Free Hire Available centre of Culgoa National Park, which to the north abuts the NSW- Queensland border, the little village’ s nearest neighbours are also small towns, Enngonia, 80km to the west, and Goodooga, 50km to the east.
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LOCAL LIFE
Gemma’ s gem of an idea
by Greg Martin
Back in the days of the Wild, Wild West, men were urged to head that way in search of riches.
Well, there’ s a young lady from South Windsor who is also heeding the advice – but not in search of fame and fortune, but
Weilmoringle Public School.
Some of the youngsters at Weilmoringle Public School.
to improve the lot of children out in the bush.
Gemma King, with her mother, Tracy“ riding shotgun”, departed on November 27 to take a little joy to the students of two small public schools situated in Aboriginal communities.
Gemma featured in these pages early last year through her unstinted devotion in swimming lap after lap after lap to raise vital funds for mental health online service, ReachOut.
Not only can Gemma plough through the water; she can also plough through opposition defences on a rugby league field.
And it is that talent which comes to the fore during this trip into the Mulga!
On the trip, Gemma will be conducting rugby league coaching clinics at two of the remotest public schools in NSW where they will also dispense footy jumpers, socks, shorts, and footballs donated by Steeden.
Bar the balls, all the gear has been rounded up by Gemma and Tracy!
First stop on the trip will be Hermidale, halfway along the Barrier Highway between Nyngan and Cobar.
Then it’ s on to Weilmoringle – it is not quite Back o’ Bourke but it gets mighty close!
Weilmoringle is smack, bang
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Free Hire Available centre of Culgoa National Park, which to the north abuts the NSW- Queensland border, the little village’ s nearest neighbours are also small towns, Enngonia, 80km to the west, and Goodooga, 50km to the east.
Where, as well as distributing footy gear and conducting a coaching clinic, funds will be handed over to the school to buy and erect desperately needed shade cloth over the play equipment area.
It will be the second visit to Weilmoringle by Gemma and Tracy who, last July, conducted league coaching clinics and distributed footy gear at both Weilmoringle and Brewarrina Christian College.
“ Why Weilmoringle?” I asked Tracy.
“ The school’ s principal, Cathy McAuliffe was on the teaching staff when Gemma attended Windsor Public and they have remained in touch down the years since.” Tracy explained.
“ Cathy was appointed principal earlier this year and on a catch-up phone call, the pair sussed out the idea of Gemma conducting a coaching clinic, which turned out to be a riproaring success.
“ In the build up to that first visit, Gemma reached out to many local and close by rugby league clubs
A local artist had great pleasure in presenting Gemma King with one of her artworks in appreciation of her visit to Weilmoringle Public School. Gemma proudly shows off her painting backed by mum, Tracy, and school principal, Cathy McAuliffe.
asking for old jerseys, balls, football boots, etcetera.“ There was so much support that there’ s a stack of gear and equipment left over to take on this latest trip.” To raise funds for those Weilmoringle students to have a much needed cover over their play area, Gemma and Tracy are organising what will be a fun filled Big Bogan Bash Trivia Night at Windsor’ s Boathouse Café on Saturday, November 8 from 5pm. Come and enjoy an early dinner before the games and trivia start at 6.30pm.“ Cost will be $ 10 a seat and attendees can have an amazing meal before the fun begins,” Tracy said.“ We also have raffle tickets for sale at $ 5 per ticket or three for $ 10 – the raffle will be drawn on the night.
“ We will also be selling jewellery, keyrings made from Kumquat seeds and emu feathers, or you can donate on our go-fund-me-page.
“ We are on a mission, and I really hope our community can support the undertaking.”
If you are keen to join in the fun and frolics, call Tracy on 0451 876 514 or ring the Boathouse on 4587 7512. Scan the QR code below to donate to the Go Fund Me if you are unable to attend.
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Lets Get Weilmoringle Their Shade Cloth
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8 ISSUE 186 // NOVEMBER 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT