Gresford News August 2022

resford News G

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August 2022

News of the communities of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys

Gresford Public School students from Year 3/4 at the Taronga Zoo Sydney. Thanks to the staff from the Gresford Public School for the photos.

We all went to the Zoo Students at Gresford Public School were treated to a “Trip to the Zoo” in May by the very generous P&C Association.

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 were delighted to spend a day at Hunter Valley Zoo in Pokolbin, where children fed the albino kangaroo and lounged with meerkats while Years 3 to 6 were fortunate enough to experience a “Night Stay Adventure” at Taronga Zoo Sydney.

Read the full story on page 7

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

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Bobcat Tipper Service

Serving the local areas General Earthmoving Gravel driveways Site cleaning Attachments available

Call Andrew 0487624605

Gresford News Notices Gresford & District Community Group August meeting 6.15pm Mon 1 August, Hotel Beatty

Dungog Trail Running Festival Sat 6 August: Mountain Bike event Sun 7 August: Trail Running event Registrations are now live for 2022.

Set aside 6 & 7 August – we're running through the beautiful Dungog Common!

Get your training shoes on & cue the music. With 20k, 10k, 5k and The Mountaineer on offer there is a distance that you will love! Come join us for great day of fun, trails and tunes.

More info www.rundungog.com

Meeting to discuss local murals Wed 17 August, Beatty Hotel at 6.30pm.

All are welcome. See story inside.

Organising an event?

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Contact the Dungog Visitor Information Centre to get into the online events listing in the Dungog Shire.

4992 2212 email: info@visitdungog.com.au www.visitdungog.com.au

0428 746 114

Community Access Defibrilator is located outside the East Gresford Police Station. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia.

A defibrillator can make the difference between life and death and can save a life prior to the ambulance arriving.

The Gresford News is a great way to reach out to our community. Our content is created by members of the community – people just like you. If you have something to say please send in your contribution Contact: • gresfordnews@iinet.net.au • Brian Doherty 0412 372 687 • Jane Richens 0425 339 856 • PO Box 73 East Gresford 2311 Deadline for stories & ads 20th of the month.

Visit issuu.com/gresford-news for the ‘Gresford News’ online.

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Gresford News circulation boost Many local residents eagerly await their hard copy of the Gresford News to appear in their letterbox each month, as it has done for over 20 years now. Produced by the volunteers of the Community Group with the indefatigable efforts of its publishers/editors/printers, Brian Doherty & Jane Richens, the costs involved mean that hard copy circulation cannot be increased, even though there are people outside the immediate Gresford/Vacy area who enjoy reading the Gresford News.

The Gresford News team has decided that the answer is to offer an on-line service, straight into your digital mailbox, so that anyone, regardless of where they live, can enjoy receiving and sharing the Gresford News each month. If you are a weekender or are away on holidays and cannot immediately access your mailbox, you will still receive your Gresford News at the beginning of each month. If there is something in the News that you wish to share, hey, only one click is required. For those who relate more to the digital age, the Gresford News will now offer that option to those who prefer it.

The backbone of the Gresford News are our loyal advertisers, without whom the publication could not exist. We hope that this initiative will also be of benefit to them by increasing circulation to a wider audience. We know that many other Shire residents – those of and around Paterson, Dungog and Clarence Town – use the Gresford News as a sort of “tradies directory” when searching for that elusive tradesman, especially a local one.

Dungog Shire Council has endorsed placing its draft Dungog Shire Economic Development (EDP) Plan 2022-2026 on public exhibition, to invite community feedback. The EDP is the result of six months of research, reflection and conversation with our community. While Council has played a central role in the plan’s development, it is first and foremost the community’s plan to shape the future economic growth for the shire.

The Gresford News is a very special publication that has supported the local community well. We hope that you will also support this next step in its evolution, as we all come to grips with the continuing digital revolution.

The draft EDP is now on public exhibition for 28 days. Following public exhibition a further report to Council will consider any submissions received prior to adopting the EDP. Go to www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/council/ council-advertisements/documents-exhibition.

Presented as 40 actions under the five themes of Identity, Infrastructure, Industry, Innovation and Income, the EDP outlines a roadmap for the We will be compiling an email list future prosperity of Dungog Shire. The EDP not for circulation of the News each only defines our community’s aspirations in the month. If you wish to be added to areas of economic development but sets a bold direction on where we aim to be in four years. this list, please let us know by emailing gresfordnews@iinet.net.au. The EDP’s goal is to maintain an average growth Anyone regardless of their location rate of between 1% - 2% per year, allowing for can subscribe to our digital copy at infrastructure investments to keep up with business and population growth. A faster growth no cost. And if you do not wish to rate may not be possible given that Council has receive the link to the News each limited resources, a significant backlog of month, feel free to unsubscribe. infrastructure projects and small ratepayer base.

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• August 2022, p 5

Bingleburra Road closed again

Bingleburra Road was closed again in the first week in July due to heavy rain causing a further landslip making the road potentially unsafe for all users.

On this occasion the slip occurred further up the slope above the road, causing material to slide downhill and block the road drains. As a result water was moving underneath the road potentially destabilising it and creating a dangerous situation.

Anyone wishing to travel between Dungog and Gresford or further up the Allyn River, has had to undertake quite a detour for most of the month of July, while the Council waited for the site to be sufficiently dry to undertake

engineering assessments and remediation work at the site.

On Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 July Council assessed the site, but found the slip materials were still saturated. Works were able to commence on Monday 25 July by removal of the guardrail, following which the removal and stockpile of the slip material was able to commence. Due to the constraints of the site and the waterlogged material progress has been slow.

If there are no significant delays and weather conditions allow, it is expected that the Bingleburra Road may re-open sometime in the first week in August.

We are fully stocked up with Husqvarna stock, produce, farming supplies, animal products, Swap & Go gas and many other goodies 26 Durham Rd, East Gresford 4938 9204. Mon-Fri 7.30am to 5.30pm, Sat 8am to 12pm, Sun closed

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We all went to the Zoo. Students at Gresford Public School were treated to a “Trip to the Zoo” in May by the very generous P&C Association.

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 were delighted to spend a day at Hunter Valley Zoo in Pokolbin, where children fed the albino kangaroo and lounged with meerkats. All were thrilled to see the lions and monkeys.

Years 3 to 6, a total of 40 students, were fortunate enough to experience a “Night Stay Adventure” at Sydney Taronga Zoo, including Infrared tours and hands on behind the scenes experiences with owls, snakes, frogs and lizards. Interactive “Wild Classrooms” complete with monkeys, possums and doves amazed and educated the children.

The zoo guides were impressed by the intelligent questions and enthusiasm of our students. Their polite, considerate manners were well noted.

The rainy weather couldn’t dampen spirits with many children being first time visitors to the spectacle of the Harbour Bridge, Anzac Memorial and Lady Macquarie`s chair. An afternoon at the Powerhouse Museum fuelled the imagination with our

Gresford Public School students – Pippa, Nyah, Chilli, Jake, Otaki, Marley & Ebony – at Taronga Zoo.

zoo experience beginning amongst the Vivid Light Show installations on site, just as the lion began to roar at dusk. A free flight bird show and sealion spectacular were just some of the highlights of a once in a lifetime excursion.

A huge thank you to the community of Gresford and the P&C for working so tirelessly as volunteers, canteen helpers and fund raisers to make these trips possible for the children of Gresford School with no cost to parents.

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Get ready now to list your property in Spring.

Focus on September The sun will shine again and buyers will be out in the country looking to buy in Spring and early Summer.

Free and confidential appraisals. Happy to help you. Free advice.

Best to get organised well in advance of listing your property.

Phone Pamela Munson 0427 207542

PAMELA MUNSON COUNTRY ESTATES

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• August 2022, p 9

Murals Meeting Lots of excitement at the Sporting Complex on Saturday the 23rd with the Sporty types looking at the new building for sport and the arty types looking at the walls as a blank canvas.

Kris Doyle and his team have been working on this building for 8 years and it is finally coming together. It will give us one of the best sporting facilities in regional Australia. With the building to

Aunty Sandy – at the mural meeting.

A large group gathered to discuss plans for local murals. Thank you David Oliver for the photos.

be completed soon the next step will be putting murals and logos on the walls.

This included saying our Aboriginal totem for the area is the wedgetail eagle.

When the discussion of murals on the new building began it was found there were many other groups interested to put artwork and murals on their buildings. A discussion began and now the goal is to beautify some public and private spaces with murals and artwork that can also celebrate our community.

Some of the ideas are an aboriginal mural, a map of the area, celebration of a local people, organisations and history, sporting mural, the poem ‘My Country’ by Dorothy MacKella, our flora and Fauna.

Local John O’Brien who is also executive director of Arts Upper Hunter outlined some considerations to develop the project further.

Local indigenous Elder Aunty Sandy began the meeting with a welcome to country and a little history of the area.

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We had some very good people at the first meeting, but we know many good and creative people couldn’t make it and we invite them to get involved. This is going to be a big and ongoing project and we would love all the community to get involved.

There will be another meeting on Wednesday the 17th of August at the Beatty Hotel at 6.30pm. All are welcome. For more information talk to David Oliver on 0414 299 555 or Jim Doyle on 0407 307 800

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Dr David GILLESPIE THE NATIONALS FOR LYNE

He Listens. He Cares. He Delivers.

Thank You for Your Support!

I’d like to wholeheartedly thank you, the people of the Lyne electorate, for your overwhelming support in re-electing me as your local Federal MP. I look forward to working with my colleagues, both in the Coalition and across the Parliament over the course of the next term, to continue to make our region and our nation even stronger.

David and Charlotte Dr David GILLESPIE

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He Listens. He Cares. He Delivers.

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• August 2022, p 11

Arboretum Notes The arboretum site is almost underwater and it is surprising we haven’t lost more of the trees. Some have become unstable and we have made every effort to support them until the site dries out. Some have simply given up the ghost and we will replace them.

Others look as if all their xmasses have come at once!

Groundcovers are doing well, Native Violets, Dianella, and Pollia are looking good.

The spectacular Native Tamarind is looking amazing There is one Grevillea which simply goes on flowering regardless which is strange as they normally hate poor drainage.

Looking forward to some sun to dry out the site Penny Kater

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ADVERTISEMENT

COVID-19 WINTER BOOSTER COVID-19 infections continue across the Upper Hunter Electorate.

Ensure your COVID-19 vaccination is up to date including the additional winter booster.

To be COVID-Safe this winter: • Wear a face mask in crowded spaces, at health facilities and on public transport; • Wash or sanitise your hands; and, • Keep your germs at home when ill or unwell .

Stay informed at: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Dave Layzell MP Member for Upper Hunter

Authorised by Dave Layzell MP, 20 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook NSW 2323 Funded using Parliamentary entitlements.

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Arts Upper Hunter micro grants program returns They’re back! These small but significant grants are aimed at helping artists and arts organisations to get back on track or to take a small but crucial step forward in their creative pursuits. Arts Upper Hunter (AUH) first offered Micro Grants back in 2020 and were staggered by the response. This year, grants of up to $1,000 are once again available for artists or organisations working across all artforms in the Upper Hunter region.

Whether it’s a small scale project, a workshop, equipment, training, marketing or something else, a Micro Grant may be just the lift you need.

It’s not only the money that can make a difference, according to AUH Executive Director John O’Brien. “Making a go of a creative career is a risky and brave act.

A grant is a small recognition that says, yes, you are an artist, keep it up.

And for creative community groups still trying to relaunch after Covid, a Micro Grant can be a shot in the arm to help them on their way.”

How to apply It is strongly advised that you ring or email John O’Brien at Arts Upper Hunter before you apply to ensure your project is

Photo: Artwork created at a workshop held by Julie Fitzgerald and supported by Arts Upper Hunter Micro Grant 2020. Photo taken by and courtesy of Julie Fitzgerald.

eligible: 0409 382 509 rado@art supperhunter.com.au Applications are relatively straightforward. The Guidelines and Application Form can be found on the website www.artsupperhunter.com

Grants are competitive as the funding pool is limited. Applications open on Monday 25 July and close Monday 22 August 2022.

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Railway to Gresford

Construction of rail bridge for the north coast railway at Paterson c1909 (Photo courtesy Paterson Historical Society, Ref phs094)

The idea of a rail line serving the Paterson and Allyn Valleys was raised as early as the 1890s. This month’s article from the Dungog Chronicle: Durham and Gloucester Advertiser, Tuesday 2 June 1914 Page 2

talks about a line from either Paterson or Mowbray (maybe around the intersection of Horns Crossing and Dungog Roads at Martins Creek). The rail line to Dungog had opened in August 1911.

"T

he residents of Gresford and district held a meeting last week to organise an agitation in favour of the construction of a branch railway from that rich and extensive valley to connect

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• August 2022, p 15

and it lies unoccupied, an with the North Coast line at Mowbray or harbor for vermin and Paterson. The wonder is noxious weeds. that an agitation was Cockspur lines will have to be not started ere this, as built along the Coast at the importance of the various points to act as district should amply feeders for the main line, and justify it being linked we feel sure that if the up by means of steel resources of the Gresford rails. Not only would district are laid before the there be extensive Minister for Public Works that goods traffic in the gentleman will readily shape of milk, butter, recommend the proposal for cream, oranges, maize, the consideration of the stone fruits, grapes, Public Works Committee. wine, and general farm View of East Gresford and district undated (Photo courtesy NSW State Archives and produce, but, there are Records Ref NRS-12932-1-[X2444]-4 Original prints of Photographs used in NSW trains We commend the residents of extensive forest lands at Gresford and district for the bounds, so that in a few years, with the the heads of the Paterson and Allyn, steps they have taken, and trust their development of industries on the banks containing enormous quantities of efforts may be crowned with success." of the Hunter, there will be an almost valuable timber, which could be The agitation continued until at least the inexhaustible market for anything the profitably exploited. The timber traffic 1920s when, according to the Maitland alone, would form a big item of revenue, farmer can produce. The cost of construction of a branch line should not Weekly Mercury, Saturday 27 January both in the shape of royalty and of run into a very great sum of money, and 1923 page 4 a report from the NSW freight. With the advent of railway Railway Commissioners suggested that when completed, would be a paying communication to Gresford, we would proposition almost from the start. Then, “the small amount of business offering be safe in saying that the production of fruit, vegetables, etc, would increase two- again, there is a big area of Crown lands does not warrant railway communication, or any additional fold. Newcastle is still expanding in size, in that district that could be taken up expenditure in making further and profitably worked, but at present whilst the coal fields of Maitland are increasing in population in leaps and investigations.” people will not go so far from market,

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Football and Billy Cart Action

While players continue to deal with a frustratingly wet season, there is plenty of action happening behind the scenes at Gresford Vacy Football Club.

Work on the new clubhouse – including canteen facility and changing rooms – is making steady progress with the slab down and the walls up.

Plans are also in place to resurrect the Gresford Billy Cart Derby after several COVID-related cancellations. The Billy Cart Derby was an exciting annual drawcard for the town and a major fundraiser for our community groups.

The event’s organising committee is meeting at Beatty Hotel, East Gresford, at 7pm on Wednesday, August 18. Any groups wanting to be involved in the Easter Saturday event, and secure a slice of the fundraising profits, are encouraged to send a representative to the meeting.

All inquiries to Kris Doyle on 0428 389 531.

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New Hunter Valley families book A new book about Hunter Valley families will be launched as part of National Family History Week. The book was written by Roland Bannister and is titled "An Incomplete Chronicle of the families Burns, Puxty, Hewitt, Longworth, Poile, Pascoe, Kenny and Hancock".

The book will be launched on Sunday 7 August at 10.30am at the Newcastle Museum by Gionni Di Gravio OAM, Archivist, University of Newcastle and Chair, Hunter Living Histories.

As its title suggests, the book chronicles the lives of the author's ancestors who settled in the valley as rural workers, farmers, miners, and publicans. Special family places include Paterson, Vacy, Eccleston, Singleton, Rixs Creek, Camberwell, Carrowbrook, and Newcastle. The book is illustrated with images from the family collection, and from institutional collections and archives.

Roland Bannister says "some came to Australia as convicts, but most came free. Their individual stories tell the wider story of Europeans in the Hunter, the European emigrants who moved onto the lands of the Valley's Aboriginal people".

“The book is a great addition to the history of the Hunter Valley told through the stories of a number of local families who continue to live in the Valley to the present. Paterson Historical Society was pleased to assist Roland with his research and to advise about publication,” Cameron Archer President of the Paterson Historical Society said.

The book will be on sale at launch and by mail order from the author: rsbannister@gmail.com Retail price: $30 (plus $15 packing and postage for mailed copies = total $45) Book launch price: $25.00 (cash only)

• August 2022, p 17

On the Shelves...

by Glenda Smith Less

by Andrew Sean Greer This is the quirky tale of a writer travelling the world to escape the wedding of his former lover, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2018. Despite some moderate successes, Arthur Less considers himself a failure in both writing and love, and his busy itinerary is designed to distract himself from these disappointments in life. Arthur is ingenuous and accident-prone, highly sensitive, and innocent enough to engage the sympathies of the reader.

Arthur is also attempting to escape from the fact that he is about to turn fifty, and obviously feels that life will continue to get worse. His lucky suit is destroyed in his travels; he loses his luggage; and breaks his ankle as he goes from chairing a literary event to panel discussion to teaching a writing course and so on – all the activities that may keep writers financially afloat. He is also attempting to rewrite his latest novel, which has been rejected by his publisher.

We travel with Arthur Less in his triumphs, hopes and failures. This is an engaging and entertaining novel which looks at the writer’s world with both empathy and satire. It ends on a pun, but readers should resist the temptation to peek. The ending ties up the threads of the novel beautifully.

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

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PRECIS FROM DUNGOG SHIRE COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY 20 JULY 2022 Council Meetings are livestreamed via council’s Facebook page and meeting agendas, minutes and an audio recording can be found on council’s website.

Mayoral Minute – Accounting

bridge sites. The following bridges are complete and open to traffic: - Archinals Bridge - Mary Carlton’s Bridge The following Bridge is complete with approach works being undertaken under traffic: - Saxby’s Bridge The following further tenders for bridge works have been awarded: - Bruxner Bridge Bridgeworks nearing completion and expected to be open to traffic by mid-August - Hopsons Bridge - Thalaba Bridge - Banfield Bridge - Fosterton Bridge - Panel tender for bridge works

Treatment of Rural Fire Service Assets A long-standing dispute over the accounting treatment of mobile and other fire-fighting assets has come to a head with the Auditor-General’s 2021 Report on Local Government, released on 22 June 2022. The Audit Report reemphasises the State Government determination that RFS assets are the “property” of councils and must be recorded in Council’s financial statements with Council required to therefore absorb Clarence Town Bridge Project Update all depreciation costs.

Dungog Shire Council has completed geotechnical, survey and draft Dungog Shire Council, in partnership visualisation works on the new Clarence with councils across the State and Local Town bridge over the Williams River Government NSW (LGNSW) refute this determination. Councils do not have any adjacent to the State Heritage listed Brig O’Johnston Bridge. say in the acquisition, deployment, or The Brig O’Johnston Bridge is a Public disposal of these assets, nor the effective Works Department (PWD) Timber Truss management or control of these assets.

The latest Audit Report has made further bridge that was built in 1880, and is the oldest surviving PWD timber truss bridge impositions on councils by: in NSW. The objective of the state and • recommending council undertakes a stocktake of RFS assets and records the federally funded project is to construct a value in Council’s financial statements; • warning that if council does not recognise the assets, it will be found non-compliant and will have a high risk finding reported; and • calling on the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (OLG) to intervene where councils do not recognise rural firefighting equipment.

Dungog Shire Council re-affirms its complete support of and commitment to local RFS brigades, and that rather than being owned and controlled by local brigades, RFS assets are somehow controlled by councils, which councils consider to be a cynical financial sleight of hand, abdicating the NSW Government’s responsibilities at the cost of local communities.

Dungog Shire Council will also seek to convey its support to Local Government NSW (LGNSW) and requests LGNSW continue advocating on council’s behalf to get clarification finally from the State Government about the accounting treatment of RFS assets.

Fixing Country Bridges During June 2022, Dungog Shire Council undertook significant road and bridge construction works, including preconstruction investigation works at all

RICHARD WELLS UPHOLSTERY

new dual lane bridge (including single pedestrian walkway) over the Williams River on Limeburners Creek Road Clarence Town to replace the existing timber truss bridge.

The proposed new bridge will provide for enhanced capacity for freight to not only the Clarence Town area but the Dungog Shire as a whole.

Dungog Shire Council will move to finalise design concepts before conducting detailed quantity surveys are complete, and community consultation can begin.

More news on the endorsed program of works can be found on council’s website.

Community Feedback Dungog Shire Council has received positive feedback for its Infrastructure and Assets team who worked so diligently in repairing Monkerai Road.

This brought positive feedback by Councillors who sought to commended the way in which staff at Dungog Shire Council worked tirelessly to respond to the recent flooding event across the shire.

Enquiries: JOHN CONNORS Mayor, Dungog Shire Council Phone: 02 4995 7777 / 0418 272 197 Email: john.connors@dungog.nsw.gov.au

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

We can help you with: Conveyancing, Family Law, Business Law, Criminal Law, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probate and more …

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

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

G resford News

The

• August 2022, p 19

Gresford News August Crossword Anglican Parish of Gresford Paterson

Weekly Services 10.30am Sundays at St Annes COVID safe practices in place CONTACT Fr Peter Rothnie 0438 413 007, email priest@gpanglican.com.au

Gresford

Congregational Church 30 Durham Rd Gresford

Services Each Sunday 10.30am ALL WELCOME Enquiries to Pastor Roy Waters Ph 02 4938 9348

Crossword kindly provided by Russel Jessop.

St Helen’s Catholic Parish of Gresford and Sacred Heart Summer Hill Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Helen's church Sat. evening at 5:30 pm ( except 2nd Sat. of month).

Weekday Mass Thursdays at 9.30am Sunday Morning Mass at Summer Hill on the 2nd Sun. of each month at 11:30 am.

All enquiries to Fr. Derek Garner, Parish Priest, on 4992 1477.

July 2022 crossword answers

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