They are the stories that made you laugh, and cry and possibly just shake your head in amazement. We’ve had a look at the data to come up with the stories that our readers were reacting too along the way.
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There’s a little bit of politics (not too much – just the drama), birthdays, a royal visit and a missing dog.
Stunning match-ups emerge from 2018 Koori Knockout draw
The 2018 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout was held in Dubbo during September and launched in style during a Draw Gala Dinner at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club.
With the 48th knockout one of the biggest in history, with 137 teacms across men’s, women’s and junior competitions, the draw excited our readers with everyone wanting to know who was to be pitted against who during the competition. You can read the story here.
Birthday bash fit for ‘Dubbo’s Duchess’, Emily Lyons turns 95
Celebrating her 95th birthday was topped off with cake from the local Woolworths store where Emily shopped each and every week.
Staff organised a surprise celebration for the well known ‘Duchess of Dubbo’ who shops at Woolworths Riverdale every Thursday morning.
Emily said she was thrilled by the cake and celebrations. You can read more of what she had to say here.
Dubbo man attacked by water buffalo in Northern Territory
This was a story about one lucky man! Jack Keane was attacked by a water buffalo during a family holiday in the Northern Territory.
He was tracking pigs with his sister’s partner Justin west of Darwin when he was attacked.
Be warned, if you click on this link, there are a couple of graphic images that we were sent at the time.
Flipping burgers: New Hungry Jack’s proposal angers residents
A DA before council back in March had residents talking, with plans for a Hungry Jack’s restaurant to be constructed on the corner of Cobra and Darling Street, right next to a residential house.
The family were worried about the impact having a drive-thru up against their bedroom windows would have on their lives, and most of all the lives of their children who are at school.
You can read about their concerns here.
Have you seen Tank?
A missing dog, following an accident between Dubbo and Mendooran which killed his owner, had everyone watching out back in early January.
Dubbo City Animal Shelter put the call out for the staff cross kelpie on social media, with residents sharing it around, in the hope that tank would be found and returned to the family.
You can read this sad story here.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to visit Dubbo
It was one of the best kept secrets, and the most exciting news of the year. Kensington Palace announced the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would visit Dubbo during their trip to Australia.
With Bathurst and the Hunter Valley earmarked as possible destinations earlier in the year, it seemed to surprise so many when Dubbo was announced as the winning location.
How excited were you when you first heard the news? You can see how we broke it to our readers here.
‘HE’S LOATHED’: Grant, Shields come to verbal blows after mayor's open letter
We’ve all seen the awkward smiles and conversations between this pair in the past few months, but it was back in June when the blows really seemed to start between our MP and mayor.
The long-running feud boiled over after MP Troy Grant blasted the mayor over an open letter to Dubbo Regional Council residents, and mayor Ben Shields called for Mr Grant’s retirement.
In the letter, Cr Shields outlined his council’s achievements since amalgamation, including $98 million worth of capital infrastructure under construction.
But Mr Grant labelled the letter “disingenuous”, “belligerent”, “misleading” and “pathetic”, claiming all but one of the nine projects highlighted – The Dubbo Pool and Water Park – had “been funded by me, and during the time of the administrator”.
Interested? Read it all here.
ROYAL VISIT DUBBO: Lazy River Estate feeds Prince Harry and Meghan
It was the opportunity of a lifetime for Dubbo Regional Council staff Jason Yelverton (manager social services) and Josie Howard (manager economic development and marketing).
The pair had the honour of escorting the royal couple around Victoria Park, and they spoke to our journalist Jennifer Hoar about the unique experience.
They also talked about the food … because who else wanted to know what the Royals ate while they were in town. Missed it? Make sure you have a read here.
Luke Vincent from Buninyong Primary School hugs Prince Harry and Meghan
The ‘Lukey-love-effect’ captured the hearts of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they touched down in Dubbo before being the talking point of the nation.
The young boy, who had been waiting at the end of the line for a chance to meeting the royal couple went straight in for a hug, before rubbing the prince’s beard and head.
Speaking the the Liberal back at school after, and before he became a household name, Luke Vincient’s mother said she just couldn’t believe it when watching the interaction back at school.
Have a read of the full story here – it’s sure to bring some tears to eyes once again.
Kris and Bizzi’s milestone marriage at Dubbo Courthouse
First we had the YES vote, and then we had the wedding. The marriage of long-time partners Kris Stevens and Bizzi Mason was as simple as it was momentous.
The marriage act changed on December 9, 2017, after the Federal Parliament voted in favour of same-sex marriage and on January 15, Kris and Bizzi became what is thought to have been the first marriage of a gay couple in the city. It was the earliest the Dubbo lovebirds could legally wed.
Have a read of their love story here.