Barry Hackett is a familiar face in the Armidale Mall, having owned the Sandwich Shop for 6 years. He recently went on an overseas trip and drops us a line to share the highs and lows of his adventure. Tell us about your family … Denise and I were married in 1974 and have three sons (Gareth, Rhys and Liam). Rhys and his partner, Melissa, live and work locally, and Liam lives and... [Read more]
Those who know Anthony Kelly, the Arrow Catcher, would describe him as a very high achiever. With 29 world records behind him (and 3 still pending), Anthony is a proud Armidalian and ambassador for our region. How is your New England Martial Arts Centre (NEMAC) going? Excellent! We now have over 200 students training 5 days a week and 6 government accredited coaches instructing. I must... [Read more]
Armidale resident, George Torbay, became a household name in 2008 after appearing as host judge on Australia’s reality music show, Battle Of the Choirs. He drops us a line to tell us about his latest project, The Hatpin. How long have you lived in Armidale? I grew up in Armidale. After I finished school, I left to take up a scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston,... [Read more]
As a Year 10 student, Alexandra Hawthorne of O’Connor Catholic College ventured over to Nepal. In this interview she explains how her trip has deepened her appreciation for the Australian education system and the love of her family. How did you first become interested in the children of Nepal? I first heard of Forgetmenot Children’s Home in Nepal through a family friend who was involved... [Read more]
Renaissance of a New England Village. The universal law of attraction is a strange and wonderful thing, and the little village of Kentucky is a great example of this. Twenty years ago, it was a cluster of cottages and houses on small acreages, a village store and a primary school with a dwindling number of students. Many of the vacant timber cottages were falling... [Read more]
Register Now for Encore in Armidale. The Exercise Program Provides Best Results for Recovery Post Breast Cancer Surgery Register now for the new term of the 2012 YWCA NSW Encore Program, an innovative and inspiring approach to recovery from breast cancer surgery. It’s a proven exercise program offered free in Armidale by YWCA NSW. The YWCA Encore Program is a gentle exercise... [Read more]
Grace Gordon (nee Archibald) is the daughter of Frank Archibald, who is honoured through the Oorala Centre and UNE – where the annual Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture carries his name. In this story, she tells us about her brother, whose name is also Frank. Your family is quite well known in this area? Yes. They’ve been well known for years in Armidale. My mum and dad talked to everyone.... [Read more]
Gavin Flanagan interviews Slim Dusty’s widow, Joy McKean, and well known photographer, John Elliott, about their upcoming visit to the 2012 Jayco Taamworth Country Music Festival. Joy, we can’t wait to see you in Tamworth for the 40th Jayco Tamworth Country Music Festival. One of the attractions this year will be Slim’s old Ford Fairlane ‘Ole Purple’, and I believe you’ll... [Read more]
Paul Fogo has been producing short films for most of his life. These days he is teaching for TAFE in Screen & Media. In this interview, Paul explains his passion for recording military and social history exhibits. How long have you lived in Armidale? After living in Surry Hills in Sydney, where we all thought we were the center of the universe I moved to a small College town in Massachusetts.... [Read more]
It’s been a busy 12 months at New England Girls’ School. We speak with outgoing Principal Ian Downs about the year that was. The most visible development about the school is the building work going on. How are things progressing? The flagship project, of course, is the Primary Industries precinct, comprising a huge indoor arena equivalent to 12 tennis courts and an 18... [Read more]
Attention all history and war lovers. Local gent Kevin Smith invites you to join him in Borneo to see for yourself what our ANZACS went through during the Second World War. How long have you lived in Armidale? Helena and I have lived in Chestnut Avenue for 41 years. We came here from Ashford Central School, where I had been Principal for a year, following my time at the University... [Read more]
Kim McConville from Beyond Empathy recently won two major gongs at the International Arts and Health Conference held in Canberra. She won the 2011 National Leadership in Arts and Health, Award for Excellence and Beyond Empathy scooped the Health Promotion with Art, Award for Excellence. Why did you start Beyond Empathy? I started Beyond Empathy in 2004 with the financial backing of our current chair,... [Read more]
Keep Your animals safe this festive season. The end of year holiday period brings with it a time of anxiety for those of us who work with companion animals. The holiday period can often be not so merry for our pets. Here is some advice from the New England Regional Companion Animal Shelter manager, Phill Evans, to help you care for your pets over the holidays. With... [Read more]
One year ago, Brad and Katie Hunt’s lives took on a whole new focus. They gave birth to beautiful twins, Millie and Annie, 10 weeks before their due date. Here is their review of the amazing year that was. How long have you lived in Uralla? We have both lived in Uralla all of our lives. We both attended Uralla Central School and completed our teacher training at the University of... [Read more]
Head Chef Ryan Charry from the Wicklow Hotel How long have you worked at the Wicklow? I have worked at the Wicklow Hotel for the last 5 months. I started under Allen Dell as the Sous Chef for about two months and was offered Head Chef when he left. I was previously employed at Archie’s on the Park as an apprentice and qualified under Ben Maling. During my... [Read more]
Last month we spoke with Barry Sinclair about the very popular book published by Allen & Unwin, Captain Thunderbolt and His Lady. We received an overwhelming response by locals asking us to interview the author, Carol Baxter. How did you become a historian? I graduated from Macquarie University with a BA majoring in linguistics; which probably seems like an odd degree choice for... [Read more]
Writer and Director Barbara Albury introduces Rockin’ Robin and the Hoods, a pre Christmas panto presented by the Saturday Magic Theatre Troupe – a group of disabled people and their friends. How did the Saturday Magic Theatre Troupe begin? The group got going in 2007 after a break of several years, with the folding of the popular Magic Circle. Luke Holmes (from The Ascent Group)... [Read more]
PLC Armidale is well known for its Community Service Program. School Chaplain, Jennifer Leahy, supports the girls with many community service activities and says, “As a Christian School, a large part of our ethos is outward focus; service is an integral part of what it means to be a Christian.” At school, we work to develop that sense of service in each girl and support them to volunteer and serve... [Read more]
Tom O’Connor has been the General Manager of Uralla Shire Council for four and a half years, following a four year period as Council’s Director Corporate and Community Services. How long have you been the General Manager of Uralla Shire Council? The position of General Manager for the Uralla Shire Council came up in July 2007, when the long term General Manager, Bob Fulcher,... [Read more]
Barry Wilks was first recognised locally for his chimney sweeping services to Uralla. These days, he is retired and writing books. His first, Come In Spinner, is an autobiography about a boy growing up in Wales and London during World War II. In this interview he talks about his latest book, Dolores. How did you come to work at the Telegraph newspaper in Sydney? My first job was at Neutral Bay Pharmacy,... [Read more]
Lorina Barker (third from left) is pictured with key drivers of Backburn. She explains how this new organisation plans to work with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mentors to help build skills the Aboriginal community desires. How long have you been in Armidale, and where are you from? I am a descendant of the Wangkumara and Muruwari people of Bourke, Weilmoringle and Brewarrina in north-western NSW.... [Read more]
Together, Dave Carr and Chris Whackett are working with Uralla, Armidale, Guyra and Walcha Councils to improve the condition of our urban riparian and bushland areas. Dave Carr. Project Director, High Country Urban Biodiversity Project (HiCUB). How long have you been with HiCUB? I have been the HiCUB Project Director for around 18 months. How did Uralla get involved in the HiCUB project? HiCUB is a... [Read more]
Introducing Andrew Parker, the President of Uralla Arts Council Inc. He gives us an insight into the organisation’s history and the areas of art that they are currently committed to. What is the history of Uralla Arts? Uralla Arts has been around since the mid-to-late ’90s, but I guess we have to go back to what was happening before that. Uralla has quite a reputation for... [Read more]
Trent Williams, Manager External Affairs of NBN Co, gives us an update. Tell us about the trial? The First Release Site of Armidale was the first centre on mainland Australia to receive the National Broadband Network (NBN) and is the first to realise the benefits of high speed broadband that will serve Australian homes, businesses, schools and hospitals for decades to come. Work on the NBN... [Read more]
Anthony & Donna Hillard are the owners of Bri-Ant Pest Control. They give us an informative look at which pests are most common to the New England. Tell us about your family. My wife Donna and I have been married for 17 years, and we have 2 wonderful children: Rhys aged 14, who attends O’Connor Catholic College; and Tarnie aged 9, who attends Ben Venue Public School. Donna... [Read more]
“The most exciting project since Armidale developed the university will be launched in the Town Hall on November 17,” says Judith Ross-Smith, chair of The Armidale Dumaresq Civic Precinct committee, which aims to revitalise the heart of the city. That is the scope of the project? We plan to build an integrated cultural precinct in the civic centre of Armidale. It comprises a new library,... [Read more]
Rowena Tall teaches music to St John’s Junior Shool, and this year her students are producing Seussical Jnr, a musical based on the books and characters created by Dr Seuss. Both you and your husband are into music. In what area do you both teach? I am a primary music specialist, and my husband Stephen is a private singing teacher. Before we left Sydney, Stephen was a professional... [Read more]
Long time local businessman Mark Bullen speaks on behalf of the new ‘Locals For Locals’ committee. He explains why it is most important to show support for your local community, by supporting your local businesses. How long have you owned your business in Armidale? We have owned this business since 1974, when my father, mother, my three sisters and I moved from Newcastle to Armidale... [Read more]
Leanne Cooper and Bev Stubberfield from the Thunderbolts Festival committee tell us about this year’s event, held in conjunction with Harleys for Humanity and celebrating ten years years in Uralla. The group was formerly called Harleys for Helicopters and raised over $700,000 in much needed funds for The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in NSW from 2001 to 2010. Evolution H4H evolved in... [Read more]
Meet the four Stewart brothers who are currently producing a movie called The Hoarders. Keaton explains how he and three of his siblings are all enjoying the art of film making. Tell us about your childhood. Growing up on the land in Inverell, my brothers Gerwood, Brylan, Taphyl and I spent most of our childhood playing outdoors, creating our own adventures. We didn’t have a... [Read more]
