SUMMER
Coolamon, Temora & Oberon
TOWN FEATURES
AGRICULTURE:
Narrandera’s David Farley The iconic
COONAMBLE RODEO Gorgeous Gardens:
Gundagai & Mudgee
Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales
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trading as Regional Lifestyle Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418 ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 FAX 02 6867 9895 WEBSITE www.lifestylemagazine.net.au FACEBOOK Regional Lifestyle Magazine INSTAGRAM Regional Lifestyle Magazine PUBLISHERS, ACCOUNTS & ADVERTISING Elizabeth & Alex Tickle info@lifestylemagazine.net.au EDITOR Elizabeth Tickle editor@lifestylemagazine.net.au CHIEF WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER Jake Lindsay shotbyjake@outlook.com.au ART DIRECTOR Zora Regulic artdirector@lifestylemagazine.net.au
DISTRIBUTION Regional Lifestyle Magazine is published quarterly (available at the beginning of each season) and distributed to selected newsagents and retail outlets within the Central West and in the surrounding regions of the Far West, New England & North West, Riverina & Southern Slopes, the Monaro, Southern Highlands, Canberra, Northern and Eastern suburbs of Sydney, in addition to a selection of other rural and coastal areas of New South Wales. Subscriptions and back issues are also available to read online, on desktop and mobile devices. Unsold magazines are distributed to cafes, health waiting rooms, quality hotels/motels, bed and breakfast establishments, hair and beauty salons and tourist outlets.
Regional Lifestyle showcases authentic content from across rural and regional New South Wales. The heart of the magazine is in the Central West of the state, but a great story knows no boundaries. We are continually amazed by the innovation, inspiration and spirit that we find time and time again in communities both within the Central West and further afield. It is our passion and privilege to bring these stories to you.
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE To order a subscription or back issue (mailed or online), visit www.lifestylemagazine.net.au. © Central West Lifestyle Pty Ltd 2019 All Rights Reserved No part of this magazine may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the publisher. While every care is taken in the publication of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, the publishers will not be held responsible for omissions, errors or their subsequent effects.
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12 We revisit three stunning rural communities, showcasing their many natural assets and the fabulous people who make these towns tick.
INSPIRATION
142 An elder statesman of the business community, Dubbo real estate agent Bob Berry has gained wide recognition in a career spanning more than 60 years. 156 One of Riverina identity David Farley’s greatest assets is his belief in seizing every opportunity.
GARDENS
168 Swapping city life to build a future on a farm in Gundagai was a considered move for tree-changers Jade and David Scholes. 174 Graham Peterson’s delightful Mudgee garden is a credit to his forethought and commitment. 4 RLM
HOME & STYLE
180 So much of Sue McLeish’s Geurie home speaks of her love of family and her talent for nurturing a sense of stylish comfort. 196 Kate Griffiths, of Dubbo’s Lazy Sunday Lifestyle, has an eye for beautiful things and a talent for making meaningful connections. 200 Dubbo’s Press café shares with RLM readers some of its favourite recipes to recreate at home.
EVENTS
214 Social snaps from the RLM Spring 2019 launch in Cooma; Dubbo Women’s Lunch; Up2DateArt Exhibition; and Nyngan Ag Expo. 224 What to see and do this spring in country NSW. 226 Rural weddings with style and glamour to match any big city nuptials.
THE LAST WORD
240 Meg Low and her two miniature ponies, Chip and Posie, make quite a statement on the streets of Oberon.
Narrandera’s David Farley The iconic
COONAMBLE RODEO Gorgeous Gardens:
Gundagai & Mudgee
SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 27 >
TOWN FEATURE: COOLAMON, TEMORA & OBERON
TOWN FEATURES
AGRICULTURE:
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ISSUE 27 SUMMER 2019
SUMMER
Coolamon, Temora & Oberon
772201
CONTENTS
Showcasing the best of rural and regional New South Wales
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ON THE COVER SWEET DREAMS
Sweet Briar B&B hosts Andre and Keryl de Haan, with sons Aaron and Daniel, and Obi, the much-loved family pet, in front of the Sweet Briar Country Cottages. Image: Jake Lindsay
Photography by Amy Louise Photography & Design & Copper.Co Photography
S U M M E R publishers’ letter
FROM THE PUBLISHERS
summer stories “Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment in life.”
Welcome to Summer 2019 with Regional Lifestyle. We are overwhelmed with the wonderful response we have had to our rebranding. In this edition we are thrilled to bring you a 137-page feature made up of three gorgeous council areas: Coolamon, Temora and Oberon. Even though we featured these places some years back, we found plenty to showcase across our glossy pages on our second visit. In addition to the unique tourist attractions on show, many interesting characters and local identities are profiled who are important assets to their communities.
Record sales The sales of the Spring 2019 edition have been massive! Within the first 10 days, extra stocks had to be delivered to the Snowy Monaro area as people embraced this edition so wholeheartedly. Thank you for your warm support of our newest edition.
RLM out and about Henty Machinery Field Days were such a joy to be part of. High attendances, beautiful weather and friendly, enthusiastic people passing through over the three days made our stay with the RLM stand in Henty very memorable. Iandra Castle Open Days once again were most enjoyable. Every open day brings people from many parts of Australia seeking to explore this unique and magnificent building between Cowra, Grenfell and Young. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand for a chat, and the many visitors who purchased back copies and The Collector’s Edition. The Good Old Days Weekend, on the October long weekend, was an experience we will never forget! We not only sold lots of magazines (especially the Winter edition featuring this iconic event) but reacquainted ourselves with the pioneering way of doing things. Congratulations to the hardworking committee who tirelessly work to bring this educational experience to the attention of so many.
Advertising with RLM We chatted with a successful businessman from Dubbo recently who shared his thoughts on advertising. He said “A business can’t afford NOT to advertise. It seems to me that by advertising you are inviting people to come and visit your business.” Hopefully many people take up the invitation for a visit to the businesses of our many valued advertisers in each and every publication.
Autumn 2020 Feature Thank you to the Parkes and Forbes councils for once again showing great faith in our product and collaborating with our magazine. The Autumn 2020 features on Parkes and Forbes are shaping up
The Mountain Groovers performing at The Monaro Spectacular; left to right, back row; Elizabeth Bellingham, Sophie Freebody, Clare Buckley, Michael Condello, Patrick Sacco, Amanda Woodhouse, Brian Old, Linda Rae and Petrina Baff. Middle row; Mikala Walters and John Donnelly. Front row; Kim Neville and Rosie O’Sullivan.
beautifully. We are looking forward to showing you why these places are popular tourist destinations and great places to live for the longtime residents and the many tree changers who have been attracted by all that these magnificent towns have on offer.
Thank you and happy Christmas We thank you for your unswerving support over the past 6.5 years since our publication began, first as Central West Lifestyle and more recently as Regional Lifestyle. The RLM team wishes you and your family a truly wonderful Christmas filled with magical memories. May the year to follow bring bountiful seasons, good health and happiness.
Best wishes, Elizabeth and Alex Tickle
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S U M M E R Jake’s message
ORDINARY, yet extraordinary Season’s greetings to all our faithful, esteemed readers. Make sure you enjoy the spirit of Christmas, even if it is in the middle of this prolonged and crippling drought. As another deadline approaches, I’ve been thinking about my life writing about others. Even during my two-decade stint as a photographer, I was forever scribbling some bloke’s remarkable hat history on an A4 white paper bag. Those little bits of paper morphed into a couple of books but there’s still another one in me. It might take another decade but one day I will try to match up all my scribbles in countless old pocket notebooks and on white paper bags with the accompanying images. Now I’m paid to gallivant throughout the bush, from one town to the next, meeting hidden gems and treasures along the way. My life revolves around hearing somebody’s life story – often told for the first time – before attempting to capture their essence in a portrait. Can you imagine living in about 30 towns for a few weeks at a time and unearthing such talent? I doubt if many get the pleasure of inspecting so many houses or peering into somebody’s life for a few hours. I call them my bush nuggets. Generally not famous, just downto-earth types who believe in the sanctity of life. Folk who do their best and are thankful to be alive, even if it is a parched old argument at the moment. I say this because the other day I spoke to one of nature’s true gentlemen. A man in his second century who can recall long ago events like they were yesterday. For happiness he tends to his beloved plants. I understand life cannot be measured in monetary terms. Like most people, I suppose, I always thought it was about the money – you work hard and are rewarded for your efforts. Simple maths really, but there’s a lot more at stake. You can’t put a price on meeting these old timers – blokes like the 101-year-old character in this issue. Every day is a precious gift, as this old timer knows only too well. We’re all getting older as the years catch up. Not all of us will make it to old age. You can try, but there’s not a lot we can do when our time is up. Live each day and strive for happiness. And keep reading Lifestyle for inspiration! The people I talk about in this edition are the backbone of this fine country. Blokes who got blown apart the day man landed on the moon; a Vietnamese woman who, with terrific faith, self belief and hard work, went from refugee to respected businesswoman; or a fourth-generation farmer and only child contemplating his future after 80 years on the farm. How about a genuine rock ‘n’ roll star, famous in the 1960s, and now living the quiet life in Coolamon? Or the famous railway dog that touched so many hearts in Temora? Oh, and while we’re at it, let’s throw in the Deputy Prime Minister! You will love reading more about this energised country lad who spent his very early years at Marrar.
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In the end, dear reader, we are all made of the same stuff – just wired a little differently. Once again, I offer my thanks to all the fine folk who shared their most precious gift – the gift of time. I know you are going to love this bumper Summer Edition. So pour a drink, find your favourite chair and settle in for a wild ride. And remember, the truth is way more exciting than fiction! Till next time, I’ve got you in my sights.
Cheers, Jake
ABOVE: With Temora’s loveable 101-year-old Ron McGuirk; one for the books: me without a beverage having a beer with the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack who isn’t drinking!
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RLM 9
SUMMER 2019 CONTRIBUTORS
meet your team
ELIZABETH TICKLE
Publisher, Editor, Advertising
GINA CRANSON
JAKE LINDSAY
Chief Writer & Photographer
Sub-Editor & Proofreader
Art Director and Travel Writer
Advertising Designer
SALLY MARCEAU
MELISSA DUNKERLEY
KATE BOSHAMMER
ROBERT I BRUCE
ELIZABETH SWANE
JENNIFER HARDEN
ANNA TICKLE
JANE SANDERSON
CATHERINE PLAYER
ALEXANDRIA TREASURE
LORRAINE HILLS
HEATHER CROSBY
ZENIO LAPKA
SUE MEIKLE
JOHN CURLEY
Photographer
Writer
ZORA REGULIC
ALEX TICKLE
Publisher, Distribution, Advertising
Garden Writer
Social Media
ELIZABETH GRANT Writer
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Home & Style Writer, Photographer
Country Cuisine Writer
Social Photographer
Advertising Designer
Writer
Writer
RLM Accountant
Website Developer
Wedding Writer
Photographer
story name S U M M E R
your letters We would like to thank Elizabeth and the RLM team for the opportunity to collaborate with you for our Snowy-Monaro feature in the Spring Edition. It has been a huge success for us and we are very pleased with the outcome. It was a pleasure working with the RLM team on this project. It was so positive and rewarding and the final product was exactly what we were hoping for. As an area that has recently gone through the challenges of council amalgamation we really needed to come together and find a way of showcasing “the good things” in our new space. A 140-page feature in this magazine was the perfect platform to do this and the opportunity was presented to us just at the right time. The final product was beautifully presented and very well received among the wider community. Peter Bascomb, General Manager SMRC, Donna Smith, Tourism Manager SMRC
“What a beautiful magazine!” This is the word on the street of Bombala and surrounds. This would have to be one of the best magazines I have come across for many years, and I have seen a few. The content of the stories and the photos are just magnificent. This edition is taking me quite some time to read. The excitement from our customers about the town feature is amazing and we have never experienced the fantastic amount of sales from any publication before. What a fantastic opportunity to showcase our beautiful region. I am definitely looking forward to the next edition. Kim Stockwell, Bombala Newsagency
Congratulations on a sensational Regional Lifestyle Spring Edition. I grew up in Cooma, and long before I moved to Sydney, via Radio 2XL and 2CA (Canberra) and launched and anchored the Today program, I spent some of the best years of my life on the Monaro, visiting over the years all the towns and villages you have highlighted in this wonderful magazine. The memories came flooding back as I leafed through the pages of superb photographs and quality writing. This is the first time I have bought your magazine. It will not be the last. Steve Liebmann, Cremorne
What a fabulous magazine! Every edition makes me want to pack up and travel to the wonderful places featured between its covers. It is pure quality, from the brilliant photography, articles on local identities and typical residents of the area, local architecture and history, gardens, agriculture, landscape and businesses, to the quality of the paper on which the magazine is printed. You paint wonderful pictures, through words and stunning photographs, of the lifestyle and uniqueness of every area featured. Not only do I love reading about the people who contribute so much to their community, I also enjoy the aerial photographs of the featured towns in each issue. These days we set our GPSs and off we drive, often without a true idea of where we are in relation to the landscape. The aerial shots give perspective to the size and layout of the town, while placing it within the surrounding landscape. I can imagine your readers scouring the photos to find their home, or the homes of relatives and friends who live there. Living in the city, it is easy to forget the contribution that small towns and their communities make to our wonderful country. Regional Lifestyle Magazine opens our eyes, and helps to remind us. Thank you for your wonderful publications. I look forward to the next issue. Leonie Smith, Mosman NSW
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COOLAMON TOW N FE ATUR E
WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY
improving on perfect from the Mayor of Coolamon Shire Council Welcome to Coolamon Shire. I am pleased to be here again, and I thank Alex and Elizabeth for the opportunity to showcase and highlight our area. We were lucky to be featured in the Spring 2017 edition of this magazine. Our feature sparked talk and a sense of pride within the community. Since then we have continued to see large growth and development around the shire. As Mayor, I’m proud to call Coolamon Shire home, having lived here all my life. I’m excited to be able to provide a small insight into this wonderful community and region. Over this time, we have seen a large amount of change and growth. I believe that when something never stops changing, it’s only growing and improving. Coolamon Shire is exactly this. We live in a place that is already pretty perfect and yet it continues to surprise and impress me. We are a thriving community made up of six heritage towns and villages, each providing special features that make up Coolamon Shire. It is full of rich agricultural history with fast growing boutiques and eateries.
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Coolamon Shire is all about the community and our people. It is full of hard-working, giving people who continue to enhance where we live. Recently, Coolamon Shire has seen a lot of new developments and infrastructure, from new businesses, recently announced industrial land and large growth in land and house purchases. With affordable housing and land prices, easy access to regional centres and plenty of business opportunities, Coolamon Shire provides an attractive choice for new residents and businesses. We also have new playgrounds and picnic areas, bike and walking tracks, and improved sporting facilities. All of this adds to the community services and facilities we have available. I’d like to invite you to visit and explore Coolamon Shire and all that we have to offer. Discover the many great sights to see and things to do for every type of traveller. Take a drive and explore the beautiful countryside and farmland. Or, if you prefer, hit the pavement on foot and explore the many retailers and boutiques. We have great events throughout the year that would complement your experience.
Enjoy reading these amazing articles showcasing some of Coolamon Shire’s community members and businesses. As always, we look forward to welcoming you to our region. Cr John Seymour OAM, Coolamon Shire Council Mayor
Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E
a shire to desire
The secret is out. For years Coolamon Shire has been promoted as a hidden gem. It is still considered a gem but it’s a little less hidden these days.
Whether you are travelling solo, with a partner, friends or family, a warm welcome is waiting for you in the Coolamon Shire. Coolamon Shire is a farming and grazing area with beautifully preserved heritage towns rich with history. The town of Coolamon was established around the time the railway arrived in 1881, with the shire being proclaimed on March 3, 1906. The Wiradjuri people were the first to the region. The town is named after the Wiradjuri word for a vessel for carrying goods, children and water, “Gullaman”. Coolamon Shire is home to six towns and villages. Coolamon is the largest town, with smaller towns of Ardlethan and Ganmain and villages of Beckom, Marrar and Matong. You’ll find Coolamon Shire located in the Riverina region of NSW, just a short detour off the Olympic, Sturt or Newell highways. The towns within the shire boast a variety of places to stay, things to see and do and places to dine. Choose from a wide range of accommodation options including bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, camping and caravan parks. Rest assured you will be sleeping in a region filled with charm and hospitality. A wide range of outdoor activities, historic sites, boutique shops and dining experiences are all to be enjoyed in this historic area. A great place to take in nature, the towns and surrounds are perfect for exploring, whether that be walking, cycling or having a picnic. The shire is proud of the services and facilities on offer, for the young and old and all ages in between. Particular positives include healthy schools, preschools and childcare services, growing aged care services and medical facilities. Dive into local history and must-see attractions. The State Heritage-listed Up-to-Date Store plays host to a number of displays and collections. This beautiful building is a must see. With more and more shops on offer, the street is full of life and history. A wander along our heritage main streets is a joy in itself. You will discover antiques, arts and gifts, and great food and coffee. Taste local cheeses from Coolamon Cheese, discover local produce, picturesque heritage, manicured gardens, visit the Kelpie Statue in Ardlethan or the interesting Hay Display Centre in Ganmain – plus plenty more! All of these are just a short drive from one another. Take the Canola Trail to explore all Coolamon, Temora and Junee shires have to offer while enjoying the beautiful canola fields along the drive. The Canola Trail is an opportunity to discover at your own pace. The future of Coolamon Shire is strong with many exciting projects and developments recently completed or soon to be finished. Coolamon Shire residents are proud to live here and we welcome all visitors to share in this wonderful part of the Riverina. RLM FACING PAGE: The sun sets on Coolamon Shire. Image: Jamie Blair. RIGHT FROM TOP: Ganmain Hall. Image: Zane Fraser; Canola fields. Image: Donna Mestiola; NYE celebrations in Coolamon’s main street. Image: Jamie Blair.
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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon
ABOVE: Marrar Lane at sunrise. Image: William Barton. LEFT: Sheep grazing at sunset. Image: Elise Hawthorn.
Coolamon charm Boasting assets aplenty, Coolamon is more than just a pretty place.
ABOVE: Harvest. Image: Stacey Taylor.
ABOVE: Matong Motors. Image: Thomas Parker.
ABOVE: Sheep and Hay. Image: Sarah McCaig.
ABOVE: Fluorescent night. Image: Jacob Manley.
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ABOVE: Crop lines. Image: Robert Menzies.
ABOVE: The old shearing shed. Image: Matt Gray.
back to the
BEGINNING Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack relishes returning to his old home town of Marrar.
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Stop the press! The McCormack “Express” has departed Wagga Wagga. First stop Marrar, then all stations to Leeton via Ganmain. On the day of our interview, the Hon Michael Francis McCormack MP is returning to his “spiritual home” of Marrar. (His grandparents, Tom and Mary McCormack, were at “Rosehill” for 38 years until 1976. Michael’s parents also farmed the rich, red soils. They’re all gone now but his ties to this quiet little community still run deep.) I’m scheduled to meet the country’s 18th Deputy Prime Minister and National Party Leader at the Marrar Cafe to share with Lifestyle readers, memories of growing up in the district. A large information board across from the cafe details village history and reads: “The Marrar community continues to be a vibrant and resilient town that has survived fire, flood, drought and plagues.” Village life started in 1881 with the arrival of the rail line. A few tin shacks and tents went up for the railway navvies who toiled with picks, shovels and hammers to keep the ribbons of steel moving ever westward. As the construction gangs moved on, some workers remained to establish a town. With the railway as an outlet for their produce, the surrounding stations increased their production of wheat, chaff and wool, bringing extra employment and demand for farm machinery and household goods. In 1911, seven years after Marrar was proclaimed a village, a devastating fire broke out in one of the buildings, turning the entire block into a raging inferno. The ruins were eventually replaced with the Roberts Building, home of the cafe where our esteemed visitor has just pulled up. There’s no entourage or minders. It’s just the two of us, and Kerry Culley, who has lived in the village for 11 years and works at the cafe on weekends. As she pours coffee for her unexpected VIP guest, an old farmer walks in to collect the weekend papers, recognises him instantly and casually says “G’day Mr Mac, how ya going?” – like old pals passing in the street.
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“I’m nobody special to these people,” he tells me in earnest as the aforementioned farmer heads out the door. “I’m just Michael McCormack who happened to grow up here. They probably remember me as a little snotty nosed kid in short pants from the 1960s and early ’70s!” Other locals, I find out later, remember him as being fastidiously clean and well-mannered, much like the urbane 55-year-old telling his story today. “People don’t look at me and say, ‘Oh, that’s the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia’,” he says laughing. “I’d be embarrassed if they put on airs and graces around me because I’m not like that – I’m just like any other person but with a rather important job.” He’s clearly in an upbeat mood as we slide into a corner booth for an open-hearted chat about family and living, for a while at least, in the district.
A tight schedule When first elected as Deputy Prime Minister, Michael told his colleagues how great Australia was that a boy from a humble little village like Marrar could rise to one of the highest positions in the land. But he isn’t the first golden boy to come out of the region. That title goes to Nick Winter, the returned WWI soldier who won Australia’s first Olympic gold medal in the hop, skip and jump at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Before Michael he was Marrar’s most famous export. Being the Federal Member for the Riverina, a huge area covering 50,000 square kilometres, Michael is used to spending many hours behind the wheel. After he’s finished with me he will head to Ganmain, the hometown of his late mother. “I do an Anzac booklet each year for my constituents and have a cracking good story about the 1940 Ganmain footy coach Norman Le Brun,” he says enthusiastically.
Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E “He was a former VFL player and played for four clubs – one of only 24 players to have done so. At the age of 36 he lost his life fighting for his country in New Guinea. I’m a big military historian and am going to the War Memorial to take a picture. Ironically, I still find time to write – it’s my relaxation.” Next stop is Leeton to catch up with the recently crowned Australian Prawn Peeling Champion. This momentous event was judged by the man himself at the Gold Coast a week earlier. After that he will watch his boys lace up the boots for the, wait for it, Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes Goannas Club. “It’s the quaintest and one of the longest names in Australian sport,” he laughs. Son Nicholas, 21, who assists with coaching duties, was recently accepted into the Goulburn Police Academy. His brother Alexander, 24, is an accountant and club treasurer. Like their father, they are learning the importance of giving back to their community. Michael loves watching his boys play – even if it’s a different game to the rugby league he was raised with. Young McCormack even had his own goal posts planted in the middle of a paddock, built by his father to improve his kicking. But it’s not all about the boys, meat pies and footy. Daughter Georgina, 28, a Melbourne school teacher, has always been close to his affections.
Family history The head of the National Party revels in family history. His mother Eileen was the youngest of five to Ganmain cafe owners George and Minnie Margosis. George emigrated from Greece in 1914, hitting the headlines many years later during the parliamentary dual citizenship row. Fortunately, George was fastidious with his paperwork and in 1927 placed an advertisement in The Sydney Morning Herald to reject his Greek citizenship. “That’s bizarre in the extreme. When I entered parliament in 2010, I pulled it out of the file to prove I wasn’t a Greek citizen.” Hard-working George died from an asthma attack at the Marrar Café, aged 48. His wife died a few years later, leaving Michael’s mother, Eileen, an orphan before her 10th birthday. “It was all very tragic. I’m not sure if it was even this building where George died – there have been a few different sites for the cafe,” he says quietly. Eileen was just 16 when Lance McCormack swept her off her feet. “There’s no doubt Dad waltzed into Mum’s heart,” he sighs. “As well as being a good dancer she thought he was pretty darn handsome. They attended many balls around the district, driving over rough old dirt roads for a night out.” Lance declared his undying love for her the day they met. They married in Ganmain with a honeymoon in the Blue Mountains before setting up home on “Killarney”, north of Marrar, and starting their family – Denise, Robyn and Michael, followed by Julieanne and Mark a few years later. Michael spent his first four years of life there before his father heard of a property with great potential at Brucedale, 14 kilometres north of Wagga Wagga. “Once Dad set his mind on something, that was it. It was a huge investment at the time, some might even say a risk, but Dad had a vision, and knew hard work and know-how would get him through.” Lance transformed “Brampton” into a showpiece property with water in every paddock and good fencing, sheds and silos. He had the homestead refurbished and always ensured the house block was immaculate. “He was a perfectionist about his beloved farm but was old school. Fandangle alternative farming methods weren’t for him and he stuck steadfastly to the things he knew well – oats, wheat and sheep. He planted crops and hoped Mother Nature would be kind. Sometimes she was and times were good. Other years were not so generous.
Eileen was just 16 when Lance McCormack swept her off her feet. “There’s no doubt Dad waltzed into Mum’s heart.” “That’s the cycle of farming – an industry reliant on the right amount of rain falling at the right time. When it does not rain for years on end, it doesn’t mean it won’t rain again. My father was a big believer in weather cycles – drought followed by flood. It’s just as Dorothea Mackellar described – weather doing what it has always done in this wide, unforgiving land.” The late 1960s and early ’70s were exciting times to grow up. “If the sun was up, you played outdoors. Rather than sit in front of a TV we were encouraged to climb trees and swim in dams and rivers. Skinning your knee and getting dirty were part of everyday adventures, and the local council never got sued if you fell off a swing.” There were the inevitable family dramas. Lance used to pen his beloved hens in the shed each night, safe from marauding foxes. One evening he felt something crawling under his singlet. Further inspection revealed a highly venomous redback spider. “By the time I arrived at hospital Dad was in the emergency ward with tubes coming out of his nose and mouth. After being stabilised he managed one of his trademark winks and joked, ‘Don’t forget to put this in your paper’.” >
ABOVE: A young Michael McCormack displaying early driving skills under the watchful eye of his father; Lance and Eileen McCormack were great family role models. FACING PAGE: The main street of Marrar; the Royal Hotel; enjoying a coffee at the local cafe.
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Being the ever dutiful son, Michael obliged, briefly detailing the experience. It was, as they say in the media, a “slow news day” and 2WG picked up the story and ran with it the following morning. By lunchtime the top national story on the midday bulletin on Sydney radio was the Wagga farmer’s “brush with death”. “Later that afternoon one of Australia’s leading entomologists was being quoted and Dad’s 15 minutes of fame was now extending into hours of unwanted airplay. He never asked me to put a story in the paper again.” From all accounts Lance was a very patient man. He needed to be. “He wasn’t cranky when I dropped the clutch and accidentally reversed his new red tractor through the back of the machinery shed. Nor was he upset when I brought his ute back with two dented front panels after putting it through a table drain!” Despite his father’s long periods at work he always found time to listen. “He was always interested in what someone had to say. In later years he never once wound me up when I started one of my regular dissertations over the phone about life, politics, sport and all the things which needed changing in the world.” While his father was raising stock and growing crops, his mother, ever the perfectionist, kept a happy home, cooking, sewing and being there for her five children. “A stickler for accuracy and doing things right, she impressed upon us the importance of making sure we accomplished tasks to the best of our ability. She liked neatness, order and correctness and her home was spotless. “She looked immaculate every day, especially if she was going into town. And she liked us kids to be inside by four o’clock on a winter’s afternoon to avoid a chill.”
Lance paves the way Lance was the eldest of six children. He arrived as an early Christmas gift in Junee in 1931, spending his early days at Carabost where his father had taken up land before purchasing “Rosehill”, north-east of Marrar. School commenced at seven years at Marrar’s public school. Later, he boarded the train to the Coolamon convent, arriving back at the siding before saddling his pony and riding several miles home. Michael suggests it would have been a hard slog in short pants in the dead of winter. School ended when he was 14 but Lance’s life education was just beginning. “Dad toiled long and hard with a team of horses from sun up to sun down. Farming in those days was a back-breaking grind, day in, day out, year after year. But he did it without complaining. It was what he was cut out to do and what he genuinely liked doing.” To let off some steam, Lance played Australian Rules and the odd game of cricket. He was rumoured to have only ever sent down one delivery, which clean bowled the batsman before stumps were promptly pulled at 1 for 300! Forever fearless, he later tried his hand at rodeo, hoping to win a few bob in prize money. As a child he cheated death after falling off the truck’s running board, the wheel passing over his ear and all but tearing it off. At 14 he suffered peritonitis when his appendix ruptured one day while tending sheep in the top paddock. He took shelter under a tree as a big storm blew through and was found some time later in a critical condition. When his big heart gave out in 1997 it seemed his number was finally up. Michael arrived at the hospital as they rushed him into theatre. “It was like a scene from one of those TV medical dramas – a priest delivering the last rites, Mum crying and Dad clutching my arm and beckoning me to come closer,” he says. “Thinking I was about to hear Dad’s profound last words I leant down as he whispered: ‘Get rid of the bloody priest!’ Dad meant absolutely no disrespect – he loved and lived his faith. He just wasn’t ready to go.”
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Lance enjoyed another 10 years, and Michael’s beloved mother took her final breath in 2018, a month before her boy from Marrar assumed the role of the country’s Deputy Prime Minister. “It’s a shame but I’m sure she is looking down with pride,” he says, taking another rare pause. “It was a loving household with funny times and happy memories. Like all families, we had our ups and downs but Dad was forever our tower of strength. “Our parents taught us to talk straight and walk straight, to be true to ourselves, to practise our faith, adopt a hard work ethic and be there for each other.” It’s probably a good moment to wrap up our chat but there’s still one last story about his finer half that I’m dying to hear. We decide to walk down to the Royal Hotel.
The light of his life Michael admits he’s never drunk there but his father was apparently well acquainted with the historic 120-year-old watering hole. After posing with a beer – no, he never partook in a sip – he pulled out his phone and photographed the bemused early morning regulars sitting at the bar. He’s always enjoyed taking pictures and tells me he has a 300mm in his car he’ll use to capture the Aussie Rules game later in the day. “Growing up on the farm opens your eyes to a lot of things and helps you appreciate – especially in times of drought – how hard farmers do it and the fact that they do what they need to do to make ends meet,” he says.
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“In the drought of 1982, I remember Dad driving to Wilcannia to pick up these rather scrawny looking cattle and bringing them back. That’s how he made ends meet when the crops weren’t so good. He eventually realised they were too hard on the ground and his fencing and replaced them with sheep.” It was about this time he met his future wife Catherine, a woman he describes as his “guiding strength, keenest ally and fiercest critic”. It turns out one of his childhood mates, Graeme McLennan, who opened the batting with him all the way through junior cricket, had a first cousin, and that’s how they met at his grandmother’s house one Christmas. Michael later saw her walking across the street and plucked up the courage to ask her out. Catherine was starting Year 12 while young Michael was tapping away on his typewriter as a cadet journalist at Wagga Wagga’s The Daily Advertiser. Their first date was a romantic dinner followed by a night at the trots. As the pacers raced past the finishing post, Michael whipped out his notebook and started taking notes. Catherine was suitably unimpressed as her date explained he was covering the meeting for the next day’s paper. The memory, now 36 years ago, still raises a chuckle. Michael used to pick her up from school in his trusty little blue Gemini. “She occasionally reminds me I’d still be driving that car if it wasn’t for her, and she’s probably right,” he laughs. By 1991 he had shot through the editorial ranks to become editor at just 27, making him the youngest editor of an Australian
daily. Only a decade earlier he’d spent many lazy afternoons gazing longingly out the window, wondering what direction his life would take. “I’ve always loved politics from a young age, which I know is bizarre,” he says. “I loved debating at high school and captained the debating team. I still enjoy public speaking and sticking up for those people who need sticking up for. “I suppose one thing led to another. Again, it proves you can do anything in this country, a land of opportunity. Look at Ash Barty, what a fabulous story, or Michelle Payne winning the Melbourne Cup at 100-1 odds.” I can see Michael looking at his watch. We have managed to avoid politics all morning until this moment. “Politics is not about power, it’s about people representing people and speaking up for them loudly, often and passionately,” he says. “When elected I promised not to be silent when I ought to speak. That’s always been my commitment to the people of the Riverina, my parliamentary colleagues and all Australians.” With that, he was gone. RLM
ABOVE: Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack reflects on his early life outside Marrar’s Royal Hotel. FACING PAGE: Michael and Catherine McCormack with children Nicholas, Alexander and Georgina; sheep graze in front of the old Catholic Church where family members attended Sunday Mass.
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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon
say cheese The Coolamon Cheese Factory is living up to its reputation as one of the town's major tourist attractions.
Housed in the historic 1920s co-op building in the main street, the award-winning Coolamon Cheese Factory was established by leading Australian cheesemaker Barry Lillywhite in late 2016. With support from council, he transformed the heritage building into an architecturally stunning “world of cheese”. Along with the production area, cheese kitchen and deli, the back courtyard features the building’s original 1912 scotch oven. There's been a recent changing of the guard after the old cheese's retirement in early 2019. Before retiring, Barry passed on his knowledge of the industry to new general manager Keiran Spencer. Keiran comes to the table with plenty of life experience, having been raised on a wheat-sheep farm near Ardlethan before spending the past 15 years in the wine industry. In between, he sold real estate and ran a sports nutrition store in Wagga Wagga, where he lives with his partner and four children. The new boss says he has exciting plans. “We are aiming to make it more family friendly, with a play area for children. “By Christmas 2019 we will have launched a lactose-free cheese called Uberta, the only cheese of its kind in the country. At the same time, we're streamlining the business and identifying new markets.” Another new face is senior cheesemaker Jenn Nestor from Nar Nar Goon, Gippsland. Having moved to Coolamon in early 2019, she loves the science and technical aspects involved in the ancient art of cheesemaking.
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THE COOLAMON CHEESE RANGE INCLUDES 19 HANDCRAFTED ARTISAN CHEESES, ALL MADE USING RIVERINA MILK.
Head chef is Chris Galvin, an Englishman who has been with Coolamon Cheese since the start. He is ably assisted by apprentice chef and Coolamon local James Morgan. Among the regular activities are monthly dinners that include Wiradjuri native Australian food, Italian nights and a Bastille dinner. “It's all about customer experience, making it a whole lot more than just a cafe. This explains why our cheese range is so important, as it bridges the gap between our guests and 17 staff,” Keiran says. The Coolamon Cheese range includes 19 handcrafted artisan cheeses, all made using Riverina milk. You can expect to taste everything from vintage cheddars and oil-infused fettas, to blues, Camemberts and Brie. Jenn's talent for developing native-flavoured cheeses will be a highlight of the range, with lemon myrtle, river mint, bush tomato and alpine pepper hard cheeses on the menu. “Coolamon Cheese is more than somewhere to come and tempt your tastebuds. We want visitors to understand where their food comes from and the processes it goes through to get to their plates,” Keiran says. “As well as indulging in tastings and cheese-inspired meals, visitors can view historic cheesemaking and dairy equipment, participate in cheesemaking workshops or book group tours of the facility where they can see cheese being made.” The cafe and small deli area is a great place to catch up for coffee and a meal but the real joy is sampling some of the sumptuous cheese varieties on offer. RLM
ABOVE: Coolamon Cheese staff members Carlton Carter, James Morgan, Jody Guthrie and Keiran Spencer; various cheeses; the Cheese Factory is a great place to relax and dine; the landscaped area outside. FACING PAGE: Visitors can view the fermenting cheese; senior cheese maker Jenn Nestor checks progress on the Lemon Myrtle, part of the native flavour range.
Coolamon Cheese Factory is open seven days from 10am to 5pm. www.coolamoncheese.com.au
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Coolamon T O W N F E AT U R E
totally stoked Chris Berry’s passion glows bright in The Coolamon Fire Museum.
There’s no denying Chris Berry’s love of all things shiny and red – and that's a good thing when you are manning the former Coolamon fire station. For the past few years it's been the small fire museum with a big reputation. The central character is Chris, a former fire fighter who never imagined his fascination with fire fighting equipment would one day lead to his own museum. It all started when a much-younger Chris and wife Joanne moved to Coolamon in 1976 with their young family. They had a furniture factory and Chris was invited to join the Coolamon Fire Brigade. He spent the next 22 years as a dedicated fireman and enthusiastic engine keeper. That earned him a long service medal but there was a bit more to the story. One day while installing a new kitchen for his mate “Bluey”, a retired fireman in West Wyalong, Chris caught sight of a brass helmet sitting on top of the old kitchen cupboard he was dismantling. It was one of those pivotal moments, although he didn't know it at the time. Acquiring Bluey's helmet, belt, axe and spanner was the start of a 40-year obsession. “A lot of the old gear was being thrown out and I started taking bits and pieces home,” says Chris, whose collection kept growing after years of clearing sales, garage sales, markets and swap meets. In later years he took to eBay with the same passion. Now he is able to share his collection with visitors. It only costs a gold coin to get inside and hear his great commentary about the fire fighting equipment, uniforms and memorabilia from days gone by.
Chris has over 200 helmets dating back to the 1880s, hundreds of miniature Matchbox fire engines and even a NSW Fire Brigade bicycle from 1860, when enthusiastic young blokes rode from station to station delivering messages and testing the hydrants. Most days you'll find Chris sitting patiently in his office. He faces a 1909 switchboard and control centre from the Newcastle Fire Station, as if waiting for the phone to ring. “All fire calls were received here and all fire engines dispatched from this very switchboard,” he explains. “It was the only switchboard still in working order as the 1989 earthquake struck Newcastle, killing 13 people.” A few feet away lies the overnight room, complete with old cast iron wood stove. This is where the inspector would stay overnight and boil the kettle for a cuppa during the 1930s and ‘40s. Now in his early 70s, Chris says the museum keeps him active and provides a good excuse to get up each morning. If you are an old firey and love talking stories about days of old, then Chris is your man. At the 2019 Australia Day awards, the Coolamon Historical Fire Engine Muster was awarded the Community Event of the Year. Held over the October long weekend, the muster sees a massive collection of old fire trucks, vintage cars and motorbikes descend on the town. In the meantime, Chris mans the station, always alert and always ready. RLM For further information: visitcoolamonshire.com.au/coolamon-fire-museum
“A lot of the old gear was being thrown out and I started taking bits and pieces home.”
ABOVE: Former fireman Chris Berry sits in front of the 1909 switchboard and control centre from the Newcastle Fire Station; a model fire truck; the former Coolamon fire station is now home to a fabulous museum. FACING PAGE: Chris never imagined his fascination with fire fighting equipment would one day lead to his own museum; part of the model collection; donning one of his 200 early fire helmets.
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T O W N F E AT U R E Coolamon
SWEET DREAMS
are made of this The Sweet Briar B&B captures the grandeur, style and romance of a bygone era. No effort has been spared in making each room spotless, stylish and special.
The historic building features pressed metal ceilings, claw foot baths and classic furnishings, with three beautiful bedrooms and en suites providing every modern luxury. In addition, there's a guest lounge room to soak up the atmosphere and a fabulous breakfast room. Popular alternatives to the historic homestay are the two selfcontained country style cottages overlooking an enchanting courtyard with manicured gardens and lawns. Proud owners Andre and Keryl de Haan have done a wonderful job transforming the former Bank of NSW, built at the top of the main street in 1887.
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The pair enjoy meeting people from all walks of life while providing a space for others to relax, explore and connect. "Nobody wants to go home," laughs Keryl, who is gaining quite a following for her sumptuous breakfasts and great company. "The growth in the town in recent years has been inspiring," Andre says. "The locals are known for their ability to have a go, and we’ve got some great local attractions including the Fire Museum and Up-To-Date Store across the road and the nearby Coolamon Cheese Factory." Just don't let Obi out! The vivacious and much loved Bichon Frise is part of the
furniture at the Sweet Briar. “It’s not our place, it’s Obi's,” Andre laughs. A new decorative garden sculpture, Pierre the Peacock, taps into their ethos of recycling. The stunning work was made by talented sculptor Andrew Whitehead. Family life ticks along. Teenagers Daniel and Aaron have just returned from competing in the World Cubing Championships in Melbourne. Daniel is among the top 100 "cubers" in Australia. Both he and Aaron, the primary school captain at Coolamon Central School, achieved PBs and had a cool time mixing with 900 like-minded individuals.
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When Keryl is not attending to home duties or the business, she works as a registered nurse. "I travel around the district supporting mental health clinicians, midwives and child and family health nurses – the ones caring for new mums experiencing depression and anxiety," she says. They discovered the unique B&B by accident a decade ago and have never regretted making the move from Blaxland in the lower Blue Mountains. Andre and Keryl invite you to come and enjoy some good, old-fashioned country hospitality and all that Coolamon and the surrounding districts have to offer. RLM
ABOVE: Expect a hearty country breakfast at the Sweet Briar; each room is beautifully appointed; “Pierre the Peacock”, a delightful sculpture crafted by Andrew Whitehead, takes up residence in the garden. FACING PAGE: Gracious hosts Andre and Keryl de Haan, with sons Aaron and Daniel, and Obi, the much-loved family pet, in front of the cottages.
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a praiseworthy
PANTRY
When you walk into the Little Rustic Pantry you are entering a charming “old world” space, where friendly service, tasty meals and excellent coffee are all on offer.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Lesley Jarrett loves her establishment; a rustic entrance to the Little Rustic Pantry; the atmosphere is only matched by the cooking.
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It’s obvious there has been great effort to retain the historic character of the building. LEFT: The Little Rustic Pantry has loads of charm; owner Lesley Jarrett, centre, with Payge Anderson and Grace Maule; great snacks and meals can be expected at the Little Rustic Pantry.
The Little Rustic Pantry began life in a small refurbished butcher shop in Coolamon’s main street. As its popularity grew, with locals and tourists alike, it soon became apparent that it had outgrown the space and something bigger was needed. Lesley Jarrett and husband Greg are now celebrating their second year in the Up-To-Date Precinct. Moving to the new location has allowed them to expand and include an outdoor area. They have thoughtfully added to and enhanced its country charm, and it all sits perfectly in the store’s unique rustic setting. Lesley can now mix her love of cooking, retail and hospitality while Greg has reignited his passion for furniture restoration and renovation. Timber highlights combine with repurposed furniture, and quaint stools, garden benches and comfortable ottomans are complemented by soft furnishings and decor. The inclusion of a select line of giftware, clothing, home-made candles and gourmet foods creates the opportunity to linger longer if your heart desires. It’s obvious there has been great effort to retain the historic character of the building, while adding their own flair. The Little Rustic Pantry team add to the cafe’s growing reputation of great service and a warm, friendly welcome. The many compliments from regular customers and out-of-town visitors are rewarding and make all their hard work worthwhile. Among the many Facebook quotes, Andrea says: “Absolutely delightful . . . from breakfast, lunch to dessert, my tastebuds have danced every time!” Jenny says the “coffee and cakes are yummo – best breakfast in the Riverina”. The Little Rustic Pantry also provides the perfect venue for special occasions, whether it’s a dinner party for 20 or a function for 80, cocktail or sit down. Every event is special and menus and decor can be designed to suit your requirements. RLM
Little Rustic Pantry taste
Great food Excellent service Seriously good coffee
Enjoy the experience! Thur-Fri: 8:30am-5pm | Sat & Sun: 8:30am -4pm 127-129 Cowabbie Street, Coolamon (Vegetarian & gluten free options available)
0499 184 927 |
Littlerusticpantry
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