Jess Cooper from Clio Hair and Julia Skovgaard from Healing Touch Beauty Therapy have raised $1620 towards the NSW Rural Fire Service by opening up both their businesses last Sunday and donating all the proceedings.

"We are so proud of ourselves, our beautiful clients and the community for all coming together," Jess said.

Originally the pair were aiming for $1,000, but early on they knew that total would be beaten.

"We were really excited when we realised we'd broken our $1,500 target," Julia said.

Twelve Days of Christmas

Returning after a month's absence, Millthorpe Matters notes that the twelve days of Christmas ended on Sunday 5 January.

Challenging days these were, for our heat and drought effected village, and for the vast tracts of our state which continue to burn.

The smoke from the mountains and the south coast which winds have blown our way have caused extraordinary air pollution and reduced visibility.

Fortunately, we have been spared the horrors of out-of-control bushfires which have impacted so catastrophically on others, including friends and relatives in affected areas.

As for those twelve days, the partridge, doves and hens were well and truly roasted, gold rings donated to the RFS, the geese and swans bogged in drying dams, and the assorted maids, ladies and lords, probably not feeling very festive.

Pipers and drummers are doing their best to rally public and governmental support in the face of this national emergency.

Sadly, the only real solution is widespread rain.

Any rain-dance specialists, please contact M.M.

Millfest Success

A great afternoon and lots of happy Millfesters, with ticket sales around 1000 adults plus many children in attendance.

Positive comments about the bands and the children's performances were common.

Close to 50 local volunteers made the day possible, as gatekeepers and helpers setting up, and packing up after the event.

Generous sponsorship came from 5 local businesses: Bowyer and Livermore First National Real Estate, Angullong Wines, Beekeepers Inn, Club Millthorpe, and Slow Wine.

Hourly prize draws, with prizes donated by sixteen local businesses, three of the music performers, and three of the market stallholders, were a popular addition to Millfest.

The two major prize draws at the end of the day were sponsored by: Millthorpe Boutique Motel, Tonic, Millthorpe General Store, Vine Venture Tours, Rosebank Cottage, Slow Wine Co, and The Old Mill Café.

Looking Ahead

Residents who walk to and from Forest Reefs Road via the railway line underpass are hoping that the pedestrian safety issue will soon be remedied by a designated paved footpath.

The data and surveying have been collected and its time to act, before a mishap occurs.