April 06, 2017

A wonderful tour to Orange, NSW

Following our week in Queensland, Melbourne publicist, Tina and I headed for Orange in the central west of NSW. It’s such a beautiful town and a favourite place to visit. We worked with the wonderful Margaret and Phillip from Collins Booksellers – and I have to say that Margaret is one of the most incredibly well organised people I’ve ever met!

We started off with an interview on the local ABC radio with Melanie Pearce, whose daughter had pre-recorded some great questions for me too. Then the school visits began. Thanks to Orange Anglican School, Orange Public School, Kinross Wolaroi, Orange Christian School, Catherine Macauley Catholic School and St Mary’s Catholic School for your generous hospitality. We also had two fabulous events at the Orange Public Library – one where three smaller schools came to town and another after school for the general public. I couldn’t believe how far some people travelled to come along and I am always so humbled by this. I loved that it seemed as though every time I turned around there was a child (or adult) with whom I had some connection. There were the grandchildren of a friend and former colleague, the niece and sister of a former colleague, the son of a lady who used to work for my husband, dear Freya Blackwood’s daughter Ivy, cousin of a Sydney friend, a Headmaster who I knew when we were both deputies and last but not least a parent of a boy I had taught over 20 years ago! It was amazing – talk about feeling welcome!

Tina and I enjoyed wandering around town on our free afternoon visiting beautiful Cook Park and also discovering one of Australia’s best old fashioned milk bars – with so many lollies! I succumbed to buying a bag and ate way too many.

The Byng Street Cafe is also highly recommended for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Regional touring is so much fun – perhaps you would like me to visit your area – if you do, get in touch via the website.