Gresford News October 2021

resford News G

The

October 2021

News of the communities of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys

Sowelu Two by Jen Mallinson

Sculpture On The Farm is ONLINE Due to the continuing uncertainty around Covid restrictions Dungog's popular Sculpture On The Farm event is being held online – so you can visit an engage with all the activities from your own home ...find out more on page 7

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

PLANT HIRE & EQUIPMENT COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL RURAL

An extensive range of machines and earthmoving equipment to suit every aspect of the Building & Construction Industry Supply all forms of quarry product Contact:

Paul Mastin 0418 499 471 Head Office 02 4938 8135 DIVISION OF DREEGAN BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION BASED IN THE HUNTER VALLEY ABN: 56137525494

Gresford News Notices Launch of new E-Waste Recycling Scheme

Community Access Defibrilator

Our Waste Management Facility is now able to offer residents the opportunity to recycle their e-waste for free.

Supported by the Australian Government's National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme and an agreement with Ace Recycling Group, East Gresford Footpath Plantings Heatherbrae, the scheme will ensure both The Gresford District Community Group the waste and the harmful heavy metals have been busy now that spring is here. it contains are kept out of landfill.

Weeding & mulching the corner strip Types of e-waste accepted under the opposite the Hotel has hopefully set this scheme include televisions, computer plant display up for the summer but we accessories, computer monitors, printers, do need a town person who would like photocopiers, scanners, and CD/DVD to take care of it if possible. players, as well as smaller items like Over the years we have planted many digital cameras and gaming consoles.

Crepe Myrtles and they also need to be Please note that a number of other items watered in dry times too. We wish to like whitegoods, ovens and microwaves thank those who already do this & will not be accepted, although these especially Judith & Lloyd Grant who items can usually be disposed of free of have shown us that with love & care charge as scrap metal. these trees can really flourish.

We also work at the Arboretum on You can view a full list of the Friday morning and the children’s accepted items on council’s website: playground is well underway. dungog.nsw.gov.au If you would like to help call Carolyn Addison 4938 9424

RICHARD WELLS UPHOLSTERY

For all your upholstery needs ring Richard on

4938 9324

GUARANTEED QUALITY & SERVICE Pick up and delivery

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

Council meetings onine Dungog Shire Council meetings are livestreamed via council’s Facebook page: facebook.com/dungogcouncil – third Wednesday of every month from February – December.

Visit www.dungog.nsw.gov.au for meeting agendas & minutes.

Dungog

PETER EVANS & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS

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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.

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

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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

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ARCHINALS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT Dungog Shire Council has commenced work to reconstruct Archinals Bridge on Allyn River Road, Upper Allyn, under a $16.44M NSW Government Fixing Country Bridges grant.

Council has secured just over $1M in funding to replace Archinals Bridge in a bid to improve resilience to natural disasters and more safely connect surrounding communities.

Executive Manager Infrastructure & Assets, Steve Hitchens, says this project ensures the integrity of a key part of Dungog’s local infrastructure and delivers important benefits for all road users. “The scope of works for the Archinals Bridge replacement includes demolition of the existing bridge, design and construction of a new concrete bridge, and an upgrade to the existing side track,” says Mr Hitchens.

“The side track will be completed by council staff with the installation of a four-cell culvert, which allows water to flow under the road and provides gravel access across Allyn River Road. “Council has commenced side track upgrades and will be responsible for the maintenance of this component during the works, which may be subject to flooding during wet weather.

“The bridge replacement works will deliver a safer, more efficient access point for all Dungog Shire roads users.”

Signage will be in place to advise of the changed traffic conditions for the duration of these works. Council asks all road users to take extra care when traveling through this area.

The Archinals Bridge replacement is expected to be completed by February 2022. Council thanks all residents and road users for their patience and cooperation while these works are completed.

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On the Shelves...

by Glenda Smith A Private Man

by Malcolm Knox Malcolm Knox knows cricket – he is an accomplished sports writer who has specialised in cricket – and has used the sport in this novel to explore aspects of masculinity. Another perspective is on pornography, and both subjects bring stresses to bear on a fragile family. The potential ugliness of these worlds is not ignored, or glossed over – but Knox handles them without overt judgement.

When Dr John Brand dies in mysterious circumstances, his son Davis (also a doctor) is puzzled by aspects of his death, but no-one else seems concerned about irregularities in the processing of it. The family ‘prince’ is Chris, a well-known cricketer, who is battling in the Ashes to save his career, which has been flagging. An unacknowledged third son is Hammet, a porn entrepreneur, whose life has crossed paths with his father, who had become obsessed with a porn star.

The exploration of the cricketer’s mind and game is masterfully handled, along with a recognition that it is a very hard world – on families, on the cricketers themselves, and sometimes on fans. Masculine rivalry plays out among the brothers who have very different talents, but it is the less charismatic Davis who manages to broker a kind of peace. This book may not be for everyone, but it is well-written, insightful and suspenseful.

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.

ATTENTION: FARMERS, GRAZIERS AND HOBBY FARMERS ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR ACREAGE?

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• October 2021, p 5

RED ASH ~ Gresford Arboretum Family: Rhamnaceae Scientific Name: Alphitonia excelsa Common Name: Leatherjacket and Soap Tree. Once widely used for barrels and buckets it is also known as 'Coopers Wood'.

wood is used for tool handles and the tree is a food source for birds and butterflies. Insects chew the leaves at times which are quickly replaced.

Red Ash, Alphitonia excelsa, is native to the forests in this valley.

When planted in a well-drained position it makes a lovely shade tree which can grow to a height of about 20 m but in our area rarely exceeds 10m.

Seed is propagated easily, and seedlings grow quickly, interestingly cuttings will develop weaker root systems than seed grown plants.

While not necessary some articles suggest for a better shape prune to a single leader when young.

The spreading foliage can be left to extend to the ground or lifted to expose the trunk as desired.

Small heavily perfumed flowers cover the tree in late autumn and early winter followed by small black fruit.

The green glossy leaves are white underneath giving added interest. The

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

 

The tree was used extensively for bush medicine. The crushed leaves make a soap and leaves and fruit were used to stun fish.

The Red Ash we have planted in the arboretum have grown fast and are drought tolerant, it is worth ensuring the water young trees during summer.

References: https://dengarden.com/gardening/Soap-TreeAlphitonia-excelsa-Red-Ash www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/gnp6/alph-exc.html

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Over 25 years experience in marketing local Farms and Acreages

Always happy to talk to you about listing, selling and promoting your property.

We need to time the next run of listings carefully for safety and to target the market at the right time.

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• October 2021, p 7

Sculpture On The Farm goes online

Numbat in Bronze and hand woven bristle by Jane Dawson

Engaging with sculptors and the local Dungog community Sculpture on the Farm 2021 ONLINE will showcase 150 sculptures, including 75 garden and paddock works and 75 intimate works suitable for indoors during its ONLINE Exhibition running through October.

FOLLOW us ONLINE for Sculptor Insights daily at 5.30pm on Instagram, Facebook and available on the website at any time – www.sculptureonthefarm.com Sculptor Insights Program on Instagram and Facebook and Website:

The Committee of Sculpture on the Farm 2021 ONLINE are • Saturday 2 October with Michael Pederson delighted to be donating two Acquisitive Prizes for public display in Dungog. We excitedly await news of where these two • Sunday 3 October with Denise Lithgow and Peter Griffen Prize winning sculptures will be displayed.

• Monday 4 October with Braddon Snape You can follow Sculpture on the Farm 2021 on Facebook and Instagram @scuptureonthefarm to see the latest Sculptor Insights videos of sculptors talking about their work on social media. For all information about the expanded Sculpture on the Farm program and the online catalogue visit: www.sculptureonthefarm.com ONLINE SALES commence Friday 1 October via the website Acquisitive Prizes for Dungog announced on Friday 1 October @ 5.30pm 7 Sculpture on the Farm Prizes also announced on Friday 1 October @ 5.30pm

• Tuesday 5 October with Leanne Berelowitz • Wednesday 6 October with Beatrice Magalotti • Thursday 7 October with Vince Vozzo • Friday 8 October – VOTE in the People’s Choice Awards for Indoor and Outdoor works and WIN a $250 voucher for an Akubra hat COMPLETE the ONLINE SURVEY to be eligible to WIN another $250 voucher for an Akubra hat.

PURCHASE your unique and wonderful sculpture ONLINE and ENJOY.

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Dr David Gillespie MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LYNE Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

This year, our focus has been to suppress the virus and deliver the vaccine, continue to guarantee the essential services that we rely on and protect and secure Australia’s interests in a challenging world.

Our Government has been taking all possible steps to protect lives and livelihoods, including unprecedented support for health care and mental health.

We are in a stronger position to recover than most countries. The next stage in our plan to secure Australia’s economic recovery includes: • Incentives for investments, jobs, new apprenticeships, and skills training.

• More infrastructure - including roads, rail, bridges, dams and electricity transmission.

• Substantial new investments in aged care, health, mental health, and the NDIS.

Dr David Gillespie MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LYNE

He Listens. He Cares. He Delivers.

Locally I have been delivering for you, your family and local community, including: • $1.65 million to upgrade Paterson River Road • $48,000 to upgrade the Gresford School of Arts Facilities • $16,000 for the Gresford District Community Group Gazebo • $1.56 million to upgrade Summerhill Road • $352,774 for the Summerhill Bridge Replacement • $5,000 for the Vacy Public School Future Focused Furniture • $68,000 for John Tucker Park • $706,000 for safety upgrades at the Paterson and Dunmore Road Intersection • $27,000 for the Paterson Motor Rail Society

Federal funding has been secured for major projects including: • Brig O’Johnston Bridge Replacement • Clarence Town Road Upgrade Raymond Terrace to Dungog • Dungog Main Street Upgrade • Bingleburra Road Safety Upgrades • Lostock Dam to Glennies Creek Dam Pipeline • The Bucketts Way upgrade and safety improvements

Wauchope Office

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Corner of High and Hastings Streets, Wauchope, NSW 2446

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G resford News

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Strawberry fields forever!

• October 2021, p 9

Food chat with Fiona...

I was all ready to talk about gardens and planting and seed saving when the strawberry glut hit and calls to buy more strawberries to help Aussie framers. Who could say no? so let me share some of my strawberry moments.

Strawberries are one of those magical fruits that always say ‘special occasion’. A few sprinkled over a cake, pav or desert and it is so much fancier, short lived and often expensive they are a rare treat. My grandmother would make a sponge with strawberries in the middle, as a kid I marvelled over the way it balanced and couldn’t wait for a slice on my plate.

Now with so many we are spoilt for choice – jam alone or teamed with rhubarb springs to mind, mash them up and put into a cheesecake or have you tried a savoury twist?

Strawberries in the old market, Casablanca. Photo: Fiona Wright

Sliced and sprinkled with a little balsamic, black pepper and/or basil they become a tasty relish with a soft creamy brie and french bread – wonderful enjoyed on a picnic blanket with 5 friends in the sun!

and they were generously happy, until the ripe ones started disappearing without a trace. A mystery finally solved when I was up one morning just after the birds had sung the sun up. There was Mrs Satin Bowerbird going along lifting the leaves, checking ripeness by eye and devouring the perfectly ripe ones.

I used to grow strawberries. I had a nice protected place by the side of the house

In the old market in Casablanca right at the end towards the street where all the

Looking forward to seeing everyone again Keep an eye on the Service NSW website for updates on restrictions Stay safe!

Cricket Club raffles are cancelled until further notice

street food is you will find a few barrows mounded up with strawberries. I smelt them the first time before I saw them, they are that good. They always seem a mystery to me, it is a working man’s market, and I don’t see strawberries anywhere else in Morocco yet here they are, best quality you could find. Huge juicy and delicious. Our world has so many amazing nooks to explore here and far away.

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Prepare your home for the bush fire danger period you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave.

Here are some basic maintenance tips to prepare your property: * Clean your gutters of leaves and twigs * Install metal gutter guards * Repair damaged or missing tiles on the roof * Install fine metal mesh screens on windows and doors * Fit seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps * Enclose the areas under the house * Repair or cover gaps in external walls * Attach a fire sprinkler system to gutters * Keep lawns short and gardens well maintained * Cut back trees and shrubs overhanging Fire at Stroud Road. Photo supplied by Vacy RFS. buildings A well-prepared home is more likely to * Clean up fallen leaves, twigs and survive a bush fire, according to Anton debris around the property Banister, Senior Deputy Captain at the * Have hoses long enough to reach Vacy RFS Brigade around your house * If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a He says even if your plan is to leave early, Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on the more you prepare your home, the more your property entrance, so firefighters likely it will survive a bush fire or ember know where they can get water attack. A well-prepared home can also be easier for you or firefighters to defend, and * Check and maintain adequate levels of home and contents insurance. Ensure is less likely to put your neighbours' homes it is up to date. at risk. A well-prepared home will also give

Anton suggests you can assess your risk using the RFS app https://assessmyrisk. rfs.nsw.gov.au/. You can also go to the RFS website to assess the risk of fire in your area.

Visit www.facebook.com/people/NSWRFS-Vacy-Brigade/100064471615101/

Fire permits required The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period runs from 1 October to 31 March, however it may vary due to local conditions. If you are planning to light a fire in the open during this time, you will need a Fire Permit.

If you have a permit, it is your responsibility to: • check whether a Total Fire Ban is in force on our Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Ban page. If there is, your permit is automatically suspended.

• check whether a No Burn day has been declared on the EPA website • check the expected weather conditions • notify and check with your local NSW RFS Fire Control Centre prior to lighting.

• follow any conditions restrictions listed in your permit.

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Gresford Community Group water security submission

The Gresford and District Community Group submits the following in response to the Draft Lower Hunter Water Security Plan proposed by Hunter Water, part of which involves taking water from the Paterson River catchment, the head of which is the Lostock Dam (the “Dam”).

It is our view that there is no surplus water from this catchment and Dam and information to the contrary is, in the jargon of today, fake news. In future climate change will only increase the present demands of the Paterson Valley on the need of the water from the Dam. There are basically two Water Sharing plans affecting the Paterson River, both of which are required to pay licence fees to the Government. The Regulated plan is for the stretch of river from the Dam to Gostwyck Bridge: the Unregulated plan, per day. Licencees below the Gostwyck amongst other areas in the Hunter Catchment, is below the Gostwyck Bridge bridge on the Paterson River have the right to take their licensed amount of to the confluence to the Hunter River. water that flows by their properties. The The licence fees charged by the above 2 fees payable by the licencees on the plans vary. Those licencees on the Unregulated river are less than those on Regulated River have access to fresh the Regulated river in recognition that water from the Dam. At the Gostwyck the water below the Gostwyck Bridge is bridge there is a commitment by the tidal and the salinity increases as the Government to ensure a flow of 10ml river flows towards the sea.

Lostock Dam during the recent drought

Our understanding of the facts is as follows: a. The Paterson Valley has been an agricultural community for nearly 200 years producing a triple bottom line to the valley and the wider community. b. The Lostock dam was built primarily to enable all farmers on the Paterson River to irrigate: c. Today, at no net cost to the

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• October 2021, p 13

are dependent upon the flow from the Dam being undisturbed h. The recent drought has demonstrated the size of the Dam is barely sufficient to meet the social, economic, and environmental needs i. There is an abundance of water storage in the Upper Hunter j. The Upper Hunter is at the start of a significant transition away from fossil fuels for both the power generation and coal mining industries which will free up the water referred to in (i) above If the above facts are not disputed – and there is no known scientific or other evidence disputing them – then why is the government contemplating taking water from the Paterson River catchment?

Lostock Dam during the recent drought

Government, the dam and the Paterson River provide triple bottom line benefits: d. Environmental water is required by the Regulated Water Sharing Plan.

There has never been a study on the environmental needs. Whilst the Dam can spill in times of heavy rain, these spills combined with the flooding in tributaries are needed for

environmental purposes. e. The ways in which water has been used has changed over the course of history but the need has not diminished f. Significant infrastructure has been installed to achieve the benefits now enjoyed by the community g. The economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of the valley

Chris Wokes, Treasurer Gresford and District Community Group Inc

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The Dam works really well and as it was intended. Do not devastate the Paterson Valley by taking water away from it. As mentioned above, climate change, and more extremes in temperature and weather conditions, will ensure water from the Dam for the Paterson Valley will become even more essential in future years.

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Science, Art, & Cool Homes Paterson Allyn Williams Science Hub is involved with several events this month.

First up is

PAWSH is working with Beyond Zero Emissions to provide access to experts who can help you plan to stay cool at home in hot weather and extreme heat.

Funded by the NSW Government ‘Increasing Resilience to Climate Change’ community grant program. BZE is also grateful to Hunter Joint Organisation for assistance with this workshop program.

SESSION TIMES*

Science + Art + Party Free ZOOM event 7pm Sat 9 October

This event is being held in connection with Sculpture on the Farm and celebrates the spirit of fun and discovery in both science and art. There will be trivia and games, dance music, live vision of us all and special guests to give us science & art micro-chats.

Bring along your plans and questions to any one of the FREE online workshops and learn about DIY adaptations that can make your home more comfortable and safe – for both owners and renters.

Presented by Dr John Shiel and other guests, this workshop is interactive and offers practical information on: • installing cost-effective retrofits • updating appliances and using them Go to www.pawsciencehub.com for links more strategically and more details then tune in from 6.45pm • creating an efficient one-room Cool on the night.

Retreat • simple behavioural adaptions to stay Coming up later in the month Cooling your home – retrofits & cool and survive heatwaves

adaptations for summer heat Free online workshop 25–31 October

• 6.30pm Mon 25 Oct – featuring Dungog • 11am Tues 26 Oct • 5pm Wednesday 27 Oct • 12noon Thurs 28 Oct – featuring Newcastle • 3pm Sun 31 Oct *Residents of the Hunter Valley are welcome to register for any one of the workshops – with participation encouraged if your LGA is featured.

Go to www.pawsciencehub.com for links and more details.

Aussie Backyard Bird Count 18–24 October Taking part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count is easy! Just spend 20 minutes in your favourite outdoor space and record the birds you see during that period. You can submit your results using the app or the web form. Every count helps. Go to https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

The second part of the workshop is an opportunity to discuss with guest experts DIY changes you can make at your home.

PAWSH is supported by Inspiring Australia & the NSW Government

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Paterson Allyn Garden Group – Citrus Care Citrus trees are very like roses. Treat them well and they will reward you.

Forget about them and they will ‘spit the dummy’! Now is the perfect time to begin pampering them.

Citrus love good drainage and our clay soils need help. When planting new trees, lay a few wet pages of newspaper on ground. Say a meter diameter to start with then pile on some good mulch.

Good height for fruit trees They also have very shallow surfaceflower. If you do, you'll get lots of feeding roots and that means it's beautiful leaves, but very few fruit. important to keep any competition away Citrus Problems from the base of the tree – especially grass. The trees are mulched with lucerne, • Common citrus problems include aphids and leaf miners on new growth, sugarcane or home-grown compost. scale insects on old leaves, and black Feeding sooty mould on the fruit and foliage.

• Every spring, water your trees with The good news is, one organic remedy trace elements. can control all these problems. Apply • Twice a year, in spring and summer, white oil once every three weeks for water in iron chelates. The iron stops the three months during spring. Be sure to leaves from yellowing and dropping off. cover the whole tree including the bark.

• Four times a year, every season, apply • Cut off all galls from new growth and certified organic poultry manure at a put them in the rubbish bin. The rate of one handful per square metre. wasps will by now have left the gall on • Every fortnight, feed your trees using last seasons stems so no need to cut either seaweed or a flower and fruit them off. This should be done by the fertiliser. end of August.

• DO NOT feed citrus while they're in • Like roses and camelias, citrus trees can

become congested with years of old growth. Remove all the dead wood, crisscrossing branches and spindly growth. This opens up the tree, and encourages good air flow and allows sunlight to penetrate through to the lower branches. This discourages attack by mites and encourages better fruiting.

I like to prune to a height where I can reach all fruit…no ladders.

Fruit Fly and Bug Trap • Dissolve 2 teaspoons vegemite in 2 tablespoons ammonia, add two litres of water • In a 2 litre milk bottle, cut a small window flap, hinged at the top, on opposite sides, and about 2cm square.

Open out so fruit fly can get in.

• Place 2-3 cm of mixture in container and replace top.

• Hang 2 bottles (3-4 for large tree) at waist high around perimeter of tree.

• Put baits out when fruit just formed and renew as necessary. For grapefruit still on tree in August put them out now as fruit fly will be about very soon with warm weather coming.

Janie Chandler, President Paterson Allyn Garden Group

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Lost Paterson and Allyn Valleys

Sgt Hogan and his party leaving Vacy – 1900

Evening News Thu 26 Jul 1900 p 4

Freeman's Journal Thu 28 Nov 1929 p 33

Branxton he was appointed to Taree as sergeant, where he continued to serve Cutting off the Fugitives, Police on the in that capacity until he retired in 1909.

Singleton Side. Gloucester, Thursday Mr. Hogan was born in Limerick, Ireland, It is interesting to recall that it was Morning. — Sergeant Hogan, from Taree, 81 years ago. When about 12 years of while deceased had charge of the accompanied by Constables Stein, age he came to Australia and was first of Manning police district that Jimmy McKenna, and Mathews, arrived here all employed on the well-known Governor was at large in the district. after midnight, and left at daylight this Werribee Station, near Melbourne. He The late Sergeant Hogan had charge of morning for the Singleton district, via was particularly fond of horses, and after one of the parties which went out to Dungog and Gresford, in search of the serving on the station for a few years, he apprehend the aboriginal murderer, Gilgandra and Merriwa murderers, who, came across to New South Wales and and when he was captured and it is thought, may make towards those joined the police force. After being placed in the Wingham lock-up, the districts, in which the Governors resided stationed at West Maitland, Lochinvar, subject of this sketch was responsible some years ago.

Karrabee, Gresford, Cundle, and for his safekeeping.

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G resford News

The

• October 2021, p 17

Local to head Arts Upper Hunter The Gresford Museum remains closed (as does the Paterson Museum) and the Gresford District Historical Society and the Paterson Historical Society are not meeting at the moment. Meetings of the Gresford District Historical Society are usually held the second Saturday of each month, commencing at 6 pm at the Therese Doyle Hall, Park Street, East Gresford and new members are always welcome. The Paterson Historical Society usually meets in the Museum at 7.30pm on the first Thursday of each month except December and January, and again visitors and new members are always welcome.

Photo courtesy Janece McDonald, East Maitland. In the background can be seen St. Johns Anglican Church (erected around 1888). And according to Murray Brooker of Summer Hill then comes “Inverness" (home of the McInnes family at one time and later the site of the Vacy Post Office) and what became the Butchers Shop (operated by the Brookers and is now the home of Vacy Community Arts Centre).

By Ivan Skaines, Gresford District Historical Society and Co-administrator, Lost Paterson and Allyn Valleys Facebook page

John O’Brien, the brand-new Executive Director of Arts Upper Hunter, brings an intriguing slate of skills to the job, with a background in music, film, TV, improvisation, museums, travel writing and community groups.

Arts Upper Hunter (AUH) is one of 14 Regional Arts Development Organisations across the state.

It’s a key community group for local creative people and organisations; AUH provides, supports and promotes opportunities for those involved in the creative industries across the Shires of Dungog, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter.

“Creativity and the arts have been crucial to my life,” says John, “so it’s wonderful to be able to sing the praises of this industry and help strengthen the network round here and build support for others.”

John’s background is eclectic, from editing labels in the Powerhouse Museum and London’s Natural History Museum to making short films, writing episodes for TV shows and creating TV series, to a more recent shift into music and live performance. “There’ve been some leftfield highlights along the way, such as driving around Estonia rewriting a guidebook to the country. And some fantastic experiences in this very region, mentoring drama students in Singleton or Aberdeen, for example. I know what it’s like to connect with your local community, how hungry people are to be offered the chance to access new skills, and how buzzy it is to be learning or teaching those skills!”

For five years, John was co-coordinator of Dungog Community College. “In community education it’s all about finding out what’s needed, matching it to what’s possible and seeing if you can put a course or event together, whether that’s A Day In The Roses or a Certificate in Aged Care. It’s the same principle with the creative industries - trying to match needs with opportunities, hopes with happenings.”

John’s musical life includes playing the vibraphone and Pianica for trio Fancy and duo The De Factos. Most recently, he has been a founding member of the Performing Artists of Dungog non-profit community group, which is trying to nurture a live performance culture in that Shire. “We made a great start, but we are a bit snookered by Corona Virus, at the moment,” he confesses.

But if there’s a renewed energy in many parts of the bush, it’s partly a positive side-effect to the otherwise dark effects of Covid. Tourists and tree-changers are coming to the country in unprecedented numbers. Benefits are being reaped. There’s an energy around, according to the Chair of Arts Upper Hunter, Ivan Skaines. “This is a great time to be promoting the arts and creative industries. One example: shops and galleries opening in main streets, which can be good for the economy, for local artists and for visitors wanting things to do.”

Says John: “Of course the flip side of that is shops closed because of lockdown, loneliness, mental health problems. I see the arts as sites of connection and discovery - but you have to reach people and talk to them in their language.”

As for Arts Upper Hunter itself, says Ivan, “Our priorities include building on existing partnerships and developing new ones, generally providing day-to-day and strategic support for creative people working in the Upper Hunter, and increasing and diversifying our income.”

“Which is to say,” says John, “to help people reach their hopes and dreams. And how do you do that? It’s all about the local - a strong creative ecosystem is resilient, produces remarkable works, and provides oxygen for everyone.”

G resford News • October 2021

The

, p 18

Council Happenings

Dungog Shire Council meets on the third Wednesday of every month from February – December. Meetings are livestreamed via council’s Facebook page facebook.com/dungogcouncil and meeting agendas and minutes can be found on council’s website dungog.nsw. gov.au Please find following a selection of highlights from this month’s meeting:

Further details can be found at dungog.nsw.gov.au/dungog-shire-rurallands-strategy

• Construction will commence on Archinals Bridge, Bruxner Bridge and Mary Carlton’s Bridge.

CLARENCE TOWN BRIDGE PROJECT UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2021

A detailed schedule of program works to date can be found in this month’s Council Meeting Agenda.

Dungog Shire Council has received an update on the progress of the $14.3M Clarence Town Bridge project, which will be constructed over the Williams River adjacent to the heritage-listed Brig ELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND O’Johnston Bridge.

DEPUTY MAYOR The new 125m dual-lane bridge will also Dungog Shire Council has elected offer a pedestrian walkway and markedly Councillor John Connors as Mayor and improve freight capacity and access to Councillor Steve Low as Deputy Mayor, and from Clarence Town. uncontested, at its 15 September 2021 Council has undertaken a series of preOrdinary Council Meeting. construction activities including: In accordance with the Local Government • Statement Heritage Impact has been Act 1993, council was required to elect a completed; Mayor and Deputy Mayor this month, as • Aboriginal Due Diligence has been the current term for these positions completed and recommended additional expired in September 2021.

Aboriginal Investigation; • Ecological Assessment has commenced Due to the postponement of Local Government Elections from 4 September and will be finalised once the additional Aboriginal assessment is complete; and 2021, this term of the Mayor and Deputy • Review of Environmental factors has Mayor will expire on 4 December 2021, commenced and will be finalised after when the Local Government Elections the Ecological Assessment is complete. will now be held.

Aboriginal investigation works include consultation with relevant Aboriginal MAYORAL MINUTE - EXTENSION OF PUBLIC EXHIBITION PERIOD FOR THE groups in the area, site excavation and investigation. COVID-19 restrictions DRAFT RURAL LANDS STRATEGY have delayed this program, with works In response to community feedback, now anticipated to commence in late Dungog Shire Council has resolved to September and extend until after further extend the public exhibition period for the draft Rural Lands Strategy Christmas. until 31 March 2022.

The Clarence Town Bridge Project is Due to the significance of this strategy and the comprehensive nature of the information involved, as well as restrictions imposed by the current Stay at Home Orders, council has responded to community concerns to allow additional time for all stakeholders to provide feedback and submissions.

Public exhibition for the RLS commenced on Monday 23 August and will now conclude on 31 March 2022, to allow adequate time for workshops, briefings and in-person consultations, as well as to enable the newly-elected council to be properly briefed on this comprehensive document.

Dungog’s Rural Lands Strategy is designed to preserve the region’s unique charm for future generations by protecting and enhancing rural lands, to promote agricultural growth and diversification, environmental conservation, tourism, lifestyle and economic development.

funded by $8.8M from the Australian Government, $5.5M from the NSW Government, and managed by Dungog Shire Council, with assistance from Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

FIXING COUNTRY BRIDGES PROGRAM UPDATE An update has been provided to Dungog Shire Council regarding the current status of its Fixing Country Bridge’s program, after council received $16.44M from the NSW Government earlier this year to replace 23 out of 24 timber bridges across the shire.

Significant program milestones are anticipated over the next three months including: • All 23 Review Environmental Factors (REF)’s completed; • All 23 Geotechnical Investigations completed; • All 23 concept alignments completed; • Tenders awarded for Saxby and Hopson’s Bridges, (See Item 18.1) with the next round of tenders advertised; and

Council will be making formal representations to the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, expressing its concerns regarding the rising cost of bridge replacements, scarcity of contractors and flooding of the market due to the large volume of bridge replacements happening under this program across the state. Council has previously raised these concerns with the NSW Deputy Premier.

COUNCIL SUBMISSION TO LOWER HUNTER WATER SECURITY PLAN Following a dedicated workshop held on 30 August, Dungog Shire Council has endorsed its submission to the Lower Hunter Water Security Plan, which is currently on public exhibition.

The Lower Hunter Water Security Plan is a whole-of-government approach to ensuring the region has a resilient and sustainable water future that contributes to regional health and prosperity and is supported by the community.

In preparing the Draft Plan, Hunter Water has followed a 3-year public consultation process to gauge community and customer values, and preferences for the region’s water future.

PATERSON SPORTSGROUND PLAN OF MANAGEMENT– PUBLIC EXHIBITION Dungog Shire Council has endorsed the draft Paterson Sportsground Plan of Management (POM) to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days, with the Plan to be adopted without further consideration by council, provided no unresolved submissions are received.

Public exhibition of the Paterson Sportsground POM was previously delayed to allow further investigations regarding governance issues surrounding native title over the subject land. Now these investigations have been resolved, the draft POM is being publicly exhibited to work toward its vision of: “…providing a balance of opportunities for active and passive recreation and contribute to community life by fulfilling the recreational, social and environmental needs of the population, and the needs of the land.”

The draft Paterson Sportsground POM can be viewed on council’s website.

G resford News

The

• October 2021, p 19

Gresford News October 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.

September 2021 crossword answers

Crossword kindly provided by Russel Jessop.

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