Gresford News June 2017

resford News G

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News of the communities of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys June 2017

Wreath at the Gresford Cenotaph. Photo: Julie Hartigan

High Rollers at the Bowlo Story and pictorial inside ‌

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

Daniel and Jane Maroulis are the proud owners of Boydell’s Vineyard located at Camyr Allyn North, East Gresford.

The Boydells wine is available locally at Loveys IGA, Hotel Beatty and Gresford foodworks. You can also order directly from us www.boydells.com.au; 0417747454; daniel@Boydells.com.au Free local delivery. More exciting varieties to come this vintage!

The Gresford News Community Diary Wed

7 Jun Gresford Rural Fire Brigade Annual General Meeting, Brigade Station, 7.30pm

Thurs

8 Jun Business Connect Advisor available in Dungog

Fri

9 Jun Community Table Dinner, Gresford Bowling Club, 6.30pm

Sat

10 Jun CWA book club, CWA rooms, 3.00pm

Sun

11 Jun Live music – Newcastle Jazz Club Annual Tour, Hotel Beatty, 12.00noon

Sun

11 Jun Live music – Australian Country Legends Tribute Show, Gresford Sport & Recreation Club, 12.00noon

Sat

17 Jun Wool n Things workshop, CWA rooms, 10.00am

Sun

18 Jun Community Markets, Hotel Beatty, 9.00am

Sun

18 Jun Live music – Neil Farmer, Hotel Beatty, 12.00noon

Mon

19 Jun Business Forum: Re-energise your Business, Dungog RSL, 6.00pm

Tues

20 Jun Paterson Allyn Garden Group meet, 10.00am

Sat

24 Jun Our river and rainforest workshop, Dungog Festival Lounge, 10.00am

Sat

24 Jun Dungog Masked Ball, 6.00pm

Fri

14 Jul

Tues Fri

Community Table Dinner – Indian curry night, Crossroads Café, 6.30pm

8 Aug CWA International Day – Nepal, St Anne's Hall, Gresford 10 Aug Community Table Dinner, Hotel Beatty, 6.30pm

Mon/Tues

Social ladies tennis starts, Mon or Tues mornings, Gresford Tennis Courts, 9.30–11.00am

Tuesdays

Spring/summer mixed Tuesday nights tennis, 7.30–9.30pm

Mondays

Vacy and Gresford Dance Centre at Vacy School of Arts Hall

Tues, Wed, Thurs

Vacy and Gresford Dance Centre at Gresford School of Arts Hall

Friday afternoons

Junior tennis coaching, Gresford Tennis Courts

1st Mon each month

Gresford Community Group Meeting, 5.30pm, Hotel Beatty, all welcome! (not Jan)

1st Wed each month

Gresford Rural Fire Brigade meeting, station, 7.30pm

1st Thurs each month

CWA Gresford Branch Meeting, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 9.30am (not Jan)

2nd Mon each month

Gresford Historical Society Meeting, Therese Doyle Hall, 10.30am (not Dec, Jan or June)

2nd Tues each month

Gresford District Landcare Group Meeting, Hotel Beatty, 7.30pm (not Jan)

2nd Sat each month

Book Club, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 3.00pm (not Dec or Jan)

3rd Tues each month

Paterson Allyn Garden Group meet, 10.00am (not Jan)

3rd Fri each month

Gresford Public School P&C Meeting, school library, 10.00am

Last Thurs each month

Gresford District Agricultural Society Meeting, Showground Luncheon Pavilion, 7.30pm

Every Wed, Fri & Sun

Gresford Bowls Sport & Recreation Club Raffles, from 6.30pm

Every Mon (school terms) Hunter Mobile Preschool, Vacy School of Arts Hall, 9.00am 49346725 Every Tue & Fri (school terms) Hunter Mobile Preschool, Gresford School of Arts, 9.00am 49346725 Every Thur

Happy hour and free pool and jukebox at the Hotel Beatty

Every Fri

Cricket Club Raffles at the Hotel Beatty

Every Wed & Fri (school terms) Yoga with Donna Cavanough, Wed–gentle, Fri–general, Vacy School of Arts Hall, 9.15am Every Wed

Gresford PlayTime, children 0-5 & carers, Gresford School of Arts, 10.00am

Every Sunday

The Gresford Congregational Church welcomes you, 10.30am

To contact Gresford News: email gresfordnews@iinet.net.au or call Brian Doherty on 0412 372 687 or Jane Richens on 0425 339 856. Postal Address: PO Box 73 East Gresford 2311. Deadline for stories and ads 20th of the month.

Visit

www.gresfordnsw.com.au

for local information and the ‘Gresford News’ online.

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Please support your local newsletter and contribute anonymously or use the slip below and place your donations in the boxes provided in Gresford.

Name

Amount

Address

Gresford Market presented by Gresford District Historical Society Inc.

Sunday 18 June 9am to 1.30pm at the Beatty Hotel

...........................

Features local stalls and produce, Great music local goods, treats, attactions and a little bit of history ...........................

Further information contact George Sales 4938 9639

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A LOCAL DANCE SCHOOL THAT IS FUN & AFFORDABLE...

VGDC IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! AGE 3+

BEGINNER – ADVANCED

CLASSES STARTING FROM $5.50 P/W JAZZ HIP HOP CONTEMPORARY BBO CLASSICAL BALLET optional exams BOYS HIP HOP PRIVATE TUITION ADULT FITNESS/DANCE/YOGA CLASSES TINY CHEER DANCER TAP CONTACT MISS BROOKE – 0437 354 577 TO BOOK YOUR FREE TRIAL EMAIL – brookedance@bigpond.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @ VGDC

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Gresford News Notices PLEASE NOTE: GRESFORD NEWS CHANGES GST

As from the 1 July 2017 the Gresford community Group will be registered for GST and accordingly all invoices to advertisers will be required to include GST. Our wonderful advertisers in their turn will be able to recoup the cost on their BAS.

Events in Early August Submit by JUNE 20

The August edition of Gresford News will be distributed in the second week of August. If you have an event planned for early August please submit details by 20 June so it can be published in the July edition.

WORKSHOP ‘WOOL’N’THINGS’ Sat June 17, 10am. Learn to knit, crochet, spin. Boys, girls Mums etc., all welcome. Morning Tea, gold coin donation. We will have wool, needles etc. RSVP Judy Daly 0431 149 377, or judydaly@hotmail.com.au

Our River and Rainforest – a Free Workshop

Gresford District Community Dinner

Saturday 24 June, 10am–3.30pm

Gresford Bowling Club Please book 0418 289 028 The Gresford District Community Dinner will be held at the Gresford Bowling Club on the second Friday 9 June at 6.30pm.

Dungog Festival Lounge followed by site visit near Frank Robinson Park.

Come along to a free workshop to hear: • Glenn Albrecht: Renowned environmental speaker and local bird enthusiast who will be inspiring us about our local flora & fauna • Skye Moore, environmentalist, will talk about the Williams River past and present and river corridor projects in the upper catchment.

• Then come with us to visit a local resident’s unique rainforest planting along the Williams River to look at 15 years of riverbank restoration work and listen to: • Alex King, rainforest specialist, will talk about rainforest restoration and its importance as habitat.

Cost: Free (and lunch provided) Bookings essential for catering.

Register at EventBrite.

A project of Sustaining the Williams Valley Inc & Supported by Hunter Region Landcare Network & the Paterson Allyn Williams Science Hub.

attention young and old

Back To Gresford Day Sunday 22 October at

Gresford District Historical Society Museum Grounds Gresford Road next to Sporting Complex

Round up your Ancestors, Family and Friends. Anyone who has been associated with our local area throughout time.

Help to celebrate our Local History Contact members of the Gresford District Historical Society Inc. George Sales, Delma Lawrence, Lorraine Ashard Allan Hancock, Paul & Gail Wright, David Wells, Katie Farrell

14 July will be an Indian curry night at Crossroads Café, BYO, 6.30pm.

Ring Joe & Katie on 49389239 and book early as seating for 25 only.

10 August we hope to have our dinner at the Hotel Beatty again.

Do hope you can join us for what is always an enjoyable night.

Carolyn Addison – Member of GDGC

Business Forum:

Re-energise your Business – great ideas, new models, going bigger, planning for success Mon 19 June, 6pm, Dungog RSL www.dungogcommunitycollege.org.au

Suzanne Corke

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• June 2017, p 7

Not Goodbye, only Good luck!

On Monday May 15th Australia Post officially transferred the license of Gresford Post Office to ourselves meaning Karin was able to say goodbye to her days at Gresford General Store. Karin and Brett took over the shop in 2003 from Walter and Elly to very quickly become an integral part of this community with their great customer service and their motivation to make a real go of their little corner shop.

Adding DVDs, dry cleaning and farm produce products to ease the community of having to travel to town so often, they continued to build on the existing business by undertaking huge renovation in their first twelve months to bring a new takeaway food outlet to Gresford.

Despite the hardships faced over the past 14 years, the success of this takeaway has grown over the last 13 years culminating in the renovation of the building to complete The Crossroads Café.

We are proud to take over this longstanding business and wish to thank everyone that has been involved over these past years to enable us to walk in to such

Cowlicks Hair Studio has had some really exciting changes happening over the past few months.

Our little salon has had a big name change and we would love to introduce Quaint The Salon.

Still the same Amazing service and Fabulous team all here ready to take great care of you.

There has also been an addition to our team. We are super excited to introduce you all to Nicole.

Please join us in welcoming her to the salon.

Thank you to all of our beautiful guests for your ongoing support and we look forward to being able to pamper you all soon.

Andrea, Josie, Annette, Kelly & Nicole 803A Gresford Rd Vacy.

Ph: 49 388 386

Karin and Gus cooking up the burgers in 2004

Karin and Gus 2017

an established business with ease. Our goal is to continue Brett and Karin’s work with making small tweaks and changes to the shop to meet the community needs and our own vision. We wish to thank our lovely staff Karen, Ros & Debbie for all your hard work over these past few months while we found our feet. Thanks to Gus for always dropping in and lending a hand.

Thanks to Brett, Lisa and Karin for all their hard work in past years so that people

know they can rely on friendly service with a familiar face. We especially thank Karin for being so patient with us over these past few months while we have been learning, making mistakes, all while supporting and encouraging the changes we wish to make to the shop. We wish you the best of luck for the future. We hope you will take time to relax but we know you like to keep busy!

By Katie Farrell & Joe Monger

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Gresford General Store, Post Office & Crossroads Cafe Dine in at the Crossroads Café on Saturday June 24th from 6pm

Enjoy a pizza & a serve of Joe’s freshly baked garlic bread for $25 per person.

A scrumptious, sweet dessert course is available for $8 pp Drinks not included in price but please feel free to BYO

Call Katie or Joe on 4938 9239 to book your spot

PLUS – SAVE THE DATE

Friday July 14th The Crossroads Café is hosting the Gresford Community Dinner

For $30 per person we will be serving an Indian themed 3-course dinner for anyone interested in joining us.

Please contact the Gresford Community Group or Katie & Joe for enquiries - We look forward to seeing you there!

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Gresford Community Matters Police Report This month we received some safety tips with our Police Report which includes: • If you are harassed or threatened report it to the police • Even when you are home – lock the doors – perhaps more pertinent to city living!

• Leave spare keys with a relative or trusted friend, never in hiding places • Going away? Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things i.e. collect your mail and put out and/or bring in rubbish bins • Arrange to have regular contact with someone - rather important in rural areas in case of accidents • Make sure your house number is clearly visible • If you are unsure of a person at your door, don’t answer it, or only answer through the screen door • If someone wants to use your phone for an emergency, offer to make the call for them but keep them out.

And don’t forget that Todd, at the Gresford Police Station, if he isn’t there has a note book to leave messages.

Arboretum Penny reported that she is working with David Horn to have the irrigation installed. Once installed

mulching will be done again. Ken offered to do the mowing – and driving past last week the Arboretum is looking terrific. The plants that didn’t survive the heat from this last summer will be replaced and also some additional plants will be planted shortly.

Gresford Historical Society, looking at the time when Gresford was gazetted rather than when the first land lease was allocated. This provided some interesting discussion – do we celebrate Gresford Bicentenary in 2026 or 2028 – we will keep you posted.

Monthly Community Dinner Carolyn reported the May dinner was another successful joint adventure, this time with the Hoof and Horn dinner. It was great to see Adrian and Valenta from Allyn River Road attending for the first time.

Next month, June, the Community dinner will be held at the Bowls Club.

Cas has offered to provide a list for the remainder of the year as to where the dinners will be held – Cross Roads Café is planning a pizza night in the summer and Twin Rivers Café are looking at hosting a dinner later in the year.

Projects After the success of 2016 Christmas Lights competition we suggest now is the time to start planning your decorations – it is also cheaper to buy the lights etc. The Christmas Lights competition winners will again be announced at the Carols by Candlelight evening. Full details and guidelines will be published in the September edition of the Gresford News.

Billy Cart Derby Gresford and District Community Group congratulated the Billy Cart Derby team on a successful day with $12,000 returned to the Community. The IGA and Butcher both reported record days trading.

And letting you into a little secret ….. at the June meeting of the Gresford Community Group, Louise Brown will be presenting plans for a Community Country Dance to be held on Saturday 4 November. This will be a family friendly fun time for the Community to come together and enjoy.

Foundation Day The Gresford Community Group is working with

Gresford General Store and Post Office Home of the Crossroads Cafe 162 Durham Road Gresford (Cnr Lostock & Durham Road) Phone 4938 9239

Trading

Shop

Mon – Thurs 7 am – 5 pm Fri – Sun 7 am – 7 pm

Cafe

Take Away

8.30 am – 3 pm 8.30 am – 4 pm

8.30 am – 3 pm 8.30 am – 7 pm

Gourmet fresh cut sandwiches and real Milkshakes available – BBQ Chickens – Ice – Grocery – Ice Creams – Drinks – Pizza available from 4pm Friday–Sunday

✱

NEW! Freshly baked sourdough bread

FRESH SEAFOOD available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Order on Mondays for Tuesday delivery and Wednesday for Thursday delivery. Bon apetit!

NEW – Dry Cleaning service now available - ask Katie or Joe for details

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St Paul’s Eccleston Closes Public School teacher, Mr Robert Joseph “Edgar” Marceau. In November of the same year, a special ‘Dedication Ceremony’ was held. The new wrought iron ‘Memorial’ gates were officially opened and the large gathering of parishioners and visitors moved into the church grounds, and then into the new church itself. The gates were gifted by Mr J.M. Sivyer in memory of his parents.

The ‘Dedication Ceremony’ was carried out by the Bishop of Newcastle and accompanied Clergy. Important items to help furnish the inside of the church, Eccleston School when held in Church of England. Teacher was Mrs Emma Hill. having been graciously donated by local parishioners, were individually This little Anglican Church has stood church with shingled roof was built. It approached and dedicated in prayer. quaintly for a good ninety three years. was also utilised as a local school. The Throughout the following decades, other They’re at the end of the little laneway, closure of the school occurred in 1864 relevant items have been donated with scenic pastureland all around and with due to the teacher leaving. The church special importance to the church itself. the Allyn River only a short distance Reverend, Mr F.T. Adams, lodged an Maintenance and upkeep of the church, away. The origin of St Paul’s dates back application for a Public School in 1867. carried out to a fair extent by generous to 1853. Early pioneer and landowner Schooling resumed within the church persons giving their time and diligence.

Hugh Massie Esq. gave two acres of land and continued on until 1885. to the Church of England for the Sadly though, as time has gone on and St Paul’s Anglican Church became part of different factors have impacted on purpose of gaining a church and school the Parish of Gresford from 1884. In building. Early settlers and workers country areas such as Eccleston / the 1924, the church was rebuilt to a better throughout the Eccleston area were Allyn River Valley, the social aspect of standard. Architect was Mr H.P. Connolly. community events and gathering has predominately Church of England. The Much of the laboring work was given donated land was vested in the Diocese dwindled to minimum now. Sunday the 7th July 1968 was to see St Paul’s and voluntarily. This included Eccleston’s of Newcastle and so the slab timber

Private Kill Welcome Chicken Kebabs – $2 each Heat & Eat Curried Sausages – $12.99/kg Red Wine & Garlic Lamb Chops – $13.99/kg Chilli Cheese Kransky – $19.99/kg

Ph 4938 9710

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• June 2017, p 11

the Eccleston Congregational church in union. Lack of parishioners being the main reason. Church services were then held alternate Sundays in each church. If anything, a more community closeness developed. Sunday School for the younger generation, being held in the Congregational Hall. Eccleston Public School closed down in 1987. The Congregational Church closed in 2006.

Having been formed in 1883.

This year, Sunday 22nd April was to see the closure of St Paul’s. On this overcast but mild day, just under fifty people were there to be part of the ‘De-Consecration Service’ that began at 11.00 o’clock. This was carried out by Assistant Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Dr Peter Stuart and assisting Clergy. Inside the neat little church with cedar and tallow-wood board lining, a memorial services was held. The ornate organ being played by Felicia Redhouse.

During the service a special presentation was made by Mr Neil Sommerville to Mrs Delma Lawrence. A framed photo of the ‘Eccleston Brass Band’ dating back to perhaps the late 1800s / or early 1900s.

During the last hymn, the lit candles were put out, church items and flowers

L-R Margo Biddles (nee Hipwell), Margaret Hipwell, Darryl Slade, Lorraine Ashard, Ivy Sales, Delma Lawrence (nee Miners) and daughter Joy Lawrence outside St Paul's Eccleston 22.4.2017

removed from the altar by Bishop Stuart and Clergymen, who then proceeded outside to the front of the church. The congregation then followed them out.

Bishop Stuart in finalizing the consecration of St Paul’s Anglican Church then closed the front door.

A sense of sadness prevailed for some time, but there was happiness too especially when some original locals got together to smile for quite a few cameras present. Treasured memories will always remain of how the Eccleston Community once was and certainly of the little white weatherboard church

with light blue trim and gothic shaped windows. Some reminiscing from the past was carried out, as a light luncheon was shared outside, shaded by the lovely weeping snow pine tree in the front year.

Parishioners from Lostock, Gresford and Vacy were there amongst the gathering.

Some synonymous names to the Allyn River Valley and in attendance were Mr Peter Sivyer and family members, Mrs. Delma Lawrence and family members, Mrs Margaret Hipwell and family members, Mr Darryl Slade and Ivy and George Sales.

Lorraine Shard, GDHSI Secretary

Stewart Everett Mitsubishi Your local Fuel Caltex Service Station

All Mechanical repairs Rego Inspections & blue slips Origin Gas Agent Maxxis Tyres and Speedy Wheels agent Stockist of all oils for your car and gardening equipment Bulk Fuel deliveries to you/farm

Also stocking: Stihl Chainsaws, brush cutters, vacuums and accessories Thunderbird Electric Fencing Fencing supplies Large Animal First Aid Cattle Vaccines, Drenches & Pour ons Motor Vehicle accessories Philmac Poly pipe fittings Apparent Weed control chemicals Bare-co/Farming equipment suppliers Masport Mowers Agent NRMA agent

If we don't have it we can get it!!

26 Durham Rd, East Gresford 02 4938 9204

Mon-Fri 7.30am to 5pm Sat 7.30 to 11am

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Gresford CWA News

Welcome to new members Melissa Bailey and Colleen O’Brien. We look forward to enjoying your friendship and sharing ideas.

laptop of the people, scenery buildings and temples for the enjoyment of our members. Over morning tea Clay was asked many questions about Nepal.

good company lively discussion. Come and join us. The book for June is “ Patron Saint of Lost Dogs” Nick Trout.

OLD COINS Last year 120kgs of foreign and “out of circulation” coins as well as foreign notes were collected. These raised $2,000 for ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World head quartered in London). All CWA members are encouraged to visit them when visiting England. STAMPS are also collected trim 1cm around the edge. These can be left at the rooms for us to forward on or email gresfordcwa@gmail.com and we will pick up.

WOOL, WOOL, WOOL Thank you to those who donated, it has been distributed already. Some unfinished garments being a challenge! They will be completed and donated to the Dungog Op Shop.

NEPAL At the last meeting Clay Cowley gave an interesting talk on his experience with a Ministry in Nepal. In addition to working with young people, he undertook many hiking trips and presented a number of slides on his

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 9.30am we have a lot fun do come and join us.

Robyn Thornton, President

WORKSHOP ‘WOOL’N’THINGS’ Saturday June 17th at 10am. Learn to knit, crochet, spin. Boys, girls Mums etc., all welcome. Morning Tea, gold coin donation. We will have wool, needles etc.

RSVP Judy Daly 0431 149 377, 4938 9 624 or judydaly@hotmail.com.au Would you like to learn how to make felt articles with Marcia Francis, adults and teenagers please email gresfordcwa@gmail.com and we will set up a workshop.

BOOK CLUB Saturday 10th June at 3.00pm. CWA rooms. Afternoon tea,

Clay Cowley and International Officer Judy Daly.

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

F A M I LY O W N E D & O P E R A T E D

• P R O U D LY S E R V I N G T H E P E O P L E O F T H E H U N T E R V A L L E Y, P O R T S T E P H E N S & N E W C A S T L E •

C A L L T O N Y, M A R G A R E T O R L I N D S AY F R Y 2 4 H O U R S / 7 D AY S

•

   

PRE-ARRANGED FUNERALS

48 61

B A N K S S T, E A S T M A I T L A N D

P O R T S T E P H E N S S T, R AY M O N D T E R R A C E

97

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WWW.FRYBROS.COM.AU

4933 6155

G resford News • June 2017

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What’s on the Shelves?

by Glenda Smith

Black Rock White City A.S. Patric´ This book was the latest topic of discussion by the Gresford CWA book club, and was seen as a very challenging one. It charts the experiences over a very hot summer in Melbourne of a refugee Serbian couple, who have lost their children in the war and have fled the disintegration of their lives in Sarajevo. They were both academics and writers, but in Australia they perform cleaning jobs.

Jovan, the husband, is in particular the target of racist put-downs because his English is imperfect and he is sometimes slow to react.

There is a bizarre sub-plot whereby a graffitist is operating in the hospital where Jovan cleans, and seems to have a personal vendetta against him. Jovan deals with the increasingly dark acts of graffiti as his life blunders on – he and his wife struggle to communicate and cannot seem to help each other deal with their personal demons from the war. The novel is fragmentary in style and has elusive strands, but deals with the refugee experience very well. Both Jovan and Suzana are engaging characters. Suzana is opaque but very strong, while Jovan is compassionate and inwardly poetic. This is not an easy read, but may be a rewarding one.

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SALMON & ONION PUFF PIE Ingredients: 1 x 210 can red or pink salmon ½ cup Swiss or tasty cheese 1 small onion finely diced ½ cup self-raising flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 4 eggs 2 cups milk

Method: Pre-heat oven, grease a 25cm (10inch) pie or quiche dish. Drain and remove bones from salmon. Using a fork break salmon into small pieces and place into a pie plate. Sprinkle cheese and onion over salmon. Place sifted flour, salt, pepper eggs and milk into a blender and blend 25-30 seconds until smooth or beat with a hand rotary beater. Pour mixture over salmon. Bake in a pre-heated oven 180 degrees (fan forced) for 35-40 minutes until set. Allow to stand 8-10minutes before cutting into wedges to serve. Serves 6-8.

This recipe can be found in the CWA cook book.

All books reviewed are from the CWA library. They are put on a separate shelf in the library so they are easy to find plus the reviews are in a folder.

Available at Gresford Foodworks and The Gresford Store cost $13.

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Bowlo Casino Fundraiser Night A huge thank you goes out to every one who came to our Casino Fundraiser Night.

It was a lot of fun. Jessica Litchfield won the XXXX Esky and a Meal Voucher from Yabbies Restaurant at Paterson Tavern.

Kevin Kealy won the lovely painting donated by Paul Fleming along with 3 packs of wine donated by Boydell Wines.

There were many other small prizes also won throughout the night.

Kevin Kealy also won our fun prize of money sunglasses for winning the most amount of chips on the night and Karen Willis won the dummy award for being the biggest whinger on the night as there were no dummy spits. (These prizes were chosen by Vegas Nights who ran the Casino tables).

A HUGE thank you to all our sponsors and prize donations Poker Table Camyr Allyn Homestead Black Jack Dick Hopson Fire & Ice Roulette 1 Boydells Wine Roulette 2 Photo Worxs Craps Paterson Butcher Eucre Twin Rivers Café 500 Foodworks East Gresford & Max Cowley Spraying Roulette Gresford General Store & Post Office Paul Fleming Painting • Boydells Wine 6 x twin packs of wine • Food Works East Gresford hats, stubby coolers etc • Tooheys Esky, shirts, hats, stubby coolers, singlets, thongs, sun glasses etc. • Paterson Tavern $50 meal voucher for Yabbies Restaurant.

With all the help and attendance of our sponsors and people who came along to the night we raised approx $2,800.00 which will be spent on much needed upgrades around the club.

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Winners are Grinners!

• June 2017, p 15

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Paterson Allyn Garden Group (PAGG)

Six years ago there was just the two of us, my horticultural friend Penny Kater and I, often chatting over a cup of coffee and trying to solve the good the bad and the ugly in our gardens.. Then about a year later came a show of hands at a yoga class. Who would like to walk and talk about gardening on a regular basis?

Twenty five people turned up to our inaugural meeting. They came from the length and breadth of the Paterson and Allyn river valleys which lie close to Dungog in the Hunter Valley. We had decided to call our club the Gresford

Garden Group, but because of the encouraging initial interest, within one month we changed our name to PAGG ...Paterson Allyn Garden Group. In our wildest dreams we could not have imagined that we would quickly grow to 110 members. We made a vow Penny and I, that whilst ever we were at the helm we would always meet in a garden somewhere. We now have the most invaluable committee. We always start our meetings with a classic CWA style morning tea (a must for enthusiastic gardeners) followed by a Q and A session

Camyr Allyn Wines are proud to announce the release of the first wine in our Regional Series. It is a Barossa GSM crafted by James Evers from grapes grown in the Barossa valley. A stunning blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro.

The Regional Series will complement the existing Camyr Allyn Estate wines produced from grapes grown in East Gresford and will include a Pinot Gris later this year.

The GSM is available at: Foodworks East Gresford, The Beatty Hotel, Flying Duck at Vacy and of course the major Dungog Liquor outlets You can also purchase direct online at www.camyrallynwines.com.au Or give John a call on 0417389576.

We love to catch up with old friends.

where pretty well all questions can be answered on the spot. We have four horticulturists and a permaculturist in our group. We also have gardens galore to wander through and around 50 (mostly retirees) who come to our monthly meetings have the opportunity to chat, wander and learn. I love watching friendships develop and I love the way we care so much about each other. It’s not hard to imagine, because that’s what we do in our gardens. We nurture and we bond.

Jane Chandler, President

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G resford News

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• June 2017, p 17

Getting to know the locals...

by Noel Jupp OAM, Dip Hort, QP Dept Ag & Fisheries Psydrax odorata To me, one of the most fascinating plants is PSYDRAX ODORATA. Over the years it has had several name changes from Canthium lucidum to Coffea odorata to Canthium odoratum and most recently to Psydrax odorata.

Fully grown specimens can grow to 8 meters high in ideal conditions so it is not overly large. The plant is ideal stock fodder which helps explain why it is not as common as it used to be.

The name Psydrax is evolved from the Greek meaning Wrong and to Lie – the reference is made in reference to the knobbly seeds and the inference that liars have a pimply tongue. Common names are Stiff Canthium, Shiny leafed Canthium, Sweet Susie and Iamboto.

All forms are slow growing and the plant featured here has doubled its size in this year’s heatwave so it loves the heat. The fruit is reputed to be edible but just how or when, I do not know but birds love the fruit. The flowers are highly scented and attract both native bees and honey bees.

The coast form is found from the Hunter River and north to the Torres Strait islands and extends to Micronesia and Hawaii. The subspecies buxifolia (shown here) occurs from the Upper Hunter to Kingaroy in Queensland. The form form Glenbawn Dam and Aberdeen is closely allied to the Far Western form.

Although the coastal form is recorded as occurring north from the Hunter River, it is not common in the Lower Hunter. We have found one or two plants growing at Tocal and the same at Tabbil Forest but if you go a little further north, it is common on dry rainforest and in drier areas of the wetter rainforests.

The species has pronounced horizontal branches giving a layered concept which is an underutilised feature in landscape horticulture.

The form shown here is still fairly common in some areas of the upper Hunter and has been recorded as far south as Putty.

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G resford News • June 2017

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, p 18

Billy Cart Derby Thanks Road Workers

Council staff enjoy the BBQ in Orana Park East Gresford.

Laurence Thorssell cooking at the BBQ

finished but they managed to find turf to lay on all of the footways to cover the mud and clay for our visitors to the derby. This is even more surprising as all of the turf farms locally were underwater and we really did not expect to see turf laid for the derby. We were pleasantly surprised to see the extra effort they put in to make this happen.

completed. The residents of East Gresford are excited with the new road upgrade and no longer have to dodge numerous pot holes. Drainage and roadworks will continue to disrupt traffic and access for a while to come but in the end we will have a great road running through our town. Visitors and locals will benefit greatly from the excellent work our council staff are doing. Next time you drive by stop and say thankyou to the workers for doing a great job.

On Thursday the 11th May the Gresford Billy Cart Derby Committee put on a BBQ for the Dungog Council road staff working on the upgrade to Park Street East Gresford. The idea was raised by our long term committee member Laurence Thorssell who saw an opportunity to say thankyou to the staff for their hard work in ensuring the road was completed in time for this year’s Billy Cart Derby. The council staff were constantly delayed due to the extreme wet weather leading up to Easter, they made a concerted effort to ensure the road works were completed for us. Not only did they have the road

Graeme Ferguson

Our Federal Member Dr David Gillespie made a donation of one million dollars to the upgrade of Park Street, East Gresford, without this funding the roadworks would never have been

Graham Murphy President, Gresford Billy Cart Derby

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G resford News

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Re-energise your Business In business? In the area? Want to meet, learn, discuss, explore, network and get inspired?

Dungog Community College is holding a forum on Monday 19th June 2017: "Re-energise your Business – great ideas, new models, going bigger, planning for success". We’re hoping to get business-folk with existing, new and still-in-thedreaming phase businesses attending.

Keynote speaker, Barbara Sweeney, is a journalist with Australian Country Style, food writer and organiser of her own literary event, Food & Words.

Drawing on her experience witnessing successful enterprises throughout regional Australia, she will expand on the theme of “turning challenges into success stories”.

There will also be short talks on a number of thought-provoking ideas, from new business models to making it on the internet.

Cool Burn Field Day

Damp weather conditions prevented the cool burn demonstration but the range of speakers provided a lot of information and plenty to think about. Each speaker had a different perspective on how, when and why to burn but one thing they could all agree on was the need to avoid hot out-of-control fires.

The event is free, and includes nibbles, but you can also buy dinner from the menu if you wish.

Although it’s part of our Women Do Business series, with funding from the state government’s Investing In Women program, we’d love to see men there as well.

When: 6-9pm, Monday 19 June 2017.

Where: Dungog RSL, cnr Brown & Lord Sts Dungog.

Cost: free (apart from ordering dinner).

Neil Griffiths (DPI) spoke about the effect of fire on soils and fire as a management tool for pastures. He also suggested other methods to

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consider such as grazing, slashing, mulching and cultivation. Neil said fire is not a useful tool for managing blady grass as burning encourages it to spread. Burning also removes organic matter, and depletes carbon, nitrogen and sulphur from the soil.

At the Cool Burn Indigenous Fire Management for Productive Pastures Field Day held by Gresford District Landcare in May speakers outlined the importance of cool burning as based on Aboriginal practice traced back as much as 50,000 years to protect and regenerate country.

Richard Jones (RFS) spoke about controlled burning as one tool for fire hazard reduction, among others, such as raking, mowing, grazing, reducing foliage, constructing fire breaks and asset protection zones.

He also outlined the regulations that are to be observed.

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David Ahoy (Biraban Land Council) spoke about the complex Aboriginal cultural uses of fire. He spoke of indigenous fire management as an indigenous science that included knowledge of local plants, animals, soils and landscape characteristics to determine how, when and where to burn.

Harry Rose (DPI) spoke from his personal experiences of using fire and observing its effects within our 'disturbed' environment. In many respects he reaffirmed the information provided by David Ahoy and the need for a craft approach to burning.

In the August edition we will publish notes from the day including Richard Jones' notes on low intensity hazard burning.

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G resford News • June 2017

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, p 20

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G resford News

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• June 2017, p 21

Visit to Dungog by Regional Business Connect Advisor – 8 June Jelinda Millgate, Regional Business Connect Advisor, from the Business Centre in Newcastle will be in Dungog on Thursday, 8 June to answer any small business-related questions. She will be based in the Dungog Shire Council’s meeting room, which are located in Brown Street, directly behind Council’s Administration Building.

Jelinda has predominantly worked with small business throughout her career, and has extensive experience in business development, marketing, sponsorship, public relations, engagement strategy, relationship management, networking, event management, project management, customer service, strategic planning and leadership. She also has experience successfully managing her own hotel business in the Upper Hunter.

Business Connect is a quality, personalised business advisory service, funded by the NSW Government, that supports small-to-medium businesses start or grow their business successfully.

The visit is being supported by both Dungog Shire Council and the Dungog District Chamber of Commerce.

small business throughout her career and has extensive experience in business development, marketing, sponsorship, · Business planning public relations, engagement strategy, · How to startup relationship management, networking, · Marketing event management, project management, · How to access finance and legal advice customer service, strategic planning and · Strategic planning leadership. She also has experience For more info: www.businesscentre.com. successfully managing her own hotel au/Business-Advice-Mentoring-Programs/ business in the Upper Hunter.

Jelinda holds a Bachelor of Arts (Media small-biz-connect.html Communications) and a Master of For more information and to make an Business Administration (MBA), appointment please contact Jelinda: specialising in marketing.

4925 7700 or 0428 214 870, or jelinda@ businesscentre.com.au. Information is also available from Ivan Skaines, Dungog Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Co-ordinator, on 4995 7777 or Jenny Lewis, President, Dungog District Chamber of Commerce, on 4992 1441 Jelinda can provide information on a range of matters including:

About Jelinda Having grown up with parents who were small business owners, Jelinda has always had a personal connection with small business and an interest in helping small businesses succeed. Jelinda has a background in regional print media and television advertising, in both sales and management roles. She has predominantly worked with

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G resford News • June 2017

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, p 22

Record number of responses for first week of FluTracking FluTracking is up and running for 2017 with a record of over 25,000 responses received in the first week. Indications to date show pre-season flu activity tracking similar to last year, where 1 in every 800 Australians participated in FluTracking.

The information gathered from over two million surveys compares the rates of flu symptoms in vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, with those who haven’t had the flu jab reporting higher rates of symptoms.

Each year influenza activity has a major impact across the nation. Influenza is highly contagious and while it has a significant impact on productivity through days off work, the viral infection can cause severe and life-threatening complications.

The online FluTracking maps pinpoint PETER EVANS & ASSOCIATES outbreaks of cough and fever by SOLICITORS postcode – with dark red icons indicating ‘Looking after people in business high levels of influenza activity.

People can register at www.flutracking. net after which they will be asked to Dr Craig Dalton, FluTracking co-ordinator complete a brief survey each Monday morning from May until October. On said the data received from the online completing each week's survey, weekly 10-second survey enables researchers to better understand influenza participants will be directed to the latest flu map and weekly report. activity and the impact the flu is having across the nation. “Our online survey The influenza season runs from May to allows health professionals to see where October, usually reaching a peak in flu is hitting the hardest, and to check its August. severity,” Dr Dalton said. “These surveys also help us identify the effectiveness of *Dr Craig Dalton is a Hunter New England the influenza vaccine and to assess if Health public health physician and a influenza strains have changed.”

Conjoint Senior Lecturer in the University's Faculty of Health and Medicine, and is FluTracking has grown from 400 supported by the Hunter Medical Research participants in the winter of 2006 to Institute. HMRI is a partnership between the 30,998 participants completing 666,628 University of Newcastle, Hunter New surveys in 2016.

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G resford News

• June 2017, p 23 Gresford News June Crossword The

Anglican Parish of Gresford Paterson ph 0458 146 152

church times are: Paterson 8.30am every Sunday Gresford 10.30am every Sunday Allynbrook 12 noon on the 4th Sunday of the month

St Helen’s Catholic Parish of Gresford and Sacred Heart Summer Hill WEEKEND MASS TIMES St Helen’s Gresford Saturday Vigil 6.30pm 5th Sunday of the Month, no Mass at Gresford but Sacred Heart Church Summer Hill, time to be advised.

Enquiries Parish Priest Fr. Paul Hopper 4992 1477 May 2016 crossword answers

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