A proud history and a hopeful future at Binya

Binya is a tiny locality 30km east of Griffith with a long history. When you drive through Binya you will see a silo, a few houses, a post office, school and the hall. Many services and functions are now delivered from Griffith. However, there is a very enthusiastic group of young women, supported by the local church group, who are actively striving to breathe new life into the hall, which is the focal point of their community. The hall had once resounded to the sounds of dance bands, recitals, dinners and many other get-togethers. Whilst the sounds of the hall may be different today with electric music , faster dancing and “Binya’s got talent” contests it is still a place locals want and need to gather in. As with everything, the hall has aged and needs repair and renovation if it is to keep the sounds of the future alive. Kel and I met with the local committee and church members to see how we could support their endeavours. I was also fortunate to be able to join the community in the hall for the carols service. It was a great evening with nearly 100 people from Binya and Yenda celebrating the advent season together. I very much look forward to working

Enngonia School, hub of the community

Kel:

Julie and I were lucky enough to attend the end-of-year concert at the school this week. The school has 15 pupils, 14 of them boys, as well as a pre-school and playgroup. For a tiny school 100km from Bourke we were treated to a multimedia presentation of the year in review. They have had a wide range of activities including an excursion to Canberra and the snow, all sorts of sporting events and many artistic endeavours. It was quite exhilarating to see what they have accomplished with the help of their teachers and many interested community members. They academic record is also spectacular. It reveals that small communities can excel regardless of their size and location.
It is essential for the life of a community to have a place where people can gather for a meal and a drink and to meet friends. Up until recently Enngonia didn’t have such a place but the new owners at the pub, The Oasis Hotel, with the support of the Uniting Church, have done modifications and now have a café style area where families can have a meal. They are also providing basic groceries as there is nowhere else to buy them in town. This has made difference to this small isolated place. It’s attracting people who haven’t ventured to Enngonia for years.

Innovation brings Capers

Julie:

I am constantly amazed at the innovation of farmers. Today I visited an older couple who have started growing capers. This is a plant that is a desert plant so doesn't need much water and grows on a small bush. There is not a great market for capers in Australia but then there aren't many growers either so there is a good return. It is fantastic to see farmers trying new things and adapting to the situation they find themselves in.
However I was just thankful that I wasn't the one who had to get down on their hands and knees and pick the capers! I suspect that if I had to make a living from it I would starve!

On to Ivanhoe

After packing up at Booroorban Danny and I made our way to Ivanhoe which is about a 260 klm journey. Ivanhoe lived up to form and was hot, windy and dusty. There was consternation fro the locals about whether the weather would permit us to have and out door event.
Danny Byrnes had faith the wind would drop and all would be well. Danny was right. People gathered at the oval and a crowd of some sixty people enjoyed the food, company and the movie, which was by the way , the World's Fastest Indian for those who have not read the previous post.
The highlight of the evening for young and old was the presence and presents of Santa Claus. I do not know whether it is because I am of a mature age but Santa reminded me of some one I know in both manner and bearing. It's uncanny that even Santa may have a double.
Thanks to Julie breakfast was catered for by the Uniting Church at the Ivanhoe pub. The numbers at breakfast were greatly diminished yet it was Saturday morning and people were probably sleeping in.
I am very encouraged by the people of Ivanhoe who are few in number and yet have a passion to support local events and enterprises. The proposed age care facility a project taken on board by the newly chartered Lions Club in Ivanhoe. Well done Lions and the people of Ivanhoe!

Kel Hodge

There Is A Pub

There is a pub called the Royal Mail Hotel about 60ks. south of Hay. I for one did not know about the pub and the people who gather there in the place called Booroorban.
Booroorban came into existence as a place where stock could be watered on the long journey north from the Murray to Hay and further on. Later on it became a Cobb & Co. stop where horses and people could be refreshed after the long dusty journey north.
It is still a place where people come to refresh themselves.It is not from the rigors of the road that they seek relief but from the trials of long lonely work in the paddocks and in the station houses surrounding the Royal Mail Hotel.
Last Thursday 4th December the Department of Primary Industries hosted a Christmas event that involved a barbie, a few drinks, some games in front of the pub and an out door movie show that featured the World's Fastest Indian starring Anthony Hopkins.
It was great night even after the brief shower of rain drove us inside to finish the movie.
After the every one called it a night Danny Byrnes (the DPI Drought Support Worker and event organiser), myself and the publican Mandy shared a nightcap in the quiet of the outback night. Mandy lamented the fact that it may not be possible to keep the pub open into the future because of financial viability. The Royal Mail Hotel which is kept in pristine order, could not provide an income because there are not enough locals left to make the pub and only gathering place in Booroorban a going concern.
I for one think it is worth lamenting the loss of small communities that link us to our past and still provide the haven of company every one needs.

Kel Hodge

Booligal sheep races

Booligal is a tiny village between Hay and Ivanhoe, which has a few houses, a school and a great sports ground. This year was the 10th annual sheep races. Over 300 people turned up to have a great time cheering on their selected sheep and in the process significant money was raise to help support the village. People travelled from all over NSW and VIC to join the locals celebrate their major community event, so if you are looking for a real outback adventure why not join them next Oct. Booligal sheep races 2009

A dinner in Bourke

Julie:

This week in Bourke saw the "Behind closed doors" conference which was organised by Links, a domestic violence organisation in the Orana Far West area. By all reports the conference when really well and I was lucky enough to attend the dinner with ABC presenter, Julie McCrossin, held in the brand new Back-o-Bourke cafe. Julie did a fantastic job of interviewing people who were attending and there were heart warming stories of some of the people who are receiving help. It was a great example of some of the good stuff happening in this part of the world.