Meet the Candidates nights are just so interesting. On the Pulse was excited to cover the event at the Riverside Function Centre on Thursday February 26. It’s not often you get to cram so much politics into such a small place and the prospect of a punch up, however slight, is irresistible.

Small hail fell in Inverell that afternoon, and Inverell Tourism car park was packed. 

There was room behind three other vehicles parked by the curb, sort of beneath the passenger terminal awning of the bus stop; No, better not park there. But hail damage is expensive to repair, and there’s safety in numbers, right? And what was the likelihood of a bus being due that night?

 The others wouldn’t have been parked there if one was expected, right? 

With rain threatening, On the Pulse didn’t fancy the long walk back from a park in vicinity of the library, so suddenly it seemed like an acceptable idea.

Now, On the Pulse thinks Adam Marshall had just stopped speaking (appropriate, considering how often he is a guest here at On the Pulse) when the the person who owned the car parked in the bus stop was asked to move it.

While On the Pulse knew it couldn’t have been only its vehicle, that singular ‘car’ was troublesome.

Imagine, dear reader, On the Pulse’s horror upon leaving the building to find the Pulsemobile sitting alone by the curb! It was a bit like being told you have a wayward child at a parent and teacher night.

Well, you got what you deserved, you may say, and you are right. 

You shouldn’t have parked there in the first place, you may say, and you are right. I was on that bus, and I think … Ah, probably best not to go there. 

But On the Pulse has learnt its lesson. 

On the Pulse has learnt consideration and respect. 

On the Pulse has also learnt to never believe anyone who might indicate something is a good idea; and that lesson perfectly fitted the theme of the whole night.

Night out planned for Nullamanna

Nullamanna is excitedly preparing for a community event next month at Nullamanna Hall.

Have a Night Off will be a free community event on March 27 featuring performances by multi-award winning singer-songwriter Luke O’Shea along with Paul Grierson and Chris Rieger of Simply Bushed. 

The night will start with a free barbecue from 6.30pm. 

The evening at Nullamanna is one of several shows planned for the New England North West region.

The relationship between drivers and pedestrians

On the Pulse was driving home the other day, when it was reminded of one of the most endearing features of this town. Coming up to a pedestrian crossing, On the Pulse stopped to let a couple (who were obviously healthier and fitter because they were walking) stride across the crossing. Halfway across and they both waved their thanks, and On the Pulse acknowledged them with a wave.

It was a simple gesture that On the Pulse experiences everyday in this town by almost everyone, and it is a unique attribute to this town. 

You just don’t get motorists and pedestrians acknowledging the other’s attention and consideration anywhere else. Once while crossing the road in a coastal town, On the Pulse waved to the driver out of sheer habit, and it seemed to start an argument inside the car. 

On the Pulse thinks every driver and every pedestrian in this town should give themselves a pat on the back for this. It says a lot about our community, which should get a very big ‘yay for the day’ and be encouraged to keep it up. It certainly helps sort out the visitors.