With the renovations at the council office now complete, a treasured piece of Jerilderie history has found a new home at the Jerilderie Library.
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While visiting, locals and visitors alike can now admire the remarkable 1988 CWA Bicentenary embroidery project.
The six-foot by four-foot wall hanging was created after the Jerilderie CWA received funding through the Women Celebrate ’88 programme.
Designed as a lasting community keepsake, the project invited local residents to have their names embroidered onto the cloth - a unique opportunity to leave a permanent mark on Jerilderie’s history.
One of the driving forces behind the project was long-time community volunteer and CWA member, Lucy Sweeney, who recalls the enormous effort involved in bringing the piece to life.
“Because it became such a big effort, enthusiasm soon waned and I was given a special pen and paper and had to ask everyone for their signature, take them home and iron them onto the cloth ready to stitch,” Lucy said.
“I took that cloth in a pillowcase everywhere I went to meetings for the members to do some signatures.
“Sheila Crutch used to come up each morning and we would do a few.
“I think I was responsible for about 70 per cent of the finished signatures on the article. We embroidered CWA members’ names in red so they would stand out.”
The wall hanging took nearly a year to complete, and was officially presented to council during a garden party at Coree Station.
It has since become a quiet but important piece of local history.
Now proudly displayed at the Jerilderie Library, it is attracting fresh interest and conversation from visitors, particularly tourists making their way past on the walk to the ‘Doing the Bolt Museum’.
Lucy’s contribution to preserving Jerilderie’s stories extended well beyond embroidery.
Between 1997 and 1998 she was also the ‘Just Jerilderie’ reporter and photographer, capturing countless community moments through her lens.
Among her most memorable photographs were those of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop during his visit to Jerilderie for Australia Day Bicentennial celebrations.
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Jerilderie’s round 7 clash with Waaia at home coincided with JFNC Ladies Day and reunion celebrations for the club’s 2016, 2006 and 1986 premiership netball teams.
More than 60 lovely ladies joined in on the fun..
The function included grazing boxes, drinks and games, with plenty of time spent catching up and reflecting on past grand finals and premiership seasons.
It was pleasing to see strong attendance across all three reunion groups, with a number of former players travelling back to Jerilderie for the occasion.
A special mention to Coral Rowe who travelled all the way from Parkes to reunite with the 2006 under-13 premiership side she coached 20 years ago.
Zenda Purcell and Megan Kneebone (Knight) represented the 40 year, 1986 reunion.
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Jerilderie Red Cross is today hosting a free morning tea for the community at the library at 10.30am. They hope to see as many as they can there.
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The Ian Sneddon MND Committee will be holding a street stall raffle on May 22, from 9am -2pm in front of IGA.
Prizes include a $500 Noonans Showcase Jewellers voucher as first prize, an Eagle-i Yeti Esky and a Cobram Outdoors Yeti pack.
The raffle will be drawn on June 28.
They will also be selling MND merchandise.
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May marks the council’s annual Celebrating Seniors Festival, with free activities on offer for our senior residents in Jerilderie.
On Monday, May 25 is the ‘Cupcakes with Preschoolers’ activity at the library, at 10.30am.
This is an intergenerational experience, decorating cupcakes with the children from the Jerilderie Early Learning Centre.
Morning tea is provided and bookings are essential.
Pop into the library or council office to register - it is set to be lots of fun!
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Expressions of interest have opened for the 2027 Jerilderie Debutante Ball.
If you will be in Year 11 in 2027 and would like to make your debut, contact Katrina at St Joseph’s Jerilderie on 03 5886 1475 to put your name down.
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The Jerilderie Hospital Auxiliary is very grateful to have received a sizeable donation from the Origin Charity Golf Day, held Sunday, May 17.
Members wish to thank those responsible for the hard work put in to make this day possible.
“The Jerilderie Hospital has truly benefited from this event,” the committee said.
“This donation will make the purchase of much needed equipment for our hospital possible.”
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If you have a good news story for inclusion, please make sure to email details to justjerilderie@gmail.com by 9am Sunday mornings.