#48 Regional Lifestyle | Autumn 2025

AUTUMN

Balonne Council

feature

St George, Thallon, Nindigully, Dirranbandi, Mungindi, Hebel, Bollon

GUNDAGAI Lindley’s Last Ride

Iandra Castle Garden

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales & Southern Queensland

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CONTENT COVERAGE AREA

Trading as Regional Lifestyle Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418 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 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 in Southern Queensland, Northern Victoria and 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, Southern Queensland and Northern Victoria.

The heart of the magazine is in the Central West of New South Wales, 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 2025 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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4 RLM

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CONTENTS ISSUE 48 AUTUMN 2025

32

RAPE ESCAPE: For nearly 30 years, David G Blacket’s life has revolved around grapes.

40 OVER THE MOON: Andrew and David Moon have gone from growing rockmelons to onions, garlic, pumpkins, grapes and cotton.

56 UNIQUE EGGS: Meet Stavros Margaritis, who transforms emu eggs into works of art.

68 MATES FOR LIFE: Bill Willis and Wayne Lasserre share the story of their lifelong friendship.

82 PASSION AND PIGS: Steve Burns has turned a tiny outback pub into a destination for tourists.

100 TOUGH AS NAILS: Meet Alfie Glass, a local legend in Mungindi.

114 YOU’VE GOT MAIL: Childcare worker Emily Wall is now the postmistress of Bollon.

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144 K ING OF THE CASTLE: Take a tour of Iandra Castle and its glorious gardens.

TRAVEL

AUTUMN

Balonne Council

feature

158 C RUISING EUROPE: Nicole and John take us on a scenic tour of some amazing places.

St George, Thallon, Nindigully, Dirranbandi, Mungindi, Hebel, Bollon

RECIPES

170 P UMPKIN DELIGHT: Lorraine shares some tasty treats for lunch and dessert, ideal for Autumn dining.

GUNDAGAI Lindley’s Last Ride

Iandra Castle Garden

$15.00 inc GST AUTUMN 2025 VOLUME 48

>

COUNTRY CHARACTERS

GARDEN

WEDDINGS

184 B EAUTIFUL BRIDES: This edition’s featured weddings were celebrated in St George, Queensland, Cawongla, NSW and Jugiong, NSW.

THE LAST WORD

194 C OPING WITH GRIEF: Ruth Cotton shares strategies on dealing with loss.

608002

ayor Samantha O’Toole gives seven good M reasons to visit Balonne shire.

772201

18

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales & Southern Queensland

9

BALONNE SHIRE FEATURE

ON THE COVER

The Watering Hole mural on the Thallon GrainCorp silos, created in 2017 by Travis Vinson and Joel Fergie, stands as a symbol of this small town’s remarkable determination to survive.

Image: Annette Green Australian Silo Art Trail

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FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Showcasing regional lifestyle at its best Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.

– Mary Lou Retton

Welcome to Autumn 2025

It’s very exciting to usher in a new year and a new season!

Hoping that Christmas was a special time for you and your loved ones and that 2025 will be all that you hope for, bringing peace, happiness and good health.

Going forward

We’re delighted to present 114 pages on the wonderful Balonne Shire Council area in Queensland, sharing motivating stories and information about agriculture, iconic homes, business achievers, sportspeople, local heroes, education, local events, entrepreneurs and so much more.

We feel certain you will be impressed by the huge array of content in this area that is underpinned by incredibly strong, resilient and forward-thinking communities.

The Balonne Shire Council leadership team was very quick to take up the opportunity to collaborate with Regional Lifestyle and be part of a significant showcase across 100 pages (extended to 114 pages).

The council team has been very proactive to work with and we thank them for their extended efforts across the six-month period of planning, research, networking, refining and finally sending to print.

A high point of the Autumn 2025 edition has been the launch at beautiful Riversands Wines on Whytes Road, St George.

David Blacket and his staff, together with the Balonne Shire Council and Regional Lifestyle jointly hosted a very memorable evening event for the local stakeholders to enjoy.

A new model

Our Summer 2024 edition represented a new business model for shared features and was exceptionally well received. This edition featured five council areas in the Southern Tablelands across 155 pages. In the Your Letters section you will be able to read feedback from council, businesses and readers.

Magazine sales have been strong, and many people have utilised the ideas in the Eight-Day Road Trip outlined in the front section of the feature. We continually receive so many comments about how our quarterly features motivate tourists to travel across our beautiful countryside, supporting businesses as they go and making lasting memories.

Winter 2025 Feature

Continuing on with our venture into Queensland, we will present an 80-page feature on the Western Downs in Winter 2025.

This council area includes Dalby, Chinchilla, Miles, Tara, Bell, Condamine, Wandoan, Jandowae and other localities.

We have enjoyed numerous visits to these interesting areas, and it is all coming together beautifully. We plan to release this edition (number 49) in mid-May.

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Celebrations are in order

It is quite surreal to us that edition number 50 will be released in Spring 2025. This means we’ve been in business for almost 13 years and have worked with more than 75 councils featuring their particular areas (20 councils have been featured more than once) and showcased in excess of 85 towns and cities across NSW and southern Queensland.

What a privilege this has been for us and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Our 50th edition, the Spring 2025 feature, will be a combined venture on five NSW councils – Temora, Coolamon, Junee, Cootamundra/Gundagai and West Wyalong (Bland Council).

These visionary councils accepted the proposal presented by RLM with great enthusiasm and we are all very excited moving forward with this project. Watch this space!

Thank you

Thanks once again for your continued and unwavering belief in what we do (councils, businesses, newsagencies, selected boutique sellers and of course, our readers).

We are so proud to still have a strong business presence after all these years and feel we are continuing to profile the best kept secrets: the communities in rural and regional NSW and southern Queensland.

We’re very grateful to our loyal and talented team who make each and every edition their “best effort”. You’re invited to visit our website www.lifestylemagazine.net.au/Our Team and get to know our wonderful team members.

We trust you can enjoy the cooler weather and the flush of stunning Autumn colours as this new season turns on an everchanging stage production for us.

Take care and travel safely.

Warmest regards, Elizabeth and Alex

The Art of Sophistication and Style Sophistication and style meet classic charm at Yallungah Boutique Hotel, a refined retreat in the heart of Orange, NSW. A one-of-a-kind destination for work or play, we fuse contemporary art and striking design in a beautifully restored heritage homestead.

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AUTUMN 202 5 CONTRIBUTORS

meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE

ALEX TICKLE

Publisher, Editor, Advertising

Publisher, Distribution, Advertising

JENEL HUNT

KATE BOSHAMMER

Writer

HELEN TICKLE

Strategy and Distribution

KIM WOODS Writer

NICOLE BONFIELD Travel Writer

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ZORA REGULIC

ANNA ROSE

MURRAY HARTIN

Art Director

Sub-editor, Proofreader & Writer

Guest Feature Writer

Website Developer, Advertising Designer, Writer

Advertising Designer

SALLY MARCEAU

MELISSA DUNKERLEY

LIZ TICKNER

JENNIFER HARDEN

LORRAINE HILLS

KYLIE WHITAKER

ANNA CONN

JEM HAWKER

LYNNE WALKER

MARTYN PEARCE

ELIZABETH GRANT

JOHN BALTAKS

SUE CURLEY

ASSOC PROFESSOR SOL QURASHI

RUTH COTTON

Wedding Writer, Photographer, Social Media

Feature Photographer

Travel Photographer

Writer

Garden Writer

Writer

Advertising Designer

Photographer

Writer

Health and Wellness Writer

Writer

Writer

Writer

Writer

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A U T U M N feedback

your letters

Mayor Kenrick Winchester Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council

I have been an avid reader of this beautiful publication since its first edition, many years ago. With each new season of the year, I look forward to receiving a new issue of RLM in the mail.

Throughout the pages of each magazine there is an opportunity to read about interesting people and their achievements, to learn about different places and to revisit those which are familiar.

The diverse range of stories about people, places and events always piques my interest and encourages me to include further entries on my bucket list of places to visit.

The photography is excellent and further entices the reader into each article.

RLM is a high-quality magazine with broad appeal. Well done!

Ros McInnes, Grafton, NSW

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The Community Bank branches of Braidwood and Bungendore, Bendigo Bank, have had a close working relationship with Regional Lifestyle for a number of years.

When we were approached early in 2024 to promote and advertise our unique banking model for the Summer 2024 edition, we once again jumped at the opportunity.

Rather than focusing on our immediate communities, we decided to do a collaborative marketing piece with our Boorowa and Harden Community Bank branches.

This initiative, I believe, will gain greater exposure of the Community Bank model and benefits to our communities.

I’d also like to say that as always, it has been a pleasure working with Elizabeth, Alex and the staff at Regional Lifestyle. They are very professional, follow up on time and the magazine itself is one that we all should be proud of.

Nick Fry Community Engagement Manager Braidwood, Bungendore/Crookwell

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We are delighted to have seen our beautiful region – the Southern Tablelands of NSW – featured in the Summer edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

Your team has captured the heart and soul of the Southern Tablelands. With each turn of the page, more and more of the experiences that we have awaiting our visitors were uncovered.

The charm of our towns and villages, our spectacular natural beauty and, most importantly, the stories of the people who call this area their home, were told with passion and authenticity.

I am proud to work with my counterparts at GoulburnMulwaree, Hilltops, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley councils to drive the growth of this region as a tourism destination and applaud the professionalism of the RLM team in producing a high-quality publication that will remain in our local shops, on our library shelves, and in our homes for a long time to come.

Our congratulations and thanks to Elizabeth and Alex; we look forward to welcoming your readers to the Southern Tablelands soon.

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BALONNE SHIRE COUNCIL FE ATURE

BALONNE SHIRE

COU NCI L F E AT U R E

Seven great reasons to visit From the Balonne Shire Council Mayor It is my great pleasure to invite you to explore this edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, which focuses on the welcoming and vibrant community that is the Balonne shire.

Our seven townships of St George, Dirranbandi, Bollon, Thallon, Nindigully, Hebel and Mungindi are all situated on the magnificent river systems that wind their way through the iconic Australian riverine landscape of our shire.

Together, our communities are the epitome of welcoming, and offer a great place for people to visit, a great place to live and grow with your family and a great place to set up a flourishing business enterprise.

Located 400km from state’s capital, spanning more than 31,000sq km, and producing $493 million in gross economic agricultural product last financial year, our Balonne shire is full of opportunity.

Our expansive cotton fields and cotton gins and sheep and cattle properties are the backbone of our local economy that filter business and economic opportunities through the rest of the shire.

From the muralled silos of Thallon, to the award-winning Mungindi Sculpture Trail, historic venues like the Nindigully Pub, the iconic Riversands Winery and the pristine riverside campgrounds and parklands, our shire offers so many opportunities for visitors

18 RLM ST GEORGE

to meander through our natural attractions and settle into our relaxed way of life.

It seems like there is never a dull moment in the shire with a constant stream of events that bring our communities together to celebrate our way of life and to enjoy all this region has to offer.

Our friendly communities stand in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of big cities with property prices that allow families to easily step into the property market and small-town communities that embrace newcomers with open arms. This really is a place where families can create a cherished life, instead of just struggling in the grind.

I hope you enjoy reading about the characters and community organisations that make our shire the envy of many other regions. As cherished as these local icons are in our community, they really are just the tip of the iceberg. It is quite a beautiful experience getting to meet them all in person and having the privilege of calling them mate.

There’s a reason people come here for a visit or short stay and become a local and a welcomed part of our shire.

We look forward to welcoming you for a visit, or maybe a bit longer stay, in the nottoo-distant future.

Mayor Samantha O’Toole Balonne Shire Council

“It seems like there is never a dull moment in the shire with a constant stream of events that bring our communities together to celebrate our way of life and to celebrate all this region has to offer.”

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

An ideal place to Balonne Shire Balonne Shire Balonne Shire Balonne Shire Balonne Shire LIVE, WORK, PLAY

live, work, play live, work, play live, work, play live, work, play live, work, play The Balonne Shire offers the best of both worlds, surrounded beautiful The Balonne Shire offers theofbest ofworlds, both worlds, surrounded by beautiful The Balonne Shire offers the best both surrounded byby beautiful The Balonne Shire offers the best both worlds, surrounded bythrive. beautiful The Balonne Shire offers the best of both surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, agriculture and aofplace where families can thrive. natural landscapes, agriculture and aworlds, place where families can natural landscapes, agriculture and place where families thrive.

The Balonne shire offers the best ofaboth worlds, surrounded bycan beautiful natural landscapes, agriculture a where place where families thrive. natural landscapes, agriculture andaand aplace place where families can can thrive. natural landscapes, agriculture and families can thrive.

Nestled between the coast and the outback, Balonne Shire Shire is a is The towns of St of George, Dirranbandi, Bollon, Hebel,Hebel, Thallon Nestled between the coast and the outback, Balonne a The towns St George, Dirranbandi, Bollon, Thallo Nestled between the coast and the outback, Balonne Shire is a The towns of St George, Dirranbandi, Bollon, Hebel, Thallon unique regionregion that offers a blend of natural beauty, vibrant and Mungindi offer something that cannot be found elsewhere unique that offers a blend of natural beauty, vibrant and Mungindi offer something that cannot be found elsewhe Nestled between coast the outback, Balonne is The a The offer towns of St George, Dirranbandi, Bollon, Hebel, Thal Nestled between the coast and the outback, Balonne Shire Shire is a and towns of St George, Dirranbandi, Bollon, Hebel, Thallon unique region that offers athe blend ofand natural beauty, vibrant Mungindi something that cannot be found elsewhere community and economic opportunity.

– from friendly locals and community spirit, it is a wonderful community and economic opportunity.

– from friendly locals and community spirit, it is a wonderf Nestled between the coast and outback, Balonne shire is a unique Mungindi offer something that cannot be found elsewhere – from unique region that offers a blend of natural beauty, vibrant and Mungindi offer something that cannot be found elsewhe unique region that offers a blend of natural beauty, vibrant andfriendly Mungindi offerand something that spirit, cannot elsewhere community and economic opportunity.

– from locals community itbe is found a wonderful place tolocals enjoy a community relaxed, rural place to enjoy a relaxed, rural lifestyle. place to region that offers a blend of natural beauty, vibrant friendly and spirit,lifestyle. it is a wonderful The region hosts stunning landscapes, from community the serene The region hosts stunning landscapes, from the serene community and economic opportunity.

– from friendly locals and community spirit, it is a wonder community and economic opportunity.

– from friendly locals and community spirit, it is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxed, rural lifestyle.

The regionandhosts stunning landscapes, from the serene economic opportunity. enjoy a relaxed, rural lifestyle. strong economy and agricultural sector, coupled Balonne River River to theto expansive outback, overflowing with with The region’s strong economy and agricultural sector, couple Balonne the expansive outback, overflowing The region’s place to enjoy a relaxed, rural lifestyle. to enjoy a relaxed, rural lifestyle.

TheTheregion hosts stunning landscapes, from the serene The River region hosts stunning landscapes, from theBalonne serene strong economy and agricultural Balonne to thehosts expansive outback, overflowing with The place region’s region stunning landscapes, from the serene The region’s strong economy and agricultural sector,sector, coupled coupled with the Shire’s idylliccreates location, creates a favourable outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. with the Shire’s idyllic location, creates a favourab outdoor and cultural experiences.

River toadventures the expansive outback, overflowing with outdoor with the shire’s idyllic location, a favourable environment strong economy and agricultural sector, coup Balonne River to expansive the expansive outback, overflowing with The region’s strong economy and agricultural coupled Balonne River to the outback, overflowing with with The region’s the Shire’s idyllic location, creates a sector, favourable outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. environment for business growth. environment for business growth. adventures and cultural experiences. for business growth.

Living in Balonne means becoming part of a close-knit Living in Balonne means becoming part of a close-knit the Shire’s idyllic location, creates a favoura adventures and cultural experiences. with with theforShire’s idyllic location, creates a favourable outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. environment business growth.

Living in outdoor Balonne means becoming part of closeknit a close-knit Living Balonne means becoming of asupport.

Whether you’re looking for a place tofor visit,alive, orvisit, start avisit, support.

Whether you’re looking for a place to live, or start a community thatinvalues connection andpart Whether you’re looking place to live, or start community that values connection and environment for business growth. environment for business in Balonne means a close-knit LivingLiving in Balonne means becoming part part of a of close-knit support.

Whether you’re looking agrowth. place to to visit, or start a community that values connection and becoming RLM community that values connection and support. business, Balonne shire hasfor something special offer.live, business, Balonne Shire Shire has something special to offer. business, Balonne has something special to offer.

Thethat towns of St George, Dirranbandi, Hebel, Thallon and business, Words images: Balonne Shire Council Whether you’re a place visit, live, or star community that values connection and support. support.

Whether you’re looking for and a for place to visit, live, or start a community values connection and Bollon, Balonne Shire haslooking something special toto offer. business, Balonne has something special to offer. business, Balonne Shire Shire has something special to offer.

ST GEORGE RLM 19

Murals tell a tale Take a wander along the mural trail and discover the history of St George.

20 RLM ST GEORGE

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

ST GEORGE RLM 21

T O W N F E A T U R E St George

Exploring nature’s MAJESTY From behind the lens, photographer Kylie Whitaker is attracting wide acclaim for her images of outback Queensland.

22 RLM ST GEORGE

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Back in 1996, Kylie arrived in St George from Emerald for what was supposed to be a one-week holiday.

Emerald was in the grips of a 10-year drought; ironically, St George was green after flooding.

She fell in love with the town, the locals and the landscape.

And it is the ever-changing landscape and seasons that profoundly influence Kylie’s photography.

“During droughts I try to take a lot more resilience pictures, like weeds growing out of the cracked earth,” Kylie says.

Kylie became interested in photography when she was in Year 11

at high school, learning skills such as developing her own film in the dark room.

It was not until her youngest child had finished high school that she decided to pick up a camera again.

She has had no formal training nor mentors; she says she just “points and shoots”. > FACING PAGE: The ‘Kylie’s photography’ Facebook page features her stunning nature photographs, such as this one, without edits or Photoshop.

BELOW: Kylie Whitaker doesn’t claim to be a top photographer but says she merely points and shoots – RLM believes that’s some shooting!

ST GEORGE RLM 23

T O W N F E A T U R E St George

“Photography is my relaxation, I’m out in nature.”

Kylie has snapped weddings and babies, but her real passion is nature photography.

“I don’t see myself as a professional photographer,” Kylie says.

“Photography is my relaxation, I’m out in nature, and I don’t want it to become a job because I already have two full-time jobs.”

Kylie has been a teacher aide at St George State High School for 18 years, running woodwork, metalwork and engineering classes.

She also owns a contract cleaning business.

Kylie’s stunning photographs feature in this edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

24 RLM ST GEORGE

One photoshoot for RLM – a visit to a property in a small mustering helicopter with no doors – pushed Kylie out of her comfort zone.

“I’m scared of heights and was hanging onto my camera with my right hand and the door frame with my left,” Kylie says. “There were blue skies, no clouds, and the worst turbulence.”

Urged on by people who had seen her work, Kylie launched her first calendar in 2024 and it was an instant success.

“I thought I’d be happy if I sold 50 calendars because that would mean most of my family had bought one,” Kylie says. >

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

ST GEORGE RLM 25

“I don’t edit any of my images from the natural world, I think Nature does her own editing.”

“The first print run of 400 calendars sold out and I had to place a second order for a further 280. I never thought my photos were that great but seeing how popular it is was pretty cool.”

The 2025 calendar has sold in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Fiji.

One of her images also has been used in the 2025 ABC and QCWA Weather Calendar.

Her photos also have appeared on Channel Seven and Channel Nine.

26 RLM ST GEORGE

“I tend not to edit my photos; I only edit when it is with people, backgrounds and flies and things,” Kylie says. “I don’t edit any of my images from the natural world, I think Nature does her own editing.”

Kylie lives in St George in her husband’s grandfather’s house; her three children are now adults and she is herself a grandmother.

Her dream is to travel around Australia, exploring nature and culture through the lens of her camera. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Kylie Whitaker

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Opening up THE PAST Built in 1903, St George’s magnificent The Anchorage homestead is fast becoming a hidden jewel in the Balonne shire’s tourism crown.

ST GEORGE RLM 27

That may appear to have been a long time coming, but having fallen into disrepair, the building is back to its pioneering glory days thanks to former owners John and Janice Tunis.

Constructed with local cypress and, most likely interstate red cedar, its 14-foot ceilings, majestic internal staircase and fully restored rooms make a tour of the house a genuine step back in time.

In recent times owner Robyn Cross has hosted high teas, literary events, BnB visitors and social soirees, each one a resounding success.

“We held Storyfest here, a literary festival for children and children’s authors,” Robyn relates. “After the Young Writers’ Dinner concluded, I got the students outside lying on picnic blankets, turned out all the lights and let them look up at the night sky.

“There were meteors and satellites, and they all thought it was spectacular; it’s the same with sunrises and sunsets – just magnificent.”

Original owner Andrew Nixon, who had gained notoriety in his youth shoeing horses for the Kelly Gang in Jerilderie in 1879,

28 RLM ST GEORGE

arrived in St George in 1892 with his wife Isabella and two children.

He amassed a sizeable fortune through his contract business – which included construction of the original timber bridge over the Balonne River – before acquiring Australian Steam Sawmills. He also built many district shearing sheds.

Switching his focus to pastoralism, Andrew bought 320 acres just out of St George and The Anchorage homestead became a reality, built by local contractor Arthur Bennett.

“Andrew Nixon’s descendants sold the property in 1979 to the Andersons, an American family,” Robyn explains. “They then sold it to Cubbie Station in 1992, being heritage-listed prior to its sale.

“The property remained empty for 12 years and fell into disrepair, then in 2016 John and Janice Tunis decided they wanted to buy it and save it.”

Janice began re-establishing the gardens while John started restoring the homestead.

One of the many wonderful things about The Anchorage, according to Robyn, is nearly all the glass is original – it was never vandalised while unoccupied.

A CHANGE OF SCENERY

So how did Robyn arrive at St George?

Having had enough of the urban grind working in federal politics and looking for a change, while on a trip with a friend to the Birdsville Races, she met David Blacket from Riversands Wines, who suggested she come to St George to work at the winery.

“Fortunately, through my work at the winery, I met John and Janice (Tunis),” Robyn says. “I invited myself for tea and became friends with them. They told me a lot about the homestead and that’s when my friend and I decided we would look at buying it.

“One of the reasons, well, apart from falling in love with the place, is it’s such a gem for the shire. I really wanted to bring it to the people, make it more accessible.” >

ABOVE: The Anchorage, in all its glory, surrounded by beautiful, landscaped gardens.

FACING PAGE: Inside the beautifully restored building you’ll find a well-appointed dining room; comfortable bedrooms; and cosy lounge area with the grand staircase leading to the first floor.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

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With lots of help from her newfound “Friends of The Anchorage”, the project continues to come together.

“On the Australia Day weekend, the winery does a big dinner in the vines,” Robyn explains. “Last year I offered up high tea on the verandah and it was so oversubscribed – I got to 54 and it was supposed to be 42. > “Three girlfriends and I sourced teacups, saucers and platters from op shops and local families, who donated tablecloths and other things.”

With five upstairs bedrooms, The Anchorage has become a popular BnB venue for people to enjoy the peace and quiet, relax on the verandahs or in the garden and listen to the abundant birdlife. Representatives from Birds Queensland recently visited the region and logged more than 150 species around St George.

The downstairs rooms – including one used as a skating rink by the original Nixon children – are full of furniture and memorabilia, including some original roller skates and daughter Queenie’s photographic equipment.

RESTLESS NATIVES

One of the many wonderful things about The Anchorage, according to Robyn, is nearly all the glass is original – it was never vandalised while unoccupied.

The homestead attracts a few native visitors including kangaroos, emus and, wait for it, echidnas, which during mating season can make a bit of a racket.

“I didn’t know they were here,” Robyn reveals. “I had people staying and we started hearing loud noises since the house is very low to the ground. It was like the gates of Hell were opening up!

“A few months later talking to Janice she asked if I’d heard the echidnas. I said ‘Janice, you could’ve warned me’.”

They certainly keep Robyn’s two dogs, Matilda and Mr Wilson, on red alert.

So, what lies ahead for Robyn, The Anchorage Homestead and its surrounding six acres?

“In the first year here, I was learning how the house works and about the environment,” she says. “I just want to expand on what we’ve been doing with events, high teas, the BnB, and getting the locals out here.”

Robyn has hosted the local arts and crafts people out on the verandah for a change of scenery.

“I just feel as if it’s wanting another chapter written and I’m here to do that – for as long as it wants me here, I guess.” RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Supplied

FROM TOP: Robyn Cross with her faithful companions – Matilda and Mr Wilson; the verandah is the perfect spot to sit back and appreciate the glorious gardens at The Anchorage.

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St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Just add

water . .

The family that plays together, stays together – particularly when it comes to enjoying time well spent on the Balonne River at St George.

For Mungindi’s Charlie and Bianca Tootell and their four children – Tommy, Sam, Ben and Olivia – that magnificent stretch of water has been the summer escape of choice for waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding and family fun.

As owners of Precision Aerial, the family can’t venture too far from home during the summer months, as there’s always something to do with the business – whether it be putting out bushfires, a client’s crop fire, or any number of essential services for the community.

That’s why the Balonne has become their summer playground, with the Tootells taking up waterskiing when the eldest of their brood, Tommy, was just four years old.

“None of the kids have seen snow in their life, but put them behind a boat and they’re in their element,” says Bianca. “In winter, it’s motorbikes and in summer, it’s waterskiing.”

The three boys are all barefoot skiers, while Livvie will ditch the skis when she chooses to, says big brother Tommy.

Taught by his father from an early age, it wasn’t too much later that he dropped one ski, then the other, to tackle one of the toughest on-water sports – barefoot skiing.

“We’ve always skied,” says 17-year-old Tommy. “Dad got me up barefoot when I was about six. At first, I was getting knocked

around a bit but when we bought a side pole and a little wetsuit, it made all the difference.”

Charlie then began teaching his avid student all the tricks he knew until his repertoire was depleted. When Tommy was about 12, they enlisted the services of Australian champion barefoot skier Brendan Paige to spend some time with them on the Balonne.

Not only did Brendan share his knowledge with Tommy, he also explained to Charlie the importance of the driver’s role interacting with the skier for the best outcome.

From there on in, Tommy was doing tumble turns, bunny hops, one-foot toeholds, backwards barefooting, and so much more.

Asked about his biggest thrill on water, Tommy was quick with a reply straight from the heart.

“Going for a barefoot with my dad, just me and him behind the boat – it’s something I’ll remember forever,” Tommy says. “We’ve only done it a few times but every time is something special. There’s nothing like it.”

For the hardworking Tootells, this is the best way for the family to relax and enjoy each other’s company – sometimes with a few of the children’s mates in tow.

“It’s quite handy, me having an office in St George,” says Bianca. “I can go in to work at 4am, and by 9am, we’re all in the boat having a ski. It’s a great life.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Balonne Shire Council

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Family friend Bridget Nichols slalom skiing; the Tootell family and friends love their ski days; Tommy Tootell one-foot barefoot skiing; on the kneeboards Livvie Tootell and next-door neighbour Kate Harrison.

ST GEORGE RLM 31

T O W N F E A T U R E St George

The grape ESCAPE For nearly 30 years, David Blacket’s life has revolved around grapes.

Wine grapes, table grapes, delicious grape-centric condiments and events that take place in amongst grapevines … Riversands Wines in St George has them all.

Queensland’s most western winery, owned by David Blacket, is situated on the banks of the Balonne River. From the property’s entry, an all-weather road is flanked by picturesque vineyards.

The cosy, rather rustic cellar door opens seven days a week.

Tastings are free, and afterwards it’s one of life’s pleasures to sit in the garden café over smoko or lunch.

Along with delicious coffee, the number one smoko of choice is scones with cream and Riversands’ own grape jam. (The jam originated as an old bush recipe from David’s mother but has had some tweaks along the way.)

There are also brownies and the great country favourite, pikelets.

Lunch choices include quiche and a ploughman’s lunch, with pumpkin soup and toasties popular in the winter months.

There are five grape growers around St George. David is the only one who grows wine grapes as well as table grapes. He says it’s a great area for grape growing, although wine grapes need a little special handling to get the correct acidity levels.

“The area has deep, sandy soil, which is good for grapes. Just add water,” he says with a smile.

That story goes back 60 years. Local MP Eddie Beardmore is credited with getting the Beardmore Dam project approved in Parliament during the 1960s.

The dam singlehandedly changed St George’s primary produce fortunes and made it into a large, irrigated farming region.

With true Aussie humour, David has named one of his wines Beardmore’s Dry. “Ironically, Eddie was a teetotaller. He would have got a good

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St George T O W N F E A T U R E

laugh out of having a wine named after him,” David says.

In fact, all wines in the range – whites, reds, sparkling and fortified – are named after either a local identity or an occurrence in the area’s history. It’s engrossing to hear the stories of the labels during a tasting.

Whether you drive yourself, take a local tour or you’re there as part of the Variety Bash or a coach trip, the welcome is warm.

You’ll feel like a long-lost friend, David says, whether you’re a serious wine lover or just wanting a look around and a café lunch.

Local tours include a popular vineyard and cotton farm combo, offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the Visitor Information Centre.

The vineyard tour is educational and fun, covering everything from irrigation to the difference between table and wine grapes.

It’s topped off by wine tasting in the garden and lunch.

At times, there have also been tours with a double billing of the winery and Anchorage Homestead, a Queensland mansion built in 1913 by Andrew Nixon. Naturally, Riversands has a wine (a chardonnay) named in Anchorage’s honour.

The locals love Riversands, especially the winery’s famed events.

Every year, locals and visitors gather for great food, fun and entertainment. > FACING PAGE FROM TOP: Verdant grapevines at the Riversands vineyard; offering smiling service at the cellar door as part of their great Australian travelling and working adventure from Sweden are Erica and Celie.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Riversands Wines owner David Blacket with some of his fine range; a shaded spot to enjoy smoko or a meal with wine or coffee; the spacious garden café area.

ST GEORGE RLM 33

T O W N F E A T U R E St George

Easter in the Vines is Riversands Wines’ signature event, with a big marquee in the grounds and often up to 400 people partying over two days of fun.

Celebrating Australia Day and the harvest, the Long Table features regional produce paired with Riversands wine at tables lined up among the grapevines. Grape stomping, elegant dining and fantastic music keep people coming back year after year.

Easter in the Vines is Riversands Wines’ signature event, with a big marquee in the grounds and often up to 400 people partying over two days of fun.

A trained agronomist, David handles the primary production side of the enterprise, but he’s a firm believer in outsourcing specialist work that’s not his forte. He transports his wine grapes to an expert winemaker at Ballandean Estate Wines on the Granite Belt where the whole process of crushing, fermenting, storage and bottling is done.

Seedless grapes that go into the jams, relishes and chutney are sent to a commercial kitchen in Toowoomba, Deli Delicious, and return as a superb product range.

The Riversands brand is well travelled. David takes his wines on the road for 25 shows throughout Queensland, from the Brisbane Ekka to the Birdsville Races.

The wine is available at more than 50 boutique outlets and there’s mail order too, making it easy to access your favourite Riversands drop no matter where you live in Australia. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Kylie Whitaker and supplied

34 RLM ST GEORGE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The annual Long Table is a magical scene at night; a hearty ploughman’s lunch; shiraz pairs beautifully with a frittata for an enjoyable meal; a delicious smoko – pikelets with cream and Riversands jam washed down with perfectly prepared coffee.

VOLUME TWO

Visit our cellar for a free personalised tasting of our boutique award winning wines all grown at Queensland’s most western winery on the banks of the Balonne River at St George.

An iconic publication featuring a collection of the best of editions 19-34

Available from all stockists of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, and on our website: www.lifestylemagazine.net.au RRP: $20 Orders can also be made by contacting Elizabeth: P. 0429 441 086 E. editor@lifestylemagazine.net.au

A great gift

Enjoy smoko or lunch from our café in our expansive garden with a glass of your Riversands favourite.

Open 7 Days

On our shady green lawns you will find lots of space for kids to play. Pets are welcome in the garden on a leash.

(Nov - Mar: Sun 9am to 2pm)

Ph: 07 4625 3643 66 Whytes Road, St George QLD

Mon - Sat 9am to 5pm Sun 9am to 4pm Closed: Public Holidays & Sundays in Feb.

riversandswines.com ST GEORGE RLM 35

ALL ABOARD! I’m late and running to the St George boat ramp to jump on the Sandytown River Cruises flat-bottomed vessel with a bunch of tourists.

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St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Owner-operator Brett Schweikert waits patiently and casually says: “You’re right mate; no rush.”

Safely aboard, Brett pushes the boat out, adjusts his microphoneheadset and the tour is under way.

We’re on the Balonne River, the lifeblood of the district and a haven for 230 species of birdlife, a wide array of reptiles and a stack of other little critters.

The commentary begins.

“There is a land bridge that crosses the river,” Brett informs the group.

“On April 23rd, 1846, when explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell first laid eyes on that land bridge, he named it St George’s Bridge – April 23rd being St George’s birthday, the patron saint of England, ‘the dragon slayer’.”

Brett advises his passengers to keep a close eye on the dead trees lining the river’s edge which are home to a variety of birds, including small raptors such as owls and kestrels.

Birds nest in the hollows of the dead trees to protect themselves from predators such as goannas, snakes and cats.

“Sadly, the feral cat population, along with the other feral animals in the area, have decimated our koala population – all but wiped them out,” Brett, a fierce conservationist, laments.

“Disgusting really, not to mention countless other small birds, reptiles and marsupials we no longer see.”

Back to the tour.

“At this time animals are out looking for a drink and a bit of dinner prior to sunset, which isn’t that far off now,” says Brett.

“The little island in front of us is occupied by a bin chicken, more properly known as the Australian ibis. They’re breeding on the island – and roost in the melaleuca trees.”

Brett points out Crown land on the port side where visitors can camp for free for up to a week – no camping permits or fishing permits are required.

He then directs our attention to an extremely tall tree reaching out to the sunset.

“High up in the canopy is an eagle’s nest, a pair of white-chested sea eagles,” Brett. “I’ll keep my eyes out for the parent birds but watch for activity on the nest’s rim as they have a fledgling.”

No sign of the fledgling nor the parents which elicits from Brett his favourite catch cry in that situation: “You can’t orchestrate nature.”

Brett grew up in St George and spent countless hours swimming, skiing, fishing and camping on the Balonne River, where he was always a chance of catching a feed of yellowbelly, Murray cod or blue claw.

Finishing his apprenticeship, Brett left town, travelled, did a lot of seasonal work but eventually, in 2008, the Balonne lured him back home.

“I realised nothing was being done on the river from a tourism angle,” Brett recalls. “I’m a strong advocate for the river – if it stops flowing then Australia will stop – but I never get sick of it. It fascinates me and I wanted to give other people the chance to share in that fascination.”

Brett officially launched Sandytown River Cruises in October 2010.

He leased a boat from the neighbouring Booranga Action Group, renamed it Balonne Barroo Andoo – which translates to Balonne River Girl from the local Mandandanji language – before eventually taking ownership in 2016.

Brett intersperses his river commentary with tales of the Balonne shire and local heroes.

After pointing out a scar tree, the passengers are enthralled as Brett regales them with stories about local Indigenous legends such as boundary rider Tom Dancey, “the Dirranbandi Dandy”, who won the 1910 Stawell Gift in bare feet.

Then there was Nindigully shearer Leonard Victor Waters, Australia’s first Indigenous pilot in World War II, who later rose to the rank of warrant officer.

All too soon the cruise is over and Brett closes with his other favourite catch cry: “Give me the river … any day, any time!” RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker and Murray Hartin

FACING PAGE: Brett’s sunset on the Balonne; owner-operator Brett Schweikert; cruising on the Balonne Barroo Andoo; ‘you can’t orchestrate nature’, Brett says.

ABOVE: Brett’s commentary gives visitors a real insight into how vital the Balonne River is for the district and how close it is to his heart.

“ e banks w e clothed with e , and the clear, ight s eam flowed steadily, as if invi ng me to explore its beauty furth .”

SIR THOMAS MITCHELL, 1846

Experience the same awe-inspiring beauty that captivated Mitchell over 175 years ago.

The Balonne River, a hidden gem in southwest Queensland, offers stunning views, abundant wildlife and a tranquil escape.

Join Brett, a local expert and passionate environmental engineer, for a memorable cruise down this vital waterway. With 14 years of guiding experience, Brett will share his love and knowledge of the river as you take in the sights and sounds of this natural wonder.

Book now at sandytownrivercruises.com, or call Brett directly 0400 219 379.



ST GEORGE RLM 37

A chance to

rest and recharge It’s early September 2023 and John and Bec Groves are in their first week as owners of the River Gum Tourist Park, situated on the banks of the iconic Balonne River in St George.

It’s a huge change of scenery for the former road train operator and registered nurse – the park is full and the pressure is on.

“It’s a whirlwind,” Bec admits with a smile. “We’ve been booked out every night but that’s normal for this time of the year, apparently. Yeah, it’s been a bit of a baptism of fire.”

After 15 years in Roma, where the couple first met, and 10 years in Toowoomba, the Groves made the big decision to take a leap into the unfamiliar world of caravan parks.

With their children – Liesel, 17, Cameron, 15, and Zara, 13 – now away at boarding school in Toowoomba, Bec and John packed up the house and shifted camp.

“We were looking for a change, we have travelled a bit and we’d looked at motels, pubs and roadhouses all over regional Queensland,” John explains.

Ironically, the seasoned travellers had never stayed at the River Gum Tourist Park as they normally booked at one of the other local parks when visiting St George.

38 RLM ST GEORGE

What really sold River Gum to them was its proximity to the river.

“It’s a beautiful river and it’s just a stone’s throw away,” John enthuses. “Cameron just wheels his kayak down to the boat ramp and heads off for a fish or a paddle. The kids all water ski so it’s ideal, really.

“But there is definitely opportunity here and it’s also a great location for tourists passing through.”

St George draws a wide variety of people travelling through on a spider web of roads from Cunnamulla, Mitchell, Roma, Moonie, Mungindi, Goondiwindi, Hebel and Dirranbandi – plus it’s also a popular venue for rural conferences.

“We’d only been here five days and have had numerous phone calls from large groups looking for accommodation,” says John.

“It’s something we would like to offer in the future but with a limited number of cabins, it’s a work in progress. Our core focus is providing guests with welcoming hospitality and a park that is clean and tidy for weary traveller to rest and recharge.”

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

While the tourist season slows from December to March due to the heat, numbers at van parks and tourist venues in Balonne shire remain steady, topped up by a healthy proportion of company reps and seasonal workers who come for the grape harvest and small crops grown in the area.

Fast forward to early December and the Groves have settled right in. Their cabins are regularly booked out and there are still a good number of vans on site.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a qualified parkie yet but I’m getting there,” laughs John, who admits to majoring in B&S balls in his two years at Dalby Ag College and yet somehow walked out with a diploma.

Yeah, he’s a funny bloke.

“The kids are back for the holidays and it great to have them home again for a few months,” he says. “Bec’s working during the quieter period and we’re looking forward to the start of next year and really ripping in.

“But it’s been a great experience so far and we’ve already crossed paths with some real characters – met some absolute pearlers here in the park.”

John praises the state and local governments for its commitment to regional tourism. Both he and Bec agree more Aussies should think about seeing their own country before travelling overseas.

Not because they’re now in the game, it’s because they know first-hand how much regional Australia has to offer.

“You don’t have to spend a heap of money going to overseas,” John says with passion. “You can have a lot of fun exploring our own backyard.

“Just look here at St George. You’ve got the river cruise, cotton and winery tours and the egg carving man, just to name a few.

Then you’ve got everything else in the shire – places like Thallon, Hebel, Dirranbandi, Bollon and Nindigully, each with something to offer. “You’re really spoilt for choice and that’s just in our little neck of the woods.”

Book your next stay via the website rivergumtouristpark.com.au where you’ll find five-star reviews aplenty, or simply give John and Bec a call. RLM

FACING PAGE: John and Bec Groves with their children, Cameron, Leisel and Zara love St George and the beautiful Balonne River.

ABOVE: There’s ample room for you to pull in your van or motorhome, located close to the Balonne River; why not book one of the self-contained cabins for your stay?

Riverside bliss in St George River Gum Tourist Park is uniquely positioned as the only park within the St George township, located directly on the river.

Guests enjoy easy access to the picturesque River Walk Parklands, making it the perfect spot for families, grey nomads, and adventurers alike.

With a range of cabins and sites, you’ll experience warm, genuine country hospitality in a family-owned and operated park.

P. 07 4625 5778 admin@rivergumtouristpark.com.au 221 Victoria Street, St George QLD 4487

rivergumtouristpark.com.au

Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker

ST GEORGE RLM 39

T O W N F E A T U R E St George

40 RLM ST GEORGE

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Over the Moon When you drive into a property called “Moonrocks” you start looking for some type of lunar connection.

But it all makes sense when you meet owners Andrew and David Moon and discover the name originated from the family’s rockmelon growing days.

While they’ve moved on from rockmelons, “Moonrocks” is now a large-scale onion and garlic farm, being awarded the Syngenta Grower of the Year title in 2021.

On a smaller scale they grow pumpkins, grapes and cotton.

Andrew handles the marketing side of the operation, while David is in charge of production.

The brothers admit they don’t always agree, but respect and rely on each other’s opinions to deliver the quality Australian-grown produce for which they’re renowned.

“Farming’s definitely in our blood,” David says. “We grew up on the land in the Lockyer Valley region before Mum and Dad moved us to St George, over 40 years ago.

“There’s been a lot of change since then, a lot of innovation and mechanisation. It’s a whole lot different to when Dad first got here.”

The innovation includes automated onion and garlic peelers, coolrooms with capacity to store thousands of tonnes of produce which can be controlled remotely from anywhere in the world, and a specialised “white room” for production of their new brand, G’day Garlic.

Waste reduction has been a driver for many of these innovations over the years, with labour shortages influencing many of the mechanisation developments.

Sourcing willing workers

One of the biggest battles for any agricultural operation in the modern era is finding a secure workforce.

Over recent years, “Moonrocks” has relied heavily on the government’s PALM scheme, which allows them to hire crews of Pacific Islanders, many of whom are also accommodated on farm.

“Obviously our preference is to hire from our local area, however that’s not always possible,” David says. “We not only need a lot of manpower, but the job isn’t for everyone; it’s very repetitive work.

“These people come out from the Pacific Islands seasonally and come back year after year for a three-year period. They were a real lifeline for us during COVID; we would have been in real trouble without them.”

The overseas workers are housed on-farm with top-notch accommodation. There’s a big communal kitchen facility and they are just a short walk from work. The Moons provide buses that run into town on weekends.

“We put a lot of time into our human resources and this includes activities outside of work to make their time with us as enjoyable as possible,” says David.

“You’ve got to look after your people because they’re your most valuable asset; we can’t operate without them and they really do become part of the family.”

G’day Garlic

Garlic is a difficult crop to grow. It’s incredibly labour intensive and costly with a lot of wastage. While the Moon brothers were reluctant to enter the garlic game at first, they found a variety that suited their conditions, and jumped in.

In addition to their main garlic business which supplies a major supermarket chain in Australia, the Moons have introduced a new brand of value-added garlic products – G’day Garlic.

The peak of the pandemic provided David and Andrew with the opportunity to launch this project that had been in the pipeline for quite some time.

“We had a problem to solve in terms of waste within our garlic business,” David explains. “We had bulbs of garlic that were perfect, quality-wise, but simply didn’t meet strict supermarket specifications. > FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Andrew, left, and David Moon, owner-operators of ‘Moonrocks’ and its handy offshoot, G’day Garlic; glorious garlic, freshly picked; acres and acres of it.

FROM TOP: Healthy looking cloves; some of the exclusive G’day Garlic range, now available to the public.

ST GEORGE RLM 41

“People can purchase from our online store and know they are getting a product that has been grown, processed and packed on an Australian farm – it’s a real paddock-to-plate experience.”

“G’day Garlic is not just a waste reduction solution, but it’s a way for us to connect directly with our consumers, something we don’t get to do through our usual supply chain. > “People can purchase from our online store and know they are getting a product that has been grown, processed and packed on an Australian farm – it’s a real paddock-to-plate experience.”

Orders come in via their online store and the team ships them out across Australia. The product line has expanded beyond their original garlic powder to include seasonings and black garlic cloves which have amassed a cult-like following.

“We wanted to produce a quality product for people who can’t get the fresh Australian stuff all the time,” David says.

“We experimented with different ingredients and ways of dehydrating until we came up with a range we were happy with – and we did it all in-house. It’s been a huge learning curve, and there’s more to come, but it’s working out well so far.”

With pressure on farming operations to become more environmentally friendly, the team is working on further reducing its carbon footprint.

Power to the packing sheds is now 70 per cent solar, with more panels to be introduced.

Regenerative farming practices are in play, with the introduction of a cover crop rotation in recent years. This multi-species cover

crop is all about soil health; retaining moisture, increasing microbe activity, adding nitrogen via legumes, and aiding in soil penetration to give access to the full water profile.

Market-wise, “Moonrocks” supplies produce Australia-wide, through a variety of supply chains.

The next generation steps up

When it comes to the family side of things, the future looks bright with the next generation ready to step forward.

Both brothers have been blessed with sons who have returned to the farm in recent times.

“Andrew’s boy, Jake has an engineering background, so he’s basically in asset management, ensuring everything keeps running day-to-day,” David explains. “My son, Cameron has worked across a variety of farming operations since leaving school six years ago and is really getting stuck into things back home.

“They’re both young, energetic and eager to learn. If you looked at the books, it’d be a very saleable operation – and they can take it to the next level.

“And then, we have Andrew’s daughter Emily who oversees marketing the G’day Garlic line and she’s doing a fantastic job. So yeah, the sixth generation is kicking in.” RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Supplied

100% Australian grown garlic products from a fifth-generation farming family.

Pure Garlic Powders | Multi-purpose Seasonings | Black Garlic Cloves From our farm to your front door. Delivery Australia wide.

www.gdaygarlic.com.au

42 RLM ST GEORGE

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Bringing university to the bush Country Universities Centre Balonne (CUC Balonne) is a regional university study hub serving the Balonne shire communities.

These hubs support students in regional and remote areas to access higher education without leaving the community. Being more than four hours from the nearest university, people in the Balonne shire have long been underrepresented in tertiary study.

For many young people, university study was previously a pipedream, too challenging to make reality. The establishment of these centres has changed this narrative.

In 2021 CUC Balonne opened centres in St George and Dirranbandi, offering highspeed internet, dedicated study spaces, state-of-the-art technology, wraparound support, and a network of fellow students.

A learning skills advisor provides study support – and all services are free of charge.

At the outset, it was anticipated 38 students would access this service in the first five years of operation – not so – CUC Balonne has now supported more than 320 students.

A priority target is improving educational outcomes for Indigenous people of the shire who have been significantly underrepresented in tertiary study. A dedicated First Nations education officer supports this goal.

The percentage of Indigenous students registered with CUC Balonne has increased from 6 per cent to 16 per cent.

Additionally, CUC Balonne offers a widening participation program which nurtures the career aspirations of schoolaged children. A recent holiday event, Sporting Horizons, explored careers in sport through engaging hands-on activities.

Contributors to this event came from four Queensland universities, TAFE and community and sporting organisations including the Queensland Reds and Brisbane Lions.

More than 200 local residents attended the event and further holiday programs are planned to cover a range of career options.

A week-long campus immersion trip in December saw 18 local students from Years 7 to 9 visiting eight campuses in Toowoomba and Brisbane.

CUC Balonne works with the local community to foster awareness of career and study opportunities and the changing world of work. Keeping abreast of social, economic and technological change is critical for remote communities.

Through connections with universities and industries, CUC Balonne plays an important role in building an innovative and self-sustaining community.

CUC Balonne has a strong relationship with the local council which provides infrastructure. In a further show of support, Balonne Shire Council hosts an annual Mayoral Ball which provides funding for generous resource and travel bursaries for local students. For many people, study would not be an option without this support.

Overall, CUC Balonne is building the aspirations of community through the power of education and training, by changing lives one student at a time.

This contributes to a sense of community pride and achievement, a skilled and professional workforce, improved quality of life and individual student success. RLM Words: Elspeth Hurse Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The 2024 graduates; CUC Balonne staff Eliza Woodrow, Macarlya Waters, Elspeth Hurse, Jessica Murray and Emily Geiger; the centre manager providing student support; outside the St George Hub.

ST GEORGE RLM 43

Third generation

continues tradition In 1937 Ron Beeson – “The Radio Man” – opened an electrical and sports store in St George, Queensland.

It gave locals the chance to buy all the household appliances they needed at low, city prices. Now, almost 90 years later, it’s still the go-to store for locals.

Known these days as Balonne Betta, it continues to match and beat any price you can find in city retailers – and it’s all backed up with great customer service, delivery, installation, and the confidence that comes from buying locally.

The store Ron started is now owned by Brett and Liz Nosse – relatives of the company founder. This incredible business which has stood the test of time has been run by three generations of the Beeson family.

So, when you buy electrical, furniture or household goods from Balonne Betta, you’re not just buying a product – you’re getting the support and expertise of a family steeped in providing first-class customer service to the whole region for close to nine decades.

“Brett’s grandparents, Ron and Clara Beeson started the store,” says Liz. “Then in 1979, Brett’s parents, Graham and Elaine Nosse took it over. We bought it from them in July 2018.

“We had one employee – Kerry King – who had worked for all

44 RLM ST GEORGE

three generations of owners before retiring three years ago.”

The store joined the Betta group in 1963 as one of its founding members. At the time Betta was an acronym for Brisbane Electrical Television Traders’ Association.

Brett, who is also president and secretary of the local Lions Club, grew up in the store and developed a love of electrical goods and great customer service.

“My daycare was this shop – I’d come in here after school,” says Brett. “I sold my first kettle when I was seven years old!”

But while Balonne Betta may be an institution in the town, it has changed a lot over 87 years.

While it started out as a place to buy pushbikes, batteries and radios, these days it’s a one-stop shop for everything from electrical appliances to mattresses, lounge suites, bedding, manchester, and homeware.

It’s also moved and grown. Originally located on Grey Street, in 1994 it moved to the current location in Henry Street, where it has expanded twice since.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

It’s this continuous growth and adaptation to meet locals’ needs, coupled with a commitment to support, fundraise, and give back to the region, that has made Balonne Betta a much-loved part of the community.

“We’re always changing,” says Liz. “We recently did a full renovation of the store and brought it up to the standards people expect from a city store. Two years ago, we extended the showroom for furniture – doubling the shop’s size.

“We are constantly reinvesting in the business to give customers a great experience.”

Liz has high praise for the team behind them – which has a reputation for providing exceptional customer service and superb product knowledge.

The store offers excellent after-sales service and delivery up to three hours’ drive away, giving customers even more reasons to return to Balonne Betta.

Sticking to tried-and-true practices, Balonne Betta continues to price match, and will happily order in for customers, so they don’t have to leave town, eliminating the stress of transportation issues and fear of damaged goods.

“We have really worked hard to offer a great range of products, that brings in customers from hundreds of kilometres away, and one that is backed up by decades of product knowledge, installation skills and a dedicated local team,” Liz says proudly.

If all of that still isn’t enough to get you in to chat to Liz, Brett, and team members Zac Golding and Riley Hatch, then shop dog Ellie is on hand to melt your heart as you find the goods you need.

The seven-year-old border collie is in the store every day – always ready to say hello to customers and enjoy a game with anyone willing to play.

“The whole community loves her – she’s got an infectious personality,” smiles Liz. She’s part of a great working team in a business that has served the community with distinction for 87 years. A business that offers outstanding service, generations of product knowledge, and the confidence that comes with buying from a local.

You really can’t do better than Balonne Betta. RLM

FACING PAGE: Balonne Betta owners Liz and Brett Nosse, with valued team members Zac Golding and Riley Hatch.

ABOVE: Homewares, furniture and furnishings is just one aspect of this familyowned business; Liz and Brett with the store’s mascot and official greeter, Ellie; walls full of whitegoods; an army of electrical appliances.

YOUR

RNIT U F & NCE IS TS A I L P P L A SPECIA

Brands.

Deals.

URE BRETT & LIZ BALONNE BETTA

Service.

21 Henry Street, ST GEORGE Ph: (07) 4625 5249 www.betta.com.au balonne@my.betta.com.au

Words: Martyn Pearce Images: Jem Hawker

ST GEORGE RLM 45

Classic comfort at LADY ETHEL’S For a ready-made home-away-from-home in a central location, Lady Ethel’s House in St George ticks all the boxes.

A classic and comfortable 1930s cottage surrounded by rambling gardens, Lady Ethel’s oozes historic charm and modern conveniences.

Beautifully re-energised by owner Tessa Dimond, it is a home guests will be glad to find when they search online for just the right kind of short-stay accommodation.

Tessa is a broadacre and irrigation agronomist in St George and has worked in agriculture for more than a decade.

She is also a team member at Nuffield Farming Scholarships, helping to support the development of agriculture’s future leaders.

It’s no coincidence, with Tessa being a Nuffield Scholar herself in 2023, travelling across 12 different countries in 16 weeks during that year to uncover opportunities for grain growers.

Ag may be Tessa’s main forte, but in her spare time she proudly creates and

46 RLM ST GEORGE

maintains Lady Ethel’s House – an inviting sanctuary for guests to call home when exploring St George and surrounds.

“I purchased Lady Ethel’s as an investment property during COVID, when people were travelling locally more than further afield,” Tessa explains.

“I recall everyone thought it was a crazy idea, because at the time, there were no other Airbnbs at St George,” she laughs. >

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Two bedrooms sleep up to four guests at Lady Ethel’s House; delightfully furnished; a wood heater creates ambience; a place to enjoy the small pleasures; the fully equipped kitchen promises convenience; Lady Ethel’s House is a stone’s throw from all that St George has to offer.

FROM TOP: Country comfort and a homely welcome at Lady Ethel’s House; guests have exclusive access to the home’s picturesque gardens.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

ST GEORGE RLM 47

T O W N F E A T U R E St George

Tessa undertook an online hosting masterclass which assisted her with getting started and creating a story about her Airbnb that would help engage prospective guests.

“I wanted Lady Ethel’s to be a country getaway,” Tessa says.

“My great-grandmother was named Ethel Violet Cronk, a humble lady from Ipswich, known in her family for her embroidery skills and baked potatoes.”

Ethel’s husband was a railway station master, and she followed him west.

“My mum Janette’s middle name is Ethel,” Tessa adds, “so Lady Ethel’s House it was.”

GETTING STARTED

The home made its Airbnb debut in December 2021, about three months after Tessa purchased it. During that time, she got to work painting, sourcing furniture and completing some renovations on the bathroom.

Two bedrooms sleep up to four guests, with a king and queen-sized bed adorned with 100 per cent natural cotton sheets, plus an extra sleep-out room with a single bed providing flexibility for larger groups.

“A lot of people say they love that it’s a home away from home, with really comfortable beds and lovely linen,” Tessa says.

Tessa’s parents live in St George and help with Lady Ethel’s – her mum is a co-host, and her dad does all the gardening.

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“I certainly wouldn’t be able to do it without my parents. I have a fabulous cleaner who keeps things ticking along too,” Tessa says.

Lady Ethel’s House is conveniently located within walking distance of some of the best things St George has to offer. Just a fiveminute stroll will bring guests to a stunning river walk, award-winning restaurant, local shops and a café.

Guests have exclusive access to the home’s picturesque gardens (with a vegetable patch coming soon), entertaining areas, fire pit and private, off-street parking, plus highspeed internet and smart television to enjoy.

Cooking is no problem, with a fully equipped kitchen that includes everything you need for a deliciously simple country breakfast.

“Guests will find locally sourced art, photography and handmade gifts scattered throughout the home which are available for purchase through Handmade St George,” Tessa says.

Handmade St George can be found just a short walk from Lady Ethel’s House.

THE NUFFIELD JOURNEY

Owning and running Lady Ethel’s is an enjoyable hobby for Tessa, whose focus in 2023 was on her Nuffield Scholarship.

In just 16 weeks – and during two separate trips – she travelled to Canada, New Zealand,

Chile, Argentina, Ireland, France, Poland, The Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, much of which was spent in the company of 12 other scholars.

“My study topic was to do with the global implications of maximum residue limits on grain, and their impacts on Australian grain prices and access to international markets,” Tessa explains.

“I was focused on uncovering opportunities for growers to fit into premium markets and explaining our story about the great things Australian farmers are doing on-farm.”

From exciting global travels right back to the centre of St George, Tessa is experiencing the best of both worlds.

For country comfort and that homely feeling, Lady Ethel’s House is the local short-stay accommodation of choice.

“I have fallen in love with the character and charm of Lady Ethel’s House, and I hope my guests will too.” RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Kasey Lockwood

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Prepare to indulge and enjoy at Lady Ethel’s House; soak in garden views with a cup of tea; tastefully curated bedrooms; charming detail makes guests feel at home; Lady Ethel’s House is an Airbnb of choice in the St George area; owner Tessa Dimond with Dr Miriam Villen King, 2023 Nuffield Scholar, in Argentina during Tessa’s Nuffield travels.

Providing quality food that tastes great every single time.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Mon to Thurs: 6.30am - 2pm Fri: 6.30am - 1pm + 6pm - 8pm Sat: 8am - 11.30am

108 Victoria Street St George, QLD 4887 geigersbistrostgeorge.com

Riverland Motor Inn is nestled in a peaceful and tranquil part of St George, yet is conveniently close to town.

Our motel offers 26 comfortable rooms, perfect for a relaxing stay.

Enjoy dining at our on-site restaurant or unwind by our outdoor pool.

Come and discover the charm of Riverland Motor Inn. 70–72 Victoria Street St George, QLD 4487

A classic 1930’s idyllic cottage, overlooking beautiful rambling gardens, providing the perfect sanctuary to escape after a day exploring the region.

Two bedrooms sleep up to four guests, with a king and queen size bed with 100% natural cotton sheets, plus an extra sleep out room with single bed for flexibility for larger groups.

Located within walking distance to stunning river walks, award winning restaurant, shops, and café.

Book your stay and fall in love with the character and charm of Lady Ethel’s House.

ladyethelshouse.com

riverlandmotorinn.com.au

Eat delicious food, grab a coffee and relax in our indoor + outdoor dining areas.

(07) 4506 1729 info@riverlandmotorinn.com.au

ST GEORGE RLM 49

Good vibes, great food!

Whether it’s chef-inspired cuisine or more casual fare, food should taste fabulous.

Cheffing has been his career for his entire working life, but just recently Luke Lobegeiger has relaxed into preparing caféstyle food – at least by day.

After nearly a quarter of a century working in restaurants in Roma, Fraser Island, Maryborough, Brisbane and St George, Luke was ready for his own business, so since April he has been putting his stamp on a little St George café in Victoria Street.

One thing he guarantees is the food at Geiger’s Bistro is always good.

“Consistency is the key,” says Luke. “There’s a standard you have to keep to – it has to be good every time.”

And that’s whether he’s serving his daytime menu or opening at 6pm on Friday for dinner … which admittedly does get a bit more “cheffy”.

Think of a meal like pork cutlet with maple seeded mustard sauce served with sweet potato mash.

For the traditionalists there’s usually steak with mushroom or pepper sauce on the menu and those who like an international flavour might choose pasta or something Indian-inspired.

With entrée and dessert on either side of a delicious main, you couldn’t really ask for more on a Friday night. Private functions can also be catered on other nights.

The café is open from 6.30am to 2pm on weekdays (1pm closing on Fridays) and from 8am to noon on Saturdays.

For breakfast, there are choices whatever the size of your appetite. The Geiger stack banishes even the biggest hunger with its croissant, bacon, hash brown, avocado, poached egg, hollandaise sauce and sweet chilli sauce. Mmmm.

Eggs benedict with bacon is a touch of class to start the day while old-fashioned savoury mince on toast is still a popular country choice.

For those on the move, the brekkie wrap is perfect. The menu also offers “eggs your way”. He is a chef, after all.

Along with a range of coffee and chocolate (hot or iced) is the usual fare of hamburgers, steakburgers, chips, fresh sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, Caesar salad, fish and chips,

50 RLM ST GEORGE

nachos and specials that change every few days.

Child-friendly options include nuggets, mini-pizzas and even fairy bread. As Luke says, “you have to look after your customers”.

Those who like to get ahead of the queue use the online ordering system so they can grab and go. Others who want to relax over their meal can choose to eat inside or in the outdoor area.

With the help of staff who give good customer service and prepare fabulous coffee, it’s all part

of making great-tasting food accessible to all, from a man who believes in “good vibes, good atmosphere, good food and good company.” RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Jem Hawker

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Red ripper cheesecake is a favourite at Geiger’s; the full-time team – Luke Lobegeiger with Audrey Thurlow, left, and Courtney Quarrell; one delicious coffee coming up; the outdoor seating area; a breakfast omelette with sourdough and avocado; part of the eating area inside the café.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Experience true comfort When the manager of a motel is also the owner, you can be assured of one component – the care factor.

It has been a new venture but one that’s been embraced with open arms by Riverland Motor Inn owner Jeet Aulakh.

After the best part of a year in the job, Jeet retains enthusiasm for improvements, large or small, to give his guests the best possible experience.

While manager might be his job title, he is always willing to turn his hand from any task from receptionist to cleaner.

“It’s good when the owner is the manager.

When you’re sitting in the chair all the time, you see what needs doing,” he says.

He says the accommodation has some natural advantages over other motels in town, including spacious rooms, a restaurant and bigger parking areas for vehicles. It all adds a sense of luxury to people’s stay.

“I bought the motel for its open layout. It’s nice to have more room to move,” he says.

The air-conditioned rooms are spacious and incorporate luggage racks, queen bed, sofa, a

table with two chairs, a little kitchenette with fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster.

A hairdryer and iron are items you don’t always see in motel rooms these days, but you’ll find them here. Free wi-fi is available in all rooms.

“We’re slowly changing over to smart TVs and the smaller items in the rooms are being gradually replaced with higher quality pieces.

So are the showerheads and dispensers in the bathrooms, which were re-tiled by previous owners Keith and Julie,” Jeet says.

The saltwater pool has recently been renovated and adds a lovely atmosphere to the place. It’s a very pleasant area to while away an hour, even if you don’t want a dip.

The Rivers Restaurant is the jewel in Riverland’s crown.

The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 9pm.

The restaurant itself has lovely, rakedtimber ceilings. Elegant table settings, servers

and beautifully prepared meals make dinner at the Rivers Restaurant an absolute pleasure.

“It’s the only fine dining restaurant in town.

We have cafés and an Asian place and pub meals, but this is the only real restaurant,” says Jeet.

While the menu changes often enough to keep things interesting for repeat diners, there are some things that never change.

Scotch fillet and rump steak are always in the mix. It is country Queensland, after all.

To start their day, guests can choose between continental and hot breakfasts delivered to their door.

And when you’re ready to stretch your legs, the river is only five minutes away for a lovely stroll along its banks. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Jem Hawker

ABOVE: The inviting pool is the perfect place to cool off and relax; owner Jeet Aulakh goes the extra mile for his guests; inside the Rivers Restaurant; some of the delicious meals on offer; one of the well-appointed rooms; outside seating.

ST GEORGE RLM 51

Making it PERSONAL

With more than 25 years of combined agribusiness experience and strong ties to the central and western Queensland districts, Homestead Agribusiness is a name farmers and graziers know they can trust.

“For us, it’s about being who we say we are, acting with integrity and always remembering where we came from and why we started.”

52 RLM ST GEORGE

A dependable source of business advice, succession planning know-how, plus expert finance and lending counsel, the team at Homestead Agri make it their business to exceed expectations every time.

Owners and directors Adam Keen and Luke Radford bring to the table unique, specialised skillsets across accounting, finance and relationship management.

Both have impressive track records working in banking, and when the opportunity arose to go into business together in 2022, the duo knew they could offer something special.

“After being in banks for many years, we had built trust and longstanding client relationships,” Luke explains.

Luke was formerly a Toowoomba-based accountant, before moving into banking in 2015 – first in Toowoomba, then Charleville – looking after clients across western Queensland.

Relocating to Roma in 2018 saw him taking care of corporate, large-exposure clients from central Queensland to northern New South Wales, managing six staff and a portfolio of agribusiness clients in varying industries.

“Our clients had taken a lot of big steps in their own lives on the back of us supporting them, and we were very invested in their success,” Luke says.

“The banks certainly helped us get where we are now, but owning and operating our own business really allows us to work in the best interests of our clients – above all else.

“We know there is benefit in being able to promise longevity – something that is rare to find in the banks.”

Building lasting wealth for farming families is the foundation on which Homestead Agri was built.

“We are passionate about helping farmers create a legacy, and we understand that the financial wellbeing of the families we work with is imperative to their happiness,” Luke explains.

“With our support, our clients can introduce stability, safeguard assets and

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

put the right strategies in place for lasting financial wealth for future generations.

“For us, it’s about being who we say we are, acting with integrity and always remembering where we came from and why we started.”

FARMER FOCUSED

For Luke, that’s the St George district, where both his grandparents lived for many years and where his brother still lives and works.

Similarly, Luke’s business partner, Adam Keen was born and raised in Tambo in central western Queensland, with his family having been small business proprietors in rural Queensland.

The raft of financial and advisory services provided by Homestead Agribusiness can help open clients up to a new world of possibility, Luke explains.

“We analyse clients’ businesses and challenge them the same way a bank will, but we then do the stress test and demonstrate their capacity for growth.

“We want to equip our clients with the best knowledge possible when it comes to lending, and we want them to be the most bankable clients in the game.

“Our clients are always ready for any opportunity that comes their way.”

With an office based in Toowoomba,

Homestead Agribusiness has an on-theground presence that helps the team make clear decisions based on the challenges their farming clients are facing.

The business currently manages a significant portfolio of agricultural clients, who are based across Queensland and northern NSW. “We have strong ties to western Queensland, and we value our small communities so much,” Luke says.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Ball in Charleville and many local campdrafts are among the events that Homestead Agri generously sponsors.

With their values of honesty, integrity and reliability, there’s no wonder Homestead Agri is a leading, trusted advocate supporting family business.

As proactive thought leaders, Luke and Adam don’t shy away from a challenge and are persistent in their quest for excellence.

“The industry we deal in is always uncertain, but we often see the greatest value in the toughest times and are able to reset our clients’ thinking to capitalise on opportunities,” Luke explains.

For a steadfast client focus and agricultural finance with a difference, let Homestead Agribusiness be the next call you make. RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Supplied

FACING PAGE: Luke Radford and Adam Keen – the faces behind Homestead Agribusiness and proud winners of multiple accolades at the recent Connective Excellence Awards.

ABOVE: Luke, pictured with wife Megan and their son Charlie – has strong family ties to the St George district and a real soft spot for country communities.

ST GEORGE RLM 53

Sacred place

of learning

Following in the footsteps of Saint Mary McKillop and supported by the St George community, St Patrick’s Primary School has served generations of students.

Founded in 1933, St Patrick’s Primary is a Josephite school located in St George, a town with a population of 3000, situated 513km west of Brisbane.

St Patrick’s has about 150 students from Prep to Year 6, with an enrolment that has shown steady growth in recent years.

The school has a teaching staff of 10, as well as assistant to the principal mission and identity (APMI) and learning support teacher Anna Chandler, and middle leader

54 RLM ST GEORGE

curriculum Annette Colley.

Twelve auxiliary staff, which includes school officers (teacher aides), a groundsman, cleaner and tuckshop convenor, ensure the school runs smoothly.

Together, St Patrick’s principal Jim Wren and the dedicated staff work to create a community of lifelong learners, with the power to unlock their individual potential and the potential of others.

The school has recently invested in up-

to-date technology, with new interactive whiteboards installed across all eight classrooms and the well-resourced library.

It also has a large multi-purpose centre and lots of wide, open space on which the students can play and learn.

Each school within the diocese of Toowoomba Catholic schools cluster has its own master plan, and included in St Patrick’s blueprint for the future are new classrooms.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

“We hope an exciting new building program will be able to take place at some point in the next two years,” Jim says.

Academically, St Patrick’s students are strong in literacy and numeracy within the region.

“Our students also have a fantastic record in public speaking and are frequently selected for local representative sporting teams,” Jim says.

Being in a small town, St Patrick’s is a fundamental part of the community, and the school actively seeks out opportunities to engage with it.

“We’re proud of the involvement our students have in the community, for example, at ANZAC Day commemorations and the recent Story Fest South-West Literature Festival,” Jim says.

Year 6 students also take part in Meals on Wheels, going with the APMI to collect meals from the local hospital and then transporting them to people in need.

St Patrick’s has a collaborative approach to decision making, and Jim looks to the P&F and the School Advisory Council for direction, guidance and understanding.

The P&F also undertakes fundraising and runs events such as the popular school discos.

St Patrick’s students work within a strong culture of contemporary Catholic beliefs,

values and practices, enabling them to make connections between their religious education and their daily lives.

In 2022, under the guidance of Josephite Sister Di Phillips, St Patrick’s reviewed its mission, vision and values to ensure they aligned with the values of the Josephite charism and would position the school strongly as it moved forward into the future.

“The history and values of our Josephite charism – courage, compassion, purpose and empowerment – are central to our school,” Jim says.

At the end of primary school, students transition to the local state high school or go to boarding school.

St Patrick’s works closely with the local high school and its Year Six cohort visits, meets staff and engages in lessons there as part of its transition program.

St Patrick’s Primary School has been a popular choice for generations of St George families.

“We have lots of third-generation families, and this year we have two families who are fourth generation,” Jim says.

“Our place in the community and the way families, current and past, love to maintain that connection, makes St Patrick’s a special place.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Jem Hawker

“We’re proud of the involvement our students have in the community, for example, at ANZAC Day commemorations and the recent Story Fest SouthWest Literature Festival.”

FACING PAGE: The St Patrick’s School community.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: St Patrick’s values the role of its Year 6 school leaders; learning with Miss Gaggi in Year 2; the values of St Mary MacKillop underpin everything the school does; learning with Miss Rathie in Year 4; the school leadership team of Anna Chandler, Annette Colley and principal Jim Wren; St Pat’s students love getting outside for PE; learning with Mrs McCosker in Prep.

ST GEORGE RLM 55

It’s all Greek TO STEVE How, in 1954, does a 17-year-old boy from the tiny village of Vounichora end up in a Greek café in St George, Queensland?

And how does he then evolve into a master craftsman – a man who meticulously carves exquisite pictures and patterns onto emu eggs – armed only with a modified barber’s razor?

They’re spectacular pieces of art, some of which are now treasured possessions of Barack Obama, the first African American to become President of the United States, and Dame Quentin Bryce, Australia’s first female Governor General.

Meet Stavros Margaritis, owner of The Unique Egg, or Steve Morris, as he is better known in St George. He’s lived in the town for most of the past 70 years, gaining respect from locals for his willingness to “have a go at anything” in his adopted home.

He’s been a Greek café worker, barber, boxer, professional kangaroo shooter, champion of the community, and all-round good bloke.

“My uncle used to send photos of kangaroos back to us in Greece and I wanted to see one,” Stavros explains. “Uncle Jack said I could work with him at his café, so I came to Australia.”

Stavros left the cool winter climate of Vounichora for one of the hottest Februarys

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on record in the Balonne shire – but it didn’t faze him.

Later that year he met local Indigenous man “Slapper” Smith … and it changed his life forever.

“He came into the shop with an emu egg with a horse carved into it and he wanted five quid for it,” Steve recalls. “Then I was out riding and found an emu egg and thought ‘that would make one hell of an omelet’.

“I had a look at it, got the point of my knife and started carving my first egg.”

Stavros and his family spent many of his early years living in caves in the mountains after their village was burnt down during World War II and the Greek Civil War. This is when his woodcarving skills were honed. He quickly invented a technique that makes his carved eggs truly unique.

“Steve opens one end and empties out the yolk,” explains Dave Purcell, who’s married to Steve’s daughter Panorea.

“Then he pours in a resin, like liquid glass, and rolls it and rolls it in his hands until the inside of the egg is completely coated which

means the air can’t get to it and that’s why they last forever.

“It strengthens the shell so you can carve down to the last layer. He illuminates them using tiny lights that sit in the bottom of the shell.”

There are 10 extremely thin layers to an emu egg with each layer becoming lighter in colour.

This was Steve’s hobby, what he did when he wasn’t cutting hair, shooting roos, building boning plants, erecting houses, buying shops and helping anyone who needed a hand, either physically or financially.

He displayed his artistic masterpieces in his shooting and ammunition shop.

“I think it was the Queensland Agriculture Minister who came in one day, saw Steve’s eggs and suggested he take them to Expo ’88,” Dave relates.

“So, he put together an amazing display and it was a huge hit – just a little display and look at it now!”

Steve’s egg room is a dark “palace” at the back of the shop.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Visitors pay a small fee to get in and Steve says he will pay them back double if they don’t like it; he’s never had to pay up.

As has been said, his magnificent eggs are only part of his story.

He met the love of his life, Joan, a high school teacher in St George. They went out for years but Steve wasn’t ready to settle down.

While recuperating in Brisbane in 1967 after having his tonsils removed, Joan came to visit as did one of Steve’s mates.

“While we were all out walking I whispered to my mate in Greek: ‘I’m

gonna marry this one’ and he yells out ‘Congratulations, Joan’!”

When she asked: “What for?”, Joan was informed Steve intended to marry her.

“Joan looked a bit bewildered so he then asks: ‘What? Don’t you want to marry him?”

Now, we all know the answer to that!

Along came daughters Georgia and Panorea, with Panorea surprising her dad on his 25th wedding anniversary with an egg she had carved for the occasion.

Panorea continues to carve wonderful emu eggs, just like her father. Sadly, Joan died of heart failure last May.

There are so many more fantastic stories about Steve Morris and, luckily, they’re all in his book, simply called Stavros.

Trust me, it’s an absolute cracker. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker

FACING PAGE: Uniquely designed and coloured emu eggs of every description line the walls of Steve Morris’s ‘dark palace’ out back of the store.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Meet master egg craftsman Stavros Margaritis, a man with a story to tell; Ashten Simpson with his grandfather Steve Morris and a small portion of those amazing eggs; Steve/Stavros tells his story on the walls of the shop ... memories of a life well lived; a money-back guarantee upon entry says it all really, doesn’t it?

ST GEORGE RLM 57

Ag focus

a game-changer A rural Queensland community has united to transform its high school into thriving hub of innovation and opportunity.

Trading New York’s bustling streets for Queensland’s red dirt may seem an unlikely leap, but for Thomas McKenna it was a natural evolution.

With a passion for adventure and a deep admiration for Steve Irwin, Thomas’s journey epitomises the allure of Australia’s outback.

“My friends went to Europe, but I wanted something different,” he says. “I first came to Australia in 2007 as a semester-abroad student and loved it so much I kept coming back.”

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Now an Australian citizen, husband and father, Thomas and his wife Cate often dreamed of life in the bush.

That dream became reality when he accepted the role of principal at St George State High School (SGSHS), a vibrant rural school with about 200 students and a staff of 51.

Nestled in Queensland’s south west, SGSHS boasts a unique identity, deeply rooted in agriculture, sports and the arts.

With more than half of its students identifying as Indigenous, the school embraces cultural diversity and community connection.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Built in 1976, the school has grown from shared facilities with St George State School to a campus equipped with cutting-edge resources including a multi-purpose hall, modern science labs and an engineering workshop.

Yet, the crown jewel is its agricultural program, recognised from 2023 as an Agricultural School of Excellence.

“Our agricultural plot spans 18.6 hectares and features everything from horticulture to livestock to machinery,” Thomas says. “We’ve built a purpose-designed classroom where students can learn hands-on with cattle, sheep, goats and more. It’s not enough to teach material from a book.

“Since the agriculture colleges closed, industry has been calling for schools to better prepare students for working in that field.”

SGSHS is one of five schools, three of which are state schools, in Queensland with an iFarm used to teach agriculture and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.

The iFarm is a computerised plant science research station, with individually controlled automated garden beds, touch-screen control centre, weather station and worm farm, where students can conduct experimental trials to record data.

“The community has made it clear that agriculture is important, so we have restructured our school around this,” Thomas says.

The school also rearranged its timetable to suit agriculture pathways.

Digital technology and agriculture classes are scheduled at the same time, meaning indoor and outdoor learning can take place together.

The most innovative thing the school has done is the agriculture, water and environment (AWE) collaboration.

“The AWE is a partnership between Balonne Shire Council and the school to ensure agricultural programming continues to be a focus for our students and community,” Thomas says.

The AWE collaboration consists of a Blue Light shearing camp, a junior secondary and primary primary program and the growing agricultural-careers immersion program (ACIP).

This innovative program sees St George State High host schools across Queensland, and this year, it is likely schools from Victoria and NSW will also participate to engage in an agricultural industry career-taster course.

“Students come to see the range of opportunities in the agriculture industry, from data science to onions to cotton to machinery and sales,” Thomas says. “They see it all.”

Adapting to rural life hasn’t been without its challenges.

From learning to drive tractors to managing irrigation systems and tending livestock, Thomas has embraced all of it.

“If you value something, you have to show people, you have to make time for it,” Thomas explains. “As a school, we value agriculture, so I make sure I immerse myself in it alongside our students and industry partners.”

Thomas loves his experience in a rural community as SGSHS principal and has volunteered to be an Education Department ambassador, touring Queensland to tell his story to entice teachers to “go rural”.

At a recent conference, Thomas was asked what he wanted his legacy to be.

“I want people to remember that there’s always good stories and a lot of positive things happening at St George State High School,” he maintains.

“A school should reflect its community, and this ethos has been the foundation of our success.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Kylie Whitaker and supplied

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Show team at Ekka; and Farm Fest with Brahman bull; Droughtmaster stud breeding program; principal Thomas McKenna.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: AWE on-farm visit; students using technology with the new crush; ag-tech department head Caitlin Crowe at the Queensland Country Women’s State Conference; students using the new multi-purpose sports hall; horticulture in action; students using the new gym; releasing beneficial insects at school; Ekka champion Phoebe Olive.

ST GEORGE RLM 59

FRILLIES

inspire a town

In the small town of St George, rugby union brought the community together as it faced the toughest of times.

The year 2019 was a big one for St George. As the small Queensland town battled through a devastating drought that put livelihoods and the town’s future at risk, at Rowden Park something extraordinary was happening.

The men’s rugby union side in the town, the St George Frillnecks, which had spent the better part of four decades struggling in A grade, sometimes losing games by scores more familiar in cricket, decided to form a women’s team, the St George Frillies.

It was a pivotal moment that brought the community together.

That year the men’s side clinched the B grade premiership for the first time in its history.

And the newly formed women’s side won a major victory of their own – signing up an extraordinary 30 players.

Among them was council worker Olivia Hoolihan – a rugby union novice, but one who has now gone on to star for her team across five seasons and is the current president of the side.

“I had never played rugby before,” she happily admits. “My group of friends heard about the team being formed and suggested we give it a crack. I thought, ‘oh god, no’ – but got coerced because there was the promise of beers after training.

60 RLM ST GEORGE

“I absolutely fell in love with rugby. I love the game, but it was the social side of it that was really fantastic.”

Olivia wasn’t the only person to find a new love for the game. Forming the women’s team inspired the community, which threw its support solidly behind the players.

“Those were some rough years in the town – there was a major drought and there wasn’t a lot of work around,” Olivia says.

“That first season we had such a huge response from the community. We had 30 women wanting to play – it was incredibly hard for the coaches to pick teams.

“And the games themselves were brilliant community events that brought so many people out to watch the teams play.”

Next season the Frillies hope to compete in the regional 15-a-side competition and have signed up 14 players aged from 18 to 35.

She says the team has been successful at recruiting a strong women’s side because of the social opportunities it provides players.

“Most of them haven’t played before – or might have played touch or league in primary school, but they join for the social aspect.

“We’re a small town, far from the coast, and for our new teachers or healthcare workers, joining the team is one of the best

ways to meet people, make friends and get involved in the community.”

With the town right behind them, and the friendship, community, and social opportunities on offer to players, you wouldn’t want to bet against the Frillies being front runners on the field next season. RLM Words: Martyn Pearce Images: Balonne Shire Council

ABOVE: The St George Frillies (women’s team) and St George Frillnecks (men’s team) show some of their classic moves.

St George T O W N F E A T U R E

Quite the racquet The location of one of the most popular sporting groups in St George is a well-kept secret.

Tucked away down a dirt driveway behind an electrician’s business, with no signage to announce its existence, you’ll find St George Squash Club. While its physical presence might not be obvious, every sports-minded person in town knows where it is.

Boasting a membership of more than 70, the club is one of the town’s most wellsupported sporting groups.

Club treasurer Andrew McKay says although it’s a thriving group now, the squash club hasn’t always had it easy.

Floods and drought have at times led to diminished membership numbers. It was even mothballed for a couple of years at the end of a long, severe drought.

However, with committee members in the three key positions clocking up eight to a dozen years each, the club has long had a stable base to offer people a way to stay fit and hone their racquet skills.

“We have three 10-week comps a year and we consistently run eight teams of nine, which is great because we can match people on their abilities,” Andrew says.

“There’s no enjoyment in playing if you and your opponent don’t have a similar skill level. But here, it’s not uncommon to watch a Line 10 game – that’s the lowest ranking – where the players are so well-matched, they play to five games.”

Andrew believes a good game is where you can walk off the court and even if you don’t win, you’ve had a good time and a good workout.

“There are certainly clubs with better players in other towns, but for a country town this size it’s great to have a large membership,” he affirms.

Members come from many walks of life, including business owners, tradies, professionals, primary producers and others working in associated industries.

“We also get quite a good level of support from people who arrive in town for jobs in the medical and education fields,” he says. “It’s a great way for them to meet other people in the community.”

With the help of grants, the courts have been kept in good condition. Over the years the floors have been refinished, the walls renovated, and the roof replaced. A better ventilation system and a facelift for the bathrooms are on the club’s wish list.

Andrew says he would love to see some professional coaching workshops organised for members … and perhaps even a trip to another

Andrew believes a good game is where you can walk off the court and even if you don’t win, you’ve had a good time and a good workout.

centre for a competition with a club there.

Visitors are welcome to book a court for a game while they’re in town. Ask at the Visitor Information Centre for details and directions to this hidden gem. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Balonne Shire Council

FROM TOP: Sam Davis, Daniel Neale, Andrew McKay, William McKay, Kirstee Miller, and Kent Witney love to keep fit and healthy at St George Squash Club; it’s a top spot to meet friends if you’re new to town or just passing through; the facilities are well maintained.

ST GEORGE RLM 61

Much more than a supermarket Two St George women had been friends long before they became partners in a local supermarket.

It’s been the perfect business model for Kym Webster and Cheryl Brimblecombe.

They say the best attribute of St George FoodWorks is friendliness, but that’s simply the crowning glory of a business built on the foundations of exemplary service, the right products and staff who feel like family.

In the past four years, the two have put their combined stamp on the business that has been in Kym’s family for 49 years. Kym represents the third generation and says her mother, Annemaree Webster ran the place for many years.

The supermarket’s newest owners admire the knowledge and incredible work ethic Annemaree brought to the business … it’s a bonus she still comes in to help!

Before becoming part-owner, Cheryl was a loyal shopper there.

Now her daughter and daughter-in-law come in to help with catering (or anything else that’s needed), and their children can be seen at the store in much the way Kym remembers from her own childhood.

Kym says Cheryl arrived in the business with a lot of ideas and a paintbrush in hand – and she never quite knows what idea Cheryl will come up with next.

So far, they’ve replaced floor coverings, shelving, checkouts and freezers as well as painting almost anything that was standing still!

And those are just the cosmetic changes.

“We’ll have a go at anything. I don’t worry about ever getting stale. I don’t think you could do that with Cheryl here,” Kym says.

“Cheryl’s definitely a forward planner, although sometimes she just plants a seed and gives it time to grow.”

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St George T O W N F E A T U R E

For instance, they hadn’t even been in the business 12 months when Cheryl heard the local newsagency was going to close. Within a year, St George FoodWorks had a newsagency and Golden Casket.

Catering is something that “sort of happened by accident” because of Cheryl’s cooking skills. Nowadays they bake hams and cut chickens and make roast vegetable salads and do platters – all because they find it hard to say no when someone asks for something they don’t o.

To keep high quality meat and produce on the shelves, Kym and Cheryl place daily orders with the local butcher and have found the best supplier they could for fresh fruit and vegetables.

In addition, they carry local seasonal produce from grapes and honey to onions and garlic. Their deli is the only one in town and is well patronised.

The supermarket even has a corner given over to gourmet items, one of which is a much-loved poppyseed dressing made in Lightning Ridge.

While Cheryl does much of the office work, she says Kym’s knowledge within the shop and how it’s run is phenomenal. She especially admires the way Kym interacts with their staff of 35, in particular the juniors.

“It’s Kym’s philosophy that your first job should be enjoyable,” Cheryl says.

Kym says it’s quite a transformation as young people, some just 13, who at their job interview might be a bit tearful, worried and not quite looking her in the eye, quickly grow in confidence and communication skills.

St George FoodWorks is a sponsor within the community for sporting groups like rugby union and golf, annual fetes and school events.

Online shopping is offered with the choice of pick-up or delivery.

It’s not just convenience, Kym insists. Online shopping is a great tool for people on a budget and the delivery service is free for pensioners. For mums with little children, it can be a sanity saver!

“Although we’re in the country and have extra freight charges, we make every effort to keep our prices down,” says Kym. “Yes, we’re a business and need to make money, but we are very aware of the economic circumstances.

“So, while the country might have a reputation for everything being more expensive, people visiting from the city are usually impressed with our prices.”

They like to keep up with trends and attend the annual FoodWorks conferences, always looking out for new lines on offer. One thing they don’t do, though, is enter their store in the supermarket competitions.

“We don’t want awards. Our biggest reward is seeing our customers coming out of our store looking happy,” says Kym. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Jem Hawker and Kylie Whitaker

“Although we’re in the country and have extra freight charges, we make every effort to keep our prices down.”

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kym Webster and Cheryl Brimblecombe … friends who became business partners; FoodWorks welcomes all shoppers; fresh meat, newsagency lines, gourmet products and the freshest possible fruit and vegetables line the shelves at the supermarket.

ABOVE: Kym and Cheryl with some of the dedicated staff at St George FoodWorks.

NEW

GOLDEN CASKET TO

US

ST GEORGE

Locally owned and operated 88 Victoria Street St George, QLD (07) 4625 3404

www.stgeorgefoodworks.com.au Online shopping

Home delivery

Open 7 days

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T O W N F E A T U R E Thallon

Arty venture

SAVES TOWN

Silo art has breathed life into a tiny town in Queensland’s outback.

Emerging from the flat, red earth, Thallon’s grain silos stand as a symbol of the small town’s remarkable determination to survive.

The now-iconic painted silos are also a testimony to the hard work of Leanne Brosnan, who arrived in Thallon in 1987 as a young teacher on her first posting.

Leanne left the town in 2001 to live near Bundaberg with her husband Stuart, but with family and friends back in Thallon, even the eight-hour drive could not keep them away.

“We started to see the town decline after the closure of the rail line from Dirranbandi to Thallon and the loss of the rail station,” Leanne says.

In a bid to help the town for which they had such a deep affection, Leanne and Stuart banded together with family and friends and bought the struggling Francis Hotel in 2010.

64 RLM THALLON

“It was a challenging time to buy the hotel, but it also meant the town wasn’t going to lose its pub,” Leanne says.

Two years later, Thallon Post Office also faced closure, so Leanne and her partners bought the business and relocated it to the pub; as the general store had also shut, it too was relocated to the pub.

“We didn’t want Thallon to lose its post office and its postcode,” Leanne says.

Thallon had suffered a cascade of business closures, with the BP fuel depot and Thallon Motors also closed, and to compound that by 2015 the district was two years into a sevenyear drought.

Thallon Progress Association knew it had to act quickly in a last-ditch effort to stop the town from disappearing.

It launched a community consultation process called Plan On The Page.

Among the suggestions put forward by the locals were ideas for a mural on the town’s grain silos and a “big thing” (a giant Northern hairy-nosed wombat named William) to attract tourism.

Leanne volunteered to coordinate both these projects.

She tracked down two mural artists – Travis Vinson and Joel Fergie – on Google and set about securing funding for the project.

Money came from Arts Queensland, with GrainCorp providing the huge boom lift needed to paint the silos and Balonne Shire Council chipping in with a viewing platform and signage.

In 2016, Travis and Joel visited Thallon to meet with locals, during which time they also conducted a mural workshop at the school.

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

FACING PAGE: A starry night in the Queensland outback makes a stunning backdrop to The Watering Hole mural on Thallon’s grain silos.

FROM TOP: Grazing at the Watering Hole biennial long table dinner event in March 2021; mural artists Travis Vinson, left, and Joel Fergie with Thallon Progress Association project coordinator Leanne Brosnan.

They returned at the beginning of July 2017 with the concept for a mural covering the four, 30-metre silos captured in one A4sized drawing.

The Watering Hole encapsulates the meandering Moonie River, a sacred Indigenous scar tree, two pale-faced rosellas, a mob of sheep and a spectacular outback sunrise.

“I was nervous because it’s a pretty big thing to do in a little country town,” Leanne says, “but when farm utes started to turn up each afternoon to see the progress Travis and Joel had made during the day, I knew we were on a winner.”

On July 20, just three weeks after they started work, the giant mural was complete.

It gave an immediate boost to morale in the town.

“It was terribly dry and there was no harvest, but the silos put some colour back

into the landscape,” Leanne says. “It gave people a sense of hope that something positive could still happen.”

After the ABC’s Back Roads program on Thallon aired in July 2018, tourists began arriving in droves.

“It meant the locals had new people to talk to and they could have conversations about something other than the drought,” she added.

Thallon’s fortunes received a further boost when Australia Post decided to produce a silo art stamp collection in 2018.

“That was pretty amazing because Thallon went from almost losing its postcode when the post office was going to close in 2012 to being featured on a stamp six years later,” Leanne says. “For me, that was emblematic of Thallon’s turnaround.”

Thallon continues to show signs of resurgence, with the promise of more good things to come.

An Information Station run by local volunteers and stocking a range of silo and wombat merchandise now caters for the influx of tourists between April and September.

For a town whose fortunes depend on agriculture, recent bumper harvests have also helped buoy the community’s spirits.

Thallon Progress Association’s latest project is a Rail Interpretative Centre which it hopes will open in 2026.

The town’s hard work to reinvent itself culminated in 2024 when Thallon won the gold award for the Best Grey Nomad Town in Australia.

“Prior to the silos and William the wombat, there were no tourists in Thallon and by 2024 they’d won this award,” Leanne says. “It shows just how far Thallon has come.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Supplied

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Artists living the dream Two artists have come together to create some fabulous ‘big things’ in small country towns and large metropolitan areas.

Art was the only thing that Travis Vinson, aka Drapl, ever really cared about.

As a little boy, Travis drew Ninja Turtles, pirate ships and dinosaurs but by the time he was a teenager, he was painting graffiti on the streets of The Gap in Brisbane.

“I was told I shouldn’t be doing it, but I really loved it and eventually got into a bit of trouble for it,” Travis says. “After years of working in air conditioning, I got sick of being up in roof spaces in the middle of summer, so I decided to pursue my creative dream.”

Fourteen years ago, Travis began painting murals and canvasses full-time.

Half a continent away in Adelaide, Joel Fergie had discovered skateboarding and graffiti.

Like Travis, Joel had loved art from an early age and used a wall underneath his house to experiment with spray paint, adopting the name The Zookeeper.

Joel moved to Brisbane and completed a fine arts degree at university and progressed from painting his friends’ bedrooms to a mural at a soccer club.

As the size of the walls got bigger, so did the opportunities, and Travis and Joel began to collaborate on larger projects.

“Trav is awesome,” Joel says. “We have spent that much time working together that we are in a sense like yin and yang,” Joel says.

In 2017, Travis was contacted by Leanne Brosnan about a big job in a little town called Thallon.

Leanne explained that Thallon was dying, and she believed painting a mural on the grain silos might help save it.

Travis and Joel visited Thallon on a “meet and greet”, completing a couple of small murals and a workshop with children at the local school.

They also spent time at the Francis Hotel where locals shared photos they had taken – birds, sheep, a tree and the river – and the inspiration for The Watering Hole mural was born.

“I think the town loves the mural so much because the locals can proudly say they played a part in it,” Joel says.

Travis and Joel had painted water towers in Peregian and Port Cartwright, but this was by far their biggest undertaking.

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In only three weeks, and with 500 litres of paint and 100 spray cans, Drapl and The Zookeeper transformed Thallon’s old concrete grain silos into a major Australian tourist attraction.

They were hundreds of kilometres away from anywhere that would sell large quantities of paint and Joel “struggled big time” working 30 metres above the ground in a boom lift.

In only three weeks, and with 500 litres of paint and 100 spray cans, Drapl and The Zookeeper transformed Thallon’s old concrete grain silos into a major Australian tourist attraction.

In 2018, Australia Post released a $1 stamp featuring the Thallon silos.

Travis’s grandfather, who was on his death bed when he saw the stamp, was overjoyed.

The following year, the Thallon silo mural

was named Best of the Best after winning the Best Rural Art category in the Australian Street Art Awards.

Travis and Joel still visit Thallon, and whenever they do, they add to the rogues’ gallery of local identities they have created on the rail bridge that has become a tourist attraction in its own right. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Mural artists Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson; GrainCorp workers with the mural artists, Leanne Brosnan and Thallon Progress Association president Shirley Southern in 2017; the artists painting from a boom lift.

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

Thallon thinks

BIG

William the Wombat – Thallon’s “big thing” – is attracting tourists and raising awareness to the plight of this critically endangered marsupial.

Standing proud in a park just off the Carnarvon Highway in Thallon, South West Queensland, is a mighty two-metre high, 3.5-metre-long wombat named William.

William is no common wombat; he is a replica of the critically endangered Northern hairy-nosed wombat that conservationists are fighting to bring back from the brink of extinction.

The idea for William was conceived in Thallon in 2015 during community consultations aimed at saving the dying town.

“The conversation came about that perhaps we needed a ‘big thing’ in Thallon because they were so popular around the rest of Australia,” Thallon Progress Association project coordinator Leanne Brosnan says.

“We wanted something that was uniquely connected to Thallon and some of the earliest specimens of the Northern hairy-nosed wombat have been found in the local area.”

Known as Yaminon to local Indigenous people, Northern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus krefftii), are critically endangered in Queensland and already extinct in NSW. They are more endangered than even China’s giant pandas.

Only 35 of the wombats remained when conservation efforts began in the 1980s.

There are now just over 400 in three reserves – Epping Forest National Park in central Queensland, and the Richard Underwood Nature Refuge and Powrunna State Forest near St George.

“Having two of the three populations on earth in the Balonne region makes William even more relevant,” Leanne says.

Only 35 of the wombats remained when conservation efforts began in the 1980s.

“The reserves are not open to the public and there are no Northern hairy-nosed wombats in captivity.”

Leanne made contact with Natureworks, a company with experience in manufacturing “big things”, and went in search of funding.

The major benefactors were the Gambling Community Benefit Grant and Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, with the Balonne Shire Council also contributing.

It took three months to handcraft William out of steel and fibreglass-reinforced cement in Natureworks’ workshop near Brisbane.

Natureworks director David Joffe said William was constructed to museum standards with meticulous attention to detail.

In October 2017, with the painting of the silos completed, the community was gearing up for the arrival of the ABC’s Back Roads crew to film in the town.

“The producer said: ‘If you can time William’s arrival in Thallon for when we film there that would be great’ … no pressure!”

Leanne laughs.

The two-tonne wombat made the 536km journey to Thallon by truck, arriving just in time for the filming of the Back Roads episode.

Since his arrival, William has proved to be a great addition to the Thallon township.

“He’s really been adopted by the town,” Leanne says.

The community dresses him up for Christmas; he gets a special blanket to promote the town’s Biggest Morning Tea; and he features on banners in the main street.

“Kids love to climb on him and tourists want selfies taken with him,” she adds.

“Obviously the silos are the main attraction, but William has certainly given tourists something extra to look at while they are here.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Kylie Whitaker and Elizabeth Tickle

ABOVE: Local character Wayne Lasserre is good mates with William the Wombat; Thallon’s ‘big thing’ is creating awareness of the plight of the near-extinct Northern hairy-nosed wombat.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Thallon

“We did a lot of work together over the years.”

FACING PAGE: Bill Willis and Wayne Lasserre enjoying a cool drink and a yarn at The Francis.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bill pores over some historic journals from the early days of Bullamon Plains; Wayne with his brother Col’s likeness in Rogues’ Gallery; the two mates enjoying a stroll around the property and sharing memories of the old place; Bill working his sheep; Bill’s image is one of those in Rogues’ Gallery; Wayne with his gold watch for long and faithful service to Queensland Rail.

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

Mates for life

Two good mates have enjoyed a lifelong friendship built on hard work, tough times, bumper seasons, community service and a heap of fun.

Bill Willis and Wayne Lasserre have been the best of friends since childhood, growing up on “Bullamon Plains”, a property on the outskirts of Thallon.

Wandering around the homestead grounds, originally owned

by KB Cameron, Bill reveals it was once 100,000 acres, bought for one farthing per acre in 1928. (A farthing was the equivalent of a quarter of a penny).

The main problem he faced was the land was covered in prickly pear but KB, armed with chaff bags full of pieces of the pear plant, laced with the cactoblastis moth, had the problem solved within four years.

“Yeah, he just stuck a bag each side of the horse, rode along and chucked out a leaf here and a leaf there,” Bill explains. “The moths just multiplied; they don’t attack anything else but the prickly pear. It’s still recognised as a huge achievement in Australian agriculture.

“Once he had it under control, he sold more than half the place at a huge profit, bought a lot more country and kept the 30,000 acres we have now.”

Bill’s father Stan, a ringbarker and fencer from Guyra, with a reputation as a more than handy boxer, moved to the district.

Down the track he met and married KB’s daughter Joan.

“I was conceived in the homestead,” Bill says with a grin. “When I married Sue, we lived in the other house, which is only 10 steps away; all our kids were born there, then we all moved back into the big house.

“So, I had a few moves, but they weren’t very far. I suppose people would think it was a bit tough on Sue living so close to her new mother-in-law, but they made it work.”

Wayne’s dad worked for the Willises and lived on-farm. Wayne was just six years old when they took up residence and Wayne, now 67, stayed long enough to raise four children at “Bullamon Plains”.

Wayne started working there at 18, but at 24 had a career change and spent the next 26 years working for Queensland Rail until they closed the Thallon depot in 2011.

He still found plenty of time to go back to “Bullamon Plains” and give Bill a hand, though.

“We did a lot of work together over the years,” 75-year-old Bill recalls.

“We could muster all day and barely have to talk to each other because we knew what the other was going to do.”

They’ve also spent a fair bit of time together raising money for Thallon Progress Association – even staging mock robberies to “demand” donations from visiting car rally participants.

“We’ve been doing that every two years for the past 10 years,” Bill says.

“Early on we’d put a log across the road to divert them off the bitumen.

“We even had real shotguns but had to stop doing that – now the kids have plastic guns.

“But it’s all good fun to raise money for our Progress Association with most of the money now going towards our aged care homes.”

The dynamic duo combined their efforts to fundraise for the

famous Thallon Silo Watering Hole mural, painted by noted Queensland street artists Drapl and The Zookeeper.

The silos were instrumental in Thallon being awarded the title of Best Grey Nomad-Friendly Town in 2023.

“The silos mural gave our little town a new lease on life,” Bill says with pride. “It gave the grey nomads a reason to stop and then they’d check out our other attractions.

“They showed us what was possible, that if we pitched in as a community, we could really make things happen.”

One of those other attractions is the Rogues’ Gallery – huge portraits of prominent locals painted on the cement pylons of the old railway bridge, again by Drapl, just a short drive from Thallon.

Bill is proud to be one of the subjects, along with other identities Liz Spackman, Gary “Pom” Petrie, Leanne and Stuart Brosnan and Wayne’s brother Col. “The only problem is when we get a lot of rain a few of them nearly drown,” Bill says with a laugh.

The gallery is well worth a look and pretty special, just like Bill and Wayne. As strong as their friendship is, it does have its limits.

“Not long back Bill asked me if I’d like to be buried out at the homestead, with the rest of them,” Wayne says with a smile. “My reply was: ‘I’ve worked for you on and off for 45 years and you want me to spend eternity with you, too’?”

When Wayne told his daughter about it, she tried to reassure him, saying she’d have him cremated and thrown into the Moonie River.

“I told her: ‘Don’t you dare do that or I’ll haunt you forever. The next flood I’ll end up in NSW – and I’m a Queenslander’.”

Sharing a laugh, they drove the short distance back to the Francis Hotel for a cool drink and a yarn. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker and Murray Hartin

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T O W N F E A T U R E Thallon

The first thing you notice when you drive into Old Bullamon Homestead is the fact that Vaughan Baker has a lot of chooks.

HOMESTEAD

packed with surprises The first thing you notice when you drive into Old Bullamon Homestead is the fact that Vaughan Baker has a lot of chooks.

White Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, big, fluffy Brahmas – seven breeds in total – a veritable plethora of poultry.

“Yeah, we’re never short of a few eggs,” says Vaughan, owner of the Heritage-listed residence nestled on a sand ridge beside the Moonie River just south of Thallon.

“They’ve been a bit of a hobby, but I only do it full-on every second year because I can’t afford the time. I call our chook sideline Foxtukka Freerange Fancy Fowls.”

Vaughan, 66, needs plenty of time to maintain the old house and gardens as well as running up to 4000 Merinos on a nearby 8000acre property.

He owns this property with his cousin Melanie, an avid local historian who’s based in Canberra, and his brother, Graeme – exactly five years older than Vaughan to the day.

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The young brothers made the short move to Old Bullamon Homestead with parents Max (better known as Toby) and Isobel in mid-1967.

The homestead has a rich history. The first house on the site was built by Robert Dunn in the late 1850s/early 1860s.

“Bullamon” expanded from a small run to a vast station of more than 1300 square miles at its peak in the 1880s. Other stations, including Cubbie, near Dirranbandi, were sometimes also run from Bullamon Homestead.

There were four owners of the property between Robert Dunn and the Bakers, being Duncan and Leonora Mackay, whose descendants have contributed memorabilia from the 1860s and 1870s, the Fisher and Hill partnership, the Australian Pastoral Company and the Brown family.

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

FASCINATING FINDS

Vaughan became fascinated with the property as soon as he arrived.

“Graeme was away at school and I had a keen interest in nature, so I’d do a lot of exploring on my own,” Vaughan recalls. “Most of the country was covered in wire grass and this pungent, yellow type of daisy.

“Sheep wouldn’t eat it and the wire grass seeds would work their way through the wool and embed themselves in the sheep’s skin.

“One of the first things our father did was get some buffel grass seeds and spread them by hand across the Bullamon paddocks and it proved very effective in choking out the weeds.”

When Graeme was home for holidays the brothers also did a lot of exploring in the old building they now call home.

“We climbed up on to a ledge on the side of one of the brick chimneys and looked over onto the ceiling of the kitchen and there were several old hand-written letter books, or journals, dated from 1886 to 1890, plus a Station Horse book from 1912,” Vaughan explains.

“They didn’t have carbon paper in those days, so a copy was made with a letter press and kept for records. We have copies of the journals on display, which also feature photos of some of the pages of the originals.”

Walking through the house, Vaughan points out items of interest such as wool bale marking stencils, a classic milk bucket, a surveyor’s chain, the kitchen, old fireplace, a battery-powered rotary telephone (complete with phone numbers written on the wall to which it’s attached) and the verandah sleep-out.

“That’s where Graeme and I slept,” says Vaughan. “One night in January 1974 we had something like 20 inches of rain and when I put my hand out to touch the floor, we were in the river!”

And we can’t forget about the two-seater, double-decker dunny – a side-by-side communal long-drop with the left throne considerably lower than the right to make it more comfortable for the kids.

You won’t see a lot of them! >

FACING PAGE: Historic Old Bullamon Homestead with its distinctive arbour at the front of the home.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Vaughan Baker, who owns Old Bullamon Homestead with his brother Graeme and cousin, Melanie; the kitchen was the heart of the home; the homestead is full of memorabilia such as the old meat safe, bathtub and other relics from the past, including the innovative ‘double-decker dunny’.

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THE GARDEN, BIRDS AND NATIVES

While the house attracts a lot of attention, the Old Bullamon Homestead garden is the centrepiece. Patrick Bell is the man in charge of maintenance while it is gradually being brought back to its former glory, with occasional help from locals, charity groups and visitors.

In its early days the garden’s main purpose was to provide fruit and vegetables for the families with a few decorative plants here and there. Along with shade trees, the main feature is an arbour from the front gate to the house which people remember being covered in bougainvillea and banksia rose and, at other times, passionfruit vines.

Floods, droughts and neglect took their toll over the years but the garden has recently undergone a revamp based on Vaughan’s childhood memories with bougainvillea and passionfruit vines now covering the arbour. Patrick is doing his best to get things right for the boss.

“I don’t look at Vaughan as a boss; he’s a mate,” Patrick says.

“We’ve got plenty going on – pumpkins, fruit trees, roses, elephant ears – but the main focus is the arbour. We have passionfruit vines; they’re only young so nothing really in them at the moment.

“They might fill up a bit next year – the possums knock them around, but we’re getting there.”

A large tree on the property, the rough-barked apple, known by the local Gomeroi people as ‘bulumin’ is believed to be how the property was named.

You’ll also find mimosa, or briar bushes, common wattle, the odd quinine tree, stunted poplar box trees and cypress pine.

The briars and their seed pods attract colourful parrots such as crimson wings, pale-headed rosellas, grass parrots and occasionally, bluebonnets.

“They’re not near as plentiful today as they were when I was young, which has a lot to do with the changes in the local landscape, but it’s a treat to see them,” says Vaughan.

TOURISM FUNDS MAINTENANCE

Restoration of the homestead and garden relies heavily on grants, donations, and tourism. The success of the grant-funded work is due to the ongoing efforts of a very special person, Leanne Brosnan, and to many professional people and volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise.

Before the homestead could be opened to visitors, it had to be returned to a point where it could again be insured. That took some time, and along the track there were other issues, including COVID, which didn’t help.

“We’re insured now and we’ll just continue what we’re doing to attract more visitors – which there are plenty of due to everything else going on in Thallon.”

Vaughan, who lives in a much more modern house with partner Joanne less than 200 metres from the homestead, will continue the restorations and improvements, look after his sheep and chooks, and relax by writing poetry.

Jo, a keen gardener, has also played a big part in restoring the old garden and provides a warm welcome for visitors to the homestead.

A delightful surprise is Vaughan is a handy poet and finds inspiration in Old Bullamon’s history for his rhyming verse.

There’s no doubt about it – Old Bullamon Homestead is a place full of surprises. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker

FROM TOP: Property owners Melanie O’Flynn (Vaughan’s cousin) and Vaughan with his partner Jo Tanner, and caretaker Patrick Bell; another shot of the homestead; here’s Vaughan in the Bullamon pictorial history room, which was once his mother’s bedroom.

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

Retreat to THE FARM

The opportunity to embrace outback life resonates strongly with guests of boutique farmstay Lanarium Retreat in southern Queensland.

Owners Paul and Sally Kennedy offer an authentic experience encompassing farming, lifestyle and the stunning landscape.

“To have people tell us it is an experience money can’t buy is very rewarding,” Sally says.

“We live in an amazing place; we get a lot of satisfaction seeing other people’s perspectives and how much they enjoy their time here.”

Lanarium Retreat is at “Shirbar” near Thallon, about five-and-ahalf hours’ drive west of Brisbane – it’s “accessible outback,” smiles Sally, “far enough but not too far.”

From the base of a luxurious converted woolshed, guests can explore farm life, discover unique experiences and enjoy dinner under a big outback sky full of stars.

The Kennedys have a policy to not over complicate a visit to the retreat and focus on doing the simple things very well.

They provide options of plentiful ideas and supplies, then leave guests to make of their stay what they choose.

“Everyone gets something different out of it,” Sally says. “You can enjoy the peace and quiet, nature and farm life.

“Some families like to go off grid for a while; others have told us how much their kids loved simply being country kids for a few days.

“We only have one group at a time ensuring exclusive use for every booking.”

The Kennedy family operates a large-scale cattle and grain enterprise across the properties “Dunroman” and “Shirbar.”

Paul’s family have called “Dunroman” home for more than 50 years.

Upon acquiring “Shirbar” several years ago, a lovely renovation of the woolshed by previous owners presented a new and interesting opportunity for diversification.

Sally admits it was a “big leap of faith” to add a farmstay into an already very busy agriculture program. >

THIS PAGE: Welcome to ‘Shirbar’ near Thallon, a busy working farm that is also home to Lanarium Retreat. Here an authentic outback experience awaits farmstay guests, who can immerse themselves in the southern Queensland landscape and lifestyle while enjoying the comforts and character of a luxurious converted woolshed.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Thallon

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Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

“But we could see the potential, it was perfect for that.”

The building has great character. The renovation retained features such as let-out chutes and wool-loading landing, along with original wooden floors and corrugated iron walls.

The Kennedys have combined this heritage with beautiful and luxurious industrial farmhouse styling, with all modern comforts for a relaxed and enjoyable stay.

The house can accommodate up to seven guests across three bedrooms. There is an open plan lounge and kitchen, and gauzed front porch for coffee in the morning sun.

Continental breakfast provisions and pantry staples are provided. Delicious optional packages include dinner and gourmet sunset hampers.

Food is fresh and seasonal, with highlights such as the Kennedys’ own paddock-to-plate grassfed beef and lamb, and homemade desserts.

Outdoors there is a barbecue and firepit. Supplies are included for toasting marshmallows and damper making.

“We include those simple, fun things that we did ourselves as kids, and people really enjoy it,” Sally says.”

Impact to the environment is kept to a minimum with the house self-sufficient in water supply and energy generation; waste disposal includes recycling food scraps to chooks for farm-fresh eggs.

For Paul and Sally an important part of Lanarium is sharing with visitors the story of their farm – its history, present and future.

The couple are passionate about their land and its sustainability for future generations.

Information is provided about farming practices, with guests given a map of paddocks outlining seasonal activities for cropping and livestock production.

There is detailed explanation of the farm operation and philosophy, with insight into day-to-day workings, approach to challenges such as drought and how animal welfare is managed.

“We welcome any questions about what we do, and why we do it the way we do, so please don’t hesitate to ask. We provide an avenue for people to see what happens on farm,” is the message to guests.

Birdwatching, stargazing and bush walks are among other appealing activities to explore on “Shirbar”.

There are spots to view spectacular sunrises and sunsets, catch a yabby or simply take in the beauty of the vast land and wide horizon.

Paul and Sally’s children – Maddie, 24, a nurse in Perth, and Jeremy, 22, working in mines based at Clermont – are actively involved in the farm and Lanarium.

Stunning photography on the retreat’s website was done by the family.

“Running the farmstay has proven interesting and enjoyable,” Sally adds.

“We meet lovely people from many places and it’s great to see the interest in what we do here, and how much people get out of a stay.”

Feedback of Lanarium as being unique and memorable is very satisfying for the Kennedy family.

They proudly share their farm and lifestyle in a way that invites guests to genuinely connect with the outback, creating special memories in a wonderful part of the country. RLM

LUXURY OUTBACK ACCOMMODATION Lanarium Retreat is the perfect choice to immerse yourself in an authentic working cattle and grain property escape.

If you are looking for a quiet rural destination which includes nature, serenity, farm life and is just a little bit different, a stay at Lanarium may just be for you.

Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Jem Hawker

ABOVE: Attention to detail and thoughtful inclusions enhance the guest experience. Dining packages featuring fresh local produce can also be arranged.

FACING PAGE: A stay at Lanarium Retreat is a memorable experience. The building’s rustic woolshed heritage is retained with let-out chutes, overhead gear and original timber work beautifully integrated into modern and comfortable accommodation perfect for an outback adventure.

Ph. 0429 207 020 lanariumretreat.com.au

'Shirbar' 509 Mulga Road Daymar, Queensland

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T O W N F E A T U R E Thallon

Let’s drink to that!

When you travel Australia searching for classic Aussie icons, it’s hard to go past the country pub.

In small towns and villages, the local tavern is the place you go to unwind, grab a counter meal and catch up with your mates.

And the colourful Francis Hotel in Thallon is no different.

The fact it also operates as the local store and post office, as well as a venue for community meetings, gives it even greater status.

It may well have gone belly up without the combined vision of a group – including five teachers who had taught in Thallon at one time or another – who purchased the pub in 2010.

The post office was closing, as was the general store and railway depot, having previously been cut back to only transporting wheat; the population was dwindling, the hotel was up for sale and the future was looking decidedly bleak.

If they lost The Francis there would be nowhere to congregate.

Step forward Leanne and Stuart Brosnan, Louise and Brett Fulwood, Libba Brosnan, Paul and Trina Murphy, Duane Joyce, Richard and Karen Crook and a few others who have since sold out.

“We made the commitment to buy it,” Louise explains. “It was pretty grungy at the time – most of the women weren’t keen to go into the bar because the men’s toilet was basically right there.

“We decided any money we made would be put straight back in to fixing things up.”

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They rehoused the post office in a building out the back, a new toilet block got the thumbs up, a small general store now operates beside the bar and a spruced-up dining room offers a selection of great pub meals including five-star-rated steak sandwiches.

Everywhere you look there are photographs and artefacts relating to the hotel – and even wines with colourful local characters on the labels.

Still, all profits were pushed back into the pub, including the refurbishment of the four upstairs guestrooms, the beer garden, bar, kitchen and leasing quarters across the road with eight rooms and communal bathrooms and laundry.

Things really started to take off in 2017 when the now famous Watering Hole mural was painted on Thallon silos by Brisbane street artists Drapl and The Zookeeper, who have returned many times since to add more murals to town, including the Rogues’ Gallery portraits.

Based on single shots from three local photographers – Lila Brosnan, Gary Petrie and Chantel McAlister – the magnificent sunset mural also features the Moonie River, two pale-face rosellas, agricultural scenes and a scarred tree to recognise Thallon’s Indigenous community.

“Leanne (Brosnan) coordinated the silo project,” says

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

Louise. “She’s a driven person, she’s part of Thallon Progress Association, she makes things happen and keeps coming up with new ideas.

“Leanne also did lots of research on the district’s connection to the northern hairy-nosed wombat, which led to our giant sculpture of William the Wombat.”

What makes this even more extraordinary is Leanne does most of this remotely, as she and husband Stuart moved to Bundaberg due to medical reasons.

“They’re both amazing people, they’re good friends and it’s great to have them involved in the hotel, with Stuart seeing to all the business side of the partnership with his accounting background as well.”

Built in 1911, it was sold to Harold Francis in 1927 and renamed The Francis Hotel. Then it was destroyed by fire in 1940 and rebuilt a year later.

The current owners continue to pump profits back into the venture. Bar managers Tom and Makayla Taylor – originally from Tasmania and still getting used to the heat – well, they make sure no patrons go thirsty, and Tom’s best mate, Gavin Conway and his partner Alannah serve up the sensational tucker.

“Basically, we haven’t really made any (much) money,” Louise says with a wry smile. “We’ve just kept fixing things but it’s all going well.

“We get a lot of caravans and tourists coming to Thallon now, which has a lot to do with the silos and other attractions like the Rogues’ Gallery and the sculptures. They’ll have lunch or dinner while they’re checking out the sights.

“We’ve got a great bunch of people here who do a lot for our community. We all pull together and we’re seeing the results.”

Make sure you put Thallon on your travel itinerary, take in the sights, talk to the locals and drop into the Francis Hotel. There are no poker machines, no TAB, no Keno, no annoying bells and whistles – just good people with stories to tell. It doesn’t get better than that.

Oh, and don’t leave with grabbing a steak sanger … you won’t be disappointed. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker

FACING PAGE AND ABOVE: The Francis Hotel is a real one-stop shop; bar managers Tom and Makayla Taylor; traditional pub fare; hotel owners, front row from left Louise Fulwood, Trina Murphy, Chantal Draper, Karen Crook, Leanne and Stuart Brosnan.

Back from left, Paul Murphy, Libba Brosnan and Richard Crook. Absent: Duane Joyce; the walls are full of history; a comfortable guest room; the light and airy dining room.

The Francis Hotel, Thallon is so much more than just a pub.

Have a drink in the bar, enjoy a meal in the dining room or in our beer garden.

Buy essentials at the General Store or send a postcard at the Post Office.

Meet the friendly locals and take a break in our budget, air conditioned accommodation.

Open 8am until late 16 Pine Street, Thallon QLD (07) 4625 9188 www.thallonpub.com.au

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Community FIRST

How do people develop a keen sense of community and a willingness to always give a helping hand? Sometimes, it’s learned at their mother’s knee.

St George woman Liz Hill credits her mother and the hardworking country women of prior generations for her enduring community spirit. Liz’s daughter, Janna Spierenburg says she’s simply following in her mum’s footsteps.

Originally from the Bollon district, Liz vividly remembers her parents being on the founding committee of the Bollon branch of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association.

At a fairly young age she started helping at community events like campdraft, rodeo, polocrosse and bachelor and spinster balls … and her path was set.

It has remained through a nursing career, active involvement in farming operations and organisations like Landcare and rural financial counselling, participation in the Partners in Grain organisation at a national level and involvement in a research advisory committee.

She was a behind-the-scenes mentor for the silo project that put Thallon on the map with its silo art, and since 2005 she’s taken on a communications project that’s helped to bring social cohesion to whole communities. For Liz, it’s all about building strong, healthy, rural communities.

Her husband David also started community service young. In his 20s he was the president of Nindigully Rodeo Association. Even though the Hills have relocated to St George from their livestock and grain property at Nindigully, David can often be found hard at work for the (renamed) Nindigully Sports Association’s Campdraft.

“With a long history on both sides of the family, I think Janna didn’t have much choice,” says Liz. “Before she was even born, she went to the campdraft. I had my hospital baby bag with me just in case, though.”

Now with children of her own, Janna is very involved in the Thallon community.

Having gone away to boarding school, backpacked around some of Australia,

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Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

ventured overseas and worked at few jobs, her community service journey started when she and her husband settled in the Thallon township and took over two school bus runs.

Since then, she has been boots deep in the community. She compiles the Thallon Times newsletter, updates community Facebook pages and has been involved in projects as varied as the Thallon Pub Choir and the Long Table event, Grazing at the Watering Hole.

She’s a passionate representative of the local school P&C and Thallon Progress Association and has loved being part of the amazingly successful Thallon Truck Pull, which started some years ago to lift the spirits of a community suffering from a long drought.

Something Liz and Janna are both thrilled about is the Thallon housing project. The small town now has two gold standard, ageing-in-place residences. Liz is a director involved in the delivery of housing to Thallon.

One of the biggest gifts Liz has brought to the region is a communications website she started about 2005 after listening to a talk by a Telstra Business Women’s award winner, Kate Schwager, who was encouraging small towns to start a website.

So, Liz started StGeorgeQLD, which was recently rebranded as Connect South West QLD to cover that wider region.

The website now serves a large geographical area and includes a calendar of events, a popular employment listing area, online directory and resources for both residents and visitors.

Liz pays for the website’s upkeep, although she’s always open to sponsorship for the social enterprise.

“Most people have a hobby they spend time and money on – it might be golf, fishing, gardening, painting or knitting. I guess the website is mine,” she says.

Liz started StGeorgeQLD, which was recently rebranded as Connect South West QLD to cover that wider region.

Still, not everyone uses a computer, so monthly newsletters for little communities also find their way into shops, pubs and libraries, thanks to the mother-and-daughter duo.

Liz has received several awards for her volunteering, including Balonne Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year and the 2021 Community Dedication Award at the Greater Downs Women in Business Awards. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Kylie Whitaker, Jacob Morrison, Laura Rigney and Alisha Campbell.

FACING PAGE: Liz Hill and her daughter, Janna Spierenburg at the steps of the Visitor Information Station, which serves as an information centre, railway history display, gift shop and community hub.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Thallon Pub Choir in full voice; Janna Spierenburg, Liz Hill and Wayne Lasserre at the Visitor Information Station; 2021 Australia Day awards; Grazing at the Watering Hole is a very popular long-table event for locals and visitors; the award-winning Thallon Tractor Pull.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Thallon

FLORA fervour

If you set foot on beautiful “Dunkerry”, Nindigully, 430km west-south-west of Brisbane, you’d find a successful, fourth-generation family farm running Merino and crossbred sheep and growing a range of winter crops.

And flowers – lots of flowers – lovingly grown and harvested by Allie Hill, the founder of Dunkerry Flora.

Her farm-fresh bouquets travel across south-east Queensland and into northern New South Wales – plus further afield if the request arises – to capture hearts at weddings and special events alike.

With her whimsical designs and the whisper of fragrance, Allie injects soft colour, memorable texture and unforgettable style into her floral masterpieces.

Allie’s passion for gardening started from a young age, with her upbringing near Lismore NSW in the company of some rather handy gardeners – her mother, Anne Jones and her nan, Judy Martin.

Coming home to the green oasis of the home garden during times of drought is a concept well known and well loved by many a farming family.

That, and Allie’s skills and passion as a green thumb, prompted the creation of Dunkerry Flora back in 2019. At the time, she and husband Nico, along with parents-in-law Stuart and Chris, found themselves in the thick of an intense and unrelenting drought.

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“We had fed our ewes for as long as we could financially and viably manage,” Allie recalls. “We had no winter cereal crops in, no soil moisture, and we had completely destocked our property.

There was no money coming in.”

Allie remembers brainstorming with Nico – how can we diversify during times of drought?

Having established a sizeable garden at their home on the property and with a track record of growing magnificent roses in their sandy-loam soil, Allie’s suggestion to start a flower farm was not an unreasonable one.

Plus, with access to great dam water, the possibilities were worth exploring at the very least.

With Allie on maternity leave from her teaching job with her firstborn, Ollie, she and Nico decided to try growing Geraldton Wax – a West Australian native wildflower with memorable blooms and decent longevity once cut.

She contacted Wafex, and its sister company, Helix Australia, a name at the forefront of funding and commercialising new varieties of Waxflower in the country.

Thallon T O W N F E A T U R E

“I was very blessed and extremely lucky that the owner was really lovely and looking to partner with Queensland growers at the time,” Allie explains. “Geraldton Wax needs a sandy soil in raised beds and good access to water, so we started a small plot behind our house – 100 plants consisting of four different varieties.”

Through a few trial-and-error scenarios, Allie concluded the wax would only grow well in that one spot.

Now, the prized wax-growing position is home to 200 plants, the flowers from which are cut and sold locally in places like Roma, Mungindi, Goondiwindi, Toowoomba and Charleville.

Allie is a contract grower for Helix and pays royalties for the privilege of growing the popular blooms, once considered a “filler” flower but now a centrepiece of floral arrangements.

“I do love the fact that we’re making income from something that we are doing well with on the farm and being able to share that product with people in local towns,” Allie says.

But it doesn’t stop there. Dunkerry wax has been used to make gin, created by Glen Gowrie Distillery in Glen Innes and released in 2023.

The distiller uses the leaf matter and flower to extract an oil.

That oil is combined with the Australian Desert Limes that grow wild on Allie and Nico’s property to create Lime and Roses Gin – a captivating, zesty yet delicate treat best enjoyed as a classic G&T. “One of my goals when I started Dunkerry Flora was to have a gin made from our wax as we had once tried a Geraldton Wax gin which was delicious,” Allie says.

The Hill family also produces a refreshing Desert Lime cordial from the fruits of these prickly shrubs, which flower and fruit haphazardly depending on rainfall. The recipe is a special one, and strictly private after being handed down from Chris’s grandmother.

Allie also grows South African natives and eucalyptus, poppies, ranunculus, stock, roses, dahlias, and zinnias.

“I adore working with cottage-garden, whimsical-style blooms,” she says.

Dunkerry Flora is of course a clever diversification of Allie and Nico’s farming operations, which remain at the core of their life at “Dunkerry”, along with their two children Ollie and Clementine.

Nico’s parents, Stuart and Chris also live on the farm, which was settled by the Hill family in the late 1800s.

In a land ballot, Nico’s great-grandfather Jack drew the block formerly known as “Gumcamp” and renamed it “Dunkerry”.

“Dunkerry” was later handed to Nico’s grandfather Brian, one of the shire’s pioneer farmers to crop wheat, barley and oats in the mid-1950s. Since then, cropping in the area has grown immensely.

From 1990, Stuart and Chris were handed the reins of half the property, “Dunkerry”, while Stuart’s brother, David, operated the other portion, “Dunkerry South” – about 3000 hectares each.

They were at the helm until 2016 when Nico and Allie took over.

Stuart continues to provide his support as Nico takes on the lead managing role.

Fast forward to 2024, and Nico and Allie were offered the opportunity to purchase back “Dunkerry South” from Nico’s uncle, David, in turn doubling their land ownership and significantly increasing the scale of their business.

It’s changing times and new opportunities for this family, their farm and of course, their flowers. RLM

florist wedding events

Words: Anna Conn Images: Supplied

FACING PAGE: Family, farming and flowers are the focus for Allie and Nico Hill and their children Clementine and Ollie at “Dunkerry”, Nindigully.

FROM TOP: Dunkerry Flora founder Allie with her beloved Geraldton wax, once considered a ‘filler’ flower but now a centrepiece of floral arrangements; Dunkerry Flora bouquets made a stunning complement to Queensland bride Amy Riley and her bridesmaids, at Amy’s Roma wedding in April 2023 (Image: Jessica Turich Photography).

Located in Nindigully, QLD

dunkerryflora.com

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T O W N F E A T U R E Dirranbandi

Passion and pigs save the day

Steve Burns is what Aussies call a rough diamond. The successful Sunshine Coast builder swapped his share of a lucrative business for a rundown, outback pub selling fewer than two kegs a week.

Situated 45km south of St George and 35km north of Thallon, the turnaround at the now famous Nindigully Pub has been extraordinary.

And it’s all based on charity, a big heart, and wait for it, pig races!

Since 2005, the annual Nindigully Pub Pig Races have raised close to $1 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“One young bloke spent about $5000 on the pig races and when I asked him why he said: ‘Mate, it’s for the Flying Doctors; they’ve saved my family a few times’.

Without the Flying Doctors, we’d be stuffed out here,” Steve says.

Blue Dog Training boss Brad Deas approached Steve asking if he wrote out a large cheque for the RFDS, could his logo be added to the limited-edition pig race shirts Steve sells.

“Now he kicks in the same amount plus more every year,” the happy publican reveals. “One year Brad won the last race, which was worth about $8000. He handed the envelope back to the RFDS, saying he

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bids to lose, not to win. A lot of winners do the same because it’s such a great cause.”

Held annually in late November, the pig races raised a record $64,000 in 2022 for the RFDS, but that figure was smashed in 2023 with a whopping $107,000!

Due to wet weather numbers were down in 2024 but those who were there dug deep to hand over $72,000 after two days of entertainment and auctions.

When Steve bought the pub in August 2002, something he describes as an “absolute stupidity … what was I thinking?” moment, he’d be lucky to sell a dozen bottles of Bundy and less than two kegs a week.

Total transformation

The transformed Nindigully Pub now shifts 34 kegs and a pallet of mixed drinks weekly.

In 2002 the kitchen door was hanging off and the menu consisted of pies and seafood baskets with chips cooked in a $50 microwave and dual five-litre deep fryer.

There was a toilet block, only two showers,

no accommodation, and no tourists.

“It took me two years to get the first tourists here,” Steve recalls. “A couple of caravanners turned up and I hugged them!

Then Tourism Toowoomba got involved and that was a big help.”

Nindigully isn’t a town – it’s a pub, post office, general store and sports club, with a great arena for campdrafts.

About 50 locals from surrounding properties are what Steve terms: “the backbone of the whole show”.

“Without their support it doesn’t work,” he admits.

Renovations have been ongoing, with Steve pouring profits (plus his superannuation), into the rebuild, which includes a $500,000 kitchen renovation.

Steve credits his late partner Deb, who passed away from cancer a little over three years ago, with much of the vision and renovation plans.

“Deb was the first woman in my life after I got here,” Steve says. “She was a driving force

Nindigully T O W N F E A T U R E

behind a lot of everything that’s gone on.”

The Gully, as it’s affectionately known, now provides free camping, hot showers, a wonderful beer garden with multiple stages and seating, ice-cold drinks and a sensational seasonal menu that boasts some of the biggest burgers in Australia.

The menu features “The Queenslamber”, shaped like the state, filled with meat from a whole lamb leg, weighing 12kg, feeding 12-15 people.

The humungous “Real Big Mack”, a threepart burger resembling a Mack truck, trailer and bulldog, weighing 25kg, sustains 40-plus people.

These must be ordered a few days in advance as the buns are made in specialised tins at St George Bakery.

“Our everyday mega burger, ‘the Roadtrain’ weighs 5.5kg and feeds four to six people,” Steve adds.

BYO Bale

Fundraising at The Gully isn’t restricted to the RFDS as it supports the McGrath Foundation, the local CWA, Thallon Primary School, Variety Club of Queensland and any number of worthy causes.

When things get tough, The Gully pitches in. In the last prolonged drought, the ground was parched, the Moonie River dry, and ABC-TV ran a show on Thallon, Nindigully’s nearest neighbour.

“One of our local ladies brought to the nation’s attention the very real impact of drought on their family farm and home of 50 years,” Steve recalls.

“They had no water, no feed; they’d destocked their property down to a couple of the grandkids’ pet horses – not having the heart to sell them.

“Retired war veterans, they sacrificed their own pension and food to buy hay for the horses.

We all got together and helped them out.”

The pub instigated BYO Bale, urging travellers to buy a bale of hay and drop it anywhere they wanted on their outback adventure, with a note of support to the farmer.

Hay bales, cattle licks, and dog food piled up outside the pub, with local farmers encouraged to help themselves.

“Trailer loads kept turning up for months,” Steve recalls.

“One day I took a call from Brendon (Bumpa) Farrell, the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners founder.

“After I explained BYO Bale to him, Brendon delivered $50,000 worth of prime hay, donating it to the RFDS pig race day in 2020.”

As the trucks arrived, a lady came in, tears in her eyes, asking for some bales.

Big-hearted Brendon told her to back up her ute and it was soon filled with a tonne of beautiful hay.

This woman became the face of the whole campaign that inspired Steve, Deb and local families. Steve has vowed to repeat that exercise in the next big dry.

A top spot

There are endless reasons people choose to drink at The Gully – no pokies, no TAB, no noise, just country music. It’s a top spot for a drink, a feed, and a chat with a new or old friend.

Steve recalls a group of mates pulling in on a road trip north from Sydney for a week.

“Their usual getaway was an annual trip to a five-star Gold Coast hotel,” Steve explains.

“We were their first overnight stop and they stayed all week.

“A Supreme Court judge was with them and they said they’d never seen him so relaxed, just having fun fishing, drinking, yarning and sleeping in tents. They’ll be back.”

After 22 years, Steve’s focus is year-round fundraising. Pub visitors pin money to the ceiling, top up the tip jars on the bar and throw in a gold coin when they have a shower.

“After 12 months we get close to $10,000 which kicks off fundraising for the pig races,” Steve says. “These people are amazing.” RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker, Country Pub Camping, Murray Hartin

ABOVE: The Nindigully Pub Pig Races have been a great fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service; donations are placed on the ceiling throughout the year to be taken down on pig race eve; the walls of the pub are filled with photos and memorabilia; some people will go to any lengths to have a drink at the Gully Pub ... even when the river is up; the outdoor beer garden now boasts purpose-built stages for entertainment; Myrayah and Stuart Seaton.

FACING PAGE: Under the ownership of publican Steve Burns, the Nindigully Pub is now a thriving hub for tourists and locals alike.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Dirranbandi

COMMUNITY

collaborates on precinct The wheels started turning for Dirranbandi’s Rail and River Precinct concept when railway services ceased to the town in 1993.

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Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

Dirranbandi Arts Council members could see an opportunity to develop the area as a multi-purpose site for the community.

“Visiting the place now and seeing the community using the precinct gives me great satisfaction knowing the amount of people who have contributed to and supported the project,” says past arts council president Pam Crothers. “You can’t drive something like this without the community running with you. So much of what lies within has been funded by local organisations or grants that they’ve managed to procure.”

Driving into town the site is prefaced by a magnificent 2D metal depiction of the Charge of Beersheba beside the road, designed by local Duncan Banks, whose inspiration was Ron Marshall’s painting, The Charge.

The pathway beyond leads to Welcome to Country signage with the original gantry and shunting line nearby.

Other sculptures and metal art produced by locals can be observed beside a dry creek bed and embedded within various native plantings.

Beyond this, a children’s playground is situated with a large deck under two magnificent fig trees where birthday parties, markets and community events are held.

The main pedestrian entrance is in the centre of the main street flanked by the Rural Transaction Centre and information centre and the impressive bronze of Tom Dancey, the legendary bare-footed winner of the Stawell Gift.

Towards the end of the year a huge Christmas tree is decorated and the precinct illuminated by fairy lights. This event was initiated several years ago by Dirranbandi Progress Association to brighten up a particularly debilitating drought.

The original railway buildings have been retained with the Parcels Office displaying rail history and photos of the local show’s centenary.

Next door is the quaint Drivers’ Lunchroom housing information about Dirranbandi’s unique landscape and land use.

The beautiful Goods Shed has been modified within to enable its use for workshops, exhibitions and other community events.

The area has been enhanced over time by a large parking area suitable for cars, motorhomes and caravans, with the addition of shaded seating and barbecues.

This entire precinct is a wonderful example of community members collaborating to preserve the heritage of an area while showcasing the passion and talents of creative, far-sighted individuals.

“There is plenty more to do to enhance this area, so hopefully others will take up the challenge,” concludes Pam. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Jacque Hemming and Balonne Shire Council

FROM TOP: A wedge-tailed eagle, created by Fred Perrottet, overlooks his nest nearby; the walkway leads visitors through the precinct; a dragonfly, created by Duncan Banks, alights on a bulrush in the dry creek bed.

FACING PAGE: The impressive two-dimensional metal cut-out representing the Charge of Beersheba, was created by local sculptor Duncan Banks.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Dirranbandi

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Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

Park owner blessed

Nikki Pulfer has created a haven where travellers can relax and feel safe, a place where everyone is made feel welcome.

Looking out onto the grounds of the Dirranbandi Retreat and Caravan Park, owner Nikki Pulfer is in awe of the beauty she sees around her.

“It’s green, there are birds everywhere but more than anything, it’s ridiculously peaceful,” Nikki says. “It’s a little bubble in the outback.”

It is a far cry from her early days owning hair and beauty salons in bustling Noosa, and her later career as a chaplain working in schools across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, and at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Nikki and her then-husband travelled to Dirranbandi in 2018 to renovate an old home they had been gifted.

During that time the town’s caravan park, which unusually included a dilapidated former convent, complete with chapel, came on the market.

“I didn’t even think about the caravan park, all I could see was the convent and chapel in need of restoration,” Nikki says.

So, in April 2019, with no experience in running a caravan park, they bought the property.

“I didn’t know what I was doing – I just ran the caravan park how I would like to be treated,” Nikki says.

Dirranbandi Retreat and Caravan Park is pet-friendly with 18 cabins, five on-site vans, 24 powered sites and five unpowered sites.

It’s situated three blocks from the main street and is a pleasant walk to the pub.

During peak season – from the beginning of April until the end of October – the occupancy rate is 95 per cent.

“Even if I’m full, if a solo traveller comes in, I’ll find somewhere to put them because I don’t want them out on the side of the road in a potentially unsafe environment,” Nikki says.

Every night throughout peak season, Nikki serves complimentary home-made pizza, soup and damper, or potatoes cooked on the fire, to her guests during happy hour.

“Everyone gets a personal invitation to happy hour, and everybody receives food,” Nikki says. “It goes back to my chaplaincy days. I want everyone who comes into this park to feel included and know that they matter.

“If I see someone sitting on their own, especially a solo traveller, I’ll make sure they feel part of community, even if it’s only for a couple of days.

“I’m so fortunate that travellers will jump in and ask to light the fire or help serve,” Nikki, who now runs the park on her own, says.

Every night throughout peak season, Nikki serves complimentary home-made pizza, soup and damper, or potatoes cooked on the fire, to her guests during happy hour.

Others stay longer, sometimes lending a hand with odd jobs.

Nikki’s clients are more mature travellers, usually 50-plus.

“I don’t know whether it’s COVID, or how our society is today with social media, but people are missing being connected, the face-to-face interaction and conversations,” Nikki says. “I think happy hour provides that, and the next day you’re seeing them chatting away with people they’ve met the night before.”

Non-peak season is when Nikki carries out maintenance and improvements.

Every Wednesday and Saturday during peak season, Nikki runs bus tours to Cubbie Station, the largest irrigated cotton farm in the Southern Hemisphere.

The tour, which lasts 3.5 hours, includes morning tea.

“Agriculture is so important to the sustainability of our town,” she says. > ABOVE: Former school and hospital chaplain Nikki Pulfer has transformed an old convent and chapel in Dirrandandi into her home and business.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dirranbandi Retreat and Caravan Park offers accommodation options for every traveller; reception is located in the old convent; the restored chapel and convent; the restoration was a mammoth task; the chapel is used for meetings and marriage vow renewals.

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Nikki lives in the 70-year-old convent, a rambling, two-storey building with 12-foot ceilings, that also houses the caravan park’s reception area.

The convent and chapel were built in 1954 and were used until the early 1980s when it was decommissioned by the Catholic Church.

Subsequent owners used it as their family home and also as a backpackers’ hostel complete with pink- and purple-painted walls.

When Nikki took over the caravan park, the building was in disrepair.

Floorboards and ceilings were missing, and the walls were buckled and bowed, and flocks of pigeons had taken up residence in the roof.

While the convent renovation is an ongoing project, work on the chapel is now complete.

The chapel is booked for council and tourism meetings, it has been the venue for concerts, and couples have renewed their marriage vows there.

Some of the work was done by trades, with volunteers including teams from Mobile Mission Maintenance and Care Outreach also lending a hand.

Nikki says life has not always been easy, and South-West Queensland, with its floods, droughts, mouse plagues and bushfires, is no place for the faint-hearted.

Still, the rewards have been many, including being highly commended at the 2021 Greater Downs Women in Business Awards, and the park named a finalist in the 2020 National Grey Nomad Awards and coming second in 2021.

“The greatest reward, however, is when people tell you that they have enjoyed their stay here, and that they have felt relaxed, safe and special,” Nikki says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Jem Hawker

FROM TOP: Everyone is welcome at happy hour, with complimentary nibbles and sometimes a budding musician to entertain travellers; Nikki runs bus tours to Cubbie Station during peak season.

DIRRANBANDI RETREAT & CARAVAN PARK RELAX. RECONNECT. EXPLORE.

Whether you're here for a restful night or a longer stay, we provide everything you need for an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation for every traveller Powered and unpowered sites, fully equipped cabins, and budget-friendly single quarters.

Complimentary warm treats Experience our small community, while you enjoy complimentary pizza, spuds, soup and damper.

Fully equipped camp kitchen Open to all, perfect for preparing delicious meals.

Social vibes Break bread in the presence of bush poets, musicians, or whatever surprises your fellow travellers have to offer.

Guided farm tours Explore Cubbie station, and discover the fascinating world of cotton farming on the largest gravity fed, irrigated property in the southern hemisphere.

Visit us today at 41-45 Kirby St, Dirranbandi, Queensland Call ahead on 0447 555 685 for bookings and tour info www.dirranbandioutback.com.au

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Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

Daughters inspired by mum A courageous woman who fought and won her battle with breast cancer is the inspiration behind a heartfelt fundraiser in Dirranbandi.

Alysoun Cooke, who was diagnosed in 2019, proudly rang the survivor’s bell in June 2024, marking her fifth year being cancer-free.

Her four daughters – Courtney Dwyer, Toowoomba, Kymberly Wilson, Mungindi and Sophie and Holly Cooke, from St George – came up with the idea of a “pink luncheon” to help people going through the same thing as their beloved mum.

“Mum is the motivation behind our ongoing fundraising efforts,” says Kymberly. “As Dirranbandi is our hometown, and we’re living in different places, we felt that was the best venue for the luncheon.

“It’s a real family affair, with our husbands, partners and father, and all our friends who volunteer and help where they can.”

So far, the sisters have hosted two highly successful luncheons, all planned via Facebook messages and email, raising a whopping $42,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Since 1994, the foundation has invested more than $200 million into 600-plus world-class research projects across Australia resulting in a 40 per cent reduction in the death rate from breast cancer in Australia.

Up to 200 women have attended these functions to hear guest speakers, the heartwarming stories of survivors, fighters and those who didn’t win their battle.

Guests opened their hearts and wallets buying goods from stalls and shelling out for raffle tickets.

“Our main aim is to create awareness and raise money for research,” says Kymberly. “Since we began hosting these fundraisers, people close to us have been diagnosed with breast cancer, making the fundraisers that much more personal to all of us.

“These luncheons and the ongoing fundraising would not be possible without the support of our very generous community and our fabulous sponsors – one of whom, Sams Group, has donated a pink Kimberley diamond three for three consecutive years.” RLM Words: Kymberly Wilson Images: Louise Wilson Photography

Sisters Sophie Cooke, Kymberly Wilson, Courtney Dwyer and Holly Cooke with their mum, cancer survivor Alysoun Cooke.

Lynne McCosker, Sheryl Rigg, Donna Worboys, Jade Vickers, Sue McArthur, Shelley Lindores, Julie Kirby, Di Morris and Majella Morris.

Brittany and Haylee Cochrane, Ceyanne Cooper, Kaiamba Davis, Cheryl Horneman, Debbie-Ann Hall, Jenny Weatherall, Stephanie Cooper, Kaila Naven, Joy Weatherall, Casey Smith and Carlee Shearer.

Jenny Blockland, Robyn Frank, Jess and Sue Willis, Julie Frank, Tayla Willis and Kyra Passman.

Jenny Weatherall, Cheryl Horneman, Kylie Vaughan, Nat Swain and Astrid Kennedy.

Jacque Hemming and Karena Wilson.

Pagen Arnold, Bethanie Stuhmcke, Shanelle Woodford, Jessie and Kelli Twidale, Nicole Taylor, Michelle Walters , Nicole Kemp and Amity Robson.

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Many hands make light work Membership of Dirranbandi Progress Association may be small in number, but it’s a mighty force when it comes to furthering the aims of the local community and district.

The tiny town, with a population of 640, has had more than its fair share of challenges in recent years – droughts, fires, floods, road closures – you name it – but the determination of locals to keep their town alive and thriving has seen it come through the worst of times.

Driving the Progress Association is president Jacque Hemming, who’s spent half her life in the district with the other half in Baralaba, near Rockhampton, where she was born and bred.

Jacque and husband Doug are dryland farmers who raise cattle, operate a feedlot and run a few goats on their properties at Dirranbandi, Thallon and Nindigully.

“We hope to achieve a better town for our community to live in and encourage tourists to visit and perhaps move to Dirranbandi,” Jacque says. “The association also tries to

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encourage council to invest in our beautiful little town.”

Jacque began running the Dirranbandi Community Hub Facebook page four years ago as a way of connecting with people, so everyone knows what’s happening around the district. It now boasts close to 9000 members!

You’ll find Jacque taking photos at most community gatherings, recording the town’s history, the people and the places, including the Anzac Day march and another great bush tradition – pony camp.

One major concern for Jacque is the lack of young people stepping up to volunteer in the town.

“In small places like this, you’ll find those who do put up their hand are in multiple community groups,” she explains. “I’d love to see our young people getting more

involved in their community. I know there are any number of distractions in this electronic world, but the reward for helping others is priceless.”

Jacque is ably supported on the association’s executive by vice-president Sian Hardie, a Narrabri girl who took the long way around to Dirranbandi, arriving eight years ago.

For almost all that time she’s been involved with the Progress Association, having grown up in a family where volunteering was second nature.

She met her future husband Christopher while studying at UNE, Armidale, and the pair married and moved to Brisbane, before heading west.

Before her life in Dirran, she owned a coffee shop, had done administrative work for Christopher, who was then managing

Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

a farm for the Australian Agricultural Company, and she’s completed an x-ray operator’s course. Now she’s working in admin for Queensland Health.

A true multi-tasker, Sian says she’s easing her way back into the workforce.

Not long after arriving in Dirran, Sian went along to a Progress Association meeting, believing she was delivering an idea about beautifying the town for Christmas – and was hooked by the enthusiasm of the group.

Not long before that, Jacque Hemming had won a competition, decorating 10km of roadside with different bits and pieces, to bring a little cheer to the drought-stricken region.

Obtaining $60,000 in funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, Sian and her trusty mate, Amber Stewart, and other local volunteers dug in and revitalised the town while raising awareness of mental health issues.

Guest speakers were enlisted and the CBD was dressed to impress.

“Beautifying the main street helped breathe new life into the place,” she reflects.

Sian believes the association’s biggest achievement is the River and Rail Precinct, which was an initiative of Dirranbandi Arts Council and followed through by the Progress Association.

“The woman who drove this project, Pam Crothers, really pushed to get it on paper so we could progress to the funding stage.” (See separate story on the precinct).

Another major passion of Sian’s is the establishment of ongoing child care in the town.

“We have a lot of families where both parents work – and rural women need to work as well, so we are trying to set it up,” says Sian. “We haven’t got it over the line yet, but we’ll keep trying.”

Being an advocate for the community to council is one of the main responsibilities of this group.

“Local people know what’s best for their town in a lot of ways,” she says.

The water situation in Dirran certainly needs addressing, as many people can’t access their homes after a rain event as the main street’s stormwater drains can’t handle a sudden downpour.

“We have welcomed drainage surveying and hope to come up with a solution soon,” Sian says.

The association continues to pressure council to address this huge issue for the town so it doesn’t fall off the agenda.

Treasurer Sally Hemming is a real asset to the Progress Association executive and has a passion for Dirranbandi’s Independent Living Units (ILUs) which have been in existence for about 25 years.

“I’d love to see our young people getting more involved in their community. I know there are any number of distractions in this electronic world, but the reward for helping others is priceless.”

FACING PAGE: Dirranbandi Progress Association executive, from left, president Jacque Hemming, vice-president Sian Hardie, treasurer Sally Hemming and secretary Lezette Engelbrecht.

FROM TOP: A bird’s-eye view of Dirranbandi; polocrosse action; agriculture is big business in the district.

The association manages the units, with accommodation provided under Queensland Housing Department.

“Its aim is to keep people living at home longer,” Sally enthuses. “I see that as a real asset for rural communities. The units are a great way for elderly people to downsize into something more comfortable.”

There are one- and two-bedroom units in a duplex-like situation, 10 in total.

The units can also be used for vulnerable people living with disability, or perhaps a single mum with a couple of children, or a young person in need of a community around them.

So committed to the project, Sally also assisted the nearby town of Thallon to

establish its own ILUs. Her main concern is if the Progress Association ever folds, that would put the ILUs at great risk, taking out the local knowledge factor in selection of residents.

Married to Rob Hemming, they’ve lived in “suburbia” on a family property 12km from town.

The couple have “twin men” – Fraser and Sam – who turn 32 in March, both of whom are married with children.

Sally loves living in Dirranbandi and, like her fellow executive members, would love to see more people come along to meetings to have their say in what happens in the future for their beautiful little town. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Jacque Hemming

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Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

Small school

big opportunities In vast South-West Queensland, Dirranbandi P-10 State School’s strong connection to the community influences the way its students learn.

Dirranbandi P-10 State School is a little school offering big opportunities to its students and staff.

With only 68 students – 46 in primary and 22 in high school – the school can give students individual attention, with a focus on the continuous improvement of each pupil.

Dirranbandi’s students live in the small country town or on properties as far away as 80km, with two school buses running along the Hebel and Bollon roads.

The history of education in Dirranbandi dates back to 1902 when the school first opened as a provisional school.

A secondary department was added in 1963, and while student numbers have dropped over the years, the P-10 model guarantees a certain number of teachers at the school.

Today, the school employs nine teachers and 10 auxiliary staff, and while Queensland is experiencing a shortage of teachers, especially in some of the bigger metropolitan schools, Dirranbandi P-10 State School is fortunate to be fully staffed.

Principal Beth Harlow says the department has done a good job advertising the benefits of teaching in rural and remote communities.

Beth says it is an opportunity for younger teachers to immerse themselves in the community and receive benefits such as subsidised housing.

“It also gives teachers who are just starting out the opportunity to work with smaller class sizes, which means they can concentrate on high-quality curriculum delivery,” Beth says.

“The advantage of smaller classes is that teachers know how their students work.

“We have a mix of group and individual work to cater for different learning needs. Most students have personalised learning plans which means we have strategies we know will work.”

Aside from its lovely grounds and sporting field, the school has a one-acre agriculture

plot, an orchard with 12 fruit trees, bush tucker garden and two greenhouses.

One greenhouse contains 600 orchids which the students are learning how to propagate.

Years 7-10 students study agriculture and once they reach Year 10, they can complete a Certificate 2 in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.

Sustainability is an integral part of the course, and students recycle the spools that plastic is rolled onto for use in the cotton industry to build garden beds.

The school has formed a special partnership with Murray-Darling catchment rangers, with lots of hands-on projects for the students.

“It has a large First Nations aspect to it which is important as 58 per cent of our kids are Indigenous,” Beth says.

Together, the rangers and students visited Old Camp, the site of the original First Nations settlement on the outskirts of Dirranbandi, where they put carp traps in the river and carried out cultural burns.

The school offers the local Indigenous language, Yuwaalaraay, as part of its Language Other Than English (LOTE) program for students in Years 5-8.

“Head of curriculum Jen Miller, who delivers the program, works closely with the Yuwaalaraay board who are the traditional owners of the land,” Beth says.

Older students can participate in Blue Light shearing camps, spending a week on local properties where they learn to shear and work in the sheds.

The students’ horizons are broadened with excursions to destinations such as Canberra and the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

Dirranbandi State School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school.

“Each week we have a specific focus, for example, ‘I am polite’ or ‘I follow instructions first time, every time’,” Beth explains.

A strong and active P&C raises funds

for the school by catering for the local campdraft, hosting Melbourne Cup festivities and running raffles.

In 2024, the P&C applied for a grant which enabled the school to buy new instruments for its music program.

The budding musicians perform at school functions and community events, and recently completed a two-day workshop with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

“What makes our school different is our connection to the community,” Beth says.

“We’re fortunate to have the support of people, not only families who have children at the school, but also people who are invested in the education of the kids in our community.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Jem Hawker and supplied

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Students with visiting artist Danielle Mate; celebrating a win to Culgoa at the annual athletics carnival; getting their ag on with a shearing excursion; whole school photo; learning in the P-2 room; embracing our culture; revealing story poles created with artist Peter Mulcahy; team building in the Balonne River; tending to the orchids in the ag plot; ‘Phins up! Celebrating the inaugural NRL Dolphins gala day; experimenting in the newly renovated lab.

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EMPIRE

built on a snag If you’re driving through Dirranbandi, take the tip from thousands of caravanners. Drop in to see Luke “Rusty” Russell and Tom O’Brien at Three Rivers Meats butcher shop.

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“Why?” I hear you ask – they’ll tell you why.

“You have to grab some Bushman’s sausages, the famous Ned Kelly snags,” says Rusty, in full, yarn-spinning mode.

“They reckon Ned Kelly was up here in 1878, just before he went back to Glenrowan. He used to run with a bushranger called Dingo Donnelly and he had the recipe for the famous Bushman’s sausages.

“The coppers were looking for Dingo but before they grabbed him he stuffed the recipes into empty bottles and hid them in hollows in some trees down on the Balonne River.”

Whether it’s fact or fiction, Rusty reckons he found the bottles when he was throwing a line in, hoping to catch dinner – and says the original recipes are now tucked away in a safe.

That may explain why Three Rivers Meats is renowned for its Bushman’s sausages.

Rusty runs the butchery for Frank Deshon, who bought it just before he purchased the Hebel Hotel and General Store.

Frank runs sheep and cattle on his properties and was looking for an outlet for his meat.

“Originally we were just trying to find a consistent supply of meat with traceability, where we could tell people where it came from,” Frank explains.

“Then we thought ‘there’s got to be a better way’ – so Three Rivers Meats was born in 2021, specialising in paddockto-plate, and Dirranbandi Butchery was purchased from Greg Stephens in 2022 as a base for Three Rivers Meats.

When Frank put out the call for a butcher, Rusty was encouraged to apply by his aunty, who lives in Nindigully.

Rusty previously owned three butcher shops on the coast and had a great reputation in the game but was looking for a change, Frank says.

On March 27, 2022, Dirranbandi became the first step in the establishment of the Three Rivers Meats with Rusty at the helm.

“We hit the ground running and pretty soon we were delivering meat locally and to neighboring towns,” Frank says.

All the produce sold at Three Rivers Meats is top-quality, with Frank supplying beef and lamb; their pork comes from Nyngan; and their chickens from a local supplier.

But it’s the Bushman’s sausage the tourists talk about while soaking in the bore baths at Lightning Ridge, Goodooga, or Collie.

The grey nomad network is an extremely good one to have on board and Three Rivers Meats always gets a huge tick of approval from travellers.

Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

“We know we’ve got a great product.”

“We know we’ve got a great product,” Rusty says proudly. “They come in for the Bushman’s sausage and get exposed to our other products. They take a heap of snags and sauces and things and fire it up on the barbie in camp that night.

“Then they sit in the bore baths with the other travellers and spread the word for us – we don’t have to do a thing.”

And it’s all because of the humble Bushman’s sausage. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker and supplied

FACING PAGE: Tom O’Brien and Luke ‘Rusty’ Russell know the butchery trade inside and out.

ABOVE: Fresh cuts of your favourite meat ready to pop on the stove or into the freezer; paddock-to-plate is Three Rivers’ specialty; Tom and Rusty keep busy ensuring they have a steady supply of Bushman snags.

Producing a paddock to plate experience from locally sourced meats and produce.

Opening hours Mon - Fri: 8am to 5pm Sat: 8am to 12pm Sun: Closed

Ph. (07) 4625 8125 24 Railway Street, Dirranbandi, QLD

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T O W N F E A T U R E Dirranbandi

Transformed for

family living

An impressive outback oasis has been created from humble beginnings at Trafalgar Station, on the banks of the Balonne River at Dirranbandi.

The expansive garden and lovely homestead of quintessential Queensland style is home to Jonathan and Kathy Burrell and family.

It is a lush, restful and inviting scene; and relaxing for the Burrells to return to after busy days working their farm of irrigated and dryland cropping, and cattle.

Jonathan and Kathy initially moved to the Dirranbandi area working as agronomists in the early development of Cubbie Station, now the largest irrigated cotton farm in the Southern Hemisphere.

In 1997 they settled at Trafalgar Station with their young family.

“We bought a lovely 100-year-old Queenslander workers’ cottage from Cecil Plains (a few hours away),” Jonathan tells.

“It was transported in two sections and when it arrived on the

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back of the truck I did think for a minute ‘what have we done’!”.

But there was great potential in the character-filled house with its high-pitched roof, cedar joinery and hoop pine floors.

Renovations were needed but living in the house before building began presented a valuable opportunity to assess lighting, design and, crucially given the climate, how to keep it cool. > ABOVE: At Trafalgar Station a lovely home of classic Queensland style and its expansive gardens are restful and inviting.

FACING PAGE: Green and lush, the gardens surrounding the homestead are a delightful oasis in the Queensland climate. Cooling water features, long flowering bougainvillea and a large, shaded deck all contribute to the lovely ambience.

Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

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T O W N F E A T U R E Dirranbandi

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Dirranbandi T O W N F E A T U R E

In typical Queensland fashion the building was elevated to ensure good air circulation.

Another essential component was verandahs, and Jonathan decided to expand the original eight-foot version up to 14 feet, incorporating a gable roof.

“The builder wasn’t impressed with the idea at first,” he laughs.

But the ingenious plan went ahead and was successful in creating the substantial wraparound verandahs that have been central to the family’s lifestyle.

A wonderful feature of the house, they are welcoming and cool, well utilised for relaxing and entertaining with family and friends.

The interior was transformed into a large, appealing space which incorporates comfortable living areas and windows overlooking the garden and river.

“We essentially made an old home new but ensured extensions were done in the same vein as the original, retaining the character,” Kathy says.

Original timber doors, window frames, skirting boards and picture rails, along with polished floorboards complement beautiful country styling.

There is strong connection at Trafalgar Station between indoor and outdoor living.

Creation of the abundant garden has been a labour of love for the Burrells.

“It is a lot of work but we enjoy it,” Jonathan says.

From a few original eucalypts, the garden has grown to become a verdant microclimate which helps cool the house and its inhabitants.

“The temperature is lower by a few degrees in the garden compared to the paddocks,” Kathy says.

“We are fortunate to have a reliable water supply and, together with the warm climate, it is very conducive to plant growth.”

Heavy mulching with cotton trash is important to combat days when temperatures climb well above 40 degrees.

Jacaranda trees (Jacaranda mimosifolia) provide a lovely entrance avenue.

Canopies of shade stretch across open lawn areas from a parkland of trees and shrubs including various palm species, colourful poinciana and weeping mulberry trees (Morus pendula).

Hedges include plumbago (P. auriculata) and box (buxus), also used to highlight sculptures and water features.

Enormous Bougainvillea (B. glabra) are a feature of the garden with their colourful bracts in white, red and pink providing colour for most of the year. The long, flowering walls they form are spectacular.

“We would have around 100; they love it here and just keep flowering,” Kathy says.

Enhancing the plantings are built structures including a long, curved arbour over which jasmine clambers, and a large, circular timber deck built around shade-giving Tipuana trees, and a favourite place for the family to gather.

This delightful garden with its peaceful river backdrop was a beautiful setting for the wedding of Jonathan and Kathy’s daughter Sarah to Todd Cooper in May 2024.

Sarah, a doctor and Todd, who works on the family farm, have moved back to the area residing in nearby St George.

Jonathan and Kathy are also delighted to have eldest son Tom back home after several years working as a commercial pilot in northern Queensland. Tom is a great example of the next generation embracing agriculture and its opportunities.

The couple’s other son Sam, also a doctor, lives in Melbourne returning to the farm whenever possible.

Jonathan and Kathy have noticed a pleasing number of young adults like their children returning to the area to live and work.

“It’s great for places like Dirranbandi, helping to keep services and grow the town,” Jonathan says.

The couple are closely involved with their community, actively supporting various organisations for many years.

The Burrell family have built a home base to cherish on busy Trafalgar Station.

“The kids were only young when we started and grew up as things have developed; we have all done this together,” the couple proudly say. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Jacque Hemming

ABOVE: Colourful Jacaranda trees form a welcoming entrance avenue at Trafalgar Station, Dirranbandi, home to the Burrell family and base for their farming operations.

FACING PAGE: Jonathan and Kathy Burrell have created a charming family home; wide verandahs are cool and appealing; beautiful styling complements original timber features and polished floorboards for a comfortable and attractive interior space; the character of the former Queenslander cottage has been retained in the building’s wonderful transformation.

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Mungindi T O W N F E A T U R E

Tough as nails He might now be missing a front tooth but that just adds more character to the roguish grin of Mungindi legend Alfie Glass.

The leases ran out After the ’40s drought On “Noondoo” and “Nareen” That’s when my dad and me Back in ’53 Joined the fencing scene …

The former farmhand, fencer and taxi driver has a thousand tales to tell and he can make them rhyme too as the opening verse attests.

It’s Friday afternoon and we’re sitting in the Jolly Swagman Hotel bar with his good mate, Shane Murphy, a weekly ritual, just across the road from Alf’s new place of residence, the Thelma Rabbett Homes for the Aged.

“Shane said I had to move into the aged care units as there were too many steps at my house for an 89-year-old and I was gonna hurt myself,” Alf explains.

“The day before my final move I fell down the steps, my mouth hit the rail post, and I lost one of my crowns.”

Shane reckons he should’ve moved the day before.

And destiny played its part.

Alf was the inaugural president of the committee formed in 1977 to raise money to build the aged care units. He was still in the chair when the first five units were opened in April 1983, and he hadn’t moved when the last six units were completed in 1996.

“I only went to that first meeting hoping to get a beer,” Alf laughs, “and I walked out as president – got my name on both plaques. It was the most pleasant organisation you could hope to be in. Everybody got behind it.”

In between meetings Alf stood thousands of miles of fences on more than 100 properties in the Mungindi district.

“We used to work on a kilometre a day, standing the fences, running the barb, the lot,” Alf says. “I used to try to impress the farm bosses so I’d bite off more than I could chew and chew like bloody crazy.”

And there were some hot days.

“I can remember in 1956 me and my father were building cattle yards on Burren Downs and it was over 110 degrees for two weeks.”

TOUGH FROM THE START

Alf was born on January 24, 1935, the fourth of 10 children – six years into the Great

Depression and four years before World War II. They were tough times. With his mum and dad managing a property near Thallon, sixyear-old Alf boarded at the DCA Hostel in Mungindi where he recalls the tucker wasn’t too flash.

“We used to bludge banana skins and orange peel off the other kids. The big thing was getting the core of an apple.”

Alf then spent three years at a hostel near Katoomba, came back before his 15th birthday and got a job with Jim Hill on his property “Goorarooman”. He did a harvest stint in Gravesend, laboured for a bloke building the RSL club and then moved back to “Gleneve” with his parents.

“When the owner, Jack Allen died, dad decided to leave ‘Gleneve’ and go back fencing, so I went with him,” he says. “Then I was fencing with my older brother, Bobby.

There was plenty of work, so I went out on my own.”

Come 1957, change was in the air.

A CHANGE OF CAREER

“I smashed up a Volkswagen motor car, busted my ankle, couldn’t go fencing anymore. Long story short, I bought a taxi licence,” he reveals. “There were three taxis in Mungindi in them days plus a couple of hire cars. I used to cart men for ringbarking contractors and timber cutters to places like Cunnamulla, Mudgee, Kandos – the farthest I think I went was Thargomindah.

“Then I’d cart punters to places like Inverell and Beaudesert just to back a horse.

There were some pretty wild trips.”

After eight years driving cabs and putting up with a dodgy ankle, local chemist Jimmy Riley advised Alf to go and see the doctor about this new drug called Indocid.

“I took the prescription back to Jimmy.

As he was counting ’em out I said ‘give me a couple now’, and I reckon I felt better straight away. That was in 1965 and pretty soon I was back in the fencing game!”

POETIC LICENCE

Alf’s been president of the footy club, enjoys a round or two at the golf club, doesn’t mind a cold beer on a hot day – or a cold day – he reckons he’s adaptable.

I’ve slowed down a lot, I’m now not so hot But I can still rock the boat.

When all’s done and said I can still paint the town red But it will only get the one coat “The poetry came about when I met Shane’s dad, Ted in about ’84,” Alf recalls of his late, great mate. “Ted was a good poet, and I didn’t consider myself a poet’s backside, but I won the trophy a couple of times at the Mungindi Show.”

Alf has been married twice – to Dawn and Janette – and has two daughters Jan and Tracie and grandchildren Bridie, Jazz and Guy. Alf sadly lost his son Peter to brain cancer in 2017.

Alf has lived a full life but says he’s still got a bit of petrol left in the tank.

If you want to know any more about this great Aussie larrikin, just turn up to the Jolly Swagman on a Friday afternoon. You won’t regret it.

I’ve made lots of mates And that’s really great, Now most are waiting for me.

Not down at the pub Or the RSL club But out at the lawn cemetery. RLM Words and images: Murray Hartin

FACING PAGE: Even with a missing front tooth, Alfie Glass still has a winning smile.

ABOVE: Alf was part of the original committee to raise funds for the aged care units where he now resides.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Mungindi

Nicko’s legacy larger than life Some towns have “big things” – some have statues; Mungindi has a unique combination of both saluting one of its favourite sons who’s sadly no longer with us.

Tony “Nicko” McMillan, creator of the town’s collection of raw and rustic sculptures, passed away on January 2, 2016.

Aged just 54 when he died, Nicko is survived by his wife Katherine and their children Tony, Trinity, Byron and Ned (deceased).

He was a bloke who loved collecting stuff – you name it, he’d most likely have it. For years, Nicko amassed quite an assortment of found objects, regularly adding to it.

His good woman, Katherine says it wasn’t until later in life he started creating these distinctive sculptures.

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“One day he found something and said he was going to make a mailbox. He turned it into an emu we named Hector the Bill Collector,” she recalls with a smile.

“Then there was the Putt-Putt Bird, made from a carburettor. From then, it just progressed. He’d find something and imagine what it could be.

“One piece is still unfinished in the shed and I’m going to ask my boys to finish it. All the kids were very close to their dad.”

How these quirky creations ended up as one of Mungindi’s most distinctive tourist

Mungindi T O W N F E A T U R E

attractions came about at a local progress association committee meeting.

“I just happened to go to a meeting one night and the secretary said she wanted to do a sculpture trail,” Katherine recalls.

“I offered to donate Nicko’s sculptures, so the project began. My eldest son put in a tender to install them as they needed to be displayed as their father would have liked.”

The grand opening on September 17, 2022, drew an audience of 400 people – locals, visitors, grey nomads and former residents of the town.

The structures had previously been scattered around the property and Katherine says she’s still not certain what Nicko would make of all the fuss about his artworks.

“I’ve been told by lots of people they reckon he’d be happy to see his works on display.”

While Katherine donated the bulk of her beloved husband’s collection, there were some pieces she couldn’t bear to part with.

“Nicko loved Mungindi. He hated going away. He was a giver, not a taker and he had the biggest heart,” says Kath.

“He could make me laugh and could make me cranky, too.”

Mungindi Sculpture Trail is composed of 2.5km of 10 extraordinary creations that really should be seen to be believed.

In 2023 it was awarded the Best Grey Nomad Trail Award – a credit to all involved in this innovative project.

For Nicko’s family and friends, it’s a lasting reminder of a man with a heart bigger than Phar Lap. It just shows what one man’s imagination can do with found objects – and RLM is pretty sure Nicko would be smiling seeing the joy it’s brought to those who’ve walked the trail. RLM

“Nicko loved Mungindi. He hated going away. He was a giver, not a taker and he had the biggest heart.”

Words: Anna Rose Images Balonne Shire Council

FACING PAGE: Nicko’s version of a scrub turkey; a blue brolga; the much-loved Nicko – Tony McMillan.

ABOVE: Nicko working on his pterodactyl; his beloved family – Byron, Trinity, Katherine and Tony; the completed pterodactyl takes pride of place on the Mungindi Sculpture Trail.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Mungindi

Help from above

A Mungindi-based aerial spraying operation has proven a godsend to farmers year-round and provides an essential service to the wider community during bushfire season.

Precision Aerial, Mungindi and St George, owned by Charlie and Bianca Tootell, commenced operations in 2007.

In 2016, the Tootells bought Jones’ Air in St George, renaming it to create another arm of Precision Aerial bases. They service a broad range of clients across the district including farms in Walgett, Lightning Ridge, St George, Dirranbandi, Mungindi and more.

The company has a fleet of 10 planes and employs 10 ag pilots with additional pilots and planes enlisted during peak times.

It has a permanent ground crew of nine whose role is to mix the chemicals and load them into the aircraft, quickly and efficiently, so the pilot can get back in the air. Additional staff are recruited in the summer months when needed for servicing its irrigation clients.

They also own an R22 helicopter, which is “mostly a toy for my husband”, laughs Bianca.

“The helicopter truly is an important asset for the business during times of need, which was highlighted recently when the district received up to 300mm of rain,” she adds. “Charlie was able to fly our clients around so they can see what their farms look like after the rains. It can be really helpful.”

The remote community around Mungindi and district can now be serviced by emergency helicopter operations such as CareFlight and Westpac Rescue Helicopter, thanks largely to Precision Aerial.

“The Royal Flying Doctor Service comes to Mungindi frequently transporting patients between Mungindi and bigger hospitals. There was an incident with Charlie’s mum, who needed urgent medical attention and when I asked why the rescue helicopters couldn’t come to Mungindi, I was told because of the limited range,” explains Bianca.

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Mungindi T O W N F E A T U R E

“They don’t have sufficient fuel for the return journey. Charlie immediately offered the emergency helicopters access to fuel when needed, allowing them to get to the scene of an accident and be refuelled to return to a base hospital.”

The core of Precision Aerial’s business is aerial spraying and spreading, nursing the cotton crops along using products requested by local agronomists and farmers.

They may start out with Roundup, later using a growth regulator spray, followed by insecticide spray or spreading of fertiliser. Towards the end of the cotton season, the company will be called on to defoliate the crop.

“When we are not servicing our irrigation farmers and we have significant rain events, we are called in to help out the dryland and broadacre farms to get across the volume of work generated by the rain.”

It’s a busy life for Bianca, who is the company’s operations manager while Charlie is chief pilot and is very hands-on, managing pilot rostering and fatigue and other essential compliancy requirements.

“I was born and bred on the NSW South Coast where my parents owned and operated a water theme park,” she says. “I did not know anything about agriculture 17 years ago and had a lot to learn quickly.”

Charlie grew up on the family’s rice farm at Finley, in the Riverina, where his passion for ag flying began watching crop-dusters overhead.

When they made the move to Mungindi, Bianca was pregnant with their first child, Tommy, who’s now 17. They now have Sam, 15, Ben, 12, and with three big brothers to watch over her, 11-year-old Olivia.

Like their Dad, all three boys are boarders at The King’s School, with Tommy in Year 12, Sam in Year 10, and Ben in Year 7.

Livvie, who’s in Year 6 at Tudor House School, Moss Vale, was elected boarding captain. > FROM TOP: Tom, Olivia, Bianca, Charlie, Sam and Ben Tootell; pilot Ben Lewty; a Precision Aerial plane in action.

FACING PAGE: Precision Aerial planes are a godsend to farmers in need of assistance with their crops.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Mungindi

Life hasn’t been without its challenges for this successful family business. When Olivia was born, Charlie who was 37 at the time, was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.

“He was firebombing in Richmond at the time, and CASA pulled his licence straight away,” Bianca says sadly.

After colorectal surgery and a course of chemotherapy and radiation, followed by more chemo, he was back at work – grounded – but in the thick of it again.

“Charlie managed the business, but it was quite frustrating for him,” she explains.

“He’s so heavily involved – being able to jump into the pilot’s seat to relieve the boys on their days off – it was hard to have that taken away from him.

“After five years of testing every six months, he’s all clear 11 years on, so we call Livvie our little angel because she saved his life.

“We told the boys, for their 21st, they’ll each get a bottle of rum, but she’s getting a BMW convertible!” Bianca adds with a laugh.

Things are usually pretty hectic around Precision Aerial, but there is a time through the year when it quietens down and the Tootells need to find other ways to keep their staff gainfully employed.

That’s when they look further afield: they’ve previously sent their pilots for firebombing duties in Greece or Italy and to other states of Australia where they’re needed.

Their first-class ground crew are an asset helping out in other areas both nationally and internationally when called upon.

“They are well trained and hold a number of licences and know which load sizes each aircraft can take – they’re worth their weight in gold,” Bianca says proudly.

Over the years Charlie has been very involved in the training of new ag pilots looking to get into the industry. Charlie loves to see

MUNGINDI 02 6753 2532

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the same passion he has for the job in the face of the new, younger pilots coming through and loves being able to offer training and advice.

Charlie and Bianca are always looking for ways to better service their clients, and their future plans include the purchase of more aircraft and loading equipment (trucks, trailers etc), to enable them to fulfill the requirements of all of their valued clients. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Supplied

ABOVE: Ben Tootell in the plane with pilot Jack Bosworth.

ST GEORGE 07 4625 5366

admin@precisionaerial.com.au www.precisionaerial.com.au

Welcoming guests for over a century

Great meals. Cold beer. Accommodation + Fuel

The historic Hebel Hotel is the perfect place for lunch or dinner and a great yarn with the locals.

Our Hotel hosts a range of events year round and can cater to any of your event needs, which can take place in our beautiful outdoor entertaining area.

So whether you’re passing through or hail from a neighbouring town, be sure to stop at Hebel Hotel and General Store and say hello.

Hebel Hotel Ph. 07 4625 0923

General Store Ph. 07 4625 0920

Opening hours Open 7 days 10am to 12am

Opening hours Open 7 days 6am to 8pm

30 - 34 William Street Hebel, Queensland 4486 info@hebelhotel.com.au

www.hebelhotel.com.au

T O W N F E A T U R E Bollon

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Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

It’s beer o’clock

I walk into the Hebel Hotel at 6 o’clock on Friday, September 6 – and yes, the date is important.

The music is blaring in a sea of blue rural work shirts; I walk to the rustic bar, order a beer but when I attempt to pay, I’m told by the friendly barmaid: “It’s on the house – it’s Frank’s 60th birthday.”

Geez, did I pick a good night to turn up!

Next thing I know Alan Jackson is singing Chattahoochee on the big screen; pub owners Frank and Megan Deshon are dancing on a bar table and the crowd is going off.

But hey, if you can’t dance on tables on your 60th birthday in your own pub, what’s the point in having one?

So how, and why does a third-generation farmer decide to buy the local pub and general store, a decision that literally saved the tiny border town from oblivion?

“Yeah, it’s not something you just wake up one day and decide to do,” Frank says with a smile, “but the place was in trouble. We were on a downhill slope and then old mate just walked away from both sides of the street – the pub and the general store.

“People had left town and the school was in danger of closing because we didn’t have the numbers. Megan and I had a talk about, we knew something had to be done so we decided to give it a crack.

In these little places the pub is the hub of the community. You can’t shut them down or the town dies.”

With plenty of local help, they hooked in and tidied the place up, prioritised major projects, advertised for staff and began resurrecting the Hebel.

Frank had a few things in his favour, particularly when it came to building the six high-quality cabins at the back of the pub. >

FACING PAGE: Frank Deshon has injected new life into the historic Hebel Hotel, with a lot of help from his family and friends.

FROM TOP: Having a meal, a drink, or perhaps staying a while at this rustic outback pub is a must; you can even buy souvenirs of your visit to take home with you.

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The biggest kick-along for Hebel was when Heather Ewart did a story for ABC’s Back Roads in February 2024.

“My middle son, Charlie works in construction in Brisbane, Andrew is a sparkie and James works on the farm,” Frank explains.

“We couldn’t have afforded to do it without the boys. Charlie flatted with Gabby Wiltshire in Brisbane and her old man, Dean, drew up the plans for the cabins.

“Charlie brought five builders out with him and they built them from the ground up – six of ’em in quick time. They’re pretty flash – got all the bells and whistles.”

Frank has plans for another six cabins and there’s plenty of space for caravans, too.

Quickly the pub went from doing hardly any to 12 kegs a week, along with a stack of spirit cans and plenty of takeaways.

Add to that 90 to100 meals a week which are walked across the road from the general store in styrofoam boxes – and the tucker is fantastic!

Home-grown beef and lamb supplied by Frank via his butcher shop in Dirranbandi, Three Rivers Meats.

“Yeah, we redid the whole kitchen because we knew we had to turn out really good food,” Frank explains. “Good tucker pulls people in, plus you want them saying ‘Geez, that was a great feed’ and they tell their mates.

“It’s not just for the tourists, we’ve got the locals and people from right around the shire come out here for a cold beer, a good feed and a yarn.”

The biggest kick-along for Hebel was when Heather Ewart did a story for ABC’s Back Roads in February 2024.

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“That was our big break,” Frank says, face beaming. “It was about the whole community; they did stuff with the schoolkids but the highlight was their interview with Tommy (Taylor).” [See breakout story] Within 48 hours of the program airing, Frank says cars were turning up, some couples from Adelaide and Melbourne, with the back seat full of presents for the schoolkids and chocolates and flowers for Tommy.

“It just blew me away,” Frank says with astonishment. “And they just keep coming.”

The tarring of the road between Hebel and Bourke has also had a big impact with a lot more semi-trailers and B-doubles passing through, pulling up for fuel and grabbing a feed and some takeaway pies from the general store.

“The pies are a big winner here,” Frank says. “They’re big, they’re home-made here every morning and it’s all that paddock-to-plate, fresh-meat thing – and the paddock’s only 20ks away! Most people buy extras to freeze and eat on the road.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Patrons congregate indoors and outdoors; Frank and wife Megan celebrate Frank’s 60th; the modern, well-appointed cabins; the large outdoor function centre is used by many local groups for meetings and special events; it’s atmosphere plus at the Hebel Hotel; Frank loves chatting with visitors and regulars.

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Frank and Megan make it clear they could not keep the operation running smoothly without the help of their sons, their mates and, most importantly, their staff – a fantastic cocktail of colourful locals and overseas backpackers.

“It’s obviously been a juggling act between the farm, the pub, and the general store,” Frank admits. “The nature of farming is when it’s got to be done, it’s got to be done – you can’t finish up on Friday and give yourself the weekend off.”

That’s where selecting the right blend of locals and backpackers has worked for Frank – as they’re the first point of contact and he believes first impressions count.

“We’ve got a really good mob here – people like Tunza, he’s a handy old bugger who does all the maintenance, shifts the kegs, and his partner Suzie is the main chef,” Frank explains.

“Then there’s our cleaner, Di Geach, who also runs the post office; Di’s a bit of a legend and her husband Johnny has been here forever.”

Frank tries to get into the pub as much as possible, generally from 5pm to 8pm, just to have a chat with the tourists and give them “the full experience” – which isn’t complete without Frank.

He’s a character, a fantastic conversationalist, and great fun to be around. Thankfully, those genetics have passed on to their boys.

Megan’s a ton of fun, too.

Neither of them regrets their decision to buy the pub.

“There’s a bit of self-interest there,” Frank admits. “I love a beer and I love having a bloody good time.”

And that’s exactly what you’ll have when you go to the Hebel Hotel. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Jem Hawker and Murray Hartin

‘BLOW-IN’ right at home Tommy Ellis has only lived in Hebel for about 30 years so she’s what locals term a “blow-in”.

“We’ve got a really good mob here.’

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Hebel General Store is handily located across the road from the pub; inside the store it’s light, airy and full of rustic charm.

But when Heather Ewart from Back Roads came to town it’s fair to say the 94-year-old stole a big part of the spotlight.

ABC viewers were enthralled with her story, her vibrancy and her character. Now Tommy (real name Tonia) has admirers worldwide.

“Heather has put this place on the map,” Tommy proclaims. “That episode of Back Roads was a bit of a hit.

“I got up the next morning and went down to get fuel at the pub and people came out and said: ‘Oh, we saw you on Back Roads … I saw you with Heather’ … and since then people come here now and ask for the Back Roads lady.

“I get mail from people in England and Ireland – all over, travellers I’ve met here in Hebel.”

Originally from Deniliquin, Tommy came to Hebel to be close to her youngest son who was opal mining with his father in Lightning Ridge.

Tragically in 1996, her eldest son, SAS aviator Sergeant Hugh Ellis, was killed in the Black Hawk

helicopter tragedy in Townsville that claimed 18 lives.

When the army arrived in Hebel to help during the pandemic, Tommy took round a batch of her famous Anzac bickies. After talking to them about Hugh, she made some firm friends.

The soldiers repaid Tommy’s generosity with muscle. They visited her home and repaired anything amiss, moved heavy items, cleaned cobwebs from the ceiling, and saved the best ’til last.

“I was away for a while and when I came back they’d painted a beautiful big jacaranda on the wall around my kitchen window,” Tommy says with amazement.

“It’s a great little place here in Hebel. Frank and Megan (Deshon) have done a really good job with the hotel and general store – it’s been a huge boost to our little town – and I’ve been on the telly!”

Via Back Roads, Tommy has unofficially become the face of Hebel ... not bad for a blow-in. RLM Words and image: Murray Hartin

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A BONZER PLACE TO BE There’s a fairly simple reason Bollon is such a thriving little town – it’s the amazing people who call it home – the Bollonites.

In this place, locals believe in supporting locals, whether it be buying from the town’s shops, all of which are occupied, or helping out a neighbour in need.

If a shop does become vacant, it’s quickly decorated to blend in with the pretty streetscape or utilised to promote an upcoming event.

Bollon is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable. Watching the amazing night sky, you could almost reach out and touch the stars.

It’s a place where you can view the full moon emerge above the horizon in those clear, outback skies.

It’s volunteering to be part of one of the many local committees that drive the town, such as the Bollon and District Community Group, headed by local dynamo Victoria Nancarrow, vice-presidents Darin Coetzer and Lindon Goddard, and treasurer Elizabeth Schelbach.

It’s a remote regional centre with a multitude of opportunities for those keen to make a difference to their lifestyle and for that of their families.

Primarily a rural area, Bollon is home to small business owners, farmers, tour operators, cowgirls, cowboys, shearers, entrepreneurs and artisans, many of whom are working towards making Bollon a better place to live and work.

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In leisure time, you’re spoilt for choice with a range of activities to indulge in such as canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming in the creek, bike riding, fishing, tennis, having a coldie at the pub or a spot of lunch with friends at the café.

Then there’s the annual Back to Bollon Heritage Day, which draws many former residents and those wanting to check out the lovely little town, soaking up the celebratory atmosphere of this special event.

For those interested in all things equine, there’s the annual rodeo, polocrosse and campdraft – and these local events are extremely popular, attracting competitors and spectators from right around the district and further afield.

Nature lovers feel right at home in Bollon with an incredible array of local birdlife, from tiny fairy wrens to majestic eagles and all creatures in between.

Wildlife can be found in abundance – dozens of different types of lizards, echidnas, emus, kangaroos and wallabies are just some of the friendly natives you’ll encounter.

Burdekin plum trees lining the streets provide much needed shade in the summer – or if it’s too hot in town, dangle your feet in the Wallam Creek at the weir – a popular cooling-off spot.

Here’s a fun fact: Did you know 90 per

Primarily a rural area, Bollon is home to small business owners, farmers, tour operators, cowgirls, cowboys, shearers, entrepreneurs and artisans, many of whom are working towards making Bollon a better place to live and work.

cent of businesses in Bollon are owned and operated by women?

With its strong, local community, the future of Bollon looks bright with emerging leaders encouraging progressive thinking.

Make sure you put Bollon on your bucket list! RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Kylie Whitaker

ABOVE: Bollon is a small town with an enormous amount to offer visitors and residents.

Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

Seeking a career change in 2011, this vibrant, Perth-born woman became governess on Deelamon Station with the Goddard family.

Matriarch Marilyn Goddard introduced Victoria to the CWA, which began her journey with the Queensland arm of the respected rural women’s group.

“I met Sue Tinkler, who became a wonderful mentor, through the Bollon and District Community Group and I took an active role in that organisation,” Victoria says.

She’s now president, as well as an active member of the Bollon Aboriginal Corporation and Bollon QCWA branch.

Becoming involved in social and community groups in the town, it was a visit to Bollon Tennis Club that truly sealed her fate.

Although she’d never played before, her eyes met those of a handsome chap across the room, Michael Nancarrow, and it was love, set and match.

A year after arriving in Bollon, her father passed away and she returned to Perth but Bollon – and Michael – drew her back to the town she’d grown to love.

“Bill and Judith Speedy approached me in 2013 about buying the post office from them, so I did,” Victoria explains. “In 2020 Michael and I purchased the old butcher shop and spent almost two years renovating and redesigning the place as the new post office home I always felt was ‘the corner store with potential’.”

When she became postmistress Victoria began attending workshops on a variety of topics which she says, opened her eyes to “what was happening in the agricultural industry around us”.

“I would try to attend as many workshops as possible that came across my email or Facebook page – you name it – each one I

Community-focused A 12-month stint in Bollon turned out to be so much more than West Australian import Victoria Podolski could ever have imagined. went to I got that burst of wanting to learn more and bringing that knowledge back to apply in our community.”

Victoria is a great believer in the value of volunteering and doesn’t for a moment believe it’s an older person’s prerogative.

She says the chance to enhance your skills in administration, letter writing, communicating and debating are invaluable.

“I’ve learnt so much being involved with the CWA,” she says. “The ladies are the epitome of resilience and steeliness when it comes to important community matters.

“It really is quite dynamic when you find that tribe of people, the journey shifts something in your mind.”

It’s likely Victoria inherited her work ethic and sense of community from her parents – Polish migrants Stella and Mick Podolski.

It was never an easy journey for the family who worked hard to make a life for their four children.

“As first-born Australians, I reflect on their

life and have taken what I do into communities; it’s a big learning curve. If we wanted something we worked and saved for it.”

When she and Michael tied the knot in 2015 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Bollon, it was the first wedding held there in 24 years.

“I infused it with a bit of Polish flair,” says Victoria. “It was such a great wedding and a reason to party after so many years.”

This unbelievably strong community has totally entranced Victoria, who has no plans to leave.

“There are opportunities in rural and remote Australia – and there are always people who’ll say: ‘Let us help you’, so, join in, let your journey begin; you are your community.” RLM

Words: Anna Rose Images: Kylie Whittaker and supplied

FROM TOP: From Perth to Bollon, Victoria Nancarrow has found her community in the small Queensland town; she was awarded the Australia Day Volunteer of the Year; Victoria met husband Michael in Bollon.

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Town’s history on show

Head due west from St George along the Balonne Highway for a smidge over an hour and you’ll arrive at the wonderful township of Bollon.

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Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

The energy in this small rural community is amazing – a real “all for one and one for all” attitude which courses through the veins of each and every local, or “Bollonites” as they prefer to be called.

The majority of these Bollonites are long-term – we’re talking third and fourth generation – they love their town, and they love its history.

That history is on full display at Bollon Heritage Centre where chief coordinator Barbara Halliday and her team of volunteers mesmerise tourists with their displays and knowledge of the “good old days”.

With buildings and surrounds chockfull of memorabilia such as wool presses, shearing equipment, tractors, an old telephone exchange, an old dentist’s chair, uniforms and documents pertaining to the local history of the police, fire brigade, bush nurses and the Queensland Country Women’s Association, there is plenty to catch your eye.

That’s why Bollon is rated a must-see venue by travellers on their annual migrations to western Queensland and beyond.

“The original centre was part of the old General Motors building across the road,” Barbara explains.

“Ron Mobbs and his late wife Betty started getting things together back in the ’80s, along with Ernie Brettell, Ken Murchison and his son, Ken Jr as well as Pat and Elva Bailey.

“Mrs Mobbs catalogued everything. Then Eunice Goddard came to town and ramped things up a bit. We opened the original centre in 1995.”

As the number of donated goods, those on loan and large display items increased, bigger premises were needed.

To start afresh the townsfolk raised $80,000, topped up by a sizeable grant from the Queensland Gambling Community Benefit Fund.

With Bollon’s population just north of 170, raising $80,000 was a massive effort and indicative of the community spirit.

“These new buildings, on the site of the old tennis courts, were officially opened by then-Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce in 2006,” Barbara says. “It’s a community owned-and-operated centre and that can only happen with our amazing volunteers – we survive on donations and the sale of souvenirs.

“This was a little town that rode on the sheep’s back, so our shearing pavilion is very popular, but I think everything has equal value.”

Once a year the Back to Bollon Heritage Day features shearing and crosscut saw demonstrations, markets, yabbie races, a good old-fashioned chocolate wheel and lots of fun for everyone.

Once a year the Back to Bollon Heritage Day features shearing and crosscut saw demonstrations, markets, yabbie races, a good old-fashioned chocolate wheel and lots of fun for everyone.

“We time it to coincide with the tourist season – people heading out to Birdsville or the Big Red Bash or Music in the Mulga,” Barbara says.

“It’s a great way to highlight what’s out here in the bush, what our small towns do, and the visitors really seem to value our history and our past.

“I think what we do is phenomenal for our small community out here. We don’t have a lot of the resources around us, so we’ve just got to all pull together.”

That ability to all pull together highlights another outstanding fact about Bollon – the traditional country of the Kooma (Guwamu) people with several Gamilaroi people also living in the town.

“We don’t have any segregation of indigenous or non-indigenous,” Barbara proudly announces. “We’re Bollonites. It’s

Bollon and this is where everyone grew up together, went to school together, and it’s an assimilation of the whole community working as one.”

That’s what makes Bollon such a great place.

Bollon Heritage Centre is open every day from March to November from 9am to noon (sometimes 1pm). RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Kylie Whitaker

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: This shed mural pays tribute to the local shearing industry; the front of the heritage centre; a bedroom from days gone by; the Nuffield 460 tractor Ron Mobbs bought new in 1963.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Wash day would have been a chore way back then; home appliances; equipment and furniture from the old Bollon Post Office; kitchenalia.

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Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

Artworks reveal

ancient culture

One building you can’t miss in Bollon is the bright pink Nullawokka First Nations Gallery.

Owned by local Guwamu/Kooma Elder Bill Speedy and his partner Judith, the gallery is chock-full of Indigenous art, bush tucker and souvenirs sourced locally and from remote First Nations communities in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

“Twice a year we go out to these communities and take boxes of clothing, pots and pans and other donated items,” Bill explains. “We find local artists, pay up front for their work, bring it back, and, via tourists, spread their art all around Australia.

“Now some of those small remote communities have their own galleries.”

Bill has fond childhood memories of days spent on the banks of Wallam Creek with his grandfather, learning all he could about his culture – and those lessons paid off.

In 1993 Bill became South Australia’s first Indigenous tourism officer, starting Nullawokka Tour Company taking tourists from Adelaide to Alice Springs and Uluru, where he met Judith.

“Judith got on the four-day return trip from Alice Springs to Uluru with a lot of Europeans,” Bill recalls fondly. “She was the only who knew what a ‘cuppa’ was and how to make one. She said: ‘I’ll make you one cup; don’t ask for a second’.”

Bill didn’t, and it was two years before their first date.

“We planned a two-year sabbatical driving around Australia in an old BMW named Barry. One day she asked if my father had been born in Bollon. When I asked why, she told me the post office was up for sale.”

With an exciting opportunity to return to his ancestral home, Bill and Judith bought the historic post office, built in 1884, registered as official postal agents and ran the business from 2008 to 2013.

They moved to Dimboola in Victoria to

care for Judith’s parents, sold the business to local woman Victoria Nancarrow, but kept the building.

Michael and Victoria later relocated the post office to the old butcher shop. When Bill and Judith returned to Bollon in 2020, they converted the premises into the gallery you see today.

“This was right at the start of COVID, which gave us time to renovate,” Bill says.

“After COVID, Queensland opened up to Queenslanders, and people were heading west.

“We had a soft opening in 2020 and were quite busy straight away.”

As well as the Indigenous art and bush tucker, Nullawokka Gallery also sells its famous “Bollon on The Wallam” souvenir range of tea towels, coasters and stubbie holders, produced by Hervey Bay artist Rebecca Jane Knowles and husband Matt.

They first visited Bollon in 2021 where Rebecca fell in love with the colours of the outback, painting her vision of the town in her funky, cartoon-like style. That forms the basis for all Nullawokka’s signature souvenirs.

Bill conducts two- to three-hour cultural walking tours along the banks of Wallam Creek, showing how to track animals, what bush tucker you can eat, how to throw a boomerang and spear and pointing out local scar trees and canoe trees.

They also conduct personalised four-wheel drive tours of the district to significant sites and historic First Nations camps.

“It’s a great town with great people. We’ve got free camping down on the creek with beautiful hot showers and clean toilets.

“We don’t have any crime, because everyone looks out for each other. There’s plenty to do and all the locals have a story.

“All you have to do is ask.” RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Kylie Whitaker and supplied

Bill has fond childhood memories of days spent on the banks of Wallam Creek with his grandfather, learning all he could about his culture – and those lessons paid off.

ABOVE: Bill Speedy loves sharing the ancient art of emu egg carving with visitors to the gallery.

FACING PAGE: The vibrant colours of Nullawokka First Nations Gallery draw visitors in; Judith loves working at the gallery with Bill, sharing local artworks and those from remote communities; emu eggs are just some of the treasures you’ll find within the colourful walls of Nullawokka First Nations Gallery; you can’t miss the distinctive pink building in Bollon.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Bollon

HIGH FLYER

From the earthy-red soil of Bollon, Queensland to patchwork crops near Trangie in central-western New South Wales, the soaring views 25-year-old helicopter pilot Alistair Sheahan sees on a daily basis are likely the envy of many.

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Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

He’s one of the dedicated pilots who’s right at home in the air flying for K6 Helicopters, a business owned by Queensland-based Ian (Merg) Kennedy.

Just like many a good story, it all started on an outback station.

Home for Alistair was 80km south of Bollon on a 50,000-acre property owned by his family. He and his two brothers were raised there, until they moved 50km north of town when Alistair was seven.

In grade 7, he headed to boarding school in Toowoomba and met Merg’s son, Billy. Alistair soon learnt Billy’s parents managed an incredible 1.2 million acres near Burketown in the Queensland Gulf.

Upon finishing his schooling years in 2017 in Brisbane, Alistair and a friend went north to try their hand as ringers on Escott Station, about 30km from Burketown, and managed by the Kennedy family.

The following year, Alistair’s friend finished up at the station to study a law degree. Alistair’s parents’ hopes were always that Alistair would also go to university or agricultural college – he had numerous options up his sleeve and was even made an offer from a Queensland university – but that was not to be.

The allure of taking to the skies was too strong.

“It was amazing, seeing the helicopters,” Alistair smiles. “We’d do all the mustering on horses and bikes – and above us, the chopper pilots were seen as the coolest people ever.

“I thought it was terrific as it seemed like chopper pilots took on a lot more responsibility. We’d hop in the machines to fly home in the afternoon, and we’d be flying along the coastline in the Gulf – it was just so beautiful.”

Getting to see picturesque country from high up and calling it a job was a huge part of the appeal for Alistair.

That, and the action.

“The chopper pilots always seemed to be in the middle of the action with bull-catching, directing things, and organising everything and everyone,” he explains.

While the role of a pilot certainly had Alistair’s attention, he continued working “on the ground” and by the third year, was looking after the camp as head stockman.

“The managers and owners, Merg Kennedy and his wife Gabe were the loveliest people ever,” he says.

“Gabe tragically passed away in 2020. She was an amazing lady, and like a mother to a lot of us boys in the camp. There wasn’t much you couldn’t tell Merg and Gabe.”

After working for long enough at the station and showing his capabilities as a valued employee, Alistair was financially supported by the station to obtain his private helicopter licence.

Seeking more variety and progress in his chosen career, Alistair headed off-station in 2022 to complete his self-funded commercial licence.

At a similar time, Merg decided to buy a few helicopters, including an R22 solely for Alistair’s use.

“As someone who has never really had much money, it was pretty amazing to be given that start by a person like Merg,” Alistair says.

“Aviation is an expensive business to get into if you aren’t supported like I have been. It felt pretty good to know that someone trusts you with a half-million-dollar machine, to do what you want with.”

Alistair describes Merg as someone who would “give anyone a start”, but it’s clear Alistair made the right impression during his six-and-a-half years working at Escott Station.

Merg receives a portion of the income Alistair generates flying Merg’s machines, ensuring benefits for both parties. A friend of Alistair’s and another former Escott Station employee, Tommy Wealand flies for K6 Helicopters under the same arrangement.

With two R22s and an R44 helicopter supplied for his use thanks to Merg via K6 Helicopters, Alistair has been able to buy himself an Avgas bowser and a spreading machine.

“There’s so much variety in this job ¬– every day is different,” Alistair explains.

“Some days I’ll be mustering goats, sheep and cattle in the chopper and then the next, I’ll be flying at Nyngan NSW for a week to assist with shooting pigs off crops.”

Along with aerial shooting, photography flying and spreading mice bait, grass seed, and granulated herbicide such as Graslan®, Alistair also does sling work in the R44s – using a hook attached to the bottom of the helicopter for flood relief work and hay drops for livestock.

“The job is what you make it,” he says. “You could be really sour and not talk to anyone on the ground. But it’s better to make it fun – laugh and start a few jokes with everyone.”

K6 Helicopters proudly sponsors local campdraft events through helicopter mustering services, and generously donates to mental health and breast cancer research and awareness.

When he’s not in the cockpit of a chopper, Alistair enjoys life at home between Bollon and Cunnamulla, surrounded by the community he loves the most, no doubt anticipating his next adventure taking to the skies. RLM Words: Anna Conn Images Kylie Whitaker and supplied

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Alistair Sheahan’s aerial work takes many varied forms; the allure of adventure keeps Alistair smiling; right at home up high; using smoke – a tool handy for moving cattle; having the right attitude is everything according to Alistair.

K6 Helicopters MUSTERING ▪ SHOOTING ▪ R44 WORK GRASS SEED + GRASSLAND SPREADING

OPEN ALL DAY EVERYDAY

Bollon, Queensland Alistair 0428 756 540 ▪ Tommy 0481 261 773 K6helicopters@outlook.com

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mail!

YOU’VE GOT

With a background in childcare, Emily Wall had no idea she would become postmistress of Bollon within two years of moving there from Broken Hill.

Buying a house in town, she established a daycare centre, looking after the town’s tiniest residents while their parents worked.

Her own children – Jim, 8, Florence, 6, Delilah, 4, have easily adapted to life in the small town where everyone greets you with a smile.

Being a real “people person”, she was warmly welcomed into the community.

“I love to get involved,” she says happily.

“I’m on several committees. That’s how it is in this place. Until I moved here, I had no idea towns like this still existed.”

Aged 29, Emily is vice-president of the P&C, secretary of the tennis club and president of the CWA. When the post office came up for sale, Emily felt the time was right for her to make her next business move.

While it was a risk to take on something so different to childcare, most of her young charges were heading off to kindy so it seemed the stars were aligned.

On November 22, 2023, she took over from previous owner, Victoria Nancarrow, who’d successfully run the business for the past 10 years and rebranded it the Little Mulga Mailbox.

“I never thought I’d own a post office but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she says.

“It’s just brilliant. I love it because it’s a total community hub.

“With no street delivery, everyone comes in to collect their mail, have a chat and I love to help people, the older ones especially, with their phones and tablets. Being that point of help is the best part – and I love the social interaction.”

With so many creative women in town, Emily is rarely short on stock for the gift shop.

On the shelves you’ll find locally made candles, sock savers, neck scarves, scrunchies, macrame wall hangers, hat holders and so much more.

“I try to stick to local product, and if that’s not available, I’ll go for Queensland made.

Queenslanders support Queensland. Mind you, a lot of customers are travellers who make this a stop on their way north.”

This vibrant little community is jam-packed with events. There is a music festival in April and a ball will be held in May by the CWA in support of LifeFlight. A book, initiated by the CWA, will be launched this year about Bollon created with grant funding. Then there’s the Bollon Polocrosse Carnival in July, and of course, the Back to Bollon Heritage Day celebrated annually, will be held on Saturday, June 25 this year.

There are so many reasons to visit Bollon – so make sure you pop in and say g’day to Emily – she’d love a chat. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Kylie Whitaker and supplied

FROM TOP: Emily Wall on the banks of Bollon’s Wallam Creek with children Delilah, Florence, and Jim; inside the newly branded Little Mulga Mailbox (Bollon Post Office) you’ll find so much more than you’d ever imagine among the gift lines; the distinctive corrugated iron frontage.

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Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

Friends keep it fresh Bollon Café, presently located in the Bollon Hotel, has become an eatery of choice thanks to the “made from scratch” philosophy of its owners.

Bec Steer and Carly Crowe have done a fair bit of catering over the years, travelling long distances to feed the multitudes.

“We used to travel all over the country. We’d stay in a town and noticed some places were really missing their opportunity,” says Bec. “They would serve up processed food, when fresh was a much better option. That’s why we have a set, back-to-basics menu, with everything made from scratch.

“We wanted to make it reasonably priced, but still offer really good food – and that’s proved a winner.”

These days they only do local catering, which results in a much better work-life balance.

Buying the café was a “spur-of-themoment” decision, instigated by Bec’s husband Aaron Young.

“Aaron was starting up his electrical business and I’d been working at the pub for my sister Amy and brother-in-law, Sam,” Bec explains.

“When I stopped that, he felt I needed something else to do as I tend to get bored easily. I agreed and said if I was going in there, there’s only one person I’d work with – Carly.

“In hindsight I think he was trying to get me out of the house and away from the garden when he worked out how much I was spending on plants!”

From the outset, Carly and Bec really didn’t have much of a say in their business partnership.

Bollon-born Bec had lived in town most of her life, moving back 12 years ago with her two children, Imogen, now 18, and Finn, 14, to give them a better lifestyle with family close by.

Carly was born in Dorrigo and worked on cattle stations before landing in Bollon with her two kids, Owen, now 17, and Akayla, 14.

Both girls were single parents at the time, but Cupid played his part when Carly met her husband, Greg. They now have a fiveyear-old daughter, Loretta.

It was much the same story for Bec, who was swept off her feet by Aaron.

“Our two youngest were completely inseparable from the start, so whether Carly and I got along didn’t matter. Fortunately, we’ve been besties ever since,” Bec laughs.

Offering traditional café fare, they make their own hamburger patties, bake their own

biscuits and only have to buy the odd thing they don’t make themselves.

Bollon Café opens from 5.30am to 3pm weekdays and 7am to 3pm on weekends.

Thursday is pizza night, so it doesn’t close until 8pm.

They’re renovating their new shop in Main Street, which they aim to be in by April.

“We have travellers who come back every year and make Bollon their base,” says Carly.

“A lot of work has been put into our free

camping up the creek. It’s absolutely packed during travel season.

“As well as the travellers, we have a wonderful community that really supports us.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Kylie Whitaker

ABOVE: Business partners Carly Crowe and Bec Steer take time out of their busy day for a cuppa; some of the delicious, made-from-scratch food you can enjoy at the Bollon Café.

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In the blood

Twenty-year-old St George campdrafter Kate Southern is called into the camp.

Sitting naturally atop her mare, Shesa Blue Badger, she’s aware of the task at hand – Kate’s been doing it since age eight – but the stakes are higher now.

There’s a buzz in the air. It’s 2023 and she’s at the Cloncurry National Finals, vying for her second Associate Rider title win.

Kate selects her beast from the small group of cattle in the camp (a yard containing the livestock) and works hard to

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show off her cut-out skills to the judge.

Her mare (nicknamed Korie) darts this way and that, expertly blocking the beast from returning to its mates in the group, before Kate calls for the gate at just the right moment. An impressive performance in the

camp – but the job isn’t finished yet.

She and Korie fly out onto the course, directing the beast quickly but carefully around the figure-of-eight pattern – one peg, then two, before slotting the animal through the final two pegs (the gate).

Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

A collective cheer erupts from the crowd and Kate knows she and Korie have done well today. A pat for Korie and a score of 89 in the Ladies’ Draft – Kate has won the esteemed Associate Rider title.

It’s her second Associate Rider win – a competition class for campdraft riders under 21, with points accumulated from the maiden, novice and open campdrafts Australia-wide that year. Competing against some of the best riders out there, it’s a tough contest.

The previous year, Kate gained her first big title at the Springsure National Finals.

Her debut win was at age 16, when she contended the Juvenile Rider title and won.

She and her parents took a total of 12 horses to Greenvale, Queensland for the National Finals – a huge undertaking – with her dad being awarded the Master Rider title at the event, too.

“It’s certainly a sport that takes a lot of time, effort and commitment, but I’ve got the passion for it,” Kate says.

“I’m very lucky that I’ve had my mum and dad take me places and really back me.”

Campdrafting is in the blood, with both Kate’s parents, Sandy and Kevin, and her grandfathers on both sides – Frances Southern and John Hill – heavily involved in the sport.

Aged just eight, Kate won the junior event at her hometown draft in St George on her dad’s mare, Lego.

Kate’s home is at “Secret Plains”, 80km south-west of St George. Along with her older brother Jack, Kate was homeschooled in primary, before attending secondary school in St George.

“The best moment for me is coming home from a draft and knowing not a single one of my horses could have gone any better, and that they all gave 100 per cent.”

When she’s not in the campdraft arena, Kate enjoys mustering on her parents’ cattle station, with properties totalling about 100,000 acres at St George, Dirranbandi and Weengallon (west of Goondiwindi). The family runs Santa Gertrudis-cross Angus cattle and grows barley and wheat.

“The best moment for me is coming home from a draft and knowing not a single one of my horses could have gone any better, and that they all gave 100 per cent,” Kate smiles.

Sound judgement, skill and solid smarts are what it takes to succeed in the competitive world of campdrafting.

And then there’s the luck.

“If the horses are performing at their best ability and you don’t succeed, then you can safely say it was bad luck,” Kate says.

“You have to be lucky enough to draw the right cow, but if you’re putting the work in and the horses are doing well, you can usually make something good happen.”

Well-trained horses with a “good mind”, as Kate explains, are a must.

“Along with Shesa Blue Badger, Mia is another terrific mare that has really performed for me and has given me so much success,” she says.

Last year at the highly regarded Nutrien sale, Kate sold a foal out of Shesa Blue Badger (by legendary sire Hazelwood Conman) for $65,000.

A greater focus on breeding, and working her young horses, will no doubt provide Kate with thrills of a different kind as she continues doing what she loves and kicking some serious goals. RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Kate Jones Photography and supplied

FACING PAGE: Competing at Cloncurry ACA National Finals in 2023 – Kate onboard Bobadil Jewel.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A ladies’ run victory for accomplished campdrafter Kate and her mare EBS Touchmiasomemore (Mia) at the 2022 Nutrien Classic; a formidable team – great training and a good mind are essential in top campdrafting horses like Kate’s mare Mia; a well-deserved winner’s ribbon and cheque for Kate and Mia, also pictured at the 2022 Nutrien Classic.

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T O W N F E A T U R E Bollon

SADDLE UP

An event not to be missed is the annual Bollon Charity Campdraft and Rodeo.

The most recent was held from August 29 to September 1, attracting record nominations, necessitating an early start to proceedings from midday on Thursday.

The four-day event would not have been possible without the amazing cattle donors who provided 2100 head of cattle – the Winks family from Woolerina, the Winks family from Tilquin, the Southern family from Secret Plains, the Hudson family from Tongy, and McIntyre Ag. This event supports the Royal Flying Doctor Service with a substantial donation each year. The RFDS is vital for people living in the outback and has been used by many locals within the Bollon community.

A cheque for $15,640 was presented to John Logan, who accepted this on behalf of the RFDS. The Bollon Campdraft and Rodeo also supports several local groups within the Bollon district.

Events such as this rely on sponsorship, which is much appreciated by the hardworking volunteer committee.

Cattle were exceptional at the 2024 event, giving competitors an equal opportunity to win one of the iconic Ride Tuff Bollon buckles.

This is always a fun family event where

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everyone is catered for with a full campdraft program as well as the rodeo and gymkhana.

The weekend commenced with the running of the Black Trucks Novice A Draft with local woman Kate Southern emerging the winner riding Mister Metallic. Kate also won the PPS Beef Ladies Draft aboard Lady.

The Telford Contracting Futurity Draft was won by Roma competitor Cameron Lee riding Bar None Cactus. Cameron also took out the Dean Driscoll Memorial Open Draft riding Smith Family Trixie.

The winner of the SEB Mechanical Maiden A Draft was Bollon president Kevin Southern, riding Sooty.

The winner of the Maiden B Draft was Nathan Maller riding Bulla Savanna.

Hardworking secretary Kylie Hudson won the Western Meat Exporters Novice B Draft aboard Wicked.

St George drafter Jason Birney, riding Ruby, was victorious in the GDL Restricted Open Draft.

The Maiden for Maiden was won by St George rider Jason Southern riding Booneri Sandman.

Close to 100 children nominated in the two mini drafts, junior and juvenile. The Mini Horse Working was won by Matilda Duggan riding Socks, and the Mini Cow Working was

won by April Maller riding Tassie.

The Maranoa Tyres Junior Draft was won by Upper Horton rider Alex Thompson riding Drover.

The hotly contested Nicks Fix It Juvenile Draft was won by Mitchell girl Lucy Harrison riding Pepper.

On Saturday afternoon the Depco Drilling Rodeo commenced with patrons enjoying the famous Bollon cocktails and National Australia Bank nibbles.

There was mini bull riding, novice bull riding, steer riding as well as open and novice saddle bronc events. The evening concluded with the feature event, the campdrafters bronc ride.

Nine cowboys were auctioned off with a total of $19,300 raised. A percentage of the proceeds went to the RFDS and a prize pool for the riders and calcutta buyers. Amby cowboy Rory Sheppard was the winner for successful purchasers the Logan family.

Bollon Charity Campdraft and Rodeo committee looks forward to hosting another wonderful weekend the first weekend in September this year, so sharpen your spurs to be ready for Bollon 2025. RLM Words and images: Sandy Southern

Bollon T O W N F E A T U R E

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14 FACING PAGE: The pick-up team in action: Lachie Argue, Isaac Telford and Cameron Lee. ABOVE: 1. Placegetters in the RDO novice bronc ride – Zac Knight, Jack Southern, Corey Rollins and Jesse McCutcheon.

2. An early morning aerial view of the Bollon grounds.

3. Girls having fun at Bollon – back from left, Pip McNamee, Ali Colles, Hannah Murray, Kate Southern and Ellie Rands. Front, Emma Knight and Madeline Curr.

4. Local Bollon ladies Wendy and Lauren Winks.

5. Alison Todd presenting Maci Dobbin with her buckle for winning the Scott Todd Memorial 12-14 years mini bull ride.

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15 16 6. Winner of the Dean Driscoll Memorial open campdraft, Roma competitor Cameron Lee with his horse Smith Family Trixie.

7. The pick-up men at Bollon: Lachie Argue, Cameron Lee and Isaac Telford.

8. Local cattle donors Graham Winks and daughter Hayley Wildman.

9. Bollon cattle donors Andrew Winks, ‘Woolerina’, Bollon and Jason Birney, MacIntyre Ag, St George.

10. Maiden A draft winner Kevin Southern riding Sooty, judge Cody Smith and Campdraft and Rodeo secretary Kylie Hudson.

11. Kylie Hudson with placegetters in the mini horse working – Matilda Duggan, Audrey Turich and Josie Stokes.

12. The major sponsor, Oakley Beef Exports represented by Kurt Wockner with Campdraft and Rodeo president Kevin Southern.

13. Cameron McPhee representing sponsor Western Meat Exporters with Jack Southern and Andrew Winks.

14. Girls serving cocktails wearing shirts sponsored by Secret Helicopters – Sally Argue, Pip McNamee, Ellie Birney and Kate Southern.

15. Secretary Kylie Hudson with placegetters in the mini cow working – April Maller, Adelaide Zurich, Hayley Southern, Madison Dorrstein, Riley Goodwin and Charlotte Gunn.

16. Meg, John and Suzy Logan with Rory Sheppard, winner of the campdraft bronc ride. The Logans purchased Rory in Calcutta.

BOLLON RLM 125

Bollon’s elder statesman If you time your visit to the Bollon Heritage Centre just right, you may well cross paths with the town’s greatest living treasure – Ron Mobbs.

Having just turned 94 and with a memory that’s still “fairly good”, the elder statesman knows more about the district than most.

Ron learnt the value of hard work from an early age, preferring work to school – and he survived the Great Depression.

He married Betty at 19, raising four boys – Ian, Mark, Warren and Craig – and has rarely left town in 75 years.

“Everything I need is here,” Ron explains.

“I’m friends with everybody. I’ve always been easy-going; never made any enemies.”

And he loves Bollon Heritage Centre.

“Betty did a lot here and after she died in 2021, I started coming in here more often, helping with the history.”

Born in a bark hut on September 29, 1930, to parents William and Eileen, Ron was the middle child of seven.

“Dad was kangaroo shooting during the Depression,” Ron recalls. “I remember him going up to graziers and asking for a bit of flour. There was no money.

“Then he got a contract ringbarking on a 9000-acre place out near Eulo, and me and my older brother Arthur and my two cousins were there swinging axes with the men … I was 11.”

After ringbarking finished, his father went to Cunnamulla, swapped the horse teams for a tractor and started building dams.

During the war, the army commandeered William and his tractor to build a road at Biloela, where Ron briefly went to school but tossed it in to go cutting mulga at 14.

The family returned to Bollon and Ron again teamed up with his father.

“Dad had two tractors for delving and dam-sinking – that’s building a dam with a silt trap – and we helped he recalls. “A few years later it was a big wet year, 1950, and we basically went broke. We sold the plant and I worked on stations after that.”

That’s when Ron’s life changed forever.

“A pretty girl, Betty Lindsay came to work in the pub here, and we got married when I was 19,” Ron says with a smile.

It was back to building dams and more station work before Ron took on the Dirranbandi truck run.

For a time he ran the dairy for Ernie Brettell. It was 3 o’clock starts, supplying milk to the town, with help from Betty.

“We did that for two years until Betty got hepatitis and nearly died so we closed down

126 RLM BOLLON

the dairy and I went back to Cardiff Station to work.”

In 1963 Ron bought a Nuffield 460 tractor and was back delving bore drains – and there was plenty to do.

“There were 750 miles of bore drains and they were cleaned twice a year,” says Ron. “Kids would walk behind collecting yabbies and the odd yellowbelly.”

He spent 10 years delving before purchasing a 12,000-acre property, “Wallambank”, in 1974.

“Originally, I ran sheep and a few cattle until around the ’90s when the wool price dropped to buggery. Been in cattle ever since,” he laments.

Four years later he purchased “Mooroobakin”, a 16,000-acre spread on the Cunnamulla road. He still owns both places, with son Warren running them now. Ron lives on “Wallambank”.

As he looks towards the future, with a tribe of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren to carry on the Mobbs name, Ron also reflects on the past.

“We used to have lots of dances through the war years,” he recalls.

“People had a few old pianos and they would have parties and we’d stand around singing songs – we all thought we were Bing Crosby!

“Before the war we’d hold a huge rodeo.

We also had a racetrack and held three or four meetings a year, drawing big crowds.”

Ron still talks about “the good old days” with his only surviving sibling Noel. One topic always gets a laugh – the date of his youngest brother’s birth and the way it unfolded.

“My father got a job working as a boundary rider down on the border and when we went there, he had a wagonette and two horses,” Ron reveals. “A couple came along with an old T-Model Ford. Dad wanted it and swapped it for the horses and the wagonette.

“It was Christmas 1938, we were a hundred miles from Cunnamulla and Mum was pregnant with Noel.”

The trip to Cunnamulla Hospital was not an easy drive, as he explains.

“The old Ford would only go half a mile, then get too hot and we’d push until she cooled down.

It took us about a week to get there,” Ron laughs.

“It would’ve been quicker with the horses and wagonette! We got there at lunchtime on Christmas Day. That’s why he was called Noel. I don’t remember how we got back.”

He’s a man who has never drank alcohol, smoked or gambled. He likes his Weet Bix and a good roast dinner – and he loves his town.

That’s Ron Mobbs – a living treasure and a perfect gentleman. RLM Words: Murray Hartin Images: Murray Hartin and supplied

ABOVE: Ron Mobbs is a living, walking, talking, history book of Bollon and district; Ron and Betty’s wedding day.

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BOLLON RLM 127

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Find us on RLM 129

A U T U M N story name

Lindley’s Last Ride

Thomas Lindley was a cinder burner – an inglorious occupation of heat, sweat and choking black dust, shovelling crushed coal into beehive coke ovens.

Mountain mists swirl and curl over peppermint, alpine ash, messmate and snow gums, Whispering tales of cattle musters and droving feats of our old chums, Up where the ‘Bidgee springs, from Goobarragandra to Long Plain and Pigeon Square, Salt licks, whip cracks, spur, billy tea, campfires, breathe that mountain air, Cattle grow mud fat on those grassy plains at Boonoo owned by Old Jack, Quick boys, muster up those weaners, we’ll get a fair price yet, let’s hit the track.

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historical feature A U T U M N

He can be forgiven for seeking an easier life, stealing coins and promissory notes from one Mary Smith in the dirty, industrial English town of Sheffield in the 1830s.

The old judge grunted, his gavel banged, and 24-year-old Thomas was led from the dock in irons to a heaving, stinking prison hulk on the estuary, where it would ultimately jettison its human cargo on the shores of New South Wales in 1832.

With his labouring skills, he was quickly assigned to Major M Barlow, of Gundaroo, and went on to prove a hardworking servant, earning his pardon.

Squatters were pushing out beyond the boundaries of civilisation and the main roads were thick with horse and bullock teams pulling massive wagons weighed down with goods and chattels for long periods of life in the great unknown.

Thomas could see opportunity in the roadside inn business, supplying liquor, accommodation and stabling for these weary travellers.

He invested in the Governor Burke Hotel at Yass and went on to purchase the Rose Inn at South Gundagai in November 1850 – the first building to be constructed in the town.

The Rose Inn sat proudly on the banks of the mighty Murrumbidgee River with fish and water aplenty a stone’s throw from the door, and the fertile flats yielding vegetables for the larder.

It was an idyllic life for Thomas, his wife Hannah, children George, Emma, Thomas

Jnr, and Hannah Jnr, and servants Anne Farrell and Mary Anne Smart – fresh food, air and sunshine and business was thriving despite the drought.

The countryside had dried to a crisp, waterholes disappeared, and thirsty bullock teams laboured along the rutted roads in clouds of dust.

In August 1851, the townspeople of Gundagai lifted their faces to the heavens in joy as rain began to fall. But it did not stop, and a major flood swept through the village destroying property, thankfully with no lives lost.

On June 25, 1852, the churning, roaring floodwaters again swept down the Murrumbidgee Valley towards Gundagai, ripping away crops, houses, buildings, fences and livestock.

With Thomas away at Yass on business, a panicked Hannah grabbed the cash box, gathered her four children and took refuge in the loft of the brick kitchen building.

Also in the loft were Anne Farrell, Mary Anne Smart, travellers James McNamara and John McKinnon, and a local woman, Mary Scott and her child.

As the muddy waters swirled around the women’s skirts, Hannah led her little party onto the roof of the stable on higher ground.

With the water rising above the eaves, Hannah knew she could do no more and threw the cash box into the river, hugged her children tight and surrendered herself to God Almighty as the river swallowed them all. >

On June 25, 1852, the churning, roaring floodwaters again swept down the Murrumbidgee Valley towards Gundagai, ripping away crops, houses, buildings, fences and livestock.

FACING PAGE: The Lindley family take their cattle up a mountain bush track following the old droving route to the high plains each summer.

FROM TOP: Brothers John, Bob and Peter Lindley return to Lindley’s Hut to help with the annual muster as they have done for decades; the plaque dedicated by the Lindley family to the tragedy at the Rose Inn, Gundagai, when their ancestors were tragically drowned.

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A U T U M N historical feature

Thomas Lindley Jnr’s great-grandchildren, John and Bob Lindley, have been taking cattle annually to the family’s high country freehold for decades.

Thomas hurried back to Gundagai, but it was too late – the Rose Inn had withstood the flood but the kitchen, two stables, a store and fences were swept away along with his family and 75 local residents.

A distraught Thomas battled on for the next year but the night of July 12, 1853, was a fateful one with the greatest flood known to the white residents of Gundagai roaring down upon them.

The Rose Inn stood but was considerably damaged and rendered untenable – Thomas had no choice but to abandon his business.

He decided to turn his hand to sheep grazing and fortune smiled in the form of new wife Elizabeth Elliott.

The happy couple began their family but sadly lost all their children bar a baby boy, Thomas Jnr, who was destined to be the head of a grazing dynasty.

Today, the Lindleys are among a handful of Australian families still droving their cattle to the high plains of the NSW Snowy Mountains each December to fatten on the sweet native herbage over summer.

Their heritage and annual pilgrimage from their home in Gundagai with cattle is now the subject of a documentary, Lindley’s Last Ride,

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produced by West Wyalong Movies.

Kosciusko State Park was declared a national park in 1967 with grazing banned in 1969 and the last snow leases terminated three years later, ending 135 years of seasonal grazing in the Snowy Mountains.

The Lindleys retain one of the few freehold grazing properties within the park’s boundaries.

Their freehold is located along what was once a main route for stockmen and prospectors from the NSW South West Slopes and Riverina to access the grazing areas of the Long, Cooleman and Currango Plains or the Kiandra gold fields.

Thomas Lindley Jnr’s great-grandchildren, John and Bob Lindley, have been taking cattle annually to the family’s high country freehold for decades.

Lindley’s Last Ride was written by Riverina journalist Kim Woods, of Leeton, and filmed and edited by Steve Moore, Mayfly Media, Wagga Wagga, with additional footage by James Patrick O’Connor, narration by Lyndsey Douglas and poem narration by Grant Luhrs.

Historical footage was supplied by the National Film and Sound Archive, Cinesound Movietone Newsreels, family of

the late Bill Ridley, John Hart, Beth Barass, and RVN2/Prime 7.

Interviewed on screen were siblings John, Gordon, Peter and Bob Lindley, and Graham Elphick, while the documentary was filmed on location in the Goobarragandra Wilderness Area.

West Wyalong Movies was founded in 2008 by Ross Harmer, a farmer, with the principal aim of capturing and sharing local history from Australian country towns.

“It’s important to embrace our heritage and preserve the great living history archive by sharing these uniquely Australian stories of how we conquered our environment in rural areas,” Ross said.

Lindley’s Last Ride is available on DVD from West Wyalong Movies at www. westwyalongmovies.com.au RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: James O’Connor and Kim Woods

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Lindley children wouldn’t miss out on the muster for quids; the cattle splash through the Goobarragandra River on the way to their way down from the high plains; the Lindley family prepare for the annual trek; the Lindley children make their own memories around the campfire.

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'Malua' 21 Hartfield Road Young NSW 2594

Garden, Home and Miscellaneous Treasures

Solar passive, architecturally designed home set on 6.3 lifestyle acres. Contemporary, truly versatile open design living, Caesarstone kitchen (Miele appl. & butler’s pantry).

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Auto vergola covered alfresco & decking with inset spa. Relax poolside or by the stone fire pit soaking in picturesque vineyard &rural views. 165,000L water storage & irrigation. Remote gates to circular drive, drive-up entrance + shed/studio.

Wander through our unique oasis in the centre of Young where you will discover gorgeous planters, beautiful trees, carefully selected native plants, herbs, perennials and more.

Ponder over lush indoor plants, pots, quality giftware and garden tools. We are full to the brim of beautiful things!

12km’s to Young. ‘Malua’ offers tranquility and sophistication.

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0447 750 369

@thepinkpotgardenspot RLM 133

Town & country

transformations

An enterprising couple in Glen Innes have created two significant boutique accommodation options – one in town and the other just minutes from town boasting a magnificent garden.

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accommodation A U T U M N

At the entrance to Belinda and Mike Norton’s magnificent, century-old garden, Rosecroft, you’ll find a stylishly restored gatehouse, which was the original cottage, built in 1860.

Opened many times for various charities and garden tours, the heritage-listed, one-bedroom cottage had previously been used for storage and needed extensive renovation.

The slab timber exterior was intact but the interior wall lining of horsehair and tar wallpaper required replacing.

There was no electricity, and the bathroom was located outside the cottage but is now incorporated very comfortably inside.

The foundations had to be restumped as the cottage was sitting on rocks, and the lovely pitsawn wooden floor has been restored.

An old meat safe has been given new life, with marks on the legs still visible from its days sitting in jam tins full of water to keep out the ants.

The kitchen, with a small electric hotplate, dishwasher, fridge and microwave, has a large picture window looking out onto the glorious garden beyond.

The cosy living room includes a comfortable, pull-out sofa/daybed and dining facilities. The whole cottage is well insulated and heated by a small, slow-combustion firebox in the original fireplace.

The bedroom has elegant wallpaper as a bedhead with its floral theme allowing it to seamlessly blend into the garden outside.

Seating on the verandah offers an opportunity to take in expansive views of the lake in its magnificent, park-like setting.

The property is located just minutes from the town centre which offers excellent retail and dining opportunities.

In the heart of the Glen Innes CBD, the Nortons bought an old bank building, now known as The Counting House in Glen, where they have transformed the upstairs floor, previously the bank manager’s residence, into an elegant threebedroom apartment.

The gracious old building was designed by architect Charles Henry Edmund Blackmann and opened in 1886 as the Australian Joint Stock Bank.

After several name changes, it closed in 2022 as a Westpac branch with the Nortons buying it less than 12 months later.

“It’s such an iconic building and means a lot to the people of Glen Innes,” Mike explains. “It’s important to keep these lovely old buildings alive and support the town. If we don’t, the town dies. It has a National Trust listing and a council heritage order, which protects the façade.” > FACING PAGE: The Counting House in Glen, formerly the Westpac Bank, a grand historical building in the centre of Grey Steet Glen Innes.

FROM TOP: The Little Gatehouse in a Garden nestled amongst the century-old garden; Mike and Belinda Norton in their Rosecroft garden.

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A U T U M N accommodation

“It’s important to keep these lovely old buildings alive and support the town.

If we don’t, the town dies.

Belinda believes because of a change in bank legislation 40 years ago, bank managers were no longer permitted to live on the premises.

As the upper floor had been vacant all that time, it needed a lot of work to bring it up to scratch.

“We were determined to restore it in keeping with the period, including the fittings,” Belinda says.

Buckling floorboards and door fittings were restored and all the windows were painstakingly returned to their former glory. Much of the hand-blown glass, which floods the apartment with natural light, was preserved.

The Nortons called on Margaret Harrison from Sourced and Sorted Home & Garden, based in Brisbane. Margaret now lives in Glen Innes.

“Margaret knew exactly what to do,” Belinda relates. “She has a flair for working with clients and maximising what they want. She asked us what our favourite colours were and we had a love of blue and green in common.

“She then presented us with three choices in each medium – carpets, tiles and drapes – and took it from there. For the next five months I didn’t enter the building; I trusted Margaret completely.”

The Nortons contributed greatly, sourcing all the fabulous paintings, mirrors, light fittings and accessories from old houses in Sydney, providing Margaret with a wonderful range of elegant furnishings.

When Belinda and Michael returned, they were stunned by the transformation.

“I never imagined it would be like this,” Michael reveals, while his wife was equally impressed.

“What really surprised me was the quality of the paintwork and the explosion of colour from pale, peeling walls to what it is now,” Belinda adds.

Upon entering the ground floor and ascending the impressive cedar staircase, it’s immediately evident this is luxuriously elegant accommodation. >

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Comfortable sofa beside the slow combustion fire; queen-sized bed with floral featured wallpaper; intimate dining table in The little Gatehouse; kitchen and light-filled bathroom overlooking the garden.

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM THE TOP LEFT: The Counting House in Glen. Fully equipped kitchen; elegant sitting room large enough to entertain; dining table to seat eight; the hallway reflecting the Victorian period’s0 grandeur; original marble fireplace with an ornate mantle mirror; main bedroom with ensuite; entrance hallway leading to the grand cedar staircase; light-filled ensuite with marble vanity and large mirror; sitting room featuring the Countess of the Counting House's portrait.

136 RLM

story name A U T U M N

RLM 137

A U T U M N accommodation

“What really surprised me was the quality of the paintwork and the explosion of colour from pale, peeling walls to what it is now.”

The main hall features stunning wallpaper with impressive palm frond chandeliers above echoing the botanical theme of the wallpaper. > There are three bedrooms all stylishly furnished. In two bedrooms, instead of bedheads, there are feature wallpapers which blend beautifully into the painted walls above.

The third bedroom has a fold-down sofa bed.

The ensuite bathroom and main bathroom are a testament to luxury with natural stone and marble finishes.

The modern, fully equipped kitchen still manages to retain a heritage feel while being extremely functional and the elegant dining and sitting rooms invite relaxation.

Handily located in the heart of town, restaurant options are readily accessible.

An outdoor terrace at the rear of the building affords wonderful views of many of the classical architecture buildings in downtown Glen Innes. RLM Words: Lynne Walker Images: Tales & Tones Photography

LEFT: A taste of the artworks throughout the apartment.

THE LITTLE GATEHOUSE

in a garden

Set in the century-old gardens of Rosecroft, this cosy self-contained accommodation for two offers a peaceful escape on the outskirts of Glen Innes.

Enjoy evening strolls through the gardens, a log fireplace for winter warmth and scenic country walks just steps from your door.

Enquiries — Belinda Norton 0417 633 818 belinda@norton.com.au Book The Little Gatehouse in a Garden on Airbnb

138 RLM

T H E C O U N T I N G H O U S E I N G L E N

Old world charm meets modern luxury

Nestled in the heart of town, this boutique accommodation combines period charm with modern comforts.

Featuring three bedrooms, an ensuite, fully equipped kitchen, and elegant living spaces, it offers all the comforts of home. The property’s distinctive 1885 architecture adds a unique touch to its inviting atmosphere.

293 Grey Street, Glen Innes NSW 2370 Enquiries — Belinda Norton 0417 633 818 belinda@norton.com.au Book The Counting House in Glen on Airbnb

Bespoke pieces of jewellery mixing old with new, creating unique wearable treasures.

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Serving freshly roasted coffee and healthy, trendy cafe food everyday at 35 Main Street, Young NSW 2594 M–F 6.30am–4pm Sat 7.30am–3pm Sun 8am–2.30pm

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E-books for home gardeners Free monthly garden newsletter

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Come and join us for one of our relaxing and fun weekend art retreats. Perfect for beginners and all those who love to explore their creative side. inspire : create

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See. Try. Love. Buy.

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FINE ART • HISTORY • ACCOMMODATION

Shop Your Stay offers an exclusive collection of products you enjoyed during your Airbnb stay. From premium bath essentials and beautiful candles to card games, local wines, chocolates, artwork, and everything in between, continue the comfort of your getaway at home. Visit our online shop to keep the experience alive, even after you’ve checked out.

Bring a touch of your getaway into your everyday life.

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The Globe Inn was built by Charles Quail in 1847 as an Inn. The building retains its original Australian Georgian Style.

70 Rossi Street, Yass 2582 0428 540 904 BOOK DIRECT ONLINE

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cake me up A new business located in the heart of town — 96 Goulburn St, Crookwell 0484 675 669 cakemeupshardz@gmail.com Dine in or takeaway Open Monday – Sunday, early until sold out 140 RLM

Come into Cake Me Up — We serve breakfast, lunch and amazing coffee and affectionately known as by the locals.

Cake Me Up Cafe makes an enjoyable stop for travelers, as well as a popular social hub for the community.

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OVE R 75 YE ARS E X PE R IE N C E RLM 141

A U T U M N Southern NSW touring

EXPLORE THE

Southern Tablelands

Between heritage towns, verdant pastureland and rolling vineyards, the Southern Tablelands hides a rugged and unique landscape perfect for outdoor exploration.

Right on the border of Canberra, and just over two hours from Sydney or three hours from Victoria, this lesser-known region offers a unique autumn adventure exploring limestone cliffs, ancient caves and meandering rivers.

Start your trip in the Goulburn area and take time strolling the Mulwaree River Walkway in town – see the golden hues of the turning leaves and delight in wildlife spotting at the Goulburn Wetlands.

Head half an hour east to Bungonia National Park, a hidden gem with epic natural wonders.

Trek to the undulating vistas of The Lookdown and Adams lookouts or set off on a canyon adventure across the park’s unique limestone rock formations through Bungonia Slot Canyon.

For an adrenaline hit, take on the motocross tracks at Goulburn Motorcycle Club – the oldest motorbike club in Australia, founded in 1911.

Next head north to Taralga and find yourself in awe of the cave networks at

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Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve on a self-guided or a guided tour.

Do you prefer to do your exploring on two wheels? Cycle between the heritage towns of Taralga and Crookwell on the Crookwell Circuit, taking detours to see the wombats and white kangaroos of Taralga Wildlife Park, and to picnic or trout fish at Pejar Dam. Regardless of your travel style, you will find accommodation to suit. For couples, Into the Wild Escapes’ two cosy Southern Tablelands retreats will make you feel like it’s just you and the local wildlife on cooler nights in.

If the family is joining you, Abercrombie Ridge accommodates 10 and has a spa overlooking the hills of the Bubalahla Nature Reserve.

Reflections Grabine Lakeside Holiday Park offers an affordable water-side camping or caravan adventure with tennis courts, fishing spots, a playground and more.

When it comes to dining, pair a cheese plate with locally made wines at Kingsdale

Wines in Goulburn, or stroll the town’s main street for delicious cafés, bakeries, and global dining.

In Taralga, The Argyle Inn is a century-old pub with a refined take on classic pub food.

Why not stay the night in one of its grand rooms? RLM Words: Ryan Deebank Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Grabine State Park; Pejar Dam; Bungonia National Park; Kingsdale Wines.

A U T U M N story name

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garden A U T U M N

KING of the castle The beautiful grounds of Iandra Castle blend history with practical country design, providing a serene backdrop to this grand landmark of Central West NSW.

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garden A U T U M N

Framed by century-old Moreton Bay fig trees, the impressive 57room mansion is an amazing sight rising from a paddock outside the village of Greenethorpe.

The castle has a fascinating history and the gardens have a story too, evolving over the decades as both productive and ornamental.

The expansive grounds are today a lovely mix of older, established trees and shrubs together with roses, citrus, a large lawn and colourful garden beds.

There is a peaceful ambience, with shadows of the castle stretching out across the lawn as tiny wrens flit about.

Old brick walls of generous proportions with a lovely, weathered patina highlight a sense of timelessness.

Care of this magnificent property is in the dedicated hands of Rod and Bev Kershaw who have been the managers here for more than 30 years.

Over recent years their family has moved closer to the area and are also invested in the farm and upkeep of Iandra.

George Henry Greene was the man responsible for the initial vision and development of the castle and surrounding farmland.

He settled at Iandra in 1878, originally naming the house Mt Oriel, which was situated on the 32,000-acre “Iandra” property.

A single-storey homestead of local red brick was constructed in 1880, and in 1908 work began to incorporate this as the foundation for an impressive two-storey structure of steel-reinforced concrete.

George introduced great innovations for the time including hot and cold running water, electricity from a power station in the stables and septic system.

Overflow of house water was directed to a settling dam and reticulated back to the orchard, vegetable and ornamental gardens.

During the early 1900s, hundreds of people worked on Iandra which had its own store, post office and school. The homestead had 28 staff and six gardeners.

The stunning interior of the castle features a wide, polishedtimber staircase, bay windows with intricate leadlight detail, timber-panelled dining room, and conservatory. The craftsmanship is exquisite.

A splendid view from the upstairs balcony across golden paddocks and grazing livestock extends for kilometres towards the Tyagong Creek.

Greene built Iandra into a large and productive farming enterprise navigating challenges of logistics and isolation.

He was a pioneer in many ways, working to bring the railway line to nearby Grenfell, introducing share farming, trialling significant new wheat varieties such as Federation, and demonstrating the Massey-Harris thresher reaper, now known as a header.

Iandra today is a busy working farm where valuable contribution to agricultural research and development continues through a partnership with CSIRO, hosting trials of new crop varieties and techniques.

After George passed away in 1911 his family moved back to England and over the ensuing years the property changed hands.

In 1975 David and Margaret Morris purchased it from the Methodist Church which had used it as a home for delinquent boys; the Morrises undertook a huge restoration program, with the assistance of talented carpenter Neville Fragar. Their commitment to the property’s preservation is a wonderful legacy. >

FACING PAGE: The grounds surrounding Iandra Castle have developed over more than a century; the old buildings are a beautiful backdrop to hardy and attractive plantings including citrus and roses.

FROM TOP: Thriving Iceberg roses frame views across the lawn to the stunning architecture of the castle; ivy geraniums in shades of pink, white and lavender create colourful garden highlights over a long flowering season.

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A U T U M N garden

Old photographs on the castle walls trace how the gardens have prevailed over the decades through changes in style, use and the vagaries of weather.

There are images of sheep grazing right up to the verandahs, steady growth of the Moreton Bay figs (Ficus macrophylla) and a huge Boston ivy (Parthenocissus) reaching skyward, eventually removed to halt damage to walls and windows.

Plants dating back to the early garden include the figs, peppercorn trees (Schinus molle), a thriving honeysuckle (Lonicera), and white cedars (Melia azedarach), often seen around old homesteads.

There are also several Judas trees (Cercis silaquastrum) with pealike, pink flowers followed by clusters of long, decorative seed pods.

“We believe the wider area was more of a parkland originally, while the large, front rose garden was added later, overlooking the original croquet lawn,” Bev explains.

Climbing roses complement the stately verandah arches and a long row of standard Iceberg roses provide a fitting formal touch.

Plants need to be hardy; the temperature can hit minus-6 degrees in winter and climb to 40 degrees and above during extended hot summers.

The garden mostly uses bore water; hay mulching is essential in conserving moisture.

“We aim to have colour all year round,” Bev adds, with salvia, iris, acanthus, roses, erigeron, daisies and canna lilies all earning their place in the wide garden beds that feature original brick edging.

Several large bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) punctuate the lawn with their red flowers a highlight for many months, while blocks of agapanthus and plumbago add structure and interest.

Pretty ivy geranium in shades of white, pink and lavender repeats throughout the garden climbing over structures and walls to form long, flowering hedges.

A lavender walk leads to the orchard where various citrus fruit heavily as they have done for many years.

“The orchard was rejuvenated by Mrs Morris and Mr Morris restored the driveway’s original iron gates,” Bev says.

Trees and plantings extend around the original stables, manager’s residence and stone church, where George Greene is buried.

Of special significance the enormous Moreton Bay figs, with their wide canopy and huge buttress roots, are a living reminder of George Greene’s vision.

Bev tells he also originally planted several of the fig trees at the church, however they were removed in the 1950s.

“One has grown back – I think it might be Mr Greene having the final say,” Bev quips.

A visit to Iandra Castle is memorable.

Preservation of the buildings and authenticity of the era is exceptional and the well-maintained grounds harmonise beautifully.

Iandra currently offers wedding ceremonies and receptions. This includes options such as use of the garden or St Saviour’s Church on the property.

Under the Kershaws’ expert guidance, regular tours and open days are held providing the public an opportunity to explore this unique piece of history.

Dates and updates are posted regularly on social media – Instagram and Facebook. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Jennifer Harden

FROM TOP: The castle gardens feature established trees and shrubs with country garden favourites such as roses and perennials; lavender that forms a walk leading to the orchard is also a perfect complement to original buildings; pretty climbing geraniums add colour throughout; hardy plants that suit the climate include Callistemon with their striking ‘bottlebrush’ flowers.

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NURSERY Sh

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MISSION

accomplished

Think, for a second, about how relaxed you feel when you’re on holiday.

When the stresses and strains on your body can be washed away by swimming in a pool, reclining on a beach, or having the well-trained hands of a masseuse smooth out all those knots and aches.

Your holidays may only come around once a year, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with those aches, pains and discomfort until the next break rolls around.

With a hiBOD massage chair, your muscles will recover, your stress levels will drop, you’ll sleep better, and your aches will be a thing of the past.

It’s like taking a holiday, every day. hiBOD is a Sydney-based company that is Australia’s leader in hi-tech, scienceengineered massage chairs. The company’s wide range of massage chairs offer cuttingedge technology and performance, and they have a chair to suit every budget.

They also have a chair to fit every size, which is where the hiBOD story begins.

The company was founded more than a decade ago by CEO and owner David Haq who wanted a massage chair to help manage his own health concerns.

“The idea came to mind when I set out to look for a massage chair to get some relief for my back pain issues,” says David.

“I found there simply weren’t many options for chairs that were of good quality, but also spacious and comfortable to fit a big man like me weighing in at over 100 kilograms and measuring 6’2”.

“Everything I found was either overpriced, wasn’t of the best quality, or couldn’t cover the whole body.”

That frustration became a mission for David as he set out to create the perfect massage chair for any body shape and size.

“I wanted to create massage chairs that were technologically advanced and could fit a larger-framed person comfortably, without making them feel locked into a cramped space – and chairs that provided total body coverage,” he explains.

“Everything that was out there at the time was very compact and of low quality but also very pricey.”

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for your health A U T U M N

A decade later, hiBOD is the recognised leader in massage chairs for Australians.

“Our customers are from a wide variety of backgrounds – young tradies, farm workers, people involved in sports, as well as the elderly or retirees,” says David.

“We also get businesses buying the chairs for their staff wellness spaces as it’s a proven fact that massages increase productivity in the workplace.

“Of course, we get buyers who are simply looking at relaxing after a hard day out or at work – they appreciate that with one of our chairs they can enjoy the therapeutic effects of massage at any time of the day and for however long one might enjoy a little pampering.”

More than 100,000 customers have enjoyed the benefits of hiBOD’s wellpriced technology, as well a warranty of up to 10 years, an industry-leading 90 days peace of mind money back guarantee, and personalised service wherever they are in Australia.

The chairs themselves are loaded with cutting-edge, patented tech to ensure every bit of your body enjoys a deep, relaxing massage.

“The hiBOD X range offers unique, patented technology, including the latest AI-driven 5D-integrated technology with real-time responsiveness,” says David.

“That technology includes the 12Dxi massage rollers that have 12 finger-like protrusions that emulate the true human finger touch – soft, yet firm, for the most relaxing, comfortable and relieving massage session ever.

“There are 114 air bags on the top-of-theline GH+/XX to ensure every inch of your body is covered for the spa-like pressure, forcing the blood vessels to unlock and flow freely, relieving those muscle tensions.”

So, whether you’re looking for stress reduction, pain management, improved sleep quality, enhanced circulation, muscle recovery, immune system support, migraine relief from hiBOD’s unique temple massager, or just improved mental wellbeing, turn to the hiBOD team.

Their chairs are manufactured to the highest quality and standards in the most technologically advanced manufacturing facilities, and they offer exclusive features that will take your massage experience to the next level and improve your overall wellness. hiBOD chairs are David’s mission success and reinforce his vision from all those years ago.

“We offer fair pricing for very high-quality products,” he says.

“And we guarantee to offer more features and benefits for less than you’ll find elsewhere.”

For those of us suffering aches, pains, or muscle strains – hiBOD’s massage chairs mean every day can feel like a holiday. RLM Words: Martyn Pearce Images: Supplied

“I wanted to create massage chairs that were technologically advanced and could fit a larger-framed person comfortably, without making them feel locked into a cramped space – and chairs that provided total body coverage.”

FROM TOP: The Haq family, from left, Sahil, Shoaib, Zaisha, Sophie, Fiza, David and Shaqs; hiBOD massage chairs come in a range of colours to suit your décor.

FACING PAGE: Simone Fleming enjoying the benefits of her high-end hiBOD XX which offers dual massage heads; customers just love to test drive these luxurious massage chairs.

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SYLVIA’S

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152 RLM

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graciousgiving.com.au RLM 153

Knowledge the key in travel When you’re ready to pack your bags for a “hello, world!” experience, organising your trip couldn’t be easier.

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travel business A U T U M N

In an era when people can use a mobile phone to book their own flights and accommodation anywhere in the world, there are reasons that Helloworld Travel Stanthorpe is not simply still in business – but thriving.

Principal Gerard Torrisi, his wife Aly and their select staff have that friendly ease for which country people are famed, offering personalised service their customers love.

With the strength of the Helloworld group’s buying power behind them, they can often access good deals so it might not even cost more to have a travel agent do all the work.

Gerard believes the biggest advantage of using a travel agent is, in a word, knowledge.

Celebrating 40 years in the industry this year, he has a lot of experience to back up that conviction.

He also pays tribute to the team in the office, where all members share their unique skills and experience to support each other’s work.

“This is what I live and breathe,” he says.

“In this industry, you’re forever learning.

Travel’s always changing and it’s important to adapt to trends so you can enhance the experience for your customers.

“Having a really nuanced understanding is really helpful. People can have ideas about what they want to do, but sometimes a bit of guidance or a slightly different perspective can change a good trip to a great trip.”

He explains people can do as much research as they like, but there is such a thing as information overload.

“That’s what makes it hard to have a clear vision – and no amount of research is as good as having been there yourself, which is a big strength of our well-travelled team”, he affirms.

“Our knowledge can help people avoid costly travel mistakes. Plus, if someone needs a hand while they’re away, we can step in and make it easy.”

That’s whether it’s a wrinkle like a missed flight because of weather conditions or an emergency situation like trying to get home from overseas during a pandemic.

It’s not only locals who take advantage of Helloworld Travel Stanthorpe. The business has loyal followers from many nearby towns and bigger centres like Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

It’s a testament to the quality of the business that there are so many clients from referrals.

Gerard’s father started a business in 1958 and added a travel agency in 1964. While travel might not quite be in Gerard’s DNA, it comes pretty close. He remembers his early years in the industry as being very different.

“It has gone from travel agents being

“River cruising is my personal favourite way to travel.

Every day you’re in a different port.”

order takers for the big companies and airlines to being able to create our own product with the help of those same companies,” he says.

Their escorted tours have been going for decades. Originally most trips were to Italy to service the Stanthorpe region’s large Italian community wanting to visit the “old country”.

They can now add destinations like Canada, the UK, India, Europe, South Africa, Vietnam and Cambodia, Antarctica, Egypt and Uganda to their escorted travel options.

“The tours are perfect for people who want the travel experience but prefer to sit back and leave the arrangements to someone else.

It’s a great way for single people to travel, too,” says Gerard.

He considers the future of the business is in creating its own products and hopes to bring to fruition a European river cruise charter to the south of France and Portugal in collaboration with a local winery, taking an entire boatload of 140 passengers.

“River cruising is my personal favourite way to travel. Every day you’re in a different port. It’s a great way to see a lot of country without having to pack and unpack or deal with traffic,” he says.

The personally escorted tours are put up on the Helloworld Travel Stanthorpe Facebook page and usually fill quickly.

Gerard suggests people ask to be added to the business’s database to get forward notice of exciting travel options.

Next time you’re thinking about doing a bit of travel, consider this mighty little agency in the country. Helloworld Travel Stanthorpe can do the organising and all you need do is pack your bags. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Elizabeth Tickle

FACING PAGE: Helloworld Travel Stanthorpe principals Gerard and Aly Torrisi.

ABOVE: It’s a real team effort at Helloworld Travel Stanthorpe – and here’s the A team – senior travel consultant Shannon Cox, trainee travel consultant Alesha Westerhout, senior travel consultant Sarah Wilmott with owners Aly and Gerard Torrisi; distinctive signage helps you find the business right away.

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OVERDOSING ON

Europe’s beauty Strap yourself in for a highly condensed version of the wonders of our first European river cruise; our lofty expectations exceeded by our 23 days aboard Scenic Jasper.

We sailed from the North Sea to the Black Sea, from Romania in the east to The Netherlands in the west on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, through more than 70 locks.

These three luxurious weeks provided us with so many experiences to savour, with our cruising itinerary and shore excursions taking us to 10 coun-tries in total.

There were ample options to satisfy a diverse range of interests in history, nature, architecture and culture, and choice in the level of passivity in your activity.

Onboard Scenic Jasper

Our all-inclusive, high-end cruise covered our tours, enrichment evenings, meals, alcohol and tips. As an Australian company, Scenic understands the challenges some Aussies face with the whole tipping concept!

Those readers who have cruised before will know one of the biggest perks is being able to unpack once, and for 23 days this was much appreciated. For us, the biggest perk of this cruise (after the delicious, varied and never-ending food) was the outstanding service of every single team member.

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One of the surprising pleasures of the trip was sailing afternoons where you hit pause on the gallivanting. We took time to relax in a chair at the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the lounge, glass of bubbles in hand and some smoked salmon to snack on as we watched Europe float past.

There were many spots onboard from which to enjoy your down time, in-cluding the sun deck which ran the length of the ship. This was a prime location to view the approach to each new city and lock (if arrival was in waking hours).

Doing a sightseeing sailing circuit on our first evening in Budapest was the ideal way to see the city lit up in all her glory – she’s a stunner when she has her bling on!

The Hungarian Parliament Building, Buda Castle on the hill, and the quar-tet of Liberty, Chain, Margaret and Elizabeth bridges, all dressed to the nines, made for a dazzling evening on the Danube.

ABOVE: Just like a fairytale … centuries-old buildings and patchwork fields in this Rhine River town.

travel A U T U M N

Hop on the bus A coach ride from Brandstatt in Austria took us into the South Bohemian region of Czechia (formerly the Czech Republic) to Český Krumlov.

This is a place blessed with a relatively peaceful history of no bombings, no devastating fire, all still wonderfully intact – one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.

The UNESCO World Heritage site straddles the Vltava River with its eclectic castle atop the rocky hill overlooking the town brimming with charm immediately below.

Photogenic opportunities abound, and it is usually swarming with visitors smiling for selfies.

FROM TOP: You get a spectacular view of the town from the castle; castle bridge; divide in the river.

Bringing history to life In Bulgaria we explored the old capital of Veliko Tarnovo under the guidance of expat Brit Dennis, who imparted historical facts through engaging storytelling and humour.

The tales of familial bonds that freed Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire and family feuds that lost the country all over again had the group rolling their eyes in frustration and nodding in understanding of the family dynamics.

Standing in this country’s beautiful former capital and learning of her turbulent history through stories gave us an instant connection and appreciation.

The neighbouring town of Arbanasi, known for its historic churches of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, also has some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

The Church of the Nativity and the Church of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel were exquisite examples of that period, filled with the most vibrant and detailed frescos.

The second church visit also came with a vocal quartet singing Gregorian chants to transport us back in time to the 17th century of its origins.

RIGHT: Gregorian chants; old shopping street.

We expected our excursion in Kalocsa to be marred by rainy weather, but no – it became one of the most memorable of our experiences on this trip. The horse show at Bakodpuszta Horse Farm was a showcase of remarkable equestrianism. It built from humorous shenanigans in competitions between riders on horse and donkey, to the finale of the impressive Puszta “10-in-hand” – 10 Lipizzaner horses in fourfour-two formation managed by a single rider balanced with one foot on each rump of the two horses at the rear.

These were astounding feats of control and skill, especially at speed.

With the show over, we were provided with farm-made cheese scones and a shot of local peach brandy before exploring the stables and petting the horses having a post-performance feed.

Equestrian excellence

LEFT: Magnificent horses 10-in-hand.

Stunning architecture Hungary’s capital was once two cities divided by the Danube River – Buda to the west and Pest to the east, which were officially merged in 1873. Budapest is filled with so much gorgeous architecture, from gothic to art nouveau and everything in between. The Central Market Hall is the largest and oldest in Budapest and is a mix of neo-gothic and neorenaissance architecture.

The Hungarian State Opera is another gem, as beautiful on the inside as her baroque and neorenaissance exterior hints at. Even if you don’t do a tour of the opera house, you can always pop in to be wowed by the ornate foyer, which is as stunning as the finest of churches.

RIGHT: Opera house foyer; market hall; Fovam Square; Liberty Bridge tram.

A beer in Bamberg

The town of Bamberg in northern Bavaria is home to the iconic “Altes Rathaus”, the old town hall.

Legend has it that the bishop would not grant the townspeople land to build a town hall, so instead they constructed an island in the middle of the Regnitz River and built it there, accessible by two bridges on either side.

Altes Rathaus is an intriguing blend of gothic, renaissance and baroque architectural styles due to the different periods of modifications over the centuries.

Rococo frescos adorn the upstream facing façade and the half-timbered “fachwerk” style of its 1462 origins face downstream. Of course, this is not the only gorgeous building in Bamberg, it’s just the most photographed.

This medieval town is also home to the Schlenkerla – the original smoked beer of Bamberg. Our guide said that people’s comments on the taste ranged from “a smoky Guinness” to “licking an ashtray”!

I found it was neither of these, I didn’t mind it … and I’m not a fan of Guinness or ashtrays!

LEFT: Bamberg town hall in in northern Bavaria is known as ‘Altes Rathaus’.

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travel A U T U M N

Castle with a view A change of scale and grandeur led us to Miltenberg, our final stop in Germany’s Bavarian state.

While it may not have a palace, it does have a modest hilltop castle with fabulous views of the town, woods to roam in, and many fine half-timbered buildings along the main street to photograph (and pop into for cake).

Oh, and the occasional deer crossing your path while walking through the woods.

Residence fit for a Prince-Bishop It was after a few rainy days that we arrived in Würzburg, and the city was as thrilled as us at the sunshine.

Our afternoon excursion to Residenz Würzburg was surprising and overwhelming.

The term “residence” gives you no idea of the scale – we certainly didn’t expect a mini-Versailles! And it’s in the middle of the town, with the front cobblestoned square a huge parking lot for office workers.

This palace is opulent, garish and gorgeous all at once, and was built for one man, the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg … oh, and his 300 servants. There are almost 400 rooms! One in particular was very sparkly – our guide called it the “OMG Room” as everything in it was gold, mirrored or both.

If baroque/rococo architecture and art hurts your eyes, look away!

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The OMG gold room; the residence staircase; a garden statue at the residence; Würzburg Bridge.

Cultural cruising Throughout the cruise, guests were treated to three separate enrichment evenings of classical concerts in some of the most exquisite buildings in Europe, including the St Sava Temple in Belgrade, Serbia – the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans.

Only recently completed, this Hagia Sophia-inspired church

ABOVE: The view from the fortress closer to spires; grey triangle building; a residential street with green shutters.

has 50 million mosaics covering 17,000sq m of its walls – so golden and glorious. The crypt was the venue for the spiritual choral performance, made transcendent by the perfect acoustics and intricately frescoed walls.

ABOVE: St Sava interior; St Sava dome; St Sava crypt.

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A U T U M N travel

Musical interlude Our only stop in the German state of Hessen was in Rüdesheim. The early-morning disembarkation had us boarding a little tourist train that took us through the cobbled streets of the town to Siegfried’s Musikkabinett – a museum of mechanical musical instruments.

We naively thought this museum would be a quaint little collection of music boxes and pianolas, but it was 400 instruments housed in a 15thcentury knight’s residence.

In our 45-minute guided tour we only saw a handful of instruments, but they were magnificent. The most extraordinary was the 100-yearold Phonoliszt Violina, which was dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world” when it was revealed at the Brussels International Exhibition in 1910.

At first glance it appears to be only an ornate pianola, but then the cabinets are opened to reveal six violins playing sublime music from Verdi’s Rigoletto.

FROM TOP: Outside Siegfried’s Musikkabinett; the Phonoliszt Violina.

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Exploring Amsterdam Many passengers aboard Scenic Jasper had travelled to Europe before, but there were still places and things they had not experienced, and plenty of “new” options offered on the daily itineraries.

Others who had not seen much (if any) of the continent found it the perfect way to get a taste of where they would like to return for deeper exploration.

We found Amsterdam the perfect place to finish our trip. It was a first time visit for us, and the unique canals were enthralling – we walked for hours, big smiles on our faces, snapping shots off in all directions … all the while staying out of the bike lanes (safety first, always). RLM Words: Nicole Bonfield Images: John Baltaks

FROM TOP: The canals were enthralling; bikes are a popular transport option in Amsterdam.

TRAVEL FAST FACTS Where is it?

We began our Scenic river cruise in Romania, which is in Eastern Europe bordered by Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Ukraine, and finished in Western Europe in Amsterdam, Netherlands. But there are oodles of locations and itinerary options available throughout the continent to suit all interests.

What to eat?

All meals are included onboard and during organised tours, and Scenic caters to all dietary requirements. The Scenic Jasper chef and culinary team offer an amazing range of delicious food, from fine dining to café snacks and room service.

How to get there?

Daily flights to Europe depart from Sydney with a range of carriers to choose from, including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa … the list goes on.

What to do?

As little or as much as you like. There are a range of excursions offered daily, as well as a few enrichment evenings peppered throughout the cruise.

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A U T U M N health and wellbeing

THE POWER OF In a world of multiplying distractions (smartphone, anyone?) there are simple changes you can make to take back control of your life.

Whether it’s the flash “ping” of our phones heralding a new Facebook message, receiving a text, a telemarketer call, or an email wanting us to review an item – life comes with distractions.

We all need to switch off at times. Mostly we think of power as turning something on, creating something that will work faster or more efficiently. But what if there was power in switching off?

When we unplug from the busyness of life, we can truly reflect on the priorities. When we are multitasking, we are so busy, and our minds are so full, we reduce brainpower.

It’s easy to read about the importance of switching off ... and not quite so easy to do it.

Why not try these proven strategies:

switching off Get some fresh air Take yourself outside and breathe some fresh air. It will immediately help de-stress you and improve mental clarity. Bonus points if you can sneak in a little exercise.

DETOX YOUR VISUALS

Images influence our feelings. Be selective in the visuals you consume.

Realign with your goals and values: curate your social media feed, take an alternative route to work, declutter your home, take regular screen breaks to somewhere visually uplifting.

Stop multitasking Every time we switch tasks, we lose concentration and focus. We are actually slower and less effective.

Multitasking becomes deeply ingrained, causing mental stress and anxiety. It reduces our capacity to deal with complexity.

Practise completing a single task in its entirety – before even considering another. How good does it feel?

FIND A HOBBY YOU CAN GET LOST IN

LET YOUR MIND WANDER What? Sometimes, to find our focus, we first need to lose it. Research shows that daydreaming enhances brain function, problem solving and creativity. It creates mental space for subconscious inspiration to strike.

Try focused daydreaming:

1 2 3

Set an intention (a specific problem).

Gather information (research).

Now, switch off – and see what your subconscious comes up with!

Put the phone away Outside of working hours, even if it’s only for an hour or two while you sit down to dinner. Your loved ones – and your mental health – will thank you for it.

Unrelated to work, is there something you’d love to try?

Perhaps you’d like to learn Spanish, painting or pottery?

Maybe you love to cook?

Whatever it is, find that thing that makes you forget where and who you are.

BE ACCOUNTABLE

If you’ve committed to leaving your phone in another room while you eat dinner, or spending time on your new hobby for an hour every night, tell people – and get them to hold you to it.

Constantly being engaged in work or studies can lead to increased stress and raised cortisol levels. Taking breaks and switching off helps to reduce stress by allowing your mind and body to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate.

Unleash that power! RLM Words: Sue Curley Images: Images: Lordn and Fizkes - stock.adobe.com

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A U T U M N health and wellbeing

Understanding MND Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting the strength of a person’s muscles.

Our muscles (which allow us to move, walk, carry things, open jars, chew and swallow food) are controlled by electrical signals from the nerves (which doctors call neurons) in the brain, spinal cord and the nerves which come out of our spinal cord.

In MND, these neurons degenerate, causing muscles to weaken and waste away. Like most other neurodegenerative disease, MND can also progress to affect cognitive functions of the brain.

At this stage, we do not fully understand the cause of MND, but it is an area of active research. The role of inflammation in the brain, genetic abnormalities and accumulation of toxic proteins is being studied.

MND is relatively rare, with only about one in 10,000 people developing it each year, but it is more common in those with a family history.

Some famous people have developed MND, including scientist Stephen Hawking and baseball player Lou Gehrig.

COMMON SYMPTOMS In the commonest form of MND (known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS), symptoms tend to start in mid to later life, with progressive weakness of some group of muscles (usually starting in the smaller muscles of the arm or leg).

In the less common variety (bulbar palsy), it is the muscles of speech or swallowing which are affected first.

Eventually, the disease progresses to affect all muscles, even the muscles we use to breathe. In about 20 to 50 per cent of people, the cognitive functions of the brain are affected to a greater or lesser extent, including memory, behaviour and language.

Falls and fractures can occur due to weakness of the legs. Pneumonia (due to weakening of the swallowing and breathing muscles) can eventuate and can be severe enough to cause death.

Where can I get help?

Anyone who experiences progressive weakening of the muscles (especially if the muscles also appear to be wasting away or are continually exhibiting a fine “flickering” of the muscles belly) should seek assistance from their GP. A doctor can usually tell if MND

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(or a similar disorder) is present.

The patient is usually then referred to a neurologist, who can do further testing, including blood tests and electric stimulation tests of the nerves and muscles (a test called EMG). These tests will usually tell us whether or not the motor neurons are affected.

MND is relatively rare, with only about one in 10,000 people developing it each year, but it is more common in those with a family history.

Managing MND Unfortunately, there is no cure for MND, but in some eligible cases, treatment with a medication named Riluzole can provide minor symptomatic relief.

It is very important that anyone with MND maintains a program of regular exercise, including walking, balance training and strengthening.

A physiotherapist can assist patients optimise quality of

life by maintaining strength, flexibility and balance, and to reduce the risk of falls.

If the muscles of swallowing are affected, it is also important to see a speech pathologist who can advise on whether foods or fluids need to be modified to prevent pneumonia (which can occur when food goes down the wrong way into the windpipe, instead of the gullet).

Words: Dr John Obeid

CONTACTS It is also very important to be in contact with local support organisations in your area, which you can find by calling: • MND NSW, which also covers the ACT and NT (1800 777 175) • MND QLD (07 3372 9004) • MND Victoria (03 9830 2122) • MND SA (08 8234 8448) • MND Tasmania (1800 806 632).

Assistance is also available via aged care services (my-agedcare.gov.au) and through the NDIS.

Dr John Obeid is a senior consultant physician at Norwest and The Hills Hospitals, Sydney and is a guest health writer for RLM.

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Experience the Spirit of Community

A U T U M N country story name recipes

Pumpkin delight This ‘gourd-geous’ recipe pairs beautifully with the nutty nougat slice.

BUTTERNUT PUMPKIN WITH SPINACH, BACON, AND CHEESE This is a perfect recipe for autumn while we are thinking about winter, the stuffing is creamy and cheesy and goes well with the sweet flavour of the butternut pumpkin.

Ingredients: 2 butternut pumpkin, medium size (four pieces) 2 tbsp olive oil ¼ tsp salt and black pepper, freshly ground Spinach bacon and cheese mixture ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 6 oz fresh spinach 8 oz cream cheese 1 cup tasty, grated cheese, shredded 6 strips bacon, cooked and chopped, with rind removed 3 tbsp fresh thyme from the garden

NOUGAT SLICE This is just so delicious to enjoy in autumn after your main meal or for a special get-together with the ladies. It’s sweet, fluffy and chewy with lots of hazelnuts.

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Roasting the butternut pumpkin: 1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.

Cut butternut in half and scoop out seeds.

2. Rub skin all over with oil.

Generously season with salt and pepper.

3. Place cut side down on baking paper and roast for about 20 minutes. Turn over and bake a further 20 minutes.

4. When cooked, scoop out the middle of the butternut pumpkin leaving about 1 inch on the sides.

Preparing cheese mixture: 1. Heat olive oil on medium heat, add fresh spinach and

cook for 5 minutes until spinach wilts. Drain moisture from pan.

2. Soften cream cheese in microwave briefly (without melting).

3. Add grated tasty cheese, cooked spinach, and half the

chopped, cooked bacon.

4. Mix everything well, then place the remainder of bacon on top of the cheese mixture.

5. Roast in pre-heated oven on 180 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Ingredients: ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 cup honey 2 tbsp water 2 tsp vanilla extract 4 egg whites (room temperature) ½ cup caster sugar 1½ cups hazelnuts, skins off, chopped roughly (or your choice of nuts)

Method: 1. In a large non-stick pot, add graduated sugar, honey, water, vanilla extract and cook over medium heat.

2. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the candy temperature reaches 250 degrees.

3. While the sugar syrup is cooking, beat egg whites in a separate large bowl until firm peaks form.

4. Slowly drizzle the sugar mixture in a thin but continuous stream while beating at a medium-high speed. Do this super slowly over 3 or 4 minutes.

5. Continue beating the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes until it has doubled in volume. The colour will change too, from a golden shade to white.

6. Gradually add the powdered caster sugar while still mixing.

7. When the powdered sugar is all melted, mix in the hazelnuts at a

low speed. The mixture will begin to thicken and become sticky.

8. Drop this mixture onto a large pan (9 x 13), layered with rice paper.

9. Spray the palms of your hand with some oil to spread it out evenly as possible. (I used a spatula).

10. Smooth it out more. You can even roll it with a rolling pin to spread the mixture evenly.

11. Allow to cool and set overnight.

12. Run a knife sprayed with oil through the edges to loosen the candy.

13. Flip the nougat onto a cutting board using a sharp knife sprayed with oil to cut into square pieces.

You might have to grease your knife a few times. I use different varieties of nuts and add cranberries for colour. RLM Words: Lorraine Hills Images: Marco Mayer and Azurita stock.adobe.com

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A U T U M N accommodation

Popular place to lay your head Dubbo has so much to see and do – from the fabulous Taronga Western Plains Zoo and exploring historic Old Dubbo Gaol, to viewing the clear Western Plains skies at Dubbo Observatory or wandering the lush Regional Botanic Gardens.

At the end of a busy day enjoying all the wonders the region has to offer you can’t go past the Akuna Motor Inn and Apartments to rest your weary head.

With a reputation for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere, so many people return to Akuna Motor Inn and Apartments time and again.

This popular four-star motel offers spacious, modern and comfortable rooms and apartments, and is brilliantly located on the highway close the centre of Dubbo.

You don’t need to travel far to visit the zoo, or the huge selection of restaurants, shops, clubs and pubs on its doorstep. It’s the ideal place to base yourself for your Western Plains holiday.

The motel was built in the early 2000s with 16 rooms including 10 queen executive

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rooms and six family rooms.

In 2013 it was extended, adding five spacious, modern, beautifully kitted-out apartments. It’s your home away from home in the Great Western Plains.

The place is run by friendly and knowledgeable local, Ross Coady.

“I love working in hospitality,” he says.

“I’m always up for a yarn and really enjoy making people feel welcome.

“We just had 16 rooms of New Zealanders here for a week who came to Dubbo for a veterans’ cricket tournament. They had a ball.”

But it’s not just the warm welcome or tourism recommendations that ensure guests return to the Akuna Motor Inn and Apartments.

It’s not even the allure of a dip in the saltwater swimming pool on a hot day, the fully air-conditioned rooms, laundry

facilities, or the Tesla charging station for electric vehicles.

“It’s clean, modern and inviting,” says Ross, “plus it has really good amenities, lots of different types of rooms, it’s priced reasonably, and it’s in a great location.

“We get a lot of guests from governments and private industry, and they tell me they keep coming back because it’s clean and tidy, friendly, welcoming, and has really good beds.”

And if you are visiting Dubbo on business, Akuna Motor Inn and Apartments has got you covered with parking spaces right outside your room, ground floor access to all rooms, Foxtel available, and complimentary wi-fi for all guests.

It’s so good, that you might not want to leave. But if you do have to leave, you might want to start planning another trip back – and Ross will be on hand to help.

“Dubbo is a really special place,” says Ross.

“We’ve got the zoo, the museum, beautiful gardens, and great restaurants.

“Akuna Motor Inn and Apartments is a really welcoming and comfortable place.

That’s our main focus, and it’s one that our guests appreciate and come back for time and again.” RLM Words: Martyn Pearce Images: Elizabeth Tickle

ABOVE: The beautifully appointed rooms and modern amenities at Akuna Motor Inn and Apartments will ensure you want for nothing during your stay; hedges for privacy and roses for beauty.

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Experience comfort and quality at the Akuna Motor Inn, a proudly certified 4-star motel.

Choose from a range of spacious rooms, including Queen Executive, Family Rooms, and 2 Bedroom Units. We also offer two fully accessible rooms.

At Akuna, we take pride in our spotless accommodation, inviting atmosphere and exceptional service — ensuring every guest feels right at home.

109 - 111 Whylandra Street (Newell Highway) Dubbo NSW 2830 02 6885 4422 contact@akunamotorinn.com.au

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RLM 173

Inner Wheel Melbourne Cup Luncheon Dubbo

A successful Melbourne Cup luncheon held in Dubbo at the Westside Hotel was hosted by members of the Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo.

Ninety men and women congregated in their finery enjoying a delicious sit-down luncheon, at the same time enjoying friendships both old and new. Fashions on the field and the race were the highlights.

The day was organised as a fundraiser for District A50 Inner Wheel’s international project 2024/25, Timor Leste Learning Centre in Dili, and a local charity.

Louise Sneesby addressed the audience for attendees to gain an understanding of the adversities in Dili.

Inner Wheel is one of the largest voluntary service organisations

for women in the world. Its objectives are friendship, personal service and international understanding.

As well as supporting the needs of the local community, Inner Wheel members focus a national project for cord blood research as well as the district’s international projects.

Inner Wheel members make firm and lasting friendships with like-minded women. Members meet monthly with inspiring speakers and /or activities that promote friendship and service.

To find out more contact the Inner Wheel Club of Dubbo at iiw.au.dubbo@gmail.com or check out Inner Wheel Club Dubbo on Facebook. RLM Words: Denise Gough- President Dubbo Inner Wheel Images: Elizabeth Tickle

Barb Norrie and Di McKeowen, back, with Charmaine Sefton and Penny Meers in front.

Mary Debus, Kay Bennett, Jackie Paul and Ellen Lovett-Lodge.

Deirdre Kernahan, Annette Storer, Colleen Cox and Prue Thompson.

Sharon Scherrer, Cheryl Pfeiffer, Merril O’Sullivan and Lorraine Turner.

Kerry Morris, Sue Clarke, Tarsilla De Lucia and Maryanne Ramirez.

Lyn Tickle, Robyn Earl, Margaret Hughes and Denise Carmichael.

Tom Earl, Allan Kernahan, Bob Gown, Lance Murphy, Collin Sneesby, Mike Blake, Barry Pettiford and Ritchie McKay.

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Betsy Glasson, Penny Meers, Wendy Oehm, Carol Luckie, Fitz McKay and Kate Tucker.

events A U T U M N

Adele Oulton, Naomi Brown and Kay O’Brien.

Marie Francis and Pauline Hunter.

Deirdre and Allan Kernahan.

Helen Cant, Libby Lambell and Suzie Ward.

Current president Denise Gough with past president Sue Furnell.

Annette Hoynes, Jean Slack-Smith and Jan Armstrong.

Dubbo Inner Wheel international officer Louise Sneesby with Deidre Kernahan.

Gay and Barry Pettiford.

Margaret Sheridan, Sue Blackett and Helen McLean.

Kathy Roberts and Helen Malone.

Judy Nestor with Sue and Bob Gown.

Maureen and Ritchie McKay.

Sandy Walker, Sue Lister and Ros Lorimer.

A50 District chairman Barb Howells and treasurer Susan Burr.

Selling raffle tickets were members Louise Sneesby and Melva Blake.

Meryl Usback and Elizabeth Tickle.

Secretary Jo-Anne Murphy with Kate Craft and Ruth McKenzie.

RLM 175

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RLM 177

A U T U M N events

Turkish Bath & Home launch Orange

Early in November, guests were treated to a taste of ancient Middle Eastern culture at the launch of a new business, Turkish Bath & Home.

Hosted by business owner Pip Orr, the launch was held on Sunday, November 3 at Mayfield Winery, Orange.

Turkish Bath & Home offers the traditional history of unique, handmade and exceptional woven techniques in bath, homewares, kilims and rugs produced from across a vast landscape of tradition in Turkey and neighbouring countries.

These rare and exceptional quality textiles are all made on old-

style shuttled looms and hand-woven into unique pieces with natural and sustain-able threads.

Each product is ethically sourced choosing organic cotton, linen and rugs made out of local tribal weaves.

Guests came from near and far including Sydney and northern parts of NSW. The occasion was fully catered with the expertise of Jo Robson while guests enjoyed Mayfield Cuvee Sparkling. www.turkishbathhome.com.au RLM Words: Pip Orr Images: Elizabeth Tickle

Leanne White, Cath Thomas, Pip Orr and Mim Pratten.

Pip Orr, Tom Luscombe and Hayley Urmston, all from Millthorpe.

David Wynn, Orange with Samantha and James Tilley, Bronte.

Raine Whittle and Alison Whittle, both from Orange.

Sandy Chandler, Poppy Warren, with John and Marnie Mason, all from Millthorpe.

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Liz Nist, Millthorpe and Carolyn Hagen, Orange.

Lissa Wettenhall, Belinda Ostini and Fee Nell all from Orange.

Charlie Dunn, Millthorpe and Hugh Hallard, Kirribilli.

Dina Pescosta and Victoria Mercer both from Orange.

Brooke O’Byrne and Saffrine Duggan, both from Millthorpe.

Kate Ridley, Nashdale, Fran Murphy, Orange with Anna Brown and Bindi Murphy, both from Bathurst.

Michelle Slack-Smith, Millthorpe, Leslie Yates, Jo Robson (Jo Robson Catering), and Tom Luscombe, Orange.

Georgia McCrae and Frankie Slack-Smith, at back, with Hazel Duggan, Molly O’Byrne and Ginger Duggan, from Millthorpe.

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RLM 179

A U T U M N events

Buckenbah Collective launch Geurie

There was much to celebrate in the Central West NSW village of Geurie on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

About 120 guests gathered to launch the refurbished 1908 building that now houses Jacinta Haycock’s Art Gallery, The Aviary Café and Terre Rouge Fine Food.

Renovations carried out by more than 45 local tradespeople and suppliers were funded by Buckenbah Collective, a group of investors led by Dubbo solicitor Claire Booth, committed to infusing life into beautiful little towns and villages in the region.

Jacinta’s gallery and studio showcases a diverse range of artworks.

Helen Murphy, Geurie, and Carol Ewan, Nyngan.

Denis and Kath Sheridan, Dubbo.

Ben and Nicole Woldhuis, Dubbo.

Jen Cowley, Dubbo, James and Amanda Hamilton, Narromine and Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders.

Helen Stanbury, Dubbo, Amy Eggleston with Charlotte, Twelve Mile, Alina Basist, Germany with Amelia and Suzie Wood, Dubbo.

Coco Bowman, Geurie, Alexandra Booth, Dubbo, and Chris Newberry, Geurie.

Craig Granger with Kerrie and Mick Cooper, all of Dubbo.

Artist Jacinta Haycock with her daughters, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

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From colourful, original pieces to hand-painted homewares, Australian printed tea towels and tablecloths, you’ll be astounded with the range of treasures on offer. It’s open from 9am to noon Thursday to Sunday.

Operated by Jess Wood, The Aviary Cafe also operates for breakfast, morning tea and lunch, Thursday to Sunday.

Under the banner of Terre Rouge Fine Foods, Jess can cater for private parties and special events. For further information, visit www.buckenbah.com.au RLM Words: Claire Booth Images: Sally May Photography

Jess Wood with daughter Amelia, Geurie.

Jacinta and Andy Haycock, Wongarbon.

Dubbo Regional Council mayor Josh Black, Helen Stanbury, Dubbo, Amy Eggleton from Twelve Mile holding Charlotte.

Dubbo Regional Council Deputy Mayor Phillip Toynton and Sarah Toynton, Geurie.

Dubbo Regional Council CEO Murray Wood with Wellington residents Caitlin Medcalfe, Jacob Perry and Lukas and Barbara Butler.

Party guests in front of refurbished heritage building in Geurie.

Andy Haycock, Hewett Haycock, Lars Haycock, Alex Bonham, Paddy Haycock, Fletcher Haycock, Sully Haycock and Darby Haycock.

David Curtis and Samantha Kerr, Geurie, David and Melanie Pollock, Dubbo, Gary and Mel Robinson, Dubbo, and Felicity Haylock of Narromine.

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

180 MACQUARIE STREET, DUBBO

PH: (02) 6885 3500

Deli + Cafe Catering + Platter Boxes Dessert Bar + More

WWW.KINGSHALL.COM.AU

Open 7 Days Dine In Fri to Mon Bookings essential.

Contact our friendly staff today.

18 Maryland Street Stanthorpe, Queensland Ph. 07 4681 3321

brinxdelicafe.com.au

Beautiful boutique homewares, unique gifts, art and furnishings

Mon to Fri 9am-5pm + Sat 9am-12.30pm • Ph. (07) 4671 3138 • nutmeghome.com.au • 125 Marshall St, Goondiwindi

RLM 181

L O C A L LY B R E W E D , O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D

Unique, quality wines of the Granite Belt Cool climate, high altitude vineyards over 1000 metres Unique quality wines that capture of the Granite Belt the serenity of the picturesque landscape…

Tantalise your taste buds with multi award winning lagers, ales and stouts NO PRESERVATIVES ~ NON-FILTERED

1498 Eukey Road, Eukey Qld, 4380

hand-crafted from FridayLovingly - Sunday 10am - 4pm All otherthe times by appointment vineyard to the glass. +61 (0) 497 418 958 admin@serrenaque.com.au

Ph. 0497 418 958 1498 Eukey Road, Eukey Queensland 4380

serrenaqueestate.com.au serrenaqueestate.com.au

Opening hours: Friday to Sunday 10am - 4pm

Experience the award-winning Black Gold Motel. A historical gem transformed from the Wallerawang School. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, we're near attractions like the Glow Worm Tunnel, Zig Zag Railway, and Jenolan Caves. The property boasts a state-of-the-art conference & training centre and the highest ranked restaurant in the Blue Mountains, "The Crib Room."

121 Main St, Wallerawang, NSW (02) 6355 7305 info@blackgoldmotel.com.au

blackgoldmotel.com.au

182 RLM

Brass Monkey Brew House Severnlea, Queensland Find 12 taps and great pizzas at 106 Donges Road, Severnlea QLD Open Thursday–Monday 10am–3pm 0488 967 401 80 www.brassmonkeybrewhouseptyltd.com

a world away from everyday

Boutique Winery & Accommodation.

Experience overlooking the vineyard in Stanthorpe, Granite Belt Wine Country.

STAY — the ultimate food and wine lover’s retreat

CELLAR DOOR — wines of elegance and finesse

• Private & luxurious studio style cabins • Sink into your lush king-sized bed!

• Perfect for weddings, special events and group gatherings

• Wine tasting— open daily • Soiree evenings, food & wine pairing events • Specialty winemaker and viticulture experiences

OPEN 7 DAYS (public holiday hrs may differ) • 218 DONGES RD, STANTHORPE • 07 46 835 211 • ridgemillestate.com

Handcrafted Shimmering Gin, Vodka & Liqueur Small Mouth Vodka is a family-run distillery, 100% family-owned and operated, that specializes in Shimmering Gin, Vodka, and Liqueur.

Change your mind about what spirits can be with over 25 di�erent options, all of which are made from premium and organic ingredients.

Our products are dairy and gluten-free, as well as vegan-friendly. Boasting full �avour with a long, smooth �nish in every sip of our spirits, we aim to provide a smoother and more enjoyable experience than our competitors.

Open between 9 am and 5 pm daily, or order online now and enjoy free shipping on all orders over $100.00.

Find us at Shop 20, Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village, Pokolbin, NSW Phone 0492031862 info@smallmouthvodka.com | www.smallmouthvodka.com

RLM 183

A U T U M N weddings

ALBECK + ENGLISH Annabelle Albeck and Jordan English were married at St George, Queensland, on September 21, 2024.

The venue for the wedding was the beautiful garden, owned by the groom’s mother, Stacy English, on the banks of the banks of the Balonne River where 60 guests gathered to witness the happy union.

The bride’s mother, Penny Albeck, also played a special part in the decor for the day by arranging all the flowers including her daughter’s bouquet. A pretty mix of dusty blues and pinks punctuated sparsely with fuchsia roses, tied up with a wide satin ribbon.

Floristry assistance was provided by the mother of the bride’s lovely friends as well as Dunkerry Flora of Thallon.

Annabelle and Jordan live in St George and have been enjoying the home they purchased in May 2023. It was the perfect spot for the bridal party to prepare for this special day.

A honeymoon and baby moon to Mooloolaba is in the works for early this year.

Photographer: Jem Hawker

The happy couple – Annabelle and Jordan English; Jake Moon, Kitty Earley, Jord and Annabelle, Jack Campbell and Phoebe Mooring; the glorious garden setting beside the Balonne River was the wedding venue.

184 RLM

“Angullong has perhaps Orange’s best value range...” Huon Hooke Visit our cellar door in the historic bluestone stables in Millthorpe for tasting and sales.

Cnr. Park & Victoria Streets, Millthorpe. Ph: 02 6366 3444 OPEN 7 DAYS 11am to 5pm

RLM 185

A U T U M N weddings

EMBREY + MURRAY Brendan Murray and Jessica Embrey were married on the groom’s family cattle property at Cawongla, NSW on September 14, 2024.

The sprawling branches of a majestic fig tree made the perfect canopy under which the newlyweds said their vows surrounded by friends and family.

The exchange of rings was made even more special with Jessica’s band custom made using family stones and metal, belonging to her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother.

The remodelled ring represents three generations of women – a stunning and sentimental piece.

Following the ceremony 100 guests continued the celebration at Hanging Rock Hall in Wadeville, where long tables were adorned with arrangements of paper daisies, flannel flowers, and colourful blooms. Guests enjoyed cocktails and canapés, dancing under the twinkling fairy lights to a live band.

The couple celebrated a “minimoon” immediately following the wedding on a beach getaway to Yamba.

They then spent their honeymoon on the ski slopes of Japan, sharing a white Christmas and welcoming the new year, before returning home to their charming Queenslander in St George.

Photographer: Amber Murrie of Paperbark Stories

BELOW: Newlyweds Brendan and Jessica Murray; Tim Moore, Amber Kersten, Tahlia Ehrhardt, Jessica and Brendan, Sam Harris, Kahlia Delroy and Harry Gaynor.

186 RLM

Award winning family jewellery designers & manufacturers.

Our forte is specially commissioned jewellery pieces. We also offer a full design, remodelling and repair service.

Visit us in store to view our large selection of Argyle Pink Diamonds and Australian South Sea Pearls.

Shop 7, 119 Wallace Street Braidwood, NSW 2622 Ph. 0459 955 991 sales@thompsonbespokejewellers.com

OPENING HOURS Wednesday - Saturday 9am to 4.30pm

Our wines express their origins in the rugged and majestic landscape of the Granite Belt.

34 Ricca Road Ballandean QLD 4382 hello@tobinwines.com

We don't just make wine, we grow Premium, Limited Edition, Hand Crafted wines.

Ph (07) 4684 1235

TOBINWINES.COM

Open daily from 10am - 5pm

RLM 187

A U T U M N weddings

HILL + FISHER Emma Hill and Daniel Fisher were married at The Sir George in Jugiong on November 23, 2024.

That venue played a special part in the early days of Emma and Daniel’s relationship and both agreed it would be the ideal venue to create the fun and relaxed wedding of their dreams.

After making a surprising entrance on his Harley-Davidson, followed by seven of his Harley-riding mates, Daniel joined Emma on the beautifully manicured lawns of The Sir George where they pledged their love to one another.

Looking sweet in white dresses, the couple’s daughters Evie, 3, and Amira, 1, played a delightful role in mum and dad’s wedding ceremony.

Emma wore two gorgeous gowns on the day, first a long white dress with fitted bodice, and later, a shorter cocktail-style creation, with a stunning statement bow at the back.

Her long, dark hair was beautifully styled by HairbyJaxz and her classic makeup look was achieved by Toni O’Connor.

About 150 of their closest friends and family members turned out to celebrate the occasion, enjoying a spectacular charcuterie board, following canapés and drinks.

Both born and bred in Young, the newlyweds have made their home in Australia’s Cherry Capital.

Photographer: Emma Hampton

Newlyweds Daniel and Emma Fisher, with their beautiful daughters, Evie, 3, and Amira, 1; the Sir George in Jugiong was the perfect place to begin their married lives together.

188 RLM

MELROSE E S T.

1865

Station

Beautiful country wedding venue Enjoy the scenic mountain views of Killarney

K I L L A R N E Y B A R LO W S G AT E R O A D KILLARNEY QLD 4373 F O R A L L E N Q U I R I E S , C O N TA C T P E T E R (AF TER 5PM) ON 0418 729 859

RLM 189

A U T U M N story name

Our Advertisers AUTUMN 2025 We encourage our readers to support our advertisers.

The magazine could not exist without them, and their loyalty shows their commitment to the rural communities of NSW and QLD.

ANGULLONG WINES

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BALMORAL AIRBNB

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BALONNE BETTA

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BALONNE SHIRE COUNCIL StGeorge, 07 4620 8888 balonne.qld.gov.au

BAXTER

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BEES R US

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BENDIGO BANK BRAIDWOOD Braidwood, 02 4842 1700 bendigobank.com.au/branch/ nsw/community-bankbraidwood-districts

BLACK GOLD MOTEL

Wallerawang, 02 6355 7305 blackgoldmotel.com.aul

CEC MANN REAL ESTATE PROPERTY SERVICES

Stanthorpe, 07 4681 4444 cecmann.com.au

CHEMINEE PHILLIP

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CHOICES FLOORING

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CLUB DUBBO

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CLUB WARWICK RSL

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COLD COUNTRY REAL ESTATE Stanthorpe, 07 4681 4056 0417 644 518 coldcountry.com.au

COUNTRY LANE LIFESTYLE Stanthorpe, 0429 852 529

CRAMPTON’S CARPETS

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BOB BERRY REAL ESTATE

CROOKWELL FOOTWEAR AND WORKWEAR

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BRAIDWOOD FOOD COMPANY Braidwood, 0436 409 449 braidwoodfood.com

BRASS MONKEY BREW HOUSE

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BRINX DELI AND CAFÉ

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BULLA CREEK BREWING CO.

Monteagle, 0447 094 532 bullacreekbrewing.com.au

CAFE DOLCETTO

Yass, 02 6226 1277 cafedolcetto.com.au

CAKE ME UP CAFÉ

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CARINYA B&B

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CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Bathurst, 02 6338 3000 bth.catholic.edu.au

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Dirranbandi, 07 4625 8555 dirranbandiss.eq.edu.au

DIRRANBANDI RETREAT AND CABINS

G’DAY GARLIC

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

RAY WHITE YOUNG AND HARDEN

STEPHANIE’S LINGERIE

GEIGERS BISTRO

LADY ETHEL’S HOUSE

RIDGEMILL ESTATE

SUNNYPOINT BEEF

St George 07 4625 5146 gdaygarlic.com.au St George 07 4625 3940 geigersbistrostgeorge.com

GLENCARA

Monteagle, 0429 834 217 glencara.com.au

GLENICE BUCK DESIGNS

Young, 0417 077 386 glenicebuckdesigns.com.au

GOULBURN MULWAREE COUNCIL Goulburn, 02 4823 4444 goulburn.nsw.gov.au

GRACIOUS GIVING

Stanthorpe, 07 4681 4700 graciousgiving.com.au

GREEN GLASS STUDIO

Young, 0488 238 110 greenglassstudio.com.au

GROVE ESTATE WINES Young, 02 6382 69990 groveestate.com.au

GROVE FRUIT JUICE

Moree, 02 6752 2723 gwydircarapark.com.au

THE GUEST WING AT HARBERTON HOUSE

Thallon, 07 4625 9188 thallonpub.com.au

FRANK SMITH WORK CLOTHING & SHOE REPAIRS

Bathurst, 02 6331 7544 franksmithworkclothing.com.au

FRASERS LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT

Warwick, 07 4661 2922 fraserstransport.com.au

LITTLE MULGA POST OFFICE Bollon, 0448 748 791

LUCKNOW SKIN SHOP & BOOT BARN

Lucknow, 02 6365 5330 lucknowskinshop.com.au

LYNROSE PLACE Stanthorpe, 07 4681 4676 lynroseplace.com.au

Crookwell, 02 4832 2222

Oberon, 02 6336 1101

MCPHAILS FURNITURE

Wangaratta, 03 5721 6058 mcphails.com.au

MERCHANT CAMPBELL

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL STANTHORPE

FRANCIS HOTEL

Crookwell, 02 4832 0202 lindnersocks.com.au

HAZEL HOUSE

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Boorowa, 02 6385 3337 flemingspropertyservices.com

LINDNER QUALITY SOCKS

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Hebel, 07 4625 0923 hebelhotel.com.au

FLEMINGS PROPERTY SERVICES

Stanthorpe, 07 4681 2066 lifestylefootwear.com.au

Temora, 0429 128 956 airbnb.com.au

Warwick, 07 4661 4788 downsheating.com.au

Nindigully dunkerryflora.com

LIFESTYLE FOOTWEAR

MAWHOOD’S SUPA IGA OBERON

HEBEL PUB AND GENERAL STORE

DUNKERRY FLORA

St George, 07 4620 7020 lanariumretreat.com.au

GWYDIR THERMAL POOLS MOTEL AND CARAVAN PARK

DOWNS HEATING AND OUTDOORS

Young, 1800 219 496 dunkinsurance.com.au

LANARIUM RETREAT

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Mansfield, 07 3349 0555 grovejuice.com.au

Dirranbandi, 0447 555 685 dirranbandioutback.com.au

Dubbo, 02 6882 0949 dubbodental.com.au

Dubbo, 02 6885 3500 kingshall.com.au

Stanthorpe, 07 4681 2144 helloworld.com.au/store/ stanthorpe

HIBOD MASSAGE CHAIRS

Wetherill Park hibodmassagechairs.com.au

HOMESTEAD AGRIBUSINESS Toowoomba, 07 4632 5777 homesteadagri.com.au

HUSSY’S SPECIALTY COFFEE & KITCHEN

Young, 02 6382 2424

K6 HELICOPTERS

Bollon 0428 756 540, 8041 261 773

KADWELL & CO GOURMET POTATOES

Killarney 0418 729 859 Yass, 02 6226 1240 merchantcampbell.com.au

MURRINGO BARRACKS Young, 0428 851 234 murringobarracks.com

NED RYAN MOTEL

Severnlea, 07 4683 5211 ridgemillestate.com

RIVER GUM TOURIST PARK

St George, 07 4625 5778 rivergumtouristpark.com.au

RIVERLAND MOTOR INN

PERENNIALLE PLANTS NURSERY

Canowindra, 0427 077 798 perennialle.com.au

POOLWERX

Dubbo, 02 6885 5381 poolwerx.com.au

PRD BUNGENDORE

Bungendore, 02 6238 0999 prd.com.au/bungendore

KENSINGTON BNB

PRECISION AERIAL

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Moree, 02 6752 2844

TEXAS GENERAL STORE Texas, 07 4653 0123

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St George, 07 4625 3643 riversandswines.com

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ROSIE’S HONEY MUSTARD Warren, 02 6824 2055 rosies.net.au

RUBY MAINE Dubbo, 02 6882 5362 rubymaine.com.au

SADDLER AND CO

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ST GEORGE STATE HIGH SCHOOL

St George, 07 4620 8222 stgeorgeshs.eq.edu.au

ST PATRICKS PRIMARY SCHOOL

St George, 07 4625 3058 stgeorge.catholic.edu.au

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Stanthorpe, 07 4681 3311 418 723 495 stanthorperealestate.com.au

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Yass, 0428 540 904 theglobeinn.com.au

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THE Q - QUEANBEYAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE Queanbeyan, 02 6285 6290 theq.net.au

THE SOUTHERN TABLELANDS GROUP

Queanbeyan, 02 6285 6553 qprc.nsw.gov.au

THE VINTAGE DRAWER Braidwood, 0417 140 364

THOMPSON BESPOKE JEWELLERS Braidwood, 0459 955 991

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VINCENZO’S

Thulimbah, 0459 380 475 vincenzoscafe.com.au

WARWICK TURF CLUB

Warwick, 0414 899 854 warwickturfclub.org.au

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YALLUNGAH BOUTIQUE HOTEL Orange, 02 5343 1884 yallungahhotelorange.com.au

ZEST PASTRIES Stanthorpe, 07 4681 4320

WE COME TO YOU: to rural NSW residents, including Mudgee, Narromine, Parkes, Gilgandra, Warren, Nyngan, Coonamble and Walgett.

WHY YOU SHOULD HEAT YOUR POOL Helping clients buy, sell, lease, and manage their dream home in Dubbo and surrounds for 50 years.

Scan the QR code and complete the details to request a complimentary appraisal of your home or investment property.

HEATING YOUR POOL COMES WITH GREAT BENEFITS!

Swim season year-round for you and yours Use your pool more often Experiencing ultimate swim comfort You choose your perfect water temperature Enhanced relaxation

02 6882 6822 56 Talbragar Street, Dubbo bobberry.com.au

Call us today to book 02 6885 5381 142 Erskine Street, Dubbo NSW 2830 | www.poolwerx.com.au

D U B B O’S E XC LU S I V E S TO C K I S T O F C O U NT RY R OA D K I D S

From prams to nursery furniture, clothing to car seats, we’re your ONE STOP BABY SHOP, proudly serving families across the Central West since 2013. With a carefully curated selection of trusted brands, everything you need for your little one is under one roof.

Locally owned. Family-focused. Unmatched selection.

Discover why Royal Bubs n Tots is where local families shop for their little royals.

Visit us in Dubbo or shop online 47–55 Talbragar St, Dubbo 02 6882 9565 hello@rbnt.com.au rbnt.com.au

ONE STOP BABY SHOP RLM 191

At Lucknow Skin Shop and Boot Barn we stock all of your favourite brands – Thomas Cook, Wrangler, Pure Western, Ringers Western, Ariat and more.

We have a wide range of boots and clothing in all the latest styles and colours to keep you looking great.

Lucknow Skin Shop and Boot Barn, exceptional products and exceptional service, every day.

4601 Mitchell Highway, Lucknow 2800 OPEN 7 days Weekdays 9–5 | Weekends 9–4 Phone orders welcome 02 6365 5330 Visit lucknowskinshop.com.au if you just can’t make it in-store.

CAFÉ BAR DELI

Local products Deli with local and imported goods Wines local to the Granite Belt Boutique gift shop Open for functions

THE ULTIMATE ALL-IN-ONE STOP FOR GRANITE BELT GOODIES Open M–Th 8.30am–3pm F–Su 8.30am–4pm

192 RLM

info@vincenzoscafe.com.au 0459 380 475 vincenzoscafe.com.au

Cnr Amiens Rd + New England Hwy Thulimbah QLD 4376

Lynrose Place is the perfect choice for picturesque self-contained holiday accommodation.

Comfortably accommodates up to 6 people and makes for an ideal destination for your family or a getaway with friends.

“

Welcome to Cold Country Real Estate. As someone who has spent the majority of my life in the Granite Belt region, I look forward to being able to assist you with one of the most significant and important decisions you will make, the purchase or sale of your property. Whether it be the family home, investment property or business, I aim to help in a prompt and professional manner so realising your goals can be as stress free as possible.

”

BRUCE GREEN, PRINCIPAL

SOLD

Torrisi Terrace

SOLD

Kilpa Street

SOLD

GET IN TOUCH

115 College Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 • Ph (07) 4681 4676 • lynroseplace.com.au

63a Maryland Street Stanthorpe QLD 4380 07 46 814056 0417 644 518 sales@coldcountry.com.au

SOLD

Walters Road

Nicholson Road

Connor Street

A local independent Real Estate agency

coldcountry.com.au

Winter 2025 Edition

Available Winter 2025

Western Downs, Queensland D a l b y , C h i n c h i l l a , M i l e s , T a r a , C o n d a m i n e , Wa n d o a n , Bell, Jandowae and local areas

Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales and Southern Queensland SUBSCRIPTIONS lifestylema gazin e.n et . au l 0429 441 086 l info@lifestylema gazin e.n et . au RLM 193

A U T U M N the story last name word

Metaphorically speaking …

I love metaphors. A shortcut to the subconscious, they can open a world of meaning and insight not easy to access.

Years ago, I uncovered a metaphor that led me to an understanding of who I am that still challenges me today.

The metaphor for my life was that of a mountaineer. Carrying a large backpack and a walking pole, I was equipped for any challenge. Independent and capable, I looked only ahead.

As I worked with that metaphor over decades, I realised that invulnerability had not always served me. Others didn’t necessarily stop to help a person who appeared so competent.

As life buffeted me throughout my 40s and 50s, I learned to soften the barriers that separated me from others, express my feelings, and most importantly, ask for help.

It was September when I lost my husband Ken and people expected I’d be grieving and lonely, but I’ve been neither. What has happened is that multiple elements of my everyday life have cracked open.

Our house, built about 18 years ago, has declared 2024 The Year of Maintenance.

As Ken’s melanoma invaded his bones, I convinced him that we needed a handyman, a gardener, and more recently, an information technology specialist. These people have become invaluable – almost members of the family.

I’ve had roofing leaks repaired, carpentry tasks completed, downlights replaced with LED bulbs, prickly trees removed, and a toilet unclogged.

Technology problems arose soon after Ken’s death, with an NBN outage in our street.

Since then, the IT specialist has visited often, rationalising our electronic devices. When the surveillance camera collapsed, a security technician joined my support team.

I’ve not been a passive bystander in all this. Ken had been a telecommunications engineer and has passed on much useful know-how to me.

I’m not grieving and I’m not lonely; I have ample resources to deal with seemingly minor issues. But despite rivers of kindness flowing around me since his passing, I feel broken by the relentless nature of these assaults.

Turning to the art world for inspiration, I encountered an image of smashed tiles, reconstituted into a stunning mosaic. Yes … but no.

Eventually I stumbled upon kintsugi – the centuries-old Japanese art of repairing broken objects, often treasured pieces of ceramic pottery or glass. Kintsugi means “joined with gold”.

Urushi, a lacquer from tree sap, is used to stick the broken shards together. Gold or other similar finishing powder is dusted over the lacquer.

I love the idea that through the acts of breaking and repair, an even more beautiful object emerges.

I’d heard of kintsugi before, but not known the three pillars of Japanese philosophy that underpin it.

The first is wabi-sabi – acceptance of impermanence and imperfection, encouraging delight in the irregularities of the human hand.

Second is mottainai, which elevates minimising waste to a virtue. Salvaging a damaged possession and making it whole again avoids both disposal and the purchase of a replacement.

194 RLM

Last is mushin, a mental flow that frees us from the dread of change and allows us to accept fate with quiet acceptance.

Thus, new life becomes possible.

Perhaps the failure of simple support structures of my life – the roof of my house, lights, computers, security system, even a toilet – is a compelling reminder of impermanence, of imperfection, and of the inevitability of change.

My life, like a favourite object, has been dropped – but it survives.

It is not beyond repair. My life won’t be what it was before, but opening to grief and loss, I will be forever grateful for what I have.

A new metaphor has appeared. Seated at my workbench, I patiently repair broken things, precious things, with gold. The cracks in my life are beautified. Metaphorically, of course. RLM Words: Ruth Cotton Image: Supplied

Ruth Cotton is a writer and blogger.

Her latest book is A Fragile Hold: Living with multiple sclerosis and other uncertainties.

She blogs at ruthcotton.com.au/over-coffee/ ABOVE: Author and blogger Ruth Cotton shares her thoughts on dealing with grief.

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