Regional Extra 080323

By CORAL COOKSLEY

WITH a love of country music, it was a dream come true for young musician Jack Gregory from Staghorn Flat when he took part in this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival.

The youngster started strumming a guitar and taking lessons at just five years old after his Mum bought him one and just three years later, Jack started busking; he’s been making his mark on the regional country music scene ever since.

Last year, Jack won first place in the primary school age category in two of the Australian National Busking Championships’ regional competitions held in Kilmore and Rutherglen.

Winning the regionals took the young songwriter, guitarist, and singer to Cooma for the grand final busking championships where he scored third place.

With his family’s support, Jack’s busking takes him all over the countryside and includes the Man from Snowy River Festival in Corryong where he competes in the fun Ozzie Bush Idol talent quest as well as performing on the street.

The 12 year old, who turns 13 this month, said his biggest inspiration for playing had been his late much-loved ‘Pop’ and Corryong local legend, Greg Wilson, who enjoyed watching him perform.

“Pop was a big influence on me, he told me I was an awesome young legend and to keep going,” Jack said.

“Pop etched his signature on my guitar before he passed away 15 months ago and each time I played on or off stage in Tamworth, I looked at his signature and kept singing, and I do the same for anywhere else I play too.”

With busking dollars he had saved over the last few years to head to the famous music festival held between January 13 to 22, Jack had a crack at making it into the top 10 buskers in the McDonald’s Golden Gig talent quest for under 17-year-olds.

He also performed on stage at the festival’s annual breakfast show and busked in Tamworth’s Peel Street.

■ Continued page 6

on the rise

◆ EMERGING ARTIST: Young country singer, songwriter and guitarist Jack Gregory at his home in Staghorn Flat. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

ONE ISHING h OB

TOOL TALK with DEAN

What does my cat’s body language mean?

A CAT’S body language can be subtle so it’s not always easy to accurately read how they’re feeling.

To understand your cat’s psychology, look at his/her eyes, tail, mouth and posture.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s behaviour, speak to your veterinarian first.

A happy cat is likely to show some of the following body language:

• Standing with a relaxed body posture, ears in a natural position, tail held upright with the tip of the tail curved, eyes a normal shape, a closed mouth;

• Lying down, with the belly exposed, relaxed body posture, body stretched out, ears in a natural position, eyes may be partly closed, a closed mouth;

• Sitting, with a relaxed body posture, tail held out loosely from body, ears in a natural position, eyes a normal shape, a closed mouth.

A worried cat is likely to show some of the following body language:

• A crouched position, tense muscles, body held tightly, tail tucked tightly into body, ears slightly swivelled

with RSPCA Knowledgebase

sideways, head slightly lowered and tucked into body, dilated pupils, mild tension showing in their face; Hiding.

An angry/very unhappy cat is likely to show some of the following body language:

• Lying down, body flattened, ears

flattened to the head, dilated pupils, tail held tightly into body, tense body, limbs held tight and close to body;

• Lying down, body flattened, ears

flattened to the head and drawn back, body slightly rolled over to one side, dilated pupils, mouth open and tense, teeth showing;

• Standing, back arched, body held sideways, hair raised, tense posture, front paw slightly lifted off the ground, ears lowered and pointing out to the side, mouth open and tense, teeth showing, tense tail.

This information is adapted from an article by RSPCA in the UK.

WANGARATTA RSPCA has many lovable creatures waiting for the perfect family to take them home. If you want to add a furry friend to your home, call (03) 5722 2874 or visit the shelter at 1 Connell Street Wangaratta. Wangaratta RSPCA’s animal adoption source code is BR100934.

MISS ELLY: Elly is beautiful big girl, is dog friendly and would be suited to living with a dog that is similar to her in breed and placid temperament. Elly is not a very playful girl; she craves lots of cuddles and one on one time. She may be suited to a home with children. Elly would love her new home to have a secure outdoor space. Elly’s microchip number is 991003001351999. PHOTO:

Banksia Robur – the swamp banksia

THIS past spring and early summer have been wetter than usual.

In our garden, a 30-somethingyear-old Banksia robur struggled through the millennial drought.

This year it has responded to the rainfall bonanza with a great spurt of new growth and flower buds.

It is resplendent with red silky soft serrated rosettes of new leaves.

These contrast with the large, stiff leaves of the mature foliage.

B. robur occurs naturally in swamps along the coast and nearby plateaus of New South Wales and Queensland.

It adapts well to our local conditions. It will thrive in a great variety of soils, and, provided it receives full sun and some supplementary water in dry periods, it is a great feature plant.

It is long-lived, eventually reaching a height of about two and a half

metres, with a similar spread.

The lime-green flower buds begin to form in late summer.

They may be borne terminally or along older growth, as well as on the lignotuber (as photographed above).

Pale lemon flowers develop slowly and bloom during the cooler months.

These darken on ageing and eventually become hard woody cones enclosed within a fuzz of chocolate brown.

They may be retained for many years, adding to the overall attractiveness of this easy-to-manage shrub.

B. robur is quite fast-growing. Young plants may need some protection from frost for the first winter.

To retain a tighter shape, prune after flowering.

Propagation from seed is worthwhile.

The seed is encased in closed

capsules on the cone.

These will not open until they have been burnt or subjected to heat.

An easy method is to place the whole cone in a heatproof container in an oven at 120 to 140 degrees centigrade for about an hour.

The follicles will open, and the seeds can be removed with tweezers.

Each follicle usually bears two black winged seeds, together with a strong woody structure called a separator which should be discarded.

Plant the seed in seed-raising mix, cover lightly and kept moist but not wet. Germination will occur in about five weeks.

Seedlings can be pricked out at the two-leaf stage and grown on until mature enough for planting out.

Plants are also readily available commercially.

with Helen van Riet AUSTRALIAN PLANTS SOCIETY (VIC)

◆ New bronze growth and maturing buds on a lignotuber.

PHOTOS: Helen Van Riet

RSPCA

WINE TALK

Sam Miranda King Valley 2021 Tempranillo

WHEN it comes to choosing a wine to take somewhere and share with friends it‘s a good idea to take an easy drinking style.

It‘s a little like comfort food – something that‘s nicely balanced and which pretty much everyone can enjoy which won‘t be overwhelming or jar the palate.

While it‘s good to be challenged from time to time with something a little strident and divisive – like an avant–garde movie audience members either love or don‘t understand – easy drinking usually means it‘s going to be relatable, food friendly and go down a treat.

So Sam Miranda‘s Tempranillo was chosen to come along with a plate of cured meats and cheeses.

It‘s a lovely example of the variety, with a deep, purple red colour and aromas of spicy cherry fruit.

It‘s earthy and dry; with flavours smacking of plum fruit, leather and tobacco which linger for quite a while after you‘ve tasted.

It was delicious with the salumi, particularly with a really chewy pork and fennel salami served on a thin slice of crusty

baguette – as well as some well–aged cheddar which crumbled as it was cut.

Rather than being simple, it‘s an accomplished and satisfying wine which held its own – and didn‘t go unnoticed around the table as everyone helped themselves to the plates of food on offer.

It also won kudos for the person who brought it along.

Easy does it.

COST: About $30 a bottle.

This Day in History, 1934

ON March 8, 1934, the round the world cyclist, Leonard Farwalker, a native of the United States, arrived in Wangaratta, via Europe, Africa, Moscow, Siberia and China.

Farwalker’s cycle drew almost as much attention as the adventurous cyclist himself.

Hanging from his bike was, wait for it, a CB radio, with which he used to call up anyone who could receive him.

The power for his radio came from a generator driven by the rear tyre.

His call sign was G-6B-A.

Anh’s imagination still flowing

ANH Do continues to be one of the most prolific producers of Australian children’s books, with a host of series still making their way into libraries, homes and hearts across the country and internationally.

After penning his 2010 memoir, ‘The Happiest Refugee’, Anh followed up with a children’s picture book version, ‘The Little Refugee’ in 2011, and through that heartfelt story, found an eager young audience. His series creation began in 2013 with WeirDo - the 20th incarnation of which is due for release next month - and has rolled on with ‘Hot Dog’ (13 books), ‘Ninja Kid’ (10 books), ‘Wolf Girl’ (eight books), ‘Sky Dragon’ (six books), ‘Pow Pow Pig’ (four books), ‘Smarty Pup’ (second book coming this year), ‘Rise of the Mythix’ (five books), ‘The Champ’ (two books) and ‘E Boy’ (three books).

Throw in picture books ‘What Do They Do With All the Poo From All the Animals at the Zoo?’, and ‘There’s a Big Green Frog in the Toilet’, and it highlights the author’s wide-ranging imagination.

This week we have a book pack to give away from publisher Allen & Unwin, which includes six of Anh Do’s titles, ‘Wave Breaker (Sky Dragon 5)’, ‘Friends Fur-ever (Smarty Pup 1)’, ‘Rock’n’Roll (The Champ 2), ‘Welcome to Paradise (Wolf Girl 8)’, ‘Loch Ness Adventure (Pow Pow Pig 4)’, and ‘Rescue Flight (Sky Dragon 6)’.

The ‘Sky Dragon’ series, illustrated by James Hart, follows lead character Amber and her insects as she learns to control her strange powers, in thrilling adventures with old friends and new villains.

‘Smarty Pup’ is a full-colour adventure series illustrated by Anton Emdin which focuses on Lily, who is surprised and thrilled to discover that her new pup JJ can talk and is super smart.

‘The Champ’, illustrated by Dave Atze, is about Summer, who was always picked last for sports teams until the day her life changed forever. Now she has the skills of the greatest sports stars who ever lived, and is The Champ.

‘Wolf Girl’, another wildly exciting adventure series illustrated by Lachlan Creagh, is one of Anh’s most popular franchises. It centres on Gwen, who is separated from her family and left to fend for herself in the wilderness, then discovers talents she didn’t know she possessed.

Then there’s ‘Pow Pow Pig’, illustrated by Peter Cheong, about a group of animals (The Z Team) led by Piccolo the Pig, known as Pow Pow and his mates Cha Cha Chicken, Kung Fu Duck and Barry the Goat who live in the year 2050 and have a time machine with which they’re out to save the world. In this instalment, another Anh Do character, Ninja Kid, turns up to help.

* If you would like to win this pack of six Anh Do books, email skerwin@nemedia. com.au and tell us why you’d love to own them.

* From Allen & Unwin - ‘Wave Breaker (Sky Dragon 5)’, ‘Friends Fur-ever (Smarty Pup 1)’, ‘Rock’n’Roll (The Champ 2), ‘Welcome to Paradise (Wolf Girl 8)’, ‘Loch Ness Adventure (Pow Pow Pig 4)’, and ‘Rescue Flight (Sky Dragon 6)’, RRP $15.99 each.

◆ WIN: Enter to win a pack of six books from the prolific Anh Do.

with Simone Kerwin NORTH EAST MEDIA

with Anita McPherson

Jack is a star on the rise

■ From page 1

Thrilled to be an invited guest on stage at entertainer Pete Denahy’s breakfast show held at the West Tamworth Leagues Club, Jack had the chance to showcase his talent to an audience of more than 300 festival music lovers.

The young entertainer has written two songs recently, one called ‘Big Fish’ about memories he and his grandfather fondly shared, which he released on a CD in time to take to Tamworth, and another called ‘Fishing from Heaven’ which will be released soon.

While at the festival, Jack rubbed shoulders with some of the best country artists in the nation, including young gun James Johnston who claimed his first Golden Guitar award as well as picking up two gongs for New Talent of the Year and Vocal Collaboration of the Year.

“I had a photo taken with James and had been to his show, and he is an inspiration,” the rising star said.

Another inspiration had been listening to country music identity outback icon Lee Kernaghan OAM, who has 40 number one hit songs over his amazing career as well as 38 Golden Guitar awards.

Others had been two-time Golden Guitar winner

and Tamworth local country artist Aleyce Simmonds as well as the North East’s The Surreal McCoys.

“Meeting and seeing artists perform gives me more passion to keep going and I look up to these musicians,” Jack said.

“Step by step, I’m making my dream come true to be a well-known country singer continuing to write my songs, and I’m chu ed in getting my name out there.”

With a strong supportive country music industry, Jack found country artists came up to him while busking in Tamworth’s Peel Street for a chat, and he also had the chance to meet many festivalgoers where he signed autographs, photos and even hats.

“It was fun, and I learned a lot of things up in Tamworth where I also attended the Golden Guitar awards red carpet event and had a chance to go backstage before the award presentations which was pretty amazing,” Jack said.

“I was also interviewed and play a song on the local radio station while up there.”

Jack loves supporting well-known musicians during their gigs and the opportunities have rolled out for him over the last 12 months.

Jack joined ARIA and eight time Tamworth Golden Guitar winner Fanny Lumsden in her country halls tour at the Wymah Country Hall and Melbourne-based musician and international performer Joel Havea (who grew up in Yackandandah) during his Kergunyah and Rutherglen shows.

“Musician and entertainer Pete Denahy from Yackandandah has taken me under his wing too with lots of encouragement which is a great,” Jack said.

With stories behind country music, the young storyteller says he enjoys old time country music of icons like Slim Dusty and Johnny Cash, as well as a little bluegrass and folk.

Well on his way to becoming a well-known country singer, the emerging young artist says he successfully balances weekly guitar lessons, guitar practice every night, busking competitions and gigs around school commitments.

Jack is playing on the youth stage in Main Street at the Yackandandah Folk Festival from 11.45am until 12.15pm on Saturday, March 25.

You can also find him on Facebook by searching Jack Gregory - Music.

◆ CHUFFED: Young musician Jack Gregory busked at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival. PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

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Tools for Life program

G’DAY, it’s Dean here today.

When you’re starting out as an apprentice, you need tough tools you can rely on and that’s where Kincrome’s Tools for Life Apprentice Program comes in.

Young Jack was just in the store and had lots of questions about the program, here’s our conversation:

JACK: Are there many options and specials for the kind of tool set I can have with the Tools for Life offer?

DEAN: We have 25 different tool kits which all come with bonus products via online redemption.

JACK: How do I claim my bonus items?

DEAN: An online redemption form needs to be completed and you need to provide a copy of your tax receipt or invoice from your tool supplier for ‘proof of purchase’. You will also need to include a copy of identification of your TAFE/MTA college enrolments letter/form, ID card or letter from your institution or employer stating your name, ID number, start date and confirmation that you are a current apprentice.

JACK: What range do the tool kits come from?

DEAN: Evolution, Contour, Contour black and Offroad which means you can choose from workshop, chest, deep workshop, wide, super wide, extra wide trolley and field service tool kits. Some of them even come in a range of colours.

JACK: If I am not an apprentice can I still purchase a ‘Tools for Life’ tool kit?

DEAN: Yes, but you cannot claim the bonus items.

JACK: Can my employer buy the tool kit for me and I redeem the bonus items?

DEAN: Yes. As long as you are an apprentice and fill in the online form with all relevant fields to qualify for it.

JACK: How does the Kincrome Payment Plan program work?

DEAN: The Kincrome Payment Plan program is provided by Morris Finance. For more information please visit the payment plan page on the Kincrome website.

So there you have it.

If you need help choosing a kit to suit your needs, phone or call in and see us at North East Fasteners and until next time, “be the sharpest tool in the shed and make sure you’re using the right equipment for every job.” - Dean

For more information on the Tools for Life Apprenticeship program, scan the QR code below (YouTube video) or visit https://www.kincrome. com.au/tfl

Weather is cooling off but fishing is still hot

AS the weather begins to cool a little bit, the fishing remains hot around the North East region.

Here is a breakdown of where the fish are biting.

Murray cod:

The Ovens River has been fishing very well recently with most people catching fish on both bait and lures.

There has also been some very good lure fishing in both the Broken River and the Kiewa River.

Yellowbelly:

Anglers fishing with bait have been catching quite a few yellowbelly in the Ovens River. The majority have been small, however a few larger fish have been turning up.

Live shrimp and worms have been the best bait.

A few larger yellowbelly have been caught on lures, often as a by–catch while Murray cod fishing.

Yellowbelly fishing in Lake Nillahcootie has remained quite consistent all summer with bait being the most popular technique.

Redfin:

Lake Hume, which has dominated my fishing reports for the last two years, has really slowed down.

There have been a lot of sick looking redfin caught in Lake Hume recently, and now they have just disappeared.

In recent times people have been reporting catching 70 or 80 redfin a day with just one or two clean fish, the rest covered in horrible sores.

I am not sure what the dis-

ease is, but it looks horrible and scientists have been researching it.

Thankfully it only seems to effect redfin.

This happened in Lake Hume about 10 years ago.

Sick diseased looking fish turned up, then they all seemed to disappear.

A few years later when they bounced back their numbers exploded.

Trout:

The water is already cooling in trout streams which is leading to some great trout fishing.

I have caught trout in tributaries of the King River and the Ovens River this week, all on lures.

The trout fishing will only keep getting better over the next six weeks.

◆ NICE CATCH: This chunky yellowbelly took a Predator lure intended for a Murray cod near Wangaratta last week.

with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA

with Dean Ackerly NORTH EAST FASTENERS