#28 Regional Lifestyle | Autumn 2020

AUTUMN

Forbes & Parkes TOWN FEATURES

Dream Team: DUNEDOO’S HUGH BOWMAN & WINX ORANGE: William Rikard-Bell’s inspirational story

Tumbarumba’s GARDEN OF GLORY

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales

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CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD

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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 @RegionalLifestyleMagazine INSTAGRAM @RegionalLifestyleMagazine 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 2020 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.

Pegasus Print Group, is an environmentally responsible printing company that is committed to helping achieve a sustainable environment.

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.

Pegasus Print Group is also an accredited ISO 9001:2008 supplier, which ensures each step of our production process is aligned with world’s best practice to deliver the finest quality possible.

Together, these accreditations offered by Pegasus Print Group, offer our clients a guarantee that their printed products are produced by world’s best practice environmental and finest quality standards.

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CONTENTS ISSUE 28 AUTUMN 2020

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212 At the heart of Colin and Diane Hardy’s beautiful garden is the endearing and enduring legacy of Colin’s mum, Lurline Louise.

TRAVEL

218 No journey to Northern India would be complete without a visit to the home of the 14th Dalai Lama, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala.

EVENTS

222 Social pics from throughout the Central West and beyond.

228 What to see and do this autumn in country NSW. 230 Rural weddings with style and glamour to match any big city nuptials.

THE LAST WORD

240 It’s near impossible missing retro queen Shelley Minson in a crowd – she’s the platinum blonde sending pacemakers and cameras into meltdown.

Forbes & Parkes TOWN FEATURES

Dream Team: DUNEDOO’S HUGH BOWMAN & WINX ORANGE: William Rikard-Bell’s inspirational story

Tumbarumba’s GARDEN OF GLORY

AUTUMN 2020 VOLUME 28

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128 Champion jockey Hugh Bowman reflects on his upbringing in Dunedoo and his association with champion mare Winx, now etched in thoroughbred racing history.

134 It’s safe to say that Wellington’s brass bed restorer, Danny Hawke, could carry out his specialised line of work in his sleep.

138 Ruth Bailey’s Coolamon guest house is full of colour and charisma.

148 Former Italian market gardener Marc Pavan, of Dubbo, takes a trip down memory lane.

158 Pip Orr follows her creative passions with unflinching enthusiasm.

164 William Rikard-Bell’s story of survival is epic but his winemaking skills are attracting all the attention these days.

168 Narrandera’s Morna Knight has had her fair share of adversity but a commitment to living life to the fullest has always served her well.

GARDEN

AUTUMN

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INSPIRATION

172 The woman behind #buyfromthebush, Grace Brennan, says community spirit is at the core of a simple idea that went viral.

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14 We revisit Forbes and Parkes, both shires rich in history, community spirit and country hospitality, not to mention offering a plethora of things to see and do.

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales

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TOWN FEATURE: FORBES & PARKES

ON THE COVER THE RIDE OF HIS LIFE Jockey Hugh Bowman has forged an illustrious racing career with the much loved, iconic race mare, Winx.

Image: Sharon Chapman, Fast Track Photography

A U T U M N publishers’ letter

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

onward and upward “On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it.

Raise your sail and begin.” Gregory S Williams Welcome to Autumn 2020 and the New Year.

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the many people who have been affected by the devastating bushfires and ongoing drought across our beautiful state and beyond.

With lives and businesses disrupted in the most traumatic ways, we hope that you feel the collective love and support from the many people who share your pain.

Summer 2019 Launches What very special events the Summer launches were! We were honoured to have the company of Deputy PM Michael McCormack and his wife Catherine at the Coolamon launch, which was a wonderful celebration highlighting tremendous community pride across Coolamon, Temora and Junee. Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee MP was the special guest at the Oberon launch, which once again highlighted community cohesiveness, an entrepreneurial spirit and a can-do attitude.

Winter 2020 Feature The feature for Winter 2020 will be the Hilltops Council area, including Young, Boorowa, Harden, Murrumburrah and Jugiong. We were overwhelmed and very grateful for the advertising support we received from this area. Many businesses had invested in our publication four to five years ago when we separately featured Young and Boorowa and were thrilled with the outcome, so they had no hesitation in once again collaborating with us. We have some very inspirational and unique stories in this Winter edition as well as showcasing why this beautiful and productive area is such a popular tourist destination.

Team Talents We are so fortunate to have such a diverse and talented Regional Lifestyle team from across the state. Many team members have been with us since we began as Central West Lifestyle in Winter 2013, while others have joined along the way. We receive many comments about the exceptional photography in our publication. At this point, we should acknowledge the fine work of Jake Lindsay, who has a wealth of experience not only in photography but in writing and the media industry as a whole. Additionally, we are grateful to photographers Jen Harden, Robert Bruce and Zenio Lapka, all highly accomplished in their field. Add to the mix all the wonderful writers, who each bring different strengths and skills to share with us.

We must pay tribute to our art director (and social media manager and writer) Zora Regulic, who works diligently to give our readers a new experience each edition with her creative design. We would also like to welcome our two advertising designers, Sally Marceau and Melissa Dunkerley, who magically create beautiful new ads for each edition. One of the key people whose in-depth literary talents we rely on is Gina Cranson, our sub-editor and proofreader. Gina is highly experienced and we are indebted to her dedication to the task at hand.

We trust you enjoy the new season, the cooler weather and the joys that nature brings with the array of truly beautiful autumn colours.

Relish each day and share the special moments with the people you care about.

Warm regards, Elizabeth and Alex Tickle Footnote: We have just received advice from the Macquarie Regional Library (Dubbo and branches) that based on their borrowing data across 2019, Regional Lifestyle was the most popular magazine from 64 other magazine titles. Very positive feedback for us!

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Catherine McCormack and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack with Elizabeth and Alex Tickle at the Summer edition launch in Coolamon.

The joy a downpour of rain can bring.

One of the precious blessings in our lives, our grandson, totally absorbed in this special moment.

Image: Kate Boshammer

A U T U M N Jake’s message

FROM THE

boundary gate

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Forbes camera enthusiast Craig Dwyer enjoys capturing images of town with his drone; volunteers Kevin and Judy Girot at the Forbes Museum.

BELOW: Yours Truly getting into the spirit at the Parkes Elvis Festival (image: Steve Ostini).

Greetings and welcome to 2020, the year of change, life-saving rain and salvation!

This edition, #28, marks seven glorious years of unearthing hidden gems and true-blue characters from throughout regional parts of the state. We’ve covered nearly 40 towns and cities but there’s plenty left to discover!

A hearty congrats to all those who have followed our amazing journey from the start, and a warm welcome to our new followers from southern parts of the state who are hopping on board the Lifestyle bandwagon.

Now let’s get down to business.

Ford or Holden? Sydney or Melbourne? We’re talking rivalry, and Forbes and Parkes have it in spades – whether it be at the local football derby or shopping preferences.

As one former journo informed me, the two towns, barely 30km apart, share three things in common – both have six letters, end in the letter “s” and feature an “r” as their third letter.

I reckon both towns come with big ticks, which is why we’ve returned after our first visit over five years ago. I love the energy you find in the busy main street of Parkes and am a massive fan of the many fine historic buildings dotted throughout Forbes.

I’ve always maintained each of us has a story to tell and sometimes they come out when least expected. Take volunteers Kevin and Judy Girot, from the Forbes Museum. It turns out Judy has a rather interesting yarn in her own right. Judy’s grandfather came out from England, hoping to strike it rich at the Ballarat goldfields, before arriving in Forbes in 1861, where her family struck roots. Now, get this, he was born in 1841 and died in 1891. Judy’s father was born in 1881 while Judy was born in 1941 (do the math) and married in 1961!

All that history within only three generations. Judy believes she may be the only living person in Forbes who can legitimately claim to have a genuine gold-digging grandfather.

Thinking about it, there would be very few people in Australia boasting such a family tree. For it to happen, the menfolk of each successive generation would have waited long past middle age before starting their families.

Dear Mother says our family has a similar story, this time involving four generations, starting with her great grandfather. He wasn’t looking for gold when he took the cheap passage from England to Port Arthur in 1832. Like the swagman in Waltzing Matilda, his crime was pinching a sheep. His sentence in hell never dimmed his appetite for sheep farming, eventually settling on land in South Australia where generations have farmed happily ever after.

Again, we have to consider that nearly two centuries of history have been condensed into just four (and not 10 or more) generations. I’m sure many of our readers will have stories just as compelling about their own families.

It reminds us of the Herculean efforts of our early pioneers who carved out a future in the unforgiving wilderness. It’s never been easy but the past 12 months have been particularly testing. If the drought wasn’t enough, the fires engulfing much of the state, endless dust storms and economic gloom have brought many rural communities to their knees.

We have to dig deep when dealing with weather beyond our control. Fortunately, there’s a huge heart out in the bush, with neighbours and strangers alike ready to rally around those copping the worst of Mother Nature.

You’ll come across a few “unsung heroes” in this edition, people like Pat Bailey from Parkes who spends her waking hours helping cancer sufferers.

Let’s throw in some fascinating artists, convivial Merino stud breeders and a Forbes man who now flies big jet airliners.

So, get comfortable.

It’s going to be another sensational ride through Parkes and Forbes – or should that be Forbes and Parkes?

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Cheers, Jake

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AUTUMN 2020 CONTRIBUTORS

meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE

Publisher, Editor, Advertising

JAKE LINDSAY

Chief Writer & Photographer

ZORA REGULIC

Art Director & Social Media Manager

GINA CRANSON

KATE BOSHAMMER Website Developer

Advertising Designer

SALLY MARCEAU

MELISSA DUNKERLEY

JENNIFER HARDEN

ROBERT I BRUCE

ELIZABETH SWANE

ZENIO LAPKA

ANNA TICKLE

JANE SANDERSON

HEATHER CROSBY

ROSIE O’KEEFFE

LORRAINE HILLS

CATHERINE PLAYER

JO McKINNON

KERRI AMBLER

ELIZABETH GRANT

SUE MEIKLE

JOHN CURLEY

MADI SIMMONS

Sub-Editor & Proofreader

Photographer

Writer

Writer

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ALEX TICKLE

Publisher, Distribution, Advertising

Garden Writer

Writer

Writer

Photographer

Country Cuisine Writer

Social Photographer

Advertising Designer

Writer

Writer

RLM Accountant

Home & Style Writer, Photographer

Wedding Writer

Writer

Travel Writer

62 Byng Street Orange New South Wales 2800 P 02 5317 8200 info@byngstreethotel.com.au

byngstreethotel.com.au

A U T U M N feedback

your letters I would like to formally convey my heartfelt thanks, on behalf of my fellow councillors, staff and our community, for the recent Regional Lifestyle feature on Temora Shire.

The official launch in Coolamon was a special evening, and on that same night I was delighted to officially launch our Canola Trail Visitor Guide, which highlights the outstanding tourist destinations within Coolamon, Junee and Temora shires. This 41-page spread of Temora Shire in Regional Lifestyle was of your usual high standard and our thanks go to Elizabeth and Alex Tickle, Jake Lindsay and your dedicated team.

To read about several of our treasured citizens, some of our tourist attractions and businesses was most inspiring. It reminds us of those who keep this place ticking. This magnificent publication will continue to assist us greatly in spreading the good word about the special place we have here in Temora Shire.

Cr Rick Firman OAM, Mayor Temora Shire Council

What a privilege to be visited again

by Elizabeth and Alex Tickle with the offer to feature Coolamon Shire in Regional Lifestyle Magazine for a second time. The featured stories in this issue of inspiring citizens who have chosen to live within our shire are nothing short of amazing. Learning the journey that life has taken them on makes great reading. My sincere thanks to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack for sharing his family story with Jake Lindsay and giving readers the opportunity to get to know the Michael we know and respect. The magazine launch was an exciting and successful night held at the Little Rustic Pantry in Coolamon, a fantastic venue run by Lesley, whose catering is a food connoisseur’s delight. Feedback has been phenomenal. Thank you and congratulations to Elizabeth, Alex, Jake and your team for once again producing a magnificent magazine embracing what is on offer in our region.

Cr John Seymour OAM, Mayor Coolamon Shire Council

Thank you so much for the Collector’s Edition. What a beautiful volume! I was born in Greenethorpe 90 years ago and moved to Cowra when I was five. I spent lots of holidays at Greenethorpe with an older sister who lived there. We made trips out to Iandra in horse and sulky. In those days, the castle was unoccupied. I have great memories of this very special place.

Valda Harper, Cowra

Oberon Council and the wonderful Oberon community were delighted to be included in the recently released Summer edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine. This is the second time Oberon has been showcased, and the benefits are tangible and many.

Elizabeth and the team are very professional and know their audience. “Photographer at Large” Jake helped make the process fun for all featured participants. The feedback has been very positive.

Regional Lifestyle Magazine is a timeless publication of amazing quality. It is a pleasure to read and a great medium for showcasing everything Oberon has to offer – its unique characters and their stories, the great things being achieved by our young folk, innovative industries and the spectacular environment we are lucky enough to live in. The magazine is a great tourism tool, and, as we all know, every tourist is a potential resident.

Cr Kathy Sajowitz, Mayor Oberon Council

It’s hard to imagine a better way of researching where you live and the people around you than to relax with a copy of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

In the recent Summer edition, I was given the opportunity to remember some of my own past. During the 1960s, as one half of the De Kroo Brothers, we were often required to do radio, TV and print interviews in Sydney. Then in the ‘90s, I spent 10 years on 2DU in Dubbo. So I was really impressed when someone of the experience in photo journalism as Jake Lindsay came knocking on our door to get a story for this wonderful magazine. Jake had certainly done his homework on my past. Congratulations to Elizabeth and Alex Tickle on leading such a professional and devoted team and highlighting some of the best areas in this unique country.

Leo De Kroo, Coolamon

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FORBES TOW N FE ATUR E

WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY

so much to offer

from the Mayor of Forbes Shire Council Autumn has arrived in our beautiful part of the world, Forbes. After the heat of summer it is always nice to come to this time of year and hope the season brings some rain.

I moved to Forbes over 45 years ago and I am so glad I did. This community is the centre of my universe and I am so passionate about making our shire a better place for residents and visitors alike. We are primarily an agriculture town but over the past few years we have diversified.

Forbes’s rich cultural heritage is encapsulated in our Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre and the buildings around town all lovingly restored and made to feel part of the landscape. The Somewhere Down the Lachlan sculpture trail is also something we are very proud of and wish to share with the world. The trail meanders around the lake and into the town centre. The trail will soon be extended with a $5.7 million grant to include 20 more sculptures along the Lachlan Valley.

The town has many events throughout the year that shouldn’t be missed. We start the year celebrating Elvis with a unique street breakfast and an immersive evening event by Lake Forbes celebrating the great entertainer.

In June there’s Frost and Fire, a festival celebrating the quintessential bonfire night with great live entertainment and performances.

Grazing Down the Lachlan in September is another incredible event not to be missed.

This foodie adventure set alongside the mighty Lachlan River gives attendees a taste of the incredible produce found in our local area.

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And finally, there is Vanfest, a musical festival like no other, bringing the younger demographic to town to celebrate some of the best national and international music artists.

Our town is not only welcoming, it is open for business. Strategically positioned on the Newell Highway, halfway between Brisbane and Melbourne, the Forbes Shire is one of the richest agricultural areas in the state.

The Central West Livestock Exchange can claim to be the second largest in the state for selling sheep and in the top five cattle-selling centres. This amazing facility is definitely worth a visit on sale day. Our town features a retail sector alive with boutique shops, big name stores and a variety of eateries that won’t disappoint.

I was elected to council 24 years ago and during that time I have seen many changes to the Forbes Shire. It has grown in size and in character and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Forbes is a great place to visit with many intriguing features to capture your attention, but it is the rural charm, our welcoming community and our striking waterways and landscapes that make Forbes an easy choice for a visit, or even a move.

This autumn I encourage you to get out and enjoy our wonderful shire, walk around the beautiful lake, take a tour of the historical sites, discover the sculpture trail, eat good food and connect with the community.

Your visit will provide memories you won’t forget.

Cr Phyllis Miller OAM, Mayor of Forbes Shire

“The Forbes Shire is one of the richest agricultural areas in the state.”

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

a warm welcome Expect the unexpected in fabulous Forbes.

Walk in the footsteps of our pioneers, discover unique and interesting works of art or enjoy a morning of foraging at a local market. The picturesque lake and stunning sunsets will catch your breath, and the warm and welcoming community will capture your heart.

Forbes offers a great range of attractions so you can do as much or as little as you like. The town is situated on Lake Forbes, a natural lagoon on the Lachlan River, offering over 10km of walking and cycle tracks, abundant birdlife, shaded picnic areas, barbecue facilities, many playgrounds and an RV rest area. By the Lachlan River offers many great spots for picnics, fishing and bushwalking.

Forbes has a reputation as a unique shopping location, with locally owned boutiques and speciality stores. Somewhere Down the Lachlan is a significant sculpture project from Forbes to Condobolin via the stock route by the Lachlan River. Albion Park, in the township, hosts a curation of sculptures from worldrenowned artists. There are also sculptures dotted around the lake and the town to discover.

Forbes is famous for its charming heritage buildings and important historic places, many of which are classified by the National Trust of Australia and some you will recognise from the movie The Dish. Pick up a copy of the Heritage Trail brochure from the Forbes Visitor Information Centre and follow the markers throughout town, learning about the remarkable places and people that contributed to the development of Forbes. One of these was

Ben Hall, who was among Australia’s most notorious bushrangers.

The Forbes Museum, in Cross Street, has a wonderful display of the man and the Visitor Information Centre has a Ben Hall Experience room. Ben Hall is buried at the Forbes Cemetery on Churchill Street.

If you are interested in sport and outdoor activities, Forbes is the place for you. Get active with a round of golf, a game of squash or lawn bowls, a spot of fishing or a splash at the Olympic Pool. Why not grab your hiking boots, a picnic, a camera, or a sketchbook and head outdoors. Birdwatching enthusiasts, be sure to visit the Forbes Wetlands, also known as Gum Swamp Bird Hide, which is known to be frequented by many species of birds.

Stop and stay a while and enjoy the country hospitality Forbes has to offer. There are a variety of accommodation options from four-star motel rooms, self-contained cabins or be a guest at the many beautiful B&Bs. Enjoy a relaxed meal at a cosy cafe or restaurant, enjoy hearty fare and a yarn with a friendly local at one of the town’s many pubs, or make a picnic to enjoy at the many beautiful locations around the lake. RLM Image: Destination NSW

FACING PAGE: Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM; Lake Forbes provides some great picnicking opportunities (image: Five Hours West), popular lunch and coffee spot Lakeside Takeaway (image: Five Hours West).

ABOVE: Beautiful Victoria Park in the centre of town is framed by a precinct of historic buildings including the neoclassical Forbes Town Hall.

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step back

in time Forbes Historical Museum works hard to preserve and promote the history of Forbes and district.

Led by president Bruce Adams, Forbes Historical Museum has 42 members with a smaller number of hard-working active members who keep the museum doors open and the displays and building well maintained.

The museum houses a large display of old machinery including an Ivel tractor, which was meticulously restored by some of the members to become one of only six working models in the world.

Also on display is an array of items depicting all facets of the history of Forbes including furniture, clothing, Aboriginal artefacts, tools and household wares.

There is also a huge display of historic photos.

Of particular interest, the museum houses an exhibition exploring the legend of the bushranger Ben Hall through a DVD, music, artefacts and interpretive panels. RLM

The museum can be found at 11 Cross Street in the entertainment hall of the former Osborne Hotel, built circa 1878. The museum is open daily from 2pm to 4pm, and other times by arrangement.

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Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

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T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

the good

LIFE

Kim and Wendy Muffet’s idyllic organic farm is the result of hard work, clever planning and a dogged determination to bring their dream to fruition.

Here, Wendy outlines the couple’s life less ordinary.

Be well, be happy, be merry. That’s what Girragirra means in the local Wiradjuri people’s language and it’s the name we chose for this beautiful little 50-acre organic farm on the banks of the Lachlan River. It captures our philosophy on life perfectly.

What keeps us happy, well and merry? Family, friends and living in this wonderful river town of Forbes, sharing all that we do here at Girragirra through our boutique eco-accommodation and workshops alongside building community as volunteers, all with a good dose of fun thrown in.

We’re both Ag Science graduates. Over our 40-odd years as fourth-generation broad-acre farmers, we’ve developed a deep sense of respect for this magnificent western country and a true passion to work with it by adopting regenerative farming and living practices.

When the time came to move a little closer to town, we realised our dream of building a house that would look after we humans for the next hundred years. It’s a house that works for its living with minimal environmental impact, maximum comfort, and low maintenance and running costs.

Seriously, who doesn’t want to live in a house that looks after you, rather than the other way around?

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The house was designed as two pavilions separated by a central courtyard. It’s a safe bet it’s the only building positioned to enable a centuries-old river red gum to star on the central axis.

Carefully designed spaces minimised our demand for materials, with age-old solar passive design principles delivering a house that’s cool in summer and warm in winter. It’s a pretty simple concept, really, and doesn’t need to cost more.

Our beautiful concrete floors, not polished but with a hardy natural oil finish, capture and store the winter sun that streams through north-facing windows, keeping the house nice and toasty. That’s solar passive design delivering a beautifully warm house for free.

“But won’t that mean a hot house in summer?” Gee, we get asked that question a lot. And the answer is no, not at all, because in summer the sun tracks much higher in the sky and doesn’t hit that northern glazing. >

ABOVE: “Girragirra” has been strategically designed to blend in with the landscape.

FACING PAGE: Kim and Wendy Muffet are proud of what they have accomplished with their eco-friendly home.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

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T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes Passive cooling is another “built in” at Girragirra with cross-flow ventilation using purposefully placed louvres (no, they don’t leak dust like the old school ones), loads of insulation and double glazing delivering year-round thermal comfort.

We’ve designed in more subtle passive elements to keep us cool.

The billabong to the front of the house cools and hydrates those hot dry northerlies as they blow toward us across the flood plain. The reed beds filter the water so we can safely swim in it too.

And a cute little deck means we can hang out there for a sundowner and a bit of bird and wallaby watching. The creatures great and small this small body of water supports are astounding.

Cladding Girragirra with corrugated iron from an old factory means it fits in with the local built vernacular, nestling the building into the landscape.

Keeping things local was and remains important to us. Builder Bernie Horan and his skilled team of local tradies delivered a fabulous building. And you can be just plain lucky. Canoeing down the river, we spotted an ancient River Red Gum recently felled.

Talented local artisan Justin Walker brought his mill to the tree and with Kim as offsider, milled the old beauty, then used the timber to fit out both houses with handcrafted joinery and furniture. Her timber not only gives the building great heart but also gave this magnificent old tree another life.

Reusing old timbers from local wool sheds past their use by date as carport screens and furniture gave the house character. It’s a nod to our past as wool growers. We can still smell the embedded lanolin from the wool when it rains – happy memories.

Capturing the rainwater we need was a high priority, too, and Tone Wheeler, our architect, designed Girragirra with a “big lid” for that purpose. Generous-sized stainless-steel tanks let us store 200,000 litres over 12 months.

Every drop of water used in the Girragirra houses, grey and black, is recycled back to the food forest through what basically amounts to a giant worm farm.

A 10-kilowatt solar array generates enough power to run both houses. So we’re self-sufficient for power and water.

Then there’s the food garden based on permaculture design principles. Somewhere beautiful, productive, inspiring – a place where everyone who comes to Girragirra will enjoy wandering, picking, eating, learning. That’s what we wanted and we’re getting there.

Living on the flood plain of the Lachlan meant putting a flood bank in place. Shaped like a boat, minimising resistance to the flow of flood water, the bank’s also an excellent place to plant fruit trees and other productive plants. It’s a developing food forest, in fact, and that’s an exciting concept to get a hold of.

More old timbers, this time from the railways, were used as uprights for the massive pergola forming the axis of the garden, bringing with them the blood, sweat and tears of the pioneer fettlers . . . and of Hugh Dobell, our young friend who installed them, along with welcome shade over our long western summers.

Down on the flat we’ve developed more garden beds full of vegies and espaliered fruit trees, with a whole lot of annual and perennial plants that support them by attracting beneficial birds and insects.

We no longer need to control pests. The biodiverse garden ecosystem now does that for us.

We’ve taken the same approach in the paddock. Our first move was to plant 4500 trees, shrubs and groundcovers native to the flood plain in naturalistic swathes. Lightweight electric fencing allows us to graze in a way that regenerates the country.

Self-sufficiency is an interesting concept, and people often ask us if we’re self-sufficient. As far as power, water and food go, the answer is “mostly”. But, hey, we drive a car and a ute.

We buy clothes and other stuff like grain from local farmers Jess and Ollie Dawes, milling it to make sourdough for ourselves and our guests – supporting locals doing good things.

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Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

“Our luxury-level eco-accommodation delivers a constant stream of interesting, interested people to Girragirra.”

True 100 per cent self-sufficiency would be a huge commitment and, in our view, quite isolating but put it in the context of community and it starts to make very good sense.

So how’s it all going some seven years down the track? Like every home come business, Girragirra is a work in progress. Living in this house is like being on holidays – she truly does look after us and there’s something amazing to see out of the huge picture windows every day.

Maybe it’s a new hatching of ducklings or, like yesterday, some boxing kangaroos or the sun setting fire to the big old river reds at the end of the day.

Our luxury-level eco-accommodation delivers a constant stream of interesting, interested people to Girragirra, and after living a reasonably isolated life as farmers, we’ve found we’re loving that.

Delivering workshops on health giving practices like sourdough bread making and fermented foods builds community and we

really enjoy the conversations around the table and sharing our own organically grown produce.

Building community resilience through being part of the volunteer committees that drive both Grazing Down the Lachlan – that fabulous local foodie adventure – and Sculpture Forbes is a great fit with our life here at Girragirra.

It’s our way of giving back to this pretty special little town. We truly wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else. RLM Words: Wendy Muffet

ABOVE: Girragirra is a modern home built for 21st century living.

FACING PAGE: The home is bright, breezy and sustainable. Guests love the open plan and tremendous views of the lake and surrounding countryside.

More information and bookings online www.girragirra.com

AWARD WINNING boutique accommodation on

the banks of the Lachlan River, near Forbes NSW.

WORKSHOPS: Sourdough / Fermented foods including delicious cultured butter / yoghurt / kraut / cheeses.

FORBES RLM 21

responsible

GRAZING

After claiming gold at the NSW Tourism Awards, Grazing Down The Lachlan continues to gain momentum and interest.

Beneath the swaying gum trees along the riverbank, guests to the event wander between each of the seven stations, indulging in flavours native to the Central West.

Grazing Down The Lachlan isn’t your typical food and wine soiree.

Set along the nine-mile reserve on the banks of the Lachlan River in Forbes, the foodie adventure invites you to “graze responsibly” by joining the slow food movement.

The zero waste, environmentally responsible long lunch showcases locally farmed and foraged produce, prepared and presented by local restaurateurs and caterers.

Every guest, dubbed a “grazer”, is supplied with an event bag made from recycled fabric. Each bag contains an enamel plate, recycled fork, donated drink bottle, event wine glass, menu map and napkin made from donated linens.

At the final station, grazers are encouraged to donate these items back to Grazing to be used again the following year.

“Our sustainable approach to event management aims to respect our amazing local environment and reduce the impact of our event on the flora and fauna unique to our region,” Grazing Down The Lachlan chair Wendy Muffet says.

“It’s our small contribution to the war on waste.”

Now cemented on the regional events calendar,

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the foodie adventure celebrated its third year in 2019 with 900 eager grazers converging on Forbes in September.

“Our award-winning event has succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. We are proud to showcase all that is great about our neck of the woods, drought and all, raising significant funds for the Somewhere Down the Lachlan sculpture trail.”

Wendy says the prestige event wouldn’t happen without the support of many generous locals.

“Thank you to our wonderful sponsors, dedicated volunteers and supporters, without whom this event would not be possible.”

Grazing Down The Lachlan will return to the banks of the Lachlan River on Saturday, September 18, 2021. The 2021 event will coincide with several major sculpture projects coming to fruition.

The 2019 events injected more than $400,000 into the local economy over the weekend. RLM Images: Five Hours West

Follow Grazing Down The Lachlan on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know what’s in the planning for 2021, and keep up to date with all the latest Grazing news by subscribing to the newsletter.

For more information about Grazing Down The Lachlan and to subscribe to the newsletter, visit www.grazingdownthelachlan.com.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Nearly 900 “grazers” wandered down the 2.5km stock route between seven food and beverage stations; the amazing Grazing Breakfast in Templar Street attracted almost 600 people; making memories; signs of progress; the Wiradjuri Cultural Experience at the Dreaming Centre was well received; enjoying the outing; 80 people attended the Meet Your Makers Q&A at SYLO Bar.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

fine figures The Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Trail is attracting visitors and turning heads.

The Forbes Art Society has received a $5.7 million grant from the NSW State Government Regional Growth, Environment and Tourism Development fund for the Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Trail, designed to stop the many thousands of travellers heading north and south along the Newell Highway.

The idea is to entice passers-by with brilliant sculpture to start up a conversation about it at the next campsite or show the photos to friends and encourage others to visit.

“All the sculptures along the trail will be of the highest quality, suitable to the size of the landscape. We honour the Wiradjuri people, as this is their country and we are working along their song line, their travel and trading route,” president of the Forbes Art Society Keith Mullette says.

“The sculpture will become part of the landscape and part of the people who live here. Clearly, we do not want the trail to be one-dimensional. It will be a collection with considerable variety of form, size and style.

There will be serious pieces and cheeky pieces with something to say underneath.

“It is to be uplifting and educative. We want it to be worthy of a visit. It will be like Sculpture by the Sea but permanent.”

The stock route has been chosen because it follows the Wiradjuri song lines, because of the travelling stock route and the culture of the drover, because of the beauty of the river and the beautiful remnant vegetation.

“We want to give the city people travelling from Forbes to Condobolin an understanding of how the country works. Benefits will be spread out from Forbes, so we can link to the attractions of Condobolin and eventually to the whole Lachlan valley.” RLM

ABOVE: Various sculptures in Albion Park, outside the Post Office and the Dreaming Centre are turning the heads of visitors and locals; president of the Forbes Art Society Keith Mullette, envisages a bright future for sculpture in the town.

Follow Somewhere Down the Lachlan Sculpture Trail on Facebook : DLSculpture

FORBES RLM 23

T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

the fall of BEN HALL The violent death of notorious bushranger Ben Hall has always been intrinsically linked to Forbes.

Like the legendary Robin Hood, he often stole from the rich to give to the poor, making him a household name throughout the colony.

During the early 1860s Ben Hall and company pulled off hundreds of daring robberies – from mail coaches to even holding up entire villages. He was a lot of things but never a murderer. Like the legendary Robin Hood, he often stole from the rich to give to the poor, making him a household name throughout the colony.

He was so loved, townsfolk frequently offered him and his gang a safe place to hide from the police. The skilled horseman had a penchant for prize racehorses capable of putting a great distance between him and the scene of his last crime.

Although born to convict parents, he wasn’t always destined for a life of crime, spending his early years working with horses and cattle.

At the age of 19, he married “Biddy” Walsh at Bathurst and welcomed a son a few years later. By then he and John Maguire were leasing the 10,000-acre “Sandy Creek” run, about 50km south of Forbes.

It wasn’t long, however, before his life started to unravel. His wife left him for another man, he lost the lease and started associating with undesirable characters.

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After several confrontations with the law, his hut was burned down and Ben Hall drifted down a road where there was no turning back.

On June 15, 1862, he helped rob the gold escort coach near Eugowra of 2700 ounces of gold worth more than 14,000 pounds. Within a month Ben Hall and several others were arrested but once again the police were unable to charge him through a lack of evidence.

By mid 1865, he and what was left of his gang of desperados realised their very survival depended on leaving NSW. They retreated to an isolated area on the Goobang Creek, north west of Forbes, intending to gather fresh horses and provisions for the long journey north.

Ben Hall had been temporarily separated from his offsiders and had no idea when he awoke on May 5, 1865, that his bushranging days were about to end in a hail of bullets.

He had eluded the police for years and made a mockery of their efforts to catch him.

The police felt it was time to exact revenge.

Before the sun climbed into the sky, eight well-armed mounted troopers pumped 30 slugs into his body as he attempted to flee.

As he fell, he propped himself up on a sapling and cried: “I’m wounded – shoot me dead.” Later they dragged his corpse through town.

The police claimed they were acting under the protection of the Felons Apprehension Act 1865, which allowed any bushranger who had been specifically named under the terms of the act to be shot and killed by any person at any time without warning.

At the time of his death, however, the act had not come into force, resulting in considerable controversy over the legality of his killing.

It’s all part of the myth of a man forever linked to Forbes. RLM A Kickstarter campaign is planned for early 2020 to fund a Legend of Ben Hall Directors Cut. The 3+ hours Directors Cut of the film restores 30 scenes into the film and expands on another 48 scenes.

For updates, follow the Legend of Ben Hall on Facebook: benhallmovie or Instagram: thelegendofbenhall.

ABOVE: A statue of bushranger Ben Hall stands out the front of the Forbes Information Centre; Ben Hall’s grave in the Forbes cemetery.

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September 18, 2021 Jump onto our newsletter at www.grazingdownthelachlan.com

IMAGE: FIVE HOURS WEST

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FORBES RLM 25

BEYOND

the stereotype An unlikely conversation about what a farmer actually looks like has prompted Eugowra photographer Kim Storey to self-publish two books on the matter.

In 2016, Kim Storey was having a yarn to others on twitter about the perception of women in agriculture, which then turned to a discussion about the perception of farmers in general.

“The direction of the conversation sent me to google to look up the top images of farmers in that search engine. I typed in ‘What Does A Farmer Look Like?’.

26 RLM FORBES

“The images that came up were almost exclusively older men, wearing bib and brace overalls, carrying a pitchfork or chewing straw. And several of them had goofy looks on their faces,” she laughs.

“It was disappointing but somehow not surprising. There were very few women and no kids to be found.”

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kate and Spike Orr from Parkes, with three of their children, Lachlan, Anna and Archie; Monica Langfield watching the header at harvest near Wirrinya; Stella Morris from Forbes; Kim Storey.

ABOVE: experov idicimodi dis eos quam, quiatur sus autem eaquis et qui vel ilibus, tem ipsum ime laborem dolupis earum sitia conse volupta tempori us, tem ipsum LEFT: experov idicimodi dis eos quam, quiatur sus autem eaquis et qui vel ilibus, tem ipsum ime laborem dolupis earum sitia conse volupta tempori

Photographer Kim had long wanted to put together a coffee table book but wanted it to be more than just beautiful images.

“Here was an opportunity to combine my love for photography with a need to change the perception of farmers in the wider community,” she says.

Over the next 12 months Kim travelled the country, photographing and chatting to farmers in all sorts of different industries, from cattle and sheep to vegies, yabbies and orchards.

Over 100 farmers are featured in her first book, with a little of what they told her while chatting. The aim of the project, she stresses, is to show people who have never had the chance to visit a farm, exactly who our modern Aussie farmers are, what they do and what they look like.

“The farmers who got in touch with me about the project just wanted to tell their story. As I wrote in the book, the most common message from them is that our farmers are people, just like you and me, raising their families and running their businesses while looking after their land, crops and animals.” >

FORBES RLM 27

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Monica Langfield, Wirrinya; Darby, Stella and Mac Morris, Forbes; Red Gums and Sheep.

28 RLM FORBES

Kim grew up on a fine wool property near Bathurst, the older sister to three brothers. She was a natural “tomboy”, happy to follow her father around the farm helping out with whatever jobs were going.

After finishing an Agriculture degree in Orange, she joined Elders, working in farm supplies and livestock production roles for the next 12 years.

In 2014, Kim decided to pursue photography as a professional career and not just a hobby. And she was determined to buy a farm of her own.

It took two years to find a 100-acre block of beautiful productive country at Eugowra, where she grows fodder crops and trade lambs.

“Eugowra suited my photography business, being central to several larger towns like Forbes and Parkes,” she says.

“It meant starting from scratch as I knew no one. Social media platforms played a critical role in growing my business from the ground up. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the growth needed in my first year to remain viable.”

Kim says life on the land is always challenging yet continues to offer a rewarding and unique lifestyle.

“Farmers wear a multitude of hats. They are business owners and families who might also need to be, at different times, vets, agronomists, market analysts, environmentalists, bookkeepers, mechanics, financial planners, social media managers, plumbers, fencers, animal nutritionists … the list goes on,” she laughs.

“While I’ve been travelling around to different events and field days, it struck me that one chapter always had a joyful and positive response from people as they looked through the pages.

“That chapter was the farm kids, which has now inspired me to create my second book, called Little Farmers.”

This book is again filled with great photos and stories about the farm as told by our future farmers.

“These kids told me all about their lives on the farm or station, their aspirations and how much they love the farm. Some talked about how the drought is affecting them.

“Their photos and stories will bring a smile to your face and some will make you laugh out loud. It’s been brilliant to be able to put together a book that is full of fun and positivity in what have been trying times of late.” RLM Images: Kim Storey from Avalind Photography Image of Kim: Holly Bradford Photography

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Windmill along the Mandagery Creek near Eugowra; river gums and sheep on Kim’s farm near Eugowra; a lone sheep on Mackey’s Creek Road between Eugowra and Parkes; sunset sky at Eugowra.

ABOVE: Darby, Stella and Mac Morris from Forbes.

What Does A Farmer Look Like? and Little Farmers can be purchased online at whatdoesafarmerlooklike.com.

Follow Kim on Instagram and Facebook at whatdoesafarmerlooklike.

FORBES RLM 29

strength

IN ADVERSITY Jemalong Wool directors Rowan Woods and Jay Bhakta have not had an argument in over 20 years of business. It says a lot for their friendship and mutual respect.

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Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

With offices in Forbes, Tamworth and Cooma and employing 22 staff, Jemalong Wool has come a long way since Rowan Woods and Jay Bhakta first crossed paths in 1996.

“Jay and I have always worked well together and respect each other’s unique abilities,” Rowan says from company headquarters in Forbes.

“We immediately recognised if the other was particularly strong on an issue, then it’s best to go with it and support him. We have similar ideologies when it comes to business. Our desire to contain costs and expenditure when we needed to most, has held us in good stead.”

Jay agrees their differing personalities and skills complement each other in their business lives.

“As I got to know Rowan, I realised how effective he was in his role as a wool broker – both in difficult and normal times,” he says.

“I learnt early on that the best strategy I could have was to stay out of his way on the operations side and support him with the financial, admin and strategic side of the business.”

From a broking perspective, Jemalong Wool has always maintained its objectives of providing wool handling and marketing services to clients at a competitive and known flat rate with total transparency.

“An overwhelming desire to do the best for our clients is what keeps us going,” Rowan says. “We want to see our clients succeed in spite of the current conditions. I will admit, however, this particular drought has really tested us – not just our clients but everybody on the land.”

The men agree that wool broking has never been more challenging.

“I’ve seen how the drought impacts on my loyal field staff – it’s tough to watch them deal with the challenges of keeping our clients and each other ‘up’ in these troubled times,” Rowan says.

A world away Throughout the day, Jay occasionally glances at a globe that takes pride of place on his well-organised desk. He prefers to stand while crunching numbers and often spins the world around, perhaps thinking how far Forbes is from India, where he worked for 16 years before coming to Australia.

During the first three years, he worked on projects introducing colour television to India. It was during this time he realised he was better suited as an entrepreneur.

“This was a big mountain to cross as there were no businessmen in my family, no mentors, no wealth and absolutely no collateral to offer to banks,” Jay says.

With funding from private financiers, he started a business with two divisions: manufacturing video projectors and TV postproduction services. Strategically both were needed for him to succeed.

By his late 30s, Jay was growing weary of the environment he found himself in. He decided to move, searching around the globe for the best in the world on the Trifecta of Indices – corruption, HDI (which measures life expectancy, education and income) and population density.

In his research Australia stood at second best in all these indices and he considered himself lucky that they were welcoming skilled migrants.

Without knowing a single soul Down Under, Jay walked away from his business, leaving it to his departmental managers, and moved his young family to Australia.

They rented a place in Manly and the family were suitably impressed with their first visit. With a strong desire to settle here, Jay sent his family home for five months so he could prepare for his next step.

“AN OVERWHELMING DESIRE TO DO THE BEST FOR OUR CLIENTS IS WHAT KEEPS US GOING.” Out of the blue, the then second largest importer of Australian wool, Uniworth International, who had set up Uniworth Australia in Forbes a few years earlier, contacted him through a corporate headhunter.

This Australian venture needed a new direction and they were looking for a new CEO to steer things. That’s when Jay accepted the challenge.

“Right from the first day, I was fascinated by wool broking, one of the oldest forms of organised business in Australia,” he says.

Jay recognised almost immediately that Jemalong Wool was “the jewel in the crown” trapped within the Uniworth Australia structure, which also included export and import of wool and worsted yarns.

Rowan was already running the wool broking operations and, like Jay, was keen to become an owner/director and take control of his own destiny. > ABOVE: Jay Bhakta prefers to do his thinking standing up in the office; Jay and Rowan Woods inspect the wool that has kept them in business for more than two decades.

FACING PAGE: Business partners and great mates Rowan Woods and Jay Bhakta, from Jemalong Wool.

FORBES RLM 31

“WE SEEMED TO HIT IT OFF FROM THE VERY FIRST MEETING. JAY WAS, AND IS, A COMPLETE GENTLEMAN.”

Farming connections Rowan had returned to the family farm at Warroo, between Forbes and Condobolin, in 1982 after studying at Wagga Ag College.

The farm was in a crippling drought. The next year’s crop was a bumper but the harvest was so wet they couldn’t get much of the crop off. A run of bad seasons, crippling interest rates, and ageing parents brought him to the conclusion that a change of direction was needed.

In 1990 during one of the biggest floods on record, a successful job interview with Jemalong Wool brought about that change.

Rowan started as a technical rep, covering about 140,000km a year in a second-hand Falcon station wagon. One of the biggest innovations to make the job easier was the bag phone.

“I was rarely home, which was challenging for my wife and young children. They always seemed to be asleep when I got home, and during the week I left before they awoke,” he recalls.

Weekends were traditionally spent at the rugby club or water skiing with family and friends. The weekdays were long and busy but the weekends were for rest and recharge.

It was not uncommon to travel several thousands of kilometres each week. A trip to Walgett one day and Lake Cargelligo the next.

The next day to Sydney for the wool sale before finishing the week with a run to Cooma.

Throughout the early 1990s, the wool industry was in turmoil, with the winding up of the Australian Wool Corporation, the beginning of the long sell down of the 4.2 million-bale stockpile, the millennium drought, the lowest wool prices in living memory and a mass exodus of wool producers from the industry.

They were all significant factors that led to Uniworth International becoming a major investor in the wool broking operation in 1994.

32 RLM FORBES

When Jay arrived in 1996, Rowan sensed that he had a lot to offer.

“We seemed to hit it off from the very first meeting,” he says. “Jay was, and is, a complete gentleman. His integrity is beyond question.”

Jay was certainly the man with the necessary skills to acquire the wool broking arm from Uniworth.

“As long as I could maintain the wool brokering and the staff, we could find a way to succeed, despite what at the time seemed like insurmountable odds.”

Jay agrees. “In a small business you have to always be ready to roll up your sleeves, dirty your hands and be ready to wear different hats, often on the same day, in both normal and tough times.

“It was déjà vu for me to have two businesses, like in India. The impact of the millennium drought was severe but the spectacular run in the imports business provided the much-needed oxygen to realise long-term goals.”

Somehow this intrepid pair have always managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat. This year Rowan celebrates his 30th year as a wool broker.

Equally important, he has been made a Life Member of the Forbes Rugby Club after an association spanning nearly 40 years, including a stint as president and coach of the Firsts and Reserves.

The club and the wool industry have both had their ups and downs.

“The years 2015 and 2016 were our best ever in the wool broking business, while 2018 and 2019 were some of the toughest,” he says.

“We’ve survived tough times before and have positioned ourselves to navigate through the current tough times.” RLM

ABOVE: Rowan Woods and Jay Bhakta check on progress at Jemalong Wool, which employs more than 20 staff; Rowan is celebrating 30 years as a wool broker.

a bumpy RIDE

Camel racing is taking off in the bush. The ships of the desert have been causing quite a sensation since making their debut in Forbes in 2001.

ABOVE: Camel racing in Forbes has to be seen to be truly appreciated. Anything can happen and usually does! Make sure you bring your camera.

It all started when the late Graham Marsh took his family on a little Queensland holiday to Blackall at the turn of the century. He loved watching the camels in full flight and figured a similar event back home might be a novel fundraiser.

Nineteen years later, the iconic event has become the longest established camel race meeting in NSW. Each year about 30 camels, from South Australia, Victoria and Queensland, and their respective jockeys, turn up at the racecourse for an afternoon of fun and mayhem.

“With seven races, it’s a great family outing. Last year we had nearly 6000 visitors turn up,” race secretary Lee Marsh says.

The camel racing event is a major fundraiser for different charities and sporting events, including CanAssist, Red Bend Junior Rugby League, Dragon Boat

Club, Rotary, Forbes Learning Ladder and the Forbes Jockey Club.

Lee has been involved from almost the beginning and says anything can happen on race day.

“The camels can take off in any direction,” she says.

The first time she saw a camel race was in Blackall, Queensland. A champion starter called Eunuch, with $350,000 prizemoney to his name, came out of the barriers, got hit by another camel and ended up bolting down the main street, with an ambulance in hot pursuit. RLM Images: Lee Marsh

Forbes Camel Races are staged on Good Friday each year. For further information, check out the event’s Facebook page.

FORBES RLM 33

this is your captain

SPEAKING Captain Matthew Fuge spends a lot of time with his head in the clouds – a perfectly acceptable practice given he’s an international airline pilot.

The former British colony of Hong Kong has been in the news in recent months with endless clashes between pro-democracy activists and police. Life, however, goes on for the 7.4 million residents in one of the most densely populated places on earth.

In a very different world, far above the city skyscrapers, international airline pilot, Captain Matthew Fuge is fulfilling his childhood dream of flying big jet airliners.

When he was a lad, farming took precedence over most things in life until a life-changing outing to the Forbes Aero Club.

“It all began after a half-barrel roll after releasing a glider undertow in the club’s Pawnee tug,” explains the high-flying Captain, from his equally high-rise Hong Kong apartment.

34 RLM FORBES

It’s been a long and remarkable journey for the former Forbes farm boy, now raising a young family in one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

He credits any success he’s had to a solid farm grounding. During weekends away from school Matthew was a typical farm kid, tinkering with farm engines until he took up gliding at the aero club. Within a year he was flying solo.

“Dad had a private pilot’s licence and a stake in a Cessna 150 VH-KVQ (Knot Very Quick), which we still own today,” he says. “I became very efficient flying from the right-hand seat for the obligatory flights around the farm.”

Matthew’s first official powered aircraft TIF (Trial Introductory Flight) was with Robb Glenn from the Parkes Aero Club, involving 90 minutes of cloud busting and rolling and spinning off the side of building cumulonimbus clouds.

After completing his unrestricted licence and night VFR at both the Parkes and Forbes aero clubs, the next thing to tick off the bucket list was an IFR rating and commercial pilot’s licence – completed at Bankstown and Essendon airports.

With a licence under his belt, Matthew took up a relief position at “Colly Farms”, Moree, a wonderful experience he’s never forgotten.

“What a place to work – one pilot, one aircraft and the demands of working on one of the biggest cotton farms in the southern hemisphere, which at the time had 33,000 acres under irrigation,” he recalls.

The flying was right up his alley, starting with a regular mail run from Collymongle station to Moree each morning and afternoon. In between were farm inspections from Collymongle and the surrounding stations to eventually Cubbie Station – and whatever else popped up during the day.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

“During my time there I developed a deep respect for the ag aviators of the world, after seeing these guys spray cotton all night. No GPS and only utes with flashing lights marking every spray run – complete and utter madness when you step back and look at it now.”

A general aviation career eventuated after Matthew landed his first airline job with Eastern Airlines (QantasLink) in 1994.

It was where he met future wife Jenny Hills, a country girl from Guyra in the Northern Tablelands (and daughter of our cooking guru Lorraine Hills and husband Ian).

Jenny was also chasing her dreams in the aviation world, first as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines and later Qantas Domestic, before finishing as a customer service manager.

“Eastern had some great destinations on the network but it was hard to beat Lord Howe Island,” says Matthew, who proposed to his high-flying sweetheart in the Pinetrees boatshed during a romantic dinner.

The romance lasted but the flying had its moments.

“On a bad day, Lord Howe Island could stand the hairs up on the back of your neck, with winds from the south and north west up to 40 knots,” he says. “This often required tactical thinking and ‘hang on to your seat’ approaches over the dune and beach.”

NEW CHALLENGES Lucy was welcomed into the family in 2002.

Two years later Matthew was accepted into Dragonair (now Cathay Dragon), necessitating a move to Hong Kong, a city they have grown to love.

In 2006, son Baxter arrived. “It felt surreal seeing your son being the only western baby in a sea of Asian babies in the nursery viewing area,” the doting father laughs.

“He stood out like a giant. One of the many great things about Hong Kong is having access to the Australian International School where our children are students. Unlike me, they both thrive at school.”

Matthew and Jenny feel blessed watching them study a second language while growing up immersed in a unique Asian culture.

The school has regular barbecues and fairs, which can get interesting, thanks in part to the beer on tap in one corner of the grounds. One year, Jenny and her stock whips made for an excellent night’s entertainment.

With 8000 hours of flying under his belt, Matthew felt he had the flying art down pat. But that was before he started flying through multiple countries with conflicting rules and airspaces.

Travelling throughout Asia has reinforced Matthew’s appreciation for agriculture and the huge demand for clean, green foods.

“Winters can bring appalling conditions from poor visibility from smog one day to blowing snow the next, quickly followed by the summer months when Mother Nature really kicks off,” he says.

He’s referring to typhoon season. In 2018, Hong Kong was hit by one of the biggest typhoons in history. It tore through the Philippines and passed over the South China Sea before spinning into an angry, intense system.

“The day it hit we were living on the 36th floor of our high-rise apartment block, facing winds of up to 220kmh for a terrifying 18 hours.”

Matthew has seen plenty of change in the aviation industry from his early days in the Central West.

“I’ve been fortunate to meet some great characters in the airline business, especially an airline like Cathay Dragon with such diverse cultures and mix of people,” he says.

One of his first training duties was with an ex RAF Tornado bomber pilot.

“One day we were heading into the abyss of China’s airspace, poring over manuals and going through the airbus training system when I asked him the scariest thing he’d ever done in the military.

“After a long pause he said ‘leading the first strikes into Iraq’. That was rather full on. We put aside the manual and a great

afternoon was had discussing the finer points of how to fly at night using a terrainfollowing radar while maintaining 200 feet at 600 knots.”

Travelling throughout Asia has reinforced Matthew’s appreciation for agriculture and the huge demand for clean, green foods. One of his destinations, Chongqing in central China, for example, is home to more than 30 million people.

Matthew sees an exciting opportunity for Australian agriculture to boom in the coming years.

“When we do eventually return home, we hope to build from our connections and experiences that Hong Kong and Asia have provided. We want to create something unique for ourselves while helping others.”

And no doubt he’ll make his way to the Forbes Flying Club for a cold beer and to reminisce about far simpler times. RLM

ABOVE: International airline pilot Captain Matthew Fuge in the cockpit; Hong Kong is a bustling metropolis and a long way from Forbes.

FACING PAGE: Captain Matthew Fuge creating precious family memories in Hong Kong with wife Jenny and children Baxter and Lucy.

FORBES RLM 35

T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

WELL

bred The Rubie family’s Lachlan Merinos are fine examples of what hard work, careful planning and excellent genetics can achieve.

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Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

It’s all about family and top-grade genetics at Lachlan Merinos, Forbes. With 1300 ewes on 1300 acres of Lachlan River country, each and every animal has to perform. The ewes must get in lamb, cut 8.5 to 9.5kg of 18.9 micron wool and have exceptional growth rates.

In the past season, Merino stud principals Glen and Margot Rubie, and sons Mitch and Cam, achieved a 121 per cent lambing rate and sold 117 bales through Jemalong Wool.

Their lives are centred around their annual ram sale, when a year of planning and hard work comes down to a few hours of frantic bidding for their prize rams.

The committed pair have been breeding Merinos for 30 years, and after 14 on-property sales, have a fair idea of what buyers are looking for – body size, shape and wool cut.

The family traditionally sell between 200 and 240 rams a year. At the 2019 sale their rams averaged a healthy $3015, although many bulk buyers went home with a dozen rams for an average $1000.

Glen says it’s always satisfying seeing repeat stud and commercial buyers at the sale, coming from a broad range of climate areas, including four Australian states.

“Our top-priced ram was outstanding from a lamb,” he enthuses.

At seven months he weighed 79kg, with exceptional growth rates and great staple length.

“We continue to back our goals of breeding for quality and productivity, with our 12-13-month-old rams averaging 107kg.”

Before the latest sale, the Rubies shore sisters of the rams in front of prospective buyers to highlight their breeding. The ewe lambs weighed 71kg, averaged 17.5 micron and cut an average 10.84kg, with the best ewe lamb cutting 12.8kg of 17.1 micron wool, valued at $148.35. > FACING PAGE: There’s always plenty of hands-on work at Lachlan Merinos.

Teenager Cam Rubie learns a few tricks from hard-working parents Margot and Glen.

ABOVE: Sale day is the biggest day in the diary for the Rubie family. The top-priced ram, held by Mitch Rubie, with agents, family members (in red shirts) and buyers; the rams are penned inside a marquee prior to sale; it’s all about the wool.

FORBES RLM 37

T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

Starting young The property was bought by Glen’s parents, Kevin and Jill, nearly 40 years ago when Glen was a teenager. Leaving Forbes High after Year 10, Glen spent two years at TAFE, studying wool classing and boiler making while learning the ropes from his father.

Starting with a foundation ewe flock from his uncles, which they agreed to pay back after the first good season, Glen and his parents slowly added more land to the original 700-acre block.

Very few Merino studs in the country are run on such small acreage, meaning the family select for high quality with strict culling procedures. AI and embryo transfer have meant rapid progress, with the farm divided into 44 paddocks for cell grazing.

Eldest son Mitch has inherited the breeding bug and is passionate about junior judging and the Merino industry.

At the National Merino Challenge in Sydney he competed with 160 students from throughout the country. Placed second overall in the individual section, Mitch teamed up with his Charles Sturt University mates to take the honours for the top tertiary group.

Mitch was only 15 when he decided to enter the competitive world of stud breeding. At the One Oak stud dispersal, he nervously bid up to $10,000 for a stud ewe, well above his budget.

Unsuccessful, his second choice was a junior ewe undefeated in major state shows as a pair with her full brother. Mitch nabbed her for $6500 and started flushing.

The resulting sales have paid for his ute and university studies with plenty still in the bank. Mitch now has 30 stud ewes on the farm out of that one ewe. Young brother Cam, buoyed by his brother’s success, has his eye open for a similar venture.

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Glen has always stuck to sound breeding principles, selecting for fast growth rates in young sheep. This, he insists, is vital for modern sheep-breeders in terms of the financial gains made by selling Merino lambs in the prime lamb market.

In 1994, ABC Landline produced a story about Lachlan Merinos selling Merino lambs into the Sydney restaurant market. The Rubies were pioneers in this area, decades before the Merino industry was selecting for not only wool quality and quantity but also for early maturity and meat.

“We believe the first 12 months is the most important for growth, which turns into commercial profit. The size of the sheep after this age is not as important,” he says.

Lachlan Merinos have sold semen to studs throughout Australia as well as to Argentina and Uruguay. Glen is regularly on the road across the country, classing young ewes, implementing management programs that improve the bottom line and delivering rams.

With three generations working together to ensure it’s a stud operation where everybody wins, Lachlan Merinos is confident of the breed’s future.

When not focused on their sheep, the Rubie boys enjoy rugby league, water skiing and fishing, just like their father a generation earlier. RLM

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The annual ram sale is a big day out for Merino breeders; wool being inspected; Kevin Rubie never misses a sale; a typical Lachlan Merino stud ram.

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FORBES RLM 39

the wonderful world of

WOOL

The close flock at Forbes-based fashion label Woolerina is fleecing for fashion – tracing the origin of the yarn used in their garments right from the paddock.

It was 30 years ago with the loss of the reserve price scheme in the wool industry that wool broker Warwick Rolfe planted the seed for his concept of a less traditional approach of marketing the commodity.

He officially launched the first Woolerina collection 15 years ago.

What was once a fruit-packing shed on Warwick and Robyn Rolfe’s farm at Forbes, was eventually transformed to house a showroom and production space for the popular fashion enterprise with stockists in boutiques in Australia, Canada and Europe.

“There was certainly a lot of interest for the idea, which was exciting, although we faced traditional attitudes within the

40 RLM FORBES

industry too. It took three years to get the first fabrics out – when they first arrived there was contamination issues and they were the incorrect colour, so while it was exciting in the initial stage, there were some challenges,” Warwick recalls.

“Our understanding of the processes has grown and, in some respects, it is a lot easier now than in 2005. In the beginning, the great thing about it was we were able to complete the whole process within a virtual 400km radius. We could literally pick the greasy wool up off the farm, it would be washed and combed in Wagga, and then go on to Albury where it would be spun, then the knitting and dying process happened in Melbourne.

“We believe consumers need to be educated on what goes into the design and manufacture of garments.”

“Unfortunately, now we need to send the greasy wool offshore as there is no local option, but we still complete the knitting and dying process in Australia.”

While Warwick established the business, daughters Penny Rout and Pippa McConnell share his passion for wool, and are now also immersed in the collaborative design processes, marketing and administration, and four other team members work in production, manufacture and administration.

“We really are intimately involved in the whole chain, and what sets us apart from other manufacturers is our hands-on approach to the whole process, from a greasy wool to a finished garment.”

So extensive is his hands-on approach, when I chat to Warwick, he’s ironing fabric samples to check the quality before the cutting process for the upcoming collection can begin.

“What makes the Merino wool we choose special is the fibre diameter, which gives the level of comfort and evenness, monitored closely to ensure the garments are soft and comfortable to wear. The fibre links also ensure the durability and integrity of the fabrics,” Warwick explains.

From what began with just two patterns for men and women in black, natural and khaki colours, has now grown into a fashion label producing more than 40 styles in six colours for women, men, children and babies.

“We’ve gone from a very basic knit construction to a number of different knit constructions and compositions of fabric. We are also starting to experiment with using other textiles such as Lycra and Tencel to create new styles,” Penny says.

“Woolerina garments are designed to be a classic and timeless option so garments can last several years.”

More than 5000 metres of fabric has been used for the 2020 autumn/winter collection.

Different thicknesses of the yarns are used to create different weights of fabric, varying from 180g per square metre to 400g per square metre.

“A lady’s long-sleeved top would use about 1.5 square metres of fabric. That garment might weigh 300g and in that there could be 20km of yarn in that one garment,” Penny explains.

As its online customer base grows, the Woolerina team has also developed the sales approach and stockists.

“For us, we really wanted to grow our reach to ensure we were working with people of like minds who understand the passion behind our business. In 2010 we were on the road travelling to field days and we remember appearing at 30 events between March and October, but our direct sales from the website have grown

considerably, so we choose key events each year to attend now and work with boutique stockists to display our ranges,” Pippa says.

“We also offer tours of the facilities here so visitors can see the processes involved in manufacturing garments as part of a fashion label – from the cutting table to the sewing machines.

“We believe consumers need to be educated on what goes into the design and manufacture of garments. We are supportive of the growing slow fashion movement, encouraging people to take care of their clothing so it lasts longer.”

The Rolfe family selects Merino fleece from farmers who also share the family’s vision.

“They’re much more conscious of how they treat the animals and the land and that the fibre being produced is second to none. It is totally sustainable and totally biodegradable so it is great for the environment as well and the farmers are aware of that.”

The Woolerina team is also developing a recycling project to minimise waste.

“For us, we’ve found that despite most of the fashion industry operating from the city, from a lifestyle perspective, despite the drought conditions we are facing, it’s really nice to be a part of a young, diverse small business community.” RLM Words: Rosie O’Keeffe Images: Woolerina

FACING PAGE: Penny Rout, Warwick Rolfe, Pippa McConnell in the Woolerina shop front at Forbes.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Woolerina production team of Melissa Rath, Delia Lennane, Charlene Dingwall, in the Woolerina work room; Rosemary Stibbard fulfilling orders; Warwick Rolfe inspects a fleece.

FORBES RLM 41

HELP IN HARDSHIP Sally Downie is a young farmer making a difference.

Personal experience was the catalyst for Sally Downie to develop a blueprint to promote and support mental health wellbeing in rural communities.

Mature beyond her 21 years, Sally has used adversity as an opportunity to reach out and help others.

Growing up near Forbes, where her parents, Paul and Cheryl, operate a dairy, she was involved in the farm’s busy daily life. She enjoyed showing cattle in local and national competitions, and joined the Young Dairy Network.

Returning to the farm after school, on the outside she was busy and capable with the world at her feet, but inside, life was spiralling downwards. She was struggling, depressed and with an eating disorder that saw her weight plummet dangerously low.

Her devastated family were told her situation was critical, and she spent months in hospital in Sydney.

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There was a perception that “a farm kid wouldn’t get an eating disorder,” she says.

“I had gone undiagnosed, as there was no physical explanation.”

When she returned to Forbes, Sally began her quest to find practical solutions for mental health wellbeing in the country and so was born her “Grassroots Blueprint” – to improve the networks and wellbeing of farmers by linking them with local health services in an informal way.

“My own issues opened my eyes,” she says.

“Awareness (around mental health) has increased and a lot has been done, but people can be overwhelmed with how to access information and services.” She wanted to “get people talking in a casual setting about what’s on their mind and how to link to support”.

Embracing new challenges, Sally was named the 2018 Forbes Showgirl. She was then Zone Six winner, and second runnerup at the Sydney Royal.

“It was a great experience, and an opportunity, too, to meet people and find out what was being done in that space (wellbeing) in the country.”

As a 2019 ABC Trailblazer, she gave a presentation at Parliament House in Canberra during the Heywire Summit, using the platform to build further momentum for her project.

Through Grassroots Blueprint, informal get-togethers and drought support days for farming families have been held in Central West towns.

And there have been workshops, in conjunction with Lifeline, to collaborate with regional businesses on the role they can play in supporting and starting conversations with farmers during everyday interactions.

As Drought Co-ordinator for Forbes Shire Council, Sally worked to build connections and promote programs of practical help that provided support and encouragement.

She was co-chair of the Youth in Drought Summit co-ordinated by UNICEF Australia last October and also named a Young Farming Champion, which empowers young people to share their stories as a rural ambassador.

While Sally has witnessed the significant impact of the enduring drought, she remains passionate and positive about agriculture.

Settled near Trundle with partner David, she is still involved with the family dairy and is studying a Bachelor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University. She hopes to one day have her own consultancy business.

She plans to extend Grassroots Blueprint to a school-based program, helping young people be more informed about mental health.

Sally doesn’t consider herself inspiring, but many people she has touched through her determination and practical advocacy work would beg to differ.

“I’m just an average girl who saw a need,” she says. “I had my own experience and thought I could do something. I wanted to give back, too. A lot of people supported me.

“I know what it’s like to be on the other side of the battle, so even if one person feels more support through a tough time then I have achieved something.” RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant

Grassroots Blueprint is on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOVE: Sally Downie’s can-do attitude has benefited many local and regional communities.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

COMFORT &

convenience The Plainsman Motel is one of the leading motels in Forbes, thanks to its highway location, spotless rooms and friendly service.

Your friendly hosts at The Plainsman are Steve and Marilyn Craft, who have done a fine job managing the motel for the past five years.

Originally from Dubbo, the affable pair moved to Forbes in 1990, managing two other local motels for several years before establishing their Relief Motel Managers business.

“The original plan was that we could build a business that could provide flexible work loads and eventually become a semiretirement income stream,” Steve says.

The Crafts moved to the South Coast in 2007 and based their business at Sanctuary Point. Clients kept them busy with regular relief work at Dubbo, Tamworth, Inverell, Hillston, Nyngan, Ulladulla and Mittagong.

In late 2014 they received a request to do a short relief at The Plainsman, and they are still here!

“This property appealed to us as it gave us the opportunity to mix work and family. Two of our daughters and their families live in Forbes,” Steve says, giving them eight grandchildren and one greatgrandchild to enjoy.

“We have plenty of visits from them, especially during summer when our large swimming pool offers a cool retreat.

“Hosting guests is a seven-day-a-week job so we tend to work for 10 weeks then take a fortnight off to relax at our home on the South Coast or take a short cruise.

“We enjoy the type of work, which is similar to our previous customer service oriented careers.”

Last year they greeted 10,199 guests, and with 41 guest rooms it’s usually a very busy spot.

The central location, immediately opposite the Forbes Services (RSL) Club, is an attraction for travellers and corporate clients who appreciate the bistro, cafe, bar and theatre facilities.

“So when you next visit Forbes, come and stay,” Marilyn says. “We have several room layouts accommodating singles to families of six.

Our refurbished deluxe rooms are of a high standard but all rooms offer similar amenities.”

You will always be made welcome at The Plainsman. RLM ABOVE: Gracious hosts at The Plainsman Motel, Steve and Marilyn Croft, offer a pool, great rooms and service, as well as a large dining area for breakfast.

Plainsman Motel 22 Sheriff Street, Forbes NSW 2871 Ph 02 6852 2466 | Fax 02 6852 3237 comforbes@exemail.com.au Reception Hours: Mon to Fri 7am - 9pm | Sat to Sun 8am - 9pm

• 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

FORBES RLM 43

T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

LET’S DANCE Our First Nation culture is alive and kicking in Forbes.

The Bila Dhulubang or River Spirit Dancers were established in late 2017 and have grown to include five local families with about 20 members.

“We are all proud descendants of the Wiradjuri-Galari people and are passionate about keeping the culture and language of our ancestors alive,” Forbes song man Yarangirri Holmes says.

Yarangirri teaches culture and dance at schools throughout the district and hosts culture incursions for school groups or for private functions.

“We do tours, workshops and arts and crafts incursions. One of the things we enjoy is teaching the young ones how to light a fire the traditional way,” he says.

“We also teach them to identify with plants and animals to connect them back with their country. It’s important we identify those connections when they are young to offer different pathways for our youth.”

44 RLM FORBES

Dance group members also make their own didgeridoos, clap sticks and other artefacts, which they use and sell.

“I feel blessed to have this knowledge.

It’s now my obligation to share this information with the next generation,” Yarangirri says.

“Uncle Yamandirra always said ‘don’t drink from the same water hole’ – meaning you can’t just learn from one source. You must travel around and learn from everyone – and that’s what I do.”

Yarangirri has travelled and performed on some big stages, most memorably in early 2019, dancing on stage with the Yothu Yindu tribute band as part of the Healing Feeling celebrations.

He also enjoys playing the ‘Yidaki’ (didgeridoo), which he teaches to the local kids.

“It’s a fine art and takes many hours to master, and believe me I’m no master,

but it’s like riding a bike – if you stick to it you’ll get there,” he smiles.

The group regularly gets together at the Forbes Dreaming Centre, built over the past decade on the banks of the Lachlan River (Galari).

“This spot has a special connection for many families. Our families moved along here as the country was being colonised,” he says.

“It’s good what Aunty Aileen Allen and the rest of the Forbes Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre committee have done in providing us with this cultural haven to gather and learn about our Wiradjuri culture.” RLM

To stay up to date with Yarangirri and River Spirit, like their Facebook page, River Spirit Cultural Arts, for the latest news and posts for community dance gatherings.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

The Bila Dhulubang or River Spirit Dancers are keeping ancient culture alive through dance and folklore. Spearheaded by song man Yarangirri Holmes, pictured, the group plays an important role in education.

FORBES RLM 45

T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

“To educate young people, we must love them; we must love them all equally.” St Marcellin Champagnat

EMBRACING

opportunity Helping students make their mark in the world as good Christians and global citizens is at the heart of a leading regional centre of learning steeped in the pedagogy and charism of Marist education.

Red Bend Catholic College is spread over 20 hectares on a picturesque setting on the banks of the Lachlan River, one kilometre from the town of Forbes.

Principal Stephen Dwyer describes the day and boarding school as “a place concerned about young people, relying on goodwill and co-operation in the important task of education”.

The Year 7 to 12 college caters for the needs of a wide range of students who achieve excellent outcomes in the Higher School Certificate, Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and school-based apprenticeships.

46 RLM FORBES

Red Bend educates 740 students and offers 140 full-time and week-day boarding places.

The college is fortunate to have state-of-the-art facilities and is well equipped to provide a quality Catholic education aiming to make Jesus Christ known and loved.

Significant development during the past decade has seen the construction of new learning environments, including a multi-purpose hall, creative and performing arts centre, technology and applied science complex and specialist hospitality facilities.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

The expansive sporting facilities offer a broad range of sports at local and representative level. Currently three Red Bend students represent Australia in hockey and basketball and both the college’s rugby league and hockey teams won the 2019 Combined Catholic Colleges Championships.

The college offers an extensive agriculture program over a 12-hectare area providing opportunities for students to specialise in agriculture and primary industries. The cattle and sheep teams offer diverse experiences for students in both regional shows and competitions.

The college has had a long and proud history since 1926, catering for the education of regional and remote students from central and western NSW. Originally, a Marist Brothers College for boys was located in the township of Forbes. The college relocated to the present site in 1956 and with the amalgamation of Our Lady of Mercy College in 1977, co-education began under the great teaching traditions of the Sisters of Mercy and the Marist Brothers.

The nurturing learning environment has a focus on wellbeing, resilience and care with a deep belief that every student is capable of successful learning.

“The dynamic Red Bend staff develop professional relationships based on trust and connection with the students, families and carers,’’ Stephen says.

“Expectations are high and students are supported in a way that allows them to extend their growth, connect their skills and achieve their personal best.

“A diverse range of co-curricular activities are offered to enhance learning experiences including debating, chess club, mock trial team, Tournament of the Minds, musicals, choir, band, and specialist music tuition just to name a few.”

Boarding is an important part of the college’s identity and tradition. Boarders come from regional and remote areas to Red Bend and it is here that they make lifelong friends.

Students integrate life, faith and learning experiences through service programs such as Meals on Wheels and gardening for seniors in the local community.

Immersion opportunities to Santa Teresa, an indigenous community 80km from Alice Springs, the Marist Awareness Immersion in western Sydney and the St Marcellin School at Giasnogor in Bangladesh offer life-changing experiences for the students.

“Immersions provide great learning experiences where students return with a different perspective on life,” Stephen says.

Red Bend encourages all students to be audacious, digitally informed learners grasping every opportunity that comes their way.

Stephen hopes they will “be game changers endeavouring to become good Christians and ethically informed global citizens”. RLM Words: Heather Crosby

FACING PAGE: Red Bend Catholic College students.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Principal Stephen Dwyer with College Captains Antez Varghese and Olivia Beasley; the Red Bend Catholic College Sheep Team; Mitch Wright and Ella Burke; Stephen Schrader and students Henry Hodges and George Matthews.

FORBES RLM 47

T O W N F E AT U R E Forbes

where family is the NO.1 INGREDIENT

The Bakehouse at Forbes has not only brought Kerrie Hodder’s family together, it’s bringing this country community together.

The Bakehouse is a family-owned bakery in Forbes Established in 1990, we were initially a small bakery and have since grown to be a 70 seat cafe serving the best meals in town.

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48 RLM FORBES

www.thebakehouse2871.com.au

The vibrant atmosphere of popular open mic nights, themed Mexican fiesta and recent Indian tapas dinner events at The Bakehouse has provided entertainment for diners of all ages, spilling on to Templar Street, singing, dancing and laughing with friends.

Kerrie Hodder established the Country Bakehouse in 1990. Her business now features a colourful décor with European influences including graffiti/street art murals after undergoing major renovation and growth over three decades. It has expanded from a small artisan bakery to include a 70-seat dining space, upgraded kitchen and refrigeration facilities and an extensive menu.

The establishment has also grown its team due to the popularity of espresso coffee and eating out. It now boasts a team of three bakers and 17 other team members, who have been specially trained and given apprenticeship opportunities.

This growth hasn’t meant the loss of its sense of family and friendly country charm. A collaborative corner houses a children’s activity space and a sprawling reading nook where books can be swapped.

Up until a few years ago, at 90 years of age, Kerrie’s dad who has now sadly passed, was also a friendly face assisting in the operations.

“All our staff called him Dad or Pop and each day he’d sit down to a scrumptious cake and a cappuccino for afternoon tea, before getting to work packing up any loaves of bread and the tables and chairs, and attending to anything else needing attention,” Giselle, Kerrie’s daughter, reminisces.

Alongside Kerrie, who still spends her days in the bakery, son-inlaw Kane is head baker and her three daughters and their partners are all involved in various ways.

“From locals to travellers, we have a lot of returning customers who comment on the variety of our menu. We have a real passion for paddock to plate and it’s very important to us to source the freshest of ingredients. We work with local farmers for our vegetables and milk and our meat products are all purchased from the local butcher,” Giselle says.

From traditional bakery favourites, to unique burger flavours, sushi, salads, gourmet sandwiches, breakfast and lunch meals, the food is all prepared by hand, which is a labour-intensive process.

“When there is a community fundraiser pie or lamington drive, it’s certainly all hands on deck! Pop built us the mobile cool room so we could make deliveries. And Kerrie, the founder of the drives, is always in the thick of the rolling, dipping, bagging, stacking, crating and deliveries. Often there are 1200 pies to bake and 200 dozen lamingtons needed just to fill one of these orders,” Giselle enthuses.

Kerrie reflects and smiles: “It has certainly been a special family involvement. With the long hours and raising my family it has been challenging at times, but I still always say I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have my family.” RLM Words: Rosie O’Keeffe

02 6852 3388

thebakehouse2871@outlook.com

ABOVE: Bakehouse manager Giselle Taunton with her mother Kerrie Hodder, who established The Bakehouse in Forbes 30 years ago.

Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes is a co-educational day and boarding school established in the Marist and Mercy traditions.

The College, through its Marist charism, focuses on the spiritual, academic, cultural, personal and physical development of students preparing them to become ‘Good Citizens and Good Christians’.

Through difficulties to greatness.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2021 ARE NOW OPEN

College Road, Forbes NSW 2871 • rbcc@redbendcc.nsw.edu.au • (02) 6852 2000 • www.redbendcc.nsw.edu.au

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www.hesilos.com | FREE CALL 1800 046 046 | sales@hesilosforbes.com.au FORBES RLM 49

THE BRAINS BEHIND

grain storage For 50 years, HE Silos has been a leading manufacturing company dedicated to providing farmers with innovative grain storage techniques and solutions.

50 RLM FORBES

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

In 2016, the business became a finalist at the NSW Business Awards, later winning the Excellence in Innovation Award.

HE Silos has come a long way since Ivan and Patsy Morrison built their first engineering factory in Hillston in 1969.

By the early 1970s, Hillston Engineering (HE) started producing welded, blacksheeted grain silos. The silos were called HE Silos after the business and soon became highly sought-after farm equipment.

With strong growth in sales, the Morrisons began construction of a new factory in Forbes, the centre of the wheat belt, and the doors opened in 1984. Six years later, the Hillston factory was closed, with all efforts poured into the Forbes operation.

In 1997, HE Silos went through another expansion phase, with a second factory opening in Gunnedah run by their eldest son, Darryl Morrison, and wife Cherylee.

In 2005, Ivan and Patsy retired after 35 years at the helm, making way for son Steven and wife Jenny to take over management of the Forbes factory.

Within a few years they, too, needed to expand. Steven and Jenny built an additional factory to increase production and sustain the growth of HE Silos operations. It continues generating more work for the Forbes economy.

In 2014, the third generation of Morrisons moved into HE Silos when Steven and Jenny’s children, Stevie-Leigh and Joshua, joined the operation. Today the entire family are involved with the company.

In 2016, the business became a finalist at the NSW Business Awards, later winning the Excellence in Innovation Award. Then they went on to win the NSW Business of the Year for their Thermal Insect Control System™ (TICS®).

“Something we strive for at HE Silos is food security. Our innovative Thermal

Insect Control System™ paired with our grain silos can really make a difference to your return on investment,” Steven says.

In 2017, he introduced a term into the rural community: Silology, defined as the study and knowledge of all silos and grain storage vessels. In conjunction, HE Silos has introduced a blog called The Silologist, a grain storage platform designed to be easily accessible.

“It’s where you can find all the hard facts about the grain industry, grain productions, grain efficiency, grain storage, grain monitoring and systems with the intention of promoting key and current designs,” he says.

The blog enjoys thousands of hits after each fortnightly article. Check it out at www.hesilos.com/thesilologist.

In 2019, HE Silos reached a monumental milestone of 50 years in operation and ongoing market success.

To celebrate and give back to the customers who have supported HE Silos through droughts, floods and plentiful

seasons, four local grain expos were held at HE Silos Forbes, Ag-n-Vet West Wyalong, Landmark Goulburn and Landmark Hillston.

These events featured industry experts offering information and support to our farms.

Continuing the celebrations, they had a major giveaway of over $10,000 worth of prizes, drawn on the final day of the 2019 Henty Machinery Field Days.

“There’s a saying that goes ‘If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life’ – that’s definitely been the case with us,” Ivan says.

As the third generation of Morrisons move through the ranks of HE Silos, more than 80 staff between the factories can be thankful for the efforts of Ivan and Patsy back in the summer of ‘69. RLM

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Salvatores silos; Patsy and Ivan Morrison explain the company’s history; feeders and silo delivery.

FACING PAGE: HE Silos employees in 2019.

FORBES RLM 51

colourful connections Rosie Wingrove Johnston has embraced technology in the name of art and the spirit of community.

“For 30 years I don’t think there’s been a day go by that I haven’t worn a hat,” Rosie Wingrove Johnston says with a grin.

Indeed, Rosie wears many hats, thanks to her many connections in the world of sculpture, art and polo, not to mention her community work that helps raise the profile of the Central West.

Rosie has enjoyed a colourful life, starting as a graphic designer before moving west to marry a farmer. It seemed like a “no brainer” to develop her art and paintings.

“Our farm was reasonably remote and I was convinced I was isolated,” she laughs. “I used to peer out the kitchen window watching the sun set, believing there was nothing more than dingoes and deserts beyond!”

Since the inception of Instagram her world has become a lot wider.

“I love technology and the opportunities and networking that social media has enabled artistic people like myself, particularly those from the bush – it really is just fabulous. I am a visual person and see beauty everywhere,” she says.

52 RLM FORBES

“Do you know it once took me 12 hours to get back from Sydney because I kept stopping to take photos on my trusty iPhone.”

Rosie lives with her husband, Gary, at Walla Wallah Homestead, her garden nestled alongside the iconic Lachlan River.

She walks her dogs most mornings around the boundary and her imagination takes her time travelling to a bygone era of bushrangers and pioneers. All this makes for interesting ideas and great reference material for her art.

“It’s so ‘authentic Australia’,” she says, describing the screeching cockatoos spotted against the stormy dark Prussian skies that are backdrop to the massive red river gums standing sentinel along the river bank.

“God, I love this country,” she says with genuine passion.

Recently, Rosie had the opportunity to travel throughout NSW following the northern polo circuit because her husband decided he’d like to play again.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

“It’s been so much fun,” she enthuses. “Even in the drought, there has been amazing camaraderie.”

This opportunity has enabled Rosie to reinstate her brand Polo Australia, which she started over 30 years ago.

“I’ve reintroduced the jackets similar to the ones that went to Prince Charles and some of the 10-goal players around the world including Memo Gracida,” she says proudly.

When it comes to her art, she paints large, with horses her specialty. She rents a fabulous studio space in town above one of the old bank buildings.

“It’s like being in a Manhattan apartment,” she says, clasping her hands with delight. “I really want to learn more about technique, as I have not been formally trained.”

Last year she attended a Wendy Sharpe workshop in Sydney and travelled with a group of women to Hill End to learn a few master strokes from acclaimed painter Luke Sciberras.

“He’s just wonderful and very charming,” she says.

One of her great passions has been Somewhere Down the Lachlan, an idea she came up with over seven years ago, with the vision of creating a 100km sculpture trail along the Lachlan River between Forbes and Condobolin.

The community have whole-heartedly supported the project.

There are over 20 existing sculptures with three new monumental works to be installed by early 2020 and more to come.

“Life is good at the moment but it’s getting shorter so I’m trying to live every day . . . well, you know the saying,” she laughs.

“Our two children have recently finished degrees and both have jobs – it’s kind of our time now.”

We agree. Hats off to you, Rosie! RLM

TOP TO BOTTOM: Waratahs and Wallabies, commissioned by the Forbes Rugby Club as a fundraiser; Cosmo, a private commission; Bates Bridge, commissioned by the rugby club for auction and now home at Jemalong Wool.

FACING PAGE: The Young Ones; Rosie in her studio; the original Polo Australia t-shirt is having a re-run and appearing at many of the polo tournaments.

www.poloaustralia.com.au Instagram: #rosiewingrovejohnstonart

FORBES RLM 53

a complete country

collection

You’ll find everything for classic country style from head to toe at Allure on Main in Forbes.

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Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

The long-established Allure on Main keeps customers well dressed in the latest fashions from leading brands.

Owner Helen Morris is passionate about providing quality clothing and accessories for smart casual wear in true country style.

Catering for men, women and children, the range is extensive and on trend, with an emphasis on natural fibres – cotton, wool and linen.

The convenience to co-ordinate a stylish country look all under one roof has been a popular feature of Allure on Main since the doors opened in 1997.

“With a lot to choose from you can co-ordinate outfits at Allure on Main. We are a country lifestyle store,” Helen says.

RM Williams is renowned for enduring style and comfort, and there is a complete range of men’s and women’s clothing, along with their iconic handcrafted boots and belts. Also ever popular is the stylish and versatile apparel of Thomas Cook, for men, women and children.

For wearable, everyday style, the Goondiwindi Cotton range for women is a favourite for many in natural fibres to embrace and enjoy.

Helen is excited to introduce several new collections this autumn, with co-ordinated and stylish ranges from Foil, Ping Pong and Jump offering fabulous choice from shirts, skirts, pants and jackets.

Allure on Main is also an exclusive stockist of New Zealand brand Alloue, being released this winter, offering a co-ordinated range of fashion separates.

Comfortable and long wearing work shirts for men, women and children from Just Country are a staple for country life. And for all weather options there is the tough outdoor range of oilskin vests, jackets and coats from Swanndri.

To complete an outfit, Allure on Main offer a full selection of iconic Australian handcrafted Akubra hats.

Ariat women’s, men’s and children’s western and work boots are also available, along with the popular and sturdy Ariat overnight bags.

The huge selection of fashion apparel and accessories is coupled with genuine, good old-fashioned customer service.

Helen has many years of experience in the retail and clothing industry, having received an excellent grounding at legendary Australian department store John Meagher & Co. Helen and Julie, together with Carol and Mel, strive to ensure their customers’ needs are met, with excellent product knowledge and assistance in sourcing items if needed.

There is plenty of parking within close proximity to the town centre, convenient for many, including out of town visitors who call in to enjoy Forbes shopping.

With Forbes one of the many areas hit hard by drought, Helen is appreciative of the efforts and initiatives of the Lachlan Shire Council and local Business Chamber to bolster the local community.

“Buy from the bush and help our stores stay open. Every bit helps in tough times. Our towns and businesses have to work together,” she says.

Helen is grateful for the continued strong support from Forbes and district and is heavily involved with support for numerous community and sporting activities. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant

Updates on store happenings, including regular new stock, can be found via Allure on Main’s Facebook and Instagram.

Inquiries are welcome and delivery can be arranged.

FACING PAGE AND ABOVE RIGHT: Julie Cotterill and owner Helen Morris love interacting with customers at Allure on Main, where you will find all the latest in country clothing and accessories.

ALLURE ON MAIN

A warm welcome and country hospitality awaits you at Allure on Main New season styles with natural fibres arriving soon R.M Williams | Goondiwindi Cotton | Thomas Cook Ariat | Foil | Jump | Ping Pong | Alloue-The Label 6 7 R A N K I N S T R E E T, F O R B E S Ph. 02 6851 4778 M. 0417 726 290 allure_54@bigpond.com

Mon - Fri: 9am - 5:30pm Sat: 9am - 12:30pm

FORBES RLM 55

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

TRUE GRIT Monica Langfield has a penchant for challenging stereotypes, surpassing expectations and forging her own unique path.

Managing a huge Canadian feedlot and adapting to life on the land has left Monica Langfield with a strong sense of purpose.

Her organisational skills, put firmly to the test both here and overseas, no doubt helped secure her the branch manager’s job at O’Connors, the Case IH dealership in Forbes and biggest Case IH dealer in the country.

“People always seem surprised when I say I’m branch manager of a big machinery dealership,” she laughs during a break from her demanding schedule.

“I’m shocked there are people still out there who believe it’s not a woman’s place or that women aren’t capable of running positions traditionally reserved for the boys.

“Everyone asks how I manage dealing with staff – I have 12 now but at the feedlot there were 120, nearly all men, on the books.”

Since starting in mid 2019, Monica is thriving in her new habitat, despite a debilitating drought that has seen farmers cut back on big ticket items like new red headers and tractors.

Having been a farmer for the past decade, Monica was well versed in drought conditions and would still be farming if it weren’t for a niggling back injury. Giving it up was never going to be easy. Despite farm life being a largely solitary existence, often with just her dog for company, this was a farm girl who genuinely loved getting her hands dirty.

Her father and great mate, Don Langfield, and brother Ted regularly dropped by to help out, have a cuppa and offer a morale boost.

Her mother, Marie, and brother Robert were never far away.

“For many years I was just poking along steady to get things done,” Monica says with an infectious grin. Her crook back, however, was always going to be the deal breaker.

“I hurt my back when I was 14. For many years, doctors and my mum thought I was just a complaining teenager. It took four years for them to do a CT scan and discover my injury.

“I talked to surgeons during my early 20s but they didn’t want to operate. I managed as best as I could with the pain, something I’ve lived with every day. I try to exercise regularly to keep fit and strong. Even though my back has always bothered me it was never going to stop my dream of farming.”

Monica finally went under the knife in 2013. Her surgeon advised her to forgo her rigorous life on the land but that was never going to happen – or so she thought.

“My recovery took a full year but my back still bothered me. The pain forced me to consider quitting but I wasn’t ready to let go.

It was what I loved. So I started climbing out of bed at 5am for my daily ritual of yoga. It’s helped a lot but I still struggle.

“Pain has been such a part of my life that you just deal with it. Lots of people have asked me why I don’t go to certain events or why I leave a party early – it’s because I’m in so much pain I can’t enjoy being there.”

GOOD TIMES For many years Monica felt her dream of owning a farm was simply that – a pipe dream. That all changed during a visit by her father in Canada.

“Dad was doing a crop tour with me and casually inquired if I still wanted my own farm. I told him I did, but unless I won the lottery, the feedlot farm I was managing was as close as I was ever going to get.”

Don reckoned he could set her up on “Kurrajong”, Wirrinya, midway between Forbes, Grenfell and West Wyalong. Despite the generous and tempting offer, Monica stayed in Canada for a further 18 months, not quite ready to sever ties with a city known for its oil, strong western culture and international flavour.

A wedding back in Australia proved the catalyst for change. After yet another teary farewell at the airport with her father, there was a shift in Monica’s mindset. Something told her it was time to come home and start life again as a fully fledged farmer. >

“People always seem surprised when I say I’m branch manager of a big machinery dealership.”

FACING PAGE: Country girl Monica Langfield loves the colour red, which fits in nicely when you’re the branch manager of a machinery dealership selling big, red tractors!

ABOVE: Monica in her days at a big Canadian feedlot where she learnt to deal with large teams of men.

FORBES RLM 57

After six months finding and training her replacement in Calgary, she was back in familiar territory, surrounded by a tightknit community. Before she’d even met anybody, she was appointed secretary of the Wirrinya Progress and Sports Association.

“I remember meeting the district on a Friday night at the tennis. Most had a preconceived idea of what a single female farmer was going to be like – perhaps a bit rough around the edges or powerfully built, I’m not sure!

“And then I rock up in my lululemon attire! I worked out six days a week in Canada so was super fit. To say I was as far removed from what they expected was an understatement – I’m definitely a girly farmer.”

Please explain. “I don’t mind getting dirty or covered in grease but still love dressing up in beautiful clothes and jewellery. I enjoy the finer things in life like five-star hotels, good crystal, bone china and going to the theatre.”

Monica still finds it amusing when she tells others she used to be a farmer. “The first response is generally ‘Oh, so you do that with your husband or partner?’ – Nope, just me!”

Apparently, it happens all the time.

“I had to laugh, just a few days ago I was late leaving work and rushed to Bunnings to buy some pipe fittings,” she says.

“I had to fix a few water leaks and the check-out guy asked me what I had on for the weekend. I told him I was fixing water pipes and he said ‘C’mon, be serious, surely your partner will be doing that’.

I kindly informed him that no, I’d be fixing everything!”

Monica’s made of strong stuff and little fazes her. Having a great sense of humour and the ability to laugh helps ease awkward moments. It’s always been that way.

Raised on “Cockatoo”, Cowra, the ambitious young farm girl trailed two steps behind her father in the shearing shed and sheep yards, or behind the wheel of the tractor during the hot summer harvest.

After school she visited Canada on a farm exchange, living with a family and working on their farm. It was a game changer.

“I am still in touch with them and recently spent time in Hawaii with my Canadian ‘mum and dad’ for their 45th wedding anniversary,” she says proudly.

Back on home soil Monica commenced a Bachelor of Business in Agriculture Commerce through the University of Sydney in Orange. In the end, uni didn’t prove the right fit and she took up a job at a financial planning company, studying at night through Distance Ed.

58 RLM FORBES

“It’s very satisfying as a woman in a male-dominated world when you get things right.”

She gained her Honours after writing a lengthy thesis on the economic and socio-economic impact of a shut-down of the agricultural industry. “It was all hypothetical – just to see what would happen if agriculture ceased to exist.”

She might well have been thinking about that while cutting hay for her father one weekend. The following day she quit her town job and moved to Calgary, a big Canadian city nestled at the foot of the Rockies.

After nearly a month she scored an interview for an assistant general manager’s job at the feedlot. The ad specified the candidate should have five to seven years’ experience but Monica, eternally optimistic, felt up to the task.

At 23, it proved a major challenge. With a capacity of 100,000 head, the feedlot was split over three locations and turned off 220,000 head a year.

“I refrained from implementing change straight away and always made sure to not pretend I knew it all – after all, I had zero knowledge of feedlots, feeling more comfortable running the 10,000-acre farm.”

Standing up to the men, many older and more experienced, was part of the job.

With her height, Monica had no problems looking a man square in the eye.

“It’s very satisfying as a woman in a male-dominated world when you get things right,” she laughs.

“I remember one time my contractor was insisting I should spray a particular canola crop for bugs. I had an agronomist on contract and after doing a sweep of the paddock, decided it wasn’t justified. My contractor said I’d be the only one in the entire district not spraying and that I’d live to regret it!

“Thankfully the bugs didn’t do any damage. I was sitting with him in the header

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

“Telling my dad was so hard; we get along so well. My decision meant screwing up the succession plan. While I know I wasn’t letting him down, it felt like I was.” after the canola harvested a healthy 1.75 ton/ acre and he admitted I’d grown the best crop in the district for the smallest outlay.”

It still puts a smile on Monica’s face thinking about it. Meanwhile, her outgoing character and natural abilities were creating attention in the most unlikely of places.

“A Hutterite colony called and ask me, a woman, for advice on growing oats, triticale silage, seed rates and varieties. They even asked me to come out and tell them when to start silaging,” a slightly bemused Monica says.

“The Hutterites are a bit similar to the Amish. There are no phones or radios but they have all the latest whiz-bang farming equipment. Women are there to cook, clean and have babies – and don’t share meals with their husbands.”

Leaving behind her life and cherished red Mustang in Canada was nearly as difficult as walking away from the farm years later.

“Telling my dad was so hard; we get along so well. My decision meant screwing up the succession plan. While I know I wasn’t letting him down, it felt like I was,” she says quietly.

“Dad worked his whole life providing for my brothers and me. He gave me the opportunity to farm and here I was giving it all up. So it was really hard to tell him. In the three months from making my decision to getting a job I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much!”

Telling her neighbours was no easier.

“When I left the farm I sent an email to all my neighbours, knowing if I told them face to face I’d be a quibbling, sobbing mess. I was in total shock. For weeks I doubted myself – had I made the right decision giving up the farm, had I chosen the right job? It was awful.”

Now in her mid 30s, Monica admits there’s still the odd day when she pines for the bush. Fortunately, the long drive to work each day provides plenty of time to sort things out in her mind.

“Yes, it’s been a major adjustment – having to be somewhere at a specific time, reporting to superiors and talking to people every day – but it’s also been a refreshing change from my last job,” she says.

“No matter what happens, farming will always be in my blood. I don’t know what will happen with my farm. That will be up to Dad. It’s his baby and his decision.”

It’s already been an amazing journey for Monica Langfield but one suspects she is only just beginning to hit her straps. RLM Canadian images: Loree Photography

ABOVE: Monica Langfield in high heels for a shot with her beloved Mustang during her formative years in Canada.

FACING PAGE: Monica loves her new job in Forbes and dealing with a rural client base.

FORBES RLM 59

covering ALL BASES Forbes agency Kevin Miller, Whitty, Lennon & Co (KMWL) has come a long way over the past 38 years.

Starting as Kevin Miller & Co in a small office in Lachlan Street, Kevin Miller worked the agency side while wife Phyliss carried out the office duties and saleyard paperwork.

Through hard work, perseverance and a bold vision, the business has grown and grown. These days, the agency is known throughout the land as KMWL, formed in 2007 after Luke Whitty and Matt Lennon joined the business.

The busy agency employs 20 staff with offices in Forbes, Condobolin, Cumnock, Carcoar, Canowindra and Lake Cargelligo, all operating under a well-balanced team of directors with complementing skills and expertise.

Luke started in the business in 1996 as a junior stock and station agent riding his push bike and has grown a wonderful profile servicing the local area for 23 years.

One of his highlights was winning the state and national young auctioneers’ competition at age 20. He and wife Sherrie have three energetic sons.

The western section of the business is headed by Matt out of the Condobolin branch. Matt is a Nyngan boy with many clients and friends in the western area. He’s one of the state’s store sheep experts, learning from his father, Noel Lennon, a Nyngan agent for many years.

Matt worked at Kevin Miller & Co for four years before joining the team 12 years ago. Matt and wife Tracy also have three children and are very community minded, Matt often conducting charity auctions.

Servicing Forbes and district is Kevin Miller with more than 45 years’ industry experience. His career has been an inspiration and envy to many stock and station agents. He’s been a wonderful mentor to many and arguably the most dedicated individual livestock agent in the industry.

A big team KMWL employs a dedicated team of 11 livestock agents with each area supported by professional staff.

Starting with the Tablelands area, Liam Murphy, based in Orange, is the main auctioneer at Carcoar. Soon he’ll be supported in the office by James Litt, a fully accredited AuctionPlus assessor for sheep and cattle.

Richard Maunder supports the Cumnock area and is a gentleman who is looked up to by the entire team.

Geoff Chandler has been with KMWL since 1994, providing exceptional professional advice and support to his clients, while Canowindra’s Paul Breen has been with KMWL for eight years. His service and support to his clients is second to none – being a local is a big part of his success.

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Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

The busy agency employs 20 staff with offices in Forbes, Condobolin, Cumnock, Carcoar, Canowindra and Lake Cargelligo.

Based in the Forbes office is AuctionsPlus expert, clearing sale specialist and stud sheep advisor Brendan Mansbridge.

Sam Smith is a Forbes local who’s been with KMWL since he was a teenager. Sam has represented KMWL twice in the Young Auctioneers competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The newest face to the Forbes branch is Ryan Browne, who is passionate about the industry and destined for a bright future.

Brendon White, stationed at Condo, is another Nyngan local.

Brendon’s dedication to his loyal clients is impressive.

Also servicing the western region is Dylan Hoe in Parkes.

Dylan joined the team two years ago with extensive experience in livestock handling after a stint in the Territory.

The newest branch at Lake Cargelligo is serviced by Alastair Jenkins, who comes with a strong livestock background and is heavily involved in the community.

The KMWL engine room at Forbes is headed up by co-office managers Deb Wenning and Melissa Smith, with support from Alison Hearn, Cheryl Anderson, Heather Earney and Cheryl Sutcliffe.

The office is a well-oiled machine and provides excellent client support and backup.

KMWL conducts weekly cattle and sheep sales at the Central West Livestock exchange (Forbes) and the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange (Carcoar) along with monthly store cattle sales.

KMWL are regular participants in weekly AuctionsPlus sales plus direct to abattoir or feedlot marketing. With a very large network they have a marketing option to suit every situation.

KMWL live and breathe livestock. RLM

ABOVE, FROM TOP LEFT: KMWL & Co is located in one of the town’s historic buildings; the team in action at the Forbes weekly cattle and sheep sales; head office in Forbes keep the wheels spinning: Alison Hearn, Melissa Smith, Deb Wenning, Cheryl Anderson and Heather Earney.

FACING PAGE: Kevin Miller started the business decades ago and still plays a pivotal role; flamboyant auctioneer Luke Whitty; KMWL directors Matt Lennon and Luke Whitty taking bids.

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the world at our feet

Make holiday dreams come true with the personalised service of the travel experts at Helloworld Travel, Forbes.

Owner/Manager Alison Uphill delights in seeing people fulfil their travel goals.

Her team are dedicated to providing comprehensive advice and service, based on a strong rapport with their clients.

“We go through the entire process,” Alison says. “This includes assisting (if needed) with destination, expectations, any special requirements, then building on that.

Accessibility is a key part of the service.

“It’s important to have that personal touch, someone you can contact if needed at any stage, and that is the difference to online.

“A holiday is a big investment, you need to feel comfortable and trust the people you are dealing with.”

Excellent feedback and recommendations from satisfied clients reflect the commitment

62 RLM FORBES

of the Helloworld Travel Forbes team to make each experience special.

Alison is appreciative of the strong support from across the district and proud of the high standard of customer service that sees many return clients. Those further afield receive the same expert assistance via email and phone.

Alison also places emphasis on keeping her team up to date with professional development and the skills needed in a constantly changing industry.

Being a member of the Helloworld Travel group gives the Forbes agency access to the benefits of their global network, including flights, cruises, holiday packages and more.

“This buying power means specials, great deals and Helloworld exclusives too.”

A Forbes girl, Alison travelled and lived overseas before her passion for travel led her to purchase the local agency 17 years ago. “I love what I do,” she says, and customers benefit from her experience as both agent and traveller. Egypt, Africa and Fiji are among her own favourite destinations.

Helloworld Forbes is a member of the Forbes Business Chamber, whose proactive work is vital to helping sustain the local economy, promoting local shopping and business.

This is especially important as the drought continues to impact the district, which Alison has experienced as both business owner and through the family farm.

Her agency is a strong supporter of the local community through various school, sporting and community groups.

For a professional, personalised travel service with an experienced team who will share in your holiday excitement, get in touch with Helloworld Travel Forbes.

“This year we are excited to be introducing escorted group tours, adding to the fabulous holiday choice.”

Discover more via their website, Facebook and Instagram pages. RLM

ABOVE: Helloworld Travel owner Alison Uphill with staff members Maddison Quirk and Makaela Ianni.

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The perfect gift for those who seem to have it all!

Orders can also be made by contacting us PHONE: 0429 441 086 EMAIL: info@lifestylemagazine.net.au FORBES RLM 63

Jessica Mackintosh and Emma Kimber, Wagga Wagga, with Lauren Cleal, Forbes.

Tim West, Marinda Wood and Grant Acheson, Forbes.

Forbes locals Connor Greenhalgh, Amy Gallagher and Taylor Mackinnon.

AND THEY’RE RACING! Punters were in fine fettle for the Forbes spring races.

Fresh from winning NSW Country Racing’s Most Outstanding Achievement Award for the restoration of the historic grandstand, the Forbes Jockey Club presented the course in magnificent condition for the annual meeting.

The champagne was flowing freely after rank outsider Bring A Beer romped home to clinch the Lachlan Readymix Forbes Spring Cup. Fashions on the field were just as exciting, and a great day was enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. RLM

Laura Hassell and Katie Ralph, Forbes.

Melissa West and Bronwyn Abbott, Forbes.

Bailey Cain and Meg Waters, Forbes.

Club secretary Harvey Elliott and president John Rennick.

Grace Quigley, Jenna Hartwig, Kristyn Stubbs and Samantha Whittaker, Forbes.

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Forbes locals Luke and Jo Stephenson with Brendan King and Matthew Watts.

Secretary Harvey Elliott, vice-president Tom Molloy, Bruce Chandler and life member George Doyle.

Forbes T O W N F E AT U R E

Jade McGovern, Jayde Allegri, Kimeaka Bermingham and Abbie Howell, Forbes, with Darcy Merchant and Kellie Park, Eugowra.

John Woods, Cowra, and George Small, Grenfell.

Tekohi and Desiree Rivera, Condobolin, with children Kiri and Tui.

Goulburn locals Ed Thomas, Alan Mainwearning, Anthony Yeo, Tom Hand and Jack White.

Sarah Jehan, Meg Austin and Tommy Jeffs, Canowindra.

Bernard Croft and Sherrill Parker, Sydney, with Jenny and Glenn Egan, Forbes.

Harry Watson, Yarrabandai, Mark Ward, Condobolin, and David Simmons, Trundle.

Colleen Gunn, Jess Todd and Blake Weekes, all from Forbes, with Letisha Peters, Parkes, and Taylor Bliss, Forbes.

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PARKES TOW N FE ATUR E

WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY

a town making its mark from the Mayor of Parkes Shire Council There is no limit to the appeal of fun-loving, ground-breaking, history-making Parkes.

On behalf of the Parkes Shire, I am delighted to showcase our region as part of the Autumn 2020 edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

The Parkes Shire is made up of Parkes and the surrounding smaller towns of Peak Hill, Bogan Gate, Trundle and Tullamore, each contributing their individual personality, vibrant attractions and memorable experiences to create the undeniable appeal of the region as a wonderful place to live and visit.

The traditional land owners of the Parkes region are the Wiradjuri people, who have lived in these lands for more than 40,000 years. Wiradjuri culture is celebrated in Parkes Shire, and it is with great delight that we see the Wiradjuri language now taught in Parkes Shire schools.

From our foundations as an early gold discovery settlement, to our roots in the agricultural engine room of NSW, an anchor as an inland transport hub and rich mining landscape, it all adds up to what is now a progressive regional hub.

Parkes Shire has six key economic strengths: mineral resources, agriculture, retail activity, government services, tourism and transport.

Parkes Shire contains some of the richest and most productive agricultural and grazing land in NSW. Wheat, barley, canola, oats, and winter legumes are grown annually, while fields of canola can be seen flowering in magnificent blankets of yellow in spring.

While agriculture remains one of the strongest industry sectors of our economy

66 RLM PARKES

today, our shire is now suffering through one of the worst droughts in history, heading into our third year without significant rainfall. During this dry time, our region continues to be well supported by the tourism sector. By simply spending a few dollars in town, visitors can make a tangible and lasting impact on our community and have a fabulous time in the process.

The Parkes Shire is home to a number of iconic tourist attractions and unique experiences, including the Henry Parkes Centre tourism complex, the Peak Hill Open Cut Mine and of course the worldfamous Parkes Radio Telescope “The Dish”.

Built in the shadow of The Dish, the Visitor Discovery Centre is where you can explore

the world of astronomy through hands -on exhibits and a 3D theatre, and discover the role that the 64-metre-wide dish plays in “listening to the stars”, still to this day.

The Parkes Shire is now also renowned for its calendar of quirky and wonderfully whacky events, including Trundle ABBA Festival, AstroFest, Trundle Bush Tucker Day, as well as the popular Parkes Elvis Festival.

On behalf of the people of the Parkes Shire, I encourage you to “Be Out There” in the Parkes Shire, immerse yourself in everything that our region has to offer, and make memories to last a lifetime.

Cr Ken Keith OAM Parkes Shire Mayor

Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

the King’s the thing

Elvis and Parkes may seem like strange bedfellows, but the combination draws the big crowds year after year.

Australia’s Father of Federation, Sir Henry Parkes, stands proud in the town square of Parkes. The 3.2-metre bronze statue was unveiled in 2008 by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO during the 125th anniversary of local government celebrations. It is a permanent reminder of the special affinity the former premier shared with the shire that would one day bear his name.

The man behind the statue, sculptor Terrance Plowright, would 10 years later cast a life-sized tribute to “The King” in recognition of the volunteer committee who deliver the Parkes Elvis Festival, which attracts around 27,000 people to the town every January.

The two prominent statues form part of the Parkes Shire Public Art Trail. Vibrant installations scattered throughout the shire inform and inspire visitors as they discover the area’s colourful history, cultural influences and iconic personalities.

This proud history is linked with gold mining, agriculture and transport, all of which remain the strongest industry sectors of the shire’s economy today.

The area remained relatively unsettled until 1862 when the discovery of gold led to a hastily erected canvas town known as “Currajong”, which accommodated thousands of hopeful gold seekers. A further discovery of gold in 1871 at the nearby Bushman’s Gold Mine helped the district to become one of the richest gold-producing areas in the colony.

In 1873, Sir Henry Parkes visited the diggings and on December 1 the same year, the name of the settlement was changed from Bushmans to Parkes in honour of the great statesman. In 1887,

Parkes changed the name of its main street to Clarinda, Lady Parkes’s Christian name.

So why Elvis in Parkes, you ask?

The Parkes Elvis Festival may now be world renowned, but back in 1993 it was just an animated dinner conversation.

Elvis enthusiasts and local restaurateurs Bob Steel and wife Anne wanted to host an Elvis-themed party at their restaurant.

January was a notoriously quiet time for the region, with many locals leaving town to holiday away. Parkes needed a reason to stay in town and party so it was decided that the first Elvis party would be held in January to coincide with Elvis’s birthday, January 8.

The festival has grown dramatically over the years, now hosting more than 150 individual events across five days at 25 different venues.

Thousands of people from Australia, and indeed all across the world, flock to Parkes for the biggest celebration of the life and music of Elvis.

In addition to the award-winning Parkes Elvis Festival, the Parkes Shire has embraced its reputation of being the home of many other unique events and iconic attractions. There is an array of fun and quirky experiences throughout the calendar year that should be part of everyone’s bucket list. RLM FACING PAGE: Parkes Shire Mayor Councillor Ken Keith OAM encourages you to “Be Out There” and immerse yourself in everything the Parkes Shire has to offer.

ABOVE: Parkes is renowned for its unique events and tourist attractions, including the world famous CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope “The Dish”. A statue dedicated to Parkes’ namesake, Sir Henry Parkes, stands in the town centre.

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ALL

shook up When Parkes pays tribute to The King, it doesn’t hold back.

Elvis fans have left the building after celebrating the 28th annual Parkes Elvis Festival in January, when thousands of revellers enjoyed live music, special events, talks and much more – all in celebration of The King.

Fans travelled from around Australia and the world to shake, rattle and roll their way through the more than 200 events across a record 35 venues.

“It was so wonderful seeing people from all over the world come together in the Central West to celebrate a shared love of Elvis,” festival director Cathy Treasure says.

“I’d like to thank our hardworking volunteers and council staff for helping make this festival a unique and fantastic celebration of The King.”

Hundreds of Elvis fanatics, decked out in bejewelled jumpsuits and poodle skirts shimmied their way to Sydney’s Central Station to board The Elvis Express and Blue Suede Express trains to the festival.

Enjoying seven hours of on-board Elvis entertainment, the travellers were greeted at Parkes Railway Station by thousands of the town’s locals, kicking off four days of massive festivities. >

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“We had a record number of venues taking part this year, putting on a variety of events for visitors. From rock’n’roll dance lessons to trivia, a dog show and kids’ workshop, there was something for everyone,” Cathy says.

Free entertainment on the ARTC Cooke Park Main Stage drew the crowds with performances by the popular John Field Band, festival friend Mark Andrew and many more. Parkes Elvis Festival offered 80 per cent free entertainment to visitors.

On the Saturday, the Northparkes Mines Street Parade saw thousands of people line the streets to enjoy Elvis-themed floats, vintage cars, motorcycles, walking groups and marching bands.

The festival is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. RLM

Parkes Elvis Festival will celebrate its 29th year from Wednesday, January 6 to Sunday, January 11, 2021.

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FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Marching bands featured in the Northparkes Mines Street Parade; everyone got dressed up for the occasion; Sheridan Bicket, Parkes; a classic red Cadillac; councillor Wally Biles with Parkes Mayor Cr Ken Keith.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Miss Priscilla 2020, Shania Sarsfield, Wellington; popular American Elvis tribute artist Dean Z; the official opening in the main park; town crier Tim Keith in action.

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insight into f light The HARS Parkes Aviation Museum invites enthusiasts to take a step back in time.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A Westland Wessex chopper is among the many aircraft on display at the aviation museum; volunteer Mike De La Hunty inside a Lockheed AP3-C Orion patrol aircraft, used in the search for the lost Malaysian Airline Flight MH370 in 2014.

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Visitors to the HARS Parkes Aviation Museum can look, touch and feel aircraft and artefacts that are significant in Australia’s aviation history.

Set in a World War Two hangar at Parkes Airport, the museum recognises the military and immigration background of the airport.

The RAAF Station was established in 1940 and operated until 1946 as a major training facility with accommodation and classroom buildings across the vast site.

The remains of foundations and steps can still be seen today, with numerous photographs of the wartime base on display.

The displaced persons camp operated until 1969, when the huts and buildings were auctioned and moved off the site, some still in use around the district.

The aircraft on display range from a 1938 Lockheed Electra Junior that saw service with the RAF during the war right through to a recently retired Lockheed AP3-C Orion patrol aircraft that served in the Middle East and searched for missing MH370 in the Indian Ocean.

The museum has been working with students from Parkes High School, who attend one day a week and carry out restoration work on the museum exhibits. The students participate in all aspects of the restoration works and are learning skills to transition to the workforce.

One of the museum volunteers is Mike De La Hunty. Mike has overseen the change of use of the storage warehouse to satellite museum to showcase aircraft that cannot be displayed at their main base at Shellharbour Airport in the Illawarra.

HARS has stored spare parts at Parkes since 1975 and the dry climate is far kinder to the components than being close to the sea.

There is a high level of satisfaction in preserving Australian aviation history and the museum is looking for volunteers to join the team with a hands-on role or as a museum tour guide.

Call in on a Thursday or Sunday and speak to one of the volunteers. RLM

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CWA

clocks up a milestone

Throughout most towns in the region, a bastion of service and empowerment still exists within the branches of the CWA of NSW. Parkes is no exception.

Parkes CWA has experienced much change throughout its 95-year history, and even enjoyed a period with two branches offering times in the day and evening for women to choose from.

People tend to focus on the baking these days, however, it is the fundamental belief in hospitality that has always fuelled the ovens of the members. Looking after one’s neighbours, getting the community together and sustaining local emergency services have all been opportunities for women in Parkes to unite.

The baby health centre was an immensely important service where mothers could bring their babies for a check-up with a nurse.

With the sale of the CWA hall in the 1990s, the branch has called many venues home, their current location being the Coachman Hotel.

“It is a very accessible space and encourages new members to approach in a known environment,” branch president Alice Milne says. “Many of us will have a beer or a wine as we go through the meeting.

The atmosphere is very relaxed.”

“The hotel has a function space set apart from the dining room and even though it can get a bit noisy, the public can see that we are not only alive and well, but a diverse group of women of all ages and backgrounds.”

CWA is experiencing a renaissance just as many other organisations are struggling to attract new members. Alice is very proud of how far they have come.

“CWA as a broader organisation still aims to fulfil very relevant goals. Many of the struggles facing women in the bush have evolved over time but very few of those struggles have disappeared entirely,” she says.

“CWA of NSW exists to ensure that women and children in rural areas are never forgotten. It is a privilege to continue this 95-year-old tradition.”

Throughout 2019 the branch focused on raising funds for the drought effort, sending money to State Office to help with the Household grants and also keeping the money in the town as donations to the Farmer Fridays at Georgie’s Pantry.

Into the future, Parkes CWA hopes to empower particularly young women to equip themselves with skills for life. RLM If you are interested in finding out more about the CWA of NSW, please visit www.cwaofnsw.org.au.

ABOVE: A voice to be heard: Back row: Jocelyn Moles, Narelle Pizarro, Annette Moss, Isobelle Moss, Julie Macaulay and Jasmine Cole. Front row: Rosanne Jones, Dorothy Macdonald, Alice Milne, Marilyn Pizarro, Louise Williams and Katrina Harris; meetings are fun and informative.

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giving it his

BEST SHOT Parkes photographer Marc Payne has always loved working with colour.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Photographer Marc Payne with his faithful hound Chilli and latest Sony camera; a stunning sunrise over a recently-harvested canola crop in Parkes; an abandoned old home at Mickibri near Parkes.

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Marc Payne is Parkes born and bred and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

After school Marc took up a painter and decorator apprenticeship under the guidance of his father Alan, who painted houses in Parkes for a marathon 60 years.

Marc first picked up a camera in his last year at school, while engaged in three-unit Art. The bug soon took hold, with his first camera a Canon AE1. Marc stuck with Canon for the next 20 years before switching to the new Fuji system. His latest upgrade is to the Sony Alpha system, which he swears by. >

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“I LOVE AUSTRALIA’S RUGGED INTERIOR AND FEEL MOST AT HOME WAITING FOR A GLORIOUS SUNRISE.” Marc has never strayed far from his one true love of landscape photography, shooting all his images in raw format and utilising Lightroom and Photoshop to bring his images to life.

When he’s not painting buildings or hanging out with his two children (born 20 years apart), wife Pat, two dogs and a frail mother, Marc finds his photography is a great stress relief.

He travels all over the district in search of the perfect landscape.

“I love Australia’s rugged interior and feel most at home waiting for a glorious sunrise. It’s the best part of the day, and as a photographer I love seeing a scene come alive.”

In recent years he’s entered the Australian Panorama Awards, where he enjoys mixing with other photographers while picking up a few new tricks of the trade.

“I’ve had my work published a few times in American magazines and am looking forward to my debut in Regional Lifestyle,” he laughs.

His tip to budding photographers is to keep it simple.

“You must have patience to wait for the right moment. When you think the moment has passed, think again. Often the best shots materialise when you are in your car going home,” he says.

“And always look behind you – light can change dramatically any minute.” RLM Images: Marc Payne

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Rocks at dawn at Cookamidgera; Tichborne silos at sunset; sunrise out near The Dish; a foggy morning at Goonumbla.

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MAMMA MIA,

Here We Go Again!

Trundle ABBA Festival is coming back to the bush on Saturday, May 2, with more than eight hours of non-stop music, entertainment and fun promised.

Is the 2020 Trundle ABBA Festival set to be the best yet? ABBA-solutely! Now in its ninth year, the festival attracts festival goers and fun lovers from across the nation.

Trundle will be packed with ’70s fashion, blonde wigs, knee-high boots, flares and a whole lot of sequins.

Regarded as the most successful ABBA tribute act of all time, world famous Bjorn Again will return to Trundle as the feature act of 2020. Critically acclaimed, endorsed by ABBA, praised by the world’s biggest rock stars and adored by fans, Bjorn Again will rock the tiny town of Trundle.

If rocking out to the biggest hits by the biggest artists is your thing, you’ll be thrilled to know that the Never Ending 80s band is joining the line-up, along with Aussie rock ‘n’ roll legends Frankie J Holden and Wilbur Wilde.

Or if you prefer to let your hair down, you’ll love dancing and singing to the wonderful Ingrid Mae and her band.

The 2020 Trundle ABBA Festival has it all – ABBA markets, Zumba lessons, Fashions of the Festival, bush dancing, singing

competitions and, of course, a fun-loving rural community ready to rock, entertain and welcome you.

Whether you want to kick back and relax on a picnic rug, jump up and have a boogie, show off your vocals in the singing comp, strut your stuff in the fashion show or sample all the gorgeous food, there truly is something for everyone.

Expect Berryman Oval to be filled with market stalls, local produce, handmade ABBA-inspired crafts, food stalls, dancers and, of course, fashion.

And there are accommodation options to suit every Dancing Queen. Camping sites and glamping tents are available to hire from the Trundle Showground Trust, where all the money raised from the booking fees goes back into the community to help improve local facilities and future events.

Alternatively, accommodation is also available in Parkes and surrounding townships.

Gather your sequins, don your flares, turn up the music and come and have “the time of your life” at Trundle ABBA Festival. RLM

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.trundleabbafestival.com.au.

Follow Facebook for regular festival updates www.facebook.com/trundleabbafestival.

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OUT OF THIS If you build it, they will come. This certainly holds true for The Dish and the droves of tourists who come to marvel at its genius.

world

One of the region’s premier tourist attractions, the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, was officially opened on October 31, 1961.

Today, 58 years later, it represents a major engineering feat that pays homage to the skills of Australian scientists.

“The 64m telescope itself is a magnificent construction out in the middle of a sheep paddock,” Visitors Centre manager Tricia Trim says.

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Astronomers use the telescope to measure naturally occurring radio energy from space and it has also supported some of the most significant space missions in history.

Despite its age, the telescope is still a world-class research instrument, over 10,000 times more sensitive than when it was first commissioned.

Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

THIS AUSTRALIAN ICON CONTINUES TO ATTRACT VISITORS, TODAY OVER 110,000 A YEAR.

The moving part of the telescope, above the concrete tower, weighs 1000 tonnes – more than two Boeing 747s.

“From the start there’s been enormous public interest in the telescope,” Tricia says.

“People wanted to know about the work being conducted by the astronomers and to see what it was like inside the actual telescope. For the first few years, people could just drive up to the telescope and ask to look inside.”

Eventually numbers became so great the telescope opened to the public for two hours every Sunday afternoon. This became increasingly difficult and interrupted the astronomers’ observations.

Eager to develop its potential, the Parkes Chamber of Commerce and local tourist groups lobbied the Federal Government, and the Visitors Centre officially opened in early 1969.

“It’s been doing a great service for over half a century. The Visitors Centre explains the very important work we do, and it also contributes to the local community in terms of tourism and the local economy,” Tricia says.

The Visitors Centre allows you to explore the world of astronomy and discover the role The Dish plays in “listening to the stars”.

One of the centre’s highlights is the 3D theatre and interactive displays where visitors learn about the work of the telescope and the universe. Educational books and dish souvenirs can also be purchased at The Dish Shop.

With new exhibits and ongoing events, this Australian icon continues to attract visitors, today over 110,000 a year.

As the number of visitors increased, the need for a bigger centre became apparent. Then, in anticipation of the premiere of the film The Dish, the Visitors Centre was expanded and upgraded in 2000.

Sure enough, the visitor numbers more than doubled after the movie. Numbers continued to increase, peaking at 138,000 in 2003.

The Dish Cafe was opened in the same year, giving visitors an added service and a more enjoyable visit.

Over the past 50 years, the centre has attracted more than five million visitors to the region, contributing greatly to the local economy and promoting the region to the world.

The Visitors Centre is 20km north of Parkes along the Newell Highway and is open to the public every day except Christmas and Boxing Day. There is ample parking for long vehicles and great amenities including disabled facilities, free gas barbecues and a grassy picnic area. RLM

ABOVE LEFT: Visitors Centre manager Tricia Trim and Lyn Milgate have both enjoyed working at the Visitors Centre for over 15 years; there’s plenty of hands on interaction at one of the district’s premium tourist attractions.

FACING PAGE: The Dish has been visited by tens of thousands of visitors over the years and never fails to deliver.

CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope Visitor Discovery Centre Open 7 days • 8:30am - 4:15pm • Free entry 20km north of Parkes on the Newell Hwy 585 Telescope Road, Parkes NSW, 2870 Ph. 02 6861 1777 www.csiro.au/parkes Shop online: www.parkesdishshop.com

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simply delish Craig Smith’s penchant for local produce and quality home-style fare is still delighting diners from near and far.

ABOVE: Craig Smith with his hard-working staff: Jin, Codie, Bridie, Shannon and Amber; time for a break with scones, cream and jam.

RIGHT: The grilled chicken wraps are from another world.

FACING PAGE: One of the signature dishes at the Dish Cafe is the premium beef and red wine pie with salad.

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Craig Smith has always dreamt of running a kitchen and cooking for the masses.

That opportunity presented itself after Craig and wife Rochelle moved to Parkes to pursue a business opportunity with a friend.

While the deal fell through, it wasn’t all bad. They had their first child, daughter Molly, and bought the Dish Cafe at the hugely popular Parkes Radio Telescope.

“I wasn’t really sure of exactly what food I was going to serve but I wanted to use local ingredients to produce cafe food that visitors could take home,” Craig says.

Craig and his team were soon baking scones using flour from Manildra and milk from The Little Big Dairy in Dubbo. Then Craig began sourcing strawberries from an orchard in Orange, making Dish Jam to serve with the scones.

“Shortly after taking over, we had a group of people come for lunch. One of the guests tried the scones and asked if she could buy some jam to take home,” Craig says.

“One of our team put some strawberry jam in a Vegemite jar (with the label still on) and sold it for seven dollars! The next day I was sourcing new jars and making it weekly to sell in the cafe.”

Now they make fig (grown locally), blackberry and strawberry jams, marmalade, tomato and onion relish, sweet mustard pickles (Craig’s grandmothers’ recipe), salad dressing and local honey – all of which can be posted.

“When I was working for a Lebanese dip company in Sydney, I said to the owner he should make pies. I’m unsure why I said that but 12 months later I was making them at the Dish,” he laughs.

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Their signature beef and red wine pies have become popular with tourists and locals. The pastry is made with Manildra flour, local free-range eggs and milk from The Little Big Dairy. The filling is comprised of chunks of chuck steak and caramelised onion in a red wine gravy. “We started wholesaling to other cafes and also producing family pies for the local bottle shop in Parkes. We make a cocktail size for our catering too.�

In the coffee department, the Dish Cafe uses an organic blend from Byron Coffee Company. It’s so good that travellers go there for their caffeine fix.

The cafe became popular for functions and Craig was asked to cater for a dinner party for one of his regulars at their home.

It was a smashing success and soon they were doing all types of catering at events throughout the district. “We are fully self-sufficient, providing everything from cutlery, crockery, glassware and linen. We can set up a mobile kitchen and you can be served by our wonderful service team,� he says.

In December 2019 Craig and Rochelle celebrated 15 years at the cafe. “It’s truly been a labour of love,� Craig says. “I’ve enjoyed building friendships with the regular locals and the not so regular travellers who make their annual pilgrimage up and down the Newell.� RLM

The Dish Cafe is open seven days from 8.30am to 4.15pm, with dinner groups and outside catering by appointment.

Specialising in catering on-site at your event.

All day cafĂŠ menu

Open 7 days 8.30am-4.15pm (Closed Christmas and Boxing Day)

Corporate Conferences Meetings Weddings Celebrations We offer a personalised service and pride ourselves on working with you to create a memorable event.

If you are organizing a breakfast, lunch or dinner, contact us for a selection of choices from sit down, cocktail finger food, buffet and more. We can supply all your requirements.

0425 209 138

Telescope road, parkes NSW 2870 6882 1566 • www.dishcafe.com.au

Dishing up a truly memorable experience in the Central West and surrounds

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VINTAGE

VARIETY

Next time you are driving through Parkes and see a big row of colourful flags, insist on a well-earned breather – you have arrived at The Henry Parkes Centre.

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FACING PAGE: There’s something for everybody at the Henry Parkes Centre – from historic vehicles and an interesting Elvis display to museums featuring everything from old clocks to the tractors that helped change the farming landscape.

ABOVE FROM TOP LEFT: Tourism officer Cherie Simpson and team member Jeanette Davis ; the tribute to Elvis is courtesy of former Blue Wiggle Greg Page; museum volunteer Nina Cronin; everybody enjoys getting a shot with Elvis.

For more information go to: visitparkes.com.au Open 7 days Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm Sat/Sun & Public Holidays 10am - 3pm.

Parkes’s modern tourism complex and cultural precinct incorporates no less than four museums spread out over 7.5 acres.

Visitors can explore the Visitor Information Centre along with The King’s Castle Elvis Exhibit, Parkes Motor Museum, the Henry Parkes Museum and the antique machinery collection.

The King’s Castle is a collection of Elvis’s personal artefacts owned by Greg Page, well known as the original “Yellow Wiggle”.

Walk A Mile In My Shoes – A Day In The Life Of Elvis Presley is an interactive exhibit designed to bring you some of the highs and lows that the King encountered throughout his colourful life and career.

As you experience the new audio-visual journey, you will see genuine artefacts from Elvis’s homes and items he wore or used on stage.

The Parkes Motor Museum houses an impressive collection of motor vehicles owned by the Parkes Antique Motor Club and represents all heritage motoring eras.

Inspect dozens of impressive cars, motorcycles and other motoring memorabilia. Items on display are either the property of individual club members or have been loaned from private collections.

The Henry Parkes Museum & Antique Machinery Collection is owned and managed by the Parkes & District Historical Society.

The museum depicts early life in Parkes through objects, photos and historical information.

The site houses a collection of historic buildings along with many other items of significance including an old schoolhouse, two churches, blacksmith shop, Silver City Comet carriage and dozens of restored old tractors.

Have your photo taken with a life-sized Elvis, learn more about the area, grab a free map, cold drink or ice-cream and a Parkes souvenir to commemorate your trip. RLM

Owner Operator Dustless Equipment Commercial & Domestic Non-Toxic Water Based Finishes Staining of Floors Polyurethane Tung Oil Finishes Will Travel Anywhere

0438 229 261

steves.sanding@yahoo.com.au

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on the right track The Inland Rail project is set to unlock the unlimited potential of Parkes and surrounds.

In 2020, the first section of Australia’s largest freight infrastructure project, Inland Rail, will open between Parkes and Narromine.

More than 100 years in the making, this transformational project is already serving as a catalyst for further investment, growth and opportunities for Northern NSW, the likes of which have not been seen in decades.

The concept of safely transporting freight by rail between Brisbane and Melbourne in less than 24 hours was long thought by many as a pipe dream, unlikely to occur in this lifetime.

That all changes this year as the first 103.7-kilometre section of the 1700 kilometres of track will open in a major milestone for the Inland Rail project.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller said the benefits of Inland Rail would be felt far beyond just the route alignment as more businesses come on board to build this essential link in the national supply chain.

“From the outset, Inland Rail has had a focus on creating opportunities for regional

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workforces and we are also engaging with businesses right across Australia to fill the contracts for the project’s build,” he said.

“We see Inland Rail as a catalyst for safer, less congested highways, fewer carbon emissions, cheaper freight costs and new economic opportunities for our regions.

“Local community support during the delivery of Inland Rail has been phenomenal.

“We started construction on the Parkes to Narromine leg of Inland Rail just over one year ago, and to date more than 1400 people have been employed on Inland Rail’s construction – more than 580 of whom are local.

“With a project of this size comes numerous prospects for people, businesses and communities to profit and prosper, and the Parkes to Narromine region is the first cab off the rank. Last year alone, $67.4 million was injected into the local economy from the project and, just as we expected, complementary investment followed.

“Industry confidence and growth continues to build as we have seen through the Special Activation Precinct and Logistics Terminal, which opened last year in Parkes.”

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The unique location of Parkes at the North-West Connection, linking the eastwest Sydney to Perth line, will put 80 per cent of Australia’s population in reach of regional freight operators.

With the North-West Connection already operational, as more of Inland Rail comes online mid this year, the national freight rail network will be connected to all mainland state capital cities and major ports.

Parkes will be ideally placed to take advantage of the fast, efficient and costcompetitive Melbourne to Brisbane rail connection along one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors.

At the height of construction there will be 16,000 direct and indirect jobs from Inland Rail, and ARTC is focused on ensuring that in addition to major construction industry, local companies, businesses and job seekers take part in the different aspects of Inland Rail where they can.

Businesses benefitting from the flow of work from Inland Rail include services for concrete supply, transportation, fencing, earthmoving, drainage, electrical works, security and water bore drilling providers as well as hospitality businesses ranging from hotels and caravan parks to cafes and pubs.

New opportunities will stem from the Narromine to Narrabri and Narrabri to

North Star projects, which will include the construction and upgrade of track, replacement of bridges and culverts, level crossings and crossing loops.

“Inland Rail is a shot in the arm for Australia’s economy that will transform how we move everyday goods and connect our national supply chain – north, south, east and west,” Richard Wankmuller said. RLM ABOVE FROM LEFT: Local indigenous dancers at the sod turn of Inland Rail; Robert Cox, a local business owner benefitting from Inland Rail; active community engagement is critical to Inland Rail’s success.

FACING PAGE: The Parkes to Narromine construction progress.

A new freight future for Australia.

5,000 jobs

for regional NSW.

Inland Rail will transform how we move goods around Australia and generate new economic opportunities for our regions.

Spanning 1,700km from Melbourne to Brisbane, this fast freight backbone will connect all of Australia – north, south, east and west.

Learn more about Inland Rail inlandrail.com.au

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SKILLS for life Success breeds success at Parkes East Public School where programs set firm foundations for young people to thrive in life as well-rounded citizens.

Located in spacious well-kept grounds in Thornbury Street on the eastern edge of the key central western town, the Kindergarten to Year 6 school provides quality, inclusive education for 350 students.

Staff, families and the wider community work well together to equip students with a range of skills, values and experiences.

“Parkes East Public strives to build future citizens who do the very best they can in particular pursuits while also making a contribution to society,” Principal Michael Ostler says.

“Our school caters for the individual needs of all students and has a philosophy of offering something for everyone in terms of academic, social, sporting and cultural activities.

“We are proud to be on Wiradjuri country and offer Wiradjuri language in all our classes.

“The latest interactive technology is available throughout the school, and exciting opportunities are available for students in areas including dance, choir and music.”

A marimba percussion program commenced in 2019, and students enjoy playing “giant wooden xylophones”. School music sessions also make good use of a set of Djembe African drums.

Sports programs range from swimming, athletics and cross country to football, hockey, netball, cricket and rugby league.

Elective sports include gymnastics, futsal and lawn bowls.

Students have the opportunity to participate in sport at district, regional and state level.

To support the Parkes Relay for Life, Parkes East holds a Mini Relay for Life every second year. Activities include teachers and students dressing in Cancer Council colours of purple, yellow and white, wearing their whackiest hats and gaining sponsorship for walking. A raffle and the sale of fruit salad and ice-cream raises additional funds for cancer support and research.

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A Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) welfare program creates a safe and supportive environment for students to learn and develop, with the whole school working together to establish standards of expected behaviour.

The Mini Relay for Life was recognised as the Community Event of the Year during the 2019 Parkes Shire Council Australia Day Awards.

Michael says the caring school environment is well supported by an active Parents’ and Citizens’ Association, who have made major contributions to playground and technology upgrades.

The annual fete is a major event on the town calendar and Parkes East Public lamingtons are celebrated as legendary.

A Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) welfare program creates a safe and supportive environment for students to learn and develop, with the whole school working together to establish standards of expected behaviour.

The PBL mascot is Sonny, a stylised version of the school’s rising sun badge.

Students have fun earning Sonny Money while learning to be positive in their outlook and responsible for their own behaviour.

Sonny Money can be spent during special PBL celebrations throughout the year.

Parkes East Public has a successful transition to school program to prepare pre-schoolers for Kindergarten.

School excursions meet the needs of rural students by providing wider experience.

Stage three students travel to Canberra biennially and go to the Lake Burrendong Sport and Recreation Camp on the alternate year.

Stage two students visit Bathurst goldfields and Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo.

Stage one students enjoy local civic excursions.

Michael is proud of the 37 “incredibly hardworking” members of staff at the school.

“All do their jobs to the best of their ability and contribute enormously to the wellbeing of students,” he says. RLM Words: Heather Crosby

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Active students in the playgrounds; assistant principals Sharon House, Claire Mackenzie and Tracey Dunford with principal Michael Ostler; making music on the marimba; one of the junior classes under the tuition of Angela Fitzpatrick; sliding down the pathway to success.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Staff and students gather for a team pic; celebrating the past; spacious and well-maintained school grounds; happy students at Parkes East Public School.

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fashion

& FUNCTION

Not many can chalk up half a century of trading in the one name but Byrne Clothing is run by a proud Parkes family whose business has grown up alongside generations of locals.

This year marks 50 years since Arnold Byrne Mansworld was established in Parkes by Arnold and Margaret Byrne. Arnold was the face of the business, bringing diverse industry experience, while his wife took care of the books and handled the alterations of garments.

When Arnold first opened the store in 1970 he stocked the shop with empty Akubra hat and shirt boxes to give the impression he had plenty of stock on the shelves. Money was tight but he weathered the initial storm and, through perseverance, steadily grew the business.

Now a sprightly 87, Arnold still drops in most days and helps with the embroidery trimming. The convivial gentleman is always dressed for the occasion and up for a chat.

Arnold and Margaret’s son, Tony, trained to be an electrician but joined the business in 1986 after an extended overseas trip. With wife Mandi, they took over the reins in 2000, changing the name to Byrne Clothing and Embroidery, to reflect the change in direction of the business.

In 2008, after a long career as a PE teacher at Parkes and Forbes high schools, Mandi officially joined the team and hasn’t looked back.

All three of their children, Darcy, Riley and Ruby, have worked in the store as casuals during holidays and on weekends. They watched from the sidelines as the business became one of the biggest independently owned clothing stores in regional NSW. The store’s clothing labels keep evolving every year. “We are constantly making decisions about which new, hot and on-trend brands to introduce to our expansive range,” Mandi says.

“We are always looking for new and exciting brands that suit our store and the needs of our customers. This commitment ensures we stay ahead of the pack when it comes to on-trend fashion and competing with online retailers.”

Stocking nearly 100 brands, Byrne Clothing has every demographic covered with major labels in formal wear, streetwear and ladies wear. The hottest streetwear labels include Industrie, Globe, Stussy and Brixton, surfwear by Billabong, Ripcurl, Afends, Thrills and RVCA and ladies wear by Wish, Amuse Society, All About Eve and Mink Pink.

Couples and their wedding parties travel to Byrne Clothing from throughout the Central West as the store’s reputation for service and experience spreads.

Offering a large, dedicated wedding area with a multitude of formal options, the team can create the perfect look for your big day. Some of the brands include Studio Italia, New England, Brooksfield, James Harper, City Club and Geoffrey Beane.

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Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

From unique and personal styling to traditional and black-tie attire, you will find everything you need in the one place.

A large social media following on Facebook and Instagram allows the store to connect and interact with their customer base and share their styling skills with a broader audience.

Five years ago and after extensive renovations, Tony and Mandi established a second store, Worklocker, as a stand-alone work wear store.

Worklocker was recently extended to allow for expansion in the school wear department, which caters for many of the local schools. Tony and the team order school wear up to six months in advance to ensure enough stock is on hand in busy periods.

The store offers King Gee, Bisley, FXD, Ritemate, Fashion Biz, CAT, Steel Blue, Mongrel and Blundstone – all available on site or can be ordered in.

Worklocker Parkes has now taken over the embroidery side of the business, with 10 industrial embroidery machines along with heat press facilities. With a Complete Digital Artwork station, it offers an in-house design facility for sublimation of team uniforms.

The staff pride themselves on their service, experience and product knowledge as well as and being able to order products in for customers on request.

Mandi and Tony multi-skill all 10 of their staff and provide them with diverse training and knowledge, giving them the ability to work in both stores when the need arises.

The close-knit team are very loyal. Several staff members have worked within the stores for many years.

Celebrations for their 50 years in business will be held later this year.

“To achieve such a significant milestone for one family owning and operating a business is certainly worth celebrating,” Mandi says. “So stay tuned for some exciting promotions.” RLM

ABOVE: Tony and Mandi Byrne are very proud of their Worklocker store; Tony supplies a huge range of boots; there’s something for everyone at the store.

FACING PAGE: Arnold Byrne started the shop back in 1970 and still drops in to keep an eye on business.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Parkes

It’s 8.15am and Charlie Pecenka is busy vacuuming the Parkes Coffee Pot before a steady stream of regulars drop in for their favourite morning beverage, snack or meal.

Charlie moved to Parkes from Sydney in 1975 as a spectacle maker for OPSM. In 2010 he bought the Coffee Pot and established Parkes Optical Services within the same building.

It’s not unusual for Charlie to make adjustments or repairs to glasses while his clients enjoy a coffee and snack next door.

“It’s quite surprising how well the two businesses go together,” he smiles.

Charlie, who’s been married to Judy for more than 40 years, is known around town for his big heart. He delivers meals to business houses but few would be aware he also drops off coffee and sandwiches to the elderly, frail and sick.

“Some people are housebound and appreciate a little visit as much as the food,” he says.

The busiest time of the day is from 11am to 2pm. Some of the more popular meals include schnitzels and chicken Caesar salads.

With four long-term staff, the two businesses are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm six days a week.

Tracy Tonkin has been keeping customers happy since the very start and generally knows what her regulars want before they speak.

“It’s like having coffee with family and friends,” says one cheery diner who has been dropping in a few times each week for a decade.

Charlie loves working in a small town and getting to know the locals on a personal basis.

“I love my regulars. You can build up long-term relationships with customers, something hard to achieve in Sydney,” he says.

When he’s not catching up with old friends at work, Charlie enjoys Rotary and spending time with his family, which has grown to include seven grandchildren, stretched out between Parkes and Sydney. RLM

at your service

Charlie Pecenka’s vision for fabulous customer service is alive and well at the Parkes Coffee Pot.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Charlie Pecenka loves catching up with familiar faces at the Coffee Pot; repairing glasses is all part of the service; Tracy Tonkin serves regular customers Ruth and Wayne Littlewood.

coffee...sandwiches...meals...specatacles!

Freshly made sandwiches, home style cooking and friendly relaxed atmosphere. Function room.

Reasonably priced meals, special dietary requirements catered for.

209B Clarinda Street, Parkes NSW 2870 (02) 6862 1877

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Spectacles and sunglasses available. Adjustments and minor repairs carried out whilst you wait.

209A Clarinda Street, Parkes NSW 2870 (02) 6862 1852

Industrie • WISH The Label • Thrills • Wrangler • Urban Originals • NXP

233 Clarinda Street, Parkes NSW

▶ Weekly livestock sales at Forbes & Carcoar ▶ Over the hook sales ▶ Accredited Auctions Plus assessors for sheep and cattle

Phone. (02) 6862 1408

LANGLANDS HANLON Ph. 6862 2362 langlandshanlon.com.au

RAINE & HORNE Ph. 6862 3297 rh.com.au/parkes

Email. abyrne4@byrneclothing.com.au

CONTACT US

Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm 242 Clarinda Street Parkes New South Wales

▶ Geoff Rice Ph. 0429 629 966 ▶ Greg Miller Ph. 0448 433 317 ▶ Cooper Byrnes Ph. 0427 417 480

▶ Rural & residential sales and appraisals ▶ Property management

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T O W N F E AT U R E Parkes

In the past 18 months the business has expanded into real estate, including rural, residential and commercial sales, property management and commercial management.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Geoff and RenĂŠe Rice with daughter Clara; Geoff in good form at the weekly cattle sales; the team in action selling sheep in Forbes; Cooper Byrnes, Greg Miller and Geoff Rice make a formidable team.

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tried & true Stock and station agents Langlands Hanlon have played a proud role in the history of Parkes and district for more than 80 years.

After the Parkes saleyards closed in the mid 1980s, Langlands were the only agent making the move to sell in the Forbes saleyards in their own right. Today it’s the only Parkes-based agent trading in the state-of-the-art Central West Livestock Exchange.

This history is not lost on owners Geoff and Renée Rice, who bought the business 14 years ago from well-known local identities Leo and Helen Heraghty.

After leaving school at 15, Leo clocked up an amazing 50 years in the business, witnessing many monumental changes along the way.

“He was happy to no longer deal with the paperwork and issues of today’s agents,” Geoff laughs.

Buying the business was always the goal after learning the ropes in agencies in Dubbo, Sydney, Bathurst and Forbes. In 2005 he and Renée returned to Parkes and purchased a share in the business before buying it outright.

Renée is a Trundle local and knows the area well, having worked with CALM (now Auctionsplus) and leading real estate agents in Bathurst.

Geoff is a local lad. His family owns property at Cookamidgera, south-east of Parkes. Renee’s family owns property north of Trundle.

For both it was an opportunity to work in their local region and grow a business that’s become a solid part of the Central West community.

Langlands Hanlon – Raine & Horne sponsor a wide range of events and sporting clubs, including harness racing, hockey, rugby union and junior rugby league.

The local show circuit from Trundle, Tullamore, Parkes, Peak Hill, Forbes and Eugowra is supported by the team. Geoff and Renée believe it’s important to support the communities that support them.

Nine-year-old daughter Clara, the youngest and most enthusiastic member of the team, enjoys heading out to Forbes on Sunday evenings to help her father in the cattle yards.

For the time being, Clara seems more comfortable with cattle than sheep – a situation that could change once she’s trained her new pup Jock.

The original livestock business has expanded to include selling at the CTLX Saleyards in Carcoar by purchasing a share in the CTLX Agents Association six years ago.

This opportunity was taken to ensure clients had access to one of the strongest store cattle selling markets in the state.

In the past 18 months the business has expanded into real estate, including rural, residential and commercial sales, property management and commercial management.

Geoff and Renée enjoy working closely with their large team. As part of the expansion, they took on the Raine & Horne franchise, which they saw as a good fit for their business, as it too has a family feel to it.

“Parkes is currently seeing good growth and a great deal of interest as different opportunities come to the area,” Renée says.

At the junction of the Newell Highway linking Melbourne and Brisbane and the railway line linking Sydney and Perth, Parkes is ideally located.

“The Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane comes to fruition over the next five to 10 years and already large companies have taken the opportunity to base a large part of their business in Parkes,” Geoff says.

Langlands Hanlon – Raine & Horne has positioned itself to continue to give its long-term intergenerational livestock clients the best and most up-to-date marketing options.

“Our real estate business can service all facets of this sector and ensure vendors have access to national and international business opportunities as they arise,” he says.

The Rice family look forward to being an important part of the Parkes and wider regional communities for decades to come. RLM

ABOVE: Renee and Geoff Rice (seated) with staff members Suey Delacy, Kel Spedding, Marg Porter, Sass Tildsley, Gaye Lees, Kayla Ward, Cooper Byrnes, Greg Miller and David Hughes.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Parkes

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blazing A TRAIL

With his eye firmly on the prize, Cooper Byrnes has made a name for himself as a fine young livestock agent.

By the time he was a teenager, Cooper Byrnes knew he wanted to be a livestock agent – the only problem was that he lived smack in the middle of town with few rural connections.

A few of his mates from Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes, were from the land and helped introduce him to agriculture. By the time he was 15, he started working one day a week for Langlands Hanlon – Raine & Horne, a practice he continued for the next three years.

Principal Geoff Rice would pick him up from home each Tuesday morning for the 6.30am start at the Forbes Central Livestock Exchange on sheep sale day.

“Fortunately, I was able to study Agriculture at high school, which had a farm and a cattle team, with students preparing stock for showing,” Cooper says.

After completing his HSC, he was offered a job as livestock trainee, commencing in late 2014 with his mentor. Today he’s a licensed real estate and stock & station agent and auctioneer – and an important part of the Langlands Hanlon – Raine & Horne team.

Not coming from a rural background meant Cooper had to work even harder to earn the trust and respect of the clients. The fact that he came into the job without any preconceived ideas enabled him to listen and learn quickly.

Recently he has begun building his own client base and manages both new trainees and casual staff. “I’ll always be grateful to Geoff and Renée for giving this young bloke a go, despite having absolutely no clue about sheep or cows,” he laughs.

Auctioneering has always been his great passion, attending several auctioneering schools and gaining experience and knowledge from top auctioneers and speech pathologists.

This training has seen him become an accomplished and respected auctioneer at the weekly markets, selling both cattle and sheep.

In early 2019 Cooper competed in the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) NSW Young Auctioneers Competition at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney. He finished a creditable runnerup, which has given him the opportunity to compete in the National Young Auctioneers Competition in 2020.

“The opportunity to compete at this level and to be seen as one of the top 10 young auctioneers in the country is very exciting and nerve-wracking,” he says.

Geoff and Renée Rice have watched proudly as Cooper matured into a top young agent. They consider him part of the family – being born the day before they were married – and has become a big brother to their daughter Clara.

Cooper’s goal is to become a partner in Langlands Hanlon – Raine & Horne in the near future. The ability to continue to grow his own reputation, client base and business would indeed be special.

“To be able to start straight from school and work hard to become a partner and an important part of the business is something few get to do in their hometown and at such a young age,” Geoff says.

“Cooper understands it’s an unbelievable show of confidence and support that clients have in his decision making and marketing of their livestock – and hence their income.”

In the future Cooper hopes to build stronger client relationships and expand the business in the western region.

In the meantime, the ambitious and down-to-earth auctioneer maintains a strong presence in the local community, calling charity auctions and in his role as club captain of the Parkes Boars Rugby Club.

In recognition of Cooper’s consistent dedication to the club and display of mateship on and off the field, he was awarded Club Man of the Year.

It’s this sort of commitment that will ensure Cooper Byrnes’s booming voice will be heard at the saleyards for a good many years to come. RLM

Cooper’s goal is to become a partner in Langlands Hanlon – Raine & Horne in the near future.

FACING PAGE: Cooper Byrnes is building a strong reputation as one of the “young guns” in the auctioneering game.

ABOVE: Young Cooper made a big impression on everybody at the auctioneering finals, including his mentors, friends and employers, Renée and Geoff Rice; feeling right at home at the state-ofthe-art selling complex in Forbes.

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taking care of

BUSINESS A.A. Blatch has been serving customers in Parkes for 67 years, and third-generation owners Allan and Susie Blatch are introducing their own distinctive sense of style and service to the business.

Now in their fourth year of business, and with a young family, Allan and Susie Blatch are making a big point of difference in the customer service department.

Recently they added a new staff kitchen to the front of A.A. Blatch, breaking the mould of having it out the back. It’s a great place for meetings but also serves as an extension of the family home.

“The family are here all the time,” Allan says. “It was similar for me and my sisters growing up and now my daughters are doing the same thing. We’ve tried to set it up as homely as possible.”

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Freddie, the family’s Great Dane, dozes on his doggy bed as early morning customers drop in from 6am to place their orders for bearings, power transmission products, pneumatics or filtration.

It’s a long way from their former lives in the television industry.

After leaving Network Ten in Sydney, Allan was ready to tackle the world, arriving in London a decade ago. During his freelancing days for a British television network, he met his future wife in the creative department.

Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

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

The pair hit it off immediately over a shared love of TV and movies, dogs and classic cars. They adopted a Great Dane and set up house together. Things were going smoothly until Allan realised he hadn’t read the fine print of his visa.

“My visa was about to expire so I emailed Susie and ever so romantically suggested three options: break up, move to Australia or get married and stay in the UK,” Allan says with a grin.

Three-and-a-half weeks later they tied the knot in the small town of Battle, in East Sussex, known for the 1066 Battle of Hastings – and Allan reckons it’s been a battle ever since!

The happy newlyweds settled down to life in London working for television heavyweights BBC, Nickelodeon and Turner Broadcasting. Eventually, the enterprising couple decided to fly across the world and take a serious look at the family business.

It was a daunting move, particularly for Susie, who enjoys a close relationship with her family. “Living far away is the unfortunate part of when two people from opposite sides of the world get together,” she laughs. “Someone always seems to miss out.”

Despite any misgivings, they packed up everything, including the dog, and made their way to Parkes to work with Allan’s parents, who had joined the business in their 30s after a lengthy service with the Australian Government in Port Moresby.

About nine months into their international tree-change, Allan and Susie welcomed daughter Wilhelmina into the world. Beatrice arrived two years later, with baby Adelaide the latest addition to the family.

After three years getting their heads around the business, they became the third generation to take ownership of the business. Not long after signing the dotted line, the pair was forced to undertake major renovations following a wild storm in late 2016.

“It certainly wasn’t the best time given that we’d only just started repaying business loans but the way we saw things it was now or never,” Allan says.

“It gave us the opportunity to lay out our plans for the future while creating the type of shop that we, as well as the community, could be proud of. It doesn’t make a lot of financial sense doing what we did but this place represents a lot more than just a shop.

“I grew up here and my three daughters will do the same, so it really is an extension of our home – a home away from home, if you like.”

In the few short years that Allan and Susie have been running the business, they’ve diversified and evolved to meet changing Australian conditions.

“The internet has changed our world and made copious amounts of information just a few clicks away. We’ve had to adapt to change,” Allan says.

“What we’re best known for is being a bearings and power transmission supplies business. We’re agents for many bearing brands like Timken, NSK and NTN, and sold the world’s number one roller chain, Tsubaki, even before the brand had an official presence in Australia.”

Gates and Optibelt are their premium belting brands, with a huge range of products to suit their customers’ motorbikes, lawnmowers, cars, trucks, earthmoving equipment and even largescale industrial or mining applications. > FACING PAGE: Allan and Susie Blatch with children Wilhelmina, Beatrice and Adelaide and Great Dane, Freddie, in the revamped shop.

ABOVE: The shop has been a landmark in town for generations; Allan knows his tools; the new meeting place where bigger clients can discuss their requirements over a great coffee.

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“It is the power of strong relationships and community support that will keep businesses like ours, trying to keep old-fashioned service, alive in our ever-changing modern era.”

“The flip side to Blatch’s has always been our complete automotive spare parts offerings but to complement this we’ve expanded into pneumatics, fittings, fasteners and electric motors. We’ve also doubled our range of auto electrical products as well as heavy duty filters,” he says.

“I make the joke to people that if they want it and it sells, I’ll invest in it and put it on the shelf. Nothing makes me happier than when some farmer comes in flustered and needs a solution and we have it right there on the shelf, ready to go.”

The growth of the business in recent years is solely down to their customers. The common link is that people who shop at A.A. Blatch expect great service and that’s what the team tries to deliver.

“Our clients are well aware that in an ever-growing sea of overseasowned businesses, megastores or large corporate chains, it’s important that an old family business like ours doesn’t just survive but flourish.”

Being in the country, they are keen to celebrate their customers’ achievements and showcase their produce.

“People sometimes ask the meaning behind a KFC box in the display cabinet,” Allan says. “I tell them every time they eat KFC anywhere in Australia, to remember it’s cooked in manola oil made at MSM Milling in Manildra. They’ve just had their 25th anniversary and have been with A.A. Blatch from the start.”

• • • •

BEARINGS & SEALS CHAIN & SPROCKETS BELTS & PULLEYS CLUTCH & ALTERNATORS

• • • •

OILS & LUBRICANTS AUTOMOTIVE SPARES ENGINE KITS PNEUMATICS

DELIVERY AUSTRALIA-WIDE 155 Clarinda St, Parkes NSW 2870 PH: 02 6862 2666 | F: 02 6862 2272 | A/H 0455 727 127 industrial@aablatch.com.au | www.aablatch.com.au

Allan says people have come in and told him they’re fifthgeneration customers. It turns out some older gents were visiting his grandfather, with their grandfather, back in the 1950s. And now these older people have children and grandchildren that are customers.

“We often get asked to provide a trade reference on behalf of customers who want to open accounts with other businesses around Australia. The accounts person on the other end of the phone will always ask the same thing: ‘How long has this account traded with A.A. Blatch?’ And my response for many farming families’ accounts is something like ‘Errr . . . over 60 years.’ This always gets a reaction from the caller.

“This is a point I need to explain to city suppliers trying to make a fast buck and make their quarterly figures look good.

They have a churn-and-burn philosophy when it comes to their sales reps and employees.

“I explain to them we don’t just want to make one big sale and never hear from the customer again like might happen in a large centre. We make many small sales but to the same customers, who keep returning in a week, a month and 10 years from now.

“It is the power of strong relationships and community support that will keep businesses like ours, trying to keep oldfashioned service, alive in our ever-changing modern era.”

Allan and Susie are both excited about what the future holds as A.A. Blatch prepares for its 70th anniversary in a few short years.

“We are now getting many travellers stopping by on their way through to check out what we’ve done with the shop. And we’re getting new customers from far and wide – and for that we’re extremely grateful.”

Looking around all the refreshing changes, Allan Blatch Jnr can’t help but smile.

“Just because it’s a ball-bearing shop doesn’t mean it can’t be nice,” he laughs. RLM

ABOVE: Allan Blatch shares the same name as his grandfather who started the family business in 1952; the decor has recently changed but strong family values remain the same.

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Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

shoppers’ paradise Parkes News and Gifts is much more than a newsagency, with the vision of its hardworking owners creating a delightful shopping destination for locals and visitors.

Over the past decade, Greg and Christene Nash have transformed their former newsagency into a gift hub, with a large variety of unique gifts for any occasion, home décor, jewellery and fashion.

Traditional newsagency lines including cards, stationery and magazines are still available, but have taken a back seat.

Greg credits Christene as the driving force in this diversification. The range includes jewellery, photo frames, candles, diffusers, homewares, baby clothes and gifts, women’s shoes and fashion items.

There is a large selection of handbags including popular brands Louenhide, Gabee and Dusky Robin. And a range of women’s clothing has been well received.

“We incorporated a changeroom in store too,” Christene says, on adding to their thoughtful customer service.

Parkes News and Gifts is also a Lottery agent.

Facebook and Instagram are well utilised for regular updates on what’s happening in store.

Greg and Christene began their careers in banking, then operated a taxi service for 13 years before buying the newsagency in 2008. They amalgamated two previous sites, before expanding in 2012 into an adjacent premises.

“We have responded to what our customers want – and been well supported by Parkes and surrounding towns,” Greg says.

This support is very much valued by the couple, both locals, who raised their family in Parkes and are very fond of their community.

“It’s a really nice town,” Greg says. “And it’s a great place to raise a family.” Their three adult children have moved on to work and study, but maintain a close association with their hometown.

As the impact of drought endures, this resilient community appreciates the value of supporting their local shopping sector.

Projects such as the Inland Rail network and huge annual Elvis Festival also give the economy an important boost.

Opening seven days a week keeps Greg and Christene very busy, and their staff are vital to a smooth operation. “The business wouldn’t be what it is without them,” Greg says. “They are very important to us.”

Supporting numerous sporting and community organisations, the shop is involved in local events too, including shopping promotions, and the annual fun of Elvis dress-ups.

Parkes News and Gifts is very much a part of the local community, and welcomes all with its combination of friendly, genuine country service and appealing range of gifts, homewares and fashion. RLM

Parkes News & Gifts is open Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm, Saturday from 7am to 1pm, and Sunday from 7am to noon.

ABOVE RIGHT: Owners Christene and Greg Nash are passionate about providing excellent service at Parkes News & Gifts.

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love your work Terry Bros in Parkes are celebrating 30 years in business, and owners Sarah and Ben Terry couldn’t be happier.

Sarah and Ben Terry bought Terry Bros in 2007 from Ben’s uncle and aunty, Ian and Sharon Terry, who set up the business in the former Holden dealership in 1989.

A major part of Terry Bros is their extensive carpet and flooring range.

“We’re a proud member of Carpet Court, who have the biggest flooring buying power in Australia. We have been with Carpet Court from the very beginning,” Ben says.

Flooring installation is primarily in Parkes and often further afield to Peak Hill, Trundle and Condobolin and surrounding communities – even the larger centres of Orange and Dubbo.

Terry Bros have always supported the next generation of floor installers, currently with three apprentices in training.

“We always support young people from local families who want to stay in Parkes and utilise their skills,” he says.

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Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

“Most of us spend a third of our lives in bed, so it’s imperative we all get a decent night’s sleep.”

Terry Bros is a fun and vibrant store where experienced staff can help you select the perfect colour palette and style to make your home look amazing.

Just recently Ben and Sarah had the entire store renovated, adding a mezzanine for offices, which created extra showroom floor space. The store looks stylish and modern and reflects the type of furniture they sell.

“We came from being an old-school furniture, bedding and carpet warehouse to now being focused on presenting furniture that suits your personality and lifestyle,” Ben says.

Customers can expect a high level of service.

“We love helping our customers design their homes with designer furniture, lounge suites and beds.”

They also specialise in bedding. All their mattresses are sourced from three leading Australian brands – Sealy Posturepedic, Sleepmaker and Stafford and Mason.

“Most of us spend a third of our lives in bed, so it’s imperative we all get a decent night’s sleep,” Sarah says.

“A good sleep is largely determined by the design quality of the mattress you sleep on – not enough people pay enough attention to or appreciate what a good quality mattress can do for your wellbeing.

“We feel proud to be partnered with great Australian Made manufacturers, such as Molmic, Sealy and many of our carpet suppliers, with greater options and quality.”

The pair say the internet hasn’t affected their business, thanks to dedicated staff and high-quality service.

“Purchasing new furniture should be a fun and exciting experience, which the internet simply can’t provide,” Ben says.

Ben and Sarah enjoy working, living and raising their three young daughters in the beautiful Parkes community.

“Doing what you love day in and day out makes everything worthwhile and very rewarding,” Ben says. RLM ABOVE: With a massive showroom in Parkes, Terry Bros has got you covered when it comes to finding your next bed, new carpet or floor covering.

FACING PAGE: Ben and Sarah Terry pride themselves on their great range and excellent customer service; the brightly painted showroom.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Parkes

leading by example Standing at six foot three, Nicayden “Nic” Greenwood carries a lot of history on his broad shoulders.

Nic Greenwood, the 2020 captain of Parkes High School, is an accomplished swimmer, team leader and proud young Waiwan Wiradjuri man, committed to keeping the Indigenous language and culture alive in the 21st century.

Nic started learning his culture and the Wiradjuri language during his primary schooling through Lionel Lovett, a local elder of the Parkes community.

This was only achievable with the help and guidance of elder Stan Grant Snr OAM, who played a major role developing the Wiradjuri language syllabus for primary schools – at the same time becoming an integral part of the Wiradjuri Language Group, which is supported by the Henry Parkes Learning Centre.

For nearly a decade, the First Nations language has been taught in all Parkes primary schools and to the junior years of Parkes High School – the first NSW town to do so.

“I think it’s important for the younger kids, regardless of their background, to become familiar with the language of our First Nations people,” Nic says.

The engaging 17-year-old is most comfortable and confident when performing the “Welcome to Country” in the traditional language of the Wiradjuri people at all school functions, Rotary, sporting and various council events.

He is also involved with the Aboriginal Education Consulting Group.

“This committee brings Aboriginal students together from all schools within the shire, discussing topics and projects affecting Aboriginal students in schools and the broader community.”

One of the projects Nic has participated in was a public art display by artist Jonathan Jones called barrangal dyara, which translates to skin and bones.

For this project Nic’s voice was recorded saying various Wiradjuri words. These words were then played in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Nic also participated with the police in the Active Citizen Program for the Lachlan Area District. He was asked back to be a mentor for the following year.

“This program was developed by the police to bring Aboriginal students in Year 10

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together from Parkes, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo high schools,” Nic says.

“Each student is selected by demonstrating the qualities required to be leaders within their schools and communities.”

Through this program Nic was able to learn more about his culture and the significance of his local area to Aboriginal heritage.

Nic’s parents, Luke and Noni, are fully supportive. Luke works for Quality Wool and Noni works for the Department of Communities and Justice.

As a strong and proud Aboriginal woman, Noni is thrilled her only son has embraced his culture.

“I’m so proud of Nicayden and of all the things he has achieved and what he is yet to be. He is a natural leader in life, always striving for great things for himself and others. My boy is a bright, beautiful, articulate, caring and kind person – and there’s nothing he will shy away from,” she says.

“At school and in society overall, there’s a huge requirement or expectation to conform, especially on the social scene. Nic, however, is very level-headed and just does his own thing.”

Nic has strong family support, especially from his grandfather, Michael Greenwood, a former journalist who worked for the Parkes Council and is a former shire councillor.

“Before you know where you’re going, you need to understand where you’ve come from,” he says.

Michael and Nic carried the Commonwealth Games baton during the Queen’s Baton Relay in early 2018 on its way to the Gold Coast. For the entire length of the relay, it was the only time the baton was passed from grandson to grandfather – a fleeting moment in time the family will never forget.

The Greenwoods moved into the neighbourhood 60 years ago. Four generations of the family have called it home and Nic and sister Jazlyn, 13, never know who might turn up.

“I went to a corroboree in Condobolin a few months ago and it was great catching up with all my cousins who are story tellers, song men and dancers. I learn a lot from them,” Nic says.

As for the future, Nic is excited for his senior year, wanting to achieve his best in the HSC and to lead his school to the best of his ability as School Captain.

Afterwards he hopes to study architecture at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

Whatever he ends up doing, you can bet Nic Greenwood is going to be a head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. RLM ABOVE: Nicayden Greenwood with parents Luke and Noni and grandfather Michael.

Visit Parkes Region visitparkes.com.au

Newell Hwy, Parkes 02 6862 6000

“A unique function space created for the people of Parkes and the Central West to celebrate and be entertained.”

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS www.therailwayhotelparkes.com.au

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PULLING OUT

all the stops The Railway Hotel, Parkes, is celebrating after taking home some of the silverware at the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW awards for excellence.

The Railway Hotel collected the Best Regional Casual Dining Award for the Western Region at Sydney’s Star Casino in late 2019.

It caps off a mighty decade for owners Bianca Sheridan and Kasie Ferguson, who took over the iconic hotel in 2010.

Operating seven days a week from 10am until late and with 25 staff on the payroll, the Railway is a popular place to relax, dine and be entertained in style.

“With the skills and knowledge we gained on Hamilton Island and many years before in the hospitality industry, we knew we had something special to bring to Parkes,” Kasie says.

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“Bianca was a local and we had a wonderful support team of friends and family to help us through the tough times of building our business in the first few years.”

Since moving into the pub, the girls have poured huge amounts of energy and money into the building, starting with a new and bigger kitchen in 2015.

The Railway has recently gone live with an online ordering system, meaning you can check out their web page and order takeaway meals.

Things have also been happening on the domestic front. When they started there was only Chuck Bass, their Boxer, who became a brand ambassador and household name.

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After the completion of the kitchen, they welcomed baby son Hart into the world. Things were hectic but it was nothing compared to the workload since identical twin girls Lorde and Raine arrived in late 2018.

“All six of us, five humans and a dog, live upstairs,” Kasie beams.

“And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Despite the demands of a young family, the work has never stopped. In 2016 the new upstairs Hart Bar, named in their son’s honour, was opened.

The multipurpose space caters for corporate functions, weddings and much more. The hotel boasts the only pub verandah in town and overlooks the silos – the perfect spot for sunset dinner and drinks.

On Friday nights Hart Bar becomes a cocktail bar and home of live entertainment while Saturday evenings are dedicated to an à la carte restaurant.

With all the improvements going on, it seemed only natural the Railway would collect a few gongs along the way. In 2017 the pub was highly commended at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence for Best New Innovative Refurbishment. The business also took home an Excellence in Hospitality at the local “Henry” awards.

The upgrade has extended to the building’s exterior, with a huge paint job returning it to its heritage colours. The interior has been recarpeted and both gaming rooms refurbished.

The women pride themselves on giving customers a different pub experience with an extensive menu, specialty drinks and a high level of customer service. Punters can expect the latest facilities and technology in the TAB and gaming rooms.

The ongoing drought hasn’t helped things. “Like many businesses, we’ve seen a downturn of local clientele but fortunately

The Railway Hotel collected the Best Regional Casual Dining Award for the Western Region at Sydney’s Star Casino in late 2019.

we’re supported by the influx of contractors working on various town projects,” Kasie says.

“Some weekdays we only see hi vis and that’s what gets us through the week. We are grateful for the big projects like Inland Rail and are looking to capitalise on that with offsite catering being our focus in 2020.”

The pub already has a “Railway Smoko Van” delivering food to worksites all over town. It’s another way of promoting their business to the locals.

The Elvis Festival caps off a busy festive season. “It’s big for everybody in Parkes,” Kasie says. “Being off the main street, we see a lot of repeat patrons who enjoy the cool surroundings and great food.”

So if it’s morning coffee, after work cocktails or beers over the football they’ve got you covered at the Railway. RLM ABOVE: The Hart Bar and services at the Railway Hotel are second to none; owners Bianca Sheridan and Kasie Ferguson are proud of what their huge team have achieved in the past decade.

FACING PAGE: The Railway Hotel, Parkes, caught in the early morning sun, has become one of the town’s favourite meeting spots.

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a friend

IN DEED

When charity champion Brooke Plunkett makes a promise, she delivers.

Brooke Plunkett is making her mark.

The 31-year-old organisational development specialist at CMOCNorthparkes Mines not only recently won the NSW Mining Exceptional Young Woman in Mining Award for designing, implementing and managing a number of programs to better connect employees and the local community, she has also developed Kusoma’s Promise, a charity dedicated to raising funds for Ugandan school children to access education.

Brooke was complimentary of the company’s values, especially community partnerships with local farmers, when she commenced in her initial role at Northparkes in 2011, however she was excited to roll up her sleeves and introduce new projects the company’s skilled team members could be involved with to help community groups.

“The Northparkes Volunteer Leave Program presented the opportunity for community involvement through event management assistance, fundraisers, gardening and general maintenance projects, while also developing relationships and team building. While there was no direct financial contribution, the monetary value of the hours of labour given was significant,” Brooke says.

“Helping people through my charity certainly has also influenced these community projects, and has really inspired me to form connections and help others.

This industry recognition for some of the work I have done in among so many other talented women in the mining industry is definitely my proudest achievement.”

Along with the community programs, over the past eight years with Northparkes, she has also been a member of the organisation’s emergency response team and in 2017 spent six months at the international headquarters in Phoenix as a communications specialist.

Brooke says that while she still tries to travel

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annually to Uganda with her husband Branden as part of their charity, she is now proud to call Parkes home.

It was in 2015 that she first embarked on an adventure to undertake volunteer work through Arise and Shine for four months in Uganda.

After looking after orphans, helping construct new buildings and teaching English in schools, Brooke felt there was more to achieve to help children complete their education.

And so the charity Kusoma’s Promise was established, giving 100 per cent of funds raised back into providing education and support for sponsored Ugandan children.

“We really could see the challenge for these children to realise their hopes and dreams, because their families just weren’t able to provide them with the education.

Some families have 22 children, so their priority is just to provide food and clothing,” Brooke says.

Four years later, Kusoma’s Promise now has donors from all over Australia providing international sponsorship to 175 children. Already 40 children are attending high school, which is special for Brooke.

“For the kids, that’s their life, they don’t know any different, but it’s so hard to come

back to a normal life here in Australia and not continue to reach out to them when you’ve seen firsthand the challenges they go through and they aren’t given the opportunity to achieve their future goals.

It’s been challenging being in Australia and communicating with them in Uganda where the technology and resources aren’t as good, and the language is a barrier too, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.

“When Branden and I are struggling to find the time to complete our full-time jobs, do the charity work, live our lives and prepare for our own children very soon, we reflect on why we’re doing this. Kusoma’s Promise started so we could help just one child, and we are doing that. So we’ll continue to do it.

“I love hearing about the high school children, watching them grow and change.

We lived with them for six months, so we did develop strong bonds.

“I am just so proud when I hear we’ve got children going to high school, who would not have been able to do that without the support of our sponsors, and if we have children who go on to attend university and graduate, that would be the ultimate success.” RLM Words: Rosie O’Keeffe

FACING PAGE: Brooke was a worthy recipient of the NSW Mining Exceptional Young Woman in Mining Award.

ABOVE FROM TOP: Brooke and Branden relish the opportunity to assist Ugandan children achieve their goals; wedding day joy for Brooke and Branden.

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the wonderful

world of wonga Few residents born this side of the century have probably ever heard of the “Wonga” homestead on the southern edge of Parkes. Even fewer have laid eyes on one of the town’s oldest residences – thanks to an impenetrable forest of olives, oleanders and ancient pepper trees surrounding the property. Regional Lifestyle was granted rare access to the historic homestead by new custodians James and Justine Fisher.

The substantial “Wonga” residence was built to exacting standards by an unknown Englishman during the 1860s gold rush.

From the verandah, the owners could see the early stages of Parkes take shape on the flat country below.

Jack and Peggy Burch purchased the property in 1931, a year before their marriage. By then the property was in poor order, rented out for some years to various tenants.

After some 60 years, they sold to Dr John and Catherine Gale in the mid 1990s. With their four children, the family were responsible for establishing the sprawling gardens, orchard, vegie patch and over 100 roses on their 1.5-acre block.

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They converted the ancient Aga stove to gas and installed a magnificent swimming pool near the verandah. For many years it was known as “Gale House” until James accidentally discovered the hidden gem in 2015.

By that stage the Fishers had lived in the district for four years, occupying the old homestead at Jemalong Station, near Forbes, while James, a mechanical engineer, established a solar thermal power station. > ABOVE: Proud “Wonga” owners James and Justine Fisher, with their children Rory and Poppy, and Texas, their much-loved King Charles Cavalier.

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The verandah helps keep the big house cool during summer.

The gracious homestead looks splendid from any angle with its small forest of trees, shrubs and flowers.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Every room in “Wonga” has been tastefully decorated, making the most of the natural light, polished timber floorboards and several original furnishings, including the old AGA stove.

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“The Gales had a strong sense of duty to the property and were only prepared to sell it to a family willing to build on their legacy.”

“We were looking for a home of our own with history, character and charm when I literally stumbled on Wonga,” James says.

“The Gales had a strong sense of duty to the property and were only prepared to sell it to a family willing to build on their legacy.

They wanted to see another generation of children growing up enjoying the garden and home.”

Their children Poppy, 10, and Rory, 8, love playing in the garden with their menagerie of pets, including Texas the King Charles Cavalier, cats Soxie and Tika, chickens Sapphire and Ruby and four guinea fowl.

“Dr Gale’s advice was to attempt a new project each year and we’ve done our best in this regard,” James says as he shows me around.

The first project involved removing nearly all the carpets, sanding the inside floorboards and painting the house’s interior white. The following year they replaced an old fence at the rear of the property.

Their biggest project to date saw them replace all the brick foundations and floorboards on the sweeping verandah on two sides of the home. It was a massive undertaking, with matching timber sourced from the Trundle sawmill. Their next goal is to change the property’s access.

Justine is taking it all in her enormous stride. She has lived in many colourful places throughout her life, including 15 years of her childhood in Botswana, Zambia and PNG while her father worked as an engineer. After graduating from Sydney University, a further two years were spent in London before returning to Sydney and establishing a career in the mining industry.

She met James at a Sydney party but it was to be a long-distance relationship as her new partner worked in the Silicon Valley, near San Francisco. In 2008 they married at St Paul’s College at Sydney University and began their family.

The children attend the Holy Family School in Parkes and are both thriving in their environment. Poppy enjoys her tennis and regular hit-ups with her father while Rory loves his karate and cross country running.

Their choice of sport was always going to be an interesting topic, given that James skied for Australia in his teens.

“All my friends said we were doomed because I couldn’t ski,” Justine laughs. “Having grown up in Africa there was not much option for that particular sport! However, I can now hold my own on the slopes and the kids are following in their father’s footsteps.”

Despite always having been a keen gardener, Justine’s skills have gone up a notch since taking up residence at “Wonga”. Each year she proudly exhibits produce from her garden in the Parkes Show and regularly scoops prizes for her lavender, daffodils, geraniums, grapefruit, oranges and kale.

James looks after the lawn, pool and watering the huge garden.

“He’s the pest control man – we had no idea there could be so many bugs that enjoy feasting on almost everything we grow.”

One of the benefits of having so many trees, is the abundant birdlife – listening to them has proven a great tonic after a day’s work.

“We feel welcomed by the tight-knit communities of both Parkes and Forbes and love that we’ve been able to build our careers while living in a country town,” Justine says as she prunes another rose bush.

Restoring “Wonga” to her former glory has been a labour of love for the Fisher family but feeling part of the old home’s 150-year history makes it extra special. RLM

ABOVE: Justine Fisher loves working in the big garden featuring many plants including her geraniums; the huge garden setting; the pool is popular over summer.

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the art of

LIVING It’s a long, dusty and desolate road to “Bonnie Doon”, Bogan Gate – the remote outpost that multi-media artist Apolinario “Pol” Cruz proudly calls home.

The country is barren and wracked by drought. A dirt track leads to the boundary riders cottage where not much has changed in over a century. An ancient wind mill and magnificent stand of cacti greets me at the front door.

Everywhere you look is something eye-catching – from rock formations and Bonsai plants to a cosy home that defies description. The floorboards are creaky, uneven and bent with character. Art oozes out of every room in the most charming and natural manner.

Pol Cruz’s paintings border on surrealism or abstract but are typically hard to define.

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“There’s always somebody coming up with a new name for my art but I don’t like being pigeon-holed,” he says with a grin. Already I can tell this is one free-spirited individual.

Pol and partner Mark haven’t seen good rain in years. Dozens of Mark’s beloved Arabian horses are doing it tough in paddocks reduced to swirling dust.

“It is what it is,” Pol says. It’s a far cry from the forever green Philippines, where he grew up and studied Art at university. The lure of travel and painting in exotic ports appealed to his wandering spirit and he was soon island hopping south to Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor and Singapore. >

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Along the way he picked up work making signs for advertising agencies while producing artwork on the side. As soon as he saved enough, he moved on. There was much to see, experience and learn as he became the proverbial rolling stone.

For years Pol had dreamt of travelling further afield. Australia had always been on his radar but the only thing he knew about the land “Down Under” was the Opera House.

“I came here exactly for that reason – I knew nothing,” he laughs. In Sydney, Pol worked a host of menial jobs while painting during free time. His first solo exhibition was staged at the Holdsworth Galleries in Woollahra. Apart from one painting, it sold out.

Encouraged by the result and flush with funds in the bank, he spent his early 20s painting and exhibiting in San Francisco and throughout Europe. When he was 25, he returned to Sydney but found it increasingly difficult to settle down. That’s when he met his farmer friend from Bogan Gate.

“I was invited home for a visit,” remembers Pol, who had rarely ventured further from Sydney Harbour. “There was a drought on and very little water. I thought ‘how could anyone live here?’,” he says, shaking his head. During his stay, the heavens opened and Pol instinctively ripped off his clothes and danced naked in the rain.

“Mark’s parents were horrified but it was what we always did back in the Philippines whenever the skies opened,” he tells me with a grin.

The restless spirit gripped him again and Pol spent the next few years trying to find his measure in Adelaide and Orange. One day he realised he’d lived everywhere except in the bush.

The boys moved into the dilapidated boundary riders cottage, while Mark’s parents lived in the old homestead. “Initially there was some friction but they soon got used to me and we got on well,” Pol says.

Thirty years later they’re still in the cottage, ironically knocking back the opportunity to upgrade to the “big house”, which has now been standing empty for years.

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Instead of air-conditioning and ceiling fans, the boys rely on natural air flows.

There’s no TV and little music, preferring to converse, read books, cook and entertain friends who visit from all over the world.

Pol says he’s learnt to enjoy the isolation, dust and incessant flies in a world dominated by horses, peacocks, chickens, a dog and one echidna that lives under the verandah floorboards.

To mix things up a bit, Pol travels into town each Tuesday for supplies and to catch up with mates at the Parkes Potters group.

He used to have a kiln on the farm but now prefers sharing the resources and mixing with others.

For the past two years, painting has been put on hold as he concentrates on his ceramics and assemblages of found objects.

Pol is a prolific artist, creating thousands of artworks in his lifetime. Every two years he will stage an exhibition, either solo or within a group. His last exhibition was in 2018 at the Orange Regional Gallery.

He chooses to live simply, unmotivated by money and far removed from the normal grind of daily life. When he is home, he removes his watch. Time is irrelevant and it is ridiculously quiet, day and night. The only interruption is a few weeks each year when the peacocks are mating!

“It’s total freedom. A privileged life, really,” Pol says. “I earn enough to get by and always put a little bit aside for my next overseas adventure.”

Despite feeling strangely connected to the unrelenting heat, winter chills and isolation, he knows it’s only a matter of time before he’ll break free. Pol Cruz is a very patient man but you can bet, once the time is right, he’ll be up and gone.

Leaving, he says, is what makes coming back so special. RLM ABOVE: Artist Pol Cruz reflects on a life that’s taken him all over the world. There’s nothing better for the seasoned traveller than coming home to the old boundary riders cottage at Bogan Gate, where art abounds at every corner.

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winning combination There is something for everyone – and not always what you’d expect – at Deja Brew in Parkes.

Buzzing from early morning when regulars line up for the great coffee, Deja Brew boasts an appealing combination of delicious food, attentive service and a relaxed vibe.

Dynamic cafe owner Mel Strudwick loves to explore new culinary ideas and to offer things in Parkes that are “a bit different”.

This includes “freakshakes”, indulgent creations of ice-cream, cream, chocolate, toppings and more.

Mel also keeps customers happy with tasty offerings such as Nutella waffles, and French toast with mascarpone, berries, and Persian fairy floss.

Regular fare includes an extensive range of drinks, smoothies, breakfast and lunch options, with sandwiches, wraps, burgers – a “huge” chicken works burger is popular – and fresh salads, to eat in or take away.

There is a delectable selection from local baker Cakes by Alicia, whose home-baked goodies have a keen following. A wide choice of gluten-free options include sandwiches and cakes.

Catering for functions in business hours can be arranged.

Deja Brew relocated to larger premises in Clarinda Street last year, to meet growing customer demand, and now seats 75 people. It also expands the cafe’s scope during the Parkes Elvis Festival, which attracts thousands to town.

Mel utilised local business, including interior designer Karen Creith from Parkes Furniture One, and is delighted with the result. Lots of plants and greenery add to a lovely, relaxed setting.

“It has all come together,” she says. “I love doing what I do.”

Mel prides herself on the customer service she and her staff offer. The friendly, helpful, “nothing is too much bother” vibe is behind the cafe’s popularity. “I get lots of comments on my great staff,” Mel says. “We wouldn’t be where we are without them.”

Arriving in Parkes six years ago, Mel has found “everyone is so friendly and gets behind you”. And it’s also a great place to raise a family. Mel and husband Marcus, a shearing contractor, have four children aged five to 17.

She is grateful for the support Deja Brew receives from the community, and is involved with various local sponsorships and sporting groups. RLM

ABOVE: Owner Mel Strudwick with Suzie Shaw, Linda O’Shannesy, Megan Morrison and Meg Gould; Megan with a delicious Cherry Ripe Freakshake; tasty cakes and great coffee.

Facebook: Déjà Brew Parkes Instagram: deja_brew_parkes

DEJA BREW Shop 9 , 169 Clarinda St, Parkes NSW • (02) 6862 3572 Open M-F 6am-3pm + Sa 6am-12pm

All day breakfast.

Burgers, sandwiches, salads and wraps.

Coffee, smoothies and protein shakes.

Cakes and slices.

Plus a wide selection of gluten free items.

Words: Elizabeth Grant

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we are

family Bec and Dooley Thompson count their blessings and reflect on the long and winding road that led them to their three beautiful boys.

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Bec and Dooley Thompson are living in their very own “land of smiles”.

As Bec proudly shows me a photograph of the couple’s three boys Joel, 24, Wira, 14, and Rafa, 7, with their beaming grins, dressed complete with bright blue wigs and guernseys ready to support their favourite NRL team, she reflects on their journey.

Bec, the eldest of four children, and an interior designer, and Dooley, who runs a landscaping and bricklaying business in the Parkes region, always dreamed of being parents and their parenthood hopes were realised with son Joel arriving when they were very young.

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However, an initially undiscovered infection after the birth that worsened over the next 12 months led medical teams to inform Bec at 18 years of age, that she may not have more children.

Bec was advised the best chance of a natural conception was in the next three months, or the likelihood would diminish further. Unfortunately, a pregnancy didn’t eventuate and at 21, they commenced IVF. Sadly, on their fourth attempt she suffered a miscarriage, and IVF was attempted a further nine times, unsuccessfully.

“It was certainly an isolating process back then, as there was no social media, and we were in such a different age group because our journey started very young,” Bec explains.

“We put home ownership aside to ensure we could continue the IVF journey as it was so costly, especially with the 13 attempts over a three-year period. I became very consumed by the process and even though there was counselling available, I really thought I could manage on my own, so perhaps I could have been better mentally prepared. “(Motherhood) was what I had planned and it wasn’t until family really urged us to have a break and I sought counselling . . . we made the decision to stop. This did bring about thoughts of failure, but stepping away definitely made it clearer that it just wasn’t working. We decided to explore adoption.”

They had considered adoption before, however at the time, it wasn’t a possibility to continue IVF while being listed for the adoption process. Bec and Dooley could only have their name listed for one country, so they chose Thailand because it is known as “the land of smiles”.

“It’s so overwhelming, and even submitting our details to one country, we just wanted a child, none of that had any relevance. Once we began the process we had to attend seminars, which gave us so many confronting scenarios and then the paperwork and interview process was invasive and intrusive from financial checks, to health checks, to questions about our relationships and family life.

“We understand why, but we weren’t quite prepared for that. The worrying feelings of not getting an answer wrong was stressful and at the end of the day, perfection isn’t real. You just don’t want to jeopardise your chance.”

The couple were on the adoption list for more than four years when they received the phonecall that Wira (then almost three years of age) could be matched with their family.

“As soon as that magical call came through, we immediately just felt like we were his parents. We had to then wait a few months, but as soon as we were able to pick him up, we were on a plane within a few hours,” Dooley says.

“It was our first time travelling overseas and we hadn’t even planned our accommodation.

We just knew we had to leave.”

Despite having sent a teddy bear, an album with pictures of the family and home so Wira could be familiarised with faces and places, Bec says it was a mixture of emotions as he sat on her lap for the first time at the orphanage.

“It was exciting, heartbreaking, he was so scared and shocked at the new environment – from the plane ride home to even standing him on grass in bare feet at our house, they were new experiences for him, and we were strange people he didn’t know.

“One of the best parts of the adoption process was the family support we had, and living in our small community, everyone was reaching out to us and giving us their wishes.”

Bec and Dooley always wanted to have more children and after seven more years, Rafa, also from Thailand, joined the family at just under three years of age.

“It was so difficult going into the orphanages. Rafa had come from a room with 20 to 30 other children and we knew they had been through so much, and even for both our boys, they have been just so strong and resilient to adapt to a new life with us,” Dooley says.

“It still amazes me to this day. They’re happy and the adjustment has just been phenomenal. Even the way they talk about their birth country, there is no blame, it’s just their life and it’s all part of their story, which they are proud of.”

“We have always talked about their family in Thailand and we are supportive of them exploring the options to meet their birth mothers in the future, however we don’t want to promise anything we can’t deliver either,” Bec says.

Joel, who is working towards a degree in software engineering in Wollongong, has relished taking on the role of a big brother.

“Adopting has definitely made us stronger as a family, but the positives aren’t just on our family, but others around us too. Being a small country town, not many would have thought about adoption, but I feel it has taught those around us to be respectful and accepting of others too.

Being their brother has been amazing and I couldn’t imagine my family without them,” Joel says.

The boys love sports. Rafa loves to dance, while Wira loves NRL, hockey and touch football, and now refers to himself as a “true blue Aussie”, which gives Bec a chuckle.

“They really have brought us so much joy.

We are so lucky. We are so happy we went through the adoption process. I believe that whatever will be, will be, and everything makes sense in time, and we now know and can see that the reason that IVF didn’t work, because that would mean we wouldn’t have our boys, so we definitely wouldn’t change things.

“We’ve had a lot of things out of our control and we would have loved to adopt again, however the process and timing hasn’t worked for us and we no longer fit the criteria required to complete the process.

“It’s been a long journey and there have been so many challenges along the way, but it is worth it. We really are so lucky to have met them, be parents to our beautiful boys and watch them grow, it’s just amazing.” RLM Words: Rosie O’Keeffe

ABOVE: The Thompson brothers, Joel, Rafa and Wira.

FACING PAGE: A family bonded by love, Dooley and Bec Thompson with their sons, Joel, Wira and Rafa (front).

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face ABOUT

Portraits are Jac Clark’s specialty, using a variety of styles, colours and textures to create her signature pieces – the bigger and brighter, the better.

Jac Clark loves living in Parkes, which is perfectly understandable if you’ve ever taken in the magnificent rural views from her lounge room.

“It can get a bit messy having a studio in the lounge room but it means I can paint whenever I feel the urge, sometimes after the kids go to bed. Even better, I can paint with my family around,” she says over an early morning cuppa.

“I think one of the main reasons I’ve always been drawn to art is that for me, there’s no end. I constantly challenge myself to improve, experiment and imagine – that’s why, even though my style is distinctly my own, I will never stop trying new things.”

Every five years or so, Jac’s art seems to propel itself into a new direction – something she can’t predict or plan.

“It’s based around what I have learned from my last pieces and what I would like to try next. I am constantly motivated by the challenge to create.”

Jac doesn’t like to pigeon hole herself into any category when it comes to painting, but traditionally has been drawn to the face.

“I think eyes can say so much with very little effort – every face representing a human, each with a story different from the next.”

It’s always been that way. After studying Graphic Design at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga, Jac moved to Canberra for several years in her early 20s, hoping to find work in an art store. Instead she ended up in a large printing factory.

A few years later she moved back to her hometown, living in the front of a shed with her lounge room doubling as a studio and design office.

It’s still like that today, only the shed is now a delightful home and Morabon studio she shares with husband Glen “Fordy” Ford, who runs a turf-laying business, and children Jasmine, 10, and Tom, 2.

There is no denying the lounge room/studio is an enchanting spot. Mornings are extra special, only eclipsed by stunning sunsets most evenings.

In the past Jac resisted the temptation to allow her design and print practice to interfere or cross the line with her artwork.

“Only recently I realised both my design degree and prepress work have influenced me more than I ever imagined,” she says.

“I have gone the opposite way and embraced it. I’m finding there are no rules. I’m self taught and am happy to make things up and experiment as I go, which makes me feel quite liberated.”

Her current pieces are all large-scale portraits of locals, made up of different patterns such as pixels, as in pixels per inch, indicating the growing connection between her design and art process.

Every two years Jac stages an exhibition. Many of her large commissioned works have gone to Parkes Council, including a big mural in Cook Park, and various installation pieces around Parkes CBD. In mid 2019 she was invited to paint a portrait of Lane Beachley, considered the most successful female surfer in history and Kelly Baker, an Australian journalist, writer and beauty editor, for an exhibition called WOMAN. The exhibition celebrates influential women over 40 years from around the globe. All the portraits are being painted by female artists before being photographed by Nicole McCluskey. The exhibition will show in the capital cities before potentially touring internationally.

“This is a very exciting opportunity that I am stoked to be part of,” she says.

You will find Jac’s work in art magazines and home interior design mags, along with a strong online presence. RLM

FACING PAGE: Artist Jac Clark has always had a penchant for portraits, regardless of the medium.

ABOVE: Jac works on her latest creation; it’s easier finding inspiration when your studio has views to die for.

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worth more than a peek Over a million folk travel the Newell Highway each year, making Peak Hill, between Dubbo and Parkes, the perfect spot for a well-earned break or stopover.

One of the little gems of the tiny country outpost Peak Hill is the fascinating fossil collection at the caravan park. It was established by founder of the “World of Fossils” museums, Michael Durant, in 2009.

His Peak Hill exhibition features a range of specimens from his vast 15,000-piece collection. For a nominal fee, visitors can check out fossils from ancient wildlife that roamed here over 700 million years ago.

“There’s something for anyone interested in prehistoric wildlife, from the earliest marine life to the skull of a tiny ancestor of T-Rex,” helpful caravan park owner Leighton Davies says.

He and wife Pauline have called Peak Hill home for 15 years, after living in a tiny village near Melbourne. They enjoy meeting caravaners from all over Australia and, surprisingly, a steady flow of German cyclists.

Their caravan park is a Tesla charging point as well as a collection depot for “Return & Earn”, the official name of NSW Recycling.

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“We get about a million cans each year and pay out over $100,000 a year to mainly locals and those from the surrounding areas,” he says.

Leighton says Peak Hill needs all the help it can get, especially in these perilously dry times.

“Our town of about 800 people has received a tremendous economic boost by the arrival of trucks and personnel associated with the Inland Rail, with the first construction phase happening from Parkes to Narromine.”

A new open-cut gold mine at Tomingley, 15 minutes from here, is hoped to be a further boost to Peak Hill, where grain and livestock farming is still the backbone of the economy. Meanwhile, visitors can visit the nearby open-cut gold mine.

After gold was discovered in the 19th century, the town became the El Dorado of the west as word got out of the rich alluvial deposits.

“On the gold fields you were just another digger chasing a bonanza,” Leighton says.

“Despite the back-breaking work, all you

needed was a pick, shovel and pan to make your fortune.”

Miners arrived by coach, horse, push bike, wheelbarrow and Shanks’s pony but by 1896 the shallow gold was exhausted. Most of the diggers moved on and by the year’s end, the population declined to 2000. The miners arrived with hope but most left with nothing.

In this brief but turbulent period they moved mountains and reshaped the landscape. Little evidence remains of alluvial mining because traditionally there are few built structures, with the sites redeveloped as underground and finally open-cut mines. RLM ABOVE: Peak Hill Caravan Park owner Leighton Davies stands in front of the Big Fish Fossil Hut; the open-cut gold mine can be viewed a short distance from the fossil collection; a cleverly built monument of a miner panning for gold.

Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

HEART OF

GOLD

You don’t have to look at all her community awards to know 2019 Parkes Citizen of the Year Pat Bailey is a rare one.

Pat Bailey is always one of the first to reach out to those in need, especially at the Parkes CanAssist office, where she has devoted more than two decades as secretary, welfare officer and raffle coordinator.

It’s what goes on behind the scenes – the work you rarely hear about – that really defines this softly spoken grandmother. Pat works tirelessly for others who often have nobody to lean on, supporting chemotherapy patients during their treatment at the Parkes Hospital.

She was among those responsible for improving access to health services for local cancer patients and was part of the group that lobbied for chemotherapy to be available in the region.

“Now about 90 per cent of patients have their radiation treatment in Orange and their chemotherapy here in Parkes,” she says proudly.

The accolades started in 2013 when Pat received a NSW Government Community Services Award from local MP Troy Grant and Parkes Mayor Ken Keith, acknowledging her outstanding service.

The award recognises the “unsung heroes” who have helped improve the quality of life of community members. There have been a few more awards since but none as special as being chosen as the 2019 Parkes Citizen of the Year.

It was a rather special moment for the former Forbes girl who grew up the eldest of five sisters. One of the biggest things that happened in her childhood was the devastating 1956 flood.

“Nan had a boarding house in Templar Street and for the first time ever water got inside,” she remembers. “We were evacuated across the road on piggy-back to higher ground, where the RSL stands today.”

She also remembers devastating fires, including one in 1968, which reduced her parents’ home on five acres to ashes within minutes. Two years later they were burnt out again.

When you live in the bush, she says, anything can happen. In 2016 Pat was driving to Wagga Wagga to visit her aged mother in hospital when her car was engulfed by an inland sea of water.

“Water was everywhere. It was terrifying, not even knowing where the road was. The Newell Highway was closed the next day for at least six weeks.”

She talks to her late hubby every day but in moments like that she was praying for Noel’s guiding spirit. She’d fallen in love with the apprentice mechanic as a young girl and married him when she turned 18. The nuptials took place at St Lawrence’s, Forbes.

The Baileys enjoyed 30 good years of marriage before Noel succumbed to cancer, aged just 51, leaving behind a grieving wife and five children, three of whom call Parkes home.

“All his life Noel had skin cancers but it was a nasty melanoma that dropped him within nine weeks,” Pat says quietly. “I suppose it’s the way your cards are dealt – in the end you simply have to accept what is dished out to you.”

Now in her 70s, she still devotes at least 50 hours a week, most of it spent talking and listening to cancer sufferers.

Instead of sitting home feeling sorry for herself, Pat was propelled into action, making a personal pledge to help other families dealing with cancer.

“It’s why I started helping in the first place – I wanted to ensure others didn’t have to endure what our family endured,” she says. “I wanted to make sure everyone got the help they needed, especially those too proud to ask for help.”

Once Pat started there was no holding her back. Now in her 70s, she still devotes at least 50 hours a week, most of it spent talking and listening to cancer sufferers. Some stories affect her more than others.

“Cancer is the worst disease. It affects everyone from little kids to senior citizens and everyone in between – and it doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, cancer doesn’t discriminate. We really must find a cure.”

Pat doesn’t spend as much time at home as she’d like but when she does there’s nothing better than chilling out to some of her favourite artists, including Charlie Pride, Slim Dusty and Daniel O’Donnell.

It gives her time to reflect on her own life, her family, which has grown to include 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and her local community.

“I’ve been surprised with a few awards in my life but that’s not why I help others,” she says. “You just do what needs to be done. My mother taught me that a smile costs nothing and can make a huge difference to somebody’s day.”

It’s this positive energy that helps Pat Bailey get through the day.

“We’ve come a long way but as long as there are people dealing with cancer we’ll never be finished.” RLM

ABOVE: Tireless community helper and 2019 Parkes Citizen of the Year Pat Bailey has devoted her life to helping others.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Parkes

Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

peace at the fleece It was only natural that Steve Lindsay would return to the land that has been with his family for generations, but he brought back with him a few ideas of his own.

ABOVE: Cora Lynn stud rams; a historic shot of James Lindsay with a Wonga ram; Robert Lindsay stands alongside a photo of him as a youngster at a sheep show.

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The Lindsay family have played a significant role in the history of Peak Hill and district since Federation. Today they are one of the few remaining farming families on their original land grant.

It all started with James Lindsay, who selected 2820 acres in a 1901 land ballot, naming the property “Cora Lynn” after the waterfalls on the Clyde River in Scotland, where his family originated.

A substantial homestead was built in 1936 of solid concrete with unique (for the time) walk-in wardrobes. Today it’s the home of fourthgeneration farmer Steve Lindsay.

“I personally feel a great sense of belonging,” he says. “It’s a rare honour and privilege to live in the homestead built by your great grandparents. It is equally gratifying working the land selected by my great grandfather, just as my father and grandfather have done before me.”

The men all shared a common love of wool. In 1946 James and his only surviving child Ron purchased a Wonga ram and Pooginook ewes as foundation stock for the Cora Lynn Merino stud.

Ron became a very good friend of Wonga’s Tom Culley and the two regularly exchanged letters on sheep breeding. Some of these cherished letters are still in the family’s possession.

“Apart from the rams he purchased, Mr Culley sent special stud sires from Wonga to Peak Hill for my grandfather to trial,” Steve says. “That connection saw us become the first registered Wonga daughter stud in Australia – it’s a little-known fact.”

Today Cora Lynn is recognised for purchasing the best available genetics, on occasions paying the Australian top price for rams at onproperty sales.

The stud has a strong Pooginook base and more recently introduced families from Wanganella and Poll Boonoke – spending up to $30,000 on individual sires.

With 3000 Merinos in their stud and commercial flock operations, the sheep are known for their wool cutting ability and low micron.

“I’ve always loved sheep and wool – it’s the most amazing natural fibre,” he says. “To see how genetics have changed and adapted to consumer demands is quite amazing.

“To have the depth of genetics going back over 73 years allows for a predictability in breeding and productivity.” >

Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

The Fleece

But Cora Lynn is not just known for its leading-edge Merino genetics.

When the family built a new four-stand shearing shed several years ago, it seemed the old shed’s life had reached its use-by date.

Steve, however, had other plans. “I knew if I didn’t do something with the shed, it would meet the fate of all old farm sheds,” he grins.

The shearing shed had been built by Steve’s grandfather, Ron, during the late 1940s, using timber cut from the farm and milled on site.

“I could see the need for unique ecotourism buildings in the bush,” Steve says.

“Years ago, everyone seemed to have an aunt or uncle in the country – but that doesn’t seem to be the case any more and the divide between the bush and the city appears to be growing.

“I want people to experience my small part of Australia and immerse themselves in the beauty of the landscape and the property.”

He has nailed that part of the operation.

Guests arrive at a cosy and romantic dwelling with beautiful farm views and stylish interiors. It’s suitable for two to four guests, with a fully equipped kitchen, laundry and huge entertaining area.

Comforts include a modern bathroom with a deep bath overlooking paddocks, reverse-cycle air conditioning, ceiling fans and a cosy fireplace for winter warmth. A deck that overlooks the farm is ideal for outdoor dining and barbecues.

Guests are encouraged to unplug, unwind and recharge.

“We are offering a total escape from the fast pace of modern life and demands.

There’s no Wi-Fi or television and limited mobile reception – our guests seem to love that it’s part of the digital detox movement.”

Whether for a weekend or a week, The Fleece promises the perfect escape from the demands of modern life. Enjoy the big skies, the fresh air and rediscover the art of conversation and comfortable silences.

Steve was educated at Scots College, Bellevue Hill, followed by Agriculture studies at Sydney University’s Orange campus. After a period of time on the farm, Steve spent four years in Sydney, working in corporate sales for 4-5 star hotels, including Le Meridian, Marriot, Mirvac and Choice International.

The youngest son of Robert and Kay Lindsay says his “wake-up” moment happened midway through an important sales meeting.

“I suddenly thought ‘what am I doing with my life?’. I called Mum and Dad and asked if there was an opportunity to come home

and work. I quit my job, sold my house in Sydney and moved back – the rest, as they say, is history.”

When Steve commenced work on The Fleece in early 2016, there was another reason for taking on the massive renovating task. His grandfather, who built the shed, tragically lost his life in 1969, aged 52.

“I think of the project as creating a memorial to him and what he achieved in the growth of the Cora Lynn Merino stud,” Steve says.

“It’s leaving a legacy, a snippet of a past time, honouring those that gave me the opportunity to forge a career in agriculture.”

Apart from his love of wool, Steve also finds time to breed and work Clydesdales and Australian Draught horses.

“Like many farmers, I used to see dry paddocks as unproductive but a good friend once told me there is beauty in every season – the colours, the sunsets. I have finally reached the stage where I can see it and embrace this beauty.”

The Fleece B&B is 60 minutes’ drive from Dubbo and Parkes and 20 minutes from Peak Hill. RLM

ABOVE: Kay and Robert Lindsay with talented son Steve, who has converted the old woolshed into sensational guest accommodation.

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Enjoy the big skies, the fresh air and rediscover the art of conversation and comfortable silences.

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Parkes T O W N F E AT U R E

Located on the 118 year old working property “Cora Lynn� in the Central West of NSW. The Fleece offers a total escape from the fast pace of modern life and demands, No Wi-Fi, no Television. Limited Mobile reception.

Whether for a weekend or a week, The Fleece promises the perfect escape from the demands of modern life. Enjoy the big skies, the fresh air and rediscover the art of conversations and comfortable silences.

www.thefleece.net

PARKES RLM 125

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

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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pms black

pms 1807 CP

pms 431 CP

pms 7501 CP

ride the

OF HIS LIFE In the middle of winter in Dunedoo, and out on ‘Merotherie’, there’s a string of polocrosse ponies waiting patiently for their regular morning exercise.

Jim Bowman and his 10-year-old son, Hugh, head onto the verandah of the homestead, pull their boots on and venture into below-freezing conditions to get them worked.

As they ride across the cold, frosty ground, thoughts of a possible future connection to Australia’s greatest racehorse of the modern era are far from their thoughts.

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Thirty years on, and young Hugh, the boy who braved the early chill to trot alongside his father on horseback through the sprawling paddocks of their farm in Central Western NSW, is now a national hero and etched in history as the jockey of champion racehorse Winx.

The extraordinary partnership between Hugh and Winx ended in April last year, when, after 33 consecutive wins, 25 Group 1s, and more than $26 million in prizemoney, she was retired to stud to become a mum. >

Hugh Bowman has found international fame and acclaim as a top-class jockey, and his association with champion mare Winx is etched in thoroughbred racing history. His character-shaping upbringing in Dunedoo is integral to the story.

FACING PAGE: Hugh’s trademark signal to the public after he rides a winner.

ABOVE: Hugh pays respect to the thousands who witnessed Winx’s final win at Royal Randwick.

national hero A U T U M N

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For Hugh, the remarkable journey they shared together still feels surreal.

“I’m really only learning to appreciate how much influence she has on society.

“I blocked it out and did my job and didn’t get involved in the emotion of it. I concentrated on myself and her, and since then, I have been able to reflect on it and I’m learning how much she meant to everyone and what an important part of that I was,” Hugh says.

Every single time the laid-back horseman was legged aboard Winx, he carried the heavy expectation of an entire nation and legion of fans around the world who willed her not to be defeated.

“I didn’t think that I was blocking it out but now it’s all over I can see I did. I didn’t get emotionally attached to the horse, which people find incredible.

“I’ve ridden many horses and I didn’t treat her any different to any other horse. I just got on her and rode her.”

There’s a unique sense of calm deeply ingrained in Hugh’s nature and, unquestionably, that quality was a major influence in the Winx success story.

It helped him steer her through various challenging, heart-in-the-mouth moments on the track that could easily have resulted in a defeat.

“There’s no doubt I’ve got an ego like everybody else but my nature is calm and I think that helps stay level-headed.”

He says the support of his wife, Christine, parents Jim and Mandy and sister Kate, was also vital in being able to manage the heady pressure of riding one of the world’s most celebrated racehorses.

“I am very appreciative of the success I have had and the support to get that success.

At the end of day, it’s my loved ones around me that have supported me and allowed me to pursue what I do and be the best. There’s been a lot of sacrifices made by my loved ones,” he says.

Named after his great uncle James Hugh Bowman, who was killed during active service in the Second World War, the 39-year-old spent much of his childhood on the family farm at Dunedoo and has fond memories of that chapter of his life.

“My childhood was exceptional and that has a lot to do with my family. It gives you a good work ethic. There are simple lifestyle principles that you pick up from growing up on a farm.

“They’re values that are instilled in you. It’s not something you learn, it’s part of life there.”

As a young boy he rode in shows around the district and at an early age became well regarded for his natural horsemanship that was developed while riding stock horses on Merotherie.

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“I think the most influential thing was working with cattle and mustering because of the judgement of what the animals are going to do and how you are going to deal with them.

“That judgement has helped nowadays.”

From the age of 12, Hugh boarded at the exclusive Scots College in Bellevue Hill to complete his secondary schooling.

He then began his jockey apprenticeship with Bill and Leanne Aspros at Bathurst. He had his first race ride on the picnic circuit at Gulgong and won the Wellington Picnic Cup in 1996.

It was on those bush racetracks of the Central West that a serious talent began to emerge and by season 1999/2000, he was the champion apprentice of NSW. “When I was younger, I always wanted to be a professional sportsman but when I was eight years old, I realised that football was not my forte so while all my friends were

playing football I would get on a horse and play polocrosse.”

Hugh played regularly on the Dunedoo team until he began boarding school.

When he returned home during the holidays, he found the time to pick up a racquet and enjoy the odd game.

Eventually a much faster equine pursuit piqued his interest and learning to become a professional jockey went to the top of his agenda.

“It’s a luxury and privilege to live my childhood dream. It’s exceeded my own expectations in how that has gone. At the end of the day I just do what I do but I have worked hard and consistently for a long time.”

That dedication has propelled him to win many of the country’s biggest races, and in December 2017 he became the first Australian in history to be crowned the world’s best jockey.

national hero A U T U M N

“My childhood was exceptional and that has a lot to do with my family.

It gives you a good work ethic.”

“I’m not a magician, I make mistakes like everyone else. It’s about turning up and doing the job and you have to keep showing up. A bit like people in the country. When things are against them, they keep turning up or if someone hits a hard time then people will rally around and help them out,” he says.

Hugh is enormously proud of the Australian bush and his upbringing in it.

“I think the core of Australia’s heart comes from that rural environment. As cities grow most people have a connection to some sort of rural entity.”

Commitments as a top-class jockey have meant that Hugh has spent the past 20 years living full-time in Sydney. But, he has very strong ties with the region in which he grew up and runs a large-scale cattle operation on 10,000 acres at Gulgong with his cousin Stuart.

“We trade and breed. At the moment we are buying because they are cheaper. We work against the pattern but obviously need enough feed for them and a lot of luck along the way.

It’s all about buying cheap and selling big.”

His parents still live on Merotherie and his sister is now based in Mudgee, and Hugh returns with wife Christine and daughters Bambi, 6, and Paige, 4, up to three times a year, which is all his busy riding schedule allows for.

“They love it up there, and Mum and Dad love having them and they have become good friends with some young girls around the district.

“That to me is really important and gives the opportunity to introduce my kids to the upbringing that I had.”

While Hugh’s riding career is far from over, when retirement from the saddle inevitably beckons, he plans to more evenly split his time between Sydney and Dunedoo.

“What we would love to do is live in Sydney and spend a bit more time up there when I retire.”

And when that time does come, he plans to get out on a horse when he can but it will be a much slower paced type than Winx.

“I still ride a bit when I go home. It is very different and nice to hop in a stock saddle and just go for a cruise,” he says. RLM Words: Jo McKinnon Images: Sharon Chapman, Fast Track Photography

ABOVE: Playing at the Magic Millions Polo each year is one of Hugh’s favourite pastimes.

FACING PAGE: Hugh with wife Christine and eldest daughter Bambi; Hugh aboard Winx.

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Red Door Cafe

Great rustic homemade food

Homewares / Florist / Cafe / Interior Styling M – F / 8am –5pm Sat / 8am –2pm / juadine_interiors

88 – 90 East Street Narrandera P. 02 6959 4020 M. 0427 591 609 E. juadineinteriors@gmail.com

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

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 132 RLM

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 133

TOP BRASS

It’s safe to say that Danny Hawke could carry out his specialised line of work in his sleep.

Wellington’s brass bed man, Danny Hawke, is by nature, a pretty happy chappy but when Regional Lifestyle dropped in for a quick visit his excitement was palpable.

It’s not the dozens of old beds he’s just rescued from an ignoble ending – that was pretty good, he insists, but nothing compares to his shiny new set of wheels sitting among hundreds of rustedout bed frames in his workshop.

The 18-year-old Harley Sportster was discovered by chance in Port Macquarie while wife Katie was checking out the Spotlight bargains. It takes pride of place alongside cast iron beds in various states of disrepair.

All are waiting patiently for their resurrection day. Danny looks around all the neatly stacked frames and knows he’ll never be without a job.

“In 35 years, I’ve never had to look for work – sometimes I’m booked out two years ahead,” he

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says earnestly. “At the moment I can complete a bed to specifications in about eight weeks, depending on what work is on the books.”

Recently, two truckloads of old beds arrived from a Dungog dealer going out of business. The word “no” is not in Danny’s vocabulary. The idea of them going to a scrap dealer, or worse – the tip, is simply unthinkable.

Space is getting tight in the workshop but he knows there’s plenty of room on his father’s rural block out of town. If you thought Danny was an avid collector, you have to meet Geoff, a spritely 87-year-old with one of the most extensive private rural collections this side of the black stump.

“The bed business is good business,” laughs Danny, a bloke who loves hunting and fishing, collecting old cameras and doing up his historic home.

ABOVE: The Bed Man, Danny Hawke, can turn his hands to most things, including restoring old cast iron beds.

country character A U T U M N

“I’m pretty passionate about my Pentax cameras and Mary Gregory glassware,” he admits. Both collections are featured throughout his 13-room house and cellar. He also enjoys metal sculpture.

His father started dabbling in old beds 50 years ago and Danny’s been involved with them all his life. Starting as a 16-year-old apprentice, he spent seven years learning the many and varied skills involved with bringing something old and derelict back to life.

Following a trim of his notorious fully-fledged beard, you’d hardly guess Danny has been holding the fort for 35 years – all from the same location.

Not that he’d ever move. A business can struggle with poor position but that’s hardly a problem for Macquarie View Brass & Iron Beds.

There’s nobody in town who doesn’t know where Danny lives and his specialty.

Thousands of travellers on the Mitchell Highway pass by his business each week; passengers no doubt wondering about the building’s rich history while dreaming of their next brass bed.

A long-time Wellington landmark, Straggler’s Inn was built in preparation for the construction of the first wooden bridge across the Macquarie River in 1866. The inn once had stables used by the Cobb & Co coaches as they casually cantered their way through the Wellington Valley.

The 154-year-old building has undergone a few name changes and facelifts but the exterior remains largely unchanged from its original condition. Less than a year after opening, the Straggler’s Inn became the Commercial Hotel, changing its name again in 1905 to the Commonwealth Hotel.

After the 1920s, the inn was converted into a boarding house for the next 40 years before becoming a block of four flats, the biggest room commanding $13 rent per week.

In 1981, Danny’s father bought the old inn to house his Macquarie View Antiques business.

It has been Danny’s home ever since, one he now shares with Katie and children Sophie, 19, studying for an Arts degree, and Thomas, 16.

There’s little chance of his son becoming a third-generation bed man.

“No way, he’s far too bright,” Danny beams.

Danny calls himself a “jack of all trades” but comes with extensive experience in sand blasting, spray painting, welding and polishing. Then there’s the milling and machining work for clients requiring specialised work, like metal scrolling.

To keep him fresh after decades in the same field, he works as a general assistant to schools in Dubbo and Geurie. Then there are jobs he just seems to find. A few weeks before RLM visited, he had demolished the old radio station premises and was sound proofing the studio rooms at the local Scout Hall, ready for a new lease of life.

He enjoys being involved in many organisations. Danny is treasurer for the local Landcare group, warden of the Parish Council for the Anglican Church, in charge of the grounds

for the Scout Hall and armourer and secretary of the Mt Ferguson Pistol Club.

Resurrecting a bed from virtual scrap, however, gives him the most joy. And there’s no shortage of willing buyers.

“Young people moving into old buildings want an old bed to match the history. Then you have older people that want a solid bed that takes them back to their youth,” he says.

After buying the building in 1991, Danny started the laborious task of renovating the place, room by room.

“I’ve been pumping money into it ever since,” he laughs.

“We’ve got a five-bedroom home with workshops out the back and highway frontage.

This place has it all – old-world charm with all the mod cons of modern living.”

Hmm. You forgetting something? “Ah yes, with the new bike I can hit the road and, for a while at least, forget about my long-term affair with castiron beds!” RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

“In 35 years, I’ve never had to look for work – sometimes I’m booked out two years ahead.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The former historic inn that Danny Hawke calls home is strategically located on the highway; Danny astride his new set of wheels; the man loves collecting, including his prized Pentax cameras; with a finished bed in the showroom; Danny has enough spare parts to last him two lifetimes.

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Angus & Charolais

36 YEARS OF QUALITY BREEDING WITHIN YOUR PRICE RANGE

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ROSSKIN.COM.AU Martin Walters P: (02) 6456 6710 136 RLM

Adam Walters M: 0408 405 766

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Wine not?

Spend a weekend in Cowra & Canowindra and enjoy some of Australia’s finest wineries.

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A U T U M N story name

A WORK OF ART Ruth Bailey’s Coolamon guest house is full of colour and charisma.

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story name A U T U M N

The town of Coolamon, established in 1881, has a pristine, time-stood-still aesthetic that visitors and residents fall head over heels for.

One such visitor was Ruth Bailey, who in 2005 with her then 12-year-old daughter Tamsin, relocated from Sydney to the Riverina.

Ruth made the move to be closer to her brothers and their families.

“I felt a strong desire for Tamsin and myself to share our lives more closely with them and their children,” Ruth says.

“Coolamon is a pretty outlier town to Wagga and caught my fancy.”

The Old Coolamon Hospital had been on the market for quite some time, and Ruth snapped it up after a brief stint in Wagga.

Cottage hospitals were small-capacity hospitals housed in repurposed residential buildings in rural Australian towns.

“Many people in Coolamon worked, were born in, gave birth in, and/or recall recovery stays in, this beautiful building, and there is, accordingly, a warm community attachment and association to the building, which I enjoy and value,” Ruth says. >

FACING PAGE: The grand parlor of the Old Coolamon Hospital showing off all of its original features.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A wonderful window seat below some of the rosy stained glass that features throughout the house; the beautiful but understated entry to the house does little to hint at the wonder inside; Ruth sits with one of her Italian greyhounds Rosa Sophia.

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A U T U M N story name

The interior is like an art installation, one that is stimulating to the senses yet liveable.

The Old Coolamon Hospital was built around 1912, reportedly by the woman who used to live in the smaller but equally charming house next door. As the story goes, this woman built the house at 58 Cowabbie Street after her husband died.

The windows throughout the house are a patchwork of pinks, the front door a floral masterpiece in leaded glass. Gorgeous pressed tin ceilings, ornate ceiling roses and fancy trim work all come together to create an elegant home.

Ruth shares something with the original lady of the house. She also found her way to this home just over a decade after the untimely loss of her own husband, over time turning it into the stuff her dreams were made of.

A long hallway tiled in black and white stretches out for ages. It is hard to imagine how the home would have been furnished when it was first completed, or even that it could have ever been a hospital, because of how completely Ruth has made it her own.

The interior is like an art installation, one that is stimulating to the senses yet liveable.

It’s hard to ignore the striking pink and white candy-striped chair in the front sitting room. Ruth recounts the time she wanted a comfortable chair for her lounge room in Sydney, her then husband coming home with a beautiful but stiff antique number. Her courage in taking a paint brush to it, trading the stuffiness for whimsy is admirable. The chair wasn’t quite what she had in mind at the time but all these years later she’s glad to have it in its new form.

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story name A U T U M N

Every chance to add a flourish is taken.

Crystals adorn the end of pull cords for overhead lights, a collection of ribbons cascade over a bookcase and gilded teacups and saucers are poised and ready for a fabulous tea party.

Where colour stops, negative space takes over, knowing its own importance. White is the chosen colour for the majority of walls and trim in the house, creating a blank canvas on which to display artworks, many her own. They are colourful, characterful, and almost impossible to look away from.

“I haven’t painted for long, but I had this big old house with lots of wall space and not much of a budget for artwork so I decided to create my own,” Ruth says.

Ruth has recently decided to offer her home as a unique guest house. It makes an ideal overnight spot for someone wishing to explore Coolamon and the surrounding Riverina area.

A colourful visit is guaranteed when you’re sharing the space with the resident artist and a pair of petite Italian greyhounds named Rosa Sophia and Carina Clare. By simply closing a door, Ruth separates the rest of the house from the guest quarters, turning them into a luxuriously sized private wing.

The high ceilings, generous proportions and period features take you back to another era, while Ruth’s playful decor keeps it fresh. There are three bedrooms and a private bathroom set up for guests, which can accommodate up to six people.

The first bedroom at the front of the house holds a show-stopping cerulean blue locker from India, which now houses a book collection. A window seat is ideal for poring over a vintage novel.

The second bedroom is set up for children, or children at heart, with a pair of vintage cast iron shearers beds, dressed decidedly more comfortably than was originally intended with crisp linens and silken coverlets.

An adjoining room is flooded with light filtering in through a window dressed with sheer curtains. A floating rack of colourful frocks makes an eye-catching centerpiece, the cherry on top, a vintage ladder used as a shoe rack displaying a chic collection of pointy toed heels. This clever room divider separates the third bedroom from the en suite and the cutest in-room breakfast bar with everything you’ll need for your morning cuppa.

To Ruth, anything and everything can become art. It’s all in how you display it.

Everyday objects hung on the wall become masterpieces. A stack of linens and lace in every shade of white catch the eye in a cabinet with perfect patina. Cups resting on the edge of the kitchen sink after being washed up are as pretty as a picture in the afternoon light. Even fruit and delightfully mismatched kitchen chairs become art in this magical home. RLM Words and images: Jennifer Harden

To book accommodation at the Old Coolamon Hospital, contact Ruth on 0413 066 803.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The children’s bedroom features vintage shearers beds dolled up with luxurious linens; art and objects play together throughout the home; the guest room en suite includes double sinks, large shower and a luxurious soaking tub; a proper chair gets a lively makeover from Ruth; one of Ruth’s ladies smiling cheekily behind Rosa; in-room breakfast bar ready to serve overnight guests of the old hospital.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Still life perfection in the home’s large communal kitchen; the whimsical sitting area of the guest suite where everyday objects become art; a unique bed created by Shades of Gray in Castlemaine, Victoria, adorns the front bedroom; gilded plates and cup awaiting a tea party; delicately twisted metal is a feminine feature throughout the house.

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Old Coolamon Hospital Spend a night or two in restful, composed rooms.

Ever transforming, like an artist’s studio.

RUTH BAILEY 58 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon NSW 2701 0413 066 803 142 RLM

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getaway A U T U M N

THE ESSENCE OF

country life

Cadogan Country House is a delightful place to stay in the beautiful rolling hills of the Central Tablelands, just a few hours’ drive from Sydney.

Not many have heard of Guyong, however this quiet farming area is conveniently located halfway between Bathurst and Orange and is even closer to Blayney and the historic town of Millthorpe.

Jane and Mark Holman found this area when looking for a weekender to escape the city bustle. After the first year of weekend trips, the lure of the country led them to making the permanent move to the farm.

Jane and Mark had lived in Sydney all of their lives and while Mark could be considered a city boy, Jane always kept one foot in the country, enjoying her family’s rural property growing up.

Not long after they were married, they looked to invest in their own small country property, somewhere to spend weekends, ride horses and give Mark a breather from his electronics engineering business in the city. They found a wonderful little spot at Bell in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. As one year rolled into the next, one, two and then three children came into the picture.

While kids have a tendency to change so much about our lives, one constant remained: their weekends at Bell. Mark and Jane recall packing up the car and driving straight out of the city the minute the school bell rang on Friday afternoon.

The kids loved the freedom that the country offered and the novelty of having their horses at home ready to ride whenever they liked. While some kids prefer the indoors, the Holman kids were keen on the bush. Their mum and dad recount stories of them working together to build elaborate cubbies with their own tools and materials, hours spent outside, not a TV in sight.

After visiting a friend’s weekender where they ran cattle and sheep, Mark decided that he’d like a country weekender with a bit more land. After a long search, they found a property that was a pleasantly long distance from the main road on acreage. It was two or three hundred more acres than they were looking for, but who’s counting, when it’s right, it’s right. They purchased the property and by this time the majority of the family had tired of city life, deciding it was time to move to the country on a more permanent basis.

The missing piece? Mark. He was deeply connected to his business the way many business owners are. It was more than his work, it was his hobby. Little did he know how intensely his kids and wife were planning their escape to the country. A hint came by way of an invitation to school entrance interviews in Orange, 20 minutes from their newly acquired home. >

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Large picture windows feature throughout the home bringing the outside in; a light, bright modern country kitchen fully equipped to make yourself at home; a cosy corner of the main living space, where pops of red play nicely with the neutral palette; Jane’s beautiful gardens provide a lovely backdrop or place to wander and enjoy.

RIGHT, FROM TOP: Jane and Mark Holman; cows keep watch over one of the five guest bedrooms.

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The house easily accommodates parties of 10, with up to five couples having their own private bedrooms complete with en suites.

Despite admittedly being in denial, Mark finally gave in to a move to their home in Guyong, if only on a trial basis. Despite Mark’s doubts, Jane and the kids thrived. They had their beloved horses at home with them and with all three kids at the same school, their daily routine was streamlined, and that’s something practical-minded Mark could surely appreciate.

Jane comes from a long line of renovators and keen gardeners and has tackled many a fixer-upper herself. While Jane worked on bringing their new home and garden up to scratch, Mark decided he might as well make the most of all his time spent away from Sydney and take up a new hobby. He jumped all in, purchasing some cattle.

Jane and Mark started out playing the role of cattle farmers on weekends but to everyone’s surprise, not least his own, Mark’s interest and passion for cattle farming grew and grew. They now produce their own Angus stud bulls for their self-replacing Angus herd to continue the genetic improvement of their F1 Wagyu cattle.

Over the years, Mark and Jane have taken the opportunity to buy land adjacent to their original parcel, and as their land holding has grown so have their number of cattle to over 600 head.

One of the adjoining blocks that had always interested the couple included quite a substantial architecturally designed house, built in 1965. Mark and Jane could see this home as an ideal rental property to diversify and help support their Wagyu beef business during the drought. What was meant to be a quick tidy up of the home started to move in a different direction once Jane had the vision to create a home with five bedrooms, all with en suites. No longer would it be a long-term rental, it was going to be a luxury farm stay. Cadogan Country House was born.

This expertly appointed home provides absolutely everything you need to enjoy some time away from it all. While Mark’s background as an engineer lends itself well to being particular, exacting and efficient, Jane balances it all out with her heart, warmth and true to desire to make her guests feel at home.

Mark is the tech head of the duo, excitedly recounting all the ways that he has implemented technology to provide a better guest experience. Like his remote ability to cool the house before guests arrive and the extra instantaneous water heaters that will keep all five showers hot at once.

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If you happen to drive a Tesla, you are sure to appreciate Cadogan Country House’s very own Tesla destination charger, purchased to provide the ultimate in hospitality after two of their very first guests arrived by way of electric vehicle.

While Mark takes care of tech, Jane looks after the gardens and has thought of every homey touch. The gourmet kitchen has everything you need to prepare a meal from the wonderful local produce, and a picnic set is available for dining al fresco at their very own hedge maze. Her decor is bright and fresh, accented with neutral textures thoughout. Art and accessories nod to their country location.

The house easily accommodates parties of 10, with up to five couples having their own private bedrooms complete with en suites. Multiple lounge and dining spaces give big groups enough space to spread out while still providing large communal areas for gathering everyone together inside or out.

The large picture windows throughout the house look out to the gorgeous garden surrounds and the paddocks beyond. While your hosts are happy to make themselves completely scarce, they are just as willing to help you create your ultimate stay by suggesting nearby attractions, restaurants and vineyards.

Should you opt not to stray far from Cadogan, a farm tour can be taken and, on request, their very own grass-fed Wagyu beef can be made available for sampling. For the horse lovers, Cadogan is BYO horse friendly, allowing you to explore the open paddocks and nearby trails on your own steed.

Jane and Mark are a tree change success story that is still unfolding. Their passion and determination to learn, adapt and succeed is apparent in their farming practices as well as their guest home, expertly set up for their visitors to enjoy in the tranquil countryside of the Central West. RLM Words and images: Jennifer Harden

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The indoor dining space, with seating for eight, hints at the family’s passion for horses; each of the five bedrooms has a brand new en suite; the main bedroom’s en suite features this relaxing bath; each bedroom is decorated in a calming palette with just the right amount of colour to add some fun; one of the two al fresco dining areas at Cadogan.

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.

BYO horse and enjoy riding across our open paddocks and exploring the forest trails in Macquarie Woods.

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

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DESIGN - PRINT - PAPER - GIFTS RLM 147

serving it up, Italian style Former Italian market gardener Marc Pavan can’t help feeling a touch nostalgic, taking in the sweeping vista from his Dubbo balcony.

Marc Pavan’s delightful two-storey home overlooks the rich, alluvial flats of the Macquarie River, where he and wife Anna toiled for over half a century.

In recent years the sprightly 88-year-old has watched intently as council converts his 20-acre market garden into sporting

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fields, to be enjoyed by future generations.

He closes his eyes and laments the end of an era – the farm, vegie shop and tight-knit Italian community that grew around it have all but gone.

From the original 30 Italian families, only the Patriarca, Crisante, Bucci and Lappas

remain. After a lifetime doubled over in the hot summer sun, the Pavans have also dug in for the long haul.

After a solid 55 years of marriage, the thought of leaving their home, full of a lifetime’s precious memories, is simply unthinkable.

inspiration A U T U M N

In the beginning Born in Monastier, a village in northeastern Italy in 1931, Marcello “Marc” Pavan was raised on struggle street, sharing a three-bedroom home with four brothers and five sisters.

It was a simple, subsistence lifestyle on 15 acres, growing and producing everything bar salt and oil. Hard work and long hours were the order of the day, a habit Marc continued well into retirement. Leaving school in fourth class, aged only eight, he may not have much formal education but made up for it with empathy, common sense and a degree of humanity well beyond his years.

During WW2, the local farmers were forced to work for the rampaging German army. Young Marc, by then a hardened teenager, spent two years digging trenches and fortifications at the nearby River Piave.

After the war, Italy lay devastated with little hope and next to no employment.

The best he could manage was working on surrounding farms in return for small food parcels to help tide the family over.

As he reached manhood, Marc was desperate to leave the nest – to ease the burden on his parents and earn money to send home. His father flatly refused but by 1952, when he turned 21, there was no holding him back. Marc bid farewell to his beloved mother, never to see her again, and sailed away on the Castel Bianco, arriving in Melbourne with little more than a strong faith in God and a determination to do whatever was necessary to make it in his new homeland.

After two months at an immigrant camp at Bonegilla near Albury, he finally received his first work assignment as a mechanical labourer at the Dubbo RAAF Base.

Two months later he found work on a property near Bakers Swamp, 20 miles from Wellington. It was a big wake-up to farm life in the 1950s. Living alone in the

old shearers quarters, without electricity, refrigeration or cooking facilities, Marc’s water supply came from a leaky tank infested with dead rats.

The boss occasionally supplied a slab of mutton but it was impossible to keep for more than two days. He would hunt rabbits to make stew. It was a time when Australians were still learning to accept the strange nuances and colourful language of the Italian migrants. Marc was quickly learning what it meant to be a foreigner in a strange land.

Never allowed to sit in the front of the ute, his place was in the tray among the farm tools. On Saturdays he trudged four kilometres to the main road before hitching a ride to Wellington to buy his weekly supplies. After a highly anticipated middy at the pub, followed by a hearty meal and a quick visit to the local Catholic church, he’d set off for home, barely a penny squandered.

From his five pound weekly wage, two pounds went straight in the three-year loan for his passage to Australia.

It was a depressing and lonely period.

Marc’s normally outgoing personality was floundering like his English. Six months later he commenced work on the Dubbo and Brocklehurst railway bridges, spending 14 months living in a tent on the edge of town. Next, he helped construct the Dubbo to Narromine electricity line, with weekends devoted to helping an Italian market gardener. He made a pact with himself that one day, God willing, it would be him growing vegetables on those very same river flats.

To achieve his dream, he needed to raise some capital. With big money offered on the Snowy River Scheme, Marc set off for Cooma to secure his future. In 1954 he was a carpenter’s labourer on Adaminaby Dam but was dismissed for working too efficiently. For the next five years he worked as a miner on the Tumut Pond Access Tunnel and later the Tumut Power Station.

It was difficult and dangerous work but he

enjoyed toiling alongside tough men from dozens of European countries. The healthy pay packet of 160 pounds a fortnight went straight into the bank.

Marc saved hard and admits his only indulgence was playing cards with three of his mates – the losers having to shout four bottles of beer for their next session. Marc’s confidence grew each day as new words and phrases were slowly added to his vocabulary.

With his brother Gino, who had joined him from Italy, they eventually purchased the house and land their family had lived on since 1788. It was a big tick off his bucket list but there were still many rivers to cross.

Each Christmas Marc returned to Dubbo to visit his sister Lisa, who had married Jack DeMarchi. High on his list of priorities was dropping in on Tony Soave and checking progress on the market garden. One day he asked for first option to buy. Tony was getting a bit long in the tooth and anxious to spend his final days in Italy.

Marc teamed up with a neighbour Joe Battiste and purchased Tony’s 20-acre market garden in 1959. The following year, they bought an additional 30 acres with his brother-in-law Jack. The land extended from the “sandy beach” as it is still called today, back to the homes that are still located in Macquarie Street.

After 12 years in Australia, Marc’s plans were starting to gain traction. He was on his feet, had a few dollars in his pocket and had a plan of attack. All he needed was somebody to share the road ahead. He felt his best option was to go home – hopeful his family would find him a suitable bride. >

ABOVE: Italian born Marc Pavan never gave up on his dream of running his own market garden in Dubbo. Despite money always being tight, he was always well dressed; a contented Marc today.

FACING PAGE: Marc and Anna Pavan relax in their Dubbo living room, with photographs depicting their youthful faces in the early days.

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A new life takes shape Back in Monastier, in a house a short walk from the Pavan residence, lived the large extended family of the Florians. Anna Maria, the youngest of nine, was working at the shoe factory with Marc’s sister Luigia.

The girls were thrilled to be collected by the handsome visitor in his trusty Fiat at the end of each day. But Marc wasn’t merely a taxi service. After going through the same ritual for a week, he could wait no longer and popped the question out of the blue.

Perhaps it wasn’t the most romantic proposal but Marc, if nothing else, was practical, and time was of the essence.

Besides, both families had known each other all their lives. Although Anna, then barely 19, could barely cook or thread a needle, she agreed to the hasty union. A few weeks later they joined hands in the little church they had both grown up in and exchanged vows before setting off on the arduous voyage to a new life on the far side of the world.

Over the next few years the pair worked tirelessly on their dream, working from sun up to dusk planting and harvesting a huge selection of vegetables, fruit and even grapes. During peak periods there were up to a dozen cheery Italians on the job and a fruit shop on site. These were the glory days, long before the arrival of the supermarkets.

Much later came the Farmers Markets, where their stall was always well patronised.

Aside from the crops, Marc and the family enjoyed fattening cattle and raising farm animals, including an almost endless cycle of pigs, chickens, pigeons, turkeys, quails, guinea fowls and pheasants.

Anna with her sister-in-law Lisa, friend Tina and other Italian wives became well known for their home-grown Italian feasts, especially their famous pasta dishes and large range of preserves. Marc also made his own wine from the grapes he grew.

Their first child, Mara, was born a decade after the disastrous 1955 flood, still remembered in graphic detail by Marc. By then the first stage of their new home was nearing completion. On the big day of Mara’s arrival, Marc was informed husbands were forbidden in the labour ward, making it a nightmare for Anna who spoke even less English than her new husband. Two years later saw the arrival of Danny. The family was complete.

Fast forward nearly 50 years and the Pavan children are visiting home for the weekend. Marc and Anna feel more comfortable speaking in their native tongue and Danny, who runs a mobile ultrasound service from Newcastle, is a gracious translator. Sweetly spoken Mara Carroll has taken a sabbatical from theatre nursing on the North Coast. Both have their own families and lead busy lives but make it home whenever possible.

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inspiration A U T U M N

The family home was multicultural long before the term was even coined. Guests are always made to feel welcome, regardless of their station in life.

For over half a century they’ve watched proudly as their parents continue playing a significant role in the lives of the Catholic and small Italian communities, providing transport for widows and aged folk to get to church and shopping.

The Pavans’ exceptional hospitality also extends to the local parish priest, sometimes even the bishop. Long ago they made a special place in their hearts and home for generations of men of the cloth, who sit at the head of the dining table.

The family home was multicultural long before the term was even coined. Guests are always made to feel welcome, regardless of their station in life.

It’s been a life of giving and sharing. Marc was active in the St Vincent de Paul Society for nearly 50 years, visiting families in

need, including hospital visits. Anna was involved with Vision Australia, raising funds by making sandwiches and selling tickets for 12 years.

Neither have forgotten their past. They returned to Cooma for the 30-, 40- and 50year Snowy Hydro reunions but no longer attend due to depleted numbers.

They’ve also been back to Italy to meet relatives. In recent years Marc’s old family home has fallen to the ravages of time but Anna’s house is still standing, surrounded by a thriving vineyard.

While only one of their four grandchildren will ultimately carry on the proud Pavan name, none will forget the blood, sweat and tears resulting from the secret pact made by Marc all those years ago.

At the end of a long and often touching conversation, Marc and Anna are forever grateful for the opportunities and lifestyle they carved out over a lifetime in the “lucky country”. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

FACING PAGE: The strong family heritage binds generations of the family together. Marc and Anna with their children Danny and Mara and old photos of them when they first met and a painting of the old family home in Monastier; Mara’s first Holy Communion was a proud day for the religious family.

ABOVE: A big wedding cake helped soothe the nerves before tackling the new life that awaited them; behind every good man is an even better woman; the contented couple relax in the shade of their home.

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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

OBERON Paddock to Plate

Family owned and operated Supporting the local community Fruit & Veg • Meat • Groceries • Deli • Liquor

2018 Sydney RAS Virtual Taste Test CHAMPION

Online Shopping - igaoberon.com.au

2019 Sydney RAS Virtual Taste Test 1st Place

Large range of local products & thousands of weekly specials

Free range above 1100 metres

OPEN

7 days a week 7:30am - 8pm

141 Oberon Street, Oberon Phone: 02 6336 1101 Email: admin@igaoberon.com.au Other store locations: 141-149 Parker Street, Cootamundra 110 Main Street, Grenfell

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02 6942 1131 02 6343 1611

OBERON, NSW FAMILY OWNED • LOCALLY GROWN PADDOCK REARED • HORMONE FREE 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

CARAVAN PARK

COOLAMON

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

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

(02) 6977 4122 info@debsjewellery.com TEMORA, NEW SOUTH WALES

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A U T U M N story name

GIDDY UP The excitement of the North West Equestrian Expo continues to draw big numbers to Coonabarabran.

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story name A U T U M N

If you want to see some of the best emerging riders in the country and love camaraderie in a strong local community, the Coona Expo never fails to disappoint.

The 2020 Expo will run from Friday, May 29, to Tuesday, June 2, and entries are now open via Nominate. Updates and the program are available on the North West Equestrian Expo website www.nwequestrianexpo.com.au.

Despite the lingering dry conditions, the Coonabarabran community rallied to make the 2019 event a success.

Since beginning in 1993, Expo has become Coona’s biggest annual event. Staged in late May and early June, Expo drew 450 individual riders and 550 horses, collectively worth millions of dollars, from all over the state. This makes it the largest high school inter-schools equestrian competition in Australia.

A total of 75 schools, including 10 participating for the first time last year, enjoyed five intense days of competition including eventing dressage, showjumping, hacking, polocrosse, working horse challenge, team penning, pentathlon, combined training, Warrumbungles Way, sporting, team barrel and gymkhana events.

Expo President Kevin Sharp and his hard-working committee of 20 locals ensured the 2019 show was a great success despite drought conditions that could well have crippled numbers.

A bore was sunk with the help of the government drought assistance in 2019, which ensured the supply of water to the showground. A half-price entry for all drought-impacted competitors was well received by many country families, which helped to increase numbers from 2018.

Kevin says all competitors were wonderful ambassadors for their schools.

“Our mission at Expo is to provide a school event where participants can display their riding skills while developing personal and social skills,” he says.

“It is very rewarding to see riders from schools based in the Snowy Mountains in the south to Coffs Harbor in the north, Sydney in the east and Narromine in the west. They all share their passion for horses and make new friends over the five days of competition.”

Calrossy Anglican School, Tamworth, was again the school to beat, with the girls taking home a string of awards including the Coonabarabran High School Trophy for highest individual point score (with the unbeaten Sophie Maynes for the third consecutive year), the Gower Family Trophy and Keronga Sporting Cup. The school also secured the Poole Family Shield for the school with the highest point score based on the total points of their four top riders. Calrossy hasn’t been beaten in the past seven years.

Local Coona riders were thrilled to win the Team Hunt award, a new trophy sponsored by local accountants Forsyths for the best four riders completing a challenging test of jumping obstacles as a team of four.

Richard and Shaen Blackman have been involved with every Expo since the event was established 27 years ago. Shaen is the eventing dressage head steward while Richard is the course designer and head steward of eventing.

“It’s very satisfying seeing the happy faces of the kids doing cross country. The look on their faces when they clear a jump makes it all worthwhile,” he says. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

ABOVE: The Coonabarabran Expo is the town’s biggest event, with riders and their entourages converging on the showgrounds from all over the country to compete in various equine disciplines. The emphasis is on having fun and doing your best, under the guidance of a well-drilled local committee and many dedicated helpers.

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69 Goulburn Street Crookwell, NSW (02) 4832 2319

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STOCKIST FOR Clothing: Authur Ave, Country Designs, Eb & Ive, Elm, Imagine, Isle of Mine, LTB Jeans, The Eighth Letter, Wish.

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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life is

beautiful Pip Orr follows her creative passions with unflinching enthusiasm.

ABOVE: Rob and Pip on their wedding day at Tonic, Millthorpe.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pip in the original sandstone entrance in the main house; the original Cobb & Co stables at The Fitzroy; Pip and Flynn the corgi outside the Cobb & Co stables; Pip in the middle sitting room surrounded by memories and books; Pip with her photography piece from the jungles of Malaysia.

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Pip Orr’s life shaped into a creative journey from the age of five.

It all began with many books and a camera in her hand. Her dream was to capture stories of people and the beauty of life around the world through her photography and writing.

Growing up on her family property, Stokefield, at Carcoar, with regular visits to family in Sydney and ventures with family to parts of Australia and around the world, Pip experienced a fortunate life to the full.

While her love for photography and writing started at an early age, it wasn’t until her teachers at Frensham in Mittagong recognised her skills that she truly blossomed.

“I had an amazing art teacher, who encouraged and helped me expand my photography, sending my final-year photos all over NSW to be displayed in exhibitions,” Pip says.

Today, the black and white photos of Carcoar are displayed in her historic home, The Fitzroy, five kilometres from Millthorpe.

“My father, Alex Orr, was also my greatest supporter in every venture I undertook, and bought my first big Nikon camera for me while I was at school so I could really pursue my dreams,” Pip says.

“He certainly was my rock, and enjoyed seeing the latest production of photos throughout my life.”

Pip watched her entrepreneurial father build two successful travel agencies and an oyster farm on top of running the family property, “Stokefield”, hence her love of travel.

After graduating from high school, doing part-time study and many work experiences and overseas adventures, Pip studied at the University of Technology in Sydney to pursue a career in Media and PR while still indulging in her love of photography.

She worked for the Australian Wool Corporation in the ’80s as the PR manager, which took her all over Australia. It was here that she met the love of her life, Rob Frogley, but with Pip heading overseas to London for work, it would be some years before the two reconnected.

After the passing of her father in 2003, which left Pip feeling lost, she continued her work in Sydney in many media and PR roles with various companies including Blackmores and the NSW State Government. However, she yearned for a change of scenery.

On returning to Carcoar, she felt drawn to dive back into her photography and journalism.

Pip pursued her photography and journalism separately, doing stints with ABC radio and freelance photography through local media and publications.

While considering setting up her travel business that incorporated photography and writing, Pip and Rob reconnected into a love story unlike any other. It wasn’t long before they got married, making Carcoar and finally Millthorpe their home. >

inspiration & business A U T U M N

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“Going from losing the love of my life, I had to rebuild myself and my life, which took considerable time and still does. I needed to find the confidence and strength.”

“Ours was a true love story and we seriously understood one another,” Pip says.

“We both made each other shine, and he really understood my creativity. He really got me, and loved watching me with my camera.”

Pip says Rob encouraged her to follow her dream of becoming a professional photographer and to continue her journalism, and with his background in accounting, they made the perfect team to start her businesses, Unique Photography and Unique Destinations.

However, after having many wonderful years together, Rob was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare form of bone marrow cancer.

He then developed acute myeloid leukaemia and needed urgent medical treatment. He did not survive the bone marrow transplant and died on December 28, 2015.

“Going from losing the love of my life, I had to rebuild myself and my life, which took considerable time and still does. I needed to find the confidence and strength,” Pip says.

Pip has managed to rebuild her life, and she knows her late husband and father would be proud.

Pip’s ventures include Unique Photography, The Fitzroy, books in the pipeline and Unique Destinations travel.

In 2018, Pip bought The Fitzroy (formerly known as Garryowen), with 10 acres for her horses and space for her own gallery.

The Fitzroy, a blue stone house and stables built in 1850 as a Cobb and Co Inn, with its beautiful garden and large historic holly tree, is now open for couples or families seeking any type of ceremony.

“If people are seeking a wedding ceremony or baptism or anything similar, The Fitzroy is the perfect location and close to Millthorpe and Orange,” Pip says.

Under her photography banner, Unique Photography, Pip sought advice from well-known artist Ada Clark.

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Pip pulled together an incredible collection of her photographs and produced her own exhibition at the Rosebank Gallery in Millthorpe in June 2019.

Her photos capture the beauty of countries and their people from areas such as The Cook Islands and Malaysia.

“I like to concentrate on taking photos that really capture the people, their culture and tell a story through my eyes and words, and I am fascinated with creating photos that look like pieces of art,” Pip says.

And she has re-created Unique Destinations, a tour-operating business to off-the-beaten-track destinations around the world.

“We are concentrating on the Cook Islands for now and will gradually build these tours and adventures to other unique destinations,” she says.

“The website will also contain my travel blogs and photographs.”

On a more personal note, Pip is in the process of writing a couple of books. One will capture the true nature of love, loss and grief, and the other follows in the footsteps of her Jewish great grandparents’ escape from the pogroms in Russia to resettle here with her grandfather and seven children in Australia.

“I am forever grateful to the community and my extraordinary network of friends who have gathered around me and supported me,” Pip says. RLM Images: Robert Bruce and Pip Orr

Instagram: piporr_photography. facebook: Unique-Photography-by-Pip-Orr. www.uniquedestinations.com.au.

ABOVE: Rob, Pip and Flynn at their cottage on “Stokefield”, Carcoar.

OUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCES ARE UNLIKE OTHERS – UNIQUE IN EVERY WAY Offering a selective range of unique experiences and journeys in hand-picked destinations around the world.

Each adventure is designed to reveal the true spirit and culture of a region. Our luxury tours and individual experiences explore culture, landscapes, history and local cuisine.

Unique Destinations is hosting free information evenings showcasing the Cook Islands in late February to early March in Orange, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.

Weekly packages to the Cook Islands start from $3,995.

Contact us for bookings to secure your place and for further information.

Our aim is to immerse, inspire and come away with a deeply rewarding experience.

CONTACT US

Ph. 1300 002 269 info@uniquedestinations.com.au www.uniquedestinations.com.au Photo courtesy of Cook Islands Tourist Corporation

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3/72 Jindabyne Road, Berridale Open Saturday 9am – 2pm theperfectpiece.org

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A U T U M N tourism

it’s all happening Charismatic country town Gilgandra certainly punches above its weight.

Travel just 45 minutes north of Dubbo to Gilgandra and you will be relishing in country and rural lifestyle at its best, with history, art, culture and more.

You will find high-octane excitement at Gilgandra Speedway, with family fun-filled and action-packed racing events just five kilometres from town. Events run monthly from November to May. The Gilgandra Show is held in May. The event is a fantastic family day out, with displays, demonstrations, rodeo, jumping dogs, speed shearing and children’s activities. And there’s another wonderful country show at Tooraweenah in October.

For the perfect family outing, attend one of the popular race meetings held at Gilgandra Racecourse throughout the year. The New Year Racing Carnival is one you won’t want to miss.

Get a taste of the local food and produce or take home a piece of unique local craft at the Gilgandra CWA Markets on the first Saturday of the month.

Enjoy, learn and engage with the variety of museums and galleries reflecting Gilgandra’s military history, Aboriginal culture and our local agricultural environment.

At the Coo-ee Heritage Centre, follow the trail of the 1915 Coo-ee March or delight in local produce, art, history and culture. Step back in time at the Gilgandra Rural Museum and experience Australia’s past preserved in the museum’s collection of inventions and memorabilia, including the invention of the Rotary hoe right here in Gilgandra!

Reinvigorate with a stroll on the Windmill Walk along the banks of the Castlereagh River.

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This charming town offers a selection of restaurants, cafes, bakery, retail stores and sightseeing right in the heart of Gilgandra.

With 1930s buildings, murals and the Cooee sculpture, Gilgandra is soaked in military history, art, culture and a relaxed way of life.

Gilgandra is a popular stop on the Newell Highway, whether you are caravanning, camping or looking for a place to rest your head.

Access Gilgandra’s dump point in the caravan parking area in the main street. Stretch your legs and have a barbecue at Hunter Park or let the dog off the leash at the Coo-ee Heritage Centre. RLM Images: Barbara Scott Photography, David Smyth, The Studio Door

At the Coo-ee Heritage Centre, follow the trail of the 1915 Coo-ee March.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Gilgandra Main Street; Coo-ee Bronze Sculpture; Castlreagh River; Winter Wonderland: shopping at central stores.

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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!

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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 stores, bakery, IGA, cafes and a plaza where you can sit down and take it all in.

www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au

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A U T U M N story name

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inspiration A U T U M N

glass half full William Rikard-Bell’s story of survival is epic but his winemaking skills are attracting all the attention these days.

In the Summer of 1999, a young William Rikard-Bell was faced with a life dilemma. Not particularly drawn to medicine, his family’s vocation of choice, William decided to undertake a Liberal Studies degree at the University of Sydney.

Working at a bottle shop in Pyrmont, and naturally seduced by the buzzing university lifestyle, William admits that throughout this period of youth, he applied himself more to developing a palate for wine rather than to his studies.

“Though as a student, it wasn’t particularly good wine that I was drinking, because I couldn’t afford it. But growing up, Dad always had a well-stocked cellar. There was always good wine on the table.”

During the holidays of 2001, William took a road trip to South Australia where he spent time wine tasting and getting to know the local growers. Coming from the small farming community of West Wyalong, good people and a sense of community were two values that William cherished. From what he could see, the wine industry provided both.

For the first time, William was suddenly sure of the path he needed to take. Within weeks, he had quit his Liberal Studies degree and moved to Wagga Wagga, to study Winemaking at Charles Sturt University. It seemed to be a natural fit, combining William’s previous studies, his love of wine and his fascination with the wine industry itself.

Keen to get going, 20-year-old William soon commenced his first placement at Canobolas-Smith winery in Orange, NSW, while studying externally.

“It was a fantastic time in my life. I learned so much from Murray Smith. He really shaped my head space regarding a minimal intervention ‘hands on’ approach to winemaking. It was 18-hour days, blues music and lots of partying. Then getting up and doing it all over again.”

Committed to a relationship with his girlfriend, Kimberley Booker, the couple moved around the country following work and each other.

William’s first graduate position was in 2006, as assistant winemaker at Drayton’s Family Wines at Pokolbin, in the Hunter Valley. Life was good and in late December of 2007, William and Kimberley became engaged. Only three weeks later, things would take a turn.

Arriving in stealth mode, the trauma of January 17, 2008, could never have been imagined. Like most who have endured a freak accident, William describes that morning as the beginning of a seemingly normal day. The couple had been for an early run, there was mince defrosting on the kitchen bench for tea, and both William and Kimberley were out the door for work by 7.30am.

The chief winemaker at Drayton’s winery, Trevor Drayton, was planning a trip to Newcastle that day and he was keen to discuss the work calendar with William, in preparation for his absence.

William first needed to instruct the cellar hands, whom he then sent outside to commence work. Running to catch up to Trevor, William suddenly saw a blinding flash, as the force of an explosion threw him to the floor.

Pushing off the ground to stand up again, it became apparent that the concrete was covered in a sea of burning liquid. The whole shed quickly ignited. William was on fire.

“I don’t remember the sound of the blast, but I remember every other minute detail, every thought. It was like it was happening in slow motion.”

With his first thought to get out, William ran through an opening in the shed made by the explosion.

“I saw the winery’s effluent dam nearby. I had to climb a fence, but I ran straight into the dam, all the way up to my neck.”

Staring back at the burning shed from the dam, William slowly began piecing together what had just occurred.

Meanwhile, Kimberley, a veterinarian, knew exactly how she would spend her work day. Dressed from head to toe in a moon suit, Kimberley was tirelessly vaccinating and microchipping horses in the midst of the equine influenza epidemic. Her phone rang at around 8am but she was busy, so she ignored it. When it rang again only a few moments later, she thought that she had best take it. Her brother, Justin, who was also working at Drayton’s while on university break, gave her a quick briefing.

“There has been an accident. William is in the dam. He’s been burned.”

Hearing the concern in her brother’s normally laid-back demeanour, Kimberley asked Justin to put William on the phone.

“All Will said was, ‘I can’t talk’. From that moment on, I never believed that he would die.”

Feeling boosted by the fact that William was able to talk at all, Kimberley raced to the winery, which was 30 minutes from her location at Singleton.

Back at the dam, Justin continued to talk to William in an effort to keep him conscious. Though he knew he had sustained some painful burns, William was relatively unaware of the extent of his injuries, even sharing a joke with Justin.

“Well, I am not going to look pretty for my wedding now.”

The longest 30 minutes of William’s life passed in the dam that day. When paramedics finally arrived and asked William to walk out of the dam, it was suddenly evident that William was struggling to move. As is often the case with full thickness burns, when the underlying cells begin to swell, the damaged skin’s lack of elasticity causes pressure, restricting movement and blood flow.

With assistance, William fell face forward onto the stretcher, and within moments, the administered drugs eased him from the pain, and temporarily, from the reality of the day’s devastation. William would not wake for several days.

Known for their fine fortified wines, Drayton’s Winery used ethanol in the production of their port. The ethanol tank, which held up to 35,000 litres of fluid, had only recently been filled. For whatever reason, that day, Eddie Orgo, a contract welder, had been welding near the tank. It is now believed that a spark from the welder had ignited the flammable gas inside. Trevor Drayton and Eddie Orgo did not survive the explosion. >

FACING PAGE: William Rikard-Bell has shown passion and dedication in his industry and has achieved outstanding results.

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When Kimberley reached Drayton’s Winery, William was already en route to the hospital via helicopter. Driving to meet him, calls to Kimberley’s mobile phone started coming thick and fast. Information and images from the accident had been leaked to national media immediately. It was reported that two people were deceased and that a third person had 80 per cent burns to their body. An image of William in the dam was splashed all over the news. Before Kimberley knew the extent of William’s injuries, or had even reached his bedside, the outside world had been informed.

There is no hiding the seriousness of a medical crisis from a family with a strong medical background. William’s father, Dr Hal RikardBell, a seasoned medical practitioner, called his family as he drove to meet William at hospital. He informed them all that the likelihood of William’s survival was small. The family came and gathered around William at Concord Hospital in Sydney. The prognosis wasn’t great; burns to 80 per cent of his body, including full-thickness burns to 70 per cent of his body.

At the time, William was 27. The medical rule of thumb when calculating someone’s percentile chance of not making it, is to add your full-thickness burn percentage to your age. The maths did not look good.

When William woke four days later, his first memory is of his fiancee Kimberley.

“She told me where I was and the seriousness of my injuries. From that point on I had one job: to get better.”

Within hours of reaching the hospital, the operations had started. William was first subjected to an escharotomy, a procedure where incisions are made extensively over the body to release the pressure caused from fluid build-up. The purpose of escharotomy is to continue blood flow to the extremities and to aid in the limbs’ general survival.

When William was well enough, skin grafts commenced. This procedure included the harvesting of William’s healthy skin, repeatedly.

“It was amazing having a doctor as a father. He knew exactly what to ask to ensure that things happened, without being too intrusive.”

With numerous operations, and having lost up to 15kg, getting better was no easy task. If the operations weren’t enough, William remembers the day he met his physiotherapist.

“It was on day 12. He looked at me and said, ‘You’re going to walk today’. I remember thinking ‘but I can’t even sit up!’”

Frank, a large man, who William later affectionately coined, ‘my physioterrorist’, was true to his word. That day William did walk.

Though William recounts that it was more like being dragged upright down the hospital hallway. Determined to become well and return to his old life, William insisted that they try again that afternoon.

“That’s how I handled everything. I did double what they asked because I just wanted to get well and get out of there.”

For five months, William worked extensively with Frank to regain movement in his joints. This often meant forcefully bending elbows, wrists, knees and knuckles, and splitting the skin covering his joints again and again. Eventually, after 18 months, William’s movement was restored and was no longer restricted by scar tissue.

With the love and support of his entire family, and around-theclock care from Kimberley and his mother Megan, William focused on each day and every small step in fostering his recovery. He was released from hospital after two months.

After 18 months, William was well and returned to Drayton’s as the chief winemaker for the next two vintages.

“I had unfinished business. In honour of my old boss and the wines we had made together, there were things that I needed to do there.”

William married his love, Kimberley, in 2009. Contrary to any previous concerns, and by all accounts, both William and Kimberley looked “pretty” that day. There was much to celebrate.

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William married his love, Kimberley, in 2009. Contrary to any previous concerns, and by all accounts, both William and Kimberley looked “pretty” that day.

William appeared at a coronial inquest regarding the accident in 2011. It was difficult as the accident was very much now something in William’s past. He’d moved on with his long-term plans.

William’s defining story begins where his winemaking career began, back in Orange NSW. With William’s ability to regulate his own temperature now impaired, the couple moved back to the cooler wine-producing climate in 2010. However, Kimberley says that that had always been their long-term plan.

“Will was always excited by the cool-climate varietals and the quality fruit that could be produced in Orange.”

Now with two small children, Adelaide, 5, and Olivia, 2, William is excited about his new family and his life as a local winemaker.

Having recently commenced producing under his own label in 2015, William enthrals over the prospects of his own cellar door and his future intention for Rikard wines. His dedication to wine producing, described by Kimberley as the couple’s third child, has not gone unrecognised.

Most recently, William was recognised with the highly coveted honour of being included as a five-star winery in James Halliday’s 2020 Wine Companion. Rikard wines received a 95 point or above rating for their 2017 Black Label Chardonnay, Black Label Pinot Noir, their Shiraz and their Pinot Noir from 2017. Rikard wines were also awarded for being in the top 10 new wineries in Australia for 2019.

One might sense that William has now grown somewhat tired of telling a story that now neither defines nor serves his future. This is quite understandable; William’s future is undoubtedly bright.

As the conversation shifts to his current winemaking practices, life beams from William’s eyes. The excitement in his voice is palpable. But he is quick to downplay his recent achievements, preferring to extend his product rather than his words.

When asked how William would like to be defined, his answer is simple.

“My wine will speak for me.” RLM Words: Catherine Player Images: Zenio Lapka

ABOVE: William and Kimberley, his devoted wife and business partner, are planning an exciting future for Rikard Wines.

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

style & substance Narrandera’s Morna Knight has had her fair share of adversity but a commitment to living life to the fullest has always served her well.

It’s impossible to forget a woman like Morna Knight.

Dubbed the June Dally-Watkins of Narrandera, this muchloved, pint-sized, National Party stalwart is well known for her exuberance and impeccable style.

Dolled up in her trademark bright glasses, red lippy, colourful ribbon and stilettos, Morna is one of the district’s most recognisable characters.

For the past 25 years she has lived alone in her comfortable homestead on “Top Island” surrounded by old photographs, a collection of old lamps and precious memories of days gone by.

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Born in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, Morna was happy at home milking cows and immersing her days in farm life at “Cranbrook” near Temora. Her father was born in South Australia but arrived with a bullock team in 1901 after a long and arduous journey.

“They stayed at Hay where they were given some old rams to eat,” Morna says over a cup of tea. “It must have been a real delicacy after months of bully beef. They got no further than Temora, reasoning the good soils would produce great fields of wheat.”

popular local identity A U T U M N

The family started afresh as the colony united in Federation.

Her father built a rammed earth house and young Morna attended a one-teacher school in Narraburra. She was one of the last students to ride a horse to school before the introduction of school buses.

When she turned 11, Morna was sent to boarding school at Monte Sant’ Angelo in Sydney. Her only brother boarded at St Joseph’s College.

For five years she caught the Temora mail train. She loved mixing with young girls from all over the country and is still friends with some of her school chums 70 years later.

At boarding school she developed an appreciation of music, especially the piano, which helps explain her 40-year association with the Leeton Eisteddfod.

After finishing her Leaving Certificate in 1949, Morna was strongly encouraged by her father to return to “Cranbrook”, despite having arranged a pharmacy apprenticeship in Sydney.

By then most of the Italian POWs had long gone but the few who stayed had beautiful singing voices, were great cooks and enjoyed a culture built on family love. Many a night was spent singing around the piano, washed down with generous portions of homemade vino.

She remembers feeding the big old draught horses and ponies but it wasn’t all work and no play. During her decade on the farm, Morna rarely missed a ball from West Wyalong, Hillston and Cootamundra. There was only one proviso to asking her out: you had to be a reputable, country gentleman.

“I would be picked up in a ute with the standard corsage of flowers and box of chocolates. The same went for the Saturday night flicks. Looking back, it was a very gracious time,” she smiles.

Thanks to her schooling and efforts at tech, where she studied millinery and dress making, she was offered a job as music mistress at West Wyalong. That’s where she met Don Knight, a dashing young pilot doing the mail and newspaper run, eating breakfast at the Tattersall’s Hotel.

“A Wagga agent had invited me to the agents ball, the go-to ball of the day, and I asked Don for a free ride, and that was how it all started.”

After their marriage in 1962 they moved to Narrandera, starting their aircraft charter business, Knight Air. It was a very different life to music and farm work but Morna took to it like a duck to water.

“Aviation was kind to us. My husband and I tried making our business a professional one. I did all the bookwork and most of the refuelling, which involved the Flying Doctor and NSW Air Ambulance.”

Eventually they moved with their two teenage children onto their small farm as demand for their services went skyward.

“We started to get sheep and cattle dealers requiring Don’s services to all points north and west of Longreach and Blackall and as far as Kununurra. We flew politicians, including neighbour and (recently departed) great friend Tim Fischer, to funerals, weddings and the like. They were exciting times and we never knew what the next day held.”

By then Don had flown to America several times to collect second-hand aircraft, finishing the nail-biting Pacific crossing in three long stages. Running out of fuel was always a major concern and the champagne flowed freely on his safe return.

A truly dark day

All his years of experience in the air couldn’t prepare Don for the events of July 28, 1995, a day Morna wishes she could erase from her memory. It was the day when Don’s flying days came to a crushing end.

“It was a really putrid day and I rang Don after he had refuelled in Longreach. The agents on board had enjoyed a successful trip, securing big lines of sheep over three days,” she says, trying hard not to get emotional.

Although it’s been 24 years, it’s never easy, just different. Morna was out the back talking National Party strategies on the phone before realising she had to set the table. Midway through cooking dinner she called Don. Don and his passengers were barely minutes from crashing.

He told his wife he’d lost the artificial horizon on the plane’s navigational system and was experiencing problems. >

FACING PAGE: Always impeccably attired, Morna Knight loves all animals, none more than Bill, her dog.

ABOVE: Morna and late husband Don Knight in their younger days.

RLM 169

“Aviation was kind to us. My husband and I tried making our business a professional one. I did all the bookwork and most of the refuelling, which involved the Flying Doctor and NSW Air Ambulance.”

“In a nutshell he was having complete instrument failure over Coolamon in dreadful weather,” says Morna, who drove in a blinding storm to the airport. There was nothing. She tried calling again to no avail. Forever believing in Don’s flying abilities, she waited by the phone for news. The police arrived at 3am to confirm her worst suspicions.

The twin-engined Cessna 310 had crashed 15km north east of town, killing her husband and local identities Bruce Campbell, sonin-law David Larwood and Dallas Gooden. A pall of sorrow hung over the district for years.

“To think he flew all the way from America and here he was, only 10 minutes from home,” says Morna, forever thankful for their 35 wonderful years together.

In many ways the most shocking episode of her life propelled her into action. For the first time in her life she had time to devote to the local community, and Morna hasn’t missed an opportunity since.

As we talk, a dozen emus wander pass her side window. Later it was a huge mob of hungry roos. With 10,000 acres of forest behind her, Morna says it’s not unusual to see mobs in plague proportions.

“Despite living on my own, I’m surrounded by warm-hearted people,” she tells me. While Morna ducked into town to have some stitches removed, I discovered a lot more about these connections.

A rare insight

What do you do when you’re minding a complete stranger’s house and the phone rings? I answered and was glad I did. It was Margaret Luff from Wagga Wagga, who was happy to spill the beans on her great friend.

“Morna has a great network of friends, works with the Catholic church, drives everywhere, runs the farm and is involved with absolutely everything. She’s really quite an amazing woman for her age,” she tells me.

Anything else? “I think she had elocution lessons. She’s very correct, everything has to be Morna’s way. Impeccable manners.

Loves the champagne and nice food. Generous and thoughtful.

Would never come to your place unless she had a food basket.”

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A few minutes later the phone rings again. This time it’s Joyce Jessop from Narrandera, another faithful friend who has known Morna for 50 years and rings each day to check on her welfare.

“First of all, let me tell you Morna is very active for her age and impossible to keep up with,” she laughs. “She thrives on people.

Once you are friends with Morna you are friends for life. Being active is her way of life and keeping busy keeps her going. You can tell her I’m very fortunate to enjoy her friendship.”

Morna is now back and ready to continue her story. She’s an attentive listener and voracious reader, especially when it comes to her favourite newspapers The Land and The Australian.

“I certainly enjoy my independence and a glass of champagne on special occasions,” she laughs, handing me a bottle of bubbles to open.

Morna has a way of turning every small gesture into a grand occasion.

I steer the subject to children and her eyes light up. Daughter Mary-Ann Selosse joined the NAB, has three adult children and works on the Gold Coast, while son Michael works for Caltex in Toowoomba and has a young daughter.

Morna has endured many highs and lows in her life but has always bounced back stronger than ever. In 2012 her house was submerged in a foot of flood water for 10 days.

For many years she was chief cattle steward at the Narrandera Show while running a small Murray Grey herd. With the drought, her farming enterprise is on hold, leaving more time as a representative on the local traffic committee for the Leeton and Narrandera Shire.

“Life is for living and no matter what happens, you have to keep going,” she tells me. “I certainly try. I love my silverware, crystal glasses and champagne but what I most enjoy is being me.” RLM Words: Jake Lindsay Images: Zenio Lapka and Jake Lindsay

ABOVE: Morna always encapsulates style and class; Morna’s beloved late husband, Don Knight.

Annual Scroll Saw Network Bi Annual Exhibition in conjuction with Goulburn Region Woodworkers Family friendly wood show & craft fair 16 & 17 May 2020 / Sat 10am-5pm Sun 10am-4pm • • • • • 233 Wheeo Rd, Goulburn New South Wales, 2580

Exhibitors Workshops Food stalls Jumping castle Face painting

Entry Adults $10 Family $15 (2 adults + 2 children)

Ph: 0412 015 435 james.daly13@bigpond.com

Veolia Multi Purpose Hall Goulburn Show Ground, Braidwood Road, Goulburn

www.goulburnwoodies.com

Glenelm

GUEST COTTAGE BERRIDALE

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

BOMBALA SHOE SHED NSW BOMBALA

Mens, ladies + kids shoes Country clothing and accessories Leather handbags and wallets Cabello, Django & Juliette, Ringers’ Western, Thomas Cook, Wrangler, Grosby, New Balance

147 Maybe St, Bombala P. 02 64584045

A beautifully presented three bedroom, two bathroom cottage in a lovely three acre garden setting.

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.

258 DALGETY RD, BERRIDALE

CONTACT TINA – M. 0414 804 347 E. TBEISER@BIGPOND.NET.AU

B R OW N L I E SHEARING Shearing contractors. Servicing the Monaro area for the last 20 years, providing reliable and professional shearing services.

Selling Heiniger Shearing Products.

M. 0428 774 464

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hashtag success story The woman behind the #buyfromthebush phenomenon, Grace Brennan, says community spirit is at the core of a simple idea that went viral.

What prompted you to start Buy From The Bush?

I grew up in Sydney but married a farmer and now live on a sheep and cropping property about 70km from Warren in western NSW. I have seen the impact of drought on individuals and our local community over the past few years and have watched hope and energy slowly evaporating over time. As local farmers and households reduce their spending, the impact on small business in the bush is enormous. When a friend told me that her family were ‘buying from the bush’ for their family Kris Kringle I thought it was a brilliant idea.

I created an Instagram account to showcase the beautiful things to buy from bush communities facing drought, and encouraged people in the city to invest in the future of our rural communities through a spot of online shopping!

What was your reaction to the growth and interaction on social media?

The rapid growth of Buy From The Bush was astounding. It really shows the power of community-driven action. The connection between the city and the bush is incredibly heartwarming. In the lead-up to Christmas there was a real sense of gratitude from both the city and the bush. People in the city felt enabled to help and make a difference while bush communities felt valued and supported.

How successful was the Christmas market?

The Buy From The Bush pop-up market in Martin Place was an enormous success. Thousands of people browsed the stalls and supported the bush businesses. People from surrounding office buildings wandered through as well as people who had travelled in from the suburbs to support us.

The event was largely organised by Millie Fisher from Warren and Gemma McFarland from Sydney.

Event company GPJ and Harry The Hirer donated their time and resources to coordinating logistics and setting up stalls. City of Sydney Council also supported the event. Without these contributions, the market would have been impossible.

What has been the feedback?

Feedback from businesses has been really positive.

For some, the campaign has saved them from closure. For others, it has allowed growth at a difficult time. Sales have allowed them to pay

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household bills, cover the cost of water supplies, fix farming infrastructure damaged by bushfires, buy more stock and pay wages. It has also enabled business development like the creation of websites, for example. Many businesses have grown their social media following significantly, which presents wonderful opportunity for the future. Customers have also reached out to us to say how grateful they are for having been introduced to such beautiful products.

Where to now?

We have lots of plans for Buy From The Bush. The initiative is less about crisis relief and more about sustainable support for rural communities in the long term. We aim to facilitate much stronger connections between city consumers and bush business and in a broader sense bridge that gap between the city and country. RLM Images: Zora Regulic

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Martin Place, Sydney, the venue for the #buyfromthebush Christmas market; Gemma McFarland with Grace Brennan; Rosie and her team from Rosie’s Honey Mustard Dressing were run off their feet at the market; Clancy and Jock from Tents’n’Trees, Young, sold out of their handmade Christmas trees; Sarah Cannon did a roaring trade selling her illustrations and paintings.

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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A U T U M N story name

ENDLESS possibilities Helping young people to achieve and flourish is the mantra of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bathurst.

A dynamic network of 33 primary and secondary schools nurtures 9000 students in a significant portion of the Central West, stretching across 103,680 square kilometres from Coonamble in the north, Cowra in the south, Lithgow in the east and Eugowra in the west.

Executive Director of Schools Christina Trimble is proud of the academic excellence achieved at small and large locations within the diocese.

While key learning areas are an important focus, innovative programs help students develop essential skills to support success at school and beyond.

“Right from Kindergarten, the aim is to set students up to be successful learners,” Christina says.

“Students develop social and emotional skills and learn to work in teams. Solid foundations are built in literacy and numeracy and great intervention programs support and extend students.”

Personalised learning is provided in a safe, inclusive, nurturing and challenging environment.

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Schools offer state-of-the-art technologies, vocational training resources and a wide array of curricular and extra-curricular activities.

A range of opportunities allows students to strive for success in state, national and international arenas.

Students at one school in the diocese are working alongside researchers from the University of Sydney to help medical teams in Vietnam enhance detection of breast cancer. The collaborative research has involved travel to Vietnam.

Students in Year 9 and 10 recently won a prestigious CHOOSEMATHS award in Melbourne after getting creative beyond the classroom by bringing their understanding of mathematics to life on film.

Year 11 students who achieved success at state level in the Young Scientist Awards said the positive result was due to the great way they worked with their Science teacher and laboratory assistant.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) students excel at state level, with triumphs including Vocational Education Student of the Year.

Agriculture students perform well at local shows and have opportunities to compete at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show. Each year schools and students receive significant awards at local eisteddfods.

The diocese acknowledges the Wiradjuri, Gamilaraay and Wailwan peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands, and indigenous students are encouraged to be proud of their heritage.

Awards received by indigenous dance students are regarded as a celebration of Aboriginal culture.

“A whole suite of things occurring within the diocese reflects what is happening in our primary and secondary classrooms,” Christina says.

“None of that could happen without expert teachers who have great passion and commitment.

“They never stand still and are always looking for the next opportunity to best support the unique potential of each of our students.

“Recent recognition for teachers has included a nominee in the Prime Minister’s Maths Award, an Australian Maths Trust Award for quality teaching and a national award for mentoring girls in Mathematics.

“The great things happening in our schools and our mantra of helping students to succeed and flourish matches beautifully with what parents have said during a review of the NSW curriculum.

“Feedback shows parents want their children to be educated in the core skills of literacy and numeracy.

“They also want rich and varied learning experiences to assist students to develop attributes of successful learning, including critical thinking, curiosity, communication and collaboration.” RLM Words: Heather Crosby

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Agriculture is a popular subject at St Johns College Dubbo; Kindergarten students are excited to start the day at St Philomena’s Bathurst; students from James Sheahan Catholic High School Orange celebrate Aboriginal culture in dance ABOVE FROM TOP: Ali Ridha, Haider Ali, James Joseph, and their Science teacher Jose Sunny from St Johns College Dubbo recently travelled to Wollongong to be presented with a silver medal at the prestigious STANSW Young Scientist Awards; students discover new worlds in the library at St Matthews Mudgee.

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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

Ready for learning

kindergarten program

Your child’s journey begins here!

Encounter St Joseph's Catholic School Oberon New South Wales 2787

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Achieve Phone: 02 63 36 1384 Email: stjosephsoberon@bth.catholic.edu.au Principal: Jaydem Hadson

Flourish

space to excel

Start Fresh Finish Strong SAVE THE DATE:

Strong Central West 2020 Conference

STEM Innovation Centre coming soon

Thursday, 30 April Friday, 1 May Scots Campus, Bathurst Modern and progressive, diverse learning opportunities, on campus co-educational boarding and parent accommodation, a smart choice for regional and rural families, affordable quality education close to home.

Talk to us on 02 6331 3911 to secure your child’s place

scotsallsaints.nsw.edu.au A Presbyterian Co-educational Day and Boarding College for students Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 in Bathurst, NSW RLM 177

care & responsibility Empathy, knowledge and insightful guidance are at the heart of W Larcombe & Son Funerals in Dubbo.

Paul and Barbara Carter’s funeral business provides superior care, service and support to Dubbo and wider communities in times of loss.

Paul and Barbara entered the undertaking and monumental masonry industry in 1995 after purchasing Gilgandra Funerals.

In 2003, they bought Shakespeare Funerals in Dubbo, H Logue and Sons Funerals in Wellington and Russell Everingham Funerals in Narromine.

In 2008, Dubbo’s iconic St Andrew’s Uniting Church was acquired as a funeral chapel.

The Carters also established well-known Dubbo floristry business Flowers on Talbragar.

Barbara says coping with the loss of a loved one and the resulting mix of emotions can be overwhelming.

“As professional funeral directors we are able to assist with every aspect of burial and cremation, providing a service that is unique to the individual and designed to exact requirements.

“Having our own funeral chapel and florist helps to make things easier for families.”

The sandstone Romanesque chapel building includes beautiful characteristics of the late Federation Arts and Crafts period.

Many of the special features, including pews, the cross, altar and stained-glass windows, were donated by local families.

“St Andrew’s is an ideal venue for small or large funeral and cremation services,” Barbara says.

“Quite often families choose to have a private burial or cremation prior to or after a memorial service.”

The chapel has a linkway that can be utilised for larger services, and the wellequipped kitchen, hall and garden courtyard are available for after-service refreshments.

The building has centralised air conditioning and state-of-the-art audiovisual outlets and displays.

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ABOVE: Barbara and Laura Carter are very proud of the caring and compassionate service they are able to provide to the community.

business A U T U M N

“We understand that families require flexibility when making decisions and encourage our clients to create a meaningful service that honours their loved one.”

The chapel is also available for wedding celebrations. Paul and Barbara and their staff are able to assist with venue hire, bell toll, floral arrangements for the church and bridal party, music for the ceremony and a dressing room.

Refreshments can be provided for guests between photography sessions and the wedding reception.

Barbara says flowers have a significant role to play when saying goodbye to a loved one.

The experienced team at Flowers on Talbragar are skilled at creating visual expressions of sympathy, love and respect with beautiful tribute flowers, bouquets, wreaths and casket sprays.

The florist is open to the public and also provides flowers for weddings, receptions and special occasions including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries and get well wishes. Same-day delivery is offered.

Barbara says funerals and other special services are influenced by traditions, customs, religious practices and individual preference.

There is no standard practice or set pattern of events that is right for everyone.

“We understand that families require flexibility when making decisions and encourage our clients to create a meaningful service that honours their loved one.

“Funerals don’t have to be held in a church or chapel – they can be outdoors or in a venue of significance.

“One memorable service for a race caller was held at a turf club and the hearse did a lap of the track as a race commentary was played over the audio speakers.

“Sometimes families want to take the coffin home to paint or decorate with photographs, handprints and messages of love. We encourage people to be as individual as they wish.”

Barbara says pre-paid funerals are becoming an increasingly popular option.

People are able to plan and pay for the funeral they want, safe in the knowledge that family and friends won’t have to deal with financial concerns or the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka

ABOVE, FROM TOP: General Manager Barbara Carter with her daughter Laura Carter, Manager of Shakespeare Funerals; magnificent floral arrangements are a trademark of Flowers on Talbragar.

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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

Flowers on Talbragar

St Andrew’s Chapel

The experienced team at Flowers on Talbragar know how to convey the perfect sentiment through beautiful tribute flowers, bouquets, wreaths and casket sprays.

A non-denominational Chapel for funeral and memorial services, after-funeral functions, weddings, and bereavement seminars.

1/52 Talbragar Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6885 3242

72 Wingewarra Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6882 3199

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 freeflowing atmosphere.

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 180 RLM

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.

Paul & Barbara Carter

AVAILABLE NOW

15A Lambert Street, Bathurst Ph. 02 6331 8900 M. 0414 715 185 office@inoutbathurst.com

Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: 9am-2pm After hours phone mobile

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

INOUTBATHURST.COM

A U S T R A L I A N O W N E D A N D M A N U FA C T U R E D

• Bathrooms • Ceilings • Walls • Restoration • Kitchen Splashbacks • Cupboards • New Buildings

Pastel – oil – acrylic paintings – charcoal drawings 407 Freemantle Rd, Mt Rankin (12km from Bathurst CBD)

(02) 6332 1738 sales@pressedtinpanels.com 2 2 VA L E R D , BAT H U R S T N S W 2 7 9 5

w w w. p r e s s e d t i n p a n e l s . c o m

M. 0404 641 768 E. karenjamesartist@gmail.com ®

Gallery & studio is open the first full weekend of each month or by appointment.

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A U T U M N lifestyle

sweet hearth Fireplaces have become a sophisticated and stylish element in traditional and contemporary home designs.

There’s nothing cosier than gathering around the radiant warm glow of a fire during the winter months with family and friends.

Since its establishment in Australia 37 years ago, Cheminees Philippe Australia is now the leading supplier and installer of an impressive range of French-made fireplaces, from one, two-, threeand four-sided, and freestanding options of wood combustion heaters, to real flame gas models.

The expansive Sydney showroom also boasts a large display range of AGA cookers, Rayburn combustion stoves, Falcon ovens, handcrafted Shaws fireclay sinks, and Nicolazzi tapware on display, available for inclusion in new home building projects and renovations throughout regional and metropolitan NSW. “We liaise with architects, builders, interior designers and home owners to ensure we are delivering the highest quality, high performing and beautiful designs in our ranges,” Litsa Cremen says.

“The wood fire is still our most popular choice for homes in regional areas, especially because we find that wood is more accessible with timber located on farms, and a larger area can be heated. It’s also certainly a more efficient and cleaner way of heating a space because our product is carbon neutral.”

It was in 1997 that Litsa’s husband Shannon began working for the then owners of the business in installations and sales before taking over the NSW operations in 2006. “(The former owners) really wanted to ensure that through new ownership, the business would remain as a family operation, and it certainly has, with our brother and nephew now joining the team.

We hope one day our sons Jonathon, 16, and Alexander, 9, will be involved too,” Litsa says.

There is an increasing range of fireplace options to suit different designs and home architecture, and all are required to meet new emissions testing guidelines.

“There are so many more options from modern styles, to more formal and traditional looks, while others have a rustic design.

We’ve also seen an increase in freestanding fireplaces where the homeowner can actually see the mechanics of the fireplace as well, instead of hidden behind a mantel and in a chimney. It can be a work of art that can be appreciated, even when not being used.”

Litsa and Shannon have been involved in many projects in regional NSW, with various new home projects and installations, not only of fireplaces, but the traditional features of the AGA stove range and country-style butler’s sinks are also a popular design element included in new building projects and renovations in country and Hamptons-style homes.

“The AGAs have evolved over the years to become more efficient to match our climate, while still being the cast iron cooking appliance that people know and love. It’s a specialised product we fell in love with when we went to a cooking demonstration several years ago.

“We actually own one of the Cheminees Philippe fireplaces and an AGA cooker, so we know firsthand how they work and we really enjoy passing on this personal knowledge through all our sales as well.” RLM Words: Rosie O’Keeffe

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FROM TOP: Cheminees Philippe Radiante 700 3v firebox: part of the display in the Sydney showroom.

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: AGA ER3 100i cooker in Dove and the AGA Total Control 3 cooker in Black; Petit Godin wood fireplace.

A U T U M N home decor

shining

examples Dubbo retailer Lighting & Living has a treasure trove of inspiring products just right for room makeovers, complete renovations and new builds.

W e’ ve

m

ov ed

!

Offering a wide selection of interior and exterior lighting options, fans, homewares, gift lines and furniture, Lighting & Living has been a popular destination for shoppers for 25 years.

Accountant Mark Richardson was seeking the challenge of a new career when he bought the business (formerly known as B & B Lighting) in October 2013.

The name was changed to Lighting & Living in March 2017, to better reflect the expanded range.

Mark and staff member Kylie Neave have 10 years of combined experience in the retail lighting industry and understand the importance of selecting products that are aesthetically pleasing, functional and energy efficient.

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 Visit us in our new location at

90 Victoria Street Dubbo NSW 2830 P. (02) 6884 8000

lightingandliving.com.au

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The Lighting & Living showroom is designed to provide customers with an interactive experience.

“Making the right selection is so much easier when you can see products in action,” Mark says.

“We carry a wide range of stock to suit all styles, tastes and budgets.

“Customers come from the Dubbo region and throughout central and western NSW. “While most people prefer to come into the store, we also have a website for those who wish to shop online. Delivery can be arranged for all products at competitive rates.

“Our Facebook page provides regular updates about what is happening at Lighting & Living, with new products and promotions.

“Customers are very aware of design trends. We are willing to show people a range of options that would suit their décor or style.”

LED is the latest in energy efficient lighting, offering significant savings on power bills. Lighting & Living has an extensive range of LED lighting available.

The store’s homewares range extends from artworks, wall décor, mirrors, signs and clocks to mats, cushions, lanterns, statues, frames, ceramics and much more.

“A lot of people come in to buy gifts for friends and family or something special for themselves,” Mark says. RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka

Lighting & Living trades six days a week, from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 2pm on Saturday.

ABOVE: Owner Mark Richardson enjoys his role at Lighting & Living; unique products adorn the welcoming showroom.

A U T U M N story name

right at home Swapping major infrastructure work sites for café culture has been a satisfying life change for the owner of The Coffee Club in Dubbo.

Greg Wynne loves being back in his home town and enjoys building a rapport with customers attracted to his business by good food and great coffee.

His new working routine is a far cry from the 30 years he spent as a project surveyor involved in multimillion-dollar developments in London, Vancouver and across the eastern seaboard of Australia.

The work was challenging and rewarding but in recent years Greg felt a yen to step away from the treadmill of metropolitan living.

“I wanted to do something completely different and ended up doing a 180 degree turn in life,” he says.

Greg initially laughed when family members suggested coming home to Dubbo to take on the new coffee shop available in the redevelopment of the Orana Mall shopping centre.

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He knew The Coffee Club was a trusted brand and after doing some research took a leap of faith into the unknown.

“I wasn’t even a big coffee drinker,” he says.

“But it was the right decision for me. I now tell people that a gap year is wasted on young people before they start university.

“In my view, it is better to take a gap year in your mid-50s to put things back into perspective.”

Greg grew up in Dubbo when the regional city was much smaller.

His family home at 270 Macquarie Street was the last residential dwelling in the central business district.

“My father had stables out the back and I used to ride down the main street on the way to pony club,” Greg recalls.

“I have always had an interest in horses and being back in Dubbo

story name A U T U M N

gives me more time to spend with my thoroughbreds.�

The Coffee Club has a good reputation and is popular with locals and visitors who flock to Dubbo to visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo and other attractions.

Greg enjoys meeting people from all walks of life and looks forward to seeing regular customers, some of whom stop by for coffee several times a day.

The menu features a range of signature coffee blends and other beverages and a variety of meals just right for breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon tea. RLM Words: Heather Crosby Images: Zenio Lapka

The Coffee Club trades from 7am to 3.50pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm Saturday and 8.30am to 4pm on Sunday.

FACING PAGE: The Coffee Club in Dubbo has a welcoming vibe attracting many customers on a daily basis.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kitchen manager Mandy McCormack with Coffee Club owner Greg Wynne and store manager Jules Freeman; barista Alison Hawkins enjoys her busy role; standards are always high with beautifully presented food and a variety of drinks.

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Hall's Coffee Cottage Enjoy coffee surrounded by history

* 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�

6-88 Whitton Street, Narrandera NSW 2700 M. 0431 696 795 * Wed-Sun 8am to 4pm

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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

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 RLM 189

DIY DELIGHTS

The Ewe ‘n Me Restaurant at the Thunderbird Motel, Yass, delivers a relaxed and modern dining experience.

Dishes range from simple, expertly sourced and prepared steaks to slow-cooked wonders and modern dishes, like these.

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story name A U T U M N

Lamb Rump with Rustic Ratatouille LAMB RUMP Ingredients 4 lamb rumps 1 sprig thyme 2 cloves garlic (sliced fine) 20g salt and pepper Method 1. Season lamb fat side and meat side. Add thyme and garlic evenly to all rumps on meat side.

2. Cryovac lamb rumps ready for cooking.

3. Cook in a water bath at 60 degrees for 6 hrs.

Remove from water bath and sear on hot skillet until a crust on skin side is achieved.

4. Turn rump and sear meat side until caramelised to desired.

5. Slice.

RUSTIC RATATOUILLE Ingredients 2 red capsicums (sliced) 2 green capsicums (sliced) 2 medium zucchinis (sliced) 2 baby eggplants (sliced) 15 whole cherry tomatoes Method 1. In a hot pan, fry each ingredient for a few minutes and finish in a moderate oven.

2. Once cooked, add tomatoes and return to oven for 5 minutes.

3. Set rustic ratatouille aside until needed.

Mushroom Tortellini with Sweet Pea and Fetta Salad PASTA DOUGH Ingredients 250g 00 flour 80g (approximately 4) egg yolks 1 whole egg 5ml olive oil 2g salt Method 1. In a medium bowl combine flour and salt.

Make a well in the flour, add the slightly beaten egg yolk, egg and oil and gently mix together (a fork is a great tool here). The mixture should form a stiff dough. If needed, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons water.

2. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for about 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Wrap the dough in cling wrap and let rest for 30 minutes in the fridge.

4. Remove dough from fridge and again on a lightly floured surface, knead dough for about 5 to 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Rewrap and return to fridge for at least 10 minutes.

MUSHROOM FILLING Ingredients 200g button mushrooms (diced 2-3mm) 50g Enoki mushrooms 50g Shimeji mushrooms 20g Shiitake mushrooms (sliced thinly) 2 French shallots 2 golden shallots 2 sprigs thyme leaves 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced Salt to taste 20g butter Method 1. Add butter to a hot fry pan and sauté all mushrooms and diced shallots.

2. Once mushrooms are almost cooked (this will not take long), add the garlic, thyme and salt and continue to sauté until mushrooms are fully cooked.

3. Season with more salt if required.

4. Cooked mushroom mix can sit to cool while you roll out pasta.

CARAMELISED ONION Ingredients 3 brown onions (sliced thinly) 30g butter Salt and pepper to taste 20ml sherry vinegar Method 1. Slowly stew sliced onion over a medium to low heat with butter.

2. After onions have become translucent increase heat slightly to caramelise.

3. Deglaze pan with sherry vinegar and season to taste.

SWEET PEA AND FETTA SALAD Ingredients 100g peas (frozen are fine) ½ Spanish onion (sliced fine) 50g Persian fetta 10ml vinaigrette 50g snow pea tendril/ leaf Method 1. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl and set aside until ready to serve.

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A U T U M N recipe

Banana Spring Rolls with Lemongrass Bavarois and Caramelised Banana BANANA SPRING ROLLS Ingredients 10 spring roll wrappers 4 bananas 20g five spice 100g sugar 1500ml water

Method 1. Slice banana into quarters and then eighths.

2. Simmer banana slices in water, sugar and five spice mix until soft but not mushy.

3. Cool to use for spring rolls.

4. Once cooled, roll into spring rolls.

5. Deep fry till golden brown.

LEMONGRASS BAVAROIS Ingredients 250ml milk 250ml cream 200ml coconut cream 3 egg yolks (whisked) 2 gelatine sheets 2 stalks lemongrass 20g sugar

Method 1. Combine milk, cream, coconut cream, sugar and lemongrass and bring to slow simmer.

2. Add to egg yolks slowly and return to heat.

3. Reach 82 degrees and remove from heat, continuing to whisk.

4. Add gelatine leaves and whisk until dissolved.

5. Pour into moulds and set until needed.

Images: Zenio Lapka

192 RLM

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 U T U M N country recipes

country comfort food These tried and true recipes have pleased many a guest at the home of Country Cuisine Writer Lorraine Hills.

PRINCESS PUDDING The Princess Pudding, or the Queen, as the meringue forms her crown, goes back many generations.

The yolks of the eggs are used for the custard, and the whites for the meringue on top.

You can enjoy this dessert after any main as it is not heavy.

Ingredients 225ml full cream milk 225ml cream

2 tsp orange zest (1 orange)

½ cup sugar

1 dessert spoon sweet orange jam in each bowl

5 egg yolks

For meringue

2 cups white bread crumbs (day old is all right)

5 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup sugar

Method 1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees.

2. Spray or lightly butter the small bowls or a small oven proof dish.

3. Spoon jam into the bowls.

4. Put milk, cream and vanilla essence into a saucepan and slowly bring to a gentle boil.

5. Beat sugar with egg yolks until light and fluffy. Slowly add the warm milk.

6. Add the breadcrumbs and orange zest.

7. Bake the pudding in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the mixture rises and sets (it will wobble a little).

8. Take from oven and let cool.

9. Increase oven temperature to 190.

MONGOLIAN-STYLE LAMB SHANKS This recipe would be one of the favourite modern recipes we regularly share with guests.

It is made in a slow cooker and served with mashed potatoes and baby green peas or your choice of greens, and sprinkled with spring onions.

10. In a large clean bowl beat egg whites to form stiff peaks.

11. Add the sugar, a tablespoon at a time.

12. Place meringue on top by piping or with a spoon.

13. Return puddings to oven for 10 minutes to slightly brown.

14. Enjoy while warm.

Ingredients

3 tsp minced garlic

4 small shanks

½ cup soy sauce

2 tbsp corn flour

1 knob fresh ginger, diced (about 2 teaspoons)

Pepper and salt to season 1 tbsp canola oil

¾ cup dark brown sugar

2 medium brown onions, sliced thinly

¼ cup warm water 2 tbsp chilli sauce

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

Spring onions, cut on slope for presentation

Method 1. Warm the slow cooker.

2. Coat the lamb shanks in corn flour.

3. Heat oil in fry pan and brown the lamb shanks.

4. Place in the warm slow cooker.

5. Then add onions, carrots, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sugar and chilli sauce.

6. Pour water over the top of all the ingredients.

7. Turn slow cooker on high for three hours, then turn shanks over and switch slow cooker to low for an hour.

8. When time is up, skim oil or fat off the top and thicken with a little corn flour if needed.

9. Have ready mashed potatoes and baby peas to serve.

10. And lastly sprinkle with green spring onions.

Recipes and images: Lorraine Hills 194 RLM

Little Rustic Pantry taste

P R E S S Coffee Roasters, Cafe & Events

Great food Excellent service Seriously good coffee

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

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

“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

RLM 195

COUNTRY

CLASS

Dubbo Rhino Lodge is highly regarded as one of the most outstanding event and accommodation destinations in regional NSW.

196 RLM

Set in bushland near the world-famous Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Rhino Lodge offers luxury glamping, stylish function rooms, restaurant, two bars, al fresco areas, children’s playground and landscaped grounds.

In demand as a wedding, celebration, conference, dinner and entertainment venue, Rhino Lodge is popular with local residents, visitors to Dubbo and holiday makers exploring the region.

Accommodation is available in 14 sumptuous safari tents with en suite bathrooms, designer furnishings, reverse-cycle air conditioning and patio areas with seating.

The timber-floored tents feature beautiful four-poster queen beds draped with mosquito netting, flat screen TV, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. Each tent has an individual parking area.

Rhino Lodge is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, family vacation or catch-up with friends.

One- and two-bedroom glamping options cater for individuals, couples, families and groups. Disabled facilities are available.

Breakfast is available daily.

The unique blend of peaceful bush, luxury amenities and rustic charm provides an unparalleled guest experience with opportunities to breathe fresh country air, encounter friendly wildlife (including kangaroos and cockatoos), and stargaze at uninterrupted skies, free from light pollution.

On-site accommodation is particularly attractive for wedding and special-occasion groups using the impressive function facilities.

Stone walls, exposed timber beams, stunning lighting designs and attractive vineyard-style gardens provide the perfect background for small and large events.

With purpose-built facilities and customised services, Rhino Lodge is perfect for both wedding ceremonies and receptions.

The beautiful garden, ceremony pavilion and seating area can be decorated to suit any wedding style or number of guests. Wet weather back-up options are available.

The in-house catering department provides an extensive range of gourmet options and food service packages, including canapes, plated meals and shared feasts.

Experienced chefs work with clients to create menus to suit every occasion and budget. A wide selection of wines, beers, ciders and soft drinks are available.

The Lodge Restaurant and Bar is open to the public from 6pm on Friday and Saturday nights and from noon on the first Sunday of every month when popular music sessions are held.

With a full menu and wood-fired pizzas on offer, there is something for everyone. The children’s menu includes a meal, ice block and Busy Nipper activity pack.

A courtesy bus is available. Bookings are advisable.

Rhino Lodge offers a quiet and relaxed retreat for corporate events, from intimate training sessions in the sophisticated boardroom to large keynote conferences in the beautifully styled industrial chic hall.

State-of-the-art business facilities include audio-visual equipment, whiteboards, flip-charters and break-out areas as required.

Morning and afternoon teas and a range of lunch options and post-conference canapes are available.

Events can be staged in the function room, boardroom, ceremony garden or back garden.

Detailed information about function facilities, seating capacities and accommodation options can be obtained by visiting www.dubborhinolodge.com.au.

Highly trained, experienced staff work hard to ensure a visit to Rhino Lodge is truly memorable. RLM Words: Heather Crosby

FACING PAGE: Fabulous wedding receptions are a highlight at Rhino Lodge.

ABOVE, FROM TOP: The safari tents provide the ultimate guest experience; the talented hospitality team and the diverse range of quality facilities are a feature at Rhino Lodge.

RLM 197

Riverside Retreat on the Edge of Town

329 River Drive, Narromine

Situated 20 minutes from Dubbo, 329 River Drive is one of the few small acreage blocks boasting Macquarie River frontage plus excellent water scheme. The property features a contemporary homestead with a generous floorplan and beautiful attention to detail.

Built in 2009 (approx), the picture-perfect residence includes all the modern appointments you would expect in a home of this caliber complemented by a homely charm that flows through the sizeable bedrooms, multiple living areas and fantastic outdoor areas. Beyond the immaculate and private house yard, the property includes several paddocks offering stables, chicken coop, large garage/workshop, machinery shed and accessible riverbanks making this property the ideal choice for the horse enthusiast or those wanting a private recreational getaway at the end of a busy week.

Call to arrange your inspection anytime Jim Kelly Monica Henley

M. 0428 283 857 M. 0410 615 505

E. jim@petermilling.com.au E. monica@petermilling.com.au

www.petermilling.com.au

• DUBBO •

WE COME TO YOU!

Poolwerx Dubbo offers pool and spa servicing to rural NSW residents, including Mudgee, Narromine, Parkes, Gilgandra, Warren, Nyngan, Coonamble and Walgett.

Regular Servicing • On Demand Servicing • Green Pool Clean Up Dust Storm Clean Up • Pool Chemicals & Equipment

CALL US TODAY TO BOOK 02 6885 5381

142 Erskine Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 www.poolwerx.com.au 198 RLM

$670,000

4

2

4

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

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that’s the

SPIRIT

The street-level signage is deliberately low key, offering revellers no idea of what awaits them at the top of the stairs.

But don’t worry, it’s all part of the intrigue of Dubbo’s new cocktail bar.

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lifestyle A U T U M N

Once you step inside The Establishment you’ll definitely know you have arrived. It’s an underground world of mystery and intrigue, live acoustic music and friendly bar staff who love sharing their cocktail secrets.

Reminiscent of the prohibition “Speakeasy”, this hidden gem is tastefully decorated. A few well-placed sofas and tables add to the atmosphere, while the sensual voice of Norah Jones wafts gently in the background.

A new private function room out the back is the perfect spot for a raucous hens night, cocktail-making classes or private whisky tastings as well as social gatherings.

The Establishment is a stone’s throw from The Old Dubbo Goal, one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. In the 1920s, inmates could only dream about a soothing cocktail at the end of the day.

It was the same in America during the strict Prohibition era, when the only drinking was generally carried out in sly, underground joints with a jazz club vibe – the same feel owners Robert and Tenelle Bond have recreated in downtown Dubbo.

“We felt there was a niche in the market – a stepping stone to a great night out. It’s equally nice having somewhere to go for a coffee and cake after the movies, or after dinner drinks, where you can relax and chat in a quieter environment,” Tenelle says.

The Bonds, with two young children, moved back to Dubbo five years ago after living on the Gold Coast. For several years Tenelle served coffee and light refreshments from her 1950s Bondwood caravan while working on her plan to introduce some slick city sophistication to her home town.

“We have a great range of spirits, which we initially thought would attract the menfolk,” she laughs. “In truth, we probably have more ladies coming here – it’s not a pub feel; they feel safe and love the intimacy and vibe.”

There’s something for everybody (including $5 beers during happy hour) but most patrons come to enjoy a mouth-watering cocktail or that special blend of hard-to-find rum or scotch.

A few critics have suggested drinks are over-priced but that’s hardly the case. Most cocktails come with two nips. When you do the maths it turns out to be good bang for your buck.

“We create our cocktails for individual tastes and, more importantly, to suit your mood,” Tenelle says.

“We rarely have to say anything about dress code. The place speaks for itself, and people feel that the moment they walk in.

Having said that, it really is the perfect place to dress up. It’s great for one-on-ones and singles nights. Our clients don’t feel pressured to come with a group.”

The Bonds make a formidable team. “Robert is the yin to my yang and helps with all the behind-the-scenes work to make the operation flow,” Tenelle laughs.

There’s always something new happening.

By the time you are reading this, the Bonds will have a special whisky den out the back, the likes of which you’ve never seen. You can buy a bottle of your favourite spirit and place it in a secure locker that’s yours for however long it’s rented.

It’s a great gift for those who love their spirits. And it means you can purchase a unique bottle and know it will be there on your next visit.

It’s also great for corporates to bring colleagues around for a quick drink after dinner without having to return to the bar and pay.

Tenelle says many of her customers are new to town.

“We tend to get a lot of professional types, who shouldn’t have to drive to a large cosmopolitan centre to experience this level of luxury.”

I nod my head in agreement but the truth is, all this talk about exotic cocktails and living the dream is making this weary, rum-loving journo a tad thirsty. Any chance of a Mai Tai? RLM

FACING PAGE AND ABOVE: Tenelle Bond loves serving great cocktails and hard-toget spirits at her tastefully decorated premises. The Establishment has plenty of cosy spots to unwind after a hard day’s work.

JOIN US ON A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME TO EXPERIENCE “THE SPEAKEASY” WITH AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF SPECIALTY SPIRITS, CREATIVE COCKTAILS & GOOD TIMES. Monday 6pm–Late ◊ Thursday–Sunday 4pm–Late

Hidden away in the alley beside the gaol, this is an experience you’ll want to keep revisiting.

Suite 2, Level 1, 88 Macquarie Street Dubbo, NSW 2830 www.establishmentbardubbo.com.au /establishmentbardubbo

Words and images: Jake Lindsay

RLM 201

from the

ground up Wallington wine is truly local, with every part of the process carefully executed on site.

202 RLM

business success A U T U M N

“Grenache is perfectly suited to our climate.

It loves the heat and it can produce wines that are pretty and elegant as well as structured and robust.”

The grapes are harvested by hand, hand-processed, bottled and labelled all on site, meaning they have complete quality control and a truly genuine product.

Margaret admits she is thrilled for Steve and Nadja to be taking over, enabling her more time to spend with family in Alice Springs and Queensland. Every year she also walks the Camino Trail in Spain and Italy, something she loves.

“Steve is a very innovative winemaker and is passionate about the work we do here. It was time to make way for younger blood with fresh ideas.”

The cellar door has been open for 20 years and is used for functions with wood-fired pizzas and grazing plates.

Wallington wine is distributed throughout the Central West but if you’re driving through the area, a visit is highly recommended. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

FACING PAGE: Steve Mobbs is the new man in charge of Wallington Wines.

The vineyard is holding up well despite the dry conditions.

LEFT: Wallington Wines owner Margaret Wallington checks the vines with passionate winemaker Steve Mobbs.

Every winemaker aspires to one day having their own label.

For Steve Mobbs, that dream turned into reality the day he took over the reins at Canowindra’s Wallington Wines in 2017.

Owner Margaret Wallington planted her first grapes in 1991 and is taking a back seat to pursue other interests.

Steve is engaged to one of Margaret’s daughters, Nadja, who is a winemaker at Philip Shaw Wines in Orange. They work together to craft the wines and take the brand forward.

From a young age, Steve knew what he wanted to do with his life. Having grown up on the family vineyard in Wauchope, Steve went directly to study winemaking at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga before spending the next 15 years refining his craft.

Learning from the best in California’s famous Napa Valley, New Zealand, Germany, Canada and Australia, Steve brings plenty of experience to his demanding new role, including four years winemaking at Cumulus Wines in Orange.

With Barnacle the black Labrador by his side, he is constantly monitoring the 6.5 hectares of grapes, 700 olive trees (used for oil production) and 250 Dorper ewes on the certified organic and biodynamic farm.

Steve crafts seven different wine styles – four within the Wallington Bald Hill range and three within his Dreaded Friend range. Grenache is a focus of his winemaking.

“Grenache is perfectly suited to our climate. It loves the heat and it can produce wines that are pretty and elegant as well as structured and robust,” Steve says.

The past few years have seen the property in drought.

“Conditions have not been this bad since establishing the vineyard nearly 30 years ago,” Margaret says. “Yields are down but the quality for which Wallington Wines are famous, has never wavered.”

Come and visit us at our strawbale winery. Taste through our range of organic and biodynamic wines with Steve and Margaret.

Call ahead to book an appointment.

Grazing boards available by request or feel free to bring a picnic.

Visiting from out of town?

Stay in our newly restored Winery Cottage; a beautiful old pise farm house overlooking the farm, vineyard and olive grove.

82 Lawrences Rd, Canowindra 0427 732 895 info@wallingtonwines.com.au www.wallingtonwines.com.au

RLM 203

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

204 RLM

133 Maybe St Bombala, NSW Phone 6458 3510

Bumble Bee Wraps Making plastic free living both stylish and functional for the modern day household.

As an avid fabric hunter, Deb makes sure her cotton wraps are as beautiful as they are practical.

Naturally antibacterial, made from 100% Cotton, 100% Australian Beeswax, Jojoba Oil and Pine Resin

E. buybumblebeewraps@gmail.com Shop online: bumblebeewrap.net

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 RLM 205

A U T U M N story name

playing it

straight Eugowra’s newly reintroduced Golden Plough event is an opportunity to step back in time.

206 RLM

story name A U T U M N

Ploughmen and ploughwomen harnessed up their horses with the aim of ploughing the straightest and neatest furrow.

FACING PAGE: Setting the scene: John Reedy and son Joey, from Wallabadah, with horses Ho and Maud.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Darren Gavin, Trunkey Creek; Alex Berzins, Exeter, with his team, Will and Hash; Jason Gavenlock, Cowra, with his team, Jiggy and Tom, winners of the Golden Plough 2019; Darren Gavin, Trunkey Creek, with horses Grace and Barney; judge Chris Chapman, Darren Gavin, Trunkey Creek, Jason Gavenlock, Cowra, with judge John Marshall; the judges look for detail; John Marshall and Chris Chapman.

The Golden Plough is a celebration of the contribution that the Australian Draught Horse has made to the nation and agricultural history, and a rare opportunity to see these magnificent horses in action.

Hosted by the Western Branch of the Australian Draught Horse Stud Book Society, the 2019 event was held in Eugowra over the June long weekend and saw ploughmen and ploughwomen harness up their horses with the aim of ploughing the straightest and neatest furrow. With three past winners coming to cast their eyes over the furrows as judges, the competitors needed to be at the top of their game, and they were. The Golden Plough winner was Jason Gavenlock, of Cowra. >

RLM 207

S U M M E R business inspiration

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Alex Berzins, Exeter, ploughing under the watchful eye of the judges; smiles all round, the winner of the 2019 Golden Plough Competition, Jason Gavenlock, Cowra; 93-year-old Eugowra identity Wilf Norris catches up with Alex Berzins; Darren Gavin, Trunkey Creek, with Grace and Barney; Jason Gavenlock (eventual winner) with his team Jiggy and Tom; Joey Reedy, 12-year-old poet and heavy horse enthusiast from Wallabadah; John Reedy, Wallabadah, with Ho and Maud.

There was also a log snig competition, wagon rides, demonstrations of horses cutting chaff and pumping water, and more. And it didn’t end when the sun went down, as camp ovens simmered, poetry was recited and songs sung, all with loads of good humour.

Based on the quality of the ploughing and the excellent spectator turnout last year, after an 11-year break, the event will be held again this year, continuing the long tradition of working horses and an event that began in 1976. RLM Words: John Rae Images: Zenio Lapka

208 RLM

– 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

RLM 209

among friends Merv’s Eatery is a little Orange cafe with a big heart.

Emma and Ben Murphy opened Merv’s Eatery, on Anson Street, Orange, three years ago.

Ben was born and bred in Orange, and Emma hails from Dubbo. They now live at Springfield with their three children, Archie, Gwen and George, who attend Nashdale Public School.

The couple started Merv’s with limited opening hours (7.30am-3pm, Monday to Saturday) in order to “develop a pleasant work environment and to ensure a quality work-life balance for our family”.

The decor is minimalist yet friendly, the atmosphere alive and buzzing. White walls with hanging terrariums bring almost a Scandinavian feel to the room. The staff are cheerful and welcoming. It’s a place you feel

210 RLM

you’d like to spend the afternoon, working or just hanging out with a friend.

The menu at Merv’s has something for everyone. From vegan bowls and green smoothies to Southern fried chicken burgers, Emma feels they have perfected the menu. “Everything sells. There’s no real speciality dish. The healthier options on offer mean we’ve managed to pick up the health section of the market.”

Everything is made from scratch on site by the skilled and loyal staff. Where possible, they source produce locally. Last year, the cafe’s vegetables came from Emma and Ben’s home garden. Their (delicious) coffee comes from Little Roasters in The Blue Mountains.

“We will always support the little guy. We are the little guy; we know how it feels.”

business A U T U M N

“We don’t get passing traffic; we are a destination,” Emma says. “We have become part of customers’ lives. Some people just need that welcoming feeling. I think it’s what sets us apart. We actually care about people. It’s rewarding for us, and it makes coming to work worthwhile.”

Ben and Emma are heavily involved in local charities. The business runs two coffee trucks, which are sent out on daily runs. Each morning they visit places where people struggle to get into town, such as Oak Tree Retirement Village. The trucks also attend events like Molong Rugby or the footy carnival at Kinross School in Orange, as well as large charity events such as the Carcoar Show field day and the charity day for CanTeen in Cook Park. “It’s just so much fun

A hidden gem in the CBD of Orange.

The business runs two coffee trucks, which are sent out on daily runs. Each morning they visit places where people struggle to get into town. to be at these community events, out amongst people. We never promote the trucks, people approach us. We get inquiries every day.”

Merv’s hours may extend in future but for the moment the couple are managing to have Sundays as family time. “It’s the one day that the kids are guaranteed to have their parents around and we all look forward to it. We love our Sundays. We want to go to a cafe, we love doing that!” RLM Words: Kerri Ambler Images: Zenio Lapka

Merv’s Eatery is open Monday to Saturday, 7.30am to 3pm.

FACING PAGE: Ben and Emma Murphy are the friendly faces behind Merv’s Eatery.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Delicious food and outstanding coffee are the norm at Merv’s Eatery; Emma’s coffee trucks provide a very popular service; Merv’s Eatery has a welcoming ambience; Emma’s friendly staff enjoy interacting with their many customers.

We get it.

Brilliant service Outstanding seasonal menus Certified organic + fair trade coffee

186a Anson Street Orange, New South Wales

Ph. 0418 483 151 mervseatery@gmail.com

Mon - Fri 7:30am - 4pm Sat 8am - 3pm

RLM 211

a garden LEGACY

Colin and Diane Hardy’s garden is a thing of immense beauty but its allure transcends mere aesthetics. At the heart of this garden is the endearing and enduring legacy of Colin’s mum, Lurline Louise.

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story name A U T U M N

Nestled in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains near Tumbarumba, ‘Karbethon’ is surrounded by farmland and expansive pine forest plantations. This well-maintained garden is one of the district’s oldest and is much loved by Colin and Diane Hardy and their family.

The region usually enjoys reasonable rainfall (although 2019 proved a challenging year) and an elevation of 640 metres is ideal for growing cool climate plants, including a wonderful range of deciduous and evergreen trees. Continuing a tradition begun by his late mother Lurline Louise, Colin and Diane have embraced her love of gardening and over the past six decades have developed the garden into a beautiful showpiece.

The property, once including 2800 acres of farm land and radiata pine forest, has been in the same family for four generations. These days the property is smaller – 282 acres of hobby farm running cattle, with approximately 4.5 acres of garden surrounding the house. In 1952, a devastating bush fire destroyed the original family home and garden. Sixteen years later in 1968, Colin’s mother entered and proudly won the Tumbarumba Shire Homestead Garden Prize in the renowned Sydney Morning Herald Garden Competition.

Like many gardeners, Lurline enjoyed reading lots of books about plants and landscaping and was influenced by the famous Australian garden designer Edna Walling. Lurline created the top and bottom gardens and those around the house, and together she and Colin built the stacked stone walls along the curved driveway in Edna Walling’s characteristic style. Sadly, Lurline died at the age of 53, passing on her great love of gardening to Colin and his family. Colin says he and Diane wanted to complete the garden for his mother. In doing so, they have created a very beautiful and relaxing country garden.

Among the great legacies left by Lurline are the magnificent trees found throughout the garden. Colin has added many more varieties over his tenure. Mature European and towering native trees spread their broad dense canopies over much of the garden, providing wonderful areas of light and shade. Among the selection are several massive Pin Oaks, many Elms, golden Gleditsia, Manchurian Pears, Chinese Elms, Ash, Pistachio and Horse Chestnut trees. Maples feature too, including Sugar, Box Elder and Japanese. The trees’ varied foliage creates delightful textural contrast and seasonal interest.

There are many favourites including a huge Liriodendron or Tulip Tree with unusual goblet-shaped leaves and green cupped flowers. A towering Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) tree in front of the house was grazed by straying cattle in its younger days, and now features a three-pronged trunk.

The combination of high altitude, cool nights and sunny days creates ideal conditions for brilliant autumn foliage display from the many deciduous trees at ‘Karbethon’. Vivid colouring of Nyssa, Chinese Pistachio, Claret Ash and Liquidambar are highlights.

The garden slopes gently down from the house following the lay of the land towards the road. Open areas of sweeping lawns create a park-like feel in contrast to the wooded areas that are enclosed by the dense tree canopies. >

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Beautifully designed and constructed, the verdant tunnel of the Manchurian pear walk is a horticultural triumph; beds filled with roses and perennials feature among the park-like grounds; flamboyant bearded iris; elegant burgundy cut leaf maples add foliage contrast among the layered plantings.

RIGHT FROM TOP: Garden makers Colin and Diane Hardy; pretty spring blooming ‘Ioensis’ crab apple; striking blue Clematis smothers a screen; an oversize pear sculpted by Colin is a focal point among the trees.

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A U T U M N story name

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story name A U T U M N

LIKE MANY GARDENERS, LURLINE ENJOYED READING LOTS OF BOOKS ABOUT PLANTS AND LANDSCAPING AND WAS INFLUENCED BY THE FAMOUS AUSTR ALIAN GARDEN DESIGNER EDNA WALLING. Broad garden beds in the open sunny areas are edged with low box hedging and feature flowering standard ‘Iceberg’ roses. These beds are also filled with pretty seasonal perennials including tall foxgloves, penstemons, species gladioli, forget-me-nots and gorgeous tall bearded iris. An unusual pinky-peach rose with a painted centre named ‘For Your Eyes Only’ is displayed as a specimen on a pillar. A bank of ‘Crepuscule’ shrub roses features along the driveway, and apricot ‘Buff Beauty’ is lovely by the front path.

To the left of the driveway the land slopes up a gentle rise. A landscaped entryway features low boulder walls, compact ‘Tom Thumb’ Euonymus hedges, strappy agapanthus and topiary lilly pilly specimens. The entry leads to a spectacular Manchurian pear walk designed and built by Colin in 2002. Over a large arched metal framework, he then painstakingly trained and pruned two rows of ornamental pear trees up and over, forming a long verdant tunnel. During spring, white blossoms are very pretty with their falling petals reminiscent of snow. There’s also a rich golden autumn foliage display and the bare winter framework allows sunlight into the walkway beneath. Inside the tunnel hang metal cut-out plaques with the names of many family members, beginning with Lurline Louise in memory of her huge influence in all their lives.

At the top of the archway, beneath a mature spreading Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) tree is a bench perfectly positioned to sit and view the garden. The surrounding area features sweeping lawns and groups of ornamental trees, including a handsome grove of 13 silver birch trees underplanted with flowering Hellebores. Flowering and fruiting crab apples (Malus ioensis) create a pretty spring display. Colin’s handiwork in the form of an oversized barbed-wire pear and a welded metal bell sculpture are focal points among the lawns and trees.

Trademark Edna Walling low stacked rock walls feature along the driveway and are filled with attractive ornamental shrubs, lovely roses and flowering seasonal perennials including lavender, daisy, agapanthus, scented geraniums, seaside daisy and silver foliaged lamb’s ears (Stachys).

In front of the house, densely planted beds are a rich tapestry of foliage colour and contrast. A rare dove or handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata) drips with white bracts, and the deep burgundy foliage of cut leaf weeping maples punctuates the greens. >

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Attractive red fruiting crab apple; a rich tapestry of colours together with contrasts of light and shade create a wonderful ambience; a pair of pines feature along the rock walled driveway garden; at the front of the house, a meadow-like lawn lays beneath the shade of a multi trunked Nyssa or Tulip Tree; velvety bearded iris blooms in spring; Colin’s handiwork, including this metal bell sculpture, features throughout the grounds.

RIGHT FROM TOP: Topiary and clumping agapanthus edge the landscaped entry to the pear walk gardens; a striking pillar rose named ‘For Your Eyes Only’; garden urn sits among the maple foliage; this relaxing garden is clothed in foliage from the ground to the tips of the towering trees.

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A U T U M N story name

An open sunny area behind the house is hidden from view by a screen swathed in fabulous blue-flowered Clematis vine. Raised galvanised vegetable beds are filled with perennial herbs and spring edibles. Nearby fruit trees are netted when fruits begin to ripen as the cockatoos don’t like to share the harvest.

Although this is a large garden, Diane says it doesn’t require as much maintenance as it appears. Through the year they do most of the work themselves, including a lot of lawn mowing and find constant weed control is necessary in this large garden. During winter they employ assistance with pruning and tidying up.

Water sourced from a spring-fed dam and good soil are ideal for growing plants. Colin’s technique as “a great feeder”, applying plenty of chook manure and blood and bone, maintains very healthy plant growth.

The sound of birdsong in the garden is just gorgeous. The many trees and dense plantings provide wonderful habitat and nectar attracting plentiful birdlife, including fairy wrens, magpies, king parrots, bower and black birds.

There’s a lot of love in this garden. Diane describes feeling wonderfully energised when she’s out in it. A favourite spot is the seat above the Manchurian pear walk. “It’s a delightful place to sit on summer evenings before sunset,” she says.

Colin and Diane are very comfortable with the garden, and feel there isn’t much more they would like to do, though they can picture a low rock wall on either side of the oak tree in the bottom garden. “The younger generation might help with that . . . we’ll see what happens,” she says. RLM Words: Elizabeth Swane Images: Robert Bruce

footnote: On January 5, 2020, the Tumbarumba fires went through part of Karbethon. Though the house was saved, part of the garden was damaged. The family extends their thanks to the RFS for the wonderful job they have done in the local area.

‘Karbethon’ has opened many times for charities including the Tumbarumba Tastebuds Festival held annually during spring. www.visitsnowyvalleys.com.au

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Apricot ‘Crepuscule’ roses and heat resistant red salvias massed along the driveway; stone paving and rubble walled entry to the pear walk gardens; a pretty dovecote set among lush green camellia foliage and spring flowers; a mass display of bright and cheery valerian beneath towering gums; family name plaques hang from the framework inside the pear archway; the productive raised vegetable gardens with a backdrop of espalier fruit trees.

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While visiting the beautiful Snowy Monaro, make sure you stop at one of our newly upgraded playgrounds.

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Saddle making & leather carving schools available.

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nirvana

one stop short of

No journey to Northern India would be complete without a visit to the home of the 14th Dalai Lama, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Catching the overnight train from Jaipur, some 750 kilometres to the south, was an adventure. My sleeper was shared with a beautiful family of six, two from each of three generations. Daadee (Grandmother) decided that she would stay awake all night to mind the luggage, so I was soon off to sleep, and the only challenge of the journey was negotiating the squat toilet on a lurching train.

Alighting from the train at daybreak, I discovered I must have been the only tourist

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on board. Everyone else scuttled from the railway platform as quickly as beetles, while I explored the possibility of a taxi.

As the daylight took hold in Pathankot, the delightful Kangra Valley was magically revealed. Luscious greenery abounded and to the north was the white snow-topped Dhauladhar range, part of the majestic Himalaya.

As we crossed swiftly flowing Baner Khad, there was a quick glimpse of a dairy farm – the only time I saw cattle in captivity in

three weeks. All other cows had been of the sacred variety, freely roaming the streets, roads and homes. Even the dung was sacred and collected by women for kneading and drying into dung cakes – for use in ceremonies.

Ascending the hills, the dark green leaves of tea bushes glistened in the sunshine, reminders of the past British occupancy.

The original plantations were established more than 150 years ago, using seeds brought from China.

travel A U T U M N

The Kangra Valley provides just the right temperature range and amount of precipitation to develop the unique flavour of this area.

The local tea industry has weathered more than its share of ups and downs, including political turmoil, and an earthquake. The tenacity of the local people keeps this variety of tea alive, with most owning less than two hectares of land.

Arriving at Dharamshala, I walked the length of the town, and had the only altercation with a local on my whole trip.

An elderly man took a liking to my bag, and he was hard enough to shake that I quickly resolved to hire a scooter.

Finding a scooter was fun. The Royal Enfield is so enormously popular with locals and tourists alike; there seemed to be no scooter for hire anywhere. Creative thinking coming to the fore, I bought a pair of “sapphire earrings� and the jewellers sister-in-law had a scooter she was prepared to hire out since we were of a similar age.

Putt-putting my way up to McLeod Ganj, I was on an absolute high. The day was totally glorious, the sun streamed down and lifted me up, the air was crisp and a wonderful Himalayan fresh. The road was full of hairpin turns and potholes, sacred cows, dogs, and school children. Lining the road were magnificent deodar cedar forests.

I could not help but think of my mum and her long-lived monumental deodar in the driveway back home. The drop-off from the road provided truly magnificent views of Dharamshala and the International Cricket Stadium that the locals were immensely proud of.

An Anglican Church dedicated to St John of the Wilderness is nestled into the hillside, surprisingly reminiscent of a European fairy tale. The church looked rather out of place, but there were a couple of tourist buses parked nearby, indicating that we were close to McLeod Ganj.

The traffic thickened quite suddenly.

There were taxis, jeeps, buses and so many people! I felt like all eyes were upon me as I parked the scooter, and then quickly blended in with the eclectic crowd.

I headed straight to the Tsuglagkhang Temple, and arrived just in time as the scores of Tibetan monks began to chant. I was completely enraptured and could have sat forever.

The famous temple chai was poured for every man, woman and child, from an amazing pot that never seemed to empty.

The whole visit was gloriously surreal.

Leaving was hard, but I had booked to go for a horse ride, so had to keep on. The hill station of Dharmakot was a bumpy 20-minute taxi climb. >

The famous temple chai was poured for ever y man, woman and child, from an amazing pot that never seemed to empty.

FACING PAGE FROM LEFT: View from a temple; Travel Writer Madi Simmons.

ABOVE FROM TOP: The deodar forest; the magic teapot at the temple; tea plantations in Kangra; Tibetan Prayer Wheels at Kalachakra Temple.

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A U T U M N travel

The Eagle’s Nest offers incredible v iews of the snow-capped range, the forests and the valleys, and there are no roads and few people to interr upt the pleasure.

Walking the last four kilometres through the deodar forest, I finally reached the Eagle’s Nest Hotel. This amazing abode is yet another memento of times gone by, taking the imagination straight back to the days of former British rule.

This was a summer house, a place to escape the gruelling heat that the early colonists from Britain would have found excruciating.

Sheila Sedgwick, originally from the UK, has spent many years lovingly restoring and expanding the hotel. Each room is uniquely furnished, eclectic in detail, and in keeping with the surrounds.

The exotic Moghul Suite was richly furnished, and the Dhauladhar Room had wonderful views of the mountains. The Eagle’s Nest offers incredible views of the snow-capped range, the forests and the valleys, and there are no roads and few people to interrupt the pleasure.

I was escorted to a precipice, 2100 metres above sea level, with a bird’s-eye view of McLeod Ganj, and beyond that Dharamshala, and even beyond that the valleys of the Kangra.

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Sitting on a bench of rock, I enjoyed a wonderful pot of hot coffee (the best I had tasted since leaving home) and the company of a black sheepdog.

To the merry sound of a violin, an elderly English academic by the name of Felix appeared, somewhat like a leprechaun. A frequent visitor to the Eagle’s Nest, he liked to play the fiddle to get his creative juices flowing.

Sheila and her neighour, Felizitas, a German lady who has also lived on the mountain for over 30 years, and I set off on our steeds, each one a quiet and obliging, hardy mountain pony. The ride was too brief, but absolutely beautiful.

The snow-capped Himalayas, the soaring eagles, the hint that we might see a leopard or bear – it all added up to my vision of Nirvana itself. My heart knows that I will return.

I have much admiration for these two ladies, who have lived here on the mountain for so many years, supporting each other through all of life’s adventures, while raising a family and running

environmentally conscious hotel and home stay businesses as well as being active and community members of the community in McLeod Ganj.

I absolutely recommend their homes, if you are looking for a base, far from the madding crowd, in pristine Himalayan air, only one stop short of Nirvana. RLM Words and images: Madi Simmons

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hardy mountain ponies of Dharamshala; sacred cows abound; Main street of McLeod Ganj; the Hotel Eagle’s Nest; exhilarating pony ride through the deodar forest; beautifully appointed rooms at the Eagle’s Nest.

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

Set amongst lush gardens the historic homestead ‘The Grange’ (est 1823) is a beautiful setting for a wedding or special celebration. Facilities for up to 120 guests, just 10 minutes from Bathurst. The property is also home to the Bathurst Grange Distillery.

Contact Sue Jones for enquiries Ph. 0487 456 524 www.bathurstgrange.com.au

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Back: RLM Publishers Alex and Elizabeth Tickle, Junee Mayor Cr Neil Smith, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cook, Mayor of Coolamon Cr John Seymour, Mayor of Temora Cr Rick Firman OAM. Front: Mayor of Snowy Valleys Cr James Hayes OAM and special guest Deputy Prime Minister and Member for the Riverina Hon Michael McCormack.

RLM SUMMER 2019 LAUNCH Coolamon The first Canola Trail Visitor Guide and the Summer edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine encourage visitors to explore the shires of Coolamon, Junee and Temora by highlighting the people, local businesses, attractions, places to stay and things to see and do.

Coolamon Shire Council Mayor John Seymour OAM warmly welcomed a room full of people to Coolamon for the launch of these two publications.

“One of the most rewarding and proudest roles as mayor is to introduce people to our region. We know what special places we live in, and through both the Regional Lifestyle Magazine and the Canola Trail Visitor Guide I can see these opportunities increasing,” he told guests including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, mayors and council executives from Coolamon, Junee and Temora Shire Councils, and Snowy Valleys Council Mayor James Hayes OAM. Both of these publications showcase the best our region has to offer with informative articles, local interviews and beautiful imagery.

“I encourage everyone to grab a copy at our local newsagents and Visitor Information Centres and share it with people far and wide to help spread the word of all we have to offer. Congratulations to three innovative councils committed to showcasing the best of our region,” Steph Cooke told the gathering.

Michael McCormack acknowledged these two publications as a great way to promote regional areas. “Regional Lifestyle Magazine is a fantastic example of what can be done in regional Australia. I urge and

222 RLM

encourage you to get yourself a copy and to also get a copy and send it to somebody who lives in a capital city. Wherever you go in the Canola Trail you’ve got friendly people and I often describe these places as big enough to get a good cup of coffee in, small enough to care.”

Temora Shire Council Mayor Rick Firman OAM officially launched the Canola Trail Visitor Guide, Heart of Gold. It’s an 84-page guide promoting everything our region has on offer.

Copies will be available across the region through Visitor Information Centres, major attractions and online.

“The launch of the visitor guide represents a significant step forward for the brand and for our cherished region. It further demonstrates the commitment of each shire to attract and enhance the overall visitor experience,” he said.

The Canola Trail Committee acknowledged the generous contributions from local businesses and Junee Lamb for their ongoing support throughout the guide and the launch night.

Regional Lifestyle Magazine publisher Elizabeth Tickle officially launched the Summer edition.

“This beautiful edition features 83 pages dedicated to the beautiful Coolamon and Temora area. These two publications will continue to entice many more visitors to this unique area,” she told the crowd.

The joint launch highlighted a great collaboration between councils and Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

For more information visit: www.canolatrail.com.au and www.lifestylemagazine.net.au. RLM Images: Sue Meikle

events A U T U M N

Laura Munro and Jess Inch.

Craig and Tanya Thorp.

Elizabeth Tickle, Cr Dave McCann OAM, Angela McCann with Marg Seymour.

Lesley and David Foster.

Jasmine Phillips, Rene Provis, Sarah Joseph and Alana Lesslie.

Sam and Matt Dart with Alex and Elizabeth Tickle.

Bill and Michelle Roberts.

Mayor of Junee Cr Neil Smith and Bronwen Mallaby.

Cathy Roberts and Jon Beer.

Catherine and Michael McCormack.

The de Hann family, Daniel, Andre, Keryl and Aaron with family matriach Renate Hussey.

Dyonne and Allan White, Glenn Sheehan, Mark and Patrya Cook and Virginia Stewart.

Deputy PM Michael McCormack, Temora Mayor Cr Rick Firman OAM, Cr Max Oliver and Glen Ross.

Craig Sinclair with Catherine McCormack.

Alana Lesslie, Craig Sinclair and Laura Munro.

Bree Wood, Karen Wood and Annie Stewart.

Coolamon Mayor Cr John Seymour OAM and Marg Seymour with Member for Cootamundra Steph Cook (centre).

Joanne and Chris Berry with Mayor of Temora Cr Rick Firman OAM.

Janice McClay and David Farley with Alexandra Harris.

Catherine and Michael McCormack with Mayor of Snowy Valleys Cr James Hayes OAM and Karen Hayes.

Leo and Marianne De Kroo.

Terry Olfe, Anita McAdam and Marcel Baur.

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A U T U M N events

RLM SUMMER 2019 LAUNCH Oberon

More than 40 Oberon identities celebrated the launch of the Summer edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine on November 17.

Although Oberon was featured in an earlier edition (Autumn 2016) the Oberon Council and the Oberon Business and Tourism Association (OBTA) were keen to profile their tourist attractions, charismatic characters and unique businesses across more than 40 pages in the Summer edition.

Mayor of Oberon Shire Council Cr Cathy Sajowitz warmly welcomed guests and spoke of the exciting collaboration with Regional Lifestyle and the pride she felt for the Oberon community.

Special guest for the ceremony was Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee, who was full of praise for Regional Lifestyle and the important role it plays in encouraging regional tourism.

“This stunningly produced magazine showcases the best of life in the country by telling the stories of the people and places that are the fabric of our country communities,” he said.

A highlight of the launch was a performance by the Ozy Youth Choir, honouring the Defence Service.

The Summer edition is sold at the Oberon Newsagency as well as most newsagencies across the state.

OBTA President Justin Enright, Mayor Oberon Council Kathy Sajowitz, OBTA Secretary Helen Lowe, Elizabeth Tickle and Member for Calare Andrew Gee MP.

Images: Sue Meikle

Oberon Mayor Cr Kathy Sajowich and Bill Wilcox (centre) with the Ozy Youth Choir and conductor, OJ Rushton

Helen Lowe, Pam Dellow and Meg Low.

Elizabeth Tickle, Craig Luccarda, Sue and John Curley.

Fran Charge with Sharon and Andrew Swannell.

224 RLM

Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee speaking about the Oberon Feature.

Denise Curry, Lorraine Hotham with June Evans and Stanley Evans.

Helen Lowe with Peter and Maria D’Arcy.

Tim Charge, Lucy East, Sally Parsons, Johnny East with Fran Charge.

Kevin and Stella McGrath.

Kim and Ian Mawhood with Barbara Mawhood.

Frank Crews, Sharon Swannell and Lynette Safranek.

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

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

Offering functions, birthday parties, weddings + more!

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.

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.

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.

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 Friday + Saturday: 10am - Midnight

Cnr Dart + Oberon Streets Oberon 2787 Ph. 6336 1607 manager@oberonrsl.com.au oberonrsl.com.au

Specia lisin Coach G g in & Distr roups ict Tou rs

Features Include:

• 33 Ground Floor Units • 2 with spas • Central Heating • Disabled Unit

• 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

NO MATTER THE BREED - WE’VE GOT THE MEAT YOU NEED! www.tattykeel.com.au

Australian White

Canadian Angus

Poll Dorsets RLM 225

Back Row: Peter Bradford, Ian Pirie and Jack Thurkettle, all from Harden, with Jonny Deppeler and Charlie both from Yass, Sam Thurkettle, Harden, Tommy Callahan and Alex Christian, both from Yass. Front Row: Chris Ash, from Yass.

HARDEN PICNIC RACES Harden The 39th annual Harden Picnic Races was a highlight of the district’s social calendar.

October 26, 2019, provided perfect race weather, and an excited crowd of more than 2000 people enjoyed a card of six races with over $29,000 in prizemoney attracting 33 horses and enthusiastic punters. Guests travelled from as far as Queensland, with horses coming from as far away as Moruya and Wangaratta.

The grounds, well prepared by volunteers, provided a fantastic backdrop to the 25 tents that hosted family gatherings, reunions and work groups.

Children were well catered for, with a variety of entertainment options including a jumping castle.

Young racegoers danced to the music of Chad Croker, who entertained the crowd through the day.

Fashions on the field are a much-anticipated and well-supported feature of the day. Many thanks to local and district business sponsors. Judges for 2019 were Alison Foreman and Simone Ward.

Many thanks for the continued support of local businesses and especially to the major sponsor, Graymont.

The 2020 event will be the 40th anniversary of the Harden Picnics on Cox Plate Day. The committee has already been fielding inquiries regarding sponsorship, tent bookings and date confirmation. RLM Words: Maureen Morse Images: Jennifer Harden

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Sophie Barnes, Harden, Claire and Grace Dadd, Mandemar, with Amelia and Felicity Hazlett, Mittagong.

events A U T U M N

Peter Redmond, Kristy Brown, Melissa Redmond, Barry Woods, and Luke Brown, all from Harden.

Talia and Amber Mckay, Nicole Sullivan and Jemima Mergard, all from Harden.

Sarah Fraser, Canberra, Ellie Barker, Michelle Howe, Allison Manwaring, and Chris Woods, all from Harden.

Cameron Fairfield-Smith, Vicki Fairfield-Smith, Maryanne Fitzgerald, Ev Shea and Graham Martin-Dye, all from Harden.

Charlie and Angus Davis, Young.

Jett Mcinereny, Cruz Brookes, and Tanna Brookes, all from Harden.

James Price, Coolac, Rick Knight-Gregson, Harden, Fenella Price, Coolac, Chloe Knight-Gregson, Harden, Sophia Knight-Gregson, Harden.

Front: Primrose Price, Coolac.

Samantha Haines, Boorowa, and Melanie Giacomin, Temora.

Karlee Barton, Mitch Turner and Olivia Howe, Harden.

Olivia Doolan, Harden, Ella Murphy, Cootamundra, and Marnie Schiller, Young.

Margo Mackellar, Sydney, Megan Sharman, Harden, and Yasmin Buckley, UK.

Quentin Baker and Fabian Beroukas, Queanbeyan.

Jemima and Amy Mergard, Harden.

McKenzie Tobin, Harden, with Kate Collingridge, Cootamundra.

Emilie Dhu, Sally Martin and Oliver Dhu, Canberra.

Molly Spackman, Lucy Spackman, Tennille Stevens and Katie Hearne, all from Harden.

Julia Wyatt, Courtney O’Keeffe, and Billie-Jo Johnson, all from Harden.

Edan Campbell-O’Brien, Bowen, Queensland, Hamish Dowson, Canberra, Charlie Fairfield-Smith, Harden, and Ben Lowe, Cooma.

RLM 227

A SEASON IN THE

country

WHAT TO SEE AND DO THIS AUTUMN IN COUNTRY NSW Glamping in Mayfield Garden 7 FEBRUARY – 12 APRIL

Mayfield Garden, Oberon Amy Hotham (02) 6336 3131 info@mayfieldgarden.com.au www.mayfieldgarden.com.au

Wellington Vintage Fair & Swap Meet 1 MARCH

Wellington Showground Jamie Gersbach 0467 286 464 wellington.vintage.fair@gmail.com www.dubbo.com.au

Mudgee Show & Rodeo 6 & 7 MARCH

Mudgee Showground Allison Beer 0412 815 827 secretary@mudgeeshow.org.au www.mudgeeshow.org.au

Boorowa Show 6 & 7 MARCH

Ballyryan Road, Boorowa Narelle Nixon (02) 6385 5217 0427 070 341 boorowashow@hotmail.com www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Spartan Race Oberon 7 – 8 MARCH

Oberon, (02) 6329 8210 tourism@oberon.nsw.gov.au visitoberon.com/events spartanraceoberon

Mumbil Markets and Music Festival 7 MARCH

Mumbil Oval Ben Penhall 0418 669 867 penhallb@bigpond.com www.dubbo.com.au/events

Hot Air Ballooning 7 MARCH

Mudgee Balloon Aloft 1300 723 279 balloons@ballonaloft.com www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au

Oberon Swap Meet 8 MARCH

Oberon Showground Emma Whalan 0408 698 987 tourism@oberon.nsw.gov.au www.visitoberon.com

International Women’s Day 8 MARCH

Boorowa Ex-Services Club Janene Hurley (02) 6384 2459 janene.hurley@hilltops.nsw.gov.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Harden Historic Truck & Tractor Show 15 MARCH

Harden Showground Kevin Sharp 0413 029 932 sharpfergy@hotmail.com www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Under Western Skies 21 MARCH

Dundullimal Homestead, 23L Obley Road, Dubbo SOMAD Inc 0431 484 622 admin@somad.org.au www.dubbo.com.au

Lambing Flat Chinese Festival 21 MARCH

Young Lauren Frith (02) 6384 2462 lauren.frith@hilltops.nsw.gov.au www.visithilltopsregion.com.au

Rock the Turf – Tumut 21 MARCH

Tumut rocktheturf@gmail.com Facebook: Rock the Turf

Baradine Show 21 MARCH

Baradine Showgrounds 0447 792 464 cuttselizabeth0@googlemail.com

March Aircraft Showcase 21 MARCH

Temora Aviation Museum, 1 Tom Moon Ave, Temora (02) 6977 1088 info@aviationmuseum.com.au www.aviationmuseum.com.au

Snowy Valleys Cycle Challenge 22 MARCH

Adelong Tumut Rotary Club 0458 096 642 info@snowyvalleyscyclechallenge.com.au www.snowyvalleyscyclechallenge.com.au

Titan Macquarie Mud Run 28 MARCH

Ollie Robbins Oval, Bligh Street, Dubbo Rod Fardell 0439 845 513 rod_fardell@bigpond.com www.dubbo.com.au

Coonabarabran Show

Mendooran Show

Coonabarabran Showground Show office (02) 6842 3177, 0427 423 177 coonashow@gmail.com Facebook: Coona Show

Mendooran Showground (02) 6886 1085 or 0437 861 070 mendooran.show@hotmail.com

13 & 14 MARCH

Temora Rural Museum’s 47th Annual Live Exhibition 14 MARCH

Bundawarrah Centre, 29 Junee Road, Temora Bill Speirs (02) 6977 1291 ruralmuseum@temora.nsw.gov.au www.temora.com.au

The Country Championships 15 MARCH

Coonamble Racecourse Ana Robson 0428 093 165 cblejockey@live.com.au Facebook: Coonamble Jockey Club

28 MARCH

Temora West Fete

Cadillac LaSalle 50th Anniversary – 2020 Nationals 30 MARCH – 3 APRIL

Mudgee Peter Waite 0408 629 193 www.cadillaclasalleclub.com.au

Hartwood Campfire & Country Music

30 MARCH – 14 APRIL

301 Saltwater Road, Bomera 0456 780 824 info@hartwoodfestival.com.au www.hartwoodfestival.com.au

Field to Forest Oberon 1 - 30 APRIL

Oberon and surrounds (02) 6329 8210 tourism@oberon.nsw.gov.au

Gulgong Annual Rabbit Races 12 APRIL

Gulgong Bowling Club (02) 6374 1054 www.gulgongbowlo.com.au

Easter TAB Race Meeting 12 APRIL

Mudgee Racecourse Colleen Walker (02) 6372 6035 colleen@hwy.com.au www.mudgeeraceclubinc.com

Anzac Day Aircraft Showcase 25 APRIL

Temora Aviation Museum (02) 6977 1088 info@aviationmuseum.com.au www.aviationmuseum.com.au

Grapest 5k Run

Festival of the Falling Leaf

Bunnamagoo Estate Wines 603 Henry Lawson Drive, Eurunderee

Tumut festivalofthefallingleaf@gmail.com www.fallingleaffestival.com.au

4 APRIL

Wellington Boot Racing Carnival 4 – 5 APRIL

Wellington Racecourse Wellington Race Club Inc 0409 220 625 lea_ian@bigpond.net.au www.dubbo.com.au/events

2 MAY

Trundle ABBA Festival 2 MAY

Trundle abba@executiveeventssolutions.com.au www.trundleabbafestival.com.au

Red Hot Summer Tour

Dubbo Motorbike Rally

Lazy River Estate, Dubbo Pam Scott 6882 2111 events@lazyriverestate.com.au www.lazyriverestate.com.au

Talbragar Street, Dubbo Stan Single 0429 845 070 dubbomotorbikerally@gmail.com www.dubbo.com.au

4 APRIL

2 MAY

Gulgong 150th Anniversary Weekend

40th Annual Gulgong Prince of Wales Eisteddfod

Gulgong Facebook: Back To Gulgong

Gulgong Memorial Hall & Prince of Wales Opera House gulgongeist@hotmail.com www.gulgongeisteddfod.com

10 – 12 APRIL

Gairloch Open Garden for Autumn 10 – 13 APRIL

27 Blenheim Avenue, Oberon Meg and Peter Low 0427 070 956 gairloch@lowfamily.id.au www.gairlochgarden.com

Coonabarabran Bunny Bazaar

3 – 18 MAY

Crookwell Potato Festival 9 MAY

Crookwell Showground Andrew Warren (02) 4832 1988 secretary@crookwellpotatofestival.com.au www.crookwellpotatofestival.com.au

11 APRIL

Mother’s Day Luncheon

Man from Ironbark Festival

Lazy River Estate, Dubbo Pam Scott 6882 2111 events@lazyriverestate.com.au www.lazyriverestate.com.au

John Street, CBD 02 6843 4491 ebrocklehurst@skymesh.com.au 11 APRIL

Stuart Town Ben Penhall 0418 669 867 penhallb@bigpond.com www.dubbo.com.au/events

10 MAY

Annual Celebration of Aviation 15 – 17 MAY

Rylstone Aerodrome Air Park Rob Loneragan 0411 816 300 rob@rylstone.com.au www.rylstoneaerodrome.com.au/events

28 MARCH

Grenfell Picnic Races

Batlow CiderFest

Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail

Grenfell Racecourse Grenfell Visitor Information Centre: (02) 6343 2059 enquiries@grenfellpicnics.org.au www.grenfellpicnics.org.au

Mayfield Garden Autumn Festival

Art Unlimited 2020

Mayfield Garden, Oberon Amy Hotham (02) 6336 3131 info@mayfieldgarden.com.au www.mayfieldgarden.com.au

Dunedoo Central School (02) 6375 1540 media@artunlimitednsw.com.au www.artunlimitednsw.com.au

Temora West Public School (02) 6977 1889 temorawest-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.temora.com.au/events 28 & 29 MARCH

Various locations, Bathurst (02) 6332 1444 visitors@bathurst.nsw.gov.au www.bathurstregion.com.au/ bathurstheritagetradestrail

13 APRIL

10 APRIL – 3 MAY

16 MAY

Batlow batlowciderfest@gmail.com www.batlowciderfest.com.au 22 – 31 MAY

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.

228 RLM

New and exciting stock arriving daily at 2 Fat Ladies

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We also have a coffee shop plus Molly’s Lollies!

RLM 229

A U T U M N weddings

HENLEY + PROWSE Alexandra Henley and Jonathon Prowse were married at Fullerton Cove, near Newcastle, on April 20, 2019.

The couple’s wedding was held at the grand waterfront estate, Stanley Park. The ceremony was under a large fig tree next to the period homestead, with the reception following at the American-style barn overlooking the lake.

Some 175 guests came from all across NSW, including Sydney and the mid north coast. Guests also travelled from as far afield as Darwin in the Northern Territory, where Alexandra and Jonathon moved five years ago.

After their special day, the newlyweds enjoyed a three-month honeymoon through Western Australia and South Australia, taking in the Western Australian coastline and East Arnhem Land.

Photographer: Keegan Cronin Photography

230 RLM

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

180 MACQUARIE STREET, DUBBO

PH: (02) 6885 3500

WWW.KINGSHALL.COM.AU

COSMETIC

LASER

CLINIC

RLM 231

A U T U M N weddings

WILLIAMSON + CLEAVER Andrea Williamson and Angus Cleaver were married at Nyngan on October 5, 2019.

The ceremony and reception were held at Angus and Andrea’s home property “Burnside”, on the banks of the Bogan River.

A gathering of 170 of the couple’s friends and family shared in the celebrations.

Sue Curley of Dubbo was the couple’s celebrant, and the flowers were created by Andrea’s bridesmaid, Sarah Moors, also of Dubbo. The Cocky’s Wife of Nyngan catered for the wedding, and the cake was made

by Hannah McKillop of Cunnamulla, Queensland.

After a honeymoon at Mamanuca Islands, Fiji, the couple returned to their Nyngan property.

Photographer: Georgie Newton

Bart Bogart, James Elias, Russell Cleaver, Angus and Andrea Cleaver, Julia Kennedy, Holly Berryman and Sarah Moors.

232 RLM

Photography

We are a husband and wife photo & film duo shooting weddings across Dubbo & the central west, as well as anywhere else that will have us.

We are so passionate about capturing all the special bits for our clients to remember forever.

Dubbo, New South Wales Ph. 0435 934 994 contact@amylouisephotographyanddesign.com

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226 Seymour Street Bathurst NSW Ph: 0422 303 311 www.bishopscourtestate.com.au

RLM 233

A U T U M N weddings

GLASSON + GREEN Jack Green and Kym Glasson were married at The Marra, near Brewarrina, on September 14, 2019.

The ceremony was held at Jack’s family property, “Mangoplah”, with the reception following at The Marra Hall. Some 140 guests celebrated Jack and Kym’s marriage.

The bridal party consisted of Kym’s attendants Jackie Player and Nikki Pettit and Jack’s groomsmen James Todd, Scott Boyce and Jack Gray. Farm to Floral of Warren, Makeup by Donna Maree of Dubbo and Deer Dingo Catering of Condamine, Queensland, all contributed to the special day.

The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Port Douglas and have made their home on the family property at The Marra.

Photographer: Henry Paul Photography

LEFT: Scott Boyce, Jackie Player, Jack and Kym Green, Jack Gray, Nikki Pettit and James Todd.

234 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

RLM 235

A U T U M N weddings

RYAN + SKINNER Candance Ryan and Philip Skinner were married in Paris on October 30, 2019.

The couple’s romantic destination wedding included the ceremony and the reception at the river Seine, Paris.

After five weeks travelling around Europe, Philip, from Mudgee, and Candace, from Bowral, finished their adventure in Paris where they were married. Personalised vows, David Austin roses and Candace wearing her sister’s headpiece were extra special touches on the day.

After their Paris wedding, Candace and Philip dined in a Michelin-starred restaurant before spending the remainder of their trip in Singapore. The newlyweds have now settled into their new home in Tamworth, next to Calrossy Anglican School, where Candance attended high school.

Photographer: Do it Paris Way

236 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

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RLM 237

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ALTINA WILDLIFE PARK

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AMY LOUISE PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN Dubbo, 0435 934 994 contact@amylouise photographyanddesign.com

ANGULLONG WINES Panuara, 6366 4300 angullong.com.au

AUSTRALIAN RAIL TRACK CORP inlandrail.com.au

BETTA FRAME & TRUSS Dubbo, 6881 8544 bettaframe.com.au

BIG TROUT MOTOR INN 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

Wallerawang, 6355 7305 blackgoldmotel.com.au

BOB BERRY REAL ESTATE Dubbo, 6882 6822 bobberry.com.au

BOMBALA SHOE SHED Bombala, 64584045

BUDGERIE BRAFORD STUD

Gulargambone, 0428 438 253

BUMBLE BEE WRAPS

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BURNIMA HOMESTEAD Bombala, 6458 3042 burnima.com.au

BYRNE CLOTHING WORKLOCKER

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COOLAMON CARAVAN PARK

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HELLOWORLD TRAVEL

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COSMO CAFE

HALLS COFFEE COTTAGE

Bombala, 6458 3510

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COWRA TOURISM

HE SILOS

Dubbo, 6882 8911 cramptonscarpets.com.au

Forbes, 6852 2344 helloworld.com.au/store/forbes

CSIRO PARKES OBSERVATORY

HERITAGE MOTEL COOTAMUNDRA

Parkes, 6861 1777 parkes.atnf.csiro.au

DEB’S JEWELLERY Temora, 6977 4122 debsjewellery.com

DEJA BREW

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DIRTY JANE’S

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HUTCHINS BROS

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INSIDE OUTSIDE

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Bowral, 4861 3231 dirtyjanes.com

JAYNE EDWARDS REALTY

DISH CAFÉ AND DISH CATERING

JEMALONG WOOL

Parkes, 6862 1566 dishcafe.com.au

DUBBO DENTAL

Dubbo, 6882 0949 dubbodental.com.au

Sydney, 0435 008 268 Cooma, 6452 3130 Forbes, 6851 4000 Tamworth, 6760 7577 jemalongwool.com.au

Jindabyne, 6457 8311 moonbahhut.com.au

NARELLAN POOLS WESTERN PLAINS Dubbo, 6884 3117

SCOTS ALL SAINTS COLLEGE

Cooma, 6452 1414

SEW FAB

THE PERFECT PIECE

Narrandera, 69599819 sewfab.com.au

Berridale, 0416 002 413 theperfectpiece.org

SHAKESPEARE FUNERALS

THE RUSTIC MAZE

Dubbo, 6882 2434 shakespearefunerals.com.au

SHAW VINEYARD ESTATE

Murrumbateman, 6227 5827 shawvineyards.com.au

SLEEPYJAYS (BABY SWINGS)

SNOW SEASON MOTOR INN Cooma, 6452 1133 snowseasonmotorinn.com

Molong, 0420 391 603

NARRANDERA SHIRE COUNCIL

SNOWY MONARO REGIONAL COUNCIL

West Wyalong, 6972 0393 tdhww.com.au

Narrandera, 6959 9766 bendigobank.com.au Narrandera, 6959 5510 narrandera.nsw.gov.au

Cooma, 1800 636 525 visitcooma.com.au

ORIGINAL SKIN THERAPY

STEVE’S SANDING

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

Bathurst, 6331 7171 www.fishriverroasters.com.au

FLOWERS HERE

Wellington & Dubbo, 0410 363 429 flowershere.com.au Dubbo, 6885 3242

Forbes, 6850 2300 forbes.nsw.gov.au

CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF BATHURST

FRANK SMITH WORK CLOTHING & SHOE REPAIRS

Dubbo, 6885 3500 kingshall.com.au

KLR MARKETING

Bathurst, 0428 953 925 klrmarketing.com.au

LACHLAN MERINOS

Forbes, 0428 572 117 lachlanmerinos.com.au

LANGLANDS HANLON

Parkes, 6862 2362 langlandshanlon.com.au

LAZY SUNDAY LIFESTYLE Dubbo, 5806 0689 lazysundaylifestyle.com

LIGHTING & LIVING

Dubbo, 6884 8000 lightingandliving.com.au

LITTLE RUSTIC PANTRY Coolamon, 0499 184 927

LUCKNOW SKIN SHOP & BOOT BARN

Bathurst, 6338 3000 bth.catholic.edu.au

Bathurst, 6331 7544 franksmithworkclothing.com.au

Lucknow, 6365 5330 lucknowskinshop.com.au

CENTRAL CALEULA MOTOR LODGE

GANMAIN BAKERY

MACQUARIE VIEW BRASS AND IRON BEDS

Ganmain, 6927 6401

Orange, 6362 7699 www.centralcaleula.com.au

GARIAN WHOLESALERS

CHEMINEES PHILIPPE

GILGANDRA SHIRE COUNCIL

Dubbo, 6884 1166

Gilgandra, 6817 8800 gilgandra.nsw.gov.au

GIRRAGIRRA

Forbes, 0449 744 681 girragirra.com

Dubbo, 6884 0790 www.cscdubbo.com.au

GLENELM GUEST COTTAGE

CIRCA 1929

GOULBURN REGION WOODWORKERS

Berridale, 0414 804 347

Goulburn, 0412 015 435

Wellington, 0419 207 194 bedmanwellington.com.au

MAINSTREET CLOTHING

Cooma, 6452 2144 mainstreetclothing.com.au

MAWHOOD’S SUPA IGA OBERON Oberon, 6336 1101

MAX ASTRI OPTOMETRISTS BY GEORGE AND MATILDA EYECARE Dubbo, 6884 4077 Wellington, 6845 3453 Cobar, 0268364077 maxastrioptometrists.com

THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS TRAVELLERS REST

NARRANDERA BENDIGO BANK

KEVIN MILLER, WHITTY, LENNON AND CO

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

Cooma, 0402 733 187

Narrandera, 6959 3677

DUNK INSURANCE

ELLSTANMOR COUNTRY GUEST HOUSE

THE SHEARER’S WIFE

Gulargambone, 0408 254 325 sleepyjays.com.au

ST ANDREW’S CHAPEL

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Monteagle, 0429 834 217 therusticmaze.com.au

NARRANDERA BAKERY

OPTUS

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THE HUB

THE LOTT CAFE

DUBBO RSL CLUB

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Dubbo, 6882 4411 dubborsl.com.au

THE GRANGE

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Coolamon, 6927 3303

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OLD COOLAMON HOSPITAL

Bredbo, 6454 4186

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KAREN JAMES STUDIO AND GALLERY

Dubbo, 6884 1760 rhinolodge.com.au

FORBES SHIRE COUNCIL

Wagga Wagga, 6925 9312 circa1929.com.au

MOONBAH HUTS

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OBERON RSL

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CHURCH STREET CAFE

Jindabyne 6456 2946

RUBY MAINE

JUADINE INTERIORS AND THE RED DOOR CAFE

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CAFE DOLCETTO

Bathurst, 6331 4866

MONCHICHI SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS

Dubbo, 6882 9565 rbnt.com.au

OBERON COUNCIL

FLOWERS ON TALBRAGAR

CHOICES FLOORING BY BRIGHTS

Dubbo, 6884 8991

ROYAL BUBS N TOTS

JOHN SHORTT CUSTOM SADDLER

DUBBO PRINTING WORKS

Guyong, 0419 777 508 cadogancountryhouse.com.au

Sydney, 9564 2694 www.cheminee.com.au

Orange, 0418 483 151

Oberon, 6329 8100 oberon.nsw.gov.au

Oberon, 6336 1607 www.oberonrsl.com.au

optus.com.au Narrandera, 6959 4044 originalskintherapy.com.au

OUTSCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Grenfell, 6343 8288 outscape.net.au

PARKES COFFEE POT Parkes, 6862 1877

PARKES NEWS & GIFTS

Parkes, 6862 2296 parkesnewsagency.com.au

PEACOCKE ACCOUNTANTS

Dubbo, 6882 3933 peacockeaccountants.com.au

PETER MILLING & COMPANY

SNOWY MOUNTAIN ESTATE

Numeralla, 6453 3078 snowymountainestate.com.au

SNOWY MOUNTAINS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Dubbo, 6882 3199

Pine Valley, 0427 484 940

THE WOOLSHED THOM, DICK AND HARRY’S

THUNDERBIRD MOTEL Yass, 6226 1158 thunderbirdmotel.com.au

TOP PADDOCK Crookwell, 4832 2319

TOWN & COUNTRY RURAL SUPPLIES Bathurst, 6332 4044 townandcountrybathurst.com.au

TOYOTA CENTRAL WEST GROUP

Parkes, 0438 229 261

Central West, 6882 1511 toyota.com.au

ST FRANCIS DE SALES REGIONAL COLLEGE

UNIQUE DESTINATIONS

Leeton, 6953 3622 sfcww.catholic.edu.au

Millthorpe, 1300 002 269 uniquedestinations.com.au

ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

VISIT PARKES

Oberon, 6336 1384 bth.catholic.edu.au

Parkes, 6862 6000 visitparkes.com.au

SUNNYPOINT BEEF

W LARCOMBE & SON FUNERALS & MONUMENTS

SWEET BRIAR B&B

Dubbo, 6882 3199 wlarcombeandson.com.au

Oberon, 6336 1101

Coolamon, 6927 2222 sweetbriar.com.au

WALLINGTON WINES

Dubbo, 6882 3544 petermilling.com.au

TANZA FASHION

Canowindra, 0427 936 054 wallingtonwines.com.au

PHA’ S THAI KITCHEN

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Cooma, 6452 5489 phasthaikitchen.com.au

PRESS

Dubbo, 6885 0621 pressdubbo.com.au

PRESSED TIN PANELS Bathurst, 6332 1738 pressedtinpanels.com

PROFESSIONAL SKIN SOLUTIONS

Temora, 0418 978 134 Oberon, 6335 8116 tattykeel.com.au

TEMORA EX-SERVICES CLUB, GOLDTERA MOTOR INN & KOREELA PARK MOTOR INN

Oberon, 0429 360 419 wattlegrovespecklepark.com.au

TEMORA FLOWER CENTRE

WEST ORANGE MOTORS

Temora. 6977 1788

THE BAKEHOUSE

RAILWAY HOTEL

THE BYNG STREET BOUTIQUE HOTEL

RED BEND CATHOLIC COLLEGE Forbes, 6852 2000 redbendcc.nsw.edu.au

ROSIE’S HONEY MUSTARD Warren, 6824 2055 rosies.net.au

ROSSKIN ANGUS AND CHAROLAIS Dalgety, 6456 6710 rosskin.com.au

WATTLE GROVE SPECKLE PARK STUD

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Bathurst, 6332 9880 professionalskinsolutions.com.au Parkes, 6862 1553 therailwayhotelparkes.com.au

Coonabarabran, 6849 2000 warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au

Forbes, 6852 3388

Orange, 5317 8200 byngstreethotel.com.au

THE COFFEE CLUB ORANA MALL Dubbo, 6882 0347 coffeeclub.com.au

THE FLEECE

Peak Hill, 0429 340 988 thefleece.net

THE ESTABLISHMENT BAR

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WOOLERINA Forbes, 6851 2100 woolerina.com.au

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ZONA KITCHEN BAR EVENTS Orange, 6362 7799 www.zonaevents.com.au

Corner of Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets Dubbo NSW 2830 Phone: 02 6882 4411 Fax: 026881 8062

/DubboRSL

RLM 239

A U T U M N the last word

blonde ambition It’s nigh on impossible missing retro queen Shelley Minson in a crowd – she’s the platinum blonde sending pacemakers and cameras into meltdown.

Always impeccably dressed, country crooner Shelley Minson grew up on a farm near Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley where she loved horses, country bush dances, playing in her tree house and raising pet lambs.

Her father, Wayne Watts, was a champion rodeo rider in his younger days while mum Pat enjoyed spinning and knitting wool from their sheep.

A teenage Shelley always tuned in to country music and loved dressing up, never imagining for a moment where it would lead.

“I never had the confidence to take it further than singing along to my favourite songs in my bedroom,” she laughs.

That all changed after meeting the love of her life, legendary Australian country musician Lawrie Minson, then playing in Lee Kernaghan’s band.

In 2007, Shelley moved to Tamworth and worked in the public school system, her singing career still a pipe dream. Later, a workmate showed her a vintage reproduction website called Pin Up Girl Clothing.

She fell in love with the ultra-feminine ’50s-inspired style and began her transformation into a fully fledged 1950s pin-up queen.

Over the years, Shelley began finding more and more old-style clothing online and discovered country and rock ‘n’ roll music from that period.

Her flamboyant style and flawless features have seen her featured in many retro magazines, including Pin Up America, Retro Lovely, Retro Vintage Review Magazine and Pin Up Skool.

In 2013, Shelley began taking singing lessons from Australian Idol/The Voice contestant Roshani Priddis. Her first performance was at a night for Roshani’s singing students.

Word soon leaked out that Lawrie’s wife had started singing and performing.

Her debut album, ROCKABILITY, was released in early 2017 at the world’s largest Rockabilly festival – Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in Las Vegas. The album received widespread airplay.

It’s been a rapid rise to success with festival performances at Cooly Rocks On, Shepparton Shakeout and Ballarat Beat. One of her very favourite gigs is the Elvis Festival in Parkes, where she’s performed on the main stage for the past two years.

“It’s hot but so much fun,” she beams. “It’s just so thrilling seeing so many other ladies all dressed up in a similar style.”

With her confidence building by the day, Shelley has now judged at Pin-Up and Vintage Best Dressed competitions. But it’s not all make-up and pretty frocks – a new album that showcases her unique singing ability will be out later in the year. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

240 RLM

ABOVE: Sharing the music stage with her legendary husband at the recent Parkes Elvis Festival; Shelley Minson loves dressing up in 1950s retro outfits at the Elvis Festival, where she won a legion of new fans after her performance on the main stage.

WEDDINGS

CEREMONIES

58 Summer St, ORANGE NSW 2800 (02) 6362 7799 Follow us on Instagram: zona_kitchen_bar_events

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