The Echo

March 2010

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:34:19 +0000

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Local Schools Help Solomon Islands

admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:43:50 +0000

If you are travelling in the Solomon Islands in the near future you may see some familiar school uniforms.
Schools in the Solomon Islands recently received an influx of much needed uniforms due to the generosity of Blue Mountains Grammar School and Katoomba Public School.
Uniforms, surplus to needs at both schools, were shipped to the Solomon’s through contacts with St Hilda’s church in Katoomba. Rev Ray Robinson from St Hilda’s explained; ‘Schools in the islands only have very basic resources and many children can’t afford uniforms. When visiting recently I saw children wearing hats made of banana leaves.’ He said people were so grateful for the assistance given. ‘I hope this will be the beginning of further opportunities to care for our pacific neighbours.’ Members of St Hilda’s have made a number of trips to the islands in recent years to assist in the work of the churches there.

Lone Pine Descendent

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:26:03 +0000

The Katoomba RSL Sub-Branch has had a donation of remarkable historical significance.
Blue Mountains historian, Mr Geoff Bates presented the Sub-Branch with two Aleppo Pines that are direct descendants of the original Lone Pine that grew on Lone Pine Plateau at Gallipoli.
Lone Pine was the scene of a major offensive launched by the 1st Australian Infantry Division on 6 August, 1915.The battle took place in an area, the size of two football fields which became known as Lone Pine because it was dominated by a single pine tree.
In three days of fighting the Australians lost more that 2273 men and the Turks losses were estimated at 7000. Seven of the nine Victoria Crosses awarded to Australians at Gallipoli were earned at the battle of Lone Pine.
A soldier, who took part in the battle, sent a cone from the tree home to his mother. Two seedlings were grown from this cone, one of which was planted at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The two pines presented to the Sub Branch are come from the Yarraluma Nursery in Canberra and are certified to be directly descended of the original Lone Pine.

Blue Mountains Chamber Concerts

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:16:27 +0000

The Blue Mountains Chamber Concerts Inc present high quality chamber music to the public in Blackheath.
The committee was very grateful to have a beautiful quilt, made and generously donated by the women of the Upper Mountains Probus Club for a raffle which helped greatly in meeting costs.The winner was Cynthia Avis from Blackheath who was delighted.
A new series of concerts is planned for 2010 and looks very exciting. The first one will have wide appeal to the whole family. ANIMADEUS
A family concert of Mozart, animals and more Sunday 7 March, 2.30 pm
Blackheath Community Centre
With Peter and the Wolf and two other works involving animal themes, Actor Tony Cogin will bring the characters to life as well as ensure an element of surprise throughout the concert…
Also Mozart with A Little Night Music, Sarasate’s lively Gypsy Airs, which will have you out of your seat, and the world premiere of Blue Mountains composer David Scheel’s melodious String Quartet.
Special Ticket prices for this concert;
Adult $30, Conc $25, Child $10, Adult with two children $40The second will present for the first time in the mountains the newly formed Lurline Chamber Orchestra, a thirteen piece chamber orchestra, which represents the fulfillment of a dream for Maria Lindsay, our artistic director. Later in the year there will be two of the much loved house concerts at “Werona”.
For further information ring Nerida on 4782 7616 or email at b.nerida@gmail.com.

February 2010

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:43:26 +0000

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‘I Believe in Me: 7 Ways for Women to Step Ahead in Confidence’

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:53:40 +0000

Lisa Gorman from Wentworth Falls has just launched her first book called ‘I Believe in Me: 7 Ways for Women to Step Ahead in Confidence’
Lisa says ‘Female confidence is the key to succes. Many women have low aspirations because they can’t see how to get to the next level in their profession. Women can start improving their personal satisfaction and confidence today with a self audit – write down your strengths, weaknesses, talents and passions. Decide what you really want and focus your attention and action on this. Identify and value the success you’ve already achieved personally and professionally and schedule regular time to do the things that make you happy.
Lisa and her family moved to the area in 1997 and she has been a Leader at 1st Hazelbrook Scout Group over the last 10 years with the last 2 years as a Venturer Leader. Regular walking around the Wentworth Falls and going to the gym is preparing Lisa for the Hawkesbury canoe classic in 2010. She completed 40 kms in 7 hours in 2004 andsays ”This time I’m aiming to finish the event which is 111 kms starting at the Windsor Bridge in 18 hours”.
‘I Believe in Me, 7 Ways for Women to Step Ahead in Confidence’ is available at www.ibelieveinmethebook.com.

Neighbourhood Safer Places

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:44:28 +0000

A Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) is a place of last resort for people during a bush fire. It can be part of your contingency plan, for a time when your Bush Fire Survival Plan cannot be implemented or has failed.
An NSP is an identified building or space within the community that can provide a higher level of protection from the immediate life threatening effects of a bush fire. NSP’s still entail some risk, both in moving to them and while sheltering in them and cannot be considered completely safe. They are a place of last resort in emergencies.
The local areas identified so far are: Portion of Leura Golf Course Open Space, intersection of Fitzroy Street and Chambers Road, Leura; Katoomba Public School Oval Open Space Waratah Street, Katoomba; Melrose Park Open Space Albion Street, Katoomba. Remember that every home must have a Bush Fire Survival Plan encompassing the decision to either “Leave Early” or to “Stay and Defend” to ensure that you are prepared and know what to do in the event of a bush fire. Visit the website for updated information at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
P is an identified building or space within the community that can provide a higher level of protection from the immediate life threatening effects of a bush fire. NSP’s still entail some risk, both in moving to them and while sheltering in them and cannot be considered completely safe. They are a place of last resort in emergencies.
The local areas identified so far are: Portion of Leura Golf Course Open Space, intersection of Fitzroy Street and Chambers Road, Leura; Katoomba Public School Oval Open Space Waratah Street, Katoomba; Melrose Park Open Space Albion Street, Katoomba. Remember that every home must have a Bush Fire Survival Plan encompassing the decision to either “Leave Early” or to “Stay and Defend” to ensure that you are prepared and know what to do in the event of a bush fire. Visit the website for updated information at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Wentworth Falls Public School

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:35:56 +0000

Natasha Lily Griffiths at Government House

The “Australia My Country Competition,” is offered to students from Years 3-10. This annual competition is conducted by the sub-Branches of the Returned Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) and aims to build relationships between members of the local sub-Branch and schools. Entries aim to reflect the themes of sacrifice, loyalty, history, service, tradition or pride in being Australian.

Wentworth Falls PS has a proud tradition of student involvement.

This year, Natasha Lily Griffiths has won Section 9: Non-Written Entry for Years 3 and 4 with an effective poster portraying the poppies of Flanders Field.

The school achieved further noteworthy success with Claire Gillman gaining second place in Section 1: Written Composition Years 3-4 with her prose. Merit awards were awarded to Emily Campbell-Ross in Section 9: Non-written Years 3-4, Olivana Smith Lathouris in Section 10: Non-Written Years 5-6 and Sean Skinner in Section 13: Electronic Media Years 3-6.

December 2009

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:22:31 +0000

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Wayfinding Project

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:05:33 +0000

Finding your way around Wentworth Falls and all that it has to offer will be much easier for residents and tourists, with the installation of the first pedestrian wayfinding sign.
The Wentworth Falls Chamber of Commerce has embraced the project, with President Warren Potter saying, “The local business community is keen to monitor the response to the signs along with the new tear-off maps that are available in local shops.”

Blue Mountains City Council recently launched the pilot Wayfinding project. Mayor, Clr Adam Searle described wayfinding as, “All of the ways in which people orient themselves in a given space, such as a town, a tourist precinct or nature reserve, and how people navigate from place to place.”
“Pedestrian wayfinding will allow people who are on foot, or arriving by bus, rail or car, to access a diverse array of local facilities, destinations and attractions more easily. “The wayfinding sign is designed to be robust and durable with a regional map and a town map, showing local facilities and points of interest. Tear-off maps will also be available to residents and visitors from local shops to help people with general directions and the location of places of interest.
“Council has undertaken a considerable range of consultation and research in the design and development of the pedestrian wayfinding project to ensure that the signage is an important addition to the local tourism industry. The project will be an important foundation for the possible development of a range of information products in the future, such as themed art and heritage walks, and integration with walking track signs”, concluded Mayor Searle.