High Country Herald - July 4, 2017

Ma Baker's Tonic - Just what the doctor ordered
Ma Baker's Tonic was performed earlier this year, and from my
experience, was a great production. Set in the 1920s in America, the
play takes place in a popular night club called Ritzys.
With a wide array of characters, from tough n rough gangsters, to
the dedicated ladies of the Purity League.
It was a very successful Crows Nest Arts Council production, but
it didn’t come easy. Lots of hard work was put in by the cast to learn
their lines, placement, actions and voices. Every Tuesday was given
up by these people for several months as they became more and
more in tune with their suave 1920 selves.
When the lines were coming into place, the songs and choreography
were next, this was after all a musical.
The gangsters tried their best but they suffered from chronic cases
of two left feet and bad timing, the Purity Ladies were running
out of luck as they wobbled around the stage in their high heels,
and I don't think I have to mention Ma Baker. It was of course
extremely fortunate that that was what they were meant to do.
The play was very well received by the audience on opening night
and it was nice to see that they weren’t afraid to have a bit of fun
themselves.
All in all, I believe that Ma Baker's Tonic was an extremely rewarding
experience for all people involved. - Quinn Macdonald.
Making of a journalist
QUINN MACDONALD
My name is Quinn Macdonald
and I am currently in my final
year of schooling at Crows Nest
State School. At Crows Nest
State School, Year 10 students
are required to participate in a
form of work experience for
five consecutive days, for career
studies.
This is to provide us with
knowledge of the work force
and a specific profession before
we begin work full time.
Students could choose any
form of Work Experience,
from work at a café, butcher
and tradie. One student this
year even managed to do work
experience for Sea World. .
My choice however, which I
believe should be quite clear,
was to work for the local paper.
I have always had a deep love
for journalism.
Rose forum
So, I believe I was quite lucky
when I was accepted for experience
by the High-Country Herald.
Working here has been an immensely
rewarding experience.
I have learned many things
from both people and books
alike (thank you Fairfax Media
style guide), and have enjoyed
every minute of it.
I have been instructed in all
aspects of journalism including
page design, encompassing details
such as columns, placement
of ads, how the paper itself is
produced and article structure.
I was taught in the ways of
graphic design and photography
(very fun), and had the chance
to write my own article for the
paper, including the designing of
this page.
I have thoroughly enjoyed
my time with the High Country
Herald, and if I had an idea of
journalism before, I believe that
it has become set in stone now.
I would like to take the time
to thank all the staff at the Herald,
office manager Mrs Ann Lomas,
graphic designer Mr Gavin
Ryan, receptionist Mrs Lyn Collier,
who also was kind enough
to drive me to and from work,
advertising sales manager Mrs
Tracey Gyde, and Mr Neil Lomas
editor of the High Country
Herald.
Thank you all for your support
and teaching me aspects of journalism
I never knew.
The Gardens of the Downs will hold a rose forum at
the Pittsworth Function Centre on Wednesday, August 9,
from 9.30am to 4pm.
Penny McKinlay will be the MC and speakers include
Charles Shann, Leonie Kearney, Carol Kerkin, Annette
Russell and Lois Roberts.
Cost is $40 which includes morning tea and lunch.
Tickets can be obtained from the Pittsworth Function
Centre or by e-mailing gardensofthedowns@gmail.com.
Challenging expedition to Vietnam
On September 14 this year I
will be participating in a world
challenge trek to Vietnam.
World Challenge is a charity organisation
that has been running
educational expeditions since
1987.
World Challenge aims to
broaden the minds of young
people and give them an experience
like no other.
The Challengers participate
in a team-building and skills
development program for nine
to 18 months before the expedition,
raising the funds, attending
a training expedition and helping
to plan the itinerary.
World Challenge expeditions
can send students to a variety
of places, depending solely on
what is available. Students can
be sent to Vietnam, Botswana,
Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco,
South Africa and Lesotho,
Tanzania, Zambia, Bolivia,
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador,
Galapagos, Peru, China,
India, South Mongolia, Nepal,
India North, Sri Lanka, The
Silk Route, Borneo, Cambodia,
Java, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Thailand, Vietnam and Fiji.
For the Vietnam expedition,
students must raise $5000 to
participate.
I managed to raise these funds
through kind donations from
family members but mainly
through the supper dance featuring
Cool Nights big band I held
earlier this year.
World Challenge Expeditions
are split into six phases, acclimatisation,
challenge, project,
rest and relaxation, cultural and
exploration, travel and rest.
World Challenge expeditions
are fully student led, meaning
on our day of arrival everything
is down to us.
We must finalise our bookings
for the night, food and transport.
The first place we go on the
expedition is Hoi An, home to a
UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hoi An has been the Vietnamese
trading hub for 2000 years.
While in Hoi An we may also
take a trip to the ancient Cham
ruins of My son, another UNE-
SCO World Heritage site.
By QUINN MACDONALD
The aim is to broaden the mind and have a life changing experience.
Country music and bush poets
A country music concert will be held on Saturday July 15, at the
Crows Nest Community and RSL Centre.
Entertainment will be provided by local duo Ged and Trudy Hintz
together with acclaimed singer and comedian Laura Downing.
The concert will start at 7.30 pm with entry of $20 which also
includes supper. Tickets can be purchased at the Chic Shoe Store,
Crows Nest, or at the concert door.
Tables of eight to 10 people can be reserved for pre-sold tickets
or bookings.
A bush poet’s breakfast will be held on the next morning Sunday,
July 16 at the Crows Nest Showgrounds starting at 8am.
Join local poets Paul Fleming and Russell Plunkett for a morning
of humorous and traditional Australian poetry. The cost is $10 and
includes a hot breakfast.
Camping is available at the showgrounds for anyone wanting to
make a weekend of it. Cost is $15 for powered sites and $10 unpowered.
Contact: Paul Fleming on 4698 1056.
While in Vietnam our group
will be taking several overnight
trains, these are a common sight
in Vietnam and are a main mode
of transport.
Our next stop is Hanoi, the
capital of Vietnam. Alive with
thrivng markets, street stalls
and people, Hanoi’s streets are
something of a blur. Hanoi is
where we will do our Community
Engagement Phase, the
Project.
This is the most rewarding
part of our expedition as we will
have a lasting impact on community
development and environmental
priorities.
During this phase we will
have to work hard and support
each other as a team in order to
complete our tasks.
Our contribution of hard work
and funds is highly valued by
the local community.
It is much more than a physical
contribution as it will have a
lasting impact on the community
and ourselves.
The next phase of our expedition
is the trek. Over the next
few days our group will trek
through the Sapa Valley, which
has picturesque view of rice
terraces, lush vegetation and
Mount Fanispan. During our
trek we have the unique opportunity
to experience hill tribe
life as we sleep at traditional
village homestays each night,
allowing us to learn more about
local culture, the region and its
people.
Next comes the rest and relaxation.
We will be travelling from
Hanoi to another of Vietnam's
UNESCO World Heritage sites,
one of Vietnams most stunning
natural wonders, Halon Bay.
Legend has it that a dragon
descended from heaven and
crashed into the sea, carving out
the many island coves and thousands
of limestone islets which
jut out imperiously from the emerald
waters.
Then it’s over.
We cram everything into our
rucksacks and head out to the
airport where we can sit back
and reflect on this life changing
experience.
GAIL WALKER SWIM SCHOOL
Term 3, 2017
July 10 - September 16
WARM WATER WALKING
AND GENERAL SWIMMING
Mon to Thurs 11.00am to 12 noon
Mon/Wed 7.00-8.00am
Tues/Thurs 7.00-9.00am
AQUACISE - self-paced fitness
and toning
Monday and Wednesday 8.00am
Friday 7.30am
Swimming lessons are a gift for life!
To advertise phone 4615 4416 HIGH COUNTRY HERALD JULY 4, 2017- 11