Now 228 pages
WINTER
Narrabri
town feature Plus: INSPIRATIONAL DUBBO LOCALS • WELLINGTON’S VOCAL HERO PEOPLE • HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD • AGRICULTURE • STYLE • EVENTS • TRAVEL CULTURE • BUSINESS • AND MORE FROM OUR BEAUTIFUL REGIONAL AREAS
Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales
• Selling in every auction sale week • Leading wooltrade broker • Forward contract with Riemann • Offering Auctions Plus wool • Accredited & modern rehandle • Cash settlement on small lots • Merchandise • Shearing finance • Web access to client account • One competitive flat rate for all bales • Comprehensive market reporting • Detailed clip analysis
Since taking over our family farm I have been using Jemalong wool exclusively to market our annual woolclip. Using a combination of the traditional auction system and the internet based Wool Trade™ we have been able to take advantage of any upward movements of wool prices. This is due to personalised attention to detail and flexibility due mainly to Jemalong understanding our needs as a business. - Simon Squire-Wilson, Tiverton, Harden, NSW
CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD
CONTENT COVERAGE AREA
trading as Central West Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418 ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 FAX 02 6867 9895 WEBSITE www.centralwestmagazine.com.au FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/CentralWestLifestyle PUBLISHERS, ACCOUNTS & ADVERTISING Elizabeth & Alex Tickle info@centralwestmagazine.com.au EDITOR Elizabeth Tickle editor@centralwestmagazine.com.au CHIEF WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Jake Lindsay shotbyjake@outlook.com.au ART DIRECTOR Zora Regulic artdirector@centralwestmagazine.com.au
DISTRIBUTION Central West Lifestyle magazine is published quarterly (available at the beginning of each season) and distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Central West and in the surrounding regions of the Far West, New England & North West, Riverina & Southern Slopes, Southern Highlands, Canberra, Northern and Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in addition to a selection of other rural and coastal areas of New South Wales. Subscriptions and back issues are also available to read online, on desktop and mobile devices. Unsold magazines are distributed to cafes, health waiting rooms, quality hotels/motels, bed and breakfast establishments, hair and beauty salons and tourist outlets.
Central West Lifestyle showcases authentic content from across rural and regional New South Wales. The heart of the magazine is in the Central West of the state, but a great story knows no boundaries. We are continually amazed by the innovation, inspiration and spirit that we find time and time again in communities both within the Central West and further afield. It is our passion and privilege to bring these stories to you.
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE To order a subscription or back issue (mailed or online), visit www.centralwestmagazine.com.au. © Central West Lifestyle Pty Ltd 2018 All Rights Reserved No part of this magazine may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the publisher. While every care is taken in the publication of Central West Lifestyle magazine, the publishers will not be held responsible for omissions, errors or their subsequent effects.
Pegasus Print Group, is an environmentally responsible printing company that is committed to helping achieve a sustainable environment. To underscore our commitment to environmental sustainability, Pegasus Print Group has achieved FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accreditation as well as being ISO 14001 accredited. Paper and paper-based materials carrying the FSC symbol can be tracked back to their source, guaranteeing they come from forests which are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. Pegasus Print Group is also an accredited ISO 9001:2008 supplier, which ensures each step of our production process is aligned with world’s best practice to deliver the finest quality possible. Together, these accreditations offered by Pegasus Print Group, offer our clients a guarantee that their printed products are produced by world’s best practice environmental and finest quality standards.
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Winter 2018 150
TOWN FEATURE: NARRABRI 12
arrabri is known for its progressive nature and community N cohesion, not to mention its reputation as Australia’s sportiest shire.
GARDEN
150 ROSE GOLD Kathie and Arthur Mills’s Orange garden is a story of evolution, and a picture-perfect one at that. 158 STANDING TALL Nola and Colin Honeysett’s “Sherel Park” is a garden to look up to.
STYLE
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164 ROOM TO IMPROVE Clever combinations of colour, pattern and texture can make a room sing. 171 MEET THE MAKER Mandy O’Sullivan has turned her crochet addiction into a thriving business attracting an international following.
188
FOOD
180 SIMPLE PLEASURES Delicious, satisfying meals need not be complicated. The Outlook Café Dubbo shares some wonderful winter dishes to try at home. 186 COUNTRY COOKING Lorraine Hills shares some hearty recipes guaranteed to tantalise your tastebuds. 188 AS NATURE INTENDED The Paige family of Stoneridge71 are proud to supply their home grown lamb direct to the public
TRAVEL
194 RELAX AND ENJOY Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of superb sights, tastes and experiences.
EXPERIENCE
114 CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY Mackellar Care Services expands and delivers. 118 BUSHRANGER BOOM Back in the day, Bathurst was a haven for lawless activity. 120 THE LONGEST RIDE Jamie “Dodge” Manning’s story is a tale of true grit. 128 SUCCESS IS IN THE AIR Juliet Duffy in the spotlight as the 2018 Regional Woman of the Year. 132 YES MINISTER John Marsden Mason helped elevate Dubbo to its position as a major regional city. 140 VOCAL HERO Wellington-born tenor Hubert Francis has a story worth singing about. 144 A HEAD START Bathurst Catholic schools are helping their Kinders set off on the right foot. 146 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS Hunter Valley Grammar School’s exciting new rural scholarship. 166 HANDY HOUSEHOLD HINTS Hayley Maudsley offers lots of tips and tricks.
180
171 ON THE COVER
EVENTS
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Plus: INSPIRATIONAL DUBBO LOCALS • WELLINGTON’S VOCAL HERO
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198 CWL AUTUMN ISSUE LAUNCH The Yass community celebrates its moment in the spotlight. 200 AUTUMNFEST Mayfield Garden puts on a party to remember. 202 CWL CHRISTMAS PARTY Athol Gardens plays host to the Central West Lifestyle team. 204 YEOVAL PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER Raising money and spirits. 212 WEDDINGS Gallant grooms and beautiful brides tie the knot.
Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales
QUINTESSENTIAL QUAMBI Jocellin Jansson and her fiancé Stan Waldren enjoy the relaxed lifestyle at “Quambi”, Narrabri. They are pictured with their dachshunds Rocket and Franklin. (page 46 Town Feature) Photographer: Shot by Jake
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W I N T E R publishers’ letter
FROM THE PUBLISHERS
welcome to winter “It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but it’s really a time of renewal and reflection.” – Elizabeth Camden, Until the Dawn
Welcome to another chilly winter in the Central West and regions beyond across the beautiful state of NSW.
Yass Valley Feature We have been thrilled with the sales of the Autumn 2018 magazine in Yass with almost 400 copies sold at the Yass Newsagency in the first three weeks! Thank you to all the locals and travellers alike who are supporting our project by purchasing the magazine. We hope you enjoy the read and that this magnificent area benefits many times over through your sharing of the good news with your family and friends. A big thrill for us all at Central West Lifestyle is receiving feedback. A special thank you to Yass Valley Mayor Cr Rowena Abbey and entrepreneur and Yass local Dick Smith. Look for their heartfelt comments (among others) in the ‘Your Letters’ section.
Narrabri Shire Feature We really enjoyed meeting the many interesting locals who make up the diverse and varied Narrabri Council area. The Kahl family, pioneers of the Wee Waa cotton industry, are introduced to you in this 100-page feature, together with trail-blazing inspirational speaker, writer and photographer Shanna Whan from Narrabri, who is making a difference in social reform. You will meet up yet again with the Carrigan family from Boggabri where patriarch Snow Carrigan’s wonderful life story is told in its true colours. Mix this in with business stories, agricultural stories and stunning coverage of the unique local tourist attractions, namely Sawn Rocks, Kaputar National Park and all the drawcards at The Pilliga, and you have some compelling reading.
The natural beauty of Narrabri. Image: Eliza Dampney.
Some exciting changes
Thank you to advertisers
We have made a decision to increase the size of our magazine from 212 pages to a massive 228 pages. We plan to bring you even more interesting, regular features such as Meet the Maker, and columns on Health and Wellbeing as well as Business. Our wedding, garden and travel sections will all be more expansive. So, all in all, it’s a case for celebration!
As we have said previously, our magazine could not exist without the support of our many loyal, valued advertisers. Not only do the majority of our pre-existing advertisers continue with us, year after year, but it is very humbling to receive support from new businesses who have been watching our evolution, growth and progress and who elect to be part of our publication. Thank you to one and all! Your support of these advertising businesses, where possible, will serve to promote the long-term future of country towns and communities. We trust you can stay warm this winter, maybe spend time relaxing by a roaring fire with family and friends, and let Central West Lifestyle take you on a memorable journey of discovery!
Spring Feature – Cootamundra and Gundagai We look forward to bringing you a 100-page feature on the stunning Cootamundra and Gundagai area. Exploring the countryside, meeting the locals, discovering the innovative businesses and what makes these regional communities tick, are just some of the many joys involved in this job! Watch out for the Spring 2018 edition released late August across the state. Facebook “f ” Logo
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W I N T E R Jake’s message
THE PEOPLE YOU MEET! G’day trendsetters. Another magazine and another town bites the dust! Narrabri is known for its wheat and cotton, Mt Kaputar and its sporting heroes, but scratch the surface and you’ll find so much more. During my few weeks in town, I managed to document the best on offer and meet my usual share of characters – none more so than the irrepressible “Spider” Cunningham, whom I’ve run into before. I was holed up in a Narrabri pub after shooting a wedding when Mother Nature called in the wee hours. Just as I stepped out of my room a howling wind slammed the door shut and locked me out. Caught in nothing but my boxers, it was a moment I’d rather forget! Failing to locate the owner, or anybody else for that matter, I finally managed to regain some dignity (if you can call it that) after pleading with a vertically challenged Chinese student to part with some garments. Wearing an insanely small pair of shorts and T-shirt, I sheepishly made my way up to Spider’s joint at the other end of town, where, to his credit, he offered me the shirt off his own back as he rolled in laughter at my predicament. Such are the good folk of Narrabri. I enjoyed meeting gifted authors and poets, park rangers, polocrosse players, saltof-the-earth spud growers, inspiring cake makers, innovative shop owners, legendary cattle breeders and a former Dutch backpacker who has made Narrabri home.
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I even met up with Josh and Joe Smith, the photographer and pilot taking the country by storm. I shot Josh’s wedding two decades ago and never imagined he would scale such heights with a camera! Speaking of photographers, we have a heartfelt story on Shanna Whan and her quest to help those in the bush turning to the bottle for relief from life’s struggles. Hers is an amazing story of fighting back and helping others with this insidious problem. Back in 2001, Narrabri residents woke up to find that Channel 9’s Today Show had voted them the Sportiest Town in Australia. Outside the information centre are plaques remembering all the great sporting names. I have no doubt that a local javelin thrower will soon make that list. Probably the funniest Narrabri moment was a fishing trip, my first, snagging a giant barramundi after only a few minutes. OK, it was the Narrabri Fish Farm but I still reeled him in and have the photos to prove it! Thanks, Ricko, for a sensational time! I’ll leave you with a little poem penned overnight by local wordsmith and community stalwart Max Pringle OAM. He’s a champion bloke and sums up much better than I, the spirit of the people who live around these parts and a little about this magazine. Till next time, keep well, keep happy and keep up the good fight!
Cheers, Jake
ABOVE: Narrabri boasts a great CBD with shopping adventures in abundance; Holy mackerel! Fishing for burra and I’ve landed the big one with some guidance from fishing expert Ricko Cunningham. We got a pic seconds before his great escape!
There’s this local publication That comes out four times a year Central West Lifestyle magazine And it deals with folk round here. Where they highlight country regions And the country way of life From business folk to sportspeople And the farmer and his wife. With tales of country characters And there’s some in every town They’re important to the make-up As are people of renown. Most country towns need volunteers To keep their region going And the need for them to fill the gap Is something ever growing. There are movers and there’s shakers They’re the ones who get things done Who always push the boundaries They’re what makes these small towns run. With some articles on history And places tourists visit And where to go and what to see That’s not a bad thing, is it? They cover all aspects of life Of each town that they highlight Before they start they do research To make sure they get it right. That’s why in this publication You’ll find quite a lot to read Of rural towns and country life Its contents are all you need. And if your photo does appear Then it’s not there by mistake You’ll find you’re in an elite group Of those people “Shot by Jake”. – Max Pringle OAM
WINTER 2018 CONTRIBUTORS
meet your team
ELIZABETH TICKLE
GINA CRANSON
Sub-Editor & Proofreader
AMANDA O’SULLIVAN
KATE BOSHAMMER
ZORA REGULIC
ANNA TICKLE
Writer & Social Media Manager
ELIZABETH SWANE
Art Director
LORRAINE HILLS
CATHERINE PLAYER
ZENIO LAPKA
JANE SANDERSON
THERESE CULLEN
HEATHER CROSBY
Advertising Designer & Business Strategist
Country Cuisine Writer
ANNABELLE AMOS
ROBERT I BRUCE
GREGORY POWELL
HAYLEY MAUDSLEY
JOHN CURLEY Accountant
Chief Writer & Photographer
Writer
Household Hints Writer
Photographer
Bushranger Series Writer
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JAKE LINDSAY
Publisher, Distribution, Advertising
Home & Style Writer, Photographer
Writer
ALEX TICKLE
Publisher, Editor, Advertising
Photographer
Health Writer
NICOLE BONFIELD Travel Writer
Garden Writer
Wedding Writer
JOHN BALTAKS
Travel Photographer
Writer
feedback W I N T E R
Congratulations, Central West Lifestyle, on your 20th edition! It is a fabulous magazine and I loved the feature on Yass Valley. It was well written and highlighted how beautiful this part of the world is. My wife, Pip, and I would also like to thank you for the article you covered on our farm at Gundaroo. We love to come here with our kids and grandkids to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Keep up the great work in producing a top-quality magazine.
YOUR LETTERS
Dick Smith, Terrey Hills
Yass Valley Council was delighted to partner with Central West Lifestyle for the Autumn 2018 edition to promote our lovely and diverse local government area to your loyal readers. We feel so privileged that you chose the Yass Valley – with our extraordinary community, enviable lifestyle and flourishing businesses – to be shared on countless coffee tables throughout NSW and Australia. The results, we think, speak for themselves. Yass Newsagency has reported bumper sales of the magazine this month with more than 400 copies walking out the door! Yass Valley residents have been purchasing the premium publication and sending multiple copies to friends and family. Our special secret is well and truly out! The feature has perfectly encapsulated the spirit of our people, the beauty of our places and the pride of our communities. Thank you to the local identities, who generously opened up their homes, and their lives, to tell their unique stories to the writers of Central West Lifestyle. You have done us proud. The people are the heart and soul of small rural towns and villages all over Australia. Their tales are the common thread that ties us all together. Thank you to Elizabeth, Alex and the hardworking team behind Central West Lifestyle for expertly showcasing the very best the Yass Valley has to offer. Thank you for collaborating with our staff at council, our businesses and our community members to help spread our magnificent message near and far. The Autumn 2018 edition is one we will treasure forever.
Just over 12 months ago now I had the pleasure of Elizabeth Tickle visiting my Temora business, Deb’s Jewellery, and offering an advertising package for the Temora edition of Central West Lifestyle. As a long-term advocate of our amazing township of Temora, I felt obliged to take up some form of advertising in support of this worthy cause. Over my 30 years of fine jewellery retail experience I can assure you that many dollars have been consumed on advertising and many have failed. To my surprise, Central West Lifestyle has risen like a phoenix from the ashes to prove me wrong about paper/ magazine advertising dying. CWL has flipped this train of thought 180 degrees. Since starting advertising in this space I have had calls from all over the state, from Moree to Mudgee and beyond, which has created a real interest in our beautiful store. We have clients now calling into to see what all the fuss is about with Deb’s Jewellery and we have an opportunity to showcase our brand, which has been delightful. The reactions to my beautifully crafted ads by the team at Central West Lifestyle have been truly groundbreaking. It has been a win-win for both parties. Central West Lifestyle is certainly owning this space in the magazine world and Deb’s Jewellery is more than happy with the results. Debbie Davidge, Deb’s Jewellery, Temora
#CentralWestLifestyle
Rowena Abbey, Mayor, Yass Valley
It was a pleasure to meet Elizabeth and Alex recently with Helen Tickle at the Tamworth Cavalcade. I have now read my complimentary copy of Central West Lifestyle. I must say I am extremely impressed. The quality of the photography and printing is exceptional. That aside, I strongly believe that regional Australia has some absolutely fantastic stories to tell, and you are telling them to the world.
What an inspirational story @ohhbulldust, thank you for sharing it with CWL.
John Worldon, Tamworth
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Narrabri TOWN FE ATURE WORDS & IMAGES: SHOT BY JAKE
Image: Josh Smith
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best and fairest from the Mayor of Narrabri
“Narrabri Shire has been named Australia’s Sportiest Shire. A Sporting Wall of Fame in Narrabri highlights the number of highly skilled sportspeople this shire has produced.”
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The opportunity for Narrabri Shire to feature in Central West Lifestyle Magazine has been met with great enthusiasm by the local community, who love to showcase the diversity of our region. I have been Mayor of Narrabri Shire Council for two years, Deputy Mayor for three years and a Narrabri Shire Councillor for 10 years and have lived here all of my life. I own a small business in Narrabri West and am involved in various local community groups both personally and through my work as Mayor. Our community is made up of the three main towns of Narrabri, Boggabri and Wee Waa and numerous villages, all boasting their own uniqueness. The whole shire covers an area of some 13,000 square kilometres with Narrabri being the administrative centre of the shire. Our shire is one of great beauty. From the vast Pilliga State Forest in the south to the fertile black soil plains of the northwestern areas and the towering Nandewar Ranges in the east – there is something for everyone. The Nandewar Ranges are a true icon to our residents and are a great tourist attraction. A trip to the Kaputar summit is well worth it for the 360° views and, in the height of winter, visitors can even enjoy snow at the peak! The Mount Kaputar National Park features Sawn Rocks, which boast a unique “organ pipe” rock formation and are easy to reach with a short walk. There are many other natural wonders around the shire, including the Salt Caves, Sandstone Caves and Yarrie Lake to name a few. As part of Narrabri Shire Council, I am very excited about the opportunities that our region will be enjoying in the near future. The Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail line will be passing directly through the shire, bringing
our local producers numerous opportunities. Council is currently planning the development of a Logistics and Industrial Hub to take advantage of the new rail infrastructure and other strategic advantages that will make the site attractive to new industry. These infrastructure projects will be positioned to take advantage of the highquality agriculture and resources that continue to be produced within the shire and will see our community continue to prosper into the coming decades. As well as world-class agricultural produce, our shire is leading the way with three research facilities. Narrabri Shire annually hosts PhD students from across the globe at the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Australia Telescope and IA Watson Grains Research Centre. As can be seen from the businesses featured within this magazine, Narrabri Shire has a thriving commercial and retail sector. The variety and quality of the products on offer in our CBDs would rival our city counterparts with residents also enjoying a great café culture. You can definitely get a top quality latte in Narrabri Shire! Narrabri Shire has been named Australia’s Sportiest Shire. A Sporting Wall of Fame in Narrabri highlights the number of highly skilled sportspeople this shire has produced. A drive through any of our towns will showcase the variety of sporting facilities and open spaces our residents enjoy, which make us a very active community. I hope you enjoy discovering more about Narrabri Shire in the coming pages and we look forward to warmly welcoming you to our part of the world very soon! Cr Cathy Redding, Mayor of Narrabri
going places
Narrabri Shire is synonymous with progress and community cohesion. Narrabri Shire is in the heart of the Namoi Valley in north west NSW. It is an area full of surprises, boasting natural beauty and an abundance of opportunities across a range of industries. Narrabri Shire is located half way between Brisbane and Sydney on the crossroads of the Newell and Kamilaroi highways. The area is well serviced by road, rail and direct flights to both Sydney and Brisbane on weekdays. The shire has a population of some 14,000 residents and covers an area of around 13,000 square kilometres. The town of Narrabri is the administrative centre for the shire and is set against the backdrop of the Nandewar Ranges on the banks of the picturesque Namoi River. Narrabri has all the conveniences of city living with quality shopping, modern cafes and a state-of-the-art theatre complex, bringing the latest movies and live performances to the community. The town of Boggabri is in the east of the shire, an area rich with agricultural and coal resources. Boggabri is known as the “Little Town with the Big Heart� and it certainly showcases that every year with the popular award-winning Drovers Campfire event, drawing visitors from across Australia to enjoy the hospitality of this community. The town of Wee Waa is in the western part of the shire, and is an area blessed with rich fertile soils. These soils gave birth to the Australian cotton industry in the 1960s and still produce top quality fibre to this day. Wee Waa is a bustling town, servicing an advanced irrigation industry producing food and fibre to feed and clothe the world. Although agriculture remains the most important industry within Narrabri Shire, the area has diversified into resources and other industries that value-add to the high quality commodities found here. The advent of these new ancillary businesses is providing a breadth and depth of job opportunities for the shire. Narrabri Shire boasts a number of leading research facilities in the areas of cotton, grains and astronomy and is leading the way with global advances in these areas. The research conducted at the Australian Cotton Research Institute and IA Watson Wheat Research Centre is regularly put into practice locally, improving water efficiency, chemical usage and crop yields.
The landscape of Narrabri Shire varies greatly from black soil plains to thick native scrub and rugged mountain ranges. This variety makes Narrabri Shire a popular tourist spot and an important stopover on the Newell Highway. People who enjoy the outdoors will not be disappointed by the range of activities and sights within the shire. Narrabri Shire Council is progressive and cohesive and is working closely with the community to plan for the future. Narrabri Shire is seen as an area of huge opportunity with the announcement of inland rail travelling through the area and opportunities for further diversification within the local economy. The future is looking bright in Narrabri Shire! CWL
ABOVE: Rose Street is the hub of the Wee Waa community; the telescope is a major drawcard for tourists. Telescope image: Janet Dampney. FACING PAGE: Narrabri West Lake; Maitland Street by night. Images: Cindy Galvin.
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T O W N F E A T U R E Narrabri
days gone by Narrabri
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Images kindly supplied by the Narrabri and District Historical Society.
Narrabri T O W N F E A T U R E
TRULY TIMELESS Built on solid foundations, Narrabri boasts a proud past and a bright future.
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crimes and MISDEMEANOURS If only the walls could talk inside the old Narrabri Gaol.
Designed by colonial architect James Barnet and built by J. Conlan in 1882 for 3590 pounds, eight shillings and six pence (just over $7000), Narrabri Gaol operated for 100 years before becoming a museum and home of the Narrabri and District Historical Society. The gaol, planned for 32 inmates, comprised an office, charge room, medical room and seven cells for male prisoners. The women weren’t forgotten, with a cell and extra room with bath and laundry facilities. The front section once housed the warden’s quarters but is now a fine representation of a parlour and bedroom (from between the wars) featuring a time line of Narrabri’s first 150 years. History enthusiasts Gordon and Helen Cain are among the 15 volunteers operating the museum. Having spent most of their lives on a string of properties in the district, they know as much as anyone about Narrabri. Over the years they’ve met dozens of inmates who served time in the penitentiary. “They drop in and tell us their hard-luck story and then return the next day with their wife and kids, pretending never to have met us,” Gordon laughs. No notorious murderers were ever locked up, he says, mainly drunks and sheep pilferers. Often men had a few too many in one of Narrabri’s many pubs and spent the night recovering in the lock-up.
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“In the early days they had vegetables and turkeys in the yards. One bloke got locked up every Christmas just to enjoy a decent feed and a bed – it was better than sleeping under the bridge.” Helen is a family tree researcher and publicity officer, having worked for Warner Bros in Sydney on their show Who Do You Think You Are? She is well acquainted with the history of Narrabri’s pioneering families and is always up for a chat on virtually any subject regarding the town’s colourful past. Open Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, the Narrabri Heritage Centre, which houses the museum, welcomes coaches any time. Ring Gordon on 0427 247900 to make an appointment. CWL
ABOVE: These sturdy gates ensured nobody tried to escape; clothing from a lifetime ago; this large clock came from the railway station. FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The old Narrabri Gaol is a must-see attraction for both locals and visitors to Narrabri; a mounted trooper in front of the black tracker’s hut; the parlour is a fine representation of life in the Depression years; a reconstruction of how a cell might have looked last century; Gordon and Helen Cain are enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guides at the old gaol; the sportiest town in the country has plenty of sports memorabilia.
Narrabri T O W N F E A T U R E
“One bloke got locked up every Christmas just to enjoy a decent feed and a bed – it was better than sleeping under the bridge.”
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wow factor Breathtaking scenery, natural wonders and extraordinary wildlife are par for the course in this neck of the woods.
SAWN ROCKS For a great day trip from Narrabri, head to Sawn Rocks on the Killarney Gap Road to Bingara. Stop to use the free barbecues and enjoy the outlook over surrounding farms. The Sawn Rocks formation, an almost perfect example of geometric organ piping, is a short stroll along an easily accessible walking track. The best time for photos is midday when the sun is overhead but it’s an impressive sight any time of day. From Sawn Rocks, the adventurous can continue north to Waa (pronounced wor) Gorge. Only about 1.5 hours from Narrabri, but accessible only in dry weather, you’ll feel like you are truly off the grid. There are a few farm gates along the road into the gorge, so please leave them as you found them. Once at the carpark, you’ll find picnic and toilet facilities.
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There’s a 500-metre walking track to the Mill-Bullah waterholes, but from this point you must scramble another kilometre along the creek. You are now in the Grattai Wilderness Area so there is no formed trail. Your reward is the impressive walls of Waa Gorge towering 70 metres above you. With more than 170 bird, 33 reptile and 27 mammal species recorded in the park, the chances of wildlife encounters are high. The most famous resident is a giant pinktriangle slug. This impressive slug is hot pink, about the size of an adult palm and leaves behind distinctive scallop-shaped tracks. They are found in the high-altitude, sub-alpine parts of the park and only come out in the wet. They are usually found on smooth-barked trees and rock surfaces. > Image: Josh Smith
Narrabri T O W N F E A T U R E
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T O W N F E A T U R E Narrabri
MOUNT KAPUTAR Wherever you are in Narrabri you won’t miss Mount Kaputar, a stunning volcanic remnant that dominates the horizon to the east. It’s hard to resist the urge to explore. Mount Kaputar National Park provides opportunities for everyone, whether it’s just a scenic drive and light stroll or setting off into the wilderness for three days. The park protects over 55,000ha of the Nandewar Range. The highest point, Mount Kaputar, rises 1510 metres above sea level with 360 degree views over the range and surrounding plains. It’s been said you can see 10 per cent of the state from the Kaputar Summit Lookout, although it’s a claim hard to prove. The range was formed by two shield volcanoes between 21 to 17 million years ago. It used to be about one kilometre taller but erosion has incised the range with steep gorges and exposed a remarkable collection of plugs and dykes, leaving behind a jagged landscape that begs exploring. One of the great things about the park is that you can drive all the way to the top in two-wheel drive. The steep and windy road, however, is unsuitable for caravans and motorhomes. The lookouts along the way are awe-inspiring. It’s hard to choose a favourite, so stop at them all and decide for yourself. As you drive up the mountain the vegetation changes from typical western NSW forest of ironbark and white box, moving through stringybarks, until you reach the amazing subalpine woodlands. It’s incredible looking out over the hot northwest plains while being surrounded by snowgums and snowgrass. If you happen to be there in winter, there’s a chance you’ll be standing in snow, with falls occurring most years. During summer, the top of the mountain is around 10 degrees cooler than Narrabri, making Mount Kaputar a very pleasant place to be when temperatures are soaring elsewhere. The park has a network of walking tracks for all abilities and timeframes. Many of them intersect so you can choose your own adventure, explore at your own pace. Picnic facilities are located throughout the park.
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Camping areas are available at Bark Hut and Dawsons Spring. In a valley halfway up the mountain, Bark Hut is the most sheltered of the camping areas. Dawsons Spring is at the top of the range among the snowgums, about an hour from Narrabri. For those wanting a little more comfort there are three semi-detached cabins. > Bookings can be made at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.
ABOVE: Mt Kaputar, image: Boris Hlavica; Dawsons Spring in snow. FACING PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Yulludunida; Mt Kaputar, images: Josh Smith; Yulludunida Crater: image: Boris Hlavica.
Narrabri T O W N F E A T U R E
O ne o f t he gr e a t t hin g s ab o u t t h e p ar k i s t h a t y o u c an dr ive a ll t he way t o t h e t o p i n two - w h e el dr i v e.
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The Pilliga The Pilliga forest – or “scrub” as it is affectionately known by locals – offers over half a million hectares of forest to explore. It stretches from the Namoi River in the north to the Warrumbungle Range in the south. The Pilliga is a hub for wildlife. With about 250 bird species you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the birdlife. Take a scenic drive along the unsealed roads through the forest, follow a bird route or stop for a picnic and a walk. There are plenty of ways to surround yourself with the natural wonders of the Pilliga and it can be done as a day trip from Narrabri or you can spend the night in one of the free camping areas. The Pilliga is accessible but it is vast, so you do need to be prepared. Free maps are available and are a must, as map apps don’t work in the Pilliga. The best time to visit is autumn-spring.
SCULPTURES IN THE SCRUB Here, natural beauty and stunning art join forces. This four-year project was the result of collaboration between five renowned artists, the local Aboriginal community and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. From the picnic area follow the 3km return walk track along the top of the specular escarpment. Here you’ll find the sculptures dotted along the path with the vistas of magnificent Dandry Gorge in the background. Give yourself plenty of time to admire the sculptures and consider the connection to country that they represent. From the escarpment descend into the cool gorge below and wander back along the creek. If you’re lucky enough to visit in spring you’ll be surrounded by an astonishing array of colourful wildflowers. There is a picnic area with free barbecues so you can stop and enjoy your lunch, or stay longer at the camping area. RIGHT: First Lesson (Dhayaanduul Waanda) by artist Brett Garling.
SALT CAVES AND PILLIGA FOREST LOOKOUT TOWER From Narrabri your first stop should be the Salt Caves. Climbing the Pilliga Forest Lookout Tower is a great way to drink in the vastness of the forest around you. The 360 degree views stretch from the Warrumbungle Range to Mount Kaputar across the forest below. The dam is an easy 1km stroll from the picnic area. Sit, be still and you won’t have long to wait for the wildlife to come. The Salt Caves visitor area is in the north of Timmallallie National Park on County Line Road. The Salt Caves boast modern picnic facilities, free gas barbecue, non-flush toilet and a camping area. RIGHT: Pilliga Artesian Bore Baths; Salt Caves picnic area from the tower.
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SANDSTONE CAVES The Sandstone Caves, located just off the highway, 35km north of Coonabarabran is a special place for the Kamilaroi people and a great place to experience some of the Pilliga’s ancient culture. The 1.7km medium grade walk winds through the picturesque sandstone hills. Enjoy the colours of the numerous cathedral caves and marvel at the artwork sheltered within. In particular, soak up the changing light at sunset before driving back up the Newell Highway to Narrabri. At the request of the local Aboriginal elders, the turn-off from the highway is not signposted. Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre staff can provide directions.
Simply stoked
Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre A great place to begin your exploration is the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre, on the main street of Baradine. Friendly staff can provide maps, information on local road conditions and help plan a visit tailored just for you. The Discovery Centre is housed in a unique, architecturally designed building and is brimming with interactive displays that will reveal the flora, fauna and stories of the Pilliga, like you’ve never seen them before. You may be lucky enough to catch a travelling art show in the exhibit space. Give the staff a call on 6843 4011 or email pilliga.discoverycentre@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Programs Manager for Northern Inland Branch Jessica Stokes loves national parks and Mount Kaputar in particular. She moved here 11 years ago to take up a ranger’s position with the Mount Kaputar National Park, fell in love with the landscape and stayed. “I’ve worked in Sydney parks and in remote parks in the Territory but have developed a real soft spot for Narrabri,” she enthuses. “I’ve lived in the desert where people come from around the world to watch the sunsets but ours beat them hands down. “When my family and friends come to visit they are blown away by the size of the sky. We have breathtaking sunsets and our dark skies mean that the display of stars is second to none.” Jessica especially loves the contrasts of Mount Kaputar National Park. “It’s a rugged mountain range where you can walk into the wilderness areas but you can also just drive all the way to the top for one of the best views in the world,” she says. “In one morning you can conquer the red outcrops of Yulludunida, which rival anywhere in the Pilbara, and then you continue up the mountain to surround yourself with snowgums and snowgrass at Dawsons Spring.” Jess started with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2005 in the tour office of Sydney Harbour National Park. “I got to sit in the office at Cadmans Cottage, aware I was in the oldest building in Australia and look out to the Opera House.” From there she worked as a ranger at Royal National Park, West MacDonnell and Finke Gorge National Parks near Alice Springs. Jessica thrived during her time in the Territory. Living in remote parks was one big adventure for a girl who grew up in the Sydney suburbs. She finds plenty of reasons to love Narrabri. “It’s an easy town to live in,” she says. “Houses are affordable, there’s plenty of space and no traffic. We’ve got the theatre, a pool, kayaking down the river and the National Parks to explore. “I haven’t lived in Sydney for a couple of decades now and while I love visiting I can’t imagine moving back.” And her favourite part of the park? “Hmm . . . it varies depending on what I’ve just done. Every time I do either the Yulludunida or Coryah Gap walking tracks I change my mind and think that one is my favourite. “Having said that, cosying up to fire in one of the Dawsons Spring cabins with a glass of red during winter is pretty nice too.” CWL ABOVE: Dawsons Spring cabins; Jessica Stokes loves exploring the park at every opportunity.
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T O W N F E A T U R E Narrabri
pleasure on a plate Nosh Narrabri started as Nosh on the Namoi in 2003 as a small food and wine festival to showcase locally grown produce.
The response to the inaugural event was overwhelmingly positive, and the event has now grown into one of the best known food and wine festivals in regional NSW. In 2017, a new committee revamped Nosh on the Namoi to become Nosh Narrabri, giving the event a modern edge to showcase local growers, food creators and beverage makers and gathering the community together to celebrate the creativity and talent of others. The event is held in the parklands on the banks of the Namoi River and features a series of events including the Food and Wine Expo, Long Lunch and “Nosh On� night event. The next Nosh Narrabri is planned for August 2019 with the committee already planning an even bigger and better event. CWL Images: Janet Dampney
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Take a Trip to
Narrabri Shire Visitor Information Centre 103 Newell Highway, NARRABRI NSW 2390 Phone: 1800 659 931 | 02 6799 6760 Open: Monday to Friday | 9am - 5pm Saturday to Sunday | 9am - 2pm
Narrabri Shire Yarrie Lake is an unexplained wonder of the natural variety, a 3km saucer-shaped expanse of water on the very edge of the Pilliga Scrub. It is much appreciated by locals, visitors and wildlife alike.
Made up of six identical antennas, the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array is used by astronomers to study the structure and evolution of our Universe. Take a look at the astonomy exhibition and visitors centre.
Fauna
Space
Yarrie Lake
Telescope Array Keen to experience an almighty wall of organ pipes without stepping foot inside a church? Then Sawn Rocks, with its towering wall of pentagonal basalt pipes is the place to go. The most iconic reminder of Mount Kaputar’s volcanic past.
Get a taste of life as a prisoner of yesteryear at the Narrabri Old Gaol Museum. Be regaled by fascinating stories from the days of the gaol’s operation and take a sneak peek at how the prisoners lived.
Nature
History
Sawn Rocks
Old Gaol
www.visitnarrabri.com.au
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REACH FOR THE STARS
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). Narrabri’s world-leading radio astronomy research facility attracts about 12,000 visitors each year. The Visitors Centre is open from 8am to 6pm every day of the year. Entry is free with access to a theatrette, electric barbecues and picnic facilities. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the antennas and wander through indoor and outdoor astronomy exhibits. The theatrette features free films on ATCA and astronomy. One of the garden displays is the people’s telescope, which simulates the operation of the Australia Telescope. ATCA was constructed using cutting-edge technology and was one of the first radio telescopes in the world to utilise optical fibres – 160km in length overall. The main rail track is 3km long with a 9.6m-wide gauge carrying five dishes that move along it. A sixth dish is “parked” 3km further to the west.
The antennas need to form a straight line in space (rather than following the curvature of the earth) so the construction of the stations and the track required great precision. The site was chosen as CSIRO already owned the land, which formerly housed the solar radio heliograph used for studying the sun. The site was suitably spaced for synthesis mapping, had good receiving capabilities (no mountains), low radio interference and was close to Narrabri. The telescope detects radio waves from space and converts them into images for interpretation by scientists from around the world. These signals reveal structures and objects in space that are invisible through an optical telescope and help unlock the secrets of the universe. Astronomers can operate the telescope from the Narrabri control room, the Science Operations Centre in Sydney or from any other location in the world via the internet.
These astronomers don’t look through the telescope, instead using mathematics (called Fourier transforms) to reconstruct images of what the sky must look like, given the signals that the telescope receives. ATCA is used to investigate a vast range of objects in the universe, from nearby planets and asteroids to black holes in other distant galaxies. ATCA is also called into action whenever a giant star goes supernova or a gamma ray explosion is detected. Radio astronomy is continually developing and spin-offs find application in satellite communications, medical image processing (MRIs & CT scans) and in recent times fast wireless LAN making Wi-Fi possible. CWL Image: Janet Dampney
ABOVE: The five dishes enable scientists to unlock the secrets of the universe.
THE TELESCOPE DETECTS RADIO WAVES FROM SPACE AND CONVERTS THEM INTO IMAGES FOR INTERPRETATION BY SCIENTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. 28 CWL NARRABRI
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top of the
world The sky’s the limit for Narrabri photographer Josh Smith.
Gifted aerial landscape artist Josh Smith is stunning the nation with his eye-catching images of life on the land from the back seat of a Jabiru aircraft. Forget drones, this is the real deal. High tech and with the best Canon lenses in the world, Josh has an insatiable appetite to produce fresh rural images from a perspective rarely seen or appreciated. >
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“My goal is to highlight the work of Australian farmers, the best and most sustainable in the world, through my photography,” he says. Thanks to the modern technologies used by today’s farmers, Josh is able to reproduce a symmetry in his images that is a “dream” to work with. His “light-bulb moment” occurred while standing in a Bondi bakery watching customers order different types of bread. He wondered if they had any idea what farmers went through to put that bread on the table. It spurred him into action. For the past decade Josh has been capturing the sprawling, glowing beauty of some of our most remote rural areas. His large fine art prints, some 60 inches wide, are helping expose more people to Australia’s natural beauty beyond its coastal fringe. Josh has always liked photography but it’s been a meteoric rise to where he’s at now – in demand and with his large body of fine art abstract work represented by a top Darlinghurst gallery. With five OUTBACK magazine covers to his credit, he feels he has chosen the right field, even if his office is the back seat of a plane without doors. When I meet him he is still jubilant about his most recent cover, an iconic shot of one of his farmer mates with his dog during harvest. >
ABOVE: An enduring partnership: Pilot Joe Smith with acclaimed photographer Josh Smith.
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T O W N F E A T U R E Narrabri
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“You have to make your shot at about 190km/h and everything happens in seconds.”
He and wife Robyn have just returned from his latest exhibition in the new Canon Gallery at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney, where his Great Barrier Reef images received critical acclaim. Josh reveals his love of pictures started after watching his father’s slide nights in the family lounge room featuring images from two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. After attending boarding school in Sydney, he worked overseas, rolling out accounting software in North America. After a few years his lust for adventure took him backpacking through Europe and later to Perth. With him all the way was Robyn, another Narrabri local whom he met on a blind date. With two children it’s been a blessed union. Josh agrees that while the Smith surname is the most common in the country, it still came as a surprise that he would marry one and traverse the country with another. In the early days of their relationship Robyn was the photographer. With a standard 35mm Olympus she was soon overtaken by Josh once he purchased his first digital camera. “When the digital era took off it was the logical thing for me. There was no learning curve, all the technology was understood and it all felt very natural,” he explains. The other Smith in the equation is his trusty pilot and wingman, Joe Smith. The pair have known each other all their lives and shared many great adventures across the globe. It was pure coincidence they both gravitated back to Narrabri with their wives to start their families, hoping to give their children the same opportunities they had of growing up in a small country town.
Joe is well known for his ability to fix most things on trucks. The same applies to his aircraft. He is a talented bush pilot and takes off from his grass strip on the edge of town. It was in Narrabri, when Josh’s photos were beginning to garner interest in corporate and agribusiness sectors, that Joe first suggested they check out the flooding. After the Sydney Morning Herald picked up some of those aerials, the phone rang off the hook and a new career was born. From that moment on they took to the skies at every opportunity. Floods, bushfires, harvest, sowing – you name it. If there was something interesting going on in the district, they captured it. The two are on the same wavelength when it comes to “catching the moment”. “You have to make your shot at about 190km/h and everything happens in seconds,” says Josh, who uses a Canon wide angle and a long telephoto to record his images. “What differentiates us from drones is that we get much higher and can be pretty well anywhere in a matter of hours. If we get up early enough we can be in Uluru, the Gulf or anywhere else that takes our fancy.” Expect to see a lot more exposure from “Team Smith” in the future as they continue to showcase the scale and beauty of Australian farming and landscapes from dizzying heights. CWL Images: Josh Smith
BELOW: Josh and wife Robyn at a recent Sydney exhibition.
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Narrabri T O W N F E A T U R E
lone star It takes great skill and endless patience to run a successful cattle stud operation. But Santa Gertrudis stalwart Sylvia Kirkby is no ordinary woman. She is using her 34 years of stud breeding experience to take her to the very top of the game. There isn’t much this strong-minded cattle breeder hasn’t achieved – from judging and show success to serving on the board of the Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ Association. To a stud breeder, however, the highest level of respect is earned in the sale ring. In this regard, her Warenda bulls are making headlines for all the right reasons. Over a cuppa in her beautifully maintained homestead, Sylvia reflects on her stellar career.
It all started in 1934 when Sylvia Kirkby’s grandfather Errol Scholefield purchased “Spring Vale”, 16 kilometres east of Narrabri at the foot of the spectacular Nandewar Ranges. It’s where Sylvia, an only child to parents Nick and Edna Scholefield, enjoyed an idyllic childhood. “I was my father’s shadow – never keen on cooking or sweeping floors but madly enthusiastic about all matters pertaining to life on the land,” she says. After helping with the milking of the house cows each morning she helped her father with all the farm work, including lamb marking, calf branding and mustering – always on horseback, just as it’s done today. Her rural upbringing was disrupted for five years while attending the prestigious Abbotsleigh school, Wahroonga. Despite new friendships, many of which she has steadfastly maintained, Sylvia missed the great outdoors and the plethora of dogs, horses, cattle and pets on the farm. The highlight of each term was rattling home on the North West Mail train. With her education done and dusted she hightailed it back to “Springvale” to become her father’s right-hand man. During the late 1960s cropping and sheep were gradually phased out and replaced with cattle. Her love affair with the Santa Gertrudis breed was ignited at the 1960 King Ranch bull sale in Warwick, which she attended with her parents. >
FACING PAGE: Sylvia Kirkby has been a trailblazer in the Santa Gertrudis breed; a typical Warenda cow; cows and calves on a dam. LEFT: As a young child with parents Nick and Edna Scholefield.
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The famous stud had introduced the breed to Australia only eight years earlier, and Sylvia remembers being mesmerised by their volume, slick coats and big floppy ears. In 1965 her father introduced a first-cross Santa bull into their Poll Hereford herd from Arthur Kirkby, Moree, a lifelong friend from their boarding days together at the The King’s School, Parramatta. “It was early days for the breed in Australia and Dad was severely criticised by friends and neighbours for introducing these ‘dreadful Yaks’ to the region,” she recalls with a grin. Despite the negativity, Nick maintained a strong faith in the Santa’s ability and soon recognised an improvement in the herd. Thereafter, only Santa bulls were purchased and a commercial herd was established.
A new direction
Keen for some independence and change of pace from the often monotonous farm duties, Sylvia became secretary for two Sydney share-brokers. Despite loving life in Rose Bay there was always that nagging feeling of being a square peg in a round hole. She later married Philip Kirkby and had her only child, a daughter Elizabeth, who breeds cattle with husband John Manchee on their Narrabri property. Her grandchildren Nick and Sophia are both attending Abbotsleigh and King’s, as the family have done for generations. In 1986 her marriage dissolved and a few years later her parents passed away. After 40 years it was time to finally come home to “Spring Vale”. Since then Sylvia has devoted herself to her Warenda cattle, managing the property and tackling life as a single woman. From 1998 through to 2009 she conducted an on-property sale, with commercial and stud buyers attending from throughout northern NSW and southern and central Queensland. Good averages and high stud prices were achieved during this time, including the record-priced $80,000 sale of stud sire Warenda Sahara to the famed Yugilabar stud on the Clarence River near Grafton.
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