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EDITORIAL

  • Australia Day

Australia Day a chance to reflect on exceptional community service

In every corner of Australia, community service is placed in the spotlight on Australia Day.
People from all walks of life come together to celebrate achievement at all levels, from the presentation of Australia Day Honours to acknowledging dedication at a community level.
Narrabri Shire has no shortage of great achievers and this was evident at the presentation of local Australia Day awards on Friday morning.
The presentation of awards is a reminder of extraordinary service to the community.
This service takes many forms, through community groups, sporting clubs, achievements and just generally being a person who is both kind in spirit and with time.
There is no greater gift than giving back to the community.
That investment in time is usually returned and more, through the friendships and connections you make while rolling up your sleeves and getting to know your community in greater detail.
Australia Day also serves as a reminder of the great work community and sporting groups provide at a local level.
In towns and cities, small and large, these groups are the glue which keep communities together.
Without these organisations, important services, cultural and sporting activities our communities would be poorer.
From the volunteer firefighters who put their lives on the line to the groups which fundraise for services and facilities, every organisation and individual plays an important role in the fabric of our society.
The greatest gift you can give back to your nation is to volunteer in your community.

Jan 31, 2024

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Your Say

History is more than just facts

Thalia Phelps, Narrabri
History has always been of great interest to me, even as a very small child listening to stories from both my parents and later at school.
We can learn so much from history if we only take the time to absorb it and realise that these things really occurred and can’t be changed.
I was very interested to read an article in The Courier a while back about Major Thomas Mitchell’s exploratory trip through the north west during 1831-32.
Both Mitchell and his assistant surveyor, George White, kept very thorough diaries which included the temperatures during the summer – January 4, 1832 being recorded at 108 degrees F.
Nothing much has changed except now the temperatures are blamed on global warming.
Diaries kept by our early explorers and settlers would be so fascinating to read – they would tell us so many interesting stories of their lives and the changing environment around them-even the mundane every day things would be so interesting.
History is much more than just facts and figures, it’s about people’s lives and what they did from day to day, how they dressed, what games the children played etc.

Apr 26, 2024

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TOPICAL

Topical 2/5/24

The beloved children’s television puppet Mr Squiggle, and his friends Blackboard, Rocket, Bill Steamshovel and Gus the Snail have been acquired by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Mr Squiggle made his debut on Australian television 65 years ago. The original Mr Squiggle marionette and other objects, including fellow puppets, artworks, scripts, costumes, props, sets, production notes, merchandise and audio-visual material is now housed at the Museum. The show aired until 1999 and over the years was originally black and white until colour television arrived. Mr Squiggle entertained children by turning the ‘squiggles’ he would be sent in from around the country into pictures, with the help of his friend Blackboard. Created by Norman Hetherington, the collection is a significant addition to the National Historical Collection. Norman’s daughter Rebecca Hetherington, known to children as ‘Miss Rebecca’ was the last presenter on the show and decided to hand over the collection to the Museum.

Topical 30/4/24

Special guest at Narrabri Anzac Day services was Chief Petty Officer Mark Gibbs. CPO Gibbs has now attended 40 Anzac commemorations. Last year he was in New Zealand’s South Island and participated in an Anzac ceremony there and has taken part in services on land in other countries and at sea aboard HMAS Choules. That was a dawn service for the crew in the middle of the ocean, including a ‘gunfire breakfast’, which apparently in Navy tradition means a tot of rum is available along with bacon and eggs and other breakfast fare.

Topical 23/4/24

On this day in 1873 explorer William Grosse left Alice Springs on an expedition, during which he discovers Ayers Rock. William, of the South Australian Survey department, became the first European explorer to see Ayers Rock, quite by accident. He had to find water for his camels so took a more southerly course than he had originally planned and came across Ayers Rock recording that: “This rock is certainly the most wonderful natural feature I have even seen”. Ayers Rock was named after the former Premier of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. It is now known by its native name of Uluru.

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