8 August 2018

An historic panorama-style photograph dating from early last century has been handed over to the Orange Regional Museum.

The image is believed to have been taken around 1908. It’s about two metres long and was taken from one of Orange’s tallest buildings at the time, the Dalton flour mill in Peisley Street.

The Neich family who owned the print are donating it in memory of the McLachlan family.

The print will be sent away for specialist restoration.

A member of the Orange Historical Society, who is a professional photographer, Robert Bruce, has made an enhanced copy of the panorama, which will also be given to the museum.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd was on hand to receive the donations on behalf of the museum.

It’s expected that the copy of the panorama will be able to be enlarged for display at the museum.

PANORAMA : Pictured at the hand over are (l. top r.) Mayor Reg Kidd, photographer Robert Bruce, Museum Director Brad Hammond, museum curator Alison Campbell, and historical society members Phil Stevenson and Liz Edwards.

DETAILS: (Below) Detailed images from the panorama include a number of buildings still to be seen in Orange, including Kelly’s Hotel in Lords Place, Bowen Terrace in Bathurst Road, the railway yards including the pedestrian bridge and Peisley St looking through the Kite St and Summer St intersections.

Tuesday July 31, 2018

The Orange City Council chambers has been the location of serious debate, passionate speeches, defeats and triumphs for decades, but annually it is also the location of an argument of a different kind, though equally as tense.

The annual Mayor’s Cup Debating Competition is on Wednesday August 1, during Local Government Week.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the competition was a chance for the city’s young people to showcase their critical thinking skills and gain confidence with public speaking.

“I am always amazed at the talent during the competitions,” Cr Kidd said.

“I always go home thinking the future is in good hands.

“Each year Orange schools send the best of the best from their senior debating crop and each year the competition is fierce.”

This year’s topics include;

· Orange’s sense of community will get smaller, as the size of population grows bigger

· Twelve councillors is too many for a local council to be effective

· A local council should consult with the community before making major decisions.

“The topics being debated are always relevant to Orange and the community and I’m particularly keen on hearing the arguments for and against these particular subjects,” Cr Kidd said.

Orange Deputy Mayor Joanne McRae, who would preside as chairperson during one of the debates, said the event brought back memories from her own school years.

“I competed in this very competition when I was at James Sheahan Catholic High School, “Cr McRae said.

“I can definitely appreciate the nerves the students have on the day and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they tackle each topic.

“It’s great experience for our senior students and it’s a wonderful chance to help develop some of those public speaking tools which will be needed later in life.

“One of my former team mates at the time, Hamish Bevan, is now a barrister in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of New South Wales and I regularly have to speak in public as part of my current role in the Council.

“It shows activities like the Mayor’s Cup really can help you develop skills for future careers.”

Schools competing in this year’s debate include Orange High School, Kinross Wolaroi School and for the first time, Orange Anglican Grammar.

The Kerri Parkes Memorial Trophy, will be awarded to the most outstanding speaker on the day.

The Mayor’s Cup Debating Competition is in its 15th year.

DEBATE: Students from Canobolas Rural Technology High School during a previous Mayor's Cup debate.

30 July 2018

Orange mayor Reg Kidd has welcomed the handover of a new half million dollar fire truck for Orange.

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless visited the Orange Fire Station today to hand over the keys of a new $580,000 firefighting truck that will increase fire protection and emergency response in Orange.

The state-of-the-art fire engine, referred to as a ‘Class 3’ pumper, features a high-pressure pump capable of delivering 4,000 litres of water a minute for firefighting, as well as a front mounted winch designed to assist with rescue operations.

The new new truck includes improved remote-controlled lighting to illuminate a fire or rescue scene where crews are working

Pictured at left : Senior Firefighter Shane Brinkworth demonstrates the remote control unit.

Formerly crews had to climb onto the roof of the truck to erect lights. The new unit has high-performance LED lights which are mounted on an extendable pole. The height and direction of the lights can now be controlled from ground level.

The new truck has a upgraded system to blow smoke out of a building once the fire has been extinguished. Pockets of smoke can stay in a building for many hours once the fire is out.

In 2016/17, Orange Fire Station responded to 1,115 fire and emergency calls and took part in more than 226 activities designed to educate the local community about fire safety.

Mr Colless said the new truck would increase Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) capability to deal with fires and emergency incidents.

“The Government is committed to providing our firefighters with the best equipment and technology available to support their vital work - protecting life and property,” Mr Colless said.

“This new truck will help put firefighters ahead of the game when it comes to managing all types of fires and emergency incidents.”

“It incorporates a foam system for fighting chemical, petrol and bush fires, and carries equipment for firefighting, chemical spills, rescues and medical emergencies.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the new pumper is a great investment in the safety of the Orange community.

"This unit lets the brigade respond very,very quickly and have the right gear when they get there," Cr Reg Kidd said. "I thank the government very,very much."

PUMPER : Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless and Orange Mayor Reg Kidd take a close look at the new fire truck.

FRNSW Regional West Zone Commander, Brett Jackson said FRNSW continued to provide its firefighters with modern vehicles and the latest technology for protecting people, property and the environment.

“The FRNSW fleet is made up of more than 650 fire engines and rescue vehicles and our priority is to ensure firefighters have the best vehicles available to do their jobs safely and effectively,” he said.

“Orange firefighters do a tremendous job protecting the local community and this new truck will further improve the overall quality of our emergency response.”

27 July 2018

13 July 2018

The Western Sydney Wanderers have announced details of their new Regional Strategy, and junior clinics and a schools competition in Orange are in the mix to be held later this year.

The club has revealed plans to stage a regular A-League season match at the Glen Willow Regional Stadium in Mudgee, as part of the code’s Community Round on November 10.

The match is part of the Wanderers’ efforts in servicing the regional community in the Central West, engaging with the communities of Bathurst, Mudgee and Orange.

The Community Round fixture will mark the first time the Hyundai A-League will be played in Mudgee with over 10,000 registered participants in the wider region getting the chance to have the Wanderers in their backyard.

The Wanderers club believes its regional strategy is part of its work with Mid Western Regional Council, Bathurst Regional Council and Orange City Council to ensure that the Wanderers have a lasting footprint in the region.

Local schools and grassroots clubs will benefit greatly from the strategy, with a number of schools clinics, Schools Cup tournaments, as well as, activations with local associations taking place in the lead-up to the match.