DUBBO’S HAPPIEST KIDS
WHEN Dubbo Photo News photographer Ken Smith popped down to the pool to take some social pictures for Dubbo Photo News he didn’t know he’d be catching up with mates Alex and Jahrell, two happy kids boasting the world’s biggest smiles.
These would have to be candidates for any smile of the year competition.
TUESDAY was a big day in Dubbo, but indicative of the many things constantly happening in and around the city during an economic boom.
At 8.45am, Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders was at East Dubbo’s Lunar Park announcing the state government was teaming up with Creative Community Concepts, Kit Bag for Kids, MALO Republic and Black Dog Institute to deliver the Far West Active Fest for children and adults living in communities across the region this March.
If allowed, children will be able to participate in a variety of free activities including a colour run, mini triathlon and mini obstacle course with all kids receiving free training gear and the chance to win giveaways throughout the day.
Next up was the official opening of a new stabling complex at Dubbo Turf Club, infrastructure which those in the racing game believe will allow the club to grow its reputation as one of the fastest-growing clubs in regional NSW.
Dubbo Turf Club general manager Vince Gordon said prominent local trainer Kody Nestor will utilise the new facilities, and said the investment is a boost for the club.
“Having more horses trained on track allows us to continue our ongoing development as not only a spectacular racing track, but also a significant training centre,” Mr Gordon said.
“We had over 2000 trained starters last year, and that helps the whole region because if we didn’t have horses being trained out of Dubbo, places like Coonamble, Warren, Narromine and Wellington wouldn’t have the same population to draw from.
“The sport has been thriving in our region and while that is great for trainers and jockeys, that also means great things for vets, farriers, trackwork riders, strappers, stockfeed suppliers and so many others in our community,” Mr Saunders said.
The facility has been built at the eastern end of the existing stabling and was funded by $318,000 of COVID-19 stimulus funding.
Photo opp number three was the announcement of $193,820 allocated to Dubbo Regional Council to repair roofing and damaged eaves at Old Dubbo Gaol as part of the Crown Reserve Improvement Fund (CRIF).
Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields welcomed the funding.
“Following the success of Stage One upgrades at Old Dubbo Gaol, I’m really excited to see some more conservation work being carried out at one of our region’s most iconic tourist attractions, the Old Dubbo Gaol,” he said.
“These upgrades will form part of the overall redevelopment of the Old Dubbo Gaol precinct, where there are many exciting projects currently in the works.
“There was a 161 per cent increase in visitation to the Old Dubbo Gaol in January, which really highlights how important it is for us to continue maintaining and upgrading this awesome tourist attraction.”