Gresford News August 2013

resford News G

The

News of the communities of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys

August 2013

School Athletics Carnival

Madeleine Wrigley skips over the finish line in the 7 years 70m sprint.

Photo: Julie Hartigan.

T

he students of Gresford Public School and Glen William Public

School joined forces for a combined athletics carnival at Gresford on July 17.

There were serious track events as well as a series of fun novelty events throughout the day. Incredible weather, which was more like spring than mid-winter, ensured a successful day of competition and friendship.

Kaitlin Horn shows her style in the “orange put” Photo: Julie Hartigan.

See inside for more photos

The Gresford News is a Gresford Community Group project. Circulation 800 – Donations appreciated and most welcome. Thank you!

The Gresford News Community Diary Craft open house, CWA Hall, 1.00pm Sun 4 Aug Dungog Dash & Dawdle: great cross-country fun run, starts Dungog Showground, 9.00am Mon 12 Aug FREE safeTALK suicide prevention training evening, St Anne’s Hall, Church St, Gresford, 6.00pm Sat 17 Aug Gresford Show Auxiliary Information Day, St Anne’s Hall, Church St, Gresford, 9.30am Sun 18 Aug Gresford Community Market, Therese Doyle Hall, Park St East Gresford, 9.00am to 1.00pm Tues 20 Aug Paterson Allyn Garden Group meet, 10.00am Sun 25 Aug Hudson Pioneer celebration, St Anne’s Church, Church St, Gresford, 11.00am Fri-Sat 30-31 Aug Gresford Campdraft & Rodeo, Gresford Showground Sat-Sun 6-8 Sep Pedalfest, around Dungog Tues 10 Sep GAPS AGM, School of Arts hall, 7.30pm Sat 21 Sep Noel Jupp talk – Observaions of a lifetime, James Theatre, Dungog Sat-Sun 28-29 Sep Allynbrook art show Fri-Sun 11-13 Oct Planet Dungog, music & arts festival around Dungog Sat 12 Oct Gresford District Landcare Group annual fieldday & dinner Sat 12 Oct Y.O.T.S Dinner and Charity Auction, Gresford School of Arts, 6.30pm Sat 19 Oct Bull’s Horns Ball, Gresford P&C Assoc major fundraiser, Gresford Bowling Club, 7.00pm Sat 19 Oct Vacy Blues & Roots Festival, Farmers Hotel, Vacy Sat-Sun 30 Nov-1 Dec Team Penning, Gresford Showground (earlier events in Dungog) Thurs 1 Aug

1st Mon each month

Gresford Community Group Meeting, 7.30pm, Hotel Beatty, all welcome! (not Jan) 1st Tues each month Gresford District Landcare Group Meeting, Hotel Beatty, 7.30pm (not Jan) 1st Wed each month Gresford Rural Fire Brigade meeting, station, 7.30pm 1st Thurs each month CWA Gresford Branch Meeting, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 9.30am (not Jan) 2nd Mon each month Gresford Historical Society Meeting, RSL Rooms, 11.00am (not Dec, Jan or June) 2nd & 4th Mon each month Family & Child Health Clinic, Paterson school of Arts Hall, 4932 9768 for appt’s 2nd Sat each month Book Club, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 3.00pm (not Dec or Jan) Gresford Public School P&C Meeting, school library, 10.00am 3rd Fri each month 3rd Sun each month gresford Community Market, Therese Doyle Hall, 9 til 2 (not Dec, Christmas Fair 1st Sat) Last Thurs each month Gresford District Agricultural Society Meeting, Showground Luncheon Pavilion, 7.30pm Every Wed, Fri & Sun Gresford Bowls Sport & Recreation Club Raffles, from 6.30pm Every Mon & Fri (school terms) Gresford Pre-School, Gresford Community Hall, 4938 9288, 9.00am Every Thur Happy hour and free pool and jukebox at the Hotel Beatty Every Fri Cricket Club Raffles at the Hotel Beatty Every Fri (school terms) Yoga for active bodies with Donna Cavanough, Therese Doyle Youth Hall, 9.00 – 10.30am Every Wed Gresford PlayTime, children 0-5 & carers, Gresford Community Hall, 4992 2401, 10.00am Every Sunday The Gresford Congregational Church welcomes you, 10.30am

To contact Gresford News: email gresfordnews@iinet.net.au or call Brian Doherty on 0412 372 687 or Jane Richens on 0425 339 856.

Postal Address: PO Box 99 East Gresford 2311. Deadline for stories and ads 20th of the month.

Are you getting the News? The Gresford News is delivered free to households with a roadside mail box in the

Paterson and Allyn River valleys by Australia Post. If you haven’t received your copy, please call Brian Doherty (0412 372 687) so we can rectify the problem.

Visit www.gresfordnsw.com.au for local information and the ‘Gresford News’ online

G resford News

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finances

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Please support your local newsletter and contribute anonymously or use the slip below and place your donations in the boxes provided in Gresford. I would like to make an annual donation to the Gresford News: Name

Amount

Address

Gresford Post Office Store Home of the Crossroads Cafe 162 Durham Road Gresford (Cnr Lostock & Durham Road)

Phone 4938 9239 Open 7 days from 7.00 am

Winter Trading Hours Mon – Tues Wed – Thur Friday Sat – Sun

Shop 7 am – 5 pm 7 am – 7 pm 7 am – 8 pm 7 am – 7 pm

Take Away 8.30 am – 3 pm 8.30 am – 7 pm 8.30 am – 8 pm 8.30 am – 7 pm

Cafe’ 8.30 am – 3 pm 8.30 am – 4 pm 8.30 am – 4 pm 8.30 am – 4 pm

Last pizza orders 30 minutes before closing time, grill and fry orders 15 minutes before closing time.

If on the night trade warrants, closing times will be extended

Take Away food open for breakfast, lunch & dinner Gourmet fresh cut sandwiches and real Milkshakes available BBQ Chickens – Ice – DVDs – Grocery – Ice Creams – Drinks

DVD Releases available in August

• GI JOE – RETALIATION • IRON MAN 3 • OBLIVION • IDENTITY THIEF • WARM BODIES • OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN • SCARY MOVIE 5 • THE COMPANY YOU KEEP • PROMISED LAND • BULLET TO THE HEAD • EMPEROR • DAY OF THE FALCON • SINISTER • PHANTOM • COYOTE COUNTY LOSER • ANOTHER HAPPY DAY •

Gresford News Notices Y.O.T.S Dinner and Charity Auction

Gresford School of Arts October 12 2013 6-30 for 7pm Tickets $40.00 B.Y.O For tickets Des 4938 5445 Maureen 4938 8019

Maitland Black and White

30th GARDEN RAMBLE

20 & 21 September 11 gardens – $25 to view all gardens or $5 to visit a single garden.

This year the Maitland Black and White Committee is celebrating 45 years of raising funds for the blind and visually impaired of the Hunter Valley for Vision Australia.

Light lunch, morning and afternoon teas will be at garden no 10 at Woodville & a sausage sizzle at garden no 4 at Lochinvar.

A bus will be available on both days starting from Maitland Railway Station at 9.45am & returning around 3.30pm for $15. Contact Lorraine Noonan for details on 4930 7272. Tickets available from the Maitland Visitor Centre.

Renewed version of ‘Cleopatra’ to screen at Dungog

Gresford News audio version is available for visually impaired

James Theatre, Dungog 10 August 2013, 1pm $5 – film & refreshments at interval For tickets: Deirdre Briscombe 4992 3268, or Marie Neilson 4992 1993

Ted Baker has kindly offered to read and record the Gresford News as a free service for the reading impaired. It will be provided in MP3 format which is suitable for most modern DVD players.

To mark their 50th anniversary, the Dungog Historical Society invites you to the James Theatre to celebrate half a century of community service, by stepping back in time to 1963. They are hosting a special screening of the renewed epic masterpiece that created a worldwide sensation Cleopatra, starring screen legends Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

This is a digitally remastered 50th Anniversary print has just been premiered in Cannes, and will be shown in Dungog directly after its first Australian appearance at the Sydney Film Festival. It is a golden opportunity for our friends to catch the last of the big budget Hollywood epics in glorious technicolor and full surround sound.

If you, or someone you know, would like to receive this service contact Gresford News on 0412 372 687

Dungog Dash & Dawdle

Sunday 4 August, 9am. This great CrossCountry Fun-Run starts at Dungog Showground (rock up there to register).

Do the 12km Dash, 6km Dawdle, laps of the showground with the Pups & Prams or join in the fun on the jumping castle or sausage sizzle.

Expressions of Interest The Allynbrook Art show will be having a craft market on Sunday 29 September.

If interested in booking a site please contact R. Lawrence 4931 5257.

GRESFORD SHOW AUXILIARY

INFORMATION DAY We are having an Information Day on how to exhibit and what judges look for in entries for the show.

This day will have talks on Cut flowers Jams/Jellies Cooking Arranged Flowers WHERE St. Annes Hall, Church St, Gresford WHEN Saturday 17th August, 9.30am ENTRY FEE $5 (incl. lunch), Under 18 free ENQUIRIES ANN DENT, Ph 4931 7146 tea/coffee will be provided

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August 2013

Suicide Prevention Initiatives

The Maitland/Dungog Community Health service has been active in Gresford and Dungog facilitating programs around suicide prevention in partnership with the Maitland Region Suicide Prevention Network (MRSPN).

Last year Hunter New England Health along with the MRSPN ran a safeTALK evening in Dungog, safe TALK is a three hour introduction program around suicide prevention. This year the plan is to follow up from that with a more in-depth suicide prevention program called Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training or ASIST. MRSPN through its association with the Wesley Lifeforce Organisation aims to make these types of suicide prevention courses available to service providers and to the general community at a highly subsidised rate, in order to help make communities and is members confident in responding to the issue of suicide.

Dungog Community Health Social Worker Terry Sjostedt has been having discussions with Emergency services people in Gresford and with the Dungog community to keep promoting the fact that suicide prevention is a

community responsibility and all of its members can play a vital role in keeping its members safe through attending safeTALK and ASIST training.

If you are interested in participating in either safeTALK or ASIST training, or if you would like to know more about them, you can call Terry Sjostedt at the East Maitland Community Health Service on 4931 2000.

Hunter Lifeline has also developed a program called ‘Mind Your Mates’, which is about checking in with your friends and work mates to ensure that they are doing ok emotionally and mentally. Lifeline has been offering this two hour program to community groups and workplaces throughout NSW and interstate as well. Men’s Sheds in particular have been very responsive to this initiative and it would undoubtedly be a good program to make available in this area. If you are interested to find out more about Mind Your Mates, you can again contact Terry Sjostedt who can direct you to the facilitator of that program.

FREE Gresford safeTALK

suicide prevention training evening 6–9pm Monday 12th August St Anne’s Church Hall Church St, Gresford facilitator – Jane McCallum This training will be free to participants, with all costs covered by the Maitland Region Suicide Prevention Network and the Hunter LifeLine service.

Everyone is welcome.

Could you please contact Terry Sjostedt at Dungog Community Health Service on 0419604546 to express your interest in attending.

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Paterson, Allyn & Williams Wild Dog Association The aerial baiting program was carried out this year in late May with the weather conditions being good. We are not sure if this important program will be able to continue into the future as the LHPA contributes less each year – this year being less than half the total costs. The remaining costs are being paid by the Hunter Valley Dog Assoc and PAWWDA paying for all the baits used in our area, being $1500. We are only able to afford this due to the money raised from membership and sponsorship from Hunter Water. Many thanks to John Peel from Hunter water for their support this year but these continuing costs make the future of the aerial baiting program uncertain.

Aerial baiting is an integral part of wild dog control along with ground baiting, trapping and shooting making significant inroads into reducing dog numbers. This year there was an extensive ground baiting program in the area. Trapping courses run by the PAWWDA and the LHPA Ranger& professional dog trapper, Luke Booth, have been very successful in teaching trapping skills to producers. These new skills have had an impact as now half of the bounties being paid out are for trapped dogs.

Our Assoc is paying bounties on about 70 dogs per year.

Your membership is important to our Assoc and we would like you to join, helping us to continue these control programs reducing stock losses & assisting in reducing predation on native wildlife.

A big thank you to all our active members for all your efforts – keep up the good work. Also thank you to Luke Booth for his tireless work in all aspects of dog control and his support for the Paterson, Allyn, Williams Wild Dog Assoc.

For more information contact: Luke Booth 0408 681 576, Peter Lawrence 4931 5257, Michael Briody 4931 5219

August 2013

What’s on the Shelves?

by Glenda Smith

The Engagement –

Chloe Hooper

Perhaps better known as the author of the highly-acclaimed account of the death of Cameron Doomadgee, and the trial of Sergeant Chris Hurley (The Tall Man – Death and Life on Palm Island), Chloe Hooper has also written fiction. The Engagement is a tension-filled, neo-gothic tale in an outback Australian setting.

Liese is an English architect who has been ‘let go’ from her firm because of the GFC, and has taken refuge in her uncle’s realestate agency in Melbourne. A rather enigmatic woman, she has impulsively engaged in a sexual relationship with a client, and charged him for it. She sees it as harmless fun which will help her pay off her credit-card debts and enable her to return to England, and assumes she is in control of the relationship.

Her ‘client’, Andrew, invites her for a final weekend in his house in the country, and Liese’s perceptions of her dominance in the situation are forced to change.

Hooper’s description, through Liese’s eyes, of the pretentious but decaying Victorian mansion and its lonely surroundings, sets the scene for Liese’s growing discomfort. When Andrew proposes, prompting the title of the book, she is forced to play a psychological game in which she feels more and more out of her depth – I had found the very edge of my life and now, too fast, I was descending. The shifting ground of this novel will be disturbing to some, and intriguing to others.

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Great Country Drives in Dungog Shire Vacy, Martins Creek, Wallarobba, Glen William and Clarence Town.

The Dungog Shire Visitors Information Centre has just released a new brochure promoting drives around the area called Dungog Shire Great Country Drives.

It encourages people, both locals and visitors to the area, to spend more time exploring our Shire.

The Great Forest Adventure, a 117 kilometre drive which includes East Gresford, Allynbrook, Eccleston, Upper Allyn, Salisbury and Dungog.

The brochure was designed by Brian Doherty, co-owner of Tabbil Forest Design, who has also worked with Dungog and District Chamber of Commerce, Wirragulla Polo Club, Gresford Billy Cart Derby, and Friends of the James Theatre. Input was also provided by David Sayers, another Dungog Shire resident.

The brochure features four scenic drives around the Shire:

The Great All Rounder, a 71 kilometre circuit which includes the major towns of the Shire namely Clarence Town, Dungog, Gresford and East Gresford, Vacy and Paterson. There is also an optional side trip to Torryburn, just south of East Gresford, which is said to be the inspiration of Dorothea Mackellar’s poem “My Country”.

The Great Country Wander, a 56 kilometre drive which includes Paterson,

The Great Mountain Adventure, a 64 kilometres circuit which includes Bandon Grove, Chichester Dam, Telegherry Forest Park, Frying Pan Creek, and Main Creek. Fosterton Loop is included as a 31 kilometre option.

The suggested drives are flexible enough so people can extend their drive or combine drives if they are here for more than one day, or modify a drive if they are short of time. Estimates of distances for each of the drives have been given rather than times so that people can drive according to the conditions of the road, and also allow time for sightseeing stops along the way.

Copies of these brochures have been sent to Gloucester and other neighbouring Visitor Information Centres and to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forestry Corporation of NSW. A package of maps

will also be sent to businesses and community organizations who are members of the Dungog Shire Visitor Information Centre for distribution to their guests and customers.

If readers would like copies of the brochure they should contact Wendy Farrow at the Dungog Shire Visitors Information Centre on 4992 2212 or dungogvc@ceinternet.com.au.

By Ivan Skaines, Economic Development and Toursim Co-ordiantor, Dungog Shire Council

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August 2013

gresford CWA News

GRESFORD MARKET

School Holiday Workshops (September) Once again we will be holding the ever popular Workshops for children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. We will have Card Making on Tuesday, September 24 with Jan Godwin and Cooking on Wednesday, September 25 with Dotti Hilliard. The cost is $5.00 per child per day. Note these dates in your diary now. More information next issue or call Marie Loveridge (Secretary) on 49389441.

Once again the weather was in our favour for the ‘Christmas in July’ markets. Our local firemen Neville and Rick put on a grand entrance, decked out in their smart uniforms and new fire truck. All the children gave chase for the lolly bags, even the ‘Big Kids’ got in on the act. Thank you Neville and Rick.

Next Meeting Thursday, August 1st at 9.30am. New members are always welcome - just come along, everyone is welcome.

You will find us at 12 Durham Road, East Gresford (next to the Police Station).

New Member We welcome Elaine Mayo to our Branch.

Craft Open House 1.00pm, the first Thursday of the month after our meeting. Why not join us for a ‘crafty’ couple of hours whilst enjoying a cuppa and chat with like minded ladies.

Book Club meets 2nd Saturday of the month at 3.00pm in the CWA rooms. You do not have to be an active member of the CWA to join. The next meeting is August 10 and the book for August is Jasper Jones, by Craig Silver.

Web Address http://gresfordcwa.wordpress.com Jan’s saying for the month With ordinary talents and extraordinary perseverance all things are attainable.

A very special thank you to 2 young ladies, Courtney and Clare Lawrence, who looked perfect as Santa’s Elves. They helped all the little people write their letters to Santa.

The melody of Christmas Carols from the GAPS singers was ‘Music to the Ears’. Their professional attitude and performance was applauded by every one. Many thanks to Sharon, Donna, Lyndal and Tony for the entertainment.

All our stallholders got into the spirit of Christmas. Decorated stalls and Christmas fare was a plenty.

My thanks to you all, the extra effort was much appreciated. Another special thanks must go to Jim Doyle and his boys. Jim organised a ‘load of dirt’ for sale, set up a Community Chest stall, both raised in excess of $250 which he donated to the hall fund. Jim will donate 2 loads per market. If you have anything you would like to donate to the Community Chest it would be gratefully appreciated.

August markets will be held on the 18th.

New times 9am–1pm.

No theme for August. Just come along and have a good time.

Judith Grant, market coordinator, 4938 9505

Jill Hancock, Publicity Officer

Learn it locally

Special event: Noel Jupp: observations of a lifetime

– the plant guru speaks. Sat Sept 21 James

Theatre Dungog

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Fully Licenced Café / Restaurant 4938 8305

Winter Pizza & Camp Oven Cooking – With the woodfired oven smoking, create & eat a seasonal feast. Pizzas: smoked salmon, ham-pineapple, chockie & orange, & more.

Camp oven: cardamom-wrapped chook & fruit crumble.

5.30pm Fri 9 Aug. $25/$15 Cryptic Crossword – yes they can be solved. In cafes across the shire! Take the mystery out of cryptics with the amusing John O’B. 4 Wed mornings from 21 Aug. $60/55/50 Jazz talk With Paul McNamara from Ten Part Invention and sax-player Sally Corbett. Come & talk, walk, dance, sing, play with these two jazzoids.

Thurs evening 22 Aug. Get the nitty gritty on jazz. $20/10 Maintain Your Computer – Clutter, spam, viruses, upgrading hardware, dust & more. 4 nights from 26 Aug. $115/100 inc repair kit worth $20 Get To Know Your Digital SLR Camera – a day of discovery beyond point & click Sat 14 Sept First Aid Sat 31 Aug Time Management – time-poor? not any more! 2 Evenings 23-24 Sept Blogging For Fun & Profit – build that on-line presence 2 Evenings 11 & 16 Sept

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AND: Ceramics Heirlooms & Memories Bridge – so much more than a card game weekday mornings Intro to Sales for small business. Dates are being finalised and more are being planned...

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Info & bookings: www.dungogcommunitycollege.org.au Contact us: education@dins.org.au or 4992 1133.

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School Athletics Carnival

Photos by Julie Hartigan

The three-legged race didn’t end well for many of the senior teams.

Zhane Duncan leads the way in the boys 11 years 100m sprint.

Amber Smith sprints ahead in the junior relay.

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August 2013

Gresford’s junior dentists at work Children attending Hunter Mobile Preschool in Gresford have had an enjoyable start to Term 3, despite saying a sad farewell to head teacher Michelle Cherniayeff at the end of Term 2. Michelle taught Gresford preschoolers for two years, but has taken a position closer to her home on the Central Coast.

Toby Mead lines up for the kindergarten “orange put”.

Kindergarten student Daniel Craig waits for the start of the orange race.

Margo from Pacific Smiles Dental visited the preschool on 22 July and spoke to the children about oral Gresford’s junior dentists giving hygiene, what to expect when visiting the puppets a check-up. the dentist and the importance of begin improvements to the good nutrition. The children playground. The well-loved sandpit particularly loved the opportunity to will receive a much-needed facelift. dress up and role-play as dentists.

These improvements are possible Plans are underway for two enjoyable because of the generous support the outings during Term 3. The preschool greater Gresford community gives to sports carnival is scheduled for 9 August. our fundraising efforts. Special thanks The students have helped teacher’s must also go to the Billy Cart Derby Paula, Alex and Ellie decide on the Committee for donating a large portion carnival events. It should be an of its profits to the preschool this year. entertaining day! The children will also Fundraising for the preschool will visit Hunter Valley Zoo later in the term, continue in Term 3. Stay tuned for as they are enjoying learning about details about our Trash and Treasure Australian animals.

Day at Gresford School of Arts. It will The families of Gresford’s preschoolers coincide with polling day for the will also be busy in Term 3 as they Federal election.

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Come into our friendly local salon today and enjoy one of our many services we offer. From amazing cut and colours to beautiful long lasting gel nails and amazing bridal packages.

We stock a large range of retail from the amazing keune and ghd to the new and fabulous silk eyelash extending mascara.

Come in today, you will be amazed!!

SPECIALS – 5 to 17 Aug

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Community feature

Pete Gogarty and his mail van.

...story and photos by Rowena Dillon

Kerrie Challinor is assisted by Sue Forbes at East Gresford Post Office.

Gresford’s Mail Services I

n this technological age of Instagrams, Facebook, Snapchat and Skype it is comforting to know that ‘snail mail’ is still an important part of our community. Within the Gresford district, there is a team of people who ensure that the mail arrives on time, every day.

A day in the life of our mail starts at 5am at Metford. At this early hour, Pete and Donna Gogarty leave their home in Vacy to sort the mail at Metford Mail Exchange. Pete and Donna then deliver the bulk bags of mail to Paterson Post Office, Vacy Post Office as well as East

Gresford Post Office. At East Gresford Sue Forbes, who has been the post mistress of the town for 19½ years, sorts the mail to be taken over to Karin Lawrence at Gresford Post Office. Pete usually makes his journey delivering mail following the Paterson River up the

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Community feature

Karin Lawrence of Gresford Post Office and General Store.

Lostock Road, while Donna covers the run up the Allyn River.

Twice a week, Pete and Donna travel to the end of each road, while on the other three days the run is slightly shorter.

After they finish their respective runs by around lunch time each day, Pete and Donna have a little free time before they return to Gresford around 4pm to pick up mail posted that day.

That mail and the mail from Vacy and Paterson is returned to Maitland to catch the Australia Post bulk mail truck which goes to Warabrook for distribution throughout Australia and overseas.

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Long time mail contractors Marie and Barry Gibson enjoying their retirement.

Pete and Donna Gogarty are relative newcomers to the mail run business, after taking over in 2012 from Barry and Marie Gibson who delivered the mail from 1993 for the next 19 years and 1 month to be exact. Interestingly, both the Gogartys and the Gibsons said that the best thing about the mail run was the wonderful people they came in contact with on their runs. Also both families said the worst thing was the roads, with Barry adding that rain and flooding were also problematic. Barry commented that he had been towed many times by horses and tractors to ensure that the mail arrived on time.

As reported earlier, Sue Forbes has been postmistress at East Gresford for over 19 years, taking over from Beryl Warr. Up until 2012 Sue sorted all the bulk mail at East Gresford, but the Australia Post decision to consolidate their organisation and sort the mail at Metford put the economic viability of the Post Office in question. Luckily Sue was able to negotiate to keep the Post Office open and continue to offer a wide range of services to the Gresford area. These include the regular postal counter services and banking facilities which are essential to many of the businesses and community organisations in Gresford. Passport applications and photos can be obtained at East Gresford Post Office as well as facilities for Work Cover and disposal of used cartridges from printers and copiers. There are a number of post boxes available as well as other merchandise from Australia Post. The advent of electronic processing, which began in 2003, made the East Gresford Post Office much more efficient and allows a wide range of services to be offered. Technology has meant not as many letters are posted these days, but the popularity of online shopping has increased the number of parcels that arrive each day. Pete and Donna report that they can deliver up to 120 parcels a day.

Karin Lawrence and her family operate the Post Office at Gresford in conjunction with their general store and take away food outlet and cafe. The Gresford Post Office is a manual operation and offers general postal services such as mail acceptance and delivery, philatelic sales, moving address applications and enrolments to vote.

So whether you want to post a card, bank some money, get a passport, buy a bargain on the internet, or even take delivery of a swarm of bees (Barry Gibson regularly delivered these) there are a dedicated group of people ensuring that these services are reliably available to the people of the Paterson and Allyn River valleys and townships.

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q Gresford District Historical Society r “Beep Beep”

A story came in recently about a well known local identity – sadly no longer with us. This man lived in Durham Road in a little cottage, (which is still there and empty) directly opposite the police station. This man was of course, Bob Lawrence. Bob, however was more generally known as “Town Bob” because, firstly, he lived in town and rarely moved from town and secondly, to distinguish him from another Bob Lawrence, who lived and worked in the country and was known as “Country Bob”.

Back then there was a general store / newsagent next to the Beatty Hotel. This store, (now the Twin Rivers Café) had a bench seat out front and this was Bob’s favourite spot to sit and watch the passing parade. The passing parade also watched Bob, and in passing, would toot their car horns in greeting. Bob’s reply was always a loud ‘Beep Beep’, and even when met elsewhere, Bob’s usual greeting was ‘Beep Beep’. As a result Town Bob acquired the nickname ‘Beep Beep Bob’.

Bob was also prone to causing some chaos with his “beep” impressions and anyone reversing a vehicle in Bob’s vicinity was likely to hear a loud and urgent “beeping”. This would invariably cause them to jump in alarm and look around nervously to see what they had “near missed”. Closer investigation would reveal that they had been “taken in” by Bob. Bob was also rather expert with other impressions and had quite a repertoire. Now, as this story was kindly sent to us by David Hilliard, (who has earned his $50 bounty) I will hand over to David.

sort of a chain saw would ya like?”, Gerald had no idea, and he looked at me, and I whispered “Husqvarna”, which was conveyed to Beep. Beep’s next question was, “two stroke or four stroke?” Again, Gerald looked at me, and I suggested “two stroke”.

Then Beep asked, “hot morning or a cold morning?” With an inkling of what was coming, I told Gerald “a cold morning”, which was again conveyed to Beep.

Beep then came out with, “argh, them two strokes is awful hard-to start on a cold morning!” After a short time there came a lot of coughing and spluttering and backfiring from Beep Beep, and finally, a full blown rendition of a chainsaw, which continued for long enough to have Town Bob at his gate. demolished several trees.

Photo courtesy of Delma Lawrence

W

ell, about 20 years ago, I had a friend visiting from England named Gerald, who on the Saturday night of his visit, asked at about 8.30 to be taken in to the pub to meet some of the locals.

When we arrived, there was a good crew around the bar, and at the door end, perched on a stool, was Beep Beep Bob. In front of him was a 7 oz. glass of dark brown beer, and I deduced from this that Bob was about at the end of his session because he usually drank schooners. I said to Gerald, “this is Beep Beep Bob, and he does chain saw impressions. Would you like to hear him?”

In his very English accent, Gerald said, “how do you do, and, yes; I would like to hear your chainsaw impressions”.

This pleased and amused Beep Beep immensely and he launched off with, “what

Gerald was totally blown away by this performance, and when it concluded, the whole bar, plus Gerald and I, applauded loudly. By now Beep Beep, no doubt fuelled by a long day of drinking, was on a roll, and he informed Gerald that he could also do animal and bird impersonations, and would Gerald also like to hear some of those? Gerald, being the typical polite Englishman, agreed to Iisten, so for the next ten minutes, the bar was regaled with fox calls, dingo wails, magpie warbles, kookaburra laughs, and the noises of a myriad of other bush animals and birds.

At the conclusion, and amidst another round of applause, Beep asked Gerald if he, Gerald, would like him, to do, “a little brown swallow?” Again, Gerald politely agreed, at which point Beep Beep tossed back his 7 oz. glass of brown beer and announced to Gerald “now it’s your shout!”

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q “Our Stories” Feature r

This had the whole bar in convulsions of mirth, and Gerald, I’m pleased to say, especially since he was a Pom, joined in the spirit of the occasion and shouted a round for the bar.

Please keep those stories coming because it is YOUR stories of characters, identities and events that add the human factor to our history.

The “bounty” for every story we publish in the Gresford News is now $50 – a definite incentive to send your story in to the Gresford District Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 96 East Gresford.

For the remainder of Gerald’s stay, the only down side of this whole occasion was that, every time I said ‘Hi’ to Gerald, all I got back in reply was “Beep Beep”.

I’m sure, when Gerald returned home to the little village of Graffham, in West Sussex, England (about the same size as Gresford), and went to the local pub, the Foresters Arms, where he and I had downed many a pint in the few years I lived there, he would have gained a lot of mileage out of telling the tale of Beep Beep, and all the rest of the mad antipodeans that he met here at the Beatty.

Bob with volunteers (L-R) Denise Jordan & Janet Lambert - Maitland Mercury 16th Oct 1997

involved him being “on all fours” and alternately, “snarling, barking and lifting his leg”. “The biro” spotted this from across the street and went over to see what was going on. Knowing Beep well enough to know that he was harmless, he thought that his status, (as the arm of Many other Gresford locals also have law) demanded he do something. “The fond memories of Beep and I was biro” thought it best to humour Beep so, recently told the following story featuring Beep and Greg Billingham - the after admiring the performance for a while, he reached out and gave Beep a Gresford policeman at the time. Some locals had previously experienced Greg’s sympathetic pat with the encouraging words, “good boy, - now sit”. It is efficiency in writing infringement reported that Beep apparently took notices and he had acquired the exception to this interruption and nickname - “the biro”. This story has it that Beep had gathered an audience for a remaining completely “in character” promptly bit “the long arm of the law“. performance outside his house which

Note, our next meeting is our AGM on Monday, 12th Aug at 10:30 am.

This meeting will be held at “Yamba Woota”,1800 Paterson Rd. Lostock.

At the Beatty recently: Paul ‘Burky’ Burk, Andrew ‘Charlie’ Smith and Dennis ‘Jenko’ Jenkins, enjoying a Guinness or 3 in the public bar.

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PATERSON ALLYN GARDEN GROUP day, it will be a brave person taking these wedding photographs.

August. New guest are always welcome so please feel free to come along and enjoy The Paterson Allyn Garden Group get to some incredible gardens and more Don’t forget the Plant Fair at Kariong just see some wonderful properties and the importantly enjoy the warmth and off the Gosford exit on the F3. It is to be Oliver’s was no exception, having our friendship of our members. If you want to meeting in David’s gallery was a real bonus, held on the 28-29 September 9am to 4pm know more contact Sue on 0418 116 021 his photography is amazing. Thank you to there will be up to 30 specialist selling rare, unusual and collectable plants Spring is coming, lots of work to do, Cathy and David for sharing this with us. happy gardening.

In November David and Cathy’s daughter Jane Richens handed out a flyer about will be getting married on their beautiful Noel Jupp’s event being held at the property at Torryburn. They were seeking James Theatre Dungog on the 21st September which I’m sure will interest a advice from PAGG members on how to enhance their garden for this special day. lot of us, if you would like more info Some of the short term solutions were to and didn’t receive a flyer go to www. dungogcommunitycollege.org.au buy numerous plants in pots and bury these in the garden to ensure they have There was a great article and photos of plenty of colour on the day. They can be Jane Hick’s garden at Paterson in the taken up after the event and replanted Hunter Life Style magazine last month, throughout the garden. When organising there is a copy of the article in the PAGG an event at home you need to plan a library if you would like to have a look. long way in advance, planting, pruning Another of our great gardens belonging to and fertilising takes so long to take effect Louise and Noel Brown appeared recently you need plenty of time to achieve the in the House and Garden magazine, both of best results. these gardeners are worthy recipients of acknowledgement for all of their hard We were all wondering who will be taking work. Congratulations to both ladies. the wedding photos on the day. David is a renowned wedding photographer and as Next month’s meeting will be very special, father of the bride he will be enlisting the held at Heritage Plants Nursery just past PAGG at the Oliver’s garden services of another photographer for the the golf course at Paterson on the 20th

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A Day to Celebrate Hudson Pioneers research have already turned up some interesting and surprising stories about Robert. We understand Margaret was born in Germany but like many of the women who raised a large family of children and worked so hard to manage the household her early story is unclear.

Members of the Hudson family will meet at Gresford next month to dedicate a plaque to mark the burial site of their ancestors at St Anne’s. Robert and Margaret Hudson are buried in the church cemetery but there has never been a memorial to record their names.

Robert Hudson died in March 1879. His widow Margaret was left with a family of nine children.

They ranged in age from eighteen to three. George William was the oldest followed by Robert, Anthony, John, Thomas, James, Margaret (married Robert Short) and twins Henry and Samuel.

There was little money to raise the children and certainly none that could be spent on a headstone for Robert. However Margaret planted a tree near the entrance of the church to mark his burial site.

Margaret passed away in 1920 aged 82.

She was also buried at St Anne’s but again there was no headstone placed to mark her grave.

Recently members of the Gresford Historical Society have encouraged family members to recognize these early pioneers

All members of their family settled on land in the surrounding district of Gresford and Dungog. Their many descendants are now scattered but it is interesting to note that there The old Elm tree at the entrance to St Anne’s Church are Hudsons continuing to live on some of these original properties. of the district by creating a suitable It will be great to hear and share family memorial at the Church cemetery. stories when we meet at Gresford.

The Elm tree planted by Margaret to Descendants of Robert and Margaret are the East of the gates is now large and invited to attend the dedication of the impressive. It is planned to place a plaque at 11am on 25th August at St plaque in the vicinity of this tree.

Anne’s Church followed by lunch at the Wording on the plaque will also record the death of their first born daughter six parish Hall Church St Gresford. year old Elizabeth who tragically died in For more information on the day please a paddock fire in 1866. contact Alma Middlebrook or her daughter, Helen Stacey on 6577 5610, An important activity will also be to collect and share as much family history Graham Hudson 4930 5347 or John Wilson 0400 461 416. as possible. Improvements in internet

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Gresford Community Group – July meeting Gresford community markets Judy reported on a successful market – 30 stalls booked, 24 took part, 22 of which booked also for July, with a total of 30 expected. Five more interested in August and another 8-10 in September. The theme is Christmas in July. No Santa, RFS attending as well as GAPS carollers. Girls’ soccer planned for the day. Martin advised the DA was approved and noted the sign design was in hand. He referred to a letter from Delma Lawrence concerning the hall steps. Resolved to modify the steps by August/September markets. Martin expressed his sincere appreciation to Judy for her help and enthusiasm.

TD Hall Discussion deferred. Peter spoke of the scale of current rentals and it was timely to review the issue; issue to be discussed further at the August meeting.

Skateboard shade cloth Martin said he had spoken to three firms about the sale of the steel.

Community health services Stephen spoke about the interest of HNEH in running suicide prevention training courses in Gresford, and seeking the community group’s support. Resolved to give whatever help possible.

Soup community proposal No support available from parties concerned.

Other reports Martin reported the hall had been re-valued at $136,000. Insurance to be adjusted accordingly.

Rodeo Committee Application for funding from the last rodeo and camp draft rejected.

Riverbank maintenance Lyn Monger quoted for the regular maintenance of the riverbank. Start date subject to completion of clean-up by Peter Lawrence.

August SERVICE TIMES Sunday Mornings 4 11 18 25

St Anne’s, Gresford 7.30 9.30 8.30 St John’s, Vacy 9 St Paul’s, Paterson 9.30 9.30 Anglican Parish of Gresford Paterson St Mary’s, Allynbrook 10.30 Glendonbrook Road St John’s, Lostock 11.30 Gresford NSW 2311 St James’, Martin’s Ck 8 Telephone (02) 4938 9313 gresfordparish@bigpond.com

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Gresford Vacy Football Club Inc NEW PLAYING SHIRTS Gresford Vacy has recently canvassed for shirt sponsorship and has now taken delivery of their new playing strip. Once again we are very pleased to report on the generosity of the local business community in supporting the associated advertising on the shirts.

In no particular order the shirt sponsors are:GRS MOVING Rutherford, WILLIAMS FAMILY ROSES Vacy, PATERSON FRIENDLY GROCER, PATERSON VALLEY BUTCHERY, DUSODIE HOLIDAY FARM Dusodie via Dungog, PATERSON COUNTRY CAFÉ, VACY GENERAL STORE, TILLY’S PLAY & DEVELOPMENT CENTRES, FOODWORKS GRESFORD, GRAEME FERGUSON (SURVEYOR) Vacy, PATERSON SERVICE STATION & RIVERVIEW CAFÉ, STEWART EVERETT MITSUBISHI Gresford, BEATTY HOTEL GRESFORD, BETTER POOL & IRRIGATION SUPPLIES East Maitland, ON-CALL LIFTING Rutherford, FARMERS HOTEL VACY, WORKIN’ DOG PLUMBING, RICHARD ROWLES ELECTRICAL 0407 449755, PATERSON FERN NURSERY “Duninald” Paterson, GRESFORD SPORT BOWLS & RECREATION CLUB, RAMS HOME LOANS East Maitland Thanks everybody-we really do appreciate your support!

NEW GOAL POSTS - Installed at VACY Great to see that Vacy finally has a marked out field and full size goals. This is of immense benefit to the competition teams that train there and for use by Vacy school.

Many thanks to Cyril Redhouse (President), Damien Crouch (Sec.) and Ben Mulhearn (U6’s/AAM) for their efforts in acquiring and erecting the posts. Cyril and Ben worked till

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9pm, under lights, to get the posts in. Again we thank Buyers Bros for their donation of the funds to buy the posts. Players will enjoy the benefit for many years to come.

TRAINING WALLS Some time ago the club was asked by the Shire to submit a “wish list” of improvements that we would like to see “in the future” at the Gresford and Vacy playing fields. Just “dreaming’” we added a concrete training wall to the Gresford Sporting Complex Plan of Management wish list. Sometimes when you dream, and tell others, things come true. Many Lower Hunter clubs have these concrete training structures that enable players to practise kicking either as an individual or with partners. And they can be used any day of the week and for other sports as well!

A very generous donation of four pre-cast concrete slab-walls has been made by Hunter Readymixed Concrete. They have also donated the engineering specs to mount the walls. The four slabs will allow the erection of walls at both Vacy and Gresford. The slabs are highly suited for use as a soccer wall but do require galvanised steel I-beams to act as supports. The costs associated with delivering, standing and supporting the walls are considerable and are still to be met. The quote for the steel and galvanising is around $2,700 and the cost of transport and cranes is still to be determined as the slabs weigh many tons. As this is seen by the club as an opportunity “too good to miss” we will endeavour to find the funds in Government Grants or donations but it will be unlikely to happen before next season.

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St Helen’s Catholic Parish Gresford WEEKEND MASS TIMES St Helen’s Gresford Saturday Vigil 6.30pm Local contact 4992 1477 Chisholm Region Office Contact 4933 8918 July 2013 crossword answers

Gresford News August Crossword