SPRING
SPOTLIGHT ON
Albury
Holbrook
TOWN FEATURE
GARDEN BEAUTY at ‘Summer Hill’ Lucknow
Inspirational stories from Bathurst & Dubbo
COUNTRY EVENT: Cootamundra Picnic Races
Showcasing
the
best
of
rural
and
regional
New
South
Wales
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CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD Trading as Regional Lifestyle Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418
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ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 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.
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It starts with yes
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CONTENTS ISSUE 34 SPRING 2021
166 K EYS TO HAPPINESS Musician Mark Forsyth is a man who always had his feet firmly planted in two different places, on the farm and in town. 172 STRENGTH OF FAMILY Charli Kamper and her mother Maria are two determined women who are navigating a long and winding road. 182 WILMA POWER Dubbo’s Wilma Ryan, 92, has for decades been a tireless volunteer who gets things done. 206 THE PERFECT COMBO Juliet Horsley and Jeremy Norris have combined their
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GARDEN
216 A FLORAL VICTORY Gillian and David Serisier’s “Summer Hill” garden at Lucknow is awash with colour and brimming with interest.
SPRING
SPOTLIGHT ON
Albury
Holbrook
TOWN FEATURE
GARDEN BEAUTY at ‘Summer Hill’ Lucknow
Inspirational stories from Bathurst & Dubbo
COUNTRY EVENT: Cootamundra Picnic Races $14.00 inc GST SPRING 2021 VOLUME 34 >
COUNTRY CHARACTERS
expertise into one sensational business venture, Larder & Home in Lucknow. 212 TECHNOLOGICAL WIZARDRY Karen and Martin Savage’s digital device rescue service has transformed many a distraught owner into a happy customer.
WEDDINGS
228 I DO, I DO, I DO Handsome couples throughout regional NSW tie the knot.
THE LAST WORD
240 P ARTNERS IN SUBLIME They may be Partners in Crime but the music that Tom Summerfield and Arthur Hull produce is heavenly.
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TRIVING AND THRIVING Albury S Wodonga’s warm, welcoming and entrepreneurial locals have built a thriving regional community that is cosmopolitan and laid-back, culturally connected and naturally abundant.
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Showcasing
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best
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regional
New
South
Wales
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ALBURY TOWN FEATURE
ON THE COVER In a city full of grand old
buildings, the Albury Railway Station is a standout. Story, Page 38 Image: AlburyCity and Destination NSW
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FROM THE PUBLISHERS
Out with the cold, in with the new “A meaningful life is not being rich, being highly educated or being perfect. It is about being real, being humble and being able to share ourselves to touch the lives of others.” Dreamsquote.com
Welcome to Spring 2021
We trust our readers managed to stay warm and survive the cold blustery weather and the chills that winter delivers without fail. The joy of rebirth and new beginnings is now here, and we can rejoice in all the trappings that come with this vibrant new season. It is wonderful to see our countryside looking so fresh and green after frequent rain over recent months.
Spring 2021 Feature
We’re very excited about how this feature evolved. You will find 120 pages dedicated to Albury (with some small mentions of its close neighbour Wodonga). Thank you to Albury City Council for your vision and commitment to your wonderful community through a collaboration with Regional Lifestyle. You will find 30 pages dedicated to the Holbrook area in this edition. Holbrook is part of the Greater Hume Council, and we appreciate the valued support of this council.
Wagga Wagga Feature
This huge 152-page feature in Winter 2021 was received with great enthusiasm everywhere it was sold. We feel proud to be able to share what the large entrepreneurial business community is doing in Wagga Wagga as well as showcase the amazing individuals who have made a difference in their home town (city). There is lots to see and do in Wagga Wagga and we hope you can plan a visit there soon, if you haven’t already. Many positive comments came to our attention about this Winter Feature and we have showcased just a few of them on the Your Letters page.
Summer 2021 Feature on Inverell
A change of pace and a change in direction has resulted in a feature being planned for the Inverell Council area in summer 2021. Inverell is close to my (Elizabeth’s) heart, having grown up on our family property reasonably close to this thriving and vibrant town. It has been a great privilege to research and discover all the hidden gems (pardon the pun) of this town, known as the Sapphire City. We just cannot wait to bring this 120-page feature to you to enjoy. We hope you will love reading about it as much as we have loved spending time there.
Field Days
It was disappointing that the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days as well as AgQuip, near Gunnedah needed to be postponed due to the impact of COVID. We have now been advised that Mudgee Small Farm Field Days have set a new date, November 5-6, 2021. AgQuip has also been rescheduled and will now be held on November 16-17-18.
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The magnificent Albury Railway Station in the glow of night lights. Image: AlburyCity and Destination NSW.
Henty Machinery Field Days is planning their major event for September 21-23 and the Australian National Field Days (October 21-23). We are hoping to attend the River and Wren Markets, Wagga Wagga on December 12 as well.
Open Gardens
You will see us at the much-acclaimed Griffith Spring Fest – Garden Festival (October 15-17). The Crookwell Open Garden Festival is to be held on November 6-7. This event presents a wonderful opportunity to view an outstanding range of cool climate gardens. We always enjoy looking at beautiful gardens, large and small, and love to discover the stories behind them to reveal the passion of those who dedicate their efforts to designing and maintaining such works of art. Maybe we will see you sometime soon. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the opportunity that every new day brings.
Warm regards, Elizabeth and Alex Tickle
story name S P R I N G
62 Byng Street Orange New South Wales 2800 P 02 5317 8200 info@byngstreethotel.com.au
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S P R I N G Jake’s message
here comes the sun Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful time of year! It’s time to spring out of hibernation and hit the road. Since our last catch-up, I’ve travelled to Albury on the mighty Murray River – the furthest south the RL team have ventured. Albury boasts many great features, including one of the longest railway platforms in the land. There’s also Lake Hume, the Wonga Wetlands, a buoyant arts scene, beautiful parks and museums. I dropped into the Albury Wodonga Markets (and discovered a jolly and generous bunch of stall holders), historic “Adamshurst”, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and the Albury Gold Cup. The highlight was hearing the Best Dressed Woman on course sourced her winning outfit from the local op shop! A truly magnificent outing for punters, sponsors and patrons. Congratulations, Albury Turf Club. I also met up with some great characters like vet Dr Arthur Frauenfelder, flamboyant entertainer Steve Bowen (what a blast), basketball superstar Lauren Jackson and farmers of the calibre of Byron Gray – lucky enough to be telling his story after a run-in with a wayward tractor. Enjoying a few beers with this lovable larrikin around a battered old table in his hay shed reminds me every interview is different and special. Visiting Murray and Renee Pigdon’s palatial spread was a jaw-dropping experience. Complete with infinity pool and timeless views over Lake Hume, their new contemporary home reflects their ability to think outside the square and
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proves anything is possible through hard work, commitment and persistence. It’s always refreshing to see the next generation conduct themselves in such a positive light. Josh Kibble, one of the new co-owners of Drummond Real Estate, must surely be one of the most enthusiastic blokes I’ve met in years. With housing in Albury Wodonga going through the roof, it’s easy to understand why he is a tad excited. What gets me, however, is his contagious smile and genuine positive energy. I know Albury’s future is in good hands when I meet people of the calibre of Jake Wolki. This barely middle-aged entrepreneur is a colossal thinker and achiever. I’m sure it filters down from his German ancestry, starting with his beloved grandfather Klauss. It was an unexpected pleasure to photograph four generations of males from the one family. You don’t get them much more fair dinkum than Danny Phegan, the (almost) legendary horseman, farmer, pub owner and father of six. He’s also a rising country music star, known to share a few songs around a campfire when he’s not belting out country rock on some big stage in front of thousands. Equally impressive is local film-maker Helen Newman, a woman excelling at her craft and wooing audiences across the world. From a heart-breaking loss earlier in life, she has discovered her passion in documenting the lives of others. After bidding farewell to Albury, I headed to nearby Holbrook, complete with its own real-life submarine parked in the
town garden. There’s lots to do, including a visit to the Submarine Museum, the Woolpack Inn Museum and the National Museum of Australian Pottery. I spent an enjoyable morning with stockhorse breeders Charlie and Sara Mills and family, all passionate about country living and “having a go”. Down the road I met Angus stud breeders Jock and Natasha Harbison, from the esteemed Dunoon stud. Jock is a stand-out bloke at the top of his game and happy to recall the moment when one of his stud bulls commanded a mouth-watering sixfigure sum at auction. We’ve run out of space so you’ll just have to keep on reading to discover more about the gems of Albury and Holbrook. Or better still, go there yourself and discover the appeal of these two vastly different country cousins. Oh, and some final wisdom. I’ve realised the best step when trying to move forward in life is to accept that sometimes we have to let go of the life we expected to have and start living the one we’ve been given. And remember the three Cs of life: choices, chances, changes. To quote Zig Ziglar: “You must make the choice to take a chance if you want anything in life to change.” Till next time, keep well, chin up and know the best is yet to come.
Jake
ABOVE: The Albury CBD is as good as you’ll find anywhere, with dozens of magnificent buildings dating back to the 1880s.
Photography by Amy Louise Photography & Design & Copper.Co Photography
SPRING 2021 CONTRIBUTORS
meet your team
ELIZABETH TICKLE
Publisher, Editor, Advertising
JAKE LINDSAY
Chief Writer & Photographer
ZORA REGULIC Art Director
SALLY MARCEAU
GINA CRANSON
JENNIFER HARDEN Writer, Photographer, Social Media
KATE BOSHAMMER
Website Developer, Advertising Designer, Writer
MELISSA DUNKERLEY Advertising Designer
Advertising Designer
JANE SANDERSON
ZENIO LAPKA
ANNA CONN
ELIZABETH SWANE
ROBERT I BRUCE
LORRAINE HILLS
AMY LOUISE ALLEN
SUE CURLEY
HEATHER CROSBY
LUCY TAYLOR
JOHN CURLEY
ELIZABETH GRANT
JOHN EGAN
Sub-Editor & Proofreader
Wedding Writer
Country Cuisine Writer
Photographer
Photographer Simon & Amy Creative Co
RLM Accountant
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ALEX TICKLE
Publisher, Distribution, Advertising
Writer
Writer
Writer
Garden Writer
Writer
Photographer
Photographer
Writer
It starts with yes
S P R I N G feedback
your letters A chance meeting with Elizabeth Tickle at BEEF 2021 in Rockhampton led me to subscribing to their iconic Regional Lifestyle Magazine. What a beautifully presented and informative magazine. A definite coffee table exhibit! I was immediately drawn to the warm and friendly introductory page by Elizabeth and Alex. I almost felt I was being invited inside their own lounge room full of fabulous stories, photos and articles. As a past resident of Wagga Wagga, I particularly loved the Wagga feature in the Winter magazine. The writers and photographers have embraced the essence of the city and its residents. I will not only continue my subscription to Regional Lifestyle but I now have amazing subscription gifts for friends and family. This magazine has excelled in showcasing the best of rural and regional NSW. Dare I suggest venturing into our other Australian states? Sandy OSullivan, OSullivans Black Limousin, Lower Mt Walker, Queensland
It never ceases to amaze me the talent that exists in the Wagga Wagga area. Regional Lifestyle Magazine has done a fabulous job in unearthing and showcasing these talents. The 2021 Winter Wagga Wagga edition features the people and places that make our community so good to live in, not only attracting visitors to the area but also those people and families considering a tree change and moving to the bush. I’m hearing great stories of people purchasing multiple copies to send to their families and friends near and far, which makes this publication a must for business. Naomi and I are grateful to have been included and chosen to feature our homestead on the cover. Thank you for your support. Tim McMullen, Director, Borambola Wines
Firstly, I would like to say how much I enjoy the stories in this beautiful magazine. I have bought this publication since it started in June 2013. The photography that Jake Lindsay does is simply amazing and all who work on Regional Lifestyle Magazine must be congratulated. I realise that Elizabeth and Alex have travelled to many towns and cities across our wonderful state and the stories that come out of these places are really great. I think this magazine would be the best country style magazine in NSW. I know it is put together with love and passion and I really look forward to it every three months. Yvonne Gregory, Tamworth
Congratulations to Elizabeth and Alex and their wonderful team on another amazing edition of Regional Lifestyle. As a small business owner and after a hard year in 2020, we all appreciated the opportunity to have Wagga Wagga showcased. What a fantastic effort by the Regional Lifestyle team to present and promote the Wagga Wagga region. Selling the magazine in my store has shown me just how popular this magazine is. Customer after customer came in looking for it, and why wouldn’t they? The sheer quality and presentation of this magazine is incredible. Not only is it great value for money but the photography is always stunning and the articles are so well written that it is hard to put down. What a fantastic job by another small business to showcase Regional NSW. There is always so much to learn about each region that is featured. Congratulations and thank you for supporting another regional area of NSW. Fiona Beggs, Monty & Moo, Wagga Wagga
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S P R I N G story name
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ALBURY
story name S P R I N G
TOWN FE ATUR E WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY
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ALBURY COU NCI L F E AT U R E
perfect partners from the Mayor of Albury
With a population of more than 54,000 in Albury and a broader regional population of more than 180,000, this thriving community celebrates its Aboriginal and European heritage while focusing firmly on the future. Nestled on the banks of the Murray River, the city we know today as Albury has been a meeting place and gateway for travellers over countless generations. Indigenous people traditionally met on the banks of the Murray for important discussions in which goods were exchanged, agreements reached, and tribal lore discussed, after which the people made their way to the alps to feast on the prized bogong moth. Albury, with its neighbouring city of Wodonga on the Victorian side of the river, is still an important meeting place at the crossroads of major road links between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide. Nestled in a confluence of valleys, Albury and surrounds are blessed with beautiful rivers, lakes, hills and plains that define the environmental and economic characteristics of a region that produces some of the world’s finest food and wine. Just a stone’s throw from historic towns and an easy drive to the snowfields, our city is a hub for a visitor economy that injects more than $1 billion into the local economy every year. Tourism is just one major plank in our broad and diverse economy. Education, health care, retail and manufacturing are just some of our major employers, with the latter growing steadily as we further develop our new industrial estate, NEXUS, which will generate an annual gross regional
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product of $1.5 billion and employ more than 9400 people over the next 30 years. At Albury City, we’re proud to be leaders in sustainability and recycling, and were thrilled to have our work in this field recognised earlier this year when we were named the overall winner of the Sustainable Communities Tidy Towns NSW Award. We enjoy a vibrant arts and culture scene, with our famous Murray Art Museum Albury attracting tens of thousands of visitors a year, and our Yindyamarra Sculpture Trail, which celebrates Indigenous artworks on the banks of the Murray, is a must-see for visitors. We work closely with our friends in Wodonga, thanks to our unique crossborder partnership, Two Cities One Community. As the name suggests, this partnership – the first of its kind in Australia – formalises what local people have always known: Albury and Wodonga are two separate cities but very much one community, united rather than divided by the Murray River, which forms the border between the states. Recognising that we are stronger together, the partnership delivers a range of shared services and facilities with our tourism arm, Visit Albury Wodonga, just one example of how we work together for the common good. That partnership has already helped us to secure the Albury Wodonga Regional Deal, which, with the support of federal and state governments, will supercharge the
Nestled in a confluence of valleys, Albury and surrounds are blessed with beautiful rivers, lakes, hills and plains that define the environmental and economic characteristics of a region that produces some of the world’s finest food and wine. economic and social growth of our shared community in the years ahead. We’re excited to share the sights, sounds and energy of our community with readers of Regional Lifestyle. We’re sure you’ll love Albury Wodonga as much as we do and, of course, if you’re looking to take a break in one of Australia’s most vibrant and beautiful regional centres, please visit us. We’d love to see you! Albury City Mayor, Councillor Kevin Mack
Albury T O W N F E AT U R E
STRIVING & THRIVING Albury Wodonga’s warm, welcoming and entrepreneurial locals have built a thriving regional community that is cosmopolitan and laid-back, culturally connected and naturally abundant.
A simply vibrant and bustling location, Albury Wodonga offers everything a major city centre has and more. Perfectly located between Melbourne and Sydney, it offers residents a lifestyle that combines space and relaxation with all the benefits of city living. The twin cities boast a surprising variety of galleries, museums, theatres, festivals and extraordinary culinary creativity with dining options from fresh local produce to casual al fresco, and hatted restaurants to specialist whiskey and wine bars. There is no question some of Australia’s best produce can be found in the Albury region. With more than 120 restaurants, cafes and pubs, Albury has become a foodie and wine connoisseur’s paradise. Discerning shoppers will enjoy the very finest in boutique, specialty and shopping centre facilities in the heart of Albury. Albury Wodonga offers world-class healthcare across two major public and private hospitals. From aged care and maternity to oncology and mental health services, you have access to more than 200 GPs and medical specialists. Business is thriving in Albury Wodonga with easy access to domestic and international markets by road, rail and air. Already home to 8000 local businesses of all sizes, Albury Wodonga’s resilient and diversified economy contributes to a Gross Regional
Product of $7.5 billion and a projected population of 124,000 people by the year 2036. With a stable workforce, lower operating costs and plenty of room to expand, Albury Wodonga is proving to be one of the most popular cities for regional investment. There are two universities, two TAFEs and a regional population of over 180,000, making Albury Wodonga’s workforce powerful and nationally recognised. The retail trade, manufacturing and public administration sectors offer businesses access to a stable, skilled, cost-efficient, and productive workforce. The region offers attractive industrial and commercial land prices and rental opportunities to relocate, establish or expand business. Albury Wodonga is an amazing, multifaceted region with unrivalled tourism, business and community experiences and opportunities. It is a place where unfiltered, uncomplicated, refreshing connections just happen, naturally. RLM Images: Visit Albury Wodonga
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Murray Art Museum Albury in the heart of the city; historic elms at the Botanic Gardens; the busy Albury CBD; kayaking on the Murray River.
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ALBURY’S ALL THAT
Buildings of character line the streets of Albury, housing a fascinating history and a vibrant present.
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Albury T O W N F E AT U R E
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days gone by ALBURY
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Albury T O W N F E AT U R E
Images kindly supplied by the Dallinger family, Camera House, Albury.
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to the
MANOR DRAWN “Adamshurst” has enjoyed many lives but its latest reincarnation as a musical and community hub is perhaps the sweetest and most significant of all.
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Albury T O W N F E AT U R E
With a long and distinguished history, the magnificent “Adamshurst” mansion and garden has long been regarded as one of Albury’s finest. The man behind it, George Adams, arrived in the colony from London before making his way to the Ovens gold diggings near Beechworth. From there, the 18-year-old journeyed to Albury, where, according to his obituary in the Border Morning Mail, he was suitably impressed with the prospects of the district. His training as a printer in England served him in good stead, becoming a compositor on the staff of the local Border Post. Later he moved to Deniliquin and with two other printers undertook by contract the task of putting out a paper, for which they were paid the sum of 10 pounds a week. Saving the bulk of his wage, George returned to Albury and in 1862 purchased the Albury Banner after it fell into financial difficulties. The rival paper generated considerable interest, particularly in Albury’s early days, and stayed in circulation until 1950. Meanwhile, George acted as a land agent and derived considerable revenue from this adjunct to his newspaper business. He built the first part of “Adamshurst” in about 1880 with an Edwardian design. Twelve years later, George, now a widower
with four children, married a girl 40 years his junior. The unlikely romance inspired the new “Taj Mahal” or “Brighton Pavilion” styled renovations to the house in 1907. An extensive heritage-listed garden was planted, with a winding driveway, palm trees and plants of Indian origin to complete the romantic Mogul appearance. George died in 1918 but his second wife remained in the home till her passing in 1944. During the latter parts of WW2, the Army took control of “Adamshurst” before it became the Albury High School’s Girls’ Hostel for the next 30 years. In 1978, the NSW Health Commission used the historic property as a rehabilitation and day care centre. The centre closed in 2004 and the building later served as a restaurant before Garry Morgan commenced an extensive restoration project. In 2018, the mansion was put up for auction, attracting many locals hoping to witness the next chapter of the iconic building. It was later purchased by Sandra MacleodMiller, with strong encouragement from her son, Fr Peter, and their great friend Vicki Chick, the warden from St Matthew’s Church. >
ABOVE: The “Adamshurst” mansion and gardens have long been considered one of the finest in Albury.
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T O W N F E AT U R E Albury
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Albury T O W N F E AT U R E
A NEW ERA
Fr Peter saw the property advertised in the paper, having previously dined there with his great friend, the legendary Fr Kevin Flanagan. He was vaguely familiar with the building but never imagined he would one day become the new custodian. “Mum and I inspected it and knew it needed a ton of love, money and sweat to bring it back to its former life as a grand, historic and distinctly Australian family home,” he says. The pair quickly got to work tackling renovations before decking out the stately residence with ornate furnishings from homes in England and Sydney. Peter’s brother Paul, who runs a historic flooring renovation business in Sydney, restored the gleaming floorboards. There were multiple trips to various auctions and galleries, looking for the right touch. Both Sandra and Peter are great lovers of art and music, with two grand pianos and a pipe organ still used today. Made in the late 18th century, the organ is among the oldest in Australia. It all seems rather fitting, considering Sandra’s grandfather toured with the famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. Sadly, his tour was cut short after catching a fatal dose of the Spanish flu. Performing runs in the family. Sandra was a ballet teacher and her mother a ballerina. Her late husband Les Macleod-Miller is remembered as an accomplished boy soprano who gave legendary performances at the Sydney Town Hall and Conservatorium. Les sang his way through life and was well known for his distinctive and melodious whistle. In later years he was a broadcaster on the ABC TV hit The New Inventors, and had a radio program on the ABC, Weekend Woodies. He wooed his wife on the sprung timber floors of Sydney’s great dancing venues, like the Tivoli and the Trocadero, enchanting her (and others) with his debonair style and suave sophistication. Fr Peter is one of their four children, with an identical twin brother in Westminster, London. He, too, is involved with the opera. Fr Peter has always been involved with music, singing and playing piano. “We had a big music room with a concert grand piano and a concert pedal harp, used for frequent concerts at home,” he says. After his schooling at Barker, Peter attended Sydney University and studied Law for several years before changing his career path to begin Theological Studies. After being ordained as an Anglican priest in his mid 20s, he spent several years in Hillston, Ivanhoe, Roto, Merriwagga and Goolgowi and is still in contact with many of the teachers and station folk. “My friends thought it would be a daunting exercise moving from Sydney to the red dust of the west but I was warmly welcomed and still have red dust in my boots,” he says with a grin. “I loved the strong communities with resilient and hospitable country people.” After a few years in the bush, he moved to Melbourne, working as a chaplain to help homeless people. That commitment to the homeless continues through his work at St Matthew’s Church and fundraisers at “Adamshurst”. Before settling in Albury there was a 10-year stint in rural England as a minor canon at the cathedral in Bury. It was a wonderful experience, surrounded by picture-perfect ancient village churches and churchyards filled with daffodils, sheep, donkeys and alpacas. “It was an exciting time meeting the Queen and Prince Philip on four occasions while making many musical contacts, hosting concerts and community events,” he says. It turns out that Fr Peter and George Adams share strong connections to St Matthew’s, albeit a century apart. On several occasions, George gave substantial donations for the improvement of the church. Before his death, he provided half the cost of the new infants’ Sunday School and laid the foundation stone.
“MUM AND I INSPECTED IT AND KNEW IT NEEDED A TON OF LOVE, MONEY AND SWEAT TO BRING IT BACK TO ITS FORMER LIFE AS A GRAND, HISTORIC AND DISTINCTLY AUSTRALIAN FAMILY HOME.” Fr Peter is a staunch supporter of the St Matthew’s Music Association and what it’s seeking to do, both at St Matthew’s and the wider community. “I’m rather excited about the opportunities that we can give local young people to make their start in Albury a launching pad to the world of international music,” he says. About six years ago, Fr Peter started the Albury Chamber Music Festival and has hosted the Governor-General and other dignitaries from across the country, along with many fine musicians. In 2021, he was awarded a personal medal from the GovernorGeneral, acknowledging his work with St Matthew’s Music Association. RLM
FACING PAGE: Fr Peter with pet dog Princes and his beloved mother, Sandra Macleod-Miller; the grand building is tastefully decorated with treasures from two continents; Fr Peter enjoys reading in the library; checking out the who’s who of famous singers who have visited “Adamshurst”. ABOVE: Fr Peter is regarded a national treasure, much like the imposing building he calls home.
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