What a year it's been

Well, that's what it felt like. How about you? Did it slip by quickly too?

December heat keeps getting hotter, although I remember damn hot days in Wagga Wagga around Christmas in 1978.

It was the first Christmas away from Sydney after 26 years and my first really dry heat instead of that humidity.

That was the year of my departmental career change from photographic to editorial and my appointment as Riverina rep at Wagga after the death of The Land's intrepid journo, Ron Holliday.

But back to 2019.

And it begs a fond farewell from our ranks to our excellent photographer, Rachael Webb, who left us just before Christmas after six years of travelling up and down the state with camera in hand.

Her infectious smile has affected (positively) everyone she met.

And I would say Rach has been the best and most valuable asset The Land has ever had when it comes to public relations, and damn good photos.

With Rach, I enjoyed the notion that life is fun.

To make the most of it while you can breath and walk.

But most importantly, do it with a sense of humour, even if it is against yourself from time to time.

My year in review video shines some light into humour - my way.

So just watch and laugh without criticising, if you can.

Take note of the flamingo socks in my video, but ignore the fat gut.

The year started with the obligatory Merino ewe competitions and annual store sheep sales, and then the consternation for the farming communities living along the very wide proposed Inland Rail track (corridor) between Narromine and Boggabilla, and other regions.

The Inland Rail Corporation and federal Nationals were certainly on the nose due to minimum communication.

I reported on one family at Curban who had built their new house to find out one option was for the rail line to bisect their property between the house and machinery shed just 300 metres apart.

On a brighter note was coverage of the Sydney Royal Show where this year I was down in the big smoke basically for the show's duration covering a bit of beef cattle, Merinos and meat sheep breeds among the major events.

At the Merino judging I caught up with friend and television personality Catriona Rowntree, who although anchor of the Getaway television series, is also wool and sheep ambassador for Australian Wool Innovation, who attended the show with her mother and one of her sons.

During the year I have met a whole number of new people, plus caught up with hundreds of long-time friends. What other job can let you do that!

Former The Land colleague and workmate, Rebecca Sharpe, has been a great back-up now she is doing great publicity work for Dubbo Stock and Station Agents Association.

Bec has been a profound help in sale reporting for me at the Dubbo markets as my editorial role broadens.

So a big thank you to all who have contributed this year.

A special shout out to Michelle Mawhinney at the Tamworth Livestock Exchange and agents for all of her assistance also this year.

There's been a lot of talk about resilience in rural NSW, and I continue to see this everywhere I travel.

This prolonged dry has brought many to their knees.

However, the majority are still surviving somehow and God bless them.

It's so wonderful to see city people lift their hearts and thoughts to rural communities in the way that has been experienced.

I've never seen this mateship as strong as now.

No doubt that was how Australia was back in the war years, and it is repeating now.

Human nature can be wonderful.

During the year, livestock prices have held up strong and Dubbo and Dunedoo saleyards have held their own when it came to lamb record prices.

Dunedoo particularly for Merino wether lambs.

The end of March rain event in many central areas boosted pasture growth and enabled many grain producers, who had stored moisture underneath the soil surface, the opportunity of having a crack at a crop.

For some it was short lived, but for others it helped to extend their livestock feeding regimes that little longer.

From a stud side, even with many sheep and cattle breeders quitting most or all stock through this drought, those who have been able to hold on to nucleus breeders helped the success of most stud sales with their buying power through the year.

In November at Dubbo showgrounds, the local show society's shearing committee hosted the National Shearing and Wool Handling titles, which attracted more than a thousand visitors from interstate and New Zealand to the most successful titles Sports Shear has supported.

The year closed with the launch of Tony Dowe's autobiography, "Sale O", with memories galore of the stud stock scene in the auction ring during the halcyon days of the 1970s, '80s to 1990s, seen from an Elders' stud stock perspective.

The function was during Elders' 180th anniversary year and at the Goulburn branch where Tony was manager for some years and the book officially launched by Roger Hann formerly of Courallie Hereford stud, Bellata.

A great arvo of fun with many old acquaintances including Archer Field (Red Hill and Widgiewa Herefords), David Templeton, (Red Hill) the Croker family (Bolong) and so many more.

Happy New Year, Griggsy.