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Photos and Video | The Young Witness

Photos and Video

It's that time of the week again when we take a look back at what's been happening in Young this week. Every week we compile our top stories from around the shire over the last seven days&nbsp;to form this photo gallery and keep you updated. This week's news summary&nbsp;is from December 29 to January 2, 2015. Previous galleries: The week that was, December 5. The week that was, November 28. The week that was, November 21.

WITH THANKS: Thanks to local paramedics Des Daley and Aaron Moloney, mayor John Walker, Barry Hambrook, Fire and Rescue NSW fire captain Ryan Terry, farmer John Fowler, nurse Lyle Brew, taxi driver Brian Wakeford, new mum and bub Sally Gamble and Maddison Mellross, Vicki Powderly, coming-to-a-screen-near-yousoon
Peter FitzSimons (taken specially by wife Lisa Wilkinson), Goodstart Early Learning students Noah Lewin (5) and Rory McRae (4), and Young police Constable Tom Marshall, Senior Constable Aston Williams, Constable Karen Williams and Senior Constable Brandt Riley for helping us wish our readers a happy New Year! 

LOOKING BACK: We look back at our major headlines of 2014.

Cyclone Christmas: A severe windstorm with 69km/h gale force winds savaged properties north of Young last Tuesday ripping out trees, damaging buildings, destroying gardens and keeping State Emergency Service volunteers busy. Ean Pollard, who lives on the Old Forbes Road, had trees uprooted, fences damaged, building roofs torn off, and a large feed silo damaged (pictured), resulting in a big clean-up on his property. Photo by Bradley Jurd.

BEYOND REPAIR: Thuddungra Hall also fell victim to the windstorm that struck north Young last week. Photo by Edwina Mason.

Two fires ignite over Christmas period: There was no Christmas break for local firefighters, who were called out to two fires - one that burned for two days - between December 22 and 26. Young NSW Fire and Rescue was called to a small grass fire at the rear of Tyrepower (pictured) in Lovell Street at 3pm on Monday, December 22. Lightning striking a tree in the Weedallion Moutain - about 12 kilometres south of Bribbaree - on Christmas Day has been blamed for the 120 hectare fire that ignited the following day and took two days for eight RFS brigades to extinguish. Photo by Bradley Jurd.

Speeding drivers a cause for concern: While police have detected a reduction in the number of people drink driving this Christmas season, they remain concerned about the significantly high number of speeding motorists statewide. Over the 11 days of the campaign, highway patrol officers have conducted 947 random breath tests (RBT) in the Young Shire, 57 speeding offences, one seat belt and one drink-driving offence and 17 other infringements. Young police officers also conducted an additional 1200 RBTs amid their general duties, detecting one driver with a mid- range PCA on Christmas Day. 


Graffiti vandals on the rampage: YOUNG police were kept busy over the Christmas break thanks to graffiti vandals who delighted in tagging the town. Hennessy Catholic College playing fields in Miro Street were the first to be targeted, then William Street, up Elizabeth into Brock Street and Molloy Place.

Councils not happy with consultant report: Young, Harden and Boorowa councils have expressed their disappointment with the draft report detailing their options regarding the proposed council amalgamations presented to them last month. They have now handed the consultant hired to investigate their options a mandate to fix the report so that it “more accurately and comprehensively” explains the options they investigated.

Cheers to 2015: Bec Jones, Sharon Norton and Jacqui Smith were among the crowds who toasted in the New Year around town on Wedneday. Vocalist Christie Lamb and her band provided the entertainment at the Young Services Club for the evening. Photo by Christine Speelman.

Riots feature in new SBS series: You may recall the rather formidible yet learned character Peter FitzSimons (pictured) descending on the town last year. For the two or so days he was in Young - distinguishable in either bush hat or trademark red bandanna - he wandered streets, rural roads, museums, gullies and even paddocks as part of his efforts to document the Lambing Flat Riots of 1861. This all explodes in full living colour on television screens this Sunday night when The Great Australian Race Riot premieres on SBS One at 8.30pm.

Twins 99 years young today: Born in Burrangong, January 2, 1916, twins Clare Wood and Mavis Eldridge today celebrate their 99th birthday. They grew up in a family of 16 siblings, with six boys and 10 girls. Clare’s earliest memory is going to school and paddling the creek to get there. She recalled her schooling in Burrangong being rather tough, as the school’s nuns used to tie her left hand behind her back and made her write with the right hand because left-handed people were frowned upon in those days. Photo by Bradley Jurd.


Goodbye to a warm year: The Young Shire has farewelled a warmer than average 2014, but it was a year that had the best autumn rainfall. Young’s average monthly temperatures for the year were recorded at least one to two degrees above the long term average, with October and November striking three to four degrees higher. This year was also slightly (one to two degrees) cooler than 2013 - except in October and November.

Spot the pothole and get it fixed: After recent rain, the National Roads & Motorists’ Association is calling on the Young community for help in identifying the worst potholes to get fixed. The NRMA is calling on motorists to visit the Fix My Street section of the NRMA’s new community hub – Speak Out – and upload photos and the exact location of potholes that have appeared following the recent heavy rain.

The perfect holiday activity: Grasshopper Soccer is coming to Young this month. It is a Canberra-based program which introduces children to sport while developing basic skills in a non-competitive environment. The clinic is open to boys and girls ranging from five to 12 years old. Head coach and former local Nicholas Broughton, Mr Grasshopper and Libby and Peter Broughton hope to see lots of support at the Grasshopper Soccer clinic on January 17. Photo by Elouise Hawkey.


A blast of a time: The countdown has begun for the Young and District Cricket Association’s Jason Sams Memorial Sevens Challenge, which is conducted over the Australia Day long weekend every year. The competition, which has been running for over two decades, has recently undergone a facelift and registrations are now open. Pictured is Scott Druett in action during last year’s sevens tournament. 

It's that time of the week again when we take a look back at what's been happening in Young this week.

Every week we compile our top stories from around the shire over the last seven days&nbsp;to form this photo gallery and keep you updated.

This week's news summary&nbsp;is from December 29 to January 2, 2015.

<a href="http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/2745058/the-week-that-was-december-5-photos/?cs=1792">The week that was, December 5.</a>

<a href="http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/2728898/the-week-that-was-november-28-photos/?cs=1792">The week that was, November 28.</a>

<a href="http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/2712863/the-week-that-was-november-21-photos/?cs=1792">The week that was, November 21.</a>

Anzac Day in Young | Photos

Rebecca Hewson

Locals from Boorowa will join with people across the country to pay their respects this Anzac Day. 

The ANZAC spirit

Anzac Day service times across the Hilltops

Carla Mascarenhas

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park. Picture: AAP 

Health Minister Ryan Park says work is 'ongoing' to deliver long-term solutions.

No respite: Government refuses to commit to funding paediatric clinics

Steve Evans

Officer Cadet Tom Delaney on the parade ground where he will march on Thursday. Picture by Karleen Minney.

Australian War Memorial parade ground rebuilt in time for Thursday's Anzac Day.

The sensual scrunch of the War Memorial's new parade ground

Police allege the street value of the cannabis was worth $78,000. Photos from NSW Police.

Reids Flat trio face drugs and firearms charges following search warrant

The week that was, January 2

The week that was, January 2: Photos

It's that time of the week again when we take a look back at what's been happening in...

The week that was, January 2

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