gresford news june 2013

TheG resford NewsNews of the communities of the Paterson and Allyn River Valleys

June 2013

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

ANZAC Day 2013 was celebrated at Gresford before a large crowd estimated to be close to 300 people, who turned out in beautiful weather to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli 98 years ago as well as all the other conflicts and peacekeeping and peacemaking operations that have occurred in the ensuing years. The address was given by Captain Stephen Moore who spoke of the sacrifices made by men and women over these years, but he focussed on 5 young men from the Martins Creek area who went to World War 1 and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Following the service the veterans, their families and friends attended a luncheon in the supper room, which I might add is available to anyone. It was good to see three new faces Phillip Campey, Kate Wright and Jamie Thompson enjoying their meal along with the two remaining World War 2 veterans Allyn Kelahear and his wife Del and Bill and Betty Gell. Daryl Horn now living in Queensland marched at Gresford having last done so some 30 years ago.

The local RSL Sub Branch are looking for ideas on how we may celebrate the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli in two years time, so if you have any thoughts please convey them to Robert Richardson or Stephen Moore ASAP.

Graham Hudson Secretary Gresford RSL.

Photo: Rosita Richardson

Gresford Remembers

Coming up this month...Gresford Markets Sunday 16 June

The Gresford News Community DiarySat 1 Jun Burr Cutter’s Ball, Hotel BeattyWed 5 Jun Gresford Rural Fire Brigade Annual General Meeting, Gresford Fire Shed, 137 Durham Rd. 7.30pmSun 9 Jun Back to Back Wool Challenge, Tocal HomesteadSat 15 Jun Bush Dance, Wallarobba Hall, eveningSun 16 Jun Gresford Community Market, Therese Doyle Hall, Park St East Gresford, 9.00am to 2.00pmSun 28 Jul Peak into the Past, Tocal Homestead, 10.00amFri-Sat 30-31 Aug Gresford Campdraft & Rodeo, Gresford ShowgroundSat-Sun 6-8 Sep Pedalfest, around DungogSat-Sun 28-29 Sep Allynbrook art show (new dates)Fri-Sun 11-13 Oct Planet Dungog, music & arts festival around DungogSat 12 Oct Gresford District Landcare Group annual fieldday & dinner, details in future NewsSat 19 Oct Gresford Public School P&C Association major fundraising theme night. More details to comeSat-Sun 30 Nov-1 Dec Team Penning, Gresford Showground (earlier events in Dungog)

1st Mon each month Gresford Community Group Meeting, 7.30pm, Hotel Beatty, all welcome! (not Jan)

1st Tues each month Gresford District Landcare Group Meeting, Hotel Beatty, 7.30pm (not Jan)

1st Wed each month Gresford Rural Fire Brigade meeting, station, 7.30pm 1st Thurs each month CWA Gresford Branch Meeting, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 9.30am (not Jan)

2nd Mon each month Gresford Historical Society Meeting, RSL Rooms, 11.00am (not Dec, Jan or June)

2nd & 4th Mon each month Family & Child Health Clinic, Paterson school of Arts Hall, 4932 9768 for appt’s2nd Sat each month Book Club, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 3.00pm (not Dec or Jan)

3rd Fri each month Gresford Public School P&C Meeting, school library, 10.00am3rd Sun each month Gresford Community Market, Therese Doyle Hall, Park St Gresford, 9.00am to 2.00pmLast Thurs each month Gresford District Agricultural Society Meeting, Showground Luncheon Pavilion, 7.30pmEvery Wed, Fri & Sun Gresford Bowls Sport & Recreation Club Raffles, from 6.30pmEvery Mon & Fri (school terms) Gresford Pre-School, Gresford Community Hall, 4938 9288, 9.00amEvery Thur Happy hour and free pool and jukebox at the Hotel BeattyEvery Fri Cricket Club Raffles at the Hotel BeattyEvery Fri (school terms) Yoga for active bodies with Donna Cavanough, Therese Doyle Youth Hall, 9.00 – 10.30am Every Wed Gresford PlayTime, children 0-5 & carers, Gresford Community Hall, 4992 2401, 10.00amEvery Sunday The Gresford Congregational Church welcomes you, 10.30am

To contact Gresford News email [email protected] or call Brian Doherty on 0412 372 687. Postal Address: PO Box 99 East Gresford 2311. Deadline for stories and ads 20th of the month. With the newsletter now so large, we struggle to meet copying deadlines when items arrive after the 20th. Please use the box at East Gresford Post Office or, even better, email to the above address. For text – Word

✃Please support your local newsletter and contribute anonymously or use the slip below and place your donations in the boxes provided in Gresford. I would like to make an annual donation to the Gresford News:

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financesThe resford NewsG Visit www.gresfordnsw.com.au

for local information and the ‘Gresford News’ online

Are you getting the News? The Gresford News is delivered free to households with a roadside mail box in the Paterson and Allyn River valleys by Australia Post. If you haven’t received your copy, please call Brian Doherty (0412 372 687) so we can rectify the problem. This applies particularly to residents of Lennoxton Rd, Fisher’s Hill Rd, Summer Hill Rd, Horns Crossing Rd, View St and Wakaya Close, Vacy.

LettersWho remembers Flead cakes?

I am very interested in the heritage of the Paterson and Allyn Valleys, and congratulate both the Gresford and Paterson Historical Societies for their researching oral histories and personal stories of the area. I am also interested in some of the house and farm traditions that might be lost if not recorded.

For example, my father, Harry Skaines, who was born in 1907 and lived at Shellbrook and Masseys Creek in the upper Allyn all his life, talked about his mother making flead cakes. Flead is the inner fatty membrane of a pig, also called flear or leaf.

Back in the 1960s or 1970s I remember him asking Mum to make some, and at the time we had access to flead as we were home slaughtering pigs. I’m not sure what recipe Mum used.

So, I did an internet search and found a recipe for flead cakes in Chapter 27 of Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management.

Recipe:

To every lb. of flour allow 1/2 lb. of lard or flead, 1/2 pint of water, 1/2 saltspoonful of salt.

Clear the flead free from skin, and slice it into thin flakes; rub it into the flour, add the salt, and work the whole into a smooth paste, with the above proportion of water; fold the paste over two or three times, beat it well with the rolling-pin, roll it out, and it will be ready for use. The crust made from this will be found extremely light, and may be made into cakes or tarts; it may also be very much enriched by adding more flead to the same proportion of flour.

The recipe should probably carry a warning that it is not for those on a diet.

I would be interested to hear of other recipes or remedies that were used in the local area in the past, and hope that you might be able to dedicate some space in the Gresford News to such traditions.

Ivan Skaines, Trevallyn

Editor’s reply

Send in your Interesting recipes and tips.

Thank you Ivan for your letter and recipe. It would be wonderful to get some interesting recipes or tips from our readers. And we would be happy to set aside a regular column to feature them in the Gresford News.

It could be a special recipe with historic interest or from a family member. Or just one of those all time favourites that we all have. Particularly remember those times when we have plenty of produce and need to find another way to use it up!

Useful tips that might be from rural life, around the house, gardening etc. would also be great. Please include a note about why it is special or useful.

Please send letters to:

The Editor, Gresford NewsPO Box 99, East Gresford NSW 2311or email [email protected]

Gresford News Notices

Learn it local in JuneBelly Dancing is back. By public

demand, another 6 weeks – suits both beginners & “beyond beginners”.

Women only. 6pm, starts Wed 5 June. Anglican Hall, Dungog. $120/ $105.Introduction To MS Excel Over 4 evenings in June: Tue 11, Wed 12,

Tues 18 & Wed 19, 6pm. $125/ $109.First Aid stand-by places available.

On either (Sat 22 June, 9-4) or (Mon & Tues 24-25 June 6-9pm–2 evenings).

$160 full course, $140 refresher. Cooking Spicily with Amorelle

Follow the spice route in this hands-on, tummy-on cooking class with

fine food wrangler Amorelle Dempster. Wallarobba Hall, Sat 29

June, starts 5.30pm (for chefs) or 7.30 (for diners). $59 cooks, $37 diners.

Coming up in term 3 – coming up... Blogging For Fun & Profit, Time

Management, Re-purposing Clothes, Cheesemaking, Winter Pizza, Learn Golf, Audio-scapes, Intro To Digitial Photography, A Guru Speaks & more.

Info & bookings: www.dungogcommunitycollege.org.au.

Contact us: [email protected] or 4992 1133.

Support our community market

Starting again on Sunday 16 June Therese Doyle Hall

Lawrence reunionGresford Showground 9 June 2013BYO everything, contact 4938 9589

Gresford Rural Fire Brigade AGM

Wednesday 5th June 2013 at 7.30pm at the Gresford Fire Shed,

137 Durham Road Gresford.Please contact Neville Lawrence

on 0427 389 569 or Jennifer Hanlon0400 447 907 for further information.

Landcare fieldday & dinner

Put Sat 12 Oct in your diary for this year’s fieldday and dinner. The focus

is on Giant Parramatta Grass and other weed pests.

STEWART EVERETTMITSUBISHI

ACN 000 905 395

For friendly service! Agent for ◆ Mitsubishi Motor Vehicles ◆ NRMA Service Centre ◆ Caltex Distributors, Fuels, Oils ◆ Stihl Chainsaws and Accessories ◆ General Vet & Chemical Merchandise

We welcome all your NRMA insurance payments –let our staff look after you personally!

Contact Stewart or Scott26 Durham Road, East Gresford NSW 2311

Ph. 4938 9204 Facsimile 4938 9517

Allynbrook Art ShowNew dates have been confirmed for

this year’s exhibition – Saturday 28th September & Sunday 29th September

Burr cutter’s ballSaturday 1 June

Hotel Beatty

Bush danceSaturday 15 JuneWallarobba Hall

Down Memory Lane @ James TheatreCatch Humphrey Bogart and

Katherine Hepburn getting down and dirty in the classic ‘African Queen’

at the next Down Memory Lane screening at the James Theatre

Thurs 27 June at 10am.

TheG resford News • June 2013

Fully Licenced Café / Restaurant4938 8305

EAST GRESFORD MASSAGE CLINIC

LEANNE ATKINS 0427 389 72231 Durham Rd East Gresford

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Pregnancy Massage

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Anglican Parish of Gresford PatersonGlendonbrook Road Gresford NSW 2311Telephone (02) 4938 [email protected]

JUNE SERVICE TIMES Sunday Mornings 2 9 16 23 30 St Anne’s, Gresford 7.30 9.30 8.30 St John’s, Vacy 9 11 St Paul’s, Paterson 9.30 9.30 6.30pm 9 St Mary’s, Allynbrook 10.30 St John’s, Lostock 11.30 St James’, Martin’s Ck 8 St Paul’s, Eccleston 11.30

Weekday mornings St Anne’s, Gresford at 7.30am [Check weekly pew bulletin]

The Gresford Community Market will resume on the 3rd Sunday of each month thanks to Judith Grant taking on the role of coordinator.

The Market was suspended last year because Cleveland House, where it had been run, was put up for sale. The new market will be located at the Therese Doyle Hall. Judith remembers the efforts of Therese Doyle and members of the Gresford community to secure the hall and has volunteered to coordinate the market so that the proceeds can go towards maintaining the hall.

The first market will kick off from 9am to 2pm on 16th June with more than 20

stalls already confirmed covering plants, farm produce, home made cakes, jams, pickles, recycled frames, knitwear, giftware, babyware, second hand and antiques.

Also, you will be able to view the work of local artists at the Gresford Gallery, the Historical Society will have a display and make sure you arrive before 10am to hear the DoUG ukelele group perform. There will be a BBQ, run by the Gresford Tennis Club, and tea/coffee with handmade muffins and cakes will be available from the kitchen.

Judith has already lined up some exciting themed markets for the coming months. Next up will be a special

‘Christmas in July’ market and the September markets will have the very popular vintage car club display.

There is plenty of parking available and with plenty of space in the hall grounds Judith is welcoming new stall holders.

A big thanks is due to Belinda and Ellis Richards who helped to establish the markets and supported it through the years that it was located in their grounds at Clevedon House. And if you are looking for some of Belinda’s great cards rumour has it she will have a stall at the new Market.

You can phone Judith Grant on 4938 9505

Gresford Market Starts Again On Sunday 16 June


Gresford Post Office StoreHome of the Crossroads Cafe

162 Durham Road Gresford (Cnr Lostock & Durham Road)Phone 4938 9239

Open 7 days from 7.00 am

TAKE AWAY FOOD OPEN FOR BREAKFAST LUNCH AND DINNER

Gourmet fresh cut sandwiches and real Milkshakes available – BBQ Chickens – Ice – DVDs – Grocery – Ice Creams – Drinks –

DVD Releases available in May

• DJANGO UNCHAINED • THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK • LINCOLN •

• HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS • FLIGHT • SAFE HAVEN • STOLEN •

• THE LAST STAND • BEAUTIFUL CREATURES • SIDE EFFECTS • CLOUD ATLAS •

PARANORMAN • PLAYING FOR KEEPS • ANNA KARENINA •

The author of this spooky thriller is not to be confused with Jane Goodall of chimpanzee fame. She is a UK born academic and writer currently living and working in Sydney, who has created a tale of murky violence. The murkiness comes from the involvement of psychic and supernatural elements, but the violence is graphic and realistic.

A French au pair in charge of rambunctious twin boys (who all witness strange sights near the White Horse in chalk on the Oxfordshire Hills) is brutally murdered, and ripples of violence spread from this murder. Inspector Briony Williams, a young Welsh policewoman, has intuitive feelings about the case, but is only given credence when the violence escalates.

This is an effective and well-written detective story, with an unusual background of druids; mind-games and drugs. There are some vividly drawn characters and an elaborate plot, with a fair degree of tension. Crime-fiction lovers will be intrigued by this novel.

What’s on the Shelves?by Glenda Smith

The Visitor– Jane R. Goodall

Gresford Community Group May meeting

Gresford Community Markets – status report: Turnbulls are to look after the BBQ, and possibly breakfast on behalf of the tennis club. Jim Doyle is to run women’s soccer matches. Peter Lawrence is providing a list of vegetable growers for a produce stall. Joyce Byron is to liaise with the Dungog markets, and Donna Cavanagh will open the art gallery. A ukulele band from Dungog was also in hand. The DA transfer is awaiting a response from DSC. Stall fees to stay unchanged and kitchen hire to be $20. Judy to provide the register of stallholders for Stephen to refer to the hall’s insurers. Dave Jefferson to repair unsafe steps and faulty window. Working bee 8.30am, 1 June in readiness for the start date (16 June)

TD Hall report Hall development plans and building inspection report tabled, to be read by committee and discussed at the next meeting. Hall site plan to be found.

Skateboard shade cover reportKen tabled a reported itemising the cost of the project to date. Penny pointed out some trees would provide adequate shading. Moved to terminate the project and recover as much of the cost from sale of the steel. Moved to engage Leon Groves to landscape. Letter to shade cloth supplier.

Rodeo grants Resolved to apply for grant for development of TD Hall and upgrade of its kitchen facilities.

Mobile phone reception Draft endorsed, to be sent to Telstra, cc Bob Baldwin, George Souris, C Ward councillors

Billy cart derby Reported $13,300 profit, most to pre-school and the public school. Ken Chandler congratulated by all.

128 John St, Singleton (Old Commonwealth Bank building)

Ph : (02) 6571 5582E : [email protected]

www.redbournberry.com.au

• F A M I L Y O W N E D & O P E R A T E D

• P R O U D L Y S E R V I N G T H E P E O P L E O F T H E

H U N T E R V A L L E Y , P O R T S T E P H E N S & N E W C A S T L E

• C A L L T O N Y , M A R G A R E T O R L I N D S A Y F R Y

2 4 H O U R S / 7 D A Y S

• P R E - A R R A N G E D F U N E R A L S

4 8 B A N K S S T , E A S T M A I T L A N D

6 1 P O R T S T E P H E N S S T , R A Y M O N D T E R R A C E

9 7 N E W E N G L A N D H W Y , M A I T L A N D

W W W . F R Y B R O S . C O M . A U 4933 6155

Make-Over Our rooms have had a

long awaited make-over. New flooring was laid earlier this month and the ‘lift’ this has given the rooms is amazing. The original linoleum has finally been replaced with timber laminate and the transformation makes the rooms look much bigger and brighter. Emptying the rooms created an opportunity for a good clean out of the cupboards and bookshelves. The grounds outside received a mini make-over too with the planting of several new shrubs. Well done everyone.

April 29 was Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) Day and friends throughout the world joined in Women Walk the World, a registered charity that connects and supports women and communities worldwide. ACWW is active in over 70 countries, offering women and their communities the chance of a better life with mutual support, friendship and practical help through development programmes and projects. Projects, proposed by local societies or communities, may relate to clean water, sanitation, food production, leadership

GRESFORD CWA NEWS

Walkers, Dotti Hilliard & Jan Godwin

and skill training, nutrition, education, literacy, health issues to name just a few.

Projects are monitored and assessed to ensure a successful outcome.

Two of our members, Dottie Hilliard and Jan Godwin participated in the walk and between them raised $70. Well done ladies.

Craft Open House 1.00pm, the first Thursday of the month after our meeting – all welcome.

Next Meeting Thursday, June 6 at 9.30am. New members are always welcome. You will find us at 12 Durham Road, East Gresford (next to the Police Station).

Book Club meets 2nd Saturday of the month at 3pm in the CWA rooms. Next meeting is June 8 and the book for June is The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje.

Web Address: http://gresfordcwa.wordpress.com

Jan’s saying for the month.

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.

Jill Hancock, Publicity Officer


West Tankers are a family owned and operated business servicing Newcastle, Hunter Valley and surrounding areas. We are able to meet the requirements of specialised and remote customers.

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School Trivia NightThe Challinors, of East Gresford, proved they are the brains of the community with a convincing win at Gresford Public School P&C Association’s trivia night at Gresford Bowling Club on May 11.

About 40 trivia buffs gathered for the night, hosted by professional trivia presenter Denny Thomson, and through their entry fees and fun challenges during the evening they raised $650 for programs at Gresford Public School.

The eight teams, including the River Rats who wandered up from the Showground camping area, were put through 10 rounds of questions, a bonus quiz and a limerick challenge and the Challinors led from start to finish.

There were some spirited challenges but the Challinors held on to take home the top prize.

The next major fundraiser for the school’s P&C will be the bi-annual ball on Saturday, October 19.

The Bull’s Horns Ball will have a wild west theme and will be held in the “saloon” at Gresford Bowling Club.

More details about tickets will be available in the coming weeks.

Everyone knows the annual Gresford Billy Cart Derby is a lot of fun and an event that has social benefits for the local community. But co-ordinator of the Billy Cart Derby organising committee, Ken Chandler, has been trying to work out what the Derby contributes to the local economy.

Its not a straight forward calculation. There are the takings of stalls run by local organisations like the Fire Brigade, School and CWA, the value of sponsorship and raffle, and the extra income generated at local businesses and the camping ground.

Ken explained... “I came up with a figure of approx $50,000 after adding together the known takings and asking most of the businesses to provide an estimate of extra takings over a normal Saturday’s trading.”

“It may be an estimate but it’s still a good indication of the extra dollars flowing into our sporting and charity organisations and local businesses as a result of the event being staged.”

Part of the motivation to put a dollar figure to the event has been the concern from Dungog Shire Events about the cost of supplying traffic controllers for the

event. From next year the Billy Cart Derby will have to rely on trained volunteers to do this and local organisatins have been asked if they have members who could volunteer. The training will be provided through the Dungog Community College with a subsidy from Dungog Shire Events.

“This is clearly a valuable event for the community as a whole.” said Ken “It is important for the future of the event that beneficiary organisations take a more active role in both organising and running the event. We are in desperate need of new young blood to keep the event evolving into something even better.“

It has been suggested that a skate boarding event could be developed to run after completion of the cart races. “This could be a great new development but it would be best organised in conjunction with the young boarders themselves. We would certainly like to hear from them if they want to support the idea. It would take some time to think about how this could be staged.”

To get involved with the Billy Cart Derby you can contact Ken Chandler by email at [email protected]

Billy Cart Derby brings $50,000 to Local Economy


The Dungog and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce our new and exciting Weddings and Events Initiative, with the launch of a dedicated website – www.dungogweddingsandevents.com.

The website provides a means for collective advertising by local businesses and organisations to make it easier for potential clients to source what they need for their special event in the Shire, be it a Wedding, 21st Birthday or Family Reunion; the list is endless.

All businesses or organisations that service weddings or other events are welcome to be part of this initiative.

Apart from a listing on our dedicated website businesses recieve 100 copies of a DL sized brochure promoting the website that gives an indication of the range of businesses involved, and the opportunity to be represented at bridal fairs and other trade shows (schedule to be determined based on the level of interest of participants). We see this project as a work in progress. The more businesses and

diversity we can showcase with this initiative, the greater the potential for expansion of the website and related promotions. The cost for businesses and organisations for the first year will be $250 (for businesses not already a member of the Chamber) and $165 for current Chamber members. If you would like to be a part of this exciting new project please contact Marion Stuart on 49921899 or Jennifer Lewis on 4992 1441 or go to www.dungogweddingsandevents.com

Jennifer Lewis - Chamber President

Celebrate Your Way in Dungog Shire

celebrate Your way

Providing professional taxation and accounting services to the Hunter

Valley since 1946 including:

Income Tax Returns Accounting Bookkeeping Audits Advice on buying and

selling businesses Superannuation Advice and

Self Managed Superannuation Funds

Financial Planning Mortgage Broking

Gresford office is open Monday,

Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 Durham Road East Gresford

Please call 4938 9284 or go to www.addisonpartners.com.au

Leona Clements (Bookkeeper)

Westley Neilson (Director)

Gresford office is open Wednesday and other times by appointment

Leona Clements (Bookkeeper)Jane Thomson (Director)

Graeme Ferguson

Registered SurveyorConsultant in surveying,

planning and engineering

* Portion Boundaries Remarked * Identification Survey Reports * House Setouts * Urban and Rural Subdivisions * Engineering Survey and Design * Topographic Surveys * Urban and Rural Road Design * Control Surveys

“Yatta” Torryburn Via Paterson 2421Tel 4938 9448 Fax 4938 9626

Email [email protected]


SETTLERS ARMSBar•Restaurant•Entertainment•Accommodation

45 Brown St Dungog•Ph 4992 1615•[email protected]

Open Wed – Sun • Dinner Wed – Sun • Lunch Fri – Sun

good food • good wine • good company

now open for lunch on fridays

Come Along To The Settlers

kWacky Wednesdays - $10.00 main meals - bookings recommended

Thirsty Thursdays - Happy hour 5-7 pm with complimentary bar snacks

fun Friday - live music from 8.30 pm. Cocktail hour from 9-10 pm

Sunday Sesh - live jazz and blues from 4 pm

The Dungog Shire Visitor Information Centre has just released an updated event calendar for Dungog Shire for the next six months. There are a number of new events planned for the area and changes to existing events.

The major new event this year will be a music festival in Dungog called Planet Dungog. It will be a three day festival of music, spoken word, dance and film held 11-13 October, coinciding with a mainstreet parade on Saturday morning.

There has already been an excellent response to the call for expressions of interest for performers which augers well for a strong program. The website for Planet Dungog is planetdungog.com

Another event which is popular despite being relatively new, is the Paterson Classic Car and Bike Show which will be held towards the end of September.

Horse, bike and arts related events feature strongly on the calendar.

The Gresford Campdraft and Rodeo will be held 30–31 August this year, while the Hunter Polo Challenge will be held at

Wirragulla Polo Ground a little earlier than usual, in mid September rather than October.

Team Penning will be held at both Gresford and Dungog Showgrounds over the next six months. The dates for Dungog are 27–28 July and 26–27 October, while the last Team Penning event for the year (and their Christmas event) will be held at Gresford Showground on 30 November to 1 December.

Motor bike and bicycle enthusiasts continue to be attracted to events in the area. Pedalfest is a well-established event which is occurring in Dungog over 6–8 September, and it is likely that the Newcastle to Dungog bike ride will be held again this year in October.

During the month of May the Paterson mountain bike event, the Thunderbolt Rally and the Dungog Rotary Challenge Duathlon have been held in Dungog Shire.

There are a wide range of arts and cultural events planned for the next six months including a program of

classic films called Down Memory Lane, the AGOG Film Festival, live music and entertainment at the James Theatre in Dungog.

At Tocal Homestead there will be the Back to Back Wool Challenge on 9 June and Peak into the Past at the end of July, Dungog Quiltarama will be held in mid July, the annual Dungog Art Exhibition will be held in the first half of September, and the Allynbrook Art Show at the end of September.

For more information about events in Dungog Shire please contact the Dungog Shire Visitor Information Centre on 4992 2212.

The VIC can also help local people promote events. If you have an idea for a new event or a suggestion about how to improve an existing event please phone me on 4995 7777.

Ivan Skaines, Dungog Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Co-ordinator

Major Events in Dungog Shire


Community feature

The one and only Allynbrook harvest festival was the place to be on the 21st April in order to purchase the very best local produce. With around 100 people attending the event, the festival is still well patronised after running in excess of 50 years.

The large majority of the produce sold by entertaining auctioneers Trevor Clements and Keith Litchfield came

from the local area. Grammas, pumpkins, apples, oranges, bananas, cakes, jams and preserves proved popular and bidding was fierce!

It has become a tradition of the festival for there to be friendly rivalry in the bidding with many friends and family members engaging in a good hearted bidding war to secure sought after items such as the sponge cakes.

The amusing banter from the auctioneers and their enthusiasm in taking bids meant that a pleasing amount of $3,800 was raised for the parish.

This year at the harvest festival, there was a bottle of whisky auctioned in honour of the late Dick Boydell, whose family received some of the first land grants within the Gresford area.

Harvesting Fun and Festivity at Allynbrook

Come into our friendly local salon today and enjoy one of our many services we offer. From amazing cut and colours to beautiful long lasting gel nails and amazing bridal packages. We stock a large range of retail from the amazing keune and ghd to the new and fabulous silk eyelash extending mascara.

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James Bird with his sponge

Come in and try ourChilli Cheese Kransky

Beef Jerkyand assorted Frozen Fish Fillets

Ph 4938 9710

...story and photos by Rowena Dillon

Where would be the only place in Gresford, or even New South Wales that you would buy a cinnamon sponge cake with mock cream for $305? Second question – why would local

resident James Bird pay $305 for such a sponge, especially when it was made by his own grandmother?

The answers are simple – you can buy such an expensive sponge at the Allynbrook harvest festival and the reason James paid the princely sum is because all money raised from the Festival goes to Gresford and Paterson Anglican Parish Church Funds. Similar harvest festivals are held at Lostock, Vacy, and Gresford.


Community feature

The perfect autumn weather and beautiful setting of St Mary’s-on-Allyn, drew visitors from as far as Glenori, Swansea and Wingham with plenty of local familiar faces making up the crowd.

Members of the Edwards family, Trevor from Raymond Terrace, Mary Edwards, Gay Ford and Pauline Cox have been coming to the festival over a number of years to catch-up with family and to visit

the extraordinary country side of their ancestors. Many other people make the harvest festival the place to meet up with friends and family each year.

The day began with a church service led by Mary Horn in the beautifully decorated, historic St Mary’s-on-Allyn Church. This was followed by light refreshments, then the auction of the produce. After the auction everyone got

to relax and catch up outside in the sunshine while enjoying a BBQ lunch. Quite a nice way to spend a Sunday!

So next year, look out for the date of the Allynbrook harvest festival. Go along and you could secure yourself some tasty produce, enjoy a relaxing, friendly get together and help raise money for the Anglican parish to assist with the upkeep of the beautiful churches in our district.

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The relaxed visitors enjoying lunch under the treesKaitlin Horn with her purchase

Family members Gay Ford, Trevor Edwards, Mary Edwards and Pauline Cox catch up each year at the Festival

St Mary’s on Allyn Church


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The exhibition ADORNMENT – Wearable Art encompasses all areas of

body decoration, and can include wearable art, decorative finery, photographs or art works about body art. A group Exhibition of talented Hunter artists and African artists from Sanaa Afrika Central Coast Gallery exploring the concept of body decoration with a wide variety of art forms ranging from garments, tattoo images, paintings, head pieces to body painting. Gresford artists Donna Cavanough, Dawn Thompson, Robyn & Eric Werkhoven, Sherrel Flack & Misha Moon will feature their work in the show.

Dawn Thompson has created an amazing a dress that will fold up into a book. Dawn says ‘A Dress Book’ when opened,

what appears to be a book becomes the bodice for the stitched and folded paper dress inside. The skirt of the dress is made from white kozo silk paper, stitched together and free machine embroidered in red with quotes and sayings about dress and dressing “know first who you are, then adorn yourself accordingly”.

Just a hint of what you will discover in the show. Don’t miss out seeing this incredible exhibition! Opening 30th May – 16 June at Newcastle Art Space Gallery. 246 Parry St Hamilton West (Newcastle) HOURS:12 -5pm Thurs - Sun

Ann Sutherland Director of the Newcastle Art Space Gallery says “What is Wearable Art? Wearable art is an art form which is spread over many genres and covers a huge number of philosophies. It is an original design created by an artist to adorn the moving human body. Body art like any other art form ranges from the frivolous to the serious. It is the rebellion against the mundane where artists and the viewer enter a world of dreams and fantasies that go towards the creation of extraordinary visions of art. A place where the human body is decorated with paint or garments designed from the sublime to the ridiculous. Humans innately hold a

fascination with enhancing and showing off their bodies.”

“Artists are inspired by the tattooed body, the scarred body, the plastic body, the symbolic body, the sexual body, the animal body, the social body, the religious body, the dressed body, the decorated body.” The opening night was a celebration of body adornment. Maggie Hensell Brown was invited for a body painting session in recognition of one of Newcastle’s finest body painting artists who passed away last year, Faerie Emilee. “We have much to celebrate about human’s fascination with adorning their bodies.” In next month’s July article I will feature photos from the exhibition and the opening night.

ART NEWS: Congratulations to Gus O’Brien, his artwork has been featured in SHOWCASE –artwork by local high school students years 7-12. He is one of 2 students from Dungog High School selected. The exhibition runs to 11 August at Maitland Regional Art Gallery.Also at Maitland Regional Art Gallery until 11 August MICHAEL GARTH – sculpture exhibition.

Contact Robyn Werkhoven – art news:email [email protected]

ART NEWS


A fun morning was had by all who attended the Biggest Morning Tea held at the Twin Rivers Café on Friday the 17th May. An assortment of aprons were worn and entered in the competition for the best apron on the day. A guest speaker, Dr Aditya Menon, gave a brief presentation on a different approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing Education in the form of Laughter Yoga.

Local businesses generously donated towards the Tombala raffle. Meagan Edwards and Sally Hunt provided the entertainment and kept toes tapping with their music. Song requests were backed by monetary donations. The Nerong Quilters kindly donated some exquisite aprons and tea cosies to be sold for the appeal. Some of the bought aprons were then entered into the competition along with those favourite aprons brought in from home. The winner was Anne Ellicott with a saucy, shades of grey, bling number.

A total of $650 was raised for the Cancer Council, a great effort. Thank you all for your support. Also, thanks to those who

volunteered their time to assist with the running of this event.

Everyone helped to make this fundraiser both successful and enjoyable. We hope to see you again next year.

East Gresford’s Biggest Morning Tea

Photos clockwise:

• Meagan Edwards and Sally Hunt entertaining.

• George Sales, Meagan Edwards and

Anne Ellicott.

• Aditya presenting the Laughing Yoga.

Communities near us have in recent times become very wary of

proposals to expand existing mines or engage in exploration. This is particularly so where the technology is controversial as with coal seam gas. The Gresford district has, (so far) been ignored, but it has not been forgotten because as some readers will know we do have a mining history.

Many of you will also remember when the NSW Government assisted the coal mining industry by appropriating the mineral resources attached to old system land that had been derived from an original grant. To ease the political backlash, compensation for coal reserves was to be payable to affected land owners. This however did NOT apply to land owners in what was called the “Dungog Model Area”. This area, (rather curiously) was drawn to exclude the Cranky Corner coal area in the southwest and the Gloucester coal area in the northeast.

Compensation was rejected on the basis of the Government Geologist’s conclusion that the, “surface geology in the Dungog Model Area consists of sedimentary and volcanic rocks that are older than the Permian and no coal resources within Australia are older than the Permian” (Tech note: the Permian is a geological period which extends from approximately 300 to 250 million years ago) If this conclusion is correct then it would seem we are at least safe from coal and CSG exploration. Unfortunately the nature of the surface geology does mean there are other extremely valuable resources under our feet and our history confirms this.

As scarcity and technical applications for some mineral ores drives prices higher, miners (and Governments) will be keen to take another look at any resources available. Recently, (8/8/2011) the Newcastle Herald reported that a group of concerned residents had met in Monkerai (near Dungog) to voice their opposition to proposed gold exploration in the Karuah, Williams, Allyn and Paterson valleys. This exploration was proposed by West Australian based company “Gold of Ophir” which had applied for 14 exploration licenses. The managing director did however note that the exploration/mining phase was a “long way off”. Details however remain “confidential”.

So what is known of our mining history? It seems that as early as 1845, copper was being found and searched for on Edward Cory’s property at Gostwyck (Vacy). A report in the Maitland Mercury of 29/9/1847 states that, “the indications of copper are as strong on the Gostwyck estate as those that are found attached to some of the richest mines in Cornwall”. Years later in the 1870’s copper fever seems to have struck again with a company formed and the sinking of shafts not only at Gostwyck but further east on the ridge dividing the Paterson and Williams rivers.

Another valuable mineral discovered was antimony, and in 1854 G.K.Holden of the Penshurst estate (Mt Rivers) exhibited a sample of the ore (stibnite) at the Paris International Exhibition. This ore body was later mined by the Allynbrook Antimony Mining Syndicate from 1907 with some commercial success. Antimony is usually found with gold and silver and a rich sample from the Williams River some 20 miles (32k’s) north of Dungog was assayed in 1884 for a return of 52.64 % antimony, 4 dwt of gold and 3 dwt of silver per ton.

Gold fever had captured popular imagination since Edward Hargreaves found gold near Bathurst in 1851 and the search was on in all localities. By the 1870’s there are reports of mines at Wangat in the northern reaches of the Williams valley and sufficient gold was extracted over a number of years to encourage Angus and Coote to establish in Dungog to assay and buy gold. Both steam and water powered stampers (crushers) were used with some success and according to a Department of Mines report the total Wangat production over some 30 years was estimated at just over 88kg of gold. - a rate of approximately 1.26 oz. per ton of ore. Mining continued at Wangat until the 1920’s, but by then the construction of the Chichester dam in 1913 had severely restricted access.

Gold was also found at Cherry Tree hill some 5 miles (8ks) east of Dungog on the Stroud road and even on the Dungog Common a shaft was sunk some 51 feet in search of not gold but silver. At Belgrave on the Allyn River a shaft was also sunk for silver – although it is thought that the only silver won was that paid to the men who sank the shaft, See the photo supplied by George Sales.

Significant reef gold was also discovered by a member of the Saxby family in July 1876 at Back Creek (Copeland) some 12 miles (20ks) northwest of Gloucester. This area came to be known as the Barrington goldfields and for a considerable time was accessed through Dungog and Monkerai. A large number of mines were operated (see map) and in 1879, (the peak year) some 10,015 oz. of gold was won from this gold field – again at a rate of just over an ounce per ton of ore. The Maitland Mercury of 27/6/1878 records that 2 cakes of gold of around 12 pounds (5.45kg) each came to Dungog from the Centennial mine where they spent the night in the safe of the Commercial bank before being escorted on their way by two constables.

Despite this apparent success many of these Barrington mines were considered by the mining wardens to be very under capitalized. The result was that most miners were only able to afford to sink shallow shafts which quickly became flooded and had to be abandoned. Crushing equipment available was also regarded as inadequate and the transport of ores was extremely costly. In the view of the wardens much of the resource was underutilized (or wasted) with only the better financed miners who could afford pumps and the labour to drive self draining tunnels able to achieve any efficiency. A number of mining companies are presently re-assessing the potential to re-work the area – no doubt with this in mind.

Little alluvial gold has ever been found in the rivers and streams as the gold bearing reefs do not as a rule show on the surface and where they do the quartz is very resistant to water erosion. At the Barrington gold field 1500 oz. of alluvial gold was taken in the discovery year but very little thereafter.

This reminds me of the story I was told about a Christmas gold rush on the Allyn River. It appears that a family were preparing for the Christmas dinner. Several chooks had been despatched and the men had changed into their Sunday clothes and were taking it easy on the verandah. Suddenly an excited cry came from the kitchen where one of the cooks had discovered a couple of grains that were clearly gold in the gizzard of one of the chooks. “Where have they been foraging” was the cry and the answer


q Gresford District Historical Society rRiches under our feet?


was, “down by the river”. Story has it that they seized any and every available bowl and pan and as one rushed to the river beset by gold fever. With all thought of Christmas dinner completely forgotten they tore at the gravel beds in their Sunday best till their hands bled. Of course they found – nothing.

One man who spent a large part of his life exploring for gold on the upper reaches of the Allyn river and who spent quite a deal to engage men to help sink shafts was Tom Hancock of Allynbrook. For his trouble and expense he gained only experience and there were many stories of reefs collapsing, shafts flooding and mysterious events.

I can recall the story of one expedition into the head waters of the Allyn to sink a shaft into a particularly promising reef which projected from marshy land. Some days had been spent pit sawing heavy planks to shore up the shaft and these were all stacked ready to use. During the night there was a great commotion and heavy planks and other gear were being

flung in all directions. No one was too keen to investigate this and they fired some shots to warn off whatever or whoever was involved. In the morning they discovered that the “whoever or whatever” not only had the strength to hurl heavy green timber considerable distances but to also completely distort and break hand tools. No one fancied staying onsite to confront a repeat performance and the expedition was abandoned.

Although Tom was unsuccessful with reef gold mining he was however able to bring his experience to bear in exploiting the antimony resource discovered at Penshurt (Mt Rivers). Tom on his own and then in association with the Allynbrook Antimony Mining Syndicate continued with this mine from around

1907 through to the 1930’s with some commercial success.

We will continue with the story of antimony mining next month.

q “Our Stories” Feature r

Please keep those stories coming because it is YOUR stories of characters, identities and events that add the human factor to our history. The “bounty” for every story we publish in the Gresford News is now $50. So, there is a definite incentive to send your story in to the Gresford District Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 96 East Gresford.

Note our new meeting time is 10:30am and our next meeting is our AGM on Monday, 8th July in the RSL rooms. There will be no June meeting.

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above: Silver mine at Belgrave

right: Copeland gold field mines


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NEW FIELD & GOAL POSTS AT VACY Full size goals have been installed on newly marked out training fields at Vacy Oval. Not wishing to compromise the recently upgraded synthetic wicket the ground was marked out slightly smaller than a regulation field. This will, however, greatly improve the training opportunities at Vacy as well as giving Vacy Public School better soccer facilities for school competitions. With more than a dozen teams training at Vacy throughout the week the goal posts alone will be a welcome addition to the training routine. Unfortunately, without change rooms/toilets being currently available, junior inter-district competitions will not be able to be held at Vacy.

The purchase and installation of the goals at a cost of over $3,000 was made possible by a $500 donation from the Vacy Carnival Committee to the Vacy Sportsground Committee, who voted to spend it on the goals and an exceedingly generous donation from Peter & Geoff Buyers (Sentral Education) to our club with instructions that it should be “spent on providing equipment for the kids”. Our gratitude goes to both these groups as well as Committee Member, Dave Crouch for his “old mates” sponsorship deal with the Buyers.

NEW PLAYING SHIRTS Gresford Vacy has recently canvassed for shirt sponsorship and will soon take delivery of their new playing strip. Once again we are very pleased to report on the generosity of the local business community in supporting the associated advertising on the shirts. GVFC only replace the shirts every three years and it is gratifying to note that many sponsors are now into their third and fourth sponsorship of shirts (some even more). As the club has grown significantly so

Gresford Vacy Football Club Inchas the cost of providing shirts. This year we will spend over $7,000 and that does not include the thirty-five U6’s and U7’s who received new shirts last season. We should all be grateful that there are so many civic-minded businesses and individuals who are happy to support sport. As a club, we are very grateful.

ALL-AGE #2 WIN There was great excitement at Scorp Park, Gresford, as the All-Age Men’s #2 side defeated Argenton two nil in the fourth round of the Inter-district comp. Grown men performing cartwheels does not go unnoticed. Particularly when it’s the President (and player) of the club! This was a significant win! and is the AAM#2 third win which represents one win for each season they’ve been in the competition. It’s also the first season without a major injury! It just shows that the training is finally paying off. Keep it up guys! This may be the start of something big.

COACHING CLINIC The third of a series of in-house coaching development programs was conducted at the Gresford Sportsground in May. Craig Maddison, a specialist Goalie Coach and official with Hunter Valley Football and Hunter Hawks, presented the clinic to a group of about 20 coaches and goal keepers. Craig is also Goal Coach to the Emerging Jets and Weston Bears and had previously played for Gresford Vacy as a junior. Craig’s father, Graeme, was a founding member of Gresford Vacy United.

Concentrating on hand-eye co-ordination, balance and ball skills Craig imparted a series of drills and exercises that will improve our goal keeping.

We are most grateful to Craig for sharing his special skills.


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After successfully propagating the 100 year old orange tree at the Gresford pub, I turned my attention to another

request to source and propagate a cherry plum tree from an old tree out at Glendonbrook.

The cherry plum is a long forgotten species that was a commonplace source of small juicy fruits for many children growing up in the 1940’s. The seed of the cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera, has a tendency to produce variable seedlings when it germinates, especially plants with different foliage colours.

It is hard to drive around any town in the Hunter Valley and not catch a glimpse of the striking black foliage of an ornamental cherry plum. Popularity of the original fruiting trees declined as home gardens developed into ornamental showpieces rather than functional spaces to provide families with their own home grown food at little or no cost. Most gardens held on to their citrus trees, especially mandarins & lemons, but the stone fruits like plums & peaches gradually disappeared from the backyard - until now that is!

Modern society is avidly attempting to have the best of both the ornamental & functional worlds and they want the juicy flavoursome fruit & vegetables that they remember from grandma’s backyard rather than the modern cultivars that have been bred to stay firm and unbruised during transport to the supermarket.

Unfortunately the terminology “lost species” is quite accurate, and it is often impossible to locate remnant trees of a species if society has discarded them in favour of modern cultivars, but that most modern of technologies – the internet – is a

very handy tool for finding things you thought may have been lost forever.

The internet provided contact with the Heritage Fruit Society in Victoria who had a description of Prunus cerasifera as a fruiting cherry plum rather than an ornamental tree on their website. A simple email was sent to enquire if any members of the Society had seedlings available for purchase. No-one had plants but one member, Cecelia, responded to advise that she had an established fruiting cherry plum in her back yard and I was welcome to some cutting material which I gratefully accepted.

As our correspondence continued, Cecelia told me that she grew up in a house with a magnificent fruiting cherry plum as tall as her house and with spreading branches that the family would sit under to enjoy the cool shade before airconditioning was commonplace. Cecelia told me that the tree had lived for seventy years or so and was long gone – BUT, her sister still lived in their childhood home AND had a seedling from that original fruiting tree that had exceptional flavoured fruit AND that I was welcome to some cuttings of that tree also when it grew big enough. Needless to say, I accepted that offer very quickly & gratefully.

In the meantime, I have managed to propagate several plants of Cecelia’s tree and the Glendonbrook cherry plums and it is obvious that they are not identical. Time will tell if there is a difference in the fruit as well as the foliage.

In my early years as a junior farmer at Braeside, Halton, a very old plum tree stood in the middle of my vegetable garden –

History, Tradition, Oranges, Plums And Peaches – Part 2


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the last remnant of the Braeside orchard. The tree set very few fruit and they ripened very late so it was always a battle with the silvereyes, bower birds, parrots & fruit bats to get my share, but it was worth it as they were unlike any other plum in size or flavour.

The tree was eventually destroyed in a severe wind storm & for 60 years I have pondered what species or variety it was & have never found a suitable answer. Recently, I was searching through a cupboard where I keep a multitude of printed paraphernalia (just in case it might be useful one day). This current pile dates back to the late 1960’s with a few earlier treasures amongst it as well & I came across an old catalogue from a plant label printing house in Melbourne. These label catalogues are more like encyclopaedias than catalogues because they pretty much list every species & variety of plant that has ever been grown and had a label stuck on it. Out of curiosity I flipped to the pages of fruit trees & found two possible matches to the old Braeside plum tree – Elephant Heart and Formosa.

More research revealed it was definitely an Elephant Heart Plum, large heart shaped fruit with a distinct tangy flavour & very late ripening. A quick whip around the heritage fruit growers & I have located a couple of Elephant Plums that will take pride of place in the current family orchard. The other old plum variety, Formosa that was listed in the label catalogue with the Elephant Heart has a more questionable & mysterious heritage and that is another story for another day.

by Noel Jupp OAM, Dip Hort, QP Dept Ag & Fisheries


Gresford News June Crossword

April 2013 crossword answers

An Historical MomentOn Saturday night, 18th May, Tom Doyle, aged 7, the son of Kristopher and Myffy Doyle received his first communion and confirmation. This took place at St. Helen’s Catholic Church at East Gresford with Fr. Derek Garner officiating.

Tom Doyle is an eighth generation of his family to have been involved with St. Helen’s church. He is descended from James and Ellen McCormick who came to Australia in 1833. James and Ellen had one child only, Mary, who married Edward William Doyle. James and the Doyle family owned the property of Clevedon adjacent to East Gresford for many years. After Ellen’s death, James donated land for a church to be built on, provided the church was named after Ellen.

Unfortunately the catholic church had a ruling that a church must be named after a member of the Holy Family or a canonised saint. There was no St. Ellen so the best that could be done was to name it after St. Helen.

Tom lives with his parents and sister Eva at Tyraman Vale on Summer Hill Road. This property adjoins Eden Vale owned by grandparents, Bob and Sue Doyle, which was purchased by James McCormick back in the mid 1800s. Tom was joined by quite a number of his friends and relatives at the ceremony who later adjourned to the Beatty Hotel for a celebratory dinner.

Peter Doyle

St Helen’s Catholic Parish Gresford

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SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

Planning a Special Function.

Why not have it at the Gresford Bowls Sports & Recreation Club

Wedding. Birthday, Engagement. Anniversary We assist with entertainment.

Conditions apply. The 2013 Annual General Meeting of the GRESFORD BOWLS SPORTS &

REC CLUB. Will be held on the 19th JULY 2013 at

7-00PM at the Club As the Currant Board will be stepping down after two years of service to the Club. We would ask all persons interested in standing for the Board to register their interests at the Club prior to the meet-ing. The Club is now on a stable Financial Footing and has an excellent future with the right people at the controls.

PLEASE CONSIDER

Wednesday at 7-00pm Friday at 7-00pm Sunday at 7-00pm

gresford news june 2013

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