#51 Regional Lifestyle | Summer 2025

SUMMER

Tenterf ield FEATURE

Social events at Holbrook and Warwick

RLM 50th edition Launch Highlights

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

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W E S T W YA L O N G NARADHAN

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W YA L O N G

TA L L I M B A

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BARMEDMAN

KIKOIRA

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H E A R T S O F G O L D C O U N T RY Discover a place where opportunity meets community, and history shapes a vibrant future — welcome to the Bland Shire, the heart of regional NSW and home to the thriving town of West Wyalong.

Why West Wyalong?

▪ Convenient location ▪ Thriving economy ▪ Scenic natural beauty ▪ Rich historical sites ▪ Supportive and welcoming community

EXPLORE DREAM D E S T I N AT I O N visitwestwyalong@blandshire.nsw.gov.au 02 6979 0247 6 Shire Street, West Wyalong, NSW

UNGARIE

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MIRROOL

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WEETHALLE

Nestled in the heart of Marrar, Drovers Run is a boutique country bed and breakfast where rustic charm meets high-end comfort. Overlooking wide-open paddocks and lovingly landscaped gardens, this escape offers uniquely styled rooms, each named after a local drover.

Guests can unwind on the veranda, meet the friendly farm animals, or roast marshmallows by the fire pit under the stars. With its rich heritage, romantic touches, and warm hospitality, Drovers Run is a true celebration of rural life – a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and savour the magic of the country.

~ A stay here is unforgettable ~

42 Woodens Lane, Marrar, NSW 2652 The best way to book your stay is to give us a call 0418 697 704

droversrun.com.au

A L O C A L FAVO U R I T E S I N C E 1 8 8 0 Fresh off a major makeover, the Coolamon Hotel blends classic charm with a modern feel.

Grab a drink and bite to eat and relax in one of our unique spaces — from the sunny glasshouse to the garden or front bar.

With stylish accommodation coming soon and a menu that’s got something for all tastes, we look forward to welcoming you at the Coolamon Hotel.

Ph. 02 6927 2290 info@coolamonhotel.com.au Cnr. Cowabbie & Wade Streets Coolamon NSW 2701

Open 7 days from 11.30am til late

coolamonhotel.com.au

CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD

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.

Pegasus Media & Logistics is an environmentally responsible printing company that is committed to helping achieve a sustainable environment.

To underscore our commitment to environmental sustainability, Pegasus Media & Logistics is FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certified, guaranteeing that material comes from forests which are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

Pegasus Media & Logistics is also an accredited ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001 supplier, which ensures each step of our production process is aligned with world’s best practice to deliver the finest quality possible.

Together these accreditations offered by Pegasus Media & Logistics, offer our clients a guarantee that their printed products are produced by world’s best practice environmental and finest quality standards.

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CONTENTS ISSUE 51 SUMMER 2025

TENTERFIELD FEATURE

GARDEN

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170 L ABOUR OF LOVE: See the amazing things Carol and Bill Campbell have achieved after 40 years in their garden.

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EALING PROJECT: Kim Massie found H the path to good health in her garden.

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EADY, MR MUSIC: Jenel Hunt profiles R Patrick Pickett’s brilliant career.

110 A DIFFERENT APPROACH: The Hilliers aren’t a family that follows the crowd.

129 C OBB & CO RIDES AGAIN: John Burton has recreated a legend in Liston.

142 C LICK GO THE SHEARS: A group of enthusiasts is breathing new life into an iconic Australian woolshed.

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TRAVEL 174

I NTO THE WILD: Go on safari with John and Nicole without even leaving home!

Tenterf ield

RECIPES

FEATURE

186 F ESTIVE FARE: Lorraine and Ruth have some fabulous dishes for you to make.

SOCIALS 206 F UN TIMES: Picnic races, a long lunch and celebrating 50 fabulous issues of Regional Lifestyle.

WEDDINGS 214 J UST MARRIED: Newlyweds take their vows in Jugiong, Toowoomba and Theodore.

Social events at Holbrook and Warwick

RLM 50th edition Launch Highlights

$20.00 inc GST SUMMER 2025 VOLUME 51 608033

I CON REJUVENATED: Follow the restoration of iconic Stannum House.

ISSN 2201-6082

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772201

COUNTRY CHARACTERS

SUMMER

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

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RUE COLOURS: Mayor Bronwyn Petrie T shares her love of the district.

ON THE COVER

Beauty abounds at Ivy Leaf Chapel and The Bungalow in Tenterfield.

Image: Lara Flanagan Story begins on page 64.

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

FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Another season to savour “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way.

Welcome to sunny Summer across New South Wales and southern Queensland.

We have big news!

The 50th edition has experienced the most phenomenal sales across our ever-expanding readership area, so much so, that for the first time ever, we needed to order additional copies from our printer, Pegasus Print Group in Sydney.

Our feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve extended the Your Letters section across two pages this time to accommodate all the comments about this milestone edition.

Our Spring launch held at the Drover’s Run at Marrar was an incredible night of celebration attended by more than 100 invited guests. See the three-page feature on page 206 in this edition.

Tenterfield feature

What a joy it has been to feature the Tenterfield Shire Council area for the second time. You will recall we first featured Tenterfield in Summer 2022 (together with Glen Innes).

The council unanimously decided it was a good move to engage in a second showcase three years later. We’re very grateful for their continued vision and support.

We hope you enjoy this magnificent area profiled across 228 pages. There’s a treasure trove of beautiful scenery and lots of interesting things to see and do as well as some totally inspirational and creative individuals who call this area home.

We totally recommend a visit to the Tenterfield Shire Council area. You won’t be disappointed and will be planning your next trip even before you depart!

Autumn 2026 feature

We have discovered so much in the Richmond Valley Council area where Casino is the hub of this stunning region.

“A journey of discovery” best describes our experiences on multiple visits to the district to meet story subjects, business owners and understand what makes the Richmond Valley so unique.

We were warmly welcomed on our visits and really enjoyed learning about the interesting towns and villages located here.

Watch out for this special edition, number 52, released in midFebruary 2026.

Out and about

About 50 per cent of our time is spent on the road, and some of our best memories are made at field days and open days.

Not only are these great opportunities to sell current magazines and back copies, but to network, hear valued feedback and often discover future story topics.

This year we have enjoyed having an RLM stand at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, Henty Machinery Field Days, the Australian National Field Days and various open days at Iandra Castle.

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ABOVE: The beautiful Tooloom Falls near Urbenville NSW. Image: Maureen Hogan

A great loss

We recently heard of the passing of much-loved Inverell citizen Peter Kearsey.

You may recall Peter’s incredibly inspirational story titled Selfmade man, written by the late Jake Lindsay. It was on page 58 of the Inverell feature edition, Volume 43. We extend our deepest sympathy to Peter’s beloved wife Desie and to their extended family.

Welcome to new team members

Tyrone Ryan, of The Dusty Lens Creative Media has enthusiastically joined the RLM team.

He represents a new generation of gifted photographers and videographers to share their skillset through our publication. You will continue to see his stunning work in future publications as well as in the Featured Photographer section of the Tenterfield feature and across many pages.

Welcome also to talented writer Louisa Harvey, whose first story on Gilgandra high achiever Peta Bradley will astound and impress you!

Until next time stay safe, count your blessings and share positivity with one and all.

Warmest regards, Elizabeth and Alex

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SUMMER 202 5 CONTRIBUTORS

meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE Publisher, Editor, Advertising

ALEX TICKLE

ZORA REGULIC

Publisher, Distribution, Advertising

Art Director

ANNA ROSE

Sub-editor & Writer

JENNIFER HARDEN

LIZ TICKNER Writer

Advertising Designer

SALLY MARCEAU

MELISSA DUNKERLEY Advertising Designer

Writer & Photographer

KIM WOODS

TYRONE RYAN

KATE BOSHAMMER

JENEL HUNT

ELIZABETH GRANT

RUTH FULTON

LORRAINE HILLS

SAPPHIRE DALY

HELEN TICKLE

LOUISA HARVEY

LYNNE WALKER

HAYLEY MIDDENDORFF

NICOLE BONFIELD

SUE CURLEY

ANNA CONN

ASSOC PROFESSOR SOL QURASHI

Weddings, Social Media & Photographer

Website Developer & Writer

Strategy & Distribution

Writer

Writer

JOHN CURLEY RLM Accountant

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Writer

Garden Writer

Health & Wellness Writer

Food Writer

Photographer

Writer

Food Writer

Travel Writer

Health & Wellness Writer

The Dusty Lens Creative Media

Tales and Tones Photography

JOHN BALTAKS

Travel Photographer

S U M M E R story name

YOUR LETTERS On behalf of Bland Shire Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Alex and Elizabeth Tickle on the remarkable milestone of the 50th Golden Spring Edition 2025 of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

This edition is a true celebration of the Eastern Riverina region, beautifully showcasing the regions of Coolamon, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Junee, Temora, and our very own West Wyalong.

The official launch in Marrar on September 16 was a wonderful occasion, bringing together communities from across the region to honour our towns, our tourism, and the people who make them special. It was a night to remember, with council representatives joining industry partners and advertisers in appreciation of the stories that connect us.

We were especially moved by the feature on West Wyalong and its people. Known far and wide as a town of “Hearts of Gold,” West Wyalong’s spirit and warmth were captured with such authenticity and pride.

The economic benefits of this kind of regional storytelling are significant, not only does it attract visitors, but it also highlights the value and vibrancy of small communities that have so much to offer.

The success of this edition speaks volumes. It is not just a magazine – it is a celebration of who we are.

Thank you to Regional Lifestyle Magazine for the quality storytelling and photography that highlight our communities and inspire others to visit and discover them.

On behalf of Bland Shire Council, I sincerely appreciate your dedication to our region and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate in showcasing the heart and soul of our communities.

Brian Monaghan Mayor, Bland Shire Council

On behalf of the councils representing Bland Shire, Coolamon Shire, CootamundraGundagai Regional Council, Junee Shire, and Temora Shire, I wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the outstanding feature on the Eastern Riverina region in your 2025 Spring edition of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

The coverage has had a remarkable impact, not only in showcasing the natural beauty and vibrant communities of our region, but also in driving tangible outcomes.

We’ve seen a surge in interest in our region across New South Wales and as far afield as Tasmania and Western Australia purchasing the magazine.

This wide reach has translated into increased visitation, with more travellers discovering the charm and hospitality of our towns.

The timing couldn’t have been better, aligning perfectly with the promotion of the Canola Trail and the seasonal bloom that paints our landscapes gold.

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Spring is a spectacular time in the Eastern Riverina. It’s when our region truly comes alive – canola fields in full colour, local produce at its peak and communities buzzing with events and activity.

Your feature captured this spirit beautifully, offering readers a glimpse into the experiences that await them here.

Most importantly, the article celebrated our people – the farmers, artists, business owners, and volunteers who make our shires so special.

By telling their stories, you’ve helped amplify the pride we feel in our region and encouraged others to see it through our eyes.

We look forward to continuing to work together to promote the Eastern Riverina and invite more Australians to explore all that our region has to offer.

David McCann, OAM, OAM (Mil) Mayor, Coolamon Shire Council

We are still in awe of the magazine!

I have even sent a copy to the Premier, Chris Minns, as he was impressed with the Riverina on his last visit here.

What a quality magazine you produce and hats off to your reporters!

The personal stories are impressive and really capture the essence of our beautiful region. Well done, team!

Bob Callow Mayor, Junee Shire Council

On behalf of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, I wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Alex and Elizabeth Tickle on the remarkable milestone of the 50th Golden Spring Edition 2025 of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

This edition is a true celebration of the Eastern Riverina region, with a special focus on the unique communities, landscapes, and people of Cootamundra-Gundagai.

The coverage has had a meaningful impact, beautifully showcasing the natural beauty and vibrant communities of our region.

Since publication, we have observed increased interest from across New South Wales, with travellers discovering the charm, hospitality, and experiences that make our towns so special.

The timing of your feature was particularly impactful, coinciding with the seasonal Canola Trail bloom, which paints large areas of the CGRC region in stunning golden hues.

We were especially delighted by the features highlighting towns such as Cootamundra and Gundagai, and the people who give them their unique character – farmers, artists, business owners, and volunteers.

Your storytelling captured the spirit, pride, and warmth of our communities and has helped inspire visitors to experience the Eastern Riverina through our eyes.

feedback S U M M E R

The economic and social benefits of this kind of regional storytelling are significant. By celebrating our towns and people, you encourage visitation, support local businesses, and highlight the vibrancy and value of our communities.

Thank you to Regional Lifestyle Magazine for your quality storytelling and photography that bring the heart and soul of Cootamundra-Gundagai to life.

We look forward to continuing to work together to showcase our region and invite more Australians to explore all that CGRC has to offer.

Cr Abb McAlister Mayor, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council

On behalf of Temora Shire Council, I extend our warmest congratulations to Alex and Elizabeth Tickle on the outstanding achievement of publishing the 50th Golden Spring Edition 2025 of Regional Lifestyle Magazine.

This milestone edition is a beautiful tribute to the Eastern Riverina, shining a spotlight on the communities of Coolamon Shire, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Junee Shire, Temora Shire, and our neighbours in West Wyalong.

The official launch in Marrar on August 16 was a truly memorable occasion, bringing together people from across the region to celebrate our towns and villages, tourism, and the stories that make us proud.

We were especially delighted to see Temora Shire featured

so prominently, alongside our regional partners.

The magazine’s storytelling and photography continue to capture the heart and soul of our communities, and this edition is no exception.

As mayor of Temora Shire, I know firsthand the value of regional storytelling. It not only strengthens community pride but also drives economic benefits by encouraging visitors to discover the richness of our towns and the warmth of our people.

Regional Lifestyle Magazine is more than a publication – it is a celebration of who we are.

Thank you for your continued dedication to showcasing the best of regional NSW. We look forward to many more editions that honour and uplift our communities.

Rick Firman OAM Mayor, Temora Shire Council

Share your feedback info@lifestylemagazine.net.au Follow Regional LifestyleMagazine Facebook Instagram Facebook “f ” Logo

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RLM 19

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

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

TENTERFIELD SHIRE COUNCIL FE ATURE Aerial photograph by Tyrone Ryan

TENTERFIELD RLM 23

TENTERFIELD SHIRE COU NCI L F E AT U R E

A vibrant district awaits you From the Tenterfield Shire Mayor Widely renowned for having four distinct seasons, Tenterfield shire locals and visitors revel in outstanding vibrant autumn leaf displays, cold winters with frosts and occasional snow, magnificent spring blossoms and mild summers.

The vastly changing landscapes across the shire offer a diverse variety of experiences in scenery, adventure and ecotourism.

From soaring mountains, volcanic plugs, granite outcrops and balancing rocks to rich farmland in sheltered valleys, tablelands and gentle slopes, gentle creeks to wild rivers and waterfalls, woodlands, and majestic eucalypt forests to rainforests.

With such contrasting habitats the shire is home to a huge diversity of wildlife and is a popular birdwatching locale.

Platypuses are even found in Tenterfield Creek as it makes its way through town.

Tenterfield Shire has many national parks and state forests, with Bald Rock NP being the most popular.

Confidence in Tenterfield as a destination has resulted in an increasingly wide variety of accommodation and hospitality options across the shire.

The fully sealed Mount Lindesay Rd runs parallel to the Queensland border giving easy access to the attractions of Quoll Headquarters, Thunderbolt’s Hideout, tank traps, Boonoo Boonoo Falls, Bald Rock NP, Cobb and Co Museum and Aloomba Lavender Farm.

The Border Mountains Trail is signposted to explore off the main roads in the Liston

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Legume area, and the Bicentennial National Trail runs through the shire.

Signature events include the Autumn Festival, Gravel n Granite, Tenterfield Agricultural Show, campdrafts and rodeos, vehicle show and shines, endurance rides and the eisteddfod.

With a generous community, and numerous active volunteer organisations, many regular fundraising events are held.

The township hosts beautiful parks, covered playgrounds, creek and sculpture walk, museums, art galleries, sporting facilities, theatre and award-winning Youth Precinct and Skate Park.

The Angry Bull Trails mountain bike network and international standard pump track will add an exciting energy to the town and surrounding area from early 2026.

Charming local villages have unique historical and natural attractions.

Agriculture is the economic base of the shire boasting a wide variety of produce reflective of the contrasting landscapes and seasons, providing culinary delights.

Tourism and other industries are crucial mainstays to the shire’s economy. One of few growing populations in rural NSW, many people are relocating businesses, retiring, or moving their young families for a lifestyle change with city and coastal conveniences within cooee.

Historically, the shire has been home to multiple aboriginal nations. European history is also fascinating with white settlers arriving in 1840. Gazetted in 1851, Tenterfield became

Many people are relocating businesses, retiring, or moving their young families for a lifestyle change with city and coastal conveniences within cooee.

a border Customs town, birthplace or home to many notable characters, and location of important historic events.

These include writing the first official campdrafting rules in 1885, Sir Henry Parkes’ Federation speech, Tom Roberts’ paintings, AB “Banjo” Paterson’s wedding, Spanish Flu border closure, and the first official Australian airmail in 1920.

Tenterfield shire is a destination to explore and experience the remarkable heritage, natural attractions and untamed adventure, great food and eclectic accommodation, the opportunity to engage in diverse activities, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the region.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Cr Bronwyn Petrie, Mayor

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

Diverse, inviting REGION BECKONS

Tenterfield shire covers an area of 7500sq km, sitting atop the New South Wales-Queensland border at the junction of the New England High Country and Granite Belt.

Straddling the Great Dividing Range, it is distinguished by four distinct seasons, warm hospitality, dramatic scenery, numerous national parks and state forests, and a diverse range of attractions.

On the foothills of Mount Mackenzie (1287m), Tenterfield is blessed with historic buildings, avenues of trees and lovely parks while the villages and vibrant rural communities of Urbenville, Liston, Legume, Jennings, Mingoola, Torrington, Bolivia, Drake and Tabulam each have their own charm.

Situated strategically at the intersection of the New England and Bruxner highways, Tenterfield is within easy driving distance of Brisbane, the NSW North Coast and New England towns and cities.

Mount Lindesay Rd provides a pleasurable alternate route for travellers from south-east Queensland.

Residents and visitors experience wide-ranging delights from extreme adventure to scenic walks and drives, birdwatching, photography, painting, hiking, motorcycle and mountain bike riding, fishing and fossicking.

Then there’s boutique shopping, exploring the endless array of eateries, discovering magnificent views, camping under starry skies or luxuriating in glamorous accommodation.

A distinguishing feature of the shire is the multiple Aboriginal nations that call the area home including Bundjalung, Githabul, Kamilaroi, Jukembal, Ngarabal and Wahlubul peoples. Traditional language is still spoken in places and language courses at Connected Learning Centre TAFE. The early 1840s witnessed European settlement with large stations formed across the shire, commonly 100,000 acres.

Tenterfield Station was the property on which Tenterfield was gazetted in 1851 and was owned by Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson who later became the first Premier of New South Wales.

Gold discoveries in the 1850s led to booming growth across the region with tin and silver mining and timber getting becoming important industries.

The 1860s onwards saw the erection of substantial buildings including the magnificent post office in 1881. The Tenterfield Heritage Walk-Drive brochure guides visitors to other important buildings such as the Tenterfield Saddler, immortalised by locally born legend Peter Allen, the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts, where the politician’s 1889 speech urged Australian colonies to unite as one nation.

Don’t forget to visit St Stephen’s Church where AB “Banjo” Paterson married local girl Alice Walker in 1903. Centenary Cottage Museum is a must, as is the iconic Tenterfield Railway Station Museum.

Mount Mackenzie Lookout provides breathtaking views into the far distance off the scenic Kildare Rd tourist drive.

North along the Mount Lindesay Rd you’ll find Quoll Headquarters sanctuary, bushranger Thunderbolt’s Hideout, World War II tank traps, Boonoo Boonoo Falls, and Bald Rock, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest granite monolith with 360-degree views.

Ensure Liston Cobb & Co Coach Museum and Aloomba Lavender Farm are on your radar, as well as the nearby Granite Belt wineries.

Angry Bull Trails, the extensive mountain bike operation, will open early next year in close proximity to Tenterfield while improved facilities at the FOTA-managed Tenterfield Aerodrome continue attracting fly-in visitors.

The shire has been growing in strength while recovering from the challenge of compounding natural disasters and has a positive vibe with flourishing agricultural and tourism enterprises, and emerging new industries. RLM Words: Supplied Images: Sera J Wright and Lisa Tolley

ABOVE: There are many forms of transport available for you to explore the Tenterfield shire; the high country is an absolute picture in every season; community and civic pride is evident in the well-kept streets and buildings in the town; take a drive in any direction and you’ll find landscape so rugged and beautiful, it takes your breath away.

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

Light and shade Have camera – will travel – why not? That appears to be the mantra of Tenterfield-based photographer and videographer Tyrone Ryan.

Assigned to take photos for RLM’s Tenterfield feature, Tyrone enjoyed himself so much he decided to attend the launch of the Spring 2025 edition in Coolamon. This was a round trip of almost 2000km.

This is one young man who’s dedicated to his craft.

It was Tyrone’s grandfather who first introduced him to the world of photography. The gift of a Canon Power Shot camera as a child fuelled his interest.

“I was always into technology – and I soon learned the power of the camera for freezing a moment in time,” Tyrone says.

“Granddad gave me an insight into his world and I just went from there, observing people and using my little point-and-shoot camera to capture anything that grabbed my attention.

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“I found it was a great way I could connect with people.”

In his final high school years, Tyrone was studying film and TV, and his photographic interest went hand-in-hand with those studies.

When he became serious about photography, Tyrone upgraded to a Nikon DSLR kit – and he was off and running. >

FACING PAGE: Trees silhouetted against a soft, dreamy, spring morning sunrise; photographer and videographer Tyrone Ryan loves his job; two musk lorikeets share a tree hollow; a small native antechinus feasting on grevilleas.

THIS PAGE: A large group of galahs taking flight at the end of winter.

Tenterfield 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 Tenterfield

He began taking portrait shots of mates at school and landscapes, as well as endless family photos.

“Coming from a large European family, there was always an event every other month, so I had plenty of practise in those early days,” he recalls.

Twenty-nine-year-old Tyrone has managed to combine his love of filmmaking and photography, turning it into a career with his business, The Dusty Lens Creative Media.

“An inspired film buff, I always had a deep love of photography,” he says. “I would make home movies and put scrapbooks together, editing and learning as I went along.

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“By taking shots of friends in high school, I made connections and often obtained work through their business connections. You never know where a shoot will lead.”

He enjoys the connection with his subjects and tends to make every shoot fun and casual, which in turns puts his subjects at ease. > FACING PAGE: Expansive waterfall cascading from Boonoo Boonoo National Park; eastern spinebill savouring grevillea nectar; autumnal colours in a Tenterfield street; a rocky hillside.

ABOVE: A cow grazing in a grassy field; yellow-faced honeyeater; mother and baby wallaby pose for the camera.

Tenterfield 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 Tenterfield

Tyrone shot his first wedding at 17 and has never looked back, now using his videography skills to capture countless special days that will make memories to last a lifetime. > Having 12 years of professional shots behind him, his portfolio is extensive with weddings still a huge portion of his business, along with tourism, commercial, real estate, community development and social media.

“I really love to video weddings,” he says. “It’s very emotive how I capture the day, making each wedding a really personal memory.

“I often get emails on a couple’s anniversary after they have rewatched the footage, which makes me feel really valued, that I had

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an important role to play on their wedding day.”

Four years ago, the born-and-bred Brisbanite advertised for a housemate and found his life partner in Aleicia Dornseiff.

“We became roommates, best friends and then fell in love,” Tyrone says. > FACING PAGE: Sunrise over Boonoo Boonoo National Park; a summer’s day in the rocky, high-elevation areas of Boonoo Boonoo National Park; a bee enjoying the sweet nectar of spring flowers.

ABOVE: Mustering cattle on horseback; autumn leaves in Milbrook Park; soft wattle blooms in springtime.

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

“We get along so well. I’m grateful to have found that perfect partner to match my speed. We love each other’s company. It’s great to be able to live and work with your best friend.”

Both became tired of city living and yearned for a slower pace, so two years ago they made the move to Tenterfield.

They live sustainably off the grid on their little farm and couldn’t be happier with their rural lifestyle and connection with nature.

No longer a Nikon man, Tyrone’s arsenal these days comprises a drone, a Blackmagic cinema camera for his video work and his Sony Mirrorless for stills.

With his passion, strong work ethic and love of photography and people, Tyrone treats every job as special and meaningful.

“I give my all every time,” he says with pride.

“My aim is to make a powerful documentary that truly captures country life and the ways we can connect with our environment.

“It’s the simple things that make something special – a light, a frame, the sunlight, morning fog, shape of a tree or landscapes. I love working with light to capture the beauty of the world around us.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Tyrone Ryan

ABOVE: Tenterfield Post Office on a sunny spring afternoon; the beautifully preserved old church on Logan Street.

View some of Tyrone’s stunning work at www.thedustylens.au

Tyrone Ryan filmmaker + photographer portraiture • weddings • events • documentary • commercial

poetic,cinematic&emotive

Based in Tenterfield NSW • off grid • tyrone.lifenaturally @thedustylens_au • thedustylens.au • Ph. 0410 184 303 • dustylenscreativemedia@gmail.com

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

History preserved in Federation town

Visionary politician Sir Henry Parkes had a dream of uniting the nation and put his case before the public for the very first time during his famous Tenterfield Oration.

Although the idea had been discussed in the halls of parliament it had never been taken to the people until that historic day – October 24, 1889 – in the Tenterfield School of Arts.

It’s been noted by historians that the timing of the clever politician’s speech was the turning point in the whole Federation debate.

Sir Henry left Sydney heading north on the newly completed Great Northern Railway, discussing the concept with fellow politicians in Queensland.

On the return trip he stopped in Tenterfield, where he’d been the local member of parliament some years earlier.

As it was widely regarded as a proFederation town, Sir Henry delivered his famous speech in the School of Arts Banquet Hall before resuming his journey to Sydney.

Telegraphers at Tenterfield Post Office worked tirelessly through the night to ensure the story was relayed to the media in Sydney – one painstaking word at a time.

Upon his arrival back in the harbour city, the morning papers carried the full speech bringing it squarely into the public domain.

Since that time, the now named Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts has been a centre for education, enlightenment, entertainment and bringing the community together.

Following a temporary closure in 2023, the facility was reopened unveiling the cinema, theatre and museum.

Within the walls of the historic building, you can step into the Banquet Hall, straight into Australia’s past, where Sir Henry delivered that famous Federation speech.

The museum also houses items from Sir Henry’s life, including a remarkable portrait

by Julian Ashton, some of his ivory carvings and journals belonging to the “Father of Federation”.

Threatened with demolition in the 1950s, the School of Arts became the first building to be gifted to the National Trust by an act of parliament in 1957, thanks to the tenacity of forward-thinking locals who wouldn’t allow it to be destroyed.

National Trust members are offered free entry into the museum to this day.

Tenterfield Cinema and Theatre is also housed within the complex.

The cinema features digital projection and screenings of historical documentaries and movies presented by the local film club, as well as live music and theatre performances.

All these years later, it continues to be a popular meeting place for locals and visitors and has a café onsite. RLM Words: RLM Images: Tyrone Ryan

ABOVE: The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts is a building of national significance; the Banquet Hall; there’s a lot of history on the School of Arts walls;.the Julian Ashton portrait of Sir Henry.

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

MUSEUM right on track

Thanks to a group of dedicated individuals, Tenterfield’s place in Australia’s rail heritage will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

Tenterfield Railway Station was in service for 102 years, following its official opening on September 1, 1886, by NSW Governor Lord Carrington.

Officially known as the Great Northern Terminus, the line was extended to the Queensland border town of Wallangarra in January 1888, effectively connecting Sydney and Brisbane by rail.

The station was described as “one of the most extensive and handsome buildings” on the northern line.

Just over a century later, the final passenger train left the station on November 25, 1988, with the station closing the following year.

The building and contents remained untouched, just as they were during the last century.

Unwilling to see this glorious building deteriorate, a group of volunteers formed the Tenterfield Railway Station Preservation Society Inc and dedicated themselves to conserving the story of rail for posterity.

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You’ll find this journey into Australia’s rail history fascinating, with the museum open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

The volunteers have a well-earned break when it closes over the festive period from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day. Opening hours are 9am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday. Admission is just $7.50 for adults to have a wander through while for children aged five to 15 years it’s $4.

Tour groups are charged $5 per person and school groups can access the museum free of charge. RLM Words: RLM Images: Jake Lindsay and Destination NSW

FACING PAGE: Points and signals from Bolivia Station; a 727-diesel rail motor commonly used on regional lines from 1961 to 2007; landscaped, award-winning gardens; signals and communications in the Lamp room; desk in the Station Master’s office; motorised quadricycle located in the foyer; and, a portable steam engine manufactured by P Hornsby & Sons, Lincolnshire, England.

ABOVE: A bird’s-eye view of the historic rail precinct.

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

HISTORIC RENOVATED GEM Historic Gem

If walls could talk, a cottage built in Tenterfield in 1871 would be quite the conversationalist!

Preserved by Tenterfield and Districts Historical Society, Centenary Cottage was opened as a museum in 1971 and its contents and surrounds tell the tale of how life was in the town more than a century ago.

Built as a private home for Michael Egan, the cottage stands as a fine example of colonial architecture.

It’s now home to an extensive collection of memorabilia and historical material relating to Tenterfield and district.

In her will, famous artist Lillian Chauvel arranged for the construction of the Sir Harry Chauvel Gallery to be built in honour of her brother.

Dozens of her paintings are on display in the gallery, which has become an outstanding feature of the museum.

Sir Harry was the first Australian to command a military corps. In 1929, he was first to reach the rank of general before retiring a year

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later. He was later recalled for service in World War II as Inspectorin-Chief for the Volunteer Defence Corps.

Within those cottage walls you will learn how the Tenterfieldbased NSW Mounted Infantry was formed and of the brave Light Horse volunteers serving in the Boer War and World War I. The district’s agricultural story is told with the Sir Stuart Donaldson display. Sir Stuart became the first NSW premier in 1856 and owned the massive sheep run known as Tenterfield Station.

He named his property after his favourite aunt’s property in Haddington, Scotland. Tenterfield’s name literally means “a field with tents erected to dry out sheep fleeces”.

Right next door you’ll find Petrie Pioneer Cottage, originally known as Atherstone Cottage.

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

It was the last remaining and largest of three slab cottages that occupied prime land in Rouse Street, which is now part of a shopping centre.

Under the guardianship of Tenterfield and Districts Historical Society, the cottage was saved and relocated to its present position in 1984.

The cottage’s front two rooms are made from local pitsaw hardwood, slab and battens, with a board roof. This was typical of workmen’s homes in the 1860s. It is filled with furnishings and artefacts reflecting the simple times back then.

Word has it that notorious bushranger Captain Thunderbolt stayed in the boarding house after he held up the cottage’s second owner.

Volunteer Chris Moon has always been interested in history, especially since moving to Tenterfield eight years ago.

Chris is a long-term collector of old bottles and other collectables, with a particular fondness for old pharmaceutical memorabilia.

Located at 136 Logan Street, the museum is open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, subject to the availability of volunteers. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Tyrone Ryan, Jake Lindsay

THIS PAGE: Forget your mobile phone and gadgetry and take a step back into the past in the many rooms of Centenary Cottage. You’ll probably find something you recall from your parents or grandparents within the walls – like the old piano, tack and saddlery, kitchenalia, sewing machine and so much more, all preserved for posterity so future generations can see what life was like long before they were born.

FACING PAGE: Centenary Cottage, built in 1871, stands as a symbol of Tenterfield’s commitment to honour the past.

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From little things big things grow If you’ve ever wished upon a star in the belief that magic really does exist, you should put Tenterfield’s cork tree on your list of places to visit.

People have believed for centuries that cork trees (also known as wishing trees) have special powers that bring good luck to those who visit the tree under certain conditions.

When you stand before the massive trunk and shelter under its sprawling branches, consider this giant of nature was transported from England in 1861 as a simple little acorn in a jam jar.

Located at 103 Wood Street, Tenterfield, it is considered to be one of the largest of its kind in the country, flourishing in the ideal growing conditions of the New England.

Although the tree is now on private property and has been fenced off, you can still see it clearly from the street and can make your wish – only from behind the fence line.

Along with its wish-granting powers, cork trees are especially prized in a farm situation as the bark is used for a variety of reasons including as stoppers in wine bottles, gaskets, hockey pucks, golf balls and floor tiles.

Starting with just an acorn, this tree has a multitude of uses – in animal fodder and cooking oils, while the leaves are a natural fertiliser.

Whether you’re making a wish or just standing in awe of its natural beauty, the cork tree is truly magical and well worth a visit. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Elizabeth Tickle

Boonoo Boonoo National Park

Those wanting to get away from it all and enjoy the delights of nature should take the time to visit Boonoo Boonoo National Park.

Pronounced Bunna-Boonoo, this park is noted for its flowing rivers, secluded waterholes and rock pools, breathtaking gorges and cascading waterfalls – a nature lover’s dream.

Just a short 27km drive from Tenterfield, many visit the park to take in the beauty of the mighty Boonoo Boonoo River.

Its banks change from smooth granite stretches to sandy beaches and in springtime, you’ll love the magnificent display of colourful wildflowers.

A well-marked trail invites you to explore the rock pools and waterholes where you’re likely to spot a platypus.

Located in the heart of the park, Boonoo Boonoo Falls picnic area is where you will hear the gushing sounds of the river cascading over the granite cliff edge.

The lookout offers uninterrupted views of the river as it plummets 210m to the gorge below.

Esteemed Australian bard Banjo Paterson, who spent quite a lot of time in the area,

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proposed to his sweetheart, Alice Walker, daughter of the Tenterfield Station manager, at the falls lookout in the early 1900s.

An equally picturesque picnic area can be found at Morgan’s Gully, the site of an abandoned 1890s goldfield.

With its geological formations, glistening waterfalls and abundant spring wildflowers, the picnic area is the ideal starting point to do your own exploration of this historic area.

The goldmining area is located at the eastern end of the gully. You can see the hand-dug water race, where gravel was washed and the old pressure cylinders were used for gold extraction.

Although nature has reclaimed the gully, with a little imagination you can visualise how it was back in the 1880s.

Bush camping is available at Cypress Pine campground on the banks of the river with ample space for caravans, motorhomes and tents however bookings are essential. Phone (02) 6736 4298 to secure your spot. RLM Words: Anna Rose Image: Supplied

ABOVE: Basket Swamp Falls is another great spot to cool off in Boonoo Boonoo NP.

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You can see FOR MILES It’s almost mandatory when you’re driving and see a camera symbol on a road sign, you pull over to discover what could be the perfect photo opportunity.

At 1300 metres above sea level, Tenterfield’s Mount Mackenzie Scenic Lookout gives visitors one of the best vantage points on the Northern Tablelands.

Looking north, you’ll discover the Boonoo Boonoo tableland composed of Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo national parks in New South Wales and in Queensland, Girraween National Park.

The rock on top of the mountain marks the Woollool Woolloolni Aboriginal Place in Basket Swamp National Park.

It’s the type of stop where you can soak in the scenery, enjoy a picnic or barbecue lunch

at the public facilities or take in the start or end of a perfect day with a breathtaking sunrise or sunset.

Just 13km from Tenterfield, Mount Mackenzie Scenic Lookout was named after Scotsman Sir Robert Mackenzie, who held the first official grazier’s licence in 1842 on what became known as Tenterfield Station.

Another more leisurely option is to take the scenic drive which winds its way in a

38km loop back into Tenterfield, with plenty of photographic opportunities along the way.

To find maps of all the best places to see, go to the website www.visittenterfield.com. au/visitors to discover the delights of this glorious part of the New England.

Pet owners should be aware the lookout is part of the Mount Mackenzie Nature Reserve, so no domestic pets are permitted. RLM Words: Anna Rose Image: Tyrone Ryan

BALD ROCK National Park Hiking through Bald Rock National Park you could easily be following in the footsteps of the dinosaurs.

This ancient land, with its spectacular views, constantly changing terrain, nature walks and rock formations is a natural wonder that should not be missed when you are in the area.

Located 30km from Tenterfield on the New South Wales/ Queensland border, Bald Rock National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, native plants and wildflowers.

Standing guard over the national park is majestic Bald Rock, which is almost 1300 metres tall.

It’s the largest granite monolith in the Southern Hemisphere.

Climbers will get the feeling they’re truly on top of the world from this spectacular vantage point.

The natural bushland comes to life from July onwards when wildflowers and wattle trees come out to show their true colours.

If you’re not into climbing or hiking, you’ll find the perfect picnic or barbecue spot at the base of Bald Rock to soak in the surroundings over lunch.

Viewed as neutral ground, this area served as a meeting point for three Aboriginal tribes – the Jukembal, Bundjalung and Kamilaroi nations.

Bald Rock was considered a boundary, where gatherings could

take place and goods traded without any tribe having to pass through another’s country.

You can access the park and all walking tracks via Mount Lindesay Road, Tenterfield. RLM Words: Anna Rose Image: Destination NSW

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Fascinating history in unique building When COVID-19 broke out in Australia in January 2020, there was much talk about the similarities between it and the Spanish flu pandemic that had occurred a century beforehand.

FROM TOP: The Prince Albert Memorial Isolation Ward was built in 1919 as a result of the Spanish flu pandemic. It has now been restored thanks to a NSW Heritage grant and much effort by the dedicated team of volunteers behind the undertaking.

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From 1918-1919, the pandemic was said to have been the greatest natural disaster to afflict mankind since the black death plague of 1346-1353, which killed an estimated 75 million to 200 million people.

The Spanish flu pandemic was caused by a virus and infected more than 500 million people globally. Almost 100 million succumbed to the disease in 12 months.

In November 1918, Tenterfield Hospital board members became aware of the approaching pandemic and submitted plans for an isolation ward to the NSW Health Department.

The virus spread rapidly around the world as soldiers and service women returned from the war. As Australia is so remote from Europe, it had months to make preparation for what was to come.

Although quarantine was swiftly implemented, Spanish flu cases began to appear in Australia in early 1919.

It’s estimated almost two million people contracted the disease in Australia and more than 15,000 died. This mortality rate was one of the lowest recorded of any country during the pandemic.

A camp was established at Tenterfield Showground after all trains travelling north into Queensland were stopped, forcing passengers to be accommodated in the town.

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

These 700 stranded passengers were housed and catered for locally, with 500 moved to the showground for quarantine in February 1919.

Tenterfield reported its first case on June 26 and by July 14, the local hospital had reported 42 cases. The last of the 10 people who died from Spanish flu in Tenterfield and district occurred on July 18, 1919.

By the time the building was completed in early 1920, there were no cases of Spanish flu in Tenterfield.

Nonetheless, it’s to the credit of board members that a suitable isolation block was built to house the victims of any future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Tenterfield and district residents would have been well served if the pandemic had been present in the community beyond June and July 1919.

From early 1920, the building continued as the isolation block for Prince Albert Memorial Hospital until the mid-1950s.

It later became nurses’ accommodation and then a maintenance workshop until the building was closed in 2015.

The isolation block retains most of its original materials and was built to reflect Florence Nightingale’s Cottage Hospital design principles.

Threatened with demolition in 2006, local resident and retired anaesthetist Dr Ian Unsworth led the charge to have the building restored.

A pioneer in hyperbaric medicine in Australia, the good doctor’s unwavering efforts over two decades led to the building being registered with the National Trust (NSW), Tenterfield Shire Council and NSW State Heritage.

Volunteer Zac Curry says the doctor’s dedication to preserving the ward in near original condition is to be commended.

As it was such a unique facility, volunteers led by Dr Unsworth, resolved to curate and install an exhibition about the history of the Spanish flu pandemic and its effect on the community of Tenterfield and the surrounding region.

It was officially opened on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

Although it’s not manned on a regular basis, visitors are welcome to attend the site and observe the interior of the building through the viewing windows. RLM Words: RLM Images: Elizabeth Tickle and supplied

ABOVE: Dr Ian Unsworth, one of the main drivers of the restoration project, with wife Clare pictured top right; memorabilia preserved for posterity inside the isolation ward.

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

Showing her true colours

Organisers have thrown out the invitation to new groups and volunteers to help grow this vibrant event that draws so many visitors to the region.

This year’s festival enticed thousands to the high country with its diverse offerings appealing to festivalgoers of all ages.

Events included barefoot bowls, golf, open gardens, fashion parades, bike rides, author talks, museum visits, markets, kids’ entertainment, vintage car displays, Easter egg hunts, street food, live music, skatepark action, Cobb & Co coach rides, kite flying, and relaxed dining in the shopping precinct.

For next year’s event, the beloved hay bale displays will expand across the shire, with a new popular vote category added to the hay bale competition.

Visitors will be treated to Tenterfield’s stunning parks and autumn foliage at their colourful best – as well as the open gardens – which are always a highlight and will be listed on the festival website.

Tenterfield Chamber of Tourism, Industry and Business will once again sponsor the window dressing competition, encouraging more local businesses to decorate their storefronts and celebrate the season.

The tantalising aroma of freshly made hot doughnuts, prepared by Tenterfield Lions Club, will entice one and all to the Saturday markets.

A hearty Lions Sunday breakfast will coincide with the Easter egg hunt, supported

by Tenterfield High School Year 12 students.

Children’s rides and face painting will expand, and games will fill the breaks in the hunt.

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Following the outstanding success of the 2025 event, plans are now well underway for the staging of the 2026 Tenterfield Autumn Festival.

So popular with patrons this year, Cobb & Co Coaches have been rebooked for the 2026 festival, and organisers believe the vintage and classic car displays will attract even more entries.

Tours of historic Stannum House will be offered, showcasing beautifully renovated rooms despite ongoing restoration.

Quoll Headquarters will also open for the long weekend so festival patrons can get up close to these endangered little marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea.

Jocelyn from Harrigan’s Lane Collective/ The Piano Mill will present a rich musical program throughout Easter, marking the collective’s 11th year of performances.

Local hospitality venues reported record sales in 2025, and more are encouraged to open for Easter 2026 to meet the growing demand from visitors.

New events are already confirmed, including a dinner dance at Tenterfield Golf Club, while festival favourites will return and expand.

An Australian geocaching group will hold a weeklong event over the Easter period next year.

Geocaching is considered to be a realworld, outdoor, treasure-hunting game. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook.

Participants use a mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called geocaches or caches, at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the Tenterfield shire.

Tenterfield Showgrounds is the gathering amd camping place for visitors attending this event.

The 2026 Tenterfield Autumn Festival promises unforgettable moments for locals and visitors alike. Program details and ticket sales will be available early in the new year. Keep up to date on the event’s Facebook page. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Tyrone Ryan

ABOVE: Don’t miss Tenterfield Autumn Festival where there’s something for everyone.

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

Restoring an icon Bruce Venaglia and Wendy Meakin were happily considering retirement after running a business in Toowoomba for many years until they fell under the spell of Tenterfield’s stately mansion, Stannum House.

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

“We had been visiting Tenterfield in our caravan for 20 years,” Wendy says. “It’s such a pretty place, has a lot of history and everybody is so friendly.

“We were there on holidays and had seen Stannum House was up for sale, so we went to have a look, and ended up buying it at auction. There was a lot of, ‘oh my God, what have we done?’ > CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The three-storey Stannum House has four grand guest rooms upstairs and three display rooms on the ground floor packed with Victorian antiques; intricate balustrading frames a four-panel front door featuring fan and side lights; the mansion is built on triple brick on granite foundations; the one-acre garden has been extensively renovated.

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

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

“I NOW TELL BRUCE THIS IS HIS RETIREMENT WITH A PURPOSE WHILE IT IS A LABOUR OF LOVE FOR ME.” “I now tell Bruce this is his retirement with a purpose while it is a labour of love for me.”

The Victorian Italianate mansion was finished in 1888 with no expense spared by tin and mining magnate John Holmes Reid.

Stannum is Latin for tin and Reid’s tin mine was located between Glen Innes and Inverell.

When Tenterfield was once under consideration as the nation’s new capital, Stannum’s grandeur had it in the running as the first government house.

Designed by Italian architects, the eight-bedroom, eightbathroom mansion is built on triple-brick foundations, and its tower is the highest point in Tenterfield.

Marble fireplaces adorn each room along with elaborate ceiling roses and cornice work while a magnificent cedar spiral staircase connects the three storeys.

John Reid died in 1929, and Stannum was commandeered by the government under the War Act in World War II as army headquarters and a hospital.

In 1948 Stannum was returned to the Reid family and sold in 1954 to a Greek fruiterer, who turned it into a boarding house, painting out all the original artwork and colours, and removing the tower. > FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Numerous celebrities over the years have dined at Stannum, including Sir Henry Parkes, Banjo Paterson and Dame Nellie Melba; the rooms are furnished with beautiful antiques; a gilded mirror; a section of the 3m spiral staircase; a stunning stained glass window; the eight bedrooms are named after the children of John and Emily Reid; the staircase was shipped in one piece from Ireland; and a peek into the sitting room with his bay window.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A beautifully detailed frieze and cornice and ornate ceiling rose; an antique gramophone; time has stood still at Stannum; while cleaning out the attic Wendy found old photos of Stannum; and marble fireplaces adorn each room.

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

“OUR NEIGHBOUR SAID, ‘YOU MUST HAVE BIG POCKETS’, AND I SAID, ‘NO MATE, WE HAVEN’T GOT BIG POCKETS, JUST BIG HEARTS’.”

The grand old lady then served as a restaurant through several decades, her shine gradually diminishing until a major restoration was completed in 2003.

A builder, Bruce, 71, and Wendy, 65, took over in May 2024 with the aim of restoring the mansion to its original splendour using historical information sourced from Reid descendants.

Reid family members will contribute antique furniture and clothing worn by John Reid’s wife, Emily for display once restoration is completed.

Bruce concedes the restoration project is an enormous undertaking, with eight leaky bathrooms, collapsing ceilings and cracking plaster.

“Our neighbour said, ‘you must have big pockets’, and I said, ‘no mate, we haven’t got big pockets, just big hearts’,” Bruce laughs.

He says structurally the house is sound with most of the work being cosmetic.

“All of the red cedar in the house was harvested locally and shipped to Ireland where artisans made the 3m spiral staircase, then shipped it back in one piece, taking 17 months for the whole process.”

The couple has restored four of the upstairs bedrooms, taking three months just to scrape old paint off the cedar architraves, skirting boards, doors and windows.

Wendy has named the eight bedrooms after the children of John and Emily Reid, including Lucy, who lived at Stannum until 1954.

A history wall of photographs of John and Emily’s wedding, family members and the tin mines now feature in the main entry.

While cleaning out the attic, Wendy found old photos of Stannum as a WWII hospital and plans to add them to the collection.

The couple has retained a light on the southern veranda, installed by the Reid family as an eternal flame for son James killed at Gallipoli.

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Numerous celebrities over the years have dined at Stannum, including Sir Henry Parkes, Banjo Paterson and Dame Nellie Melba.

“There is a fur stole draped over the chaise lounge in one of the rooms and supposedly it was worn by Marilyn Monroe in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Wendy says.

Although Stannum House is closed to the public, it opened for a one-off tour at Easter 2025 with 332 visitors turning up to see the icon.

A keen gardener, Wendy is undertaking the mammoth job of restoring the garden which covers an acre.

“There are that many people stopping and taking photos each day,” she says. “A lot of the time when I’m out in the garden people start asking me about the house. They love the history and are so supportive of what we are doing.”

Bruce and Wendy were quick to point out local stories about the Stannum ghosts were untrue.

“We have moved into a downstairs room which used to be John Reid’s office and one night I went up through the house. When I came down, Wendy asked where I had been. I replied I had been upstairs having tea and scones with Mrs Reid! If there are ghosts, they are happy ghosts,” Bruce laughs.

“One bloke said to me: ‘What a remarkable purchase you have, the iconic building of Tenterfield’. We like to think we will do it justice by preserving and looking after it.” RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Sapphire Daly

ABOVE: A spiral staircase leads up to the tower which, as the highest point in Tenterfield, offers fabulous views across the historic town.

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

Building a dream You have to polish a mountain of chrome, bake a heap of scones and cater for countless hungry hordes – whatever it takes to raise enough cash to build a dream.

It’s been a long time coming – 20-odd years or more – and finally the Tenterfield Transport Museum is ready to open its doors to the public.

The annual Show & Shine has been the major fundraising event but the group will do just about anything to add to the growing kitty.

Accountant Zac Curry has been treasurer of the volunteer group of about 20 members for the past five years.

Zac says the variety and number of entries in the Show & Shine each year is always heartening.

“We get between 200 and 300 entries with everything from motorbikes and caravans, to cars, trucks and wagons,” says Zac. About 700 people come through the gates and appreciate the effort put into these beauties.”

The committee has plans to add a mystery wine tour to the Saturday itinerary, giving patrons even more reasons to visit and stay awhile.

The museum building is fully constructed, and another shed is under construction which will house steam-driven equipment and horse-drawn items.

While the car show draws in people annually, the group caters year-round for various gatherings and events, the local show, anything to make a quid.

If you’re keen to see some impressive horsepower, make a note of the date the 2026 Show & Shine on April 11 and 12.

Zac’s ride is a 2016 Chrysler 300 while other members have a range of vehicles, from an immaculate 1957 FJ Holden through to horse-drawn buggies.

It will certainly be well worth visiting on your next trip to Tenterfield. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Lara Flanagan

FROM TOP: Another successful Show & Shine helps raise dollars for the committee to put into the transport museum; the committee has members of all age groups – and even the odd canine; Gavin Hillier displays some model cars; this 1932 Dodge DK is a beauty; there are always some classic cars on show.

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Jolly good show There’s much excitement in Tenterfield ahead of the 150th annual P&A show in 2027.

Every year this community gathering is one of the most anticipated by the young and young at heart. Ahead of the big sesquicentenary, the next show will be staged on February 6 and 7, 2026.

Leading the show society is a young man who has been part of the committee since he was in his teens.

Now 26, Jake Smith is the society’s new president, having taken on the top job after longtime president and former Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty filled a vice-presidential role.

It was all part of a succession plan, according to Peter, who says the society has enjoyed a welcome influx of young members in recent years.

“The Tenterfield Show Society members and executive are a great group of people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company,” Peter says proudly.

“It’s really heartening to see the number of young people, like Jake, taking on active roles in this huge community event.”

Like most country-raised kids, the show has always been the annual highlight for Jake. He’s even competed three times in the Young Auctioneers’ Competition at the Sydney Royal, winning at state level and being recognised as one of Australia’s top 10 young men with a gavel.

When Jake first became involved with the show society he was a rarity – with most others on the committee a good deal older than him.

Jake’s delighted there are now several other young ones actively involved in the 150-year-old organisation.

During his presidency, he intends to ensure all members are valued and recognised for their contribution.

“There’s no one on the board more important than another,” he says. “We all pull together. I’m virtually the mouthpiece for the organisation and attend other community events representing the show society.”

The first show held in Tenterfield was at the School of Arts building and adjoining land, in April 1877.

The first at the showground was in 1879.

As you would imagine, the grounds back then looked nothing like they do nowadays.

There wasn’t even a ring fence for that first one, but thanks to the tireless efforts of showground trust members throughout the

years, the grounds and infrastructure you see today are first class and a credit to all involved.

In 1925, the grandstand which had served the community well for 100 years, was burnt to the ground. With the resilient and dedicated community members Tenterfield is blessed with, the new grandstand was built within six weeks!

Tenterfield is also known for another hugely significant part of Australia’s equine history. It was the first venue for a campdrafting event held in the country.

In 1885, show society members set up an area outside the showground for the campdraft, with local horseman Clarence Smith of Boorook Station drawing up the rules.

In 2005, various organisations involved with the showground and campdraft unveiled a monument to mark 120 years since that first historic event.

It’s pretty apparent the volunteering spirit is alive and thriving in this Northern Tablelands town.

Peter Petty says when the call is put out each year, there is no shortage of willing workers ready to lend a hand.

“Tenterfield is a very supportive town when it comes to big events like this,” he says.

“We get service clubs, local groups, churches, business houses and individuals taking on helpful roles to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“The 150th anniversary show will be massive – and we’re already working together to make it the best one ever.”

The February event will have everything you would expect at a great country show – rides and sideshows, astounding pavilion exhibits, all creatures great and small, trade and breed displays, fireworks, food, fun and entertainment galore as well as the official unveiling of new cattle yards.

Nobody likes to miss the best show in the region, so make sure you save the dates. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Emily Rhodes

ABOVE: The executive team: treasurer/secretary Annette Miller, vice-president Peter Petty, president Jake Smith, and vice-presidents Jason Chisholm and Kate Lee. FACING PAGE: 1. Chris Chisholm in front, Brenden Wilson and John Hayman with chainsaws in hand.

2. Kim White in action.

3. Children’s handicrafts.

4. Motorbikes ready to race.

5. Judging the sheep competition.

6. Prize-winning poultry.

7. Anthony and Andrea Thomas with children Lilah and Milla.

8. Campdrafting.

9. Six-bar competition.

10. John Willcox and cattle judge Noel Grant.

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

Capturing the MOMENT Talented Tenterfield photographer Sapphire Daly immortalises life’s moments in stunning images

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Originally from Melbourne, Sapphire is a self-professed Tenterfield ring-in.

Sapphire was working as a chef in the city at the time her family moved to Tenterfield.

“I was getting quite over it so I thought I’d move to Tenterfield for a couple of years and then travel overseas,” Sapphire says.

“And then I tripped and fell in love with a local and had two kids, and now it’s like eight years later.”

Sapphire has been a professional photographer for five years but has taken photographs for as long as she can remember.

She took photography as an elective at school, snapping on old manual cameras and developing her own pictures in the darkroom.

It was when Sapphire started to take photos of her own children that her obvious talent caught the attention of friends.

“Friends would see the pictures and ask me to take photos of their children, and then friends of friends saw them and all of a sudden I was getting paid for it,” Sapphire says.

“At the start I was always open and honest that I was still learning but that I was willing to get my feet wet.

“I should have started 10 years earlier but I always treated anything that was creative as a hobby rather than an actual profession.

“People were so responsive to my images and the community really backed me which helped me grow.” > FACING PAGE: Highland cattle from ‘Arrajay Downs’, east of Tenterfield on the Great Dividing Range.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Barrel racing at the Tenterfield Show; koala at Quoll Headquarters Wildlife Reserve north of Tenterfield; and, with her camera in hand, talented photographer Sapphire Daly is ready to capture diverse subjects from nature to human interest.

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

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

“You shouldn’t need a reason for a photo.”

The COVID pandemic brought mixed fortunes; while lockdowns forced people to be physically isolated, it also made them appreciate personal relationships and social connections.

Sapphire believes it is life’s everyday moments that should be celebrated.

“They are the ones we look back on, even really basic things like what your kids’ bedrooms look like, because when they’re a teenager you’re not going to remember the little pink elephant they had in it.

“You shouldn’t need a reason for a photo.”

Sapphire is a self-taught photographer, evolving through experimentation and, as she admits, “taking a lot of really bad photos”.

Armed with a range of the latest mirrorless and digital SLR Nikon cameras, Sapphire believes diversity is the key to her success.

Today, Sapphire shoots babies and weddings, lifestyle families and, as well as campaigns for Tenterfield Tourism featuring local events Sapphire has also captured stunning images for Regional Lifestyle Magazine and is this edition’s featured photographer. >

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Tenterfield sunrise; bull rider at Tenterfield rodeo; starry night sky over Tenterfield; signage on Bruxner Highway; bird at Quoll Headquarters; and, Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome (FOTA) display by pilot Peter Jones.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Light Horsemen at Anzac Day parade; autumn along the Bruxner Highway; and, dirt bike racing track at Rover Park near Tenterfield.

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“The ultimate goal is to honour every individual story.”

Her work for RLM has taken her on assignments across the New England and Granite Belt, including to Glen Innes and Warwick.

Sapphire’s passion is photographing people.

“I’m a people person; I love capturing their stories, immortalising them in pictures,” Sapphire says.

“The fact that I can do something that I love to help capture something that someone else loves, whether that be a person or an event, a business or a landscape, I think is really cool.

“The ultimate goal is to honour every individual story.”

Living the country dream with her partner Grant and their two young children on a farm 10km out of town, Sapphire never ceases to be amazed by life’s journey.

“Tenterfield embraces you; people know you by name, people pull over when they see you and wind down the window and have a chat,” Sapphire says.

“There’s a lot of beauty in the area to be captured.”

Ever self-effacing, Sapphire has chosen to name her business Tales and Tones rather than use her own moniker.

“My work is not about me, and in 10 years’ time it’s not about remembering my name, it’s about remembering that moment in your life,” Sapphire says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Sapphire Daly

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Aerial view of Tenterfield Golf Club; bees get their first taste of spring; waterfall at Rover Park; and, children playing in Jubilee Park, Manners Street, Tenterfield.

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Perfection on paper From her little off-grid cottage along the Cataract River at Sandy Hill, Aleicia Dornseiff is selling her paper art to the world.

Aleicia is an enrolled nurse working in aged care in Tenterfield but is following her dream to turn paper art into her full-time career.

“I love my little oldies, but I’m hoping to turn my life around to make nursing my hobby and paper art my career,” Aleicia says.

Aleicia discovered paper art at high school, stumbling upon it as she scrolled apps such as Instagram and Pinterest.

While studying to become a nurse, Aleicia found paper art a relaxing and satisfying downtime.

“I never thought of it as something I could make into a job, nor did I have the confidence at that point,” Aleicia says.

“My family and friends were like ‘you should sell this’ and so I did.”

Through trial and error over the years, Aleicia has refined her craft and perfected the medium.

Most of Aleicia’s commissions are from people wanting a keepsake of their wedding, but she also captures events such as baby showers.

“Your first wedding anniversary is also your paper anniversary so it can make a special gift for your partner,” Aleicia says.

People send Aleicia their photos from which she makes a drawing on her iPad, faithfully reproducing details such as their posture, the embroidery of the wedding dress and the texture of the suit, and the bouquets.

This creates a template with the exact colours of the pieces she will use, which is then printed and cut out by hand using a scalpel.

The pieces – some measuring less than half a millimetre – are then glued back together and framed with handmade, textured paper.

“It takes me many hours, probably up to 15 hours to complete a wedding artwork,” Aleicia says.

“I get lost in it, and four hours will seem like an hour to me. I put movies on in the background so I have something to look up to every now and again so my eyes don’t get too tired.

“This is what I want my job to be so I’m very focused.”

Aleicia sells most of the work on Etsy, an international online website for the sale of handmade goods.

She also attends markets such as the Nerang Botanical Bazaar, where she had a stall of paper flowers and whimsical terrariums.

“People love how different paper art is,” Aleicia says. “Many have never seen it before.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan

ABOVE: Aleicia Dornseiff creates intricate works of art from paper that she is selling around the world, fulfilling her dream to make art her full-time career.

Find Aleicia on Instagram: @lart_de_leici or Etsy: LartDeLeiciStudio

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Reclaiming history

The eye-catching, 1940s curved exterior has long had pride of place in the main street of Tenterfield but inside is where the magic happens.

Elegant accommodation. A restaurant menu with a good dash of sophistication. A classic bar. They all come wrapped within one gorgeous art deco bundle known as the Commercial Boutique Hotel.

This Tenterfield landmark is loved by all who walk through its doors – locals who regularly drop in for lunch or dinner or people who want to relax over a craft beer or a glass of local wine.

It’s also a favourite of visitors staying a few days to see the attractions of the area, members of a weekend wedding party or business people on the perfect corporate retreat.

This wasn’t always the case. The hotel was down on its luck when Justin Sibley, of Brisbane, visited Tenterfield and saw past the building’s vacant look to its wonderful bones.

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With dreams of a new heyday for the property, the Sibley family purchased the hotel and set to work. Justin looks back and admits it was not a project for the fainthearted, especially as they were not simply renovating but were “passionate about restoration to the nth degree”.

“There’s a great deal of significant construction in the building, including huge metal structures,” he says. “When you reflect on how it was built without modern machinery, it would have been a labour of blood, sweat and tears. It certainly took that to restore it.”

Nowadays it’s hard to imagine what they started with: an overlay of ’80s and ’90s renovations, suspended ceilings that hid horsehair plaster and a veritable warren of 19 pub rooms and shared bathrooms upstairs.

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

“We stripped off the disco era, ripped blue carpet from the walls and pulled back quite a few layers to find the beautiful original work,” says Justin.

“It’s quite special the way they did things back then. The design work in the original art deco fluting, for example, is quite impressive.”

There were some lovely surprises along the way, like the day they exposed a Tooheys clock that would have presided over the hotel’s grand opening.

An old wood-fired oven discovered within the wall of the kitchen is now on display. Other pieces of memorabilia include the hotel’s plans, framed, and hanging on the walls.

These days the accommodation consists of just eight rooms, each with an ensuite that’s wonderfully sympathetic to the original era. This is the only heritage boutique hotel accommodation in Tenterfield, which makes it even more appreciated by guests.

The expectations of today’s travellers are satisfied with air-conditioning, double-glazing, queen beds with pillow-top mattresses, Wi-Fi, smart TVs and rain showers.

Most of the rooms have elegant, dark, French-inspired furniture, Axminster-style carpets and floor-length curtains. The street-level room is wheelchair-friendly. >

FACING PAGE: The Commercial Boutique Hotel’s architecture adds an art deco dimension to Tenterfield’s main street.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Timber and pressed metal pair up for some retro romance; the family factor – Tim Dillon, Justin Sibley and Cassandra Dillon; beautifully presented meals; dinner is served; the outside area’s lovely ambiance; drink pink with some cocktail magic; a rainbow of deliciousness.

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

Over the years, the whole Sibley family has been involved in the Commercial Boutique Hotel. Justin and his father Robert projectmanaged the restoration as tradespeople from Brisbane and Tenterfield worked to reinstate as many of the original features as possible.

Justin and his sister Cassandra spent a lot of time working through each room and choosing furniture. Their mum Colleen and sister Jodie also played their part in the grand project.

“Dad was great, because he could read all the old plans,” says Justin. “He’s a lawyer but has a background in civil engineering, and he made it possible for us to understand how everything was put together originally so we could bring the whole thing back to life.”

When the grand restoration was finished, Cass and her husband Tim Dillon took over to get the business up and running. They lived onsite for many years and Tim now shares the managerial role with a staff member.

“There’s a resurgence in interest in experiencing our old towns, especially their architectural history,” says Justin.

“At the end of the day, people realise it’s a special thing to be able to stay at a building like this. We’ve done everything we can to keep it authentic, and it’s an honour for us to be able to share this reclaimed history.”

And even if you’re not staying the night, there’s something to suit every taste, whether it’s lunchtime pizza with a beer or the more sophisticated dinner menu and extensive wine list. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Sapphire Daly, Cory Rossiter

FROM TOP: A feeling of opulence and comfort is cultivated in each upstairs suite; this gorgeous, deep-set bath is a feature of the Balcony Room.

Escape to timeless comfort at The Commercial Boutique Hotel.

Our beautifully restored guest rooms offer the perfect base for a weekend getaway or a relaxing overnight stop.

Each room blends Art Deco, vintage elegance and modern luxury, ensuring a stay that’s as memorable as it is comfortable.

Explore five unique dining and drinking spaces, where every dish and wine is chosen to complement the refined atmosphere of your stay.

Unwind with a craft beer paddle in our tranquil garden, or sip an icy cocktail beneath the shade of the gum trees. As evening falls, there’s no better place to catch the sunset than from our scenic back deck.

Book your stay and experience the charm, comfort, and character of The Commercial Boutique Hotel.

288 Rouse Street, Tenterfield Ph: (02) 6736 4870 bookings@thecommercialboutiquehotel.com

thecommercialboutiquehotel.com

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TEAMWORK

in seam work

Quilting is colourful, creative, exacting and time consuming. Completing a project is one of those deeply satisfying moments in life.

At Tenterfield Quilt and Craft Inc, members are well acquainted with the delight that comes from finishing a fabric work of art.

But even more wonderful is when they set themselves a workshop challenge to “make a quilt in a day” then donate the finished quilt to be used in a raffle for charity or given to someone who has lost their possessions in a natural disaster.

Members say the mix is perfect, enabling members to do their own projects as well as being involved in making quilts that bolster other people’s spirits when they are at a low point in their lives.

It’s all part of a beautiful experience formed by a strong bond of friendship, workmanship and kind-heartedness.

In 2025 alone, about 45 quilts – from cot-sized to queen-sized – have been made for charity. The women have mastered the

fine art of teamwork for seam work as they do piecing, wadding and backing before handing over to others to quilt and bind.

Over the years about 800 quilts have been donated to recipients at Tenterfield Care Centre, Coonabarabran, Moree, the Victorian fires, Our House at Lismore (accommodation for people undergoing long-term outpatient care), Brisbane floods, Lismore floods, South Australia and many to Rotary, Lions and other community groups as raffle prizes.

In its present form, Tenterfield Quilt and Craft is only three years old, but it has gone through previous identities as a community college and art and craft society and started its outreach when the first charity quilt was made in 2009.

Members hire a room at the local TAFE college and meet on Monday nights and on Tuesdays for morning and afternoon sessions.

The group’s tutor is Fran Bulmer, who

used to be a TAFE fashion teacher and remembers doing her first quilt during her training days in the late ’70s.

As well as teaching at Tenterfield Quilt and Craft’s regular sewing days, Fran does private retreats for her quilting friends, casting a geographically wide net for her weekend gatherings at Bolivia Station south of Tenterfield.

People stay at the old farmhouse which was renovated after 40 years of standing empty. As Fran says, it’s not a gold-tap reno but is perfect to stay for a couple of nights.

A day in the life of a retreat looks something like this: Breakfast, sew, morning tea, sew, lunch, sew, afternoon tea, sew, nibbles, dinner.

Fran says it’s great for the soul.

“We laugh, we talk, maybe even cry. We go home feeling better than when we arrived.

And we have a saying: ‘What happens at Bolivia, stays at Bolivia’.”

And do quilters ever dream about their craft? Definitely, says Fran.

“I’ve made some wonderful quilts in my sleep.” RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Quilting in full swing creates a patchwork of colour on the work table; keen Tenterfield Quilt and Craft members, from left, Trish Parker, Jenny Shearman, Ruth Offer, Debbie Minns and Fran Bulmer with one of the fabric masterpieces; a line-up of quilts ready to be sent to a region affected by natural disaster.

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Trails helping build futures

Angry Bull Trails is putting Tenterfield on the map with world-class riding, a bold youth program, and a community movement that’s as real as it gets.

High on the granite ridges of Tenterfield, something extraordinary is taking shape.

Over the next 18 months, the region will become home to 174km of world-class mountain biking trails and a vibrant trail centre that promises to transform both the local economy and the community.

What sets Angry Bull Trails apart is that this project isn’t just about riding – it’s about building futures.

For many visitors, mountain biking is the drawcard. Sweeping descents, sculpted berms and trails that weave through rugged granite outcrops and ancient bushland will soon put Tenterfield firmly on the map.

After the official opening of Angry Bull Trails in May 2026, riders from across Australia will be able to experience exactly that. Yet for the people who live in Tenterfield, the project means far more than adrenaline.

At its heart, Angry Bull Trails is a social enterprise. It is a community movement

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that uses adventure tourism to create jobs, training and opportunities for young people.

It is about giving the next generation the chance to learn skills, build confidence and stay connected to the region they call home.

The youth employment program is central to this mission. Designed to train and employ local youth in trail building, hospitality and tourism, it offers pathways that young people in regional areas often miss. Participants gain practical skills, mentoring and a supportive team environment. They step into industries that are growing, relevant and exciting.

For the wider community, the benefits ripple outwards. Every metre of trail built, every coffee poured at the Trail Centre Café and every visitor welcomed to Tenterfield represents not just economic gain but social impact. Families are supported, skills are strengthened and pride in place is restored.

Tenterfield has always had grit and spirit.

The success of Gravel ’n Granite, an annual

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

cycling event that draws hundreds of riders and visitors, proves there is a strong appetite for riding in the region.

The event returns in May 2026, bringing even more people to town. Gravel ’n Granite shows how adventure tourism can breathe new energy into a community. Angry Bull Trails is taking that proof and building it into something lasting.

Local businesses are already feeling the buzz. Accommodation providers, pubs, cafés and shops are preparing for new waves of visitors. Schools and training organisations are stepping up to partner on youth programs.

Projects of this scale do not happen in isolation. Angry Bull Trails has received critical funding support from the NSW and Australian governments, but sustaining momentum requires the backing of the broader community.

Individuals, businesses and regional

champions all have a role to play.

Every supporter becomes part of a bigger story: one where adventure and purpose collide, where young people get their first real job or qualification, and where small towns show the rest of the country how to turn vision into reality.

Support can take many forms, and every action counts. Tell your friends. Share our story. Donate if you can. Join the Riders Collective or Business Collective. Come to Gravel ’n Granite or another event.

Every bit of support helps keep the trails not only built, but thriving, cared for and at the heart of the community.

By 2030, Angry Bull Trails aims to welcome more than 35,000 visitors each year, create 50-plus local jobs and stand proud as Australia’s premier mountain biking destination. But numbers only tell part of the story.

The real measure of success will be seen

in the young people who find a sense of purpose on site, in families who create lifelong memories exploring the trails together and in the renewed pride of a community that dared to dream big.

Tenterfield is stepping into a bold new chapter – one that honours its landscape, empowers its youth and invites the world to come and experience something truly unique. The trails will be wild, the adventure real and the impact lasting.

So, whether you are a rider or someone who believes in the power of community, the invitation is clear. Come for the ride, stay for the vibe, and be part of building something that matters. RLM Words and images: Supplied

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: Local youth exploring the trails; Trailworx crew shaping world-class trails.

ABOVE: Epic rides through Tenterfield’s granite country.

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

Healing begins in the garden

Every day Kim Massie makes time for meditation, quietly reflecting on her beautiful surroundings and remarkable personal journey that are so closely intertwined.

This inspirational woman is the creator and host of The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel, an exceptional cool-climate garden, boutique accommodation, wedding and events venue in Tenterfield.

“This is a special place I am so grateful for and I love sharing it,” she says.

Kim and her young family had lived in Tenterfield for three years after relocating from Sydney when they discovered The Bungalow in 2010, a one-and-a-half-acre property with heritage weatherboard homestead.

In the middle of 2012 Kim received a devastating breast cancer diagnosis.

Intensive treatment followed however she was told in early 2013 that the cancer had spread and given just months to live.

“The hardest part was telling my children Chelsea, Zac and Peter,” she says quietly.

“They were amazing during those difficult days and continue to be wonderful support.

“My parents have always been very supportive; my mother moved in over those years to help,” she adds gratefully.

Prior to her diagnosis, Kim worked with renowned New England garden designer Carolyn Robinson.

“She is an inspiration and taught me so much about landscape design and planting to suit your climate.”

The garden was predominantly still a bare block when Kim came home advised to get her affairs in order.

“I had previously discussed my garden plans with Carolyn so decided just to see how much I could get done,” she recalls.

“It was a day at a time, spending time with my family and outdoors whenever I could.”

Kim believes her strong connection to nature is a powerful element in her healing journey and integral to her wellbeing.

“Fresh air, sun and trees, working with the earth, nature has always been a big part of my life; I had a wonderful childhood travelling around Australia and family time spent outdoors.”

She also became focused on completing jobs: “I hate leaving things half-finished,” she says adamantly.

The garden became both sanctuary and motivation. Her hard work and determination yielded impressive results. > FACING PAGE FROM TOP: The serene Ivy Leaf Chapel is a beautiful feature, perfect for wedding ceremonies; the stunning front garden reflects skilful design and meticulous care.

FROM TOP: The tranquil environment Kim Massie has created brings her much joy and she delights in sharing it.

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

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

“Everyone has a story and talking about my journey might hopefully help others.”

Strong formal design principles combine with carefully chosen foliage and flowers for year-round interest that reflects Tenterfield’s distinct seasons.

Sculpted hedges and formal features utilising buxus and teucrium are complemented by roses and cottage perennials including white catmint (nepeta), salvias and aquiligea. Perfectly manicured topiary is a highlight.

A stunning focal point of the garden is the much-admired living “chapel”, designed by Kim and inspired by her long-held interest in church architecture.

The Boston Ivy that envelops the structure reflects the changing seasons of the tablelands and is a fabulous vision of red and orange in autumn.

This intimate setting symbolic of hope and faith is a favourite location for couples to exchange vows.

Kim enjoys working with bride and groom to create a personalised and memorable experience.

Adding to the property’s features is its convenient location just 800 metres from the town centre.

The delightful grounds are also popular with guests of the luxury bed and breakfast accommodation.

Private and stylish lodgings for up to four people are fully selfcontained with many features such as relaxing lounge area with library, and wide verandahs.

A complimentary continental breakfast includes Kim’s popular homemade granola.

“The little touches are important, making sure my guests have everything they need for a comfortable stay.”

Many are return visitors – one couple has stayed at The Bungalow 21 times!

“I love meeting people and have made wonderful friends, too.”

Her warm hospitality is extended to bus tours, garden clubs and other community groups. Morning/afternoon tea or lunch can be arranged.

Kim has also recently introduced special events where guests can relax in this tranquil environment while enjoying a chef-crafted menu.

This includes “Twilight in Bloom” in October, a long-table dinner surrounded by spring blossoms with music under the stars.

What Kim has created brings her peace and purpose, nurturing her resilience and strength of spirit.

“Everyone has a story and talking about my journey might hopefully help others.”

She is excited as new seasons and chapters unfold at The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel.

“I love where I live, to share it and be a custodian of history here for future generations.” RLM

The Bungalow & Ivy Leaf Chapel BED & BREAKFAST, WEDDINGS & EVENTS

Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Tyrone Ryan and Lara Flanagan

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: The gardens are lovely to explore and enjoy in all seasons; sculpted and formal elements combine with colourful highlights that capture the distinctive climate of the Northern Tablelands.

THIS PAGE: The luxurious bed and breakfast accommodation offers a comfortable and relaxing stay for up to four guests, immersed in beautiful surroundings for a truly memorable experience; the property is fully selfcontained with features including a private lounge.

Beautiful in every season 141 MILES STREET TENTERFIELD NSW 2372 PH. 0428 669 121

ivyleafchapel.com

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

The friendliest

little nook

Delicious treats, excellent coffee and service with a smile.

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

Kendyl Weir’s vision for her café was to create a place where people were treated more like family than customers. “… Not just somewhere to grab something to eat, but a place with home-baked food and a happy energy where everyone is greeted with a smile and has a really good experience,” Kendyl says.

That place is the Little Nook and Co in the main street of Tenterfield.

Kendyl was a 14-year-old schoolgirl, working part-time in a café in Naseby, a tiny town on New Zealand’s South Island, when she made her first coffee.

While working as a barista, Kendyl studied occupational therapy at university but halfway through she realised OT was not the career she wanted to pursue.

She graduated, as she says, “to get that piece of paper,” then moved to Perth where she fell in love with singer-songwriter Mitch Smith, and worked there in cafés, bars and restaurants.

The couple was living in Mt Tamborine during the COVID pandemic when the opportunity arose to take over a café in Tenterfield.

The café was a little nook inside a shop that sold homewares and antiques and had been operating only three days a week.

Kendyl and Mitch built up to the business to six days a week when, in late 2023, they suffered a blow when the building was sold.

The new owners wanted to take over the café themselves and so, when an empty shopfront in the main street became available, Kendyl and Mitch set up a pop-up café there.

In September 2024, Kendyl and Mitch relocated to their own café at 313 Rouse Street.

They now have a long-term lease on the premises which has seating for 20, a kitchen and another room which is undergoing renovation.

Work is underway to increase the size of the kitchen with plans to introduce more offerings and open some nights.

It has been a momentous year for Kendyl and Mitch, with the arrival of their first child, Miley, in August.

Kendyl’s love of baking stems from that very first café in Naseby.

“The lady who owned it was amazing and a really important part of my life,” Kendyl says.

“I still use her brownie recipe.”

The Little Nook and Co’s display cabinets are packed with tempting, home-baked goodies, with everything made in the onsite kitchen.

Wraps, bagels and sandwiches are also available, as well as a salad bar where wholesome “nooki bowls” are made from fresh ingredients.

“People order a nooki bowl and we build them with their choice of rice, meat, salad and sauce.”

“There’s not really anything else like it in Tenterfield.”

There are 10 salads and six sauces to choose from, with gluten-free and vegan options also available.

“There’s not really anything else like it in Tenterfield,” Kendyl says.

The Little Nook and Co opens at 6am seven days a week, with one of the most popular items on the menu the big breaky wrap.

“We have a lot of amazing, loyal customers who feel more like friends who come to visit each day,” Kendyl says.

Tourists who visit Tenterfield throughout all four seasons, as well as tradies, have also discovered the popular café.

Working in many different cafés over the years, Kendyl says she has tried to take a little bit of the best from each.

“I’ve had amazing bosses – and some notso-good bosses – and my aim is to be the best I can and create a happy environment for my staff,” Kendyl says.

In May, the Little Nook and Co café won the Excellence in Small Business award

and was highly commended in the Business of the Year category at the Tenterfield Chamber of Tourism, Industry and Business 2025 Business Awards.

“Winning the award was validation of all of things that I wanted to do when I came to Tenterfield,” Kendyl says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan

313 Rouse Street, Tenterfield 0447 805 608 littlenookandco.square.site

FROM TOP: Jasmine Ryan, Kendyl Weir with baby Miley Smith, Kirsty Grennan, Dana Fitzgerald, Elise Ryan and Nataya Ronan; barista coffee; and, sweet treats.

FACING PAGE: The popular Tenterfield café is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or anything in between; Kendyl Weir with her Excellence in Small Business award; and, tempting food is prepared fresh in the onsite kitchen.

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

Learning A Tenterfield primary school stands as a beacon to public education in northern NSW.

for life

A stone’s throw from the state border in the small town of Tenterfield, students at The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School are given every opportunity to thrive.

With a team of dedicated staff, led by principal Anna Starcevic, and well-equipped facilities, the foundations are set for students to live up to the school’s motto of “Learning for Life”.

This year marks Anna’s 33rd year with the NSW Education Department and her 10th as principal of the school.

Anna, whose hometown is Brisbane, attended the University of New England and, travelling back and forth between the two destinations, fell in love with Tenterfield along the way.

Anna’s first teaching position was at Campbelltown in Sydney, after which she moved

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to London where she taught for three years.

Back in Australia, Anna explored different avenues, including working with disadvantaged children, before being appointed to executive positions in Sydney and northern NSW. When the opportunity arose to become principal of The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School, Anna knew it was the right move.

It has a total enrolment of 201 students, from Kindergarten to Year 6.

The school employs 15 teachers, five executive staff to support those teachers, six school learning support officers as well as ancillary staff.

“Over time, student numbers have been up and down but in recent years they have definitely grown, which is really positive,” Anna says.

There are 10 classes including seven mainstream, one kindergarten class, two Years 1-2 composite classes, two Years 3-4 composite classes, and two Years 5-6 composite classes.

In addition, the school has a support unit comprising three multi-categorical classes for students with disabilities.

Each MC class caters for a maximum of seven students with the children grouped according to need rather than age.

The classrooms are equipped with sensory learning devices and its outdoor area has play equipment specially designed for students with special needs.

“The support unit is catering for the needs of this town really well,” Anna says.

Almost one-third of the students identify as First Nations, while a small number come from backgrounds where their primary language is other than English.

Indigenous students and their families are supported by personalised plans and initiatives, and Aboriginal perspectives are embedded throughout the curriculum.

Events such as NAIDOC Week are celebrated with activities and special guest performers or dancers.

Together with Tenterfield High School, Deadly Awards are presented every year for academic or sporting achievements.

The native garden has a yarning circle aimed at encouraging the Aboriginal community into the school.

The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School is proud of its facilities, with much time and money invested over the years to ensure students have the best learning experience every day.

Classrooms have flexible furniture, including variable height tables and seats, to meet individual student learning needs.

Information technology is regularly upgraded and students from K-6 have 1:1 devices, including iPads and laptops.

The school has invested in musical instruments, including flutes, clarinets, trombones, trumpets and saxophones, which are available for students to lease.

Under the guidance of an accomplished music teacher, the school’s band and choir perform at assemblies, concerts and at the town’s eisteddfod.

The refurbishment of the school oval and sporting equipment has enabled the school to host events such as the Northern New England athletics carnival for surrounding schools.

Students from kindergarten onwards go on excursions to consolidate their curriculum-based learning.

Destinations include the Darling Downs Zoo, Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre, Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre, Camp Goodenough, as well as Brisbane’s Parliament House, Science Centre and museums.

The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School is underpinned by its strong set of values – learning, safety and respect – and a commitment to restorative philosophy principles to build, maintain and restore positive relationships.

“The focus on positive behaviour is reaping rewards,” Anna says.

The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School celebrated its sesquicentenary in 2014.

The school’s sporting houses – Bruxner, Donaldson, Goudy and Mackenzie – pay homage to Tenterfield’s historical figures, including the first Premier of the Colony of New South Wales, Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson, and Tenterfield’s first teacher, William Goudy. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan

FACING PAGE FROM TOP: A drone captures the whole of The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School students an staff from the edge of the oval; kindergarten students; and, years 3 and 4 students in a handwriting lesson.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: View from the native garden towards the old infants’ department; teacher modelling during small group activities; school captains Sadie and Lexi; drone shot of native garden and yarning circles; principal Anna Starcevic; explicit reading instruction; and, student sharing reading with school director.

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

Passionate protector The air near Tenterfield carries the scent of eucalyptus and damp earth, a primal perfume that clings to the rugged slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

Here, amidst the granite outcrops and giant old growth, lies Quoll Headquarters Nature Reserve – not a building, but a sprawling, meticulously managed sanctuary.

Its name, a nod to both its purpose and its founder’s singular vision, evokes a sense of mission, a quiet defiance against the tide of extinction.

At the heart of this wild domain is Steve Haslam, a man who over the many years of nurturing this wilderness, has grown to know it intimately by sight, sound, smell and season.

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Steve is neither a scientist by formal training, nor a wealthy philanthropist. He’s just a man with a burning desire for our incredible wildlife and an almost painful desire to protect it.

This journey began with a young boy who felt an unexplained pull toward wild places, and their inhabitants. That boy grew into a young man quickly realising his dream of fostering and protecting these environments.

The passion was always there and now a successful early business venture gave him the means to act on it.

At the centrepoint of this focus was just one secretive, elusive predator, an animal he had only seen in guidebooks, and had an aura of legend and mystery: the Spottedtailed Quoll. >

THIS PAGE: Nestled between five national parks, Quoll Headquarters is a wildlife sanctuary like no other.

FACING PAGE: The newly opened interpretation centre – Quoll Campus – is a base for the public to experience and understand how the sanctuary operates; Steve Haslam with one of the creatures he’s committed his life to protect.

Tenterfield 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 Tenterfield

He knew they were threatened under the burdening weight of habitat destruction and introduced predators which drove a deepseated conviction to not only find them but do something about it before they followed the painfully trodden path of the Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger).

Coming from a family with no roots or passion for nature conservation, he knew this was a battle he would be fighting on his own.

Still in his 20s at the time, Steve went on a search in his trusty old Land Rover with swag on board to find and purchase the perfect property where he could fulfil that conviction of saving these elusive night hunters.

After what seemed like an eternity of driving out from his home on the Gold Coast almost every weekend up to the cold and damp high country in search of these beautiful creatures, the search was over and the desire was uncontainable.

He found the utopia he had been searching for. To the chagrin of his father and the bewilderment of locals, the determined young conservationist had, on a whim of what could only be described as environmental euphoria, purchased 160 hectares of old growth forest strewn with granite boulders and crystal streams.

The local farmers described it as “rubbish country” yet Steve stood nervously tall on his conviction of now protecting the perfect habitat for not only quolls but a vast array of incredible and endangered species.

At the time he secretly thought: “What have I just done? And what do I do with it now?”

Steve worked tirelessly, often alone, fuelled by thermos coffee and an unwavering drive in the belief of protecting these secretive but magnificent carnivores.

As the years passed, the sanctuary started to thrive. Through meticulous ecosystem management, shrewd negotiations, grants from conservation groups who recognised his genuine passion, and a lifetime of his own savings, Steve improved the reserve piece by piece and now had a secret weapon by his side.

His wife Bianca was not only a sounding board for the future direction of the evolving sanctuary but a confidante in good times and bad. Today, thanks to Steve and Bianca, Quoll Headquarters Nature Reserve is a beacon for what can be achieved for nature conservation.

The centrepiece of this conservation success comes in the form of a network of predator-proof fences. These fences are lifelines, keeping out feral animals such as wild dogs and pigs that had decimated the native wildlife for generations.

The sanctuary also boasts its newly opened interpretation centre – quoll campus and meticulous large-scaled pre-release pens for rehabilitation and care of the local wildlife.

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

The sanctuary stands alone in its scale and significance and also in its welcoming of community and the public, inside the fence to be a part of the vision.

It is now an incredible wildlife haven, meticulously protected by the conservation fence, where the quolls and other wildlife thrive.

Steve knows many of the quolls by sight, or by the unique patterns of their spots captured by the dozens of strategically placed motionsensing cameras.

He spends countless hours reviewing these videos, carefully noting territories, rituals, and the health of each individual creature. He isn’t just a caretaker; he’s a silent observer, a chronicler of their hidden lives.

As the years have passed and the sanctuary has grown in significance and stature, Steve’s bond with the community has solidified.

They now see not just a reclusive conservationist, but a man who fights for something bigger than himself, something that benefits the entire ecosystem.

Today, Quoll Headquarters is a thriving and expanding conservation community and registered charity of volunteers and visitors along with a diverse board of wildlife carers, scientists, philanthropists and business executives guided by the visions and beliefs of its founder.

Tours have now been added for people to experience a behind-the-scenes look at how the sanctuary works, where the quolls and other endangered species live on the reserve and how the land is managed inside the fence.

School and university students from the local area and abroad now regularly visit the sanctuary for excursions and research projects.

Although the sanctuary is much bigger than he could have ever dreamt on that first night he rolled out his swag on what is now Quoll Headquarters, Steve Haslam, the quiet guardian of the quolls, knows his work is far from over. RLM Words: Supplied Images: Steve Haslam

Quoll Headquarters is located at 662 Talmoi Road, Boonoo Boonoo.

For more information, visit the website www.quollheadquarters.org

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Big surprises inside; museum area; wetlands within the sanctuary; and, buggies for guest tours.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: A quoll hunting at night (Image: Charles Davis); Steve among some old growth sentinels; an adorable koala and joey (Image: Tales and Tones); Parsley the wallaroo enjoying some creature comforts.

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

A driving FORCE

Tenterfield farmer and business owner Jodie Magner loves spending time behind the wheel – almost as much as she loves her shop, Four Rivers Finds Emporium.

For Jodie, every trip in the truck is a journey of discovery, either to Sydney, the Gold Coast, or to an estate sale sourcing stock for the emporium.

Jodie’s ride is a 16-tonne Nissan UD for which she needs to complete a log book while in transit.

She previously worked as a resilience officer for the Department of Primary Industries and would often find bits and pieces on her trips around the district.

In October 2023 Jodie had the idea of setting up a pop-up Christmas shop and the response was so heartening, she took out a six-month lease on a shop in town two months later.

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

It was so well received, Jodie soon had to look for larger premises.

“I do all the buying and pick up the stock myself in the truck,” she explains. “It cuts out the middle man and improves my bottom line.”

That bottom line is critical, as the shop gives Jodie and husband Richard another source of income to supplement the 4500-acre family farm, “North Riverton”, 75km west of Tenterfield.

The property is just over the Queensland border which makes life interesting at their place on State of Origin nights.

“I don’t mind the daily drive into town, but during COVID it was crazy – my 45-minute trip became a three-hour nightmare – each way,” she says.

For close to 30 years, Jodie has also bred labradors but with the demands of the shop and farm, she’s having a break from this part of her life.

“I have a couple of girls and a boy, but I’m not breeding at the minute, and I certainly don’t have time to show these days,” she admits.

Although it was never planned that way, Jodie spends most of the week behind the wheel, collecting stock from buyers in Sydney and the Gold Coast.

“I’m a bit exhausted really, but mum comes in and does lunches for me most days, and I have Denise, who helps me of a weekend.

“Another helper, Christina, is an artist and she comes in three days a week. Between all of us, there’s a fair bit of knowledge that helps when people walk through the door.”

Just recently, Jodie had to take a day off from the shop as it was shearing time on the property – so that was a day well spent.

She has another day she devotes to paperwork in this seven-daya-week operation.

“You just never know who’s coming through on what day,” she says. “Tenterfield is becoming a real tourist town. I have regulars who travel from Killarney in Queensland and Mullumbimby on the Northern Rivers.

“A lot of people come to Tenterfield for the dress shops – it’s really becoming a destination.”

Jodie, a fourth-generation local, says all the business owners in town get along really well.

“We all benefit with the people we attract to our businesses – and they have a good look around while they’re here.”

Quite a deal of stock comes from deceased estates, and she is very selective with her purchases.

“I get a lot of stuff up from Melbourne and buy some beautiful things, but I need to make sure people can afford them,” she says.

“I do carry some newer items in the shop but I prefer antiques and collectables.”

A point of difference Jodie takes pride in is the way her stock is displayed – everything is dusted to within an inch of its life, from the furniture down to every trinket.

“It’s different to most second-hand shops,” she says with a hint of pride. “Everything is clean and the place can’t be too crowded. If a piece sits too long, it will be reduced.”

Jodie and Richard have been married almost 28 years and have three children – John, 22, and twins Tia and Patrick, 21.

“They’re my muscles,” she says with a smile. “When I bring the truck it’s all hands on deck.

“The boys are huge – six-foot-six – and my daughter is six feet tall. Tia has her own remarkable story, having won a horticultural scholarship overseas.”

Richard and Jodie were delighted to be made grandparents for the first time earlier this year when Patrick and partner Daniella brought baby Mason into their lives.

When next you’re in Tenterfield, take a wander through Four Rivers Finds Emporium – you’ll discover gorgeous Murano glass figurines, uranium glass, beautiful chaise lounges, outdoor settings and so much more. RLM

FACING PAGE: Jodie Magner has turned her passion for antique and collectables into a thriving business to help supplement the family farm income; everything in the shop is dusted to within an inch of its life – from cherished jewellery and glassware to handbags, furniture – just about anything you could imagine. Who knows what treasures await?

ABOVE: There’s a broad cross-section of knowledge among the helpers Jodie chooses to assist her in the shop – from left, Christina, Helen (aka Mum), Jodie and Denise.

Explore an extraordinary world of collectibles, antiques, and art – featuring an extensive selection of vintage dinner sets, quality cutlery, and unique second-hand finds.

“Discovering excellence isn’t just about finding hidden gems. It’s about recognising the greatness in everything around you” 220 Rouse Street, Tenterfield Phone. 0429 375 280 Mon to Fri 9am - 4.30pm Sat + Sun 9.30am to 3.30pm

Words: Anna Rose Images: Sapphire Daly

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Community champions

AERODROME

Slightly more than a century after Tenterfield gained fame for Australia’s first official air mail flight, a local group was formed to validate the town’s rightful place in the nation’s aviation history.

While it was a relatively short leg – from Lismore, to Casino, to Tenterfield – it was a huge leap for the tablelands town considering in 1920 Australia’s airline industry was still in its infancy.

When the town built its aerodrome north-west of Tenterfield in 1933, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (“Smithy”) flew his tri-motor Fokker Southern Cross in to declare it officially open for business.

In another first for the town, Tenterfield Aero Club was formed that same year by aviatrix Amy Reid, the first woman in the British Empire to become president of such an organisation.

The aerodrome played a role in Australia’s defence, being utilised for training by the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, however four years after war’s end, the Civil Aviation Department cancelled its licence to operate.

In 1967, Tenterfield shire and municipal councils joined forces to construct a new aerodrome.

The 21st century was only two decades old when a group of concerned locals formed Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome (FOTA) Inc and, with strong community support, leased the aerodrome from council.

A registered charity, FOTA was formed with a very specific purpose in mind: to provide relief to those in need in the district by developing Tenterfield Aerodrome into a sustainable disaster response and emergency services hub to help counter misfortune, suffering and distress, while advancing community safety,

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security, health, resilience and disaster-readiness.

Since its formation in 2022, the FOTA committee has continuously applied for grants in a bid to transform the aerodrome into a disaster-readiness hub, establishing infrastructure and equipment worth more than $700,000 to date.

FOTA president Rob Evans says the group has implemented a number of key improvements, bringing new life to the ageing facility.

This includes installation of a 210,000-litre firefighting water tank feeding two water standpipes for loading firefighting aircraft, smoothing out and de-rocking the runway’s grass surface and buying a tractor and wide area mower for maintenance.

A further 4000 square metres of taxiways and an apron were constructed along with a concrete hardstand.

A new solar system was installed to provide power and lighting to the apron and exclusion fencing was built around the aerodrome which now has a permanent storage of Jet A-1 fuel.

A multi-purpose building provides facilities for emergencies, offering a briefing room, kitchen, crew rest area, toilets and showers.

In the past two years alone, more than 500 firefighting missions have been performed in fixed and rotary-wing aircraft from the centre.

The benefit to the wider community is immeasurable with countless lives saved or made easier with aeromedical flights

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

“The Tenterfield district is always prepared for bushfire season, as Mungindi and St George firm Precision Aerial stations a Fire Boss firebomber at the aerodrome when it’s needed the most.”

– fixed-wing patient transfers to hospitals, and Angel Flight (nonemergency) flights to and from medical treatments in cities.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service utilises the aerodrome when Federation Park is unsuitable due to weather conditions or other factors.

The aerodrome has been key to saving nearby properties, native animals and endangered species from fire.

The community was saved during the Section 44 bushfire emergency in October/November 2023, with the RFS using it as a forward operating base, and again a year later.

“It proved its effectiveness during the nearby fires at Wallangarra and Jennings having the capability to load firefighting aircraft dumping water at the rate of 18,000 litres per aircraft per hour,” Rob says proudly.

“The Tenterfield district is always prepared for bushfire season, as Mungindi and St George firm Precision Aerial stations a Fire Boss firebomber at the aerodrome when it’s needed the most.”

Throughout the year the region’s business sector benefits from having commercial flights in and out of Tenterfield. The aerodrome is a base for aerial survey work, charter flights, powerline inspections and baiting operations.

Tenterfield is a popular stopping point for aviation flying training schools and individual pilots flying in for training or to visit.

Rob believes the secret to the aerodrome’s success has been the ongoing support of the Tenterfield community.

“Dozens of locals continue to participate in working bees, doing work such as mowing the airstrip, de-rocking the runway, building facilities and ongoing maintenance,” he says.

“Local businesses are also very generous in their support of the aerodrome for which we are extremely grateful.”

Rightfully, FOTA members’ ongoing hard work has been recognised as the 2024 Australia Day Emergency Services Volunteer Group of the Year for Tenterfield.

The group’s vision – to transform Tenterfield Aerodrome and operate it as a disaster-readiness and emergency services aviation hub – has and will continue to benefit those in the region for generations to come. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Supplied

FACING PAGE: Westpac Rescue Helicopter preparing for an aeromedical mission to Gold Coast Hospital, together with one of Precision Aerial’s Fire Boss firefighting aircraft.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Fire Boss pilots Peter Jones, Adam Hooper, Cam Wenke and Mark Bagshaw at Tenterfield at the end of a day’s firefighting; FOTA volunteers laying gridmat in preparation for pouring the concrete hardstand in 2024; volunteers at a working bee in 2025 picking up rocks from the runway strip; Fire Boss aircraft refuelling at Tenterfield during the October 2023 bushfire emergency – with the fire less than a kilometre away; FOTA president Rob Evans about to conduct an Angel Flight mission.

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

INTEGRITY

from paddock to plate Generational farmers Rory and Emily Smith took the bull by the horns buying their local butchery to achieve their paddock-to-plate dream.

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

The young couple from Tenterfield feel they are also flying the flag for agriculture’s social licence while kicking goals introducing their home-bred beef and lamb to the butcher shop since taking over.

Parents to two young children, Rory and Emily run 120 Anguscross cows and White Suffolk-cross ewes on their farm “Kyarnee”.

“We were selling through the saleyards and decided there has to be a better way to sell our meat from paddock to plate,” Emily explains.

“We have found customers are excited to know where their meat is coming from and we can actually answer that! They are really concerned about what is being injected into their food and it’s nice to bust the myths for the traditional Australian farmer.”

Wanting to take more control of their product in the supply chain, they bought Premier Meats on July 1, 2024, with Teena Smith and Floyd Oxford continuing their employment as butchers.

The need for more hands came quickly with Corey Tonkin joining the team as a third butcher and Jett Bailey completing a school-based apprenticeship. Jett will join the team full time at the end of the year.

“The employment of such an experienced and dedicated team allows us to get the work done within both businesses,” Rory says.

“Emily and I are in the shop at least five days a week each. These guys allow us to take the time to do what is needed on the farm.”

Tim and Carmel Rose had owned and operated the butchery for 38 years, stamping their dominance in the value-add sphere with many awards and medals for their sausages and smallgoods. > FACING PAGE: Generational farmers Rory and Emily Smith with their children Cody and Claire at home on their farm, ‘Kyranee’, at Tenterfield.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rory portioning a beef carcase; Tenterfield Meats is an award-winning retail butchery; Rory and Emily took over the business in July 2024; there are about 20 different varieties of gourmet sausages; the family value adds to their grass-fed lambs; three butchers portion all the meat in-house; Rory and Emily see the product right through the local supply chain.

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“Being able to stand behind the display cabinet and tell the customers that you produced that piece of meat from start to finish is very satisfying.”

Since the changeover, Rory and Emily have worked hard to continue these great products. It was a nerve-racking wait last year for the Sausage Awards held three months into their start of trade.

The expertise of Teena and Floyd continued the winning streak that Tim had held since 2002.

Premier Meats is located in a high-traffic area, across the street from the famous Tenterfield Saddler.

“Visitors look over from the verandah of The Saddler to the long list of Sausage King titles on the front of our shop and come across to pick up their sausages,” Emily says.

“Being a small town, those visitors are lucrative to our everyday sales.”

Each week customers can choose from about 20 different varieties of gourmet sausages, right from traditional flavours through to a combination of unusual tastes.

An onsite smokehouse produces wood-smoked ham and bacon along with a range of salami (including kangaroo and venison), pastrami, cabanas, and other smoked meats. Beef and venison jerky and grassfed beef tallow are also available.

Rory and Emily finish their Angus-cross calves on pasture, with adlib grain supplementation, and turn them off through the butchery at 200-230kg carcase weight, while their White Suffolkcross lambs are finished on grass to 20-25kg carcase weight.

Rory is pleased to see the product right through the local supply chain, from breeding to fattening, delivering the animal to the meatworks and that animal returning to the butcher shop as a carcass.

“Being able to stand behind the display cabinet and tell the customers that you produced that piece of meat from start to finish is very satisfying – also the fact that it looks and tastes good is even more so!” he says.

“We love being able to tell the whole story and we beam with pride when we hear our staff telling our story, too.”

“Tenterfield is a wonderful country town where kids are kept humble and honest,” Emily adds. “It is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Being born and bred here, we are tied to the land we love and grew up on.” RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Sapphire Daly

LEFT: Butchers Corey Mason-Tonkin, Teena Smith, Floyd Oxford, owners Rory and Emily Smith, school-based apprentice Jett Bailey, and Emily’s father, John Watson.

We’re your farmer and your butcher, proudly offering 100% Australian grown products.

From top-grade meats to our expertly smoked in-house bacon, ham, and salami, we deliver exceptional quality you can count on — premium quality everyday.

Premium Quality Everyday Opening hours Monday to Friday: 6.30am - 5.30pm Saturday: 6.30am - 12.30pm 118 High Street, Tenterfield, 2372

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Ph. (02) 6736 1178

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

Trusted locally,

recognised nationally From lifestyle blocks to broadacre dreams –Tenterfield delivers on all fronts.

Surrounded by rolling hills, historic charm and four distinct seasons, Tenterfield continues to attract those seeking space, community, and connection to nature.

The lifestyle is real, the people are genuine and agriculture remains the heartbeat of the district, making it an ideal place to call home.

With a closeknit community of about 7000 people and a lifestyle underpinned by agriculture, Tenterfield offers four distinct seasons, strong local values, and an increasingly desirable tree-change opportunity.

It’s this environment that APL Tenterfield is proud to serve, helping clients make confident, informed decisions that maximise value and create long-term success.

While APL Tenterfield is locally owned, it’s nationally respected.

In Tenterfield, APL is a trusted name in property sales, connecting buyers and sellers in residential housing through to commercial businesses and broadacre farms.

Director Ben Sharpe knows the region well. He grew up on a nearby sheep and cattle property and began his career in Tenterfield at just 19.

In 2015, Ben and wife Kristen purchased the agency from the Birch family.

In 2024, they became founding members of the APL Group, a collective of independently owned, elite stock and station agents, recognised across the industry for experience, integrity, and excellence. >

ABOVE: APL Group Tenterfield principal Ben Sharpe.

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

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

Together, the team brings decades of combined expertise to guide every sale, ensuring each client can make confident, informed decisions.

“We are all like-minded people in the APL Group and our honesty, integrity and independence are the point of difference,” Ben says. “Our independence is our strength. Every recommendation we make is tailored to individual goals.”

The APL badge is a mark of trust, backed by national reach, shared systems, and a commitment to high standards across property and livestock sales.

APL Tenterfield’s strong performance is built on people who understand both local conditions and long-term value.

Manager Prue Birch, whose family legacy laid the foundation for the business, brings leadership and continuity.

Rural property sales agent and Angus breeder Mark Clothier offers firsthand experience in productive country.

Residential and lifestyle sales agent Libby Sharpe blends strong auction results with a modern approach to client care.

Angela Kerrigan manages a growing

property portfolio with diligence and integrity, and Kate Lee provides essential livestock administration support.

Together, the team brings decades of combined expertise to guide every sale, ensuring each client can make confident, informed decisions.

“We’re part of this community and we care about the outcomes we deliver,” Libby says.

“Tenterfield offers lifestyle and space. It’s easy to see why more people are choosing to settle here.”

Known for its strong property results and respected auction program, APL Tenterfield is achieving outcomes across residential homes, lifestyle blocks, and broadacre properties.

The livestock team holds a regular presence at Tenterfield’s store and prime sales and plays a vital role in seasonal weaner sales from March to June.

Ben and livestock agent Fletcher Koch

are AuctionsPlus-accredited assessors, facilitating paddock sales, processor consignments, and stud stock campaigns with confidence.

Beyond property and livestock, APL Tenterfield supports local causes including junior rugby league and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. It’s more than business – it’s a commitment to community.

“We live and work here. The people are what make Tenterfield great,” Ben says.

“We’re proud to help others make the move and settle in this incredible part of the world.”

Words: Supplied Images: Tyrone Ryan

FACING PAGE: APL Tenterfield team members, from left, Angela Kerrigan, Mark Clothie, Kate Lee, Ben Sharpe, Prue Birch, Fletcher Koch and Libby Sharpe; these images display why so many people are making the tree change to Tenterfield – rural views and country lifestyle.

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Reawakening

THE CREATIVE A move to Tenterfield has reignited Mitch Smith’s love of country music.

The story of this singer-songwriter has all the ebbs and flows of a beautiful country ballad.

Mitch, who grew up in Dunedin, New Zealand, had always been interested in music – but there was one defining moment.

He was in his formative mid-teens, listening to a lot of Jack Johnson and starting to play a little bit of guitar when his father travelled to the United States on business.

“Dad was in Minnesota and on his day off he walked into a big outlet store and for some random reason bought 30 country music CDs,” Mitch says.

“I’d never known him to be a country music kind of guy.”

He brought them home and Mitch found himself listening to Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw over and over and over again.

“In some weird, divine way I just gelled with it,” Mitch says.

In 2008, Mitch entered the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards and took out the intermediate section, winning a trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

“I was 16 and performed at the opening ceremony of the Tamworth Country Music Festival in front of 5000-plus people,” Mitch says.

He returned to Australia six months later to attend the Tamworth Camerata annual country music school for junior performers and musicians, where he met Troy Cassar-Daley.

His sights were set on a career in country music and when Mitch returned to Dunedin he joined a band, Close Encounter.

The other band members were older than Mitch, accomplished musicians who taught him a lot, including how to drink and party hard.

At the age of 21, Mitch moved to Western Australia, playing gigs and, over the years, taking the first steps towards creating his own music.

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

With the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, Mitch and his partner Kendyl hunkered down at a friend’s house at Mount Tamborine on the Gold Coast hinterland for 18 months.

It was during that time that they heard about a café in Tenterfield that was available.

In September 2022, Mitch and Kendyl, who is a barista, packed up and moved to Tenterfield, and started the Little Nook and Co café.

From playing covers up to five nights a week, Mitch has more recently focused on the café, and writing and producing his own original music.

“I haven’t done it as fast as I would have liked but COVID put a huge spanner in the works,” Mitch says.

Music has not been an easy journey for Mitch, but it is one to which he is committed.

“I’ve had a really hard time putting material out because I’m my own worst critic,” he admits.

“There’s a saying ‘perfection is the enemy of progress’, and I’m a perfectionist, which is something that I’ve had to work through.

“To be honest, you just have to make a lot of stuff that sounds really bad for a long time before you get any good.”

Moving to Tenterfield wasn’t meant to be inspiring, but it has reinvigorated his country soul.

“COVID depleted us – we literally had nothing left – and it was one of those f***-it kind of moments when we said ‘let’s go and see where this takes us’.

“I initially went into country music and then over the course of my twenties I drifted from it, but being in Tenterfield has reawakened the country love and my music now has a very folky vein, with some rock thrown in.”

Mitch has moved away from playing gigs and weddings, and the café is now ticking along to help support his creative pursuits.

“I’ve been in a bit of an incubation stage but I’m now at the point where I have enough material to release my own music,” Mitch says.

“I’ve had three releases over the past 12 months and I’ve got more to come over the next six months. Now is the time for my original music.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan

Follow Mitch Smith’s music on Facebook or Instagram at @mitchandmusic FACING PAGE: Talented Tenterfield singer songwriter Mitch Smith is about to release his original music.

FROM TOP: In his home studio, Mitch has been working on producing his own music as well as singing and writing; and, Mitch, partner Kendyl Weir and their baby Miley.

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

From paddock to prestige The bowlers of Tenterfield are certainly passionate about their chosen sport and their club.

The humble vision of local WH McCotter to turn a paddock in front of his home in Molesworth Street, into a bowling green led to the formation of the Tenterfield Bowls Club, opened by Colonel Bruxner on Australia Day, 1930.

By 1942 more land had been bought and a clubhouse built with the original house becoming a greenskeeper’s cottage.

Newly appointed greenskeeper Robert Gardner bought a motor mower, set green fees at sixpence, determined the club colours and proposed a meeting with other clubs to form the Northern Tablelands Bowling Federation.

Women’s bowls was added in 1957 and then it was fast forward into the 21st century when stage one of a new motel was built in 2000, followed by a further six units in 2005.

Today, the WH McCotter Green pays homage to its founder and provides a picturesque view from the club’s popular dining room and colonial style motel units.

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Located one block from the highway in a parkland, the Tenterfield Bowling Club and Motor Inn annually attracts 2000 members and 50,000 visitors.

General manager Harrison Brown made the tree change from Newcastle to Tenterfield two years ago to further his career in the club industry and is now settled in the town with his young family.

“I have been learning what this club is about, the community’s interaction with the club, and improving its role within the community,” Harrison explains.

“We have increased our membership base over the last year by 750 members simply by focusing on good service, community engagement, giving the club a facelift with new furniture and increasing our sponsorship budget.”

The Chinese and pub classic cuisine served in the club’s new Honey House Restaurant has been a drawcard, with meals available seven days a week, including luncheon specials and dinner.

The restaurant also caters for all types of functions.

Member and guests can enjoy the gaming lounge, while members receive a 10 per cent discount off drinks over the bar, and birthday vouchers for the restaurant and raffles.

There is live entertainment every Friday night and on the last Saturday of the month it’s karaoke night. Happy hour runs every day from 4pm-6pm, members draws and raffles are held every Thursday and Friday, and meat tray raffles every Saturday. > THIS PAGE: The WH McCotter Green pays homage to its founder.

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The club is located one block from the highway in parkland; general manager Harrison Brown; Honey House Restaurant; Chinese and pub classic cuisine are served; staff members Ray Randall, Lucy Nichols, Robyn Hurtz and Harrison Brown; the restaurant also caters for all types of functions; and, visitors can enjoy the luncheon specials or dinner.

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

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About 50 people enjoy social bowls every Wednesday morning and Sunday afternoon, and mentor local high school students taking up bowls for sport. The greens are available free at any time for roll-ups and there is coaching for new bowlers.

The club hosts regular bowls events, tournaments and carnivals, including a three-day carnival over the Australia Day weekend filling the two grass greens with visitors and out-of-town bowlers.

Community sponsorship and involvement is a core focus, with the club donating $35,000 in the last financial year to local sporting, charitable, educational and not-for-profit organisations.

Employing 13 staff, the club has proven to be a training ground for young people in the hospitality and administration sector.

Adjoining the club is the Tenterfield Motor Inn, which runs at a 95 per cent occupancy rate across the 16 units.

All rooms are on ground level and visitors can walk along the Tenterfield Creek at the back of the club or the six interconnecting parks.

The motor inn rates highly on Tripadvisor for service, value, cleanliness, location and sleep quality.

The motel features a disabled room equipped with a queen bed and a king single, wheelchair access, support rails and easy access shower. There are two family rooms with a queen bed and two king singles, and 14 standard rooms with queen bed and a king single.

Harrison has enjoyed meeting all the local characters at the club, including the late Don Pepper, a life member who celebrated his 90th birthday at the club and was still partying at 11pm.

“There are a lot of good locals who turn up every week to support the raffles and club,” he says.

“I do like the culture of the town and how quiet and easy going it is – it is a lot different from the hustle and bustle of the coast.

“Tenterfield is a nice place to live and has enabled me to take this step up in my career.

I moved here on my own, but I met my life partner here and we have now started a family.” RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Tyrone Ryan

ABOVE: Located just 20m from the club, the Bowling Club Motor Inn offers 16 ground-level rooms, many overlooking the greens.

Enjoy country hospitality at Tenterfield Bowling Club Top class greens, great food, cold drinks and a relaxed local atmosphere.

Stay the night in our quiet, off-highway motel and make the most of everything the club has to offer.

77 Molesworth Street, Tenterfield NSW 2372 Ph. (02) 6736 1023

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tenterfieldbowlingclub.com.au

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

The pipes are calling No matter what the music, this man knows the score.

Patrick Pickett laughingly describes his professional musical career and his community band involvement as “the little stick and the big stick”.

He considers himself among the ranks of retirees and made the tree change to northern New South Wales three years ago.

Patrick remains musical director and conductor of the Queensland Pops Orchestra in Brisbane, a position he’s held since 2013.

There, he wields the baton (the little stick) at concerts several times a year.

Since moving to Tenterfield, Patrick has joined the Tenterfield Highlanders Pipe Band where he is the drum major … he marches out front of the band with a mace in his hand (the big stick). He is also the group’s president.

The pipe major is Narelle Besseling, who arrived about the same time from Ballina where she had been deeply involved with Ballina Pipe Band.

With two others, they formed a nucleus to breathe new life into Tenterfield’s Celtic soundtrack.

“We wanted to get the band back on the road after a void was left when a fairly large family – all involved in the group – moved away,” Patrick says.

Now, the band consistently attracts new members. Four women and four men play drums, while two males and two females play the pipes, with another two females “nearly ready” for piping. Band members include youths and adults, beginners and long-term musicians.

In a way, Patrick’s involvement with the Tenterfield band is a return to his musical roots. He started drumming when he was “a young bloke” in the Tamworth Pipe Band.

He had a 37-year career with the Australian Defence Force, starting as an apprentice musician and becoming a Lieutenant-Colonel, Director of Music Army, Head of Corps of the Australian Army Band Corps and Commandant of the Defence Force School of Music.

Highlights of that time include commanding bands on tours of East Timor and Bougainville, receiving the Conspicuous Service Medal for his services as commanding officer of the Australian Army Band Kapooka and commanding the Tri-Service Band in Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games.

He was also senior music director to the Brunei International Military Tattoo, music director for the 90th anniversary

“I know from my professional experience the effect that music has on young people. It goes way beyond being in a band.

It’s something they take out into the world with them.” celebrations at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli and musical director of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, A Salute to Australia, in 2005.

His formal conductor’s training spans the University of Melbourne, the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham and famed London establishments including the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music and Trinity College of Music.

While he looms large on the orchestral podium, Patrick is just as comfortable having fun on the chanter (the starting instrument for pipers).

His vision is to encourage more young people into this musical field. To that end, a grant has been secured for tutoring in three Tenterfield schools. A professional will come from Warwick a few towns away to help teach the students using what Patrick calls “a modern approach for an ancient instrument”.

Patrick insists that although professional musicians might only need one rehearsal before presenting a whole concert on stage, working with beginners has its own delights.

“You’re sharing something that might stay with them for the rest of their lives,” he says.

“I know from my professional experience the effect that music has on young people. It goes way beyond being in a band. It’s something they take out into the world with them.”

The Tenterfield Highlanders Pipe Band is involved in Australia Day and Anzac Day events, an annual Robbie Burns night and other more casual appearances at markets.

Sometimes the sound of bagpipes can unexpectedly be heard in the main street.

If you look up, you’ll see a lone piper clad in full tartan regalia playing on a first-floor balcony. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Supplied

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The revitalised Tenterfield Highlanders Pipe Band in action, bringing the majestic sound of pipes and drums to the 2025 Anzac Day procession; Patrick Pickett’s wonderful musical life has spanned military band command, private orchestra leadership and community involvement; Patrick at the conductor’s podium during a Queensland Pops Orchestra concert.

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

History and Charm For Bek Tom, breathing new life into her heritage-listed home, originally named “Tiligra” and affectionately called “Tilly”, has been the best kind of therapy.

Who would have thought this global wanderer – with a background in real estate, travel, interior design and photography – would find herself as an Airbnb Superhost in a town she’d never heard of?

Yet Tenterfield quickly became home, offering the lifestyle she had longed for.

Bek’s real estate journey began early when, at just 20, she built her first home in Lennox Head.

After years living interstate and abroad, including a stint in the USA and time as a flight attendant for Emirates and Etihad in the Middle East, she discovered she could curate all her passions into creating unique stays for guests.

When Tilly came on the market in 2020, Bek immediately saw its potential. The home had good bones, but she felt called to restore its heritage charm.

Armed with rollers and paintbrushes, she painted the entire interior herself, returning it to authentic period colours.

She carefully sourced antiques, oil paintings and furniture to suit the era, while ensuring guests’ comfort with brand new bedding and modern amenities.

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Today, Tilly sleeps up to eight guests across four large bedrooms and a cosy sleepout.

The house features soaring 12-foot ceilings, polished timber floors, a gourmet kitchen, two bathrooms, reverse-cycle air-conditioning throughout, and a fully enclosed sunroom with a spa and wood fireplace.

The spacious yard is both family- and pet-friendly, and an outdoor firepit adds to the country charm.

Centrally located, Tilly is an easy walk to boutique shops, quality dining, and cafés.

Guests often return for Christmas in July – a local favourite – where Bek decorates the lounge with a tree and festive touches. > FACING PAGE: Bek Tom in the backyard of ‘Tilly’, her heritage BnB; the main king bedroom which has a private sunroom attached (pic below, left, with two antique chairs); the lounge room with settee – all oil paintings are original and sourced from marketplace, along with the antique chair; bottom left shot shows the main entrance. All antiques, even brass hooks, are sourced online; Bek in her favourite room – the grand king room with bay window, ornate light fittings and French doors that open onto the private balcony.

Tenterfield 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 Tenterfield “You might even be blessed with snow,” she smiles. > For more than a century, Tilly has welcomed many occupants.

“If the walls could talk, they’d have so many stories,” Bek says.

“Mine is just a blip on the radar.”

Yet this chapter is written with heart. A year ago, Bek underwent surgery on her face for an aggressive and life-threatening basal cell carcinoma. She now wears her scars proudly, as part of her journey of resilience, gratitude, and new beginnings in Tenterfield.

Beyond hosting, Bek is raising her two children, Emerson and Kingsley, on a nearby six-acre property, alongside a menagerie of rescue animals. “Between raising kids, looking after Tilly and looking after guests, life is busy but I really feel I am living the dream,” she says.

What makes Tenterfield so special? For Bek, it’s the seasons: spring bursts with blossom-lined streets and fresh country air; summer brings mild, humidity-free days perfect for exploring; autumn paints the town in vibrant reds and golds while winter is cosy by the fire with wine, friends, and maybe even snow.

“It’s like living inside an oil painting,” Bek reflects. “The colours shift with the seasons. I love photographing Tenterfield because it truly feels like art.”

Bek shares her photography and stories of guesthouse life on Instagram at @tenterfield_guesthouses For Bek, Tenterfield is more than just a place to live – it’s a canvas of beauty, history and community. Tilly is not merely a guesthouse … it’s an invitation to experience the magic of the region through every season. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Sapphire Daly and Sera J Wright

LEFT: The fully appointed kitchen with coffee machine, gas stove and more eclectic antique finds like delicate teacups and saucers; this gorgeous bay window overlooks the heritage precinct and gardens; Bek in the main entry to ‘Tilly’.

TENTERFIELD G U E S T H O U S E S

Experience timeless elegance at Tilly, a beautifully restored 4-bedroom heritage home in Tenterfield’s historic precinct.

Blending classic charm with modern luxury, it’s the perfect country escape—just steps from boutique cafés, artisan shops and warm country pubs.

Whether you’re here for a romantic escape, a family getaway, or wine and nature adventure, Tilly is your ideal base. Hosted with care by 5-star Superhost Bek for a truly memorable stay.

Book your stay now at: tenterfieldguesthouses.com.au

93 Molesworth Street, Tenterfield NSW 2372 info@tenterfieldguesthouses.com.au Ph. 0448 441 930

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

Sustainably CHIC

Slow fashion does a world of good – both for the earth and for the people who wear it.

Donna Keightley has a passion for slow fashion. In her hands, it becomes an intermingling of natural fabrics, comfortable wearability and timeless appeal.

After 40 years working in the fashion industry, her garment designs are still her muse. Linen – Donna’s signature choice – suits the understated look she prefers … a gentle button at the collar, a tuck in the hem, a gather in the back.

Her label, Muse, is created entirely within Australia and available through an exclusive 25 stockists.

The most recent addition to Donna’s business is her own store in Tenterfield. While the rest of her business is based in Brisbane, she loves the small town in the northern highlands of New South Wales and has a home nearby.

The shop is named Forage, which is rather fitting for a store that has been stocked with unique, handmade items rarely found elsewhere.

Along with her own clothing, she has curated handcrafted lines made by people who share a similar ethos. She works alongside artisans who create jewellery, pottery, paintings, soap and wire sculptures.

For Donna, it’s all about relationships she has fostered over time and it works perfectly with Forage’s philosophy.

Tenterfield has become a popular place to visit because of its four seasons, wineries, interesting wares and authentic country atmosphere. Forage is a lovely addition to the browsing mix.

Donna started work in the women’s fashion scene during the mid-1980s. She later moved into designing and pattern making for a number of children’s labels before returning to women’s wear. During those years working for other brands, she branched out into her own business making handbags, with her own clothing label coming later.

“I’d like to think I’m helping to keep our industry alive in Australia,” Donna says. “I use high quality materials that are sustainably sourced because I really support the notion of slow fashion.”

With the birth of Muse, Donna’s love for linen was re-ignited and her designs reflect the slightly medieval look of washed linen.

Pre-washing is an important part of the Brisbane manufacturing process to give the garments ‘that lovely wobbly finish’.

Every design has its wearer’s comfort in mind.

“I make what I wear myself. I prefer simple designs with subtle features. I like clothes that slip on and are quite generous so the fabric has space to flow – the kind of clothes you’ll wear season after season.”

She encourages people to come in and wander through Forage, meet the shop’s lovely staff and discover this gorgeous corner of the New England region. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Sapphire Daly

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Forage is based on the ethos of sustainability and showcases fashion made from natural fibres along with a collection of wares handcrafted by Australian artisans; shop manager Kerran Horn … a warm welcome; some of the wonderfully relaxed clothing in the Muse label; handcrafted items to discover include these pure-wool-and-linen potholders and coin purses in both sewn and crocheted styles.

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

Love the

LATHER Soaps aren’t all made equal.

At least that’s the case when it comes to the sumptuous, delicately scented soaps handmade in the heart of Tenterfield.

Tenterfield Soap Co is the passion project of Jessica Bolin, and the carefully curated soaps, she explains, are like her babies.

“I pour so much of myself into these soaps,” Jessica smiles.

Tenterfield Soap Co cold processed soaps are made using top-quality essential oils, natural colourants and ingredients that are actually good for your skin.

It all started when Jessica’s son struggled with a persistent rash on his back as a baby.

“We’d take him to the doctor, they’d prescribe something, it’d work for a while,” she explains, “then the rash would inevitably return.”

While bathing her son one evening, Jessica studied the ingredients list on the soap packet.

“I couldn’t understand what 90 per cent of them were so I thought I’d look into it and see if we could do better.”

Incredibly, once she started making her own soaps for her family, her son’s skin cleared up.

From making her own washing powder and surface spray through to dishwasher tablets, Jessica is well-versed in making things from scratch.

In April 2023, Jessica decided to list some soaps on her newly created Facebook page – and things have accelerated from there.

“It’s growing quicker than I could have ever imagined,” Jessica says.

Tenterfield Soap Co’s premium range of small-batch soaps are infused with a selection of enriching hemp seed oil, calendula oil and lanolin – the stuff your skin will thank you for.

After a long day, showering with a Sweet Dreams soap bar will help you unwind and sleep soundly, thanks to lavender, German blue chamomile and patchouli essential oils.

Jessica herself adores a High Tea soap bar, in which the stunning scent of English roses does all the talking.

There’s even Saddler Soap, inspired by the song, Tenterfield Saddler. Aromas of leather, smoke, hay, tobacco and cedarwood bring

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“It’s growing quicker than I could have ever imagined.” out-of-towners a small slice of Tenterfield when they lather up.

With its smattering of rainbow streaks, Fairy Bread soap bars are made with locally sourced, raw goats’ milk and are ideal for kids.

Nourishing and natural, tallow balm is a highlight of the skincare range. Its high fatty acid content will help to restore your skin’s natural barrier and lock in hydration.

Each and every soap recipe is thoughtfully designed by Jessica, with ingredients carefully selected for their skincare benefits. Then, products are put to the test on family and friends for several months before being offered to the public, to make sure they’re just right.

When she’s not creating truly gift-worthy soaps, Jessica works in local government and enjoys raising her young family on the land near Tenterfield.

If her friendly, accommodating attitude and keen knowledge of what makes a quality soap are anything to go by, Jessica’s business is sure to go far.

Grab yourself a collection from Tenterfield Soap Co or consider spoiling a loved one and supporting a wonderful small business in the process.

Visit tenterfieldsoapco.net and enjoy! RLM Words: Anna Conn Images: Tyrone Ryan

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Tenterfield Soap Co cold processed soaps are made using ingredients your skin will love; owner and founder Jessica Bolin handmakes the top-quality, natural soaps for her family and loyal customers alike; Jessica, partner Andrew and children Chase and Mackenzie relish life near Tenterfield; a passion project that continues to grow; nourishing skincare that you’ll adore.

Tenterfield Soap Co. Discover the simple luxury of cold process soap, made the old fashioned way - in small batches, with natural ingredients, by passionate hands in the heart of Tenterfield.

The team at Alford & Duff First National appreciate that each client is unique and we take the time to understand your requirements. We work with you to provide a tailored service to satisfy your needs.

Our local market knowledge ensures that we can assist you in finding the right property that ticks all the boxes for you, and we will do our best to get the right result at the best price.

Visit our website to experience all the natural products on offer at www.tenterfieldsoapco.net

Contact us today

277 Rouse Street Tenterfield NSW 2372 Ph: (02) 6736 3377

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5pm

www.alfordduff.com.au

Fashion, accessories and personalised service guaranteed.

Catering for all ages, sizes and occasions.

Voted best fashion store in New England for 2025

A boutique of curated attire and one of a kind finds.

Opening hours Mon to Fri 9.30am to 6pm Sat 9am - 1pm 278 Rouse Street, Tenterfield, NSW

Phone. 0459 362 453

238 Rouse Street, Tenterfield forage.tenterfield@outlook.com Tuesday to Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 1pm

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Putting customers FIRST First National Real Estate Alford & Duff operates in the Tenterfield, Wallangarra, Jennings and Bonshaw areas, meeting the needs of people looking to buy, sell or rent.

Conveniently located in Rouse Street, Tenterfield, the professional team at First National Alford & Duff is committed to serving its clients.

The team is led by principal Steve Alford, who established Alford & Duff in partnership with Robert and Joanne Duff in 1995.

Steve bought out the Duffs seven years later joining forces with Australian real estate market leaders, First National.

He is supported in their busy office by Helen Crotty in sales and administration, Katrina Chisholm in property management, Laurie Stenzel in livestock, Amy McLean in reception while the newest member, Ellie Thomas, is a school-based trainee.

Helen says because of its long history in real estate in the town, Alford & Duff is a name people trust.

“People respect our honesty and know we can be trusted,” Helen says.

First National Alford & Duff understands that buying, selling or renting a home is one of the biggest financial decisions a person will ever make, which is why years of experience in the local property market is important.

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With its quiet lifestyle, pleasant climate, low crime rate, good schools and real estate representing value for money, Tenterfield is a destination to which people want to come.

Helen says the property market has remained buoyant since it kicked off during the COVID pandemic when people started to escape the cities.

“Some people are still trying to escape how busy their own towns have become,” Helen says.

“Now, this year, as the rain keeps falling on the east coast, people want to move up the hill.

“We’re still seeing people relocating from Lismore and elsewhere in the Northern Rivers in the wake of the floods.

“The other day two people from the Gympie area turned up to inspect the same home – and that’s more than five hours away.”

The biggest demand is for residential homes, and new subdivisions are springing up on the outskirts of the town.

Despite a shortage of builders across northern NSW and south-east Queensland, residential land is also sought after.

Lifestyle blocks are popular and, as farmers downsize and their properties

subdivided, blocks of between two and 20 acres are being snapped up.

First National Alford & Duff also conducts livestock and clearance sales.

“The recent rain has given people confidence and cattle being sold at auction are fetching the best prices we’ve seen in a long time,” Helen says.

Clearance sales held onsite and at the showground are always popular and booked out well in advance.

“At First National Alford & Duff, every day begins with our promise ‘We Put You First’,” Helen says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan

FROM TOP: Laurie Stenzel, Ellie Thomas, Helen Crotty, Katrina Chisholm, Amy McLean and Steve Alford; situated on the edge of the Tenterfield Dam, 37 Parkes Drive, Tenterfield, is an immaculately presented home on a 3360sqm block; and, ‘The Pines’ at 473 Rouse Street, Tenterfield, is a circa 1900, two-storey brick home with panoramic views.

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

A fashion institution

Over the years, one Tenterfield fashion store has been a perfect fit for thousands of women.

Can a dress shop be a destination? For the people who love Sherelle Fashions, the answer is yes.

Situated in Tenterfield’s main street, the shop carries a captivating selection that extends from on-trend to timeless.

Sherelle Fashions has a huge local following, but it says a lot that women are prepared to travel from other towns to be able to walk through the doors to browse to their heart’s content.

Other Sherelle devotees who live too far away for casual visits make it their holiday transit stop or have clothes mailed to them in other states. The loyalty is truly inspiring.

And it’s backed up by the 2025 New England Times award where Sherelle Fashions was voted the Best Fashion Store in the New England.

So many women have attended events wearing gorgeous creations they’ve purchased there – mothers of brides and mothers of grooms, racegoers, others going to formals and graduation ceremonies or celebrating special birthdays and anniversaries.

The shop has an even larger selection of clothing for day-to-day living so you can embrace the casual vibe or elevate your style with linen and Italian silk.

Tucked into every corner are displays of bags and wallets, hats, diamante hair accessories, jewellery and a wildly popular selection of scarves.

Sheree Thrift and her mother Maree Parker have run Sherelle Fashions for the past four decades. The shop name is a family affair, combining the names of Maree’s daughters Sheree and Michelle.

Sheree clearly remembers the early days of the shop, including the first buying trip.

“Mum and I took the all-night bus to Sydney – you didn’t fly in those days – and shopped all day. We filled up suitcases that we brought home and had more clothes sent up,” she says.

“Ten days later, we’d run out and had to do another trip.”

Within three-and-a-half years they had moved across the road to take up two shop spaces where they have been ever since. Maree, a brilliant seamstress, would do any alterations that people needed and her talents were a great boon to the business.

Forty years on, the shop is an institution in town and Maree, now in her 90s, can still be found there some afternoons, pricing clothes or having a chat.

Sheree is proud of how much the business has supported the community over the years. Countless prizes have been donated for raffles; a multitude of vouchers have been handed out and many fashion parades have been run for charity events in Tenterfield and further afield.

She still puts a huge amount of effort into finding the right clothes for the shop, attending fairs in Sydney and Melbourne,

“Mum and I took the all-night bus to Sydney – you didn’t fly in those days – and shopped all day.”

personally visiting a number of brands in Brisbane and constantly seeking out new labels.

That thoughtfulness is appreciated by every customer who walks out of the shop with an outfit that suits her perfectly.

Please turn the page to read Sherelle Fashions’ founder Maree Parker’s story. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Sapphire Daly

FROM TOP: Sheree Thrift … bringing fabulous fashions to Tenterfield since Sherelle Fashions opened 40 years ago; the shop has a captivating selection of outfits that range from casual styles to mother-of-the-bride elegance along with gorgeous accessories to set off any outfit.

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

A woman of style and substance In her long lifetime, Maree Parker has always lived in the Tenterfield district.

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ABOVE: Aborepta pratur, eum in consequid erendissum denis nonsendi utatet, cum, adi dolupta nonsequam aperit lam ent qui dolupta volut que ratem sitis

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

The day World War II ended was August 15, 1945. It was also the day Maree Parker started her first job in Rouse Street, Tenterfield.

Eighty years later at the age of 96, she can still be found in the same street a few afternoons a week at the dress shop she opened with her daughter Sheree 40 years ago.

With Maree’s business activities being part of the fabric of life for Tenterfield folk for so long, it was no surprise to anyone when she was inducted into the town’s Business Hall of Fame some years ago.

It had been apparent right from her earliest days as a secretary at Virtue’s Garage how she was going to live her life, for as well as holding down her day job she handled bookwork for a couple of other businesses … and also milked her landlady’s cow to supplement her board.

Since then, she has turned her hand to many skills – cake decorating, flower arranging and even hairdressing back in the day of the home perm.

A respected seamstress, she was very popular for her ability to do alterations when she worked at a dress shop and continued the service at her own successful business.

Maree has been a supporter of many community organisations including Quota, the Presbyterian Church and the National Party.

As a young mum, she helped form a committee to fundraise for the Far West Children’s Health Scheme, organising many successful dinner-and-show events.

She’s also well travelled, having been on 11 cruises with her best friend Fay by the time they toned down their adventures around the age of 85.

Maree says the changes she has lived through have been astounding. She grew up in the days of candles and kerosene lamps, as well as a telephone on the wall and women at the exchange who could never have conceived the miracle of mobile phones.

She still drives her car but has memories of horse-and-sulky rides from her parents’ cattle property on the outskirts of Tenterfield. In those days, horse riding wasn’t simply a pastime – it was how she and her sister would get to school.

By the time she was a teenager, farmers had started using trucks to transport their stock.

“But Dad didn’t want the stock to get bruised in a truck, so we would walk them the 20 miles into town, with a stop on the way overnight. We’d stay the next night at the Telegraph Hotel, then whatever animals Dad had bought were taken home the same way.”

“There are always hardships, but I’ve had a good life.”

Then came the adult years. She met Mark Parker at a tennis day at Sandy Flat then saw him at a birthday party at Bolivia, at which time he asked Maree if he could take her to the movies.

“I still remember the film – Lassie Come Home – and how I was mopping up the tears and hoping he wouldn’t notice!”

They married in 1956, and their wedding broke the drought! It started raining the night before, marooning her bridesmaid on the wrong side of Pyes Creek.

The wedding flowers didn’t arrive so her aunt made a beautiful bouquet with lilies from her fishpond.

Nothing dampened their spirits, not even when the heavens opened up just as the bride arrived at the church.

Mark and Maree always felt that their proudest achievement was their three children – Sheree, Michelle and Scott.

Maree lost her husband 34 years ago and it’s a constant sadness that he never met any of their six grandchildren.

She often wonders what Mark would have thought about his grandson Brady becoming a pilot and flying for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

After an experience in a plane on the way back from New Guinea in WWII when all four engines cut out (luckily one fired back up … after a terrifying eternity), Mark never set foot in a plane again.

Maree looks back with thankfulness that he saw their eldest daughter married in the back yard only months before he died.

“There are always hardships, but I’ve had a good life,” she says.

She is a great proponent of the saying: No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. And she sets a fine example too, with mahjong on Mondays, visits to the shop some weekday afternoons, dinner at the bowling club on Friday nights, church on Sundays and lunch at a local tea house afterwards. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Sapphire Daly – Tales and Tones

FACING PAGE: Tenterfield identity Maree Parker relaxing at home.

TOP FROM LEFT: A family photo from more than 90 years ago – Maree (centre), her little sister Joy and their parents Dorrie and Arthur Jones; Maree is a great believer that everything looks better if you get up, dress up and show up; looking back to September 19, 1947, when Maree was 18 years old and making her debut.

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

Unleashing POTENTIAL This is a school where all students are known and nurtured.

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

Tenterfield High School prides itself on the relationship it forges with all students, offering them the opportunities and individualised support they need to reach their potential.

The school is small in number but big on ideals; it is an integral part of community, a place where giving back to the town in which they live and learn is valued.

Stephanie Scott has been principal of Tenterfield High School for five years.

Hailing from a farm on the Central Tablelands, Stephanie says her passion is small country towns.

With a shire population of only about 7000 people, and a strong community spirit, Tenterfield was her perfect match, and she made the move to the town with her husband, three children and mother, who now lives next door.

Public education in Tenterfield dates back to 1864 with the establishment of the Tenterfield National School; almost a century later, in 1962, the town’s dedicated high school opened its doors.

Today, the school has about 260 students, and the numbers have been steadily increasing.

There are 31 teachers out of a total staff of 55, which includes administrative staff; general, technology and farm assistants; and several student learning support officers.

Students come from the Tenterfield township, surrounding farms and the small villages of Drake, Jennings, Wallangarra and Deepwater.

Stephanie believes the school can offer students as much as boarding schools.

Smaller class sizes – about 8-10 students in the senior and 22-24 in the junior years – and higher teacher/student ratios ensure all students receive more individual support compared to larger schools.

“We punch above our weight with our HSC results, as we do in sport, getting to state level swimming and athletics,” Stephanie says.

In 2021 and 2023, Tenterfield High received congratulatory letters from the Secretary of Education for outstanding improvement in its HSC results.

Parents and visitors to the school are immediately impressed by its well-maintained grounds and up-to-date facilities.

Every student has their own laptop to use at school and home, and the well-resourced library doubles as a study centre for HSC students.

The breadth of opportunities for students continues to expand, especially in the area of creative arts with a very strong music and drama program.

While the school has traditionally been good at agriculture and sport, it is expanding its extracurricular activities such as debating.

Agriculture is a signature program at the school.

It is one of the most popular electives in Years 9 and 10, and students who study it for their HSC traditionally achieve above state average results.

Ag students compete at Brisbane’s EKKA, local shows and northern steer competitions, and receive support from the community and local graziers in their endeavours.

Students in Years 11-12 have the option of undertaking vocational studies, combining their studies with a school-based apprenticeship in areas such as nursing and aged care, dental assistance, engineering, pharmacy, business services and automative.

“We’re proud of the fact that in most years, almost 100 per cent of students who finish Year 12 either go into further education or employment,” Stephanie says.

A total of 22 per cent of the high school’s students are Indigenous.

They are supported by an Aboriginal education officer who also teaches the Kamilaroi language to students at Tenterfield High and other schools.

There are plans to extend this program to include the Ngarabal and Bundjalung languages, as well as to make First Nations languages available to non-Indigenous students in the future.

Junior members of the Aboriginal education consultative group give feedback on what they would like to see happening in the school.

“Ideas have included more Indigenous artwork around the school, uniforms that incorporate cultural designs and more traditional activities,” Stephanie says.

Students are encouraged to give back to their community and they receive service awards for their volunteer work.

One popular activity is weekly visits to aged care homes which Year 7-10 students can undertake as a sports option.

The students play games, read stories or simply talk with the elderly residents.

“It instils a sense of responsibility in our students and embraces respect for the elderly,” Stephanie says.

A teacher from the support unit also runs a weekly volunteer program at the Tenterfield Railway Museum.

The school’s motto is “Respect, responsibility and do your best”.

“Students get positive recognition, not only for being the best, but also for trying their best and improving,” Stephanie says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan and supplied

FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Photographer Tyrone Ryan used a drone to capture this aerial photo of Tenterfield High School’s Class of 2025; drama performance; chess competition; metal work, music teacher Ben Ryan with students in the music room; knitting and crocheting; and, food technology.

FROM TOP: 2025 school leaders, back from left, Adele Butler, Paige Parker, Ebony Knox and Lucy Everett. Front, Jayda Hill, captain Ashah Hillier, principal Stephanie Scott, captain Harrison Finnerty and Ellie Thomas; NSW Education Department staff including Aboriginal educational officer Roxanne Bancroft-Stuart, Tenterfield High School principal Stephanie Scott, wellbeing head teacher Yvette Phillips, The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School principal Anna Starcevic and The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School deputy principal Tracy Caldwell.

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

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

A golfer’s

One of the most picturesque golf courses in New South Wales can be found in Pelham Street, Tenterfield.

dream course

Golfers come from all over the state and from Queensland to tee off at this beautiful course that’s the envy of many country centres.

It was created in 1901, with the club celebrating its centenary in 2001.

Another amenity that sets Tenterfield Golf Club apart from the rest is the magnificent accommodation it offers for golfers who like to play and stay.

Looking at reviews on the club’s website you’ll realise it’s no secret about the play and stay option – with many guests leaving five-star ratings along with appreciative comments.

One very enthusiastic guest was so impressed with the club’s hospitality and their accommodation at Fairways Lodge, they wanted to give it 10 stars!

Manager Dean Hines says the motel is very popular with groups, as it can accommodate up to 53 people in the 18 units.

A continental breakfast is offered as part of the stay and play option, with unlimited golf – and there’s also squash courts for hire within the club grounds.

Dean has been manager of the club since January 2012, although his association goes further back than that.

An accountant by profession, the firm he previously worked with was the club’s auditor, and he became a board member.

Wanting a change of pace, Dean bought the Wallangarra general store and when it came time to sell the shop, he successfully applied for the club manager’s position.

Having been born and bred in Wallangarra, he considers himself a Tenterfield local.

With the demands of his busy job, Dean says it’s been close to 12 months since he’s hit the greens – “there are usually a thousand other things to keep me occupied”.

“While the play and stay packages are popular with golfers, even those who don’t play enjoy the facilities offered at the motel,” he says.

“Travellers and sales reps find it a convenient place to lay their heads.”

If you view the club calendar you will notice the huge number of events held throughout the year – major tournaments such as the NSW Veterans’ Championships, held annually in October and May. Each day an estimated 140 golfers take to the course.

Then there is the Ladies’ Tournament, with more than 170 players for the two-day tournament in March.

The Willows 4BBB Championships in February attract golfers from all over while the Tenterfield Stableford Open and Tenterfield Stroke Open in November entice many to the magnificent course.

The annual Westpac Rescue Helicopter charity day held each year at the club is another huge event, last year raising a massive $75,000 for the chopper service that’s so vital to communities in the bush.

The secret to enticing members and guests to a first-class club such as this one is the staff, according to Dean.

“We’ve got a pretty good team here at the club,” he says proudly of the 42 staff members.

“We never have any dramas and everyone is happy to go that extra mile.”

The longest serving employee is operations manager Mitch Clark, who’s been part of the furniture at Tenterfield Golf Club since 1996.

There are two fulltime greenskeepers, three fulltime chefs, four fulltime barmen and a roster of casuals.

Functions are a large part of the services offered by the club, with weddings, birthday parties, wakes, anniversaries, family reunions and other celebrations held regularly in the Fairways Restaurant.

The club has facilities to accommodate up to 250 people for functions.

Very much a part of the Tenterfield community, the club supports various organisations, allowing not-for-profits and the local bridge club to use the facilities for meetings and seminars.

Tenterfield Chamber of Tourism, Industry and Business stages its annual business awards at the golf club, finding the venue ideal for its purposes.

In sponsorship terms the club provides financial and other assistance to many local organisations allowing them to further their passions. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Sapphire Daly

FROM TOP: Diners in Fairways restaurant can enjoy superb rural views; club manager Dean Hines; a selection from the restaurant menu.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Arial shot of the course; this golfer has his eyes on the prize as he makes his putt; Fairways Lodge can accommodate up to 53 people in 18 units; well appointed rooms; golfers come from all over to play and stay; charity golf day players;the entrance; lady golfers; buggies make navigating the course so much easier.

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GARDEN a delight to share The many delightful aspects of Behind the Hedge in Tenterfield make it a joy to visit, explore and stay.

Beyond the handsome conifer hedge that inspired the property’s intriguing name is a stunning, cool-climate garden, comfortable accommodation and picturesque setting for special events.

It is a labour of love for owners Peter and Sandy Burley nurturing the charming English-style garden – home to a magnificent collection of trees – and extending ways to share this special environment.

They bought the property in 2014 excited by the beautiful landscape and opportunity to grow its potential, and two years later moved from Caboolture to take up full-time residence.

The two-acre block was originally developed by keen gardeners Nada and the late Lionel Hausler after purchasing it in 2003.

With hard work and determination, they transformed the space from bare and bleak to lush and inviting, inspired by the high-

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altitude climate that favours vivid autumn plant displays. They hosted a number of open garden days.

Peter and Sandy have great respect and appreciation for the efforts of the Hauslers, particularly for establishing the extensive framework of trees that are the heart and soul of the garden.

“Nada planned for maximum colour and effect placing trees to complement each other with fabulous autumnal highlights,” Peter says admiringly.

“It was teamwork – Nada designed and Lionel dug the holes.”

The rich tapestry of trees has matured beautifully over 20 years.

The diverse collection combines many species of deciduous oak, maple and ornamental pear, along with evergreen highlights such as American redwood, stone pine and podocarpus, with its ancient lineage dating back millions of years.

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

“We have a lot of repeat guests and it is fabulous to welcome people from across Australia and overseas.”

“The tree canopy is lovely and cool, and we have so much birdlife too,” Peter says.

The garden is also home to a Cork Tree (Quercus suber) with special significance, a seedling of Tenterfield’s renowned giant Cork Tree brought out from England in a jam jar in 1861.

“We are so grateful for the garden blueprint from the Hauslers on which we have continued to build.”

The Burleys have enhanced this solid foundation significantly adding various decorative structures, paths for ease of access and extending plantings that relish the climate of the northern tablelands such as roses.

There is more than 300 metres of hedging including the main body of Leyland pine that provides privacy and an excellent windbreak.

Peter has a background in landscaping and farming; among the many garden jobs is regular hedge maintenance which takes several days to complete.

There have been challenges over the years but they have persevered and enjoy sharing the result of their efforts with visitors.

They welcome caravan travellers, with ample space for trailers and motorhomes, and amenities including a fully equipped camp kitchen. Two powered sites are available.

There is also a cosy one-bedroom studio apartment, with continental breakfast provided including fresh eggs, seasonal fruit and produce from the garden.

Visitors have access to the extensive gardens and verandahs for their leisure, and the historic town of Tenterfield is only a short walk away.

“We have a lot of repeat guests and it is fabulous to welcome people from across Australia and overseas,” Peter says.

“Many really enjoy strolling around the grounds and we love to walk and talk gardens with them.”

This beautiful setting is perfect for gathering to celebrate special occasions including weddings.

There are various choices of location within the garden for a memorable wedding ceremony and exclusive use of the property for the day.

There are also options for light refreshments for guests and use of the studio for the bridal party.

The property has a high standard of facilities including a fully accessible toilet.

Behind the Hedge is a popular destination for garden clubs and bus tour groups, with a delicious light lunch, high tea or picnic options available while enjoying the tranquil surroundings.

There is excellent access to the gardens for all; guided tours can also be arranged.

Peter and Sandy cherish this lovely property and warmly welcome visitors for a memorable experience immersed in the beauty and charm of the Northern Tablelands.

They are proud to uphold Nada and Lionel’s exceptional garden legacy.

“When our time comes to move on, hopefully the next custodians will embrace this special place, too.” RLM

Just a short walk from historic Tenterfield, Behind the Hedge offers a peaceful escape in a charming two-acre English garden with fruit trees, espaliers, and seasonal blooms.

Enjoy high tea, light lunches, and cosy fire braziers in cooler months.

Stay in a one-bedroom studio or park your caravan with ease.

Perfect for weddings, events, or relaxing picnics by the pond and waterfall - Behind the Hedge is waiting to welcome you.

Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Elizabeth Tickle and supplied

FROM TOP: Warm country hospitality is extended to visitors of Behind the Hedge by owners Peter and Sandy Burley; there are numerous options to enjoy this beautiful Tenterfield property.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The framework of established trees is a perfect backdrop to the manicured gardens of Behind the Hedge.

454 Rouse Street , Tenterfield NSW 2372 Ph. 0412 075 856 behindthehedge.com.au

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

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

LEADING by example Although he officially retired at 70, energetic octogenarian Gavin Hillier can’t help himself – he just has to keep busy.

The weekend before his interview with RLM, Gavin got up at 6am and delivered a Hillier By Design hearse to Sydney and was home in Tenterfield by 11 o’clock that night.

Not a bad day’s work for a “retiree” … but it’s a lifelong habit, with Gavin’s work ethic starting as a seven-year-old kid in Blackall, Queensland.

“Growing up in Blackall, we made our own fun,” Gavin recalls. “We’d make billy carts and go-karts. I had a billy cart driven by three goats. I’d pick up brown bottles by the roadside, clean them and sell them to the local pub for a penny a bottle.”

The eldest son of William and Cleo Hillier learnt the value of money very early in life.

Gavin left school at 13 and began working for his panel beater uncle, Spratty Blacker, through the week and on weekends drove a mail run for a mate, and carted wool.

All the way through school he’d been in the same class as Carol Medlin, and when Carol turned 16, they started going out.

On October 2, 1965, Carol and Gavin were married. Clayton, their first son, arrived four years later.

The young family made the move south to Tenterfield in January 1971 with second son Troy born in August that year. This year Gavin and Carol celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.

“Carol, Clayton and I left Blackall towing a home-made box trailer, loaded with my tools and a kelpie dog on top and landed in Tenterfield,” Gavin recalls.

Gavin worked for a short time at the Ford garage in Tenterfield but after a disagreement with the boss, left and took a job at Riverstone Meatworks.

Unable to buy a home in Tenterfield they considered leaving when their fortunes took a turn for the better thanks to the generosity and support of local businessman, Pop Craig.

Pop sold the young couple a caravan park in July 1971 which Carol ran for the next few years.

A highly qualified panel beater, Gavin opened his own shop in 1973, Border Panel

Works, making a name for himself creating customised vehicles of all description.

His young sons began working alongside their dad when they were old enough to hold a wrench, while mum did the books and kept them all on track.

Adding hearses to the vehicles they transformed, came a name change – Hillier

By Design.

Making hearses does have its lighter moments, as Gavin relates, telling RLM about his mate, the ghost they call “Henry”.

“He’s certainly made his presence felt around the place over the years, turning taps on, turning lights on – just general mischief,” he relates.

“On another occasion, I was in the office and went to open a door that had never been locked only to find it would not open.

“I asked Carol for the key, but there wasn’t one, so I tried pulling the lock apart but it wouldn’t budge. The locksmith was out of town so there was nothing I could do about it.

“The next day I went in and the door opened straight away. I think Henry has a great sense of humour.”

Being the character he is, Gavin did have some fun at those early funeral expos he attended.

In a huge venue there were all types of funereal vehicles alongside the Hillier By Design custom made hearses.

“We had a really good stereo system in the hearse,” Gavin relates. “It was a bit quiet so we livened things up a bit, cranking up the stereo to full bore with Lee Kernaghan’s We’re The Boys From The Bush.

“It didn’t take long for one of the organisers to ask us to turn it down.”

Leaving the business in the capable hands of his sons, Gavin and Carol bought the local Nissan dealership, Hillier Bros Nissan.

They spent the next 15 years selling cars until Gavin supposedly retired at 70, although he became a familiar face around the workshop once again.

All the while the family had maintained eight school bus runs between Deepwater and Tenterfield schools via Bolivia and all over Tenterfield.

Gavin has been a Ford man for as long as he can remember, although he has owned the odd Nissan.

Among his private collection of 30 Fords there are three Minis and Moke. His favourite is a red 1964 XM coupe.

Gavin was one of the original group that dreamed up the idea of creating a transport museum, but reckons the others pulled out when it looked like being too much hard work.

He’s now part of the new group, and they’re determined to get it operational as soon as possible. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Tyrone Ryan

FACING PAGE: At the age of 80, Gavin Hillier shows no signs of slowing down, although he officially retired 10 years ago!

ABOVE: Truly a diamond pair, Carol and Gavin Hillier with their wedding photo. On October 2, they marked 60 years of marriage.

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

Dare to be different Unless you’re in the funeral industry, you might not be aware that Australia’s premier hearse builder is a family-run business in Tenterfield.

Starting out as Border Panel Works in 1973, the firm specialised in smash repairs and custom cars of every description until a chance conversation in a bar changed everything.

Business founder Gavin Hillier built the business creating hot rods, street cars and custom vehicles, but even he didn’t dream of what was about to happen.

“My younger brother Garry met this bloke at the bar, Peter Hyde, who was acquainted with the publican,” Gavin explains.

“He asked the bloke what line of work he was in, with Peter telling him he was a transporter.”

The publican chipped in, saying: “Come on, tell them the truth – you’re an undertaker!”

Peter told Garry he was heading to Sydney to find someone to build a hearse for him to his specifications.

Garry suggested Peter see his brother

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before leaving town, so the next day Gavin found himself on a new trajectory – he was well and truly in the funeral business!

“I showed him a second-hand car I could convert into a hearse and he didn’t want any part of it,” Gavin says. “He wanted a new car as the base. A month later, Peter dropped the wagon down to me and I made a hearse for him and later made him a mourning coach.”

Peter was so pleased with the results he wanted to show off the new vehicles to his fellow funeral directors.

Gavin set up outside Metropolitan Funerals in the Valley, and within two days, he’d taken orders for 16 hearses.

Slightly shocked, he shut up shop and headed home to Tenterfield to share the news with his family.

Gavin and wife Carol’s sons Clayton and Troy had been helping their dad around the panel shop since they were old enough to pass a wrench.

The boys had grown up around cars, with Troy racing little Minis from age 12, and Clayton, from 15.

It was only natural they joined the family business straight out of school.

“Forty years later, here we are,” says Troy.

Their parents bought the Nissan dealership in town leaving the brothers to continue at the newly renamed Hillier By Design.

Having “mucked around with cars” all their lives, building funereal and custom vehicles was a challenge they both relished.

“We love pushing boundaries, seeing what we can build that’s different to what other people have,” Troy says.

“Our whole lives we’ve built cars to be different. That’s what we do with our hearses – no one else builds them exactly like we do.

“Me and my brother discuss what we should build. He’s more hands-on than I am. I do the customer relations, sales and the shop while

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

Clayton deals with the design and makes stuff work, putting things into production. We strive to be the best – and we are the best.”

In Australia there are about 630 funeral homes, and the Hilliers know most of the operators, having forged lifelong friendships through their dealings with many of them.

About 10 years ago, Troy and wife Robyn went into partnership with another couple in town, Glen and Lisa Curry, creating Tenterfield Family Funerals.

“We do between 30 and 40 funerals a year, with each couple sharing the duties,” Troy says.

“Although we do the funerals together, we deal with the families individually. It takes up a fair bit of time but is extremely satisfying helping families in their time of greatest need.”

Troy and Robyn have two daughters, Ashah, who’s just gained early entry into Griffith University to complete her Bachelor of Pharmacy with honours. Their

eldest, Nikkala is a qualified hairdresser.

Clayton has four children – Tali, Ceejay, Akira and Indi. Now a qualified panel beater, Cee Jay has joined his father and uncle in the family business.

In 1992, Gavin and Carol purchased their first of eight school bus runs, with Robyn now coordinating all aspects of the operation.

The more expensive vehicles are imported from Italy – the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Panamera – while Kia Carnival and Chrysler 300C are sourced locally.

Would you believe they have even built 12 hearses from Harley-Davidson motorbikes?

The Harley hearses created quite a talking point at a recent funeral expo in Melbourne.

“The hearse business is our life,” Troy says passionately. “Mum’s been the boss the whole way through, organising the money and paying the bills up until four years ago when Robyn took over. Now Mum has a fulltime job keeping Dad in line.

“Dad’s an inspiration. He’s 80 years old and still going strong. On a recent trip from Tenterfield to Darwin to deliver a hearse, I learnt more about him in those six days in the truck than I did in my whole life.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Tyrone Ryan

FACING PAGE: The Hillier family, from left, Troy, Robyn, Clayton, Cee Jay, Carol, Gavin and Bentley, the dog.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cee Jay Hillier; Elliot Daly, Will Maloney, Mateo Leitnerheasman, Gavin Hillier, Cee Jay Hillier, Hudson Bailey and Clayton Hillier; Troy and Robyn Hillier; Gavin Hillier; one of more than a dozen customised Harley-Davidsons used in the funeral business; Elliot Daly; and one of the dozen Mercedes-Benz hearses they’ve made.

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

ON THE road again

Peter Petty and his fiancée Heather Alexander make a pretty good team in their business, PG Petty & HR Alexander Transport.

Due to be married on November 1, the couple own and operate the transport business which has been in existence for 15 years, carting sheep and livestock, tractors, hay, farm machinery – anything rural – for their customer base.

They have two trucks – a 21-foot-long Hino and a 14-foot-long Mitsubishi.

Born and raised on properties around Bonalbo, Peter has adopted the place as his own since arriving in the Northern Tablelands town in 1997.

“I came to Tenterfield in a brown International truck with four dogs and two horses in the back, my former wife and two kids following me in the car,” Peter recalls.

“The removalist truck trailed along behind. I remember we had to go back to Urbenville, where we’d been for the previous two years, to get the chooks, as we couldn’t fit them in.”

Having always worked on properties and with a huge respect for those on the land, he joined Tenterfield Show Society upon arrival, knowing it was a good way to meet other members of the community.

He originally managed a few beef properties in the district before buying his own place.

Selling that first property, he bought another place on the border and began operating the transport business.

“We service Tenterfield and surrounding areas, often taking sheep to the sales at Glen Innes and Guyra, up to Warwick and Yangan, where Carey Brothers have an abattoir,” Peter says.

“All sized farms use our services. We’ve carted bulls up to Emerald in Queensland and go to Roma a fair bit, taking the roads less travelled.”

Peter has a deep love of Tenterfield, serving on both the show society executive and on the local council.

For his first six years on council, he was a councillor, then was deputy mayor for 12 months, followed by nine years as mayor. He’s still serving his community on the council.

“The town and community have been very good to me and I wanted to give back,” he shares.

“I’m blessed to be travelling on all our council roads as they’re very well maintained. Heather sits beside me and is a good person to talk to.

“She helps me load and unload and is a great business and life partner.”

Peter and Heather proudly support a number of community events through their business. RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Tyrone Ryan and supplied

FROM TOP: Heather Alexander and Peter Petty – great partners in business and life with their best friend, Lacey; Peter moving some of their black Angus herd around the property; Peter is ready to hit the road any time to accommodate your rural transport needs.

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PG PETTY & HR ALEXANDER RURAL TRANSPORT

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Servicing the Tenterfield Area & Surrounds Ph. 0428 591 467 peterguypetty@outlook.com

Visit our website to order: www.lifestylemagazine.net.au Orders can also be made by contacting us P: 0429 441 086 E: info@lifestylemagazine.net.au

‘OUR VIEW’, 66 BILLIRIMBA ROAD, TENTERFIELD 2372

Pictured: The Spring 2025 edition featuring the Eastern Riverina, NSW.

Step out of your imagination and into the unspoilt beauty of Tenterfield.

It’s humble. It’s authentic. It’s true.

THE SIR HENRY PARKES MEMORIAL SCHOOL OF ARTS COMPLEX • • • • • •

Contact us

Ph. 02 6736 6000

247 Rouse Street, Tenterfield

First building in NSW to be gifted to the National Trust (1957) and became their first museum Situated in the centre of the Tenterfield CBD The complex houses the Museum, Tenterfield Information Centre, Courtyard Café, Cinema, Theatre and Library Museum and Café open early morning-mid afternoon 7 days a week Tenterfield Information Centre in Foyer Refurbished Library open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday

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

Retreat name

SET IN STONE A new kind of escape is here, set to redefine the region’s luxury stays scene.

Gabarraa is a luxury escape unlike any other – a secluded haven where nature, stillness, and adventure intertwine.

Its name means “sacred stone”, in acknowledgment of the balancing rocks that sit in the middle of the river weaving through the heart of the property.

This place invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with the land.

The cosy cabin for two is unlike anything Tenterfield has seen – a sanctuary carved into the landscape, where nature meets refined simplicity and silence is a luxury.

Gabarraa is a testament to zero-footprint living. This stunning, off-grid, architecturally designed cabin seamlessly blends into

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the surroundings, offering an experience where comfort and raw beauty exist in perfect harmony.

This is an experience, not just a stay. From the moment you arrive, curiosity is awakened – mist rises from the valley at dawn, crisp mountain air fills your lungs, and the rhythm of the river sets a soothing pace.

Sink into the wood-fired hot tub as the landscape unfolds before you, a breathtaking expanse of rolling hills and endless sky.

Discover your 150 private acres – follow trails to scenic lookouts, wander through granite outcrops, pause at tranquil picnic spots, and watch the sun sink below the horizon from a secluded sunset lookout.

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

Every detail is intentional – from the carefully curated interiors to the thoughtfully placed telescope on the deck for you to survey the chandelier of stars above.

If you’re having any issues disconnecting from the outside world, you might just find a book that shows you how to calm the mind in the bookcase.

While you’re staying at Gabarraa, take the opportunity to order a picnic hamper for your next wander around the property. There are handy maps that highlight places to explore.

Then there’s the option of a private yoga lesson or a therapeutic massage.

Beyond the retreat, the high country beckons. Discover the six national parks that envelop the area, including Bald Rock National Park, one of the region’s most striking landmarks and the largest exposed granite monolith in the Southern Hemisphere, along with Girraween National Park, renowned for its spectacular rock formations and vibrant wildflower displays.

How ever you choose to spend your time, Gabarraa takes you far from your everyday life into the extraordinary where true luxury lingers in the mind long after the experience is over.

“The greatest luxury is to be free of noise, and to hear instead the rustling of leaves, the song of birds, and the quiet rush of a stream.” RLM Words: RLM Images: Creative by George @creativebygeorge and 19zero3

Book your ultimate escape via the website www. gabarraaluxuryescape.com.au or email stay@gabarraa.com.au FACING PAGE: Gabarraa’s off-grid luxury cabin overlooks the estate’s 150 acres.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sunlight pours into the cabin, blending timber warmth with panoramic views; the main bedroom opens to sweeping vistas; wake to the morning sun; the wood-fired cedar hot tub is the ultimate place to unwind; Gabarraa rests quietly on the hillside; the sleek kitchenette balances rustic charm with contemporary comfort; ‘golden hour’ – where outdoor lounging meets the vast high-country landscape; slow mornings with coffee and open skies.

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MADAM BUTTERFLY

Annie Potter’s favourite swimming stroke, butterfly, is the most challenging of them all. In a way, that’s an analogy for her life.

Living with imperfect vision and once almost crippled by anxiety, the 14-year-old Tenterfield girl is already a master in the art of overcoming challenges.

Recently granted a scholarship to The Glennie School in Toowoomba, Annie believes persistence and dedication are the keys to overcoming any obstacle.

She holds school and club records, has qualified to swim in more than half a dozen state championships and has competed at the NSW Combined High School Swimming Championships right up to the finals in the 50-metre freestyle for the past two years.

She has also represented her club at the Australian Age championships for 50-metre butterfly … and she’s done it all without year-round training or regular access to an Olympic-sized pool.

Annie’s swimming adventure started about seven years ago as a coping mechanism for her anxiety.

“Swimming really helped – especially having the breathing to focus on,” she says.

“If I was having a bad day, it was a relief to swim.”

Nowadays, the pool is like a second home.

With the help of contacts or prescription goggles, neither her minus 10 prescription requirement nor astigmatism is a barrier to her sporting aspirations.

No one else in Annie’s family shares her passion for the pool. Dad Danny swam when he was young then went into cricket. Annie’s little sister is keen on dancing, while Mum Candice admits to keeping her own feet on terra firma.

“I’m better as an Uber driver, secretary and chef,” she laughs.

Annie describes her hometown as the “best little town in Australia” and reveres Tenterfield Swim Club coaches Lauren and Josh Lavea, who have supported her dreams and goals.

Still, there’s nothing easy about being a country competitor. Tenterfield’s public pool, at 33 metres, falls short of competition

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

length and only operates for half the year.

Off-season swimming means a long drive to an indoor pool … and even then, it’s only 25 metres.

“Country kids face a lot of challenges with sport,” says Annie.

“I’m grateful for the community here. I don’t think people in places like Sydney have that close sense of community. I really have had overwhelming support from my town.”

She says her scholarship to The Glennie School will mean year-round access to a heated pool and coach and will provide a different team environment.

A keen scholastic student, she hopes her love of science will lead her into a career in sports psychology or something similar.

“Honestly, making the Olympics would be the end goal for my swimming – but even more, I’d love to be a role model to show you can start from any pool in any part of the world and still make it,” she says.

Perhaps someday Australia will see Annalise Potter standing on an Olympic podium.

Yet, even if that dream never eventuates, Annie’s persistence and hard work have already made her a winner.

Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Elizabeth Tickle and supplied

FACING PAGE: Annie Potter is thriving at The Glennie School after being awarded a scholarship.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Annie at the NSW Combined High School Swimming Championships in Sydney; the Potter family: Candice and Danny, Annie, and Charli with their dog Luna; after winning the 50m butterfly at the Speedo Sprints in Sydney two years ago.

A boarding school of excellence, The Glennie School Toowoomba provides the foundation for your daughter to be All She Can Be.

2027 SCHOLARSHIPS NOW OPEN Visit glennie.qld.edu.au/scholarships

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

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

A decade of hope Tenterfield couple Kelly and Tony Butler share their remarkable journey through IVF that resulted in the miracle of twin boys.

For more than 10 years, we lived between hope and heartbreak – pursuing a dream that felt painfully just out of reach.

Our journey to becoming parents was long, complex and often filled with crushing disappointment. But today, we hold the sweetest reminder that perseverance and faith can pay off.

We are the proud parents of two healthy, identical twin boys – Brock and Blake – our miracle babies.

You never really expect that it won’t happen easily when you’re ready to have children but what we thought would be a simple step forward became a five-and-a-half-year IVF marathon marked by surgeries, setbacks and countless emotional highs and lows.

There were failed cycles, cancelled transfers, and phone calls that shattered our hopes in an instant. For Tony, the days were long waiting around the hospital. Every bit of progress came hand in hand with fresh uncertainty.

Yet, even as the setbacks stacked up, we couldn’t let go of the belief that our family was waiting for us … somewhere on the other side of the struggle.

In July 2014, we found a renewed sense of hope at Monash IVF in Auchenflower, Brisbane, under the care of Dr Michaela Lee. At that stage, we needed people who were willing to say, ‘What else can we do?’

– and Dr Lee was exactly that – dedicated, compassionate and never short of optimism.

She was the partner we needed to keep going.

Eventually, we reached a point where we had only two embryos left. We made the heart-wrenching decision: this would be our last chance. Our final try. And then, against all odds, the second-to-last embryo took.

We’ll never forget that moment. The longawaited positive pregnancy test felt surreal.

And then, at our eight-week scan, the doctor told us with a smile: “You won’t believe this, but you’ve got twins.”

We were speechless. We’d been told it was too risky to transfer more than one embryo in case the pregnancy ended up with multiples. As it turns out, our single embryo had split just before it was frozen, giving us identical twins. For us, it was a once-in-alifetime kind of miracle.

After so many years of disappointment, each day of pregnancy felt fragile … like holding a dream that might disappear. But incredibly, everything went smoothly. Every scan brought tears of relief. Every kick was a quiet celebration.

At 32 weeks and five days, our boys arrived – tiny, but fierce. They spent seven weeks in the special care nursery where a team of extraordinary nurses and doctors cared for them like they were their own.

The staff were incredible. They supported us, guided us, and helped us prepare for the day we could finally bring our boys home.

IVF is often seen as a medical solution – but for us it was a mental, emotional, and financial rollercoaster. We both worked full-time and took on part-time jobs just to continue to save and keep going.

There were moments when the weight of it all felt impossible. But we leaned on each other and on our families, who never stopped believing alongside us. Their support carried us through.

The day we were able to tell our family the positive news is a time we will never forget.

Today, our home is filled with noise, love, and the wonderful chaos that comes with raising two little boys. Brock and Blake are

our everything. They may be identical in appearance but – as parents of twins quickly learn – no two children are the same.

They don’t eat anything the same. One eats green apples, the other only red. One loves Vegemite, the other is all about peanut butter.

You’d think spaghetti bolognaise would be an easy win, but even that’s a battle! Brock likes one kind of pasta, Blake wants another. Some days I feel like a short-order cook.

Still, every moment – the tantrums, the picky eating, the endless energy – is a gift. We know how lucky we are. We’ve lived through the years of not knowing if this day would ever come.

For anyone still walking that hard, uncertain road, we see you. We know how isolating it can feel. How unfair. But please, don’t give up. Sometimes, even after the longest and darkest nights, the sun does rise.

And sometimes, when you pray for a miracle … you get two! RLM Words: Kelly and Tony Butler Images: Tyrone Ryan

FACING PAGE: Tony and Kelly Butler with their twins Blake and Brock.

ABOVE: Kelly and Tony … 10 years of living between hope and heartbreak was finally resolved in the best possible way; Blake and Brock during a quiet moment at the local park.

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

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

HUMBLE HERO shares accolade A humble country man has been honoured for his service to NSW Fire and Rescue.

It might be Edwin John Gray’s name on the paperwork that was signed off by King Charles for the Australian Fire Service Medal he was awarded, but he believes the medal really belongs to the whole team at Tenterfield Fire Station.

John, who is the Tenterfield Fire and Rescue NSW Brigade captain, is humbled that anyone would nominate him for the distinguished service award but insists the honour belongs to the whole team.

“The staff who work with me deserve the praise,” he says humbly. “I’m not some hero who has done all the work. The guys who have served underneath me – current and past – have put their lives at risk. Without them, I wouldn’t have received this medal.”

The Australian Fire Service Medal is one of the highest medals awarded within the fire service, second only to the bravery medal.

There are no full-time employees at the Tenterfield station because of the town’s size, so having a second job – or more – is par for the course.

Working life for John has been a fourpronged effort. He drives a school bus, runs a monument business he bought from the previous station captain, and keeps up with his original trade of cabinetmaking, which he learned at his birth town of Ayr in north Queensland.

He moved to Tenterfield to help his parents after they bought a store in the town. Pretty soon, his cabinetry skills were in demand around town and his own business was born.

“Back in those days, you had to be asked to join the NSW Fire Brigade,” he says.

“Because I was new to town and no one knew me, I didn’t get my start until about a year later. That was 30 years ago.”

The station is not manned, so John is the master of the availability spreadsheet, making sure there are always enough firefighters ready to go out in an emergency.

Amazingly, the fire truck can turn out within seven to eight minutes of a call – and that includes the firefighters putting

down tools at their other jobs, driving to the station and changing into their gear.

“We all wear pagers whenever we’re on call,” he says.

The trucks are carefully examined once a week using an exacting checklist and the SIMS inventory management system is followed, which means that every item is stored in the same position each time.

Team training exercises are run two nights a month and outreach into the community includes home fire safety visits.

Although there aren’t callouts every day, John vividly recalls some of his best and worst moments on the job.

The 2019 bushfire was a stressful time because the whole community was in the line of fire.

“Something like that is very daunting,” he admits. “We saved three houses that day but lost one. You can feel a bit helpless with those fast-moving fires, but backup arrived in a timely manner from the Rural Fire Service, Glen Innes Fire and Rescue Station and the taskforce stationed in Armidale.”

Another memorable moment was when a semi-trailer caught on fire in the main street.

“All I could see was a ball of fire,” he says.

“We were able to contain it so the fire didn’t spread into the buildings, but the exploding tyres cracked a lot of windows.”

Then there was the time the brigade was called to a house at 5.30 one morning by a neighbour who had heard a smoke alarm going off. The team went into the smokefilled house and brought out two adults, two teenagers and a dog.

“That neighbour saved their lives by calling us,” John says.

All modesty aside, it was the Tenterfield Fire and Rescue NSW Brigade that actually saved the day. RLM Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Tyrone Ryan

FACING PAGE: John Gray outside Tenterfield Fire Station. .

ABOVE: Tenterfield Fire and Rescue NSW Brigade captain John Gray says while he may be the recipient, his Australian Fire Service Medal belongs to the whole team.

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

Young, keen and generous Youth is no barrier to Tenterfield volunteer and budding author Zac Curry. In a world that can tend to rush on by, this man stops to give to others.

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

Zac is the seventh generation of his family to call Tenterfield home.

At only 30 years old, Zac has forged a deep connection with the community, working in the town as an accountant for the past 11 years and devoting much of his spare time to volunteering.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Glen, who has been a volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service for 25 years, Zac joined the RFS cadet program while still at Tenterfield High School.

“Being a member of the Barney Downs RFS gives me the opportunity to support the local community in times of need,” Zac says.

“We’ve been through two of the biggest fire seasons in living memory, the 2019-20 bushfires and then again in 2023. On both those occasions we had times where Tenterfield was completely surrounded by fires.

“In early November 2023, fires had been burning for about a week but one day the weather conditions turbo-charged and there were four different fires that cut off every main access into Tenterfield.”

With Tenterfield’s resources spread thinly to defend the town, volunteer fire brigades came from elsewhere in the New England region and across the border to lend a hand.

It is an issue for brigades everywhere as they struggle to recruit new members in the face of an ageing population.

Another stumbling block is that many of the small lifestyle blocks that have been carved out of once large farms have been bought by people who don’t necessarily live there fulltime, causing a certain disconnection to the community.

“If people move to town to take advantage of our lifestyle, then it comes with a certain level of responsibility to involve yourself in what makes the town run, and run well,” Zac says.

Zac is also involved with the Prince Albert Memorial Hospital Isolation Ward Museum at Tenterfield Hospital which has been restored as a reminder to future generations of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919, and its effect on the community of Tenterfield and surrounding region.

“There are so many parallels between the Spanish flu and COVID pandemics,” Zac says.

He volunteers at the Tenterfield Transport Museum and also at Tenterfield Total Care, which provides home care and assistance for the elderly and infirm.

He is part of Tenterfield and District Historical Society and the Tenterfield Family History Group, too.

Volunteering is strong in Tenterfield, and many of the town’s drawcards, including the Tenterfield Autumn Festival and the Show & Shine car show, owe their success to the band of enthusiastic helpers.

Service clubs, including Rotary and Lions, are stalwarts of the community, sponsoring programs such as youth driver awareness for high school students.

Zac is also an amateur author, something which stemmed from his relationship with his grandfather, Brian, and their shared interest in family history.

He discovered the Tenterfield Public Library held digitised copies of the Tenterfield Star newspaper dating back to 1875 and began searching for mentions of the Curry family.

The result was a 350-page history of the Curry family sourced from news clippings, along with stories from the family and photographs.

Copies of the Curry family history – which Zac self-published – have been gifted to relatives, as well as local history groups and schools.

“It took me seven months and it was about trying to complete it for Pa and his remaining siblings while they were still able to appreciate it,” Zac says.

His second project is a photographic timeline of Tenterfield which he hopes to turn into a fundraising project for some of the local historical organisations.

Zac’s connection to Tenterfield runs deep and strong.

“It’s a beautiful place and somewhere I see my future,” Zac says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Tyrone Ryan

FROM TOP: Zac Curry, the seventh generation of his family to call Tenterfield home, holds the family history book he has produced; Zac and his father Glen are proud members of the Barney Downs Rural Fire Service.

FACING PAGE: Zac stands outside the restored Federation façade of the building widely known as Kelly’s Produce Store.

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

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

A FORCE of nature Giant pumpkin breeder, horticulturalist, fire captain, community leader, hay contractor, irrigator, husband and father – Richard Magner is a man of many facets.

He is also a survivor.

In 2011, a disastrous flood barrelled down the Dumaresq River, damaging the family’s livelihood – irrigation infrastructure, farm vehicles, haysheds, hay, sheep, vegetables and grain worth millions of dollars.

“Within half an hour the flood covered everything,” Richard recalls. “I had left the window down in my semi-trailer I used to cart hay off the paddocks and found a log sitting inside the cab on the dash.

“All of our pumpkins and 500 big, square bales floated from here to Goondiwindi. I was devastated. It was a beautiful farm, and I didn’t think I could live anywhere else.”

Richard, 54, is descended from sturdy stock – his greatgrandfather John Magner was an Irish teamster running horse teams from the Sydney wharves to Casino before the family eventually settled into dairy farming around Casino.

Forced to walk away after the flood, Richard took on a management role for a corporate to rebuild working capital before moving back to farm on the Queensland border.

There was never any question around Richard being a farmer – as a young man he worked as a shearer and timber cutter for his parents. The family ran 17,000 sheep, cattle, and produced 2000 tonnes of pumpkins and watermelons annually for Woolworths from Townsville to Adelaide. >

ABOVE: Egelabra blood Merino and first cross ewes are among the livestock enterprises run by Magner family on ‘North Riverton’.

FACING PAGE: Richard Magner is passionate about his family, farming and the local community.

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

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

In his spare time, he and a few young farmer mates formed a tug-owar team which became national champions in five weight divisions and represented Australia at the Oceanic titles in South Africa and the World Titles in the UK. In 1992, he was awarded a Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Rural Achiever Award for his work with vegetable produce, including a 120kg pumpkin, in the Royal Agricultural Society’s district exhibits.

The family has also been a contributor to the Tenterfield Show and a paddock-to-plate concept with lamb, beef and pork at regional at farmers markets.

The farm enterprise has since evolved into hay production and livestock trading.

Richard and his wife Jodie, and adult children John, Patrick and partner Daniella, and Tia, now live on a former tobacco farm, “North Riverton”, on the Queensland side of the Dumaresq River.

Here they background F1 Wagyu feeder cattle, trading older cows, store lambs and mutton, running crossbred heifers, pigs, Egelabra blood Merino and first cross ewes. They grow oats and hay on 486ha of alluvial soils and provide a contract baling service.

A qualified wool classer and horticulturalist, their daughter Tia is passionate about wool as a fibre and regularly helps out on the family farm, along with son John.

The family have watched the decline of their local village, Mingoola, with the closure of the school.

“Now we just have a hall and a fire shed – like most regional centres we are struggling to keep a community,” Richard says sadly.

“Every second Saturday we have a barbecue at the hall where the locals roll up for a get-together.”

He is captain of the Mingoola brigade of the NSW Rural Fire Service, which had folded for more than a decade before being

brought back to life by Richard and his mates.

“We fought for a long time to get a shed, and we finally got one.

We’ve got a very strong brigade but don’t have much in the way of equipment with the one truck. We are the first responders for around 60km of highway.”

When the village was set to lose its school, Richard devised a plan to form the Mingoola Progress Association and Hall Committee.

Members worked together to establish the Mingoola Heritage Trail in 2023 – a story board on the area’s agricultural and industrial history and natural heritage.

“It is surprising how many people stop to read the signs and check out the locations on the trail. It is quite pretty along the river with good fishing and camping.”

Richard loves the landscape, the support within the community and the people around him.

“People really care about each other here,” he says. “It can be what you want to make it. I still enjoy farming – planning and planting a crop, working stock and the dogs, and doing the best I can with the ideal I am making the land better.” RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Tyrone Ryan

ABOVE: The Magner property, ‘North Riverton’ is a former tobacco farm on the Queensland side of the Dumaresq River.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Merino and crossbred sheep graze alongside Wagyu F1 cattle on the property; Richard always intended to pursue farming as a career; the alluvial soils along the river support grazing and hay crops; Richard with son John and daughter Tia with dogs Nicki, Sally and Tammy.

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

LATE BLOOMER

leaves lasting legacy “Now, lad, let the old baldy and the bay have their heads; they’ll get the better of you if you’re not game. Watch that young grey, lad. Keep up the pace otherwise it’ll be lunchtime before we reach Seven Mile Lane.”

John Burton was mesmerised by the stories from the old folks of the Cobb & Co coaches which travelled the Seven Mile Lane which ran past his home at Liston Creek.

The lane may have been renamed Herding Yard Creek Road, but the romance of the coaching era remained with John all his life until at the grand age of 88, he turned his hand to building a Cobb & Co coach from the ground up.

Within two years he had completed the coach and at the age of 91 turned his focus on designing and building a museum to house it.

He even had Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce along to launch the coach and suddenly this small mountain village in the Tenterfield shire became a destination, with tourists flocking to see the replica coach. > ABOVE: John Burton Snr always loved fixing and restoring antiques and was fascinated by the story of the Cobb & Co coach route past his childhood home.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: John Burton Snr made the spokes and hubs from scratch and over the next two years built a replica coach; the building that houses the coach at Liston; a dray, old harness and other collectables on display; John Burton Jnr and his father, John Burton Snr.

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

John had become a member of the Guild of Wheelwrights in the UK, and they kindly supplied him with complete plans for a 14-seat Cobb & Co coach.

He made and modified the axles, spokes and hubs from scratch, substituted snatch straps for leather in the thoroughbrace suspension system, and sourced local seasoned timber for the wheels and frame.

Traditionally, the wheels were made from hickory and thick leather straps were used for suspension instead of steel springs.

The Australian coaches featured a more rectangular body shape than the American Concord style, had larger, open windows for better ventilation, and were generally lighter and more durable.

Cobb & Co was founded in 1853 in Melbourne by a small group of immigrant Americans and quickly developed into the most successful company of its kind during the 19th century, pioneering transport routes, delivering mail, gold and passengers throughout the country.

Liston’s location on the Mt Lindesay Road was part of the transport link between Brisbane and Tenterfield. Cobb & Co delivered mail and passengers along the tracks from Tenterfield to Warwick during the latter half of the 1800s.

Undercliff, Boonoo Boonoo, Bookookoorara, Wilson’s Downfall, Amosfield, Maryland, Sugarloaf and Stanthorpe were some of the horse change stations along the way.

Tenterfield Shire Council donated $5000 from its Federal Government Drought Communities program funding towards the launch of the replica coach.

But John Burton wasn’t finished yet. With the help of his supporters and funds from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, he designed and constructed the Cobb & Co Coach and Collectibles Museum at Liston, housing the coach, a dray, old harness and other

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collectables, in 2022. Information on the museum’s panels come from the book Along the Track of Cobb & Co by Hazel Johnson.

John Burton Jnr said his father had always been talented with his hands – and community minded.

“Dad had ridden saddle horses all his life but had never built any horse- drawn vehicles … he was very skilled with his crafts. It was a big effort for an 88-year-old,” he explains.

Born in 1929 into farming family, John Snr attended Amosfield School then Rural School in Stanthorpe, riding his bicycle from Amosfield to Stanthorpe to attend.

He completed a carpentry apprenticeship in Inverell, and in later years supplemented his income by building, rabbit trapping and kangaroo shooting.

Having always enjoyed fixing and restoring antiques, he helped farmers repair broken equipment. He was captain of Liston Rural Fire Service, designing and building the brigade’s building.

John Snr renovated the Liston Hall, built new amenities in the local park and was named Tenterfield Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2021.

“You rarely drive past the (museum) when there is no one there,” John Jnr says proudly. “There was once a shop in Liston, but it closed; the only thing now is the coach shed, a set of toilets and a nice park.

It’s now an attractive place for people to pull up and have a look.” RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Elizabeth Tickle

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Cobb & Co delivered mail and passengers along the tracks from Tenterfield to Warwick during the latter half of the 1800s; John was named Citizen of the Year for a lifetime of serving the community; a storage chest at the rear of the coach; old hand tools; wrought iron detail and the brass plaque dedicated to John Burton.

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

URBAN MYTH There’s nothing urban about Urbenville – it’s probably a misnomer.

This is a place where you can breathe deeply and feel the serenity.

This tiny village, dominated by the majestic Crown Mountain, is the cradle of wilderness yet it’s just 150km south-west of Brisbane.

If you want hustle and bustle, go somewhere else.

Originally a goldrush settlement in the mid to late 1800s, Urbenville has at its beating heart The Crown, a two-storey art deco pub serving locals and visitors icy cold beer and wholesome tucker since 1915.

It was once famous for having the longest bar in New South Wales – a point of local pride and folklore.

Don’t expect any of that fancy décor at The Crown – it’s a genuine country pub with old-fashioned, friendly service, a decent feed, cold beer, lively entertainment and clean, affordable accommodation.

From the pub, take the scenic drive south to Bonalbo through the Yabbra National Park, enjoy the beautiful eucalypt scenery, hear bellbirds singing in the canopy and meander the signposted rainforest walks along the way.

About 20km from Urbenville, on the right, is a signposted side road to Bean Creek Falls where there is a picnic area. The falls are known to be a sacred Gidabal place, and the viewing platform is located down a short track.

The Tooloom National Park is a naturalist’s haven with rainforest, walking trails, birdwatching and wildlife. The Tooloom lookout offers extensive scenic views over the World Heritage Tooloom Scrub and west across farmland and forested hills out to the Great Dividing Range.

It’s only a short stroll from Tooloom picnic area to the ridge top through tall eucalypt forest, with a yellow understorey of blady and kangaroo grasses, and acacia scrub.

A campground at Tooloom Falls-Bandahngan features a scenic waterfall where you can picnic, swim or throw a chop on the barbie.

The falls are located about 5km south-west of Urbenville.

Still heading south from Urbenville, Paddy’s Flat is famous for the World War II tank traps which serve as a reminder of wartime preparedness.

Thanks to its scenic terrain and network of state forests, Urbenville is a popular spot for trail bike riding and four-wheel driving.

If you are into rock climbing, there are many volcanic plugs to explore, or for something more sedate, there is fossicking, bushwalking, birdwatching and fishing around the mountains and the local creeks.

Otherwise just sit, breathe and contemplate the magnificent vista of the Beehive (South Obelisk) or Callawajune Mountain, Edinburgh Castle, or the imposing Mount Lindesay and Mount Barney which make up the Border Ranges National Park. RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Supplied

FROM TOP: Scenic Tooloom Falls is perfect for camping, swimming, picnics and barbecues. Thanks to its spectacular terrain and network of state forests, Urbenville is a popular spot for trail bike riding, bushwalking and four-wheel driving.

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

Jewel in the crown

The Crown Hotel Urbenville has been uniting the community, young and old, since 1915, and welcoming visitors for an icy cold beer, juicy steak, crackling open fire and world-famous yarn.

The hotel dominates the streetscape of Urbenville, a charming village nestled in the picturesque Border Ranges of the Tenterfield shire.

The Crown was once celebrated for having the longest bar in New South Wales at 20 metres but today it is the home of the famous World Parmi Throwing championships.

Originally opened in 1915, the timber building was enhanced with a brick, art deco-style two-storey extension in 1939.

After COVID took the wind from its sails leading to its closure, cousins Brendan Hogan and Tim Armfield, with their respective partners Claire Perryn and Jo Armfield, became owners in April 2022, reopening and restoring the pub back to its former glory.

“A lot of our patronage comes from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounds as we are only 15 minutes over the border,” Brendan explains. “Effectively, we’re the same distance from Beaudesert, Warwick, Kyogle and Casino. Urbenville is a great little place to come to and get off the beaten path.”

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Well known for the friendly locals, welcoming staff, tasty meals, and cold drinks, The Crown is regarded as a great spot to rest, dine and play while soaking in the local charm.

It offers a menu packed with crowd-pleasers including seven versions of chicken parmigiana plus a giant meat lovers’ parmi, juicy steaks, poke bowls, barbecue ribs and pizzas as well as all the pub classics and a kids’ menu.

There is a great variety of live music every couple of weeks throughout the year with trivia nights, karaoke, poker, euchre, weekly pool comp, meat raffles, Chase the Ace jackpot and special event weekends.

The Crown provides comfortable, pub-style lodging, including five renovated queen rooms upstairs and three pub rooms downstairs with configurations providing perfect options for singles, couples, families and/or groups.

There is a well-equipped common room providing complimentary breakfast, coffee and tea.

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

A large back yard overlooking Crown Mountain provides onsite camping for tents, caravans and motorhomes with dedicated toilet and shower facilities available as well as power upon request.

“With the backdrop of the Crown Mountain, sitting there watching the sunset is pretty peaceful – if you’re not the owner!” Brendan laughs.

“We are just custodians for the locals and the visitors who are discovering that forgotten part of the Border Ranges running from the Scenic Rim to Tenterfield. There are no major roads through Urbenville, and that’s why we love it.”

For visitors seeking other camping facilities, within walking distance is the shady Urbenville Forest Rest Area and the Urbenville Showgrounds. Nearby, the Tooloom Falls provides a stunning backdrop to the Bandahngan Campgrounds.

This summer, The Crown is gearing up for a Christmas extravaganza, live music, themed karaoke on New Year’s Eve, and the 2026 World Parmi Throwing Championships in the main street on January 25, with the existing record set by a Perth competitor at 36.1m. >

FACING PAGE: Established in 1915 and later extended in art deco style, the Crown Hotel at Urbenville is open seven days and has an ancient volcanic plug, the majestic Crown Mountain as a backdrop.

FROM TOP: Mine hosts Tim and Jo Armfield behind the bar; the famous XL parmy gets them in; the World Parmi throwing championships were first held in 2025; the menu has all the pub favourites; and, visitors can enjoy an ice-cold beer, juicy steak, open fires and live music.

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

“The pub sponsors the main events in town – the bull ride and campdraft – the annual invitation golf tournament at Woodenbong, and charity days at the local bowls club.”

“We double-deep fry the chicken schnitzels and then freeze them, so they fly a bit further. We always throw downwind, so it makes the men feel a little more masculine,” Brendan jokes.

With Urbenville located just two hours from the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and a stone’s throw from Kyogle, Casino, Warwick and Stanthorpe, the dining room at The Crown often serves 100 meals in a sitting on busy weekends.

“We make sure every meal goes out with a consistency people are looking for. We can also accommodate any function and party,” Brendan says.

“The pub sponsors the main events in town – the bull ride and campdraft – the annual invitation golf tournament at Woodenbong, and charity days at the local bowls club.”

Charity has also been extended to the tiny town of 350 people by celebrated country artist Keith Urban who surprised the Urbenville Public School with gifts and a song in August 2025.

“During COVID, our little school produced videos performing Keith Urban songs, and Keith invited the kids to one of his Australian concerts. Keith Urban is not even too big to help Urbenville,” Brendan reflects. RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Supplied

RIGHT: The Crown has fresh pub-style accommodation with shared bathroom, and communal kitchen with coffee-making facilities.

EAT

SLEEP

Serving up good times in the NSW Border Ranges since 1915 New menu now serving: spicy wings, poke bowls, Japanese curry, BBQ ribs, and our signature pizza parmy. Or enjoy the classics – XL parmy, steaks, pub favourites, pizzas, bar snacks and a family friendly kids’ menu.

EVENTS

EXPLORE

Accommodation options include renovated queen rooms upstairs, budget pub rooms downstairs and camping for caravans, motorhomes and tents. A communal kitchen and clean, serviced bathrooms are available.

Live music and sport every week – local bands, racing and footy on screen.

Discover Urbenville and the stunning Border Ranges – from trail riding to picnic spots by waterfalls.

48 Urben Street Urbenville, NSW 2475 Ph. 0460 897 136

crownhotelurbenville.com.au 134 RLM URBENVILLE

Mon and Tues from 4pm (kitchen open for dinner) Wed to Sun from midday (kitchen open for lunch and dinner)

Charming streetscapes, well preserved architecture, open spaces and relaxed country atmosphere.

Credit: Jamie Blair

Credit: Matt Gray

Located in the Riverina region of NSW

hello@visitcoolamonshire.com.au www.visitcoolamonshire.com.au @visitcoolamonshire #visitcoolamonshire

Credit: Michael Reid

Ardlethan | Beckom | Coolamon | Ganmain | Marrar | Matong

Credit: Anne Cooper Photography

Charming streetscapes, well preserved architecture, open spaces and relaxed country atmosphere.

Credit: Neil McAliece

Located in the Riverina region of NSW 40kms from Wagga Wagga hello@visitcoolamonshire.com.au @visitcoolamonshire | #visitcoolamonshire

Credit: Liss Hillam Photography

www.visitcoolamonshire.com.au

Credit: Virginia Fox

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

180 MACQUARIE STREET, DUBBO

PH: (02) 6885 3500

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Experience elegance and luxury in a lovingly restored church where the best of historical and unique aesthetics merge with the comforts and luxuries of modern amenities and dedicated service.

BOOKINGS WELCOME VIA WEBSITE, EMAIL OR MOBILE

As hosts and owners, our intention is to provide one couple or a solo with an unforgettable experience.

37 Loughnan Street, Coolamon NSW 2071 0411 338 842 thearkcoolamon@gmail.com thearkcoolamon.com.au

The former Bank of NSW, built in 1887, captures the grandeur, style and romance of a by-gone era.

While keeping the original features, the three beautiful bedrooms and ensuites provide every modern luxury. There are also two self-contained country style cottages, overlooking a pretty courtyard with manicured gardens and lawns.

Breakfast and Lunch

Hosts Andre and Keryl invite you to come and enjoy country hospitality and all that Coolamon and the surrounding districts have to offer.

Homemade Goods

Coffee Cakes

Open Thursday – Sunday till 4pm

Local Condiments

127–129 Cowabbie Street (The Up to Date Precinct), Coolamon NSW

Homewares

0490 795 688 littlerusticpantrycoolamon@gmail.com

Gifts Available for functions, catering, small weddings and celebrations

Little Rustic Pantry Coolamon

130 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon NSW 2701

02 6927 2222 | 0400 249 995 www.sweetbriar.com.au

Discover hands-on workshops and easy-to-follow online tutorials designed to help you craft something truly beautiful — no experience needed.

Whether you're making for yourself, friends or a side hustle, Make It Your Own brings creativity to life with step-by-step guidance, seasonal recipes and a welcoming community.

WORKSHOPS | TUTORIALS | COUNTRY HOSPITALIT Y

Visit makeityourowncoolamon.com 106 Boothey Lane, Coolamon NSW

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0437 116 366

make.it.your.own.coolamon@gmail.com

• Clothing • Giftware • Fresh flowers • Shoes • Jewellery • Art • Coffee Ph: (02) 6927 6032 81 Ford St, Ganmain NSW

Fisher & Farmer is more than a store – it’s a place to relax, explore, and treat yourself.

From stylish outfits to unique homewares, there’s something for everyone. While you’re here, take a moment to enjoy a coffee and a bite in our cosy café.

We can’t wait to welcome you.

Thursday – Saturday: 9am to 4pm Sunday: 9am - 2pm

www.fisherandfarmer.com.au

Experience the timeless charm of the Junee Hotel Pub classics made with local Riverina produce, unwind in our restored beer garden or stay the night in our character filled accommodation.

With stunning architecture and a welcoming atmosphere, the Junee Hotel is ideal for travellers, families and anyone seeking genuine country hospitality.

Explore Junee’s rich history or stroll the scenic Canola Trail — you’ll always feel at home at the Junee Hotel.

Open 7 days from 11.30am 21 Seignior Street, Junee NSW 2663 | 02 6924 2227 | juneehotel@hotmail.com

www.juneehotel.com.au

A RIVERINA ICON SINCE 1878  WHERE HERITAGE MEETS COUNTRY SPIRIT

We are a distinguished fashion brand known for its exquisite designs and timeless elegance, has captivated fashion enthusiasts worldwide with its innovative creations.

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Temora Railway Station is a beautifully preserved historic site featuring the Railway Temora museum. The museum showcases the rich rail history of the region, with exhibits including vintage rail equipment, memorabilia, and restored carriages. Visitors can explore interactive displays and learn about the role of rail in shaping Temora’s development.

Conveniently located near Federal Park, cafés, shops, and attractions, it’s a familyfriendly destination with plenty to discover. www.facebook.com/railwaytemora/ Parkes Street, Temora (02) 6977 5921

Phone 0422 267 141 or 0422 678 531

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SUFFOLKS struggle to survive With its chestnut coat, flaxen mane and tail, the stocky, muscle-bound Suffolk Punch once pulled ploughs to build the young nation of Australia – but is now fighting for survival with an estimated 20 purebred horses left.

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endangered horse breed S U M M E R

Bev Hatch and his late wife Yvonne have not only spent decades breeding the Suffolk to help maintain the critically endangered population but have passionately spread awareness of the draught horse’s plight.

The Suffolk Punch worked hard building colonial Australia with records showing importations of the breed in the 1820s. By 1857 one of the biggest Suffolk Punch studs was established in NSW and exported genetics to Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

Renowned for being a strong dead-weight pulling horse, it was a natural progression to cross the Suffolk with other draught horse breeds to produce the Australian Draught Horse, a versatile composite breed suited to Australian conditions.

The Suffolk was also crossed with light horses to produce utility or sport horses and contributed to the horse that went to war, the Waler.

With its solid chestnut coat avoiding sunburn and melanoma, the Suffolk was ideal for the extreme Australian climate, while their hooves were tough and legs devoid of feathering minimises the risk of grease.

The coming of mechanisation and the introduction of the tractor severely impacted the draught horse population, with the Suffolks disappearing until an importation of a purebred stallion, Sanford Jack, in 1996 from the UK by Marge and Dennis Candy, of Inverell, NSW. Bev and Yvonne used Sanford Jack over a foundation mare, Golden, to establish Woodbarn Draught Horse Stud at Crookwell in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Born and bred in Hampshire in the UK, Bev counts among his most prized possessions a collection of UK Suffolk Stud Books dating from 1906.

Over the decade before her death in 2023, Yvonne wrote many articles on the urgent need for genetic diversity within the breed, including a two-part research paper entitled The Clock is Ticking in 2022.

“Suffolk Punch Australia knows that all involved with the Suffolk Horse Society love these wonderful horses and only want the best outcomes for the breed, but massive change must be instituted,” she writes.

“There is an essential requirement for an overarching organisation that is able to devote all of its efforts to the task of saving this breed and maintaining a sufficient genetic reservoir.

“The survival of the breed is now at stake and extraordinary measures need to be taken. Given the eroded gene pool of the tiny and declining population of Suffolk Punches in the UK, it is actually past time for the commercial oriented breeding of today to make way for professionals with scientific and genetic expertise.”

In 2022, Australia had 10 purebred Suffolks including three young stallions and a colt, and purebred numbers are now estimated to be about 20.

Bev is handing on his support, genetics, and horse-drawn equipment to young Australian Draught Horse breeder Aleks Berzins, of Marlie Draught Horse Stud, Exeter, NSW. Fourteen-year-old Australian Suffolk stallion Woodbarn Hector is covering Australian Draught mares at the Marlie stud to inject temperament and colour.

Bev has a handful of horses left at home and this year lost Woodbarn Edward, the only cross of a pure Suffolk dam with a Morgan in Australia. > FACING PAGE: Bev Hatch has been breeding the critically endangered Suffolk Punch horses since 2000 on his small farm at Crookwell in NSW. FROM TOP: One of Bev’s favourite horses was Woodbarn Albert, a 17 hands, 900kg, part-Suffolk gelding who sadly passed away in 2025; a large collection of harness forms the backdrop in Bev’s blacksmith workshop.

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S U M M E R endangered horse breed

In 2022, Australia had 10 purebred Suffolks including three young stallions and a colt, and purebred numbers are now estimated to be about 20.

“The strength is in the chest of the Suffolk, giving them enormous pulling power, and enabling a single horse to pull a plough,” he says.

Aleks used two Woodbarn geldings, Reuben and Rafael, in the Australian record-breaking horse team pulling a wool wagon at The Good Old Days Festival at Barellan, NSW in October 2025.

One of the reasons Bev took up horse breeding was as therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.

His father was a strawberry, raspberry and blackberry grower, selling his produce directly to restaurants in the UK. He assumed Bev would take over the farm, but the young man had different ideas and ran away to sea at 20 in 1970 to join the British Navy as an engineer.

Saltwater ran through his veins as his grandfather served as a cook on the flagship HMS Iron Duke in WWI’s biggest naval battle, the Battle of Jutland.

Bev joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the civilian arm of the navy, serving on their tankers, ammunition ships and landing ships for 30 years.

He went on to see action in the 1974 Cypress Civil War, 1976 Third Cod War, the 1982 Falklands War, 1990 Liberian Civil War, 1991 Gulf War 1, and the Bosnia War from 1994 to 1997.

Bev was on the RFA Regent, a 22,000-tonne ammunitions store ship in the Falklands War when he describes surviving a “few hairy times” with a missile narrowly missing the ship, only to hit the vessel behind.

Working down in the hot and oppressive boiler room in 1973, Bev copped a serious steam blast when a boiler steam pipe blew up in his face, injuring his left eye, face, shoulders and chest.

“I was wearing leather gauntlets and put them up to shield my face,” he recalls. “The medical team put me under morphine and got me to hospital in Panama after 11 days at sea. Luckily there was an eye specialist doctor on board, and he saved my eye.”

Recovery took six months including time at the UK’s top burns hospital.

Bev was almost washed overboard in a big sea, off the Great Australian Bight, only saving himself by wrapping his arms around a pipe on the tanker Olmeda.

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“I could feel my body being pulled off, but I hung on for dear life,” he shares.

“PTSD was not recognised in those days, and I had a severe drinking problem after that – looking back, a lot of people were suffering, and no one took any notice.

“Getting married was the best thing that happened to me in 1985. I had a strong woman who gave me love, security and a purpose to live. Buying the property at Crookwell in 1998 was the saving grace and working with the animals was great therapy.”

The couple planted 1000 trees on their small property, a former potato farm, and installed pipelines, 60 gates and a large crush to accommodate draught horses.

Bev cared fulltime for Yvonne in the final 15 years of her life while juggling the horse stud and being secretary of Crookwell RSL, a legatee, and volunteering with Meals on Wheels.

He also has a big collection of working model stationary steam engines, some of which Bev built himself. He is well known in Crookwell for his metal art, turning out shoe racks, boot racks, garden ornaments, and gates.

“That was great therapy as well and got me out of the house into the sheds,” he says. “I lost a lot of (naval) mates between 55 and 65 years of age – some drank themselves to death, through suicide or lung diseases caused by asbestos.

“Being in the country has done me a lot of good with the clean air and lifestyle.” RLM Words and images: Kim Woods

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Australian draught horse and Suffolk yearlings running on Woodbarn stud at Crookwell are helping to boost numbers of the critically endangered breed; Woodbarn Edward is a 14-year-old Suffolk x Morgan, the only one in Australia; Bev ran away to sea at age 20 in 1970 to join the British Navy as an engineer.

ef

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EST. 1895 ▪ FIVE GENERATIONS

Bye Bye Blackbird Gallery Nestled in the heart of Cootamundra, Bye Bye Blackbird Photography and Art Gallery is a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and community.

Curated by Sarah Hughes, the space brings together photography and fine art in an ever-evolving collection of local and regional talent.

From striking landscapes to thought-provoking contemporary pieces, it’s a showcase where passion meets purpose and creativity knows no bounds.

KEVIN DEEPS CLOTHING Supplier of classic country clothing, workwear and embroidery.

159 Parker St, Cootamundra, NSW (02) 6942 1465 deepsclothing@outlook.com Open 9am – 5.30pm weekdays and 9am – 12.30pm Saturday

160 Parker Street Cootamundra NSW 2590 hello@byebyeblackbirdgallery.com Saturday 10am to 4pm Sunday 10am to 2pm (or by appointment)

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S U M M E R wool industry

Toganmain’s history preserved The Hay plains may be renowned as the flattest place in the Southern Hemisphere but back in the 1870s they were the engine room of the Australian economy.

FROM TOP: Built in 1875, the Toganmain woolshed is the largest standing shearing shed in the Riverina and one of the four biggest in Australia. Shearers pose on the board while wool handlers fill large cane baskets.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Friends of Toganmain secretary Christine Chirgwin; the shed held the Australian record of 202,292 sheep shorn by blades; machine shearing was introduced in 1889; the dining room; the old kitchen and bakehouse; Rod Jones with the diesel motor that drove the overhead gear, shown in the photo above; one of the original wool presses.

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It was a time when the young nation rode on the sheep’s back – the Merino to be precise – and sheep numbers were climbing to 56 million in the Riverina by the end of that decade.

The giant Toganmain woolshed, between Darlington Point and Carrathool, stands sentry over this remarkable history, its 110 stands echoing with sounds long past – the throb of a big steam engine, the soft click, click of the blades and thousands of sheep calling out as they’re pushed bare down the chutes.

At its peak, the behemoth shed outgunned the other big sheds in the Riverina of the day – Urangeline Station, Urangeline, at 99 blade stands and Brookong Station, Lockhart, with 80 machine stands and 101 blade stands.

Built in 1875, the woolshed is the largest standing shearing shed in the Riverina and one of the four biggest in Australia.

The length of the board is a staggering 240 feet or 73 metres – and it held the Australian record of 202,292 sheep shorn by 92 blade shearers in 1876.

The shed had its own horsedrawn tramway connecting it with the station’s storage facility, wool scour and wharf on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, catering to a peak shearing of 217,104 sheep by 75

shearers in 1891. About eight million sheep went across the board between 1875 and 1980.

By the early 1990s, Toganmain was owned by the Twynam Group whose main interest was large-scale cropping, hence the woolshed was left unused and neglect quickly set in.

For decades, many a passing motorist on the Sturt Highway observed the deteriorating and sinking shed as the elements took their toll.

‘Friends’ to the rescue

That was until the Friends of Toganmain rallied around, calling for volunteers to help conserve and preserve the shed.

In March 2024, Paraway Pastoral Company, owners of Toganmain station, handed over the title to the shed and surrounds totalling six hectares to the Friends of Toganmain.

Billed as one of the largest rural structural restoration projects ever undertaken in Australia, the shed was saved from dilapidation by a crowd funding campaign and grants.

The shearers’ quarters have been restored, the woolshed made weatherproof, and the inside cleaned with restoration works ongoing. >

story name S U M M E R

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S U M M E R wool industry

Friends of Toganmain secretary Christine Chirgwin says the long-term vision for the site is to be a significant cultural tourist attraction with oral recordings of shearers’ stories, written accounts and interpretive signage to bring the pastoral history to life.

Christine says volunteer numbers quickly grew from a dozen to more than 60 turning up for working bees from as far as South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

A Murrumbidgee shire councillor, she was familiar with the shed and called a public meeting in 2018 to form a committee, ending up as the secretary.

“It’s a magnificent shed and such an important part of our history,” Christine shares. “We now have more than 100 volunteers and the skilled tradespeople we need and have a major two-week working bee every Easter.”

The woolshed precinct celebrated 150 years on June 14-15, 2025, with tours of the woolshed, markets, a pictorial display of the woolshed and quarters, and a dinner on the main shearing board.

The committee is working with local farmers to donate bales of wool to be sold to raise funds for Toganmain while artist John Nicholson has donated funds from his drawings of the shed.

“In all of that time I went in a lot of shearing sheds, and I never saw a shed as big as Toganmain.”

Shearing history recorded

Author Lexie Keane is undertaking a monumental task of interviewing and recording the stories of Toganmain, preserving the experiences of shearers, cooks and shed hands.

One of those shearers, Stan Walters, arrived at Toganmain in 1986 when there were just 12 shearers on the board. He later worked as a full-time organiser from 19861997 for the Australian Workers’ Union, visiting shearing sheds across the Riverina.

“In all of that time I went in a lot of shearing sheds, and I never saw a shed as big as Toganmain,” he states.

Today, the Griffith retiree is a Friends of Toganmain committee member. He pointed to parts of the collapsed shed, undermined by the cracking clay soils.

“It’s a pretty sad sight. If we don’t start doing the work, there will be nothing here for future generations,” he laments.

Stan says a small village serviced the shearing shed with a blacksmith’s shop, carpenter’s shop, store, company office, living quarters, cook house, dining room, wool store and wool scour.

“A rule of thumb is a board boy, wool roller, wool presser and wool classer for every four shearers, or 100 shed staff for 100 shearers,” he shares.

“The wool was held on site, depending on the river levels and availability of paddle

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steamers. In order to do that they had a steam-operated double dumper, which crushed two bales into the length of a single bale to decrease volume for the paddle steamers.

“This wool was shipped down the Murrumbidgee River, back up the Murray River to Echuca, then onto the train to Melbourne where it was loaded onto ships headed to the United Kingdom.”

Maintenance ongoing

Stan points out the original section of the shed was built by skilled shipwrights, evidenced by the finer detailing compared to the rough-hewn beams further down the shed.

There were up to six wool classers feeding the two large Ferrier manual wool presses.

Rod Jones and his mates from the Cootamundra & District Machinery Restoration Society spent six months restoring the Southern Cross Mark B-EC 20 horsepower two-cylinder diesel motor used to drive the overhead shearing gear.

Manufactured in 1950, the engine had replaced the original steam engine and was in a sorry state of disrepair with many parts missing.

A heavy diesel mechanic and longdistance coach driver, Rod has always been interested in wool sheds and was a mate of Don Armstrong, who bought Toganmain Station in 1988.

“It’s good what is being done with the shed and hopefully we can keep doing more,” he says.

Toganmain was one of the first shearing sheds to embrace the Wolseley shearing machine developed in 1887.

The shed was converted in 1889 to a 75-machine stand to increase capacity.

Almost a century later in 1981 all shearing was run by electricity with a 15-volt motor driving 21 stands and pressing 600 bales from 25,000 sheep.

The last shearing was in 2001 when the shed was deemed non-compliant with NSW WorkCover work, health and safety guidelines. RLM Words and images: Kim Woods

ABOVE: Stan Walters arrived at Toganmain in 1986 when there were just 12 shearers on the board; the last shearing was in 2001; thousands of sheep and the weather have taken a toll on the iconic shed.

NURSERY Sh

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S U M M E R story name

ICY DISCIPLINE Peta Bradley climbs stiffly out of the 1.5-degree waters of the pool at the foothills of northern Italy’s snowcapped mountains.

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extreme sport S U M M E R

“Getting in the water, whether it’s five or one degree, it just feels cold. Where you notice the one-and-a-half degrees is how quickly it takes hold of your body, how quickly your hands, toes, feet, and lips go numb, and you lose feeling.”

Peta may need assistance removing her goggles, but when she has her Vegemite towel thrown around her, and she’s whisked to the onsite medics to warm up, she has no trouble radiating a warm smile.

In January this year, Peta, hailing from Armatree, New South Wales, became a world champion in ice swimming.

She won three medals: two silvers in the 250- and 500-metre races and a gold in the 1000-metre race.

The 29-year-old was among more than 750 athletes from 48 countries who gathered in Molveno near the Dolomites for a competition that tests both physical and mental strength.

The day before the opening ceremony, several inches of ice were being carved from the pool’s surface to make way for the sixth international event.

While many might call her sport extreme, Peta doesn’t see herself as reckless – she sees herself as methodical.

For her, racing in near-freezing water is a disciplined process grounded in preparation, routine, and an unwavering mindset.

Back home in Armatree, half a world away from the Italian Alps, the world champion has recently created a makeshift swimming lane in her dam, using floats from the local swimming pool and cut-up pool noodles fastened to a chemical drum at the end. Only the lane is new; Peta has been swimming in her dam for years, as the local 25-metre pool in Gulargambone, a 15-minute drive away, only opens for six months of the year.

Peta’s approach to her swimming means training is daily and non-negotiable, regardless of when the next race might be.

“I get up about 4.30, and then I do a little bit of work to get my head in the game and to start thinking about what I’ve got to do before training.”

Lately, her morning training sessions begin with a run by torchlight or moonlight to warm up her legs before hitting the water.

When travel demands an early flight, she adjusts without complaint.

“Sometimes I’ve got a 6.30 flight out of Dubbo, so I get up at 3.30. It’s the same as getting in cold water. I’m going to do it; there’s no other option. I’m not hitting that snooze button.”

The frosty winters of Armatree provide ideal conditions for ice swimming, but summer brings its own set of challenges.

With temperatures soaring to 40 degrees, training for a Northern Hemisphere event in January wasn’t easy. >

“It’s not a solo sport,” she explains. “I’ve had success because of the support of my family, friends, and colleagues in my swimming and my career.”

FACING PAGE: Peta trains all year round in the dam at her family property in Armatree.

FROM TOP: On top of the world with her world champion title and the Dolomites as the backdrop; training begins in the dark every day; forty-degree Armatree summers make Northern Hemisphere race acclimatisation challenging.

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S U M M E R extreme sport

“I’m proud to work for the sheep and wool industry,” she says. “The role I see for genetics is that it underpins so much of where we’re heading with production, profitability, sustainability, and welfare outcomes for our animals.”

“I had that little bit of doubt in my mind when I went over to do my acclimatisation before my swim,” she confides. “I’d been doing cold showers but wasn’t 100 per cent sure of the impact the race was going to have on my body.”

Still, she trusted her preparation, both physical and mental. Her “science brain” reminded her that mental resilience would be the true test.

“Your brain is a self-preservation organ,” she explains. “Its number one job is to keep you alive, so it will tell you to stop doing things well before you reach your threshold.

So, I understand that I will have those thoughts entering my mind that I shouldn’t be doing this, but I need to be stronger to overcome them and say, ‘No, brain, shut up’.”

Despite her international success, Peta remains firmly grounded in the values that shape her everyday life.

“Yes, I’ve gone away and become a world champion, but it doesn’t define who I am.

What I value the most are the experiences and lessons from my swimming that I bring into what I do every day with my work and family – the biggest part of my story.”

That story continues on the family’s 5000acre mixed enterprise property, where Peta spends her spare time working alongside her parents and brother, Jack, playing an active role in the farm’s operations.

Growing up, Peta immersed herself in farm life. Her earliest memories were of helping her mother, Jennifer Bradley, with the lambs.

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“My mum is a trained ag teacher so I probably didn’t realise how often lessons were incorporated into daily activities. We were always discussing sheep.”

Jennifer, who received the NSW Rural Woman of the Year award in 2005 for her support of lamb producers, instilled a strong sense of purpose in both children.

“My brother and I often talk about the fact that Mum and Dad, both agronomists, never forced us back to the farm or into agriculture,” Peta says.

“They just said: ‘Work hard, and we don’t care about anything other than that’.”

Peta’s work ethic was evident from the beginning. Her education started at Gulargambone Central, just 10km from home, where she balanced her love of sheep with competitive swimming, reaching state level in 2005.

At Gilgandra High, she laid the foundation for her future in agriculture, leading the school’s show team, working with Border Leicester sheep, and mentoring younger students in animal husbandry.

Her success in junior judging and sheep showing led to state and national accolades, including New South Wales Reserve Champion Junior Judge (Merino and Meat Sheep) and the Australasian Corriedale Judging Championship at the age of just 16.

Today, she brings that same passion to her work in sheep genetics with Meat and Livestock Australia.

“I’m proud to work for the sheep and wool industry,” she says. “The role I see for genetics is that it underpins so much of where we’re heading with production, profitability, sustainability, and welfare outcomes for our animals.

“We need our sheep to be run in areas in Australia where we can’t grow crops.

It’s such an important protein source for Australians and our international markets.

Genetics is such a powerful, well-grounded tool and gets me out of bed in the morning.”

But even with her professional and athletic achievements, Peta is quick to acknowledge she hasn’t done it alone.

“It’s not a solo sport,” she explains. “I’ve had success because of the support of my family, friends, and colleagues in my swimming and my career.”

Whether plunging into near-freezing water or working to improve the future of sheep farming, Peta brings the same focus, bush-born resilience, and humility to everything she does.

She radiates a smile: “I guess it’s having grown up with pet lambs and having that responsibility all the time.” RLM Words: Louisa Harvey Images: Supplied

FROM TOP LEFT: Peta, at 16, already knew her career was going to be in sheep genetics; sheep showing and judging while at Gilgandra High with brother Jack by her side.

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education S U M M E R

High expectations

RAISE THE BAR Following in the footsteps of her mother, Sharon Kenaly has devoted her career to public education in New South Wales.

Sharon was appointed principal of Gilgandra High School at the end of 2024, reflecting it was her experiences in country schools as a child that fostered her deep passion for rural communities.

The school is highly regarded by the local community as a place where a diverse range of opportunities supports every student in reaching their full potential.

Gilgandra High School has 190 students, and small class sizes enable teachers to get to know and support individual students.

The school boasts a full complement of teachers to serve a diverse curriculum offering.

“I have a great team who go above and beyond and play a key role in supporting all learners to succeed,” Sharon says.

Gilgandra High School has impressive facilities including a trade-training centre; specialty learning areas; an all-weather covered outdoor learning area, and expansive grounds.

Key personnel, including the head teacher of wellbeing, school support officer, wellbeing and health in-reach nurse, counsellors, a psychologist, chaplain and Barnardos, deliver bespoke wellbeing programs and services out of the school’s Wellbeing Hub, ensuring “every student is known, valued and cared for”.

Gilgandra High School is widely recognised for its outstanding agriculture program, which operates from a wellequipped school farm, complemented by an additional off-site program.

Students gain valuable skills under the guidance of Australian Wool Innovationtrained shearers and wool classers and other industry experts, preparing them for realworld agricultural careers.

A strong partnership with Cooinda Border Leicester Stud provides students with access FACING PAGE: 1. Charlie Hutchison displays his metalwork.

2. Student leaders Kailee Edwards, Shane De Britt, Tess Rogers, and Corey Gibbs with principal Sharon Kenaly.

3. Year 11 hospitality students with teacher Meredith Schier.

to quality livestock and expert mentorship.

Through this collaboration, students gain hands-on experience in managing and presenting sheep, deepening their practical knowledge of livestock management, wool production, and competitive showing.

The school’s show team actively competes on the regional show circuit, and at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza.

Together, these elements create a comprehensive agricultural education that not only builds technical skills but also encourages leadership, confidence, and industry engagement.

Gilgandra High School has a rich tradition of sporting excellence, with students progressing to regional and state-level representation.

They were named 2023 Small School State Champions and the Under 14s team, who were runners-up last year.

Year 12 student Alana Elsom has qualified for the State Swimming Championships six years in a row.

Opportunities for students and staff to celebrate their culture are embraced by the school, with 41 per cent of its students identifying as Indigenous.

Aboriginal Elder Aunty Di McNaboe plays a vital role in embedding Indigenous perspectives across teaching and supports students culturally.

Aunty Di also teaches the Wiradjuri language to all Year 7 students.

Programs such as SistaSpeak and BroSpeak, empower girls and boys through cultural learning and skills such as resilience, expression and self-care.

A junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group also provides leadership opportunities for Indigenous students.

4. Declan Gale in the Construction Trade Training Centre.

5. Year 7 students in the Wellbeing Hub with student support officer Megan Townsend and school counsellor Lisa Cooper.

6. Chess team member Jarvis Budworth-Louie.

Under the University of NSW’s Culturally Nourishing Schools program, teachers complete professional learning focused on country and culture, helping staff strengthen their pedagogical practice.

Gilgandra High School has an extensive careers education program, focusing on future pathways.

A dedicated careers advisor organises a myriad of opportunities in which students can participate and, additionally, provides quality advice around post-school options.

In 2024, 100 per cent of students who completed Year 12 and wanted to go to university received an offer of a placement.

About 85 per cent of Year 11 and 12 students complete at least one vocational education course, providing them with nationally recognised qualifications.

The school has an impressive alumni which lends merit to its motto, “Nothing without effort”.

Included among them are 2022 and 2023 ABC Heywire winners Olivia Amiet and Harrison King.

This year, Gilgandra High School launched a weekly Facebook focus on successful alumni titled Where are they now?

It has featured stories on its former students who have become lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, livestock geneticists, social workers, teachers, electricians and business owners, to name a few.

“This initiative serves as an inspiration to current students, parents and the wider community, showcasing the outstanding potential of Gilgandra High School students and the strength of NSW public education in empowering young people to achieve great things,” Sharon says. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Hayley Middendorff

7 & 8. A drone captures views of the school from the air.

9. Anzac Day 2025.

10. Gilgandra High School show team with agriculture teacher Teresa Standing and Cherie Pagan from the Cooinda Border Leicester stud.

11. Elder and cultural mentor Aunty Di

McNaboe with Year 7 students learning the Wiradjuri language.

12. Alana Elsom at Scone Beef Bonanza.

13. Year 8 science students.

14. Mathematics teacher Breanna Frecklington with Year 10 students using vertical whiteboards.

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S U M M E R collector

Tractor inspires KERRY’S DREAM A teenage Kerry Pietsch used to sit on an old, abandoned tractor parked on a dam bank in the tiny town of Walla Walla and dream he would own it one day.

Kids on the way home from school would play on it, breaking or unscrewing parts and throwing them in the dam.

The tractor, a 1917 Rubenstock, was used to pump water to local gardens in the township, located in the heart of mixed cropping country in southern NSW. Nobody cared about the worn-out Rubenstock except Kerry. That old, abandoned tractor lit a fire in the teenager’s belly that has not gone out for more than 60 years.

He went on to negotiate a deal with the tractor’s owners, restoring it with the help of his father, Victor, a local farmer, and it became the embryo of a burgeoning collection of vintage machinery.

Today, Kerry, 78, houses the Warrangong Heritage Collection on his farm at Pleasant Hills in southern NSW. It is a vast collection covering tractors, chaff cutters, winnowers, strippers, binders, cultivators, ploughs and the nation’s biggest private collection of vintage headers.

Kerry likes to see his machines out working and his passion drove him to hold the Warrangong Vintage Harvest Day on January 11, 2025, which attracted 1100 machinery enthusiasts from every state and territory.

A big team of friends and relatives mucked in to help Kerry demonstrate 10 vintage tractors and 27 vintage headers in a wheat crop on his farm.

The headers ranged from a horse-drawn 1902 David Shearer Maker’s Mannum stripper up to the most modern, a 1980s New

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Holland TR 85 with a 20-foot front, used to harvest rice crops.

The luxury of the TR 85’s air-conditioned cab, 25-foot Connor Shea comb front and V8 Caterpillar 3208 175-horsepower engine illustrated how far technology and agricultural innovation has progressed across eight decades.

Two John Deere headers, including a 9860 STS with a 10.9m front, owned by local farmers Wayne Scholz and Tim McRae, provided a backdrop to the working vintage machines with their computer software, GPS and six-cylinder, turbo-charged engines.

The iconic brands featured included John Deere, Shearer, Sunshine, Robinson, Claas, Allis Chalmers, Massey Harris, Oliver, Cockshutt, Horwood Bagshaw, and International – either grounddriven, PTO or self-propelled.

A highlight of the day was three self-propelled Sunshine Auto headers, dating from the 1920s and 1930s, originally owned by Pietsch family members and restored by Kerry, working in the crop together.

Among the Sunshine models were a 1936 AL model converted to PTO, a 1925 Deluxe with automatic bag tip-off and chaff catcher and a 1925 Auto header.

“I am game to say I am the only person in Australia with the three different Sunshine headers, all working,” says Kerry proudly.

“One has a Fordson motor and two-speed gearbox while another has a four-cylinder Wisconsin motor with a two-speed gearbox, while the third has a Wisconsin motor with a three-speed gearbox.

story name S U M M E R

“My favourite is my Dad’s self-propelled Sunshine Auto. My great-grandfather came across on wagons from Dimboola and drew a 5000-acre block at Urangeline East.

“They had horsedrawn headers, and my grandfather bought two Sunshine Auto headers from Melbourne, sending them by rail to the Urangeline East siding accompanied by two mechanics.”

From there they reassembled the combs and drove the headers to the farm.

Once word got out, people came from everywhere in buggies and trucks to see these big headers working as most of the machines were only eight-feet wide, Kerry adds.

Contract fencer and former farmer Kevin Elphick, the National Historical Machinery Association NSW state representative, was keen to see headers in action he had used himself – a MasseyFerguson 506 and International A8-4.

“This is a significant day as we just don’t see this anymore,” Kevin enthuses. “Kerry is so passionate about his headers, and he likes to show them off while people just want to see them.

“It’s very important for the next generation to see this as they wouldn’t know how hard they worked back in the day, bagging the grain off by hand.

“I’ve used headers with no cabs and put up with the dust and chaff blowing in my face. It’s very rare to have this many headers in working condition.”

A documentary on the Warrangong Vintage Harvest Day has been produced by West Wyalong Movies.

Those seeking this rare glimpse into the past can visit the website www.westwyalongmovies.com where it will soon be available for purchase. RLM Words and images: Kim Woods

FACING PAGE: Three self-propelled Sunshine Auto headers, dating from the 1920s and 1930s, originally owned by Pietsch family members and restored by Kerry Pietsch, working in the crop together.

FROM TOP: Kerry loves his collection; a 1964 Horward Bagshaw header; Pleasant Hills farmer Trevor Terlich negotiates extension steering on a 1927 open-front Massey Harris header; two of the self-propelled Sunshine Auto headers, both dating from the 1920s, working in-crop; Emily, Brent, Peter, baby Elijah, Carl and Dimity Webster, with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW 1955 Championship field wheat competition - Riverina Division - cup won by Peter’s grandfather, Clarrie Pietsch, using the Sunshine Auto header pictured behind them. Kerry with a Sunshine fuel cap; Outback Trucker’s Peter Spurr.

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S U M M E R tourist destination

Time to hit the road

In the summer months, the Southern Tablelands offers a bounty to explore, like heritage-listed towns and delightful local eateries set against a backdrop of lush, rolling hills.

Learn about the history of Goulburn, Australia’s first inland city, and in Tarago, Bungendore and Braidwood, visit townships that hero history and community. Begin your journey of discovery right here.

Experience it all on a road trip through the region this season.

As summer hits the Southern Tablelands, the region’s captivating villages buzz with country hospitality.

STOP 1

Goulburn STOP 3

Natural beauty, heritage architecture and relaxed country energy await in Goulburn.

Just two hours from Sydney, and one from Canberra, this vibrant community is home to the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre.

As the largest operating, heritage-based roundhouse in New South Wales, it offers tours of working relics across many exhibits.

The Goulburn Historic Waterworks is the only working steam-powered waterworks in

the Southern Hemisphere. This state heritagelisted site offers insights into 1880s life and makes a lovely spot for a riverbank picnic.

History buffs will enjoy the Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum. With panoramic views of the region, the heritagelisted site is dedicated to the locals who served in World War I, exhibiting objects from every Australia-served war from the mid-1800s to the present day.

STOP 2

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum, Goulburn; Royal Hotel, Bungendore; Sapling Yard Cellar Door, Bungendore; Loaded Dog Hotel, Tarago; Rail Heritage Centre, Goulburn; and the Historic Waterworks, Goulburn.

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Tarago

Thirty minutes’ drive south to tiny Tarago, further delights await. Feast on rissoles and schnitzel with gravy at The Loaded Dog Hotel, a historic sandstone pub that was once a meeting place for roaming bushrangers including Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall.

Bungendore

Next stop is charming Bungendore, awarded Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town in 2025. Bungendore offers incredible art, dining and shopping.

Visit the Suki & Hugh Gallery, Bungendore Fine Art and X Gallery for contemporary works by local artists.

Stop at Gunna Doo Bakery or Scrumpers Kitchen to refuel, followed by a cool-climate tipple at cellar door Sapling Yard. Both the Royal Hotel and The Carrington Inn are breezy spots for an overnight stay.

ABOVE: Royal Hotel; Sapling Yard Cellar Door

STOP 4

Braidwood

Heritage-listed Braidwood is your final stop. Collect a map from the Braidwood Visitor Centre then set out on the Braidwood History Trail – a walking adventure among 49 historic landmarks.

Enjoy Nepalese fare at the Smokey Horse, or low-key Italian at Casanova’s.

After a busy day wandering, stay overnight at the grand Doncaster House. Once a school for the Good Samaritan Nuns, the hotel now has seven charming rooms melding modern sophistication with vintage touches. RLM Words: Ryan Deebank Images: Destination NSW and supplied

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S U M M E R property management

LEADERS in commercial property First National Surat Basin Chinchilla Commercial is the only locally based commercial real estate agency operating outside Toowoomba.

Covering the Surat Basin from Dalby to Wandoan, First National Surat Basin Chinchilla Commercial specialises in the sale, leasing and management of all types of commercial real estate including industrial sites, warehouses, showrooms, offices and retail spaces.

The award-winning agency achieved top honours at First National’s 2024 national and state awards, receiving the highest number of settled sales, gross sales and leasing commission, and property management revenue for small offices awards.

The commercial real estate market in the region remains strong, supported by the area’s diverse and resilient industries.

First National Surat Basin Chinchilla’s commercial sales and leasing consultant Krista Paterson says the agency manages 39 commercial properties across the Surat Basin, with an additional seven properties available for lease and nine listed for sale.

“Over the past 12 months, the agency has successfully sold 17 commercial properties and leased 14,” Krista says.

Krista is a member of First National Surat Basin Chinchilla’s specialist team of professional staff who operate in the commercial field, working closely with landlords, tenants, investors, buyers and sellers to ensure the smooth negotiation of all transactions.

Highly qualified with 12 years of experience in agribusiness banking, and a Diploma in Applied Science and Certificate IV in Finance, Krista has a solid foundation for her role.

Her dedication to her work has been recognised with multiple accolades, including the First National Magnificent 7 investor relations manager award.

With deep sadness the agency announces the recent passing of former owner and commercial sales and leasing consultant, Warren Daniells.

Warren brought more than 20 years’ experience to First National and was much

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valued in the Chinchilla community. Prior to his passing he shared his reflections on the current state of the commercial market, describing it as “tight”.

“The cost of building has increased and that has a created a shortage of properties for lease, particularly warehouses,” he said.

Similarly, there is demand for office space but limited supply.

Warren felt smart investors would still look to commercial properties for the bigger return on investment they offer.

While investors need more equity to break into the commercial property market, the return on investment can be as high as 8 per cent per annum.

“If you owned a house worth $500,000, for example, you might get a gross return of $26,000 per annum,” he said. “A $500,000 commercial property in Chinchilla could fetch a net return of $45,000 a year.”

Warren believed managing commercial

properties requires specialist skills which is why First National Surat Basin Chinchilla stands out from other agencies.

“Commercial properties have their own rules and regulations – from asbestos to trip hazards – and ensuring compliance on behalf of the owners is key.”

First National Surat Basin Chinchilla Commercial is the only locally based commercial real estate agency operating outside Toowoomba.

To discuss your commercial real estate needs, call Krista Paterson, Rob Fraser or Juliann Frame at First National Surat Basin Chinchilla Commercial today. RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: First National Surat Basin Chinchilla commercial leasing consultant Krista Paterson leases Condamine House; Krista at Chinchilla Garden Centre; an aerial view of Chinchilla Garden Centre; 9 Malduf Street, Chinchilla, and Chinchilla industrial estate.

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Remote country CALLING A young doctor has spread his wings to help people in rural and remote Australia.

It was while he was in high school in the Hunter Valley that Jared Lawrence’s eyes were first opened to the possibility of becoming a rural doctor.

“I always thought I’d end up as a tradie in the coalmines,” Jared says.

“There was also some expectation that I would take over the family’s 600-acre beef property.”

It wasn’t until a discussion with one of Singleton’s GPs that medicine became a viable option for Jared and, with dedication, something he believed he could achieve.

Jared attended Singleton High School from Years 7-11 but travelled to St Mary’s College in Maitland every day for Year 12 to try to boost his marks to gain entry into medicine at university.

When Jared failed to achieve the marks required to study medicine, he enrolled in podiatry at the University of Newcastle.

Persistence paid off and in 2020, after three attempts, he successfully transferred into medicine at the University of New England, Armidale.

Being a rural medical school there was a big focus on placements that took Jared to hospitals in Coonabarabran, Tamworth, Taree and Gosford.

“It gives you a reason why you’re studying so hard, when you can read something in a textbook and then go to the hospital and apply that to patients,” Jared says.

“It teaches you how to interact with patients, how to treat someone sitting in front of you, rather than just reading something in a book and passing an exam.”

In 2022, Jared was awarded a $15,000 NSW Rural Doctors’ Network resident medical officer cadetship.

The money gave Jared the opportunity to go to places like Charleville and Cunnamulla that otherwise may have been out of reach for a student.

Jared worked with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Charleville, travelling to remote communities like Thargomindah to set up a GP clinic for the day.

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rural health S U M M E R

FACING PAGE: Jared Lawrence in the coronary care unit at Dubbo Base Hospital.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Harvesting wheat for Dale and Jane Hage at Goroke, Victoria; flight with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to complete an outreach GP clinic; Singleton Young Achiever Award acceptance speech in Singleton in 2025; outreach GP clinic at Thargomindah, Queensland; and, Taylah, Harvey, Jared, Teagan and Pauline Lawrence at Jared’s graduation in medicine at the University of New England in 2025.

“If they know I’ve walked a day in their shoes and understand a little bit of what they’re going through, then I can come up with a realistic goal and not just something a textbook says to do to help them.”

“The Charleville experience was remarkable because in a remote community there are limited facilities to investigate a patient,” Jared says.

“You’ve only got basic x-ray and pathology services so you have to depend on a patient’s clinical history and examinations to work out the next best step.”

With some patients having to travel thousands of kilometres just to get to Charleville, delayed presentations were common.

“Poorly controlled diabetes, for example, can have serious consequences such as kidney disease, strokes and heart attacks, or having to have a limb amputated,” Jared says.

“Women, especially during pregnancy, who don’t have access to a specialist obstetrician, may have a different journey to a woman in the city.”

Jared also spent six weeks in Cunnamulla with the town’s only permanent GP. With a population of 1200 people, half of whom are Indigenous, many patients presented with problems associated with obesity, as well as alcohol and tobacco abuse.

During his time there Jared established the Cunnamulla Run Club with the aim of getting the community to become more active.

“We would try to run one or two times a week,” he explains. “It was just a social jog, but that was 18 months ago and it’s still a weekly occurrence, and that’s amazing.”

Jared, 26, is in the first year of a twoyear internship at Dubbo Base Hospital where he is rotating through emergency, orthopaedics, paediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, and the general wards to get a broad foundation.

He sees his future in rural and remote

medicine and finds the prospect of being somewhere where he may be the only doctor exciting rather than daunting.

Still a farm boy at heart, Jared spends his holidays wheat harvesting from northern NSW to southern Victoria.

“You work massive hours and, living with the farmers, you get a really good perspective of what they go through day to day,” Jared says.

“It’s going to change the way I treat farmers when they’re sitting in front of me as patients. Many farmers look to hide their mental health so as a rural doctor it’s important to be able to break that ice.

“If they know I’ve walked a day in their shoes and understand a little bit of what they’re going through, then I can come up with a realistic goal and not just something a textbook says to do to help them.” RLM Words: Liz Tickner Images: Supplied

RLM 161

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BUNDAWARRAH CENTRE TEMORA, NSW STEP INTO OUR RURAL STORY AT THE BUNDAWARRAH CENTRE — WHERE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND COMMUNITY MEET. Mon - Fri 9:30am - 5pm Sat - Sun 9:30am - 4pm Ph: 6977 5923 29 Junee Rd, Temora NSW 2666 Vintage ambulances on display at Temora Ambulance Museum

Vintage car parade at the Annual Live Exhibition

Exploring the rural machinery collection

Blacksmithing at the Annual Live Exhibition

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Don Bradman Cottage

Three Ponds Estate is Temora’s newest boutique accommodation, where modern Scandinavian design meets peaceful country charm.

Relax in one of three beautifully appointed pods featuring plush queen beds, luxurious linens, a fully equipped kitchen, and a bright, comfortable living area.

Step out onto your private deck to enjoy sweeping countryside views or gather by the communal fire pit beside the water for a cosy evening under the stars.

Every detail is thoughtfully designed for your comfort, from high-end amenities and quality toiletries to a quiet location close to local attractions.

THE CALMING COUNTRY EXPERIENCE

79 Airport St, Temora NSW 2666 info@threepondsestate.com

threepondsestate.com

Railway Hotel, Temora Good Times • Good Vibes • Good People The Railway Hotel is where echoes of laughter and old songs never fade, and every night feels like coming home.

134 Hoskins Street, Temora NSW (02) 5924 3113 hello@railwayhoteltemora.com.au

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S U M M E R story name

ELEVATING waterfront living Gaia Kangaroo Point is setting new benchmarks in luxury, wellness and community living right on the banks of the Brisbane River.

Beautifully elegant, Gaia seamlessly blends modern waterfront living and city convenience with more than 20 thoughtfully designed leisure and wellness spaces to promote both activity and calm.

Think coming home to resort-style amenities – communal gardens, a riverside pool, hot and cold plunge pools, an indoor and outdoor gym, a steam room, saunas and shaded lounges for rest and retreat.

The choice is difficult. Do I relax on the rooftop garden lounge, sip cocktails by the pool on the terrace or be entertained at the open-air cinema?

You can indulge your private morning yoga routine in the abundance of small, landscaped zones, ideal for quiet contemplation.

Then catch up on those emails and scheduled meetings in the work-from-home offices or the outdoor work booths surrounded by lush landscaping.

The name Gaia, meaning connected to nature, reflects the heart of this innovative residential development.

Gaia is the brainchild of the Pikos Group, a leader in Brisbane high-end property delivering projects on the city’s most iconic locations.

Its 37-year history has included large-scale residential subdivisions to luxury high-rise towers and commercial office and retail developments.

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This new project will deliver a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, complete with world class amenities encapsulated within two residential towers – River Tower and City Tower.

Gaia is located on one of the last remaining riverfront sites in Kangaroo Point, an inner suburb of Brisbane directly east from the CBD and bounded on three sides by the Brisbane River.

Residents will benefit from the connectivity to the best of Brisbane along the Kangaroo Point riverwalk and pedestrian bridges.

Pikos Group CEO Michelle Wooldridge says the design of Gaia introduces a resort-style lifestyle that prioritises connection to nature, social engagement, and holistic well-being.

The $620 million project is an innovative and synergistic design collaboration between Pikos Group’s founder, Pedro Pikos, international design architects DKO, builders M2M Constructions and Julie Williamson Design.

The apartments and two dual-level penthouses are all designed to maximise river and city views. > ABOVE AND FACING PAGE: Strategically positioned on the Brisbane River, Gaia occupies an elevated site with an uninterrupted, wide-angle river view of the New Farm peninsula bend; Gaia’s two residential towers have been oriented to capture sweeping views; the elegant interior of the units; there are more than 20 thoughtfully designed leisure and wellness spaces.

stylish living S U M M E R

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S U M M E R stylish living

“It was important when we designed these spaces, they weren’t just aesthetically beautiful but also activated and fostering that sense of community, encouraging people to be part of a neighbourhood.”

The interior design vision was for sleek, timeless luxury – oak engineered timber flooring, stone slabs for kitchen joinery, highend appliances and elegant tapware.

“The idea is to create a ground plan predicated on wellness and community,” Michelle says.

“It was important when we designed these spaces, they weren’t just aesthetically beautiful but also activated and fostering that sense of community, encouraging people to be part of a neighbourhood “We are really trying to capture several different zones – from private dining rooms to work-from-home spaces, and pockets throughout the landscaping where residents can either have a barbecue or read a book.

“There is even a resident’s shed for art classes or other activities.

On top of each of the towers are the private rooftops for people to enjoy. Lots of developments have a city view but it is unique to have a river view let alone be riverfront.”

The fact all residents have access to the exclusive riverfront living is the Gaia point of difference, according to Michelle.

Construction started in September 2024 with occupancy anticipated in mid-2027.

Demand has been strong for the 235 apartments which range up 170 square metres in size with price entry points for threebedroom apartments of about $2.75 million.

Additionally, the two double-storey penthouses which each

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feature an expansive rooftop terrace are both more than 600 square metres.

“A lot more people are wanting to move away from living in the suburbs and be more connected, alongside the downsizers wanting to secure riverfront space,” Michelle explains.

“This project is also attracting the more sophisticated investors not just looking for a cash yield but capital growth and who are taking a longer-term view of their acquisition post-Brisbane 2032.”

A secure environment is a feature with the site exclusive to the residents, the simplicity of a swipe card interface and security cameras throughout. This is complemented by secure basement car parking and direct lift access.

“It is a quiet place – so relaxing and peaceful yet so close to all the attractions of James Street and the city. There is nothing comparable that has come to market with such a strong focus on the wellness side,” Michelle reflects.

You can obtain a brochure or make an appointment to visit the display centre by calling Tracey Van Dyk on 0407 596 224.

For more details visit gaiakangaroopoint.com.au RLM Words: Kim Woods Images: Supplied

ABOVE: Pikos Group CEO Michelle Wooldridge; the wellness spaces to promote both activity and calm; the site is an intentionally designed community, offering not just a home, but an elevated lifestyle.

15 Queen St, Barmedman NSW 0447 467 907 kortmar@outlook.com Kortmar Manor | Biking the Bland

STAY.

PLAY.

EXPLORE.

Unwind at Kortmar Manor.

Love dogs? So do we.

Here for the ride?

A one-of-a-kind boutique stay in the heart of Barmedman. Once a schoolhouse, now a thoughtfully restored country retreat.

Perfect for a weekend escape or basecamp for adventure.

Meet our resident Shiba Inus and enjoy our unique Stay & Play experience — it’s part of what makes Kortmar Manor so special.

Biking The Bland is a cyclists dream with quiet country roads and curated loops across the scenic Bland Shire. BYO bike, map your loop, and soak in the wide-open spaces.

LAKE COWAL Now open on the edge of Lake Cowal, InHabitat offers lakeside eco-accommodation, environmental education and function facilities for schools, groups and travellers.

STAY Deluxe eco-tents with queen bed & ensuite Standard eco-tents with bunk-style beds

HOST Events, workshops, training sessions or conferences in flexible indoor and outdoor spaces.

InHabitat Lake Cowal offers the chance to learn, stay, and connect — all in a natural setting that brings people and environment together.

LCCC open 8.30–5.00 weekdays Accommodation 7 days • Book online

E X P L O R E & E X P E R I E N C E N AT U R E N AT U R A L LY

INHABITAT

419 Uncle Bill’s Road, Lake Cowal NSW 2671 0418 370 927 info@inhabitatlakecowal.au

inhabitatlakecowal.com.au

LUXURIOUS SPA AND BEAUT Y TREATMENTS IN THE HEART OF WEST WYALONG Specialising in lifting and sculpting facials using proven cosmeceuticals in combination with targeted facial massage and non-invasive technologies that leave you glowing inside and out.

OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE

- Full body hair removal - Relaxing day spa rituals - Skincare and gifts

93 Main St West Wyalong ▪ 02 5938 1922 ▪ Find us on Facebook Open Tuesday – Saturday

#glowforbeauty_westwyalong

glowforbeauty.com

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Style and purpose A commercial laundry service, an event planning business and the world of soccer might seem an unlikely combination, but it works for this Stanthorpe family.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A beautiful table setting by Stanthorpe Events and Hire; chairs dressed in formal attire; interesting décor gives each event an individual atmosphere; fabric swathes and fairy lights create the perfect atmosphere above the immaculately set tables.

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If there are two people who have blended “life” and “style” into one amazing experience, it’s Chris and Tamara Reedy.

Parents to four children who now have careers from medical doctor (Taylah) to Navy submarine engineer (Nathan) to professional soccer playing (Melanie and Jack), Chris and Tamara have shown up to get the important things done, no matter what life has thrown at them.

Back in 2008 when the kids were very young, Chris had a bad accident which kept him in hospital in Brisbane for two years.

Twenty-one operations later, he was more than ready to come back home to Stanthorpe, but his days of having a fruit-and-vegetable business that involved hauling heavy weights were over. Instead, he decided to expand the Reedy family laundromat business in Railway Street to encompass commercial washing. Around the same time, Tamara dipped her toes into the world of wedding planning.

Fifteen years later, both businesses are thriving. The laundromat’s machines whirr through hundreds of sacks of commercial linen, and the wash-dry-iron cycle is something that can be done at any time of day. When Chris’s chronic pain keeps

weddings and events S U M M E R

him from sleeping, he will often go to work during the wee hours.

Their other business, Stanthorpe Events and Hire, is a household name on the Granite Belt and beyond. Tamara’s natural talent for design can be seen behind many public gatherings throughout the year, seguing effortlessly from a wedding in a rustic shed down on the farm to a black-tie event in the town’s civic centre.

Event planning has been a whirl of formals, weddings, 21st birthday parties, high school graduations, anniversaries, balls and more.

A couple of events the Reedys remember with particular fondness are the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival’s blackand-white ball and the year that Opera in the Vineyard had a masquerade theme.

A vast inventory has been gathered over the years.

Tables and chairs for hire are just the start. Ready to create a magical atmosphere in anything from rustic to romantic styles are lanterns, cutlery in gold or silver hues, tablecloths, vases, towers of china, about 5000 wine glasses in different styles, weathered wine barrels, Christmas decorations, candelabra, miles of fairy lighting, swathing material, chair covers and a rainbow of about 20,000 chair sashes.

Design elements can be anything from natural materials to modern items, with antique-style pretties somewhere in the mix as well.

Chris and Tamara are also volunteers with the Stanthorpe International Club. Chris is committee president and Tamara is one of the cooks for regular service club dinner meetings and events.

While building up their two businesses, Tamara and Chris also became Stanthorpe’s best travelled soccer mum and dad (or at least that’s what it felt like), supporting their two youngest children’s sporting aspirations as soccer took them to Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

They can remember times when Chris was driving one child to Brisbane while Tamara ferried the other to Toowoomba.

All their children played soccer as youths and Chris is proud of the family connection that goes all the way back to his great grandfather, EA Rogers, who started soccer in Stanthorpe.

Melanie, 20, straddles two worlds. She works in the family business in Stanthorpe but is also a professional soccer player for Eastern Suburbs Ladies in Brisbane.

Jack, a natural striker, started in Stanthorpe City team and moved through the Southern Downs Academy, Brisbane Roar, South-West Queensland Thunder and Brisbane City.

He was headhunted to England where he now lives nine months of the year doing a double degree in sports science and sports coaching at Loughborough University while he trains at the academy there.

For Jack, just 18, it’s a winning combination. He’s studying at a highly respected sporting university in a country where soccer is virtually a religion. He’s in a feeder club and his next step is likely to be to a semi-pro club on the way to a professional career.

There’s a phrase in soccer terminology – “keeping a clean sheet” – that refers to never conceding a goal in a match.

That could also describe how the Reedys live their lives … whether it’s related to soccer or event planning or the thousands of hotel sheets they’ve washed over the years. RLM

Make your function unique with

From a simple affair to an extravagant wedding reception, we supply: Décor, accessories & embellishments and table & room decoration

Words: Jenel Hunt Images: Sandra McEwan and supplied

THIS PAGE: A well-travelled soccer family … Tamara and Chris Reedy with their children Jack and Melanie; Jack has been headhunted to England for his soccer skills; Melanie is a professional soccer player for Eastern Suburbs Ladies in Brisbane.

M. 0487 280 878 E. ctreedy@bigpond.com

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MUNGINDI

ST GEORGE

02 6753 2532 SALES

AUCTIONS

07 4625 5366

COMPLETE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

MARKET APPRAISALS

admin@precisionaerial.com.au www.precisionaerial.com.au

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS STANTHORPE KNOW AND TRUST RATE MY AGENT Stanthorpe Agent of the Year 2019–2024

(07) 4681 3311 / 0418 723 495 logan@stanthorperealestate.com.au

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53 Maryland Street, Stanthorpe, QLD 4380

stanthorperealestate.com.au

BLAND ART & SCULPTURE TRAIL Explore a journey where art and history unite! See Ungarie’s breathtaking war murals, Weethalle’s towering silo masterpiece, and Wyalong’s vibrant Cultural Outdoor Art Display. Discover the Poppet Head, where old mining meets modern innovation.

Experience the heart and soul of these artistic treasures and more.

Your Journey Starts Here visitwestwyalong@blandshire.nsw.gov.au

6 Shire Street, West Wyalong, NSW

02 6979 0247

ALL OCCASIONS LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUE

Hearts of Gold F R I D AY 1 7 – S U N D AY 1 9 OCTOBER 2025

Friday A ‘Golden Gala’ at Regal Estate, an night exclusive formal event, a beautiful reason to get frocked up and enjoy food and drinks surrounded by the beautiful winery.

Saturday A Brunch and Browse in the Main St morning with plenty of food options, fun rides and lots of entertainment.

Saturday Family Fun Night, with live music, night rides, food, and entertainment for all ages.

A beautifully curated destination for women’s fashion, babywear, candles, handbags, stylish homewares and much more — perfect for all occasions.

Ph. 0427 722 373 179 Main Street West Wyalong NSW 2671

Tues to Thurs: 10am - 4pm Fri: 10am - 5pm Sat: 10am - 1pm Sun + Mon: Closed

West Wyalong Hearts of Gold Festival

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Escape to Wilderluxe

A truly luxe glamping experience in big sky country, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is not just a place for city people to see the stars.

In the words of Wilderluxe general manager Katie Toney, it was created “by the country, for the country” and promises an unparalleled, unique experience for rural and regional guests, too.

Whether you’re seeking a couple’s getaway, an unforgettable escape with friends, or an exclusive retreat with a group, Wilderluxe deserves a spot at the top of your list.

Katie moved to the area in February with her husband Dan and two children. They were tasked with bringing to the bush some of the magic they’d instilled at the Reflections

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Holiday Park they run at Seal Rocks.

Originally from rural Queensland and a former news journalist, Katie saw this new chapter as a family adventure to cherish.

“Bordered by the Great Dividing Range and overlooking breathtaking Lake Keepit, Wilderluxe combines the charm of camping with the sophistication of a boutique hotel,” Katie smiles.

“Wilderluxe was very much the vision of our CEO, Nick Baker – a very experienced tourism operator across the globe – and our chief marketing officer Peter Chapman.

They were the dreamers of the project, seeing real potential in the stunning ridgeline at Lake Keepit.”

Boasting premium glamping comfort, plush interiors and breathtaking 180-degree water and mountain range views, the eight luxurious tents are fully insulated and air-conditioned for yearround comfort.

Better still, each features a skydome, perfectly positioned for stargazing from your king bed. On dark nights, the Milky Way illuminates in a way you never knew it could.

glamping escape S U M M E R

Plus, with an outdoor bathtub, it’s an opening to connect with nature and enjoy the quiet calm of the country.

With a two-night minimum stay, Wilderluxe enables guests to choose their own unique experience – enjoy social drinks of an evening, or retreat to the quiet calm in your glamping tent and take in the lake views.

Pre-order your barbecue packs for dinner or choose to dine off-site with a gourmet farmhouse dining experience just minutes from the property, or one of the pubs or cafés in neighbouring towns.

Intimate and nostalgic, Wilderluxe is about so much more than escaping the city humdrum.

It’s a celebration of the entire region and is easily accessible at just 40-minutes’ drive from Tamworth airport and 30 minutes from Gunnedah.

Rural visitors will note with pride the continental breakfast pack featuring fresh, local produce, including sourdough made from surrounding wheat crops.

A mini-bar stocked with beer and wine, plus hamper packs filled with a selection of local meats and farm-fresh produce, are available for in-room dining.

The Big Sky Dreaming experience is a special highlight, taking place in the nearby Gilay Guest Lounge each afternoon. It’s an artistic short film narrated by Uncle Len Waters, a Kamilaroi man and Tamworth Elder.

Four Dreamtime stories of the stars will enchant guests, who afterwards can make their way to the communal fire pit – which Uncle Len designed – for evening drinks and nibbles as the sun makes its retreat.

The following day, grab a couple of mountain bikes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and fishing gear – all supplied as complimentary gear for use during your stay.

Wilderluxe is the foundation of memory-making you can take in any direction you choose.

As for Katie, she and her family returned to the Mid North Coast in November – but there’s a bit of Keepit that will stay with them always.

“It’s bittersweet – as nice as it is to head home, we’ve absolutely loved living here,” she says wistfully. “The people we’ve met in this community are friends for life.

“We have been enlightened by the passion and love people here have for working hard and being part of a community, and we’ll be taking a piece of that back to Seal Rocks with us.” RLM

“Bordered by the Great Dividing Range and overlooking breathtaking Lake Keepit, Wilderluxe combines the charm of camping with the sophistication of a boutique hotel.”

THIS PAGE: Both metropolitan and rural visitors alike will relish the unparalleled offering at Wilderluxe, promising an unforgettable, exclusive escape just 40 minutes’ drive from Tamworth Regional Airport.

Words: Anna Conn Images: Supplied

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Dine In or Takeaway | GF + DF Options Seasonal Menu | Breakfast and Lunch Located in the heart of Temora OPEN MONDAY – SATURDAY 6.30AM – 2.30PM 168 Hoskins St, Temora, NSW 0493 479 725 | temoradoubleshot@gmail.com

COLL ABORATION CREATION CONNECTION

ROUND ABOUT BAKERY Pr r rs: Gary and An Ha g Friendly service, chaotic at times, delicious food.

Open 5.30am-4pm daily

TEMORA 252 Hoskins Street 6978 0020

W E S T W YA L O N G 187 Main Street 6972 1777

A sparkle for the eyes, a feast for the tummy and fabulous for the soul.

FORBES 11 Sherriff Street 6852 3257

266 Hoskins St, Temora NSW (02) 6977 4122 info@debsjewellery.com

Gift + Clothing Boutique in Temora Unique gifts for all occasions ▪ Gorgeous homewares Women's clothing boutique ▪ Accessories ▪ Candles and diffusers Elegant and stylish home decor ▪ Art and statement pieces 165 Hoskins Street, Temora NSW 2666

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0437 337 122

lorraealisonpattison@gmail.com

Open 9am-5pm weekdays + 9am-12.30pm Saturday

Step into the past and discover timeless treasures Discover a hand-picked collection of vintage and antique pieces that bring beauty, history and character to your home.

For Regional Lifestyle Magazine readers, enjoy free shipping Australia wide (on orders of $150 and over) Use RLM25 at checkout.

Phone. 0408 270 289

Online only - visit us at www.marpleantiques.com.au

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antique and vintage S U M M E R

WHISPERS from the past What began as a personal passion soon evolved into a rewarding business for Italian-born Ester Surija.

Weekends have always been devoted to her favourite ritual – browsing antique fairs, second-hand shops, and country markets.

Early morning, coffee in hand, Ester would wander through rows of treasures waiting for that special moment of discovery.

“I’ve always been drawn to objects with history – pieces that whisper stories of those who came before us,” she says.

“There’s something magical about holding an item made generations ago, imagining the hands that once used it, the homes it lived in, and the memories it quietly witnessed.

“From the thrill of discovery to the quiet joy of learning about each piece’s provenance, I was hooked from the start.”

Amassing quite a collection, Ester began showing at antique fairs, where among tables of silver, glass, porcelain, and oldworld curiosities, she met countless likeminded collectors.

“Their warmth, shared knowledge, and enthusiasm reminded me that antiques aren’t just things … they’re vessels of history, connection, and meaning,” she enthuses.

With all these stories revolving in her mind, and the increased interest in her collection, Ester felt the need to create a space of her own.

Marple Antiques & Collectables was born – her own carefully curated online store.

The business name is a tip of the hat to the famous Miss Jane Marple, Agatha Christie’s beloved character.

“Her sharp eye, quiet wisdom, and appreciation for life’s details seemed the perfect embodiment of what I wanted Marple Antiques to stand for – curiosity, discovery, and timeless charm,” Ester affirms.

The business began in 2009, 11 years before COVID changed the world. Back then, Ester would participate in up to 15 antique fairs a years in Melbourne, Sydney

and Canberra, even venturing to country fairs such as Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Sadly, this area of business died in the wake of the pandemic, with Ester now only doing three fairs annually.

Although the majority of Marple Antiques’ business is conducted online, Ester has a shop in Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, within Dirty Janes Antiques Emporium.

From the outset, Ester’s mission has been simple: to offer pieces that speak to both the heart and the eye.

“Whether it’s a hand-painted plate, a vintage brooch, or a character-filled curio, each item in our collection has been thoughtfully selected, not just for its beauty, but for the sense of soul it carries,” she says.

“My belief is that antiques and vintage finds don’t need to feel precious or untouchable. They can be woven into modern life with ease, adding warmth, texture, and individuality to everyday spaces.

“They also make truly meaningful gifts – thoughtful, one-of-a-kind pieces that carry stories and spark conversation.”

Today, Marple Antiques has become a trusted destination for collectors, decorators, gift-seekers, and anyone who loves timeless design.

From her home base, Ester ships across Australia and beyond, taking care to wrap each order thoughtfully so it arrives ready to be cherished.

“We’re grateful for the trust our customers place in us and feel privileged to play a part in giving every piece a new chapter in its story,” she says.

“For me, this journey has always been about more than beautiful objects. It’s about honouring craftsmanship, celebrating heritage, and keeping the stories of the past alive in the present.” RLM Words: Anna Rose Images: Supplied

“From the thrill of discovery to the quiet joy of learning about each piece’s provenance, I was hooked from the start.”

ABOVE: Business owner Ester Surija has turned her passion for iscovering the beautiful and unique and transforming it into a thriving business; this Muranostyle glass shell is just one of Ester’s finds.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Here is a selection of what you could expect at Marple Antiques and Collectables ... Royal Worcester blush vase; Satsuma vase; Moorcroft vase; Phillip Drummond galah; Imari urn; Lalique Chevreuse vase; Steiff teddy bear; Japanese inro; and, vintage Hermes scarf.

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Fuel your day with our organic coffee, matcha and gluten-free, dairy-free options! Enjoy wholesome RAW slices, fresh lunch choices and poke bowls (Wed to Fri).

Explore our range of organic skincare, makeup, pantry essentials and supplements – all designed to nourish you inside and out.

Mon to Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 12pm dalbyhealthfoods.com.au

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(07) 4662 2409 123 Cunningham Street Dalby, Queensland

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

THE ORIGINAL

Lamp Shop Lake Bathurst Cottage Collectables | 200 Wallace Street, Braidwood Open Friday – Sunday 9am – 3.30pm or by appointment

Our unique business specialises in vintage and antique lamps and replacement parts and has everything for the lamp enthusiast or collector.

Please call in to see the huge collection of antique and kerosene lamps displayed in our showroom — a complete range of rare and collectible lamps spanning 200 years of lighting.

For a sample of our collection, visit the extensive galleries on our web site www.kerolamps.com.au

ROBERT J AERNOUT JP (Ret) 0408 483 255 | robert@kero-lamps.com.au RLM 179

S U M M E R Garden

A 40-YEAR

labour of love You will undertake a real journey of discovery visiting this exquisite garden just outside of Tenterfield.

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ABOVE: Property owner Carol Campbell admires the three Washington palms which stand like sentinels over the entrance to the garden.

FACING PAGE: Your journey of discovery awaits.

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S U M M E R Garden

“We started gardening straight away planting in an area which was very exposed and inhospitable and we purchased so many inappropriate plants which we lost – but we kept going.”

Turning off the New England Highway into Pyes Creek Valley Road feels like you’re driving into wilderness country as the road twists and turns its way seemingly endlessly up the valley.

Suddenly the wild roadside plantings give way to plantings of introduced succulents agave, grasses Miscanthus and Butterfly bushes Gaura.

On a sweeping curve in the road the plantings intensify creating a parklike setting to the extent that travellers have stopped their cars and got out to take photos and walk along the roadside without knowing what lies on the steep hill above.

A track snakes up the hill into the distance. On both sides of that track avenues of topiarised trees appear with landscaped garden beds behind.

Halfway up the track a grove of Washington palms Washingtonia robusta stand almost as exclamation marks announcing a charming homestead surrounded by a stunning garden ... and that’s just the beginning.

This is the oasis of Equador, created by owners Carol and Bill Campbell. Both Carol and Bill are New England locals having been raised on properties in the district.

When they moved into Equador almost 40 years ago the cottage was set in a paddock where the weeds were so tall the fences were not visible.

“We started gardening straight away planting in an area which was very exposed and inhospitable and we purchased so many

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inappropriate plants which we lost – but we kept going,” explains Carol.

Then a friend gave Carol a box of cuttings which included lamb’s ears Stachys byzantina, catmint Nepeta racemosa, gaura, valerian Valeriana officinalis and oyster plants Tradescantia spathacea, which would become the staples of the garden.

Over the years hellebores, salvias, rockroses cistus and various grasses have been added to the palette enabling the Campbells to paint a very broad and stunning canvas with great structural results as well.

As the Campbell family grew, so did the garden.

“Every baby I had I created a garden for,” Carol says.

It is definitely to the garden’s benefit that they had six children.

Gabby, Prue, Sam, Angus, Blair and Annabel now live in many parts of the world including Scotland and Dubai.

“The kids love coming back to the garden,” Carol says. “My mother was a great gardener and was passionate about it, which I could never understand growing up. > ABOVE: This dramatic entrance to the house gives visitors just a glimpse of what’s in store for them.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Over the past 40 years, owners Carol and Bill Campbell have created the most incredible garden from a mass of weeds. Through trial and error, they have found plants that adapt to the harsh growing conditions. It’s now a showplace they’re happy to share with visitors.

story name S U M M E R

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S U M M E R Garden

“The kids love coming back to the garden,” Carol says. “My mother was a great gardener and was passionate about it, which I could never understand growing up.”

“I remember saying to her: ‘What are you doing that for? I’ll never be a gardener’. Little did I know.”

The children would have benefited greatly from growing up in what is most certainly a family garden complete with swimming pool, tennis court, creeper-covered pavilion and a large, thriving vegetable garden. All of these features are beautifully landscaped with an interesting array of plants arranged together with great colour and texture combinations.

Although the charming family home was large enough to house the six children growing up, it also has an intimate inviting atmosphere with generous outdoor living areas extending in several directions enabling the Campbells to entertain regularly.

By their own admission, Bill and Carol have very different gardening ideas which, when combined, work beautifully.

Bill loves trees and his first garden-related purchase was a copy of the gardener’s bible, What Tree Is That?

The one original tree in the garden, a Magnolia Grandiflora, has been joined by dozens of others complemented by Carol’s main interest in planting understorey combinations. > “It’s like doing a jigsaw puzzle – very therapeutic and I feel like I am achieving something. I love finding the plant combinations which survive and work,” Carol says. > Throughout the garden stone walls, paths and seats have been beautifully constructed by Bill.

“I have no sense of keeping a straight line and am so slap-dash,

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my walls would fall down or have to be covered up with quickgrowing plants,” laughs Carol.

Bill has dubbed Carol the Chief Hedge Trimmer, which she does to great effect, evident around the garden and here her lines are straight, or very evenly curved.

As for mowing, Bill confesses to being “slow and high” while Carol is “fast and low”.

The overall combination on all counts is undeniably successful as the garden has now grown to two hectares (five acres), which Carol and Bill maintain seemingly with ease.

As well as keeping up with that demanding workload, Carol owns and runs a very popular boutique, Simply Country, in Tenterfield, a 45km trip each way, much of it down that dusty winding road.

One wonders when she sleeps. RLM Words: Lynne Walker Images: Sapphire Daly

ABOVE: This aerial view gives you an idea of the grand scale of the garden created by Carol and Bill.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: With a glorious garden such as this you really need to have special spots to take in your surroundings. Here you will find cosy nooks and secluded areas to enjoy every aspect of the fruits of Bill and Carol’s labours. Rest awhile and soak in the surroundings. There’s something wonderful to see in every direction.

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S U M M E R garden

A PASSION FOR IRIS

Acres of bearded iris burst into a delightful kaleidoscope of colours and patterns during spring at Smokin Heights Nursery in Kapunda, South Australia.

The beautiful picture includes cultivars developed by owners, mother and son team Melissa and Bailey Schiller.

They have been growing, importing and hybridising iris in a dedicated breeding program here between the Barossa and Clare valleys since 2013.

Bearded iris are loved in gardens for their glorious, ruffled blooms and general hardiness with few pest or disease problems. The sculptural foliage provides evergreen interest.

The extensive collection of Smokin Heights includes latest varieties available from Australia and overseas.

Breeding developments have significantly expanded the range with stunning colours boasting larger and more intricate blooms, longer flowering period and weather resilience.

Melissa’s interest in iris extends back over 30 years.

“My nana gave me four rhizomes when my second child was born advising they were a bloom good for the soul,” she recalls.

When they flowered, she was smitten and promptly ordered 300 more beginning a fascination she is delighted that Bailey shares.

“I was encouraged to start hybridising by iris experts Barry and Lesley Blyth,” she tells.

“Bailey would watch me working and when he was about 12 years old grabbed the tweezers and began doing crosses himself.

“He caught the ‘iris virus’ too,” she laughs.

“His knowledge of genetics and work he is doing is fantastic,” she adds proudly.

Bailey especially enjoys working on novelty and lined pattern iris while Melissa’s current goal is darker coloured blooms and distinct Aril hybrids.

They have released a combined 50 new plants, an impressive result with a lot of effort and years involved meeting stringent criteria for each registration.

“We hope what we like others will too,” Melissa says.

Bailey emphasises bearded iris are an excellent, low-maintenance garden plant that also reward a little attention.

“They respond well to all-purpose fertiliser, dividing every three to five years and some extra water (but hate wet ‘feet’).”

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They make a great cut flower and buds will continue to open over a considerable time.

The Smokin Heights catalogue offers a huge range of 820 varieties classified according to height and flowering season, with detailed descriptions on the comprehensive website.

“All our iris are field grown in real conditions and acclimatise well,” Melissa says.

Online ordering opens from late September with dispatches December through to March. The nursery is accredited to post across Australia (not NT).

Melissa and Bailey are passionate about sharing the many attributes of iris with

fellow gardeners and maintaining high standards in future developments.

“Quality is very important to us and providing customers with products true to type.”

Regular updates including public opening times in spring are also posted on the nursery’s social media. RLM Words: Elizabeth Grant Images: Supplied

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bailey and Melissa Schiller with their much-loved dachshunds Stellar and Aura; Queen Conch, one of Bailey’s novelty introductions; the iris field in full bloom; She Talks To Angels by Mel, in honour of her deceased son.

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S U M M E R Travel

INTO THE WILD

RLM’s intrepid travel reporters have come out of Africa to tell the tale of their quest to get up close and personal with the local wildlife.

“They’re off! Brace yourselves,” shouts Ranger Nic, as the African wild dogs we had been trailing took off in hot pursuit of a lone impala.

As we left the dusty road, and “bush-bashed” our way down a gully and up the other side. Our spotter, Ed, pointing from his perch on the front of the safari jeep, never lost sight of their patchwork-coloured coats.

A huge perk of being in a private park rather than Kruger is that we were not restricted to staying on the roads – we could go where the ranger pleased, in custom-built, reinforced 4x4s with protected undercarriages.

When we caught up with the dogs, their white-tipped tails were flashing beacons in the air, quivering in a frenzy, with their highpitched yelps trumpeting the triumph of a successful kill.

In only moments, the beast was torn to pieces and dogs were trotting away with their “share” to munch and protect from others.

Seeing the wild dogs in action like this was not a common occurrence, and Nic and Ed were beaming, chuffed to have been able to provide us with such a thrilling and rare experience.

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Our four-night stay at Savanna Game Reserve was filled with many such adventures, with numerous intimate sightings of the “big five” throughout our stay in our twice daily safaris. Savanna is located in Sabi Sands Nature Reserve, comprising 65,000ha and a 50km unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park.

We had access to 10,000 of those hectares (the Western Quarter of Sabi Sands), with all game reserves in that area sharing sightings and properties, which made for frequent and varied viewings.

So much of this trip was the stuff of dreams. It began with an hour flight on a 12-seater Cessna direct from Johannesburg to the landing strip of Ulusaba with Fed Air. From the moment we climbed aboard our safari jeep, we spotted impala, zebra and a lone warthog, before we’d even checked into the lodge! > ABOVE: Impalas at sunset - you can’t beat nature for a true show of colours.

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: What self-respecting leopard would want to change those gorgeous spots? a pair of zebras; on safari; a wild dog, fully sated, from the successful kill shown in the shot above; what a spectacular coloured bird is the lilac-breasted roller.

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S U M M E R travel

“Our first safari provided immediate satisfaction with sightings of wildebeest, impala, zebra, a white rhino and her baby, a huge herd of buffalo and a female leopard.

We arrived at Savanna in time for a glass of champagne and the 3pm lunch. Late eating times are a part of safari life, with breakfast being served after dawn safari, lunch before evening safari and dinner upon return at night. But no one is sent out before dawn without the offer of a warm beverage and snack to tide them over.

Our first safari provided immediate satisfaction with sightings of wildebeest, impala, zebra, a white rhino and her baby, a huge herd of buffalo (including two males having a fight – “it’s all about the ladies”, quips Ranger Nic), and a female leopard, her “kill” in the branches of a marula tree with her lying in the grass nearby, sated and unperturbed by the humans in the humming metal beast only three metres from her.

Upon our return to the lodge, we were escorted to our suite to ready ourselves for dinner. The safety of guests is a priority at all times and walking to and from your room at night is not permitted without the security of a night guard in case animals breach the perimeters of the compound. When we arrived at our suite, we understood the reason for this focus – there was a giant hippo having a drink at the waterhole only 20 metres from our verandah. We were glad of the angled, squat, electric fence between us and him.

While out on the sunset safaris, the suites were prepared for our evening ablutions. In addition to the usual turn down services expected of a high-end luxury hotel, a deep bubble bath was drawn for a soak before dinner and two glasses of sherry covered in beaded lace awaited as an aperitif.

While lunch was usually around the large communal dining table, each evening yielded a new surprise for dinner: an historic treat in an original train dining car from 1914, a traditional South African barbecue called a “braai” (pronounced bry), and on our last night, a romantic, private dining experience on the verandah of our suite, with bubbles both in the drawn bath and an ice bucket beside it, all surrounded by rose petals and lit candles.

On our first morning safari we headed straight back to where we had seen the leopard the night before, thrilled to discover her in the marula tree chomping down on the impala carcass; the clear, crisp crunch of bone snapping between powerful jaws the only sound to be heard in the quiet, still morning.

Winter is the dry season, and with the waterholes shrinking, sightings are more likely as the animals are drawn to the

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diminishing drinking options. The fiercely territorial hippos often have altercations in these conditions, and the dispute we witnessed was both humorous and awesome.

There are two intimidation strategies used by these aggro males: the propeller tail flicking the hippo’s faeces about to mark their territory (the epitome of the caca hitting the fan!), combined with an eerily familiar noise bellowing from the beasts which sounded exactly like the deep, evil laugh of Jabba the Hut! Before heading back to Savanna at the end of each morning safari, Ranger Nic would find a spot for us to have morning tea – coffee or hot chocolate with a splash of Amarula (a magic concoction) and some sweet and savoury treats which varied each day, as did the picturesque location.

After our late-morning breakfast we would laze about, usually in our suite or on our verandah, reading, relaxing, having a dip in the heated plunge pool while awaiting visits from nature to our own waterhole.

Ten metres out of the gates one afternoon, Spotter Ed waved for Ranger Nic to stop the truck. He thought the drag marks in the grass (indiscernible to us) were from a leopard with prey but then decided it was “just an elephant dragging its trunk”, and behind us were three bull elephants.

We advanced toward the trio and stopped and watched. One of them decided to come over and check us out, his trunk reaching for a sniff of the ranger behind the wheel – so big, so close.

It’s quite extraordinary how unfazed the animals are by the trucks and people in them. Ranger Nic explained the animals are used to the profile of the vehicles, which is why it is important to stay seated at all times – a change of that profile to include a standing human could be perceived as a threat and the result could be … problematic. >

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: It’s a great view from up here, kid, says the mother giraffe to her calf; these hippos aren’t quite seeing jaw to jaw, it appears; every age bracket is represented in this elephant family; a majesticlooking male kudu; the lioness is ever-watchful over the pride.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The saddle-billed stork doing a spot of fishing; cape buffalo; a hyena cub; the hyena pack goes hunting.

travel S P R I N G

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Travel S U M M E R

“The communication between the rangers of the lodges within the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve is what makes this place such a desirable safari destination.”

The animal sightings continued throughout our stay, seemingly orchestrated by the talented pair in whose care we were placed every morning and evening.

Ranger Nic and Spotter Ed asked what we wanted to see and made it happen. By the time we departed, all on our wish list had a tick.

Their sympatico with the animals they tracked yielded the most extraordinary experiences, often drawing away from the other vehicles at a viewing to get ahead of the roving animals, anticipating their next move and being there when they arrived, providing us with precious solo time with these magnificent creatures.

The communication between the rangers of the lodges within the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve is what makes this place such a desirable safari destination.

Details of sightings are eagerly shared ensuring guests at all lodges have the most extraordinary nature experience imaginable.

When Spotter Ed and Ranger Nic found a tense stand-off between three lionesses and a pack of hyenas over territory and the remains of a carcass, the call was put out.

Within moments, two more vehicles arrived and positioned themselves in different locations in the vast open space, always adhering to the rules as to proximity and numbers of vehicles allowed.

When we first arrived, Ranger Nic said it looked as though the hyenas may have stolen the remains of the kill from the lionesses, and this was the aftermath of that altercation.

We were fortunate enough to visit the dens of the wild dogs and hyenas, both located in gigantic, abandoned termite mounds.

An interesting difference in the parenting style of these two creatures is that the den of the wild dogs is like a creche – an adult is left to supervise the litter of pups (up to 10) while the pack is out hunting, with mum returning and regurgitating food for her babies.

The spotted hyena cubs, usually a pair, are left to their own devices while the adults are away. The pair we saw were about four months old, all cuteness and fluff but with jaws that could take your hand off.

Other animal sighting highlights of our safaris included the graceful, majestic and solitary male kudu with his distinctive spiral horns and his fashion shoot poses for the camera, some crocodiles, cranes, saddlebilled storks and a particularly stunning lilac-breasted roller.

On our final morning safari as we left the compound, we saw five lionesses approaching a nearby waterhole in the pre-dawn light.

They walked silently past the vehicle in single file, so close they were almost within arm’s reach.

South Africa has long been a desired destination for us, with a safari as a key motivator.

Sabi Sands is a wonderful part of the country for this focus, and Savanna an extravagant base from which to explore – its lavish facilities matched (if not surpassed) by the service of every member of the Savanna team.

All of them were curators of one of the most memorable and aweinspiring travel experiences of our lives. RLM Words: Nicole Bonfield | Images: John Baltaks

FACING PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rangers from various lodges share information on wild dog sightings; a leopard finishes off its kill in the safety of a tree branch; a white rhino cow with her calf; a wildebeest (gnu), a relative of the antelope; a warthog; full moon over Sabi Sands; grey heron hitches a ride on a hippo; sunrise on safari.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Federal Air Cessna; morning tea on safari; table set for a barbecue dinner; inside the Savanna suite; champagne and a bubble bath ... bliss!

Travel fast facts Where is it?

Sabi Sands is in the north-eastern corner of South Africa near Mozambique.

How to get there?

The only direct flights from Sydney to Johannesburg are with Qantas (not daily), but there are daily onestop flights with most international airlines, such as Singapore, Qatar, Etihad, and partnerships with South African Airways and Virgin Australia.

Once there, you can fly with Fed Air or drive to the reserve.

What to eat?

This country is big on meat, with barbecue (“braai”) almost part of

their DNA. Local favourites include Boerewors (farmers’ sausage), biltong (air-dried cured meats) and sosatie (marinated pieces of meat barbecued on skewers) .While this is the place to try ostrich, springbok, kudu and wildebeest, there are also plenty of options to suit all dietary requirements.

What to do?

The main reason to visit this area of South Africa is safari.There are many options in lodges and accommodation to suit all budgets.

Where did we stay?

Savanna Private Game Reserve – www.savannalodge.com

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Six acres of park like grounds just a few minutes walk from the town centre

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S U M M E R health

However, too much sun can lead to sunburn and other consequences like premature ageing and disease. Most of us are familiar with the signs of sunburn but it is often the subtle signs of skin cancer that can go unnoticed.

Skin cancer doesn’t always make a dramatic entrance. In truth, it frequently starts with changes that are so minimal they can be easily overlooked.

A newly developed mole seemingly appearing from nowhere, a freckle becoming darker or developing uneven edges, or a sore that remains long after it should have healed are all indicators that deserve attention.

For instance, basal cell carcinomas may present as small pink spots that persist.

Squamous cell cancers can resemble scaly patches one might associate with a scratch or irritation. Melanomas can also be deceptive, sometimes no larger than a match head, yet significantly more perilous.

Residing outside urban areas has its advantages, but access to healthcare isn’t always one of them. Many individuals in rural areas tend to ignore changes in their skin because the nearest clinic may be an hour away, or they feel they might be “bothering” the doctor.

However, detecting skin cancer in its early stages is crucial. Rural Australians, who spend extended periods outdoors working, or enjoying the sun, are at a heightened risk.

Delaying a visit to the doctor until you’re next in town for errands could be a lifechanging decision.

Once a month, dedicate a few minutes in front of a mirror and look for anything that’s new, changing, or unusual. Remember to check your scalp, the backs of your legs, and even the bottoms of your feet.

Taking photographs of moles or spots can also be useful; sometimes it’s easier to notice changes when comparing images over time.

See your general practitioner for a skin check every six to 12 months, or more frequently if you have a skin cancer history.

Beyond sunburn: check for signs of skin cancer

The sun is a source of joy and comfort to many of us. Days out in the sun with family and friends, a source of vitamin D, general health benefits and warm soothing days to name a few.

Life in the country is filled with routines.

Incorporating a skin check into that routine is straightforward and could potentially be the most important habit for your health.

The sun will always be a part of life in Australia, but with some careful attention, its damaging effects can be minimised. RLM Words: Dr Joseph Rizk Images: Supplied

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Dr Joseph Rizk is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Double Bay, Sydney. He is an Australian pioneer in fat grafting cosmetic and restorative surgery and skin cancer surgery.

health S U M M E R

Turning pain INTO PURPOSE

When it comes to tackling one of Australia’s most common and deadly cancers, Jay Allen OAM has made it his life’s mission to ensure no one slips through the cracks.

A melanoma survivor himself, Jay founded the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation (ASCF) to fight back against a disease that takes more lives each year than the national road toll.

Jay’s journey began with his own stage three melanoma diagnosis at just 32. Like many Australians, he never thought much about the sun’s dangers.

Determined that survival would mean more than a second chance, he committed to preventing others from facing the same devastating news. More than a decade later, Jay was diagnosed again, this time with throat cancer – squamous cell carcinoma.

After weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, he emerged a two-time cancer survivor, even more determined to turn his pain into purpose.

“Too many Australians are still losing their lives to skin cancer, a disease that can often be detected early and treated successfully,” Jay says. “Our goal is simple: give people the chance to get checked, catch cancers early, and save lives.”

Launched in 2021, ASCF is a grassroots, self-funded charity dedicated to saving

lives through education, advocacy, and free skin checks. The foundation receives no government funding, relying instead on donations, sponsorships, and volunteers.

Its skin check truck has become a familiar sight, travelling to communities large and small to offer potentially life-saving checks.

The impact has been significant.

More than 11,500 skin checks have been completed, identifying thousands of suspicious lesions and detecting more than 130 potential melanomas.

Each detection is a chance for someone to act early and continue living a healthy life.

Beyond skin checks, ASCF advocates for free, nationwide access to services, funds research, educates communities, and supports those affected by melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

For regional and rural Australians in particular, its work is critical, ensuring geography doesn’t dictate health outcomes.

In late September, ASCF partnered with Bendigo Bank community branches to bring the skin check truck to the towns of Pambula, Bega, Batemans Bay, Milton, Sanctuary Point, Braidwood, Bungendore and Crookwell.

Demand was immediate, with some locations booking out within hours – a powerful sign of the need for accessible services.

“Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate by postcode,” Jay affirms. “The fact that some locations booked out in just a few hours shows just how great the demand is, and how vital these services are.”

Jay’s vision is simple but powerful: stop Australians dying needlessly from a disease that can be detected early and treated effectively. Through the foundation’s work, lives are already being saved, and countless more will be too. RLM Words and images: Supplied

FROM TOP: Jay Allen displays the OAM he was awarded in 2020; the skin cancer bus is a welcome sight in regional areas.

australianskincancerfoundation.org

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S U M M E R health and wellbeing

FIVE-MINUTE MIRACLES We get overwhelmed by the time commitment a task might require of us.

We overestimate the time necessary to establish a new pattern. But even small changes can pivot our lives in a whole new direction.

We are, by nature, impatient and too often give up before our practices work their magic.

However, five minutes might just be the miracle.

Five minutes of solid intention done day after day, week after week changes us and changes the game.

Five minutes walking through the house picking up newspapers and shoes and cat toys and books does wonders for our sense of order.

Five minutes every evening of French, or Spanish, will rewire your brain. Five minutes of yoga every morning, five minutes meditating at lunchtime, five minutes journalling before dinner won’t change the world, certainly, but it will nudge your perspective in a new direction ... which just might change the world.

Spend five minutes a day asking yourself these five questions – and watch your productivity skyrocket!

Each question is designed to prime your emotions, focus your attention, prioritise your tasks and set the tone for how you experience each day. They reveal your emotional state, manifest gratitude, assess your position and trajectory, plot your goals, and launch with intention and purpose.

Let’s start – with five reminder notes

in a prominent place (e.g., laptop screen, bathroom mirror or saved on your phone).

• What is your emotional temperature, and what are you feeling today?

• Find a quiet moment. Take a deep breath.

Close your eyes.

• Calm your mind and be in the present moment.

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miracles

Scan your body:

• Start from your toes and work your way up.

• Notice any areas of tension, discomfort, or ease?

Connect with your emotions:

• Try to identify what you’re feeling.

• Are you anxious? Excited? Frustrated?

There are no wrong answers here.

Rate the intensity:

• On a scale of 1-10, how strong is each emotion?

Reflect on the cause of these emotions:

• Can you pinpoint what might be triggering these feelings?

Accept without judgment:

• Whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay. The goal is having awareness, not changing how you feel.

What experiences, things or people in your life inspire you to be a better version of yourself?

• Reflect on those you are grateful for today.

• What is working well for you right now?

And what could be working better?

• Be open and receptive to whatever comes to mind.

What three things do you want to achieve today?

• Identify priorities.

• How will you show up today?

Three essential elements:

• Being more than physically present – being wholly mindful.

• A willingness to be vulnerable and reveal yourself.

• Choosing an open mindset – be curious.

The key is, of course, the discipline of returning to this practice day after day.

The trick – or life hack – is the (only) five minutes. The agreement with ourselves to do only five minutes changes our focus; it reinforces our intention. It resets the compass of our days and hours.

And that’s when miracles happen. RLM Words: Sue Curley Images: Adobe Stock

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S U M M E R country recipes

Delicious dishes for a summer’s day

Take advantage of fresh, seasonal fruits and incorporate them into your next meal with friends and family

Pork Strip Loin with Mango Sauce This dish is exceptionally tasty for a main meal.

SOUR CREAM APPLE SLICE This treasured favourite is handmade with love from family history recipe books.

Ingredients 1 fresh mango or, if not in season, a canned mango will suffice (about 380g) 2 tbsp mango chutney 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp sherry 2 dsp lemon juice 2 tsp oil 500g pork strip loin, sliced Method 1. In a blender combine mango, chutney, mustard, sherry, and lemon juice.

Mix together to make a

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smooth paste then place in saucepan and keep warm.

2. in a non-stick pan heat oil and stir-fry the pork strip loin whole for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over for a couple more minutes until cooked to your liking.

1. Cut into slices and place on a serving plate.

4. Pour the warm mango sauce over the pork strips.

5. Serve with small, boiled chat potatoes with mint, butter and seasonal greens.

Enjoy!

Ingredients 1 cup self-raising flour 1 cup desiccated coconut ½ cup caster sugar 125g melted butter 1 tsp vanilla essence 250g light sour cream 1 egg 800g tin pie apple, no juice 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp sugar [I use demerara] Method 1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line a 16cm x 26cm slice tray with baking paper. Overlap long side and it will be easier to lift out.

2. Combine flour, coconut, sugar, melted butter and vanilla.

3. Press mixture firmly into slice tray using a glass or dessert spoon.

4. Bake for 15 minutes until golden in colour then top with all the pie apple.

5. Beat the sour cream and egg together and spread over the top of the apple.

6. Sprinkle the top with combined nutmeg and sugar.

7. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden and set. Cut into small squares and serve warm or cold – it’s delicious either way!

Note: This is not an overly sweet slice but it’s very nourishing. RLM Recipes and images: Lorraine Hills

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

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

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Opening hours Mon - Fri: 8am to 5pm Sat: 8am to 12pm Sun: Closed

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Planning your festive feast Create a selection of sweet, savoury, and sensational offerings for your guests.

Potato, Egg and Avocado Salad Serves 6-8

Spicy Nut and Pretzel Mix Ingredients: 2 cups mixed raw nuts 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 2 tbsp dark brown sugar

Grea Chr t for istm gifts as o festi r v snac e ks

½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 1 ½ tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp sea salt flakes 2 cups pretzels

Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. Spread nuts on a baking sheet. Roast 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.

3. In a medium bowl, combine butter, sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and maple syrup.

4. Add warm nuts, stir to coat. Add pretzels and salt. Stir until coated.

5. Spread mix on baking sheet and bake for another 12-18 minutes, stirring twice to ensure even toasting.

6. Remove from oven, cool completely and separate pieces.

7. Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

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Ingredients: 5 large, waxy potatoes (e.g.

Desiree, red skins, Dutch creams) 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 cup mayonnaise ½ cup Greek yoghurt 2 tsp Dijon mustard ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered 2 medium avocados, peeled, pitted and diced half a small red onion, peeled and finely sliced ¼ cup finely chopped parsley 3 tbsp finely chopped chives pinch of chilli powder (optional) Method: 1. Peel potatoes, wash and dice evenly. Fill large wide pot with cold water until it reaches 4cm above the potatoes, then add 2 tsp of salt to the water.

2. Cook potatoes on high heat until the water reaches a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

3. Remove from heat and strain potatoes in a colander. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with the vinegar. Set aside.

4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yoghurt, mustard and black pepper until combined.

5. Add the potatoes, half the hard-boiled eggs, half the avocado, red onion and parsley to the mixing bowl. Very gently fold the salad together until all the ingredients are combined and evenly coated with the mayonnaise dressing.

Refrigerate until required.

6. Serve in a bowl or on a platter, garnished with remaining egg, avocado, parsley, chives and a pinch of chilli powder, if desired.

contemporary dining S U M M E R

Salmon with Pomegranate Molasses and Maple Syrup Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 1 x 1.2kg salmon fillet 3 shallots, sliced thinly 1 large orange, sliced thinly ½ cup white wine or sherry salt and pepper to taste Pomegranate Marinade: 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses 2 tbsp maple syrup 3 tbsp miso paste 2 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely minced zest of 1 orange, grated, or fine strips ¼ cup orange juice ½ tsp each sea salt and ground black pepper Garnish: ¼ - ½ cup pomegranate arils ½ cup coriander or parsley ½ cup honey roasted macadamias

Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a large baking dish with foil and baking paper.

2. Make the salmon marinade by whisking all ingredients together in a small bowl.

Place salmon in a large rectangular container and pour marinade over. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours refrigerated.

3. Place orange slices and white wine in the base of the baking dish.

Place salmon skin side down on top of the oranges with a drizzle of the marinade.

Scatter shallots on top of the salmon fillet.

Roast for about 15 minutes.

4. Remove salmon from the oven dish and present on a platter with the suggested garnish of pomegranate arils, coriander, and macadamias.

Suggested accompaniments: Potato salad and freshly steamed asparagus.

Note: Salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque, no longer translucent in the centre. It will have an internal temperature of 46-48°C for medium-rare, 50°C for medium.

Iceberg Lettuce Wedges with Blue Cheese Dressing Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 1 large head of iceberg lettuce cut into 6-8 wedges, each with some trimmed core attached Blue Cheese Dressing: 1 ½ cups egg mayonnaise 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1 tsp hot pepper sauce (Tabasco) 1 cup coarsely crumbled blue cheese (plus ¼ cup extra to garnish) Small amount of buttermilk or yoghurt to thin dressing Topping: 180g sliced prosciutto ½ red onion very thinly sliced ½ cup pitted black olives black pepper, coarsely ground Method: 1. Arrange the cut lettuce wedges separately, preferably on a glass or stainless-steel

platter in the fridge to chill well.

2. Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, black pepper and pepper sauce in a medium bowl.

3. Add blue cheese and stir to blend. A few lumps are acceptable. If mixture is too thick, thin with buttermilk or yoghurt by tablespoons to desired consistency. Cover and chill.

Note:Dressing may be prepared a day in advance for flavours to mature.

4. Cook the thin slices of prosciutto in the oven on a lined baking tray, leaving space between the pieces – you don’t want them to touch.

5. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, depending on how thin the slices are.

6. Watch carefully, as it can go from crisp to burnt very quickly. The prosciutto will continue to crisp as it cools.

Note: Crispy prosciutto can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It loses a little of its crispness in the fridge, but you can restore it in the microwave for about 5-8 seconds on high.

7. Arrange an individual serving of the chilled lettuce wedge on a plate.

8. Spoon the blue cheese dressing over.

9. Top with crisp prosciutto (crumbled if you prefer) and garnish with finely sliced red onion rings, black olives, and a few dots of blue cheese.

Note: The iceberg lettuce wedges may also be presented on a platter as a salad to accompany meals such as chicken schnitzel, kebabs, barbecue steaks, hamburgers, etc.

RLM 203

S U M M E R contemporary dining

Festive Rum and Raisin Panettone Ingredients 1 large store-bought panettone 1 litre home-made rum and raisin ice cream (recipe included) Icing sugar and decorations

e.g. sprig of muscatels and candied orange peel Alternatively, berries, strawberries, peeled mango flesh, chopped nuts

Method 1. Peel off the paper attached to bottom of the panettone and tear away about 3cm of the paper, covering the sides at the base. Take a sharp, serrated knife and make a 1.5cm slice, removing the whole base of the panettone. Leave the rest of the paper around the side attached, for stability.

2. Cut around the inside of the panettone to hollow it out, leaving about 2cm on all sides and base.

3. Take the rum and raisin ice cream and fill the cavity, packing it down firmly, then reattach the base.

4. Wrap the whole panettone in foil and place in the freezer. It’s best if left overnight or a few days so the ice cream is nice and firm.

5. Remove from the freezer, unwrap, remove the attached paper and place on a serving platter. Decorate with sifted icing sugar, muscatels and candied orange peel, or as desired.

6. Serve sliced into wedges, and since it is the festive season, accompany with a shot of sherry, e.g. Pedro Ximénez, or your favourite liqueur!

Rum and Raisin Ice Cream Makes 1 litre ice cream Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup raisins, chopped in half ¼ cup dark rum 1 x 395ml can condensed milk, chilled 600ml thickened cream, or high

fat whipping cream, chilled 1 ½ tsp vanilla bean paste pinch of sea salt Method: 1. Place raisins in a saucepan with the rum and heat to warm through. Remove pan from

heat before rum comes to the boil. Allow raisins to cool and absorb flavour. Alternatively, raisins may be macerated (without heating) in the rum overnight, in a lidded container.

2. Beat cream, vanilla and salt in a chilled bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form and

cream sticks to the beaters. Do not overbeat.

3. Fold in the cold condensed milk, stirring gently. Add the cold raisins with any leftover rum and mix well to combine.

4. Spoon into a plastic wraplined metal loaf tin, cover with wrap and freeze for at least six hours or overnight.

Coconut Coated Bliss Balls Makes approximately 30

Idea Chr l for istm gifti as ng

Ingredients: 3 cups pitted dates, finely chopped 3 tsp finely grated orange zest 2/3 cup blanched almonds, toasted 1 tbsp honey ¼ tsp cardamom or mixed spice 1 cup dessicated coconut Method: 1. Combine dates, orange zest, almonds, cardamom and honey in a food processor. Blend until the mixture forms a ball.

2. With wet hands, roll ½ tbsp of mixture into balls.

3. Put the coconut into a bowl or tray and drop each date and nut ball into the coconut and roll firmly to coat.

4. Store refrigerated in an airtight container.

Ideal for Christmas gifting Recipes and images: Ruth Fulton

204 RLM

Deli + Cafe Catering + Platter Boxes Dessert Bar + More

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

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

RLM 205

A golden triumph Marrar

Having hosted more than 35 launches in our 13 years of publishing, the Spring 2025 event held on August 16 at the Drover’s Run, Marrar would have to be one of our finest.

With 100-plus invited guests representing the five Eastern Riverina councils, advertising businesses, story subjects, special friends and a strong contingent of team members joined together to celebrate the release of this milestone 260-page publication.

A highlight of the evening was the nostalgic music provided by talented local band 1979, as well as a series of speeches made by key stakeholders.

Speakers included Junee Shire Council general manager James Davis, who also acted as MC, the Drover’s Run owners John and Terrie Chamberlain, Coolamon Shire Council mayor Cr Dave McCann OAM, OAM (Mil), who spoke on behalf of all five LGA mayors, Regional Lifestyle editor and publisher Elizabeth Tickle, Margaret Seymour, wife of John Seymour OAM, past Coolamon Shire Council mayor and Dubbo newsagent Peter Snare, of Talbragar Street Newsagency, whose family has just celebrated 70 years in the business.

The guests enjoyed canapes created by the Marrar Catering Co and

wines were from Angullong Wines, Millthorpe.

At the conclusion of the evening’s festivities, guests took home a complimentary copy of the Spring 2025 edition.

Magazine sales have been absolutely phenomenal with the Eastern Riverina newsagencies and boutique sellers being restocked consistently after total sell-outs.

Current stockists can be found on our website www.lifestylemagazine.net.au while subscriptions are currently being ordered and sent to many states of Australia.

Regional Lifestyle can be read online through the Issuu platform accessed through our website.

A short video of the highlights of the Spring launch can be viewed on our Facebook page. Tyrone Ryan of The Dusty Lens Creative Media, Tenterfield is to be congratulated on the outstanding video production and stills photography capturing this special event.

Sue Meikle, assisted by Margaret Seymour, capably photographed the many guests during the evening. RLM Words: Elizabeth Tickle Images: Tyrone Ryan and Sue Meikle

Eastern Riverina council representatives; RLM publishers Alex and Elizabeth Tickle, Bland general manager Grant Baker, Donna Donoghue with Coolamon Shire Council general manager Tony Donoghue, Junee Shire Council deputy mayor Cr Marie Knight, Temora Shire Council Cr Nigel Judd, Bland Shire Council mayor Brian Monaghan, Bland Shire Council Cr Holly Brooks, Coolamon Shire Council mayor Dave McCann OAM, OAM (Mil), Bland Shire Council Cr Emma Henderson, Junee Shire Council mayor Bob Callow, Temora Shire Council general manager Melissa Boxall and Junee Shire Council general manager James Davis.

Ruth and Bob Fulton.

206 RLM

Wendy and Russell Manning.

Barb Manwaring and Merin Glasgow.

Melissa Boxall and Jason Fernie.

events S U M M E R

Helen Judd, Margaret Seymour, Bronwyn Hatty and Kim Woods.

Elinor Mayer and Ruth Fulton.

Dave McCann OAM OAM (Mil) and Angela McCann with Michelle Seymour.

Margaret and John Seymour OAM.

Ossie and Diana Campbell with Tracey and Greg Ewings.

Nerida and George Ingram.

Terrie and John Chamberlain.

Tamika, Lisa and Liesa Morgan.

Peter and Gail Commens with Helen and Nigel Judd.

Natalie and Rodney Anderson with Alex Tickle.

Craig Sinclair, Emma Henderson and Wendy Manning.

Bree and Drew Symons, Naomi and Warwick Smith, Amanda and Adam Symons and Kerry and Allan Symons.

Rhiannon Druce, Craig Sinclair, Dimi Jayawardene, Laura Munro and Gillian Bett.

The RLM team: Peter Snare, Sue Curley, Natalie Snare, John Curley, Ruth Fulton, Lorraine Hills, Alex and Elizabeth Tickle, Helen Tickle, Kim Woods, Elizabeth Grant, Catherine Player, Anna Rose, Zenio Lapka, Liz Tickner and Sue Meikle.

RLM 207

S U M M E R events

1979 The Band - soundie and occasional player Tegan Campbell with members Nicole Richardson, Leon Ware, Kim Sandgren, Austen Moore and Ryan Dent.

Catherine Player and Daniel Lancaster.

Anna Rose and Liz Tickner.

Helen Tickle, Ruth Fulton, Margaret Seymour, Lorraine Hills, Catherine Player, Elizabeth Tickle, Nerida Ingram and Kim Woods.

Sue and John Curley.

Tyrone Ryan and Aleicia Dornseiff.

Keryl and Andre De Haan.

Nicole Richardson and Helen Tickle.

Natalie and Peter Snare.

John Seymour OAM, Mel Mayer OAM, Bob Fulton, Elinor Mayer and Ruth Fulton.

Margaret Seymour with Ian and Lorraine Hills

Gregory Smith OAM and Catherine Player with Zenio Lapka.

The Drover’s Run by night.

208 RLM

Rob Harper and Caroline Stewart with Chloe, Olivia and Noah Harper.

WE COME TO YOU: to rural NSW residents, including Mudgee, Narromine, Parkes, Gilgandra, Warren, Nyngan, Coonamble and Walgett.

Helping clients buy, sell, lease and manage their dream home in Dubbo and surrounds for over 50 years.

WHY YOU SHOULD HEAT YOUR POOL 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 Scan the QR code and complete the details to request a complimentary appraisal of your home or investment property.

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

Discover the charm of our Dubbo boutique — where fashion meets flair and every corner is brimming with curated style and gorgeous gifts waiting to be found. Owners Rhonda & Sam, along with their friendly team, are here to help you uncover your own unique style — with personalised advice and a warm, welcoming touch.

Shop 2, 31 Bultje Street Dubbo P. 02 6882 5362

www.rubymaine.com.au RLM 209

S U M M E R events

Holbrook Long Lunch Holbrook

The Ten Mile Eatery and Store in Holbrook was the venue for a gathering that brought people together for the very best of causes.

This idyllic local gem played host to 110 guests on February 22 who shared lunch and laughter, raising funds for Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust.

The Holbrook Long Lunch is a vision brought to life by a small group of women with the assistance of Holbrook Landcare.

Supported heavily by the community of Holbrook and surrounds through generous donations, monetary contributions, auction prizes

Ben Simpson of Oga Creative, with guest speaker Kellie Finlayson.

Georgia Papworth, Laura Beaton and Morgan Archer.

Holbrook Long Lunch committee – Rachel Daniel, Janey Wailes, Trish Shea, Helen Geddes, Kate Hicks and Daisie Julian.

Matt Pitzen, Russell Parker, Anthony Churchill, Wes Black and Russell Ross.

210 RLM

and ticket sales, more than $55,000 was raised.

The Long Lunch consisted of a three-course meal provided by Sarah King, live auctions run by Margot and Matt Pitzen, and a fabulous musical performance by Paris Zacohariou.

Special guest speaker Kellie Finlayson shared her story as she battles her own cancer diagnosis in addition to being a wife and mother.

It was an incredibly successful day enjoyed by all supporting a cause so close to our hearts. RLM Words and images: Sarah Bahr

Greater Hume shire mayor Lea Parker with Jess and Kellie Finlayson.

Holbrook Long Lunch committee president Helen Geddes.

Russell and Claire Ross, Kellie Finlayson and Judy Ross. Russell and Judy lost their precious daughter Catherine to cancer.

Bryan and Sue Blake.

Kate Wedgewood, Trudy Jenkyn and Marcia Walsh.

02 6882 0949

1/27 Bultje Street, Dubbo NSW 2830

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dubbodental.com.au

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

akunamotorinn.com.au

RLM 211

S U M M E R events

Warwick Picnic Races Warwick

The 2025 Warwick Automotive Picnic Races lit up Allman Park with sunshine, style and surprises, cementing its place as one of the region’s most anticipated winter events.

Beneath flawless blue skies, racegoers embraced the blend of country charm and trackside glamour, enjoying five thrilling races broadcast nationally on Sky Racing. The feature Warwick Automotive Picnic Cup was claimed by Ariat, trained by Anthony Freeman and ridden by apprentice Shania Willis.

Off the track, Warwick Hotel Fashions on the Field dazzled with

Alivia Hallman and Lauren Killen.

Kieran and Rhonda Doherty.

Jackie and Jim Wedge.

212 RLM

Jan Bulman.

bold winter looks, while Ray White Rural’s Best Dressed Table competition showcased creative flair from early-morning decorators.

Operating under new no-BYO regulations, the event ran seamlessly thanks to Warwick Turf Club’s hardworking committee members and staff.

With live music by local band POLR and strong community and sponsor support, the day embodied Warwick’s spirit, hospitality and passion for country racing. RLM

Elle and Josh Rutledge.

Catherine and Paul Johnston.

Angus and Ange Corke.

Words and images: Bubbles Barbierato

Mandy Mutch.

Hanna McIvor and Jackson Sparksman.

Penny and Jim Doyle.

Anna and Matt Hardy.

Gary and Kim Zerner.

Garth and Carissa Miller with Karlie and Travis Wetzler.

Josh and Chantal Jones.

L U X U R Y A C C O M M O D AT I O N R E T R E AT S + C O R P O R AT E S WEDDINGS + FUNCTIONS Tucked away in the heart of the Darling Downs, Jubri’s Hideaway is a boutique retreat offering the perfect blend of luxury and nature.

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a peaceful retreat, or a one-of-a-kind wedding, our stunning gardens, unique event spaces, and serene atmosphere provide an unforgettable backdrop. 

2021 l 2023 l 2025 - Tourism Excellence Award 2024 - Top 3 Brides Choice Award 2022 l 2023 l 2025 - Top 10 Brides Choice Award 2021 - Top 5 Brides Choice Award

63 CHELLDAN AVE, DALBY QUEENSLAND 4405

JUBRISHIDEAWAY.COM.AU

Dalby Leagues Club Great Food, Great Company, Great Times At Dalby Leagues Club, we bring people together with exceptional dining, great service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by for a meal, catching up over drinks, or celebrating a special occasion, there's always a place for you at the club.

Our bistro is open seven days a week, offering delicious lunch and dinner specials daily; perfect for a relaxed meal with family, friends, or colleagues.

Planning an event? Host it in style with us. Our Function Room, complete with a private bar, is ideal for birthdays, corporate functions, and special celebrations, offering an inviting yet polished setting. Or choose The Deck, with its expansive bifold windows and views over the football field, perfect for social gatherings and laid-back events.

With a friendly atmosphere, great food, and fantastic spaces to relax and celebrate, Dalby Leagues Club is your go-to destination for every occasion.

Join us today and experience what makes our club the heart of the community.

Open 10am – late Orpen Street Dalby, Qld 07 4662 1433 dalbyleaguesclub.com.au RLM 213

S U M M E R weddings

KING + LENEHAN Penelope King and Thomas Lenehan were married at Jugiong on March 28, 2025.

The bride is the daughter of Peter and Kate King of Goulburn while the groom is the son of Tony and Carmel Lenehan of Jugiong.

One hundred and fifty guests joined the happy couple at St John the Evangelist Church in the groom’s hometown. Following the ceremony was a joyous reception at “Hopewood”, Tom’s family property.

The couple were lucky enough to be surrounded by a cute contingent of eight nieces and nephews who served as their flower girls and page boys.

Local florist and friend Jenny Polimeni dressed both the church and reception with gorgeous blooms which included white roses and lilies along with a sprinkling of pink daisies.

Another friend, Will Harris and his band provided entertainment for the evening creating a memorable and festive atmosphere.

The newlyweds spent their honeymoon at the Tropica Island Resort in Fiji before returning home to their cottage overlooking the Murrumbidgee River on the family property in Jugiong.

Words: Jennifer Harden Photography: Pip Danieletto

LEFT, AND BELOW: The bride and groom were surrounded by their eight gorgeous nieces and nephews - the cutest attendants ever; the ladies, from left, Lucy Hickman, Angela Lenehan, Penelope Lenehan, Phoebe Rowley and Jane Weal.

214 RLM

florist wedding events

ARMIDALE, WHERE EVERY ROAD LEADS TO NATURAL BEAUTY

Located in Nindigully, QLD

dunkerryflora.com

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

+61 (02) 8553 0100 www.rydges.com.au

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 RLM 215

S U M M E R weddings

MILLARD + PIENAAR Jordi Kate Millard and Georg Frederick Pienaar were married at Toowoomba on August 27, 2025.

For self-confessed hopeless romantics Jordi and Georg, their wedding day at Gabbinbar Homestead was nothing short of a dream.

With expert guidance from Toowoomba White Weddings every carefully chosen detail brought the bride’s artistic vision inspired

by French impressionism to life, creating a fairytale atmosphere full of timeless romance.

After exchanging vows on Cedar Lawn surrounded by family, love, and faith, the 75 guests made their way to the conservatory for the reception. From the bespoke stationery by Jordi Kate herself to the candelabras glowing softly over draped satin tablecloths, organic florals, and layers of tulle, entering the fairy-lit conservatory was like stepping into a painting.

The bride looked ethereal in her custom gown designed in collaboration with Judy Copely Couture as she and Georg took the floor for their first dance to Two Strong Hearts. The rest of the night was spent side by side simply soaking it all in.

Their honeymoon began at Kondalilla Eco Resort and continued on to Tasmania for a springtime escape before the newlyweds returned home to Gympie.

Words: Jennifer Harden Photography: Jessica Turich

BELOW: The bridal party - Lachlan Millard, Dané Lamprecht, Will Lovell, Courtney Cain, Jordi and Georg Pienaar, Lushano Healy, Tommie Pienaar, Keely McKean and Riley Millard.

216 RLM

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

“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 217

S U M M E R weddings

JEPPESEN + BRAUER Sara Jeppesen and Parker Brauer were married in Theodore, Queensland on August 29, 2025.

On a crisp and clear winter’s day at the aptly named “Kia-Ora” (a Maori greeting) the Brauers welcomed guests to their property for Sara and Parker’s wedding.

The couple exchanged vows at Parker’s specially chosen spot by the creek’s edge.

A highlight was the bride’s dear friend Alexandra writing and reading a passage on love, commitment and friendship during the heartfelt ceremony.

The floral arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres held a piece of home for the bride and groom with the inclusion of grasses from both their family properties.

Both bride and groom credit their florist, The Grower’s Daughter, for creating a magical atmosphere for both the ceremony and reception, where her team revealed a floral “meadow” in the centre of the marquee.

After the buzz of the wedding, quickly followed by hay making and cattle work, the newlyweds enjoyed a well-deserved honeymoon in October, celebrating with a trip to Queenstown, before returning home to “Kia-Ora”.

Words: Jennifer Harden Photography: Jessica Turich

BELOW: Nathan Horne, Jesse Calvert, best man Zac Vidler, Parker and Sara Brauer, maid of honour Kealy Jeppesen, Georgia Staal, junior bridesmaid Quinn Park and Emily Horne.

218 RLM

4.5-STAR ROOMS ONSITE DINING MARINA VIEWS FREE PARKING FREE WI-FI

YOUR GATEWAY TO THE REEF & RAINFOREST

+61 7 4955 9400

WWW.MANTRAMACKAY.COM.AU

TOOWOOMBA, NATURE’S MASTERPIECE IN BLOOM SPACIOUS 1 | 2 | 3 BED APARTMENTS LOCATED IN TOOWOOMBA CBD ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES AVAILABLE 07 4580 1432 www.arbourapartments.com

The Borenore Inn

The Borenore Inn transports guests to the timeless ambience of a bygone era at this renovated historic pub.

The Borenore Inn is a beautifully renovated historic building that provides all the comfort and luxury of a home away from home.

Dedicated to immaculate entertainment from the expansive kitchen, multiple entertainment areas and proximity to some of Orange’s best vineyards, The Borenore Inn provides an opportunity for families and friends to enjoy the spoils of the area.

Book your stay via

or booking.com RLM 219

S U M M E R story name

Our Advertisers SUMMER 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.

A LITTLE RAE OF SUNSHINE Temora, 02 6978 0693

ALL OCCASIONS

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BALONNE SHIRE COUNCIL St George, 07 4620 8888 balonne.qld.gov.au

BAND 1979

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BEHIND THE HEDGE

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BLACK GOLD MOTEL

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BLAND SHIRE COUNCIL

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BOB BERRY REAL ESTATE Dubbo, 02 6882 6822 bobberry.com.au

BRAESIDE HOMESTEAD Dalveen, 0473 116 498 braeside.com.au

BRINX DELI AND CAFÉ

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BURGER CLUB LOUNGE

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CADELL FARMING

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CLUB DUBBO

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LAKE COWAL FOUNDATION

Coolamon, 02 6930 1800 coolamon.nsw.gov.au

Cootamundra, 1300 459 689 Gundagai, 1300 459 689 cgrc.nsw.gov.au

ANGULLONG WINES

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GILGANDRA HIGH SCHOOL

Gilgandra, 02 6847 2276 gilgandra-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

Dubbo, 02 6882 8911 cramptonscarpets.com.au

GLOW FOR BEAUTY

CREEK CAFÉ MILES

GRANITE BELT MOTEL

Miles, 07 4627 2797

CROWN HOTEL

Urbenville, 0460 897 136 crownhotelurbenville.com.au

DALBY HEALTH FOODS

Dalby, 07 4662 2409 dalbyhealthfoods.com.au

DALBY LEAGUES CLUB

Dalby, 07 4662 1433 dalbyleaguesclub.com.au

DIAMONDS AND DUST Temora, 02 6977 4122

DIRRANBANDI RETREAT AND CABINS

Dirranbandi, 0447 555 685 dirranbandioutback.com.au

DROVERS RUN

Marrar, 0418 697 704 droversrun.com.au

DUBBO DENTAL

Dubbo, 02 6882 0949 dubbodental.com.au

DUNK INSURANCE

Young, 1800 219 496 dunkinsurance.com.au

DUNKERRY FLORA

Nindigully dunkerryflora.com

DUSTY ROAD COFFEE ROASTERS

Cootamundra, 0403 397 989 dustyroadcoffeeroasters.com

ENVISION PARTNERS

Chinchilla, 07 4662 8700 envision.com.au

EVOLUTION MINING

West Wyalong, 2 9696 2900 evolutionmining.com

FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE ALFORD & DUFF Tenterfield, 02 6736 3377 alfordduff.com.au

FIRST NATIONAL SURAT BASIN CHINCHILLA

West Wyalong, 02 5938 1922 Stanthorpe, 07 4681 1811 granitebeltmotel.com.au

GREEN LEAF GARDENS NURSERY

Temora, 0499 787 655

GUNDAGAI MOTEL AND TOURIST PARK

ROUNDABOUT BAKERY

Tenterfield, 0447 805 608 littlenookandco.square.site

LITTLE RUSTIC PANTRY

Coolamon, 0490 795 688

LUCKNOW SKIN SHOP & BOOT BARN

Lucknow, 02 6365 5330 lucknowskinshop.com.au

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Coolamon, 0437 116 366 makeityourowncoolamon.com

MANTRA MACKAY

Mackay, 07 4955 9400 mantramackay.com.au

HEBEL PUB AND GENERAL STORE

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL COOTAMUNDRA

Cootamundra, 02 6942 1388 helloworld.com.au/store/ cootamundra

HELLOWORLD TRAVEL STANTHORPE

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

JAK + JILL

Cootamundra, 02 6942 1478 jakandjill.com.au

JUBRI’S HIDEAWAY

Dalby, 0429 025 591 jubrishideaway.com.au

JUNEE HOTEL

Junee, 02 6924 2227 juneehotel.com.au

JUNEE SHIRE COUNCIL Junee, 02 6924 8100 junee.nsw.gov.au

KENSINGTON BNB

Dubbo lifestylestays.net.au

FISHER AND FARMER

KINGS HALL JEWELLERS

Tenterfield

LITTLE NOOK AND CO

Marrar, 02 6927 4466 marrarkitchen.com.au

KEVIN DEEPS CLOTHING

FORAGE

Warren, 02 6824 2055 rosies.net.au

MARPLE ANTIQUES

Chinchilla, 07 4669 1790 suratbasinrealestate.com.au Ganmain, 02) 6927 6032 fisherandfarmer.com.au

Miles, 0437 337 893 lisakennedycollections.com.au

Gundagai, 02 6944 4440, 02 6944 1066 gundagaitouristpark.com.au gundagaimotel.com.au

Hebel, 07 4625 0923 hebelhotel.com.au

Cootamundra, 02 6942 1465 Dubbo, 02 6885 3500 kingshall.com.au

KORTMAR MANOR

Bardeman 0447 467 907

St George, 07 4625 3643 riversandswines.com

Temora, 02 6978 0020 West Wyalong, 02 6972 1777 Forbes, 02 6852 3257

Tenterfield, 02 6736 6000 tenterfield.nsw.gov.au Tenterfield tenterfieldsoapco.net

THE ARK COOLAMON

Coolamon, 0411 338 842 thearkcoolamon.com.au

RUBY MAINE

THE BORENORE INN

Dubbo, 02 6882 5362 rubymaine.com.au

Borenore airbnb.com.au

RYDGES ARMIDALE

THE BUNGALOW AND IVY LEAF CHAPEL

Armidale, 02 8553 0100 rydges.com.au

SADDLER AND CO

Dubbo, 0419 496 834 saddlerandco.com.au

SHERELLE FASHIONS

Tenterfield, 02 6736 2453

SIENA B&B

Tenterfield, 0428 669 121 ivyleafchapel.com

THE COMMERCIAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Tenterfield, 02 6736 4870 thecommercialboutiquehotel. com.au

Stanthorpe, 0429 441 086 lifestylestays.net.au

THE COUNTING HOUSE

SIR HENRY PARKES MEMORIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL

THE DUSTY LENS CREATIVE MEDIA

MAWHOOD’S SUPA IGA OBERON

SMALL MOUTH DISTILLERY Pokolbin, 0492 031 862 smallmouthvodka.com

THE LAMP SHOP

Oberon, 02 6336 1101

PANACHE CAFÉ AND HOMEWARES

SMOKIN HEIGHTS

Chinchilla, 07 4665 5313

Kapunda, 0417 879 293 smokinheights.com.au

PERENNIALLE PLANTS NURSERY

STANTHORPE REAL ESTATE

Canowindra, 0427 077 798 perennialle.com.au

Stanthorpe, 07 4681 3311 418 723 495 stanthorperealestate.com.au

PG PETTY AND HR ALEXANDER RURAL TRANSPORT

STANTHORPE WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

Croydon Park, 0408 270 289 marpleantiques.com.au

MARRAR KITCHEN CO

Tenterfield, 0428 591 467

PIKOS-GAIA

Brisbane, 0407 596 224 gaiakangaroopoint.com.au

POOLWERX

Dubbo, 02 6885 5381 poolwerx.com.au

Tenterfield, 02 6736 1401 sirhparkes-p.schools.nsw.gov.au

Stanthorpe, 0487 280 878

STOREHOUSE BOTANICA

Junee, 02 6924 2300 storehousebotanica.com.au

SUNNYPOINT BEEF

Oberon, 02 6336 1101

SWEET BRIAR

Mungindi, 0499 656 600 precisionaerial.com.au

Coolamon, 02 6927 2222 0400 249 995 sweetbriar.com.au

PREMIER MEATS

TEMORA SHIRE COUNCIL

PRECISION AERIAL

Tenterfield, 02 6736 1178

RAILWAY HOTEL TEMORA

Temora, 02 6980 1100 temora.nsw.gov.au

Glen Innes, 0417 633 818

Tenterfield, 0410 184 303 thedustylens.au Braidwood, 0408 483 255 kerolamps.com.au

THE MONARCH TUMUT Tumut, 0487 858 339 themonarchtumut.com

THE SILOS ACCOMMODATION

Junee, 02 6924 5212 thesilosaccommodation.com.au

THE SOUTHERN TABLELANDS GROUP

Queanbeyan, 02 6285 6553 qprc.nsw.gov.au

THREE PONDS ESTATE Junee, 0403433300 threepondsestate.com

THREE RIVERS MEATS

Dirranbandi, 07 4625 8125

TOYOTA CENTRAL WEST GROUP

Central West, 02 6882 1511 toyota.com.au

WAGGLE AND ROUND

Temora, 02 5924 3113 railwayhoteltemora.com.au

TEMORA’S DOUBLE SHOT Temora, 0493 479 725

Coolamon, 0422 267 141, 0422 678 531 wagglenround.com.au

RAY WHITE LIVESTOCK DALBY

TENTERFIELD AUTUMN FESTIVAL

WAMBO WIND FARM

Dalby, 07 4573 7868 raywhitelivestockdalby.com.au

RAY WHITE WEST WYALONG

West Wyalong, 02 6919 5730 raywhitecentralwestgroup.com.au

RAY WHITE YOUNG AND HARDEN

Young, 02 6382 5800 raywhiteyoung.com.au

RIVERLAND MOTOR INN

St George, 1800 001 899 riverlandmotorinn.com.au

Tenterfield, 0448 673 373 tenterfieldautumnfestival.com.au

TENTERFIELD BOWLING CLUB & MOTOR INN Tenterfield, 02 6736 1023 tenterfieldbowlingclub.com.au

TENTERFIELD GUESTHOUSES

Diamondy, 1800 490 475 wambowindfarm.com.au

WESTERN PLAINS WINDOWS AND GLASS Dubbo, 02 6884 8818 wpwg.com.au

Tenterfield, 0448 441 930 tenterfieldguesthouses.com.au

WINONA COOTAMUNDRA

TENTERFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

YALLUNGAH BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Tenterfield, 02 6736 1200 tenterfiel-h.schools.nsw.gov.au

Cootamundra, 0412 669 519 Orange, 02 5343 1884 yallungahhotelorange.com.au

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.

Providing quality food that tastes great every single time.

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

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

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

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 RLM 221

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

Your secret haven, exquisite 5 acre lifestyle

5

3

5

3441 Moppity Road, Young NSW Built in 2012 by one of Hilltops’ most renowned builders, this exceptional residence combines refined design, modern functionality and resort-style living.

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

This gated, luxury estate offers the perfect fusion of elegance, privacy and lifestyle. The ultimate in contemporary family living and grand-scale entertaining on 5 acres. Comprises 5 bedroom, 2 bathrooms and home office at approx.308sqm’s actual living. Designer kitchen (butler’s pantry), multiple living zones and dedicated cinema room. Features luxurious, ducted reverse cycle air conditioning and 13.2kw solar system. Resort style living - infinityedge pool, full outdoor kitchen and expansive alfresco. Double garaging, 15x15m c/bond shed, 45,000L water storage and 800gph bore. Established and irrigated grounds, manageable acreage with natural true character.

A great gift

CONTACT

David Coombes 0417 263 978

Autumn 2026 Edition

Availabl Februarye 2026

RICHMOND VALLEY Casino, Evans Head, Coraki, Broadwater, Woodburn and localities

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

222 RLM

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.

Unmatched Comfort with Next-Gen Massage Innovation!!

Discover the hiBOD X Range, featuring the ground-breaking Human Touch 12DXi Roller for unparalleled full-body relaxation.

With Duo-Tec Massage Heads and up to eight synchronized arms, experience the most soothing, deeply therapeutic massage designed to relieve tension and rejuvenate your body.

SPECIAL OFFER

Mention the Regional Lifestyle Magazine to receive a FREE hiBOD SoleEase+ Ottoman Foot Massager with any hiBOD X range Chair Purchase —the perfect addition to your workspace or home for ultimate comfort and relaxation!

good for the “ It’s body, and good for the brain too ” Marcia Hines Australian Idol judge and music icon

1300 GET MASSAGE (1300 438 627) Unit 18/1 Cowpasture Rd, Wetherill Park NSW 2164

www.hibodmassagechairs.com.au RLM 223

S U M M E R the last word

Longtime Regional Lifestyle reader and award-winning Bingara poet Julie Butler wrote a poem to mark the magazine’s 50th edition rolling off the Pegasus presses.

Fifty Seasons, Countless Stories Fifty editions, a quiet accumulation of dawns.

Across the page, the light of New South Wales breaks, unfolding.

How the kookaburras laugh, staccato against the morning gum.

Feel the salt-licked air from a coast that hums with ancient song, where the Pacific breathes, a vast, luminous blue.

Travel inward, past the jacarandas’ purple haze, to the high country’s rugged silence, the eucalyptus scent thick, or the dry, red dust, where horizons stretch like an old, remembered conversation.

This is the best of it; the farmer’s calloused hand, the artisan’s quiet studio by the river, the community garden’s tender shoots, the shared table laden with local harvest, stories whispered over the fences, the given voice

224 RLM

A regional heart, captured in print, each turning page a window onto lives lived purposefully, resilient, vibrant.

The magazine, a faithful mirror held aloft, reflecting the seasons’ subtle shifts, the evolving spirit of place, the rich, unvarnished grace of ordinary days made special.

Fifty times, the ink has kissed the paper, a commitment carved from curiosity and care.

Celebrating the enduring fabric of where we belong.

And still, the landscape calls.

Still, the people weave their tales.

The story continues, unbound, real. © Julie Butler 2025

Making the fine print bold Dunk Insurance has been helping businesses and individuals protect their assets for over 30 years.

Our team of brokers specialise in key areas of insurance, including

Farm Commercial Crop Domestic

We are genuine in learning about our clients’ risk exposure and finding appropriate coverage to protect them.

Contact our experienced local staff to discuss your best insurance options or arrange a FREE on farm or business appraisal on 1800 219 496 Bathurst | Cootamundra | Forbes | Wauchope | Young | Temora

dunkinsurance.com.au ABN: 23 079 458 914 AFSL: 306396

Built for those who live where the road ends When the paddocks stretch further than the pavement, you need a ute that’s more than just tough. Whether it’s towing machinery, shifting feed, or heading off-grid, the Tundra Platinum delivers comfort, and serious pulling power.

It’s built to work hard and look good doing it.