International Women’s Day
SCOTLAND: Rob Neal, John Costello, Phoebe Blackley,
Heather Blackley and Vivianne Clemson.
International Women's Day was celebrated at Condobolin last Friday, with a big crowd at the local Community Centre in Bathurst Street joining in with the festivities. International Women's Day is a day to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world. It is also a day to acknowledge that many women still disproportionately suffer the burden of poverty and discrimination simply because of their gender. Seventy per cent of the world's poor are women and girls.
In 2010 the theme for International Women's Day is 'Equal rights, equal opportunity', and the aim of the theme is 'Empowering Women to End Poverty by 2015'. Each year at the local celebrations a country is chosen to focus on and this year it was Scotland. The upstairs of the community centre was wonderfully decorated with traditional Scottish tartan kilts, rugs and many wall decorations. Most were borrowed from community members who have strong links back to Scotland. Those present were given a brief researched history lesson, with young speakers from the Primary School, St Joseph's School and the High School all speaking on different aspects of Scotland. There was also a short address from Evan Baillee and Phoebe Blackley. Evan Baillee has first hand experience in the chosen country and spoke about his youth and growing up in Scotland. Phoebe Blackley also has experienced the wonders of Scotland, as she visited there on an exchange program as a student at Kinross Wolaroi School. Phoebe is the daughter of Heather and John Blackley and gave an informative talk on her time in Scotland last year and said that it was everything and more than she expected it to be. "I arrived in Scotland and of course it was raining and continued to rain for a week. I thoroughly enjoyed my time away and I recommend that everyone should visit Scotland," Phoebe Blackley said.
All who attended were encouraged to join in the festivities, which included singing the traditional songs of Amazing Grace, Mull of Kintyre and Scotland the Brave. The lone piper, Rob Neal piped the traditional haggis, carried in by John Costello, former Drum Major of the local pipe band. Vivianne Clemson recited the 'Address to a Haggis', originally written by famous Scottish poet Robbie Burns. The meal was served by the Condobolin High School Year 11 and Year 12 hospitality class, under the watchful eye of teacher Shirley Cowan. To add an international flavour to the occasion, Gerda Hedges said grace in German and English before the meal was served. Between serving the main meal and dessert, each table was given a Robbie Burns poem to read to everyone present.
Being International Women's Day, it was wonderful to see Melodina Quin, Marsha Quin and Lucy Dunn looking stunning in their traditional Philippine dress. Tea and coffee was served with traditional Scottish shortbread.
Rotary donate to CareWest Lodge in Orange
The Condobolin Rotary Club presented a cheque to CareWest Lodge in Orange. CareWest Lodge will provide modest but comfortable accommodation in a mutually supportive environment for people from all over Western NSW who will be receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the new Orange Hospital. The Lodge will be on the Bloomfield campus of the new Orange Hospital.
The Condobolin Rotary Club have received commission to the tune of $2,280 for selling tickets in a motor vehicle and the club has decided to donate this to CareWest. The club has previously donated $800 towards the construction of the lodge, bringing the total amount to over $3,000. Kim Jones was on hand to receive the cheque on behalf of the Lodge and said that the construction of this facility will greatly benefit the Condobolin area. "On behalf of the Lodge, we are eternally grateful for this donation and every donation that we receive. Once up and running, it will be a big help for the many cancer patients and their family in this district," Kim Jones said