The Dunolly and District Community News The Welcome Record Volume 33 Issue 30 Wednesday 8th August 2018 Donation: 50c “You can’t fix a blank page” Stacey McCoy This is one of the many quotable statements made at Dunolly’s event for ‘Words in Winter’ Festival, 2018. Held at the Arts Hub on Saturday 4th August, Stacey and Nicole Hurley-Moore, gave a splendid talk on how they came to be romance writers; the set-backs and challenges of being published, and so much more. Nicole grew up in Castlemaine and Stacey in Bendigo. They moved about e.g. Melbourne and England (Nicole). Nicole had an interest in writing from when she was young; Stacey, came to the realisation later in life. Both authors, young women who have ventured into an extremely Nicole Hurley-Moore (left) and Stacey McCoy competitive field, expressed their love of writing through similar pathways. They met when Stacey first began her writing career and was looking for support. This eventually came through Romance Writers Association. Nicole became Stacey’s mentor. How serendipitous that they grew up in rural towns, therefore, understood the huge challenges ahead. For Stacey, writing became a ‘thing’, after attending an evening out with friends. Her observations of the women and her friends she was celebrating with, the show that they had gone to see – specifically for a Hens Night – caused a reaction that she could not ignore. A story formed in her mind, along with strong characters. These characters became central to her first book. For Nicole, her spur was a bout of illness. One where the question is often asked, “If I only have a short time to live, what would I be doing?” Nicole extended her love of writing into creating a rural romance story, sent it to a publisher, and was eventually published by a USA company. This encouraged Nicole, giving her the momentum to continue her writing. She has now published many books. Gratefully, Nicole is now well and enjoying her life as a writer. Other points shared during the interview format of the afternoon were gleaned from questions raised from attendees and very comprehensive answers from the authors. It is often said that everyone has a book in them, yet so many do not get anything written, let alone, published. We learned, from the experience of these talented women, that writing could be a hard slog, a lonely road and a career that is fraught with disappointment, writer’s block, learning, and comprehensive research; but most of all, persistence and belief. Nicole and Stacey are an inspiration for future writers. Stacey took the ‘self-publish road’; called Indy publishing. She explained how that works for her, the trials and challenges. Her long-term goal is to be picked up by an established publisher. Her genre is also rural romance that speaks from the heart. Nicole, chose the ‘being-published by a publishing company’; called traditional publishing. Nicole is content with this path at the moment. Her genre is rural romance, medieval romance, with more diversity being planned for the future. The event was such an informative and enjoyable afternoon, many of the attendees did not want the session to end. But end it did, as we all enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea of savoury and sweet treats made by Jan Brock—thank you. Heart shaped cakes and scones, small savoury muffins with smoked salmon were some of the fare on the table, complemented with Taltarni wines and bubbly. Lynda also had coffee and an array of teas to choose from. The fire in the wood-fire place added extra warmth to the camaraderie of the group and the generous sharing of our two local(ish) authors, Stacey and Nicole. The Dunolly community is definitely fortunate to have so much talent in the district, let alone in Dunolly itself. Thank you to Monika Roleff, Words in Winter Coordinator, the Maryborough Region, for organising this event along with Lynda and all who support cultural events in town. This was an afternoon worth the time and money spent. Hopefully, with more such events to come to Dunolly we can extend our cultural wealth and knowledge. Marilyn Goldie Page 2 Volume 33 Issue 30 THE WELCOME RECORD 8th August 2018 The Welcome Record Inc. ROSIE’S RAMBLE A0013872F ABN 19299170473 Published by community volunteers Weird weather in Europe again. 47 degrees – sounds at the Dunolly Town Hall like Marble Bar. 83 Broadway I see that fridges have cameras in the door so that the Dunolly Victoria 3472 contents can be checked. I was wondering about all those little left-overs that find their way into the fridge – Phone: (03) 5468 1054 can they be tracked, or are they going to hide from the Email: [email protected] camera and lurk up the back to emerge as an unpleasant surprise later on? Web: www.dunollynews.org Saw these ads in a supermarket brochure and the RACV book recently. Supermarket was advertising “frozen children meals". I don't think cannibalism is legal in Australia. The other one says "double glazed Editors: Winter sale" for windows. Why would a sale be double Susan Anderson - Editor in Chief (President) glazed? We know what they mean, but it could have Marilyn Goldie - Sub Editor (Secretary) been expressed more clearly. I heard a story this morning on the radio about a sheep Office: station in Gippsland where I was employed as the cook. Faye Arnold When I was there it was a well-known Hereford and sheep stud, on the edge of Lake Wellington, near Sale. Jan Brock (Treasurer) It was a large property, one of the first taken up in the Monika Thumerer (Office Manager) 1850s, but much smaller than that when I was there. It Proofreaders: still carried enough sheep to keep a shearing crew busy for up to three weeks, and a large herd of cattle. It was Murray Hall a wildlife sanctuary, so of course there were kangaroos Cynthia Lindsay as well as other native animals. You had to keep an eye Rosemary Mecredy out when coming in through the three or so miles from Jenny Scott the main road, but there were not enough to cause too Marilyn Rowe much trouble. Now there are 7,000 on the place, eating themselves and the stock literally out of home. I cannot Printing and Distribution: imagine what it is like –the manager said they have only Jan Brock twenty-two head of cattle on the place. How can any sort of balance be restored? Cheryl Jennings Rosie Theresa Milne HOW NOT TO RELAX Monika Thumerer Many foods-such as alfalfa, tofu, kale Marilyn and Bob Rowe and, oh, toucan toenails-are said to enhance a feeling of relaxation, but they all taste horrible and you can't OPENING TIMES get them at the local hamburger shop, Tuesday 9.30am - 3.30pm so why bother? (for advertisements, articles and classifieds) Kaz Cooke Wednesday 9.00am – 3.30pm (to receive payments) Contributions are accepted up to closing time on Tuesdays. Exceptions are made only by prior INDEX arrangement, or for important community notices for the Rosie’s Ramble Page 2 Classified pages. If in doubt, please ring us before Arts & Entertainment Page 5 3.00pm on Tuesday to avoid disappointment. CGSC News Page 6 All letters, articles and classifieds must contain the Loddon Shire Mayoral Column Page 6 writer’s full name, home address and daytime telephone Church Page Page 7 number. Arts Hub Page 9 The Welcome Record aims to present the diversity of Neighbourhood Centre Page 9 School Page Page 10 viewpoints which reflect the concerns and interests of Travels with Cynthia Page 11 our community. It will not print contributions which are Community Gatherings/Upcoming Events Page 13 defamatory or being used as an alternative to a personal DFNC News & Sports Page 15 approach in dealing with a personal issue. The opinions Crossword Page 18 expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Classifieds and Notes Page 19 The Welcome Record. Remember - for a colourful viewing experience - open Phone 5468 1054 The Welcome Record online at https://www.dunollynews.org/ 8th August 2018 THE WELCOME RECORD Volume 33 Issue 30 Page 3 Dunolly group open for play Parents and their children looking to join in on a range of GARDEN CLUB fun morning activities are being encouraged to join the Central Goldfields Shire's Supported Playgroup for term three. The Dunolly Neighbourhood Supported Playgroups offer a social and supportive Centre Gardening Group environment, as well as expert knowledge from playgroup "The Whispering Weeders" facilitators, to families with four weekly sessions around the had a great day at Brian Central Goldfields region. Phillip’s home last Monday. Term three kicked off at the end of July and Dunolly Brian, a horticulturist for over Supported Play­group facilitator Jane Humphrey said while 40 years, gave a most there is a criteria for attendees, everyone is welcome to come informative talk on how to at any time during the term. improve the sad soil that we "It's a fantastic program. It's involving the parents and helping are blessed with in Dunolly. them tune in with their children. Everyone needs support and Most of it up has been mined. that's what this is about," she said. Gayle provided us with a "It's about the parents getting more involved and getting scrumptious lunch, which we together and having conversations. I'm not here to look after enjoyed in the comfort of their their children and they know that, they can share parenting lovely warm home.