Welcome to 2010 friends
Welcome to 2010, and welcome to all the visitors who have made this beautiful part of the world their home for the holidays. Our home is untouched and unspoilt; that’s what we locals think. So treat it well and come again any time; you are welcome here. Make sure you get out and explore while you are here, because you will enjoy our natural wonders along with our quirky shopping strips and award winning eateries and attractions.
I am not going to tell you my New Year’s resolutions; it will be too repetitive. You’ll all be saying, “Here she goes again with the work less, more play, less TV, less food, less wine, more holidays, blah, blah …”, stuff she says each year. One year I did give up smoking; that was a great feeling – instant health benefits and more cash in my pocket.
Whatever yours is, make it attainable, because there’s nothing worse than feeling like you haven’t accomplished any of your wishes for the year.
Speaking of accomplishments, I was privileged to be invited to be the Chief Judge of the Manning Taste Competition, held as part of the ‘Manning International Day of People with Disabilities, Celebrating Abilities’ which took place at Saxbys Stadium on Friday 4th December. I had the opportunity to taste a range of wonderful cakes, slices, scones and biscuits. The difficult part was choosing the best one (they were all so good) and making sure that the other judges, one of them being Rob Oakeshott, didn’t eat too much cake.
The overall winner was a plate of the most wonderfully decorated cupcakes that I have ever seen, and they were light and fluffy too. I also enjoyed some great speeches, line dancing, music, and I was able to pat some beautiful guide dog puppies.
Congratulations to the organisers of such a wonderful event, celebrating abilities and showcasing the talents of some really wonderful people.
The very special ladies from Fountain Gate, Prue and Trude visited Wingham for a short while on Thursday 3rd December to celebrate a shopping evening at Bent on Life, Ashlea Road, A Bella Vita and Books. They wore their very stylish chambray shirts and pearls, chatting with customers and gift wrapping Christmas purchases while Wingsong entertained the customers with some beautiful a capella sounds.
The Manning Valley Combined Chamber of Commerce shared a Christmas party with the Taree Chamber of Commerce at the Royal Hotel Riverview Terrace on Friday 27th December. A great barbecue was served, along with music by local group The Stowaway Pirates. There were prizes, raffles and lots of dancing. We had a great night. Many thanks to the organisers and to all of the people who dressed up, especially those TAFE employees who won the best dressed group for the evening.
Back in Wingham, the Annual Wingham Chamber of Commerce Christmas Carnival attracted a crowd of around 1,000 people on Thursday 11th December, with Bent Street full of chocolate wheels, raffles and food stalls all raising funds for local charities.
The rides were there along with the ponies and special guest this year was Prime Possum. Santa was there too, giving out lollies and chatting to the kids and the kids at heart.
My sister Natalie celebrated her 40th birthday on Saturday 12th December, with a private party at Bent on Food. Around 30 friends and family came along for canapés and music by ‘The Workshop’.
Our feet were numb the next day from all the dancing as Kev and the boys pumped out tunes from the ‘70s and ‘80s along with some of their own music. Happy birthday Nat!
For those of you having a break this month, enjoy your time off and see you next month.
Please email me with any events you have attended or organised and send me some pics so that I can include them in the social pages. I can only write about what I am aware of, so be sure to share some information with me.
Cheers Donna
donna.carrier@bigpond.com
Welcome again friends
Do you believe it? It’s December already, and guess what, I am not anywhere near as organised as I promised myself. I am forever told that organisation makes your life flow more smoothly, but my question is when do you find time to get organised and what do you give up while you are spending your life filling your sock drawer? So once again I have decided that you need to be enjoying your life and sharing time with family and friends.
You are never going to look back and say, “I wish I worked more” but you may be wishing you spent more time with those you care about. We have come to the most appropriate time of year to do just that, so say yes to that Christmas party invitation, find some time just for you and catch up with those important people in your life.
An evening of music and transport was held at the Manning Regional Art Gallery on Friday, October 30th to raise funds for the gallery to purchase a much needed trolley for transporting their piano. The program ranged from classics by Telemann and Haydn to Folk Song and Swing, all performed beautifully by the talented choir.
We were treated to a wonderful array of canapés that were lovingly prepared by ‘Friends of the Gallery’. We were even treated to a glass of wine or two.
Still on music, Bent on Food’s monthly music night featured a newly formed group, ‘Alkemystyka’, featuring the combined talents of Bobby McCorkindale, Jessie Cowley-Martin, Hugh Cowley and Tracey McLeod. 35 Guests were transformed by the euphoric harmonies of the band while they dined.
Over 1,000 spectators attended The Forster Triathlon Multi Sport Festival on November 13th, 14th and 15th to support triathletes from all over NSW in a number of events. The weekend kicked off on Friday afternoon with a 1 km ocean swim, attracting between 50 and 60 local competitors.
Saturday morning began with the sprint marathon, a 750 m swim, 20 km cycle and 5 km run. Many locals participate in this event, with local athlete Aaron Woolley coming first in the 20-24 age division just a couple of minutes behind the overall fastest time of 59 mins and 16 sec.
The day continued with two ‘miniman’ triathlons for the little ones and an ‘enticer’ for athletes just getting into the sport, which was won by Jackson Ludlow. The finale for the day was the 5 km YMCA charity fun run, which Nick Hurlston completed in 16 mins and 14 sec.
It was a great weekend, bringing people together and increasing tourism in the area. Congratulations to the competitors and the spectators for their efforts.
Manning Valley Tourism held a very successful partnership function on Tuesday night, November 10 where approximately 80 guests attended Club Taree for the launch of the new Manning Valley Tourism branding. The new logo was well received and beautifully portrays the Manning Valley’s clean, green, fresh and natural look. Guests were treated to tasty ‘frog in a blender’ green Midori cocktails in line with the new ‘naturally’ green theme.
On Saturday, November 14, amidst all the triathlon fever, the spectacular wedding of Brett Drummond and Katrina Peck took place at The Green Cathedral, Tiona Park. Guests at the wedding, many from Sydney, were enchanted with the beauty of the area, particularly the calmness of Lake Wallis and the large number of vessels taking part in the sailing regatta being conducted in the background. Celebrant at the marriage ceremony was Forster civil celebrant, Mr. Joseph Court. The wedding reception was held at the award winning Club Forster.
On a very hot Sunday, some of the state’s best triathletes competed in the long course, with Dave Mathews of Queens Park finishing the 2 km swim, 60 km cycle and 15 km run in 2 hrs 59 mins and 49 sec, just 13 seconds in front of Port Macquarie’s Mitch Robbins. Shelley Beach athlete Chris Dmitrieff was in third place on 3 hrs 01min 23 sec followed by female winner Carrie Lester of Buddina on 3 hrs 36 mins and 47 sec.
Mid North Coast finalists in the NSW Tourism Awards travelled to Sydney on Thursday 19th November to compete with regional winners from all over the state. Finalists from Manning Valley and Great Lakes included Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse Holiday Accommodation Seal Rocks, New Tourism Development, Club Forster, Registered Clubs, Sevan Apartments Forster, Deluxe Accommodation, Old Bar Beach Festival, Festivals and Events, Bent on Food, Tourism Restaurants, Specialised Tourism Services.
Books 2 in Wingham had a successful opening on Friday 6th November, with special guest Di Morrissey on board to sign her latest release, ‘The Silent Country’. The heavens opened, causing flash flooding in the region, but around 40 die hard book lovers attended to have a chat with Di Morrissey and the owner of Books 2, Linley Blair while enjoying a glass of celebratory bubbles and canapés from Bent on Food.
Melbourne Cup celebrations in the Manning Valley were in the usual spirit, with lots of punters attending a day at The Winning Post at Taree Racecourse, with a great range of fascinators and hats worn by the local ladies for Fashions on the Field. We were busy sipping a glass or two of sparkling wine on our 2 day mini break at Harrington totally enjoying the surroundings and feeling proud of Wingham bred jockey Corey Brown for winning the race that stops the nation.
While on famous young men, we were sorry to see our Idol out of the competition, but at the same time we couldn’t be prouder of James Johnston for being such a wonderful talent with a maturity beyond his years. Well done James; you have done us proud, and we have enjoyed the journey.
Cheers, Donna.
donna.carrier@bigpond.com
Welcome again friends
It’s November and the parties have begun, the weather is warm and it’s time to get into those scary, bright summer clothes. This is when we begin going to the gym, eating more fruit and spending more time at the beauty salon getting the body ready to be seen in more revealing outfits. Sales of fake tan increase as we bring our legs out of the jeans and into shorts. Regrettably, I have given up on getting rid of the ‘cheerios’, you know the ones … the bits that wobble when you do the wave and take too much exercise to remove. I have decided that a little summer cardie is better for me; I must be getting old.
October was the month when our idol came to us; 500 people packed Wingham Central Park to see James Johnston. He thought he was here to visit family and have an interview with the local press; he had no idea that all his supporters would be there and that he would be playing on stage with his old school mates, ‘The Hydrofonics’.
In his normal style, he was humble and accommodating and he stayed to sign posters until the last fan left. He even said he may come back and play at Bent on Food some day! Don’t forget to stayed tuned with his progress each Sunday, and keep voting.
Still on the subject of music, Wingham Akoostik Festival was a great success on the 17th and 18th of October, with two jam packed days of high class entertainment. The festival is now in its third year and has grown in reputation as a must visit event for music lovers.
The weekend was headlined by Shane Howard, the man behind that popular track from the ‘80s, ‘Solid Rock’, which he recorded with his legendary band ‘Goanna’. I felt like I was nineteen years old again when he played that tune; it doesn’t get much better than that!
Wingham Akoostik Festival also showcases our local talent, with some great bands including ‘Up In Annies Room’, ‘Peggy Van Zalm Band’, ‘The Last Train’ and ‘The Workshop’ all doing us proud and proving that this area puts out some serious musicians. Afro Moses was back with his band, and his interactive style had the crowd up and dancing.
Cultural diversity was celebrated on Sunday 27th September when Cuddlepie preschool and Wingsong Choir hosted ‘The Magical Mystery Tour’ at Wingham Town Hall. Many cultures were represented, with the children from Cuddlepie performing beautifully in dance and song alongside the beautiful harmonies of the choir. A delicious cultural feast was served to ensure there were no empty stomachs. Federal Member of Parliament Rob Oakeshott showed his support by attending the concert with his family, all joining in with the celebrations.
For something a little different, guests who attended the wedding of Kevin Farrawell and Alisa Morrison on Sunday, October 11th wore fancy dress. The venue was Blackhead Reserve at Hallidays Point, with a lovely reception at the Redhead home of the groom’s mother, Julie. Forster Civil Marriage Celebrant, Mr. Joseph Court, officiated. Kevin is the son of Ian Farrawell, of Wingham, and Julie Farrawell, of Redhead, Hallidays Point; Alisa is the daughter of Michael Morrison, of Maitland, and Tania Questell, of Malaysia.
Another great night was held at The Other Side Gallery Teahouse on the 9th October for the opening of the ‘Stepping back to Italy’ art exhibition by Wendie Patch and Sharon Smith.
A wonderful blend of paintings and drawings were exhibited, and the Italian theme was extended to the menu and entertainment. Helen Knight was fabulous as usual with her skills on the piano accordion, and the exhibition was opened by Italian speaking Nino and Marie Lani of Forster. You can visit The Other Side from Friday to Sunday to see ‘Stepping back to Italy’ until the 8th November.
Thirty Japanese guests of Wingham Beef Exports were treated to an Aussie barbecue at Bent on Food on Wednesday 21st October. The guests were sales agents from the abattoir’s owner, Nippon Meatpackers, and they are responsible for promoting our beef to the restaurants and supermarkets in Japan.
They had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed their fresh prawns and Wingham beef, but they were especially intrigued with our waitresses’ blonde hair and spent lots of time taking photos of this phenomenon.
A wonderful Good Beginnings luncheon was held at the Dumaresq Island, home of Rosemary and Ian Sinclair on Sunday 18th October.
Succulent Wingham lamb was served with wines from Pooles Rock, and Chief Winemaker Patrick Auld was a fabulous guest speaker. Peter Colless conducted an auction, and Chair of Good Beginnings Australia Ian Sinclair addressed the guests with the latest news from the charity. Guests included John and Ann Turner, Roselyn and Wim Camphuis, Mayor Paul Hogan and Patty Hogan, Di Rose and Peter Feldbusch.
Two enlightening seminars hosted by the Wingham Chamber of Commerce were held at Club Taree and presented by Marketing Guru Linda Hailey. Participants were taught simple ways to create better relationships with clients and the importance of keeping customers happy and loyal.
Branding was made simple, with many participants going away and making instant changes to their businesses. It was a great opportunity to network with business people in the Manning.
Mid North Coast Food and Wine producers visited NSW Parliament on Monday 19th October for a food and wine showcase held for invited guests from the media and trade. Manning Valley producers included Rainbow Mushrooms, Manning Valley Eggs, Marrook Farm and Bent on Food. It was wonderful opportunity, as our products were showcased on the menu at Parliament House for the week.
Thanks to my wonderful staff for my surprise birthday party on Saturday 24th October.
See you next month.
Please email me with any events you have attended or organised and send me some pics so that I can include them in the social pages. I can only write about what I am aware of, so be sure to share some information with me.
donna.carrier@bigpond.com
Cheers, Donna.
Local photographer Linda Dawson has made a name for herself with her original and creative photos. We caught up with her to learn her secrets.
