gresford news june 2015

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

June 2015

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

T orryburn continues to be isolated more than a month after the Torryburn Bridge collapsed in the

April floods. A temporary footbridge installed in early May was badly damaged and almost washed away on

May 22nd. Supplies have to be carried across the footbridge and up/down the access paths. "...nothing substantial goes out or in." This month Peter Smith provides an insiders view of life in Torryburn.

Torryburn Still Isolated

Torryburn Still Isolated

Access walkway and damaged temporary footbridge at the Torryburn Bridge site. Photos Peter Smith

Visit www.gresfordnsw.com.au for local information and the ‘Gresford News’ online.Gresford News audio version available for visually impaired. Phone 0412 372 687 for this service.

The Gresford News Community DiaryTues 2 Jun National Broadband Network Community Information Session, Gresford School of Arts Hall, 4.30-7.30pm

Sun 7 Jun International Back to Back Wool Challenge, Tocal Homestead, 9.00am

Sat 13 Jun Newcastle Jazz Club presents – Jim Lyons Jazz Band, Hotel Beatty, 1.00pm

Sat 13 Jun CWA Book Club, Gresford CWA Rooms, 9.30am

Tues 16 Jun Paterson Allyn Garden Group meet, 10.00am

Sat 20 Jun Live music – Frohlich Brothers, Camyr Allyn Winery, 2.00pm

Sat 20 Jun Dungog Masked Ball, James Theatre, 6.30pm

Sun 21 Jun Gresford markets - put on by the Gresford District Historical Society, grounds of the Hotel Beatty, 9.00am

Sun 21 Jun Live music – Rusty Bucket, Hotel Beatty, 1.00pm

Sat 4 Jul Webby's Mud Run, Gresford Showground

Sun 20 Sep Vacy Village Country Carnival

Sat 17 Oct Gresford Public School P&C Association biennial fundraising ball, Las Vegas theme, Gresford School of Arts

Sat 24 Oct Youth off the Streets charity dinner and auction

Tuesdays 12 May, 11 Aug & 10 Nov Gresford School of Arts Meeting, Gresford School of Arts Hall, 7.30pm

Tuesdays Spring/summer mixed Tuesday nights tennis, 7.30–9.30pm

Mon/Tues Social ladies tennis starts, Mon or Tues mornings, Gresford Tennis Courts, 9.30–11.00am

Friday afternoons Junior tennis coaching, Gresford Tennis Courts

1st Mon each month Gresford Community Group Meeting, 5.30pm, Hotel Beatty, all welcome! (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, 10.30am (not Dec, Jan or June)

2nd & 4th Mon each month Family & Child Health Clinic, Paterson school of Arts Hall, 4932 9768 for appt’s

2nd Tues each month Gresford District Landcare Group Meeting, Hotel Beatty, 7.30pm (not Jan)

2nd Sat each month Book Club, CWA rooms, East Gresford, 3.00pm (not Dec or Jan)

3rd Tues each month Paterson Allyn Garden Group meet, 10.00am (not Jan)

3rd Fri each month Gresford Public School P&C Meeting, school library, 10.00am

Last Thurs each month Gresford District Agricultural Society Meeting, Showground Luncheon Pavilion, 7.30pm

Every Wed, Fri & Sun Gresford Bowls Sport & Recreation Club Raffles, from 6.30pm

Every Mon & Fri (school terms) Gresford Pre-School, Gresford Community Hall, 4938 9288, 9.00am

Every Thur Happy hour and free pool and jukebox at the Hotel Beatty

Every Fri Cricket Club Raffles at the Hotel Beatty

Every 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, 10.00am

Every Sunday The Gresford Congregational Church welcomes you, 10.30am

To contact Gresford News: email [email protected] or call Brian Doherty on 0412 372 687 or Jane Richens on 0425 339 856. Postal Address: PO Box 73 East Gresford 2311. Deadline for stories and ads 20th of the month. For text – Word format preferred. For pictures – .jpg format preferred (not in word). Please keep us informed about activities in the area – a paragraph or two and photo.

Name Amount

Address

financesThe resford NewsG Please support your local newsletter and contribute anonymously or use the slip below and place your donations in the boxes provided in Gresford.

✃

KELZcarpet cleaning

and cleaning services

Domestic and Commercial

carpets, lounges and rugs

Friendly Service

Call: Kelly RichardsonMobile 0437 395 585

TheG resford NewsContract advertising rates & sizesprices incl gst b/w colour

1/6 page $33 $45 129.5mm (h) x 59mm (w)

1/4 page $38 $65 129.5mm (h) x 89mm (w)

1/3 page $57 $87 129.5mm (h) x 118mm (w)

1/2 page $75 $110 129.5mm (h) x 180mm (w)

Full page $110 $180 267mm (h) x 180mm (w) No bleed edges on full page ads

Inside front or back cover $200 267mm (h) x 180mm (w)

Casual ads add 15% to the above prices

Formats EPS, Jpeg or PDF

Design/ $44/half hour – billed separately

Enquiries Brian Doherty [email protected]

Gresford General Store and Post OfficeHome of the Crossroads Cafe

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

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

Pizza also available from 5pm Thursday–Sunday

DVD Releases – June

• TAKEN 3 • FOCUS • JUPITER ASCENDING • CHAPPIE • THE INTERVIEW • PAPER PLANES • CINDERELLA •

THEORY OF EVERYTHING • WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY • STILL ALICE • THE COBBLER • SELMA •

Trading Hours Shop Cafe Take AwayMon – Wed 7 am – 5 pm 8.30 am – 3 pm 8.30 am – 3 pmThurs – Sun 7 am – 7 pm 8.30 am – 4 pm 8.30 am – 7 pm

Gresford Notices We need your vote!The Gresford Country Women's

Association is a finalist in the Nabo Community Awards.

We are vying for a $10,000 grant to build a community kitchen.

This is our one-chance to build a commercial kitchen

to serve the community.

We would need to make LOTS of scones and sell LOTS of jam to ever

realise this dream!

1. You will need to join Nabo which is a fast and simple process.

www.nabo.com.au

2. Once you’ve joined you follow this link and vote www.nabo.com.au/

communitygrants/voting

3. Click on Community Care Kitchen - to help the Gresford CWA Ladies

build a community kitchen.Share on social media with

#NCG #NaboCommunityGrants

Voting closes June 7.

Gresford Rural FireBrigade AGM

3 June 2015 at 7.30pmGresford Fire Station

Durham Road, Gresford. All Welcome

International Back to Back Wool Challenge 2015

Come along to Tocal Homestead for the Back to Back Wool Challenge!

(Shear a sheep; spin the wool; knit a jumper etc)

7 June 2015

Entertainment & activities all day including blade shearing,

blacksmithing, crafts for kids, knitting races, drop spindle demonstrations and beautiful handcrafts on sale. Delicious refreshments available.

Sheep's back to beanie competition. Join a team and have some fun!

Tocal Homestead open for viewing.All proceeds from this event support

Calvary Mater Cancer Research

Gresford MarketJoin the Historical Society for a great day out at our local markets in the

grounds of the Hotel BeattySunday 21 June

Gresford Market

presented by Gresford DistrictHistorical Society Inc.

Sunday 21 June9am to 1.30pm

at the

Beatty Hotel...........................

Features local stalls andproduce, Great music

Array of local goods and treatsAttactions/local classic vehicles

A little bit of history...........................

Further informationcontact George Sales

49389639

CALLING ALL SMALL POOCHES!SAVE THE DATE &

GET TRAINING!VACY VILLAGE COuNTRY CARNIVAL

is back 9am-3pm Sun Sept 20To book a stall, lend a hand or Sponsor the event, please email [email protected]

or call Denis on 0418 678 411NEW COMMITTEE, NEW TRuST FuND

FOR LOCAL PROJECTS!All community groups eligible to apply

Hunter Floods 2015 SurveyNSW Office of Environment and

Heritage, in conjunction with the SES and local Councils are seeking input from the community relating to the

recent flood event – complete an online survey and share your experiences and photos of flooding. The information

collected will record the impacts of the recent flood event and also be used to

inform future flood studies in our catchment area and will assist in

managing risks in the future.

* Compete the online survey www.surveymonkey.com/r/April_2015_

Hunter_Floods * Email your photos (with location details)

[email protected]

TheG resford News • June 2015, p 6

What’s on the Shelves?

by Glenda Smith

Difficult Daughters Manju KapurKapur gives us three women in this novel who fit into Indian society in quite different ways. The stories of the grandmother, Katsuri, and the grand-daughter Ida, are peripheral to that of the central character Virmati, but they all create an excellent context for examining the roles of Indian women in changing times.

Katsuri’s fertility is seen as laudable by her wider family, but the writer shows the physical cost it entails – She had filled the house as her in-laws had wanted, but with another child there would be nothing left of her. – while illustrating the first of several traps her eldest daughter Virmati is drawn into caring for the younger children. Virmati wants the freedom that education should vouchsafe, but is led through her idolisation of a married Professor to a much more limited existence than she had imagined. There are some sympathetic male characters, but the Professor is not one of them.

This is Virmati’s story, but her mother haunts it and her daughter longs to know it. Ida is searching for the ‘true’ Virmati, who is gradually revealed to the reader in the course of the novel, but her daughter remains in the dark, feeling like a pencil notation on the margins of society. As well as the intricacy of these women’s lives, Kapur provides a detailed cultural and political background, including independence from Britain and Partition, and social attitudes, that make for fascinating and educational reading.

Vale Belinda RichardsDuring May the Gresford Community Group lost a good friend and strong supporter. Belinda Richards was the person who conceived and brought to life the Gresford Markets at her home "Clevedon" just south of the Gresford Sporting Complex. Ellis, her husband gave her sterling support and David Wells put in many hours as the Community Group's representative working with Belinda to ensure everything was organised properly for each market day.

Belinda liked a challenge and will also be remembered for her tireless efforts to help the Gresford Bowls Sport and Recreation Club get its financial house in order. Not an easy task, but those who remember Belinda as the Administration Manager and Personal Assistant to the Hon. George Souris, M.L.A. in the days when George was half of Hudson, Souris, Accountants of Singleton, will know that she ran a very efficient operation. As George once told me, "She brought order to potential chaos".

Above all, Belinda cared for the community and its people. Many will know of the help and kindness she extended to others. May there be many more like her.

Martin Addison, Chair, Gresford Community Group


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Dear Garden Lovers, It is my wish that at each meeting we learn something new, that friendships are kindled and ideas embraced and nurtured. Francis Bacon once said “Gardening is the purest of human pleasures”. I totally agree.

The Allyn river in all its fury has left many of us shell shocked. However, this week at our PAGG meeting, we met in a garden on the banks of the Allyn, a five minute drive upstream from East Gresford. I think it must be one of the most spiritual and tranquil gardens in our valley, and a credit to Maree Monk and Graeme Walmsley for creating it. Maree mentioned in her chat that eliminating the Giant Reed on the banks of the river has been a daunting task, but she now just mows it, month after month, year after year. They have a beautiful sweep of grassy river flats and finally the rhizomes have broken down and she is winning the battle. What has been created in its place is a tireless planting of kikuyu grass, thousands of trees and a section of terraced garden with massive timber retaining walls. This of course you cannot see from the garden surrounding the house. Here lies an expanse of lawn and mature trees, a 20mt long pergola with

ONE wisteria at the end that covers the trellis in its entirety and reputed to be 80 years old and a captivating Indian Hawthorn walk. Completing this idyllic garden are magnificent Claret Ashes, Red Cedar, Swamp Cyprus, Sandpaper Fig, Cheese Trees and beautiful displays of sculptured Lillypilly.

Have you had a good look at your citrus trees lately? In summer and autumn they develop new growth. These young leaves are extremely vulnerable to Phyllocnistis citrella (leafminer). This is a small moth and damage is caused by larvae as they mine immature foliage. Twisted and curled leaves are usually the first sign of damage. Summer and autumn are the months these little pests attack. Cut off any damaged growth and then spray with white oil. The oil won’t kill the larvae, that’s why it’s important to remove the infested growth. The best time to spray is early morning . You can mix a cup of ordinary vegetable oil with a teaspoon of liquid detergent. Dilute 40 1 with water.

I was just about to purchase some Cadagi trees Corymbia torelliana), ( I love their form and are fast growing), then I opened my trusty ipad to do a bit of research and in doing so opened a can of poisonous

worms it would seem. These trees indirectly kill bees!!! After pollination, the seedpods begin to open and mature until February. This is a serious time for the bees. The native bees visit the pods to collect the resin that exudes from the seeds. Thousands of seeds are carried home by the bees, these seeds are up to 1.1/2 mm in diameter and have resin attached. A little bee can be seen carrying two home, one on each back leg. Then the trouble begins. Their front door to the hive can become clogged, preventing movement of air, and on a hot day the build up of resin fumes may kill a colony. I have two of these beautiful trees in my garden. Here lies the problem. The tree or the bee?

Yours perennially, Janie ChandlerPaterson Allyn Garden Group (PAGG)

Paterson Allyn Garden Group


Gresford CWA News

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FROM YOUR ACREAGE?

Round Baling: Hay and Silage

Small Square Bales

Mowing and Raking

Whatever the job, get it done right and on timeby your local bloke!

Your Local Rural Services Specialist. Competitive Rates!Ring Rodney Richardson 'Penshurst' Mt Rivers Ph 02 4931 7125

Direct Drilling

Cultivating and Discing

Fertilizer Spreading

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Tabletop Truck Hire

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We need your vote!The Gresford Country Women’s Association is a finalist in the Nabo Community Awards. We are vying for a $10,000 grant to build a community kitchen. This is our one chance to build a commercial kitchen , we would need to make LOTS of scones jam and cream to ever realise this dream. You will need to join NABO www.nabo.com.au once you have joined follow this link and vote www.nabo.com.au/communitygrants/voting Click on Community care kitchen to help us win the grant. Share on social media #NCG#NaboCommunityGrants. Voting closes June 7. CWA LIBRARY/BOOK CLUB The CWA has an extensive library open to all. Glenda Smith reviews one of our books every month in the Gresford News. If you would like to peruse our library and borrow books please phone Robbie Thornton 49389 566 or Dotti Hilliard

49389 483 to arrange a time. Book Club is the second Saturday of each month. This month we are reading “The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year” by Sue Townsend. We are very lucky to be led by Glenda Smith. The group is from Gresford, Paterson and Bolwarra, we would love you to join us 3.00p.m. Saturday 13th June, afternoon tea and a lively discussion. NEWS FROM HEAD OFFICE The New South Wales CWA has purchased a new Head Office, located at 244 Coward Street, Mascot. It is almost directly across the road from the Mascot suburban station

thus close to the airport and bus stops nearby. The building was built in 2009 two of the five floors are not tenanted the remainder are already tenanted most on long term leases. There is a ground floor café. Arrangements for accommodation have been made with the Metro Group which has accommodation in Pitt Street near Town Hall Station, Sydney Central, Darling Harbour and King Street. Members will have a code when booking it is a three year trial after August 1st. DID YOU KNOW The Newcastle

Jazz Society will be visiting East Gresford on 13th June. Stopping in at Camyr Allyn wines for a wine tasting and a CWA morning tea. Everyone is invited to enjoy an afternoon of Jazz at the Beatty Hotel. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Gresford CWA will be held in the rooms, 12 Durham Road, East Gresford on Thursday 4th June at 9.30a.m. We would love to see you. For further information call Jill Hancock on 4938 9718. Or look us up on http://gresfordcwa.wordpress.com.

Robyn Thornton, President


FINGER FOOD – CHEESE AND BACON PUFFS

Ingredients½ cup (125mls) milk1 egg lightly beaten2 cups (250g) cheddar cheese, coarsely grated2 medium (300g) finely chopped onions1 cup (150g) self raising flour1 teaspoon French mustard3 bacon rasher, chopped Method: Combine milk and egg in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, mix well. Drop rounded teaspoons of mixture on baking paper lined oven trays. Bake in a hot oven (205C) for about 20 minutes. Makes about 40. Can be made a day in advance.

CORN PASTRIESIngredients2 x 60g packets Oyster Cases ½ cup sour cream130g tin creamed corn2 teaspoons French mustard2 tablespoons chopped chives Method: Combine all ingredients together. Spoon into oyster cases. Cook in moderate oven (180C) for 10 mins.

This recipe was contributed to the CWA COOK BOOK by Jan Godwin. The CWA Cook Book is available at Gresford

Foodworks and the Gresford Store $13.00 per copy.

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

June SeRVICe TIMeS Sunday Mornings 7 14 21 28 St Anne’s, Gresford 7.30 9.30 8.30 St Paul’s, Paterson 9.30 9.30 St John’s, Vacy 9.30 St John’s, Lostock 11.30 St James’, Martin’s Ck 8 St Mary’s, Allynbrook 10.30 St Paul’s, Eccleston

The Martins Creek Quarry Community Consultative Committee (MCQCCC) has been voluntarily established by Daracon in consultation with Paterson Progress Association and Dungog Shire Council. The purpose of a Community Consultative Committee is to provide a forum for open discussion between representatives of the company, the community, Council and other stakeholders on issues relating to the Development Application, the quarry’s current operations and community relations.

Recent Meeting Activities: April Meeting A presentation on the draft rail study for the environmental impact statement was provided. The presentation outlined the current operations and limitations using rail. It also outlined investigations into future options for rail use. Currently only ballast is railed from the quarry. updates on the status of various environmental impact studies were provided. May Meeting A presentation on the draft groundwater, surface water and air quality study for the environmental impact statement was provided. Details regarding existing and proposed groundwater monitoring and surface water management were provided. Details regarding current air quality monitoring and results were also outlined. updates on the status of various environmental impact studies were provided.

Daracon Website Daracon have established a website for the Martins Creek Quarry Project: http://www.daraconquarries.com.au Contacts: Daracon – http://www.daraconquarries.com.au, MCQCCC – Chair – 0414 389 519

Martins Creek Quarry Report


Why didn't the chicken cross the Torryburn bridge? ...because it's not there!

That thought could have been uppermost in the minds of many people living in the Torryburn area if in their normal course of activity they accessed Gresford Road, and outwards, via the Torryburn bridge.

On Monday 20 April the rain commenced and by that evening it had become extremely heavy with 226 mm falling in just a few hours followed by another 76 mm the next day.

That was also the evening the electricity went off. So too did the telephone landlines, mobile telephone services and the internet.

From that time, and for the next two days, any understanding of what was occurring in Torryburn and the “outside world” relied on a battery operated transistor radio, kept for such a purpose.

On the Tuesday morning listening to the local ABC came the observation that the bridge had been swept away, and at the same time looking out across our paddocks was the realisation that the Allyn River had broken its banks and was flooding back more than 700 metres. We had water frontage! The power came back on for the night of 22 April before going off again on the 24 April, resuming on the 25 April. By that time the mobile telephone service and internet, for some, had been restored.

What I'm recounting was not unique to Torryburn. Many people in other locations had similar stories, and sadly people had died as a result of the weather. So too have livestock. But possibly what is unique to Torryburn residents is that 36 days later there is still extremely limited ability to move freely in and out of Torryburn and there is still no public access for vehicles. Not only for the residents, but for visitors and in particular trades people, and emergency services. Mail services and garbage collection ceased for the first couple of weeks, but are now in place albeit at a reduced level.

Occasional access to Clements Road has been available through a few properties

Life In Torryburn ...by Peter Smith

300 kilo bales travelling with a mind of their own! Photo Peter Smith

by four wheel drive only, however the slightest amount of rain makes the track impassible. As a result access ceases.

During the week of 4 May the RMS put a footbridge across the Allyn River at the site of the destroyed bridge. This provides walking access to vehicles, parked on the other side of the now defunct bridge, which some people had managed to take out over the tracks to Clements Road. using the footbridge allowed access to work, shopping etc. However the walk down one side of the river bank and up the other side is not for every person in Torryburn.

The footbridge was almost washed away on Friday 22 May as result of more rain upstream on the Allyn.

On 25 May work recommenced on the access road to Clements Road following settlement of an agreement between the land owners and the Council.

Recent advice from the Council is that it will be completed within the next ten days. In the meantime, and for the last 5 weeks, nothing substantial goes out or in – cattle to market – forget it, daily milk collections from the local

dairy – forget it, vehicles, tradespeople, fuel in large quantities, visitors – just about impossible.

It is possible of course to lug 20 litre containers of fuel down and then up the river bank or even use a makeshift flying fox! But not all people in Torryburn are able or want to do it. Food can be shipped in using the flying fox. As farming materials cannot be brought in the reconstruction of damaged fences and all other repairs are on hold until a road access is available.

As of today, 27 May, telephone landlines are still not working for a few residents,some of whom have been advised by Telstra that it will be July before a service is restored.

On a slightly humorous note one resident was contacted by a Telstra representative who advised that their land line was restored and ready for use. He was somewhat disappointed by the resident's response which was that there were still two telephone poles missing and that the telephone would not work without them.

However the novelty has worn off.

On 29 May Brigadier Naumann, Recovery Co-ordinator, and representatives from the Council and some State entities are due to return to Torryburn to provide an update on the situation. He will also respond to the residents request for a temporary bridge which is the only way to provide quick, safe all weather access to the Gresford Road. Else the drive out over a gravel road, single lane with passing bays, will add probably twenty minutes to each journey, to a non all weather road whilst waiting for a permanent bridge which is more likely than not to take more than two years to complete.


the fabulous

Frohlich Brothersperform at the cellar door

Sat 20 June, 2 – 4.30pm65 Allyn River Road, East GresfordWeather permitting – Ph: 4938 9576

No cover charge

folk-rock, blues, boogie, jigs ‘n’ reels and originals

www.camyrallynwines.com.auFrohlich Brothers or Celtic Beat: [email protected]

STOP PRESSThe outcome of the May 29 meeting is that a tempory bridge will not be constructed. Council and RMS will push ahead with the development of a replacement permanent bridge, taking in their view around 12 months to complete. In the meantime work on the link track to Clements Road is continuing with an expected completion time for two wheel usage of ten days.


Phill Flanagan's Earth

MovingBob cat

ExcavatorTraxcavator

GraderRoller

RockhammerBorer

Truck hire+ attachments

4938 5153 Mob 0418 435 429

Duns Creek

Whether it was just dropping in to have a look, purchasing an item and /or buying some GDHSI raffle tickets, this was all acknowledged as support to the re-start of our local Community Markets. A new venue, being in the grounds of the Hotel Beatty, was to see 16 stall holders arrive and set up. The weather was kind in giving us a fine day with sunshine. A big 'Thank you' to the local people that brought along their classic vehicles to have on display.

Generous George 'GDHSI President' had on hand marquees, tables, chairs and of course those great raffle prizes. Some local ladies had a hand in winning these – First prize: the small handy chainsaw to Angie Shoebridge and Andrew; Second prize: drill techgun to Lorraine Ashard and Greg; Third prize: screwdriver gun to Denise Sellens (and Jim).

Another big 'Thank you' is extended to Bernie Lawler and Helen Richardson for assisting this community event. Should anyone else with to assist in helping our local Historical Society in revamping this Market event with great ideas contact George Sales on 4938 9639.

The next Community Market Day will be on Sunday 21st June.

Lorraine Ashard, Secretary GDHSI

Support For Gresford Markets


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]

Before planting another camellia, conifer or jacaranda, stop and consider the extraordinary array of rare and special native species endemic to our local area.

Native plants do not just include the ubiquitous grevilleas, bottlebrushes, lillypillys and melaleucas, but some truly flamboyant, exciting and different species which could make your garden a very special place and help in ensuring that these amazing and wonderful plants endure.

To foster this development, Gresford Landcare, with funding from Hunter

Landcare, and with the assistance of the Paterson Allyn Garden Group, staged a most unusual field day at Riverdene Nurseries at East Gresford during May.

Run by iconic nurseryman Noel Jupp and ably assisted by his daughter Rosemary, almost 40 people were treated to a lecture and display of a wide variety of plants, most of which were unknown to the land carers and gardeners present and resulted in most of them carrying away large bags full of exciting treasures to plant in their gardens and, incidentally to assist in the preservation of these rare and beautiful plants.

With rain coming down around them, the group assembled in the somewhat ambient atmosphere of a large greenhouse, with coffee and pastries from Fosterton Bakery, followed by delicious steak sandwiches for lunch, ensuring that the well fed and watered crowd had no trouble focussing on the fascinating information being fed to them.

When the rain temporarily stopped a walk along the riverbank to inspect larger specimens completed a very special day.

Lisa Connors

When Landcare and gardening meet

Noel Jupp discussing rare and important plants of the Hunter region

Lomandra Hystrix perfect for stabilising

creek margins

Participants had a chance to examine and ask questions about the rare plant selection


Mitch Ulrick 0421 014 789

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EMAIL [email protected]

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Fully Licenced Café / Restaurant4938 8305


Over the weekend of May 15-17, the Gresford Charity Working Horse Competition took place, which raised $16,900 for the Leukaemia Foundation, thanks to the inspiration of Peter Doyle. Friday night held a Cut Out and Saturday held a Team Penning Competition followed by a band and an auction. Sunday held Gresford’s first ever Working Cow Horse Competition, which consisted of a 5-minute time-limit where the riders had to complete a reining pattern, work a single cow, then circle it. Through the help of the community and all of the competitors, we were able to raise this substantial amount of money. The credit for making the weekend take place is Paul Hugginson and Dianne Ryan with Valley Team Penning, Mick Doyle, Brenden Bailey, Brittany Crouch, and Bailey Doyle.

Bailey Doyle, Photos: Clare Darling

Gresford Charity Working Horse Competition

Wishing our clients a

fantastic 2015. Lyn & Andrea

are ready to look after all of

your Hair, Waxing, Tanning &

Makeup needs and ensure

you leave the salon feeling

like a new you.

(02) 4938 8386803a Gresford Rd Vacy, NSW

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Specials ~ June 1 to 13Heat & Eat Curry Sausages - $10.99/kg

Double Smoked T-Bone - $18.99/kg

2 kg Thin Sausages - $18

Ph 4938 9710

Winners of the Working Horse Competition: Judge

Mick Doyle, Judge Phil Rodey, Jennifer Walker

(2nd Junior Horse), Michelle Wilton (1st Senior

Horse), Callie James (1st Junior Horse), Ray Barwick

(3rd Senior Horse), Jamie Turner (3rd Junior Horse &

2nd Senior Horse).

Winners of the Team Penning on Saturday: Fiona Wysel,

Leesa Priestly, Adel Horn, and Judge Allan Peterson

All of the Working Horse Competition competitors on Sunday


q Gresford District Historical Society rThe doctor is coming – a house call to Carrabolla

This month we have a story contributed by Martin Addison. It is a wonderful

story about a time when self reliance and mental toughness was necessary to deal with isolation and medical emergencies. It is also a very timely story since as a result of the recent flooding we have all experienced some of the isolation that families back in the 1920s endured on a daily basis. However no matter how isolated we were during the flooding there was mostly still some mobile phone coverage and we had the back up of the rescue helicopter for emergencies. Over to Martin.

“up until the 1930s if you lived at Mt. Rivers or Lostock or Eccleston, summoning the Doctor was uncertain and the doctor’s arrival was even more uncertain during those times when there was no doctor in residence at Gresford, East Gresford or Paterson.

The 1920s saw a great shortage of doctors as a result of the First World War. Then, at the end of the war in 1918 the catastrophic Spanish Flu Pandemic which in two years spread throughout the world added to this shortage. It is estimated that 42 million

people died, but the statisticians admit that the number who died in Africa, Asia and South America was completely unknown and could only be a guess.

The position in Australia which then had a population of four and a half million was bad. Our troops returning from the horrors of WW1 brought the Spanish Flu back with them. No doubt there are people reading this article whose family history records deaths from the Spanish Flu. Again, there is no precise record of how many died. I have seen an estimate of 450,000 Australians dying from the flu or related illness.

This background leads directly into a story of the courage, character and determination of a woman who lived at Carrabolla and the arrival at my father’s surgery in East Maitland of a handwritten note from the elderly midwife, (a retired nurse) who lived at Lostock. The note read ….

“Dear Doctor, Your patient Mrs ... is due to give birth on Friday. I think you should come as ……. (her husband) is droving and will be away until next month.Your Obedient Servant”

The note was dated Sunday and arrived at the surgery on Monday at about 11.00 am. To set the scene properly I have to tell you a little bit about my father. He was a country boy who was educated in Forbes, Albury and Sydney. At the age of sixteen he went to Sydney university to do Medicine. By 1923 he had finished his degree and his time as a resident and registrar at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney was over.

During his time as a university student and then as a resident, he earned “extras” (as he called them) by being an amateur or “Gentleman” Jockey at Randwick, riding in hurdle and steeplechase events. He was a very good rider, but was not supposed to get paid because this would stop him being a “gentleman rider”. Apparently “extras” could be a couple of ducks, a new hat and if he placed in a big race something special. He told me that one horse’s owner bought him a bespoke suit at Peapes!! (a firm of Sydney tailors). In 1923 Dad applied for the job as Resident Medical Superintendent of The Royal Newcastle Hospital and although only twenty six years of age got the job. As he said to me, “I only got the job

because the older blokes who should have got it were dead”.

Three years as Superintendent gave him a yearning for private practice, so in early 1927 he joined Dr. Hollywood in his practice at East Maitland. Dr. Hollywood was elderly and needed a young partner who could drive or take a buggy or horse to see sick people at more distant places. As my father didn’t have a car and couldn’t drive, Dr. Hollywood provided him with an “Essex” car and a driver named Ernie.

The note which had arrived at the Surgery in East Maitland had been on an interesting journey. First, a boy had ridden from Carrabolla to Lostock to tell the midwife to contact the doctor. Then the note had been given to the driver of the cream collection cart which had taken it to Mt. Rivers where the cream cans (& the note) where put on the cream truck for transport to Gresford and East Gresford. At East Gresford some of the cream went to the local butter factory and some to Paterson to be loaded on the paddle steamer for shipping to the Morpeth butter factory. The note didn’t arrive in Morpeth until early on Monday morning and was then given to the express rider who took urgent dispatches

to Maitland and East Maitland by horse, as the road to East Maitland did not allow cars to go very fast.

At last, the note arrived and the decision was made that Dad should go to Carrabolla the next day. What the note didn’t say, but what Dr. Hollywood knew, was that the midwife was clearly concerned about a possible difficult birth.

My father recalled to me the thoughts that went through his head as he packed his instruments and wondered if the midwife or Ernie could control the primitive anaesthetic if he had to do a caesarean delivery.

I said to Dad at this point “How much did you charge for a job like this?”He replied “You don’t do jobs like this for the money son, there were two lives in the balance here”. Later, I asked him again and he told me seven shillings and sixpence, (seventy five cents). Seems tiny now, but a farm labourer’s weekly wage was then one pound eighteen shillings, (three dollars and eighty cents) for a forty-eight hour week. So the fee was about a day and a quarters pay.

With Ernie’s considerable help, a plan to get to Carrabolla was devised. It was too slow to go to Paterson on the paddle steamer because it had to stop at every landing to drop off cream cans. The first stage was to drive the Essex to “Dunmore House” at Woodville where the good road ended. Then, borrow the “Dunmore House” sulky and go to Paterson via Woodville and the bridge at “Duninald” and pick up one of the for hire sulkies or traps to go to Vacy where the horses could be changed. From there to East


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Dr Ken Addison

Gresford and Gresford where another change of horses could be organised, then to Mt. Rivers and Lostock, changing horses at Mt. Rivers. At Lostock, another change of horses and on to Carrabolla.

Ernie explained to Dad that if there was a truck or a car heading north they could ask for a lift if the driver would wait for them to drop off the horses and sulky. However he said that there was no tarred road after “Dunmore House” and the gravel road to Gresford was not good. He thought the horses could average about twelve kilometres an hour which was only a couple of kilometres slower than the cream truck and that after “Cawarra” a car was not a reliable proposition. Doing it Ernie’s way would take about ten hours to Carrabolla, so an early start on Tuesday morning was the order of the day. Ernie had sent a rider to “Dunmore House to ensure a sulky was ready. A well shod spare horse to tie behind the sulky was also ready.

Off they set from East Maitland on a fine summer morning at 5.00 am. Everything went well until one of the horses got a bad stone bruise just short of Gresford, so that horse had to be left at the school and the spare horse harnessed. The hope was that

fresh horses could be obtained at “Cawarra” for the uphill climb to Mt. Rivers.

Mrs Lindeman greeted Dad, personally gave them a much needed meal and a cup of tea and provided two first class horses. During tea, Mrs Lindeman told Dad the family had known his grandfather when he was Gold Commissioner and still kept in touch with his father who had been the manager of the Commercial Banking Co. in Maitland from 1905 to 1914.

Off to Carrabolla on a fairly bad road. No unfortunate incidents on the way and into Lostock at about 3.00 pm. Readers should know that the road from “Cawarra” to Lostock wasn’t where it is now. Large parts were relocated when the Lostock Dam was built in the 1960s. The old road had a few river and creek crossings to contend with.

At Lostock, good horses were saddled and waiting as a rider had been sent ahead from Mt. Rivers. Dad said a pack horse was ready to take his medical bag and food for the horses, himself and Ernie, just in case they couldn’t get back to Lostock that night.

By 5.00 pm the sun was starting to sink in the west and the farm house was in sight. The thoughts in Dad’s head were turning to

what may have to be done, as he had been enjoying being back on a horse riding through the beautiful upper Paterson Valley so that life’s harsh realities had been put to the back of his mind. He had spoken to the midwife while at Lostock and now knew what was concerning her and he was hoping that mother nature may have fixed the potential problem.

Ernie and Dad rode up to the house, hitched the horses to the hitching rail and walked across the front verandah. Dad recalled that he and Ernie were already worried because the dogs had set up a chorus, but no one had come out to greet them. Knock, Knock, Knock on the door. No answer.

The house was a typical 1920s farm house with a central corridor ending in a kitchen, store room, washing and tack room across the back and with a little outhouse about thirty yards away.

“You go round the back Ernie and I’ll walk through and check each room. We’ll meet in the kitchen”, said Dad. Off he set and in the main bedroom Dad found evidence of a birth. As he was checking for signs of trouble, Ernie’s voice rang out “in the kitchen Doc. come and have a



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look”. Dad ran down the hall and there on the kitchen table was a wooden shoe box with a new born baby in it.

For those of you who have never seen one, new “walking out” shoes as they were called came in a really nice wooden box. I can remember that Mum kept her Vacola Tops, clips and rings in these shoe boxes. Well this box had a baby in it - sound asleep. The baby had been wiped but not washed and the umbilical cord left quite long and tied with a length of knitting wool. Dad estimated the baby to be about an hour old. A little boy – but where was Mrs …?

Ernie had checked the house again while Dad examined the baby. No sign of the mother, so they decided to check the outhouse and the Smithy’s shed and as they did so they heard the sound of an axe. With quickened stride they hurried towards the sound and there at the wood heap behind the outhouse was the mother.

Dad told me the conversation went like this.

Dad Good evening Mrs … Are you feeling well?

Mrs Hullo Dr. Ken and Ernie. I’m feeling alright, but I get a bit dizzy.

Dad We saw the little chap. He’s in good shape and I’ll just fix a couple of things when we get back to the house.

Mrs I haven’t washed him yet Doctor. The fire under the copper had gone out by the time I got him settled and there were no wood chips, so I thought I’d cut some, get the fire going and wash him with warm water.

Dad Ernie will cut you plenty of chips and bring up some more wood. Let us go back to the house and I’ll have a good look at you and the little chap.

Mrs Would you like a cup of tea?Dad Yes please and I’m sure you would

as well. Ernie will fix everything, give us our tea and then we’ll feed and lock up the horses while you feed the baby. If it’s alright, we’ll stay the night as we brought food with us and in the morning we’ll wait until Mrs ….. (the midwife) arrives with Reverend …..

Mrs What about the mess Doctor, I should clean up for you and the visitors.

Dad Don’t worry, Ernie and I are used to cleaning up. Did it take long for baby to come?

Mrs He started coming at first light I think, but seemed to sleep for a while. Around lunch time he really started to fight, so I kept pushing with each contraction and by about 4 o’clock there he was.

Dad Well done Mrs ... Now let’s see if he’s hungry while Ernie gets the tea.

Mrs ... lived to a very old age and is buried in a local cemetery.

Dad said that all through his life he always thought of her when he was feeling at the end of his tether and somehow things were not so bad after all.”


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The bounty is still $75 for a story (with photos) which features local characters and events that have become a part of our history. It doesn’t have to be typed and it will be edited before it is published. So please hunt out these old photos and find a biro and paper. Please send your contribution to the Historical Soc. PO Box 96 East Gresford – NOT to the Gresford News. If published it will be in the Gresford News later!



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Skateboard Park Agreed that shade covering should no longer be considered.

Therese Doyle HallArrangements with historical society (HS) George Sales reported that the HS had met but had been unable to reach a final decision regarding the alternative proposals available. He said another meeting was to be held at which he hoped more HS members would be present.Maintenance Graham Murphy provided a summary of action taken, cost so far and work yet to be done.Management sub-committee It was agreed the sub-committee report tabled at the last meeting be considered when more members were present. Noted that the future of the subcommittee should be discussed at the next meeting.

Purpose and philosophy of the GCG Decided that Brian and Martin should continue to plan a public meeting, but it should be held after TD Hall arrangements were known.

Police Report Noel reported conversations with policeman Kel Boek and it was agreed that a public meeting be held at the Hotel Beatty at 7pm on 1 June.

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Next MeetingFirst Monday of the month

5.30pm, Hotel Beatty

ANZAC Day 2015 was the day many of us said goodbye to the Anglican Rector of the Gresford Paterson Parish and shook hands with Flight Lieutenant Stephen Moore of the Williamtown Australian Air Force Base.

Stephen Moore had been the very conscientious and imaginative Secretary of the Gresford Community Group for nearly ten years. As part of his duties he was a member of the Gresford News Management Sub-Committee, a small group made up of Stephen, Brian Doherty and Peter Smith. This group is responsible for the finance and operations of the Gresford News and it was Stephen Moore who led the change to colour production and sophisticated technology.

The task of trying to keep a Parish of seven churches viable is not an easy one, particularly when support for local churches is on the wane. Stephen tried various ways to raise funds and the concept of Broughton Beef was one of them. It was successful and some of us well recall the gentle persuasion which caused the moths in our wallets to be disturbed.

Others may comment about the day to day religious activities Stephen was involved in. I want to mention his deep and sincere devotion to honouring and assisting those who fought for Australia in far flung places. Many died, many were wounded and many were traumatised. under Stephen's guidance our annual ANZAC Day Service has been transformed and is a must to attend. Similarly, Remembrance Day (The 11th of the 11th) is now a special event. By closely working with our local RSL Sub Branch and the Armed Services, we now properly honour those who served and for this we must thank Stephen Moore for the part he played. The recently established Grove of Remembrance at the showground is another mark of Stephen having lived among us.

May your flight be smooth and your pilot your guide.

Martin Addison, Chair, Gresford Community Group

Father Stephen Flies On


Gresford News June Crossword

May 2015 crossword answers

St Helen’s Catholic Parish of Gresford and Sacred Heart

Summer Hill

WEEKEND MASS TIMESSt Helen’s GresfordSaturday Vigil 6.30pm

5th Sunday of the Month, no Mass at Gresford but Sacred

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Enquiries Parish Priest Fr. Paul Hopper

4992 1477

Two local Gresford boys have had huge success in the Maitland Juniors Cricket Comp. In the under 13's competition the boys played for Maitland City united and and were Major Premiers in their first season with the club.

Charlie Hojer scored the most runs for the season and Jack Hodges has the highest Batting Average for the club and received an award from the MDJCA for having the highest Batting Average in his age group for the entire Maitland District Cricket Competition.

Linda Hodges

Cricket Success for Locals

gresford news june 2015

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