On attending the Orange Health Service cancer clinic I was weighed and asked to take a seat in the waiting room.

Almost immediately a special cancer nurse came and asked me questions and told me about the coming procedure.

This lovely nurse stayed with me for most of my appointment.

After a short wait a doctor came and ushered me into a room where he gave me a thorough medical and then asked numerous questions.

All this was done in such a kindly manner, it was absolutely no problem.

Then the specialist, as straight as a gun barrel, told be my problem and how it would be treated. No ifs, no buts, just exactly what you needed to know. 

On leaving I thought how very fortunate we are to have such wonderful caring personnel working in our clinic.

As I walked to my car I realised I had been treated as if I were the mayor of Orange. 

ON May 3 I took my two little dogs, on leash, for their usual walk around nearby streets.

Halfway round I was accosted by a resident who rudely told me “to get off his footpath”.

I replied that it was a public footpath and I had every right to walk on it.

A short altercation then occurred and I then continued on my walk – on that footpath.

Apparently some people are under the mistaken belief that they own the footpath/verge between their front boundary and the street. This is not so.

This area is owned by council, is therefore a public footpath and as such pedestrians have every right to walk on it, whenever they want to.

If ratepayers water or mow this area it is their decision, but that does not give them ownership.

ALTHOUGH it is a short time since Anzac Day may we take this opportunity to compliment Mr Brian Irvine as tutor and the musicians of Orange High School band who performed so professionally in Robertson Park and during the March both from and the return to the Orange Ex-Services’ Club in the rain.

It was obvious many hours had been spent perfecting their performance.

Well done, Mr Irvine and the musicians of Orange High School.

IT is with a heart full of gratitude that I thank the volunteers of The Salvation Army. Your generous contribution of time, skill and commitment makes a real difference to those you work alongside, and to those who benefit from all you do.

The Salvation Army and the wider Australian community is a better place due to your collective volunteering impact.

I am amazed that over 30,000 volunteers across Australia regularly contribute to The Salvation Army. This number swells to over 100,000 during Red Shield Appeal.