Warialda's new historical museum

2 September 2017. Opening of the new Warialda Museum

2 September 2017 saw the opening of a new historical museum in Warialda. Supported by the Gwydir Shire Council who provided Masonic Centre for refurbishment,  the museum was developed by the Warialda Historical Museum & Society

The local history and museum movements in New England have long histories.

The last decades of the nineteenth century saw a burgeoning interest in Australian history. Australia as a nation did not yet exist, but each of the colonies wished to promote their own achievements, while there was an evolving sense of national identity.

In 1880, for example, the text books introduced into NSW schools contained a segment on Australian history. That same year saw the founding of the Bulletin magazine. In 1901, the Royal Australian Historical Society was established, publishing its own journal from 1908.

This growing interest spread to the North with local papers playing a key role in promoting the history of their own areas, while settler reminiscences began to appear. In the Clarence Valley, for example, Thomas Bawden, as President of the School of Arts, gave three lectures in 1886 on the early history of Grafton. His collection of newspaper clippings and personal notes eventually filled 63 volumes. By 1906, the Grafton Daily Examiner was calling for the establishment of a local museum.

Display, Warialda Historical Museum

The establishment of the Armidale Teachers’ College in 1928 marked a major step forward. It was to include a museum that Education Minister David Drummond hoped would represent the North to students from the North. To this end, he peppered his Department with minutes demanding that they find the best possible exhibits.

Down in the Clarence in 1931, Sir Earle Page suggested the establishment of a historical records museum, which was named the Clarence River Historical Society with R. C. Law as Secretary. In 1935 the society affiliated with the Royal Australian Historical Society, the first country historical society to do so.

In 1933, Drummond opened the Armidale Municipal Museum, proclaimed as 'the first municipally controlled museum' in the state.

Display Warialda Historical Museum

The museum, Drummond suggested, should be more than just a repository of specimens. To his mind, a country museum should firstly be a place for objects that are 'intimately bound up with the history of the district'; and secondly a place for things 'closely associated with the industries of the district'. He warned that, above all, the museum 'must not be allowed to become a mausoleum or dumping ground for curios'.

In 1936, the Richmond River Historical Society was founded. By 1938, it was publishing its own journal.

The war set the movements back. However, from the 1950s, the growing interest in local, regional and then family history saw the establishment of new history societies and new museums. Now the Warialda Museum is added to the list.

These local museums are very important. They help preserve local history while adding to the attractions of the town for visitors.

The work of New England photographer Joshua Smith

Resuming posting after the new year, New England photographer Joshua (Josh) Smith comes from Narrabri on the Liverpool Plains. He describes his work in this way:

"My goal is to tell the story of Australian farmers, who are the best and most sustainable in the world. Through my photography, showing the scale and beauty of what they do with our land."

As you will see from this example, his work is quite striking.

I hadn't seen any of his work until Canon Australia ran a special feature on it. The colour and composition struck an immediate chord, further illustrating the colours of New England.  This second photo is called Inbound to Wee Waa. I'm sure that you will see why I like him.

Glimpses of New England Chinese life in the first half of the twentieth century

Yesterday's post on New England's history is as the title said, Family counts: glimpses of Chinese life in New England in the first half of the twentieth century.

I was talking to a colleague who grew up in Bundarra who remembers the Chinese store there. Its a long time since I have been to Bundarra. I wonder if the store is still Chinese owned?

Belshaw's World - Red Kangaroo & the Bundarra mob: an epic tale of warfare in prehistoric New England

The year is about 1720. The place a major bush camp outside what is now Gunnedah. The smoke from the camp fires drifts into the dusk air. Overhead, the stars are beginning to appear. The visiting envoys sit silent, waiting patiently. The warriors have been in council all day, and it is time for decision.

The trouble had begun some months earlier. The powerful Tablelands’ mob from the Bundarra-Kingston area had been raiding for women in Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) speaking lands. They left the strong Nammoy River mob alone, but had struck at the Goonoo Goonoo and Maneela (Manila) River mobs with considerable success, seizing women and killing the warriors who had opposed them. Finally, both groups sent envoys seeking help from the Nammoy to get their young women back. The Nammoy could keep the Bundarra women taken, although if many were taken, perhaps the Nammoy would share.

Lit by the fires, Gambu Ganuuru (Red Kangaroo in Gamilaraay), the Nammoy warrior chief, moved to the centre of the gathering.

The Red Kangaroo was then about forty and had been war chief since the age of nineteen. At over 190cm, he was a tall well built man whose body carried the scars of past battles. Now he summed up. The prize of the Bundarra women was not of great concern, but it was “another thing to have this Bundarra tribe come raiding so close to our territory. We are strong now, and we have to break any strong tribe who is a danger to us. Do you agree with me that we fight the Bundarra warriors to prove whose tribe is the ruling tribe, first and last?”

There were ninety warriors in the war party that now assembled. The Red Kangaroo led the forty strong Nammoy party, while Goonoo Goonoo war chief Ilparra commanded the fifty warriors from Goonoo Goonoo and Maneela, with Maneela war chief Mooti second in command.

There was no chance of a surprise attack, for throughout the one hundred kilometre journey small Bundarra parties gathered on all sides, spying on them and driving away the game they needed for food. Finally, a bigger force than theirs came to give battle on a long granite sand-flat through which ran a wide stony creek.

Ilparra was killed early by a spear through the throat, with Mooti taking command of the combined Goonoo Goonoo/Maneela force. For two hours, neither the combined force nor the Bundarra warriors that opposed them could gain ground. Realising that the Nammoy warriors were getting too far ahead and out of touch with Mooti’s party, the Red Kangaroo ordered his men to turn to take the party fighting Mooti on its flank.

The main Bundarra party that had been fighting the Red Kangaroo called out three times. At this pre-arranged signal, those opposing Mooti ran back to the main Bundarra group. Mooti and his warriors pursued, ignoring Red Kangaroo’s calls for them to join him. In the following fighting, Mooti was killed and his warriors broken into small groups.

The position was now desperate. Red Kangaroo’s party were outnumbered, had thrown nearly all their spears, while the Tablelands’ spears would not fit into the Kamilaroi spear throwers. “Gather and break their spears”, the Red Kangaroo told his party. “We must make it across to that pine scrub where they will be forced to fight hand to hand.”

Using his powerful voice, the Red Kangaroo coordinated the fight against the still larger but more disorganised Bundarra forces. Fighting as individuals or in small groups, the Bundarra warriors finally broke and ran. Kibbi, their great war chief, was killed by the Red Kangaroo’s spear.

Red Kangaroo and his warriors came the main Bundarra camp. Only old men and women were there. “Go tell your warriors to bring their women and children back to this camp”, the Red Kangaroo said. “No warrior who comes back will be harmed.”

Under the peace terms now imposed, the stolen women were returned, while five women each were given to the Goonoo Goonoo and Maneela tribes. Thirty four young women and five young boys and girls were taken by the Red Kangaroo and his warriors for the Nammoy tribe.

I hope that you have enjoyed this tale from New England’s more distant past. If you would like to learn more, Ion Idriess’ Red Chief gives a gripping fictional account, while Michael O’Rouke’s Sung for Generations provides a detailed analysis of the source material for all the Red Kangaroo stories.

Note to readers: This post appeared as a column in the Armidale Express Extra on 3 October 2012. I am repeating the columns here with a lag because the Express columns are not on line. You can see all the columns by clicking here for 2009, here for 2010, here for 2011, here for 2012.

Remembering the Tamworth Boys Home

The Tamworth Boys Home was opened in 1947. On 16 December, the ABC's 7.30 report carried a story (video and transcript here) on the horrors of the place.

That same day, ABC news carried a further story with a little more detail. The photo is from that story. Back in 1999, Submission - Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care, outlined the experience of another inmate at the institution. You will find the archival records for the Home here.

It's just a small snippet of New England's history, but one that I thought that I should record.

I have the strong impression that the Second World War period saw a distinct harshening in aspects of Australian life. However, that's something that I will explore further on the New England history blog. 

Just a bit more on the Werris Creek Railway Museum

So far I have written stories mentioning the Werris Creek Railway Museum:

• 17 April 2008 Kamilaroi Highway - Werris Creek Railway Monument and Museum
• 25 April 2010 Three things I still have to do in New England -1 Railways
• 20 July 2011 New England's railway museums.

Now Kelly Fuller from ABC New England North West has interviewed Chris Holley, President of the Museum. It's worth listening to for those interested in the Museum or railways more generally.

L J Hill's Pretty Bird Tree

I have mentioned New England singer-song-writer L J Hill before. I have found several of his songs on You Tube videoed by an amateur during L J Hill's performance at the Basement in Sydney on 29 March 2009.

Part Australian Aboriginal, part Cherokee Indian and part Irish, L J Hill now lives in the Armidale area. His songs focus on the New England Tablelands and Western Slopes. One song follows - Pretty Bird Tree. You can find all the clips here.

According to the Armidale Express, L J Hill is in the process is in the process of making a fully professional video to show on You Tube.

You can order L J Hill's Namoi Mud album here. 

Tamworth Country Music Festival 2010 nears its end

Well, the Tamworth Country Music Festival is now almost finished. As you might expect, some of the best coverage is in the Northern Daily Leader and I have been reading it with interest.

I have never actually been to the Festival. This may sound strange given its size and its proximity to Armidale where I lived for so many years. Part of the reason is that my family does not like country music and hence does not want to go. I do, but it is very much a minority taste in this family.

The big issue this year at Tamworth that just seemed to run and run and run was the inclusion of non-country elements in the Festival including especially a concert including Australian idol winner and now pop star Guy Sebastian.

It wasn't until half way through the festival that Tamworth Mayor James Treloar (photo with singer Rod Dowsett and Tourism Tamworth's Rebel Thompson) put this one to rest. Tamworth is and would remain country.

It couldn't be any other way, really. However, I don't understand why the story ran in the way it did. There seemed to be internal political overtones among those interested and involved.

I was chatting to a muso friend last weekend. I commented that Tamworth and country music seemed to me to be the only event in Australia that provided something of an articulated career path within a popular singing genre. He agreed in general, but then gave me a quick education in the economics of music in general and country music in particular.

I had no idea just how little money a country singer made, nor of the overall impact of the internet on music. I did in fact know a little about the second, but far too little of the detail.

Something else I must find out more about. I am especially interested in music that in some way links to the New England story. L J Hill's Namoi Mud is an example.    

Harry Pidgeon's Naturally Touched Cooks Hill Gallery

My thanks to Paul Barratt for bringing to my attention the latest exhibition by New England painter Harry Pidgeon.  This will be open until 12 October at Mark Widdup’s Cooks Hill Galleries in Newcastle.

This painting, slopeswest, shows the New England Tablelands merging into the patchwork quilt of the Western Slopes and Plains. The different soil colours in the fields together with sky and horizons makes for some very attractive and striking scenery.   

Harry Pidgeon at Cooks Hill provides an introduction to the artist, as well as links to past exhibitions. Harry Pidgeon exhibition: Naturally touched provides links to the exhibition, while Harry Pidgeon’s opening at Cooks Hill reports on the opening.

I followed Paul and Harry through the Misses Cooper to Armidale Demonstration School and then to TAS the year behind. I didn't know Harry well. One year behind is actually a considerable gap at an early age. However, I find the similarities in early life patterns interesting 

The next painting is simply called dialogue boxes.

The Gallery records a little of Harry's career in these terms:   

When nature and art touch each other they become one, this is how Harry grew up in rural New England with its backdrop of thunderhead clouds, mountains, ravines, and small townships. Constantly going bush, observing nature, birds and animals he was always drawing and painting. As a keen observer of nature he was regularly painting outdoors by the age of seven with the Adult Art Education students from the Armidale Teacher’s College. From the beginning he loved the bush’s nuances and throughout his life has walked, camped, canoed, studied and painted its many discourses.

It was always Harry’s intention to be a painter and by the time he arrived at The National Art School in Sydney he was using watercolours with the force of oils. He was strongly influenced by the work of Paul Klee, Edward Hopper, Lyonel Feininger and Wayne Thiebaud, all of whom had early careers in the world of mass communications. It was no digression that after graduating Harry decided to join the then largest advertising agency in the world - the American owned J. Walter Thompson Company as a graphic artist and an art director working on national and international accounts.

In the early 80’s Harry segued to painting full time and over a 5 year period won more than 50 art awards in Sydney, Brisbane and interstate regional centres. Concentrating on exhibiting, his career now includes 28 solo or feature artist exhibitions and dozens of group shows. Galleries exhibited at include: Barry Stern, Trevor Victor Harvey, Holdsworth, Philip Bacon, Red Hill, Riverhouse, Schubert, Cooks Hill, Eddi Glastra, Bell Gallery and CAZ and Biota in Los Angeles USA.

Belshaw’s World: A closer look at Kamilaroi and language

Note to readers: This post appeared as a column in the Armidale Express on Wednesday 16 September 2009. I am repeating the columns here with a lag because the Express columns are not on line. You can see all the columns by clicking here.

Over the last few weeks I have been reading Michael O'Rouke's three books on the Kamilaroi. Michael kindly sent them to me after reading one of my posts on the Aboriginal languages of New England

A Gunnedah boy who went to school in Armidale at De La Salle College, Michael’s writing is informed by a deep knowledge of the country as well as the historical sources.

The first book in the series, Kamilaroi Lands: North-central New South Wales in the early 19th century is a local/regional history, but of a very different type to most of those published.

Self-published by the author in 1997, the book is a detailed and painstaking exploration of the life of one Aboriginal language group at and in the period immediately following European settlement.

For those who do not know the Kamilaroi, they occupied a huge sweep of Australia from the Upper Hunter north along the Western Slopes and Plains into southern Queensland. Depending on the exact boundaries, we are talking about an area of more than 80,000 square kilometres.

You will sometimes see the name Gamilaraay used instead of the more traditional Kamilaroi.

Gamilaraay - gamil + array: literally no + having or having gamil for no – denotes a form of speech, the broader language spoken by the Kamilaroi as a whole. Even here, Gamilaraay could be used to describe the language (that speech which has gamil for no) or, by implication, its speakers (those who use gamil for no).

I find it easiest to continue to use the now traditional Kamilaroi to describe the people, reserving Gamilaraay for the language.

Michael's book starts with language.

He explores the ethnographic and linguistic evidence as it relates to the boundaries between the Kamilaroi and surrounding language groups. In doing so, he draws out the way in which names attached to area, to specific local groups, to language, all come together to confuse

He also shows how the distribution of Aboriginal place names adopted by the European settlers can actually help indicate the distribution of groups if you know the underlying language structures.

Michael then explores Kamilaroi social structures and ways of life. This is ethno-historical detective work. Suddenly we see traditional structures and relationships as they stood at a point in time emerging from the mists of the past.

When I first studied traditional Aboriginal life at University all those years ago I saw the anthropologists’ interest in kinship structures as obsessive and eye-glazing.

To some degree I still hold this view and for the same reason. It can interfere with understanding of other aspects of Aboriginal life.

That said, I do not think that you can understand the life of the Kamilaroi without understanding kinship structures.

The three level structure, to use the anthropologists’ terms, of moiety, section and totemic clan provided a framework that integrated all natural phenomena, not just the human population. In human terms, everything had a place and everything was in that place.

I still have to work out how best to explain all this in simple terms that even I can understand. While the principles themselves are simple enough, the way those principles interacted in practice can be quite complicated.

Each man, women or child in the Kamilaroi world belonged at birth to one moiety, one of two sections in each moiety, one of the totemic clans. We know that there were at least sixty-four totemic clans divided between the two moieties.

This structure was expressed in people’s names.

Like all Kamilaroi, the 18th century Kamilaroi war leader, the Red Kangaroo, had three names. There was a personal name that has not survived. Then came his section name, Gambu, marking him as a member of the Gubadhin moiety. Finally, there was a totem name, Ganur or Ganura or “red kangaroo”.

Kinship was central to Kamilaroi life.

A person coming into a strange group for trading or ceremonial purposes was always allocated a kinship position if one was not already held. The kinship structure allowed all people including strangers to be allocated a formal kinship place.

The language used by Aboriginal people today – brother, sister, auntie, uncle – link back to these previous structures because they express relationships in formal kinship terms independent of actual blood ties.

Gunnedah childhood story

Do not be surprised if posts come up behind this one. I am very behind in my posts and plan to bring some earlier material up at the date I started it.

My thanks to Neil Whitfield for providing a link to an engaging story from a Gunnedah childhood. The story begins:

My grandson, Michael, was an outdoor boy, and was fascinated by my fowls, especially the white rooster. He was three-years-old, big brown eyes, and brown
body.

I have very clear memories of our own fowls in the backyard.

You can find more here.

New England North West Big Sky Country - calendar of events Autumn 2009

The good people from Big Sky Country have provided the following information about events on in New England's Northern Tablelands and North West in Autumn. 

MARCH

March 1 Inverell Hobby Markets

Campbell Park, Inverell. Phone 02 67 224 693

March 1 Jellicoe Park Markets, Moree

Plants, fresh fruit and vegetable produce, home baked goods, clothing, handcrafted furniture, poultry, a selection of food stalls, craft and novelty items, beading supplies, jewellery and crystals and more. Phone Tourism Moree 02 67 573 350

March 6 -7 Armidale Show

Armidale Showgrounds. Produce, livestock and entertainment.

Phone Armidale and New England Show Society 02 67 723 113

March 7 Gypsy Willow Markets, Narrabri

Phone 02 67 996 760

March 6 - 8 Tenterfield's Bavarian Beerfest

This bi-annual event features the band from Tenterfield’s sister city Ottobeuren. Phone Karen 02 67 362 426

March 7 Glen Elgin Sports

A fun day for all the family at Glen Elgin Sports Ground. Horse sports, miscellaneous events for all the family. BBQ and camping facilities. For more information phone Fiona Smith 02 67 323 923

March 8 Glen Innes Markets

8.00am to midday, Grey Street, Glen Innes. Phone Jenny Hodder 02 67 325 329

March 13 -14 Walcha Show

Walcha's annual agricultural show highlighting the best of local products including art and craft, food and school childrens displays. Dizzy heads and fairy floss at the sideshow alley along with the best shearers competing for the fastest times to shear a sheep. A great weekend out so book early for accommodation. Call the visitor Centre for more info on 02 67 742 460

March 13 -15 Minerama Gem & Mineral Show, Glen Innes

The largest annual mineral & gem show in NSW. Fossicking field trips, valuations, gems for sale. Visit www.minerama.gleninnes.biz or phone Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre 02 67 322 397

March 14 Gunnedah Business and Service Awards

Black Tie Event celebrating the achievements of businesses and individuals throughout the year. 16 Categories culminating in the Business of the Year Award. Gunnedah Town Hall. Phone Michael Ruff 02 67 423 600

March 14 Opera in the Paddock, Delungra

A selection of opera, operetta and song, performed by Peta Blythe, David Hamilton, Shaun Brown and David Hibbard. "Mimosa" Delungra (30kms west Inverell) BYO chair and picnic. Contact 02 67 248 248 or operainthepaddock@bigpond.com Website: www.operainthepaddock.com.au Tickets available at the Inverell Visitors Centre, phone 02 67 288 161. Bookings essential.

March 14 Uralla’s Get Off Your Arts Festival

This Festival aims to bring out everyone's inner artist – whether by participation in lantern making, poetry performances, busking, choir singing, percussion, puppet making, fire event performance, music workshops or photography. From 9am to late – a day filled with market and food stalls, dancing, art, concerts, the magical lantern parade and outdoor theatre and fire spectacle "The Meeting Place”. Email rendalls@iprimus.com.au for more info.

March 17 St Patrick’s Day, Glen Innes

Celebrate Ireland's national day at the Australian Standing Stones, the National Celtic Monument. Phone: Wendy Watts 02 67 333 274

March 21 Gunnedah Country Markets

From 8.30am at Wolseley Park, Conadilly Street, Gunnedah. Entry is Free. A wonderful choice of goods to be purchased, from delicious cakes/jams, pottery and craft to second hand goods/books/clothes. Contact 02 67 422 565

March 21 Emmaville Mining Museum - "Sheep" Race Meeting

Emmaville Museum Committee conducts the first known massed "sheep race" of 100 sheep down main street. Phone Emmaville Mining Museum 02 67 347 025

March 21 New England Lapidary & Fossicking Club Inc. Annual Gem And Craft Show

Free entry, with craft, gems, rocks, crystals, jewellery, gifts, lapidary books/supplies/equipment and light refreshments on sale. Phone Michael and Kerry Tasik 02 67 785 122

March 21 Australian Wool Fashion Awards, Armidale

Presentation night and dinner at New England Girls' School Equestrian Centre, New England Highway, Armidale. These awards educate and encourage young designers in the wonderful qualities of wool. More info phone Liz Foster 02 67 712 733 or visit http://www.tawfa.com.au

March 21 - 22 and 26 - 28 Week of Speed, Gunnedah

Feel the need...the need for speed? Enjoy a weekend of fast-pasted action with all things that move. From Go Karts and Speedway action to Drag Cars and Bikes there is something to entertain the whole family. Don't miss the action packed weekend in Gunnedah. For further details please call the Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre on 02 67 402 230

March 28 - 30 Quilters and Patchworkers of New England Exhibition, Armidale

Quality local quilts on display, with the opportunity to purchase. Legacy Hall, Faulkner Street. Phone 02 67 712 734

March 28 Gunnedah Speedway

Super Sedans NSW Series, Late Model Challenge, Street Stockers, Benders, Juniors. Phone Cathy 02 67 422 677

March TBA Rhythm on the Reedy, Warialda

An afternoon of great music on the banks of Reedy Creek. Phone Warialda Visitor Information on 02 67 290 046

March 21-22 Autumn Festival, Armidale

A wonderful street parade of local schools, car clubs, businesses and culture. Phone Armidale Visitor Information Centre 02 67 724 655

March 28 Fairview on Trawalla, Moree

A superb outdoor luncheon. Phone Joy Peachey 0427 990 690

March 29 Markets in the Mall, Armidale

Beardy Street Mall, Armidale Contact Matthew from the PCYC 02 67 721 023

APRIL

April 2 - 6 Oracles of the Bush, Tenterfield

The annual festival of Australian verse, bush poetry and song. A gathering of classic bush characters with plenty of Aussie spirit. Phone Tenterfield Visitor Information Centre 02 67 361 082

April 4 Gypsy Willow Markets, Narrabri

Phone 02 67 996 760

April 4 Gunnedah Bird Sale and Expo, Gunnedah Showground

The Gunnedah Bird Sale & Expo has grown to be the biggest bird sale in Australia. Admission is $2, canteen facilities, doors open at 10am. Phone Greg Brandon 0447 749 971

April 4 Nosh on the Namoi, Narrabri

A showcase of the region's great foods and fine wines, held on the banks of the Namoi River. Relax to a jazz band while you sample delicious foods. Phone Narrabri Visitor Information Centre 02 67 996 761

April 5 Jellicoe Park Markets, Moree

Plants, fresh fruit and vegetable produce, home baked goods, clothing, handcrafted furniture, poultry, a selection of food stalls, craft and novelty items, beading supplies, jewellery and crystals and more. Phone Tourism Moree 02 67 573 350

April 5 Inverell Hobby Markets

Campbell Park, Inverell Phone 02 67 224 693

April 10 -12 Bingara Anglers Club EasterFish

Phone Steve Apthorpe 02 67 241 618

April 10 - 12 Go For Gold Easter Festival, Nundle

Nundle celebrates its Chinese Heritage at Easter every Year. The Chinese Dragon will dance the streets along with many Chinese Food Stalls and displays by the Nundle School. A great family weekend. Visit www.nundle.info

April 12 Glen Innes Markets

8.00am to midday, Grey Street, Glen Innes. Contact Jenny Hodder 02 67 325 329

April 18 Gunnedah Speedway

Sprint Cars, Greta Smith Memorial Inaugral Street Stock Challenge, Plus Support. Phone Cathy 02 67 422 677

April 18 Gunnedah Country Markets

From 8.30am at Wolseley Park, Conadilly Street, Gunnedah. Entry is Free. A wonderful choice of goods to be purchased, from delicious cakes/jams, pottery and craft to second hand goods/books/clothes. Contact 02 67 422 565

April 18 -19 Inverell on Display

An event that showcases Inverell’s business community to a wide audience. Inverell Racecourse. Phone 02 67 288 271 or email Sandy Swan sandy.swan@inverell.nsw.gov.au

April 25 Anzac Day Celebrations Glen Innes

To celebrate Anzac Day there will be a Dawn service at 5.30am at the Glen Innes Cemetery, then Breakfast at the Glen Innes & District Services Club. Memorial service at 11am, beginning at the Boer War Memorial in the Grey St & Meade St roundabout, marching to Anzac Park for the service. Phone Glen Innes & District Services Club 02 67 321 355

April 24 - 25 Moree Show

Celebrating 125 years, this is a show not to be missed. Phone Renee McMillan 0439 195 721

April 24 - 25 Drovers Campfire Weekend, Narrabri

Do you have a caravan, motorhome, camper 4x4, ute, tent or swag? A fun filled weekend – camp oven cooking, drover dressups, craft displays, local tours, bush poetry and lots more. Phone Geoff Eather 02 67 434 469

April 25 - 26 North West Autumn Classic Championship Dog Show, Gunnedah.

This is an amazing dog show with all breeds under the sun-well worth a visit for any dog lover. Gunnedah Kennel Club Complex, Oxley Highway. Contact 02 67 447 866 or 02 67 447 892

April 27 Markets in the Mall, Armidale

Beardy Street Mall, Armidale Contact Matthew from the PCYC 02 67 721 023

April 29 - May 1 Celtic Book Sale, Glen Innes

The Glen Innes Severn Learning Centre. Money raised at the booksale will assist the Library to buy new resources. Phone Kerry Byrne 02 67 30600

MAY

April 30 - May 3 Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes

Enjoy the culture, colour and pageantry of this great Celtic Festival at the only National Celtic monument in Australia – The Australian Standing Stones. A spectacular array of anything and everything Celtic. Special ceremonies for the Welsh, Manx, Scottish, Irish, Cornish and the Guardians of the Australian Standing Stones. Saturday is the street parade and entertainment at the Standing Stones site. Thursday and Friday the entertainment is within the town and main street. Detailed programs from the Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre 02 67 302 400. Visit www.australiancelticfestival.com

May 1 - 3 Narrabri Show

This annual show includes horse events, woodchopping, cooking, photography, crafts, sideshows, fireworks trotting, showjumping and a ute competition. Phone Narrabri Visitor Information 02 67 996 760

May 1 - 7 Narrabri Veterans Golf Week

Narrabri Golf Club 02 67 922 148

May 2 Gypsy Willow Markets, Narrabri

Phone 02 67 996 760

May 2 - 3 Quirindi Heritage Rally and Miniature Railway Rally

Quirindi Rural Heritage Village is holding its Annual Rally and Swap Meet at the Heritage Village site, on the Kamilaroi Highway. Stationery motors, steam engines, farm machinery, displays and more! Phone Beryl Mannion 02 67 461 479

May 3 Jellicoe Park Markets, Moree

Plants, fresh fruit and vegetable produce, home baked goods, clothing, handcrafted furniture, poultry, a selection of food stalls, craft and novelty items, beading supplies, jewellery and crystals and more. Phone Tourism Moree 02 67 573 350

May 3 Inverell Hobby Markets

Campbell Park, Inverell Phone 02 67 224 693

May 3 Great Nundle Dog Race

Nundle Recreational Ground. Join in all the fun, featuring canine and human events with all funds raised going towards the Nundle Public School. Phone Joy 02 67 693 253

May 8 - 10 Gunnedah Show and Open Rodeo

Enjoy the pleasures, sights and sounds of a country show – the grand parade, pavillion displays, spectacular fireworks, sideshow alley and an action packed rodeo! Gunnedah Showgrounds. Phone Gunnedah Show Society Office: Jackie Weston, Secretary 0429 441 781

May 8 - 10 New England Wool Expo, Armidale

From paddock to parade and plate – yard dog championships, shearing and fleece spectaculars, alpacas, fashion parades, wool crafts, regional food and wine, rural and retail exhibitors, 'kindergarten to PhD' education sectors in New England and family entertainment.

Armidale Creeklands. Phone 02 67 728 974

May 8 - 9 Moree on a Plate

Fabulous food and wine showcasing some of New England North West’s finest food products. Phone Moree Tourism 02 67 573 350

May 10 Gunnedah Mother's Day Race Meeting

For a great day of country racing make a day of it at Gunnedah Riverside Racecourse, full TAB facilities. Phone Debbie Watson Club Secretary 02 67 420 093

May 10 Glen Innes Markets

8.00am to midday, Grey Street, Glen Innes. Contact Jenny Hodder 02 67 325 329

May 16 Gunnedah Country Markets

From 8.30am at Wolseley Park, Conadilly Street, Gunnedah. Entry is Free. A wonderful choice of goods to be purchased, from delicious cakes/jams, pottery and craft to second hand goods/books/clothes. Contact 02 67 422 565

May 15 -17 Bingara Show

The annual show with all the traditional and popular events. Phone Bingara Show Society 02 67 242 064

May 18 -22 Moree Veterans Week of Golf

Phone John Goulay 02 67 525 046 or 0418 657 580

May 22 - 24 Wee Waa Country Show (75th anniversary)

Wee Waa's annual show is renowned for featuring some of the western plains' of NSW finest sheep and cattle. "Fashions in the Pen" is a special segment where fashion designers submit creative entries made from wool or cotton. Phone 02 67 954 315

May 23 - 30 Rotary Book Fair, Armidale

Armidale Racecourse

May 27 - 28 Australian National Cotton Trade Show, Moree

Moree TAFE Agricultural Centre. Celebrating 10 years, this is the largest single industry trade show in Australia, with over 200 exhibitors. Phone Brian O’Connell 07 4659 3555

May 30 Walcha Timber Expo

View the town’s timber industry at its best with chainsaw racing, wood chopping state titles with axemen slicing their way to the winners podium, loads of stallholders for timber products such as outdoor furniture and handmade sculptures. There are vintage steam engines and many other stalls for a family fun day out. Make sure you get there early enough for the procession through the main streets of Walcha. For more information call Tony on 02 67 772 886

May 31 Markets in the Mall, Armidale

Beardy Street Mall, Armidale Contact Matthew from the PCYC 02 67 721 023

Tamworth Floods November 2008

Tamworth has been struck by sudden floods after a heavy downpour.

This photo from Leannes World shows the Peel River in flood. The link will carry you through to a good description of the evolution of one storm that contributed to the flooding.

In combination, storms dumped more than 160 millimetres of rain in less than 24 hours sparking several rescues. A young boy clung to a tree for several hours after the car he was in was swept into the river.

In face of the flooding, Andrew Galvin of the Namoi Division of the State Emergency Service (SES) stated that property owners in several low lying areas were being asked to leave their homes ahead of the flood peak at 9:00am, 29 November AEDT.

"We're strongly recommending residents in King George Avenue take the opportunity to evacuate. The flood at this level will inundate this area and impact on it," he said.

"There's always an element of uncertainty and of course that flood level could go higher, which is why we're recommending evacuation."

Mr Galvin said that several homes have already been evacuated

"Most of the roads will be cut. We expect Tamworth will be cut in half. The main access between east and west Tamworth, Bridge Street, will in all probability be closed for several hours," he said.

The flood peak did indeed cut Tamworth in two.

According to the State Emergency service's Namoi division controller Kathleen Caine, the SES received more than 130 calls for help including several from motorists who became stranded in floodwaters.

The Department of Community Services opened two evacuation centres to help people who might have to leave their homes.

"At the moment we're accommodating about 16 people in motels in Tamworth that were stranded here," stated DoCS Bob Solley.

There were fears that businesses owners in the low lying industrial area of Taminda might not escape flooding because of the city's partially completed levee bank. However, these initial fears do not appear to have been realised.

Tamworth has been declared a natural disaster area by the NSW State Government to assist in reconstruction.

Check the Northern Daily Leader for more details.

Sources

• Leannes World, November storms
• ABC News, Tamworth braces for severe flooding
• ABC News, Residents stranded as flooding cuts Tamworth in two
• ABC News, Floodwaters peak in storm battered Tamworth
• Daily Telegraph,Tamworth declared a disaster zone

New England Sheep Stations - Warrah Station

I noticed that someone found this site through a search on map of New England Sheep stations. There isn't one. However, that search led me to this photo of the Warrah Station woolshed from the Powerhouse Museum collection. The Curator added this note:

Warrah Station (c. 1824 - 1969).

First taken up by the squatter Thomas Parnell around 1824, Warrah Station is situated near Willow Tree, about 60 kilometres south of Tamworth in northern New South Wales. The area itself remained virtually unoccupied by Europeans until Henry Dangar, of the Australian Agricultural Company, explored the region in the
late-1820s and extolled its virtues as a potential pastoral property. The Company, which applied for and received a large rectangular block of 249,600 acres at Warrah, thus began occupying the gentle rise of forest land above Parnell’s hut in 1833.

Under its auspices, Warrah Station emerged as Australia’s finest pastoral property during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. It was predominantly a wool-producing station, carrying a flock of almost 200,000 sheep during its heyday, but at various times Warrah also ran as many as 20,000 head of cattle. Despite the depression and prolonged drought of the 1890s, the Company enjoyed unexampled prosperity during these years. In 1908, however, the push for closer settlement resulted in the Company’s decision to voluntarily subdivide Willow Tree.

The following year, the government publicised its intention to resume a further 45,000 acres on Warrah Station. After a lengthy court case, which the government won, the land was eventually sold in 1911. And although the Company
continued to prosper, these events began a process of resumption (further subdivisions occurred in 1914, 1935 and 1967) which saw the gradual withdrawal of the Company from Warrah Station to properties elsewhere (especially Queensland).

In 1969, the homestead itself was sold, leaving the Company with about 33,000 acres on ‘Windy’ Station in the north-west corner of the original grant. It remains today the only New South Wales property of Australia’s third-largest beef cattle producer.

Source University of New England archives, accessed 11/11/08

Helping the Kamilaroi (and others) find their family history

There was a rather inspirational story in the Sydney Morning Herald of the work done by Noelene Briggs-Smith in helping Kamilaroi people in particular find out details of their family history.

By way of background for readers outside New England, the Kamilaroi were the Aboriginal language group occupying New England's Western Slopes and Plains. Those who are interested can find a map showing Kamilaroi territory here.

Noelene works for the Dhiiyaan Indigenous Centre in the Northern Regional Library in Moree. I have referred to this library before as a source of information on the Kamilaroi. I could wish that there were more like it.

New England's Hidden Secrets - Mount Kaputar and the Nandewar Ranges

Photo: Sawn Rocks, Mount Kaputar National Park

In my post New England Australia - introducing the Liverpool Plains I wondered just where the Liverpool Plains ended. The answer is the Nandewar Ranges, one of the western spurs from the Northern or New England Tablelands.

The eastern part of the Nandewar Ranges starts in the Great Dividing Range south of Uralla. At this point the Ranges are simply part of the Tablelands so it is hard to see as a distinctive feature. A little to the west, the main road between Barraba and Bingara crosses the range. However, at the western end the Nandewar Ranges culminate in Mount Kaputar, (1,510 metres), a complex of volcanic origin, from which spectacular views of the flat inland plains of New England can be seen.

The Ranges form the divide between the Namoi and Gwydir River valleys.

Starting south of Walcha, the Macdonald River drains west to Warrabah National Park where it changes its name to the Namoi and is then added to by the Manilla River, Peel River and Mooki River. The Horton River runs north to the Gwydir.

The western edge of the Ranges is covered by the Mount Kaputah National Park.

Warrumbungles

Photo: Crater Bluff, Warrumbungle Range

In my last post New England Australia - introducing the Liverpool Plains I mentioned the Warrumbungle Range (more commonly called the Warrumbungles) as forming the western edge of the Liverpool Plains.

For those unfamiliar with the area, the Warrumbungles lie 329km (4:43 hours driving time) south east of Armidale, 480km (6:4 hours driving time) north-east of Sydney.

The Warrumbungles are the spectacular remnants of a large, heavily eroded shield volcano that was active from 18 to 15 million years ago. The main features are a series of huge, jagged outcrops, surrounded by hilly bush and woodland forest.

The Range's location between the moist eastern coastal zone and the dryer plains to the west means that it has provided protection for flora and fauna suited to both habitats.

Much of the area is protected by a national park. There are camping facilities,together with an extensive network of extensive network of tracks. The Siding Spring Observatory is situated on an eastern peak.

The Warrumbungle Region site provides more information about the area and its attractions.

Postscript

Thinking about this post later, I feel the need to add one thing. The Warrumbungles really are quite spectacular and well worth a visit.

New England Australia - introducing the Liverpool Plains

Photo: Liverpool Plains near Carroll.

As I write, controversy rages over plans to explore for coal in another area of the Liverpool Plains.

Very few Australians know the Liverpool Plains as such, although many have driven through them along the New England Highway. Yet this is not a small area, totalling around 1.2 million hectares.

The Plains lie on the western slopes of New England's Great Dividing Range, so the New England Tablelands form the eastern boundary.

The Liverpool Range forms the southern boundary.

This range starts from the Barrington Tops volcanic plateau and runs for about 100 km westwards, in so doing forming the northern boundary of the Hunter Valley, before merging into the Warrumbungle Range, the Plains' western boundary.

The Liverpool Range itself can be quite high (1300 metres) and rugged and formed a significant barrier to the expansion of settlement in the early period of British settlement in New South Wales. This was frontier country, marking the edge of the thirty nine counties proclaimed by the Governor in Sydney as the limits of settlement.

The first route across the range was Pandoras Pass discovered by Allan Cunningham (botanist). This is located near the western end of the range, north from the town of Coolah and within Coolah Tops National Park.

Most Australians will know Nowland Pass or Murrurundi Gap better. Here the New England Highway climbs sharply up the Range, leaving the Hunter Valley behind. The Great Northern Railway crosses under this pass via Ardglen Tunnel. Further to the east lies the country and journey that I described in Secrets of New England - along the Fossickers Way Day Two.

If the Plains are bounded by the Tablelands on the east, the Liverpool Range on the south and the Warrumbungle Range on the west, what is the northern boundary? I have never been sure. In my mind, driving north from Tamworth along Fossickers Way, the Plains end with the first of the western spurs from the Tablelands.

This was originally Kamilaroi country. With European intrusion, it became part of the Australian Agricultural Company's vast holdings. Tamworth, the Plains' main centre, began as a small village surrounded by AA holdings.

With the break-up of the big stations, the Plains became prime agricultural land, a wealthy wheat farming district. This remains true today, and lies at the heart of the conflict between mining - large coal deposits lie under parts of the Plains - and farming.

Fossicking in New England

Photo: Fossicking, Inverell

An update has been provided in a comment. 

 The guided tours from the Baptist church no longer operate and Boolabinda is also closed now. For up to date fossicking information in Glen Innes contact the Visitors Information Centre on 02 67302400.

Original Story Starts

Some time ago, I started a series of posts describing the Fossicker's Way, the New England road linking some of New England's best fossicking areas.
Google blogger is down just at present, so I cannot provide details of these posts. I will add links once the problem is sorted.

I did just the first two days in this series, leaving my travellers stranded at Nundle. Now the people from Big Sky Country have put together some useful material on fossicking in New England's Northern Tablelands' region that allows me to extend the series.

Moving from Nundle, visitors travel to Tamworth and then up the western edge of the Tablelands through to Inverell and Glen Innes. Here we come to some great fossicking country. The sapphires are plentiful but, they can also be really, really big.

A couple sifting through a pile of wash at Inverell’s 7 Oaks Fossicking Park, can attest to this fact, after discovering a 42.13 carat blue sapphire, the largest stone ever found by a fossicker on site.

According to 7 Oaks’ owner, Peter Black, the stone is “an absolute monster”.

While the size of this find was rare, unearthing gemstones in decent quantities from the region is not, say the resident fossicking experts of Big Sky Country.

Along with the royal blue sapphire, the region is prolific for its rich diversity of gems and minerals, such as aquamarine, emerald, fluorite, topaz, zircon, garnet and quartz.

Big Sky Country is the New England North West region of NSW, part of it intersected by the road known as – yes, The Fossicker’s Way. The best towns to stay in for a few good days of fossicking are Inverell and Glen Innes.

Inverell justifiably goes by the title of ‘The Sapphire City’ because 70 per cent of Australia’s sapphires come from here, while Glen Innes boasts Minerama, one of the biggest annual gem and mineral festivals in Australia.

Here’s a basic guide to some of the fossicking options provided by Big Sky Country.

7 Oaks Fossicking Park, Inverell
This 300 acre property on Frazer Creek is family operated and has been producing sapphires since the 1960's. You can fossick on the natural creek banks, but the easier and most popular option is to sift through the piles of wash supplied to you.

Peter Black had only just bought 7 Oaks in April 2008, when a few weeks later, a couple from Port Macquarie found a 42.13 carat sapphire – the biggest find ever by a fossicking visitor at the park. The stone is estimated to be worth $5,000 to a collector.

Situated 19kms from Inverell, 7 Oaks is open for basic bush camping, with bush toilets, picnic tables and wood fire barbecues. Cost is $20 per day for adults and $10 for children aged 8 to 14.
http://www.sapphiresinverell.com.au/
Phone 02 6725 1582

Billabong Blue Sapphire Fossicking Park, Inverell
This park, 16km from Inverell, makes fossicking relatively civilized. You get to sift through the wash on benches at waist height and the owners, Rhonda and Bill, offer their professional advice should you need it. There’s a café, BBQ and picnic areas, water tanks and toilets.

Billabong Blue promotes itself as ideal for the first time fossicker or the seasoned expert, and guarantees every visitor will go home with some coloured gems in their pocket. Cost is $20 per day, or $40 for a family (two adults, two children).
http://www.billabongblue.fossickingpark.com.au/
Phone 02 6721 0500

Poolbrook Gems Fossicking Park, Inverell
Poolbrook is another private property where visitors can fossick for a day for a fee. Located at Frazer's Creek, 26 kilometres from Inverell, visitors must stop at Kottage Kiya Gallery, 8 km from Inverell on the Nullamanna-Emmaville Road, to pick up sieves and get directions from Louise Walburn, one of the park's owners. Louise also gives first-time fossickers some helpful hints. Cost is $10 per day, children under 12 free.
Phone 02 6722 2781

Free Fossicking Sites in Inverell
There are three free areas to fossick around Inverell: Pindaroi Lake, Bukkulla; Frazer Creek, Nullamanna and Swanbrook Creek, Swanbrook Road.

Stannifer Fossicking Area, Tingha
Many of Tingha’s streets are named after the gems found in the district. In this free fossicking area, you may find jellybeans (water worn quartz crystals) quartz and grass stone. Tingha is about 17km south of Inverell.

Glen Rest Tourist Park, Glen Innes
Resident caravanners and visitors to Glen Innes can enjoy the privilege of fossicking through a bucket or bag of soil, with equipment and tuition supplied, along with shaded picnic tables. Cost is from $10 per bucket.
www.gleninnes.com/glenrestpark
Phone 02 6732 2413

Wellingrove Fossicking Reserve, Glen Innes
A peaceful and secluded spot for a fossick, Wellingrove is 19km north west of Glen Innes where you can hope to find sapphires and zircons.
A permit is required from the Visitor Information Centre and it costs from $5 per person a day but children under 12 are free.

Boolabinda Holiday Homestead, Glen Innes
Fossicking is just one of the activities available at this farmstay. You can search for sapphires and zircons in Reddestone Creek for $8 per day, plus $3 equipment hire.
http://www.boolabinda.com.au/ (closed June July & August)
Phone 02 6732 2215

Bullock Mountain Homestead
Bullock Mountain is also a farmstay, where you can fossick through buckets of wash from a disused mine or try your luck in Reddestone Creek. Fossicking park buckets costs $15.00 (includes sieves) while creek fossicking is $10.
http://www.bullockmountainhomestead.com/
Phone 02 6732 1599 – please book ahead.

Three Waters High Country Holidays, Glenn Innes
Fossicking for sapphires, zircons in Reddestone Creek at $8 per day, with equipment hire $3.
www.gleninnes.com/3waters
Phone 02 67 32 4863

Guided Field Tours – Baptist Church Fossicking Club, Glen Innes
This is a group visit to private land sites that occurs most Wednesdays. The group leaves at 9am from the Baptist Church, New England Highway and travels in convoy. A small charge per person.

Other areas to remember for free fossicking around Glen Innes Severn Council shire include Kookabookra, Glencoe, and Torrington State Conservation Area.

Three Creeks Gold Mine, Bingara
Three Creeks Gold Mine is a working mine that re-opened to the public in 2008 after a six-year closure. Owner Paul Myer guarantees that every visitor who pans will find some gold here, from a reef that has been mined since the 1800s. He provides full instruction on gold panning and equipment. Quartz crystals are also dominant here. Gold panning is $25 per day (this includes a mine tour), $15 for kids under 12 and under 5’s free.

There are a limited number of campsites available here as well as an on-site van.
Phone 02 6783 2224.

Iron Bark Creek and Woodsreef Fossicking Areas, Barraba
The Barraba area was known for its gold mines and mining villages in the late 1800s, and these areas are still most worthwhile for a fossick. You may find gold and other minerals such as copper, pyrites, jasper, garnets, zeolite, as well as opaque red, brown and yellow quartz. There are no facilities at Woodsreef Reserve but it is open for camping.
Phone 02 6782 1255

Further Information phone:

• Inverell Tourism: 02 6728 8161
• Glen Innes Tourism: 02 6730 2400
• Bingara Visitor Centre: 02 6724 0066

Both Inverell and Glen Innes Visitors Centres have their own fossicking brochures, which provide detailed information and maps.
Entry point for the Fossickers Way series.

Manilla - Oakhampton Farmstay

Photo: That's a whopper. Oakhampton Farm Stay

Oakhampton is a 4,000 acre farmstay near Manilla. Run by Belinda Nixon and her son James, it has been in the family for six generations and is a working sheep and cattle property.

Belinda and James have been hosting visitors to Oakhampton since 1990. They welcome families, couples, aspiring jack and jillaroos, grey nomads and, quite often, groups of American school students as part of the “People to People” program.

James, an earthy, friendly type who unashamedly adores every animal on the farm, talks about the way the farmstay experience can make a difference to people.

“We had a boy with autism who actually smiled for the first time in his life when he held a baby goat,” says James, grinning broadly.

“Then there’s the American city kids who get more than just a lesson in sheep shearing or horse riding – they get a decent idea of life in the bush, of Australian wildlife and the amount of work required to maintain a farm like ours,” he explains.

A major appeal of Oakhampton is the range of accommodation options. You can stay in the main homestead and have all your meals served to you. Belinda and James are excellent caterers who will dish up healthy, traditional dinners in their formal dining room, and big country breakfasts in the more casual sunroom.

Next option is to stay in the “apartment” also located within the homestead, where you can cook for yourself in the small kitchen. There are three bedrooms, a living room and bathroom so a family can be easily accommodated here.

In the neighbouring paddocks are two cottages, where you are completely self- contained but more private, yet still able to access all the farm activities.

A decent two kilometre walk down the track, or a few minutes drive are the bunkhouses, catering to larger groups.

Meals can all be arranged depending on your specific needs. Those who stay in the cottages usually bring their own supplies while those in the homestead usually enjoy their meals served by the hosts.

The abundance of baby animals and native wildlife living in the paddocks close to the main homestead means most guests get the opportunity for some close interaction with the creatures.

On arrival at the back door, you’ll meet George, the sulphur-crested cockatoo who will sing along with you if you’re lucky. Meanwhile the working dogs will gather round and give you a friendly hello and you may also spot the latest batch of kittens roaming around.

Chances are you’ll find an orphaned joey or two wrapped in a blanket in a basket inside the house because Belinda is a member of the wildlife rescues service, WIRES.

Most of the kangaroos that arrive at her door are those whose mothers have been hit by cars. The joeys can be just as demanding as babies in terms of feed times, so guests often get asked to bottle feed them.

Take a stroll around the yard with James who will introduce you to each of the animals as proudly as if they’re his own children.

There are plenty of goats and kids, also deer, chooks, guinea fowl, rabbits and a blind cow. Then there’s Daisy May, the large white pig, a favourite with children at feeding time, because there’s nothing like watching a pig pigging out.

Ask James anything you like about the animals and he’s always happy to share his knowledge. He also takes trail riding tours around the property and will teach you the basics of horse riding if you’re a novice.

It’s a short and pleasant drive to Split Rock Dam, where you can have a picnic overlooking the water. The view is better when the dam is full of course, but sadly this is a rare occurrence these days. Fishing is an option here as well, but you can also fish at the private dam on the property.

Other activities to keep you active include tennis on the clay court, bike riding on the unsealed roads and bird watching.

Belinda and James are a fount of local knowledge and as long as they don’t have a farm job for you, can always suggest other things to see and do in their neighbourhood.

Manilla has a huge reputation internationally with paragliders, hang-gliders and glider pilots. In 2007, it hosted the World Paragliding Championships. Head for Mt Borah – the launch site where you can watch people take flight, or perhaps get adventurous and try a lesson with the Manilla Sky Sailors Club.

Oakhampton is generally fully booked in school holiday periods, so bookings ahead of time are recommended. It’s testament to the fact that this is a farmstay without a hint of holiday pretension about it.

Location

Manilla is approximately 45kms north of Tamworth the Fossickers Way. Oakhampton Homestead is 20km north of Manilla. Website: http://www.oakhampton.biz/ Phone: 02 67 85 6517.

For general enquiries about Manilla, please phone the Visitor Information Centre on 02 67 851 113.