WESTERN ADVOCATE, Friday, February 1, 2013 9www.westernadvocate.com.au

New car links kids and parentsA NEW set of wheels has

brought plenty of smiles to localchildren involved with Shine forKids.

The Bathurst branch recentlytook delivery of a brand new KiaCarnival people mover, whichwas funded by Newman’s OwnFoundation, the US-basedorganisation established by thelate actor Paul Newman.

Shine supports around 45children in the Bathurst regionthat have been affected by hav-ing one or both parents in thecriminal justice system. It is thesole agency assisting childrenwith parents in prison.

Shine Bathurst spokespersonTrish Carr said delivery of thenew vehicle was perfect timing.

“Our old vehicle had definite-ly on its last legs and with a busyschedule of fun outings plannedfor the children, this new vehiclecouldn’t have arrived at a bettertime,” Ms Carr said.

According to Ms Carr, the newvehicle will also be used to facili-tate parental visits for local chil-dren who have a dad or mum inthe prison system.

“Many of these children havelittle or no opportunity to visit

their parents and our profes-sional staff and trained volun-teers often have to use their owncars, so we are always limited interms of availability and timing,”Ms Carr said. “Thanks toNewman’s Own Foundation andour new people mover, we canschedule visits to coincide withprison visiting times and ensurethe prisoner/family connectionis both encouraged andstrengthened.”

Shine for Kids assists and sup-ports children of prisoners todevelop coping mechanismsand provides opportunities forthese children to support eachother.

Ms Carr called on Bathurstresidents to consider volunteer-ing their time to the cause.

“You can volunteer as muchor as little time as you can spare,”Ms Carr said. “We hope to hearfrom people from all walks oflife.”

Inquiries should be directedto the Bathurst branch on 63289900. Ms Carr added that chil-dren with a parent or relative inprison may access the service bycompleting a referral form, avail-able at www.shineforkids.org.au.

GENEROUS: Shine Bathurst mentor project worker Rebecca Sullivan and education program worker Trish Carr show offtheir new people mover, donated by the Newman's Own Foundation. Photo: PHILL MURRAY 011613pshine

Frederick Benjamin Franklin22 June 1925 - January 8 2013

FRED Franklin was born in Narromine onJune 22 1925, the eldest son of Jean and FredWest Franklin.

He spent his childhood in Narromine, attend-ing school with his many aunties and uncleswho were his age, or even younger.

His mother Jean (nee Arnaudon) was the eld-est daughter of thirteen children.

Fred’s parents were both musicians and it wasfrom them that he developed a love of music at avery young age.

Upon leaving school Fred’s first job was as atelegram delivery boy for the Narromine PostOffice and during this time he learned morsecode.

This later led to employment as a transmitterin post offices in Dubbo, Wellington, Cobar,Bourke and finally in the GPO in Sydney.

In 1952 Fred decided to join his mother andbegin a new life in Bathurst.

He commenced work that year as a clerk withBathurst City Council in the gas department,later moving to take charge of the rates depart-ment where he remained until retirement, thirtyfour years later in 1986.

Fred met and married Wilma and in 1958 hisprecious daughter Debbie was born.

Due to Wilma’s poor health, Fred’s motherJean took on the mothering role and supportedFred during Debbie’s childhood and adoles-cence.

In 1953 Fred and his mother and uncleformed the very successful Franklin Orchestraperforming in many towns in the Central West.

In 1967 Fred joined the popular dance band‘The Debonairs’ and entertained on the saxo-phone and clarinet.

At the same time he joined the orchestra ofthe Carillon Theatrical Society - his first showwas ‘Anything Goes’.

When ill health prevented him from perform-ing with the orchestras, he was forced to retire asa musician.

This led to a new hobby - travel.With his wife of 38 years, Fred and Clara trav-

elled the world - Fred with his video camera onhis shoulder.

He became a proficient photographer andcommentator and produced quality videos -memories of their many trips.

Upon retirement Fred joined the ArthritisFoundation and held the position of president ofthe Bathurst branch for nearly 30 years.

Fred was a foundation member of theMacquarie Male Singers and remained a staunchmember of the group until he was admitted tohospital in 2010.

Fred leaves his loving wife Clara, daughterDebbie, son-on-law Garry. He will be missed byhis grandchildren Grant and Karla.

He was a fond friend to step-daughters Ellaand Eva and their families.

Fred Franklin passed away peacefully atMacquarie Care Centre on January 8 2013.

Vale a dutiful public servant Grants to celebrate andpromote Indigenous arts

MEMBER for Bathurst Paul Tooleis encouraging Indigenous artsorganisations and individual artistsin the region to apply for a share of$100,000 in government funding tohelp showcase and promoteAboriginal arts.

Mr Toole said funding throughthe Aboriginal Regional Arts Fund(ARAF) aims to support projectsthat promote and celebrateIndigenous arts in rural NSW.

“ARAF funding is available forprojects such as workshops, per-formances, exhibitions, festivals orevents with Aboriginal people in keycreative roles,”he said.

“Funding is available of up to$3000 for individual artists and$15,000 for organisations.”

Mr Toole said initiatives such asthis increase participation of NSWAboriginal people in arts and cul-tural activities and promotesgreater recognition and apprecia-tion of NSW Aboriginal arts and cul-tural practice.

Arts Minister George Souris saidAboriginal artists and arts groups inrural NSW contribute to the socialand cultural richness of the nation.

As such, the NSW Governmentbelieves it is important to do all itcan to help them succeed.

“As home to the largestIndigenous community in Australia,NSW Aboriginal artists are produc-ing high-quality works that fuse tra-ditional stories and culture withcontemporary art forms andmedia,” Mr Souris said.

Applications close on March 182013 and must be for programs thatcommence after July 1 2013.

For more information and toapply see the Arts NSW websitewww.arts.nsw.gov.au emailarts.funding@arts.nsw.gov.au orphone 1800 358 594.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,Victor Dominello, said the activeparticipation by Aboriginal peoplein the arts and cultural sectorsboosts their capacity to keep theirculture and communities strong.

“The arts also promote broaderrespect and understanding ofIndigenous cultures by the broadercommunity and provide positiverole models for younger genera-tions of Aboriginal kids,” he said.