Column 179

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: My desk
Story filed: Christmas 2018

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about Christmas. I think Christmas is all about family and friends, celebration, presents, yummy food .........but it's just not all about that. Christmas is a good time to catch up with the people that you care about and spend time with them. I want to give them all a big hug to show them that I care. If they need something done I will help them. I want to play lots of games with them. What I want to do at Christmas is watch Christmas movies, eat Christmas food and get into the Christmas spirit. The Christmas spirit is caring for others, bringing Christmas cheer wherever you go and bringing joy to wherever you go, as well.

Well, this is Leo signing out. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Until next time. 
Roving Reporter

Column 178

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: The Park
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about Sunday in the park. Me and my mum and my great aunt and uncle and my cousin went to Carols by Candlelight. Did you go? One reason i went is because I was playing in the recorder ensemble. Before the concert you could play Mario Kart on the big screen. I had lots of fun doing that. I also did lots of playing with some of my friends. There was lots of climbing trees and we had lots of yummy food. One thing I can surely state is that I've never seen the park so full of people...and lots of fly spray. I hate fly spray because it affects my asthma and I find it hard to breathe. I can't wait for next years Carols by Candlelight. I just hope there will be less fly spray.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 177

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Parkes
Story filed: Hot days
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about my trip to Parkes for another swimming carnival. It was just me and mum and we had to get a lift from a friend that was also going to Parkes for the swimming carnival. Thank you to our friends for driving us there - we are very grateful. When our friends dropped off us at the motel we were staying at, we found out that they were booked into the same hotel! We settled in, had something to eat, watched a bit of telly and then we went into town and then came back and hit the hay. I took my scooter with me and it was a fun way to travel around town, you should try it sometime. Oh yeah and I got a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke. Pretty cool.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 176

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Forbes
Story filed: Dash for Cash
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about my latest road trip. On the weekend me, mum and dad went to Forbes for a swimming carnival. It wasn't bad just a bit boring. But I met a friend there so it wasn't so very boring! On the first day of the carnival I had one race - dash for cash. I didn't get in the finals for that but I did get a really good time. After that we went to a motel which was near a park and river. It had a pool, a little one, but we didn't go swimming. Instead we took a walk along the river and we saw a cannon and a plane in the park. The plane was a small bomber plane - a memorial tribute to the RAAF. My great Uncle Noel was in the RAAF (mum just told me that). The next day I had five races and I got some more really good times. After I finished racing I got dressed and dad bought me some hot chips and we went on our way. I can't wait for the next carnival.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 175

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: On the Road
Story filed: Road trip
Hi people, it's Leo here. Have you been on a road trip? I have, well just mainly form Bathurst to Sydney in a hire car (I think you all know by now that I don't like hire cars) (although I've started to get used to them). Last weekend me and my mum went to down...or is it up?....never mind...we went to Sydney for a Suzuki cello workshop (I think it's a workshop). I did theory which is a bit hard and also fun and then I did cello choir. There's three kids, including me, in my group and we were practicing for a concert (we have a concert soon). The day before (that was Sunday) me and my mum (again) went to the park because her band was playing and I played with a friend that was there. After that, my mum dropped me off to a birthday party. The pink lemonade (it was a girl's birthday party) really filled me up! The next day we went to Sydney - you should already know why, please see above.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 174

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Art and other things
Hi people, it's Leo here. The week I am talking about Artstate. Did you go? I think it was really cool. On the weekend I saw the art in the park - the phones were really good (the phone is next to a small cardboard house where the person on the phone, lives). The artist of the three horses that look like spiders on top of each other....I know her. The last thing we did that day was the best. Some kids, possibly teenagers, put on a show called The Beast. It was really funny and silly. I really enjoyed it. The next day we did some chalk art. I drew the Aboriginal flag and a Greek flag and started coloring in pieces of cracked side walk cement. Then we went to a orchestra concert it was also really good. Then we went home. I really enjoyed Artstate and wonder where it will go next.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 173

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Dreams
Hi people, it's Leo here. Last week I gave my mum a list:

Places we should go

1. Italy
2. France 
3. Switzerland
4. Hungary
5. Canberaa
6. Brisbane
7. Rome
8. Spain
9. India
10. China
11. Japan
12. Phillipines
13. Mexico
14. Tokyo
15. Hong Kong
16. Chicago
17. USA
18. New York
19. Israel
20. Egypt

I will let you know more about my list in next week's column!

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 172

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Cement works
Hi people, it's Leo here. Have you ever walked past a slab of cement and you see some one's name or a picture drawn in it? I have. Whenever me and my mum walk back home from piano we always see a picture, well two pictures really. One isn't very clear, we think it is a stick figure wearing a dress. And the other is well....um, it has pointy ears, sharp teeth and looks like a cartoon devil! I once scratched my name in cement at my Grandma's house...have you written your name in cement?

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 171

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: My desk
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to talk about thinking. Have you ever had an idea pop into your head and you think it is *one of the best ideas ever*? I have. My idea came to me when I was doing after school sport. My idea is for the homeless. It is like a little hut......put into every design of every new building to be built in the big cities. The building pays for the water and electricity for the hut. It has a fridge and on top of the fridge there's a microwave and next to the microwave and fridge is a little shower, not a really big one but big enough to fit a man. And then there is a bed and a little TV and a little window. The door has an 'engaged' and 'vacant' lock on it. So that's my idea, although I will need a lot of money to build as many huts as I can. But maybe in the future I will.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 170

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Micro Fiction IV
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I am going to tell you a story.

One day I found a note under my pillow. What could it be? I picked it up to see it better. It was a blank sheet of paper.....so it seemed. I turned it over. It said "Time Travelling Licence". A time travelling licence? but....where did it come from? I decided to ignore the piece of paper so I put it on my bed side table and turned around to go downstairs. But, instead I walked right into a silver metal box! Ouch! The silver box was about 2 meters tall, could this be my time machine? It must be! "But it isn't very big' I thought to myself. On the side of the box it read: "time clock". Hmm, it also had a green light on top. I opened the door, it was so big on the inside! I decided to take it for a spin. 

The next day I woke up....it was all a dream.  Nooooo!. But it was a good dream. Maybe a ride in my time machine would cheer me up.....wait a minute, a time machine - it wasn't a dream! So, the piece of paper I found under my pillow really was a "Time Travelling Licence". Cool. I decided to go to the future, so cool. I love my time travelling machine.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 169

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: My desk
Hi people, it's Leo here. Do you enjoy my columns? I hope you do. I try my best for it to be entertaining for you. It is sometimes hard to think of something to write about. It isn't all about me, my mum helps too. I write my column on a piece of paper and my mum helps me type it out on the computer. I like writing columns because people get to enjoy them. I hope I keep doing this so people get to enjoy them and I keep having fun. I enjoy writing columns because I want to be like Tintin and Tintin was a Reporter and when I was little I really wanted to be like him. Tintin was my idol and I wanted to be like him, I guess that is really why I want to write my column. I think this is good-bye for this column but don't worry, there will be more columns for you soon.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 168

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Rocks and minerals
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about my trip to the museum. After our team's soccer game on Saturday (we lost) I went to the museum with a friend called Luca. The museum we went to was the mineral museum. We went with my friend's mum and two of her mum's friends. We saw rocks and I watched a documentary on diamonds and gold and iron. We saw the T-Rex skeleton and two other dinosaur skeletons. Me and my friend got in trouble because we were mucking about...oops. After we left the museum we went to get my friend's sister (she has her drivers license now). After that we went to the art gallery. I found the art works very interesting. After that they dropped me home. I really had a good time with them and maybe we will do it again.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 167

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Reclaimed wood
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about lots of things. On the weekend I went to the All Saints College fair. I saw the lion in the badge of the new school and got some of the cake they cut to celebrate the new school. I got hot chips and fairy floss. I went on a ride I think is called Music Trip. It.......was so scary! I went up down really really fast. I screamed for the first bit, it wasn't that scary I thought, but I was wrong. I took deep breaths and closed my eyes and hung onto the railing for my life. After this I didn't go on another ride. I played in the sandpit and found some treasure from the treasure hunt. I also bought a little car for 50C. After the fair we went to the Eisteddfod. Then we came home. There was an old pallet on the street which I thought would make a good Lego table...it does! The man that gave us the pallet said he will get us some more. Very kind man.

Leo out.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 166

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Cars
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about cars. Do you have an old car you're doing up or are going to do up? We don't but my mum would really like one. We've seen lots of old or really old cars and trucks.....like on the road or on a trailer or in a driveway. I don't like new cars, especially hire cars (they make me sick...literally!) I like second hand cars because they don't have a smell or new leather. And I can look out of them, hire cars have really low seats. I love old cars that are long (I like long cars) and have a really cool steering wheels and seats and they just look so cool. Man, I wish we had an old good-looking car...but who knows maybe in the future we will.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

column 165

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: A helping hand
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about offering a helping hand. Do you give a helping hand at home or in public? I sometimes give a helping hand at home and at school. What do you do that is a helping hand and where do you do it? What about animals and the ecosystem? 

I think I have a good idea:

1. We could stop littering. It affects animals on land and in water and the earth. Have you SEEN the piles of rubbish that go to land fill? It is ginormous!

2. We could stop using plastic and packaging and start using biodegradable plastic

3. We could start using electric and solar powered cars

That is how I think we can give the animals and the ecosystem a helping hand. 

And remember to give a helping hand where ever you are.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 164

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Botany Bay
Story filed: What I know
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about story books. Stories have been around for a long time, passed down to generation to generation.You're probably aware of the story of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White or Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood...and these are just a few. Stories have been made into books and movies too, like Beauty and the Beast. Stories haven't always been in books. Take the Aboriginal's, their dream time stories are mouth to ear, mouth to ear. But today, we write it in a book. I read lots of books. What is your favorite book? And what is it about?

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 163

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Botany Bay

Story filed: photo news

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about Botany Bay. I stopped for a play on the small beach while I was in Sydney and when I looked around, what I saw is very different to what it was when there were no cars or roads or shops. I think I like the view in my imaginations better. Still, it was fun.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 162

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Highlands
Story filed: Family and friends
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about Mitch's 30th birthday. Mitch is my cousin. It was a 5 hour trip in the car for us but when we got there it was really fun. There were bubble balls - they are like a big blow up ball with a hole in the middle that you climb in, and there's a handle you hold onto. I had a go but got knocked around a lot! We had a a roasted pig on the spit and it was pretty good. There was also a roaring fire in the fire pit. When we  were leaving there was a really big kangaroo in the front yard. He was very furry. We stayed that night at my aunty and uncle's house. My mum slept in the spare room and I slept in their studio on a fold out. We watched some TV before bed. I read some books then I went to to sleep. The next day we had breakfast and then my mum and my aunty Tess went to Mitre 10 to get some house paint. I stayed home with my uncle Erik and watched some more TV! When they got back, we left for Bathurst. I was sad to leave and a nearly left some of my stuff behind. If it wasn't for my uncle Erik finding it, I would have. I hope I see everyone again soon.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 161

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Thought for the week
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about screen time. I think every household should have a device free day. Some children spend too much time in front of a screen. I think they should put down their mouse, phone, ipad and game control and go and play outside or spend some more time with their family and go places. Now don't get me wrong, YouTube and video games are cool but you shouldn't be on it all the time. Maybe once a week or just on weekends. I really want Minecraft but I won't spend a lot of time on it....just on the weekend. So, I think that everyone should have a device free day or as we call call it in my family, a "save the brain day".

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 160

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Micro Non-fiction
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to tell you another story. 

Lost

Once, when I was little, me and mum went to a fair at the Library. I wasn't that interested in the stalls but I was interested in the food, so I bought some. While my mum was looking at the stalls, I wandered off by myself. My mum did not realise I was gone. I had wandered into the front door of the art gallery when my mum realised I wasn't by her side. She freaked out! All of a sudden I was lost.....with out knowing it. Everyone heard my mum freaking out so everyone started looking for me. All of a sudden my mum called out "Leo", she found me. I can say that she wasn't happy with me, but the main thing is that my mum found me.

The end.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 159

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Winter Festival
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about the Winter Festival. On Thursday at lunch, me and my mum went through the Hall of Mirrors but before that we stopped at the Bell Tower Munchies cafe in the church opposite the ice rink. We had four scones each. Mum had raspberry jam with cream and I had apricot jam with cream. And I also got mum's marshmallow from the hot chocolates we ordered. They even have cookies. I would refer this to anyone and maybe if you going, or have already been to the Winter Festival and going again, you should stop by. I would recommend hot chocolate especially on a cold day. At All Saints Cathedral 10am to 2pm week day for the festival.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 158

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Micro Fiction II

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to tell you another story. 

The life of Rusty the Red Kangaroo King

I started out as a peanut and slowly grew into a grown however in the beginning, there I was, a blind and hairless creature. I relied on my mum for food and protection. Just before I turned eight months old, I was attacked by a wedge-tail eagle but lucky for me, it then went for a rabbit near by. At eight months I left for the wilderness. I soon came across another teenager, a male, and his mob. I was challenged to a practice fight - I did this so he and I would be ready to do a real fight for life to the death if we ever needed to. After that the drought came.... lots of kangaroos were lost after that. I met the male kangaroo that beat me in that fight two years ago. This time I was successful in our fight and I now have a mob of my own. Not long after, the drought came back. And then a lot of dingoes come but they did not catch me or my mob so I kept leading my mob........ as Rusty the Red Kangaroo King

The end.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 157

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Micro Fiction
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to tell you a story. 

Diary entry: Thursday

Dear Diary

Today is Thursday, I am very, very, very, very.........ok maybe I'm exaggerating but I'm very excited. Every Thursday the Tea and Sugar Train comes and once a year it brings Santa and today was that day. When the big metal train stopped, it gave a big screech and guards hopped down. They looked a bit fierce but very important. Finally it was my turn to talk to Santa. I was very nervous. What was I going to say? "Ho, ho, ho and what would you like little girl?" he said. I was speechless but after a few minutes I said "a present please" and he gave me one. While I was carried down off the train, my eyes would not look away from the man in red. The train started to leave the station so I sat down on the ground and opened my present. It was a book, a brand new book. After the train had left my dad said "didn't we forget to get sugar?" Now we have to wait till next Thursday.

The end.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 156

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Gems of the World
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about amazing rocks. My aunty Tess came to Bathurst for a visit and we did lots of fun stuff together. On the day that my aunty arrived, she gave me a present. It was a sample box of Gemstones of the World. There is carnelian, sodalite, rose quart, prehnite, amethyst, labradorite, garnet, moonstone, unakite, howlite, green aventurine, blue lace agate, black obsidian, rock quartz and golf tiger eye. They are all very pretty. I think my favourite would be moonstone.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 155

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Highlands
Story filed: Wishes
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about my trip to Orange. On Saturday I went to another swimming carnival. On the way there we saw snow - it was really high up in the mountains near Orange. We stopped near someone's farm and took a picture of all the snow that covered the fields. I had a wish this winter that I would see snow and I did....so, wish granted, yippee!

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 154

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Dubbo
Story filed: My trip
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about my trip to Dubbo. On Friday I went to the Suzuki Strings Winter Workshop. I stayed there for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Every day I would go to Room 9 with another little kid and we were taught news things that I think will help Tom (Tom is the little kid) and me with the cello (I play the cello). The next thing was enrichment classes, we didn't need our cellos or violins for this. My first class was just me and Tom but this class had others in it. We all got a stick and we wrapped fabric around one of the ends of the stick and with an adult to help us, we put a cut off balloon on it. The stick is the person and the fabric is the head and the balloon is the swimming cap - it's like putting a swimming cap on! In the end we had a mallet (a mallet is a long plastic stick with a black knob on the end of it, you can use it to play the xylophone). We got a bucket and turned it over and we had a drum. We played them in the Book six and up to Book 10 concert. The next day I played in the final concert with the experienced cello players - they played one song I didn't play bu the last two I played. After the concert we left but I am definitely going again next year.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 153

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Swimming
Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about swimming. On Sunday I went to the Orange swimming carnival. I did five races but I didn't win any, maybe next time. Lenny my coach and Emily my coach and all the members of the Titanium swimming club were there too. When I got there at 8am from Bathurst I was busting but the boys toilet was closed! But there were some other toilets left...one was inside the pool but this was being used so I had to use the traveling toilets outside. I don't like them because they are really cramped. At the end of the carnival my mum bought me some hot chips and then we went to the Orange Park and ate our hot chips and then we went back to Bathurst. The end.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 152

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: A day out
Hi people, it's Leo here. On Saturday, I went to see Gus, my cousin, play in a rugby game. I also saw some of my aunties I haven't seen in a long time. One of my aunties had her dog Boo, with her. Boo was so excited he jumped on me, knocking me over. I bought a hot dog at the food stand and then after that Tess (Tess is one of my aunties) bought me a roll with delicious meat inside and there was a wasp that kept trying to steal my food! At the end, when Gus's team won, I sat down on the ground and Boo came over and gave me a cuddle and licked me all over the face - it was all a bit wet. I then went to Jude's house (Jude is one of my aunties). At her house (the house that she was staying in was AirBnB) we played noughts and crosses. I watched a bit of TV and my other auntie Noelle, came over. Soon after that we went to the park - we threw the ball for Boo then they walked me home. I hope I do this again.

Until next time.
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 151

 

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: Bathurst
Story filed: Amazing!

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail. I went on the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail, did you? I helped out at the lapidary exhibit. I took two turns on the spinning wheel which was also exhibiting next to us....well I didn't do a very good job! The next place we went was the Ag Station, where we met my friend Sam. We went on the Cobb and Co together, it was so much fun. We saw blacksmiths, stonemasons and bee keepers. We had great food and yummy cakes at the Chifley House Museum. I have never been to the  Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail before and I loved it, in fact I am definitely going there next year because it is so amazing.
Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 150

Leo, Roving Reporter

Report from: My Desk
Story filed: Micro Fiction IV

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to tell a very short story:

Lightning Never Strikes Twice

Everyone knows that lightening never strikes twice, at least that's what my Grandad says. Me and my Grandad....oh my I forgot to introduce myself - my name is Jack and I live in a windmill with my Grandad. My parents died when I was 3 years old. My Grandad has been very kind to me. Anyway where was I? Oh yeah....me and my Grandad live in.... oh wait, I have already told you that! It was raining and not to mention a bit of lightning...this is where my story really gets started.....
Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter

Column 149

Leo, Roving Reporter
Report from: Melbourne
Story filed: Warhammer

Hi people, it's Leo here. Today I'm going to talk about my trip to Melbourne. Me and my dad and my mum went to Melbourne. We stayed in one hotel for two nights and then we stayed in another for two more nights. On the last day my Godmother Fiona came to visit us in the hotel. We went out but I can't remember where we went but I can remember this: when we were coming back, we saw this game shop and it was called Warhammer and there were mini figures everywhere and before I knew it, I was playing with battlefields and painting my own mini figure - an Ultra Marine. I had lots of fun at the shop and maybe when I get older I will have learned how to play Warhammer.

Until next time
Leo Roving Reporter