Serving the Hunter for over 20 years with a readership of ... · catering secretary of St Luke’s Women’s Guild and serves as a committee member with the Upper Hunter Shire Youth

Shire celebrates Australia DaySongs, speeches, citizenship oaths and splashing around marked Australia Day in the Upper Hunter Shire.Ceremonies were held in Scone, Merriwa, Murrurundi, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook and Denman where outstanding citizens were recognised with Australia Day awards. WIN !

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Upper Hunter Citizen of the Year was awarded to Beryl Bates.

Beryl is a gem in the community, working voluntarily in many areas to support different organisations. For the past 15 years, with her husband Errol, she has organised and trained the debutantes and their partners for the St Lukes Debutante Ball. Together they sponsor the Upper Hunter Shire Young Citizen’s Awards for each district and the overall Shire Young Citizen Award. Beryl is president and catering secretary of St Luke’s Women’s Guild and serves as a committee member with the Upper Hunter Shire Youth Council. She has been booking officer for 27 years and secretary for 24 years for the Bunnan Memorial Hall Committee and has helped in the canteen for the Bunnan Campdraft for 35 years. Beryl has been the communications officer for the Bunnan Rural Fire Services and is currently the assistant secretary and publicity officer for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Scone Support Groups and can often be seen in her red shirt with a bucket collecting money for this worthy cause.

Upper Hunter Young Citizen of the year was awarded to Tyler Austin.

Tyler is a well rounded individual who has excelled in all facets of his life. Tyler completed his HSC in 2013 and has gained entry into Charles Sturt University, Wagga to study Agricultural Science. In 2013, Tyler instigated the reintroduction of the poultry section at the Merriwa Show after a 33 year absence. This involved forming working committees, building cages, sourcing sponsorship and running

Image: Australia Day Ambassador Darren Coggan, Scone Young Citizen of the Year Emily Rayner and Upper Hunter Mayor Michael Johnsen at the Scone Australia Day Ceremony.

Continued page 9

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BHP Billiton and Healthy Harold renew education partnershipMore than 3,000 students in the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter shires will continue to benefi t from interactive health education programs as a result of a three-year investment by BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal.The $116,000 partnership will also ensure Healthy Harold, the loveable giraffe who is the face of the Life Education program, maintains a regular presence in the Upper Hunter.

The funding will allow Hunter Life Education to continue to provide a positive and fun learning experience that encourages healthy lifestyles to students at 20 local primary schools and four local preschools.

The investment builds on the success of the existing partnership between BHP Billiton and Hunter Life Education, to which more than $300,000 has been contributed by the company since 2005.

Peter Sharpe, BHP Billiton NSW Energy Coal Asset President, said the company recognises the value of providing young people with the opportunity to learn how to stay physically, mentally and emotionally healthy.

“Since the start of our partnership with Hunter Life Education, thousands of local students between the ages of four and sixteen have taken part in programs in the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter shires,” he said.

“The programs emphasise the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and Mt Arthur Coal is proud to partner with an organisation that provides young people with such positive life lessons that will stick with them throughout their lives,” Mr Sharpe said.

Sally Coddington, Hunter Life Education Executive Offi cer, welcomed the renewed partnership with Mt Arthur Coal and the program’s expansion into preschools.

“With the help of Healthy Harold and our Life Education educators, we build resilience in young people by challenging their values and attitudes, expanding their knowledge and developing their skills,” she said.

“Mt Arthur Coal’s three-year investment means that every child in the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter shires has the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to make healthy lifestyle choices.

“This is an opportunity that few communities are offered and the effectiveness of the education can be enhanced when the message is reinforced over time, across curriculum and within the home and broader community,” Ms Coddington said.

Image: Healthy Harold gives the thumbs up to Jack Page, 4, son of Mt Arthur Coal employee Courtney Page.

Program information Thurs 30th Jan to Wed 5th Feb

what’s on

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Present the winning Entertainer edition to the Muswellbrook office of Hunter Valley Printing, 6 Wilkins Street Muswellbrook and collect your passes.

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The GumBall announces their second round line-upKing Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Ed Kuepper and Dyson Stringer Cloher lead the second round of artists added to the impressively diverse line up for the 10th Annual Gum Ball.The second instalment of bands for the independent music and arts festival sticks true to the festival’s nature of multiple genres, all quality, with a feature of unique local acts.

Joining the already announced fi rst round of artists which included Hoodoo Gurus, Jinja Safari and Wolf & Cub is co-founder of seminal Aussie band The Saint’s Ed Kuepper, psychedelic party time band King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard and a return performance from Mia Dyson as part of the ethereal three piece Dyson, Stringer and Cloher.

Irish powerhouse Damien Dempsey will round out the international fl avour, alongside The Hello Morning from Melbourne and local acts The Soorleys, Tropical Zombie ,The Dennis Boys Band and Gum Ball supergroup Dashville Progress Society.

The family-friendly music and arts festival takes place April 11th and 12th 2014, at its spiritual home of ‘Dasvhille’, in Lower Belford, Hunter Valley.

Second Round Line-up for Gum Ball 2014: King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard; Ed Kuepper; Dyson, Stringer, Cloher; Damien Dempsey (IRE); The Hello Morning; Tropical Zombie; The Dennis Boys Band; Zombonimo; The Soorleys; Dashville Progress Society.

First-Round Artists: Hoodoo Gurus; Jinja Safari; Wolf & Cub; Ngaiire; Adrian Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds (UK); Nicky Bomba All Stars; The Gin Club; Swamp Thing (NZ); Lachlan Bryan & The Wildes; Lindi Ortega (CAN); Jordan Rakei; Pow Wow.

Image: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.

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Dynamic artists on display in latest exhibitionBy Laura Sykes - See story page 5

Creative Artscreative arts

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Images:

[Right] John Ogburn, Stubble Time 1962, oil on hardboard; Winner Muswellbrook Art Prize 1962; The Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.

[Page 5 top] Rebecca Rath, New England Highway Muswellbrook to Singleton 2013, oil on ply.

[Page 5 middle] Rebecca Rath was a fi nalist in the 42nd Muswellbrook Art Prize 2013 and who subsequently donated said work to the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection. A large work on paper titled “How the Waratah Became Red”.

[Page 5 bottom] Desiderius Orban, Genesis 1968, mixed media on foil on hardboard; Gift of the Artist 1972; The Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.

Smile for the CameraThe Scone Neighbourhoood Centre’s “The Best Picture” camera workshop offered a great opportunity for young people to receive tuition from a local professional photographer, Candice O’Neill. The school holiday activity was well attended by young people aged 13 – 17 years. The workshop taught the young photographers about taking care of cameras, understanding some of the settings, how to compose and take better photos and basic photo editing.The class enjoyed exploring the Fairy Garden in the middle of the building where they were able to fi nd photo opportunities and practise many of the

things they had learned on the day.

Lee Watts, manager of the Scone and Aberdeen Neighbourhood Centres said, “Last year we had camera workshops for adults which were successful and thought we’d give young people the same program to develop new skills and get the best out of their camera.”

“A chance to work with a professional photographer and learn some really good tips doesn’t often come along, so we were really happy to make this happen.

Support from Upper Hunter Shire Council through its Cultural Activity Grants made it possible to offer the class at a reasonable fee allowing everyone an opportunity to attend.”

The Neighbourhood Centre is hoping to hold another workshop for young people in the future. Details will be on their Facebook page which can be found by searching for “Scone Neighbourhood Centre” in Facebook.

Image: Kasey Bretherton, Jackson Barry, Ashley Randle, Laura Millard, Tahlia McGuirk and Madyson Warren with trainer Candice O’Neill (back).


creative arts

Dynamic artists on display in latest exhibitionBy Laura Sykes

The Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre is preparing to unveil their latest exhibitions, featuring works from notable artists the ‘three O’s’, and Hunter Valley-based artist Rebecca Rath. In 1940, Hungarian Desiderius Orban was one of several European refugees who helped to change perception in the history of the Australian art circle. Two of his students, John Ogburn and John Olsen, also went on to have profound infl uences on the art world in their own way.

Dubbed the ‘three O’s’ by Orban himself, Ogburn and Olsen both went on to teach in the studio that Orban set up in Sydney’s Circular Quay before moving into their own artistic careers. Olsen chose the high life, taking commissions and appointments on gallery boards, while Ogburn decided to take a quieter route and played an instrumental role in the establishment of Harrington Street Artists’ Co-operative Gallery, a showcase of his own and other artists’ work since it began, including many of his own students.

The Harrington Street Artist’s Co-operative Gallery, the Gordon Darling Foundation and the Orange Regional Gallery Touring Exhibition featuring these three infl uential artists will be coming to Muswellbrook as part of the tour, and you can view the amazing range of artworks from 1st February until March 2nd at the Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre.

Currently on display is the dynamic work of Hunter Valley-based artist Rebecca Rath. After moving to rural Australia around 7 years ago, Rath’s work is inspired by the unique, and sometimes slightly distorted or fragmented view of the landscape that you might see through the limited area of a car windscreen. Working primarily in oils – although she tries her hand towards anything and everything - Rath’s impressionist-inspired paintings bring vitality to the image portrayed as she tackles the big questions of humanity’s connection with the environment and relationship with nature.

With countless awards, prizes and group and solo exhibition appearances, Rath’s artworks bring life to the walls wherever they are displayed, and are defi nitely not to be missed. Rath was recently listed as a fi nalist in the 42nd Muswellbrook Art Prize 2013 with her large work on paper titled “How the Waratah Became Red”, which she has now donated to the Muswellbrook Shire Art Collection.


Welcome to Muswellbrook Shire …Muswellbrook - Denman - Sandy Hollow

A great place to experience a host of fabulous events, festivities and the culture of the Upper Hunter Let us help you make the most of your visit to our beautiful shire

Muswellbrook Visitor Information Centre 87 Hill Street, Muswellbrook NSW 2333Phone: 02 6541 4050 www.muswellbrook.org.au

Denman Visitor Information Centre 7 Ogilvie Street, Denman NSW 2328Phone: 02 6547 2799 www.visitdenman.com.au

www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au

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Denman Farmers Market

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Denman Farmers and Artisans Market This Saturday 1st February – 8am until 1pm. Buy Local, Eat Fresh!

Start the New Year with the Denman Farmers and Artisans Market with the market day sponsor “Made For You Toys” (Lauren Sowter) and community benefi ciary being the Denman Westpac Helicopter Support Group.Stalls that will be trading at this weekend’s market include: Denman Community Garden; Lincoln Red Beef Direct; Hunter Belle Cheese; The Flower Lady; Jenny’s Kitchen; Falcon Grove Olives; Pukara Estate; Coffee Moment; Daisynook Cakes and Preserves; Rotary Bacon & Egg Breakfast and Stone Hill Wines.

A full list of stallholders attending this weekend will be published on the market’s website and Facebook page in the days prior to the market.

The Denman Farmers and Artisans Market is a community run, not-for-profi t market that is self supporting. You can help by becoming a member, by sponsoring the market or by just buying a ticket in the producer’s raffl e.

If your community group would like to fundraise, we can offer you a stall site free-of-charge for the day and you can do or sell any product you like.

We are a producers-only market, but there is now a space available for a local reseller who trades locally and sells Australian-made products as our ‘retailer of the month’.

If you would like to book a stall, sponsor a market day, or if you just want to become a member, please contact the manager Michelle Moon on 0458 111 791 or visit the website at www.denmanfarmersmarket.com.au

Please note: The market may end early this Saturday in line with the adverse weather policy due to forecasted hot temperatures of over 35 degrees expected.


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Muswellbrook Australia Day celebrations

Images: [Top row left] Outstanding Contributor to Culture Award - Jennifer Kershaw [Top row middle] Environment Award - Denman Community Garden (accepted by Renae [Top row right] Outstanding Contributor to Culture Youth Award - Jordi Adam-Smith [Second row left] Young Citizen of the Year 2014 - John Langley [Second row middle] Services to Sport Award 2014 - Bruce Honeysett [Second row right] Junior Sportsperson of the Year 2014 - Hamish Wolfgang [Third row left] Citizen of the Year 2014 - Jenny Hinschen [Third row right] Citizenship Ceremony [Fourth row left] School Achiever Awards 2014 - Cassandra Byers and Taya [Fourth row right] Citizenship Ceremony - 13 People became Australian Citizens [Bottom row] Zumba Performance - School Children.


Shire celebrates Australia Day

out & about

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Scone Jump ClubMarcia 0407 403 [email protected]

Upper Hunter Riding for the DisabledPres: Chris Hayes (02) 6541 3847Anne-Marie Williams [email protected] & carriage driving: Muswellbrook centre Tuesdays and Thursdays (3rd and 4th school terms). Open to all children and adults with a disability. Volunteers welcomed and always needed. Look for us on FaceBook.

Continued from front page

the event on the day. Over the years Tyler has participated in many extra-curricular and community programs such as Peer Support Program, School’s Steers Program, Beef Bonanza, Little Sprouts, Young Endeavour, Festival of the Fleeces, Rotary Exchange and Relay for Life. Tyler is an accomplished sportsperson particularly football. In recent years Tyler has been selected for the Greater Northern Academy Team, Group 21 Representative Team and to compete in the NSW Country Championships. Tyler has been chosen as the Player of the Series and Most Consistent Player multiple times.

The full list of Australia Day awards follows: Australia Day Ambassadors - performer Darren Coggan in Scone and Aberdeen, pilot Matt Hall in Merriwa and Olympian boxer Rick Timperi in Murrurundi - shared their inspiring stories.

During the 2014 Australia Day ceremony in Scone, twelve Upper Hunter residents took the citizenship oath, becoming Australians.

Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Michael Johnsen said the Australia Day citizenship ceremonies were always moving. “Australia Day ceremonies are full of pride at citizens’ achievements and pleasure in welcoming new citizens to our country and our shire,” Cr Johnsen said.

The new citizens include: Mr Durr Badenhorst (from South Africa now in Scone), Mr Daniel Barbosa (from Brazil now in Aberdeen), Miss Jaipreet Kaur (from India now in Scone), Ms Cliona O’Connor (Ireland now in Scone). Two families also took the citizenship oath: the Thirumurugan family (from India now in Moonan Flat) - father Sundaresan, mother Sangeetha and daughter Archana; and the van Reenen family (from South Africa now in Scone) – mother Aletta, father Marius, son Arnus and daughters Amorie and Franze-Mari.

2014 Australia day awards

Aberdeen: Citizen of the Year Ms Tess O’Brien; Young Citizen of the Year Brock Lloyd; Young Sportstar of the Year Edan Tickle.

Merriwa: Citizen of the Year Dr Ramses Salama; Young Citizen of the Year Tyler Austin; Achiever of the Year Lachlan Walmsley; Community Group of the Year Cassilis Rodeo Committee; Sustainability in Business Merriwa Pharmacy.

Murrurundi: Citizen of the Year Brian Hunt; Young Citizen of the Year Jake Speck; Sportstar of the Year Blandford Public School “All Stars”; Young Sportstar of the Year Jake Chapple; Community Group of the Year Murrurundi Lions Club and Murrurundi Hospital Auxillary – (Joint award); Special Award for Excellence – above and beyond Zina Daniel.

Scone: Hunter McLoughlin Citizen of the Year Beryl Bates and Chic Taylor – (Joint award); Young Citizen of the Year Emily Rayner; Sportstar of the Year Amy Mills; Young Sportstar of the Year Chloe Hinde; Community Group of the Year Scone Men’s Shed.

Upper Hunter: Upper Hunter Shire Citizen of the Year Beryl Bates; Upper Hunter Shire Young Citizen of the Year Tyler Austin.

Images: [Above] Aberdeen Young Citizen of the Year Brock Lloyd and Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Michael Johnsen.[Middle] Murrurundi Young Sportstar of the Year Jake Chapple got some tips from Australia Day Ambassador and Olympian boxer Rick Timperi. [Bottom] Murrurundi Citizen of the Year Brian Hunt and Young Citizen of the Year Jake Speck at the Murrurundi Australia Day Ceremony.


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Nundle rocks Tamworth Country Music Festival


Nundle rocks Tamworth Country Music FestivalCountry Music fans from the 2014 Tamworth Country Music Festival fl ooded the small village of Nundle for a taste of country music and country hospitality.With Nundle Rocks at the Peel Inn and Nundle Memorial Town Hall, fans got to experience a taste of ‘Alternative Country’, spoilt with a choice of talented artists, who played daily at The Peel Inn, including Gibbo and The Fat Lambs, Gleny Rae Virus & Her Palyboys, Jeremy Edwards & Dust radio Band a special show in the local Memorial Hall by The Junes.

Local musician and songwriter Toni Swain, better know as Swaino provided The Peel Inn with an awesome talented line up, including launching her new album - The Red Shed to a full house, in what was an amazing performance.

The streets of Nundle were also treated to a special performance by George Washingmachine with a kids show held on the verandah of Odgers and McClelland Exchange Stores.

The DAG Sheep Station, presented ‘Country at the DAG’, featuring award winning artists and festival favourites Graham Roger, Tom Maxwell, Pixie Jenkins, Lou Bradley and Rod Dowsett - just some of the line up proving a hit with fans as 8 of the 10 shows held were sold out.

Country music artists and fans were treated to true country hospitality and were rewarded by amazing intimate performances and loads of special guests dropping by to perform with their mates.

Guests to the Australia Day show were in for a treat when Lachlan Bryan dropped in with his band The Wildes and special guest Golden Guitar fi nalist Aleyce Simmonds.

Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes were winners of a 2014 Golden Guitar for Alterantive Country Album of the Year.

The secret is out, Nundle is the coolest place to be during the Tamworth Country Music Festival rocking with great music, good vibes and country hospitality.

Images: Entertainment and crowds from Nundle Rocks. Courtesy of Alison Windmill and The Dag.

out & about

Phone: 02 6545 1100Fax: 02 6545 1750

Email: [email protected]

Isis Motel is the best value place to stay in Scone and offers ideal accommodation for travellers, families and workers. The Isis Motel is conveniently located on the New England Highway at the southern entrance to Scone.

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Country music artists teaming up for tour By Laura Sykes

Two of Australia’s favourite country music artists are teaming up for a tour featuring many of their solo and duet hits, and you can catch them at the Muswellbrook RSL next month.Award-winning country artist Amber Lawrence and Jason Owen, who took the runner-up prize in X-Factor 2012, released their own rendition of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s classic duet Islands in the Stream, which became the inspiration for their latest tour, which is named after the song, as well as marking the release of Jason’s debut album Life is a Highway, which reached #5 on the ARIA Album chart and #1 on the iTunes country chart within its first week of release.

This tour is a living, breathing showcase of country music from two artists who are indeed from decidedly different ‘islands’ in the country music stream. Amber grew up in Sydney, while Jason is from a tiny town of

12 people called Albert in regional NSW. The two-hour show will feature their own individual hits and songs as well as a number of special duets. Songs such as Amber’s Wrecking Ball, Good Girls, Don’t do Lonely Well, plus songs from her latest album “3”, such as Man Across the Street, Everybody’s a Mess and Try, have gained her several accolades and awards over the years, including 13 single releases reaching Top 5 radio favourites with seven #1’s between them, and winning the Tamworth Telstra Horizon Award at the 2011 Golden Guitars, amongst more than ten other awards. At just 19 years of age, Jason is still relatively new to the full-time gig of being a recording and performing artist, but has already had much success after his X-Factor fame and songs from his debut album such as Always on my Mind, Against the Wind, If Tomorrow Never Comes and Sweet Home Alabama.

Amber and Jason will be stopping at the Upper Hunter as part of their Islands in the Stream Tour, playing a show at the Muswellbrook RSL Club on Friday 21st February commencing at 8pm. Image: Amber Lawrence and Jason Owen.

local gig guideFurniture, Giftware, Soft Furnishings,

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Royal Hotel, MuswellbrookFriday 31 January Plastic Spurs @ 8pm Free admissionWhite Hart Hotel, MurrurundiFriday 31 January Karaoke @ 8pm Free admissionRailway Hotel, Muswellbrook Sunday 2 February Ryan Sampson @ 4.30 pm Free admissionRoyal Hotel, Muswellbrook Friday 7 February Funked Up Friday Free Pizza Party with DJ ‘Shots Fired’ Free admission

White Hart Hotel, MurrurundiSaturday 8 February Jimmy Craz Band @ 8pm Free admissionRailway Hotel, Muswellbrook Sunday 9 February KYDA @ 4.30pm Free admissionWhite Hart Hotel, MurrurundiSaturday 15 February Chris White @ 8pm Free admissionRailway Hotel, Muswellbrook Sunday 16 February Lance Birrell @ 4.30pm Free admission

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Serving the Hunter for over 20 years with a readership of ... · catering secretary of St Luke’s Women’s Guild and serves as a committee member with the Upper Hunter Shire Youth