Gresford News March 2024

TheG resford News

It is the time to be inspired!!

Buyers

are back!

Autumn into Winter and early Spring is definitely the best time to list and sell your property. With a more positive La Nina outlook and improved presentation after recent rains, now is definitely the time to do photos and video of your country property.

Free help and advice.

Phone Pamela. mobile: 0427 207542

Email: pamela@pmcountryestates.com.au

STANDING TOGETHER

With natural disasters becoming all too frequent there has been a lot of talk about resilient communities. Surviving difficult times comes down to people standing together and supporting each other. The disruption of months of roadwork on Durham Road has been inconvenient to many but disasterous to businesses along the road. Now is an important time to support our local businesses so they can survive and continue to provide their services to our community.

GRESfORD AGRIculTuRAl SHOw

fri 8th & Sat 9th March

friday – local commercial cattle competition, cattle, goats, poultry & pavilions with sewing, cooking, flowers, art, crafts, fruit, vegetables & photography.

Saturday – dog camp drafting, tug of war, post splitting, mixed dog races & best dressed child's dog, ag bikes, & of course, not to be missed is the Grand Parade.

Saturday night – fireworks followed by a live band until late.

Gresford News Notices

INVITE TO cElEBRATE 150 YEARS Of THE DuNGOG cOMMON

Morning Tea, wed 6 March, 10–11am Main Entrance, Common Rd, Dungog Common

Mark 150 years of the establishment of the Dungog Common on March 6, 1874. Plans for the future of the Dungog Common will be on display. All are welcome. info@dungogcommon.org DUNGOGCOMMON.ORG

cOMMuNITY DINNER

fri 5 April 6pm, BBQ @ Arboretum

The Gresford Community Dinners have become so popular we are having the next one outside! More than 40 people attended the last event, at the Hotel Beatty (thanks for accommodating us all Bernie!). We will meet and greet, wine and dine next time in the gardens of the Arboretum on the last Friday of daylight savings, 5th April. BYO picnic and chairs and take advantage of the complimentary gas BBQ facilities. Hope to see lots of new faces there at 6pm!

VAcY SPORTSGROuND 355 cOMMITTEE AGM

Thurs 9 May, 7.30pm, Vacy School of Arts

All interested community members are welcome to attend.

Two members of the current committee will be stepping after serving for 5 years.

If you are interested in joining this committee or you have an item to discuss, email the secretary Robyn Dunford at balyana52@gmail.com prior to the meeting for the agenda.

Gresford community Group Meeting

First Monday of the month at 6.30pm. March 4 meeting will be at the Bowlo April 1 meeting will be at the Hotel Beatty

Gresford News online link

Gresford News is available online at www.issuu.com/gresford-news. Email us to receive a monthly reminder: gresfordnews@iinet.net.au

Gresford News contributions

Thank you for the contributions – $2 per month or $22 annually. Gresford Community Group Inc BSB 932000 • Acc No 500039698.

Message from the Mayor

Exerpts from the Mayoral Message 16 February 2024

Durham Road East Gresford

The ongoing roadworks at Durham Road at East Gresford are a cause of concern, certainly for those in Durham Road and those who use Durham Road regularly.

There have been unfortunate delays as a result of geotechnical issues which the Council was unaware of initially, as were the contractors. All the geotechnical surveys have been carried out on behalf of Council by contractors, by expert geotechnical operators, but unfortunately, it's not always possible to see what's under the ground. Testing is done but can only be done in so many places.

So in this instance, I understand some issues arose concerning the sub-base material, and that resulted in drainage issues, issues which had to be rectified to ensure that the road when built would be durable.

So those works have been carried out on one side of the road and now they're on the other side and progressing. Council is in constant consultation with the contractors who are carrying out these

roadworks. Council isn’t carrying them out, Council has contracted the works and is in discussions with the contractors to try and expedite the works and bring them to a conclusion as quickly as possible.

The current timetable is that the works will be sealed before Easter and before the Billy Cart Derby in East Gresford. And then the next stage of the works, that is from the top of the current works to the top of the hill, an additional 300 meters, will then commence after that date and will take about three months to complete. I know there are rumors around that Council is not going to carry out the work to the top of the hill. Those rumors are incorrect. It's Council's intention to carry out the works to the top of the hill as originally planned.

So please just bear with Council. We are dealing with the contractors trying to get the issues resolved and the works carried out as quickly as possible.

Bulky waste collection

The bulky waste collection has suffered some delays, and this is in the hands of the contractors. Unfortunately, for better or worse, Council has no control over

that. It's been delayed for a further two weeks. So, it'll be late February, perhaps even into March before all items are collected. And that includes the white goods and E-waste which will be collected after the bulk of the waste has been collected. So please be patient. It is happening, but it's in the hands of the contractors. If you have any issues concerning the pickup, please contact the contractor JR Richards. There are further details of the delay on Council's Facebook page and Council's website and you'll see greater detail there.

clarence Town Bridge

During the week, a letter was received from the office of the Minister for Regional Roads and Infrastructure, Jenny Aitchison, a letter that dealt with in particular the Clarence Town Brig O’Johnston Bridge, and it’s replacement.

The federal government is insisting the state government match its contribution on a 50/50 basis rather than the prior 80/20 split arrangements. Regrettably, this bridge is caught amid that issue. However, we're all looking for ways around it. and I'm confident that a solution will be found. Hopefully soon.

FOR SALE Expressions of interest.

Up

Lounges

Antique Restoration French Polishing

Canvas Annexes

Horse Rug Repairs

For all your upholstery needs

ring Richard on 4938 9324

PETER

‘Looking after people is our business’

Peter Evans is descended from a farming family located in the Gresford area prior to 1840 We are keen to assist you with all your legal needs.

We can help you with:

Conveyancing, Family Law, Business Law, Criminal Law, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate and more …

Call us on 02 4926 4788 www.evanslaw.com.au

‘Twas a day to celebrate and fund our men for their Masters Dubbo trip. Thanks to all who donated, spent, and bought tickets. Pictures tell the story. ‘Nuff said!

Peter

Oh

Gresford Gears up for the Easter Billy cart Derby!

Excitement fills the air in the valley as we eagerly anticipate the return of the Gresford Billy Cart Derby, set to take place on Easter Saturday, March 30th. It's not too late to prepare your cart for the thrilling race!

A project of the Rotary Club of Dungog, the adrenaline-pumping action of billy carts racing down Park St. in Gresford is back. All the details for specifications and how to enter can be found on our website at https:// gresfordbillycartderby.wordpress.com.

local schools, community groups, and sports clubs. Additionally, this year's proceeds will help fund variable speed signs to enhance road safety in our area.

On Easter Saturday residential access may be impacted and temporary road closures will be in place. For more information, please visit our website.

We're thrilled to continue this beloved event for our community, promising an array of entertainment, market stalls, raffles, prizes, and delicious food for everyone to enjoy.

This event plays a crucial role in raising funds for our community, supporting

We are incredibly grateful to our supporters and major sponsors, including The Rotary Club of Dungog, Dungog Council, The Beatty Hotel, Brimble’s, Fulton Hogan, Stockers and Partridge and many more.

Please note that setup activities will occur on Good Friday, 29 March 2024.

We can't wait to see you at the track on Easter Saturday! Stay updated and join the excitement by following us on Facebook as we countdown to race day!

Email us @ gresfordbillycartderby@gmail. com with any questions, comments or request to be a stall holder at the event.

Are you in need of an Electrician?

Maybe you need some Excavation work done,

“family tracks”

The Brimble family as they are known today almost did not exist. “No” was Doris Brosie's answer to Raymond Brimble when he first asked her out at the Gresford General Store where she worked before the community dance that night in 1942.

Ray was the 440th man to enlist for World War II in Tasmania. He was sent to Gresford Army Camp located at the showgrounds before his fated encounter that day with Doris, the daughter of local butcher, Milton Brosie and wife, Rosie Brosie. The Brosies were also owners of the Brosie Tennis Court, the first in Gresford.

Doris did attend the dance later that night and had not one, but three dances with Mr Brimble. Later in her life, she revealed the reason behind her original decline was to “keep her options open,” she said. However, Ray Brimble’s vocal performance on stage impressed Doris, and the rest was history. They eloped only months later before he went back

overseas for the remainder of the war.

A future in rail

When Ray Brimble returned three years later, he began working for the rail lines, starting a tradition that now spans three generations for the Brimbles.

Grandchildren of Ray and Doris, David, Justin, Rebecca and Bradley Brimble all work for Brimble (formerly Brimble Rail) founded by David and Justin in 2017.

Brimble is a rail resurfacing company responsible for maintaining the tracks

The beginning of a life in Gresford. Pictured: Ray Brimble Sr (left) and Ray Brimble Jr (right) at the time of his enlistment.

A passion for rail transport has been part of the Brimble family for three generations. Pictured: Brimble patriarchs, Ray, Gary and Toni Brimble working on rail and bridge connections around country New South Wales, featured here in a local newspaper in 1973.

throughout much of the Hunter Valley and New South Wales and in recent years, has won large national contracts with rail networks around the country.

In seven years, they have grown from one machine to over 65 with 80 employees. They are known as a formidable player in Australia's rail resurfacing sector with one of the most extensive and technologically advanced fleets in the country.

“We’re incredibly proud of our rolling stock. My siblings and I pooled our funds to buy our very first resurfacing machine back in 2017 – it was essentially old parts that needed to be overhauled from the ground up,” said Managing Director, David Brimble.

“From then, we built the company one machine at a time, drawing from our knowledge and history to guardrail our success.”

Supporting Gresford

The family-owned company owes its founding to Gresford and the community dance that fated its

matriarch and patriarch those years ago. “Gresford is and always will be important to our family. Pop and Nan loved their community with everything they had. We owe it to them to ensure it stays strong,” said David Brimble.

Brimble says they are proud to support community events in Gresford, including the annual Gresford Billy Cart Derby, Gresford Show, Gresford Rodeo and Dungog Show & Rodeo, along with the local football club.

“Events like the derby keep our community connected. We take our families and look forward to the race

every year. It is up to our generation and our children’s generation to ensure these events that are the very fabric of Gresford stay intact,” said Brimble.

“Events at the Gresford showgrounds are extra special to us because of their location. Walking around the grounds reminds us where Pop met Nan and why we’re all here today.”

The 22nd Gresford Billy Cart Derby is on Saturday 30th March 2024 at the Gresford Showgrounds.

For more information on Brimble, head to their website – brimble.com.au.

COMING UP

Fri March 8 (Gresford Show) Glen Harrison Band feat. Adam Wilton 7–11pm

Sun March 17 (St. Pats Day) "Smokestack" on the deck 2–6pm Guinness on Tap!!

Fri March 29 Closed (Good Friday)

Easter Sat (Billycart Derby)

Dean Dee + friends 10–1pm

Red Dirt Country Band 1–5pm Merkins 6–10pm

The family legacy continues today, staying true to their roots in Gresford Pictured: Brimble co-founders David and Justin Brimble, pictured with their children on a customised rail maintenance machine.

The Brimble family during the Anzac Day Memorial. Doris and Ray lived at 2 Church St. Pictured: From left to right: Doris Brimble (formerly Brosie), Toni Brimble, Ray Brimble

The NSW Government has programs to assist with cost of living expenses.

Book a free appointment with a Savings Finder specialist call 13 77 88 or visit your local Service Centre.

Check the Service NSW Savings Finder: www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder

For the latest fuel prices go to Fuel Check: www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app Authorised

culTuRE VulTuRE ART NEwS

Greetings to Gresford readers, Culture Vulture article returns to Gresford News. We will be featuring Hunter Valley and local artists interviews and art news.

Robyn Werkhoven

date and sneak previews of what's to come! Please Like and follow our page. Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61555506220944

First we have exciting news to announce. A group of local artists has been working to establish Gresford Community Art Gallery / shop in the Therese Doyle Community building next to the beautiful Arboretum gardens. The Gallery doors will open to the public hopefully in June when renovations are completed.

The Gallery will feature a variety of quality art and craft, highlighting the local arts creative community in the Hunter Valley. We plan to hold exciting art and craft workshops for children and adults, life drawing, sketch club, and special themed exhibitions and events.

Application call Out

Applicants may live locally or in the Hunter Valley. If you would like to exhibit or have work in our Gallery and

Shop (hopefully from June 2024) and you are an artist or crafts person making quality: painting, drawing, glass, jewellery, textiles, photography or ceramics we’d love to hear from you! Please send an email to gallerygresfordcommunity@gmail.com with brief outline of your artistic practice with links to your website and/or Facebook/Instagram OR 3-5 images of your work with a brief outline of your creative practice.

The Gallery now has a Face Book page which will give regular news updates of the Gallery’s progress and opening event

Studio la Primitive Arts Zine will be online 1st March 2024. The publication is now in its eleventh year of successful publication featuring interviews and exhibitions with artists, poetry, essays, travel photography, art news from local, national, international artists. Produced locally at East Gresford, Editor Robyn Werkhoven and co-editor Eric Werkhoven.

In 2017 Arts Zine was selected by the NSW State Library to be preserved as a digital publication of lasting cultural value for long-term access by the Australian community. The Zine is free, with no advertising from sponsors. It is just something we want to do for the Arts, which has been our lifelong passion.

Future Arts Zine issues will be featuring regular articles on Gresford Community Gallery and local artists. Available at www. studiolaprimitive.net, www.issuu.com & Facebook.

Contact with art news: Robyn Werkhoven, werkhovenr@bigpond.com

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 

March 3rd – Footy Tipping comp Lotto draw (same as last year)

Thursday 28th March - $500 Easter Egg Raffle $1500 Prawn & Oyster Raffle

Easter Trading Hours

Good Friday No Takeaway’s

Friday 29th March – Open 12.00

Saturday 30th March – Open 9.00 1pm –5pm Matt Clack Live 1.30 Easter Egg Hunt for the children

Saturday 4th May – GBSRC Fundraiser GALA 6.30 Start $120 A ticket, Sprout Catering Live Music from, Richie

Every Week at the Bowlo!!

Wednesday Night

HAPPY HOUR WEDNESDAY 4.30 - 6.00

Yellow Barrel Draw starts of at $50.00 and jackpots every week till won if won starts of at $50 Last Wednesday of the month $200.00, Schooner Card Draw 1st Wednesday of the month!

Drawn after the raffles must be here to win!

Friday Night Gift Voucher Raffles

Members Draw - if not won goes up $25.00, must be here to WIN!

Sunday Night Raffles

Members Draw - if not won goes up $25.00, must be here to WIN!

fungi foray talk & walk – April 6 & 7

Join our annual Fungi Foray talk & walk this April held jointly with the Paterson Allyn Williams Science and Ideas Hub and National Parks Association of NSW (Hunter Region).

The talk will be in Dungog on Sat 6 April at 3pm and the walk will be at the Upper Allyn River from 9am to about 3pm on Sun 7 April. This is a short, easy grade walk led by fungi experts. The leaders will be glad to answer all your fungi questions and you will be able to help survey the fungi in the area.

Fungi researcher Pam O’Sullivan will give the Saturday talk in Dungog – venue to be confirmed (visit www.pawsciencehub. com for details). She will talk about the important role of fungi in the ecosystem recycling organic matter and forming nutrient partnerships with plants. She will also discuss the species that have been found on previous surveys.

In terms of diversity and number of species, fungi leave plants in the shade. The Upper Allyn has been described as a ‘fungi hotspot’ of great significance. It lies within Chichester State Forest about 1 hour northwest of Dungog (2 hours from Newcastle), an area the National

Parks Association of NSW hope to see added to Barrington Tops National Park.

The Sunday walk is suitable for anyone curious about fungi. Accompanied children are welcome. You’ll need suitable outdoor clothing and footwear, and be prepared for leeches. It is important to register for the Sunday walk: please email Martin Fallding info@calli.com.au or tel 02 6571 1208.

0428

Doug walters Statue

Due to popular demand the Doug Walters Foundation is building a statue of Dougie to keep him out of the history books, and we are very excited to announce that we have secured renowned Australian artist Louis Laumen for the work!

Louis's works are featured all around, including many at the MCG, with sculptures of Shane Warne, Denis Lillie, Don Bradman, Bill Ponsford, Keith Miller, Neil Harvey, even Winx! and many others.

We have the support of Dungog Council to locate the statue near the main street of Dungog. To succeed our project requires $150,000 to get off the ground.

We would greatly appreciate any assistance you may be able to provide for this project and the work of the Foundation moving forward. So why not choose your favourite Dougie test batting stat to get us moving! Your donation is supporting Doug Walters Foundation.

https://asf.org.au/projects/doug-waltersfoundation/doug-walters-foundationand-statue

Best Regards, Doug Walters Foundation

Dungog

ChiropraCtiC

CliniC

I treat most musculoskeletal complaints including back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines and limb pain and pins and needles.

HiCaps and eftpos facility is available so patients can claim direct from their healthfund and just pay the gap.

Located at Dungog Community Hospital on Hospital Road in Dungog phone no: 4992 3766

Shane Moss B.Sc. M.Chiro.

Pam O’Sullivan on a previous Allyn River Fungi Foray

The Paterson Allyn Garden Group

The Paterson Allyn Garden Group is primarily about increasing members’ knowledge of gardening, sharing garden successes and failures, and providing an educational experience for its members.

On a rather hot summer’s day in December more than 60 PAGG members attended the annual end of year get together at Jenny’s property at Glen Martin. We witnessed a garden planning success story with the planting of trees nearly 20 years ago that members really appreciated and enjoyed sitting under as the trees provided ample shade.

Particularly significant was a large Manchurian Pear chosen not only for shade but also for its magnificent autumn colours.

The 2023 PAGG Giving Tree raised more than $1300 for Destiny Haven at Brookfield, a not-for-profit nongovernment organisation that provides a residential place of healing for women struggling with life issues.

Members are encouraged to open their garden to PAGG members. This can be a little scary but a great experience as many unfinished or planned projects are

completed, and members have said they received many valuable ideas and information when PAGG visited.

The Garden Co-Ordinators, Pip and Jen, have planned a very busy year ahead with members traveling to gardens from Bolwarra and Woodville to Dungog, and

Wallaringa to Nooroo near Stroud. Members meet the third Tuesday of each month – March to November and the second Tuesday in December. If you are interested in joining PAGG, being an occasional visitor or wanting more information please email Secretary Chris at pagardengroup@gmail.com

General Plumbing

Gas Plumbing

Drain Cleaning

New houses, renovations & extensions

Transpiration areas – upgrades &

Bobcat

Summer shade – in high demand!

Master Tree Growers course at Tocal

Here is a great opportunity for anyone interested in farm forestry. The Master Tree Growers (MTG) course is the ‘bees knees’ in farm forestry knowledge and training. If you are interested in sustainable management of your native forest for timber production, or for ways to incorporate trees into your farming enterprise, then this is for you!

The MTG is being delivered locally (which is a bit rare) with Rowan Reid and Annabel Kater delivering it.

The first session (23-24 March) is to meet the team and learn more about the program. The remaining 3 sessions will be held at various on-site locations in the Hunter Valley.

• 23-24 March (Tocal Ag College, Paterson)

• 29-30 June (TBA, Hunter Valley)

• 19-20 April (TBA, Hunter Valley)

• 15-16 June (TBA, Hunter Valley)

Cost: $220 (includes course materials and refreshments). For further information visit the website www.agroforestry.org.au As spaces are limited, RSVPs are necessary: secretary@hffn.org.au Please mention your location, your interest in tree growing and any dietary requirements.

Some of Tony Hillerman’s novels have been used in recent years for two television series called Dark Winds, shown on SBS. They may still be available on OnDemand, and are superb recreations of the novels’ characters and environments. The main characters are Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee – Navajo Tribal Policemen – who struggle against widespread misperceptions of their people and culture. Another police officer, Bernadette Manuelito, is Jim Chee’s love interest, and features in both the TV series and this novel.

Skeleton Man is mostly set in the Grand Canyon, where a plane crash saw the loss of a case of diamonds, handcuffed to a passenger’s arm. Although Joe Leaphorn is retired in this novel, he becomes involved when the cousin of a local policeman is arrested on suspicion of theft when he tries to cash in a diamond he says he was given in exchange for a tool in the Grand Canyon. Billy Tuve, the man arrested, has had some brain damage as the result of a horse-riding accident, and is an easy target for victimisation.

Complicating the search for the shaman who is supposed to have given Billy the diamond is competition from the passenger’s illegitimate daughter who is trying to prove she is his heir, and a chancer who has been employed by the corrupt head of a trust fund to find the diamonds themselves, and stop the daughter getting hold of her father’s DNA. The arm and attached case had been seen early in the original search, but had been swept away by a flood before they could be recovered. This is an intricately plotted novel with a great deal of interest provided by the anthropological details and character motivations. Reading Tony Hillerman can prove addictive.

All books reviewed are from the CWA library on a separate shelf in the library so they are easy to find plus the reviews are in a folder. Also have a look in the street library.

Anglican Parish of Gresford Paterson

Fr. Peter’s men’s breakfast was a good success, with 12 men enjoying breakfast and good fellowship. Dates for March are as follows: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th - 8.30am St. Paul’s Paterson and 10.30am at St. Anne’s Gresford.

Easter services are

28th March Maundy Thursday, 6.30pm

St Paul’s Paterson

29th March Good Friday - 10.30am

St. Anne’s Gresford

30th March Saturday Vigil - 7.30 pm.

St.Paul’s Paterson

31st March Easter Sunday 8.30 am St. Anne’s Gresford 10.30 am at St. Mary on Allyn Allynbrook Confirmation Service

On Saturday 30th the Parish will be holding a cake stall at the Billy cart derby Gresford. Come along and buy some goodies from the ladies. Safe travel at Easter time. Look after each other.

Blessings Beverley

Gresford

Congregational Church

30 Durham Rd Gresford

Services

Each Sunday 10.30am

ALL WELCOME

Gresford News March crossword

Crossword kindly provided by Russel Jessop.

Catholic Parish of Gresford

Mass at St. Helen's, East Gresford

Saturday – 5:30 pm (except 2nd Sat. of month)

Thursday – 9.30am

Mass at Sacred Heart, Summer Hill

Sunday – 11:30 am (2nd Sunday of month)

All enquiries to Fr. Andrew Doohan, Parish Priest, on 4992 1477 or dungog.parish@mn.catholic.org.au

March 2024 crossword answers