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  If you thought it was warm overnight Sunday morning, you were not alone. According to data from the Bureau of meteorology, Sunday morning set a new hottest overnight November record for the Mudgee airport. The mercury dropped to just 21.8 degrees overnight, just beating the previous record set in 2003 of 21.5 While both Saturday and Yesterday saw temperatures in the high 30’s, a cool change is on the way today, before tomorrow returns to another day close to 40 degrees. The Weekend also saw the first TOTAL FIRE BAN for the central ranges fire district, which includes the Mid-Western Council area. Residents are being reminded that they should update their bushfire survival plans, and what the Total Fire Ban rules are, with all the details they need available at https://www.realfm.com.au/fire-rules-information

Work to deliver $50 million worth of projects and programs that improve the lives of people in mining communities across regional NSW will soon get underway, with round seven of the State Government’s Resources for Regions program announced yesterday. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro, announced 84 projects in 24 mining related LGA's will be funded by Resources for Regions round Seven. This includes 7 in the Mid-Western Area. Mr Barilaro says "under the revised round seven, 24 councils were allocated a base amount of $1 million, with a further $26 million weighted to the communities most impacted by mining." He says that he’s thrilled to see these projects get underway, not only helping create new jobs and drive economic growth, but also deliver lifestyle improvements to enrich the well-being of communities for generations to come. Mid-Western Regional Council will receive funding for: · An upgrade of the amenities at Cudgegong Wat

Western NSW Local Health District is urging parents to keep young children at home if they are sick, due to an unexpected outbreak of 'Gastro', particularly in childcare centres. Director of Public Health, Priscilla Stanley, says they’re “seeing a few spikes in the number of cases in the Bathurst, Mudgee and Orange regions.” Other advice includes for the “The best defence is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 10 seconds before handling and eating food, always wash your hands after using the toilet, changing nappies or assisting someone who has diarrhoea or vomiting. If you’re child is ill, it is recommended to keep them at home for at least 48 hours. Anyone recovering from gastroenteritis should avoid visiting hospitals and aged care facilities to avoid spreading the infection to those most vulnerable.     

Mobile Blackspot coverage will be expanded and improved across regional and remote areas, with round 5A of the Mobile Black Spot Program now open for applications. The guidelines for this round were announced last week with Minister Mark Coulton saying the Federal Government “want to support new ways of delivering mobile services to locations that have traditionally been less economic for mobile network operators.” He also says that “this round will also have a specific focus on improving mobile coverage along major transport corridors and in disaster-prone regions.”  Mobile network operators and infrastructure providers are encouraged to register their interest by Tuesday December 16.

Now confirmed for the fourth consecutive year, the NRL Charity Shield returns to Mudgee in 2021. The St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs will don the field at Glen Willow Stadium, with their clash to take place Saturday, February 27 next year. The annual pre-season runs as a four-year partnership agreed upon by Mid-Western Regional Council, Souths and St George, drawing sporting legends to the region.   (Image sourced: Mid-Western Regional Council Facebook)   Mayor, Des Kennedy, says he is excited to welcome the clubs back to play at it is a highly anticipated event for locals and visitors to the region. “The Charity Shield is an opportunity for fans to experience the atmosphere of an NRL game and see their heroes in the flesh, all against the backdrop of our premier stadium,” he says. The announcement made today was premature compared to prior years, due to the nature of pandemic conditions. Tickets to the event will officially go on sale from next month, with f

Three primary Mudgee school students have been named among the top performers across regional NSW for their achievements in mathematics. Over 17,500 year 5 and 6 students across 290 schools took part in the Newcastle Permanent’s 40th annual Primary School Mathematics Competition. Newcastle Permanent’s Branch Lending Manager Mudgee Officer, Sam Watson, presented the following winners with a special award yesterday. Recognition went to: • Mudgee Public School student, Grady Vitnell, taking out third place in the Year 6 division • Year 6 District Award winner is Mudgee Public School’s, Jessica Halbis • Year 5 District Award winner is Mudgee Public School’s, Alice Macdonald

The NSW State Budget was released on Tuesday by Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet. While no NEW funding has been announced directly for the Mid-Western region, a range of budget measures will have a direct effect on residents. As announced last week, $7.5m in funding will see the establishment of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Dubbo to treat people that have become dependent upon alcohol or drugs.  $15.3 million has been announced to continue planning for the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow. 15 hours of free preschool per week will be extended to the end of 2021, and all NSW residents will be given $100 worth of digital vouchers that can be used at eateries and on arts and tourism attractions across NSW. Every NSW resident, aged 18 and over, will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total - with the program designed to encourage people to spend multiple times to support their local businesses. Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders says that w

Families and young children in the Dubbo electorate and surrounds are able to benefit from a year of free preschool. Last week, the NSW Government announced a $120 million funding commitment for community preschools in 2021 that will allow more than 44,000 three to five-year olds attend the precincts. In support of the initiative, Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders, says it’s unfair for “people having to choose whether or not they can afford preschool as we continue to battle through COVID.” He also says it will be a relief “for children at preschool to know that regardless of their financial situation their child will be able to continue with their early education.”

  One Gulgong resident has expressed her continuing frustration at Dirty Water in Gulgong, telling 2MG that continues to be an ongoing issue for her area, more than 2 years after speaking to other media about the issue. Lisa also took to social media last week, posting two photos of brown water in her bathtub, saying she refuses to bath her newborn son in that water. Lisa goes on to say that the issue comes and goes.  Each time, she calls council, they flush the pipes, and the dirty water returns again within a few weeks.  (Photo: Supplied)   We put several questions to Mid-Western Regional Council.  They provided a written statement in reply. Council was contacted by residents in relation to discoloured water in an area of Mayne Street, Gulgong yesterday (Thursday, 12 November). An operator attended the site to investigate and commenced flushing the system to clear the discolouration. In the process of doing this, a hydrant being used to flush the system was tampered with by

  Senior Constable Barry Harris will now have more time to enjoy on the roads in our area, after retiring from the NSW Police force, with a farewell ceremony yesterday. Senior Constable Harris graduated from the Police academy at Redfern in 1981 and has been stationed in Mudgee since 1982, transferring to Highway patrol in 1983. Harris also served 7 years in the Special Weapons Operations Squad and was part of the hostage negation team from 6 years.   He says his retirement, on his 62nd birthday that it will be great to go back to being just “Barry Harris” He also says that while some things have changed, the main task has not, while also commenting on being the Local legend to watch out for. (Pictures:Supplied) 

All venues and businesses are now urged by the NSW Government to have a QR code digital sign in system indefinitely. For the more monitored system of keeping patrons safe, venues must have it up and running by November 23 or risk facing penalties. Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello, says “We can’t respond to a pandemic with paper, and We have to move away from the walk-in culture to the check-in culture”. He also says that more than 16-thousand businesses across that State have registered and are currently using the QR system, urging all others to do the same. Businesses can download a free NSW Government QR code and for customers to use the COVID Safe Check In through the Service NSW app.                                                (Image sourced: www.nsw.gov.au/news/mandatory-customer-check-for-nsw-venues)

The Dubbo electorate will become home to a detoxification and residential rehabilitation facility, for service to the Central and Mid-Western regional communities. The $7.5 million being spent on the rehab centre will be allocated in the upcoming NSW Budget.   ( Image sourced: https://dugaldsaunders.com.au/7-5-million-in-funding-confirmed-for-lifesaving-rehab-centre/) In making the announcement on Monday, Dubbo MP, Dugald Saunders, says “too many people in the community are either directly or indirectly impacted by drug addiction and the associated societal problems, and this is a huge step forward in providing access to services that will help people”. Joining the MP was Deputy Premier John Barilaro, saying “this center is an example of bridging the gap in health services between those living in the city and those in the bush.

  There was a disappointing roll up at the Mudgee Dragons Annual General Meeting on Saturday, with only eleven interested Dragons supporters, including four players, attending. A second AGM has been scheduled for Sunday the 29th of November at Club Mudgee starting at 2pm. All supporters and players are urged to attend this meeting to ensure the Dragons are viable for the 2021 season. Meanwhile, Group Ten held a meeting on Sunday and decided that at this stage there will be no change for the Group in 2021. Also on Sunday, NSWRL was also presenting a restructure to a meeting of Group 11, however they voted to leave any competition restructure changes until 2022. Group Ten is also considering if they will endorse an U-19s competition instead of the current U-18s competition. The restructure document also proposed a competition in February and March for either 19s, 21s or 23s, which Group Ten passed as a feasible option.  

The Rylstone Kandos Street Machine will not go ahead in 2021. Following a committee meeting over the weekend, the decision to cancel the January 2021 event was made, with a statement saying that due to the current COVID restrictions on events, the show would not be viable. A social media posts says that they have left it as late as possible to hopefully change the outcome, but with only 75 days the event, the decision was made.  

Nominations are now open for the Mid-Western regional Council’s 2021 Australia Day Awards, with residents encouraged to nominate those deserving in one of seven categories, including Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year. The region's Mayor, Des Kennedy, says anyone deserving should be recognised. "December 1st is when the nominations close, so if you think of someone who is doing their best, achieving things in sport, in citizenship or is a genuine giving person in our community; go ahead and nominate them for an award". Mr Kennedy also says that nominations can be done online via at yoursay.midwestern.nsw.gov.au or through a hard-copy nomination form which are available at Council’s Customer Service Centres and libraries. Nominees must be Australian citizens and must reside within the Mid-Western Regional Council area. Nominations close on 1 December 2020. Mid-Western Regional Council’s Australia Day Celebrations will still take place at Robertson Park Mu

  It's been confirmed that the Mudgee Toy Run will not be held for this year due to continuing pandemic restrictions. Although the run itself wont physically take place, people are still encouraged to donate new toys or gift cards to Mudgee St Vincent De Paul or Barnardos. Organisers of the Toy Run announced the news via Facebook, also posting that it was a hard decision to make, but with the uncertainty in the change of COVID rules, the volunteers decided it was imperative to protect the community. The post also added "Even though a small group of volunteers we feel it is imperative to protect our community and also the good name of the run, rather than jeopardise it with any possible connection to COVID. One year off will result in so many more to come. Please keep in mind we are NOT an organisation or registered in any form, we are a group of friends who enjoy getting this together each year, so please accept our decision with grace with no assumptions or re

The mobile BreastScreen Van will once again visit Gulgong between the 6th and 16th of November. The van provides free mammograms to eligible women aged between 50 and 74 and will be taking all necessary measures in relation to COVID-19 to protect staff, patients and the community.    (Image sourced: www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au) Meg O’Brien, Manager at Breast Screen NSW Greater Western says that Detecting breast cancer early increases the chance of survival while reducing the likelihood of invasive treatment, such as mastectomy or chemotherapy. To book a mammogram you can call 13 20 50 or visit book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

Communities impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires are now able to apply for funding under the $250 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the NSW and Federal governments. Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee, says the support will provide a social and economic boost to severely affected by the Black Summer bushfires. He says that our electorate of Calare was on the frontline, with communities such as Ilford and Running Stream, left devastated. Under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, grants of $200,000 to $20 million will be available to organisations such as councils, businesses, joint organisations, business chambers, charities, local Aboriginal Land Councils and State Government agencies. Examples of projects that could be funded include: Tourism campaigns and infrastructure that support social community development and economic recovery Community hall upgrades Fire resistant infrastructure and energy security infrastructure, such as solar power for

The Mudgee Chamber of Commerce have announced that a special business awards will be held this year as we continue to recover from a range of COVID measures. Ali Broinowski announced the awards with Ken Sutcliffe on 2MG over the weekend.  "We are introducing a one-off business awards, called 'Magnificent Mudgee', where we celebrate the businesses and showcase those that have thrived, pivoted and adapted with all the challenges from this year", she says. A total of eight categories will form part of these awards for 2020, including: - Hospitality, entertainment & tourism, - Health, wellbeing & lifestyle, - Trades & construction, - Retail, Community & volunteer services, - Personal & professional services,  - Entrepreneur and the Other — if nominee does not fit in with any of the above categories. A Presentation will be held on December 8th, with voting now open until November 27th, via www.mudgeechamber.com.au

  Patients at the Mudgee hospital are set to benefit after a recent donation from the Cudgegong Crusiers. Cudgegong Cruisers’ Vice President, Gary Goodman; and Treasurer, John Stuart, took delivery of a Visionflex camera on October 19 and presented the equipment to the hospital late last week. The General Examination Imaging System camera is a handheld device that captures medical-grade quality images and HD video for a wide range of examinations, meaning that healthcare professionals can connect remotely with a patient regardless of where they are located. Mudgee Health Service Manager, Caren Harrison, says that staff will mainly use the GEIS camera to perform detailed wound reviews on patients.