It was a perfect spring evening at Riverside Café where the lights sparkled for the Tumut High School 2025 Year 12 Farewell Evening.

The venue looked spectacular with the donations of flowers beautifully arranged by CoachHouse Flowers. The cohort of 2025 were each presented with a corsage or buttonhole upon arrival before their photo session. Photos were taken on this momentous occasion by Mrs Leah Ferguson using the backdrop of Tumut Racecourse with the students looking magnificent.

Emcees for the evening were incoming 2026 School Captains Amelia Baker and Jazmine Crampton who introduced Principal Mr Taylor for his address to the receptive audience.

The catering by Riverside Café was delicious and the celebratory cake was made by Two Tarts with individual mini cakes served to the students.

Other speeches included a farewell to Year 12 from 2026 student leaders on behalf of all students, and a reply from the 2025 student leaders. Students were commended on their leadership skills and shaping the path for future generations of student leaders. It was noted their dedication and diversity of talent had shone brightly through academic and extra-curricular achievements, reflecting the incredible group of young adults they have become.

Former student leaders delivered their speeches with thanks to all involved in organising their farewell and importantly supporting them on their educational journey at Tumut High over the past six years being parents, carers and teachers.

It was announced the total funds collected and donated to Can Assist Tumut Branch from the 2025 Year 12 Fundraiser was a grand total of $4234.71. A very impressive result of which they are very proud.

tatimes.com.au

November 17, 2025

Deb Robinson has lived in the Snowy Valleys since the early 1970s and

is well known for her volunteer work for Can Assist Tumut.

Deb Robinson has lived in our area since she was in primary school and loves working and volunteering here.

Deb was born in Gundagai but moved to Cootamundra as a toddler. At the age of nine she and her family moved to Laurel Hill.

“Mum and dad had the shop at Laurel Hill,” she said

“It (Laurel Hill) was a bit more thriving then, this is going back to the early ‘70s; there was the general store. My nan and pop Fraser and Julie Wood had the garage next door, and there was the mill. We’d get the bus in to Batlow for school.”

She enjoyed growing up in Laurel Hill.

“It was a really nice lifestyle,” she said.

“It used to snow more then. There’d be days you couldn’t go to school because the bus couldn’t get through. Instead of going to school we’d be making snowmen to be on the cover of the paper. It was a good lifestyle; it’s so different now.”

She went to Batlow Central School until the end of year 10, after which she left and did secretarial studies at TAFE. She was then offered a position at the Tumut and Adelong, and was there for a short time before going to work at Pat Hogan Electrics for three years, before moving on to Citral Constructions and then the Commonwealth Employment Service, before starting work at what would become Tumut Building Supplies in 1988.

She’s still there.

“I’ve been there 36 years,” she said.

“I like the work and the employers. I originally started working for Manfred Peters and his son-in-law Arnold Webster. I’ve learnt a lot up there; there’s been a lot of change over that time. Robert and Julie Kell bought the business, and now their son Brendan runs the business.”

Deb is well known for her involvement with Tumut Can Assist, which began in 2007.

“I heard the president talking on the radio about how they were looking for a secretary, so I volunteered,” she said.

“One of the main reasons I volunteered was because Can Assist helped both my parents when they went through their cancer treatment and were very good. I understood about what they do.”

She said the demographics of the group’s membership had changed.

“Up until the last few years we’ve had a lot of older members, and I was probably considered one of the younger ones at the time. Now it’s actually progressing where our president, our secretary and our treasurer are all under 40. Our secretary, a girl who hadn’t even been involved with Can Assist, heard me on the radio.”

This is making the running of the group easier.

“Especially to move forward We’re very lucky to have the young people join. I enjoy doing it, I get a lot of satisfaction, I enjoy putting the time in, and particularly doing the publicity side of it. Knowing people are asking for the help, and that we are able to give that help. I think my confidence has grown over those years, doing things like going on the radio. I like to tray and encourage people to use our services. Some people worry and think that somebody else needs it more than them but we try to get that message across that it’s all strictly confidential and we don’t want people using their savings and all that before they come and see us, and basically to remember how often they bought a raffle ticket off us or given us a donation, that that might encourage them to come forth and ask for the help.”

Deb is happy to stay in Tumut.

“Yeah I think so. I have grandchildren here,” she said.

November 21, 2024

tatimes.com.au

Current members of the Tumut Can Assist group met at the

Riverside Café recently and took this photo.

Tumut Can Assist branch, is celebrating 40 years of assisting to people with Cancer in Tumut, Batlow, Adelong and Talbingo.

“We are excited to be celebrating 40 years of assisting our local community this year and to celebrate this we are commencing with a themed ball to be held at the Tumut Golf Club on August 10,” said secretary of the Tumut Can Assist group, Deb Robinson.

The theme of the ball is “Ruby” the traditional colour/gemstone for 40 years.

Tables for 6-10 people can be booked, or if you don’t have a full table then you can be allocated with others and share.

The ball is set to start at 6pm for a 6.30pm roast dinner – the cost of the evening is $60 per person and includes live entertainment from the band ‘Platinum Duo’.

A further celebration will be held with an afternoon tea at the Riverside Café on October 19 commencing at 2pm. The Tumut branch of Can Assist was formed on August 1, 1984 (then known as the Cancer Patients Assistance Society (CPAS) where 16 people attended.

Annie Aichroy, Welfare Officer of Wagga CPAS assisted with establishing the branch with the first office bearers elected – president, Glennah Castle, secretary Jan Field and treasurer, Hugh Oliver.

The branch now has 90 members from Tumut, Batlow, Adelong and Talbingo and over the past 40 years some 22 life memberships have been awarded including one to Daphne Clark who was an founding members.

“At the time the branch was formed one of the main goals was to establish a palliative care ward in the old hospital which was realised with the assistance of funds from Tumut CPAS and donations; officially opened on August 11, 1990,” Ms Robinson said.

“In the past financial year, we have provided more than $98,000 in support, ensuring people with cancer in our area have equitable access to treatment and care.”

Can Assist is all about helping people who suffer from cancer and are undergoing treatments or need extra assistance – easing the burden of cancer for country families by providing accommodation, financial assistance and practical support to people from rural and regional areas.

“We can ensure that country people are given the same opportunities and treatment choices as those who live in city centres with this assistance,” Ms Robinson said.

“We also raise awareness of the inequities for patients in regional areas through information sessions, community campaigns and fundraising events.

“And we engage with businesses and government, and work hand-in-hand with the Riverina Cancer Care Centre, Lilier Lodge and NSW Health social workers.

“Our success is attributed to our very generous community and for that we are truly grateful,” Ms Robinson said.

For bookings and further information for the upcoming ‘Ruby’ Ball contact Deb Robinson on 0447 220 083.

tatimes.com.au/can-assist-tumut-celebrating-40-year-anniversary/

24th July 2024