#27 Regional Lifestyle | Summer 2019

SUMMER

Coolamon, Temora & Oberon

TOWN FEATURES

AGRICULTURE:

Narrandera’s David Farley The iconic

COONAMBLE RODEO Gorgeous Gardens:

Gundagai & Mudgee

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales

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trading as Regional Lifestyle Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418 ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 FAX 02 6867 9895 WEBSITE www.lifestylemagazine.net.au FACEBOOK Regional Lifestyle Magazine INSTAGRAM Regional Lifestyle Magazine PUBLISHERS, ACCOUNTS & ADVERTISING Elizabeth & Alex Tickle info@lifestylemagazine.net.au EDITOR Elizabeth Tickle editor@lifestylemagazine.net.au CHIEF WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Jake Lindsay shotbyjake@outlook.com.au ART DIRECTOR Zora Regulic artdirector@lifestylemagazine.net.au

DISTRIBUTION Regional Lifestyle Magazine is published quarterly (available at the beginning of each season) and distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Central West and in the surrounding regions of the Far West, New England & North West, Riverina & Southern Slopes, the Monaro, Southern Highlands, Canberra, Northern and Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in addition to a selection of other rural and coastal areas of New South Wales.

Subscriptions and back issues are also available to read online, on desktop and mobile devices.

Unsold magazines are distributed to cafes, health waiting rooms, quality hotels/motels, bed and breakfast establishments, hair and beauty salons and tourist outlets.

Regional Lifestyle showcases authentic content from across rural and regional New South Wales. The heart of the magazine is in the Central West of the state, but a great story knows no boundaries.

We are continually amazed by the innovation, inspiration and spirit that we find time and time again in communities both within the Central West and further afield. It is our passion and privilege to bring these stories to you.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE To order a subscription or back issue (mailed or online), visit www.lifestylemagazine.net.au. © Central West Lifestyle Pty Ltd 2019 All Rights Reserved No part of this magazine may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

While every care is taken in the publication of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, the publishers will not be held responsible for omissions, errors or their subsequent effects.

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To underscore our commitment to environmental sustainability, Pegasus Print Group is FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified as well as being ISO 14001 accredited. Paper and paper-based materials carrying the FSC® symbol can be tracked back to their source, guaranteeing they come from forests which are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

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168 200

162

12 We revisit three stunning rural communities, showcasing their many natural assets and the fabulous people who make these towns tick.

INSPIRATION

142 An elder statesman of the business community, Dubbo real estate agent Bob Berry has gained wide recognition in a career spanning more than 60 years.

156 One of Riverina identity David Farley’s greatest assets is his belief in seizing every opportunity.

GARDENS

168 Swapping city life to build a future on a farm in Gundagai was a considered move for tree-changers Jade and David Scholes.

174 Graham Peterson’s delightful Mudgee garden is a credit to his forethought and commitment.

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HOME & STYLE

180 So much of Sue McLeish’s Geurie home speaks of her love of family and her talent for nurturing a sense of stylish comfort.

196 Kate Griffiths, of Dubbo’s Lazy Sunday Lifestyle, has an eye for beautiful things and a talent for making meaningful connections.

200 Dubbo’s Press café shares with RLM readers some of its favourite recipes to recreate at home.

EVENTS

214 Social snaps from the RLM Spring 2019 launch in Cooma; Dubbo Women’s Lunch; Up2DateArt Exhibition; and Nyngan Ag Expo.

224 What to see and do this spring in country NSW. 226 Rural weddings with style and glamour to match any big city nuptials.

THE LAST WORD

240 Meg Low and her two miniature ponies, Chip and Posie, make quite a statement on the streets of Oberon.

Narrandera’s David Farley The iconic

COONAMBLE RODEO Gorgeous Gardens:

Gundagai & Mudgee

SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 27 >

TOWN FEATURE: COOLAMON, TEMORA & OBERON

TOWN FEATURES

AGRICULTURE:

608002

ISSUE 27 SUMMER 2019

SUMMER

Coolamon, Temora & Oberon

772201

CONTENTS

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales

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186

ON THE COVER SWEET DREAMS

Sweet Briar B&B hosts Andre and Keryl de Haan, with sons Aaron and Daniel, and Obi, the much-loved family pet, in front of the Sweet Briar Country Cottages.

Image: Jake Lindsay

Photography by Amy Louise Photography & Design & Copper.Co Photography

S U M M E R publishers’ letter

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

summer stories “Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again.

Enjoy every moment in life.”

Welcome to Summer 2019 with Regional Lifestyle. We are overwhelmed with the wonderful response we have had to our rebranding.

In this edition we are thrilled to bring you a 137-page feature made up of three gorgeous council areas: Coolamon, Temora and Oberon. Even though we featured these places some years back, we found plenty to showcase across our glossy pages on our second visit. In addition to the unique tourist attractions on show, many interesting characters and local identities are profiled who are important assets to their communities.

Record sales The sales of the Spring 2019 edition have been massive! Within the first 10 days, extra stocks had to be delivered to the Snowy Monaro area as people embraced this edition so wholeheartedly. Thank you for your warm support of our newest edition.

RLM out and about Henty Machinery Field Days were such a joy to be part of. High attendances, beautiful weather and friendly, enthusiastic people passing through over the three days made our stay with the RLM stand in Henty very memorable.

Iandra Castle Open Days once again were most enjoyable. Every open day brings people from many parts of Australia seeking to explore this unique and magnificent building between Cowra, Grenfell and Young.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand for a chat, and the many visitors who purchased back copies and The Collector’s Edition.

The Good Old Days Weekend, on the October long weekend, was an experience we will never forget! We not only sold lots of magazines (especially the Winter edition featuring this iconic event) but reacquainted ourselves with the pioneering way of doing things. Congratulations to the hardworking committee who tirelessly work to bring this educational experience to the attention of so many.

Advertising with RLM We chatted with a successful businessman from Dubbo recently who shared his thoughts on advertising.

He said “A business can’t afford NOT to advertise. It seems to me that by advertising you are inviting people to come and visit your business.” Hopefully many people take up the invitation for a visit to the businesses of our many valued advertisers in each and every publication.

Autumn 2020 Feature Thank you to the Parkes and Forbes councils for once again showing great faith in our product and collaborating with our magazine.

The Autumn 2020 features on Parkes and Forbes are shaping up

The Mountain Groovers performing at The Monaro Spectacular; left to right, back row; Elizabeth Bellingham, Sophie Freebody, Clare Buckley, Michael Condello, Patrick Sacco, Amanda Woodhouse, Brian Old, Linda Rae and Petrina Baff. Middle row; Mikala Walters and John Donnelly. Front row; Kim Neville and Rosie O’Sullivan.

beautifully. We are looking forward to showing you why these places are popular tourist destinations and great places to live for the longtime residents and the many tree changers who have been attracted by all that these magnificent towns have on offer.

Thank you and happy Christmas We thank you for your unswerving support over the past 6.5 years since our publication began, first as Central West Lifestyle and more recently as Regional Lifestyle. The RLM team wishes you and your family a truly wonderful Christmas filled with magical memories. May the year to follow bring bountiful seasons, good health and happiness.

Best wishes, Elizabeth and Alex Tickle

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S U M M E R Jake’s message

ORDINARY, yet extraordinary Season’s greetings to all our faithful, esteemed readers. Make sure you enjoy the spirit of Christmas, even if it is in the middle of this prolonged and crippling drought.

As another deadline approaches, I’ve been thinking about my life writing about others.

Even during my two-decade stint as a photographer, I was forever scribbling some bloke’s remarkable hat history on an A4 white paper bag.

Those little bits of paper morphed into a couple of books but there’s still another one in me. It might take another decade but one day I will try to match up all my scribbles in countless old pocket notebooks and on white paper bags with the accompanying images.

Now I’m paid to gallivant throughout the bush, from one town to the next, meeting hidden gems and treasures along the way.

My life revolves around hearing somebody’s life story – often told for the first time – before attempting to capture their essence in a portrait.

Can you imagine living in about 30 towns for a few weeks at a time and unearthing such talent? I doubt if many get the pleasure of inspecting so many houses or peering into somebody’s life for a few hours.

I call them my bush nuggets. Generally not famous, just downto-earth types who believe in the sanctity of life. Folk who do their best and are thankful to be alive, even if it is a parched old argument at the moment.

I say this because the other day I spoke to one of nature’s true gentlemen. A man in his second century who can recall long ago events like they were yesterday. For happiness he tends to his beloved plants.

I understand life cannot be measured in monetary terms. Like most people, I suppose, I always thought it was about the money – you work hard and are rewarded for your efforts. Simple maths really, but there’s a lot more at stake.

You can’t put a price on meeting these old timers – blokes like the 101-year-old character in this issue. Every day is a precious gift, as this old timer knows only too well.

We’re all getting older as the years catch up. Not all of us will make it to old age. You can try, but there’s not a lot we can do when our time is up.

Live each day and strive for happiness. And keep reading Lifestyle for inspiration! The people I talk about in this edition are the backbone of this fine country.

Blokes who got blown apart the day man landed on the moon; a Vietnamese woman who, with terrific faith, self belief and hard work, went from refugee to respected businesswoman; or a fourth-generation farmer and only child contemplating his future after 80 years on the farm.

How about a genuine rock ‘n’ roll star, famous in the 1960s, and now living the quiet life in Coolamon? Or the famous railway dog that touched so many hearts in Temora?

Oh, and while we’re at it, let’s throw in the Deputy Prime Minister!

You will love reading more about this energised country lad who spent his very early years at Marrar.

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In the end, dear reader, we are all made of the same stuff – just wired a little differently. Once again, I offer my thanks to all the fine folk who shared their most precious gift – the gift of time.

I know you are going to love this bumper Summer Edition. So pour a drink, find your favourite chair and settle in for a wild ride.

And remember, the truth is way more exciting than fiction!

Till next time, I’ve got you in my sights.

Cheers, Jake

ABOVE: With Temora’s loveable 101-year-old Ron McGuirk; one for the books: me without a beverage having a beer with the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack who isn’t drinking!

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RLM 9

SUMMER 2019 CONTRIBUTORS

meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE

Publisher, Editor, Advertising

GINA CRANSON

JAKE LINDSAY

Chief Writer & Photographer

Sub-Editor & Proofreader

Art Director and Travel Writer

Advertising Designer

SALLY MARCEAU

MELISSA DUNKERLEY

KATE BOSHAMMER

ROBERT I BRUCE

ELIZABETH SWANE

JENNIFER HARDEN

ANNA TICKLE

JANE SANDERSON

CATHERINE PLAYER

ALEXANDRIA TREASURE

LORRAINE HILLS

HEATHER CROSBY

ZENIO LAPKA

SUE MEIKLE

JOHN CURLEY

Photographer

Writer

ZORA REGULIC

ALEX TICKLE

Publisher, Distribution, Advertising

Garden Writer

Social Media

ELIZABETH GRANT Writer

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Home & Style Writer, Photographer

Country Cuisine Writer

Social Photographer

Advertising Designer

Writer

Writer

RLM Accountant

Website Developer

Wedding Writer

Photographer

story name S U M M E R

your letters We would like to thank Elizabeth and the RLM team for the opportunity to collaborate with you for our Snowy-Monaro feature in the Spring Edition. It has been a huge success for us and we are very pleased with the outcome. It was a pleasure working with the RLM team on this project. It was so positive and rewarding and the final product was exactly what we were hoping for.

As an area that has recently gone through the challenges of council amalgamation we really needed to come together and find a way of showcasing “the good things” in our new space.

A 140-page feature in this magazine was the perfect platform to do this and the opportunity was presented to us just at the right time. The final product was beautifully presented and very well received among the wider community.

Peter Bascomb, General Manager SMRC, Donna Smith, Tourism Manager SMRC

“What a beautiful magazine!” This is the word on the street of Bombala and surrounds. This would have to be one of the best magazines I have come across for many years, and I have seen a few. The content of the stories and the photos are just magnificent.

This edition is taking me quite some time to read.

The excitement from our customers about the town feature is amazing and we have never experienced the fantastic amount of sales from any publication before. What a fantastic opportunity to showcase our beautiful region. I am definitely looking forward to the next edition.

Kim Stockwell, Bombala Newsagency

Congratulations on a sensational Regional Lifestyle Spring Edition. I grew up in Cooma, and long before I moved to Sydney, via Radio 2XL and 2CA (Canberra) and launched and anchored the Today program, I spent some of the best years of my life on the Monaro, visiting over the years all the towns and villages you have highlighted in this wonderful magazine. The memories came flooding back as I leafed through the pages of superb photographs and quality writing. This is the first time I have bought your magazine. It will not be the last.

Steve Liebmann, Cremorne

What a fabulous magazine! Every edition makes me want to pack up and travel to the wonderful places featured between its covers. It is pure quality, from the brilliant photography, articles on local identities and typical residents of the area, local architecture and history, gardens, agriculture, landscape and businesses, to the quality of the paper on which the magazine is printed. You paint wonderful pictures, through words and stunning photographs, of the lifestyle and uniqueness of every area featured. Not only do I love reading about the people who contribute so much to their community, I also enjoy the aerial photographs of the featured towns in each issue. These days we set our GPSs and off we drive, often without a true idea of where we are in relation to the landscape.

The aerial shots give perspective to the size and layout of the town, while placing it within the surrounding landscape. I can imagine your readers scouring the photos to find their home, or the homes of relatives and friends who live there. Living in the city, it is easy to forget the contribution that small towns and their communities make to our wonderful country.

Regional Lifestyle Magazine opens our eyes, and helps to remind us. Thank you for your wonderful publications. I look forward to the next issue.

Leonie Smith, Mosman NSW

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COOLAMON TOW N FE ATUR E

WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY

improving on perfect from the Mayor of Coolamon Shire Council Welcome to Coolamon Shire. I am pleased to be here again, and I thank Alex and Elizabeth for the opportunity to showcase and highlight our area. We were lucky to be featured in the Spring 2017 edition of this magazine.

Our feature sparked talk and a sense of pride within the community. Since then we have continued to see large growth and development around the shire.

As Mayor, I’m proud to call Coolamon Shire home, having lived here all my life. I’m excited to be able to provide a small insight into this wonderful community and region.

Over this time, we have seen a large amount of change and growth. I believe that when something never stops changing, it’s only growing and improving. Coolamon Shire is exactly this. We live in a place that is already pretty perfect and yet it continues to surprise and impress me.

We are a thriving community made up of six heritage towns and villages, each providing special features that make up Coolamon Shire.

It is full of rich agricultural history with fast growing boutiques and eateries.

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Coolamon Shire is all about the community and our people. It is full of hard-working, giving people who continue to enhance where we live. Recently, Coolamon Shire has seen a lot of new developments and infrastructure, from new businesses, recently announced industrial land and large growth in land and house purchases. With affordable housing and land prices, easy access to regional centres and plenty of business opportunities, Coolamon Shire provides an attractive choice for new residents and businesses. We also have new playgrounds and picnic areas, bike and walking tracks, and improved sporting facilities. All of this adds to the community services and facilities we have available.

I’d like to invite you to visit and explore Coolamon Shire and all that we have to offer.

Discover the many great sights to see and things to do for every type of traveller. Take a drive and explore the beautiful countryside and farmland. Or, if you prefer, hit the pavement on foot and explore the many retailers and boutiques. We have great events throughout the year that would complement your experience.

Enjoy reading these amazing articles showcasing some of Coolamon Shire’s community members and businesses. As always, we look forward to welcoming you to our region.

Cr John Seymour OAM, Coolamon Shire Council Mayor

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

a shire to desire

The secret is out. For years Coolamon Shire has been promoted as a hidden gem.

It is still considered a gem but it’s a little less hidden these days.

Whether you are travelling solo, with a partner, friends or family, a warm welcome is waiting for you in the Coolamon Shire.

Coolamon Shire is a farming and grazing area with beautifully preserved heritage towns rich with history. The town of Coolamon was established around the time the railway arrived in 1881, with the shire being proclaimed on March 3, 1906.

The Wiradjuri people were the first to the region. The town is named after the Wiradjuri word for a vessel for carrying goods, children and water, “Gullaman”.

Coolamon Shire is home to six towns and villages. Coolamon is the largest town, with smaller towns of Ardlethan and Ganmain and villages of Beckom, Marrar and Matong. You’ll find Coolamon Shire located in the Riverina region of NSW, just a short detour off the Olympic, Sturt or Newell highways.

The towns within the shire boast a variety of places to stay, things to see and do and places to dine. Choose from a wide range of accommodation options including bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, camping and caravan parks. Rest assured you will be sleeping in a region filled with charm and hospitality.

A wide range of outdoor activities, historic sites, boutique shops and dining experiences are all to be enjoyed in this historic area. A great place to take in nature, the towns and surrounds are perfect for exploring, whether that be walking, cycling or having a picnic.

The shire is proud of the services and facilities on offer, for the young and old and all ages in between. Particular positives include healthy schools, preschools and childcare services, growing aged care services and medical facilities.

Dive into local history and must-see attractions. The State Heritage-listed Up-to-Date Store plays host to a number of displays and collections. This beautiful building is a must see. With more and more shops on offer, the street is full of life and history. A wander along our heritage main streets is a joy in itself. You will discover antiques, arts and gifts, and great food and coffee.

Taste local cheeses from Coolamon Cheese, discover local produce, picturesque heritage, manicured gardens, visit the Kelpie Statue in Ardlethan or the interesting Hay Display Centre in Ganmain – plus plenty more! All of these are just a short drive from one another. Take the Canola Trail to explore all Coolamon, Temora and Junee shires have to offer while enjoying the beautiful canola fields along the drive. The Canola Trail is an opportunity to discover at your own pace.

The future of Coolamon Shire is strong with many exciting projects and developments recently completed or soon to be finished. Coolamon Shire residents are proud to live here and we welcome all visitors to share in this wonderful part of the Riverina. RLM FACING PAGE: The sun sets on Coolamon Shire. Image: Jamie Blair.

RIGHT FROM TOP: Ganmain Hall. Image: Zane Fraser; Canola fields.

Image: Donna Mestiola; NYE celebrations in Coolamon’s main street.

Image: Jamie Blair.

COOLAMON RLM 13

T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon

ABOVE: Marrar Lane at sunrise. Image: William Barton.

LEFT: Sheep grazing at sunset. Image: Elise Hawthorn.

Coolamon charm Boasting assets aplenty, Coolamon is more than just a pretty place.

ABOVE: Harvest. Image: Stacey Taylor.

ABOVE: Matong Motors. Image: Thomas Parker.

ABOVE: Sheep and Hay. Image: Sarah McCaig.

ABOVE: Fluorescent night. Image: Jacob Manley.

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ABOVE: Crop lines. Image: Robert Menzies.

ABOVE: The old shearing shed. Image: Matt Gray.

back to the

BEGINNING Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack relishes returning to his old home town of Marrar.

COOLAMON RLM 15

Stop the press! The McCormack “Express” has departed Wagga Wagga. First stop Marrar, then all stations to Leeton via Ganmain.

On the day of our interview, the Hon Michael Francis McCormack MP is returning to his “spiritual home” of Marrar. (His grandparents, Tom and Mary McCormack, were at “Rosehill” for 38 years until 1976.

Michael’s parents also farmed the rich, red soils. They’re all gone now but his ties to this quiet little community still run deep.)

I’m scheduled to meet the country’s 18th Deputy Prime Minister and National Party Leader at the Marrar Cafe to share with Lifestyle readers, memories of growing up in the district.

A large information board across from the cafe details village history and reads: “The Marrar community continues to be a vibrant and resilient town that has survived fire, flood, drought and plagues.”

Village life started in 1881 with the arrival of the rail line. A few tin shacks and tents went up for the railway navvies who toiled with picks, shovels and hammers to keep the ribbons of steel moving ever westward. As the construction gangs moved on, some workers remained to establish a town.

With the railway as an outlet for their produce, the surrounding stations increased their production of wheat, chaff and wool, bringing extra employment and demand for farm machinery and household goods.

In 1911, seven years after Marrar was proclaimed a village, a devastating fire broke out in one of the buildings, turning the entire block into a raging inferno. The ruins were eventually replaced with the Roberts Building, home of the cafe where our esteemed visitor has just pulled up.

There’s no entourage or minders. It’s just the two of us, and Kerry Culley, who has lived in the village for 11 years and works at the cafe on weekends.

As she pours coffee for her unexpected VIP guest, an old farmer walks in to collect the weekend papers, recognises him instantly and casually says “G’day Mr Mac, how ya going?” – like old pals passing in the street.

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“I’m nobody special to these people,” he tells me in earnest as the aforementioned farmer heads out the door. “I’m just Michael McCormack who happened to grow up here. They probably remember me as a little snotty nosed kid in short pants from the 1960s and early ’70s!”

Other locals, I find out later, remember him as being fastidiously clean and well-mannered, much like the urbane 55-year-old telling his story today.

“People don’t look at me and say, ‘Oh, that’s the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia’,” he says laughing. “I’d be embarrassed if they put on airs and graces around me because I’m not like that – I’m just like any other person but with a rather important job.”

He’s clearly in an upbeat mood as we slide into a corner booth for an open-hearted chat about family and living, for a while at least, in the district.

A tight schedule When first elected as Deputy Prime Minister, Michael told his colleagues how great Australia was that a boy from a humble little village like Marrar could rise to one of the highest positions in the land.

But he isn’t the first golden boy to come out of the region. That title goes to Nick Winter, the returned WWI soldier who won Australia’s first Olympic gold medal in the hop, skip and jump at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Before Michael he was Marrar’s most famous export.

Being the Federal Member for the Riverina, a huge area covering 50,000 square kilometres, Michael is used to spending many hours behind the wheel. After he’s finished with me he will head to Ganmain, the hometown of his late mother.

“I do an Anzac booklet each year for my constituents and have a cracking good story about the 1940 Ganmain footy coach Norman Le Brun,” he says enthusiastically.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E “He was a former VFL player and played for four clubs – one of only 24 players to have done so. At the age of 36 he lost his life fighting for his country in New Guinea. I’m a big military historian and am going to the War Memorial to take a picture. Ironically, I still find time to write – it’s my relaxation.”

Next stop is Leeton to catch up with the recently crowned Australian Prawn Peeling Champion. This momentous event was judged by the man himself at the Gold Coast a week earlier.

After that he will watch his boys lace up the boots for the, wait for it, Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes Goannas Club.

“It’s the quaintest and one of the longest names in Australian sport,” he laughs.

Son Nicholas, 21, who assists with coaching duties, was recently accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy. His brother Alexander, 24, is an accountant and club treasurer. Like their father, they are learning the importance of giving back to their community.

Michael loves watching his boys play – even if it’s a different game to the rugby league he was raised with. Young McCormack even had his own goal posts planted in the middle of a paddock, built by his father to improve his kicking.

But it’s not all about the boys, meat pies and footy. Daughter Georgina, 28, a Melbourne school teacher, has always been close to his affections.

Family history The head of the National Party revels in family history. His mother Eileen was the youngest of five to Ganmain cafe owners George and Minnie Margosis.

George emigrated from Greece in 1914, hitting the headlines many years later during the parliamentary dual citizenship row.

Fortunately, George was fastidious with his paperwork and in 1927 placed an advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald to reject his Greek citizenship.

“That’s bizarre in the extreme. When I entered parliament in 2010, I pulled it out of the file to prove I wasn’t a Greek citizen.”

Hard-working George died from an asthma attack at the Marrar Café, aged 48. His wife died a few years later, leaving Michael’s mother, Eileen, an orphan before her 10th birthday.

“It was all very tragic. I’m not sure if it was even this building where George died – there have been a few different sites for the cafe,” he says quietly.

Eileen was just 16 when Lance McCormack swept her off her feet. “There’s no doubt Dad waltzed into Mum’s heart,” he sighs.

“As well as being a good dancer she thought he was pretty darn handsome. They attended many balls around the district, driving over rough old dirt roads for a night out.”

Lance declared his undying love for her the day they met. They married in Ganmain with a honeymoon in the Blue Mountains before setting up home on “Killarney”, north of Marrar, and starting their family – Denise, Robyn and Michael, followed by Julieanne and Mark a few years later.

Michael spent his first four years of life there before his father heard of a property with great potential at Brucedale, 14 kilometres north of Wagga Wagga.

“Once Dad set his mind on something, that was it. It was a huge investment at the time, some might even say a risk, but Dad had a vision, and knew hard work and know-how would get him through.”

Lance transformed “Brampton” into a showpiece property with water in every paddock and good fencing, sheds and silos. He had the homestead refurbished and always ensured the house block was immaculate.

“He was a perfectionist about his beloved farm but was old school.

Fandangle alternative farming methods weren’t for him and he stuck steadfastly to the things he knew well – oats, wheat and sheep. He planted crops and hoped Mother Nature would be kind. Sometimes she was and times were good. Other years were not so generous.

Eileen was just 16 when Lance McCormack swept her off her feet. “There’s no doubt Dad waltzed into Mum’s heart.”

“That’s the cycle of farming – an industry reliant on the right amount of rain falling at the right time. When it does not rain for years on end, it doesn’t mean it won’t rain again. My father was a big believer in weather cycles – drought followed by flood. It’s just as Dorothea Mackellar described – weather doing what it has always done in this wide, unforgiving land.”

The late 1960s and early ’70s were exciting times to grow up.

“If the sun was up, you played outdoors. Rather than sit in front of a TV we were encouraged to climb trees and swim in dams and rivers. Skinning your knee and getting dirty were part of everyday adventures, and the local council never got sued if you fell off a swing.”

There were the inevitable family dramas. Lance used to pen his beloved hens in the shed each night, safe from marauding foxes.

One evening he felt something crawling under his singlet. Further inspection revealed a highly venomous redback spider.

“By the time I arrived at hospital Dad was in the emergency ward with tubes coming out of his nose and mouth. After being stabilised he managed one of his trademark winks and joked, ‘Don’t forget to put this in your paper’.” >

ABOVE: A young Michael McCormack displaying early driving skills under the watchful eye of his father; Lance and Eileen McCormack were great family role models.

FACING PAGE: The main street of Marrar; the Royal Hotel; enjoying a coffee at the local cafe.

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Being the ever dutiful son, Michael obliged, briefly detailing the experience. It was, as they say in the media, a “slow news day” and 2WG picked up the story and ran with it the following morning. By lunchtime the top national story on the midday bulletin on Sydney radio was the Wagga farmer’s “brush with death”.

“Later that afternoon one of Australia’s leading entomologists was being quoted and Dad’s 15 minutes of fame was now extending into hours of unwanted airplay. He never asked me to put a story in the paper again.”

From all accounts Lance was a very patient man. He needed to be. “He wasn’t cranky when I dropped the clutch and accidentally reversed his new red tractor through the back of the machinery shed. Nor was he upset when I brought his ute back with two dented front panels after putting it through a table drain!”

Despite his father’s long periods at work he always found time to listen.

“He was always interested in what someone had to say. In later years he never once wound me up when I started one of my regular dissertations over the phone about life, politics, sport and all the things which needed changing in the world.”

While his father was raising stock and growing crops, his mother, ever the perfectionist, kept a happy home, cooking, sewing and being there for her five children.

“A stickler for accuracy and doing things right, she impressed upon us the importance of making sure we accomplished tasks to the best of our ability. She liked neatness, order and correctness and her home was spotless.

“She looked immaculate every day, especially if she was going into town. And she liked us kids to be inside by four o’clock on a winter’s afternoon to avoid a chill.”

Lance paves the way Lance was the eldest of six children. He arrived as an early Christmas gift in Junee in 1931, spending his early days at Carabost where his father had taken up land before purchasing “Rosehill”, north-east of Marrar.

School commenced at seven years at Marrar’s public school. Later, he boarded the train to the Coolamon convent, arriving back at the siding before saddling his pony and riding several miles home.

Michael suggests it would have been a hard slog in short pants in the dead of winter.

School ended when he was 14 but Lance’s life education was just beginning.

“Dad toiled long and hard with a team of horses from sun up to sun down. Farming in those days was a back-breaking grind, day in, day out, year after year. But he did it without complaining. It was what he was cut out to do and what he genuinely liked doing.”

To let off some steam, Lance played Australian Rules and the odd game of cricket. He was rumoured to have only ever sent down one delivery, which clean bowled the batsman before stumps were promptly pulled at 1 for 300! Forever fearless, he later tried his hand at rodeo, hoping to win a few bob in prize money.

As a child he cheated death after falling off the truck’s running board, the wheel passing over his ear and all but tearing it off. At 14 he suffered peritonitis when his appendix ruptured one day while tending sheep in the top paddock. He took shelter under a tree as a big storm blew through and was found some time later in a critical condition.

When his big heart gave out in 1997 it seemed his number was finally up. Michael arrived at the hospital as they rushed him into theatre.

“It was like a scene from one of those TV medical dramas – a priest delivering the last rites, Mum crying and Dad clutching my arm and beckoning me to come closer,” he says.

“Thinking I was about to hear Dad’s profound last words I leant down as he whispered: ‘Get rid of the bloody priest!’ Dad meant absolutely no disrespect – he loved and lived his faith. He just wasn’t ready to go.”

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Lance enjoyed another 10 years, and Michael’s beloved mother took her final breath in 2018, a month before her boy from Marrar assumed the role of the country’s Deputy Prime Minister.

“It’s a shame but I’m sure she is looking down with pride,” he says, taking another rare pause. “It was a loving household with funny times and happy memories. Like all families, we had our ups and downs but Dad was forever our tower of strength.

“Our parents taught us to talk straight and walk straight, to be true to ourselves, to practise our faith, adopt a hard work ethic and be there for each other.”

It’s probably a good moment to wrap up our chat but there’s still one last story about his finer half that I’m dying to hear. We decide to walk down to the Royal Hotel.

The light of his life Michael admits he’s never drunk there but his father was apparently well acquainted with the historic 120-year-old watering hole.

After posing with a beer – no, he never partook in a sip – he pulled out his phone and photographed the bemused early morning regulars sitting at the bar. He’s always enjoyed taking pictures and tells me he has a 300mm in his car he’ll use to capture the Aussie Rules game later in the day.

“Growing up on the farm opens your eyes to a lot of things and helps you appreciate – especially in times of drought – how hard farmers do it and the fact that they do what they need to do to make ends meet,” he says.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

“In the drought of 1982, I remember Dad driving to Wilcannia to pick up these rather scrawny looking cattle and bringing them back. That’s how he made ends meet when the crops weren’t so good. He eventually realised they were too hard on the ground and his fencing and replaced them with sheep.”

It was about this time he met his future wife Catherine, a woman he describes as his “guiding strength, keenest ally and fiercest critic”.

It turns out one of his childhood mates, Graeme McLennan, who opened the batting with him all the way through junior cricket, had a first cousin, and that’s how they met at his grandmother’s house one Christmas.

Michael later saw her walking across the street and plucked up the courage to ask her out. Catherine was starting Year 12 while young Michael was tapping away on his typewriter as a cadet journalist at Wagga Wagga’s The Daily Advertiser.

Their first date was a romantic dinner followed by a night at the trots. As the pacers raced past the finishing post, Michael whipped out his notebook and started taking notes. Catherine was suitably unimpressed as her date explained he was covering the meeting for the next day’s paper.

The memory, now 36 years ago, still raises a chuckle. Michael used to pick her up from school in his trusty little blue Gemini.

“She occasionally reminds me I’d still be driving that car if it wasn’t for her, and she’s probably right,” he laughs.

By 1991 he had shot through the editorial ranks to become editor at just 27, making him the youngest editor of an Australian

daily. Only a decade earlier he’d spent many lazy afternoons gazing longingly out the window, wondering what direction his life would take.

“I’ve always loved politics from a young age, which I know is bizarre,” he says. “I loved debating at high school and captained the debating team. I still enjoy public speaking and sticking up for those people who need sticking up for.

“I suppose one thing led to another. Again, it proves you can do anything in this country, a land of opportunity. Look at Ash Barty, what a fabulous story, or Michelle Payne winning the Melbourne Cup at 100-1 odds.”

I can see Michael looking at his watch. We have managed to avoid politics all morning until this moment.

“Politics is not about power, it’s about people representing people and speaking up for them loudly, often and passionately,” he says.

“When elected I promised not to be silent when I ought to speak.

That’s always been my commitment to the people of the Riverina, my parliamentary colleagues and all Australians.”

With that, he was gone. RLM

ABOVE: Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack reflects on his early life outside Marrar’s Royal Hotel.

FACING PAGE: Michael and Catherine McCormack with children Nicholas, Alexander and Georgina; sheep graze in front of the old Catholic Church where family members attended Sunday Mass.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon

say cheese The Coolamon Cheese Factory is living up to its reputation as one of the town's major tourist attractions.

Housed in the historic 1920s co-op building in the main street, the award-winning Coolamon Cheese Factory was established by leading Australian cheesemaker Barry Lillywhite in late 2016.

With support from council, he transformed the heritage building into an architecturally stunning “world of cheese”. Along with the production area, cheese kitchen and deli, the back courtyard features the building’s original 1912 scotch oven.

There's been a recent changing of the guard after the old cheese's retirement in early 2019. Before retiring, Barry passed on his knowledge of the industry to new general manager Keiran Spencer.

Keiran comes to the table with plenty of life experience, having been raised on a wheat-sheep farm near Ardlethan before spending the past 15 years in the wine industry. In between, he sold real estate and ran a sports nutrition store in Wagga Wagga, where he lives with his partner and four children.

The new boss says he has exciting plans. “We are aiming to make it more family friendly, with a play area for children.

“By Christmas 2019 we will have launched a lactose-free cheese called Uberta, the only cheese of its kind in the country.

At the same time, we're streamlining the business and identifying new markets.”

Another new face is senior cheesemaker Jenn Nestor from Nar Nar Goon, Gippsland. Having moved to Coolamon in early 2019, she loves the science and technical aspects involved in the ancient art of cheesemaking.

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

THE COOLAMON CHEESE RANGE INCLUDES 19 HANDCRAFTED ARTISAN CHEESES, ALL MADE USING RIVERINA MILK.

Head chef is Chris Galvin, an Englishman who has been with Coolamon Cheese since the start. He is ably assisted by apprentice chef and Coolamon local James Morgan.

Among the regular activities are monthly dinners that include Wiradjuri native Australian food, Italian nights and a Bastille dinner.

“It's all about customer experience, making it a whole lot more than just a cafe. This explains why our cheese range is so important, as it bridges the gap between our guests and 17 staff,” Keiran says.

The Coolamon Cheese range includes 19 handcrafted artisan cheeses, all made using Riverina milk. You can expect to taste everything from vintage cheddars and oil-infused fettas, to blues, Camemberts and Brie.

Jenn's talent for developing native-flavoured cheeses will be a highlight of the range, with lemon myrtle, river mint, bush tomato and alpine pepper hard cheeses on the menu.

“Coolamon Cheese is more than somewhere to come and tempt your tastebuds. We want visitors to understand where their food comes from and the processes it goes through to get to their plates,” Keiran says.

“As well as indulging in tastings and cheese-inspired meals, visitors can view historic cheesemaking and dairy equipment, participate in cheesemaking workshops or book group tours of the facility where they can see cheese being made.”

The cafe and small deli area is a great place to catch up for coffee and a meal but the real joy is sampling some of the sumptuous cheese varieties on offer. RLM

ABOVE: Coolamon Cheese staff members Carlton Carter, James Morgan, Jody Guthrie and Keiran Spencer; various cheeses; the Cheese Factory is a great place to relax and dine; the landscaped area outside.

FACING PAGE: Visitors can view the fermenting cheese; senior cheese maker Jenn Nestor checks progress on the Lemon Myrtle, part of the native flavour range.

Coolamon Cheese Factory is open seven days from 10am to 5pm. www.coolamoncheese.com.au

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

totally stoked Chris Berry’s passion glows bright in The Coolamon Fire Museum.

There’s no denying Chris Berry’s love of all things shiny and red – and that's a good thing when you are manning the former Coolamon fire station.

For the past few years it's been the small fire museum with a big reputation. The central character is Chris, a former fire fighter who never imagined his fascination with fire fighting equipment would one day lead to his own museum.

It all started when a much-younger Chris and wife Joanne moved to Coolamon in 1976 with their young family. They had a furniture factory and Chris was invited to join the Coolamon Fire Brigade.

He spent the next 22 years as a dedicated fireman and enthusiastic engine keeper.

That earned him a long service medal but there was a bit more to the story.

One day while installing a new kitchen for his mate “Bluey”, a retired fireman in West Wyalong, Chris caught sight of a brass helmet sitting on top of the old kitchen cupboard he was dismantling.

It was one of those pivotal moments, although he didn't know it at the time. Acquiring Bluey's helmet, belt, axe and spanner was the start of a 40-year obsession.

“A lot of the old gear was being thrown out and I started taking bits and pieces home,” says Chris, whose collection kept growing after years of clearing sales, garage sales, markets and swap meets. In later years he took to eBay with the same passion.

Now he is able to share his collection with visitors. It only costs a gold coin to get inside and hear his great commentary about the fire fighting equipment, uniforms and memorabilia from days gone by.

Chris has over 200 helmets dating back to the 1880s, hundreds of miniature Matchbox fire engines and even a NSW Fire Brigade bicycle from 1860, when enthusiastic young blokes rode from station to station delivering messages and testing the hydrants.

Most days you'll find Chris sitting patiently in his office. He faces a 1909 switchboard and control centre from the Newcastle Fire Station, as if waiting for the phone to ring.

“All fire calls were received here and all fire engines dispatched from this very switchboard,” he explains. “It was the only switchboard still in working order as the 1989 earthquake struck Newcastle, killing 13 people.”

A few feet away lies the overnight room, complete with old cast iron wood stove. This is where the inspector would stay overnight and boil the kettle for a cuppa during the 1930s and ‘40s.

Now in his early 70s, Chris says the museum keeps him active and provides a good excuse to get up each morning.

If you are an old firey and love talking stories about days of old, then Chris is your man. At the 2019 Australia Day awards, the Coolamon Historical Fire Engine Muster was awarded the Community Event of the Year.

Held over the October long weekend, the muster sees a massive collection of old fire trucks, vintage cars and motorbikes descend on the town.

In the meantime, Chris mans the station, always alert and always ready. RLM For further information: visitcoolamonshire.com.au/coolamon-fire-museum

“A lot of the old gear was being thrown out and I started taking bits and pieces home.”

ABOVE: Former fireman Chris Berry sits in front of the 1909 switchboard and control centre from the Newcastle Fire Station; a model fire truck; the former Coolamon fire station is now home to a fabulous museum.

FACING PAGE: Chris never imagined his fascination with fire fighting equipment would one day lead to his own museum; part of the model collection; donning one of his 200 early fire helmets.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon

SWEET DREAMS

are made of this The Sweet Briar B&B captures the grandeur, style and romance of a bygone era.

No effort has been spared in making each room spotless, stylish and special.

The historic building features pressed metal ceilings, claw foot baths and classic furnishings, with three beautiful bedrooms and en suites providing every modern luxury.

In addition, there's a guest lounge room to soak up the atmosphere and a fabulous breakfast room. Popular alternatives to the historic homestay are the two selfcontained country style cottages overlooking an enchanting courtyard with manicured gardens and lawns.

Proud owners Andre and Keryl de Haan have done a wonderful job transforming the former Bank of NSW, built at the top of the main street in 1887.

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The pair enjoy meeting people from all walks of life while providing a space for others to relax, explore and connect.

"Nobody wants to go home," laughs Keryl, who is gaining quite a following for her sumptuous breakfasts and great company.

"The growth in the town in recent years has been inspiring," Andre says.

"The locals are known for their ability to have a go, and we’ve got some great local attractions including the Fire Museum and Up-To-Date Store across the road and the nearby Coolamon Cheese Factory."

Just don't let Obi out! The vivacious and much loved Bichon Frise is part of the

furniture at the Sweet Briar. “It’s not our place, it’s Obi's,” Andre laughs.

A new decorative garden sculpture, Pierre the Peacock, taps into their ethos of recycling. The stunning work was made by talented sculptor Andrew Whitehead.

Family life ticks along. Teenagers Daniel and Aaron have just returned from competing in the World Cubing Championships in Melbourne.

Daniel is among the top 100 "cubers" in Australia. Both he and Aaron, the primary school captain at Coolamon Central School, achieved PBs and had a cool time mixing with 900 like-minded individuals.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

When Keryl is not attending to home duties or the business, she works as a registered nurse.

"I travel around the district supporting mental health clinicians, midwives and child and family health nurses – the ones caring for new mums experiencing depression and anxiety," she says.

They discovered the unique B&B by accident a decade ago and have never regretted making the move from Blaxland in the lower Blue Mountains.

Andre and Keryl invite you to come and enjoy some good, old-fashioned country hospitality and all that Coolamon and the surrounding districts have to offer. RLM

ABOVE: Expect a hearty country breakfast at the Sweet Briar; each room is beautifully appointed; “Pierre the Peacock”, a delightful sculpture crafted by Andrew Whitehead, takes up residence in the garden.

FACING PAGE: Gracious hosts Andre and Keryl de Haan, with sons Aaron and Daniel, and Obi, the much-loved family pet, in front of the cottages.

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a praiseworthy

PANTRY

When you walk into the Little Rustic Pantry you are entering a charming “old world” space, where friendly service, tasty meals and excellent coffee are all on offer.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Lesley Jarrett loves her establishment; a rustic entrance to the Little Rustic Pantry; the atmosphere is only matched by the cooking.

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

It’s obvious there has been great effort to retain the historic character of the building.

LEFT: The Little Rustic Pantry has loads of charm; owner Lesley Jarrett, centre, with Payge Anderson and Grace Maule; great snacks and meals can be expected at the Little Rustic Pantry.

The Little Rustic Pantry began life in a small refurbished butcher shop in Coolamon’s main street. As its popularity grew, with locals and tourists alike, it soon became apparent that it had outgrown the space and something bigger was needed.

Lesley Jarrett and husband Greg are now celebrating their second year in the Up-To-Date Precinct. Moving to the new location has allowed them to expand and include an outdoor area.

They have thoughtfully added to and enhanced its country charm, and it all sits perfectly in the store’s unique rustic setting.

Lesley can now mix her love of cooking, retail and hospitality while Greg has reignited his passion for furniture restoration and renovation.

Timber highlights combine with repurposed furniture, and quaint stools, garden benches and comfortable ottomans are complemented by soft furnishings and decor.

The inclusion of a select line of giftware, clothing, home-made candles and gourmet foods creates the opportunity to linger longer if your heart desires.

It’s obvious there has been great effort to retain the historic character of the building, while adding their own flair.

The Little Rustic Pantry team add to the cafe’s growing reputation of great service and a warm, friendly welcome. The many compliments from regular customers and out-of-town visitors are rewarding and make all their hard work worthwhile.

Among the many Facebook quotes, Andrea says: “Absolutely delightful . . . from breakfast, lunch to dessert, my tastebuds have danced every time!”

Jenny says the “coffee and cakes are yummo – best breakfast in the Riverina”.

The Little Rustic Pantry also provides the perfect venue for special occasions, whether it’s a dinner party for 20 or a function for 80, cocktail or sit down.

Every event is special and menus and decor can be designed to suit your requirements. RLM

Little Rustic Pantry taste

Great food Excellent service Seriously good coffee

Enjoy the experience!

Thur-Fri: 8:30am-5pm | Sat & Sun: 8:30am -4pm 127-129 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon (Vegetarian & gluten free options available)

0499 184 927 |

Littlerusticpantry

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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon

JUST browsing

The Up-To-Date Store is one of Coolamon’s real gems.

The Up-To-Date Store was built in 1909 and in its heyday it was the go-to place to buy anything and everything.

The general store housed items from a pin to a piano, a true one-stop shop for the entire district. If they didn’t have it, they would source it. Fresh seafood came once a week. You could buy all sorts of farming equipment, clothes and shoes.

Shopping back then was a social affair, with many people from the district staying

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the night after a hard day’s shopping. Far removed from grocery shopping today, a trip to town meant dressing in your Sunday best and heading to the Up-To-Date Store to catch up on the latest news and gossip.

Guests were greeted on the street and escorted inside, where they would sit on tall bentwood stools or along long timber benches. They would then order goods by the pound, served by smart looking men in white aprons.

The business ceased trading as a store in 1932 and was then used as a storage area and antique shop. The council purchased the building in the 1990s following strong encouragement from the community.

Along with a dedicated group of volunteers, council has worked hard to restore the space and create a cultural and community hub.

The Up-To-Date Store is now state heritage listed and plays host to a variety of museum displays and collections. Far from a stagnant, dusty museum, the store is used for a range of events and functions, from art shows, antique fairs, tai-chi, story time, weddings and youth festivals.

“It’s the reason we keep the shelves empty,” store manager Jessica Inch explains.

“Although it would look great to see the shelves filled with old time wares and packaging, it would mean that we wouldn’t be able to see the building filled with life throughout the year.

“We want to encourage our visitors to imagine the store in its heyday, to close their eyes and remember the general store from their childhood. The building itself is the focal point, and we want to celebrate that.”

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

A piece of history The Lamson Cash Railway System is a significant feature of retail history. Installed in the Coolamon Up-To-Date Store during the early years of Lamson's entry onto the Australian retail stage, the cash railway is an integral feature of the store.

The installation of the system in the early 1900s demonstrated the proprietor’s wish to be “most up-to-date” in retail technology.

Not only did the Lamson Cash Railway provide the store personnel with the very latest advances in retail technology, it also provided the assurance of customer care to the Coolamon community, with this quick and efficient method of cash handling.

It is the only known Ball-Style Cash Railway System still in its original location and working. The system was a secure way of moving cash in large stores in a central account keeping, cash management office.

ABOVE: Tourism and business development officer Laura Munro and Up-To-Date Store manager Jess Inch.

FACING PAGE: The Up-To-Date Store has served many purposes over the years but is now utilised by the community for local events.

ABOVE: Volunteer John “Mo” Mohomad loves sharing the vibrant history of the store with visitors.

Agricultural artefacts The Jones family represents three generations of farming in the Coolamon Shire. Garth Jones alone farmed for 70 years. Following rapid development in farming and farming practices, Garth collected agricultural equipment and documented his memories.

This collection formed a “ready to go” museum and upon his retirement, Garth donated his significant collection to the Coolamon Shire Council.

This collection shows the rich agricultural history of the shire.

The objects on display, alongside Garth’s own words and stories, share a truly personal insight into what it means to live and work in the district. RLM

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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon

a commitment to care at

COOLAMON CENTRAL SCHOOL “Happy kids develop lifelong learning skills,” says Coolamon Central School Principal John Beer, who presides over 50 staff and 330 students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

“The school’s vision is to continue as a highquality school where all children are known, valued and cared for and their full potential realised.”

The school has dynamic and committed teaching and non-teaching staff, ensuring excellent educational outcomes for all students in a safe and responsive environment.

John taught in a large number of rural, metropolitan and UK schools and along the way enjoyed a few years in the business world. He draws on these combined experiences to ensure student and staff wellbeing is the central focus of the school.

“Our aim has been to create and maintain Coolamon Central School as a safe, secure and happy environment for all involved,” he says.

“Students need to feel valued and understand the staff care about their wellbeing, as it is the stepping stone to academic and lifelong success.”

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

Student voice and wellbeing is paramount.

The school has invested in a Head Teacher developing a K-12 wellbeing system, addressing student attendance with proactive strategies to support student learning.

The school has also secured funding for a School Chaplain and a Youth Wellbeing Officer, who lead whole-school wellbeing days and mental health prevention activities to build student confidence and success in and out of the classroom.

As a result, student satisfaction and improvement in wellbeing outcomes have been evidenced by external survey data and a decrease in negative incidents.

“As principal, my emphasis has been to involve all stakeholders in the concept that we are one K-12 school,” John says.

“We have worked to break down barriers that have existed between some traditional primary and secondary schools.

“Being a Central school is of great advantage to students and staff as everybody gets to know each other over a number of years. Transition from the primary into secondary is very smooth and non-stressful.”

A major focus of John’s has been the introduction and development of a Middle School Program. In 2019 the school employed a specialist teacher to work with students and their teachers in Years 5-8 to boost student learning and engagement.

“This is an exciting and ongoing program designed to boost student Literacy, Numeracy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills so that they can apply this knowledge across all of their subjects.”

All students are given support, regardless of their needs and abilities.

“We have a very strong and dedicated Learning and Support Team of teachers and Student Learning Support Officers,” he says.

“We place an emphasis on cyber safety and anti-bullying programs, with experts brought in to run student and parent programs to help manage this societal problem.”

Coolamon Central School has made continual improvement and gained outstanding success as shown through their NAPLAN, HSC, sporting and cultural events.

“This is a tribute to the passion and effort that teachers apply to their students, both during the school term and holiday breaks.” RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Kindergarten students participating in their literacy rotations; Kindergarten busy learning to use the new laptops; Year 11 Science; Primary students participating in a GWS AFL clinic; Kindergarten students completing their class learning; Coolamon Public School (as it was known) 1931; Secondary hospitality students catering for a function; Principal John Beer.

FACING PAGE: Kindergarten to Year 6 students; Kindergarten to Year 12 leadership group.

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SOLDIERING ON Terry Olfen is in his 70s but he has never let go of his boyhood passion.

Terry Olfen is like a big kid when it comes to toy soldiers.

Since moving to Coolamon two years ago to be closer to family, Terry decided to get serious about housing his extensive collection.

He's had a big tin shed built near the house, making all the display cabinets and getting it just right. Upon entering the "Bunker" you are entering a war zone.

With lots of spare time on his hands, Terry has faithfully recreated historic battlefields, including the D-Day landing, with hundreds of hand-painted model soldiers carrying out specific duties.

“It’s my interpretation of actual WW2 battles, inspired by countless DVDs and books," he says.

"It’s a tribute to all the men who valiantly fought in the greatest upheaval mankind has ever witnessed.

“I’ve even got two German V2 rockets and the men setting them up while being attacked by glider battalions."

One of his most prized possessions is a 1941 Mark V Spitfire flying panel found in an antiques shop. All it had were a few gauges, taking 26 years to rebuild.

Among the many exhibits are five life-like mannequins – four of them RAAF airmen

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and one a signal officer from the North Africa campaign.

Terry says his fascination with military history was nurtured by his father, an air raid warden in Merrylands, Sydney, during WW2.

Like most young boys growing up in the 1950s, he collected toy soldiers and assembled model aircraft. After leaving home his mother threw out his beloved toy collection but it wasn't the end.

For decades, Terry has poured thousands of hours and a good portion of his life savings into his passion. Walking into the "Bunker" each day gives him renewed passion for his craft.

Now in his early 70s, Terry will never stop collecting. Space is getting tight but there's always room for one last interesting piece, like the Australian-made WW2 parachute he has just got his hands on.

When the time comes, Terry will leave his extraordinary collection to the Coolamon RSL Museum.

Please remember this is one man's private collection and not open to the public. If genuinely interested in war memorabilia you can arrange a private inspection by emailing Terry at teza2454@gmail.com. RLM

ABOVE: Terry Olfen in his private military museum; the name says it all; one of the five mannequins featuring uniforms from different theatres of war.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

for the love of

PIES

There's nothing more Australian than going to the footy on a cold winter's afternoon and enjoying a beer and a meat pie.

In the little town of Ganmain, where football is more like a religion, the locals have been spoilt for years when it comes to their pies.

Have you ever wondered where they come from and how they're made?

Ben and Anna Murphy, from the award-winning Ganmain Bakery, invited Lifestyle to drop in and see what really goes on in the early hours.

It's an hour before sun up and Ben is already half way through his shift. The team have already churned out hundreds of their famous Ganmain pies and sausage rolls.

Ben is the head baker with 30 years of early starts. His shift kicks off at 1.45am, prepping the pastry and warming up the ovens before being joined by the others at 4am.

By 6am the music is blaring as they efficiently go about their business. Today they will make about 160 dozen pies and 50 dozen sausage rolls. On weekends they make a lot more, especially during the footy season.

Trucks head off on consecutive mornings to Leeton, Narrandera and Griffith and then Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong, Ardlethan and Temora.

As he mixes flour into his two-arm mixer – he uses about a tonne and a half each week, direct from the Manildra Mill at Narrandera – Ben talks of earlier days.

For two decades he ran a successful tattoo business at night. And years as an amateur boxer means his fingers aren’t as flexible as they used to be.

“I couldn’t handle a regular nine-to-five job,” he laughs.

It’s a male-dominated industry but today it's great seeing apprentice pastry chef Olivia Smith learning the trade alongside the men. Since joining a year ago, Olivia is accustomed to alarm clocks ringing at 2.30am before making the daily drive from Wagga Wagga.

When Ben started off at trade school in Melbourne in 1990 there were only three females out of the 120 starters. These days it has climbed to about 30 per cent.

Ben has been working ever since leaving school at 14. He and Anna bought the Ganmain Bakery four years ago after the boss, Steven Webber, retired. By then, Ben had worked there for nearly a decade and was proud to carry on the fine tradition.

Steven's son Nathan has worked there for just as long, while Alex Patterson is in his third year. With three kids under five, sleep is a rarity. Alex starts at 4am and is usually finished by lunch.

Ben's wife, Anna Murphy, manages the business while raising their two young children. Anna says there is a constant flow of tradies, railway men, fencing contractors and shearers from about 7.30 each morning.

They’re all there, no doubt, to enjoy another famous Ganmain pie.

In the 2018 Triple M awards, their pies and bakery were judged best in the Riverina. The award gives a strong indication of the pride, diligence and "secret" ingredients that go into each and every pie. RLM CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The man who bakes the famous Ganmain pies, Ben Murphy, with offsiders Nathan Webber, Alex Patterson and Olivia Smith; the finished product ready for distribution; Nathan Webber is an old hand at making pies; apprentice pastry chef Olivia Smith applies the finishing touches to another batch.

COOLAMON RLM 33

The McCanns

can do

The McCann family of Coolamon is a formidable force.

“It's fair to say we've safely covered all three arms of the Australian Defence Force,” laughs big Dave McCann OAM from his “second home” at the Coolamon RSL military museum.

He's not just talking about the museum but his high-achieving family, who know first-hand about serving their country with distinction and pride.

Dave and wife Angela, herself with an OAM, both served in the RAAF while their son William, a former Australian army captain, is married to Rachael, a naval lieutenant and daughter of a retired admiral.

You can only imagine conversations around the dining table when the family gathers for special occasions like Anzac Day. They all share special memories forged while donning a uniform.

The McCanns came from families who taught them rewards come for those who put in the effort. Dave's father was a railway guard in Armidale while Angela’s dad worked with an electrical contractor on the Burrunjuck Dam project. He later worked on the

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construction of the Cowra and Hay POW camps during the war before taking up work on the land at Coolamon.

Their hard-working traits clearly passed onto Dave and Angela's own children, who excelled at the Coolamon Central School.

Daughter Katie was vice-captain and dux of Year 12 before studying Law and Arts at ANU. She graduated with 1st Class Honours and is now a senior Crown Prosecutor with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Canberra.

Like his mother, William was school captain before being accepted to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). He later graduated from Duntroon as a lieutenant in the Signals Corps.

William left the Army in 2018 and now works in cyber security in Canberra as a public servant. Wife Rachael served as ship’s navigator on patrol boats during Operation Sovereign Borders and is currently on maternity leave from the Navy and mother to young sons Henry and Edmond.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

“Unfortunately, I was absent for long periods of their life on duty and various deployments,” Dave says. “Watching the children achieve success through their schooling and university years and leading their own successful careers is very satisfying. I've welcomed a daughter-in-law into our family and been blessed with two beautiful grandchildren.”

Dave devotes himself to council and the community he loves.

Now in his third term as a councillor on the Coolamon Shire Council, he is also council's delegate to the management board of Goldenfields Water County Council, president of the RSL Sub Branch, secretary of the local RFS Brigade, a member of the Lions Club and dabbles in local history.

It's a role that provides many opportunities to promote Coolamon, the town they moved to in 2000. For Angela, it was easy coming home but Dave didn't take long to fall for the town's charm.

“The Coolamon Shire has three towns and three small villages, each with a unique and vibrant community of people who get out and ‘do’ instead of waiting for someone else to get things done,” Dave says.

“It is a satisfying personal achievement for me to be part of a proactive local council, whose focus is on advancing the amenities and facilities available to residents across the shire.

“To me, Coolamon Shire Council is what local government should be about. Council’s motto is ‘big enough to serve, small enough to care’ and some larger councils could learn a bit from us.

Our shire offers a wide range of activities and events that are the envy of much larger centres.

“Most, if not all, of these are managed by volunteers who are the heart of our shire. These people are the doers. You can get a coffee, sit and talk with friends in the main street, kids can play footy, netball or get involved in the arts – it’s just that sort of Australian country town with a very large and giving heart.”

Early days Having had the pleasure of enjoying two very different careers in the Royal Australian Air Force and NSW Police Force, Dave has managed to pack a lot into his life.

Like the time he was deployed to Egypt to join the Multinational Force and Observers. He helped maintain a helicopter squadron supporting the MFO and flew a variety of missions throughout the Sinai Desert supporting the treaty between Egypt and Israel. Interestingly enough, his son was deployed to the same peacekeeping mission as a Signals Officer three decades later.

“Being selected for aircrew training and qualifying as a loadmaster on helicopters was a high. Later in my career, being given the opportunity to be involved in the development of No 5 Squadron’s role in Counter Terrorist Operations definitely sticks out in my mind.”

The squadron introduced Night Vision Goggles (NVG) to operational flying in the mid 1980s. It was for his work developing tactics that Dave received the Medal of the Order of Australia (Military Division) OAM(Mil).

The job came with its own drama, like in 1989 when No 5 Squadron deployed helicopters during the Qantas Bomb Scare. A person had demanded a huge payment in return for information on the alleged bomb onboard an aircraft.

The offender demanded the ransom money be placed in a light aircraft. Once in the air he would provide coordinates of where to drop it. All was in readiness for this operation when a certain highprofile media person leaked the story and scared off the mystery man. > ABOVE: Angela and Dave McCann in 1985 while in the RAAF; with WW2 artillery outside the museum.

FACING PAGE: Dave and Angela with grandson Henry, son William holding Edmund, daughter Katie and daughter-in-law Rachael.

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Later that year, the government of the day transferred all helicopter assets from the RAAF to the Army, which ended his flying career. One door closes and another opens.

In 1994 Dave joined the NSW Police Force. After a year in Sydney he was transferred to Wagga Wagga as a General Duties Police Officer and later trained in gathering fingerprint and DNA evidence. He was transferred to Coolamon as the Officer in Charge in 2000 and the family moved into the police residence for six enjoyable years.

It was a single unit, or one officer station, which came with its own challenges. Dave can never forget the night a certain individual handed in a loaded shotgun to his wife at 3am.

“The work was very diverse but getting to know people and making new friends has been fantastic. The ability to walk down the street and be able to say hello to people is something big city dwellers rarely experience.”

In 2003 Dave was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to the community and policing at Coolamon. In the same year he was seconded from the NSW Police to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to join an Australian contingent being deployed to East Timor.

Conflict in East Timor

ABOVE: Dave McCann OAM has flown battlefield helicopters and served in East Timor. He is now the curator of Coolamon’s military museum, which features Australians in times of conflict

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They were challenging and dangerous times. The remoteness and suffering experienced by the local Timorese left a lasting impact on Dave.

“We conducted border patrols and operations to locate wanted members of the militia who had conducted the genocide leading to the UN entering the country. We also worked with locals to locate and exhume the bodies of victims of the militia. It was a bloody terrible job.”

A short time later unexpected and torrential rain struck southern Timor, resulting in massive damage and flooding. Together with three of his UN police colleagues and two local officers, Dave went to a village confronted by flood waters and a king tide. It was located in the middle of a crocodile-infested mangrove.

“We spent nearly two hours in chest-high water rescuing women and children. The water was full of pigs and other animals, some already drowned, which was attracting the crocs. We managed to get 110 people out to safety, losing two,” he says.

As a result of that work, the Australians in the group received the Commendation for Brave Conduct, AFP Bravery Medal and the Royal Life Saving Bravery Cross.

Issues from his time in East Timor finally caught up with him and he was eventually medically discharged from the police in 2010 but the accolades never stopped.

In 2019 Dave was awarded a second Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Civil Division in 2019 for service to the community of Coolamon and to Veterans through the RSL. Not to be outdone, Angela received her OAM in 2015 for her service to the RSL and local community. As a long-term and valued employee at the Wagga Wagga Regional Family Day Care, Angela is involved in a number of organisations and events, including secretary of both the Coolamon RSL Sub Branch and Coolamon Up2Date Art Exhibition Committee.

The McCanns are living proof of the values of military and community service. In towns like Coolamon they go hand in hand.

“Military service is about mateship, courage, honesty, initiative, teamwork and respect – traits mentioned regularly in various history books and documentaries,” Dave says. “You'll also find those same traits here in the communities of the Coolamon shire.

“The RSL Museum is important to our community. We try to tell the stories of the men and women from our shire who have served in the Defence Forces. It is their stories that will hopefully inspire future generations.” RLM

SECOND-HAND

sensations

The Memorial Hall at Ardlethan came alive with the wedding-themed Op Shop Challenge Parade.

The committee of Advance Ardlethan holds the annual Op Shop Challenge Parade to raise much-needed funds for the upkeep and improvement of the Memorial Hall as well addressing the issue of landfill reduction and highlighting “slow fashion”.

This year there were four designers: Spencer & Que from West Wyalong, Ava Fashions from Wagga, Coolamon Collections from Coolamon, and Fairley’s Fantastic Upcycles from Ardlethan.

These designers had to source five op-shopped outfits with accessories, one of which had to be a wedding dress. The budget was $100. They also had to source their own models. These were then paraded and judged.

The first four outfits were judged by Helen Russell, Lilly Maude’s from Coolamon, deciding on the best designer and the best outfit on the day. The best wedding outfit was judged by the patrons, using a secret ballot system. The patrons had the opportunity to parade their own outfits, also judged by Helen.

Aside from the parade, there were 10 outfits belonging to local identity Lola Litchfield, including her early hand-crocheted outfits up to recent stylish day wear. The hall walls were adorned with wedding and bridesmaid frocks. A wide range of styles and materials, and accompanying stories, were on display, including a 1928 Belgium lace veil, which had been worn by two Stewart brides. There were numerous static displays showcasing several amazing local collections, including three generations of Fairley brides. An information panel with steps to reduce plastic use and examples of eco-friendly alternatives to single-use items was also well received.

Following a delightful afternoon tea, the winners were announced. Brad McKinnon, from Delta Ag, Ardlethan, presented the prizes and certificates to the winners. Best designer of the day: Spencer and Que, Leonie Spencer and Carmel Payne. Best outfit of the day: Ava Fashions, Jordan Saunders and Bree Wood. Best Wedding Dress: Fairley’s Fantastic Upcycles, Fiona Fairley. Best patron: Trish Fairman.

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2 There was a strong theme of upcycle and refashion, and the designers were able to demonstrate that op shopping can provide a very stylish wardrobe. The 2020 theme will be “a day at the races”. Donating unwanted clothes and goods instead of binning not only gives them a second life, but landfill is reduced greatly. A good guide as to whether they are good enough to donate is to ask yourself if you would give them to your best friend.

Ardlethan and the surrounding area is an active and resourceful community. There is always plenty to do and see. Many of the events are annual. In March there’s the Picnic Races at Warri Racecourse; in April there’s the Country Music Festival; May brings the Ardlethan Art Prize; and the Op Shop Challenge Parade is in July as well as the Golden Can Shoot. The agriculture show is in September. Information on these events can be found on the Coolamon Shire Website and Advance Ardlethan Facebook page. RLM Words: Karen Wood

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1: Best Wedding Gown, Dianne McDermott, Amy Crighton and Fiona Fairley.

2: Bree Wood ($20), Imogen Turner ($20), Amy Crighton ($15), Tania Gillett ($20).

3: Advance Ardlethan Committee members; back: Lyn Litchfield, Aileen Bound, Karen Wood, Dianne McDermott, front: Jenny Kuemmel, Sarah (Bessie) Brill, Ann Popple.

4: Best Designer Spencer & Que, Carmel Payne, Imogen Turner and Leonie Spencer, being presented by major sponsor Delta Ag Ardlethan, Brad McKinnon.

5: Ava Fashion, Jordan and Ava Saunders and Bree Wood ($74), Coolamon Collections ($100), Vanessa Franklin, Advance Ardlethan President, Karen Wood, Fairleys Fantastic Upcycles ($70), Fiona Fairley, Spencer and Que ($98), Carmel Payne, Leonie Spencer.

6: Three generations of Fairley’s Brides.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

sew on and

sew forth

There is no denying Anita McAdam’s penchant for sewing. The well-known designer, pattern maker and educator is happiest with a simple needle and thread.

By the age of 11, Anita McAdam was committed to the task of making clothes. It's no surprise she still makes most of her own.

“I've always had a creative streak. I need to make something, and create things,” she says from her Coolamon home.

Over a cuppa, this bright and bubbly newcomer to town says her career commenced during her school years.

Her grandmother lost her husband when her boys were teenagers but managed to put them through university by working as an office manager by day and dressmaking on weekends and evenings.

“When I was growing up, Mum and Grandma made all these little tops and bloomer shorts.

All the kids would be running around in matching clothes,” she says with a smile.

“Dad was frugal with his money but if you made something useful with your hands he'd support you. The moment I finished with a piece of fabric there was a little bit of money for my next project.

“If I wanted a place to work, he’d set me up in a room with a table all to myself. In the last few years of my schooling, we had our fair share of conflict, so he bribed me with a sewing machine to keep me in school.”

It worked, and Anita still uses her Elna sewing machine today. “It's a beautiful machine and has gone everywhere with me.”

Originally from Brisbane, Anita trained at the Queensland College of Art before the obligatory overseas adventure through Africa and Europe.

“I travelled for three months but towards the end couldn't bear it – it wasn’t sufficient to just holiday. I ended up in Chichester, south of London, and volunteered for the local theatre, making costumes in the fringe theatre tent. I knew, from that moment, my heart lay in the design and production of great fashion.”

The next five years were spent in London, freelancing to local and offshore design

and manufacturing companies. She was designing everything from maternity wear, leather jackets, sheepskins, corporate uniforms to men's shirts.

To complement her commercial practice in design, Anita wanted to teach design and pattern making. In 1991 she secured a senior lecturer position at the Manchester Metropolitan University, where she was involved with the teaching of design and pattern making.

“For all those people out there that think academia is scary, it’s quite normal and a real eye opener,” she says. “It was a wonderful and interesting time but it never really felt like home. After 10 years as a lecturer and a 15-year hiatus, Anita finally decided to come home.

Making a new home Since moving to Coolamon two years ago, Anita has run weekend sewing workshops both locally and in Wagga Wagga. The workshops concentrate on fitting patterns and dressmaking techniques.

“There will be people that have been sewing all their lives but have problems fitting their patterns,” she says. “As we get older our bodies change and conventional patterns don’t always fit too well.”

Anita is thrilled by the level of interest in her town. “I've travelled the world, lived in Sydney and am now based in heaven. We sit out here at night and it's just so peaceful.

You can't help but feel blessed.

“It’s where you are and doing the things you love – teaching and making things. The rest of my energy is spent online, building my website. It’s something I had to learn but it's opened up an international audience.”

Anita says Coolamon provided a warm welcome. She joined the CWA and uses their rooms for her bigger classes. Anita's partner

has joined the Men’s Shed. “It's something he’d never normally do,” she laughs. “He makes amazing machinery and enjoys having access to their tools.”

Relaxing out the back at the end of the day, Anita often reflects on her former city life in her studio above a Marrickville fabric shop.

When the lease expired it was time to shift, but where?

“We thought we'd move a couple of suburbs further west to see if it got any cheaper. We'd turn up at a property with 50 others for a 15-minute inspection. We did that every Saturday for ages.”

Having taught at Albury, Anita began checking country real estate online.

Wagga Wagga rents were about half of Sydney but out at Coolamon they were more like a third.

Living in the country was a wonderful new experience for Anita. “My partner was brought up in country South Australia so the idea of being in the bush was rather appealing,” she smiles.

“I love Coolamon and the very nature of the town. I can never get past how tidy and well-kept it looks. I just think somebody cares. It's just so peaceful, especially after 17 years on Marrickville Road. The contrast is enormous. We love the quiet pace and we’ve got to know the people of the town, who were all so welcoming.

“What’s really clear is that Coolamon Council cares! It's unbelievable the way they get involved. They reworked the playgrounds, support local business, were instrumental in getting the Cheese Factory up and running and support everything that happens in the community.”

According to Anita, if you live in Coolamon your cup is half full before you even get out of bed. RLM FACING PAGE: Anita McAdam has enjoyed sewing, fabrics and design since childhood.

COOLAMON RLM 39

personal

BEST Serinah Maddox is serious about the Coolamon community’s health and fitness.

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Serinah Maddox is a woman who can't sit still. While looking for a challenge during maternity leave from teaching, the Coolamon “super mum” qualified online as a personal trainer.

“I recognised there were no opportunities in our small rural town for organised exercise,” she tells me after an invigorating early morning winter workout with some committed women.

“I started with the attitude of ‘I am going to exercise at these times. If anyone wants to join me then that's a bonus’.”

She was thrilled when eight women turned up for her first session in early 2017. “We continued on twice a week until winter when numbers often dropped to the dedicated one or two, who I'm sure felt sorry for me!”

Serinah pressed on, introducing “Spring Slimdown” classes to increase physical activity, educate women about nutrition and help make healthier weight-loss choices.

“It came from my belief that knowledge is power. I realised my group had little idea or were making simple errors in trying to live healthy lives,” she says.

Serinah was encouraged when 30 women showed up to her living room to find out more. “They were soon engaged in weekly online activities and challenges. The women were inspiring, supportive and trying their best without fear of judgement,” she says.

“They created the most empowering community I've ever had the pleasure of being part of. It gives me goose bumps thinking about their achievements and our group culture. Some women lost a little bit of weight, others dropped more than 15kg.”

After some time Serinah noticed the women were getting caught up on their weight, rather than celebrating what their bodies were now capable of.

To address the problem, she created The Little Black Dress Project. With a similar structure to previous challenges, the theme was to focus on how their clothes were fitting and feeling rather than what the scales indicated.

“It didn’t matter how many times I told them to pay no attention to the scales, I had women in tears because the scales weren’t shifting. So 45 women picked goal outfits with the hope to fit in and feel comfortable in 12 weeks time when we celebrated with a cocktail function.

“These ladies know how to celebrate!

Women were congratulating each other with big smiles. They were talking about their biggest accomplishments, from running without stopping to doing x amount of pushups, attending x number of sessions and not giving up.”

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

They were openly sharing their battles with mental health and anxiety, which led to Serinah's next challenge – The Empower Challenge: Building a Healthy Body and Resilient Mind. She was lucky it timed nicely with a grant being offered by the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network with their Empowering Communities Initiative.

“We won a grant of just over 25K, which funded the challenge and made it free for the 82 women who signed up,” she says proudly.

Each week there was a new focus, including gratitude, challenging negative thoughts, mindfulness, the power of self belief, sleep, self esteem, assertiveness, distress tolerance, women’s health and self care.

Serinah is getting some serious runs on the board. “The women have come incredibly far. I love hearing of their success or witnessing the empowerment of a woman achieving something she thought was beyond her.

“I am proud of our community culture and the support that everyone gives to one another. I enjoy interacting with other women and I'm especially proud seeing us outside of our exercise sessions in newly formed friendship groups.”

The blokes haven't been forgotten either, with weekly classes started a year ago.

“The men that come love it, however the session has been slow to grow. I am most proud of my dad, who attends these sessions despite having terminal cancer.”

The lad sessions have the same “come on, keep going” culture, which is familiar to the men who once played footy and are enjoying moving again after retirement. To try and up the ante for the men, Serinah has introduced a mixed session on Friday mornings.

“I am proud of our community culture and the support that everyone gives to one another.”

“There are no excuses not to exercise,” Serinah says. “If someone turns up then that is the biggest achievement. After that we get them moving the best they can.”

One courageous newcomer went from not running at all to running five, eight and then 10km at age 59.

A constant juggle Within three years Serinah has made a positive difference to a good number of Coolamon women. It's been a mammoth effort, especially with three young children, Harry, Zeik and Layla, all under the age of five.

Husband Jamie works as a project manager for Coolamon Carpentry and is the local football team’s co-captain coach.

“I think he classifies as a local because he captained the side to a flag in 2013,” laughs Serinah, a proud born-and-bred Coolamon girl.

Life is one big juggle. Often the pair will pass each other in the driveway with a quick handover of the kids. They support each other and are lucky to have help from their big extended family.

Serinah says they both grew up with parents willing to travel around the countryside supporting their sporting endeavours.

“The values of team sport and living healthy and active lives have been instilled in us from them,” she says with a flashy grin.

“Now it's time for us to help get our beautiful town into peak fitness.”

Serinah has received another grant from the MPHN for a new free challenge, which commenced in September 2019 for 100 men and women.

It has a focus on getting out, socialising and being active.

“As we are a community affected by drought, exercise and social interaction are extremely important and will benefit overall health and wellbeing,” Serinah says. RLM

FACING PAGE: Coolamon personal trainer Serinah Maddox is helping her local community embrace exercise.

ABOVE: These women are committed to improving their overall fitness, despite chilly, early-morning starts.

COOLAMON RLM 41

GLORY DAYS When Leo De Kroo reminisces about the days of old, it’s all about that old time rock and roll.

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

If you were a young teenager in the 1960s there’s a fair chance you might remember the De Kroo Brothers on Bandstand, Australia’s Amateur Hour, The Graham Kennedy Show, The Bobby Limb Show, Six O’Clock Rock or Teen Time.

It’s been almost half a century since Leo De Kroo shared the musical spotlight with some of the biggest stars of the day.

Now in his late 70s, he holds his age well.

Having a cuppa with Leo and wife Marianne in their Coolamon home, you’d never guess he was once rock and roll royalty, with his face splashed on the covers of countless TV magazines around the country – once famously with his eyes closed!

Although it’s a lifetime ago, Leo is more than happy to discuss his colourful past, which included a short marriage to famous singer Judy Stone. They are still good friends five decades later.

So busy enjoying the ride started by Elvis Presley, Leo never kept any of the press clippings or countless teen magazine interviews.

“Elvis was the biggest thing that happened in the 1950s. My religious parents thought Elvis was close to the devil, meaning I never got much musical support from home,” he laughs.

Although life is fairly quiet these days in Coolamon, it wasn’t like that when Leo entered the world in 1941. German forces had invaded most of Europe, including Holland. His mother walked her pram past the German camps hoping to salvage food scraps to keep her young family alive.

Like many Dutch families, the De Kroos were forced to billet a young German soldier, a frightening situation when your father was in the Underground, sneaking out from a trapdoor under the play pen. On one occasion the feared Nazis stormed in and peppered their cupboards with machine gun fire.

By the end of hostilities, the town was reduced to rubble. Many family members had perished, including both grandfathers. With few options, Leo’s father accepted a job as gaol overseer in the Indonesian city of Batavia (now known as Jakarta), a Dutch colony at the time.

After finding his feet he organised the family to join him. Leo lived there from age six to nine. With Indonesia gaining independence in 1949, it was time to set sail, this time to the outskirts of Perth.

None of the family spoke English and young Leo, the only European in his class at school, often felt like an outsider.

Meanwhile, his father, a master builder, was reduced to menial labouring work.

Not that it stopped him from the simple pleasures of playing the mouth organ and recorder at any opportunity. His mother was a versatile pianist and sing-alongs were part and parcel of family life.

As a young child back in Indonesia, Leo developed a fascination with the guitar after hearing the local news theme played over and over. He made his own instrument with cardboard and rubber bands – the start of a lifelong interest in both playing and making a host of instruments.

Having mastered the new language within a few short years, Leo left school at 15. He found work at a music store that sold records out the front with repairs out the back.

Within a short time, he mastered the guitar, saxophone, trumpet and piano accordion, and he started singing, which further improved both his English and confidence.

“The theory was that if you were going to fix an instrument then you needed some understanding of how they were played,” he explains.

Hitting the big time Desperate to become Perth’s own version of Elvis, Leo entertained crowds at the movies during intermission. In those days there was a break between the two feature films.

He joined a band called The Roulettes and played at a milkbar in Scarborough with an outside jukebox. Later it became known as the “Snake-Pit”, where teenagers could get hamburgers and milkshakes before grooving to music on the footpath. >

ABOVE: A big performing star in the 1960s, Leo De Kroo now resides in Coolamon with his Swedish-born wife Marianne.

FACING PAGE: Former rock and roll star Leo De Kroo still repairs musical instruments from his home, including this double bass.

COOLAMON RLM 43

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The Roulettes appeared on local radio station 6PR’s Hillbilly Hour and started the first rock and roll dance sessions at the Maylands Town Hall.

The boys entered the ABC’s Australia’s Amateur Hour. The band, which had already gone through multiple name changes, won the state heat.

The boys cut a 45 record at their own expense before Leo and his musical offsider, Doug Brewer, threw caution to the wind and headed to the bright lights of Sydney.

Tucked safely in Leo’s wallet was Bobby Limb’s phone number at Channel 9. After playing their new record Bobby invited the lads onto his show in two days.

Feeling rather chuffed, they were walking out of the building only to be approached by one bespectacled Brian Henderson who asked them to appear on Bandstand. The boys could hardly believe their luck – a Friday and Saturday gig within days of arriving.

Surely it couldn’t be this easy to crack the music scene! “We suddenly developed an acute case of nerves,” Leo admits.

The lads needn’t have worried. Within days of their first appearance on TV, Channel 9 was getting fan mail for the sharp-looking lads with no stage name.

Instead they melted into the Bandstand family alongside future stars like Col Joye AM, Judy Stone, Little Patti, the Bee Gees and Peter Allen, who at the time was performing in the Allen Brothers (they too, were not brothers).

Later they were signed by EMI, toured with Col and cut a few records but things only started gaining traction after Festival Records took over.

By this time they had met Bob Rogers and radio king John Laws, who told them to forget Elvis – there could only be one King – and copy the success of The Everly Brothers, an American country-influenced rock and roll duo known for their steel-string acoustic guitar and tight harmonies.

And that is how two mates from WA became known as the famous De Kroo Brothers, whose repertoire now extended to a mixture of rockabilly, country and western and pop harmonies.

They had made it – for the time being at least – in the Australian music industry.

In 1964 they recorded a song called Scarlet, which became their biggest hit. Four other singles made it to the Australian Top 100.

By 1965 Leo and Doug were so popular that the Australian Women’s Weekly included a “how-to” article on knitting a mohair Beatles style jacket just like those worn by the De Kroo “top pop boys”.

“Looking back, it was fairly brazen just walking in and scoring a start with nothing but our little record and a ton of bravado,” he laughs.

Like any self-respecting ageing rock and roller, Leo won’t spill the beans on what really happened on tour but is happy to share a few lighter moments.

Like the time he was touring Queensland with Col Joye and travelling from town to town in a specially decked out train carriage.

When they pulled into the Brisbane platform they were greeted by “three skinny young blokes with amazing harmonies”.

That’s how the young Bee Gees scored their first gig on Bandstand before becoming one of the world’s most popular groups.

Another time he was backstage at a Sydney concert in a small dressing room with Col Joye, Judy Stone and the Allen Brothers. The Big O, Roy Orbison, was about to test a new tune.

He finished the number to great applause but noticed 18-year-old Leo was non-plussed by the song.

“He looked at me and said ‘Leo, you don’t like it?’. I didn’t say much but told him I was used to him singing all these big numbers and then he serves up this.”

“This” turned out to be Pretty Woman, a song that became a worldwide number one hit, and one of Orbison’s best known offerings.

Along the way Leo made a name for himself by pioneering mainstream use of the banjo at a time when bluegrass wasn’t popular or widely known in Australia.

“We were there in the trend-setting sixties with all the big acts of the day but were never really big ourselves,” Leo concedes. “We were more of a support act for blokes like Col and Johnny O’Keefe or Sir Cliff Richard.”

A new love and new life It all feels a lifetime ago talking about events that happened when man first landed on the moon and people were finding their musical groove at places like Woodstock.

The musical bubble had almost burst by the time Leo met Marianne more than 50 years ago. She still speaks with a thick Swedish accent, having arrived as a 20-yearold from Sweden.

She was working at the Swedish Consulate when she met the great love of her life at the

De Kroo Brothers Music shop, Gladesville.

At that stage Marianne had no clue as to his illustrious past and only knew he was no longer married.

The shop is still going half a century later (under a succession of different names) and the marriage is stronger than ever.

As the 1960s were drawing to an end, Leo felt he was too old for the rock and roll game and took the De Kroo Brothers act on the club circuit, competing with poker machines now taking over one side of the auditorium.

It was far removed from the glory days and his heart was no longer in it.

Leo and Marianne packed up and left Sydney to start a peaceful new life together in the bush. Their new home would be a few acres in country Eumungerie, population 102. Out of the spotlight, Leo set up a workshop, taught guitar in nearby Dubbo for 25 years and shared his voice as a radio host.

In 2017 the De Kroos moved to Coolamon to be closer to their daughter Nina and her three children. Son Karl works in Brisbane.

Despite speaking at a few engagements, most locals are blissfully unaware they have an original, true-blue rock and roller in their midst.

Leo is a humble type of bloke and prefers it this way. He is still getting used to life without a car after a stroke and accepting he must slow down.

While Leo never kept any of the newspaper clippings, he was gobsmacked to recently discover a treasure chest of memorabilia from his early days.

They had been carefully saved by his mother who lived in Perth and rarely caught up. It had been kept secret from him for 50 years and was only revealed on her passing.

“It’s a funny thing, life, isn’t it,” he smiles.

Although his guitar playing hands may no longer respond like they used to, you can bet there are still a few old tunes yet to be played by this gifted and refreshingly modest musician who was there when rock and roll first began. RLM ABOVE: Leo De Kroo has made many fine instruments over the years.

FACING PAGE: Leo in his early rock and roll years; the De Kroo Brothers featured in countless magazines.

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A WHOLE NEW

WORLD Fascinating academic careers and a menagerie of beloved animals mean life is never dull on the Weston front.

When American academics Paul and Leslie Weston were enticed to move to Australia a little over a decade ago, they were prepared to walk away from almost everything, but not their beloved Theo, their strongest tie to the Appaloosa industry.

Theo wasn’t just any old horse. We’re talking about Time To Be Radical, Theo’s official name and the very embodiment of a champion Appaloosa stallion.

“He’s out of my best mare and a top Quarter Horse Congress sire,” Leslie says. “Most importantly he has a laid-back personality, which he passes on to all his progeny, along with his athleticism, riding ability and natural good looks.”

Ranked in Appaloosa Horse Club of America’s Top 10 in halter and colour as a yearling, young Theo was going to suck up most of their $30,000 reallocation fee to get him Down Under.

It didn’t matter. In 2008 the Westons sold their 15 show horses and brood mares along with everything else they owned and moved holus-bolus to Wagga Wagga where Leslie took up her new position at Charles Sturt University.

They searched the internet for 18 months looking for an affordable block within a thriving community. It had to be close to town, near a hospital and have water access. “Cayugaridge”, their five-acre block at Coolamon, ticked all the boxes.

After 11 years, everyone is well and truly settled in, including Theo, four mares and a few foals. In 2018 Theo was awarded Top Producing Performance Sire at the National Appaloosa Championship Show in Tamworth, eight years after being named national champion in junior western pleasure at the same show.

The Westons’ considerable knowledge extends beyond horses.

They also enjoy breeding and exhibiting Standard Wire Haired Dachshunds. Then there’s Trevor, the adorable Basset Hound, who likes his share of attention.

“We love the warm weather, the laid-back lifestyle, our jobs and our animals,” Leslie says.

Paul is an entomologist (he studies bugs) and a fellow lecturer at Charles Sturt University. They both have PhDs and Leslie is a professor of plant biology.

“I’m there every day conducting my own research with about one day a week of teaching. Leslie won her research fellowship centred on the study of plant chemistry. It’s about increasing crop production by preventing weed infestation,” Paul says.

Their only child Nicole works in Manhattan, four blocks from the Empire State Building.

The 27-year-old attended university in Australia before returning to her homeland. She has since fallen in love with the “Big Apple” after scoring a job with a British recruitment firm.

Nicole also speaks Spanish and French and phones her parents several times each week.

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“When she was 17 she was forced to sell all her show horses,” says her mother. “Horses were her life and it almost broke her heart.”

Both in their early 60s, Paul and Leslie met at university during a fraternity party.

“We both love trail riding, attending the national championships and showing our dogs,” Leslie says. “Best of all is catching up with Nicole and her childhood friends we’ve known most of our lives.

We try and catch up each Thanksgiving or Christmas, usually at a half way point like Hawaii.”

Paul has slotted into the local community, having served twice as Rotary president.

Their favourite place in NSW is the Pilliga Pottery at Coonabarabran. “It’s a great place to unwind and meet other travellers from all over the world,” Paul says.

It was a huge decision moving half way round the world but the Westons, with Theo by their side, couldn’t be happier. RLM

FACING PAGE: Paul and Leslie Weston with their champion stallion Theo; exhibiting their Standard Wire Daschund at the Southern Region Hound Club at Harden in 2019; Theo and rider Kristy Mobberly were decorated at the 2009 Victorian Appaloosa Championship Show.

ABOVE: Trevor, the Basset Hound, enjoys hanging out with the Westons.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

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the strength of

FAMILY

By hook or by crook, Bygoo Station has survived under the Stewarts.

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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

In its heyday, Bygoo Station, Ardlethan, was a change station for Cobb & Co coaches travelling from Narrandera. Some 150 years later, little has changed –certainly not the homestead, outbuildings, shearing shed or landscape.

It’s still under the name of John Stewart, the man who started the family dynasty back in 1874. Although Bygoo is an Aboriginal word for kangaroo, it was sheep that put the station on the map.

The Stewart family have been there for five generations. It’s been a long and winding journey but current custodians, John and Annie Stewart, have managed to keep the cogs turning.

It’s a far different life to that of William O’Brien, the first known white man to take up Bygoo in 1857. He went on to become the father of farming in the Temora district but is best remembered for trudging 60 lonely miles on foot through desolate bush to repair a heavy steel ploughshare.

William grew his wheat but there was no way of getting it to market. Soon he had three years of crops stacked in bark sheds.

When the Forbes diggings broke out in the early 1860s he carted a thousand bushels in three bullock wagons, selling the grain for a pound per bushel.

It netted him a richly deserved windfall but more importantly, the honour of proving the land, now one of the greatest wheat belts in Australia, was suitable for farming.

William sold Bygoo to the Holloway family who built the homestead and woolshed, while sinking dams with horse and dray.

The original homestead is incorporated into the homestead of today.

Likewise, the woolshed has stood the test of time. It’s still as sturdy as the day it was built nearly 150 years ago, the only change being the original shingle roof has been replaced with iron sheeting. The beautiful straight timber and expert bush workmanship is still admired.

The woolshed was built for blade shearing, with the 12-stand shed used by neighbours until the 1990s. >

ABOVE: The Bygoo homestead, home to generations of the Stewart family, was built in two sections, the original dating back to 1865. In the 1930s the house was extensively renovated with the addition of a breezeway down the middle.

FACING PAGE: This old plough was one of the first in the district, capable of ploughing three acres a day; stencils in the historic shearing shed.

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The reign of the Stewarts In 1874 former gold digger and committed family man John Stewart became the latest custodian of Bygoo, by then about 50,000 acres.

The proud Scotsman instructed eldest son George, 14, to take possession of their new timbered empire. He set off from his Ballarat farm with an old, one-eyed German, the pair following unmarked tracks to Bygoo where they lived in isolation for six lonely months.

Finally the rest of the family made the journey in the famous Bygoo buggy, which, incidentally, is still preserved in an outback shed. Life was hard, with no neighbours and nothing for miles.

In one of the first drayloads of stores, turpentine spilled onto the flour and tainted it. With no more to be had, the family had little choice but to use it. Mrs Stewart and her six children were determined to carve out a home in the wilderness.

Sooner after they arrived a drought set in and most of the sheep perished. A year later they suffered another cruel loss when George became lost while riding to Buddigower to help with a muster.

He was found dead in one of the dams and buried in the family cemetery near the homestead.

It wasn’t long before John Stewart was wishing he’d never heard of the place.

Crippled by debt and bad seasons, Bygoo was offered for sale from 1885 but for eight years there were no takers. During this same period almost every other station owner in the area failed, losing everything in the process.

Station diaries record that during dry years there were big stock losses and endless days, weeks and even months cutting scrub to save starving stock, laying pollard baits for the swarming rabbits, fencing, ringing, dingo shooting and inoculating.

By the turn of the 20th century John Stewart had won the battle for Bygoo. He had struggled through adversities that had swamped so many other squatting families.

Isolation, droughts, distance, fires, anthrax, dingoes, wild horses and rabbits had all threatened to beat him at one time or other but the sturdy Scot had prevailed.

Before his death in 1903 he had seen his wool carted in drays over bush tracks to Echuca to be shipped away by paddle-wheel steamers to larger ports. Now the railway was coming and Bygoo would never be the same.

If ever a man was entitled to sit back and look over a life of courageous effort, it was the short and wiry Scot who met his wife on the long and arduous voyage to Australian shores and went on to tame a wild land.

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A different era John Stewart’s perseverance and indomitable spirit are reflected in his great grandson, also John Stewart, who has spent all of his 80 years on Bygoo.

By his side is wife Annie, a vivacious host who met her husband at a Sydney Opera House black tie ball. Their 17-year age difference was forgotten as they tied the knot at Yeoval followed by a reception at the Dubbo Zoo. Annie got to wear the wedding veil John’s mother bought in Brussels for her own nuptials.

Talking about his late marriage in life gets John thinking back to his early days on the station. Being an only son, it was predetermined he’d be coming home after boarding school in Sydney to work with his father on the farm.

When he started full-time work in 1953 his father was still working horses.

“When his two International TD 35 Crawlers were taken for the war effort to make roads in New Guinea, my father reverted back to his beloved Clydesdales,” he says.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

The first decade home was probably one of the best during his long career on the land. At that stage Bygoo was run as a wool enterprise with very little farming.

“Compared to today it was fairly primitive but with wool at a pound per pound, it turned out to be the halcyon days of wool grazing.”

Like generations of Stewarts before him, John has been accustomed to dry times. It’s in the blood. It doesn’t make things any easier but he knows that somehow they will push through.

John has sold all his cows and is down to just 50 young calves.

The last of the sheep were phased out nearly two decades ago.

They’ve been close to running out of water before and know only too well the despair when that happens. They’ve never forgotten the 2003 Millennium drought when they ran completely dry.

After a lifetime of watching the seasons come and go, John is content living out the life of generations of Stewarts before him. One day, he will be buried alongside his ancestors in the family cemetery.

Their only child, John, better known as Jack, loves nothing better than working on machines, the bigger the better. An accomplished fitter and turner by trade, Jack lives in one of the station homes and runs his own engineering business on the property.

“There is no pressure on Jack to keep the family tradition going,” his mother laughs. “He’s 29, single and good looking but I’m a little concerned he’s going to take after his father, who waited until he was 50 before getting married!”

The story of Bygoo Station and the Stewart family is a story of lifetime commitment and hanging in there when the going gets tough. Although nobody knows the future, Bygoo, for the moment, is in safe and secure Stewart hands. RLM ABOVE: The massive 20 tonne Marshall 1902 steam engine, reputedly one of only three in the world, was saved from the wrecking ball by John Stewart’s father in the 1960s.

FACING PAGE: John proudly displays his old blazer from his days at Shore, where three generations of Stewart men received their formal education; Jack Stewart at work on big machinery; the old clock in the homestead, from Sydney’s old Hotel Metropol, was presented to the family in the 1950s; the family cemetery; John and Annie enjoy a casual relaxing moment in the Bygoo loungeroom.

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kudos to the kelpie

From the shores of Scotland to the Glenelg River country of south-western Victoria and the small community of Ardlethan, it’s been a long journey for the Australian Kelpie.

It’s been 150 years since the Kelpie breed evolved near Ardlethan. Today, the great working dog is found throughout the world, with the bloodline going back to the efforts of largely one local man, North Bolero station manager Jack Gleeson, who lived about 20km from the present town and began mating dogs with a bitch he named Kelpie.

Today, Ardlethan is officially recognised as the “Home of the Australian Kelpie”, with a bronze statue in Stewart Park and a very different version, by acclaimed scrap metal artist Andrew Whitehead, at the far end of the street.

It’s a big claim, especially when it relates to a sheep farmer’s most valuable asset, and comes with a little controversy. Ardlethan shares the honour with the Victorian town of Casterton, home to the annual Australian Kelpie Muster.

Both towns have legitimate claims. What we know is the first Kelpie was born near Casterton and the refinement of the breed occurred near Ardlethan.

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These days, Ardlethan is a sleepy country village off the highway between Temora and Griffith.

For a short period it was thriving, following the discovery of gold in the 19th century and tin in 1912. At one stage, in the 1960s, the town had the biggest tin mine in the state.

As mining declined Ardlethan became a service centre for the surrounding wheat and prime lamb properties. It’s where the Kelpie revels in sheep mustering, doing the work of several men and going for hours without water or rest.

Kelpies have a highly tuned ability to work and solve problems, which explains their presence on most sheep farms. Watching them work is a sight to behold.

Next time you see Kelpies at work in dog trials at the local show, take the time to marvel at their intelligence, enthusiasm and unbreakable bond with their master.

Sheep farmers from throughout the land should raise a glass to the mighty Kelpie – 150 years old this year and still as relevant as ever. RLM

Today, Ardlethan is officially recognised as the “Home of the Australian Kelpie”.

ABOVE: Ardlethan is the spiritual home of the Kelpie, with two statues in the main street; the breed was developed on a nearby station and today is an essential component of any sheep enterprise.

Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E

Coolamon Caravan Park is a welcome sight for the weary traveller. With 31 powered sites, a pool next door and the delights of Coolamon a five-minute walk away, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.

The bonus for visitors is the former tennis clubhouse, now a fully equipped camp kitchen with toilets, fridge/freezer, microwave and barbecue. A portion of the campground was once the old sand courts.

Dyed-in-the-wool locals Bill and Michelle Roberts have been running the park for the past two years and love assisting all the grey nomads as they motor north for their winter escapes.

“The grey nomads keep us on our feet from April to July going north and then in September-October coming back home,” says Bill, a former carpenter and quite the handyman.

In summer they also manage the town pool, a popular place to cool down on a hot day.

There is a shower block connected to the pool, plus a laundry and disabled facilities. Entry to the pool is $1.

“New Year and Easter are our busiest times,” Michelle says. “It’s a nice casual job where we meet lots of interesting people.

“It’s mostly stress free although some of the seasoned campers can be very definite in what they want, such as level sites, proximity to amenities and direction of the sunrise.”

Despite owning a caravan for 15 years, Bill and Michelle haven’t had many opportunities to travel. When they do, however, they will know exactly the best places to go and the pit stops to avoid! RLM

CARAVAN PARK

For campers, there is nothing better than driving into a safe, picturesque and functional caravan park after a long day behind the wheel.

COOLAMON

HAPPY CAMPERS LOCATION The Coolamon Caravan Park is situated in close proximity to Coolamon’s main street, Cowabbie Street.

The park is surrounded by Redgrave Park, swimming pool and community garden. It is within easy walking distance to local pubs, club and attractions.

CONTACT Michelle & Bill Roberts ~ 0417 610 946 70 Bruce Street, Coolamon NSW 2701 coolamoncaravanpark@coolamon.nsw.gov.au @coolamoncaravanpark

FACILITIES The park has recently undergone extensive redevelopment works which provide a wide range of integrated and updated facilities: Fully powered caravanning and camping sites BBQ facilities and camp kitchen Water connections and sullage points Laundry facilities POWERED Wi-Fi SITES

$20/NIGHT

ABOVE: Bill and Michelle Roberts manage the Coolamon Caravan Park and love meeting new people every day.

Photos: Holly Gray, Stacey Taylor, Georgina Flangan and Trip in a Van

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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon & Temora

Heart of Gold Journey through the Riverina’s heartland along the Canola Trail. Taking in the shires of Coolamon, Junee and Temora, you will discover our history, a tantalizing array of food and wine experiences, spectacular landscapes and award-winning attractions.

Just north of Wagga Wagga and two hours from Canberra, the Canola Trail allows you to ease into relaxation mode as you explore (and indulge) at your own pace. From the beginnings of the rail and agricultural industry to the thriving area the region is today, the trail will immerse you in the story of each shire and its people.

Follow the trail through the charming towns and quaint villages, overflowing with period architecture and hidden gems that are waiting to be unearthed.

Discover the delectable delights of Coolamon Cheese, Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory and the Junee Farmers Market. Be transported back in time at the Temora Aviation Museum, Temora Railway Precinct and Junee Railway Roundhouse. Enjoy the great outdoors at Temora’s Lake Centenary or stay overnight at one of the many beautifully manicured caravan parks along the trail. Experience history at the Coolamon Up-to-Date Store, Fire Museum, Junee’s Broadway Museum and the haunting Monte Cristo Homestead. Soak up the culture at Temora’s Bundawarrah Centre and the Junee Athenium Theatre. Uncover treasures galore in the many boutique stores and collectible shops along the way – plus so much more!

The Canola Trail can be travelled in a day, or take your time and stay a while. The Canola Trail boasts a wide variety of accommodation options including caravan parks and freedom camps, farm stays, quaint B&Bs, well-appointed motels and traditional pubs.

Visit www.canolatrail.com.au for further information and suggested itineraries.

Image: Canola Tail fields | Destination NSW

Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory

Canola Trail fields | Destination NSW

Temora Aviation Museum | Image: Peter Morris

Coolamon Cheese | Image: Tim Bean Photography

TEMORA TOW N FE ATUR E

WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY

people power

from the Mayor of Temora Shire Council It has so much to offer, but Temora’s residents are undoubtedly its greatest assets.

There’s something truly special about Temora Shire. Whether you are a local, a newcomer or a passiang visitor, you will undoubtedly experience the sincere generosity and immense community spirit of the people who live here. We are thrilled to share our stories and achievements with the readers of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

Temora Shire comprises the township of Temora, the villages of Ariah Park and Springdale, and some of the most scenic and breathtaking rural landscapes you may ever come across.

Agriculture is at the heart of Temora Shire, but it has so much more on offer – adventure, discovery, relaxation, innovation, sport, culture, heritage, all supported by outstanding facilities and services, exceptional leadership in our elected councillors, and our dedicated staff along with a strong community bond. I trust you will enjoy uncovering the many “gems” of our shire in the coming pages.

I am immeasurably proud of our shire community and the way in which we demonstrate strength and resilience. We are a community that nurtures our heritage, and salutes a rich past, while warmly embracing our exciting future.

These pages will take you on a journey through our many attractions and features, but you will quickly learn that it is the people who live here that make Temora Shire truly remarkable. A spirit of generosity and kindness runs very deep and is reflected in our large volunteering network for a diverse range of community and charitable interests.

Where else might you find a cinema that has been successfully showing new releases for 10 years on volunteer manpower?

Industry and business are also strong foundations, with many new large

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developments in the works. Our economy can expect a boom in the coming years, which will, in turn, impress upon other industries such as real estate and retail. Temora Shire has an outstanding business chamber that fully supports local business owners through networking, professional development and guidance, while encouraging new enterprises through our Prosper Initiative.

I feel deep pride when I’m representing Temora Shire as Mayor, not least because of the reputation we hold as one of the most successful councils in NSW. My fellow Temora Shire Councillors, together with our dedicated staff, work very hard to ensure strength and prosperity for our shire. We build on our solid foundations for our present and future generations.

I consider myself to be one of the luckiest men on earth as Mayor, a councillor, a business owner and a resident of the Temora Shire. It is home to my family and generations before us, and I’m certain it will

ABOVE: Mayor of Junee Cr Neil Smith , Mayor of Temora Cr Rick Firman with Mayor of Cootamundra Gundagai Cr Abb McAlister at the official opening of the Temora Town Hall extension.

hold a special place in your heart too once you’ve experienced it.

Temora Shire really is a tremendous place.

Whether it’s to live, work and play, or simply to spend a few days on a holiday, one way or another our communities will touch your heart and inspire you to meet up with us again.

Rick Firman OAM, Mayor of Temora Shire

ABOVE: Originally opened in 1966, the Temora Memorial Town Hall has been at the heart of many major events in the town. The Memorial Town Hall has just undergone a $1 million makeover that ensures it can continue to be a beautiful venue for weddings, balls, dances, productions and other events for many years to come.

Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

EXPLORE TEMORA

While the landscape holds its own expansive beauty – fields of golden canola joining a huge sky – it’s the kindness and ingenuity of Temora’s people that make the biggest impression.

In Temora, community is everything. From a cinema and radio station entirely run by volunteers to an abundance of service, sporting and social groups, Temora is not just a place, it’s a place to belong.

Pride in the shire’s history runs deep within the community, often shared through multiple generations. Whether it’s planes, trains or rural memorabilia, Temora does a fine job of preserving and exhibiting artefacts of a bygone era.

The Wiradjuri people were the first inhabitants of the region and a great selection of indigenous artefacts are displayed at the Bundawarrah Centre. European settlement can be dated back to 1836. Gold was discovered in the area in 1869. The gold rush saw an influx of migrants hoping to stake their claim and culminated in the proclamation of Temora Goldfield in 1880.

The potential of the area for farming was recognised by some and resulted in large farms being established by early selectors. German settlers, in particular, played a major part in early pastoral days.

Today, the shire has a strong and innovative farming sector and a successful agribusiness industry. The Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre, a partnership of Temora Shire Council and FarmLink Research, is a leading centre of excellence for mixed farming research and development.

The village of Ariah Park is a 20-minute drive west of Temora and is like stepping back in time. The main street is lined with well-preserved 1920s architecture, ancient peppercorn trees and quirky petrol bowsers. The striking Ariah Park Hotel is the jewel in the crown of the village, providing gourmet food and wine in a traditional setting.

It’s no secret that Temora has a longstanding relationship with aviation. During WWII, Temora Airport was the base for the No.10 Elementary Flying Training School, the largest operated by the

Royal Australian Air Force. The site now is home to the worldrenowned Temora Aviation Museum, an outstanding facility with one of the world’s best collections of flying ex-military aircraft.

Regular air shows provide an interactive and memorable experience.

Temora Airpark Estate offers residents a unique lifestyle with direct access from home to hangar and onto the runways. The unique estate is home to over 80 residents who are passionate about recreational aviation and gliding.

The Bundawarrah Centre hosts an extensive collection of exhibits paying tribute to Australia’s rural heritage. The cultural precinct is also home to the Visitor Information Centre, NSW Ambulance Museum and Rural Fire Service collection.

If it is adventure and recreation you’re after, Temora Shire offers a diverse range of activities for each season. Temora Shire can offer you aeroplanes, V8 jet boats, harness racing, theatre, extensive sporting options and a thriving arts community.

Backed by a strong and proactive council, Temora is a vibrant shire looking confidently to the future, exemplified by excellent health, education, aged care and recreation facilities. A progressive attitude to new development underpins a healthy local economy with a growing mix of excellent industrial, agricultural, retail and professional service businesses.

Temora Shire is known as “the friendly shire” and it’s easy to see why. Whether you plan to visit briefly, or stay for a lifetime, you will be accepted with open arms and a friendly smile. RLM ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Imposing heritage buildings in Temora’s vibrant CBD; the Temora Aviation Museum’s Ryan STM S2 aircraft providing an aerial display; sunrise walks around picturesque Lake Centenary; cereal grains and canola crops underpin Temora Shire’s agricultural industry.

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THE SKY IS

THE LIMIT The Temora Aviation Museum is a top-flight tourist attraction that just keeps getting bigger and better.

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Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

The Temora Aviation Museum has been a major tourism drawcard for the region since opening its doors in 1999.

A lot has changed over the years, including additional hangars to display and maintain aircraft, new SkyLodge accommodation, and of course one of the biggest events in the region, the Warbirds Downunder Airshow.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the focus of the Museum, which is to inspire the community to acknowledge the role played

by Australia’s historic ex-military aircraft.

“The Museum encourages visitors to learn and be inspired through its collection of aircraft, and to remember the efforts of the men and women who flew and supported them during times of conflict,” General Manager Peter Harper says.

This aim is what led to the most significant change for the Museum since its inception. > FACING PAGE: Aerial shot of some of the aircraft and visitors at Warbirds Downunder Airshow 2018; the entrance to the Museum and Gift Shop; the Warbirds Downunder Airshow is scheduled for October 2020.

RIGHT FROM TOP: The only flying Lockheed Hudson in the world; the oldest airworthy example of a Tiger Moth in Australia; Chief Engineer Andrew Bishop in front of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI, which was undergoing routine maintenance; one of the Museum’s favourites – the Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII.

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THE MUSEUM’S BIGGEST EVENT IS THE WARBIRDS DOWNUNDER AIRSHOW, WHICH HAS BEEN DRAWING CROWDS OF UP TO 20,000.

On July 1, 2019, the Temora Aviation Museum was honoured to transfer the ownership of 11 of its historically significant aircraft to the Royal Australian Air force.

As the RAAF approaches their Centenary in 2021, this agreement will ensure these historic aircraft can continue to be preserved, remembered and displayed.

The aircraft, a Canberra, Vampire, Meteor, two Spitfires, Hudson, Wirraway, Boomerang, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, DH-82A Tiger Moth and a Ryan STM S2, were flown and supported during several conflicts in defence of our country and our national interests.

They will continue to be located and maintained by the expert staff at the Temora Aviation Museum. Day-to-day operations at the Museum will remain unchanged.

On other fronts, SkyLodge accommodation was opened in 2017. SkyLodge was previously used as pilot accommodation during flying weekends until it underwent a major facelift two years ago.

SkyLodge offers modern queen, twin and family room accommodation for the traveller or the aviation enthusiast seeking the complete Museum experience by staying at the only accommodation available on site.

Everything the Temora Aviation Museum has to offer is just footsteps from your door.

There are three refurbished lodges, each with four individual bedrooms adjacent to a shared lounge and fully self-contained kitchen area, for guest comfort and use.

The common lounge and kitchen areas are a great way to meet and mingle with other guests, and for your personal space each bedroom features an en suite, air conditioning and flat screen TV. A continental breakfast is provided and guests are encouraged to utilise the outdoor areas, which include a grassed barbecue area, an enclosed children’s playground, and

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a fire pit where everyone can share their stories and experiences.

The latest change occurred in August 2019 with the addition of a café within the Gift Shop building. The café serves barista made coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cakes, with the aim to expand the menu in the future.

The café is open every day from 10am to 4pm, with the exception of aircraft flying days.

The Museum will leave food and beverage catering to the professionals on their flying days. These vendors will work alongside the Mess Hall to provide visitors with a wider variety of food options.

Naturally, the Museum’s biggest event is the Warbirds Downunder Airshow, which has been drawing crowds of up to 20,000 people since 2011. The air show was held in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018, with the next instalment scheduled for 2020, although exact dates are yet to be released.

The largest Warbird Airshow in Australia, the 2018 event boasted over 65 displaying Warbirds. The 2020 show promises to be even bigger.

With caravan and camping sites within walking distance, as well at the Squadron Tent Barracks “glamping”, it’s easy to stay a few days, watch the air show and enjoy the country hospitality that Temora and the Riverina is famous for. RLM More information: www.aviationmuseum.com.au.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: View from the Mezzanine into the Engineering Hangar where visitors can view aircraft under restoration and maintenance; Brian Croft, a contracted engineer, works on the English Electric Canberra restoration; the shared lounge and kitchen facility in one of the three lodges; Diane McKenzie and Lesley Morris in the Gift Shop; Barracks Exhibition building; CAC Boomerang.

Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

seeing the

light Taking up a new hobby at a later stage in life can have many unexpected benefits. Just ask former spray painter Glen Ross, who picked up a camera 10 years ago and has never looked back.

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For all but two and a half years living away, 71-year-old Glen Ross has called Temora home.

After school he started life as an automobile spray painter at Suttons Motors’ Holden dealership before moving to Maurice’s Motors, Cootamundra. Then he served a solid 42 years with Temora’s South West Ford, then known as Giles Bros.

Getting colours just right has always been paramount. It showed in his work as a spray painter and reflects in his work behind the camera. Despite a fascination with photography, it would be years before he fell in love with the world of creating images.

In 2013 Glen purchased his first digital camera, a Nikon D5000. Six months later he was given the computer program Photoshop, which kick-started a huge learning curve.

His latest printer, a Canon Pro 10S, enables him to produce his own prints using a variety of paper types and sizes.

“Editing my work gives me a great deal of pleasure. Seeing that extra sharp image, special effect or just the right amount of light enhancing a photo is very satisfying,” he says.

After Glen retired in 2015 his interest in photography saw him progress to a Nikon D7100 camera before upgrading, once more, to a Nikon D750 full-frame camera fitted with a 24-70mm Sigma lens.

Always looking for fresh directions to take his photography, Glen has completed a few online courses and is now shooting nightscapes with encouraging results.

“Experimenting with different shutter speeds and exposure times, the night sky takes on a whole new look,” he says.

There aren’t too many back roads he hasn’t travelled down in search of captivating scenery or a magical sunset. This can involve setting up his tripod or sitting and waiting for the correct amount of light and colour to make the perfect exposure.

Not content with just mastering the art of nightscapes, Glen has undertaken a light painting tutorial and applying his new skills.

Glen and late wife Gloria have a son and two daughters, one sharing her father’s passion for photography.

“Photography is a great hobby, whether you are young or young at heart. And there are many benefits, like having your work published for the first time,” he adds with a grin.

Glen describes the journey with his camera as the best ever. “You never stop learning and are never too old to start,” he insists. “You’ll definitely find a new spring in your step as you learn to appreciate the natural beauty of Temora’s four changing seasons.” RLM

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that’s the spirit St Anne’s Central School, Temora, has much to be proud of, not least its strong sense of pastoral care.

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“Country kids can do anything” is the mantra of Principal Kathy Holding.

St Anne’s Central School, Temora, is one of 56 schools in the Canberra Goulburn Catholic Archdiocese, with a student population of 223 and a staff of 33.

The school is unique in offering an education for students from Kindergarten to Year 10. This provides students with many positive opportunities to engage with other students of all ages.

St Anne’s Central School students frequently excel academically and on the sporting field.

“Country kids can do anything” is the mantra of Principal Kathy Holding, who was attracted to the position because of the friendly community of students, parents and teachers. She says that many visitors comment on how they feel welcome as soon as they enter the school gates.

St Anne’s Central School is small enough that staff know all students and are therefore able to provide quality pastoral care relevant to their needs.

The school has a proud history dating back to 1881 when R McCarthy and S O’Rourke conducted a Catholic school on the present site of the Sacred Heart Church. The Sisters of St Joseph arrived in 1887 and taught there for 115 years until 2002.

The school site contains the beautiful Sacred Heart Church, St Mary’s Presbytery, St Joseph’s Hall and both contemporary and older style learning spaces.

The community is eagerly anticipating the start of a building program in late 2019, which will see refurbishment of primary classrooms and secondary Food Technology, Science Laboratory and Wood and Metal Work areas.

These programs are provided through a Block Grant by the Australian Government and Catholic Education in Canberra.

St Anne’s Central School prides itself on being a part of the Temora community. Students regularly visit Pinnacle House and Greenstone Lodge and volunteer for Meals on Wheels as part of their Community Service Program. There is also a strong partnership between the school and the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre (TAIC).

Each year all students from Kindergarten to Year 10 enthusiastically perform in the annual Showcase extravaganza, which is attended by hundreds of community members. St Anne’s Central School welcomes visitors. A tour can be arranged to meet staff and students and to experience life at St Anne’s. RLM

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Students celebrating Mother’s Day; Kinder girls enjoying their learning; Year 9 students busy at work; the unique facade dates back to 1934 and is heritage listed.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Gardens are proudly maintained by John Goode, and are open each year during the St Anne’s Central School Garden Viewing; team spirit at the Athletics Carnival; Principal Kathy Holding chatting to students; students waiting for their bus home; Year 1 and 2 students completing a maths investigation; basketball at lunchtime.

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the way we

were The 1938 Dodge – one of the gems of the NSW Ambulance Museum collection at the Bundawarrah Centre.

Home to the Visitor Information Centre, Temora’s Bundawarrah Centre is the fascinating face of NSW’s friendliest town.

The Bundawarrah Centre exhibits one of rural Australia’s largest working collections of vintage and veteran tractors, some dating back more than a century.

“The Bundawarrah Centre tells a four-dimensional tale of the tools and techniques Australians have used to keep ourselves fed and clothed, entertained, safe and connected,” the centre’s affable manager, Bill Speirs, says.

A confessed “history tragic”, Bill assures visitors that through its huge and diverse heritage collections, the Bundawarrah Centre provides them with “a walk-in window on our world”.

Willo’s Wiradjuri Keeping Place introduces the region’s first community, the Rock and Mineral Museum recalls the heady goldrush days that established the present town, and the vast agricultural collection details the evolving industry that underpins its prosperity.

State collections of NSW Ambulance and NSW Rural Fire Service memorabilia illustrate the development of a safer Australian community.

Temora’s Community Radio broadcast centre, TEMFM 102.5, provides the contemporary counterpoint to a sound technology display exploring more than a century of the recorded voice.

H.V. McKay’s “Sunshine” autoheader, which made its debut appearance in the wheat harvest of 1924-25.

The many pills and potions in the dispensing department of an early 20th century chemist shop.

Affable manager Bill Speirs with Sir Donald Bradman in his first home.

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Among the four tonnes of gold won from the Temora goldfield was the 305 ounce “Mother Shipton Nugget” unearthed in 1885.

If you enjoy looking at tractors, engines and old farming history, then this is the place to visit.

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The iconic “Furphy” water cart was, in fact, only one of the choices in its marketplace. This Clyde water cart was originally made in Granville, Sydney, and later restored by the Men’s Shed at the Bundawarrah Centre, for display.

“A simpler time” – the kitchen of a modest family home in the 1920s.

A working array of Lister stationary engines restored by Max Fairweather of Coolamon.

The original source of electrical power for the village of Ungarie. For many years the community resonated with the “heartbeat” of this single cylinder Ruston Hornsby H10 engine.

For more than 100 years, the Bradley family ran the local paper.

As they upgraded their printing technology they preserved their heritage in a purpose-built display on the grounds of the Bundawarrah Centre.

This five-head stamper battery was once used to crush the ore won from the “Pirate King” gold mine near Temora.

The “Wharfedale” printing press was an industry standard for much of the 20th century.

Bundawarrah Centre volunteer Janet Heinjus admires a quilt beautifully crafted by Betty Smithers.

Volunteer Pauline Cartwright beside the restored 1870s Sebastopol Hotel bar with its 1915 National cash register.

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The front part of the Bundawarrah Centre houses the popular Visitor Information Centre.

A simple bush church built on site at Morangarell from local materials, for local needs.

Temora Fire Brigade’s 1924 motorised Garford fire pumper revolutionised the town’s firefighting ability, which had previously relied upon horse-drawn and hand-operated equipment.

Local and family history specialist Neil Martin at work in the research library at the Bundawarrah Centre.

Help at hand for the down at heel.

The fine needlework and crochet of a textile display in the exhibition gallery.

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The typical one-teacher school of the 1950s.

The voice of Temora, Community Radio TEMFM 102.5, has its broadcast studio at the Bundawarrah Centre.

Margaret McNuff, one of the Visitor Centre’s friendly and helpful staff.

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A parlour setting bridging the years between an early 20th century Edison phonograph and a 1970s safari suit.

Sir Donald Bradman spent his infancy with his family in this home north of Cootamundra after his birth in that town in 1908.

Willo’s Wiradjuri Keeping Place respectfully explores the traditional ways of Temora’s first community.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Col Perry, with his father, Ray, now a spritely 90-year-old, on the job in the centre workshop.

When “she sold sea shells by the sea shore” in the 1940s, Martha Clinton bought them. Her daughter, Muriel Reid, loved her mother’s “gentle obsession” and gave her collection to the Bundawarrah Centre for new generations to enjoy.

The itinerant hawker and his van was a familiar sight in the the early 20th century.

The fine needlework and crochet of a textile display in the exhibition gallery.

“Who’ll take a glove?” Famous showman and boxing promoter Jimmy Sharman began his career in Temora.

A generation later, after his son gave up the show circuit, the younger Jimmy Sharman presented his father’s memorabilia to the Bundawarrah Centre for one “final” exhibition.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Temora

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amazing JOURNEY

Vietnamese refugee Mai Pham’s story is one of extraordinary faith and fortitude.

Many people know Mai-Trang Thi Pham through Temora’s French Hot Bread, the successful bakery she and husband Hoai built from scratch 15 years ago.

They may also know her as the adoring, vertically challenged mother of four children.

What many don’t know is that Mai is a proud Vietnamese refugee with a remarkable story.

As the oldest sibling and only girl in a family of seven children, she arrived on Australian shores at age 10 with her younger brother Peter and her aunt Hong and uncle Thanh. They came with nothing except a strong desire to be given a fair go in the promised land.

“We were desperate to escape the crushing Communist regime,” Mai says during a work break.

“You couldn’t keep your faith and every movement was monitored. Thankfully our parents, concerned for our future, were prepared to let us go.”

It would be another 10 long years before Mai would be reunited with her parents under the Family Reunion Scheme. By then she was studying at Sydney University for a Bachelor of Health Science (majoring in rehabilitation counselling).

At 28 she married Hoai, a fellow refugee working as a mechanic. All was going smoothly in Sydney until hubby decided the time was right to strike out on their own in the country.

By then Mai had a three-month-old child but was happy to follow Hoai to Forbes, where his family had a bakery. After 12 months of learning the ropes they started looking for their own place “That’s when we drove through Temora and fell in love with the town and its very clean streets,” Mai says.

It was a huge financial undertaking. “We started from scratch, even sleeping in our car out the back for the first few months. Every now and then we went back to Forbes for a proper shower.

For a while it was pretty tough but this time we were making a future for our family.”

Over the years Mai was able to “persuade” three of her brothers to try out country living.

Thao joined Mai and Haoi in the bakery, Tu and wife Phuong run the Waratah Cafe in Temora, while Thieu and wife Trang operate their own bakery in West Wyalong.

After their own ordeals, Mai and Hoai are justifiably proud of their four children. Justin, 18, is finishing first year at Charles Sturt University; Jasper, 16, is at Kildare Catholic College, Wagga Wagga, while Bella, 12, and Jett, 10, attend school at St Anne’s in Temora.

“We feel grateful and blessed to be living in Temora,” Mai says. “The people and local council welcomed us with open arms. Their ongoing support of our small bakery, along with help from our family, were crucial in our transition from the city.”

After all these years, Aunt Hong is still her role model and mentor. “She is an intelligent, strong, selfless and hard-working woman. Aunt Hong cared for me and my brother and eventually sponsored all our extended family members.

“At the same time, she provided mental and financial support in their early days of living in Australia.”

Mai says her strong Catholic faith has taught her that life struggles are priceless learning adventures that remind her to be kind, grateful and thankful.

“I consistently remind my kids how fortunate we all are. There are so many others less fortunate that still go through life with a smile on their face,” she says.

A few months ago the primary school invited Mai to share her story.

“I’m proud of being a refugee and I’m proud of my past, both good and bad. Overall, it’s been a great journey. Life lessons are like that. I was honoured to share my story with the school kids.”

“We feel grateful and blessed to be living in Temora.”

In search of freedom After the fall of Saigon in 1975, millions of Vietnamese attempted to flee their beloved country in search of freedom. Vietnam had been taken over by the Communists and life would never be the same.

The usual method to escape the regime was by tiny fishing boats, hence the term “boat people”.

The cost of freedom often came at a high price.

Many died while countless more endured rape and torture by the sea pirates. >

ABOVE: Mai Pham as a young girl before her escape from Vietnam; a reminder of her start to life in her new country.

FACING PAGE: Mai and her family run the popular French Hot Bread in Temora.

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After Mai’s dash for freedom, an aunty drowned as her boat was shot at by the authorities. An uncle took a bullet in the shoulder during his attempt but survived.

In 1980 Mai’s parents paid the people smugglers in gold, the only currency anybody trusted, for her passage to freedom. At one last family gathering everybody was crying and Mai, then only eight, couldn’t understand why. She hadn’t been informed of the planned escape for fear of imprisonment.

The journey started in the dead of the night with 44 people quietly making their way to the fishing boat via a dinghy.

“The trip on the dinghy was only a short distance but felt like an eternity,” says Mai, who clearly remembers the authorities randomly shining their powerful search lights on the water, checking for escapees.

Once on board the tiny, overcrowded boat, huge ocean swells were making her so desperately ill she implored her aunty to take her home.

“I told Aunt Hong I no longer wished to visit my grandparents. Tears were streaming down her face as she told me we were never going home and to forget about seeing our families. Suddenly all the pieces fell together. To flee the country meant there was no return.”

Mai spent four long nights and three days thinking about that prospect before being rescued by a Singaporean cargo ship.

“We were luckier than most boat people. Our journey was short and safe. We didn’t run into pirates, nobody died and we never ran out of food or water like so many others,” she says.

Her worries, however, were far from over. The vessel caught on fire after a mighty gas explosion.

A loud voice bellowed out of the speakers instructing them to move to the stern of the ship. From where Mai was standing, the fire was getting bigger by the second. She looked around to notice all the crew had donned life jackets.

“I was certain our lives were in danger,” Mai says. “Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion, followed by several minor ones. People were screaming and running for safety. We prayed out loud, to our God, Buddha and our ancestors to save us.

“At that very moment some adults, including my aunt, jumped to one side, unaware I was standing directly behind them. My view path was now clear and I could see what looked like a big metal cylinder flying in my direction.

“My body froze and I couldn’t move or call for help. I prayed, I prayed so very hard for God to save me but it kept rolling towards me. Behind me is the ocean but I can’t swim. I panicked not knowing what to do before God answered my call.

The cylinder stopped before hitting me.”

So relieved was Mai that she didn’t realise the inferno had caused the skin on her right leg to peel off like a banana skin. Again she was rescued, this time by a large naval vessel where she was treated on board “by men with starched white uniforms”.

After all the drama at sea it was a blessing reaching Indonesia for processing. For 12 months they lived on various islands, attending school and learning a smattering of English.

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New hope The family applied for residency in Australia and first lived in the seaside suburb of Coogee.

Within a few months Aunt Hong had grown enough confidence to move into their first rental property in Marrickville and start her own sewing business.

Mai says it feels like a lifetime ago. Since arriving nearly 40 years ago her life has gone full circle. Her proud Vietnamese family have all done well in their new land.

“I prayed every night, the same prayer, that our country would find freedom and our family would be reunited,” she says. The last bit came true at a tearful reunion with her parents in Sydney when she was 18.

“The first thing they mentioned to each other was my height, all four foot six of me! I was the same height when I left them,” she laughs.

Her family are all now proud Australian citizens, including her recently widowed mother in Sydney.

“I feel very blessed to have made it in this country,” Mai says thoughtfully. “It took a lot of hard work and prayers. It just goes to show what you can achieve if you are prepared to have a go.

It’s a land of opportunity but you have to work hard to make it happen.”

Mai constantly reminds her children that no job is too small or degrading. “As humans we are very strong. All the obstacles we go through are what ultimately makes us stronger.” RLM

“Since arriving nearly 40 years ago her life has gone full circle. Her proud Vietnamese family have all done well in their new land.”

ABOVE: Mai with Michael McCormack MP and Mayor of Temora Cr Rick Firman at the 2019 Deb of the Yeat Ball held at the Temora Ex Services Club.

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the ace of PACE

The legend of Paleface Adios lives on in his home town and in the hearts of harness-racing enthusiasts everywhere.

“After all these years we thought we were finished with all this nonsense,” laughs Shirley Pike, as she welcomes me into her beautiful new Temora home.

It’s been a while since the press have been knocking on her door but Shirley understands the level of interest in Paleface Adios, the famous pacer gearing up for his 50th birthday.

It’s a story that has gripped the nation for decades – the classic yarn about a couple of bush battlers who hit the jackpot.

Col and Shirley Pike were humble, hardworking wheat cockies.

In 1968 they helped a neighbour with the harvest but instead of payment opted for a rendezvous between their mare and the neighbour’s frisky stallion Deep Adios.

They nick-named the foal “Jacko” but the young colt with the distinctive blaze would come to be universally known as the “Temora Tornado”.

He was only the fifth horse the Pikes ever bred. Hundreds more were to follow but none with Jacko’s flair or ability to win the big ones. With his big white face, the two eldest Pike kids thought he looked more like a cow when they raced over to see the newborn. >

ABOVE: The great pacer Paleface Adios was known throughout the land.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Temora

Over 11 years of racing he clocked up 108 wins from 240 starts with 43 seconds, netting his owners more than half a million dollars, a record at the time.

“He was flighty when we broke him in as a young colt and started showing great potential as a two-year-old,” recalls Shirley, now in her late 80s. “He seemed to possess a fair brain and was a quick learner, the type of horse that responded to tough training in the wheat fields after harvest.”

As a three-year-old, the regal chestnut broke the world record two-minute mile. A prolific winner, he was dearly loved throughout the land, especially when he came from behind the field with his trademark sprint in the final lap.

Many said he possessed human-like traits including a never-saydie attitude. Over 11 years of racing he clocked up 108 wins from 240 starts with 43 seconds, netting his owners more than half a million dollars, a record at the time. He would go on to make that sort of money again, this time as a popular stud sire.

In capital cities across Australia and New Zealand, Jacko, the pacer with the famous golden mane, made a legion of new fans. In

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the 1976/77 season he was voted Australian Harness Horse of the Year. By then he was a household name, alongside other greats like Hondo Grattan.

In later years Jacko was retired to stud on several occasions only to be brought back to race again at the highest level.

“A horse like that comes along once in a lifetime,” Col sighs. “We still get a real buzz when we see tourists taking shots of Jacko’s lifesize statue in the main street. He was the Phar Lap of the harnessracing world and loved by all.”

Col and Shirley have been married 66 years and clearly dote on each other after meeting on a tennis court a lifetime ago.

“I thought he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen,” Shirley blushes.

These days, Col relies on a walker to get around. His balance is not good, a legacy, he says, of a few too many accidents in the buggy.

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His very first major fall was at Harold Park where he was racing for the first time. “Jacko hit the wheel of the horse in front and it wasn’t good,” Shirley says. “Our star pacer somersaulted and Col was thrown to the ground. It was one of two frightening falls when we thought we’d lost him.”

“Accidents were part and parcel of the business,” responds Col, a country lad used to competing against the highly fancied city drivers.

If he wasn’t under suspension, he was always Jacko’s fearless driver.

Shirley remembers the suspensions as “forced” holidays.

The Pikes were devastated when Jacko died, aged 20, from either a snakebite or heart complications. “We weren’t going to cut him up to find out,” says Shirley with a tear in her eye. “Even though we had two sons, Jacko was like another son.”

Thirty years on and they’ve never forgotten him. It’s hard not to feel his presence, with lots of framed photographs and a memorial plaque near the back door.

The Pikes are enjoying their beautiful new residence after selling their beloved Paleface Lodge a few years ago. It held many great memories, like the busloads of visitors that turned up each month to visit their star resident.

Col started breeding horses at 18 before finally pulling up the reins nearly 60 years later. Today the memories of Paleface Adios still keep him motivated.

“He really changed our lives and we truly feel blessed. We kept waiting for another Jacko but it just never happened,” he says, shaking his head.

Two books have been written about the champion but Col has not read either, preferring to remember the great horse in his mind.

Col and Shirley’s five children are scattered to the winds, three opting for the warmer Queensland climate, with one in Wagga Wagga and the other in Temora. Between them they have 18 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.

Sons David and Ian both enjoyed breeding pacers, producing many winners but never jigging another Jacko. RLM

ABOVE: The statue of the “Temora Tornado” serves as a gentle reminder that the town was once home to a true champion; the great horse in action; the plaque outside the Pikes’ home.

FACING PAGE: Nobody love Paleface Adios more than Col and Shirley Pike; Temora Mayor Rick Firman OAM with a painting of Paleface Adios recently donated by Greg Weeks. Painted by artist Morris Toohey in 1980, it will be displayed at the Bundawarrah Centre; Paleface Adios was a crowd favourite wherever he raced.

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destination

ANYWHERE The true story of Temora’s railway dog, Boofhead, is the stuff of legend.

Move over, Red Dog, there’s a new dog in town and he’s here to stay! Meet “Boofhead”, the black and white fox terrier who loved trains. The spirited canine came to be known as “Temora’s railway dog” but he was much more.

In the early years he rode with Hurtle Bennett in the guard van down the back.

However, the back end of a train never really appealed much to Boofhead.

Whenever he was allowed, he would promote himself to riding up the front, on the steam engine.

He never liked the confinement of diesel cabins or the noise they made, preferring the openness of steam locomotives, where he could feel the wind on his face and see what was going on around him.

Boofhead didn’t care if he got the driver’s seat or the fireman’s seat, just as long as he was up the front. Not all the engine crewmen were tolerant of his takeover and some banished him to the footplate, the space between the steam locomotive and its tender wagon, where he was just as happy.

The dog was a free spirit, travelling anywhere he liked, his destination simply dependant on which way the train was facing. At the same time, he possessed a curious disposition.

While trains were shunting at the branch line stations, he’d wander far from the railway yard. With rigid time tables, train crews were often forced to leave without him.

This was no setback for Boofhead, who hitched a ride home with the track inspectors on their trikes. He sometimes went missing for days but always turned up again. His concerned workmates were fond of saying “Boofhead must be off conducting his own inspections”.

Sometimes he’d miss a train on the way home and spend a night on the platform waiting for another one to come his way before jumping on board. It scarcely mattered which way it was going.

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On one occasion he turned up at the Parkes railway station. The station master noticed the tag on his collar, reading “Boofhead – Railway Temora” and placed a call to the Temora station master, asking what he should do. The reply was simply to put him on the next train back to Cootamundra and he’d find his own way from there.

The beginning From all reports, Boofhead appeared at Temora’s railway station in 1959. With no owner, he spent about 15 years hitching train rides across the region and winning hearts wherever he went.

There is a school of thought that he may have arrived by train from Weethalle, a small village on the Rankin Springs line.

It was soon clear he had a real passion for train travel and quickly became known as Temora’s railway dog.

Nobody ever claimed ownership of Boofhead.

It seems he was his own dog who charmed nearly everyone he came in contact with. There were plenty of homes where Boofhead was assured of a warm welcome and hearty meal.

Once his hunger was satisfied he’d make his way to a wool store owned by Thomas W. Green, where he’d climb through a hole in the wall to bed down on some wool for the night. In the morning, he’d make the short journey back to the station.

The dog was a free spirit, travelling anywhere he liked, his destination simply dependant on which way the train was facing.

In the colder winter months, while planning his next adventure, he’d lay in front of the station master’s fireplace. When the railway shut down on a Sunday, you’d find him down at the footy oval, hoping to jag a bite of someone’s pie. From all accounts he was cheeky but charming with three parts larrikin thrown in.

His hobo lifestyle combined with the black coal dust and sometimes muddy railway yards often left him dirty.

Once he was so smelly he was thrown into a dam for a scrub. The local paper somehow got wind of this and reported he nearly drowned. Another time his minders managed to wash his head and shoulders but were unable to finish the job after Boofhead swallowed the soap.

By the early 1970s his travelling days were over. Crippled with arthritis, Boofhead was put down by a vet before his body was brought home and laid to rest near the tracks by his loyal railway family.

Nearly 50 years later Boofhead has been reincarnated as a bronze statue at the Temora railway station after a generous donation

from retired business identities Jeff and Joy Cornford. The statue was created by artist Carl Valerius, a man more synonymous with his sculpture of “Bill the Bastard”.

“What it’s going to do is help put us on the map a bit more,” says Temora Shire Councillor Max Oliver, who has written a small booklet dedicated to Boofhead’s memory.

“He’s our dog, we love him and we all hope his legend grows. Who knows, one day he may be as famous as Red Dog,” says Max as he gives Boofhead a gentle pat on the head. RLM Historic images of Boofhead kindly supplied by the Temora Independent.

Story based on Max Oliver’s publication, “The Story of Boofhead – Temora railway’s long legged fox terrier”.

ABOVE: Boofhead loved trains but steam engines were his favourite; the Temora community embraced cheeky Boofhead.

FACING PAGE: Temora Shire Councillor Max Oliver is thrilled Boofhead is now a permanent fixture in his town.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Temora

figuring IT OUT

The three partners at MGS Accounting share more in common than crunching the all-important numbers.

Duncan McCrone, Matt Gilchrist and Darryn Smith believe accountancy is about people, not just numbers, and are passionate about helping people achieve their business and personal financial goals.

All Temora born and bred, the partners along with their dynamic team including Glenys Reid, Melissa Wells, Bec Reid and Gabrielle Tadeje, understand the benefits, challenges and opportunities of living in a rural area.

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Joining the team regularly from her base in Wagga Wagga, the company’s financial planner, Sharon Ferguson, also shares this strong sense of rural life. Sharon specialises in helping clients with farm succession, retirement and aged care planning as well as putting investment strategies in place to meet their goals and stage of life.

Duncan’s father, Colin McCrone, began the business 35 years ago as a sole trader from a converted garage at his home. Today,

the business operates from their new office in Hoskins Street, Temora, and the Lynch Street office in Young.

“Some people think we are only here to prepare tax returns,” Duncan says. “But we are very much about helping people achieve their goals.”

Good bookkeeping is essential. “If you don’t know the numbers behind your business and what drives it, it is hard to succeed,” he says.

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“Work with us. Let us set up your financial operation initially and assist you on a regular basis so we can better understand the challenges you are facing – and put plans in place to meet them.”

Matt says there is more help available than most think.

“We help people in many ways, from advising on their tax compliance, to helping operate a more efficient business, to maximising profits and setting our clients up for retirement.

“We like to be by their side through their journey and make their finances as stress free as possible.”

Poor records, acting without planning or failing to seek professional advice – the MGS team has seen it all before.

“Putting your head in the sand and thinking your problems are going to go away is not the answer,” Matt says.

“Work with us. Let us set up your financial operation initially and assist you on a regular basis so we can better understand the challenges you are facing – and put plans in place to meet them.”

Darryn says Cloud software has been a game changer in his industry.

“It allows us to help clients make more informed decisions about what is happening in their business right now, not what happened six, eight or 12 months ago.”

He believes having an open mind and a “continuous improvement attitude” is a great way of constantly bettering your situation.

“If you don’t know something, ask for help from someone who does. Improve your business one per cent each day.”

Over the years attending conferences and workshops, the partners have developed strong relationships with other professionals in complementary fields.

“We enjoy working together with our partners to solve our clients’ problems,” Darryn says.

“We pride ourselves on the level of service we provide our clients, irrespective of their size or complexities, and our network of partners allows us to offer solutions that are pretty seamless.”

The partners agree that working with people, getting to know them and helping to solve their financial problems is the best part of the job.

“It’s very satisfying to help a client who is stressed or worried about a problem and then watch them walk away relieved and confident that financially everything is going to work out OK,” Duncan says.

“Or to be able to put solutions in place to free up their time so they can either spend more time working on the parts of their business they do enjoy or more time with their family.”

And spending time with their young families is definitely something the partners love to do away from work. By rare coincidence, they have eight daughters between them.

With 70 years’ combined experience, the friendly team at MGS Accounting have the knowhow to get your financial records in order to help you achieve your goals. RLM

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Darryn Smith; Duncan McCrone; Matt Gilchrist; the new office.

FACING PAGE: Receptionist Melissa Wells, bookkeeper Bec Reid with directors from MGS Accounting – Duncan McCrone, Darryn Smith and Matt Gilchrist.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Temora

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Ron McGuirk’s seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren don’t need Google to tell them about 20th century history, they simply ask their pop.

The 101-year-old’s uncanny ability to reel off dates in his family history is nothing short of astounding. He claims his memory was sliding a few years back but in recent times it’s come back sharper than ever.

After a lifetime in Temora as a shopkeeper, greenkeeper and proud family man, this plucky old-timer continues to defy his doctors.

Despite a faltering step, he finds peace and tranquillity reading newspapers or tending to his meticulous garden.

Gardening has always played a big part in Ron’s life. For 30 years he exhibited his prized vegetables at the local show before devoting another 10 years as a judge.

Ron and his father bought their first shop in 1938 where the Roundabout Bakery now stands.

For 10 years they opened at eight o’clock in the morning, sometimes closing the doors at midnight.

“You always had to be open after the pictures came out. Somebody would want an ice-cream or something like that,” he says.

Ron simply loved working. After the shop, he spent 20 years at Miller & James. Once out on the petrol truck run he loaded 17 full diesel drums on his own. “I’ll tell you this for nothing, that really knocked me up,” he laughs.

Ella was his rock. “We never had a blue in all those years, although I sometimes found it easier to just shut up,” he confesses. His one true and everlasting love died in June 2015, aged 95 years, just 33 days short of their 75th wedding anniversary.

It’s been four long years and Ron still misses her dreadfully. A thoughtful niece made a pillowcase with her photograph sewn onto it, meaning she’s there to comfort him through the night.

Forever young, Ron has renewed his driver’s licence for another year. His relationship with cars stretches back a long way. His father bought a Chev 4 in 1922 and Ron remembers the excitement like it was yesterday. It was later sold at the height of the Depression for a paltry 10 pounds.

He’s been behind the wheel almost as long as there have been cars on the road. With an 84-year flawless driving record, he is now restricted to driving his Toyota Camry within the town boundary.

Before the automobile, all horse power required feeding. These were his days at “Tara Park”, Tara, a small farming community between Ariah Park and Coolamon.

He recalls sitting with his younger sisters and parents on the sulky ride to Temora.

“We’d place our orders at O’Dea’s, the grocery store on the corner where the bearing place now stands,” he says, plucking more dates and places out of thin air.

FOREVER

YOUNG Of all his achievements in a rich life spanning 101 years, Temora’s Ronald Loftus McGuirk is most proud of his family, garden and treasured old mates.

“Then we’d go out to ‘Myosotis’ on the Young Road to spend the night with our grandparents.

The next day we’d collect our groceries and travel 27 miles back home.”

Ron clearly recalls running through a paddock of waste-high saffron thistles to hear Sir Donald Bradman score 304 on Reinie Goesch’s wireless on a neighbouring farm.

In 1922 he remembers sitting in the family Overlander as it was taken across the harbour on a punt, a full decade before the completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

When Ron left school a decade later he witnessed the out-of-control fire in Hoskins Street. Having enjoyed the distinction of living in two centuries, he has plenty of colourful stories up his sleeve.

“My grandfather’s brother, Henry, was a policeman on the hunt for Ned Kelly. He followed him right up to the Murray River, but unlike Ned, baulked when it came to crossing the swollen waters. The next day Ned robbed the bank at Jerilderie,” he says like a true historian. >

For 30 years he exhibited his prized vegetables at the local show before devoting another 10 years as a judge.

ABOVE: Ron McGuirk has always been a keen gardener.

Tending his plants brings great satisfaction.

FACING PAGE: Despite being in his second century, Ron has an attentive memory for names and dates.

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“My grandmother actually knew Ned. Her parents worked on a station and he shared morning tea with them, a few days before his capture at Glenrowan. The story goes he gave her two shillings.”

Father and son Ron is thrilled that his son Doug has come home to Temora to keep an eye on his father. Charles, a second son, lives in Sydney while Bill, his eldest, died about six years ago.

Doug, like his father, was born in the middle of a world war. By then Ron was in uniform and issued with a rifle to report to Port Kembla in case of a Japanese invasion. The immediate threat was over following the defeat of the Imperial Japanese navy in the battle of the Coral Sea. “I even had a ‘dead-meat’ ticket,” Ron laughs.

“He’s talking about a dog-tag around his neck for identification purposes,” Doug explains.

“And the number was N38114,” Ron adds with a triumphant grin.

In later years he was on the committee at the Bowling Club. The greens were in terrible shape and they urged him to become the greenkeeper.

“I heard about this new grass up in Queensland,” Ron says. “I planted it in early October and the green was back in play before Christmas.”

Unfortunately, Ron says there’s no magic formula or pill that allows him to live a healthy life in his own home after hitting the ton.

“Everyone asks me the secret of my longevity but I don’t have an answer. Perhaps it’s because I never smoked in my life, enjoy sugar and salt and eat three pieces of fruit each day.”

Ron gave up the frothy ones 10 years ago but still enjoys a small whisky and milk or a sherry at least twice a week before his evening meal.

“On my 100th birthday Doug bought me a schooner but I couldn’t handle the taste,” he

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“We never had a blue in all those years, although I sometimes found it easier to just shut up.”

laughs. “I’ve still got a few beers in the fridge that have been there for two years.”

When he was a young man, Ron used to traipse through the hills of Temora in search of foxes.

As an older man he took up lawn bowls, playing right up until he was 95.

“Nursing homes are for old people,” he scoffs.

“I’m still happy in my own home. I get meals four days a week and Doug visits every day. I reckon I’ve still got a couple of years left in the tank.”

Let’s hope so, Ronald Loftus McGuirk. And happy 102nd birthday for May 4. They don’t make birthday cards for people of your vintage but you can bet all of Temora will be raising a glass in your honour! RLM

ABOVE: Ron McGuirk says a loving family and eating fruit has helped keep him young at heart; a cherished family portrait of the growing family; the marriage to Ella on July 3, 1940, lasted just shy of 75 years; Ron is comforted at night by a very special pillow bearing his late wife’s image.

A CLUB for all The Temora Ex-Services Memorial Club in the heart of the town offers a range of services for its members and guests.

With regular entertainment, a bowling green, gaming, food and beverages along with two motels within a short stroll, Temora ExServices Memorial Club plays a major social role in town.

Secretary manager Ben WelIs moved to Temora with his wife and son in 2017 after a decade working at Gundagai’s Services Club.

“The town and members of the community have been very welcoming,” he says. “The town offers a variety of shopping while still keeping hold of that small-town feel.”

The club was formed back in the 1950s and has grown to about 3200 members. It’s very community focused with members attending each week for bingo, bowls and raffles, along with affordable meals and a quiet drink.

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The club has owned and operated the Goldtera Motor Inn for over 10 years, employing new managers Ben Gibson and Bianca Brabin in early 2019.

“The Trip Advisor reviews have all been five star since they took over,” Ben says. “They’ve enjoyed the challenge and surpassed all expectations in the new role.”

The Goldtera has seen some upgrades in the past 24 months, with all the bathrooms being renovated and new furniture in all the rooms.

The club’s other motel is the Koreela Park Motor Inn, capably managed by Michael Dehlsen since the club purchased it in 2013.

“Michael’s focus on customer service is second to none,” Ben says. “He will do whatever he can to improve your experience, right

Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

THE CLUB IS A VITAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY, WITH LOCAL FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND DONATIONS EXCEEDING $70,000 IN THE 2018 FINANCIAL YEAR.

down to bringing in your luggage. There are also some plans in the works to upgrade the bathrooms and furniture at the motel in the near future.”

The club itself has a variety of function rooms that can cater for parties, weddings and conventions. The auditorium can cater for up to 300 people while the other two function rooms can cater for up to 100. The Gallery Bistro offers modern Australian cuisine and daily blackboard specials.

The club is a vital part of the community, with local financial and in-kind donations exceeding $70,000 in the 2018 financial year.

“We also hold bowls tournaments throughout the year, which draw a lot of people to town,” Ben says.

The staff are friendly and much-loved by the members and guests. Some staff have been employed at the club for over 20 years.

Ben says there are some exciting new developments in the future.

“The club has plans to extend our accommodation offering with some more family units. We will also continue to upgrade the club as best we can.” RLM ABOVE: Temora Ex-Services Memorial Club receptionist Louise Brace gives everybody a warm welcome; smaller function rooms; the auditorium; the dining room; Melissa Magee in the Main Bar. FACING PAGE: Ben Wells heads up the dedicated team at the popular meeting spot.

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THE GREAT escape QPL Rural has the expertise to make your tree change a triumph.

Have you always dreamed of moving to the country? Escaping the city stress to improve all aspects of your life including your health and finances?

The experienced and friendly team at QPL Rural assist those interested in a tree change to make the right decisions.

Whether you’re searching for lifestyle or business opportunities, this is a company at the forefront of helping families relocate to rural communities.

“We’ve attended Country Change Expo every year from 2011 and formed strong relationships with families looking for their tree change. We love talking about and promoting the wonderful communities we live and operate in,” co-principal Bev Pellow says.

Imagine if you finally found your ideal work-life balance and satisfied your nature cravings all at once. This is a deep desire for most city folk but it’s a daily reality for many residents of rural towns.

Most regional towns are known for their agricultural output, however, enterprises in the arts, culture, education and technology are not only most welcome here but can expect to flourish.

Whether you’re looking for a stress-free way to get into the property market for the first time, or you’re ready to escape the clutches of your big-city mortgage, there’s an array of properties available at a fraction of the cost of city properties.

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“We are also seeing good regional investment from city investors as it offers a large pool of affordable investment opportunities.”

The pull towards a country change can be almost irresistible but one of the biggest factors is not just finding a place to live, it’s finding a place to call home.

That’s where the QPL Rural team can help you become one of the lucky treechangers, finding that sense of community, friendship and success in the right rural community for you.

“Despite common misconceptions, there’s no shortage of opportunities in our thriving region,” Bev says.

“When you’ve had enough, make your move to the country lifestyle. A tree change offers peaceful, spacious rural townships and vibrant regional hubs teeming with great jobs, homes, culture and lifestyle.”

LIVE THE DREAM

One of the most unique lifestyle opportunities grabbing the attention of treechangers, in particular aviation enthusiasts, is Temora Air Park. According to principals Craig and Bev Pellow, its unique facilities allow residents to taxi their plane to their hangar right next to their house.

Not only do residents have immediate access to their recreational hobby or aviation business but also live in a community of people who love aviation.

“In a short space of time Temora has grown to become one of the most soughtafter aviation addresses in Australia, and QPL Rural has been proud to assist people to achieve their dream aviation lifestyle in Temora since 2011.”

QPL Rural is the connector between buyers and sellers. Their standout marketing has been a key point of difference in them obtaining a number of sought-after listings in the local communities and beyond.

“We are focused on working behind the scenes, taking the time and using our knowledge of local markets to formulate unique marketing plans to suit each property,” Bev continues “We continue to build these connections while promoting the sale of rural lifestyle properties of all sizes all across the Riverina, MIA, Southwest Slopes and into northern Victoria.

“Whatever your dream lifestyle, we would love to hear from you and have the opportunity to assist you in turning your dreams into reality.” RLM

ABOVE, FROM LEFT: Craig Pellow, Leisa Williams, Lachlan Pellow, Bev Pellow, Jared Evans, Andrew Pellow, Sophie Litchfield and Jason Haines.

TREAT

yourself A long-held dream to share her passion for beautiful fashion and giftware has come true for Tanya Thorp.

Tanza Fashion and Accessories in Hoskins Street opened just over 12 months ago, quickly gaining a reputation for style and quality.

Owner Tanya Thorp is appreciative of the support she receives, and loves helping people “feel good about themselves”.

This is especially important for country women in difficult times, too, such as dealing with the hardship of drought.

Her positive philosophy is “when you look good, you feel good,” and her extensive range reflects this for all ages, from teenagers to mature women.

“I aim to have something to suit many ages, budgets and tastes,” she says. “And all occasions, casual to formal.”

The appealing collection of clothing, shoes, accessories and homewares is built on quality brands and products. Tanya enjoys offering styles and options that rival city choice.

Popular brands include Hammill and Co, eb&ive, Humidity, Tirelli, Italian Star, Mollini, and Django and Juliette shoes.

Stylish hide and leather goods in beautiful colours include handbags, clutches and overnight bags from Rugged Hide, and Juju & Co. There is also an excellent selection of fashion hats and caps, along with belts and scarves.

Quay Australian sunglasses are popular, and chic Australian jewellery includes Moe Moe Design, Noosa Living and Twig & Sparrow.

Homewares add to the shop’s vibrancy and colour, including Peppermint Grove candles, cushions, throw rugs, photo frames, Turkish towels and a selection of contemporary prints.

Tanya wants her customers to always feel welcome, relax and enjoy the beautiful space she has created.

“I want people to feel comfortable to browse, and I’m here to help if needed,” says Tanya, who can also help source items.

She has “tried to think of everything” to create a positive experience, including uncluttered floorspace, and a changeroom with plenty of natural light, large enough to move in (and comfortably fits a pram).

Tanya credits the unwavering support and help of her husband, Craig, to successfully managing a business and busy family life with five children, from seven to 16 years. Her mother lives locally and is valuable support, too.

Temora’s strong and supportive community is appreciated.

“Temora is a great place to live and raise a family. People look out for each other,” Tanya says.

Tanya is also pleased the business sector has the proactive support of the Temora Business Enterprise Group.

Tanza Fashion and Accessories is testament to Tanya’s determination and drive, and she encourages everyone to chase their dreams. “Anything is possible,” she says.

“I still have so many ideas and love bringing it all together.”

Call in to Tanza Fashion and Accessories and treat yourself or someone special. Gift vouchers and afterpay are available. Follow on Facebook and Instagram. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant

ABOVE: Tanya Thorp is proud of the stylish range of clothing, shoes, accessories and homewares in her Temora business.

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Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

creative

FLAIR

Whether you’re after bespoke jewellery or a statement piece for your home, Deb Davidge has it covered, and the range is set to expand.

After nearly 30 years in Temora’s iconic John Meagher building, the little shop “where dreams come true” is on the move.

Deb’s Jewellery will make an exciting return in the future and vivacious owner Deb Davidge couldn’t be happier.

“The move will enable us to expand our range,” she says with characteristic flair.

“It will be a connected, creative and collaborative community space with local pop-up stores, tea house and hand-crafted works of art from local, regional and interstate artisans.”

Exquisite antiques, artworks, clothing, and handcrafted furniture will complement Deb’s vision of bespoke jewellery.

“We are super excited to be offering exclusive and unique individualised pieces,” she says.

Deb’s loyal long-time employees Janette, Babette, Ollie, Lindy and Trish also share her vision for the future.

Deb is a born and bred Temora local who opened her store at age 21, with strong encouragement from her parents, Brian and Edna, who were in retail menswear for 45 years.

With husband Greg and son Jed, 12, the horse-loving family enjoy polocrosse, breeding and selling Australian Stockhorses.

During the week she focuses her attention on the business that has sustained her for almost 30 years.

“In the last five years I have branched into more bespoke jewellery, using diamonds and precious gem stones,” she says.

“This is something that gives me so much enjoyment – creating one-off handmade pieces for my clients to enjoy.

“Our popular Facebook page will soon be complemented by a new website to share our magic creations.”

Deb has always described Temora as the “friendliest town” in NSW. To see why, go and check out her latest creations either online or in Hoskins Street, Temora. RLM

(02) 6977 4122 info@debsjewellery.com TEMORA, NEW SOUTH WALES

STOP PRESS: Deb’s Jewellery have moved into larger premises less than a block down the road.

ABOVE: Local identity Deb Davidge has some exciting new plans for her business.

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“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”

– Botanist Luther Burbank

budding BUSINESS

Just 12 months into their new venture, Meg Morton and Vanessa Stimson are enjoying the challenge of their new career as florists.

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Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

Vanessa Stimson, a former police officer, and Meg Morton, a former teacher, were both keen for a new venture.

When the well-established Temora Flower Centre came up for sale the girls saw an opportunity to showcase their artistic flair and take on a new chapter in their lives.

Having come through their first year, the girls are delighted at how well the business is faring.

They love creating floral arrangements with the variety of flowers each season brings. The flowers arrive daily from Melbourne, and some roses come from Bush Roses near Bookham, a few hours away.

The girls are hoping to be able to source more than just roses locally or closer to Temora.

Talking to customers, meeting with brides and experimenting with a variety of floral styles and ideas is a part of the business the girls are loving.

“Creating unique arrangements for a variety of events and celebrations is what makes each day enjoyable and so different,” Meg says.

With amazing support from husbands, children and parents, the two country girls feel very blessed.

“Our families have been wonderful. On a daily basis we have family members dropping in and helping. From unpacking flowers to making deliveries, there is always something to do,” Meg says.

They lead busy lives. Mark Stimson runs a plumbing business in Temora and, with Vanessa, recently purchased the old family farm at Gidginbung where the Stimson family have farmed for generations. Meg’s husband, Michael Morton, runs a Merino wool enterprise at Stockinbingal.

The women have also introduced artworks, ceramics and candles, all sourced from Australia and some produced locally. It’s an area they are keen to expand on.

Stay tuned. RLM

ABOVE: Beautiful baskets from Morocco; the new owners take great pride in the ambience of their flower business.

FACING PAGE: Vanessa Stimson and Meg Morton are revelling in their new business.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Temora

WORTH BOTTLING It was inevitable that Sam Dart would eventually succumb to her family’s obsession with food.

As one of five children, four of whom went on to be chefs, Sam Dart bucked the system by pursuing a nursing career and later marrying a man destined to be a primary producer.

Poppy Seed Dressing, PSD for short, has been part of life since growing up on the South Coast in the family hospitality business.

When Sam’s family moved to Albury and set up the original Loaves and Fishes Cafe, PSD was once again the secret salad ingredient.

“With the extended millennium drought blighting our dreams and shrinking income my mother handed the PSD recipe to me 17 years ago,” reveals Sam from her beautifully renovated homestead on “Felix Farm”, Ariah Park.

As customers wanted more than just the taste on their plate, the labelling and bottling of PSD was born. Thousands of bottles are going out the door each year, some ending up at 20 plus Riverina retailers and others at private addresses all over the country.

“Some of my biggest outlets are the giftware stores and hairdressing salons, where they discuss their recipes,” says Sam, who plans on building the business further.

A new 160 square metre shed has just been completed and will serve as the new PSD headquarters. Upstairs has been transformed into upmarket accommodation for guests, with sweeping views to cultivated crops and grazing livestock.

Known as the PSD Lady, Sam says the dressing appeals to young and older palates. It combines well with a variety of salad and vegetable combinations and can be served as an accompaniment to chicken, fish and other meats.

Note to all PSD users: The product is highly addictive, and even comes with a warning on the label. Sam has a keen sense of humour and is not afraid to do things a little differently.

“As we wait for improved seasons on the land we continue the family involvement in the pleasures of food with PSD.”

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Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

EARLY DAYS

Life has never been dull for Sam, a motivated mother of two delightful teenagers and savvy businesswoman. It was the same during her Sydney days as a registered nurse. On one occasion Sam swapped jobs with a nurse from the paediatric ward at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital during a four-week trial.

“I loved it there, dealing with kids who had diabetes, broken bones, tonsillectomies and a myriad of childhood illnesses and issues,” she says. “I was hugely impressed with the versatility and skill level of country nurses.”

Back in Sydney she was enjoying a rare night off at the Coogee Bay RSL, playing pool and belting out vintage Cold Chisel on the karaoke. It was a pleasant way to unwind from the pressures of dealing with sick kids.

And that’s where Matt Dart came into the picture. Pretty soon they had a routine down pat.

“I’d finish a late shift and wait for the boys to call me from a telephone booth, before picking them up and taking them to their next destination,” Sam laughs. “I was like the uber back in the day.”

One of their first country dates was spent spot lighting on Matt’s family farm. “I’m sure Matt thought he was being romantic when he held up a recently terminated vermin before me,” Sam says.

“I was far from impressed.”

“I was just checking her suitability to farm life,” Matt laughs from the other side of the kitchen table. >

ABOVE: Matt and Sam Dart and children Zac and Sophie in the new wing of the “Felix Farm” homestead; the recent extension is enjoyed from every angle.

FACING PAGE: The old homestead has been brought into the 21st century with a grand new design; Sam Dart is keeping an old family recipe alive with her PSD products.

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The sandy beaches of Merimbula could never have prepared Sam for the red dirt and flat plains found at “Bunda Park”, Merriwagga, her introduction to marriage and the farming way of life.

Matt was used to it, having been raised with one sister on nearby “Brunker Hill” before his days at Yanco Agricultural College and Sydney University. After a decade in the Westpac and Rabo banks they bought “Felix Farm” in 2002.

“Sam asked me what the homestead was like and all I could tell her was that it had a red roof,” Matt laughs. “I could give soil types and pH test results but never quite got around to checking out the old house.”

Sam seems to thrive on the unexpected – just like the time she was told by the local midwife she was in the early stages of labour.

That sort of comment you’d expect in a hospital, not the Ariah Park Hotel where she was attending a friend’s birthday party!

“Naively I told her I had four weeks to go,” Sam says. “Word travelled quickly as it does in these small towns and there was soon talk of me giving birth on the bar!”

Zac was actually born a few days later, followed three years later

by Sophie. When not at school at St Francis College, Leeton, and Ariah Park Central School, the fun-loving teenagers help out on the farm and PSD business.

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A NEW EXTENSION

In 2015 the 1930s homestead was given a delightful extension, which gives new meaning to outdoor living.

“We took a year to get the house finished and were wondering if it was ever going to end,” Sam says. “At least we felt very at one with our wonderful builder, ‘Dutchy’ Aurik, who used to own the pub at Ariah Park.

“The best advice we got was to not try and match the old home.

My initial idea was based on a woolshed design. It turned out to be too pricey and we settled for an open, contemporary plan based around bringing the farm into the home.”

The glass panel walls are cleverly designed to fold back into each other to reveal the open-plan living/dining room.

It’s a great spot for Matt to relax after a hard day at work. He keeps a busy schedule as one of six partners in DB Ag, an agricultural business with interests in wholesale, retail and dryland mixed farming.

For a few days each week he works as chief financial officer while managing the farm.

The business provides a range of services to the rural sector while producing commodities in its own right. It’s underpinned by the basic principles of scale, geographical spread, management specialisation and sustainable operations.

Temora T O W N F E AT U R E

“LAND IN THIS DISTRICT IS TIGHTLY HELD, AND RIGHTLY SO, THE SOIL TYPE AND RAINFALL ZONE LENDS ITSELF TO MIXED FARMING.” The business maintains a Dohne dual-purpose flock producing wool and meat. They are bred on DB Ag’s western properties and transported to “Felix Farm” to be joined to terminal sires like Dorsets and White Suffolks.

“We are supplying the domestic meat or supermarket trade, what you see on your shelves,” Matt says.

Feed and handling facilities are all aligned to reducing the stress levels in the livestock.

“It’s about keeping both the sheep and the handlers happy,” he tells me as we inspect a mob of prime lambs. They are being finished on vetch, an annual legume pasture we companion crop with oats.

The lambs are turned off at 50kg liveweight at five months, sold over the hooks to Woolworths and butchered at Junee abattoirs.

“We farm moisture, our biggest single limiting factor.

Everything else is daylight second. Whatever falls here, we need to retain in the soil to feed our crops and livestock,” he says.

“Land in this district is tightly held, and rightly so, the soil type and rainfall zone lends itself to mixed farming. This allows seasonal variations to be at least minimised.”

Matt recognises his fortune in being able to secure “Felix Farm”, a property the former owner had loved and managed with many of the same farming principles.

“The capital cost of farming in today’s world is getting up there and banking practices are very much about compliance these days,” he says.

“The business has its funding battles, however the finance sector and the farming sector need to be on the same page. Winwin strategies need to be constructed or ultimately it will be the consumer who suffers.”

In the house on the hill the family are doing things the Dart way.

Matt and Sam may not have been there for generations but they are quickly making up for lost time. RLM ABOVE: Autumn lambs putting on the kilos while enjoying a paddock of vetch, an annual legume pasture; Matt inspects the pasture; Zac right at home among the lambs; Sophie loves the farm life.

FACING PAGE: The revamped homestead; one of the original verandas; the extension allows light and fresh air into the new kitchen.

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OBERON TOW N FE ATUR E

WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY

the high life

from the Mayor of Oberon Shire Council It is my pleasure to showcase our vibrant and friendly community to all.

At 1113 metres, Oberon is the highest town in the Blue Mountains with a population over 5300. In this part of the Central West, we are fortunate enough to experience four distinct seasons including beautiful springs and colourful autumns as well as intermittent snow falls in winter.

We are a caring, well-serviced community with a thriving economy. Our main industries are timber, tourism and agriculture, providing stable employment for the town. Oberon’s country lifestyle, with its clean air, sparse traffic, crisp alpine climate, friendly people, sense of community, safe environment and some of the most spectacular scenery in NSW, makes it a great place to visit.

I recommend you travel the inland route from Canberra to the Hunter Valley along the Tablelands Way. There are so many things to see and do along “The Way” and Oberon is central to that experience. A visit to Jenolan Caves, the most spectacular limestone caves in Australia, is a “must do”. For magnificent views of blue bushland and cliff faces, visit Kanangra Walls majestically watching over Kanangra-Boyd National Park.

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Sections of the stunning Mayfield Garden, including the café and nursery, are open to the public every day, and the whole garden including the second largest maze in Australia opens four times per year to coincide with the seasons. Oberon is a garden town with many beautiful and unique local gardens opening during spring, autumn and summer.

The village of O’Connell boasts the largest number of surviving earthen buildings in NSW, and the interpretive trail is easy to follow.

The Field to Forest festival offers many opportunities to sample the delights of the area, including truffles, cool climate wine, nuts, olive oil and, of course, mushroom foraging during autumn. Oberon is home to the prized Slippery Jack and Saffron Milk Cap varieties.

As a destination for motorcyclists, the area offers spectacular ride experiences. Just two and a half hours from Sydney, the scenery is gorgeous and the roads just windy enough to excite the riders. But if cycling of the pedal variety is your pleasure then we have perfect conditions for you also. And speaking of physical activity, Oberon will host the Spartan Race for the next three years from 2020. Spartan is the world’s number one obstacle race series with events varying in length and difficulty ranging from 7km to marathon distances.

Lake Oberon offers trout fishing all year round. Only electric vessels or kayaks are allowed on the lake but the foreshore is perfect for fisher folk. Rivers, streams and creeks harbouring trout abound in the area. If you do not land a catch you are not really trying. Why not think about the fishing competition held in town annually as part of Outdoor Week.

There are many stunning wedding venues in the region including Mayfield Garden and Waldara. I urge prospective brides to consider the option of a country wedding with top class facilities, service, food and wine.

Here in Oberon we enjoy a relaxed, slower pace of life, so why not come see us, whether for a pleasant drive followed by a great lunch or a longer stay. Be assured you will be very warmly welcomed.

Mayor of Oberon, Cr Kathy Sajowitz

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

oh so beautiful Oberon makes for a wonderful place to visit and the perfect place to live.

Oberon Business and Tourism Association is proud to support this showcase of some of the features and legends that make the Oberon district the special place it is.

Many people associate Oberon with cold weather, and the spectacular snowfalls in August this year would confirm that view.

The appeal of snow brought us an avalanche of visitors. However, there is more to Oberon than the magic of four distinct seasons and the natural changes that come with those seasons.

Oberon has a proud history of enterprise based around small and family businesses. The origins of this were in agriculture and food production but forward-thinking early residents expanded that to include timber growing and timber production. Those developing industries then needed the services of skilled family engineering works, transport operators, expert harvesting operators and so the proud history of industry, economic growth and employment unfolded and continues to develop, keeping this area vibrant in an economic sense. In fact, Oberon’s timber manufacturing complex is the largest in the southern hemisphere with a multitude of skilled trades supporting it.

Agriculture continues to be a significant enterprise in the district, and a number of our farming families have expanded their operations, developing specialised breed lines to embrace and lead new and emerging markets. Others have value added to the production line so that livestock bred on farm become finished produce from the farm gate, and some others have moved

into specialised agriculture, such as truffle growing. The farming community in Oberon is savvy, smart and forward thinking as it meets and rises to the challenges that come with modern agricultural businesses.

This area is, of course, the place where natural wonders, heritage and man-made wonders meet. Jenolan Caves and their rich heritage combine with the spectacular Mayfield Garden – all in the backdrop of rolling hills and landscapes. It is a visual feast for visitors with a multitude of accommodation options, cafes, bakeries, dining choices and retailers providing anything you might need, including those special purchases.

Visit the different museums and celebrate our heritage. Browse and buy at the gift shops and antique shops and pick up an extra warm jumper while you are here. Oberon is a wonderful awayfrom-home option for weddings and other events with our venues set up to spoil you on that special day.

It is all here in Oberon. Come and visit or come and stay. It is more than you imagine. RLM Helen Lowe, Oberon Business and Tourism Association President

FACING PAGE: Aerial overlooking the town of Oberon in Central NSW. Image: Destination NSW. ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The leafy town centre of Oberon, Image: Destination NSW; scenic grounds of Oberon Golf Club, Image: Destination NSW; kayak sailing on Lake Oberon, Image: Len Williams; William Tallentire, aged 4, enjoying a family day on the farm, Image: Kate Tallentire.

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The annual Oberon Fish River Regatta. Image: Lynne Causer.

A VISION SPLENDID

Oberon’s great outdoors are a thing of exceptional beauty.

Sheep shearing competition at Oberon Show.

Image: Lynne Causer.

Competition is fierce at the Oberon Show.

Image: Lynne Causer.

History buffs descend on Oberon for the Heritage and Collectors Fair.

Image: W Stanton.

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Bowtells Swing Bridge at the Coxs River on the Six Foot Track. Image: John Causer.

Lake Oberon is open to anglers all year round and is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout and Golden Perch. Image: Derek Fawcett.

FUNGI

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

fever Oberon offers an adventure like no other for mushroom lovers with a keen eye.

The autumn air is fresh and crisp and we are on a road trip and on a mission. A treasure awaits us as we head west of the NSW Blue Mountains towards Oberon and the Hampton State Forest. We skip past the stands of gum trees until we reach our rendezvous: the radiata pine forest, where we disembark with our treasure hunting tools at the ready – knife, basket and compass.

We’re not scouting for gold or precious stones, our treasure is wild edible mushrooms, namely Saffron Milk Caps (Lactarius deliciosus) and Slippery Jacks (Boletus portentosus).

This foraging adventure is part of Oberon’s month-long Field to Forest Festival, held every April. Our guide is professional forager and wild food enthusiast Diego Bonetto. He’s an encyclopaedia of knowledge, having foraged for mushrooms and wild food since he was a child in Italy.

The weather has been kind to us “shroomers”. Recent rain means there should be mushrooms. Forest mushrooms fruit for a short window of time from around March to April, when the temperature starts to drop but is still above freezing, and they need the moisture to do it.

We are sent out for a quick forage to bring back whatever we can find for identification.

Diego spreads out the bounty on the table.

Saffron Milk Caps are pale orange on the top and have beautiful orange gills underneath; Slippery Jacks are brown and slimy on top with a spongy yellow texture underneath.

Both are edible, but the prettiest of the lot, the spotted and plain red or orange Amanita muscari mushrooms, are poisonous to eat.

The treasure hunt starts in earnest. “Do you have mushroom eyes?” Diego asks. What he’s saying is, will you be able to spot them in the forest? They are there, but may be hidden and you will learn to use your mushroom eyes to spot them. Hmmm, I’m not sure about mine: I think they’re more attuned to chocolate.

The forest is vast and there is easily enough space to wander undisturbed by other bounty hunters. My mushroom eyes are soon working. I spot little mounds covered in pine needles, which I brush off and voila!

Saffron Milk Caps are pale orange on the top and have beautiful orange gills underneath.

Underneath is a perfect little Saffron Milk Cap. Saffrons bruise very easily, so treat them with care. Cut them at the base and place them in your basket so the lovely gills face down. This way the spores can drop to the forest floor and more mushrooms will grow.

The voices of fellow foragers fade into the forest – near or far, I’m not sure – and the serenity becomes a balm. I could wander around searching for hours, it’s so peaceful.

But it’s important to look up from the forest floor occasionally as it’s easy to get lost (a compass is handy.)

After half an hour, I return with a basket full of Saffron Milk Caps and a few Slippery Jacks.

Time for lunch! Diego has set up a trestle table with a portable cooker. We wash the Saffron Milk Caps in a mixture of water and vinegar to clean off the pine needles and any critters that may have hitched a ride, while the Slippery Jacks are peeled (the skin is known to have the same effect as a truckload of prunes). Sliced and cooked in olive oil with garlic, salt and

herbs, they are delicious. Just add a crusty loaf of bread that you can dip into the juice and you have yourself a hearty meal.

Never go mushrooming without first taking part in a guided talk or walk with someone who you are certain knows what they are doing. Diego’s mantra is “if in doubt, go without”. No doubt about it – on this occasion I left the forest with a full belly and a calm mind. RLM Words and images: Zora Regulic

For more information visit: www.visitoberon.com/tours-activities/ mushrooms www.diegobonetto.com

ABOVE: A basket full of Saffron Milk Caps; the road to treasure; a poisonous Amanita muscari; my mushroom eyes in action uncovering a Saffron Milk Cap; the beautiful underside of a Saffron Milk Cap.

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CAVES

to rave about

Veiled by eucalypts on the western edge of the Blue Mountains, 30 minutes from Oberon, Jenolan boasts Australia’s most spectacular cave system.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

A great day visit or holiday getaway, with above and below ground activities, historic hotel, restaurant, bar, shop and café, Jenolan is a mini-destination.

In 2006, CSIRO scientists established that Jenolan is one of the oldest (arguably the oldest) cave systems in the world – 340 million years old. Undoubtedly, Jenolan ranks among the world’s most outstanding cave systems, and is a must see on any visit to the ruggedly beautiful Oberon plateau.

All ages can explore the magical limestone caves, richly draped in crystal formations.

There are pure underground rivers, fascinating cave tours, helpful tour guides, challenging adventure caving and scenic bush walks in the pristine mountain valley.

Regardless of summer heat, the caves are always a cool 15 or 16 degrees Celsius.

Jenolan sits in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, teeming with native fauna.

Visitors may catch a glimpse of Lyrebirds, Platypuses and rare Brush-Tailed Rock Wallabies. Summer coaxes the Eastern Water Dragons out to soak up the sun on the shores of the impossibly Blue Lake.

For millennia, the local indigenous people met at Jenolan and bathed their sick in the mineral-rich waters. In 1836, while hunting a bushranger to his underground lair, European settlers discovered the caves. Since then, more than 400 caves have been found at Jenolan, the largest cave system in Australia that is open to the public – so large, that its furthest reaches have not yet been discovered.

In 1872, to protect the caves for future generations, Jenolan became one of Australia’s first reserves. Back then, formally dressed gentlemen and women viewed the vast caverns by candlelight or magnesium lamp. But today’s visitors enjoy safe paths and subtle, eco-friendly, LED lighting that highlights all the most treasured features of the awe-inspiring caves.

Jenolan’s heritage listed hotel, Jenolan Caves House, was built between 1897 and 1926, alongside the caves. It was designed by prolific government architect Walter Liberty Vernon, in the Federation Arts and Crafts style. Caves House immediately became the fashionable escape for Sydney society, honeymooners, celebrities, including Agatha Christie and, in 1927, the Duke and Duchess of York. Caves House is an ageing beauty that exudes a comfortable, vintage atmosphere.

If there is still time, guests who book now will be the last to experience this unique ambience, pre-renovation. Outside of school holidays and public holidays, prices are very reasonable, and mid-week even more so.

Evening guests relax upstairs in the historic Chisolm’s Restaurant, grand dining room of the Edwardian era, famous for stately Art Deco features and great food by international head chef Mark Livingstone.

JENOLAN RANKS AMONG THE WORLD’S MOST OUTSTANDING CAVE SYSTEMS.

Jenolan spans an invisible lifestyle intersection between Sydney chic, treechangers and rural tradition. Dinner guests from the Central West prefer generous helpings of traditional dishes, such as savoury lamb shanks or local Black Angus tenderloin. City foodies prefer imaginative morsels. There is growing demand for vegan and heart friendly dishes, and families need economical choices. Mark takes all into account when creating his tempting menu.

Next to Chisolm’s, the cosy Jeremiah’s Bar offers spirits, beer, colourful cocktails and regional wines. On the ground floor, the new fast-food Caves Café draws summer visitors into the shade of the wisteria that graces the wide veranda. This old wisteria is a remnant of the original garden designed by director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Joseph Henry Maiden in 1897.

Historic Caves House is part of Jenolan’s large accommodation complex that includes the modern Mountain Lodge, the Gate House backpacker lodge and several bush cottages.

Guests can stay for a night or much longer, and use Jenolan as a base for visiting other attractions in the region. RLM Images: Jenolan Caves

Readers who visit before April 9, 2020, and book online, should use offer code RLMSMR for a 10 per cent discount on Lucas, Chifley and Imperial caves.

For more information visit: www.jenolancaves.org.au.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Jenolan Caves House; rare Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby; Caves Café; Chisolm’s Restaurant; Jubilee Cave.

FACING PAGE: Lucas Cave; Pool of Reflections; Imperial Cave; River Cave.

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for all

SEASONS The magnificent Mayfield Garden continues to bloom and grow.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

Covering 65 beautiful hectares, Mayfield Garden is one of the largest cool climate gardens in the world.

Inspired by the great gardens of Europe and privately owned by the Hawkins family, 15 hectares is open to the public all year round except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Hawkins Family Private Garden, which makes up the remaining 50 hectares of Mayfield Garden, is open to the public during four seasonal festivals each year.

“Mayfield is a true four-season garden, which offers a different experience each time,” Marketing and Events Manager Amy Hotham says.

“We have a summer, autumn, winter and spring festival, with each of them providing a unique perspective. Many visitors come to the garden each season, which is something we encourage because it’s literally like visiting four different gardens.”

Features of the Private Garden include an English Box Hedge Maze, a spectacular 80-metre cascade and waterfall, the walled

Kitchen Garden, the Hawkins family chapel, croquet court, Moss Creek Garden, Mayfield Amphitheatre, rowing boats on Mayfield Lake and the Stumpery.

While the garden is nearing the end of its construction phase, it’s expected that it will continue to evolve and deliver new experiences as the plants mature and present a new relationship with the Mayfield landscape. >

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Partierre in the Hawkins Family Private Garden; ‘Hollandia’, the same species of water lily used in Monet’s garden is found in the lower part of Mayfield garden; pink Rhododendrons in the water garden.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Lower part of Mayfield Water Garden looking over the obelisk; stunning spring blooming shrubs include showy snowball Viburnum; lovely double flowered Betchel crab apple Malus ioensis.

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The Hawkins family are also considering establishing onsite accommodation, allowing it to host garden visitors overnight as well as build upon its existing wedding, corporate and conference business.

In the meantime, there are local accommodation options in Oberon and Bathurst.

Another key element of Mayfield Garden is its renowned paddockto-plate cafe and restaurant, open 363 days a year, offering a seasonal menu highlighting produce cultivated on the property.

Mayfield also offers a unique nursery experience in which visitors to the garden can purchase from a range of plants that have been propagated onsite.

Taking away a plant they have seen in the garden is a meaningful souvenir, particularly for horticultural tourists.

Mayfield visitor numbers are growing each year, with more than 30,000 visitors enjoying Oberon’s major tourist attraction in 2019. RLM Images: Mayfield Garden, Jake Lindsay & Angus Waddell

Behind the scenes at Mayfield Garden Mayfield Garden employs around 50 full-time local employees from a number of trades and professions ranging from horticulturalists, stonemasons and irrigators through to chefs, marketers and hospitality professionals.

It was important for the efficiency and authenticity of the project that much of the structural work was completed on site, with the old Mayfield shearing shed converted into workshops.

The development and creation of Mayfield was the work of owners Garrick and Evelyn Hawkins, who worked closely with local garden designer and plants man Peter D’Arcy.

Having worked with Garrick at Mayfield for 25 years, Peter’s on-the-ground role is finally complete.

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“This will be our last big project together,” Peter says, as he introduces me to the team finishing the Moss Creek Garden project.

“Garrick has a truly great mind well suited to garden design and we’ve worked well together right to this day.

“He is currently handing over the reins at Mayfield to the next generation of his family.

In many ways the garden is going through an important transitional phase in terms of both management and development.”

After planting tens of thousands of trees and shrubs over the years, Peter says in many ways he’s glad that the bulk of the project is nearing completion.

While Mayfield Garden has been a big part of his life, it’s not his only work.

Peter started with a small plant nursery collecting, growing and selling rare and unusual cool climate plants 30 years ago.

While he admits the prospect of leaving is sad, he’s also looking forward to watching the garden continue to mature.

“Garrick still wants me to visit on a weekly basis to keep an eye on the finishing touches and new plantings.”

Peter is also proud of what the local team has achieved.

“Garrick could have selected anybody he wanted for this significant horticultural project but he went with a bunch of locals that stood by him every step of the way,” he says.

“I take my hat off to him for using local people and ensuring they were trained up to take on a role and grow with the garden, while learning to empathise with Garrick’s philosophy and follow his brief.”

It would be impudent not to ask the garden designer his favourite season.

“The gardens are designed to showcase the four seasons. My favourite time is autumn, although winter runs a close second.” RLM

LEFT: Garden designer and project manager Peter D’Arcy is thrilled his work is done after 25 years; Steve Wood, Tim Culley, Zac Orenshaw, Tony Kidd, Michael Ryan, Rod Evans and Peter D’Arcy have collectively worked for over 100 years at Mayfield Garden.

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The lower part of Mayfield Water Garden; an aerial shot of Mayfield Maze, which is open during festival periods; Mayfield House looking over Mayfield Lake; Mayfield Bluestone Bridge in autumn; the Cascade Temple behind Mayfield House; aerial photograph of Mayfield Water Garden.

Mayfield Garden Festival Dates 2020 •

SUMMER FESTIVAL 11 JANUARY - 27 JANUARY WINTER FESTIVAL • 4 JULY - 19 JULY

AUTUMN FESTIVAL • 10 APRIL - 3 MAY

•

SPRING FESTIVAL 17 OCTOBER - 1 NOVEMBER

Mayfield Garden opens 15 hectares to the public for 363 days of the year. The Hawkins Family Private Garden, which makes up the remaining 50 hectares of Mayfield garden, is open during four seasonal festivals each year.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Oberon

Captain’s

CALL

After a lifetime at sea, former RAN Captain Mark Kellam has found his land legs on a secluded country block far away from the ocean.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

For three years Mark Kellam and wife Lexi looked everywhere from Eden to the Blue Mountains and even in New Zealand (while living in Wellington) in search of the perfect place to lower the anchor.

In 2010 they were visiting Oberon friends and inspected several properties. Mark was smitten the moment his eyes took in 25 lovely acres sloping down to the bottom of a valley.

The only problem was there was no infrastructure. It was a cow paddock. They would have to build – something not previously in the plan. Exploring the block along the stream dreaming of the possibilities, Mark was already doing the calculations in his head.

Bordering the Duckmaloi River, it would soon be named “Kiah Warrawong” – a beautiful place on the side of a hill.

Organising an access road was followed by a shed for weekend visits (composting toilet, no plumbing), and planting a 20-tree domestic fruit orchard. Then they started on their future home – a year of designing and a year to build.

While Mark continued to work in Sydney, Lexi moved into the shed full-time as the house took shape.

“It’s really a very large one-bedroom apartment with a studio for Lexi’s textile adventures,” he says, tongue-in-cheek, referring to the open-plan style. A “west wing” provides visitor accommodation when required.

You won’t find too many strangers out this way, despite being only 15 minutes from town. There is no through traffic, and no neighbours visible from the house, so the spot feels a world away from civilisation, with uninterrupted glorious views up, down and across the valley.

A lifetime of service As the morning sun filters through expansive glass walls, Lexi is content working with handspun fleece. But she is active in town too, involved with the garden club, a fibre craft group and life writing.

It’s been a long journey to “Kiah” for both of them.

Lexi lived in far north Queensland until she was 30. By the time he joined the navy at 17, Mark had lived in three states. His parents ran small private hospitals in Victoria before taking on a B&B in Launceston and a block of Gold Coast holiday flats.

It was the start of a lifetime of moves all over the planet. By 1975 he was at sea as a Midshipman in the RAN, finishing as a Captain 40 years later. During that time, he saw sunsets at ports all over the world, meeting Lexi in Cairns.

A naval marriage involved lots of separation but also many wonderful experiences.

A year was spent living in a thatched cottage in the idyllic countryside in Hampshire, England, while Mark completed a warfare course. >

Mark was smitten the moment his eyes took in 25 lovely acres sloping down to the bottom of a valley.

ABOVE: Mark and Lexi Kellam enjoy the tranquillity of the stream.

FACING PAGE: The new home sits completed at the bottom of the valley.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

Lexi, with toddler Brendan, spent an interesting 18 months in Charlestown, South Carolina, while Mark was on exchange with the US Navy, regularly deployed on ships, including to the Mediterranean.

The downtown architecture in Charlestown was interesting, the culture challenging and the weather astonishing. “It was like Darwin in summer and Cooma in the winter,” she says, looking up from her spinning wheel.

A similar time was spent in Newport, Rhode Island, (famous for its Billionaires Row) where they lived in a modest downtown house and added Rowan to their family. After being away for so long, Mark was thrilled to be home every night while lecturing at the warfare school.

Returning to Australia in 1990, they based the family in Sydney, while Mark worked in a wide variety of navy roles over subsequent years in Sydney, Canberra and Fremantle, where he commanded the frigate HMAS Darwin.

Their daughter Alanna was born and Lexi worked in community relations at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

During the 2003 Iraq War, Captain Kellam was in command of a multinational task force in the Arabian Gulf for several months.

Although reticent to speak of details, he did say that his mission was to re-open the Iraqi ports, allow the oil terminals to return to

operation and enable the fishing fleets to resume activity – all the while making sure everyone, both naval personnel and locals, remained safe.

Retirement years During his retirement, Mark has committed to serving his community through local government as a councillor, and also consults occasionally for an aerospace company. Physical work developing the garden landscape at “Kiah” means he’s fitter than he was 10 years ago.

Mark and Lexi are convinced they made the right choice moving out of the city. “We designed this place as our forever home, whatever old age brings. We have wheelchair access, wide doors and it’s all on one level,” Mark says.

“We’re perfectly happy in Oberon. It has all the requirements for day to day living, a wonderful seasonal climate and a friendly community with a wide range of activities to get involved with.

Oberon, he says, is close enough to the commercial and medical services of larger centres but without the traffic.

“If I didn’t have to, I’d never leave this little block of land,” Mark says, looking over the deck rail and admiring his latest development – internal fences and a stock trough, ready for a small number of cattle.

He’s shaken hands with world leaders, traded his telescope for a shovel and created heaven for his family. What more could an old sea captain ask for? RLM

Mark and Lexi are convinced they made the right choice moving out of the city.

ABOVE: Mark and Lexi Kellam enjoying each other’s company on the deck.

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The pair relax in their open-plan home; First Command on HMAS Buccaneer in 1984; the well thought-out and spacious home; quiet guests; landscaping the garden.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Oberon

hall of fame Lucy East always felt a strong connection to Oberon but never in her wildest dreams imagined becoming part of the tight-knit community.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

Until a year or two ago, Lucy East was quite content playing her cello and teaching music in Sydney. She hadn’t counted, however, on the pulling power of Oberon’s enchanting Malachi Gilmore Hall.

Before marrying her fun-loving English husband, Johnny East, Lucy was a Cunynghame whose ancestors ventured out from Scotland in the 1820s. Later they would make their way to Oberon as one of the early pioneering families.

Although her grandfather left the scene in the 1920s there were still plenty of relatives calling Oberon home and Lucy would often visit the town as a child.

A few years ago, while on a road trip to the Jenolan Caves with Johnny’s UK sister, they were naturally keen to check out the Oberon family connection. After showing them a street, oval and former agriculture supply shop bearing the Cunynghame name, they stopped, as usual, at the eye-catching hall in the main street.

The hall was built in 1937 by the Catholic Church on land donated by the pioneering Gilmore family. It was built in memory of Irish landowner Malachi Gilmore, who had come to Australia in 1872 and purchased land in the centre of Oberon.

In 1936, many years after his death, his descendants subdivided his land and donated a large town allotment to the church for the purpose of building a community hall.

For 40 years until 1977 the hall was the venue for movies, balls and dances, civic receptions and amateur theatre. It played a pivotal role in the social and cultural life of the town.

When Johnny and Lucy discovered the NSW Heritage-listed building was up for sale, they felt compelled to do something. After nine anxious months they signed on the dotted line to the title deeds. The opportunity to be part of the rich Malachi story was simply too good to turn down.

Realising they were going to need financial help to achieve a much-needed makeover, they successfully applied for NSW State Heritage restoration funding totalling $70,000, which the Easts will match dollar for dollar. There is a long way to go, including the building of a new toilet block and renovating the upstairs dress circle where the films were once projected.

Over the past two years the ambitious pair have become accustomed to driving from Sydney on weekends to continue their modifications. It’s a refreshing, if not daunting, change from their normal jobs –Johnny, a software engineer and Lucy with her music. >

When Johnny and Lucy discovered the NSW Heritagelisted building was up for sale, they felt compelled to do something.

ABOVE: Forty years ago, the Malachi was used for roller skating. Johnny and Lucy East found 100 pairs of dusty old rollerskates when they took over.

FACING PAGE: The striking Malachi Gilmore Hall in Oberon’s main street is being brought back to life.

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“Our vision is to have regular concerts, cinema, art exhibitions and festivals at the Malachi, and dream of one day holding a Brett Whiteley exhibition of his Oberon works.”

There have been many working bees with their three Sydney sons and extended family members and friends. The locals, too, have pitched in to help restore their beloved community landmark.

“They are busting to see one of the town’s most iconic buildings brought back to life,” says Lucy, who still can’t believe that of all people, it was her and Johnny that would be the ones taking up the challenge.

Already they have halted the 30-year reign of an invasive ivy and knocked down a wall to reveal the magnificent 300 square metre auditorium for the first time in 40 years.

It was bound to be a journey of discovery. Lucy was delighted to learn her great uncle, Les Anstiss, was the projectionist from when the Malachi opened until a few years after the war. Les showed movies on Wednesday and Saturday nights, with Lucy’s great aunt Grace selling the tickets.

The church sold the hall to Herb David, a local film enthusiast who also took a travelling movie show to Rockley. Movies continued to be shown until 1977 when Herb could no longer sustain the workload.

The Malachi stood empty for a decade until the next owners, Betta Wool, moved in, using the

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dance floor for wool storage while the Cobweb Craft Shop operated from the foyer.

“This project has all the right ingredients to bridge the passage of time and to set its course for another 80 years,” says Lucy, hot on the heels of earning their first gong.

In early 2019, they were announced joint winners (with Sydney’s Customs House) in the events category at the 25th annual National Trust Heritage awards after staging The Malachi Revival.

“We had a supper club revival dance, one of six events back to back, over the weekend, reflecting the social life as it would have been 80 years ago,” Lucy says. “We used six of the local cafes and restaurants with local wine, beer from Bathurst and ciders from Orange.”

Without a town hall, the Oberon townsfolk are excited about the Malachi’s future.

“Our vision is to have regular concerts, cinema, art exhibitions and festivals at the Malachi, and dream of one day holding a Brett Whiteley exhibition of his Oberon works.

“Council have been great and encouraged our every move. We can’t wait till it’s finished so we can take our little dream to the next level.” RLM

ABOVE: New owners Johnny and Lucy East are renovating the spectacular Malachi Gilmore Hall to be used for the arts and community events.

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

The other day I found myself staring at a magnificent photograph of the superb Malachi Gilmore Memorial Hall.

It looked as crowded as it was in 1949 when The Wizard of Oz was screened. The photo brought back a flood of memories, highlights of my childhood days from the late 1940s through to the mid 1960s.

In those days it was almost as if the Malachi was the centre of my universe. My excitement would build as Saturday afternoon neared. It was time, in the hot December summer’s sun of 1949, for the Malachi matinee.

At about 1.30pm with about three or four bob (40 cents) in our pockets, my brother Ray and I would scamper up the gravelled Talley’s Lane towards the hall, collecting other kids along the way.

Now our excited chatter and pulsing hearts were at a point of climax. In those days the Malachi was only a little over a decade old. Its Art Deco architecture had few equals.

Ready to greet the horde of local kids was stern-faced Mrs Herb David at the little ticket window. Later in the afternoon the exBlack Springs school teacher became “the lady with the torch”.

We passed over our one shilling (10 cents) and proceeded to the foyer where we were met by Herb’s mother, waiting to collect our tickets. Herb, meanwhile, was upstairs in the projector room, warming up his muchloved 35mm Simplex projector.

The place was packed. It was the middle of the pea-picking season and a plethora of itinerants were in town. The Malachi was an escape from the drudgery of the pea paddocks for the host of kids who accompanied their parents.

The Wizard of Oz was a little late coming to Oberon but there had been a world war to slow its arrival. We settled in with some other kids from Oberon Central School and waited for Herb to dim the lights. On the other side of the hall were the St Joseph’s kids. Down the front were the kids from the pea paddocks.

It was the halcyon years of the Malachi – as it was with all of the nation’s movie theatres.

Back then Oberon kids were limited to three main sources of media recreation: comics obtained from Bert Freire’s newsagency, radio programs such as the schoolroom comedy Yes What and Herb David’s pictures.

Occasionally, if the week’s screening didn’t appear to hold much promise, kids would bring a few comics into the Malachi, with an often vain hope of reading them during the semi-darkness of a Saturday afternoon. But not this afternoon.

The Saturday matinee session began with the shorts or trailers of the forthcoming movies followed by the Cinesound Movietone News.

Malachi MAGIC

The Malachi Gilmore Memorial Hall is a fetching example of Interwar Art Deco architecture. Former Oberon resident Dr Grant Rodwell remembers fondly the Malachi’s allure.

This afternoon the laughing kookaburra production had a decidedly local touch, telling us about Bathurst-born Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s failure at the December 10, 1949, Federal Election.

Then came an edition of the current serial Herb was showing – some of which I remember being The Durango Kid and Jungle Jim. The Wizard of Oz is one hour and 52 minutes, so the film would be shown in two parts, with an interval. Consumed by both rapture and fear, I remember being more than pleased when Herb put the interval sign on the screen and Mrs David turned on the lights.

Intervals meant a dash to the foyer to collect our pass-out tickets before a sprint across to one of the three cafes opened for the afternoon rush – Peter’s Cafe, Spud Murphy’s Cafe and Cole and Letondeur’s Cake Shop.

Throw in a small bottle of Ashelford’s creaming soda at a total cost of about one shilling and sixpence (15 cents) and it was more than a five-year-old could ever wish for.

In the rush out of the Malachi, I can remember one of the kids pulling a rabbit out from under his coat and releasing it in the spare block next to the Malachi.

These days some people might reckon that to be a strange thing to do, but if bored

during a movie, that same kid would release a rabbit in the Malachi as a point of protest, inviting Mrs David to scan the audience with her dreaded torch.

Of course, tossing a packet of Jaffas down the wooden floor was an alternative that was sure to arouse the ire of the torch lady. Such was the appeal of The Wizard of Oz, there would be none of that this afternoon.

During summer, Herb David’s Malachi movie program covered Friday and Saturday nights, as well as the Saturday matinee.

The Saturday night program was its feature, when Oberon families and wouldbe-lovers attended in their finest clothing and crowd out the upstairs dress circle.

Here, for the district’s younger people, many enduring relationships were formed.

The Malachi magic, of course wasn’t restricted to movies. Many people from the Oberon district will have a host of memories of attending balls and other communal gatherings before the RSL Club facilities were established. RLM Words: Dr Grant Rodwell

ABOVE: Retired Professor of Education from the University of Adelaide, Dr Grant Rodwell; Young Grant, lower right, with his brother Ray and mother Hilary at the 1947 Oberon Show, about the same time as the Malachi story.

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soldiering on Bill Wilcox understands all too well the indelible impact of war.

As the world celebrated the anniversary of the 1969 moon landing, one Vietnam veteran was quietly making his way back to the exact site where a land mine ripped his world apart 50 years earlier.

On July 21, 2019, Oberon’s Bill Wilcox was walking through the Vietnamese jungle, deep in thought. He’d already met two former Viet Cong officers living on the old army base at Nui Dat. “They are now farmers, scratching to make a dollar. I finally realised that they, too, were doing a job and weren’t so very different to us.”

At exactly 2.20pm he dropped one knee into the soft Vietnamese soil, flanked by two great nieces tasked to support him through the eight-day visit.

Horrific memories flashed through his mind as he took in the now peaceful scene. He clutched his old watch, peppered with shrapnel holes. It was the same watch he was wearing 50 long years ago. The hands stopped dead at 2.20pm, the exact time his world – and watch – were sent skyward.

Bill paid silent homage to the Korean doctors who pulled his shrapnel-riddled body through.

For many years, Vietnam was referred to as “Australia’s Forgotten War” but barely a day goes by that Bill doesn’t relive his fight for survival, starting with a gruelling 18-hour operation in an American field hospital in Vung Tau. Six days later, he was due to fly back to Australia but internal bleeding resulted in four more anxious days at the Butterworth base hospital in Malaya. Finally, he arrived back on home soil, unable to walk for another three months. But Bill was no quitter. Despite his injuries, he drove trucks for six months to finish his deployment.

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A day like no other Back in the recently expanded Oberon Military Museum, Bill once again recalls the incident that left enough shrapnel in his body to set off metal detectors at the airport.

Over the whir of the chopper blades, he remembers listening to the crackling radio as man took his first tentative steps on the moon. As his team of engineers flew over the Vietnamese jungle, Bill was more focused on saving lives somewhere down below. A mine had caused a field of injuries.

Among the wounded was “Frankie” Hunt, the man made famous in Redgum’s immortal song, I Was Only 19. Frank lost half of his blood and suffered two broken legs before Bill was able to load him onto a stretcher for the lift out. >

ABOVE: Elaine Boxer served in the Army Reserve in the early 1970s with the Royal Australian Nursing Corp, based in the Rocks. She supported local efforts, like the School Cadets on their annual two-week training exercises. She and husband John moved to Oberon about seven years ago and she was glad to find another link to her military past.

FACING PAGE: Vietnam veteran Bill Wilcox in the Oberon Military Museum.

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

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As the president of the RSL Sub Branch, Bill visits many veterans but none were as special as catching up with Frank in 2017. No doubt they discussed how ironic it was that the “saviour” suddenly needed saving.

Bill copped it himself only minutes after getting Frankie away. One of their own had inadvertently stepped out of the safe lane and directly onto a third mine.

Bill’s life was spared thanks to the mine’s malfunction. Instead of popping up above the ground, it exploded below the surface.

It was still strong enough to fling him 20 feet away, inflicting 60 wounds to his left side.

“Only one spot was untouched and that was where the battery pack for my mine detector sat on my upper leg,” he says. “The funny part was I wasn’t in any pain. Perhaps it was adrenaline.”

The helicopter was full but Bill, in critical condition, was strapped to the skid. He remembers seeing the trees as he was flown over the jungle, his life ebbing away.

It was a close call. Bill was read his last rites both on the way and in hospital. When he came to, the first thing he remembers hearing was “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

When news of the incident got out, it shared the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald with the moon landing.

Bill makes his job in Vietnam sound pretty straightforward. He was a field engineer, in charge of checking villages, tunnels and bridges for mines.

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In truth, his job was a terrifying one. Checking tunnels for Viet Cong was no walk in the park.

Bill would enter tiny tunnels and crawl in, feeling his way along.

“All you had was a torch, pistol and bayonet.

You had to be pretty careful,” he says. “You had to feel along and find the mines while avoiding hidden trip wires or booby traps.

“Our job was to ensure there was no prisoners and then blow it up. Unfortunately, nearly 70 per cent of all casualties were caused by our own mines replanted by the enemy.”

Returning to the scene In 2009 Bill and wife Sue first returned to Vietnam with a group of veterans and were able to pinpoint the exact spot in the jungle using GPS and military records. He returned with the same group a year later and swore he’d return for the 50th anniversary if he was still alive.

Back in Oberon, Bill and his mates are busy in the new museum, showing off their huge collection of memorabilia from WW1 to the present day.

Among the collection of artefacts, photos, weapons, letters and medals is Bill’s most prized possession: the old watch he was wearing the day he was hit.

Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago but Bill Wilcox, and many more like him, live on so that others can never forget. RLM The museum is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm or by appointment.

Contact details are on the museum door, located opposite the RSL Club at the end of Oberon Street.

TOP: Neville Stapleton worked in the RAN for 20 years as an engineer maintaining the ship’s engines. In 1990 he served on the frigate HMAS Darwin in the Persian Gulf. “These days the enemy can fire at you from over the horizon and it will be all over in one hit,” he says grimly. “In the not too distant future we will have F18 fighter jets without pilots to defend our troops.”

ABOVE: A young Bill Wilcox with a close-up of the watch he was wearing when a mine exploded 50 years ago.

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

calling the

tune

Chloe Swannell is spreading her love of music throughout the Central West and beyond.

Home-grown Oberon solo artist Chloe Swannell performs up to 80 gigs each year. She entertains at pubs, clubs, weddings and functions, covering a range of popular songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s right up to the hits of today. She’s even begun writing her own songs.

“I’ve loved music from a young age, playing the piano from the age of seven. From there I learnt to play the recorder at school and performed at the Opera House on a number of occasions,” she says.

“Singing is something I’ve always loved. I was discovered at the age of 14 after my high school principal heard me singing in the music room during lunch time.

“I had never sung in front of people until he put me in the school talent quest to sing and play the piano. I began playing the guitar at the same age and began busking at markets and events.”

Her love and passion for music grew to a new level after starting to teach children at the Bathurst Academy of Music. She began performing and teaching kids weekly while completing her HSC at Oberon High School.

After school Chloe turned to music as a full-time career. Apart from her solo act, she’s recently joined the CMG band that covers a wide variety of pub classics.

When she’s not serenading you with a song, Chloe is teaching guitar, piano and singing at the Bathurst Academy of Music.

“I now work full-time teaching 40 students a week piano, guitar and vocals,” she says. “Teaching music gives me the opportunity to pass my passion onto my students and allows them the opportunities to grow through music.

“I believe music is one of the most important things in society.

Musicians and artists sing to tell stories, and these stories are passed on, often over many generations. We connect through music and as a performer I try to tell the story of the song every time I sing.”

After being approached by Bill Wilcox at the Oberon RSL Sub Ranch to come on board to teach a youth choir, Chloe was introduced to the team at Ozy Youth Choir Honouring Defence Service.

After officially launching the “Oberon Mob” in May 2019 she was given the opportunity to sing at the Hornsby RSL Club 100-year anniversary dinner.

Chloe has also sung at the Australian War Memorial as part of the National Peace Project and is now focused on growing the “Oberon Mob” to give these types of opportunities to the town’s youth.

Chloe, 21, now lives in Bathurst, home also to her only sister Emma and husband. Each Wednesday she returns to Oberon to teach at Oberon Public and St Joseph’s.

It’s a chance to duck home and visit her parents Andrew and Sharon and talk about her own songs. She’s finished writing about six songs but for Chloe it’s not about the numbers. It takes a lot

When she’s not serenading you with a song, Chloe is teaching guitar, piano and singing at the Bathurst Academy of Music.

of inspiration to finish a song, some of which have been twirling around in her mind for years.

“I enjoy listening to Dolly Parton, Elvis and country musicians like Keith Urban and Luke Bryan. They tell such meaningful stories. I have no desire to release a song until I’m 100 per cent satisfied with the result,” she says.

Chloe loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with her students but admits that recording her first album is very much on her mind.

“I would love to one day release my first album and tour extensively throughout our sunburnt land in a full-time professional capacity.” RLM

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THE RECIPE FOR

SUCCESS It seems the Gilmore family at Black Springs can’t put a foot wrong when it comes to genetics.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E The Gilmore family is well known for pioneering the Australian White sheep breed but recently has been making headlines in the cattle department.

The Tattykeel Angus stud was established four years ago as a sideline – more to help Ross and James Gilmore develop a better understanding of pedigrees.

Their father, Graham Gilmore, says they identified cattle with similar attributes to their sheep – deep bodies, square hindquarters and good doing ability, animals that will finish on grass and not grain.

“We are practising what we preach. If you are going into a stud situation you start with the best genetics available. That’s why success has come so quickly,” he says.

From their elite herd of between 30 and 40 females, the family took a small show team to the 2019 Sydney RAS, the largest showing of Angus in Australia with over 300 head.

They came home with the Grand Champion Cow, Reserve Senior Bull and the Breeders Group, which went on to win the Supreme Group of the show.

“She’s a magnificent cow, very correct and the right shape,” says Graham, describing his winning exhibit.

“She was joined at 13 months and had her first calf before she was two. We’ve also got a flush out of her and she’s in calf again.

Now that’s real performance.”

A newcomer achieving such success at Sydney RAS is rare indeed. Some exhibitors showing cattle for 30 years were left scratching their heads.

“The show industry and competition can bring out the best and worst in people. It’s the nature of the business. Outside the show ring they’d be the first to give you a hand in times of trouble,” he says.

The big difference, he says, is using embryos out of the very best cows from Miller Wilson Angus, Canada. All transactions were done via video, where they could see the animals walking and moving.

Always known for his forthright views, Graham says there comes a time when you realise big is not always best.

“It’s been proven all over the world that it’s more economical to run a moderate animal rather than a high maintenance and larger frame score animal.”

Things, he says, have changed dramatically in the past few decades for stud cattle breeders.

“It’s gone from when people were true stud masters, with an understanding of the structure and attributes of their animals,” he says. “Now it relates more to figures on a piece of paper rather than the actual animal.

“Some have become professional at promoting figures, and there’s nothing wrong with that, providing those figures are reflected in the animal.

“We’re one of the few prepared to call it as we see it. I get called controversial, but we are forward-thinking without using the numbers technology.”

The cattle have proved to be a refreshing learning curve but it’s still the sheep that dominate the Tattykeel landscape.

A week after their success in the cattle arena, the Gilmores again came up trumps in the sheep pavilion, clinching a host of trophies including the Poll Dorset and Australian White Most Successful Exhibitor.

“The showing provides a good idea of where we are sitting in the industry and demonstrates our consistency,” Graham says.

Spreading the word Graham and wife Kirsty have just returned from a whirlwind promotional trip to England, Ireland and Wales.

“On the genetic side, the world is chasing an easy-care meat sheep that doesn’t require shearing. It’s up to producers like me to get the product out there,” Graham says.

“In many parts of the world, wool is not a significant income earner as it is in Australia. People in the world today are hungry, not cold. They live in air-conditioned homes, cars and shopping centres. What they need is protein. Wool is only a very small percentage of the fibre market around the world.”

In a few weeks’ time Graham will take their message to Canada and the US, leaving the farm to James and Ross, now both married and raising the next generation of Gilmores on neighbouring properties.

“One of the things that sets us apart from many farmers in the district is that we are largely self sufficient. My boys both shear and along with two staff members, do all the farming and mechanical work.”

The tight-knit family are still reeling from the loss of Graham’s brother Martin 12 months ago. His pet project was the development of the black line of haired sheep. As a legacy to his decade of work the family have called it the Martinmore breed.

“Many of the Asian countries prefer black animals, whether it be a cow or pig. They believe a black animal represents better eating quality,” Graham says.

“Regardless of that myth, they are prepared to pay a premium for such an animal, so why wouldn’t we take advantage of such a market?”

Graham is on a roll.

“While Australian farmers are worried about vegans and reduced meat consumption, red meat is going through the roof in Asia.

“Where Asian countries traditionally had a rice-based diet they are now demanding meat. There’s a huge market just north of our country ready to tap into. It really is a global market.” RLM FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Graham and Kirsty Gilmore are confident about their future in the livestock industry; the new Martinmore breed; a hub of activity at Tattykeel; the successful Australian White breed; Graham and sons Ross and James have been involved with various sheep breeds over the years; a leading Angus female.

NO MATTER THE BREED - WE’VE GOT THE MEAT YOU NEED! www.tattykeel.com.au

Australian White

Canadian Angus

Poll Dorsets OBERON RLM 119

LESSONS for life Oberon High School has played an important role in educating the community for almost 150 years.

It all began with the establishment of a small school in 1872 for children of the new pioneering farmers. Four years later, with a growth in numbers, it was changed to a public school before becoming a central school in 1944.

Oberon High School was officially opened in 1993, as the secondary and primary schools became independent of each other.

“Oberon High enjoys fantastic community support,” Principal Craig Luccarda says.

“Rural communities value the services they have established in town and consequently our school benefits from their support.”

“The educational programs within our school deliver great outcomes for students and ensure we’re a central part of helping create future leaders.”

Craig sees the school purpose as educating someone for life.

The 195 students and 35 staff, including 25 teachers, live by their school motto, “Steadfast and True”.

“We offer opportunities for all students in a concept of inclusiveness coupled with high expectations,” he says.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

“Irrespective of the circumstances of each individual they can be successful and leave our school to become productive members of our local community or have the skills to seek opportunities further afield.”

Oberon High School has a dedicated staff and a curriculum program that far exceeds the norm for a small rural high school.

“We are proud of our wellbeing programs, which are at the core of our desire to care for each student. The connected nature of our school with our local community is strong and evident at events such as Presentation Night.”

“It also ensures enduring partnerships that allow our students to undertake experiences that complement those at school.”

Craig grew up in Wollongong and after graduating from university requested a country placement as a Science teacher. In 1989 he accepted his first teaching position at Warren Central School, where he met his wife Sonya.

In 1993 the newly married couple moved to Oberon with their two young children.

Over the years the family expanded by one more as Craig forged a strong connection with Oberon High.

In 1997 the family moved to Trangie where Craig took up an executive role before moving to Bathurst five years later.

Craig continued building his career at Bathurst schools, then became Deputy Principal at Oberon before being elevated to Principal.

Over time he has cemented strong relationships with many families and students.

“I now connect with students in the school whose parents were my students in my initial years. The relationships you form and the impact on young people is the most rewarding part of teaching,” he says. RLM

FACING PAGE: Staff and students of Oberon High School; Year 7 students work on research projects in the library.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Principal Craig Luccarda; agriculture is an important focus of the school; (the next 2 photos are Science and Maths) STEM engagement is important in an town that boasts a variety of industries relying heavily on these principles; Oberon High School inviting the community in; students study the complexity of the human body; the library is a great place for students of different years to gather and enjoy reading and each other’s company.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

a real trooper Through her devotion to others June Evans OAM has become a highly decorated woman.

It started in 2004 when unassuming great grandmother June Evans was named Oberon’s Citizen of the Year.

Six years later she picked up the Volunteer of the Year award at the Oberon Business Awards and, later, a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary in recognition of her contribution to the community.

There have been others but none as sweet as receiving the OAM in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

“It’s exciting, surprising and very humbling getting these letters after my name,” June tells me from her home in Oberon. “I’m not really sure who nominated me for such a big award but I’m forever grateful to receive it.”

June has enlisted the support of daughters Lorraine Hotham and Denise Curry as she grapples with her newfound fame.

Denise works for the Department of Education in Bathurst while Lorraine is a casual teacher in Oberon. They both inherited their mother’s wicked sense of humour.

“While I appreciate the honour, I’m not comfortable being the centre of attention,” June tells me over morning tea.

Her large family gathered from Queensland, Sydney, Canberra, Orange and Bathurst to share her “finest hour”. “Some even made the supreme effort to come from Oberon,” laughs June. Laughing, it seems, is the best medicine around here.

It was great catching up with her five children, including sons Ross, Trevor and Stan, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The spritely 87-year-old still volunteers at the Oberon Public School canteen every Tuesday, as she’s done for the past 20 years.

“A few years ago, Mum was telling everyone she still had a child at the school,” Denise laughs.

“Everyone was naturally puzzled by this declaration until they figured out she was actually referring to Lorraine, who sometimes teaches there!”

By this stage the girls are in fits of laughter but perhaps the funniest thing of all is that their mother never sought recognition for all her volunteering at places like St Vincent de Paul, the Catholic Church and Oberon Hospital Auxiliary.

“Mum would help anybody, any time,” Denise says. “She doesn’t need to be asked. She always works without fuss, complaint or question.

“Mum has a great sense of humour and is very resilient. No matter what is thrown at her she will handle it with humour and good grace.”

Lorraine nods her head in agreement. “As a devout Catholic, she has a good word for everybody and never judges others.”

“Maybe ditch that last bit,” Denise interjects.

“You haven’t been around when her beloved Sydney Roosters are copping a hiding!” June’s been a devoted fan for over 60 years.

She also loves her cricket. Her sons, husband and father all played the game and June was head scorer for decades.

For the past 30 years she has been picking up roadside rubbish during her hour-long morning walk. It’s great exercise, helps clean up the neighbourhood and can be rewarding.

“One day when out collecting I found $50, just sitting there in the grass with not a home or person in sight. Well I just couldn’t leave it there!” she chuckles.

Since losing her husband Cooby in 2004, June has busied herself in the house she has lived in for nearly 50 years. RLM

“It’s exciting, surprising and very humbling getting these letters after my name.”

ABOVE: June Evans OAM shares a special bond with her daughters Lorraine Hotham and Denise Curry.

FACING PAGE: Denise and Lorraine are always up for a hearty laugh with their beloved mother, be it a crossword puzzle or board game.

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we are

FAMILY The Mawhoods, a household name in the supermarket game, have beefed up business through hard work and diversification.

The ghost of old Shafto guides the fortunes of the four Mawhood brothers, who have taken the family business to a new level in Oberon.

Shafto Mawhood was their grandfather and the man responsible for starting a grocery store in the 1930s that’s mushroomed into three IGA supermarkets at Cootamundra, Grenfell and Oberon.

Ian and Warwick Mawhood are the “brains trust” of the supermarket operation, with management of the Cootamundra and Grenfell supermarkets left to area manager Kellie Johnstone, who recently won the national IGA Rising Star award.

The family leave the cattle operation to brothers Mark and Glen, who run the 2000-acre “Sunny Point” farm on the foothills of picturesque Lake Oberon.

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About six years ago the brothers put their heads together and started marketing their own beef. Today they supply about 2.5 tonnes a week or about 500 head a year.

“I need 10 head ready to go each and every week, and at the right weight and condition,” Mark says. The business has grown significantly since the days of supplying two head a fortnight.

The cattle are processed at Cowra before delivery to the Cootamundra Butchery and Barker’s Butchery, Oberon, who supply the supermarkets with all their meat. The Grenfell store has its own butcher shop.

They also supply beef to the Trinity Heights IGA Bathurst and Ashcroft IGA stores in Orange.

With about 600 Angus breeders, it’s big business. Steers are traditionally turned off at 440kg between 12 and 14 months. It’s a self-replacing herd with bulls sourced from Bongongo, Jugiong, and Millah Murrah Angus from Bathurst.

The Mawhoods are serious about their genetics, paying up to $18,000 for the right Angus bull for an average $12,000.

“Through artificial insemination and our AI specialist James Sutton, we can condense the calving period to within four to five days while improving our genetics,” Mark says.

To keep it interesting and fresh, the two bachelor farmers live in town while the office managers have opted for country lifestyles – Warwick and Karin are on “Sunny Point”, while Ian and wife Kim live on a rural block on the other side of town.

Proud mother Barbara, now in her 70s, still owns a 500-acre family block she’s held since the 1960s. All the Mawhood brothers have spent time on her farm, learning the ropes from their grandfather Shafto.

Barbara spent a lot of her time at the Oberon IGA following the untimely death of her late husband John in 1998, who by then had completed an expansion of the business. >

FACING PAGE: The Mawhood brothers – Warwick, Ian, Mark and Glen – are working together as one big team.

ABOVE: Sunny Point Angus cows and calves.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Oberon

Now easing into retirement, nothing will stop her coming out to the farm for dinner on weekends and hell will freeze over before she stops cooking roasts for her boys in town.

In 2015 the Mawhood family further expanded their holdings with the purchase of “Wilga”. The extra 700 acres of land meant that Glen, a diesel mechanic, would have a mid-life career change and join his brother on the farming scene.

Last year was the best hay season yet, with the men cutting 2000 big round bales – all that after the worst winter on record and best spring ever.

Over a family barbecue featuring succulent Sunny Point steak, I learn that three of the brothers are involved with Apex, while Mark is secretary/treasurer of the NSW Farmers Oberon branch.

Warwick and Karin have two children, Scott and Natalie. Scott, 18, wants to become an aero space engineer after finishing school. Ian and Kim also have two, almost the same age. Jake is in Year 11 and developing an interest in farm work while Clare is enjoying school.

There’s some healthy banter going on but the brothers don’t discuss work on the rare times they all come together.

The four Mawhood brothers left home over three decades ago and have always found their own groove in life. Now they are working together for the common cause while still retaining their own independence.

Old Shafto, looking down from above, would have to be pleased. RLM ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Warwick Mawhood chatting to his brothers about their beef enterprise; Ian and Kim Mawhood; Warwick and Karin Mawhood; the Oberon IGA supermarket; Ian with fresh Sunny Point steak; the next generation - Scott and Natalie, Clare and Jake.

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OBERON Paddock to Plate

Family owned and operated Supporting the local community Fruit & Veg • Meat • Groceries • Deli • Liquor

Large range of local products & thousands of weekly specials

2018 Sydney RAS Virtual Taste Test CHAMPION 2019 Sydney RAS Virtual Taste Test 1st Place

Free range above 1100 metres

OBERON, NSW FAMILY OWNED • LOCALLY GROWN PADDOCK REARED • HORMONE FREE

OPEN

7 days a week 7:30am - 8pm

141 Oberon Street, Oberon Phone: 02 6336 1101 Email: admin@igaoberon.com.au

Available at Mawhood’s IGA Stores: Cootamundra, Oberon & Grenfell Barker’s Butchery, Oberon Summer Centre IGA, Orange Trinity Heights & Westpoint IGA, Bathurst Email: sunnypoint@igaoberon.com.au

Other store locations: 141-149 Parker Street, Cootamundra 110 Main Street, Grenfell

02 6942 1131 02 6343 1611

OBERON RLM 127

retreat & revive Nestled in the headwaters of the Fish River Valley, Billabong Cottage offers the idyllic escape for couples, families and small groups.

Less than 10 minutes from Oberon, and the hugely popular Mayfield Garden, Billabong Cottage is fully self-contained, with panoramic views and all modern conveniences.

The four-bedroom house is located on “Redbank”, a 1300-acre property with a large frontage to the Fish River and running both Angus cattle and sheep. It’s a great place to escape the pressures of work, city living or just the stress of everyday life.

Relax with a book or magazine in front of the cosy, slow-combustion fireplace. Enjoy walks around the property. Fish for trout in the Fish River in season between the October and June long weekends. Or, you can fish all year round in the Rainbow Trout-stocked Lake Oberon less than 10 minutes away.

There’s plenty to do in the area. Visit Jenolan Caves, Kanangra Walls National Park or play golf at the beautiful Oberon Golf Club.

Experience all Mayfield Garden and Gairloch Garden have to offer.

Fossick for local sapphires, collect mushrooms in season in the forests, bike ride or walk along the local bike track and walkways around the area. Go mountain biking on the forest trails.

Visit the museum, dine at local eateries, visit surrounding villages, attend the Oberon markets on the first Saturday of the month or Tarana Markets on the fourth Sunday.

Be sure to enjoy the stunning sunsets from the top of Mount Norway behind Billabong Cottage or go for a bush walk and delight in bird watching in the timbered areas of the property.

Enjoy the simple pleasures of watching the resilience of new life, as baby calves or lambs are born in a nearby paddock.

Experience an occasional winter snow and perhaps enjoy snowboarding, tobogganing or build a snowman on the surrounding slopes after heavy snowfalls.

Billabong Cottage on the Tablelands Way is easily reached from Canberra, Wollongong, Mudgee, the Hunter Valley as well as the Blue Mountains. Sydney is only two hours and 20 minutes away. RLM

ABOVE: With panoramic views and all modern conveniences, Oberon’s Billabong Cottage is the perfect rural retreat.

Billabong Cottage O B E R O N T R O U T F I S H I N G FA R M S TAY

Come up to Oberon for a breath of fresh air Mobile: 0427 365 144

Website: www.billabongcottage.com.au Mobile: 0427 365Email: 144 timcharge@bigpond.com Email: timcharge@bigpond.com Website: www.billabongcottage.com.au

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

come one, come all The entertainment hub of town, Oberon RSL plays a vital role in the local community.

“The club is the biggest licensed premises between here and Bathurst.”

Since its formation in 1960, Oberon RSL has grown steadily to include 1800 members, with about 20 locals on the payroll.

All are in admiration of their new synthetic bowling green, courtesy of a recent $160,000 government grant.

“Women are strong in bowling but we need a few more bowlers to come and enjoy our spectacular new greens,” General Manager Peter Price says. He’s been at the helm for four years after a lifetime working in Sydney clubs.

The auditorium holds up to 300 guests, with smaller conference rooms capable of holding any sized function.

“We have a lot of functions, sporting presentations, wakes, parties and weddings,” Peter says. “The RSL is also used by Rotary and other clubs.”

The dining room is always busy thanks to the talents of head chef Upender Bataar and a dedicated team. A cheerful Upender drives from Sydney four days a week to cook and is one of three chefs and several kitchen hands who make magic in the kitchen.

Meals are offered seven days and nights, and diners could do well to check out the pizzas from the recently installed pizza oven.

“The club is the biggest licensed premises between here and Bathurst,” Peter says, as he welcomes patrons to the dining room.

If you are coming with a large crew, it’s best to call the bistro on 6336 1607 to advise numbers. RLM

Offering functions, birthday parties, weddings + more!

Enjoy the facilities of the Oberon RSL Club including • lawn bowls • squash • bistro + bar facilities • pool tables

• entertainment • fully licensed bistro + takeaway Bistro 59 has fabulous lunch specials from $10!

Members enjoy the the second Friday of the month as gourmet pizza night and the last Friday of the month as Seafood Friday.

Lunch: 12pm - 2:30pm Dinner: Sun - Thurs: 5:30pm - 8:30pm & Fri + Sat 5:30pm - 9pm

Visit our website to keep up to date with upcoming entertainment including shows, morning melodies and our free Saturday night lounge entertainment.

Open 7 days Sunday to Thursday: 10am - 10pm

ABOVE: Office Manager Connie Hotham with General Manager Peter Price; the RSL is housed in a magnificent building; the new bowling greens; chicken and prawns; head chef Upender Bataar cooks up a storm in the kitchen.

Friday + Saturday: 10am - Midnight

Cnr Dart + Oberon Streets Oberon 2787 Ph. 6336 1607 manager@oberonrsl.com.au oberonrsl.com.au

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GREAT expectations St Joseph’s Oberon has all bases covered in the learning and development of its treasured students.

Students at St Joseph’s Catholic School, Oberon, learn through quality relationships and high academic learning expectations.

“We’ve just finished a $750K building project, which will lead to further growth in our community,” Principal Jaydem Hadson says. “It means our community support programs can operate within our parish building, with out-of-school-hours care and child care Monday and Tuesday.”

The new space provides space for parents to meet, staff to work, students to feel nurtured and for disabilities to be catered for.

“Our school strives to teach and model positive interactions of its people and nurture quality relationships,” he says.

“Our children and families are exposed to communication online, so it’s important our school ensures children have the ability to have meaningful and worthwhile relationships with each other.”

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At St Joseph’s, teachers ensure every child has the chance to master the essential knowledge required for future learning, using protected learning time for literacy and numeracy.

“We build personalised learning paths in collaboration as small teaching teams,” Jaydem says.

“This allows all our children a variety of expert teachers working for them at all times. Each teacher provides targeted personal enrichment learning at their level.

This has resulted in our school’s growth in all children.

“Through quality relationships, strong parent partnerships and working hard, we have developed a proud history of students flourishing in our community. Through youth council, arts, sports and community projects our students and families are successful contributors.”

Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

Jaydem says the school values compassion, respect, integrity and acceptance of all, ensuring all members of the school community are immersed in opportunities to understand and participate in the prayer and liturgical life of the school and parish.

St Joseph’s is very proud of the programs to provide environmental education and ecologically sustainable practices that focus on stewardship. The school provides a safe, challenging and contemporary learning environment where everyone is an active participant in their learning.

“We evaluate all areas of school life and curriculum systematically to ensure the best possible programs, skills and resources are provided,” he continues. “Critical to our success is how we celebrate learning, acknowledge achievements and support a learning culture by identifying the contributions and gifts of all.”

St Joseph’s provides a holistic education that caters for the social, cultural, spiritual and emotional needs of each student.

“All this is achieved by our strong commitment to uphold positive and professional relationships within the school and the wider community to achieve high levels of learning and pastoral care.”

Jaydem remembers driving to Oberon a decade ago for a teaching interview.

“I couldn’t believe how amazing Oberon and its surrounds were. Only on a New Zealand trip have I seen landscapes that compete with our own. The appeal was instant,” he says.

“The town is blessed with strong committee members that drive so many opportunities for our children and families alike.

“Museums, sports groups, health project groups and the arts are always providing information and opportunities to explore and grow community knowledge.

“It’s this connection that inspires my work each day to open the children’s eyes to the beauty around them. We have to foster positive relationships to help them become quality community members.” RLM

ABOVE: Ready, set, go...

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: A close knit happy community; Principal Jaydem Hadson with school captains Mac Ryan, Makayla Taggart, Georgia Pincott and Kobi Hotham. Development of leadership skills is an important aspect of student life at St Joseph’s.

Ready for learning

kindergarten program

Your child’s journey begins here!

Encounter St Joseph's Catholic School Oberon New South Wales 2787

Achieve

Flourish

Phone: 02 63 36 1384 Email: stjosephsoberon@bth.catholic.edu.au Principal: Jaydem Hadson

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a breed APART Since their introduction to Australia barely a decade ago, the Speckle Park breed has cast off its former “boutique” image.

Stud cattle are fetching record prices throughout the country as Speckle Park become the fastest growing breed in the country, with over 500 members and climbing.

“Many non-believers predicted the breed would never catch on,” Wattle Grove stud manager and owner Dale Humphries says. “I’m very happy to report they got it wrong.”

His family go back to Oberon’s early pioneers.

Dale’s father and grandfather raised Poll Dorset and Poll Hereford cattle. For many years Dale and wife Bin ran a commercial Angus herd alongside their successful building business.

They always felt there might be better options.

Dale says it was gut instinct followed by some solid research into the breed in Canada that cemented his decision to breed Speckle Park cattle.

Initially they were looking for a breed that would keep the weight on their cows over a harsh Oberon winter. By 2008 they were keen to establish a stud with the unique colour and quality carcass attributes of the Speckle Park.

“I love their easy-doing ability, amazing meat flavour and softness. Their high yield means more dollars in the pocket for commercial breeders but it was the phenomenal meat quality that really sold me,” he says.

“Speckle Park cattle do everything just that little bit better. From hardiness in north Queensland to marbling on grass, to gaining weight at never before seen rates and yielding above industry averages, to finishing in record times and providing an eating experience second to none.”

The Humphries family were quick to climb on board the so-called “Speckle Park revolution”.

The stud was established with the purchase of a Speckle Park bull and 100 embryos from Codiak Acres, a top Canadian stud in Alberta. Gary and Nancy Kiziak manage their donor cows and continue being mentors and good friends to the family.

“We flush three times a year in Canada, importing more than 500 embryos each year to sell and implant ourselves. Our embryos are the foundation stock of many of the Speckle Park studs now emerging,” Dale says.

“While we acknowledge technology as a tool for breeding, we are firm believers in structural and visual assessment as our primary tool for breeding choices.”

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There’s not much this man doesn’t know about the breed. He has travelled extensively, researched heavily and shares his knowledge willingly.

Along with the day-to-day running of the herd he is also chairman of Speckle Park International and board member of Speckle Park Group, which recently launched the branded beef SPKL. This passion and knowledge has seen the stud quickly expand to become one of the largest studs in the country, with 250 head spread between Oberon and Allora, Queensland. >

ABOVE: Dale Humphries, Wattle Grove stud manager and owner.

FACING PAGE: Wattle Grove Speckle Park stud bulls and cows are generating plenty of interest.

“We have been able to put top-class genetics together to create cattle we love.”

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Creating sale records The family staged their first on-property bull sale in 2011 and are gearing up for their next yearling sale in February 2020. Their annual bull sale was in October, when about 35 bulls were to go under the hammer.

The last three sales have seen a massive $10,000 average for bulls, $12,000 for females and about $1800 for embryos.

Ninety-five per cent of the bulls are going into commercial herds from Tasmania and all the way to north Queensland.

“One of the things I love about this business is that we can go and exhibit cattle all over the country, conduct sales and travel to Canada, always as a family unit,” Dale says. “There are not many businesses around today you can share with your kids.”

The family behind Wattle Grove steadfastly live by their motto “Great Cattle, Great People, Good Times”.

“We believe that life is to be enjoyed. Whether you are buying, breeding, showing or promoting Speckle Park there are good times to be had with Wattle Grove.”

Claudia, 19, has her own stud, Little Grove, and has already found success in the show ring with a heifer called Boots. Eldest son Hugo, 16, has established the Aussie Grove stud, while Max and Henry are waiting in the wings.

Bin keeps the show on the road and runs the office, DNA and registrations, semen and embryo sales, sale video editing, website maintenance and bookkeeping.

“We always knew it would take time to be accepted as something more than a boutique breed. During 10 years of breeding Speckle Park we have gone from a novelty to a serious contender in the global beef industry,” Dale says.

“We can barely keep up with the demand into all parts of Australia, including the northern markets.

A limited supply of cattle genetics in Australia will continue to fuel the breed’s high market prices.”

Dale Humphries is passionate about the breed and works tirelessly with other Canadian and Australian breeders for the improvement of the breed as a whole.

In 2021 Speckle Park will be the feature breed at the Sydney Royal as part of the inaugural Speckle Park World Congress. Watch this space. RLM

“During 10 years of breeding Speckle Park we have gone from a novelty to a serious contender in the global beef industry.”

ABOVE: Speckle Park cattle are moving into beef markets traditionally dominated by Angus due to Dale Humphries’s belief in the breed’s “high eating quality”.

Farm tours by appointment.

Bulls, females, embryos and semen available all year round.

Dale Humphries: 0429 360 419 | Oberon NSW | dale@wattlegrovespecklepark.com.au www.wattlegrovespecklepark.com.au

Great Cattle, Great People, Good Times.

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Oberon T O W N F E AT U R E

good vibes

The Art Group at the Oberon Multi Purpose Service is improving the wellbeing and enriching the lives of its eager participants.

Imagine sitting in a chair in hospital, waiting for an occasional visitor, the next meal or the nurses or cleaners to come in. The days are long and can be extremely lonely for those wishing they were in their own homes, living lives they once led.

Now imagine if, for a few hours each week, you could be transported to a time when you felt useful, engaged and valued – this is The Art Group at the Oberon Multi Purpose Service (OMPS).

It all began after Arts OutWest was asked to partner with the Oberon Arts Council to present an ongoing arts-health program at the OMPS under the skilful direction of Arts and Health Co-ordinator Christine McMillan and assisted by Fran Charge from Oberon Arts Council.

The pilot program, which started in May 2018, aims to increase social contact, provide a sense of achievement, reduce loneliness and re-engage the elderly, many of whom were once pivotal in the fabric of the Oberon community.

This innovative program has a strong focus on adaptability for the different participants, depending on their functional capacity. The Art Group activities improve wellbeing and allow participants to form relationships that are fun, caring and delightful.

Long-term residents at the OMPS as well as those who attend day care, come together every Thursday morning to participate in an Arts, Movement and Music Program. No one can forget the choir under the direction of Tracey Callinan, who brought absolute joy to all.

“We are reaching out to a world that we were once part of, please give me that feeling again so that I can touch the world that I once knew,” one participant said. “Now I look forward to getting together to talk and work on my art project instead of feeling isolated in my room.”

Those involved in the program look forward to this positive experience as they re-engage in society, maintain their social skills, communicate and interact with others.

As well as building a cohesive group with diverse skills and abilities, The Art Group provides a family atmosphere. Participants enjoy lunch together, when there is talking and laughter over the meal in a more home-like environment.

Now framed artworks and colourful wall hangings ensure the area is less clinical and more home-like for participants. Families, friends and interested people were invited to an art show to showcase these achievements. Some residents even bought new outfits for the day and their sense of pride was palpable.

To ensure the program is ongoing, additional funding is being sourced from local organisations willing to help, including the Hospital Auxiliary, as staff, residents and families demonstrate the success of the program.

Oberon Arts Council appreciates the support this program has received from OMPS, Arts OutWest, Oberon Council and the Veolia Mulwaree Trust, Goulburn. RLM

TOP: Donald and Josie; Robert with his Waste to Art entry; residents making their art works.

MIDDLE: Arts OutWest Art and Health Coordinator Christine McMillan; Christine and residents discuss the next step in art making; Nancy Dennis plays for the residents; Robert concentrates on his art.

ABOVE: Rosie at work; Ray with his completed banner.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Oberon

hooked on hospitality Oberon St, Oberon NSW 2787 Phone: 02 6336 2100 Fax: 02 6336 2114 Email: bigtroutmotel@gmail.com www.bigtrout.com.au Chinese Restaurant: 02 6336 1133

Situated close to trout fishing in Lake Oberon.

29km from Jenolan Caves and Kanangra Boyd National Park.

Visit Mayfield Water Garden, Open 7 days with Nursery & Kitchen Cafe.

The Big Trout Motor Inn is in the township of Oberon which is famous for trout fishing, mushrooming and fossicking, as well as the closest town to Jenolan Caves and Kanangra Boyd National Parks.

With 33 ground floor units, there are facilities to suit everyone. Two units in the complex also have luxurious spa baths.

The town and its environment abound with magnificent scenery and offer exciting adventures and activities for visitors of all ages.

These include, bush walking, 4 Wheel Driving, gem fossicking and mushrooming. Canoeing, Kayaking and sailing on Lake Oberon are also popular during the summer months.

Specia lisin Coach G g in & Distr roups ict Tou rs

Features Include:

• 33 Ground Floor Units • 2 with spas • Central Heating • Disabled Unit

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• Family Room • Wi Fi Internet • Tea & Coffee Making Facilities

• Television • Hair Dryers • Electric Blankets • Direct Dial & STD Phones

• Licensed Restaurant with Chinese and Australian cuisine • Room Service

Things are going swimmingly for the familyowned and operated Big Trout Motor Inn. It’s little wonder one of Oberon’s big motels is symbolised by a giant trout. The town is famous for its trout fishing.

The Big Trout Motor Inn is the creation of owners Kevin and Stella McGrath, who are in celebration mode. Their motel recently celebrated its 30th birthday, and the McGraths have clocked up a wonderful 50 years of marriage.

Managing the 33-room motel is daughter Tanya Weekes, who has been there almost from the start. Tanya and her offsider, Sally Watton, are the welcoming hosts who greet you on arrival. They love meeting new visitors every day from all over the country.

Kevin, as always, is flat out on the farm handfeeding his 80 Angus cows and checking his 3600 ewes. No matter how busy he gets, he can always find time to run a bus tour of the district.

“We are always trying to promote the benefits of our district, something very important for this little town,” Kevin says.

The McGrath family have been here since the 1860s. Kevin and Stella have lived on “Kevella” for much of their lives.

Daughter Donna Boyd owns DJ’s Cafe in Oberon, while the other girls live at Ballina and the Central Coast.

The Chinese restaurant at the motel has become an institution within the town and is well supported by the locals.

The Big Trout Motel is close to trout fishing in Lake Oberon, 10 minutes from the stunning Mayfield Garden, and 29km from the world-famous Jenolan Caves. RLM

ABOVE: It has been a year of big celebrations for Kevin McGrath, pictured with the Big Trout Motor Inn manager and daughter, Tanya Weekes.

Discover the Potential of Narrabri Shire Home to world-class Agriculture.

Direct return flights from Brisbane and Sydney through Fly Corporate.

Established Transport and Logistics industry soon to be boosted with a planned Logistics and Industrial Hub.

Strategically located on the crossroads of the Newell and Kamilaroi Highways and on the proposed Inland Rail route.

Scientific Research centres in Cotton, Grains technology and Astronomy.

Range of local annual events on offer to suit all interests.

Friendly welcoming community of 14,000 people covering an area of 13,000 square kilometres.

Unique tourism experience offering a diverse range of attractions.

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FRANK SMITH WORK CLOTHING AND SHOE REPAIRS

SHOE REPAIRS • WORK CLOTHING CASUAL COUNTRY CLOTHING

"Always an interesting place to shop" 71 Keppel St, Bathurst Phone 02 6331 7544 franksmithworkclothing@gmail.com www.franksmithworkclothing.com.au

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yesterday’s

CURIOS

Wellington’s Geoff Hawke has been a collector all his life and can even remember securing his first piece, a trace chain from the neighbours’ shearing shed, when he was three.

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collector S U M M E R

His fascination with all things old stems from his own unique history. Geoff Hawke’s Chinese forebears came from Canton, China, in the mad gold rush days of the 1850s.

The story goes that his great grandfather walked to the Victorian goldfields all the way from Adelaide (rather than Melbourne) in a spirited effort to save himself the additional 10 quid fare.

Rather than hoping to strike it rich in the diggings, he opened a general store and married a 15-year-old English lass who bore him 17 children (the last one fathered when he was 72).

One of these, Geoff’s grandfather, was the first boiler inspector in NSW during a time when everything was steam driven.

His own father was in charge of maintenance of the biggest dredge in the southern hemisphere, dredging gold and diamonds from the Macquarie River.

Geoff trained as an automotive engineer but instead became a professional roo shooter. It was the late 1950s and there was a quid to be made if you had a good eye and steady aim.

In the 1960s he opened a gun shop in Wellington, started dabbling with the restoration of old brass beds and ran buffalo and crocodile shooting safaris to far-flung locations in the Northern Territory.

These days this active 87-year-old is more content hanging out in his very big man shed, built with his son Danny three decades ago.

“That’s when he got his grounding in life,” says Geoff, nodding to his son, who is clearly a chip off the old block. “It was 45 degrees that Christmas,” Danny remembers with a big grin.

The shed is more like a museum with thousands of old farm pieces strategically placed over the big walls. Geoff knows exactly what he has got and where to find it.

With wife Helen, herself a keen collector of Arnott’s biscuit tins, he still enjoys attending swap meets in search of bits and pieces he may not have.

Collecting is definitely in the family blood, as is a good sense of humour. “I’m just trying to get my grandson to let go of his Lego and try something different,” he jests about Danny’s son, Thomas.

Geoff Hawke has poured a lifetime into his unique collection from yesteryear, which will stay in the family and never be sold. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

ABOVE: Geoff Hawke stores his collection in a shed full of vintage pieces, including an 1864 French penny farthing, cow bells and a 1913 T-Model Ford.

FACING PAGE: Geoff’s own history is as fascinating as the thousands of odds and ends he has amassed over the past half century.

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space to lead

unrivalled space, inspired learning with opportunities to lead 2020 Scots All Saints College Prefects and House Captains - building leaders for our future

Scholarships for 2021 now open – Year 5 to 11 students Music, All-Rounder, Pipe Band, Academics, Agriculture Contact 02 6331 3911 140 RLM

www.scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au 3 campuses in Bathurst and Lithgow, NSW A Presbyterian Day and Boarding College for students Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12

Yanco Agricultural High School Yanco Agricultural High School is a co-educational Residential High School specialising in Agriculture from Years 7 to 12 fulltime and weekly boarding. This unique educational institution provides a broad, well balanced education. The school has 280 hectares, including 180ha of intensive irrigation and dry land agriculture, as well as 60ha of natural bushland boarded by the Murrumbidgee River.

The school has a White Suffolk Sheep Stud and Shorthorn and Limousin Cattle Studs, which focus on breeding highperforming, commercially relevant animals and utilise technologies such as Electronic Identification, Genomics and Artificial Insemination to educate students on Sheep and Cattle Production and Marketing.

For further information or to arrange a school tour please contact Yanco Agricultural High School Euroley Road YANCO NSW 2703 P: 02 6951 1500 E: yancoag-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au W: www.yancoag-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

ST FRANCIS DE SALES 102 YANCO AVENUE LEETON NSW 2705 Years 7 -12 Day & Weekly Boarding Co-Educational College

ENROLMENTS OPEN Enrolment Applications are now being taken. Enrolment Packages are available upon request by contacting the College.

Phone. 02 6953 3622 Email. office@sfcww.catholic.edu.au

web.sfcww.catholic.edu.au

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S U M M E R story name

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business inspiration S U M M E R

MAN OF

action

Dubbo real estate agent Bob Berry is a self-made success story.

Regarded as an elder statesman of the business community, he has gained wide recognition in a career spanning more than 60 years.

Lauded for honesty, integrity and innovation, Bob Berry has inaugurated premier livestock events and real estate campaigns, acted as an advisor to government and played significant roles in community and industry organisations.

Newspaper clippings in his scrapbook feature an array of achievements, from marathon selling sessions and the smashing of Australian sale records to the sensation created by parading and auctioning 12 premium quarter horses in the ballroom of the glitzy Sydney Chevron Hotel.

Born in Randwick and educated at Coogee Public School and Cleveland Street Boys High, he entered the workforce after attaining the Intermediate Certificate.

“That was common in those days and everyone could pick their job,” Bob says.

“I had an interest in livestock and at age 15 obtained a position with wool broking and stock and station agency Winchcombe Carson.

“I have vivid memories of those early times in 1957, constantly walking to and from the Sydney GPO. Mail was the dominant form of communication in an era when it took two or three hours to book a trunk line telephone call.”

After six months in the general office Bob was sent to the accounts department.

“I thought my throat had been cut because I wanted to go to the stock department. I later came to recognise all that training in accountancy and procedure as an extremely valuable experience.”

In 1958, Bob felt like he had won the lottery after receiving a coveted transfer to the fat stock department.

“Flemington was the major stock selling centre for NSW and all the various livestock companies had offices with sheep and cattle teams,” he recalls.

“I learnt to receive, draft, and pen stock based on type and quality and obtained detailed training in every aspect of the business.

“When sales were finished for the day we had to write out and add up all the buyers’ invoices and vendors’ account sales in pounds, shillings and pence. There were no calculators in those days and we weren’t allowed to leave Flemington until all the figures balanced.”

Bob honed selling skills under the guidance of senior men during dummy auctions.

He joined the stud stock department in 1961 and quickly attained the rank of assistant manager, then manager.

With vast experience in sheep and cattle, Bob was instrumental in inaugurating and conducting stock auctions. He created and sustained a marathon of selling around NSW and into Queensland.

Bob’s first major auction was the 1964 Success Poll Hereford sale at Moree, for the late Gordon Kirkby.

Establishing the New England Dorset Sale at Armidale in 1964 was a significant achievement. Launching the Tamworth Bos Indicus Sale in 1969 affirmed Bob’s reputation as a leading agent and auctioneer.

The huge Bos Indicus event had been three years in the planning and on day one patrons squeezed into every available seat to vie for quality “hump breed” cattle. An overflow of people queued along catwalks and fences.

One man joined 20 others on the tin roof of a nearby building to bid for lots he fancied in what became one of the most sensational Australian sales of its kind.

Bob became Winchcombe Carson livestock marketing manager in 1972 and was sent on an overseas tour to study beef production and new Euro breeds of beef cattle entering Australia by artificial insemination.

When the cattle market declined, strong associations were formed with horse breeders and major sales were conducted. >

With vast experience in sheep and cattle, Bob was instrumental in inaugurating and conducting stock auctions.

FACING PAGE: As one of the most respected and experienced agents operating in Dubbo, Bob Berry has seen many changes over a long and distinguished career.

ABOVE: Bob, pictured left in both shots, had an early start to auctioneering.

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S U M M E R business inspiration

In July 1974 Bob relocated to Dubbo and established his own business, operating as the Livestock and Pastoral Company (LPC).

While achieving success with sheep, cattle and horse sales, he formed an association with Sydney project builder Davis Homes and moved into real estate.

After 1976 Dubbo was booming and land prices doubled from $7500 to $15,000 in 12 months in 1979.

In 1981 Bob stepped away from livestock to concentrate on house and land packages sold through LPC Real Estate. The firm later became known as Bob Berry Real Estate.

Berry Homes was launched in 1982.

Economic activity was stimulated in 1983 by government funding for first home buyers, drought breaking rain and a bumper grain crop.

From 1982 to 1997 Bob’s company built 137 homes in Dubbo. His house and land packages included everything from carpet, light fittings, gas points and ceiling fans to fencing, turf and the letter box.

As the real estate side of the business expanded, Bob moved away from building.

He went on to play key roles in the Orana division of the Real Estate Institute of NSW (NSWREI).

In 1988, data analysis determined Dubbo had the most affordable housing price of all major NSW centres.

As Orana REI chairman, Bob urged Dubbo City Council to capitalise on the affordability factor by launching a promotion that made headlines around Australia.

“The Dubbo Open For Inspection weekend was an outstanding success,” Bob says.

“People came from everywhere to tour our city. Lunch was provided at the civic centre and petrol and accommodation vouchers were on offer.

“Dubbo hit the headlines nationally and 43 homes were sold in a week.”

Bob served on the NSWREI Political Action Advisory Committee for 13 years and in 2000 became the first country member to receive the prestigious Woodrow Weight Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to estate agency practice.

In 2003 Bob was inducted into the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Emile Serisier Roll of Honour.

The accolade acknowledged service in roles including Chamber of Commerce president, chairperson of Dubbo Showground Interim Trust and director, deputy chair and acting manager of Dubbo City Development Corporation.

Other contributions involved lobbying for the upgrading of the Golden Highway, forging sister city links with Newcastle and helping to secure government funding for an economic study on Dubbo.

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The extensive study, known as the Dubbo 21 Plan, outlined three major objectives: natural gas, a university campus and major upgrades for Dubbo Showground.

“All three happened and made Dubbo a much better place,” Bob says.

“As mayor and state MP, the late Tony McGrane was the major driver behind the Charles Sturt University campus.

“Development Corporation chief executive officer Susan Benedyka did unbelievable work to gain federal go-ahead for a natural gas line.

“The $4 million spent on upgrading the showground brought enormous economic benefits to Dubbo.”

In 2016, Bob Berry Real Estate was sold to five of the staff. Bob and his wife Margaret retained a small shareholding.

The leading boutique real estate firm is now operated by agents Graeme Board, Karen Chant, Jane Donald (Bob and Margaret’s

daughter) and property managers Fiona Gibbs and Shayna Chapman.

“Succession planning is very important,” Bob says.

“Everything has stayed the same and the team are running a good business.”

Bob still has a passion for real estate and enjoys working with clients he has represented for up to 40 years.

He and Margaret have three children and seven grandchildren.

Life is busy, but that’s the way they like it. RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Jake Lindsay

ABOVE: One of Bob Berry’s favourite old photographs is this framed reminder from the 1964 Success Poll Hereford sale, Moree. Young Bob helped knock down 69 stud bulls for an average 262 guineas. It was the start of a long and successful auctioneering career.

Crampton’s bring the store to your door For almost 30 years we’ve offered a free measure and quote service with our home service van.

Call us today to have one of our consultants arrange an appointment within your home FREE of charge.

Servicing Dubbo and the Western area.

Or call in and visit our showroom and friendly sales team.

62 Hawthorn St, Dubbo | Tel: 02 6882 8911 www.cramptonscarpets.com.au

DUBBO The Grapevine Cafe has great coffee and great food.

We offer an indoor or outdoor dining experience with full table service.

Situated in a beautiful heritage listed building with a spacious courtyard.

144 Brisbane Street Dubbo NSW 2830 Phone: (02) 6884 7354 www.grapevinecafe.com.au OPEN 7 DAYS RLM 145

Angus & Charolais

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ROSSKIN.COM.AU Martin Walters P: (02) 6456 6710 146 RLM

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E: rosskin@harboursat.com.au

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street CRED

The Byng Street Boutique Hotel is an Orange accommodation option that’s full of stylish and sumptuous surprises.

On a street dotted with grand older homes, 62 Byng Street, Orange, doesn’t jump off the curb but rather nestles in neatly to its surroundings. In this case, fitting in is a very good thing.

From the street it looks like it has always been there and, in a way, it has. Built in 1896 by prominent Orange resident William Lamrock, ‘Yallungah’ was acquired in 2014 by the Nock family, changing hands for the first time since the 1930s.

David and Liz Nock have a passion for heritage homes, visible through Liz’s years of dedication to her volunteer work with the National Trust.

This passion has been poured into a loving and considerate restoration and renovation of the historic property over the past five years. > ABOVE: The foyer of the hotel featuring an artwork by Lara Scolari titled Tarewar.

LEFT: The modern front desk mixes with stained glass original to the home.

FACING PAGE: Visitors can make themselves at home in the guest lounge.

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boutique accommodation S U M M E R

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While the traditional facade with its slate roof, decorative woodwork and brick does little to hint at it, a short stroll up the driveway reveals the Byng Street Boutique Hotel’s first secret. A large modern addition stretches out from the period home striking a stark contrast. Artistic Corten screening, timber and glass add contemporary character to this brand-new addition.

David and Liz can be credited with taking the project all the way from the idea phase through to the completion of construction works.

The next generation of the Nock family, Kristen and Thomas, can be considered the modern-day innkeepers of this unique hotel, bringing the project through the completion of the final stages of the build, the interior design and all operational components of the hotel.

Having studied hotel management, Kristen and Thomas have dedicated their careers to the hospitality industry, working here and abroad. As a married couple, they work, run a household and raise their two boys together.

Collaborating in a work environment has proven to be an exciting challenge, where their complementary strengths get to play off each other on a daily basis. Despite their differences they have found their end goal has always been a perfect match.

“The Byng Street Boutique Hotel is based on a concept of hospitality that we would like to enjoy when we are travelling,” Kristen says. After many years of working for others, Kristen and Thomas are fulfilling what they consider to be an almost impossible dream by getting the chance to do it their way.

While Kristen and Thomas have called Sydney home for most of their lives, their ties to regional NSW go back decades to when Thomas was born at Dubbo Hospital. After their wedding, Thomas’s parents, David and Liz, lived on a farm in Yeoval – its close proximity to Orange starting a lifelong love affair with the town.

Over 20 years ago, long after they had moved from that farm, David and Liz purchased a property just outside of Orange. It is through this property that they got to know the charms of the region. >

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story name S U M M E R

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Yallungah Suite balcony overlooks Byng Street; owners Kristen and Thomas Nock; a welcoming space in the foyer of the hotel; ornate glass as seen on the front door of the original home; one of the modern wing guest suites; the Lamrock Room can accommodate up to 16 people for meetings and conferences; the wooden balustrade in the heritage wing; beautiful patterned headboard in the Beech Tree Room.

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: Looking in from Byng Street, Yallungah stands proud; an embroidered lamp shade is the star of this little nook.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cockatoos adorn the walls of the Beech Tree Room; en suites in the guest rooms of the modern wing; colour, pattern and texture play together in the Spire Room; a piece by local artist Larissa Blake; the sitting room of the Yallungah Suite features an original fireplace as well as artwork by Loretta Blake; a homemade breakfast greets guests in the morning; the modern wing balcony overlooks the guest lounge; this wallpaper livens up a reading corner; the curved hallway of the modern wing.

FACING PAGE: A vibrant wool wall hanging created

by Natalie Miller is the centrepiece of the dining room.

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IT IS CLEAR THE DESIGN ITSELF IS BORN FROM A MIX OF INFLUENCES BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT ORANGE IS AT ITS CORE. “Thomas and I used to visit on weekends and bring groups of friends to experience country life,” Kristen says. “Once we had kids it became more about just spending time at the farm and cooking great food, drinking local wine and relaxing away from the rush of Sydney.”

With their keen hospitality eyes, the family noticed they weren’t the only ones enjoying what this little pocket of the countryside has to offer. They could see the stirrings of some wonderful things happening. Orange was developing as a tourist destination for people who wanted to experience world class local food and wine in a beautiful regional setting. However, there was one area where the Nocks felt they could make their mark: accommodation.

After many years of dreaming, planning, hard work and one big move from city to country, the Byng Street Boutique Hotel is now open for bookings. Entering the space is like a breath of fresh air. The vaulted ceilings feel lofty, bright and airy, while the colour palette, fireplace and textiles ground the space in warmth and comfort.

It is clear the design itself is born from a mix of influences but there is no doubt that Orange is at its core. From the outset of the project the Nocks were adamant about utilising all that Orange and its immediate surroundings had to offer. From the trades used for the building and restoration through to the interior design, menu, wine list and art on the walls.

The colour palette is unique. It flows and evolves between the heritage section of the hotel to the modern wing. Royal blues, bottle greens and warm oranges are tempered with pale blues, pinks and purples. I can’t help but ask “Is your own home this colourful?” The simple answer is “no”.

They credit their colours to interior designer Louise Spicer.

Louise, originally from Orange, asked the Nocks if they wanted to play it safe or be brave. The pair recall that once they understood what Louise’s definition of brave was they decided there was no other choice but to be that. “We wanted to create our own take on a contemporary Australian boutique hotel. Colour and pattern play a key theme throughout the hotel,” Louise says.

What’s been created is a sophisticated yet playful backdrop for the Nocks’ brand of serious hospitality. Before you arrive at 62 Byng Street, Thomas, Kristen and their carefully selected staff are making sure you will have the best visit possible.

Byng Street offers a full concierge service to help you with everything from your arrival to selecting a restaurant for dinner.

As they show me around, I am giddy over the eye candy: a stunning textural artwork made of local wool, a floral wallpapered ceiling, velvet chairs and a homey kitchen island in a minty shade of green.

The Nocks have a penchant for little surprises and hopefully during your stay they can manage to evoke moments of unexpected joy. As we walk along the curved upper balcony of the new addition, Thomas points out a sneaky peek of the neighbourhood church spire out of one of the skylights. It is clear the couple truly hope all these little moments will add up to an extraordinary experience.

Because of their passion for the element of surprise, the Nocks are careful not to give too much away, hoping they can exceed your imagination. We retreat to the kitchen where the island bench is ready to serve coffee, tea and breakfast. While guests are aware that breakfast is included with their booking, one of the Nocks’ favourite secrets to reveal is the generous two-course breakfast freshly prepared by a chef with local produce.

There is so much to see, take in and to enjoy that multiple visits are not just a possibility but a must.

While the opening of The Byng Street Boutique Hotel is the culmination of the combined efforts and talents of many people, the Nocks also feel like this is just the beginning. Kristen sees their hotel as offering Orange and its visitors “the full experience of interesting architectural design, vibrant and sophisticated interior design, a variety of interesting accommodation offerings and a personalised, warm and sophisticated service”.

And what has Orange given them? A chance to make a change, build a dream and slow the pace of life right down. I think they are lucky to have each other. RLM Words and images: Jennifer Harden

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Glenelm

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A little boutique located in the Snowy Mountains village of Berridale – find your ‘perfect piece’.

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A very quiet location, ideal for relaxing and strolling around the garden. A BBQ is available and guests are able to enjoy a drink around the fire pit.

We are 45 minutes from the snowfields and 20 minutes from the lakes. There is an 18 hole golf course less than 10 minutes away, as well as a local pub and club should you wish to eat out.

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62 Byng Street Orange New South Wales 2800 P 02 5317 8200 info@byngstreethotel.com.au

byngstreethotel.com.au

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SUCCEED One of Riverina identity David Farley’s greatest assets is his belief in seizing every opportunity.

A modest quote on the front door of Matrix Commodities underlies the very essence of David Farley: “Investing isn’t about beating others at their game. It’s about controlling yourself at your own game.”(Benjamin Graham).

The former head of the Australian Agriculture Company (AACo) and Colly Farms Cotton (CFC) is a formidable man in more ways than one. And he’s apparently fond of quirky messages with a twist.

David thrives on playing the game. It doesn’t matter if it’s a team environment or solo effort, a regional, state, federal issue or a meeting requiring his presence on the other side of the globe.

Genuinely interested in everything that goes on around him, he is a man who has taken charge of his personal and commercial future while helping others gain theirs. When he talks, you listen.

With the passion, experience and knowledge of 10 men rolled into one, he’s a considered man rarely lost for words. And you can bet that if you do get him talking, it will be compelling, informative and brutally honest.

After a lifetime in the cut and thrust world of agribusiness and commodities trading, managing several of the country’s most iconic rural portfolios and building his own little regional commercial and residential nest egg, it has, by all accounts, been one hell of a ride.

Having spent a few years working closely with paper king and mentor Richard Pratt, David treasures a book of his quotes. The one on the cover, “You don’t know what you don’t know ‘til you know it”, finally makes sense.

Now in his early 60s, David is in his prime, living under his own set of rules, maintaining his many business interests and enjoying the good things in life. Early morning, while the rest of the country catches the last few hours of sleep, you’ll find him tapping away at his computer, fully immersed in overseas markets, commodity prices and private research.

It’s quiet and he can work undisturbed for hours. He describes it as the perfect “five to nine” job. By mid morning, he has attended to his business affairs and can divert his attention to other matters like planning his next overseas trip or addressing the pros and cons of nationally significant projects like the Murray Darling Basin or Inland Rail.

He has plenty to say on both and is regularly interviewed for his forthright opinions on these and various other matters affecting life in regional Australia. There’s no doubt David Farley would have made a great politician but his future, from an early age, was destined in agribusiness.

STARTING OFF IN LIFE

David’s parents owned and operated a farm service business, offering agronomy advice, retailing fertiliser, pesticides, herbicides and farm machinery, plus servicing and repairing farm vehicles. At one stage they were one of the larger employers in Narrandera.

“I took every opportunity to travel with my father across the client base. It was a great experience and you quickly learnt about the relationships between businessmen and farming families,” he says.

“These relationships were often severely tested by drought, floods or collapsed commodity prices, yet they always endured and grew with a mutual respect for each other’s risk.”

Even though they lived in town, David’s heart yearned for the bush. First, however, he had to get some runs on the board, starting with a lawnmowing business by his 10th birthday.

Within a few years he mastered tractor driving and was spending school holidays ploughing paddocks. When he turned 14 “Bomber” O’Mahoney taught him to crutch sheep. With loads of energy to burn, he learnt to shear, play football, and listen.

Narrandera boasts a strong sporting heritage and hosts three football codes: soccer, rugby league and Australian rules. David burnt off a few calories playing the latter on Saturdays followed by a run in the “engine room” of the local league team on Sundays.

Come summer time it was either tennis, cricket or swimming. He excelled at all of them.

All the while he was quietly observing the complex relationships between farmers, their land and the local community. The importance of supporting the community was drummed into him from a young age – turning up and helping with whatever was required.

After school it was only natural to kick off his career as a first-year jackeroo at F.S. Falkiner & Sons “Boonoke” station at Conargo NSW.” It’s always been an exciting industry to be in. If you have a thirst for knowledge and want to do something substantial, something meaningful, then growing food for people is an essential and critical task,” he says. >

FACING PAGE: Mover and shaker in the rural industry David Farley loves to call Narrandera home.

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Keen for some independence, young Farley remembers farewelling his family at Narrandera train station. Jerilderie was barely an hour away but he’s never forgotten his father leaning towards him with some sage advice: “God has given you two ears, two eyes and two nostrils for a purpose. He told me to listen intently, watch and observe with focus and smell the environment. You have one tongue for one purpose so be respectful, purposeful and intentional when you use it!”

He took the advice to heart. Each morning the jackeroos assembled under the awning of the butcher’s shop, where they watched the overseer discussing things with the manager in the main office before coming out to dispense the daily tasks. David deliberately waited at the end of the queue, eager for the opportunity to discuss with the overseer what was really going on beyond the daily orders.

The next little trick was to present himself better than anybody else. “Even though we basically wore the same work kit, I made it my mission to be always clean shaven, hair combed with a pressed shirt and polished boots. It gave me a slight edge and led to my interacting with the regular stream of important station visitors – another great opportunity to absorb more knowledge.”

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Life as a jackeroo wasn’t glamorous, even if you were working on one of the most prestigious Merino studs in the land. David started in a wet year and went straight to work toe-cutting ewes on the number one stand in the 28-stand Boonoke shed. It took him and his fellow jackeroos all winter. There was plenty of time to think about things.

“When there’s nine other aspirational young men standing around you taking orders from one overseer, you soon realise we’re all competing for the one job – the overseer’s job,” he says.

“I was fortunate in that I was keen to make agriculture my career. The other jackeroos were either coming from their parents’ properties, using F..S Falkiner to train their sons, or were from the city, using the stations to help control their wild boys. Then there were a handful of career professionals, like myself.”

By his third year, David was transferred to another station as overseer and two years later was managing a property. He found a great mentor in the company’s general manager and accomplished pastoralist Bob Sefton.

“Mr Sefton was a great man. His ability to clearly communicate and lead without fear or favour cemented what my father instilled in me about integrity and morality. He certainly left some everlasting impressions on me,” David says.

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“Narrandera is a town well known for its generosity, not so much in dollars but in the philanthropy of personal time giving – one of the greatest assets in any community.”

Such attributes would at times be severely tested as his career in corporate agriculture continued to soar. During his 19-year stint at Colly Cotton, he took cotton production from 400 acres to a staggering 68,000-acre crop, erected two major cotton gins and built a global marketing business incorporating a JV marketing and warehousing operation in the Central Valley of California.

Post Colly Cotton, David moved permanently to California to manage one of America’s largest cotton co-ops in the San Juaquin Valley. In 2009, he returned home to take over as managing director of the Australian Agriculture Company, Australia’s second oldest company after Westpac.

AACo was an exciting and challenging company to direct and govern, from land rights issues with the traditional owners, the challenge of the Gillard government’s embargo on exporting live cattle, the volatility of the cattle markets, meat prices and Mother Nature’s whimsical command of their pastoral assets and environment.

“In my four-year tenure at AACo, the major shareholder changed twice, while the board chairman rotated three times and nonexecutive directors entered and exited like the weekly laundry. It made the boardroom as equally challenging as the outside pastoral environment,” he says.

COMING HOME

Coming home to Narrandera was the best move ever. “It’s a community that I know and a community that knows me. I enjoy and need my solitude and focus for the commodity trading portfolio that I manage. Narrandera allows me that luxury, ridding all the unwanted noise and distraction of big city in life.”

David reckons it’s a great place to live with easy and regular daily flights to Sydney and Wagga Wagga and Griffith within easy reach.

“This town works for me and the style of work I do,” he says.

“The good thing is that you can contribute to your regional community and actively engage in the local society. With likeminded constituents, we established Narrandera Community and Friends Inc, with the mandate to focus on opportunities and activities that local council can’t do, or is prohibited to do.

“Like building relationships with corporate agriculture, between all levels of politics and then bringing people to the town and helping facilitate new ideas and capital ventures.

“Narrandera is a town well known for its generosity, not so much in dollars but in the philanthropy of personal time giving – one of the greatest assets in any community.”

INSIDE THE ENGINE ROOM

David makes things happen from his immaculately maintained office in the elevated quiet end of the main street.

Once you have heard some of his story it’s easy to understand how every piece of artwork or beautiful piece fits into the picture – the NT crocodile skin, the hog’s head from a shoot north of Deniliquin, the tortoise shell found on the far north coast and the Pyrenees Mountain Goat from Inverell.

A rare 1963 Italian Benelli motorbike takes pride of place in the corner. Bikes have always played a big part in his life. There’s nothing, he swears, comparable to the freedom of an open road astride his current GS 1200 BMW. “The theme of all my art relates to the industries I’ve been involved in, the things I’ve done and the people I’ve worked with,” he says.

Some of the early art depicts Mississippi cotton plantation pickers from his time in America. There’s plenty of Aboriginal art, a big framed image of a sea of rodeo hats, immortal buckjumpers Snow and Curio, which remind him of his rodeo days in central Queensland. David insists he sustained more damage on the footy paddock that any dusty outback rodeo arena.

His joy of renovating old buildings is obvious. You would never have guessed his current Matrix Commodities office was a former Ford showroom, garage and service centre. One day he hopes to transform it into a supermarket or at least a retail complex.

“When Narrandera grows, and it will grow, my ultimate goal is to have a stronger retail presence in the town. Perhaps a supermarket that will be energy neutral if not energy positive, selling energy back into the grid,” he says.

David enjoys his property makeovers on two levels – asset accretive and tax effective. He also enjoys stamping his own personal mark in a room or building – a legacy of a lifetime’s interest in architecture and interior design.

When the commodity prices and data stop swirling, when he’s home with his partner in their highly functioning 1920s granite stone home, a comfortable stroll from the Murrumbidgee River.

It’s a great place to share with his three adult children and grandchildren when they return for annual visits and his amazingly active, garden-proud mother, a respected and admired citizen of the Narrandera community For David Farley, the future is a destination to be carefully engineered, not a place or time to arrive at. Family is everything, with the river and town of Narrandera a very close second.

“Anything is possible if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.” RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

FACING PAGE: David Farley enjoys working in the early hours in the quiet end of Narrandera’s main street. The photographs and art lining his walls represent various stages of his high profile career in agriculture.

ABOVE: Keeping track of world commodity prices is all part of the job.

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Regain oral function and aesthetics. Dr Danny can recreate your smile with same day implant surgery and insertion of your new teeth.

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Max Astri Optometrists is one of the oldest independently owned practices in Australia and was first established in the 1890’s.

The practice has a reputation for clinical excellence and has a very close working relationship with leading ophthalmologists. They are well known for their innovation and for embracing and integrating new developments in technology into clinical practice. Max Astri also has visiting practices in Cobar and Wellington. All three are now in partnership with George & Matilda Eyecare.

George & Matilda Eyecare is a new business model for eyecare in Australia. Their mission is simple: to bring the benefits of scale to the best independent Optometrists, so that every Australian has access to the highest quality eye care.

Whilst they have a new business name; Max Astri Optometrists by George & Matilda Eyecare are still the same people in the same place who continue to deliver the same high level of eyecare and professional service that you have always known.

To make an appointment, call the practice on 02 6884 4077.

SAME FACES SAME SERVICE NEW LOOK

DUBBO 3/47-59 Wingewarra Street Ph 02 6884 4077 WELLINGTON 4 Nanima Crescent.

Ph 02 6845 3453 COBAR 39 Marshall Street.

Ph 02 6836 4077 georgeandmatilda.com.au

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Premier funeral services for Dubbo and surrounding communities

Shakespeare Funerals Shakespeare Funerals, Dubbo’s longest serving funeral home, have been setting the standards of funeral care since 1894.

We understand how difficult and often confronting it is making arrangements for the funeral of a loved one. When you step into our office, you will be greeted with a warm welcome, a gentle smile and be surrounded by people who truly care.

We encourage families to be active during the process of making funeral arrangements and making the service as personal and individual as possible.

We are committed to exceeding the expectations of the families we are honoured to serve and our aim is to guide you through this journey while providing a professional and modern approach to funeral care.

Laura Carter

94-96 Talbragar Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6882 2434 info@shakespearefunerals.com.au www.shakespearefunerals.com.au OPEN 24 HOURS

St Andrew’s Chapel

Flowers on Talbragar

A non-denominational Chapel for funeral and memorial services, after-funeral functions, weddings, and bereavement seminars.

The experienced team at Flowers on Talbragar know how to convey the perfect sentiment through beautiful tribute flowers, bouquets, wreaths and casket sprays.

The facility is blessed with a homely, yet benign ambience that succinctly pervades every nook and cranny as well as providing an unsurpassed spaciousness under the influence of which clients can celebrate their special occasion in a naturally free-flowing atmosphere.

1/52 Talbragar Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6885 3242

72 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6882 3199

W Larcombe & Son

FUNERALS & MONUMENTS W Larcombe & Son Funerals are committed to providing superior care, service and support to Dubbo and the wider community in times of loss.

52 Talbragar Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6882 3199 info@wlarcombeandson.com.au www.wlarcombeandson.com.au OPEN 24 HOURS

As a full service funeral provider, we are able to assist you with every aspect of the funeral to make it unique and designed for your exact requirements. We focus on providing the finest quality products and services, including coffins, caskets, urns, flowers and vehicles.

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A WILD RIDE

Thrills, spills and plenty of bone-jarring action featured at the 64th annual Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft held over the 2019 June long weekend.

“The whole town gets behind this event,” Coonamble Rodeo secretary Steve Butler ethuses. “Almost 3000 visitors inject nearly half a million dollars into the Coonamble economy over the four days that competitors are here.”

Steve estimates Coonamble’s premier annual event saw nearly 1000 rodeo and campdraft competitors camped on the grounds, competing for a combined $90,000 in prizemoney.

“We had more than 1300 campdraft cattle donated by local graziers,” Steve says. “The bulk of the cattle were walked in from Quambone Station, to the west of Coonamble. We had over 2500 campdraft nominations but could only accept about half due to cattle not being available because of the drought.”

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Steve says the weather gods were on his side. “We desperately need rain but both events were conducted in warm winter weather. The local football club, Rotary team and pony club fed the hungry and all give back to the local community.”

Legendary rodeo announcer Glenn Morgan, of Tamworth, says the Coonamble event is one of the biggest and best in the country.

“Thanks to its central geographic location, the Coonamble rodeo draws a huge field of competitors from a wide area.”

After almost 30 years of calling the action, the former rodeo national champion is one of only a handful of professional rodeo announcers in the country. >

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He knows most of the competitors, where they come from and in many cases their parents. More importantly, he knows what they’re thinking when on board a ton of bovine.

Glenn is equally knowledgeable with the rough stock, in this case supplied by John Gill & Sons, Fitzsimmons Bros, McPhee Rodeo Company and Doak Mini Bulls.

Big rodeos like Coonamble draw a legion of photographers, aiming to capture the action on expensive, high speed cameras capable of recording dozens of images during an eight-second ride.

The real work comes in front of the computer, sorting through thousands of the highs, lows and “maybes” before the money shot, when the timing, light, position, focus, depth of field and a million other things all align.

The truly great shots are few and far between, but if they’re going to happen you can expect it at Coonamble, a rodeo I’ve shot periodically since the early 1980s. The images on these pages, incidentally, were taken over the past two years.

The Coonamble Rodeo is a photographer’s dream. Along with Warwick and Mt Isa, it’s one of the biggest rodeos in Australia, attracting the cream of riders, horseflesh and photographers from throughout the country.

Do yourself a favour and book in the 2020 June long weekend for the 65th Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft. It’s sure to be a cracker. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

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Take a Trip to

Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre 103 Newell Highway, NARRABRI NSW 2390 Phone: 1800 659 931 | 02 6799 6760 Open: Monday to Friday | 9am - 5pm Saturday to Sunday | 9am - 2pm

Narrabri Shire Yarrie Lake is an unexplained wonder of the natural variety, a 3km saucer-shaped expanse of water on the very edge of the Pilliga Scrub. It is much appreciated by locals, visitors and wildlife alike.

Made up of six identical antennas, the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array is used by astronomers to study the structure and evolution of our Universe. Take a look at the astonomy exhibition and visitors centre.

Fauna

Space

Yarrie Lake

Telescope Array Keen to experience an almighty wall of organ pipes without stepping foot inside a church? Then Sawn Rocks, with its towering wall of pentagonal basalt pipes is the place to go. The most iconic reminder of Mount Kaputar’s volcanic past.

Get a taste of life as a prisoner of yesteryear at the Narrabri Old Gaol Museum. Be regaled by fascinating stories from the days of the gaol’s operation and take a sneak peek at how the prisoners lived.

Nature

History

Sawn Rocks www.visitnarrabri.com.au

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Old Gaol

69 Goulburn Street Crookwell, NSW (02) 4832 2319

Unique country style gifts, homewares, accessories & clothing

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Handbags & Wallets: Black Caviar, Dusky Robin, Henkberg.

Accessories & Gifts: Myrtle & Moss, Oozoo Watches, Random Harvest, TH Luxury Scented Candles, Vetroemetallo & Zoda Jewellery.

STOCKIST FOR Homewares: Coast to Coast, Clothing: Betty Basics, Elm, Fate, LTB Jeans, Sass, Wish. Billie Shoes. Handbags & Wallets: Black Caviar, Journie, Pratten, Status Anxiety, 00Z00 watches.

Perfect Pieces.

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S U M M E R gardens

BEAUTY

abounds Swapping city life for the opportunity to build a future on a farm in Gundagai was a considered move for tree-changers Jade and David Scholes.

On 60ha of prime alluvial farmland, along the Tumut River, historic ‘Darbalara’ is home to David and Jade Scholes and their young daughter Ivy. Much of the extensive restoration work on the circa 1853 homestead was completed by the previous owners. David and Jade have finalised additional improvements including repainting and decorating, renovating the kitchen and reinstating fireplaces.

Cattle yards, a machinery shed, and boundary fences were built in order to stock the property with Angus cattle. The couple’s next project was to preserve and restore the 150-year-old Coach House, converting the almost derelict building into elegant B&B guest accommodation and a section of the ground floor transformed into a studio space for artisanal workshops. Once the restorations were completed, the couple forged ahead with the outdoor space. > ABOVE FROM TOP: The elegant homestead is enhanced by low plantings of beautiful roses and pretty perennials; lovely ‘Pierre de Ronsard’ roses climb the pillars and existing white flowered ‘Iceberg’ roses border the front veranda; renowned for prolific apricot blooms, strong, reliable ‘Crepuscule’ rose also has a delicious tea rose fragrance.

FACING PAGE FROM TOP LEFT: Jade admires ‘Pinkie’ roses adorning the gateway between the Coach House and homestead garden; pretty foxgloves are perfect for picking; the wide shady veranda opens to the garden with views towards the river flats. Mature beauty bush (Kolkwitzia) was a treasured find.

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A sun-drenched area between the homestead and the Coach House is an ideal position for raised vegetable and herb beds.

During the initial 12-month renovations, Jade and David added a formal pathway leading to the entrance, and a new garden along the front of the ballroom. The existing garden was maintained, with minimal alteration, allowing the couple time to assess, plan and make sensible decisions about changes to the outdoor spaces.

“I would have made so many mistakes,” Jade says. “We aim to do things in a way that’s manageable.”

Sections of the garden were in need of attention, while other areas including the lovely roses bordering the front veranda were in good shape. The gradual approach to changes resulted in the discovery of seasonal garden treasures that might have otherwise been lost. A gorgeous example is a two-metre-high beauty bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) in full bloom during spring.

Jade says her family fostered her love of growing and gardening.

During her childhood she spent loads of time with her nonna in her large Griffith garden and citrus orchard, and her mother is also a keen gardener. Spring-flowering bulbs transplanted from her grandmother’s garden now have a special place under the trees at ‘Darbalara’.

A sun-drenched area between the homestead and the Coach House is an ideal position for raised vegetable and herb beds. Jade produces an array of fresh seasonal vegetables and plentiful tasty herbs to supply family and guests. Blooming lavender bushes and annual flowers for picking are included among the edibles, attracting plenty of bees and beneficial insects in the process.

Jade’s creative design for this area is both practical and very appealing. Decorative arches are dripping with beautiful apricot ‘Crepuscule’ rose blooms while espalier fruit trees, climbing roses and spring-blooming clematis splay along the fences. Among the

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roses are favourite varieties gifted by family members including crimson ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’, apricot ‘Just Joey’, creamy white ‘Claire Austin’. A cutting-grown rose from David’s grandmother is fondly called “Kit’s rose”.

Planted to honour Jade’s nonna, a fruiting persimmon will form a lovely feature tree, and the family are enjoying their citrus harvest, especially the prolific lemonade tree, which is both sweet and tart, perfect for thirst-quenching drinks.

Between the raised vegetable beds, gravel crunches underfoot, and dual-purpose pathways act as a heat trap during Gundagai’s cold winters. Jade gets the most out of winter crops as well as a head start on summer vegetables like tomatoes and capsicums.

A recently constructed timber chook house safely houses chickens, which keep the family supplied with fresh eggs. Resident guinea fowl are natural foragers, eating snails and insects among the vegies and iris beds.

The Coach House has its own private garden accessed by a gate adorned with climbing ‘Pinkie’ and blush pink ‘Seafoam’ roses. The pergola is entwined with repeat-flowering ‘Amethyst Falls’ wisteria for a pretty spring to summer display and leafy summer shade.

A private lawn area for guests is carpeted using Canturf, a grass developed in Canberra for heat and cold tolerance. An existing mature Robinia tree offers plenty of summer shade and has been under-planted with pretty perennials including iris, lavender, daisy and silvery lamb’s ears. > ABOVE: Productive and pretty vegetables and herbs are grown in raised beds between the restored Coach House and homestead. Arches and fences are adorned with gorgeous climbing roses including almost thornless ‘Crepusule’ (apricot) and rose pink ‘Pinkie’.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ‘Apricot Nectar’ roses underplanted with grey-foliaged lamb’s ears, behind them fragrant port wine magnolia (Michelia figo) scents the air outside the ballroom; flowering Kolkwitzia; magnificent pear arbour is a perfect spot for long lunches; roses are favourite flowers for picking and garden colour; ballerina-like blooms of bearded iris; the wide front veranda is an ideal place to relax, offering expansive views.

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Plantings in front of the house are designed long and low to maintain an uninterrupted view of the meandering river and rolling hills.

Jade and David are most appreciative of the wonderful pear arbour created by previous owners the Makeham family. A perfect spot for outdoor entertaining, the generous arbour at the rear of the house is framed with ornamental Manchurian pear trees (Pyrus ussuriensis). The branches are trained horizontally over a pipe framework by weighting and heavy pruning, covering the entire arbour in dense leafy foliage. This is a perfect area for summer entertaining and a memorable location for Christmas lunches. During autumn the foliage turns gold and amber before falling to allow welcome winter sunshine to filter through the tracery of bare branches. In spring the ceiling of white blossoms is magical.

The area around the pool and tennis court features a backdrop of burgundy leafed Prunus trees, which contrast with the water and expansive blue skies. Along the tennis court fence, vigorous and thornless Bourbon rose ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ displays cerise pink fragrant blooms. A hardy combination of Photinia hedging and strappy leafed agapanthus for summer colour make this an easy area to maintain.

Below the pool, a former vineyard area is being developed as a small orchard including espaliered apricot, peach, cherry, apple and pear trees. Trained in a low and horizontal style, “step over” apple trees are both highly ornamental and very practical. Lower height enables netting during the fruiting season, preserving the harvest for human consumption, “otherwise the cockatoos and possums get the lot”.

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Plantings in front of the house are designed long and low to maintain an uninterrupted view of the meandering river and rolling hills. ‘Iceberg’ roses form a snowy white floral display along the veranda and a pair of cerise pink standard roses ‘Sophy’s Choice’ flank the steps. A swathe of kikuyu lawn runs out towards a sloping bank, mass planted with hardy bearded iris, which thrive in the sunny dry conditions. The iris will multiply over time to help retain the bank and create a stunning display of spring colour.

With 1.5 kilometres of river frontage along the Tumut River, there’s reliable access to water. Without this, gardening here would be more challenging. A revamped irrigation system keeps the garden and lawns around the house going, but outer areas and mature trees rely on natural rainfall.

The soil is clay based, boosted with plenty of cow manure, lots of liquid seaweed and soil wetting agents then topped with a good mulch to help retain soil moisture. Jade says roses thrive here, well fed with Sudden Impact fertiliser and regularly pruned. Scores of bushes produce armfuls of cut blooms for the house.

From her armchair on the shady veranda looking out towards the rolling hills Jade says: “I pinch myself looking out at the everchanging view. We are so lucky to live here.” RLM Words: Elizabeth Swane Images: Robert Bruce

ABOVE FROM LEFT: A low retaining wall flanked by roses, and dark green privacy screen by the Coach House; a new pathway defines the entry to the homestead alongside pretty garden beds filled with roses and perennials; a low brick entry with yellow roses; the pool area affords a view towards the river and distant hills; a pair of “Mop-top” Robinia trees mark the entry point from the car park.

fish river roasters Roasters of premium coffee from around the world.

We roast in small batches so we can deliver to you fresh and fast. Same day dispatch for online orders received before 3pm.

Our philosophy is simple: Source the best coffee beans and roast each variety to bring out their best flavours and aroma.

Our coffee has won 22 awards since 2010, including at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show and the National Golden Bean Competition.

Fish River Roasters provides speciality coffee from around the world to cafes and restaurants in the Central West, Blue Mountains and around Australia. Our award winning coffee is supported by barista training and espresso machine repairs and maintenance. We would like to thank the cafes and restaurants that stock our coffee and the coffee drinkers of the region for their support.

67 corporation avenue bathurst nsw 2795 02 6331 7171

order online: www.fishriverroasters.com.au

Modern Australian Menu Great steaks, Club classics, functions available Coffee shop open all day Quality, barista made coffee Locally roasted beans from “Art of Espresso” Cakes, slices, housemade scones Embellish also caters outside of the Club for weddings and celebrations

OPENING HOURS 9:30am – 9:30pm Club Lunches

12:00pm – 2:00pm

Dinner

5:30pm – 9:00pm

Gundagai District Services Club 254 Sheridan St, Gundagai NSW 2722 Phone: 6944 1719 | 0419 478 508 Email: events@embellishcatering.com.au www.gundagaiservicesclub.com.au

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Tumut’s Shopping Precinct

connecting people and place A great place to catch up with friends over a coffee or lunch at the Terrace Cafe.

A vibrant retail hub, with over 18 businesses including Peter Brown Insurance Broker, Zac Zacharia Optometrist, Abbey Footwear, Service One and the National Bank. Extensive health services are available - including pathology, radiology, mental health, IDEAS and an NDIS agency.

95 Wynard St Tumut, NSW 2720

Acacia

Alexander

Tumba Cottages and Magenta Cottage are unique memorable self-contained cottages with all the comforts of home, right in the centre of Tumbarumba. All cottages are pet friendly and have configurations to suit most family groups and couples.

Breakaway

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Contact Ria 0439 947 351 www.tumbacottages.com bookings@tumbacottages.com

Contact Emma 0429 654 734 www.magentacottage.com bookings@

Magenta

BRIGHAM HOUSE Historic Country Guest House

Stunning Scenery • Bush Walking • Skiing • Fishing Relaxing stopovers all in the magnificent Tooma Valley 19 Possum Point Road Tooma NSW Phone. 02 69484173

brighamhouse.com.au

YASS ACCOMMODATION CONTEMPORARY, SPACIOUS 4 STAR MOTEL

264 COMUR STREET YASS NSW 2582 02 6226 1158 www.thunderbirdmotel.com.au

Modern 4 star accommodation with the well-known EWE’N ME restaurant on site.

Stylish and updated rooms with kitchenettes/microwaves. Spacious family rooms, two-bedroom suites, fully self-contained cottage and spa suites. Free Foxtel & internet, pool, BBQ area and guest laundry. Great location 400 metres to Yass CBD. Thunderbird Motel offers 24 hour check in.

The Ewe ‘n Me delivers a relaxed and modern dining experience. Best locally sourced produce, fully licensed and seating up to 70 people, the Ewe n’ Me is the perfect venue for a quiet dinner or a celebration with family and friends.

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a warm

heart So much of Sue McLeish’s country home speaks of her love of family and her talent for nurturing a sense of stylish comfort and warm hospitality.

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home & style S U M M E R

Having lived most of her life on a property in Quambone NSW, moving to Geurie 18 months ago felt like a homecoming for Sue McLeish. A desire to be closer to family prompted the move, giving birth to a fresh start, complete with a job and house hunt.

Sue set her sights on the village of Geurie where she could settle in, knowing her family would be right up the road.

“While I enjoyed the fresh start, moving on a ‘wing and a prayer’ work wise was rather daunting,” she recalls. Luckily for both Sue and the students she would connect with, she soon found a position with the Dubbo School of Distance Education, working as a teacher for children who can’t attend school in a traditional sense due to living remotely.

While her prior residence in Gunnedah was full of sought-after character, its position on a major highway caused her to rethink her priorities. This time the concept of peacefulness came in at the top of her list of “must haves”.

Much to her delight, she found a property just a short walk to the village, boasting a generous garden, outdoor space for entertaining and room enough to host grandchildren for sleepovers or grownups for drinks. To top it all off, the adjoining paddock has a few neighbourly cows just to make her country heart at home.

Sue set to work with her daughters to inject style and character into her new abode.

“Making a house into a beautiful home in cahoots with my daughters Alice and Anna has surely been one of the greatest parts of moving to Geurie,” she says. > FACING PAGE: A large dining table with generous seating is central to the main living space.

FROM TOP: An unexpected blue velvet lounge invites guests to sit back and relax; pale pinks and olive greens mix well with a pop of paisley in the master bedroom; a sweet vignette featuring smoke bush cuttings and a ceramic bird.

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“Making a house into a beautiful home in cahoots with my daughters Alice and Anna has surely been one of the greatest parts of moving to Geurie.”

Alice’s innate sense of style combined with her own desire to add character mixed together to create what Sue calls “a haven to come home to each evening”.

As you walk through the front gate, the garden stretches out before you. A large corrugated iron galah created by Sue’s friend Ali Dent oversees the whole thing. A generous and relaxed undercover entertaining area is outfitted with rattan lounges in a punchy black and yellow colour scheme. A large dining table is also available for long lunches with good company in the shade. In a quiet corner of the yard, a shed is a holding place for foraged treasure just waiting for their moment to shine, either at home or down the street in her daughter Alice’s shop.

Her dog Reuben lazily slumbers by the back door, keeping one eye on us as we enter the house. A large open-plan room is cleverly divided into functional spaces, each serving a different purpose.

You are met with a bold blue lounge with complementary cushions.

A small marble-topped table dressed with fresh pink roses adds a sweet and feminine touch.

Sue isn’t afraid to move furniture or update decor as she sees fit. She often rotates her lounges to face the wood-burning fire, making it a cosy focal point during the winter months. Beyond the sitting area a substantial dining table sits ready to host indoor meals for friends and family. A large bunch of cuttings from a nearby smoke bush makes a unique and airy centerpiece. > FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Lady in Blue resides in the children’s corner; Sue browsing through one of her favourite books on French style; a favourite little collection of antique glass bottles sits on the kitchen window sill; Reuben outside the kitchen door; Sue’s admired black and white en suite; vintage chic cabinet filled with pops of gold and green.

ABOVE: The ample outdoor entertaining space, a shady place to relax with friends and family.

LEFT: Sue at the gateway to her stylish and comfortable country home.

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S U M M E R home & style

“This house has been an evolving dabble in styling and bringing in the things I love and that evoke joy when I catch sight of them.”

A doting grandmother, Sue has created a children’s corner for her grandchildren. There are toy baskets, an art table, a comfy love seat for snuggling and a shelf full of antique books. It is just like a teacher to foster a love of reading from a young age.

Thoughtful vignettes, which include vintage family photos and favourite bric-à-brac, enhance the space. One particular painting stands out, a young blonde woman in a dreamy blue gown. Lady in Blue, as Sue calls her, is a hotly contested item between her daughters.

I ask Sue if she has a favourite little nook in her home and she points me in the direction of a collection of tiny glass bottles ranging from clear to cobalt blue. They are lined up on the windowsill above her kitchen sink and play with the light as it streams in. This mini collection, combined with the autumnal vine growing on the veranda outside, paint a vibrant still life to do the dishes by.

“This house has been an evolving dabble in styling and bringing in the things I love and that evoke joy when I catch sight of them,” she says.

Confident I had explored every corner of the house, Sue asks “Did you open this door?”

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She slowly pushes the door open revealing a fresh and stylish en suite. It is an absolute sanctuary in which the lady of the house can start and finish her day. A cool mix of modern furnishings and fittings, and fabulous black and white tiles, play well with warm wood and copper tones. The space is enhanced with natural greenery in cleverly created planters.

Sue recalls designing the space. “My overwhelming desire to have a black and white bathroom was unwavering, I had to have a large picture window with plantation shutters. When I look into my mirror and see the reflection of my big corrugated iron galah, the sculpture so reminds me of the western country of NSW.” RLM Words and images: Jennifer Harden

ABOVE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Embracing the rust, vintage pieces mix beautifully with lush greenery; grapevine growing thick on the front veranda; cane chairs have been given an update with classic black and white stripes and a pop of yellow; Sue’s take on the potting shed, where would-be junk gets reworked into something whimsical.

At Choices Flooring we know that good interior decorating starts

from the floor up

Choices Flooring by Brights 61 George Street, Bathurst (next to Dan Murphy’s) 6331 4866 choicesflooring.com.au

An impressive range of lighting for all your interior and exterior needs, as well as lamps and globes.

We also have an extensive range of homewares to make your house a home.

8.30am-5.30pm weekdays 8.30am-2pm Saturday 56 Erskine Street Dubbo NSW 2830 P. (02) 6884 8000

lightingandliving.com.au RLM 181

passions ON A PLATE

Creative flair, a love of art and a passion for food are proving to be a winning combination for Georgia Stevens at The Gallery Café in Dubbo.

Exuberant 21-year-old Georgia Stevens launched her business in September 2018, rebranding the popular food and coffee hub located in the heart of Western Plains Cultural Centre.

The stylish light-filled café trades from 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 9am to 6pm on Fridays. The fully licensed venue offers evening dining sessions during the spring and summer months.

The café can be booked for private functions, and conferences are catered for throughout the year. A range of venue hire options are available within the cultural precinct.

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A self-described foodie, Georgia has a love of seasonal ingredients, balanced flavours and premium-quality produce.

She firmly believes in the importance of customers being connected to the source of their food.

A paddock-to-plate philosophy is reflected in the constantly evolving menu providing fresh, local choices for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

“The café has a modern, vintage vibe with a relaxed and welcoming environment that is perfect for a quick bite, a drink, a meal or a celebration with friends,” Georgia says.

ABOVE: Owner Georgia Stevens has made her own stylish mark on The Gallery Cafe.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Inviting decor and beautifully presented fresh food greets customers; The Gallery Cafe team pride themselves on friendly and efficient service From left: Roshani Adelt, Maddison Ryan, Georgia Stevens, Brittany Rogers.

story name S U M M E R

“Many customers come in before or after art exhibitions, museum visits or cultural programs.

“Our menu has a wholefood approach with everything prepared from scratch and focusing on taste. We steer away from preservatives, packaged ingredients and unnecessary additives.

“Vegetables and herbs growing in large tubs are a feature of the outdoor dining area overlooking a picturesque sporting field.

“Cakes and sweet treats are freshly homemade and all our coffees and teas are 100 per cent organic and produced to fair trade standards.

“We are the only café in Dubbo offering premium coffee from Fish River Roasters at Bathurst.”

Born on the Gold Coast, Georgia moved to Dubbo as a teenager. She worked at the cultural centre café while studying at St John’s College and went to Sydney to gain qualifications in hospitality management.

She returned to Dubbo to work in the café before taking over the business.

“Food has always been a passion and I also enjoy painting,” she says.

“I thought of becoming a chef but I was drawn to the business side of the hospitality industry.

“Running my own business was always a dream.

“The café at the cultural centre reflects Dubbo’s cultural diversity and offers a feel-good location with plenty of room to move. It is a wonderful meeting place for people of all ages and walks of life.”

For Georgia there is no better feeling than seeing empty plates and contented smiles on the faces of her customers. RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka

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Experienced in-house graphic designers for all your business & personal printing needs...

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214 Macquarie St, Dubbo NSW 2830 | 02 6882 1233 printingworks.com | admin@printingworks.com Find us on Social Media for all your gift ideas & new stock arrivals

DESIGN - PRINT - PAPER - GIFTS 184 RLM

Cafe Dolcetto YASS, NSW

Cafe Dolcetto is conveniently located in the heart of Yass and, is owned and operated by Noelene and Leigh, a dynamic mother-daughter team.

The warm, friendly atmosphere of this quaint heritage building; with its all-day breakfast, delicious lunches and amazing coffee makes it an enjoyable stop for travellers, as well as a popular social hub for Yass locals.

129 Comur Street Yass NSW 2582 Ph: 02 6226 1277 Monday - Saturday: 6:30am – 3pm Sunday: 8am - 2pm Find us on Facebook: CafeDolcetto

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S U M M E R story name

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community spirit S U M M E R

full force Gail Gail Colahan is a woman of style and substance who has spent a lifetime contributing to the cultural fabric of Dubbo.

ACCOMPLISHED PIANIST and organist Gail Colahan played for

wedding and funeral services for more than 60 years, taught music to school children for decades and has been involved in the organisation of countless concerts, eisteddfod performances, fundraisers and community events.

As her 90th birthday approaches, Gail still plays the organ for chapel services at the Orana Gardens retirement village.

She drives friends to church and weekly Solo Whist card games and each Monday and Thursday heads off for nine rounds of golf with the veteran associates.

“Family, music and golf have been the great loves of my life,” she says.

“I have so much to feel grateful for.”

Gail was the second of seven children born to Tom and Leonie Commins.

Tom was a guard on the railways. Leonie was a skilled dressmaker, who created beautiful gowns for brides and debutantes.

“My mother was also a brilliant musician who could play almost any instrument,” Gail says.

“We lived in Taylor Street when I was born and then moved to Quinn Street, where there was a big backyard with a tennis court.

People would come for tennis on Sundays and while the adults were on the court the children played tennis on the street. It was never a problem because there was hardly any traffic in those days.”

When Gail started her education at St John’s Primary School, she was quickly identified as a musical talent.

“The music teacher, Sister Kieran, asked my parents if she could teach me the piano.

“I loved the lessons and at the beginning of each school day played the piano as all the students marched off to their classrooms. I can still play that piece of music.”

One day the nuns came into the classroom and told the children to leave school early.

“A big storm was approaching Dubbo and my sisters and I ran home as fast as we could as the wind roared around us.

“The noise was terrible so we hid under the bed settee. We started screaming when there was a loud explosion and the house filled with smoke as the chimney fell into the kitchen.”

At the age of nine, Gail was selected to make a speech welcoming Governor Lord Wakefield and Lady Wakefield to Dubbo. She was also involved in concerts held to entertain soldiers training at the Dubbo army camp.

When Sister Kieran was made reverend mother of Mount St Joseph’s Convent at Carcoar, Gail was offered a bursary to pursue music at the boarding school.

She has vivid memories of getting up at 5am to practise the piano. Gail was made a prefect and took on the responsibility of looking after girls from Sydney sent to the safety of the country school during the grim years of WWII. “When my three years at Mount St Joseph’s finished, I would have loved to have pursued further studies in music but as one of seven children it wasn’t possible.

“I returned to Dubbo and started work as an office clerk at the Producers Distributing Society (PDS).

“I remember when adding machines were introduced. We hated them and reckoned we could calculate figures more quickly than the machines.” > FACING PAGE: Gail has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with music.

ABOVE: Treasured images of younger days taken from Gail’s photo collection.

Left to right: Gail, 18 years, making her debut; as a 21 year old, Gail exhibited youthful beauty; Gail and her husband Lawrie on their wedding day, 1953.

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Gail was at work in 1945 when news came that WWII was over.

Filled with excitement, everyone went out into the street singing and dancing.

The end of the war saw the eventual return of a young man who had worked at PDS before enlisting in the military.

When Lawrie Colahan walked through the door in his army uniform, Gail was smitten.

“Wow, he looked so handsome,” she recalls.

“I was about 18 when we started dating. We used to go to the movies and dances at the Royal Theatre.

“We got engaged when I was 21 and married when I was 23. Our wedding was held at the old St Brigid’s Church. It was a wonderful, wonderful day.”

With accommodation in short supply, the couple were lucky to draw a ballot for a flat in a newly constructed building at the intersection of Church and Brisbane streets.

They settled into the upstairs corner flat. Lawrie was made accountant and then manager of PDS while Gail enjoyed a life of golf and tennis in an era when most married women withdrew from paid employment.

Gail was pregnant with their first child when severe flooding hit Dubbo in 1955. As ground floor flats were inundated by the torrent, she scrambled out an upstairs window, onto the front awning and into a rescue boat.

“I remember as clear as anything sailing past the Anglican church and off to safety.”

Gail and Lawrie built a home in Hutchins Avenue and were busy with three sons, Peter, Brian and Matthew. There were swimming carnivals in summer, soccer and football games in winter and tennis year around.

Gail started playing piano for the school and was asked to run music lessons for students. After eight years in the job she was offered the opportunity to undertake teacher training by correspondence.

She worked at the Catholic primary and secondary schools for more than 20 years, organising an annual musical and other concerts.

“When the song Grandma I Love You became popular I helped the primary children make recordings for their grandmothers. During lunch breaks they would line up with their blank cassette tapes and sing while I accompanied them on the piano.”

While Gail was busy with her music Lawrie was involved in the world of finance. He opened the first building society in Dubbo and as amalgamations took place over the years, went on to manage St George Building Society.

Lawrie was active in Apex, Rotary and Legacy and served as treasurer of Dubbo RSL for 34 years.

Together with Vern Traegar and John Whittle, he played a significant role in the creation of Orana Gardens Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation incorporating retirement units, an aged care hostel and high care dementia facility.

“It was the first retirement complex of its type in the western region,” Gail says.

“When Lawrie was diagnosed with dementia, we managed his condition at home for quite a while before eventually moving into a unit in the Orana Gardens village. Downsizing was the best thing we could have done.”

When Lawrie’s condition worsened, he went into care and Gail organised concerts for hostel and nursing home residents. She also took over Lawrie’s Legacy work.

Lawrie died 12 years ago and she still cares for four war widows.

Gail values long-term friendships and opportunities for travel in Australia and overseas. She has been friends with Elaine Drummond for 58 years.

During month-long trips to visit family members in outback Queensland and the Northern Territory, Gail played the organ for local church services.

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“I used to go up to Normanton when the rodeo was on and one year they had me judging the cooking competition.

“The multicultural event at Tennant Creek was always marvellous and during one memorable occasion I played the piano on stage while the Member for Barkly taught the crowd the Queensland version of Waltzing Matilda.

“Music has brought me so many wonderful opportunities. One of the most unforgettable events was a performance of The Messiah in Dubbo.

“I sang alto with my mother in the choir. We were all dressed in white and the music was magnificent, especially when the congregation all stood for the Hallelujah.

“Another special time was when I helped to foster the early talent of Dubbo boy Geoffrey Lancaster, who went on to become an acclaimed classical pianist and conductor.

“When Geoffrey was young, he used to come to our home to play the piano. Years later I enjoyed wonderful opportunities to see him perform.”

Ten years ago, Gail suffered a cardiac arrest while playing golf. She was rushed to Dubbo hospital and airlifted to Sydney for heart surgery.

“Three stents got me going again and following a period of recovery I returned to golf.”

Gail has eight grandsons, seven great-granddaughters, four great-grandsons and wonderful sons and daughters-in-law living in various parts of Australia and overseas.

“I visit them all and go online to stay up to date with what they are doing.

“Learning computer skills in my 80s was gruelling but well worth it. I love to Google, email and take photos on my iPad.” RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka

ABOVE, FROM TOP: Gail with her sons, Matthew, Brian and Peter; a rehearsal of The Messiah held in Dubbo in 1954, Gail in performance mode, second row, third from left, with her mother Leonie Commins on Gail’s left.

GILGANDRA SHIRE

Stop for a coffee or stay for the night.

LIVE.

Gilgandra Shire is a friendly, vibrant and welcoming community, filled with friendly locals proud of its history and positive about its future.

Everything you need, at very competitive prices!

GROW.

Fencing Supplies • Farm Chemicals Drenches • Stock Feeds • Troughs Feeders • Stock Handling Equipment Shearing Supplies • Vaccines Pasture Seeds • Soil Testing Services Pet Care Products • Safety Wear Water Tanks • Concrete Products Cement • Poly Pipe • Lubricants Garden Supplies • Fertilizers • Tools Spraying Equipment • Harvest Products

ENJOY.

The Southern gateway to the Warrumbungle National Park, Gilgandra boasts the Speedway, country races, iconic pubs and the Coo-ee Heritage Centre.

Gilgandra, a charming country town, has speciality shops, bakeries, IGA, Target Country and a plaza where you can sit down and take it all in.

ire

draSh n a g il G y M #

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Monday by appt only.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays – 9am till 5pm Thursday – 9am till 8pm Saturday – 9am till 2pm

Large selection of personally sourced contemporary fabrics, innovative sewing tools, haberdashery and bag making products.

Bernina and Janome dealer, demo models are available to try instore.

We also have a service technician available.

Variety of specialised classes available in patchwork, bag making and dressmaking.

78 East Street, Narrandera NSW 2700 Ph: 02 6959 9819 M: 0427 695 935 E: leanne@sewfab.com.au

Red Door Cafe

Great rustic homemade food M – F / 8am –5pm Sat / 8am –2pm / juardine_interiors

88 – 90 East Street Narrandera P. 02 6959 4020 M. 0427 591 609 E. juardineinteriors@gmail.com

Original Skin Therapy is a professionally equipped salon with highly trained therapists - focusing on skin care – facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peeling.

Makeup for formals, weddings and special occassions, Sunescape Tanning, Manicures and Pedicures.

- Established 2004 -

All waxing services including brow shaping and styling, eyelash and brow tinting and eyelash extensions.

STOCKISTS: ASAP Skin products / Image Skincare / Youngblood Makeup / Smiink Lashes / Cherry Blooms Fibrelashes / Sunescape Tanning products / Wotnot Facial Wipes 66 East Street, Narrandera NSW / 02 6959 4044 / Tues – Sat by appointment / originalskintherapy.com.au 190 RLM

Hall's Coffee Cottage Enjoy coffee surrounded by history

Homewares / Florist / Cafe / Interior Styling M – F / 8am –5pm Sat / 8am –2pm / juadine_interiors

* Indulge in our chef specialty meals, try our famous vanilla slice or apple pie * Catering and functions available * Indoor and outdoor deck seating overlooking lush gardens * Antiques and gift shop * Excellent service * Seriously good coffee from award winning “The Coffee Bean Roasting House”

88 – 90 East Street Narrandera P. 02 6959 4020 M. 0427 591 609 E. juadineinteriors@gmail.com

6-88 Whitton Street, Narrandera NSW 2700 M. 0431 696 795 * Wed-Sun 8am to 4pm

Narrandera Shire

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C���n� �� �� ��� S����: January Australia Day events Malibu Series Water Ski Championships February Narrandera Rodeo March Barellan Car Show & Shine and Swap Meet Narrandera Folk Festival Ian Lucas Bike Ride – Grong Grong April Narrandera Rod Run

Narrandera • Barellan • Grong Grong • Binya

vibrant, friendly communities with a proud history and positive future

...t� ��� �l�y�r��n� �� ��� M�r����id��� narrandera.nsw.gov.au RLM 191

WELL connected Kate Griffiths has an eye for beautiful things and a talent for making meaningful connections.

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home & style S U M M E R

“I think it’s so important to support those around us and help create a positive culture when it comes to realising your dreams.”

You’re bound to find something beautiful in Dubbo’s Lazy Sunday Lifestyle.

Just as the name suggests, it’s the place to go for the lazy Sunday vibe we all know and love.

You’ll find everything from gorgeous fashion and accessories and classic homewares, right through to giftware, books and baby goods. If you’re a regular, you’ll notice each time you set foot in the store, that owner Kate Griffiths has added something new.

Kate gained her Bachelor of Design from the widely acclaimed Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney, and worked in various design roles in the city before returning home to the Central West.

“Lazy Sunday Lifestyle is a brand that I created in 2014,” Kate says.

“I had always wanted to open a shop, and after spending time in the city, I thought Dubbo was just the right place.”

Having grown up on a farm near Narromine, Kate’s right at home in the region.

“My country upbringing definitely shines through when it comes to my work in design,” she says.

“Lazy Sunday Lifestyle is natural, rustic, classic and full of life, and I’ve always tried to keep my range of products as diverse as possible.

“First and foremost, though, I want to ensure my customers feel right at home when they come inside the shop. For me, it’s all about building a connection.

“Here at Lazy Sunday Lifestyle, we also operate an online store.

I always include a hand-written note to the customer; people seem to really enjoy that personal touch.”

Kate’s ability to cultivate great relationships with her peers isn’t limited to her customers. She’s also passionate about collaborating with other young women.

“Returning to Dubbo to open this business at the age of 23 was very daunting for me,” Kate says.

“I’m now part of The Exchange, which is a local forum for young people to collaborate – particularly women – and be empowered to go out and start a business in any industry.

“I think it’s so important to support those around us and help create a positive culture when it comes to realising your dreams.

“My mother Kim [Griffiths] has always been my biggest support and has been by my side from the very beginning. I’m very grateful for that.”

Kate feels the drought has created some tough challenges for small businesses in the region, but believes customers know how important it is to buy local.

“I have noticed people seem to be making the conscious decision to shop local, knowing that if we don’t support our local businesses, then we won’t have them,” Kate says.

“It’s great to see people taking the initiative to support my business and others.”

Lazy Sunday Lifestyle is well worth a visit. You’ll also find gorgeous goods online at lazysundaylifestyle.com. RLM

Visit our beautiful boutique at

24 WINGEWARRA STREET, DUBBO

showcasing a range of handpicked homewares, fashion, gifts, accessories & furniture.

We are here to help you SOURCE , CREATE & CAPTURE

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Words: Anna Tickle Images: Georgie Newton Photography Makeup: Donna Maree Hair: Serendipity Hair by Teena Hall

FACING PAGE AND ABOVE RIGHT: Kate’s family farm at Narromine has been an inspiration for Kate’s branding and style; Kate and her mother Kim model some of the Spring/Summer range from Lazy Sunday Lifestyle.

SHOP ONLINE

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SNOW SEASON MOTOR INN

GATEWAY TO THE SNOWIES Welcome to the Snow Season Motor Inn – a family orientated motel situated in Cooma New South Wales.

We offer quality accommodation, meals and drinks at an affordable price.

Special Corporate and Return Guests Rates. Rooms from $110.00* *Prices vary depending on room configuration and season.

19 MONARO HWY, COOMA NSW 2630

02 6452 1133

Ellstanmor GUESTHOUSE

Restaurant & Cafe

Family owned & serving the Bombala and Monaro regions since 1960s Ellstanmor is a charming old three story Victorian country home offering four ensuite B&B rooms.

The house features large living room spaces for guests to spread out and unwind. We are located in the centre of Cooma – an hour from Canberra, the coast or the snow.

Contact Allison P. (02) 6452 2402 M. 0418 434 189 32 Massie Street, Cooma NSW

Finest Italian coffee • Alfresco dining • Homebaked cakes • Country style meals • BYO • Catering for breakfast, lunch and dinner • Small and large groups Open 6 days Monday – Saturday, 7am until late

WWW.ELLSTANMOR.COM.AU

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133 Maybe St Bombala, NSW Phone 6458 3510

Burnima HOMESTEAD

Late Victorian Mansion 1896 Open the First Saturday of every month (except July & August).

Guided tours 10am & 12noon $10/pp

Burnima Road, Bombala NSW 2632

Group bookings contact Steve (02) 6458 3042 or 0413 431 986

www.burnima.com.au

Too much is never enough!

Open 1 June – 23 December, 5 days a week (closed Tuesday & Wednesday) Follow us on 23 Monaro Highway, Bredbo NSW Phone (02) 6454 4445 Facebook

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S U M M E R recipe

press HOT OFF THE

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story name S U M M E R

Press is a progressive café & event space in a quaint 1930s house in central Dubbo. Our aim and passion is to provide friendly service and fresh home-made food accompanied by our own roasted coffee in a cosy setting for all to enjoy. We recently celebrated our fourth birthday so we would love to share some of our favourite Press recipes that you can easily recreate at home.

Crispy Skin Salmon with Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Pine Nuts and Herb Sauce This is a classic Press lunch recipe, which uses the homegrown herbs from our garden. This recipe is by head chef Toby Rouse.

Ingredients 200g Brussels sprouts 1 tbsp butter 100g streaky bacon, diced 20g pine nuts 1 /2 lemon sea salt pepper

Salmon Fillet 2 salmon fillets (skin on) 2 tsp olive oil Herb Sauce 2 eggs 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp English mustard 1 lemon zest and juice 150ml grape seed oil 50g fresh basil leaves 50g fresh parsley leaves

Method Herb sauce: make in advance and refrigerate.

1. In a food processor add eggs, mustard, lemon juice and zest, basil, and parsley. Blend on medium speed until all herbs are puréed.

2. Turn food processor onto high speed and slowly add the grape seed oil in a slow and steady stream until sauce turns thick and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. For the salmon, heat oven to 180°C. Score the salmon fillets’ skin three or four times with a sharp knife, making sure not to go too deep into the flesh.

4. Gently rub salt flakes into the salmon’s skin then drizzle with olive oil.

5. Bring an oven-proof, non-stick pan to high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and gently place the salmon (skin side down), cook on the stove for 30 seconds and then place the salmon (pan and all) into the oven and bake for six minutes.

6. For the Brussels sprouts, cut them in half and blanch in boiling water until tender. Strain after two minutes.

6. In a non-stick pan, melt the butter, add the bacon and stir until the bacon starts to crisp.

7. Once the bacon is crispy, add the blanched Brussels sprouts and toss in the butter and bacon. Allow the Brussels sprouts to crisp a little then add the pine nuts and season with lemon juice, salt, pepper and serve immediately.

Cashew and Goji Berry Muesli A great breakfast option straight from the Press kitchen to yours, this recipe is by Press head chef Toby Rouse.

Ingredients 375ml pure maple syrup 2 tbsp coconut oil 1 cinnamon quill 1 vanilla pod (seeds scraped) 1 star anise 1kg rolled oats 200g cashews 200g long grain coconut 100g pepitas 100g sunflower seeds 200g sultanas 200g dried goji berries

Method 1. Heat oven to 160°C. In a medium saucepan, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon quill, vanilla seeds (and pod) and star anise.

2. Bring the syrup to the boil then set aside to cool.

3. Once cooled, strain out the spices and set the syrup mix aside.

4. In a large bowl, add all dry ingredients and pour the syrup mix over the top. Mix until everything is coated in the syrup; the mix should be moist but not wet.

5. Spread your muesli out on a baking tray and place into the oven, stirring every five minutes until golden brown.

6. Let the toasted muesli cool. Serve simply with milk or with Greek yogurt and seasonal fresh fruit.

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S U M M E R recipes

ABOVE: Press Head Barista Christopher Sesio

Home-brewed Press Coffee (using Aeropress)

Chocolate and Beetroot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting This cake is deliciously moist and gluten free. It is a favourite among Press customers and is a great way to use the leftover beetroot pulp from our beetroot hummus. Recipe is by Press sous chef Andrea Ayling.

Ingredients 200g butter, chopped 400g dark chocolate, chopped 8 eggs 500g caster sugar 500g almond meal 350g beetroot, washed and trimmed or you can use the beetroot pulp after juicing 4 tsp gluten-free baking powder 2 tbsp vanilla extract Frosting 250g cream cheese, softened 125g unsalted butter, room temperature 360g pure icing sugar 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp cocoa powder Method 1. Finely grate the beetroot, squeeze out the excess moisture and set aside.

2. Melt the butter and chocolate in a large heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water until combined and just melted.

3. Lightly whisk the eggs, caster sugar and vanilla extract and stir through the chocolate mixture. Add in the

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almond meal, baking powder and grated beetroot, and stir everything together until well combined.

4. Pour mixture into your favourite lined cake tin and bake in a preheated 150 degree Celsius oven for approximately one hour to one hour and 30 minutes, depending on your oven or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with moist crumbs clinging to it. Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before completely cooling in the fridge and before frosting.

Frosting 1. Place the cream cheese and butter into the bowl of a mixer. Beat together until light, fluffy and creamy. Add in icing sugar and vanilla and beat together until completely combined and smooth.

2. Once cake has cooled spread the top with the frosting and then dust with the cocoa powder.

3. Cut into slices and serve with fresh seasonal berries.

Brewing coffee at home is not that difficult, and nowadays a lot of consumers buy coffee beans from their favourite coffee shops to enjoy at home. Press’s chosen method of home brewing without an espresso machine is to use an Aeropress. The price of an Aeropress is not that much and most tools are included such as the paddle, filter paper and funnel. You will also need a kettle, digital scales (as an option to be precise), timer (you could use your phone), grinder (if using whole beans) and a cup to serve.

The product itself is made of food grade plastic and is great to take with you when travelling.

There are plenty of recipes that can be used with the Aeropress, but we at Press prefer this method to be used with our coffee.

Ingredients 15g ground Press coffee (raw sugar size) 240g filtered water or soft water Method 1. Bring your kettle to the appropriate temperature (92°C) or after boiling wait three minutes before using.

2. Insert filter paper into Aeropress lid, and use hot water to rinse the paper.

3. Screw the Aeropress lid on and put it on top of the carafe and place on the scales.

4. Use hot water to preheat device and then empty for the next steps.

5. Grind 15g of coffee at a fine-medium coarseness (raw sugar size).

6. Put the coffee into the Aeropress and tare the scale.

7. Pour 100g of 92°C brewing water into Aeropress and start the timer.

8. Gently stir for 10 seconds then wait for 30 seconds.

9. Pour the remaining water for 10 seconds and wait until the timer hits 01:30.

10. After the timer hits 01:30, plunge and press gently for 10 seconds until you hear the husking sound.

11. After all of the liquid has dispensed, remove the cap, point the Aeropress at a bin and hammer the base to shoot the coffee puck and filter into the bin.

12. Rinse the Aeropress to clean and enjoy the coffee!

Recipe: Christopher Sesio Food Styling: Cristina Gomez Images: Amy Louise Photography and Design

P R E S S Coffee Roasters, Cafe & Events 33 Bultje Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 www.pressdubbo.com.au (02) 6885 0621 Mon - Fri 7:30am to 4pm Sat 8am to 4pm Sun 8am to 4pm

“Angullong has perhaps Orange’s best value range...” Huon Hooke Visit our cellar door in the historic bluestone stables in Millthorpe for tasting and sales.

Cnr. Park & Victoria Streets, Millthorpe. Ph: 02 6366 3444 OPEN 7 DAYS 11am to 5pm

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S U M M E R country recipes

favourites of old Here’s a little something special for the festive season that’s flavoured with nostalgia.

BABY PEAS AND CARROT IN MINT JELLY This is a very fresh recipe to serve in the summer months.

2 dessert spoons gelatine /2 cup chopped mint

1

1 cup hot water /2 cup brown vinegar

1

/3 cup sugar

1

11/2 cups baby green frozen peas 1 cup diced fresh carrots Fresh mint leaves for the top Salt

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1. Blanch vegetables until tender.

2. Line dish or mould with plastic wrap.

3. Dissolve gelatine in hot water.

4. Add sugar, vinegar and mint.

5. Leave until cool.

6. Add 1/4 cup cold water.

7. Place baby peas in the bottom of a glass dish.

8. Pour some mint jelly on top.

9. Wait till it thickens a little then place carrot on top.

10. Pour remaining mint sauce on top.

11. Decorate with mint leaves.

12. Leave in refrigerator overnight to set.

13. Enjoy with your meat salad.

PASSIONFRUIT AND ALMOND ROULADE This dessert is a show stopper for special occasions.

For the roulade

For the filling

4 egg whites

300ml double cream, whipped (keep 1 tbsp out to spread over the rolled meringue)

250g caster sugar, plus a spoonful for outside when tipped out 1 tsp cornflour

½ cup pure passionfruit pulp (mix with whipped firm cream)

1 tsp white wine vinegar

½ cup almonds flakes, toasted slightly

1. H eat oven to 190 degrees.

2. Line a Swiss roll tin with non-stick baking paper, making sure it goes into each corner neatly.

3. Whisk the egg whites in a large bowl until they form stiff peaks. I tip the bowl upside down to make sure the egg whites are stiff.

4. Gradually mix in the sugar, one teaspoon at a time, for a couple of minutes.

5. Mix the corn flour and vinegar together and then fold into the meringue mixture.

6. Spoon the mixture into the lined tin and make sure it is level.

7. Bake for 10 minutes until it has risen and light brown in colour, then reduce heat

to 160 degrees and cook for another five minutes or until firm to touch.

8. Place a tea towel on the bench, cover with a sheet of non-stick baking paper and sprinkle with a little of the caster sugar.

9. Tip the hot meringue onto the paper, remove the tin and baking paper, let cool for two hours.

10. Spread the filling onto the meringue.

11. Roll from the long side.

This makes a longer style roulade for lots of guests.

12. Spread the extra cream on the outside of the roll and place the toasted almonds on top.

Recipes and Images: Lorraine Hills

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health S U M M E R

all SMILES Offering a wealth of experience and state-of-the-art equipment, the skilled professionals at Dubbo Dental are passionate about providing quality care in a relaxed environment.

In the heart of the Dubbo central business district, Dubbo Dental is recognised as a top provider of preventative, restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

The beautifully decorated purpose-designed building has a tranquil and welcoming ambience. Treatment rooms feature skylights with calming views of nature.

Dubbo Dental is locally owned and operated by principal dentist Dr Ryan Heggie.

Team members include associate dentist Dr Sophie Halpin, practice manager Beth Porter and dental assistants Ebony Blake and Georgia Treloar.

Ryan is well known in the region and spent two years at Cobar and 15 years at Nyngan before relocating to Dubbo with his wife Michelle and their three children.

Gentle, genuine and pragmatic, Ryan is committed to providing quality outcomes – first time, every time.

He has a particular interest in orthodontics and implants and is experienced in wisdom teeth removal, cosmetic procedures and all other aspects of dentistry.

Ryan works at his Nyngan dental practice one or two days each week and flies to the Bogan River town in his own plane.

A commercial pilot with instrument rating, he takes to the air to attend professional development courses around the country and is a volunteer with Angel Flight (a charity providing non-emergency flights to help country people access specialist medical treatment).

Ryan is a talented musician and has travelled Australia, New Zealand and the USA playing in concerts on the theatre pipe organ. He is an associate of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). >

RIGHT: The Bultje Street frontage was originally a denture clinic before being refitted by Dubbo Dental in 2018.

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: Dr Sophie Halpin, Beth Porter, Dr Ryan Heggie, Georgia Treloar and Ebony Blake aim to make every visit as comfortable as possible; LED sky ceilings help to create a relaxed atmosphere.

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“The 3D technology is superior to 2D imagery and has become an important tool for orthodontics, dental implants, root canal procedures and endodontics.”

Sophie played piano to concert standard and shares Ryan’s interest in music.

Born in Nyngan, she moved to Dubbo as a small child and is passionate about the local community.

Constantly learning and striving to be the best dentist she can be, Sophie is qualified to perform anti-wrinkle injections.

The procedures have proved popular and can be scheduled at the same time as regular dental check-ups.

Sophie is currently serving as president of the Australian Dental Association’s NSW Western Division Branch and hopes to take on more leadership roles in the future.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking along the banks of the Macquarie River with her husband Ben, gardening, reading, playing fast five netball and having fun at karaoke.

Practice manager Beth oversees the dayto-day running of Dubbo Dental, working closely with Ryan and Sophie and building a rapport with clients.

Beth grew up on the land near Dubbo and thrived on vast paddocks to ride motor bikes

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and run wild with her two older sisters and family dogs.

She gained qualifications as a beauty therapist before stepping into the dental world.

Beth is completing further studies in leadership and management and is a member of the Australian Association of Practice Management.

Dubbo Dental offers high-tech equipment, including a three-dimensional computer tomography (CT) scanner to generate advanced images of dental structures, soft tissues, nerve paths and bone in the craniofacial region.

“The scanner is one of only two in Dubbo,” Ryan says.

“The 3D technology is superior to 2D imagery and has become an important tool for orthodontics, dental implants, root canal procedures and endodontics.

“It is amazing how far dentistry has progressed. Technology continues to grow and there is great excitement about the use of 3D printers to create teeth and dentures.” RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka

TOP: 3D X-Ray technology allows better diagnoses than ever before.

ABOVE: Dr Ryan Heggie has a particular interest in implants and orthodontics.

Subscribe online SUMMER

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Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales

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SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 27

SUBSCRIPTIONS • BACK ISSUES BOXED COLLECTIONS SIMPLY VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ORDER WWW.LIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.NET.AU.COM.AU

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Orders can also be made by contacting us PHONE: 0429 441 086 EMAIL: info@lifestylemagazine.net.au

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• Free Wi-Fi available • Room From $ 108 • Two Bedroom Flat $ 180 • Disable Room Available

RESTAURANT OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday: Breakfast 7am – 9am | Saturday and Sunday: Breakfast 8am – 9am RLM 205

DIVING INTO

BUSINESS

Acting on the dream to work for themselves is paying dividends for the new owners of Narellan Pools Western Plains.

Megan and Jason Reakes bought their Dubbo-based pool business in January 2017 and with guidance and support have built on the success achieved by Geoff and Valerie Duggan, who gained a reputation for excellence during 20 years in the industry.

In the past 12 months a record number of Narellan pools have been installed in the Western Plains region.

Megan and Jason are proud of the growth of their business and say it would not be possible without the expertise of long-serving team members Hannah and Harper Greer, Scott James, Tracey Miller, Gavin Kelly and Sam Lewis.

Megan and Jason enjoy all that’s involved in constructing, maintaining and servicing pools and take pleasure in building ongoing relationships with customers from Dubbo, Mudgee, Bourke, Lightning Ridge, Cobar, Condobolin, Merriwa and everywhere in between.

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“Narellan Pools has been a perfect fit for us,” Megan says.

“We love the fact that every day is different.”

The couple, who married in February 2018 and have a young son, became friends during childhood.

They lived in the same area out of Dubbo and got to know each other on the school bus.

Megan (nee Dunn) achieved outstanding success as an international professional cyclist before entering the world of business as an accountant. She drove trucks in the mines at Cobar while completing a Bachelor of Accounting at university.

Jason trained as a tiler and after several years in the trade, decided to try something new.

“We were keen to work together and started looking for a business,” Megan says.

“When Geoff and Valerie Duggan were ready to retire, we took on Narellan Western Plains and Jason become a qualified pool builder.

lifestyle S U M M E R

MEGAN AND JASON ARE PROUD OF THE GROWTH OF THEIR BUSINESS. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A very popular choice in pools, Narellan Symphony 12- Blue Azurite; Megan’s gold medal win in the 2010 Commonwealth Games (10 km scratch race); Megan crosses the line for another gold medal win at the 2010 Commonwealth Games (25km points race); Narellan Pools marble glass colour - Blue Azurite; Narellan Pools Western Plains showroom in Victoria Street, Dubbo.

FACING PAGE: Flynn Boland, Tracey Miller, Jason Reakes, Megan Reakes and Gavin Kelly.

“Life is hectic but we love it.”

The staff at Narellan Pools Western Plains are experienced in all aspects of pool installation and landscaping and offer ongoing advice, service, maintenance and cleaning to ensure pools are performing at their best.

“Installing a pool is a big investment, and a lot of thought goes into ensuring customers get the shape, size and design that best suits their individual needs,” Megan says.

“We install everything from massive 50,000-litre pools with spas through to lap pools and edgy compact designs perfect for smaller yards.”

Megan is always keen to promote the sport of cycling but these days prefers to be a social participant.

She started riding a bike at age two and followed in the footsteps of her eldest brother who was a state cycling champion.

“I trained hard, rose through the ranks and the next thing I knew I was representing Australia,” Megan says.

“By the time I was in secondary school I was frequently travelling overseas to compete. I had great teachers who were very supportive and ensured I stayed on top of my studies.”

Megan won two gold medals in separate individual events at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and was domestique (a rider who works for the benefit of other team members) in the gold medal winning Australian road race.

Megan won numerous national titles and received gold in six world events across two years.

“For me the biggest achievement was winning the Bay Cycling Classic at Melbourne in 2008,” she recalls.

“I was 16 and received a wildcard start in a pro race that included top riders including the world and Olympic champions. I had just come back from a broken knee and was the only junior participating.” RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka & Elizabeth Tickle

NARELLAN POOLS WESTERN PLAINS YOUR ONE STOP SHOP Locally operated since 1989 Large range of great shapes and sizes of fibreglass inground swimming pools and spas. Fully installed or kit options.

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according to

PLAN Graham Peterson’s delightful Mudgee garden is a credit to his forethought and commitment.

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gardens S U M M E R

Mature trees among the park-like grounds, a sweeping driveway and densely planted garden beds provide ‘Hillgrove House’ with a sense of peace and calm. Although, resident Labradors named Kaos and Mayhem may have other ideas for this lovely five-acre garden.

Twenty years ago, a desire to get out of the Sydney rat race saw Graham and Sue Peterson looking for property by the water in NSW. Mudgee was not on the couple’s radar, until they came across ‘Hillgrove House’’ on a five-acre block just off the Ulan Road, a few minutes out of Mudgee. Once viewed, it was a simple decision to move and make their home in Mudgee.

After establishing at ‘Hillgrove House’, the Petersons extended the existing residence. Taking on a large established garden was an upward learning curve. Graham says they moved gradually, maintaining and making incremental changes to the grounds.

An impressive sweeping driveway is planted densely on both sides with softly rounded shrubs. Providing lovely textural foliage and colour contrasts these include Photinia, Euonymus, Buxus, rosemary and bottlebrush amid flowering Viburnum opulus with white snowball heads of bloom in spring. Curving branches of Abelia flower in summer, and flowering quince (Chaenomeles) create a winter blossom show. Above the rounded shrubs deciduous

trees provide a canopy of arching branches and include lime green-foliaged box elder maple (Acer negundo), golden Gleditsia ‘Sunburst’ and spring-flowering crab-apples (Malus sp.).

Among the broad swathes of lawn, trees are planted mostly in groups, creating a park-like feel to the expansive grounds.

Well-established deciduous trees include oaks, golden elms, pistachio, Pyrus, claret ash and Robinia. Stately evergreens like Bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii) and Deodar cedars create wonderful silhouettes among the collection. In front of the house a large flowering hawthorn (Cratageus) is spectacular during spring, smothered in cerise pink blossoms. > FACING PAGE: A canopy of mature trees and dense rounded shrubs feature along the sweeping drive; eye-catching Cistus or rock rose thrives in Mudgee’s climate; viewed from under a mature Chinese elm tree, the rose garden is bordered by box hedging while climbing pink ‘Cecile Brunner’ rose swathes the tennis court fence.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Spider-flowered Grevillea provide nectar and habitat for birdlife; faithful canine companions Kaos and Mayhem; yellow flag iris fringes the pond; dense Photinia hedging borders the property on two sides, spring flowers are followed by red tipped foliage; the rock-lined watercourse has a natural appeal.

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THE SUCCESS OF THE BUSH GARDEN GIVES GRAHAM A GREAT SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND PLEASURE. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Hillgrove’s very handsome entry; spring bloomers include many lovely roses and snowball-like Viburnum opulus; sentinel Bunya pine silhouetted among the many trees; parklike grounds feature mature trees, adjacent to the rose garden the tennis court is swathed in vigorous Cecile Brunner roses; a pair of elegant brolgas by the watercourse; calm ambience of the stone well.

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gardens S U M M E R

Along two boundaries, thick well-established Photinia hedges offer barriers and privacy from Ulan and Bombira roads. To provide an additional buffer from the road along the north western boundary, Graham developed a large native garden.

Meandering pebble pathways wind through a diverse range of local and Australian plants including flowering native shrubs like bottlebrush, grevillea and wattles. There’s also drought-hardy Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) and fine willowy foliage of Wilga trees (Geijera parviflora). With local white-trunked Eucalyptus towering above, this area is a haven for birdlife attracted to the habitat created by the layered plantings.

The success of the bush garden gives Graham a great sense of achievement and pleasure. His forethought and planning have been well rewarded as a recent housing development adjacent to the north-western boundary is now screened from view.

Displaced birdlife has found new homes among Graham’s dense native plantings.

Near the tennis court, the large rose garden was established when the Petersons arrived. Defined by trimmed Japanese box hedging, the area was divided into beds featuring blocks of individual colours, planted in groups of three or more. Varieties of roses have been added to and changed over the years; the overall floral display is consistently lovely from spring to autumn.

Vigorous ‘Cecile Brunner’ climbing roses smother the tennis court fence with soft pink blooms.

Framed by a timber arbour, an entrance from the driveway leads to the lowest section of the block. Around 10 years ago, a little pond was extended and the surrounding area replanted to include ash, pin-oak, plane and liquidambar trees for shade and autumn foliage display. Overseen by a pair of sculptured brolgas and fringed with yellow flag and blue bearded iris, a restful pond now features in this part of the garden. Water gently trickles down the slope to the pond via a stone cobbled watercourse. A pump reticulates the water to the pond and an adjacent stone well with water spouts creates a calm ambience under the overhanging trees.

Close by, among the lawn under the trees, naturalised daffodils and jonquil bulbs put on a pretty spring display and are mown

down in summer. A raised circular garden bed features one of several well-placed statues you will find throughout the garden.

Close to the house, the billiard room and office addition has been softened by dense plantings of medium-sized rounded shrubs including various Euonymus in green and gold foliage forms, Buxus and port-wine magnolia (Michelia figo). Hot pink Cistus or rock rose is long blooming and very tolerant of summer heat.

The sun-drenched pool courtyard features heat-loving and Mediterranean plants including frothy summer flowering Crepe Myrtle trees, Cistus, bee-attracting lavender and poppies. Against a wall terracotta pots are filled with bright-flowered geraniums.

On the sheltered side of the house you will find glossy evergreen Camellia underplanted with hellebores. Cut leaf maples enjoy protection close to the house.

Around the back, a grove of productive trees includes weeping mulberry, fruiting olive and aromatic bay (Laurus nobilis). An archway covered with soft pink climbing roses leads to an old mud brick shed used for storage.

Soils here are clay with an alkaline pH. Ameliorants are added to make the soil more acid. When available, oaten straw is used as garden mulch and a general fertiliser applied annually in spring.

Bore water is pumped and supplied via drip irrigation maximising every drop. With so many birds in the garden, insect pests are taken care of naturally.

Now retired, Graham has help to maintain the extensive gardens and lawns. Photinia hedges require pruning two to three times a year and the rounded shrubs throughout the garden are regularly pruned to keep a compact shape.

Regular strolls through the garden with his faithful Labrador companions Kaos (Kay) and Mayhem (May) give Graham solace since his wife sadly passed away.

Graham opened his garden for the inaugural Mudgee Garden Spectacular 2018 organised by the Rotary Club of Mudgee. RLM Words: Elizabeth Swane Images: Robert Bruce

ABOVE: By the front entry a large cerise flowered hawthorn (Cratageus) is stunning in spring; repeat flowering roses thrive in an open sunny position, spreading canopies of mature trees provide shade and contrasting foliage colour interest.

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Image: Tourism Snowy Mountains

EXPLORE THE

Experience Life at a Different Pace

Pick your path, follow your own lead.

Throw in a line, pedal around, or float away.

We provide the beauty, it’s up to you to decide.

@VisitSnowyValleys @VisitSnowyValleys

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www.visitsnowyvalleys.com.au

JOHN SHORTT CUSTOM SADDLER Handmade quality leather saddles and accessories, with custom rawhide trees.

All types of saddle repairs, all strapping made or repaired. From dog collars, to draught horse harness, to pack saddles.

Saddle making & leather carving schools available.

19 Swan St, Bredbo NSW 2626 P. (02) 6454 4186 M. 0413 139 298 E. shortty@southernphone.com.au

MOONBAH HUT 688 BIG YARD RD, JINDABYNE NSW 2627 P. 02 6457 8311

ULTRA PREMIUM EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL SINGLE ESTATE COLD CLIMATE HAND PICKED 715 WARRENS CORNER ROAD NUMERALLA NSW 2630 PHONE (02) 6453 3078 OPEN 7AM – 5PM 6 DAYS

SNOWYMOUNTAINESTATE.COM.AU

MOONBAHHUT.COM.AU

RLM 213

The Hon Dr Mike Kelly, SMRC General Manager Peter Bascomb, Alex and Elizabeth Tickle, Regional Lifestyle Magazine publishers, Cr Rogan Corbett, Cr Peter Beer, Deputy Mayor Lynley Miners, The Hon Bronnie Taylor MLC, Cr James Ewart, SMRC Tourism and Events Manager Donna Smith.

RLM SPRING 2019 LAUNCH Cooma

Snowy Monaro Regional Council collaborated with Regional Lifestyle to officially launch a 141-page Snowy Monaro feature at the Snowy Mountains Travellers Rest, Cooma, on August 18.

A large crowd of invited guests, including Member for EdenMonaro Dr Mike Kelly, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor, visiting mayors, Snowy Monaro Regional Councillors, senior council staff, advertisers and local identities celebrated the beauty and uniqueness of this stunning region.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Tourism and Events Manager Donna Smith emceed the evening.

“This magazine provides a great way to celebrate and promote all the wonderful stories we have within our region,” she said in her opening remarks.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Deputy Mayor Lynley Miners warmly welcomed the many guests representing all parts of the Snowy Monaro.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council General Manager Peter Bascomb said the magazine demonstrated what a wonderful region the Snowy Monaro was.

“The extremely high-quality images and wonderful stories within the magazine provide a fantastic showcase for our region and show what happens when we all work together,” he said, thanking all those who had shown confidence in the area and had invested in the publication.

Special guest Mike Kelly also spoke glowingly about the Snowy Monaro.

214 RLM

“This magazine promotes a sense of community and lifestyle here in the Snowy Monaro and shows what wonderful accomplishments are possible in regional Australia.”

Bronnie Taylor acknowledged that the magazine allowed the people of the region to tell and share their stories.

“I feel privileged to be part of the Monaro and I’m so proud of you all. I know we all love where we live,” she said.

Further presentations were made by Regional Lifestyle publisher and editor Elizabeth Tickle as well as Margaret Seymour, who spoke on behalf of features writer and photographer Jake Lindsay, who was unable to attend.

They both acknowledged the vital role of Snowy Monaro Regional Council, advertisers and local story subjects, who all saw this feature as an important way of promoting their area.

Guests enjoyed canapes prepared by the The Lott Catering, Cooma, with wines from Shaw Wines, Murrumbateman. RLM Images: Sue Meikle and Nathan Thompson

Regional Lifestyle Magazine is available for sale at: • General Store Adaminaby • Snowy Scheme Museum, Adaminaby • Berridale Post Office • The Perfect Piece, Berridale • Bombala Newsagency • Delegate Progress Association • Jindabyne Newsagency • NewsXpress Cooma • Snowy Mountains Travellers Rest • The Lott Cafe, Cooma

events S U M M E R

Alex and Leanne Corby.

Elle and Nathan Thompson.

Nick and Carla Aoun.

Georg and Alison Froeschl.

Wendy and Robert Attwood.

David and Angie Crawford, Max and Donna Smith, with Kim and Ashley Bolton.

Mayor of Coolamon Cr John Seymour OAM and Margaret Seymour, Fran and Tim Charge, Sue Meikle with Alex and Elizabeth Tickle.

Alex and Elizabeth Tickle with Rowan and Suzanne Woods, Diana Poole and Brett Smith.

Robert Oldenhof and Andrew Weglarz.

Larissa Cook and Suzanne Bunning with Hannah Knight.

Adam and Allyse Walters with Liz Walters.

Manuela Bertchtold and Steve Bottrill.

Ali Heenan, Peter Cochran and Castaly Haddon.

Andrew and Annie O’Keeffe.

Ruby Curtis with Erica Stathan.

SMC Cr James Ewart with Alicia Kelley.

Allyse Walters, Clare Aitchison and Annie O’Keeffe.

Fiona Sacco, Maxine Blyton, Deb Constance and Mark Blyton.

Guests enjoyed entertainment from Ernie Constance.

Tina and Hans Beiser with Fiona and Patrick Sacco.

SMC General Manager Peter Bascomb with Tania Bascomb.

Robin and Phil Daley.

Hannah Knight and Margaret Seymour.

RLM 215

BOMBALA SHOE SHED

B R OW N L I E SHEARING

NSW BOMBALA

Mens, ladies + kids shoes Country clothing and accessories Leather handbags and wallets

Shearing contractors. Servicing the Monaro area for the last 20 years, providing reliable and professional shearing services.

Cabello, Django & Juliette, Ringers’ Western, Thomas Cook, Wrangler, Grosby, New Balance

Selling Heiniger Shearing Products.

147 Maybe St, Bombala P. 02 64584045

M. 0428 774 464

...Always in Season relax | revive | refresh

A unique farmstay experience in famous Batlow Apple Country Experience traditional country accommodation whilst enjoying privacy and luxury in either the 4 bedroom cedar homestead surrounded by an established, well maintained garden or in the 2 safari tents accompanied by sophisticated glamping amenities. Enjoy the tranquility and scenery of the 80-acre

working farm conveniently located on the Snowy Valleys Way between the picturesque townships of Batlow and Tumut. Guests are provided with an idyllic getaway to immerse their senses, enjoy the four seasons or participate in forest bathing while taking in the crisp mountain air.

Phone Anne on 0438 604 416 | 4388 Batlow Rd, Batlow NSW 2730

BRINDABELLAFARMSTAY.COM.AU

Image: Destination NSW

Image: Destination NSW

Make your way through the fertile valleys and rolling hills our grass-fed lambs and cattle call home. Flourish in the warm days and cool nights, just like our orchards, berry patches and cool climate vineyards.

www.visitsnowyvalleys.com.au @VisitSnowyValleys

Talbingo Tourist Caravan Park is nestled in the foothills of The Snowy Mountains. Sitting on the edge of Kosciuszko National Park with views of Jounama Pond.

Experience the Beauty of Talbingo

45 Whitty Street Talbingo NSW 2720 • P. 02 6949 5239 • talbingocaravanpark.com 216 RLM

Accommodation ranging from 2 bedroom brick apartments to ensuite cabins, powered and unpowered sites.

Visit Buddong Falls, Yarrangobilly Caves, Mt Selwyn and Long Plain Rd, Boating on Talbingo Dam or Blowering Dam, both within 10mins.

Talbingo Tourist Caravan Park

– Weddings – Functions ~ Old wares ~ Collectables ~ Homewares ~ Coffee shop Open 10am to 4.30pm Friday – Monday 583 Snowy Mountains Highway, Pine Valley NSW 2630

– Restaurant and accommodation coming soon

M. 0427 484 940

shop@smtravellersrest.com.au

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S U M M E R events

DUBBO WOMEN’S LUNCH Dubbo Karen Saunders hosted a women’s lunch at Dubbo RSL’s One 7 Eight Dining and Cocktail Bar in March to raise funds for the town’s women’s refuge.

In the midst of her husband Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders’ state election campaign at that time, Karen was interested in promoting politicians as real people with very real lives, albeit in a very public role with fancy titles.

To help her prove that point, Karen was joined by three state politicians, Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey, Minister for

Robyn Herron and Lucy Thackeray with Melinda Pavey (centre).

Bronnie Taylor.

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Words: Karen Saunders Images: Zenio Lapka

Jacinta Kinsey and Alice Mitchell.

Karen Saunders.

Sarah Richmond and Bronnie Taylor with Elizabeth Tickle.

Jane Diffey and Meryl Usback.

Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell and Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronwyn Taylor.

Melinda, Sarah and Bronwyn shared what drew them to politics, what keeps them there, and other aspects around blending the raising of their young families with the inevitable travel that their jobs entail. It was a rare insight into the person behind the role.

A donation of $500 from the lunch was made to the Dubbo Women’s Refuge via Orana Support Services.

Gwen Crampton and Adele Oulton.

Melinda Pavey.

Jen Cowley OAM, Pauline McAllister, Cate Whiteley and Jane Diffey.

Fitz McKay, Jan Rees, Melva Blake and Elizabeth Job.

Susan Martel and Louise Taylor.

Sarah Mitchell, Bronnie Taylor and Melinda Pavey with Karen Saunders.

Nicola Chandler and Lucy White.

Karen Saunders and Chris Samuels.

7 BED

3 BATH

3 CAR

Macquarie River Frontage + Bore Water

102L Burraway Road DUBBO NSW 2830 Make your move to this rural haven, offering a country lifestyle with modern conveniences and easy access to town amenities. Sitting upon 35ha/86.6ac (approx) of arable land with river frontage, this contemporary homestead offers a generous floor plan which would easily lend itself to an array of configurations to suit your needs.

Comprising large bedrooms, open-plan kitchen and several living areas, the home is complemented by a wide wrap-around verandah providing plenty of outdoor living space plus an enormous entertaining area that overlooks the in-ground pool; all set within a beautifully maintained house yard.

The property is complete with some Lucerne paddocks, sheep & cattle yards, ample water, plenty of sheds and a tree-lined driveway to welcome you home.

Monica Henley M. 0410 615 505 P. 6882 3544 E. monica@petermilling.com.au

www.petermilling.com.au

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S U M M E R events story name

UP2DATE ART EXHIBITION Coolamon The Coolamon Up2Date Art Inc. recently celebrated their 14th year. The exhibition included a diverse range of artworks on display in Coolamon’s beautiful heritage Up-to-Date Store building. The event continues to grow, with a large number of visitors and community members visiting throughout the exhibition.

The popular annual exhibition held in July attracts a large number of entries. The 2019 event received 280 entries from many different artists over a variety of mediums.

Wayne and Helen Lewis.

Joshua Celi.

The theme for this year’s exhibition was Fabrication. The event boasts an artist-in-residence program each year, working with school children and the community. Artist-in-residence in 2019 was Merrin Glasgow.

Prizes across 11 categories were awarded by judge Dr Neil Overton, former Arts Faculty head at CSU. For more details regarding this annual event, visit www.up2dateart.org.au.

Images: Fiona Carthew, Sixty Three Photographics

Ros Nisbet and Annie Stewart.

Robin and Phil Daley.

Daphne and Andrew Whitehead.

Jess Inch and James Morgan.

Kathryn Halliwell, Lyn Matthews and Michelle Booth.

John Bond.

Marita Macklin and Marie Sheahan.

Kenneth Evans and Beris Parkin.

Karen Buchegger and Sue Kean.

Dr Neill Overton.

Wayne and Rebecca Cutler.

Mayor Cr John Seymour OAM.

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Alison Foley, Libby Cruikshank with Leigh Moloney.

Peter and Judy Paradice.

Elise and Chris Bonny.

Mountain grown - Famous for Flavour

– Tumut’s own microbrewery (est 2012) – 24 taps pouring local beer & cider Our cellar door and roadside stall is open most of the year, except late Winter.

Traditional hand crafted Apple Cider is made at our orchard from our apples.

Apples | Cherries | Cider | Vinegars Berries | Nuts | Pies | Juices & more 4065-4066 Batlow Road, Batlow NSW 2730

– Live music most weekends – Gourmet pizza & house roasted coffee – Brewery tours & more 1-5 CAPPER ST TUMUT P. 1300 04 BEER

trbc.com.au

www.wilgroorchards.com.au

Oriental TUM

Hotel UT NSW

Accommodation Craft beers on tap Pretty Parrot Distilling tasting room Local produce Open 7 days lunch & dinner Small and large groups catered for

48 Fitzroy Street, Tumut NSW \ 02 6947 1627 RLM 221

S U M M E R events

NYNGAN AG EXPO Nyngan The Nyngan Ag Expo has been running now for 27 years and follows the motto “Inform Educate Promote”.

The 2019 Ag Expo did not disappoint.

More than 2000 visitors from all over Australia came through the expo gate on the day to view, sample and test out the latest in agriculture excellence.

With over 260 exhibitors, it catered for everything from hobby farms to big productions.

Not only does the expo offer a platform for agriculture business

Kay and Nugget Carter, Birrimba Santa Gertudis Stud, Nyngan.

Yolande Lefevre and Mel Monico, Scots All Saints, Bathurst.

Michael Adams, Golden West Automative, Dubbo, with Lee Warner and Russell Riordan, Bourke.

James and Amy Edwards, Warren, with their children, Jason, Justin and Hayley.

to connect with their clients face to face, it’s a great social day out.

There were plenty of kids’ activities and a large food and wine marquee offering the best in local cuisine.

The working sheep dog trials returned this year, although due to the severe drought the only sheep available where Dorpers, providing great entertainment in the main arena.

The Nyngan Expo is held every year on the first Saturday of August.

Clyde and Pat Cook, ‘Parkview’ Nyngan, with Marina and Bob Linke, ‘Bernafay’ Nyngan.

Jacqui Motley, ‘Gerar’ Nyngan, with Liz, Penny and John Hoy, ‘Lucern Valley’ Longwood.

Sue and Scott Hosking, ‘Curraghvale’ Warren.

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Alessio Picco, Italy, with Michael and Stacey Wells-Budd, Hermidale.

Images: Elizabeth Tickle

Marcus and Judy Jones, ‘Mentooba’ Narromine.

Nena Didden, the Netherlands, with Kerrie Imrie, Sleepyjays, Gulargambone.

Ron and Helen Murray, Collie.

Alan Comberford and Norman Ivory, Wongarbon.

Marg and John Orth, Mudgee.

Kitchenware Homewares Cookware Decor 83 Wynyard Street Tumut Phone 6947 9000

TUMUT ACCOMMODATION 02 6947 4523 harriethousetumut.com.au

For people who love to cook, create and decorate

• 3 Bowling Greens • Entertainment • Functions • Restaurant & Bistro • 3 Bowling Greens • Entertainment • Keno • TAB • Functions • Restaurant & Bistro • Courtesy Bus • Keno • TAB24-30 Richmond St Tumut MAP REF: E-3 • Courtesy Bus • Kids’ Corner P: 6947 2358 Phone: 6947 2358 www.tumutbowlingclub.com.au • Kid’s Corner

eat drink play enjoy

www.tumutbowlingclub.com.au

RLM 223

A SEASON IN THE

country

WHAT TO SEE AND DO THIS SUMMER IN COUNTRY NSW Pick Your Own Cherries

FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER

Roth Family Orchard, 108 Eurunderee Lane, Mudgee Ingrid Roth 0428 195 485 farm@roth.net.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Guided Kayak Tours

SCHOOL HOLIDAY WEEKENDS DECEMBER – FEBRUARY

Dunn’s Swamp (Ganguddy) Wollemi National Park, Kelgoola (Outside Rylstone) Cindy Budai & John Stefas 0439 936 480 info@southerncrosskayaking.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Brett ‘Mon’ Garling Exhibition NOVEMBER, DECEMBER & JANUARY

Dundullimal Homestead 23L Obley Road, Dubbo Karen Hagan 0403 912 272 dundullimal@nationaltrust.com.au www.nationaltrust.org.au

Paris and Other Places Art Exhibition by Ramon Ward-Thompson

3 DECEMBER – 11 JANUARY

Grenfell Art Gallery 88 Main Street, Grenfell Shirley Tognetti (02) 6343 2059 shirley@grenfell.org.au www.grenfell.org.au

Cowra Christmas Street Festival 6 DECEMBER

Kendal Street, Cowra Kurt Overzet (02) 6342 4333 events@cowratourism.com.au www.visitcowra.com.au

Oberon Community Carols 6 DECEMBER

Oberon Recreation Ground, Oberon Kristy Rusten 0407 927 464 oberoncommunitycarols@gmail.com www.visitoberon.com

70th National Cherry Festival 6, 7 & 8 DECEMBER

Young NSW Emma Hill (02) 6384 2458 emma.hill@hilltops.nsw.gov.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Young & Region Farmers’ Market 7 DECEMBER

Anderson Park, off Lovell Street, Young Bev Maloney 0429 323 137 vic@hilltops.nsw.gov.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Mudgee Christmas Makers Market 7 DECEMBER

Robertson Park, Mudgee Mudgee Fine Foods 0412 222 442 farmersmarket@mudgeefinefoods.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

The Hilltops Heritage Rally 7 DECEMBER

Carrington Park, Ripon Street, Young David Curtis 0418 688 786 holkim@iprimus.com.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Rove Rylstone

7 DECEMBER, 4 JANUARY, 1 FEBRUARY

Various locations, Rylstone Diane Quaife (Naked Lady Wines) 1300 550 239 sales@nakedladywines.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Table for Twelve at Logan 7 DECEMBER

Logan Wines, 1320 Castlereagh Highway, Mudgee Logan Wines (02) 6373 1333 info@loganwines.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Carols in Taylor Park 8 DECEMBER

Taylor Park, corner of Weddin & Middle streets, Grenfell Grenfell Visitor Centre (02) 6343 2059 events@grenfell.org.au www.grenfell.org.au

Mudgee Miniature Railway

Chill-Rite Daikin Christmas Twilight Race Meeting 21 DECEMBER

City of Dubbo Turf Club Natasha Bailey (02) 6882 1044 events@dubboturfclub.com.au www.dubboturfclub.com.au

Cowra Community Markets

21 DECEMBER & 15 FEBRUARY

Cowra Showground Kaye Chapman 0473 346 046 Facebook: Cowra Community Markets

Dragon Live @ Club Mudgee 21 DECEMBER

Club Mudgee info@clubmudgee.com.au www.clubmudgee.com.au

Dubbo New Year’s Eve Fireworks 31 DECEMBER

Dubbo Showground 108 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo Dubbo Show Society (02) 6882 4364 dubbshow@hwy.com.au www.dubboshow.org

Cowra Community New Year’s Eve Beach Party Spectacular 31 DECEMBER

Cowra Showground Kerry Quin 0421 779 354 cowranye@gmail.com Facebook: Cowranye

8 DECEMBER, 12 JANUARY & 9 FEBRUARY

Lavender Herb & Chilli Festival

Lazy River Christmas Markets

Crystal Brook Gardens & Lavender Farm 257 Tyrl Tyrl Road, Laggan Judith Basile (02) 4843 3333 judith@lavenderatlaggan.com.au www.lavenderatlaggan.com.au Facebook: Crystal Brook Gardens & Lavender Farm

Corner Ulan Road & Buckaroo Lane, Mudgee Mudgee Miniature Railway (02) 6373 3626 kingpeter2850@gmail.com www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au 8 DECEMBER

11 & 12 JANUARY

Lazy River Estate, 29R Old Dubbo Road, Dubbo (02) 6882 2111 events@lazyriverestate.com.au www.lazyriverestate.com.au

Mayfield Summer Festival

Afternoon Vibes @ The Cellar

by Gilbert

‘Music in Between’ Festival

8 DECEMBER

The Cellar by Gilbert, 121 Ulan Road, Mudgee (02) 6372 1325 thecellar@gilbertfamilywines.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Warren Twilight Races 14 DECEMBER

Warren Jockey Club (02) 6847 3749 www.warrenjockeycub.com

Tunes @ Burnbrae

15 DECEMBER, 19 JANUARY & 16 FEBRUARY

Burnbrae Wines, 548 Hill End Road, Mudgee (02) 6373 3504 cheers@burnbraewines.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

11 – 26 JANUARY

Mayfield Garden, 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon, (02) 6336 3131 info@mayfieldgarden.com.au www.mayfieldgarden.com.au 13 JANUARY

Various locations in Wellington Wellington Visitor Information Centre (02) 6840 1771 tourism.wellington@dubbo.nsw.gov.au Nola Short 0409 043 582 shortspek@yahoo.com.au www.dubbo.com.au

Cinema Di Lusso 25 JANUARY

Di Lusso Estate, 162 Eurunderee Lane, Mudgee, (02) 6373 3125 sales@dilusso.com.au www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Taralga Rodeo

25 – 27 JANUARY

Taralga Showground Lara Miller 0413 994 239 Lara1267@bigpond.com www.taralgarodeo.com.au Facebook: Taralga Rodeo

Australia Day Celebrations 26 JANUARY

Boorowa, Harden, Young & Wombat Emma Hill (02) 6384 2458 emma.hill@hilltops.nsw.gov.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Geurie Picnic Races 1 FEBRUARY

Geurie Showground 78 Comobella Road, Geurie Geurie Picnic Race Club 0447 332 093 geurieprc@gmail.com Facebook: Geurie Picnic Race Club

Lifeline Boys Day Out 3 FEBRUARY

City of Dubbo Turf Club Natasha Bailey (02) 6882 1044 events@dubboturfclub.com.au www.dubboturfclub.com.au

Rydal Show

8 FEBRUARY

Rydal Showground, Market Street, Rydal Rachael Young 0403 035 756 rydalshow@gmail.com www.agshowsnsw.org.au

Oberon Show 8 FEBRUARY

Oberon Showground, Ross Street, Oberon Anna Shaw 0428 412 757 artbyanna@bigpond.com www.oberonshow.org.au

Dunedoo Show 14 FEBRUARY

Dunedoo Showground, Wargundy Street, Dunedoo 0427 720 204 lucindamiller@bigpond.com

Family Duck Day/Georgina Josephine Foundation 16 FEBRUARY

Young Aquatic Centre Peter Cockburn 0427 424 615 admin@gjfoundation.com.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

McDonald’s Family Fun Day 16 FEBRUARY

City of Dubbo Turf Club Natasha Bailey (02) 6882 1044 events@dubboturfclub.com.au www.dubboturfclub.com.au

Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival 16 – 23 FEBRUARY

Various locations in Orange Region Orange360 (02) 6361 7271 admin@orange360.com.au www.orange360.com.au

Binnaway Show 29 FEBRUARY

Binnaway Showground (02) 6844 1605 binnaway.show@gmail.com

Do you have an event that you would like included in our magazine? Email: events@lifestylemagazine.net.au Compiled by Heather Crosby. All events are subject to change and we recommend contacting the organisers to confirm details.

224 RLM

Soak up the sun in style with 2 Fat Ladies This Summer sees lots of colour, gorgeous prints and beautiful fabrics from Vigorella, Jendi, Gordan & Smith, Betty Basics, plus many more labels.

Visit us instore and try on beautiful cottons & linens ready for the summer heat.

Petite size up to 24.

We are a wonderful destination for the whole family.

OPEN weekdays 9am – 4.30pm weekends 9am – 4pm

Pastel – oil – acrylic paintings – charcoal drawings 407 Freemantle Rd, Mt Rankin (12km from Bathurst CBD)

M. 0404 641 768 E. karenjamesartist@gmail.com

Mitchell Highway, Lucknow Phone 6365 5437

Gallery & studio is open the first full weekend of each month or by appointment.

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226 RLM

weddings & functions S U M M E R

wedded bliss An idyllic vineyard on the banks of the Macquarie River is in demand as a picture-perfect location for weddings.

Just 2.9km from the edge of Dubbo, Lazy River Estate is a complete celebration destination allowing couples to host their wedding ceremony, photo shoot and reception all within one stunning location.

Whether planning an intimate event or a lavish soiree, there’s no need to rush between venues on the big day. And with on-site accommodation available at the perfectly positioned and presented Boat House Villa, there’s even the option of staying the night.

Built in an industrial modern style, the villa sleeps up to six people and offers luxury inclusions, gorgeous furnishings and views over the vineyard and river.

Lazy River Estate owners Pamela and Peter Scott refer to their premium catering, wedding, events and function centre as a one-stop shop.

“We are experts in styling and staging events and offer a fabulous setting that has everything within walking distance,” Pamela says.

“Our full-time events co-ordinator has all the experience necessary to ensure your special event is truly wonderful. A range of wedding packages are available to suit every need and want.

Guidance and support are provided throughout every step of the process, from the initial appointment to the big day.

“As a special personal touch, the co-ordinator is on site throughout the wedding to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

The team at Lazy River have the skill set, experience, creativity and industry connections to deliver any type of reception.

Some people want a casual vibe. Others opt for a spectacular black-tie theme.

Whatever the style or size of the event, the staff are ready and willing to make dreams a reality.

Bridal parties frequently choose to stay at the Boat House Villa on the night before the wedding.

The next day, hair and makeup can be done in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.

When preparations are complete, the bride and attendants can walk to the riverbank ceremony area offering water views, an arbour, vintage wooden chapel seating and a French setting including signing table and chairs.

The serene location with tall foliage and magnificent native trees creates a beautiful, intimate atmosphere.

Lazy River Estate looks lovely year-round and has an array of superb locations for photography.

“When it is time for the reception, guests can stroll to the rammed earth and glass function centre, which is the jewel in our crown,” Pamela says.

“Seating up to 140 people, the stunning space has been uniquely designed and includes an impressive west-facing deck where guests are able to watch the sun set as they enjoy drinks and nibbles.”

A wide range of menu options are available, including plated meals and banquets where food is brought to tables on large platters allowing guests to choose from a selection of meats, salads and vegetables.

Lazy River Estate also offers a mobile catering service for weddings, functions and corporate events.

“We have delivered weddings and special celebrations in a wide range of settings,” Pamela says.

“All the preparation is done in the Lazy River kitchens and staff arrive on site with a cool room and food van.

“Attention to detail is our priority. When the meal has been served, we do all the clearing away and cleaning up.” RLM Words: Heather Crosby

Further information: www.lazyriverestate.com.au.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Estate vineyard provides a stunning backdrop for the bride and groom; attention to detail in table settings; many happy couples have enjoyed the Lazy River Estate to celebrate their special day; creative touches create a memorable atmosphere.

ABOVE: Lazy River Estate is the perfect location for a wedding or a special celebration.

RLM 227

S U M M E R weddings

RIDLEY + COULTHURST Caroline Ridley and Josh Coulthurst were married at St Laurence’s Catholic Church, Forbes, on October 13, 2018.

The reception followed at Caroline’s family property near Forbes with 200 guests in attendance. Drinks and canapés were served in the garden with live acoustics from Lueth Ajak. The Baker Boys then entertained guests under the stars on an outside dance floor.

The bride wore a Theia Couture gown and petal veil, changing into a Dion Lee silk slip dress. Eat Your Greens, Eugowra, catered for the reception, with the wedding cake by Eat Me Edible Goodies, Parkes.

Josh and Caroline enjoyed a two-week honeymoon in Port Douglas and Bedarra Island Resort and have since returned to their home in Forbes.

Photographer: Tilly Clifford

BELOW: Amelia Hain, Lily Peters, Annabel Littlejohn, Meredith Hunt, Melanie Ridley, Caroline and Josh Coulthurst, Nick Skuse, Will Barber, Steven Walker, Ben Coulthurst and Daniel Coulthurst.

228 RLM

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

180 MACQUARIE STREET, DUBBO

PH: (02) 6885 3500

WWW.KINGSHALL.COM.AU

COSMETIC

LASER

CLINIC

RLM 229

S U M M E R weddings

ROTH + BEATH Rhiannan Roth and Sam Beath were married on their property near Cargo on October 6, 2018.

The couple shared their special day with 130 friends and family who travelled from all around Australia. Sam’s brother Jack Beath stood by his side as best man, along with groomsmen Samuel Barker, Joshua Welsh and Blake Tidswell. Helping the bride celebrate her special day were maid of honour sister Abbey Roth and bridesmaids Lauren Berecry, Rhiannon Lepre, Brianne Brogden and Emma Roth.

Rhiannan wore a Grace Loves Lace dress.

The groomsmen suits were from Connor, Orange. Bradley’s Florist and Kathryn’s Cake Creations, both of Orange, and Edwena Mitchell Catering, Cudal, all contributed towards the occasion.

Photographer: Vicki Miller Photography

230 RLM

Circa 1929. Allow yourself to be transported to another place. A place where time stands still.

A place where you are made to feel special from the moment you step through the front doors.

Circa 1929. A peaceful retreat where our focus is on you.

A place like no other.

109 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga 02 6925 9312 info@circa1929.com.au www.circa1929.com.au Facebook.com/Circa1929 Instagram.com/circa_1929

SPECIAL OFFER Special offer FOR CENTRAL WEST for regional LIFESTYLE READERS lifestyle readers Book two consecutive nights

Book nights andtwo getconsecutive the third night free –and getduring the third night free& –May. during March, April Februaryby- April Bookings phone2020. only.

Bookings by phone only 0422 303 311 Quote CWL201909101112

bishop’s court estate … a ‘deserved indulgence’ Secluded, private and exceedingly elegant, set on an acre of parkland gardens. Offering luxurious accommodation with a stunning chapel for private events and celebrations.

Guests adore Bishop’s Court for its ambience, dining, service and attention to detail ... whether it be for business or leisure.

226 Seymour Street Bathurst NSW Ph: 0422 303 311 www.bishopscourtestate.com.au

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S U M M E R weddings

GORMAN + DODDS Courtney Gorman married Andrew Dodds at St Paul’s Church, Adelong, on October 27, 2018.

The ceremony was followed by a marquee reception on Courtney’s parents’ property near Adelong.

Photographs were taken at the Adelong Falls, as well as the local property belonging to Snowy Valleys Mayor Cr James Hayes and his wife Karen.

Using local suppliers was of utmost importance to the couple, with catering by Margaret Bowden, floral arrangements by Coach House Flowers, and hair and makeup

by Serenity Hair and makeup artist Larissa Freeston.

Courtney and Andrew honeymooned in Africa and have since bought their first property in Gladesville, Sydney.

Photographer: Carmen Hickey Photography

ABOVE: Taylor Gorman, Joshua Woodcock, Jamielee Webb, Courtney and Andrew Dodds, Lewis Walker, Brodee Gorman, Ryan Hinson, Naomi Lee and Matthew Dodds.

232 RLM

COURABYRA WINES CELLAR DOOR CAFE WEDDINGS FUNCTION CENTRE OPEN 11AM – 5PM THURSDAY – MONDAY

4.5 JAMES HALLIDAYS WINE COMPANION GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE BEST CELLAR DOOR 2018 BEST SPARKLING WINE TROPHY NSW 2017 AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD & TRAVEL GUIDE 2018

805 COURABYRA RD TUMBARUMBA • M. 0429 482 462

COURABYRAWINES.COM

Specialising in advanced facials Microdermabrasion | Waxing Massage | Gel/acrylic/shellac manicures & pedicures | Spa treatments | Make-up | Eyelash tinting & lifting | Henna eyebrows Visiting Specialists | Cosmetic Injectables Doctor | IPL Laser Technician & Cosmetic Tattooist

Catherine Ann’s Beauty Therapy SHOP 2, 65 WYNYARD ST TUMUT 2720 PH. 02 6947 4437

CADOGAN country house

luxury farm stay

Cadogan Country House is exceptional. This fully self-contained home has been beautifully renovated and features 5 bedrooms, all with ensuites - 3 queen bedrooms and 2 king (or twin) bedrooms, ducted air conditioning, underfloor heating in bathrooms, open fire, several living areas, a full kitchen with quality Smeg appliances, a large entertaining deck with BBQ and an outdoor fire pit. There is also a Tesla destination charger onsite.

Located on a 2500 acre working Wagyu beef property, centrally located between Bathurst and Orange NSW, Cadogan Country house is very quiet and private and is surrounded by a spacious country garden.

Bookings

cadogancountryhouse.com.au

Enjoy picnicking at our private hedge maze, exploring the beautiful Guyong countryside on our complimentary farm tour and visiting the many wonderful local attractions, restaurants, wineries and historic villages.

Jane 0419 777 508 RLM 233

LOUSICK + WILLIAMS Georgia Lousick and Mason Williams were married in Wellington on October 13, 2018.

The garden ceremony was followed by a reception at Wellington Showground with 200 guests celebrating the couple’s special day.

Georgia wore a George Wu Couture Atelier gown, with floral arrangements

by The Meadow Floral Design, Dubbo.

Cakes at Number 5, Dubbo, created the wedding cake, while Dillon Price Videography, Wellington, captured the day on film.

The couple honeymooned in Thailand and are planning on building a home in Wellington.

Photographer: Amy Louise Photography & Design

BELOW: William Lousick, Shaquille Gordon, Hayden Chapman, Aaron Copping, Mason and Georgia Williams, Kate Toomey, Sophie Lousick, Abbey Lousick, Emily Toomey and Elly McCarroll.

234 RLM

Experience Indian food at its finest.

Great food • Great service Authentic Indian dishes using only the finest ingredients Book your table online Order takeaway (for pickup) online Events & catering

AUTUMN 2020

OPEN FOR DINNER 7 NIGHTS 5–9pm

Parkes & Forbes AVAILABLE MARCH 2020

Subscribe to experience the magazine in print or online: www.lifestylemagazine.net.au

29 BULTJE STREET, DUBBO 2830 • (02) 6875 6467 royalindiarestobar.com.au

rustic, sophisticated, charming & relaxing Dubbo Rhino Lodge is set among Australian bush surroundings.

The Perfect venue for weddings, conferences, corporate events & special occasions – with in-house catering and resort style glamping accommodation.

Dubbo Rhino Lodge is like no other venue in the Central West, it is country with an edge.

The Lodge Restaurant offers woodfire pizzas and a full menu. Bookings are advisable, see the website for opening days and times.

enquire today

14L Camp Road, Dubbo // E. info@rhinolodge.com.au // P. 02 6884 1760 // dubborhinolodge.com.au

RLM 235

S U M M E R story name

Our Advertisers SUMMER 2019 We encourage our readers to support our advertisers.

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Dubbo, 6881 8544 bettaframe.com.au

COSMO CAFE

BIG TROUT MOTOR INN

COURABYRA WINES

Oberon, 6336 2100 bigtrout.com.au

BILLABONG COTTAGE

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BIRDSNEST

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BISHOP’S COURT ESTATE Bathurst, 6332 4447 bishopscourtestate.com.au

BLACK GOLD MOTEL

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BOB BERRY REAL ESTATE Dubbo, 6882 6822 bobberry.com.au

BOMBALA SHOE SHED Bombala, 64584045

BREDBO CHRISTMAS BARN

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BRIGHAM HOUSE

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BRINDABELLA FARMSTAY

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BUDDENS B&B

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BUDGERIE BRAFORD STUD

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BUMBLE BEE WRAPS

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CADOGAN COUNTRY HOUSE

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CLUB BOMBALA

Bombala, 6458 3017 clubbombala.com.au

CRAMPTON’S CARPETS

Dubbo, 6882 8911 cramptonscarpets.com.au

DEB’S JEWELLERY Temora, 6977 4122 debsjewellery.com

DELEGATE PROGRESS ASSOCIATION Delegate, 6458 8388 delegate.nsw.au

DIRTY JANE’S

Bowral, 4861 3231 dirtyjanes.com

DUBBO DENTAL

Dubbo, 6882 0949 dubbodental.com.au

DUBBO PRINTING WORKS Dubbo, 6882 1233 printingworks.com

DUBBO RHINO LODGE Dubbo, 6884 1760 rhinolodge.com.au

DUBBO RSL CLUB Dubbo, 6882 4411 dubborsl.com.au

DUNK INSURANCE

Young, 1800 219 496 dunkinsurance.com.au

ELLSTANMOR COUNTRY GUEST HOUSE Cooma, 6452 2402 ellstanmor.com.au

EMBELLISH @ THE CLUB

Gundagai, 0419 478 508 gundagaiservicesclub.com.au

FARMER’S BAKEHOUSE

Dubbo, 6882 0199 farmersbakehouse.com.au

FISH RIVER ROASTERS

Guyong, 0419 777 508 cadogancountryhouse.com.au

Bathurst, 6331 7171 fishriverroasters.com.au

CAFE DOLCETTO

FLOWERS HERE

Yass, 6226 1277 cafedolcetto.com.au

CATHERINE’S BEAUTY SALON

Tumut, 6947 4437 catherineannsbeautytherapy.com.au

CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF BATHURST Bathurst, 6338 3000 bth.catholic.edu.au

CHOICES FLOORING BY BRIGHTS Bathurst, 6331 4866 choicesflooring.com.au/store/ bathurst

CHOOX CHARCOAL CHICKEN Orange, 6362 0920 choox.com.au

CHURCH STREET CAFE Dubbo, 6884 0790 www.cscdubbo.com.au

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Wellington & Dubbo, 0410 363 429 flowershere.com.au

FLOWERS ON TALBRAGAR

GOLDEN WEST AUTOMOTIVE

MOLLY’S PLACE

ROYAL INDIA RESTOBAR

THE HUB

GRAPEVINE CAFE

MONCHICHI SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

RUBY MAINE

THE LOTT CAFE

Dubbo, 6882 1011 goldenwestautomotive.com.au Dubbo, 6884 7354 grapevinecafe.com.au

HALLS COFFEE COTTAGE

NARELLAN POOLS WESTERN PLAINS

Tumut, 6947 4909

Narrandera, 0431 696 795

Ganmain, 6927 6401

GARIAN WHOLESALERS Dubbo, 6884 1166

GILGANDRA SHIRE COUNCIL Gilgandra, 6817 8800 gilgandra.nsw.gov.au

GLENELM GUEST COTTAGE Berridale, 0414 804 347

Cooma, 6452 1414

SCOTS ALL SAINTS COLLEGE

Tumut, 0429 020 888 monarchtumut.com.au

Bathurst, 6331 3911 scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au

SECOND CHANCE COLLECTABLES Narrandera, 0428 444 906

SEW FAB

HERITAGE MOTEL COOTAMUNDRA

NARRANDERA BAKERY

SHAKESPEARE FUNERALS

Cootamundra, 1300 130 172 cootamundraheritagemotel.com.au

HUTCHINS BROS

Narrandera, 6959 2699 hutchinsbros.com.au

INSIDE OUT HOMESTORE

Tumut, 6947 9000 insideouthomestore.com.au

JEMALONG WOOL

Narrabri, 6799 6866 narrabri.nsw.gov.au

Narrandera, 6959 3677

NARRANDERA BENDIGO BANK Narrandera, 6959 9766 bendigobank.com.au

NARRANDERA SHIRE COUNCIL Narrandera, 6959 5510 narrandera.nsw.gov.au

NEST CINEMA CAFÉ BOOKS Tumbarumba, 6948 2950 www.cafe-nest.com

Cooma, 6452 3130 Forbes, 6851 4000 Tamworth, 6760 7577 jemalongwool.com.au

OBERON COUNCIL

JOHN SHORTT CUSTOM SADDLER

Oberon, 6336 1607 www.oberonrsl.com.au

Bredbo, 6454 4186

JUADINE INTERIORS AND THE RED DOOR CAFE Narrandera, 6959 4020

KAREN JAMES STUDIO AND GALLERY

Mt Rankin, 0404 641 768

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS Dubbo, 6885 3500 kingshall.com.au

KLR MARKETING

Bathurst, 0428 953 925 klrmarketing.com.au

LAZY RIVER ESTATE

Dubbo, 6882 2111 lazyriverestate.com.au

LAZY SUNDAY LIFESTYLE Dubbo, 5806 0689 lazysundaylifestyle.com

LIGHTING AND LIVING

Dubbo, 6884 8000 lightingandliving.com.au

Oberon, 6329 8100 oberon.nsw.gov.au

OBERON RSL

PRESSED TIN PANELS Bathurst, 6332 1738 pressedtinpanels.com

PROFESSIONAL SKIN SOLUTIONS

QPL RURAL

MAYFIELD GARDEN

Oberon, 6336 3131 mayfieldgarden.com.au

MERVE’S EATERY

Orange, 0418 483 151

SNOWY MOUNTAINS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Tumut, 6947 7025 Tumbarumba, 6948 3333 visittumut.com.au tumbarumbaregion.com.au Oberon, 6336 1101 Dubbo, 6882 3199

PETER MILLING & COMPANY

MAWHOOD’S SUPA IGA OBERON

Dubbo, 6884 4077 Wellington, 6845 3453 Cobar, 0268364077 maxastrioptometrists.com

Numeralla, 6453 3078 snowymountainestate.com.au

ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Bathurst, 6332 9880 professionalskinsolutions.com.au

MAX ASTRI OPTOMETRISTS BY GEORGE AND MATILDA EYECARE

SNOWY MOUNTAIN ESTATE

Leeton, 6953 3622 sfcww.catholic.edu.au

Cooma, 6452 2144 mainstreetclothing.com.au

Oberon, 6336 1101

Cooma, 1800 636 525 visitcooma.com.au

Dubbo, 6882 3933 peacockeaccountants.com.au

Dubbo, 6885 0621 pressdubbo.com.au

Temora, 6978 1008 www.qplrural.com.au

ROSIE’S HONEY MUSTARD Warren, 6824 2055 rosies.net.au

ROSSKIN ANGUS AND CHAROLAIS Dalgety, 6456 6710 rosskin.com.au

ROYAL BUBS N TOTS Dubbo, 6882 9565 rbnt.com.au

THE SUGAR MILL

Orange, 6361 1529

THUNDERBIRD MOTEL

ST FRANCIS DE SALES REGIONAL COLLEGE

PRESS

Pine Valley, 0427 484 940

SNOWY MONARO REGIONAL COUNCIL

PEACOCKE ACCOUNTANTS

PLAINSMAN MOTEL

THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS TRAVELLERS REST

West Wyalong, 6972 0393 tdhww.com.au

ST ANDREW’S CHAPEL

Cooma, 6452 5489 phasthaikitchen.com.au

Cooma, 0402 733 187

THOM, DICK AND HARRY’S

PARKES NEWS & GIFTS

PHA’ S THAI KITCHEN

THE SHEARER’S WIFE

Cooma, 6452 1133 snowseasonmotorinn.com

SUNNYPOINT BEEF

Dubbo, 6882 3544 petermilling.com.au

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SNOW SEASON MOTOR INN

Grenfell, 6343 8288 outscape.net.au

Parkes, 6862 2296 parkesnewsagency.com.au

THE PERFECT PIECE

THE WOOLSHED

ORIGINAL SKIN THERAPY

OUTSCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

THE MONARCH

Murrumbateman, 6227 5827 shawvineyards.com.au

SNOWY VALLEYS COUNCIL

LUCKNOW SKIN SHOP & BOOT BARN

MACQUARIE VIEW BRASS AND IRON BEDS

SHAW VINEYARD ESTATE

Jindabyne, 6457 1022 smgs.nsw.edu.au

Forbes, 6852 2466 plainsmanmotel.com.au

Lucknow, 6365 5330 lucknowskinshop.com.au

Dubbo, 6882 2434 shakespearefunerals.com.au

Tumut, 6947 1627

LITTLE RUSTIC PANTRY Coolamon, 0499 184 927

Narrandera, 69599819 sewfab.com.au

ORIENTAL HOTEL

Narrandera, 6959 4044 originalskintherapy.com.au

Bathurst, 6332 1565 thehubcafe.com.au

Dubbo, 6882 5362 rubymaine.com.au

NARRABRI COUNCIL

Tumut, 6947 4523 harriethousetumut.com.au

MAINSTREET CLOTHING

GANMAIN BAKERY

Dubbo, 6884 3117

Dubbo, 6875 6467 www.royalindiarestobar.com.au

HARRIET HOUSE

FORBES FAMILY DENTIST

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MOONBAH HUTS

Jindabyne, 6457 8311 moonbahhut.com.au

Wellington, 0419 207 194 bedmanwellington.com.au

FRANK SMITH WORK CLOTHING & SHOE REPAIRS

Jindabyne 6456 2946

GROUND UP TUMUT

Dubbo, 6885 3242

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SWEET BRIAR B&B

Coolamon, 6927 2222 sweetbriar.com.au

TALBINGO TOURIST PARK

Talbingo, 6949 5239 talbingocaravanpark.com.au

TANZA FASHION

Temora, 0418 978 134

TATTYKEEL

Oberon, 6335 8116 tattykeel.com.au

TEMORA EX-SERVICES CLUB, GOLDTERA MOTOR INN & KOREELA PARK MOTOR INN Temora, 6977 2433 temoraexservices.com.au

TEMORA FLOWER CENTRE Temora. 6977 1788

THE ART OF HAIR AND MOSAIC Tumut, 0437 078 371

THE BYNG STREET BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Orange, 5317 8200 byngstreethotel.com.au

THE COFFEE CLUB ORANA MALL Dubbo, 6882 0347 coffeeclub.com.au

THE GALLERY DUBBO Dubbo, 6884 7977

Molong, 0420 391 603

Yass, 6226 1158 thunderbirdmotel.com.au

TOP PADDOCK

Crookwell, 4832 2319

TOWN & COUNTRY RURAL SUPPLIES

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TOYOTA CENTRAL WEST GROUP Central West, 6882 1511 toyota.com.au

TUMUT CONNECTION Tumut, 6227 7254

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Tumbarumba, 6948 2494 tumbarumbamotel.com.au

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TUMUT’S PIE IN THE SKY BAKERY AND BORN AND BREAD BAKERY Tumut, 6947 2200

W LARCOMBE & SON FUNERALS & MONUMENTS Dubbo, 6882 3199 wlarcombeandson.com.au

WALLINGTON WINES

Canowindra, 0427 936 054 wallingtonwines.com.au

WARRUMBUNGLE SHIRE COUNCIL

Coonabarabran, 6849 2000 warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au

WATTLE GROVE SPECKLE PARK STUD

Oberon, 0429 360 419 wattlegrovespecklepark.com.au

WEST ORANGE MOTORS

Orange, 6361 1000 mbwestorangemotors.com.au

WESTERN PLAINS WINDOWS & GLASS Dubbo, 6884 8818 wpwg.com.au

WILGRO ORCHARDS

Batlow, 0427 491 224 wilgroorchards.com.au

YANCO AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

Yanco, 6951 1500 yancoag-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

YASS VALLEY COUNCIL Yass, 6226 1477 yassvalley.nsw.gov.au

Delegate Progress Association Contact Delegate RTCT Centre P. (02)6458 8388 E. dpaoffice@bigpond.com

The historic village of Delegate is nestled among some of the finest grazing land in the State and surrounded by areas of natural beauty and wonder like the Errinundra and Kosciusko National Parks and McKillops Bridge.

Take some time to explore some of our highlights and events.

> Accommodation Delegate Nurses Cottage – sleeps 10/self-contained > Accommodation Delegate Gallery Flat – sleeps two/self-contained > Borderline Gallery – local arts and crafts > Bundian Way Gallery – Aboriginal Art > Celebrating Our Heritage – annual festival with games, market stalls, Billy Tea and damper at the Early Settlers Hut. Last Saturday in October > Delegate Show – first Saturday in March > Delegate Campdraft – second Saturday in March > Early Settlers Hut – Historic Hut > History Room – War Museum Call us for opening hours.

www.delegate.nsw.au

Corner of Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets Dubbo NSW 2830 Phone: 02 6882 4411 Fax: 026881 8062

/DubboRSL

HAIR • All aspects • DeLorenzo products NAILS • Acrylic • Shellac • Nail Art MOSAIC & WIRE • Workshops • Classes • Art pieces by order

143 WYNYARD ST, TUMUT M. 0437 078 371 RLM 237

ANNUAL

Narrandera�

Easter weekend Earlies Rod and Custom Club Run Enjoy the BIG street parade of gleaming machines along East Street on Easter Saturday evening and spectacular Show ‘n’ Shine on Easter Sunday at Marie Bashir Park.

Freshly baked bread and rolls, a selection of cakes and slices, pies, sausage rolls and pasties – all baked daily.

Freshly made sandwiches, great coffee with friendly service – don’t forget to try our fabulous Beesting!

Homewares to Inspire

Gifts from the Heart

Family owned and operated since 1998

Molly’s Place Dubbo

A lifestyle store to arouse your senses.

Visit Molly’s Place to experience everything it has to offer.

98 Talbragar Street, Dubbo • 6884 8991

Wednesday & Friday: 9am-4ish • Thursday: 9am-7ish • Saturday: 9am-12ish

Dine-in or takeaway and catering is available.

Mon – Fri: 7am – 5:45pm Sat: 7am – 2:30pm

PH 02 6959 3677 / 108 East Street Narrandera NSW

CLOTHING • SHOES • GIFTWARE • BABY ESSENTIALS • FURNITURE

55 Talbragar St, Dubbo

www.rbnt.com.au 238 RLM

XERO Gold Partner

Unit 12/36 Darling Street Dubbo, NSW 2830 Phone: 02 6885 5594 E: admin@peacockeaccountants.com.au www.peacockeaccountants.com.au

Combining the knowledge of your business with our expertise – growing your small business or farming operation is our passion.

RLM 239

S U M M E R the last word

little beauties

It’s hard not to miss Meg Low when she’s stuck in Oberon traffic. She’s the one having all the fun.

Meg Low and gardening guru husband Peter are better known for their eclectic Gairloch Garden, regarded as one of the finest cool climate gardens in the district.

In the past few years, however, Meg has also been making a bold statement in the horse department.

Meg admits it’s been a while since she’d driven a horse and sulky. She thinks she was about 17. It was so much fun she promised herself that one day after retiring she’d do it again.

She rode Arabs for most her life but with the years slowly catching up, decided to downsize the operation.

Today her two miniatures, Chip and Posie, take Meg for a merry old ride through Oberon’s streets, complete with her adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Frankie and Russo.

“The dogs just love it,” Meg says. “The moment they see me put on my riding boots they wag their tails, ready for another trip.”

Often they will venture down the main street but it all depends on the weather.

“The city visitors seem rather gobsmacked. Most have never seen anything like it and reach for their phones to capture the moment. The Oberon locals are all very understanding and usually throw me a wave.

“Tolerant is more the word, darling,” Peter laughs in the background. The pair were posted here to Oberon as teachers 35 years ago and fell in love with the country life.

Meg says the reason she opted for the miniature ponies is that she lost her confidence with the larger varieties.

“They weigh about 250 kilograms and do exactly what I want.

Now that I have my miniature horse float, I’m mobile and can go anywhere.”

Peter shares no enthusiasm for his wife’s horse whispering ways but is happy to help out if she blows a tyre. He’s also very thankful the horses live in a big paddock across the road and not in his prized garden. RLM Words and Images: Jake Lindsay

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ABOVE: Posie takes owner Meg Low for a spin; Chip, the little Palomino, rides shotgun; Meg and her King Charles Cavalier dogs, Frankie and Russo.

Semi-reclined, bathed in a warm light with a tropical scene overhead – sounds like total relaxation doesn’t it?

Most people would not associate this scene with a visit to the dentist, but that is what you can experience at Dubbo Dental under the care of Dr Ryan Heggie and Dr Sophie Halpin.

This state-of-the-art surgery has been a labour of love for Dr Ryan Heggie, owner and principal dentist, who opened the doors of the Dubbo surgery in January 2019, after 15 years experience in the central west.

Key design elements and equipment were chosen with patient comfort in mind from the fireplace in the waiting room to the sky ceilings in the surgeries, Dr Ryan Heggie has thought of it all.

Together with Dubbo local, Dr Sophie Halpin, practice manager Beth Porter and dental assistants Ebony and Georgia, the team at Dubbo Dental aim to create a dental experience which caters for all your dental needs.

A complete range of dental services: > Preventative Family Dental Care > Crown and Bridgework > Dentures > Implants > Wisdom tooth removal > Orthodontics - braces and clear aligners > Paediatric dentistry > Geriatric dentistry

> Cosmetic dentistry > Teeth whitening > Cosmetic anti-wrinkle injections > Local anaesthetic > General anaesthetic > In house 3D x-ray imaging > Veterans Affairs > Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule

GET IN TOUCH TODAY 02 6882 0949 1/27 Bultje Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 care@dubbodental.com.au

dubbodental.com.au

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