The Hon. Damien Trudehope spoke about the direction the State Government is going and when the meeting opened up to questions from the floor conveyed some encouraging messages.

The meeting had a very relevant vibe, highlighted by streamlining 'Red Tape' when putting in development applications for building or business establishment.

In this regard the 'loop hole' virtually excluding sole traders from gaining government contracts will change, allowing local trades persons to do local jobs.

READ MORE: Help find a cure for MS: Word in the Streets

Minister Trudehope addressed the problem online shopping is posing to local retail outlets.

He encouraged local business operatives to establish their own online contacts.

It was also brought up the employment opportunities, or in fact lack there of, that don't allow young people to re-connect to their home community.

Another issue he looked at is outside his portfolio, but he will take the concern back to the appropriate minister, and that is the fact that up to 16 bridges in the Hilltops area have had severe weight restrictions placed on them, or indeed closed.

These restrictions are proving time and especially costly concerns on affected farmers.

They will be looking at detour plans to be brought into operation.

There was much more information forthcoming that will receive your attention, but in my view, these were the more salient points.

As one attendee has said, "It was good to see so many turn out who obviously care about our town and district".

WITS

In the words of Bob Hudson's Newcastle Song - "Never let a chance go by" - it is that time of the year to reach out and grab that chance.

Yes, it is almost time for the launch of the 2019 Boorowa Community Bank Grants Program.

The first community grants were offered in 2008 and in the years since in excess of $1 million has been injected in various forms into the community.

A community grant provides your organisation with the opportunity to make a dream, a great idea, happen.

READ MORE: Accident or pure idiocy: Word in the Streets

All you've got to do is plan and present.

Apply on line from July 22 to www.bendigobank.com.au/foundation.

Information is always available from the friendly staff at our Boorowa branch.

To avoid disappointment at missing out on this wonderful offer, be warned, applications close Thursday, August 15.

WITS

I finished up last week's column talking about the brain and memory, not even thinking about how it fitted into the topics included earlier.

I sent off the column regardless and a couple of days later I came across the story that would have given the piece I wrote some context I'd forgotten I'd intended to put the story in.

Here it is:

Two elderly ladies, friends for decades, had shared a virtual lifetime of activities and adventures.

Of late, their activities had slowed and now they met only a few times a week to play cards.

One day, when playing cards, one looked at the other and said, "Don't get mad at me, I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't think of your name. I've thought and thought, but can't remember. Please tell me what your name is."

Her friend glared at her, she stared, and finally said, "How soon do you need to know?"

Now doesn't that give more sense to what I wrote last week, and you all thought I'd lost my marbles.

Then again, there's no guarantee I haven't.