Senior residents now safer

thanks to security program

COWRA’S unique Safe Seniors project has finally ended and been declared a huge success by Mayor Bill West.

More than 100 local homes for the elderly have been made safer by the program, with more than 1200 security measures put in place.

“We would like to thank all those who participated in the Safe Seniors program and hope the security measures that have been implemented into each and every home add to the confidence our seniors deserve,” says Cr West.

Cowra Shire Council successfully developed the project and was awarded the funding to complete it.

“This was a partnership between Council, Rotary and Lions to assess homes for senior residents with the aim of seeking areas for security improvements,” says Cr West.

The Mayor has thanked Cowra businesses involved in helping to upgrade the security of senior residents.

“Your professionalism, expertise, and continued support throughout this project has been appreciated by all our senior residents and we thank you for supporting us throughout such a large, new project,” he says.

Cr West says the number of phone calls and letters of gratitude and praise generated by the program was an indication of the genuine community appreciation.

“In particular, Cowra Locksmiths have played a huge role in making this program so successful, we are lucky to have businesses of this calibre in town,” he says.

He also paid tribute to Cowra Shire Council staff, including Lil Wilson and Lisa Robertson, who conceived the project, gained the federal funding, and had overall responsibility for the project.

“Overall there have been more than 1200 security measures put in place,” says Cr West.

“These include locks for windows and doors, security screens and repairs, security lights and smoke alarms.”

The Safe Seniors project was an Australian Government-funded initiative, as part of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The lowdown on what’s going

down in town this weekend

CLICK the PLAY icon ►on the video panel above to hear Cowra Visitor Centre officer, Annabel Gay, chat with CCN Editor, Garry Starr, about what you need to know of what’s on in the area over the next week.

Hear details of a variety of activities on in Cowra over the next week. They include the Salvos’ Red Shield Appeal, a new landscape art exhibition, a dog show with 700 entrants, a fashion parade, two separate musical performances and a cooking class.

Annabel and Garry will give you a description of upcoming events, their location, times and any costs they may involve. If you need further information on what’s discussed you can call the Visitor Centre on (02) 6342 4333 or visit www.cowratourism.com.au.

Thug bashes pub staffer

One of three who tried to push their way

into Railway Hotel an hour after closing

A HOTEL security man has suffered a broken eye socket and a badly cut mouth when he was savagely assaulted by a thug, one of three men “wearing rings all over their fingers”, who tried to shove their way into Cowra’s Railway Hotel after it had closed in the early hours of Sunday.

Staff member, Scott, aged in his 30s, is recovering in Orange Base Hospital from his injuries.

Railway Hotel publican Paul Fuz says he, his wife Sharyn and staff were leaving the pub by the front door about 1am on Sunday, after counting tills and closing down for the night, when three “out-of-towners” attempted to push their way past them into the hotel.

Mr Fuz says he told the men that the pub had shut for the night, but still they tried to force their way into the premises.

“Scott said to them, ‘Can we talk about this?’, and went outside to tell them we had shut,” says Mr Fuz.

“He went outside, just out of our sight, and seconds later one of the men we could see said to the others, ‘Come on, we’re going’ and they left towards the town.

“We came outside and found Scott in a bad way on the footpath.

“Then we saw the three of them running away (west) further up (Kendal) street.

“It all happened so quickly – it was over inside two minutes,” says Mr Fuz.

Police and ambulance paramedics were quick on the scene, he says.

“We didn’t even have time to get a good description of them,” says Mr Fuz, other than the three men sported “rings all over their fingers” and one of them wore a pony tail or a rat’s tail.

“They certainly hadn’t been drinking at the pub at any time earlier that day,” he says.

“None of us has seen them before.”

Scott remains in a satisfactory condition in Orange Base Hospital, says Mr Fuz, contrary to reports earlier today (Wednesday) that he’d been transferred to a hospital in Sydney for further treatment.

“I spoke to him on the phone in (Orange Base) hospital last night (Tuesday) and he was feeling better,” says Mr Fuz.

The attacker is reportedly described as being of solid build, wearing dark clothing and possibly sporting a rat’s tail haircut.

Cowra police are investigating.

Anyone with information about the assault should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.