The New Year has started badly for many in our community but we must extend the compliments of the season to our readers; we hope 2020 will be kind, and that your families will enjoy good health and good luck.
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We must all say thank you to the firies who have worked tirelessly during the holiday season to help the many thousands who needed help. Summer still has many weeks to run.
Rule of three
The three pillars of Faith, Hope and Charity will be at the forefront of our lives during 2020.
Faith means our belief in a Supreme Being and we recognise the tireless efforts of the clergy of all faiths who ministered to their flocks over Christmas. Thank you reverend ladies and gentlemen.
Hope is what we all need at present; hope in the future that the best is yet to come. Please don't scaremonger as many people have lost so much and heed help and comfort.
Charity means for us all to pull together and do anything we can to help. Cash in the hand and two ears to listen may be all that is needed.
Power of prayer
A number of my readers have suggested a community day of prayers for drought breaking rains and I think that there are a lot of quiet Australians who would support this approach.
From my corner I think we need some leading church parishioners from each church to put this plan together, remembering that we are a Christian country and have councils that should provide support.
Machattie Park in central Bathurst could be an ideal venue. Come on Bathurst, Blayney and Oberon.
Lets be humble and see if prayers will break the drought.
My condolences
Sincere sympathy is offered to the Fletcher family at Tarana on the death of their wife and mother Grace.
She and her husband Don raised their family at their 'Turonville' property in the Tarana Valley and Grace has been a vital member of the community all of her life.
Country folk can kick back together
The Bathurst Merino Association has arranged a morning of bush cricket and picnics for members, friends and all rural people.
The event will be held at Styles Oval, All Saints Campus on Sunday, January 19 with an 8.30am to 9am start.
People are invited to bring their own picnic and chairs for a friendly couple of hours under the trees nearby.
This is a social event for the rural community; please invite your country neighbours. To RSVP, contact Rob McLeod (0427 311 973) or Warwick Larnach (6337 9335).
Friendly foodies
The Perthville Village Store was open all on each day of the Christmas/New Year break and travellers, as well as locals, appreciated it.
Lots of customers enjoy the takeaway service - phone before you leave Bathurst and your family's dinner is cooked and ready when you reach Perthville.
Owner Sri and his 12 hour-a-day helper Shiva have put a shine on the business and locals refer to Shiva as Australia's happiest Indian.
Horses kept up with the rest
When Peter Trevor Jones' two year old colt Beetson won the 2010 Gold Crown at the Bathurst showground and Screaman Seaman was a solid third, no one thought that Beetson would win the Wagga Pacers Cup in 2019, his 40th win.
And nobody suspected that Screaman would retire as a late 11-year-old with his 28th win (on an American track), but he did.
To add to this little tale, also in Gold Crown contention in 2010 was Perthville horse A Passion for Aces, who is still racing and recently won at his 251st start and its his 51st win.
Each of these tough as teak pacers has raced in Group races such as Chariots of Fire, Queensland and Canberra Derbies and lots of quality races.
Short on laughs
Please excuse the lack of humour this week.
Perhaps instead we might observe a minutes silence to respect those who have died at the firefront. Thank you.
I look forward to relaying more items of interest to my readers during 2020, and remind anyone who has items of interest to contact me on 0429 372471 or send an email to brooklyn@skymesh.com.au.
