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Mildura Weekly : Friday August 14 Vol 9 No 40
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NEWS 19 FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015 MILDURAWEEKLY.COM.AU Fran makes her mark • From Page 14 “The odds were against me from the beginning, and it’s probably been a trend that’s followed me through- out my life. I’ve always en- joyed hard work, and even in Grade One I would work through my lunch breaks. “I was different from the word go, and being a prema- ture baby meant I had quite a few health issues early in life. In Prep I hardly went to school, and when I did go the other kids knew more than me, and I knew I had to catch up. “No one pushed me to think like that, I was just au- tomatically geared that way. I’ve always had that perfec- tionist mentality, and the need to do my absolute best and succeed.” Fran is a first generation lawyer, making the decision to pursue the profession at age 13. “I was inspired by the dogged determination of Lor- raine Bayley in ‘Carson’s Law,’ and her fierce defence of legal rights and helping the un- derdog,” she said. “She was a turning point, and was always taking up causes to cham- pion – often for people who couldn’t pay but were morally worthy. “She was also a strong and fierce female protagonist, and I related to that.” A self-described high- achiever by nature, Fran set to work from a young age to achieve the high marks re- quired to study law, with her hard work paying off after securing a place at Monash University. Her legal career began at Maddock Lonie and Ch- isholm, in Melbourne’s CBD, in 1991, and in April 1992 she was admitted to practice law. Barring a brief break to have her children Liam and Emma – a break that saw her study for her Masters of Busi- ness Management “to keep my mind stimulated” – Fran has worked in law ever since, with her career including stints at legal firms in Mel- bourne, Latrobe Valley, Ben- digo and now Mildura. “I moved from Mel- bourne to Bendigo aged 35, and that was a huge change for me,” she said. “At the time I was recently separated, and my kids were still quite young. I had to move into a position where I had work/life balance to raise my kids and support them, and regional Victoria, while a scary prospect at the time, seemed a perfect fit. “I knew no-one in Ben- digo, and I thought if I’m go- ing to have a chance of stay- ing here and really feeling at home, I have to be involved in the community.” Fran joined a host of or- ganisations after arriving in Bendigo, serving as a long- term board member of Ben- digo’s Central Victorian Busi- ness Network, vice president of the Bendigo Law Asso- ciation, chair of the Bendigo Young Professionals Network, while also being on the board of various philanthropic and community organisations in- cluding Bendigo Community Health and Righteous Pups Australia. • Continued Page 22 • Fran with her proud parents Ralph and Eulalie Medina after completing her law degree at Monash University. • TEAM MEDINA: Fran Medina, centre, with staffers Lauren Yard, Makayla Case, Lauren Forrester and Jenny Woodward. MEETING WITH MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, WATER AND LAND Earlier this month the Acting General Manager and I met with the Hon Niall Blair Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Land to discuss the critical water situation in Pooncarie. I was able to impress upon the Minister the importance of the Mendinee Lakes system to the Lower Darling River System, and to stress the importance of ensuring the continued operation of the Mendinee Lakes system. Additionally we also discussed with the Minister our continued push to freehold Western Lands Leases in a 20km radius around our major towns to ensure that future generations can access affordable infrastructure and services. MEETING WITH THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION The Hon Adrian Piccoli Minister for Education met with us on a range of issues including infrastructure funding options. I am also happy to report that Minister Piccoli will be attending the Wentworth Show and is actively encouraging other Ministers to also visit the Shire. MEETING WITH THE MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT Whilst in Sydney we also met with Minister Paul Toole, Minister for Local Government, about the Fit for the Future Reforms and the Far West Initiative. At this stage it would appear that the new service delivery model for the Far West is at least three years away. SHIREFocus THE SHIRE ON TWO RIVERS Tel: (03) 5027 5027 | Fax: (03) 5027 5000 | Email: council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au P. O. Box 81, Wentworth, N.S.W. 2648. (26-28 Adelaide Street) | www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au SIMON RULE ACTING GENERAL MANAGER PUBLIC NOTICES ACROSS THE MAYOR’S DESK WENTWORTH PRE-SHOW HORSE SHOW Wentworth Showgrounds Sunday 16 August 2015, 9am - 4pm Horses in action, Children’s novelties, Topsy Ring, Show Jumping, Equestrian & Hacking. Visit www.wentworthshow.org.au AUSTRALIAN INLAND BOTANIC GARDENS BIG BREKKIE & MARKET Saturday 22 August 2015, 8.30am - 12noon Start your weekend with a delicious cooked breakfast made from local produce whilst browsing the market stalls. Take a guided train tour of the Gardens at 11am or enjoy the tranquillity by strolling along the walking tracks. Market site information contact 0449 677 702. 130TH ANNUAL WENTWORTH SHOW Wentworth Showgrounds, Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 August 2015, 8am - 5pm The biggest annual event in the Wentworth Region. One of the nation’s few remaining authentic country shows that manages to retain its rustic and rural flavour. All traditional competitions, such as flowers, fruit & vegetables, cooking & produce, horses, poultry, pigeons, sheep dog trials and much more. Enter the Human truck pull, Wearable Art, whip cracking and Beaut Ute competitions and visit the Animal Nursery and the Food and Wine Marquee. Major attractions - Chain Saw Sculpting and roving Street Show entertainment. Weekend membership packages available. Contact 5027 6304 or visit www.wentworthshow.org.au STONES IN HIS POCKETS Wentworth Town Hall, Monday 31 August 2015, 8pm Don’t miss this hilarious tale of an Irish town turned upside down by the arrival of a Hollywood movie shoot. Bookings and further information 5027 5080. COUNCIL MEETING 19 AUGUST 2015 Residents and ratepayers are advised that the next Council meeting will be held on 19 August 2015 to commence at 9.00am. Business papers will be available on our website or from Council Offices located at 26-28 Adelaide Street Wentworth. PUBLIC EFFLUENT DISPOSAL STATIONS Wentworth, Dareton and Buronga Wentworth Shire Council is phasing in a new operating system for the public Effluent Disposal Stations (EDSs) located in Wentworth, Dareton and Buronga. Vessel operators are advised that from Thursday 1 October 2015 an Identification Key will be required to use the EDSs. Keys are available upon payment of a $30.00 bond from the following locations: • Wentworth Council Offi ces, Adelaide Street, Wentworth • Coomealla Golf Club, Kookaburra Drive, Dareton • Riverside Caravan Park, Sturt Highway, Buronga Council proposes to move to a User Pay System in 2016. Any queries should be directed to Council’s Director Roads and Engineering, Simon Pradhan on (03) 5027 5027 or by email to council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS NOMINATE SOMEONE YOU KNOW FOR A WENTWORTH SHIRE AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD Wentworth Shire residents are urged to nominate a local sportsperson, environmental champion or community leader for an Australia Day Award 2016. “The Australia Day Awards highlight the achievements of community members and community groups that make key contributions to our community“says Mayor Councillor Don McKinnon. “Every year we discover a community or sporting group which has achieved at the highest level, and often there is an inspirational, quiet achiever nominated in the Citizen or Young Citizen of the Year category who makes a real difference in their community” continues Mayor McKinnon. The closing date for nominations for the Wentworth Shire Australia Day Awards will close on Friday, 6 November 2015. Council is seeking nominations in the following categories:- • Citizen of the Year (must be 18 years of age and over on 26th January, 2016) • Young Citizen of the Year (must be under 18 years of age on 26th January, 2016) • Community Group of the Year (two or more members - no age limit) • Sporting Team of the Year (two or more members - no age limit) • Sportsperson of the Year (must be 18 years of age and over on 26th January, 2016) • Young Sportsperson of the Year (must be under 18 years of age on 26th January, 2016) • Environmental Award (individuals or groups) All awards will be presented at an Australia Day Ceremony on Tueseday, 26 January 2016 at Junction Reserve Cadell Street Wentworth. Nomination forms are available from the Wentworth Shire Council’s website www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au or are available from the Council’s Office at 26 Adelaide Street, Wentworth or by telephoning (03) 5027 5027. PESTICIDE NOTIFICATION PLAN The Wentworth Shire Council Pesticide Notification Plan has been revised in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Pesticides Regulation 2009. The Plan guides how Council will notify the public about the use of pesticides on public land. The plan may be viewed at: Wentworth: Council Offices, 26-28 Adelaide Street Buronga: Buronga Library, Chapman Street Dareton: Dareton Library, Tapio Street Or view on-line at www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au Council is inviting written submissions on the draft plan which is on public exhibition until Monday 17 August 2015. Submissions can be lodged via: Email: council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au Post: Wentworth Shire Council, PO Box 81, WENTWORTH NSW 2648 Fax: 03 5027 5000 Enquiries may be directed to the Roads and Engineering Department on 03 5027 5027 during business hours.
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