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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 last 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 January 26-30. Previous galleries: The week that was, January 16. The week that was, January 9.

TIME TO CELEBRATE: Young was the place to be on Australia Day - just where these two youngsters Cameron (6) and William (3) Woods will be - as the town celebrates its past and present. Young’s Australia Day celebrations kicked off in Carrington Park from 8.30am, with the official ceremony starting at 10am. Photo by Christine Speelman.	

Service earns Bill OAM: Former Young man William (Bill) Alfred Murray, now of Bulli, is among the 416 men and women in the country who received an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day.

Generous mum remembered: Friends of crash victim Narissa Fox (pictured with her daughters), who was relishing her new life in Young, have remembered her as a generous spirit who would do anything for her three young daughters. In light of the family’s ongoing medical issues, the need for counselling, funeral costs and the girls’ desire to stay in Young, family friend Lauren Colby decided to start a GoFundMe page, which takes donations to support the family. 

Arson accused granted bail: The woman charged over a fire at a Koorawatha home in December has been granted bail, after her lawyer told the court her actions were a cry for help. Cassie Henderson, 31, fronted Young Local Court on Tuesday facing charges of damaging property by fire, common assault and destroying or damaging property.

Back in time: This photo, taken in circa 1947, shows the contract workers in the early stages of the construction of the silos at the Young Roller Flour Mill Co-Operative in Lovell Street. 

Men’s Shed doing a good deed: With the help of the region’s Men’s Sheds - including Young - and the generosity of the public, Dubbo man Geoff Higgins is helping turn the lives of typhoon victims in the Philippines around. Mr Higgins put out a call for computers and sewing machines to be donated to the program. To date he has received close to 200 sewing machines - 11 of those from Young - and 645 computers. Photo by Ellie Hawkey.

Lions get ready to rumble: The Young Lions Soccer Club senior men’s and women’s squads have kicked off their 2015 campaigns with the commencement of preseason training this week. Pictured are Young Lions Soccer Club women’s team members Ashleigh Humphreys, Maddison O’Hara, captain Patricia Dawe, Jemma Long, Tammi Brewer and new coach Brett Humphreys are looking forward to the 2015 season. Photo by Ellie Hawkey.

Men's: Captain of the Young Lions Soccer men’s team David Brouwer and coach Mark Mellish.	

A great Aussie day out: Local identities and unsung heroes were honoured at Young’s Australia Day awards ceremony at Carrington Park, as well as in Wombat on Monday. Wombat celebrated with a variety of activities. Pictured are crowds lining the street in the village to cheer on the Australia Day street parade. Photo by Ellie Hawkey.

YOUNG CELEBRATES: Congratulations to Young's Citizen of the Year Gerry Bailey and Junior Citizens of the Year Isaac Northcott and James Cahill. They are pictured with mayor John Walker, Australia Day Ambassador Valerie Parv and council general manager Peter Vlatko. Photo by Daniella White.

CELEBRATING:  Young’s award-winning residents gathered after the Australia Day ceremony in Carrington Park. Photo by Daniella White.

Hey buddy it’s time for school: With nine children aged between 17 years and five months, it’s no wonder the Reynolds family from Young use a buddy system to help them get ready for school of a morning. And as another school year dawns - with three still aged under four years - nothing’s about to change any time soon for the local family. Classes for 2015 resumed in Young’s schools on Wednesday and Thursday. Photo by Christine Speelman.

Wombat celebrates: Wombat's Australia Day award winners were (back) Wombation of the Year Lee Daley, sportsperson Heidi Stevens, junior sportsperson Jesse Redmond. Front: Best Decorated Bike (boys) Jason Bailey, and for the girls Kelsey Loco. Photo by Ellie Hawkey.

CITIZENSHIP: Young hosted their citizenship ceremony at 9.30am on Australia Day, just prior to official proceedings. Proud new Australian citizens were Priyanka and Hitesh Rathi at the celebrations at Carrington Park. Photo by Daniella White.

NEW AUSSIES: New Australians Tatvika (2) and Silpa Chaparala  and Youxin Zhao, with Young mayor John Walker, were welcomed and celebrated in Carrington Park on Australia Day. Photo by Daniella White.   

Sports role models honoured: 2015 Senior Sportsperson of the Year Jessica McInerney - accepting her award from councillor Brian Ingram - was recognised on Australia Day for her devotion to sport and giving back to the community over the last four years. McInerney is currently a member of the Young League Tag squad, the Cherryettes, has played a strong role in the development of the Touch Football town competition, as well as being on a number of committees over the years. Photo by Daniella White.

JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON: Taking out the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award was 17-year-old Matt Murray who, like McInerney, gives back to Young’s sporting community in spades. According to deputy mayor Ben Cooper - who presented him the award - the talented sports person was an obvious candidate due to his achievements in numerous sports and his willingness to use his skills to benefit the community. Murray was praised for being an exceptional all-round sportsperson, extremely talented football player - rugby league, union and touch - and representing the Riverina in tennis, athletics, touch football and rugby league. He won the Weissel Medal in 2014 for Best and Fairest in the Under 18s for Group 9 and is currently trialing in the Under 18s Canberra Raiders squad. Photo by Daniella White.



Largest tournament in history: In what was the largest tournament in the Sevens history, with over 30 teams competing, it came down to the top 16 for Sunday's knockout section with net run rate proving the difference after the final two rounds on Saturday were called off due to afternoon thunderstorms. It was Can't Bowl There who bowled their way to victory. Among the eager participants over the long weekend were team Empire Sevens, consisting of (back) Shawn Murphy, Hugh Goee, Nic Langford, Ben Holmes, Ben Shipp, Blake Hewitt, Damien Major, (front) James Elphick, Jason Nolan, Tim, Josh and Sam Langford. 	Photo by Paul Neville.

ALL CLASS: Adding to the spirit of the Sevens were The Growlers - Justin Corkery, Ross Hewitt, Ronnie Tamsett, Brian Munn, Zac Smith and Charlie Grogan. Photo by Paul Neville. 

CELEBRATING: Beau Elsley celebrates after a catch on the Saturday of the annual Jason Sams Sevens Tournament. Photo by Paul Neville.

Aussie Day victory: Saturday’s downpour just after 1pm meant rescheduling the Australia Day Medal to Monday. While the Young Golf Club had a few less players than they had on Saturday, a special thanks to all Monday’s players and congratulations to Michelle Blizzard and ‘Pud’ Smithers for winning the major event.

5km from town, zero reception: Tracie Wells is one unhappy Telstra customer. She’s spent the last two months grappling with a series of issues that began with an unreliable internet connection, ended with no landline and all the while dealing with a poor mobile phone service. She lives just five kilometres north of Young on the Henry Lawson Way and come tomorrow she'll be expecting her fourth Telstra technician. Photo by Christine Speelman.


More patrols to fight death toll: Local police Sergeant Michael Madgwick and Sergeant James Prentice say they’ll be stepping up patrols on the region’s back roads after a disastrous start to the year that has included five deaths. The fatalities included a 36-year-old man who rolled his car in Bribbaree on January 4, a 21-year-old riding a motorbike who died after colliding with another car in Tumut on January 17, and a 38-year-old woman who was driving on Moppity Road, 20km southeast of Young on January 19. Photo by Daniella White.

Amalgamation report accepted: The final draft of the consultants’ report on the future of local government for Young, Harden and Boorowa has now been made public. The 103-page report was uploaded onto Young Shire Council’s website by 5pm on Friday. Mayor John Walker said Tuesday night’s workshop - where councillors met to discuss, review and accept the draft - produced a healthy discussion, but one with mixed feelings.

Schools welcome new principals: Young schools have welcomed two new principals this year with a third expected to arrive next term. Sydney man Chris Browne is now head of Hennessy Catholic College, replacing former principal Dr Peter Webster who departed last year. Photo by Christine Speelman.

STEPPING UP: Neil Muir was officially appointed Young Public School’s principal last October, after acting in the role for three months when Peter Blair retired. Alongside him will be Edwina Wymer who is the school’s new deputy principal after previously working as the school’s assistant principal. Photo by Christine Speelman.


2015 Donkey & Mule Show: Young played host to the Donkey & Mule Show for another year at the Young Pony Club grounds in the Young Showground over the Australia Day long weekend. Among the many competitors over the two-day event was tiny tot Grace Young who made her way around the arena with her donkey, Child’s Heaven. Photo by Paul Neville.	

Year of the Yabby: IT’S an exciting year ahead for the Young Yabbies Rugby Union Club as they celebrate 60 years. The club was established in 1955 in the then South West competition under the leadership of president the late ER Caldwell. According to club president Ben Reid the club has come a long way in the last 60 years, and has some big plans in stall to celebrate the milestone. This year the Yabbies hope to field a record number of sides with the addition of a women's sevens team - something that hasn’t been done since 1998 when they were known as the Yabbettes. Pictured: First Grade co-coaches Aaron Seaman and James Shannon, publicity officer Tim Findlay, secretary Fin Martin and president Ben Reid. Photo Elouise Hawkey.

Nominations due for seven-a-side competition: Prospective hockey players looking to play in this season’s Young Combined Hockey Association mixed seven-a-side hockey competition of a Sunday afternoon at the Sawpit Gully grounds are reminded nominations close on Tuesday,  February 3. Liam McLachlan, Dominic Zuzek, Archie Dwyer, Harry Zuzek, Alex McLachlan, Matthew Zuzek, Elliot Dodd, Kayla Gruber, Chloe Gruber, Tahlia Gruber and Haylee Gruber attended last Sunday’s training session. 

Can’t Bowl There 2015 champs: Jason Sams’ parents John and Kathy presented the Jason Sams Memorial trophy to captain of the winning team, Can’t Bowl There, Geoff Palmer. Event organisers Steve Connelly and Brendon Meyenell also attended the presentation. The Jason Sams Memorial Sevens Challenge is held annually in honour of the memory of Young man and keen sportsman, Jason Sams who passed away on January 27, 1993. 

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

This week's news summary&nbsp;is from January 26-30.

<a href="http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/2825803/the-week-that-was-january-16-photos/?cs=1792">The week that was, January 16</a>.

<a href="http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/2806862/the-week-that-was-january-9-photos/?cs=1792">The week that was, January 9</a>.

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

Rebecca Hewson

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

Curruthers clearing sale to clear the deck for new owners

Emergency services at the scene on Thursday. Photo Cara Kemp.

Passenger and pilot injured in Cowra airport emergency

The annual Heartbeat of Australia survey is a special collaboration between media company ACM - the publisher of this masthead - and the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre.

ACM Heartbeat of Australia logo_FINAL.png

Do our Heartbeat survey and you could win a $500 Eftpos card.

Australia, it's time we had a heart-to-heart. How are you feeling?

Veteran rouser, Mathew "Boycey" Boyce gets to work on Woody. Photo by Eliza Spencer.

Shorn the sheep: Woody finds new lease on life

The week that was, January 30: 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 30: Photos

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