Opening of Weeroona Rest Home on June 2, 1975: Mrs Hilda McFarland and Mrs Irene Thompson decided soon after the opening that musical entertainment should be a regular event.

They came and soon after others followed. In 1977 Val Kennedy's grandmother Mrs Esther Burrell became a resident at Weeroona so Val joined the group and 28 years later she is still coming every week.

The early pianists were Ray Moore, Alice Begley and Ronnie Randal. Others to join the large group included Bess Toshack, Helen Johnston, Monnie Kirkman and Barbara Newham.

The singers were Mrs Mary Hudson, Ellie Harris, Eileen Yeo, Eileen Watmore, Mr Walmsley (who recited poetry), Mr Phyl Young (violin), Des Nicholson, George Excell, Beryl Whitty, Frances DeSager, Noelene Newman, Margaret Wade, Joan Smith, Bill McLeod, Audrey Browne, Yvonne Cook, Robin Densmore, Marlene and Barton Turner, Ruby Healy, Josie Drummond and Doug Hines.

After the passing of some and others moved away, Nita Healy's husband took up residence so she started a Sunday afternoon group with Pam Watmore, Helen Johnston, Margaret Wade, Bill McLeod and myself.

Later Graham O'Neil, Barbara Dais and Phyl Sehall joined. The group is still going strong after many years.

Members of Cowra Singers come regularly to sing and assist with NASHO's Remembrance Day and Anzac services at Weeroona and Bilyara. Eileen Francis assists John Croudace and Val Kennedy for Anglican services monthly.

There are so many other groups, church, school children, Golden Oldies and Tappers. I'm sure the residents have been entertained very well by everyone.

We have enjoyed being part of this the last 40 years and hope it will continue for many years to come.

-Val Kennedy, Cowra

Congratulations to my oldest grand son Jai for making it to Country. So proud of you, going to New Zealand to play.

A big door has now opened to you.

Tammy Bamblett, Cowra.

Travelling Stock Reserves have been integral part of the regional landscape since the 1800s. They cover more than two million hectares across the state and are important economic, cultural, social and environmental assets to our regional communities.

The use of these reserves has changed over time. They were once used solely to move livestock from farms to markets or railheads. Now they have multiple uses, from grazing in times of drought, public recreation and conservation.

But let me make this clear the overriding condition of any lease of a travelling stock reserve is it must remain able to be used for its primary function, travelling stock.

I think it's important to provide some clarity around the future direction for the long paddock in NSW.

Today, the management of these reserves is the responsibility of Local Land Services and is not and does not intend to lease Travelling Stock Reserves for the purpose of mining/coal seam gas activities.

Any suggestion otherwise is completely misleading.

Local Land Services is also not increasing the area of the Travelling Stock Reserve network under longer terms leases.

It is the same parcels of land that have been leased in the past and there are no additional parcels of land being leased out.

The reason they are now being advertised in the paper is that in the past the granting annual or longer term leases was not open and transparent and when it comes to publicly-owned land transparency is non-negotiable.

To ensure the long term sustainable management of these travelling stock reserves, Local Land Services is currently developing a state wide management framework, which the community will be consulted on extensively.

The primary purpose of these reserves is to move stock always has been and I am determined to keep it that way.

Niall Blair

Minister for Primary Industries

Minister for Lands and Water