WINTER
Spotlight on Nyngan
Tamworth FEATURE Nundle, Manilla, Barraba & villages
Stylish homes and gorgeous gardens
Showcasing
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ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 WEBSITE www.lifestylemagazine.net.au FACEBOOK @RegionalLifestyleMagazine INSTAGRAM @RegionalLifestyleMagazine PUBLISHERS, ACCOUNTS & ADVERTISING Elizabeth & Alex Tickle info@lifestylemagazine.net.au EDITOR Elizabeth Tickle editor@lifestylemagazine.net.au CHIEF WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Jake Lindsay shotbyjake@outlook.com.au ART DIRECTOR Zora Regulic artdirector@lifestylemagazine.net.au
DISTRIBUTION Regional Lifestyle Magazine is published quarterly (available at the beginning of each season) and distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Central West and in the surrounding regions of the Far West, New England & North West, Riverina & Southern Slopes, the Monaro, Southern Highlands, Canberra, Northern and Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in addition to a selection of other rural and coastal areas of New South Wales. Subscriptions and back issues are also available to read online, on desktop and mobile devices. Unsold magazines are distributed to cafes, health waiting rooms, quality hotels/motels, bed and breakfast establishments, hair and beauty salons and tourist outlets.
Regional Lifestyle showcases authentic content from across rural and regional New South Wales. The heart of the magazine is in the Central West of the state, but a great story knows no boundaries. We are continually amazed by the innovation, inspiration and spirit that we find time and time again in communities both within the Central West and further afield. It is our passion and privilege to bring these stories to you.
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. While every care is taken in the publication of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, the publishers will not be held responsible for omissions, errors or their subsequent effects.
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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
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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. Online bookings | Itineraries | Local Guides
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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.
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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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