AUSTRALIA Day revellers in Cabonne were able to mix with some of the top people in their respective fields, with rugby commentator Gordon Bray and Rural Woman of the Year Pip Job making appearances.
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Mr Bray, who is known as the voice of rugby and has covered almost 400 rugby internationals, visited several events, including ceremonies and barbecues at Borenore, Cudal, Manildra and Yeoval.
He said the Orange region was a source of inspiration for him, as a fan of former international rugby player and Orange native, Larry Dwyer.
“[He] used to travel down on the midnight mail train from Orange on a Friday night to play for Australia the next day at the Sydney Cricket Ground,” Mr Bray said.
“Larry Dwyer was a bit of an idol of mine and someone I really admired because his legal firm would not release him from work early, he had to catch that mail train, and he captained Australia to its first win over the All Blacks [in New Zealand], I think in 1913.”
Mr Bray spoke to Borenore residents about some of the pioneers who helped build the central west, as a reminder of what could be achieved if people were willing to have a go.
He also praised the area’s beauty, saying it was the key to bringing larger rugby matches west of Sydney.
“I’ve got to say, it’s a hidden jewel,” he said.
“I love getting out to the little hamlets and meeting real people because that’s real Australia.
“Spread the word about all these beautiful wineries and the magnificent restaurants and the sensational countryside, I’m sure you can get the big teams out here once they know what’s here.”
Ms Job said the community had supported her through her work with the Cumnock-Yeoval Landcare group and attending community events like the breakfast at Molong was a way of giving back.
As part of her Positive Farming Footprints project, she will embark on a trip to the United States and Canada, where she will meet with consultants to develop a tool for farming families.
“It’s like a social audit,” she said.
“We do a lot of work with farming families about how to adopt sustainable work practices, but the barriers to adoption are most often because of social challenges in the family, like mental health and concerns with succession planning.”
Cabonne’s youth ambassador Sophie Clayton also attended the events.
“It’s a day where everyone comes together, no matter who you are, and recognises what’s great about our country,” she said.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au