YOU know you really do have a drought crisis to contend with when a country mayor sees a downside to hordes of tourists flooding into his town.
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Tourism is something of a Holy Grail in regional communities and each year visitors in six figure numbers converge on Bathurst for the pilgrimage to The Mount for what is officially recognised as the nation's biggest sporting drawcard.
It's an eye watering annual boost to the Bathurst economy, with welcome flow on to Lithgow and across the region.
But these are not normal times and Mayor Bobby Burke at the weekend was swept up in the motor racing euphoria while still confessing on ABC radio he was a little concerned at the added impact on his city's dwindling water supply, already heading for crisis level.
"All those thousands of additional toilet flushes'' .. would see the supply further down the drain, he mused to his interviewer.
A classic case of win some, lose some!
A place in history
WAY, way back on October 18, 1869 the railway finally reached Lithgow's first station, Bowenfels, giving the heritage listed landmark a place in history literally set in sandstone. Next Saturday, October 19, one year and a day from that monumental milestone, the sesqui centenary will be celebrated with special events across the valley.
Bowenfels station will be the centrepiece but events are also planned for the Eskbank station model railway, Eskbank House, the State Mine railway workshop and Gang Gang Gallery, and other museums across town. It's an opportunity to take a stroll into our history so make a day of it.
Manners maketh an impression
NOW here's something that might catch on (just wishful thinking). Saturday morning in a rain soaked Lithgow Main Street and a tradie removing his work boots on the footpath before heading into the Post Office in his socks. Those among us observing the thoughtful routine were mightily impressed.
Rude and ruder
ON another page of the Manners Manual you might find mentions of 'rude' and 'really rude'. Into the second category come the Really Rudies who leave their shopping trolleys in the marked car spaces of shopping centre car parks. It takes rudeness and laziness to a new level and is particularly chronic at the Lithgow Valley Plaza. A little consideration would reduce much parking lot rage. Mind you, on a rudeness scale of one to 10 they're just a couple of points ahead of those who leave their stolen shopping trolleys all over town.
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