#37 Regional Lifestyle | Winter 2022

WINTER

Spotlight on Nyngan

Tamworth FEATURE Nundle, Manilla, Barraba & villages

Stylish homes and gorgeous gardens

Showcasing

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Service Information Marketing

Agri

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(02) 6851 4000 (02) 6760 7577 (02) 6452 3130

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Providing modern, innovative and cost efficient wool handling and marketing for over 40 years

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CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD Trading as Regional Lifestyle Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418

CONTENT COVERAGE AREA

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.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE To order a subscription or back issue (mailed or online), visit www.lifestylemagazine.net.au. © Central West Lifestyle Pty Ltd 2022 All Rights Reserved No part of this magazine may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

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CONTENTS ISSUE 37 WINTER 2022

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OLID PARTNERSHIP Lindsay Butler S and Shaza Leigh have enjoyed individual success in the country music realm but as a team they are pure gold.

IN HER ELEMENT The great outdoors is photographer Rachel Deane’s workplace and her muse.

CULINARY ADVENTURE From breeding buffalo to running award-winning restaurants, Graham and Marlene Manvell have never done anything by halves.

JOHNNY BE GOOD There’s never been a dull moment in the life of Tamworth’s favourite son, John Muller OAM.

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AVALIER ATTITUDE Tamworth C horseman Barry Biffin has proved age is no barrier when it comes to tentpegging.

THE MUSIC MAN The colourful life of Tamworth treasure Bill Gleeson makes for some great theatre.

WINTER

Spotlight on Nyngan

GARDEN

218 A WASH WITH COLOUR Nestled between the peaks of Mt Canobolas and The Pinnacle in Orange sits the jewel-like garden “Rowan Glen”.

Tamworth FEATURE Nundle, Manilla, Barraba & villages

Stylish homes and gorgeous gardens $14.00 inc GST WINTER 2022 VOLUME 37 >

COUNTRY CHARACTERS

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WEDDINGS

226 M ATRIMONIAL BLISS Country couples were not about to let COVID spoil their special day.

THE LAST WORD

240 A NYONE FOR CROQUET? We caught up with a group of fun-loving seniors giving croquet a crack.

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he Country Music Capital had so many T sensational stories to share that they could not all be contained in our Autumn 2022 offering. In this second instalment, we pick up where we left off.

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TAMWORTH TOWN FEATURE

ON THE COVER

The iconic Barraba silos featuring The Water Diviner

by Sydney artist Fintan Magee.

This project is part of Barraba Silo Art, a community-driven project coordinated by the Barraba Public Art Committee.

Image: Jake Lindsay

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

byngstreethotel.com.au

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

a journey of discovery “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome to a chilly winter across our beautiful state of NSW. We’ve once again enjoyed seeing strong sales of the Autumn edition featuring the beautiful Tamworth Regional Council area.

So many readers have commented that we’ve taken them on a journey of discovery through these inviting areas.

The iconic Barraba silos make a unique cover for this edition, which follows on from the Autumn magazine that also focused on the Tamworth region.

The silos, a big tourist drawcard, are reflective of community spirit and entrepreneurial collaboration in Barraba.

Balmoral

As we move around the state we have been very privileged to experience some amazing places and meet some very special people. The exciting news is that we’ve invested in the dynamic town of Inverell, where we were most fortunate to be able to purchase a beautifully restored heritage home, which we have named Balmoral. Our daughter, Kate Boshammer, undertook the complete fit-out. We were thrilled with the result, a celebration of Kate’s interior design skills. See story on page 178.

We invite you to visit Inverell. There is so much to see and do in this glorious country town and surrounding areas.

Spotlight on Nyngan

In this issue you will read all about Nyngan, a western country town with so much to offer. In 14 pages, you’ll feel like you have been given a small snapshot of this very appealing town and surrounding area, with some great tourist attractions and some amazing locals full of pride and a caring spirit.

Spring Feature

We are pleased to be working with the Gwydir Shire Council to showcase this friendly and attractive area featuring the towns of Bingara and Warialda.

Additionally, in the Spring edition we shine the spotlight on the New England high country town of Walcha. We thought we knew these areas well, but there is so much more there than meets the eye.

In this much-anticipated Spring edition, we will also have two more stories on great performers hailing from Tamworth, Rob Breese and Mark Atkins. As well, we will enlighten you on the very significant role of the Tamworth Airport Flying School.

We are busily working on this right now so you can read all about it upon the release of Edition 38 in mid August.

Nyngan Town Hall is an eye-catching building in the charming country town.

Congratulations

We were very proud parents when we heard that our daughter Kate and her husband Justin Boshammer were recently selected through public vote as the Queensland Royal Flying Doctor Service Local Heroes. Since the devastating loss of their precious daughter Zara Hilary Boshammer in November 2020, they have raised over $250,000 with the help of family, friends and many businesses across eastern Australia. They were very humbled by this award and are committed to making a difference for others who have experienced loss or who require additional support as they care for family members with special needs.

Until next time, remember: “The simple act of listening to someone and making them feel as if they have truly been heard is a treasured gift.” – L A Villafane.

Warm regards, Elizabeth and Alex

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Justin, Theo and Kate Boshammer were recently awarded the RFDS Queensland Local Heroes Award as a result of their fundraising efforts through Zara’s Day. Image: Darling Downs Photography.

W I N T E R Jake’s message

a town of many tales What a fantastic job I have! Who else is given the privilege of pulling up a stump and having a yarn with amazing characters prepared to tell their life stories with a complete stranger? And they call this work!

Many people have told me if you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life, and this has been proven in spades by me in this issue.

The ordinary, everyday Australians I’ve met doing extraordinary things have been a highlight of creating this, our second Tamworth publication.

With so many ripping yarns to tell, we were left with no alternative but to bring you another edition. You will not be disappointed.

I’ve met the movers and shakers of the town, from the business sector to various rural enterprises and those who helped keep the country music festival one of the world’s premier events.

There’s so much more to Tamworth than just country music, though.

One bloke, through his passion for big bands and jazz, transformed the musical scene in the city and was a pretty dab hand on the sporting field, too.

Another flew all around the world before landing back in the city where he grew up, giving back to the community through his thespian and musical talents.

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While we usually leave the love stories to Mills & Boon, we could not resist the urge to share two absolute crackers that will leave you shaking your heads. You’ll be a true believer in fairy tales after reading these heartfelt pieces.

I talked to a highly decorated Vietnam veteran; a world-class chef and entrepreneur; a 90-year-young cattle baron; a flying miracle and an international tentpegger. Don’t know what a tentpegger is? Read on.

As a mad collector, it was always going to be special visiting a private Manilla museum. Without doubt, it’s one of the most eclectic displays I’ve ever stumbled upon. Having visited dozens of fine museums throughout regional NSW, that’s a big call.

The creative souls inhabiting the Tamworth Regional Council have left me in awe.

Who could believe it’s the nursery of so many great artists and talented people?

You might not have seen their names up in lights yet, but watch this space.

There’s a fair balance of musical and creative people featured in these pages but none would prepare me for my very first interview with a genuine internationally acclaimed rock star.

I kid you not. This humble gentleman (a hat man like myself) put me completely at

ABOVE: Tamworth is a beautiful city, especially at sunset from 3000 feet.

LEFT: Trying on a Big Bogan beanie in Nyngan.

ease and even sent me on my way with a jar of jam made by his daughter.

Then there’s Sydney tree changers who are discovering the beauty of the bush.

While the bulk of this issue is devoted to Tamworth, I was also able to duck out for a lightning visit to Nyngan, home of The Big Bogan.

This tiny town has the biggest heart.

You will enjoy reading about some of the extraordinary things happening out there that might never make the seven o’clock news, but will most definitely touch your heart.

Until next issue, I do trust you will take care of yourself.

Be crazy. Be stupid. Be silly. Be weird.

Be whatever, because life is too short to be anything but happy.

Until next time I’m looking at you.

Jake Lindsay

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WINTER 2022 CONTRIBUTORS

meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE

ALEX TICKLE

JAKE LINDSAY

Publisher, Editor, Advertising

Publisher, Distribution, Advertising

Chief Writer & Photographer

JENNIFER HARDEN

GINA CRANSON

Art Director

Sub-Editor & Proofreader

SALLY MARCEAU

ANNA CONN

Writer, Photographer, Social Media

KATE BOSHAMMER

Website Developer, Advertising Designer, Writer

MELISSA DUNKERLEY Advertising Designer

Advertising Designer

JANE SANDERSON

EMILY HERBERT

ELIZABETH SWANE

ROBERT I BRUCE Photographer

Country Cuisine Writer

ELIZABETH GRANT

ANNA ROSE

RACHEL DEANE

ELISABETH EDWARDS

LEIGH STEWART

Wedding Writer

Writer

Writer

NATALIE SALLOUM Photographer

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ZORA REGULIC

Writer

Garden Writer

Finishing Image Photography

JOHN CURLEY RLM Accountant

LIZ TICKNER Writer

Writer

LORRAINE HILLS

Photographer

Writer

SUE CURLEY Writer

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W I N T E R feedback

your letters How wonderful it has been to see the Autumn 2022 edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine showcasing the Tamworth region! It has struck such a chord with our community – seeing it as a celebration of their life. It has been gratifying to see our stories come alive on each page in both stunning images and well-crafted stories.

Your readers can see who we are and learn about the benefits of living in a regional city. I know there are now copies taking pride of place on coffee tables at local homes, in cafes and waiting rooms at businesses around our region.

Travellers have also snapped up copies as a memento of their visit here. Council is finding a great use for it as a way to give potential investors and tree changers a glimpse of the great lifestyle we enjoy and the opportunities on offer. It is important to celebrate the wonderful achievements of local people, and our community is proud of the story your magazine has been able to tell about our region.

Russell Webb, Tamworth Region Mayor

I have to write and offer my sincere thanks and congratulations on the superb Autumn edition of the magazine. Page after page of engrossing reading, stunning photos and attractive layout.

I love it! Jake Lindsay deserves a massive thank you for the wonderful spread he created for The Playhouse Hotel. Your efforts in the promotion of our beautiful region(s) will go a very long way, I have no doubt. It’s a publication to be proud of.

Andrew Sharp, The Playhouse Hotel, Barraba

I am writing to congratulate you on the Summer edition 2021 of Regional Lifestyle featuring Inverell NSW. The quality of the magazine is second to none. The photography and stories

by Jake Lindsay have, along with your printer’s quality work, resulted in a magazine to be kept and never to be discarded. My company, Arlington Gasweld, featured with advertising, which we believe was first class.

Les Parsons OAM, Arlington Pty Ltd

Regional Lifestyle Magazine entered my world a few months before the Spring 2021 edition, the Albury Town Feature, when I was asked to become a contributor. On page six of that publication the editor’s quote read: “A meaningful life is not being rich, highly educated or being perfect. It is about being real, being humble and being able to share ourselves to touch the lives of others.” That could well be the ethos of Australian rural life. And Regional Lifestyle certainly ran with that ethos in the Albury edition. Elizabeth and Alex Tickle and their talented staff highlighted the many facets of the Albury jewel that make it such an outstanding and important rural Australian town.

Through beautifully written stories and superb photography, Regional Lifestyle showcased Albury. Without a soul, there is no city, and Regional Lifestyle showed many examples of Albury’s soul through stories of community engagement, education, artistic expression and even personalised accommodation experiences like my Rose Cottage. The energy and the strength of a city like Albury shone through in articles featuring multigenerational farming families, businesses, both local and drawn to Albury from afar. Regional Lifestyle provided a platform for Albury to express through the magazine’s pages, subtly but also without doubt, the pride Albury has in its uniqueness, its sparkle, its professionalism, its sense of fun, its business acumen and its wonderful, resilient means of supporting its citizens.

Susan Hines, Rose Cottage, Albury

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

TAMWORTH

TOWN FE ATUR E PA R T T WO WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY

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TAMWORTH COU NCI L F E AT U R E

a region for all seasons from the Mayor of Tamworth Winter can be a time when some people like to hibernate a little, but the Tamworth region offers plenty of reasons to visit, whatever the season.

Our many great restaurants and cafes are showcasing quality local produce on their winter menus and the cooler temperatures are ideal for enjoying our award-winning playgrounds and picturesque natural landscapes. You can also warm up indoors by visiting galleries and museums, or take in some of our diverse retail offerings.

Located inland midway between Sydney and Brisbane on the New England Highway, the Tamworth region is fortunate to truly experience four distinct seasons of the year.

Many people who visit our region or move here have told me how our noticeable seasonal changes are an unexpected bonus to their experience. They find it a pleasant surprise the first time and then look forward to it through the year.

In July, we have our annual cool mid-year country music festival, Hats Off to Country. This year it’s on between July 7 and 10, featuring a great line-up of free and ticketed events across multiple venues. Maybe you were here in April for the (COVID-19 postponed) 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival and enjoyed it so much you want to come back without delay!

Soon it will be spring and our events calendar will be bursting with things to do and see, including our popular multicultural celebration, Fiesta La Peel, and Taste Tamworth, a long weekend that showcases how our region is growing a reputation as a destination for foodies.

This year for the first time we have the National Thunder Motorcycle Rally, which is expected to draw hundreds of riders to Tamworth to celebrate the biking lifestyle. Held over the October long weekend, there will be four days of organised motorbike rides, live music, on-site vendors and more.

It is great to see our local events program back in action as we continue to emerge from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent weeks, we have shared great news about additional flights to Tamworth. Link Airways will start flights between Tamworth and Sydney in June, joining Qantas, which already services the area. In exciting news, new airline Bonza will be introducing return flights to Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast from Tamworth Regional Airport

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“It is great to see our local events program back in action as we continue to emerge from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

for the first time. This will make it even easier to get to and from our region. It’s great news not only for our residents and visitors but also conference organisers looking to make use of our wonderful facilities, central location and great attractions.

Whether you come by road, rail or air, there is plenty to discover in our region. Start exploring now through the pages in this edition.

Don’t miss out on what our region has to offer.

Cr Russell Webb, Tamworth Region Mayor

r e v o c s Di the Tamworth region

Check out the incredible experiences on offer, and start planning your next adventure today.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

reaching The sky’s the limit for the enthusiastic members of Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club.

for the stars

With its new $2 million Astronomy and Science Centre, Tamworth could soon become renowned as the Stargazers’ Capital of Australia.

A justifiably proud club president Garry Copper says the Country Music Capital’s newest facility is being touted as one of the best publicly accessible astronomy centres in Australia.

“It has huge potential to draw in visitors from not just the wider Australian tourism market, but from the national and international amateur enthusiasts, particularly the northern hemisphere, where it’s widely acknowledged that ‘all the good stuff in astronomy is in the southern skies’.”

The complex boasts two large rolling-roof observatories and a university-size dome observatory used for both telescope viewing and as a planetarium theatre to accommodate school groups and day visitors.

Housed in the split roll-off-roof observatory at the centre’s entrance is the large Hewitt camera telescope. Live images from this instrument and other observatories can be fed into the centre’s communications system and projected to a big screen in the main display building.

The Hewitt camera has been used by club members to undertake a recent pro/am research project, named Phantom Echoes/Argus-2 with the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the UK Basingstoke club. Also in the club’s arsenal is a 36-inch Jos Roberts telescope and 13-inch Barnett telescope, among many smaller models.

Garry began his love affair with the skies, lying back on an old woolpack he and his dad had dragged out into the backyard of the family farm at Gulgong.

Back then, they used binoculars to search the heavens but since Garry discovered telescopes 30 years ago, he hasn’t looked back. All those articles in astronomy magazines during his uni days took on a whole new meaning through the telescope’s lens.

The city’s latest attraction was the dream of a small group of skywatchers who formed the Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club in 2015.

Although stargazers had gathered in small, private groups over the years, this was the first time Tamworth offered a place where like-minded astronomy enthusiasts could discuss their common interests and learn more about our nearest neighbours in the galaxy.

“It is also another avenue to introduce others to the joys of watching the night skies and learning new discoveries through the lens of a high-powered telescope,” Garry enthuses.

When the group began, they met in the large shed owned by club member Raymond McLaren, of the appropriately titled Andromeda Engineering firm at Moonbi.

The group met each Thursday night and began hosting public astronomy presentations and viewing nights at venues including the botanic garden function centre, where about 200 people can be accommodated.

By year’s end, a permanent site was found in the picturesque Victoria Park precinct to base club operations.

The club is a registered STEM (Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering) provider, and members regularly visit schools to give

talks, delivering solar viewing and astronomy sessions throughout the region.

Club member Grant Quinn leads the school liaison program and gets on well with the young astronomers of the future.

While many members have their own telescopes, the club has acquired four large, research-grade telescopes, converting the 34-inch, eight-tonne Hewitt camera photographic film to digital CMOS operation.

Several members are proficient in radio astronomy, and the club plans to erect radio dishes on site to further explore this new frontier.

Members are also refurbishing a 34-inch APT/Baker-Nunn telescope donated by UNSW/Siding Spring. The 20-inch Uppsala telescope, donated by ANU/Siding Spring, is still to be recommissioned.

Comfortable in the new surrounds, and with its assets growing, the club gained state and federal government funding via Tamworth Regional Council to build the Astronomy and Science Centre.

It houses the Bowman Collection, comprising a large number of mega-fauna (diprotodon skeletons), fossil and mineral displays and an extensive astrophotography exhibition. Science buffs will enjoy the Apollo 11 mission display.

It’s all aimed at making it a must-see destination for tour groups, club and service groups and schools.

The centre will open on a limited basis until all displays are fully complete. Once this has happened, public access hours will be expanded.

With more than 140 members, the Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club has set its sights on a bright future providing education and inspiration for those looking towards the stars. RLM Words: Anna Rose

FACING PAGE: Stargazers John Vickery, John Maude and president Garry Copper have the ability to peer into distant worlds; part of the new Tamworth complex.

ABOVE: John Maude, Garry Copper, technical guru Barry Gilbert and John Vickery with one of their giant telescopes.

Seek out the club on Facebook and find out lots more at the website www.tamworthastronomy.com.au.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

and the rest is HISTORY

Calala Cottage Museum houses a wealth of Tamworth’s rich history.

Calala Cottage’s story starts with Philip Gidley King, grandson of the third NSW Governor, who became the superintendent of the Peel River Land and Mineral Company in 1854.

By then, the Australian Agricultural Company had sold off the Goonoo Goonoo grant due to it being so far from Sydney.

The grant was purchased by a subsidiary company called the Peel River Land and Mineral Company.

PG King lived at Goonoo Goonoo Station when Tamworth was nothing but a small village. By the 1870s, Tamworth had grown substantially, prompting King to build a townhouse to keep an eye on the developing town.

King purchased a three-acre block in West Tamworth at the top of Denison Street, with “Calala House”, as it was originally known, built around 1875. King

became Tamworth’s inaugural mayor in 1876, and the place was used for mayoral duties and other functions.

PG King used the townhouse until his death in 1904, passing the property and superintendent’s position to his son, George Bartholomew Gidley King. He resided there until his death six years later, when it was passed to his third eldest son, Euston Hannibal Gidley King. >

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The beautiful old verandah; books as old as time; the dedication plaque; blue willow and more; lounging in the past; bedroom memories; as authentic as they come; weigh-in time; tins of treasure.

FROM TOP: The magnificently maintained Calala Cottage Museum is nestled in the heart of West Tamworth; Philip Gidley King.

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As the townhouse was being used less and less by the King family, Calala House was sold in 1916 to retired local farmer Arthur Vernon, who lived there with wife Margaret and daughters Una and Alice. Son John remained on the family property at “Appleby”, Attunga.

By 1935, the young women had become qualified nurses, using part of their former home as a private hospital. The other part of the house was rented by schoolteacher George Doyle and his wife.

In the late 1930s, the town clerk negotiated with the sisters to sell up. The clerk had plans to incorporate the house and land within the adjacent Kings Hill Park and turn Calala House into a historic home for the people of Tamworth.

In 1946, the Vernon sisters sold Calala House to Tamworth Municipal Council.

Council did not gain full possession of the house until Una Vernon and the Doyle family had moved out in late 1950.

Council turned it into two self-contained flats, housing a number of council families from 1951 until the early 1970s.

That’s when the Peel Valley Historical Society (renamed Tamworth Historical Society) sought permission to turn the house into a museum.

The historical society has held trusteeship of Calala House (renamed Calala Cottage Museum) for the past 50 years, attending to the maintenance and management of the 146-year-old property.

Keeping the story alive is keen historian Melinda Gill, who grew up in Tamworth with a love of family history inherited from her mother.

“I’ve been surrounded by history all my life, joining the Family History Group in 1998, where I continue researching the history of my ancestors.”

Melinda joined the Tamworth Historical Society (THS) in 2014 and became an active member. Her main role is to manage the collections, including all the old photographs.

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The main house, where she regularly works, fascinated her so much she explored the building’s long history in depth and wrote a book called Calala House – The town house of Philip Gidley King.

THS is a volunteer-run organisation, with the big task of looking after the several historic buildings that make up the Calala Cottage Museum complex.

The society meets regularly. Guests are welcome.

“We have a number of subcommittees with something for everyone,” Melinda says. “If you have an interest in history or would like to volunteer, we are always looking for new members.” RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The grounds of Calala are immaculately kept; history enthusiast Melinda Gill reflects on the past; items from days gone by; the Moonbi Beehive School was relocated to the West Tamworth site; kitchen kitsch.

Contact the museum on (02) 6765 7492 or visit the website tamworthhistoricalsocietynsw.org.au.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

SOLID

Lindsay Butler and Shaza Leigh have long enjoyed individual success in the country music realm but as a team they are pure gold.

partnership

There is very little Lindsay Butler OAM hasn’t achieved within the Australian country music industry, from winning three Golden Guitars, playing at every Tamworth festival bar one, to working with the biggest names in the business.

Lindsay Butler is a producer, respected personality, successful businessman and sought-after musician. And he seems to have found true and lasting happiness in the arms of third wife Shaza Leigh.

“To say our union was unpopular is a huge understatement,” Shaza laughs. “Most people believed our relationship wouldn’t last more than a few years.”

For some, their different backgrounds built the foundation of doubt. Others believed their generational musical divide would act as the catalyst for the inevitable separation, but predominantly, it was their 25-year age difference that had tongues wagging.

That was 30 years ago, and the critics have long been silenced.

Theirs was a traditional love story, built on passion, admiration and respect. It also resulted in a successful musical partnership. > ABOVE: Legendary guitarist Lindsay Butler with wife Shaza Leigh and son Lachlan in their Goonoo Goonoo Road studio complex.

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Lindsay’s eyes sparkle when he recalls his early years with Buddy and Slim, a personal highlight.

Born in Tenterfield in the early 1940s, and raised and homeschooled on the family dairy, young “Butts” exhibited no signs of interest in the land. Unlike his three elder siblings, he preferred to hide and play guitar when the chores were due.

In the early days he fancied himself as a singer, but after three years of touring with The Buddy Williams Show, he began to appreciate his true gift was playing guitar.

Lindsay married first wife Barbara in the mid 1960s and quickly had his first three children: Janet, Lindsay Jr and Neil.

He returned to Tenterfield but never settled back into regular life. Lindsay separated and moved to Tamworth with a new partner who became his second wife, Val. Two more children followed: David and Alisa.

Lindsay became one of Ross Murphy’s Opal recording artists and was offered his first tour with the legendary Slim Dusty. Lindsay continued to tour and record with Slim for the next 17 years.

In 1989, he set up his first backyard studio in Kootingal, securing albums for Brian Young; a new artist making his debut in country music, Brian Letton; and a young female singer touring with The Brian Young Show, Shaza Leigh.

Shaza was born in The Whitsundays and raised on the family cane and cattle property inland from Airlie Beach. She proved a good scholar and all-round sportswoman.

Learning came easy. With the support from many talented musicians in the region, she developed into an accomplished guitarist. She soaked up everything she could learn.

Lindsay produced Shaza’s debut album in 1990, the first contemporary country rock album released in Australia, raising

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some traditional eyebrows at the time. Walking Through My Mind proved a huge success, immediately hitting the airwaves and securing Shaza’s first Top 10 hit song, I’m Not Sorry.

Lindsay arranged a spot for Shaza and the two Brians on The Spirit Of Tamworth tour in 1992. A bus full of country stars, musicians and management performed in every state and territory on Australia over 22 days. It was on this tour as the official photographer, your humble scribe watched the pair fall in love.

“The fallout from that tour was incredible,” Shaza says. “Several marriages in trouble before the tour collapsed and love was found in several newly formed couples. Long-term friendships crumbled but new lifelong friendships grew.”

The Butlers formalised their partnership in 1994 and the LBS Music Group was branded into the country music landscape. Their bond became stronger and, against all odds, they stuck together.

Shaza admits it was their detractors and the isolation they both felt that caused the pair to throw themselves into work.

“We dedicated almost every available moment into building our music empire. It was fortunate we are both workaholics, love country music and would rather do a show than go out,” she says.

“We were putting in 17- to 20-hour days, six to seven days a week for the first 15 years of our partnership, simply to meet our deadlines, finish albums and tour the country to build our own careers.”

Together they have toured Australia extensively and travelled to the USA, Mexico and Hawaii for their honeymoon. During their time in Nashville, they teamed up with Terry Gordon, Charlie Landsborough, Hank Sasaki and others on the International Showcase during Fan Fair.

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A big part of the trip was researching ways to expand their enterprise, taking in many of the major country music museums including Elvis Presley’s Graceland. They were inspired by the positive, progressive attitudes of the Americans and their dedication to preserving their history while promoting the future.

They already owned their first home, at Moonbi, but were determined to one day invest in the Country Music Capital. Like many of the American greats, they harboured grand plans to find the right building to house their memorabilia.

On a holiday to the Gold Coast, Lindsay casually suggested his wife might like to check out some local real estate. Being one of Shaza’s favourite interests, she wasted no time hitting the streets. They purchased a property in Robina, installed a studio and set up their head office and national distribution company on the Gold Coast.

The pair based themselves in Queensland for several years, during which time Shaza fell pregnant with their only child, Lachlan, now 19, who’s very much part of the business.

Their ultimate dream of investing in Tamworth never dissipated and they purchased their Goonoo Goonoo Road property, a prime location on the city’s southern gateway. For several years the family floated between the three studios, enjoying the life of gypsies until they needed to settle down for Lachlan’s schooling.

Shaza always considered a solid education to be paramount, so it was decided to settle in Tamworth. The couple continued working at the studio in town while Shaza purchased a retreat on a couple of acres.

Eventually they bought their current home and new headquarters, complete with office, studio, mastering suite and film set at LBS MusicLand, a 27-acre property on the southern outskirts of Tamworth.

Also residing on site is their best friend and executive assistant at LBS Music Group, Peggy Gilchrist. These days they have also introduced various new divisions of the group including an internet radio station, OZ Radio Gold, production company, ButlerGilchrist and the latest addition, Star Central – an international marketing platform for promoting Australian country music artists to global radio.

The LBS label is nearing its 200th album release (about 2500 tracks). They have adorned the walls and purpose-built cabinets at the new complex with career awards and memorabilia.

Lindsay’s eyes sparkle when he recalls his early years with Buddy and Slim, a personal highlight. He says the OAM presented to him for services to country music and his elevation to the Roll of Renown are two of his proudest moments.

His dedication to producing quality albums over a 50-year career will become his legacy. Shaza appreciates every award she’s ever received but felt particularly honoured to win the 2020 Native Australian Award, OWB, for “excellence in the writing and performance of music reflecting Australia’s unique cultural heritage, and love for our Native Land”.

As the Butlers contemplate the future, the ambitions for their music business are still at the forefront. Their LBS label is the largest independent, family-owned and operated country record label in the world.

Nothing much has changed in the past 30 years of their partnership. “We still have the passion and drive, but are getting older and crankier,” Shaza grins.

Lindsay agrees. “It’s all been worth the blood, sweat and tears,” says the musician whose input into Australian country music has helped the genre survive and prosper. RLM THIS PAGE: Country music identity Lindsay Butler OAM has played at every Tamworth festival bar the first; in front of the countless albums he has recorded; nestled at home in the recording studio.

FACING PAGE: Lindsay attributes much of his guitar style to the late Hank Williams.

ABOVE: Idem, fuiticapere quitra que iust reme con pulvides bonfirm istiuulvides bonfirm istium iu quosuulvides bonfirm istium iu quosum iu quosuliIdem, fuiticapere quitra que iust reme con

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

in her element

The great outdoors is photographer Rachel Deane’s workplace and her muse.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“The wind echoes past my ears, my hair lightly dusted by the snow. I grip my camera and tentatively look down. The ground beneath me is rocky, and a sea of pine trees extend off into a sky of white mist. An eagle cries and dips and dives, eventually disappearing below a wave of white clouds.

I’m standing at 1100m above sea level.

Welcome to my office for the day.”

Tamworth photographer Rachel Deane is describing a day at work.

With a strong attraction to the bush, this country girl was raised in Gunnedah, where her father was one of those oldfashioned, multi-skilled, country GPs who did everything for their patients, while her mum put her nursing career on hold while raising their family.

After Gunnedah South Primary School, the four Deane children commuted to Carinya Christian School in Tamworth for high school. From an early age, Rachel exhibited artistic tendencies, no doubt inherited from her paternal grandmother, a talented Sydney artist who moulded and painted many of her own porcelain creations.

In 2005, Rachel moved to Sydney, spending her first year studying for an Executive Business Diploma from the June Dally-Watkins Business Finishing College. Another four years were devoted to gaining a Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication from the University of Western Sydney.

To help make ends meet, Rachel joined a talent agency, landing work as an extra on Australian television shows including All Saints, Home and Away, Underbelly and Blue Water High. With typical gusto, Rachel threw herself into fashion, ARIA and MTV events, dancing on music video clips and yachting around the harbour on weekends.

It was during one of these social events she was introduced to a man running an advertising photography company and invited to join the team as a casting director and photographer’s assistant.

In her new role, Rachel was thrust into the glamorous world of photography, working on campaigns involving Australia’s Next Top Model, Audi, The Beijing Olympics, Qantas and Telstra.

During a photo shoot for Australia’s Next Top Model, she realised she wanted to be behind the camera and not in front of it. Four years later, after moving back to Tamworth, she and partner Troy Gross welcomed their first child, Connor. >

PICTURED: Tamworth photographer Rachel Deane loves capturing the spirit of the bush; Rachel and partner Troy Gross with their sons Connor and Lucas.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

If becoming a mother wasn’t enough, Rachel also achieved her dream of starting her own photography business. Four years later, they welcomed a second son, Lucas, to the family. She says her boys are her “greatest inspiration and creation”.

“My business, Finishing Image Photography, is reminiscent of the mantra June Dally-Watkins tried to instil in her graduates – to give them that trademark edge in the competitive business market,” Rachel says. “Being my own boss has also allowed me to combine motherhood with working mainly from home, except when on location for photo shoots.”

Although she’s lived in Sydney and travelled extensively overseas, Rachel prefers the more affordable lifestyle and opportunities found in regional centres like Tamworth.

“It’s so great to explore the peaceful, rural countryside – even if it’s not always green,” she says. “I love the fact our postcode encompasses such a diversity in vegetation and landscapes. Dorothea Mackellar was spot on in her poem when identifying our region’s rugged mountain ranges, sweeping plains, droughts and flooding rains.

“I feel at home in the comfort and peace of the natural soundtrack of Tamworth, with the kookaburras echoing through the forest and black cockatoos calling out in the sky above – all the while breathing in the rich gum tree air of our surrounding bushland.

“In summer you can stand out on the plains and photograph the dry earthy horizon with its glimmering steamy sunset haze. In winter you can venture to Hanging Rock’s snow-capped mountains and capture the deer prancing in the thick snow.”

Rachel’s father chose to be a general medical practitioner because he loved the “cradle to grave” challenges posed by his chosen field of family medicine. In the same way, Rachel considers herself a bit of a “general photography practitioner”.

“Being a photographer is similar to being a writer, in that my photographs encapsulate the wide-sweeping vistas of breath-taking landscapes; the romantic, intimate and glamorous poses that occasions like engagements, pregnancy and weddings afford; the sweet innocence of a newborn baby and sometimes the poignant end-of-life pictures – summarising the highlights of a family’s major milestones in a few quality pictures.”

Forever humbled and honoured to share these special moments, Rachel is looking forward to her next shoot, in between family trips to Port Macquarie, where her parents moved in 2014. Beaches, seascapes, national parks and her parents’ glorious backyard garden have added an extra layer of beauty to her forever expanding landscape portfolio. RLM

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

The best of beef

Jack’s Creek has built a reputation for producing world-class beef that’s simply a cut above.

Jack’s Creek, one of Australia’s most well-known and respected family-owned premium beef producers, has built its legacy on a long-held belief and commitment not to compromise on best of breed and quality.

This commitment is the secret behind the family’s success with their tender, juicy beef earning them the title of World’s Best Steak Producer for two consecutive years.

It’s a success story that started over 170 years ago when the Warmoll family, who owns and operates Jack’s Creek, emigrated from Ireland to try their luck as butchers in the Victorian and NSW goldfields.

Jump ahead to the late 1940s and it was John Francis Warmoll and his wife Lola who started J F Warmoll & Co. As their grandson and Jack’s Creek Managing Director Patrick Warmoll notes, this was the beginning of the farming enterprise that is still owned and operated by their family today.

“My grandparents purchased a sizeable cropping and grazing property in Breeza on the fertile Liverpool Plains in NSW. My father, Phillip, and late uncle, David, joined my grandparents in the farming business in the 1970s. Growing soybeans, cotton and corn, my family were committed to maximising water efficiency through innovative crop irrigation plans,” Patrick says.

The success of this mixed cropping operation allowed the Warmolls to purchase the cattle property Big Jack’s Creek in Willow Tree, NSW

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in 1983. Big Jack’s Creek is on the picturesque Great Dividing Range, which is known for its temperate climate and reliable rainfall. It was here brothers David and Phillip showed the foresight to introduce Wagyu genetics into their Black Angus herd.

“For eight years, my family ran a successful Black Angus cattle business,” Patrick says.

“Then in 1991, a routine trip to the dentist by my father Phillip, and a chance Wagyu article in a Time magazine in the reception, convinced my father and my uncle to take the unprecedented step to cross their Black Angus herd with the famous Tajima Wagyu sires from the Hyogo prefecture in Japan.

“It was a relatively new approach in Australia, and it was a lot of trial and error, with our cattle primarily bred for the Japanese live export market.”

It was around this time the Warmolls started to vertically integrate their business by custom feeding, processing and marketing their beef. In 2000, the Warmoll brothers formed Australian Certified Wagyu Beef Pty Ltd, trading as Jack’s Creek, and they became one of the first Australian companies to breed, grow, process and market premium Wagyu beef. > BELOW: Today Jack’s Creek is a highly sophisticated business.

FACING PAGE: The late David Warmoll had a big vision.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE TOP ACCOLADES, AS SEEN IN THE RECENT AWARDS OF WORLD’S BEST GRAINFED, FILLET, AND RIBEYE STEAKS IN 2021.

“Today, Jack’s Creek is a highly sophisticated business,” Patrick says. “We started with prime cuts like tenderloin, striploin, and cube roll into European markets, with the balance of the cuts to Korea, and trimmings and bulk items into export commodity markets.

“Today we process between 1200 and 1500 head of cattle a week and export to over 30 countries. It is this market diversity that keeps the business growing and enables us to maintain strong performance.”

Through it all, the focus of Jack’s Creek hasn’t changed: to deliver the most tender, juicy, flavoursome beef. They regularly test their products against global competitors to benchmark quality and performance at the World Steak Challenge.

For two consecutive years, Jack’s Creek was recognised as the World’s Best Steak Producer. They continue to receive top accolades, as seen in the recent awards of World’s Best Grainfed, Fillet, and Ribeye Steaks in 2021, a true testament of the quality of Jack’s Creek.

So, what does the future look like for Jack’s Creek? Well, as Patrick says, “it’s looking bright”.

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“We have recently purchased 4900 hectares at Breeza with the capacity to run 3500 cattle year-round. This bolsters our landholdings in the area, expanding our operations, and solidifying our business for the next generation.”

As well as the new land acquisition, Jack’s Creek recently opened a sales office in Los Angeles to create a direct line into the North American market, and the company is building a new domestic distribution warehouse in Tamworth.

And, hopefully, another world title is in the making. RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Cattle graze contentedly on the property, Big Jack’s Creek; Phillip Warmoll talking family business with his sons Patrick and Robert Warmoll; Phillip Warmoll and his late uncle, David Warmoll.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS.

Visit jackscreek.com.au

SPECIAL

Tamworth real estate agent Helen Hystek has always chosen to live a life less ordinary.

agent For 20 years Helen worked in the marine industry and became a commercial launch master and commercial yacht master.

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Born into New Zealand real estate royalty, Tamworth’s Helen Hystek lived most of her early life on the ocean, the adored youngest child of Humphrey Beale.

A charismatic, sociable charmer, Humphrey was Helen’s greatest role model in three fields of endeavour: real estate, sailing and on radio.

Much of Helen’s childhood was spent in smoky boardrooms, surrounded by real estate agents (mostly men), or hanging out at the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, of which her dad was president.

A licensed driver at 15, Helen obtained her real estate registration a year later, but the lure of the ocean proved too strong, so she went to sea.

For 20 years Helen worked in the marine industry and became a commercial launch master and commercial yacht master.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

She survived two hurricanes at sea, the most significant event in the Gulf of Mexico, where they had the life raft out, prepared to abandon ship.

On yet another occasion they were held up by pirates off the island of Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, which Helen describes as her “closest ever near-death experience”.

“I’d never had a gun held to my head before. It was so frightening. They threw me down the stairs, which turned out to be a good thing in the end,” she recalls.

Helen was able to put out a mayday call and the pirates were sent packing, but the memory still gives her chills.

She left the marine industry and started Yacht Crew International Limited. As a recruitment agent, Helen would source crew from all over the world.

“I’d find the person they were looking for – a captain, stewardess, engineer or deckhand – and fly them to the yacht,” she says.

Helen had an office in Auckland and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she met her future husband and father of their two children, Leon and Kayla, at a friend’s barbecue.

She asked where this handsome stranger, the chief engineer on a large private yacht, was from. When he replied “Moonbi,” Helen had never heard of it, although she knew of its neighbour Tamworth, the Country Music Capital.

Helen quit her job and they went back to sea, working for the Emir of Qatar on his private yacht.

As senior crew, they were given a big house, a maid, cars, membership to the Intercontinental and world flights anywhere twice a year, when they would return to Moonbi to her husband’s property.

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They were secretly married in a Christian church in Qatar and their children were born there. Always seeking a challenge, Helen opened a new business, The Word, an information website aimed at expats coming to Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The business grew so quickly, and Helen seized the opportunity to sell when Virgin Qatar made an offer she couldn’t refuse.

They returned from Qatar on New Year’s Eve in 2010 to the Hystek property, which has been in the family for more than 50 years. Once the children were at school, Helen updated her Cert 3 and 4 in Business Administration at TAFE and returned to real estate.

She worked for The Professionals for several years. Four years ago, the agency merged with another firm and Helen decided to establish Helen Hystek Properties, which recently became a company.

Helen chose bright pink for her logo and car wrapping, and began a series of catchy radio ads.

“Pink isn’t really a rural Tamworth colour, but it stands out,” Helen says. “I got involved with 88.9FM as a presenter, where I was known as Helle B – but I haven’t been on air a couple of years. I became really busy establishing my business and needed to concentrate on one or the other.

“I was finishing opens on Saturday, running to the station and doing my show.

The kids were with my husband, and I realised how much I was missing out with them, so something had to change. I still love radio and would love to go back into it.

It’s a hobby and a passion, a bit like sailing.”

Life’s much more balanced these days and every chance they get, Helen and the kids spend time at the farm, soaking in the great outdoors away from their busy life in Tamworth.

Helen employs Claudia, an administrative assistant, and has updated all her licences. She’s now a class one licensed real estate and stock and station agent.

“I love selling rural properties and small acreages. I sell residential too, but there’s nothing quite like walking over the boundaries and discovering what’s unique about a property because I’m a real details person,” she says.

“I’ve never ever been busier with work than I am right now. Even when I was with the big agencies, I’ve never had this amount of work. The best part is I have a really good relationship with other agents in town, particularly people I’ve worked with.

“Sometimes as an agent you just need to bounce things off each other and although it’s

a cut-throat industry, I’ve always managed to get along with just about everyone.”

Helen’s father, whom she describes as “totally authentic”, had an old saying she recalls often: “If you are enjoying what you do and love what you do, you’re in the right space but only if you are being you.

Don’t ever try to be someone else because it won’t work. Authenticity is everything.”

While she might occasionally pine for the ocean, life inland is pretty much perfect for this adventurous, totally authentic agent. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Supplied

ABOVE: Helen relishes her role as a Tamworth real estate agent.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Another busy day at work; at sea in the Bahamas; the sailing yacht Mirabelle III; Helen Hystek and children Leon and Kayla with dog Timmy and cat Heidi enjoy relaxing at home.

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VOLUME TWO

An iconic publication featuring a collection of the best of editions 19-34 Available now from all stockists of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, and on our website: www.lifestylemagazine.net.au Orders can also be made by contacting Elizabeth: P. 0429 441 086 E. editor@lifestylemagazine.net.au RRP: $20

A great gift idea 36 RLM TAMWORTH

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

a culinary adventure

From breeding buffalo to running award-winning restaurants, Tamworth entrepreneurs Graham and Marlene Manvell have never done anything by halves.

Graham Manvell’s father and grandfather were bakers, and this ambitious, straight-talking free thinker was determined to climb the food chain – one huge step at a time.

After completing Year 10 at Tamworth High, Graham started as an apprentice chef at the famed Sebel Townhouse in Elizabeth Bay. For decades it was regarded as one of the country’s great rock’n’roll hotels with a reputation for impeccably high standards. But there was something else: hotel staff made a point of meeting any request, no matter how absurd or difficult.

Their ability to turn a blind eye to the excesses and idiosyncrasies of guests made it a favourite haunt of big-name entertainers. By the time Graham arrived, Aussie artists were rubbing shoulders with touring acts like Elton John, David Bowie and Dire Straits.

“All the big shots stayed there,” laughs Graham, from his Piallamore farm. “You could literally walk into blokes like Colonel Sanders (from KFC), Leo Sayer or Alice Cooper. I once found myself in a lift with ABBA.”

After three unforgettable years, Graham returned to Tamworth to utilise his newfound skills at Brown’s Beef and Barramundi Restaurant in Tamworth. One night, Marlene came in for dinner, starting a 42-year love affair that would see them reach the very top echelon of the hospitality industry.

Their first overseas jaunt was to London in 1982. Graham joined the 160 chefs at the Savoy, while Marlene found work in a fashion store in the Strand.

“When I worked there it was regarded as one of the best hotels in the world, with three staff for every guest,” Graham says. “It had its own chapel, printing service and a new menu every lunch and dinner. My job each morning was loading the coal ovens, which would go all day and night.” >

ABOVE: Culinary power couple Graham and Marlene Manvell are partners in marriage, business and endless foodie and life adventures.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

It was never all work and no play. When they had enough in the kitty they kicked off a backpacking adventure that took them to 28 countries. It was the start of a lifetime of adventure, work and travel.

Along the way, they established several restaurants, starting with the award-winning Jumbuck Cottage in the newly created Bicentennial Park. In 1993, they established their “baby” – the sSs BBQ Barn (succulent, sizzling steak), near the Longyard Hotel.

Famous for its saloon interior, char-grilled steaks, slow-cooked shanks and pork ribs, the American-style saloon was different to anything Tamworthians had ever seen. At sSs, patrons were encouraged to toss their peanut shells on the floor, an idea picked up during a stay at the world-famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

The steakhouse bagged a string of awards, including three consecutive gongs for Best Themed Restaurant in Australia. While the pair appreciated the nod of approval, what really thrilled them was producing nearly two-thirds of the menu.

Apart from growing 22 varieties of figs, herbs and olives, what helped put them on the culinary map was the succulent meat from their famed buffalo and Dexter herds. Then they learnt to craft their own beer and wine under the Lazy Poet label.

“We’ve always enjoyed exploring new options. The Dexter, an Irish Highland breed, produces beautifully marbled meat. Being so small, you get beautiful thick steaks from them.”

They are also big fans of the Damara sheep breed. Originating from the Middle East, they are lean and tasty, without the need for shearing.

“We believe when you sell something it should have true providence,” Graham says. “We’ve always recognised the unique flavour of our buffalo steaks. The meat – low in fat and cholesterol and high in iron – is highly desirable in Asian countries.”

He says their aim at sSs was to produce a fun dining experience for all. Families with young children were made to feel as welcome as grandparents, businesspeople or travellers.

During 27 years of late nights – it’s a feat largely unheard of in an industry where burnout is rife – they won 125 awards but had to dig deep after a gut-wrenching fire destroyed their dream. With strong community support, they rebuilt from the ashes and continued trading until 2020, when the restaurant took on new owners.

Recently, they sold their latest venture, the Bean and the Barista, in Marius Street, to allow more time to run their farms. After a lifetime being front of house, Marlene loves her French Maran chooks and open log fires in winter while Graham continues his consulting work and tending to his beloved buffalos and miniature cattle.

Before COVID, they were flying to China every year where Graham judged the best chefs from all over the world. He’s been an international judge with the World Association of Chefs for over a decade and has always enjoyed taking Marlene to competitions in far-flung corners of the globe. You need the stomach for it – Graham once had to taste 180 Mekong herring dishes in Thailand.

He knows the ropes better than most, having competed for his country in the Culinary Olympics on three continents. To his credit, he’s won more than 30 medals in various competitions, including ice-carving, platters and show plate.

Now that the pace of life has slowed down for the first time in four decades, the Manvells can be more involved in the lives of their two children, Tom and Hayley, and their grandchildren in Brisbane.

Tom has followed in the family tradition, having recently been judged Queensland Chef of the Year, while Hayley is busy selling big signature hotels and islands.

In his spare time, Graham is writing his memoirs after a lifetime spent in hot and sweet-smelling kitchens. For a man who grew up with takeaway meals in bakeries to working in five-star hotels all over the world, it promises to be a good read.

If we’re lucky, he might even reveal to readers a few secret herbs and spices from his favourite recipes. RLM

“We’ve always recognised the unique f lavour of our buffalo steaks. The meat – low in fat and cholesterol and high in iron – is highly desirable in Asian countries.”

FROM TOP: Graham and Marlene Manvell have always been a formidable team; geese on the Manvell farm; Marlene’s French Marans; the Manvells’ buffalo herd.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A man of many hats, here Graham’s the gentleman farmer; the bull’s intense gaze; Graham wearing a chef’s hat during the 1998 Taste Tamworth event; reflecting on his years of success in the International Culinary Olympics; some of the farm’s 28 buffalo, all known by name.

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Johnny

be good

There’s never been a dull moment in the life of Tamworth’s favourite son, John Muller OAM. 40 RLM TAMWORTH

Not many sportsmen have taken 10 wickets for just 22 runs, taught a current Test cricketer the fine art of swing bowling or scored their first hole in one at age 79.

John Muller OAM has done all that and much more. With an infectious grin and keen sense of humour, he has brought joy to generations of locals through his jazz, swing, big band and rock ‘n’ roll music.

From his home overlooking the fourth tee and fifth green of the Longyard Golf Club, John never tires watching fellow golfers follow their passion, especially his best mate, talented Sinatra-styled singer and drummer Peter “Harko” Harkins.

“Highly regarded bass player Stuart Dodson, who lives in Coffs Harbour, deserves a special thanks for his support and friendship over many years,” John says. His biggest supporter, however, is wife Mary, who will do anything for her man, except be photographed.

John’s love of cricket was forged during his formative childhood years in Nundle, where the family lived in a pioneer cottage backing onto the Peel River. In the early 1940s, with the world at war, young John learnt the ins and outs of the game from headmaster and local cricketing legend Mr Craft. He also began tickling the ivories under the tutelage of Berice Hayes.

At age 12, he moved with his parents, Albert (AB) and Violet, to Tamworth, where he continued piano lessons with Miss Sams, upstairs in the old P G Smith & Regan’s building (now occupied by Target). After four years at Tamworth High, he commenced his business career, which took him up and down Peel Street for nearly 50 years.

John worked for T J Treloar & Co, Falkenmire’s Music and Sports Store and Pengilley’s Radio and Electrical Company before being approached in 1974 by stock and station agents Terry Burke and John Smyth, who were launching Burke & Smyth real estate. John was offered a job to promote and manage the new business, which he did with aplomb for the next 26 years, before retiring in 2000.

Throughout all these years, music was always a great way to blow off some steam after a long day in the office. It all started while selling kitchenware and menswear at Treloars.

Fellow salesman Bob Morrison played in the Police Citizens Youth Club brass band and invited John to join. For the next few years he played the euphonium before launching into a new instrument that would change his life.

As luck would have it, John had noticed an old saxophone in the club’s music room and asked Bob to teach him to play. While learning about 20 numbers, out of the blue, local band leader Lex Leicht invited him to join his combo at the Tamworth Golf Club.

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John remembers shaking like a leaf but played his tunes for quicksteps, foxtrots, barn dances and gypsy taps, earning three quid for the night. From that day on he knew he had found his calling.

After Lex’s retirement in 1977, John took the opportunity to form the 18-piece Johnny Muller Big Band, which enthralled audiences for the next eight years.

Music, however, wasn’t his only love.

One day while John was working at Falkenmire’s, Mary Henderson walked into the shop to purchase a record player.

The lively lass from Bellata was doing her training at Tamworth Base Hospital. It’s been a blessed union, and the pair are about to celebrate 60 years of marriage.

With a passion for the Glenn Miller Orchestra, John named his eldest son Glenn after his idol. Their second son Peter also played saxophone in the band. A major highlight was being invited by Eric Scott of Hadley Studios to record the band.

In 1997, John came up with the idea of having a jazz concert at West Tamworth League Club as a fundraiser for the Billabong Clubhouse to support members on the road to recovery after mental illness. With strong support from Wests Entertainment Group CEO Rod Laing and his dedicated staff, $260,000 was raised in the next 15 years.

Before retiring from music in 2015, he played with the John Muller Trio. John played piano, Phil Reading was on bass and Lou Farina on drums. He was particularly impressed with his vocalist Kate Armstrong. John says Kate was one of the best all-round performers he’s worked with.

John reluctantly made the decision to retire due to the persistent wooziness in his head caused by his battle with cancer, which also keeps him off the golf course.

His retirement coincided with his 80th birthday, with a star-studded concert at the Capitol Theatre, splendidly produced by Peter Ross. The celebration, dubbed 80 Not Out!, took on a This is Your Life presentation, with Mary joining him on stage for a trip down memory lane. Those touched by his music, generosity and friendship were all there to share the special evening.

No conversation about the “Muller fulla”, as he is affectionately known, would be complete without mentioning cricket. The medium-pace, left-arm, swing bowler first represented the North and North West against the NSW touring Sheffield Shield side at Gunnedah in 1954.

In 1960, he played for NSW Country v City on the hallowed turf at Sydney Cricket Ground. It was a dream come true. An even bigger surprise was being selected to play against the West Indies in Newcastle. It was a special moment for John’s future wife,

who was sandwiched between Sir Garfield Sobers and Rohan Kanhai on their day off.

John has always rated Sobers as one of the best all-round cricketers in the world.

A three-month world tour followed with J S White’s Under 21 Emu Club side, including 19 games in England over 21 days. One of the highlights was seeing My Fair Lady, starring Julie Andrews, at the London Palladium.

“Our last match was in Hong Kong where I was pleased to learn I had taken 91 wickets during the tour. More importantly, I was also able to purchase an engagement ring from jeweller and good friend Andi Fabiani for my devoted Tamworth nurse back home,” John smiles.

The icing on the cake came in 1963 while playing for North Tamworth against West Tamworth on No.1 Oval. John snared all 10 wickets for just 22 runs. It’s no wonder he is a life member of Norths.

He is also credited with teaching Bendemeer’s Aussie Test bowler Josh Hazlewood the Glenn McGrath bowling method, which promotes extreme accuracy, during his three years at the Ken Falkenmire coaching academy in Tamworth. Josh’s hard work paid off when he was offered a first-grade position with Randwick, followed by the NSW Sheffield team and the Aussie Test side.

There have been many awards along the way, including his OAM in 2006 for services to the community as a musician, representative cricketer and supporter of charitable, sporting and youth organisations. A year later, John picked up the NSW Government award for Services to the Community.

In 2019, at the Tamworth Business Awards at TRECC, John was given a standing ovation after being presented with the prestigious Noel Park Award for services to the community.

Now 86, John Muller is thrilled to be still living at home with his beloved Mary and both sons.

With three grandchildren, Jordan, 22, Kieren, 21, and Caitlin, 18, there’s plenty of time for story-telling, jokes and banter.

Although widely recognised for his live performances, charity fundraising, dad jokes and mentoring, the “Muller fulla” is known to most Tamworthians as a local treasure and all-round good bloke. RLM CLOCKWISE FROP TOP LEFT: Peter Ross MCs at the Capitol Theatre for John’s 80 Not Out! celebration; John with his protégé, Josh Hazlewood; John and Mary Muller truly are a diamond pair, reaching their 60th wedding anniversary; Mary and John at his 80th birthday celebrations; John receiving his OAM from former NSW Governor Marie Bashir; the Mullers’ backyard view over the Longyard Golf Course.

FACING PAGE: John with his trusty saxophone.

TAMWORTH RLM 41

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NATIONAL FINALS

NATIONAL FINALS CAMPDRAFT

SENIOR & JUNIOR NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

PLUS full campdraft program, feature rodeo and the inaugural ABCRA Stockman’s Challenge.

PLUS feature campdraft

AELEC Tamworth - Nov 2022

AELEC Tamworth - Jan 2023

FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE: 02 6767 9200 TAMWORTH RLM 43

saddling up for a big year The Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) is celebrating a huge 75 years in 2022.

44 RLM TAMWORTH

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

While its 75th birthday has ushered a period of revitalisation and growth for the ABCRA and its National Finals format, it’s also been a moment for long-serving members to look back at how the association started.

As told by ABCRA Executive Officer Craig Young, it all began in the 1920s.

World War I had just ended, and there was a sense of optimism and progress in the air. But in the Aussie outback a deep rivalry continued to brew. Australia’s great bushmen were pitted against one another in a show of skill and determination. They paraded their tenacity as horsemen and roughriders, and the stock camps became an arena for a theatrical display of skill.

After more than two decades of travelling tent rodeos and bushmen’s carnivals, the Northern NSW Bushmen’s Carnival Association was formed on March 28, 1946 at the Imperial Hotel in Maitland, NSW. Polo player and campdrafter J K (Ken) Mackay was elected the inaugural president.

It was the association’s job to coordinate all carnivals conducted by affiliated committees.

With the affiliation of committees from Queensland, the name was changed to the Australian Bushmen’s Carnival Association, and finally on July 17, 1985 the association became a company, marking a change in administration and name, to now be known as the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association.

What started as entertainment in the bush all those years ago transformed into Australia’s most longstanding sports, which celebrate the country’s rich bush heritage and traditional life on the land.

Campdrafting and rodeo continue to be hotly contested sports, where the skills and bravery of Aussie cowboys and cowgirls rival the best in the world.

Today, the ABCRA is Australia’s largest and most diverse equine peak body and operates as one of the only organisations administering the sports of campdrafting and rodeo under one entity.

With a growing membership of more than 5000 people, and over 200 affiliated committees across the country, the ABCRA strives to be the leading industry organisation, whose mission is to encourage, foster and promote campdrafting, rodeo and other sports involving horsemanship in Australia.

Over the association’s 75-year history, there’s been enormous evolution and many industry changes that have been adapted to and welcomed. Animal welfare continues to be a contentious topic, drought has had a huge impact, and COVID-19 has created challenges never experienced before.

Despite this, the ABCRA has seen exponential growth and the diversity of

ABCRA is Australia’s largest and most diverse equine peak body and operates as one of the only organisations administering the sports of campdrafting and rodeo under one entity.

the association now stretches a lot further than just rodeo and campdraft. In recent months, the association has welcomed several new committees from Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region, offering a whole raft of new events for members in those areas.

Through the growth of the association and increased affiliation of committees and events, the ABCRA now offers competition across disciplines including rodeo, campdraft, challenge, sorting and penning. The variety of events ensures value for ABCRA members, creating more events and opportunities to compete.

This process also lowers event costs for committees and provides support.

The association’s board has announced a new National Finals format to cater to its diverse and dynamic member base.

The flagship event will now be run across two competition timeslots to allow new events and different disciplines to be incorporated into the program.

The campdraft section of the National Finals series will be held from November 17 to 20, 2022 at the Australian Equine

Livestock Event Centre (AELEC) in Tamworth. The competition will also include a full campdraft program and feature rodeo, which will be open to all financial members to compete.

The campdraft section of the National Finals will also see the inaugural run of the ABCRA’s Stockman’s Challenge.

The rodeo section of the National Finals will be held at the AELEC in January 2023, during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. It will be a three-round event, run in conjunction with the Junior Rodeo National Finals and a feature campdraft. RLM Words: Sara Crowe Images: Supplied

If you’d like to partner with the ABCRA for your next event or want more information about affiliation, please call (02) 6767 9200.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Ron Rayner competing in a buckjump in 1978; Dusty Saunders campdrafting in the 1980s; a historical image; Chris Wilson bull riding at the Tamworth Rodeo Roundup 2021 (Image: Stephen Mowbray Photography).

FACING PAGE: Harry Steiger at the Scone Campdraft in 2021 (Image: Tyler Palmer Photography).

TAMWORTH RLM 45

a cavalier attitude

Tamworth horseman Barry Biffin has proved age is no barrier when it comes to tentpegging.

After four decades in the sport of tentpegging, Barry Biffin is at the top of his game and still loves wearing the green and gold for his country.

Moving to Tamworth in 1983, Barry started working for Fielder’s Stock Feeds (now Ridley Agri-Products). He always had horses, playing polocrosse and using them for farming duties.

After the polocrosse season finished, he and a few horsemad mates decided to give tentpegging a crack. There was no

46 RLM TAMWORTH

better teacher than the late Laurie Andrews, a former mounted policeman with a thorough knowledge of the discipline.

“Within a year we had a team and we’ve been competing ever since,” says a proud Barry, the last original player from that team 39 years ago.

Travelling the world in a representative Australian side doesn’t come cheaply, so Barry worked long and hard in the agricultural and building industries to finance his passion.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

Now 65, he is not the oldest player but he’s up there among them. It’s testament to his competitive nature and never-say-die attitude. Barry has competed with Tamworth’s tentpegging team at a staggering 34 Sydney Royals, winning the prestigious Golden Livermore Lance on six occasions and individual champion three times. The close-knit bunch have won numerous state titles and are the Australian champions.

His current teammates are noted riders Todd Carey, Scott Miller and Bryson Roser. For Barry, it’s become a bit of a family affair, as Bryson is married to his daughter Kate, an Oxley High School teacher.

In 1993, they played a visiting South African team at the Adelaide Show. It was so much fun they were bitten by the international bug and toured India a few months later. Twenty years down the track, the team finally made it back for round two.

The year 2014 was another big one for Barry. He competed in Pakistan before returning to Oman, in the Middle East. Later, he saddled up in the Over 50s in the Australian-South African Masters at the Albury Show. The following year, he was in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the World Cup qualifier.

“Tentpegging has opened up a lot of doors for us and we’ve made great friendships all over the world,” Barry says. “The sport has taken us to places in Australia we’d not normally visit and to different countries we’d never even heard of.”

Before COVID, they took a women’s team to Oman, with Barry’s wife Judy as manager and Barry the coach.

When competing overseas, their horses are drawn in a ballot.

Barry has just put his favourite mount, Lamb Chop, out to pasture and is now riding Gemma, an impressive Australian Stock Horse.

The sport is big in South Africa, Pakistan, India and England, all Commonwealth countries, while the UAE has jumped on board in recent years.

“The South Africans are rated the world’s best overall players but it’s in Pakistan where tentpeggers are treated like rock stars,” says Barry, half-wishing he was a Pakistani rock star.

“At international competitions you are judged on speed. A good tentpegger, using the lance or an Australian Light Horse cavalry sword, has to be a good rider. Excellent hand-eye coordination is essential if you want to get ahead in this sport.”

Judy was never tempted to saddle up, yet she has qualified as an A-grade Australian judge and a B-grade international judge.

Some believe cavaliers have practised tentpegging since before the birth of Christ. Others maintain the sport evolved from cavalry training exercises designed to develop the soldiers’ prowess with the sword and lance from horseback.

India lays claim to developing tentpegging during the Middle Ages, when the cavalry was up against mounted elephant troops.

Its global acceptance and popularity continues to grow. The Olympic Council of Asia declared tentpegging an official Olympic sport in 1982. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports officially recognised it as an accepted discipline in 2004.

In 2012, the International Tent Pegging Federation was formed and now boasts a membership of more than 30 countries.

“We are aiming to hold a world championship event every second year with an ultimate aim of acceptance to the Olympic Games,” Barry says. “Australia were lucky enough to hold a qualifying event in Tamworth in 2018.”

Thirty years ago, Barry and Judy moved out to the lush hills of Loomberah to raise their family and pursue their passion for horses. Douglas is a solicitor at R J O’Halloran & Co in Tamworth and while he loves his profession, he equally enjoys being a rugby Pirate, a formidable horseman and a tentpegger.

Barry and Judy’s two children have blessed them with five grandchildren. Surely there will be at least one tentpegger among them to carry on the proud family tradition. RLM

FROM TOP: Tentpegger Barry Biffin in action; representing his country; some of the spoils; the sport has taken him to some far-flung overseas destinations.

FACING PAGE: Barry Biffin has enjoyed the pinnacle of success in the sport of tentpegging.

TAMWORTH RLM 47

T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

love conquers all

How far would you go for love? One adventurous couple has crossed the world several times in what could only be described as a modern-day fairytale.

48 RLM TAMWORTH

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

Sparks flew from the moment Emily Herbert met Welsh sculptor Adam Humphreys on the Thredbo snowfields when Emily was just 21.

There was something about the Welshman that swept her off her skis – although he thinks it had something to do with the après-ski. Perhaps it was because she’d been born and schooled in the UK, only hours away from the 12th-century castle where her handsome “prince” grew up.

“There was chemistry from the beginning. We just bounced off each other,” Emily says.

Adam came to Australia intending to stay for just one year, leaving behind his family farming enterprise in forestry, beef and sheep.

Meeting Emily saw him delay his homecoming for another 18 months, but his visa expiry finally forced his hand back to Wales.

The pair reunited a year later, when Emily took her own post-university gap year to the UK. They picked up where they left off, with Emily working as a reporter for a country Welsh newspaper between a ski season in France and backpacking around Europe.

“My mantra is persistence beats resistance, and I guess it worked,” Adam laughs.

The visa dilemma reared its head once again 2½ years later, when Emily’s working holiday permit ran out. She returned to Tamworth and worked for local media outlets NBN and Prime7, this time in front of the camera.

“I loved it and had the opportunity to speak to a cross-section of people around the North West,” she says.

“In the bush you report on everything, from the courtroom and police rounds to farming stories and what’s happening in the community.

“The Barnaby Joyce by-election was a big story during my time in the newsroom.

Appearing live on TV put me in good stead for my future work in podcasts.”

Like any good fairytale, the path to true love rarely runs smooth. Almost three years passed and the two were getting on with their lives, yet not entirely moving on.

In 2017 Emily headed back across the pond to London for a wedding and the two caught up once again.

The old magic was undeniably still there, yet on the flight home Emily couldn’t see herself leaving her Australian life. However, a month later, an invitation arrived to Adam’s brother’s wedding – a fortnight before the big day. She had no holidays left. Her chief of staff gave her three days’ unpaid leave.

“I flew out on Thursday, taking only hand luggage,” she says. “I arrived Friday, attended the wedding Saturday and flew back Sunday ready to present the TV news Tuesday night.”

Adam, the quieter of the two, broke his silence.

“If there was ever a test, you passed it,” he laughs.

Emily admits the reception was great fun and although jetlagged to the hilt, the two of them being together felt right.

“A few months later, I threw in my job and headed back to Wales to see if third time was the charm,” she says.

After six weeks of British winter, including being trapped at home by a freak blizzard and using the tractor to get to the pub, Emily travelled to India to undergo her yoga teacher training.

Meanwhile, Adam had spent five years converting a 200-year-old barn

into a modern home, felling and milling oak, cherry and larch trees planted by his grandfather for the project.

“He devoted his life to growing trees, mostly British natives,” Adam says.

“My father inherited that passion for sustainable forestry and all things timber, who then passed that on to me.

“Eventually, I started chainsawing the logs and turning them into art. My first sculpture paid for my ticket overseas.” > FROM TOP: Emily and Adam have a love story for the ages, one day to be shared with son Huckleberry; Adam has found his true calling creating impressive artworks.

FACING PAGE: The young family has always shared a close bond with horses.

TAMWORTH RLM 49

T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Emily is a busy woman, juggling her media career with raising her son; Adam’s artistic work features throughout the property; every family moment is cherished.

By the time Emily returned to Wales, Adam had almost completed the renovations, but in another twist, they never got to live in it. After Emily’s visa expired yet again, they ventured to Botswana to run a horse-riding safari.

“It was a phenomenal experience,” Emily says.

“The wildlife was jaw-dropping. We galloped alongside giraffe and zebra and were charged at by elephants.

“There were 64 horses on the camp, and up to 20 guests who would fly in by chopper from all over the world. It was a wild time and we’re glad we survived.”

With the world at their feet, their next move was to New Zealand’s South Island, where Emily taught yoga and Pilates and began freelance journalism while Adam sculpted.

“I like to say, that’s when I got my PhD in steelworks,” Adam says with a grin. “New Zealand was adventure heaven for us with hiking, mountain biking, water and snow skiing. It was a dream come true.”

The duo decided to tie the knot on the family farm outside Tamworth but, of course, no wedding goes off without a hitch.

“I came over to help Emily’s parents prepare their farm for our March 2020 wedding when COVID hit,” Adam says.

“We’d heard whispers about this outbreak in China but it seemed so far away. My parents and I just managed to get out of New Zealand on the last available flight.”

Instead of their 200-guest dream day, they opted to go ahead with the event with a much quieter, immediate family affair.

They were married in the middle of a paddock with an altar Adam made from a Bunnings drop sheet, and their guests happily sat on hay bales toasting the happy couple, who danced barefoot in their living room.

50 RLM TAMWORTH

Then along came Huckleberry Herbert Humphreys, their number one son. His name began as a joke, but with the pair avid Mark Twain fans, Huck stuck.

Now Emily’s a hands-on mum, yogi and journalist, writing for several publications including this one. She also co-hosts a podcast with Graziher magazine called Life On The Land. Her interviews with rural women across Australia are proving very popular.

The trio has been enjoying life on the Herbert farm with Emily’s parents, Earl and Susie, in a very amicable arrangement.

Earl is a Kiwi shearer turned professional polo player and breeder. When Emily was born, he’d been competing in the UK, and at international tournaments in New Zealand and Australia. For four years he played with Kerry Packer at “Ellerston”, Scone.

“We’ve come to accept that the gods make fun of our best-laid plans, so we’ve become very good at accepting life’s lessons and dealing with things as they happen,” Adam says. “You have to keep being your best self and keep pivoting. Life is about aptitude.”

As they await the final renovations to their East Tamworth home, they saddle up every day. Parenting is a juggling act for the pair, as the creatives manage workloads in front of the laptop and in the workshop. These days, Adam’s preferred medium is steel, which he meticulously welds together to create stunning, bespoke pieces that are in high demand.

Adam admits it would have been much easier falling in love with a girl next door, rather than a girl on the other side of the world.

“We’ve had plenty of opportunities to take the easy path,” he says. “I wouldn’t have chosen any other way.”

The happy couple have plans to return to Wales to introduce Huck to his Welsh family.

Who knows, maybe one day they’ll live in the old home Adam spent blood, sweat and years renovating.

In the meantime, they’re enjoying their own fairytale ending, having recently moved into Tamworth. Their new home will most certainly become their castle. RLM

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

The genuine article

Internationally acclaimed Gomeroi fashion designer Colleen Tighe Johnson has always worn her heart on her sleeve.

She is very conscious of looking after Mother Earth and this reflects the Aboriginal world view that “land is our mother” and Aboriginal people have the “responsibility to care for it”.

52 RLM TAMWORTH

“Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate being on a New York catwalk during Fashion Week,” fashion designer Colleen Tighe Johnson says from her Tamworth home.

“It was a totally surreal experience – a mixture of excitement and disbelief rolled into one.

“It was every fashion designer’s dream, especially for this little Murri girl raised in a railway tent in Morton Street, Moree.”

Colleen enjoyed a rapid rise to success. Her fashion label Buluuy Mirrii (meaning “Black Star” in Gamilaroi) made it into worldrenowned fashion shows in New York and the resort town of Cannes on the French Riviera. Shows in New Zealand and Canada soon followed.

“I’m still shaking my head, thinking of the journey I’ve walked and the pathways my ancestors paved for me and all my mob over many generations,” she says.

“How incredible that the footprints of the oldest people on earth have survived – and there I was, showcasing our stories on highgrade fabric textiles in the Big Apple.”

Colleen was born in 1960 in the segregated section of the Moree District Hospital known as the McMasters Ward, where her grandmother, the late Alma Tighe, was head nurse.

“I was born under the Commonwealth Act of Flora and Fauna and wasn’t even a statistic – the animals and vegetation had more rights than me and my mob,” she says.

“Amendments to the Aborigines Protection Act 1905 gave the local police the right to take you away at any time for any reason.

“If any of us kids heard the word ‘police’ everybody got up and ran for their lives! The fear of a bull wagon and the ‘gungies’ (police) is still vivid in my mind.

“I look back at my time in a railway tent and remember a family (including her parents, grandfather, two aunties and two siblings) and community that never complained.

“There was no sewerage – only outside dunnies and old coppers for washing and boiling clothes.

“The rain often dripped through the tent, and I can still see all the adults with brooms and pot sticks and whatever else was useful to push the water off the top of the tent.”

Moree show time in May was always special, when the family enjoyed front-row seats to the lights, music and excitement.

Another big event was cracker night, when all the families in Morton Street gathered on the open flat to make a monster bonfire.

In 1967, Colleen turned seven as major changes were happening to her people. Her parents finally earned the right to vote, to be counted in a census and become part of the electorate. Her family upgraded to a new home – a one-room, tin shack at the back of her grandmother’s at Soapy Rowe, now known as Maude Street.

It was still without sewerage, but at least there was no rain pouring in. The open fire and kitchen table became the centrepiece of the room, which included a double and two single beds.

Most time was spent outside playing rounders, hide-and-seek, hopscotch and marbles.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“In 1970, we hit the jackpot and moved into a housing commission home with running water, sewerage and lights,” she says. “It felt like we were living in a castle.”

During this time, Colleen learnt about life through her beloved grandmother, who proved a great and enduring inspiration. Alma Tighe was a proud First Nations woman who created her own ball gowns and day wear. She reached out to other Indigenous people experiencing hardship and became an accomplished ballroom dancer. The family was devastated by the passing of its much-loved matriarch.

Colleen says her strength comes from her mother, the late Pamela Tighe, who provided her with good morals and principles to walk in the world. Colleen says the bloodline of strong women comes from both sides of her family.

After a brief stint boarding at Kinross Wolaroi, Orange, Colleen left at the end of Year 11 and ventured into the hairdressing business. After marrying Paul Johnson at age 19, she spent the bulk of her time living and working on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Following a stroke in her mid-30s while at university, Colleen moved back to Moree for family support during the healing period.

Unable to find work, she opened a hairdressing salon before moving to Tamworth in 2003 to further her studies and explore the fashion world.

She uses fashion design as a way of expressing her values as a First Nations woman. Her designs are laden with stories of her ancestors and country – and a responsibility to care for it. The materials used and the timeless way she designs are influenced by her passion for country and a deep and profound respect for the environment. Her choice of colour stems from local flora and fauna and the changing colours of the seasons.

Colleen employs pattern drafters and seamstresses to bring her designs to fruition. Her understanding of the way clothing is constructed began in her early years at St Philomena’s Catholic School, Moree, where she learnt to hand sew and use a sewing machine.

Further knowledge of the construction of clothing and the fashion business was gleaned from the Queensland University of Technology’s Fashion 360 program. A major element of her work is sharing her nation’s stories with the world.

Colleen believes clothing should be worn for years, rather than becoming unfashionable and being thrown out after a season. She is very conscious of looking after Mother Earth and this reflects the Aboriginal world view that “land is our mother” and Aboriginal people have the “responsibility to care for it”.

While fashion has taken Colleen around the world, she has found peace and contentment among her extended family in Tamworth and Moree on traditional Gomeroi land.

“In recent times, things have changed dramatically for our mob,” she says. “Like everywhere, I suppose, unemployment, alcohol and drugs have changed our communities. I’ve lived through many changes and seen the best and worst in society.

“To think my parents didn’t have the right to walk into a pub.

Certain cafes and shops had curfews and they weren’t allowed to be seen in some parts of town at certain times. I grew up knowing where I could go and places that were out of bounds.”

Her early years taught Colleen Tighe Johnson to develop a strong heart, which helped her face a myriad of challenges on her road to success.

She has proved to her people anything is possible if you can rise above and follow your dreams. RLM ABOVE: Colleen Tighe Johnson has come a long way in the fashion industry.

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Colleen’s fresh and vibrant designs have been turning heads all over the globe; Buluuy Mirrii cultural ambassador Miah Wright and Colleen Tighe Johnson with fashions from her Buluuy Mirrii label; a humble Colleen acknowledges applause from the crowd.

For more information about Colleen’s label head to buluuymirrii.com.au.

TAMWORTH RLM 53

A GOOD SPORT Wally Franklin OAM is a champion both on and off the field.

When his number came up to serve in the Vietnam conflict, Wally never hesitated.

In the army, at least, he would be everybody’s equal.

54 RLM TAMWORTH

Just like Frankie, who kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon, Wally Franklin OAM was only 19 when he first set foot in Vietnam.

His 13-month tour left the Rockhampton lad shaken and wondering just why he had been sent to the most unpopular warzone in modern history.

Each night in the jungle, he would pray it wasn’t his last. For good luck, he would check off another day on his pocket calendar.

The Battle of Coral in 1968, the biggest engagement of the war

by Australian soldiers, left a bitter and lasting impression on the young soldier.

“It was 52 years ago but the memories never leave,” Wally says quietly from the verandah of the modern Tamworth Heights home he shares with wife Jill.

“When we came home, we never expected to be treated like heroes but the reception we received was both disgraceful and appalling. I made it home to Rocky and went to the meatworks, in uniform, to visit my brother. They all went on strike till I left. Later that day, I was spat upon in a hotel. We weren’t even welcome at the RSL.” Wally says this kind of treatment affected many veterans – and still does. After his overseas service, Wally transferred to a Brisbane unit “with men of my own kind”. He joined the Artillery School as an instructor, before being finally discharged from the army in early 1972.

It had been another tough round, much like his childhood. His father died when Wally was only four, leaving his mother to raise him and his four brothers, none of whom are still around, and a surviving sister.

“Before long, we were all made wards of the state,” he says. “It was supposed to make it easier for Mum financially, but it was all a bit too embarrassing for us young kids.”

When his number came up to serve in the Vietnam conflict, Wally never hesitated. In the army, at least, he would be everybody’s equal.

With the war thankfully behind him, he was happy to act as best man at Ian Finlay’s wedding, his best mate from his Vietnam days.

During the evening he struck up a romance with Ian’s cousin, Jill Finlay, and the pair tied the knot in Gunnedah before year’s end.

The next few years were spent in Manly, where Wally managed Brookvale Hotel for three years. Later, he managed a furniture store in Taree before being offered a job in Tamworth with Aristocrat Leisure Industries.

“Len Ainsworth, the boss, was an amazing man. He had a few thousand employees yet seemed to know all their names,” he recalls.

Wally was fortunate to retire at 55, after 18 years with the poker machine king. Now he had more time to devote to his other great love in life: sport.

As a young man he played first-grade league and union in Rocky, and later, rugby union at Manly before joining Tamworth Rugby Club, where he served as president, coach and was made a life member.

“COVID has seriously affected the game over the past two years, but due to excellent club management, we’re all looking forward to a brighter future,” the veteran says with a smile.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

Wally’s record behind the scenes is almost peerless. The 73-year-old has devoted much of his life to volunteering in sports administration, both in Tamworth and on the Mid North Coast.

He served on the board of the Northern Inland Academy of Sport from 1998 to 2013, for 10 years as chairman, and was a Tamworth Sports Dome board member. It was always all about developing players, on field and off.

Wally firmly believes in the power of sport as a force for good in the community.

“In my time, about 2500 kids went through the academy. I’m very happy to say I never saw any of them end up in a courtroom.

Sport is essential for a child’s growth and wellbeing. In all my years with rugby at all levels, I learnt the meaning of true friendship, doing the right thing and helping those less fortunate.”

Wally has spent a lifetime helping others. He’s even been back to Vietnam. That first trip, with son Wade and a few mates, brought all those old hidden emotions to the surface. Since then, he’s returned often, burning a stick of incense at the graves of his Vietnamese foe, which somewhat helps ease the guilt of fighting that unjust war where nobody really won.

“That first time we met some of the old North Vietnamese soldiers I’d once fought against. To begin with, we were all a bit cautious, but it soon became apparent that everyone in the room was simply following orders.

“Even though we were on opposite sides back then, the Vietnamese have forgiven the Aussies. They still hate Americans, but that’s because the Aussies buried the Vietnamese dead – the Americans didn’t. I was told that on two separate occasions in different areas of the country.”

This year he celebrates 50 years of marriage to his beloved Jill, together with their two children, Wade and Hayley, and four grandchildren. Sadly, their second daughter, Elke, died soon after birth.

Wade is a retired RAAF squadron leader and married to Lisa.

Hayley, who has a banking background, has married Andrew Warden and lives on Bernaud Station, Loomberah.

Wally’s lifetime spent helping others hasn’t gone unnoticed, thanks to several prestigious accolades.

In 2012, he was presented with the Premier of NSW Community Service Award in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the community. Three years later, he was the proud recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to sport and the Tamworth community.

For this humble man of the people, helping others is what keeps him alive and excited about the future, something he certainly didn’t take for granted in Vietnam all those years ago. RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The rewards of service and dedication to a cause – Wally with his military medals and his OAM; a proud moment for the family, Wade, Jill, Wally and Hayley at his OAM investiture; Wally shows off the golfer’s dream – his hole-in-one trophy.

FACING PAGE: Like father, like son – Wade and Wally at about the same age; Wally, aged 19; Anzac Day at The Heights, COVID-style, is a very solemn occasion for this humble man and his memories.

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delivering the goods It was only when midwife Edwina Sharrock’s daughter was born that she realised the importance of birth education.

There’s a word that encompasses the tender evolution of a woman welcoming a child into the world. Matrescence is the physical, emotional, hormonal and social transition to becoming a mother. And nearby are the midwives, who stand sentry, not just over the new babies welcomed earth side, but the achingly vulnerable, tumultuous moment a woman steps into a new chapter of life.

For Edwina Sharrock, the path to becoming a midwife began with a love of hockey.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to study at school, but I knew I wanted to play hockey at Sydney University and chose my degree based on those two things,” Edwina says.

“I had a friend who was doing nursing so I thought I’d do the same thing, without giving it much thought, and every day I am grateful.

I passionately believe nursing is my calling.”

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A fatalist would say Edwina was destined to be a midwife. After finishing her nursing studies, the Tamworth local moved to Broome for eight months with her best friend, working and travelling across the outback.

“I was 24 and at a crossroads as to whether to go back to Sydney or not. Then Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and that was my decision made. I moved home to support Mum and help out for 12 months.”

Applying to study midwifery at the old Tamworth Base Hospital, that 12 months turned into a lifetime (thus far). Training as a student midwife before adding emergency training to her bulging resume, Edwina also worked with the Westpac helicopter retrieval service, as well as training as a firefighter alongside husband Rosco.

“We had this big busy full life in Tamworth and we just loved it,” Edwina says. “My family joke I’m Mayor of Tamworth, as I’m constantly enthusing about it! I just think it’s such a great place to have kids and raise a family.”

The midwife’s course veered again when she gave birth to her daughter Polly, now 10.

“We didn’t do birth classes for Polly’s birth. I had this real attitude of, ‘I know what I’m doing, I’ll just get in and get it done’. I’m also really competitive, so I thought I’d just be really good at birth. I took a very clinical, medical approach,” she says. “Polly’s birth was a positive experience on paper, but afterwards I felt quite shocked, and Rosco was so taken aback. I realised we hadn’t prepared ourselves mentally or physically.

I took all the ownership of it, and I didn’t

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

appreciate or acknowledge what a huge role your partner or your support partner can play in the birth space.”

While her newborn slept, Edwina started researching birth education. She found it outdated and unrelatable for a modern family.

“Every time I tell someone I’m a midwife, they unpack their birth experience and I often think, ‘it didn’t have to be like that’,” she says. “My genuine passion is that people feel actually excited for birth and lose their fear – no matter what birth they have, whether planned caesarean, vaginal or emergency c-section.”

With no business background and no end goal, Edwina started teaching birth classes on weekends. Word spread, and numbers quickly outgrew her living room.

“I started losing track of bookings, so I built a website. It was all so organic, as cliché as that word is,” she says. “We were several years in when a couple travelled from Cobar for a weekend’s workshop.

They’d heard great things and decided it was worth the travel, the accommodation and two nights away from home. I’ll never forget sitting there thinking, ‘this thing has legs’.”

Researching what was available west of Tamworth, Edwina found that 41 per cent of rural birthing units had closed in the 15 years prior. Passionate about access to care, the educator decided to take the course online in 2016.

“No one was offering classes online then,” she says. “I thought I could reach more rural and remote women digitally. The Commonwealth Bank had an innovation award. In the application I faked a Birth Beat team, by getting my friends to wear T-shirts with my logo.”

It worked. The educator won a week-long marketing course and $10,000. Edwina later confessed all to the CommBank team, who put the story of the midwife’s inventive strategy into its own marketing campaign.

The award started the trajectory that saw Edwina educate thousands of parents across the country. She went on to earn an OAM in 2021.

Acting as a one-stop shop, Birth Beat offers prenatal yoga, guided meditation and birth education, through to breastfeeding, sleep and settling and baby and child first aid.

Now with a team of four, Birth Beat is going from strength to virtual strength.

With a vision her business will be a household name nationally, the educator’s content is now available in hospitals as well as offered as a corporate wellbeing package.

And while she’s been working as a midwife for more than 15 years, Edwina still has a tear in her eye at every birth.

“It’s an incredible job, and it’s not what a lot of people think it is. The role of the midwife is just to support the mum,” she says. “We don’t do the work, the woman does. We’re just there to have a presence and to keep the woman safe and feeling secure.

I’m there 100 per cent for the woman.” RLM Words: Emily Herbert Images: Finishing Image Photography

FROM TOP: Edwina with her Order of Australia (OAM) for service to health; Edwina passionately believes nursing is her calling.

FACING PAGE: Edwina and husband Rosco with their children, Polly, 10 and Theo, 7, lead a busy life in Tamworth.

For more information about Birth Beat head to birthbeat.com.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

building on UNE SMART Region Incubator, led by the University of New England, is facilitating innovation and enterprise in the New England North West region, with inspiring outcomes.

Tamworth-based companies and their founders, along with a regional cohort, are working with expert advisors, researchers and the UNE SRI support team to facilitate connections and grow jobs in the region.

Led by Director Dr Lou Conway, UNE SRI is an inland innovation community of highgrowth, tech-based companies attracting investment, exporting, and building international collaborations.

Founders growing their businesses with UNE SRI have attracted over $18 million to the region and created more than 180 jobs since the incubator was launched in 2017, following investment by the NSW Government to transform ideas into jobs.

In Tamworth, it operates from iconic Peel House, a historic building formerly the Council Chambers, with a physical presence also in Armidale, Moree and Narrabri.

Tamworth regional connector Alison Treloar supports founders by identifying key connections to support business growth, and by facilitating the UNE SRI’s flagship programs.

“Regional innovation has an important role to play in the prosperity of our communities,” Alison says.

“It empowers key industries, including agriculture and health, to address challenges, fosters innovation and jobs in new industries such as clean tech, and ultimately contributes to regional economic development across a broad range of existing and emerging sectors.

“In Tamworth we have proudly partnered with Tamworth Regional Council, who share our vision for a vibrant innovation ecosystem supporting start-ups across industry and education.

“There are currently 59 founders launching, building start-ups with us. Just under 50 per cent of these are based in Tamworth.

“We have directly assisted over 100 start-ups, and met other founders, side hustlers and small businesses via events and workshops over the last five years. >

great ideas

“In Tamworth we have proudly partnered with Tamworth Regional Council, who share our vision for a vibrant innovation ecosystem supporting start-ups across industry and education.”

FROM TOP: UNE SRI regional connector Alison Treloar; UNE SRI founder Shonelle Gleeson-Willey, Moss Environmental.

FACING PAGE: UNE SRI founder Nerida Richards, FeedXL.

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“Furthermore, we are keen to hear from potential founders – individuals who have an idea and are ready to turn it into reality.”

UNE SRI connects founders, researchers, students, experts, investors, and government and business partners.

“Through collaboration we help deliver new products and services to market.

“We focus on innovation and working with businesses that can scale, generating investment and jobs back into our region, and supporting regional economic growth opportunities, often in response to community issues.”

Founders span health, ag tech, environment and creative industries.

They include wonderful examples of ingenuity and enterprise such as Tamworthbased Vesi Water, which is using patented technology to provide clean, sustainable water from air and renewable energy.

Another is Moss Environmental, a local

consulting and contracting company.

Their research includes transformation of building design for pandemics and the best methods of successfully and practically implementing regenerative agricultural practices.

Founder of innovative Tamworth-based business FeedXL Dr Nerida Richards credits UNE SRI with transforming her business.

Nerida completed her PhD in equine nutrition at the University of New England, and is a highly respected nutritionist for the equine industry across Australia and abroad.

She developed a nutrition calculator for horses and now delivers this SaaS (software as a service) globally.

“Our association with the SRI has made a huge difference to the way we operate,” Nerida says. “It is unrecognisable from where we started.”

One of the early UNE SRI founders, she continues to be involved in a number of

ways, including utilising the organisation’s co-working space in Tamworth.

“After working from home for years, it is great working alongside fellow founders, networking with like-minded, similarly driven people,” Nerida says.

The UNE SRI has also assisted with pitch events to showcase FeedXL to investors, marketing support, business model development (including through the highly regarded Entrepreneur’s Leverage Program) and an increased profile.

Nerida says her involvement with UNE SRI business coach Mandy Walker is also significant.

“It is amazing what you can keep learning at any stage of running a business. The SRI provides momentum and tools for success,” she says.

UNE SRI hosts a series of signature programs, including SMARTSessions, offering business skills development; HATCH, a three-day program helping turn business ideas into reality; and Entrepreneur’s Leverage Program, supporting founders to grow and scale their business.

Alison encourages anyone at any stage of their business journey to explore how they can be involved in the UNE SRI connected community. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Simon Scott, David Waugh, Antony Hands, Jake Lindsay.

More details can be found at unesri.com.au.

FROM TOP: Llewellyn Owens, Vesi Water; Justin and Katelyn Wall started their bee enterprise in Tamworth five years ago.

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YVONNE OVERTON Watercolours that express the beauty of birds, buildings and landscapes

Ph. 0400 453 261

yvonne.overton3@bigpond.com

HOTEL MOTEL TAMWORTH

New owners and an exciting new look!

Drop-in and discover for yourself the new buzz in Tamworth dining.

GREAT MEALS, REFURBISHED ROOMS AND FINE COMPANY ASSURED

Located in a graceful old heritage building, with a tucked away, private garden in Tamworth’s main street, Ruby’s is a local and well loved cafe and gift store.

We are passionate about seasonal, local produce, amazing flavours, great coffee, and our loyal customers. We provide gorgeous gifts, beautiful fresh flowers and a relaxed, yet elegant, function space.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

LOCAL AND LOVED (02) 6766 9715 Tues–Thurs 7am–2pm kellie@thesweetvioletgroup.com.au Fri 7am–-5pm 492–494 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340 Sat 7am–2pm www.rubystamworth.com.au Sun 8am–12pm

Tamworth’s favourite pub on the Armidale Road 6761 3892 583 Armidale Road, Tamworth, NSW 2340 theoasis583@gmail.com @theoasistamworth www.theoasistamworth.com

MONDAY CLOSED TUESDAY–SATURDAY 11AM–LATE SUNDAY 11AM–4PM

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Go with the flow It’s easy to see where Tamworth watercolour artist Yvonne Overton finds inspiration.

In her converted garage, surrounded by natural light, fresh air and the sounds of chirping birds, ex-Moree farmer and teacher Yvonne Overton has discovered her passion for the paintbrush.

Yvonne and husband Kevin retired to East Tamworth 20 years ago after three decades of farming on “Kiora”, Moree. During this time, they’ve developed a magnificent garden around their home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. There’s virtually no traffic and their mountain views remind them of the bush.

Determined to follow in the footsteps of her father, a former Moree Primary School principal, Yvonne won a scholarship to

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attend East Sydney Technical College and study fashion. This led to postings in Wagga Wagga, Lithgow and Moree, where she met and married her engineer husband.

They have three adult sons, Simon, Warwick and Tony, who live in Cairns, Sydney and Walcha, and who have given them the joy of seven grandchildren.

After years of teaching, Yvonne concluded it was finally time to pick up the paintbrush and palette. Fast forward 20 years and this gifted artist has really hit her straps. Her works hang proudly throughout her home and in countless homes and businesses throughout the North West.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“I REALLY LOVE THE LOOK OF WATERCOLOURS, ESPECIALLY THE ABILITY OF THE PAINT TO MINGLE AND FLOW.” It all started when she achieved her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Newcastle. Yvonne found herself among the oldest and more determined of the students. Four years of study later, the 60-year-old was ready to share her art with the rest of the world.

“I really started from scratch but with plenty of encouragement from my teachers, I learnt the intricacies of painting in oils.

Despite all that training, I really love the look of watercolours, especially the ability of the paint to mingle and flow,” she says.

From her studio, she can peer over to her husband, who dabbles in clay sculpture. They work together in companionable silence; Kevin knows the rules.

“In this space, silence is golden. I’ve trained him well,” Yvonne laughs. “He knows not to speak to me while I’m putting a big wash on.”

Yvonne has painted hundreds of scenes, ranging from traditional 8 x 10s on watercolour paper to large-scale prints. Most of her work is inspired from her own photos, taken on European trips during her retirement.

With all its historic buildings, Paris remains her favourite city, but she is equally enthralled by the small villages surrounding the French capital.

Most times Yvonne will only paint a scene once.

“It’s always a challenge to do the scene justice. For me I like to have the ‘wow’ factor. I can see in my mind the painting as I photograph quaint-looking buildings and scenes. With drawers full of photos, I don’t think I’ll ever run out of ideas.”

Throughout her home, and in every bedroom, you’ll find an Yvonne Overton original. Pop down the road to Andy’s Guesthouse in Barraba, and you’ll see more of her work. Weswal Gallery in Tamworth also exhibits Yvonne’s creations.

Over the years, Yvonne has turned her hand to portraits, starting with her grandchildren. Word quickly spread and, before long,

Yvonne was taking commissions.

For those considering a hobby or career in the art world, Yvonne suggests enrolling at art school. If you can’t find one, a mentor is the next best thing. She believes you will save a lot of expense, time, frustration and even heartache in the long run.

Yvonne has turned her painting into a social gathering, with students visiting on Monday afternoons to paint and share their experiences. Until COVID, a U3A class was conducted on Thursdays.

Her works have been exhibited at local shows, including Currabubula Red Cross Art Show, Frost Over Barraba and Kootingal Lions Club Art Show, where she has collected numerous awards and accolades.

Yvonne paints for the sheer joy of it and can lose herself for a whole day among her watercolours.

When inspiration hits, Yvonne doesn’t muck around. She’s straight into it, as it might be the only painting she completes all week. Years ago, she’d turn them out a lot quicker. Perhaps it’s the enjoyment that’s slowed her pace these days, as she loves to savour every moment with paintbrush in hand.

“My advice is whatever your passion, just go for it. Life is beautiful and short. Live every day as if it were your last,” she says with a contented smile. RLM

FACING PAGE: Yvonne Overton in her studio surrounded by the tools of her trade, soaking in the inspiration all around her.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Dancing Brolgas is a real statement piece; this magnificent landscape, Ponderosa, was inspired by the beauty of the hill country around Nundle and Hanging Rock; if only the walls of this old house could talk; any old building attracts this keen artist’s eye.

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the music man

The colourful life of Tamworth’s Bill Gleeson makes for great theatre.

One of Tamworth’s finest musical treasures greets RLM at the door of St Andrew’s Retirement Village with a welcome smile and a glass of bubbly.

Away from the stage, Bill Gleeson OAM has worn many hats. Over an illustrious career, he’s been an ABC morning show presenter, director of entertainment on long-haul flights and a brilliant pianist who’s lent his celebrity to countless community projects.

Life for Bill has changed considerably in the past few years, starting with the devastating loss of his beloved partner, Leon Shearer, in 2016. A few months later, he said goodbye to his only living relative and older brother, Leo. “It took me only 10 days to decide to get out of the home Leon and I shared for 22 years,” he says candidly. “It was time to downsize from a big, spacious home into a compact unit. I did it all in a day, starting at midnight and throwing out everything I thought I’d never need again.”

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It was a big move for a man who has achieved so much in one lifetime. Forever the showman, Bill has done it all. For more than 60 years he has been the consummate actor, singer, compere, sublime pianist, musical director, playwright, author, composer and mentor. Now, as cancer invades his 78-year-old body, he’s in uncharted territory – not that that’s ever worried him.

Without any family, Bill is determined to live every day with a smile on his face and a kind word for a friend. A big priority is making every moment count – with good times and laughter assured for all visitors, no matter how sombre the occasion.

With nobody to hand down a lifetime of treasures and memories to, the community stalwart has become a minimalist, discarding most of his possessions. Bill describes the process as a painful yet liberating one.

“Despite being frowned upon by the medical fraternity, I’ve never been happier. I thought the cancer would be my swan song – exit stage right, but thankfully I’m still here.”

Bill has a close-knit group of mates who labelled themselves “The Invincibles”. Apart from himself, they aim to reach the elusive century mark. Three already have achieved that rare distinction but Bill, the P-plater of the group, doesn’t fancy his chances.

“I don’t believe in longevity,” scoffs the man born on a property between Coolah and Tambar Springs in 1944. Brother Leo, six years older, attended St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, leaving Bill to his own devices.

When Bill was eight, the family moved to “Prairie Vale”, Attunga, where Bill attended the Christian Brothers school and was encouraged to sing. He’d grown up with music on the farm, playing by ear on the family’s Beale pianola. One song in particular, Vilia, triggered an unforeseen reaction.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

In 1959, he heard the song sung on stage

by Marj Cousens and he was gone for all money. So began a lifelong association with Tamworth Musical Society, Tamworth Dramatic Society and indeed the world of music and theatre, from Sydney to London and back home to Tamworth.

He joined Tamworth Musical Society – started in 1888 and the oldest in Australia – after winning the boys’ vocal championship at the Sydney Eisteddfod as a high-pitched soprano. The teenager’s first production was the big operetta The White Horse Inn. Singing, however, wasn’t going to pay for his supper and Bill began looking beyond the farm for work that suited his engaging personality.

He loved the land but there had been plenty of lonely and confusing times on the tractor, driving wheat trucks and mustering cattle.

The 1965 drought was the tipping point. After lopping one too many kurrajong trees to feed the starving sheep, Bill walked out the farm gate and never looked back.

Gifted with a melodic speaking voice, he found work as a journalist with Radio 2TM, Tamworth, also appearing on TV. The job may well have lasted had it not been for an irresistible opportunity that came his way.

One evening while playing a grand piano at the Jules Club in Crown Street, Sydney, a group of airline hostesses and stewards strolled in to unwind after a long flight.

Over a few drinks they convinced the jovial pianist to try out for QANTAS, which had recently acquired a dozen new jumbos and was seeking crew to staff the new fleet. At his first interview, none of his competitors knew the meaning of the second “A” in the company name.

Thankfully Bill’s father was a keen historian and had drilled the answer into his subconscious. It helped him secure the job of a lifetime.

For the next 15 years, Bill flew in 747s to dozens of exotic destinations throughout the world. One of his favourites was Norfolk Island, full of blissful newlyweds and happy-go-lucky islanders. Bill admits it was a prestigious job, joining as steward #458. By the time he left, more than 4000 men had filled a role traditionally reserved for females.

“I got away with a lot of controlled larrikinism, bearing in mind there was only one movie for an eight-hour flight,” he recalls with a grin. “It really was a magnificent time and a privileged lifestyle, staying in five-star hotels with ample time off to explore the sights and sounds of foreign cities.”

During days off in London, Bill raced from theatre to theatre, taking in the latest West End shows. It was the same story in The Big Apple’s Broadway.

“It couldn’t last forever. After a while,

pouring 400 cups of coffee in a tin can for eight straight hours became less appealing,” he laughs.

In 1988, after a particularly exasperating trip to London, Bill had definitely had enough. Back on terra firma, he bought a big home in Upper Street, Tamworth and landed a job with ABC radio on Saturday mornings, establishing himself as the “Voice of the North West”.

“I absolutely loved the job. I had to know politics, weather and a bit of everything, especially the huge area we covered. After 13 years, I was considered too old – besides, they needed more women in managerial positions.”

Music took over the void. The biggest highlight came at the end of his career with The Boy From Attunga, a joyous celebration of his career on the stage. The 2½-hour salute encompassed music from Bill’s first shows with Tamworth Musical Society, Tamworth Dramatic Society, eisteddfods and concerts – all performed by members of Tamworth Musical Society, finishing with The Tamworth Singers.

From the plains to the stage, from the tractor to the piano, the show celebrated Bill’s long and successful love affair with theatre. Bill wrote the production, with 30 in the cast and a further 12 in the orchestra pit.

Bill is still involved with community fundraisers, albeit in a reduced capacity. For many years he and childhood friend Richard Hutt raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities with their unique show, Two Men and Two Pianos.

“I’ve had my life and am just waiting for the ‘Big Fella’ upstairs to tap me on the shoulder. Hopefully, I’ll catch up with Leon, whom I suspect will be up there playing bowls,” he jokes. “These days I’m content with a good book to read, a nice painting to admire, some classical music and a fine glass of wine. If the truth be known, I’m as happy as I’ve ever been.”

Bill has been recognised throughout his life with a number of awards, including an OAM for dedication to music, broadcasting and the arts in general in 2008. He was Tamworth Citizen of the Year in 2000 and Senior Citizen of the Year in 2015.

Bill’s lifetime philosophy has always been to forget the past, and all its failures or successes, and look to the next big thing as it presents itself, with all its hopes and uncertainty.

A life member and patron of both Tamworth Musical Society and Tamworth Dramatic Society, Bill Gleeson is still telling stories, this time with more gusto than ever. Margo Easton is writing a book on his amazing life and times. Hopefully you’ll see it one day soon on the bookshelves. RLM

“THESE DAYS I’M CONTENT WITH A GOOD BOOK TO READ, A NICE PAINTING TO ADMIRE, SOME CLASSICAL MUSIC AND A FINE GLASS OF WINE.”

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bill Gleeson in front of the poster celebrating 50 fabulous years with the Tamworth Musical Society; Bill enjoys playing the piano in his comfortable unit; Bill, right, stars with Steve Lalor in Phantom of the Opera in 2013; Bill, centre, in the same show.

FROM TOP: Another starring role as Max in Sunset Boulevard, 2015; Bill has always enjoyed dressing up (or down) for his many roles.

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industrial revolution

A new business park and logistics hub taking shape on the outskirts of Tamworth is destined to drive the growth and economy of the North-West NSW regional capital for decades to come.

Agent Gavin Knee says stage one of Tamworth Global Gateway Park and Intermodal is close to selling out, and there’s strong interest in stages two and three already.

“I have no hesitation in saying it’s one of the most significant industrial developments in regional Australia today,” Gavin says.

You’d think enticing large business to consider a relocation such as this would be a mammoth task, but Gavin says current conditions make it an ideal time for a change.

“The exorbitant cost of industrial land in Sydney and the chance to move operations to a large regional, accessible base is tempting large national and international businesses,” he says.

“It’s so expensive in Sydney right now. In some areas it’s eight to 10 times dearer to buy industrial land there than it is in Tamworth.

Companies then have the sweetener to offer staff the chance to relocate to the regional cities. It’s a lifestyle many are considering since the outbreak of COVID-19.”

Sales for stages two and three of the 246-hectare development have started well with several lots on hold and strong interest from local and Sydney-based businesses keen to have a position on the intermodal loading facility.

“They’re definitely sought after – particularly with the intermodal component of the site,” Gavin says.

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“A business can have a large allotment right on the loading facility, where freight can be taken from the back of their building from Qube Logistics, which operates ports out of Newcastle and Botany, so clients can get it on rail all the way.”

Outgoing mayor Col Murray, who championed the development from day one, told RLM before hanging up his robes the project was “a real game changer” for the city.

“The growth and development we will see out there over the next 20 to 30 years will change this city forever,” Col says.

“It will bring many more jobs, more diversity, higher paid jobs and small manufacturing jobs.

“There’s a great range of purchasers and inquirers for that land.

We’re getting inquiries from some very, very large companies to relocate to Tamworth, inquiries and sales from local businesses upgrading and new businesses that have never been here before.” RLM Words: Anna Rose

FACING PAGE: Selling agent Gavin Knee is delighted with interest in the hub.

BELOW: The 246-hectare site on the outskirts of Tamworth was first dreamed of years ago and is now coming to fruition.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“THE EXORBITANT COST OF INDUSTRIAL LAND IN SYDNEY AND THE CHANCE TO MOVE OPERATIONS TO A LARGE REGIONAL, ACCESSIBLE BASE IS TEMPTING LARGE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES.”

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

FARM CHARM

In a shed on the edge of Tamworth lives The Olde Farm Store, a delightfully unique and stylish shopping experience created by Nellie Tomlinson.

At The Olde Farm Store, you’ll be inspired by all things old and new, in the gorgeous mix of carefully curated farmhouse-style homewares, furniture and gifts.

From signature old-school items like vintage kitchen scales, through to linen, basketware, genuine cowhides, sheepskin ugg boots and stately leather Chesterfield lounges, the range of goods on offer will astound you.

Typically hard-to-come-by vintage pieces adorn the walls and shelving as though they’ve been waiting for you here all along, accompanied by newer goods that bring a fresh outlook on country styling.

That item you didn’t know you needed?

It’s here, too!

Nellie Tomlinson’s eye for style and passion for interior design are evident from the moment you set foot in the store.

Her team adores transforming a space with a combination of hard-to-find goods and newer items, and they enjoy seeing customers revel in the store’s special offering.

“Our beautiful team love sourcing all

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things nostalgic that prompt an affectionate memory of days gone by, shown in the stories our customers share with us,” Nellie smiles.

Nellie and her husband Ben feel privileged to raise their three children on their cropping farm near Tamworth. After more than a decade of being a stay-athome mum – a role she relished – Nellie felt the time was right for her to return to the workforce. Driven to follow her true passions of homemaking and interior design, Nellie created The Olde Farm Store.

Today, the store is known as a must-see for visitors to Tamworth, and with such a delightful range of products, there’s bound to be something for every price range and taste.

Not only will you discover stylish homewares to make your house a home, you’ll be inspired by the store’s distinctive rustic pieces to add to your garden, like wheelbarrows, wagon wheels, metal art and sculptures, zinc wash tubs and more.

There are even handcrafted products made

by Nellie’s father-in-law, such as hat and boot racks, handmade signs, milking stools, and his

most popular work yet: beautiful reproduction wool tables, restored to suit everyday dining.

“Supporting local is very important to us, so we source our gifts and products from local suppliers wherever possible, complemented by goods from across Australia and even abroad,” Nellie says.

Exciting new finds are added to The Olde Farm Store weekly, and there’s an enormous range of products available to purchase online.

For the homemakers among us, a simple visit to The Olde Farm Store will surprise and delight, and your home will thank you for it. RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Finishing Image Photography

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Olde Farm Store is a haven for homemakers; the perfect marriage of new and old; an enticing offering includes basketware, sheepskin ugg boots, handcrafted goods and more; stately leather Chesterfield lounges take pride of place alongside attractive cowhides; vintage detailing on show; the range of hard-to-come-by goods is sure to impress; a basketware range to suit any country home; trinkets to treasure; customers are delighted by what they find in store.

pitching in

Coming from a long line of truck drivers, Janene Whitney knows what it’s like to be a woman in a man’s world.

There were no Barbie dolls or tea parties for Janene Whitney as a kid. The selfconfessed tomboy was too busy climbing trees, playing in the dirt with her toys, or better still, sitting up beside her dad in the cabin of his truck.

That’s possibly why you’ll see so many women working at Easter’s Landscape Supplies in Hume Street, Tamworth.

Janene is a firm believer in female empowerment and has the full support of husband Trevor Whitney.

Trevor worked for Janene’s parents, Darrell and Joyce Easter, as a truck driver for 12 years before he and Janene bought the business from them in 2007. Trevor is right behind every move Janene comes up with next and was thrilled when she announced her intention to get a truck licence.

Trevor’s proud of Janene taking on such a hands-on role in the company started by her grandparents, Frank and Shirley Easter, back in the early 1970s with just one truck and a dream.

“When I was a little girl, I told my dad I wanted to be a truck driver when I grew up and he just laughed and said it wasn’t a woman’s place behind the wheel and encouraged me to find something more girlie,” Janene says.

“I ended up doing a TAFE course in Cookery and Catering with Helen Tickle (now Councillor Helen Tickle) as my teacher. Even though I enjoy cooking, it’s much more fun jumping in the truck and knowing I’m helping out and leading our team by example.”

Janene and Trevor’s five children, Ricky, Dylan, Lachlan, Alex and Brooke, are all involved in some aspect of the business.

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And, of the 11 staff members they employ between the two yards, just five are men.

“On Saturday when I was out in the yard I looked around and here was Kylie on the forklift and the others all doing what had to be done in loaders or trucks. They just pitch in and aren’t afraid to have a go at anything,” Janene says.

“Our female customers tend to like that, as some women can be intimidated by guys, but times have changed. It’s a very empowering workplace.”

When Trevor and Janene first took over from her parents, their main business was earthmoving and landscape supplies but what you see today is a far cry from that. Their decision to purchase the Hume Street, Taminda property in 2011 proved a very sound one for business expansion.

With cleverly crafted display lots, they began to showcase how fabulous a yard could look with the right choice of materials and textures. As people kept asking for more and more garden- and home-related products, Janene and Trevor expanded their range, opening the home décor centre in 2015.

Janene couldn’t see the point in offering the same type of garden, home décor products and giftware you’d find at large retail chains, so she sought out something a little bit different. They’d considered selling items online for a couple of years but were just too busy attending to their growing customer base to do anything about it.

“When COVID hit, for the first couple of weeks it was really quiet, and we looked into the online side of it some more, then things got busy and it was put onto the backburner,” Janene says.

“Things have changed so much since we moved our main businesses to the Hume Street yard. We went from selling decorative gravel and garden mixes to where it is now – selling water features, cast iron table settings, practically anything that complements the home and garden.

“We eventually made time to create our online marketplace so we’re not just a little tiny business selling home décor and giftware in Taminda. We’re selling stuff right across Australia from our home décor centre and it just keeps growing.

“We listened to what our customers wanted and found one of our biggest sellers leading up to Christmas were cheese boards, wind chimes, travel mugs and glasses cases.

“Ten years ago, if someone had told me I’d be selling coffee mugs and cheese boards now I’d have laughed at them, but everything’s changed, and the business has had to evolve to survive. Now things are going from strength to strength.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Finishing Image Photography

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The home décor centre at Easter’s Landscape Supplies is your starting point towards a fabulous garden space; woodland creatures to beautify your space; hats, hanging baskets and so much more; it’s the place for unique giftware and décor items.

WHERE EVERY STUDENT IS VALUED AS AN

INDIVIDUAL

Calrossy is enrolling now for 2023 and beyond Secondary Girls and Boys Day and Boarding

Also providing eCalrossy — the smarter distance education choice

(02) 5776 5100

Visit our website for our Regional Tour dates and to book your personalised tour today

www.calrossy.nsw.edu.au

Easter’s Landscape Supplies

Easter’s Home Decor

SAND

GIFTWARE

SOIL

GARDEN DECOR

POTS

STATUES & FIGURINES

WATER FEATURES

GIFT CARDS

Supplying to both trade and public

Discover an extensive array of items

Be captivated by the gorgeous collectables and mix of new and nostalgic farmhouse home, garden and giftware.

VISIT US NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN TAMWORTH FOR A UNIQUE SHED SHOPPING EXPERIENCE OR BROWSE OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE ONLINE www.oldefarmstore.com.au 45 Hume Street, Tamworth (02) 6762-0650 www.easters.com.au

Mon–Fri: 7am–5pm Sat: 8am–1pm Sun: 9am–1pm Home Decor Centre opens 9am daily

9 Denison St , Tamworth NSW 2340 (02) 6767 9866 shop@oldefarmstore.com.au Monday–Friday 9am–3pm Saturday 9am–1pm TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE...

TAMWORTH RLM 71

a bright

FUTURE

For more than a century, Calrossy Anglican School has been guiding young people to make their way in the world, providing a comprehensive, quality education.

An iconic Tamworth education institution, Calrossy Anglican School is part of the fabric of the New England and North West region.

One of the state’s leading independent schools, Calrossy continues to build on a proud and rich academic and boarding history, evolving to meet community needs.

“We help prepare each individual for their future, encouraging all our students to be the best version of themselves,” Principal David Smith says.

A Christian school run under the auspices of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale, Calrossy welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds, and promotes core values of resilience, selflessness, inclusiveness and integrity.

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There are more than 1000 students – there is also a community preschool – and around 300 staff.

Boarding has been an integral part of the school since it was established in 1919.

Originally only for female students, the boarding facilities now cater for around 200 boys and girls in Years 7-12, with comfortable amenities and a strong wellbeing framework.

Varied learning pathways are a distinctive feature of Calrossy, which David explains operates under a “Diamond Model” structure.

Boys and girls are grouped together in the foundation years of Junior School (Prep to Year 6), before learning independently in the early secondary years (Years 7-9), then coming back together to complete Years 10-12.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

STUDENTS CONSISTENTLY ATTAIN RANKINGS IN THE TOP 10 OF THE STATE IN HSC SUBJECTS INCLUDING PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, AGRICULTURE, MUSIC, PHYSICS AND BIOLOGY.

“It could be said it is the best of co-educational and singlegender learning combined, offering girls and boys targeted learning in the sensitive and formative years of early adolescence.”

The historic Brisbane Street Campus is home to the senior secondary students, while the school’s sprawling rural location, the William Cowper Campus, is the base for the Junior School, and Years 7-9.

Recognising a need for rural families with students not ready for boarding, or unable to travel long distances every day, Calrossy developed an innovative distance education program, eCalrossy.

Now in its second year, it differs from traditional models in that classes are scheduled into the main school timetable, giving students interaction with classmates and access to specialist teachers in real time. Residential sessions cater for practical lessons.

The program has been well received, and is expanding.

Calrossy prides itself on the depth of its curriculum and extensive co-curricular activities, including creative and performing arts, sport, equestrian and technology.

A leader in academic excellence, it has been the highest performing school in the region in the HSC for at least five years. Students consistently attain rankings in the top 10 of the State in HSC subjects including Primary Industries, Agriculture, Music, Physics and Biology.

Having a particularly close connection with agriculture, Calrossy is highly regarded for its excellent practical applications, with its own working farm, “Tangara”, featuring a Shorthorn

stud that breeds Kamilaroi Shorthorns, and White Dorper stud.

Involvement in management, breeding and showing provides opportunities for students to extend their interest and networks in various aspects of agriculture and science.

David says this is a great example of how Calrossy supports students to develop individual interests and talents, equipping them for whatever path they choose after school. The success and wellbeing of every student is paramount.

“We value strong relationships, and work in partnership with families to develop caring young adults well equipped for the future, with passion and confidence in whatever they do,” he says.

“We encourage them to find and develop their own strengths, to have hope, courage, and be changemakers of the future.”

Calrossy is a part of the unique character of the North West, and David believes young people can be very proud of their regional identity.

“There is a wonderful sense of community in the country, and that is very much reflected in our school.” RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Calrossy Anglican School in Tamworth offers a dual-campus structure that delivers quality education from Prep to Year 12; the Senior Campus is in the heart of the city, with the boarding school offering countless sporting opportunities.

FACING PAGE: Calrossy is a state leader in the delivery of Agriculture and Primary Industries. Recent achievements include Champion School Purebreed Steer, Grand Champion Parader and numerous school parader and heat ribbons at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hyundai Sales Manager Richard Ensom charges the all-electric Kona at one of Woodley’s fastcharge stations; in the workshop, oil and grease is replaced by highvoltage diagnostic software; the popular Volvo XC40 Pure Electric.

moving with the times Drivers in the North West are embracing electric vehicle technology, and Woodley’s Motors is helping to make the transition smooth and simple.

Leading Tamworth car dealership Woodley’s Motors is staying ahead of the curve in the ever-changing automotive marketplace, and a key development is the introduction of partial electric (PHEV) and full electric (EV) vehicles.

Over the past two years, the local automotive industry has begun to see a faster uptake of EV vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support this growth, helping to address concerns around the range and accessibility of charging options across the region.

With premium unleaded petrol hitting record prices per litre in some areas, going electric makes sound environmental and economic sense. The price of batteries that power electric vehicles has also come down.

Many regional homeowners have invested and converted to solar in the past decade, and charging a vehicle at home using their own energy is the next obvious step.

Woodley’s can feel the groundswell and has been fast to adapt to take on the high-voltage options.

Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai offer full electric vehicles at the dealership.

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Subaru and Mazda offer Hybrid versions of their highest selling models, and full electric versions will start rolling off the showroom floors in the next few years.

No longer do owners need to be concerned with potential delays in their journey. For example, the smallest EV Hyundai, the IONIQ, boasts a range of up to 375km and fast-charge stations are popping up all over the country.

“It’s as simple as logging your trip in the vehicle and it will map your trip and guide you to your next rapid-charging point, if needed at all. But remember, these cars can now simply be plugged in at home and charged whilst you sleep with no costly infrastructure required,” Mark Woodley says.

“The true test is in the driver’s experience, and most are surprised at the acceleration these vehicles can muster with ease.”

The Volvo XC40 Pure is the most powerful Volvo in history. With 660Nm, it can zip from a standing start to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, Volvo says.

“By 2025, Volvo aim for 50 per cent of the cars they sell to be pure electric and the rest hybrids. Volvo is aiming to reduce their carbon footprint by 40 per cent per car by 2025 compared to 2018.

And to be climate neutral by 2040.”

The Volvo XC40 Pure and the Hyundai EV IONIQ and Kona are available at the dealership now, and many other models, including large PHEV SUVs, commercial vans and others, will be launching in the coming months.

All are available to test drive and order at Woodley’s Motors in Tamworth.

Woodley’s Motors, their comprehensive service and strong connection to the district community was featured in the Autumn edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Supplied

Amarok W Series

Reared for the Road Walkinshaw Amarok, a force to be reckoned with.

Tuned as a GT, with an aggressive front grille, Pirelli Scorpion ATR tyres and 20 inch Clayton alloy wheels, the Amarok V6 W series is the ute that’s been reared for the road.

Visit

Woodley’s Volkswagen 200 Marius Street, Tamworth. Tel 02 6763 1500. www.woodleysvolkswagen.com.au

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

finding the

BEST FIT

For 19-year-old Kiarnie Sevil, to work was always a dream but not a guarantee.

Kiarnie Sevil knew she wanted to go into customer service but her diagnosed mental health illness of borderline personality disorder was holding her back.

“I have been struggling with it since I was seven years old,” Kiarnie says. “Lots of hospital trips and hospital appointments. I finally got a proper diagnosis in Year 11.

“It is hard because people don’t understand it or know what it is.

It is quite stigmatised.”

Teaming up with BEST Employment gave Kiarnie the confidence and support to push past her fears and find the right employer for her.

“Looking for work was hard because of my anxiety, but BEST made it easier. I wasn’t looking for work alone; they were there to help.”

Marking six months of employment with R&W Super Bargain in Tamworth as a retail assistant, Kiarnie is now flourishing at the start of her working journey.

“Work is my happy place. They are so understanding, and they are so accommodating, I can’t thank them enough,” Kiarnie says.

“I often would think my disability would stop me from working, but when you enjoy the work, you turn up.”

It’s that attitude and passion that has cemented Kiarnie’s position with business owner Will Guo. Will has owned R&W Super Bargain in Tamworth for 10 years, and while employing staff has never been more difficult than during the pandemic, finding Kiarnie was the perfect fit.

“She is very reliable and a quick learner for customer service. It’s hard to find reliable workers like Kiarnie,” Will says.

“BEST Employment was very easy to work with. Whenever I call or email they’re quick to respond and willing to help.”

Working alongside BEST Employment will hopefully see a long and happy career for Kiarnie.

“I would highly recommend BEST for people who are struggling to find work. They helped me and they will try and help you,” Kiarnie says.

BEST Employment is proud to deliver Disability Employment Services and Jobactive contracts in Tamworth and throughout North West NSW and Southern Queensland. Through these programs, BEST can help local businesses find the right fit for their business, while assisting jobseekers to find and keep meaningful work.

The BEST brand has also extended its reach in the Tamworth community as an NDIS provider through BEST Community Connections (BCC). Connections assists clients to make better choices to build independence and take control over their future.

This is done by connecting with the local community, boosting confidence, and providing support to transition into the workplace.

“Everyone at BEST strives towards our vision every day to ‘see our communities, particularly those most disadvantaged, independent and free from disadvantage’ while committing to our values of people, leadership, integrity, creativity and high performance,” BEST Employment CEO Penny Alliston-Hall says.

“Our staff are our most valuable resource and the impact we have on our clients’ lives is why we do what we do.

“It’s a proud legacy we have in the Tamworth community and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the future.” RLM

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The BEST team – Regional Manager Amy Dyer, Taylor Holcombe-Nancarrow, Richelle Murray, Ashleigh Casey, Ryan Harding, Angela Horne and Aaron Kelly; Employment CEO Penny Alliston-Hall; BEST Community Connections – Sammy Judd, Andrew Dyer, Kym Monckton and Joseph Geesu.

ABOVE: BEST Employment job coach Taylor Holcombe-Nancarrow with retail assistant Kiarnie Sevil and R&W Super Bargain owner Will Guo.

TAMWORTH RLM 77

a brilliant MOVE

From inner-city Sydney to the big sky country of Tamworth, Marrickville’s Simpson family believe their tree change was the smartest move they’ve ever made.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

Ben and Kim Simpson, along with children Fraser, 14, Abi, 11, and Eadie, 4, and Badger the dog, are settling into their new home in leafy Carthage Street after eight months of renovations.

After arriving in the Country Music Capital, they rented their dream home for two years before buying.

“We gutted the entire place, with new floors, kitchen and bathroom,” Kim says.

“Despite her old bones, it’s almost like moving into a new place.”

With an in-ground pool, large verandahs and views over town, their century-old dream home comes with a blend of old and new.

After a decade of living in Sydney, the pair are thrilled to be calling a large regional city home.

Kim still works in the Australian financial services industry – the head office is in Sydney – and Ben is a structural engineer when he’s not acting in theatre or TV. You might have seen him in Home and Away, where he had a guest role in half a dozen episodes.

“Palm Beach was a cracking place to work, both on the beach and in the studio,” laughs Ben, who is also heavily involved with theatre, mainly plays, in Sydney’s inner west. One of his last big productions, Carnivores, was a great story about fractious brotherly relationships staged at the Old Fitz, Woolloomooloo.

These days he is involved with the Tamworth Musical Society and scored one of the lead roles in Mamma Mia! He is also helping with acting workshops and other productions. Performing runs in the family.

Australian Opera brought Carmen to the Con and daughter Abi sang with them, as well as in the choir with country music star Ashleigh Dallas during the 2022 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Fraser plays the piano like an old soul, emulating the talents of his father and two uncles, who all tickle the ivories. The teenager also loves his cricket and tennis.

“School and sport have both proved wonderful ways to help us settle in and make new friends,” says Ben, also a member of the rowdy Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise.

Although the beach is now a long way from Tamworth, he says the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

“As a family, we love the complete change of pace. It’s more relaxed, there’s more space, a lot less traffic and tremendous opportunities for both of us. More importantly, we get to share quality time with the kids.”

Kim agrees. “Sydney is a big place and it’s very easy to get diluted in the crowd,” she says.

The only drawback, they admit, is their reliance on only one airline to get them to Sydney work appointments. Kim used to travel twice a month to Sydney but since COVID, she has worked remotely.

“As a family, we love the complete change of pace.

It’s more relaxed, there’s more space, a lot less traffic and tremendous opportunities for both of us.”

“I think more Sydney people would take the plunge and move to a regional centre like Tamworth if the flights were cheaper and more frequent,” she says.

“With support from my employer, moving to Tamworth wasn’t the big change that some people might imagine it to be. In Sydney we gave up on Saturday sport – simply getting from point A to point B was a logistical nightmare. Here, everything is right at your doorstep. We can be somewhere in five minutes and now we can all enjoy our weekend sport together.”

Coming to the bush wasn’t that big a deal for Ben, whose parents moved from Broken Hill to Barraba in 1979. His father was a high school teacher while his mother worked as a nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service before joining community nursing.

Ben finished his schooling at Barraba Central in 1993 before heading off to Canada on a Rotary Youth Exchange for 12 months, then returning to the Big Smoke to pursue a trade.

Meanwhile, Kim was born Deniliquin and moved to Sydney at a young age. Kim’s dad, a former policeman, spent the last of his years in his hometown, The Rock, in the Riverina.

From an early age, Kim learned to love the wide, open spaces of her own backyard.

Country living certainly agrees with these former Sydneysiders who enjoy the simple moments as much as the big ones.

“We were out on the front deck with summer storms rolling in from the south, Pirates of the Caribbean being played out by the kids in their new pool, and we looked at each other and raised a glass,” Ben beams.

“We knew it was the right move.” RLM Images: Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music & Tamworth Musical Society

FACING PAGE: The Simpsons love their new life in Tamworth. From left, Abi, Ben, Kim, Eadie and Fraser with Badger the dog.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Moving into their beautifully renovated old East Tamworth home was a dream come true for the young family; the stage is a big attraction for at least two family members – daughter Abi, who sang in Opera Australia’s Carmen, and dad Ben, who’s a keen actor on stage and the small screen.

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AGED CARE

but not as you know it At the heart of the aged care offered at Uniting Alblas Lodge and Uniting McKay House is every individual resident’s needs.

A residential aged care home might be an unlikely place for a drumming band, but each week residents of Uniting Alblas Lodge in Tamworth can be found rocking out as the Alblas Ezy Beaters.

Directed by their band leader, the group tap along to popular songs. It’s a great way for older people to maintain fine motor skills, socialise and relax.

Engaging with animals is also known to have many therapeutic benefits. Alblas Lodge and McKay House, another Uniting residential aged care home on the same site, share a resident therapy dog called Max. On his rounds he brings comfort, reduces

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stress, encourages movement, and puts a smile on everyone’s face.

These are just a few of the ways that the two Uniting homes promote active ageing.

Supporting the residents’ physical, social and spiritual wellbeing is all part of Uniting’s holistic approach, called Inspired Care. At its heart is care that’s carefully tailored to each person’s individual needs.

Uniting Alblas Lodge and Uniting McKay House provide permanent, respite and specialist dementia care. In addition to round-the-clock nursing, residents have access to regular visits from local health practitioners including physiotherapists, dietitians, podiatrists and GPs. The nurses and carers build strong relationships with the residents’ families and friends, discover their cultural and spiritual heritage, and learn about the routines that are important to them. Residents and their loved ones are also encouraged to join regular residents’ meetings and morning teas. They make decisions about the support they receive and how they’d like to contribute to their community.

Giving residents as much freedom and choice as possible to live their day, their way, helps to create a sense of familiarity. It feels like home, with the added comfort and convenience of carefully considered environmental design, a community to connect with, and support for every resident’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Bedrooms are furnished for safety and comfort, and are ready to be decorated with photographs, artworks, linens, and other personal touches. There are options to suit different needs and

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

Supporting the residents’ physical, social and spiritual wellbeing is all part of Uniting’s holistic approach, called Inspired Care.

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Uniting Alblas Lodge, in the heart of Tamworth; Uniting encourages active ageing.

FROM LEFT: A single en suite room at Uniting Alblas Lodge; cosy lounge areas at Uniting McKay House.

budgets. Both Alblas Lodge and McKay House offer private en suite rooms, and some are designed for people living with dementia.

McKay House also features larger rooms for couples, and rooms with shared bathrooms.

Both homes are a short walk from Tamworth town centre, and easy access to public transport makes it convenient for visitors.

Uniting McKay House has a café on site where residents can meet with loved ones and enjoy a latte, or host a barbecue in the courtyard. At Uniting Alblas Lodge, residents can take a walk in the landscaped gardens or rest in one of the covered seating areas.

Residential Aged Care Tamworth

It’s how care should be.

Inside, there’s a library and cosy lounge areas to relax in.

The hairdresser visits regularly, and the Health and Lifestyle Coordinator ensures that there’s plenty to see and do, including bus outings, concerts, and craft workshops. Birthdays and global cultural events are frequently celebrated and Uniting McKay House has previously hosted a robotics roadshow as part of a community engagement initiative with Tamworth Library.

It’s how aged care should be. To find out more, visit uniting.org/tamworth or call Uniting on 1800 864 846. RLM

Enquire now 1800 864 846

Alblas Lodge and McKay House provide 24/7 nursing care, dementia care, and respite care with compassion and respect.

Find out more at uniting.org/tamworth © Uniting NSW.ACT 21-RHC-525

TAMWORTH RLM 81

her father’s daughter

Having a famous dad meant it was inevitable that Cheryl Brown would grow up with country music coursing through her veins.

The late “Gentleman” Geoff Brown was the first artist to bring live country music to Tamworth in the 1960s. As a young boy, he sang under the lamp light on the street corner of his parents’ house in East Tamworth.

He went on to become a driving force behind the country music scene after winning a “hillbilly” contest in 1951, aged 22. By the 1960s, he was among a small group that established the first country music club in the area.

A 1967 concert attracted more than 1000 fans from all over the country. His performances at the local pubs helped lead the city to become universally known as the Country Music Capital.

Daughter Cheryl grew up surrounded by big industry names. Her family entertained and sang with some of the biggest stars on the country music scene.

Stan Coster, Buddy Williams, Jimmy Little, Reg Lindsay, Troy Cassar-Daley and Ray and Lee Kernaghan were regular visitors as they passed through town on their tours.

“I’ve been watching Keith Urban since he was nine years old,” Cheryl says with a grin. “I remember Bill Chambers coming to our home when Nash and Kasey were only little kids. And the Emmanuel brothers – my late brother Gary used to play with Phil and Tommy as young boys and well into their teens and beyond.”

Geoff Brown was recognised for his enormous influence in 1979, when he was inducted into the Hands of Fame. Both he and wife Beryl were made life members of the Capital Country Music Association for their contribution.

“You only have to look at one of the festival’s oldest sponsors, Coca-Cola, to

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realise how much Dad and his efforts are woven into the fabric of this now iconic event. He worked for Lillymans soft drinks, now owned by Coke. They’ve been putting on concerts in town for more than 40 years.”

Cheryl is among a select group of individuals who have never missed a festival, which she likens to one big family gathering. It’s the highlight of the year and, in her books, bigger than Christmas.

When she was 13, Cheryl started ushering for her dad’s concerts. In 1980, she became the 2TM receptionist, secretary, and the face of the station for seven years, meeting and greeting all the stars.

“I was so excited when Max Ellis asked me to be an on-stage hostess at the Golden Guitar Awards,” she says.

“I did this for about six years, guiding the stars to the stage and back to their seats. In the early years I would give the TV camera guys and photographers a wink to the left or right so they had an idea where the next winner was seated so they could get that special shot!”

For a few years, Cheryl handled the nerve-wracking task of typing up the media alert “telex” to prepare for sending to AAP. It contained the list of winners prior to the event.

“I was always so private and never told a soul who had won – even when Patsy Riggir stayed at our home and was the big winner.

I never, ever let on. I have always taken my job very seriously and with pride.”

In 1984, The Slim Dusty Movie was released. As part of the promotion, they ran a competition and although Cheryl didn’t win, she proudly labelled herself “Miss Slim Dusty Runner-Up”, scoring a trip to the Gold Coast and a weekend at The Rocks in Sydney.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

Two years later, she went one better. The Longyard Hotel’s June Smyth invited her to compete in the Country Music Queen competition. With only a fortnight till judging, Cheryl threw herself into the role and two weeks later was crowned the festival’s third Queen of Country Music.

A year later, she left it all behind to start her family. Jordan was born in 1987 and Claudia in 1990. Cheryl later rejoined the old team at Max Ellis Marketing, with Max and his business partners, Kate Nugent and Bob Kirchner. There was always a great deal of activity, preparing for the Golden Guitars and the festival.

During this time, she worked for the CMAA Secretariat, becoming involved with the annual CMAA Academy and meeting artists of the calibre of Grant Richardson, (whom she later managed for a few years), Sara Storer, Travis Sinclair and Kylie Sackley.

At the turn of the century, Cheryl became coordinator of the Star Maker competition, which began in 1979, and has held the position longer than any other. She has been part of the Star Maker journey for artists including Luke Austen, Luke Dickens, Kirsty Lee Akers, Kaylee Bell, Blake O’Connor and Brad Cox. Following her father’s death in 2000, Cheryl was invited by Joan Douglas to work with her at The Pub Management with acts including The Feral Swing Katz,

Felicity Urquhart and teenage artists Aleyce Simmonds, Katrina Burgoyne, Aaron Bolton and The Baileys.

While working with Joan, Cheryl assisted booking the entertainment for The Pub Group throughout the year as well as for the Tamworth Country Music Festival and Hats Off to Country Festival.

“I worked with Joan and Greg Williams on Tamworth Camerata, the junior school of country music,” she says. “This was such a thrill, as my dad was always working with young artists to guide them with their careers. It felt like I was able to carry on for him.”

In 2005, Cheryl was offered a new role with Rural Press Events, a team she had worked with previously at Max Ellis Marketing. It meant combining all her great loves: working on Country Music Capital News, the Directory of Australian Country Music, Star Maker and festival events.

She also assisted with administration for AgQuip and FarmFest field days.

In late 2010, she was voted onto the board of the Country Music Association of Australia and saw her first Golden Guitars as a board member in 2011.

In that year, Cheryl was awarded the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Award for the promotion of Australian country music and for her role as managing editor of Country Music Capital News.

Claudia and husband Jack Massey

recently made Cheryl a grandmother with the birth of their daughter, Juliette. The first-time grandma has never been busier, dividing her time between editing the magazine and, through council, managing the Toyota Star Maker competition.

Having a life with music at its core has been amazing. What started as a “barbecue and a few singers” now boasts up to 2000 events. The 10-day Tamworth Country Music Festival attracts up to 50,000 visitors a year and injects $75 million into the local economy.

It’s the festival where people catch up and let their hair down in the hot summer sun. “Gentleman” Geoff Brown’s love of music lives on through Cheryl and her two surviving brothers Darryl and Greg, even if Cheryl’s kids prefer a different genre.

“Jordan is a lawyer who plays in an Irish band in Singapore, while Claudia has been the deputy editor of Downtown Magazine and sings jazz,” she laughs. RLM

ABOVE:Tamworth country music stalwart Cheryl Brown has been promoting country music and the festival from every level since she was a young girl.

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Cheryl and her late father, “Gentleman” Geoff Brown; in 1986 she was crowned the third Country Music Queen; with a young Keith Urban; her famous father was there at the start of the festival; as managing editor of Capital News, Cheryl is in constant contact with established and emerging stars.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

A SOLID REPUTATION After a childhood spent constructing cubbies and forts, it was only natural Craig Martin would one day gravitate to the world of building.

When Craig Martin was a child, his parents moved from the farm to the Central Coast for the health of his father. Growing up near the beach and bay, the spirited youngster took to a sailing and surfing lifestyle while completing his carpentry and building trade on the Central Coast, Newcastle and Sydney during the early 1980s.

Before the last year of his apprenticeship, Craig was given a leading hand role to work with and supervise tradesmen. Before long, he was the foreman on large, complex homes and commercial building sites.

He became a licensed builder in 1990, and he named the business after his boat: Kareela Constructions.

Craig went on to become a site manager on high-rise units and large commercial buildings in Sydney, before relocating to Canberra to tackle some interesting projects including the John Curtin School of Medicine ANU and the Dendy Cinema complex.

Moving to the Gold Coast for his wife’s family, he became a project manager on apartments and school refurbishments, along with several police and fire stations in and around Brisbane.

In 2014, Craig and his family returned to Tamworth to be closer to his parents.

He assembled a dedicated building team, renovating numerous homes for satisfied clients.

“I’m happy here,” Craig says. “Tamworth is a fabulous place to live and work. You just can’t take the bush out of the boy.”

Kareela Constructions has built a solid reputation for its attention to detail when it comes to one of life’s biggest investments.

With Craig at the helm, any hurdle can be overcome, thanks to his ability to find solutions.

“One of our recent clients said he was expecting to be heavily involved in the problem solving of design issues to their large renovation,” Craig says.

“He was happily surprised to be called to site meetings where any issues had already been resolved and the solutions were being carefully explained. We live through our business card motto ‘Peace of mind throughout your project’.”

Whether considering a complete design and construct service on your new parcel of land or you’re ready to get started restoring your home, Kareela Constructions’ wealth of knowledge

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and expertise can make it happen. Craig has seen it all, leaving you confident you’ve got the right team on your side.

“We analyse your existing drawings or we can take care of developing drawings for you,” he says. “We then provide a quote that’s simple to understand with a list of affordable solutions. Next, we manage the entire project, never leaving you out of the big picture.

“If you’re on a tight budget, the project can be broken into manageable stages.

Once you’re ready to go again, we’ll come back until the job is completed.”

The greatest advantage in involving your builder as early as possible on your project is ensuring all your ideas align with your budget.

This is where Craig’s experience shines.

“No matter what dreams you bring to the table, we know how to make it happen within the scope of your project. We design according to the lay of your land, climate and the lifestyle of your family.”

Kareela’s focus is on being your partner in construction.

“We’re flexible in our approach and invite you to be involved in the design process from the start, to make certain you get exactly what you want,” Craig says.

They can advise you on functionality that will save you money in the long run, as well as energy efficiency, passive solar designs

and so much more.

“The responsibility of building your dream home is something we take very seriously,” he says. “We’re heavily involved in our local community and our reputation means everything to us. We go above and beyond to meet and exceed your expectations.”

Craig has some practical ideas to get you started on building your first new home.

“Firstly, you have to decide if you want to live in town or on a rural block. Create a list of must-haves and must-not-have items so you can work towards achieving what you want within your budget.

“Be sure to have developed clear ideas about what style and size of home you want.

Finally, know your budget to see if we can achieve your dream. After the approval process, construction of a new home can be anything from five to six months and renovations usually a bit shorter.”

Craig’s team visualises the finished product before it even starts building from your plans. If you are on the hunt for a specialist team to build your new dream home, look no further than Kareela Constructions. RLM

ABOVE: Tamworth builder Craig Martin and apprentices Nick Farmer and Sam Livingstone.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

coast meets COUNTRY

A glorious range of handcrafted and unique homewares, furniture, gifts and fashion accessories are featured at Coastal Farmhouse.

Artisans working with natural materials and contemporary design provide an uplifting alternative to older-style country home décor at Coastal Farmhouse.

Not only does this gem of a store house the most stunning array of goodies for decorating your space, there is also a passionate woman behind the business who knows just how to make a space feel homely.

At the end of 2021, after four years running her business from home as a sideline, Mandy McCay took her very first leap into opening a bricks-and-mortar store at 398 Peel Street, near Tamworth’s Post Office. Mandy refers to this location warmly as “the heart of the heart of Tamworth”.

Locals and travellers alike are certainly glad she did. Customers are ecstatic to find product ranges not normally seen in the area. The majority of products are stunningly handcrafted by Balinese and Australian craftspeople, with whom Mandy

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enjoys sharing a close relationship.

Mandy says she’s thrilled to know visitors to her shop are so happy with the wellpriced, hard-to-find products.

With a Diploma of Arts specialising in Interior Design, Mandy’s background lies in renovations and project management. It wasn’t until she opened Coastal Farmhouse, though, that she really found her heart’s calling.

“My husband Craig tells me my shop is my happy place, and he couldn’t be more correct,” Mandy smiles.

“I feel grateful to have found something I love. Coastal Farmhouse is so dear to me and I’m truly passionate about what I do.”

Mandy’s work extends beyond sourcing, importing and selling products, and collaborating with Balinese craftspeople. She is a staunch supporter of the makers and their families, often helping those less fortunate to get back on their feet when hardship strikes.

Everything at Coastal Farmhouse is high quality and carefully sourced. Whether it’s Malawi-style club chairs, timber carved pots,

rattan light shades, silver jewellery or beautiful macrame that takes your fancy, there is bound to be something here you’ll fall in love with.

“I feel the coastal style of whitewashed textural finishes complements the dark aged patinas of the farmhouse décor perfectly, so it made sense to me to open a store that would embody the two,” Mandy says.

“Adding a coastal touch to farmhouse style can really liven it up and give it a fresh look.”

With an enormous array of new stock just in, there’s never been a better time to pay a visit to Coastal Farmhouse. RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Finishing Image Photography

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Coastal Farmhouse is home to a splendid range of goods to decorate your space; be delighted by the eclectic style in store; owner Mandy McCay found her heart’s calling when she opened Coastal Farmhouse; rattan décor, unique homewares and gorgeous gifts are yours to discover; the majority of products here are handcrafted by Balinese and Australian craftspeople; a touch of cowhide complements whitewashed textural finishes; macrame, art and homewares exude an exquisite coastal vibe.

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TAMWORTH RLM 87

men on a mission Tamworth Community Men’s Shed is all about camaraderie, productivity and purpose.

High in the scenic hills overlooking Tamworth, a group of men is working together and, in the process, saving lives.

That’s the view of Tamworth Community Men’s Shed club president David Greenland, who has served as leader of this group for five of the 30 years he’s lived in the Country Music Capital.

The club’s membership totals 50, although only about half are actively involved on a regular basis.

The group gathers in a purpose-built shed in the lush surrounds of Victoria Park, which also houses the miniature railway, astronomy centre, botanic gardens and marsupial park.

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These are men on a mission.

“We save lives,” David says. “It’s all about men’s wellness, both physical and mental. It’s imperative to keep men active during their retirement years, or after their withdrawal from the workforce.

“We have guys in wheelchairs and many with their own sets of challenges. They come with their carers and find themselves among mates. The best working tool we have up here is camaraderie.

“A handy bonus for us is that it’s probably in the most scenic location of any regional men’s shed in Australia.” RLM

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“The best working tool we have up here is camaraderie.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Club president David Greenland; Geoff Allen is the club’s only life member; Keith Riddle restoring a chair to its former glory; Gilbert Hanson making a cheese platter; David Greenland checks progress on the rocking horse; Stephen Rowlatt working on a table; Athol Latham tries his hand at woodwork; Tamworth Community Men’s Shed has one of the best locations in the state; Ezzy Bailey and Peter Young making a record box; Troy Orton painting toys.

FACING PAGE: Men working together for a common cause.

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pride of place At the core of Ray White Tamworth is a belief in the region and a commitment to clients.

“We have a saying in the office – ‘humbitious’ – to always remain humble whilst continually remaining ambitious.”

It reflects the commitment and drive of the team at Ray White Tamworth, says director Malcolm Campbell.

At the heart of the service they have proudly provided for the district for decades is the mission to do their best for every client.

A Tamworth local, Malcolm owns and operates the agency, which is at the forefront of real estate in this thriving region.

Ray White offers all real estate services including residential and commercial property management, and property sales in residential, rural, commercial and industrial areas. Auction or private treaty is available.

In partnership with Ray White Rural, managed by director Riley Gibson, they also provide specialist services in rural property sales and livestock.

Malcolm is proud of the reputation he and his team have built for professional, quality services, with dedicated commitment to their clients.

Agency personnel have comprehensive real estate experience and expertise, and a strong understanding and appreciation of the region.

With innovative marketing, strong support and communication services, they are focused on positive and successful client outcomes.

Access to the large and high-profile Ray White network provides the agency with additional and extensive resources and coverage

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options. The company has more than 1000 offices in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and South East Asia.

Malcolm believes the appeal of Tamworth and district will continue to grow.

“This is a progressive town and district with so much to offer, now and into the future,” Malcolm says.

“It is the fastest growing inland regional area of NSW. “The availability of different property sizes is attractive, and we have great medical, education and transport facilities, shopping and eateries.

“There are town or acreage options for retirees, lifestyle blocks of small acreage developments that appeal to young families looking for more room, and opportunities to buy land in and around Tamworth.

“We have seen more young people returning to live and work here, bringing their skills too, which all adds to a great balance in the community.

“Through the COVID pandemic, living in regional areas and working remotely has really grown, with technology and convenient commuting options enabling more people to experience and enjoy a regional lifestyle. And that will continue going forward.”

The area is looking to the future also with a plan, Blueprint 100, developed by Tamworth Regional Council to guide progress and development towards a population of 100,000.

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“We have seen more young people returning to live and work here, bringing their skills too, which all adds to a great balance in the community.”

Malcolm recalls the opportunity to work and raise his family in the country attracted him to Tamworth more than two decades ago.

His career in the real estate industry began in Sydney in 1995. As the youngest corporate auctioneer in the company, he worked with highly respected, legendary Ray White auctioneer the late Tony Fountain.

For several years he was state auctioneer in Western Australia, and also conducted auctions abroad.

“I was in a plane six months of the year,” he recalls. “The baggage handlers at the airport knew me by name!”

The arrival of his and Kim’s first child was the catalyst to change pace. Originally from the Hunter Valley, and with connections in the New England region, the family decided to move to Tamworth in 2000.

Ray White had been established in Tamworth for around 20 years when Malcolm and Kim took the reins. Malcolm says he knew they had made the right decision.

“There was something about Tamworth, and you could see the fantastic opportunities for growth,” he says.

“It is a great town and has been very good to me and my family.”

Malcolm is passionate about real estate and believes it is a career attainable at various stages of life, encouraging anyone interested to contact him.

Excited about the future of their town and district, the Ray White Tamworth team look forward to continuing the professional and comprehensive services for which they are renowned.

“Our aim is to always do our best for our clients.” RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Finishing Image Photography

Visit raywhitetamworth.com.au and related digital platforms.

FACING PAGE: Director Malcolm Campbell.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Malcolm Campbell with his team of real estate professionals; the Ray White logo; Ray White front of office; Malcolm Campbell with his Ray White Rural Tamworth partner\director Riley Gibson.

Our people and our process set us apart from other Real Estates 247 Peel Street, Tamworth NSW 2340 02 6766 1666 Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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TAMWORTH RLM 91

T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

realising

potential Across a wide range of endeavours, Oxley High School students benefit from a supportive environment where diverse opportunities are promoted and initiative fostered.

Oxley High is one of the largest and most dynamic schools in the Tamworth region, and highly regarded as a Centre of Excellence in education.

Recent outstanding achievements in the Higher School Certificate and Performing Arts reflect the strong culture of positivity and accomplishment.

The school’s comprehensive curriculum and facilities featured in the Autumn edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, including details of the Talented Athletes Program.

Principal Simon Bartlett-Taylor and his dedicated team support the development of every student to realise their potential, demonstrated by the Higher School Certificate cohort of 2021.

“Their achievements are really fabulous,” Deputy Principal Natalie Hill is delighted to report.

With an incredible ATAR of 99.7, Anastasia Smyth led a distinguished list of high achievers. A number of students achieved ATARs over 90, and overall there were 83 Band 6, Band 5, E4 and E3 results, an excellent outcome across mainstream and extension classes.

The results are particularly impressive, given the significant COVIDrelated challenges faced by the 2021 HSC class, and testament to the teamwork of focused students and supportive teachers.

“Students were very pro-active in seeking higher education placements,” Natalie adds. “Over 100 early-entry offers for our students to university was very encouraging and confidence building.”

All students who applied for a university position were accepted, including places in Health, Science, Engineering, Education, Law, Medicine, Medical Sciences and Psychology.

A NSW Education Department Pathways for the Future program helps prepare students for life after school, in further study, traineeships and work. From choosing subjects, to applying for university and identifying scholarship opportunities, it is a valuable resource also for planning and future reference.

The Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) faculty at Oxley High has an outstanding reputation, further enhanced by recent additions to the excellent facilities and impressive student achievements.

Head Teacher Liesel McIlrick is thrilled with a new parquetry floor in the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, where dance and drama students work in collaboration towards their artistic dreams.

Inspiring highlights from recent CAPA graduates include two students, Elly Chapple and Charlotte Baker, having works in the prestigious statewide ArtExpress collection, also exhibited in the Tamworth Regional Gallery.

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Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

All students who applied for a university position were accepted, including places in Health, Science, Engineering, Education, Law, Medicine, Medical Sciences and Psychology.

Jazmin Lissarrague was nominated for OnStage 2022, a program curated by NESA featuring the highest quality HSC Drama works across the state.

There is much excitement that senior student Joshua Heinz is a finalist in the Nextwave Film Festival. Joshua’s film featured in a showcase of Oxley High’s creative talents enjoyed by the wider community early last year.

Other students to have gained recent recognition include current School Vice-Captain Isla Farr, who is the Tamworth Regional Council 2021 Young Citizen of the Year; Bella Clapham, awarded the annual Sir Adrian Solomon Memorial Law Bursary with regional law firm Everingham Solomons; and Shaelynn Hernando, who participated in the University of New England’s Growing Regional and Agricultural Students in Science program.

Natalie highlighted how community, collaboration and culture feature consistently across the wide spectrum of school activities.

The school’s Aboriginal Learning Engagement Centre supports the education and culture of around 200 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students in conjunction with the Clontarf Foundation.

Oxley High is a leader in Restorative Practice, a communitybased program involving students, staff and families, promoting positive behaviour, strong relationships, and a pro-active response to student personal growth.

It includes having 15 Year 11 students as peer mentors to Year 7 to help promote a culture of personal growth and responsibility.

“We have had great feedback,” Natalie says. “It is another positive way in which we are supporting our students’ education and wellbeing.” RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Finishing Image Photography

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Isabella Clapham, Deputy Principal Mark Baldwin and Maree O’Brien; Rural Fire Service cadetship; Clontarf Bunnings partnership induction; Principal Simon Bartlett-Taylor and Vice-Captain Isla Farr.

THIS PAGE: Students engaging in cultural, academic and creative educational activities at Oxley High School.

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strength

IN FAMILY

Two generations of Tongue men have met their prospective wives on the school bus.

It appears to be the major requirement for joining a farming dynasty that’s been part of the Loomberah landscape for 113 years.

Kevin and Janelle Tongue are an integral part of the Loomberah community, and in 2021 celebrated 50 years at “Glenwood”.

In 1971, Kevin purchased the 200ha property, building a home there before marrying childhood sweetheart Janelle Smith, from a farming family just down the road.

“When I bought the farm, I had nothing apart from a share in the machinery,” Kevin recalls. “The farm cost me $70/acre. It was a lot of money back then, with lambs making $28/head. Few could have imagined that 50 years later, those same lambs would fetch $350.”

Land prices have similarly gone through the roof and are now worth between $5000 and $6000 an acre. The Tongue family say the land prices have become too expensive for local farmers to expand.

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Janelle is the matriarch who helps keep the wheels turning.

She’s well versed in family history and recalls meeting Kevin on the school bus six decades earlier. He went to Farrer while Janelle was a Tamworth High girl. Kevin, a rambunctious and fun-loving redhead, always made the most of each trip.

“He was forever playing pranks on me, like hiding my school port,” Janelle laughs. “You never quite knew what he’d get up to next.” >

ABOVE: Kevin Tongue and granddaughter Lara check on the ewes.

FACING PAGE: Three generations of the Tongue family on the land at Loomberah.

Loomberah T O W N F E AT U R E

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The Tongues are a close-knit, down-to-earth farming family.

Janelle and Kevin have three strapping sons, any of whom could be nicknamed Blue. Paul, Alan and Ben have more in common than their hair colour. All three siblings met their future wives on the Loomberah school bus.

While Kevin was toiling on the farm, Janelle helped make ends meet resurrecting her teaching career. From 1974 to 2009, she taught at Currabubula, Tamworth Public, Woolomin and William Cowper schools (now Calrossy).

A boots-and-all person, Janelle soon became essential to several school and community groups, often leading the charge, while Kevin took a change of direction on the farm.

“Although I knew about wool, initially I only raised prime lambs,” Kevin says. “It was easier and our country is suited to prime lamb production. I also ran a few cows and grew grazing crops.”

Today the Tongues run about 1500 first-cross ewes for prime lamb production, for which Loomberah is renowned. As well as the sheep, they run a substantial herd of Murray Grey and Angus cows.

They also buy and sell cattle for the domestic market.

Two of their three sons have settled within a few clicks of the homestead they grew up in. The next crop of young Tongues is country to the core.

After completing his schooling, eldest son Paul went shearing for 10 years, leaving Ben, the youngest, to help his parents run their farming enterprises. Paul, the family truck driver, and wife Karlie, have three children: Blake, Emily and Ryan.

“The trucking side progressed in little steps,” Paul says. “We went from one old truck that operated day and night to a fleet of six trucks, including four B-doubles, which go to any farm within a 400km radius.”

Ben works with his dad and is the livestock expert and is sought after for contracting baling and grain sowing. He and wife Rachel have four children: Sarah, Lara, Jake and Riley.

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Middle son and former Canberra Raiders captain Alan lives in Sutton, 20 minutes north of the nation’s capital, with wife Katie and children Rebecca, Heidi, Gem and Lola. These days, Alan owns a 40-acre property but is also employed as the NRL Community Innovations Program Manager. In 2017, he was named ACT Australian of the Year. He has also been inducted into the ACT Sport Hall of Fame.

A RICH HISTORY

The Tongue story goes right back to Federation. The village of Loomberah was created after the state government introduced the Closer Settlement Act. Its main aim was to establish small farmers on land close to emerging rural centres like Tamworth.

After lengthy discussions, the sprawling Peel River Land and Mineral Company sold nearly 100,000 acres to the government for four pounds per acre. This was subdivided into 234 blocks of various sizes, depending on location and soil quality.

The land was advertised in regional newspapers as some of the state’s most fertile land. Two-thirds was classified as suitable for agriculture and the remainder was described as blue-ribbon grazing country.

Kevin’s grandfather, George Tongue, was a surveyor from Tamworth to Ipswich before he won a block of land in the 1909 Bective Settlement ballot on the other side of town. When he went to select it, a life-changing incident occurred after meeting Mr Vickery, who’d won his own selection in the Goonoo Goonoo ballot. After a brief discussion, they decided to swap selections, presumably so George could be closer to his brothers at Dungowan.

He took up a 640-acre virgin timber block and named the place “Unique”. Paying 140 pounds per annum for the property, he was left with a similar amount to start clearing, fencing and building a log cabin beside Reedy Creek for his new bride, Jessie.

Loomberah T O W N F E AT U R E

It was a tough life. The rules stipulated they had to clear a set number of acres each year to make the land productive. Hardworking George is remembered as a big, strapping man who always took Sundays off to play tennis. A diary entry recalls him stripping 300 bags at harvest in 20 days – a feat now performed in about an hour.

Similar to many farms in the early 1900s, an enormous amount of man and horsepower was ploughed into land clearing. A large fruit orchard was established, with grape vines.

In 1923, the family became proud owners of one of the first kerosene-powered chest refrigerators in the district, manufactured in Edward Hallstrom’s backyard in Dee Why. A party line was their only means of communication – one ring for the exchange and two for the person up the road.

Nelson, the youngest of three sons, married Gwen and purchased “Unique” from his father in 1952. They had five children, including son Kevin, who rode his pony to the Loomberah School, accompanied by his brother and three sisters. Later he caught the bus and we all know what happened there.

After leaving school at 15, Kevin studied sheep husbandry and wool science at Tamworth Tech, becoming a New England woolclasser for the next 15 years before settling down to a lifetime of full-time farming.

Kevin has witnessed many natural disasters, having endured the great flood of 1955 and crippling droughts in 1965, 2000 and 2016.

They’re just a handful of moments that truly demonstrate the power of families pulling together while remaining strong in their faith.

Ever optimistic, Kevin doesn’t dwell on the bad times. What’s done is done.

“In tough times we have to be resilient, pull together as a family and just try to make it to the other side,” he says.

“In the last drought, the longest ever, we still had underground water. Right now is a good time to be a farmer.”

For the past five years, he’s been chair of the NSW Farmers’ Tamworth branch. With more than 100 members, it’s one of the largest branches in the state, where Kevin and his team aim to achieve the best outcomes for agriculture.

Kevin has been successful in extending his holdings over the years by purchasing neighbouring farms, but technology is not a strong point.

“I can read an email but I wouldn’t have a clue if you asked me to turn on a computer or send a text,” he says.

“If someone wants to talk to me, they simply ring.

“My sons aren’t real flash in the technology department either, but luckily their wives have the prices and trends at their fingertips. They’re so good with all that modern stuff, but it’s no use to me, although I’m sure my grandkids will break that cycle.”

Speaking of grandkids, the heads of the family are now referred to as “Papa and Nanny Nell”. The kids all ride motorbikes and regularly catch up on each other’s farms, with Papa forever slashing paddocks to make tracks for them.

Had things not turned out between the Tongues and Vickerys more than a century ago, this story would been completely different.

“We could have easily ended up on ‘Bective’, which would have forever changed our family history,” Kevin says. “If my grandfather hadn’t made that life-changing decision, I would never have met my future wife and best mate on the bus.” RLM

FACING PAGE: Kevin and Janelle Tongue have been breeding crossbred wool for nearly 50 years.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Ben and Rachel Tongue with children Lara, Sarah, Riley and Jake (front); Kevin Tongue (centre) with two of his three strapping sons, Ben and Paul; truckie Paul and wife Karlie with children Ryan, Blake and Emily; these healthy-looking ewes produce some of the best prime lambs in the district.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Moonbi

MOONBI

There is so much more to Moonbi than meets the eye.

Driving south out of Tamworth, you’ll come upon a beautiful village nestled at the foot of the Moonbi Ranges. You can’t mistake the feeling you’re in poultry country, confronted with the Big Chook taking pride of place along the highway.

Majestic mountains tower over the tiny settlement of Moonbi. Take a short drive up the range to Moonbi Lookout, where the first settlers must have enjoyed a glorious bird’s-eye view of the vista below.

For the more adventurous, a local guide will be happy to point out ancient Aboriginal rock art and local flora and fauna as you hike through the ranges.

At the lookout turn-off, don’t miss the opportunity to seemingly defy Isaac Newton’s theory at one of the world’s most fascinating yet least known phenomenons, Gravity Hill. It can be found on the road that links north and southbound highway traffic across from the lookout.

It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see vehicles roll uphill without any assistance. Pour a cup of water onto the road surface and be amazed as it climbs upward before your eyes.

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Back down the highway towards nearby Kootingal you’ll discover historic Moonby House, built by Robert Gill for his family in 1895 as headquarters of the 68,720-acre Moonby Station.

He spelt it with a “y” on the end to distinguish it from the nearby village. Today it’s Moonby House Nursing Home, with retirement villas for easy transition into the care facility.

Back in Moonbi, you’re standing there looking at the Big Chook wondering how to while away a few hours when you spy the Moonbi Museum next door. Chances are you’ll be greeted by Claudette Humphrys, whose convict ancestors first came to the area in 1832.

“Our family history began in England with two mates, Thomas Betts and Tom Woolaston, stealing eight pounds of lard from a cart,” she says. “They were transported in chains to the colony, where they remained firm friends their entire lives.”

It’s this love of their own history that makes Claudette and husband Bill ideal candidates to run the local museum, established in 2012. After all, it’s easy when you’re talking about your own family. >

Take a short drive up the range to Moonbi Lookout, where the first settlers must have enjoyed a glorious bird’s-eye view of the vista below.

ABOVE: The magnificent Moonbi valley, nestled at the foot of the ranges.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The mighty Moonbi Ranges have slowed down many a truck driver over the years; the 70-year-old Bushells Tea advertising sign on the New England Highway got a facelift in 2016; the Big Chook symbolises the importance of the poultry industry to the district; majestic Moonby House, built in 1895, is in the grounds of Moonby House Nursing Home.

Moonbi T O W N F E AT U R E

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T O W N F E AT U R E Moonbi

The energetic octogenarians met at a Tamworth Town Hall dance in 1958 and have been waltzing their way through 60 years of marriage and four daughters. A former truck driver and auto electrician, Bill spent 34 years running Build A Door Services in Tamworth until his retirement.

“Bill chased me to Moonbi and I never let him go,” Claudette laughs.

Bill presides over Moonbi Historical Society while Claudette manages the museum.

Moonbi’s walking, talking history book has called the village home her entire life, just like generations before her, dating back to the 1870s when it was first settled.

The museum was conceived in 2010 in the original fire shed. Over the years, with funding from Tamworth Regional Council and lots of fundraising from volunteers, major extensions were added in 2015 and 2019. Part of this was the restoration of the iconic Bushells Tea sign fronting the highway.

Every carefully collected item in the museum tells a story. Ask Claudette or one of the dozen or so volunteers about the tale of Captain

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Thunderbolt’s pistol – or was it? The notorious bushranger, aka Frederick Ward, was active throughout the North West, and saw in the Moonbi Ranges the perfect hideaway from the law’s prying eyes.

Thunderbolt’s gang raided the Moonbi store, then run by Henry and Grace Wilson. Quickthinking Grace dropped a bag of cash in a keg of water, escaping the robbers’ attention. It appears the pistol may well have been hers, but it’s all family folklore and one of the many interesting tales to come out of this well-set-out treasure trove of the past.

“You meet many interesting people, several with historical links to Moonbi,” Claudette says.

“They may have lived there, grown up nearby on a poultry farm or relocated with the growing equine industry in the district. Everyone’s curious about the past.” RLM

Call in any weekend from 10am to 2pm, or phone Claudette on 6760 3110 to arrange a booking.

Every carefully collected item in the museum tells a story.

ABOVE: Some of the treasures from the past you’ll find inside this community-run museum; the heart and soul of Moonbi Historical Society, Claudette and Bill Humphrys can often be found at the Moonbi Museum, opened in 2012.

Art Works

Lifting & Rigging – 300t

Steel Cables

• Splitbelt Rubber • Rubber Matting • Staytight Cattle Cable • Holy Belt Ute Mats • Enviro Belt 40 - Erosion Control • Ag Mat - Horse Flooring • Tailgate Mats • Wire Rope • Winch Cable • Floodgate Cable • Stable Tiles

Tailgate mat

Erosion control - Enviro Belt 40

Wire rope

Roundyard rubber

Holeybelt 20 ute mat

Staytight cattle cable

19-45 Charles Street Moonbi NSW 2353 Ph. 02 6760 3773

OPENING HOURS Monday to Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 3:45pm

andromedaindustries.com.au

T O W N F E AT U R E Moonbi

the ties

THAT BIND

When Raymond McLaren borrowed a small book from Newcastle Library, he never imagined being tied for life to the illustrations within its pages.

After studying Knots, Splices and Fancy Work, a classic book on fancy knotting, 19-year-old mechanical engineering student Raymond McLaren became so entangled in his new hobby he failed to return the book. In 2012, some 55 years later, he finally fessed up to his literary larceny.

To make amends, Raymond hand-delivered a $5000 cheque and brand-new copy of the book to the bemused librarian to cover the late fee accrued over 19,350 days. It was a small price to pay. With that original book by his side, he went on to establish Andromeda Industries, a multimillion-dollar cable and rigging company.

“It was a case of better late than never,” laughs the delightful and focused octogenarian. “I was happy to honour my debt. I was getting older and thought I’d better return a new copy to the library before I shuffled off.”

So what exactly was in those pages that changed his life?

“The book taught me some fancy knots along with rope-making, plaiting and weaving that I applied to making steel cables and slings,” he says matter-of-factly from his head office.

After mastering several of the knots, especially splicing wire rope, Raymond hit the road, finding customers that needed splicing wherever he dropped his hat for the night. An enterprising idea was born for the young man who spent his early years growing up on a Glen Innes farm with four siblings.

At Glen Innes High, Raymond dreamt about life as a fighter pilot. His teachers felt his inquiring mind and solid grades might be better suited to the medical fraternity. Engineering, however, proved his true calling. He studied for four nights a week for four long years in Newcastle.

During this formative time, he took up the ancient art of knotting, an unusual hobby that started by accident. He was out snorkelling with a friend, trying out a powerful spear gun he had just made, when he realised he didn’t know how to fix the nylon cord to the spear. “Just use a bowline,” said his learned and capable friend, as if everybody in the world knew every knot. That’s when he borrowed the book.

Over a long and fruitful lifetime, Raymond learned to master hundreds of knots developed by mariners over centuries. He maintains the bowline, the king of knots, is still his favourite.

“It was fascinating stuff. All these knots. I loved it. In my younger days, I was watching Newcastle riggers make slings when I stumbled across an old Scottish bloke named Jock who taught me the art of splicing. I’ll never forget those valuable lessons during his lunchbreak. I would put in a splice while he smoked his pipe,” he says.

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Before long, he was working as a crane driver at Weipa on the Cape York Peninsula, when he met another man who would help cement his future. Bill Priest, an old seaman and captain of the company yacht Britannia, volunteered to share a few of his own splicing secrets. The information gleaned from both old-timers would make Raymond one of the best splicers in the country.

Growing wiser by the day, he made thousands of slings before setting up a workshop for manufacturing wire rope slings in Taminda in 1970. The Tamworth City Council was selling industrial land at very attractive prices, enabling the establishment of the first workshops.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

After 17 years in Taminda, more space was needed. Raymond started looking for a larger and more visible site near Tamworth, finding what he was looking for on five hectares on the New England Highway at Moonbi. In 1982, he moved onto the bare block and built four buildings. As business kept growing, more and more workshops were added. Andromeda Industries was on the world map.

Forty years later, the boss is still there putting in a solid day’s work – not a bad effort for a man about to celebrate his 84th birthday. Raymond often works seven days a week but doesn’t worry about battling traffic. He can walk out of his office door directly into a very comfortable flat, a convenient arrangement that’s served him well for decades.

He lived at Moonbi with his second and third wives, Marcia and Kate, both of whom left him, thanks largely to the constant presence of a busy work schedule. His first wife, Beryl, whom he met in Townsville, bore him his only child, Zelman, who lives in Brisbane with his wife Marina and three children.

“I have always loved and respected women above all else in this world but being full time with a wife has proved difficult at times – especially for them,” he sighs. “They all said I was married to my work and they were right.”

It’s not easy understanding this man’s brilliant mind, as many friends and even his work colleagues testify. You could talk to him about his interest in astronomy, conservation, Rotary or travel but what gets Raymond most excited are discussions on thermodynamics, energy and nuclear physics. >

FACING PAGE: Raymond McLaren is still firmly in control at Andromeda Industries, Moonbi.

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“With the invention of our splitting and hole punching processes, we have prevented hundreds of very large rolls of rubber conveyor belt from being left to waste or buried as landfill.”

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“Renewable energy is all the go at the moment but converting energy from the sun isn’t going to cut it forever. The world will one day have to go nuclear because of the rapidly increasing demands for electric power of the future,” he says.

“One day we will all have electric cars, and every car has to be charged up to get from Point A to Point B. Gradually we will wean ourselves off petrol and diesel. In the overall energy scheme of things, electric cars are efficient and make a lot sense.”

On his rare days off, Raymond likes to relax on his bushland conservation area east of Attunga Forest. He bought his first 1500-acre block, “Piney Ridge”, in 1977 and over the years has more than tripled the size of his acreage.

“The plan has always been to acquire enough land to create a national park,” he says. “I feel it’s crucial to do something about keeping our natural environment. Our bushland is being destroyed and it’s habitat for many species.

“Australia has the highest extinction rate in the world, and much of this is due to land clearing. Once the land is cleared you lose nearly all animal life, taking up to 200 years to restore.”

With a cabin up in the hills, Raymond often visits to clear his head in the natural surroundings of the bush.

“You know what’s needed right now?” he asks. “They need an engine for the Mars helicopter. They have one there now that can run for three or four minutes but need one that can fly for 100 days. We need an engine for this helicopter. It’s all about energy and thermodynamics. Such a powerful heat source can only be provided by a nuclear reactor.”

Reflecting on life, Raymond admits he would have been happy being a nuclear physicist. He’s one of those rare types with the grey matter and manual experience to match. This means there’s virtually nothing he cannot make, as testified by his wonderful woodwork.

“The most difficult things to design are brackets and clamps,” he laughs. “Bloody awful things to design.”

Raymond’s head is like one giant computer that never switches off.

Before COVID, overseas scientific trips were conducted on a yearly basis. The diehard conservationist has studied humpback whales in Hawaii and sailed to Greenland on a Russian research vessel.

Recently, he visited Norway to study oil and Iceland to see the geothermal power station that powers Reykjavik, as well as the ITER site in France, where the fusion reactor is being built.

Raymond believes it’s one of the most important and difficult projects mankind has ever attempted.

“I particularly love the UK and had a house in Ireland for a few years,” he says. “I also love to visit America – a fantastic place.”

His favourite hangout, however, is peaceful Moonbi, where Andromeda has established itself as an innovator in the wire rope industry. Its special field is the design and manufacture of plaited and woven steel cables for rigging gear and terminal systems for these cables.

The company has grown to 15 staff, who cheerfully attest they can only wonder what goes on inside their boss’s head. There’s always something going down at Andromeda. A few years ago, workers drowned their sorrows after a new 300-tonne piece of machinery worth $250,000 sunk to the floor of the Pacific Ocean in a bizarre cargo ship incident.

Over the decades, Raymond and his team have made over 100 applications for the recycled split-belt conveyor belts, used for anything from lining stables, arenas, cattle yards and races to ute mats, livestock transport flooring, dividers and walls, footpaths, drains, shed and gym floors.

“The mines discard conveyor belts as they wear out,” Raymond explains. “Today we have probably a thousand tonnes of belts on the place, mostly from the Hunter Valley. We buy 100-200 tonnes at a time and have enough to keep us busy for at least another five years.

Moonbi T O W N F E AT U R E

“With the invention of our splitting and hole punching processes, we have prevented hundreds of very large rolls of rubber conveyor belt from being left to waste or buried as landfill.”

Long-standing general manager Annette Williams says innovation has always been a key focus in the company’s growth and development, and their original designs are the catalyst for a multitude of products.

It was this innovation that led the company to playing a key role in the creation of an eye-catching public art sculpture, Holding Place, in Bicentennial Park. Thanks to the efforts of the Tamworth Regional Gallery and Canberra artist Lucy Irvine, an artwork with industrial steel cables meant for lifting heavy machinery was repurposed as public art in 2020.

Our time is running out and Raymond McLaren, the sharp-as-atack 1938 model, is itching to get back to his latest project.

After 65 years of ownership, he still treasures the old book that changed his life. Occasionally he refers to its tattered pages.

I ask what would be a fitting epitaph for a man who has accomplished so much in his most remarkable life.

“You could say here lies a man with an insatiable appetite for knowledge,” he smiles, looking around his meticulous office for the right words. “An engineer scientist who wanted to know everything about this wonderful world of ours.” RLM

ABOVE: Raymond McLaren and general manager Annette Williams with some of the committed Moonbi team.

FACING PAGE: Raymond in front of one of his many industrial lathes; Raymond has his own workshop; an intricate gift from his staff reflects his brilliant mind.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Bendemeer

click go the shears It’s shearing time at “Vermont”, Bendemeer. For the Reid family, it’s the annual get-together where they all meet in an age-old tradition.

At shearing time Brian Reid gets to connect with sons Chris and Peter, much as Brian did with his dad, Bill, in years gone by.

The sun is just rising as RLM drives through the gateway to find the shed abuzz with activity – fleeces flying, dogs barking and hardworking shearers everywhere you look.

In the hum of the shearing pieces, Brian and his sons steadily go about their work, like generations before them. Here verbal communication is unnecessary. A nod of the head or a sideways glance is all it takes to keep the wheels in motion. Everyone knows their role and it’s a boots-and-all effort by all hands on deck.

The boys have always run their own places, but look forward to coming back to “Vermont” to help their dad, now in his mid 70s, each year at shearing.

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Brian’s father was a pretty handy bloke who obviously knew a thing or two about building shearing sheds. The shed he made with his own hands back in 1960 can still handle the frenetic pace of shearing time at “Vermont” in 2022.

Shearing is one of the few rural industries that has changed little over the generations, so it’s a special time for the Reid family to connect with their roots, much as their forefathers did since the 1930s.

Brian, a third-generation sheep and cattle man, has been married to Marion for 54 years. Their family now includes nine precious grandchildren. Along with their two sons, they have daughters Jane Clement, a horse trainer, and Sally Walden, a hairdresser. Both live nearby. >

Bendemeer T O W N F E AT U R E

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Brian Reid has spent a lifetime in the wool industry; brothers Chris and Peter Reid with parents Brian and Marion; Peter and partner Megan Hodge love shearing time; Chris busy penning up sheep; Marion and Brian inspect wool.

FACING PAGE: The “Vermont” shearing shed in full swing as Marion and Brian are hard at work with sons Peter and Chris.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Bendemeer

“We traditionally shear between September and October and our wool averages 17 micron.”

As well as their prized flock, the Reids run Poll Hereford cattle.

They buy their bulls from Yalgoo, Tycolah and Oldfield studs.

While Peter and partner Megan live in the old homestead, Chris and wife Kristy live on the adjoining property, “Spring Valley”, where their children are seventh-generation sheep breeders.

Kristy is a valued team member of McCulloch Agencies in Tamworth.

“We’ve been selling 60 to 80 bales with Jemalong Wool for the past five years and it’s been a healthy arrangement all round,” Brian says. “We traditionally shear between September and October and our wool averages 17 micron. It’s one thing to raise

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the sheep and shear them, but when it comes to selling, Jemalong Wool has been the perfect fit for us.”

Brian has been a woolclasser since 1962, and Peter has been classing for about 30 years. With this combined experience behind them, the well-oiled machine that is the Reid family dynasty looks forward to the next generation of sheep breeders following in their footsteps. RLM CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Chris, Brian and Peter Reid enjoy working together at shearing time; “Vermont” shearing in action; pens of sheep ready for shearing before the final bell.

Moonbi T O W N F E AT U R E

Providing modern, innovative and cost efficient wool handling and marketing for over 40 years • SERVICE • INFORMATION • MARKETING • Wool store locations Forbes Tamworth Cooma

(02) 6851 4000 (02) 6760 7577 (02) 6452 3130

jemalongwool.com.au MOONBI RLM 109

T O W N F E AT U R E Bendemeer

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Bendemeer T O W N F E AT U R E

welcome, one and all Bendemeer Hotel’s Leanne and Mark Summers treat their staff and patrons like family.

Not only is Bendemeer Hotel a gorgeous country pub oozing character, it’s like a second home for its longstanding patrons.

That’s what stood out to new owners Leanne and Mark Summers, who took over in February 2021 and gave the hotel a new lease on life. It was clear this pub was something special.

The historic rural town of Bendemeer is just a 30-minute drive from Tamworth, and 10 minutes from the top of the Moonbi Pass, making it a picturesque family trip for locals and travellers alike.

With cosy country accommodation and delicious bistro meals on offer, “the Bendy Pub”, as it’s fondly referred to, is an inviting place to catch up with friends and maybe even stay a while.

After chatting with Leanne, the website tag line “Here, you are family” makes perfect sense. Leanne is a hard worker who is keen to succeed, but first and foremost she loves to connect with and look after people.

That’s why it’s also easy to believe that she has wanted to own a country pub ever since she was 15 years old.

Now, following a 28-year pharmacy career, Leanne has been able to realise her teenage dream and is in her element, supported by Mark and their team.

“We have an incredible team of 17 staff who are all Bendemeer locals and are like family to us,” Leanne says.

“Without them, and my husband Mark, the pub wouldn’t be what it is today.”

The hotel is beautifully presented, which speaks to the love and care Leanne and Mark have poured into it. In it, you’ll find inviting touches, even including furniture from the couple’s own home.

For those staying overnight, 12 attractive hotel rooms are on offer: seven with en suites and five pub rooms, along with an additional self-contained ground-level flat. Lockable garages on site are a major drawcard for those with motorbikes and can be used at no extra cost.

The pub’s reputation for excellent beer can be credited to Mark, who religiously cleans the beer lines every Friday night. Mark has a full-time job but works in the hotel every evening and on weekends. Meanwhile, Leanne can be found busily tending to her patrons on any given day. > ABOVE: The Bendemeer Hotel team, from left, Nikki Langbein, Himani Himani, Ben De Brueker, owners Mark and Leanne Summers, Peta Jeffery, Sharelle Kingdom, Robbie Lee. FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The beer garden; tea trolley in the Riverview dining room; the bistro area; delicious meals on the deck; a tranquil mood in the Riverview dining room; owners Mark and Leanne Summers; comfortable bedrooms; the hotel overlooking the Macdonald River.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Bendemeer

But hospitality wasn’t always Leanne’s cup of tea. On Leanne’s 50th birthday, Mark took her to dinner at Tamworth’s Powerhouse restaurant, which inspired her to ask about a possible job there.

What started as a part-time evening role at the Powerhouse after a full day working in pharmacy, finished up with Leanne overseeing the five-star restaurant.

“We’ve worked very hard over the years to be able to buy a hotel of our own, and I’ve never lost sight of my goal. I’ve always loved this sort of thing – looking after people and making a truly memorable, homely space,” Leanne says.

“It’s my passion to have the hotel beautiful and accommodating for our customers. To me, hospitality is all about customer service – rolling out the red carpet for them and creating that ‘wow’ factor.”

This approach to doing business might just be why patrons flocked through the doors of the “Bendy Pub” once Leanne and Mark took over.

In just three days, business tripled, but the impact of COVID-19 since saw the pub come through some trying times, including two forced closures.

Now, it’s onwards and upwards for the hotel, which hosts a range of fabulous events and entertainment including monthly “paint and sip” sessions and local musical talent.

“There are many families in our town who have had multiple generations coming to this hotel. It’s like a lifeline for the Bendemeer community. Mark and I very quickly learnt how important this hotel was to its patrons, and it’s a privilege to know they’ve trusted us with it.”

There’s no wonder people continue to visit and stay here, many after 30 years of patronage at the Bendemeer Hotel. It’s where hospitality and a sense of family come together in the most perfect way possible.

With Leanne and Mark at the helm, this is surely just the beginning. RLM ABOVE: A welcoming entrance to the hotel off Caroline Street.

Words: Anna Conn Images: Finishing Image Photography

Open daily

Located on the banks of the Macdonald River.

Monday to Friday 10:00am till late Saturday 10:30am till late Sunday 11:00am till 10:00pm

Enjoy our picturesque beer garden, accommodation, fabulous food and hospitality.

Here, you are family.

112-130 Caroline Street Bendemeer NSW 2355 02 6769 6550 www.bendemeerhotel.com.au

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Dungowan T O W N F E AT U R E

a jolly good

SHOW

Max and Coral Douglas have never tired of the farming life and are thrilled to see the next generations coming through the ranks.

Max and Coral Douglas have been looking forward to 2022 for a long time. This year marks 60 years of marriage, 40 years on their beloved “Abelene Park” and Coral’s 80th year on the planet.

There’s sure to be a few quiet family celebrations. The industrious and hardworking pair have come a long way since Max’s grandfather, Thomas Douglas, started the View Hills Dorset Horn stud at Woodstock West, Victoria, in 1935.

By 1958, with Max’s father Ken at the helm, the flock was relocated to Eddington, where the Poll Dorset stud was established.

Both the horned and polled studs enjoyed great success during the 1960s and ’70s, winning many major ribbons, including Champion Dorset Horn Ram and Ewe at the 1960 Melbourne Royal before selling the top price ram for 750 guineas.

After the studs were dispersed in 1973 to allow Ken to retire, Max and Coral moved to Oberon where Max managed the Karawina Poll Dorset stud for the Dickson family. In 1978, the family moved to Duri to create their own Abelene Park Poll Dorset stud, with foundation ewes from the Boree Cabonne dispersal, Karawina and Tattykeel, along with a few ewes from Max’s father.

Four years later, the family needed to expand and were again on the move, this time to Woolomin, about half an hour out of Tamworth. The rolling hills with a safe 35-inch rainfall and regular supply of water were all good motivators for the move. > ABOVE: Three generations of the Douglas family are involved in the Abalene Park stud: Coral and Max (foreground), son Marshall and wife Ninna and their children Maiya and Tobias.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Dungowan

FROM TOP: Marshall, Tobias, Ninna and Maiya Douglas stroll among their prized Poll Dorsets; family patriarch Max Douglas has a lifetime’s experience in the stud ram business.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Young Abelene Park stud rams enjoying the season; Ninna and Marshall share a special union; pet ewe and her twin lambs; three generations of Douglas men; Tobias and Maiya love the farming life.

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The Poll Dorset stud and commercial Merino flock have been left in the hands of fourth-generation stud breeders sons Marshall and Brett, who sell about 170 stud and flock rams each year to clients from the Queensland border down to Tasmania.

The family conducted its first on-property ram sale in 2002, before deciding three years later to run two sales per year in February and September, offering clients from different areas and joining times, increased opportunities.

“We have strived to be progressive in the direction of the stud. Our rams are renowned for their carcase attributes and growth rates, with their progeny highly accepted across all market weight ranges,” says Marshall, Max’s youngest son.

The family has always believed in the merits of exhibiting and selling livestock at the Australian Dorset Championships in Bendigo, the largest exhibition of Dorsets in the country.

Abelene Park has been the only stud to sell all three sale rams at auction every year since 2008.

Over the past 14 years, 42 rams have sold to a top of $24,000 for a $6300 average. The stud has had the top-selling ram and top average for the three sale rams (the limit) on five occasions, including four years from 2016-2019.

During this time, Abelene Park exhibited six Champion and three Reserve Champion rams. In 2019, 13-month-old AP183 won Junior and Grand Champion ram, then Supreme Exhibit.

Over the decade, Max judged at major shows throughout Australia, and well remembers the halcyon days of the 1970s and ’80s, featuring huge crowds and big line-ups. In 1981, he judged a record 81 rams in a single class at the Melbourne Royal.

Max and Coral met at a Melbourne church camp more than 60 years ago. Their last born, however, met his future wife in far different circumstances.

Dungowan T O W N F E AT U R E

Ninna was a Danish backpacker enjoying a month’s holiday Down Under, including a night at the infamous DAG Sheep Station, Nundle. Her first sight of Marshall was on the shearing board, where he was demonstrating the fine art of removing a fleece to a bemused international audience.

“I’d never seen a man shear before, let alone a left-handed shearer,” beams Ninna, who was on a bus the following morning back to Sydney. During the trip she convinced her travelling buddy of the vital need to return for a week-long jillaroo school, and that, dear reader, is when she hollered for a Marshall.

“Our first date was watching a Ned Kelly movie,” she laughs. “I couldn’t understand the thick, heavy, Aussie accent and without subtitles, it was a disaster but I didn’t mind.”

Spurred on by the new relationship between a Tassie lass and the Crown Prince of Denmark, their romance not only survived but thrived, with children Tobias and Maiya now joining the troops.

They attend Woolomin Public, where the school motto is “Our Best, Every Day”, made up by none other than former student Marshall during the school’s centenary.

Some days Ninna pinches herself for finding a fun-loving, hardworking Aussie farmer from the opposite side of the world during her holidays. The family often returns to a little Danish village much like Nundle, dating back to the Viking era. With cobblestone streets, it’s one of the oldest villages in the district.

Coral, the minister for home affairs and matriarch, is proud of her family’s achievements, while the men are happy their commercial clients are achieving great results with Abelene Park sires. Improved seasonal conditions mean lambs are quickly reaching sale weight, with many sold straight off their mothers.

“Abelene” means place of green pasture. It’s also where three generations of the Douglas family are living up to the old school motto of “Our Best, Every Day”. RLM

Poll Dorset Stud Founded 1977 Flock 2616

SPRING RAM & EWE SALE THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER, 2022

 1087 Duncans Creek Road Woolomin NSW 2340 02 6764 2275 • 0408 961 883 abelenepark@gmail.com www.abelenepark.com

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T O W N F E AT U R E Dungowan

there’s movement at

DUNGOWAN STATION 1834 On arrival at the historic Dungowan Station 1834, guests can expect to find themselves immediately immersed in the natural beauty of the property and captivated by its iconic Australian feel.

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Dungowan T O W N F E AT U R E

Dungowan Station 1834 is nestled in the heart of the Dungowan Valley, a 20-minute drive east of Tamworth.

The property’s recent renovations have brought to life its agricultural heritage, transforming its existing woolshed into a bespoke brewery.

This unique brewery and food experience brings its guests back into the paddock to celebrate the importance of local produce.

The woolshed’s cleverly designed picture windows afford guests a unique view of the shearers in action from the comfort of the brewery and its dining area.

The Dungowan Brewing Company showcases local artisan wines, brews and gins with a focus on sustainable produce and reducing harmful CO2 emissions that would normally be produced in “food miles”.

“Our ethos is to either grow the produce on farm or source it within a 100-mile radius,” says Narree McIntosh, who took over the historic station with her husband Campbell and three sons in 2014.

“After COVID, we’ve become much more mindful as to where our food and products come from,” she says. “We love to shop and support local businesses.”

Since 1834, when the station was established, more than a dozen owners have left their mark on the property. The latest custodians have been busy nurturing the soils, pasture improving, planting hundreds of trees, landscaping and respectfully breathing energy back into the tired old buildings.

With their vast experience in hospitality, Narree and Campbell have created a unique tourist destination on their 4000-acre working lucerne, cattle and sheep farm.

The entrepreneurial couple, well known for transforming several commercial properties throughout the region, has never done anything by halves.

Already a proven wedding venue, Dungowan Station 1834 has capped its wedding bookings, with the view of keeping it a boutique venue.

“This ensures a bespoke wedding day that truly reflects who they are as a couple, while creating beautiful lifelong memories with the scenic Dungowan Valley as their backdrop,” Narree says.

The woolshed, brewery and accommodation complex hosts corporate retreats and workshops. It’s the perfect space for mid-week workshops with several scenic breakout spaces, smart TV and electronic blackboard.

Additional services such as yoga, massage and mental health fitness with reputable local vendors can be arranged for corporate bookings. > FACING PAGE: The imposing Dungowan Station homestead.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The brewery boasts country views from all directions; entrepreneurs Campbell and Narree McIntosh have delivered a top-shelf tourist attraction to the area; the Scottish Highland cattle serve as a reminder of the driven Scotsman who built the homestead; the woolshed has been repurposed as a unique bespoke brewery.

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A WOOLSHED WITH A DIFFERENCE

FROM TOP: The Tiny Homes near a dam allow friends to escape together for a weekend; the Tiny Homes have been designed to allow views to the surrounding countryside.

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Response to the artisan food and brewery in the repurposed woolshed has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Wide verandahs afford fabulous views of the lucerne flats, lavender field and vegetable gardens. It’s easy to feel a million miles away in this casual, laid-back setting.

It’s the perfect venue to sit back and relax with friends, enjoy a beverage or two, while sharing plates of locally sourced produce. Guests can walk down the avenue of Manchurian pears to the old Pumphouse with its cantilevered deck over the crystal clear waters of Dungowan Creek.

Dungowan Station 1834 has you covered for those lazy weekends away with six gorgeous Tiny Homes set in their own discreet farm locations. Nestled among the trees, nature and creek, the off-grid eco-friendly Tiny Homes are believed to be the first in the New England.

Offering all the creature comforts of home, they come with a kitchen, breakfast

bar and a lounge in front of the big picture window to soak up those country views.

Climb the ladder to the ultra comfy queen loft bed and star-gazing window as the sound of the birds and babbling creek lull you to sleep.

“Narree likes to say they’re sexy as hell,” Campbell laughs. “It’s certainly a unique experience in a beautiful country setting where our guests can completely unwind from the usual hustle and bustle of their daily routine.”

The Tiny Homes are beautifully designed and furnished with gorgeous lofty linens.

There’s also a beautifully renovated cottage for larger groups looking to escape for a few days.

Campbell and Narree are passionate about Tamworth and the Dungowan Valley and love to promote what the region has to offer.

“We want to do what we can to promote our beautiful region,” Narree says. “With so many people wanting to escape the hustle and bustle, whether it be for a day trip or to stay a while, our venue offers guests the opportunity to soak up the simplicity of the great outdoors in style.”

Dungowan T O W N F E AT U R E

SCOTTISH HERITAGE

Dungowan Station is one of the oldest pastoral properties in northern NSW. The area now known as the Dungowan Valley was mapped for the Australian Agricultural Company in 1834. Glowing reports suggested it contained some of the New England’s best grazing land.

Having had several owners in quick succession, the station was sold in 1903 to Leslie Sprague, after a spate of dingo problems. The progressive Scotsman employed a party of men to build a 15-room homestead, surrounded by verandahs on all sides. The bricks were made from the rich open-cut clay of the creek and fired on the station.

In March 1904, Leslie married Mini Broun, daughter of the 10th Scottish Baronet of Coulston, near Edinburgh.

Four years later, he built a small church on the station, not far from the homestead, and installed the giant wool press in the 50-year-old woolshed.

In 1911, Leslie purchased the district’s first car before selling up and moving to his newly built apartments overlooking Manly beach, aptly named “Dungowan”.

Ph: 0428 663 020 E: info@1834.com.au 803 Ogunbil Road, Dungowan @dungowanstation1834

Weddings and Scottish ancestry live on at Dungowan Station to this day. You can’t get a more Scottish name than McIntosh.

Campbell and Narree and their three sons – Lachie, a barber in Tamworth, Callum, a civil engineer in Sydney and Gus, an environmental scientist in Newcastle – love sharing the rich station history with their guests.

The family has multiple projects on the go, including a lavender field with over 2500 plants for enhancing the gin and bespoke handmade beauty products for the Tiny Homes. There’s also a growing herd of purebred Scottish Highland cattle.

DUNGOWAN STATION 1834

Outside the farm, the McIntoshes are equally busy in Dowe Street, Tamworth with their brewery development application, featuring a European-style exterior and stylish apartments with gym, pool and office spaces.

In the meantime, it’s all happening out at the station. The family has meticulously ticked all the boxes for a lazy afternoon or weekend escape in this country haven. RLM

FROM TOP LEFT: The new bespoke brewery and dining area in the repurposed woolshed is proving a big hit with visitors; shearing can be watched by patrons through the huge glass panels.

Open weekdays for Corporate retreats Workshops & events Boutique weddings & elopements Cottage & tiny home accommodation Woolshed/Brewery Open weekends from 10:30am Full bar & casual dining all day

Relax with family and friends amongst the picturesque scenery of Dungowan Station DUNGOWAN RLM 119

down to

a fine art

For Dungowan’s Leigh Pritchard, painting in oils or acrylics is the perfect tonic after a stressful day at the hospital.

FROM TOP: Leigh Pritchard with partner Adam McKay and children Chase, 10, and three-year-old twins Mabel and Florence; Adam and Leigh in her studio across the road from home.

FACING PAGE: Leigh working on one of her latest creations.

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As a nurse, wife, mother and landscape artist, Leigh Pritchard’s heart went out to a little girl with a terminal illness after seeing the Zara’s Day page on Facebook. She reached out to help in the best way she could, by donating an artwork.

Condamine cattle breeders Kate and Justin Boshammer’s daughter, Zara, was born with the extremely rare Pallister Killian syndrome. Sadly, she lived for just 213 days, but her short life has inspired a lot of people.

Her parents created Zara’s Day to raise much-needed funds for families affected by rare diseases and life-limiting conditions. In 2021, the Boshammer family donated more than $150,000 to the Steve Waugh Foundation and the Queensland Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“I found it incredibly inspiring for a family to be going through such tragedy and turning it around with the express purpose of helping others,” Leigh says.

“The story behind Zara’s Day really hit home to me as a mum and a nurse. You just can’t fathom their loss. Following my conversation with Kate, I dreamt of a painting with a lilac sky and messaged her back asking if it was OK if I didn’t donate the original work but painted something new, featuring the colour lilac.

“I felt like a crazy person saying that to Kate, so I said I would also include other colours. Kate told me lilac was Zara’s favourite colour so that made it feel really special and I knew I was on the right path with the painting.

“Donating to Zara’s Day is just one way of giving back a little and honouring a special girl.

I now have a dedicated space and an obsession with buying paintbrushes. I am always trying to find the perfect brush, or cutting up and shaping my brushes to suit.”

Leigh lives with partner Adam McKay and their children, Chase, 10, and twins Mabel and Florence, 3, on the Peel River at Dungowan, between Nundle and Tamworth.

“We feel lucky to live where we do,” says Adam, who works as a fitter-machinist at Boggabri Coal.

“Our kids have the space to ride their bikes and horses.”

Getting to work is a three-hour round trip four days a week for Adam but thankfully he enjoys driving.

Leigh grew up west of Grafton and is the daughter of renowned landscape artist Jude McBean. Her formative years with sisters Kate and Peta were filled with countless visits to exhibitions and galleries up and down the east coast of Australia.

“My mum is an incredible artist and worked as a director of a gallery for many years,” Leigh says proudly. “Considering my background, I still never saw art as a career for myself. I’ve always known I can draw well, but painting was really new to me and I love the challenge it presents.”

With the encouragement of her sisters, Leigh overcame her fear. Her siblings helped her set up social media accounts to showcase her work.

Dungowan T O W N F E AT U R E

In her relatively short art career, Leigh has won a number of awards including the Dr Francis Plumbing Acquisition Award at Aspects Art Show, Goondiwindi. She was also honoured with the Helen Scott Memorial Prize at Currabubula and secured first place in the 50th Arts and Ceramics Exhibition for local artists.

“The first time I displayed my work at the Aspects Art Show was a significant milestone.

The amazing support and feedback gave me the courage to keep going,” she says.

Back then Leigh was painting in the back room of her home on a couple of canvases with art supplies sourced from her mum.

Now she has a much bigger space with loads of light and natural ventilation in their rustic old shed across Nundle Road from their home. It’s every artist’s dream. Sometimes the kids join her but mostly it’s Leigh’s own private haven.

“I have had such a good start and hope to inspire others to create and explore their creativity,” she says. “I’ve fully embraced social media and love that people can follow my journey, and I theirs.”

Leigh feels extremely blessed that people like her work as much as she loves creating it.

She also loves caring for her cardiac patients at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, and

always looks forward to unwinding with her greatest therapy: the paintbrushes.

“At the moment I’m using acrylics, which is convenient with the kids around, but I go back to oils every so often, as they can be a little more forgiving. You cannot hide with acrylics, which makes it a great challenge.”

It’s a really good fit for this big-hearted coronary care specialist. She pours as much heart into her paintings as she does with patients on hospital rounds. RLM Find Leigh Suzie Art on Facebook, or visit zarasday.com.au.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nundle

living the dream Nick and Kylie Bradford’s stunning country homestead is not all it seems.

At first glance it resembles a historic station homestead, but Nick and Kylie Bradford’s dream home in the foothills of Nundle is actually a cleverly disguised kit home.

The pair rented for two years in the sleepy village while they designed and built their home in 2015. It features loads of natural light and has been furnished with Kylie’s meticulous eye for detail throughout the airy, spacious rooms.

“We would have loved to have moved into an old historic home but had trouble finding one,” Kylie says. “Instead, we built a home that looks like it’s heritage from the outside.”

The home has all the latest conveniences and includes 10-foothigh ceilings and wider than normal floorboards. You would never guess the beautiful house is a Harkaway kit home. The Melbournebased building business specialises in creating replica Federationstyle homes.

“They provided the external facade while we created the internal layout,” Nick says. “We love it, especially when guests tell us how lucky we are to have found such a beautiful ‘old’ home. We feel so happy to have created our own little slice of paradise right here in Nundle.”

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Since moving in six years ago, the Bradfords have been busy adding a pool and synthetic grass tennis court, where they enjoy a family hit-up on weekends. Taking advantage of the space, Nick built a conservatorium so Kylie could grow her own vegetables.

Kylie enjoys making her own pickles and sauces.

Their son, Zac, 12, graduated from Nundle Primary School last year, and is settling in to his secondary school years at Knox Grammar, Wahroonga. While it’s a long way from home, Zac is enjoying getting to know his classmates but missing the laid-back lifestyle and wide open spaces of Nundle.

“At home everything is close and I can ride my mountain bike down local trails, pedal to school and catch up with mates around the village,” he says. >

TOP: This magnificent new country home in Nundle has all the charm of a colonial masterpiece.

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Proud home owners Nick and Kylie Bradford with son Zac; the home features big, airy rooms.

Nundle T O W N F E AT U R E

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nundle

Kylie worked as a chartered accountant for a Sydney investment bank but is a country girl at heart, raised in Bathurst. She and Nick were flatmates in Lane Cove, which led to romance within a short space of time. After 20 years together, they are like a well-oiled machine, living and working together on their pet project, the Nundle Woollen Mill.

The mill is one of the village’s major tourist attractions where they both play a big role in keeping the doors open. Moving from busy Sydney to a sleepy, little outback post was a seamless transition for the couple.

“We found Nundle to be very friendly,” Kylie says. “It’s easy to become lonely in a big city but here there are many community events, making it easy to join in. It really helped having Zac at both the preschool and primary schools, enabling me to interact with all the other mums in the village.

“Life here is so uncomplicated, without all the congestion and traffic. Nundle is a very safe environment for all families, which is hugely important when we only have one child.”

They live on 10 acres, where Nick runs a sheep flock, albeit on a smaller scale than his father, Nick Bradford Snr, who is still farming at 80 on “Tuppal Top”, Deniliquin with wife Dawn. The farm has been in the Bradford name since the 1930s.

“Dad encouraged all five children to go out and find their own niche in life,” Nick says. “And we all did. Not one of us came back to the farm. I was drawn to the corporate world with the benefit of a regular salary. I loved the farming life but the vagaries of uncertain seasons and price fluctuations often made it impossible to plan ahead.”

Nick headed off to Melbourne to seek his fortune. It was where he had attended school and it was a city where he felt comfortable living. Later he would experience the bright lights of Sydney.

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“At that stage of my life, the attractions of living in Australia’s two biggest cities left the bush for dead. Yet here I am, in a tiny little community,” he says.

“Now we are firmly ensconced in the Hills of Gold, we would never consider returning to the Big Smoke.” RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Room for all; the Bradford family love the feeling of space; the hall of fame carries family memories; the bedrooms have been tastefully designed by Kylie, the large verandah overlooks the pool; time for a dip.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nundle

Life is

BEAUTIFUL

Busking on the streets of Europe, John Krsulja knew he was destined to do something meaningful with his life.

With a coveted Golden Guitar on his mantelpiece and an award-winning wedding and function centre, the man with an unusual surname (pronounced Krer-Sil-Ya) is known among the music fraternity simply as Johnny K. For many years, John enjoyed the lifestyle of a minstrel, taking his trusty guitar to the streets while finding his voice.

These days he’s kept busy as owner and operator of the family business, The DAG

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Sheep Station, Nundle, where his wife and kids happily work in the kitchen and pitch in to get any job done.

It’s a long way from his Sydney upbringing with a Croatian father and Australian mum, living in the western then southern suburbs.

His first job was three years with the Commonwealth Bank, before a further three years working in video production.

He then found the place he needed to be:

plastering and ceiling fixing alongside his dad. How was John to know how invaluable those skills would be in the coming years?

By the 1990s, John was ready to work and travel. His starting point was Geelong, then Hobart, before setting off for Europe. He explored Israel and Egypt before six months busking in Italy, on the cobblestone streets of Trieste. He didn’t know it then, but it would be a long time before music would once again consume his life.

Nundle T O W N F E AT U R E

By 1995, he was back in Sydney. His travelling days were over and it was time to write his next chapter, wherever that may be. He only knew his future wasn’t in the Big Smoke. The bush was calling.

John found exactly what he was looking for on Echo Hills Station, Dungowan, located on the Mulla Creek and run by Peter and Lynne Disher. He spent four fabulous years helping with sheep work, building backpacker accommodation, mustering on horseback and hosting guests from all over the world.

For 18 months, he helped build Dungowan Dam before heading off to Darwin and the west coast for six months to decide which direction his journey would take him.

After the Dishers sold Echo Hills, John returned to Tamworth and established Plasterman, a plastering and gyprock fixing business. It’s been going strong for 20 years and employs seven full-time workers and four apprentices.

He had already met Belinda Disher, the boss’s daughter, at Echo Hills. They formed a close friendship, until she finally said “I do” in 2005.

Their first child, Brooke, arrived in 2007, followed by Jade a year later. With a threeweek-old babe in arms and a toddler, they purchased 75 acres one hour’s drive from Tamworth.

The DAG, a historic sheep station and part of the once huge Wombramurra spread at the head of the Peel, became their home.

John set about renovating the place, from top to bottom, utilising his very handy skill set to do much of the work himself.

Each of the three cottages and the shearers’ quarters, along with the massive woolshed, mess hall and homestead, have undergone dramatic changes since the Krsuljas moved in.

For the next 14 years, John and Belinda hosted more than 150 weddings, hundreds of country music shows, conferences and functions at their unique property.

“In the beginning, we said yes to everything, which helped us get established,” John says.

The place began as a backpackers’ farmstay in the 1990s, and then owner James Howarth made his own improvements, paving the area around the mess hall and planting it out with golden elms and claret ash in the gardens. It

all adds to the ambience of the rural retreat in the hills.

As if this major renovation wasn’t enough to contend with, John also had his plastering business.

At the start, the plastering provided 80 per cent of his income and The DAG made up the rest.

“Within a decade, we reversed the trend,” he says. “At our peak in 2014, we had six weddings in a row, then a week off, followed by another six weekends of weddings.

“Staff were dropping like flies. We were working seven days a week and there was no time for family. We were close to burning out.

“I’d spent two decades as a plasterer doing just that and I wasn’t prepared to subject myself and my family to that enormous pressure. Something had to give.” >

ABOVE: Once a thriving Nundle sheep station, The DAG now serves as a wedding and country music venue.

FACING PAGE: Talented singer-songwriter John Krsulja in Tamworth’s Peel Street with a bust of the legendary Smoky Dawson AM (Image: Andrew Pearson).

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nundle

A NEW WORLD OF MUSIC

To take his mind off the constant maintenance required to sustain a property like this, John picked up his guitar and started strumming, and then writing songs.

It was only natural that he would begin conducting singer-songwriter retreats at The DAG, enlisting the services of prominent Australian country music artists such as Allan Caswell, Kevin Bennett, Felicity Urquhart, Shane Nicholson and many others, to tutor emerging writers from across the country.

Always keen to further his skills, John sat in on one of these retreats and was once again bitten by the musical bug, resulting in two albums.

His debut, Travellin’, was released in 2015 with the late Karl Broadie producing.

His latest album, Burden Of The Fool, was produced and engineered by Glen Hannah and Matt Fell. It was the last recording project Glen worked on before his untimely death in 2019.

Johnny K’s signature song, The Old Man’s Shed, was co-written with Luke O’Shea one memorable afternoon at The DAG. It appeared on his first album, and when Luke O’Shea recorded his own version of the song, it struck gold at the 2017 Country Music Awards of Australia.

“I’ve been fortunate to write and perform with some Australian country music artists including Lee Kernaghan, Adam Harvey, Chad Morgan, Luke O’Shea, Lyn Bowtell, Aleyce Simmonds and so many others who have become great friends,” John says with his trademark smile.

He engages audiences with his honest, open approach to a story told in song in the intimate surrounds of the mess hall where often you could hear a pin drop. He’s taken his music to festivals and special events right around Australia.

John’s influences come from a fusion of rock, folk and country, and over time he’s created his own individual sound. His acoustic-based performances have been described as heartfelt and real, in a world where authenticity is in short supply.

“We are now creeping up to our 15th year at The DAG and haven’t lost our energy or passion. Meanwhile, we continue raising our teenage children alongside Montana, a 14-year-old Nundle girl we became legal guardians for in 2021,” John says.

The DAG is looking forward to opening its doors after years of drought and COVID, which understandably took their toll on bookings.

“COVID has enabled us to step back while we continue to make improvements to the place while running my plastering business.

Most importantly, I get to spend more time with my family.

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“We’ve learnt that fine balancing act between life and work doesn’t have to be that hard.”

“We’ve learnt that fine balancing act between life and work doesn’t have to be that hard. These days we choose when our guests come – and always try to keep school holidays for ourselves.”

Now in his early 50s, Johnny K has travelled a long road since busking on the streets of Italy, achieving the ultimate dream of every country music artist: to win a Golden Guitar. It was the icing on the cake for this humble, hardworking family man.

But the gold didn’t stop with the guitar.

The DAG has also earned its fair share of gold, winning the unique accommodation

category of the Inland Tourism Awards for three consecutive years.

As he and Belinda sit sharing a glass of wine at the end of another long day, one imagines Johnny K would be a very contented man, knowing in his heart he’s struck paydirt in the Hills of Gold. RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: John and Belinda in their delightful home at The DAG; the historic woolshed is still used; John with his first album; hamming it up in the streets (Image: Andrew Pearson).

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NUNDLE, NEW SOUTH WALES

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fossickersatnundle.com.au NUNDLE RLM 129

a cultural

AWAKENING Leonie Kelly’s Mungo is a short film with a long reach.

First Nations film director and producer Leonie Kelly is making her mark in the movie world. With her Tamworth company Farm Gate Production, Leonie directed and produced the short film Mungo, a touching story of an Aboriginal boy torn between two worlds, which is attracting international attention.

Over the years, Leonie has produced many films and documentaries, but her latest, based on the true story of local Indigenous youth Mungo, who left his tribe to run away to Ashton’s circus, is striking a chord with many.

The travelling circus would perform in the Nundle area for locals and miners. You will find this story well documented at Mount Misery Mine, Nundle, an underground museum and cafe.

The short film is gaining international exposure, having been entered in the

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Sundance Film Festival in Utah, and winning best director of a historical film in the New York Film Festival. It’s also been entered in the Cannes and Paris film festivals.

In November 2021, Leonie snared a Tamworth Local Legends Award in Excellence in the Visual Arts category.

The award recognises the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations to the Tamworth community.

Based on a true story in the 1800s, Mungo showcases the Gamilaraay language, culture and history in the Garoo area, near Nundle.

Shot entirely on Tamarang Station, owned

by Richard Bull and Lauren Denmead, they were able to recreate an authentic, 1800s-style village. Built in six weeks, it features the facades of six pioneering buildings, including an old pub.

Making the film has been the highlight of Leonie’s life to date. Having been in Tamworth 10 years, the Wollongong-born and Western Sydney-raised filmmaker has always enjoyed the country lifestyle, from chasing horses to chasing ghosts. Eerily enough, her interest in cinematography was cemented after filming paranormal activities.

“It all started when me and my former partner visited Cockatoo Island, Sydney, Dubbo and Maitland jails, along with Saumarez Homestead and heaps of cemeteries, where we’d heard of ghosts and other spooky stuff,” she says with a grin.

She commenced her career as a videographer shooting horse shows after the Tamworth Reining Horse Association allowed her to capture horses and riders in action.

Later she filmed singer-songwriter Roo Arcus during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Nundle T O W N F E AT U R E

In 2018, Leonie introduced live streaming to the Capitol Theatre Tamworth with the Pure Country Spectacular Showcase and the ICMA Awards presentation.

Meanwhile, Leonie was also on her own journey of self-discovery. Subjected to racism from an early age, she instinctively knew there was a missing link to her identity. When she was 30, after years of not knowing her true heritage, research into her family history revealed her maternal great-grandfather was from the Gundungurra nation.

“When my family history finally came out, it wasn’t a total shock to me. Being a First Nations descendant explained my close connection to country. This led to discovering more family members from the Gidga tribe in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.”

She is a proud fourth cousin to the first Indigenous minister in the WA Parliament, Ernie Bridge OAM, who was later inducted into the Australasian Country Music Hands of Fame in Tamworth.

“This is why making Mungo was so important. Hopefully it will encourage today’s youth in Kamilaroi country to further explore their culture and language,” she says. “Seeing our local language being taught in all regional schools for our children today is extremely satisfying.”

The film brought the local Gamilaroi community on board to help write the story, featured many talented local actors and provided the community opportunities in all fields including costumes, extras, runners, caterers and production.

Shot over three days back in April 2020, the nine-minute mini-movie took nearly a year to develop. Released in mid-2021, it premiered at the Tamworth Short Film Festival in October and has since been entered into international short film festivals in Paris, New York and Cannes.

“Being able to tell Indigenous stories is a way of giving back to the community and sharing perspectives that may not have been explored on the big screen before,” Leonie says.

“I’m passionate about keeping the culture and language alive. It’s important to keep our identity strong and pass onto our younger generation the value of maintaining a connection to traditional practices.”

Leonie is also secretary of the Tamworth Short Film Festival, encouraging local film enthusiasts to go out and create their own stories.

“I’ve introduced workshops for our local community to have an opportunity to learn and experience work on film production. I hope that Tamworth will have more of this come to our region so our community can have further opportunities to work in the industry,” she enthuses.

“I love recreating historical Australian stories and directing a cast to bring my vision to fruition.

“I hope my achievements will inspire other creatives to not give up on their dreams and to pursue a career in the film industry.

“It was a pleasure being able to collaborate on the Mungo story and give community members the opportunity to perform and re-enact the story of their ancestors.

“Working with the local Indigenous community was an amazing experience. We have so many talented actors and creatives in Tamworth.”

Now in her 40s and after seven years in the film industry, Leonie’s next goal is to find a production house so she can direct a TV series. Watch this space. RLM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Will Jerrard and Uche Moran featured in the film; Leonie Kelly wearing her director’s cap; Sydney actor Paul Hughes; Patrick Strong played a lead role; the small village set of Garoo.

FACING PAGE: Director and producer Leonie Kelly has achieved international recognition with Mungo.

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Lure of the land

Grazier Karen Arnott has come a long way in the competitive stud stock business.

Since starting with an empty canvas at “Koomoorang”, Currabubula in late 1975, Karen Arnott has grown to love the land, her whiteface and black cattle and her close-knit team of workers who help get the job done, year after year.

After spending the first few decades of life in Sydney, where she was a familiar face in the singing world, Karen moved to the country, not knowing a great deal about farming or cattle breeding.

Today, her Poll Hereford and Angus studs are rated among the best in the land, thanks to her strong leadership and the efforts of stud master Jack Smith and family, who joined her team nearly 20 years ago.

In the very early days, it was about fattening steers on a rising market until restockers became too expensive. This led to the first purchase of breeders in 1983 – 102 Angus heifers, followed two years later by 65 Poll Hereford heifers from South Australia.

Cascade Poll Hereford stud was established in 1986 with the purchase of two cows with calves at foot and one heifer from the Folly Lodge dispersal sale. Over the years, Karen attended many dispersals and on-farm sales, slowly increasing the size of her holding and the herd.

An Angus stud was added to the mix, with foundation females sourced from Calleen and Romara Park studs and later Millah Murrah and the Comfort Hill dispersal sale.

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Jack took control of both the stud and commercial herds in the middle of the 2003 drought, following Karen’s purchase of the bulk of the Bobanken female herd from Bingara. Jack’s wife Kathy and son Jason are all part of the team, which includes hard-working cattlemen Buck Russell, who oversees the commercial herd on “Bellbrook”, and Todd Aitken, who oversees the Angus stud on “Waverley”.

Jack’s passion for cattle runs deep. The son of the late Bob Smith, who established the successful Bobanken stud with his late brother Ken, grew up with a thorough knowledge of the seed stock industry.

Jack and Kathy were excited to accept Karen’s opportunity to take the stud up a notch or two.

“During our time here, we’ve grown from a relatively small herd into a significant stud enterprise, selling about 50 Poll Hereford and 50 Angus bulls a year,” Jack says.

Their July 2021 sale was their 18th on-farm production sale and the best yet. Poll Herefords sold to $26,000 and averaged over $15,000 while the Angus draft were only slightly lower. > FACING PAGE: The well-oiled Cascade team includes Todd Aitken, Buck Russell, Jason Smith, owner Karen Arnott, Jack and Kathy Smith and Axel Arnott.

ABOVE: Father and son team Jack and Jason Smith muster a mob of prized Poll Hereford cows and calves.

Currabubula T O W N F E AT U R E

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THEIR JULY 2021 SALE WAS THEIR 18TH ON-FARM PRODUCTION SALE AND THE BEST YET. POLL HEREFORDS SOLD TO $26,000 AND AVERAGED OVER $15,000 WHILE THE ANGUS DRAFT WERE ONLY SLIGHTLY LOWER. “It’s the best season we’ve had in years. Prices are through the roof – it’s great for everyone in the industry and a welcome boost after the prolonged and decimating drought,” Jack says.

Although she no longer breaks into song, Karen still enjoys monitoring her cattle from the balcony of her home each day.

The commanding view is constantly changing. Never one to blow her own trumpet, the Cascade matriarch still derives enormous satisfaction from seeing her loyal team and cattle thrive in different seasons.

Karen has always drawn inspiration from her great grandfather, who started the iconic Arnott’s biscuit dynasty but in recent years has turned to her nephew Axel, who has become a welcome asset to the team.

He is the only other Arnott to live on the property since Karen’s arrival 47 years ago. Karen always hoped to have a family member on board Team Cascade and there’s no doubt Axel has added a special magic to the mix.

“Karen has built something very special here and I’m thrilled to be part of the team that continues her dream,” he says.

The former landscape architect and curator/site manager of art events, especially sculpture, has travelled the world with his job.

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Currabubula T O W N F E AT U R E

NEVER ONE TO BLOW HER OWN TRUMPET, THE CASCADE MATRIARCH STILL DERIVES ENORMOUS SATISFACTION FROM SEEING HER LOYAL TEAM AND CATTLE THRIVE IN DIFFERENT SEASONS.

He recently sold up in the Southern Highlands and has relocated to a house on the farm close to his aunt.

Throughout his career, Axel has remained connected to the land and sees the next chapter of his life as a new and exciting phase. Don’t be surprised if sculpture starts appearing on the “Koomoorang” landscape.

For his part, Jack reckons his proudest achievement is not a topselling bull or impressive sale result.

“My respect is with the cows that have been producing bulls for sale, year after year,” he says with a grin.

“Having said that, it’s always great seeing repeat clients come back each year to buy their herd improvers. We’ve developed some great friendships along the way and look forward to catching up with our buyers at our annual field day in June and bull sale in July.”

The Currabubula cattleman is thrilled to have been involved with Cascade for such a long time and is still as driven as the day he started.

“We remain determined and passionate about what we do – and that’s to breed quality and consistency in our Angus and Poll Hereford cattle to meet industry demands. We are trying to breed all those favourable yet simple traits in our cattle – length, width, softness, fertility, strength and structure.”

The Cascade team encourages other cattlemen and women to inspect their cattle or simply have a cuppa to discuss the state of the nation. Expect a warm welcome, especially in June/July when Karen’s 90th birthday celebrations overlap with the bull sale. RLM FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Cascade Poll Hereford cows and calves enjoying the bountiful season; Jason Smith and father Jack have devoted their lives breeding the all-familiar red and white cattle.

ABOVE: Cattle wranglers Todd Aitken, Jack and Jason Smith and Buck Russell.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

team players Over the past four decades, Davidson Cameron & Co has become a name synonymous within the NSW livestock agency world.

Davidson Cameron & Co (DCC) started in 1985 when Don Davidson of Greenwood & Keen, Quirindi, joined forces with Dick Cameron. The acquisition of John Longton & Co, Gunnedah, allowed further expansion and growth, forming the Davidson Cameron & Co business.

With branches now in Quirindi, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Coolah, Narrabri, Coonabarabran, Scone, Guyra and Moree, the company has become one of the largest livestock agencies in the state.

After nearly 40 years of servicing the North West region in livestock and rural property marketing, the company prides itself on achieving the best possible outcomes for its valued clients.

Affable general manager Luke Scicluna joined the business in 1999 when the company had just five staff in the Quirindi and Gunnedah branches. He says nearly half of the 39 staff are livestock agents, using various methods to market cattle, including the saleyards, direct to abattoirs or feedlots, Auctionsplus, forward contracts and private treaty.

These agents play a big role in sourcing replacement stock, whether it be trading stock or breeding stock to build herds.

“During the horrendous 2017-2019 drought, we helped clients source agistment and fodder for their stock,” Luke says. “During those tough times, we were there as a sounding board, helping clients make informed decisions around keeping or selling stock.”

Then there’s the experienced and enthusiastic real estate team specialising in rural property, with key branches providing residential sales. A dozen agents along with their administration team work hard to achieve the best outcome for clients when marketing their biggest asset.

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“Selling your rural property can be a highly emotional experience, especially when the property might have been in the family for an extended period of time,” Luke says.

“When marketing rural properties it’s important to know what buyers are out there looking, both local and corporate.”

DCC are committed to investing in the future, with seven fulltime staff under 25 in their sales or administration teams. They have also taken on two school-based trainees with aspirations of careers in the agency industry.

Operations manager Sam Leys has been involved with agriculture for four decades, from farming and agronomy to agribusiness management.

“DCC is like one, big family business but with the backing and access to resources of the corporate world through its joint venture with Nutrien,” Sam says.

“This family ‘feel’ comes from the people in the business, with the right work ethic and care factor for the people around them – whether they be work colleagues or clients.

“Instead of just looking after you today, we want to be looking after our clients in 10, 20 or 30 years, through successive generations. DCC is the best team I’ve worked with and is a great business to be part of.”

Richard Cudmore joined the team in 1987 and has enjoyed assisting many district clients with property and livestock sales.

He says it’s been satisfying witnessing the tremendous growth of the company over his 35-year involvement.

“I joined a team renowned for providing quality service and professionalism,” he says.”We pride ourself on knowledge of the market, integrity and high industry standards.”

Tamworth T O W N F E AT U R E

“Instead of just looking after you today, we want to be looking after our clients in 10, 20 or 30 years, through successive generations.”

Jane McWhirter was working with Stewart Rogers & Co, Coonabarabran, when DCC took over the business in 2004.

“From the start of my job, DCC has always been a family-friendly company that know how to nurture staff. If you are loyal, work hard and place trust in your employer, they will look after you in good times and bad. This teamwork shows through from top to bottom. As a woman in a mainly male occupation, I have always felt included and worthy with DCC.” Davidson Cameron has a dedicated finance manager based in Tamworth. Jamie Kemp assists clients with their seasonal finance needs, allowing them to grow their livestock herds while not impeding their capital finance needs.

Courtney Cluff is based in the magnificent new Tamworth head office. After finishing a university degree in Agriculture and working in the industry, Courtney secured a job with DCC. Three years later, she is managing the livestock administration team, processing all the livestock sales and purchases.

“We look after 18 livestock agents processing sales across seven different selling centres throughout northern NSW, as well as private sales and purchases Australia wide,” she says.

“It’s a very busy job and can be highly stressful at times but I love what I do, the people I work with and the active involvement in the community my role entails.”

Third-generation agent Simon Burke was born and raised on the land and has lived in the Tamworth area all his life.

“In my 30 years as an agent, I’ve experienced everything an agency has to offer,” he says. Having been with DCC for nearly three years, Simon understands the core strength of the company.

“DCC is the benchmark agency in this area,” he says. “The people here develop life-long relationships with their clients, formed with trust and professional conduct. Dealing with an honest and diligent agent is the only way to do business – and with DCC that’s what you get.”

Rural lifestyle specialist Scott Bray likens the company to the big hat on their corporate sign – working as a team to achieve the best results for its clients during all types of weather.

Tamworth livestock manager Scott Newberry has been an integral part of the business for almost 15 years. Having grown up in the industry following in his father’s footsteps, he recognises the importance of clear communication and teamwork.

With a large number of young agents in the DCC business, Scott takes the time to actively keep these members involved and enhances their learning of the industry.

With so much experience and a commitment to doing things right, it’s little wonder Davidson Cameron & Co are a team with local knowledge and your best interests at heart. RLM

FACING PAGE: The Davidson Cameron selling team take a quick breather from the high pressure found in the saleyards: Scott Newberry, Tom Tanner, Chris Gooch, Nick Rogers, Angus MacTavish, Hamish Fauchon, Sam Leys and Ryan Taylor.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: General manager Luke Scicluna; the Davidson Cameron team in action at the saleyards; the new Tamworth office; Scott Bray, Sam Leys and Richard Cudmore plan their next move; strategic discussions between managers Luke Scicluna, Scott Newberry (Tamworth), Richard Cudmore (Quirindi) and Jane McWhirter (Coonabarabran); the admin team of Grace Whale, Courtney Cluff, Jenah Davis and Jess Impey.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Tamworth

James Bradford and Cameron Kerr from JBR, Gunnedah, with young Charlie and Hugo Bradford.

Cattlemen and agents are cashing in on the cattle boom.

SALE-OH, SALE-OH!

Prime cattle sales are conducted at TRLX on Monday mornings, followed by sheep and lamb sales in the afternoon. Store cattle sales are held fortnightly on a Friday from 10am.

It’s not a day out for the faint hearted. Business is full-on as auctioneers from 10 agencies knock down thousands of sheep and cattle each week.

These are buoyant times. New records are being set at the $20 million complex, one of the biggest in NSW. The building project transformed a 100-acre bare paddock into a bustling state-of-the-art cattle and sheep sales facility, catering for livestock and customers. RLM

Sam Hudson, Duri, with Chris Dobie, Nutrien, Scone.

Davidson Cameron agent Paul Banks with Jeremy Cummins, Bottlejack Trading Co, Gunnedah.

John Cummings, Wauchope, and Cathy Hockings, “Bective”, Tamworth.

Saleyard stalwarts Johnny Rodd and Philip Hetherington.

Ian McNight, Attunga, with Peter Wilson, Kootingal.

Tamworth livestock carrier Graeme Burgess.

Cattle breeders Ross Henderson, Nowendoc, and Chook Keatley, Walcha.

Ken and Will Jarrett with Michael Bridge from Purtle Plevey.

Winton cattleman David Coster.

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Nundle cattleman Ray Turner with Lindsey and Kay Burnes.

The saleyards attract buyers and vendors from near and far.

LIVESTOCK STUD STOCK RURAL PROPERTY CLEARING SALES FINANCE Providing professional and personalised services to our clients for over 35 years

INSURANCE RESIDENTIAL

Livestock & Rural Property Agents

www.dcco.com.au

• 1409 Namoi River Rd, Manilla NSW 2346 •

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Manilla T O W N F E AT U R E

Waxing lyrical

Manilla creative Liz Priestley is practising an ancient art form in the town’s main street that’s been capturing the imagination of locals and visitors to its colourful, leafy heart.

Once home to an old produce store, Liz Priestley’s spacious Manilla studio is where she spends endless hours continuing a tradition that started in ancient Egypt.

Here she creates, paints, plans, experiments and ships her finished works to a global audience via her website.

When Liz landed in Manilla in 2008, she was over the moon to discover this fabulous workspace, something she could only have dreamed of in her Sydney years as a young, struggling artist.

“After meeting my husband, Adam, a Manilla local, moving here to be with him was a no-brainer,” she confesses with a smile.

Together with her main man, they’re raising son Sam on five acres, while building their forever home from the ground up. Adam is her rock and has been Liz’s greatest champion from day one.

Liz finds inspiration all around her. The town’s quiet, friendly, rural pace, combined with the majestic beauty of big sky country, the winding Namoi and Manilla rivers and magical beginnings and endings to each day constantly bring fresh ideas to her ever-inquisitive mind.

The medium in which she creates is possibly like nothing you’ve ever seen.

Not merely watercolour, acrylic, or pastels on a palette, there’s so much more to her style. Liz’s chosen medium is encaustic, or melted wax paintings, which she mixes with oil paint to create texture and layering to her work.

“Six years ago, I began using this ancient method. As I became more comfortable with the medium I realised its amazing properties and flexibility. I started using it as the base medium for all my work,” she says.

Liz is excited about its many benefits over other mediums. “I love the fact that it hardens immediately, so there’s no drying time. It’s semi-transparent so layering can bring out lovely images, and it can be sculpted into. You can also transfer images onto it, polish the surface and use a multitude of other mediums.”

Liz’s work can be seen at a major exhibition, Elemental: Light and the Landscape, at Tamworth Regional Gallery in December 2022. If you’d like to see more of Liz’s unique artwork, visit lizpriestleyart.com.au or drop into the studio any time. RLM

ABOVE: Manilla artist Liz Priestley.

FACING PAGE: Liz creating her latest masterpiece under the watchful eye of her dog Ruby.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Manilla

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Saddle and bridle tack; crockery jugs and collectable tins; a tool for every task beautifully displayed; name your poison as you’re sure to find it among this selection of stoneware jugs; boot polish to curry powder; a shoe fetish; kitchenware through the ages; with so many items, it’s a case of seek and ye shall find; it’s the best place to take a walk back into the past; prams, bikes and trikes – it’s all at Manellae Collectables.

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Manilla T O W N F E AT U R E

OBJECTS

It’s rather fitting that in the historic town of Manilla you’re spoilt for choice as far as museums go.

As well as the main museum in the oldest building in Manilla’s main street, there’s a private museum in Arthur Street that leaves most visitors speechless.

Manellae Collectables is like nothing else, representing a lifetime’s work for dedicated collectors Harry and Robyn Fletcher.

Thousands of interesting items, each with its own story, have been painstakingly displayed.

Every single piece has its rightful spot.

Among the collection are hundreds of Arnott’s tins and memorabilia from the ages, Anzac tins, a Coca-Cola collection, soldering irons, braces and bits and numerous antique tools, household items and a large ornamental shoe collection.

Visitors can see a vermin-proof cot, a rather uncomfortable 111-year-old wheelchair, leg and neck irons and a broad axe used by convicts, an antique baby cradle, ice chest and kerosene fridge. The oldest item is a 1788 walking stick, kindly donated by a visitor.

The highly motivated pair have been avid collectors for years, having attended countless clearing sales, antique and op shops all over the country. They are keen travellers, and there’s nothing better than coming home after a long trip with a few new pieces for their ever-expanding collection.

“Many locals have generously donated, for which we are forever thankful,” Robyn says. “They are happy for their pieces to find a home where they will be loved, cared for and admired by many.”

Harry loves it all but if you were to scratch deep he’d probably admit his favourite piece is the shearing plant acquired from the Coombes family from “Durham Court”.

Robyn is immensely proud of her 100-strong shoe collection but there’s nothing more precious than her mother’s Pinnock sewing machine that made clothes for the entire family.

Coming up with a name for their collection was easy. Manellae is an Aboriginal word meaning junction of two rivers. Incidentally, Harry’s 93-year-old mother was in Manellae Lodge until her

of intrigue

death in late December 2021.

“We’re very interested in history and days gone by, with a passion for collecting, preserving and displaying old gear,” Harry says. “We wanted our children and grandchildren to know how things were done in days gone by.”

The original museum was set up on their property “Tandarra”, Upper Manilla, 28 years ago, where Harry ran a hobby farm on his small block. Health concerns forced the pair to relocate into town in 2014. It was a huge move, taking four months to pack up the shed. They built a new shed in town and are still expanding.

Robyn has spent the past three decades with Manilla Council and Tamworth Regional Council, for many years as secretary to the mayor and general manager. After amalgamation, she managed the Barraba and Manilla branch offices as well as community liaison in both communities.

As a young man, Harry worked at Oakhampton horse stud at Split Rock followed by extended periods with Hammersley Iron at Parabadoo and the Soil Conservation Department.

He’s been an avid collector since he was a child. He and his mother Valda never threw anything out.

“Mum was the third eldest of 13

and everything they had, which wasn’t much, they treasured. She used to mend everything. Once she discovered an old tattered shirt of mine that Robyn had been using as a rag. Robyn came home one day to find her mother-in-law had sewn on a new collar, fixed the cuffs and replaced all the buttons.”

Every year they stage an open day, with proceeds going to cancer research. Harry is battling cancer so it’s going to a cause very close to their hearts. Already they have raised more than $55,000.

As for the future, Harry and Robyn are hoping one of their children will carry on their legacy of preserving Australia’s past.

There’s no pressure, but eventually their children Tracy, Troy, Luke, Matthew and Dave will have to make some big decisions.

“When we are gone, it won’t be our problem,” Harry laughs. RLM

Without public toilets, the museum can’t be run as a business. There’s no entrance fee but a donation box helps keep the place going.

Ring Harry or Robyn on 0428 856 513 and make an appointment.

ABOVE: Lifelong collectors Harry and Robyn Fletcher get a thrill out of sharing their passion for the past with others.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Manilla

flying high When Godfrey Wenness bought a mountain near Manilla 30 years ago, most people thought he was crazy, even those who shared his love of paragliding.

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Manilla T O W N F E AT U R E

As he gazed up at Mount Borah, Godfrey Wenness could see what others couldn’t.

A bemused farmer asked him: “Why do you want to buy that?

How about some nice, flat sheep country?”

Sydney-born Godfrey had been paragliding for six years and knew exactly what he wanted to build, a facility where people could learn to soar like eagles in a one-stop location.

There are places all over the world where you can learn paragliding, but mostly you have to travel huge distances between your lodgings, the classroom and jump-off point. At Mount Borah, it’s all at the one magical site.

Even when the paddocks were bare, Godfrey envisaged a purpose-built classroom and communal facility, where people would gather and view the action. Cabins would be nearby, and for some added luxury, a swimming pool.

In his quest to find the perfect site, Godfrey travelled countless thousands of miles, researching real estate from western NSW to southern Queensland and beyond. Mount Borah rose to the top of his shortlist the moment he set eyes on it.

“The Mountain” is 500 metres from top to bottom and is a twosquare-kilometre plateau on top, with four sides, allowing pilots to take off on any side – something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

This passionate pilot has now been flying for 34 years and has clocked up 12,500 hours, which is roughly the equivalent of a senior Qantas captain.

“I did it without an engine and without a hostess giving me coffee,” Godfrey laughs. “All my flying hours have been sporting related (sans engine), so you’ve got to concentrate fairly well. >

FACING PAGE: Godfrey takes a suspended selfie over The Alps.

FROM TOP: A picture-perfect day on The Mountain; pilots fly over a full-to-thebrim Lake Keepit; flight training begins on the ground.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Manilla

“The hours pilots build up in commercial airliners are just pressa-button hours, which is very different to the extremely physical and exhilarating sport of paragliding.

“Sometimes you’re gliding. A lot of the time you’re concentrating on where you’re going, navigating or talking to your crew. Mostly, you’re finding the next thermal and often having some very sporty times with some of the big rodeo-style thermals we get.

“It’s like it’s trying to kick you out and you’re trying to stay in it.

We’re trying to catch waves, except they’re circular waves in the sky.

Whereas a longitudinal wave in the ocean is pretty easy to see, in our case we can’t see these circular waves, so we guess where they are, or add up the factors that would allow you to think it’s where it is.

“Look for a ploughed field. Those things will give off thermals, so whatever’s hottest under your toes when you’re walking will give off the most heat to create the biggest thermals. Thermals come off the hottest areas.”

Since the 1990s, Godfrey has been the flying force behind Manilla becoming Australia’s paragliding capital. The centre draws pilots to North-West NSW from across the globe – from penniless backpackers and Hong Kong billionaires to adventurous retirees and adrenalin junkies. Students range in age from 15 to their late 70s and come from all walks of life.

“Over the years, we’ve had everything here from the very poorest backpackers to space shuttle astronauts,” Godfrey enthuses.

“Everyone’s totally different, but all the gliders look the same and the air doesn’t see you any differently to the billionaire beside you.

“It’s a very good leveller. Conversations rarely involve asking what a person does for a living – it’s usually how did your last thermal go, or where did you get to?”

Countless international travellers have visited Manilla Paragliding, although in recent times that’s been severely curtailed. Fortunately, Godfrey’s been kept busy with plenty of interest from flying fans across Australia. It’s most unusual not to have someone flying or practising on any given day.

“If we see a run of bad weather coming, people can make other plans to go to Tamworth, visit one of the national parks, or go to the coast even,” Godfrey says.

“Normally we don’t get bad weather for more than two or three days.

That’s fairly rare as well. The reason I’m up here is because it’s 320 days a year flyable on average. Nowhere else in the world can match that. The next closest would be somewhere in southern Spain.”

Numerous major paragliding events have been staged at the site, including world championships, state of origin and cross country championships. Although accidents are rare, they do occur but not in any great number at Mount Borah.

THRILLS AND SPILLS

German paragliding team member Ewa Wiśnierska became a media sensation a week out from the 2007 World Championships. She’d been practising with the team and was sucked 33,000 feet (10km) up into the air in a cumulonimbus cloud, and lived to tell the tale.

“At one point she was travelling upwards at nearly 200kmh, by which time she was unconscious from lack of oxygen,” Godfrey recalls with concern. “The last thing she remembers is about 6500 metres, then she passed out. She was unconscious for 45 minutes and the glider was flying by itself.

“Incredibly, she was quite safe as the pilot hangs underneath like a pendulum (despite being unconscious inside a thunderstorm), but it’s a rough place to be. Aeroplanes don’t even do that.

“She fell out of the side of the thunderstorm and didn’t remember much at all when she woke up. Fortunately, GPS data recorded the story of her flight.”

Then there was the dust devil incident a few years back involving a Canadian pilot and his wife, which still attracts a huge YouTube following.

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A dust devil (or whirly wind) is the paraglider’s worst nightmare.

With the power of a tornado, it can throw you around and spit you out, as quite a few pilots can attest.

“This Canadian couple, a pilot and his wife, were on top of the mountain setting up ready to go,” Godfrey recalls. “The glider was on the ground and a dust devil came racing up the side of the hill, picked up his glider and flung it around 10 or 15 metres into the air.

“It was all captured on video. His wife was screaming like crazy. He gets flung around a few times and the dust devil spits him out the side but luckily the glider was still flying. Once the pilot realised he was OK, he flew to Moree, but it could easily have gone the other way.”

Paragliding requires a certain level of fitness and, of course, the desire to fly like a bird. If you’ve ever jumped from a roof with a cape on or imagined yourself flying above the ground like your favourite superhero, it could be the extreme sport for you.

“You have to be physically fit and reasonably active to try for your licence,” Godfrey says. “Someone who sits in an office all day and doesn’t exercise at all will find it a real challenge. Someone with good hand-eye coordination who goes snow skiing, surfing, water skiing or bike riding is more likely to be a successful paragliding pilot.”

If you’re keen to fly and don’t think you’d make an ideal pilot, there’s always a tandem flight to consider, where you fly tethered to a highly experienced operator.

Manilla T O W N F E AT U R E

“THE REGION GENERALLY IS VERY GOOD FROM A FLYING PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE WE’VE GOT LITTLE RIDGES EVERYWHERE AND LOTS OF FLAT COUNTRY TOO, TO LAND, SO IT’S SAFE.”

“The region generally is very good from a flying perspective because we’ve got little ridges everywhere and lots of flat country too, to land, so it’s safe,” Godfrey says. “That’s why we don’t get that many accidents here.

“When they fly in The Alps, or places like South America, where it’s just gullies and lots of mountains, or what we call tiger country (because there be tiger in those hills) and you don’t want to land in tiger country! Here, the moment you’re up and away, you can glide out to the safety of a field.”

Twenty-seven years ago, Godfrey Wenness took a huge leap of faith when he bought Mount Borah, transforming it from a sheep farm into a world-class flying venue. That was confirmed by him flying the World Distance Record in 1998 (335km in 7.5 hours, which stood for five years) and conducting the World Championships in 2007.

He didn’t have the biggest budget to begin with, just built onto it as he went. Almost three decades later, he’s still building that dream, restoring the historic homestead on the property, piece by piece, room by room, but that’s another story in itself.

“Everyone thought I was crazy, even all the people into flying.

Why would you want to buy a mountain and set up a facility? It’s like buying your own surf beach or ski resort, but not actually having the beach or the snow there to start with,” he muses.

“You haven’t got the bones of it but you’re trying to put it together and turn it into something no one’s ever been to before.

Or, building a ski resort you look at the side of a mountain and think I can put a run down there, a lift there and a building down here. That was the whole idea.

“We now have a world-class flying resort. In the season, we can have more than 100 people here, in the bar, by the pool. Their partners and kids turn up as well and people bring their families.

“They’re sitting around listening on the two-way radio, tracking the pilots on the phone, seeing where they’re flying to, then they go out and pick them up. It’s a great little scene quite unique to Mount Borah.

“It’s everything I ever dreamed of.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Godfrey Wenness www.flymanilla.com

FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: Up, up and away; happy pilots with their mascot; the communal area for learning and enjoyment; another busy day on The Mountain.

ABOVE: Sunsets are simply spectacular, particularly when you get as close as this.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Barraba

country calling He’s experienced phenomenal success on the world stage as songwriter and live performer with INXS, yet Andrew Farriss AM has found peace, contentment and a new life on a cattle station in Barraba’s Big Sky Country.

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Barraba T O W N F E AT U R E

Thirty years ago, Andrew Farriss had the good sense to purchase the 4000-acre historic Piedmont Station, with its magnificent homestead, built in 1857. In one of his remote paddocks, he truly appreciates the silence.

The peace is only disturbed by the occasional bellowing of one of his 500 Hereford cows. Herd numbers have been slashed since the crippling drought but the current season has defied the odds, the best he’s had so far. The herd was established on Willgoose bloodlines, established by Lyle and Dr Phil Yantsch in the 1980s. In recent years, Andrew has introduced new bloodlines from nearby Ironbark.

“I love living near a small country town. I’ve performed in most of the world’s big cities, and coming home to a special place like Barraba always puts a smile on my face,” he says.

“I find it easy to relax here and get on well with the locals. My country music journey, however, isn’t just about where I live. I love the organic nature of country music and its association with folk music, bluegrass and blues. While it may not be as popular as mainstream, it has good foundations and the lyrics can be quite gritty without being over sensational.”

Here in this remote Piedmont paddock it’s a world away from his decades of working, travelling, and occasionally partying in countless motel rooms, enjoying the high life, selling 75 million records and playing to sell-out crowds in 52 countries.

He’s as far removed as you can possibly get from the world stage, but Andrew’s mind is never far from music, particularly now he’s thrown his latest Stetson into the country ring.

Andrew lives within an easy drive of Tamworth, and it’s never hard finding a musician to road-test the latest song, with blokes like Golden Guitar winner Lawrie Minson, a good mate, who’s become part of his live band.

He shares his country lifestyle with second wife Marlina, whom he married in 2013 after a long courtship. They had met years earlier in Canada when she was travelling on a girls’ weekend from Ohio. As fate would have it, they were booked into the same motel.

Both were coming out of long-term relationships and remained good friends long before moving into the next phase of their lives.

They were faced with a momentous decision in 2013, whether to live in America or Australia. By then, Andrew had been touring for more than 20 years, having performed in every US state at least three times bar Wyoming, Montana and Alaska.

“We released 11 or 12 INXS studio albums but I was living out of a suitcase for most of my touring life,” Andrew tells RLM after opening up yet another gate into his hidden paradise. “Every time I went home it felt like I was moving into a new apartment. Drawn away from the city, I started looking around and found a dairy farm belonging to an elderly lady, Mrs Parrish, in Kangaroo Valley, where I based myself for three wonderful years.

“I had disconnected myself from the earth. In the entertainment business I was continually surrounded by people and learnt to love the quietness of the bush. I thought about finding a bigger place that could accommodate all the family while running a business.”

Piedmont Station in far-flung Barraba ticked all those boxes. He bought the station in 1992 and the historic homestead has since had a tasteful facelift under the creative eye of his wife, whose flair for decorating has given the grand old dame a new lease on life.

Andrew has three children from his first marriage. Grace lives with them at Piedmont, while Josephine and Matthew reside in Sydney.

While they’ve experienced the best season on record, life, of late, on the Farriss farm has not been a bed of roses as Marlina faces the daily challenges of living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It’s never dampened her enthusiasm or commitment to her husband, his music and their rural enterprise. It cuts pretty close to the bone, too, as Andrew’s mother Jill lost her life to the same illness, aged just 61.

“I LOVE THE ORGANIC NATURE OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH FOLK MUSIC, BLUEGRASS AND BLUES.” “Life’s like a roller coaster,” he says. “You can either hang on for dear life or try and enjoy the ride. It’s all about how you cope with things. I’ve learnt one valuable lesson from my dad: no one gets through life without help from others.

“My time with INXS had some high highs and some low lows.

You think you have a handle on things and at some point you might lose it, whether it’s through drugs, alcohol or relationships. You either survive it or you don’t.” > FROM TOP: Andrew Farriss with wife Marlina at their Barraba homestead; sing us a song, piano man.

FACING PAGE: Andrew Farriss has found a whole lot of inspiration since moving to his Barraba property and a new direction towards country music.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Barraba

THE YEARS OF STRUGGLE

Andrew’s English-born father, Dennis, emigrated to Perth after WW2 and worked as branch manager with Legal & General, where he met his wife Jill on opposite sides of a tennis court. Tennis became a mainstay of their lives, so it came as no surprise to those who knew him, that Dennis was still wielding the racquet three days before drawing his last breath at 87.

The family relocated to Belrose, Sydney, in 1971, where Andrew enjoyed a rather noisy, musical upbringing with two brothers, Tim and Jon, and sister Alison, their greatest fan and sometimes greatest critic.

When elder brother Tim started playing guitar, Andrew opted for piano at age nine, while younger brother Jon kicked off his musical career behind the drum kit. At Davidson High School, Andrew met Michael Hutchence after a school fight, when Andrew came to the rescue of the young bloke who would one day front the band and lead them to international fame and fortune.

The two became firm friends and formed the Farriss Brothers Band, with Andrew and his two brothers joined by Michael on lead vocals, Garry Beers on bass and Kirk Pengilly on guitar and saxophone.

Some say their name change was inspired by English band XTC and Aussie jam makers IXL. However, it emerged INXS played their first gig on August 16, 1977, the night Elvis left the building.

Still struggling to find their mojo and with money in short

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supply, they jumped at the chance to head west when Dennis Farriss landed a job in Perth. The band lived for a year in the family home, honing their act while writing new songs and dreaming of a brighter future.

In previous interviews, Andrew recalls the struggle of those early days before INXS became the international juggernaut the world would come to know and love.

“I can remember the years when we didn’t mean anything to anybody. We’d all be sleeping under my parents’ roof because we couldn’t afford to sleep anywhere else. You’d have Michael walking around with Mum and Dad and it all seemed so surreal. I look back on those times when it was just so wonderfully human and basic.”

In Perth, they began to cohesively work together and truly see themselves as a band, pinning all their hopes and dreams on the combination of a charismatic frontman, the songwriting team of Andrew and Michael, and the talent and energy generated by the band’s musical prowess.

Since he was a teenager, Andrew has always been a songwriter.

He and Michael wrote the majority of hits for INXS. As Michael was not an instrumentalist, Andrew would usually write the music, and Michael the lyrics, yet sometimes Andrew would also write music and lyrics completely on his own.

While there were some INXS songs penned by other members of the group, or by Andrew alone, it was this combination of Andrew

Barraba T O W N F E AT U R E

and Michael that brought INXS the bulk of their international success in the 1980s and ’90s. Andrew co-wrote all but one of the band’s Top 40 hits in the US. The world lost a true rock star with the death of Michael on November 22, 1997. As hard as it was to go on, they managed to pick up the pieces. In 2005, the surviving band members launched a reality TV show, Rock Star: INXS, a worldwide search for a new lead singer. While all knew it would be impossible to replace Michael, the band wanted to continue bringing their music to the world.

The year after INXS stopped touring in 2012, a two-part telemovie, Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS, chronicled the life and times of the legendary lads – from a hardworking 1970s pub band to selling out London’s Wembley Stadium in 1991 up to Michael’s untimely death.

It would take years for Andrew to emerge from the shadows and into the spotlight. He’d been comfortable playing keyboards, guitar and backing vocals, but stepping out to the front of stage was both daunting and exciting.

Between his own Piedmont Station recording studio on the property, and Nashville, Andrew found inspiration to produce his debut album, simply titled Andrew Farriss. It follows the release of his five-track EP, featuring hits All The Stars Are Mine and Love Makes The World. Little did Andrew imagine just how much the world would change before embarking on his new musical venture.

He’d tantalised Australian radio listeners’ tastebuds with a string of singles: Come Midnight, Good Momma Bad and Run Baby Run from his highly anticipated debut long-player, released in March 2021. Live performances at the Hay Mate drought relief concert, Gympie Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville cemented his status in country.

“It’s been a bit tricky,” he admits. “COVID came out just after my album release and it’s been hard navigating with the goalposts continually moving. I just want to get out and play some live music and write some new material.”

In the meantime, he’s perfecting his wardrobe, having fallen in love with western attire on one of his many trips to the States.

While there, he’s added to his growing hat collection.

Andrew’s distinctive headwear has rarely, if ever, been witnessed before in Australian country music circles. He not only looks the part, his songs speak volumes. Ever mindful when it comes to selecting the right hat for the occasion, Andrew has found joy in his favourite Stetson, a black Tom Mix B. “Having a hat not only keeps the sun off you and protects your skin, it’s also a form of identity,” he says. “When I was watching western movies, I could never find the hats worn during the American Wild West days. Since then, I’ve started a hat collection, including a Greek fishing cap, given to me by my dad, and some very rare South American hats.”

Despite extensive writing, recording and touring commitments with INXS, Andrew collaborated with many other Australian artists in either a songwriting or production capacity.

His most significant early collaboration was with Kiwi singer Jenny Morris, who sang back-up vocals on INXS’s Listen Like Thieves album. He’s also co-written and produced with Yothu Yindi, Tania Kernaghan and Scottish rockers Gun. His production work on Jenny Morris’s Shiver album secured Andrew ARIA’s prestigious Producer of the Year gong in 1990.

One of the best nights of his career was when INXS got to play a song that Andrew and Michael wrote, Please (You Got That) Need, live with Ray Charles on the David Letterman Show in New York.

Check it out on YouTube.

“My dad was a big Ray Charles fan and I grew up listening to him. To be performing alongside such a musical genius was a fairly big moment, sort of like coming full circle,” he says with a smile.

“I LOVE LIVING NEAR A SMALL COUNTRY TOWN. I’VE PERFORMED IN MOST OF THE WORLD’S BIG CITIES, AND COMING HOME TO A SPECIAL PLACE LIKE BARRABA ALWAYS PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE,”

Another highlight for Andrew was his induction into the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Four years later, he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

For a man who has accomplished more than most in the Australian music industry, Andrew has now reset his sights on another goal: to play on the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s already played twice at the nearby Bluebird Cafe.

His passion to perform could well have begun in 1964 when he was just five years old, on a family holiday in London, when they saw The Beatles live in concert.

Whatever it was that fired his spirit, it’s still aflame with passion for the country road, and for the lifestyle of a cattle station baron.

He could have lived anywhere in the world, but Barraba called him home. RLM

FROM TOP: Built in 1857, historic “Piedmont” has undergone a tasteful renovation thanks to the creative flair of Marlina Farriss; life on a Barraba cattle station suits this creative singer-songwriter to a tee.

FACING PAGE: He’s travelled the world as an international rock star but it’s coming home to Barraba that puts a smile on Andrew Farriss’s face these days.

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Barraba T O W N F E AT U R E

come in

spinner

Barraba spinner Merlene Godfrey gave the term “hair of the dog” a whole new creative outlet.

Many of us love our dogs, but who could say they knit them?

A self-confessed spinning addict, Barraba’s Merlene Godfrey started out with the hair of her dogs – her beloved Chow Chows and Shih Tzus.

Merlene began knitting thanks to the love and patience of her grandfather, who taught the four-year-old left-hander to master the art.

Decades later, the wheel turned full circle as Merlene showed her 90-year-old grandfather how to spin, giving him a new lease on life.

“I taught him while he was confined to home and he’d been feeling pretty miserable,” she recalls. “Then when he went into a nursing home, he’d spun enough wool to knit himself a sleeveless pullover.”

As both their mothers were friends, Merlene and husband-tobe Laurie were bound to meet, and their love has stood the test of time.

Born and raised in the city, Merlene can now call herself a country girl, having spent the greater part of her 70-odd years living simply with Laurie just outside Barraba.

Laurie’s pretty creative, too, fashioning some fabulous pottery and other crafty pieces over the years, all inspired by the natural beauty surrounding their bushland home.

“There is so much colour and life in the foothills of Mount Kaputar and all these different plants that produce different colours,” Merlene says. “You just boil up the leaves and end up with any number of vibrant colours direct from nature. You can’t get bored with that. We don’t get sick of it ever. We’ve always had the same idea with things on a creative level and like to live a bit alternatively and do our own thing.”

Spinning is as natural to Merlene as breathing.

“It’s almost like an addiction,” she admits. “I get a little bit jumpy if I don’t spin because there’s always another fleece or fibre to try, then of course you make something unique and different. Over the years it’s kept me going.”

For four days a week (Tuesday to Friday), Merlene opens her small shop in Barraba’s main street, a virtual treasure trove of wearable art and fibres of all texture, colour and design. Five other local spinners display their work for sale on the premises, too, so there’s plenty of variety from this crafty Barraba crew.

Merlene became interested in spinning in a fairly different way to most people – it was through her dogs.

“When I was younger, we were breeding and showing Chow Chows and Shih Tzus,” she says. “When you groomed them, you’d get a lot of the soft undercoat out. I saw a woman on the cover of a magazine wearing a Samoyed fur coat and thought if it works for Samoyeds, why not Chow Chows?

“I didn’t know anyone who could spin, so I walked around The Rocks area of Sydney and saw a lady using a spinning wheel. I bought one from her and taught myself to spin with dog hair.”

To this day, Merlene’s most prized creation is an extremely soft, 40-odd-year-old cardigan, made with strips of yarn from her Chow Chows.

“I just wanted to do the dog hair and because of that, all sorts of things happened as a result,” she says. “The Chow Chow scarves were a big hit at dog shows, and I even ended up on Good Morning Australia – but in the end, it all got a bit too much.”

Merlene met some amazing people on her journey, like a group of Sydney spinners and weavers. They worked together for 12 months spinning, weaving and sewing garments from 12 different breeds, even exhibiting the finished collection at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. There were handmade men’s ties, smoking jackets, shawls, skirts and a full suit made from German Shepherd.

After mastering the art of dog spinning, Merlene learnt how to utilise sheep and alpaca wool and she runs a few Cashmere goats that are combed at the end of winter before being prepared for the wheel.

She says her sister-in-law is a great knitter who does quite a bit of work for her these days as the addicted spinner’s hands are “starting to slow up a bit”.

To accommodate this, Merlene has invested in an electric spinning wheel, which she’s found much easier on her 75-year-old body than the old pedal wheel of years gone by, which is on display in her shop.

She and Laurie still have a dog, but not the groomable variety.

Button, named for the spot atop her head, is a much-loved family member whose short-haired Jack Russell coat is no candidate for the spinning wheel. RLM Words: Anna Rose

ABOVE: Merlene outside her Barraba store, wearing her favourite 40-year-old cardigan she made containing patches from her beloved Chow Chows.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Not your average yarn store, the extraordinary range of natural fibres sets Merlene’s business apart from others; warm, natural, earthy tones can be found in abundance; her original pedal-operated spinning wheel; she creates vibrantly coloured dyes by boiling the leaves from this bush found near her home; Merlene with some of the many finished creations, all individual pieces made by herself and a few local women; beautifully braided beauties; a younger Merlene at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on the catwalk with her Chow Chow Manook, modelling a shawl made from his coat.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Barraba

it all adds up When David Kelly came to Barraba in 1979 it was to do some temporary work for a local firm. You’d have to admit it’s been the longest six weeks in history.

Barraba was so much like Koroit, Victoria, where accountant David Kelly grew up, he fell in love with the place and couldn’t think of a better spot to make a home for wife Helen and their son Chris (also a chartered accountant who works in Armidale).

They spent some years in Tamworth while Chris completed his schooling and David was The Northern Daily Leader’s company secretary.

Prior to that, David had been living and working in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s.

He worked for a major Australian company and was involved in the timber industry as well as oil and gas exploration work as he watched the island nation’s fledgling dairy industry emerge.

He was there in September 1975 when independence took place and will always recall those years with fondness.

“THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS THAT BARRABA WAS A GOOD, SOLID FARMING DISTRICT.” Having worked at large chartered accountant firms in Melbourne, David has happily spent the best part of his working life in Barraba, population 1400.

“I’m just a small-town boy at heart, I suppose,” says David, of D J Kelly & Co Chartered Accountants. “Koroit was a small community, historically the biggest Irish descendant population in Australia, and being Kellys, we fitted right in.”

Much like Barraba, Koroit was a magnificent agricultural area, where David’s family was involved in produce and farming, as agents.

“The first thing I noticed was that Barraba was a good, solid farming district,” he says.

“It has lots to offer in the way of sporting, social and community groups. We’re

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very fortunate here to have good doctors, hospitals, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and a thriving arts scene.”

From his vantage point in the community, he’s seen the movement of corporates into the district in recent years as the value of the land is reaching its full potential.

“Barraba has been a really good fit for the Kelly family,” David says. “It can be quite busy, yet it has that laid-back pace you enjoy and sense of community that can only be found in a small country town.” RLM Words: Anna Rose

ABOVE: David Kelly has spent more of his life in Barraba than in his hometown Koroit and says the two places are quite similar.

LEFT: Accountant Kim Reading works with David at the busy practice.

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embracing THE BOGAN

Google “Bogan” and the results are interesting, but the people of the Bogan Shire on the NSW Western Plains have not only embraced the moniker, they’ve made it their own.

Nyngan’s number one resident is the Big Bogan, a five-metre, steel structure that dominates the town’s main street.

When unveiled, this towering figure in singlet and thongs threw nationwide attention onto the town (population 2500), previously best known for the great flood of 1990.

Floods and Bogans aside, Nyngan was founded in the 1850s when the railway line from Dubbo to Bourke was constructed.

It sits at the junction of the Mitchell and Barrier highways and is a popular stop for travellers who take advantage of a range of accommodation and activities.

The town is a favourite with railway enthusiasts for its state heritage-listed footbridge, the museum and the steam engine turntable. This year, the Girilambone Railway Station restoration project will be complete.

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Today the Nyngan Railway Station is a museum, which showcases the district’s rail history as well as a comprehensive display of European and Aboriginal artefacts.

Over the railway line, the Mid State Shed Museum showcases the region’s rich pastoral history, reflecting back on an era when Nyngan was home to almost 50 shearing teams.

Bogan Shire has also embraced new technology. It is a mining hub, and also home to one of the largest solar farms in the southern hemisphere.

Tourism is a vital industry. The Bogan River flows through the centre of Nyngan, and is a favoured destination for water sports, fishing and bird watching.

Annual events include the Duck Creek Races, the Anzac Day Races, Nyngan Show and the Nyngan Ag Expo. RLM

Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

A BIG

thumbs up The Bogan Shire’s man of steel is a big drawcard and a much-loved cultural icon.

Bogan: The dictionary defines it as an uncouth or unsophisticated person regarded as being of low social status. It’s not exactly what every town aspires to hang its hat on, but Nyngan in far-western NSW has embraced the name of its lifeblood, the Bogan River, and is going with the flow.

There aren’t many in the 2000-strong community who will voice their concerns. It’s a bit late for that. The bogan has bolted.

Ever since the devastating floods of April 1990 when the Bogan burst its banks, Nyngan’s name was on everyone’s lips. As the water inundated the township, the community rallied together like never before. That’s how it is when you live in a country town, miles from anywhere, at the gateway to the great Australian outback.

So, the great Bogan caper began with the creation of The Big Bogan – complete with singlet, shorts, thongs, trucker hat, mullet and Southern Cross tattoo. He holds a fishing rod and is poised ready for a photo with a thumbs up, and a steel esky for tourists to sit on.

Oddly enough, the development application for the unusual tourist attraction came from the Reverend Graham McLeod of St Mark’s Anglican Church. The good reverend’s idea has always been a big talking point among locals. Bogan Shire Council engineering services manager Graeme Bourke’s design was then created digitally and provided to a steel supplier in town to make a cut-out.

You haven’t been to Nyngan if you haven’t snapped a photograph beside the almost six-metre-high structure, all 1500kg of him, smack bang in the middle of the main street.

Following Bogan Shire Council’s lead, everybody was climbing aboard the Bogan train, with a chemist, cafe, street name and even a festival embracing the name that’s attracting tourists by the boatload.

Nyngan is much more than merely a rural service centre on a river with a funny name. It also offers unique opportunities for a yarn with locals, who will tell you about the “roaring days” when the flat western plains were criss-crossed by Cobb & Co coaches and vast herds of sheep.

Henry Lawson, in 1896, declared that Nyngan was the last point before the traveller headed out onto the “great grey plain”. He said that after Nyngan, “the bush grew darker and drearier, and the plains more like ghostly oceans”.

The Big Bogan concept has been a tourism gangbuster for the shire, which covers more than 14,000 square kilometres and includes the villages of Coolibah, Girilambone and Hermidale.

When heading to Nyngan, your best plan is to bring your mullet, trackie daks and camera to capture the beauty of the Bogan Shire and its resilient residents. RLM

FROM TOP: The town has adopted the Big Bogan, with a medical centre, coffee shop and local council all bearing the name; there’s even a street named after the river; anyone for a Bogan beanie?

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PERSONALITY PLUS

Nyngan’s constituents have fashioned a quirky identity that’s proving a big attraction.

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Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

Comfortable Country Living bogan.nsw.gov.au NYNGAN RLM 163

T O W N F E AT U R E Nyngan

hop on board It’s fitting that the imposing railway station, the very reason for Nyngan’s existence, now houses the town’s rich history.

Flooding in 1989 rendered the Bourke to Nyngan railway line unpassable and the Nyngan station had no further use. Then the 1990 flood sealed its fate.

Just 12 months later, the magnificent old complex, built in 1883, was given a new lease on life as home to the Nyngan Museum and Visitor Information Centre.

It’s impossible to miss. That bright orange exterior comes alive at sunset and is surely one of the most colourful and beautiful railway buildings in the country. Within its walls lies the story of Nyngan and district from the earliest settlement days 140 years ago to the present.

Major Thomas Mitchell first ventured down the mighty Bogan River in 1835 and it was almost 50 years before the railway line to Bourke was built. Residents of tiny Canonba, 30km north on the banks of Duck Creek, moved to establish the new railway town of Nyngan.

There are some fascinating displays, including footage of the 1990 flood, said to be a “turning point” that changed the way emergency services responded to catastrophic events.

It was one of the largest evacuations the country had ever witnessed, as 2500 people were airlifted to safety in helicopters. Outside the museum, an Iroquois helicopter, restored and donated by Caloundra RSL, serves as a permanent symbolic reminder of that event.

Seats from the town’s old cinema provide a nostalgic setting to view footage of Nyngan being almost swept off the map as a 15km wall of water engulfed the town. Projectors from the cinema will form part of a new display in the ever-evolving space. RLM FROM TOP: The magnificently restored Nyngan railway exterior bathed in glorious afternoon light; tourism officer Stewart McKenzie loves sharing the town’s rich history; a fire in March 1960 destroyed Barringer’s Store, bringing 72 years of continuous trading by the family to an end; the devastating 1990 floods.

FACING PAGE: Some of the displays found within the museum; in the former Nyngan railway station, the museum is one of the town’s big tourist attractions.

The museum is open five days a week. There is limited access on weekends and nominal admission prices. To find out more, phone (02) 6832 1056.

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Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nyngan

WORKING

Gary White and his Kelpies have earned the respect and admiration of farmers near and far.

Nyngan farmer Gary White has always had an affinity with dogs since growing up on “Rewa”, Hermidale, population 20, the youngest of John and Joy White’s three children.

“We didn’t see a TV until I was 12, so the outdoors was our playground,” he says. “The big excitement in the camp was when a bitch was due to have pups. Us kids couldn’t wait to count them. I’ve seen litters of up to 10 pups, but the norm is about six or seven.”

With his father’s guidance and mentoring from Australia’s leading working dog trainer Greg Prince, Gary left a promising career in three-day eventing after a serious fall from his horse at age 24, and began attending trials to develop his knowledge of the Kelpie breed.

His father, now a sprightly 89, has retired in Nyngan with his wife. He started White’s Kelpie Stud in the 1950s while working as overseer of Canonbar Station, east of Nyngan.

“Dad always had good working dogs,” Gary says. “He needed all-round dogs that could do every job required on any given day.

They had to be tough, wiry and able to withstand the elements of outback NSW, which were hot, dusty and often unforgiving.”

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wonders

After leaving school at Nyngan, Gary spent two years at Yanco Ag College, near Leeton, where he further developed his love of the land and livestock. His first job was at Mullengudgery Merino Stud, Nyngan, where he came to appreciate the importance of having a good dog to get the job done.

His life took a new direction at the 1983 Marthaguy B&S near Quambone, when he met Bathurst belle Angie Hotham. Just three weeks after their wedding in 1990, the Bogan burst its banks and the town was inundated.

It was action stations at the hospital as Angie, by then a nurse, helped evacuate all her patients before jumping on the last helicopter out of town to Dubbo. Meanwhile, Gary was working on a farm on the Bogan River, 40km out of town. While the house was spared, hundreds of cattle were washed away.

The newlyweds spent weeks apart, during which time Angie reassessed her life. Her long-harboured dream of a writing career was realised when she became editor of The Nyngan News. It was a one-woman show, and Angie wore many hats.

Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

“For two years, I wrote the stories, took the photos and designed the pages before travelling to Warren each week to get it printed,” she says.

“After the flood, all the big-wig politicians turned up, along with dignitaries like Peter Sinclair, Alan Jones and Ian ‘Macca’ McNamara.

Looking back, the townsfolk were devastated but country people out here are made of tough stuff. They’re resilient and just get on with it.”

The year 1992 was another big one for the couple as they gave birth to their first child and a magazine, The Working Stock Dog, for working dog enthusiasts.

“In those days, we worked without graphic designers, large monitors or email,” Angie says. “It was always a strain making deadline, especially with three young children at home.”

With subscribers from across the world, they published for seven years until the demands of family and farm work put paid to the magazine. Before the year was out, they’d purchased their own property, “Waratah Park”, where they run sheep, cattle and Kelpies.

Today, Gary is regarded as one of the country’s premier Kelpie breeders, winning five national titles and 16 state championships. The

dog whisperer was invited to the USA in 1999 to conduct clinics for working dog enthusiasts. Since then, he’s travelled to America a further six times and conducted clinics in Finland and Germany. He was set to travel to Switzerland, France and the UK in 2020 before COVID hit.

Not to be outdone, he managed the lessons in a virtual sense, using the Zoom platform to share his knowledge online. This allowed handlers the opportunity to continue their training while in lockdown. So popular were the sessions, handlers from all over Australia and overseas took to their screens in droves.

With sponsorship from Purina Bonnie, Gary has become a go-to person and Kelpie expert. He fields calls from all over, seeking advice on pups or how to fix a problem. His latest program, Let’s Talk, is a Red Cross initiative for those who’ve endured drought and fires, with a focus on promoting mental health. > FACING PAGE: Nyngan Kelpie breeders Gary and Angie White.

FROM TOP: Some of the Kelpie dogs on the property; Angie and Gary White have framed some of their achievements in the competitive working dog business.

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one step ahead Angie White has worn many hats over the years as a wife and mother, nurse, newspaper editor, magazine publisher and dance instructor to hundreds of country kids.

She’d been dancing to ABBA songs since the age of five. The opportunity to turn dancing into a career happened quite by accident at a local cake stall.

“Some of the local women were lamenting the fact there was no place for kids to learn dance,” Angie recalls. “Another girl, new to town, looked at me and we both smiled.”

They established the Western Studio of Performing Arts at the local RSL club, teaching ballet, jazz and tap to 25 kids. With rising enrolments, they moved to the Palais Theatre, which was demolished in 2020 to build an old people’s home.

Classes are now held at the town hall with 75 kids, two days a week, as well as schools in Tottenham and, until recently, Cobar.

Her dance business consumed her life for many years, travelling long distances between the three towns, six days a week.

“We had a lot of kids from sad home environments who found a safe haven at our classes,” she says. “It wasn’t just me filling in my time – it was a desire to do good and help country

kids get out into the world. It can’t be measured in ribbons and trophies yet it’s made a huge difference to our small community.

“My aim was to give bush kids the same chance as their city counterparts and I did everything in my power to make it happen.

“We coaxed city performers out here and our kids guest-performed with them. I took kids to Sydney, we watched shows and they performed in concerts with tap syllabus guru Glenn Wood, our studio patron, great supporter and friend.

“Once I took 95 kids and their families to Disneyland in the USA to dance and 64 to London. We did a 20-minute show in Paris Disneyland, which might not seem much to some people but to these kids from the bush, some who hadn’t been past Dubbo, it was life changing.

“We’ve danced at agricultural shows, expos, senior citizens’ concerts, nursing homes, school fetes, everywhere to get the kids out and gaining confidence.

“I want them to know they can do whatever they want in the world

The program brings working dog enthusiasts together for a training day while allowing them time off the farm to regroup as they learn valuable skills.

“I really enjoy teaching schools and clinics,” he says. “It’s amazing to see the switch turn on when people understand the basics and what they can actually achieve with their dogs with correct training. You’re not simply training the person but the dog and the stock – it all goes hand in hand.”

Gary admits he’s fortunate to have grown up on the land, learning first-hand the skills needed to handle stock with dogs.

“A lot of farmers aren’t sure how to properly use their dogs and don’t understand that the right training for both dog and handler can make life on the farm so much easier,” he says.

“I’ve worked with a few breeds of working dogs, but the Kelpie will always be my first choice. They’re gutsy, honest and true, everything a stockman needs to get the job done.”

After two decades of competition, Gary scaled down his operation over the past two years due to COVID but that hasn’t stopped it completely. “We are one of the only organisations to run a trial during COVID at Nyngan in August 2020 and 2021,” he says.

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and leave our small town knowing anything is possible.”

Angie and Gary’s children are all leading successful lives. Katie is a social worker in Dubbo, James is completing a PhD in Sport at the University of Canberra, and Sophie is a Tumut schoolteacher.

Through her commitment to the wider community, Angie was named Nyngan’s Citizen of the Year in 2009 and again in 2019, for community services.

These days, this hardworking country woman continues writing for various publications and is often found peering through the lens of her camera as she hones her photographic skills. RLM

“In August 2022, we aim to hold the Australian Utility Championships, a combination of paddock and yard work. Hopefully it will run for four days at the Nyngan Showgrounds, with 50 to 60 competitors expected.”

The White family and a couple of mates ran the National Kelpie Championships in Nyngan in 2016, where Gary scored a first, second and sixth – an impressive result in front of his parents, who supported and mentored him from the start.

Gary loves travelling and meeting people. He says it’s the dogs that connect him with people. So far, he’s held more than 100 clinics.

“Speaking in front of 15 to 20 people doesn’t come naturally to me,” Gary says. “Thankfully, we all share a love of dogs and my wife is always there to encourage and push me forward. At the end of the day, it’s all about sharing knowledge with people from all walks of life.”

Gary maintains the Kelpie is an all-round dog that can perform any task.

“They’re tough, durable and loyal and will work in any conditions. They are born to work and all they want is a pat and a feed at the end of the day.”

Running one of the oldest Kelpie studs in Australia, Gary is thrilled to be keeping his father’s dream alive. RLM

Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

making a world of DIFFERENCE Thousands of Ugandan children are facing a brighter tomorrow because of a Nyngan-based initiative.

“It makes me proud every time I go to Uganda and see children who were once living at home, preparing for a young marriage and a lifetime in the fields, now thriving at school and striving for a better future,” says Anna Carter, the CEO of Life Charity Focus Uganda (LCF) in Nyngan.

The charity’s story began 30 years ago when Anna’s parents, Jack and Dione Carter, chose to sponsor eight-year-old Ugandan orphan Moses Goire. Anna was only a twinkle in her dad’s eye when her parents and sisters welcomed a new brother into their lives from a country that was previously just a speck on the globe, or mentioned briefly in world news.

“Growing up, we always sent letters and gifts to Moses and considered him the brother we never had,” Anna says. “As children, it taught us the valuable lesson of helping others in need and seeing how children live in a third-world country. Mum and Dad put Moses through private schooling and uni and we promised if he passed, we would bring him to Australia to meet us.”

Moses was in his early 20s when he met his Australian family, who’d transformed his life in so many ways. During this visit, Moses shared his vision of starting a sponsorship program in his local community, which deeply resonated with the Carter family. These days, Moses is raising four children of his own.

“My parents and Moses co-founded the sponsorship program in 2015 in eastern Uganda, Life Charity Focus (LCF),” Anna says.

“The next year, through major fundraising efforts in Nyngan and the generosity of donors, we built a private school, which now has 1400 students and employs 90 local staff.”

Two years later, they commenced another project, focusing on touching the lives of children with disabilities, where Anna’s background in speech pathology proved handy.

Since then, they’ve built a specialed boarding school in their Uganda community, the first in the district.

Anna was born and raised on a property close to Nyngan.

“It was the best gift I’ve ever received and it taught me what life is all about,” she says.

“It also taught me that farming is more than a job – it’s a way of life.”

Anna became a speech pathologist in 2015 and operates her own private practice in Nyngan.

Always keen to help out on the farm, she obtained a helicopter licence, which made her pilot dad immensely proud.

“I never thought this little country girl would end up changing lives on the other side of the world,” she marvels. “This desire to do more with my life and passion to help others is a family trait.”

Anna grew up with LCF, but her involvement was only basic until her father had a serious accident in 2016. It was the catalyst that drew her into the charity, as her mum and dad focused on his recovery. See separate story on page 170.

“At the time, we only had 50 children in our school and 25 sponsored children,” Anna says.

“It was a huge job, running a school and sponsorship program so far away. Since taking over LCF, I have travelled to Uganda four times and witnessed first-hand the tremendous growth of this tiny organisation that began with a dream in Nyngan.

“My trips to Uganda have been nothing short of amazing. It’s an incredibly rewarding and emotional experience, one you can’t fathom until you’ve seen it with your own eyes.

“Some trips have been solo and other times I’ve taken groups of volunteers. For me, it’s a working holiday as I’m recruiting staff and sponsor children full-time, doing speech therapy with those that need it, training staff and overseeing construction.

“Each year I go, I am inspired to keep growing as a charity, as you can truly see the impact you’re making and the lives you’re changing. Our school has been ranked among the district’s best, with the highest grades since 2017.”

Nyngan, population 2000, is a small town with a big heart. After the devastating floods 30 years ago and the recent crippling drought, when one of their own needs a hand, they’ll all pitch in. That’s the way it’s always been.

“We started an annual charity ball seven years ago, which has helped construct new buildings and keeps the LCF wheels turning,” Anna says proudly.

“We always have locals rallying around, helping us organise and attend our balls. A huge number of locals personally sponsor children.”

One of the early initiatives of the charity came about when Anna’s mum had an eye test at Specsavers, Dubbo. The store became a collection point for second-hand glasses, which were cleaned, regraded and sent to Uganda to help the local community, although this practice has since ceased.

So grateful for the support, Moses chose to go there to have his first eye examination and personally thank Lachlan Cusack and staff for their contribution to the cause.

Apart from her speech pathology and farm duties, Anna makes time each day for the charity, corresponding with Ugandan staff, reconciling accounts, liaising with sponsors, social media updates and any number of tasks that come along.

“It’s a full-time job, and one that is usually completed late at night,” she laughs. “They always say you should do what you love, and I get to do that every day.” RLM ABOVE: CEO of Life Charity Focus Uganda Anna Carter, left, with some of the happy children facing a brighter future thanks to the Nyngan-based charity.

To learn more, visit lifecharityfocus.com.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nyngan

a fortunate life

When Jack Carter was blessed with the ability to walk again after an accident left him with six broken vertebrae and a compressed spinal cord, he was never going to do things by halves.

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Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

On the first day of spring in 2016, Dione Carter was gazing out the window towards the garage when she heard a sickening, dull thud.

Just moments before, she’d seen her husband up on the roof, cleaning leaves from the gutters. Jack Carter, the man she’d loved since she was 14 years old, was lying barely conscious in a pool of blood on the concrete. He’d fallen through a skylight hidden beneath layers of leaves and debris.

Dione knew the situation was critical and every moment counted. The ambulance arrived within 20 minutes and Jack was driven to Narromine, then airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital.

A few short months after his 50th birthday, this vital, fun-loving pilot and innovative farmer was left an incomplete quadriplegic.

He couldn’t walk and had lost all feeling from his chest down. The only things he could move were his fingers. He was told he may never walk again.

Through sheer will and determination and the power of prayer, including those from a tiny Ugandan village on the other side of the world, Jack was back on his feet within three months. The medical fraternity hailed it a miracle.

It is very rare that a patient with six broken vertebrae and a compressed spinal cord will ever walk again. But Jack was an exception.

Born in Nyngan, his father was a farmer and stock and station agent. Paul encouraged all of his children (four sons and a daughter) to enter a trade so that they had something behind them.

Jack became an apprentice welder, spending four years with Giles Engineering. He built huge grain sheds, performed concreting duties on various farms and worked on the Nyngan levee bank after the 1990 flood.

He grew up in Nyngan and spent a few years living in the Hunter Valley where his dad was the Widden stud stock manager. Horses were a big part of his life during his younger years, which led to his most enduring and successful partnership.

When he was 18, Jack met 14-year-old Dione Adams while mustering on horseback for her father, who had cattle on agistment at Brewarrina. They got together a year later and have never been apart.

Dione had grown up with her parents Blue and Pauline on “Mayo”, Nyngan. After school, she did a secretarial course at Dubbo TAFE and spent two years at Dubbo Council. Both wanted a life on the land but the first 12 months of domestic bliss was spent underground, chasing the elusive opal in Lightning Ridge.

From 1992, they share-farmed on a Carter property for seven years. Within two years, they bought “Innaminna”, a 1100-acre property a short distance from Nyngan. There they built their family home and began their expansion.

“Everyone thought we must have unearthed a whopping, big black opal to buy the farm, but sadly, that wasn’t the case,” Dione laughs.

The couple has always been open to experimenting with new farming techniques and livestock enterprises. When the children were toddlers, Jack and Dione devoted three years to the lucrative ostrich-breeding business until the market collapsed overnight.

“We had about 40 ostriches, each weighing about three times that of an emu,” Jack says. “Dione was attacked by one while collecting eggs and ended up bruised and battered, with her clothes ripped to shreds.”

The family always had businesses on the side, not putting all their ostrich eggs into one basket. They started a small trucking business, with gravel, concrete and water trucks in the ’90s. They then went on to purchase the Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park in 2007, which they rebuilt from the ground up and is today a very popular destination.

“Over 30 years we expanded, buying out neighbouring properties,” Jack says. “Back then a lot of places were sold cheaply. Interest rates were up to 20 per cent. That’s how we got into the property market.

I’ve always expanded my operations in dry times. I see opportunities when others give up and walk away.”

As the Carters increased their holdings, it was imperative to be

“I’VE ALWAYS EXPANDED MY OPERATIONS IN DRY TIMES. I SEE OPPORTUNITIES WHEN OTHERS GIVE UP AND WALK AWAY.”

able to get around quickly and efficiently. After obtaining his fixedwing pilot’s licence, Jack then found his passion for helicopters and went on to gain his helicopter licence. This opened up many opportunities for both personal enjoyment and work purposes.

This year, the Carters mark three decades on the land, having introduced minimum till in 1996.

“Nyngan was thought of as typically grazing country, often considered marginal,” Jack says.

“This new farming method, along with new technology, GPS, auto-steering and economies to scale, allowed us to get into broadacre farming.

“When we started, our headers were 20-feet wide but today are 50 to 60 feet. It’s the same with our air seeders, which have expanded from 30 to 80 feet, enabling us to sow up to 1000 acres a day.” >

ABOVE: Big-thinking Nyngan farmer Jack Carter is doing what he loves.

FACING PAGE: Dione and Jack Carter (centre) with their daughters in the wheat crop: Emily Stanton with children Archie, Darby and Carter; Anna Carter and Jessica Baker with children Levi, Bella and Lily.

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T O W N F E AT U R E Nyngan

“I HAVE A NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE TREMENDOUS DEDICATION OF DOCTORS AND NURSES AND THE INCREDIBLE WORK THEY DO.” Like any farmer will tell you, there are good and bad seasons.

The 1990 flood affected the entire town, and the 2017-2020 drought had a devastating impact for farmers and local business.

“We knew if we were going to hang onto our breeding stock, we would have to do something radical.

“The price of buying grain and hay from interstate was exorbitant so we invested in Southern Queensland floodplain country on the Warrego River.”

Jack and Dione organised 20 road trains of their core breeding ewes and put them onto green pasture, which would have been a sight for sore ovine eyes after the bleak feed prospects back home in Nyngan.

Depending on the season, the stock, including cattle, are run between the two properties. Having their own trucks was a big help in this regard. They can easily throw their dogs in the back of the helicopter and fly from one big paddock to another, checking water, stock and fences.

“For the past decade, we’ve had great success with the Aussie White breed,” Jack says.

“Prior to that it was Dorpers. Obviously wool has never been our bread and butter. We always like to try new enterprises, like the ostriches and our various sheep breeds.

“The Aussie Whites do well in our feedlot. They don’t require shearing and are easy to handle, with exceptional meat quality.

With a good abattoir in town, our sheep meat is mainly for export.”

The family sources rams from Tattykeel stud, leaders in the Australian White industry.

After this interview, Jack and Dione planned to bid online for a Tattykeel ram. Jess and son-in-law Joel have driven to Oberon to purchase a sire for their stud.

The same principle of daring to be different also applies to their cattle enterprise. In 2016, the Carters invested in the new Speckle Park breed after years of being opportunity buyers.

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When Jack first saw the Speckles, he thought they were “too pretty” for the tough Nyngan conditions but, after two years of drought, the breed quickly proved it could stand up to the hot and dusty conditions.

“The Speckles are a step ahead of the others and I believe they have a pretty big future in Australia.”

Now Jack’s a true believer, he’s concentrating on building up numbers. Today, they run 550 magnificent breeders. Bulls are sourced from Wattle Grove stud, Oberon, and Jad Ag stud at Yeoval, while they import the latest Canadian genetics.

To help run their vast rural enterprises, Jack and Dione have three very capable daughters, all blessed with their parents’ strong work ethic. They’re eternally grateful all chose to live in the district.

Emily, the eldest, is the family’s number-cruncher and operates the upmarket Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park on the Bogan River.

She lives with builder husband James Stanton and children Carter, 5, and twins Archie and Darby, 3, on a farm 2km from the homestead where she grew up.

Jess, an engineer by trade and dog breeder, lives with husband Joel Baker and children Lily, 5, Levi, 3 and Bella, 2, on their own farm 5km away from her parents.

Joel has his own plane and helps out the family with seasonal work. He’s a mechanic at sowing and harvest and is a vital cog in the operation.

Anna, a speech pathologist with her own practice in Nyngan, runs the family-founded Life Charity Focus Uganda (LCF). Her partner, Liam Gleeson, is a builder who also works on the farm.

Anna is living at the homestead but will soon set up camp on another family property.

Despite the challenges of farming in general and the past few years in particular, the future is bright.

Nyngan T O W N F E AT U R E

Their situation is quite unique in that the sprawling property they bought as a bare block 35 years ago is only a stone’s throw from the heart of town. Their entry road is tarred to accommodate the trucking side of their enterprise, eliminating the dust and mud of days gone by.

“We have easy access to parts and supplies, and it’s great for our dozen or so employees who live in town,” Jack says.

“It’s also ideal for our girls and our grandkids, who enjoy the best of both worlds.”

After a few bumper seasons following years of drought, the sight of full dams and green pastures leaves a smile on Jack’s face. He’s back in the air, doing what he loves and showing few signs of that close call with his maker six years ago. The experience forever changed his outlook on life.

“I’m far more sensitive to the needs of anyone in a wheelchair,” Jack says. “And I have a new appreciation for the tremendous dedication of doctors and nurses and the incredible work they do.”

Now, as Dione looks out the window into the garage, seeing the chopper and the family’s 1926 Chev, she counts her blessings that her husband and best friend is still by her side, healthy, strong and vibrant. RLM CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Harvesting in full swing (image: Roxy Robb); Anna and her father in their Bell Long Ranger; ready for take-off; the homestead from the air; Australian White ewes and lambs; fields of wheat; Speckle Park cattle are proving a big hit.

FACING PAGE: Jack and Dione Carter with their dog Joe at the end of another long day.

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As a wife and mother of 11 children, Jacinta resides on a 650-acre cattle farm in Dubbo, New South Wales. The rural way of living is what Jacinta has always known and loved having grown up on a sheep property at Carinda, just outside Warren.

Jacinta’s motivation as an artist stems from the need to support her family and also the desire to put smiles on other’s faces.

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A true delight Regional Lifestyle Magazine publishers Elizabeth and Alex Tickle are the proud new owners of beautiful “Balmoral” in Inverell, which has opened its doors to accommodate even the most discerning guests.

In 9½ years publishing this very magazine, Alex and Elizabeth Tickle have had the good fortune to see many beautiful places, first hand.

Many memories have been created, wonderful people met and friendships formed.

But it wasn’t until they featured the northern NSW town of Inverell in the summer 2021 edition that something special resonated with them.

When Elizabeth was growing up on the family property “Wahroonga”, between Narrabri and Bingara, she visited the service town of Inverell many times, and nostalgic feelings were instantly stirred upon her recent return.

She and Alex discovered a charming, historic home brimming with character that was on the market, and they were instantly sold.

Once they purchased beautiful “Balmoral” – a name reflecting the area’s rich Scottish history – built in the 1870s, they set about turning the stunningly restored Victorian into luxury accommodation. “Balmoral” is one of the oldest homes in Inverell and is well situated in close proximity to the main street and key amenities.

Alex and Elizabeth’s eldest daughter, Kate Boshammer, took on the challenging task of the full fit-out of the home using her creative interior design skills and setting up the online booking system, while their third daughter, Anna, elected to facilitate the social media accounts for “Balmoral”.

Much thought was put into how best to utilise the spacious double brick home with 10’6 pressed metal ceilings, original polished floors, French doors and ornate fireplaces.

The home’s four bedrooms provide an idyllic sanctuary for even the most discerning guest. There are three queen-sized bedrooms to choose from, and two king singles taking pride of place in the fourth bedroom. The main bedroom offers a connecting retreat ideally suited to an additional single guest or child. For families travelling with active children, there is a rumpus room with a television and games and books to entertain, as well as a fully enclosed yard where kids can play and any therapy pets can be accommodated. > LEFT: The charming appeal of “Balmoral”, in all its Victorian splendour.

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W I N T E R story name

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“INVERELL IS SITUATED IN A RICH AGRICULTURAL AREA, AND THE TOWN IS FLOURISHING BECAUSE OF THE GREAT BUSINESSES HERE.” A key focus is the vast living area, where a gorgeous piano takes centre stage, alongside inviting lounges, recliners and a vintage dining setting, which can comfortably seat eight to 10 guests.

The kitchen, reflecting modern and historic elements, provides a hub where cooking can take place on the impressive Aga-style Kensington seven-burner stove/oven.

The home’s façade presents undeniable street appeal, and inside, there is an air of stateliness – a welcoming invitation for you and your loved ones to take a step back in time, with all manner of modern comforts at your fingertips.

Inverell, a dynamic town, was an attractive proposition for Alex and Elizabeth, who both speak highly of the services it has to offer.

“The boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants are impressive; a great range of products can be purchased here and visiting Inverell is an all-encompassing shopping experience for everyone,” Elizabeth says.

Alex was thrilled with the bustling town, too.

“Inverell is situated in a rich agricultural area, and the town is flourishing because of the great businesses here, as well as the unique tourist attractions and many annual events, drawing people from afar,” he says. > CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Balmoral is elegant and stately, with its carefully curated furnishings and decor; a vivid landscape adorns the wall above a piano in the main living area; classic country styling brings a sense of solace; Balmoral is the perfect place to reconnect with loved ones; every detail has been carefully considered at Balmoral; the kitchen is home to an impressive Aga-style Kensington 7 burner stove/oven.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Subtle florals and beige, ocean and blush tones bring comfort in the Edinburgh room; a signature nameplate greets guests upon entry into each room; a calming water scene; opulence and romance will come to mind in Glencoe; Aberdeen inspires contentment; a glimpse through to the beautifully furnished hall; timeless equine art complements classic furniture in Inverness; Dundee, connected to Edinburgh, is a space of calm; antique furniture takes centre stage throughout the home; Inverness brings stillness, with its soft blues, navy and white; the stunning work of local and regional artists is on show throughout Balmoral.

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W I N T E R luxury accommodation

THE HOME’S FAÇADE PRESENTS UNDENIABLE STREET APPEAL, AND INSIDE, THERE IS AN AIR OF STATELINESS. The enormous Copeton Dam is incredibly popular, in high demand for fishing and boating (and all water sports), as is the National Transport Museum. The Inverell Pioneer Village offers more of a glimpse into the town’s fascinating past, while Tingha, on the outskirts of Inverell, is a must-see (the town that time forgot). And there is just so much more.

“Part of the joy of this journey with Balmoral has been working with key advertisers whose products were purchased to utilise in the home,” Elizabeth says.

“We aimed to shop locally and support Inverell businesses wherever possible. Additionally, we sourced furniture from advertisers across the state and beyond whose products we had admired for a long time.”

Stunning original artworks adorn “Balmoral”, reflecting the talents of Inverell artists as well as those from further afield, including places such as Tamworth, Dungowan, Somerton, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Albury, and Monto in Queensland.

Much love and care has been poured into “Balmoral”, to create a getaway, a romantic retreat, a reunion venue for family or friends, or a sanctuary from business commitments.

We look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to Inverell. RLM Images: Leigh Stewart

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: The rumpus room provides a quiet workspace or a retreat for adults and children alike; original polished floors and 10’6 pressed metal ceilings are features; classic white on show in one of the home’s two bathrooms; Balmoral has undeniable street appeal; welcome home; relax with good company at the outdoor dining setting for up to eight people; enjoy a gorgeous garden view from the verandah.

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58 Oliver Street, Inverell NSW 2360 (02) 6722 2345

www.sapphirecitysolar.com.au

LIC NO: EC27118

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here comes

THE SUN

Steve and Carolyn Prosser have established themselves as market leaders in the highly competitive solar, air conditioning and electrical industry in northern NSW. It was a decision to escape to the country that led Steve and Carolyn Prosser and their four children to the New England region 20 years ago.

Steve was born in Murwillumbah and Carolyn at Gunnedah. They grew up and met in Grafton before Steve packed his bags and moved to Granville in Sydney to complete his apprenticeship as an electrician.

They married in 1983 and made Mannering Park on Lake Macquarie their home. It was an extraordinarily busy period in their lives. Steve and Carolyn

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ventured out into self-employment and the couple became a family with the arrival of their four children, Madeleine, Cale, Shannon and Emma.

Ten years later, Steve and Carolyn purchased their 105-acre (42-hectare) property at Bundarra near Copeton Dam, initially using it as a retreat from their fastpaced lifestyle on the Central Coast.

“We had four children under the age of 14, Steve had the electrical business and I had a hairdressing business, and we just decided it was a good time to move the children to the country,” Carolyn says.

“We had the property at Bundarra and we just felt we wanted our children to come back to country living because that’s how we were brought up.”

Steve and Carolyn immersed themselves in the community, aided by the fact that at one stage their four children were enrolled at four local schools: Bundarra and Gum Flat public schools, and Macintyre and Inverell high schools.

With small herds of cattle and sheep, their Bundarra property has enabled them to fulfil their desire of a self-sustainable lifestyle.

thriving business W I N T E R

It is this principle of self-sustainability, together with a deep affinity for country living, that has been instilled in their family and is also reflected in their business ethos.

Steve and Carolyn established Sapphire City Solar and Electrical in 2009, originally operating out of premises in Otho Street, Inverell, before relocating to Oliver Street.

“Solar became very popular around 2008,” Steve says. “A lot of out-of-town companies were passing through, selling systems with very little information about the product or after-sales service.

“We decided to open up a one-stop electrical, air conditioning and solar showroom in Inverell so people could have face-to-face communication with people from a family-owned business.

“What sets us apart is that our staff are not salesmen, they are all tradesmen, so they know what they’re talking about.”

Today, the thriving business has seven staff. It is a family affair with Cale employed as an electrician, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic and solar installer, Shannon working in administration and sales, and Madeleine, who is a chartered accountant, looking after the books.

Rounding out the team is Jonathan O’Neil, a qualified electrician who is studying to acquire his dual trade qualification in air conditioning, and Ben Walker, a third-year electrical apprentice.

Their biggest project has been the installation of a 222kW solar system for Woolworths supermarket in Inverell in 2018 as part of Woolworths Group’s commitment to power its operations with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025.

Their other large projects include Anytime Fitness in Inverell and Armidale, and Sunhaven Hostel in Ashford.

In towns such as Inverell, where employment opportunities for young people are limited, Steve and Carolyn have made a commitment to employ local apprentices.

They work closely with career advisors at the local high schools, who help identify young students suited to take on apprenticeships or work experience.

“We believe we need to train the next generation,” Steve says. “If you don’t have apprentices the whole industry will eventually fall down.”

The solar industry is dynamic. Products are becoming more efficient and increasingly affordable, Australian standards and industry regulations are undergoing change, and there is a flurry of interest from home owners and businesses alike to take advantage of government rebates.

Steve and Carolyn ensure their staff keep ahead of these myriad changes through ongoing training and attendance at trade events.

The past 18 months proved challenging for the Prosser family as Carolyn battled breast cancer.

It was a long and lonely journey.

Carolyn’s hospital was hundreds of kilometres away from Inverell and visits from family and friends were curtailed because of the COVID pandemic.

But with Carolyn’s gruelling treatment at an end and having been declared cancer free, the couple can reap the rewards of 40 years in business, focus on their family, which now includes five grandchildren, and continue their love affair with life in the New England. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Leigh Stewart

FACING PAGE: The Sapphire City Solar and Electrical team, from left, Benjamin Walker (electrical apprentice), Jonathan O’Neil (electrical tradesman), Stephen Prosser (owner), Madeleine Iskov (accountant/ admin and eldest daughter), daughter Shannon Prosser (admin/ accounts ) and son Cale Prosser (head tradesman).

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Carolyn and Stephen Prosser are a great partnership in business and in life; owner Stephen Prosser always provides outstanding service; daughter Shannon Prosser enjoys her administration work for the family business; electrical apprentice Benjamin Walker loves his role with Sapphire City Solar and Electrical.

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Proudly supporting Inverell for 25 years RLM 189

a life in

PICTURES

Life has taken photographer Robert Bruce on some interesting journeys, but growing up on a pastoral property near Orange was one of the major influences on his life.

Photographer Robert Bruce was born in Orange in August 1939, just days before the outbreak of World War Two. He was the eldest child of Ian and Muriel Bruce, who had bought “Adair”, on the Molong Road, a few years previously.

Scotsman Ian Bruce emigrated to Australia and embraced rural life on the 586-hectare Adair, which had the added bonus of having a ready-made nine-hole golf course. Muriel was a local girl and a granddaughter of James Dalton of Duntryleague. Her cousins lived not far away on the vast Kangaroobie property. Adair was entirely given over to raising Corriedale sheep.

As children, Robert and his sister Mairi and brother David roamed the property, enjoying picnics at Molong Creek and, as they grew older, helping with lamb marking and other farming tasks.

Growing up on Adair was “great fun”, according to Robert, and wartime rationing hardly affected them.

“We had lots of lamb, lots of eggs, and milk from the cows. Mum made her own butter and ice-cream,” he recalls.

The one wartime restriction that did affect the family, and which dictated the course of Robert’s schooling, was petrol rationing.

Living out of town meant there was not enough petrol to drive him in and out of town so it was decided he would have to board at All Hallows School in Bathurst.

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Six-year-old Robert missed his family but he says the nuns at the school were kind and he made friends with other boys from rural areas.

School holidays back at Adair were often spent in the company of rabbiter Reg Davis and his assorted dogs. Reg was a jack of all trades, but at a time when rabbits were wreaking havoc in rural areas, his main task was to ride around the property, setting traps and getting his dogs to dig out burrows.

In 1952, at age 12, Robert was sent to Riverview College in Sydney, again as a boarder. While he admits he missed out on family life, his grandmother, Jessie Dalton, who lived at Kings Cross, would send a car to pick him up on weekends.

Robert’s interest in photography started when he became the owner of a Kodak Duaflex camera during his time at Riverview.

When he matriculated in 1957, Robert returned home to help his father run Adair for a few years before working as a jackaroo at a friend’s property near Blackall in Queensland. This place was far larger than Adair and Robert looked after bore drains, marked lambs and carried out a dozen other tasks.

“It was a wonderful life,” he says. “I made a lot of friends there.”

In January 1964, Robert travelled to Europe, a rite of passage for many young Australians, touring in Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece, France and the UK.

behind the camera W I N T E R

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Robert in front of a portrait of himself photographed by Max Dupain; Max Dupain in 1988 photographrd by Robert; two-year old Robert and his father Ian at “Adair”; Robert at the opening of his exhibition Okavango Odyssey at Orange Regional Gallery; Toni Collette at the 1994 Sydney Film Festival for the Australian premiere of Muriel’s Wedding; Jack Thompson at the 2004 Sydney Film Festival; Robert and Anne.

FACING PAGE: Lion from Robert’s exhibition at Orange Regional Gallery; autumn colour in Orange; fountain and pigeon, Florence, Italy.

“It was a well-rounded trip for me and I loved England.”

Back in Australia later that year, Robert started running Adair with his brother David, after their parents retired and moved into Orange. David was married and Robert soon followed, having met his wife Anne, a New Zealander who had moved to Orange to work as a registered nurse.

Their four children, Jacqueline, Louisa, Isobel and Hamish, all grew up at Adair, enjoying the same benefits of rural life that Robert and his brother and sister had.

But there came a time when Robert and Anne and David and his wife Helene felt they should sell the property and move into Orange.

Robert was already becoming increasingly interested in photography and he started photographing properties for sales brochures as well as doing weddings.

A pivotal moment came when he was asked to accompany renowned photographer Max Dupain when he visited Orange.

“I learnt a lot from Max,” Robert says. “He taught me valuable lessons about light. Light is the essence of photography.”

Another highlight of his photographic career was a visit to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where he photographed wildlife in colour. His beautiful images of animals and birds were later

exhibited at Orange Regional Gallery to much acclaim.

Robert was the official photographer for the Sydney Film Festival for 12 years, meeting many actors and, in between assignments, enjoying some memorable movies.

He made the change to digital photography about 20 years ago, and in doing so taught himself to use Photoshop. It was a long way from the days of dark rooms and chemicals but he embraced the technology.

Robert recently worked on a collection of photographs of children in the 1950s and ’60s for a new exhibition at Orange Regional Museum. Titled Child’s Play, it shows children at home, at school, playing and exploring. The images were taken from the extensive negative collection of the local newspaper, the Central Western Daily, and Robert’s job was to enhance them and ensure they could be enlarged for public viewing. The result is spectacular.

Robert now enjoys photographing spectacular gardens around NSW for Regional Lifestyle Magazine. He says he finds this type of work very relaxing.

When asked if he had thoughts of retiring, Robert was momentarily lost for words, admitting he had never really thought about it. RLM Words: Elisabeth Edwards Images: Robert Bruce

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W I N T E R story name

a vision splendid Turning down the long, tree-lined drive and arriving at “Oakleigh”, the home of Bea and Chris Gestier, outside of Wagga Wagga, you would never imagine that what you see in front of you started life as a modest weatherboard cottage on what was once the sprawling Gobbagombalin Station.

Back in the 1920s as part of the government’s Soldier Settlement Scheme, Gobbagombalin was divided into smaller parcels of land.

The recipient of one of those parcels, a returned serviceman, built the original weatherboard house from cypress wood, calling it home for three decades before selling the farm to Bill and June Gestier in 1954.

Moving in as newlyweds, they went on to raise their four children in the home before moving out in 1984, just in time for their son Chris and his new wife Bea to make the old house their new home together.

While some home renovations unfold organically over time, Bea had a vision for what she wanted the house to become from the very beginning.

“I wanted to try and reproduce an old homestead, something that would look like it had been here for a long time,” she says.

She grew up in a grand 100-year-old homestead in Narrandera, and the romanticism and history of period homes is at her core.

Within the first 12 months of moving in, Bea and Chris undertook their first renovation, creating a new family room and a main bedroom from what had been a lean-to sleep-out.

Over the years, their family swelled to seven, bringing five children home to “Oakleigh”. And despite the fantastic chaos of a young family, Bea and Chris never lost sight of their vision, adding anything they could find with patina and history to their large collection of vintage treasures in the shed. >

FACING PAGE: Homeowners Bea and Chris Gestier and scenes of style from throughout their home where neutrals are punctuated with pops of colour.

FROM TOP: “Oakleigh” outside of Wagga Wagga; the front garden and view out to the driveway.

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story name W I N T E R

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W I N T E R story name

OVER THE YEARS, BEA AND CHRIS HAVE CREATED A SANCTUARY FOR THEIR FAMILY IN “OAKLEIGH”.

In 1994, the piles of salvaged doors and windows finally got their chance to play a key role in the Gestiers’ second major renovation.

Along with a classic verandah to embrace the front of the house, they gave the new addition the appearance of a homestead original to the property.

Inside, Bea’s distinctive decor shines.

“Over the years, I have always been extremely interested in interior decorating and have loved decorating homes from a young age,” she says.

While her love for colour was once professed through bold shades of paint, she now prefers to keep the walls neutral but adorn them with vibrant artworks that add a punch to every corner of her home.

Bea’s secret to decorating success is to trust her instinct, be confident in her individual taste and retain a playful attitude towards decor.

“What I try doesn’t always work, but I can always pull it together by rearranging the room or editing the objects.”

Bea says she prefers simplicity to a maximalist approach, however simplicity doesn’t equal boring.

She utilises vintage objects as decorative pieces to unique effect.

Above one of her antique letterpress cabinets, a vintage typewriter,

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street sign and stained-glass window are woven together into an unlikely but appealing vignette.

Over the years, Bea and Chris have created a sanctuary for their family in “Oakleigh”.

No matter what the season or occasion, their home offers a myriad of spaces ready to play host to their big beautiful family, which now proudly includes their six grandchildren Jack, 9, Harry, 8, Sophie, 5, Jude, 4, Leo, 2, and baby Ivy, 4 months.

With the completion of their latest outdoor area, The Winter Courtyard, Bea says their home and garden are complete . . . for now.

But with a passion and pleasure in decorating that runs this deep, chances are her work will never be truly finished, nor would she want it to be. RLM Words and images: Jennifer Harden

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: The Gestiers with their grandchildren; the kitchen, guest bedroom and main bathroom; the front entryway; patterned butterfly chairs; the sun-filled front room; gardens are on display from many of the home’s windows; intricate gates in the Winter Courtyard; the pool area and the Winter Courtyard, their latest completed project.

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surveying expertise W I N T E R

when experience MATTERS

A strategic approach and first-hand agricultural experience are what make Treasco Surveyors a name the farming community can trust.

When making important land decisions such as subdividing, and defining boundaries and ownership, it pays to have an expert on your team. Better yet, you need a highly qualified surveyor who knows exactly what it means to run a farm, and has your best interests at heart.

That’s where Treasco Director and Founder David Treasure comes in, bringing to the table 15 years’ experience in his field, half of which has been based in Central West NSW. David is well versed in cadastral, building, engineering and environmental surveying, along with project management and applicable land law. But with wellentrenched roots in agriculture as a third-generation cattle farmer in regional Victoria, David’s passion is working with farmers and landholders – the communities he understands best.

Now based in Dubbo with his wife Alexandria – she also runs her own business, Alexandria Digital – and their baby, Grace, David is a dedicated professional who is driven to work smarter for his clients. He combines state-ofthe-art technology, proven traditional surveying methods and expert advice to deliver innovative results.

“My focus has always been to deliver the best service I possibly can for my clients, and I always strive to go the extra mile,” David says.

“I love meeting new people, particularly in the farming space, and I value great relationships. I thrive on connection, whether that be with my clients or my professional contacts in related fields.”

David enjoys walking his clients through a plan of action, including a timeframe and cost estimation, helping to simplify an often-challenging decision-making process.

“It comes down to mutual understanding, and as a third-generation farmer myself, I have a keen grasp of the challenges my

clients may be facing. This helps me to deliver great outcomes, time and time again,” he says.

David’s intimate knowledge of family farming allows him to offer practical input and solutions when surveying on farm, and in many cases, even anticipate issues before they arise. He believes fencing, neighbour relationships and future land usage are just some of the key considerations that must be given due thought.

David’s ability to think strategically is what makes his advice so sought after, complemented by his strong communication skills and personable nature.

While he utilises the very latest in GPS and scanning technology to ensure precision, David believes the real magic of his work often lies in its history.

“It’s humbling to be able to work with an existing plan that dates back to as early as the 1800s, and there’s something truly special about leaving your own legacy in the updated version,” he says.

Treasco Surveyors has chosen to undertake and continue to maintain registration in both NSW and the Australian Capital Territory, as well as licensing in Victoria. Graduating from RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) with Honours, David is backed by a wealth of knowledge and practical experience.

Registered surveyors are needed for significant land decisions such as subdividing land and defining boundaries and ownership, and David’s abilities also span across developing community title or strata title, identifying existing buildings and improvements on parcels of land and determining levels for flood studies and environmental changes in land.

Treasco Surveyors has well-established relationships with reputable industry

“My focus has always been to deliver the best service I possibly can for my clients, and I always strive to go the extra mile.” professionals including architects, town planners, engineers and draftspeople to ensure the entire scope of their clients’ projects are covered.

Where accuracy, expertise and dependability are concerned, look no further than Treasco Surveyors for your next surveying project. RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Natalie Salloum

ABOVE: David Treasure of Treasco Surveyors enjoys the regional way of life in Dubbo with his wife, Alexandria, and their baby, Grace.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Treasco utilises the latest in surveying technology to ensure utmost precision; David is a dedicated professional, driven to work smarter for his clients; he believes the real magic of his work often lies in its history; David combines technology, tradition and expert advice to deliver innovative results.

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Experience the Spirit of Community Experience the welcoming, inclusive and highly affordable environment that awaits you and your child by visiting one of our 33 Catholic schools in towns across the Central West.

Visit bth.catholic.edu.au or phone 6338 3000 for further information.

RLM 203

a well-oiled MACHINE

Iconic Central West business Blatch’s celebrates its 70th birthday this year.

Founded in 1952 by retired Australian Army Captain Allan A. Blatch, the third-generation family business is now owned and operated by his grandson, also named Allan A. Blatch.

Allan Sr was a highly regarded fitter and machinist and was an inspector of army munitions during WW2, opening factories in Melbourne, Hobart and Perth.

Allan’s wife Kay, along with children Warren and Bronwyn, worked at different times in the workshop, initially next to the family home in Hill Street, Parkes.

Allan moved to larger premises at 143 Clarinda Street in 1966. After a 12-year stint in PNG, Warren and his wife Nancye returned to Australia in 1979 to join Allan’s team.

In 1984, Allan and Warren expanded again and bought the premises where Blatch’s now operates.

Warren became well known for his marketing around the Central West. Allan remained active in the business right up until his death in 2003.

In 2006, Warren and Nancye made the decision to close the workshop arm of the operation to concentrate on retailing.

In 2013, Warren and Nancye’s son, Allan Jr, moved back from the UK with his British wife Susannah. The couple had met working in television in London and decided to take a chance to see if they could continue the family’s legacy and keep the business going.

After almost 10 years, it’s no longer about just keeping Blatch’s going; it’s about making it a shopping experience unlike any other, from the customer service to the gleaming shop floor complete with its gargantuan toolboxes and family of stuffed gorillas.

“If I’m going to have a bearing shop, it’s going to be the best one in Australia,” Allan says.

Soon after purchasing the business from his parents, the couple began a long and, as Allan puts it, torturous renovation to create the shop and showroom as it stands today.

Allan and Susie are the first to admit that they were “absolute novices” when they arrived but whether it be in bearings knowledge or running the finances, what they lacked in experience they made up for in enthusiasm.

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family business W I N T E R

Blatch’s is a destination for traditional lines such as bearings, belts, roller chain, filters, automotive hard parts, 4WD and trailer spares.

Due to customer demand, they have also expanded their range into PPE, pneumatics, threaded fittings and more.

Much of their business is done over the phone. Parcels are freighted each day to places near and far.

“Some of our customers don’t know much about Parkes or our actual store so they get a shock if they do walk in and see the special cabinets and stock,” Allan says.

Glass cabinets showcase local produce from the region to inform visitors about what is produced in the area.

“Everyone asks about the KFC boxes or the strawberry milk. The KFC boxes illustrate how every piece of KFC chicken in Australia is cooked in the ‘manola’ oil manufactured by MSM Milling at Manildra,” Allan says.

“When people read the information in the milk cabinet, they are amazed to learn that much of the milk they drink is produced at Australia’s largest single-site dairy; AFMH’s Moxey Farms between Eugowra and Gooloogong.”

The increasing success of Blatch’s over the past decade is very simple in Allan’s mind.

As more and more businesses are selling the same products, Blatch’s has focused on core customers and offers a passionate approach to servicing those accounts.

“We get very involved in our customers’ businesses, whether they be farming, manufacturing or food production,” he says.

“We’ve also seen an uptake in inquiries from people in other areas who want to deal with an Australian-owned business now that so many well-known bearings, automotive or industrial businesses have sold to overseas companies.

“With a family business, you get all the drive of a family trying to keep the show on the road and get the bills paid. That means better service, more pride in what we do, longer hours, community involvement and much more.

“It’s as simple as, we have more at stake each day to ensure we do the absolute best by our customers, and we enjoy doing so.

“We took a huge gamble coming out here and taking on a 60-year-old business we knew nothing about, and we’re enormously proud to be taking it into its next decade.

“So far, we’ve gotten through drought, floods, mice plagues and a pandemic. We can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring.” RLM

“We get very involved in our customers’ businesses, whether they be farming, manufacturing or food production.”

FACING PAGE: Wilhelmina, Allan, Adelaide, Susannah and Beatrice Blatch; the Blatch’s showroom.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Founder Allan A. Blatch; framed photograph of second generation owner Warren Blatch; third generation owner Allan A. Blatch Jr.

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W I N T E R story name

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Leeton favourite W I N T E R

guilt-free gifts Timeless Treasures Leeton is well stocked with an impressive array of goods to suit any home or occasion and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

Timeless Treasures Leeton is indeed a treasure trove just waiting to be discovered. From vintage glassware and exotic imports to the latest range of scented candles and cushions, everything has been lovingly sourced and selected by owner and self-professed enthusiastic shopper Beverley Tyack.

Having grown up in the small village of Pooncarie on the Darling River in south western NSW, Beverley knows what it means to be part of a regional community, and over the years she has called Tullibigeal, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Ariah Park home.

In 2013, her investment property in Leeton was in need of a renovation, drawing her to town where she planned to stay the course of the work. However, somewhere in between coats of paint, the house started to feel like home and her temporary relocation became more permanent. She’s been settled happily in Leeton for the past nine years.

With the experience of having owned and operated five businesses in rural and regional areas under her belt, it’s no surprise that in August 2018 Beverley decided to open her sixth business, Timeless Treasures Leeton, in a prime location on Pine Avenue in the heart of town.

Beverley brings her experience working in vintage and homewares stores to the new venture and feels lucky to be able to take what started out as a hobby, collecting, and pour it into a business.

Beverley’s customers value her dedication to attending auctions and gift fairs to source unique items to fill her spacious shop. They know they can always count on her to have something they didn’t even know they needed.

Beverley jokes that it is easy to have a shop when you are an expert shopper. She simply fills Timeless Treasures Leeton with all the things she loves and hopes you will love them too.

Beverley is proud of her shop and what it offers her community and she is grateful for the support that has allowed Timeless Treasures Leeton to grow to where it is now.

She enjoys interacting with customers on a daily basis, although she has one favour to ask of visitors to her shop.

“I so often hear people saying ‘I shouldn’t be buying this for myself’ as they present their items at the counter,” Beverley says.

“I think if some small item that you treat yourself to has the ability to make you feel happy then that’s the main thing and you should stop making yourself feel bad for it and enjoy it!”

Perhaps it’s this perspective and no-guilt shopping approach that is the real secret to her success. RLM

Timeless Treasures Leeton Vintage, modern, boho or classic

Unique range of products from around the world.

Scented flowers from Paris, antique foot baths from China, authentic pieces from India, Wavertree and London candles and diffusers, Royal Doulton and much more.

Words and images: Jennifer Harden

FACING PAGE: Timeless Treasures has a wonderful mix of goods on offer from fantastic vintage finds to brand new decor items for your home. Included in the mix are textiles, tableware, jewellery, unique imported furniture, candles and other gifts, all hand-selected by Beverley.

ABOVE RIGHT: Owner of Timeless Treasures Leeton, Beverley Tyack.

Tue - Fri 9am - 5:30pm Sat 9am - 3pm Sun 10am - 3pm Closed Monday

Ph. 0429 982 772 72 Pine Avenue, Leeton

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2 FAT LADIES and BABY 2 BOUTIQUE Lucknow, Central West NSW 2 Fat Ladies are looking forward to a great season now that we are all out and about!

WOOLERINA MAGLIA MAGENTO

Lots of warm winter clothes coats and our duck down puffa jackets and coats are now in stock.

Our Baby 2 Boutique is full of high quality toys, teddies, gifts and clothes to suit new borns to age 5.

SUBSCRIPTIONS • BACK ISSUES • BOXED COLLECTIONS

WILSON AND FRENCHY ASTER AND OAK BIB DUMMIES

Lots of natural fibres including wool, bamboo, linens, cottons in a wide range of colours.

Open 7 days 9am–4pm Ph: 6365 5437 Visit us in store or online www.2fatladies.com.au PETITE SIZE UP TO 24

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ORDER: WWW.LIFESTYLEMAGAZINE.NET.AU

Orders can also be made by contacting us P: 0429 441 086 E: info@lifestylemagazine.net.au Pictured: The Autumn 2022 edition featuring Tamworth.

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Giftware, home decor, womens/mens/childrens fashion, fresh flowers, cane furniture and so much more.

Wednesday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12:30pm 101 Queen Street Barraba, New South Wales 2347 Ph. 0400 278 412 babesinthebush@hotmail.com

babesinthebush.com.au

Handmade colourful canvas swings for little ones.

For children 6 months to 4 years T: 0408 254 325

www.sleepyjays.com.au

Good service, good food, good times …life is too short for anything less

• Open 7 days a week 102 Byron Street, Inverell • Breakfast and lunch 0409 687 288 02 6722 1612 • All dietary requirements catered for freckles@frecklescafe.com.au • Pets welcome • Outdoor/indoor seating frecklescafeinverell.com.au RLM 211

W I N T E R healthy lifestyle

Walking is one of our most natural, intuitive ways of moving.

It is a lifelong tool for nurturing health, not just physically. When practised mindfully, walking can nourish us mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Have you ever taken a walk to clear your head? That’s due to the connection between our mind and our feet.

Like a moving meditation, walking is a grounding activity when combined with presence. The action of doing takes us into a state of being.

From the stress-reducing benefits of spending time in the great outdoors to walking’s ability to improve cardiovascular health and release endorphins, there is a lot to be said for taking a mindful stroll in nature.

Science tells us when we walk our biochemistry changes. Our heart pumps faster, circulating more blood and oxygen to our muscles, organs and brain. Memory and attention are enhanced. Walking regularly encourages new connections between brain cells, slows the decline of brain tissue from ageing and increases the volume of the hippocampus (our learning and memory centre).

Did you know the pace of your walk influences your thinking? Our natural pace creates a feedback loop between our body’s rhythm and our mental state. The pace of our walking will naturally oscillate with our mood and even the “cadence of our inner speech” – the monologue you “hear” inside your head. Try it. Slowing our stroll lessens the rate of our thoughts, and vice versa.

As humans, we are hardwired for connection, and this happens when we are being mindful in the natural world.

But what is this mindfulness? It’s being present and feeling a deep oneness and relaxed awareness with everything around you – letting go of all other thoughts. It is just being in the now moment, with nature.

Why is walking in nature beneficial?

Research on “forest bathing” notes phytoncides (oils released by plants) have benefits for humans, plus there is a softness of natural light that calms our mood, and we have a boost of vitamin D as well.

Walking in nature is the ultimate immunity booster. Have you noticed the relief from stress and anxiety as gentle movement works through every dimension of your body?

There can be a reflective, spiritual quality too – a mental rejuvenation offsetting the effects of much else in life.

walking for wellbeing If you want to improve your physical and mental health, walking is a simple step in the right direction.

A mindful walk outdoors gives your headspace the freedom to flow leisurely from one sensory experience to another.

Noticing the clouds, the touch of the air on your skin, the smell of gum leaves, the feel of the grass underfoot.

Walking stimulates parts of our brain responsible for innovation and creativity.

Remember that light-bulb moment of inspiration you had walking? Walking with presence creates the space for us to process our thoughts and feelings.

Want to try something different?

Walking barefoot on natural surfaces is known as “earthing”. Earthing has some impressive health benefits, from increasing antioxidants and reducing inflammation to improving sleep, immune function and even regulating the endocrine and nervous systems.

“Nature itself is the best physician.” – Hippocrates RLM Words: Sue Curley Image: Amy Fraser

A mindful walk outdoors gives your headspace the freedom to flow leisurely from one sensory experience to another.

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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

W I N T E R country recipes

COMFORT FOOD

Warm to winter with these delightful dishes that are guaranteed to satisfy.

SWEET FRUITY CURRY This curry is so popular with people of all ages.

I make one every two weeks.

Ingredients

Method

4 lamb shanks cut into 3 pieces each

1. Fry dusted lamb pieces in oil and brown both sides.

1 tbsp plain flour to dust

2. Place in crock pot, cover with water.

Oil for frying 1 medium onion cut into small pieces 2 bananas, can be fresh or from the freezer 2 green apples cut into small pieces, leave skin on 1 carrot cut into small pieces ½ cup sultanas, put in ½ hour of cooking 3 tbsp curry powder (to your taste) 4 cups warm water Salt to taste 2 tbsp gravy mix

3. Add peeled bananas.

4. Add green apples, onions, carrots, curry powder.

5. Bring to boil then simmer for 3½ hours.

6. Add sultanas and simmer for ½ hour.

7. With some absorbent paper, skim extra fat off top.

8. Mix 2 tbsp of gravy in a little water and add to curry. Stir.

9. Serve with fluffy white mashed potatoes and baby peas.

COUNTRY-STYLE BLACKBERRY PATCH PIE There is nothing more comforting or satisfying than a good, old-fashioned pie.

Ingredients Pastry 220g cold pure butter cut into small pieces 350g plain flour 45g icing sugar 1 egg yolk (save the white to brush the pastry) 2 tbsp cold water Filling 3 cups blackberries 2 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp custard power Method 1. Place butter and flour in a food processor with ¼ teaspoon of salt and blend until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

2. Combine egg and water and drizzle over the flour mixture. Knead lightly.

3. Make a small ball, flatten it out and cover in plastic wrap.

4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Roll out ¾ of the pastry to fit pie plate then fold over a rolling pin. Press into pie plate and neaten edge.

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6. Bring the blackberries to the boil and simmer for five minutes.

7. Add sugar. Mix custard power with a little water and add to the blackberries to thicken.

8. Fill pastry with the blackberry mixture.

9. With the remaining pasty, roll out and cut into strips to place on top of pie.

10. Brush with egg white and sprinkle the top with Demerara sugar.

11. Bake in fan-forced oven at 160 degrees till pasty is light brown.

12. Enjoy with thick or dollop cream.

Recipes and images: Lorraine Hills

• Relax in our friendly and comfortable air conditioned cafe • Indoor and courtyard seating • Fully licensed • Homemade gourmet food and cakes • Specialty gluten free food made daily • Superior coffee

Open Monday–Saturday 8am–3pm (weekends and public holidays may vary) 143 Albury St, Holbrook NSW (02) 6036 3333

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 Tuesday – Saturday: 6:30am – 3pm Sunday: 8am - 2pm Find us on Facebook: CafeDolcetto

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 RLM 215

The Perfect Escape Inverell Terrace Motor Lodge is the perfect place to stay while on business, or as a destination to visit some of our wonderful local attractions.

Your hosts Annie and Steve go out of their way to ensure every stay is an enjoyable one, with personal touches found in each room, and modern facilities and furnishing ensuring your upmost comfort.

18 Guest Rooms In-Room Meals Interconnecting Rooms Room Service Well Stocked Mini-Bar

Foxtel iQ TV System Free Wi-Fi Self-Contained Cottage BBQ Area Free On-Site Parking

28 Warialda Road Inverell NSW 2360 02 6722 5200 www.inverellterrace.com.au

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

• Free Wi-Fi available • Rooms From $110 • Two Bedroom Apartment $165 • Disabled Access Room Available

The Ten Mile is a regional destination eatery featuring seasonal farm gate foods, local wines and fabulous coffee.

Celebrating local and regional produce through both our menu and our retail store.

Thursday, Friday, Monday 8am - 2pm Saturday + Sunday 9am - 3pm P. 02 6086 4800 120 Albury Street, Holbrook, NSW 2644

www.thetenmile.com.au

Specialising in ingredients, equipment and knowledge for making artisan drinks and food by hand at home.

Spirits • Beer • Wine • Cheese • Fermented Foods • Smoked Foods

(02) 6722 4235 Shop 214 Byron Street, Inverell NSW inverell@thebrewshed.com.au www.thebrewshed.com.au MUCH MORE THAN JUST HOME BREWING

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W I N T E R garden

garden gem Nestled between the peaks of Mt Canobolas and The Pinnacle in Orange sits the jewel-like garden “Rowan Glen”.

This former paddock has been transformed into a beautiful and varied landscape by owners Kerry and Joy Rawson.

This lovely country garden does not reveal all its treasures at once. There are many different sections of the garden to explore and discover. Some are hidden behind tall green screens, some are tucked around corners, and others are shaded beneath trees.

Sweeping lawns open out into a tree-studded parkland with vistas of farm paddocks, bushy hillsides and mountains beyond.

Kerry Rawson has lived on the 40-acre property for 47 years.

Towering ornamental trees mark the decades he spent raising a family, building a home and developing the garden here. The garden became a place of solace after the sad loss of his first wife Hazel in 2011.

A new chapter began in 2014 when Kerry married Joy. Over the past eight years, they have made changes and developed more areas of their expansive five-acre garden.

With no formal plan or designs, Joy says they simply “get together and nut it out. It all falls into place”. Their positive working relationship during many varied garden projects has produced stunning results.

At 900m above sea level, the area receives snow falls most winters.

Summers can be hot and dry. The site’s deep volcanic soil is acidic, ideal for growing rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias as well as evergreen conifers and ornamental trees.

Accessed from the dam and 100,000-litre water tanks, water is shared between stock, household and gardens. Hand or sprinkler watering is preferred, as the garden is too large and varied for an irrigation system. Careful plant selection to suit the climate is key.

Upright Silver Birch trees and narrow pencil pines line the driveway. This avenue is underplanted with summer-flowering pink saxifraga (Bergenia) and blue agapanthus.

Near the wide turning circle there’s a pair of mature English Oak (Quercus robur) trees. Planted by Kerry almost five decades ago, these majestic trees now spread their wide shady boughs over garden beds mass planted with brightly coloured azaleas and hydrangeas.

“The really acid soils here offer perfect growing conditions for azaleas and rhododendrons,” Joy says. “The hydrangeas always turn blue no matter what colour they begin with.” > FACING PAGE: The spring garden at “Rowan Glen” is awash with colour including verdant greens, burgundy, pinks, purples and royal blue and gold.

FROM TOP: Owners Joy and Kerry on the Japanese-inspired red bridge; layered planting creates textural interest with pops of colour; banks of brilliant azaleas thrive in the acid soils beneath the trees; swathes of green lawn with feature fountain, bordered by matures trees including mauve Paulownia, emerald oak and layered cedars.

garden W I N T E R

WITH NO FORMAL PLAN OR DESIGNS, JOY SAYS THEY SIMPLY “GET TOGETHER AND NUT IT OUT”.

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garden W I N T E R

THE GARDEN IS WHERE JOY’S ENTHUSIASM AND LOVE OF COLOUR IS VERY EVIDENT. The entry to formal-style gardens in front of the house is through a brick archway. This structure, built to mimic an ancient ruin, is entwined in creeping fig (Ficus pumila). Curving, brick paved pathways lead through sinuous lines of trimmed English and Dwarf Japanese box hedging.

Elegant weeping maples offer burgundy foliage contrast among the emerald green hedges. Garden beds between the hedges are filled with colourful azaleas, flowering perennials including granny’s bonnet (Aquilegia), winter rose (Hellebore) together with clumps of pretty spring bulbs. Delicate Japanese wind flowers (Anemone hupehensis) create a lovely autumn show.

Lush swathes of lawn wind among garden beds and under mature trees towards the rear of the house. Large ornamental trees including beautiful golden elm (Ulmus glabra ‘Lutescens’) and Liquidambar provide summer shade then shed their leaves, allowing sun to spill into this area during chilly Orange winters.

Tucked behind the house and screened by a hedge of shiny leaved Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ is an entertaining and barbecue area.

This sheltered area features a group of four lovely weeping apricot trees planted into raised brick garden beds. These attractive trees are combined with banks and troughs filled with long-flowering ‘Avonview’ lavender, which offer plenty of colour and fragrance.

There’s a magnificent specimen of weeping Atlantic cedar (Cedrus atlantica glauca ‘Pendula’), which is thriving in the deep soil and cool climate. The grey foliage and unusual weeping form are particularly striking. Supported by sturdy wooden poles, the cascading boughs form a perfect spot for grandchildren to play a game of hide and seek.

To screen this garden area from the practical farm sheds and water tanks, privacy plants have been grown alternately, creating a colourful and interesting living fence. Pink and red-foliaged Photinia and Crab apples are espaliered into neat screens.

A steep slope down towards the dam paddock has been terraced using recycled timber sleepers. The terraces are planted with a selection of sun-loving hardy shrubs including round grey leaved Teucrium, Abelia, colourful crimson Valerian, bearded iris and clumping grasses. White-flowered Snow-in-Summer spills over, softening the edges.

Graceful drooping branches of mature evergreen Deodar and golden Deodar cedar trees (Cedrus deodara) frame the view towards a large tiled pond with tiered fountain set among the front lawns. Kerry has gradually raised the lower branches to allow light in under the trees. Underplanted shade-loving plants enjoy the sheltered position.

The garden is where Joy’s enthusiasm and love of colour is very evident. In spring, there’s a profusion of colour from flowering trees including magnificent jacaranda blue hues of Paulownia, to bold Rhododendron and layers of pretty azaleas. Newer plantings along the roadside boundary feature crab apple trees and burgundyfoliaged prunus, selected for their blossom and foliage displays. > FROM TOP: Jacaranda-like colouring of the Paulownia tree; the garden invites discovery with glimpses of the borrowed landscape of nearby hills; cobalt Dutch iris, carmine pink rhododendron blooms; the allee of young ‘October Glory’ maple trees.

FACING PACE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bright and beautiful spring display in front of the house; potted feature weeping maple; view through the brick archway; highlights of red and burgundy foliage enhance the rockery garden plantings; wonderful layered plantings with vibrant spring colour; the pond at the base of the rockery garden is a haven for wildlife; swathed in pink Clematis, an arbour leads from the house to the rose garden and woodland beyond.

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W I N T E R garden

A VISIT TO “ROWAN GLEN” IS AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE. This garden encourages exploration, offering arches to walk through and sculptural elements to discover among the trees or as focal points, which draw you out into the parkland. An arbour swathed in soft pink Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ leads from the front of the house into the rose garden. Beyond, large-flowered rhododendrons, azaleas and elegant Mollis azaleas light up the shady areas underneath the boughs of ornamental pear and maple trees. Bark-mulched pathways with brick edges guide the way among the treed gardens.

Winding down the gently sloping block is a great example of Kerry’s landscape handy work. Here a rock garden borders a man-made creek, which tumbles down the slope, culminating in a rock-edged pool at the bottom. A bold red Japanese-inspired bridge complements striking red-foliage plants and autumn-foliage trees selected to enhance this garden area.

Near the rockery garden, a large-scale timber pergola was also constructed by Kerry. The structure is entwined with ornamental grape vines, chosen for summer shade and brilliant autumnfoliage colour. This is a lovely place to stop and enjoy the sights and sounds of the garden. Ground-covering Grevillea plants cascade down the slope, offering nectar-laden flowers for the birdlife.

The creek construction left behind a mound of soil, which was transformed into a garden bed. Transplanted weeping cherry trees feature together with mounded native plants and ground-cover grevilleas, which are long flowering and magnets for the local fauna and birds.

Beyond the rockery, the garden opens into parkland where Joy and Kerry have continued their tree planting. You will find an arboretum-like collection of ornamental shade and foliage trees, featuring Liriodendron (tulip tree), maiden hair trees (Gingko), Pin Oaks (Quercus pallustris), Chinese Elm, Copper Beech (Fagus), Claret Ash, Silver Birch and Liquidambar. Large native ribbon gums, and other flowering eucalypts feature in an Australian section. Blossom-smothered Paulownia trees put on a terrific spring show, while others offer a myriad of autumn colour. The native birds love this garden with plenty of habitat and nectar to feed upon.

An avenue of young maples (Acer ‘October Glory’) colour brilliantly in autumn. At the end of the maple avenue is a yellow brick wall set with an iron gate leading to a secret area behind. It’s a favourite spot for a morning coffee or to sit and watch the sunset over the hillside.

A visit to “Rowan Glen” is an uplifting experience. Joy’s enthusiasm for life and her love for Kerry and this garden are evident in spades.

Together, they have woven together a garden filled with colour, love and happiness. RLM Words: Elizabeth Swane Images: Robert Bruce & Elizabeth Swane

FROM TOP: Sun-loving crimson valerian among the side terrace plantings; a koala among the gum trees; weeping Atlantic cedar makes an ideal hiding spot for the grandchildren; this kookaburra is often joined by many feathered friends; Kerry and Joy made this garden sculpture using recycled timber rounds and upright beams; this inviting layered view changes colour throughout the seasons.

THE GLEN, Clear Creek via Bathurst, NSW 2795

Stanton Cottage F E E L R I G H T AT H O M E

Farm Cottage Accommodation Two beautifully styled cottages set on 400 tranquil acres With option to hire together as your gorgeous garden venue for special occasions and wedding celebrations

Indulgent relaxation Two private garden spas Romantic wood fire

In the heart of Albury, Stanton Cottage has been beautifully renovated with all the original features of a double brick home.

Spectacular scenery

Fully equipped kitchen, open plan living and dining with various bedroom sizes - you’ll have the whole cottage to yourself!

Perfect for families, couples, friends travelling together or corporate stays. Pets are most welcome.

Booking enquiries contact Nicole on 0407 913 428

We We founded founded the the Distillery in 2014 to to specialize specialize in in Small Small Batch Single Malt Whisky, Whisky, Rum Rum & & more recently Gin. We We wanted wanted to to capture capture the Riverina also known known as as the the “food “food bowl of Australia,” and and it’s it’s sheer sheer beauty beauty of the Griffith Region.

The The heart heart of of the the Murrumbidgee that that is is home home to to so many traditions.

Best Bestshared sharedwith withthe the one’s one’s we we love, love,where wherememories memories are are made. made.

Thu Thu & & Fri Fri 10am–2pm Sat 10am–1pm 12 12 Altin Altin Street Griffith NSW 2680 theaislingdistillery.com.au theaislingdistillery.com.au 0428 438 336

Event garden hire with accommodation

Enquiries to Jayne M: 0435 008 268 E: theglen1826@gmail.com

Accommodation only bookings

The Dale (1 bed) airbnb.com/h/thedalecottage Dempsey’s Cottage (2 bed) airbnb.com/h/dempseyscottage

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Little Nest Emporium

Beautifully handcrafted and locally made Unique yarn and fabric homewares and gifts Vintage and retro collectables and antiques

62 Otho St Inverell NSW 2360 224 RLM

Mon–Fri 9.30am–3.30pm Sat 9.30am–12noon

02 6721 1880

Fashion Boutique • Accessories • Homewares Opening hours Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9:30am - 5pm Sat 9:30am - 1:30pm Closed Sun + Tues

A store filled with beautiful pieces for your home, gifts for life’s special occasions, classic fashion and accessories.

126 Dandaloo Street Narromine, NSW Ph: 6889 7497 ollieandinarromine@gmail.com

ollieandi.com.au

Luxe accomodation

6

Continential breakfast Heating/Cooling system

hume st.

Holbrook | 2644

Pets welcome Free Wi-Fi King beds

Shop 4/76 Dandaloo St, Narromine NSW 2821 (02) 6889 4997 M-F 9am-5pm Sa 9am-1pm

www.countrytradershomelife.com.au

M. 0417 179 538 abbypatton@bigpond.com

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W I N T E R weddings

OSSINGTON + HALDER Madaline Ossington and Samuel Halder were married at Mudgee on April 15, 2021.

The ceremony and reception were held at Blue Wren Farm, where some 165 guests shared in the couple’s special day.

Madaline’s attendants were sister Lauren Ossington and friends Emily Dean, Belinda Forster and Bella Crawford. Standing by Samuel’s side were best mates Dale Cummins, Simon Zantis and Jason Montgomery, along with his brother Liam Halder.

The couple honeymooned in Melbourne before settling back into their home on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.

Photographer: Feather & Birch Wedding Co.

Above: Back: Lauren Ossington, Belinda Forster, Simon Zantis, Liam Halder and Jason Montgomery. Front: Madaline and Samuel Halder.

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JILLIAN FRANKLIN COUTURE Jillian Franklin is an award-winning couture house, specialising in the creation of exquisitely crafted handmade gowns for the discerning bride.

Ph. 0418 975 665 studio@jillianfranklin.com.au 4/611 Dean Street, Albury NSW 2640

W W W. J I L L I A N F R A N K L I N . C O M

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W I N T E R weddings

RYAN + JAMES Lauren Ryan and Scott James were married at Mudgee on March 20, 2021.

The ceremony and reception were both held at Augustine Mudgee, where 100 guests were in attendance on a beautiful rainy day.

Dubbo businesses Cherish & Co Florals, Makeup by Donna Maree and Hair Tales by Charnie all contributed to the couple’s special day.

Scott and Lauren enjoyed their honeymoon exploring Darwin in the Northern Territory, and have since made their home in Dubbo.

Photographer: Nicole McGuire Photography

Above: Bronte Dooley, Sophie Ramien, Lucy O’Sullivan, Charnie Tuckey, Lauren and Scott James, Luke James, Corey Barwick, Adam Patten and Braden Wynne.

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KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

180 MACQUARIE STREET, DUBBO

PH: (02) 6885 3500

WWW.KINGSHALL.COM.AU

Rose Cottage Historic luxury in the heart of Albury 577 Wyse Street, Albury, NSW 2640 Ph. 0427 217 997 or email susanhines1@gmail.com

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W I N T E R weddings

SISSIAN + TICEHURST Molly Sissian and Craig Ticehurst were married at Nyngan on September 25, 2021.

The groom’s family property was the venue for both the ceremony and reception. The bride’s uncle, Robert Carroll, officiated.

Standing alongside the couple on their special day were Molly’s younger sister, Abbey Sissian, and Craig’s best friends, Ben Robertson, Edward Thomas and Billy Overall. A special touch was Molly and Craig’s niece, Audrey Bell, filling the role of flower girl.

The newlyweds honeymooned on the North Coast of NSW. They have now settled back into married life on their Nyngan property.

Photographer: Amy Allen Creative Co

Below: Abbey Sissian, Molly and Craig Ticehurst, Edward Thomas, Billy Overall and Ben Robertson.

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BOUTIQUE A C C O M M O D AT I O N OPENING 2022/23 61 - 67 OTHO STREET, INVERELL NSW 2360 For more information email reception@oxfordonotho.com.au oxfordonotho.com.au

Based in Gundagai, Embellish Catering delivers excellent quality food, outstanding service and value for money.

We go the extra mile to ensure that our clients are completely satisfied with their events.

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.

Embellish caters for functions of all sizes across the Riverina, Hilltops Region, Snowy Valley and Canberra.

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

WEDDINGS • CELEBRATIONS CORPORATE FUNCTIONS Embellish Catering

56 West Street Gundagai, NSW 2722 0419 478 508 Regional Riverina, NSW

events@embellishcatering.com.au

www.agfg.com.au

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W I N T E R weddings

EWIN + CORNWELL Madeline Ewin and Jim Cornwell were married at Browns Creek, near Blayney, on February 20, 2021.

The ceremony was held near the homestead on the bride’s family property, in a memorial garden in honour of Madeline’s sister, Alex.

The reception was then held in a paddock on top of a hill on the property, with views of the tablelands and surrounding villages.

After their special day, the newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon at Austinmer on the South Coast, before settling back into their Orange home.

Photographer: Kirsten Cunningham Photography

Above right: Nathan O’Neill, Stacey Ewin, Hugh Cornwell, Sarah Woods, Jim and Madeline Cornwell, Ryan Capell, Kendall Draper, David Wood and Meaghan Taylor.

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“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

ACCOMMODATION Resort Rooms and Lakeside Cottages set on 12 acres of lush bush land and overlooking spectacular Lake Hume.

10 minutes from Albury airport and an easy 15 minute drive from the twin cities of Albury and Wodonga.

EAT + DRINK Lake Hume Resort’s restaurant The Boat Shed provides a magnificent dining experience for in-house guests and visitors.

Boasting a bistro, Hamptons style cafe and a wood-fired pizza bar.

WEDDINGS Our venue space The Boat Shed Lake Hume is the ideal wedding destination where your ceremony, reception, guest accommodation, and wedding party photography can be beautifully combined at one of Albury’s iconic venues.

EVENTS Commanding spectacular water views, The Boat Shed at Lake Hume is the ideal venue for birthdays, parties, engagements, conferencing, corporate, group bookings or Christmas parties.

1 Ray Welsh Dr, Lake Hume Village, NSW 3691 ACCOMMODATION 02 6026 4444 RESTAURANT 02 6009 1666 reservations@lakehumeresort.com.au

lakehumeresort.com.au RLM 233

Our Advertisers WINTER 2022 We encourage our readers to support our advertisers.

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CHOICES FLOORING

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FRANK SMITH WORK CLOTHING & SHOE REPAIRS

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JK CATTLE COMPANY Condamine, Justin: 0427 655 128, Kate: 0418 528 432 jkcattleco.com.au

KAREELA CONSTRUCTIONS Tamworth, 0415 074 578 kareelaconstructions.net.au

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS Dubbo, 6885 3500 kingshall.com.au

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Lake Hume Village 6026 4444 lakehumeresort.com.au

LARDER & HOME

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aidacare.com.au

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 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

As a full service funeral provider, we are able to assist you with every aspect of the funeral to make it unique and designed for your exact requirements. We focus on providing the finest quality products and services, including coffins, caskets, urns, flowers and vehicles.

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Pre-owned phones, tablets and computers + a large range of accessories

Repair of computers, phones and tablets

Shop 101, Orana Mall Marketplace 56 Windsor Parade, Dubbo NSW 2830 (02) 6885 4010 www.experimac.com.au

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Data retrieval, even from damaged devices

8 & 9 JULY 2022 Horse Demos Farm Machinery Sustainable Living Fashion Parades

Livestock Talks Sheep Dog Trials Caravan & Camping Kids Activities

mudgeefielddays.com.au

Servicing the Central West for 25 years BUTCHERS SUPPLIES FROZEN VEGETABLES SMALLGOODS CAKES FINGER FOOD ANTIPASTO CHEESE

Garian Foods is a locally based, family owned business and a proud member of NAFDA. Garian stocks all the leading brands, we strive for customer satisfaction with our loyalty reward program and in store promotions. Come and see us today for all your meal, party or catering needs.

CONDIMENTS READY PREPARED MEALS PACKAGING FROZEN SEAFOOD BAKERY SPECIALTY COOKING OILS

Garian Wholesalers Pty Ltd Unit 2/13 Douglas Mawson Road Dubbo NSW 2830

PH: 02 6884 1166 FAX: 02 6884 1809 enquiries@garianfoods.net.au

Trading Hours Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 5pm Sat: 9am – 12pm RLM 239

W I N T E R the story last name word

anyone for croquet?

Cruising through leafy East Tamworth, RLM noticed a group of people hitting a ball through a hoop – and having a hoot of a time.

They were playing croquet, which originated in either England or Ireland, depending on which story you choose to believe.

Dress rules have relaxed since the 1800s, when players were allowed to wear white only.

The game looks easy enough – swing your mallet and hit your ball through a hoop in the ground.

The competitive nature of the game, though, means players often attempt to knock their opponents’ wooden balls into an unfavourable position.

If you’re out to win, though, purely negative play isn’t the best strategy.

Successful players use all four balls to set up a break for themselves, rather than simply making life difficult for their opponents.

As croquet could be played by both sexes, its popularity escalated in England in the 1860s. Sales of cylinder lawn mowers soared at the same time, as croquet is best played on a flat and finely cut lawn.

Sadly, croquet’s days were numbered with the new sensation of lawn tennis, which became the preferred outdoor sport of many from the 1870s.

Shockingly for the croquet community, many newly created clubs, including the All England Club at Wimbledon, converted some or all lawns into tennis courts.

The sport enjoyed a brief revival in the 1890s, when croquet was announced as an event at the 1900 Summer Olympics.

Group organiser Annabel Ashworth, who took U3A members to the club for a bash, says it’s a pretty easy game to manage, offering the best of two sporting worlds.

“You don’t need the big swing required in golf and the game is much quicker than bowls,” she offers.

The three chaps from U3A keen on the sport were vastly outnumbered by women.

They all appeared to be enjoying the sunshine, the sport and the company. RLM Words and images: Jake Lindsay

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Peter Newly in fine form; a dedicated group from U3A enjoy a regular game; anybody can join; organiser Annabel Ashworth with Jane Morris and her faithful dog, Zoe.

Dunk Insurance has been helping individuals, property and business owners protect their assets for over 30 years, all over the Central West and beyond.

Our new Agri and Commercial divisions have been established to meet our clients’ changing needs and can offer a range of policies and advice - WE HAVE GROWN AS YOU HAVE GROWN. Contact our experienced staff to discuss your best insurance options or to arrange a FREE Commercial on farm or business appraisal.

Phone: 1800 219 496 or Email: youngmail@dunkinsurance.com.au

Agri

Commercial

Agri

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2016 NSW/ACT National Insurance Brokers Association General Insurance Broker of the Year – John Dunk

2017 NSW/ACT National Insurance Brokers Association General Insurance Broker of the Year – James Dunk

Commercial Agri

Commercial Agri

Commercial

Kluger Hybrid Where freedom meets family

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Macquarie Toyota (Warren) 02 6847 4266 macquarietoyota.com.au Mudgee Toyota 02 6372 1799 mudgeetoyota.com.au Nyngan Toyota 02 6832 1477 nyngantoyota.com.au

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Kluger Grande Hybrid In Galena Blue shown. 'carPlay• ls a trademark of Apple, Inc. Android Auto™ Is a trademark of Google LLC. Requires compatible device, USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user's cost. Apps subject to change. All Images Indicative only. Check toyota .com.au/connected.