7 August 2017

Finding an unrestored 1926 Chevrolet in a backyard shed, in relatively good condition is almost unheard of.

But that’s what happened to Dave and Larna Perry when they discovered “Emma”, in a garage sale in Summer Street East in 2015.

Emma had almost no work done to the chassis, has the original engine tool kit and even her last registration sticker from 1964.

The car is arguably one of Orange Regional Museum’s most popular objects and had sat idle for five decades before she was purchased by the Perrys.

‘Emma’s’ rich history is being discussed at the museum at a floor talk this weekend.

Emma, was owned by one family and driven by one woman until it was parked for the last time in 1964.

The story of Emma’s history sheds light on the city’s local economy in the 1920s and reveals the story of the Hartley family who ran a small confectionery businesses in Summer Street.

Bought from General Motors dealer, E. C. Cameron & Sons, Summer Street, Orange, Emma’s chassis was manufactured at the Chevrolet Plant in New York, then shipped un-assembled to Australia as a knock-down kit.

The body was manufactured by Holden in South Australia and the complete car was assembled at the General Motors Australia (GMA) plant at Marrickville in Sydney.

The Hartley family, Albert and his wife Sarah Jane (known as “Jeannie”), and their three daughters, Eva, Muriel and Eileen lived at 458 (now 402) Summer Street, East Orange and ran their first confectionery factory in the yard at the rear of the house.

Muriel, the middle daughter, was the only daughter to get her driver’s license and together with her father Albert, used “Emma” to make deliveries for the shop, in Orange and in neighboring towns.

Emma was in use until 1964 when she was placed in a shed behind the Hartley home.

None of the three daughters had children, so Emma was gifted to the family’s neighbours, the Marsh family.

For the museum’s next floor talk, 2pm on Saturday 12 August, Dave Perry, owner of Emma will talk about the history of ‘Emma’, the Hartley family and the Marsh family who cared for the car for over 50 years.

To coincide with the talk, the museum will launch a new publication on the history of Emma written by Dave Perry. The publication will be available for purchase from the Visitor Information Centre.

Free event, bookings essential 02 6393 8444 or https://emmatalk.eventbrite.com.au

7 August 2017

Orange City Council has opened another leash free area for the city’s four-legged residents.

The dog leash free area is a strip of land, about 600 metres long and 30 metres wide, south from the Escort Way, alongside the entrance to Ploughmans Lane.

The site is about 1.5 hectares and is council’s 11^th leash-free area.

Leash free areas give dogs an opportunity to socialise and exercise, which reduces the likelihood of a dog becoming aggressive.

However, it is important dog owners are responsible when using the parks and they must be in control of their dog at all times.

This means the dogs must respond immediately to commands such as ‘Stop’ and ‘Stay’.

These commands are particularly important when other dogs or children are using the off-leash area.

Even in off-leash areas, the person in charge of the dog has responsibilities under the Companion Animals Act regarding dogs attacking other animals or people.

It’s also important for owners to pick up after their dogs. There are dog litter bins provided in each dog off leash area.

You can exercise your dog in other parks and reserves around the city including Lake Canobolas as long as they are on a lead at all times

Maps of each off leash areas can be found on www.orange.nsw.gov.au

The new leash free area is highlighted in blue in the map below.

4 August 2017

Staff and shoppers making the daily journey to Orange’s main shopping area have a more secure place to store their bicycle with the opening of a new bike-locker in the Orange City Centre car park.

The new locker was installed by Orange City Council with funding from the NSW Government’s RMS Cycle Towns program.

Owner of the City Centre business, ‘Snack Shack’, Garry Kearl is a regular bike rider.

“The new bike locker will make it easier,” Garry Kearl said. “It’s got to be safer than it was before.”

SECURE : Enjoying the new bike locker in the underground car park at the Otrange City Centre are (l. to r.) Snack Shack owner Garry Kearl, Centre Manager Nicole Chapman and Urban PLanning consultant Shah Alford.

Orange City Centre Manager Nicole Chapman has welcomed the opportunity to broaden the parking options for both staff and customers and highlight that no carparking spaces were lost in the creation of the new locker facility.

“We were delighted to work with Orange City Council on this project as we believe it is a great addition to the existing services provided within the Centre,” Nicole Chapman said.

“We hope the free facility provides a more secure area for staff to store their bikes and we would love to see more people take advantage of this too, both in Centre and other members of the community who work within the CBD.”

“The Centre car park is open from 7.45am to 6.30 daily.”

There is no charge for using the locker. People who want to use the facility can get access to a key from the centre manager. The option of a key-pad system that can be unlocked with a code is being explored.

The locker is well-lit and enclosed in steel mesh. It has been built in an under-cover section of the car park, near the Post Office Lane pedestrian entrance to the car park. It’s open for all CBD commuters to use.

The locker includes 5 hanging-racks where each rider can lock their own bike using their own bike chain. There is further space for casual bicycle ‘stabling’ adjacent, using four other bicycle hoops. Any rider who wants to use the locker should contact the Centre Management on 6361 3879.

3 August 2017

Regional Airline Fly Corporate will launch direct flights from Orange to Melbourne in October.

Commencing on October 9, flights will operate Monday through Friday departing Orange at 9.50am and arriving at Melbourne’s Essendon Airport at 11.35am.

The return service will depart Melbourne’s Essendon Airport at 12.20pm and arrive in Orange at 1.55pm.

Andrew Major, CEO of Fly Corporate, said after launching the Brisbane flights in February, it became apparent the market wanted a Melbourne flight.

"The success of the Brisbane service combined with consultation with stakeholders has provided the necessary impetus for the implementation of the new service," Mr Major said.

"The proposed schedule will complement the existing strong ties between the two cities.

"We have chosen to operate this service utilising Melbourne’s Essendon Airport.

"Essendon stood out for us with its close proximately to the Melbourne CBD as well as other great advantages, such as extremely economical car parking rates and no airport congestion.

" For passengers inbound to Melbourne wanting to connect on to other domestic and international destinations, there is a free shuttle bus connecting the two airports.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Orange City Council, Essendon Airport Management and the many other stakeholders who have helped make today’s announcement of a new service connecting Melbourne and Orange a reality."

Tickets are on sale from today at www.flycorporate.com.au or travel agents with $259 one-way all-inclusive Web Deal fares available.

27 July 2017

Work is getting under way on Orange’s newest constructed wetland, the Waratah Wetland project.

The new wetland is being built by Orange City Council in conjunction with the Waratah Sports Club and is supported by Central Tablelands Local Land Services (LLS) through funding from Catchment Action NSW.

A grant of $42,000 from LLS will contribute to the project. Work is set to start soon on plantings at the site.

The area south of the Platinum Parade, which is a former swamp, will be replenished with native plant species and furnished with recreational facilities and paved walkways to create the Waratah wetland.

Orange City Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee Chair Neil Jones said while the new wetland would not be part of Orange’s stormwater harvesting scheme, like the other constructed wetlands across the city, the new project would enhance and beautify the area.

“It won’t be used as part of the storm water harvesting scheme in the way the Ploughmans, Brooklands and the Somerset Wetlands are used,” Cr Jones said.

“The slow movement of water through the wetland will cleanse storm water from the bypass and North Orange housing estates,” he said.

“As well as improving water quality, the main purpose of the new wetlands is to enhance the area for residents as well as provide a habitat for native wildlife.”

Funds from developer contributions are also adding to the project.

The project is expected to take 12 months to complete.

OPEN : In response to a letter from council some residents in the Waratahs area have already started to replace colourbond fences and replace them with see-through fences which let them enjoy the water views.

Council staff have met with local residents and representatives of the Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange (ECCO) to discuss community involvement.

The seedlings for the first plantings are expected to arrive this week. A volunteer community planting-day is expected to be held as temperatures start to rise.

The Waratah Sports Club is also backing the project, agreeing to the installation of board-walks and walking paths around the site.

LAUNCH : Pictured at the launch of the new Waratah Wetland are ECCO president Nick King, Orange City Council's Director of Development Services David Waddell, LLS staff member Mick Callan and Waratah Sports Club president Bart Westgeest.

BURNT OUT: The damage done to machinery at one of the work sites for the pipeline.

Orange Regional Museum is looking for sponsorship as the date of its new exhibition draws closer.

The upcoming exhibition Paddock to Plate: A history of food and wine in Orange and district, will open to coincide with the April FOOD Week, 2018.

Orange City Council Services Policy Chair Cr Ron Gander said this exhibition had a strong focus on “hands on” educational workshops and the museum was looking for sponsorship to help fund those workshops and similar events.

“The Orange Regional Museum is a community museum and that means it aims to be as inclusive and accessible as possible,” Cr Gander said.

“Sponsorship will help it reduce its costs so it can present workshops, floor talks and events such as the popular Up Late evenings with little to no entrance fees for visitors.

“We’re looking for sponsors who can sponsor programs from $3,000 to $18,000 and various levels in between.

“In return sponsors will receive advertising online, in print and via council’s social media network as well as a raft of other incentives that can be negotiated with the museum.

“Located centrally in a vibrant cultural precinct, Orange Regional Museum is able to offer a wide variety of community exposure prior to and during

About 1,000 people visit the Orange Regional Museum every week and more than 23,000 people have visited the current exhibition Journeys: People, Place, Stories since it opened in November last year.

“That’s a lot of exposure, especially when you take into consideration the 30,000 people who popped into the Visitors Information Centre, located in the same building, during that same time period, you’re looking at significant numbers to help build a brand.”

Further details on sponsorship options can be found here: http://www.orangemuseum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Expression-of-Interest-Sponsorship_ORM-Programs.pdf

CROWD: The crowd at the Orange Regional Museum's first Up Late event.