This Quarterly Newspaper will be initially provided by the Community of the Redeemer to literally advertise ‘Good News for Ashmont". If you can contribute any items of interest, then feel free to place them in the Contributions Box located at the Ashmont Fish and Chips shop. This Newspaper is part of claiming a ‘Community Spirit’ for Ashmont. COMMUNITY - "COMMON-UNITY" - What is it?

The Church knows something about Community

The Church is a Community. Many people think of the church as a building. So many people also associate the church with its riches in monetary terms. They think of the great cathedrals in England and Europe, the grand stone sculptures, beautiful stained glass windows, gold chalices and jewelled robes. "These things don’t come cheap", they say. "The church must be rich!" Well, yes it is- rich in "personal sacrifice" by those who clubbed together to make possible these great tributes to a great God... rich in the "Spirit of God" who made possible these responses of love...and rich in tribute to a "Community Spirit" which made possible together what was impossible by the little person alone.

The community of the Ashmont Anglican Church would like to encourage all of the Ashmont Community to realise you too can be rich in a "Community Spirit" that can turn around the lives of all of us living in Ashmont.

The Ashmont Church is poor by human standards. It struggles to pay its own way. The priest works part-time. The buildings are relatively poor... who thinks of a house for a church? But it is rich in hope and vision to provide a haven for troubled hearts.

Recently you have seen this Anglican Community purchase a Government home at 40A Tobruk St and move it behind the existing Community Centre. Individual members of the church-community who believed in the vision of clubbing together to achieve riches for the whole community loaned money out of hard-earned savings to purchase this home. The home is now being slowly transformed by community members who voluntarily labour to provide a Family-Counselling Centre or what will become known as the Ashmont Community Resource Centre...the aim is to strengthen family ties by making appropriate resources available locally and to encourage us to nurture support networks that we all need, not just in times of crisis.

A "Community-Spirit" is vital to all of us! Would you like to be part of this vision?

Talk about what this could mean for you and your neighbour. It could mean some of Wagga Wagga’s existing family-support organisations will be within walking distance- perhaps even a doctor. Let the vision grow as we grow it together. Let’s see what a big God can make possible as his little people grow a big heart for the common good. Will you join us?

Talk to those on site working. Talk to the pastor- Rob Donald (Tel. No. 69312275), or join us in the many working bees.

This God-given vision can grow a Community Spirit within you too if you join it!

Those who live in Ashmont will be familiar with the war names associated with our streets. Our streets can remind us of past sites of battle or famous leaders who have changed the direction of history by their heroic acts. Our street life even today can remind us of a war zone, or community leaders whom we have known as our neighbours.

Wars can bring out the worst as well as the best in human nature. Wars at their worst bring out destruction from violence, theft from greed, and ultimately desires for revenge from hatred. The pressures of war can also cultivate the good qualities of mateship, inner-strength and the will to overcome

and survive in the face of adversity, and loyalty to a belief in a cause greater than oneself.

Wouldn’t it be great if in later years we can look back on our lives in the streets of Ashmont and remember these good qualities and more, rather than the bad qualities that are also possible to be expressed in our daily lives. You know it is possible to achieve the good associations with our street names if we pick up our part now in making it so!

From the movie – "The War" …

"I learnt a lot about war that day … In the fight to save that which we value, we often end up destroying the very things we value most!"

David Weule was born in Tumbarumba. He moved to Wagga Wagga when he was 6 years old and moved with his family to 40A Tobruk St at the age of 10. Some of you might remember the little red- headed Dave and his 4 brothers and 2 sisters

Although Dave was part of a big family for one reason or another, like many families in Ashmont, they went their own ways. At the age of 13 Dave left to live back in Tumbarumba with his Dad. Like many of the children from this area, despite the fact that he was good at school- he was dux of the primary school at Gurwood St - he turned to a trade. At 15 he joined the railways in Junee to become an apprentice fitter and turner and later, like his father, became a truck-driver. Now Dave is your local handyman. You will also see him - the long red-headed character, working on the church extensions or helping run the Thursday afternoon kid’s club - Rainbow Cafe. When Dave looks back on his Community-life he obviously includes Ashmont as part of his formative years. In his younger days he didn’t worship at the church next door, but he returned to Ashmont 3 years ago to worship at the Community of the Redeemer. He joined them because there was plenty of work to do. He’s returned home to help his extended family. That’s community!

Quote David likes: The greatest way to achieve your dreams is to wake up.

Sister Veronica is the Director of the Loreto home of Compassion. She is a member of a Roman Catholic Order of Nuns - the Daughters of Our lady of Compassion - or Sisters of Compassion as we know them. This is the only Roman Catholic Community of Nuns in New Zealand.

At the early age of 18, Sister Veronica was attracted by this Community’s blend of action and prayer - to meet the needs of the disadvantaged, the poor, the afflicted and the abandoned. With this as their goal, it’s appropriate this community be located in Ashmont. Originally the nuns did not charge for their services. They relied totally on God for His provisions. Sister Veronica’s eyes light up as she remembers episodes of God’s providence. Only in recent years has this community sought Government funding to care for the elderly. In one sense, things are not as exciting as they used to be when the order was directly dependent on God. The Order has worked in Wilcannia for 17 years, 40 years in Broken Hill and 3 years at a Boarding School in Perth. It established the Home of Compassion in Fox Street in 1953 and built bigger quarters in Ashmont in 1974 and extended their buildings further this year. There are now only five nuns from the Sisters of Compassion working in Australia. The Ashmont Community can feel privileged to have Sister Veronica lead them in our midst. Their life of action, founded in a routine of prayer, is an inspiration to us all. Go and see how they offer love to their residents. You may be able to help as a volunteer.
 
 

Marj Scott is another member of the Anglican Community of the Redeemer and has been since its foundation 19 years ago. Marj’s husband died of a heart attack when she was 51. At first, Marj wondered where on earth she was going to fit in.

The lives of Marj and her four children were thrown into turmoil and yet, through it all, Marj says she was amazed at God’s thoughtfulness and love in His provisions for them all. The Community of the Redeemer was part of this provision. At its foundation this church had an inner core of people who aligned themselves with other church communities throughout the world. Marj joined this group. They were influenced by St. Joseph’s House of Prayer in Goulburn, Elm Grove Sanctuary in Tumut, Malabar Community in Sydney, Sojourner’s Community in Washington, and Fisherfolk Communities from England and further abroad - each was founded to serve God and His people. Perhaps the Fisherfolk’s vision gives some idea of the intent of each of these communities. "Married people, single people, came together, laying at one another’s feet their choicest treasures: their time, their leisure, their possessions, their plans for the future, their talents and abilities, because they had caught a vision of serving the Church with the wholeness of their lives." Marj’s rich experience of ‘community’ taught her it is ‘a place to belong’- ‘just having a group of people to be there for you’, ‘somewhere you share your lives/life-experiences’, ‘supporting each other in needs and excitements/joys and sorrows’, and ‘helping each other grow’. The formal structures of the inner community have dissolved now but Marj still claims their vision as part of her everyday life with the people of the Community of the Redeemer. She still has a close blood family network with her children and their children, yet she thinks of the church as her friends, her social network, who share with her everyday in her ups and downs, and thus inevitably share their spirituality also. She says this is a community which is intentionally ‘a haven for all ‘.

(Note: the quote about the Fisherfolk came from a book by Betty Pulkingham (1977) called ‘Mustard Seeds’; ‘Redeemer’ is another name for Jesus Christ- the one who came not to judge the world but to save it, or redeem it, from evil’s power over it. - John 3:17)

The Ashmont Mall was established in 1975 . Over the years some shops have closed while other businesses have opened. Some shops have changed hands many times, though the owners of the TAB were there from the beginning until the government closed all TABs last year, transferring those businesses to hotels. About 11 years ago, with the blocking of Urana St to make way for the railway overpass, some people in Ashmont felt we were being cut off from the rest of Wagga. At that point in time there was no Post Office, no bank, no resident Doctor and only one bus service a day into town, leaving early in the morning and arriving back late in the afternoon. There are now 11 bus services a day during the week, from 8.15 am till 6.15 pm, and 8 on Saturdays, but it is still convenient to be able to go to the local shops for a lot of things. Businesses such as a video shop, Real Estate Agency and a shoe shop are all in the past, while the opening of a Post Office branch seven years ago has been very convenient for many people. The Laundromat also offers a convenient service for a lot of people.

John and Jenny have been running the local Newsagency for nearly 16 years. As well as ensuring people get their newspapers early in the morning (open 6 am daily, and 7 am on Sundays), they provide a photocopy and fax service and all the other newsagency business and still have time for a friendly word.

Ashmont Bread and Cakes has been run by Bev Day for the last two years. Her daughter Pheona Weeks often helps out. Bev’s shop is open from 7.30 am till 5 pm, so if you feel like breakfast - or any other meal - call in. Bev came to Wagga from Coleambally eight years ago and used to work in a bar so loves talking to people.

Andrew Lawler has been our Butcher for nearly four years and tempts us with all sorts of meat, especially chicken and stir fries. Andrew has now retired from Rugby League with Magpies and presents a solid family image with his father Peter and wife Evelyn and fellow butcher Ron Smith helping him in the shop, and baby daughter Tahlia often keeping an eye on things. The butcher’s shop is open from 6.30 am until 5.30 pm and till 12 ish on Saturdays.

James Malone took over the Chemist shop nearly four years ago. He plays an important part in the health of our community, as we have no doctor. He and his staff are on hand to help us from 8.45 am till 5.45 pm weekdays and till lunchtime on Saturdays. James has lived in Wagga for the last six years and has done lots of relieving work for other chemists prior to buying the Ashmont Pharmacy.

The Supermarket changed hands eight months ago when Paul Funnell took on the business. He is still busy setting it up and modernising the shop, including new doors and new checkouts which are operated by Tracey, Kellie and Anne. The supermarket is now an IGA Friendly Grocer. It might not have all the specials which the larger IGA supermarkets have, but does have specials which start every second Monday and last a fortnight, providing stocks last. The supermarket is open from 6.45 am till 6 pm Monday to Friday, from 7 am till 2 pm on Saturday and from 8 am till 1 pm on Sunday. Paul has lived in Wagga for the last 14 years and is originally from West Wyalong.

The St Vincent de Paul Society opened an Op Shop in the Mall in January 1995. It is run by friendly volunteers from the community each Tuesday to Friday from 10 am till 4 pm, and it is well worth a visit for some bargains.

"Salon Christie" hairdressing has been run by Sue Fuller for the last two and a half years. Sue is assisted by Sharon, and together they offer friendly and caring service from 8.45 am to 5.30 pm during the week, and 8.30 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

Murray and Kataryna Whittaker have sold a lot of fish and chips to the people of Ashmont during the last 14 years and it doesn’t take them long to know the regulars by name. They are always ready for a friendly chat. Videos can also be hired from the fish and chips shop, and newspapers are available after the Newsagency has closed. The fish and chips shop is open from 11 am to 9 pm, seven days a week.

These business people have a couple of things in common - they work long hours while trying to make a living, and they provide a service for the people of Ashmont which we shouldn’t take for granted. Let’s support them!
 

Ashmont Fish & Chips 6931 1133 Phone orders taken for the best fish & chips!	Ashmont Chemist 6931 1933 All chemist lines Friendly quality service Prescriptions filled Information on medicines	Ashmont News Agency 6931 1974 (phone/fax) Newspapers and magazines NSW Lottery Agency Agents for Water, Electricity, Gas and Land Rates Accounts Fax and photocopy facilities available
Ashmont IGA Supermarket 6931 1792 All day to day needs - Open 7 days BBQ chickens; pies; deli meats & salads; fresh fruit & veg Phone orders, Free home deliveries	Ashmont Bread & Cakes 6931 3970 Fresh Cut Sandwiches Hot Flavoured Pies Cakes our specialty	Ashmont Meat Centre 6931 1900 "Quality Meat, Quality Price"

 

HISTORY PAGE

Did you know that Ashmont was named after the name of the Salmon family’s homestead which is still located on the site of the Home of Compassion?

Did you know that our local Nursing Home - the Loreto Home of Compassion is run by a religious Community?

Did you know that the area now called Frances Court is the place where the Flowerdale Primary School was located from 1979 to 1987?

It closed down because of lack of numbers but not because of lack of Spirit!

Flowerdale’s School Motto was...
‘Citizens of tomorrow’

Flowerdale’s School Creed was...
This is our School, let peace dwell here.
Let the rooms be full of contentment.
Let love abide here.
Love of one another-
Love of Mankind-
Love of Life itself-
And love of God.
Let us remember,
That as many hands build a house, so many hearts make a school.

Do any of you have any memories you would like to share of Flowerdale?

CROSSWORD

(Check the History of your Street)

ACROSS

4. Lt-General NZ Armed Forces WWII; Later Governor General NZ 1946-52.
7. Japanese Forces invaded it in WWII. 8. Near Kokoda Trail in PNG.
9. General of US Army; said- "I shall return" when retreating from Manilla WWI.
10. British Field Marshal/Army Commander WWI & WWII.
12. Sea Port in PNG- fighting between Japan/ Aust. and US in WWII.
14. Trail in PNG- Here Native Papuans were called "Fuzzy wuzzy angels".
16. Air Chief Marshal WWII. 17. town of bitter fighting PNG WWII.
18. Fighting between Aust and Japan in PNG - WWII.
20. River in PNG- WWII fighting. 21. PNG town- WWII fighting.
22. Major General AIF in WWII. 23. Major General of the Milne Force, Milne Bay PNG WWII. 24. Deputy Commander (under General Eisenhower) of Allied Expeditionary Forces in WWII. 25. A siege in Libya lasting 9 months in 1941 where Aust soldiers - The Rats of "....".

DOWN

1. Island to North West of Aust. Now part of Indonesia- Scene of fighting in WWII.
2. Lieutenant General- served in Gallipoli & France in WWI & Middle East, NG & Borneo WWII
3. place in Libya- captured by Aust in WWII. 5. PNG- WWII.
6. Place in Libya, near Tobruk- WWII.
7. Field Marshall- ANZAC in Egypt, Gallipoli and France in WWI.

9. British Field Marshal- Commander-in-Chief of British & Allied group of Armies in WWII. 11. Island of Borneo- where Aust navy, army and Air Force all fought the Japanese.
12. Island in Mediterranean Sea. 13. fighting in PNG- WWII.
15. Squadron leader in RAAF- WWII. 19 Admiral - Royal Navy WWI.