Edition 15 - October 2012

Hay Show Photos, Hay Cutters Victory, Trainee Success, Skate School, Cranio Awareness Day, Parra’s Story continues

Alix McFarland’s photography of the Hay Cutters Rugby Union Grand Final win More of Alix’s action photography on page 8

Report by Laura Strano - GTES

School Based Trainee’s and Apprentice’s are not something you hear about often, but when the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) came out with a Pilot Program last year to place a number of School Based Trainee’s within selected NSW branches, Hay was

a location they selected. You will all know her as Maddie from the bank by now, but Madeline Schiller in fact is a School Based Trainee with GTES & the CBA. Despite a School Based Traineeship

usually being for the duration of years 11 & 12, Madeline commenced hers at the completion of year 11 in November 2011! She has taken on the commitment of

TAFE, 100 compulsory work days and her HSC! GTES – Group Training & Employment Specialists – is a not for profit organisation

that recruits, manages and employs apprentices and trainees and leases these employees to what is called the Host Employers (eg. Commonwealth Bank).

For the duration of Madeline’s traineeship GTES have been her legal employer and our dedicated School Liaison Officer, Laura Strano, has been working with Madeline as a mentor through all aspects of her traineeship as well as working alongside the

CBA to meet the needs of both the employee and host employer. When Madeline started her traineeship, Sarah Young, CBA Branch Manager knew we had made the right decision as Madeline has been a dedicated, hard working

employee, committed to TAFE and meeting her 100 days at work, as well as working toward her HSC!

GTES recently hosted their annual GTES Apprentice and Trainee Awards. With a total of 260 apprentices and trainees, they believe that recognition is the best form of

motivation! Any apprentice or trainee can be nominated in their category by their Host Employer or they may nominate themselves. Madeline was nominated by Sarah at the bank and was later selected as a finalist! It is a phenomenal achievement to be

nominated and selected as a finalist – she has proven once again that this is what she wants to be doing!

Madeline and Sarah both made the trip to Wagga on 24 August and enjoyed a fantastic night with other finalists, VIP guests and GTES staff. Madeline was presented with a certificate and trophy for becoming a finalist at the gala ceremony.

The School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship program is a great way to get a head start in a trade or to gain a qualification while completing your HSC! You will also, in a number of trades and qualifications, be able to sit a HSC exam to

go towards your ATAR! GTES will assist employers in recruitment, management and payroll for the duration of the School Based program and will

ensure you have a hassle-free, no fuss experience in working with a School Based Apprentice or Trainee! It is a great opportunity to strengthen the local community by employing a local student in a position that will not only give

them a head start for their post school careers (whether university work or continuing in the apprenticeship), but will provide you with a great quality employee who you will be able to work with even after school ends.

Carrying on from this success Hay CBA is offering another school-based traineeship - Details at the branch.

If you are looking for a part time employee, or would l ike to know more about the School Based Apprentice and Trainee, please call Laura Strano of GTES on (02) 6923 3000 or alternatively you may call 0409 593 740.

Pictured: Maddie Schiller with CBA Hay Manager Sarah Young

Pic: GTES

Tell your agent you want your property advertised in two7eleven magazine to increase

exposure to potential buyers!

Full page, full colour ads $155 / month Quarter page, full colour ads $88 / month

All ads featured in online photo galleries

free of charge

Becky Lund recently organised a Craniosynostosis Awareness Day with over 100 people enjoying the day in

the sunshine, which raised $3096 for the research organisation “The Jigsaw Foundation”

Becky’s inspiration for her fundraising efforts is daughter Caitlyn, puctured at right.

Generous donations from over 50 local business houses from Hay, Griffith, Deniliquin, Booligal & Maude helped

Becky host such as successful day, which involved dress-ups, hot food, jumping castle, face painting, airbrush

tattoos, continuous raffles, and performances by local singers.

Thanks to Anna Lauer of AK Lauer Photography and Becky for these pictures

Hay Cutter Rugby Union Club recently won the Romano Cup in the Southern Inland Rugby competition,

defeating Griffith Blacks and topping off a very successful season. Alix McFarland captured all the action of the day and has shared her photographs. Top Right: David King & Hugh Burnham Right: Charlie Wythes Below Left: James McLean - Right: Ed McFarland & Will Schiller Bottom Left: Andrew Boal & John Porter - Right: Team Captain Ed McFarland Visit Alix McFarland Photography of Facebook

A skate school was held at the start of the school holidays, in response to local students requesting a visit by the Totem Skate School. The day, sponsored by Hay Shire Council, was well attended, and has revived interest in our skate park,

just in time for the warmer weather. Additional pictures can be found on the two7eleven Facebook page

Ingredients 2 cups pretzels, crushed in food processor until almost dust 1/4 cup butter, melted 400g cream cheese 1/4 cup fresh strawberries half a cup of strawberry jelly crystals mixed with 250ml of hot water Method Mix together the jelly crystals and hot water and put in the fridge to chill. Line a cake tin or small ramekin dishes with plastic wrap overhanging the edges (so you can lift the set pies out). In a bowl, mix together the crushed pretzels and melted butter. Press into the base of the pie dishes. Put in the fridge to set while you prepare the filling. Beat the cream cheese till softened. Slice the strawberries into quarters. Spoon the cream cheese on top of the pretzel base. Smooth the top with the back of a metal spoon. Arrange the strawberry quarters on top. Pour the cooled jelly on top of the strawberries up to the top of the mould. Put back in the fridge to set firm. Serve with a dollop of fresh cream.

The right dressing can launch your humble salad ingredients into a conversation starter at your next

BBQ. Try these simple yet tasty recipes

Asian Dressing 1 tablespoon mirin (low-alcohol Japanese wine) 1 1/2 tablespoons Japanese rice vinegar 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon caster sugar 1 tablespoon extra-light olive oil Place all ingredients in a bowl or jar and combine well. Leave at least 10 minutes for flavours to develop Mustard Dressing 2 tbs white wine vinegar 1 tsp wholegrain mustard 1 tsp brown sugar 160ml (2/3 cup) olive oil Salt & freshly ground black pepper Whisk vinegar, mustard and sugar together, then slowly add oil in a steady stream, while still whisking well until the dressing thickens slightly. Season with salt & pepper Spicy Chili Dressing 2 tsp olive oil 2 tbs lemon juice 2 tsp finely chopped chilies Salt & pepper to taste Combine ingredients in a jar and shake to combine. Increase or decrease the amount of chili, depending on how fiery you like your dressing Creamy Tarragon Dressing 60ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil 2 tbs sour cream 3 tsp white wine vinegar 1/2 tsp caster sugar 2 green shallots, ends trimmed, finely chopped 1 tbs finely chopped fresh tarragon Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste Combine ingredients & serve immediately or refrigerate

1. 1 Pair of flip-flops 2. 1 Spool ½ inch ribbon 3. Lots of beads in

assorted sizes 4. Tiny seashells 5. Hot glue gun 6. Needle and thread

Place a small amount of hot glue on the outside of the flip flop strap at the base and attach the end of your ribbon. Continue wrapping your ribbon around the straps on your flip-flops until they are completely covered. Add small amounts of hot glue to hold your ribbon as you go and secure the end when you are finished with hot glue as well. Take your ribbon again and wrap it around and back and forth across the center “V” of your flip-flops to fill in, then you’re ready to start adding your beads. Add your beads one at a time sewing them on, (Tip; put a small drop of hot glue under all of the large and medium sized beads as well as the seashells before sewing them). Stitch through each bead twice to secure before going on to the next bead. Add pedicure!

Peter - Photographs from Parras private collection

Chapter 9

THE MOTEL BECOMES A

REALITY

‘Build it and they will come’

Kevin Costner….

Field of Dreams

After the purchase of the Hotel was finalised, we set our sights on obtaining finance to construct the Motel on the adjoining block.

We had plans to put up 17 units – in two stages – with the first to contain 12.

The ANZ Bank, surprisingly, had said that it did not consider the Town needed another Motel – and it was not a feasible proposition.

Didn’t need another Motel!!!

Even Blind Freddy could see the need for more accommodation.

At the time, the district was serviced by Hay Motel, The Ringer (now the Bidgee), the Cobb Inlander, and the Crossing Place (now the Nicholas Royal).

Being located on the main Highways from Adelaide to Sydney, Adelaide to Brisbane, and being a good distance from the major centres of West Wyalong and Narrandera, we couldn’t think of a more pressing need for a Motel.

Once a town gets known for having plenty of accommodation, travellers will

despite have a brief flirtation with ‘off shore money’ through Swiss Banks.

Thank God, we didn’t go off shore.

A lot of property owners in the district had financed land purchases with Swiss Francs, and ended up paying a lot, lot more than if they had stayed with Australian finance.

I am a great believer in the old saying, that "If something looks too good to be true, it usually is".

Swiss money was available at interest rates of 3 – 5 % compared to the 17% on shore. The Swiss Franc was low against the Aussie Dollar, but it soon caught up.

When I think about it now, I think how lucky we were to be conservative. Someone was definitely looking after us. It could have ruined us and sent us broke.

We went to the Commonwealth Bank in Hay, where Allan Ling was the Manager and he in turn referred us to The Commonwealth Development Bank for finance.

The Commonwealth Development Bank finance officer was Bill Kent, from the Griffith Office. He told us that he

book in and stay. If accommodation is scarce, they move on to another town

Our Motel construction went along at the same time as Mick and Patty Kehoe were building the Bishops Lodge Motel in South Hay.

We figured the Bishops Lodge Motel would not affect our targeted market.

It was in South Hay and more a Catchment Area for travellers going along the Sturt Highway.

We were looking for guests travelling from Adelaide to Brisbane and vice versa, as well as the commercial travellers who liked to be in walking distance from the two Clubs, and the Hotel.

The building work was under the supervision of Kevin’s cousin, Gavin Goldspink. The building took about three months from the day the first brick was laid in April until the official opening on August 27 - a couple of weeks before the Bishops Lodge was opened.

Gavin did a great job, and the Twelve unit Motel was a smash hit. It even exceeded our expectations.

The financing of the Motel again had a few hiccups. We went through the Commonwealth Development Bank,

was confident that the money would come through.

However, after getting our hopes up it was initially knocked back. Bill got onto the phone to his superiors in Sydney and convinced them the Motel was beyond risk – it was a definite goer – and the Bank changed its mind

We had Daryl Forbes-Taber, an architect from Wagga draw up the Plans, and after deciding on the bricks, tiles etc, signed contacts for the building of our dream.

Pat Honeyman started the ball rolling, cleaning up the old block, and the work commenced next week.

The concreters laid the slab, and then the carpenters and brickies got to work. The Motel building didn’t take long. We were lucky with the weather and the Motel shot up. The furniture arrived and on August 27, 1987 we opened our doors for business.

The first customers at the Motel, were the Dwyer brothers from Wagga. One was Michael, and I think his brother’s name was Patrick.

There have been thousands of guests at the Motel since them, and I often wonder how the ANZ Bank would feel now after knocking back the initial request for finance.

You see some funny sights in a Motel and some funny things get left behind.

We had a couple do midnight flits without paying, and had the odd cheque bounce, but generally people are good. I loved the Motel life and the meeting of new people every day.

We had famous people stay with us, from politicians to entertainers and sporting people and also some weido’s. The Motel industry is a hospitality industry – and you have to take people on trust and face value. It was the ordinary people that supported us – and many became our friends.

Sometimes you get to be like Basil Fawlty – especially when people tried to sneak pets into the room.

One of the more amusing incidents happened just a few weeks after we opened.

We had a couple stay with us whilst they had a car being repaired.

I delivered a serve to the Team Manager in the morning and did an inspection for damage before letting them on their way.

I should have, but I didn’t, informed the South Australian Baseball Association of their behaviour. Beats me why they booked into a Motel. They would have been better off parking the bus down by the River and letting their hair down there. No wonder the team failed to make an impression in the Championships.

We had excellent feedback from our guests, and we had the reputation of being a good Motel. Word of Mouth praise is very valuable – a good as advertising in major media.

We finally sold the Motel to the Nish Family after 10 years and 73 days.

In the end, it was a relief to finish with the 6 am starts, and late finishes. The Motel was a great experience – and gave us a very comfortable return for our investment.

It is an experience that I would do all over again.

‘Goldy’ had a mate visit, and took him over to show off our new ‘pride and joy’.

He took a master key and opened the door of one of the rooms.

It happened to be the only occupied room, and the guests were indulged in what is referred to as a ‘matinee’. I don’t know who was the most embarrassed – Goldy or the guests.

But, red faced, they all had a laugh about it, and they (the guests) returned a year later –mentioned it - and still laughed about it.

I remember one morning opening a room door to strip the beds, just as a female guest was hopping out of the shower with only the radio on.

I had picked room 4 instead of room 3. It is a good reminder to keep the latches on doors in Motels.

I know who was the most embarrassed then. I had to get Pat to ring up the room and apologise to a laughing husband.

But it was certainly not a laughing matter for me - or the poor woman concerned. It made me feel sick all day.

The worst group we had stay overnight with us was the South Australian Under 19 State Baseball representative team travelling home from a National Championship.

From the Team officials down, the group was a real pain in the backside with no respect for anyone or anything.

The group had no discipline and ran amok in the rooms and in the Motel Court yard all night. I told them to settle down – or get going, and at about 4 am they finally settled. They don’t know how close I was to getting the Police. They went on like absolute drop kicks, and would not listen to reason.

...the guests were indulging in what is referred to as a

Chapter 10 Anticipation

John had told her to get some sleep, but she could not obey. Excitement raced through every nerve of her body, as she thought of what had happened that morning. God had stepped into her life, transforming night into day. Before she did anything else, Izumi got down on her knees, and closed her eyes. "Dear God, thank you, so much, for John. Please make me a good Christian. And most of all, thank you for not forgetting me." Standing up, she danced around the room, careful not to make any noise. Suddenly, a terrible thought came to her. She opened the door to the adjoining bathroom, and peered into the mirror. Izumi let out a small groan. The white sheet that covered her bed, had not been removed before she fell asleep on it the night before. A thick layer of fine dust had settled on top of the sheet, and to her dismay, had coated her face, her hair, and the slept- in school uniform. "What he must think of me!" exclaimed Izumi out loud. She had a lot of work to do before eleven o'clock. Tip- toeing down the hall, Izumi unstacked her suitcase, and returned to her room. First removing the dirty white sheet, Izumi lifted the suitcase onto her bed. She opened it, shaking her head. She had packed so hurriedly, that not many items of clothing had made it to America. Strewing the contents on the bed, she pulled out her socks, an old nightgown, and a beloved doll. She soon discovered, to her dismay, that everything else was "junk." "God, please help me," she silently pleaded. Returning to the bathroom, Izumi decided to clean what she could help. She hand- washed her clothes in the bathroom sink, and took a bath, for there was no shower. She got into her old nightgown and hung her wet clothes in the sunlight of her room.

"If only I didn't have to wear my school uniform, today, of all days!" she exclaimed. She thought of opening her mother's suitcase, and borrowing some of her clothes. Anna was much taller than Izumi, but anything seemed better than her uniform. She paced the floor, asking God for wisdom. There was only one thing standing in her way, Anna. As long as Izumi did not do anything that affected her mother, she was more likely to be left alone. And Izumi desperately wanted to be left alone today. Except for John, of course. No, she would wear her uniform. Thanking God for the decision, she glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It read nine o'clock. She would have time to dry her clothes. Izumi climbed up onto her bed, and put her arms upon the sill, resting her chin on them. She took in the beauty of Chaumont Bay, silently rapturing with every wave. The calming rhythm relaxed her, for soon, she was asleep. With a sudden start, Izumi woke up. She looked at the clock. It was ten forty-four am. With a hurried gasp, Izumi rushed to her uniform. It was very damp, and still wrinkled. Izumi had hoped it would look better than it did. She pushed aside her disappointed tears, and got dressed. Izumi brushed her hair with her fingers, and stood in front of the mirror, testing the over all effect. To her disgust, she still had the appearance of a little girl. "Oh well," she sighed, trying to conceal her disappointment from herself. Izumi tip- toed down the hall, and past Anna's still closed door. She opened the front door, and sat down on the steps. The sun was shining warmly, but there was a cool breeze from the bay, that made Izumi shiver in her damp clothes. She suddenly had a terrible thought, "He never asked where I live!" Her horror was short- lived, however, for John soon appeared, coming up the walk.

Chapter 11 Shame the Sea

Izumi ran down the steps to meet John, a big smile on her face. John was dressed in a new pair of blue jeans and a black jacket, for the breeze was chilly. "Ready?" he asked, quickly glancing at Izumi. She nodded, suddenly becoming shy. They walked down the sidewalk, and crossed a street, all the while remaining silent. Izumi watched the people passing them, carrying fishing rods and wearing caps that had dozens of fish hooks encompassing their heads. Her curiosity remained silent, however, for she did not think John looked like answering questions. They entered the cool restaurant, chilling Izumi in her damp clothes. John heard the sound of chattering teeth coming from behind his back. When he turned around, he noticed the sound was coming from Izumi. "Are you cold?" he asked placing his hand on Izumi's arm. "Of course you are," he answered, not waiting for her reply, "your clothes are wet through!" John pushed her back outside. "We're going back to your house right now! You'll catch pneumonia!" He started back in the direction of her home, not waiting for Izumi's explanation. He had gone five steps before he heard her voice call him back. "Aren't you coming?" he asked, surprised to see her still standing where he had left her. She shook her head, ashamed of what she had to tell him. "When my mother and I left Tokyo, we packed in such a hurry..." she paused, "this is all I have." She turned her back to John, so he would not see her tears. She had tried so hard to make this a perfect day. Izumi heard John's footsteps stop behind her. "You've had it tough, haven't you?" he said in a low voice. Izumi quickly dried her tears, for people were

A novel by Judith Bronte

giving them odd looks. Sensing what Izumi was feeling, John guided her to a sidewalk, and led her to the front of a clothing store. He took some money from his pocket, and handed it to Izumi. She stared at his gesture, unsure of what he meant. "Take it," he coaxed. "Think of it as a birthday present. I'll wait out here." Izumi was about to say "thank you" when he interrupted her with, "Go on." With a bowed head, but a happy heart, she stepped in, leaving John to wait outside. The sales clerk watched, as a pretty Japanese girl walked from one clothes rack to the next, looking completely lost. Izumi jumped when she heard a voice behind her ask, "May I help you?" An elderly woman smiled down at her, peering over her bi- focals. "Do you know what you're looking for, young lady?" The woman's voice was kind and reassuring to Izumi's ears. Gathering the small reserve of bravado that Izumi had left, she casually replied, "Yes, I'm looking for a dress. Something that the women around here wear," she added. "I see," the woman said knowingly. She had noticed, upon closer inspection, that Izumi was older than her clothes had betrayed. "I think I have just the thing," she said, leading her to the opposite end of the store. "This is the women's department," she said, inspecting Izumi's height. "Yes, I think I have just the thing," she repeated, searching through a nearby clothes rack. "Here it is!" she exclaimed, pulling out a sapphire blue dress. "Your eyes are so blue, they could shame the sea," said the smiling woman. "This dress will compliment them. Go over to the dressing room, and try it on. See if I'm not right." Izumi obeyed. She soon had it on. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. "See, I was right," the kind woman nodded in approval, "this dress goes well with any occasion, but not so dressy that you couldn't wear it as an everyday either." Izumi looked in the full- length mirror. Now she looked grown up. With a deep sigh of satisfaction, Izumi followed the woman to the cash register, and handed over the money John had given her.

She heard the cash register ring out. "Your change, and your receipt. Have a nice day!" "Thank you," said Izumi gratefully. The woman waved good bye, and returned to her work. Izumi stepped outside, carrying a small bag that held her uniform. She spotted John, leaning against the store window, patiently waiting for her to come out. "Do you like it?" she said. Her voice made John look up suddenly. Before him stood a woman, not a girl. He stared at her, trying to find the dirty faced little girl he had witnessed to on the beach the night before. "Isn't it the most beautiful dress you have ever seen?" she asked excitedly, running her hand along the blue folds. "Did you say something about 'beautiful'?" he stammered, only half listening to what Izumi had said. "I said, 'Isn't it the most beautiful dress you have ever seen?'" she repeated, delighted that he, for once, was speechless. "No, I have seen prettier dresses," he disagreed, "but then, none of them were on you." Izumi stood still. John was looking at her differently. "Thank you," she said softly, looking down at the sidewalk. "For telling the truth?" asked John, half jokingly. Izumi was very serious, however. "I wanted to thank you for something you did once, even though you thought I didn't know." The air around John began to grow warm, even though they were standing in the shade. "On the flight here," she continued, "I was so terrified. My world had just been turned up-side down, and then I was traveling to some strange place. I know my mother hates me," she paused, "and I know she left me alone on the airplane. But, when she left, someone took her place beside me, and stayed with me the whole night." John looked away, fighting to keep his composure. "I never opened my eyes, but I know it was you. It meant everything to me, and I wanted you to know it." John was silent.

"You always know how to break my heart, don't you?" he said, quietly. Izumi sensed John was struggling with something, but kept silent. "It's getting late, and you still haven't had your birthday lunch." John started back in the direction of the seafood restaurant, with Izumi following close behind.

Legal Disclaimer: The characters and events depicted in these love stories are fictitious, and should not to be interpreted as medical

advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely

coincidental. Copyright: These original love stories are copyright © 1998-2011 by Sarah L. Fall

(a.k.a. Judith Bronte). All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission