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Glen Innes & Tenterfield FEATURES
WEDDING SPECIAL WARREN’S
Chamber Music Festival
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Service Information Marketing
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CENTRAL WEST LIFESTYLE PTY LTD Trading as Regional Lifestyle Magazine ABN 151 6322 9418
CONTENT COVERAGE AREA
ADDRESS PO BOX 1050 DUBBO NSW 2830 PHONE 0429 441 086 WEBSITE www.lifestylemagazine.net.au FACEBOOK @RegionalLifestyleMagazine INSTAGRAM @RegionalLifestyleMagazine 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 2022 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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CONTENTS ISSUE 39 SUMMER 2022
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enterfield Shire is a region of contrasts, T featuring vastly different landscapes, an intriguing history, robust community engagement and a laid-back vibe.
COUNTRY CHARACTERS
188 H ITTING THE RIGHT NOTE Farming, music, community and family combine harmoniously to fill Frances and Nick Evans’s rich and rewarding life. 196 LODGE’S NEW LIFE Jo Redden’s most recent project has been transforming the former Masonic Lodge in her hometown of Coonabarabran into a stately home.
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GARDEN
218 A VISION SPLENDID The result of Steve Cordony and Michael Booth’s dedication and hard work is the gorgeous and muchloved Rosedale Farm in Orange.
SUMMER
Glen Innes & Tenterfield FEATURES
WEDDING SPECIAL WARREN’S
Chamber Music Festival
$15.00 inc GST SUMMER 2022 VOLUME 39 >
TENTERFIELD TOWN FEATURE
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he tree change trend continues to bring T new citizens to Glen Innes, seeking affordability, the potential for a better lifestyle, and the peace and tranquillity of its stunning rural backdrop.
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202 B RAVE MOVE Sue Curley invites us to reflect on our relationship with courage and to consider how we might show courage today. 214 FINE FIGURES The Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is an eye-catching collection of over 25 sculptures by renowned artists.
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GLEN INNES TOWN FEATURE
WEDDINGS
238 LOVE IS IN THE AIR Couples tie the knot in style in our bumper wedding pictorial.
THE LAST WORD
256 FOWL PLAY The Glen Innes Poultry Club Show has to be seen to be believed.
ON THE COVER
Glenrock Gardens encapsulate the distinct seasons experienced high in the Northern Tablelands. Image: Madeleine Jones
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FROM THE PUBLISHERS
An area dear to our hearts “The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do.”
Welcome to our 39th edition of Regional Lifestyle, celebrating the best from rural and regional NSW.
Spring 2022
What a fabulous reception the Spring edition received in the communities that were featured, and also right across the state. Take a look in our “Your Letters” section to see how much this edition meant to these beautiful rural communities. It is unbelievable how far these editions were sent via Australia Post, including some copies that reached the Seven News European Bureau Chief, Hugh Whitfeld, based in London. Hugh was brought up in the beautiful town of Bingara, and has memories he clearly relishes.
Summer 2022
This current edition is a deluxe larger edition of 260 pages, showcasing the incredible New England towns of Glen Innes and Tenterfield. We received so much support from these spectacular areas that we needed to add 16 pages to our magazine, making it a one-off 260-page edition. We do hope that this issue can go with you on holidays, and that you can enjoy it whenever you have precious downtime. Like us, you will be transfixed with what is on offer here, from stunning scenery, unique annual events, innovative businesses and an admirable community spirit. I’m sure you’ll be planning your next trip there before you’ve even finished reading edition No.39. On a side note, Glen Innes holds a very special memory for us. We were engaged to be married in 1987, when Alex’s Hereford bull, T-Bar Federal, which he bred, won the prestigious title of Grand Champion Bull at the 1986 Glen Innes Bull Show and Sale. The photograph (right) was taken by a young Jake Lindsay, then photojournalist for The Land newspaper. Another photograph of T-Bar Federal taken by Jake made it to the cover of The Land newspaper. Quite a thrill for us all!
Autumn 2023
The Armidale Council has been extremely proactive in collaborating with Regional Lifestyle. Together we are working on producing 120 pages that will celebrate the offerings of this beautiful area. We have enjoyed researching this educational and cultural hub and have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful story subjects and business owners. Of significance, this edition will be No.40, and reflects our achievement of 10 glorious years in business. We feel very blessed to have reached this milestone.
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FROM TOP: RLM publishers Alex and Elizabeth Tickle today; and as an engaged couple celebrating T-Bar Federal winning the title of Grand Champion Bull at the 1986 Glen Innes Bull Show and Sale.
Thank you, RLM team, local councils, newsagents, business owners, readers and our many supporters for making this possible. Until next time, remember that the greatest illusion is that life should be perfect. Times have been challenging for everyone this year but don’t forget to celebrate all we have. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas with those you hold near and dear.
Warm regards, Elizabeth and Alex
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M C T
S U M M E R Jake’s message
STORIES WORTH CELEBRATING Greetings and salutations, dear reader. Welcome to our bumper Christmas issue featuring the historic New England towns of Tenterfield and Glen Innes. Both progressive beauties share a strong history with loads of impressive buildings revealing the stories of their past. At Waterloo Station the owners have done a sterling job preserving the homestead and outlying buildings for future generations. Once you have seen what can be done with the crumbling old shearers’ quarters, you will never again question what is possible. Tenterfield Station, or what’s left of it, is an amazing piece of history we all should know about. I was fortunate to meet the enigmatic owner of the historic homestead (which is being renovated), who shared a few home truths about marrying into a big pastoral family in the late 1950s. Definitely one of the highlights of my visit was travelling out to the small village of Emmaville to check out the fabulous mining museum. While viewing the display on the “Emmaville Express”, I was thrilled to learn that the parents of one of our youngest and greatest sprinters lived in a house virtually next door. Meeting Roy and Edna Wells was a beautiful and touching experience. Within a few months, Roy, a very humble and engaging WW2 Digger, will join a very elite group of centenarians still living at home. Meeting unsung legends of this calibre is the best part of my job and reason enough for me to leave my beloved Man Cave. Making my day even better was experiencing Bens Falls Retreat, one of the most spectacular places I’ve encountered. If you haven’t been there, put it on your bucket list. My heartiest congratulations to Allana Price for her gritty determination in achieving her family’s dream despite some heartbreaking setbacks along the way. Apart from the famous saddler, Tenterfield has loads to offer, including the Tenterfield School of Arts, where Sir Henry Parkes delivered his famous Federation Speech during his train journey from Brisbane to Sydney on the new Main North line. The speech is credited with reigniting the debate that ultimately led to Federation on January 1, 1901. Sadly, Sir Henry never lived to see his oration come to fruition, dying five years before this great country was unified. We have some cracker yarns about colourful Drake grazier Roderick Ramsay and a Tenterfield couple who made international headlines in 1967 following the birth of natural quintuplets. I’ll also take you on a journey to the most glorious lavender farm, a historic home on the edge of Glen Innes, a ridgy-didge chook competition and a couple of captivating art galleries. You’ll even meet a group of women who have remained lifelong friends since their Kindergarten days 70 years ago. To top it off, you will read all about a down-to-earth Scottish farming family who are really going places with their sheep. I’ve always retained fond memories from the 1980s of the
whiteface bull show and sale at Glen Innes when great auctioneers like David Marshall from Dalgety Winchcombe and Tony Dowe from Elders Pastoral were at their peak. The passage of time has seen many of the young blokes I used to knock around with now running major beef operations on their own. It’s also where I first photographed and interviewed the publishers of this magazine – a much younger Elizabeth Tufrey and her fiancé, Alex Tickle, who was feeling rather chuffed after exhibiting the Grand Champion Hereford Bull. One day, before we get too much older, I hope to share their extraordinary story with you. I’ll leave you with a little gem I found on the internet, author unknown. “Every minute someone leaves this world behind. We are all in ‘the line’ without knowing it. We never know how many people are before us. We cannot move to the back of the line, step out of the line or avoid the line. So, while we wait in line, make moments count. “Make priorities. Make the time. Make your gifts known. Make a nobody feel like a somebody. Make your voice heard. Make the small things big. Make someone smile. Make the change. Make peace. Make sure to tell your people they are loved. Make sure to have no regrets. Make sure you are ready.” Till next time I’m looking at you.
Jake Lindsay
ABOVE: I’ve always had a soft spot for Glen Innes, photographing the whiteface bull sales in the mid to late 1980s. It was where I first met the progressive owners of this publication, who had exhibited the champion bull.
“Definitely one of the highlights of my visit was travelling out to the small village of Emmaville to check out the fabulous mining museum.” 8 RLM
MADE COUNTRY TOUGH
SUMMER 2022 CONTRIBUTORS
meet your team
ELIZABETH TICKLE
ALEX TICKLE
JAKE LINDSAY
Publisher, Editor, Advertising
Publisher, Distribution, Advertising
Chief Writer & Photographer
JENNIFER HARDEN
GINA CRANSON
Art Director
Sub-Editor & Proofreader
Writer, Photographer, Social Media
KATE BOSHAMMER
Website Developer, Advertising Designer, Writer
MELISSA DUNKERLEY Advertising Designer
Advertising Designer
SALLY MARCEAU
ANNA CONN
JANE SANDERSON
MADELEINE JONES
ELIZABETH SWANE
ROBERT I BRUCE
LIZ TICKNER
ELIZABETH GRANT
SAPPHIRE DALY
ANNA ROSE
ZENIO LAPKA
LARA FLANAGAN
NATALIE SALLOUM
JOHN CURLEY
SUE CURLEY
Wedding Writer
Writer
Photographer
Photographer
Photographer
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ZORA REGULIC
Garden Writer
Writer
RLM Accountant
Photographer
Photographer
Writer
Writer
Writer
Photographer
recreating the
Great Australiana Dream At Harkaway Homes, we breathe life back into originality by bringing the best of the past into the present. As proud Designers and Suppliers of iconic Australian homes, we offer nine ranges of Classic Victorian and Early Federation Homes.
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S U M M E R feedback
your letters In partnership with the Bingara Business Group, Council recently secured a feature in the Spring issue of Regional Lifestyle Magazine, showcasing the attractions, events, people and spirit of our shire. This initiative has been an exciting opportunity for our community, which has fostered a renewed sense of community pride and signalled to the region that the Gwydir is dynamic, beautiful and that we are open for business. The feedback from the community and visitors since the launch of the publication has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are already seeing increased visitation from travellers whose interest was piqued by the Gwydir feature. Cr John Coulton, Gwydir Shire Mayor
Today I purchased the Spring 2022 edition featuring the Gwydir Council area and Walcha. It is so full of great reads. You really know how to capture the spirit of a place. The readers feel like they are part of the place, page after page. I love shopping in country towns and seldom buy clothes and gifts anywhere else so the ads do matter! Coming from a magazine background, I really understand and appreciate what you do. Great job! Superlative on all counts! Helen Grant, Media and Communications Officer, Glen Innes Severn Council
Regional Lifestyle is a magazine that keeps on giving. This is rare in a world where information is obsolete almost before the ink has dried. Its enduring stories and quality at all levels of production make it a dream product for readers and newsagents. Like a coffee table book, this publication provides months of reading across all demographics. For the newsagent, the most satisfying aspect is the personal support of the staff and customer satisfaction that always exceeds expectations. Truly a unique publication. Rod King, Bingara Newsagency
Always considering myself a country kid, and having begun my own journalism career in the bush, please accept my congratulations on the ongoing success of Regional Lifestyle Magazine. It was a genuine thrill to sit here in London and take a look through the Spring 2022 edition – seeing so many familiar faces and names from Bingara, and looking longingly at the beautiful photos capturing the Gwydir Shire in its current green glory. Thank you for including me in the edition. I remain immensely proud to call Bingara my home town. I hope many of your readers can see why. Hugh Whitfeld, Seven Network Europe Bureau Chief, London
Your amazing magazine captured the essence of our communities, the pride, passion, strength and resilience of our residents, our local businesses and, of course, the natural beauty that abounds in this area. Bingara, Warialda and surrounding villages are all impressive in their own right, but combined, it is remarkable. Thank you, Elizabeth and Alex and your team, for creating such a professional magazine. The photography, the advertising, the stories and, in particular, your genuine interest in showcasing the best of rural and regional NSW, in my opinion, places this publication ahead of all others. I have received very good feedback from businesses and individuals featured, from proud locals and visitors who have picked up a copy to enjoy, and our newsagent reports sales of 337 copies in the first few weeks of being released. In my family alone, copies have circulated to the Newcastle and Port Stephens areas, Wagga Wagga, Sunshine Coast and Darwin! Thank you once again for the wonderful opportunity to be involved. Lenore Kennedy, Dewberry Lane, Bingara Bingara Business Support Group
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T O W N F E A T U R E Glen Innes
GLEN INNES TOWN FE ATURE WORDS & IMAGES: JAKE LINDSAY
Image: Daniel Hayden, Glen Innes From Above
take a break from the Mayor of Glen Innes Shire The natural beauty and hospitality of Glen Innes and surrounds are a treat for travellers. The Glen Innes Severn Local Government Area is a unique wonderland featuring beautiful national parks, the worldrenowned Australian Standing Stones and the world-class Emmaville Mining Museum. In Glen Innes we have our iconic town tall, which in itself is a tourist site. I cannot tell you how many people stop just to take a photo of this beautiful building every day. Located in the centre of the Northern Tablelands, Glen Innes is known as Celtic Country, with the countryside reminiscent (we are told) of parts of Scotland and England. The annual Celtic Festival is held late April/early May, when the town is filled with pipe bands and kilts as the festival comes alive at the Australian Standing Stones. It’s a bucket-list event not to be missed. The Ngoorabul people are the traditional owners of the Glen Innes Highlands area. During the thousands of years they have lived here, they learnt what every modern local learns to do – acclimatise to highland weather. Being at the crossroads of two major highways, the New England and the Gwydir, Glen Innes is the ideal place for that travel break. Come and visit our beautiful main street, where you can get anything from a great coffee and meal or just grab an ice cream. If you are travelling, visit the township of Glen Innes, the villages of Emmaville, Deepwater, Red Range and Glencoe, and the hamlets of Glen Elgin, Wellingrove, Wytaliba and Dundee, and possibly stop at the local hotels at both Emmaville and Deepwater for a light refreshment and a great pub meal, making your visit a truly country experience. The CBD of Glen Innes is increasingly becoming more active as our area continues to grow. There are many stores and eateries along the main street and a couple of major supermarkets. The New England Highway has a number of motels and caravan parks. A couple of the motels have great restaurants attached to them for some fine dining on your travels.
The Glen Innes Severn Local Government Area is a unique wonderland featuring beautiful national parks, the world-renowned Australian Standing Stones and the world-class Emmaville Mining Museum. For the fisherperson, Murray Cod can be caught in our local river systems. There are some properties where you can pay to catch and release this beautiful fish, and there are a number of dams within a leisurely drive for your aquatic ventures. We also have a number of farm stays in our Local Government Area, where you can sit back and relax in our wonderful climate. Spring and summer are great for those who like the warmer weather, and for those who love the cold, Glen Innes and the surrounding villages can get flurries of snow during winter. Stop for a break and treat yourself to the great hospitality of our town, villages and hamlets. Cr Rob Banham, Mayor, Glen Innes Severn Council
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days gone by GLEN INNES
Images provided by the Glen Innes & District Historical Society 16 RLM GLEN INNES
Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
assets all round
The Glen Innes Severn LGA possesses a resilient character, born of the combined strength of an interesting history and heritage and an optimism and confidence in the future. There are solid reasons for believing in our future prosperity as the tree change trend continues to bring new citizens to the Northern Tablelands, seeking affordability, the potential for a better lifestyle with a focus on wellbeing, and the peace and tranquillity of our scenic rural backdrop. At any time of the year, the watercolour landscape of the Northern New England has no better showcase than the Glen Innes Severn area. The gently rolling rural countryside is punctuated with hamlets, villages and homesteads, and features iconic stands of mature trees. It is watered by catchments of creeks and high plain rivers at their source, forming a visual treat that is unique and captivating. The soft blues, yellows, greys, pinks and lilacs, and the seasonal autumnal tones are a thing of beauty and add drama to sunrises and sunsets, to frosty mornings and to the clear, sunny, panoramic skies. Our area is the home of acclaimed traditional agriculture, which is the backbone of our economy and boasts the merits of country life, of community spirit and of a welcoming attitude towards newcomers and new ideas. We are the home of surprising examples of world-class industry and innovation. We also possess a quirkiness that supports creativity, individuality and thinking outside the square. The town of Glen Innes sits at the crossroads of the New England and Gwydir highways, located four hours from Brisbane, three hours from the regional centres of Tamworth and Toowoomba and just over an hour from the educational and transport hub of Armidale. It is well serviced
both within and nearby, enjoying self-sufficiency and the sharing of regional resources. One of our great assets is our sense of community. The sheer range of community opportunities means that a multiplicity of interests and preferences can be accommodated and nourished. There are ample avenues for volunteering, for social engagement and for belonging. Visitors to our area can enjoy historic streetscapes featuring heritage architecture, the uniqueness of village life, endless meandering country lanes, beautiful gardens and parklands, and a backdrop of national parks and natural bushland. There are lots of chances to eat, to play and to stay, including boutique country store shopping, cafes featuring local produce and ingenuity, and a plethora of accommodation options in town, in the villages and in the rural landscape. There are many annual attractions that put the Glen Innes area on the map, including the Australian Celtic Festival at the Australian Standing Stones, featured on the pages of this edition. The Glen Innes Pastoral and Agricultural Show, known as “The Royal of the North”, will be held on February 11 and 12, 2023 (gleninnesshow.com) at the historic Glen Innes Showground; the Minerama Fossicking, Gem and Jewellery Show is held in mid-March and includes workshops, market stalls and fossicking trips (minerama.com.au); and the Deepwater Cup Races held at the Deepwater Village Racecourse each January draw a bumper crowd. There are regular markets, popular fetes and unique events such as the Emmaville Sheep Races and the Red Cross Christmas Tree competition at the Glen Innes Town Hall. Come along and enjoy the spoils – it’s the place to be. RLM Images: Glen Innes Shire Council
Visitors to our area can enjoy historic streetscapes featuring heritage architecture, the uniqueness of village life, endless meandering country lanes, beautiful gardens and parklands, and a backdrop of national parks and natural bushland. For more information visit gisc.nsw.gov.au. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Beautiful cool climate gardens are a feature of the district; at 12 noon every Friday a piper plays in the Town Square area; traditional agriculture forms a backdrop to the highlands landscape; Glen Innes is a vibrant town boasting a heritage streetscape. (Images sourced from Glen Innes Severn Shire Council).
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built to last
Glen Innes is home to some handsome architecture, reflecting a steadfast sense of community.
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Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
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Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
first on the scene While photographer Jayson Sharman might not be related to Jimmy Sharman and his famous boxing troupe, his images certainly pack a punch.
FROM TOP: Passionate photographer and firefighter Jayson Sharman used his trusty Nikon D500 to capture the stunning images on this spread. Being a firie is a Sharman family tradition, as both Jayson and brother Nigel followed father Earl into the service.
Capturing places and special moments isn’t Jayson Sharman’s only passion. He’s one of those dedicated people who runs into a fire when everyone is making a hasty escape. Like his dad, Earl, who served for 48 years with Fire and Rescue NSW, the past 20 years as captain, Jayson gained his stripes in Sydney and has been full-time for 19 years. “Every job is challenging and no two are the same,” he says. “You walk in the door at work and never know what the day will bring. It can vary from traumatic jobs like seeing someone’s home burn or trapped in an accident to installing a smoke alarm in a nursing home, and yes, we do rescue cats from trees. “Either way, I’m doing my best to help people on the worst day of their lives, or preventing it from getting worse – it’s never easy but infinitely satisfying to know we’ve saved lives.” Jayson was stationed at Parramatta Fire Station for many years. He’s now attached to Berkeley Vale Fire and Rescue on the NSW Central Coast, where he lives with partner Stacey, his daughter, Lucy, who is studying Medical Science at the University of Newcastle, and Stacey’s son, Josh. His other daughter, Halle, 16, attends Glen Innes High School and lives with her mum. It provides the perfect opportunity for him to return to his hometown twice a month, an area that inspires some of his best work. “As a landscape photographer, I enjoy the tranquillity of getting out in the bush and capturing special moments. I have explored many parts of the country that I would have never seen had I not had a camera in hand,” Jayson says. He’s always up early, chasing sunrises and equally loves his sunsets, astrophotography (think Milky Way) and stormy weather. When everyone is heading indoors to the warmth, you’ll find Jayson rugged up and hitting the road, searching for dramatic lighting and the next great shot. One of his proudest moments was driving along the New England Highway, near Llangothlin, and seeing his image of the Mother of Ducks Lagoon at Guyra plastered over a giant billboard. “It was a big thrill, and every time I drive past it, it still gives me a buzz knowing it’s there for all to see,” he says. He originally shot landscapes for his enjoyment, but now after 10 years behind the camera, he’s tackled a few weddings, worked for various local government bodies and sold a swag of canvas prints. “It’s nice to know my photos are hanging in someone’s house, being admired by the family and their visitors,” he says. Jayson loves putting images up on social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), resulting in positive comments and the occasional sale, but it’s more about getting his work out there. “In my role as a firefighter, I’ve managed to utilise my skills as a photographer to get some unique images of incidents and work life,” he says. “They have been used in several individual Fire and Rescue NSW station Facebook pages and I look forward to the day I can take my passion for photography to the next level.” RLM
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T O W N F E A T U R E Glen Innes
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MONUMENTAL
attraction
Like other stone circles scattered throughout the world, the Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes are shrouded in mystery and wonder. For more than 30 years, the Australian Standing Stones have formed their own traditions, proving the perfect setting for Celtic ceremony and celebration. The stones, some weighing up to 38 tonnes, were erected in 1992 to acknowledge the contributions made by settlers and descendants from the Celtic homelands to our nation’s culture, particularly the Scottish pastoralists and Cornish and Welsh miners. The stones form a calendar, not unlike the stones raised by the agricultural Celtic ancestors to mark the changing of seasons. The unique atmosphere makes it an idyllic setting to stage the Australian Celtic Festival, which celebrates Celtic culture, arts, history, music and dance.
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Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
Mary, Queen of Scots For many years, former Glen Innes farmer Mary Hollingworth was known far and wide as the smiling face of the Australian Celtic Festival, promoting the event across the mainland and Norfolk Island, Tasmania, Scotland and America. Joining council in 2011 as administrative assistant for the festival, Mary threw herself into the dream job, driving thousands of miles from Brigadoon at Bundanoon to the Maclean Highland Games. “The year I went to Brigadoon I won the tartan challenge, beating 50 entrants with a skirt and shawl made from old ties in front of 20,000 fans,” she says. Mary attended the Aberdeen Highland Games, Wingham Scottish Festival, Clans on the Coast and the Australia Day Celtic Celebrations (under the Sydney Harbour Bridge), always dressed in her favourite Glen Innes tartan.
“I did it in my own time and at my own expense as I was passionate and tireless about promoting our wonderful event in Glen Innes,” she says. “I even stood in the blazing sun for three days at Tamworth’s country music festival, melting in my tartan.” A highlight was flying to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo with the Armidale Pipe Band tour. At the Braemar Games, Mary was within touching distance of Queen Elizabeth II, and at the Cowal Highland Games, she was treated to a Mexican wave of 400 bagpipers who all lifted their kilts in front of the blushing wee lass from Down Under. RLM
The action-packed program includes almost 200 events over four days, including concerts, Gathering of the Clans, pipe and instrumental bands, cultural awards, dance championships, markets, street parade, the Highland Games (strongman competition), poet’s breakfast and much more. The site at Centennial Parklands also houses Crofters Cottage, a replica “taigh dubh” (black house) and their very own Excalibur sword. You will also find the Celtic Family Wall, with stones from Celtic homelands donated by individuals, families, clans and societies. Come and experience Australia’s unique festival in the New England’s spectacular autumn colours. If you can’t make the festival, make sure you at least drop in and see the Australian Standing Stones, a major tourist destination in the Glen Innes Highlands. RLM The next Australian Celtic Festival is set down for May 4 to 7, 2023. FROM TOP: In traditional dress, this resplendent drum major evokes memories of Scotland; Crofter’s Cottage is the perfect place to enjoy the magic of the stones while indulging in barista coffee and a mouth-watering selection of sweet treats at The Stone Cottage Cafe. FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: The Australian Standing Stones beautifully captured in a dusting of snow (Image: Daniel Hayden); the standing stones lit up at night (Image: Jayson Sharman).
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T O W N F E A T U R E Glen Innes
The Land of the Beardies History House Museum has grown in size and stature to become one of the great folk museums in Australia.
objects
of intrigue
The Land of the Beardies History House Museum has grown in size and stature to become one of the great folk museums in Australia. The Land of the Beardies History House Museum and Research Centre is located in the old Glen Innes Hospital, where the oldest building dates back to 1877. With a vast collection from the town and district, the museum depicts the history and development of families, businesses, properties, public utilities, churches, industries, schools and much more. In the spacious grounds are numerous examples of early farm machinery. The Glen Innes and District Historical Society Inc. was formed in 1968 and negotiated the lease of the former hospital, which operated until 1956. Lieutenant Colonel Sir Michael Bruxner DSO opened the museum in 1970. Without
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initial financial grants or funds, the society was grateful for several substantial donations to assist it in the museum’s establishment. Fifty-two years later, the society can be proud of what the early members and the many subsequent volunteers have achieved. “Today we are the custodians of over 10,000 items on display or in storage, around 63,000 photographs on file and over 300,000 cards recording the history of this area,” volunteer and museum co-ordinator Steve Pearce says. “We receive frequent artefact and document donations to add to our evergrowing collections. All items have a history related to someone, something or somewhere in the local area.”
Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
Among the many items of interest is a slab hut built in the 1870s, moved from its original location and re-erected to its exact original design. It sits inside the museum and contains period furniture, kitchen appliances and books from early settlers. The Celtic Room was established to honour the earliest European settlers to the New England region. Predominantly Scottish, they were the first settlers to establish themselves in the area. The Services Memorial Room has photos, maps and articles donated by Glen Innes exservicemen and women. Discover a map of Australia with Japanese writing, taken from Japanese planning to invade, and the story of RAN Sub Lieutenant Ken Briggs, who cut the underwater communication cable from Singapore to Saigon from a midget submarine during WWII. The museum volunteers know many of the more interesting stories relating to the items and are happy to share these with visitors. Over many decades, the Land of the Beardies has forged a high reputation as a respected major regional museum. “We are recording history as it happens and this will be passed on to future generations,” Steve says. RLM The museum is open weekdays from 10am to noon and 1pm to 4pm and weekends from 1pm to 4pm.
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T O W N F E A T U R E Glen Innes
a transformative TRIUMPH Reviving historic Waterloo Station was no project for the faint-hearted. Thankfully, Don and Deborah Anderson were up for the battle.
At the turn of the century, Don and Deborah Anderson were on the hunt for a unique property that ticked all the boxes. It had to be historic, with four distinct seasons, running water and a decent rainfall. Having inspected properties from Roma to Tamworth, they found exactly what they were looking for at historic Waterloo Station, about 20 minutes from Glen Innes. Discovered by Alexander Campbell in 1837 and settled by the McIntyres of the Hunter Valley, legend has it that the “prize” was secured by Campbell after a boundary dispute with a neighbour from “Kings Plains”. It came down to a display of fisticuffs to settle the issue – hence the eyecatching name! Once 118,000 acres and spanning 20 miles over both sides of Waterloo Creek, the station was subdivided into dozens of smaller soldier settlement blocks after both world wars. After signing on the dotted
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line, Don and Deborah, the fifth owners in almost 180 years, were keen to get a feel for their new abode. It was a harsh introduction to the cold country, with the mercury plunging to minus 15, resulting in burst water pipes everywhere. Water cascaded down from the ceiling as the Andersons began to question the wisdom of their purchase. “Walking into the century-old homestead was a daunting and unforgettable experience,” Deborah recalls. “It had been many years since anyone lived there, and we didn’t know where to start. Broken windows, leaking roof, no heating, no water – the list was endless. I remember sitting in the house on our first night, wondering if this property was even recoverable.” It was their love of the homestead’s history that gave them the sense of purpose and motivation to begin the massive transformation. Having renovated many
homes over the years, Deborah knew the homestead had good bones but would require an enormous outlay of time, vision and money. During the endless renovation and building projects, nearby wind farms were introduced with workers looking for accommodation. Deborah immediately thought of the dilapidated shearers’ quarters, which she felt confident of restoring. It was a massive job, far bigger than anyone could possibly have imagined. Over 18 months, 16 individual quarters were converted into seven lavishly furnished rooms, each with a modern bathroom. At the end of the building, a huge kitchen and dining area was added, complete with a mammoth stone fireplace. It’s become a very chic place to stay for family and special interest groups, as well as for weddings. “Once we started, we just had to finish,” Deborah says.
Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
After the rundown shearing shed was brought back to life, they tackled the familyfriendly stockman’s cottage, one-bedroom schoolhouse and the manager’s residence. And it didn’t stop there. With everincreasing confidence, Deborah organised a grain shed from a neighbouring property to be pulled down piece by piece and transported to a tranquil spot on the Wellingrove Creek. The repurposed shed is now a rustic, beautifully appointed, offthe-grid love shack, popular with couples looking for a wilderness getaway. With most of their renovation projects finished, Don and Deborah are taking a wellearned breather as they enjoy living in the western wing of the 22-room homestead. It may be the former servants’ quarters but Deborah has applied her usual magic and transformed it into a cosy living area. The front of the homestead is opened up for visiting family and friends as well as discerning guests wanting the full experience. Whether it’s a cool, crisp, winter morning or a temperate summer’s day, Waterloo Station is sure to provide a memorable experience. The century-old English elm trees stand tall over the beautifully manicured gardens and showcase the very best of New England.
EARLY TIMES
Deborah met her future husband while her brother was studying for a Commerce degree at the Queensland University in Brisbane. Don dropped by on one occasion and found Deborah alone at home. Over dinner at a local restaurant, they discovered lots of mutual interests.
Three years into their marriage, they spent time in Coventry, England and later Chicago, where Don was a visiting professor in Economics. While they easily adapted to the fastpaced city life, they secretly hankered for a more sedate country lifestyle. Keen to try something totally different, they bought a small farm, sight unseen, about an hour from Brisbane. For Deborah it was the start of many renovation projects, all applied with her trademark brand of enthusiasm, determination and endless passion for the task at hand. A few years later they became dairy farmers, milking 70 Holstein Friesian cows each morning before driving to work in the city. Their lives became even more chaotic with the arrival of sons James and Joshua. >
Whether it’s a cool, crisp, winter morning or a temperate summer’s day, Waterloo Station is sure to provide a memorable experience.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The grand Waterloo Station homestead was built in the early 1900s; convivial custodians FROM TOP: sollore henihitatur Deborah andBom Donacestint, Anderson; the majestic solorerumquo blabor dining saestibearis hallway; the historic room;pore the int id qui nam dolorepe voles conserum vendi luxuriously appointed master bedroomquo eos rerit, volut ent dolupta dolendi psumquo makes antounforgettable night for guests; corruptatur aut velest, isquatiur ndiscidi the cosy sitting room has beensincidu the scene nusmany ent prae pos sed get-togethers. of memorable LEFT: Rum acestint, sollore henihitatur solorerumquo blabor saestibearis pore int id
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ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The restored shearer’s quarters; lodge room in the shearer’s quarters; one of seven luxury en suite bedrooms; the fully equipped modern kitchen. LEFT, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Glamrustic accommodation at the Waterloo Creek Shack; quaint schoolhouse; the Stockman’s Cottage overlooking the Waterloo Range; the shearing shed; the Creek Shack offers a complete off-grid experience with all the little luxuries including a fireplace; the tranquil creek nearby.
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Glen Innes T O W N F E A T U R E
When their farm was subdivided into homes and small lifestyle blocks in the early 1980s, the Andersons packed up and became riverside dwellers in Brisbane. With the addition of third son David, it was time to again find some rural land they could call home. A lucerne farm at Boonah provided their boys with a rural upbringing to complement their city lifestyle. By the turn of the century, however, it became a case of get big or get out, sparking a three-year odyssey to find their dream farm. Having sold the lucerne farm in 2002, Don and Deborah finally acquired Waterloo Station. Sitting around the fireplace, they are satisfied with their efforts and looking forward to a quieter future with their family. Their three sons attended university before settling down to married life. David, the last to tie the knot, did so in spectacular fashion earlier this year in the Matheson Uniting Church on the edge of the property, followed by a memorable reception in the shearing shed. Don is particularly proud of the strong Scottish connection to the station. His own grandfather arrived from Scotland
in 1912 before being shipped back to the front during WW1. A generation later, his father became a navigator with Bomber Command in England. One of Don’s proudest moments was escorting his 94-year-old father to the Bomber Command Memorial in Hyde Park, opened by the Queen, 70 years after the war. If Don’s number had come up during the Vietnam draft, he would have been the third generation of Anderson men to serve in the armed forces. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. It’s been more than 40 years since that first innocent dinner in Brisbane, a simple enough gesture that finally led Don and Deborah to the New England and the biggest challenge of their lives. After 20 years of self-funded work – without the benefit of heritage grants – they have all but finished the Herculean task of preserving a small part of the country’s rich pastoral industry for generations to come. The McIntyre, Sinclair, MacTaggart and McDonald families would be justifiably proud to see the stamp the Anderson family has made on Waterloo Station – a property that only a select few have called home. RLM
FROM TOP: The original Waterloo Station residence located near the grounds of the historic homestead; the shearer’s quarters were totally dilapidated before their restoration in 2017; a 1957 image of the old station homestead.
Waterloo Station
Luxury accommodation in the heart of the New England district Northern NSW
“From the moment we drove up the driveway, we knew we had found the perfect spot to spend a couple of days”
Waterloo Station is a delightful place to relax and enjoy the pristine surrounds of a unique historical property.
67 Waterloo Road Matheson NSW 2370
Ph. 02 6733 6702 M. 0439 791923
DAVID S
@waterloostationnsw
E. enquiries@waterloo-station.com.au waterloostationnsw.com.au
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