Gresford News March 2021

resford News G

The

March 2021

News of the communities of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys

What a difference a year makes From dust to lush...

Jenny Creal documented the paddock around a watering point in January 2020 and February 2021. 2020 was certainly an exceptional year in our landscape followed by the COVID experience.

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

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COME & PLAY AROUND competition, social or just practice.

Saturday 18 hole competition Sunday bacon & egg social Wednesday day light saving social, Thursday vets 18 hole competeion.

You asked for it!!! Champagne golf due to a great deal of interest, we will be holding another night for the girls Friday 19th march put it in your diaries & bring some friends Check us out on facebook www.facebook.com/ dungoganddistrictgolfclub

Gresford News Notices 89th Annual Gresford Show

• Fancywork, Art, Craft & Photography • Children’s Work • Guinea Pigs & Bunnies

Events are subject to change pending Fri 12 & Sat 13 March on NSW Govt restrictions at the time of Come along to the COVID safe show with show.

To reduce congestion at the entry plenty to see & do for the whole family! to the grounds it is recommended that Friday 12th March • Horse classes • gate entry be pre-purchased online for Campdraft • Junior cattle judging and all attendees via nominate.com.au parading • Invitational dog trial Saturday 13th March • Horse classes • To find out more: www.gresfordshow.com.au + Facebook + Instagram Commercial & stud cattle classes • Pet parade • Poultry exhibition display • Local photography and schools craft exhibition • Campdraft final

Gresford News CLASSIFIEDS

• Grand parade and main ring entertainment – Invitational six bar showjumping – Pony Club troop drill – Invitational steer and mini bull ride – Ag bike demonstration – Invitational post splitting • Kids disco • Fireworks Because of requirements to reduce handling of items in pavilions, the following sections will not be proceeding: • Farm Produce, Vegetables & Fruit • Jams, Jellies, Pickles, etc • Cooking • Cut Flowers, Pot Plants & Flower Arrangements

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Wednesday vacancies available for you to learn patchwork & quilting in a fun & friendly environment at Vacy.

No experience necessary, all you need is a sewing machine & a good sense of humour.

Phone Bon on 0418678411

Advertise in the GRESFORD NEWS CLASSIFIEDS Classified Ad Rates are: Standard line listing $2.75 a line or $11 for 5 lines

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General Plumbing & Drainage Gas Plumbing Drain Cleaning New houses, renovations & extensions

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 To contact Gresford News: email 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 www.gresfordnsw.com.au for local information & the ‘Gresford News’ online.

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Gresford District Community Group News

Why not read the Gresford News online?

Would you like to be ahead of the game and follow local happenings in Gresford and district at any time?

The Gresford News is available online at www.gresfordnsw.com.au/news More and more people are reading newspapers, magazines, and books online either on tablets, computers, or smart phones. With more people online you are helping to save on printing costs and assisting the environment. On-line publications can also deliver links to other webpages and sites.

Also remember the current and past editions of the Gresford News are available by visiting: https://issuu.com/ gresford-news

is a long term on going GDCG Community project.

development of the Sports Ground with construction to commence June/ July 2021. Working with “Wonnaruah Land Council” with potential for a common landscaping theme to run between Sports Ground and Arboretum.

The Community Group thanks the Dungog Council for the donation of mulch which is so important to keep the Arboretum looking good. Mulch helps to • Billy Cart Derby reduce weeds and water loss while Unfortunately, the Billy Cart Derby helping to maintain soil moisture and will be cancelled for 2021 due to moderates the temperature of the soil by COVID restrictions. keeping it cooler in summer months and warmer in the winter months.

• Roads and Telecommunications in Paterson/Allyn River valleys Local history is important and a great GDCG is pushing hard for action/ record so many thanks to Robert improvement including email letters Richardson for his article in the to be sent to Local, State and Federal December Gresford News on the history members and asking other community of ‘Woodlyn’ and the Richardson family. groups to assist by ‘piggy-backing’ on I am sure there are many other local these letters. The GDCG would love to stories waiting to be written, and we The Gresford Show will be different this hear your ‘bad road stories’ and/or any would love to have them in the Gresford year with a revised format, so let’s show photos as part of the ongoing News. If you are uncertain about writing our support and visit the 89th Gresford campaign to improve our roads. a history piece, if you provide the Show – the place to visit on Friday 12 Email: gcg@gresfordnsw.com.au history and information, we are happy and Saturday 13 March. to assist in writing your history.

Next meeting to be held 1 March – Contact the Gresford News at gcg@ Another place to visited while in the everyone is welcome, please gresfordnsw.com.au vicinity is the Arboretum, after all this email gcg@gresfordnsw.com.au wonderful rain it is looking spectacular. for further details.

Other news from the meeting on 1 News from Penny is the bird mural February include: panels are being done by local artist • Development of Sports Ground Christine Pike and hopefully they will be Kris Doyle outlined plans for the in place before too long. The Arboretum

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The Gresford News Community Diary Wed 3 Mar French conversation, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 11.30am Fri 12 Mar Gresford District Agricultural Show, Gresford Showgrounds

• Horse classes • Campdraft • Junior cattle judging and parading • Invitational dog trial Sat 13 Mar Gresford District Agricultural Show, Gresford Showgrounds

• Horse classes • Commercial & stud cattle classes • Pet parade • Poultry exhibition display

• Local photography and schools craft exhibition • Campdraft final

• Grand parade and main ring entertainment

– Invitational six bar showjumping

– Pony Club troop drill

– Invitational steer and mini bull ride

– Ag bike demonstration

– Invitational post splitting

• Kids disco • Fireworks Sat 13 Mar CWA Book Event with local author Jane Hartley, East Gresford, 3.00pm, see inside for RSVP Wed 17 Mar French conversation, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 11.30am Sun 28 Mar Paterson Historic Walk, 1.00pm A selection of local meetings and regular activities. Please let us know when your meeting or activity is on.

1st & 3rd Wed each month French conversation, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 11.30am (not Jan) 1st Thurs each month CWA Gresford Branch Meeting, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 9.30am (not Jan) 2nd Mon each month Gresford District Landcare Group Meeting, 5.00pm (not Jan), secretary 0414 449 313 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 or Feb) Every Wed & Fri (school terms) Yoga with Donna Cavanough, Wed–gentle, Fri–general, Vacy School of Arts Hall, 9.15am

The Gresford News is keen to get the listing of regular meetings and activities going again.

Please let us know when your event or meeting is on – gresfordnews@iinet.net.au

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217 acres, Torryburn. SOLD for 3 Million How green are our Valleys!

The most marketable Summer in 25 years! Autumn will be stunning this Year! Country buyers are out in force in our areas.

Green paddocks, full dams, flowing Rivers. Lush lawns, gardens looking amazing… best photo opportunities in years!

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• March 2021, p 7

Gresford and District Landcare

and making it more water retentive and fertile. It’s what happens in the 300mm below the soil surface that determines the health of our beautiful planet and food supply.

Meat and Livestock Australia describe ‘rotational grazing as moving livestock through a series of paddocks so when they have finished grazing the last paddock in the series, the first paddock has recovered to allow the rotation to recommence’. (https:// www.mla.com.au/ research-anddevelopment/Grazingpasture-management/ native-pasture/grazingmanagement/grazingstrategies/) The Gresford and District Landcare February meeting was a visit to ‘Guy Gallen’ near Lostock where property owner and member, Peter Dreyer has transformed 60% of his property to facilitate rotational grazing.

Peter has divided his paddocks into ‘grazing lanes’ 18m wide. The lanes are further subdivided to create 18m x 18m cells. There are approximately 620 cells.

The cells are designed for portable

electric fencing enabling ‘herd effect’ and ‘nonselective grazing’ – good for the cattle, good for the pasture and good for the soil. Cattle move quietly to fresh fodder as cells are made available. No cell is grazed for more than a day.

To date Peter has achieved an average 60 day rest period enabling grass to regenerate, returning carbon to the soil

Peter said while initially it had been management and labour intensive, he has ‘tooled up’ to make the daily deployment of electric fencing an easy and fun task. Cattle movements are planned and recorded in detail.

He has stopped using fertilizer and poisons and has seen improvement in his pastures and cattle health since starting his planned grazing program in September 2019.

Robert Smith gave his water report noting that the PH level was 7 and the electrical conductivity is 930 which is a lot higher than anything he has seen before. Rod Kater explained that the limestone in the hills is flushed out during rain causing this to happen.

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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Gresford Arboretum local flora – Climbing Guinea Flower Looking for some ground cover to reduce the weeds? It could be worth having a look at the Hibbertia scandens a native climber or ground cover found in our paddocks and brush around our District and native to Australia. This perennial (a plant that lives for more than two years) is also commonly known as the Snake Vine, Climbing Guinea Flower, Golden Guinea Vine, or Gold Guinea Plant.

With pretty yellow flowers in late spring and summer – currently in flower at the Arboretum. This fairly vigorous climber prefers full sun but will also grow in semi-shaded areas. The Guinea Flower can also be a fast-growing ground cover.

It is low maintenance, and except for an occasional controlled pruning it makes an excellent screen plant on walls and fences, ground cover or alternatively it can be grown as a little hedge.

The Hibbertia scandens prefers soil with reasonable drainage and can grow up to 3 metres and 5 metres wide. For propagating you will find taking cuttings from either soft wood or semi-hardwood (depending on the time of year) will work, while trying to grow from the attractive red seeds is harder. The Guinea

Flower attracts bees and butterflies, tolerates medium frost and is also good for erosion control.

Janie, Penny and the Friends of the Arboretum would like to thank and appreciate the donation from Leon and Marissa Groves – 100 trees which will be planted in Autumn. The Arboretum gets better and better thanks to not only to

donations like this but also to the Friends of the Arboretum who meet every Friday around 5pm for some Arboretum maintenance and then a lovely social chat after. Everyone is welcome, bring your gloves, spade, water, chair for the chat and your own drink. For further information contact Penny on 4938 9365 Liz Jones, Friends of the Arboretum

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Works Bonanza for Gresford and Paterson/Allyn Valleys It was no accident that the deputy premier, Mr John Barilaro MP, minister for roads Mr Paul Toole MP, and our local member, Mr Michael Johnsen MP, chose to attend Gresford on Friday 5 February to make the announcement of an allocation of a massive $16.44M to replace the Dungog Shire’s remaining 23 timber bridges.

Whilst the state of many of the Shire’s roads leaves much to be desired, Gresford and district have been the big winners when it comes to dollars promised, allocated and spent, and road and bridge works undertaken, in the three years since the last council elections.

The replacement of Bullockeys and Wheelabout bridges on the Allyn River Road, and Coulsons and Spooner bridges on the Paterson River Road came at a total cost of approximately $8M, half of which was borrowed by the Council and constitutes the bulk of the Council’s current debt. The replacement of Summer Hill bridge cost $700K and upgrade of Torryburn Road another $700K. Currently underway or in the pipeline are works on Summer Hill road and Paterson River Road, with $2.5M to be spent on each road. A total of $5M.

At the recent announcement of the $18 million grant being given to Dungog for replacement of Council owned wooden bridges, it also gave some Gresford locals an opportunity to discuss the future funding of the district roads with the Council representative Mayor John Connors and Manager Gareth Curtin, MP Paul Toole, Minister for Regional Roads and Transport and Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

$720K has been allocated for the intersection of Durham Street and Glendonbrook Road, and $630K for the intersection of Allyn River Road and Bingleburra Road, whilst upgrades to the value of $775K are scheduled for Gresford Rd. The Council, with the assistance of its 355 committee, has also been successful

in obtaining a grant for $375K to upgrade the amenities buildings at the Gresford Sporting Complex.

And finally Friday’s announcement provides another $4.463M to replace the Jordans, Packhams, Chesworths, Archinals, Saxby, Bruxner and Kingfisher Creek timber bridges.

Mayor John Connors said he was delighted to have such a good news story to tell in relation to the Gresford area, which at times believes that it does not receive its fair share of Council resources.

The facts in this term of Council tell a different story and our mayor could not be more delighted.

Cr Connors did sound a word of caution in relation to the timing of all of the works. It will be a challenge for Dungog as a small and under-resourced council to carry out such a mountain of work, but the mayor assured all local residents that the Council will be pulling out all stops to complete the works as fast as Council resources allow.

The mayor will be holding public consultation sessions throughout the shire between February and July, including: • Gresford – at the Beatty Hotel – on Tuesdays from 4-6 pm: 27 April; 25 May and 22 June.

• Vacy – at the Vacy General Store – on Wednesdays from 4-6 pm: 28 April; 26 May and 23 June.

• Paterson – at the John Tucker Park BBQ area – on Thursdays 4-6 pm: 29 April; 27 May and 24 June.

All questions, feedback and constructive suggestions welcome.

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News from Paterson Historical Society

The Society was pleased to host a tour organised by Melbourne travel company Australian’s Studying Abroad. This was a tour through northern NSW focussing on landscape and the arts. Dorothea Mackellar’s association with the Paterson Valley was the drawcard for their visit. Val Anderson has undertaken a tremendous amount of research on the property Torryburn which was owned by the Mackellar family and visited by Dorothea. Val has also written a book on Dorothea Mackellar and Torryburn.

records and material from the late Harry Boyle OAM, his father. The Society has had a very long association with the Boyle family.

The next meeting of the Society will be Thursday 1 March. Brian Walsh will give a talk about his research on Woodville, in particular the history of Iona.

‘We do know that the Aboriginal name for the river was Yimmang and that Tocal is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning large or plenty’ Dr Archer said.

A special feature this year will be the Paterson School of Arts which has stood proudly in Duke St for 86 years, being built in 1935 in the dying days of the The annual Historic Walk will be on Great Depression. It was not the first Sunday 28 March, commencing at 1pm such building in the village. Another from the museum. The special feature building, constructed in 1884 and still will be the Paterson School of Arts. standing in King St, was the first Cameron Archer AM, President, Paterson School of Arts but by the 1930s The Society met the coach in Dungog Paterson Historical Society it was too small for the growing community. Its small size, along with and provided a commentary though to confidence in the dairy industry, Paterson and Bolwarra. The Paterson Paterson Historic Walk 2021 Museum was the focal point of the visit, This year’s Paterson Historic Walk will be provided the impetus for a new building.

The current building will be opened where Val Anderson spoke to the group held on Sunday 28 March at 1pm, specially for the walk, during which the and displayed a range of material about hosted by Dr Cameron Archer AM, finer, little-known features of its interior Dorothea Mackellar and Torryburn.

President of Paterson Historical Society. will be explained – for example, the Our visitors saw the Valley at its best and The walk will take visitors around the small squares of concrete which appear appreciated the landscape and the centre of the village and describe the in the floor of the supper room. The beauty which no doubt inspired much of origins of European settlement. The story of the 1977 awning collapse will Mackellar’s creation of My Country.

Paterson district is bountiful and would also be told.

The Society was pleased to have Geoff have supported a considerable "The 2019/2020 disastrous fires across population of Aboriginal people but and Beth Boyle visit the Museum at our continent demonstrate how sadly few records are available regarding the time of the February meeting. important it is to have public assets their lives in the area.

Geoff kindly donated some historical such as halls and showgrounds

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Another feature of this year’s event is that after the walk participants can visit the adjacent Rail Motor Society Museum and depot to view its interesting collection of rail motors. www.railmotorsociety.org.au Cost for the walk is $5 per adult including museum entry and afternoon tea. There is no charge for children.

Bookings are not required. The walk starts at the museum at 1pm. A hat and walking shoes are recommended.

Left: Paterson School of Arts 1977 with collapsed awning Below: Paterson School of Arts 2020

available as refuges", said Dr Archer.

"We hope we never need to use our School of Arts in this way but is good to know it is there".

The Paterson School of Arts has had many uses over the years, changing with the demands of the community, and it has been managed and loved by many dedicated local community members The Paterson Courthouse Museum with its extensive display of district history and memorabilia will be open.

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Know Your Risk

– Vacy RFS

right near the bush to be at risk. Even if * Burning embers may be blown from your home is a few streets back, you may the bush, landing on your property be at risk. and starting spot fires or setting fire to your home “To date this summer we have been * Embers may land for many hours even extremely fortunate but there is a lot of after the main fire front has passed grass around and a few hot dry weeks could easily create a major danger.

I live close to grassland or paddocks Remember, grasslands cover What to expect: approximately 80 per cent of New South * Grass fires are very hot and can Wales and it is important that you produce huge amounts of heat which understand grass fires and how to can kill anyone out in the open protect yourself, your family and your * Fires in tall grass will have tall flames property from the threat of fire.” that may burn across trails, roads or fire breaks Grass fires are unpredictable; they can * Grass fires can move much faster than start anywhere, spread rapidly and move a bush fire, catching people off guard three times as fast as a bush fire so you need to think about where you live.

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A bush or grass fire can happen at any it difficult to see or breathe time of the year but the risk is higher * Burning embers can travel through the Consider where you live… during the warmer months, when bush, air, setting fire to homes a few streets I live in an area surrounded by bush grass or scrub is drier. back from the bush What to expect: According to the Captain of the Vacy Visit www.facebook.com/NSW-RFS-Vacy* Fires in dense bushland can be very RFS Peter Williams you don't have to live Brigade-214529102055747/ hot, intense and fast moving

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G resford News

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CWA Book event 3pm Saturday 13th March Local author Jane Hartley will be visiting the CWA Book Club meeting in March to discuss her books, Martha and William; A Murder in Fiji; and The Lost Tunnel of Samos.

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CWA weed study of the year The CWA Ag & Environment study for this year is Parthenium weed.

from Texas USA. It is widespread in Queensland. Also found in parts of NSW. Parthenium weed can cause respiratory problems and severe dermatitis.

Livestock do not generally eat this weed, but if they do it causes kidney damage.

Young cattle are most susceptible to dying from parthenium poisoning.

Jane will have a selection of her books available for sale, and afternoon tea will be provided. RSVP is required for Covid and catering purposes.

Valarie Smith, Gresford CWA

Members of the public are invited to attend, in addition to members of the Gresford branch of the CWA. Book club members would appreciate a gold coin donation towards our fund for supporting literacy in places of need both domestically and internationally.

RSVP by 1st of March to Glenda Smith 4938 9456 or Robbie Thornton 4938 9566.

Parthenium weed is a Weed of National Significance, and must not be sold anywhere in NSW. The weed grows quickly. It outcompetes other plants by competing for nutrients and moisture and by releasing chemicals into the soil that inhibit growth.

This weed is native to the Caribbean, South USA and Central America. It was introduced to central Queensland in the 1950s in contaminated pasture seed

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CWA News and this year the lucky recipients were Kammi Con and Sam Field.

Congratulations to these students.

Certificates were presented to the students at their school assembly.

argue their differing views on religion, families and social behavior.

RSVP to Glenda Smith 4938 9456 to book your seat. Covid restrictions will apply so bookings are necessary. Gold coin donation.

MHERV PROJECT: Rotary recognizes that regional men are busy and often neglect regular doctor visits so The Men’s BOOK CLUB: Meets in Health Education Rotary Van (MHERV) the CWA rooms on the is a purpose built caravan travelling second Saturday of the NSW regional and rural areas from 4th February to 1st June 2021. This is a month. Book for combined project of the Rotary Clubs of March 13 “Martha & William”. Author Jane Warners Bay and Rutherford-Telarah.

Hartley Schofield from FRENCH CONVERSATION: First and third Dungog will speak Wednesday of the month, 11.30am in the about this book and CWA rooms.

Please ring Glenda Smith on her other books at an 4938 9456 for further information. Ladies afternoon tea session CWA Phillip Group Education Grant Certificates. Kammi Conn and Samual and gentlemen and students and visitors on Saturday 13th Field, Gresford Public School. to Gresford are welcome.

March, at 3pm.

CWA PHILLIP GROUP EDUCATIONAL “In 1852, William Join us on March 4th at 9.30am and GRANTS: This group encompasses the Dove, of Bristol, sails to Australia hoping Saturday March 13th at 3pm. greater Sydney area and each year raises to become a clergyman there. He spends Gresford CWA meets on the first Thursday money to give country children an the next seven years writing home to his of the month. We meet in the CWA rooms educational grant to be used to help sweetheart, Martha, begging her to come 12 Durham Road, East Gresford at 9.30am. purchase school supplies, uniforms etc., and join him. For all these long and Please come and join us. the Gresford school supplies our CWA lonely years and across twelve thousand Robyn Thornton, Secretary branch with nominations for this award miles, William and Martha passionately

02 4938 9368

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G resford News

The

On the Shelves

Dungog & District Neighbourcare (DDN) Merger

by Glenda Smith The Cass Diamond Crime Series 1-3

by Caroline de Costa

Last month’s Gresford Newsletter published a letter from Caroline de Costa in which she expressed her enjoyment of Gresford, and appreciation of the CWA street library.

She sent three books she had written, which are the subject of this month’s review.

Double Madness, Missing Pieces, and Blood Sisters are the three books currently published as part of the Cass Diamond crime series. They are intriguing and intricately plotted mysteries, which strongly feature Cairns and its environs.

Detective Cass Diamond is a young, determined Aboriginal woman with a colourful past, and is a very sympathetic character. She is a single mother to a teenager in the first book, and de Costa gives a nod to our local environment by having both mother and son attend Dungog High! Cass is a bold and intelligent maverick, in the tradition of many appealing police protagonists.

De Costa is a Professor in the School of Medicine at James Cook University, and is at ease with medical detail – gruesome as it might sometimes be. She also has an interesting approach to narrative, with jigsaw-like pieces being inserted into the storyline. These fragments, which could almost stand alone as short stories, eventually slipstream into the main narrative line.

Double Madness deals with a cruel murder and the phenomenon of folie à deux – a delusional disorder induced by another person in a close relationship. The victim is no innocent, but her death is ghastly. Missing Pieces is the story of loss – a lost child, a lost young woman and a lost identity – and Blood Sisters is a disturbing story of the exploitation of young Filipino women. Any further detail would spoil the well-wrought suspense, but they are well worth the interest of any mystery or detective story enthusiast. They are pacy, with strong visual impact.

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.

Livestock, Hay and General Transport

Gresford, Dungog Maitland, Singleton 12 ton capacity fully insured

Stephen Hill for friendly and personal service Home - 02 49 389 349 Mobile - 0429389349

DDN on 1st January 2021 have merged with ADSSI Ltd; an Aged Care health services provider based in Tuggerah. The merger process has enabled DDN to retain their identity whilst improving the scope of services to our Shire community. ADSSI are based in Tuggerah and have already merged with Beresfield and Maitland Community Care Services to provide in home support.

D&D Neighbourcare will continue to provide a diverse range of services to older people, people living with a disability NDIS, and their carers. Services include support coordination and facilitation, assessment, personal care, domestic assistance, respite for carers, lawn and garden maintenance, linen service, home modifications and maintenance, meals, transport, Allied Health – occupational therapy, physiotherapy. Recently ADSSI have focussed on client wellness and health management, case management and re-ablement.

Contact Dungog & District Neighbourcare on 4992 3348 or info@neighbourcare.org.au for all enquiries. Contact My Aged Care 1800 200 422 www.myagedcare.gov.au for Aged Care referrals or contact NDIS on 1800 800 100 www.ndis.gov.au for NDIS referrals.

Dungog

Gresford Transport ABN - 76872263533

• March 2021, p 17

KELZ carpet cleaning Domestic and Commercial carpets, lounges and rugs Friendly Service Call: Kelly Richardson Mobile 0437 395 585

Chiropractic Clinic I treat most musculoskeletal complaints including back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines and limb pain and pins and needles.

HiCaps and eftpos facility is available so patients can claim direct from their healthfund and just pay the gap.

Located at Dungog Community Hospital on Hospital Road in Dungog phone no: 4992 3766

Shane Moss B.Sc. M.Chiro.

G resford News • March 2021

The

, p 18

Leptospirosis warning Hunter New England Health is urging the local community to take precautions against leptospirosis, following an increase in rats and mice due to the wet weather.

Hunter New England Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim, said leptospirosis is a disease spread from animals to humans, caused by bacteria found in infected animal urine and tissues. The bacteria can enter the body through skin cuts or abrasions, the lining of the mouth, nose, and eyes – and in rare cases through contaminated food and water."

Symptoms typically develop five to 14 days following infection and can include fever, severe headache, sore muscles, chills, vomiting and red eyes. Diagnosis can be difficult as symptoms can mimic other diseases such as influenza. Some people may require hospitalisation if they experience kidney failure, jaundice, haemorrhaging of the skin and mucous membranes, meningitis or bleeding in the lungs.

Infection can be avoided by: • washing hands with soap • covering cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings • wearing footwear outdoors, especially when walking in mud or moist soil and wearing gloves when gardening • cleaning up rubbish and removing waste close to housing • avoiding contact with water (including floodwaters) where there is a possibility of contamination with animal urine.

For more information, see the NSW Health fact sheet. www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/ leptospirosis.aspx

Vacy General Store will continue to be open for all.

We will be doing takeaway food, Pizza, and coffee. Australia post will be open as normal.

We will have fresh bread and milk and your essential grocery needs and fuel are all available from 7am to 7pm. We ask if you would like take away food, pizza or coffee please ring your order through and we will have it ready. Also we ask if you drop in to shop we would appreciate you keeping in mind everyone's personal space.

Thank you for your support – Jo & Ian

NEW Phone Number: 4938 8425

The health check every man needs Men’s Health Education Rotary Van is calling all NSW men to get a FREE health check.

More than 41,000 Australian men die each year from preventable disease, and given high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol generally have no apparent symptoms until it’s too late, it has never been more important for men to get a health check.

Rotary recognises that regional men are busy and often neglect regular doctor visits so The Men’s Health Education Rotary Van (MHERV) is a purpose-built caravan travelling NSW regional and rural areas from 4th February to 1st June 2021 making it easy for men to get tested for signs of ill health.

The MHERV program, which runs twice a year is a combined project of the Rotary Club of Warners Bay and RutherfordTelarah, and supported by Rotary Clubs in approx 35 NSW towns on each tour.

The FREE health checks only take ten minutes and are conducted by full-time Registered Nurse, Robert Woolley, who provides blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar tests.

No appointment is necessary. Please be aware that MHERV work space and work practices adhere to COVID - 19 requirements. Sessions operate from 10am to 4pm.

For more information, please email mhervteam@gmail.com Facebook – mherv – Men's Health Education Rotary Van https://vimeo.com/337197275 is a link to an interview with RN Rob Woolley. Jacqui Dann phone 0412 423 361.

G resford News

The

• March 2021, p 19

Gresford News March 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

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).

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.

February 2021 crossword answers

Crossword kindly provided by Russel Jessop.

Building better together Hunter Construction Group is proud to be locally owned and part of your community.

We have been operating in the Hunter Valley for over 20 years, making the members of Hunter Construction Group an integral part of the local construction industry.

We are a group of local construction companies and trades, supporting each other through our vertically integrated supply chain model. Our six disciplines work together to offer tranparency, trust and confidence, enabling project completion to a high spec and on time for our clients.

At Hunter Construction Group we pride ourselves one being the local experts that care as much as you do.

To learn more about Hunter Construction Group and our companies, visit our website www.hunterconstructiongroup.com.au.