Mums on a Mission

Lynda Lynch tells us about the local mums making the trip to visit the School of St Jude, with a huge local fundraiser to support the children who attend there. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will also be part of the itinerary. When and why are you off to Africa? We leave Armidale on the 29 September 2010 and arrive in Africa on the 30 September. Initially, there were one or two of us who were keen to... [Read more]

Shaun Cassidy

The Cassidy family of Merilba Estate Wines have such an enthusiasm for the New England as a region and New England wine in particular, that they have invested in their dream project of converting an old shearing shed into a venue which rivals many in the Hunter Valley. One look at this Cellar Door and you can imagine yourself in any of Australia’s premier wine growing regions. The building which... [Read more]

David Hegarty

In this interview we pay tribute to an outstanding local named David Hegarty, who passed away recently. We talk to his wife Lorraine, who describes his working life  as Armidale’s town engineer. > When and how did you and David first meet? David and I met in 1962 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Fellowship in Newcastle – it was love at first sight. > When and why did you move to Armidale? David... [Read more]

Andreas Buisman

Andreas Buisman is a world renowned rock sculptor. In this interview he tells us why he is flying in from overseas to visit Walcha. > Where do you live? I live in Vienna and work on an old little farm close to the Czech border, half way between Vienna and Prague. I also regularly visit Australia twice a year for some six weeks and work, mostly in rural NSW and Victoria. I touch base with good friends,... [Read more]

Kate Black

Kate Black is a professional photographer who adores living in Inverell. She was more than willing to assist Focus in showcasing all that her regional city has to offer. We explore her life behind the lens. > Tell us about your background … I grew up on a property North West of Lighting Ridge, NSW. It was a very grounded and magical childhood, where I spent many hours making daisy chains in... [Read more]

James Eccles

Proud parents Sandra and Rob Eccles talk about their son James’ extraordinary football career with absolute pride in his achievements. > What did James do while he was in the UK? He trained at six professional football academies and got first hand training from the goal keepers of the reserve teams of the premier league. James says it was very exciting; it was a very good experience for him to... [Read more]

Kamahl Barhoush

Kamahl Barhoush is the Director of KAMS Group, which provides personal and group fitness training that inspires and empowers participants. > How long have you lived in the region? I was born and bred in Tamworth and after moving to Sydney to study at Uni, I moved to Canada and Europe before settling back in Australia in 1998. I took on a role with NSW Sport and Recreation based out of Dubbo when... [Read more]

Ian Downs

Meet the principal of NEW ENGLAND GIRLS’ SCHOOL, Ian Downs. His passion for teaching is such that he has spent the past fourteen years actually living on school campuses. > When did you commence as Principal Of NEGS? Officially commenced on 20th April 2009, which was the middle of the Term One vacation. > Where did you live and teach prior to NEGS? I have spent 14 of the last 16 years living... [Read more]

Tracy on Getaway

Uralla lady Tracy Le Messurier got the shock of her life recently when she was whisked away to Fraser Island by Channel Nine’s Getaway program. A stretch limousine ride to the airport from the Armidale Mall began the holiday of a lifetime, with camera crew in tow. She shares her exciting experience with us. > Describe the moment when Channel Nine’s Getaway crew surprised you … It... [Read more]

Armidale Motorcycle Club

The Armidale Motorcycle Club has been established for almost 40 years, and Greg Frost has been a member since he was 15 years old. He shares the club’s history and his dedication to the sport of motorcycle racing. > When did the Armidale Motorcycle Club first begin? The Armidale Motor Cycle Club (AMCC) was started in the early ‘70s by some keen motorcycle enthusiasts, and meetings were held... [Read more]

Anthony Williams Seeders

From blueprints written on a pub beer coaster to state wide recognition, this has been the journey of Anthony Williams’ invention. We learn more about the man and the inspiration behind his machine … > Tell us about your history I was born in Armidale on the 16th December 1963, the fourth child and first son of Tony and Elizabeth Williams. I attended St Mary’s and O’Connor Catholic... [Read more]

Armidale Teachers College

Since they gathered together in 1997 to save The Old Teachers’ College from being mothballed, a very dedicated group of Friends has worked tirelessly to bring it back to life as a centre for education and cultural activities. Gwenda Shannon explains how the historic building is preserving the past while creating inspiration for the future. > What persuaded you to step in and take on the responsibility... [Read more]

Bishop Muhima

Bishop Doctor Edward Muhima is a leading community and church figure in Uganda and East Africa, with a fascinating personal history and breadth of experience and responsibilities in the Diocese of North Kigezi. The Anglican Diocese of Armidale shares a very special relationship of mutual support and encouragement with Bishop Edward’s Diocese, and his May visit to Armidale and the wider New England... [Read more]

Nich Richardson

Armidale resident Nich Richardson’s passion for drama and film is surely paying off. Not only is he working beside Charles Firth, one of the founding members of The Chaser comedy team, but their latest comedy documentary has just been nominated for a 2009 Logie award. > Tell us about your early script-writing efforts … The earliest I can remember writing something to perform was when my... [Read more]

Yaraandoo ECO lodge

From Little Styx River Cabins, to Moffat Falls Lodge & Cottages, to Yaraandoo, Lorraine Gordon is passionate about everything she does. > Yaraandoo is well know for hosting conferences. What else does it cater for? Yaraandoo was built by Dumaresq Shire Council in 1999 as an educational interpretive centre for school groups and visitors to the region. My husband Jack and I purchased Yaraandoo... [Read more]

David Austin Roses

On a former orchard in Kentucky, Kate Hedges is growing David Austin roses for the cut flower industry. We find out more … > What inspired you to start growing roses as a business? My grandmother had a beautiful garden here in Kentucky, which I spent a lot of time in as a child. She had a lot of roses and flowers rambling all over the place – she was never very concerned with neatness and... [Read more]

Opera in the Paddock

When Peta and Bill Blyth started Opera in the Paddock at their Delungra property eight years ago, they had no idea it would grow into a major regional event with such a devoted following. On Saturday, March 14 the eighth popular concert under the stars at Mimosa will have its biggest line up of artists yet, and many of them will be regional artists and technical staff. > Peta how did it all begin? I... [Read more]

Armidale Eco Home

Lauren and Glenn are leading the way when it comes to living green. The innovative ideas and changes in their own lives are an inspiration. > Lauren and Glenn, what prompted your green lifestyle?  We are a young family with a 4yr old son Ethan, and an energetic 1yr old baby named Zabella. We are trying to do something to contribute to the longevity of the environment for them.  > Lauren, tell... [Read more]

Ural of Oz

Jon Taylor has a passion for motorcycles. As a past competitor in off-road endurance racing, Jon was quite successful, but his love of motorcycling led him to experience other aspects of this popular pastime. We chat to Jon about his future on three wheels. Last year Jon began the intergenerational farm handover process to his son, Michael, by stepping out of the day to day management process on the... [Read more]

Know Your Body Program

This is the second year that Senior Constable Harmer from PCYC with the assistance of Kamahl Barhoush from KAMS Health & Fitness has run the Know Your Body Program, which is sponsored by the NSW Dept of Sport and Recreation. Two years ago Senior Constable Harmer wrote a program that focused on young people learning more about how their bodies function. This was achieved by creating an environment... [Read more]

Welcome to Kentucky

When taking in the hectares of rolling hills, orchards, churches, gardens while soaking up the high country climate and sense of peace, the average Kentucky visitor may find it hard to believe so much is going on in this thriving community. Nestled between Uralla and Walcha, the beautiful area of Kentucky started as an orcharding settlement for returned WWI servicemen and is steeped in history and... [Read more]

Keiren Weston

Last year Keiren Weston was tragically knocked down by a truck in Uralla. And sadly, he lost his leg. This article tells the story of Keiren’s journey so far … > The Accident As many people in our beautiful town of Uralla are aware, Keiren Weston is the 10 year old child who was run over by a semi-trailer on the pedestrian crossing in Uralla on the 22 July 2008. Keiren was riding his bike... [Read more]

Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival

The Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival is a vehicle which enables local people to get together and display/promote their goods and services, and Guyra, to the general public. It’s held at Rotary Park, which is lined with stall after stall, full of everything imaginable. Guyra, ‘Top of the Range’ is centrally located between the major population centres of the New England Region, and tourists staying... [Read more]

Armidale Soccer

Whether you call it soccer or football is irrelevant; the popularity of the sport has exploded in Armidale, with roughly 10% of the city’s population playing the game and an estimated third of the population involved. We speak with Graham Parsons about the success of the sport and why it’s a great choice for people of all ages. If you live in Armidale, chances are that you, a family member or a... [Read more]

A day with Torbay

Chloe Burton was primed for an action-packed day in Parliament after being invited to follow Richard Torbay on the day of the NSW mini-budget. She was completely unprepared, however, for the organised mayhem that was a day behind the scenes with the Speaker of the House. Being offered the chance to follow the esteemed Speaker of the House, the Hon. Richard Torbay MP, as he navigates his way through... [Read more]