Towards the end of the presentation, he remarked to the audience something to the effect of - and I'm doing my best here to paraphrase what I recall him saying:

I wish I had a more optimistic prediction, but I can't see rainfall patterns returning to anything like what we would have previously called 'normal' until February 2020.

However it was actually expressed, it was a message that I took away with me and found myself, as the drought dragged on and on, often making reference to because, while February 2020 was still further off than anyone wanted to hear, at least it allowed some hope. And here we are: February 2020 and an almost totally different world!

I consider myself privileged to have been able to hear the presentation - including the "pessimistic" forecast - in person and have thanked him for making the effort to conduct the seminar in Tamworth.

It seems that Dr Baker's work is worthy of support to progress the understanding in this subject because, quite clearly, he is onto something.

I intend to correspond to both the federal Member for New England and the State Member for Northern Tablelands to encourage them to support Dr Baker's ongoing work.

Michael Edleston, Moore Creek

How lucky are we to live in a wonderful town like Gunnedah with its fantastic pool complex - the envy of many other country towns! Last weekend, the swimming club hosted two area championship carnivals, with heavenly rain falling most of the two days.

Visitors were unperturbed, however, as they had plenty of room to raise marquees for shelter in the beautiful grounds and use the indoor pool for the swimmers to warm up and also keep their belongings dry.

The pool is also a very attractive area for families, with the water park increasing in popularity every week. To have the pool open at 5:30am for people who like to exercise early is a real treat, with the outdoor pool used by the swimming club and other keen swimmers unless it gets too cold or a storm is around - then they have the option of going indoors.

The indoor pool is also very popular with seniors and people needing rehabilitation after surgery. The ability to walk up and down the pool in gentle exercise while chatting with other pool patrons is not only good for the body, it is also good for the human spirit. A hot shower after exercise and a short trip home by car is a real winner for older people and sets them up for a great day.

The opportunity for children to have swimming lessons in any kind of weather is a real bonus and an essential life skill. The pool attendants are warm and friendly and very helpful and I commend them for their community spirit. Thank you Gunnedah for your vision past and present, which has enabled our beautiful town to have such an amazing facilities.

Marie Hobson, Gunnedah