Real FM Local News

Mid-Western Regional Council is seeking feedback on the proposed location for the new bridge crossing to replace the existing river crossing at Dixons Long Point, connecting Mudgee and Orange. An assessment of the options for the proposed bridge crossing and road upgrades has been completed, in consultation with various stakeholders. Four options were proposed as part of the Feasibility Study with consideration to cost, constructability, flood immunity, and environmental and community impacts. A preferred option has been selected 1.5km north of the 4WD crossing due to reduced bridge length with flood immunity and fewer piers in the Macquarie River. Council’s General Manager Brad Cam says that plans of the proposed bridge location can be found on council’s website and is encouraging residents to have their say. Feedback is now open and will close on 30th November.  

  Western NSW Local Health District have reached an agreement that will see a visiting medical officer once again service the Gulgong Hospital.   In a statement to 2MG news, WNSWLHD say that they have reached an agreement for Dr Yahya to provide Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) services at the Gulgong Multipurpose Service.  WNSWLHD Director of Rural Health and Medical Services Shannon Nott says that it’s great news for the Gulgong community and that the finalisation of the contract is underway, with the Dr expect to start working at the hospital by the mid November.  He also confirmed that they are continuing to actively recruit to additional VMO roles at Gulgong MPS.  He does say however that recruiting health professionals to regional, rural and remote areas is a challenge nationwide and not just confined to our region.  Meanwhile, a spokesperson for WNSWLHD has also confirmed that an agreement has been reached that will permit ambulance officers to use their clinical judgement in dete

TAFE NSW Mudgee to further their careers in the growing wine sector, by offering a local course for a step up into the industry. TAFE NSW Sydney Wine Academy is delivering an internationally recognised WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, providing locals with an opportunity to develop their product knowledge, job skills and competencies with local and international grape varieties. Robert Stein Winery Director, Mr Jacob Stein said it was perfect timing for the course to be offered in Mudgee. He says “Mudgee’s tourism industry continues to experience growth during COVID-19 with Sydneysiders looking to escape to the country. As a result, employment opportunities in the wine and hospitality industry have increased,” The WSET Level 2 Award in Wines will occur over three days, 1-3 December at the TAFE NSW Mudgee.     (Image sourced: www.tafensw.edu.au/sydney-wine-academy)

One person was airlifted to Westmead hospital late on Friday, following a 3-car collision on the Castlereagh highway at Running Stream. Crews got the call around 5pm, with those arriving on scene finding that all people were out of the vehicles.   The incident stretched for 150 metres along the Castlereagh Hwy near Camerons Rd, Running Stream. Traffic on the highway was delayed into the night as the scene was cleared.    

Western NSW Health has been asked to explain why Gulgong remains without a Doctor at the MPS, and why the existing contract was not renewed. Dr Shannon Nott from Western NSW LHD told 2MG the previous contract was with a 3rd party company. "That contract was due for June, where we were undertaking contract negotiations. But unfortunately we have been able to continue through with it". He also told Ken Sutcliffe that there were some questions of the last contract. "We had challenges with the performances. Since February we have had significant decline in attendances while the contact's been in place". "The last time we were actually billed for any of the General Practice services was in April, despite the contract being in place". It was also revealed that a Doctor has been offered a contract to service the MPS. A full copy of the interview can be found on the 2MG facebook page.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to calls in our region late last week. The service was called to a serious single vehicle rollover at Coolah on Friday.  (Image sourced: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Service Official - Facebook) Ambulance NSW Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team stabilised the 17-year-old female driver and treating her for multiple fractures, before she was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition. The chopper was also called to another, and separate single vehicle rollover at Sandy Hollow, with a number of people injured. Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team have treated and stabilised a 18-year-old female and a 22-year-old male for multiple injuries, and were both also airlifted to the John Hunter.

As we get into the last quarter of 2020, Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders is seeking assistance to design his holiday greeting cards. He says that for many years now, primary school children across the region have been asked to submit drawings, with the winner to take pride of place on the card, which is delivered to hundreds of people and organisations across NSW. Last year the theme was “A Colourful Christmas”, but this year, Mr Saunders says that he wants the kids to show what Christmas in 2020 will mean to them after everything we have been through.                             Image sourced: https://dugaldsaunders.com.au/kids-to-share-their-christmas-wishes/ Entry is open to all primary school students who reside in the Dubbo electorate which includes the Mid-Western Regional, Wellington, Dubbo and Narromine areas. The winning entry will receive a $200 gift voucher to the store of the student's choice, second place will receive a $100 gift voucher with a $50 voucher f

  The Mudgee Mudcrabs head to the Central Coast this weekend for the Country Touch championships, competing in the Mixed & Women’s 30s divisions. Mudgee’s U-16 Junior cricket team play their first game in the Mitchell Council competition on Sunday, taking on Orange at Orange. Meanwhile local Junior cricket starts tomorrow the Junior Blasters & Master Blasters at Vic Park, U-11s Cahill Park, 13s Walkers, & U-15s at Glen Willow, games beginning at 9am. Round 1 of Mudgee Senior cricket will be played tomorrow, Paragon V Ori Bulls on the Glen Willow Synthetic, Kelly’s Irish Pub against Federal at Walkers. In Gulgong cricket tomorrow, Goolma at home to Centennial, Bowlers taking on Coolah at Billy Dunn. The Little Athletics season gets underway this afternoon at Walkers from 5pm, all athletes to be registered before participating. Round 2 of the Western Women’s Rugby league competition for the Midwest Brumbies will be played at Jubilee Oval tomorrow, the loc

Locals are being reminded to sign up to the Static Water Supply program if they have a pool, water tank or dam ahead of the upcoming bushfire season. Superintendent Michael Jay from Fire and Rescue NSW explains what SWS is all about. "It involves places with a decent amount of water that we can use, and we are keen to identify the houses that have any one of these structures to assist in our firefighting efforts." Fire and Rescue say that by signing up to the Static Water Supply program, you’re helping firefighters locate these vital water resources when they need it most, saying that your pool will only be used as a last resort. Superintendent Jay says that Static Water Supplies are required by ALL types of properties. "We're not just confined to those remote and rural properties, because what we have found, particularly in the last season's fires; is that the main town's water supply was effected so there was no usable water supply through the mains

Reece Oldfield has been named as the 2020 NSW Training Awards’ People’s Choice Award winner for Trainee of the Year. More than 6,500 votes over four weeks were placed for the People’s Choice Awards, with Reece taking out the top spot in the Trainee category. In 2017, Reece was awarded the Mid-Western Regional Council Young Citizen of the Year for his leadership skills and commitment to the Mid-Western region community. Reece who was employed by Skillset and completed his traineeship with host employer, Yancoal Moolarben Coal Operations, in January 2020 quickly secured full-time employment with the organisation. He says that his goal is to continually better himself and keep learning. Reece was also named as a finalist for the NSW Training Awards Trainee of the Year after being selected in the top six out of approximately 30,000 trainees state wide.    (Pic:Supplied)

Rural Crime Investigators from NSW Police are asking farmers and the public to make sure they report rural crime to police to ensure that those investigation the crimes have as much information as possible. Detective Inspector CAMERON WHITESIDE heads the RURAL CRIME PREVENTION TEAM and told 2MG that one extra piece of information could make the difference. "The reality is that the police may not know all the information at first, and once that information comes to us, the farmer is 99% right in knowing exactly who is committing the offense.  "But even an anonymous phone call to police or Crime Stoppers will help step up investigations," he says. He told KEN SUTCLIFFE that stock theft is NOT using big trucks, but smaller methods of transport. "Rest assured, they're being stolen from utilities, trailers, horse floats, and even gutted caravans". "Our local uniforms are also being trained to recognize when to pull over these type of vehicles during t

Investigations are continuing after a NSW Police vehicle was destroyed by Fire at Hill End last week. Emergency services were called to the Hill End Police Station about 1.30am on Friday Inquiries are now underway into the cause of the fire. There was no one at the station at the time. The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) confirms the death of a volunteer firefighter at Hill End in the Central West region. Jim Shanahan, a member of the Hill End Rural Fire Brigade, had returned to the station after attending a vehicle fire in Hill End when he suffered a suspected heart attack early this morning. Fellow volunteers provided initial medical assistance including the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. They were supported by NSW SES members, NSW Police officers and NSW Ambulance paramedics, however tragically Jim passed away. NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said the Service's condolences are with Jim’s family and friends, fellow crew, brigade members and the

The Australian Government’s Economic Recovery Plan is set to create jobs, rebuild our economy and secure Australia’s future, including in the Calare electorate according to the local Member, Andrew Gee. Mr Gee has told 2MG that it will create jobs and get more money in our pocket. "It's designed to create over 950,000 news jobs over a four year period, and it does that through Tax Relief with a tax cut backdated to the 1st of July this year."   "This means lower income earners will receive relief of up to $2,745 for singles, and for families it will be more than $5000", he explains. He says that employers who hire eligible new employees aged 16-35 will also be able to access the JobMaker Hiring Credit, and that Over 100,000 jobs will be supported through a record $110 billion investment in our infrastructure pipeline over the next ten years, including $9.8 million for Dixons Long Point Crossing. Mr Gee says that we could have the tax cuts in our back pocket

  The State government has announced that it will introduce laws to simplify rules for landowners seeking to mitigate bushfire risks on their properties and give the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner sweeping new powers to direct hazard reduction activities. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott says that the Rural Fires Act 1997 would be amended to allow rural landowners to clear up to 25 metres on their property from the boundary without onerous approvals. He says that the NSW RFS will also be given stronger and clearer powers to audit and address bushfire risks, ensuring public lands are treated the same way as private land holders. The NSW RFS Commissioner will have the power to issue Bushfire Hazard Reduction Notices to public authorities in circumstances where vegetation should be cleared to protect lives or property. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers has welcomed the additional powers. Meanwhile, the local Rural Fire Ser

The Mudgee Lions Club has confirmed the local Community Markets will not return for the rest of the year. Originally programmed for every second Saturday of each month, the Lawson Park based market has not been running since March due to COVID restrictions. The decision also means the popular December Twilight Markets have also been cancelled, and set to be rescheduled around the Easter period in 2021. The Lions Club will reassess the prospects of opening the markets once more in January next year, if circumstances improve, whereby there is little risk of compromising the health of residents.

The NSW Government has declared that a further 33 hectares of land around The Drip gorge and along the Goulburn River will be protected under a State Conservation Act.     (Image sourced: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au)   The Mudgee District Environment Group say that while this is welcomed news, this is only the first step in the process to excluding all mining activities. Marking the gorge as a state protected area does not completely protect it from mining and exploration practices. The local group is calling on boosting the status of the area to that of the Goulburn River Park status, to maintain the stability of sandstone cliffs along the river corridor.

    Former Longtime Mudgee resident, Cyril Blowes has died. Mr Blowes, who retired to the Port Stephens area in the early 80’s originally moved to Mudgee in 1938 from Orange to start a mercer’s business, which later become Blowes Clothing. Mr Blowes was also a one-time 25% shareholder of radio 2MG during the 1940’s & 50’s. Mr Blowes celebrated his 107th Birthday in April and also marked his 79th wedding anniversary to wife Pattie who this year turned 99 in March.   (Pic-Blowes website)

The events of last week provided this year’s year 12 students of Mudgee High with a memorable finale to their school lives. Rainbow Day on Thursday, saw multiple groups of students hit the main streets of Mudgee to raise money for The Vinnies Drought Relief Fund for NSW – which will help regional communities bounce back from the lasting effects of a dry season. Year 12 Coordinator, Adrian Couch told our newsroom that they were thankful for the amount of donations.   “A fair amount of our ro adside collections, in which we thank our Mudgee community for their involvement, as we didn’t know how things were going to play out due to the challenges”.  “So far from we’ve counted, we have raised over $10,000 for the bushfire relief,” he says. Mr Couch also says that the next step for the students is to help them prepare for the exam and celebratory period ahead. “As this happens at this time every year, a lot of our teachers give up their time and effort during the holiday break to