#1 Central West Lifestyle | Winter 2013

Central West

LIFE ST Y LE welcome

to the west

meet the businesses and characters of our region

Winter 2013

discover Rylstone a small town with a big personality

JEWELS IN THE CROWN ABERCROMBIE HOUSE AND BISHOP’S COURT ESTATE

glorious gardens

MAYFIELD & BLAIR ATHOL AT THEIR BEST ACHIEVERS IN AGRICULTURE | CHIFLEY HOME: THE MCKENZIE STORY THE unique LIFE OF THE ULAN COWBOY | CUISINE TO WARM THE SOUL country operas | FOUR GENERATIONS ON THE LAND AT NEVERTIRe

capturing the best in the west

CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD 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

DISTRIBUTION Central West Lifestyle magazine is published quarterly (available on the first day 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.

In addition, unsold magazines are distributed to cafes, health waiting rooms, quality hotels/motels, bed and breakfast establishments, hair and beauty salons and tourist outlets.

EDITOR Elizabeth Tickle editor@centralwestmagazine.com.au FEATURES EDITOR & CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Jake Lindsay jake@centralwestmagazine.com.au ART DIRECTOR & DESIGN Kate Boshammer design@centralwestmagazine.com.au Š Central West Lifestyle Pty Ltd 2013 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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13 CONTENTS winter 2013 4

From the Publishers

6

From the boundary gate

7

Meet your CWL team

53 Bathurst mayoral welcome

9

Orange mayoral welcome

54 Snapshots of Bathurst

10 Snapshots of Orange

56 Love and devotion

12 Dressed for success

A Warren farming mother’s mustard hits the spot

Bathurst’s historic Abercrombie House Kinross Wolaroi leading the way

24 In a class of their own

Off the beaten track at Marra Creek Public School

A local experience at Orange’s Racine Restaurant

Recipes to relish this winter

77

74 It’s a woman’s world

Zonta advancing women in Orange

76 Music of the night

28 Fresh is best

Bathurst’s boutique B&B Bishop’s Court

69 Pleasures of the season

21 School of thought

62 Bless this house

13 House proud

Chifley Home: The McKenzie Story

Brucedale’s twilight concert

77 Town feature: Rylstone/Kandos

30 A roaring success

The drive behind The Lions Pride

33 A Settler’s Cottage

62

Accommodation to take you back in time

34 Cold comfort

Winter gardening guide

34

38 Land of plenty

The prestigious Mayfield Garden

46 Merle power

The culinary achievements of a country woman

48 Home and style

Identify your style and create the perfect vignette

On the COVER Mayfield Garden, Oberon, is one of the world’s largest privately owned cool-climate gardens (page 38).

Photography: Angus Waddell

69

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From the Publishers Welcome to our first edition of Central West Lifestyle!

It has been an amazing journey for us, since our humble beginnings when this magazine was just a dream. I can honestly say that for both of us, this has been an awesome experience. It has been such a huge privilege to be able to meet the wonderful people who call the Central West home.

Central West Lifestyle is a family business. We have spent many years of our working lives involved in beef cattle production on a property near Dungog in the Hunter Valley. Our four children all have their own individual cattle studs and represent the sixth generation on the family property.

As this magazine is being released we are in the process of relocating to Dubbo, a centre which has held a special place in our hearts for some time. Although we still have agricultural interests in Dungog, much of our time will now be spent in the Central West.

It was a love of meeting and getting to know people that drew us into the magazine industry. We consider it such an honour to be able to tell the stories of the people, places, businesses and events in this unique region. Our aim is to highlight what the people in the Central West are doing, particularly those in environments that can be challenging at the best of times.

The Australian bush is full of great characters and we hope you enjoy reading about them in every issue of our magazine.

You will notice a country feel about our magazine and we hope you will be mesmerised by the magnificent rural scenery and the images that portray our traditional bush events such as livestock sales, shows and rodeos.

We have met some great people along the way. Our very first advertiser and an outstanding Bathurst community member, Maureen Lewis from Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour, is just one of the many truly memorable business people with whom our paths have crossed.

To every one of our 124 advertisers, who showed great faith in us and came aboard, we take our hats off to you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We hope that you can find a cosy spot to curl up and read our magazine. If you like it, tell your friends about it, but most of all, enjoy and celebrate! The Central West is a truly remarkable region!

Until next time.

Warm regards,

Elizabeth and Alex Tickle

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Above: CWL Publishers Alex and Elizabeth Tickle; enjoying the best of Rylstone’s hospitality during a visit to this edition’s feature town. Pictured are Virginia Hollister, Elizabeth and Alex, Richard and Janet Beaurepaire and Andrew Thomas.

132 89

winter 2013 89 Forever young

122 Where the grass is greener

The tall tales of Jimmy Westwood

Blair Athol’s gracious garden

94 Rockley rodeo

127 To market, to market

A wild ride

Century 21 Golden West’s bold new premises

97 Mudgee mayoral welcome

128 Artist Bill O’Shea

98 Snapshots of Mudgee

100 On a high note

132 A fortunate life

Opera in Mudgee

The iconic Brewery of Mudgee

Creative bush art Orange orchardist working with nature

Justin has the goods to sell

Experiences to enjoy in the Central West Millamolong polo, St Pat’s at Jack Duggans

149 Country pub

112 Sale-o, sale-o

146 Events in the west

110 Young achiever

Irresistible Sorrento

142 Essential Adventures

108 The Max factor

Nostalgic winter recipes

140 Travel

106 Roadside attractions

Four generations on the land at Nevertire

138 Country cuisine

103 Beer and skittles

The lure of the land

All action at Dubbo sheep sale

Gulgong’s Prince of Wales hotel

115 Dubbo mayoral welcome

150 Central West weddings

116 Snapshots of Dubbo

156 Upcoming events in the west

119 Contemporary home

158 Reaping rewards

A vision splendid

122

RuralBiz training awards at Dubbo

159 Our advertisers 160 The last laugh

112

The 84-year-old who soars like an eagle

146

100

FROM THE BOUNDARY GATE A big, warm country welcome to all our new readers of Central West Lifestyle, the magazine that will keep you in touch with some of the great characters, unique businesses, homes and gardens and a whole lot more throughout the Central West.

When I got the call for this job last year I was tickled pink, as writing and photographing country people is what I have been doing for the past 23 years from my Tamworth-based studio. Having spent my formative years growing up in Coonabarabran, the chance to be let loose in the central west once again was too tempting to refuse!

Now that we have finally got our first “baby” off the ground, it’s all systems go! One of CWL’s primary goals is to feature a lot of photography from throughout the region, highlighting the different seasons and documenting people’s everyday lives.

Armed with my well-worn trusty Nikons and an old black jeep, I have enjoyed getting lost along bush roads, meeting more people than I can remember and discovering many hidden gems along the way.

One of my favourite shoots in this edition involved a few hours at Dubbo’s weekly sheep sale, chock-a-block full of country characters, some not used to a man in a black hat pointing a camera, with a long lens attached to it, in their general direction!

It is in such places that I sometimes stumble upon characters like the country gent featured on this page. I’ve always reckoned blokes like this are the real deal, fair-dinkum Aussies who go about their jobs with minimum fuss. I may never find out his name but he, and others like him, such as The Ulan Cowboy, Jimmy Westwood, who appears in subsequent pages, will forever be engraved in my photographic memory bank.

Apart from shooting old timers with a lifetime in the bush etched into their faces, I also enjoy shooting crops that are grown with precision and skill and homes that have been built lovingly from the first brick. Taking photos is one thing, but learning from the individuals about what makes them tick is another.

In the coming issues we are going to take you on a colourful journey that will highlight the best in your region and in that regard, would appreciate any leads for stories of people you know who deserve a special write-up.

Just like the bumper sticker I saw on a ute the other day that read, “One Life, One Chance”, our aim at CWL is to inform and entertain you while we all try to find balance and happiness in our action-packed lives.

Shot by Jake

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Meet your team

ELIZABETH TICKLE Publisher & Editor

ALEX TICKLE Publisher & Advertising

JAKE LINDSAY Features Editor & Chief Photographer

KATE BOSHAMMER Art Director & Design

ELIZABETH SWANE Garden Editor

DIANA SMITH Advertising Designer

CHRISTINE LE FEVRE Food & Lifestyle Writer

ANNA TICKLE Writer

ANGUS WADDELL Photographer

CATHERINE PLAYER Writer & Advertising

PIP TEYS Home & Style Writer

SOPHIE HANSEN Food Writer

JENET STEWART Photographer & Writer

CHERYL BARTLETT Advertising

ANDREW THOMAS Writer

KIM CURRIE Food Writer

SHARON HILL Advertising

LORRAINE HILLS Country Cuisine Writer

GINA CRANSON Proofreader

NERIDA INGRAM Advertising, Writer

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

CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 7

ORANGE

range

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ORANGE MAYORAL WELCOME Dear Central West Lifestyle magazine readers, Firstly, I would like to confess to a little bias of mine.

I love Orange and the region around it.

Congratulations to the team behind Central West Lifestyle and more power to you; anything that showcases this great region is great news.

To the readers of Central West Lifestyle I give you this assurance. If you get to know Orange and district through this magazine, and I am sure you will, it won’t take long for you to share my bias.

If you are a local you already know some of the secrets. If you are a visitor from near or far you can be assured you are welcome and we are happy to share.

I have lived and worked in Orange for most of my life. I went to school here and have children now bringing up their families here. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

For good reason, every day new residents are calling Orange home.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in April last year found that the population of Orange was growing faster than almost any other country centre in the state and was ahead of many parts of Sydney.

Nine of the 10 fastest growing local government areas outside Sydney were in inland NSW, and Orange was third on that list. The most recent Census data shows that Orange’s population grew by 7.7 per cent up from 35,339 in 2006 to 38,057 in 2011.

And the largest age group in Orange is the 0-4 year-olds and anyone who has been to an event in Orange can attest to the happy stampede of young families, of toddlers and strollers.

I understand the allure.

In Orange, I see the best PCYC in NSW with indoor courts, cutting-edge gymnastic equipment and more than 3000 members. I see a Regional Conservatorium with more than 900 talented young students finding their feet and hitting the right notes in the world of music. I see an indoor aquatic centre that delivers year-round activities and I see more than 500 hectares of open recreation space and parks.

If there is a better example in Australia of a Victorian era park than Orange’s Cook Park then it would certainly be worth seeing.

In Orange, I see a growing education sector and a university with vision to expand. I see at a cost of $290 million plus the newest and best hospital in the state offering services to close to half of NSW. I see a city at the heart of regional economy with a gross regional product of around $2 billion. I see wide tree-lined streets and a buoyant retail sector. And I see Orange as a food and wine destination rivalling and surpassing longer established areas across the country. I see a diversity of industry and employment opportunities from mining to health and from winemaking to boiler making. I see four distinct seasons of which my highlights are the colours of autumn and the vibrancy of spring.

I see a thriving city at the heart of a vibrant region.

But most of all I see opportunity, which should be the benchmark for all communities.

Cr John Davis OAM - Mayor of Orange

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orange

country business

DRESSED FOR

Success

IT WAS A REMARKABLE RECIPE, and Warren farming mother Rosie Turnbull couldn’t believe her luck.

There she was in a kitchen in the middle of Canada, helping make this “fairly special” family dressing and probably thinking how great life was.

Little did she know that within a few years the honey mustard dressing recipe would consume her life and spread her name across the land.

Today Rosie produces 600 bottles of the dressing a day, in three different sizes, from her Warren distribution outlet, about an hour’s drive north-west of Dubbo. Most of her product is destined for discerning food lovers in restaurants and homes all over the country.

Business is growing by the day.

Rosie has often been asked how it all began and she doesn’t mind repeating the story.

Her husband, Simon, a third-generation grazier from Mayfield, Warren, won a coveted Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2005. This led to studying farming practices in Europe, Japan and the US. During Simon’s stint in Canada, Rosie was able to briefly join him.

One day she found herself in a Canadian kitchen, simply helping another mum make a much-loved dressing that the locals were raving about.

Preparing food was nothing new for this mother of four daughters Katelyn, Emily, Annabelle and Holly – now aged from 10 to 17 – but something was different.

Rosie clearly remembers the time she first tasted the dressing that would have such a great impact on her life.

“It was definitely like something I’d never tasted before,” she said.

“It was unique and versatile and not your typical salad dressing. I soon found out it was great for fish and chicken as well as steak and vegetables. It turns an ordinary meal into something really special.

“I had no intentions of doing anything with it, but when I returned home and made some for friends and family it proved such a hit I decided to produce 60 bottles for the local Warren markets one Christmas.

“I only had a few days to produce that first batch and was making the dressing in the kitchen throughout the night after a day’s work on the farm.”

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Glowing reports fuelled Rosie’s confidence in her humble project.

People told her they liked the fact the dressing had an excellent 12-month shelf life, was hand-made and gluten-free. Before long the thriving small business had consumed practically every room in the house. The entire family helped produce, bottle and label the dressing in that first year but they were clearly running out of room.

Rosie laboured in a demountable for another three years before taking the next logical step of renting commercial premises in Warren.

Since moving in late 2011, Rosie and her hard-working team have been run off their feet meeting demand. Initially she distributed her product through strategic farmers markets and local retail but her reach is expanding thanks to food fairs like Narrabri’s Nosh on the Namoi, Moree on a Plate and Bush Christmas in Toowoomba.

Participating in the Sydney and Melbourne Fine Food Trade Shows further exposed her to new distribution outlets in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, the north coast and soon into Queensland. The way this dressing is moving it could soon end up overseas.

“It’s considered a high-end product but once people try it and I see their look of satisfaction, it makes all the work worthwhile,” the former school teacher said.

“It’s a win-win for everyone. Simon’s glad to have his house back, I enjoy helping out financially and the girls have more time to devote to their true love of horses and helping Dad on the farm.”

Words & image: Shot by Jake.

HOUSE PROUD

Nothing can prepare you for the first sight of historic Abercrombie House on the outskirts of Bathurst.

Words & Images: Shot by Jake

THE SCOTTISH-INSPIRED baronial granite mansion, with 50 rooms, 30 fireplaces and ballroom to die for, is one of the few places in Australia lived in by one family who have thrown the doors open to the public for more than 40 years.

It is also probably one of the most photographed homesteads in NSW and is regarded as a national icon.

Christopher Morgan came here as a six-year-old in 1968. His father Rex, a headmaster at Pittwater House, Collaroy, had been looking for a weekender in the bush when a chap at the local garage told him about a big old abandoned castle for sale just 10 kilometres from town.

project of this size. My father knew it would be a lifetime job and I, too, recognised this fact from an early age. It’s a bit like being the farmer’s son who has to continue the legacy of his father.”

At the time of our visit, Christopher was running the show while wife Xanthe was recuperating in hospital after a lawn mower accident.

“My wife helps manage the place and is also involved with a horse-riding school for beginners. We have seven ponies and there is always an endless procession of girls in jodhpurs and plaits here,” he said.

“My parents discovered its original owners, the Stewart family, had owned the place since it was built in the 1870s but had let it go by the 1920s. That Downton Abbey style of life, with servants and the like, was well and truly over and the family, who were concentrating more on farming, realised it was time to let it go,” Christopher explained.

Christopher attended the prestigious Cranbrook School in Sydney and then went on to study his great love of archaeology and history at Sydney University. He may have gone on to be an archaeologist but in his heart and from a very young age, he understood one of the siblings had to return home and continue the dream begun by his father. Christopher was the natural choice for the job.

“Back at that time, old houses were seen as a liability. There was no national heritage trust and there were few out there ready to take on a

At a time when a lot of historic places are going backwards, the level of interest in Abercrombie House does not surprise him.

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heritage home

“We are getting more visitors than ever, and I think the reason for that is because people are intrigued that this is our family home and we actually live in it. It’s personal and it’s real and that is possibly our greatest attribute,” Christopher said.

“Some parts of the home the public never sees, like my bedroom, which is always a mess as I’m so busy cleaning the rest of the place.”

Christopher is a busy man indeed. As a qualified museum director, like his brother Richard, Christopher oversees the arrival of at least one busload of tourists each week. The ballroom is home to recitals and chamber music a couple of times each year and there are also lavish candlelit dinners, complete with silver service, for up to 64 people.

The family realise that to be viable they must grow with the times and continually adapt to change. There are many plans on the table, including a refit of the massive basement, once home to a library and wine cellar.

The plan is to put the old kitchen back in, a Scottish tradition and a means of heating the house in the winter.

In the coming years the old dairy will be transformed into a five-star B&B, the machinery shed will house an antiques shop, the servants quarters will be done up and the historic stables will be reinvented as a family lodge accommodating up to 25 guests.

Then there are the Sunday afternoon Edwardian high tea parties in the cooler months.

“My wife and I looked into the crystal ball and acknowledged that we had to keep pace with the changing times to survive,” Christopher said.

“All these layers will guarantee the future of the business and provide opportunities for our teenage children, Julia and Henry, who are currently being schooled at All Saints’ College.”

“Guests arrive dressed in a refined sort of way and are served traditional high tea with cucumber sandwiches in a similar fashion to 100 years ago,” he said.

As our interview was winding up, Christopher suggested I might like to meet his father, who lives in an upstairs room with his fragile wife. The big man’s opening words were: “Welcome to my house”.

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heritage home

In perhaps the biggest understatement of the day, Rex Morgan MBE, and a true living legend aged in his early 80s, said that Abercrombie House was the challenge of a lifetime.

“The drawing room is actually short for withdrawing. In the old days after dinner the women would withdraw for coffee while the men would remain at the table for brandy, cigars and port.”

“It’s our hobby, our work and our relaxation all rolled into one and something we have devoted our lives to. It will never be finished, which is good, because what else would we do?” explained the man whose unbridled vision has brought enormous joy to thousands of visitors over the years.

The well-spoken Rex Morgan is a man of many surprises. A strong monarchist and a man who has created his own history, he holds many stories close to his heart. One of the most amazing involves photographers and he has known many. His brother, father and grandfather were all professional image makers.

There have been many highlights during his long association with Abercrombie House and most of them have to do with the visitors he and his family have entertained.

“During World War Two my father served in the Royal Navy as a photographer shooting anything of interest for the Admiralty. On April 8, 1942, he was on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier the Hermes when it was attacked by Japanese dive bombers in the Bay of Bengal.

“It was pretty special having the Queen’s cousin, Patricia Mountbatten [the daughter of Lord Louis Mountbatten], come to stay with us about 10 years ago, as was meeting Dame Joan Sutherland, who used to drop in for lunch quite regularly and became a good friend,” he said.

Rex had been an avid collector of all things antique throughout his life, firmly believing that “today’s junk is tomorrow’s treasure”. Having visited more than 50 countries through work, there were always quirky pieces stashed in his luggage.

“I’ve always been a collector, it’s like a terminal disease,” he laughed. There wasn’t a clearing sale for 100 miles he didn’t attend in order to build up the furniture and artefacts that now call Abercrombie home.

For a man with such a fascinating history I had to ask him about his favourite room. “I have always loved the drawing room,” he enthused.

“The ship went down with 300 loss of life and my father took photos of the sinking. He ripped the film from the camera prior to jumping overboard and when plucked from the ocean several hours later was rushed to a darkroom on the mainland to process the film.

Seven precious photos were salvaged and later published in London newspapers. They were described at the time as some of the greatest shots from the war. Rex went on to publish a book about the incident, as well as six other books during a lifetime of adventure and devotion to his family.

Abercrombie House is in great hands and will hopefully continue to provide a link to days gone by for generations to come. The Morgan family, like the Stewart family long before them, have now become part of Abercrombie House’s rich and vibrant history. CWL CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 17

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Kinross Wolaroi School is situated in the heart of the city of Orange in the Central West of New South Wales, on 40 hectares (100 acres) of beautifully established landscaped grounds.

We offer the unique opportunity for co-educational learning from Pre-Prep to Year 12 with separate boarding sites for boys and girls from Year 7.

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www.bishopscourtestate.com.au

• 125 years of educational tradition and experience • HSC Graduates regularly in the State’s top 10% • Outstanding facilities and resources • First class education within a safe, secure and friendly country environment.

Experience the school for yourself www.kws.nsw.edu.au

21/03/2013 10:53:33 AM

KINROSS WOLAROI:

School of Thought Lifestyle reporter Jake Lindsay left school in the 1970s and hasn’t been back to one since.

With some trepidation he drops in for a cuppa with Kinross Wolaroi School principal Brian Kennelly to learn what’s happening in the classroom.

KINROSS WALAROI SCHOOL, Orange, is one of the leading coeducational day and boarding schools in Australia. For more than 125 years the school has aimed at delivering academic achievement within a safe, secure and nurturing family environment.

“We started downtown in 1886 in what is known as the Union Bank and moved up into the Wolaroi mansion – one of the four historic homes of the district – in the early 1900s,” explained charismatic school principal Brian Kennelly (pictured right), who gained experience in Adelaide, Geelong Grammar and overseas postings in the Middle East and England before making the move to Orange.

The Kiwi-born principal and world champion age group triathlete has been steering the school since 2007 and still enjoys training athletes and taking the odd maths class when a teacher is away. It provides him with a brief chance to indulge in his lifelong passion of mathematics as well as freshen up on a few more names out of the 1008 students ultimately in his care.

“I can identify about 70 per cent of the kids, particularly the older ones,” Brian said from his freshly appointed office in the new administration building. With a staff of more than 200, a powerful memory for names would be a distinct advantage in this job. Brian has that in spades but conceded the greatest job satisfaction came from the students themselves.

“I get the biggest buzz from seeing students develop into fine young men and women. As teachers it is our greatest reward and can I say we’re very proud of our record in that department.”

Kinross Wolaroi School boasts an impressive campus and an enviable track record in scholastic achievement but running a big country school is not all that different from running a big business.

In 1979 things were tough and the school nearly closed when numbers dropped to fewer than 200 students. The appointment of principal Allan 22 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

Anderson and Chair of Council Derek Pigot, who took over the financial management of the school, saved its life.

“Both these visionary men paved the way for the success we enjoy today,” Brian said.

Work has just finished on the $6.5 million science block, featuring six laboratories, two classrooms, staff office area, state-of-the-art chemical storage facility, preparation room and an additional two mini-labs for students “who need to be extended outside the normal curriculum”.

In September this year, work will begin on a new boarding house, catering for 100 boys. Demand for boarding places is high as many KWS students come from farming areas in western NSW. “Nearly 80 per cent of our 316 boarders are off the land and the rest are from small regional towns,” Brian explained. “The good thing about being co-educational is that siblings can all attend the one school in one place, making life a little simpler for busy country families.”

The rural focus can also be seen in the school’s successful cattle program, which allows students to be involved in a leading rural enterprise that culminates in the annual showcase of stud cattle at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The school’s Angus stud farm and its cow-calf program also generate income as part of the school’s flourishing foundation, with the ultimate aim of providing funding for the extensive KWS scholarship and bursary program.

Kinross Wolaroi School, with two sites on 50 acres each, is flourishing in the most spectacular of rural settings.

As Brian Kennelly left for his next appointment it was obvious that his school is one of those unique learning centres that encourages every child to reach their full potential. CWL

EDUCATION

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IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN

The website describes it as one of the most isolated schools in NSW and Marra Creek Public School certainly lives up to that description. Lifestyle got lost in the featureless, flat country north of Nyngan for several hours en route to the school to see what its six students were up to. No homesteads in sight, no traffic, no cropping – nothing but endless roads, big blue skies and a forever dwindling tank of fuel. My only company were mobs of emus and a perplexed former British commando turned Woofer who couldn’t work out the GPS! Words & Images: Shot by Jake

AS IT TURNS OUT, I wasn’t the first person to get lost finding the Marra Creek Public School. Anita Moore also remembers turning up rather late for her first interview to secure the job of school principal.

That was nearly three years ago and today she’s glad she took up the challenge of working and living in a small bush community 96 kilometres north of Nyngan and 116 kilometres north-west of Warren. For Anita, a guitar-playing, laid-back country girl originally from the Riverina who spent most of her adult life on the north coast, the move was life-changing.

Anita was naturally keen to accept the promotion from classroom teacher to school principal. To attract good teachers, most schools out west, including Marra Creek, offer incentives such as isolation allowance and assistance with a transfer after three years while maintaining their positions.

It means that Anita will probably never lay down her roots in a place the locals call “The Marra”. Although she has partially become used to having no pub, shop or post office within at least an hour’s drive, she occasionally feels the loneliness of the bush, particularly when her partner spends half the term away at work.

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Although it’s isolated the community spirit is strong and Anita’s small team is dedicated and caring. Helping Anita is learning support officer Robyn Hardie, Millmalands, Warren and Heather Dawson, a former student, who both love their part-time jobs.

Their young charges work together in one classroom but range in age from five to 11 years. The camaraderie is obvious, not forgetting this is outback pastoral country and each of their six students come from the land. They are dropped off by working parents each morning and collected in the afternoon. There are no buses and most of them live in opposite directions to each other.

One exception to this rule is Ida Dawson, 11, who enjoys nothing better than saddling up Chance and riding him to school a few days each week. Ida lives at Araluen and her horse adventures can last up to 45 minutes, one-way. Could she possibly be one of the last students in the country still riding a horse to school?

Other students include siblings Archie and Harry Ray, 10 and six, from Willancorah, Warren; Lucy Earle, seven, from nearby Longstowe, and the Hall kids from The Mole, a property bordering the famed Macquarie Marshes.

EDUCATION

Teague Hall, 11, and sister Jet, three years younger, love attending the bush school, just as their father Garry did back in the mid 1970s.

This fourth-generation grazier is a proud Marra Creek old boy but remembers many more students back in his day. “When I was a kid there were about 25 to 30 other kids and only a single teacher. It was a lot simpler in those days,” he explained.

“Being such a small school we learnt to be tolerant of each other, unlike a bigger school where you get to choose your own friends.”

Garry admits there are not many young farming families in the district and he is fearful of the school’s future. “Despite great community support, properties are getting bigger out here and the lifestyle just doesn’t suit everybody.”

Principal Anita understands the situation only too well. The school closed for a short while in 2007 due to low numbers, but she said out in the bush student numbers could dwindle to two, as long as they were not siblings.

Always maintaining a positive outlook, Anita said the students were not as disadvantaged as some might believe. “We use video conferencing with other schools in the district and we share visual arts and special projects,” she said.

At the end of the day, Anita Moore is glad for the chance to live in a remote community and experience a way of life few teachers get to experience.

After a few photographs it was time to pack up and go. Now which is the quickest way home, Miss? CWL Above: The Marra Creek School enrolment; two Marra generations, old boy Garry Hall with his children Jet and Teague; Ida Dawson enjoys taking the traditional method of transport to school. Opposite: Principal Anita Moore and staff member Robyn Hardie.

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www.frockworkorange.com.au (111Endsleigh Ave. Orange)

“ A Buyer & Seller of L ved Designer, Ladies, Mens, Childrens & Vintage Clothing” Mon - Fri 10 - 5pm Saturdays 10 - 2pm ish Private Group Bookings welcome, Nibbles provided

Ph (02) 6360 0706 / 0401401073

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A m y, Ni c o l e & Ch a r l e n e

217 C la r inda St

Amy, Nicole

Pa r k e s N SW 2870 P : 02 68 62 59 00 F : 02 68 62 59 11

&

1 Clarinda Street arkes nsw 2871 lephone: 68525900

o n e for t yoneonm ain@ bigpond. c om . au

Charlene CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 27

restaurant

Fresh is Best LOCATED WITHIN LA COLLINE WINERY and surrounded by orchards and farms, Orange’s Racine restaurant offers a truly local experience.

Established four years ago by husband and wife team Shaun and Willa Arantz, Racine sets out to be both sophisticated and regionally focused.

“We specifically chose this location so we could offer our customers more than just a fine-dining experience,” chef Shaun said.

With Willa working behind the scenes, caring for their young son Edward and establishing her career as an artist, Shaun’s place is in the kitchen and he loves it there.

The past few years have been marked by a huge amount of work and a fair few challenges, but Shaun and Willa’s efforts have been rewarded by a dedicated following of diners and countless media accolades. The restaurant was last year awarded a coveted Chef ’s Hat by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide and in 2011 Shaun was named Country Style magazine’s country chef of the year.

Racine’s commitment to showcasing the region is worn as a badge of pride. The restaurant’s name is French for “roots”, and throughout the beautifully leather-bound menus, Willa’s painted apple symbol denotes which dishes star local produce (and they are in the majority).

With more than 20 years’ experience, and stages in the kitchens of some of the world’s best chefs, including Marco Pierre White, Shaun has an imaginative and innovative approach to cooking.

With local produce and farming connections the current zeitgeist of the food industry, it can be too easy for chefs to pay lip service to this trend. But Shaun and Willa really do put their hands in their pocket – and their time aside – to do so.

And the results? Sublime. Dishes such as the incredibly popular whole-pressed duck with nashi pear, carrot, baby turnip and orange gel (recipe follows) are grounded by fresh, local produce and given wings by the light touch of Shaun and his team.

“We are lucky, I guess, because there are so many great farmers and producers close by,” Shaun said. “So it’s easy for me to visit my suppliers and work with them and the produce I end up using is exactly what I need. Not all chefs have that luxury!”

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If Shaun and Willa were not busy enough running the restaurant, last year the couple opened Racine Bakery in the heart of Orange.

This enterprise, with its cheerful yellow exterior and timber shelves piled high with sourdough breads and baked goods, has been welcomed with open arms by Orange locals who now have the chance to experience a little Racine magic on a daily basis.

The couple employs a full-time baker and a team to help out in the bakery and is constantly working to keep up with the local demand for Racine’s breads, tarts, pastries and pies.

“We saw there was an opportunity in Orange to make and sell really great bread and patisserie goods, and we took it,” Willa said. CWL Words & images: Sophie Hansen

RACINE’S WHOLE PRESSED DUCK • One whole duck • Murray River salt Bone out the duck (or ask your butcher to do it for you). Lightly cover duck in salt and leave for three hours. Wash off the salt and pat dry. Cryovac the entire duck (using a food sealer) and cook in a steam oven for 12 hours at 75 degrees Celsius.

Take out of the bag and gently peel away the duck’s skin. Shred the meat and set aside. Lay half of the duck skin, fat side up, on a small square or rectangle baking tray with 4cm sides (a lamington tin would work well), cover with the shredded meat and press down. Now take the remaining skin and place on top, this time fat side down. Cover with plastic and then place under a weight (a few tins of chopped tomatoes or beans would do). Leave to cool in the fridge for at least one hour.

When almost ready to cook, preheat the oven to 180 degrees then turn the pressed duck out onto a work surface and slice into squares or rectangles. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over high heat and pan fry each portion on both sides (the idea here is just to crisp the skin). Place portions in the oven to warm through for six minutes.

Serve with your choice of garnish. Racine serves the duck with parsnip puree, carrots, radishes and orange gel. But this would be equally as delicious with a traditional beetroot, walnut and goat’s cheese salad.

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YOUNG BUSINESS SUCCESS

THE LIONS PRIDE

A Roaring Success Well-known Dubbo restaurant The Lions Pride is based on good old country hospitality and a killer menu to tame the biggest appetite.

THE LIONS PRIDE IS THE BRAINCHILD of local couple Ben and Amanda Myhill, who have never wavered in their desire to provide the ultimate dining experience.

“We are country people and most of our customers are the same,” explained Ben, tending to a big flame-grilled steak. “We want to make everyone feel welcome the moment they walk in, and have spent a lot of time giving our restaurant a real country feel.”

The restaurant is the newest chapter in a short history of one young man with a burning desire to succeed. At the age of 13, while attending Peel High, Tamworth, Ben knew he would one day be a chef. It wasn’t a job that ran in the family but there was something about preparing food that fascinated him.

One of his early influences in the kitchen was his great grandmother, who would cook up a keenly anticipated Sunday family roast. Perhaps his career really kicked off with a phone call urging the 15-year-old to help with the dishes at a local Italian restaurant.

He then worked as a kitchen hand at nearby Ashby House before accepting an apprenticeship with Tamworth’s flagship SSS Steakhouse under his mentors Graham and Marlene Manvell. Always quick to learn and a natural team leader, he finished as head chef after eight years.

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It was time to step up to the plate, so Ben bought the SSS restaurant in Dubbo in 2007 at the age of 23. Saddled with a huge bank loan, he pressed on and through hard work and commitment, the business took off.

Although free time was something he only dreamt of, Ben somehow found time to marry his high school sweetheart Amanda Cullen, a former Uralla girl he met at a sports carnival. These days Amanda loves greeting customers at the door and tending to the bookwork. Their own “pride” has also been slowly growing with daughters Lilly-Anne and Bianca never far from the action and another on the way.

After five years with SSS, Ben and Amanda seized the opportunity to work under their own name, The Lions Pride. “The pride as in family, the pride as in meat-eating lions and also the pride in our local produce and local suppliers,” Ben explained.

“We appreciate the training provided by the Manvells in the early days.

They taught us all about standards and consistency and quality of service.

Another great motivator for us are our former chefs Jason and Jacinta Benkoe, from the SSS in Cessnock.

“You need passion and drive to suceed in this business. The hours are long and you need to have an understanding personality to deal with all the different types who dine here.”

Amanda said the pork and beef ribs were the restaurant’s biggest sellers, along with a wide range of mouth-watering hand-crumbed schnitzels. “We also have the Big Lions Challenge where if any customers can devour our three-course challenge, they go on the honour board, get a stubby holder and $20 voucher,” she said. “So far about 30 have got through but it must be said, many have tried and failed. You have to be a truly hungry beast to get through this meal.”

Ben admitted it could be stressful opening seven nights a week and having 20 staff on the payroll, but paid credit to his loyal and hard-working team, many of whom have been with him since the start.

“The stress is far outweighed when we have a full house and everyone is enjoying our unique country atmosphere and superb food,” Ben said with a satisfied grin. His great grandmother, looking down from above, would have been proud. CWL Words & images: Shot by Jake.

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ACCOMMODATION

A STEP BACK IN TIME

A Settler’s Cottage Prior to the launch of Central West Lifestyle, our team chose to stay at A Settler’s Cottage. Publisher Elizabeth Tickle wrote in the visitors’ book: “Gerarda and Tony were wonderful hosts who attended to our every need during our 10-day stay. Your cottages (we occupied two) were fantastic for our team as we worked on our magazine for many hours. Thanks for restoring a significant section of Bathurst’s history.”

IF YOU ARE LOOKING for affordable accommodation in Bathurst for couples, big families or groups, then A Settler’s Cottage in Keppel Street is the right place for you.

Your cordial hosts are Tony and Gerarda Mader, who bought the quaint old buildings four years ago as part of their property portfolio. “A great benefit of running our cottages was the chance to meet some interesting people from all over the country who could enjoy the unique history of the place and its ideal central CBD location,” Gerarda explained.

The three semi-detached buildings were built in the late 1800s and served as workers’ cottages for the men and women who helped build Bathurst, the oldest inland settlement in Australia.

you would normally. In fact, we try to provide all the facilities so that you can provide for yourself and family as you would at home.”

If home cooking isn’t your style, guests can visit some of Bathurst’s finest pubs, clubs and restaurants which are literally just around the corner.

“When you’re coming in as a guest to our cottages, you really are coming in as a guest to our home. That’s the way we run it,” Gerarda said.

For further information and bookings visit www.asettlerscottage.com.au or call 0412 028717. CWL

Tony said the people who built the cottages didn’t bring their wealth with them from the old country, like the landed gentry. They were the original pioneers and true battlers of the day. The cottages, therefore, were made from locally sourced materials available at the time. They have been upgraded over the years but still retain their original charm.

“We have a total of 10 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 24 people over the three cottages, making it ideal for large social or sporting groups and wedding guests,” he said.

“It is a very affordable alternative to a motel with the added bonus of being a fully functional home with easy off-street parking and your own backyard. You can do a load of washing here and hang it on the line just as CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 33

Cold Comfort Winter’s chilly nights are often followed by crisp, clear sunny days, perfect for enjoying the garden and tackling a few winter gardening jobs.

EDIBLE GARDEN Vegies: Lots of vegies enjoy the cooler months, so liquid-feed cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli and bok choy fortnightly to keep them growing well.

Tie up early broad beans and climbing peas, and sow successive crops of these for later harvests.

Crown vegies: Rhubarb, artichokes and asparagus can be planted now as bare-rooted crowns. These productive plants last for many years so prepare the bed well by digging soil deeply and adding plenty of organics (aged manure and compost).

Potatoes: Prepare the potato patch for August planting in gardens or large pots, or try layering straw and compost using the “no dig” method.

Leafy greens: Lettuce is not just a summer salad crop, it grows well in winter, too. Combine lettuce with other salad greens like rocket, mizuna and radicchio, harvesting the outer leaves first, to accompany warming winter meals. English spinach grows steadily over the cooler months, or try silverbeet for a quicker and equally flavoursome crop. Liquid-feed your leafy greens every two weeks.

Onion flavours: Onions, spring onions and chives can all go in now.

Either sow rows of seed directly where you want these to grow, or plant seedlings in a shallow drill and backfill with soil (they’ll stand up after a day or two). French golden or brown eschallots and garlic corms can be planted too (pointy ends upwards) – space these 30 centimetres apart in rows or clumps ready for harvesting in summer.

Strawberries: Runners are available now, and a raised bed or trough is ideal for these delicious summer-cropping fruits.

PERFECT PLANTING TIME Winter is the perfect planting time for bare-rooted deciduous trees, summer fruit and nut trees, shrubs, roses, grape and berry vines. It’s best to prepare the planting holes a month in advance, adding plenty of organics such as well-aged manure and planting compost, but if you aren’t that organised, just dig the soil over and incorporate plenty of organics. A big tip is to avoid adding extra fertiliser to planting holes, which can burn new roots. Instead, wait until new leaves appear in spring, then use a controlled-release fertiliser. Although leafless, bare-rooted plants need regular watering as new roots establish, so keep them moist after planting.

Thorny berry vines can grab passers-by, so plant these where you can train them up between a couple of poles and wires, making harvesting easier too!

Transplant now: Take the opportunity to transplant trees or shrubs that need new homes or are growing in the wrong spot. Prepare the new planting hole, then dig around the plant and move it, taking as much of the root ball as possible.

SEASONAL COLOUR Luscious spreading pansies are easy to grow. They’ll quickly fill up bare patches in sunny or semi-shaded garden beds, and they are lovely in pots, too. New Spreading Yellow and Rose Shades (from Oasis) provide a generous coverage, up to 60 centimetres per plant, and are smothered in flowers. Delicate new Lemon Frost Viola has petite white and yellow flowers, and Plentifall Trailing Violet Wing are pretty among early bulbs.

Iceland poppies enliven almost any sunny spot, and are fabulous for picking to fill a vase. Keep pinching out the early flower buds on poppies to encourage a more sturdy leaf base, liquid-feed them regularly and enjoy these beauties all through winter.

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seasonal gardening

BULBS

PRUNING TIME

Lots of so-called spring bulbs actually brighten winter gardens with their cheery flowers, and jonquils, double Erlicheer daffodils and crocus are the first to bloom. Potted flowering bulbs are available in nurseries if you missed the autumn planting deadline, but there are plenty of summerflowering bulbs ready to plant now, including bright red hippeastrums, showy gladioli, pineapple lilies and gorgeous liliums.

Hydrangeas can be pruned either after flowering finishes in late summer, or if you like the aged flower heads can be allowed to remain on the bush in autumn, to be pruned off now in winter. Remove the old flowerheads and cut each stem back to a pair of fat buds as pictured here.

WINTER SCENTS It’s hard to go past daphne for heady winter fragrance, but it can be a fickle plant, turning up its toes after only a few years. New daphne Eternal Fragrance grows in both sun and semi-shade and repeat-flowers in summer. Use it as a low hedge or border, and it’s great in pots too.

HELLEBORES – WINTER ROSES These elegant woodland plants thrive in cool climates and are an ideal choice for areas under tree canopies, in dappled shade, morning sun, or among shrubs. Also lovely in pots, they will bloom during winter and early spring in colours including dusky pinks, greens and white. They are just the ticket to beat the winter blues.

FROST PROTECTION Shelter new or tender plants from frost using frost cloth, available by the metre from nurseries and hardware stores. DroughtShield or Envy sprays may help reduce frost damage too.

Delay rose pruning until late August, to make sure the tender new shoots are not damaged by frosts. Roses are hardy, long-lived shrubs that respond well to pruning by sending up fresh canes and flowering stems. Leave spring-only bloomers (such as banksia rose and some old-fashioned roses) until after flowering finishes in spring, then shorten the flowered canes.

Winter clean-up tip: Lime sulfur sprays can damage tender new rose shoots, so in midwinter (rather than after pruning in August), spray your roses with lime sulfur to clean up black spot disease and scale insect pests.

While you’re at it, tidy up fallen leaves from around the base of roses. You can spray deciduous fruit trees and vines with lime sulfur, too.

MOSSY LAWNS Mossy patches in lawns are often a result of soil compaction, so push your garden fork’s tines into the soil all over the area, or hire a mechanical lawn aerator for larger sites. Look too for ferny leaf bindii weed coming up now, and either remove it by hand or use a selective bindii killer, depending on your lawn type. CWL Words: Elizabeth Swane

Opposite from top: Winter vegetables (Matt Deller Oasis MIFGS); artichoke, onions, and crab apple (bottom left) at Mayfield (Angus Waddell); Lady Of Shalott 2013 – new David Austin Rose (www. davidaustinroses.com/australian); plentifall viola Trailing Violet – Floriana (www.floriana.com.au). Above L-R: Daphne Eternal Fragrance (www.pma.com.au); Hellebore Tutu (www.pma.com.au); hydrangea pruning (Angus Waddell); Hellebore Angel Glow (www.pma.com.au); Scarlet Oak (Angus Waddell); Kosmos 2013 – new (Treloar Roses www.treloarroses.com.au).

CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 35

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LAND OF PLENTY

In creating Mayfield Garden, owner Garrick Hawkins was inspired by his regular trips to Europe, combining many of the horticultural elements he admired into what is now one of the world’s largest privately owned cool-climate gardens.

WORDS: ELIZABETH SWANE IMAGES: ANGUS WADDELL

garden

GARDEN

The impressive 80-metre cascade was inspired by a key water feature at Chatsworth Estate, UK.

THE HAWKINS FAMILY bought Mayfield, in Oberon, in 1984. It is now a working sheep and cattle property of 5000 acres (2025 hectares). Mayfield Garden sits within this landscape, its carefully maintained grounds covering close to 160 acres (64 hectares).

Forging a collaborative relationship with landscape designer and nurseryman Peter D’Arcy, Garrick has created one of the most extraordinary gardens you are ever likely to visit. And come they do, with thousands of visitors streaming through the gates on one of the six open weekends each year in autumn and spring, many returning each year to watch Mayfield grow and develop.

The gardens are staffed by a dedicated team of more than 25 locals, including plumbers, stonemasons, carpenters, electricians, gardeners, greenkeepers, horticulturalists, painters, welders, machinists and labourers.

The garden is a valuable training ground, and also contracts the services of local professionals such as architects, engineers and draftspeople.

The Hawkins family is committed to ensuring the structures and follies are fabricated on site by Mayfield staff or local tradespeople.

Mayfield is a very large garden, with a huge collection of cool-climate plants, but it is perhaps the trees that are most impressive and used to full advantage in the design. These include layered windbreaks and shelter trees high on the surrounding hills, park-like arboretum plantings (oaks, conifers, beech, birch, plane and maples), shady woodlands, gracious weeping specimens and espaliers.

The results provide spectacular autumn colour, delightful spring blossoms and fruits.

The water level within the water garden falls about 11 metres from the stone bridge, winding through streams and ponds.

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Mass-planted flowering shrubs including roses, viburnums, hydrangeas, camellias and an extensive collection of rhododendrons, plus thousands of bulbs and hundreds of blooming perennials add to an abundance of seasonal colour.

Above L-R: Also acting as a heat bank, necessary in Oberon’s crisp, cool climate, the walled vegetable gardens blend the utilitarian kitchen garden with the elegance of a French potager; inspired by Longstock Park Water Garden, UK, Mayfield boasts a six-acre water garden; the famous Copper tree; the proven and popular Iceberg rose. Below: The aviary design, based on one at Waddesdon Manor, UK, houses a collection of rare Australian birdlife.

Inspired by grand English garden designs, the many follies and features here add drama, surprise and a sense of fun for visitors. Adding special interest are a rose garden, croquet court, potager garden, walled kitchen garden, amphitheatre, several sunken garden rooms, vine-covered pergolas, a viburnum walk, rhododendron walk and maze.

An 80-metre cascade, magnificent aviary, family chapel, a studio with a sod roof, stone tunnel, Japanese garden, Chinese pagoda and water garden with a 16-metre high obelisk also help paint an extraordinary landscape.

The bluestone bridge within the water garden took four stonemasons more than a year to construct, and an intricate grotto is now being built, using elements of old building techniques no longer practised, along with traditional and contemporary methods. Sculptures are discovered throughout the garden, and don’t miss the famous copper tree that sparkles as droplets of water fall from its leaves. Underfoot, pathways and surface textures range from soft grass to crushed granite, pebbles and intricately laid cobblestones.

A 36-acre (14.5-hectare) area within the garden is being developed to welcome visitors on a regular basis.

Begun in 2005, the six-acre (2.5-hectare) water garden includes waterfalls, bluestone-walled garden beds, winding paths and ponds. From the stone bridge the water falls 11 metres, winding through the garden down to the Obelisk Pond. Also under construction here is a new garden shop, nursery and cafe complex, scheduled to open later this year.

Peter D’Arcy explained that the impressive water features at Mayfield were not just aesthetically pleasing but played a vital role in controlling water movement onto and under the property.

Although it’s not evident to visitors, this garden is built on a former swamp, and sitting on top of shale, the clay soil literally oozes water.

Combined with the presence of natural springs, the challenges of 42 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

harnessing and redirecting this water, irrigating and drought-proofing the garden necessitates an extensive underground infrastructure of piping, holding tanks and pumps.

The densely planted trees on the hillsides, which include Leyland Cypress, layers of shrubs and extensive hedging, also play an important role in soaking up excess water and slowing run-off that would otherwise cause erosion.

In turn, the water features need to be managed too, as rich nutrients leach out of the clay soils, generating algae that, left unchecked, would clog the streams and pumps. Peter and his team have devised a system of pumps to flush and aerate the streams, and excess algae is scooped out and later reused as compost. In the ponds, barley straw, microbes and aeration practices improve and maintain the water quality.

But enough about the mechanics, visitors report they are changed by this extraordinary garden. Mayfield simply invites you to come, wander and enjoy. CWL Mayfield Garden, Mayfield Road, Oberon, is open on weekends in Spring 2013: October 19/20, 26/27 and November 2/3.

For Autumn 2014 opening dates check the website: www.mayfieldgarden.com.au Above L-R: Winding pathways encourage visitors to explore the silver birch grove; the immaculate croquet court is surrounded by a wisteria-covered walkway; ritzy homes for Mayfield’s chickens; mass plantings such as Crimson flag (Schizostylis) are a feature throughout the gardens.

Opposite: The exquisite iron rose arbor, created by local metalworkers, is decorated with climbing Lamarque; the surrounding undulating hills and farmland frame the view from within this extraordinary garden.

GARDEN

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Merle power COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (CWA) stalwart and MasterChef guest judge Merle Parrish greets me with the phone to her ear.

She is busily making plans with her caller as she beckons me inside. Merle has a one-hour window before she must head into Orange to board a train to Sydney on business.

Travelling down for Senior’s Week, Merle has been chosen as one of the ambassadors for 2013 – an honour that has been hers two years running.

The phone rings again. “Now this is going to be the problem,” Merle warns.

The phone discussion immediately turns to baking. Afterwards, Merle explains: “That was just a lady from Queensland. She wanted to know where she could buy a particular cake tin that I recommend in my book.”

And such is the peculiar life of 80-year-old Cudal resident Merle Parrish.

Merle’s passion for cooking began when she was a little girl.

“When I was seven I made some Anzacs to compete in the kids section at the local show and I won. I have just always loved cooking ever since,” she says.

Merle has been either competing in or judging for CWA cookery competitions for more than 65 years and fondly remembers the support her husband Clyde gave her.

“Clyde always encouraged me. He got to eat the baking, so I guess that that is part of the answer, but he was always very proud and would spend hours at the sink washing up for me,” she reflects.

When Clyde died in June 2010, “it left a big hole in my life,” Merle says.

46 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

“In the August [of that year], the MasterChef producers got in contact with the CWA Central West Group president, Gail Hayden. They were looking for a guest competitor,” Merle explains.

“Gail said, ‘Merle will do it’.”

What followed, Merle can only describe as “life changing”.

“Clyde would be just as amazed by it all as I am,” she says.

In the 2011 MasterChef series, Merle shot to fame overnight when she went head to head with contestant Billy Law in a good old-fashioned CWA-style bake-off. Making her signature recipe, The Peach Blossom Cake, Merle won the bake-off and a gold immunity pin before a record 1.7 million viewers.

Smiling, Merle recounts: “They said, ‘Your time starts now’. Billy rushed in and began to cream the butter and sugar. I didn’t. I went around to my side and began by weighing and measuring my ingredients and then I greased and floured my tin. Then I started. I heard one of the contestants say from the gallery, ‘My goodness! Merle is so far behind Billy. She can never catch up to him now’. I thought, ‘Well, we’ll wait and see’.”

Because of her preparation, Merle finished 15 minutes ahead of Billy. She took the opportunity to do her knitting as she waited. “Experience,” she grins.

The MasterChef experience gave Merle the push to do something that her children and husband had long begged her to do – compile a cookbook detailing her wealth of cooking knowledge and family recipes.

central west treasures

Merle’s Kitchen is a home cook’s bible. Its pages are filled with tried and tested family favourites and useful cooking hints. It’s straight-forward, no-nonsense cooking.

“Some of the recipes I have had in my head for years, as often it goes in families, and some belonged to my mother and grandmother,” Merle says.

“Cooking is such a clean and honest hobby. It can bring so much joy to others.”

Merle has the health, energy and vitality of a woman half her age, which is useful given her weekly routine: answering phone calls and fan mail; hosting demonstrations; doing media interviews and making appearances at various functions.

On the topic of her health, Merle shares a little-known fact: “Do you know that I only have one eye?”

After losing her eye to cancer in the ’70s, Merle adjusted to life with one eye in the manner she does most things: “You just get on with it,” she says.

Life doesn’t seem to be slowing down for Merle. Her second book, Merle’s Country Cooking, will be released in November.

As we part, Merle scrambles through a drawer and hands me a handwritten recipe.

“It’s my mother’s fig jam – in her own hand writing. You can share this if you like,” she nods.

This is quintessential Merle – a generosity of spirit and a willingness to share her love of cooking.

Delightful and funny, and transcending time with her strength, dry wit and straight-forwardness, Merle serves as a beautiful reminder of a bygone era.

But just like life, trains wait for nobody and it is time for her to go.

CWL

Words & images: Catherine Player

Merle’s Mother’s Fig Jam INGREDIENTS 4 pounds (1.82kg) just ripe figs ½ pint (284ml) water 3 pounds (1.36kg) sugar Juice of 4 lemons Rind and pith of 2 lemons METHOD Remove stalks from washed figs.

Cut figs into slices.

Put into pan with the water and lemon juice.

Chop lemon peel and pith, tie in a piece of muslin and add to the pan. Simmer gently with lid on until soft.

Remove muslin bag. Warm sugar and add.

Stir until sugar has dissolved.

Boil rapidly for 23 to 30 minutes or until it “jellies” when tested.

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HOME & STYLE

how to identify your

Unique Style WITH PIP TEYS

Looking to refresh a room or smarten up part of your home and finding it hard to get started, hindered by not knowing precisely what will work for you?

Discover your own design style. Your style enables you to select colours and pieces with selfassurance, to proceed confidently, to enjoy the experience and ultimately to feel proud of your own creations.

Don’t slot yourself into a common style, French Provincial is done to death, create your own.

Our own design style is what we love and what oscillates for our eyes and flutters within our hearts. We know what we like and do not like, what excites us and inspires us.

I have designed two simple exercises to release your panache, your chic! Clear off the dining table and make way for your favourite images, the ones that really appeal to your senses.

Select from magazines, photos, catalogues, web images, anything that captures your attention.

They might depict interiors, exteriors, accessories, colours that drew you forward, a sense of space or light, a stunning piece of furniture, features that have forced you to look twice.

Gather them up and lay them out, bring as many as you can, 40 is a good number to achieve.

If you don’t have a bevy of images, go to www.pinterest.com, a great site to discover the things that visually appeal to you.

Identify the repeated themes you see emerging in your images, look for the points in common.

As you scan the images, jot down the words that spring to mind to describe what you are seeing.

To illustrate this for you, here is the list of features that were common to my collection of images: • white • natural timber floors • high ceilings and decorative cornices

• • • •

decorative lighting striking features natural stone bold stripes

• • • •

splashes of colour greenery black and white candles and lanterns

Take some time over this, it is important to draw out the appealing features and elements that awaken you.

Now for the second exercise. For each feature in your list, count how many times that feature appears in the images lying in front of you. Do a tally (recall your maths glory days).

Here is mine: • white (20) • natural timber floors (6) • high ceilings and decorative cornices (12)

• • • •

decorative lighting (16) striking features (13) natural stone (14) bold stripes (11)

• • • •

splashes of colour (6) greenery (9) black and white (11) candles and lanterns (3)

When categorised, these elements help in defining your style.

Take my own list, for example. The colour white and decorative lighting is appearing most often in the images that appeal to me. Natural stone, striking features, high ceilings, bold stripes and black and white also scored highly for me. Come into my home and you can expect to see these features.

Give yourself at least an hour for both exercises, create your own listing and find the common elements. This list is your design style.

Now, back to the purpose for all of this? Go source these features and use them to refresh that tired room or to tart up the space where your visitors gravitate.

I did this exercise with two ladies recently and when they were done I saw a “Classic Federation Cottage with French eclectic influence” and a “Contemporary Rural Farmhouse with Modern Traditional Twist”.

It will work for you, just be yourself, trust your instincts, and express your own personality.

You are unique and with that comes a wealth of ideas and creativity, and the opportunity to express it within your own home.

Enjoy! And good luck,

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Photography courtesy of The Cross Design (thecrossdesign.com) and Janis Nicolay (janisnicolay.com)

Choices Flooring by Brights 61 George Street, Bathurst 6331 4866 choicesflooring.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED

• Bathrooms • Ceilings • Walls • Restoration • Kitchen Splashbacks • Cupboards • New Buildings Ph: (02) 6332 1738 Fax: (02) 6332 1896 Email: amanda@pressedtinpanels.com 22 Vale Rd, Bathurst NSW 2795

www.pressedtinpanels.com

50 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

HOME & STYLE

how to create the

Perfect Vignette

WITH PIP TEYS

Vignettes are a great way to ensure your home and your personal design style is expressed. A few interesting and unusual vignettes add instant lustre, enhancing the overall expression of your home.

A vignette is a distinctive arrangement of unique and attractive objects that steers the eye.

Most people return from their holidays with precious mementos eg. shells, twigs, driftwood, pebbles from the beach, books, photos, treasures, gifts and even art. A great way to continue the holiday once home is to create a vignette around your trip.

In the photo to the right, I have created an “Italian Holiday” vignette. Combining acquisitions from a recent trip to Italy (artwork purchased in Bellagio, a gorgeous turquoise Tuscan urn, DK Eyewitness Italy, handmade marble eggs from Venice, a Tuscan conifer sculpture from Arezzo and a stunning pair of gold and pearl earrings from Cortona) with items already around my home (peach roses, books, vintage gold tea cup, Tiffany gift box, pink eggs and items of jewellery) to create a memorable vignette of a terrific holiday to Italia.

I sought to blend the beautiful turquoise colour of the urn and the orange tones in the artwork with other items without becoming too matchy. The pink was added to make everything pop. The gold earrings echo the gold tones in the artwork and the greens and blues in the books assist in distinguishing the look. The beautiful marble eggs are my focal point.

Plan your own vignette expedition 1 Use items like trays, stacks of books with colourful covers/

spines, lamps, boxes, bowls, vases, sculptures, art, even teacups to create interesting, layered vignettes to give a room character.

2 Create the focal point – Select the surface that needs

attention; the one looking a little bare in your home. Create a new space by removing all the clutter from a beautiful piece of furniture and begin there.

A piece of stunning white coral from the Isle of Capri paired with my great grandmother’s cut-glass crystal platter would also work well in this vignette.

These two items would connect beautifully with an enchanting white potted orchid.

3 Create a theme – Build your vignette around an idea,

When creating a new colour scheme for a space or vignette, always start with a single piece of fabric, cushion, artwork, or distinctive object. This single piece could even be the colours from a shell (I have a gorgeous bracelet I had made out of the colours from a paua shell – stunning purple, aqua blue and lime greens with crystals). Draw inspiration from nature or travelling. When travelling, take your camera, don’t be afraid to use it, capture that moment that speaks to you. You’ll use the images one day.

4 Tips for layering – As a base, use trays or a stack of books,

Vignettes are most inspiring when kept simple. Don’t overcrowd the space. Less is more when creating vignettes. Be your own judge, if you are happy with your innovation, if it is an expression of your unique design style (which is evolving and growing), then take a glass of your favourite wine, sit back in your room, relax and admire your achievement!

6 Light as a focal point – Draw attention to your vignette by

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fashion, travel or family, a colour, a piece of fabric or a collection. Choose at least three items that bind your chosen theme. which can help vary the height of the vignette. Then add layers of boxes, bowls, candles, jewellery boxes and containers.

5 Add height – Bring in a tall item. Table lamps, mirrors, a

vase of flowers, or a potted orchid, always work well. Sculptures and artworks enhance any space but be careful to ensure they do not overwhelm other items. building it around a source of light. You may choose to position your vignette beside a window flooding with natural light, in a room beside a beautiful lamp or close to a skylight.

7 Small accessories – Add personality with small boxes,

decorative objects or picture frames. (I can’t bear to part with my Hermes and Tiffany gift boxes for this significant reason).

8 Vary the texture – Mix polished and hard-surface

accessories with rough and textured ones. Coral together with marble is fantastic!

9 Odd numbers – Group several objects of similar size, shape and colour in odd numbers to create a compelling impact.

10 Spacing – Clustering objects in close proximity helps a vignette look cohesive and heightens the visual interest.

11 Create depth – Placing objects atop a mirrored tray or leaning them against a mirror will add dimension to your display.

Photography and styling by Pip Teys

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BATHURST MAYORAL WELCOME Dear Central West Lifestyle magazine readers, Welcome to a magazine that will focus on the very best of the Central West.

We all have our favourite places in the towns and cities where we live and, while we may like to keep them to ourselves, we would also like to share them with those not lucky enough to live near them.

Machattie Park is a very special place for me. It is the cool, green heart of the city. It is the venue for so many functions and events, weddings, picnics, calm walks in the shade of the trees, and a reminder of the history and heritage of Bathurst.

On the wall of the fernery a plaque commemorates the visit to Bathurst by Charles Darwin in 1836. It was the furthest inland that Darwin travelled. The beautiful white classical marble statues in the fernery are typical of Victorian garden artistry. In March and April each year the Begonia House is an unbelievable display of flowers that are almost too perfect to be real. The rotunda has been the site of musical performances from Australian folk music, full brass bands, weddings and presentations.

But my very favourite place in Bathurst is my home, which represents all that is special about the city. It was built in 1876 and contains the original cedar fireplaces and stable door.

Families who have lived in the house have brought their history and style to the windows and doors.

The street is a typically wide Bathurst street but it has its own sense of community. Neighbours know each other and help out when times get tough. People walk by on their way to work, to shop, to go to Charles Sturt University or on a night out.

It is not far from the art gallery and library, where I can enjoy the latest exhibition or fill my bag with books. In the garden we have a Virginia creeper that provides shade in summer, glorious colour in autumn and allows in the warmth of the sun at midday in winter. In spring, our wisteria, which has bloomed for many years, welcomes the warble of the magpies.

On the other hand, I really enjoy motor racing at Mount Panorama. There is something so exciting about the noise, the smell, the crowds and the thrill of the Bathurst 1000. The cars represent the very latest in technology and the communications used for broadcasting the race are at the cutting edge. It never ceases to amaze me that cars can go around that course at such high speed. The TV coverage does not convey how amazing the track is. Every time I drive visitors around the track, even driving at 60km/h or less, the corners and downhill twists can be very scary.

It is this connection with the past combined with the future plans of Bathurst that make it a wonderful place to live.

Cr Monica Morse, Mayor of Bathurst

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bathurst

chifley home

Love and Devotion

A story of love, respect and ultimate religious and political tolerance are the key themes of an exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of Chifley Home as a public museum. The McKenzie Story is about Elizabeth Chifley, wife of former prime minister Ben Chifley, and her family.

The exhibition is being staged at Bathurst’s Chifley Home and Education Centre and runs until July 1.

WORDS & IMAGES: SHOT BY JAKE

AT FIRST GLANCE number 10 Busby Street is a fairly normal-looking dwelling in a quiet Bathurst street but back in the 1880s it was the hub of the hard-working railway community. It was also the place where a woman of means fell in love with an engine driver who within 30 years would be elected to the highest office in the land.

While volumes have been written about the one-time engine driver (Chifley was reputedly one of the youngest in the country who dedicated 25 years to the railway game), little is known about the extraordinary life of Elizabeth McKenzie, the young lady he married in difficult circumstances in 1914.

The husband of local historian Sue Jones (pictured top right) grew up around the corner from the Chifley home, in Torch Street. The young American lass had been in Australia barely one year when the historic property was opened to the public by Gough Whitlam in 1973.

This lady may have bagged a future prime minister but she didn’t, in a physical sense, move very far in life. When she said “I do” to her man, her wealthy father George, who owned a string of small properties, presented them with the keys to 10 Busby Street.

“I was always interested in politics and wanted to visit the home but everyone said it was just like my in-laws’ house,” Sue smiled. “So I did not visit Chifley Home until about 30 years later when I started as a tour guide in 2001.”

The house was practically across the road from the family home she was born in on the Horses’ Birthday, August 1, 1886, which might have explained her love of a flutter. The house was a lavish gift symbolising the support the staunch Presbyterian McKenzie, and Irish Catholic Chifley, families had for the young couple at a time of strong religious intolerance.

Now she is an authority on the Chifleys and enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth when putting the exhibition together. “Little has been written about her other than the fact she was reserved, frail and a real lady,” Sue said. “I always knew there was much more to this elegant woman than had been let on.”

After their marriage, Ben Chifley was not able to take communion again but still attended mass, wherever he was, for the rest of his life. Elizabeth’s father became an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church. The fact he allowed his only surviving child to marry a Catholic demonstrates an extreme tolerance at the time.

With that Sue dons the white gloves and we are instructed to “kindly remove our shoes and not touch anything” as we enter the sacred home of Australia’s most revered prime minister.

In recent years Sue Jones has become totally absorbed in Elizabeth’s history and believes she has uncovered a story more remarkable than anyone could have imagined.

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“I have become a family historian and connected with people throughout Australia and Scotland, South Africa and Canada. I’ve had assistance from the Bathurst community, libraries, state records and museums and have spoken by phone to many people who are related to or knew the McKenzies and Chifleys. Most precious of all, I have interviewed a number of McKenzie descendants face-to-face, who generously shared their memories with me,” Sue said.

As Sue weaves through the small rooms she says Elizabeth enjoyed domestic duties, and the kitchen was one of her favourite haunts. “She was happy cooking, baking and doing needlework but she also loved playing cards and going to church.”

Sue points out some of the treasured objects given to Chifley, including a well-polished presentation tray, souvenirs and a model aeroplane. Sue only recently discovered the story behind the silver dish in the dining room.

“There was a huge dinner thrown for Elizabeth’s father when he retired from the railway in 1915 and he was presented with silver gifts while her mother Isabella received the covered silver entree dish. It proves that George was an important person who helped establish the Bathurst branch of the Railway Union.”

In the bedroom are old business cards, photos and books. “The PM loved reading a good detective novel, perhaps while smoking his pipe,” Sue said.

From all accounts he was a man of the people and loved a chinwag over the fence with neighbours.

Sue said Ben had a hard start to life, plucked away from his family at age five to live with his illiterate grandfather who needed help on the farm. He grew up in a house with dirt floors, no electricity or plumbing and only went to a part-time school depending on the religion of the teacher.

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It was these attributes, Sue said, that gave Ben Chifley the common touch.

“It was why he could identify with battlers and the man on the land and why he was so appreciative of this house given to him.”

The immaculately presented home is exactly the way it was after Elizabeth died in her own bed here in 1962. She had outlived her husband by 11 years and the pair had spent their entire lives together in this one dwelling. You can almost feel their presence in each of the small, quaint rooms that were once modest bedrooms and lounge rooms.

The former PM’s humble office, from where he helped guide the young nation after the calamity of World War Two, also served as a room of respite for his ailing mother-in-law. Despite not having any children themselves, the Chifleys well understood the meaning of devotion to family and civicmindedness.

Sue Jones is naturally excited about the exhibition at Chifley Home, which includes rare photos and items belonging to Elizabeth and her family. Of particular interest is the diary she wrote on her voyage back to Australia after visiting Scotland in 1899 and an appointment diary she kept in the 1940s detailing her visits to the opera and cinemas during her trips to Sydney.

There are many more fascinating stories about the Chifleys, and Sue Jones is ready to tell them. The exhibition and Chifley Home are well worth a visit and stand as a stark reminder of just how far our homes have developed over the past 100 years.

The exhibition is included in entry tickets to the Chifley Home and Education Centre. There are two guided tours a day on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at 10am and noon.

For more information about the exhibition and to see images from the Chifley Collection visit www.chifleyhome.org.au. CWL

chifley home

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Bless this house Bishop’s Court is one of Bathurst’s finest hidden gems.

Host Christine Le Fevre has dedicated recent years to making her boutique hotel, a foundation member of Amazing Country Escapes, the premier choice for business and leisure travellers.

WORDS & IMAGES: SHOT BY JAKE

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD has rated it one of Australia’s best boutique properties, giving it a score of 18/20 and describing it as “a pleasure for the soul with incredible warm friendly hospitality, superb dining and amazing attention to detail”.

“In my mind it was a motor-racing town full of rev-heads,” she recalled with an infectious smile. “I was almost shocked to discover a beautiful heritage city with four distinct seasons in a practical location with a delightful local population.”

Our ebullient host Christine (pictured right) was born on a wheat and sheep settlement in Somerton, near Tamworth, where she attended a one-teacher school before her father moved the family to Tumut when she was seven.

What really fired her imagination, however, was the two-storey manor house built in 1870 for Samuel Marsden, Bathurst’s first Anglican bishop (1869-1885).

Many years later, a stint at Sydney University earned her a fine arts degree which led to several years of teaching art before turning her attention to her first true love, interior design. A long and brilliant career took her around the world, culminating in the design of the luxury resort Longitude 131 at Uluru.

In 2001, while Christine was contemplating her next project in life, a friend noticed an ad in a Sydney newspaper advertising Bishop’s Court. Within days, Christine was motoring west over the majestic Blue Mountains towards Bathurst, a place she had never visited and had not one single contact.

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Successive bishops lived in the mansion until 1969 when the church sold the property to private owners. Several families lived in the home in the intervening decades and thankfully they retained the building’s intrinsic heritage elements.

When Christine arrived on the scene 13 years ago she wasn’t content to merely transform the family home into a quaint old B&B. She raised the bar much higher and couldn’t rest until she had created one of the most talked-about and highly rated boutique hotels in the country.

Today Bishop’s Court includes six magnificently appointed guest rooms.

Most have balconies overlooking an acre of manicured gardens below.

BED section & BREAKFAST name

BED & BREAKFAST

No expense has been spared, with inspiring and thought-provoking music piped through the Bose sound system in the gardens and throughout the house.

“We run this business with 30 experienced partners,” Christine said.

“It means we can take guests to a winery and introduce you to the winemaker. It becomes a personal and enjoyable experience.”

It’s all part of a group called Amazing Bathurst, like-minded people who love the simple joys of life such as sampling an amazing new coffee or wine, or enjoying the fresh air of a country cruise on a dirt road.

Christine loves Sydney but would never go back. “We have the best of all worlds here, “ she said. “More importantly we have the ability to stop, take stock and just breathe. You can scarcely imagine the banter that takes place on the balcony between strangers meeting as friends for the first time most evenings!”

There’s no doubt about this woman’s passion and attention to detail.

It oozes out of every room. It takes half an hour to light more than 180 individual candles on the exquisite dining table in the old chapel. It’s well worth the effort, insisted Christine, who has witnessed the most romantic of marriage proposals. There have been plenty of wedding ceremonies in the gardens, with most opting for a bigger venue for their receptions.

“We can seat a maximum of 36 in the chapel and because we are small we can offer incredible levels of service. I prepare all the food and just surprise our guests with special ingredients,” she said. “The food is seasonal and regional and cooked with passion from the heart.”

The real joy of Bishop’s Court, she insisted, was to sit back and appreciate the fine surroundings. “These days everybody is so busy, full of daily lists that have to be ticked off. People come here for a few days of relaxation, rejuvenation and the chance to be truly inspired,” she said. “Our job is as caretakers of this beautiful property that was built with so much love back in the 1870s.”

Christine has made the place just like it was all those years ago but with an indulgence of modern conveniences for guests’ pleasure. “It’s not hard to think of it as it was a century ago, with children playing on the floor, grandpa reading a story and grandma tending her needlework or delicate handicraft. Papa might have been playing piano in the drawing room,” said Christine, a true romantic.

Christine and partner David Swan, an engineer specialising in water security, met about seven years ago at a farmers market. They form a fine partnership that complements the atmosphere of Bishop’s Court.

It’s been a fabulous journey for Christine and her passionate team and it’s far from over. Sometimes she just has to close her eyes to feel the presence of a former bishop looking over his sanctuary and comforting her in the knowledge that she has kept the spirit of the old house alive. CWL 66 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

BED section & BREAKFAST name

Monday ~ Friday 7-30am to 5.00pm Saturday 9-00am to 1.00pm

• Excellent Coffee - bills BEANS • Home made meals and sweets • Beautiful giftware & jewellery

8 Templar Street Forbes • 6852 2239 68 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

winter food

Pleasures of the Season We must eat to live and live to eat. – Henry Fielding (1707-1754) WE SIMPLY LOVE living in the central ranges of NSW. Bathurst is our home and the delights of the four distinct seasons never cease to amaze us.

porridge oats and honey take us back to late winter mornings where the sun is sliced through closed shutters and the warmth of a night’s sleep still roasts the tips of our toes.

It is the time of year when the delights of autumn inevitably fade, the days are further shortened, and the first signs of winter start to appear.

Mornings and evenings are that bit cooler and a warm spot in the sun is soon a sought-out pleasure. There’s no denying that the altered slant of the sun provokes magical changes in the garden as the coloured leaves disappear, the grass begins to glimmer with morning frost and the frames of the trees shine.

At Bishop’s Court Estate, the seasons determine the combination and use of flavours. With the arrival of winter, there is a longing for hot meals with an abundance of aromas and tastes to satisfy and excite the otherwise numb body.

With the closing of autumn comes the best of conditions for working in the garden. Deep digging and spreading around compost to revitalise gardens becomes a routine delight as both the plants and animals begin their renewing hibernation.

It’s the perfect time of year to visit our region and historic city of Bathurst. The beauty of the surrounds inevitably captures the attention of guests who simply enjoy escaping cities to revitalise in the crisp air of winter and enjoy the warm delights spent in front of open fires while sipping on flavoursome award-winning local wines.

This splendid time calls for such Bathurst events as the Winter Winery Wander, one of the largest social events in the city, where one can experience the wines and food that have blossomed in the cool season. Whether it be strolling the historic precincts of the city, enjoying a late breakfast or brunch at the best breakfast cafe in Australia, The Hub, or savouring the delights of a heavenly treat at Legall Patisserie, walking from cafe to cafe in the crisp air of Bathurst is a refreshing reminder of how nature is still and bare before the birth of spring.

There are many things in life that trigger memories of comfort; people, places and art for instance. Food is one of these things, serving as a constant familiarity. For us, the mixed smell of cinnamon, warm

We love to share the joy of food with friends and family.

The inability to know whether the warmth in the kitchen is that of the heater, the oven or the loved one beside you is the true beauty of the seasonal change.

This feeling is similarly felt with our guests who stay at Bishop’s Court Estate, whether they are here to enjoy a delightful meal or to take part in a cooking class.

The love of food still lingers in the kitchen, embracing each individual who enters.

The meals prepared have a true connection to the season and are dependent upon the produce of our region. With this, the kitchen becomes a place of enjoyment and heritage, stepping into the lifestyle we enjoy in Central West NSW. We invite you to celebrate with us the launch of this fabulous publication and relish a convivial feast with your family and friends of pumpkin and sage ravioli, Parma-wrapped organic chicken infused with truffled garlic butter and a decadent orange and Cointreau pudding (recipes follow).

“The most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking: love, for those you are cooking for.” – Sophia Loren With love from the heart of cooking, Christine, Lee, Anna, Simone, Jenna and all the caring staff at Bishop’s Court Estate. CWL CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 69

winter food

PUMPKIN AND SAGE RAVIOLI SERVES 4

• ½ butternut pumpkin (about 450g) peeled and cut into 2cm pieces • 1 tbs olive oil • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 150g fresh ricotta, drained • ½ tbs chopped sage leaves • 75g grated parmesan, plus extra to serve • 48 wonton wrappers* CHESTNUT BUTTER SAUCE • 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil • 100g unsalted butter • 150g peeled, cooked fresh or vacuumpacked chestnuts, chopped (or pine nuts) • 2 tbs chopped sage leaves Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Place pumpkin and oil in a roasting pan, season and toss. Roast for 20 minutes, add garlic and cook for a further 10 minutes until tender. Cool.

Pulse pumpkin in food processor until smooth. Place in a bowl, stir in ricotta, sage and parmesan. Season.

Lay 24 wonton wrappers on a clean surface.

Place 1 tbs pumpkin mixture in the centre of each wrapper. Brush edges of wrapper with water, then place another wrapper on top, pressing to seal and pushing out any air. Trim with a 7cm fluted cutter. Repeat to make 24 ravioli.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil.

Cook ravioli in batches, for three minutes until pasta is cooked and filling is set.

Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Meanwhile, for the sauce, heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium to low heat. Add chestnuts and cook for five minutes until foamy and starting to colour.

Stir in sage leaves, season, then add pasta to the frypan and carefully toss. Serve with extra grated parmesan. *Wonton wrappers are available at selected supermarkets and Asian food shops. Fresh chestnuts are available in season from green grocers. You can source cooked chestnuts from gourmet shops and delis.

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PARMA-WRAPPED ORGANIC CHICKEN WITH TRUFFLE BUTTER SERVES 4

TRUFFLE BUTTER • 250g unsalted butter at room temperature • 2 tbsp white truffle oil, or truffle trimmings, or shaved fresh truffles • Pinch of Murray River pink salt PARMA-WRAPPED CHICKEN • 4 organic chicken breasts • Salt • Freshly ground white pepper in mortar and pestle • 2 large eggs • 1 tbsp water • ½ cup plain flour (or rice flour for gluten-free) • ¾ cup fine fresh breadcrumbs or rice crumbs for GF • 2 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese • 3 tbsp clarified butter or vegetable oil, plus 1 tbsp • 8 fine slices parma ham or prosciutto To make truffle butter, in a bowl combine softened butter, salt, and truffle oil. Take a length of baking paper and pat the butter into a long log shape about the size of a 10-cent piece in diameter. Roll in paper and refrigerate until set. Cut into 5cm lengths to stuff the chicken. Leave in fridge until required.

To make the parma-wrapped chicken, cut a pocket into the middle of the breasts to hold the butter. In a shallow bowl, beat eggs and water. In another bowl place the flour and lightly season with salt and pepper. In a third bowl combine egg crumbs and parmeasan cheese and lightly season with salt and pepper.

One breast at a time (no butter inserted yet), lightly coat with flour, shaking off the excess.

Dip in beaten eggs, letting excess drip off.

Coat in breadcrumbs, pressing crumbs onto chicken to fully coat. Refrigerate until cold.

Heat oil and butter in pan and cook until golden.

Remove from heat, fill with truffle butter and wrap in parma ham or prosciutto. Take one breast at a time and wrap firmly with plastic wrap. Tightly fold in the ends to make a log shape. Place back in the fridge.

This can all be done the day prior to dinner.

Remove from fridge and bring back to room temperature at least an hour prior to service. Place each chicken breast in a foil boat (simply take a length of foil and turn up ends to form a boat shape and place these onto a baking tray ready for cooking).

Cook chicken for 20 to 30 minutes in a hot oven until cooked. Rest for 10 minutes in a warm place on top of the oven.

SAUCE • 30g salted butter • 1/3 cup Dijonnaise mustard • 1/3 cup champagne • 1 tsp raw sugar • 200ml pouring cream In a heavy-based saucepan melt butter and gradually add champagne while whisking.

Add dijonnaise mustard and raw sugar.

Gently stir with whisk clockwise and as mixture begins to simmer gradually add cream. Taste and add more mustard if desired. Stir continuously then lower the heat and gently reduce. Keep warm ready for service.

VEGETABLES • 8 medium washed potatoes • 2 leeks • 4 zucchinis • 4 baby truss tomatoes • Watercress or leaves of chervil or micro herbs for garnishing chicken

ORANGE AND COINTREAU STEAMED PUDDING WITH CRÈME ANGLAISE SERVES 8

• • • • • • •

150g softened butter 150g caster sugar 3 eggs 275g self-raising flour 370g orange marmalade Finely grated rind of 1½ oranges 200ml buttermilk

Crushed potatoes with leeks Steam wash potatoes until cracking. Remove from water and crush onto baking tray lined with baking paper, dot with butter, Murray River pink salt and fresh white pepper. Cover in plastic film, then foil, and set aside ready for heating in a moderate oven prior to cooking main course. Remove potatoes from oven, remove foil and plastic wrap (this helps keep moisture high and potatoes will not dry). Five minutes prior to service, place into a large metal mixing bowl and add warmed leeks. Toss, ready for stacking, taste and season as required.

SYRUPY ORANGES • ½ unpeeled orange thinly sliced into rounds • 80g orange marmalade • 2 tbsp Cointreau

Zucchini curls Sliced lengthways in a mandolin, take four slices and scroll in a decorative manner.

Hold with toothpick and place in bowl of cold water until required (best done two hours before dinner). At service time, simply remove from water and place in boiling hot water just to cook until tender. Place directly onto plate and fill with an ovenroasted baby tomato.

For Syrupy Oranges, simmer oranges for three minutes in a small saucepan of water over medium heat to remove bitterness.

Return to pan, add marmalade and Cointreau and 1 tbsp water. Reduce heat to

CRÈME ANGLAISE • 600ml pouring cream • 300ml milk • 1 vanilla bean, split seeds scraped • 6 egg yolks • 150g caster sugar

low and simmer until syrupy. Arrange in the base of a buttered and lined two-litre pudding basin and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in flour, then marmalade, orange rind and buttermilk, and spoon into prepared pudding basin. Smooth top, cover with lightly buttered baking paper, close lid. Place in a large saucepan, add hot water to ¾ of the way up sides of the pudding basin. Steam until a skewer withdraws clean (1½ to – 1¾ hours). Top saucepan up with extra boiling water as necessary Meanwhile, for decadent rich crème anglaise, combine cream, milk, vanilla bean and seeds in a heavy-based saucepan and bring to simmer over medium heat. Combine egg yolks and sugar in bowl and whisk until pale. Pour hot cream mixture over egg mixture, whisking continuously to combine, then return to pan.

Stir continuously over low to medium heat for about five minutes until mixture coats spoon.

Strain into a serving jug.

Invert pudding onto plate and serve hot with decadent crème anglaise.

Enjoy the delights of winter.

Oven-roasted baby truss tomatoes Prick with skewer, toss in olive oil and raw sugar with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and slow-oven roast until cooked yet still holding firm shape. This is a delicious garnish as the plate will need this brilliant hit of colour.

To serve: On hot plates, stack crushed potatoes in stacking disc; place zucchini curl against potato stack, fill with warmed roasted tomato; smear champagne butter sauce in a crescent around the plate; place chicken atop potatoes and garnish with watercress. Serve immediately.

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community

IT’S A WOMAN’S WORLD With the objective of advancing the status of women, the Orange branch of Zonta International is alive and well.

ZONTA INTERNATIONAL was founded in 1919 and is a classified organisation of people in management and decision-making positions in business and professions, whose key objective is to enhance the welfare and development of women worldwide.

With more than 30,000 members belonging to 1200 Zonta Clubs in 64 countries and geographic areas, Zontians all over the world volunteer their time, talents and support to local and international service projects.

Since 1923, Zonta has provided close to $11 million to international projects benefiting more than 2 million women in 37 countries.

The Zonta Club of Orange is part of Zonta International and has an active and enthusiastic group of members who have many achievements to their credit.

The Orange branch membership includes women from a broad spectrum of professions. There are two geologists, a research scientist, an antique dealer, an artist, a financial controller of a vineyard, a physiotherapist, as well as university lecturers, farmers, nurses and school teachers.

They share a desire to work together, pool their best ideas and strategies and raise funds to make a difference for women in their local community and in the global context.

The Orange branch, established in 1983, raises $10,000 to $12,000 annually for Orange community projects. These local projects include programs to support young mothers to develop parenting skills and creating and donating Breast Care cushions to men and women who have had breast cancer surgery in Central Western medical centres.

Zonta of Orange also contributes to international projects. One significant initiative is the commitment to fund birthing kits that promote hygiene in child birth in developing countries. In conjunction with the United Nations, Zonta provides scholarships for young leaders, business women and post graduate researchers.

Orange ballet student Ellie Swiatkiwsky, 19, is the beneficiary of the Marj Johnston Memorial Arts scholarship assisted through Zonta Orange. This funding allows Ellie, a gifted dancer studying at the Juilliard School in New York, to buy expensive specialised dancing shoes so that her career may continue to flourish.

With a further focus on encouraging excellence in chosen professional

fields, Zonta Orange awards scholarships for tertiary study in Health Sciences, through the Jill Salter Memorial Award.

Central to Zonta’s core belief is engendering respect for our fellow human beings. In this vein, Zonta Orange funds an annual visit by Brent Sanders, to speak to district high school students about the law and gender-based abuse.

Zonta Orange’s major fund-raising event is the June Antique Fair.

Members assume the key organisational roles such as liaising with antique dealers regarding sites and fees, selling raffle tickets and collecting door takings. This event presents an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively with the Canobolas Rural Technology High School. Hospitality students work in teams to provide catering for the many folk who attend the fair’s gala opening. Not only do the students gain many practical skills, but this catering experience fulfils part of their formal assessment with the school hospitality course.

This productive partnership results in Zonta awarding prizes to outstanding hospitality students.

Patricia Logan, a Zonta club stalwart and respected long-time Orange resident, joined the organisation in 1985, encouraged by a close friend. She was drawn into its membership with the goal of being able to contribute to advancing the status of women. “I believe that the club encourages the development of leadership and organisational skills as well as offering mutual support and friendship,” she said.

Another member, Anne Eastwood, arrived in Orange in 1994. She had been a geologist in the mining industry for a number of years and had been part of a male-dominated work force. “My desire was to be in a network with others who could become role models and with whom I could develop firm friendships,” she said of her Zonta connection.

Sue Hatcher, a senior research scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, tells a similar story. She moved to Orange in 1997 from Western Australia, and joined Zonta shortly after. Her purpose was to meet new people as well as fulfil a mission to improve the social and economic status of women. “I like the fact that two thirds of the funding goes back into the local community. I can see the difference it makes and it is so uplifting getting feedback from organisations that have been assisted by us,” Sue said.

For further information on Zonta Orange contact Patricia Logan at capalogan@bigpond.com. CWL Words: Elizabeth Tickle

L-R: Breast care cushion makers Karen Blacklow and Patricia Logan; Zonta Orange treasurer Frances Young at work as a physiotherapist; scientist Sue Hatcher joined Zonta upon moving to Orange.

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culture

Music of the night THIS YEAR’S BRUCEDALE TWILIGHT CONCERT and Picnic lived up to its enviable reputation as one of the must-see events on Bathurst’s music and social calendar.

Brucedale homestead is one of the oldest family-owned properties in Australia and has been home to seven generations of the Suttor family, who have welcomed guests to their lawns for more than 30 years.

The 2013 twilight concert proved a highlight of the Autumn Colours Program and was well received by the several hundred patrons who enjoyed the perfect mix of music, wine and friends in a glorious setting.

Staged on the veranda of the historic home, the concert featured a delightful line-up of accomplished musicians and bands, including the Bathurst City and RSL Concert Band and jazz from Dale Tuckey and friends.

Jonathan Lewis accompanied Olivia Fisher and Liam Auhl in songs from musical theatre while fiddler Marcus Holden made some fine music with harpist Kim Deacon from Hill End. It was Marcus’s first performance at Brucedale and he was most impressed.

“I’ve played in some amazing venues over the years but this was right up there in the relaxation stakes,” he confessed. “It’s a gorgeous venue with a beautiful atmosphere and sense of history.”

Marcus, best known for his role in the Fiddlers Feast, played a set loosely based on the work of Henry Lawson as well as some classical music.

Annie’s Ice Cream Parlour and Long Point Coffee were also popular on the night. CWL Right: Among the many fine musicians performing at Brucedale were Marcus Holden and Kim Deacon. Below: The enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the show and an ice cream from Annie’s.

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RYLSTONE/KANDOS WORDS: ANNA TICKLE

town feature: rylstone/kandos

small town,

Big Personality WHEN YOU FIRST DRIVE into Rylstone it is easy to understand why the entire business district is classified as a Heritage Conservation Zone. This little town is loaded with personality and a friendly, distinct charm that ensures the locals love living here and the tourists always come back for more.

Rylstone was one of the first areas to be settled following the establishment of Bathurst, with shepherds bringing flocks to the district in 1820. Settlers were forbidden to cross the Macquarie River, so those wanting land for sheep and cattle had to push either south (into the cooler high country around Oberon) or north (into the warmer valleys towards Mudgee).

In the 1820s and 1830s settlement commenced on large pastoral properties associated with names prominent in colonial history such as Fitzgerald, Cox, Marsden, Walker, Lee and Bloodsworth. Using mostly convict labour, these properties produced large quantities of fine merino wool, fat cattle and bloodstock horses.

By 1861 the population reached 135, boosted by pardoned men and free settlers. There were two hotels, a flour mill, several stores, blacksmiths, tannery, school, three churches, post office agency, police station, courthouse and lock-up along with a growing number of pastoralists.

When gold was found nearby on the Turon River, many labourers left to find their fortunes. Eventually, the flood of Chinese and European men provided a new economic stimulus to development.

In 1884 the railway arrived in Rylstone, giving farmers and graziers easier access to markets and providing a twice-daily passenger service between Rylstone and Mudgee. In 1885, Rylstone attained the status of a town.

These days the town is charming and unusual because of the high number of both public and private stone buildings built during the Victorian colonial period. As an administrative centre from the 1860s, numerous stone government buildings were erected with resident stonemasons using locally quarried sandstone and cedar from the nearby mountaintops.

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The typical building style, combining random rubble with dressed sandstone blocks at the corners, windows and doors, creates a strong unified character throughout the town. Many of these buildings still stand including the 1875 Courthouse, the 1880 Post and Telegraph Office and the 1895 Constable’s residence (with lock-up). Stone commercial buildings also went up during this period including two hotels, several stores, a flour mill and four churches.

In the early 1900s the region was prospering with a butter-making factory opened near the railway. In addition to the already established businesses, a chemist, dentist, hairdresser, painter and decorator and stationer added their services to the town.

New buildings were erected with the readily available concrete from Kandos and the style changed to flat decorative facades with large plateglass windows and steel awnings.

After the upheaval of the world wars and the Great Depression, new infrastructure and services come to town. More homes were connected to the telephone and electricity lines. A new concrete bridge over the river in Louee Street replaced the succession of timber bridges at the end of Hall Street and a weir to supply town water was built upstream by the Public Works Department. It is now a wonderful bird sanctuary.

Local land use began to change. Small soldier settlement blocks were carved off the large properties and others were broken up into smaller holdings. The town still supplies agricultural services primarily for sheep and cattle, but local farming enterprises have now expanded into vineyards and wine production, olives, goats and alpacas.

Nearby Kandos was established 100 years ago when the NSW Cement Lime and Coal Company was set up to take advantage of local supplies of limestone, which was lifted from the quarries by an enormous aerial ropeway. Today it serves as the gateway to the wonderland of the Wollemi National Park, the rugged home of one of the rarest plants in the world, the Wollemi Pine, and other endangered and threatened species of plants, marsupials and birds. It’s a great base for bushwalking, water sports and enjoying the great outdoors. CWL

town feature: rylstone/kandos

Alisa Burlington with some of her work at Alisa Design.

Brett Nutting, Adhoc Furniture, Kandos, with one of his finished pieces.

Local baker Drew Stevenson makes fresh bread and pies from his wood-fired oven.

Museum volunteers Peter Monaghan, Owain James and Tricia Aitchison look after several hundred visitors each year.

Taya Moffitt kept busy at the Cafe on Louee.

Local fencer and farmer Joe Kirkwood, Wombat Hole, enjoying a cold one after work.

Ross Freshwater enjoys a coffee while perusing the news.

Justine Lang, The Barber’s Barn, loves her job.

Local fencer Col Dunn shaking off a thirst at The Globe.

Donna Bartley and her brother Dicko Duff have run the Rylstone Butchery for five years.

Don Mackay has run the Rylstone Guns and Ammo store for the past three years.

Kath and Darryl Brown, from the Brown Owl Gallery in Kandos, specialise in painting, prints and sculpture.

When Hayden Burlington is not working in the mines he is busy with his new Rylstone Homebrew business.

Mudgee handyman Terry Brown.

Adrianna Brown with the sweet treats in The Lollipop Shop.

Annabel Combes and Chris Plummer love living in their 1850s home.

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town feature: rylstone/kandos

THE GOOD OIL Tucked away on a modest 300 acres, midway between Rylstone and Lue, is Bentivoglio Olives and Rylstone Olive Press, a small, family-owned olive oil producer.

“One of Australia’s small olive growers,” CEO Jayne Bentivoglio said.

Small grower or not, this Rylstone business punches well above its weight on a global scale, having taken out the title of “second best olive oil in the world”. This feat was achieved at The World’s Best Olive Oils for 2013 inaugural titles held recently in New York against a field of 700 companies from 22 countries.

“Though if it were a rankings-style system such as an AAPT Tennis championship we would have the No.1 ranking,” Jayne quipped, referring to the fact that Rylstone Olive Press had pipped the eventual Italianbased winner of the prestigious world title, in two other championships, in Los Angeles and Japan.

Just how has one of Australia’s smallest producers achieved this standing?

“A dedication to Australia’s highest quality olive oil production, no matter what the size of the crop, is one of the key factors,” Jayne explained.

Since deciding on this small parcel of land in 1997, with a magnificent mineral make-up and a suitable climate, the family company has coaxed the young grove from planting stage, nearly 100 years after Jayne’s husband Peter’s Italian grandparents set foot on Australian soil.

The olive trees have survived the toughest of drought conditions through the 2000s and the bushfires in the surrounding Rylstone area and on the grove in January 2010. The result has been an olive grove of 8000 trees, comprising eight different olive varieties and with a production output of an increasing 80+ tonnage, biennially, as the trees are still “young”.

Producing only First and Cool Extraction Extra Virgin Olive Oils, the Rylstone team ensures that Rylstone’s harvest is processed within six hours of picking only hanging, not fallen, fruit to maximise the inherent qualities of each olive variety.

Jayne then settles and blends her oils for balance and harmony. “Our Cudgegong is fruity, our Crooked River is softer and our Lawson Creek is the caterer’s choice,” Jayne explained.

The combination of granite- and silicon-rich soils, dedication to quality and freshness and the modern Pieralisi continuous olive oil extraction equipment has meant that this already multi-award winning producer has now achieved world recognition.

Some of the world’s leading chefs only have Rylstone Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oils in their restaurants and kitchens. The launch of the online sales system of Rylstone Olive Press invites you to share the experience at home. Visit www.rylstoneolivepress.com.au.

Words: Andrew Thomas

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town feature: rylstone/kandos

working together Peter Druitt & Co, Rylstone has been providing real estate and livestock services to the people of Rylstone, Kandos, Ilford, Clandulla and surrounding villages since 2004.

Manager and part-owner Steve Rose joined the business principal, Peter Druitt, in 2004 after a career transition from farming.

“Working together has been fantastic for us,” Danielle said. “Steve looks after the livestock and rural part of the business and I look after residential sales and lifestyle properties. I was hesitant to join the business initially, knowing how all-consuming the life of an agent can be, but it has worked well for our family.”

“Our joint commitment to honesty and professional service makes for a great working relationship.

Steve added: “We are both people-oriented and great communicators, with a common goal to provide top notch service to our clients. We’ve got a great team who are all on the same page, and we believe that’s what sets us apart from our competitors. We’ve also lived and worked in the area for over 15 years, so we know the market here well.

“Peter and I have different styles of working, but we work well together and both Mudgee and Rylstone offices are run as one team effort. Having an office in two towns gives us the opportunity to provide the best exposure for our vendors.”

“We like to think that over the years we’ve earned the respect of the people in our community. A lot of our clients are people we know outside of our business relationship, so we have a vested interest to achieve the best outcomes for our clients every time.”

“I had the opportunity to learn the ropes from one of the most respected agents in the business, Peter Druitt,” Steve said.

In 2006, Steve’s wife Danielle joined the business, having worked previously in sales, marketing and property management, and bringing her own set of skills to the team.

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town feature: rylstone/kandos

Simply spellbinding The owner of the Barefoot Gypsie, Lee Kahler, is a woman of passion, drive and intuition.

• The Barefoot Gypsie’s clothing store caters for everyone, with a myriad of incredibly funky jewellery and mens and womens clothing • Supportive of the environment, animal rights and fair trade • Bathroom, bedroom and sleepwear, candles and artworks • Unique and quirky gypsy spells and potions • A refreshing taste of nature, fun and colour

She runs two successful retail stores, a dog wash service and an animal rescue board, all while supporting animal rights, environmental care and fair trade.

The Barefoot Gypsie’s clothing store caters for everyone, with a myriad of incredibly funky jewellery and men’s and women’s clothing.

“You can never have too much colour,” Lee said. Her belief is easy to see in the shop’s abundance of style and quirkiness.

It all began in July last year, and early promise meant Lee had to obtain a second building to house the business’s bathroom, bedroom and sleepwear range.

“Any of the soaps or candles you find in here are all from the farmed palm oil trade, not the wild palms. I believe it’s extremely important to support environmentally friendly principles, as well as production that is free from animal cruelty,” she said.

“I’m a strong believer in fair trade. It’s great to see the money going back into the villages in which the product was created, and not to the middle man.”

Lee also displays and sells artworks from local talents, and creates and performs a range of gypsy spells and potions! Lee loves animals, hence the additional hydrobath dog wash service and animal rescue board.

The Barefoot Gypsie stores are unique and overflowing with the ethical goodness that is sometimes hard to find.

Global warming Whether you’re after a fantastic meal, a refreshing drink or a fun night out, the Globe Hotel is where the action is.

Craig and Nicole Chung bought the hotel a year ago and Peter has managed it since January.

Manager Peter Snelling is only too happy to cater for your every need, be it comfortable accommodation on that late drive in, exciting entertainment and music or the fantastic fresh seafood available on weekends.

“Every second Saturday night we have entertainment at the hotel. If there’s anything happening in town it will be happening at the Globe,” Peter enthused.

The Globe attracts a host of characters who enjoy the strong and hearty local pub feel.

Some may be bikies stopping by on their group ride through town; some may be locals relishing what Rylstone has to offer. Nevertheless, the Globe Hotel is a place of friends, food and good times.

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“We also hold lots of fund-raising events for the local primary school, as well as other community charities.”

The Globe’s new Mudgee chef, Beau Irvine, is doing some fantastic things with the food and has developed an exciting new winter menu.

town feature: rylstone/kandos

Hosts with the most The stunning Fermoy is a brick and sandstone self-contained cottage in Rylstone that has been owned and operated by Tom and Noeline Brown for four years.

The cottage has undeniable charm, and exudes a relaxing, quiet feel. It is ideally suited for a couple seeking a peaceful base to stay and explore the district, but can accommodate up to four couples needing a weekend break. You will only need your wet pack, as all linen is provided.

Local amenities are an easy walk, and most tourist destinations in the area are only a short drive. A golf course and tennis courts are handy, and a bicycle/walking track leading to Kandos is just across the road.

T H E P E R F E C T A C C O M M O DAT I O N F O R FA M I L I E S A N D G R O U P S .

Hosts

Tom

&

No e l i n e Brow n

F ermoy is lovingly restored, fully furnished 100 year old, cottage.

This self-contained accommodation has all the comforts of home—including four bedrooms (2 queen, 1 double and 2 single beds), a modern kitchen, and two T V/retreat areas.

It is located within easy walking distance to all the amenities within Rylstone NSW.

stay@fermoycottage.com.au

P: 02 63791470

Staying at Fermoy, you can discover the wonders of the Rylstone region including bushwalks in the World Heritage Wollemi National Park and bird watching in the Capertee Valley and Fern Tree Gully.

You may even spot a platypus in the Cudgegong River, which meanders through the township.

Perhaps fishing and boating are more your thing. The spectacular waterways of Dunns Swamp are not far and provide the family with a fantastic day in the great outdoors.

For your first night’s stay at Fermoy Cottage you will receive a complimentary continental breakfast.

Tom and Noeline have had many compliments on the favourable hospitality and cleanliness that Fermoy offers, and have many return visitors.

www.fermoycottage.com.au

Grape expectations Domaine de Beaurepaire is located just outside the historic township of Rylstone, about 50 kilometres south-east of Mudgee.

Vines were first planted 15 years ago on one of the original properties west of the Blue Mountains (dating back to the 1820s).

The vineyard nestles in a cool valley about 600 metres above sea level. The slopes are gentle, the nights cool-to-cold, the days warm.

The high altitude, rocky terrain and limestone-based soil were strongly recommended as well-suited to the production of highquality grapes to create a range of French-style wines.

There is a saying that quality wines start in the vineyard. The wines are a testament to the synergy of the viticulturist, vineyard manager and winemaker.

The varieties grown for de Beaurepaire wines and to supply to other leading wineries are: shiraz, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, semillon, chardonnay, viognier, verdelho and pinot gris.

In addition to the de Beaurepaire Reserve label, there is a range of Captain Starlight wines that recognises the historical link between the property and one of the great characters of the Australian bush, Harry Readford – known as Captain Starlight.

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town feature: rylstone/kandos

Doing what comes naturally Peppercorn Cottages are perched on a hill on Kel and Elizabeth Merz’s 400-acre cattle farm, eight kilometres east of Rylstone.

The two Yurt-style cottages are hexagonal. Their large, wide verandas stretch across the entire front side, giving the guest incredible sunset views.

“The cottages were built three years ago by my husband and son-in-law, who is a builder,” Elizabeth said. “Each accommodates up to four people, with two separate bedrooms, and they are 100 per cent family friendly.

When children come to stay I put puppets, toys and games inside the cottages, which everyone is always happy with.”

Elizabeth said children loved to take a trip to the country, seeing the myriad animals and special sights on the property.

“The kids love to be around all the chooks, horses and cattle, particularly since many of them wouldn’t normally be a part of the farming lifestyle. At sunset, we all go up and see the kangaroos, which is very special.”

Peppercorn Cottages are just up the road from the Wollemi National Park, and only 12 kilometres west of the pristine waters of Dunns Swamp with cooler-climate cellar doors Bushrock Vineyard and Louee Wines nearby.

It is the place to stay if you enjoy birdwatching, cycling, stargazing, or even if you are just looking for a peaceful rural retreat.

Staying sharp Les Titterton started hairdressing at the age of 16, and brings to his new Rylstone salon 30 years of experience in hairdressing.

“I set myself a very high standard as an apprentice, and was like a sponge – always volunteering to stay back to learn as much as possible from senior stylists, asking questions and researching the craft in my downtime to better myself,” he said.

Les made the move from Sydney five years ago and recently decided to move his Kandos-based mobile hair salon to Rylstone, taking up shop beside Maggie May’s.

“My main objective is client satisfaction,” Les said. “I have an easy way and a totally approachable manner. If a client feels that they can talk to you, then they will never be unhappy.”

He is a hairdressing veteran, with expertise in perming, colouring, high quality foil and creative colour/correction work and precision cutting. Les also designs hair for weddings, formals and other special functions.

The search for likeminded, passionate staff is on. “I’m seeking people like me, who have a passion for our profession,” Les smiled.

Les will be introducing a wide range of service enhancements to his clients at the opening of Leslie John Hairdesign.

“You’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Off the beaten track Franks’ Breakaway is a secluded farmstay, nestled in a valley neighbouring the Wollemi National Park. It is vibrant with history, and owner Jenny Franks is only too happy to reveal its tales.

The two self-contained cottages have been extended and renovated by the Franks family. The old homestead became what is now the Wood House with a large addition of timber milled by Reg Franks in 1994. The old dairy (the Rock House) was extended with rocks picked up around the property and modernised in 1997/1998.

The 600-acre property takes the visitor off the beaten track and into a refreshing natural empire surrounded by rocky escarpments, looking down to flats along the Cudgegong River.

Nearby a rustic campsite provides visitors with a chance to experience camping with only their own friends or family. They can also enjoy relaxing on the farm or the adjoining Wollemi National Park, with many bushwalking tracks, animals and birds to give them a taste of the quiet life.

The first visitors at the farmstay were on the June long weekend of 1995. Many satisfied guests now return year after year to enjoy the peace and isolation.

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town feature: rylstone/kandos

Bold and beautiful Pattie Astill and Renee Quarmby are a mother-daughter team to boot.

Together, they conjured the idea of creating Rylstone’s Maggie May’s Homewares.

The gorgeous building, which dates back to the 1840s and was one of the first Cobb & Co. inns this side of the Blue Mountains was recently renovated to house the store.

Pattie and Renee opened the shop in mid-April. The past few months have been hectic with sourcing and stocking a variety of fantastic homewares, jewellery, clothing, gifts and accessories.

The Cobb & Co. building has a rich history, giving the owners a foundation for an attractive, unique homewares shop.

The two rooms rented by the women were inhabited by tenants just a few years ago. The initiative and creativity of this family unit to transform the space into a brand new store, Maggie May’s, is truly commendable.

Pay a visit to the exciting Maggie May’s and the ladies will be more than happy to show you a few of the goodies inside.

Heritage ambience

Bridge View Inn Apartment

Rylstone’s stunning Bridge View Inn Apartment is one you can’t miss.

The outstanding 1870s sandstone building exudes a heritage ambience, Self-contained B&B with French doors opening onto the front veranda, giving the guest a accommodation in the heightened view of the town’s main street. heritage-listed 1871 The fireplace in the cosy lounge room (and another in the second Bridge View Inn. bedroom) provides toasty relief over the chilly winter months, setting an 28-30 Louee Street atmosphere of true relaxation.

Rylstone NSW 2849 Since 1967 the Rylstone and District Historical Society has owned the For bookings contact: striking building, and for more than six years has been using the upstairs Peter Druitt & Co Real Estate area as an apartment.

Phone: 02 6379 1409 Email: rentals@peterdruittco.com The apartment boasts two large bedrooms, radiating luxury and AH Phone: 0409 516 546 comfort in the peaceful township of Rylstone. The kitchenette provides light breakfast provisions for those lazy mornings. www.golden-highway.com.au/bridge_view_inn_apartment.htm You may wish to venture downstairs to see what the De Beaurepaire Wine Tasting Room has to offer or to enjoy the 29 Nine 99 yum cha cafe.

The Bridge View Inn Apartment is a place to unwind, re-energise and allow yourself to be just a little spoilt.

How sweet it is You’ll be overwhelmed with the choc-a-block building that is home to The Lollipop Shop.

Here you can enter a realm of nostalgia. The store stocks lollies and chocolates of yesteryear such as White Knights and Choo-Choo Bars.

Old fashioned? Yes. Quirky? Definitely.

But that’s not all you’ll find. Adrianna Brown, the shop’s owner, stocks giftware from baby accessories to jewellery and handbags, and the exclusive Ecoya candles.

And on Mondays, Rachel Johnson can be found taking care of her area of expertise – high-class linen (up to 1000 thread count!) and shoes.

The Lollipop Shop is in its fifth year of operation, and business has never been better. Rylstone’s locals are regulars in the store, but passers-by never fail to be lured in by the mountainous variety of lollies and gifts.

Adrianna has lived at Louee, 23 kilometres from Rylstone, for 25 years, and enjoys wining and dining when she’s not in the shop – or compulsively sourcing new stock!

Words: Anna Tickle

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town feature: rylstone/kandos

Top of the line The Historic Railway Hotel in Kandos has been lovingly restored to its former glory and the pub’s patrons have never been happier.

Local identity Norm McIntosh (pictured) now manages the pub with wife Helen, having taken up the job in November 2012 after 33 years as a shearer. He is thrilled that the renovations, which took two years and half a million dollars, are finally complete.

Norm has slotted into the job with ease, although he admits the early starts and long nights took a while to get used to.

The pub’s fresh look has attracted plenty of favourable comments from local patrons and visiting tourists.

The new outdoor area and the refurbishment of 19 spacious rooms, which can accommodate up to 32 people, have been particularly well received.

The Railway has also taken the step to make it user-friendly for people with disabilities, including specially equipped toilets and ramp access for wheelchairs.

Norm said where possible the original features had been retained, including the pressed-metal ceilings, fireplaces and mantelpieces from 1927.

One thing you won’t find in the Railway Hotel is a pokie room. Norm and the hotel owners believe a good hotel is “all about customer service and a place for good people to meet”.

Whistle stop cafe It’s full steam ahead for David and Sue Honeysett’s Down The Track cafe in Kandos.

Down The Track is a quirky cafe, wine bar, gift shop and ice creamery where visitors and locals alike are treated to genuine service, great coffee and delicious meals in a unique setting.

The cafe, not so long ago a deserted railway station with rotting floorboards and smashed-in panels, has been up and running now for 16 months.

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Diners can choose a table on the platform that years ago would have been bustling with travellers.

The wide variety of rail memorabilia is a treat for the history buff, and the quiet setting truly takes you back.

On the occasional Saturday, you can attend David and Sue’s Movies Across the Track, to catch a flick on the big screen.

All aboard!

town feature: rylstone/kandos Renee Quarmby was opening the doors to the public for the first time. Maggie May’s is the dream shop that Renee and her mother have established with country style homewares and gifts as well as a range of clothing and accessories.

Annabel Combes, with encouragement and support from her father Ned Combes and her husband Christopher Plummer (pictured with Annabel) bought the historical building complex in 2012.

A part of the rich early settlers history of Rylstone, the building is thought to have been used as Cobb and Co. road house in its time, and research as to its original purpose and subsequent use is continuing.

Passionate lovers of art and history are keen to see Rylstone continue its tourism boom.

RENOVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Annabel pursed her lips and surveyed the piles of concrete, dilapidated walls and half-removed ceilings surrounding her.

“I think it’s because we are, well, crazily eccentric,” she responded when asked why?

Indeed, the restoration of this historical Rylstone corner block is a mammoth undertaking.

“We’ve barely made a start,” Annabel lamented as another wood panel crashed to the floor and Kristian Mesilane from Rylstone Reno’s, commissioned to the task, apologised for the noise and moved on to the next section of wall.

I directed Annabel’s attention to the already completed and leased commercial space of the property which fronts to Louee Street.

Annabel, a descendant of Edward Combes, NSW Art Gallery co- founder, and her husband are in the process of restoring their two-storey Louee Street property, and Annabel was looking for a suitable location to move Annabel’s childcare business from her home to a commercial centre.

“Childcare is scarce in the Rylstone/ Kandos area and this centre will make a difference to those parents struggling to cope with balancing work and childcare” she said.

“This historic building was in desperate need of someone with dedication and a vision to give it a new lease of life,“ Christopher said.

On cue, the lessee of commercial space number two, currently under renovation, arrived armed with cutting chair, scissors and blow dryer. Les Titterton of Leslie John Hairdesign is soon to open his new salon.

Annabel with Chris, Ned and Kristian’s help, hopes to have this important endeavour completed by 2014. Fingers crossed.

Words: Andrew Thomas Image: Karon Grant

UNCOVERING THE MURAL MYSTERY Inside the historic Bridge View Inn, over the fireplace in what would have originally been the bar parlour, is a very special mural. Rescuing it has been a passionate project undertaken by the Rylstone and District Historical Society, who have owned the building since 1967.

Originally called the Bridge Hotel, the handsome two-storey sandstone building was built for ex-convict Goodwin Spires Hall, a colourful character transported in 1836 for manslaughter. It traded as a public house from 1872 to 1894 and was then converted into a bank and residence. Speculation is that the mural was covered with wallpaper and paint in order not to offend the banker’s family. When discovered during restoration work in the 1980s, the mural’s origin was unclear. In the 1970s the building was used to film scenes in The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith. Was the mural just a cinematic backdrop?

At that stage, only the bottom two thirds was showing. It appeared to be a naively painted local scene opposite the hotel – the old timber bridge and the Cudgegong River, with cattle and a fisherman, eucalypt and weeping willow trees, surrounded by a decorative border of leaves. On either side were headless bare-breasted ladies and at the bottom a cheeky horned Pan character. What was this all about? Did the mural continue above the picture rail under the house paint?

A few years ago the Historical Society engaged art specialists from Sydneybased International Conservation Services to investigate. They found an aged, faded, cracked and damaged mural likely to have been painted in the earliest days of the hotel, and recommended conservation and restoration. With funding assistance from the NSW Government, an appeal set up by the National Trust, and huge support from the local community, the Historical Society was able to employ International Conservation Services to undertake the work during 2012 and 2013.

Starting by gluing the plaster render back onto the wall, ICS then went on to remove wall plugs, fill in cracks and holes, remove the picture rail and painstakingly scrape off the five layers of house paint with scalpel blades.

The imagery revealed that the bare-breasted ladies had heads and wings and were holding arrows, and a winged cherub emerged from under the paint at the top. After sealing the surface, ICS sensitively inpainted the blemishes to repair losses in the mural, though sadly some details are lost forever. The excellent craftsmanship of Adam Godijn, Matteo Volonte, Claire Heasman and William Sit has revealed and restored the remarkable painting to a sense of wholeness.

The allegorical figures in the mural are all associated with drinking and with love – racy but appropriate imagery to decorate the walls of a Victorian hotel. At this stage it is thought that the artist is Augustus Baker Peirce, an itinerant American theatrical entrepreneur, riverboat captain and painter, who was living in nearby Hill End in 1872-73.

As one of only a handful of 19th century murals known to exist in Australia, this truly amazing and important painting will be a fine focal point in the room now used by Rylstone and District Historical Society and the community for meetings, conferences, exhibitions, open days and special dinners.

Above: The mural in March 2013 after conservation and restoration; Claire Heasman removing layers of paint from the mural.

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FOREVER YOUNG

The tall tales of Jimmy Westwood, The Ulan Cowboy WORDS & IMAGES: SHOT BY JAKE

On July 6, 1963, almost 50 years ago in Windsor, Jimmy Westwood promised to love Rhonda Sullivan “until death do us part”. Rhonda, a starry eyed convent girl, was only 15 and her beau was barely two years older. Revised laws have since ensured this could never happen again in Australia. The sceptics said their young love couldn’t possibly last but with their Golden Wedding anniversary celebration coming up in July at the Tudor Hotel in Tamworth, the Westwoods are sure to have the last laugh.

YOUNG JIMMY WESTWOOD grew up quick and keen, displaying a strong level of independence and maturity from an early age. He left school in 1960, aged 14, to start work. There was no opportunity for an education; times were tough and a man, no matter what age, had to roll up his sleeves and have a go.

A school assembly was called and there was talk of sending the wayward Rhonda off to a home for unmarried women and having the baby adopted out. Jimmy wouldn’t have a bar of it. So baby Jim entered the world, surrounded by love but not much else. The Westwood clan had begun in earnest.

Even in those early days, Jimmy Westwood developed a reputation for working hard and playing even harder. For months he chased a young eye-catching brunette around town on his old pushbike but she wasn’t the slightest bit interested.

It was never going to be easy but Jimmy was never afraid of hard, physical work, which made him the ideal bricklayer. He was a brickie for more than 40 years, starting at Mount Druitt and Green Valley when the new suburbs were virtual paddocks.

Then one damp winter’s day Jimmy changed his tune. He wanted to impress this young lass and so turned up at her house on his great black stallion, Thunder. The idea was to take her to the footy but the big horse slipped on the wet gravel and Jimmy came a cropper, hurting his leg badly. They hobbled home in silence, Jimmy leaning on Rhonda for support and clutching Thunder’s reins.

As Rhonda tended to his wounds she knew she had found Mr Right.

She could see her life in his sparkling eyes and made up her mind “to marry him and have six kids and heaps of horses”. Her classmates laughed and told her she was dreaming. Eight months later Rhonda discovered she was pregnant and the scandal swept all over the town of Riverstone.

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The restless pair made many moves over the next few years including a three-year stint on the Central Coast before heading to Glen Innes.

“I survived one winter in the hills but it was too bloody cold,” Jimmy said. “It was the only place I laid bricks with snow on my whiskers.”

In 1975 Jimmy and Rhonda set up camp at a property at Ulan near Gulgong. There was plenty of room for their six horses but within 15 years horse numbers multiplied tenfold as Jimmy ploughed a ton of energy into the harness racing game. He drove his first winner in Tamworth in 1976, breaking the track record. Over the next 30 years he won another nine Tamworth starts, the winning moments frozen in time in fading photos that adorn the old homestead’s hallway.

country character

FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS AND LIFE ON THE LAND AT ULAN Horses have always played a big part in Jim Westwood’s life. “When I was born Dad took my mum to Liverpool hospital in a sulky and they named me after his horse, Jimmy the Jib. I was 11 pound two at birth and the staff couldn’t believe the size of me,” he recalled with his trademark dry grin.

His father, who opened bridges in Sydney for the passing ships, used to call him Jimmy Jam Tin. He died when Jimmy was only 10, leaving his widowed mother, Minnie Jo Westwood, with 11 children to raise. She battled along, however, and when she died in 1994 she had 51 grandchildren, 103 great grandchildren and 12 great, great grandchildren to her name. She had a phenomenal memory and could recite all Melbourne Cup winners along with all her progeny’s birthdays and birth weights.

Living at Ulan provided some great memories but the pair was so remote that visitors were few and far between. The electricity hadn’t yet found its way to their 1800-acre block of untamed land adjoining the Goulburn River National Park. Sometimes they felt they were living much the same way as their ancestors 100 years ago. The six kids were growing up fast and life was never dull.

Six years ago they reluctantly sold their property to the coalmines

and moved to Moville, a charming, historic property tucked away between Gulgong and Mudgee. The place was first settled in 1854 by Richard Rouse and it was one of his shepherds who discovered gold at Red Hill several years later to spark the big rush and the subsequent establishment of Gulgong.

The property had been divided into four blocks and the Westwoods secured 310 acres including the old homestead that is at least a century old. Back then the building served as the Piambong Telegraph Office, supporting a nearby school and sports ground. Rhonda was most impressed with the electricity that had eluded her for 33 years.

“In the early days, when I was raising the kids, it was all candles and lamps before we finally got an old generator. I’ll never forget the day Jimmy got me a washing machine with a petrol motor,” Rhonda sighed. “Looking back, I guess you could say it was pretty hard living.

I rarely got to town but you just had to accept it and get on with it. I don’t really know how I did it but I am proud my kids grew up tough in the bush and all but one finished year 12.”

In her new abode Rhonda had to be educated in the use of microwaves and other electrical appliances like washing machines.

She’s cooked on a fuel stove most of her life which means she’s pretty handy in any billy-boiling competitions.

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Meanwhile, Jimmy was still horse-mad, with his time divvied up between his stable of 23 trotters, sons Jimmy and Ben and daughters Suzanne, Sharon, Simone and Samantha. As the years rolled by, 20 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren came into the equation.

Over the years there were moments of sheer fun like being in the film The Right Hand Man starring Hugo Weaving. His acting debut was cut on the editor’s floor to only a few seconds but there he was driving the horse-drawn undertaker’s hearse!

Jim also took part in the re-enactment of the big gold heist at Eugowra 150 years ago when Frank Gardiner and Ben Hall made away with 12,000 pounds of the good stuff, most of which was never recovered.

Life was as good as it gets but it all came to a shuddering halt on July 28, 2011 – the day Jimmy snapped his neck while breaking in a young horse. Jimmy was in the sulky when the horse took fright and started bucking. “He stopped at the gate but I didn’t,” he said with a shake of his head.

Fortunately, Rhonda wasn’t far away and instinct told her not to move him. “If Jimmy had tried to move he would have died or become a paraplegic,” she said. “They flew him by chopper to Westmead and his head now supports four screws, two plates and a coil of wire!”

Now fully recovered, Jimmy Westwood has an even greater appreciation for the sanctity of life. More than ever he loves throwing on his black hat, donning the boots and living the life of The Ulan Cowboy, a name that has stuck for more than 20 years.

He still makes sporadic appearances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which he and Rhonda first attended 36 years ago. They have never missed a festival since and love catching up with old mates each year. Jimmy has released four self-funded albums that encapsulate the true essence of the battler and man on the land. A good sense of humour comes out in all of the albums and easy listening is guaranteed.

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The entertainer in Jimmy emerged a long time ago after he stumbled upon the Wild Mick James Show at the Locomotive Hotel in Tamworth.

“It was the Drunk’s Talent Quest and one of the rules was that you had to have a beer in your hand – even though it was 8am! After a while I became part of the show and actually won the competition for three consecutive years back in the 1980s,” he said.

“In its heyday there was a thousand-dollar prize for the winner but all I ever got was a few free beers from Mick, that outrageous, rumdrinking, bush showman who somehow managed to pull off these amazing shows.”

Jimmy was a late starter when it came to finding the confidence to sing those old bush ballads in front of an audience. Although he wrote his first song at age eight, The Ballad of Jimmy Westwood, it was another 40 years before he finally broke out into verse before a stunned Mick James at his beloved Loco. Mick promptly brought him back to earth, as was his way, but the seed had been planted.

Jimmy never looked for stardom and never wanted it. His gnarled old hands and honest attitude to work were always his best assets. The days of toiling on an 11-storey-high work place in Balmain or a mile underground at a coalmine face are thankfully over and this quietly spoken bush battler has time to reflect at the end of another long day.

“A comedian once told me that you can’t have everything because there wouldn’t be enough space to put it all,” he said rather seriously.

“The main thing I’ve found,” he added, after a long pause, “is having a wife as your strongest supporter and best mate.”

Big Jimmy Westwood takes the last swig from his Reschs Real Bitter and looks up at the myriad stars in the evening sky.

I don’t know what he’s thinking but I know our conversation is over and I retire to bed thinking that Jimmy and Rhonda Westwood are genuine, living proof that a fairytale romance never ends and that the best things in life are not things. CWL

country character

ROCKLEY RODEO:

A Wi l d R i d e

THERE WERE THRILLS AND SPILLS aplenty when Lifestyle dropped in to the Max Hire Rockley Rodeo in March to witness one of the toughest sports on the planet.

attract up to 60 local stockmen from outlying farms and stations who reckoned they were pretty handy in the saddle. These days, he said, numbers were much lower but the riders were more professional athletes.

The small town of Rockley, about half an hour from Bathurst, had its population of 500 swell to four times that size as 145 cowboys and cowgirls arrived from the eastern states for a chance to claim Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) glory and a portion of the prize-winning purse.

The Rockley Rodeo boasted a top line-up of helpers to ensure the day ran smoothly. Announcer Tim Allen, from Dubbo, kept the crowd well informed with his professional banter. Judges Greg Frewin, the ABCRA National President and former All-Round Champion Cowboy, and Dale Carter never missed a beat as the action unfolded.

The rodeo, which has been going since 1968, had been washed out both the year before and the previous week, but clear blue skies, lots of dust and bone-crunching action was the order of the day this time round.

Special guest was Mick Ward (pictured above), a professional cattle buyer who supplied the rough stock and also competed in the early days.

“Things have changed drastically since I was first here 45 years ago,” he laughed. “We used to have a grassed arena, which was hard to land on and very slippery for the horses. For years we used to fence the arena off with a bit of Ringlock – you just wouldn’t get away with that stuff now.”

Reflecting on changing times, Mick said that when he was an adventurous, happy-go-lucky type, events like the saddle bronc would 94 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

The rodeo held special significance for Dale, the 1995 Australian Bareback Champion. It was crucial funding from Rockley Rodeo that enabled him to compete in the United States, where he held his own with the best in the land.

Rodeo secretary Ros Press said the event had always been family-focused and included a jumping castle, quick shear competition, yard dog trials, along with a well-supported licensed bar and food stalls.

The local committee of nine put in the hard yards and were thrilled that the annual event was such a success after the disappointment of postponing the week before. CWL Words & images: Shot by Jake

BUSH RODEO

Mudgee’s Finest Heritage Listed B & B Accommodation Forgandenny House, 250m from the heart of Mudgee and overlooking Lawson Park and the Cudgegong River, is a magnificent Federation home, designed by architect Harold Hardwick for Dr Charles Lester.

Dr Lester was born in Mudgee, completed his medical studies in Edinburgh, where he met his future wife Mary Elizabeth Bruce. Returning to Mudgee to practice Dr Lester built Forgandenny House which is now owned by his great granddaughter Robbie and her husband Errol Holdaway.

A First Class B & B, Forgandenny House offers two Queen Rooms and one Queen Suite.

All rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed each with a private ensuite, reverse cycle air-conditioning, colour T.V. and original period furniture.

Enjoy the warmth of the fire in the guest lounge and feel the ambience of a bygone era. All rooms have French doors leading to the garden or veranda. Play tennis on our court, or just relax on the wide veranda while taking in the garden at sunset and experiencing the pleasures that only a stay at Forgandenny House can offer.

Wine tasting, exploring the picturesque countryside, browsing through weekend markets and enjoying a delectable meal at one of the many local eateries are a must when visiting Mudgee.

stay@forgandenny.com.au

www.forgandenny.com.au

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Highly recommended on Tripadvisor and by our many guests, one would have to say‌ this is just what the good Dr ordered.

Your hosts: Robbie and Errol Holdaway

Phone 6372 2437

Mobile 0438 151 719

15-19 Short Street, Mudgee

MUDGEE MAYORAL WELCOME Dear Central West Lifestyle magazine readers, It’s great to get to know you through the pages of a new magazine released specifically for our region. I love the lifestyle that I get to enjoy living in Mudgee, and am looking forward to reading the wonderful stories of other people living around the Central West in the pages of Lifestyle.

I came to Mudgee in September 1992 when I bought a local hotel, moving my wife Carol and six children from Wellington to live upstairs at the pub for our first five years here. Our children are adults now, and we’re thrilled that two of them still live here too.

I was born in Nyngan, and have managed or owned hotels and pubs in the Hunter Valley and Central West for more than 30 years.

I was elected to council in 2008 and have been mayor since 2010. I’ve learnt a lot about the region working with council, and it’s given me the opportunity to work for the things I feel really strongly about.

When I came here there were probably two cappuccino machines in town, and now there’d be more than 20. There was no fast food, most pubs had a counter lunch and maybe opened their dining rooms on Friday and Saturday nights.

There was a little French restaurant and a couple of Chinese restaurants. That’s about it.

The region is still beautiful, but now it’s booming. We’re lucky to be located centrally to so many other great places. It’s only a few hours’ drive to Sydney or the coast and we can get to other regional centres easily too.

In the past our growth has come from wine and tourism. Now we are seeing an explosive growth in mining, so we have a real duty of care for the locals who enjoy the lifestyle of this region, and I’m one of them.

The strong local mining industry has created great opportunities for locals and people moving here, and it’s also benefitted our other strong industries. We’re unique because mining towns are usually isolated, or have been built around the mining industry. We were a vibrant growth region even before this boom.

The region still has a very strong farming history, and agriculture remains the second biggest industry that supports us. It’s nice to have such a grassroots ethos and really reiterates the strong values instilled into our community.

That’s one of the reasons people from the city love it. Mudgee’s quaint and you know you’re in the country, but we still have lots of city extras: great wineries, fine foods, boutique shopping, markets every weekend and fantastic coffee shops. Our art and culture scene is huge, and sports tourism is really starting to take off here too.

I came to Mudgee because I loved what the town had to offer. Over the past two decades I’ve watched the region grow as a wine and tourism centre, and I’m determined to see it cater for future mining growth without losing the qualities that attracted me in the first place.

Cr Des Kennedy, Mayor of Mudgee

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mudgee

CULTURE

ON A HIGH NOTE:

Opera in Mudgee

WHEN 125 FINELY ATTIRED guests turned up for Mudgee Black and White Committee’s annual charity opera evening in March, the energetic team, comprising 22 local women and eight dedicated husbands, were thrilled.

The committee (pictured above) has been fund-raising for Vision Australia for the past 17 years.

In 2006 the team staged its first opera in Mudgee with a performance at the Regent Theatre.

Each year since the committee has brought back opera singers to entertain the people of the Gulgong, Dunedoo and Mudgee districts with highlights from light opera and operettas, including Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, La Boheme as well as Gilbert and Sullivan favourites.

Committee president Annie Johnston said patrons were very supportive of the concept and enjoyed having opera brought to them in this style.

This year’s show was by Opera Bites, a boutique opera company based in Sydney, whose members are passionate about opera and enjoy travelling to perform.

Their performance of Dr Miracle – a little known comic opera by Georges Bizet – was well received, as was the entertainment provided by local group Dance Unlimited, under the direction of Tanya Keenan.

The show was music to the ears of Mary Lovett, OAM, who has been visually impaired for 15 years.

“The biggest impact is not being able to read but I’m still active and have just started a new course at tech,” she said.

This energetic dame has completed diplomas in counselling and community services and before that a horticultural course. She had been a member of The Royal Blind Society, now known as Vision Australia, for 41 years and embodies all the traits the organisation stands for.

The Black and White Committee is to be congratulated on their efforts of bringing opera to the country and doing so in such spectacular style!

The group raised more than $5000, and excited patrons are already booking for next year’s event. CWL

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Dance Unlimited thrilled the older audience.

Mudgee locals Dick and Anthea Lamb with Ross Lovett and Bob Selkirk.

Mudgee locals Eilenn Csuba, Bernadette Mahon, Steve Csuba and Inez Roche.

Committee president Annie Johnston, Mary Lovett OAM and spokesperson for Vision Australia Fiona Jessiman.

The four stars of the night were mezzo Katie McKee, Murray Dahm (bass), tenor Peter-John Layton and soprano Rae Levien.

Local kilt wearer Andrew Matheson.

Ballerina Bella Kennan, 12, brought the house down with her classical grace.

Paula and Lindsay Layton travelled all the way from Firefly, near Taree, to watch their son perform.

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FRONT LABEL

PMS 122 PMS 476 PMS 7499

BEER AND SKITTLES MUDGEE’S HISTORIC and cultural icon, The Brewery, was conceived over a few beers.

And now it is the meeting place of beer connoisseurs from far and wide who love the iconic building and relaxed setting almost as much as the foamy stuff.

Many locals would recognise the outside of the building as the old wool and skin store run for 80 years by the Poulton family.

In 2006 Gary and Debbie Leonard moved into an empty shell that smelled strongly of lanolin (produced from the wool).

Within months the 100-year-old building, complete with three fermenters and five conditioning tanks, was being transformed into the showcase it is today.

The couple maintained the integrity of the building and even kept the original wool press, a legacy of a bygone era.

The industrious pair launched their first home-made beers, Pale Ale, Wheat and Porter, less than a year later.

Today there are eight beers on tap, including a number of specialty beers like their famous Mudgee Mud, a popular drop with visitors and regulars alike.

Gary explained that his Mudgee Brewing Co. produced micro-brewed boutique beers.

“I have to sample them all,” he said with a big grin. “And at the moment I am enjoying our IPA (Indian Pale Ale), which is a beer highly hopped and full of flavour.”

Where would a novice beer drinker start?

“I’d start them on a pale ale and finish them with a Mudgee Mud, a heavyflavoured imperial stout with a high 8.5 per cent alcohol content that tastes like aniseed, chocolate and liquorice,” Gary suggested.

This bloke obviously knows his beers and loves his job, but Gary, seriously, how did it all begin?

“It sounds like a joke but we came up with the idea while drinking a few cold ones with a few mates one Saturday arvo. It wasn’t a bad idea really.

This is wine country and everybody enjoys a cleansing ale after a day of wine tasting. The different businesses actually complement each other.”

The Leonards must be doing something right, having recently won the 2012 Inland Tourism Award for Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries.

Gary and Debbie attribute a lot of their success to the hard-working crew at The Brewery.

“It’s nice to win awards but the reality is that this job will never be finished.

Our biggest challenges are marketing and distribution,” Gary said.

“Some beer is going to the Blue Mountains, Sydney and Newcastle but we think it’s now time to expand.”

Gary and Debbie are justifiably proud of their achievements but there’s little time to kick back and have a beer! There are three kids to keep an eye on, aged 21, 23 and 25, and Gary still works in the coalmining industry, something he has done for 30 years.

“I love the coalmining but The Brewery is my real passion,” he said.

The Brewery is open every day for breakfast and lunch and for dinner from Thursday to Sunday.

The Brewery is also the premier live music venue in Mudgee, featuring many local artists. Under the watchful eye of chef, manager and muso Stephen Price, The Brewery attracts many high-profile acts such as Glenn Shorrock, Wendy Matthews and Beccy Cole. CWL

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FORBES FORBES See andDo Do See and

Food Food

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• McFeeters Motor Museum,located located1km 1kmsouth south of of • McFeeters Motor Museum, Forbes Newell Highway,offering offeringaavast vast Forbes off off thethe Newell Highway, collection of meticulously restored motor cars, collection of meticulously restored motor cars, plus a gift shop, cellar door and café. plus a gift shop, cellar door and café.

• Explore and discover Lake Forbes offering 4.8km

• Explore and discover Forbes offering of walking and cycleLake tracks, abundant bird 4.8km life, of walking and cycle tracks, bird life, shaded picnic areas, BBQabundant facilities, playgrounds shaded picnic areas, BBQ facilities, playgrounds and toilets. and toilets.

• For quality art and craft visit the Forbes • For Handicraft quality art Centre and craft Forbes andvisit Art the Gallery in Lachlan Street and the Forbes Railway Arts in andLachlan Visitor Handicraft Centre and Art Gallery Information CentreRailway Arts and Visitor Street and the Forbes in Union Street.

Information Centre in Union Street.

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Forbes has gained a reputation as a boutique shopping capital and with a distinctive range of Forbes has gained a reputation as a boutique quality locally owned stores it is easy to see why. Be shopping capital and with a distinctive range of tempted by a unique mix of locally owned boutiques quality owned stores it is easystore to see why. Beand pluslocally familiar brands, department shopping tempted a unique mixInofForbes locallyoften owned all thebymajor services. ourboutiques customers plusare familiar brands, department store shopping and our friends or they are friends of friends.

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are our friends or they are friends of friends. You’ll notice the Forbes difference!

a take away and picnic in your own tranquil spot.

Stay Stay

Forbes offers country hospitality and a great Forbesofoffers hospitality and a of great range places country to stay. Enjoy the comfort up range ofmotel placesrooms to stay. the comfort of up to 4 star or Enjoy self-contained cabins, to 4 star motel rooms or self-contained cabins, be a special guest at a B&B or relax with a beer at a special B&B orparks relaxoffer withgreat a beer at abelocal pub. Aguest rangeatofa holiday amenities for ARVs and of there is a rest areaoffer for safe a local pub. range holiday parks great R&R while touring the region. amenities for RVs and there is a rest area for safe

R&R while touring the region.

Pick up your FREE Visitor Guide at the Pick up yourForbes FREEVisitor Visitor Information Guide at theCentre Forbestoday.

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Information Forbes Visitor Centre today.

Information Centre Forbes Station, Visitor Union Street Railway Information Centre Phone: 6850 2300 02 6852 4155 Railway Station, Union Street www.forbes.nsw.gov.au Phone: 02 6850 2300 www.forbes.nsw.gov.au

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bush art

Roadside Attractions BUSH ART has soared to new levels with Animals on Bikes, a 120-kilometre “Paddock Art” sculpture tourist trail between Molong and Dubbo Zoo, via Cumnock and Yeoval.

This self-drive tourist route is free, open all year and viewed from the comfort of your car.

There are almost 100 whimsical pieces strategically placed in paddocks on either side of Obley Road and some have to be seen to be believed.

They are durable, big and sometimes simply outrageous but have proven a boon for business in the area.

Small bush communities like Yeoval and Cumnock, with populations of

about 300 each, have not only enjoyed the increased traffic as a result of the sculptures but it has given them a sense of unity and pride.

Animals on Bikes was the brainchild of Cumnock local Christine Weston in 2009.

“We really needed something to take our minds off eight years of drought and came up with this idea to promote our area and challenge the creativity of our locals,” she said.

The tourist road had once been dubbed “the road not taken” but that is no longer the case with thousands of visitors now enjoying the scenic drive.

THE MAX FACTOR Orange orchardist Max Davidson says working with nature produces the best and worst things in life.

“I LOVE WAKING UP to a glorious day but it can also be terrifying watching dark clouds looming over the horizon that can wipe out a year’s work in a matter of minutes,” orchardist Max Davidson said.

Hail damage can be minimised through the use of special netting and there are bird nets for the cherries but there are a multitude of things that can go wrong in the fruit business over which Max has no control.

“This year’s season is good, the sun is shining, the birds are twittering and everything is fine,” he said from his fruit stand in Escort Way. Max is a contented man and his infectious grin puts a smile on all his customers, many of whom he knows by name.

It could easily have been a very different scenario for this energetic and optimistic gentleman who refuses to let any obstacle in his path.

The journey began back in 1955 when Max left school at 15 and joined the ANZ bank. Three years later he was called up for a stint in the National Service and when he returned to his old bank job discovered he was about to be transferred to Narrabri. His wage was six pounds, six shillings a week and when he found out his board alone would cost six pounds he quit.

Max’s father Jack had established an orchard back in 1948.

As young Max pondered his future, the orchard was coming into production and Jack desperately needed help with the harvest. Max reckoned he would help his old man out “till something better came along”.

Well that was 55 years ago and Max is still there, having given up hope long ago of finding anything better. His unwavering passion for his job and commitment to producing quality fruit has seen him develop the Hillside Orchard into a thriving family business.

Toiling alongside him for the past 30 years has been hard-working younger brother Grahame, who lives in his father’s place several kilometres up the road. He looks after production while Max concentrates on sales, which have picked up dramatically since the pair bought their 75-acre orchard in 1989.

“We started the shop almost immediately and it has grown as the business develops,” Max explained during a quick tour of the operation.

Today, the family harvests about 2000 bins of apples and 20 to 25 tons of cherries, which are sold locally and at the Canberra Farmers’ Markets.

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AGRICULTURE

“The markets can attract up to 20,000 folk on a Saturday and you simply cannot ignore a market that big. Competition is stiff but you have to be able to prove you produce it yourself.”

Over the years Max has developed a nice little sideline with his Hillside label of jams, pickles, relish and dessert sauces, along with his highly sought-after olive oils and salad dressings. Many of these products are expertly bottled by Walsh’s Country Kitchen in nearby Boorowa. His home-baked apple pies are also a big hit with his loyal customers.

After more than half a century at work, Max is still putting in the hard yards despite a recent cancer scare. Max never missed a day’s work, even through four months of chemotherapy.

“I was determined it was never going to beat me and I was recently given the all clear,” he said with huge relief. “I couldn’t speak higher of the talented and caring staff at the Orange Oncology Unit.”

Max also paid tribute to the women in his life – wife Margot and daughters Wendy and Sally, who are both teachers, and niece Bec. On the male front, there is of course Grahame and son Adam, who has a double degree in economics and works as an accountant in Canberra.

“He is very handy for us when it comes to book-keeping but it is unlikely he will ever take over the farm,” Max said.

Forever philosophical, Max Davidson will continue to do what he has done for decades, thankful for life, family and the fruits of his labour. CWL Words & images: Shot by Jake

YOUNG ACHIEVER

JUSTIN HAS THE

Goods to Sell To be a good auctioneer you need a big voice, a ton of confidence and the ability to read your buyers. Warren-based agent Justin Sanderson, 22, has all these attributes and much more as was evidenced at the recent finals of the NSW Young Auctioneers Competition at Sydney Royal.

WORDS: SHOT BY JAKE

THE COMPETITION WAS TOUGH, as expected, but Justin Sanderson performed at the highest level, driving the long way home with a Highly Commended trophy taking pride of place in the back seat – akin to being the third top young auctioneer in the state.

“After a while you get to know what they are looking for and what price they are prepared to pay,” he said.

This enterprising young man is no stranger to dealing with cattlemen and livestock. Justin grew up on a family property called Cudgewa, between Dubbo and Collie, where his father, a former agent from a young age, always encouraged him to follow in the family footsteps.

“I went to Sydney Royal and competed against the best in the business but the luck of the draw didn’t really go my way,” he said. “The bloke just after me pulled the grand champion steer of the show which made over 1200 cents a kilo. I got four or five bids for my lot of three steers but was struggling from the beginning.”

“In fact, I’m a fifth generation agent so I guess it kind of runs in the blood,” he said with a grin and shrug of his shoulders. Justin commenced his association with Dubbo-based agents Richardson & Sinclair while still at school and looked forward to his one-day-a-week work experience much more than his schoolwork.

It is this understanding with buyers that prompted his boss to first nominate him in the NSW Young Auctioneers Competition last year.

Fast-forward 12 months and this time Justin felt he had nothing to lose.

He had made the final cut of 10 again and was supported by his sixth generation grazier girlfriend, Jane Tickle, and his parents Trevor and Genelle Sanderson, who couldn’t have been more proud of their only son’s efforts.

By the time this unstoppable youngster finished school he was armed with a stock and station licence – probably the only one in the state to have done so at such a tender age. For the past five years he has plied his trade, selling livestock, rural and residential properties and conducting clearing sales all over the district.

After a big night out in the “Big Smoke” it was business as usual back in Warren, where employers Richardson & Sinclair recently established a new office which he manages. Similar to the old days, Justin regularly visits his clients on their properties and often clocks up more than 1000 kilometres a week.

When Lifestyle caught up with him at the regular Monday sales in Dubbo, there was no time for idle conversation. Dubbo is the largest combined sheep and cattle selling area in the eastern states, if not Australia, and on this occasion there were 30,000 sheep and lambs on offer. It’s a competitive business and the local selling agents look after clients from all the way to the Queensland border through to Victoria and even South Australia.

In his spare time, which is virtually non-existent, Justin enjoys camp-drafting and tending to his mixed herd of about 150 cows, run on agisted country.

His days of lacing up the boots for a rugby game are long over as he dedicates most of his time to business.

Justin is familiar with most of the other agents and buyers.

“Once you are in the agents’ game it can be addictive. I hope to be doing this for a long time until I acquire enough acres to switch to my other great love of cattle breeding,” he said, before heading out to visit another client. CWL

Below: Justin competing in the NSW Young Auctioneers Competition in 2013 and being presented with his highly commended award from sponsor Scott Bailey, Singleton. (Paul Mathews Photographics)

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Sale-O, Sale-O!

The weekly sheep and lamb sales held in Dubbo are serious business for Dubbo’s 13 stock and station agents. The action is fast and furious and doesn’t stop until the last pen is sold. The Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets is a multimillion-dollar facility and long regarded as one of Australia’s major regional livestock selling centres. Operating for more than 40 years, the markets have grown to be the largest in the nation, in terms of combined sheep and cattle throughput, with more than 1.3 million sheep and 200,000 cattle traded each year.

IMAGES: SHOT BY JAKE

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ON THE LAND

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DID YOU KNOW?

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DUBBO MAYORAL WELCOME Dear Central West Lifestyle magazine readers, Welcome to your first edition of the Central West Lifestyle magazine and congratulations to the entire team for putting this quarterly magazine together.

The name of this magazine is somewhat tautological for the intelligent people who live in this region because lifestyle is one of the main reasons many of us choose to live in the Central West. For those less educated in society (sometimes referred to as “city-slickers”) this magazine may give them just a tiny glimpse of what this region has to offer.

Dubbo, at the very heart of the Central West, has a strong symbiotic relationship with the region. The services and retail sectors rely heavily on the wider population around Dubbo and those areas around Dubbo rely on the city to provide much-needed services.

There are many facts that show this strong relationship: the number one employer in Dubbo is retail with 14.4 per cent of Dubbo’s population employed in this sector and an estimated shopping population of anywhere between 120,000 and 200,000; over 50 per cent of admissions to Dubbo Base Hospital are from outside the 2830 postcode; our new tiered theatre is just on three years old and has already attracted more than 156,000 visitors with 33 per cent of all ticket sales going to people outside our LGA; and many government agencies base themselves in Dubbo to enable them to service the region.

Dubbo was gazetted a village 164 years ago and, after many years of being a service centre for agricultural pursuits, it has now matured to the point where we have big-city facilities with country charm and friendliness.

Dubbo’s volunteering rate is almost three per cent above the state average which gives a small glimpse of the community spirit that is intrinsic in the Dubbo landscape.

Dubbo’s single greatest economic strength is the fact that it doesn’t have a single greatest strength! Diversity is the key in Dubbo’s economic scene with the city’s investment potential being discussed on the national landscape in various property investment magazines and by assorted commentators. It is typically ranked in the top two in the state and the top five in the nation as one of the best locations to invest.

Dubbo is continuing to improve the lifestyles of our residents. We had 72,081 people visit the Western Plains Cultural Centre last year and we are constantly finding new exhibits to educate, intrigue and entertain our residents. Our Tracker Riley Cycleway is proving popular not just with our residents but with tourists and the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre will soon receive a new kitchen valued at $1.2 million. If you want to enjoy some tranquil time outdoors, visit the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden where our fourth stage, Oasis Valley, has just been opened. The Japanese tea house as part of the Shoyoen is often rated as the most authentic tea house in the country. While we have focused more on cultural facilities in recent years, we haven’t forgotten about our sporting heritage with the $5.308 million Barden Park athletics facility well underway.

By improving our cultural, sporting and lifestyle amenities in Dubbo, we are helping to improve the quality of life – and lifestyle – for all residents.

Of course, all of this would be for nought but for our greatest asset: the people of Dubbo. Dubbo people truly are unique and I am both honoured and proud to be the mayor of this city. I look forward to having a coffee with you while poring over the pages of this wonderful new magazine – an asset to our region.

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dubbo

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CONTEMPORARY HOME

A VISION SPLENDID It was a sunny Tuesday; Paul Taylor hurried off to work as he did most mornings of the week. This Tuesday, however, was going to be different and “if anyone had told me that by this afternoon I would be the owner of a 340-acre block of land with a house and sheds on the outskirts of Dubbo I would have said they were mad,” Paul tells Lifestyle.

WORDS & IMAGES: JENET STEWART

HOWEVER, THAT’S JUST WHAT HAPPENED. Katrina, Paul’s wife, had discussed the idea of building again only a few weeks prior, which was met with some resistance from Paul.

The seed was planted nonetheless and after a meeting with Kevin Parker, the bank manager on that Tuesday the deal was pretty much sealed.

Paul set about drawing up the plans for the alterations and extensions to the existing house on the property. “We were holidaying in Cairns, I stayed up until 2am finalising every detail with the new plans for the house. The next morning Katrina asked for the addition of a powder room to the plan, so it was another late night changing plans to incorporate this,” Paul said.

The first stage of the plans was put into action almost straight away and was finalised within seven months. “The first time I saw the house I saw it as just another job like any other job on any other day. It’s just this job was for Katrina and me and our family,” Paul said.

The new home at first glance has a contemporary feel. The entrance leads into a huge open-plan design with high square-set plastered ceilings allowing 180-degree views of the picturesque rural landscape from the panelled and louvered glass windows in the living area right through to the dining, kitchen, guest and bedroom sections of the home.

The polished bone-coloured porcelain tiles underfoot are smooth and sleek; your eyes are instantly wowed by the impressive expanse of the home and all its glorious appointments.

The spacious kitchen faces the west with Caesarstone centre bench and ample bench space for every appliance you could imagine including the Miele steam combi and conventional fan-forced ovens. The colour palette is neutral but oozes design and contemporary fashion excellence.

The inlaid Italian marble dining room table with chocolate brown leather seating looks plush and complements every piece of the beautiful furnishings throughout.

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CONTEMPORARY HOME

The lounge room features an insulated easy-clean carpet with a comfortable and stylish lounge and lounge chairs embellished with an abundance of cushions and yet another Italian marble inlaid table suitable for coffee and magazines. On the eastern side of the room is a fireplace with a shale feature wall which Paul said, “We didn’t use last winter as we have in-floor slab heating and the place was really warm.”

Upstairs you’ll find an equally fantastic contemporary design.

At the top of the stairway is a delicately placed sparkling crystal chandelier and to your left is the guest room with a fully appointed kitchenette, dining, lounge and bathroom all tastefully furnished.

The master bedroom, with its northern views, typifies the true beauty of this home. Katrina’s special powder room and bathroom is of exceptionally high standard with chocolate, clear glass and beige tiles creating a feature wall, brilliant white vanities and sleekly polished porcelain floor tiles.

This beautiful contemporary home exemplifies Paul and Katrina Taylor’s gift for absolute attention to detail from design and planning right through to Katrina’s touch with chosen colour palette and the use of high quality appliances and fittings of every description. Stage two of the Taylors’ home is about to begin and will incorporate the main entrance, six bedrooms and a study, bathrooms and laundry. The third and final stage will be to complete the indoor pool area. CWL

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garden

Where the grass is greener Entering the gates of Blair Athol, there’s the crunch of gravel underfoot, birdsong is everywhere, your eyes are drawn to the gracious two-storey Victorian home, and you are enveloped by the serenity of this magnificent property. Multiple shades of green, from lush fescue lawns to groundcovers, layers of textural shrubs, climbing plants and neatly trimmed hedges, are all framed under the canopy of impressive large trees, many more than 100 years old.

WORDS: ELIZABETH SWANE IMAGES: ANGUS WADDELL

STANDING HIGH ON A HILL overlooking Bathurst city, majestic Blair Athol was built in 1892 for John McPhillamy and once commanded the best part of half a city block of around 10 acres, much of which was sold off by successive owners as Bathurst grew.

and many beautiful pieces of statuary and garden seating. There’s also a parterre, several varied garden rooms enclosed by immaculately trimmed hedges, a running stream, a central pond complete with fish and water lilies, ornate garden light posts and a magnificent aviary.

As the sixth owners, purchasing Blair Athol in 1995, Bruce and Rose Bolam gradually acquired a few adjoining blocks of land, then demolished one house to restore the grounds to their impressive 5500 square metres. The two-storey residence here is the Bolam family home, its spacious interior filled with magnificent antique furnishings. Many of the original features have been beautifully maintained, and they have often welcomed visits from previous owners and their families.

A pillared walkway in the lower landscape, smothered in Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata, which colours golden in autumn), ends in a landing and steps (which were once part of the demolished house). This leads down to a long arbour covered in purple wisteria.

Although not formally trained in landscape design, Bruce has a talent for design and building. Using the existing mature trees as the core of his design, he has created the gardens at Blair Athol under and among them, and the gardens’ sense of permanency is immediate to visitors.

There are more than 30 different levels on this sloping site, incorporating lawns, structured pathways, stone walls, steps, walkways, gazebos, fountains 122 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

The many and varied hues of green created by hundreds of varied evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, plus layered plantings and shadings, give this garden a great sense of serenity. But this is certainly not a garden without colour, Bruce’s clever use of conifers, especially those in grey and blue shades, is outstanding, and a favourite here is Juniperus Blue Star, which is repeated throughout as low hedging and edging, providing yearround colour. Elsewhere variegated or golden foliage is used to add light and contrast among the green foliage, via plants such as variegated holly, liriopes, golden diosma, Euonymus and Aucuba.

Above L-R: Immaculately trimmed and layered hedges enclose and divide spaces within the garden; perfect for relaxing and entertaining, the gazebo is one of the owners’ favourite spaces; original cast iron lace work adorns the long veranda, bordered by wide garden beds filled with conifers and cool-climate shrubs; proud custodians Bruce and Rose Bolam, beneath an impressive Ginkgo tree, say Blair Athol has enriched their lives.

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For flower lovers, under the trees on the sweeping driveway a collection of azaleas creates a pretty spring show. Elsewhere, blowsy hydrangeas bloom in summer and their remaining autumn flower heads display antique hues.

Delightful autumn crocus, white Japanese windflowers (Anemone japonica), dainty seaside daisies and Blushing Pink Iceberg roses were pretty in early autumn when we visited. Thickly planted Helleborus (winter rose) carpet the ground in shaded spots, promising a colourful winter display. Planted in the lawns, copses of silver birch, reflecting sunlight off their white trunks, are underplanted with clumps of strappy leafed agapanthus for summer colour.

Neatly pruned, layered and stepped hedges create depth, texture and interest and lead you down pathways to secret garden rooms, or guide your eye along an axis to a feature gazebo or marble statue. Layered hedges, especially those used as borders along the drive and garden edging, are also practical, as the dense underplantings of mondo grass, Japanese rush (Acorus) and lamb’s ears act as a barrier, preventing the blackbirds from scratching out the mulch onto paths and driveways.

Rounded spheres of box plants adorn many of the feature pots throughout the garden, and weeping, feathery foliaged maples and weeping cedars have a softening effect. A scalloped Escallonia hedge bordering the side veranda adds a touch of whimsy. Blair Athol’s mature trees include many elms, plane tree, oaks, ash, cedars, Ginkgo (maidenhair tree), golden robinia, cherries and maples. The borrowed landscape from neighbouring gardens includes many large oak and silver elm trees, once part of the original holding.

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An impressive aviary houses a large collection of budgerigars, parrots and finches, and the white fantail doves enjoy the pretty dovecote. The view of the expansive garden from inside the glass conservatory, added by Bruce and Rose, is pure joy.

Bruce is an active commercial property developer, and has a full-time gardener to help him maintain Blair Athol’s grounds in picture-perfect condition. He still finds time to enjoy his garden early every morning, and some of his favourite spaces include the gazebo, looking down to mass-planted tree ferns, which evoke memories of younger days in north Queensland. A Chinese stone seat more than 250 years old is a place for quiet reflection, and the Japanese garden tucked away at the side of the house is a pleasant surprise that can also be viewed from inside the house.

But most of all, Bruce said he had enjoyed the process of designing and building this garden: “It has given me enormous satisfaction,” he said. “We are incredibly fortunate to live here, be the caretakers, to develop, guide and love Blair Athol for this time. It has enriched our lives.”

In past years Bruce and Rose have generously opened their garden each spring to share with thousands of visitors, however they have sadly decided to sell Blair Athol to move into a large apartment above one of their commercial developments overlooking Bathurst’s inner-city Machattie Park.

Contact brucebolam@bigpond.com for more information on the sale. CWL

garden

Above L-R: Blue Star Juniper mass planted above a stacked stone wall; pretty crocus pop us among the greenery; many Victorian original features remain, including the wide, tiled and lace adorned verandas and the intricate stained glass front door; hedge maintenance; the Japanese garden; established trees provide a cool canopy; the sweeping gravel driveway is bordered by layered hedges.

Opposite: A sunken formal parterre features an antique iron fountain; inside, large rooms have high ceilings and are filled with a magnificent collection of antique furniture and statuary, the large conservatory built by Bruce and Rose offers a wonderful view out into the garden.

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BUSINESS

TO MARKET, TO MARKET The bold new premises of Century 21 Golden West catches the eye of most who travel along Dubbo’s main street at any time of the day.

INSIDE THE PREMISES, on the corner of Macquarie and Bultje streets, the large shiny black floor tiles glisten and the huge sheets of window glass make quite a statement. Upstairs you can hear the busyness of an office.

Phones are ringing and clients, stretched out on the black leather lounge in the foyer, are reading magazines.

At the desk the girls are attending to another client, filling out forms and chatting about new homes and how the family can’t wait to move in.

A big-framed man appears from behind an office door. His grin stretches from ear to ear, and he offers a friendly “hello”.

“Brad Williams is my name, very pleased to meet you,” and then the conversation flows about business, his loyal staff, his wife and beautiful family.

You soon get the feeling that this big guy is fair dinkum, a man of his word.

And he has good reason to stand proud.

The staff are mature, experienced, professional and, yes, the all important real estate services are there: residential sales, rural sales, commercial sales, residential property management, small acreage management, commercial property management and storage shed management.

Then there are the staff qualifications, showcased on the walls with certificates, licences and achievements attained by staff from a combined 62 years of experience.

Century 21 Golden West offers extensive website coverage of all properties. Images of properties are projected in their best light by the use of high-end commercial photography equipment.

When it comes to achieving the best price for your property the staff are skilled negotiators. They also offer out-of-hours inspections for prospective buyers and stand by their motto of “we strive to be the best at what we do, not the biggest”.

Speaking of mottos, the words “Smarter, Bolder, Faster” can be seen on any of the Century 21 Golden West advertising and promotional material.

“They’re not just words, they really mean so much to our business and our customers,” Brad said.

“We aim to be smarter in our approach to our customers, bolder in promoting their properties and faster at helping them to realise their absolute dream. And that’s what sets us apart from others in our field.” CWL

WHAT MAKES A CENTURY 21 AGENT? THEY’RE MADE OF ONE PART FRIENDLY HANDSHAKE, THREE PARTS IRON JACKAROO AND NINETY-EIGHT PARTS BURNING THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS UNTIL THEY FIND A PERFECT HOME FOR YOU. AND IF YOU’RE WONDERING HOW SOMEONE COULD BE A HUNDRED AND TWO PARTS, THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE, THEY’RE THAT GOOD. CENTURY 21 AGENTS. SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER. CENTURY21.COM.AU

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ARTIST BILL O’SHEA

The lure of the land FOR A PRIZE-WINNING BUSH ARTIST who spent his first 45 years living in Sydney, Bill O’Shea has an uncanny ability to depict life in the outback, especially old woolsheds, farming scenes, homesteads and pubs of Australia.

artist. Over the years I started putting my art into charity shows and hospital exhibitions and my works sold out. I never asked for much but I made more than I did as a travelling salesperson so packed in the job in 1975 and have been a full-time artist since.”

Now living in Dubbo with second wife Judy, Bill is in artistic heaven, doing what he loves and enjoying life to the full. It has been an amazing journey spanning almost 80 years and Bill O’Shea is showing no signs of slowing down.

Today Bill works from home and no longer has to put in the seven-days-aweek routine like at Bakers Swamp. This gives him more time for travelling and helping raise one of his 11 grandchildren.

Bill started painting seriously in his early 40s and in 1975 was invited out to Stuart Town, near Orange, to stage his first exhibition. “While there, I visited a cousin living close by and he offered to rent me a nice clean house on his property with a beautiful veranda for $30 a week,” he said.

“Some time later I noticed an old homestead on the Mitchell Highway, 23 kilometres out of Wellington and figured it would make a great gallery.

In 1980 I sold the Sydney house and moved to the bush on 50 acres to set up the Bakers Swamp gallery. It was on the way to the zoo and the Wellington Caves and became a popular tourist attraction for over 20 years.”

Bill said he had felt the ability to paint from an early age but was denied the opportunity due to a tragedy that rocked his family to the core.

His father, a Light Horseman in World War One, was killed in a building accident in 1933. Young Bill wasn’t even born but Legacy stepped in and helped steer the family through years of financial hardship.

In 1950 Bill left school and Legacy helped him get a job with Farmer and Co – now Myer – in George Street, Sydney, doing price tickets and window displays. From there he moved into the screen printing game, doing poster design, before moving into sales, selling printing inks.

Whenever he wasn’t working he was dabbling with his paints. “My first wife took my initial paintings to a cafeteria where she worked and got 13 orders. It was good pocket money but I didn’t want to be a struggling 128 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

His beautiful landscapes are scattered throughout his garage but he doesn’t need to dust them as most walk out the door before the paint has dried. Over the years Bill estimates that, like the great Sir Hans Heysen, he has probably painted more than 10,000 images.

He has been commissioned to do portraits but much prefers landscapes.

“I see an image I like, say of an old building or homestead, take a picture of it and work from there,” he explained. “I normally work in acrylics now with my average size painting about 30 by 15 inches.”

Aside from painting, one of the most joyful experiences in Bill O’Shea’s rich life was meeting Judy at a mutual friend’s 21st birthday almost 22 years ago. “I got the sack from my first wife and Judy and I were loose cannons at the time,” he recalled with a grin. “I asked her for a dance and we kicked off from there.”

Bill said being an artist was not easy these days. “When I was starting, the brush-men from the bush, like Pro Hart, were getting plenty of publicity in the latest magazines and there was a lot of interest in art shows. It is much harder today. Most people spend all their money on a house and then have nothing left for the curtains or luxury items like a painting.”

Bill’s advice to budding artists: “Don’t give your paintings away, at least cover your costs for your materials and frames and hopefully people will appreciate them and tell others. People ask me what’s my favourite painting and I say the next one I sell!” CWL Words & images: Shot by Jake

LOCAL ARTIST

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A FORTUNATE LIFE Nevertire graziers Jim and Philomena Simmons's love of the land, family and church have kept them going for nearly 60 years on their one block of dirt.

Their home at Wongali has given them a good life and much more.

Words & Images: Shot by Jake

BIG FAMILIES have always been the norm for Philomena Simmons, who grew up on Yahgunyah, Quambone, with nine sisters and one brother. Once a month, like clockwork, the family dressed up in their finest and travelled to town to attend mass and catch up with other like-minded souls.

In those days it was fairly normal to boil the billy once the church service was over and this was how she came to meet a young Jim Simmons who lived barely 30 miles away. It was before the war and Philomena was still riding her pony to school. Her father had about 40 horses on the place and regularly hitched up his horse and sulky for runs into town for supplies.

After school she became a governess in Lightning Ridge but missed her family and new beau terribly. Jim, too, had been smitten but he knew there were a few things to be done before marriage could be considered.

In 1954 he and his father Edgar bought Wongali, a 3500-acre property not far from the small village of Nevertire and about a halfhour drive to Warren. The land was worth 10 pound, eight shillings (about $21) an acre – a record price for the region at that time.

The farm was largely undeveloped but Jim was young, fit and ready to work. It was now time to bring in the bride but the 1956 floods

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thwarted their first effort to get married. “We couldn’t make it to our own wedding in Warren because of the huge flood,” Philomena recalled. “We couldn’t even get past the boundary gate on our big day so we just cried on each other’s shoulders and postponed the date.”

When Jim and Philomena were finally united in love a few weeks later, they got bogged to the axles on the unsealed Nevertire Road as they made their honeymoon journey to Port Macquarie.

Little interruptions have never deterred this industrious pair. Back at Wongali, the pair lived in a home with minimal electricity. There were electric lights but little else. Kerosene refrigerators, which were hopeless in windy or hot weather, were used to keep food fresh.

Entertainment meant a trip into Warren to watch an open-air movie – a rare welcome break from long periods at work. In the early days there was a labour shortage so the pair set about creating their own workforce. Before you could blink there were 11 young mouths to feed. Over the past 56 years the family tree expanded even further to include 45 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

“A few people have said we are over-populating the earth, but family is everything to us and it guarantees there’s never a dull moment,” Philomena said with a gentle laugh.

country DYNASTY

A SHEEP MAN THROUGH AND THROUGH Medium-wool, big-framed Merino sheep have always played a big part in the life of Jim Simmons. He is a sheep man through and through and over the years has watched improvements in both the size of the sheep and quality of the wool.

Numbers peaked during the 1970s when the family ran about 7000 sheep and the wool price was guaranteed. “Even during the mid 1980s you knew what price you were getting for your wool – and the prices were the best ever, about 800 cents per kilo,” he said.

installed under protest. “It’s not that hot, really,” Jim laughed. “And if we keep busy we barely notice it anyway.”

Jim and Philomena epitomise simple, honest living. Over the years they have been blessed with the opportunity to expand their holdings, and have been able to set up each of their three sons for a life on the land. Jim considers this his proudest achievement, and it is something that his boys are now doing for their own sons.

The only advice he offers to those contemplating a life on the land is to keep it simple.

The flock has been run on Haddon Rig bloodlines for the past 50 odd years with Jim selecting about 10 new rams each year. Stock and station agents rarely visit these days, but Jim fondly recalls Nevertire agent Noel Waters, who was a regular visitor for nearly four decades.

“Don’t get greedy and bite off more than you can chew,” he said. “I’ve seen quite a few operators keep buying and go bust. You pay off your debts and don’t get too big – things can easily go against you and you lose the lot.”

Jim said there had been few radical changes in sheep management over the past 60 years, except for the advent of chemicals to combat fly strike. His family workforce has dispersed, and these days he needs contractors to help with lamb marking, but other than that, little has changed.

When asked what made for a successful marriage, Philomena smiled and said there was no one recipe but “working together is a bonus, that and a good sense of humour”.

The house Jim and Philomena built together six years after their wedding looks pretty much the same as it did 50 years ago, although these days it is much quieter. The open veranda was closed in a few years ago and during a recent heat wave some air conditioning was 134 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

After nearly six decades at Wongali, the couple is philosophical about retirement but Jim is in no hurry to hang up his well-worn hat just yet.

“I guess you could say we are semi-retired, but as long as we have our health and can still drive we’ll stay put,” he said.

country DYNASTY

IT’S IN THE BLOOD Less than 10 kilometres away, Jim and Philomena’s son Kevin grows cotton and runs sheep at Glenara, a property he has run with wife Madeleine since the early 1980s. The pair has four adult children and three youngsters. Two of their sons are on the land, son number three is a doctor, and their daughter is in her last year of university, studying visual arts and teaching.

Kevin likes the diversity and challenges of growing wheat and cotton and about 12 years ago made the radical decision to switch from his much-loved merino flock (run on Haddon Rig blood like his father) to a smaller stud flock of Border Leicesters.

This frees up much of the property for minimum tillage farming for the wheat. The cotton blocks have seen radical change from the wheat and sheep paddocks they once were. These are laserlevelled and precision farmed, with a return tailwater system that gravity feeds almost all the way back to the water reservoir built 15 years ago.

Kevin and Madi both love what they do and make the most of every day. When some down time is needed, Kevin likes to take to the skies in his ultralight, while Madi enjoys teaching yoga to country women, both locally and in Bali, where she runs regular retreats.

“My yoga students are a wonderful and loyal group,” Madi enthused. “Some ladies are coming to Bali with me for their sixth retreat this year! For the majority of the ladies, it is a time to rest and nurture themselves – a change from their hectic schedule at home, where they juggle the roles of work, mother, wife, friend and giver to so many.

“Bali is such beautiful place, and the Balinese understand the importance of balance in one’s daily life. I feel so fortunate to live where I do and to be raising my family in such a beautiful place. We have acres of peace and tranquillity, fresh air and sunshine. From this I draw my inspiration for teaching yoga.”

ANOTHER GENERATION OF SHEEP BREEDERS The next generation, grandsons of Jim and Philomena and sons of Kevin and Madi, are not far away. Max and Roxy and their two young sons Tom and Zac live at nearby Buntingdon, a property acquired some 30 years ago where they carry on the family tradition of wheat and sheep, while Doug and Susi and their two youngsters, Lilly and Josh, run sheep and cattle at Lumeah, Coonabarabran.

They have recently come through the devastating bushfire that affected large tracts of the Warrumbungle Shire.

“Amazingly the stock survived the fire that tore from one boundary to the other within a couple of hours,” Doug said. “We had them all close to the house and were able to keep the fire out of the house paddock itself.

“The place was 95 per cent burnt but we were very fortunate to still have a house and woolshed. We have very supportive neighbours and family and within hours of the fire our uncles and great uncles were ringing with offers of fodder to help tide us through. The cattle were trucked off the place within 24 hours and a semi-trailer of lupins from Uncle John arrived shortly after that.”

Life on the land is full of uncertainty, trials and blessings aplenty. Jim and Philomena Simmons are living testimony to that as are all their offspring.

Despite their penchant for shunning the limelight, the pair will no doubt be looking forward to the family coming together again in October to celebrate Jim’s 80th birthday.

It will be held at Retro, Warren – the property where Jim grew up and is currently occupied by eldest son John, his wife Diana and their family. CWL 136 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

country dynasty

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Country Cuisine AS A YOUNG GIRL living in the Central West many years ago, my fond memories are of preserving pears in the country near Parkes. I would like to share with you some old recipes from the past (some up to 100 years old!) that have stood the test of time and are certainly winners in my farm house.

I find that using old utensils for serving creates a lovely finishing touch.

L orra in e

Thick Curry Pumpkin Soup This is so hearty on a cold night.

• Dice 500 grams of pumpkin and one medium onion.

• Cover with warm water and add one soup stock cube.

• Cook until mushy – don’t add or remove any water.

• When cool add 3 tablespoons of powdered milk and one dessertspoon of good curry powder.

• Place mixture in a blender and process for two minutes.

• Serve with sprinkle of cut parsley and plain yogurt if desired.

Apricot Crumble Have three cups of stewed apricots ready. Mine come from the farm freezer and are stewed with a small amount of sugar at picking time around December.

• Bring the stewed apricots to a simmer and place in a casserole dish.

The crumble for the top • 1 cup desiccated coconut • ½ cup plain flour • ½ cup sugar • ¼ cup butter • 1 beaten egg • Put all ingredients in a basin and rub together.

• Place crumble on top of warm apricots then sprinkle with demerara sugar. This gives the crumble a crunchy finish.

• Cook for 30 minutes in a moderate oven until brown on top.

Recipes: Lorraine Hills

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TRAVEL

Irresistible

Sorrento

BRAVE THE A1 FROM ROMA or the SS145 from Napoli and you will be rewarded with a myriad of pleasures. Sorrento, the centrepiece of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy, is famous for its sea cliffs and steep slopes, sumptuous views over azure waters to Ischia, Capri and the Bay of Naples. Impossible to ignore is Mount Vesuvius hovering menacingly across the bay. The birthplace of Limoncello liqueur has a history that dates back more than 2000 years. Nothing quite prepares you for the impact Sorrento delivers.

Prepare yourself for crowds, traffic and congestion, such is its world-wide popularity. Avoid summer and peak periods; clever planning will ensure you really enjoy the experience.

Forget public transport – I say hire a car and experience the crazy Italian driving first hand. There is a popular cliché, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and I wholeheartedly agree! I am sure Campanians were born to drive Formula 1.

Throughout the Peninsula and across to the Amalfi Coast is exquisite scenery that literally seeps into your body. Allow your driver to do their job on the tightly wound roads and soak up the breathtaking views that beckon. Adrenaline will divert your energies into surviving the journey but the spectacular scenery will be your endearing memory of southern Italy.

Your choice of accommodation must capture the essence of this town. We chose Maison La Minervetta, our slice of heaven. Decorated in order to express its very own individuality, La Minervetta offers a dramatic location perched cliff-side with unrivalled views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius. You cannot help but feel closer to heaven here than to the sea.

With your balcony doors open at night you can hear water lapping at the boats at Marina Piccola. Relaxation is inevitable.

Mount Vesuvius lingers ominously, supposedly extinct, but rouses fear in the hearts of locals due to its eruption in the year AD 79 when it flattened Pompeii. Walking the scenic rim of the volcanic crater of Vesuvius and trawling the ruins of Pompeii must be included in your plans. Drinking in the ancient ruins of Pompeii only serves to heighten your love affair with Campania. Running your hands over a deep rut in the Roman cobblestone roads caused by the constancy of chariot cart wheels, is a moving undertaking. It stops you in your tracks as you imagine the very active Pompeii streets back then.

From mosaics, fluted columns and exotic brothels with accompanying artwork to umbrella pines and preserved bodies that appear to be still

protesting their imminent death, don’t mind if you are not a scholar of history, Pompeii appeals to everyone.

The appeal of Sorrento lingers long into the night. Days are spent sightseeing, travelling and soaking up the culture of the land of colours.

Your evenings will be filled with food and wine, Napoli style. When in any Italian town, take a few moments strolling the historic villages, window shopping, musing at the markets and don’t rush to find the café/restaurant that appeals. Wine bars are plentiful so there is no shortage of places to rehydrate. But take your time choosing dining. We stumbled upon Inn Buffalito, where we enjoyed “real” buffalo mozzarella, buffalo meat with the unique flavours of traditional Italian cooking. Keep an open mind.

Choosing wine is easy, take the house vino, rarely will you be disappointed and the price ensures you will rave about the quality. Stick to local cuisine, keep it simple and soak up the Italian flavours. Italians structure their dinner superbly with several courses. Don’t look for the typical Aussie large main meal, you will be disappointed. Instead, take an offering from primo (first course) and secondo (the heartiest) and enjoy the traditional way.

Italy’s dream drive is unmistakably the Amalfi Coast, a stunning stretch of coastline on the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula in the Province of Salerno. All of the superlatives used to describe Amalfi are totally appropriate. With 13 routes to choose from for your day trip you will find your own special place among the jewels. Ours were Positano and Ravello.

Positano sits nestled in the hills overlooking the beach with spectacular scenery and architecture. This village was used in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Ravello, by contrast, sits above the Amalfi Coast and as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is surreal.

Amalfi stands for picturesque villages with gorgeous cafes, restaurants and produce shops. At every turn are views of terraced olive and lemon groves, umbrella pines and spellbound images of an indigo Mediterranean Ocean.

Your day trip is all about eating, drinking, beholding and white-knuckle driving.

My husband and I chose Italy to celebrate our wedding anniversary with Sorrento as the launch. It was superb, absolutely inspiring. We plan to return in 2014. I do hope you include Italia on your bucket list! CWL Words & images: Pip Teys

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ESSENTIAL ADVENTURES

ON A BICYCLE built for two “I want to know different environments. I want to ride to them and completely immerse myself in them. It restores me.”– Thom Parks, Easton-Bell Sports I LIVE IN ORANGE but until today I had never really seen it. I can confirm that it is everything that the travel brochures describe. It is simply stunning. The colours, the smells, the beauty in everyday places.

So how is it that suddenly my senses have awakened? Well, today I saw the town’s beauty on a bike. Not just any bicycle. This was special. It was a metallic red American Schwinn and it carried a hearty hamper fit for a king.

Arriving at Bissy’s Café early, I was greeted by some lovely staff before selecting my “ride”. Shining like little orbs of impending happiness, they stood in a line – singles and tandems. After picking up my hamper of gourmet pleasures, I scanned the map.

A list of places already known to me, but can I say, you have never travelled to any of these places or indeed even seen them, until you have sucked up every sight, sound and smell from a bicycle. The wonderful thing about bicycle travel is that you get to where you want to go faster than on foot but slow

enough to register what it is that you are experiencing.

We are nearing the beginning of winter in Orange and it is quite brisk but I am thinking that this all just adds to the “awakening” of senses as I cycle down Clinton Street. I have never realised just how beautiful the houses and gardens are in this street – not until now. As I ride into Cook Park the ducks scatter – probably in their best interest. I call a friend to come and share my hamper. Next time she promises to tandem with me. I might just have to hold her to that!

Some of my fondest childhood memories happened while riding my bike. What a joy to revisit those carefree days. I will definitely be back to do it again. Maybe a ride to Gosling Creek next time. Every ride is a new adventure.

Bissy’s Café is located on Warrendine Street in Orange and on Market Street in Mudgee. www.bissyscafe.com.au

ONE MAN’S PASSION The Somerville Collection “Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion”.

– Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, German philosopher BEFORE VISITING the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst to view the Somerville Collection, I visited their website.

“One man’s passion has become Bathurst’s greatest treasure,” it reads.

A passion for minerals and fossils? “Sounds a tad dull,” was my first thought. Sometimes, it can be surprisingly pleasurable to be so wrong.

The man with the passion is Professor Warren Somerville. A fossil enthusiast from the age of nine, he has spent a lifetime collecting fossils and minerals from every corner of the earth.

The collection is impressive in uniqueness, quality and its sheer size but what makes the Somerville Collection such an experience is the attention that has been given to its presentation. Some of the displays are truly awe-inspiring.

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Instantly my mind is filled with many questions about the man behind the collection. It is an inspirational achievement when considered in context – this is what a single person’s passion can achieve.

The experience is similar to visiting both an art gallery and a museum. Some of the pieces seem too beautiful to be real.

I was particularly taken with a large chunk of amethyst on display. The tour guide explained that the two-foot bubble of amethyst had been formed when volcanic gas had been trapped in quickly drying magma. To me, it looked like the most beautiful abstract art I had ever seen with its dull grey bubble exterior, protecting and hiding hundreds of perfectly formed purple crystals.

The fossils and in particular the giant T-Rex skeleton cast were certainly among

the crowd pleasers. I agree the dinosaur was very impressive and rather intimidating, especially when considering that reptiles of this size actually roamed the earth.

Located in Howick Street, Bathurst, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum and its Somerville Collection are not to be missed. For a small fee you can even own your very own fossil. You never know, all passions begin somewhere! www.somervillecollection.com.au

A DATE WITH HISTORY: The Beekeeper’s Inn “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” – Rudyard Kipling IN VITTORIA, half way between Bathurst and Orange, is the Beekeeper’s Inn. Established in 1859 as a hotel, Cobb & Co. stop-off and horse changing station, it provided a much-needed service until 1877. In later years, it was a post office, general store and telephone exchange. Now owned by the Lockwoods, a beekeeping family, the Beekeeper’s Inn is an antique store, licensed café, seller of gourmet food and giftware, brewery, nursery, function centre and honey farm.

The oldest known photo of the building is on display in the original hotel, on a wall where once the bar would have stood. It shows some tired men, sitting on the front veranda, grateful to have somewhere to rest.

The rooms in this old hotel speak to you. The walls are energy rich, having witnessed many a colourful tale. It now provides the perfect home for an antique store as the wheels of history turn again. The antiques have been collected with evident care and each piece has been lovingly labelled with a detailed description. This provides quite an enjoyable education for a history enthusiast like myself.

Moving into the new section of the building and it’s time for lunch.

While the children check out the live bee display, the adults choose from a menu of restaurant-quality selections. In the end the Trunky Creek Chorizo and Prawns cannot be overlooked. This dish is a sophisticated blend of unlikely flavours. The prawns are fresh and cooked to perfection and the Trunky Chorizo is heavenly – another Central West wonder.

After lunch we refresh our palates with some honey tasting. Surprisingly, honey comes in many different shades of amber and each honey, of different flower origin, has a distinctly different taste. I buy a jar of goldfields honey labelled “Nupunya” but owner Vicki Lockwood warns me not to become too attached to any one honey. She tells me that it’s all about availability of flowers.

With full bellies and minds full of history, we hit the road. The Beekeeper’s Inn was originally a travellers destination for food, beverage and rest. Not much has changed, but I guarantee they didn’t get treated like this in 1859. www.beekeepersinn.com Words: Catherine Player

Meet T-Rex....up close!

Visit Bathurst's greatest treasure, The Australian Fossil & Mineral Collection, home of the Somerville Collection.

Open Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 10am-2pm 224 Howick Street Bathurst NSW 2795 P. 02 6331 5511 F. 02 6331 5986

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LUCKNOW

6365 5437

Beads • Workshops • Jewellery & Gifts

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Millamolong Polo Carnival

The Millamolong Polo Carnival in March delivered some of the best high goal polo Australia has to offer mixed with a serious dose of glamour and fun.

Saturday, March 16, was about bubbles, frocks, fast horses, cars and bikes, fabulous food, wine and live music until late.

On the Sunday, families turned out for the finals and the kids were treated to a lolly drop, pony rides, face painting, bouncing castle and painting.

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EVENTS IN THE WEST

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1. Michael Sobotta and Clair Wheelan of Nashdale, with Sharon and Chris Martin, Phillip Spears, Anna Maxwell, all from Orange, had a great day out with their families.

2. Didi and Chris McMurtrie, Young, with June and Ross Skene, Cowra.

3. Paige Adams and Sarah Ewin of Browns Creek, with Nick Lyttle, Mandurama and Angela Galea, Goulburn.

4. Heath, Sam, Emma and Ben Thomas, Cudal, with Xanthie Thomas, Orange.

5. David Waddell, Orange and Richard Sharpe, Borenore.

6. Simon Wright, Al Ward, Jayne Crew and Elspeth McElroy, Orange.

7. Melissa Aylward and Cynthia Jarratt with David and Natalie Amos, Orange.

8. Kathy and Peter Harcus of Longueville.

9. Staff and family members of Dudley Private Hospital, Orange.

10. Paddy and Mel Broughton of Sydney with Julia Butler, Woollahra, Catherine Bligh, Molong and Ed Butler, Woollahra.

11. Mike Smith, Orange, Mick Wood, Panuara, Heidi and Ben Crossing, Angullong Wines, Orange, with Marrie Wood and Sarah Chamberlain, Panuara.

Images: Angus Waddell 11

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events in the west

St Pat’s at Jack’s The Guinness flowed as crowds gathered to celebrate St Patrick’s Day at Jack Duggans Irish Pub, Bathurst, on March 17. Green was the theme and the punters certainly got into the spirit, dressing in costume for the event. More than 500 meals were served on the day and the celebrations, food, drinks and bad accents went from 10 in the morning until 10 at night.

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1. Craig Hotham and son Charlie with Terry James.

2. Richard Pilcha, Phil and Liz Baker, and Linda Pilcha.

3. Beau Greenway, Isabelle O’Brian, Jackson Spence, Hannah Kelly and Rick Duggan.

4. Judy Davey, Kerry McGuinness and John Bullock.

5. Minky Chetcuti, Angelina Bart, Isabella Parker and Sherry Smith.

6. Chelsea Capper and Mathew King.

Images: Catherine Player

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country pub

FIT FOR A KING THE PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL can be found in the heart of historic Gulgong, smack bang in the middle of Mayne Street, where it has stood welcoming guests since the late 1800s.

It is one of the earliest buildings in an old gold-mining town renowned for its narrow, winding streets and its charm.

The Ellis family has run the hotel since 1976.

Current owner Rowena Ellis took over the reins in 2005. She has breathed new life into the pub, adding a courtyard and seven stylish rooms into the former car park out the back.

With the expanding coalmine at nearby Ulan and a boom in tourism, Rowena knew her tastefully decorated rooms, featuring en suites, Austar and wi-fi internet access, would prove popular. Six months after completion they reached full capacity from Monday to Friday with contract workers.

“Naturally, we kept our five old pub rooms for those on a budget,” Rowena said. “They have been upgraded recently but in essence haven’t really changed much in 100 years.”

Two furnished houses were bought nearby in 2009 to complete the accommodation package.

An important part of any successful hotel is the food, and the Prince of Wales doesn’t disappoint. The restaurant is open seven days and nights with something for everyone. The kitchen supports two fulltime chefs who go above and beyond “traditional pub grub”. Think hearty dishes of lamb shanks and mash or enticing crispy pan-fried duck breast, washed down with a locally produced wine.

The pub is a popular meeting spot for the locals as well, who often get to meet travellers from all over the globe while enjoying the fine food, cold beer and live music.

Rowena has spent most of her life here and there’s not much she doesn’t know about her local area.

The Prince of Wales has been receiving guests for more than 120 years; publican Rowena Ellis loves running the historic hotel; barman Paul Grant has been pulling beers for years at the pub and loves meeting up with old regulars and visiting tourists; the restaurant is open seven days and seven nights.

She can be proud of her efforts in keeping her father’s dream alive and making a trip to her Prince of Wales a wholesome Australian experience.

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featured wedding

Date with Destiny Introducing Mr and Mrs Luke Turner Luke Turner married the love of his life, Jem Hordynsky, on March 16 – almost four years to the day he met her on a double blind date at a bowling alley.

Luke, a training contractor in the local mining and construction industries, and Jem, a psychology student working at a local jewellers, planned their wedding to the last detail and were thrilled with the results.

Their ceremony was held mid afternoon on an idyllic autumn day at St John’s Uniting Church, Orange, with 100 close friends and family in attendance. A highlight was Luke’s pop, John Leslie, bag-piping in the bridal party and the live music throughout the service.

Following the ceremony and photos with family and friends outside the church, guests attended high tea and champagne at Cottonwood, Jem’s parents’ property overlooking farmland, vineyards and Mount Canobolas. In the meantime, talented local lensman Mark Quade captured the joy of the bridal party with pictures taken at Kinross Wolaroi and the gardens of a local homestead.

Included in the bridal party were best man and psychology student Troy Harmer, who has known the groom since kindergarten. Both played rugby at representative level, where they met groomsman Justin Sanderson, now a stock and station agent in Warren. Adam Sharp, a boilermaker, has also been a great mate since school days, while Tim Carroll, a mining and agricultural contractor, has worked with Luke over the years.

On the bride’s side, the natural choice of maid of honour was sister and best friend Olivia Hordynsky, who is studying primary school teaching at the University of Wollongong. The other bridesmaids included long-term friends Ali Burgess, Kira Brice and Ashleigh Finch.

The couple enjoyed a fine reception at Highland Heritage Estate, which supplied delectable food and great wine for the evening in a cosy atmosphere overlooking the vineyard. The photo booth was a huge hit, as were the heartfelt and often humorous speeches.

Luke and Jem enjoyed a honeymoon wining and dining in Melbourne and look forward to a holiday in Italy and Spain in November.

Mark Quade Photography

WEDDINGS

L-R: Ashleigh Finch, Kira Brice, Ali Burgess, Olivia Hordynsky, Jem and Luke Turner, Troy Harmer, Adam Sharp, Tim Carroll and Justin Sanderson.

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WEDDINGS

CRUICKSHANK – HOWARD: On Saturday, January 26, a beautiful sunny Australia Day, Rebekah Cruickshank, of Tooraweenah, and Matthew Howard, of Dubbo, were married at the Tooraweenah Catholic Church. Rebekah was given away by both her mother and father, Ian and Jeanette Cruickshank, with 130 guests in attendance. The reception was held at the beautiful Karrajong property Pine Grove, Tooraweenah. Eat Your Greens from Eugowra catered for the special event in brilliant style. Rebekah and Matthew honeymooned in Hawaii and are living in Broome, Western Australia.

L-R: Melissa Greentree, Matthew Daly, Matthew Browning, Madeleine Burnheim, Matthew Laws, Amanda Lesslie, Rebekah and Matthew Howard, Ben Howard, Josie Howard, Samantha Howard and Scott Caley.

Clancy Job Photography

Multiple Award Winning Restaurant - Local Produce Driven Menu Extensive Local & International Wine List - ‘First Class’ Service Experts in Weddings - Stunning Views set in Vineyard Surrounds AND Don’t forget to visit our new artisan bakery in town Cakes, Pastries, Pies, Quiches, Tarts, Sandwiches & Real Organic Sourdough. All our range is made using no preservatives, flavourings or bread improvers.

Restaurant: Lunch: Fri, Sat & Sun from 12pm Dinner: Thurs - Sat (& Sun pub hols) 6pm Ph: 02 6365 3275 info@racinerestaurant.com.au Bakery: Tuesday - Saturday 7am - 5.30pm (3pm Sat) Ph: 02 63614234 bakery@racinerestaurant.com.au

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WEDDINGS

HENRY – TURNER: Jolene Henry married Scott Turner at Lochnivar, Mount Panorama, on February 16. The marriage celebrant was Kris Rose and a reception followed at Rydges, Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

Jade Turner, the groom’s daughter, was flower girl. The happy couple honeymooned on the Turkish coast and the Greek Islands. They will make their home in Bathurst.

Clockwise from left: Scott and Jolene Turner; Karen Henry, Jolene Turner and Megan Armstrong; Scott Allen, Adam Webber and Scott Turner.

Diana Smith, Boutique Photos and Design

HOWARD – WILSON: Lauren Howard and Chris Wilson, of Cowra, were married under the magnificent gum trees at Eat Your Greens Function Centre, Eugowra, on March 16. Lauren’s father Wayne gave the bride away and 110 family and friends witnessed the special occasion. Lauren and Chris honeymooned in Phuket and will make their home in Cowra.

L-R: Natasha May, Annabelle Messner, Elizabeth McConnon, Lauren and Chris Wilson, Josh Newling, Tyler Nobes and Zac Milne.

Angus Waddell Photography

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events in the west

UPCOMING EVENTS DUBBO CITY EISTEDDFOD 1–19 June DUBBO REGIONAL THEATRE AND CONVENTION CENTRE Barbara Redgrave 6882 1785; eisteddfoddubbo@gmail.com; www.dubboeisteddfod.org.au 52ND ANNUAL NATIONAL POLL HEREFORD SHOW AND SALE 3–4 June DUBBO SHOWGROUND Sally Packham 0428 822 045; www.herefordsaustralia.com.au HENRY LAWSON FESTIVAL OF ARTS 6–10 June GRENFELL 6343 2855; www.henrylawsonfestival.com.au HENRY LAWSON HERITAGE FESTIVAL 7–10 June GULGONG Kevin Robson 63742049; Charles Vassel 63741209; www.gulgong.net/event_detail. php?eid=49

ORANGE REGIONAL FARMERS MARKETS 8 June, 12 July, 10 August 8am – 12.30pm ORANGE SHOWGROUND Cath Thompson 0425 259 350; www.orangefarmersmarket.org.au ORANGE ANTIQUE FAIR 14 – 16 June ORANGE FUNCTION CENTRE Patricia Logan 6365 8294; www.orange-nsw.com/Zonta.html WINTER WINERY WANDER TOUR 16 June 10am BATHURST Greg Tucker 02 6331 7044; greg.bathurst@harveyworld.com.au WELLINGTON ROTARY MARKETS 22 June, 27 July, 24 August 9am–1pm CAMERON PARK, WELLINGTON Vivian 0416 075 124 BUDDY HOLLY 75 YEARS ON SHOW 29 June BATHURST MEMORIAL ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE 6333 6162 GEURIE MARKETS 29 June 8.30am–1.30pm WISE PARK, GEURIE 6846 6353; oldstation@skymesh.com.au (stall holders welcome)

BATHURST BRIDAL EXPO 23 June BATHURST MEMORIAL ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Debbie Campbell 0407 489 634; designerevents@internode.on.net; www.designerevents.net.au BURRENDONG BOTANIC GARDEN AND ARBORETUM FREE GUIDED TOURS 23 June, 28 July, 25 August BURRENDONG 6846 7454 (weekdays); 6846 7429 (weekends)

COWRA PICNIC RACES 5 July 12pm COWRA SHOWGROUND 02 6342 5068 www.cowrapicnicraces.org.au; www.cowratourism.com.au OBERON HERITAGE STREET PARADE 6 July OBERON 6329 8100; council@oberon.nsw.gov.au AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR DIRT TRACK TITLES 6–7 July WEST WYALONG Scott Sandow 0439 722 935; wyalongmsc@yahoo.com MUDGEE SMALL FARM FIELD DAYS 12–13 July AUSTRALIAN RURAL EDUCATION CENTRE, MUDGEE Steve Garland 6372 3899; www.arec.com.au PEPPERS CREEK ART FESTIVAL 14 July ROCKLEY SPORTS GROUND Faye Golsby 6337 9336 DEBORAH CONWAY–STORY OF GHOSTS TOURS (MUSICAL CONCERT) 14 JULY TASTE CANOWINDRA 02 6344 2332; www.tastecanowindra.com.au DUBBO WELLBEING FORUM 15 July DUBBO COLLEGE SENIOR CAMPUS Stacey Exner 6882 7955; Stacey.Exner@det.nsw.edu.au COWRA WINE SHOW PUBLIC TASTING 27 July 6pm–9pm COWRA SHOW PAVILION 6342 4333; www.cowrashow.com; www.cowratourism.com.au

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY HARVEY WORLD TRAVEL WINTER WINERY WANDER June 16 Now in its eighth year, the Harvey World Travel Winter Winery Wander is on again in Bathurst.

Departing from Bathurst Tourist Information Centre at 9.30am on June 16, the bus will visit some of the region’s finest wineries and restaurants. A course and matching wine will be served at each winery.

Food and wine providers include: Winburndale Wines and Legall Patisserie; McGrath Wines and al dente; Vale Creek Wines and Old Mill Cafe; Stone Pine Distillery and Restaurant 9inety 2wo; Renzaglia Wines and Algona; and 1859 Brewing and Beekeeper’s Inn. If you are interested in the 2013 Winter Winery Wander call Greg Tucker on (02) 6331 7044.

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EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY–ART EXHIBITION/PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 27 July–4 August FORBES TOWN HALL Keith 6851 2418; Clara 6851 4868; kjmullette@activ8.net.au BLACK TIE GUMBOOT TRUFFLE HUNT AND DINNER 27 July & 3 August BORRODELL VINEYARD, ORANGE Gaye 6365 3425 GOURMET MARKETS & COWRA WINE SHOW RECOVERY BRUNCH 28 July THE MILL, COWRA www.cowratourism.com.au WELLINGTON EISTEDDFOD 30 July–18 August CIVIC THEATRE www.geni.gaia.com.au FROST FEST 30 July–4 August ORANGE www.tasteorange.com.au/frostfest THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE COWRA POW BREAKOUT 4–5 August COWRA, EVENTS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS 6342 4333; www.cowratourism.com.au DUBBO ANNUAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 9–11 August DUBBO Bizzy Mason 6884 7676; jazzdubbed@gmail.com; www.dubbojazz.com.au ORANGE SOCIETY OF MODEL ENGINEERS – MINIATURE TRAIN RIDES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS 10 August MATTHEWS PARK, MOULDER STREET, ORANGE Greg Bird 6362 9634 MUDGEE READERS FESTIVAL 10–11 August PARKLANDS RESORT, MUDGEE Mel Threthown 0427 406 905; info@mudgeereadersfestival.com.au CARL & PARISSA – THE HOTTENTOTS 16 August MACQUARIE CONSERVATORIUM, DUBBO 6884 6686; info@macqcon.org.au; www.dubbo.com.au WEETHALLE SHOW 18 August WEETHALLE SHOWGROUND Vicki Jolly 6975 6125 Compiled by Catherine Player. Please send your event news to catherine@centralwestmagazine.com.au to request inclusion. All events are subject to change and we recommend contacting the organisers to confirm details.

events in the west

BOOTS AND ALL BLACK TIE AND GUMBOOT TRUFFLE DINNER July 27 and August 3 It is not just food and wine. It’s not just song and dance. This is an experience like no other. It’s an explosion of senses. Let’s imagine for a moment.

It’s winter in Orange. It’s cool to say the least. A crowd of frockedup girls and dapper-looking men board a bus to Borrodell winery.

However, the stilettos and shiny black dress shoes are nowhere to be seen. Each guest, man and woman, have brought with them a pair of gumboots. It’s only practical given that they are going hunting for their dinner on a hilly slope in the drizzle.

As the bus winds up the road the mist becomes thicker. At 4pm the crowd gathers near the cellar door. From out of the fog she appears.

Enter the Truffler and her trusty canine friend with the keenest of olfactory senses. With much excitement, the crowd follows the Truffler and her dog down to the Trufflery and watch with anticipation as the dog snuffles and sniffles its way around. And there it is! The crowd cheers and the canine has done its job.

Delicious nuggets of black gold buried beneath the earth. The crowd looks on as the Truffler lifts the coveted prize for all to see.

By 5 o’clock everyone is feeling the cold. The dog and the Truffler have had a successful harvest. The crowd hurries back up the hill and is greeted with warm fires and mulled wine. A jazz band plays as the truffles are examined. The crowd is brought back to life, and vibrant laughter and chatter can be heard like an energetic buzz over jazz standards.

A five-course degustation dinner is to follow with matching wine to accompany each dish. Of course, it is death by truffles and those left standing dance the night away as the band plays on.

If you would like to take part in this year’s Black tie and Gumboot Truffle Dinner, get in quick as tickets sell fast. Contact Gaye at Borrodell Vineyard on (02) 6365 3425.

Images: Seth Buchanan

A FESTIVAL WITH FLARE TRUNDLE ABBA FESTIVAL July 20 Mamma Mia! Here we go again for the second Trundle ABBA Festival!

Event organisers Gary and Ruth Crowley said the idea for the festival came to them on the drive home from the Parkes Elvis festival.

“We were thinking about other festivals that might work,’’ Gary remembered.

“We thought about Fleetwood Mac and other various ’70s early ’80s bands but when Ruth suggested ABBA, I thought, ‘Now that that would go off!’

“We decided to go to an ABBA festival ourselves, but when we searched online we couldn’t find one. That’s when we decided to create one.”

Quite partial to a wide-leg white pant, Gary said not only was the music fantastic but it was an event that both men and women could get involved with.

“It made sense,” he said.

Sydney tribute band ABBASBACK carved up the stage at last year’s inaugural event, which attracted a crowd of 500.

A visionary at heart, Gary sees vast potential for the festival.

“We are still a baby at the moment,” he said. “I can see in the future an ABBA train coming from Sydney to Trundle and a tent city set up to accommodate festival goers.”

Last year the festival attracted the attention of documentary filmmakers, whose Bang a Boomerang, a tale of ABBA’s love affair with Australia, aired on ABC1 in late January. The Trundle ABBA Festival featured at the program’s end.

Festival tickets are available at: the Trundle Hotel; Trundle Services Club; Little Extras Lifestyle in Forbes; and Byrne Clothing & Embroidery in Parkes.

It is essential to buy tickets for the festival and register for the singing competition before the event. For more information contact Gary or Ruth at trundleabbafestival@gmail.com.

CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 157

RURAL TRAINING

Reaping Rewards At the RuralBiz Training Community Recognition Event held in the ornate rooms of Carlton House in Dubbo in March, director Kathy Sims spoke positively about the number of rural and remote students taking up pathways and opportunities to study.

Kathy told the audience many rural and remote people were studying and succeeding through perseverance, dedication and determination, “not an easy journey when you are also running a farm’’.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton MP presented the certificates and spoke about the importance of educating our farmers through RuralBiz.

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A delicious morning tea followed. Kathy summed up the event by saying: “What a successful day and it was so great to see this group of farmers receive recognition for their outstanding efforts.”

1. Fran and Jeff Caldbeck chatting with Therese Jones at the RuralBiz Training award ceremony. Jeff received an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management.

2. Simon Turnbull, who received a Diploma of Agriculture (right), enjoys a coffee with RuralBiz Training student support officer Gary Pedder.

3. Bill Wilson received his Diploma of Agriculture from Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton MP. 4. Student Support Officer at RuralBiz Training Melissa Armstrong with Margaret Thompson, a Certificate III in Education Support award recipient, and John Jones, an Advanced Diploma of Rural Business Management graduate.

5. Bruce Marriott-Cumnock with Peter and Meredith Wright from Gilgandra enjoying the Carlton House morning tea. Meredith was awarded a Diploma of Rural Business Management.

6. RuralBiz Training Director Kathy Sims with the Heycox family. Stephen has just completed his Diploma of Agriculture.

Images: Jenet Stewart

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158 CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013

OUR ADVERTISERS WINTER 2013 141 ON MAIN Parkes, 6862 5900

BRIDGE VIEW INN APARTMENT Rylstone, 6379 0909

GAZZA'S TAKEAWAY Bathurst, 6331 4667

2 FAT LADIES Lucknow, 6365 5437

BYRNE CLOTHING Parkes, 6862 1408 www.byrneclothing.com.au

GREENTREES GUESTHOUSE Orange, 6361 4546 www.greentreeshouse.com.au

CABOODLE OF ORANGE Orange, 6362 6310 www.caboodleoforange.com.au

HARNETT HOMES North Dubbo, 1800 628 040 www.harnetthomes.com.au

ORANGE CITY COUNCIL Orange, 6393 8250 www.orange.nsw.gov.au

CALIBRATE DESIGN SPACE Dubbo, 0428 610 208 www.calibratedesignspace.com

HAY'S GIFT AND GARDEN WARE Parkes, 6862 4002

PARKES CAMPING Parkes, 6862 4766

HEALTHY LIFE Dubbo, 6884 7365 www.healthylifedubbo.com.au

PEACOCKE ACCOUNTANTS Dubbo, 6882 3933 www.peacockeaccountants.com.au

HIGHLAND HERITAGE ESTATE Orange, 6362 7381 www.highlandheritageestate.com.au

PEPPERCORN COTTAGES Rylstone, 6379 6292 www.peppercorncottages.com

THE MILL Cowra, 6341 4141 www.windowrie.com.au

HILLSIDE ORCHARD Orange, 6365 2247 www.visitorange.com.au/accom_result1/ hillside-orchard

PETER DRUITT AND CO REAL ESTATE Rylstone, 6379 1409 www.peterdruittco.com

THE ROAD TO CINNABAR Orange, 6365 3316

2 FAT LADIES CAFÉ & LOLLY SHOP Lucknow, 6365 5437 A SETTLER’S COTTAGE Bathurst, 6337 5111 www.asettlerscottage.com.au A SLICE OF ORANGE Orange, 6369 0396 www.asliceoforange.com.au ABERCROMBIE HOUSE Bathurst, 6331 4929 www.abercrombiehouse.com.au

CENTURY 21 GOLDEN WEST Dubbo, 6884 9500 www.century21.com.au/goldenwest

ABSOLUTELY HAIR Parkes, 6862 2269

CHOICES FLOORING BY BRIGHTS Bathurst, 6331 4866 www.choicesflooring.com.au/store/ bathurst

ADORS PARTY HIRE Dubbo, 6882 9333 www.adors.com.au

COUNTRY GARDENS MOTOR INN Cowra, 6341 1100 www.cowracountrygardensmotel.com.au

ALL SAINTS’ COLLEGE Bathurst, 6331 3911 www.saints.nsw.edu.au

COUNTRYMAN MOTOR INN Dubbo, 6882 7422 www.countrymandubbo.com.au

ALLURE ON MAIN Forbes, 6851 4778 www.allureonmain.com

COWRA TOURISM CORP Cowra, 6342 4333 www.cowratourism.com.au

ANGULLONG WINES Panuara, 6366 4300 www.angullong.com.au

DANGAR FALLS LODGE Dorrigo, 6657 2131 www.dorrigo.com/accommodationdirectory

ANGUS WADDELL PHOTOGRAPHY Young, 0427 428 454 www.waddell.com.au ANNIES OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM PARLOUR Bathurst, 6331 8088 AREC Mudgee, 6372 3899 www.arec.com.au AUSTRALIAN FOSSIL AND MINERAL MUSEUM Bathurst, 6331 5511 www.somervillecollection.com.au

DE BEAUREPAIRE WINES Rylstone, 0429 787 705 www.debeaurepaire.com DOWN THE TRACK KANDOS Kandos, 6379 4337 www.downthetrackkandos.com DUBBO CITY WELDING Dubbo, 6882 6327 www.dubbocitywelding.com

IMAJENIT PHOTOGRAPHY Dubbo, 0418 638 920 www.imajenit.com.au INSPIRATIONS PAINT Dubbo, 6882 7333 www.inspirations.com INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION SERVICES Chatswood, 9417 3311 www.icssydney.com JACK DUGGANS IRISH PUB Bathurst, 6331 2712 www.jackduggans.com.au JOHN DAVIS MOTORS Orange, 6362 0966 www.johndavismotors.com.au KINROSS WOLAROI SCHOOL Orange, 6392 0300 www.kws.nsw.edu.au

MUDGEE BREWING COMPANY Mudgee, 6372 6726 www.mudgeebrewing.com.au

THE COMPLETE GARDEN Orange, 6362 6519 www.thecompletegarden.com.au

OLD GANARRIN GARDEN CENTRE Dubbo, 6884 5157

THE GLOBE HOTEL Rylstone, 6379 1048 www.theglobehotel.com.au

PICTON BROS PANELSPAN Dubbo, 6884 0899 www.pictonbros.com.au PRESSED TIN PANELS Bathurst, 6332 1738 www.pressedtinpanels.com RACINE RESTAURANT Orange, 6365 3275 www.racinerestaurant.com.au RAILWAY HOTEL Kandos, 6379 6888 www.railwayhotelkandos.com RAW CANVAS ART SUPPLIES Orange, 6361 4311 www.orange-nsw.com/RawCanvas.html RELISH HOME AND LIVING Cowra, 6341 4185 RIVERSIDE NURSERY Bathurst, 6331 3121

DUNTRYLEAGUE COUNTRY CLUB Orange, 6362 3466 www.duntryleague.com.au

KITCHEN AND RENOVATIONS CONCEPTS Dubbo, 6884 1292 www.kitchen-concepts.com.au

BARCOOS BARN FARMSTAY Bathurst, 6337 2383 www.barcoosbarn.com.au

EAGLE BOYS Dubbo, 6882 8999 www.eagleboys.com.au

LAKEVIEW LUXURY CABINS Orange, 6365 3378 www.lakeviewcabins.com.au

BAREFOOT WHOLEFOODS Orange, 6363 1144 www.cphealth.com.au

ESME'S COFFEE SHOP Forbes, 6852 2239

LESLIE JOHN HAIRDESIGN Rylstone, 0458 228 112

ROSIE’S HONEY MUSTARD Warren, 6824 2055 www.rosies.net.au

EWE TWO ON DANDALOO Trangie, 6888 8268 www.ewetwo.com.au

LITTLE FISH GALLERY Dubbo, 6884 8707 www.littlefishgallery.com.au

RYLSTONE OLIVE PRESS Rylstone, 6379 1485 www.rylstoneolivepress.com.au

FERMOY COTTAGE Rylstone, 6379 1470 www.fermoycottage.com.au

LUCKNOW SKIN SHOP Lucknow, 6365 5330 www.lucknowskinshop.com.au

SECOND CHANCE COLLECTABLES Orange, 6369 1513

FORBES SHIRE COUNCIL Forbes, 6850 2318 www.forbes.nsw.gov.au

MAGGIE MAY'S HOMEWARES Rylstone, 0400 247 333

BATHURST HERITAGE MOTOR INN Bathurst, 6334 3433 www.heritagemotorinn.com.au BATHURST REAL ESTATE Bathurst, 6331 5555 www.bathurstrealestate.com.au BATHURST REGIONAL COUNCIL Bathurst, 6332 1444 www.visitbathurst.com.au BELLA SPAZIO Orange, 6360 1121 www.beautysalonorange.websyte.com.au BERT WRIGLEY IRRIGATION Dubbo, 6884 4611 www.sprinklersystemshop.com.au BETTA FRAME AND TRUSS Dubbo, 6881 8544 www.dubborooftrusses.websyte.com.au BISHOP’S COURT ESTATE Bathurst, 6332 4447 www.bishopscourtestate.com.au BISSY'S CAFE Orange, 6369 0666 www.bissyscafe.com.au

FORGANDENNY B&B Mudgee, 6372 2437 www.forgandenny.com.au FRANKS’ BREAKAWAY Rylstone, 6379 6236 www.franksbreakaway.com.au FROCKWORK ORANGE Orange, 6360 0706 www.frockworkorange.com FUZE HAIR Dubbo, 6882 0942 www.fuzehair.com.au GARIAN WHOLESALERS PTY LTD Dubbo, 6884 1166

MALAHN Canowindra, 6344 2355 malahn.bigcartel.com MARALLY CRAFT Orange, 6362 3860 www.marallycraft.com.au MATERIAL WORLD Dubbo, 6882 6965 MAYFIELD GARDEN Oberon, 6336 3131 www.mayfieldgarden.com.au MORRISON PODIATRY Dubbo, 6885 4266 www.morrisonpodiatry.com.au MUDGEE ANTIQUES Mudgee, 0407 432 194

ROBERT HANDSAKER MOTORS Narromine, 6889 1011 www.roberthandsaker.com.au ROSBY WINES AND GUESTHOUSE Mudgee, 6373 3778 www.rosby.com.au

SIGNVISION Dubbo, 6884 2520 www.signvisiondubbo.com.au SMOLLE'S AUCTION & TRADING MART Orange, 6362 2329 www.smolle.com.au SOLDIERS MOTEL Mudgee, 6372 4399 www.soldiersmotel.com.au SPRING CREEK B&B Gulgong, 0408 119 231 www.springcreekcottage.com TASTE ORANGE Orange, 6360 3296 www.tasteorange.com.au THE BAREFOOT GYPSIE Rylstone, 0431 059 339

THE HUB Bathurst, 6332 1565 THE LIONS PRIDE Dubbo, 6884 3333 www.thelionspride.com.au THE LOLLIPOP SHOP Rylstone, 6379 1655

THE SCOTS SCHOOL Bathurst, 6333 4702 www.scots.edu.au THE SKIN CORRECTIVE CENTRE Dubbo, 6885 6349 www.theskincorrectivecentre.com.au THE WHITE PLACE Orange, 6363 1160 www.thewhiteplace.com.au THE WOODSHED GALLERY Warren, 6889 7929 www.woodshedgallery.com.au TJ'S CATERING Dubbo, 6885 3831 www.tjscatering.com.au TOYOTA CENTRAL WEST GROUP Dubbo, 6882 1511 www.toyota.com.au TRELAWNEY FARM Mudgee, 0414 797 873 www.trelawneyfarm.com TRELOAR ROSES Portland, 1300 044 852 www.treloarroses.com.au VANESSA PRINGLE FLORAL DESIGNS Bathurst, 6331 1030 www.vanessapringlefloraldesigns.com.au W. LARCOMBE AND SON Dubbo, 6882 3199 www.wlarcombeandson.com.au WEST END MOTOR LODGE Orange, 6362 5755 www.mbwestorangemotors.com.au WEST ORANGE MOTORS Orange, 6361 1000 www.mbwestorangemotors.com.au WESTERN FARM MACHINERY Warren, 6847 3422 www.wfmachinery.com.au WESTERN PLAINS REAL ESTATE Dubbo, 6881 8333 www.wpre.com.au WESTERN PLAINS WINDOWS & GLASS PTY LTD Dubbo, 6884 8818 www.glassservices-dubbo.websyte.com.au WHITNEYS JEWELLERS Dubbo, 6882 4620 www.whitneysjewellers.com.au WILD OATS CAFÉ & PAVILION Mudgee, 0428 417 364 WORLDLY TREASURES Orange, 0401 977 886 www.worldlytreasures.com.au CW LIFESTYLE WINTER 2013 159

The Last Laugh FLIGHT OF FANCY

Jake Lindsay was recently out at the Mudgee Aerodrome looking for a pilot (there was a convention being held for pilots with planes from the 1960s) when he stumbled upon the only bloke in sight.

ALAN KELLETT was having a sneak inspection of the old Air Tourers and the new hangar when I casually asked him if he knew of anyone willing to take me up.

I wasn’t hopeful but a smile came upon his face as he suggested he could well be the man for the job!

I took a double-take as I looked the 84-year-old in the eye and asked if he was fair dinkum. Within 20 minutes we were in the sky, courtesy of the Cessna 182 he has been flying for the past 33 years, and looking over the fertile Mudgee valley.

This level-headed chap first flew in 1967 after one exhilarating joy flight in New Zealand over Milford Sound. “I started flying the very next day and six months later had my licence,” he said proudly over the headphones.

Since that fateful day, Alan has clocked up more than 1500 hours of flying time. “It’s not a lot by professional standards but is the equivalent of flying from here to Bankstown 1500 times,” he laughed.

I need not have been nervous. “Some people like driving or sailing, I like taking to the skies. I’ve never had any mishaps. If you obey the rules and tell people where you are, then it’s not much different than driving your car down the street,” he said.

The Cessna has taken Alan all over the country, including trips to Cape York Peninsula and as far south as the bottom tip of Tasmania. “I’ve seen the country in this little plane,” the confirmed bachelor said.

Before long our ride is over and I ask Alan what he has done all his life. It turns out his great grandfather arrived in Mudgee in 1859 and the family have been there ever since. For 150 years, over successive generations, the family ran W Kellett and Sons Pty Ltd, a produce store that was only taken over by Woolworths about eight years ago.

Alan Kellett, I salute your never-wavering enthusiasm for life and the ability to soar like an eagle when the urge takes you. CWL

TOYOTA ACCESS A SMARTER WAY TO BUY