Inarrabri

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Craic with Craig
12 iNarrabri Magazine April 9th - April 22nd
narrabri lioness
melissa hancock
Interview by Craig Jollow
What type of role does the Narrabri Lioness
Club play in our local community?
The Narrabri Lioness Club has one primary aim
and that is to help others. To achieve this we
fundraise to provide financial support for oth-
ers and we give our time to serve our com-
munity thus: ‘making our community a better
place to live, work and grow.’
Melissa, you have been an active member of
the Lioness Club for 7 years now, how would
you describe the experience?
We are one big family really. We join together,
enjoy a meal, share stories and all have a com-
mon passion (no, not wine!) but hearing and
learning where our local community needs as-
sistance.
Did you join just because your husband
once described himself as a Lion and there-
fore ‘King of the Jungle’?
No definitely not – (Dean’s a bit of a pussy cat
really, which is surprising as he’s a Bulldog sup-
porter!) a Lioness lady invited me along to a
meeting and shortly after she became my
sponsor. I was impressed with the committee’s
dedication to assist and help others.
When and where do you meet and what sort
of expectations do you have of the members?
We meet on a monthly basis (3rd Tuesday) at
the Bowling Club from 7.00 p.m. There are no
expectations - just to help out when they can.
The kindergarten library bags are a big an-
nual project but other activities are the Nar-
rabri Lioness members involved in?
There are so many! We supply ‘Cuddle Bears’
to emergency services for children who are
traumatised and need a comforting toy. The
Bi-annual Garden Expo, Pistol Shoot Canteen,
Hospital Toiletries Bag for travellers or any pa-
tient admitted unexpectedly to hospital with-
out necessary supplies. One project that truly
touches everyone’s heart is the ‘Childhood
Cancer Morning Tea’ which will be held later in
September.
Is there any truth in the rumour that you
chose the Bowling Club for your meetings
because of the food?
Absolutely! James always looks after the Lion-
ess ladies with low-fat, low-calorie dishes.
If you had a message for anyone interested in
becoming a ‘Lioness’ what would it be?
To me the Lioness Club offers friendship, fel-
lowship and service to others. If this is some-
thing which interests you, please come along.
All aged groups welcomed.
Contacts : President – Kerrie Haire (6792 2136)
Secretary – Rosemary Lampe (6792 2934)
Special offer extended by popular demand
$20 Spray Tans
$25 Shellac (file & polish)
4/115 Maitland St Narrabri  6792 3538 Contact John Burgess  0423 690 586
www. johnburgessphotography.com.au
Your local wedding specialist
John Burgess PhotograPhY
We went to: Cafe One 23
We ate: Bacon/Eggs Benedict, Raisin Toast
We drank : Cappucino’s
Melissa wore: Hancock House of Fashion
Jen McPherson
will be playing her first local gig at
the narrabri golf club (april 18th).
How did you become interested in music?
My Mum (Mary-Anne) and Dad (John) are
both interested in music. They were in the
Bellata Bush Theatre, and when I was 6 the
Bush Theatre did a tribute to World War I
and I memorised a medley of It’s a Long
Way To Tipperary/Pack Up Your Troubles
In Your Old Kit-Bag/Roll Out the Barrel. My
parents were both really surprised because
they didn’t think I could sing at all, and they
thought it was funny that I knew the old
songs. They entered me into the Narrabri
Talent Quest that year and I ended up win-
ning with the war medley!
For how long have you been performing?
I performed throughout my school years but
mainly only classical or choral music. I was in
a choir that toured to Mexico and France, so
I got to sing overseas. I really haven’t done
any music at all since high school, except
for playing at home, so gigs are totally new
to me. I did a mini-gig in Sydney the other
weekend, which was a good warm-up for
my first gig here in Narrabri.
Who are your musical influences?
My favourites are The Beatles, Billy Joel, Ca-
role King, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and
Crowded House. I think the 1970s is the best
music decade (not disco, though!)
How did your Ray Hadley interview
come about?
I uploaded a video to YouTube to share with
friends and family. My aunt sent the video to
Ray Hadley and he played the song on air.
What sort of response have you received?
The response has been really nice! I’ve had
a lot of lovely comments from strangers. I
did have one internet troll tell me that my
voice “sounded like a dying cat”. That was
pretty funny!
What’s planned for your Golfie gig?
I’ll have my ukulele and be doing a mix of
songs/genres, some old stuff, some new
stuff. My set list will include covers of Dixie
Chicks, Coldplay, U2, Foo Fighters, Whitney
Houston, Paul Kelly and heaps more...
Ed - To see Jen in action type her name into
Google and go from there. If you’re reading
this online, click on the link below...
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