Gresford News October 2014

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

October 2014

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

Vacy Overflows for Carnival

After much nail biting hoping the day would be fine, Vacy Carnival organisers were greeted by the most fantastic day and the crowds came to enjoy all that Vacy offered.

Read more inside

Buy your tickets now!only limited tickets available on the day

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 DiaryFri 3 Oct, Sat 4 Oct GAPS’ latest play ‘Frost in Space’, Gresford School of Arts, all at 6.30pm

Sun 5 Oct Camyr Allyn Wines music day: ‘Grumpy Old Men’, at the Cellar Door, 1.00 to 4.00pm

Fri 10 Oct ComDiab – Introductory Diabetes Education, St Anne’s Parish Hall, Gresford, 10.00am until 2.30pm

Fri 10 Oct Gresford District Junior Cricket Club AGM, Gresford Sporting Complex, 4.30pm

Fri 10 Oct Gresford District Junior Cricket Club first session of 2014 season of Milo Cricket program

Sat 11 Oct Gresford Annual Y.O.T.S Dinner and Art Auction

Sun 12 Oct Dungog Q&A with Bob Baldwin, James Theatre, Dungog, 2.00pm

Mon 13 Oct Gresford Community Group AGM, Hotel Beatty, 5.30pm

Wed 15 Oct Beekeeping with native stingless bees course, Tocal College

Sat 18 Oct Camyr Allyn Wines music day: ‘Frohlich Brothers’, at the Cellar Door, 2.00 to 4.30pm

Sat 18 Oct Vacy Blues & Roots Fesival

Sun 19 Oct Gresford Community Markets, Therese Doyle Hall, East Gresford

Tues 21 Oct Paterson Allyn Garden Group meet, 10.00am

Wed 22 Oct FREE Interactive Webinar for small businesses, 6.00 to 7.00pm

Sat/Sun 25/26 Nov St Paul’s church 125th anniversary celebrations, Glendon Brook

Sat 15 Nov Gresford District Landcare Group annual fieldday (9.30am) & dinner (7.00pm)

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

3rd Sun each month Gresford Community Market, Therese Doyle Hall, 9 til 2 (not Dec, Christmas Fair 1st Sat)

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.

✃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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Gresford District Landcare Group Annual Field Day & Dinner

Saturday 15th November 2014All landholders are invited. The free field day will begin at 9.30am at St Mary’s

Hall, Allynbrook and proceed to a nearby field site.At the field day you will hear internationally certified natural grazing management expert

Dick Richardson talk on balancing animal production with ecological improvement.

Following the field day the annual Landcare dinner will be held at St Anne’s Hall, Church Street, Gresford at 7pm.

$40 Per person – byo (soft drinks & a free glass of wine included)

The dinner will be followed by a talk by our field day facilitator Dick Richardson on the ups and downs of farming in South Africa

We hope you can join us for this important and informative annual event.

RSVP Penny 49389365, Peter 49315257Email: [email protected]

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Gresford Notices

Camyr Allyn WinesMusic Days

Enjoy live music and wine tasting on the Camyr Allyn lawns.

Sunday 5 October ‘Grumpy Old Men’

1.00 to 4.00pm

Saturday 18 October ‘Frohlich Brothers’

2.00 to 4.30pm

65 Allyn River Rd, East GresfordPh 4938 9576

AGMGresford Community Group

will be holding it’s Annual General meeting on

Monday 13th October in the dining room

at the Beatty Hotel at 5.30pm. All welcome.

Further details contact Martin Addison 4938 9424

You are warmly invited to Gresford’s Annual

Youth Off the StreetsCharity Dinner

and Art Auction

Gresford School of Arts11th October 2014

Viewing 6.30 Dinner 7pmTickets $45 B.Y.O

Enquiries Des 4938 5445

Maureen 4938 8019

No Frosty Reception The 2014 GAPS production – Frost in Space – opened to a warm response for its matinee on Sunday, 21st September. A loyal local audience was swelled by newcomers and out-of-towners to give the cast, crew and organisers an encouraging start to the season.

Global warming is a major theme of this play, but it seems that the problem is not universal – galactically speaking. The distant planet Galacier has the opposite dilemma. They have global freezing, and are keen to find out how we have created the global warming phenomenon. Their solution is to pay us a visit and probe our brains for the information they need. This, of course, gives much scope for catchy song and dance numbers, and jokey fun.

Complicating this scenario is the small firm of con artists, Men in Slacks. Taking advantage of what they see as the gullibility of the citizens of the small village of Gresforth, they are set to make their fortune as alien hunters. Alien invasion crossed with chicanery is a recipe for confusion, misunderstanding and, of course, entertainment.

STOP PRESS: At time of printing....A few tickets left for the final weekend – 3 & 4 October. Contact Denise Sellens 4938 9144

TheG resford News • October 2014, p 6

ATTENTION: FARMERS, GRAZIERSAND HOBBY FARMERSARE YOU GETTING THE MOST

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

Slashing and Mulching

Tabletop Truck Hire

Boomspraying

EAST GRESFORD MASSAGE CLINIC

LEANNE ATKINS 0427 389 72231 Durham Rd East Gresford

•Therapeutic Massage

Remedial Massage

Pregnancy Massage

Hot Rock Massage

Health Fund Rebates•

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Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes ?

ComDiab – Introductory Diabetes Education will be held at St Anne’s Parish Hall, Church Street, Gresford on Friday 10th October, from 10am until 2.30.

ComDiab is an introductory diabetes education offered in small groups in the community for anyone who wants to know about Type 2 diabetes.

It is offered by community health nurses who are trained in diabetes education by Australian Diabetes Council. It offers practical information about diabetes, over 2 sessions, to enable individuals to better self-manage their health and diabetes. Session 1: provides an overview of what Diabetes is;Session 2: deals with the practical aspects of Diabetes

Management.

This is suitable for anyone who wants to know about diabetes, especially those who are at risk of or newly diagnosed with diabetes, as well as their carers or family members, women who have had gestational diabetes, or any member of the community concerned they or someone they know may be at risk of diabetes.

It is free to attend. No GP referrals are required

This is being offered in conjunction with Dungog & District Neighbourcare Inc. Transport can be arranged through Community Transport if required. Please phone Neighbourcare on 4992 3348 for more information or to book your place and/or transport.

Beekeeping with native stingless bees

Do you want to be a bee keeper without the risk of being stung? How about using native stingless bees for pollination of your garden or orchard, and for producing tasty sugarbag honey. To find out how, Tocal College is running a native stingless bee course on 15 October.

College Principal Cameron Archer is delighted to welcome former CSIRO entomologist and native bee expert Dr Tim Heard to conduct the informative one-day workshop.

“Dr Heard is passionate about native bees, and brings this passion and knowledge to the day. In the workshop, Dr Heard demonstrates the practical skills he has developed running over 300 hives, and includes a taste testing of sugar bag honey as a highlight.

“This workshop alternates between stunning slide presentations and practical sessions to help participants build a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience.”

For the budding beekeeper, the workshop covers all aspects of keeping native bees, including hive design, management, colony propagation and sustainable honey extraction. It also covers bee nesting and foraging biology, diversity of wild bees and the importance of bees in natural systems.

Cost: $150. Places are limited. Registrations/enquiries: 1800 025 520; 4939 8881 to speak to Kim; [email protected]; PROfarm.com.au


Lee Watts, independent candidate for the state seat of Upper Hunter, said the funding for rural roads is another example of how rural areas don’t count when it comes to government policy and that road funding should be calculated per kilometre, not per capita.

Lee Watts said there are several council areas within the electorate that find it next to impossible to maintain roads due to out of touch policies designed for the cities.

“Road funding is calculated on a per capita basis, so country areas are never going to be able to realistically maintain roads, while in the city they are trying to spend the money, they may as well pave theirs in gold,” Mrs Watts said.

“The government occasionally throws some extra money to a shire, but once that runs out they are back to square one, so it’s the overall approach to funding our roads that needs to change,” she said.

“For example, Dungog Shire has no roads which are state or federal roads, so they have to pay for all of their roads and they simply don’t have the population to be able to do it.”

“To make matters worse there is a bucket

of funding they can access, but it is dollar matching funding. The cost of them rebuilding their roads is $65 million and that little shire has to come up with $35 million before they can even apply for the funding, it is completely unachievable and it is a similar story in Gloucester, Quirinidi and the Upper Hunter shires. It costs a minimum of $200,000 from Council matched with $200,000 from the RMS to improve just one or two kilometres of road.”

“The people who make these policies in the city should first drive a country mile in these shires and then think about policies which would work in the country too, not just for the city. It’s just bad policy, where country areas which don’t fit into their precious policies simply don’t count; but it is their policy that is at fault and it is their policy and their perceptions that need to change.”

“We pay the same taxes as people in the city and our electorate is the power house of the state economy, but the money keeps being filtered to the cities and little comes back, even for the basics. Country roads will continue to get worse until our policies get better and funding needs to be based on a per kilometre basis,” said Lee Watts.

The Country Mile Is Harder FREE Interactive WebinarWed 22 October, 6 – 7pm

If you run a small business you are invited to register for a free webinar to find out about some of the key rights and responsibilities small businesses have under Australian law when: • registering a company or business name • hiring or managing employees • selling goods and services to customers • setting up invoicing, payments and records systems.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Australian Taxation Office and the Fair Work Ombudsman are Australian government regulators who play an important role throughout the life-cycle of any small business. Expert presenters from these four organisations are taking part in this webinar where they will answer your questions, give tips and talk about some government tools that can help small businesses save effort, time and money. Business Enterprise Centres Australia is facilitating this webinar and Small Biz Connect is also participating. To register go to http://www.webcasts.com.au/jointagency221014/


Having lived in the area for all but one of his 74 years, Keith Litchfield is well qualified to comment on his home town and its past, present and future. Keith has been actively involved in many community events and organisations from a young age and he continues to be a solid benefactor to many of these events and organisations to the present day. Keith was born in Maitland Hospital in 1940 and he lived at Camyr Allyn for the first 10 years of his life. His family moved to Segenhoe for 12 months before returning to the area to live at Trevallyn for the next 3 years. When Keith was 14 years old his family moved to Lostock where they were share farmers for Jack Hopson. After Keith left school at 15 he worked on the Hopson property till he was 19, then he drove the milk truck for Percy Richardson till he was 21.

After Keith married Pat they were share farmers for Herb Bird for 3 years before moving to Eccleston. They rented a property from 1964 till 1971 before returning to Lostock to share farm for Dorothy Job till 1986. The family then

Community feature...by Rowena DillonKeith Litchfield

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moved in to Gresford where Keith drove trucks for Neville Sellens until he “retired” in 2005 at the age of 65. In his retirement Keith has continued to work hard, presently working for Tom and Terese Smith on their Bingleburra property. Keith maintains that keeping busy and involved in things is important and it is obvious that this philosophy has kept him in good health and active when others his age are slowing down.

Keith has keenly supported many of the local organisations, sporting groups and charities by being on committees, instigating projects, supporting other developments, providing labour and attending many, many functions over the years. Keith and the late Jim Dooley were the push behind the building of the Gresford Sporting Complex. Keith worked alongside Barry Rumbel and Tony Randall with the levelling of the site for the Complex and he went on to be President of the Complex Committee for a number of years. Keith was also very involved with local cricket and was coach for a number of years of the John Bull Colts Under 21 team which was

successful in winning the prestigious title once under Keith’s guidance. Keith was also President of the Gresford Bowling Club, has been on the Rodeo committee since its commencement and he has been on the Show Committee for the past 37 years. Recently Keith was made a life member of the Show Society in recognition of his long years of support.

Keith is a sort-after announcer and auctioneer at local events. There has even been some good hearted joking comparison between him and the other less well known announcer with the golden microphone John Laws. He started doing auctions for the church harvest festivals in 1970 and has continued on since then. He announces at the show and rodeo camp drafts as well as at similar events in Dungog and Stroud. It seems that once Keith takes on a job he continues it for life.

When asked about the positives about the area Keith feels that the fact that Gresford has not changed much in his life time is a plus. He likes to live here

and knows that people who come to the area stay on because they like it too. He likes the fact that a lot of farmers have been able to sell their properties to new comers and move in to town and retire, staying in their local area instead of having to move away from family and friends. He is not so happy about the fact that many of the bigger and medium land holdings have been split up into smaller blocks and we have lost those for good. As for the future, Keith would not like to see too much change as he feels Gresford is going well the way it is. He has seen towns like Singleton and Muswellbrook prosper because of the mining influence only to begin to deteriorate now mining in declining. Keith also quoted that there are over 26 charity groups and organisations in this area and we need to continue to work hard to assist them.

Keith has been a fantastic campaigner for his home town and as a long term resident, who has raised his family in the area, he has contributed much to make this area successful.

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PETER EVANS & ASSOCIATES

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Peter Evans is descended from a farming family located in the Gresford area prior to 1840 and is keen to assist

residents, farmers and business in the area with all their legal needs.

We can help you with:

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Vacy Village Carnival

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c8929022-9May

The John Ryll Band grooved the crowd from 10am

The 74 stalls were set up and the rides were in place. Due to the fog the helicopter arrived a

bit late but that did not seem to dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd.

The Dog races started with contenders of Jack Russells and Dachshunds all vying for a chance to race. Some did not get to the other end and others caught the lure.

The camp oven proved once again to be of great interest with many people asking how it was done and how to do the best campoven meal.

The bagpipes marched down the main street of Vacy and set the Donkeys from ‘Donkey Welfare with Heart’ into a tailspin. The Big Bam Boom Drummers were competing for the limelight and even managed to be joined by the drummer from the John Ryll band who helped on stage.

Raffles were drawn every hour with lucky winners taking home some great prizes. The Major prize was drawn at 2-30pm – 1st prize – Banjos Bushland Retreat holiday – R Staines and 2nd prize the helicopter joy flight was won by Luke Thomas. Thank you to all the sponsors, raffle donators and especially the general public who came and made it a great success.

Vacy Carnival Committee

Anyone for a camel ride?Bagpipers march down the main street

All frocked up for a prefect spring day


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Show ‘n Shine at Gresford Market

This year was the most successful of the show ‘n shines organised by Maitland Classic Motor Association (MCMA) in association with Gresford Community Markets.

A Gresford show ‘n shine was the ‘brainchild’ of former childhood resident of Allynbrook and past president of the MCMA, Alex Clements. Organised this year by Cheryl Kirkwood it was a magnificent event. This year over 120 vehicles were displayed under perfect skies. Other clubs displaying included the Upper Hunter Classic Car Club, the

Singleton Car Club, the 48-78 Holden Car Club and the Jaguar Car Club. Cars were judged in nine categories with trophies donated by local businesses.

The field at the rear of the Beatty Hotel was filled to capacity with classic cars being admired by many locals and visitors with about twenty interesting market stalls offering an interesting range of arts, crafts and produce. A service club barbeque proved popular as did the hospitality of Bernie Lawler and the Beatty Hotel staff. Two great bands performed at the hotel inspiring

the audience to dance and sing along. MCMA organised an auction of rare automotive posters and a raffle. Over $1200 was raised for the MCMA 2014-2015 charities – Newcastle Leukaemia Trust and Maitland Hospital Charity Shop.

Discussions have already begun regarding the 2015 show ‘n shine. If the success of this year’s event continues additional room will be needed for the displayed vehicles.

Ian ScanlonPresident and Events Co-ordinator

Line-up of Maitland Classic Motor Association vehicles at the Gresford Show ‘n Shine. Ian’s Rover, Doug’s Ford Mustang, Cheryl’s Model A Ford, Stephanie’s Ford Fairmont Coupe and Murray’s XP Ford Falcon. All five members depart for Western Australia on a club tour on Saturday October 4th driving classic cars.

Two of these cars will be driven on this tour – Ian’s Rover and Murray’s Ford.


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]

Older Fords always draw a crowd. This modified 1930s model proved popular as did the famous XY Falcon GT following.

A rare 1960’s Ford Coupe, with a V8 engine, a Datsun 1600 and a modern Ford Falcon FPV.


Yes, the campdraft was cancelled, yes, it did rain a bit, yes, there was some mud around BUT YES, the rodeo went ahead Friday night and Saturday and YES, everyone who went had a great time.

After making the decision the cancel the campdraft due to the wet weather experienced early in the week, the rodeo committee were determined to hold the junior and main rodeo and that decision proved to be a good one.

Friday afternoon saw the junior competitors, their parents and supporters roll up for what was to be the first of four rounds of the East Coast Junior Rodeo Championships. Events included barrel racing, breakaway roping, juvenile steer riding and the junior bull ride. The most excited competitor for the night was Jesse Mead who was having his first competition ride and secured a 4th place in the 8 to under 11 steer ride. The other three rounds of the Championships are

to be held at Stroud, Branxton and Gloucester.

Saturday dawned with a few scudding showers but the devoted rodeo fans came through the gates to enjoy a full day and night of rodeo action and entertainment. There were plenty of enthusiastic competitors in the events ranging from barrel racing to steer wrestling to bull riding to bareback and saddle bronc riding. Local competitor Eric Richardson had a good day winning the 14 to under 18 steer ride while big brother Cliff was 4th in the bull ride. The boys’ uncle David Leake won the

popular over 40s bull ride.

A very determined young man, Sam Hartigan has been hassling his family to ride at the rodeo since he was quite young and this year he turned 8 and was finally able to have his first ride in the 8 and under 11 steer ride. Assisted by protection athlete Simon Collins and Thomas Dillon from the rodeo committee, Sam

proudly fulfilled his riding commitment and says he will be back to do it again.

After the final bull ride Jared Scott and his band, including local drummer Adam Wilton, started straight into the musical entertainment. They kept everyone on the dance floor and in the party mood until the end of the night.

President Mick Kealy and his small, but dedicated, committee are to be congratulated on their efforts in running another successful rodeo in Gresford, the proceeds of which will benefit the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Sue Dillon

Gresford Rodeo 2014 Roundup

Wet and windy but the Rodeo went ahead. Photo: Kirby Armstrong Conn


The Gresford C.W.A. celebrated “Awareness Week” by

catering for the Local Land

Services Seminar held at the property of Kris an Myf Doyle on Summerhill Road. Thirty Five people from inside and outside our district enjoyed morning tea and lunch. Cookery Officer Dotti Hilliard presenting a delicious menu.

Our study of Botswana has proved very interesting with International Officer Jan Godwin putting a lot of time into her research. Agriculture and environment Officer Lyn Tunin expanded our knowledge of garlic and its uses plus the amazing eagle which few of us knew about. Lyn entered her scrap book for the year in the New South Wales Ag./Environment competition.

Our members knit for Wrap with Love and more recently knitting cotton bandages for Ethiopia. Betty Kelehear is very active in the Dungog Op. Shop

and there is always half made items to be finished. We have enjoyed demonstrations of various crafts and most recently Gill Harris demonstrated Proggy Rugs. These rugs, wall hangings or placements made by pulling scraps of fabric through canvas are very colourful and fit perfectly into the recycle section of the Arts and Crafts for the Gresford Show.

BOOK CLUB meets on the second Saturday of each month. The next meeting will be at 3pm on October 11th, afternoon tea and a vibrant discussion. The book to be discussed is “The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid” by Bill Bryson. We welcomed a new member Joyce Earngey last meeting.

The Gresford C.W.A. meets on the first Thursday of the month at 12 Durham Road, 9.30a.m. Come and join us.Look for us on the web: http:/gresfordcwa.wordpress.comThe meeting on the 2nd October will be the AGM.

Robyn Thornton, President

RITA’S RASPBERRY SLICE

Base½ cup sugar¼ cup butter1 egg1 ½ cups self raising flour Pinch of saltRaspberry jam for spreading Topping1 egg1 cup sugar1 cup coconut Method:Base Pre-heat oven. Grease a flat tin. Beat sugar, butter, egg, flour and salt together. Press mixture firmly into prepared tin. Spread jam over mixture, add topping. Bake in a moderate oven until cooked.

Topping Beat egg, sugar and coconut together, spread over base.

Rita is our oldest member being 90+ years and has been a member of

CWA for over 60 years.

Gresford CWA News


q Gresford District Historical Society rHancock Bros - Allyn River Sawmillers

Steam power for sawmills was first used in the Maitland area in the 1850’s. The difficulty however was always obtaining

enough power to drive circular saws as these are “power hungry” and the high steam pressure required would frequently trigger explosions. There is a report of a fatal boiler explosion at Maitland in 1883 which saw a boiler many tons in weight actually fly through the air to land in the river.

The Keppie Bros who had a background as ships engineers established a steam powered mill where King’s Wharf park is in Paterson and operated this from the 1890’s to around 1910.

One man who was watching all this was Tom Hancock of Allynbrook. He had earlier experimented with saw mills and had placed an advertisement in the Mercury on 1/7/1884 seeking a, “competent man to take charge of a saw mill and work at the bench”. Readers of earlier stories may recall that Tom had a spot of luck with his Allynbrook Antimony Mining Syndicate and as a result he was able to buy a forest reserve at the head of the Allyn he named “Hillbrook”. He was also on hand to purchase Keppie Bros mill when fire and the construction of the Paterson rail bridge disrupted their operations in the early 1900’s.

Tom painstakingly dismantled Keppies’ mill and hauled it in a series of bullock wagon loads up to “Hillbrook” – at the very limit of civilisation on the Allyn river. My father, a youngster at the time remembered that when the last load was leaving Kings Wharf a man came running out of the Court House hotel to announce the news that World War 1 had commenced.

At the time the forest at “HiIlbrook” was quite remote and the mill was often used in the 1920’s as a base camp for scientists and adventurers keen to explore the Barrington Tops. The first car able to drive to “Hillbrook”, (a Geoffrey) didn’t make there till June 1923. News of this even made a column in the Maitland Mercury of 4/6/1923. No one can recall how Tom managed to re-assemble and set up all the heavy machinery on his own and where he acquired the skills in steam boiler operation and sawmilling necessary to operate it – but he coped. I doubt there were many Workcover inspectors around at the time to harass him! It must have been a lonely existence living in a modest bachelor’s cottage and returning home to Allynbrook periodically for supplies.

His sons Dick and Alex eventually went into the business with him. In the late 1930’s the brothers rebuilt the mill and relocated it to the bank of the Allyn river for better water access.

Anglican Parish of Gresford PatersonGlendonbrook Road Gresford NSW 2311

Telephone (02) 4938 [email protected]

OctOber SerVIce tIMeS

Sunday Mornings 5 12 19 26

St Anne’s, Gresford 7.30 9.30 8.30 St Paul’s, Paterson 9.30 9.30 St John’s, Vacy 9.00 St John’s, Lostock 11.30 St James’, Martin’s Ck 8.00 St Mary’s, Allynbrook 10.30

Weekday mornings St Paul’s, Paterson – Wednesday and Friday 9.30am; Thursday 6pm

Post war - the new crawler at work with a blue gum on the log jinker.

The team at the mill -1940’s

Tom’s forest reserve at Hillbrook c 1915 - the roof of the mill is just visible above the creek bank on the far right. His bachelor cottage is in the centre.


q “Our Stories” Feature r

Having the benefit of Toms’ mistakes in his early setup they were able to design an efficient mill layout that they could operate quite productively with just 4 men. Most mills at the time needed an army. An upgraded boiler was installed in the “new mill” along with a powerful steam winch with capacity to haul logs in from several kilometres out in the forest. An electric power plant was added which featured a large searchlight beaming out into the forest to enable logs to be hauled in during the evening. A moulding machine/planer was also added.

The “new mill” enabled the brothers to cut and supply the framing and dressed timber, (T&G flooring, weatherboards and mouldings) necessary for a fully finished

house. This was something of a speciality as no other mill could offer this complete package. Many houses in the Paterson and Allyn valleys were built from their

Alex in his late 70’s “supervising” at the breaking down saws - in his full safety gear.

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Alex’s grandson on the Lucas portable mill.


timber and many are still clad in their trademark rusticated weatherboards.

They were also unique in that all their logs came from their own reserve so they had a vested interest in sustaining the resource. They practised “regrowth forestry” although this term hadn’t yet been invented. This meant that they would enter an area, take only a few mill logs of a readily handled size and leave very large and smaller immature trees. This limited disturbance created a seedbed and let in enough light for the mature trees to establish seedlings. Within a very short time this would become good regrowth which in turn would make mill logs within 35 years. With this approach their forest reserve, even after continuous logging from the early 1900’s through to the 1970’s could have continued to supply their mills at Upper Allyn and Allynbrook indefinitely.

Current forestry methods which clear fell and then re-plant to create a monoculture would have appalled them as being simply vandalism.

During the early 1940’s they were joined by the Pender & Foster sawmill and timber town directly across the river.

Relations between the two mills were from the outset always most cooperative and they worked together, with Hancock Bros machining flooring and timbers for the village and mill and even providing electric power for functions in the community hall.

After the war, when machinery became more available, the crawler tractor replaced the steam logging winch and chainsaws replaced the axe and cross cut saw. It also became more practical to use heavy road transport to bring logs to sawmills in areas more readily located to markets. This was the big disadvantage of the Upper Allyn mill as the road had 7 river crossings to negotiate and in wet weather they could be isolated and unable to deliver timber for weeks.

To avoid these transport problems, Alex, (my father) in the early 1950’s opened a mill at Allynbrook designed to be efficiently worked with 2-3 men. His mill used electric power and he relied on the heavy trucks that were now available to transport logs down from the forest when the weather was suitable. Alex’s brother and his son Ray continued with the Upper Allyn mill until 1963 and Alex persisted with the Allynbrook mill well

into his late 70’s before finally giving it away in 1975 after some serious accidents.

So, if we count Tom’s early saw milling ventures dating from the mid 1880’s the family were in saw milling for 90+ years.Alex’s son and grandson still mill and machine timber for their own use and still practise regrowth forestry. The old fellows would approve of that but would take exception to the portable mill – “It’s too easy” they would claim!

Previous stories from this column are available as a book, “Gresford Connections Vol 1”, from McDonald Bros. Maitland and local shops in Gresford at $15. Note: Next meeting of the Historical Society is on Mon 6th Oct at 10:30am in the RSL hall (this is a week earlier than usual).

Please note: We are having our 25th anniversary on Sunday 12th Oct at the Gresford Community Centre. This will be in conjunction with the markets and there will be displays of vintage gear, old machinery, ball gowns & will even include a certain black Valiant! Definitely worth a visit!

q “Our Stories” Feature r

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Q&A returns to DUNGOG Sunday October 12th, 2-00pm at the James Theatre.

Following the recent Q&A event, the Dungog Shire Community Centre will present Bob Baldwin the Member for Paterson to take questions on Federal matters and how they impact on the Electorate and the Shire.

Anticipating an important and informative afternoon Manager Sarah U’Brien said “We were thrilled at the response to our local event regarding a rural vision for the Shire and after many requests we now move questions to a wider stage and Federal issues. There are many challenges facing the Government which impact on all of us and Mr Baldwin, as our representative in Canberra, will put them into a Hunter context.”

Up for discussion will be the Budget, the NBN and Telstra, roads, fuel excise and pricing, new university plans, financial assistance grants, pensions, the co payment, health, the environment. Relevant local issues and topics are very welcome.

We are also responding to a request for a day time event to accommodate the many parents with young families and to reflect this we are delighted to feature children from Dungog Public school to present the Welcome and perform the National Anthem.

Admission is free and seats will fill quickly so members of the audience are urged to be early. We ask all members of the public to submit questions for consideration by midday Friday October 10th.

Send them to Sarah U’Brien by email to [email protected] or mail or drop off to DINS 103 Dowling Street DUNGOG 2420. Names will be withheld on request in good faith.

Dungog Q&A with the Member for Paterson, the Honourable Mr. Bob Baldwin MPPublic Exhibition

Draft Dungog Shire Local Waste Strategy

At its September meeting, Council resolved to place its draft Local Waste Strategy on public exhibition.

The Strategy sets Councils direction in the areas of waste collection and disposal, resource recovery and waste management services over the next 20 years.

Interested partied are invited to make submissions regarding the draft strategy up until Friday 31st October 2014.

Submissions should be made in writing and addressed to:General manager, PO Box 95, Dungog 2420

The Draft strategy may be viewed or downloaded at www.dungog.nsw.gov.au or at Councils administration centre at 198 Dowling street Dungog.

Any enquiries may be directed to Paul Minett, Manager Environmental Services on 4995 7740.


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Paterson Allyn Garden GroupThe September PAGG Meeting was called together with the ringing of the church bell at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Summer Hill, Vacy. Liz Jones welcomed the members of PAGG and friends of Mary Kealy who had come to celebrate Mary’s life and the planting of a tree in her honour.

Faith Bannister filled us in on the history of the Summer Hill Church and told us how her great grandfather and Mary’s were brothers. The church ground was part of a land grant dated 14/2/1825. In 1840, 1 ½ acres was donated by Richard Clark and Ed Kealy and a slab church was built. The current church was opened in 1912, with the cemetery alongside the church dating back to 1846. Heritage rules prevent the removal of lichen from the headstones making many no longer able to be read. It’s believed there are 100 unmarked graves within the cemetery; many are marked by only a stone. It is sad to note that the church has many cracks due to the droughts and rains over the years, engineers are considering how to save or reverse the damage.

Faith also gave a tribute to Mary’s involvement not only in the Paterson Allyn Garden Club but the region during her lifetime living in the valley. Eileen Chaloner recalled her friendship with Mary since moving to the area four years ago.

TREE PLANTING: A Flame tree was donated by Noel Jupp and planted in the grounds, and a plaque made by Keith Benton was placed beside the tree.

Eileen read the following on behalf of the members during the planting: “In memory of Mary Kealy, a devoted member of our local community and recently deceased, who, along with her

family and ancestors, worshipped in this church, we gather to plant a tree in this sacred ground. Today we honour the contribution that she has made in this district. We remember Mary for her great energy, broad interest in local issues and willingness to be involved in numerous community groups. She had an extensive knowledge of the area and the local people, whom she loved. May this tree be a reminder of her tireless contribution and value she placed on friendship and community.”

Members enjoyed walking around the grounds of the church looking at the old headstones and grave sites as well as the church.

PAGG members at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Summer Hill.


What’s on the Shelves?

by Glenda Smith

Well known as an actor, McInnes is also a capable and entertaining writer. His style has some similarities to Bill Bryson’s memoirs, but he is more laconic and sketchier. McInnes creates an overview of the last forty years of Australian society by linking sport and politics in a dry and breezy way. He also includes affectionate portraits of his parents, who were die-hard Labor supporters. Vignettes of his father show his down-to-earth decency and wisdom, as can be seen when William reports to his father that he had yelled ‘One more cut – Fraser’s throat!’ at Malcolm Fraser as he campaigned against Bob Hawke in a Brisbane mall. His father is unimpressed – Look, here’s a man who at least stands up to get his head kicked….You, you pie-can. You don’t even know why you yell out.

McInnes parallels his own development, which included a disastrous stint as a department store Santa Claus, with the highs and lows of sporting and electoral endeavours. The book moves from the success of Australia II and Hawke’s triumphalism when McInnes was a boozy university student, to the success of Kevin in ’07 while the author manned the sausage sizzle at his son’s school cricket match, and gives a highly personal and thoughtful perspective on this country.

That’d Be RightWilliam McInnes

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Fresh Produce Required for Paterson Gallery Markets

You may be aware that Paterson Galllery now uses its garden and yard space fronting Duke Street to host a market once a month in Paterson. We promote ourselves mainly as “Local people and locally produced goods”. We are a very young market but growing rapidly with now over a dozen stall holders who love to come each time, 1st Sunday of the month.

As the weather warms up we are hoping to also have a combined stall for locally grown fruit and vegies. People love to buy fresh food grown in our beautiful valley and picked straight from the tree. I picture a big table in the centre of the market stalls where anyone and everyone can bring along and contribute something that they’d like to sell, whether it’s a box of mandarins from your back yard or a whole selection of left-overs from your vegie garden. Perhaps some farmers with crops might want to add a box of something that’s doing well that month?

We will have an arrangement so that you receive at the end of the day, your funds from whatever you’ve sold. Perhaps we could all take turns manning the stall. Produce can be brought along on the morning of the market or dropped into the gallery the afternoon before.

Our next market day will be Sunday November 2nd, so I am hoping that by that time we will have the beginnings of a fresh fruit and vegie stall.

Contact: Cath Varcoe if you are interested in being involved. Ph 4938 5632 or email [email protected]


Gresford News October Crossword

September 2014 crossword answers

St Helen’s Catholic Parish Gresford

WEEKEND MASS TIMESSt Helen’s GresfordSaturday Vigil 6.30pmLocal contact 4992 1477 Chisholm Region Office

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Documents

Gresford News October 2014