putty people march 2018 newsletter of the putty...
TRANSCRIPT
Putty People March 2018 Newsletter of the Putty Community
THE PUTTY FIRES By John Bickle The recent Putty fire, code named 695, burnt for weeks and as it burnt it grew. By mid-February it covered 8153ha and had a perimeter of 85km. This map indicates the location of the burnt area at that time around Putty.
By the time the fire was declared under control on 24th February it had grown to more than twice that area. 19,043ha with a perimeter of 117.48Km.
19,043ha converts to 190 square kilometres. Compare that to the following list of the sizes of the ten smallest countries in the world - smallest to largest. Rank Country Area (km sq) 1 Vatican City 0.44 2 Monaco 2.02 3 Nauru 21.00 4 Tuvalu 26 5 San Marino 61 6 Liechtenstein 160 7 Marshall Islands 181 8 Saint Kitts & Nevis 261 9 Maldives 298 10 Malta 316 And for the curious, the size of Australia is 7.692 million km squared!
Putty Musical Variety Show Saturday 24th March at 2 pm
The Putty Hall will explode with a variety of wonderful music including
THE SYDNEY MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA
Duo
THE PRINCESS AND THE
BODYGUARDVocalist
NICOLE HULETT
Tickets $20 each
Lunch will be served with the bar opening at noon. 1pm - light lunch $10.
To book: Call Margaret Ferguson 6579 7077 or 0427 282 246
Venue: Putty Hall at 408 Putty Valley Road Putty
Email [email protected] Limited seats will be available at the door.
Putty People Newsletter March 2018, Page 2 of 8
PUTTY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC. AGM 2018 The well-attended Putty Community Association (PCA) Annual General Meeting, held on Saturday 4 February 2018, was a great opportunity to hear about another successful year in the life of the community of Putty and the PCA.Of course we remembered with joy, gratitude and sadness those members of our community who passed on during the year, grateful for having had them in our lives and in our community but missing them deeply – Aleda Graham, Brain Abbott and John Grace – Rest in Peace. Ron, Lanie, Kim and their loved ones are in our thoughts as they journey through their grief. PCA President, Andy Edwards, gave an overview of 2017, including the continued success of the Putty Detour, another successful Putty Bush Fair, positive progress on the outdoor conversation area - including a $1,200 materials grant, as well as the PCA plans for the celebration of the 100 Year Anniversary of the Putty Hall in 2018.
The financial report tabled by Treasurer, David Hope indicated a positive increase in the financial position of the PCA - after deducting annual operating, function and sundry items expenses from income relating to functions such as the Spring Fair, Concerts, Friday Night Detours and membership/donations, the PCA bank account showed a healthy increase of just over $5,000 for the last financial year.” The major contributors to the financial performance being the Detour and the Putty Bush Fair.
There was robust discussion about the events and timings for the centenary celebrations and the following have been agreed and are in the process of being organised:
12 May Centennial Bush Dinner A sit down dinner with a Band and including a Bush Ballad Competition and sponsored by Ian David. Dress: Bush Smart (whatever that is!) 30 September Putty Bush Fair A BIG Fair with all the usual fun, music, good food and more. Putty Art Prize 2018 on the theme, “Putty,” sponsored by Ian David. Winners to be announced at the Putty Fair.
Of course we need people to help bring these events to life and also to keep the Detour running – a special acknowledgement was made to Jodie Drayton and Marg Ferguson for their commitment to the Detour and all their hard work in 2017. So if you are interested in getting involved please contact Jane Eggert on 0407 953 353 or email [email protected] - Your community needs YOU! The following PCA Committee members were re-elected unopposed:
President – Andy Edwards Vice President - Judy Hobson Secretary/ Public Officer - Ms. Jane Robinson – Eggert Assistant Secretary - Dora Bustamante Treasurer - David Hope Trust Officer - Ken Ferguson Publicity Officer - Martha Babineau
Congratulations and thank you to you all for your ongoing service to the community of Putty.
Jane Robinson – Eggert Secretary
FROM BARBARA KEARNS . . . Spotted in Putty on February 12th, bug collector, Darcy Tordoff.
Darcy says he collects beetles in Putty every year and sends them off to Canberra from where they get passed on to collections all over the world.
He says there were fewer beetles in Putty this year than in previous years.
Putty People Newsletter March 2018, Page 3 of 8
FIREY NEWS By Margaret Ferguson
This season, just before Christmas 2017, the fires began. Firstly the TJ’s/Apple Tree complex and then the 695 fire, which was started by a lightning strike on the 7th February. The fire was North, or was it East or West of Bakers and Gibbs Creek Road, or all of the above up Kindarun way. Bakers Road was closed to all traffic due to the danger involved not only with the fire but also with falling, burning trees.
The Putty Hall was an air command base with the helicopters landing in Judy Hobson’s paddock next door. The hall was used as a rest area and meal supply depot for pilots and brigade crews.
Water cartage trucks filled up at the Putty Brigade station bore to cart water to the appliances on fire ground and to spray Judy’s paddock, keeping the dust down as much as possible. Dozers and graders cut in containment lines to support operations in many areas and maintain the roads for fire appliance access.
On the 22nd February, the 695 fire covered an area of 19,043 Ha with a perimeter of 117.48Km. The fire was considered under control by 24th February.
Thanks to our local Hunter Valley brigades, the NSW East Coast and Central Western brigades, the NPWS crews and everyone else who spent many hours helping to keep Putty safe.
And thank you Jodie Green and the SES volunteers who cleaned the dust and grit out of the Putty Hall and toilet block.
LANDCARE NOTES - NEW LAWS By Ian David
In our wide brown land, more than 1700 species and ecological communities are know to be threatened and at risk of extinction. Five years ago, the NSW State Government commissioned an independent review into the legislation overseeing biodiversity conservation. The review concluded that there was no evidence to support that the existing legislation was “effective in reducing land clearing.” It concluded that “the condition of most native vegetation in NSW had deteriorated… with the continued loss of overall biodiversity.” As a result, new legislation was proposed to provide a “simpler, streamlined and more effective legislative framework for biodiversity conservation, whilst reducing the compliance and administrative burden.”
In 2014, the State Government pulled back the curtain on new laws to maintain and safeguard our environment. Soon after, the old legislation, dealing with native vegetation, threatened species and the establishment of environment preservation trusts, was repealed and replaced with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and the Local Land Services Act 2013. The new laws commenced to take effect last year, on August 25th, 2017.
The Biodiversity Conservation Act covers uncleared land, native species and waterways and its purpose is to “Conserve biodiversity, maintain the quality of ecosystems and enhance their ability to adapt to climate change, improve and support knowledge, data and resource sharing in the community, assess the extinction risk of species, identify key threatening processes, regulate human-wildlife interactions and slow the slow the rate of biodiversity loss and conserve threatened species.”
Putty People Newsletter March 2018 Page 4 of 8
Sooner or later, this legislation will affect us directly, whether we’re primary producers, nature lovers or weekend chill-seekers. So how does this new regime impact upon our work and recreation in beautiful Putty?
There are some elements to consider. The first is that the government has decided to analyse every square metre of the state, assessing the quality of its biodiversity.
In other words, every landholder will be able to discover the environmental value of their property by referring online to a Native Vegetation Regulatory Map (NVR), using your Lot and DP number. What you’ll see is a detailed map referenced to a colour-coded chart.
The NVR Map reveals all the rural land in NSW where native vegetation clearing can only occur according to various approvals and categories. A complete guide can be found on the Six Maps Vegetation Channel at: http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/apps/channels_3.5/common/widgets/common/VegUserGuide.pdf
Below is the NVR map of our special part of the world. In time, more details will be added, providing landholders with a clear picture of the importance of their property in the grand scheme of our environment and its relevance to every other property. From the map below, we can see that the areas in pink have been assessed as “Sensitive Regulated Land” and the areas in yellow are regarded as “Vulnerable Regulated Land.”
The NVR map of Putty, surrounded by Wollemi and Yengo National Parks
Biodiversity Offset Scheme
The government has also introduced a system which has the potential to change the way we relate to our land into the future. Landcare has been informed that: Offset sites under the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme will be secured using Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements. These are voluntary in-perpetuity agreements between a landholder and the Minister for the Environment. The agreements will be registered on the title of the land and listed in a public register. Stewardship agreements generate biodiversity credits, representing the gain in biodiversity achieved by protecting and managing the land. These credits can be sold to development proponents to offset biodiversity impacts elsewhere.
Stewardships These new laws will change the way we think about our land. From now on your land is being evaluated as a resource apart from its natural beauty or productive ability. It’s being regarded as part of a system that contains priceless natural resources.
The other thing is that land can be given a value that has the capacity to generate a significant financial return into the future. By ‘locking up’ your land and making its offsets available to those who wish to develop land in less-sensitive areas, you can safeguard your land for future generations and keep that land financially viable well into the future, through an arrangement with the government called a Stewardship.
During autumn, Three Valleys Landcare will be conducting a seminar at Putty Hall to give members the opportunity to learn more. It will be open to the public.
The best source of information about the Land Management and Regulatory Map can be found at: https://www.landmanagement.nsw.gov.au/land-management-and-regulatory-maps/
THE NATIVES CALLED IT B’POOTY
Chapter 19 (d) - The Harris Family Cemetery at Howes Valley
The Howes Valley General Cemetery was dedicated in 1875 but there is no record of anyone having been buried there. Instead, the Harris family established a cemetery on a property nearby since referred to as the “Haltons” Post Office site. The older graves have headstones; more recent ones have memorial plaques.
THE HARRIS FAMILY CEMETERY AT HOWES VALLEY
Maria and William Harris arrived free in Australia on board the “Woodbridge” in 1838 with their children Mary Ann, Richard and Shadrock.
Maria was the first person to be buried in this cemetery in 1876, perhaps under the direction of her son Richard, followed by his infant daughter Susanah two years later. The inscription on their headstone has weathered making reading of it difficult but still possible to see is; IN LOVING MEMORY OF MARIA HARRIS DIED APRIL 22ND 1876 AGED 68 YEARS Also SUSANAH HARRIS DIED JULY 20TH 1878 AGED 3 YEARS.
Catherine Harris was born at Dairy Arm near Laguna in 1859 to Richard Harris and Susannah (nee) Bowcock. She married George Henry Gibbs in 1884 and they later settled in Putty.
It appears that Catherine may have carried on the tradition of interring her Harris family members in this cemetery. Buried there is her parents Richard and Susannah, her baby son James Richard Gibbs, her brother William and her son-in-law William Erkless Merrick. Memorial plaques exist for her daughter Mary Jane (Bates), Mary’s daughters, and Catherine’s grandson Henry Merrick along with a friend to all, Paul Henry Hicks. Catherine joined her family in 1930 followed by her husband George Gibbs three years later, with the assistance of their Putty friends.
Putty People March 2018, Page 5 of 8
Putty People Newsletter March 2018, Page 6 of 8
RICHARDThe beloved husband ofSUSANNAH HARRIS
DIED 14TH OCT 1881AGED 50 YEARS
AlsoSUSANNAH HARRIS
Wife of the aboveDIED 5TH DEC 1900AGED 64 YEARS
In Loving MemoryOf
JAMES RICHARDGIBBS
DIED 14TH FEBRUARY 1897AT PEACE
James was Catherine and George Gibb’s baby son. He was just 10 months old when he died.
William died as a result of being hit with a cricket ball during a match at Putty. He was momentarily distracted by someone calling to him and he took the full force of the ball in the area of his spleen. The damage was extensive William was hospitalised for some months but after the injury turned cancerous his life was lost.
I thank Vera Smith for sharing this information about the untimely death of her grandfather.
Because so many people are buried in this cemetery, to do justice to the memorials I will present the information to you in two episodes. And so, the Harris Family Cemetery will be continued……….
Margaret Ferguson © 2016
Catherine had eleven brothers and sisters, one of them being William James Harris. It was William who married May Elizabeth Harris of Putty.
Putty People Newsletter March 2018, Page 7 of 8
PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY & SUNDAY SCHOOL
THE LONDON KLEZMER QUARTET SUNDAY 11 MARCH at 2PM The celebratory and soulful music of Eastern European Jews at at Sacred Spaces, Sisters of Mercy Convent, 30 Queen St, Singleton. Tickets at at www.trybooking.com/OPJR
SINGLETON EMERGENCY SERVICE Held on 17 March, 10am - 2 pm, free entry, all ages welcome and will be held at the Townhead Park, Singleton. Services attending: NSW State Emergency Service NSW Rural Fire Service NSW Fire and Rescue NSW Ambulance Local Land Services NSW Police NSW Mines Rescue Singleton Council The Salvation Army Red Cross Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Event schedule: 11.00am: RFS Fire Demonstration 11.30am: Mascot Race 12.00pm: SES Flood Demonstration 12.30pm: Car Crash Scenario (NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and NSW Fire and Rescue)
PUTTY MUSICAL VARIETY SHOW 24 March at the Putty Hall at 2pm, with lunch served at 1pm and bar open. At noon.
UPCOMING EVENTS ANZAC DAY CELEBRATION On 25 April at 10am we will celebrate the ANZACs at the Putty Hall followed by refreshments.
Pam and Geoff King have been organising the ANZAC and Remembrance day Services in Putty since 2002 but have sadly stepped down from this role, “which has given us great satisfaction. It has been a privilege for us to organise and co-ordinate the services for our community since 2002. We feel that these events are very important to the well-being of community life.” The PCA certainly agrees that these events are very important to community life in Putty. On behalf of the Putty Community Association and the residents of Putty, we would like to take the opportunity to thank Pam and Geoff most sincerely for all the wonderful work they have done on developing, coordinating and delivering the unique Putty ANZAC Day and Remembrance ceremonies. The services have been uplifting, moving and a great honour to be part of. We hope that Pam and Geoff will join in the upcoming ANZAC day ceremony as our honoured guests. If you are interested in helping to coordinate the Putty ANZAC Day service next month please contact Jane Eggert on 0407 953 353 or email [email protected] . Pam and Geoff, we have big shoes to fill following in your footsteps! Jane Robinson – Eggert
Our Lady of the Valley Services at the Putty Hall
Every 4th Sunday of the Month 9am SERVICE, 10am BIBLE STUDY
and 11am SUNDAY SCHOOL.
For all your building & home Improvements
* New Homes & Cottages * Alterations & Decks * Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations * flats
Jason Bomski - BUILDER
TRADES AND SERVICES
NEWSLETTER CONTACT
PUTTY PEOPLE ADVERTISING In publishing these ads, the PCA is not
endorsing or recommending any product or service advertised below.
Putty People Newsletter March 2018, Page 8 of 8
PUTTY VALLEY ONLINE Putty’s Community Website contains many interesting links including:
• Trades & Services Directory at: www.putty.nsw.au/whereis
• The PCA with a link to the membership form at:
http://www.putty.nsw.au/pca/membership/
PCA FACEBOOKFor news as it happens. If you haven’t already signed up to our Facebook page, you can do so by clicking Like at: https://www.facebook.com/PuttyCommunityAssociation
Post your pictures and stories!
ADVERTISING: [email protected]
Please call with any news, activities or photographs to include in our
monthly newsletter. Martha Babineau, phone 6579 7000
SOUTH FAIRVIEW NORTH Feb 18 98.00mm 106.50mm 114.00mm _________________________________________ Feb 2017 43.25mm 39.00mm _________________________________________ Feb 10 yr 99.30mm 110.00mm average Year to date Feb 2018 98.00mm 130.25mm 160.00mm Feb 2017 80.85mm 10 yr av 203.20mm
Recordings were taken at Fairview-Putty Central (with reference to www.bom.gov.au) “The Top Place” Putty Valley Road - North “Fairview” Putty Valley Road - Central “The Grange” Burnt Arm Road - South
If it rains at Putty, residents are encouraged to post their rainfall on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/PuttyCommunityAssociation so weekenders will know if they need to water their gardens.
PUTTY RAINFALL FEBRUARY 2018
Munro’s Meats
Fresh Food winner of the Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2013. Royal
Easter Show award winning ham.
King Road, Wilberforce Shopping Centre Ph: 4575 1961
FULL POWER
0455 120 544
OFF THE GRID SOLAR SYSTEMS
FULL POWER
0455 120 544
OFF THE GRID SOLAR SYSTEMS
FARMERS WAREHOUSE SINGLETON Supplier of quality products for the farm or home. Stock feeds for all animal needs, seed, fertilizer, fencing gear & vet products. Friendly reliable service at Farmers Warehouse at 47 Magpie Street,
PAULLS RICHMOND MOWERS Sells outdoor equipment for residential and commercial use, operates a fully equipped workshop, which offers service and repairs to all makes and models and spare parts.
293 Richmond Street, Richmond 02 45478 1033