The football season for 2009 is over, with a successful year for both the Uralla Tigers and Uralla Pussies. Our Presidents Cup started off strong and well at the beginning of the season, but unfortunately due to lack of numbers and injury, the Presidents Cup side was unable to continue the Tigers spirit. This was very unfortunate, as they only just missed out on making the finals for 2009. Congratulations... [Read more]

Ebor Beef Inc. is a large group of prime grass-fed beef producers from Ebor and surrounding districts. We talk to Sam and Jules Ditchfield, who are responsible for the marketing of Ebor Beef Inc. > Tell us about Ebor Beef Inc. Ebor Beef Inc. was established in 1993 by a group of prime beef producers from the renowned Ebor district. Ebor has some of the richest and most productive cattle grazing... [Read more]

The distinct impression you get when talking to mother of two Michelle Hemming is her sense of immense relief at having found the perfect setting for her and husband Andrew to bring up their young family. > How long have you lived in Armidale? Well, this is actually only our second week in Armidale, so we are still very much surrounded by boxes and in the throes of unpacking. We have only just... [Read more]

Mark Beretta is the Channel 7 sports reporter that Australia wakes up to every morning. In this interview, we find out why he is coming to Armidale in August. Mark also lets us in on a few SUNRISE behind the scenes moments. > When and where did you begin your career in journalism? I took a long and twisted journey into sports reporting! I got my degree in engineering, which always fascinated... [Read more]

Leanne Roobol is the Director of Music at New England Girls’ School. She tells us about NEGS’ philosophy of a quality music education that is accessible by all students. > How long have you lived in Armidale? I was born in Armidale and lived here until I completed my HSC. In 1988 I moved to Canberra to study voice at the Canberra School of Music. In Canberra I met my husband, who was studying... [Read more]

Matt Smith is a former TAS student who relocated to Coffs Harbour to further his career as a chef. He shares his passion for creating a holistic and surprising dining experience at his café O.P 81. > What did you enjoy most about being raised in Armidale? Being raised in Armidale was very enjoyable, thanks to the opportunities that a city provides while incorporating the values and support of... [Read more]

It has been eighteen months since Focus caught up with artist Kylie Mitchell. Since then, Kylie has expanded her creative skills, with the design of new homes and renovations … > Tell us about your family … My dad originally grew up in Armidale and my mum is from Dorrigo. My parents travelled a bit before coming back to Armidale with me and my two sisters. We all went to school here... [Read more]

Armidale girl Kristen Porter has modelled in over 500 fashion parades. She has recently opened a local deportment school, Ziva Modelling to train young people in the fine art of modelling and the development of confidence and self esteem. > How long have you lived in Armidale? I was born in Armidale and attended school at O’Connor Catholic College. I also undertook my Tertiary studies here,... [Read more]

Ken Thompson has been a Royal Freemason for 25 years and has just received a great honour from his fellow members. We find out why the RFBI have named Armidale’s newest aged care facility after him. > How did the Royal Freemasons become involved in this project? We have been involved in aged care in NSW for many years. We have 21 aged care facilities throughout the state, including The New England... [Read more]

Hayley Ward is a talented local artist who’s work includes Encaustic or hot wax painting. A technique lost during the middle ages and only rediscovered in the eighteenth century > How long have you lived in the region? We moved to Armidale six years ago from the Blue Mountains. We had visited Armidale a few times as we have family here, and we liked what we saw. We were interested in living... [Read more]

We chat with chef Keenan Hillard from the New England Hotel about his passion for good food. How would you describe your cooking and the cuisine you serve? We like to serve traditional food at the New England Hotel. I like the idea of getting what you pay for. With winter now upon us, we have several hearty meals to choose from. To name a few, there’s our slow cooked shanks, large range of soups... [Read more]

We chat with Rosa Mertens, Boongaiai’s Director. Rosa came to Armidale several years ago to do further study after completing her Steiner teacher training at Parsifal College, Sydney. Boongaiai is a preschool with all types of children is a richer place for the diversity. Rosa Mertens was appointed to Boonagaiai as Director for one year which has since gone on to become two, with the children... [Read more]

Walcha Dairy has been established for almost one year now. We manage to steal just a few minutes from manager John Crittenden’s very busy work schedule to see how things are going. > When did Walcha Dairy first open? We first opened after the property was purchased in Feb/March 2008. A 476 ha sheep and beef farm was converted into a highly productive dairy farm. Walcha Dairy first started... [Read more]

Andrew McCann, the proprietor of Webcessity talks to us about his new IT business. A local resident with a diverse background as a software developer, he and his staff develop innovative websites that provide businesses with an e-commerce online presence. > Tell us about your family … I come from a local Armidale family. I have three brothers: Damien owns a local plumbing business, James... [Read more]

Local wool handler Rex Ellis is the proprietor of High Country Wool Pty Ltd. He shares his industry experiences with us and explains why the New England region produces some of the best super-fine Merino wool in the country. > Have you always lived in the region? I was born and bred on a property near Ward’s Mistake, east of Guyra. We had super-fine merino wool on the property for many years,... [Read more]

From NEGS, both Jean Newall (OAM) and Heather Fisher are now listed in the ‘Who’s Who of Australian Women’. Jean was initially listed in the 2007 edition and continues to be included, while Heather is listed in the latest 2009 edition. This represents a unique situation, where two people from the current staff of the same organisation are simultaneously listed. Jean is the Archivist and Museum... [Read more]

With Mother’s Day nearby, Focus spoke to respected local parent Tonia Wheeler. She says that the credits for her well balanced children go to an amazing husband, close family and great friends. > Where were you born? I was born in Armidale. I went to school at Ben Venue and PLC. My mother, who was then Pam Burgess, was also educated at PLC. After school, I went to Teacher’s College. It... [Read more]

Colette Brazier, the mother of 5 children, runs a successful community dance school ‘Australian Dance Enterprises’ in Armidale and Guyra. > How long have you lived in Armidale? In 1991 I married Ken Brazier and moved from Sydney to my husband’s family property Eckersley Park, Guyra – 60 km north east of Armidale. The same year I received my Diploma in Primary School Teaching and began... [Read more]

For over forty years local architect Tony Deakin OAM has literally shaped the Armidale environment through his professional activity and community service – including a stint as Mayor. Here he talks about what makes Armidale such a great place to live and work. > How did you find yourself in Armidale? I was raised in India, as my father was in the Army, but with the partition of India my family... [Read more]

Robyn Knight was recently presented with an award for ten years of valued service to the Armidale Private Hospital. She tells us about her nursing career and describes her dedication to the treatment of patients with sleep disorders. > How long have you lived in Armidale? All my life. I was born in the Armidale Hospital and grew up just north of Armidale at Tilbuster, on a little property at the... [Read more]

Michael’s innovative use of technology in learning has brought him many awards for excellence in education. How long have you lived in Armidale? I moved with my family to live in Armidale in 1993. I was appointed to Drummond Memorial Public School as Aboriginal Education Resource Teacher in 1995. Prior to living in Armidale I had lived and taught in the Moree district since 1982. > Tell us about... [Read more]

Early childhood educator at St John’s Co-Educational Junior School, Catherine McCann, has worked with young children for the past 16 years. She gets enormous satisfaction from watching them grow and develop and helping to prepare them for ‘big school’. > Tell us about St John’s Co-Educational Junior School and your role there. St John’s Junior School caters for children from the age of... [Read more]

Local Jockey Geoff Snowden says that while the prize money might be smaller than in the city, country horse racing certainly has its own rewards. > Where and when did you do your apprenticeship? I spent a couple of years here in Armidale and got my ticket to ride in 1980. I did two years then went away to Sydney for eighteen months, working for Geoff Maynes in his stables.  We ended up moving... [Read more]

Anthony Kelly is becoming a household name and has helped to put Armidale on the world stage as one of Guinness Records’ top acts. We talk to him about his life and find out how it feels to be chosen as the 2009 Armidale Citizen of the Year.  > Describe your upbringing … I was born in Armidale in 1964 to Sam and Kitty Kelly (née Simpson, now Cooper). My family have been here for five... [Read more]

From being recognised as cooking some of the best steaks in the world to pioneering TAFE education in country NSW, award-winning chef Sandy Phillips has come out of retirement to bring his own flavour to Squires restaurant. > Did you always want to be a chef? I knew from the age of six that I wanted to be a chef and left school at 15 to go straight into catering school, before becoming fully qualified... [Read more]

Warren Lawler, Armidale Golf Club’s greenkeeper, strives for excellence in his chosen field. >When did you become the greenkeeper at the Armidale Golf Club? I started work at Armidale Golf Club on the 22nd August 2006. We left Cowra on the Saturday for the 8 hour trip, unpacked on the Sunday and started on the Monday.  > Where did you commence your career as a greenkeeper? I started as an... [Read more]

The Schmude family is very famous among local sporting associations, with just about every sibling involved with sport in some way. The eldest son Paul is the proprietor of Sportspower and has just won an Armidale Business of the Year Award. > Where do you fit in the famous local Schmude family?  I am the eldest of four boys; Dave, Damien and Marty are my younger brothers. We have quite a large... [Read more]

Rosemary Hyles has been running SOS Nursing & Home Care Service for 18 years and in that time has seen it grow into the largest private nursing service in the region. > What is SOS Nursing & Home Care Service? SOS is a nursing service that cares for people in a community setting, usually their own home. If they are on holidays, we can provide care while people are staying with family or... [Read more]

Robert Valler is the Commanding Officer of Training Ship Armidale, which is the 67th training establishment of the Australian Navy Cadets. They will celebrate their 15th Anniversary on 29th and 30th of November this year. > How long have you lived in the New England Region I have been in the New England area since 1994, when I came here to study at UNE. I ended up teaching in Armidale and then... [Read more]

Peter Bailey’s passion for his local community and desire to see regional communities grow led him to initiate Country Week, a series of expos promoting the benefits of country living to city residents. Peter tells us all about the expos and his vision for the future of the region. > When and how did you come up with the Country Week idea? I had always been involved with my community. When I lived... [Read more]