October 19, 2023
Locally owned and independent
The NR Times Rural News
RURAL NEWS 33
Samuel and Elizabeth Darke - “Sam and Betty” ADVERTORIAL
A lifetime collection of antiquities and collectables is now ready to pass on. Friday the 20th of October will see one of the largest collections, of items from the past, up for auction. There is over 700 allotments to be sold, including a collection of over 100 kerosene lamps and lanterns. There is something for everybody. Sam and Betty have lived in the Clarence region all of their lives. They were married in Grafton in 1956 starting their family and an era of collection. They moved into their family home in 1960, located in Westlawn
Grafton. Commenced life in the second-hand dealership world in 1971. They started their own business in 1978, known
as “Grafton Pre-Owned Furniture” located at 151 Prince Street, Grafton. Retired from this business in 1994. Continued to operate
a firearms business “Grafton Firearms Dealership”, from the family home up until 2010. It is with deep sadness
that the decision has been made to part with their antiquities and only hope that others will procure and cherish them as much as they have.
Sam and Betty Darke
Donovan Livestock & Property are excited to offer this extremely rare Collection on behalf of the Darke Family. Our Team will be on site on Friday 20th October at the Grafton Racetrack for viewing from 9am. We will then conduct the auction in an amphitheatre style in the grandstand in front of the home straight at 11am For further information, full catalogue and photos please visit our website www.donovanlivestock. com.au or contact the selling agents 02 6643 4411. Please see the Classified section (page 48) for the advertisment attached to this story.
Healthy Rivers program restores Mehi River with ambitious restoration project OzFish Unlimited The Australian Government’s Healthy Rivers program is delivering big wins throughout the MurrayDarling Basin with the Mehi River near Moree one of the main beneficiaries, thanks to the work of dedicated OzFish members. OzFish Unlimited, Australia’s recreational fishing charity, has undertaken extensive restoration work at the picturesque waterway in northern NSW as part of the $20 million Federal Government program which has funded 159 projects to improve
waterways in the Basin. The extensive project which rejuvenated a 10km stretch of the Mehi River revolved around three travelling stock reserves in need of urgent attention. After community consultation, OzFish was able to apply for funding and make a huge difference to the Mehi, in and out of the water. OzFish’s Moree River Repair Bus Team Leader Jay Barnett and OzFish’s Gomeroi/Kamilaroi Cultural Officer headed up the project which involved removing more than four square kilometres of woody weeds and 1,500 litres of litter, including several
bulky items. Working alongside Traditional Owners to determine the restoration sites and with the assistance of Moree Urban Landcare and the Northern Slopes
Landcare groups, more than 80 volunteers rolled up their sleeves as OzFish hosted community events to help plant 4,000 native seedlings. It was one of 10
A young volunteer at the Mehi River project
projects that OzFish has been involved in over the past few years from the funding provided by the Healthy Rivers Program to help restore the Murray-Darling Basin. “It was a very ambitious project, but we thought we’d go big and create a statement for Moree,” said Mr Barnett. “We’ve been able to show the Moree township what OzFish can achieve and now we’ve got more and more people wanting to work with us, which is awesome. It’s been one of our most successful projects.” The restoration project is expected to yield significant benefits for
native fish productivity, thanks to the rejuvenated riparian zone that will offer added nourishment by way of insect fall. The additional 10 tonnes of rocky instream habitat will keep native fish safe and happy in the water. This project was made possible by the OzFish-Landcare NSW partnership with funding support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts, the Australian Government through the CRC Program, the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
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Coraki Rural & Hardware Supplies 102-104 Queen Elizabeth Drive CORAKI
LILYVALE DOZERS TA B U L A M
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CLARENCE COAST CONSTRUCTIONS 6643 2428
“Forget the rest, get the best. For all your Roading, Clearing, Dams and Fire Breaks”
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James Bendeich Mark MacDonald
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0497 939 956 0452 441 815
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