New

Central West

LIFE ST Y LE AUTUMN 2014

THE MAGIC OF

Mudgee A TOWN FOR ALL SEASONS

Magnificent

BOREE

CABONNE A National Trust

TREASURE

CARCOAR’S

COOMBING PARK

A revelation in Australian history

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BATTLEFIELD TOURS: A LOCAL MAN’S TRIBUTE TO OUR HEROES

DRESS TO IMPRESS THIS AUTUMN + STYLISH HOMES AND GARDENS

MAGGIE MACKELLAR: A JOURNEY OF HEALING

BUSINESS, FOOD, EDUCATION, TRAVEL, EVENTS, WEDDINGS AND MUCH MORE

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AUTUMN 2014 Volume 4

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CONTENT COVERAGE AREA

trading as Central West Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418 ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 FAX 02 6867 9895 WEBSITE www.centralwestmagazine.com.au FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/CentralWestLifestyle PUBLISHERS, ACCOUNTS & ADVERTISING Elizabeth & Alex Tickle info@centralwestmagazine.com.au EDITOR Elizabeth Tickle editor@centralwestmagazine.com.au CHIEF WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Jake Lindsay jake@centralwestmagazine.com.au ART DIRECTOR & DESIGN Kate Boshammer design@centralwestmagazine.com.au

DISTRIBUTION Central West Lifestyle magazine is published quarterly (available at the beginning of each season) and distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Central West and in the bordering regions of the Far West, North West, Southern Highlands, Canberra, Goulburn, Northern and Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in addition to a selection of other rural and coastal areas of New South Wales. For more information on stockists, visit www.centralwestmagazine.com.au. Unsold magazines are distributed to cafes, health waiting rooms, quality hotels/motels, bed and breakfast establishments, hair and beauty salons and tourist outlets.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE To order a subscription or back issue, visit www.centralwestmagazine.com.au. Š Central West Lifestyle Pty Ltd 2014

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 Central West Lifestyle magazine, the publishers will not be held responsible for omissions, errors or their subsequent effects.

Environmentally responsible, Titan Plus Gloss, produced in an ISO 14001 accredited facility ensures all processes involved in production are of the highest environmental standards. FSC Mixed Sources Chain of Custody (CoC) certification ensures fibre is sourced from certified & well managed forests.

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CONTENTS

GRAND PROPORTIONS One of Australia’s most significant historic homesteads, “Boree Cabonne”, is quite the jewel of the Orange district.

autumn 2014

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30

37

LIKE SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN

A GLASS OF CLASS

FIT FOR A KING

KEEP CALM & TEACH YOGA

Maggie MacKellar’s inspiring story.

Domaine de Beaurepaire Vineyard.

The historic “Coombing Park” could tell many a story.

Determined Central West women become yoga teachers.

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96

41 TOWN FEATURE: MUDGEE

TO THE STARS

A CUP OF COURAGE

This country town is famous for its wines but this gem of the Central West has much more on offer for visiting tourists.

The school teaching girls to be the best they can be.

Tim Houghton lives life to the full from his wheelchair.

100 ON THE COVER The Mudgee war memorial clock tower on an crisp autumn night. The Mudgee town feature starts on page 41.

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Photography: Amber Hooper

TOURS OF DUTY

SHEAR DELIGHT

Mat McLachlan’s Battlefield Tours pay tribute to our war heroes.

Tony Abra’s impressive collection of more than 300 shearing hand-pieces.

CWL | AUTUMN 2014

101 ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Bathurst’s Machattie Park in bloom.

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113

RICH PICKINGS

SOLID FOUNDATIONS

HOME & STYLE

Helpful gardening advice for the autumn season.

The impressive country garden of early settler home “Milford”.

Prepare your home for autumn, or bring the outdoors in.

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BEYOND THEIR WILDEST DREAMS

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

“Wow“ is a typical reaction upon setting eyes on Cameron and Sue Wild’s eye-catching contemporary home in the rolling hills of Molong.

Elaine & Ken Hamer’s enterprising farmstay near Bathurst.

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Memorable Easter brunch recipes.

141 THE ART OF TEXTURAL LAYERING Look your best this autumn.

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149 RISING TO THE OCCASION

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154

HOP TO IT

WALKING ON AIR

CENTRE OF ATTRACTION

Nostalgic Easter recipes for the sweet tooth.

Take to the skies with Canowindra balloonist Graham Kerr.

Travel to the spiritual heartland of our country.

156

167

176

EVENTS IN THE WEST

WEDDING BELLS

THE LAST LAUGH

Upcoming events plus snapshots from Milby Sports, CWL Christmas party, Warren Cotton Cup, Dubbo YPN 1920s party and Melbourne Cup at Gooree.

The Central West’s beautiful brides and dapper grooms say “I do”.

A rare modern-day swaggie walking the roads of the Central West.

CWL | AUTUMN 2014

5

From the Publishers Autumn is here and what a welcome we are giving it after so much hot, dry summer weather. We trust that you and your family had a truly special Christmas and that somewhere in the busy January days you found time to take a break from your work schedule. The CWL team had a thoroughly wonderful Christmas celebration at Dundullimal, Dubbo, in December. Suzie Gratton and her team looked after us in grand style and this was a time when we could celebrate how far we had come in six short months. Our first magazine was on the shelves in June and the progress of CWL has been well beyond our expectations. The Mudgee feature has been a massive one for this issue. You, like us, will be inspired with the success stories coming out of this unique town. It never ceases to amaze us that there are so many treasures and well-kept secrets in these feature towns and we are fortunate enough to be able to rediscover them and present them to you. Thank you to all those people who so graciously took on the task of sharing the beauty and culture of Mudgee with our team. We recently had the pleasure of meeting John Cadoret, a real Aussie bush swaggie on the road from Dubbo to Peak Hill. Our paths crossed on a hot December day, and I caught a brief glimpse of what motivates such a tough and resilient Australian. Read more details in The Last Laugh, page 176.

CWL Christmas Celebrations

We have been continuing to build relationships with advertisers (and new ones are continually coming on board) as well as getting to know the many newsagents around the region and beyond, who are so vital to our sales of CWL. We are proud of the fact that our system is environmentally friendly. Any magazines that are not sold in newsagents are redistributed to areas where the demand is higher and at the end of the three-month selling period we use any unsold magazines (and there are never many) as back copies or put them in coffee shops, hair salons, doctor’s surgeries where they are gratefully accepted. None of our magazines ever end up being recycled or in landfill. The wonderful comments still keep coming in (see the Your Letters pages), and this kind of feedback keeps us all inspired to work even harder to bring the best quality stories and photography to you. Thank you for taking the time to give us this vital information about how you perceive the magazine.

Alex with Lisa Starr (Advertising Designer) and Michelle Kent (Fashion Stylist & Writer).

A big step forward for CWL has been embracing subscriptions. After much thought and discussion, and consistent requests from readers, we have committed to providing subscriptions as part of our service to the many folk out there who are keen to know more about the beautiful Central West. We have been overwhelmed with the number of subscriptions already bought (many as gifts for Christmas or birthdays) and will aim to provide a quality, efficient service to our customers in this area. It has been amazing to know that we are now sending CWL magazines to most states of Australia and some magazines are even going overseas. We hope that CWL is continuing to inform, entertain and inspire you and we thank you for your valued support. Have a healthy, rewarding and happy 2014. Warm regards,

Elizabeth and Alex Tickle

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CWL | AUTUMN 2014

Elizabeth with daughter Kate Boshammer (Art Director) and Catherine Player (Writer).

More photos can be found on page 163. Images: Angus Waddell

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DOWN THE TRACK Howdy, fellow life travellers! Hope life is treating you well and that Christmas was a special time for family and friends. Our CWL team caught up for a good old-fashioned hoe-down at Dubbo’s Dundullimal Homestead to celebrate our (almost) first year of production. We recovered at the historic Ranelagh B&B on the other side of town to discuss our future and look at how far we’ve come in such a short period. It’s all thanks to you, happy readers, and the good news is that we are all fully committed to bringing you more colourful spreads featuring the best in the west, chock-a-block full of interesting characters, artists, photographers, spectacular homes (both old and new) and innovative business folk rolling up their sleeves and having a go. By the time you read this I can only guess what you begged Santa to deliver – rain and lots of it, as the Central West is still in desperate need of a good soaking. Some things we have no control over but others we do. It is with some pride we present to you our fourth issue, and our first produced over a long, hot summer. We have been getting positive feedback as CWL is being discovered by more and more enthusiastic readers who enjoy curling up with a great read! The one thing I always discover on my travels, no matter where I go, is the ingenuity, perspiration and dedication applied by so many of our hard-working business and farming communities in what could only be described as difficult conditions. But then again, is it ever easy? Hang in there, believe in the dream and support your fellow man. It’s hard for everyone but we have to pull together, reach out and offer support to those in need of a helping hand. Take a leaf out of the late and great Nelson Mandela’s passport to life.

Seeing the world from a different angle – soaring the skies with Canowindra balloonist Graham Kerr (page 150).

On a different note, the “Nest in the Hills”, otherwise known as Mudgee, is this edition’s town feature and I was thrilled to pieces to base myself at “Kaludabah”, home of the Hunters, for a week to compile my stories. I didn’t see much of Rick Hunter, as he was busy trucking cattle back to a Tamworth property where there was at least some green pick for them to graze on. Writing yarns in a great country vibe while watching a family navigate their way through their action-packed days was truly a special experience. Mudgee boasts some of the oldest and most impressive homesteads in the country, most of them lovingly restored to their former glory. I enjoyed visiting Putta Bucca House along with some fabulous wineries, shops, restaurants and pubs that are as good as any in the land. Mudgee, the town without stoplights, should be an inspiration to others. Among the friendly folk who call it home are some very bright sparks who have the vision and gusto to make things happen in this very happening town. Hang onto your hats, folks, Mudgee’s a town on the move and I do hope you enjoy reading up on some of her unique charms. I’ve run out of room but not passion. Never forget to spread the word about the new Lifestyle in your life and more importantly, be yourself – everybody else is taken!

Shot by Jake The picturesque Mudgee area – the jam-packed town feature can be found on page 41. 8

CWL | AUTUMN 2014

On your next trip to Wellington be sure to visit the extensively refurbished Cow and Calf Hotel. It is fitting that the hotel re-opened in its 150th year and features a modern front bar, lounge with open fire, an extensive all weather beer garden, 20 stunning guest rooms, and a bistro that trades 11am to 9pm every day of the week. Whether it be a quick lunch, an intimate dinner, or a large function, the Cow and Calf is equipped to make your time in Wellington memorable. An ever changing menu featuring some of the best local produce, combined with an extensive wine list and 11 beers on tap will please even the most discerning diner. If you are looking for an overnight stay or group booking, the Cow and Calf offers 20 guest rooms, modern bathroom facilities, a guest lounge, and secure swipe card access. The hotel also features a convention/meeting room with state of the art audio visual facilities that is capable of meeting the needs of groups from 10 to 40 people. So the next time you are in town, please drop in for a visit or check us out at cowandcalf.com.au

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your letters I have recently returned to the Central West. I was given a copy of Central West Lifestyle before Christmas and saw the wonderful feature on Wellington, the hometown of my wife, three decades ago! Congratulations on the breadth of stories and the depth of the narrative about this great part of Australia. My friends in Sydney who have seen the magazine are jealous of our new-found paradise! Well done, Central West Lifestyle. Richard Morgan, Director Tourism Community and Cultural Development, Forbes Shire Council

A hit in Wellington

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At the time of printing, the feature town in our summer edition, Wellington, had sold more than 500 copies, with still a month to go before the release of the Autumn issue. Thank you to everyone who supported us in this great town.

................................................................................. We have owned the newsagencies in Wellington for nearly 20 years. Our customers look forward to each edition of Central West Lifestyle and having Wellington as the feature town in the Summer 2013 edition made it even more popular than usual. It has been great to see Wellington promoted in a positive way in a successful local magazine. We have received many comments from our customers regarding the outstanding quality of CWL and we congratulate the team behind the production of a terrific local product. We look forward to selling many more copies in the future. Robert and Wendy Slack-Smith, Wellington Newsagency

................................................................................. I am delighted to have bought your latest magazine and have seen the fantastic spread on Wellington. I see your great magazine is available in many areas, so I hope the word will spread about Wellington and also give your fantastic magazine the exposure it deserves. Congratulations on a fantastic issue and I wish you continued success. Michael Salecich, Wellington

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Central West Lifestyle is an absolute standout with few comparable magazines of this quality on the news stands. The very feel of it is luxurious. Your magazine’s well-written features are a pleasure to read, including the advertisements, which blend so inconspicuously on the pages. They also make compelling reading. For this “city slicker”, the human interest stories of the country folk with the superb accompanying photography, have given me a glimpse into the lives of some very industrious, enterprising and hardworking people who shape this country. They must be considered the backbone of Australia. “We’ve been there” pops up as we recognise an article, in particular, the historic Canowindra (Spring issue) and as we read on, your thorough expose sheds light on a town that was once the home of our bank manager brother-in-law. I have loaned my CWL copies to neighbours and friends who, too, have had glowing impressions of the stylish production packed with topical and engaging articles. All readers have been very complimentary, referring to the wide variety of interesting stories and stunning photography. So, on their and my behalf, may I congratulate the marvellous endeavour of Elizabeth and Alex Tickle and the talented team compiling this exceptional coffee table magazine. You can all be very proud of this successful venture and truly deserve all the accolades that come your way. Ruth Fulton, Mortlake (Sydney)

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Jake, your photography and articles are as amazing as you! Such a treat to have met you! Congratulations to both you and Elizabeth, and the whole Lifestyle team! The magazine is most obviously a great success! I keep buying copies and giving them away to my loved ones. Jake, the “Camelot” article made me smile! Great photography! Have since sold my motorbike so I can upgrade to a larger motorcycle and sidecar. So pleased the magazine is now available via subscription. There will be no holding it back. Onwards and upwards to you both.

Having spent 20 years of my working life in Sydney before coming to Warren as the branch manager of Ag and Vet Services, I feel I have had significant life experience to be able to comment on our newest publication, Central West Lifestyle. This magazine has a city quality with a country feel and the photography is fantastic! CWL presents a patchwork quilt of topics with easy-to-read stories from cover to cover. Readers know the people featured and I see our customer base in each edition. It is wonderful to see the greater west getting a turn in the spotlight. We all have the feeling that this magazine is about us.

Karen Russell, Wellington

Andrew Brewer, Warren

I’ve not long received the Summer edition, and for the third time it’s wonderful. Again, as soon as you pick it up you can feel the quality, the weight and texture of the pages, and you soon lose yourself in the glossy extravaganza within. As I swelter in a Central Queensland heatwave, I’ve easily found the time to immerse myself in the green gardens, beautiful buildings and amazing characters of your region. I thoroughly enjoy the photo essays. The crisp, clear pictures of all the magnificent buildings are a real pleasure. My own home town of Emerald, Queensland, having been ravaged by four town fires from the 1930s to the 1960s, sadly lacks such beauties. I also keenly seek out the garden articles, not just for their viewing pleasure, but also for inspiration and ideas. As a non-local reader I can definitely vouch for this magazine’s value as great advertising for the region. I’ve been to and through many of the places depicted before, but now we know what to look for, and are planning another visit through the region later this year. I am a satisfied subscriber and look forward to your coming editions. Rhys Daniels, “Theresa Downs”, Emerald, Queensland

................................................................................. Congratulations on a magazine that not only you can be proud of, but we, your readers can too. Your beautiful editions make us even more proud to live in the Central West. We know it’s a great place to live and work and make a difference, but you give us more evidence on every page, and more reasons to explore the region fully, whether “old timers” here or newcomers. Thanks for increasing local pride and putting a spotlight on beauty, uniqueness and the qualities of our region on the land and the tenacious, resilient and creative people within. Thank you! Cheering you on, Kerrie Phipps, author, Lifting The Lid on Quiet Achievers – Success Stories of Regional Entrepreneurs

................................................................................. Central West Lifestyle has captured my heart since the very first edition. I adore the photography and stories about life in the country. I feel the CWL team have successfully delivered a firstclass publication and they are to be congratulated. I personally enjoyed reading Pip Teys’s Home & Style article in Edition 1 about how to put together a design vignette. Her photographs are amazing! I very much enjoy seeing the results of Pip’s creative styling work with each new edition. She inspires me to try new things with my decorating. Keep up the great work, CWL magazine – I look forward to the next four issues for 2014 with great anticipation. Imogen Armstrong, Killara

................................................................................. My general impressions of the magazine now after three editions are very positive. The Summer edition looked very smart and the All Saints’ College community was very pleased with the exposure in the article/editorial contribution and the photo content. Each edition has had a brilliant cover photograph and the overall look and feel of the magazine is first class. Also, the reader is not overwhelmed by page after page of adverts, especially “bits and pieces” pages of small display adverts, which, in my opinion, tend to lower the general tone of the publication. With all best wishes for the coming 2014 editions. Michael Hissey, All Saints’ College, Bathurst

While visiting my family in Miranda, Sydney, to celebrate Christmas 2013, I happened upon a coffee-table magazine called Central West Lifestyle (Spring 2013 issue). Its feature article, “ICONIC DUNTRYLEAGUE: In a league of its own”, caught my attention. I thought to myself: “This is a story about my very own family history, on the front cover”. I wanted to get copies of the back issue to keep as a family record. I am now in touch with the magazine’s editor, and am eagerly awaiting my very own copies to add to my growing treasure of family memorabilia. I was born in Bathurst in 1963 to Richard John Dalton and Catherine McCaffrey. My father was the second child of Kevin John Dalton. Kevin was the son of Edward Bede (“Dick”) Dalton – who was the eighth child of James Dalton of Duntryleague. When I was four, my family moved to Italy, where I grew up. I returned to Australia in 1990, aged 27. I now live in Melbourne, Victoria. I have only briefly visited Duntryleague some many years ago. Now that we have kids, I plan to return there to ensure our children get a good understanding of their heritage. Sean Dalton, Hillside, Victoria

................................................................................. On my first perusal of Central West Lifestyle, I couldn’t believe that there was such a magazine available! I love magazines but these are like books to keep! It is evident on every page that they have been lovingly composed by very generous and creative hearts with great love and passion. A lot of magazines are full of ads, but this magazine is most generous in stories of real people, houses, history, travel and so much more. They are full of very informative, uplifting and inspiring stories of fellow Australians and their diverse lives. These are stories that don’t make the newspapers or newsreels but are worthy of being told and are a pleasant change. They display how special Australia and its people are. CWL stands out as excellent, having fantastic quality in every aspect that one would desire in a magazine, which was evident from my initial flick through. I ordered it on the spot and the previous two editions for myself and as gifts. So, armed with Christmas wrapping, I bundled up three Central West Lifestyle magazines (editions 1, 2 and 3), giving them as gifts for Christmas, much to the delight and glee of the recipients. One friend rang me to say how lovely they were and said they brought back so many nostalgic memories of the places once visited that were presented in the magazine. To me, CWL opens the windows to country towns that mystify me and helps discover the essence of who and what they are. I will be keeping them as a guide for travelling and exploring. It is a resource for places to stay, things to do and items to buy. Finally, the recipes are amazingly presented with beautifully displayed photos. These quality recipes I actually intend to cook! Thank you, CWL, for being a cherished gift I didn’t expect and a blessing to give! Ann Strickland, Barnsley, Newcastle

................................................................................. Share your feedback: Facebook: www.facebook.com/CentralWestLifestyle Email: info@centralwestmagazine.com.au

Meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE Publisher & Editor

ALEX TICKLE Publisher & Advertising

JAKE LINDSAY Chief Writer & Photographer

KATE BOSHAMMER Art Director & Design, Writer

LISA STARR Advertising Design

ELIZABETH SWANE Garden Editor

ANGUS WADDELL Photographer

ANNA TICKLE Writer

CATHERINE PLAYER Writer & Advertising

EMMA DRESSER Writer

PIP TEYS Home & Style and Travel Writer

MICHELLE KENT Fashion Stylist & Writer

DAYNA TIERNEY Writer

LORRAINE HILLS Country Cuisine Writer

CHRISTINE LE FEVRE Food & Lifestyle Writer

SOPHIE HANSEN Food Writer

KIM CURRIE Food Writer

NERIDA INGRAM Advertising, Writer

SHARON HILL Advertising

GINA CRANSON Proofreader

More information on the team can be found on our website: www.centralwestmagazine.com.au

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CWL | AUTUMN 2014

The O’Dea Family

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PROPORTIONS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC HOMESTEADS, “BOREE CABONNE“, IS QUITE THE JEWEL OF THE ORANGE DISTRICT.