Congratulations to Greg North from Katoomba, and Andrew Riemer of Parramatta  the State champions for the Australian Poetry Slam. The contest was very close, sometimes only a decimal point the difference between the “slammers”. Congrats to our finalists Josh Simpson and Shannon Elliott who were able to attend with the support of the Orange Regional Arts Foundation funding flights and accommodation. Read more about Poetry Slam finalist Josh Simpson in this newspaper article:
http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/poet-wins-place-in-slam-finals/1365318.aspx. The State finalists now go on to the National Grand Slam at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday 4 December 7pm. Tickets are $20 and for bookings call (02) 9250 7777 or listen to the ABC Local Radio webcast live from 6.30pm on the night.

A recent poll by New Scientist has listed the Top 5 Science Fiction films and books. Here are the results:
Films
1. Blade Runner
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. Serenity
4. Forbidden Planet
5. The Matrix. And for
Books
1. Dune by Frank Herbert
2. Foundation series by Isaac Asimov
3. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
4. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
5. Hyperion series by Dan Simmons.
Go to the new scientist website to read more about the future of Science Fiction from leading authors and about the poll: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14757-science-fiction-special-the-future-of-a-genre.html?DCMP=NLC-nletter&nsref=dn14757. And this image titled “Jupiter Family” appears with thanks to the NASA National Space Science Photo Centre.

The early orchards to the east of Orange will be the focus of the next orchard evening organised by Orange and District Historical Society. Guest speakers at the meeting, to be held at Gladstone Hotel on Tuesday, November 25, at 7pm for 7.30pm, will be Rob Williams and Sue Milne. Sue Milne is the daughter of John Milne, whose family, together with the related Spurway family, had orchards in the Glenroi and Bloomfield areas and east of Lone Pine Avenue. Rob Williams' family had orchards along Steele's Lane, Malabar and Dairy Creek Road and still has one in the area. The society aims to preserve the history of the fruit growing industry. The meetings have all been recorded and when time and manpower permits, they will be transcribed, edited and published. The society is now in a position to photograph or scan archives that people may have. It only requires copies and the originals will be returned to their owners. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting and there will be a chance to ask questions. Entry is free but a donation would be appreciated to help continue the society's valuable work in preserving the history of Orange and district. The society's president, Phil Stevenson, says he hopes the meetings will trigger more research, collection of memoirs, photos and memorabilia. If you have any inquiries or would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Phil Stevenson on 6362-3257, mobile 0402 412 188 or email: [email protected]

Wish our Australian Poetry Slam Regional Heat winners all the best when they take to the stage on Friday night for the State Final of the Australian Poetry Slam 08. Shannon Elliott, formerly of Canowindra, won the regional heat with his energetic rap “Self Acceptance” – about life, along with Josh Simpson, of Bathurst, who performed a moving poem about poetry. They each won Sydney flights and accommodation sponsored by The Orange Regional Arts Foundation and a spot in the final at the State Library of NSW on Friday 21 November at 6.30pm. There will be a total of 22 contestants from the regional heats held around the State. The NSW winner and runner-up take home $500 and $100 in prize money respectively and compete for a chance at the Australian Poetry Slam 08 title and $5,000 at the National Grand Slam in Sydney on 4 December. Good luck guys!

The November meetings of the Classics Book Club will be held as follows:
Blayney on Tuesday 18 November from 11am to 12 noon to discuss The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte.
Orange day group meeting on Thursday 20 November from 12.30pm  1.30pm to discuss the Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte.
Orange evening group meeting from 5.30pm (earlybirds), 6pm  7pm to talk about The Professor by Charlotte Bronte.
Cowra meeting on Tuesday 25 November from 12.30pm to 1.30pm to talk about Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte.
New members are always welcome and there will be a break in December with meetings resuming in January.