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Total destruction in a fire in 2019 of the original Wentworth Golf Club seemed likely a death-knell for "The Wenty"; but fate still had a hand to play. Having only just passed its half-century a few years before, it looked like this beloved local institution, might not meet the 60th anniversary which it celebrates this week. Fortuitous events, however, led to its amalgamation with Orange Ex-Services Club, and they haven’t looked back since, Services’ Chief Operating Officer, Mark "Fez" Fleidner believes. "It was a tragedy when the 50-year plus club house burnt to the ground however, at that time, the Orange Ex-Services Country Club - which had its own course - lost our lease out at Bloomfield," Fez explained. "So, we eventually formed an amalgamation between Orange Ex-Services Club and Wentworth, which has been beneficial for both parties," he added. Half-century member, Stan Streatfeild, said that the amalgamation with the Ex-Services Club, was a lifesaver after the devastating inferno of May 18, 2019. "In the end, it was probably the best thing to happen for all concerned," Stan said. "The Servies lost a country club, and got a first-rate golf course as a swap," he added. Bricks-and-mortar of the new clubhouse is one sign of the successful marriage between one of the top courses in the bush and Orange's biggest community organisation. "The cost was about $25 million to build, making it one of the most modern buildings and golf courses in NSW," Fez said proudly. "We've got a pro-shop, two golf simulators, a sports bar, a main restaurant, two cafes and function spaces, and a kids play area." With the fine and ancient game of golf now struggling for numbers in many towns across Australia, "The Wentworth", as it is now known, has only grown and thrived. "At the time of the re-opening, we had about 550 full members, now we have about 760 members, and that doesn’t include the 26,000 social members across the group," Fez revealed. He emphasised not just the good work in recent years, but also the hard labour of those who founded the club all those years ago. "The golf course, wouldn’t be where it is, if not for founders like John (Bankovic)" with the events of 2019 shattering for the members. "It’s been a home away from home for so many, and it was sad for everyone but, saying that, it gave us the opportunity to benefit the whole community," Fez said. He points to the long-standing commitment of so many at the club to its ultimate success now and into the future. "We have 48 juniors, an increase on previous years, which is great; Todd (Brakenridge, Club Pro), does everything. "We have a beautiful 18-hole, par 69 course in top condition, that is a testament to the work of so many people over the years," Fez said. For many members, he believes, the club is so much more than just another golf course. "I used to work out here since I was 16, Todd’s been here since he was 16, for all of us, it’s a special place," Fez said. "In the end, they’re not members, they’re friends." Early days of the club for everyone, only £5 a year! Drinks between a group of golf-loving friends way back in 1965 was the catalyst for the establishment of The Wentworth, now one of the best clubs in country NSW. Increasing popularity of golf in the post-war years - a sport until then traditionally associated with the wealthy upper middle class - had led to a crisis, where Orange’s established century-old course, simply could not cope with application numbers. "At Duntreyleague, you couldn’t join unless your father or grandfather had been a member, there was just too long a waiting list," Wentworth Golf Club founding member, John Bankovic recalled. "So, it was six local businessmen, over a beer at the old Orange Hotel, who decided to go ahead and build another golf course," he added. This led to a public meeting being called, where the unmet demand for the course, was starkly illustrated with a huge attendance. "We had a meeting at the Armaco Hall (Orange Function Centre) where more than 750 people turned up, at the end of the meeting, everyone paid ~$5 to become founding members," John said. Then the next year, it went up to $10, a 100 per cent increase," he joked (conversion to the new decimal currency in February 1966, was at one pound to two dollars). For John though, at the time a recent migrant from the Croatian province of communist Yugoslavia, the club has been a second home. "You couldn’t find a better place to play golf, the first golf ball I ever hit in my life, was there, the first game I ever played, was there" John said. "It is more than a club, it is a family." Foundation member, John Bankovic Wenty member, Stan Streatfeild, said the amalgamation with the Ex-Services Club, was a lifesaver after the devastating fire.

The Orange Ex-Services’ Club has unveiled a new name for its popular upstairs function space, now officially known as the Tarin Kowt Room. Tarin Kowt, the capital of Uruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan, was the central base of Australian military operations during the nation’s involvement in the Afghanistan conflict. Orange Ex-Services’ Club CEO Nathan Kelly said the name change not only aligns the venue with other club function rooms named after historic campaigns, including the Coral Sea, Tobruk, Borneo and Moresby Rooms, but also serves as a meaningful tribute to veterans of more recent conflicts. “The space was previously called the Greenhouse Function Room, and we saw an opportunity to rename it as a mark of respect for the veterans of Afghanistan, a new generation of local servicemen and women,” Mr Kelly said. “Most of our rooms are named after Australian battles or campaigns, but none yet reflected the experiences of our more contemporary veterans. The Tarin Kowt Room helps bridge that gap.” The new name was officially revealed on Wednesday, October 15, ahead of a special screening of the Australian war documentary Bravery and Betrayal , presented by veterans’ charity Wandering Warriors. Special guest “Horse”, a former SAS Patrol Commander who features in the film, helped unveil the Tarin Kowt name and accompanying information wall. “It’s actually my first time in Orange, which is ironic because I spent so much time in Tarin Kowt during deployments that we used to joke I’d end up getting citizenship there,” Horse said with a smile. “It’s an honour to be here and part of something that recognises the men and women who served there.” Director Simon J. Heath also attended the event and spoke about the importance of Bravery and Betrayal , which highlights the courage and dedication of Australian soldiers who served in Afghanistan. “Many Australians don’t realise the scale or impact of what our Defence Force, especially the SAS, achieved in Afghanistan,” Mr Heath said. “We made this film to share their story, to acknowledge their bravery and the sacrifices made not just by those on the front line, but by their families back home. These stories deserve to be told.” Heath said the film was also motivated by a desire to give SAS veterans a voice after years of negative media coverage and the heavy toll it has taken on many within the Defence community. “For a decade, only one narrative has been told, and it’s damaged reputations, families, and lives,” he said. “This film gives these soldiers, and their loved ones, the chance to tell their side of the story.” Funded entirely through community donations, Bravery and Betrayal has been touring Australia since June, with the Orange screening marking its 87th showing, most of which have been to sold-out audiences. “Our hope is that people walk away having heard directly from the SAS, their families, and those who paid the ultimate price,” Mr Heath said. “It’s vital that the ANZAC story continues to evolve, that we recognise the courage of those who served in Afghanistan as part of that proud tradition.”

At first glance, it’s just an ordinary t-shirt, but look closer and you’ll see the Supertee is so much more. “Our mission is to change the hospital attire for kids in hospitals,” says Operations Coordinator Terry Edgar, of the children’s charitable organisation Supertee. The Supertee, Terry explains, is a medical garment disguised as a fun costume. It was an idea brought to life by founder Jason Sotiris, whose one-year-old daughter Angela was diagnosed with a rare cancer that led to a three-year hospital battle. Feeling useless and helpless, Jason looked for ways to improve his daughter's level of comfort... and the Supertee was born. “It is essentially two pieces of material that come together by these plastic press studs,” says Terry. “Being plastic makes it MRI and PET scan safe, and all of the wires and tubes that the kids may be attached to can be stored neatly between these press studs down the sides.” A medical gown is an almost universal symbol of being sick, which can be demoralising for a child undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses. It’s like, ‘You feel sick, now you officially look sick'," says Terry. “With the Supertee, it is a garment whose aim is to give the kids in hospital that comfort, that dignity and also to inspire that imaginative play. We don't see them as medical garments; we see them as battle armour.” Supertees come in a number of different designs, including ‘Space Commander’, ‘Ballerina’ and Marvel superheroes Captain America, Captain Marvel and Spiderman. Marvel has allowed Supertee free use of their characters and logos for the garments. Supertees can now be found in 105 hospitals around Australia and, thanks to a grant from the Orange Ex-Services’ Club, 192 more Supertee packs have been donated to our hospital here in Orange. Last week, the club’s board members and staff spent a morning individually assembling Supertee care packs, which included handwritten notes to be given to children at the hospital. “We like to include our donors into the activity, to see where their money goes,” says Terry. “So we offer up an activity where they can pull together a team from the club – whether it be management, whether it be members, or the community – where these care packs actually get packed and then delivered to the local hospital to distribute the super tees where needed.” This is now the third year the Orange Ex-Services Club has supported Supertee, and they are proud to do so, says club president Graham Gentles. “The reason we're partnering with Supertee is because of our commitment to the community. Our club, our ethics, and our directions have always been to look after those within our area, and we support a lot of like-minded groups,” Mr Gentles said. “Supertee is a wonderful initiative and it's just grown into something now that I think has become very valuable in hospitals for those children that are suffering, in some cases, with life-ending disease or other issues they may have. And so it's a wonderful opportunity for us to be involved in something that's worthwhile for our community.”

Be at the Orange Ex-Services' Club every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday for your chance to win the members jackpot! BE AT THE ORANGE EX-SERVICES' CLUB OR THE WENTWORTH ORANGE EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SUNDAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THE MEMBERS JACKPOT! $15,000 JACKPOT CURRENTLY AT: NEXT DRAW IN: EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SUNDAY DRAWN AT 6:00PM & 7:30PM AUTHORITY: TP/04048 YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! You could change your life by winning the OESC Members Jackpot! Watch as the progressive jackpot climbs by $1000 each week until won! Every Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday at 6:00PM & 7:30PM. Members will automatically be entered into the Members’ Jackpot. All you need to do is be present at the OESC or The Wentworth Orange on draw nights and be ready to claim the cash prize if your membership number is drawn. Be here between draws at 7:00PM for your chance to win our Guaranteed $250 Cash Draw to present members. Simply swipe your Membership card on any Star Rewards kiosk to be awarded a virtual entry! Become a Member today at OESC Reception. Authority: TP/04048 VIEW T&Cs 1 1 1 BE A MEMBER If you’re not, you need to join before 6pm to ensure you’re entered 2 BE AT THE CLUB Be here each Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday for the first draw at 6.00pm 3 GET CALLED If your membership number is called you've got 4 minutes to claim the prize 4 STICK AROUND A second draw takes place at 7:30pm each Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday 5 VISIT NEXT WEEK The Jackpot climbs by $1000 every week is not claimed! GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN!

Orange Ex-Services' Club has been proudly serving members and supporting our local community for over 60 years. HAM & SEAFOOD RAFFLES, $5,000 TOY RAFFLE + MORE LEARN MORE What's On HamFest Raffles Tue, 25 Nov Orange Ex-Services' Club MORE INFO $2,000 Christmas Seafood Raffles Fri, 05 Dec Orange Ex-Services' Club MORE INFO 100 Mega HamFest Raffles Sat, 13 Dec Orange Ex-Services' Club MORE INFO VIEW ALL WHAT'S ON Drink & Dine VIEW MENU VIEW MENU Become an OESC Member today and enjoy the benefits at all of our venues! The Wentworth The Greenhouse The Country Club Mercure Orange BECOME A MEMBER EVENTS SOCIAL • CORPORATE • WEDDINGS • CATERING ENQUIRE TODAY

Kidsfest is back in January to help keep the kids entertained before they go back to school. From junior golf clinics to cup cake decorating, there's plenty to keep the kids busy. SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES KidsFest is back again throughout 2026, so join us at the Orange Ex-Services' Club during the January School Holidays! The OESC is buzzing with excitement as we ha ve a range of kid-friendly activities lined up! From Sunday 18 January to Friday 23 January , we invite you to join us for an array of fun, laughs and epic memories! Adults you are welcome to *drop and dine with us! We will entertain your little people whi le you have a coffee at our Coffee Shop, a drink at Northcott Bar or some lunch in Diggers. Kids are welcome to dine with you at any OESC venue and take advantage of a $10 kids meal throughout KidsFest! FAMILY BOWLS DAY SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY FREE THE COUNTRY CLUB 11:00AM - 1:00PM Looking for something fun and free to do together? Come down to the Country Club for a relaxed and friendly Family Bowls Day, proudly hosted by our passionate club members. No experience needed – just bring your crew, give it a go, and enjoy some laughs on the green. BOOK WENTY MOVIE NIGHT MONDAY 19TH JANUARY $6 PER CHILD THE WENTWORTH ORANGE 6:30PM Enjoy a relaxing night out while your kids have a blast at our Movie Night watching The BFG! It’s the perfect way for parents to relax while the kids are entertained! Receive one (1) FREE kids meal with any meal purchased over $20. Tickets include the movie and popcorn. BOOK CHOCOLATE BINGO TUESDAY 20TH JANUARY $2 PER CHILD ORANGE EX-SERVICES' CLUB 12:30PM - 1:30PM Get ready for a sweet time at our School Holiday Chocolate Bingo! Kids can play a fun game of bingo with a delicious twist – tasty chocolate prizes for every win! It’s a perfect mix of excitement and treats, making it the ultimate holiday activity for chocolate lovers! BOOK POLLETS KARATE CLASS WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY $5 PER CHILD ORANGE EX-SERVICES' CLUB 10:00AM - 1:00PM A fun and engaging Kids Introduction to Martial Arts class run by Pollet’s Martial Arts Centre is the perfect way for children to build confidence, focus, and fitness. Designed for beginners, this class teaches the basics of martial arts in a safe, supportive environment. Through games, drills, and simple techniques, kids develop discipline, coordination, and respect – all while having a great time! Suitable for ages 4 and up. BOOK CUPCAKE MAKING CLASS THURSDAY 22ND JANUARY $15 PER CHILD THE GREENHOUSE OF ORANGE 11:00AM - 12:00PM Get ready for a burst of colour, creativity and sugary fun! Join us in the Tarin Kowt Room for a hands-on cupcake decorating extravaganza! Every child will receive three cupcakes and a spot at our giant decorating table, loaded with piping bags of fluffy buttercream, lollies, sprinkles, and edible décor galore. But the fun doesn’t stop there - kids can also unleash their inner artist with mini canvas painting, giving them a sweet treat and their very own masterpiece to take home. No classes, no waiting—just one big, bright, creative session for everyone to enjoy together! BOOK JUNIOR GOLF CLINIC FRIDAY 23RD JANUARY $15 PER CHILD THE WENTWORTH ORANGE 8:30AM - 10:OOAM Join our Junior Golf Clinic with the Wentworth Golf Pro and take your game to the next level! Designed especially for young golfers, this engaging session focuses on developing proper technique, building confidence and improving overall skills in a supportive & fun environment. Participants will learn essential fundamentals, enjoy hands-on coaching and spend time out on the course putting their new knowledge into action. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, this clinic is the perfect way to boost your game while having a great time! BOOK IMPORTANT NOTES Kids are welcome to dine with you too and you can take advantage of $10 Diggers Kids Meals throughout the KidsFest period! Please note that if your little one is 5 and under, you must remain with them for all kids activities. For kids aged 6-14, you are welcome to drop and dine. Head downstairs to enjoy OESC outlets but please remain in the venue while your child participates in an activity. Please ensure your contact information is correct (mobile number of supervising parent or guardian). We will use the information provided via this ticket purchase on the day if required.