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25.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Having that network of support can make it easier to keep going through tough times. You pop out to a farm to visit someone, and it’s Would you like a cup of tea? I’ll put the kettle on. Doesn’t matter much if you have a beautiful sponge cake or tomato on a SAO biscuit. It’s about the fact that someone has asked you to come and sit at their table it’s about that connection. Lester Thurston OAM, who has served his community of Tooraweenah for 40 yearsin more ways than one. Read our full interview with Lester at www.nalag.org.au/tts-lesterthurston NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

25.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Just because our town is small, doesn’t mean our ideas have to be. Pip Archer, long-time local, ardent small-town advocate and one of the two cheery cheesemongers behind fabulous fromage outfit Blue Sky Cheese Handmade in #Mendooran. Read our full interview with Pip at https://www.nalag.org.au/tts-piparcher NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

25.01.2022 #thatsthespirit The community as a whole has been surprised that it’s been as successful as it has and people are quite shocked, but happy, that we are finally building a youth centre. It’s something I think they all knew was needed here but no one else was going to put their hand up and say they’d do it. Kelly Sinclair, Executive Officer of the Warren Youth Group. Read our full interview with Kelly at www.nalag.org.au/tts-kellysinclair NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

25.01.2022 How much do you know about our free grief support service? Learn more at nalag.org.au/griefsupport or call us on 02 6882 9222.

25.01.2022 With branches in Ballina, Bellingen, Dubbo, Hunter, Mudgee and Sydney, our free grief support service is continuing throughout all of NSW. To find out more, visit nalag.org.au/griefsupport or call our friendly team on 02 6882 9222.

24.01.2022 Starting a conversation about mental health can be difficult, but there are things that can help. Download the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program - RAMHP’s ‘Having a Conversation’ Guide here: https://bit.ly/3ieXgff

23.01.2022 ONLINE TRAINING: Accidental Counsellor We often find ourselves in a counselling role by accident as a result of conversations with customers, colleagues, friends and others. NALAG NSW is hosting an interactive online ‘Accidental Counsellor’ training course on 26 & 27 October 2020 to provide you with effective skills to step into the shoes of a counsellor and be prepared to respond to and support people who are distressed or experiencing a challenging time. To register or for more information, visit www.nalag.org.au/accidental

22.01.2022 NALAG's 'Basic Loss and Grief Support' online training is suited to anyone wanting to better support people who are grieving. Explore the grief process, reactions to loss and the role of a grief supporter over a series of online sessions, to be held each Saturday morning from 7 November 2020. This training is also a great beginner course for anyone interested in becoming a NALAG Grief Support Volunteer. To register or for more info, please contact NALAG's Jen Perino on 0409 151 646 or email [email protected]

22.01.2022 #thatsthespirit It’s important to invest in rural youth because they are the future, particularly in the Narromine area which is a real food bowl for NSW and the rest of Australia. You gotta have food and you gotta have fibre to feed and clothe Australians and the rest of the world. #Narromine’s Geoff Smith, who is the driving force behind two successful Rotary youth agricultural skills development projects. Read our full interview with Geoff at www.nalag.org.au/tts-geoffsmith NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

22.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Mendooran is a real can do kind of town, that’s for sure. Pip and I have experienced travellers coming through to taste our cheese and going, Wow, this is a beautiful backwater. This place is going backwards. You should see us get on our soap boxes, because it’s not what you see on the outside. Look harder and there’s lots going on. Deb Kiem, one half of the fabulous fromage outfit Blue Sky Cheese Handmade in #Mendooran, who is quick to put people straight on her can do little town. Read our full interview with Deb at www.nalag.org.au/tts-debkiem NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

20.01.2022 Tip #7 - Plan your time throughout the festive season, so that you are under as little stress as possible, and avoid over-committing. An 'escape plan' is a simple explanation of why you may not attend an event and can be handy if you suddenly feel 'triggered' or overwhelmed. ‘Coping with Grief During the Festive Season’ is a series of tips compiled by NALAG NSW and published on @nalagnsw social media platforms throughout December 2020. The NALAG NSW team will be taking a... short break from 4pm Friday 18 December 2020. Our free grief support service will resume from Monday 18 January 2021. For urgent support, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 See more

20.01.2022 Tip #10 - Support is always available. There are a number of crisis support services and grief resources available 24/7 during the festive season. For more information, visit www.nalag.org.au ‘Coping with Grief During the Festive Season’ is a series of tips compiled by NALAG NSW and published on @nalagnsw social media platforms throughout December 2020. The NALAG NSW team will be taking a short break from 4pm Friday 18 December 2020. Our free grief support service will re...sume from Monday 18 January 2021. For urgent support, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 See more

19.01.2022 Tip #9 - Leave an empty seat at the table in memory of your loved one. Make a toast to the person and share anecdotes. Don't be afraid to laugh and smile as you remember the good times. ‘Coping with Grief During the Festive Season’ is a series of tips compiled by NALAG NSW and published on @nalagnsw social media platforms throughout December 2020. The NALAG NSW team will be taking a short break from 4pm Friday 18 December 2020. Our free grief support service will resume f...rom Monday 18 January 2021. For urgent support, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 See more

19.01.2022 #thatsthespirit It’s not just a case of the lights still being on here in this region, I think there’s still so many lights that haven’t even been lit yet. There’s so much potential here. But it’s a hard path there’s not a pre-determined formula for success. - Angie Armstrong city girl turned passionate country advocate and entrepreneur who, together with fourth generation farmer husband Michael, is developing a tourism hub at Callubri Station, an historic working farmi...ng and grazing operation at #Buddabadah (between #Nyngan and #Tottenham) that has been in the family for 140 years. Read our full interview with Angie and her husband Michael at www.nalag.org.au/tts-angiearmstrong NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit See more

19.01.2022 Tip #6 - Remember, it's okay to be happy. Feeling joyous during the festive season doesn't diminish how much you love and miss the person who has died. Consider how they would want you to feel. ‘Coping with Grief During the Festive Season’ is a series of tips compiled by NALAG NSW and published on @nalagnsw social media platforms throughout December 2020. The NALAG NSW team will be taking a short break from 4pm Friday 18 December 2020. Our free grief support service will... resume from Monday 18 January 2021. For urgent support, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 See more

19.01.2022 #thatsthespirit #hermidale It’s the people here. They’re so much more positive than everyone thinks they are or would be. No matter what’s going on, every time people get together you sense that they all have each other’s backs. You just don’t get that in the city. Stacey Wells-Bud, Hermidale NSW. Read our full interview with Stacey and her husband Michael at www.nalag.org.au/tts-staceymichaelwellsbud NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit Hermidale Hotel Bush Telegraph, Western Rural NSW

18.01.2022 #thatsthespirit There is always adversity of some sort in regional Australia and there is always a solution. #Gilgandra based artist and author Amy Naef. Read our full interview with Amy at www.nalag.org.au/tts-amynaef NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available from December 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

18.01.2022 #thatsthespirit People probably think it’s boring here. You know, they think What’s this little town got? as they drive through. But once you live here, there’s just so many things you can get involved in. And the people are wonderful, just wonderful. Fay Chapman, who is one of the founding volunteer instructors of #Coonabarabran’s aqua-fitness group, which has been going strong for 20 years. Fay says the group is as much about connectedness and wellbeing as it is fitness. Read our interview with Fay in full at www.nalag.org.au/tts-faychapman NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

17.01.2022 We hope everyone is having a safe and pleasant start to 2021. The NALAG team will be back on deck from next week - please reach out if you or someone you know could benefit from a chat with our grief support team. #nalag #nsw #grief #support

17.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Tourism is an important part of our future so it’s up to us locals to make travellers feel welcome and make an effort to say g’day. People genuinely want to connect. We have to work at that, and go above and beyond. Col Ryan OAM, long-serving Lion and passionate #Gulargambone advocate who says the word can’t is like a red rag to a bull ‘round his home town. Read our full interview with Col at www.nalag.org.au/tts-colryan NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

17.01.2022 #thatsthespirit The sense of community in #Trangie is second to none, unlike anywhere else I’ve seen. It’s like you’re in a little club. Everyone supports each other and they really do get behind each other. Trangie’s Kelly McCutcheon, who believes there’s as much if not more opportunity in small regional centres as in the city, as long as you’re prepared to get in and have a go. Read our full interview with Kelly at www.nalag.org.au/tts-kellymccutcheon NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

16.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Miss Vet is what I call my side art business. I spend my day in paddocks or sheep yards, cutting up dead animals (and) fishing inside sheep’s guts, but then when I get home and have a shower, it’s a different me. I’ve always been a bit of a girly girl, I like pretty shoes and lipstick and pink, sparkly things. Coonamble vet and artist, Jillian Kelly who is passionate about keeping what she calls the true heartbeat of Australia pumping in small communities. Read our full interview with the extraordinary Miss Vet at www.nalag.org.au/tts-jilliankelly NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

16.01.2022 #thatsthespirit It’s hard to explain but there’s a reason everyone travels to Nevertire and has a beer at the pub there or goes to the rodeo. There’s just something about the spirit of the place that gets to everyone. It’s hard to put into words, it’s a feeling. Nevertire’s Ben Rasmussen, a graduate accountant who has used his passion for both his sport and his community to help reinvigorate the town’s rodeo. Read our full interview with Ben at www.nalag.org.au/tts-benrasmussen NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

15.01.2022 What a fantastic community initiative! #DubboCares Day will be held on Wednesday 28 October. More info below...

14.01.2022 #thatsthespirit This town is used to getting knocked around a bit with droughts and floods and other things and we get through it. We’re used to adversity. The young ones move on a bit, but it takes more than a drought and a pandemic to move us. Bill Kennedy, former deputy mayor and advocate for the #Walgett community who lives by the mantra that if you want something done, it’s up to you to stand up and speak up. Read our full interview with Bill at www.nalag.org.au/tts-billkennedy NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

13.01.2022 #thatsthespirit I’ve done everything from shearing in the desert in Colorado to the next week jumping on a plane to go shearing up in the highlands of Scotland. Champion shearer and industry advocate Steve Mudford Read our full interview with Steve at www.nalag.org.au/tts-stevemudford NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

11.01.2022 Tip #8 - Light a candle in your home in memory of the person who has died. ‘Coping with Grief During the Festive Season’ is a series of tips compiled by NALAG NSW and published on @nalagnsw social media platforms throughout December 2020. The NALAG NSW team will be taking a short break from 4pm Friday 18 December 2020. Our free grief support service will resume from Monday 18 January 2021. For urgent support, please contact: Lifeline 13 11 14... Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline Official 1800 55 1800 See more

11.01.2022 NALAG Dubbo is accepting expressions of interest for its upcoming 'Seasons for Growth' program for 6-11yrs who have experienced significant change or loss, to be run weekly (after school hours) during Term 4 of 2020. Developed by Good Grief, this program incorporates a wide range of age-appropriate activities involving drawing, role-play, playdough and music to strengthen social and emotional wellbeing following significant loss. For more information and to complete an expression of interest form, visit www.nalag.org.au/seasonsforgrowth

10.01.2022 Don’t let the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing stop you from reaching out to support a friend who is grieving. Here’s some handy tips... More info: www.nalag.org.au #nalagnsw #grief #support

09.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Walgett has such a rich history as well as a really chequered past and there’s a lot of healing to be done. That’s an important role for people like us to help facilitate that healing, to have empathy and understanding and to try to learn more about the past and then how we can change things in the present. Walgett businessman Dave Thwaites, who has a love for the small western town that’s as unique as his magnificent beard! Read our full interview with Dave at www.nalag.org.au/tts-davethwaites NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

09.01.2022 #thatsthespirit I can offer my experience and knowledge to the community. That’s a good feeling to be able to actually help people out. All the jobs I’ve had in the public service area are ones in which I’ve been able to help people, and it’s the same with Rotary. Narromine Rotary president, John Sinclair, whose diverse career path and deep local roots give him a unique perspective and a love for his community. Read our full interview with John at www.nalag.org.au/tts-johnsinclair NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

09.01.2022 #thatsthespirit We also go into schools and have a yarn to kids, not only about the dangers of fires but what happens around starting fires, controlling fires and putting out fires. We also talk about how they can join the RFS by coming up through the grass roots way like I did. Being part of the brigade as a volunteer is not just about pride at helping fight fires, it’s about showing respect. It teaches kids and gets them ready for the workforce. Brewarrina’s Christophe...r Burra McHughes, who started out as a young volunteer and is now a retained firefighter and part of the NSW Rural Fire Services first Indigenous State Mitigation crew. Read our interview with Burra in full at www.nalag.org.au/tts-christophermchughes NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available to order from 7 December 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit #nalagnsw #brewarrina See more

08.01.2022 #thatsthespirit (One) aim of The Macquarie Matrons committee was to help build confidence and capacity in the small towns (where members were from). The idea was that women would join the committee, do a few events, build their confidence then take that back to their local community and have the confidence to take the roles on and love their community. It was a training ground for community engagement. #Trangie’s Amanda Ferrari, the city-born lass turned die-hard country ...girl who founded the hugely successful regional fundraising event largely as a way to harness the diverse skillset of local women. Read our full interview with Amanda at www.nalag.org.au/tts-amandaferrari NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit See more

05.01.2022 #thatsthespirit It’s through sticking together that we can overcome challenges, and the #Mendooran Show is an example of that and it becomes more so during a time like drought in a way we’ve become stronger. I think that’s true of many small communities that are going out of their way to make things work. Reg Sweeney, who is current president of the Mendooran PA & H Association, and says anyone who thinks the town is in its death throes should take a closer look. Read our full interview with Reg at www.nalag.org.au/tts-regsweeney NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

04.01.2022 Available to order from Monday 7 December 2020! NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered by co-ordinator Jen Cowley OAM from across Western NSW over the past two years, and will soon be available to order from www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

03.01.2022 #thatsthespirit There is a lifestyle we enjoy in the bush but we work hard at it. We play hard as well. When things are good they’re great and when they’re bad they’re REALLY bad. But we’re all pretty pragmatic about it. Long-time local and active #Trangie community member, Patty Mitchell. Read our full interview with Patty at www.nalag.org.au/tts-pattymitchell NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

03.01.2022 #thatsthespirit I guess we just learned by example that if you don’t do it, no one else will do it for you so you might as well do it yourself in the first place. Megan O’Connor: caterer, farmer and third generation #Warrumbungles district local. Read our interview with Megan in full at www.nalag.org.au/tts-meganoconnor NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book features a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and is now available to order from www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

03.01.2022 A must for anyone who interacts with people! Learn effective skills for interacting with people in distress, including compassionate language, active listening; empathic response and appropriate referral, at NALAG’s online ‘Accidental Counsellor’ training course for people who often find themselves in a counselling role by accident. Ideal for teachers, youth workers, team leaders, aged care professionals, frontline staff, sport coaches and many more. The course is hosted by Mirna Tarabay (Psychotherapist) and conducted entirely online over two mornings on 26 and 27 October 2020. For more information and to register, visit www.nalag.org.au/accidental

03.01.2022 Last chance to register for next week’s online training! Learn effective skills for interacting with people in distress, including compassionate language, active listening, empathic response and appropriate referral at NALAG’s online ‘Accidental Counsellor’ training course for people who often find themselves in a counselling role by accident. Ideal for teachers, youth workers, team leaders, aged care professionals, frontline staff, sport coaches and many more. The course is hosted by Mirna Tarabay (Psychotherapist) and conducted entirely online over two mornings on 26 and 27 October 2020. For more information and to register, visit www.nalag.org.au/accidental

02.01.2022 #thatsthespirit You have to earn respect in rural communities that’s the way we all roll. If you give respect you’ll get it, and if you have a crack and get involved, you never know what gems you’ll find hidden in a rural community. #Coonamble’s Emily Ryan who, despite her relatively tender years, already does so much for her community it’s exhausting just reading the list. Read our full interview with Emily at www.nalag.org.au/tts-emilyryan NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

02.01.2022 #thatsthespirit When #Gulargambone people are told they can’t do something, they stand their digs and refuse to roll over. Gular has a long history of rolling up its sleeves and getting stuff done. Armatree Hotel publican Ash Walker who, with wife Lib, has helped put the tiny locality squarely on the tourist map. Read our full interview with Lib and Ash Walker at www.nalag.org.au/tts-ashlibwalker NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit

02.01.2022 #thatsthespirit Once upon a time it was, get away, go here, go there. Now I find the young ones are wanting to get involved in things. No matter what the community activity is, they are there and enthusiastic. They just dive in head first and they are real work horses. They also have great ideas, and we need to empower them and let the young ones come in. Sue Armstrong, immediate past president of the #Tooraweenah Show Society who moved to the district ten years ago looking for a quieter life and has barely had time to scratch herself since. Read our full interview with Sue at www.nalag.org.au/tts-suearmstrong NALAG's 'That's the Spirit' hardcover book will feature a selection of excerpts from the stories gathered over the past two years, and will be available in late 2020. Learn more: www.nalag.org.au/thatsthespirit