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
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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.
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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
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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.
JOIN US FOR A FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THE QUINTESSENTIAL BONFIRE NIGHT WITH GREAT LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND PERFORMANCES
FREE ENTRY / GATES OPEN 4PM SKI DAM, FORBES 20TH JUNE 2020
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Come Grazing Down the Lachlan, a multi award winning foodie adventure along the Lachlan River, Forbes. September 18, 2021 Jump onto our newsletter at www.grazingdownthelachlan.com
IMAGE: FIVE HOURS WEST
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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?’.
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“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.” >
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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Monica Langfield, Wirrinya; Darby, Stella and Mac Morris, Forbes; Red Gums and Sheep.
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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.
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