Festival fun: The first Lambing Flat Chinese Festival at Anderson Park came alive on Saturday with Chinese music, dancers, historic re-enactments, markets, a wine expo, Tai Chi demos, martial arts, Chinese fireworks and - who could forget - the spectacular Chinese lion dancers.

Town signs confer a Chinese welcome: Welcome signs positioned on major roads into Young went bilingual for the Lambing Flat Chinese Festival with the addition of a new panel written in Chinese.

Sport study in final stages: The investigation into the possibility of building multipurpose sporting facilities to stage regional and even state carnivals in Young is now in its final stages with SGL consultants – the firm appointed to conduct the Young Shire Sporting Needs Study – releasing a final questionnaire.

The clucky puppy sitter: Helping a busy mother of five by baby-sitting the kids while she takes a break sounds like the right thing to do, yes? Well, it is in the eyes of a hen who has taken on the responsibility of full-time baby-sitter of five one-month-old kelpie puppies at Tubbul every time their mother steps outside the kennel.

Debra our most outstanding student: YOUNG woman Debra Patterson was last week honoured with Young TAFE’s Outstanding Student of the Year award. She was presented with her award by Dennis Toohey, chairman of TAFE Riverina Institute Advisory Committee.

New auto course a winner: Six Young High School students were among those involved in Young TAFE’s first five-day automotive workshop last week. Year 10 Young High School students (left to right) Beau Reynolds, Bronson Piercy, Riley Edgerton, Nenad Jelinek and Bailey Martin loved the experience.

Guests flock to festival art exhibition: The Young Society of Artists Sculpture, Wood and Big Art Exhibition received a “wonderful” reception as part of the Lambing Flat Chinese Festival, attracting 240 visitors before the official launch of the festival.

Gowns a reminder of times past: St John’s Anglican Church held an exhibition of christening gowns last Saturday as part of their contribution to the Lambing Flat Chinese Festival. The exhibition featured gowns from organiser and parishioner Judith Langfield’s personal collection and included other local contributions.

Inquiry a step in the right direction: YOUNG and District Greyhounds Racing Club committee member Vicki Prest has welcomed the findings of a state parliamentary inquiry into the struggling industry. Young and District Greyhound Racing Club committee members Vicki Prest, treasurer Pam Grant and June Gibson at the parliamentary inquiry at Sydney in March.

Young hosts Western Junior League competition: Young’s Under 16s and Under 14s girls took on various regional teams over the course of the day when the town played host to one of the Western Junior League games in Round 3 at the Young PCYC.

Ladies Day: The Young Yabbies held their annual Ladies Day fundraiser celebrations at Cranfield Oval last Saturday, April 12 during Round 2 of the Southern Inland Rugby Union competition, which saw the home team take on the Wagga Waratahs.

Happy Easter: There were egg hunts and chocolate faces galore as the Young Shire celebrated Easter for 2014. Ivy (2) and Sybella (4) Murphy were looking forward to a visit from the Easter bunny this weekend.

Students’ hard work rewarded: St Mary’s Primary School said they took a storytelling approach to their dance which won them the crown in the Future Faces segment of Saturday’s Lambing Flat Chinese Festival.

West off to nationals: Tom West, from Bribbaree, is making a name for himself in the national arena for placing third in this year’s round of the Australian Tractor Pulling Association competition.

Home ground victories: The newest chapter in the Young versus Cowra rivalry was played out last Saturday in perfect conditions for footy, with the Young Saints AFL Club prevailing in both the Under 18s and senior games.