Our Week Our Peak

When Head of School at PLC Armidale received a phone call from Old Girl Chloe Chick to ask if the PLC girls would sponsor 8 Tanzanian students to climb Mt Meru in Africa, her response was immediate. “Yes, our girls will sponsor the Tanzanian girls, but they will climb the mountain together.”     And so began a unique leadership challenge and partnership between PLC Armidale and the School... [Read more]

Red Ribbon – Lucy Donaldson & Tanya Webb

Happy Mother’s day to our readers. Lucy Donaldson and Tanya Webb are mothers of young children who have teamed up to be stay at home business women.                                                                                               Tanya: how long have you lived in Armidale? And why did you move here? We moved to Armidale almost... [Read more]

Charlie Allen – Principal at O’Connor Catholic College

Principal Charlie Allen drops us a line about the exciting things to come at O’Connor Catholic College.            How long have you been Principal at O’Connor, and what do love most about your job ? I am in my fifth year at O’Connor. Before that, I was principal at Saint John’s College, Whyalla, South Australia, and before that I held a number of positions at McCarthy... [Read more]

BackTrack – Business Awards

BackTrack, which has established a gilt edged reputation for turning around the lives of at risk youth in Armidale, has been nominated for this year’s Chamber Business Awards in the community service category.      The organisation’s innovative programs currently involve 54 young people in a range of activities that prepare them for work and re-engagement with the community. The mood... [Read more]

Ben Mitchell – Architect

Armidale has recently inherited a young Architect from Sydney named Ben Mitchell. Ben shares his excitement about his tree change and tells us why he has chosen to raise his family in the country.     Tell us about your family … My wife Melissa and I have three kids: Georgia, aged 10; Bayley, aged 8; and Belle, aged 5. Melissa is studying the biomedical science degree at UNE, and I... [Read more]

Topper’s Mountain – Seamus O’Brien

Mark Kirkby invites you to Topper’s Mountain for a long, lazy degustation lunch, with Seamus O’Brien, chef from the American Club in Sydney, serving up a feast.       Where is your Estate, and how long have you owned it? Topper’s Mountain is a rare piece of land about 5 km north of Tingha. We’ve only been here twelve years, so haven’t got a sign yet – but all things in good... [Read more]

Jim Ridley – young ‘man in business’

Meet Jim Ridley: here is a young ‘man in business’ who has literally used his muscle to raise thousands of dollars for charity.         Tell us about your family and your upbringing? I grew up in a fairly regular Australian household near Barraba with 2 younger siblings. We lived out of town, so got up to the usual stuff kids do in the bush: catching yabbies, mustering stock,... [Read more]

Christine Bartlett – Executive Program Director

Christine Bartlett, Executive Program Director, NextGen National Australia Bank Ltd, will be in Armidale on 7 March to address the Successful Women Series networking lunch for the PLC Armidale Foundation. This is an opportunity for the Armidale business community to benefit from lessons learned by this business leader, when she presents A Letter to My Teenage Self. What are the knowledge and skills... [Read more]

Stuart Boggs – Local Artist

New Works by Stuart Boggs is the next exhibition to open at Gallery 126, on Friday 2 March. We asked Stuart about his work, influences on his art and the exhibition.       Following 2 group shows last year – one locally and one with the Frances Keevil Gallery in Sydney, I have built up a body of new works for this show. I have continued to abstract the landscape, taking it a bit further... [Read more]

Kerry Wilson – Local Artist

Kerry Wilson is exhibiting at Gallery 126 during February. She explains that her inspiration comes from the strong contrasts in the local rock, trees and landscapes.       When and why did you first become interested in art? Art has always been in my life. I’m not sure when this started, but I’ve always liked making things. There were encouraging teachers along the way; this includes... [Read more]

Marine Magic – Pet Porpoise Pool

Armidale residents, Nicole Symington and Bill Bloomfield, had the time of their lives in January when they took their son Dylan and grandchildren Levi, Kodi and Chelsea to the Pet Porpoise Pool in Coffs.     The fun started as soon as the Armidale family entered the park. Thirty minutes prior to the main pool presentations, they got to enjoy a seal and dolphin kiss. Next they moved on to... [Read more]

Jacqueline Mabardi – Opera Singer

Jacqueline Mabardi is an opera singer, concert performer and oratorio recitalist who is also at home in musical theatre and operetta, having worked in all these fields. This year she will be singing for the first time at Opera in the Paddock at Mimosa, Delungra, on Saturday, March 24. Why did you decide to become an opera singer ? I sang from a very early age; I would simply call it my destiny in life.... [Read more]

Save The Brumbies

At a remote location hidden near Guyra, the New England Brumby Sanctuary was the venue for an Open Day. Photos and story Brett Dolsen.         The sanctuary was established in 0ctober 2008 to care for Brumbies removed from Guy Fawkes River National Park and to conduct a breeding and adoption program to preserve blood lines of horses under the management of STB, or Save the Brumbies.... [Read more]

Christine Hunt – New England Friendship Network Group

Some years ago, Christine Hunt found herself alone for the first time. This is the story about how she overcame her problem by starting NEW ENGLAND FRIENDSHIP NETWORK GROUP.     How long have you lived in Armidale? I was born in Armidale Hospital and have lived here all my life. Apart from the beautiful summers, Armidale has education, music, drama, scenic views and for those keen bushwalkers... [Read more]

Trevor Thatcher – Armidale School Cadet Unit’s Training Officer

LEADERSHIP training is a hallmark of The Armidale School’s Cadet Unit. We speak with the unit’s Training Officer, Trevor Thatcher, about this program that delivers lifelong skills. TAS parent, Trish O’Sullivan, also gives her perspective.   Trevor, what is your own defence training? I was a Regular Army armoured corps officer of the rank of Major, having graduated from the Australian Defence... [Read more]

Robin Hood – Lost In Tights

It’s raining Robin Hoods in Armidale this year, with the community pantomime Robin Hood; Lost in Tights opening at the end of the month at the Armidale Town Hall and Barbara Albury’s production, Rockin’ Robin and the Hoods, at the Hoskins Theatre on December 17 & 18. Armidale’s community pantomime Robin Hood; Lost in the Tights is a revised and localised production and opens for four performances... [Read more]

NEGS – Expedition To Thialand

Marissa Campbell-Service from New England Girls’ School talks about her experience helping others on a Christian service expedition to Thailand during the recent school holidays. We speak to Marissa and NEGS Chaplain Karen Eastment …     Tell us … who organized the trip? The group comprised students from NEGS, The Armidale School and PLC Armidal and involved helping disadvantaged... [Read more]

Variety, the Children’s Charity – Peter Harvey

Variety, the Children’s Charity, is a national not-for-profit organisation empowering children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs. Peter Harvey explains how YOU can get involved.     What prompted you to become involved in Variety, the children’s charity? In 2001 at 13 months old, my daughter Eliza was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome – a rare condition that causes... [Read more]

Andrew and Gina Haddad – NEGS Equestrian Centre

Extensions to the NEGS Equestrian Centre are nearing completion. The Centre has been financed through the Federal Government’s Trade Training Centre Program, in partnership with Duval and Armidale High, O’Connor Catholic College and Uralla Central. We speak with Andrew and Gina Haddad about the Centre’s bright future. Gina, you’ve both been instructors at the Equestrian Centre for some time.... [Read more]

Darryl and Rachel Stace – Altitude Coffee and Roastery

Darryl and Rachel Stace are the proprietors of a popular Armidale café called Altitude Coffee and Roastery. Darryl explains how every coffee served is made from their own roasted beans.     How long have you lived in Armidale? I actually grew up just down the road in Walcha. I left there in 2000 and moved to a few different parts of Australia and even to New Zealand for a while. In 2008... [Read more]

Jonathan Paul – Year 12 Environmental Supporter

Jonathan Paul is a Year 12 student at The Armidale School with a passion for environmental sustainability.         Jonathan, how did you become interested in sustainability? My passion for sustainability first started in Year 10, when my Geography class, taught by Mr Toakley, studied Waste Management. I was absolutely amazed at the level of waste we, as humans, generate and in particular... [Read more]

Emma Ayres – Presenter of ABC’s Classic FM Breakfast

Emma Ayres, presenter of ABC’s Classic FM Breakfast, Was invited to speak with us in Armidale to help raise funds towards building a Regional Performing Arts Centre       Where were you born? I was born in Dover, near the White Cliffs of Dover, which form part of the British coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France. What instrument did you first play, and where did you study... [Read more]

Tony Bennett – Adventure Riders

The New England offers some of the most beautiful and diverse scenery in the world. It’s not until you get out onto the back roads and tracks that a whole new world is opened up. We meet Tony Bennett from Adventure Riders to find out more   When and why did you return to Armidale? I returned to Armidale in early 2008 following 14 years at Tweed Heads, prior to which I was in the Upper Hunter... [Read more]

Paul Kotala – Founder of Tooth Aid Inc

Paul Kotala is a local dentist who’s making a difference. He is the founder of Tooth Aid Inc. which is set up to provide quality dentistry to people who would otherwise have limited access in developing countries.     Where did you study dentistry? I studied at Sydney University. I also studied Science at Sydney. Where are you practicing these days? I had a practice in Mossman, Sydney.... [Read more]

Drapht

Drapht is currently on the road with his Party Party Party tour. Nicci Secombe from Focus was over the moon when she was asked to interview her favourite Hip Hop artist, performing LIVE at the Stro, Wednesday, October 12.     You were introduced to music at a young age. Tell us a bit about that. Yes, I have been brought up in a musical household. My dad was a Jazz drummer and percussionist,... [Read more]

Boulus Constructions

Brian and Terri Boulus are the proprietors of Boulus Constructions Pty Ltd . They have been in the building industry for 20 years now and have recently taken on huge building contracts in Armidale , which has led them to opening an office in Rusden Street.   How long have you lived in the New England area? Forever, but never in the same place twice … we have been living here in Armidale for... [Read more]

Living History with Jean Newall

Mrs Jean Newall is passionate about the rich history of Armidale, particularly in her role as Archivist at New England Girls’ School and has put together an exhibition at the Armidale Folk Museum for National History Week. What do the NEGS Archives mean to you? History starts yesterday. I find the life people lived in the past came so much more vividly to life with their memorabilia around you. We... [Read more]

Dr Graham Hall – Wildlife Biologist

Dr Graham Hall is a wildlife biologist. He has chosen to relocate to Armidale because of its close proximity to the bush environments and the coastal region. How did you first discover Armidale? We first ‘discovered’ Armidale through the University of New England. My wife successfully completed a degree at UNE several years ago, and our daughter completed a Psychology degree with Honours at UNE... [Read more]

Dead Letter Circus

Alternate rock band Dead Letter Circus is heading for the Stro after touring the USA. Guitarist Rob Maric highlights the contentious issue of coal seam gas in their No Fracking Way Tour, to help raise public awareness of this global issue.Tell us a little about what you guys are doing at the moment. We’re currently travelling the United States, playing shows all the way from the West Coast to... [Read more]

Pony Tale

Virginia Wong See, Hamish Holley and their young daughter Dominique have recently relocated  from Sydney to Armidale. This interview describes how one very proud Armadillian named Robyn Swindale convinced this family that Armidale is the place to be. When and why did you first consider moving to Armidale? Hamish and I had discussed moving away from Sydney once our daughter Dominique finished high... [Read more]