Congratulations to Thomas Large who represented our school and the Western Area at the NSW All Schools Selections held at Yamba Golf Club from the Monday, June 24 - Friday, June 28.

The weather played havoc on the first day, however the players continued through it and played on. The Western Team finished sixth overall. Well done Thomas.

Congratulations to Halli O'Brien who represented our school and the Western Area at the NSW All Schools Squash Selections held at Thornleigh from the Tuesday, July 2 - Thursday, July 4.

Halli won all of her games in the team's event and the Western Team secured the gold medal. Individually Halli finished sixth in the U15 Girls. Well done Halli!

Windy Day at Rylstone Markets

With outside stall holders holding on to their marque covers, the stalls inside the Rylstone Memorial Hall had the best sites. On stage 'Bushrock' played popular tunes entertaining the shoppers. A new stall attracted lots of interest. 'Mandala Designs', run by Kerin Burns where images are printed onto material, paper, coffee cups, etc by applying heated vinyl. The stall attracted a crowd of people, who were captivated by the process.

The Kandos CWA Pop Up Café

"One day each week when we offer our food to the unsuspecting public in our updated building just off the main drag. Simple meals, home cooked, eat in or take away. The money raised will help us with our fundraising and also support Barnardos, who we are endeavouring to assist with a regional safe house for families who have experienced domestic violence. Initial discussions amongst CWA members indicate that this will be an interesting and entertaining endeavour. We already have a spectrum of opinions - from those who are pragmatic with "blokes like baked beans" to those with aspirations of becoming the new Nigella. Spruiking for our own reality show has been proposed and I believe one or two members are approaching Kim Kardashian for contract advice. Teabags versus teapots is sure to be on the agenda and the savoury mince has already become a hot topic. Anyway, life is never boring in Kandos and this looks like it will be a great addition to our community and an opportunity for more locals to engage with our convivial and growing CWA group." Last Tuesday the Kandos CWA served lunch in it's Jacques street meeting rooms. Sitting inside or outside in the beautiful sun, was just lovely. The menu was pumpkin soup, curry mince with pappadums and chutney, toasties, baked potato with sour cream and shallots, baked beans and cheese, bacon and onions, cakes, slices, scones with tea and coffee. Main meals are $6, soup $4, cakes $3 and tea and coffee $2. The new CWA kitchen design works well and the lunches will be happening on every Tuesday 11.30-2.30pm.

NAIDOC Week Open Draws Big Crowd in Kandos

The opening of NAIDOC week in Kandos began slowly as people filtered into the Kandos Museum grounds. Peter Swain of the Dabee Tribe of the Wiradjuri people, prepared his coolamon by damping paperbark on the inside and asked nearby people to begin stripping the leaves off various branches for smoking in the coolamon. Shoes and socks were removed to feel Mother Earth and 'Kandos Cement' said Peter. Emma danced with supporting women for the cleansing ceremony. Women shuffled, men stomped to bring up the dust to cleanse the ground for the ceremony. Ochre was passed around for the women to paint the inside of their arms and men to paint their faces. Peter added hot ashes to the coolamon. People added dry leaves and twigs creating flames to which they added different green leaves. Peter stated, "Fire bring s new life. Fire brings new grass. The T-tree is used for medicine and healing the scars of the past, the bottlebrush for opening the mind to help you think to open your mind to the future, together we are creating a new future life, finally we put on cleansing eucalypt for our elders and ancestors. Peter went from person to person with the smoking coolamon saying, "Together we have created the smoking. To the feet. To the heart. To the head. We are all connected to Mother Earth. Thank you." The large crowd then moved to the museum for refreshments. The ceremony was very interesting and conducted in a dignified manner.

David's Diary