New
Central West
LIFE ST Y LE SPRING 2013
iconic DUNTRYLEAGUE:
IN A LEAGUE
of its own
discover the charisma of
CANOWINDRA
A HISTORY CAPTIVATING, A CULTURE RICH AND A FUTURE PROMISING
$8.80 inc GST
9
772201
608002
>
spring 2013 Volume 2
SPRING FLING: FRESH HOME IDEAS, GORGEOUS GARDENS AND HIGH TEAS TO INSPIRE THE FULL CIRCLE OF FORGANDENNY HOUSE | LIFE’S LESSONS AT SPRING CREEK B&B CENTRAL WEST CELEBRITIES: KATE BRACKS, JASON OWEN AND KENNEDY TOURLE OUTBACK ACTION AT WARREN SHOW AND COONAMBLE RODEO + MUCH MORE
capturing the best in the west
14
107
CONTENTS spring 2013
23
6
From the Publishers
8
Echo of the bush
10 Your letters 12 Meet your CWL team
114
14 Duntryleague
The rich history of the iconic Orange mansion
20 What Kennedy did next
Dubbo’s own crowned Miss Showgirl at Sydney
23 Just what the doctor ordered
67 Town feature: Canowindra
A family’s full circle at Forgandenny House
27 Peace and harmony
The world-class Japanese gardens of Cowra
32 Spring fling
Seasonal gardening guide
38 Team effort
The growth of a young Bathurst garden
45 Home and style
Decorate with black and white, freshen your home for spring and meet a CW interior designer
54 Think big
27
Life’s lessons at Spring Creek B&B
60 Never say never again
Nevertire’s new age of country women
A village unspoiled by time – discover what makes this small town so unique
99 The Scots School
Academic excellence, individual attention and diverse opportunities
102 Live and learn
Education for the older generation
105 Steer crazy
The man taking a Dubbo school to the top of the led steer ladder
107 Warren show
Thousands flock for an outback day out
112 The good soil
Farmer of the year has the world at her feet
114 Done and dusted
The thrills and spills of Coonamble rodeo
45 On the COVER The Dalton legacy behind historic Duntryleague (page 14). Photography: Shot by Jake
38
67 133 119 Horses for courses
152 Essential adventures
Fred and Suzie Parker’s great love of good horses
125 The Rabbit Trap Hotel
156 Events in the west
In the spotlight for a new reason
126 Jason Owen
The voice that’s put the X Factor in Albert
128 Her best shot
The intrigue of Bathurst artist Nicole Welch
163 Upcoming events
A full calendar to enjoy spring in the Central West Beautiful brides and dashing grooms say “I do”
175 Our advertisers
Magical garden party recipes
140 Bite said Ed
Snapshots from CWL launches in Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and Mudgee, Cowra’s picnic races and union reunion, Trangie rugby ball and Duck Creek picnic races
167 Central West weddings
Kate Bracks on food and family
133 Spring is king
131 Team MasterChef
Explore local gems Old Errowanbang Woolshed and McFeeters Motor Museum
Mudgee learns the real meaning of food from television chef and food author Fast Ed Halmagyi
The businesses that grace our pages and region
176 The last laugh
Thinking time is plentiful with cattle on the road
143 Honest to goodness
131 143
Local produce is given a french flair at Mudgee’s Market Street Cafe
147 Young at heart
Central West treasure Nancy Rossa defies age
150 Venetian finds
Experience the romance of gondolas
119
156
126
167
From the Publishers The past three months have gone by quickly for us. We have been thrilled to know that the Central West readers (and many others) have truly embraced our magazine. Newsagencies in many centres have recorded outstanding sales of CWL and it has created huge interest among communities. We have had a really rewarding time meeting advertisers and local identities at our four launches. A big thanks must go to Westpac Bank, Dubbo, for their very generous gesture in hosting our Dubbo launch. TJ’s Catering allowed us to enjoy the finest of food and it was an amazing night. The historic and iconic Duntryleague was the venue for our Orange launch, where we enjoyed wine from Angullong and hospitality from Catherine and her team at Duntryleague. A very memorable launch night was held in Bathurst at the gorgeous Bishop’s Court Estate, where Christine, David and their team made welcome the loyal advertisers and many other local business people. Christine’s superb cuisine, along with wine from De Beaurepaire, made for a night few could forget. Our last CWL launch for winter was held in Mudgee at The Brewery, which needs no introduction. Guests will remember a night of entertainment, fine food and wine and a great atmosphere. Special thanks to Gary and Debbie, owners of The Brewery, and their chef, Stephen. We look forward to our final launch in Cowra in September, hosted by The Mill. At this launch we will be showing our appreciation to our southern Central West advertisers. As we travel around the Central West, we are struck by the hardworking and passionate people who work tirelessly to maintain vibrant and successful businesses. We met many when they took their businesses to the shopfronts of the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days. Not only is this an excellent forum for promoting individual products (and CWL enjoyed being there) but an outstanding way to showcase a huge cross section of creative and unique enterprises. During the past two months we made our transition from the Hunter Valley to Dubbo. We feel warmly welcomed here, and it gives us a perfect base to create future magazines, get to know advertisers and meet their needs, as well as develop valuable relationships with all of the newsagencies and retail outlets that stock and sell CWL.
CWL has been an amazing journey for our family as a whole. Our children Richie, Jane, Kate and Anna are pictured here at the Dubbo launch.
We are very excited about the Newslink newsagencies now selling CWL in Sydney’s Central Railway Station and the QANTAS domestic terminal outlets at Sydney airport. This gives us yet another platform from which we can promote the beautiful Central West. Thank you to all the people who have given us valued feedback about CWL. This spring edition is slightly larger and we feel very proud of our second publication. We always welcome ideas from our readers for future stories so please get in touch with us if you have something to contribute. We hope you can find some down time in your busy lives to enjoy reading CWL and explore this unique area so rich in culture and history. Warm regards,
Elizabeth and Alex Tickle
We enjoyed meeting many new people at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days in July. We were joined by CWL’s Elizabeth Swane, who was also a guest gardening speaker at the event.
ECHO
OF THE BUSH
Hello fellow life travellers! What a fantastic ride this past three months has been since the launch of our new magazine at the start of winter. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much fun as I did at our four launches. I almost forgot to remind our treasured invited guests that I was staging my first exhibition in 20 years! I got a bit carried away in the process, as you do, and ventured into the exacting science of picture framing. I knocked up about 100 frames for my favourite landscapes and portraits from throughout the Central West and even if I’ve still got most of them, they serve as a constant reminder of why I love this job! The days may be cold and foggy but there is still plenty happening throughout the region. I was delighted to attend the Warren Show and see how strong country towns pull together for this most important ritual each year. It’s a great family tradition and a way for country folk to celebrate their achievements in helping feed and clothe the nation. The following day my faith in the CWA was fired up after a little gathering of the ladies in Nevertire. It was great to meet Edna Elder the day before she turned 100 and see four generations of her family under the CWA banner. Surely this must be a record. Our few days at Canowindra stretched into a week as the town welcomed the CWL team like long-lost friends. I met many great characters and locals who are truly passionate about the direction their town is heading. By the time of my departure, I knew the locals and that funny main street, with its big bend in the middle, had silently seduced me and that I, like countless others, would return.
Your fearless correspondent, Shot by Jake, grapples with a python at the Warren Show.
I’ve seen a lot of dry in my travels but country folk are resilient. The dust was well and truly being kicked up at the famous Coonamble Rodeo where I soaked up the atmosphere and bone-jarring action for a good two days. I take my hat off to the hard-working committee who are helping to keep the spirit of the bush alive. I’ve been entertained by celebrity chef Fast Ed, flown over Warren in a tiny ultra light and had the joy of staying in a unique five-star retreat on top of the world (thanks to Kyle and Liz). I’ve met farmers, business folk and families getting along with life as governments change their leaders and the Aussie dollar plummets. Yes folks, times are a changing. By the time you are reading this, spring will be in the air and each of you will find renewed energy and joy in warmer times and fresh challenges. CWL will be with you all the way, bringing real-life stories and from-the-heart images of all that is the best in the Central West. Till next time, keep up with the great feedback and I’ll see you all when I’m looking at you!
Shot by Jake The action of Canowindra – 200 vintage cars stopped in the main street on Easter Sunday last year as part of the Bush Rally. Turn to page 67 for a 32-page feature on the beautiful town. Image: Federation Fotos
your letters ............................................................................
............................................................................ A quick note to say congratulations! You and your team have produced a fantastic first edition of Central West Lifestyle. The quality is fantastic and there appears to be so many interesting stories in this edition I cannot simply flick through. It’s in my handbag ready for my full attention over a cup of tea this evening. Belinda Virgo, Tourism Manager, Cowra Tourism Corporation
............................................................................ Congratulations on your first edition of Central West Lifestyle magazine. I came across it while having a coffee at a cafe in Orange. What a beautiful presentation of the Central West region! Great photos, informative, easy reading. I purchased a number of copies to give to my clients as gifts.
After picking up a copy of Central West Lifestyle at the Mudgee Field Days, I wanted to tell you that I read it from cover to cover and really loved it. It is very refreshing to have a family-owned magazine for the Central West that tells true and life stories within our wonderful region. I particularly love the stories relating to the agricultural families who strive to stay in the industry and put food on our table and clothes on our backs each day. They really are the unsung heroes of this great country. Hopefully our government will realise this soon before all our food is imported. Congratulations to all your team and thank you for many relaxing hours spent reading my way through the vast array of stories. I look forward to watching Central West Lifestyle grow and am already awaiting your next edition. Jayne West, Orange NSW
............................................................................ What a wonderful contribution to the Central West! Finally, someone sees the incredible value of this area. Your magazine shows the wonderful diversity in the types of people and lifestyles in the area and reflects a lovely cross mix.
Carol Newton, Central West Getaways Pty Ltd, Orange
Joanne Stewart, Collie NSW
............................................................................
............................................................................
Just received your fabulous magazine. It looks so good. Just wanted to congratulate you on such an upmarket magazine and we are so glad you gave us the opportunity to be in this special publication.
Thank you for all the wonderful photos in your winter edition of the magazine, particularly the photograph of my husband on the phone in ‘Sale -O, Sale-O’ (Dubbo sheep sale). We have just moved back to Narromine to raise our first child on Tom’s family farm and be closer to both our families. We truly love this region and could not have imagined raising our children anywhere else. We came across the photo of Tom when my mother-in-law bought the magazine one afternoon. We were so delighted at the photo and thought he looked very important and must have been negotiating a big deal with one of his clients. It was a few days later I showed him the photograph and he told me that he was in fact on the phone with me at the time and was trying to remember the extensive grocery list I was giving him. Not so much of an important deal, just trying to keep his wife happy. Please pass on my thanks to the photographer. It was great to see Tom in the magazine and remind me just how patient he is.
Julie and Murray Fraser, Adors Party Hire, Dubbo
............................................................................ I would like to congratulate the whole team involved with the publication of the first edition of Central West Lifestyle magazine. This is without doubt one of the most professional publications I have had the pleasure of reading. The production is amazing. I loved the diversity of articles about the local people and places and the superb accompanying photography. You truly have managed to showcase the best of the Central West and all its characters and beauty. I can’t wait for the next edition! Jennifer Hector, Bathurst
............................................................................ Great magazine. Especially love the article on Mayfield Garden and Justin Sanderson, of course! Amelia Honner, Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association
Elizabeth Johnston, Narromine NSW
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................ ............................................................................
CWL have set a high bar for their first publication. It is excellent – a top format, glossy paper, magnificent photography and interesting articles. I want to visit all the historic towns, meet people in the ads and go into all the shops featured. The magazine was bought in Gloucester and in my excitement when I tried to order for the next edition I was told it would be best to wait until it was actually printed! Superlatives fail me. Julia Stuart, Gloucester
............................................................................
Congratulations on the stunning photography and wonderful articles in your first edition. I particularly enjoyed Jimmy “The Ulan Cowboy” Westwood’s story – he really does epitomise the “true blue” Aussie! And what a fabulous photo of Jim Simmons on page 133; such a lovely honest face! I look forward to learning more about our regional “neighbours” in your spring edition. Cilla Ryan, Dubbo
............................................................................ Congratulations on your wonderful new venture. Your magazine, Central West Lifestyle, is divine. Every page reflects all the hard work and inspiration that has been poured into its making. The presentation is of the highest standard and could take its place on any news stand in the world. Wishing you every success and may the magazine continue to grow. It is an absolute credit to you both and your amazing team! Julie and Warren Simmons, Dungog
It was a delight to open the first issue of Central West Lifestyle. As well as a broad tour of the region, I was also introduced to unique individuals and their personal stories. This was all expressed through a reassuring return to high-quality writing and gorgeous photography, and I thank you for the beginnings of what I anticipate will continue to be an enjoyable adventure. Dorothy Birse, Wentworth Falls
............................................................................ I just spent the last half hour perusing your magazine. Firstly, let me say congratulations! It is informative, entertaining and classy – a credit to you and your team. But moreover, a big congratulations for having the courage of your convictions and not being content with just wishing but following through with your dream. It is a wonderful testimony to you and your family, who I’m sure play a large part in its production. We wish you well in this venture, and believe your commitment and endeavour will carry you a very long way. Michael and Justine Shumack, Dungog
............................................................................ ............................................................................ In January 2013 while in Tamworth I had the pleasure of catching up with Elizabeth and Alex Tickle. It was wonderful to observe their enthusiasm, their energy and the professionalism with which they were both taking on the challenges of a new venture. It was obvious even then their publication would be extraordinary. When the first edition hit the shop shelves throughout various regions of NSW and southern Queensland, my prediction proved correct: Central West Lifestyle is a wonderful publication. The presentation, the format and very interesting articles mean we will be anxiously awaiting the next edition. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I sent two copies to friends, who are already planning to do short visits to see for themselves some of the amazing places featured. I would love to be able to take photos like Jake! I’m looking forward to the spring edition. You have a wonderful team of very talented people who will ensure the continuing success of Central West Lifestyle. Congratulations, Elizabeth and Alex. Betty Wilson, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
From our Facebook fans www.facebook.com/CentralWestLifestyle Congratulations on the first edition of a fantastic magazine. The photos and stories are amazing. I lived in Bathurst and went to Charles Sturt University so the stories on the historical Blair Athol house and Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour in particular took me back. A very stylish read, I can’t wait for the spring edition. Angela Kelehear, Gresford
............................................................................ Congratulations on a fantastic launch evening and a magazine that is destined for success. The quality is beautiful and a real credit to the team. Gerarda Mader, A Settler’s Cottage, Bathurst
............................................................................ Thanks to everyone at Central West Lifestyle magazine from all of us at Mayfield Garden. We have been blessed with the cover of your first edition. Wishing you all the best. Mayfield Garden, Oberon
............................................................................ ............................................................................