Gresford News April 2024

TheG resford News

Gresford Show 2024

The show kicked off with an exceptionally successful Art Show opening night on the Thursday night which coincided with the announcement of Imogen Robertson as the Gresford Show Young Woman for 2024.

... story and pics on page 11 &13

Imogen Robertson – 2024 Gresford Show Young Woman

Newcastle Sheds and More is an accredited Ranbuild dealership.

The Newcastle Sheds and More team will assist with the entire building process including site inspection, council approval, concrete slab and building your desired product.

Supplying premium quality steel

• sheds

• garages

• carports

• farm sheds

• horse shelters and stables

• industrial and commercial buildings.

www.nsam.com.au

Phone: (02) 4954 7822

Email: enquiries@nsam.com.au

Address: Unit 3/68 Munibung Road, Cardiff NSW 2285

Opening hours: 8.00am – 4.30pm Monday – Thursday

Gresford News Notices

COMMUNITY DINNER

Fri 5 April 6pm, BBQ @ Arboretum

The Gresford Community Dinners have become so popular we are having the next one outside!

More than 40 people attended the last event, at the Hotel Beatty (thanks for accommodating us all Bernie!).

We will meet and greet, wine and dine next time in the gardens of the Arboretum on the last Friday of daylight savings, 5th April. BYO picnic and chairs and take advantage of the complimentary gas BBQ facilities. Hope to see lots of new faces there at 6pm!

Gresford Community Group meets on the first monday of the month. The April meeting will be at the Hotel Beatty, 6.30pm

Fungi Foray talk & walk – April

Talk Sat 6 3pm Doug Walters

Pavilion Dungog & Walk Sun 7 9am Upper Allyn

Led by fungi researcher Pam O’Sullivan Visit www.pawsciencehub.com for details. Sunday walk info: Martin Fallding info@calli.com.au or 6571 1208.

Multi-species pastures field day

Sat 13 April, Vacy

Supported by the 4 Valleys Program. See ad page 4.

Contact David Deane from Hunter Local Land Services on 0411 108 961.

ANZAC Day

Thurs 25 April

Gresford: ANZAC Day March, 10.30am from Gresford Garage & Rural to the Gresford Cenotaph for the Commemoration Service. Following, RSL Sub Branch members & friends will retire to the Gresford Bowling Club. See page 15 for details & other locations.

VACY SPORTSGROUND 355 COMMITTEE AGM

Thurs 9 May, 7.30pm, Vacy School of Arts

All interested community members are welcome to attend. Two members of the current committee will be stepping after serving for 5 years. If you are interested in joining this committee or you have an item to discuss, email the secretary Robyn Dunford at balyana52@gmail.com prior to the meeting for the agenda.

Gresford News CLASSIFIEDS for Sale

40’ Shipping Container

A1 condition, no rust, fitted with 2 rotary ventilators and includes 4 bays of 2.4 metre HD steel racking. Located at 12 Park St. East Gresford, buyer to remove. Offers in writing with offer price and contact details to: Gresford Historical Soc. PO Box 96 East Gresford 2311. Offers will be received until 15 April, 2024.

advertise in the greSforD neWS ClaSSifieDS

Classified Ad Rates are: Standard line listing $2.75 a line or $11 for 5 lines

Gresford News online link

Gresford News is available online at www.issuu.com/gresford-news.

Email us to recieve a monthly reminder: gresfordnews@iinet.net.au

Multi-Species Pasture Field Day

VACY

Join us for an in-paddock field day on all things multi-species pastures.

Topics for discussion and demonstration w ill be about multispecies covers:

• Comparing sowing methods including Soilkee and tiller planting

• Seed mixes

• Using biological amendments and stimulants

This field day provides a great opportunity for local farmers to share their own experiences with multi-species sowing.

Please arrive at 9am for morning tea with a light lunch to follow the conclusion of the event at 12.30pm.

When:

Saturday 13 April 2024, 9am – 12.30pm

Where: Vacy, NSW (address provided upon registration)

Register: Scan the QR code of click the link https://regionalnsw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3gbrcJ5Y9nf6Ars

C o n t a c t d e t a i l s : Col Freeman, col.freeman@lls.nsw.gov.au or 0428 043 427 o david.deane@lls.nsw.gov.au or 0411 108 961

A better place than when I found it

Drought in 2019 was the initial driver for Peter Dreyer to attend a two-day Holistic Management workshop and change the system of management on his 76 hectares at Mount Rivers.

Peter told his story to local producers at a field day in December, with a presentation in the shed of photos and his meticulously kept figures and a walk through his paddocks.

With a change from a set stocking to a regenerative agriculture approach with rotational grazing using electric fencing, each of the small grazing areas is grazed for no more than one day and receives around 60 days of rest for recovery.

The farm comprises alluvial flats, low slopes and 35 hectares of hill country.

Peter says “When I was set stocking all of the 76 hectares was used. Now I am running the same 60 head on 41 hectares. If I want to go away for a couple of weeks I can put them up there”.

Peter is aiming to develop soils that will absorb rainfall and hold moisture, and sees the keys to this as keeping a diversity of pasture species green and growing, and managing his stock so that the grasses are

not over-grazed and can regenerate.

At the same time, Peter has taken significant cost out of the business not using fertiliser or herbicides nor making silage. He has reduced the amount of diesel for sowing and has done negligible irrigation since early 2020 when the drought broke.

Perennial multi-species are sown using a $110 hand seed spreader in the area where the cattle will be that day and they trample it in. So Peter gets some regular exercise and a chance to observe his pastures and cattle up close.

Peter says he sees himself as a custodian of the land. He wants to use the best

principles, the best knowledge and the best information that’s available to improve the land and leave it in a better place than when he found it.

“I am working on protecting the banks of the creek, getting more vegetation, attracting more birds and planting lots of trees”. So far 350 trees have been planted which will increase habitat and biodiversity and ultimately generate more shade for stock.

If you have an interest in using multispecies pastures the next field day supported by the 4 Valleys Program is being held near Vacy on 13th April. Please contact David Deane from Hunter Local Land Services on 0411 108 961 for details.

In the shed: photos and figures from Peter Dreyer’s farm

Lounges

Antique Restoration French Polishing

Canvas Annexes

Horse Rug Repairs

For all your upholstery needs

ring Richard on 4938 9324

Pick up and delivery PETER

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Peter Evans is descended from a farming family located in the Gresford area prior to 1840 We are keen to assist you with all your legal needs.

We can help you with:

Conveyancing, Family Law, Business Law, Criminal Law, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate and more …

Call us on 02 4926 4788 www.evanslaw.com.au

Level 3/97 Scott Street, Newcastle NSW 2300 reception@evanslaw.com.au

Beatty Ceiling Donations Pennants at the Bowlo

Congratulations Beatty patrons, you have raised $2360 for the Mark Hughes foundation throughout 2023.

On Australia Day the main ceiling was cleared and research into stroke and brain injury at John Hunter hospital was announced as the 2024 charity.

Hotel Beatty has very kindly agreed to increase the 2023 donation to $3000 to bring it in line with the total raised in 2022 for DIPG at the Mater Hospital Waratah.

If you are interested in "throwing a fiver" for charity, come in and ask one of our staff members to show you how to donate to the ceiling for a great cause.

Well the Pennant season is underway and both our sides, the 5’s and the 7’s, are languishing towards the bottom of their respective tables. Suffice to say our opposition has had to play some excellent bowls to take the upper hand and congratulations to them.

Both sides have one win and two losses. The 5’s were about one third the way through their game against Paxton and had to come back the following Sunday to complete. A good win against East Cessnock on the Saturday was not followed up on Sunday. The 7’s had to play a full game on Sunday and also went down.

We enjoy a three week break through the NSW champs and Easter for an opportunity to charge the batteries, pump the tyres, rethink strategies and maybe improve the skillset a bit.

Down but not out and a come from behind section win (perhaps) for either or both sides will be very satisfying.

Go Shamrocks! Go Gresford!

Peter Dreyer

Daryl 'Lavo' Laverick of the Hotel Beatty removing the 2023 donations from the Beatty Hotel bar ceiling.

CULTURE VULTURE ART NEWS

Greetings Gresford readers.

Gresford Community Gallery –update news, the renovations to the gallery are underway. The Gallery committee have set a grand opening date: Saturday 6th July, 2–4pm. Therese Doyle Hall, 12 Park St East Gresford. Mark it on your calendar.

The Gallery will open with a splendid exhibition of local and Hunter Valley art and craft, featuring painting, drawing, sculptures, ceramics, photography, jewellery and textiles. There will be music entertainment and refreshments.

Application Call Out – Gresford Community Gallery and Shop applicants may live locally or in the Hunter Valley. If you would like to exhibit or have work in our Gallery and Shop. If you are an artist or crafts person making quality: painting, drawing, glass, jewellery, textiles, photography or ceramics we’d love to hear from you! Please send an email to gallerygresfordcommunity@ gmail.com with a brief outline of your artistic practice with links to your

website and/or Facebook/Instagram OR 3-5 images of your work with a brief outline of your creative practice.

Robyn Werkhoven

The Gallery now has a Facebook page which will give regular news updates of the Gallery’s progress and sneak previews of what's to come! Please Like and follow our page. www.facebook.com/

GresfordCommunityGallery

Sneak preview of one of the artists to feature their work in Gresford Community Gallery. Artist Janet Steele has her home and studio in Paterson. Janet will be exhibiting in the new Gresford Community Gallery.

Janet Steele is well known for her exquisite textiles and embroidery.

Steele says “My work is usually inspired by the power of Mother Nature, the resilience of women or the freedom gained from education”. While living in the United Kingdom Janet attended the Royal School of Embroidery based at Hampton Palace, London. Steele regularly exhibits in Newcastle galleries and has received awards for her work, selected as a Finalist for Australian Textile Art Award, 2020.

Contact art news: Robyn Werkhoven

Email: werkhovenr@bigpond.com

Are you in need of an Electrician?

Maybe you need some Excavation work done,

Janet Steele's fungi artworks

SOLD, March 11, 2024

$2.84 Million

‘Breckin Park’, 1443 Gresford Rd, Vacy 221 acres, 13 dams, farmhouse, shedding.

See details www.domain.com.au/2018808026

SOLD, March 22nd, 2024

$2.95 Million

‘Oakley’, 370 Torryburn Rd, Torryburn 137 acres, luxury 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom residence, shedding, 8 dams.

See details www.domain.com.au/2018699712

BUYERS head out into the country during Autumn and Winter each year.

List now to sell quickly. It’s an exciting time in the rural market right now. Properties are looking great and buyers are back!

Phone Pamela 0427207542

E: pamela@pmcountryestates.com.au

The 2024 Gresford Show was held on the 8th and 9th of March, and we were again blessed with the sun shining and a wonderful crowd to enjoy another wonderfully successful show. Entries across all sections were once again very strong, demonstrating the wonderful produce, art & craft, cookery, livestock, and horse competition that we can demonstrate from across the district.

The show kicked off with an exceptionally successful Art Show opening night on Thursday night, which coincided with the announcement of Imogen Robertson as the Gresford Show Young Woman for 2024. The latest Gresford Mural Project was unveiled, and congratulations go to all the people who put in the work to produce this wonderful piece of artwork. The opening night allowed guests to enjoy canapes and drinks on arrival,

2024 Gresford Show

Above: 6-Bar Showjumping winner – Tara Sheridan

Below: Ryan Ward in Jump and Drive

while admiring and sometimes marvelling at the quality of artwork, craft, and children’s work on display in the pavilions.

Friday morning saw action in the centre ring with campdrafting, stock horse classes and once again a very large contingent of competitors in the Local horse and rider classes. School Cattle Judging was again very popular, and the junior Paraders competition was held in the main ring on Friday.

Saturday morning saw more horse classes in the main ring, plus a very hotly contested Heavy Horse and Light Harness section going on in the bottom arena. The commercial cattle section demonstrated local cattle of a very high quality, making the judges decision difficult at times! Strong entries for the Stud Cattle show on Saturday again displayed some Royal quality animals.

her

2024 Gresford Show continued

Pony Club Musical ride, junior and senior 6-bar showjumping, Mini-bull riding, motorbike racing, post-split finals and the ever-popular Calcutta teams post-split. Gresford Show has a committee that is leading the way into the future with enthusiasm and innovation, and we want to send a huge thank you to all GDAS Committee members, local community groups and all volunteers for all the hardwork and time you put into putting on this wonderful event. Gresford Show 2024 was one of our biggest events to date, and we

some of our prize-winning entries from the Horse and Cattle sections, as well as our Local Gresford Fire Brigade volunteers in their vehicles. For the official opening on Saturday, we welcomed Mr Graham Chevalley to do the honours of opening the show. Graham and his family have been long time supporters of Gresford Show, and the Committee decided he is an exceptional example of a community representative to officially open the Show.

Supreme Champion Stud Beef Cattle Exhibit

Young Women in Grand Parade

 

 

Good Friday No Takeaway’s

Friday 29th March – Open 12.00

Daniel Arvidson 4 pm

Saturday 30th March – Open 9.00

Easter Egg Hunt 2.00-5.00 DJ Nathan

Friday 3rd May – Ritchie 7.30

Friday 14 June – Glen Harrison 7.30

Friday 4 October – Reggie Sinclair

Sunday 3 November - Calcutta Auction

Sunday 10 November – 4 pm Kids disco 6.30 Toy Raffle

Friday 6 December – Reggie Sinclair

Friday 20th December – Glen Harrison

Every

Week at the Bowlo!!

Wednesday Night

HAPPY HOUR WEDNESDAY 4.30 - 6.00

Friday Night Gift Voucher Raffles

Members Draw

Sunday Night- Gift Vouchers Raffles

Members Draw

Members Draw - if not

goes up $25.00 a night, must

Gresford Vacy Football Club

Microprose is back on board as Gresford Vacy Football Club’s major sponsor for the 2024 season. It is Microprose’s third season with the Scorps and their red logo will feature prominently on all playing jerseys, polos and club training balls and match balls. The commitment of sponsors like Microprose – as well as platinum sponsors Brimble (seniors) and Doyle Ag & Fabrication (juniors) and a long list of other loyal sponsors – have allowed the club to offer some of the cheapest player fees in the region. And that means more members of our community coming together for fun, friendship and a healthy lifestyle.

Pre-season events are also in full swing, including a Schools Gala Day hosted by the club for 200 students from Paterson, Vacy and Gresford Public Schools. The full day of action saw youngsters from Year 1 to Year 6 taking to the field for some friendly rivalry. For some students it was their first taste of soccer, and for others it was the perfect warm-up for what is promising to be a fantastic season.

The committee has been working behind the scenes and now has all junior and senior teams sorted, uniforms ordered, new club merchandise and a spectacular looking ground.

The first games of the season are scheduled for April 26 and 27 and will include a full Friday night/Saturday round.

ANZAC DAY 2024 – An invitation to the Community to Commemorate ANZAC Day

The Gresford RSL Sub Branch will this year conduct a Dawn Service at Paterson and a Commemoration Service at Gresford. We invite all residents to participate in the March and Service, providing an opportunity to remember their family members and friends who have served their country in all theatres of operation and paying homage to those who did not return.

The Paterson Rotary Club will again assist in preparation of the Paterson Cenotaph for the Dawn Service and will provide assistance on the day as they have done for many years. The Gresford ANZAC Day March and Commemoration Service has always been very well supported by the Gresford Community Group, the Rural Fire Brigade, and the local Police. The 234th Army Cadet Unit and Royal Australian Air Force Williamtown will provide a Catafalque Party for the Dawn Service and Gresford Commemoration ceremonies respectively.

The Dawn Service will commence with the Dawn Service March from Stockers & Partridge Garage, Paterson at 5.30am proceeding to the Paterson Cenotaph for the Dawn Service. Following the service, Veterans and all attendees are invited to the Paterson Tavern for a traditional mince on toast breakfast (Gold Coin donation). In 2023 the Dawn Service was very well attended by the general community and Paterson School with record numbers. Relatives of departed Veterans are encouraged to march wearing the Veterans medals on the right breast.

The Gresford ANZAC Day March will commence at Gresford Garage & Rural at 10.30am proceeding down Durham Road and Park Street to the Gresford Cenotaph for the Commemoration Service. The 2024 ANZAC Day Service will again be supported by the local schools and the wider communities of Gresford, Paterson, Vacy and Martins Creek. Relatives of departed Veterans are encouraged to march wearing the Veterans medals on the right breast. Following the Gresford ANZAC Day service, RSL Sub Branch members and those wishing to attend, will retire to the Gresford Bowling Club.

If anyone requires any further information or assistance please contact the Sub Branch Secretary, Glenn Wall on 0428 389 462.

The Paterson Allyn Garden Group

The first PAGG get together for 2024, was held at the beautiful & historic Dunmore House at Woodville and we are happy to say there was a great turn out with many new members attending, swelling our membership to over 80.

After Liz gave her welcome speech, including the news that it was Chocolate & Caramel day in the US, National Let’s Laugh day and International Read To Me day, which segued nicely into Lisa’s update on the Dungog Literacy Program. It was agreed that the proceeds from Shirley’s raffle, won by Jillian Neilson, should go to this very worthy cause.

The owners of Dunmore House, Mitty and Paris were very obliging in giving an insight into, not only some of the early history of the property, circa 1820-30, but also their

involvement in its refurbishment. They obviously had a passion for the project & the results of their efforts are remarkable with the buildings providing a window into early colonial life.

It wouldn’t be a garden group meeting without some gardening information and advice with Penny advising that she learned by experience that lillies can be poisonous to cattle, so be careful where you dispose of them and Jenny telling us that daffodils and jonquils are poisonous for dogs. Our host, Mitty also had some

0428 746

experience with a load of horse stable mulch and that it should not be used directly on your garden as it can remove nutrients & change the pH levels to the detriment of your plants.

All in all, it was an excellent start to our year, with everyone enjoying getting together again, especially in such an amazing location. Our sincere thanks to Mitty and Paris for sharing their wonderful property.

Details of our future meetings are listed on the PAGG website – pagardengroup.org

Dungog

ChiropraCtiC

CliniC

I treat most musculoskeletal complaints including back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines and limb pain and pins and needles.

HiCaps and eftpos facility is available so patients can claim direct from their healthfund and just pay the gap.

Located at Dungog Community Hospital on Hospital Road in Dungog phone no: 4992 3766

Shane Moss B.Sc. M.Chiro.

Paterson Historic Walk 2024

This year’s Paterson Historic Walk will be held on Sun 7 April 1pm starting from Paterson Courthouse Museum. It will be hosted by Dr Cameron Archer AM, President of Paterson Historical Society.

The walk will take visitors around the centre of the village and describe the origins of European settlement. Buildings date from the 1830s when the core of the village was surveyed and created as an official settlement adjacent to the river to service a wharf. Paterson was the head of navigation on the Paterson River operating as a vibrant river port until river transport was displaced by rail in 1911.

The area is bountiful and would have supported a considerable population of Aboriginal people. ‘We know that the Aboriginal name for the river was Yimmang and that Tocal is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning large or plenty’ Dr Archer said. It's important to acknowledge that the colonisation of the Paterson Valley and the formation of Paterson township came at the cost of displacing Aboriginal people who had lived on and with these lands for thousands of years. The arrival of Europeans had a massive impact on Aboriginal people.

Cameron Archer brings these buildings to life and takes you back in time with fascinating stories of people and happenings in and around the village.

Cost $10/adult, children free – includes walk, museum entry & afternoon tea. Bookings not required. The walk starts at the museum at 1pm arrive 10 mins beforehand. A hat, walking shoes and water bottle are recommended. Reasonable mobility is required.

General Plumbing & Drainage

Gas Plumbing

Drain Cleaning

New houses, renovations & extensions

Transpiration areas – upgrades & new 3 t & 5.5 t

with augers & rock breaker

Bobcat

6 t &

NO

SERVICING

MAITLAND

What's On the Shelves? by Glenda

Smith Mockingjay

– Suzanne Collins

This is the final novel of The Hunger Games trilogy, which has been a publishing phenomenon, particularly appealing to young adult readers, who are likely to identify with Katniss Everdeen, the heroine. For readers unacquainted with the trilogy, the first novel (The Hunger Games) sets up the premise – each of the districts in the fictional country Panem must sacrifice two of their children for a fight to the death for public entertainment. The gladiatorial contest has become very sophisticated, and can be interfered with and controlled by the Capitol to make it more ‘interesting’. In the second novel (Catching Fire) it becomes clear that Katniss’ success in surviving and keeping her co-tribute Peeta alive has both enraged the Capitol and led to outbreaks of rebellion within the districts of the repressive regime. When Katniss learns that her home district has been destroyed in retaliation, she joins the rebels. Mockingjay resolves the issues raised in the first two novels, and shows the toll that war takes on all sides. Katniss stands apart from cynical politicians and Machiavellian fighters but pays a heavy toll in personal loss and doubt. These are stimulating dystopian novels of great intricacy.

All books reviewed are from the CWA library on a separate shelf in the library so they are easy to find plus the reviews are in a folder. Also have a look in the street library.

Anglican Parish of Gresford Paterson

Fr. Peter’s men’s breakfast will be held on Saturday 13th April in the Church Hall at St. Paul’s Paterson commencing at 8am. All men are invited to come along and bring a friend to enjoy breakfast and each other’s company.

Remember the Dawn Service on Anzac Day, 25th April at Paterson and also the Gresford march and Service at 10.30am starting from the Garage.

Service times for the month of April are as follows:

7th, 14th, 21st, 28th –8.30am St. Paul’s Paterson and 10.30am at St. Anne’s Gresford.

Stay safe and look after each other, especially as the days are becoming cooler.

Blessings Beverley

Gresford

Congregational Church 30 Durham Rd Gresford

Services Each Sunday 10.30am ALL WELCOME

Catholic Parish of Gresford

Mass at St. Helen's, East Gresford

Saturday – 5:30 pm (except 2nd Sat. of month)

Thursday – 9.30am

Mass at Sacred Heart, Summer Hill

Sunday – 11:30 am (2nd Sunday of month)

All enquiries to Fr. Andrew Doohan, Parish Priest, on 4992 1477 or dungog.parish@mn.catholic.org.au

Gresford News April Crossword

Crossword kindly provided by Russel Jessop.

April 2024 crossword answers