News

Performance Poetry by Greg North at Oberon

Performance poet Gregory North will be the guest of Friends of Oberon Library and Oberon Writers’ Workshop at 6pm on Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14th at the Robert Hooper Community Centre, Fleming Street., Oberon. Greg, known for his rendition of The Man From Snowy River in 15 different accents, comes from the Blue Mountains, he has won a string of performance poetry awards including Australian Bush Poetry Champion in 2008, 2009 and again in 2010. In late 2006 Greg won his first award for written poetry – a first place in the Gippsland Wattle Bush Poetry Award. Greg has also competed four times at the National Poetry Slam. Aspiring bush and performance poets please come along and share Greg’s tips and example of how it’s done, and how to captivate an audience.
His DVDs Man of Many Hats and Fully Sick Mate provide even more characters and fun. There is no charge to enjoy Greg’s performance and poetry, but a gold coin donation for supper would be appreciated. For catering purposes please RSVP to either Kathy Sajowitz 6336-0742 or Celia Ravesi 6359 3109.

Orange local Vanessa Talbot launches book Extraordinary You The Art of Living a Lusciously Spirited, Vibrant Life

Congratulations to one our regulars at the Central West Writers' Centre Drop-in Days Vanessa Talbot.  Vanessa, along with ten powerful voices has published Extraordinary You The art of Living a Lusciously Spirited Vibrant Life. Eleven extraordinary women share with you the keys to unlocking an exceptional life.   Through their personal stories of tragedy, near death, crossroads, and plain mundane existences, to expanded lives of exploration and vitality, discover the wisdom and experiences that will enable you to embrace a greater vision for your life.

The book is available at Collins Bookstore, Boomers Bookstore in Orange, Bookplus in Bathurst or go to www.extraordinaryyoubook.com

 

Sandra Shepherd Launches Children's Books

Kangapoo travelled from his Kakadu bush camp to meet family, friends and fans and wish author Sandra Shepherd well as she launched her books (pictured above) The Tail of Kangapoo and Up the River with Kangapoo and Possumpoo. The books are illustrated by another Orange local Jenny Hughes. There was the delicious dark chocolate mudcake and white chocolate launch cakes, face painters creating little Kangapoos and Possumpoos and balloons, giveaway bags, bookmarks and lots of happy sounds (and a few screams) when children found Kangapoo hiding in the Library. He was very popular hugging his new friends, showing off for photos and looking for his favourite bush fly snacks. Congratulations Sandra on creating such wonderful children's book characters. The event was supported by Boomers Bookstore and ABC Centre. And thank you to all who came along.

History Talking by Helen McAnulty Details Oral Histories

A love of collecting and writing oral history has led to a unique book titled History Talking by local writer Helen McAnulty covering reminiscences of people from Gulgong, Mudgee and Orange.  At the recent launch Helen said how much she enjoyed collecting people's memories. Her talk on the day included wonderful anecdotes including an amazing coincidence about a nurse involved in a leg amputation operation and then a chance meeting with that patient. 

Alex Jenkins Professor Emeritus, University of Sydney, officially launched the book and in his foreword says “There is scarcely any aspect of life in those early years that escapes Helen’s incisive gaze.  Ranging from pioneering life through settlements, natural disasters, railways, communications and foreign war service.” He said at the launch people will read the book for many years to come for historical purposes.  Alex is pictured with Helen (above) at the launch held in the Local Studies Room of Orange City Library with an appreciative crowd of 60 people. The book was made possible by the Oral History Group and funds raised support the Marsden Memorial Rural History Research Centre. Congratulations to all involved.

Lis Edwards Launches A Gentleman of the Inky Way

History of Orange and newspapers. Local author Elisabeth Edwards’ new book A Gentleman of the Inky Way marks the 150th anniversary of newspapers. The book brings together articles of veteran Orange journalist Joe Glasson who had an unrivalled knowledge of the people who lived and worked in Orange, the houses they lived in and the development of businesses and organisations in the town.  He spent 50 years writing for Orange newspapers, and towards the end of his career his articles focused on his memories of the Orange he recalled as a boy and young man: the families he knew, the homes he visited and the way people lived, worked and entertained themselves in an Australian country centre in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The book was officially launched by Janet Hansen (pictured above talking to the large crowd), a member of the prominent local Hansen family, on Tuesday 29 November at Orange City Library.  Many members of the Hansen family were present as well as many other descendants  families  mentioned in the book. An extensive index in the book will be an asset to anyone doing family research. Ms Hansen's grandfather Fred Hansen and great-grandfather Henry Hansen are described in the book including reminicences about playing pool. 

Glasson's newspaper columns are insight into the early days of Orange and there are many stories including the day Dame Nellie Melba visited Orange. The launch is supported by Boomers Bookstore and ABC Centre. (Mel and Margaret from Boomers are pictured above with Orange City LIbrarian Elizabeth Barry and author Lis Edwards). We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many guests, some who travelled long distances, who made the launch a wonderful success.

Freya Blackwood Launches a Book for the Imagination

Local illustrator Freya Blackwood was the special guest with family, friends and supporters at the weekend celebrations for her latest collaboration with author Libby Gleeson titled Look, a Book! The event was hosted by Collins Booksellers. About the book: Amongst the jumble of modern living two children find a book. It is a bright red beacon in the muted and desolate environment in which they live as they open the pages their world awakens and so does their imaginations! It is a beautiful book with the exquisite design carried through onto the cover making it look loved - like a book should. Congratulations Freya!

 

ABC Open Moment Behind the Photo Workshop
 

Participants had a great time learning how to choose the best images and upload them to the Internet then add a great story for the ABC Open Moment Behind the Photo Workshop. ABC Open Producer Luke Wong explained about selecting the right photos, re-sizing photos and of course copyright concerns. He explained the best way to tell the story behind the photo was to find the emotion in the story and try to explain why it is important to you, how it makes you feel and why. Bev is a car club enthusiast and uploaded an image from a car club event, Alex included an image of her German parents and their first car while Jamsine included a wtaer sports photo taken at Lake Canobolas. Workshop participants Jasmine, Bev and Alex are pictured above (Photo by ABC Open Producer Luke Wong). The workshop results can be seen on www.abc.net.au/open  and click on the Moment Behind the Photo projects link. Interested people can also add their own story and images and there is also an opportunity to record an audio description if you prefer. Check it out.

Crime Writing Workshop with Award Winning Author Peter Doyle
 

Workshop participants enjoyed meeting author Peter Doyle at Saturday's workshop. They heard about the research that went into his books and how photographs from the Justice and Police Museum inspired his works. In the first few minutes he has mentioned homicide, love triangles, abortion, suicide, dometics, car accidents and prostitution. Everyone also took part in a writing exercise by writing a story from a  crime scene photograph.  It was interesting to see the different possiblities each writer came up with and great to hear suggestions on how to improve the writing and story idea. He also suggested using less descriptive words so that more was left up to the imagination. A final tip was to write Australian stories.  He said there were many Australian stories that hadn't been told. He even suggested looking up newspapers on a particular day and go back to previous decades eg. 1940s or 1890s and you would be overwhelmed by crime stories. He said we don't have the confidence in our stories as others countries like the US and UK do. So his message was - Australians - get writing about Australia.

Peter Doyle is the author of the internationally acclaimed City of Shadows:  Sydney Police photographs, 1912-1948, which, like its follow-up Crooks Like Us, was based on extensive research into  the forensic photography archive at the Justice & Police Museum, Sydney. He is the author of the novels, The Devil’s Jump, Get Rich Quick and Amaze Your Friends, two of which won Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Novel. He lectures in Media at Macquarie University. In 2010 he received a Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award.

3rd Oberon Writers and Young Writers Competition

Congratulations to all the entrants in the Oberon Writing Compeition.  It was supported by Burraga Ag Bureau, Oberon Council, Friends of Oberon Lirbrary and Oberon Writers' Workshop as well as an individual donor.  First Prize winner in the Open Writers' Competition in poetry was George Clark of Rockley, and second place prose winner was Beatrice Norrie of Isabella. Congratulations.

National Year of Reading Writing Competition Winners

"It's never too late ... to learn to read" - a short story competition for unpublished, new, emerging and established Australian writers in Adult Learners Week winners have been announced. The National Year of Reading 2012, in partnership with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Writing Australia, supported by the NT Writers Centre, Queensland Writers Centre and writingWA, was given a grant by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), to run a writing competition as part of Adult Learners' Week 2011 (ALW). The aim was for the creation of exciting, inspiring and challenging stories to support and encourage adult learning, and to highlight the fact that "It's never too late ... to learn to read".
You will find the names of the 21 winners, who share a prize pool of $45,000, and the six highly commended entrants, on the Lovetoread website. Some of the stories are sad, some are funny, all are inspirational. Why not download them and find out what made them the judges' top choices? Go to http://www.love2read.org.au/never-too-late.cfm
 

Myra's Book Nominated in SA 2011 Children's Choice Award

Congratulations to Orange schoolgirl author Myra Lim-Hurt (pictured signing at her 2010 book launch) for having her book All That I Am nominated in the 2011 Children's Choice Award in South Australia as part of the SA Writers' Festival. In All That I Am, a little girl, accompanied by her dog, contemplates the world through all her senses, and dreams of growing up. The narrative is at once carefree, introspective and as layered as the beautiful illustrations by Sally Heinrich. The book was launched at Orange City Library in June 2010.

The winner for the inaugural Children's Choice Award was Itchy Nose Hairy Butt written by Elizabeth Frankel with illustrations by Garry Duncan. But word from the organisers is the competition was fierce with eight titles, of a very high standard, in the running. Myra's book All That I am was very well received by students and teachers alike, and she should be very proud of herself. Over 1200 students from Reception to Year 4 from local City of Onkaparinga primary schools read the books with each child voting for their favourite. For more about the winning book go to: http://exislepublishing.com.au/blog/2011/04/hairy-nose-itchy-butt/

 

Poetry Slam Winners from Forbes and Young

Keith Rawsthorne, of Forbes, and Ted Webber, of Young, are the two winners from the Australian Poetry Slam held at Forbes as part of the Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival on Sunday. Five poets performed their works on the Festival’s Main Stage in front of large audience on the Lake Forbes Foreshore. Judges, selected at random from the audience during the afternoon, scored Keith first place with Ted not far behind for their bush poet inspired performances. The scores were very close for the other three contestants, Glenn Couchman, of Orange, Dulcie Mclean of Orange, and young Marisha Downey, of Forbes. Central West Libraries Manager Jan Richards said it was a unique event for Forbes. “We didn’t know what to expect as the Poetry Slam depends on the audience and performers who come along on the day,” Jan said.
“It was a close competition and I think the audience really enjoyed it,” she said. Host Miles Merrill said he was impressed by the performances and the enthusiastic audience. Both winners now have the opportunity to compete in the Australian Poetry Slam State Final to be held at the Sydney Theatre Company, Walsh Bay, Sydney on Friday 4th November, 2011. Pictured are the performing poets Ted, Dulcie, Glenn,  Marisha and Keith with Poetry Slam host Miles Merrill.

New Audio Navigators at Central West Libraries

 

Central West Libraries is calling for Expressions of Interest from people interested in borrowing Audio Navigators. The Audio Navigators make it easier for people to listen to books and the Library has more audio navigators to share with the community. The library is grateful to the Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for its financial and other support for this initiative. The Audio Navigator is the size of a remote control and reads books, magazines and newspapers out loud. People with vision impairment, physical disability or learning difficulties may like to try the new devices. It is battery operated and about the size of a remote control. It means books can be listened to more conveniently anywhere around the home or garden. If you would like to try out a new portable Audio Navigator or know of anyone who would benefit for this new service, please contact your nearest Library at Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Forbes, Manildra, Molong or Orange.
 

Preparations start for National Year of Reading 2012

Central West Libraries has welcomed the recent announcement by the Prime Minister of $1.3 million in funding for the National Year of Reading 2012.  This significant project builds on the recommendations of the first national Public Libraries Summit in 2009 and is a partnership between libraries from all sectors, their suppliers and communities.

Recent studies have estimated that 46% of Australians struggle with the basics of everyday literacy. The support announced by the Australian Government is welcomed by the thousands of library professionals who work to improve literacy in Australia every day.
The Australian Government funding will support the One Country Reading and workplace literacy initiatives – two of the four key national programs for the National Year of Reading. The project has also attracted significant commercial and philanthropic partnerships, including a grant from the Sidney Myer Foundation. Other funding opportunities are being pursued for the two remaining national programs - The Reading Hour and a public library membership drive. 
 
Library users in Central West New South Wales will be able to participate in the National Year of Reading through the public library network, as well as through many other school and community organisations. Not only will the national programs be available, but specific local and regional activities are already in development.

Further details of the National Year of Reading can be found at www.love2read.org.au

2011 Banjo Paterson Writing Award Winners 
 

This year 280 entries were received in the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards with 128 Prose or Short Story entries, 76 in the Open Poetry, 44 in the Bush Poetry and 32 in the Children’s section.  This is a huge increase on the number of entries received in recent years. Orange City Librarian Elizabeth Barry said human relationships featured in many entries as well as  Mother Nature, adventures and animals across all the sections of the competition.

The winning prose entry title The Magpie Lucky Dip was a great example of vivid storytelling with well developed characters that takes you to a particular moment. While the second placed entry The Snake was well written, quirky and funny with a delightful twist and the third placed story Jack and the Jillaroo was a lovely rural story.

Ms Barry said the Awards recognise Orange’s literary history and further encouraged writers to develop their craft.  Ms Barry congratulated all the entrants and was pleased to announce the following winners:

Short Story
1. The Magpie Lucky Dip by Brian Yatman, Erskineville, NSW
2. The Snake by Jane Lawler, Prahran, VIC
3. Jack and the Jillaroo by Trudi Refshauge, Woodstock, NSW

Bush Poetry
1. The Ghost of Old Ted by Wendy Enchelmaier Whiteside, QLD
2. Lorraine Carew by Ellis Campbell, Dubbo, NSW 
3. The Battler by Sandy Thorne, Lightning Ridge, NSW

Open Poetry
1. Orpheus in the Desert by Jo Mills, Greenmount, WA  
2. Three Monologues by Ron Stevens, Dubbo, NSW
3. Saddle Dreaming by Vanessa Page, Rosewood , QLD

ABC Central West Radio Children’s Writing Awards
1. Poem Black Temper by Adam Weitzer, Caulfield South, Melbourne, VIC 
2. Story Traces of Tomorrow by Jesse Lyon, Orange, NSW
3. Story Annie and the Shed Mystery by Chloe Petersen, Portland, NSW

The Yvonne Zola Encouragement Award goes to Bec Hobden, Orange, NSW for her poem Falling to our Knees …We’re Proud Australians.

Banjo Paterson ABC Radio Children’s Writing Awards Presentation

 

Orange Mayor John Davis and ABC Local Radio content Manager Brooke Daniels presented Banjo Paterson Writing Award winners with their prizes and certificates.  Entries for the Children’s part of the competition were received from Victoria, Western Australia, and throughout NSW including Sydney and across the Central West. The children’s writing entries showed lots of variety with tales of adventure, kidnap, soldiers, war, mother nature, emotions and animals. The Mayor praised all the entrants for the efforts and congratulated the winners for their writing achievements. The winning entry was a poem called Black Temper by Adam Weitzer of Melbourne about recent natural disasters caused by Mother Nature. Awards were presented to Jesse Lyon, of Orange, for her futuristic adventure story: Traces of Tomorrow in 2nd place.
Chloe Petersen, of Portland, won 3rd prize for her detailed story: Annie and the Shed Mystery.  Bec Hobden, of Orange was awarded the Yvonne Zola Encouragement Award for her emotive and patriotic poem: Falling to our Knees…We’re Proud Australians.  The award is in memory of the late school teacher Yvonne Zola to encourage creativity in writing. The award winners (Jesse, Bec and Chloe are pictured with the Orange Mayor Cr John Davis and Brooke Daniels from ABC Local Radio. The winners  were also given a tour of the ABC Radio studios and had the opportunity to record their stories. The winning entries can be viewed on the Central West Libraries website reading and writing page www.cwl.nsw.gov.au
 

Medical History Book Launch for In Sickness and in Health by Elisabeth Edwards

Orange City Council supported by Pinnacle Health Care and Orange Regional Arts Foundation are pleased to be able to launch a medical history book of Orange to coincide with the opening of the new Orange hospital.  The book is titled In Sickness and in Health -  How medicine helped shape Orange’s History and was officially launched by Paul Brunton, Senior Curator of the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW at the Orange Civic Theatre Forum on Thursday 31 March at 6pm.  Pictured above is Medical History Project team leader Jan Richards, Orange Mayor Cr John Davis. author Lis Edwards and guest speaker Paul Brunton. Many of the invited guests were interviewed by the author Elisabeth Edwards or provided photographs and research material for the medical history book.  The event was an opportunity to thank all those involved in the production of the book including gold, silver and bronze sponsors.
 
In Sickness and in Health takes an original approach in exploring how medicine shaped the history of Orange and the surrounding districts from the earliest days of settlement.  It depicts the hardships experienced by settlers before there were doctors, dentist or hospitals, and the evolution of the public hospital from the small District Hospital in Anson Street to the 21st century Base Hospital on the Bloomfield campus. 
It also shows how the myriad small private hospitals played a significant role in caring for maternity cases as well as the sick and injured.  It records the development of medical technology and its vital role in providing quality health care.  Most importantly, it tells the stories of the doctors, nurses, ancillary staff, volunteers and benefactors who have collectively ensured the very best care for patients over many years.
This book comprising 352 pages, contains many photographs from public and private collections and is extensively indexed.

In Sickness and in Health is available for purchase from Orange City Library, after the official launch at 6.30pm.  Author Elisabeth Edwards is available to talk about the project to community groups by contacting her directly on 6362 8647. She will also be signing books at Orange City Library on Friday 1st April and Saturday 2nd April from 11.30am – 1pm.

Author Elisabeth Edwards has also written a number of books on local history, travel and cooking.  Her previous published works include: Starting Over: Migrants tell their Stories; Weapons to Whitegoods: Celebrating Email’s Fifty years in Orange; and Half a World Away: Post War Migration to the Orange District 1948 – 1965.

Author Brennan Keats presented Quiet Waters

 

Author Brennan Keats (poictured) spoke to audiences at Orange and Cowra Libraries this week , March 28 and 29, about his latest book Quiet Waters. His presentation included originally composed music and images from the book. It is an account of HMAS Canberra and one of her sailors, Brennan’s brother Russell, as well as three USS cruisers and their men, who rest in the deep quiet waters of Iron Bottom Sound, Guadalcanal.  It is so named because of the huge number of ships and planes that sunk there.
His talk covered details about the ships of the day, what it was like for the men working on them and the fate of his brother Russell.  He also told many anecdotes including when a Japanese float plane was seen flying about in Sydney Harbour, the arrival of Japanese submarines and mines being placed right along the NSW coast.
He spoke passionately about HMAS Canberra which did not share the battle honours of the Australian cruisers of her time known as the Scrap Iron Flotilla.  He says it should be given due recognition for its substantial contribution to Australian Naval history.
Brennan is also author of "A Poet’s Composer", the biography of the Australian composer, Horace Keats, 1895 – 1945, Russell and Brennan Keats’ father. 

 Books on Prescription

A grant of $71,000 will start an innovative program called Books on Prescription to help people with common mental health disorders as well as their families, friends and employers in the Central West. Public Libraries NSW – Country, Central West Zone (PLC CWZ) has been successful in its 2010/11 Library Development Grants Application for its Books on Prescription program. Central West Libraries Manager Jan Richards said they were thrilled to be able to bring Books on Prescription to communities in the Central West. Books on Prescription is a highly effective way of helping people with common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, phobias and eating disorders. There is first class clinical evidence to show that books can be just as effective as other forms of therapy. In partnership with CWZ Libraries, GPs and other health professionals will prescribe books from a list of high quality, self-help manuals selected by experienced mental health practitioners. This project will be developed in partnership with the Greater Western Area Health Service (GWAHS) whose footprint matches the CWZ, the relevant Divisions of General Practice and other health providers.