September 2024
TheG resford News
A number of Gresford defashion enthusiasts were at the recent intergenerational ‘Defashion Dungog’ event as artist/makers or models while others were spotted in the audience. Over 30 artists & makers created more than 60 items for the night – in the fashion parade and displays. Wearables came from Dungog shire and as far away as Mullumbimby, Murrarundi, Brisbane and Newcastle. This story features some of the Gresford creatives. After the parade local youth band ‘Metanoia’ played 3 of their original songs & 3 covers followed by an after party. See story inside...
L to R: Aiden wears Robyn Werkhoven's 'Sun Goddess' dress, Tess Hartigan wears Teigha Bevan's 'Octopus' dress, Teigha Bevan wears Misha Moon/Bevan's denim & cyanotype ensemble. Photos: Gus O’Brien Cavanough & Brian Doherty
Community building
A can do council who listens
Improving local government operations
Lobbying government for road funding and reclassification as Sate roads
Responsible growth A council open for business
FRED PATON WARD C
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Authorised by F. Paton, 1739 Dungog Road, Wallarobba NSW 2420.
Vacy & Surrounds Crop Swap
Gresford Crop Swap
1st Sunday of the month, 10am
Gresford Community Park
Vacy Crop Swap
3rd Sunday of the month, 10am
Alongside Vacy General Store
Follow us on Facebook – Vacy and Surrounds Crop Swap Initiative of Stacie Palframan What to swap: garden produce, seeds cuttings & plants • preserves • honey • baked goods • eggs • starter cultures & ferments • cooking & gardening books/ magazines • empty jars, egg cartons • flowers • gardening tools • manures, mulch & worm tea
Vacy Country Carnival
Sunday 8 September
Don't miss the Jack Russell & Dachshund races & so much more...
Gresford Community Dinner
The Gresford District Community
Gresford News Notices
Group is delighted to welcome a new business, Zaab Thai, to our neighborhood. Pieter and Nim are thrilled to host the next Community Dinner featuring a special pre-ordered dine-in menu on Friday September 20th
Please note that there are only 30 places available. To secure your spot, kindly RSVP by contacting us at gresfordcommunitygroup2311@ outlook.com or 0411 409 526. We look forward to sharing a wonderful evening with you!.
Gresford Community Gallery
Grand opening
Saturday 28 September 2–4pm Therese Doyle Hall 12 Park St East Gresford
Gresford Community Market
Saturday 12 October Gresford Community Park 12 Park St, East Gresford
Gresford School of Arts AGM and Committee meeting
7pm Tuesday 8th October 2024
Venue: Gresford School of Arts main hall
The Gresford School of Arts Management Committee (a Sect 355 committee of Council) are all community volunteers endeavoring to ensure our wonderful facility remains available for our community. All welcome and encouraged to attend.
Gresford Rodeo & Campdraft
Sadly this year's rodeo was cancelled due to the weather
Dungog Chronicle to be Web Only
Print editions will stop at the end of August but the Chronicle will continue as a web only publication.
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
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Bowls News...
The Shire Bowls Open Singles Champion has been crowned. May we congratulate Tommy Everett of the Gresford Bowling Club for this achievement.
Tommy defeated Graeme Smith, the many times Gresford champion, 21 – 12 in the final. We welcome Tommy back to the club after a brief stint elsewhere. He will certainly be a great asset to our top team.
Meanwhile the other competitions, both Shire and Club, continue to be rolled out. Weather has been a challenge with many matches being rescheduled.
Thanks to Craig Lawrence for his efforts juggling rosters and keeping everyone informed. Also, it is a challenge for a small club to maintain a natural grass green. It requires constant attention and at Gresford this is done entirely by the members. Our green is in pretty good nick and playing very nicely indeed considering all the rain and the lack of growth through the winter.
Kudos to Bev Crouch and Cliff Dunford for their work in this regard. Thanks guys.
Bowl On! Peter Dreyer
Funding To Improve Flood Resilience
Motorists and community members travelling to, from and around the Dungog Shire will soon benefit from safer journeys with close to $9 million committed to support improved floodresilient infrastructure.
Dungog Shire Council will receive funding as part of the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package which is jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
As part of the funding, a new 76-metre concrete bridge will be built across the Paterson River at Gresford. Work will also be carried out on 21 river crossings targeting rural, mostly low-level causeways and small bridges across the region.
The package also funds pavement strengthening on Hooke and Lord Streets which will improve resilience and reduce ongoing maintenance costs for council.
Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces said “We’re changing the way we traditionally address disasters, by focusing on prevention, mitigation, adaptation and resilience by making planning decisions that improve
community resilience over the long term. Today’s announcement is proof of this new focus with the funding package to strengthen local infrastructure for the Dungog community.”
“This is a wonderful outcome for the people of the Dungog Shire and, in particular, the people of Gresford who have had to contend with access issues for years, Dungog Shire Council Mayor, John Connors, said.
“The improved river crossings and causeways across the shire will ensure access is returned more rapidly after heavy rainfall events. A new bridge over the Paterson River at Gresford will allow for all-weather access for the community and better economic opportunities for rural producers to use larger vehicles, with reliance on the natural river crossing a thing of the past.
“We have been advocating for this funding for almost two years on behalf of the community, who deserve roads and infrastructure that can withstand the challenging environment. We’re very grateful to the Australian and NSW Governments for providing this funding so we can deliver these vital projects.”
WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND PROVEN ABILITY TO LEAD THE SHIRE. JOHN CONNORS
GRESFORD SPORTING COMPLEX UPGRADES
NEW SAXBYS BRIDGE
ALLYN RIVER ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
for Mayor of Dungog Shire Council
NEW BRIDGE TO BE BUILT OVER PATERSON RIVER NEW BRUXNER BRIDGE
SUMMERHILL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
BINGLEBURRA ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Authorised by John Connors 797 Sugarloaf Road, Dungog 2420
DURHAM ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
COMMITTED TO SECURING FUTURE FUNDING FOR GRESFORD
Community Market Magic
Gresford Community Market has been a part of the wonderful history of Gresford and we are back! The monthly market, held 9am- 1pm on the second Saturday of the month commencing October 12, 2024, aims to support the local economy, the community and the environment by providing a market place where we meet our neighbours, have some fun and buy local, from our amazing artisans, growers and makers.
Locally we have stallholders including native teas from Brad and Kathryn
Hopson, preserves from our veteran stallholders Jill and Terry Copeland, gorgeous art and signage from Rustic Touches our metal artists Jeff and Nicky White.
Become a stallholder. If you make it or bake it, grow it or sew it contact us at gresfordcommunitymarket@outlook.com and become a valued stallholder for a very reasonable price.
Please contact us via email if you would like to sponsor a local stallholder, with a
one off donation to assist with their initial set up and have them display a poster of your business. We can make the arrangements for that.
Volunteer in a very small or a larger way and be part of the enthusiastic friendly team making this happen for your local town. Follow us on Facebook @ Gresford Community Market
A Gresford Community Group initiative. You can contact us at: gresfordcommunitymarket@outlook.com
COMING UP
12 + 26 September Pool Comp
Sun 15 Sept, 1–5pm Unit 20 Band Sun 6 Oct, 1–5pm T.N.R. Band Guinness on Tap
D4H Dozer
VOTE 1 KAREN DRINAN
DUNGOG MAYOR AND WARD B COUNCILLOR
Who am I? I’ve lived in Clarence Town for 5 years with my husband Chris and our large blended family of 5 children. I grew up in the Hunter before attending University and then joining the Australian Federal Police (AFP) where I worked for 13 years in various roles. During this time I also deployed to Timor Leste (formerly East Timor) as a Peacekeeper.
When my children were young I moved to a more family friendly role with NSW Government before starting my own childcare company with the aim of providing child care for shift working parents. I have now been running that company for 11 years and I employ over 35 people in various roles.
For the last 20 or so years I have also held various temporary electoral roles (NSWEC and AEC) including as Returning Officer. In these roles I was responsible for recruiting and employing up to 500 people, training and managing staff, managing resources and budgets and ensuring the elections ran smoothly and legally.
Last year I realised I missed serving the community and helping others so I joined the Clarence Town Rural Fire Service and I’m now a qualified volunteer Fire Fighter and trainee Community First Responder (volunteer Ambulance). I have also recently joined Disaster Relief Australia and am deployment ready should I be required to respond to a domestic disaster.
Why am I running for Council? I was disappointed when our Mayor ran unopposed at the last election and vowed to myself that would not happen again. I have always had an interest in politics from an early age and I believe that I am at a point in my life now that I have the time; busine ss knowledge and personal life experience to contribute. I’ve built my company with an amazing team to a point that now allows me to step back and pursue things that I am passionate about – volunteering with the RFS and DRA; volunteering in Timor Leste; becoming more involved in my local community and local council area; and hopefully serve that community as part of our local council.
What am I passionate about?
- Sharing this beautiful area with the rest of the world by encouraging tourism, business, events and industry to our area
- Fight for essential services for our communities ; better roads and infrastructure; and affordable housing
- Support our youth through engagement, education, employment, sporting and community involvement; support and recognise our community volunteer s.
- Explore how we can better support and engage the vulnerable members of our community –such as our older population, those with physical or mental health issue and young people
- Support and encourage existing and future local businesses
- Cutting unnecessary costs and waste and balancing environmental considerations with community needs
Why should you vote for me? I understand the importance of team work, consultation, people skills and honesty and these are attributes I practice in all aspects of my life. I have vast experience in managing people, budgets and resources through my various professional roles and pers onally through raising a large family. I’m the first to admit if I make a mistake or if I don’t know something. I realise I can’t be an expert on everything so I’m open to learning new things, researching or studying and asking for assistance from experts. I’m also a very determined, driven and passionate person who will bring fresh ideas, an open mind and a strong voice and who is not easily intimidated nor afraid to fight for what our community deserves. I know change takes tim e, all our issues can’t be solved overnight, though if want change we need new faces, new ideas and new energy.
Facebook – Karen Drinan For Dungog Mayor and Ward B Councillor Insta – karen_drinan_for_dungog_mayor
Paterson Allyn Garden Group
After the disappointing weather for the past few meetings, it was a pleasure to finally have a beautiful day for the extremely healthy turn up of members & guests to enjoy, at last.
We were very fortunate to be hosted by Graham Creed (ex-ABC weatherman) & his partner Bridget, at their property at Nooroo, near Stroud, where they have converted 119 ‘hilly’ acres of grazing land into a very productive Protea & Garlic growing venture with the fruits of their labours marketed through Co-Op groups & growers’ markets in Stroud & Dungog.
In addition, they have thriving native gardens scattered around the property to foster the local wildlife. It is obvious that Graham has a passion for his work & is a font of knowledge on all the plants & animals that share the property. Graham & Bridget are also very environmentally aware & are committed to Bio Diversity Conservation & intend to return a majority of their property to the natural forest.
You can learn more about Graham & Bridget’s journey in Graham’s book – ‘The Weatherman Goes Bush’. Available at all good book stores or your local library.
On the gardening front, there was some interesting discussion about the Monolepta or Red Shouldered Beetle that is having devastating effects in some local gardens. Apparently, the best method of controlling these pests is to spray them with Pyrethrum but, it is best to attack them early in the morning before they are too active.
It must be said that the quality & variety of items brought along for morning tea this month has raised the bar & might
be difficult to beat. So there is a good challenge for future meetings. Visitors & friends are always more than welcome. Check out the PAGG website for news, upcoming events & garden visits.
IT’S TIME FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
AS MAYOR I WILL:
Bring a fresh, proven collaborative leadership style
Work to attract investment into the Shire.
Continue to work on funding for our infrastructure backlog and build on our current progress. 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
Focus on efficiency, effectiveness and a CAN DO attitude for Dungog Council
Build on our successes and champion the enormous potential of Dungog Shire
Encourage working together through collaboration and community building
Create community stakeholder reference groups.
These will enable rate payers and community members to be actively involved in shaping our future.
They will provide invaluable advice and opinions which will underpin councils decision making process.
Greetings to our readers.
Update on your Gresford Community Gallery – the gallery is gearing up for the exciting opening exhibition. Everyone is welcome! Mark on your calendarGrand opening date: SATURDAY 28th
SEPTEMBER 2 – 4pm. Venue: Therese Doyle Hall, next to the lovely botanical garden & visitors’ park, 12 Park St East Gresford. The Gallery will open with a stunning exhibition of quality Hunter Valley art and craft, featuring painting, drawing, sculptures, ceramics, photography, jewellery, fibre art, stained glass work and video.
OPENING EXHIBITION ARTISTS:
ALICE ROPATA • DANIELLE MCMANUS • BARBARA NANSHE • RENE BRAGER • NATHAN KEOGH • JUDY HENRY • CHRISTINE PIKE • ERIC & ROBYN WERKHOVEN • SUZANNAH JONES • GISELLE PENN • DAWN THOMPSON • MISHA MOON • JANET STEELE • FIONA WRIGHT • REBECCA MUSCAT • JANE RICHENS • MARGOT DUGAN • MICHAEL GARTH • JOSEPH TURRIN • SANDRA LEE BROWN • JUSTIN THORNTON • DEBRA LINCOLN • SUE STEWART • MARIAN DAY • DAVID OLIVER • GILLIAN WADDELL • HELEN TOLHURST • NEWCASTLE PRINTMAKERS
CULTURE VULTURE
Official Opening by Kim Blunt (Head Curator Maitland Regional Art Gallery) Aboriginal Elder – acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land. There will be musical entertainment featuring two fantastic duos – The De Factos with performers John O’Brien and Donna Cavanough, and Watts Wise with Phil Watts and Lisa Wiseman and tasty refreshments.
The Gallery has a Facebook page which will give regular news / updates of the Gallery’s forthcoming exhibitions and features on the artists. Please Like and follow our page. Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61555506220944
Contact with art news or enquiries about Gresford Community Gallery: Robyn Werkhoven – werkhovenr@hotmail.com
Dungog Shire Council
Nominations for Australia Day 2025 Awards
COST OF LIVING ASSISTANCE
The NSW Government has programs to assist with cost of living expenses.
Book a free appointment with a Savings Finder specialist call 13 77 88 or visit your local Service Centre.
Check the Service NSW Savings Finder: www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/savings-finder For the latest fuel prices go to Fuel Check: www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app
GRESFORD DISTRICT LANDCARE GROUP
August Landcare Meeting at Jenny Creals Riverbank property at Glen William
The Creals bought their cattle property 25 years ago, with a beautiful 500m riverfront to the Williams River.
Our meeting focussed on riverbank management and it was great to walk and talk about the issues of management as every riparian zone is different.
The bank is quite steep, fenced off from stock , and well grassed with Weeping Grass which Jenny said holds well when inundated. The lower bank is lined with Bottlebrush , Callistemon viminalis, of varying ages, some planted and some occurring naturally. These hold the bank and survive flooding well.
They are fortunate to have no Giant Reed or Green Cestrum. Lantana and Privet are the main problems.
They planted natives on the riverbank particularly where it was scouring out on the bend during flooding events.
Limiting cattle access to the riverbank to roughly a day a month when moving cattle helps to keep the riverbank tidy.
We enjoyed a beautiful walk along the riverbank which was well vegetated
with a variety of native species including Lomandra, Callistemon viminalis, Casuarina cunninghamiana, Sandpaper Figs, Waterhousia floribunda and Whalebone to name just a few. The side creek flowing into the river was well vegetated with
Melaleuca linariifolia, Melaleuca stypheloides, Snake Vine, Pandorea, Eucalyptus amplifolia and Cheese Trees. Jenny uses weed and bush offcuts to increase debris and snags in the creek to help reduce flow rate and minimise erosion.
DO YOU WORK FROM HOME AND WANTING TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR INCOME OR PAY FOR THOSE HOLIDAYS YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO?
GAIN SOME EXTRA INCOME AND STILL HAVE 3 MONTHS OFF A YEAR?
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Linq Buslines is looking for bus drivers to join our Gresford Team.
As a Linq Buslines member you will be operating our vehicles to transport passengers including school children on specified routes including school and charter services with the highest of safety and service.
Minimum MR licence, NSW Driver Authority and Working with Children Clearance (or the ability to obtain).
We are looking for people who have:
• Good communication skills
• Good driving history
• Good customer services and dealing with people
• Happy to work a flexible roster including broken shifts
For further information or to apply please contact us on 0249 389 394 or email info@linqbuslines.com.au
Defashion Dungog
‘Defashion Dungog’ was this year’s Paterson Allyn Williams Science & Ideas Hub’s event for National Science Week. It was the night of nights for sustainable wearables in Dungog. The night had incredible creative energy and the audience of around 140 loved the intergenerational mix – all ages (from 8yo to 90yo) expressing their creativity on the catwalk; the exuberant youth band and dancing of all ages at the after party including a break dancing circle.
Local artist Jane Richens created the event with collaboration from young creative Freya Rubeli. They were MCs on the night telling the sustainability story of each wearable on the catwalk. Jane wore
five outfits on the night doing a costume change for each of the four themes: landscape, colour, materiality & kooky. Pictured is her materiality outfit: Agriculture / industrial couture – shade cloth vest with fridge mat detailing. Her skirt is fashioned from safety barrier and fastening with a D-clamp and dog clip. Spats over her shoes were punch needle aerial landscapes (like micro carpets).
Well known artist Robyn Werkhoven created a 'Sun Goddess Dress', necklace & hat. The dresses’ skirt (front cover) is made from a banner Robyn painted many years ago of the Greek sun goddesses Theia, reflecting the Sun rays, she is powerful, passionate and fiery. The sun gives life and joy to our planet. The dress was accompanied by a neckpiece made of found objects & recycled brooches from textile artist Margot Dugan and a painted hat. Eric Werkhoven contributed a short poem which was read on the night.
Gresford artist Misha Moon/Bevan is well known for her textile works. She created a mini dress and handbag ensemble (front cover) incorporating reclaimed jeans that have been dyed and printed on using a cyanotype photographic process which uses the sun to expose Jane
THE RURAL SPECIALIST
SELLING ALL TYPES OF COUNTRY PROPERTIES
Richens wears ag couture
Defashion enthusiasts starting to gather around the catwalk
photographic images onto the fabric. The images she used to adorn the fabric included images of clouds, local trees that are important to her as well as a self portrait and an image that she designed around a semicolon representing suicide and mental health awareness. All these images in conjunction with the blue of the denim and cyanotype and the patchwork have significance in relation to her experience of mental health and how nature and her environment helps her to live in this world.
Young Gresford creative Teigha Bevan's Octopus painted dress (front cover) was an up-cycled opshop dress transforming it into a work of art with a vibrant orange, red and pink painted octopus with tenticals sewn on the bottom. She said, "All of this effort is to demonstrate
the uselessness of overconsumption with clothing, using an old already worn dress and giving it a whole new life shows that we can turn any item of clothing we don’t like into one we do with a little bit of creativity and time."
Ollie Felton-Taylor wore a medieval inspired chain mail vest from tie-wire that he worked on every evening for about 5 years. It became a ritual when his father read aloud.
The Felton-Taylor family contributed a number of clever 'materiality' themed outfits. Hugo certainly created an 'Impact' in his large outfit. James' vest was made from an agricultural feed bag and Annabel's skirt was their signature timber 'box pleats'.
To see more creative outfits visit www.pawsciencehub.com or defashion_dungog on Instagram for more wearable stories.
Hugo Felton-Taylor made an Impact
Ollie Felton-Taylor in chain mail
James Felton-Taylor with Poultry feed vest & Annabel Kater in her 'box pleats'
The mighty Scorpions are on the brink of Gresford Vacy Football Club’s most successful season ever. An incredible five teams have qualified for the grand finals on September 6 and 7 and a sixth team is still a chance to grab its place in the ultimate round of the season.
The regular rounds of the season came to an end on August 18. That marked the close of a very soggy season for all of the club’s Miniroos teams as well as Interdistrict and Senior teams that did not finish in the top half of the ladder.
For the six teams that qualified for the finals, however, it was time to fight for glory.
Go The Scorps!
Last weekend’s semi-finals saw the club's four minor premier teams grab impressive wins to advance straight to the grand finals on September 6 and 7.
Friday A-grade (sponsored by Peter's Real Estate) started their campaign with a blistering 3-1 win over Maitland, the
Sunday 1st September – Father’s Day FREE RAFFLE
Friday 4 October – Reggie Sinclair
Sunday 3 November - Calcutta Auction
Tuesday 6th November – Melbourne Cup
Sunday 10 November – 4 pm Kids disco 6.30 Toy Raffle
Friday 6 December – Reggie Sinclair From 8pm
Friday 20th December –
$1500 Prawn & Oyster Raffle
Glen Harrison From 8pm
Every Week at the Bowlo!!
Wednesday Night
HAPPY HOUR
WEDNESDAY 4.30 - 6.00
Gift Voucher Raffle
Yellow Barrel Draw
Friday Night Gift Voucher Raffles
Members Draw
Sunday Night- Gift Vouchers Raffles
Members Draw
Members Draw - if not won goes up $25.00 a night, must be here to WIN!
Like us on Facebook
“Support your Club, It’s your club” Best In our town,
Cullen Williams restarts play in the U12/02 semi-final.
Evie Crouch put in a strong performance for the 12/02s.
Summer Alexander leads the way for the 12/02s.
U13s player Bentley Young in action.
Under 12/02s (InFront Electrics) had a decisive 3-0 victory against Raymond Terrace, our Under 13/01s (Merchant Excavation & Electrical) fought hard to secure a 2-1 win over Raymond Terrace
and the Sat AA/01s (Doyle Ag & Fabrication) advanced after a tough 1-0 clash with Charlestown.
The club’s Over-35s (Stone Mountain Farms) finished the regular comp in second place but upset minor premier Maitland in the semi-final to secure a grand final berth. The scores were locked 1-1 at full-time and 2-2 after extra time before the Scorpions edged ahead 4-3 in the penalty shootout.
The club’s second-placed Under 12/01s (Paterson Tavern) couldn’t match minor premier Southern Lakes in the semi-final but the team is still alive. If the young Scorps can overcome Fletcher in the preliminary final this Saturday (August 31) they will book their spot in the grand final.
Keep an eye on the Scorps Facebook page for regular updates and photos. 2The club will celebrate the success of all teams with presentation events on September 14. The junior presentation will be at Gresford Sporting Complex and the seniors will come together at Paterson Tavern that evening.
Tom Cowie was very happy with the result of the U13s semi-final.
Will Nicholson hammered the opposition goal for the U13s.
Lachlan Doyle helped lead the Saturday All-Age team to semi-final victory.
Saturday All-Age player Tully Dunn sends the ball upfield for the Scorps.
Craft Days Our inaugural Craft Day in July was a cheerful beginning, with attendees bringing projects to work on and an open and friendly attitude. The activities included carding wool, knitting, crochet and quilt-making. The mornings will take place on the fourth Friday of each month until the end of the year, and will continue into 2025 if they prove popular. The dates at this stage are 23rd August; 27th September; 25th October and 22nd November from 9 to midday, at a cost of $3 for CWA members and $5 for non-members. Morning tea is provided.
CWA NEWS
the hall is open during meetings; craft days; or French and book club gatherings. There is also a Street Library out the front.
Garden Plans Our branch has received a voucher for 25 plants from Dungog Council under their National Tree Day initiative. We will be collecting these from Riverdene Nursery before the end of September, and plan to have a working bee and tree planting soon after.
Book Club – meetings are on the second Saturday of the month at the CWA Hall, starting at 3 pm. Elinore Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is the book for discussion in September. The main character Elinore is a quirky survivor of a difficult past. New members are always welcome, but should let Glenda Smith know in advance in case there are changes. (4938 9456 or 0400 108079)
CWA Library We have a well-stocked library that members of the community are welcome to borrow from whenever
French Conversation – takes place on the first and third Mondays of the month from 10 –11:30 am. Naturally, we have been dealing with the Paris Olympics recently. Please ring Glenda Smith (numbers above) if you are interested.
Farewell Marcia Francis, who died recently, was everybody’s friend –anyone who knew her appreciated her kind nature. She was a valued and energetic member of the branch for 30 years, and was always happy to share her skills in fibrecraft and lipreading. She took on the roles of Treasurer and Agricultural and Environment Officer, and was very involved in catering activities. Condolences to her many friends and family.
What's On the Shelves?
by Glenda Smith
The Glass House
– Anne Buist & Graeme Simsion
Buist is a psychiatrist and writer, and her husband Simsion is best known for his Rosie trilogy, which was a publishing sensation, selling over five million copies in forty languages. They have combined their areas of expertise to chart the journey of a young doctor, Hannah Wright, who is hoping to become an intern in psychiatry.
Hannah’s path is made bumpy by a Professor who she perceives as having a personal grievance against her and a past haunted by a family tragedy. The structure consists of a series of mental health cases which begin to overlap as the book progresses, but each case is given sound treatment in the sense of both narrative and strategies to deal with it. They cover a range of common problems such as anorexia and post-partum depression, and delve into methods of treatment.
While these cases provide the ‘chapters’ of the novel, the spine is the experiences of Hannah as she navigates the system and deals with her own family background and relationships with her colleagues. The novel lacks the narrative sparkle of the Rosie books, but the content has depth and value. Above all, it provides insight into a system that is of great importance in society.
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.
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.
Australia Day 2025
Nominations for the 2025 Australia Day Awards are now open. Council is inviting the community to nominate individuals, organisations, and teams in the following award categories:
· Citizen of the Year
· Young Citizen of the Year
· Environmental Citizen of the Year
· Senior Sports Award (18+)
· Junior Sports Award (under 18 years of age)
· Volunteer (as an individual) Service to the Community Nominations may be made by individuals or organisations, and should focus on achievements in the 2024 year.
Nomination forms are available from Council’s website at https:// www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/News-Articles/2025-Australia-Day-Awards or Administration Centre, Dungog Library, Paterson Country Café, Gresford General Store & Crossroads Café, Foodworks East Gresford, and Vacy General Store Café & Gifts.
Applications close 4.00pm Friday, 18 October 2024.
It would be appreciated if you could consider nominating someone in your circle of friends and family. Many people volunteer in our community and remain unsung heroes unless they are nominated by their peers.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact Gina Radford on 4995 7731 or email ginar@ dungog.nsw.gov.au.
Kind regards Gina Radford
Executive Assistant,Dungog Shire Council
Dungog Shire Council News
ELECTION CANDIDATES
Nominations have now closed for the elections and we have the list of candidates for each ward in Shire as well as for the position of Mayor. Each ward as well as Mayor’s position will be contested this year as there are multiple candidates. For full list of candidates go to https://elections.nsw.gov.au/elections/ local-government-elections/2024-nswlocal-government-elections#accordionwho-are-the-candidates
REFLECTION ON THIS TERM OF COUNCIL
Mayor Connors put forward a Mayoral Minute highlighting the achievements made over the past three years of the current Council, given it is their final meeting prior to the NSW Local Government elections.
Mayor Connors said the advocacy program implemented by the Council had resulted in approximately $120 Million in grant funding being received by the Commonwealth and State governments during the term of the Council. He noted that the Dungog Shire is now well-and-truly on the government’s radar and has a deeper
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understanding of the challenges Council face in having an unsustainable level of own-sourced revenue of 33%.
He also noted there is substantial funding committed in the current financial year of $69 Million, with similar budgets forecast until 2026/27, when there is currently a steep decline in forecast revenue. Mayor Connors noted the importance ongoing advocacy would play in Dungog Shire Council’s sustainability, or the need for a restructure of local governments in Australia to keep council’s like Dungog viable.
Mayor Connors also highlighted that the current Council had laid the foundations for economic prosperity for the shire, through the development of an Economic Development Plan, a Cultural Plan, Open Space & Recreation Plan, and the Hooke Street Master Plan - all delivered during this term of council. He also noted the Clarence Town Structure Plan and Flood Study, the Rural Land Strategy are underway, which will enable a long-overdue review of the Environmental Plan.
Other achievements noted include:
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A new Dungog Library
New sporting complexes at Clarence Town and East Gresford
A major upgrade at Bennet Park in Dungog
A long-awaited footpath along Queen Street from the school to the pool in Clarence Town with an additional path from the sporting centre to the town centre about to commence
Electric Vehicle parking stations to boost the visitor economy
In excess of 24km of new sealed roads across the shire
The replacement of 23 timber bridges to allow for safe passage during weather events and increased accessibility for emergency and transportation/freight vehicles
A new bridge for Clarence Town and river crossing at Gresford
Mayor Connors closed by thanking the Councillors for their commitment to the shire and their support during the term of Council, the council staff for their hard work in delivering the services and infrastructure the community relies on, and the Deputy Mayor Cr Steve Low for his support and willingness to always be available when needed. Finally, the Mayor thanked the community for their support and the opportunity to be the Dungog Shire Mayor for the past four and a half years.
DELIVERY PROGRAM 2022-2026 - 6 MONTHLY UPDATE
Council endorsed a report on progress for the Council’s Delivery Program 20222026 (as amended) and for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2024.
The report acknowledged the Mayor and Councillors for their decisions made on behalf of the community and also for the strategic achievements made during the current term of Council.
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Council continued to be impacted by vacancies, significant delays and interruptions to Council’s works and services during the period. However, inroads have been made in appointing new staff to long-standing vacancies. Additionally, there has been some improvement in Council’s ability to source materials and contractors and cost increases have been tempered somewhat, which has been reflected in recent tenders considered by the Council.
Fr. Peter’s Men’s breakfast on 10th August was well attended. Good food & company. The next breakfast is on Sat 12th Oct at 8am in St. Paul’s Hall. Everyone most welcome. Bible study/chat/coffee continues each Thurs at the Vacy Cafe commencing at 9.30am. Everyone is most welcome to come along and listen and engage with others in these discussions.
The Parish is holding a cake/book/vegetable stall at St.John’s, Vacy on Sun 8th Sept, 8am. Enjoy the Vacy Carnival, whilst eating some goodies purchased from the Ladies stall. Advance notice : Thurs 3rd Oct a Morning High Tea for ‘Goals for Ghana’.at the Vacy School of Arts, 10.30am. Bookings essential for catering to Heather Williams 0447 388 099. The Guest speaker is Paul O’Keefe, chairman of the Goals for Ghana Project. If anyone needs help in these difficult times, please contact Rev. Mary on 0418 611 778 or Beverley on 4938 5223. Service dates for September services are: 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th –8.30am St. Paul’s Paterson and 10.30am at St. Anne’s Gresford. Stay safe, look after each other. 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 September Crossword
Crossword kindly provided by Russel Jessop.
Septemebr 2024 crossword answers
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