Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region.
Access unlimited content and the digital versions of our print editions - Today's Paper.

The Border Mail

The Daily Advertiser

Boorowa News

Cootamundra Herald

Eastern Riverina Chronicle

Harden Murrumburrah Express

Southern Cross

The Area News

The Irrigator

The Observer

The Rural

The Young Witness

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. Last week's news summary&nbsp;is from January 12-16. Previous galleries: The week that was, January 9. The week that was, January 2. The week that was, December 5.

Dainty dancer makes modelling nationals: A little local ballerina got to meet her dancing idol and qualify for the 2015 national semi-final of the California Kisses Australian Model Search, all in the space of a month. Seven-year-old Faith-Michele McMullen from Young had the opportunity of her young life to meet American child dance prodigy and entrepreneur Sophia Lucia who hosted a master class in Sydney in September. Sophia encouraged Faith-Michele to enter the junior model competition  for which she was among the 25 selected for the semi-final that took place on Friday on the Gold Coast.

MERCY RUMBLINGS: While the old Mercy Care Hospital sits empty and uninhabited up in Campbell Street, behind the scenes there is certainly movement afoot. Director of the Australia Agriculture Academy Greg Medway - who is looking to establish an agricultural college at the site - said they’ve been entertaining Chinese visitors almost on a weekly basis. Young hosted three separate groups of Chinese investors for the project last month and another group was due to arrive this Thursday. Negotiations are still continuing.

Goats a thing of 2015: THEY are the “new age pet” with the YouTube hits and cult following to rival Miley Cyrus. But 2015 is their year. The Year of the Goat, the eighth sign in the Chinese Zodiac, begins on February 19. The global celebration has given Young goat breeder Janelle Cooke, of Samittar Mini Goat Stud, a reason to smile. Janelle has been busily handraising a number of kids, and will soon welcome new additions to her 50-strong herd of specially bred miniature goats and mini milkers.

Young placement steers doctor’s path: Jessica King has become the first Aboriginal medical student to graduate from the Australian National University Medical School in December. And her plan is to eventually become a rural doctor. This plan solidified in Dr King’s mind after her placement in Young last year.


Watch out Tassie: Young’s Geoff Holt has been selected to represent the NSW Peet Kay team in bowls. The Peet Kay Trophy - which Holt will be competing for - is named after two state presidents who started the tradition: Rupert Peet, the Tasmanian president and William Kay, the President of the Royal NSW Bowls Association. This series will be the 108th test series to be staged between the two states, with two tests being held each year. Holt flies to Tasmania on Tuesday, January 27. Photo by Bradley Jurd.


New aqua class gets Young residents active: Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has started an aqua gentle exercise class in Young. The program for Young residents aims to improve access to safe physical activity, especially for older adults, and is delivered by trained and very experienced volunteer, Bev Walker.

WORTHY: Will Canellis was recognised by the Young Sports Advisory Committee for his selection on the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Under 15s Country squad.

TOP FORM: Hennessy Catholic College student Jonte Powderley was the recepient of a Sports Advisory Committee award for his efforts in cricket in 2014. 

ACHIEVEMENT: Young Public School student, Ben Schofield, received recognition from the Young Sports Advisory Committee for his achievements as a PSSA Golf Championships team member in 2014.

TEAM EFFORT: Young High School’s Under 13s Rugby League team were also recognised by council for their efforts during 2014. 

Rain a relief: Recent falls of rain have offered relief to many in the district - none more so than the local farmers. The rain recorded at the Bureau of Meterology’s Young airport weather station up until January 13 indicated a total of 29.4mm had fallen in Young for the month. It’s the best January rainfall in two years. Young grazier Jim Gordon (pictured) recorded 51.25mm had fallen on his property in Milvale Road. Photo by Christine Speelman.

Councillor pushes for CCTV to help police: There’s been a renewed call for more CCTV cameras on Boorowa Street to help police fight crime in Young. Councillor John McGregor tabled the idea at council’s December monthly meeting. He wants council to consider allocating upwards of $50,000 in the May/June budget.

Reader unhappy with ACCC response: The Young Witness has taken on the advice of outgoing NRMA director Graham Blight and has been publishing the fuel prices every day between Monday and Friday, starting last week. It's their bid to help local motorists find the cheapest fuel in town and influence people power to bring regional prices down.

Local couple’s insurance battle: One local couple Greg and Jan Broderick were locked in a David and Goliath battle with an insurance company after their 1968 brick veneer garage suddenly collapsed in September last year. They were gobsmacked to discover their insurance company, Apia, was refusing to cough up for the repairs, claiming the roof collapsed due to general wear and tear. Apia has since agreed to cover the costs. Photo by Daniella White.


Veterans more aware of taxi service: It’s been four months since Young Radio Cabs hosted a special information session to better inform local veterans of their entitlements when catching a taxi to see a doctor. And so far the feedback and responses have been very positive, said Young Radio Cabs president Mark Flynn. He said they’ve picked up an extra five or six people who use the cabs now, who previously had to arrange someone to take them to the doctor. Photo by Christine Speelman.


Kids on the loose at the PCYC: Patrick, Timmy and Daniel Butcher show some brotherly love at the PCYC during the school holiday vacation care this week. Photo by Bradley Jurd.

‘Pickers on the move: Matt Wakefield, Casey Wall, Jake Walker, Jake Veney, Will Scott, Kyle Richens, Sam Hardy, Jake Rudd and Luke Branighan aren’t wasting any time in preparing for the 2015 season. Photo by Elouise Hawkey.

Fitness blues a thing of the past for rugby league club: Off-season fitness blues will be a thing of the past for the Young Cherrypickers who already have over a month of fitness training to their credit. First Grade captain/coach Luke Branighan (centre) acknowledged a lack of fitness disadvantaged the club in 2014 and as a result he brought preseason training forward a month. Photo by Elouise Hawkey.

PLACE GETTERS: A few less players than normal participated in a single stableford sponsored by Kidz Collection. Dave Taylor (right) won with 39 points on a countback from Joel Shields also on 39 points.

A nation first comes to Young: American fitness instructors brought a new program to Young last week, the first ever to be used in Australia. The WholyFit program was held at the New Life Church premises from Tuesday, January 6 and finished on Saturday, January 10. Why it came to Young first was because the local church made contact with the instructors and offered their premises to conduct the new program.  Photo by Bradley Jurd.

Croquet members shine at awards luncheon: Club competition awards were presented to the winners at the annual Christmas luncheon at the Empire Hotel in December. Among them was Dorothy Shepherd (right) who was named Most Improved Player. She was presented her award by club president Leona Druett. 

HOT SPOT: It’s been two years since the Young skatepark opened, amid some opposition, and it seems it remains a hot spot for local kids. Nick Bradstock, 15, was captured taking a spin on his scooter this week. Photo by Bradley Jurd.

Campaign continues: THE Young Witness has been lauded by the NRMA for its campaign highlighting the prices of fuel in the town. The campaign - which started last Monday - has already seen the price of fuel at some bowsers in town drop an average seven cents per litre. It came in response to drivers despairing at an average 109 cents per litre metropolitan prices compared to the 134.9 cents per litre being charged locally.

Bribbaree lad farewelled by 500: IT was fitting that Bribbaree Memorial Hall was the last place Paul West would be with his family and friends. As the hundreds who gathered at the communal meeting place at the heart of the village centre came to know - it was Paul who spent hours painstakingly restoring the hall to its former glory. The 36-year-old lad, without a doubt a larrikin in everyone’s eye, died as the result of a single motor vehicle accident on January 5.

Singers gear up for Tamworth: In the words of Slim Dusty, two local youngsters are among those packing their guitars and “walking the country mile” to this year's Tamworth Country Music Festival (CMF). The festival, which kicks off today until January 25, will see 18-year-old rising singer/songwriter Sami Cooke host her first CMF ticketed shows, while 12-year-old Harry Cleverdon will make his debut busking.

Families needed urgently: Not-for-profit student exchange organisation AFS is urgently looking to talk to families who are interested in voluntarily hosting an international exchange student for eight weeks to 11 months.

Local woman sew willing to help: “When I saw the burnt koalas on TV, I got so upset,” Milvale woman Jennifer Duddle said. The effects of the devastating bushfires in South Australia compelled this animal lover to show her support by sewing mittens for the paws of injured koalas. 

Young to host ground-breaking League Tag carnival: Group Nine club Young are preparing to host a ground-breaking League Tag carnival in an effort to enrich the sport’s landscape within the Riverina and across the state. The lucrative March League Tag Carnival, offering more than $2500 in prizes and has had a good response so far, is open to all League Tag players registered with Country Rugby League. Young’s Nikita Bruce, Jess McInerney, Renee McGovern, Kristy Murphy and Katelyn Smith are getting ready for Young’s first League Tag carnival set to attract quality players from all over the state. Photo by Elouise Hawkey.

Home town grand final clash: The Doug Wright Shield final was a Young derby - played Saturday - with both the Blues and Coyotes going through their respective pools undefeated. The last pool matches were played the previous Saturday and the Blues and Coyotes showed why they are the top two teams in the short form of the game with big victories over Canowindra and Valleys. Pictured is Young Coyotes’ Geoff Palmer.

F-Troop takes runner-up title: On the second weekend of January F-Troop played in the Cootamundra Unisex Touch Football Carnival. The team played three early games on Saturday, January 10, taking easy wins against their opponents, with the closest game being 11-2 against a Cootamundra team. They qualified for the grand final but went down 6-2 to a coastal side.

High achiever: Young gun Kate Edwards (nee Schiller) has been recognised by the Young Sports Advisory Committee for her achievements in clay target shooting during 2014. Edwards won the ladies High Gun Championships at nationals in April. Photo by Elouise Hawkey.

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

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.

Last week's news summary&nbsp;is from January 12-16.

<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>

<a href="http://www.youngwitness.com.au/story/2794270/the-week-that-was-january-2-photos/?cs=1792">The week that was, January 2.</a>

<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>

Jonathan Hawes

Tamworth hospital's paediatric ward is getting additional resources to tackle the region's six-year long wait times for care. Will they be enough? Picture by Peter Hardin

Two initiatives for improving children's health are underway in northern NSW.

What is happening to address the shortage of paediatric services?

Hannah Neale

David McBride speaks to media outside court on Monday. Picture by Hannah Neale

Whistleblower's conduct 'honourable', lawyer says.

McBride's theft of 207 classified files 'dangerous': prosecutor

The editors of ACM's 14 daily newspapers have appealed to their thousands of social media followers to show their support for local journalism as Mark Zuckerberg's Meta devalues trusted news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms.

Don't rely on an algorithm to show you real news: ACM editors

Before Meta blocks news in your feed, here's how you can support journalism

Rebecca Hewson

Hit and run accused appears in Young Local Court

Carla Mascarenhas

Molly Ticehurst's death in Forbes sparked calls for action on addressing domestic violence in regional NSW. Picture supplied

Regional NSW is more dangerous for women than Sydney.

Revealed: the worst local government locations for domestic violence

Bageshri Savyasachi

Defence Minister Richard Marles toured Ukrainian defence sites on Saturday. Picture supplied

New assistance comes amid 'unrelenting' Russian attacks.

Australia will send $100m in weapons and combat tools to support Ukraine

The week that was, January 16

The week that was, January 16: 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 16

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Get the latest Young news in your inbox