Last minute change for Harwood mill’s 150th

Free kids activities all day include a petting zoo, face painting, obstacle courses, train rides, and meet the Wildlife Twins.

There will be cooking demonstrations and Master classes where you can earn from the best with Peter Nicholson of Nicholson Fine Foods and Belinda Jeffery.

Through out the day live music will play. You can enjoy performances by kids band The Gumboots, Pacifc Valley School Band, Nathan Beretta and the BJ’s Blues Breakers, and covers band Pink Zinc.

The mill has been building toward the big day with Harwood Hall turned into a museum of mill memorabilia and restoration of a centuryold tugboat on the mill site providing a mouth watering introduction to the festivities.

Ms Miller said local television had also done some stunning interview with local families who had worked at the mill for generations.

“It was absolutely wonderful to see people from multiple generations telling their stories and saying what working at the

Harwood Mill meant to them and their families,” she said.

Typical of the spirit of the mill has been the restoration of the Beardmore, a tugboat built in 1914 and used to tow cane barges every crushing season for the next 60 years.

“The Beardmore tug was built for CSR Harwood in 1914 and worked tirelessly each crushing season until 1974,” Ms Miller said.

“The vessel was then sold to the local Nungera Co-operative and served as a ferry to maintain supplies and transport supplies and vegetables grown on Ulgundahi and Corolama Islands in the Clarence River.

“It also towed an old ferry from Harwood, allowing in Business Program Department of State and Regional Development 2008

• Former Iluka Chamber President

• Presented for Iluka at the Premiers’ Conference “Building Communities” 2003 Town-life Project.

• Maclean Shire Council Economic Development Committee

• Board Member Clarence River Tourism Association CRTA machinery to be delivered to and from the Islands.

• Founding Board Member Kimberley College Ltd.

After stepping away from Clarence Valley Council in 2021, Maclean’s Andrew Baker has thrown his hat in the ring again.

“The Beardmore was moored at Wingfeld’s Wharf in Maclean when not in use and was eventually replaced by a modern landing barge-type vessel to service the islands.

“Having been left out in the elements due to lack of use, the vessel slowly began to deteriorate.”

Things changed for the Bearmore at the turn of the century when the Historical Society of Maclean decided to rescue the vessel.

A committee was formed and lobbied for the tug to be restored.

The Beardmore was then lifted out of the water by two cranes in 1991 and placed on the grounds of the Harwood Sugar Mill.

A Bicentennial grant secured in conjunction with Maclean Rotary and volunteer work, saw the erection of a shed over the Beardmore in 2000.

The Beardmore was moored at Wingfeld’s Wharf in Maclean when not in use and was eventually replaced by a modern landing barge-type vessel to service the islands.

Having been left out in the elements due to lack of use, the vessel slowly began to deteriorate.

Fortunately, a committee was formed and lobbied for the tug to be restored. The Beardmore was then lifted out of the water by two cranes in 1991 and placed on the grounds of the Harwood Sugar Mill.

A Bicentennial grant secured in conjunction with Maclean Rotary and volunteer work, saw the erection of a shed over the Beardmore in 2000.

Work has progressed on restoration ever since.

“It’s been amazing to see the dedication of the people restoring her,” said Ms Miller.

“Every chance they get staff will be using their spare time to do something to the boat to get it back into shape.

She said although the vessel would never be seaworthy again, it remained a valuable lnsight into the history of the sugar industry.

Visitors can gain a sneak preview of the museum and the Beardmore restoration at both sites between 9am and 3pm this week until Sunday.

BY TIM HOWARD

The luck of the draw might get fedgling Clarence Valley Councillor candidate Cristie Yager over the line says former deputy mayor Jason Kingsley.

Ms Yager, from Ulmarra, was the frst name drawn at the ballot draw at Evans Head on August 15.

Mr Kingsley, who was deputy mayor when he decided not to contest the 2021 poll, said Ms Yager had created a presence on social media and this, allied to her success at the ballot draw, might get her across the line.

He said Ms Yager began campaigning unoffcially months ago on social media and people were aware of her views on council matters.

“She’s been out there unoffcially campaigning for a number of months, and she’s all over social media, so she should get over the line,” he said.

Mr Kingsley said in the council elections he contested, top spot on the ballot paper was worth having If you were new to council.

“I think you’ll pick up a few hundred votes, especially young people,” he said.

“Young people are becoming more informed when it comes to politics, but maybe not so much at a local level.

“Young people annoyed