Free by the will of the community”, with more than 96 per cent on average saying they oppose gasfield industrialisation.”

“People for the Plains has met on a number of occasions with Council and politicians and made numerous submissions.

“Stalls were run at the monthly markets and in the main street of Narrabri and at AgQuip.

“Much has been done but there is much more to do, particularly with respect to coal” said Dr Barrett.

Representatives from throughout Narrabri Shire were elected to the new executive, with Sally Hunter the new president.

Vice presidents for the next year are Stuart Murray and Sarah Ciesiolka, secretary Kirsty Kelly, treasurer Jennifer St Vincent Welch, response co-ordinator Tony Pickard, events co-ordinator Sandy Findlay, publicity co-ordinator Victoria Hamilton and digital communications co-ordinator Ann Loder.

“I am really excited to be working with such an enthusiastic and well informed committee” said new president Sally Hunter.

“I am buoyed by the amount of local support for this issue and encouraged by the ongoing growth in numbers”.

Dry conditions continue to plague much of the state.||

A drought meeting held in Pilliga recently appears to have sent a clear message to politicians, with the Federal Minister for Agriculture announcing a new Drought Recovery Concessional Loans scheme late last week.

Just days after more than 80 people gathered at the Pilliga Community Centre to discuss the ineffectiveness of current drought assistance measures, Barnaby Joyce introduced cheaper, longer concessional loans.

Compared to the previous Concessional Drought Loans, the loan term has been extended from 5 to 10 years.

The interest rate has also been lowered from 4% to 3.21%, but will be reviewed every 6 months.

The Drought Recovery Concessional Loans scheme is designed to enable farmers to plant and restock when the drought eventually breaks.

Eligible Farm Businesses will be able to apply for loans up to 50 per cent of total Eligible Debt to a maximum of $1 million in total.

Interest only repayments will be available for the first 5 years of the scheme.

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said the low interest loans would only be available to those suffering extreme circumstances.

“These loans are not for those farmers who are going through a short dry spell. These loans are for the farmers who have been struggling through the worst drought in living memory,” said Mr Coulton.

“Farmers will have to demonstrate that they have experienced either a 1 in 50 or a 1 in 100 year rainfall deficiency, which is really a very specific area.

“Rain, and some long term financial assistance to restore their business to normal operational conditions, will see productivity return to this region.

“Significant assistance has already been made available to farmers through the Farm Household Allowance, Drought Concessional Loans and through social support. Over $700 million in support has been accessed by farmers to date.”

Pilliga farmer Graeme McNair welcomed the new concessional loan scheme, but fears it is too little, too late for the worst affected land holders in the region.

“Any help is good, but I still don’t think they recognise that there is immediate need for some cash, and they haven’t addressed that problem,” he said.

“It’s 4 months away before anyone will actually have money in the bank, because of the application process and the Christmas holidays when everything shuts down.

“The meeting put the pressure on and the media coverage was really good, but I still don’t think they understand that agriculture is ready to take off, and really generate a lot of money but they’ve just got to help people get over the hump.”

Minister Joyce was not able to confirm when farmers could begin applying for loans through the new scheme.

“I am finalising all the arrangements necessary to expedite the delivery of this assistance to those who need it most,” he said.

The application guidelines will be available soon.

Information on existing assistance for farmers and farming businesses is available online at agriculture.gov.au/drought.

Andrew and Kylie Greste holding Peter’s Walkley Award for his outstanding contribution to journalism. Wee Waa will be the award’s temporary home until Peter’s return.||

Peter Greste has won a Walkley Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, one of the highest accolades possible for an Australian journalist.

The long running story of Greste’s imprisonment in Egypt has held special significance for the local area due to his connection to Wee Waa through younger brother, Andrew.

Andrew Greste runs a cotton and grain farm near Wee Waa, but was catapulted onto the international stage after his brother was arrested for sensitive news reports produced while working in the Middle Eastern nation.

The Egyptian government imprisoned Peter and two other journalists for allegedly having ties to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, an accusation they deny.

As Peter was clearly unable to attend the Walkley’s Gala Dinner, Andrew travelled to Sydney last week to accept the award on his brother’s behalf.

“It was a huge honour, I’m a very proud younger brother to be able to be there and accept it on his behalf,” Andrew Greste told The Wee Waa News.

“Obviously it’s regrettable that he wasn’t there to accept it himself but it was a great honour, particularly to be amongst his peers and colleagues who have shown so much support for him and our family.”

Andrew visited Egypt last month to assist in the writing of Peter’s acceptance speech, a task which was made difficult by conditions in the prison.

“Peter got a letter informing him that he was nominated for the award and that perhaps it might be advantageous if he prepared an acceptance speech just on the off chance that he might win,” Andrew explained.

“He told me what his message was face to face during a prison visit, he’s not really allowed to send written material out, and he doesn’t have access to phones or anything like that.”

Peter’s acceptance speech takes the focus off his own situation, and emphasises the broader struggle faced by many to achieve freedom.

“There are those who find themselves at historical crossroads, more by accident than by intent,” his speech reads.

“So this award is not so much about what the three of us have done as what we have come to represent: A fight to protect something universally recognised as a fundamental pillar of democracy.

“While I am truly honoured to accept this award, I do so on behalf of all those to whom it really belongs – to all who are part of the struggle not just for our freedom in Egypt, but wherever the press is not truly free.”

While Peter took the opportunity to talk about press freedom in general, Walkley judges were clearly in awe of his courage and conduct throughout his entire career, not just his imprisonment.

“In an age of terror when journalism has been shown to be a deadly profession where journalists risk being taken hostage and beheaded, Greste’s declaration from his Cairo cell is exceptional and inspirational.

“The right to know is a fundamental human right and practitioners carry both the burden and the responsibility of this, sometimes at the greatest personal cost.

“Greste has had a remarkable career since 1991 as an international correspondent covering war in Afghanistan and conflicts throughout Africa and the Middle East.

After delivering Peter’s acceptance speech, Andrew Greste delivered his own message of support and hope, saying, “stay strong brother, let’s get you home for Christmas.”

Peter’s Walkley success has coincided with developments in Egypt that his family believe could lead to his release before the end of the year.

In early November a new decree was announced by the Egyptian President to allow the deportation of foreign prisoners.

This came as media reports began circulating about the possibility of the Egyptian government issuing a pardon for the arrest of the journalists.

“The Egyptian Government are great at saying things and not backing it up, now we want to see some action given he’s done nothing wrong,” Andrew Greste said.

“We see a window of opportunity at the moment, before the appeal starts on the first of January, for this to be dealt with and for some diplomacy to take place.

“Christmas is such a family affair out here, it’d be great to see him come home before the New Year.”

Land clearing reforms: farmers can ‘self- assess’

North western farmers key to alternative fuel production

Buyers and sellers out in force at Narrabri Saleyards

West Public welcomes annual funding in its $1.2m allocation

Narrabri SIAHTO Woman of the Year

Go ahead for development at Narrabri Public School

Piece of Narrabri's transport history leaves the district

Former Narrabri local secures top role for 2015 Pan American Games

Emergency response to leaking drum

Carolyn overcomes the challenges of an intellectual disability

Narrabri farmers feature in global campaign

Online project will promote a healthier happier council team

Benefits to flow from major upgrade of the Mollee Weir

Davinda will communicate with help from her friends

Drug action team plans the year’s activities

Narrabri High students embark on a mission to Cambodia

Cotton farmers studying externally

People for the Plains elects new executive committee

Drought recovery loans may be too little too late

Peter Greste’s Walkley success coincides with new hope for family